Southern California - Sushi in Irvine Area

Hi.
Are there any decent Sushi places that are not expensive in Irvine or close by?

Is there sushi in Irvine? Does Santa Claus live at the North Pole?

Does Santa Claus live at the North Pole?
Does the pope wear a funny hat?

Isn't Irvine famous for their TGIF's and Chili's? :::ducking:::

(Sorry we aren't helping, UD.)

My Fav:
Wafu of Japan: 320 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 641-7321

My Fav-Buffet:
Hokkaido Restaurant (buffet w/ some sushi): 4200 Scott Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 851-5888

Okay to try:
I Love Sushi: 2340 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 540-6195


Do NOT go to "TAIKO RESTAURANT" in Irvine... over-rated.. over-priced.. and fake japanese food. bunch of people with serious mental problems waiting in line at 3pm before the restaurant opens for dinner.. what a joke.




Hi.
Are there any dissent Sushi places that are not expensive in Irvine or close by?

My Fav:
Wafu of Japan: 320 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 641-7321

My Fav-Buffet:
Hokkaido Restaurant (buffet w/ some sushi): 4200 Scott Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 851-5888

Okay to try:
I Love Sushi: 2340 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 540-6195


Do NOT go to "TAIKO RESTAURANT" in Irvine... over-rated.. over-priced.. and fake japanese food. bunch of people with serious mental problems waiting in line at 3pm before the restaurant opens for dinner.. what a joke.
Kool thanks.

All that and not even one recommendation. :rolleyes:
What is a "dissent sushi place"? Do they serve political discussion with the wasabi?

Or perhaps this is a "bug/torture free" zone where you can express your opposition to the war in Irag/Iran/Pakistan/Afghanistan/et cetera, without fear of being beaten up by the CIA, or being attacked by a large dog, or sexually humiliated while you eat your ikura with quail egg?

Or is it just a place where they serve all the tuna that isn't dolphin-safe?

enquiring minds want to know.

However, if this is merely a spelling typo, and you admit that you meant "decent" and not "dissent," your post will be used as a signed confession by the Grammar Police and you will be sent to a political concentration camp -- or maybe back to school.

vp

I haven't read the other Posts, so sorry if some has already mentioned Taiko's, it's on Jeffrey in Irvine, everyone will tell you it's the best Sushi around and I agree, it's not spendy but VERY busy...which is always a good sign but there's always a long wait at prime times....

I found this http://www.chowhound.com/topics/58909 you might find it interesting...seems everyone compares other Restaurants to Taiko....

Straying a little further north, my friend in Torrance raves about Sen Nari in Gardena.

And if you're ever in the SFV, we have don't have much, but we do have great sushi.

Taiko on Jeffrey and Walnut, right off of the 5.

Okay to try:
I Love Sushi: 2340 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 540-6195



I've been there a couple of times. It is a Korean joint and they serve Korean sushi.....very similar to Japanese. Peripheral items are mostly Korean. Nice place.

Do NOT go to "TAIKO RESTAURANT" in Irvine... over-rated.. over-priced.. and fake japanese food. bunch of people with serious mental problems waiting in line at 3pm before the restaurant opens for dinner.. what a joke. Just because they use Japanese people doesn't make it Japanese... you'll hardly see any japanese people go there... or even recommend that place.

So far the only Japanese sushi place my Japanese friend has approved to be decent are the following:

Wafu of Japan & this little place in Chino Hills (corner of Chino Hills Pkwy & Grand - shopping center of Stater Bros.)

there's an excellent sushi place in Costa Mesa called "Angote" or something like that, in a small strip mall adjacent to Mitsuwa plaza.

Do NOT go to "TAIKO RESTAURANT" in Irvine... over-rated.. over-priced.. and fake japanese food. bunch of people with serious mental problems waiting in line at 3pm before the restaurant opens for dinner.. what a joke. Just because they use Japanese people doesn't make it Japanese... you'll hardly see any japanese people go there... or even recommend that place.

So far the only Japanese sushi place my Japanese friend has approved to be decent are the following:

Wafu of Japan & this little place in Chino Hills (corner of Chino Hills Pkwy & Grand - shopping center of Stater Bros.)

Unless of course you like it there, then feel free to go.

Just because they use Japanese people doesn't make it Japanese... you'll hardly see any japanese people go there... or even recommend that place.

