Torimatsu: Authentic Japanese Yakitori in Gardena, California

Torimatsu Introduce

For those in California with a palate for authentic Japanese cuisine, specifically the art of yakitori, Torimatsu in Gardena stands as a highly regarded destination. This bustling establishment has earned its stripes among locals as the go-to spot for meticulously grilled skewers, offering a taste of traditional Japan right here in the South Bay. Torimatsu is not just a restaurant; it's an experience, known for its focus on chicken yakitori cooked over high-quality binchotan charcoal, a method that imparts a distinct and irresistible flavor.

The very name "yakitori" translates to "grilled bird," and Torimatsu embodies this specialization, showcasing various cuts of chicken and other select ingredients expertly skewered and grilled to perfection. It's a place where the casual diner and the seasoned food enthusiast alike can appreciate the subtle nuances and deep flavors that come from this traditional cooking method. Despite its popularity and often busy atmosphere, Torimatsu maintains a dedication to its craft, making it a compelling choice for anyone in the California region seeking a genuine yakitori experience.

Location and Accessibility

Torimatsu is conveniently located at 1425 Artesia Blvd UNIT 17, Gardena, CA 90248, USA. Artesia Boulevard is a significant east-west artery that connects various communities in the South Bay, making the restaurant accessible to residents not only in Gardena but also in neighboring areas like Torrance, Lomita, and Carson. Situated within a plaza, the restaurant benefits from shared parking facilities, which, while potentially busy during peak hours, generally offers practical parking options for diners.

The location in Gardena places Torimatsu within a vibrant Japanese-American community, which often means a concentration of authentic eateries and markets in the vicinity. This adds to the overall cultural experience of dining at Torimatsu. For those utilizing public transport, various bus lines traverse Artesia Boulevard, providing connections to wider parts of the South Bay, making it a feasible destination for those relying on public transit, though a short walk might be required from some stops.

Services Offered

Torimatsu's primary service revolves around its signature yakitori experience. Here's what diners can expect:

Dine-In Service: Torimatsu offers a lively dine-in experience. It's a popular spot, and seating is primarily at tables. Due to its popularity, especially on weekend evenings, securing a table often requires a reservation. There can be a two-hour limit for dinners during busy times.
Specialized Yakitori Menu: The core of their offering is a wide variety of yakitori skewers, focusing on different cuts of chicken, along with select vegetables and other ingredients, all grilled over traditional binchotan charcoal.
Set Courses and A La Carte: Torimatsu often offers set courses, which can be a great way to sample a range of their skewers. Additionally, an a la carte menu allows diners to choose their favorite individual skewers.
Beverage Selection: To complement the yakitori, Torimatsu offers a selection of Japanese beers, sake, and sometimes other alcoholic beverages, enhancing the authentic izakaya-style dining experience.
Takeout (Limited): While the immersive yakitori experience is best enjoyed freshly off the grill, some limited takeout options for certain items might be available, though the focus is strongly on the dine-in experience.

Features / Highlights

Torimatsu is celebrated for several key features that draw in its dedicated clientele:

Authentic Yakitori Mastered: The restaurant specializes in yakitori, particularly chicken, cooked over binchotan charcoal. This traditional method ensures a distinct smoky flavor and perfectly cooked skewers, making it a benchmark for authentic yakitori in California. Popular items include tsukune (chicken meatballs), lotus root stuffed with chicken, and chicken liver.
Bustling and Energetic Atmosphere: Torimatsu is a busy and often lively place, especially on weekends. This vibrant atmosphere contributes to the feeling of an authentic Japanese izakaya, making it a great spot for friends and family gatherings.
Reasonably Priced Quality: Many customers find the food to be delicious and set at a "great price," offering good value for the quality of the yakitori. While some note that spending can add up, the individual skewer pricing is generally considered reasonable.
Focused Menu: Unlike larger Japanese restaurants that offer a sprawling menu, Torimatsu's specialization in yakitori means a honed focus on perfecting its core offerings. While non-yakitori options are more limited, what they do, they do well.
Chef's Skill with Binchotan: The use of binchotan charcoal is a significant highlight, as it burns cleanly and at a high temperature, allowing the chef to precisely cook the skewers to perfection, creating a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
Reservation Recommended: The high demand means that making a reservation in advance is strongly recommended, especially for groups or weekend dining, indicating its popularity and status as a sought-after dining spot.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly specialized and popular yakitori establishment, Torimatsu's focus tends to be on consistent quality and the authentic dining experience rather than frequent promotions or discount offers. Their pricing is generally considered fair for the quality of the food and the traditional cooking methods employed. Any special offerings would likely be seasonal skewers or chef's specials, which are usually announced at the restaurant. It's always a good idea to inquire when making a reservation or upon arrival if they have any current unique features on the menu.

