HATCH

Hatch is a hidden gem in downtown LA, famous for its yakitori. You can get good variety of yakitori from chicken to beef tongue and unagi, and yet it offers much more than that. Their house salad is the best salad I have had for a while. The Yaki onigiri is my family favorite, while my personal favorite is the soft shell crab taco--juicy and delicious. The staff members are attentive and friendly. The atmosphere is busy and live but not too crowded. I highly recommend Hatch for your next food adventure in DTLA.

HATCH in Downtown LA is one of those spots that hits you with flavor, vibe, and personality the second you walk in. Tucked inside The Bloc, it blends modern Japanese izakaya energy with a fun, laid back atmosphere that makes it perfect for date night, pre event bites, or a chill dinner with friends. The yakitori is the star perfectly grilled, juicy, and packed with that smoky binchotan flavor. The chicken thigh, pork belly, and lamb lollipops are must orders. Their squid ink karaage? Wild. Crispy, bold, and totally unique. Even the small plates go hard corn fritters, raw bar options, and those addictive sauces that make you want to order “just one more.” Drinks are just as strong. Their Japanese whiskey selection is legit, and the highballs (especially the green tea one) are refreshing

Hatch is a modern Japanese izakaya-style spot offering a great selection of yakitori, small plates, raw bar items, and cocktails. The space feels stylish yet relaxed, with table seating, a bar, and an outdoor patio. We ordered a mix of yakitori and plates, and everything felt well balanced. The Squid Ink Karaage was crispy on the outside and juicy inside, while the Corn Tempura Tower was light, crunchy, and fun to share. The yakitori stood out as well—especially the Chicken Meatball with egg yolk and tare, and the Wagyu & Wasabi, which was rich without being overpowering. We also enjoyed the drinks. The Mai Tai mocktail was refreshing, and the Ring Around the Rosie cocktail paired nicely with the food. Overall, a solid spot for yakitori, drinks, and a relaxed night out in Downtown LA.

The presentations of the dishes were all nice and looked better than they tasted. Out of 8 plates we like 3. The squid ink karage, the burger and fries, and the bacon wrapped peppers. Oysters, skewers, spare ribs, and some rice thing were okay but wouldn't order again. Cocktails were good. However service was also slow and didn't show any hospitality. Felt like a fast food service vibe. Wasn't worth the price.

I've been to Hatch at least four times, and the atmosphere has been consistently terrific. Located in a mall in the heart of DTLA, we got very lucky in regards to parking and found a free street parking spot immediately outside of Hatch - so that was a great way to kick off my most recent experience there. In terms of flavors, however, some items are far more flavorful than others. The most recent time I dined at Hatch, I ordered the prix fixe menu. Now, I usually don't prefer the prix fixe because I enjoy selecting my own dishes. But I felt like trying something new that evening. And true to my intuition, I think I would've enjoyed my experience more had I ordered a la carte. I wasn't quite full after the prix fixe experience, so I did order agedashi tofu and eel, which were both delicio