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    Izakaya Osen

    4.3 (2.1k reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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    Recommended Reviews - Izakaya Osen

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    Miso Black Cod
    Mareeya T.

    Never thought I'd come back for the miso soup, but here we are. It's easily the best miso soup I've ever had. A rich, seafood-based broth with an incredible depth of umami. It was so good that I found myself trying to decipher the recipe and figure out how to recreate it at home. You really can't go wrong with any of the nigiri selections here, but the toro was the standout of the night. If you were looking for a sign to order it, this is it. Rich, buttery, and incredibly tender. While this particular cut wasn't the melt-in-your-mouth smooth toro you sometimes get, it had a slightly more fibrous texture. It was still packed with flavor and didn't take away from the overall experience. It was also my first time trying the miso black cod, and unfortunately it was a bit underwhelming. I even checked with a friend who had ordered it here before because I was expecting the usual crisp, caramelized exterior with a delicate, flaky center. This version felt more baked than seared, which left it lacking some of the texture and contrast I was hoping for. What truly elevated the experience was the service. The staff was exceptionally attentive throughout the meal. One detail that stood out was our server remembering a preference we mentioned while our friend had stepped away, then thoughtfully bringing it up again when she returned so she could make her selection. Small touches like that make a lasting impression and show a genuine level of care that's hard to find.

    Rock Shrimp Tempura
    Shirley W.

    We made a reservation for Friday night 7pm and there was quite a lot of people already for an Izakaya joint! Although, it's funny everyone mainly comes for the sushi rather than the izakaya food. Love the interior! Modern, sleek, and minimalistic. The restaurant was a lot bigger than I thought since there's patio seating. Parking here is shared with a business complex, which they offer your 2 hr free with validation. If over, it would have been $1.50 per 15 minutes (from what I remembered). Service was also friendly and efficient! We got to order the rock shrimp tempura, omakase bowl, miso crab salmon, maguro kajime, and the soy garlic edamame. Orders came out pretty quickly! We actually got the rock shrimp tempura first, which this one was pretty nice for the first few bites. Then it was me realizing that the batter was really hard, which I feel like this should be called rock hard shrimp haha. The flavors were good though! The soy garlic edamame came next, which this one was really nice! The soy garlic gives it a nice sweet touch. They also give a good amount. Then came the maguro kajime, this one was really good! Fish was really fresh and everything was so soft. Then came the miso crab salmon, this one was my favorite! Flavors tasted really good fused together, also very soft and fresh! The omakase bowl came last, which definitely was pretty nice. Everything was really fresh and it was nice they offer you seaweed so you can make your little hand rolls with it. The sea trumpet seaweed was really unique, although, I wasn't really a big fan of it after having so much it because it's tasted very oceanic. Actually, the whole omakase bowl tasted really oceanic, which is pretty nice, but personally for me it was too much haha. Everything was really good though! My least favorite may be the rock shrimp tempura, but my favorite was the miso crab salmon.

    Wen Wen C.

    Found my new favorite sushi spot in Costa Mesa. We did the $100 Mother's Day omakase and I was blown away by the value. Every course was delicious and the fish quality was top-tier. Beyond the freshness, I loved the creative touches--they clearly put a lot of thought into the garnishes and sauces. The service was attentive, and the restaurant has a great energy. For $100, this felt like a steal compared to other high-end omakase spots in OC. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented.

    Maki
    Katie B.

    Finally tried out this place after friends' recommendations. It's tucked in an industrial plaza with an attached parking structure. So parking was easy to find (at least on a Tuesday during lunchtime rush) and they do validate. Ambiance is 100: modern, clean, upscale. Staff was friendly and helpful and food came out in perfect timing. We all ordered the sashimi and sushi Hachi Mori and it did not disappoint. First course was miso soup, and maki roll (option for hand roll too), then the main course of 6 sashimi pieces and 6 nigiris. Fish was fresh and seasoned well. I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars because the pieces and flavoring didn't wow me. Portions could be bigger too. Lychee martini was on point, coulda had 3 more of those if I didn't have to drive.

    Fresh M.

    Validate your ticket they are faced outside by street on corner. Ambiance intimate and modern. Service was great! Great recommendations by the waitress. Mostly got the Salmon n crab n yellowtail. My margarita was strong. Def a good date night spot. Or just for friends group they have private rooms.

