Izakaya Hachi
Izakaya restaurant · Torrance ·
Japanese small plates, sushi, skewers, and sake in a lively setting
Japanese small plates, sushi, skewers, and sake in a lively setting
"A classic drinking spot in Torrance’s historically Japanese neighborhood, this convivial, dimly lit izakaya draws nearby Honda corporate employees and longtime regulars to large wood tables, a counter facing the semi-open kitchen, and more cloistered back booths for grilled skewers, comforting hot pots, and mackerel sushi with ice-cold mugs of Asahi. The pressed mackerel sushi is the signature, with glistening cuts whose slightly vinegary flavor balances the almost gelatinous richness of the fish. What to order spans agedashi tofu with three well-fried cubes in a sweet, profound dashi topped with grated radish and shaved bonito; a Jidori omelette that eats like a massive, savory tamago-style loaf; mentaiko or salmon chazuke, a comforting, shareable plate of warm rice with hot dashi and a dab of wasabi; and chicken meatball skewers browned over charcoal, served as two modestly sized lumps per order. Drinks matter here: expect crisp Sapporo and Asahi on draft, mid-range sake bottles like Hakkaisan and Dassai 23, and even Japanese craft beers Kawaba snow wizen. For an insider edge, check the blackboard specials for seasonal fish that can match some of the best sushi spots in town, and ask the server for any highlights not scribbled in English." - Matthew Kang
"Legitimacy shows when a fine dining chef treks to the South Bay weekly just to eat here; I even spotted chef Brian Baik at the bar, and he praised the fish quality—maybe not the very highest, but excellent for the price. I’m a fan of the chazuke, topped with salmon or mentaiko (seasoned cod roe) over a triangular onigiri-pressed slab of rice, bathed in deep, savory dashi; a little knob of wasabi adds a spicy zing, with delicate green onions and sesame to finish. As the spicy little fish eggs scatter across the broth, the whole bowl turns into umami cereal." - Eater Staff
"Even during the pandemic, Izakaya Hachi maintained its title as a premiere party spot. The South Bay izakaya has set up a decently sized tent out front where you’ll find the full spectrum of the human experience, from 21-year-olds celebrating birthdays to groups of Japanese men who will ultimately outdrink everyone around them. And yet, it’s hard to nail down what exactly makes Izakaya Hachi so special. The food’s a huge part of it - all of the grilled meats are excellent and worth your attention, like medium-rare beef tongue that tastes buttery and tender, or salty, chopped pork cheek accompanied by a biting yuzu sauce. But it’s also the celebratory atmosphere, and the fact that most dishes are made to share, like the pork shabu shabu, or family-style omakase that requires four people seated at the table (house rules) and involves a parade of over 13 different dishes. Either way, if you’re looking to party like it’s 1999, or whatever year, this is the place to do it." - kat hong
"On any given night, Izakaya Hachi is filled with everyone from 21-year-olds 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 excellent and worth your attention, like medium-rare beef tongue that tastes buttery and tender, or salty, chopped pork cheek accompanied by a biting yuzu sauce. But it’s also the celebratory atmosphere, and the fact that most dishes are made to share, like the pork shabu shabu, or family-style omakase that requires four people seated at the table (house rules) and involves a parade of over 13 dishes." - garrett snyder, sylvio martins, cathy park
"Torrance has plenty of izakayas and drink-friendly Japanese restaurants, including Ojiya and Torihei, but the best overall one has to be Hachi, which gets filled with salary folks spilling out of local offices and the nearby Honda Motor Co. headquarters. The weathered wooden tables and traditional Japanese decor makes Hachi fill like a true suburban Tokyo hangout. In terms of izakaya menus, Hachi’s offerings are fairly focused, keeping to Japanese drinking dishes like pressed saba sushi and grilled chicken skewers. Adventurous types should definitely order the motsu nabe, a shareable hot pot of beef intestines and cabbage simmering with a soy dashi broth." - Matthew Kang
