Recent Best Duck Breast Dish! 🦆✨

I’d always heard about this hidden izakaya tucked away in Arcadia, and finally got the chance to check it out with friends. Some surprises, some letdowns—it’s a nice spot if you live nearby, but maybe not worth a long drive. Izakaya Tonchinkan 📍713 W Duarte Rd, Arcadia It’s next to a UPS store—easy to miss since the wooden sign is faded! Better make a reservation; they only take phone bookings. Walk-ins might get limited dining time. ⏳📞 ⚠️ One downside: on a cold day, the restaurant wasn’t very warm, and the plates weren’t heated—so the food cooled down really fast. Not ideal for a cozy meal. ❄️🍽️ We ordered sake, and they brought a tray of cups for us to choose from—fun touch! 🍶🎎 🌟🌟🌟 Salmon and Ikura Donabe Rice Hot rice in a clay pot topped with big pieces of salmon and salmon roe. Mix it up, take a spoonful—the rice soaks up all the richness, and the ikura pops in your mouth with bursts of umami! 🍚🐟 Best eaten fresh; if you reheat it later, the roe gets cooked. Reminds me of my college days at Raku in Weho—this dish took me back! While not quite as fragrant or crispy-bottomed as Raku’s, it’s still a solid favorite. 💯 🌟🌟 Wild Sweet Shrimp Fresh and subtly sweet, though the “10 shrimp” were super tiny—barely a mouthful. You gotta eat a few to really taste it. 🍤👌 🌟 Takowasabi Flavor and freshness were fine, but the octopus was chopped too small—hard to pick up with chopsticks, and lost that nice crisp texture. 🐙😕 🌟🌟🌟 Grilled Duck Breast Thin-sliced, smoked duck breast—so tender and smooth! It highlights the duck’s natural flavor without any gaminess. A rare preparation, top-tier quality! 👍🔥 🌟🌟 Grilled Beef Tongue Not exactly thick-cut, but grilled simply with a nice charcoal aroma. Sadly, the pieces cooked unevenly—the thinner edges got a bit overdone. 👅🔥 🌟🌟 Bluefin Toro Roll I thought I’d ordered a hand roll (oops—didn’t read the menu carefully!). It was okay, nothing special. 🍣😅 🌟 House Made Cold Tofu Very tofu-forward. Topped with nori, bonito flakes, and matcha salt—but no matter how you mix it, the strong soybean flavor stands out. Texture’s like silken tofu. Avoid if you’re not into that beany taste! 🧈🌿 Have you been to a hidden izakaya lately? What’s your must-order dish? Share below! 👇🍶 Any underrated spots in Arcadia I should try? Let’s exchange tips! 💬❤️ #LosAngeles #LAEats #LAFoodie #ArcadiaEats #IzakayaLife #JapaneseFood #DuckBreastDelight #DonabeRice #HiddenGems #FoodReview #SakeTime #CozySpot #AsianCuisine #EatLocal #FoodDiary #DiningOut #UmamiBomb #TrySomethingNew #FoodieFind #SupportLocal