I've been to a few good Japanese restaurants that employ chefs other than Japanese or places not even owned and operated by a Japanese. Just saying... :)

Do NOT go to "TAIKO RESTAURANT" in Irvine... over-rated.. over-priced.. and fake japanese food. bunch of people with serious mental problems waiting in line at 3pm before the restaurant opens for dinner.. what a joke.

if some has already mentioned Taiko's, it's on Jeffrey in Irvine, everyone will tell you it's the best Sushi around

Taiko on Jeffrey and Walnut


hmmmm....

One of a local favorites is Tommy's Sushi in Tustin. It looks like a hole in the wall (actually it is a hole in the wall!) but any given night the sushi bar is packed.

I don't do the bar, not my scene; I like to sit in the dining room and order dinner. Great Japanese food and modestly priced. I usually get an order of California Roll, the Sukiyaki dinner (comes with salad and miso soup) and an iced tea and the total is $12. Can't beat that!!!

Tommy's is in a shopping center, next to a Thai resturant, located on the corner of Main and Newport Blvd. in Tustin. Like I said it's a hole in the wall, you may have to search for it, but worth it.

I'm Japanese (ok 1/2) ... I should know!

I'm Japanese (ok 1/2) ... I should know!

Pam, I had no idea you were a happa. You sure could have fooled me as I can usually spot them right away.:D I look latino and sushi chefs freak out when I start rambling in Japanese.
Anyway, hole-in-a-wall joints usually have the best food, usually run by old timers...:)

Isn't Irvine famous for their TGIF's and Chili's? :::ducking:::

(Sorry we aren't helping, UD.)

That is a good point.

Interesting that LA/Westside has about 3 chain restaurant locations of the TGIF/Chillis/Applebees variety in the whole area (I actually only know of 1 TGIF in torrance, I can't think of others, though they must exist), yet I can come up with 7-8 great sushi places in the same area without even trying.

Do NOT go to "TAIKO RESTAURANT" in Irvine... over-rated.. over-priced.. and fake japanese food. bunch of people with serious mental problems waiting in line at 3pm before the restaurant opens for dinner.. what a joke. Just because they use Japanese people doesn't make it Japanese... you'll hardly see any japanese people go there... or even recommend that place.

So far the only Japanese sushi place my Japanese friend has approved to be decent are the following:

Wafu of Japan & this little place in Chino Hills (corner of Chino Hills Pkwy & Grand - shopping center of Stater Bros.)

:eek: And I always thought the Fish at Taiko was real!!

I'll be sure to stay away from there in future, People waiting for hours to get in, even those with serious mental problems, is always a sure sign the Food is crap, thanks for the warning !!

So last night while I was at Costco this thread popped into my mind as I passed by the isle where they sold platters of machine made roll sushi for dirt cheap. So I picked up the 40 piece, $11.99 plattter and had some of that for dinner last night. Like cheap pizza, this isn't bad if you're really hungry and is a good compliment with beer......but I would never serve this crap to a relative visiting from Japan....:p

Well all I can say about Tommy's is the Sushi chefs are definitely Japanese as is the staff and ownership and alot of the clientele but I bet the cooks in the kitchen are Mexican. Don't matter to me - food is still good!

And Roadfix - last name is MATSUFUJI - can't get more Buddhahead than that! Unfortunately Mom was German and American Indian so I look Indian or Mexican, anything but Japanese!

Rose & I like Gen Kai on Jeffery at Irvine Center Drive. They have another restaurant in CDM that is also very good but packed with the NB crowd (that doesn't make it bad...just harder to get a seat at the sushi bar). Another very good one is WASA (Jamboree at Bison or the Irvine Marketplace). Very fresh fish...and I once saw Tiger Woods there!

Dang! I was hoping Angote wouldn't be mentioned. Not because it isn't good, but because it is great and it is a tiny little place. I already have a long enough wait time as it is...

Gen Kai is also pretty good, however I always end up angry when I go because the chef's tend to spend more time talking to the regulars then serving me - my fault for not being a regular I guess. It's a good place, but nothing spectacular.

There is another place in the Gelson's shopping center on the corner of Jeffrey and Alton. It too is ok, but many of the local, irregular sushi eaters like it. I can walk to it in about one minute but never go there. It isn't bad, just too american for me, if you know what I mean.

I agree with Pam, Tommy's is a great little hole in the wall.

I love Sushi is a good place to go if you are just learning to eat Sushi, lot'sa rolls and stuff. Some of the Sushi is is pretty bad though.

