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35 reviews
Placentia, CA
"By far my favorite place to eat sushi. Beautiful atmosphere, friendly staff, EXCELLENT FRESH fish! You can't get any better than this. …" read more »
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I stuck to the basics when I came here. My friend and I both ordered the teriyaki chicken (grilled to perfection) dinner and I had spicy tuna rolls (my fav) and a LOT of Saki and beer. I tried some raw fish eggs as well and it was actually really good...the best I've had other than this place in North Beach San Francisco I can't remember.
Great, tasty, AUTHENTIC food at reasonable prices.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I don't know what it is with Honda Ya but how much more expensive can it get to eat here? Came here with a big group and ate skewers mostly and a few dishes, some sushi but only rolls mind you. Our bill came to $42 each but we paid for the birthday girl -- amazingly, we paid for the birthday boy at Pescadou Bistro and our total was only $26 each. Both totals were without drinks. I just can't believe that eating at an izakaya is that much more than at a French restaurant.
On top of that the beef skewers were just rank. I actually spat mine out into a napkin because it just tasted bad. The gizzards weren't seasoned and I had to spit that out too. One of our friends said it tasted like wet dog. Gross.
I've never opted to go to Honda Ya on my own. Usually it's always because someone wants to go there and I'm tagging along. I thought Shin Sen Gumi was pricey when we went and paid $30 each for eating skewers which weren't all that memorable, but $37 each (that's what it was prior to us paying for the birthday girl).
I enjoyed my time there because I was with all my friends, but honestly, it's not worth the price you're paying (or the wait if you are one of those unfortunate people who have to stand in line and wait for an hour to be seated).
2.5 stars -- just go to Kappo Honda its sister restaurant for a far better time!
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12/01/2006
UPDATED 05-10-2008: It's been a while since we've come here and thank god we got here at 5.30pm and… Read more »
Hmm, 3.5 at best. The yakitori was just OK. I got the okra and bacon, asparagus and bacon, cow tongue, and tomato and bacon. They didn't really seem very flavorful. They looked like yakitori, and they smelled like yakitori, but they didn't impress. I don't know, I felt the yakitori at kappo honda and shinsengumi to be more flavorful. I've never had to season my yakitori, but I did tonight.
Surprisingly, their fish was good. They don't have nigiri, but I ordered a yellowtail roll just for kicks, and the fish was actually quite yummy.
I also got the yakko (oops misspelled it) - cold tofu with various garnishes on top; it was ok. Kinda bland. Also the type of tofu seemed a bit firmer/grainier than I like for yakko. It seemed like I could make a superior one on my own.
They have some dishes that seem pretty interesting though. There was some kind of mochi cheese plate. Hmm that sounds kinda gross doesn't it? It's actually pretty tasty, but starch + cheese is usually good. It has some spicy roe to boot. The butter spinach was good, too. But...it's kinda hard to screw up butter + food.
The takoyaki was OK. I think I was more happy that they had it than anything else. They too also didn't seem particularly flavorful.
Service was meh. Staff weren't friendly or cranky, but they did seem apathetic/demoralized.
I'm a little puzzled at the uber popularity. Lack of local competition? The decor?
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This restaurant is great! I really don't have anything to add that hasn't been said yet.
EXCEPT...
The service is amazing. You never really have to ask for anything here. For example I had just finished the last sip of my drink and I looked up to find a waitress but she was already by my side filling up my cup.
This place is very affordable. MY food buddy Ash-rizzle and I always order 2-3 dishes apiece and share everything. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a food experience. I haven't tried everything yet but I am working on it!
Things I loved:
Burdock Root (I hoped thats spelled right, it's under starters)
Kimche (I probably spelled that one wrong too) Ramen
FYI:
This place gets really crowded and there is sometimes a long wait.
I love this place and not all because it's the only quality place open in the OC after 10pm. It's probably why when we go at 9:30 on a Monday night, there is still a 15-30 min wait.
Service is brisk and impersonal but it is what it is. You go there for the food and authentic Japanese izakaya atmosphere. The sticky tables scare me a little but I get over it. Anyone ever notice the recipe for their pickled cucumbers differ from week to week (or however often they make their pickles)?
