Feels very Japanese. Some regular customers and very friendly atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Vicky Lei
I had made a reservation at Izakaya Tonchinkan for the Valentine’s Day night, only to arrive and find out that my reservation had been cancelled without any notification. This lack of communication was incredibly frustrating and put a damper on our evening.When we inquired about the cancellation, the staff was offered no explanation and told us they cannot offer any table to use for the night. We were left scrambling to find another place to dine at the last minute, which was incredibly stressful.Worse experience ever!
Service: 1
Happy KK
Food was great.. lots of selection and rarely seen dishes in other yakitori spots. The beef tongue was excellent ??.. highly recommend. Service is great, chef's were fun and engaging. Getting a Reservation is tough, but that's understandable for a location like this. Give it a try if you have a chance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sashimi, Grilled Fish
Jim Hung
Here is what we will definitely order again on the next visit1 Beef Tongue (Perfectly grilled)2. Yellowtail on top of steam rice (Fish is fresh)3. Grill veggie (Pumpkin is so good)This will make a perfect dinner set with fish, beef, and veggies.Don't forget to make a reservation as the seats are limited
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Yellowtail and Sansho Japanese Pepper Corn Rice
Henry L.
I'm a regular visitor to Japan and love going to Izakayas while I'm there. It's impossible to replicate that ambiance but I do think Tonchinkan has got it pretty much nailed down. It just needs to be more cramped and smoky . They have the massive food and drink selection on point and also the decor but what makes an izakaya an izakaya are the regulars, the people who are so familiar with the place that they just walk-in, move some newspapers aside, sit down, and their favorite dishes start rolling out without having to say a word. I saw something like this happen over and over during the course of the night and I could just feel that neighborhood izakaya mood that I get in those salary man shops in Tokyo. Even the energy permeating from the waiters and chefs was Tokyo-like. I loved everything about it and will return for sure. I dropped a star because they missed an order that I had to remind them of and I also got charged for another order that they never delivered. So just be mindful of your orders since there tend to be a lot at small plate shops like this.
Vivian Y.
Made a reservation for a Wednesday rainy night and had no issues at all. I would say the restaurant was 75-80% filled the entire time but with or without reservation would have been OK. I think I tried to go last year without a reservation and was told wait time would be 2 hours. I thought their estimate was ridiculous but now I know why. There were regulars sitting at the bar and enjoying their food, drinking sake, and chatting with the chef. It was a very friendly and comforting environment.My friend and I ordered a couple of their hot appetizers and one sashimi plate. I really enjoyed their baby Abalone. Very sweet and fresh. Still dreaming about it.Their seabass was very beautifully prepared but was salt encrusted and not very palatable for me. Each bite of the skin felt like biting into a clump of salt and was hard to digest. Even after attempting to eat just the meat there would be a uncomfortable punch of salty taste.My favorite would have to be the sting ray fin dish. I joked that it looked like a bunch of calloused feet shavings. It was so good. Beef jerky in texture and very sweet in taste. Yum.Their uni (not pictured) was also very delicious. Solid sushi but not alot of variety. I don't think they even had salmon. I would definitely come back. The chef was celebrating his birthday and opened up a bottle of wine and offerred his guests some. We all cheered to him until he found out I too was also a scorpio born in November. The restaurant cheered to me as well.The staff was very friendly and laid back therefore not as attentive. My water was never refilled (but most of the clientele seemed to be only drinking alcohol which was self pour so maybe they weren't used to people drinking hot water)All in all it was great.
Albert Chen
Absolutely love this Izakaya. This unassuming restaurant combines a relaxed atmosphere with delicious food. Tatsu-san (chef) is a hilarious character making your dinner experience that much better. Be sure to make reservations, because it is almost always booked. I usually order the beef tongue, sashimi platter, karaage and a few other dishes. Try this place out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yellowtail and Sansho Japanese Pepper Corn Rice, Chicken Kara Age
Christine V.
This is a very small restaurant but it's definitely a wonderful experience. I do recommend reservations as they're often booked, but they may be able to squeeze you in between time slots if you're willing to adhere to a time limit. Honestly I'm super surprised at the taste of each dish. They're each very unique. The sweet shrimp wasn't what I was expecting but it was still refreshing. Their sashimi is very fresh overall. The grilled beef tongue is a must. I was expecting the thin ones from bbq but this is thick but extremely tender and well seasoned. The beef stew is very hearty in flavor and the portion is big. The grilled duck breast has a little bit of a crisp on the edges. It's good and not chewy at all. The menu is very large so I'm definitely coming again to explore the menu!