I only went to Taiko's once and that was probably due to equal parts frustration of the wait, and disappointment with the fish. It was far over rated in my opinion. It wasn't bad though...

These are the only places that come to mind in the area. I've walked out of more places then I have tried - be wary of the bad places. If you're willing to drive to La Habra, there is a little hole in the wall that I can recommend.

If you're daring or in the mood, let the chef decide what to serve you for the entire course. :D

I look latino and sushi chefs freak out when I start rambling in Japanese.

You do??? Ohdaley !!!!

First time I saw you, I thought you were Japanese!

If you're daring or in the mood, let the chef decide what to serve you for the entire course. :D

Omakasa (no idea if that is spelled right) is the best way to go for sure.

I did that one time one time only... never again! I think the chef was fooling with me. Half the stuff was totally inedible. Everytime he would give me something, he started giggling. Thankfully my ha-gaijin (sp?) friend loved all that weird stuff. I'll stick with the simpler stuff like futomaki, inari, California roll etc.

Omakasa (no idea if that is spelled right) is the best way to go for sure.

Sushi Wasabi on Newport in Tustin is the best place to go for "Omakase style" sushi. Do not go there thinking you want to order something off the menu. The owner Katsu goes to the fish market every day to buy what is fresh for that day. When he runs out of fish, he closes. Warning, It is not cheap but if you go there, you will go back. This place is a hole in the wall, not much for ambiance. It's kinda like the "soup Nazi" from Seinfeld, one time, I watched the waitress tell someone to go across the street to the other Japanese place to get what he wanted. If you don't know what you want to eat, Omakase style is the best. PM me if you want to go, I will go with. MMMmmm please?!? Now I can't stop thinking about it, I must go.

Jon

im sorry i know im really late on this.. but i had to add this .... its really the only one worth mentioning..

KAISEN-KAITEN sushi bar in COSTA MESA / ON BRISTOL like a block from SOUTHCOAST PLAZA.. its literally next door so that can count as irvine!

http://funkyness.net/food/2007/02/kaisen-kaiten-sushi-bar.html

Do NOT go to "TAIKO RESTAURANT" in Irvine... over-rated.. over-priced.. and fake japanese food. bunch of people with serious mental problems waiting in line at 3pm before the restaurant opens for dinner.. what a joke.

I know everyone has their own taste, but are you smoking crack? Taiko is by far the best sushi in Irvine, if not Orange County. And why do you think its "fake japanese food"?? you prefer going to the other places where they have rolls like named after local sports teams? I went to a place that had a roll called the "in-n-out" roll. Taiko is only a handful of sushi restaurants actually run by Japanese people.

My girlfriend is japanese and when family friends come from Japan, that's where we go and they are always pleased with the quality and price--granted sushi in Japan is very expensive.

I agree that sesame chicken isn't real japanese food, but the op is asking about sushi.

Other good, but expensive places are bluefin and restaurant abe in newport beach. I think the chefs there both have ties to nobu.

im sorry i know im really late on this.. but i had to add this .... its really the only one worth mentioning..

KAISEN-KAITEN sushi bar in COSTA MESA / ON BRISTOL like a block from SOUTHCOAST PLAZA.. its literally next door so that can count as irvine!

http://funkyness.net/food/2007/02/kaisen-kaiten-sushi-bar.html

+1

If really want an authentic sushi spot this is it. Highly recommend it. Took Thedips there and he's been hooked. Wednesday is the best day to go, $1.75 LOBSTER HANDROLLS ALL DAYYYY!!

granted sushi in Japan is very expensive.



I spent two weeks in Japan recently and found, to my surprise, that this isn't true. Assuming that you go to more "blue collar" places, and not to some fancy restaurant, the sushi is cheaper than in the US, and of much better quality.

It's expensive in Japan only if you think in terms of dollars...

It's expensive in Japan only if you think in terms of dollars...

No - something that costs $10 here, uni, for example, cost $6 in Japan. So, in terms of dollars, it is cheaper. If you live in Japan (you're thinking in terms of yen), then you think it is still expensive.

Isn't Irvine famous for their TGIF's and Chili's? :::ducking:::


Interesting that LA/Westside has about 3 chain restaurant locations of the TGIF/Chillis/Applebees variety in the whole area (I actually only know of 1 TGIF in torrance, I can't think of others, though they must exist), yet I can come up with 7-8 great sushi places in the same area without even trying.


