Gen Kai Sushi

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16 years ago

My family and I wanted to get a low-key dinner on our second night in Dana Point, and after a cursory Yelp search, we ended up at Genkai. The place was packed the whole time we were there, but we were seated right away at a comfortable booth. The crowd was an unaffected mix of people, with a number of families, and I liked the buzzing but laid-back atmosphere. Service was fast and attentive throughout the meal. Our waiter never seemed overwhelmed or hurried. The food was solid, simple and unpretentious and on the whole pretty great. Chicken and New York strip teriyaki were slopped in sauce without apology, and they were both quite good, the chicken moist and the beef tender. Tempura was standard and satisfying. The spicy tuna roll was huge and tasty with a smear of sriracha, though it did come with way too much rice. Genkai does some delectable sushi as well, and at a fair price point. I wouldn't count on the top shelf stuff, but every piece I had was worth getting. Creamy, briny uni, torched and sauced unagi, and chewy, supple tako were all up to par. I particularly liked the sake, which boasted fatty slabs of salmon covered in thin slices of onion. I tried one item that came with the intimidating price designation of "M.P." This was the amaebi sushi, which at $9, was not too frightening. The sweet shrimp had a smooth succulence and a near slimy texture that I enjoyed, and the crunchy fried head came separately. I also had the tamago, which I'm sure was bought in a block from a grocery store. I'm a sucker for that sweet egg. For dessert, we got a bowl of green tea ice cream and a plate of mochi ice cream, with pieces of strawberry, vanilla, and mango. This was all the same stuff you can get at your local Asian market, but it was a delicious way to wrap up our meal. Incidentally, I don't think this place charges corkage, and we went through a bottle or two of wine with our sushi and teriyaki. Genkai was a fun spot for a relaxing family dinner, and if it were near our home, I'm sure my family would visit often. read more

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Devon B.

Elite 11

160

249

103

18 years ago

All food should be like sushi. One giant-sized bite full of flavors, textures and freshness that makes your eyelids flutter and your head fall back. Tonight at Genkai, we savored each piece of sushi just like this. Sat at the bar and the chefs were very friendly and skilled in their work. We started with some nigiri - yellowtail and unagi. The yellowtail was the best we've had in a while; mouthy, fresh, and more fish than rice, instead of the other way around. The eel came out hot and was perfectly balanced with that sweet eel sauce. Then we tried the special Ono dish. We watched as the chef used a torch to broil each element. The result was a delicate and tender fish that melted in our mouths, served with eggplant, peppers, sea scallops, lotus root and a citrusy, sweet soy sauce. I picked the Sammy special roll. This was an insane mix of spicy tuna, sea scallops, tempura and unagi, wrapped in soy paper and doused in some kind of special sauce. We tried one of the specials for the night, amber jack, which tasted like yellowtail but a bit chewier. Lastly, we finished on a high note with some tasty albacore tataki. If we hadn't gotten saki and a couple of beers with the meal, it would have been $50 plus tip. That's not too bad for sushi, considering the quality was so much higher than the all-you-can-eat variety. The chef gave us a dessert while we were waiting for the check - perfectly ripe slices of orange, kiwi and pineapple enhanced by some amaretto liquor. What a great meal! read more

Gen Kai Sushi - Special Ono plate - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - albacore tataki - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - Sammy roll - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Shayla M.

15 years ago

I've been eating sushi for 25 years and eating at Genkai for 17 years. It's a local favorite, deservedly so. It's crowded because it's awesome. The freshness of the ingredients at Genkai can't be beat. I've eaten at countless sushi restaurants in Southern California and I still call Genkai home. Everyone we bring to eat there for the first time comments on how fresh the food is. I've eaten sushi throughout Japan too. My experience there has only confirmed my opinion that Genkai is the best local sushi restaurant in the area, by far. Incredible portions for the price. We stopped ordering off the menu many years ago, preferring to let Jun-san, our favorite chef, choose our plates for us. Although the traditional items are tasty, I highly recommend all patrons order out of their comfort zone. However, if you like rolls, the Jun Special roll is absolutely exquisite. Melts in your mouth. Like silk. If you're a sushi connoisseur, or a sushi snob (like me), make sure to ask the chef at the bar for something special, something unique, something different off the menu. There is so much more to Genkai than California rolls. It's like eating with family at Genkai. If ever I move away from California, this restaurant will be one of the things I miss most about the state. UPDATE: I decided that since I hadn't ordered off the menu in years, I should do so, just so I could review items that most people would be eating. The stuffed peppers are AMAZING, and the baked crispy rice with spicy tuna is now one of my new favorite items! YUM!! P.S. Don't overlook the fresh Oysters! They are fantastic!! :) read more

Gen Kai Sushi - Lunchtime HappyMeal - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - Oyster, Uni, Roe - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Heather R.

