Nice place but be prepared to wait when going, almost at all times. Store is pretty small but cozy, nice staff as well. As for the food, I understand why the line is long. It's definitely very good food and worth the wait once in a while. Food is always consistently good. Katsu has a really good breading on it and flavor as well. Sauce puts it over the top. Meals are also pretty big and well priced which really adds the chefs kiss for an already great meal stand alone. Would recommend! read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Expectations may have been a bit high due to the popularity and good word about Hako, but I regularly am on the hunt for good Japanese katsu and curry, so have tried some pretty good katsu in my days. First off, it's a pretty great value. You get a set meal for a very good price these days, since the katsu meals come with their homemade katsu sauce (tastes like a slightly sweet and sour peanut satay), cabbage salad, rice, miso soup, and pickles. If you're looking for value only, this is great. Even the appetizers and sushi rolls are reasonable. I like that you can add on extra curry or some pieces of sushi or gyoza with your katsu or udon meal, and can add more than one. We saw a lot of takeout orders going out, though you don't get the soup. - Agedashi Tofu A light, popcorn crisp fry with sturdy cubes of tofu with enough dashi to cover them all. Respectable appetizer if you like tofu. All the pieces are very hot inside. - Hako Tonkatsu The pork cutlet is pounded so flat and enormous. I added a side of mild curry, which tasted like a good normal Japanese curry, and the additional gyoza were standard grocery filling (seemed to have more of a baked than fried texture on the skin). The nutty satay-like sauce went well with the katsu, but the curry was better. The rice was good and fluffy, and the pickles added an acidic balance. The miso soup was on the salty side. I liked how light and refreshing the cabbage salad was, though I prefer other dressings over this Thousand Island-like creamy one. The katsu itself was a bit disappointing, as it was devoid of moisture and the crisp could have been better. - Chicken Katsu The chicken was slightly better than the pork, as it retained a little more moisture and was just a bit more tender. However, all other aspects were the same. We tried the spicy curry for this plate, and it had the same taste as the regular curry, but with a bite. If you like pain more than taste when you eat spicy foods, I guess that'd be why you choose the spicy here. Considering it took nearly an hour for us to get a table on a random weekday night (seated close to 8pm), I definitely was expecting the food to taste much better. The tables are situated very close to each other, too, so you'll probably have a neighbor within your elbow space. It's not even a contender for a majority of katsu places in NorCal or Hawaii. But if you're in the area and have a craving and want a lot of food for the price, it's fine. If you have leftovers, they will give you an extra new side of their sauce, which is sweet. read more

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This is my favorite katsu restaurant. Busy location with a bit of a wait during peak hours but definitely worth it. My go to is their fish katsu. Panko crust is light and satisfying. Great portion size. Each katsu order includes cabbage salad, rice, pickles, sauces and the entree and miso soup. (Soup is only for dine in only - must order as an add on for to go orders) Attention to detail - katsus are on little cooling racks on the plate to prevent the from getting soggy, great to-go boxes, branded plates, and nicer chopsticks that won't leave you fearing splinters. Nice assortment of appetizers and sides to choose from although haven't tried them since the katsus are so filling. A must try - go early, expect a wait but you can take the time to check out some of the nearby shops. read more

Tried this place for the first time & it was pretty good! I tried the curry tonkatsu & it was a massive amount of pork. I was pleasantly surprised with the generous portions. I felt that 1 plate could be shared between 2 people if you don't have a big appetite. We also tried the soba, which was pretty good. This place can get busy & may have to wait a bit. Luckily, came early before the dinner rush & only waited about 20 minutes. Overall, highly recommend this spot! read more

