Went here for my first time and the food was amazing! I was really looking for authentic Japanese food to eat and this place really nailed it. The service was great, everything came out and felt like I was right at home. Some of my favorites would be Duck Soba, the Toro, and Monk fish liver but everything else order was as good! Would recommend to a friend or family and I will be back in the future. read more

The owner is SO NICE! Food was awesome, light, and refreshing. Portions are on the smaller side, but since it's Japanese cuisine, I expected this. Quality over quantity for sure at this establishment. The interior is well decorated and dimly lit, which makes it relaxing. The dessert was SHOW STOPPER! Ironically, the best dessert I have had in my life was here at this Japanese restaurant and not at any French restaurant I have ever been to. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! 100% will return! read more

Kappo Sui - Yuzu ice cream, blueberry panna cotta, and basque cheesecake - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Will come back and make a trip if I'm not near SNA. Ordered omakasae off menu for one. Not a second thought from staff. Fantastic selection. Great staff, great food and great place. read more

Hands down this is the best Japanese restaurant stateside! Highly recommend going here, you won't regret it! They have the best homemade Japanese food and sushi! The flavors here are so authentic and umami! Having lived in Japan for more than two years, this is one of the few spots in the US that truly does have that delicious, homemade Japanese taste. Let's start with the sushi, which is super fresh and amazing. The menu has a huge selection and we loved everything we had (which was most of the menu). Our absolute favorite was the Uni Hand-roll. The freshness of the uni combined with the shiso leaf delicately wrapped with seaweed was orgasmic! We literally had to order another round because they were just that scrumptious. The cooked food is amazing as welll! We usually start with a Spinach Salad. While the salad looks deceptively simple it packs huge, umami flavor. The dressing combined with the bits of bacon and the greens themselves make the perfect combination of light and dark flavors. Next is the Crab Croquet. So deliciously creamy with lots of crab inside. You won't regret ordering this appetizer for sure! The Agedashi Tofu is also very yummy if you're looking for a light and refreshing appetizer. For the entrees, they have the #1 eel box I've had in the US. It is super, delicious! The eel is perfectly grilled and the sauce is divine. The portion size is substantial as well, if you're looking for something heavier. The Duck Nanban Soba's broth is so savory and addicting. The Duck itself was tender and delicious. This soba was so good, the bowl was literally empty before I knew it! The Simmered Black Cod was phenomenal as well. Tender, savory and mind-blowing good. Even if you're not into fish, you'll probably love this dish! The Fire-Grilled Mackerel was also an explosion of deliciousness and one to add to the must-try list! For dessert, the Cheesecake was bomb, but the Matcha Panna Cotta was the winner for us. It was so creamy, smooth, and tasty. The matcha flavor was perfectly sweet and not bitter at all. The perfect way to end a perfect meal! Honestly, you can't go wrong ordering anything from the menu. Everything is so fresh and delicious and you can tell they put a lot of effort into making each bite something to remember. Not to mention, the staff is so friendly and attentive. The owner, Zuke, is awesome and definitely cares about running a welcoming and top-notch establishment. Great ambiance as well! Overall: 10 Stars!! Go here if you want amazing Japanese food. You won't regret it! read more

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Right around the corner from the Ayer's Hotel in Costa Mesa is a small Japanese Sushi Bar that a family has owned for twenty eight years. Everything is made fresh and most of my meal consisted of fish that normally available at American Japanese restaurants. Ankimo Japanese Mackerel Spanish Mackerel Jellyfish Seaweed Natto Handroll Freshly Chopped Wasabi For any of my pilot friends flying into the John Wayne / Orange County (SNA) Airport please try this delightful establishment. You will feel like you've found Japan in the OC. read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Delicious food excellent service Cold tofu was very good California rolls and sushi shisamo is always good The dessert was amazing definitely will come back read more

My friends and I had the sashimi platter along with a few cut rolls, the veggie tempura, and karaage. The fish was high quality and portions were generous. The staff were also very kind and friendly. It was very chill in the restaurant and overall a great place to have a catch up dinner, would definitely recommend if you're looking for quality sushi in the area. read more

