zoku — Restaurant in Redondo Beach

I recently visited Zoku to celebrate a friend's birthday and proposal, and it was a fantastic choice! The new yakitori spot has a minimal yet thoughtfully designed interior that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The salad dressing was perfect way to start the meal and I have been trying to figure out how to replicate the dressing. The yakitori itself was exceptional, with each skewer cooked to perfection and bursting in flavors. We couldn't decide on which dessert to get and ended up just ordering all 3 desserts and they did not disappoint! I don't have much of a sweet tooth but the desserts were perfect as they were not overly sweet!

Also, the staff were attentive and friendly, adding to the overall experience. So, if you're looking for a place with great food and relaxed ambiance, Zoku is definitely...

From the second you walk in, it's clear this place is serious about its food--like, "we have a private chef for our dog" serious. The decor, dishware, and food are so perfectly in sync, it's like they hired a choreographer for their kitchen. The wagyu skewersand meatballs are like the culinary equivalent of a standing ovation. And the desserts? The peach parfait is basically a hug in a glass, and the matcha brûlée is so good, it might actually be a form of sorcery. This place is so hot right now, you might need a reservation just to get in line. Get there early, or prepare to elbow your way through a crowd of food...

We had a lovely dinner experience at Zoku.

The food was amazing with great quality of ingredients. The chicken was cooked so well and very juicy in all of the chicken dishes. I thought the textures for each dish were wonderfully done. Highlights include the teba chicken wings, curry seasoned shishito peppers, zoku karaage, and wagyu beef. They ran out of the hojicha panna cotta but the mango parfait we ordered instead impressed us - tasted very fresh and not too sweet.

Service was excellent and the whole staff is so welcoming and attentive. Huge props to the whole crew. I would love to return here...