Waraku Japanese Dine&Bar Torrance

"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

"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." - brant cox, nikko duren, kat hong, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

"If you’re looking for a low-key Japanese spot that does a bit of everything well, Wadatsumi is where you’ll find it. Located at the far end of the very same strip mall as Baekjeong and Hakata Ikkousha, it’s a great spot for fresh chirashi bowls full of albacore, hamachi, and salmon roe. The simple raw fish dishes here are way less extravagant than what you’ll find at higher-end sushi bars, but that doesn’t mean the fish quality is any different. We’re also big fans of their roast beef salad, topped with thinly sliced meat and ginger dressing. " - nikko duren, garrett snyder

"Even during the pandemic, Izakaya Hachi maintained its title as a premiere party spot. They’ve got 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

"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