Vanshow Sushi & Bar - Torrance

Shhhhh don't act too excited. They undercharge for the quality, and you better not tip them off. 

Come for lunch if you can - the Vanshow Sushi Combo A is an absolute steal, and it's quite the sampler. These are the nigiri where they add their own pairings so get sushi with style. 

The medium fatty tuna needs no adornment, but mustard adds some earth to an already-robust bluefin. Salmon is sweet and tangy with a topping of tomato powder. Shio koji seasons a smooth kanpachi, and tamago is...an egg.  

You also get half a South Bay Roll, which is actually the best roll I've had in the South Bay. Don't be intimidated by the components - the construction is elaborate because so much thought went into every element. Albacore is meaty and umami, yellowtail is sweet and smooth. Cucumber cools, avocado adds green and cream, and crispy onion brings the crunch. From the serrano, there is fire, micro cilantro carries a fragrance, and the lake of ponzu and garlic oil packs a punch. 

There's a dine-in promo for free Miso Soup as well, and they serve it with some juicy little clams still in their shells. You're not supposed to eat the shell, but the visual is quite something. 

The combo is enough for a lighter lunch, but you'll want to try other offerings so bring friends to share. 

The Japanese Sea Bream & Pink Salt Roll is an exercise in restraint. A simple soy paper wrapper separates a gooey slice from the chopped stuff and rice. A sprinkle of salt seasons but steps back to allow the fish to shine. 

Land-caviar tops the Italian Salmon Finger Lime Roll, adding citrus to salmon over albacore. It's one of the more creative rolls I've seen, though I can't quite get behind the italian dressing and balsamic.

The Vanshow Roll is a straight-up splurge, but the price is fair for the fat feast of bluefin topped with uni and tobiko. It'd almost be too much together, but a clever chef chops crunchy bits of pickled daikon for contrast which amplifies the flavors. 

It doesn't have to be fancy - the regular nigiri is just as good. Salmon, Bluefin Tuna, Japanese Kanpachi, all recommended. 

Scallops, Japanese Sea Bream. There are no bad bites.

Carpaccio is easier if you're not consuming carbs. Yellowtail Ponzu with serrano pepper is buttery with a bite. 

Splurge again for a couple slices of Seared Wagyu Beef with salt sauce if you feel inclined. Beefy, super savory, but also super unnecessary...but in a good way. 

Good sushi needs no adornments, but don't worry about adding a little wasabi here. Theirs is real so the sinus sting is sweet.

Don't be fooled by the off-supermarket location, Vanshow is quality, and it just might be the South Bay's best, especially at this price point. Their menu is all-frills, no-fuss, one of few where every you order is a winner. 

Pho 45 - La Mirada

It's all a numbers game with pho, and the latest powerball number is La Mirada's 45. 

The broth here is super-savory and deeply flavorful, much meat with some of that signature sweet. The #1 has everything, soft rare steak, tender brisket and flank, tendon and tripe for texture. 

If you're hungry get the one with all the Beef Ribs. Same solid broth and it's fun to see those big bones sticking out of your soup, but I don't think I'd get it again - one of my ribs was mostly a sac of inedible fatty tissue, and just looking at it gave me nausea. 

Eggrolls are the best! Impossibly crunchy wrapper, juicy mincemeat within. Get more than one order because four is too few to share. Dip in fish sauce and wrap in lettuce for best result. 

It's all a numbers game when it comes to pho, but once you hit 79, all others pale in comparison. But you can't always have 79, and so far, Pho 45 is solidly in second place.

Pho Hue Oi - Torrance

Caught them on a soft opening, supposedly the South Bay's best broth for pho. 

Sad they didn't have banh beo yet, but happy with my P2 filet mignon. Pushing those slices of rare steak down until red turns to pink is becoming a favorite pastime, and this broth is hot and satisfying. I can say it's better than most random strip-mall stops, but I don't know if they have a lot of serious contenders anyway as the South Bay is more of a hub for ramen. 

Overall a good broth, a good bowl of pho, but for the local award of best, I think I'd rule for Pho Hong Long.