Hako - Curry Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Hako is an Irvine staple and is a must-visit every time I'm in the area. I haven't met a single person who wouldn't be down to get Hako, or had a bad experience here. Knowing how expensive tonkatsu can be, this is a relatively affordable option that nearly halves the cost at some other restaurants. The Hako Tonkatsu comes with an entire pork cutlet, each piece fried to perfection with an audible, satisfying crunch with each bite. The Cheese Tonkatsu is $2 more expensive, and comes with less meat, but each piece is smothered in melty cheese seemingly designed to result in a picture-perfect cheese pull. In my opinion, the Hako is much better value. The tonkatsu sauce had an unexpected tang, and the radishes offered a nice palette cleanser. Comes with rice and shredded lettuce, with are the perfect pairs. All packaged nicely in a portable box with custom engraved chopsticks; even the to-go experience matches perfectly with the clean, minimalist interior. I've been here three times and have never sat inside because of the busyness, which should be expected. We ordered over the phone about 10 minutes before arrival. Checking in, we were able to use the restroom, and by the time we were out, our food was ready! How convenient! Tonkatsu steals the show at Hako, and while they have other items (like sushi and soba), they are definitely overshadowed. Maybe one day I'll get to sit inside. And try the miso soup, which is not offered for to-go orders. read more

Hako - Cheese Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Great Katsu joint in the middle of Irvine! This place is very consistent, from the service to the food. Typically, you can expect a bit of a wait on weekday nights, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour at the peak. Upon entering and being seated, we were served relatively quickly. The wait staff was attentive to our needs and refilled waters frequently. This restaurant has a lot of seating and is good for small to medium size parties. We all got the curry katsu and enjoyed the dish! The meal is quite filling for the price; it comes with with a large cutlet of pork, curry sauce, katsu sauce, rice, various pickled veggies, and a small portion of miso soup. The food was standard, with the star of the show being the curry sauce! Highly recommend to dip the katsu into the curry and have some rice w/ curry as well. The karaage was also good too! Overall, I would recommend this place for those in the area looking for katsu and who don't mind a small wait. read more

Hako - Karaage - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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We ordered takeout from Hako for dinner and I loved it! The food was delicious and the prices were reasonable, and it was also high quality. I had to call in my order (they are on Doordash but the prices are lower if you call). It would be nice if you could order through their website, but it's not a big deal. We got shrimp tempura, chicken katsu with a side of curry, and an Alaskan roll. The food was all delicious! My daughter could not get enough of the Alaskan roll. It's simple and classic, especially if you love salmon. The chicken katsu was really good and I enjoyed dipping it in the curry. They don't offer potatoes or carrots in their curry sauce like some other Japanese restaurants do, which was a small disappointment, but I still really liked the curry. It had that "spicy" but not spicy flavor that comes from all the flavorful spices like ginger that are in the curry, but it wasn't hot (we ordered mild). The chicken katsu was a good portion side and it came with a side of rice and angel hair shredded cabbage. Cabbage isn't the most exciting vegetable, but I'll take it. The shrimp tempura was great too. The takeout bag was packaged really nicely and the katsu came in a fancy little box, so even though we were eating at home it felt a little more upscale. But the prices were pretty on par with other sushi restaurants around here, so it's definitely affordable! read more

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Hako is one of my favorite spots in Irvine all around. It will always be one of my options when I'm thinking about what I want to eat because it's genuinely just so good. It is typically busy compared to your average restaurant here, for good reason. The portions are good, especially for the price, everything is fresh, and the taste is great! This time around I got the chicken katsu and it did not disappoint. The batter and fry doesn't make you feel greasy after eating, which is an issue I have at some places, but not here. You always get miso soup, cabbage, rice, and katsu sauce to dip in no matter which katsu option you choose which I love. It really all compliments each other and helps balance out everything. I would say every item you can try is going to be good as I've came so often and tried a variety of their dishes, such as their hamburg beef katsu, hako tonkatsu, zaru soba (which is honestly underrated), and more. I'll probably continually come back here and will always recommend it to others! read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Wow, wow wow wow. Ive seen the reviews, youve seen the reviews - but you really gotta just try Hako for yourself!!! Deliciously crispy and served with amazing sauces. My fish katsu was like the best fish and chips you could want, minus the chips, plus cabbage salad and miso soup and fluffy rice! All for a very decent price. I think i paid around $37 for both of these massive meals. They let you take out and you get a little container of the sauce (the brown one next to the miso soup in my pics) with your box! Its delicious, trust. The food comes out piping hot and relatively quickly considering the place was full when we visited. They have a handy yelp waitlist but we only waited about 10 mins. Parking is easy. Serve staff were friendly and helpful. It's a little tight of a squeeze inside the place, but we were sat at a booth on the outside so we had a bit more room. Maybe ask for a booth if you feel you might need some space! read more

