This place is a fantastic hole in the wall. We got lucky and walked up with no line. By the time we left there were at least 15 people waiting so plan accordingly. The food here is excellent and very reasonably priced. The yakitori skewers were as good as anywhere I've been and the sushi rolls were great as well. I especially liked their current special tuna roll and the bacon wrapped shrimp skewer. Service was attentive and friendly. Really felt like the value for portion sizes and quality was on point, especially compared to what you get in LA proper. read more

HONDA-YA Tustin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

Food - I order the oden hot pot, meatball, meatball w/cheese. Not in the picture garlic pork belly, pork belly, beef, prime beef, Japanese beef and beef udon, As you can see in the picture oden hot pot what you see in the menu is what you get. It is 6/10 for me soup was very bland, hard boiled egg yolk had a very strong scent (which maybe boiled it for too long) didn't really get full from this. The skewers are always good and delicious. I think they have changed their menu also? There were some food items I was looking for but it seems to be discounted. The server were nice enough to explain each items in the menu but we weren't assisted that quickly as it was a very busy night. The decorations are very cozy and felt like you were in a authentic Japanese restaurant they also have a place where you can sit on the floor but that takes about 40 - 2 hours. Overall experience was great! Will go back and try other items. read more

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It is a pretty well established system. Good quality sushi sashimi, good quality cooked fish good quality yakitori, good quality tempura, and lots of booze It's what I would expect out of a fully operational izakaya. This place hit the correct notes. Just a one random thing I had in mind. I been here before, many many years ago. And I been with my wife for about 14 years. And I am not sure if I came here less than 14 years or more than 14 years ago. And I kinda remember eating yakitori with another woman. But which woman did I come here with? My ex? Or my girlfriend at the time who is now my wife. I will never find out cuz I cannot bring that up in a conversation. read more

So yummy but also so busy so make sure you come early to join waitlist and find parking! There's options to sit at a table, bar, or tatami mat which I think is nice. Skewers are the star of the show here, especially the chicken skewers!! So nice and juicy! The side dishes look bigger on the menu pictures but they were pretty good. I think a good strategy is to come and just have skewers to get the most bang for your buck. Definitely coming back read more

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I absolutely love this place, and have been coming here now for about 27 years. Some of the best, if not the best, yakitori I've had in the US. The sushi and the side dishes are really good too. Oddly, I hadn't come here in about 8 years, so this review is based on my most recent visit. They don't take reservations, but they have a very efficient check in system as you walk up to the restaurant. It's almost always crowded when you come here, so bear that in mind. However, it's really worth it. Since I was alone, they were able to seat me right away at the sushi bar. Overall, I'm giving this experience a 4.5 stars. Knocking them down half a point because I was never checked on. However, they were fairly prompt in getting me whatever I needed when I flagged them down. Looking forward to my next trip out here, which will be very soon. read more

HONDA-YA Tustin - Yellowtail and salmon hand tools. Delicious and filling, - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

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It's very popular and the wait is very long. Luckily the food is good enough so it kinda deserves it? But you have to go with good friends who don't mind waiting for a good long wait and chat. Inside is packed and not so big, also there's a time limit since it's too popular, seems a little under staffed. Sashimi are very fresh, skewers are mostly good. Good spot to hangout. read more

HONDA-YA Tustin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

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Not just the yakitori--every item on the menu is solid and above average. It really feels like you're experiencing authentic Japanese flavors and atmosphere, just like dining in Japan. The draft beer is also fresh and pairs perfectly with the food. On top of that, the pricing is very reasonable for the quality you get. The only downside is the wait during dinner hours. The system feels a bit inconvenient and confusing, and it seems like the staff managing the waitlist isn't always clear on the order. Updating to a more modern system would definitely make the experience smoother. That said, when it comes to the food, it's absolutely excellent. read more

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Forever a go to on a late night I've been here like 20+ times and the service and food quality is always top tier All staff is extremely nice no matter how busy they are. read more

