I’m a Los Angeles Native and I Suppose These Sleepy Suburbs Are the Metropolis’s Greatest Meals Neighborhoods—This is The right way to Go to

Los Angeles is many issues. It’s the capital of the leisure trade, one of many nation’s most beloved seashore cities, and one of the culturally various cities on the planet, with 224 languages spoken throughout the area. However above all, Los Angeles is a meals metropolis—and the most effective within the nation. 

When individuals say “Los Angeles,” they’re usually referring not simply to the town itself, however to Los Angeles County, which spans 88 cities and is house to greater than 9 million individuals (that’s a much bigger inhabitants than 40 U.S. states). I’ve lived within the L.A. space for eight years, and whereas glamorous spots like Santa Monica and West Hollywood are inclined to get the lion’s share of consideration, I’m a fan of the South Bay— particularly Gardena and Torrance. 

In contrast to their extra well-known siblings, like Redondo Seashore and Manhattan Seashore, these two cities are virtually totally landlocked, save for a small stretch of shoreline in southern Torrance. This isn’t the place you go for palm tree-lined strolls or boutique buying. However for those who’re on the lookout for a true only-in-Los-Angeles expertise, that is the place you may discover it.

Gardena and Torrance are house to the most important Japanese American populations within the U.S. outdoors of Hawaii. A lot of L.A.’s unique Japanese immigrants settled in Gardena within the mid-1800s, when it was a key agricultural hub—strawberries had been one of many most important crops, incomes it the nickname, “Berryland.” Later, the arrival of Japanese firms like Honda and Toyota (earlier than the latter relocated to Texas in 2017) helped cement the cities as integral hubs for L.A.’s Japanese American group.

Little Tokyo usually steals the highlight, however Gardena and Torrance’s Japanese American roots run simply as deep. And for those who’re prepared to make the drive down the ten, you’ll uncover a few of the finest meals within the Southland, starting from raucous izakayas to handmade noodle spots. Certain, there are flashier locations to go to—however will they be as tasty?

Right here’s what it’s essential to know earlier than visiting two of Los Angeles’ finest (and most underrated) meals neighborhoods, Gardena and Torrance.

Greatest Locations to Eat

Gaburi Hen

One of many neatest issues about Gardena and Torrance is that you would be able to usually discover American outposts of Japanese manufacturers right here, and a tasty instance is Gaburi Hen. This chain was based in Nagoya in 2010 and takes a extra trendy, youthful spin on the normal izakaya expertise. Relatively than beer and shochu (although you’ll be able to definitely order that), citrus highballs reign supreme, and you may select both a grapefruit, orange, or lemon soda, which comes with a recent fruit branded with the Gaburi brand. Because the identify suggests, Gaburi Hen focuses on karaage (Japanese fried rooster), which you’ll select to take pleasure in in a set meal with rice and pickles, in a burger, and even with ramen.

Otafuku

That is really one of many South Bay’s best-kept secrets and techniques. Otafuku has a nondescript storefront off of Western Avenue, and it’s a kind of locations you’d merely cross by for those who didn’t understand it was there. Enter from the parking zone within the again, and also you’ll discover a cozy, family-owned restaurant that’s been a stalwart landmark in Gardena ever because it opened in 1997. It is a place the place individuals come to unwind, and also you’ll discover a “bottle maintain,” a wall the place prospects have bought bottles of spirits that they will sip from every time they go to. Nonetheless, the celebrities of the present listed here are its handmade soba and udon noodles, made recent every day by proprietor and noodle grasp Seiji Akutsu. When it comes to soba, the fragile all-white seiro is a customer-favorite, however I’m a fan of the new udon noodles—spring for the unagi udon, which comes with the most important slab of completely fried eel I’ve ever seen.  

Sushi Inaba

The South Bay is completely spoiled with good sushi eating places, so it may be laborious to select simply one place. However Sushi Inaba earned the South Bay’s first and solely Michelin star in 2022, making it a critical contender as the very best sushi restaurant within the space. The eating area has only a handful of seats, so that you’ll want a reservation to eat right here. Although there are chirashi bowls and handroll units out there for buy at lunch, the principle attraction is the omakase dinner, created by chef Yasuhiro Hirano, who likes to make use of cuts of uncommon fish (assume: monkfish liver, shirako, and aged skipjack) in his creations. Whereas an omakase dinner will set you again about $300 per individual, count on a once-in-a-lifetime degree eating expertise with tremendous recent fish and a artistic spin.  