158

11 years ago

Nothing special. Was visiting Dana Point from Long beach. I'm probably the typical "sushi snob" and have unusually high expectations for sushi. But why wouldn't you? The FISH- fresh, room temperature, definately not cold enough, and not very large pieces for the price. Nice tasting yellowtail and albacore. Soft. Tuna was very light in color (not a nice deep red like it should have been) and not very flavorful. The ROLLS- Either overly sauced or just bland. The Monica Roll was probably the worst tasting roll I've ever had. Bland, small, and needing something, anything really. The sashimi roll wrapped in cucumber was the best roll on the menu. But it was $18.00. Significantly higher than the rest of the rolls and it didn't impress me like a $18. 00 roll should have. The SERVICE- Adequate, competent, not overly attentive, didn't ask if we wanted dessert so we took our money to a dessert spot where they welcomed us with open arms. Overall- ehh. Definately won't come back. Our bill was $88.00 and I felt robbed. read more

Gen Kai Sushi - The part of the Monica Roll that we left on the plate. Yuck! - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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K H.

3 years ago

Great food! The Screaming O dish is really, really, really good. Service was great as well.

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Nina R.

6 years ago

Amazing sushi, comes with edamame, and plenty of ginger and wasabi. I had the sushi burrito, it was the best sushi I ever had, and the sauce on the side was amazing. Every ingredient tasted amazing, the rice is out of this world. Plus the chef gave us a cute little orange and kiwi dessert! Outstanding and I will definitely be returning this week before I head back to New York. Oh and the price is right as well! 100% recommend! read more

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Dori W.

103

6 years ago

Just got take out from here (I'm writing this from the Covid quarantine) and it was delicious! We used to eat here almost weekly, and had been craving sushi after two months of home cooking. The food was terrific, service easy, everything was packaged thoughtfully and with all the little extras to make it feel like a "real" sushi date. Thank you everyone at GenKai - I hope you all are staying well and know how appreciated you are by your community!!! read more

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Sky N.

163

10 years ago

Just had the worst customer service ever. The sashimi has gone to crap. The quality of fish has gone massively downhill! The servers were high pressure. I've never stiffed a tip before but we were hurried out mid lunch. Avoid this place at all cost if you don't like food poisoning. Sad this place has gone a far down hill recently. It was once quite good. read more

Gen Kai Sushi - Gen kai rotting fish smell coming from back (putriscine) - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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M B.

10 years ago

I have been going to Gen Kai for years, my last visit the service was very poor and the fish quality was marginal. It sad to see this place going down hill. read more

Gen Kai Sushi - Look what the sushi did to this nome, he shrank. - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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David F.

4 years ago

I hate leaving bad reviews, but we haven't been here in quite some time because the service has been so bad. Sadly, nothing has changed. Can't give input about the food, other than pot stickers, since we couldn't get an order in for anything else after 30 minutes. So sad. read more

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Denise H.

1457

1091

11374

15 years ago

My girlfriend used to work here when we were in college so it's been years since I've been back to Genkai (which is now under new management). So maybe my review is a little bias because we used to get spoiled by the sushi chefs when we ate there as college kids. Genkai has fresh fish, but they've turned into more of a fun roll place than a sushi or sashimi place. I guess as I've gotten older, I prefer less of the hoop-la and more of the real stuff! Sushi Burrito. Money. (that sauce is like crack!) Sashimi Roll. Money. (love the ponzu sauce!) Baked Green Mussels. Yum! Everyone and their mom ordered this. I know why. Spicy Garlic Salmon Sashimi. Good. Spicy Bay Scallop Hand Roll. Good but not great. Yellowtail (sashimi) Baja Style. Spicy, spicy jalapenos! Good but not great. Sushi Nachos. Pass. Yellowtail Nigiri. Ok. Amaebi Nigiri. Good. The next time I stop by Genkai, it'll be cuz I'm craving the sushi burrito and those baked mussels! read more

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Justine B.