Tried this place while in Tustin. We got on the waitlist which on a Friday night was about 40 minutes. Not sure if they take reservations. The restaurant had ample seating and it was busy. The food came up pretty quickly. They have so many options it's hard to know where to start, since it was my first time. Next time I'll be more prepared. Everything looked amazing and smelt delicious. We had the garlic chili cucumbers. I was disappointed they weren't crunchy and didn't have much flavor. But I did love everything else. We had the Sexy Roll for sushi, mixed tempera, Hoi-Ko-Ro, Breast w/Ohba & Yuzu peppers, thigh with sauce, miso pork belly w/green onions, prime rib skirt, Japanese beef, kabocha & bacon asparagus. The portions are small but filling. The peppers in one of dishes was so hot. The waitress said it's a 50/50 chance it 's beyond hot. We enjoyed everything we had. The table we sat at was pretty small but the waitress pulled empties off the table very quickly. Waitress was great and it looked like everyone inside were pretty regular and having a great time. So definitely a plus. It does get loud inside. Yes, I'll be back. It was delicious. And yes I agree with their FOMO. It's true!! read more

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A true 10/10. Been here several times and I plan to keep coming back. Food is excellent!! There's a huge menu and I haven't had anything yet that was subpar. It's a great late night place to grab a variety of skewers or sushi. Service is always wonderful. They're so kind and attentive. The interior is also beautifully designed. Loved this place so much my husband bought a t-shirt and wears it at least once a week haha. Only downside is that there's always a line because it's SO popular, but definitely worth the wait. Highly recommend!!!! read more

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Loved the skewers! Every bite made me drool. There was something about the way they smoked the meats and vegetables that had a unique taste. I honestly just want to eat skewers the entire time. The sushi on the other hand was not good. Kind of tough to chew. Otherwise has so many menu items that it feels everyone could find something they want to eat. The location has alot of parking and the place has a cool japanese pub vibe. Definitely great for groups or dates. read more

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Haiku: Honda Ya Grilled yakitori A long-time establishment Get the chicken skin. --- Honda Ya has been a long-time and popular izakaya establishment in the OC area. It's common to see businessmen, college students, and families waiting in line to dine. It's sacrilegious if you don't get what they're known for--yakitori. Yakitori is charcoal-grilled meats or veggies on sticks and usually finished with a brush of a sweet and savory sauce. My top picks for yakitori: Chicken meatball (juicy, savory), Scallop (succulent, tender), Chicken skin (crispy, umami), Chicken thigh w/ sauce (meaty, perfectly glazed). On my recent visit, I ordered the Mixed Sashimi and add-on the set deal to include rice, miso soup, and house salad. The sashimi were thick-cuts of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and white fish. Although I enjoyed this, I didn't have much room to try more yakitori dishes. Next time, I'll focus on trying more izakaya yakitori dishes like miyazaki beef, Japanese beef, tail, and veggie skewers. This izakaya is bustling with young professionals and college students enjoying shared appetizers and beer. This place is so lively and inviting. Bring your next date or group of friends here, and they'll be impressed! Just come early to avoid the lines and crowds. read more

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Checked out Honda Ya on a week day where wait was relatively short! The workers are very kind and attentive. My favorite skewers would be the pork belly and eel. I wasn't too much of a fan of the chicken skin dumplings (I didn't like the filling). The other skewers also didn't really stand out. While it's a cute spot, I probably wouldn't return. I wasn't particularly wowed by the dishes. read more

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first time visiting this Japanese yakitori place while visiting Southern California. The food here was awesome. It was recommended to us by a friend who went on the trip who used to go there with her family while visiting. The service here was great, the ambience is a sitdown Japanese restaurant with a lot of great delicacies read more

HONDA-YA Tustin - special roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

Came over the weekend so of course there was a wait but not as long as expected. We tried a few different yakitori skewers, the favorites being prime beef and chicken with green onion. There's a large sushi roll list. The Sexy Roll was a spicy crunchy roll which we really enjoyed! The Hoi Ko Ro was a spicy cabbage dish. The flavor was good but could have gone without. The mixed tempura was a food starter, as was the Kabocha. The Kabocha came out cold, and tasted authentic. The spicy cucumbers were not good nor crunchy but not sure if that is out of the norm. read more

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We waited about 30 minutes to be seated on a Saturday at 8 pm. We sat a long table that was divided into sections depending on the number of people in your party. We ordered the pork belly and beef tongue skewers which were both pretty good. We also ordered fresh wasabi on the side to pair with it. I also tried the bluefin tuna toro sashimi which was tender and not stringy. My favorite dishes were the yaki udon, since it came on a hot plate and the noodles were al dente, and the chicken skin gyoza, a current special they were offering. I appreciated that the waitress came by often to fill our water and clear our plates. read more

