The good: This is a super quaint and cozy Japanese restaurant with a simple interior that matches the simplistic Japanese aesthetic. I saw many Japanese patrons here so I got a good feeling about its authenticity. I got the chirashi deluxe bowl and mixed tempura deluxe rice bowl. My toddler and infant enjoyed the food as well! The tempura bowl came with a side of soba (you could choose udon instead as well). The soba can be hot or cold. I liked how they had kid high chairs and they put lids on the waters for the kids. They also had plastic spoons, forks, bowls and plates for the kiddos. I liked the roasted rice tea that they served for us for free. I liked the variety in both of the entrees. The broth in the soba was tasty and differed from the store bought mentsuyu broth base. The bad: There's no outdoor seating. The interior is very small so this isn't a great spot for larger groups. I think the largest table they had was a table for 4 unless they squish some tables together. The miso soup that came with the chirashi bowl was too salty. The tempura was slightly more mushy than I would've liked. The interesting: My husband and I created a "game" called the dinner decider where we draw out a restaurant name from a bag. This was our 4th draw!
Warren H.
Food was tasty I ordered Cold Ban-Ban Soba At this location, it was aelf-service I had to go to counter to pickup my order, and to another counter to fill a glass with water Following the routine of other patrons, I took my tray with dishes to their counter Ambiance was spartan For me, this restaurant didn't have an ample parking lot I had to drive in search for parking After driving around its neighborhood, I found a spot I don't plan to return to this Old Torrance location Instead I'll visit their South Torrance location at 2537 CA-1, Torrance, CA 90505
Chrisie A.
Was so disappointed in this place Food is okay not great. Rice balls with salmon were super salty. Udon and curry were very small portions and the Chicken/ Beef curry came with one tiny chunk of chicken and lots of beef fat. We didn't get our food all at once so it was awkward and then the food got cold. I did like the free barely tea in the front. This place is so plain and boring for Japanese food. Menu is dated and food lacks flavors other than salt. I really wanted to like this place but won't be returning again.
Sally K.
I enjoyed the soba noodles so much! I never tried thin soba noodles and I liked it so much more than the regular soba noodles I usually eat. The ikura salmon bowl was also savory and not too salty. I wish they added more nori / seaweed but it was very tasty! I tried the nato for the first time and it wasn't bad but the texture was interesting!
Stephanie S.
This is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Torrance! Ichimi an is where it's at for some of the best Japanese rice bowls and handmade soba in Southbay LA! They are serving a very special scallop dish this month, so I highly recommend stopping by to try some fresh Japanese Hotate, straight from Hokkaido! It's served over rice along with some seared salmon, making it a perfect dish to go along with their amazing soba. You can also choose to get udon, and have your noodles served hot or cold. There's only a few tables inside along with some bar seating, so be sure to get there early! The staff here is super friendly and I love all the sets they serve here!
Lisa P.
A staple soba noodle restaurant in Torrance area. Inaba/Ichimiann restaurants have been in business for as long a as I've lived in LA, and the quality of their food has stayed consistent over the years. They have 3 locations fairly close to each other with different concepts for each. Ichimi-ann in Rolling Hills focuses on noodles, tempura and sashimi bowls, with a fantastic array of affordable lunch combos. The space is pretty small, so you can expect some waiting time at peak hours. Food is brought out quickly so they go through the list fairly quickly! My favorite items on the lunch menu: Soba and Ontama (Poached Egg) Salmon Bowl set Agenasu (Fried eggplant) soba Wide selection of a la carte toppings - notables are squid and white fish tempura One thing that saddens me is that their sobas used to come with Seasonal Takikomi Rice (Dashi mixed rice) but now they've downgraded to rice with Furikake seasoning. Not sure if it's because of inflation but I wish they'd bring the OG rice back - even if there's an up charge. I've never dined here for dinner since their lunch combos are such a great deal! Recommend trying this gem out when in the area.
Joyce P.
Came here on a rainy day to catch up with a friend and this is the perfect place for a good comfort food meal. I got the hot udon noddle combo with a side of tempura. The broth is simple and light and the noodles were tender. Although my tempura was a side it came with a generous variety of shrimp, squash, onion, and green beans. The tempura was crispy and not oily. It's a small place but they were able to seat us immediately and were extremely friendly and attentive. Parking was a breeze as well! Check out this place for your next cozy meal plans.
Abigail D.