6 years ago

Very slow with takeout, nobody is taking the proper precautions with covid, open beers are being left by customers right by the registers and the working act like they really don't want to be here. It's a whole mess honestly. read more

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Dom C.

6 years ago

Front desk employee is clueless w/ customers waiting patiently in line. She allows people to cut right up to the front. My family is just as hungry & I will not recommend this place to family, friends or neighbors. Maki Yaki was closed so this was the only choice in town. Maki Yaki respects their patrons. This is not the 1st time I've received disrespectful treatment but it will be the last time. read more

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Anthony G.

5 years ago

WOW! This is most most amazing sushi I've ever had. Totally a cut above any of the other sushi places I've ever tried. Service is slow, it's very busy and and the ambiance is a bit loud, but the quality and flavor of the sushi is just off the charts! read more

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Mimi S.

931

691

804

15 years ago

This place has excellent 'Happy Meals' aka the sushi and sashimi plate. Sit at the sushi bar, they give you a cucumbers which they wont if you sit at the dining table. They give you plenty of ginger, white rice, and miso soup. The chefs will hand you a hot towel to wipe your hands. The only reason I dont give it 5 stars is because they charge an extra $3 for take out. Do not go there for dinner its the same thing for double the price. read more

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Kyla A.

10 years ago

I'm new to the OC area, and have been searching for some good sushi spots to satisfy the occasional cravings. I'll admit, I've become a bit of a sushi snob after hitting some real great spots in LA, so I took my friends enthusiasm for Gen Kai with a grain of salt. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. The Screaming O! is probably my favorite. The seared tuna sashimi was very fresh and the ginger sauce that came with the dish was delicious. The Poki Bowl was also very tasty! My favorite appetizer was the Spicy Edamame; the roasted garlic sauce was delicious! Usually I'm a straight sashimi sort of girl. I often don't even use soy sauce. So this was a nice change of pace to get some more saucy rolls and non-sashimi appetizers. Overall very tasty and would come again :) read more

Gen Kai Sushi - Delicious off-menu scallop roll - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Deedra A.

4 years ago

This was our first time visiting this restaurant, and all I can say is wow! Everything was so delicious from the egg rolls, which I wish I would order three of those appetizers. They're so good the tempura is amazing. The rainbow roll was so fresh the crunch roll to die for everything was delicious. Excellent time I would recommend definitely going. It was busy but it's no wonder it's busy because it's so good. read more

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Danielle H.

146

102

7 years ago

This place is REALLY good! My family and I came here as a recommendation from a good friend. It did not disappoint. I enjoyed the Robert roll the best. The layout of the restaurant is nice and open. It is pricey, but the sushi is worth the money. read more

Gen Kai Sushi - Lobster Roll - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - Pop Shrimp with Spicy Tuna Roll (top) and the Robert Roll (bottom) - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Nic C.

178

6 years ago

I'm leaving here disappointed. I used to be a regular here, moved further away and was in the area this week and was excited for my visit. Service is great as always, but food quality has gone way down. It was nothing like I had been longing for, nothing like I had remembered or had grown accustomed to when eating here once a week for many years. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed or expressed the difference. Not to mention, not a totally pleasant experience when one guy at the sushi bar was a very loud patron, spewing conspiracy theories etc... very unenjoyable experience and will sadly not be coming back. read more

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Jamie B.

Elite 17

284

1084

401

8 years ago

So wonderful that I dined here twice in a matter of two days. Fantastic blue fin tuna and very fresh sushi all around. Has been in busy 40 years. All sushi chefs are traditional Japanese sushi chefs. Live scallop, yellowtail belly, what more do you need? Lovely place, will return when in the area again for sure. All the locals recommended I come here and they were right! read more

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Sarah G.

