South Bay Rice Things

For residents of Redondo Beach and the wider South Bay area, South Bay Rice Things holds a special place as a long-standing local institution. This Japanese restaurant has been serving the community for decades, with some patrons fondly recalling going there as a child, even "20 years ago." It's primarily known for offering "great value for great food," making it a go-to spot for those seeking satisfying Japanese meals without breaking the bank.

South Bay Rice Things specializes in generous combo meals, allowing diners to mix and match their favorite proteins and rolls, often leading to "plenty of leftovers." While menu tastes and textures can evolve over time, the restaurant maintains a reputation for friendly service and a menu that aims to please with popular items like "karaage," "sesame chicken," and the "Philly roll." It's a place where you can find familiar Japanese comfort food, from various katsu options and teriyaki to a selection of sushi rolls and hearty ramen bowls. Despite some recent feedback regarding specific dishes, the overarching sentiment from many long-time customers and newer visitors points to its enduring appeal as a reliable and reasonably priced option for Japanese cuisine in the South Bay.

South Bay Rice Things is conveniently situated at 2401 Artesia Blvd UNIT 105, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, USA. This address places it along Artesia Boulevard, a well-known thoroughfare that connects various communities within the South Bay region of Los Angeles. Its location in Redondo Beach makes it easily accessible for local residents, as well as those coming from neighboring areas such as Hermosa Beach, Torrance, and Gardena.

The restaurant's presence in a unit within a commercial strip or complex on Artesia Boulevard generally offers straightforward accessibility. Parking is typically available in a shared lot for the complex, which is a common convenience for suburban dining in Southern California. This can be a significant advantage over street parking in busier downtown areas. For those utilizing ride-sharing services, the address is easily identifiable. While the restaurant itself is noted for having a modest dining area with only "3-4 tables," its primary focus appears to be on takeout, which further enhances its accessibility for those looking for a quick and convenient meal to enjoy elsewhere. This makes South Bay Rice Things a practical choice for locals seeking a fast and easy Japanese food fix in Redondo Beach.

South Bay Rice Things offers a broad menu of Japanese comfort food, focusing on value-packed combo meals, classic entrees, and a selection of sushi rolls, catering primarily to takeout and casual dine-in.

• Combo Plates: This is a cornerstone of their offering, providing "great value for great food." Customers can choose from various combinations, including:
  • 1-Item Combo Plate
  • 2-Item Combo Plate
  • 3-Item Combo Plate (with a limit of 2 sushi rolls allowed)
  Items for combos include popular choices like Chicken Teriyaki, Spicy Chicken Teriyaki, Chicken Katsu, Karaage (Fried Chicken), Sesame Chicken, Pork Katsu, Pork Gyoza, Veggie Tempura, Tofu Teriyaki, Salmon Teriyaki, Beef Teriyaki, Shrimp Tempura, and various sushi rolls (e.g., California, Spicy Tuna, Philly).
• Sushi Rolls: A selection of classic and premium rolls:
  • Classic Rolls: California, Spicy California, Veggie, Cucumber, Inari, Tuna, Spicy Tuna, Salmon, Spicy Salmon, Salmon Avocado, Philly, Crunchy (Shrimp Tempura), Veggie Crunchy.
  • Premium Rolls: South Bay Firecracker (spicy tuna over California roll with jalapeno), California Tempura, Eel Tempura, Hawaiian (tuna and avocado over spicy tuna), Alaskan (salmon and avocado over California roll), Caterpillar (avocado over eel roll), Salmon Skin, Salmon Crunchy.
• Fresh Sushi & Sashimi Bowls: Offers convenient and fresh bowls with sliced sashimi over sushi rice, served with miso soup, sushi ginger, and wasabi:
  • Salmon Sashimi Bowl, Spicy Tuna Bowl, Tuna Sashimi Bowl, Chirashi Bowl (Mix Sashimi).
• Appetizers & Side Orders: A range of popular Japanese starters and sides:
  • Karaage (Fried Chicken), Pork Gyoza (Fried/Steamed), Veggie Gyoza (Fried), Veggie Egg Rolls, Vegetable Tempura, Shrimp Tempura, Edamame, Spam Musubi (Regular, Sriracha, Fried), Fried Spam Musubi, Miso Soup, White/Brown Rice, Potato Mac Salad, Curry Sauce, House Salad.
• Ramen Noodle Soup: Hearty and flavorful ramen options:
  • Tonkotsu Ramen (pork broth with chashu pork, egg), Miso Ramen (miso-based soup with chashu pork, egg).
• Udon Noodle Soup: Thick udon noodles in broth with various toppings:
  • Plain Udon, Vegetable Udon, Chicken Udon, Beef Sukiyaki Udon, Tempura Udon.
• Poke Bowls: Customizable poke bowls with choice of protein (Tuna, Salmon, Tofu), base (White Sushi Rice, Brown Rice, Kale Green Mix), and toppings.
• Korean Inspired Dishes: Features some Korean-style entrees like Beef Sukiyaki, Chicken Fried Rice, and potentially other offerings common in combo plates.
• Dine-In (Limited): While primarily suited for takeout, the restaurant offers a very small number of tables (3-4) for casual, quick dine-in.
• Takeout & Delivery: Highly geared towards convenient takeout, with online ordering and delivery available through platforms like Grubhub, DoorDash, and Postmates.

South Bay Rice Things, a long-standing fixture in Redondo Beach, offers several key features and highlights that contribute to its consistent appeal among locals.

