Order Hako Takeout or Delivery
Hako Photos
Business Info
Hako Popular Dishes
HAKO ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
Recommended Reviews - Hako
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
We ordered the Curry Tonkatsu ($17.95) and the Tonkatsu seemed impressively large, but it was pretty flat. Not sure if it was an off day, but I've heard their Tonkatsu is not dry, but I felt the pork was pretty dry. It was crispy though! We asked for the curry to be spicy and it actually was! Surprisingly, the curry was the highlight over the Tonkatsu. I should've went with my heart and ordered the Hamburg Beef Katsu, perhaps it wouldn't be so dry. This place gets busy! We showed up before opening on a Saturday and there was already a line.
i understand why there's a line all the time Hako is fyeeeeee omg i got the cheese tonkatsu, pork katsu w curry, chicken yakiudon and a spicy tuna roll the spicy tuna roll was rly good, the tuna was spicy and yummy, cucumber added the perfect crunch and freshness the chicken yakiudon was aight, really sweet for my liking but packed w chicken and veggies. the udon noodles were perfectly cooked, super chewy and stringy the cheese katsu was FIRE. so much cheese and perfectly ooey and gooey, cheese pulls went hard everytime bru the panko crust was soooo cronchy and crispy dipping sauce was so sexy the pork katsu was so good with the curry too all the sides that came with the katsu meals were fire; white rice, cabbage salad, miso soup, pickled radishes, SOOOOO good service was good, servers are attentive and quick. the space inside is not that big but definitely can accommodate small or big groups, as they have booths and stand alone tables
Begrudgingly giving 3 stars. I came here on a weekday for lunch at 1pm. The place was packed, but luckily, one table was available. It's a small place and the tables are crammed together; you practically touch elbows with whoever is sitting at the table next to you. I ordered the Hako Tonkatsu. The amount of food is a great deal for the price. Along with a large serving of tonkatsu (pork katsu), you get miso soup, rice, salad, and banchan (some sort of radish and jalapeños). The quality of the pork was superb and the crunch of the panko was right on point. I've had many, many plates of tonkatsu over the years, both here in the U.S. and Japan, and this rates highly, made perfectly. I'm not usually a huge fan of miso soup but this one was really good; I loved it. The rice was excellent and the salad was standard but bright & fresh. As a sauce guy, the importance of a good katsu sauce is imperative in making a tonkatsu meal perfect. When I tried the sauce served with this meal I thought - they've got to be kidding. It tasted like a version of Thousand Island dressing. I looked at other tables (2 inches away) who had the same meal and they were dipping into the same container so it was no mistake. Apparently, this is their version of katsu sauce and it was nothing like any katsu sauce I've had in my life. This was an embarrassment to the world of katsu sauce. It disappointed me and honestly destroyed the entire tonkatsu experience. I guess the five-star reviewers like this sauce but just don't know what proper katsu sauce is. I don't want to be a crybaby and give too low a rating as everything else was exceptional, but I'd never ever go back here nor recommend it. Would easily been 5 stars if they had any clue.
Came on a Tuesday night and the wait was about 20 mins even though we were quoted 40 so not too bad. There's plenty of parking as well. There isn't a lot of seating inside but it is clean and doesn't feel too cluttered. Food wise, the gyoza is good but tastes like it is from a Costco bag. The chicken katsu was good but a little too thin for my taste. Wish it was a bit crispier. Overall, good spot with huge portions so I would come back.
I never really craved katsu until I ate at Hako and now it's a regular in the rotation (expect a wait because it's a go-to option for a lot of other folks)! I always get the Hako Tonkatsu and if I feel like splurging, I'll upgrade to the Curry Tonkatsu. The katsu is fried to perfection and the set comes with rice, salad, radish, and soup - just an fyi that they don't include the soup if you order takeout, which is kind of a bummer.
Nothing but great things to say about this place, quality of food, and service! It gets quite busy so make sure to have a resie, show up early to get in the waitlist, or be prepared to order to go. Cheese tonkatsu - fried but airy, not too greasy, cheese compliments the pork loin without being to overpowering, pork loin was juicy, sesame sauce was delicious, cabbage salad had ample yet flavorful dressing, miso soup and rice were great pairings aging with the pickled veggies. I would get this again and again
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.
