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Aburiya ToranokoReservations
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Japanese Restaurant Reviews
Aburiya Toranoko Reviews List
Aburiya Toranoko
A prolific DTLA Japanese izakaya(tapas) and sushi bar nestled in the heart of Little Tokyo, Aburiya Toranoko is known for their eclectic mix of fresh seasonal ingredients along with market fresh seafood and meats creatively prepared by executive chef Hisa Kawabe(Nobu Malibu, Nobu NY, Nobu Miami). See how chef Hisa adapts traditional Japanese fare with creativity by calling on his past culinary experiences to give the guest the ultimate dining experience in Japanese cuisine. To complete the meal, there is a full bar featuring specialty cocktails along with an extensive sake and esoteric wine/beer list.
See more Aburiya Toranoko details
Come in to try what the NY Post stated as the #1 dish you must try while in LA, Toranoko's own homemade Uni Goma Tofu or more adventurous and trusting diners can opt for chef Hisa's omakase menu. Check out all the artwork behind the sushi bar, mural brick wall, and on the bar top to add even more flavor to your dining experience.
54 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 54 reviews
5 stars
(22)
4 stars
(19)
3 stars
(9)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(33)
- neighborhood gem(22)
- good for groups(18)
- vibrant bar scene(15)
- great for lunch(11)
- hot spot(11)
Aburiya Toranoko Reviews List
Review 1 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Another gem from Cardenas
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"What can I say that hasn't been said? Thank you for creating a great casual but fancy enough sushi spot without the over the top little Tokyo cookie cutter atmosphere. It's a sweet little spot for a date, friends, and neighborhood spot. Prices are decent, foods is fantastic and chefs are top rate. And above all they've got options!!! So you can bring the sushi shy person and they won't starve in fact they will be very happy o know there are plenty of meats on sticks that are yummy!
Thanks again MC you rock my man"
Thanks again MC you rock my man"
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch
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Review 2 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Stylish Japanese Food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We ordered many dishes and they were all wonderful. We ended with the sweet potato dessert which was incredible!"
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Went on a travel zoo special
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Went on a travel zoo special 5 course meal. Very creative flavors and combinations. ALL of the seafood was amazing."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, hot spot
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Review 4 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best sushi ever!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The best sushi I've ever had! The specials menu is creative & beautifully executed."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 5 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fabulous izakaya bar Little Tokyo
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Fabulous sushi and izakaya, expertly prepared. The staff is lovely, attentive and unobtrusive. We love this little restaurant!"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies
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Review 6 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We drove in from La Jolla
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"We drove in from La Jolla and were very pleasewd with the restaurant. Excellent "Happy Hour" values !"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Revelatory sushi bar "specials"
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Revelatory sushi bar "specials" menu!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I had the Chirashi Sushi,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had the Chirashi Sushi, which is a very good combination of raw fish and octupus on top of a bed of rice and salad. There is a fried chicken appetizer (whose name I don't remember) that is amazing--basically chicken breasts with skin apparently fried at terrific heat to turn them into delicous chicken-flavored air. Unbelievably light.
The setting is very hip and attractive with Japanese grafitti and lots of exposed brick."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 9 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food is delicious, but
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food is delicious, but since we went on a special night where food was 50% off for their anniversary, they were slammed, totally forgot about our orders, and our food came in waves with long pauses.
We were there for about three hours. Although, it was probably because it was a special night and they were so busy. I'm sure on other nights it's normal. The food is excellent, though. The best okonomiyaki I've had in Little Tokyo."
We were there for about three hours. Although, it was probably because it was a special night and they were so busy. I'm sure on other nights it's normal. The food is excellent, though. The best okonomiyaki I've had in Little Tokyo."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 10 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We all had a great time there. We'
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We all had a great time there.
We'll come back again!"
We'll come back again!"
Dined on 04/03/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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Review 11 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
No good impression about this diner
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We were 10-min. late for our reservation. We waited another 20 mins for our table. But, we were seated in Sushi bar while some empty tables were right behind us. We placed our order and patiently waited for our meal (it was so loud inside the restaurant). Everything came finally in half an hour but assorted tempuras. I had finished my dinner already before tempuras showed up (the server forgot about it). The portion of our meal was tiny (honestly); however, it took us 2 hours to go through the "ordeal." I will never come back to Aburiya Toranoko again!"
Dined on 04/02/2013
2004
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, late-night find
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Review 12 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I was disappointed to find
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"I was disappointed to find that AT had scaled back its menu a fair amount from its early days when it had a very authentic and complete izakaya menu."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2013
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Review 13 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
MY GIRLFRIEND AND I ENJOYED
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"MY GIRLFRIEND AND I ENJOYED THE AMBIANCE AND THE DELICIOUS SUSHI!! WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT ...WE CANNOT WAIT TO GO BACK !!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2008
Special Features: hot spot
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Review 14 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service was incredibly slow,
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Service was incredibly slow, the sushi and yakitori paled in comparison to what's available within walking distance in Little Tokyo, and we didn't even get all of the food that we ordered. The Sapporo pitchers were nice, but otherwise, this isn't worth your time and money, considering how close it is to excellent alternatives."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2011
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Review 15 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Sit at the sushi bar and trust
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Sit at the sushi bar and trust the chefs!!! They're recommendations are the freshest and the variety compliments each course. Definitely save room for dessert... their sweet potato souffle with burnt sugar and ice cream is ridiculous!!!!"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 16 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I enjoyed the service and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I enjoyed the service and the sushi very much. Highly recommend this place for sushi lovers, great quality!"
Dined on 01/30/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly
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Review 17 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Consistently a great experience.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I live within walking distance of Abiruya Toranoko, and whenever friends come downtown to eat, this is one of the two places that I recommend (Bottega Louie's is the other one) that never lets me down. The food is consistently excellent, the ambience is intertesting without being overbearing and the service and personality of the waiters is always friendly and helpful. I feel very lucky to have such a perfect neighborhood spot that I can stroll over to, whether for a romantic date, a solitary meal or to meet with a group of friends, both foodies and regular diners like me. Long may it reign!"
Dined on 01/25/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 18 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Stellar service, great food,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Stellar service, great food, killer decor, good sized portions and more. I loved this restaurant."
Dined on 01/21/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 19 for Aburiya Toranoko
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice Happy Hour. Friendly
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice Happy Hour. Friendly service"
Dined on 01/22/2013
2007
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Aburiya Toranoko
Based on the average of (35) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic