Ever since Kitayama closed we've been looking for a sushi bar that could match our experiences there, so we were excited to hear that two of their former sushi chefs are now at Kakurega. Our experience dining there tonite was excellent. We ordered numerous different sushi items and each one was carefully prepared and exceptionally fresh. My only frustration with the dining experience was that the sushi bar is currently closed and we ended up at a table too far away to watch our sushi being made. The wait staff were attentive and everything was served efficiently. We will be back soon! read more

Hidden Gem! Wow we didn't think this place was open anymore for years . We went bye 2 weeks ago & it's our new fav go to! Sushi is awesome & staff is great. Perfect neighborhood place to walk to! read more

Kakurega - Deliciousness - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

A hidden treasure ! favorite sushi place ever , authenticity and quality product always read more

Kakurega - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Was not sure what to expect from a tapas joint but they have an individual menu along with an omakase. Was quoted $60-$70 for the chef special but ended up being $80. Tried (13) fish and the highlight was the three types of tuna but otherwise everything else was standard fare (amberjack, salmon, shrimp, uni, eel, mackerel) but not other standouts. The fish is fresh and the service is quick. Would come back for the individual menu next time. read more

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I'm surprised I never knew of this place! My sister in law wanted to go here when she was visiting from out of town. Upon first impression, it looks very divey. Once you walk in, it's cute and cozy. The hostess was friendly, but you could tell they're busy! We made a reservation and we waited 5 minutes for our table to be ready which was great! Our server was great! For drink- we got a sake sampler, unfiltered sake, and plum wine- all so delicious and different. The plum wine is more on the sweeter side. For food- We started off with the kanpachi and halibut carpaccio which were so so fresh, delicate, and delicious. We also got the crispy tuna; the rice was so crunchy which we all appreciated. We also got the hamachi collar and it was cooked to perfection; probably one of my favorites of the night. It is a must! For our sushi, we ordered the seared salmon (so buttery and melts in your mouth, we had to have seconds!!!), yellow tail, scallops ( another must order!!!- so delicious), and the uni of course is just a delicacy in its kind- definitely a must! We also got the fried calamari which comes over a bed of lettuce and tomatoes - I must say I was very impressed. It's not your typical fried calamari that's just basic. This is tasty and flavorful! The toro is quite delicious also! We were so full we couldn't order dessert, but we will definitely be back! read more

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Heating lamps but they're not super strong so just bring a jacket. Wow, the food here is top notch. We pretty much ordered endless amounts of nigiri, some hand rolls, the agedashi tofu, and some other appetizers. Probably the best sushi I've had in Orange County hands down. I can't really tell what my favorite dish was - just go all nigiri and grab a couple appetizers. read more

Kakurega - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We (party of 3) went out for quiet dinner... It was not a good dining experience for us that night. Sushi quality was less than stellar because the rice was dry. I didn't like that about the sushi. The rest of the night was drowned out by loud and boisterous patrons high on alcohol. We cut our dinner short to get out of the restaurant when the noise level was way too loud for any conversation. This restaurant is very small and intimate and not well suited for large crowd who's pumped on alcohol. Although the night was total loss for us; we would like to acknowledge our appreciation for our wait staff who provided excellent customer s read more

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Great food and great service, all staff is super helpful and attentive. All the sushi was great read more

This is our favorite sushi spot! The sushi is excellent quality, the servers are kind, and it has a relaxing ambiance.

Kakurega meaning hideaway Small Japanese izakaya stile restaurant Taste good but need little bit more menus. Last time we went there they have super quality Honmagulo they have and good reasonable price. read more

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Our favorite sushi place in Orange County - it's small but the food quality is amazing and the price reasonable. The service is quick and everyone is friendly. Its a bit of a hole in the wall, but it's so yummy :) read more

After staying in the house for many weeks and doing the home cooking thing, I had an itch for some quality sushi. With the epidemic ongoing, I also felt like it would be nice to show some love to the restaurants that have been hit during this ongoing depression. Tried take out here and it was top notch. I ordered the 8 piece Omakase for 2, along with the spicy tuna w/ crunchy rice and chicken karaage. Was very happy with my order. The Omakase experience did not feel much different from eating at the bar which I have done in the past. The owners here also appear to have retained their staff - despite there being no dine-in service. I feel like this kind of behavior is commendable during such difficult times. They set an example for all small business owners, and we should applaud that type of behavior. With passionate chefs and food that reflects their love, this one gets an easy five stars. read more

Kakurega now occupies the space of Sushi Island. It is quite a departure from the other sushi establishment - while Sushi Island was more Americanized roll driven, Kakurega takes more of a traditional approach. My friend and I dinnered here on a slow Friday. Expectations were low and with that said, we ordered the following: -salmon nigiri ($4.50) -yellow tail ($5.50) Fish quality was excellent - so fresh it melts in your mouth. I was also a fan of the eel nigiri ($5). It was meaty, had a nice + char to it. We also ordered based on our waiter's recommendation the three kinds roll ($13). It's a spicy tuna roll, topped with more spicy tuna + avocado. What was odd about this concoction was the drizzling of Louisiana hot sauce on top - made it taste kind of tart and out of place. The winner of the night was probably the Philly roll ($6.50). Rather than using the typical tuna + cream cheese combo, here they use a smoked salmon instead. It gives the sensation of eating something lox + cream cheese like. I was a fan. I hear great things about their omakase menu. I will definitely come back to give it a go. read more