4 years ago

Such a good sushi restaurant! My friend invited me here for the first time last month and I was not disappointed. I am very picky when it comes to sushi, but this place was great. The chef was quick, the sushi was not only pleasing to look at, but it was tasty. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for good food, a laid back setting, and great service. read more

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Royce S.

278

5 years ago

The food is amazing! We sat outdoors & the table was slanted & the soy sauce slid off onto clothes. So next time we'll wait longer to eat inside. But we'll definitely be back! read more

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Moris A.

227

11 years ago

I would've given this place 5 stars because the food deserves it , but we arrived there late . 15 min before closing although we were seated there were no smiles until we left . The chef was nice but lacked customer service or welcoming attention . His attention to detail was 100% on and the food tastes great , but again felt rushed to order and eat . If your going to let customers sit and eat at 15 till closing at least give them the same service as you would anyone else . read more

Gen Kai Sushi - Crunchy roll !! Yum yum !! - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - Can't remember what it's called but delicious anyways ! I think south of the border sashimi or something similar . - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Meladie S.

Elite 22

454

135

5 years ago

Wow re ally enjoyed the foods from here. Came on 1/20/20 with my roommate and we went to town on a few selections of sushi rolls. They offer outdoor seating, and the food is served in styrofoam containers-- because of covid. Oh well, everything tasted really good read more

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Nilay S.

137

5 years ago

I was at the beach craving sushi and this was the closest to me. It's a literal hole in the wall with very homey vibes and the sushi was so so good. Only thing is the service is a little slow but it's not too bad in my opinion. I've been back quite a few times since I discovered this place and one other note is that the food is generally better on weekdays (maybe because they are less busy?) but still I love this place!! read more

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Tanya S.

7 years ago

We've been coming to this place for the last 5 years. It's our favorite sushi place in OC. The fish is always fresh and all the sushi chefs are amazing. Prices are very reasonable also. read more

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Krysta J.

357

7 years ago

Absolutely DELICIOUS Fav place to go So good, highly recommended. Salmon dish is the best read more

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Tifania N.

Elite 18

751

104

10 years ago

Came here for dinner was seated immediately, told our waiter we were really hungry and wanted the food fast and we were joking but he put in our order right away and the rolls came out very quickly. Our waiter was Liong he was very kind and gave really great service. We ordered the rainbow roll, the Crazy Genkai, the tuna tuna roll, the spider roll, the dana point roll, and yellow tail and tuna sashimi. The tuna tuna roll was out of this world, by far my favorite. All other rolls were so delicious especially the dana point roll. The only reason I wouldn't give them five stars is because of the spider roll, it just wasn't good to me, way to fried and I didn't like the sauce. Also too much wasabi on the sashimi. Other than that everything was amazing. Kinda expensive on some rolls but worth it for the quality. read more

Gen Kai Sushi - Rainbow roll - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - Crazy Genkai - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - Tuna Tuna roll - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Rena H.

1027

898

5481

12 years ago

So good!!!! A colleague told me about this place. I'm glad that I came here. I started with the grilled salmon collar, these small grilled fish which was not worth it, and the sashimi roll. I would get everything again except the small grilled fish. read more

Gen Kai Sushi - Grilled salmon collar - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - Sashimi roll (excellent) - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - Small grilled fish (won't get again) - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

Gen Kai Sushi - Seaweed salad in the sashimi roll - Japanese Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Stephen I.

3 years ago

Absolutely terrific. Lots of chefs personalizing each service at the bar or in the separate room for table service. Super well staffed with attentive staff. read more

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Delaney H.

126

6 years ago

Just recently moved to Dana Point and have heard from many locals this is the sushi spot...couldn't agree more. HUGE, heavy, delicious rolls. Have had carry out a few times since dining in/out is closed and order is always ready quickly. Will probably be ordering in the next few days :) Can't go wrong with this place! read more

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Page 6 of 19

34143 Pacific Coast Hwy
Dana Point, CA 92629
Directions
(949) 240-2004
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.sushiorangecounty.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Gen Kai Sushi open?

Gen Kai Sushi opens at 11:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Gen Kai Sushi opens at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Gen Kai Sushi close?

Gen Kai Sushi closes at 2:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Gen Kai Sushi closes at 9:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Payment methods

Does Gen Kai Sushi take credit cards?