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This is a very popular skewer spot but all of the food they have here is delicious. I love the noodles they use for their ramen and would highly recommend checking it out. There is almost always a wait though so try and get there early if possible. There's plenty of parking though so you don't have to worry about that. read more

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Took the drive out to Tustin as I've heard many fantastic reviews for Honda-Ya and I was not disappointed! I arrived at 5 PM on a Friday and was able to get a table for two. It truly gives off a Japanese atmosphere, along with a tatami room. The menu is expansive, with skewers, sushi, rice porridge, soups, and dessert. I was surprised at the bill at the end as it was reasonably priced for all the delicious food ordered. Huge shoutout to Isaac who was attentive and friendly. I definitely plan to return if I'm in the area! read more

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This place is popular and busy. They have Yelp wait list you can sign up for when you arrive. Wait was 30 min for party of 2 on a Sat at 530pm. Food and service was fast once seated. Most of the skewers were very good. Chicken heart and beef tongue kinda chewy. Wings don't have much meat Tempura was fried well. Cabbage miso dish was hearty. Salmon skin hand roll was too dry. Needed a sauce or something. Hamachi Kama was hot and fresh. Delicious Worst dish was Chawanmushi. Do not order. It was overcooked so much that the egg was hard and not soft and creamy at all. The fish inside was also overcooked. And there was no flavor at all! Prices are very reasonable. read more

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The service was nice and all the food was delicious! I recommend getting the garlic pork belly, chicken skin, chicken heart, chicken cartilage, and chicken tail! read more

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Happened to be in Tustin and my cousin said to try this out. We came on a Tuesday evening around 7:30 and were seated quickly. However, the restaurant was packed; people at every table! Our sever was excellent. My husband kept asking her for recommendations. Everything she recommended was excellent. There are so many options to choose from. The food was amazing! We choose a several items in the beginning and continued to order more food till we were stuffed! We had the gyoza, pork belly, Miyazaki beef, bacon tomato, calamari, crispy salmon skin salad, cucumber salad and chicken karaage. All delicious. read more

They have everything Japanese here and chef can speak Japanese too. Enjoy truly Authentic Japanese cuisine straight from the motherland of Japan right here in Beautiful old town Tustin. Lots of local favorites like the grilled chicken heart and liver and cartilage are well prepared and grilled just right by the expert hands of chef Hugo and master chef watching in the background too. Every order is made fresh to order so please be patient even when there is a huge line out the door on Sunday afternoon at 13:15 pm. Try every thing under $5 menu at the Yakitori bar with their famous drinks too. You definitely will get all your favorites here and more just be patient even. Good food and drinks take time and care especially if they got limited space in this small gourmet restaurant. Come and enjoy real soon. See y'all later and Happy Mother day next weekend. read more

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Came back and it got better . The skewers were less salty. It was more smokey which is good . Be prepared to spend when you eat here read more

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This was my second visit and wow I have to say, I still haven't tried everything on the menu, but the skewers are absolutely delicious! The service is AMAZING. Everyone is so kind, goes above and beyond, and makes sure you have everything you need right away. The ambiance is beautiful it really makes you feel like you're in Japan, and the vibes are immaculate. I also love that they offer floor seating! I tried their melon cream soda too, and it was so good -- I'd definitely order it again. read more

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I have been coming here since my high school days, and throughout my professional career it has always been an amazing spot to come back to when catching up with colleagues in a nice casual setting, both for a wholesome gathering or a late night outing with alcoholic drinks. I am very familiar with yakitori both as someone that frequents several yakitori establishments in the Orange County and Los Angeles areas, whilst also making yakitori at home myself as a fun hobby. It's always refreshing to come back to this location and try their yakitori because it is both affordable but most importantly, consistent: My favorite yakitori/kushiyaki items were the chicken thigh negima, smelt fish, chicken tail, and the meatball with cheese. Although the meatball with cheese seems quite simple, it's actually a very savory and tender bite that is both fun to eat but also very delicious and perhaps one of the few items on the menu that I actually might get a second round of. The overall experience and service has been great, although expect a very long wait on weekends, sometimes upwards of an hour. During the lunch time it's actually quite peaceful and easy to get a table especially if dining solo. Otsukaresama desu ~ read more