Nathalia H.
Delicious but quite pricey! This place serve authentic japanese food. It feels like the meals are home cooked. Very delicate. Grilled beef tongue is my favorite. The place is pretty small, only few tables inside. We made reservation before dining here.
Steph L.
Food - 4.5/5 Solid small bites. Everything was delicious. Service - 3.9/5The chef behind the bar was amazing but it took some work to get the attention of our server. We also got seated with the contingency that we finished before X time as they were expecting another group to come in. The slow service made it difficult for us to not feel rushed to eat and get out before the next group came in. Ambiance - 4/5 The space is small and intimate but the food is good so come early and try to make a reservation if possible.
Amazing! The seafood was all really fresh, and everything was seasoned/cooked perfectly. Since the restaurant is izakaya style, the portions are relatively small, so expect to order more than one dish per person. This place is a bit pricey, but in my opinion, worth the money. In particular, their house-made black sesame ice cream is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon and Ikura Salmon Roe Rice
juna
Very authentic, fresh, and wonderful taste. On the expensive side, but I would say it is worth the price. Sashimi is so fresh and high quality! Definitely recommend the house made ice cream!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew W.
Izakaya Tonchinkan ticks all the boxes for drinks, great food, and a low-key atmosphere. First, I always love how unassuming the location is with only a small sign. Like every other great restaurant in LA, Tonchinkan is hidden in a strip mall. Be sure to call for a reservation since the restaurant is small. If you prefer a little more quiet and privacy the booths have tall sides and can fit 4 people. The grilled beef tongue, fresh tofu, and a sashimi are our go-to orders. Since the menu and seafood offerings change frequently there's always something new to try as well. During our last visit it was Kisu tempura fried light and fluffy.The service is warm and helpful. During our last visit a guest had a medical emergency and the servers even handled that amazingly!
Daewon Lee
Great food, great atmosphere. The plum wine was really really good!
Feels very Japanese. Some regular customers and very friendly atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
I had made a reservation at Izakaya Tonchinkan for the Valentine’s Day night, only to arrive and find out that my reservation had been cancelled without any notification. This lack of communication was incredibly frustrating and put a damper on our evening.When we inquired about the cancellation, the staff was offered no explanation and told us they cannot offer any table to use for the night. We were left scrambling to find another place to dine at the last minute, which was incredibly stressful.Worse experience ever!
Service: 1
Food was great.. lots of selection and rarely seen dishes in other yakitori spots. The beef tongue was excellent ??.. highly recommend. Service is great, chef's were fun and engaging. Getting a Reservation is tough, but that's understandable for a location like this. Give it a try if you have a chance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sashimi, Grilled Fish
Here is what we will definitely order again on the next visit1 Beef Tongue (Perfectly grilled)2. Yellowtail on top of steam rice (Fish is fresh)3. Grill veggie (Pumpkin is so good)This will make a perfect dinner set with fish, beef, and veggies.Don't forget to make a reservation as the seats are limited
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Yellowtail and Sansho Japanese Pepper Corn Rice
I'm a regular visitor to Japan and love going to Izakayas while I'm there. It's impossible to replicate that ambiance but I do think Tonchinkan has got it pretty much nailed down. It just needs to be more cramped and smoky . They have the massive food and drink selection on point and also the decor but what makes an izakaya an izakaya are the regulars, the people who are so familiar with the place that they just walk-in, move some newspapers aside, sit down, and their favorite dishes start rolling out without having to say a word. I saw something like this happen over and over during the course of the night and I could just feel that neighborhood izakaya mood that I get in those salary man shops in Tokyo. Even the energy permeating from the waiters and chefs was Tokyo-like. I loved everything about it and will return for sure. I dropped a star because they missed an order that I had to remind them of and I also got charged for another order that they never delivered. So just be mindful of your orders since there tend to be a lot at small plate shops like this.
