Been coming here since I moved to Escondido in July. This is my favorite restaurant I've found here, always consistently tasty and they have wonderful service. read more

I have been here a few times and this time was the worst. Not only did they forget to give me a whole roll when I picked up food. They also gave me basically cucumber when I asked for the spider roll. After this experience I will not be coming back. The way our sushi was packaged also made every roll smeared in wasabi. read more

Mirin Cafe - Spider role had specks of one of the crab meats while the rolls were completely dominated my snow crab. Do not order! - Japanese Near Me - Escondido, California

I came here when they first opened and had something simple ( I really don't remember what it was..but it was good ). Fast forward a few years and its not only still here the menu has expanded and business is booming. The owner, who serves as the Chef needs to be recognized. The dude rocks. I had the shrimp yakasoba. Had it it 3 days ago in a delivery. I live literally down the street so I saved a few bucks by coming in. The service was quick and polite. My waiter was quick to take my order and even held one arm behind his back !! When was the last time you saw that ! The establishment is small no more than 12 tables but it is spotless.If you have no time..no problemo !! They have drive thru. Go figure. It impressed me. People knock me because I'm usually pretty blunt. I'm being very blunt this time. THIS PLACE IS AWESOME !! There was steady traffic for dine in and I was served by the very well mannered young man in what seemed like 5 minutes top. Thirsty ? Wash this delicious food down with either cold Japanese beer or choose one of FIVE different sakes. Thumbs up for this place. I won't wait so long to come back this time. Questions comments.. Holla ! 760-497-1217. read more

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1 hr 15 minute wait for one bowl of ramen, food is good in general but they have a big problem dealing with rushes

A small standalone cafe facing the main street with heavily tinted windows. WARNING: The windows are so dark that it makes it look like the business is closed, so make sure you walk up and open the door. The interior is very plain with random "Japanese" decor that has about 10 tables for seating. I was very excited to try this cafe, as it has pretty decent star reviews on Yelp. So we ordered anything that sounds and looks delicious. Breakdown of what we ordered and the order that it arrived to our table: Gyoza Free: It was a 3 piece pork gyoza we got for checking in. It was decent, came out hot (heat) and crunchy. The ponzu sauce that was served along with gyoza was a great dipper. Salmon Lemon roll $7.95l: I have mixed feelings about this. First of all, Lemon Rolls are one of the easiest rolls to make. It's basically a California Roll with salmon and thin slices of lemon on top. The Salmon Lemon roll here lacked of salmon as the salmon was slightly too thin and short. The imitation crab mixture was missing a little bit of flavor. Also, it lacked, shockingly...... rice! The rolls were so thin that it didn't really hold the rolls well. I don't believe I've ever, EVER complained about sushi/rolls not having enough rice, most of the time, theres too much. Karrage $4.95: It's basically Japanese version of popcorn chicken. The chicken was cooked fine, as it was not too dry, still juicy. But the flavor.... there wasn't really any flavor. We had to sprinkle a tiny bit of salt and submerged the chicken in the mayo/ponzu sauce provided. We would've been fine passing on that dish. Takoyaki $4.95: One of my favorite Japanese snacks! Little balls fried with a piece of octopus inside along with a creamy soft filling of batter. Can't go wrong Tonkatsu Ramen $8.95: This is wear I started questioning the authenticity of this being a "Japanese" cafe. The broth had a nice kick of spice, but lacked of pork flavor. It tasted like a cross between a Vietnamese and Chinese artificial seasoning within the broth. Very watered down with only a slight flavor of pork, the flavor was only coming from the pork slices. The pork slices tasted off, but the tenderness was well done. The pork tasted like this particular Vietnamese braised pork dish call Thit Kho. The corn seem and tasted like they opened a can of corn and scooped up a spoon of it and tossed it into the bowl. The egg was nicely soft-medium boiled but I can't recall the flavor as the flavor was covered with the watered down soup. Overall, price is very reasonable. But nothing was really worth eating except for the Takoyaki (which the 2 stars are based on). Me and my husband both felt that we could've just ordered the Takoyaki only and walk next door to Popeye's Fried Chicken to fulfill our hunger. Also, the way they setup or managed each person in the back was very inefficient. There were at least 3 people in the kitchen, our orders came out in partitions of 3. There was a couple who sat down way before us and had already ordered. Their food was still coming out by the time we received our last dish. read more