Kappo Sui - Regular sashimi platter - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

the duck soba was so good. it was a good balance of flavors and perfect for the rainy weather. we would def get it again! the rainbow roll was good and I would try more sushi next time! the service is really good and the vibes are nice. I would recommend coming here, they have many options!! this place is a bit hidden since the name is not in english but it is on the right side of the plaza! i also am not typically an order dessert at a restaurant type of person but tried their blueberry panna cotta and it was so sweet and delectable. the basque cheesecake was also pretty good if you are feeling something a bit heavier! read more

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This restaurant is one that is both delicious and where you can truly enjoy the peaceful dining experience. Perfect for a weekend date night! So many options for food (fried, grilled, raw). The Chirashi bowl fish is very fresh, rice pairs perfectly. The Agedashi Tofu is also amazing. Service was extremely pleasant. Type of place where you can slow down, enjoy the food, and have intimate conversation. read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Cozy izakaya with heartwarming dishes and welcoming vibes!! The servers and chefs are all so nice and friendly and treated us with warmth and complete hospitality. I came because I was craving chawanmushi and my craving was definitely satisfied. The custard was so smooth and light that it just melted on the tongue. We also tried their duck soba and simmered kinki fish and both were so flavorful and expertly prepared. The duck breast still retained the smell of smoke, which combined nicely with the deep broth and refreshing soba. The rock fish tasted naturally sweet and buttery and paired so well with the marinated soft tofu. We were also pleasantly surprised to learn that they have been around for 24-25 years now! All in all such a wholesome experience :) I'm definitely gonna come back here again. read more

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This is the best Japanese restaurant there is. Hands down. Fresh and delicious and a wonderful friendly staff read more

It can't get any better. If you want an authentic great quality what is the Japanese food the place to come? The food was also good that I will definitely be back to try more. The service was amazing. Owner was very welcoming and a chef is very talented. The place is a small little spot in a shopping Center off of Santa Ana Ave and Bristol. Don't skip on the dessert it is to die for and all homemade in house. read more

Went here for dinner the other night. Nice, quiet atmosphere. The staff were friendly. We ordered chicken karaage, ginger eggplant, yellowtail collar, agedashi tofu, and shishamo. Food tasted very authentic. We ended the night with a slice of cheesecake, which was very deliciousWill plan to come here again read more

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If you're looking for truly authentic Japanese food this is the place to go in OC! Their sashimi is so high quality, my family came back a second time. Everyone who runs this restaurant is so kind and accommodating to my family and my toddler! Would recommend the sashimi, agedashi tofu, and black cod. read more

The food is delicious and everyone is so kind. My friends and I really enjoyed our dinner here and will definitely be back ! Highly recommend the sashimi platter read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Best Chirashi! Been coming here for years and the Japanese food is very traditional quality is exceptional. Would highly recommend it. read more

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Food and service are always so good. Definitely the best Japanese restaurant around. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but I recommend trying something from the specials any time you go. And don't skip dessert! Their pastry chef Zuke is a genius and makes an amazing basque cheesecake and matcha panna cotta read more

Kappo Sui - basque cheesecake and matcha panna cotta - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Good vibe and food, but a bit pricy for the portion. We had a reservation at 6 PM and glad we did because it was poppin. They have variety of sushi, japanese appetizer, main, and desserts. For drinks we got a sake flight each ($18 for 5 shots) and two sapporo beers. Food, we got ankimo, saba mackeral, sushi, maitake tempura, kara age, shrimp ball, and basque cheesecake. Sushi (6 pieces)-8/10-very buttery one of the better sushi i have had, shrimp was tasty. Ankimo (8/10)-didn't have an after taste good flavor Saba Shioyaki (6/10)-pretty standard, could have had more salt, something i can make myself at home Shrimp Ball (7/10)-pretty standard, pretty pricy at 4 pieces for $12 Kara age (6/10)-crispy and not overly salty, but not the best i've had Maitake tempura (5/10)-needs more salt and a bit soggy Basque cheesecake (8.5/10)-best thing we had tonight, super creamy and not too sweet, could have used some fruits Overall the bill was $200 without tip so pricy for the amount we ordered. Service was super busy since it was packed, overall food is authentic but overpriced. Good place to go on a treat meal. read more

