We ended up here after leaving another restaurant with uncomfortably small tables for couples, only to find the same issue here. Honestly, we consumers should collectively boycott these cramped seating arrangements. Fortunately, when I asked the host for a different table, they were accommodating, which I appreciated. The sushi was good, and the service was solid, but the prices were way too high for what you get. read more

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We had an amazing dining experience with Tomoko! Always great service and we indulged in the Salmon Lemon Pepper Roll, Sukiyaki Beef Udon, and Crunchy Roll. read more

One of my top meals of 2024 so far, and this will be hard to beat! Lovely staff and the best service here. It's closest to park near the Apple Store at the Spectrum. Started off with the Scallop crudo, this was so refreshing and delightfully spicy, and the scallops were huge too! The Squid ink uni pasta was calling my name, and this was so creamy and delicious. For rolls, we got the Sashimi roll which was my absolute favorite here, and the Volcano roll which is literally lit on fire! Had to end the perfect meal on a sweet note with winter-only seasonal Yuzu flan. Thanks for reading! ^-^ read more

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We have been wanting to try this place for a while now and we were so happy we finally did! We were wowed from the beginning. The decor and overall feel of the restaurant is so relaxing and welcoming. Our server was so kind and service was 10/10. We ordered the Natsu Salmon roll, a classic tuna roll, and Spicy Yellowtail Tataki roll. Split between the two of us, it was the perfect amount. My favorite was the Natsu Salmon because the flavors were so well balanced! Thank you for a great experience. See you soon! read more

If you're ever at Irvine Spectrum, you NEED to check out Robata Wasa! The food is amazing! fish is very high quality and fresh, and the presentation is beautiful! The staff is very kind and the service is fast. The ambience is very warm and cozy, perfect for a dinner date! Also, the mocktails are so yummy! For starters, I ordered the uni meets ikura, spicy tuna crispy rice, and ryoshi plate. For mains, I ordered the mentaiko shrimp pasta and sushi gozen bento. Highly recommend everything. read more

Robata Wasa - Uni meets Ikura, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, ryoshi plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Food: excellent. Service: fast. Ambiance: relaxed, and spacious. Walk-in during weekday, with no reservation. read more

Went here for my wife's birthday dinner. We ordered a few appetizers and a few entrees. In terms of the appetizers, we had the jalapeños poppers, chicken karage and shrimp. My wife and her mother really liked the shrimp as they seem to have a Cajun twist to it. The poppers and chicken karage were comparable to others that we had at other restaurants. Of the entrees, we ordered the beef sukiyaki udon, sushi bentos box, miso salmon, uni pasta, deluxe bento box. We never tried the miso salmon because we were too full by the time it came out so I will likely have that for lunch. The uni pasta was good. But the uni portion they gave was very small. So only my wife had it. The son really enjoyed the bento box but he was only able to finish the beef portion. The udon and sushi bento were comparable to others we had at other restaurants. Service was average. Our water was empty for some time before the staff realized it needed to be refilled. Overall, I believe the food, service and ambiance were above average. But for that price point, I would likely not come back. read more

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Had lunch at Robata Wasa today and really enjoyed it. The space is beautiful and relaxing, and the food was genuinely good -- fresh and flavorful. Service was very good. I'd definitely come back again. Solid spot if you're in the area. read more

Robata Wasa - Uni meets Ikura - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Very mediocre for the expensive price. Total for 4 dishes was around $90 and it's not even filling. Only way to get full was from the heaps of rice they give instead of actual proteins. The uni & ikura dish greens still had dirt attached on there...so they obviously don't bother washing their ingredients. See first photo for reference. 5 sashimi slices for $18 and it tastes just like a ayce or grocery store bought one. Don't recommend coming here. Save your money for better spots! read more

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Really enjoyed lunch here! There are so many sushi options in OC so it's hard to be the best but this was tasty. It wasn't anything I haven't had before and there weren't any unique combinations overall but they deliver on what you order! The eel, salmon pepper, and no rice roll was good. read more

