Kaoppi Honda hits the spot for small gatherings with friends who like to have a good time and drink beer/sake and snack on foods. Menu is huge... so many things to choose from and they are all delicious. There's usually a wait outside and I don't think they take reservations. First come first serve. When you miss Japan's yakatori!! You've got to go to Kappo Honda. Energy and vibes are all there. read more

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My friend wanted to take me to an izakaya before my trip to Japan, and I'm glad we came. There was already a line before they opened at 5 PM, but the wait for our group of four was only about 15 minutes. The restaurant is located in a large plaza with plenty of parking, which made it very convenient. I really liked the ambiance inside. They had photos of many of their dishes displayed all over the walls, which made it easy to see what they offered and helped us decide what to order. The staff was also very attentive, friendly, and welcoming throughout our meal. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. Everything we ordered was delicious, and I honestly didn't have a single complaint. One of the highlights was the beef tongue skewer--it was incredibly tender and full of flavor. Every skewer we tried was excellent, and every dish exceeded my expectations. Great food, great service, and a great atmosphere. I'd definitely come back again, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a solid izakaya experience. read more

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We visited with a large group, including kids, and everyone was able to find something they loved on the menu. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious. We also enjoyed some sake, which made the experience even more fun! The staff was friendly, attentive, and provided excellent service throughout our visit. One thing to keep in mind is that this place gets very busy on weekends. We waited about 40 minutes for a table, but it was definitely worth it. We had a great experience and would happily come back! read more

The wait is usually crazy, and we came here on an afternoon 5pm on Saturday. They have both options of yakitori and sushi. We did a little of both. The place is small but seats are tight. Not a cheap meal, but definitely a lot of options. read more

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Similarrr to honda-ya I believe! Food were great, we ordered the marinated pork, potatoes croquettes and typical soba! The soba came with slightly less soup than what I'm used to and it was a bit more bland I would say. However, noodles were bouncy! My favorite was the potstoes croquettes, it came PIPPING hot and very crunchy! read more

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Kappo Honda serves authentic Japanese cuisine with incredibly fresh, flavorful dishes that are beautifully prepared. The atmosphere is cozy, the service was friendly and attentive, and you can really tell they take pride in every detail. We can't wait to come back and try even more from the menu! read more

Kappo Honda - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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First time here. Loved their interior. Felt very traditional with the wooden furniture. Kind of feel like I was in Japan. Tried their fried calamari, yaki udon, and miso ramen. Also tried the enoki mushroom and chicken skin skewer. Fried calamari - 1/10. Terrible. Seem undercooked. Color was oddly whitish. No crunch. The picture on the menu looks tastier than the actual product. Yaki Udon - 5/10. The kind of dish that you should devour quickly while it's hot otherwise it's get very oily to eat. Miso Ramen - 8/10. The good kind of spicy. Mushroom skewer -7/10. Surprisingly tasty. Chicken skin skewer - 1/10. Not my cup of tea. Very fatty taste. read more

Kappo Honda - Fried Calamari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

The sister location to the very-loved, amazing Honda-Ya in Tustin is Kappo Honda in Fountain Valley. Izakaya done right. Inside is a smaller version of Honda-Ya boasting similar design with wood everywhere. Service was superb from our server (With blue hair!) to the runners, and have no complaints. Fast, attentive, obliging. Food is always amazing. I wish I could have gotten some Yakitori (I love Gyu tan and Chicken Hearts) but alas it was Friday during Lent. Even my favorite veggie options had pork, and I'm not a huge fan of seafood Yakitori. I opted for the Tanuki Udon. The broth was a little more light for my liking but none the less good. Sashimi options were fresh and amazing. My favorite part, as always, those frosted mugs for your beer. So cold it starts to form ice crystals on the top after you pour. Wait times can get crazy during peak hours and season, so make sure to put your name down early and be ready for a wait! read more