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I finally got the chance to try Hako and all I can say is wow! Wish I had started coming here sooner. I tried to their cheese tonkatsu plate which also came with a side of cabbage salad, rice, pickled veggies, and miso soup if you dine in. All in all, it was about $16 before tax/tip. The cheese tonkatsu was very delicious. It had a good ratio of cheese and meat, and the pull from the melted cheese was just right. Perhaps what stood out to me though was actyally how it was perfectly fried on the outside. Each bite had a clean, crisp finish without it being greasy at all. Inside the store, there are only a handful of tables and booths, so during peak times, there may be a little of a wait. However, service here was super efficient and friendly. I will definitely come back yo try all the other tonkatsu on the menu! read more

Hako - Menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Rating: 7/10 This place is overrated for how popular it is. There's a line basically every day. We waited about 40 minutes for a party of two at 6pm on a Thursday. Pork katsu was decent, but nothing special. It feels like quality has slipped over time as the restaurant has gotten busier. Still solid, just not worth the hype. Shrimp Tempura was okay, but the shrimp pieces were pretty thin with not much meat. Spicy Curry was probably the best part of the meal. Really good flavor and works well as a dipping sauce with the katsu. Dragon Roll was not bad, but if you want quality sushi go somewhere else. So my fault for ordering this lol. Note: Their katsu sauce is blended with peanuts, so definitely check if you have any allergies. Overall, not a bad spot, but doesn't live up to the hype. read more

Hako - Spicy Curry Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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So delicious!!! Sometimes the wait can be long but the food is worth it. Plenty of seats inside and the food comes out in a reasonable time. The restaurant is super clean and employees are very friendly Cheese tonkatsu 4/5 wish it had a little bit more protein but other than that very solid. I love the katsu sauce it comes with Nabeyaki Udon 5/5!! So yummy! Kind of reminds me of sukiyaki broth. The soup is pretty big and you could share the dish between two people Hako Tonkatsu 5/5 crispy and delicious. The protein is a bit thin. Flavors are great read more

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This is hands down the best tonkatsu I've had in my life. Ever since moving from New York, I've been on the hunt for a spot that could really hit the craving right, and this place absolutely delivers every single time. The secret here is consistency. Crispy, golden crust on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, and portions so huge you'll question your life choices halfway through the meal... but somehow still finish the whole plate anyway. Trust me, I've tried to save leftovers and failed every time. Weekends can get wild with 30-minute to 1-hour waits, but honestly, once that first bite hits, you forget all about standing in line. The setup feels more like a busy food court than a fancy restaurant, but who cares when the food is this good? Fast service, amazing quality, and comfort food that feels like a reward after a long day. Do yourself a favor and order the curry tonkatsu. Rich curry sauce, crispy pork cutlet, fluffy rice, it's the kind of meal that instantly improves your mood. For me, this is the tonkatsu spot in OC. read more

Hako - Pork Hako Tonkatsu and some appetizers. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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I didn't know I could love katsu this much until I tried Hako! This is the best katsu I've ever had and I wish I had tried it much earlier since attending school in Irvine. Each katsu plate comes with a side of rice, cabbage salad, pickled radish & jalapeños, and katsu sauce. BIG portions- you might even question if you'll finish it all. Spoiler alert, you'll most likely not have leftovers because it is that good. With the cabbage salad and pickled radish on the side, it made the meal feel a little bit healthier...at least to me LOL!! The pork wasn't too thin and the coating wasn't too thick either. Crispy and not oily! Service was quick despite being lunch hour! The waiters checked up on my party every so often asking if it was delicious and if we needed extra water. The restaurant is fairly small yet gives off a home-y vibe. read more

