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    Mori Izakaya

    4.6 (1.4k reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    Mori Izakaya Photos

    MORI IZAKAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Mori Izakaya

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    View from my booth. Beautiful environment, seating is perfectly spaced and so clean!
    Ashley M.

    Incredible food, ambience, service and location. Having been to traditional Izakaya restaurants in Japan, Mori Izakaya is TOP notch! Upon arrival, I was seated right away, offered happy hour items (there are SO many) and began my dining experience. I actually found this establishment from an Instagram post raving about this absolute gem in Anaheim. I ordered a draft Kirin, whiskey highball, curry rice (just like coco curry in Japan!), miso and spicy tuna hand roll. In summary, this was the highlight of my weekend and I can't wait to come back.

    Okonomiyaki
    Taylor T.

    A nice Japanese restaurant with many options for everyone. It was pretty expensive for some of the items. It wasn't anything to rave about but it wasn't bad either. I'd recommend skipping the skewers as you get a small stick of food for $3-4. We thought that we would be able to share but unfortunately it's just a toothpick with 2-3 pieces on it. The king oyster mushroom was $4.25 and you'd think they'd just give us the whole mushroom instead of just half. You're better off with one of their plates than skewers. I'd recommend going during happy hour to get the best bang for your buck. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We went around 5/5:30pm and the restaurant was empty except for one other table.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The music was crazy loud so we asked for them to turn it down since we had our 1 year old.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Downside was that it would be turned down for a minute then someone else turned it back up. We asked 2 more times and it kept happening.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Eventually we just asked to be moved to a different section where the music wasn't very loud.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was good and the food came out fast. They did give a courtesy warning for the end of happy hour.

    Yakitori
    Arthur E.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice decor, but subpar food experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Went for a Friday dinner. Had reservations and were sat immediately. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The music was pretty loud, so asked the waiter to lower the volume, which they did.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ordered some agadashi tofu, sushi and yakitori. The tofu was fine, but the sushi and yakitori were literally pretty tough to swallow. The toro nigiri was pretty fishy and the tuna nigiri was very cut improperly or something - it had ligaments / tendons in the pieces and I honestly couldn't chew it properly to eat. The beef yakitori pieces were all overcooked and dry as well. Will pass next time around.

    Clay T.

    Wanted to rate 5 stars after seeing all the other reviews but maybe we were just there on an off night! Parking was weird with the front doors on the side by the busy road which threw us off at first. We were quickly seated but at a table directly under a speaker. Despite asking for the volume to be turned down a few times it was just too loud to hear each other talk. Ended up moving tables which helped. Food was all good but the portions , specifically the skewers were quite small compared to the photos which was misleading. The prices were also very high even for LA area.

    Britney H.

    Yummy food and glad that Mori Izakaya is a great late night restaurant! The ambiance on Saturday is a bit quieter than on the weekdays or happy hour days! Service is attentive and nice! The waiters checked in on us whenever and on rotation! TIP: Just a light reminder that happy hours take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays!

    Takoyaki
    Ellie G.

    Stopped by Mori Izakaya for dinner and enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and friendly service. We ordered a variety of dishes including sushi, grilled skewers, takoyaki, fried squid legs, and okonomiyaki. The sushi was fresh but fairly average compared to other sushi spots in OC. The takoyaki and fried squid legs were easily the standout dishes of the night. Both were packed with flavor and paired perfectly with a cold beer. Most of the grilled meats were cooked well and had a nice char. The okonomiyaki looked amazing when it arrived at the table, but unfortunately it was undercooked in the center and not what I expected. Despite that, the overall experience was enjoyable and I would return for the takoyaki, squid legs, and drinks.

    Yakitori
    Yurie H.

    Good izakaya with yakitori and many other dishes. We came here for my sisters graduation around 5:30 PM. Interior is like a Japanese yatai with lots of table seating. We ordered some carpaccio, many yakitori, Kara age, yakisoba, and creamy uni udon. My favorite was the carpaccio, fresh and good portion. Yakitori was solid as well but not the best I've had. I had a ume high ball very strong and refreshing, Overall solid food with good service. Would love to try the other dishes my next visit.

    Nanc E.

    If you are here for yakitori, it is excellent. I enjoyed the skewers as it hit the spot. If you are here for the sushi, it is OK, pretty standard for what it is, but if you're looking for premium grade sushi, I would skip. The prices are fair for yakitori but on the higher end for sushi. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love the interior decor of this restaurant, it is well set up, with plenty of parking and lower chances of having to wait.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service is pretty good, I have no complaints. Everything came out as expected, and the service was fast. They were very attentive.

