Japonica Redondo Beach

Nestled in the heart of Redondo Beach, California, Japonica Redondo Beach is a vibrant and "hip Japanese place" that brings a fresh perspective to traditional Japanese cuisine. More than just a typical sushi spot, Japonica offers a dynamic blend of sushi, ramen, and izakaya-style dishes, creating a diverse menu that caters to a wide array of tastes. It's a place designed for locals to gather, enjoy fantastic food, and soak in a lively atmosphere, complete with the coveted outdoor seating and heaters for those breezy California evenings.

Japonica Redondo Beach has quickly become a popular destination, often seen with a line outside, a testament to its appeal. While it aims for a trendy California twist on Japanese flavors, it doesn't shy away from serving up substantial and delicious meals. Guests frequently praise the "fantastic" food, ranging from flavorful sushi and bowls to comforting soups. The restaurant is known for its creative dishes and unique flavor profiles, including their highly celebrated house-made smoked soy sauce, which adds a distinctive touch to their offerings.

Despite its popularity, Japonica strives to provide attentive service, even when "packed with a line outside." While some diners have noted occasional challenges with food timing for larger groups or drink refills during peak hours, the overall sentiment points to a positive and enjoyable experience, with many families eager to visit again. It's a testament to the quality of the food and the overall vibe that patrons are willing to overlook minor service hiccups, showcasing Japonica Redondo Beach's strong appeal within the local community.

Japonica Redondo Beach is conveniently situated at 1304 1/2 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, USA. Its location on the bustling Pacific Coast Highway makes it easily accessible for residents across Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance, and other nearby areas in the South Bay. This prime spot ensures excellent visibility and straightforward navigation for diners.

The restaurant offers the desirable feature of outdoor seating, which is a significant draw in Southern California, often equipped with heaters for cooler evenings. While parking can sometimes be limited along Pacific Coast Highway, Japonica states it offers "free parking next door" or "extra parking available every night from 6 pm -12:30 am across the street from Georgia's Lounge, entrance via Huntington Lane at 1444 Aviation Blvd," which is a considerable convenience for patrons. The establishment is also wheelchair accessible, ensuring a welcoming environment for all guests. Its strategic placement and consideration for patron comfort firmly establish Japonica as a local go-to.

Japonica Redondo Beach provides a comprehensive set of services to enhance the dining experience for its patrons:

• Dine-In Experience: Enjoy a casual yet trendy ambiance with both indoor and outdoor seating options. The outdoor patio is equipped with heaters, making it comfortable even on cooler evenings.
• Reservations: Japonica accepts reservations, which is highly recommended, especially for busy evenings and weekends, to minimize wait times. They also offer a Yelp Waitlist feature.
• Takeout and Pickup: For convenience, customers can place orders for pickup directly from their website or through various online platforms.
• Delivery Services: Japonica partners with major third-party delivery platforms such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, bringing their delicious menu directly to your home.
• Lunch and Dinner Service: The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, accommodating various dining schedules throughout the day, including Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM.
• Happy Hour: Japonica offers a daily happy hour from 3 pm to 6 pm, with special deals on appetizers, sushi, and drinks.
• Vegetarian and Vegan Options: The menu includes a variety of clearly marked vegan and vegetarian dishes, such as Spicy Edamame, Brussel Sprouts, Seaweed Salad, Garden Salad, Vegetable Tempura, Cucumber Roll, and Avocado Roll, ensuring options for diverse dietary preferences.
• Gluten-Free Options: Some menu items, like Edamame and Miso Soup, are noted as gluten-free, with other options likely available upon request or modification.
• Online Ordering: Customers can easily place orders online through their website or linked third-party platforms.