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我们品尝了炸猪排，鸡翅，天妇罗，乌冬面，非常好吃。没想到甜点也很意外的好吃。地道的日本食物。值得再去一次。 Really good cheesecake!! The best cheesecake I've ever had! Also wonderful read more

Kappo Sui - 地道的日本食物。 甜点非常精致，甜而不腻。 - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is a small sushi restaurant with decent service. Came for lunch and there was 1 server. There were about 6 other parties. I had the chirashi sushi. It came with miso soup. The assortment of the chirashi was great and everything was fresh. Good amount of rice to fish ration also. Overall I enjoyed my lunch. read more

Kappo Sui - Chirashi sushi - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Family owned and operated. Small, friendly, off the beaten path. They can't do enough to make sure you're completed satisfied. Each visit is a new discovery of their featured favorites. read more

When the long wait times at Hanuman ended up being an absolute blessing!! I'm so glad I was able to discover Kappo Sui, which is just around the corner. I had this restaurant bookmarked for a while, but never happened to be in the area. What a hole-in-the-wall GEM! This place reminds me of the izakayas in Torrance/Gardena and even Japan. Some of the prices were on the higher end, but the food was so yummy! What we ordered: - Crab croquette ($17 for 2): You might be wondering, each croquette is around $8, is it even worth it? HELL YES. This is one of the best croquettes I've had. Light breading, fried golden brown, STUFFED with tender real crab meat. What a delicious appetizer that made me want to come back. - Simmered eel and egg ($15): The eel is sooooo tender. It pairs really well with the soft egg and sauce. Sprinkle a little of the pepper to spice it up. What a well balanced and unique dish. - Tuna bowl ($28): Dinner special item that came with miso soup. Really fresh and delicious tuna that melts in your mouth. - Fire-grilled duck ($18): This one was just ok. The duck itself is pretty tender but it wasn't that warm and the end pieces were a little tough. Probably wouldn't order again, but decent. read more

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Oh man: what a wonderful place. A close friend recommended it and we hit it Sunday evening. The food was amazing. Really enjoyed the agedashi tofu and the crab croquettes. The sashimi was really fresh, too. ...and then the desserts. The cheese cake was out of this world, as was the macha panna cotta. The staff was really cool as well. I will definitely be back with the family. read more

I went here with a couple friends for dinner after my brother recommended it to us. We got the sashimi platter, some rolls, tempura and karaage. Everything was great and the sashimi was very fresh. All the staff here were also so kind and welcoming. Definitely plan to come back again. read more