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Does Honda-Ya even need a review? All you have to do is drive by on any night and see the crowds waiting outside. It's been in our top 2 Japanese restaurants for over 20 years! Something for everyone. read more

Jesus did I really talk like that in 2010? Yikes. Speaking of yikes, I came here last night for dinner with a friend. We don't really go to Honda-Ya that often because let's face it, the food is just alright at best, but the atmosphere makes it worth it. My friend requested for some sriracha, ginger, wasabi, and lemon wedges. When we got the bill we were charged 50¢ for sriracha, $1.50 for ginger, and $1 for lemons we never got. Uhh, why are you charging people for condiments? The shit we got wasn't even worth the price they were charging for. A sorry puddle of sriracha and a pinch of ginger cost us that much? Gtfo. Maybe let people know beforehand. It's like running a burger joint and charging customers for every packet of ketchup you hand out. Condiments are just a cost of running a business. I'd get it if we requested EXTRA sriracha, EXTRA ginger, EXTRA lemons. Incredibly tacky. Also zero service throughout our meal last night. Water was never refilled, no one ever stopped by. Just one annoying dude who kept coming back to our table to take away our dishes while we were still working on them. Like bro, can you chill? There's literally still sashimi on my plate dude. Also the girl who took our payment was kinda rude. Definitely did not like her attitude. Anyway, was never really a fan of the place. Awful value, long waits, and mediocre food at best. Glad I have a reason to never come back. read more

Quick service and vibes in here are great! I couldn't help but look around and feel as if I were in a restaurant in Japan! Very packed so expect a wait. Food wise, I think their yakitori dishes were delicious! I truly wasn't sure what to expect but everything came out nice and hot with a flavorful punch! Their ramen is a bit small in portion size but it was good, nothing special though. I really enjoyed their rice porridge and would highly recommend to those yearning for a good soup. Overall, a pretty solid place! I just find it to be rather pricey for the portion sizes read more

Best Yakotori place in my opinion. I love the fish collar and the lamb with yuzu. Definitely will return. read more

HONDA-YA Tustin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

Love this spot, and have been here multiple times at this point. It's a great spot that is good for drinking and snacking that is open late. We always get a beer tower and hot sake and whatever food we're feeling. I'm an Ankimo Stan (monk fish liver) so loved that they had this on the menu. It is ok, but it hits the craving if you're looking for a quick fix for that (but I've had better at different spots). Personally, I love the variety of foods at Thai place. They have yakitori, they have sushi, they have hot foods. They have a Yelp waitlist that you join when you get there, and I've never waited more than 15-20 min. Love this spot and will continue to come back. read more

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I almost don't want to share how great this place is and keep it to myself. It's a local gem -- an authentic Japanese restaurant with a vast variety of menu items, from sushi, yakitori, and udon... you name it. My favorite is the grilled onigiri and anything from the grill. My husband says their udon is the best he's ever had. The sushi is always fresh and high quality. I love the authentic, charming interior and the tatami room. Service is great, too. A big thumbs up! read more

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It's still a staple place for izakaya but it just seems like they're raising prices too often. Used to recognize the servers but now it's a whole different staff every time except for the host. I will still go here once in a while but quality is definitely not the same and the prices went way up. read more

HONDA-YA Tustin - Chirashi bowl - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

Bathroom: clean, but only one bathroom. The food was authentic and the vibes were awesome. We were sitting on the bar area and wish the seat was a bit bigger because I'm thick read more

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Food, service and ambiance were all excellent and would definitely return again. Came here on a weekday around noon and there was no wait. Employees were hospitable and attentive. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs and we ordered too much yakitori for two people, but they did not go to waste & were devoured shortly after. My favorites included the beef tongue, chicken skin, tail and gizzard, and pork belly....yum! read more

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This restaurant can have a long waiting time during weekend evenings and the interiors with wooden structure give a lively vibe you would expect from a Japanese neighbor izakaya. The menu is extremely extensive but prioritizing quantity over quality. Some items (skewers) are better than others (certain appetizers) and it's somewhat a hit and miss. For example, beef tataki is flavorless and oxidized. The ankimo is straight from the pre-packaged product. It is understandable that when so many items have to be prepared, the compromise has to be made so overall I would treat it similar to Kura sushi: an approachable and down to earth place to come when you crave for Japanese izakaya but overall in short of precise execution and high quality ingredients you would envision from an authentic Japanese restaurant. read more

