The South Bay is a massive area incorporating Torrance, Gardena, Carson, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach, San Pedro, and Lomita, among other municipalities. The part of town south of Los Angeles International Airport and north of Long
Beach feels like its own section of Los Angeles County, with a beachy vibe and cultural diversity apparent in its many neighborhoods. Formerly home to three Japanese car companies, the area still hosts an array of excellent Japanese restaurants, and Korean, Brazilian, Hawaiian, and even Oaxacan fare now feature prominently, too. These are the best restaurants to try in Los Angeles’s South Bay.
New this update: Onki, Waraku, and Radici join the list, while the now-closed Nando Trattoria and Lunasia exit.
Matthew Kang is a lifelong Angeleno who moved to Torrance in 2017. Since then, he’s explored the entire area’s restaurants, including old-school Japanese restaurants, casual Korean spots, and beachside establishments near Redondo, Manhattan, and Hermosa. His favorite underrated ramen spot is Josui and his go-to Korean restaurant is Jang Su Jang.