Curryfornia 

Japanese curry would be the final consolation meals, and Curryfornia has the craft right down to an artwork and science. Many eating places merely serve boxed curry—however that is not the case at Curryfornia, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in curry constituted of scratch. The menu right here could be very unfussy—diners merely select white or brown rice, their most well-liked spice degree, three free toppings corresponding to fried onions, candy corn, and potato salad, in addition to a protein corresponding to traditional katsu (fried pork tenderloin), fried shrimp, or karaage. There’s just one desk on-site with a few chairs, so make backup plans to eat at a close-by park or at house. However come early: Curryfornia ceaselessly sells out effectively earlier than closing time.

Hakata Ikkousha Tonkotsu Ramen

There are fairly actually dozens of ramen outlets all through the South Bay, and also you truthfully can’t go improper with any of them (and as any ramen connoisseur is aware of, ramen preferences could be deeply private). Nonetheless, one of many favorites within the space is Hakata Ikkousha Tonkotsu Ramen, which initially hails from Fukuoka and serves Hakata-style ramen, aka tonkotsu or pork bone broth-based ramen. There are some wild choices on the menu, just like the “black” (it’s flavored with black garlic) or “god fireplace” choices (it’s doused in dried chilis), however most people often go for the traditional tonkotsu, which is thick and wealthy from being gently boiled for as much as 9 hours.

Greatest Issues to Do

Have a quiet second on the Pine Wind Backyard.

This little-known spot opened in 1991 within the Torrance Cultural Arts Middle Campus, and was designed by Nationwide Panorama Award winner Takeo Uesugi, a Japanese American panorama architect who specialised in Japanese gardens. Right here, you’ll discover a traditional koi pond with two small waterfalls surrounded by elegant bonsai timber. Utterly free and open to the general public (additionally they accommodate occasions), it’s a pleasant place to steal away a quiet second within the coronary heart of Torrance. 

Attend a competition on the Gardena Buddhist Church.

Gardena Buddhist Church was based in 1926 by early Japanese immigrants to Gardena. The church is a Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha temple, a part of essentially the most broadly practiced department of Buddhism in Japan. Whether or not you’re hoping to be taught extra about Buddhism or just achieve a deeper understanding of Japanese American tradition, this can be a nice web site to go to. The church has a beautiful most important corridor, a meditation room, plus a Japanese-style backyard with a koi pond. There are occasions and workshops held all year long, however a few of the most memorable embody its Obon Competition, an occasion that honors the reminiscences of people that have handed. The temple is celebrating its a centesimal anniversary in 2026.

Take a category on the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute.

This little-known establishment was initially based in 1912 as a Japanese language college, however over time, it has expanded its scope and function. At this time, the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute is a pillar of the South Bay Japanese American group, and when you can positively nonetheless take language courses, the middle additionally supplies meals for seniors, holds occasions and festivals, and hosts enjoyable workshops. Some upcoming courses and occasions embody a mochi-making demonstration, a Japanese New 12 months meals workshop, and an artwork present.

Greatest Locations to Store

Tokyo Central 

Right here’s just a little secret: you don’t really have to fly all the best way to Japan to refill on Japanese components, family necessities, kitchen provides, and skincare. There are two Tokyo Central areas in Gardena (in addition to one in Torrance), however I like to recommend heading to the one on Artesia, which payments itself as the most important Japanese grocery store in California at 45,000 sq. ft. Tokyo Central is owned by Japan’s Don Quijote, the beloved multi-sensory overload low cost shops that may be discovered all throughout the nation. Along with all of the kitchen components it’s possible you’ll want, there’s a meals courtroom with curry, karaage, and takoyaki outlets, in addition to a scorching deli. I like spending a few hours searching the skincare aisle, the place I can discover manufacturers that I beforehand solely thought I may purchase in Japan, corresponding to Hada Lobo, Sana Nameraka Honpo, and Kaena Nadeshiko. And for the very best (sure, the precise finest) conveyor belt sushi expertise in L.A., head upstairs to Waka Sakura, which focuses on nigiri, rolls, and scorching objects like udon and fried squid.

Boogie Maru

For metropolis pop followers, there’s no higher vacation spot than Boogie Maru, a small however mighty file retailer positioned in the identical strip mall as Curryfornia. Although there’s a pleasant number of each style you’ll be able to consider, from worldwide folks, jazz, and traditional rock, the true gem right here is the good number of metropolis pop albums. All information are in pristine situation, and I’ve misplaced quite a lot of hours searching the choice right here. 

