The 20 Japanese Restaurants In LA

"On any given night, Izakaya Hachi is filled with everyone from families celebrating birthdays to groups of Japanese men who will ultimately outdrink everyone around them. It's hard to nail down what makes this Torrance izakaya so special, but the food is a huge part of it—all of their grilled meats are worth your attention, like tender, medium-rare beef tongue and pork cheek with a biting yuzu sauce. But it’s also the celebratory atmosphere, and the fact that you can easily enjoy any size meal here, from drinks and a few bites to a family-style omakase that requires four people seated at the table (house rules) and involves a dozen-plus dishes. " - garrett snyder