Update 1:
While perfectly fine as a neighborhood spot, we weren’t sure when we’d be able to go back to Izakaya Tonchinkan given the distance, but with a strong recommendation for a rare Sake from @beefnoguy, we decided to stop by and see what the fuss was all about. 
Nabeshima - Aiyama - Junmai Daiginjo Sake (Saga, Japan):
This Nabeshima Aiyama Sake uses a very rare Rice varietal (according to Chef-Owner Miura, as well as @beefnoguy). I’ve never seen this offered at any Japanese restaurants here in L.A./O.C. nor in S.F., so we were excited to give this a try.
The first notes are extremely floral, like a bouquet. It’s lightly sweet, very aromatic and surprisingly not as smooth as most Junmai Daiginjo Sake that we’ve tried over the years. It was unique and seemed to open up even more as the night went on. Not as stunning as our favorites (like certain offerings from Tatsuriki, Okunomutsu, or even the special Juyondai that we had last year), but we were glad to have tried it. (FYI: The Nabeshima was bottled 3 months prior to our tasting.)
Kyo no Ohitashi (Today’s Simmered Vegetable - Spinach):
Nicely cooked through, tender, delicate.
Yagen no Shioyaki (Grilled Chicken Cartilage):
Their Grilled Chicken Cartilage (from the Chicken Breast portion) was well-executed, nice crunch.
Shinjo (Shiitake Mushroom Tempura Stuffed With Shrimp):
The inner stuffed Shrimp and Shiitake Mushroom mixture was moist and springy, but the outer frying technique left a lot to be desired (compared to our best around the city).
Tori Momo Niku no Misoyaki (Miso Marinated Chicken Grill):
Nice Miso marination that permeated the Chicken, but a touch overcooked. Of note, the Nabeshima Aiyama Sake did not hold up very well with this dish.
Pork Stomach with Housemade Ponzu:
Appreciated the slightly crunchy grilled texture
Karikari Ume to Shirasu Donabe Takikomi Gohan (Pickled Crunchy Plum and Baby Sardine):
Definitely one of the better categories of items at Tonchinkan, their Clay Pot Rice dishes always feature 4 - 5 different offerings each night. The crunchy Japanese Plum and Baby Sardine was a nice flavor and texture combo with the freshly steamed Rice.
Their Pickle selection was also a nice match with the Donabe.
Amabuki - Himawari - Junmai Ginjo Sake (Saga, Japan):
Lightly aromatic, easy to sip, and a nice match with many of our dishes following.
Grilled Beef Tongue:
A nice beefy flavor, meaty, yet tender with the thin slicing.
Chinese Napa and Crunchy Baby Sardine Salad:
Loved the crunchiness in every bite, with crisp Napa Cabbage with a noteworthy snap, and the Fried Baby Sardines in a lightly piquant-savory-sweet Ponzu Vinaigrette.
Torotaku (Fatty Tuna Belly Chopped & Mixed with Takuan (Japanese Pickled Radish)):
Delicious. Fatty, luscious, crunchy.
Jikasei Atsuage no Guriru (Grilled Homemade Thick Fried Tofu):
As fantastic as usual. Definitely one of our favorite things, with their Housemade Tofu being fried and then grilled to give it a crusty, crunchy texture, lightly savory and earthy, adorned with Shichimi Togarashi, Green Onions, and Katsuoboshi (Shaved Bonito Flakes).
Tatenokawa - 50 Nakadori - Junmai Daiginjo Sake (Yamagata, Japan):
Almost fruity and sweet to the taste, it had a pleasing roundness / balance with a decent finish.
Dashimaki Tamago (Made-to-Order Japanese Egg Omelet):
This was a pleasant surprise: Made fresh to order, Miura-san’s Dashimaki Tamago was piping hot, fluffy, airy and a standout this evening. 
We like Wadatsumi’s much more, but this was still great.
Izakaya Tonchinkan is still pretty much a solid neighborhood Japanese Pub. Most of the dishes won’t necessarily wow you, but there are some standouts to try if you’re in the area, from their nice assortment of Donabe (Clay Pot Rice) dishes, to their Grilled Beef Tongue and the Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese Egg Omelet). What might make it more of a detour is the selection of rarer, off-menu Sake that Miura-san seems to be bringing in limited quantities such as the Nabeshima Aiyama Junmai Daiginjo Sake and Juyondai among others.
(Reservations Recommended.)
Izakaya Tonchinkan
713 W. Duarte Rd.
Arcadia, CA 91007
Tel: (626) 461-5078