The drinks are amazing and creative and Tu is such a good vibe and always turns our visit into a…read morewonderful experience. The hand rolls are delicious and you gotta try the wasabi. I'm not a big review guy for the positive or negative but this place always has a special place in my heart.

They have a great happy hour specials $5 options and wide variety of sake / drinks. I was able to…read morewalk-in on a Friday at 5pm pretty easily. The space is upstairs and great seating options. I really enjoyed the unagi and spicy tuna. The warm rice and crispy seaweed were delicious and delightful. This is a great spot to start the night before exploring San Clemente and the service is super quick. They have a virtual waitlist which is nice to see the walk-in availability.

I hardly ever give out five stars because I believe there's always room for improvement. I cannot…read morein good faith give this place 4 stars as 4 stars does not do It justice. Realistically it's a 4.8 for me which is saying a lot. Let's begin with the service; the service is great, no complaints. The ambience is nice, the World Cup was playing so win win. Food: Edamame: warm and seasoned well California roll: made to perfection Spicy tuna crispy rice: WOW the cilantro and raw jalapenos is chefs kiss- this is a must Yellowtail roll: elite, every bite felt like a breath of fresh air, I was genuinely impressed Soy paper salmon: a unique roll that taste like a proper Oceanside appetizer I am genuinely impressed. As an LA girly, this place blew every sushi place out the water for me back home. Can't wait to be back.

First, the beer was not chilled at all, despite the fact that Japanese restaurants typically serve…read morevery cold beer ("hiyashi") in their culture. I ordered a spicy seafood udon, but it only contained two pieces of mussel, a few tough, dried calamari rings Finger size), a couple of tiny scallops about the size of baby fingernails, and three pieces of baby shrimp. The soup lacked any seafood flavor and had an overly salty, unappealing red color. The price seemed unreasonable compared to the quality of the food. It's no surprise that they only had two tables occupied on a Saturday afternoon at 1:30 PM. I recommend they consider changing the restaurant's name from "Sushi Kara" to "Kara Sushi." If they are truly Japanese, they would understand the significance of this.

We were really impressed by the service and freshness of the food here. We ordered the seaweed…read moresalad, chicken karaage, chicken teriyaki bowl, and salmon bowl. All were delicious with generous portions. The prices were reasonable. Great value for the money and location. Inside the restaurant contained nice decoration, comfortable seating, and appropriate lighting. uplifting music was playing.

This place is cozy and friendly. They have a good selection of sashimi and rolls. Their ramen were…read morealso good. Everything we got were good. Their black ramen was so flavorful. The ramen noodles tho were a tad overcooked. Since it was overcooked it took away from the experience of the slurping and chewing the ramen. IYKYK. Their spicy tuna crispy rice has too much rice in proportion to the spicy tuna. It was delicious but has too much rice.

Take out service was friendly and fast First time I have…read morebeen here. and ordered the tuna bowl. It was great and the place was doing a lively business. I will be back soon and eat in. Nice atmosphere inside and out, extensive menu and good local beer selection

Fantastic seafood spot with fresh fish, crisp and flavorful fish & chips, and salads made with…read morequality ingredients. The portions were generous, the service was friendly, and everything tasted fresh and perfectly prepared.

Wow! Was this place good!…read more Also, it was very interesting the way they do their roles. It's almost like they don't have the bottom bit of rice, which made it so they were like way filled with the fish in the good stuff! We especially liked this role with the ahi tuna on top and randomly the California roll was so good. Service was prompt and prices were reasonable We did have to wait, but that's OK. It was well worth it!

