Better than average home style Japanese food. Friendly and casual. Many local connections and history. Homemade ice cream too.
Tori Yen...A Gem Among the Dross. In the wilds of Tujunga, there is a really good Japanese restaurant called Toriyen. Although Mr. Kimura, the master sushi chef, is officially retired, he comes on Thursdays and Sundays. Also, he has helped train Lawrence and Jojo who now work behind the bar full time. Mariko, the owner, is always fun with her slightly louche and droll manner. I always feel welcome and at home here. My favorite Namamono (raw foods) are the live Aoyagi, and the Aji with the Senbei (deep fried aji bones).
The Tujungaites who go there are friendly, and there is a lot of good humored banter there. Overall, Toriyen is a warm, kind place where the food is good and the camaraderie and the service enhances the experience. By the way, Mariko says, "Don't touch my moustache." since it sounds like the Japanese word for "You're welcome". (Doitashimashite) Tell her "Arigato" and hear what happens.
Not for everyone, but I love it.. The personalities here are boisterous and you won't go long without hearing a deep belly laugh, not the place to go for a quiet candlelight conversation or highbrow trophy orders, but if you like good sushi and don't mind bumping shoulders with Tujunga's finest at the tiny bar, then you won't find a better meal or more fun anywhere else. They often have great specials: uni sashimi served in the animal, sweet (not pacific) oysters "fresh from the Tujunga wash", etc that were obviously carefully chosen from the best of that day's fish market. Their motto is best sushi in the boonies. It is an understatement.
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