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!
guys... my fiancé loves katsu and he says he would truly d word for this place bc he loves it SOOO much!! like WOW. and ofc i mean that as the highest compliment!!!! hako is tucked away in an irvine center that has tons of parking, but it can still be pretty packed so keep that in mind! the restaurant itself isn't too large either, so the wait times can be high if you don't get there outside of peak hours. they do have a yelp waitlist though, so utilize it!! the restaurant is always clean and in order, and service is always so quick, kind, and on top of it. here's what we tend to order: - hamburg beef katsu: my meat of choice will always be beef, and the beef katsu here is SO juicy and flavorful. it's my favorite and i dream about it LOL - hire katsu: my fiancé's choice! a nice pork katsu, it's always cooked to perfection, nice and tender, and just wow.. NO NOTES. on top of the katsu itself, the salad is always delicious (love the dressing!), miso soup is heartwarming, i love the pickled onions/jalapeños and radish, and the DIPPING SAUCE??? i need the recipe!! ok i'm done but pls just know: LOVE THIS PLACE DOWNNNN. will be back soon!!!! :-)
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.
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!
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.
my boyfriend and i decided to go during our lunch break...good thing we went early to put our names down before clocking out for lunch since the wait was about 55 minutes on a monday but once we were seated and ordered our food, it came out in about 10 mins which was really fast! both the chicken and pork katsu were so yummy and cripsy and i really enjoyed their homemade katsu sauce! it had a nice tangy flavor to it. the sides were also really good my only complaint would be that my rice seemed to be overcooked or had too much water since it was pretty mushy. other than that everything was delicious and if you order dine-in you get a free miso soup which is nice! would definitely come again (but make sure to come before ur hungry because there will be a wait)
1 month ago
3 days ago
5/5 If you ask me if I want to go, I will say yes. Always. I can never pass up the Hire Katsu. The pork tenderloin is so tender, moist, flavorful and the crunch of the katsu is so perfect. Everything down to the katsu sauce is just so tasty. It can get busy, so plan accordingly. read more
We waited 30min for a Saturday lunch, which wasn't great, but the food quality kinda deserves it. The menu items aren't very cheap but the portion is very generous. Their tonkatsu sauce is very different and I like it a lot, tastes like peanut butter mixed with thousand island, just my guess not sure what their house recipe is. Tonkatsu wasn't dry and hamburger beef katsu really worth a try. Definitely would come back, very nice katsu restaurant, if their katsu is a bit juicier I would give a five star for sure! read more
We ordered the Curry Tonkatsu ($17.95) and the Tonkatsu seemed impressively large, but it was pretty flat. Not sure if it was an off day, but I've heard their Tonkatsu is not dry, but I felt the pork was pretty dry. It was crispy though! We asked for the curry to be spicy and it actually was! Surprisingly, the curry was the highlight over the Tonkatsu. I should've went with my heart and ordered the Hamburg Beef Katsu, perhaps it wouldn't be so dry. This place gets busy! We showed up before opening on a Saturday and there was already a line. read more
i understand why there's a line all the time Hako is fyeeeeee omg i got the cheese tonkatsu, pork katsu w curry, chicken yakiudon and a spicy tuna roll the spicy tuna roll was rly good, the tuna was spicy and yummy, cucumber added the perfect crunch and freshness the chicken yakiudon was aight, really sweet for my liking but packed w chicken and veggies. the udon noodles were perfectly cooked, super chewy and stringy the cheese katsu was FIRE. so much cheese and perfectly ooey and gooey, cheese pulls went hard everytime bru the panko crust was soooo cronchy and crispy dipping sauce was so sexy the pork katsu was so good with the curry too all the sides that came with the katsu meals were fire; white rice, cabbage salad, miso soup, pickled radishes, SOOOOO good service was good, servers are attentive and quick. the space inside is not that big but definitely can accommodate small or big groups, as they have booths and stand alone tables read more