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I had a great experience at Mirin cafe! The prices are amazing and so are certain foods on their menu, such as the ramen and katsu chicken and garlic noodles. They are also open late which is a huge bonus. The only cons I had about the cafe was the location being hard to find, and the spider roll was decent, but then again very affordable. I will be back, especially if I am craving ramen at night! read more

Mirin Cafe - Eating tonkatsu ramen at home! - Japanese Near Me - Escondido, California

Great value and excellent food! Def going to be a regular spot! We've ordered twice now and it's been consistently good.

Not worth the wait. The good is good, but whether you order in the restaurant or ahead online, you wait. I'm currently waiting on the drive thru, parked. I came 5min after my order was supposed to be ready. read more

Food has always been good we continue to enjoy the delicious food at Mirin Cafe...... The place is pretty chill, if your in a hurry calling your order in is probably best. Another thing I like about this place is that they will serve you even if you show up a closing. Some people may not know Mirin Cafe has a drive thru.... Call your order in and 10 minutes later its ready. Drive up to the window and let them know your there for your order. works great... Once in a while you get some jerk that didn't order ahead of time and makes everyone else wait but doesn't happen often. read more

Mirin Cafe - Round 2- the take home.. - Japanese Near Me - Escondido, California

Service was a little slow but they were very nice. The food was just ok, but I would go back. I like to try different things and there menu had a lot to offer. read more

The only thing good here was the ice cold water, I didn't notice at first but I definitely felt Ill and about to throw up after leaving the place we had 4 rolls both girlfriend and I, will never come here again read more

ONE word. ONE syllable. WOW! We did not expect the quality and flavor of the food served out of here. We are new to the neighborhood and landed here after asking Google for *Japanese food near me". A little leary because the sign outside had me seeing double, they have a drive thru and they serve tacos. I know right? Let's move on. Yelp Check In, FREE Gyoza. We ordered Brussel Sprouts Tempura (delicious), Chicken Teriyaki meal with Miso Soup, salad (the chicken is cooked perfectly), rice (amazing) and two pieces of Shrimp Tempura. Lemon Salmon Roll (needs nothing except to be put in your mouth) and the Spicy Tuna Roll. TRUST ME when I say, "EVERYTHING we had was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Our server was also excellent. This is truly a hidden gem in Escondido. Don't miss it. We are fans and will be back, again! read more

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Katsu chicken was good as were the potstickers. Ordered online and picked up food was hot and ready when we picked up.

I'd really rate this as a 2.5 but because I want to support small businesses.. I'll round up to a 3. To start, I'm far from a ramen connesuier and I'm typically easy to please when it comes to food but I can also tell when something isn't up to par. Ordered the Shio Tonkotsu ramen (to go); price is comparable to most other popular ramen places except maybe a buck cheaper. -1 star for screwing up my order with simple additions. Asked for pork/chicken, got only pork. And it was just two tiny pieces that together are the equivalent if one piece of bacon at best. Asked for two extra egg (halves) for a total of three, got one. They did manage to add the extra noodles though. -1 star for the cooking. The noodles were overcooked, which is like the most essential piece to not screw up right after the broth. -.5 star for flavor. I'd rate the taste as a few notches above Cup Noodles. For Escondido and the maybe 5 ramen places that exist here, Mirin is just barely at the middle. If you're craving ramen and have no other options in the area because they're closed, or you're not willing to drive outside of Escondido, and really want ramen, eat here. Otherwise, look elsewhere or make the drive to one of the Menya Ultra locations South of here. read more

