I truly believe in highlighting the greatness of businesses just as important as any flaws. This place deserves 10x the excellent reviews for being just one of those places that reminds customers how much they appreciate us!! I have never met a server, a bartender, a cook that didnt go the extra mile for us! The owner herself is no different! They all are so fabulous! This past week we had Paul and his team of coworkers, Gabriel at the bar and I cant praise them enough! A really long, stressful month thus far resulted in needing a night out. A family member was finally back in town and we decided to meet at Matsu. While Amy was off, we were treated just as fabulously by Paul and team. Gabriel at the bar made excellent cocktails! Everything from our fresh nigiri to our teppan combo was delicious and fresh and nicely sized portions. I can go on and on, but if you want a darker, cool chill vibe, do the bar area. If you want teppan theatrics and fun, reserve the teppan. If you want a larger party restaurant atmosphere. They have that too! Its clean, its nice, its delicious!!! My favorite is the Lychee martini, my friends love the apple martinis, but I'll say, you can even just drink an iced water and you're still gonna love this place! Give it a try, you won't regret it! This is the type of business and employees I have zero problems supporting and recommending! Thank you for another great night Matsu! read more

We revisited this restaurant after a long absence. No reason, just hadn't been. I ordered my signature teriyaki chicken with teriyaki on the side. The chicken was dark meat, my favorite and grilled-perfectly! My husband is an appetizer guy. He ordered mizo soup, soft-shelled crab and cucumber salad and tempura shrimp. The crab was perfect,not greasy or over cooked. He loved it. As for the cucumber salad, it was perfectly seasoned with an Italian-type dressing. Lastly, the tempura shrimp was crisp and not greasy or under cooked. The service was excellent and our team of servers were very attentive. Lastly, the restaurant felt like a family atmosphere, where everyone was part of the family. There were plenty of large tables for families and booths, where we were, that had privacy drapes. We'll be returning....often! read more

Restaurants that have lasted for over 40 years have a special quality to them, a feeling that resonates as unique. Matsu Restaurant in Huntington Beach is one of those special places that welcomes the customer in not only to enjoy a sumptuous meal, but also to spend time relaxing and being cared for in a gorgeous environment. I was swept away by their unique and detailed decor as I walked in. Matsu offers so much: a sushi table, a full bar, a dining room, a separate room for parties, and teppan tables. The food was absolutely superb. Dinner began with soup, and I chose miso, so soothing and rich. I also tried the yellowtail sashimi, and I was blown away with its freshness. It was dinner and a show! I loved watching the chef prepare our meals right in front of us: fried rice, fresh vegetables, mushrooms, shrimp, lobster, and scallops. Hot, savory, delicious, and incredibly fresh -- I haven't had such delicious and fresh seafood in ages. Our chef was very skilled, had a fantastic personality, and a really cute sense of humor. Portions were magisterial. We walked out with leftovers to last for at least two lunches. What made the evening special at Matsu was the fact that everyone who attended to us was remarkably kind. The host...the bartender...the chef... they welcomed us into the restaurant as though it were their home and made us feel at home, as well. Restaurants like Matsu are unique because of the character and the bones of the establishment. The decor, the people, the food, and the vibe all give testament to why Matsu has been here for over 40 years. read more

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Celebrated my birthday here Teppan style! Always so much fun to order fried rice with shrimp and steak I love the atmosphere it feels homey and they surprise u with free photo for celebrations! U can't go wrong and try their boat sized drink it looks like a fruit punch for two! read more

Matsu Restaurant - Ordering teppanyaki with my - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Came in for dinner tonight , we still love their food. However, the service is bad as compared to the past years and months we've been coming. My son had just put down his chopsticks, the server came right away and asked you're done right? We didn't even get a chance to reply, he just took our salad away, and started to take away everything on the table. I had to say pls I'm still trying to finish my soup here. It seems like they wanted to rush us out the door when we only were there for barely 45 minutes. Pls tell your servers to stop cleaning up the table while the guests are still enjoying their meal and company, so sure! read more

