Onki USA

Onki just opened in Torrance, and it’s worth the drive. Two must-orders: the Gamjatang Jeongol (pork bone hot pot), served in a super cool gold pot. Get the fried rice at the end, made tableside with the leftover broth. Classic Korean move and the best bite of the meal. And the Haemoojang, a soy-marinated seafood platter (crab, scallops, shrimp) that’s great value, mix rice into the leftover sauce once the seafood’s gone. Service was great, and the inside has a really cool vibe. Feels good for a casual lunch, a proper dinner, or grabbing drinks with friends (they’ve got beer and soju too). Solid spot for pretty much any occasion.

We ordered almost everything on the menu, but the portions were surprisingly small and the food was disappointing. The gamjatang was especially bad—the meat was so dry that we could barely eat it. Even the rice was overcooked and mushy, making it difficult to eat To make matters worse, the prices were high for what we received, and the restaurant was extremely uncomfortably hot, making it difficult to enjoy our meal. Everyone in our group agreed that we would never come back. Unfortunately, this was one of the most disappointing dining experiences we've had

We came to try Onki after hearing it had recently opened, and we were very impressed. Everything we ordered was delicious, and the portions were generous enough for the three of us to enjoy a filling meal. The seasoning was well-balanced and not overpowering. The service was also excellent, and the staff was friendly and attentive. We definitely plan to come back and try some of the other menu items we didn’t get to order this time. Highly recommend!

Visited Onki on their second day after opening for dinner, and luckily the wait wasn't too bad. The restaurant is located in the shopping center at Hawthorne Blvd. and Torrance Blvd., next to Starbucks. Since it's opened by a well-known chef from Korea, I was excited to give it a try. First impression: It's clean, modern, and thoughtfully designed, with cute decor and elegant plating that gives the place a more upscale feel. The service was also friendly and attentive throughout the meal. We ordered the Galbi, Beef Brisket Jeon, and Seafood Jang. The Galbi was tender, flavorful, and served with mashed potatoes, which was a nice touch. The Beef Brisket Jeon came with spicy seasoning and arugula. While it was nicely presented, it was a little bland for my personal taste. The Seafood Jang reminded me of traditional Korean soy-marinated crab (게장), but with both shrimp and crab. If you enjoy soy-marinated seafood, this is definitely worth trying. Overall, I thought the food quality, portion sizes, and pricing were well balanced. The prices felt reasonable for the quality of the ingredients and the dining experience. I can see this being a great spot for dinner, especially with family, friends, or a group gathering. Since they open at 11 AM, I would love to see a lunch menu in the future. Most of the current menu items feel more like dinner dishes that pair well with drinks and are meant to be shared. I'm happy to have a restaurant like this in Torrance and look forward to coming back to try more of the menu.