Favorite dishes: Ume-shiso tempura (tangy plum paste and fragrant shiso leaves wrapped around white fish and deep fried); men-mochi (baked mochi topped with mentaiko and cheese; LA location uses fresh mentaiko, Tustin uses dried); grilled enoki (wrapped in shiso leaves); grilled eel (melts in your mouth); grilled beef tongue; grilled skin; agedashi tofu/mochi; zasai pork; nasu miso (eggplant); tako wasa (raw octopus marinated in wasabi)
Yeah, it gets costly but it's comfort food for me. My husband and I spend, on average, about $70 there including tax and tip. For full experience, request the tatami room. Make sure your feet don't stink!
I noted that they do take reservations but not for the day of.
Simple food, made simply...goes great with sake (I recommend Otokoyama).
P.S. I dread the clipboard!
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Ive lived in Tustin nearly my whole life and never knew what this place was. The first time I came here was after I'd been walking around town in the rain for a few hours. The food was good, but I admit that I mostly eat the non-daring stuff like tempura. Im a noob when it comes to Japanese food, but the other stuff Ive had, like the nabeyaki, is amazing and I would eat there everyday if I could.
Plus, they have a poster of Lupin the 3rd hanging on the wall so you cant go wrong there.
Also, its not terribly expensive unless you go crazy.
I'll just give the highlights of my dinner experience since this place has gotten over 200 review.
Beer is very cold. Special heart is better then the gizzard.
Story time:
It's the end of the meal and time for dessert, Friend 1 orders the banana egg rolls with ice cream, Friend 2 orders a scoop of ice cream, I order the jello stuff with ice cream, Friend 4 "I would like a scoop of ice cream" Waitress "The ice cream scoop is very big, you don't need to order it" and walks away.....ummmmm wow hahahah the end.
my all time favorite yakitori house! been going here for years & i'm happy they opened a location in dowtown LA!
i love the cherry tomato wrapped bacon & the bacon wrapped shiitake mushrooms! i guess anything bacon wrapped is good.. good sake (hot or cold) and of course love the dried squid w. mayonnaise!
only downside is there is a waiting list especially on the weekends but i haven't waited too long (at most 20 mins).
I've recently returned from Japan, and whenever I go to Honda-Ya, I feel like I'm back over there in some pub. I say that not because it's an obviously "Japanese" restaurant, but really more for the atmosphere - and there's been a number of crazy nights at Honda-Ya reminiscent of some equally crazy nights in pubs around Tokyo's Roppongi and Shinjuku areas.
Sake flows excessively over there, and there's no shortage of Sapporo to even things out a bit. Some of my friends have a huge affinity for the Onigorishi Sake they have. The extra large bottle is quite dangerous even in a group of 6+, so if you have any qualms about singing karaoke, they will be lost when you find yourself stumbling across the parking lot to the karaoke joint 100m away.
As for food, anything fried or yakitori is key. I'm a big fan of the Tonkatsu. The food is so cheap you can get tons of it for next to nothing. I'd stay away from the sushi, as you really don't go there for that.
Service is always great there. The waiters/waitresses will join you in your quest for a massive hangover the next morning, and you will have one after one visit to this joint. All in all, a great place to be - just don't let the wait time dissaude you - the Swinging Door is just a block away where you can start the night at passing away your 1.5 hour wait time for a table on a Friday night.
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I have only 5 words to explain my visit to this place....Food poisoning for 3 days.
Yes the decor felt very authentic to a Japanese style pub, yes the food tasted good at the time and yes I had a good time with my friends, but when you're glued to the toilet and miss work because of food poisoning its not very fun. I'm not sure what it was I ate but I'm thinking it was the chirashi bowl or the wasabi octopus. Funny thing is that it was only myself and my hubby that were sick. It was that one piece of bad fish...boo!
Anyway, I'm not going back, even with good reviews and the prodding of our friends.