Begrudgingly giving 3 stars. I came here on a weekday for lunch at 1pm. The place was packed, but luckily, one table was available. It's a small place and the tables are crammed together; you practically touch elbows with whoever is sitting at the table next to you. I ordered the Hako Tonkatsu. The amount of food is a great deal for the price. Along with a large serving of tonkatsu (pork katsu), you get miso soup, rice, salad, and banchan (some sort of radish and jalapeños). The quality of the pork was superb and the crunch of the panko was right on point. I've had many, many plates of tonkatsu over the years, both here in the U.S. and Japan, and this rates highly, made perfectly. I'm not usually a huge fan of miso soup but this one was really good; I loved it. The rice was excellent and the salad was standard but bright & fresh. As a sauce guy, the importance of a good katsu sauce is imperative in making a tonkatsu meal perfect. When I tried the sauce served with this meal I thought - they've got to be kidding. It tasted like a version of Thousand Island dressing. I looked at other tables (2 inches away) who had the same meal and they were dipping into the same container so it was no mistake. Apparently, this is their version of katsu sauce and it was nothing like any katsu sauce I've had in my life. This was an embarrassment to the world of katsu sauce. It disappointed me and honestly destroyed the entire tonkatsu experience. I guess the five-star reviewers like this sauce but just don't know what proper katsu sauce is. I don't want to be a crybaby and give too low a rating as everything else was exceptional, but I'd never ever go back here nor recommend it. Would easily been 5 stars if they had any clue. read more
Came on a Tuesday night and the wait was about 20 mins even though we were quoted 40 so not too bad. There's plenty of parking as well. There isn't a lot of seating inside but it is clean and doesn't feel too cluttered. Food wise, the gyoza is good but tastes like it is from a Costco bag. The chicken katsu was good but a little too thin for my taste. Wish it was a bit crispier. Overall, good spot with huge portions so I would come back. read more
1 month ago
I never really craved katsu until I ate at Hako and now it's a regular in the rotation (expect a wait because it's a go-to option for a lot of other folks)! I always get the Hako Tonkatsu and if I feel like splurging, I'll upgrade to the Curry Tonkatsu. The katsu is fried to perfection and the set comes with rice, salad, radish, and soup - just an fyi that they don't include the soup if you order takeout, which is kind of a bummer. read more
Nothing but great things to say about this place, quality of food, and service! It gets quite busy so make sure to have a resie, show up early to get in the waitlist, or be prepared to order to go. Cheese tonkatsu - fried but airy, not too greasy, cheese compliments the pork loin without being to overpowering, pork loin was juicy, sesame sauce was delicious, cabbage salad had ample yet flavorful dressing, miso soup and rice were great pairings aging with the pickled veggies. I would get this again and again read more
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
2 months ago
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
20 days ago
guys... my fiancé loves katsu and he says he would truly d word for this place bc he loves it SOOO much!! like WOW. and ofc i mean that as the highest compliment!!!! hako is tucked away in an irvine center that has tons of parking, but it can still be pretty packed so keep that in mind! the restaurant itself isn't too large either, so the wait times can be high if you don't get there outside of peak hours. they do have a yelp waitlist though, so utilize it!! the restaurant is always clean and in order, and service is always so quick, kind, and on top of it. here's what we tend to order: - hamburg beef katsu: my meat of choice will always be beef, and the beef katsu here is SO juicy and flavorful. it's my favorite and i dream about it LOL - hire katsu: my fiancé's choice! a nice pork katsu, it's always cooked to perfection, nice and tender, and just wow.. NO NOTES. on top of the katsu itself, the salad is always delicious (love the dressing!), miso soup is heartwarming, i love the pickled onions/jalapeños and radish, and the DIPPING SAUCE??? i need the recipe!! ok i'm done but pls just know: LOVE THIS PLACE DOWNNNN. will be back soon!!!! :-) read more
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
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
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
my boyfriend and i decided to go during our lunch break...good thing we went early to put our names down before clocking out for lunch since the wait was about 55 minutes on a monday but once we were seated and ordered our food, it came out in about 10 mins which was really fast! both the chicken and pork katsu were so yummy and cripsy and i really enjoyed their homemade katsu sauce! it had a nice tangy flavor to it. the sides were also really good my only complaint would be that my rice seemed to be overcooked or had too much water since it was pretty mushy. other than that everything was delicious and if you order dine-in you get a free miso soup which is nice! would definitely come again (but make sure to come before ur hungry because there will be a wait) read more
