Asian Cuisine And The Torrance Economy
For a long time Torrance has been enriched by a diverse and delicious variety of Asian-style restaurants and cuisines. These local establishments add a cultural experience to the area that visitors from around the world can enjoy. They also contribute meaningfully to local revenue with employment opportunities, tax benefits, and an influx in spending across multiple sectors.
Torrance is home to a thriving culinary scene, boasting dishes from all over the world. Whether you prefer traditional Chinese cuisine or inventive Korean fare, this vibrant foodscape provides locals with an exciting array of flavors and further enhances Torrance’s dynamic economy.
Food Business Is Good Business
These diverse businesses provide jobs for residents, ranging from chefs and servers to cashiers and management positions. This helps stimulate the local economy and provides people with the means to support themselves and their families.
Every time a customer makes a purchase at one of these businesses, a portion of the sale goes toward supporting local governments through taxes, which help fund important public services and infrastructure projects in the community. From creating employment opportunities for locals and attracting visitors from afar, the Torrance food industry contributes to the economic prosperity and cultural richness of the community.
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.J.R.R. Tolkien
The variety of Asian-style restaurants and cuisines that our city provides is amazing. Hawthorne, Crenshaw, Torrance, Anza, Del Amo and many other streets and boulevards are lined with restaurants and food establishments of all kinds.
This adds a unique cultural experience to the area that visitors from around the world can enjoy, but it also contributes meaningfully to local revenue with employment opportunities, tax benefits, and an influx in spending across multiple sectors.
Japanese Cuisine Marks Variety
Japanese cuisine offers a unique dining experience with its select and intricate flavors. Many Japanese restaurants have specialized dishes and styles, while others offer a variety dishes and styles.
Sushi is a dish that typically consists of small, bite-sized pieces of raw or cooked seafood, served on top of vinegared rice. In the 1970’s and ’80’s it was considered rare and unique. Now it can be found wherever they keep a refrigerator. The best sushi is known for its freshness of raw fish. It can be made with vegetables or other ingredients and is usually served with soy sauce and wasabi.
Ramen and Tempura are also dishes that can be found all over Torrance. Ramen is a Japanese dish that consists of wheat noodles in a broth, typically made with chicken, beef or pork, and flavored with soy sauce or miso. It is often topped with sliced pork, dried seaweed or green onions. Tempura is a dish in which seafood or vegetables are coated in a light batter and deep-fried until crispy and golden. If prepared correctly, the light batter gives way to perfectly cooked ingredients underneath. It is typically served with a dipping sauce made from dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. Everybody in the South Bay loves dipping sauce!
These local Japanese-style restaurants will get you started on exploring the intricate flavors of Japanese cuisine:
Yogi’s Teriyaki House
4437 Sepulveda Blvd ste c, Torrance, 90505
www.yogisteriyakihousetorrance.com
Ojiya Japanese Restaurant Torrance
21008 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, 90503
www.ojiyausa.com
Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill
2120 Artesia Blvd, Torrance, 90504
www.hasudining.com
Chinese Cooking
Chinese cuisine offers a wide variety of flavorful dishes, such as kung pao chicken, which boasts bold spices and heat; orange chicken with its perfect balance of tartness and sweetness; chow mein featuring an eclectic mix of tender vegetables, noodles and meat; or the classic favorite sweet & sour pork. Every dish is uniquely delicious and can be found all over the South Bay.
Kung pao chicken is a spicy stir-fry dish that originated in the Sichuan province of China. It is a lively dish consisting of diced chicken cooked in savory chili-garlic sauce alongside roasted peanuts or cashews. Add vegetables and season with chili peppers, vinegar, and soy sauce you get an intriguing crunchy texture taste.
Orange chicken is a sweet and savory dish that is made with bite-sized pieces of fried chicken coated in a sweet and tangy orange-flavored sauce. It delivers a sweet yet tart flavor that is a must-have on any Chinese food enthusiast’s table. Chow mein is a popular Chinese dish that consists of stir-fried noodles, vegetables and protein, such as chicken, beef, or shrimp. It is the classic noodle stir fry and iconic favorite that has stood the test of time
These Chinese dishes are known for their bold flavors and are often served as part of a larger meal, along with rice and other dishes. These local Chinese style restaurants will get you started on exploring the intricate flavors of Japanese cuisine and the many establishments that offer it here in Torrance:
Sea Shore Seafood Restaurant
5137-39 Calle Mayor, Torrance 90505
www.seashoreca.com
Lee’s Kitchen
2880 Pacific Coast Hw, Torrance, 90505
www.leeskitchentorrance.com
Korean BBQ And Much More
Korean BBQ refers to the Korean tradition of grilling meat, such as beef, pork, or chicken, at the table. There are many Torrance restaurants that offer this experience. Korean BBQ typically involves a variety of meats, which are thinly sliced and cooked on a grill that is built into the table. Diners can cook the meat to their desired level and then wrap it in lettuce or other vegetables. Along with sauces and other condiments, it makes a small, flavorful package.
