I’m always excited to see a Yelp Elite event in the South Bay, so I was especially thrilled when I spotted one at Gaburi Chicken in downtown Torrance. This event gave us Yelpers a taste of a beloved Japanese spot that recently made its way to the area as its first U.S. location. Having been open for about a year and a half, it’s easy to see why it’s been gaining so much attention.

In true Yelp Elite fashion, we were treated to a full spread of dishes that really showcased their menu.

We started off with a variety of appetizers:

Tako Wasa (Boiled Octopus with Wasabi)

Tender bites of octopus with a punch of wasabi. It was salty, briny, and a bold way to kick things off.

Tofu with Kimchi

This dish consisted of silky tofu paired with tangy, slightly spicy kimchi. It was light, refreshing, and full of flavor.

Gabuchi-Kun Salad

This salad was one of my favorites! It was a hearty, texture-packed mix of grilled chicken, fresh veggies, crispy wonton, and a savory onion dressing.

Grilled Mackerel

This was a perfectly grilled fish with a rich, smoky flavor and crisp skin.

Then came the mains (aka the moment we were all waiting for):

Fried Chicken

This dish was the highlight of the event for me! The chicken was perfectly golden, crispy, and served piping hot. Crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside—an instant favorite.

Bone-In Chicken

Super tender and flavorful, the meat practically fell off the bone as the servers were cutting it. This was such a comforting and satisfying dish.

Garlic Rice

This was a savory mix of rice and egg with just a hint of garlic—the perfect pairing to soak up all the flavors of the chicken

To sip, I ordered a Sherbet Lemon Soda, which was bright, citrusy, and refreshing with a creamy twist from the ice cream—such a fun balance of sweet and tart.

And of course, we ended on a sweet note:

Monaka Ice Cream with Azuki

This was a light and nostalgic dessert with creamy ice cream and red bean tucked into a crisp wafer.

Beyond the food, one of the most memorable parts of the event was the custom calligraphy art. We could choose from words like “Love,” “Path,” “Bond,” and “Heart”—or pick our own. I went with “Hello Kitty” for a little extra kawaii touch.

It was such a wonderful afternoon filled with delicious food, thoughtful details, and great company. Events like these are such a fun reminder of how special the local food community can be.

For more smiles, please check out my Yelp Review on the Yelp Elite Event at Gaburi Chicken.