    Megan D.

    8.9/10 What was ordered: Beef short rib w/ soy, beef ribeye, lamb chop, pork belly w/ miso, pork belly w/ spicy, bacon asparagus, bacon enoki, garlic butter scallop, unagi, squid leg karaage, okomiyaki, and salmon sashimi. Overall everything was delicious. My favorite and most unique item was the lamb chop. It was so cute and tiny, which made it perfect for photos. The only critique I have is that one of the beef orders was a little tough to chew, I think it was the beef short rib. Other than that, everything was great and I would definitely come here again. Note: One thing about this spot that I'm not a fan of is the hosting situation. If there's a wait and you put your name down, the host won't give you a time frame of when a table will be ready. It's insanely inconvenient because how are you supposed to know if you're even willing to wait that long? It's also misleading because there are always so many open tables, but they don't seat people in those spots. Maybe they don't have enough employees, but it's frustrating to see empty seats while you're just standing there.

    room big table
    Carol S.

    Located in a large plaza, this place has plenty of convenient parking. The restaurant is spacious with lots of tables, and they also have private rooms, so there's plenty of seating and the space feels open. The interior has a warm Japanese izakaya-style atmosphere with wood accents and vintage Japanese decor. We ordered the udon, chicken katsu curry, and yakitori. The udon broth was rich and flavorful, and the chicken katsu curry was satisfying. The yakitori was a little on the dry side, but overall, we had a good experience. Service was friendly. This was my first visit, and I was satisfied overall. I'll definitely come back again.

    Sushi platter
    Linda C.

    We came here for a friend's birthday since they have private karaoke rooms. I'm personally not a karaoke person but if you are, this spot is solid. The song selection was kinda weak but the sake selection definitely made up for it. My friend ordered a bunch of dishes for the room. My favorites were the tofu, mushrooms, and okra. Sadly they ran out of okra. If I come back, my order is already decided: okra x5 shiitake mushrooms x1 and a small bottle of nigori sake ($19)

    Miso
    Kimberly B.

    One of my top izakaya spots! Love bringing friends here and leaving satisfied in how delicious everything tastes. It was a quiet cozy night and not as busy, I came 2 1/2 hours til closing time but the food and service was still great. I was finally wanting to try the udon Mentaiko cream, but they said since they weren't as busy, they were going to close the kitchen early so they only had the happy hour menu available which was a bummer. Mori izakaya never skimps on freshness and bursts of flavors! Skewers: -Sirloin -garlic pork belly -spicy pork belly Potato croquettes and salad: -Crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside with the perfect balanced dipping sauce. -salad; unwilted crisp greens with a light sweet dressing California tuna hand roll was good, nothing special. It was definitely missing some sort of sauce or drizzle Gyoza: golden crunchy delight Miso -piping hot chefs kiss. Overall 9/10 highly recommend.

    Kurtis C.

    Came here for the second time last Friday night after work and it was just alright. The first time was good enough to consider coming back, but unfortunately I don't see myself coming back again. I ordered 4 pieces of yakitori to go along with a beer; just a little pit stop before going home to grab a bite and unwind for a bit. Unfortunately the yakitori took a long time to come out. I kinda wanted to nibble on something while drinking some beer, but it took so long I just decided to finish the beer instead. When it did come out, it was also a bit disappointing as well. The last time I came here the yakitori was much better. This time around it was dry and offensively under seasoned. Listen, I eat a lot of chicken breast for da gainz, so I fully expected the chicken tenderloin to be dry, but more wasabi absolutely would've helped. Even my favorite meatball with cheese was a letdown. Anyway, service was fine. The hostess was friendly and had a positive vibe about her. Unfortunately this makes it 0 for 2 for izakayas this month :( Guess I'll have to continue making the journey out to Fountain Valley for good yakitori then.

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    Review Insights

    27 days ago

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    Cal H.

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    20 days ago

    The food was great, ordered sushi and yakitori. Service was also quick. Ordered a bunch of yakitori and sushi. Price was fair.

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    20 days ago

    This restaurant has Good food and good beverages. Will definitely recommend and will come back soon

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    1 month ago

    Great decor with spacious interior, authentic menu, and lovely hostess. Well deserved high rating.

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    Page 1 of 36

    Mori Izakaya Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mori Izakaya

    Do they offer gift certificates?

    What is the general noise level of Mori? Like do I need to yell to have a conversation?

    No, it's pretty quiet. They place music but you can still have a conversation in your normal voice.

    Is there a private area for birthdays party of 8?

    Yes, they do have a private area.

    Is this place Korean owned?

    It would seem so

    No sushi on the menu?