We made it to this place around 11:30 PM last night. Waited about 20 minute and were promptly seated. The decor was pretty 'comforting' but intimate at the same time. I wouldn't call it a romantic place (several group of people really enjoying themselves) but there were some small tables for 2 by the front entrance. We tried about 10 different grilled meats and vegetables - they were pretty good except for the beef tongue (little bit too dry for my taste). we also had some noodles and excellent seafood salad. The service was good, prices were fair but the food was outstanding.
I need to go back try other items on the menu but my first impression of this was excellent!
Cheers,
I really like Honda Ya because they serve authentic Japanese food instead of only having chicken & beef teriyaki and whatnot like at the usualy Korean owned Japanese restaurant.
One star off for not being able to accomodate large parties and for not taking reservations. Even for two, there is usually a wait.
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Hiding in a clever strip mall, deep in the heart of old town Tustin, Honda-Ya can be easily missed. Flanked by antique shops and various boutiques, this authentic japanese eatery somehow blends together with the surrounding architecture. The only distinguishing sign of it being japanese is the fading logo painted on the top side wall. At first I was skeptical about this place. As a result of living and traveling in Japan for one year - savoring the real deal - i can only be discriminatory, when it comes to choosing Japanese food.
The French have the bistro, the British have the pub, the Mexicans offer food at the cantina, and Kelly's Corner in Placentia serves free hot dogs at happy hour on Wednesdays before 6PM. Honda-Ya has earned the reputation of being north OC's ambassador to the world of the japanese izakaya. I noticed that Honda-ya screams Japan the moment I walked in. Well, not literally, but the staff do staggeringly scream "welcome" in Japanese when customers walk inside; first indication of Japanese authenticity.
The second and most prevelant sign of Honda-ya's authenticity is the decor, which hardly resembles what most Americans are accustomed to seeing at a typical strip-mall Japanese restaurant. Honda-ya offers private dining, where you can forget the chairs and experience floor pillows; almost as a form of counter-culture. Just be sure to take your shoes off before you enter the private dining area; another Japanese custom. To the naked eye, this eatery might seem pretty damn close to resembling a barn; minus the uma (that's horse in Japanese), and the hay. Hay is for horses, and humans don't eat hay. Which brings us to the subject of food at Honda-Ya.
The third sign of Honda-ya's authenticity, is the abundant variety that this establishment has to offer in its menu. I scanned through an array of noodle dishes ranging from the classic udon with tempura, to the cold soba noodles; and I was in awe to find their impressive yakitori (skewered) selections. Here the customer can choose from a list of items ranging from chicken thigh pieces to octopi; hard-boiled quail eggs, to squid. After choosing the items they are then skewered and grilled to order. This is the backbone of Honda-Ya's menu, since it is a "bar" first and foremost; and Yakitori is the epitome of Japanese bar food.
Don't miss out on the daily specials that Honda-ya prints on a seperate menu. The specials are always changing, and are well suited according to availability, and seasonality. During my last visit, I tried the broiled cheek of yellowtail, served with a side of ponzu drizzled with negi (green onions). For those of you who are hamachi lovers, this is a must-try.
There is a seafood portion to the menu, but no nigiri sushi. They do however offer sashimi, assorted maki rolls, and hand rolls. The true item that caught my eye in a split second was their grilled sanma (pike mackerel). A staple dish in Japan, due to its abundant availability. I have a strange fascination with this smelly fish. Perhaps it is because I grew up eating a shit ton of it, albeit canned, yet still satisfactory. So whenever I can get my hands on some pike mackerel, i suddenly transform into a lustful little kid at a chocolate shop. Unfortunately, this did not happen (insert sad face) Even though grilled, i can tell that the fish was undeserving of the title fresh. The sanma i had was somewhat flavorful, yet dry and chewy, with a tendency to be stringy at times; a sign of freezer burn. Fresh sanma when grilled properly should be velvety if not flaky, and should emit a zesty, buttery sensation when swallowed, aka "umami." I was not so easily disheartened, considering the other amazing components of this OC izakaya. Ambience and friendly service definately makes up for everything else that this place lacks.