Contact Information

To experience the authentic yakitori at Torimatsu, here's how you can get in touch:

Address: 1425 Artesia Blvd UNIT 17, Gardena, CA 90248, USA
Phone: (310) 538-5764

Given its popularity and the recommendation to make reservations, calling ahead is highly advised. Their typical operating hours are:

Monday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Thursday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

Conclusion: Why Torimatsu is Suitable for Locals

For California residents, particularly those in the South Bay, Torimatsu presents a compelling and highly suitable option for authentic Japanese yakitori. Its dedication to this specific culinary art form means that locals seeking true-to-tradition grilled skewers will find a consistently high-quality experience. The use of binchotan charcoal and the expertise in preparing various chicken parts set it apart, offering a depth of flavor that is genuinely appreciated by connoisseurs.

While some diners have noted occasional service slowdowns during busy periods or certain service interactions, the overwhelming sentiment leans towards the delicious food and overall value. The lively atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for social gatherings, providing a vibrant backdrop for friends to connect over delicious skewers and drinks. Its "good place for friends gathering" sentiment highlights its role as a communal dining spot. For locals who understand and appreciate the nuances of Japanese izakaya culture, Torimatsu offers an authentic slice of that experience right in Gardena.

Moreover, the emphasis on making reservations underscores its popularity, signaling to locals that this is a sought-after dining destination. Despite being busy, the consistent quality of the food ensures that patrons return, making it a reliable and cherished part of the South Bay's Japanese culinary landscape. For those in California looking for more than just a meal, but an immersive and flavorful journey into the world of yakitori, Torimatsu is undoubtedly a top recommendation.

