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.