Bibimbap is another popular Korean dish that consists of rice topped with a variety of sauteed and seasoned vegetables, such as spinach, bean sprouts, and mushrooms, as well as beef or fried egg and is usually served in a hot stone bowl.
Beef is a cornerstone in many Korean dishes such as Bulgogi. Bulgogi is a dish made with thin slices of marinated beef, which are typically grilled or stir-fried. The beef is usually marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and pear juice, which gives it a sweet and savory flavor.
There are many Korean restaurants in Torrance that offer these dishes and many others.
Gen Korean BBQ House
24301 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, 90505
genkoreanbbq.com
Palsaik Korean BBQ / Yuk Dae Jang-Torrance
22757 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, 90505
www.palsaikkoreanbbq.com
H Mart Torrance
4340 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, 90505
www.hmart.com
Sweet, Sour and Spicy Thai
Thai dishes are known for their balance of five key flavors: sweet, sour, spicy, salty, and bitter. All of which can be found in various ways here in Torrance.
A popular Thai dish is Pad Thai made with stir-fried rice noodles, vegetables, and chicken, beef, or shrimp. It is typically seasoned with a blend of tamarind paste, fish sauce, sugar, and chili peppers, which gives it a sweet and sour flavor. It’s typically garnished with chopped peanuts and cilantro that make it look like it belongs in Southern California.
A growing taste with young people is green curry. A Thai dish made with a blend of green chili peppers, coconut milk, and a variety of aromatic herbs and spices, such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and cilantro. The curry is typically served with chicken, beef, or shrimp, and vegetables. Often accompanied by rice.
Begin exploring the different balances of Thai flavors at these Torrance restaurants and the many others.
Ubon Thai Kitchen
24631 Crenshaw Blvd J, Torrance, 90505
www.ubonthaikitchen.com
Sartori Thai Cuisine
1255 Sartori Ave unit B, Torrance, 90501
www.sartorithai.com
Thai Rama Restaurant
4473 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, 90503
www.thairamatorrance.com
Fresh, Fragrant Vietnamese Dishes
Vietnamese dishes are renowned for their distinct flavors, incorporating a variety of herbs and spices to create unforgettable combinations that leave diners coming back for more.
The popular Vietnamese noodle soup Pho has become the latest thing to taste in Torrance. It’s made with a broth of beef or chicken and spices, such as star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. It is typically served with rice noodles.
A great addition to Pho would be some spring rolls made with thin rice wrappers filled with vegetables, herbs, and shrimp or pork. The rolls are then deep-fried or served fresh with a dipping sauce. Everybody loves dipping sauce!
These dishes are known for their fresh flavors and the use of herbs, such as cilantro and basil, which are used to add flavor and fragrance. They are often served as part of a larger Vietnamese meal, along with rice and other dishes.
Vietnamese dishes are rising in popularity with Pho leading the way. Get a taste from these Vietnamese staples and then see what else is out there:
Little Shop of Mary
2205 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, 90501
www.littleshopofmary.com
Delivery-only.
Bamboo Song
24202 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, 90505
www.bamboosongtorrance.com
Not The Same, But One Love For Rice
Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines all have their own characteristics and traditions, but they also have some commonalities. Rice is a staple in all of these cuisines, and it is often served with meals as a side dish or used as a base for dishes such as sushi and rice bowls.
Many Torrance diners will pick their favorite Asian restaurants solely on the basis of rice dishes. If they can’t make good rice, they shouldn’t be operating an Asian style restaurant in the South Bay.
Aside from rice, these restaurants offer a wide variety of fresh vegetables and herbs that add flavor, fragrance, and nutrition to dishes. And meat dishes featuring chicken, beef, and pork play an important role in Asian cuisine. Restaurants featuring Korean BBQ style food continue to do well in the South Bay.
Asian cuisines also use a variety of seafood like fish, shrimp and shellfish. All of which are used in soups, stews, and stir-fries. It’s good to live next to the Pacific Ocean.
From Asia To Torrance
Before settling into the culture of this country, Asian foods evolved over centuries from varies regions and cultures. Chinese cuisine has been influenced by China’s long history and diverse regional cultures. Japanese cuisine gets its variety of tastes from Japan’s seafood-rich diet and the cultural practice of Zen Buddhism. Korean cuisine has been influenced by Korea’s agricultural traditions and the use of fermented foods, such as kimchi. Thai cuisine gets its uniqueness from Thailand’s tropical climate and its history of trade with other Southeast Asian countries. Vietnamese cuisine has been influenced by Vietnam’s long coastline and its historical ties to China and France.
Here in Torrance, these influences work both ways. Asian-style restaurants and markets have enriched the community by offering a taste of different cultures and cuisines. They have long served as gathering places for members of the community and families – promoting a sense of belonging and connection.
And the overall economic impact these restaurants have on the City of Torrance and the South Bay area has been nothing but positive. These businesses bring a diverse range of flavors and experiences to the community as well as dollars and cents. It’s this long-held diversity that gives our cultural and economic foundation in Torrance its strength.