Japonica Redondo Beach stands out with several key features and highlights that contribute to its popularity and appeal:

• Hip and Trendy Atmosphere: Described as a "hip Japanese place" with a "casual yet trendy spot" and "fun ambiance," Japonica offers a vibrant and inviting dining environment.
• Outdoor Seating with Heaters: A significant highlight, especially in California, allowing diners to enjoy their meal outdoors comfortably, even as temperatures drop.
• Diverse Japanese Menu: Japonica offers a broad range of Japanese cuisine, including an extensive selection of sushi and sashimi, various ramen bowls (Tantan, Spicy Tantan, Cilantro Tantan, Chicken Tantan, Udon, Plain Udon, Shrimp Uni Udon), and delicious izakaya-style appetizers.
• Highly Praised Sushi: Despite some unique twists, the sushi is consistently noted as "good" and made with fresh ingredients. Popular rolls include "White Lightning," "Crispy Rice" with spicy tuna, "Citrus Sakura," "Jessica Albacore," "Rainbow Roll," and "Shrimp Crunch Roll."
• Unique House-Made Smoked Soy Sauce: A standout feature, this "to die for" smoked soy sauce adds a distinctive flavor profile to sushi and sashimi, making it a memorable part of the dining experience.
• Creative and Innovative Dishes: Japonica is known for its "amazing creative dishes and flavor profiles" and "interesting sushi combinations" that fuse traditional Japanese elements with a California twist.
• Immune System Booster Cauliflower Koji Soup: A unique offering highlighting healthy Japanese probiotics, praised for boosting immunity and metabolism.
• Attentive Service (when not overwhelmed): While challenges can arise during peak times, customers generally find the waiters "very attentive as possible" and the staff kindness to be "okay," suggesting a commitment to good service.
• Vegan and Gluten-Free Options: A wide array of clearly marked vegan and gluten-free choices ensures that the restaurant caters to various dietary needs and preferences.
• Family-Friendly: Many patrons, including families, express their desire to "surely visit again," indicating it's a suitable spot for group dining.

Japonica Redondo Beach offers appealing promotions that add value for its local patrons:

• Daily Happy Hour: Japonica holds a daily Happy Hour from 3 pm to 6 pm. During this time, diners can enjoy "special deals on drinks and bites," which typically include discounts on appetizers, sushi, and various beverages. Specific offers can include "$2.99-$7.99 appetizers," "$6.99-$10.99 sushi," and "$3.99-$6.99 drink specials."
• Yelp Check-In Offer: Some online information suggests that customers can receive a plate of free chicken gyoza with a Yelp check-in, providing an added incentive for engagement.

It's always recommended for locals to confirm the most current happy hour details and any other special offers directly with the restaurant or by checking their official website and social media channels.

To experience the hip Japanese cuisine at Japonica Redondo Beach, you can reach them through the following contact details:

• Address: 1304 1/2 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, USA
• Phone: (424) 404-6509

For residents of Redondo Beach and across the South Bay, Japonica Redondo Beach is a highly suitable and enticing dining choice. Its convenient location on Pacific Coast Highway, combined with readily available parking options, makes it an accessible spot for any occasion. The "hip" and "casual yet trendy" ambiance, complete with inviting outdoor seating and heaters, perfectly captures the Southern California lifestyle, making it an ideal place for both casual meals and lively gatherings.

What truly resonates with locals is the "fantastic food" and the restaurant's commitment to offering a diverse Japanese menu. From their highly praised sushi, including creative and unique rolls, to comforting bowls and soups, there's something to satisfy every craving. The standout "house made smoked soy sauce" provides a distinctive flavor that elevates the dining experience, setting Japonica apart from other Japanese restaurants in the area. While it can get busy, indicating its popularity, the general quality of the food and the willingness of the staff to be "very attentive as possible" contribute to a positive overall impression. With attractive daily happy hour deals and a wide range of options, including notable vegan and gluten-free choices, Japonica Redondo Beach is a vibrant, flavorful, and enjoyable destination that truly caters to the tastes and lifestyle of the local California community.

Japonica Redondo Beach

1304 1/2 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, USA