    $80 premium chirashi
    Janice T.

    Izakaya Osen in Irvine is my go-to spot to kick off my Disneyland vacations. The reservation system on Yelp makes it easy to book a table and the parking validation makes parking a non-issue. The ambience is pretty cozy. We've sat at the sushi bar and it was cool watching the sushi chefs assemble rolls and nigiri. The tables offer more space for food and the patio has heat lamps so seating outside isn't an issue. There's small private rooms for larger parties that looked great. I'm not a big omakase/nigiri fan so I stick to the rolls and appetizers but my friend frequently orders the raw fish. My go-tos are either the Fresh Roll (if I want something lighter) or the Rainbow Roll. For appetizers, the tuna pringles are good but a bit pricey. The only dish I've tried and wasn't a big fan of is the Japanese Rib-Eye Steak Tobanyaki (sauce was too sweet and the steak was a little overcooked). Service is always pleasant. This last visit, our waitress (unfortunately I forgot her name!) was particularly awesome. When my friend asked her about the 6 piece omakase, she admitted that she normally doesn't recommend that people order it because of the portion size. We appreciated her honesty and her recommendations. We decided to try the pork belly kushiyaki per her suggestion (it was delicious) and my friend went with the 8 piece omakase (it ended up being the perfect amount). The food came out at a nice pace though there was a bit of a wait for the omakase (we were told ahead of time that it would be around a 20 minute wait). Everything tasted great and the waitress even threw in a free matcha cake dessert since "she was feeling nice." I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a nice dinner and fresh, high quality sushi. This was my third visit and I'll continue to support this establishment. I'll have to be more strategic to make sure I'm hungry enough to order their hot pot rice bowls next!

    Premium Sashimi Hachi Mori
    Abigail J.

    Still 5 stars after coming back a year later. This time, i had the Toro + Uni bowl and Monkfish liver nigiri. Ah so fresh and melts in your mouth. For drinks, Matcha Highball was so refreshing! Such a great atmosphere to dine in, staff are very accommodating.

    Omakase bowl
    Candyce P.

    OMG Hands down the best sushi I've had in OC! I've had this place bookmarked for years and finally got the opportunity to go -- it did not disappoint. We came on a Sunday for lunch and there was no wait. The restaurant itself had ambient and dim lighting. The fish here is so fresh and the flavors of each dish melded perfectly together. The seasoning on the rice was so good too, it had the perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and saltiness. And the temperature of the rice paired well with the raw fish. Every dish we had was 10/10 and I would 100% come back!! It is totally worth the price. This might be my favorite restaurant in OC now! What we ordered: - Osen roll - Miso crab salmon - Omakase bowl - Premium chirashi

    Cool bartender
    Felix Y.

    This was my first time trying this sushi spot, and I was a little unsure at first, but I'm glad I gave it a try. I came in for dinner and was told the wait would be about 20 minutes, so I sat at the bar and ordered a quick appetizer and a beer. The bartender, Steeve, was great. He explained how everything works and recommended some popular items on the menu. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere is quiet with a nice, dim setting. I will definitely be back

    Beef tongue
    Megan O.

    Came here cause I was craving skewers and wanted to try a new place. The cuts of meat were pretty big, but I thought the overall yakitori skewers were bland and a bit dry. The soft shell crab was crispy and cooked well. It didn't come with the typical ponzu sauce, which I think is better. The rock shrimp had extra crunchy bits to mimicking rock texture I think, I would thought it would taste better with more sauce. Flavor was great just not enough. Service was okay, but they're busy. And it's a pretty casual spot to hang out with friends. Kind of small restaurant so better to booked ahead online just in case. Parking lot is small, so might take sometime to find street parking on a weekend.

    Michael Y.

    Was able to return to another one of my favorite sushi spots for OC restaurant week. They had a special 8 course menu for $150 that looked too good not to try. It did not disappoint. The premium sashimi and nigiri course were outstanding. They have the fresh grated wasabi if you need it but honestly, the fish stood out by itself. Loved the ankimo/uni/scallop with truffle too. They were busy on this Friday night but it gave the ambiance a good energy. They also gave us a fried calamari to apologize for one of our courses running behind. Wasn't necessary but it was delicious. Servers were efficient

    Fern H.