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Some friends and I go to a yakatori place across the street regularly. I've had several people recommend Kappo Honda, so we decided to give it a try this time for our weekly dinner get-together. The restaurant is located in a strip mall with plenty of parking available. They don't take reservations, but we only had to wait a few minutes to be seated on a Tuesday evening around 7pm. It was nice and clean inside with some Christmas decor still up. We were seated in a great cozy booth in the corner that almost felt like a private room. They have an outstanding large menu that has color pictures of every single item on the menu which makes ordering a lot more interesting. They have a great selection of sushi, sashimi, yakatori, ramen, salads, appetizers, sauces, and other food items in addition to a wide selection of drinks. We started out with the spicy seasoned jellyfish ($7.95) which I've never had before. It kind of has the chewy texture of seaweed salad with a slight fishiness and a little spice from the seasoning. We also had the 7-kind mixed sashimi plate (bluefin tuna, yellowtail, salmon, red sea bream, albacore, bonito, Hokkaido scallop, $35.95). All of the sashimi was very fresh and flavorful. The blue fin tuna and Hokkaido scallop were my favorites, but they were all very good. We usually go crazy ordering yakatori and this occasion was no exception. Our long order included chicken liver ($3.25 ea), chicken gizzard ($3.25 ea), spicy chicken skin ($3.00 ea), fatty chicken heart ($3.50 ea), Japanese beef ($7.25 ea), beef tongue (5.50 ea), pork belly ($3.50 ea), squid legs ($3.25 ea), eel ($9.00 ea), prime beef ($4.75 ea), jumbo shrimp ($4.75 ea), quail egg ($2.75 ea), galbi short ribs ($16.95), garlic pork belly ($3.75 ea), spicy lamb chop ($6.50 ea), duck ($4.50 ea), and spicy shrimp ($7.00 ea). Everything was cooked perfect and tasted great. All of the spicy skewers were definitely spicy, especially the spicy lamb chop. Our other place has some default sauces at the table which we usually use, but here we just ate all the yakatori with no sauces. The only miss was the galbi short ribs. Everywhere I've had them, they always have a similar great flavor. These were surprisingly bland, and I wouldn't order them again. Our main server Trisha was great and checked on us frequently. She quickly fulfilled all of our requests and additional orders. Yakatori dining is not cheap, but their prices are on par with other places we have been. Their large and diverse menu is great, and anybody should be able to find something they like. We will add Kappo Honda in to our regular rotation. read more

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8/10 Izikaya -I really wanted to love this place because it's such a cute spot. We were genuinely excited when we ordered, but unfortunately the food came out lukewarm. It wasn't quite hot enough, and when you go to a restaurant you expect food to be served fresh and hot. Everything we ordered was the same way, and within a minute the food was cold to the touch. It was disappointing, so next time we'll probably try the izakaya across the street instead. :( read more

Omg such a good gem around fountain valley. I've always passed but never stopped by until today. We got a bunch of skewers for such a good price and they were delicious. The scallops and oysters were also amazing as well. Service was quick and everyone was helpful. The ambiance is very cute and date like with ample seating. Also seems like a great spot for large groups as well since it's open late. read more

Kappo Honda - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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* Who: 2 adults * What: dinner * When: Saturday night * Why: random date night * Space/Decor: plenty of parking, small inside but well themed where you feel transported to another place, & more ambient lighting. There are also regular tables in the center & booths along the side. * Service: very good. The server checked on us regularly, & the food/items were brought out fast & fresh. * Food: good quality! We ordered a variety of things, which my favorites included chicken skin, Chinese sausage, pork jowl, & pork belly. We ordered some sushi which was standard, & the squid legs were yum. I was pleasantly surprised with the eel. * Final Thoughts: extensive menu, good price, & attentive service. I'm definitely interested in coming back! * Final Grade: A or 9/10 read more

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came here on a whim to satisfy our late night munchies. we were seated quickly as it wasn't too busy at night. we ordered the chicken skewers, tako wasa, the bluefin tuna, and a clam soup. all were delicious and paired nicely with a cold beer :) inside feels homey with booth seating and some tables. servers were friendly and we will be back read more