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I absolutely love this place! I've visited several times and finally had to leave a review. I brought my daughter and some friends, and everyone was so impressed. The food was amazing, everything we ordered was delicious and melted in your mouth. Especially The Yellowtail Belly Sashimi $19.95 was super fresh and flavorful, and the Japanese Beef $17.85 was incredibly tender. The prices are fair, and the quality is excellent. This time, we ordered a lot for just the three of us. When I got home and looked over the bill, I noticed we were charged for the Bacon Asparagus $10.50 but it was never brought to the table, that was a bit disappointing. I usually take pictures of everything that comes out because I love sharing on Yelp, and it wasn't there. We sat on chairs without back support not the most comfortable, but it was still a nice experience overall. The service was outstanding, our server was so sweet and attentive, making sure we were well taken care of. Whether you're coming with family, friends, or on a date, you'll feel right at home here. Can't wait to go back but make sure to check your bill before you leave. Be prepared for significant waits, especially on weekends and during peak dining hours and limited parking ! read more

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Was excited to try Honda-Ya as I've heard about it for years. My friend and I headed there for an early Sat night dinner. We were seated after waiting about 10 mins. Ordered the fried calamari to start and a variety of yakitori and grilled skewers. The calamari was very hard, tough, and difficult to chew. They were most definitely overcooked and possibly started out frozen with freezer burn (the squid underneath the tempura coating was the same opaque white I have seen on meat with freezer burn). Didn't finish this dish. Not a great start. The grilled skewers were also mostly overcooked, with the worst being the chicken wings (SOOO dry, tough and lacking any flavor) and the pork belly. On the opposite end, being undercooked was the kabocha squash dish - the outer edges were soft and easy to eat while the centers of each piece were hard and crunchy. We also left this unfinished. The chicken thighs with green onions, bacon wrapped enoki mushrooms, and zucchini were all just ok. Again these all lacked seasoning, even a liberal sprinkle of salt would have helped. The best of the night were the chicken meatballs - moist and flavorful, and beef with a savory glaze. I wish the other items were as nicely seasoned and cooked. Overall, we were both underwhelmed and actually disappointed in the taste of the food. For such a popular restaurant we had expected tastier and better executed food. Parking was easy at 5pm on a Sat night in their shared lot. Service was fine. Ladies take note - we didn't see anywhere we could hang or put our purses, so either expect to rest it on your lap or place it on the floor. Thought the smokey char on the grilled items was nice, all in all not a great experience. I don't think I will return. read more

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We ate at their booth at the San Diego Japanese festival at Liberty Station today and the food was soooo good! We had the yakisoba, do delicious we went back and grabbed another to bring home! The staff was amazing, friendly so helpful and energetic, literally the best. The line was long and consistent throughout the day but they got food out quickly. It was so much fun watching the staff interact with the crowd. Can't wait to check them out in Tustin!!! read more

HONDA-YA Tustin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

WOW I was very impressed with this place as I was looking for cold soba! Portion was good and the dipping sauce was very cold and yummy! The fried chicken was just a bit too oily for me; however, it was crispy and has a very well balanced taste to it! Wait can be a bit long (I waited about 40 mins before seated) tho TJE wait was worth read more

HONDA-YA Tustin - Soba - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tustin, California

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Cozy place with a mix of yakitori, ramen, sushi, and late night snacks and drinks from Japanese cuisine. Service was helpful in choosing what's good so we picked a handful of different stuff. Off to the food review! 3.9/5 - Shio Ramen - Definitely better than your average ramen, but lacking some seasoning and lacking any depth of flavor of the soup. Tastes good and will definitely satisfy any ramen craving but nothing to rave about. Egg and meat was cooked perfect and tender. 3.7/5 - Sashimi - The cuts tasted pretty good however the variety of fish I thought would be better. Display wise looks good, however it just didn't hit the same as sushi restaurants. Still decent. 4.2/5 - Beef tongue - Prob the best yakitori I had at the place. Tried other ones too but the chewiness with the amazing beefiness can't be beat. On top they add a lemon to give acidity bonus for balance. 4/5 - Chu Hi - I didn't expect much from this as I had it in the can before. They added something extra to this that complements every dish. With a small benefit of a little alcohol makes everything tasted amazing. Overall great place to hang with a bunch of people with a wide variety of different Japanese food, however no food really tops any other. Still a good night out read more

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