The owner is really friendly, but the service isn't great. The food quality and taste are pretty lousy. The price is ridiculous, even for OC. There are two waiters--one is friendly and seems experienced, but he lacks management skills. He's running around the restaurant, making everything look chaotic, and customers can't help but worry he might trip and fall. The restaurant is small, but there's a long wait because no one is clearing tables for over 20 minutes, leaving people just standing around. Food sits on the counter and gets cold before they even serve it. I also had to wait forever for the bathroom because the loafer was in there for way too long. Like I said, there were only two waiters--one wandering around aimlessly and the other struggling to manage things. The whole place felt completely unorganized--like watching Hell's Kitchen without the yelling. The owner finally took our order out of pity, but it only added to the chaos since no one knew who ordered what. We waited over 45 minutes for the check. The busy waiter acknowledged us but never brought it. Embarrassed, the owner told the loafer to check us out--he greeted us, then pretended to be busy instead. +++ Monkfish Liver: The highlight of the night--tasty, perfectly balanced in texture, temperature, and flavor. -- Yuzu Daikon ($8): Eight half-sliced, overly salted, soggy daikon with zero yuzu flavor. Total ripoff. -- Grilled Black Cod: Tastes more like it was braised in soy sauce. Tender but fishy. Skip it. -++ Homemade Crab Cream Croquette: Could've been great if served hot. Nice texture and flavor, but lukewarm. Feels like it was pre-fried and microwaved before serving. It sat too long on the countertop, and no one picked it up until it got cold. --Clam Sake Soup: The broth was unbearably bitter--bad sake, maybe? The clams were tasteless and completely overpowered by the bitterness. It smelled like hospital alcohol. There was also sand still in the clams, and I was pretty shocked to bite into a large piece of it. Skeptical at first, but at least we didn't get food poisoning... so maybe the sake killed the bacteria, or the seafood was still edible. -- Shrimp Tempura: Only 3 skinny shrimps, the rest are all veggies. Soggy all around--batter, shrimp, everything. Lukewarm and clearly frozen, setting off my stale seafood alarm. The sauce is so diluted it's practically flavorless. -- Lotus Root Tempura: Soggy inside and out. Low frying temperature? Or are they saving on gas? --- Sashimi: Lukewarm rice, dry fish. Good wasabi, but only two slices of pickled ginger. No soy sauce provided, and no one to flag down for it. Cherry salmon, chu-toro, and black cod were all dry. The black cod looked slightly charred but wasn't charred at all. And the o-toro? $55 for five pieces--an absolute joke. At that price, you'd expect top-quality fish, but this was worse than supermarket-grade. -- Hot Sake: Probably microwaved. It's way too hot, to the point where all the alcohol evaporates. It's kind of funny to hear constant timer beeping, yet there's only one burner on with a low flame in such a busy restaurant serving so much warm food. People leave tons of sashimi and other dishes on their tables--no one even bothers to ask for a doggie bag. For prices like this, you'd expect fish quality like O-toro or Water Grill, but the sashimi here is far below subpar. This place always intrigued me since it's been around for so long, and after tasting their food, I'm left wondering how they've survived. Maybe it's a forever mystery. I did enjoy the chaotic show for over two hours, but I won't be wasting my time or money here again. We all wanted to support a local business, but this just felt like a major rip-off. read more

Kappo Sui - Overpriced bad food quality with bad tasting and chaotic service - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We have been coming to Kappo Sui for many years now and it is an absolute treasure! It starts with a cozy atmosphere and extremely welcoming and attentive service. From Zuke, Ritsuko and the whole staff, you feel you are being greeted by an old friend. The food is delicious, exquisitely prepared and perfectly balanced. We always order more than we need because everything is so good! The meal is wrapped up with wonderfully tasty and delicate desserts, house made by Zuke. We always look forward to our next visit. We highly recommend!!! read more

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Our new spot! A truly authentic Japanese experience, with kind and caring staff, a simple comfortable aesthetic and delicious fish! We will be back again soon! read more

This is an authentic, wonderful Japanese restaurant in a quiet little plaza. Absolutely wonderful food, attentive but not pushy service. We had the chirashi box, which had outstanding fish quality, and the grilled duck, chicken thighs, and chicken wings. The spinach bacon salad with mushrooms was delicious - not mushy or grainy, perfectly dressed. Excellent panna cotta with a perfect texture. Comfortable and pleasant atmosphere, with a little sushi and several tables. It is a little hard to find - the signage outside says "Japanese Restaurant" so we weren't initially sure that we were in the right place. But once we were in, the food spoke for itself. We will be coming back, absolutely. read more

Awesome restaurant with fantastic ambiance specially during dinner time. Zuke the owner is a great host and the whole staff are really attentive and friendly. I recommend the black cod with the dinner set! My favorite read more

First ever Yelp review. I came here for the 5th time today and I had to write something because this is my favorite Japanese restaurant in OC. A friend brought me here earlier this year and I honestly didn't expect it to become my new favorite Japanese spot. Since then, I bring different friends every time because I want everyone I care about to try it. All the staff is very warm and welcoming, the food hits every time, and the atmosphere is very homey. It's comfort food for the soul and reminds me of all the great meals I had in Japan. Everything is amazing but please try their homemade crab croquette and the simmered eel and egg, and of course their amazing nigiri. read more

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What a hidden gem, where it's tempting to gatekeeper this place so it doesn't get too popular. Don't be discouraged by the dated ambiance as the food is top notch. Personally I will choose this place over Nobu as they're about quality. For a Monday night they were busy so service was a bit lacking as took some time to get our food. We opted for the Omakase and I felt the amount and dishes served was equivocal for the value. I will be going back as the chef mentioned he will have different offerings as long as he knows we are not first timers. Outside of omakase there are other dishes I would love to come back and try. One of the few spots that serve battera. read more

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Modest appearance from the street, but be sure to dine here. Great food and service. I'll be back many times for their Spanish Mackerel, Ankimo, albacore and salmon sushi. Don't skip their delicious dessert sampler read more

Amazing quality and very authentic food - staff is very accommodating and service is fast. Great place to eat .