Kappo Honda - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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Like the interior with the decor - reminds me of Japan. It can be a long wait if you're going during dinner time and near the holidays. Sushi was decent with good fish but wouldn't say it's spectacular or worth the wait to be honest. I didn't get to try their skewers but it smelled phenomenal. Chicken karaage was overly salted. I'm a fan of eel so you can't go wrong with it but rice was kind of falling apart so could've been wrapped better. Good late night spot but in my opinion, the wait and quality don't match up. read more

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There are plenty of parking spaces. This place is great for socializing and snacking. They have plenty of snack items/small eats like skewers and fries. I ordered the Pork Belly w/ Garlic, Spicy Skin, and Meat Ball w/ Cheese. All the skewers were really good and good options for snack items. Recommendation(s): - Pork Belly w/ Garlic - Spicy Skin - Meat Ball w/ Cheese Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Eat the skewers when they're hot, 'cause when they cool down, it does not taste that well - Great snack menu items - Restrooms available read more

Kappo Honda - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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This place is one of my favorite izakaya spots of all time. I've been coming here for the past year and have not been disappointed. I don't even mind commuting almost an hour to dine here! Parking is spacious in their shared plaza lot. They can be a bit busy with long wait times during peak hours, however it is conveniently tracked by joining the Yelp waitlist (in-person only, unfortunately). The food is always fresh and the ambiance of the restaurant is casual and friendly. I always opt in for their enoki-pork yakitoris and meatballs with cheese (trust me on this one). The best pairing with any of their yakitoris is their yuzu dipping sauce. They have a good variety in their menu for everyone. Highly recommend! read more

Kappo Honda - Various yakitori (left to right: meatballs with cheese, asparagus and pork, pork belly, pork cheek, enoki and pork) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

I love this spot, not sure if they're affiliated with the one in Tustin but I like this spot more as it is a bit bigger/less compact? We got on the waitlist and had to wait for like 30 mins which was not a problem for us as there were stores nearby so we went to check them out. Once we were sat we got served pretty quick and enjoyed our meals! Really great food and plenty of parking read more

Came here on a Monday night with my siblings and everything was delicious! We mainly ate skewers (beef tongue, prime beef, gizzard, cartilage) and one bowl of udon to share. Skewers are perfectly cooked and well seasoned - I would say on the same level as Shin Sen Gumi. If you eat skewers alone, the meal is a bit pricey (about ~180 for 3 people) so I recommend everyone getting a ramen/udon to fill up. Beef udon was nothing special but very solid and affordable ($12). Very cute homey vibes inside - it felt like a local Japanese izakaya. Service was super fast- outside of the skewers which is understandable. Would come back for a treat-yourself dinner but definitely not an everyday type of restaurant for me personally. read more

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I am shocked we haven't been to Kappo Honda before now. We have lived in the area for a very long time, and decided to walk down for dinner. Wow, it was fantastic. Not a huge space, but cozy. We got there just after 5 pm and there was already a wait. But we were seated pretty quickly. Our server was friendly, helpful and really quick. We read the entire menu, which is a book. They have so many options. I am primarily vegetarian and they had plenty of options for me. Mr. Bee tried to decide between yakitori, sushi and all the other options. We finally settled on our dishes, and they were quick to come out. I tried a glass of the plum wine, not knowing what to expect and I actually enjoyed it and would order it again. It isn't overly sweet which I appreciated. We had edamame spring rolls, cheese fry, and I had a tofu dish that was incredible. Mr. B had eel, beef, and a scallop dish. The food was delicious, expertly prepared and we will absolutely walk back for dinner again. Kappo Honda is a neighborhood treasure that we have been missing out on for a long time. read more