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First time here and I think I found my spot in the OC. THE BLUE FIN TUNA AND THE OYSTERS MY GUY-STRAIGHT FIRE FLAMES. The servers are also super nice and friendly. It was my first time here and they gave me some recommendations. I'm usually a picky eater, but honestly all praise to all the items we tried. 100% one of my favorite places I've tried in the area. I'll definitely be coming back! :) read more

Visited Kakurega for the very first time. Food was good and sushi was very fresh. We thought the price was reasonable except for one. We ordered three pieces of live sweet shrimp nigiri from today's recommendation on the blackboard (which didn't show the price). When we got a bill, it was $18 per piece which we wouldn't have ordered if we knew it beforehand. We wish they made it more transparent since it was more than double the price of Uni which is the most expensive sushi on the menu. A lack of transparency was a bit of disappointment but we give them 4 stars for overall quality. read more

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Got there early on Sunday right when they opened. Ordered the standards - yellowtail, albacore, eel, sweet shrimp and a few others. Really fresh, great tasting sushi! Definitely will be back to try other items. read more

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How have we not discover this place until now?! My husband and I have tried MANY sushi joints here in the OC. My husband saw a friend of his post this place on her Facebook and shared it with me. Being the sushi lovers that we are, we had to check it out. We called in to reserve a spot on the day of and were told that no reservations were accepted for the sushi bar. We arrived about 15 minutes before opening because we wanted to make sure we could get seats. We were the first ones waiting but about 5 minutes til opening, a line started forming. Glad we came a bit earlier. We got their omakase and it was amazing. Our sushi chef was wonderful. Every cut was fresh with the perfect amount of seasoning to compliment the fish. We're definitely coming back. read more

Kakurega - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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low key non-pretentious but the best sushi quality and offerings!!! I hope they don't get too "discovered"!

Don't honor reservations. Tried to sit us outside and wasted our time. Think they would improve that service. Would give 0 star if possible.

I should have posted this sooner. I really enjoyed eating here. It reminded me of my visit to Tokyo and the experience was really fantastic. The fish was fresh and the service was fantastic. I would come back here again and again. read more

What a good name 'kakurega = hidden place' for this place. Hidden gem! We were a bit hesitant because of the mixed reviews, but, we decided to trust our gut and it didn't fail us. They were accommodating to our requests and experienced great service (note, we went on a Wed dinner hrs). There omakase fish menu weren't diverse, however, very tasty, and just-right portion. The halibut, sea urchin, and red snapper were among my favorites pieces. They did have meat option, and would've been nice to see it part of the omakase selection. Perhaps we'll try that next time. The 4 stars is because it was our first omakase sushi experience, so we can't compare with other omakase menu. read more

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This place is really amazing. The outdoor seating was bright (despite the flies, which cannot be avoided) and the service was pretty good. I came here with my mom and dad after a long day of fishing in the Back Bay and we decided to stop by and try this place, which took the location of where Sushi Island used to be. Food: All of the sushi was good, but what stood out the most was the sweet shrimp (+fried head) and the fresh sea urchin. I thought it was interesting that they also offered a miso soup shrimp head option. Maybe I'll try that next time. The umami karaage chicken was SOOO delicious, perfectly fried and crispy. The okra tempura was also delicious with the light curry flavoring. The Sapporo was good as well, it went along with everything nicely. read more

OPEN FOR TAKE OUT orders!!! Great sushi and food! Sake to GO also. Support your favorite restaurants! read more

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Been driving by this place forever and took a chance as opposed to the typical oc omakase places. Definitely a sleeper hit. The sushi was amazing and the chawamushi (steamed egg) was the most flavorful I've had in the oc sushi spots. Omakase was not on the menu but when you ask for it they just get started. I really enjoyed that they did a family sampler style of each type of fish. All sushi was dressed in specific topping or soy so no additional soy sauce was needed. The toppings were light and flattering to the fish and didn't overwhelm the natural flavor and freshness. With no big expectations this place made it to the top of our list with our first try. Will go back and test consistency but will most definitely be going back. read more

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Amazing sushi! By far the BEST local sushi place we have found in all of OC! If you're local or visiting you must try, you will not regret it. The service is friendly and fast! :) read more

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This is definitely a hidden gem. And when I say hidden, it is in an older little strip mall with a skate shop and Circle K. Don't be scared away, because this place is one of the best sushi bars in the OC. I have been coming here since they opened and the quality has just gotten better, but it always has been excellent. I have never had one funky fish. The owners work the magic at the sushi bar, the service is great and the staff will become your best friends. I love this place and it is now my go-to sushi shop! The kitchen items are also awesome, try the NYC steak it is amazing. Whenever my friends come to visit, this is definitley the first stop. The only thing I can complain about is maybe add some more rotating fish to the menu (one or two per 2 weeks) and please bring back the Asahi draft (I know it is pricey). That's it, now I have probably ruined it and the lines will be out the door the next time I come. Oh well, I guess I can make it in on Mondays??? Thanks guys, you are the best! read more

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Food was delicious and service was very friendly and attentive. Mom and pop shop vibes and will definitely become a regular. Great spot!