Chikara Mochi

For the prettiest wagashi creations you’ve ever laid eyes upon, head to Chikara Mochi, just a little mom-and-pop store positioned on Western Avenue. There are a number of traditional daifuku (mochi filled with crimson beans) to select from, however the true knockouts listed here are the mochi which are themed round flowers, seasons, and small animals. Though the creations are across the dimension of a kid’s palm, they’re adorned with vivid, colourful scenes like koi swimming in a pond, bunnies having fun with the odor of flowers, and a few are even formed to resemble peaches, oranges, and apples—they’re really artworks. You’ll additionally discover seasonal favorites corresponding to delicate sakuramochi (rice cake dyed a pastel shade of pink, stuffed with crimson bean, and wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf) within the spring. Observe: the enterprise is cash-only and so they usually promote out effectively earlier than their common 4 p.m. closing time, particularly on the weekends. 

Meiji Tofu

I hate to be a kind of individuals, however tofu does really style a lot completely different in East Asia, and if I’d solely ever eaten American tofu, I’d hate it too. To strive the true factor with out the aircraft ticket, you’ll have to cease by Meiji Tofu, which makes recent, Japanese-style tofu every single day—it’s the one store of its type within the L.A. space. There’s a wide range of completely different tofu varieties that you would be able to choose from, starting from traditional delicate tofu to ”supreme” varieties, that are made with twice as many soybeans. My private favourite factor to get is the soy milk that is available in pint or half-gallon servings. For those who can’t make it right down to Meiji’s brick-and-mortar, you’ll find their merchandise at Tokyo Central and Nijiya Market.

Hitachiya USA

This neat specialty retailer sells Japanese cookware and knives. Hitachiya was initially established in 1956 in Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market and opened its American outpost in 2011. You’ll discover all kinds of high-end kitchenware right here, and the store additionally affords knife sharpening companies and classes. 

Nightlife

Braveness Piano Lounge + Nobusas Espresso

Going to a Japanese jazz bar is a ceremony of passage for Tokyo guests, however fortunately, there’s one conveniently located in Gardena. Braveness Piano Lounge has precisely zero critiques on each Google and Yelp, and the signage could be straightforward to overlook within the bustling Tozai Plaza strip mall—it’s a kind of locations that you just need to know is there by phrase of mouth. You’ll be capable of take pleasure in elegant piano music and highballs within the evenings, however this little piano lounge additionally performs host to one of the well-liked espresso pop-ups within the metropolis, which one Instagram commenter precisely described as “more durable to get into than a Taylor Swift live performance.” Nobusas Espresso is run by espresso grasp Nobu Nobukazu Sasaki, and he roasts and grinds all of his beans himself. He focuses on Nel Drip espresso, which produces a smoother, sweeter, and milder espresso. For those who can handle to snag a seat (he posts reservations time slots on his Instagram a couple of instances monthly), I like to recommend getting the traditional Vienna espresso and the espresso jelly.

Greatest Locations to Keep

Miyako Hybrid Resort

The Miyako Hybrid Resort is without doubt one of the few Japanese-style properties that you just’ll discover within the Los Angeles space. Throughout a keep right here in one of many lodge’s 208 rooms (together with 12 suites), company will be capable of take pleasure in luxe linens, Japanese-style soaking tubs, and loads of pure mild that flows in by floor-to-ceiling home windows. Locals within the know usually head to the on-site Ise-Shima, which focuses on teishoku (set meals) eating in addition to sushi. The restaurant additionally has American and Japanese breakfast buffets. Although I definitely advocate renting a automobile when visiting the South Bay, you possibly can simply stroll to the strip mall that homes Hakata Ikkousha Tonkotsu Ramen in about 5 minutes. 

Terranea Resort 

This lodge is definitely positioned within the close by group of Ranchos Palos Verdes, however with views like these, I feel the quick (and scenic) drive is greater than value it. Terranea Resort is maybe one of many few true resort-style stays within the Los Angeles space, and the Mediterranean-style property has 582 rooms starting from customary visitor rooms to multi-bedroom casitas. Although it’s a couple of 30-minute drive from each Gardena and Torrance, there’s nothing fairly like waking as much as the sounds and sights of the Pacific Ocean. 

Bluestem Resort

For a boutique-style keep within the thick of Torrance, think about reserving a reservation on the Bluestem Resort. There are simply 58 rooms right here, all of which have a enjoyable coastal Californian aesthetic. A keep right here will get you perks like complimentary parking, espresso, and entry to a health middle stocked with all of the necessities. The courtyard is outfitted with a number of fireplace pits and is a pleasant place to hang around, and the property usually hosts out of doors yoga courses as effectively.