I moved to OC from Westwood and was pretty dissapointed with the food. Then I moved from north OC to south OC and was shocked. At least as far as food is concerned, south OC is like a trailer park with money. These people line up to get into Olive Garden. You can get good food in Laguna and parts of Newport, but you'll pay through the nose for it. It's nothing like L.A., where you duck into some hole-in-the-wall and have a pretty good chance of getting above average food for a very good price.

I'd recommend the one good sushi joint I'm aware of in OC but I don't want you OCP goofballs wrecking a good thing. :p

This isn't sushi, but across the street from Taiko is a fairly new Chinese restaurant: Mr. Chen. Try their won ton in hot chili sauce.

I moved to OC from Westwood and was pretty dissapointed with the food. Then I moved from north OC to south OC and was shocked. At least as far as food is concerned, south OC is like a trailer park with money. These people line up to get into Olive Garden. You can get good food in Laguna and parts of Newport, but you'll pay through the nose for it. It's nothing like L.A., where you duck into some hole-in-the-wall and have a pretty good chance of getting above average food for a very good price.

I'd recommend the one good sushi joint I'm aware of in OC but I don't want you OCP goofballs wrecking a good thing. :p



hahahaha +1

im sorry i know im really late on this.. but i had to add this .... its really the only one worth mentioning..

KAISEN-KAITEN sushi bar in COSTA MESA / ON BRISTOL like a block from SOUTHCOAST PLAZA.. its literally next door so that can count as irvine!

http://funkyness.net/food/2007/02/kaisen-kaiten-sushi-bar.html

I live a mile from this place and do my grocery shopping across the street...I'll have to go there sometime. My only problem is I don't go out to eat with anyone but my 11 year old daughter and she would scream if we walked into a sushi place! I don't have very much free time, but call PM me if you're going.

I live a mile from this place and do my grocery shopping across the street...I'll have to go there sometime. My only problem is I don't go out to eat with anyone but my 11 year old daughter and she would scream if we walked into a sushi place! I don't have very much free time, but call PM me if you're going.

I am also game, if you are going on a weekend.

I am also game, if you are going on a weekend.

I don't have my daughter on the 2nd and 4th weekends of the month, so I'm sooooooooooooo free for sushi then!

I don't have my daughter on the 2nd and 4th weekends of the month, so I'm sooooooooooooo free for sushi then!

Post it here, whenever you want to go. Hopefully more people will join also. :)

KAISEN-KAITEN sushi bar has daily specials on the handrolls, and has a happy hour from 4pm-7pm which is 2 for 1 on drafts. You won't be disappointed.

Post it here, whenever you want to go. Hopefully more people will join also. :)

Well, here goes nothing...so far, I don't have any plans for next Saturday 10/27/07. Is this the kind of place you want to go into after a long ride, or will it break the bank???:eek:

[edit] The only sushi I've ever had is at Todai.

Well, here goes nothing...so far, I don't have any plans for next Saturday 10/27/07. Is this the kind of place you want to go into after a long ride, or will it break the bank???:eek:

[edit] The only sushi I've ever had is at Todai.

Sure sounds nice. KAISEN-KAITEN, or did you had something else in mind?

I moved to OC from Westwood and was pretty dissapointed with the food. Then I moved from north OC to south OC and was shocked. At least as far as food is concerned, south OC is like a trailer park with money. These people line up to get into Olive Garden. You can get good food in Laguna and parts of Newport, but you'll pay through the nose for it. It's nothing like L.A., where you duck into some hole-in-the-wall and have a pretty good chance of getting above average food for a very good price.

I'd recommend the one good sushi joint I'm aware of in OC but I don't want you OCP goofballs wrecking a good thing. :p

Westwood and all of L.A. for that matter is a mixture of different communities that are not really "master planned" like much of South O.C. Here in O.C. we are driven by the real estate developers who sign up tenants in local shopping centers with basically the same chain type restaurants. It goes back to the economics of the deal. Lenders won't lend unless there's proven tenants. Just look at the Irvine Spectrum.

I thought that El Cholo in Irvine would be like the El Cholo on Western Avenue in L.A. What a disapointment.

Not far from Westwood, is the Sawtelle area. Great Japanese food, the variety.

Sure sounds nice. KAISEN-KAITEN, or did you had something else in mind?

No, I'd like to try KAISEN-KAITEN!

Just the name of the place sounds like they've got their act together...:D

No, I'd like to try KAISEN-KAITEN!

Ok, so tomorrow around 1 pm then?
I will be wearing a CAL hat. :D Hopefully more BFers can come also.