-
January 2024 by Eric Wang
This is a remarkable place, operated by a good man and family. Here you can find such amazing wares, from the must-have kitchenware items of proper knives and cookware, to tea sets and sake drinkware, to Japanese BBQ gear and kitchen organizing items. I have had my knife sharpened here--the attention and care that the proprietor gives to my knife keeps me coming back, and very excited to recommend to you to use his services, but also to explore this wondrous shop. There are fewer stores like this nowadays, with people shopping online constantly. You cannot beat the excellence of this store, being able to walk in and be greeted so warmly by this family and staff, and then get to see in person all the specialties Hitachiya brings in from Japan. Don't miss out on shopping here.
-
December 2023 by Gl L.
I'm very pleased to have found Hitachya. I have been looking for a good place to sharpen my knives for years. Years ago I used someone at the Farmers Market. He butchered my knife using a big grinding wheel. I figured since this place runs classes for knife sharpening, that I was in the right place. They charge by the length of the knife, and if it is damaged. I brought 4 knives including my boning knife and paid a reasonable price and got it back quickly. They only needed it for about 4 or 5 days, much better than some places which keep the knives for over a week. I figured since sushi chefs earn the money by properly cutting fish, this place has to be good!
-
November 2023 by Mr Choi
I once bought a sushi knife in this store, but a few days after I got home, I found on the Internet that it was exactly the same as the one I bought, but it was 100 dollars cheaper than the one I bought! How humiliating it is! The shopkeeper is Japanese, even if you cheat me tens of dollars, I will admit it, but one hundred dollars! This is unacceptable to me! As a sushi chef, I was very angry when I saw this knife. No one is advised to go to their store to buy! Slaughtering customers is too serious.
-
November 2023 by cc88k
Locally owned, plenty of great japanese cookwear and high quality knives
-
November 2023 by Grace
Amazing store with beautiful selection of Japanese cookware and tableware. I needed to buy a chef’s knife as a present, but didn’t know a lot about what I was looking for, and the owner was so helpful! I left with a great gift, I will definitely be back!
-
September 2023 by Mr O
I once bought a sushi knife in this store, but a few days after I got home, I found on the Internet that it was exactly the same as the one I bought, but it was 100 dollars cheaper than the one I bought! How humiliating it is! The shopkeeper is Japanese, even if you cheat me tens of dollars, I will admit it, but one hundred dollars! This is unacceptable to me! As a sushi chef, I was very angry when I saw this knife. No one is advised to go to their store to buy! Slaughtering customers is too serious.
-
August 2023 by Lucia
A gem ! I took a knife sharpening class here with Masa! We learned so much about the importance of the metal, quality of the knife and how to keep that samurai edge at home; the right and simple way. Their knife selection is for every budget and the quality they choose to carry in their store is meant to keep forever and even pass down. This little store (but big online)is everything you would need or can imagine you need to shop for your Asian kitchen! They carry the highest quality items; including artisan quality knives made by Masa himself; a 60 year master of making knives! It’s a gem of a place like no other! Thank you Masa for the best experience in learning the art of a well made knife! Side note as a big plus-There is a well stocked Asian grocery store next door too!
-
June 2023 by Doreen W.
I had their private knife sharpening class and it was amazing!!! The price seemed premium, but after experiencing it, it was worth it. During Covid shut down, I picked up sharpening knives for fun and watched a bunch of YouTube. Some knives I got really sharp, where it effortlessly cut newspaper. Some I couldn't for the life of me get the same results. Needless to say, I'm a total beginner. Yano was my instructor. Masa (owner and knife sharpening master) was also there. He would check on me and give me pointers as well. It started with me reading a simple 4 page high level overview about knife sharpening. They share that English isn't their 1st language. But I found their English fine. I totally understood them and so many times we laughed together on stuff. They teach you how they sharpen knives, but aren't judgmental of other ppl's methods. I'm glad I went in with some basic knowledge, so that I didn't need him to spend too much time on explaining the terms and I got to ask questions I always wondered more explanations on. You bring your knives to use for the class. They show you the way and then you sharpen. Yano sat next to me and watched me sharpen the WHOLE TIME. I received feedback & hands on experience of sharpening on various whetstones. He was very patient, respectful, light hearted, yet professional. He was very attentive and engaging. I learned news tips, high level pros & cons with repairing western and Japanese blades, got a better grasp of what details to notice when repairing & sharpening. I also felt validated that what I've done so far wasn't that bad :P I'm glad I brought knives I already tried to sharpen myself and with their guidance, they helped me get the knife extremely sharp. I'm glad I brought my grandpa's knife to learn how to care it. They didn't pressure me to buy anything from the store after the class, even though you get 10% off your entire purchase for that day. Yano and Masa are super endearing. They're like fun uncles I wish I had. Here's showing before and after: *disclaimer: chipped knife wasn't completely repaired by me manually working on it ^_^ because the class is limited with time, after I manually worked on repairing it a bit, to expedite the process he worked on it a bit, so I can work on sharpening it during our class time :P
-
April 2023 by Cole
It's been a couple months since I've visited, but I feel obligated to talk about this wonderful shop.After a disappointing visit at a different knife shop, this was a night and day difference.A small but well put together shop with some of the best customer service I've had in a long time. One of the owners was kind enough to spend the time and go through almost a dozen knives with me that he had in stock. Thanks to him, I narrowed it down to a beautiful Damascus Gokaden Santoku with the perfect handle for my hand. The gentleman behind the counter even went out of his way to help me get the knife shipped back up to Oregon where I live and get it home safely. I can't recommend this store enough.
-
April 2023 by cuevak
Locally owned, plenty of great japanese cookwear and high quality knives
-
February 2023 by Paco F.
Awesome little shop focusing on knife sharpening as well as sales of knives and kitchenware. Took our 3 heavy rotation knives for a tuneup and ate very impressed with the service! $85 IS more expensive than the quick farmers market job, it you get what you pay for!
-
January 2023 by Eric T.
A small gem in Torrance/Rolling hills. They specialize in high end Japanese knives and kitchenware. They also sharpen knives, the traditional way by hand which is far more superior than any machine capable of. The owner, "Masa" San and his partner, Hiro San run the place. Masa San has even designed his own brand of Japanese kitchen knives "Gokkaden"' which I bought 2 (see pics), they can only be rivaled by master knife makers such as Saji. They also have a knife sharpening class which I also took. If you are into cooking, cutting sushi, appreciate high end knives (which will last you a lifetime), then i recommend you to stop by.
-
January 2023 by Grace L
Amazing store with beautiful selection of Japanese cookware and tableware. I needed to buy a chef’s knife as a present, but didn’t know a lot about what I was looking for, and the owner was so helpful! I left with a great gift, I will definitely be back!
-
December 2022 by Mark Edward D.
Great sharpening service - delightful people. I will definitely come back to Hitachiya!
-
May 2022 by JP And Becky K.
A little expensive but absolutely top quality Japanese culinary gear straight from Japan I bought a hangiri and traditional rice pot and could nt be happier with them