Hidden in the corner of a some-what small plaza in Huntington Beach of Talbert Ave and Beach Blvd, Matsu Restaurant has been around for quite some time and if you're local to the area, you already know they're pretty darn good but if you're not you should definitely bookmark this place. I remember seeing this/hearing about the restaurant growing up in HB as I once lived nearby and attended Oceanview High school once up on a time ago and never once got to try this place out. Until November 14th, 2025. Ok, now that you know where it's at, let's get to the food! FOOD Fried Calamari (Dinner item) One of the appetizers that we ordered, it was an interesting take as I've never seen Fried Calamari in the form of fries before but it's not bad! I would say it's a great item to order for dine-in and take-out! Soft Shell Crab (Lunch/Dinner item) One of my favorites and this one always hits the spot. The right crunch. The right flavor. You might end up ordering 2 orders of it! Give it a try, it'll pinch the right cravings! Suicide Roll Ok, aside from the name I was pretty interested in a sushi roll that night and the contents were up my alley. The inside contained spicy tuna and sprouts while the outside consisted of salmon, white onion, green onion, bonito shavings, sesame seeds and ponzu sauce to top it all off. It's quite the 'Jumper' leaving you a 'Third Eye Blind'....I'll see myself out 5/5 you can't go wrong on this one! Fresh Water Eel (2 pieces) I'm an Eel guy, always have to have a couple orders of them and these hit the spot. Rich in flavor, would order again! maybe 3 orders of it next time.. Matsu 69 Ok yeah I'm sure the name gave you a bit of a chuckle but honestly, I think this was one of my favorite dish. Not only is it exquisitely presentable but it leaves you wanting more after every bite. Second guessing on ordering this? Don't. Just get it, it's truly delicious. You wont' regret it. Contents of the Matsu 69, sliced avocado stuffed with spicy tuna, green onion, tempura crunchy flakes and mayo, smelt egg, sesame seeds and eel sauce to top everything off! Baked Green Mussel Another favorite of mine. We wanted to take a swing at this one but I'm a sucker for baked mussel so had to order one of these. Truly delicious! Beef Teriyaki & Sashimi combo dinner At this point of the night, our bellies were nearly full but I had this order and had to to-go the rest but it's definitely something to order if you're in the mood and starving! An abundance of everything, balance of flavor and cooked to perfection! Salmon with Misoyaki & Sashimi combo dinner Another great one if you wanted more fish with your meal. If you're already familiar with how teriyaki salmon tastes like, I recommend the misoyaki! It has a sweet, savory flavor to it and I feel pairs really well with the salmon! OVERALL We actually visited during a very very rainy Friday night which I'm fine with. Rain always sends out a vibe but I have to warn you. Parking is pretty limited in that plaza so if you're planning to have a Friday night dinner I would plan ahead and get there early just to secure a spot. Speaking of, Matsu is a great restaurant for all occasions. It's definitely family-friendly, romantic dates if both parties are up for some sushi, or just catching up with friends! It has a very warm ambient feel with subtle traditional music playing in the background. Interior plays an ode to tradition which makes you feel you're eating at an authentic Japanese restaurant and not to mention, it's actually quite large. I had no idea but I believe the right side of the restaurant is for yakitori? I was a bit curious but didn't get a chance to see. But if you're having a standard dinner, you'll be directed to left upon arrival where you'll also see a small and cozy bar. Trust me, it's got everything if you're in the mood for it. A bit upset I didn't visit sooner in the past but very glad to have attend during my birthday! Thank you for the delicious dinner and superb customer service! We'll be visiting real soon Matsu! read more

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Service was excellent. I wanted to try their stuffed halibut but they were sold out so I settled for their mixed sushi which was just ordinary. The one that I will order again is their Matsu 69, it made up for missing on the halibut. Price was surprisingly reasonable. Will definitely come back but will make sure beforehand that their stuffed halibut is available. read more

Just a dinner with friend. Good company and good food. Some hot sake for a fun night! read more

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Their Halloween decor for 2025 was awesome! We went in on a weekday for dinner and were greeted and seated by friendly staff. Ordered various sushi rolls and tempura. Our friend really enjoyed the sushi since it was their first time at this restaurant. Everything tasted fresh and had good selection as too. Staff were wonderful and welcoming. Loved the ambiance. It was lively for weekday. Great food, staff, and vibes. I can't wait to go back! read more

Matsu Restaurant - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

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I confided my passion for Japanese food to a previous coworker and first thing out of her mouth was this place, MATSU, Huntington Beach. As it is almost 90 minutes away from me (I live in the heart of Hollywood), all O could think to say was this friggin place better be good!!) She touted about ordering a "BOAT" - which I'm thinking is some sort of dish that is shared. Why not? I'm in... The drive from Hollywood started at 3pm - just in case I hit some traffic. And I did. Took me 1 hour and 45 minutes. Parking was very easy. The lot is huge! We walked in and first thing that hit me was the decor. A little dark. Very apropos. Many booths. We sat at one. Glad the tables do slide or I would've needed to move. I'm a chubber! The Host was very nice. The busboy was very efficient. The server was very professional - a little robotic. Then followed the appetizer was Clam Chowder. Not bad. So, out came the "BOAT"! It was a great presentation. And it was loaded - steak, teriyaki chicken, broccoli, fried chicken, salmon, California rolls, Tempura, and a few other things. A bowl of rice on the side for each person. I actually felt the fried chicken could use a little more seasoning. BTW - it's a lot of food! A LOT! If I come back I will order the boat for two and a few appetizers. So come check out the boat. I'm glad this grubbery was mentioned. I am a fan of food excursions - I will drive a distance for some fun foods. Let me know if you make it here and what you ordered. Happy grubbin'! read more