Yes, Gen Kai Sushi takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Gen Kai Sushi have catering options?

No, Gen Kai Sushi does not have catering options.

Does Gen Kai Sushi have a happy hour?

Yes, Gen Kai Sushi has a happy hour.

Does Gen Kai Sushi serve alcohol?

Yes, Gen Kai Sushi serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Gen Kai Sushi allow dogs?

Yes, Gen Kai Sushi allows dogs.

Does Gen Kai Sushi have TVs?

No, Gen Kai Sushi does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Gen Kai Sushi have bike parking?

Yes, Gen Kai Sushi has bike parking.

Does Gen Kai Sushi have parking?

Yes, Gen Kai Sushi has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Does Gen Kai Sushi have free WiFi?

No, Gen Kai Sushi does not have free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Gen Kai Sushi Reviews in Other Languages

Swedish
1 Review

Ask the Community - Gen Kai Sushi

It closes at 9:30pm not 10pm?

yes it now closes daily at 9:30pm

Is there outdoor seating?

No outdoor seating.

View 1 more answer

Is there outdoor dining?

yes

Do they offer all you can eat sushi?

They do not offer "all you can eat" sushi, but they offer awesome a la carte sushi and dinners.

Do they offer all you can eat sushi and how much is dinner if they do?

They don't offer this

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Dana Kai Sushi

I've been waiting to try this place after seeing great reviews online…read more The servers were so warm and welcoming. They quickly got our drink order and were very helpful. I sat at the sushi bar. I started with the seaweed salad. It was sweet and crunchy. So comforting. Then I ordered the sashimi sampler. The price is awesome for what you get. Mine came with snapper (my fav), scallop (SO BUTTERY), albacore (mild), bluefin tuna w/ uni (bursting with flavor), yellowtail w/ jalapeno (classic), and salmon (the ikura was a great touch.) Lastly I ordered the seared tuna. The smoky flavor is so much fun. I've always wanted to try seared sushi, I had no idea it was so good. I'm definitely ordering a searing option every time for now on.

I love Dana Kai and their sushi is excellent and fresh…read more If they can figure out a way to slow down the food to the tables, I'll give them 5 stars.

Crazy monkey

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LUA Asian Fusion Eatery

Locally owned & operated

Free parking

Pure "platinum" chowder on display here…read more.. I was still recovering from an illness but my palate was returning so I wanted soup. SMOKED PHO: -- this may be my only way to have pho moving forward -- the beef broth is delectable -- the crimson red in the rib tender delicious rib meat is perfectly cooked accounting for more cooking in the warm broth -- light on smoke -- ample sprouts, greens and noodles -- not too salty -- utterly fantastic -- nice portion of meat -- nice large portion but not jumbo RATING = A+ GARLIC BUTTER NOODLES: -- one marinated egg -- very creamy -- light towards medium garlic I feel but I will judge again when my palate and sniffer our fully back -- ample arugala -- medium portion size RATING = A STAFF are kind and efficient.

I have mixed feelings about LUA because my meal left a lot to be desired. To start, the Thai tea…read moredrinks are made with coconut milk, nothing too extremely different. However, the salted cream version was a total miss for us. It was overwhelmingly salty to the point that neither of us could drink much of it. We also ran into some confusion with our order. We pointed to what we thought was the Shaking Beef on the menu, but we were served Bo Kho instead, which is a beef stew. Our waitress seemed fairly new, and since the photos of the two dishes looked somewhat similar, I can understand how the mix-up happened. That said, we probably should have clarified before accepting the dish, so that's partly on us as well. The Bo Kho itself was okay, but it didn't really stand out. The potato wedges were so sparse, I think my friend and I only got about four- or five-pieces total. On top of that, the small baguette served with the stew felt out of proportion to the amount of broth. There wasn't enough bread to enjoy the dish properly, which left the meal feeling incomplete. We loved the Lechon Banh Mi, and that was the redeeming part of our order. Unfortunately, when it came to the other food and drinks we tried, they just didn't quite hit the mark for us. While we're glad we gave LUA a try, it's probably not a place we'll revisit for those particular menu items.

Garlic Butter Noodles: Okinawa soba noodles featuring garlic butter sauce, marinated egg, arugula, and Pecorino cheese.