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I LOVE that they are open until 1am! A lot of people complain about the wait but to avoid the lines, I usually go a little later in the evening when lines are not an issue.
While Honda Ya has the traditional bento combo boxes, the real treats are the small appetizer dishes and the ramen.
There are certain dishes noted with a star on the menu signaling that it is a house specialty dish. The kim-chee ramen is one of these "star" dishes and should not to be missed. There are also a variety of great appetizer size dishes that are recommened.
The best way to describe Honda Ya is that they are a full service Japanese restaurant but they also have "tapas" style dining that allow you to sample various flavors and tastes at a bargain price.
Really yummy! The wait can be long, but it's worth it.
Although the usual sushi and noodles here are alright, the best thing here by far is the yakitori, which are Japanese-style grilled items. There are a lot of interesting and tasty options to be had here in terms of yakitori; if you're an adventurous eater, it's a lot of fun to try the various items.
Reminiscent of a pub in Shinjuku..
Order:
2 Large bottles of Sapporo
1 bacon wrapped asparaghus skewer
1 chicken skewer
1 liver skewer
1 heart skewer
1 order of spinach
1 order of enoki mushrooms
Tuna Tataki salad
squid kimchee
1 order of mackarel
1 chicken karragae
Yellow tail collar
whatever else is on their specials menu
Lastly, don't forget your dining companion's order.
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I love this place!!! Great atmosphere to have a couple of drinks with some friend and eat some great Yakitori. Its a bit pricey but well worth it if you want to hang out on a Friday or Saturday night.
3.75 stars on this - maybe a solid 4 once i get to try more food.
went there on a friday night and wrote our names on the waitlist. we waited for approx 30 - 35 minutes which was fine since not all of our party had arrived.
the line moved quickly enough (we were on page 2) and service was fast.
but the real kicker here is the fish. I have not tried the yakitori yet - but I was delighted at how fresh the fish tasted. Something about their rice is good too. The rice is not over done, or over packed (so much that it overpowers the fish).
I enjoyed it here.. Not blown away by flavor (yet..)
I would say come here if you are a raw fish fan. My friend got their beef with gonzu sauce and it was crazy delicious.
Grade: A
Husband and I love Honda Ya. We both love their special "Sashimi Bowl" and everything else we have ordered is a hit too. Their spicy tuna is great here too. Sashimi is very fresh! Great for those who are sushi and sashimi purists. Husband also loves the skewers - mushrooms, chicken. Beware of a long wait though if you come past 5:00pm! I would recommend arriving about 20 min before dinnertime hours, so that you can get seated right away. The restaurant opens very late though. Prices are decent for sushi/sashimi. Definitely one of our local favorites!
This is definitely one of my favorite places to eat in Orange County! The food is consistently yummy and the atmosphere is like anything you would find in Japan. This is as authentic as I have seen since coming back from Japan (besides places in NYC). hehe
anyways, MY FAVOURITE PICKS are...
- Tako-wasa: raw oysters with a hint of wasabi
- Nabi udon is yummy
- Beef with mushroom yakitori
- YAKITORI is a must!
Depending on what you order, it can get a little pricey. Save money by ordering combinations ($10-15), otherwise if you want to go for the tapa style, which is popular here, it is around $25/person. Last night, a dinner for two tapa style came out to be $53.
Also, be prepared to wait! Even on a Sunday night at 9:30pm will be an hour wait before being seated. Reservations are taken on weekdays. I would recommend going when it opens for dinner at 5pm to avoid long lines.
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I love the tapas here, and the SASHIMI is awesome! Even though all the plates are pretty cheap, it adds up so beware!
The wait is longer than Shinsengumi in Torrance and the quality of the izakaya/robata is not as good. But they are closer...
If you choose to sit at one of the floor tables make sure your feet aren't stinky and consider whether you have good blood circulation or not. If it is the latter, your legs are guaranteed to fall asleep, you will have to sheepishly try and ignore the pins and needles in your feet as you finally arise from the table on the ground.
They also really have a vast variety of authentic Japanese dishes.