    I had a fantastic experience at Izakaya Osen and would absolutely give it 5 stars. We went for their Restaurant Week / omakase-style offering, and overall it delivered serious value. In Orange County, spots operating at this level of quality and presentation are usually priced noticeably higher, so the cost here felt very fair for what you're getting. It's one of those places where you leave feeling like you didn't get ripped offwhich is rare in the high-end sushi scene around here. The meal itself was excellent across the board. Everything was fresh, well-executed, and thoughtfully plated. The standout for me was definitely the salmon belly and the otoro--both were incredibly rich, buttery, and just melted in your mouth. Those bites alone made the experience memorable. I ended ordering an extra Otoro after the fixed menu had concluded. The tuna was from Spain and it was absolutely delectable. Aggressive Italian HAND GESTURE worthy. If I had one small critique, it would be that I wish there was a bit more variety in the sashimi or nigiri portion of the omakase. It was high quality, no doubt but a slightly broader selection would've taken it to the next level. That said, the overall experience, flavor, and value easily outweigh that minor note. Great food, solid pricing for the OC market, and a spot I'd confidently recommend to anyone looking for a quality sushi experience in Irvine.

    W. Maria K.

    This place is hands down the best sushi restaurant in OC! And thats a bold statement! Perfect for date nights, celebrations, quick lunch, pretty much any occasion! This is me and my boyfriend's favorite spot! We loved it so much we gift our friend a gift card so they can come and try it out! The Food: everything here is delicious! We have not ordered anything and left disappointed because everything was so good! The detailing of everything! Chef's kiss! The Service: everyone here is super attentive, friendly, even when they're extremely busy. The Parking: parking structure with free validation. Super easy to find parking.

    Omakase: Chawanmushi (Japanese steamed egg custard, grated black truffle, charcoal unagi, salmon roe)

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    1 month ago

    It was super good quality food and it tasted amazing! service was a little slow but wasn't a big problem it was fairly busy that night

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    Izakaya Osen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Izakaya Osen

    Is corkage available with fee? If so, is whiskey allowed? Thank you.

    You might have to call the place, although there's no guarantee you'll talk to anyone who actually knows.… Read more

    Do you allow dogs?

    We are friendly dogs

    Do they do anyfor birthday?

    Matcha cake with ice cream

    Banquet room for 60?

    For 60. I don't think so

    Do you offer a full bar?

    Yes we have hard liquor

    Is kid welcome?

    I don't see why not, although the restaurant gets pretty packed so maybe go before the rush.

    Is there tatami style seating here?

    No, but there are private side rooms for groups.

    Do you have omakase?

    No, however we do have course menu for a party of 16 or more. Thank you

    Is this place Japanese owned or Korean owmed?

    Korean owner.

    All u can eat?

    I am sorry. We are not all u can eat.

    What time is Happy Hour? I heard they have one but don't see details listed on their website.

    Are the rooms for a party of 6 or more do they charge you for it?

    No you can make reservations. But we cannot guarantee room. Please call restaurant request please

    Do you have any booths?

    We do have semi private rooms but we don't have a booth seating

    Are outside birthday cakes allowed? If so, do you charge a cake cutting fee?

    Yes, we do take birthday cakes with no extra charge

    For dress atire, is casual clothing okay? Also, is omokase still an option?

    I wouldn't go w a cutoff or straight from the beach, but I think nicer jeans and a tshirt is ok, it's probably about half and half there in terms of business attire and regular/nicer clothes!

    Is there parking for the restaurant?

    Yes, you may park at the attached parking structure and the restaurant will validate parking.

    Can they accommodate for a gluten allergy?

    Do you have non-dairy dessert option yet?

    Unfortunately they don't at this time

    I need a quieter spot in your restaurant for a lunch meeting. I see that you have private rooms. Are those available for reservations during lunch? (party of 4)

    Yes. You need to reserve them.

    How is the restaurant with food allergies? My allergy is a less common ingredient in Japanese food.

    Hello Jennifer, can you please clarify your question?

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    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining

    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    Came a little before opening time on a weekday and there was already a line forming outside. Small…read moreparking lot to the sides of the building. Cozy izakaya with limited seating and good food! Food comes out super fast and service is nice. Favorite bites were: - Yellowtail sashimi: wasn't on the menu but it's very nice. Literally melted in my mouth. - White truffle corn: I love anything corn and really liked the tempura take! Subtle truffle aroma on the batter is very nice. - Soft shell crab: very crispy and soft! - Pork ear with chives: a cold dish with a miso paste marinade. Reminds me of a Korean fermented soybean dish. - Habuya soba: thicker noodles than ramen, deep porky broth. The pork in this is really well braised. Beer is served in cold glasses! Great food, definitely will be back.