I've been here a couple times now and I like that Kakurega serves fresh, high end sushi at not-so-high-end prices. Definitely go for all the fish (I don't really do rolls so can't really comment on those) as well as...wait for it....the chicken karaage. Definitely one of the best versions I've ever had. The service is pretty decent with just one of the servers that sort of has an attitude. I recommend doing the sushi bar whenever available though you'll find the sushi chefs aren't so very talkative/engaging. Or maybe it was just us! On one of our visits, we saw people talking at the bar non-stop and it definitely affected the productivity of the sushi chefs so we breathed a quiet sigh of relief when those people finally left. (FYI, the restaurant staff does not turn down booze.) I also suggest doing the omakase. If you're still hungry at the end, they'll ask you if you want anything else and just charge accordingly. As of yet, haven't really gone wrong with anything we've ordered/eaten so ... check it out! If this place weren't so far away from home, I'd be a regular here (and then maybe the chefs and I can be friends.) read more

Now open for lunch!!! I would totally recommend this place to anyone who enjoys fresh fish. Two sushi men who has been doing this for years have come together have set up a great place to enjoy sushi and sashimi. They just opened up a great place to enjoy an awesome experience. You have to come and experience this. You will not be dissatisfied. I guarantee it. The name literally means a hidden jam. You are missing out if you are doing anywhere else. Come early and sit at the bar and they will take care of you if you tell them to give you whatever is good. read more

Omakase was on point both pricing and pacing. The tuna toro set was decent but some might be taken back by the slight after taste. Careful of the clam soup with the extra crunch and slightly bitter taste from the sake. Same flight made a great pairing with the sushi. Make reservations or miss out sitting inside as it tends to fill quickly and abruptly. One for the bookmark. read more

Pretty solid sushi / omakase spot. The price varies but I think it was $100ish when I went. 4/4 read more

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Quaint, elegant, relaxing, and posh. I feel so calm when I am here. The workers are so kind and welcoming. My boyfriend and I have tried other sushi places in town, but they don't compare! This place is the best. Quality fish and rice. Prices are great too. You get what you pay for. read more

I went to Newport Beach to run some errands, was hungry for a good Japanese food. My dad took me to this place he went with his friends before. The place is very clean and friendly service. Ordered some sushi, grilled red sappier cheek, sashimi lunch and chirashi lunch. All taste very good, it will be perfect if the fish size could be little bite bigger. Highly recommend this cozy and good good taste Japanese restaurant. read more

A small hole in the wall sushi restaurant. My boyfriend and I were heading to the Newport area and decided to stop by here for dinner. There were only a few other people in the restaurant. The sushi was decent, but it took forever for our food to come out. Forever. It definitely dampened our experience... I'm not sure why the food came out so slow when there weren't many other patrons. We had the yellowtail belly, yellowtail, salmon, red snapper with shishito peppers, scallop with yuzu, toro, and uni. Everything was good. I would recommend skipping the shishito peppers on the red snapper. The flavored overpowered the fish. We ended up eating them separately. The bathrooms are outside of the restaurant towards the back of the parking lot. We probably won't be back, since there are better options for us closer to home. read more

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Yummmmmmmmmm. Stop deciding, you'll be happy you came. Excellent sushi when you didn't expect it. If you stop here, you'll not be disappointed read more

This is my second time visiting Kakurega and it's still as good as my first visit. I love the freshness of their sashimi and well seasoned rice. I also love their Chawan Mushi. It's soft, very tasty filled with chunk of shrimp, fish and mushroom. The grill Kama is filled perfectly and reasonably priced ($7.50). Is highly recommend this place if you're craving for fresh sashimi and sushi. read more

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Having been to every sushi place worth a damn in Orange County multiple times I have concluded that this is my favorite. Dont @ me. Best things to get: Any nigiri Chawanmushi Akadashi Miso Good sake list for the inclined. read more

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Chef June (sorry if I spelled your name wrong) was exceptional! He def is an artist at his craft. Since it is the lent season I gave up meat and some of my friends can't even eat meat on Fridays. So lately we have been eating a lot of sushi. My bf is vegan so whenever we go out to eat he can only eat tempura rolls or edamame and drink beer until he's full. Today's experience was very different from any other place we have been to because chef actually went out of his way to do a vegan omakase for my bf. He can finally enjoy the experience with us. I love that!!! Such great customer service. Sushi itself was good and fresh! I got really full off the omakase. It is very affordable too. As I was posting my meal on my ig story everyone was asking me where Bc it looked good. Overall the experience and atmosphere was very pleasant and I will be back! read more

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Delicious sushi . The quality was top notch and the server/waitress was on top of everything. If ever in town again, I would definitely be back. read more

Small izakaya in a lonely strip mall. Very good sushi and small plates like octopus. Definitely has a local business feel with good service. read more