South Bay Rice Things

2401 Artesia Blvd UNIT 105, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, United States
$$$ Japanese restaurant
(693 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to South Bay Rice Things, a delightful Japanese restaurant nestled in the heart of Redondo Beach. Located at 2401 Artesia Blvd, this charming eatery not only serves up a variety of authentic Japanese snacks and dishes but also offers a nostalgic atmosphere that brings comfort and familiarity to both regulars and newcomers alike.

When you step into South Bay Rice Things, you'll find a cozy dining atmosphere, perfect for a casual meal or a quick snack with friends. The restaurant strikes a balance between a laid-back vibe and a welcoming community feel, making it an ideal spot for families looking for a satisfying dining experience.

The menu is a treasure trove for Japanese cuisine enthusiasts. Not to be missed are the Kids Beef Teriyaki and Kids Chicken Katsu — both served over a fluffy bed of steamed white rice, offering delicious portions for a great value, priced at just $7.75 and $7.00, respectively. If you're in the mood for something crispy, the Karaage Chicken and Vegetable Tempura are customer favorites, providing a satisfying crunch with each bite. For those who have a sweet tooth, indulge in delightful Japanese snacks such as Pocky and Hello Panda Cookies, both priced at $2.50, perfect for a little pick-me-up!

However, South Bay Rice Things is more than just its menu; the love and dedication from the staff are palpable. Many customers like Qi Lin and Ryan Cosner rave about the friendly service, describing it as both welcoming and attentive. Their commitment to delivering hearty portions at reasonable prices elevates the experience, even if some longtime patrons notice subtle changes in portion sizes over the years. Yet, the genuine warmth of the owners ensures that your visit is imbued with a sense of community and camaraderie.

While the restaurant has faced ups and downs in taste and texture over the years, many reviews, such as those from Brad LaVerne, highlight how South Bay Rice Things is currently "firing on all cylinders." It's a testament to their resilience and passion for Japanese cuisine. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a family meal, the flavors and variety here keep customers returning, making it a cherished local haunt.

In essence, South Bay Rice Things invites you to enjoy a slice of Japan right in Redondo Beach, promising flavorful dishes combined with a friendly atmosphere. Stop by for a taste sensation that may just keep you coming back for more!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with university students
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
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Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 7:45 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 7:45 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 7:45 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 7:45 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 7:45 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 7:45 PM

693 Reviews
Qi Lin

22 Sep 2025

Great value for great food! We ordered a 2 and 3 combo meal with 2 karaage, 2 rolls, and vegetable tempura and we had plenty of leftovers with just 2 ppl eating! I recommend their karaage, sesame chicken, and the Philly roll! The owners are very friendly and we thought the food was delicious! I used to go here as a kid, 20 years ago, so I’m glad to see Rice Things is still around <3

Ryan Cosner

09 Sep 2025

Love this place. Great food, lots of options, big portions, nice staff. 10/10

sbbcampervan

01 Sep 2025

Our family has eaten here since the early 2000s and this was one of our go-to locations for cheap and delicious food. We haven’t been here since 2019 but it seems like the taste/texture has dropped :( Food/Taste/Flavor: 3/5 - we ordered 2 combo plate and a sushi roll. The pork and chicken katsu were pretty dry and the sauce was fairly salty. The vegetable tempura surprised me since it’s much more American ingredients than Japanese and included items such as carrots and green bean (imagine my shock and disappointment when I bit what I thought was a sweet potato…. but it was a carrot?!?! T_T). Recommendation to ask if you can get the sauce on the side for chicken teriyaki since it’s a bit sweet. The chicken karaage (fried chicken) was delicious and juicy when we first opened the box but became hard fairly quick as the food cooled. The salmon avocado roll was really good with lots of salmon! The South Bay Firecracker Roll had a nice kick but we probably wouldn’t get again since it really is just spicy tuna on a California roll with some spiciness on top. There's not much alvocado in the either of the rolls and they were a bit wonky. Wasabi doesn't have any kick. Ambience: 3/5 - took the food to go. The restaurant only has 3-4 tables to eat at and one of the walls was just stacked with boxes. Looks like some remodel or design has changed in the past few years Service: 5/5 - cashier was extremely friendly and let us take our time to make our order. Her quoted time of about 15 min was on point! Value for price: 4/5 - this place has increased in prices but it’s still very reasonable and one of the cheaper locations. Unfortunately, the quality/taste/texture has dropped

Brad LaVerne

30 Aug 2025

South Bay Rice Things has had its share of wobbles over the years, like a barstool after one too many. But right now? They’re firing on all cylinders. Prices might make you raise an eyebrow—think “fancy cocktail” territory—but the food’s so damn good you’ll fork over the cash with a smile. And the service? It’s the whipped cream on your latte, making the whole deal feel worth it. Their menu leans hard into Americanized Japanese sushi, and I’m here for it. In the South Bay, “authentic” sushi joints are about as common as a sunny day in Seattle, and some of those spots act like you need a secret handshake to order. Look, I’m not a Klingon warlord—I don’t need my fish still wriggling. SBRT keeps it simple: tasty, approachable, no side of intimidation. What keeps me coming back is the reliability—like a dive bar that always has your favorite beer on tap. The rolls burst with flavor, hold up like champs for takeout or delivery (no sad, soggy messes), and the staff’s cool with customizing orders if you’re feeling extra. Seating’s tighter than my old Levi’s, and the crowd can be a mixed bag, but the vibe? Solid as a rock. South Bay Rice Things is my kind of spot, and I’m not just saying that because I’m too old to chase the next hip thing.

Samara B

18 Aug 2025

Tasty food, their menu has been the same for many years and I am here for it, but portions are getting smaller and smaller, i remember when they used to serve the two item plate with a complementary miso soup. Prices are reasonable but they don’t have the dine in service they used to like not offering their dine in food in a foam plate and plastic disposable cups for water.

Rob & Raiden

17 Jul 2025

Great little place, guys there are friendly and welcoming, wings were delicious, rolls also were good just wish portions were a tad bit bigger my only suggestion the rolls with the jalapeno is if the jalapeno were slightly roasted just to soften then up then put on top of the roll that would be a game changer but over all place is a "repeat " for us.

Ken Seibert

28 Jun 2025

For several years I was a steady customer at Rice Things. Life and circumstances made it such that I had not been back there in probably 15 years. What was once a great local Japanese eatery is but a shadow of its former self. It was sad. Maybe this isn’t a fair review as I’m comparing what I fondly remember with today’s reality, but comparing this with other like-priced Japanese restaurants Rice Things still comes up wanting.

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