Each time I've driven by this spot I've made a mental note to check it out and I am so glad that I finally did! The food is so delicious and comforting especially on a cold and rainy day. I ordered the Unagi (Eel) Combo which came with an Unagi Rice Bowl and a hot comforting bowl of Udon soup. I also ordered the Assorted Tempura to share. The eel was tender and sweet yet savory over a hot bed of rice. The udon noodles tasted fresh and the simple broth paired well with the fried tempura. The assorted tempura came with pieces of fried seafood and veggies, I preferred the veggies. Service was friendly. Interior was simple yet beautiful. This spot is located in a plaza with lots of parking. Highly recommend this spot!
Neeraj S.
Warning - almost nothing they serve is vegetarian. For some reason the Yelp page says vegetarian friendly, however everything contains fish. Only the plain rice and vegetable tempura is truly vegetarian.
Wan L
Love their hot udon! The noodles are smooth and the broth is light and tasty. Perfect meal for a cold day. I like to order the combos because it comes with your choice of udon or soba (hot or cold)Combos:~Crab, scallop & ikura rice bowl: good but the seafood portions were small.~Unagi box: husband's favorite!~Deluxe tempura bowl: shrimp, white fish, scallop, squid, eggplant, kabocha, potato, green bean, mushroom. It's not as crispy but it's pretty good.Limited seatingPlenty of parking
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Soba, Hot Soba, Delux Tempura Bowl Combo, Noodles, Yuzu Combo Set
We had plans to attend a salsa class in Redondo Beach after dinner, so decided to eat somewhere nearby, and ended up at Ichimi-an. This location is open later than the other location, but still not that late for dinner (closes at 7:45PM, and closed on Tuesdays). Parking was easy in the large plaza parking lot, though the restaurant itself was quite small and only manned by two individuals. We arrived at 7:15PM and were still accepted. Paper menus were provided although there is also a digital menu viewable after scanning the QR code on the table. The menu includes photos of most dishes, and there are some dishes unique to this location. Service was minimal but professional. We ended up ordering the salmon with ikura and seared salmon with poached egg combos, both came with a side bowl of noodles. We tried both their hot udon (a thinner variety of udon) and hot soba. Food came quickly and was simple but very tasty. Prices were okay in the mid-$20 range for both dishes. Overall, would love to return to try more off the menu, just wish it weren't so far from home!
N
I ordered the sea bream sashimi bowl and zaru soba set! It was very delicious ✨? I really liked the calm atmosphere inside the store and the kind staff. ✨2023 updateI ordered a set of sashimi, tempura, and kakesoba. The Kakesoba soup was very delicious. The sashimi was also very fresh and delicious. I'm happy to have hot tea.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathan W.
Takes credit card. Small quiet job a block away from downtown Torrance. On Jonathan Golds list for their cold soba It's open during limited hours. Personally, I don't like cold soba, I like warm soba. They offer lunch combos of the tempura over rice with a side of cold soba ($19) The soba noodles are made well, good texture. I prefer the soba in warm soup. The cold soba was too cold. Get it warm! Tempura over rice. The tempura was average. Not as crispy as I would like. A variety of vegetables like squash, shrimp. Pork cutlet Over rice bowl- the pork cutlet was cooked fine. The outer layer was not crispy.
Eric Hsiang
My recent visit to this restaurant with my mother turned out to be a pleasantly enjoyable experience. The setting of the place immediately struck us with its welcoming and comfortable ambiance, making it a nice spot for a relaxed meal.The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the soba. While it wasn't exceptionally extraordinary, it was decently prepared, offering a satisfactory taste that adhered to the traditional flavors. The soba had a good texture, and the accompanying ingredients complemented it well, making for a fulfilling meal.What adds to the charm of this place is its unpretentious and friendly atmosphere. It feels like a spot where you can unwind and enjoy a simple, good meal without any over-the-top expectations. The staff were courteous and attentive, contributing positively to our dining experience.In conclusion, if you're in the mood for some decent soba in a pleasant environment, this restaurant is worth a visit. It's a place I would recommend, especially for those who appreciate a laid-back dining experience with good, straightforward food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Joyce I.
Ichimi-an has been a staple in our Torrance go-tos for so many years. I'm never disappointed when I go! They have so many different noodles to try but I recently tried their Yuzu soba and I am IN LOVE. So so refreshing and I have not stopped thinking about it. Prices are ok and although there aren't many tables inside, I've never had a problem finding an open table. There's parking behind the restaurant.
