Katsumura — Restaurant in Artesia

Had my eye on this place for a year since they initially opened but didn't have a chance to visit until today. It's the closest place to the South Bay that serves gyukatsu. We came in around 8PM on Sunday and managed to snag the last open table that they had available. Even if we weren't able to get that initial table, the wait time was only ~15 mins before another table opened.

We were welcomed enthusiastically and our waiter gave us a jug of iced water while we perused the menu. I initially wanted to try the gyakatsu but opted for the beef yakiniku set and tonkatsu set instead. We were not disappointed with our picks.

5/5 The tonkatsu set was very delicious. The set included a hefty portion of tonkatsu, a heaping bowl of rice, cabbage salad, mac salad, potato salad, and miso soup (which they forgot to bring out and we forgot to ask). The pork was juicy and the breading was light but crispy.

5/5 The beef yakiniku came with ribeye, boneless short rib, finger meat, steamed egg, salad, pickled radish, kimchi, and spicy soup (which they forgot to bring out but we were super stuffed by the time we remembered so no harm done). They brought a small table wide charcoal grill for us to cook our meats. One of the waiters (I didn't catch his name, Heejin?) was nice enough to help us cook the ribeye steak. Super cool and chill dude, good vibes.

Even though the restaurant was constantly packed, the 3 waiters and bussers were attentive and very prompt with service.

Will definitely be back to try the...

Katsumura is a hidden Gem for Japanese Comfort Food in Artesia.

If you’re craving authentic Japanese comfort food with a modern twist, Katsumura in Artesia, CA is a must-visit. I recently dined here and left completely satisfied; both in appetite and experience.

I ordered the Pork Katsu with Curry, the Gyu Katsu, and some Tuna, and while everything was delicious, the standout for me was the Gyu Katsu. The meat was incredibly tender and flavorful. Easily one of the best versions I’ve had. Each bite was juicy making it the kind of dish you think about days later.

The atmosphere is laid-back and inviting, with chill lo-fi music setting a relaxed, cozy vibe. It’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a satisfying meal. The service was equally impressive. Tim, our server, was outstanding, friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed.

One of the great perks of Katsumura is their value. The pricing is fair and absolutely worth every bite. You get high-quality food and generous portions without breaking the bank. Pro tip: their menu expands after 4 PM, offering even more options to choose from, so consider visiting in the evening if you want to explore more dishes.

I’d definitely recommend Katsumura to anyone looking for an excellent Japanese meal in a chill setting with top-notch service. It’s a spot I’ll be returning...

« Katsumura » was a deeply unsettling dining experience. Will not visit again.

NOTES:

i.) Inattentive staff--the waiters did not seem to be properly trained, and many tables (our own, and other parties beside us) took an unusual amount of time to be seated, waited, & served. ii.) Unhygienic--there was mold on the water pitchers. iii.) Bad service--bowls of rice, which usually accompanies some orders, did not arrive with our meals. We asked about it, and our waiter admitted to running out of rice. We received rice 10 minutes later, but it was undercooked/hard. This wasn't the case with some other tables, who did get any rice at all. iv.) Disappointing food quality--the breading on the katsu was fine, but the pork was dry. The sauces and sides were saccharine sweet--not inedible, just disappointing. The flavour is very different from what one would expect from a traditionally Japanese/Korean donkatsu sauce. v.) Rowdy ambience--not a quiet and relaxing place. Environment is claustrophobic, chaotic, & loud. Could barely hear each other with indoor voices. The restuarant seems to attract younger, energetic crowds that want place to drink, which is surprising considering that a bottle of soju is ~$14 a bottle ($10 during 'Happy Hours').

Overall, the restuarants is lacking in many departments--my party left the establishment very...