Hako - Hako Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

I had high expectations for this place, but for me it was just okay. The food is mid -- not bad, but nothing that really made me say "wow" either. We ordered the cheese tonkatsu, fish tonkatsu, crunchy roll, and beef yaki udon. The cheese tonkatsu was just okay, but the fish tonkatsu was better. The crunch roll tasted like your typical sushi roll. The beef yaki udon, however, was good -- the flavor was well balanced, and the beef in it was really good. The service was nice. As soon as we were seated, they gave us water right away, which I appreciated. The place does feel a little cramped though. The tables are very close to each other -- it honestly felt like one wrong move and I might spill my food onto the next table. Overall, it was just okay. read more

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I went to Hako in Irvine while trying to find a place for a friend who loves katsu, and we came across this spot. It was actually a place we had all been wanting to try for a while, but every time we thought about going the line was always super long because of the TikTok hype. Since the hype has died down a little, we finally decided to go try it. We ordered the Fish Katsu, Cheese Tonkatsu, Hako Tonkatsu, and the Love Dragon Roll. The food definitely lived up to the hype. Everything tasted really good, and the fish katsu was probably my favorite. It was crispy on the outside and really tender inside. The restaurant itself was pretty busy, and seeing all the other dishes coming out to different tables made everything look so good. It definitely adds to the excitement of trying the food. One thing that was a little concerning though was when I mentioned that I have a peanut allergy. The waiter who helped us was super nice, but he accidentally forgot about it and brought me a sauce that had peanuts in it. Luckily I asked again just to double check, and he said he forgot. It was a little scary because I could have eaten it without knowing, but he quickly apologized and substituted the sauce for me right away. Aside from that situation, the food was great and the overall experience was still really good. It's definitely a spot I would come back to again. read more

Hako - Fish Katsu, Cheese Tonkatsu, & Hako Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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i wasnt feeling katsu at the moment so i ordered this nabeyaki udon! portions were huge!! and it was very warm and comforting. a satisfying meal service was standard. food came out a little slower than usual super packed place. I wasnt aware that its very popular. we had to wait quite a bit to get seated for two. tables and chairs are pretty close to one another. lots of conversations that you can overhear lol read more

Hako - Nabeyaki Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

I love tonkatsu, so I was really excited to try this place, and I was not disappointed. The pork tonkatsu is delicious and so crunchy with every bite with the tonkatsu sauce. Every tonkatsu meal comes with a side of miso soup, rice and cabbage salad. The price is reasonable for how much food you get, so definitely come hungry! I tried my sister's hamburg beef tonkatsu and it was equally as delicious. Definitely for those who prefer beef than pork! The service was really good and the wait isn't too bad for a table. The place itself is popping and comfortable to sit in to eat. Come here if you want a great tonkatsu! read more

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We came here around 5:00pm on a weekday and were seated instantly, which was surprising since they are always super busy. Our server was really nice, attentive, and patient with us, checking up on us very often. The restaurant itself is really clean, but also pretty small, so I would suggest coming before 5:30pm to avoid the wait. The food itself was soooo good. I ordered the cheese cutlet and added curry for $3, and the food came out within 10 minutes. I was surprised by how good the house sauce they give you was, to the point where I felt like I didn't even need the curry. The cheese cutlet was delicious as well, with a good amount of cheese, but also a good amount of meat. It came with rice, miso soup, salad, and some sides. The miso soup was also noticeably very good, and so was the salad. I didn't expect to like it so much, but the sauce on the salad made it good enough to take home! Overall, I would definitely recommend Hako. It's all around very good and the portions are great for the price point! There was so much food on the tray they brought out that it could've been enough for two people to share. read more

Hako - Cheese Cutlet + Curry Combo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

The food was delicious. The hostess was beyond accommodating. Our server was not friendly or it seemed like she wasn't happy. We laughed it off but her work attitude could use some adjusting. The curry tonkatsu was so good! The spicy curry had a great spice level. Not unbearable. Gave a good amount of heat. For our party of 7 (2 toddlers included), we sat comfortably in a booth in the front. The portions and price point were of great value! Super delicious food. Parking was super easy. We arrived a little after 12 pm. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated. read more