We love to order lots of skewers like; Quail eggs, chicken skin, gizzards, shisimo, etc. But we were actually pleasantly surprised at the quality of the Hamachi Sashimi, it was very fresh. (only 5 pcs though) One of the best dishes we ordered, was a mochi stuffed with mentaiko and baked. It is hard to eat fast because the mochi holds the heat for so long and if you wait too long the mochi gets really hard and almost crunchy. But the spicy/salty mentaiko make it an interesting combination that satisfies. The octopus balls were recommended by our waiter (who btw, was very nice and accommodating), and they were pretty good too.
Yeah!!! a place to go late after work that actually has good food.
I'm kinda bummed about Honda Ya.
Yesterday, our server was really off-the-mark and I think the moment he left our table, any pertinent information just totally left his head. Ugh. For example, we both asked for rice when we ordered. Food arrived and we were sitting there, waiting for the rice. He's like, "Is everything okay?" Um. NO. He brings us one bowl. I clearly told him TWO (I even clearly wrote down "2" on the back of the paper slip when I gave him our entire order at the beginning of the menu -- I always write it down so I don't forget any items). Then we ordered extra chicken skewers and a to-go box so we could take them home to the pups. He totally forgets we needed a box or the check.
We also asked him for extra orders of the chilled cucumber pickles they give you when you sit down. We do this every time and every server always gives us a big heaping plate (because we tell them to go ahead and charge us -- whether they do or not, I don't know). This guy gives us an extra maybe 4-5 pieces on a plate but then brings over a plate of mixed Japanese pickles. WHAT? We specifically pointed at our cucumbers and said, "We want extras of this cucumber pickle." The mixed pickles were not that good surprisingly and VERY salty. For what we probably paid for that, I would've taken two more beef skewers instead.
We sat the front corner of the restaurant. He kept refilling water at every table at the front but ours. What? Because he would be picking up their plates and suddenly, he'll forget to give us water too.
The skewers were super dry yesterday compared to our many previous experiences. My cartilage was so dried out that it wouldn't even come off the skewers and it was 80% meat probably vs. cartilage and the leg meat had burnt charcoal-y bits flaking off.
That said, the beef and quail egg skewers are still excellent and the chicken salad is positively out of this world. I could bathe in the two dressings on the chicken salad. Yum.
*sigh. We'll still go back there for the beef skewers and the chicken salad but I'm gonna scope out the waiter sections so I don't get that guy again. UGH.
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09/14/2007
I finally trekked my way out here with my friend, Joanne, last night. She's an adventurous eater, so… Read more »
Absolutely in love. This was introduced to me by a friend who loves Japanese food just as much as I do. The setting has such an authentic feel with choice of table,bar, or the floor! (shoes off) Japanese Pop is playing as music..and of course the food is perfect. Sooo many good things to choose from. I always get carried away and get more than I should have gotten. Prices are good and I don't care what anyone says. I love the sushi even though they don't have crazy selections.
More than likely you'll probably have to wait a while to get seated. This place gets packed. Service is all that you need. They're always super busy but you never have to wait a long time to get your order down and get the food into your tummy. There's so many good things about this place. I can't say enough. This is where me and my boyfriend went on our first date as well. If you take your friends, I guarantee those people will take their friends/family as well.
Love Love Love!
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I go to this place mainly to hang out with friends. They can accommodate a large group, serve alcohol, a nice setting and the food is pretty good. Not really a date place, more of a hangout type place. Service is awsome and pricing is reasonable.
Good food, great authentic ambiance. Went after finding on yelp, and was surprised with the wait system- No hostess, you sign up on a clipboard hanging outside the door and wait for your name to be called. Party of two on a Tuesday night and we had to wait about 30 minutes - I think a little too long but definitely worth it if you are in the mood for the yummy food and have the time!