• Exceptional Value and Affordability: A major highlight is the "great value for great food" and its status as "one of the cheaper locations" in the area. The generous portion sizes in their combo meals mean "plenty of leftovers," making it a very cost-effective option for individuals and families.
• Long-Standing Community Presence: The fact that customers recall visiting "20 years ago" and that the restaurant has been around "since the early 2000s" speaks volumes about its longevity and consistent appeal within the South Bay community. This makes it a familiar and trusted option.
• Friendly and Attentive Service: The "owners are very friendly" and the "cashier was extremely friendly and let us take our time to make our order." This warm and welcoming customer service creates a positive experience, even when picking up orders. Prompt service is also noted, with quoted times being "on point."
• Popular Combo Meals: The customizable combo plates are a significant draw, allowing diners to choose from a wide variety of proteins (like chicken karaage, sesame chicken, katsu) and sushi rolls. This flexibility caters to diverse tastes and hunger levels.
• Specific Menu Highlights: Despite varied individual preferences, some items consistently receive positive mentions, such as the "delicious and juicy" chicken karaage (though noted to harden quickly when cool) and the "really good" salmon avocado roll. The sesame chicken and Philly roll are also recommended.
• Convenient for Takeout: With only "3-4 tables" for dining in, the restaurant is clearly optimized for takeout. This makes it an ideal spot for locals looking for a quick and easy meal to enjoy at home or on the go.
• Variety of Japanese Comfort Foods: Beyond sushi, the menu offers a solid range of Japanese comfort foods, including various katsu dishes, teriyaki, ramen, and udon noodles, ensuring options for different cravings.

It is important to note that while many long-time customers appreciate the value and consistent presence, some recent reviews indicate a perceived "drop" in taste/texture quality for certain items like pork/chicken katsu (described as dry) and certain aspects of rolls (less avocado, wonky). The vegetable tempura also noted a departure from traditional Japanese ingredients. This suggests that while overall value and service remain high, individual dish quality might vary, and it's worth checking current reviews or asking about preparations.

South Bay Rice Things primarily focuses on its inherent value proposition through its generously portioned combo meals, which serve as a continuous "special offer" for locals seeking affordable and filling Japanese cuisine.

• Value-Packed Combo Plates: The core of their promotional strategy revolves around the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of their combo plates:
  • 1-Item Combo Plate: Offers a single main dish with rice and sides at a very reasonable price.
  • 2-Item Combo Plate: Allows diners to select two main items, such as a protein and a sushi roll, providing a substantial meal at a competitive price point. Reviewers explicitly state they "had plenty of leftovers with just 2 ppl eating" from a 2 and 3 combo meal, highlighting the generous portions.
  • 3-Item Combo Plate: For even greater variety, this combo allows selection of three items (with a limit of two sushi rolls), offering a full and satisfying meal that is still considered "very reasonable."

  These combos are consistently praised for providing "great value for great food" and being "one of the cheaper locations" in the area, making them a consistent draw for budget-conscious diners.

• Affordable Sushi Rolls: Even individual sushi rolls are noted for their reasonable pricing, contributing to the overall value proposition.
• Online Ordering Platform Deals: As South Bay Rice Things partners with major delivery services like Grubhub, DoorDash, and Postmates, customers might find additional, platform-specific promotions such as free delivery on initial orders, percentage discounts on qualifying orders, or special bundle deals. It's always a good idea to check these apps directly for any current offers.

While the restaurant might not publicize traditional "happy hour" style promotions, its core business model centers on delivering consistent value through its meal structure, which acts as a continuous benefit for its customer base. For the most up-to-date pricing and specific combo inclusions, checking their official menu online or calling directly is recommended.

To enjoy the delicious and value-packed Japanese comfort food from South Bay Rice Things, you can reach them using the following contact details:

Address: 2401 Artesia Blvd UNIT 105, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, USA

Phone: (310) 214-9033

Mobile Phone: +1 310-214-9033

South Bay Rice Things generally operates seven days a week, with hours that make it convenient for both lunch and dinner:

• Monday - Sunday: 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM (for both pickup and delivery, based on Grubhub data)

It is always advisable to call ahead for the most current operating hours, especially around holidays, or to confirm the best time for placing a takeout order, as their quoted times are often "on point."

South Bay Rice Things is an undeniably suitable and enduringly popular choice for locals in Redondo Beach and the surrounding South Bay area. Its primary appeal for Californians seeking convenient and satisfying Japanese cuisine lies in its exceptional "great value for great food." In a region where dining out can often be costly, South Bay Rice Things stands out as one of the "cheaper locations" that still provides ample, filling portions, often leading to "plenty of leftovers," which resonates deeply with budget-conscious families and individuals.

The restaurant's long-standing presence, with some patrons recalling it from "20 years ago," speaks volumes about its consistent appeal and integration into the community's fabric. This history, coupled with the "very friendly" owners and "extremely friendly" and efficient service, fosters a sense of familiarity and trust that keeps customers returning. For those seeking classic Japanese comfort foods like delicious "karaage," savory "sesame chicken," or a wide variety of sushi rolls, South Bay Rice Things delivers. Its focus on convenient takeout, with a small dining area, perfectly suits the fast-paced lifestyle of many Angelenos, providing a quick and easy solution for a quality meal at home. Despite some varying experiences with specific dishes, the overall consensus points to a reliable spot that consistently offers a satisfying and affordable Japanese dining experience, making South Bay Rice Things a cherished and practical option for locals in the South Bay.

South Bay Rice Things

2401 Artesia Blvd UNIT 105, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, USA