The good: This is a super quaint and cozy Japanese restaurant with a simple interior that matches the simplistic Japanese aesthetic. I saw many Japanese patrons here so I got a good feeling about its authenticity. I got the chirashi deluxe bowl and mixed tempura deluxe rice bowl. My toddler and infant enjoyed the food as well! The tempura bowl came with a side of soba (you could choose udon instead as well). The soba can be hot or cold. I liked how they had kid high chairs and they put lids on the waters for the kids. They also had plastic spoons, forks, bowls and plates for the kiddos. I liked the roasted rice tea that they served for us for free. I liked the variety in both of the entrees. The broth in the soba was tasty and differed from the store bought mentsuyu broth base. The bad: There's no outdoor seating. The interior is very small so this isn't a great spot for larger groups. I think the largest table they had was a table for 4 unless they squish some tables together. The miso soup that came with the chirashi bowl was too salty. The tempura was slightly more mushy than I would've liked. The interesting: My husband and I created a "game" called the dinner decider where we draw out a restaurant name from a bag. This was our 4th draw!
Food was tasty I ordered Cold Ban-Ban Soba At this location, it was aelf-service I had to go to counter to pickup my order, and to another counter to fill a glass with water Following the routine of other patrons, I took my tray with dishes to their counter Ambiance was spartan For me, this restaurant didn't have an ample parking lot I had to drive in search for parking After driving around its neighborhood, I found a spot I don't plan to return to this Old Torrance location Instead I'll visit their South Torrance location at 2537 CA-1, Torrance, CA 90505
Was so disappointed in this place Food is okay not great. Rice balls with salmon were super salty. Udon and curry were very small portions and the Chicken/ Beef curry came with one tiny chunk of chicken and lots of beef fat. We didn't get our food all at once so it was awkward and then the food got cold. I did like the free barely tea in the front. This place is so plain and boring for Japanese food. Menu is dated and food lacks flavors other than salt. I really wanted to like this place but won't be returning again.
I enjoyed the soba noodles so much! I never tried thin soba noodles and I liked it so much more than the regular soba noodles I usually eat. The ikura salmon bowl was also savory and not too salty. I wish they added more nori / seaweed but it was very tasty! I tried the nato for the first time and it wasn't bad but the texture was interesting!
This is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Torrance! Ichimi an is where it's at for some of the best Japanese rice bowls and handmade soba in Southbay LA! They are serving a very special scallop dish this month, so I highly recommend stopping by to try some fresh Japanese Hotate, straight from Hokkaido! It's served over rice along with some seared salmon, making it a perfect dish to go along with their amazing soba. You can also choose to get udon, and have your noodles served hot or cold. There's only a few tables inside along with some bar seating, so be sure to get there early! The staff here is super friendly and I love all the sets they serve here!
A staple soba noodle restaurant in Torrance area. Inaba/Ichimiann restaurants have been in business for as long a as I've lived in LA, and the quality of their food has stayed consistent over the years. They have 3 locations fairly close to each other with different concepts for each. Ichimi-ann in Rolling Hills focuses on noodles, tempura and sashimi bowls, with a fantastic array of affordable lunch combos. The space is pretty small, so you can expect some waiting time at peak hours. Food is brought out quickly so they go through the list fairly quickly! My favorite items on the lunch menu: Soba and Ontama (Poached Egg) Salmon Bowl set Agenasu (Fried eggplant) soba Wide selection of a la carte toppings - notables are squid and white fish tempura One thing that saddens me is that their sobas used to come with Seasonal Takikomi Rice (Dashi mixed rice) but now they've downgraded to rice with Furikake seasoning. Not sure if it's because of inflation but I wish they'd bring the OG rice back - even if there's an up charge. I've never dined here for dinner since their lunch combos are such a great deal! Recommend trying this gem out when in the area.
Came here on a rainy day to catch up with a friend and this is the perfect place for a good comfort food meal. I got the hot udon noddle combo with a side of tempura. The broth is simple and light and the noodles were tender. Although my tempura was a side it came with a generous variety of shrimp, squash, onion, and green beans. The tempura was crispy and not oily. It's a small place but they were able to seat us immediately and were extremely friendly and attentive. Parking was a breeze as well! Check out this place for your next cozy meal plans.