Bo Kho Sizzling Plate

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Brisket Phở Dip: Brisket pho in a baguette: braised brisket, bean sprouts, picked onions, Thai basil, pickled red onion, hoisin, and Srirach

Yoshiharu Sushi and Ramen

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.

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.

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Yoshiharu Ramen

The service was awesome. There was only one dude manning the floor but that didn't bring down my…read moreexperience. His name was Manny and he was a friendly, amazing, and hospitable guy. Our ramen came out fast and it was really tasty. As a vegetarian the veggie ramen is really good. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. A must-try for Orange County.

I've always really liked this place but today I placed an order for pick up & they forgot to give…read moreme the pork & egg for my ramen. I had also ordered an extra side of pork & they DIDNT include it either. It was a long drive plus it's raining, now to come home & eat my food with missing items. This sucks. I even called the place right now that I got home & no one cared to answer my two calls. ....

Shio Ramen

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Miso Ramen

O Fine Japanese Cuisine

My friend and I had always seen this place whenever we're in Laguna Beach and had decided to try it…read morefor the first time the other day. The food was great and the service was excellent, special shoutout to Jolin for helping us and making our first experience special!! Great customer service and very quick; will definitely be returning soon!

Great service! My girls were tired from a fun day. I asked our server for paper and anything to…read morewrite with and she came back with some paper & crayon for each of them. I was grateful. Food was yummy too. My girls had the teriyaki chicken and California roll, both yummy. The chicken teriyaki was surprisingly yummy. The Salmon Garlic Ponzu wasn't my favorite, but it's because I love a really good Salmon. However! The Bluefin Tuna w/ Crispy Onion was good. The crispy onion is thicker than you think, which makes excellent for the batter to catch. The specialty rolls: Red Dragon Roll w/Crispy Onion & Seared Yellowtail Roll was really good, again the crispy and onion was a nice crunch touch. Dessert, they have mochi ice cream, which is very familiar to the brand Mikawaya. 1, serving is 2 small size mochi ice cream, cut in half, so 4 half cut pieces. We enjoyed my husbands birthday, while at the same time hoping ours kids keep it together. And we got lucky this round! Great birthday dinner for my hubs. Thank you, O Fine Japanese Cuisine!

Miso Soup with Mixed Mushroom

Sushi Bar

Grilled Sea Bass

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Zen Sushi

ZEN SUSHI DANA POINT is under new ownership and is currently operating as normal. The new menu has…read moremore options than previous owners but still keeps most of the same items for everyone

Zen Sushi is one of your typical neighborhood Japanese restaurants, serving sushi, noodles and…read morebowls. Their rolls seem to be the thing to order - every table seemed to have a selection of their signature rolls, ranging in price from $14.50-$18.95. They also have bento boxes. If you come on the weekend, the lunch bento pricing is not available, only the dinner ($3-$5 extra). I would not go out of my way to go here, but it's perfectly decent for the neighborhood. Lots of parking in the lot.

Plenty of seating at the sushi bar

非常好吃，这里的生蚝很新鲜，价格也不错

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Presentation was phenomenal

Yuzu Laguna Beach

I love both Yuzu Sushi locations (this one and Costa Mesa) as well as their sister restaurant Ponzu…read moreSushi in Santa Ana. They have a very expansive menu featuring many creative sushi rolls. I've tried a ton and all are delicious! My favorite rolls are: Beauty Millionaire Orange Blossom Yuzu Another really wonderful feature is they offer their food for takeout and delivery. The best thing about this is they package their rolls in these gorgeous boxes where they separate the rolls from sauce.

Came with no reservation and it was only about a 20 minute wait time…read more Got sat outside in a cozy patio. The menu is pretty big with a lot of options to choose from. Not a traditional sushi spot but I did enjoy the flavors and twist on things. The yellowtail carpaccio was good - light refreshing and a touch of spice Poke nachos - definitely not something I would normally order but it was fun and flavorful. A little too saucey for me Nigiri's are fresh and I enjoyed the salmon truffle. The rolls are loaded with different ingredients and garnishes. Pretty yummy too but a little pricey for the rolls

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Sushi Kara

4.6

(145 reviews)

3.2 mi

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.