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I came with a group of 4 on a Thursday night and the wait was about 40 minutes, luckily they have a ton of benches you can sit on while waiting. We decided to order a bunch of things to share and luckily everything came out fairly quickly as we were all pretty hungry after the wait. The skewers all tasted amazing - you could really taste the char in each bite and they provide chili powder and salt on the side you can dip. The dan dan ramen also tasted pretty good with a good amount of minced meat inside and a couple pieces of bok choy. The yakisoba udon was also a good portion but was a little bit on the bland side. The furikake fries were incredible though! I love the dipping sauce they provided was very creamy. The sushi rolls were all pretty fresh as well, and the pieces were a decent size. However, the hand rolls were pretty disappointing as it was almost $10 per piece but incredibly small compared to most places so I would probably skip on that next time. Overall, this was a great first experience here - the noise level wasn't too loud and the restaurant was kept really clean and food came out fast. However, the food was pretty expensive overall so I would probably come back once in a while. read more

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Small Japanese joint that's open late for ramen. Lots of options from fish, sushi, ramen, udon, meats, etc. the menu is huge. We tried the Dan Dan ramen which was a perfect amount of spice. Most ramen has pork in either the broth or the meat on top but this one had no pork and ground chicken instead and it was delicious we got one to share and ended up ordering another one. We tried also the Dana point roll which was good don't know if I would do much more sushi here. We tried some meat skewers which were flavorful our favorite was the prime beef. read more

Kappo Honda - Dana Point Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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This has the atmosphere and service quality of a real izakaya in Japan. The menu is extensive. The beer is cold. They have all the different meats like chicken gizzard and heart on skewers. No reservations but they have Yelp reservations on a tablet that seems to work well. The prices are ok but the portions are small so if everyone gets full the check will be around $40 a person, all in. I love the way uniformed servers are constantly going from table to table refilling water, beer, taking orders, picking up empty plates. read more

Kappo Honda - Customer lol - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

For arriving 30 mins before for closing time, the service was good. They were polite and welcoming . They have a lot food options. The Miso Ramen I would recommend. read more

Kappo Honda - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

Food was amazing as always, service was excellent , it's best to get there right when they open at 5:00PM

This place is amazing! Prior to dining here, my family and I have dined at their sister restaurant, Honda Ya. We had no idea until we got here that the two were related. I feel like this place is like a hidden secret- there wasn't a crazy long wait like I've see before at Honda Ya. It could be because we went late at night, close to closing the first time but returned again a few nights later and still were able to get a table almost immediately. When you walk in, all the staff and kitchen staff greet you which was nice:) Everything that we ordered was delicious and so fresh! The quality is unmatched. The service was great and quick, even with it being a packed out restaurant. I would definitely return again if I'm in the area and would recommend this restaurant to anyone! read more

Easy parking + short wait time + friendly service. Kappa Honda has everything you can think of when it comes to Japanese food, making it a good place to please different palates. Ordered many dishes, but only took a picture of the takoyaki ($7) because why is it presented like this? read more

Kappo Honda - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

Great restaurants still exist. Amazing food & service. First time here after multiple recommendations & they did not disappoint. read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants to go to with friends. I come here at least 3 times a year because of its selection of dishes, wonderful service, and cozy vibe. It's easy to try and pick out a variety of dishes to share. If you can't eat too much, but like to eat many different things, this is the place to be! I just love the cozy vibe here. It's so chill and lovely. Good meals and good vibes! read more

Ambiance was very cozy , felt like I teleported to Japan. Food was amazing as well. Service was fast and attentive. Definitely coming back! read more

Kappo Honda - Scallops sashimi, Wagyu skewer , scallop skewer - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

The restaurant has a Japanese izakaya vibe without being in Japan. The service is good. We had a big group and it did take a little bit but nothing crazy. Our waitress did a good job. The food was okay; some really good and others were just eh. The tsukemono mix some were really good and others were bland. The teriyaki salmon was average. The best was the chicken karaaage. Tasted straight out of Japan. read more

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Craving yakitori sticks? If so here the go to spot! I arrived at opening so my group was the first ones in. There is a yelp waitlist when you arrive to better help plan on how long it will be. There is a large variety of food and yakitori sticks as well. The staff was friendly and helpful when it came down to ordering food. I will definitely come back(: parking was quick and easy as well. read more