Still the best and most affordable sushi place around town!!! The owner is super nice and always present, the food is so yummy and super affordable! And their ramen is great!!! They do get pretty busy so make your to go orders an hour in advance or be ready to wait to eat in person! But it's worth the wait!!!! read more

Sushi was fresh and the ramen I got was excellent (tonkatsu shio ramen). We also got some gyoza and was delicious the chicken wings are also a must have. In conclusion it was the perfect sushi bar! read more

Mirin Cafe - Chicken wings - Japanese Near Me - Escondido, California

I love their filet mignon- on the menu as Black Pepper Steak! It's tender, delicious, and reasonably priced. Other members of my family love their fried rice and teriyaki chicken. We had excellent service and flavorful entrees. Highly recommend! read more

Mirin Cafe - Black pepper steak and salad - so good!! - Japanese Near Me - Escondido, California

Takoyaki was wonderful. Very happy with the meal and will go again. Excited to try more

Good food! Crunch roll is amazing!! Also love the fried gyoza's and fried rice. One of our go too places! I have picky eaters and the spicy sauce on the crunch roll is was really brought her in! Love this place and to top it off the owners are some of the best people we have met! Glad we get to grow up with you and your restaurant! Thank you for always making it special and remembering us. read more

Food was not good and customer service was not great. I walked in and there a strong odor even my 8 year daughter notice and asked to leave but it was the only ramen close by so we sucked it up and ate there. read more

If you're in the mood for tasty broth, this is the place. Egg noodle Ramen is delicious! Volcano ramen is really good, about a 3/10 spicy level. Service is slow, so plan on that. I haven't tried the sushi, only because I don't think that their kitchen is equipped for it (solely judging by the look, but I could be wrong) read more

A great place to grab a quick bite to eat. Food is good. Small place, I think there are 5 - 6 tables. I believe they have a drive thru window. read more

I love this place I went for the first time with my family will come under some other friends and I would definitely recommend it to everybody else the food is delicious. read more

Great Food and great service . First time going inside of the restaurant and I really liked it . It felt homey and romantic , it was awesome . Will definitely be taking my wife there sometime . read more

Called in late 8:50 even though I hate being that guy I was super hungry got the beef Teri bowl and a seared tuna roll and holy molly it blew my socks off super tasty great customer service read more

Update just ordered from them and asked for no spicy mayo! Guess what my food has ... spicy mayo. it's so easy and simple to follow instructions clearly they can't..There goes my lunch ruined. Also the edamame I ordered was too greasy, this is not the first time, last time I was here I ordered the ramen they have and it was so greasy I didn't even finish it. Real disappointed, was looking forward to eat but instead I got stuck with sushi drenched in spicy mayo and greasy edamame read more

Mirin Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Escondido, California

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Decided to check this place out for lunch and from the outside it might have seemed questionable but I'm glad I went in. Food wise: The albacore tuna fish tacos were amazing. The sushi that they had were also quality. Ambience wise: the outside needs work but from the inside, it looks like a nice place. Service wise: the waiter was friendly and food came out at an ok time. Price wise: standard sushi prices. Overall: I'd come back and try other things on their menu. Good spot for lunch read more

Affordable prices. Friendly staff. Big portions and servings. Good coffee and good salsas

The best ramen soup I've ever had. A must try for first timers well done guys. I'll be coming back. A British person from San Diego. read more

Mirin Cafe - Delicious. - Japanese Near Me - Escondido, California

Disgusting Stay away This isn't ramen Goto ramen ryoma I had high hopes for ramen In Escondido. This place burned that hope. Goto Kearny Mesa for ramen. We walked out of this place. The food was absolutely disgusting. I told the waiter the chashu was worse than the leather on my shoe. The broth flavorless. The ramen noodle was awful like the kind from a top ramen packet. So disgusting I was so upset with this place. How is it still in business? Oh that's right they pay yelp to remove these reviews. I'll make sure my review is posted again if it's removed because this place was absolutely disgusting. The moment my husband and I put the pork meat into our mouth we both looked at each other and said that the meat would make us sick. It must have been old. A note to the owner. We love ramen and want a ramen place in Escondido (Kearny Mesa is far). Reduce the size of your menu and focus on fewer items but do those items very well. Follow in n outs model and you'll be successfully. read more