Torimatsu Photos

Torimatsu Location

Torimatsu

California Los Angeles County Gardena Artesia Boulevard

1425 Artesia Blvd UNIT 17, Gardena, CA 90248, USA

Torimatsu Reviews

It’s a busy place that you have to make a reservation in advance. We went on a Friday night and would like to add one extra person but it was fully booked so we had to seat in a smaller table with 5 people. It was a 2 hour limit dinner but the service speed is a bit slow. When we were ready to check out, it took a long time for the bill… like 15 mins so we had to ask to expedite. There were two waitresses and the younger one had no smile from the beginning to the end and the other waitress was warm and helpful.The food is about average and it’s a good place for friends gathering.
Mar 31, 2025 · poppy
Food was delicious and set at a great price. My cousin and I ordered each of the two courses on the menu and two beers. Everything came out in a timely manner as well.The biggest problem was when my cousin had recieved a skewer with a piece of hair in it. She asked me to double check which I also believed it was a piece of hair that had gotten on her skewer. It was short about an inch curled up and looked like it had a hint of brown to it but mostly black (which makes me assume it might’ve been a piece from the brush the chef was using).When my cousin told the server about the hair, the server looked at it quickly, told us it was a piece of fabric from the charcoals, and scurried away. Our server didn’t ask if we would like a new one or offer anything to replace it either and just left us looking at each other whether we’ll trust her or not. She decided to just eat the top half, but we were not amused about the server’s response at all. If she had at least given us time to just ask for another skewer so we don’t feel disgusted eating the rest of the food, it would’ve been a nicer finish to our dinner. I would still like to assume it was a piece from the brush, but the server did not show any concern for us at all on such an extreme food safety concern.
May 23, 2025 · Bill Vang
I knew I was in for a treat when I saw a poster on the wall explaining what is binchotan. Torimatsu is one of the top, if not the best authentic yakitori joints I have eaten at in LA/OC. I enjoy making yakitori at home (with binchotan in a japanese grill, skewering and deconstructing chicken to the best of my abilities), but will definitely be returning to enjoy the skewers that were thoughtfully prepared and grilled by the yakitori master.The restaurant has very limited seating, so would highly recommend making a reservation for parties more than 2. I came a little after opening on Saturday, and luckily was squeezed in after 15ish minutes. The place was at its max capacity after two additional (I presume reserved) parties showed up between 6-7pm.With regards to the food, I can't stress the attention to detail given to each skewer. Every skewer was cooked in a way to highlight the innate flavor and texture, so you appreciate every part of the chicken. The tare (sauce) was light, and I was often surprised at how juicy some skewers were (given my personal experience cooking them at home). The meat was threaded on the skewer to allow optimal grilling efficiency, bones were strategically removed to allow easier eating, small pieces of fat hidden within the skewer to make it more juicy, small green onions tucked inside tofu skin to change the flavors, etc.Highlights of the meal:- Tsukune (meatballs): so juicy and was not sauce heavy- Gizzard skin in soy sauce: this was a pleasant appetizer and tasted like braised tofu. Always thought this was a byproduct when making gizzard skewers.- Gizzard: cooked perfectly- Liver: so creamy- Cartilage: so juicy, idk how he did it- Heart: loved how packed and juicy it came out- Duck: first skewer I ate, but my second clue that the chef knew his stuff. Piece of fat was wedged between the pepper and green onion so that they soak up the oils- Chicken wrapped in tofu skin: first time seeing this anywhere. There were hidden green onions inside the tofu skin that gave the skewer a refreshing taste.- Bell pepper stuffed with chicken: another one of those "how is this so juicy" skewers.- Chicken tail: like a mix between the cartilage and skin skewer. Recommend getting this.We got the Torimatsu course (10 skewers, soup, salad, ice cream) which is essentially the omakase, and added on a la carte skewers and a couple appetizers. For first timers, I think the Torimatsu course is perfect and leaves enough room to experiment with more adventurous skewers. We ended up eating 15 skewers each + splitting the raw chicken and gizzard skin apps, which left us both completely satisfied.If you're a fan of yakitori and miss eating yakitori in Japan, definitely check this place out. Looking forward to my next visit!
Jul 23, 2024 · D Chen
This place was a low key delightMu Junmai Daijinjo Sake - 4/5 was good cold and was a great drink to start out withSasami Ponzu (Rare Chicken Breast with Ponzu Sauce) - 6/5 this was sooooo freaking good. Never would I have thought that I would be able to eat rare chicken in the US. It was so good, can't really describe other than a better and thinner sashimi, but I will get his again every timeTorimatsu Course - 3.75/5 don't rember all the items I got, but for the 10 yakitori course, everything was balanced and went well with beer. I got chicken liver, which I'm not a fan of, but that just personal preference.Scallion Salad - 5/5 it's literally just thinly sliced scallions and ponzu sauce, but got some reason it's sooo good. The scallion tasted great, oniony and with the sauce so good.Chicken Hatsu Yakitori - 5/5 chicken heart is my personal favorite. I have yet to find one not good so take this one with a grain of salt. It was chewy, salty, and meaty.Okra - 3.5/5 I'm a fan of okra, could have used some more charr in my option but the piece of okra was big.Potato - 4.25/5 holy crud this was good. Look I'm not a huge fan of just a potato, but it came with butter and was perfectly cooked. Not a 5 for me just because I'm not looking for a great potato when I come to yakitori. I just come for chicken.
Jan 17, 2024 · Sanish Shrestha
Amazing yakitori restaurant hidden in a strip mall. I used to work in the area and have visited this strip mall many times to eat and not once did I try Torimatsu to my eternal shame. On the recommendation of a friend we finally visited and am glad that we did. The Torimatsu course is well recommended for first time visitors and is a great value. Highlights for me are the chicken soup and tsukune (chicken meat balls). Reservation is required and I recommend calling in advance as the small restaurant fills up quick.
Oct 03, 2023 · Greg Hao