Tokyo Central: Torrance

Tokyo Central on Sepulveda Boulevard, often locally referred to as the “Sepulveda location” to distinguish it from the PCH branch, offers a focused and efficient Japanese shopping experience. While smaller in scale than the massive Gardena flagship, this store is a high-traffic hub for the local Torrance community, praised for its dense organization and high-quality fresh departments. It underwent a significant refresh in late 2024 to transition fully into the modern Tokyo Central branding, resulting in a cleaner interior and an expanded selection of the “JONETZ” private label goods that are hallmarks of its parent company, Don Quijote.

The location is a standout for its high-turnover deli and seafood sections, which are specifically tailored to the local lunch and dinner rush. It features a dedicated hot bar where shoppers can pick up staples like karaage and fried rice, alongside a reliable inventory of bento boxes and $1.99 onigiri that are frequently restocked. Despite its more compact footprint, the store manages to house a small in-store bakery section and a robust beauty aisle featuring imported Japanese skincare. The parking lot is notably spacious for the area, making it a convenient alternative for those looking to skip the more crowded supermarket layouts in North Torrance while still accessing premium sashimi-grade fish and authentic imported snacks.