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Absolutely delicious!! The eel just melts in your mouth!! BEST fried rice!!! Always cooked perfectly!! Everyone is sweet & attentive. We're regulars fs!! Can't wait to go back!! read more

Matsu Restaurant - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Had the sashimi salads tonight, additional order of salmon sashimi, anaconda roll and soft shell crab. Awesome service in the bar! Dark and comfortable and festive with the teppan tables near by, as usual . Those salads are pretty filling for the price and they don't skimp on the sashimi. All around one of our favorite places. read more

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Best deal here is the Sushi Lunch (or Sushi Dinner if you're here at night). You get 6 pieces of nigiri plus a tuna roll and cali roll. And it comes with salad, soup and rice. So delicious! read more

Matsu Restaurant - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

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Tried the sushi bar. Lucky got 3 seats. No reservations taken. Excellent service and food. You get edamame and cucumber salad appetizers for free. Nice watermelon fruit treat at the end. They also have a sit down portion and Teppan part of the restaurant. This place hidden gem in a strip mall. Been there 40 years! read more

Matsu Restaurant - Excellent bake baby scallops. Almost like the topping of a lobster thermador - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

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The restaurant itself is really cute as there's a lot of Japanese decor, the ambiance is nice, and the servers are dressed in kimonos which is a cute little touch. There are several seating areas with different vibes and we got seated in a dining area that was well lit, although I saw there was another area with dimmer lighting and another that was just basically a secluded sushi bar. My boyfriend and I ordered the crabby tuna, fried calamari, salmon misoyaki entree, and stuffed halibut entree. The entrees came with a cucumber salad, choice of soup, and white rice. The crabby tuna was good and I was surprised to find out that they use real crab meat. The fried calamari might have been my favorite part of the meal, although it isn't like the typical fried calamari you find at other restaurants as there's not as much breading and the seasoning is very light. The entrees in my opinion were alright; the fish was good but the veggies were pretty bland and seemed to just be boiled. The seasoning on the salmon was a bit too salty and I had to scrape some of the miso off (but the salmon itself was delicious), while the stuffed halibut was very mild but in a good way! Maybe the sushi is a lot better, but we didn't get to try it this time around Our server was very cute and sweet and she checked up on us plenty of times. She gave us recommendations on which dishes she liked and was quite friendly. The restaurant was pretty empty on a Saturday night and there was chatter here and there but it was generally pretty quiet. Overall this was a pleasant experience, although the entrees we ordered didn't really meet my expectations for authentic Japanese food. read more

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Sashimi are always fresh and flavorful. The Pink Chi Chi is my favorite as always. We like to sit at the bar area (right side from entrance door). You can see the show and the amazing food smell from the Benihana style dining area. The staff are always nice and attentive. They also take pictures for your special occasions and give you cute souvenir prints :) read more

Matsu Restaurant - Blue fin sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Stuff is either Japanese speaking or Hispanic, all the sushi just that I saw were all authentic Japanese. Great sushi for a great price. Calamari 7/5 crispy no egg, juicy read more

A restaurant that's been around for over 40 years and still maintained consistency is in itself a gem . I remember coming here with my parents as middle school aged kids and now coming back with them nearly 4 decades later and it's the same cozy place where a few dates of young adulthood happened and many family celebrations repeat. This time , as I am older , will try the bar area and teppan side . And sushi bar too . The server in kimonos are a classic and nostalgic. read more

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We've been coming to Matsu for the past 10 years and the food always hit! Today was my sister's birthday and they brought out ice cream while singing happy birthday in Japanese. They also took a picture for us and printed it out! The crunchyroll here is my favorite out of all sushi spots. It doesn't have too much rice and the flavor is really balanced so you don't get tired of eating. We also ALWAYS get the volcano roll (baked scallops) and it's always the best. The sauce is thick and a little sweet, and they put on SO MUCH scallop. The tuna boat is pretty good too, it has a raw egg yolk on top and I really like the fatty-ness of it. My family also likes the monk fish liver so we always get it but it's just kinda thick and soft, with a subtle pasty flavor(?). read more