Honda-Ya is a great little Japanese restaurant to go to. There is good food, good vibes, and good company there. If you are looking for some place to feed your need and then "oh snap its already 11... nothing is open".. keep the good times rolling, Honda-Ya is open till 1am. The food there is at times inconsistent and may range from 3.5-5 stars, but the vibe definitely makes up for it. What should you order?(aside from beer)... Decide for yourself, they have a large selection of different foods from yakitori to sushi. All in all, if you have had a long day at work or midterms are stressing you out, come to Honda-Ya and just chill out and relax. If you didn't like the experience your first time there, give it another shot, it was probably a fluke. If you still didn't like it your second time around, well... it's probably you..and you're that person in your group of friends that nobody likes.
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Good place to drink and munch on tiny japanese food on little sticks. Good the first couple of times. Over 100 items on the menu. Overpriced sashimi
What is not to love about Honda Ya, other than the frequently long waits? And I do think they make up for that with the democratic waiting list, which I adore: no host takes down your name, you take down your name. There's a clipboard with a sheet of paper hanging from a nail on the wall outside. And, if there is a long wait, head yourself on down to the least-charming bar in town -- The Swinging Door -- and have a few beers while you gawk at the wildlife in its natural surrounds.
When I think of Honda Ya, a few mouth-watering favorites come to mind:
Nasu Miso: Sauteed eggplant in a sauce that can be described as nothing else but umami.
Kimchi Ramen: Spicy and delicious
Short Ribs
Kimchi Pork: sometimes crispy pork smothered in kimchi
Yakitori: asparagus wrapped in bacon; steak and mushrooms; pork belly
Honda Ya is guaranteed fun. As soon as I leave I always wish I could just turn around and repeat my dinner a few times over. And one other thing, I think I prefer it to its Fountain Valley sibling, Kappo Honda. The bustling vibe is just better at Honda Ya.
Been to this place several times, the first was x-mas eve ages ago and it gets better every time. Called and reserved the tatami room ahead of time (see I'm learning) and brought 2 girlfriends for their first experience.
Bonus $13 for a pitcher of kirin (extra bonus for the little thing in the middle that keeps it cold!)
we ate:
pork belly
steak with enoki
steak
yellowtail with radish
fried squid legs
little squid dumplings
cartilage
some noodle soup with shrimp tempura
and the best ever **black cod** it's seriously amazing and we'll have to get 2 next time!
The only minus 1 star is that before you realize that the pitchers are only 13 you've already paid 5.50 for a Sapporo! That and our meal for 3 topped over $70 without tip! def. very yum! just call ahead and reserve a table in the tatami room. who doesn't love eating while sitting on the floor!!??
Pros:
good food, good/fast service, smells really good outside and inside the restaurant. hehe. variety of sake. fresh ingredients (so it seems). food comes out pretty quickly. prices are not too bad. we had 7 ppl and bill was no more than $150.
Favorite dishes:
pork belly skewer, potato croquette, some kinda cheese and fried mochi thing, fried tofu in what i believe is ponzu-like sauce and everything wrapped in bacon.
Cons:
long wait. no reservations on bz days. the food smelling so good outside while you wait; makes your tummy growl. ramen was ok i thought. sushi rolls could have been better.
overall, i still think shin sen gumi is #1 in ramen AND bbq! but since honda-ya is much closer to me, i wouldn't mind going on a weekday when it's not so crowded and they may take reservations too.
Seems to be quite popular on Yelp. They even have a Yelp sticker on their window. I've been here long enough to notice they added a sticker.
Nice atmostsphere, like a Japan capsule. The service is about 3/4th or so authentic but the tasty japanese food meets authentic standards. Imported beer too, yippee!
The tatami room's waitress would probably be considered disrespectful in Japan. She wasnt really 'serving'. Not really my complaint but thought I'd say.
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You come here for yakitori. Tons and tons of skewers you order from a checklist. Really authentic, most strange animal parts are represented on the menu. It's a fun and lively place...I was told it's always a bit of a wait, but it's so worth it, and that first sip of beer with izakaya style Japanese food....mmmm so good! My only complaint was that there was way too much rice in my onigiri and not enough mentaiko.
If only Chicago had food like this!
Before Sunday, I did not know this place even existed. After a four hour drive back from Vegas, we decided to get something to eat before we went our separate ways. Fellow yelper Rhett S. suggested Honda Ya, and so our first experience here was as followed.
