Izakaya Bincho (CLOSED)

A sign-less hole-in-the-wall on the Redondo Beach Pier seems like a dubious place for a great izakaya until you consider the fact that its neighbors include two legit Korean crab destinations.  Agedashi tofu ($6) is a favorite here, as are the grilled bacon-wrapped cherry tomatoes ($3.50).  Some nights the vibe is Jimmy Buffet goes to Japan, where everyone seems to have a laid-back Sapporo buzz, and other nights, the place seems a bit forgotten in time—there’s really no predicting the mostly-local crowd, but you can always count on a good plate of spicy fried wings ($6.50) to make you feel welcome.