The food is great but some of the staff really sucks. They sell canned sodas rather than fountain drinks so if you like more than 12oz of a beverage with your hot ramen you have a 50/50 chance of either getting the really polite waiter who pays attention or the one who wanders around like he just smoked a joint and is completely lost. I once spent 15 minutes trying to get another drink while he was god knows where. read more

Delicious! I love everything about this place. Especially that its 4 min from my house and their seafood mirin ramen is lovely! Try the albacore tacos too. Bomb! read more

DELICIOUS! And great prices too. We need to get the yakisoba every time we go because it's just that good!

100% delicious! Perfect amount of spice, great textures and flavors, even the rice was above average. It was so affordable but didn't sacrifice any quality. Tempura Brussel sprouts/shrimp are great, so was the beef mirin cafe meal. Really nice staff. You gotta go! read more

the special was katsu beef burger and it was so yummy and the fries were the best i've had! the sushi was fresh and yummy and the price was great! the salad and dressing was delicious as well. the server was so nice and accommodating i highly recommend this place! read more

Mirin Cafe - Katsu beef burger and fries! - Japanese Near Me - Escondido, California

Great sushi spot in Escondido I love their Lemon rolls they are the reason I got back into sushi recently. I have enjoyed every visit I have had, whether they are busy or not, their service never lacks. Besides the aforementioned lemon roll, their curry and teriyaki plates are tasty. The curry no being too overpowering and the teriyaki fried rice being nice and crunchy. Don't miss the entrance, as it is quite small and you'll have a delicious meal in no time! Things to try: Lemon roll, Teriyaki chicken fried rice. *Check-in for free gyoza! read more

Food was good drive up pick up and being able to order online makes it super convenient

Have been going to Mirin Cafe for almost two years now and they still never disappoint! Unfortunately I don't live as close anymore but anytime I'm in north county, I make a stop there for something yummy. It's surely a tiny little cafe but the staff is very friendly and it feels super homey(when you could dine-in). They still offer take out food and their drive-thru makes it super quick and easy for picking up food. I've tried a few of their rolls, the crunchy is really tasty but I really love to get their tonkotsu ramen when I go, it's delicious and their prices are super reasonable. read more

Needed a place for a quick lunch and decided to try this place in the hopes it would become our go-to Japanese place for homey Japanese food close to home and not have to go all the way to the Convoy area. If you're not extremely picky, this place is OK. I had the black garlic ramen which was pretty good. The broth was lacking a little something, so I added a little soy sauce and it was better. Can't complain too much about the ramen. My husband had the combo fried rice, which was beef, chicken and shrimp. It was....not too fried, still pretty wet. So that was just ok. My sister had the katsu curry, which is the curry with a panko crusted pork cutlet. Apparently that was good and a good portion. All three of our dished were pretty well portioned, reasonable for the price, just unfortunately not that great for my taste buds anyways. We'll probably still come here in a pinch if we need to, but I'd rather go to Convoy... read more

Mirin Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Escondido, California

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I'm so glad we found this place ! We were on our way home from being at Universal Studios and still had about 30 minutes to drive, so we stopped at Mirin Cafe. It was about 45 minutes before they closed and they didn't treat us badly or seem to be rushing us out. The food was fresh, delicious, and prepared with care. The service we received was exceptional and friendly. I felt like I had been there many times with how personable the staff was. The restaurant was clean and comfortable. The bathrooms were also clean and did not reek of odors or chemicals like most restaurants of this size. I definitely recommend it ! read more