Shin-Sen-Gumi Chanko - Gardena

Delicious yakitori + reasonable price + busy hot place vibe. Delicious yakitori at a very reasonable price with that lively, busy hot spot vibe—it’s easy to see why this place is popular. The food itself was great once it arrived, and I’d definitely come back for the taste alone. The only downside was the service. Our server seemed either inexperienced or just overwhelmed with too many tables. Orders came out very slowly, and a couple of mistakes were made with what we ordered. It was a bit frustrating, especially since everything else about the restaurant was so enjoyable. If the service improves, this would easily be a 5-star spot for me.

Best yakitori and grilled skewers around! Shin-Sen-Gumi is hands-down the most reliable chain for Japanese street-food-style dishes. Their yakitori selection is huge, and everything is seasoned well. Prices are reasonable, too. The atmosphere and flavors feel authentically Japanese — it reminds me of the energetic yakitori bars that define Tokyo nightlife. Be prepared to wait in line! I love animal internal organs, but for a safe and crowd-pleasing choice, try the beef, chicken thighs or wings, potatoes, rice balls, meatballs, and sausages. I don't recommend taking leftovers or to go orders with most yakitori. Reheating ruined the flavor. FYI: offal (aka internal organs) is packed with iron, zinc, vitamin B12, protein, and vitamin A. So be bold and experiment — bring a friend along to share, or to hand off anything you don’t love. After all, what are friends for if not to be your food trash cans… I mean, sharing is caring, right?

Interesting Japanese space in Gardena that features both a yakitori side and a shabu side. The place has great service, super friendly staff that are great to chat with. I probably came at the weirdest time possible as there was a power outage which pretty much ended the yakitori night as no ventilation was available. However, before the power went out, food was good and served at a quick rate. Good spot to grab a beer, skewers, and apparently they get busier in the night, especially after Dodgers games.

Stopped by for a quick late dinner on a Monday night at 10PM. We walked in and were promptly seated. We ordered a couple skewers: 1. Beef was tender and seasoned well. 2. The chicken thigh was so juicy and flavorful! My favorite skewer. 3. The bacon wrapped asparagus was grilled well with great texture. 4. The chicken and onion seasoned with salt was delicious. 5. The yakitori chicken fries with mayo and cheese was the perfect comfort food. The fries were crispy and piping hot and well complemented by the chicken. Highly recommend a visit. They have ramen and lots of seasonal specials as well.

Had a wonderful dining experience at this little Yakitori Restaurant. The Staff was very nice and the food was really good. The venue is small and very popular so you should expect to wait if you don’t have a reservation. Even if you have a reservation you should expect at least a 10-minute wait to get to your table. The Yakitori and special menu items are really good and they come in small portions so you can really explore the menu by ordering many different things. The Yakitori is grilled meat, seafood, or vegetables with minimal seasoning, you get to taste the freshness and quality of the food. They do have condiments and sauce if you need more flavor. The venue itself is very small and cramped it not good for a large party setting anything party over 6 can be challenging. The atmosphere and ambiance are a mix of a busy pub and diner during peak hours. The food and the staff make the dining experience worthwhile.

This place is great! I love the energy of every single employee. They make you feel very special especially when you order a beer and everyone gets involved for the "kanpai". I used to come here almost weekly but the prices have drastically increased over the years. All of the items have nearly tripled in price from when I originally came here nearly 15 years ago. Normally I just stick to the lunch menu these days but I also love introducing people to yakitori. The meatballs are always a fan favorite for everyone I bring.

Great spot. Small 3 bite skewers, price adds up but most of them were great. The beef tongue, wagyu, and skirt steak were really good, loved the flavor they had. The bacon wrapped ones and the mushroom skewers were all good. The only lacking one was the pork belly and scallop skewer, those were definitely a pass. The braised pork belly and fried calamari however, amazing. The scallop sashimi also solid. The fires were ok but the chicken pieces it came with were excellent. Overall great spot.