In my opinion this is the best Japanese restaurant in OC! Great food and great service! - Kisu Tempura and Maitake tempura is my favorite. It's really hard to find fish tempura and especially good ones around here, their kisu tempura is beyond my expectations. Served at the right temperature keeps the coating crispy and fish soft. Maitake tempura is very juicy and retains all the mushroom flavor. - The fire grilled king mackerel is also cooked to perfection, the surface is grilled to be dry and smoky flavor but kept all the moisture and oils for the meat. - Simmered Kinki fish is seasoned well, sweetness and saltiness has a great balance. Also comes with a tofu soaked and cooked in the fish broth which is a big plus. Will definitely come back soon! read more

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I'd been wanting to try this place for such a long time, and I'm so glad I finally did! I started with a few appetizers -- the Agedashi Tofu (crispy tofu in a delicate broth) and the Grilled Pacific Saury -- both of which paired perfectly with cold sake. The sushi that followed was exceptionally fresh and prepared with great care. The highlight for me was the Seared Engawa -- honestly one of the best I've ever had outside of Japan. To finish, I had the matcha pudding, which was the perfect, refreshing end to the meal. The chefs and staff were incredibly kind and welcoming. Even though I went alone, I felt completely comfortable and well taken care of. The whole experience felt very authentic, and I can't wait to come back and try more dishes! read more

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Everything was spectacular. the food tastes super fresh. Even the fried foods were light and not oily. The staff are really friendly and always attentive. The salad was actually mind blowing with how fresh and clean the dressing tasted.z Definitely a Japanese staple spot read more

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Sixth time here. New owner Previous owner still on site in the kitchen. What I love. I'm the only white guy here. I can sit here in my saki coma and soak in the ambiance created by the fryer, the kitchen pots n pans clinking with the fin of patrons laughing with their spouses over a meal. I love the lack televisions, I love that I'm here to meditate on the complex balance of flavors the sushi chef has taken the time to assemble like a conductor of a symphony. Complicated. I like Japanese complication Not the American sweet bomb found in other Sushi establishments. The fresh sea urchin sealed the deal. Uni I love great food that is uncompromising in freshness and flavor. If you're a cheap American. Go somewhere else. If you like authentic complicated balanced organic tasting sushi. Join me here. read more

Kappo Sui - Spanish makerel Sashimi. Yum - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Amazing Food and Service! My family and I have been coming to Kappo Sui for years, and we are never disappointed by the meal and wonderful service. The quality of the sushi is some of the best in Orange County, and they have amazing Japanese comfort food that can be hard to find at other restaurants. All staff members are so friendly and generous. There is such a lovely calm atmosphere in here, would make for a perfect date night or intimate dinner. read more

Kappo Sui - Sushi Platter - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

A true hidden gem! If you know, you know. Kappo Sui is one of those rare finds that makes you feel like you've been let in on a well-kept secret. Tucked away and totally unassuming from the outside, but step in and you're immediately transported straight to Japan...no passport required. The fish? Always fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The Chirashi bowl is a personal favorite.. generous portions of melt-in-your-mouth sashimi over perfectly seasoned rice. Every bite feels like a tiny celebration. Service is warm, attentive, and never overbearing. Zuke in particular deserves a shoutout... not only for his sushi craftsmanship but also for his surprisingly excellent desserts. Yes, dessert. At a sushi spot. Trust me on this one. There's nothing trendy or flashy here, and that's exactly what makes it special. Authentic, high-quality food made with care by people who clearly love what they do. It's the kind of place where regulars know the chefs by name, and first-timers immediately start plotting their return. Can't recommend this place enough. Just don't tell too many people, I still want to be able to get a seat. read more

This is a must go place for authentic Japanese food in Costa Mesa! Staffs are so friendly and food is amazingly delicious. We will definitely come back to try more of their dishes !!! read more

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