    Recently discovered this place and OMG, how did I not know until now?! This place is literally like…read more10mins from me. lol We came here for dinner on a weekday and there was a wait. Maybe 30mins or so. I understood the reason why after we got seated, it's because the place is tiny!! The food here is pretty legit. I can't recall a single bad dish, I think everything either was from "ok" to "delicious". We had: Fried squid legs clam chowder croquette pork soba fried soft shell Crab scallop carpacio Salmon carpacio And some purple yams dish... Everything was good. I'd definitely come back, but probably not go on a weekend cause I suspect the line will be ridiculous.

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    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining
    Chicken wings
    Chicken wings
    Purple Yam

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    Purple Yam
    Izakaya Hachi - Costa Mesa

    Izakaya Hachi - Costa Mesa

    3.9
    (537 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$

    I feel a little torn giving Izakaya Hachi 4 stars instead of 5 because this has long been my…read morefavourite izakaya in Orange County. The restaurant itself is stunning. The space has a very modern Japandi aesthetic with sleek wood accents, Scandinavian minimalism, and a semi-open kitchen concept that lets you watch the chefs working over the binchotan grill and preparing sushi. It creates an atmosphere that feels elevated. Service was attentive, friendly, and professional throughout the meal. My hesitation comes from the menu. Compared to previous visits, it felt like the selection had been reduced quite substantially while prices have continued to climb. That's not to say the food wasn't excellent. Every dish we ordered was well-executed and delicious. I just found myself missing some of the variety that made me fall in love with Izakaya Hachi in the first place. Pork Cheek (10/10) - My favourite dish of the night. The presentation is deceptively simple, but the flavors are incredibly complex. Every component on the plate complemented the others perfectly. I can't believe I've visited so many times without ordering this. Beef Tongue (7/10) - I absolutely love beef tongue, and this was cooked perfectly. It was tender and flavourful. My only issue was that it arrived a little colder than room temperature, which took away a bit of the magic. Oysters (10/10) - Super fresh and paired well with the grated daikon, ponzu, and green onion. Uni & Wagyu (9/10) - Again, so simple but yet a perfect pairing of ingredients. Definitely on the pricier side, but worth it.

    Nice staff, ambience was nice…read more They let you select your sake cups We ordered skewers platter -decent nothing spectacular Grilled ribeye ponzu - not overcooked was nice and tender Oysters Standard Uni wrapped in Wagyu -nice blend very flavorful would ordered again Jodori egg omelette -not too sweet, very delicious Shabu Broth was the perfect blend, better than some standalone Shabu restaurants in the area

    Photos
    Izakaya Hachi - Costa Mesa
    Mentaiko Potato Salad (ポテトサラダ)
    Mentaiko Potato Salad (ポテトサラダ)
    Crispy Mayo Shrimp (海老マヨ )

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    Crispy Mayo Shrimp (海老マヨ )
    HONDA-YA Tustin

    HONDA-YA Tustin

    4.0
    (3.6k reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    This place is a fantastic hole in the wall…read more 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.

    I purchased my 2020 Honda HR-V brand new and currently have only 64,000 miles on it. The vehicle…read moredeveloped a transmission problem that appears to be related to the CVT issues that many HR-V owners have reported. Honda extended the warranty for certain CVT transmission defects, yet my claim was denied. I am extremely disappointed that a major transmission issue occurred at such low mileage and that Honda has not provided coverage. I chose Honda because of its reputation for reliability, but this experience has been frustrating and costly. Based on my experience, I would not recommend Honda and would consider other manufacturers, such as Toyota, for future vehicle purchases. I hope Honda reevaluates how it handles customers facing known transmission issues.

    Photos
    Samurai
    Samurai
    Skewers (yakitori)
    Skewers (yakitori)
    【Spring special】
Vegetables Tempura w/curry salt $7.95
Cooked Bamboo shoots w/seaweed and dried bonito   $4.50

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    【Spring special】 Vegetables Tempura w/curry salt $7.95 Cooked Bamboo shoots w/seaweed and dried bonito $4.50

    Izakaya Osen - sushi - Updated June 2026

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