5th Annual GVJCI Izakaya Featuring Specialty Food & Beverage, Small Bites/Bar Food and Music
Name: 2026 GVJCI Izakaya
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute, Nisei Veterans Memorial Hall
Featured Chefs: Chef Mike Inouye, Gardena Valley JCI teaching chef and Chef Gary Matsumoto, Azay Little Tokyo
Sake Tasting presented by Mutual Trading Company
New this year Mocktails!
Dessert: Yamanaka Kakigori & King’s Hawaiian paradise & dobash cakes
Raffle: Fabulous prizes include:
Dodger tickets- Sunday, Aug 23, 2026 vs Pirates @ 1:10pm, 4 seats in Reserved Section Plus Preferred Parking in Lot B
Petersen Museum tickets & parking
Tickets: Limited quantities! Purchase before we run out!
General ticket includes entry, a set menu, 2 drinks, sake tasting & special gift:
General: $60.00
VIP: $75.00 (same as General + top shelf sake tasting)
Non-Alcoholic: $50.00 same as a general ticket with mocktails, no alcohol
Chef Mike Inouye Bio:
Chef Michael Inouye is born and raised in Gardena. He graduated from UCSD and went on to become a sushi chef working at the San Diego Fish Market for 23 years. Cooking is a passion of his that started back in grammar school. Now, he would like to share his knowledge with anyone interested.
Chef Gary Matsumoto Bio:
Born and raised in Southern California, Gary returned to the area in 2022 after spending almost thirty years in Hawaii. A graduate of the University of Southern California and the Kapiolani Community College Culinary Arts program, his experience in food and beverage runs the gamut of the industry. Training and progressing in the kitchen at Alan Wong’s Honolulu, he has also served as a Chef de Cuisine, Executive Chef, General Manager, Food & Beverage Director, and consultant, across a spectrum of different properties.
Menu:
- Tuna handroll with shiso, kyuri, kaiware,
- Kanikama banh mi handroll with pickled daikon & carrot, cucumber cilantro & avocado (vegetarian available)
- Eggplant kabayaki handroll with kyuri & kaiware (vegan)
- Chicken Karaage, yuzu aioli, smoked trout roe, chives
- Roasted Nantes Carrots with a Miso Mole(vegan /gluten free)
- Smoked Japanese Potato Salad (vegetarian /gluten free)
- Hawaiian Style Somen Salad, ham, egg, cucumber, tomato, kamaboko, kiaware (vegetarian available)
Sake Tasting Hosted by Mutual Trading Company
Taste a variety of Sake from various regions in Japan, comparing different flavor profiles.
Discover pairing possibilities beyond Japanese foods: at home along with stir fry, pizza, or to just sip ‘n chill.
Yamanaka Kakigori
Japanese style shave ice • か き 氷
✨ la’s original kakigōri trailer
🍧 family owned since ‘24
🧊 handcrafted with @kuramoto_ice
King’s Hawaiian Cakes
Paradise Cake: The king of cakes! Three layer (guava, passion fruit & lime) chiffon cake filled with tropical whipped cream and topped with guava, passion fruit & lime glaze.
Dobash cake: Delicate chocolate chiffon cake filled and iced with our signature chocolate dobash pudding , garnished with chocolate crumbs. Our most beloved chocolate cake and a Hawaii classic.
Sponsors: Hirano Homes Group, Beyond Zebra
Donors: Aiya Matcha, Asahi Beverages America, Azay Little Tokyo, Calpico, Petersen Automotive Museum, Ray Shibata-Emeritus Board Member
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI)
The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community center housing various classes, services, and programs for seniors, non-senior adults, and youth in the South Bay for over 60 years. Our mission is to serve the needs of the local Japanese American community through educational, cultural, and social programs that share the Japanese and Japanese American cultural heritage.
Our Mission: A space to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture.
Our Vision: The GVJCI envisions a vibrant network and a welcoming space for all persons interested in Japanese heritage and culture where history and tradition are honored, people are inspired to create action and change, and cultural pride and respect for all humanity are promoted.