Sei-Ko-En Restaurant

This place is sooooooo good my favorite Japanese BBQ in the area. All the meat is amazing there. My GF and I love the beef tartare. The service is also top tier there they are very nice. I recommend getting a reservation because it is pretty small and can be packed sometimes.

It's our second time going to Sei-Ko-En as we were craving some authentic Japanese BBQ. It did not disappoint. Everything was absolutely delicious. We love the Yukke (beef tartare). It's also reasonably priced at $12 a bowl. We actually ordered 2 bowls. All the meat was fresh and super tender. The wait staff were very friendly and service was excellent. This place reminded us of our favorite local Yakiniku restaurant when we lived in Tokyo. It has an old school charm to it and brought back our memories from Japan. Most of the customers were Japanese and spoke Japanese to the wait staff. It was a fun time and we enjoyed our dinner.

Ordered:- Beef tongue with green onion (5/5): Our favorite cut in general and this place's tongue did not disappoint. The tongue was perfectly seasoned with the green onion.- Sirloin (4/5): We liked this one less because it was simply too lean for our tastes and packed less of a punch in terms of texture and flavor. It was still good, but compared to beef tongue and prime rib it simply couldn't compare.- Prime Rib (4.5/5): Our second favorite cut behind the tongue. The amount of marbling gave it an appealing visual and after a nice sear it came out super juicy and flavorful. - Minced Raw Beef (5/5): We always love our beef tartare and this is no different. The egg and sauce mixed with the beef gave it a bit of a smooth and slightly tangy flavor. The thin apple slices paired well with each bite.- Almond jelly (5/5): A small, light, and refreshing dessert to top off a heavy meal. Not too sweet which is my preference!Overall (3.5/5): We arrived here on a late weekend afternoon. As we walked in, we noticed that while the place was mostly empty, there was as visible cloud of smoke in the air indicating that the ventilation was less than ideal. While the food was great, we also found the portion sizes a bit too small for the amount we paid for - we didn't leave hungry, but we weren't exactly full either. There's also an Instagram promo going on that has 10% off for the month of November, but it was also a bit misleading as it only applies to existing followers of the page.

Forget fancy wagyu - this dish is the real star! The OX-tongue with green onion ($17.50) is a masterpiece that singlehandedly pulled me out of my food slump. You can grill THICK, juicy cuts to perfection. Each bite bursts with flavor and a tenderness that is truly unmatched.The pairing of fresh green onion adds a good contrast, while a squeeze of lemon ties everything together with a zesty acidic punch. It's savory, satisfying, and somehow manages to feel indulgent without being overly greasy.I stumbled upon this gem after a craving for Japanese BBQ led me here when Torachan was closed, and honestly? No regrets. We also ordered the beef tartare which deserves an honorable mention. We also tried multiple other cuts of meat, but they weren't as good as the ox-tongue imo. I would also skip the spicy beef soup with rice though. Tastes homey but not my favorite.Service was good and large parking lot outside.

I was transported back to Japan the moment I stepped in. The run-down walls and intimate seating with a small grill were everything I didn't know I needed.The menu was similar to the yakiniku restaurant I often visit when I go back to Japan so we tried as much as our 2 stomachs could take on. We ordered the Kobe-style American wagyu tongue and the salted ox tongue with green onion. These were cut to a perfect thickness and they were so tender. I think my favorite was actually the beef skirt though because I tried it with their homemade miso as a lettuce wrap and I couldn't get enough.I also tried raw liver for the first time here and I can't say I was the biggest fan of it but I'm glad I tried it. I enjoyed the minced raw beef a lot more in terms of texture and flavor. Another standout dish was the spicy beef soup. How did they make it so good?! I should've ordered some of it to go because it was so comforting and warming without a lot of spice despite it being labeled as spicy. It also had a lot of veggies so it was healthy without being too filling.One dish I would undoubtedly buy if they sold it individually is their homemade kimchi. I took some home and savored it as much as I could.I was able to talk to the owner and he informed me that he just took over around 2 years ago after the previous owner was about to retire. He used to frequent the restaurant as a customer and fell so in love with it that he stepped up to be the new owner so that it could continue instead of being converted to a kbbq restaurant. This is a local business definitely worth supporting.

When we decided to try this restaurant in a retail strip mall, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the food and service were exceptional! Plenty of meat choices and truly authentic style Japanese BBQ. We will definitely return with friends and family!

This place is a small hole in the wall restaurant, and it's been one of my favorite and low key spots. The grandma has been working there since forever and somehow always remembers me when I go. I love the pork jowl and short rib here. I have also tried the liver both raw and cooked and it is great as well. But I don't think everyone would enjoy it since it has a unique flavor. The kimchi comes at a cost, but I think it's well worth it. They also serve a bean sprout appetizer that I love as well. The service is great and the workers are very nice. The restaurant is small so I would recommend making a reservation.

My prime rib was cooked to perfection, it was a rare pleasure.4.5/5 | Cow Tongue, Prime Rib, Kimchi, Raw Beef Rice Bowl | $21, $17.50, $19Food: The quality of the meat here is fantastic. I usually don't get the cow tongue, but the ones here were delicious. Chewy with just the right amount of flavor. The prime rib had savory marinade that enhanced the quality of each bite. A lemon sauce and soy sauce marinade is available for you as you sit, and these pair well with the meats as well. The raw beef rice bowl was surprisingly delicious as well. I don't see a lot of restaurants with this Korean dish, so I was surprised to find it at a JBBQ restaurant. Service: The staff were kind and friendly. They replaced the grill often for us and checked our table often. Ambiance: Not too big of a restaurant, but a good number of seats. It's a good idea to make a reservation before you go since it can get packed.

This place is perfect for two to 4 ppl! The service is incredible and the food is even better. I don't live close to this restaurant but I make it a point to come here whenever I pick someone up from the LAX airport. It might not have the most "instagram worthy" decor but if you couldn't care less about that like me, then this place is perfect! Definitely coming back here for my birthday ‍

Cozy, homey, family feel spot. Comfortable booths. And, the happiest sweetest server Leon!! He lovesss his job! The Kimchi, daikon, fresh cucumber side is a MUST! Complimentary beansprouts Yum! Prices are reasonable and the Wagyu Prime steak delicious. Go!!!