Hako - Spicy Curry Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Stopped by Hako in Irvine for lunch with my niece--one of her favorite spots in the area--and now I see why. We ordered some of their popular dishes: the Hako Tonkatsu, Chicken Katsu, and Spicy Curry Katsu. Every plate came out with generous portions and perfectly fried katsu that was crisp on the outside and tender inside. Our food arrived surprisingly fast, even during lunch hours. Great meal, great service, and definitely a place worth returning to. read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Best katsu ive ever had!! My friend and I came on a Saturday afternoon and my was quite busy. We waited for around 20 mins, so not too bad but would reccomend joining the waitlist thru yelp so you dont have to wait. We ordered two cheese tonkatsu which came with a salad, miso soup, and a bowl of rice which is lowk a steal for $16. The katsu was so nice and crispy and the cheesy was so yummy and gooey. The katsus that ive had before were quite dry and soggy but this one was so tender and crispy! The salad and sides were also so delish I actually devoureddd. Will be comin back read more

Hako - Cheese tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Oh my gosh I am so happy that I stumbled upon this restaurant on yelp. I was intensely craving a good-quality chicken katsu curry, and I left satiated and with leftovers! Apparently Hako can get pretty busy, but there was no wait when I came by for a late lunch on a weekday. Staff was nice and took my order right away. The chicken katsu was super crispy, tender, flavorful, and not dry at all. Perfect texture. Of course, the katsu paired so beautifully with the curry sauce which was about $3 extra which I thought was a fairly reasonable price. The portion was an amazing size too. I enjoyed the addition of miso soup, shredded cabbage, and radishes too as they helped to cut the richness of the katsu. But don't get me wrong, the chicken katsu didn't even make me feel that heavy or bloated unlike other spots. Overall, service was fast and organized. The food quality amazed me. I'm already planning my next visit to Hako. read more

Hako - Chicken Katsu- so beautiful - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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I love coming to Hako for takeout, especially when I'm craving their spicy tonkotsu curry. It's consistently flavorful and one of my favorite comfort meals in the area. That said, it can get very busy, and today was a good example. There were people waiting outside, and it took quite a while before my phone call was answered to place an order. I really wish they offered online ordering, as calling in during peak times can be frustrating. Once the order was placed, everything else went smoothly. The portions are very generous--one order of the spicy tonkotsu curry easily lasts me two meals. My food was ready by the time I arrived, neatly packed, and still hot, which I appreciated. Despite the ordering challenge today, the food quality and portion size are why I keep coming back. read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

What really sets them apart is their fish katsu. It comes in a generous portion, and the fish is soft and pairs well with their tartar sauce. Service still excellent as always, but again, always be prepared to wait as you can only wait list in person and they're always busy! Since it's gets busy, it can get quite loud inside so may be difficult to hear conversations. They also clean up the table right when you're done so they can try and promptly seat the next party. They aren't rude about it though, just don't be alarmed! read more

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3.5/5 Cheese Pork Katsu - Very yummy and cheesy. Chicken Katsu - Good but a little dry Spicy Curry - Flavorful but not very spicy All of the meal sets are served with miso soup (tasty), cabbage slaw (dressing similar to thousand island), tonkatsu sauce (not my favorite version), pickles and rice. It is very hearty and filling. Expect a wait. We went Friday at lunchtime and waited 30 minutes for a table. read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

I had a massive craving for udon, curry, and tonkatsu, and after seeing the reviews for Hako, I decided to give it a try. Since it's a newer spot, the restaurant felt clean, modern, and well put together. The menu is somewhat limited, but that actually made it easier to choose and gave me the impression they focus on doing a few things really well. I ordered the Hako Tonkatsu plate with curry, which came with miso soup, crispy katsu with fresh cabbage, their special katsu sauce (delicious), pickles, and steamed rice. The portion was generous, and everything tasted fresh and well-balanced. Our server, Jayden, was efficient and courteous, and what stood out even more was that other staff members--who weren't even taking my order--still checked in to see if I needed anything. That level of attentiveness really elevated the experience. I also noticed a steady flow of to-go orders, which says a lot about how popular this place is becoming. The total came out to around $20, which felt like great value. These days it's easy to spend $50 on food that isn't even memorable, but this meal was satisfying, comforting, and left me with leftovers to enjoy later. I'd definitely recommend this place and wish them continued success and prosperity. read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Love Hako. Tried the sushi and salad this visit, which were pretty average, nothing special. I would stick with their katsu. read more