It's my birthday. I am five feet of determination in 2.5-inch heels (vs my 6'3" date), already…read morehaving eaten pavement twice that morning. Confidence? Shattered. but it's my birthday, spirits are still high We begin our journey: two blocks. Two. Blocks. My date is what I can only describe as a sentient boulder x redwood. A geological formation with feelings. This man covers one meter per stride while I am speed-walking like a determined squirrel in formalwear (or festive hamster?). And because I have to tilt my entire skull upward to communicate with him, I cannot see the ground. The ground, meanwhile, is throwing me curveballs. At one point, instead of warning me I'm about to trip on concrete, he just yanks me sideways with an "ahh!" Like I'm a decorative balloon at a child's birthday party about to blow away. I survive. But I make a mental note: must teach tall man how to steer small people. We are not luggage. We arrive. For sushi in America? Honestly? Pretty good. Suspiciously good. Like when you expect sad fish and even sadder rice, and instead receive something that respects the ocean. We ordered karaage as an appetizer (solid, respectable enough to make my ancestors nod, though it did come out in the middle of our meal, I could not be mad), a sashimi plate (Not fighting for its life), a San Clemente roll--because.. represent(?)--and a no-rice OJSN (ojisan, middle aged man) sushi roll. Also, a "white mushroom roll." I am seated in the corner like a tiny, judgmental raccoon with a giant bottle of Sapporo all to myself. It's my birthday. I deserve structural support. especially after the concrete declaring war? please. The no-rice sushi? Best I've had in the U.S. Except they used rice paper. Rice paper. Which is technically not, not, rice. But I'll allow it. Innovation is chaotic but smart. Now. The White Mushroom Roll--there were *no* mushrooms. let me repeat **NO** mushrooms Our server, Ary--Greek name, Mexican excellence, monk-level patience--explains that the roll is topped with a mayo cap before baking so it looks like a mushroom. I am a proud mushroom enthusiast. A fungal loyalist. I felt betrayed. But then... I tasted it... Why did it taste like clam chowder? Decadent. Creamy. Slightly illegal clam chowder. In sushi form. What coastal witchcraft is this? I was confused. I was impressed. I was emotionally unstable. At some point while chatting with Ary (probably lobbying for actual mushrooms), I casually mention it's my birthday. At the end of the meal... He returns with an ice cream platter and looks me dead in the eyes: "お誕生日おめでとう." (HBD) In Japanese. No warning. No drumroll. Just Ary, you icon. and a candle. So there I am. Five feet tall. In the corner. Singing "Happy Birthday" to myself because Tall Redwood Man is too shy?? Sir?? It is my birthday. You are 87 feet tall and afraid of melody? It's fine. It's ok. He did sing "Happy Birthday" ten times that day. (Nine times too many. but appreciated everytime, nonetheless) Overall review: Fish: surprisingly legit Mushroom: nonexistent Clam chowder sorcery: unsettling but delicious Sapporo: emotional support received Tall date: needs steering lessons Would I order the mushroom roll again, knowing it contains zero mushrooms? ...Unfortunately, yes.

Our new favorite sushi restaurant. Didn't even know they were there close to our house. They're…read morecelebrating their 25th anniversary. I can see why. High quality fish. Some of the best yellowtail and salmon we've ever had. Keep it up!

Been coming to Miyako for about 15 years now. Jay behind the counter is great, the food is…read moreconsistently excellent, and the service is friendly. My only real complaint is that lately they've leaned hard into mobile and DoorDash orders. The last two times we went, we waited almost an hour for our food because we watched a steady stream of to-go orders get made and sent out the door ahead of us. I'm glad it's good for business, but you've got to take care of the people sitting in the restaurant first. The restaurant has a really fun land happy vibe and just feels like a great SC spot where everyone is happy to be there and they're always welcoming! That said, it's still worth it. The sushi special dinner is so good, and when they have live scallop it's amazing.

We ordered and took the balls to the nearby park and view which made the experience so much better…read more The food was very tasty and there are a lot of toppings that can be added. My only complaint is that from their topping list nothing is included, even though it's part of the options I did not think that was fair

Delicious poke right before you hit the beach! Close quality to what you would find in Hawaii but…read morejust not there. The fish was fresh and the texture and serving portion was generous for a regular size! A good amount of fish hides in this square container I got regular with rice white, 1/2 spicy mayo and 1/2 original blend, with salmon. I didn't love that every topping (including furikake!) was an additional price. Premium topping I understand but seasonings felt weird to be charged for. The lines were long as this is a popular go to spot in the OC (so we learned after). But the line moved quick and most are to go. The ambiance was bust and the setting had the charm of a slow weekday, people relaxing and not in a huge rush for their poke. Reminds me of being on vacation. Will def come back if I'm in the area!