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This restaurant really blew my mind away. From the very intimate and amazing seating to the polite service from all staff. I will definitely be returning! The combination boat is everything you could ask for and more! The sesame chicken is seasoned to perfection. I highly recommend coming here with a group if you can to enjoy this marvelous place. read more

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We RSVP'd here for Valentine's day and were seated in a quiet booth in the back room, which was really enjoyable. Lovely ambiance. Saw some waitresses dressed in their Japanese attire, cute. Our server was attentive and courteous. We got the Matsu Gondola Dinner (Combo boat) @$30/person. Was planning to order an additional side of sushi, but our waiter pointed out that the gondola dinner was large. He was right - we couldn't finish! Combo boat comes with salmon/chicken/beef teriyaki, shrimp/cucumber/yam tempura, sesame chicken, California rolls, and seasonal fruits (cantaloupe and grapes). Chicken teriyaki was a hit or miss; some pieces were dried while others were juicy and soft. Salmon and beef teriyaki tasted better. Sesame chicken was tender and crunchy. Combo boat came with soup, choices were miso, clam chowder, and one other that I cannot recall. Because it was Valentine, we also received complimentary chocolate dipped strawberries. Overall experience was great! Highly recommend. read more

Matsu Restaurant - Matsu Combination Boat (2 or more - $30 per person) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

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Still our favorite Japanese restaurant. Seafood is VERY fresh and properly presented. Walking in feels as though you are immediately entering Japan. The service is unbelievably prompt but never rushed. We took visitors from Scotland and they patiently explained some of the items on the menu much better than we could. On the drive home they requested to go back before they left to go home! That is the ultimate compliment! read more

I went to Matsu tonight with a group of friends. We try and make this a yearly Welcoming to the Holidays gathering . The staff is incredibly friendly and they don't miss a trick ... They are very much on their game! The ambiance is festive and people are definitely enjoying themselves. The food is wonderful we all had Teppan and it was so fresh and cooked to perfection! The chef was fun and entertaining! Have you seen the butterfly ? Cute Thank you Matsu for another memorable evening. Ronnie read more

Matsu Restaurant - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Been going their for many years !!! very good food and service as well.... nice place for a family dinning. Soft light good ambiance. read more

From start to finish the experience here was amazing, every single staff member here was extremely attentive. Everything was extremely clean and the inside looked straight from Japan. Hiro was our chef and he was phenomenal, would give us many options on how we wanted our sushi with patient explanations on each one. I am extremely impressed with his service and the amazing food quality. Definitely recommend the toro as well as the salmon sushi's. He even gave us soft shell crab and watermelon on the house. read more

Matsu Restaurant - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Matsu has been around for decades and it is still busy with satisfied customers. The food is good not great with large portions and straight forward preparation. The prices have been kept reasonable. The cocktails are cheap by today's standards. Most of us shared a couple of their signature boats. They are loaded up with a variety of dishes so there is something for everyone. I started with a Mai Tai which tasted like Hawaiian Punch with some rum in it. Going to Matsu is a real Time Machine. This is not Michelin starred omakase. If you just want some basic Japanese cuisine at reasonable prices you should enjoy this place. read more

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With family members, Diane and I returned here--this time to try out the teppan grill. Both Miso Soup and Vegetable Soup were very good, and a Cucumber Salad with little pieces of shrimp was good and refreshing. A Rainbow Roll and a Spicy Tuna Roll were both cold and satisfying. And Shrimp Tempura featured golden and succulent battered shrimp. Grilled Appetizer Shrimps were larger than normally presented in other teppanyaki grills I have visited. Then the grill master prepared very tasty Fried Rice, followed by the usual vegetable suspects (White Onion, mushrooms, carrots, and Bean Sprouts). My medium rare Filet was served at the requested temperature, and grilled shrimp were big. My only gripe is that rather than giving me any remaining Bean Sprouts with my plate extended after Diane refused them, the grill master threw them away down the grill chute instead. That cost him an extra tip I customarily give to a grill master for excellent service. But the entire experience was still very good on the whole. XXXX-1/2 overall! read more

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Always good food, always great fun ...just wish it was easier to get a reservation! Value is great considering everything it includes. I can see why it stays busy. read more

My favorite restaurant in Orange County! You must sit at the tepoan table, order some filet & shrimp, and most importantly treat yourself to a Mai Tai! read more

Matsu is definitely a go to restaurant for great food and more importantly the service. Orlando ( chef) is amazing, entertaining, and he knows how to prepare the food exactly all you desire it ! Koon , another great chef there cooks to perfection and I'm looking forward to dining there very soon, it's always a great experience! read more