    We have Sasimi and Sushi menu.

    Do you take reservations?

    Yes please reservation via our web site. https://www.moriizakaya.com/reservations

    View All 9 Questions

    IZAKAYA OSEN

    IZAKAYA OSEN

    4.3
    (2.1k reviews)
    12.6 mi
    $$$
    Outdoor seating
    Full bar

    We visited IZAKAYA OSEN over the weekend to celebrate my daughter's birthday. We made our…read morereservation three days in advance and were seated immediately upon arrival. I really loved the private dining room with the beautiful bonsai tree as the backdrop. It created a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere, and the room gave us plenty of privacy to enjoy our celebration together. The food quality was outstanding. We ordered the Premium Chirashi ($80), which was incredibly fresh and absolutely excellent. The Seared Scallop ($31) was perfectly prepared and delicious. The Tuna Pringles ($17) were both fun and flavorful, with crispy wonton skin adding a great texture. The A5 Wagyu Beef ($70) was premium quality and exceptionally tender. We also enjoyed the Salmon Skin Salad ($20), as well as the King Salmon Sushi ($28) and Hokkaido Scallop Sushi ($27), both of which were fresh and delicious. For dessert, we had the Amato Special Black Sesame Ice Cream ($15), which was unique, rich, and a perfect way to end the meal. The service was excellent from start to finish. Our servers were professional, attentive, and made us feel genuinely welcomed throughout our visit. We even had a fun conversation with one of our waiters about the World Cup matches, which made the experience even more enjoyable and personal. It's those little interactions that made us feel like valued guests rather than just customers. IZAKAYA OSEN truly delivers a high-end dining experience with exceptional food, beautiful ambiance, and outstanding service. We had a wonderful birthday lunch, and I will definitely recommend this restaurant to my friends and look forward to visiting again.

    Had a fantastic experience here! We started with half a dozen oysters, and they were incredibly…read morefresh and clean. For the kushiyaki, we ordered the beef tongue, prime beef, chicken gizzard, and bacon enoki mushroom skewers. Every skewer was packed with flavor. The prime beef was especially tender. For sushi, we tried the Blue Crab Uni Bowl and the Premium Sushi Hachi Mori (8 pieces). While the sushi was excellent, the standout for me was definitely the Blue Crab Uni Bowl. It felt like a DIY hand roll experience. The restaurant itself is beautiful, spacious, and has a great atmosphere. There's a parking structure available, and the restaurant validates parking, which makes visiting even more convenient. Overall, everything from the food to the ambiance was outstanding. Service was amazing during dinner rush. I would definitely come back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for great sushi and kushiyaki!

    Photos
    Sashimi Omakase
    Sashimi Omakase
    Omakase Bowl
    Omakase Bowl
    Fresh Roll

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    Fresh Roll
    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining

    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    10.9 mi
    $$

    Loved this place. The staff is so nice…read more The food was delicious can't wait to come back. The shell crab was so sooo good and tasty. The corn fritters also delicious, with the white truffle salt. Ao unique. Also had the margarita, that was a fun experience shaking the lime into the glass, Pork belly ramen! OMG- melted in Your mouth. Overall 100/10. Get there early, long waitlist, but well worth the wait. Thank you for a great dining experience.

    Habuya Okinawan Dining is one of those rare places that isn't just about the food--it's about…read moreexperiencing Okinawan culture. Mama (Mayumi) has poured so much of herself into this restaurant, from the artwork on the walls to the warm hospitality that makes it feel like you're being welcomed into someone's home. (Oishii Desu "It's Delicious"⁠) If it's your first visit, don't skip the Okinawan specialties. The mountain yam dishes, rafute (braised pork belly), Okinawan soba, and an ice-cold Orion beer served in a frosted glass are all part of what makes Habuya so memorable. It's a place to slow down, share plates, and enjoy the experience. I'm genuinely happy to see Habuya getting so much attention on social media because it's well deserved. My only hope is that as more people discover it, they also help preserve what makes it special. This is a small, family-run restaurant, so please be patient during check-in, be kind to the staff, and remember that many guests have been waiting for the opportunity to enjoy the experience as well. Come to appreciate the food, drinks, and Okinawan culture--not just to snap a few photos and leave. One thing to keep in mind is that if you don't drink alcohol or follow a vegan diet, the menu may feel a bit more limited. But if you're open to experiencing authentic Okinawan cuisine, Habuya is truly one of Orange County's hidden gems.