An absolute hidden gem in San Clemente! From the quality of the fish to Chef Hide-San's thoughtful…read morerecommendations and warm hospitality, every dish showcased an incredible level of freshness, balance, and craftsmanship, making this one of the most memorable sushi experiences I've had. 5-Piece Omakase Set: 5/5 The Omakase set for that day included Red Snapper, Bluefin Toro, Hamachi Toro, Cherry Salmon, and Seared Miso Black Cod, with each piece showcasing its own distinct flavor and texture beautifully. The Red Snapper had a delicate sweetness that paired nicely with the fresh wasabi on top, creating a clean and refreshing start to the set. Both the Bluefin Toro and Hamachi Toro were incredibly buttery with a luxurious melt-in-your-mouth texture that immediately made us order another round. The Hamachi Toro was the definite standout, delivering a deeply savory richness with a silky finish. The Cherry Salmon was incredibly tender without feeling overly oily, allowing its natural richness to shine through. The final course, the Seared Miso Black Cod, was so decadent with the sweet and savory marinade of the miso glaze perfectly complementing the richness of the sablefish. Spooni: 10000000000000/5 The Spooni was easily the star of this meal. Featuring Santa Barbara Uni, Ikura, Tobiko, Caviar, Quail Egg Yolk and topped with scallions, it tasted incredibly luxurious and delivered an explosion of flavor as every ingredient blended together perfectly. The Santa Barbara Uni was rich and buttery, pairing beautifully with the briny Ikura, Tobiko, and Caviar to create a decadent yet perfectly balanced experience. The quail egg yolk tied everything together with its creamy, velvety richness, while the scallions added the perfect fresh finish. Every element complemented each other flawlessly, creating an absolutely unforgettable and indulgent experience. Santa Barbara Uni: 5/5 The Santa Barbara Uni was one of the best pieces of sushi I've had in a long time. The Uni was exceptionally fresh, rich, and buttery with a smooth and creamy custard-like texture that tasted incredibly luxurious. Paired with perfectly seasoned rice, it allowed the natural sweetness and briny depth of the Uni to truly shine. Engawa: 5/5 A rare and prized sushi delicacy, Hide-san recommended the Engawa to us and it absolutely exceeded every expectation! The aburi-style preparation brought a delicate smokiness from the light sear that enhanced the natural sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture of the Engawa beautifully. The balance of richness, softness, and subtle char made this piece truly unforgettable and one of the standout nigiri of the night! Black Snapper: 5/5 The black snapper nigiri immediately stood out to me for its exceptional freshness and clean, refined flavor. It had a delicate sweetness with a buttery finish and a soft, yet slightly firm texture that created an incredibly satisfying bite. The balance of freshness, richness, and subtle umami of the fish lingered beautifully on the palate, making this an elegant and memorable piece of nigiri. Yellowtail Special: 5/5 The Yellowtail Special was incredibly refreshing, allowing every ingredient to shine without overpowering the delicate flavor of the fish. The Yellowtail sashimi was exceptionally fresh, buttery, and rich, while the ponzu added a bright citrusy depth that enhanced its natural sweetness. The lemon brought a refreshing acidity and the jalapeño introduced a subtle heat to elevate the dish. Light, vibrant, and flavorful, the Yellowtail Special highlighted an elegant balance of acidity, heat, and rich umami. Toro-taku: 5/5 The Toro-taku delivered the perfect contrast of rich, buttery Bluefin Toro with the sharp sweetness and satisfying crunch of yellow pickled daikon radish. The toro had a creamy richness and deep, savory umami, while the takuan added a refreshing texture and brightness that balanced every bite beautifully. The dish was a perfect harmony of smooth and crunchy textures, finished with a subtle, refreshing zest that kept every bite exciting. Blue Crab Roll: 4/5 The blue crab roll was a well-executed dish that delivered a delicate sweetness and buttery richness, complemented by a subtle, briny ocean tang that created a pleasant balance. The ingredients tasted fresh, and the roll itself was light, flavorful, and enjoyable to eat. While it didn't stand out as much as some of the other dishes from the meal, it was still a solid and satisfying roll overall! Dragon Roll: 5/5 The dragon roll was absolutely outstanding and easily one of the freshest eel rolls I've had. The unagi was incredibly tender, delivering a rich, decadent melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite. Paired with creamy avocado, sweet crab meat, rich eel sauce, and the crisp texture of shrimp tempura and cucumber, the roll blended sweet, savory, and umami-rich flavors together seamlessly. The freshness of the eel truly stood out and elevated this classic roll into something exceptional!

After eating at five star Omakase restaurant, it's difficult to give Malulu more than a three star…read morereview. Malulu is in a strip mall in San Clemente and it was super crowded when I came in. They have been here for years but I just came in for the first time a week ago.They attractive, very solid neighborhood crowd and the waitress was nice but they forgot a few things that I ordered to go. I sat at the sushi bar and ordered blue fin sushi which was solid. I also had yellowtail which was very fresh. The portions are generous so that's a good thing to bring me back I think I'll give it another try next time I'm in the area. They're not a lot of great sushi options so this is definitely worth stopping by to graze. I have to say that the Poké bowl was mediocre, I definitely wouldn't order that again.