Hoka Hoka Boasts Excellent Katsu

I visited just as they opened for lunch. The front door was unlocked and it was past 11:30 a.m., so I let myself in. I waited around for about five minutes before the sushi chef showed up and motioned for me to sit anywhere.

I was about to seat myself when the server showed up and said, "No, sit here." I felt a bit put off by that, but I sat where she showed me.

I snacked on the edamame she provided as I looked at the menu, and after I placed my lunch order, she brought a piping hot bowl of miso soup.

Not too long after, I got my bento box with chicken katsu, tempura shrimp and vegetables, assorted sushi, a salad and side of rice; the entire meal was $15—$12 for the bento box and an extra $3 for the sushi.

The meal was quite filling. The katsu was very tender and crunchy, while the tempura was golden and crispy on the outside but still moist on the inside. The sushi and the salad were both was very fresh. I really wanted some soy sauce for my sushi, but the server disappeared for the duration of my meal and only came back with the check once I finished everything.

So overall, the food was good—the katsu eclipsed the sushi, in my opinion—but the service was average. The speed was fine, but the server wasn't fully present. Next time, I might get takeout.

Hoka Hoka Sushi and Sake is located at 811 Torrance Blvd. in South Redondo Beach.