Although it's been around for years, I was today years old when I first experienced this special place. At once, it reminded me of the long-lost Sambi of Tokyo restaurant in Downey. Like Sambi, Matsu has sections for both traditional dining and teppanyaki. It has a cozy sushi bar. It has a great cocktail selection. It's spectacularly decorated. And, it has servers dressed in traditional kimono-style uniforms. I was there for lunch, and was looking for the most-traditional menu item. As I perused the menu, I found all the standards: chicken and beef teriyakis, both separate and in-combination with tempura. Finally, I found exactly what I was looking for - Maku No Uchi, a type of bento box with origins going back to the 17th century. It was perfect, a combination of beef, chicken and fish served with rice. Accompaniments included rice, egg, sashimi and pickled vegetables. A very complete meal. Service was efficient and friendly. Better late than never, I'm glad I discovered this magical place. read more

Matsu Restaurant - Maku No Uchi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Excellent food and service is outstanding. It is a really nice experience and the decor is brilliant. Such nice people from beginning to end. Crabby Tuna was good but it was only two pieces. The other rolls were great. read more

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Fabulous food, great service, comfortable ambience. Had the "Love Boat" for a party of seven. Such a generous serving that we all took food home. read more

Went for the first time - for teppan - it was fun and delish! Quality was great and quantity made for plenty of leftovers! Very well managed restaurant and the staff are great! Definitely want to go back read more

Order the boat! The Matsu special is reasonable at $24/person and requires a minimum of 4 people to order it. There is plenty of food, so you will have left overs. Before the boat arrives, you get cucumber salad and soup (I recommend miso soup). If you're celebrating a birthday, let them know. They take a picture of your group and give you a printed copy in a little cardboard frame. It's a nice touch plus they bring a small bowl of ice cream. Make a reservation. It can get busy, so make a reservation in advance just in case. Service is great! They are very attentive and friendly. They are constantly clearing away finished plates to make sure you have space at your table. read more

Matsu Restaurant - Matsu special (boat) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

This is like traveling back in time to the Japanese restaurants of 1980s. The service is just wonderful, attentive and polite. The ambiance is comfortable and classic. The bar is just as I remember from times past. I love Japanese teppan. You get a show and such fresh delicious food. Our "chef was funny and dramatic! The knife work was fabulous. My wife messed up the time and we were 45 minutes early for our group reservation (we are seniors). They were so accommodating and gracious. We had an epic evening when the rest of our party showed up. This is the perfect place for a birthday celebration! read more

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We came back to have dinner here. Understood that without reservation it would be an hour and a half so we were offered the bar. Unlike normal bar places, we were not allowed to pick our table. With two elderly people the waitress asked us to move from the table we picked to high bar chair area because we were a party of 5. She was very pushy even telling me to sit down when I was helping my dad get onto his chair because the lighting was so dark he couldn't see. Needless to say, we ended up leaving because of the rudest service. I loved this place and came back hoping to have an enjoyable memory again but the hospitality was very lacking. If you're looking for accommodating for the disabled and elderly this was absolutely not it. Very much not friendly to those who are not fully abled. read more

Special dining experience. The interior/environment of the restaurant is serene and traditional. The dim-lit ambiance envelops you with a warm, inviting glow, making it a nice spot for a relaxing evening dinner. The servers there are dressed in traditional Japanese clothing and it really adds to the environment of the restaurant. Made me feel like I was back in a little homey restaurant in Japan. The sushi was amazing, no complaints. A perfect mixture of well-made sushi rice and fresh fish brings you a good roll of sushi. The sushi rice was not overpowering but just enough to enhance the flavor of the fish. The rolls were creative, well-balanced, and beautifully served. 5/5 there. The cost is what got me, for the price point I think you can still find good, quality, sushi for less. If you're in the mood for a peaceful, cozy spot to enjoy exquisite sushi in a beautiful traditional setting, this restaurant is a must-visit. It's a nice experience that's as much about the ambience as it is about the good sushi there. read more

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Had an absolute best experience here, service and food were impeccable! Ordered the tuna boat, sea eel, volcano roll and of course hot sake Perfect place for an authentic meal Maybe my favorite sushi place in all of oc read more

Matsu Restaurant - Inside - Sushi Bars Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

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Very fire and good place to get hibachi. I really like the service that I received as the staff was super funny with the way that they cooked the food and served it. They did all sorts of tricks that any good hibachi chef should know. The ambiance was super good too and it felt like you were in Japan as the waitresses were wearing kimonos which made the experience very enjoyable. Would come back. read more