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We came for dinner, around 7pm and we waited a little over an hour to get in. There is a waitlist you can join but I believe they close the waitlist at around 8pm as it was near closing. The place is small, but the food portions are big! Food came out fast as well, and the staff are attentive and was accommodating. A cute place to eat out with friends and family. read more

Hako - Chicken Katsu + Curry combo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Hands down best katsu spot in Irvine! Their portions are huge at reasonable price, food is flavorful and meat is tender. Cheese katsu has the stretchiest cheese pull. The salad and dressing that pairs with the katsu is light and gives the perfect balance between the fried katsu. Sides like pickled cucumbers and takuan are great as well! There are plenty seating but wait time gets busy during dinner hours (5-6pm) so avoid those times if you want to get in quicker! However, it is not long of a wait. The interior is simple and vibes are great, staffs give great service too! read more

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Hako is one of the best restaurants in Irvine, hands down. The quality and quantity is consistently amazing whether dine in or takeout. Prices also can't be beat here. You could easily feed two people with one katsu portion - I opt for the chicken every time. Always so crispy, thin, and tender! The sushi here is pretty solid too; while nothing fancy, the fish is tasty and is of good quality. Takeout never takes longer than 15 minutes no matter how busy the restaurant gets. Everything is always packaged so nicely. The dine in wait can run pretty long but it's definitely worth it to eat everything as it's nice and fresh! read more

Hako - Chicken Katsu, Fish Katsu, Takoyaki - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

A homey casual spot to stop by if you are craving delicious Tonkatsu! Warning that the restaurant is a bit on the smaller side, so there will be a bit of a wait. There is a yelp waitlist in front of the restaurant that you add your party to, & wait for a text that the table is ready. The food comes out quickly & there is no doubt that the presentation looks amazing. * Takoyaki - 8.1/10 (the takoyaki comes out hot & fresh. the sauce that the drizzle on top is yummy. the balls are fried perfectly & the dough melts in your mouth. i just wish the pieces of octopus inside were bigger) * Agedashi Tofu - 7/10 (i remember really enjoying this dish a couple years ago, but after getting it this time around it seems that the recipe has changed. although the sauce is delicious, the tofu itself was lackluster. it was quite soggy & had no crunch from the shell) * Chicken Katsu - 9.4/10 (some of the best chicken katsu i have ever had. the portion of this dish is HUGE. i love the spread of the whole dish. the miso soup was very warm & served as a nice palate cleanser. i love the cabbage salad, although wish there was more sauce on top. the chicken was crunchy & the katsu sauce had a tangy flavor that cut through the fried chicken well. the rice was perfectly cooked & the pickled veggies added a nice crunch. i do wish it was slightly more juicy, but nonetheless very much worth the try) read more

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I stopped by Hako after hearing good reviews about this place when I was visiting Irvine. I ordered the Curry Tonkatsu, which came with the katsu, salad, curry, rice, and miso soup. Honestly for $18, I would say it's worth it - you get everything you need to enjoy the katsu! The katsu was crispy and tender inside, and with the curry, it made it more enjoyable and flavorful. I don't usually eat rice, but I did this time because the curry was so good with it. the curry sauce was on the sweet and savory side, but that's what made it good. I recommend the Curry Tonkatsu because the curry sauce makes it much better than just getting the normal Hako Tonkatsu. The servers were really nice and checked up on my table whenever we had any questions or concerns. The restaurant was clean. It was a bit packed on a Saturday afternoon, but the most we waited for a table was 10 minutes. I definitely recommend this spot if you're in the Irvine area - it's a must try if you haven't had it yet. Definitely one of my all time favorite katsu places! read more