This restaurant is suuuuper popular & you can only join the Yelp waitlist in-person (they don't accept any reservations!!) My party waited for a little over an hour to be seated. In complete honesty, it was nice to try this once, but I don't think that it was worth the wait. It's nice that all katsu dishes are served with rice, salad, and miso soup, however, the taste was average. Staff were nice and service was relatively quick considering the entire restaurant was packed. read more
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
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
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
3 months ago
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 gets a little forehead kiss and a goodnight every night. We've been to Hako more times than I'd like to admit over the last year, and we've never had a bad experience. The positives about Hako! They're quick. Once your order is in, your food will be out shortly after. The quality of the food always feels fresh. Portion sizes are huge, so come hungry or be ready to leave with left overs. Only downside is the location size. We've only been sat immediately once, and that was around 1:00pm, so be prepared to join the wait list once you arrive. However! We've never waited longer than 35 minutes. They close at 9:00pm, and will cut off the wait list around 8:00 if it's busy, so give yourself ample time to visit. Main plates: - Chicken Katsu is the best. Perfect crisp, chicken is juicy, and I love the katsu sauce. My girlfriend enjoys getting spicy curry on the side with it. I always want to try their others, but it's hard to stray from the chicken. - Nabeyaki Udon is soooo yummy. Broth is flavorful, noodles perfect chew to it, I definitely get lost in it a bit when I have it. Sushi: - Tiger Dragon Roll is my go to if I order sushi. I've had many of their rolls, but this is the best in my opinion. Appetizers: - Potato Croquette, I dream of you every day and constantly think of the next time we meet xoxoxo please order these - all their tempura!!!!! - Gyoza is gyoza. I feel it's the same at most places, but if you want a familiar and comfortable appetizer, get yourself gyoza - Miso soup my beloved, so full of sodium, but so full of happiness! I love their miso soup. read more
Hako is a restaurant that specializes in katsu. They have various plate options like pork, curry, chicken, fish, cheese, etc. I just got the original Hako Tonkotsu, and it's honestly one of the best katsus I've had in OC. Katsu is not greasy/heavy at all. Portions are large. I highly recommend this place. Place does get really busy, and sometimes, waitlist gets long to the point that I think it may be more worth to get katsu at the Hmart food court for very slightly worse quality but better value. read more
3 months ago
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
This is my new favorite place for a tonkatsu meal!!! Tonkatsu was huge, perfectly crispy, and not dry at all. The meal came with rice, salad, pickled veg, and miso soup. The sauce for the tonkatsu was deliciously savory. We waited about an hour and a half on a Wednesday night. The food came out fairly quickly after we ordered and was so worth the wait. Casual ambiance. I wish they had a larger space though as it would help alleviate the long wait times probably. I'm no stranger to waiting for food though, and this place definitely lives up to the hype. read more
2 months ago
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
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
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
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
5 months ago
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
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
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
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
5 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
soooo delish and large portions. shared the cheese pork between two ppl and it was the perfect amount! loveee hako for their special katsu sauce. it has a tangy flavor. perfect amount of cheese paired with the pork katsu. the salad w dressing balances the meal well as well as the miso soup read more
2 months ago
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
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
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
Page 1 of 50
More info about Hako
4790 Irvine Blvd
Ste 103
Irvine, CA 92620
Directions
(714) 389-4202
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.hakoirvine.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Hako Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Hako
Is this place Japanese or Korean owned?
It is Korean-owned. I once interviewed here and the owner was Korean.
I was wondering, what type of dressing is used on the cabbage salad? Thanks!