Pick up order Washington Roll & Rainbow Roll / Ponzu on side

A really nice interior

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Hamachi, Blue Fin Tuna and Albacore beautifully plated!

The Little Kitchen Asian Cafe

Stumbled upon this little Asian restaurant and was pleasantly surprised. They had pretty much…read moreeverything you'd expect on the menu -- orange chicken, Mongolian beef, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup, and more. The orange chicken was delicious. The batter wasn't overly thick, the texture was great, and the sauce was honestly better than Panda Express. The Mongolian beef was juicy, flavorful, and well seasoned. I also liked the vegetables that came with it. The soups were really well made and exactly what we were craving. They gave us the option of brown or white rice, and both were cooked well. Our waitress was amazing; she's super kind, attentive, and helpful throughout the meal. The inside was a little dark, but the windows were open so there was still natural light coming in. Overall, we'd definitely come back to try more things on the menu.

Let's put it this way.. the food here is so good, we totally forgot to share a pic of it all!…read moreOrdered the Hong Kong Black Pepper Steak and the wife had the Honey Walnut Shrimp. FANTASTIC! Get the cream cheese wontons too! FANTASTIC! The diner is a little chilly, but the service is great! Arrive there is a bad mood... leave a little happier!

Orange Chicken and beef Chow Mein!!

Entrance

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Inside

Full Moon Sushi

This is an update since my last updated review was back in 2019 when I was working nearby like one…read morebuilding over and now i'm a bit far away. Stop by next door to get my nails done for a wedding and decided I had some time to kill before my next meeting so I stop by. Keep in mind this was after the lunch rush so plenty of seating and no wait time i got in around 2;53pm and was pretty happy to be seated right away. I was hungry and I missed eating here, prices were still affordable and delicious. My meal came out to be less than $25 and yes, that is with tip. I ordered an appetizer of Shrimp and Vegetable tempura, coke and a shrimp & veggies tempura udon. Perfect combo on a gloomy day, and honestly, I need to head here more often. I did past by the other day right before 6pm and there were people waiting outside for a table so it's a great spot. I'm telling you guys, its the go to place in SC. Their sushi is pretty darn fresh too, if you don't want to drive all the way to Irvine or L.A.

Always a great experience here. The sushi is fresh and delicious. Reasonably priced. Friendly fast…read moreservice although during peak times please be patient because they are working very hard to take care of everybody. Plenty of parking out front but can get busy during medical business hours since there's a lot of businesses in the parking lot. The Crunchyroll and the tuna sushi was fantastic. As was the Poké bowl.

Spicy Tuna Roll and salmon cut roll

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The Garlic Halibut Special roll... really yummie!

Truly Pizza

Women-owned & operated

Free parking

Everything was delicious…read more I will say the Smoky Vodka was very good but we will get something different.

Came here on a walk in on a Friday night. Told me it would be 2 hours so we walked over to the bar…read moreacross the street and waited for our table. Turned to be only an hour. Sat us at the bar tops by the kitchen which was cool to watch the pizzas being made. UBER good pizzas here. Mushroom pizza had a mushroom filling on each slice and I added prosciutto. Margarita pizza made me feel like I was back in Italy. Host was sassy sitting us but I didint mind since I'm sure there stressed on Friday nights lol. Will def be back!!

Smoky Vodka (subbed out pepperoni with meatball!)

Restroom

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Sweet and Spicy

Apizza Doho

First, the food is INCREDIBLE! We sampled a number of appetizers which were each delicious! We…read moreordered the Philly Cheesesteak Pizza and that was a knockout! The Original with pepperoni was also a hit! The service is incomparable!! Friendly and attentive with a true desire to create an ultimate experience for their guests! Jay was a great server and Marco's had cultivated a fun, comfortable dining experience that offers TRULY, the BEST pizza in town!

We just stopped by randomly at this place. There's no line when we sat down, but by the time we…read morefinished , the line was out of the door. Seating: indoor and outdoor Restroom: 2 individual gender neutral restrooms We ordered: 3 lunch boxes: - vampire pizza + ceasar salad - beef short Rib with roasted mushroom and arugula + simple salad - pepperoni with caramelized onion + ceasar salad. They all tasted very good. Love it. The gal that served us is joyful and sweet.