Each time I've driven by this spot I've made a mental note to check it out and I am so glad that I finally did! The food is so delicious and comforting especially on a cold and rainy day. I ordered the Unagi (Eel) Combo which came with an Unagi Rice Bowl and a hot comforting bowl of Udon soup. I also ordered the Assorted Tempura to share. The eel was tender and sweet yet savory over a hot bed of rice. The udon noodles tasted fresh and the simple broth paired well with the fried tempura. The assorted tempura came with pieces of fried seafood and veggies, I preferred the veggies. Service was friendly. Interior was simple yet beautiful. This spot is located in a plaza with lots of parking. Highly recommend this spot!
Warning - almost nothing they serve is vegetarian. For some reason the Yelp page says vegetarian friendly, however everything contains fish. Only the plain rice and vegetable tempura is truly vegetarian.
Love their hot udon! The noodles are smooth and the broth is light and tasty. Perfect meal for a cold day. I like to order the combos because it comes with your choice of udon or soba (hot or cold)Combos:~Crab, scallop & ikura rice bowl: good but the seafood portions were small.~Unagi box: husband's favorite!~Deluxe tempura bowl: shrimp, white fish, scallop, squid, eggplant, kabocha, potato, green bean, mushroom. It's not as crispy but it's pretty good.Limited seatingPlenty of parking
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Soba, Hot Soba, Delux Tempura Bowl Combo, Noodles, Yuzu Combo Set
Restaurantji Recommends
We had plans to attend a salsa class in Redondo Beach after dinner, so decided to eat somewhere nearby, and ended up at Ichimi-an. This location is open later than the other location, but still not that late for dinner (closes at 7:45PM, and closed on Tuesdays). Parking was easy in the large plaza parking lot, though the restaurant itself was quite small and only manned by two individuals. We arrived at 7:15PM and were still accepted. Paper menus were provided although there is also a digital menu viewable after scanning the QR code on the table. The menu includes photos of most dishes, and there are some dishes unique to this location. Service was minimal but professional. We ended up ordering the salmon with ikura and seared salmon with poached egg combos, both came with a side bowl of noodles. We tried both their hot udon (a thinner variety of udon) and hot soba. Food came quickly and was simple but very tasty. Prices were okay in the mid-$20 range for both dishes. Overall, would love to return to try more off the menu, just wish it weren't so far from home!
I ordered the sea bream sashimi bowl and zaru soba set! It was very delicious ✨? I really liked the calm atmosphere inside the store and the kind staff. ✨2023 updateI ordered a set of sashimi, tempura, and kakesoba. The Kakesoba soup was very delicious. The sashimi was also very fresh and delicious. I'm happy to have hot tea.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Takes credit card. Small quiet job a block away from downtown Torrance. On Jonathan Golds list for their cold soba It's open during limited hours. Personally, I don't like cold soba, I like warm soba. They offer lunch combos of the tempura over rice with a side of cold soba ($19) The soba noodles are made well, good texture. I prefer the soba in warm soup. The cold soba was too cold. Get it warm! Tempura over rice. The tempura was average. Not as crispy as I would like. A variety of vegetables like squash, shrimp. Pork cutlet Over rice bowl- the pork cutlet was cooked fine. The outer layer was not crispy.
My recent visit to this restaurant with my mother turned out to be a pleasantly enjoyable experience. The setting of the place immediately struck us with its welcoming and comfortable ambiance, making it a nice spot for a relaxed meal.The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the soba. While it wasn't exceptionally extraordinary, it was decently prepared, offering a satisfactory taste that adhered to the traditional flavors. The soba had a good texture, and the accompanying ingredients complemented it well, making for a fulfilling meal.What adds to the charm of this place is its unpretentious and friendly atmosphere. It feels like a spot where you can unwind and enjoy a simple, good meal without any over-the-top expectations. The staff were courteous and attentive, contributing positively to our dining experience.In conclusion, if you're in the mood for some decent soba in a pleasant environment, this restaurant is worth a visit. It's a place I would recommend, especially for those who appreciate a laid-back dining experience with good, straightforward food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ichimi-an has been a staple in our Torrance go-tos for so many years. I'm never disappointed when I go! They have so many different noodles to try but I recently tried their Yuzu soba and I am IN LOVE. So so refreshing and I have not stopped thinking about it. Prices are ok and although there aren't many tables inside, I've never had a problem finding an open table. There's parking behind the restaurant.