Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr

1510 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501, United States
+1 424-271-7004
$$$ Japanese restaurant
(442 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Welcome to Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr, a hidden gem nestled at 1510 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA. This delightful Japanese restaurant specializes in the art of tempura, and it promises to take your tastebuds on a culinary journey that you won't soon forget.

As you step inside, the atmosphere is inviting and warm, where the aroma of perfectly fried tempura wafts through the air, creating an unmistakably cozy dining experience. Whether you're here for a casual lunch or a more indulgent dinner, the friendly staff is eager to make your visit memorable.

The star of the show at Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr is, of course, their impeccable tempura. With items spanning from the Assorted Tempura to customizable Extra Tempura options, the choices seem endless. Customers rave about the special bowl, which features a tantalizing assortment that showcases the best of what they have to offer. Imagine delicate shrimp, sweet pumpkin, and tender eggplant, all wrapped in a light and crispy batter that practically melts in your mouth. It’s this harmonious balance of textures and flavors that makes every bite a joy.

If you’re in the mood for something beyond tempura, the restaurant also offers a variety of appetizers, including Green Salad and Caramari Salad, each crafted with fresh ingredients, setting the stage for a satisfying meal. Be sure to try the Green Tea Tiramisu or Black Sesame Mont Blanc for a delightful end to your dining experience; the sweetness harmonizes beautifully with the earthy undertones of matcha and sesame.

Reviewers like Jimmy Si have hailed Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr as "the best tempura bowl place in LA," noting the perfectly fried tempura that is hard to replicate anywhere else. Meanwhile, Mario B describes the restaurant as strangely unassuming yet incredibly satisfying, emphasizing that it "punches way above its weight class" in terms of quality and value. The attentive service only adds to the experience, as guests like Karry testify to the warmth and friendliness they encounter upon arrival, making you feel right at home.

For those venturing into Torrance, Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr is an absolute must-visit for both tempura aficionados and newcomers alike. Expect crispy, flavorful fare where freshness is at the forefront, and leave with a full belly and a smile on your face!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

442 Reviews
Jimmy Si

20 Sep 2025

This is the best tempura bowl place in LA if not all of the US. The tempura is fried so well with the options and variety that is hard to make a bad choice. Some people choose the plate with the tempura or soba/udon combo but the bowl is just something we can't seem to replicate the taste for. I almost always get the special bowl because it has most of what I want. If you want eel then you're better off getting the premium. Which I don't think is necessarily worth it. The staff is super nice and attentive and they take orders fast and provide the tempura quickly while you still have to ask for water when you're running low. The marinated celery and ginger is so good that you can eat so much of it as an appetizer. The spicy seasoning you can add to the tempura bowl adds a nice kick to the bowl itself with the sauce. The mistake mushroom is also a good tempura to order if you don't get the vegetarian one. The place is very much a traditional Japanese place here in LA with seating and wait. This place is super packed if you don't come earl and it can take over an hour to get a seat potentially. The del amo mall location wasn't as good as the original but I hear from friends the Pasadena location is a good one. Overall this is an establishment that has to be visited by anyone who visits LA who likes Japanese food.

Mario B

01 Sep 2025

Strangely unassuming, this place punches way above its weight class when it comes to delivering light and crispy tempura, amazing service, and great overall value. While Tendon Tempura Carlos Junior (lol what a name) may not look like anything special from the outside, this is one of those places that will pleasantly surprise you. This is not your average tempura spot! Their batter is light and crispy, the quality of their ingredients is top notch, and the execution is pure perfection. It's so airy! You can tell it's made with love and dedication to the craft. Will it be better than a world renowned Tempura Omakase at Ginza in Tokyo? Perhaps not but it will blow most US tempura spots out of the water. Their sashimi and soba were also good but really, you must come here for the tempura! The service is also top notch and friendly without being too pushy. The staff handles interactions perfectly without being overbearing. The culture of japanese welcomeness and politeness is apparent. While the place itself is unassuming and the interior is nothing amazing to write home about, it's still very clean, modern, and functional. Lastly, the value is there! Let's just say I'd be willing to pay a lot more for the level of quality you are getting (but don't tell them that). Overall, if you are missing that light, crispy, and airy tempura you can find in Japan but rarely in the US, you must absolutely come here!

Chen Shen

21 Aug 2025

Love it!!!!!!!!! So crispy so nice, enjoyed the bowl more than the plate. Probably won't order the eel tempura again(kinda oily and flavorless), but everything else was super yummy.

Karry

29 Jun 2025

My brother suggested this place for us to meet up with lunch. We were greeted right away when we entered, and the lady told us to write our names down first since our whole party wasn't there yet. Everyone was very nice and attentive. They had instructions on the wall on how to enjoy the tempura bowl and tempura plate. My kids really enjoyed it and made sure I followed the instructions when I got my dish. I ordered the Special Tempura Plate. Everything was so delicious! The tempura was perfectly crispy, and their sauce was so mouth-watering. The kids really enjoyed their kids meal that came with a jello and mini can of juice. The service was really good. Our server constantly checked on us to see if we needed anything. We would definitely come back here when we're in the area again.

Lucia Kim

29 Jun 2025

Premium bowl and udon & toro set While the fried food was a little greasy, the braised celery was absolutely delicious, and having them together was a stroke of genius. Rear parking space and street parking. Inside Mitsuwa Market has the same one -express

Andy Chiang

29 Jun 2025

What an absolute amazing treat if you’re a tempura lover - this is a must try if you’re in the Torrance area. Carlos has learned his craft well and it shows. Almost everything on the menu is tempura related so you’ll definitely have various options to try this famous dish. Prices are also decent for fresh and delicious tempura. 100% a must try if you love tempura and you’re in the Torrance area.

Duong Thi Hong Ngoc

11 Jun 2025

100% authentic to me! it even beats Japanese quality. Still no clue why it’s called “Calos” but honestly, I don’t care. Whenever I’m craving tempura don and soba, this is my spot. My husband always goes for the tempura set with sashimi. Highly recommend!

Jose Ho

30 May 2025

Good and tasty tempura. First time here and next time I'll order more dishes. Portions are on the smaller side, I could have eaten two of the conbos. The staff is friendly and the space is clean. The shrimp was yummy.

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