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    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining
    Chicken wings
    Chicken wings
    Purple Yam

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    Purple Yam
    Akashiro

    Akashiro

    4.6
    (285 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    My son took me to Akashiro for my birthday. What a treat this was!!…read more He ordered the full omakase experience for us. I didn't know what to expect, but WOW! It's a like a dining adventure. Fifteen courses that are surprises because even tho there's a "template" of types of dishes, each one is ultimately the chef's choice. As each course was brought out, our waiter did an excellent job of describing what each item was and it's place of origin. Fifteen courses is alot to try to remember each specific dish so I decided to stay in the moment (after I snapped a pic) and enjoyed each one as we had them and talked about the flavor profiles and what we liked best about it. When my son had made the reservation he must have told them we were celebrating my birthday because in addition to the regular dessert course, our server brought me a birthday dessert which included green tea ice cream and a slice of matcha cheesecake. The full omakase experience was delicious and so fun! I told my son that it was like an advent calendar ~ each course we "opened" had us saying "ooo, how yummy" and left us with almost giddy anticipation of what we'd discover next. If you're looking for something fun and unique for a special occasion, I highly recommend the full omakase experience at Akashiro!

    It's a Saturday and husband was ready for sushi. I had another place in mind, but they didn't take…read morereservations and we're not about to chance it and wait. So we found this place and it was in the same vicinity and yay, they took reservations. Made reservations same day for a 18:30 seating. Service is impeccable. We were welcomed with hot towels, and this impressed me: when our server asked if we wanted cold or hot water. Love it! We opted for hot, better for digestion :) Our libation: Kubota sake - semi dry, rich, clean Our dishes: Assorted sashimi (16 pcs) - omakase. No soy sauce needed. Chef prepared with delicious flavors in mind. Tiger scallops - served in a what appears to resemble petrified wood, carved into a long boatlike dish. Hokkaido shrimp, cilantro oil, chilaquita (Peruvian onion relish), sweet potato crisp, smoke aji Amarillo (Peruvian yellow chili) Leche de tigre (rich emulsion of limes, Peruvian spices and chilis) - A complexity of flavors that comes together so completely. Eat with spoon. The delicate potato crisp finishes the bite with a little crunch. Udon picante - bell peppers, quinoa and 2 jumbo shrimp. Love the heat level. Comfort food at its best. Salmon parmesan - Nikkei sushi - seared salmon, parmesan bitter, eel sauce , arare, lime. Amazing. O toro sushi - the fattiest cut of tuna. Eat as is. Again chef prepared. No added seasoning required. Parri maki - fried shrimp, cream cheese, seared tuna topped with chimichurri, aji amarillo, chalaquita, ponzu. Food experience was enhanced by their impeccable taste in music. Super chill, soft beats stream the restaurant. With its perfect lighting too sets all the good moods for us. Don't wait for this fine dining experience of Japanese and Peruvian fusion. Note: when they ask if you want soy sauce, say No, thank you. It would be a shame to kill the taste of a beautiful dish with any added sauce. Kampai! Salud!

    Photos
    Nice mural
    Nice mural
    Parmesan Scallop was great. ordered twice.
    Parmesan Scallop was great. ordered twice.
    Chutoro and Salmon belly

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    Chutoro and Salmon belly
    Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori

    Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori

    4.4
    (489 reviews)
    11.3 mi
    $$
    Free parking
    Outdoor seating

    Noob of me to not join the Yelp waitlist ahead of time, but luckily I wasn't too hungry so the wait…read morewasn't bad. This place gets busy, especially during the weekend. From start to finish, everything was excellent. All their food was amazing, with great service. Everyone was so genuinely friendly, from the host to waitress, to the chefs working behind the counter while we sat at the bar. You can tell a lot of thought went into both the menu and the overall dining experience. The yakitori were all tasty and cooked to perfection, the fried starters were all crispy without being overly battered, the raw fish were fresh, and drinks were beautifully presented and explained. Parking lot was a bit small, but spaces tend to open up fairly quickly. Just keep in mind that it's one-way traffic, so the security guard may ask you to loop around if needed. One of the best meals I've had in a while, and I'm not easily impressed. I would absolutely recommend giving this place a try.

    Avocado Tofu Salad (5/5): so fresh, sesame dressing was amazing, definitely getting again…read moreChicken Thigh (2/5): not as flavorful as the other ones American Wagyu Skirt Steak (5/5): juicy, very flavorful, my favorite one Chicken Meat Ball (4/5): good flavor and seasoning Service was slow. I had to get the staff's attention every time I needed something. Other than that, the food was really good.

    Photos
    Yummy yummy
    Yummy yummy
    Premium sake
    Premium sake
    Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori

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    Mori Izakaya - izakaya - Updated July 2026

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