Photo of wood-fire pizza at aPizza Doho

Photo of specialty salad at aPizza Doho

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Photo of wood-fire pizza at aPizza Doho

Station Craft

Finally made it to Station Craft. We have been eyeing this place for years but it always seems…read morepacked, so we just drive past. Today, on a Saturday at 12-ish, as a family of 4 we were able to get seated right away. Our server was attentive and offered/brought waters right away. We were seated inside which was open and spacious but loud enough to make it family friendly. The tables were far enough a part that you did not feel like you were on top of each other. Next time, we might ask to sit outside so our young boys can watch the cars drive by. We learned that the kitchen is nut free (always double check as this could change), which was amazing since our son has a severe nut allergy. He was so excited to learn this as he can be limited at other places due to cross contamination or the wrong oils. Then when the food came out and it was delicious - it sealed the deal. It is now in the top of our list of places to go. The kids cheeseburger is good size and not a smaller version as some places do. The chicken tenders were panko crusted which was so crunchy. My husband and I shared the smoked carrot and chicken tacos and we enjoyed them both. The beer was also very good with my husband and I each trying a different kind - an IPA and a Pale Ale. We are so glad we finally stopped in and so should you!

After a beach day, I was craving wings and came across Station Craft on yelp. Glad I tried it out…read more As others have mentioned, parking is limited. My server was super sweet, and the overall vibe of the restaurant was very chill. I got the smoked wings and a side caesar salad for balance. The wings were pretty good. I'm more of a dry rub person, so I enjoyed the wings especially dipped in blue cheese! The caesar was ok. The croutons were good, but it was too much cheese for me. I'd come back again to try their other food.

Partial interior before it packed out.

Fish and chips and a Smash Burger.. Yummy

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GoldennStout

Bourbon Steak Orange County

The food is always fabulous and the service is unmatched. The best steak place in the OC!read more

Really outstanding steak restaurant. Best drinks in Orange County. Have to try the modern modern…read moreold fashioned. So good I make it at home now :). The steaks here are top notch. Ordered a rib eye that had perfect marbling and was exactly what I wanted (medium rare). The soufflé is an excellent end to the dinner and highly recommended. Service here is top notch. They know their menu well, the wine pairings and cocktails. A must go to for steakhouse in OC.

Bourbon trolly. One of the best Old Fashions. Hand made from scratch.

THE MOST AMAZING BREAD OF ALL TIME! Garlic brioche bread with truffle butter

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Tomato bisque

Hook & Anchor

4.3

(230 reviews)

0.1 mi

Great food great place to watch the games met the owner Jon and he brought out their infamous clam…read morechowder. Absolutely wonderful. Very friendly staff excellent food all around. We had the poke extremely fresh and satiating. Kind people all around Best lobster roll in Dana point highly recommend if you're craving seafood and warm vibes.

After a long day at Baby Beach, we decided to stop in for some fish and chips. We got there at the…read moreperfect time because happy hour had just started, and it wasn't too busy. We were greeted right away, and our server was attentive, funny, and made the experience even better. We ordered the lobster mac and cheese, the tuna poke stack, and the fish and chips. Honestly, everything was exactly what we were craving. The lobster mac and cheese was rich and creamy, and the panko gave it the perfect crispy topping. The pasta was just a little more al dente than I prefer, but other than that, no complaints. The tuna poke stack with the wonton chips was so refreshing and full of flavor. The fish and chips tasted incredibly fresh with the perfect amount of seasoning, and the tartar sauce tied everything together. Safe to say there weren't any leftovers!

6oz Lobster Roll with grilled veggies

Booth interior seating

Lobster Deviled Eggs

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Giana Bakery and Provisions

The BEST Parmesan dish ever! I wish I got a to-go plate! Order it like this: RIGATONI dish…read more(contains: Rappini, Parmesan, Cream Sauce, and Red Pepper), replace rigatoni with linguine and add shrimp. This pasta dish is PERFECT, I wish I knew the recipe!

Great bakery! Great Risotto…read more We had another great lunch. The eggs were incredible. The bakery items with delicious. This place is really good. Everything is so flavorful. I will be coming back.