The place opens from 5:30 to 1 Am everyday. We got to the place at 5, and decided just to wait until it opened. At about 5:10, people started showing up, inquiring about a "list." Apparently, this place is poppin, and the wait can be 3 hours at a time! As we patiently sat, more and more people showed up, anxiously looking for the doors to open. I was getting excited.
I first thought this was a sushi place, but quickly came to realize that it is more of a Japanese restaurant that specializes in Japanese cuisine like yakitori, ramen, bento boxes, VERY limited sushi, and more. We ordered the beef, pork belly, scallop, jumbo shrimp, and beef tongue yakitori. Each came charbroiled on a skewer and ranged from $1.80- $3.50. not bad.
They also have Kirin on tap which is also a plus. I got the Nanban Ramen which is a spicy soy flavored ramen topped with delicious kim chi and pork. Someone else ordered the sashimi bowl (which was ok) and a salmon hand roll (which was good). I gave this place 4 stars because my ramen was the best I've ever had. I slurped every last drop of the broth, and left completely satisfied. I WAS a little disappointed with their sushi selection (especially since I was expecting it to be a sushi joint), but I did get to try something different. AND I would definitely come here again with more people.
The servers are nice, but the place seriously gets packed quickly!! We were there on a Sunday afternoon and by 6 every seat in the house was taken. I definitely will try this place again.
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Originally I was going to give this place 4 stars but factors such as poor service and long wait lines tipped the scale towards 3 stars.
The prices are reasonable (~$5 per roll) but you will need to purchase two of them to fill you up. I honestly have to say the food quality here is very good and the presentation up to par with other more expensive sushi places I have been too.
Indeed, you will have to wait a long time to get into the restaurant, it's best if you are in groups of 2 since larger parties have to wait longer.
This is a great place for japanese food. The service is great, the food is delicious, the atmosphere is cool. We would go there on at nights on weekends and it would be a cool place to chill and eat/drink. Food is reasonably priced and delicious. The decor is pretty cool, very traditional japanese style.
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This is my favorite Izakaya in all of SoCal, because they keep it real: old wooden benches soaked with spilled Asahi, tatami rooms, walls smoked with flavor from years of grilling innards on a stick, and just a bad 'ass Japanese pub serving awesome food. I can't recommend anything specific, because EVERYTHING on the menu is good, and I've pretty much tried it all!
A few years back, I think my dad had a little too many here... enough to inadvertently leave his wallet on the table! *silly dad!* When he told my mom at the parking lot, she ran in and was told that his wallet was not to be found. What the.... it had only been literally a 5 minute time frame since they left the restaurant. I realize it IS dad's fault for leaving it there, but what happened to J-integrity we are known for? I once dropped my wallet at Isetan, a Tokyo department store and someone had promptly turned it in. Any rate, with all that being water under the bridge, (and the fact that the J FOB community, my parents' generation in the OC is small, hence everyone knowing one another, including the owners of this place... I felt compelled to give this place a strong rating) So you could be rest assured that this review is honest & unbiased.
I returned back here recently on a clean slate and was surprised, rather impressed at its popularity.
The food here is pretty scatter brained - although I appreciate an izakaya being ambitious with different crafts all under one roof... yakitori, sushi, ippin ryouri (small dish items) and ramen, somethings gotta give when you're doing too much because the quality of each dish is just sub-par. Everything we had ordered was underwhelming.
I made the error of trying the Mentaiko Cheese Mochi appetizer and it came prepared as if a fifth grader sloppily threw the ingredients on a dish and nuked it for 2 minutes. Bad selection on my end.
I do give this place an additional star for its bustling, fun ambiance... do not come here expecting quality - you are far better off treking to the South Bay for great J-food. And of course, every izakaya experience typically finishes with a starch (ochazuke, yaki nigiri, etc.) and this time we all chose the ramen, (still floored not only do they serve ramen, but different broths - shoyu, miso & tonkotsu) the noodles were prepared al dente and the broth sparked maybe a little form of excitement compared to everything else.
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