I believe thousand island
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
81 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
11 months ago
2 years ago
8 months ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
5 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
8 years ago
3 years ago
Hako - sushi - Updated July 2026
Best of Irvine
People found Hako by searching for…
Browse Nearby
BEST of Irvine, California Restaurants near Hako
BEST of Irvine, California Coffee near Hako
BEST of Irvine, California Things to Do near Hako
BEST of Irvine, California Desserts near Hako
BEST of Irvine, California Parking near Hako
BEST of Irvine, California Omakase near Hako
BEST of Irvine, California Ramen near Hako
BEST of Irvine, California Dinner near Hako
Browse Brands
Related Searches in Irvine, CA
Authentic Izakaya Dining Experiences in Irvine, California
Best Chirashi Bowl Spots in Irvine, California
Best Japanese Steakhouse Experiences in Irvine, California
Best Karaage Chicken Dishes in Irvine, California
Best Places for Curry Udon in Irvine, California
Best Places for Tsukemen in Irvine, California
Best Places to Enjoy Curry in Irvine, California
Best Shabu Dining Options in Irvine, California
Best Teriyaki Chicken Meals in Irvine, California
Best Tonkotsu Ramen Spots Around Irvine, California
Delicious Soup Spots to Try in Irvine, California
Discover All You Can Eat Sushi Spots in Irvine, California
Discover Authentic Sukiyaki Dishes in Irvine, California
Discover Delicious Chicken Katsu Curry in Irvine, California
Discover Delicious Noodle Soup Options in Irvine, California
Discover Delicious Okonomiyaki Near Irvine, California
Discover Fresh Vegan Sushi Near Irvine, California
Discover Japanese BBQ Restaurant Choices in Irvine, California
Discover Tonkatsu Ramen Options in Irvine, California
Enjoy Authentic Tempura Dishes in Irvine, California
Enjoy Cold Soba Noodles Favorites in Irvine, California
Enjoy Conveyor Belt Sushi Dining in Irvine, California
Enjoy Crab Rangoon Appetizers in Irvine, California
Enjoy Delicious Japanese Lunch Specials in Irvine, California
Enjoy Delicious Noodles in Irvine, California
Enjoy Flavorful Curry Rice in Irvine, California
Enjoy Fresh Soba Noodles Near You in Irvine, California
Enjoy Gluten Free Sushi in Irvine, California
Enjoy Sushi Lunch Special Deals in Irvine, California
Enjoy the Best Pad Thai in Irvine, California Today
Experience Authentic Omakase Dining in Irvine, California
Experience Flavorful Asian Fusion Cuisine in Irvine, California
Experience Japanese Fusion Cuisine in Irvine, California
Explore Sushi Party Platters Offered in Irvine, California
Explore Top Vegan Ramen Spots in Irvine, California
Fast and Fresh Sushi Delivery in Irvine, California
Find Bento Boxes Available in Irvine, California
Find Delicious Vegetarian Sushi Options in Irvine, California
Find Savory Salmon Teriyaki Meals in Irvine, California
Find Sushi Outdoor Seating Near You in Irvine, California
Find Top-Rated Sushi Buffet Spots in Irvine, California
Find the Best Cold Noodles in Irvine, California
Find the Best Dipping Ramen in Irvine, California
Find the Best Katsudon Restaurants in Irvine, California
Find the Best Musubi in Irvine, California Today
Find the Best Nigiri Sushi in Irvine, California
Find the Best Sushi Lunch Options in Irvine, California
Find the Best Sushi Rolls in Irvine, California Today
Browse Articles
People who viewed Hako also viewed
Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori
486 reviews
$$
Menya Hanabi - The Original Nagoya Mazesoba
718 reviews
$$
Waka Sakura
250 reviews
Kagura
457 reviews
$$
TANAKAYA
875 reviews
$$
Yoo's Place
597 reviews
$$
Takumi Sushi
603 reviews
$$
Kaju Soft Tofu Restaurant
515 reviews
$$
dPot Unlimited
582 reviews
$$$
Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Irvine
1035 reviews
$$