Hako - Curry Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Good spot. Great price and service.. pork cutlet is the best. Probably getting Togo is good as well. Love the box.. average environment and tables are good. read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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I've had my fair share of katsu meals, and oh my goodness... this place is hands down one of the best I've had. Let's start with the food--the portion size is perfect for one person, super satisfying without feeling too heavy. The katsu itself was made perfectly, not overly battered, and paired so well with the curry. And the curry? So flavorful and perfectly seasoned--honestly amazing. The miso soup was also really good and a nice touch to go with the meal. The place itself is very welcoming. It's on the smaller side, but cozy. You'll feel a bit lucky if you get one of the booth tables because the middle tables can be a little tight to walk through, but overall the vibe is really nice. Service was great too. The only small thing was my husband asked for no salad and it still came with it, but honestly not a big deal. They were super friendly and got our food out pretty quickly, especially considering how busy it was during the lunch rush. I'll definitely be coming back to try more of their menu you'll be seeing me here again very soon! read more

Overall thought Hako was decent but seems the appeal is mostly value and big portions. The cheese tonkatsu was solid but I've had better. The udon had good flavor, but after a few bites began to feel a bit one‑dimensional after. The tempura was probably the biggest miss, having come out really soggy, so there wasn't any difference in texture that you'd expect. Service was okay. The staff checked in, but it felt like we were a bit rushed, almost like they were trying to turn tables quickly because there were people waiting to be seated on the waitlist. Not a terrible meal by any means, just not one that left much of an impression. The food wasn't bad, but nothing particularly stood out. Solid option if I'm in the area and craving tonkatsu but wouldn't go out of my way. read more

Hako - Cheese Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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One of my absolute favorites in Irvine. Simply a great place to grab crispy katsu meals, tasty udon, & delicious tempura! Favorites are Hire-Katsu (Pork Tenderloin) or Hako (Pork Loin), and as well as the Nabeyaki Udon. Most of the katsu meals come with a creamy savory dipping sauce, japanese slaw(cabbage salad), and rice. Since this place gets pretty busy often, we usually opt for the takeout option as everything comes beautifully boxed which is great for date nights, and even for leftovers, a quick air fry makes it even tastier. Admittedly even after coming back from Japan, I came here multiple times in the same week, & it's always a grand ole time. While there is a lot of parking, there's also a lot of stores in this plaza, so it can be a bit difficult sometimes. There generally is a waitlist, so definitely would recommend takeout versus eating inside! read more

Hako - Hako Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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So I've been told that this place is legit from two different sources so you know this was a sign for me to end the year with Hako. My party came in on a Monday evening and it was already pretty packed. It was around a 50 minute wait for me, so I decided to walk around and see the other stores in the plaza, which made waiting convenient. Then I got notified that my table was ready. I came in so starved I felt like a child that could be sponsored by someone from a first world country. In this case, Hako is that someone from the first world country, and instead of paying 5 cents a day to support me, they provided me with the Chicken Katsu plate for one night. Now, I don't know how many days I would have needed to save up to get an equivalent of the Chicken Katsu plate, but I'd say having that dish was the more ideal option of the two. The presentation was great. See attached photo for more. The crunch of the katsu was heavenly, dwarfing all other dishes in the tray. I mean, it was absolutely the highlight of the meal since it came with rice, shredded cabbage(?), and soup. Portions were absolutely generous. Despite having such a large dinner, the katsu was so good I still felt like having more, but my self-control got the better of me. I'm STILL full from the Chicken Katsu I had like two days ago, which helps me feel like I had my money's worth. Ended the year with a banger for sure! read more

Hako - Chicken Katsu Plate. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Doing another 5 star review for how good Hako is. Ordered chicken katsu (forgot to take a picture) and the salmon sashimi salad. The fish is very fresh, and you get a large sized salad. The katsu is juicy like always. It comes with cabbage, rice, and miso soup. I guarantee you'll be full after eating here. I will be back read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

This is a small and busy restaurant! We came around 11:30am on a Sunday and only had to wait about 5 min for a table. There's a lot of people but the turnover is pretty fast. We ordered the Hako tonkatsu, curry tonkatsu, and the tofu appetizer. The tofu was nice and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I really enjoyed this one! I was surprised that the tonkatsu portions were so huge! And also dare I say one of the best katsu I've had in a long time? The pork was crispy and it was delicious paired with the sauce and the curry on the side. This meal was definitely worth the money. Definitely will be back if I'm in the area! read more

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