Kappo Honda - Variety of yakitori sticks - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

Had a great experience here and will definitely be coming back! The menu is massive--so many options to choose from. Prices are very reasonable, and the ambiance is perfect for a late-night dinner with friends or family. The squid was incredible--so good we had to order it twice. The staff were super friendly and attentive, constantly checking in to make sure we were happy with everything. The Japanese steak was just okay for me--about a 7/10. It leaned a bit too citrusy, so I'd probably recommend sticking with the yakitori instead. Everything else we tried was a solid 10/10. Not pictured but worth mentioning: the pork belly with enoki mushrooms--so good! read more

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We went around 9PM on a Saturday night thinking that there would be no wait since it was kinda late. But boy, we were wrong! We waited more than 30 minutes to get seated! The restaurant has a great interior that really embodies the Japanese culture and has a calm vibe. I love restaurants that do not blast music. The service is a 4 out of 5 while the food is 3 out of 5. We ordered a dinner set with karaage and grilled salted salmon as it was a great deal. It was served with a potato salad, rice, and miso soup. The grilled salmon is ok at most but the karaage is too large that we received it undercooked. We informed our server and the manager acknowledged the mistake and took back our plates and gave us a fresh one. The karaage has a nice crunch and a mochi-like chew underneath which we liked. Not the best karaage we had tho. We loved the yakitori tho! Everything was good but don't get the spicy chicken skin. It's not worth the upcharge as you get the same togarashi on your table. read more

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Stepping inside feels like being transported straight to a bustling alley in Tokyo. The space is warm, wood-heavy, and filled with the savory aroma of the charcoal grill. It's got that classic, lively izakaya energy--energetic but intimate. * From the Sea: The fish here is incredibly fresh. The scallops were a standout--sweet and delicate--and the uni was buttery excellence. My wife particularly enjoyed the steamed oysters, which were plump and perfectly brined. * The Sushi & Rolls: Don't skip the sushi menu! The Blue Crab Handroll is packed with sweet meat, and the general sushi quality is top-tier. * The Delicacies: The Ankimo (monkfish liver) is amazing--silky and rich. I also highly recommend the Yellowtail Neckbone (Hamachi Kama); it's grilled to perfection with crispy skin and juicy, tender meat inside. * The Grill: You can't leave without trying the skewers. The char from the charcoal adds that perfect smoky finish to the meats. The Verdict: The variety on the menu is impressive; there is truly something for everyone, from sushi purists to yakitori lovers. The service is efficient and the staff keeps the high-energy environment running smoothly. It's a 5-star spot for a reason--just make sure to get there early to beat that opening-time rush! read more

This restaurant is always busy, but they do have Yelp waitlist to track your place in line. There was a wait for two people on saturday night at 11pm. Once seated, we ordered beef tongue, gizzards, chicken liver. A new mini nigiri item, it was a trio of salmon, tuna, and yellowtail. Honestly, its cute when they have visual ads with the food for their new or seasonal items. I always end up trying something new or seasonal, because of it. I will continue to visit and support this restaurant. I love their sister restaurant honda ya, and I enjoy this restaurant too. Their large menu can accommodate your cravings in one spot. read more

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I come here all the time because the prices are great and the food is such good quality. It's got small Japan pub vibes and is great for groups! read more

Kappo Honda is a trip to Japan without leaving Orange County.Its a great place for late night meals! The menu is

Cute Japanese eatery in FV that is always busy. They open late so it's a great late night craving place. The menu is extensive but everything we have tried has been really good. They have lots of photos of the food options on the walls. We will be back again soon. Happy Yelping! read more

Still the best izakaya in OC. Their extensive menu covers yakitori, sashimi, tempura, grilled and sautéed dishes and even seasonal oden. Plenty of drinks choices too. Open for the late night crowd and still our go-to favorite when we're craving some sticks! read more

Fun for dates or hanging out with friends! Everything is relatively affordable and delishhh. Any of the yakitori items were pretty solid. The service was great! read more

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