Made a reservation for a Wednesday rainy night and had no issues at all. I would say the restaurant was 75-80% filled the entire time but with or without reservation would have been OK. I think I tried to go last year without a reservation and was told wait time would be 2 hours. I thought their estimate was ridiculous but now I know why. There were regulars sitting at the bar and enjoying their food, drinking sake, and chatting with the chef. It was a very friendly and comforting environment.My friend and I ordered a couple of their hot appetizers and one sashimi plate. I really enjoyed their baby Abalone. Very sweet and fresh. Still dreaming about it.Their seabass was very beautifully prepared but was salt encrusted and not very palatable for me. Each bite of the skin felt like biting into a clump of salt and was hard to digest. Even after attempting to eat just the meat there would be a uncomfortable punch of salty taste.My favorite would have to be the sting ray fin dish. I joked that it looked like a bunch of calloused feet shavings. It was so good. Beef jerky in texture and very sweet in taste. Yum.Their uni (not pictured) was also very delicious. Solid sushi but not alot of variety. I don't think they even had salmon. I would definitely come back. The chef was celebrating his birthday and opened up a bottle of wine and offerred his guests some. We all cheered to him until he found out I too was also a scorpio born in November. The restaurant cheered to me as well.The staff was very friendly and laid back therefore not as attentive. My water was never refilled (but most of the clientele seemed to be only drinking alcohol which was self pour so maybe they weren't used to people drinking hot water)All in all it was great.
Absolutely love this Izakaya. This unassuming restaurant combines a relaxed atmosphere with delicious food. Tatsu-san (chef) is a hilarious character making your dinner experience that much better. Be sure to make reservations, because it is almost always booked. I usually order the beef tongue, sashimi platter, karaage and a few other dishes. Try this place out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yellowtail and Sansho Japanese Pepper Corn Rice, Chicken Kara Age
This is a very small restaurant but it's definitely a wonderful experience. I do recommend reservations as they're often booked, but they may be able to squeeze you in between time slots if you're willing to adhere to a time limit. Honestly I'm super surprised at the taste of each dish. They're each very unique. The sweet shrimp wasn't what I was expecting but it was still refreshing. Their sashimi is very fresh overall. The grilled beef tongue is a must. I was expecting the thin ones from bbq but this is thick but extremely tender and well seasoned. The beef stew is very hearty in flavor and the portion is big. The grilled duck breast has a little bit of a crisp on the edges. It's good and not chewy at all. The menu is very large so I'm definitely coming again to explore the menu!
Delicious but quite pricey! This place serve authentic japanese food. It feels like the meals are home cooked. Very delicate. Grilled beef tongue is my favorite. The place is pretty small, only few tables inside. We made reservation before dining here.
Food - 4.5/5 Solid small bites. Everything was delicious. Service - 3.9/5The chef behind the bar was amazing but it took some work to get the attention of our server. We also got seated with the contingency that we finished before X time as they were expecting another group to come in. The slow service made it difficult for us to not feel rushed to eat and get out before the next group came in. Ambiance - 4/5 The space is small and intimate but the food is good so come early and try to make a reservation if possible.
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing food amazing staff amazing place 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing! The seafood was all really fresh, and everything was seasoned/cooked perfectly. Since the restaurant is izakaya style, the portions are relatively small, so expect to order more than one dish per person. This place is a bit pricey, but in my opinion, worth the money. In particular, their house-made black sesame ice cream is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon and Ikura Salmon Roe Rice
Very authentic, fresh, and wonderful taste. On the expensive side, but I would say it is worth the price. Sashimi is so fresh and high quality! Definitely recommend the house made ice cream!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Izakaya Tonchinkan ticks all the boxes for drinks, great food, and a low-key atmosphere. First, I always love how unassuming the location is with only a small sign. Like every other great restaurant in LA, Tonchinkan is hidden in a strip mall. Be sure to call for a reservation since the restaurant is small. If you prefer a little more quiet and privacy the booths have tall sides and can fit 4 people. The grilled beef tongue, fresh tofu, and a sashimi are our go-to orders. Since the menu and seafood offerings change frequently there's always something new to try as well. During our last visit it was Kisu tempura fried light and fluffy.The service is warm and helpful. During our last visit a guest had a medical emergency and the servers even handled that amazingly!
Great food, great atmosphere. The plum wine was really really good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5