Robata Wasa - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

We had early reservations for 6 pm made earlier by the Daylight Savings reset. We had decided to come for OC Restaurant Week but found out from the waitress they weren't serving it anymore. Oh well, Restaurant Week is really just an excuse to get together with friends to try a new place anyway. Right away, the waitress seemed pretty rushed. I guess she thought sitting down and our telling her our party was short one person meant we were going to order right away. Nope. And the answer stayed nope the next three times she came by to ask. Pretty annoying to get the bum's rush before even our party was complete. Our friend arrived so we ordered our food. This restaurant is incredibly loud. We were sitting in the patio section with the door to the main dining area open and it was like getting blasted by a wall of noise at our backs. I guess the waitress couldn't hear an order right so when the wrong thing was brought to our table, she heavily implied we should just accept it anyway. My very nice friend whose order was messed up almost fell for it but I had to put my foot down and told them we really wanted only the food we ordered. So I guess in punishment for asking for only what we ordered, our food got sent out with 15 minutes gaps in between items arriving. I had ordered the sushi bento so my food was fine (it was a chilly night and my food wasn't going to suffer from getting colder) but the mango foam lobster looked sadder and sadder the longer we waited. Finally the seared ahi arrived and we could start eating. Food was fine. Looked fancy, tasted okay. Small portions, high price tag. Lookswise the restaurant is has a warm upscale vibe in Japanese style blonde wood. In actuality, the hard surfaces reflect a lot of noise however so walking through the dining room to get to the restroom is a noisy journey. Service seems attentive but you get pestered to order before you're ready and then you get the wrong food and they're really reluctant to make it right. The wrong item still showed up on the bill but was credited away with a passive aggressive weird "customer satisfaction" line. Uhh, if you hadn't brought out the wrong thing and were more speedy about it, I'd actually be satisfied. Food looked nice and tasted okay but the restaurant experience is about more than bellying up to the trough and chowing down. Ambiance and service definitely have their place and at this price point (final bill was $120 for 3 people), I really don't expect to get harassed in multiple ways. Irvine Spectrum is abundant with many restaurants serving many types of cuisine at varying price points. I will probably be going to many other places within walking distance before coming back to Robata Wasa. read more

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Food was really great here, my wife and I love sushi and always make it a point to try to visit any local spot. The drinks were also really good! Overall the staff was friendly, so no big complaint. The host let us know it was going to be about 15 minutes and I'd get a text to come in, and the text didn't come through until 30 minutes. That was a bummer. Additionally, it was pretty cold outside, we had asked the server to turn on the heaters which she did, but then about 30 minutes in she turned them off. We asked if they were out on a timer, and she said "oh no, I just wanted it off". Ok? Inside the restaurant was nice, it was a bit loud (music) so we decided to sit outside so I'm not having to yell over it. Overall, good experience, I'd go again for sure read more

I had high expectations for this restaurant especially it being where it's located me how the appearance of the restaurant looks; however, I think the food is mediocre at best. Food Taste & Quality (Main Dishes) - 2/5 Appetizers - 3/5 Service (from our specific waiter) - 4/5 I'll have to try again for their sushi rolls because the family and I had tried most of their main dishes + appetizers & wasn't so satisfied based on our experiences from other places on the food. read more

Robata Wasa - Obento - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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We have been here many times over 5+ years and have been happy each visit. It is a place that is quieter than the surrounding mall and has quality food. The special dishes and sashimi have been fresh and innovative with well balanced flavor and freshness. Staff have always been pleasant and welcoming even when there is a wait. I dont always have a good experience on return visits to most other places, but this restaurant has been consistently a delight. read more

Perfect stop at the spectrum for delicious cocktails and Japanese bites. Been here twice and I would say the bar is the way to go. Each time we came on a whim and there was a wait to be seated but not for sitting at the bar. The bartender is attentive in getting multiple orders, getting plates cleared, and refilling drinks. The signature cocktails are all well-crafted and provide something for everyone or every mood. They have Japanese-inspired riffs of classic cocktails like the Margarita (La Patrona Japonesa), Martini (Osaka Vesper), Manhattan (Hitori & Bitter), Mai Tai (Tomo on Vacation), and Midori Sour (Yudori Sour). We tried all of these and they're all delicious. The food also has a personal touch and elegant presentation. To start, my girlfriend and I love Spicy Garlic Edamame and we are constantly searching for the best. Our favorite is from Kopan Ramen and the spicy garlic edamame they make here is very similar. The spicy tuna crispy rice here displays an aesthetically pleasing big smooth ball of spicy tuna and they get the texture of the crispy rice perfect too. Even something as basic as their Sashimi impressed me with its surprisingly delicious pairing of pickled onion. The decor is filled with creative Japanese art like the hanging sake lamps or the wave plate mural. The restaurant provides a versatile experience that makes it great for tons of occasions: dates, hangouts, solo, etc. - just not your AYCE sushi with the hungry boys. Overall, the menu and service have been enjoyable and I look forward to many more visits as I make my way through the menu. read more

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Food is amazing!! The place is nice, clean, and super cute for taking pictures. I left 4 stars because the service was honestly not great. The guy who took my order was rude and never checked in to see if we were okay. It also took a really long time to get my check and my card back. I waited about 5-7 minutes, and there were only two other people there. Other than the service, I would definitely recommend this place. The food is really good, and I'll be back read more

Food was excellent! Their special pasta, pictured, was something I'll be craving for. Too bad you don't have a restaurant here in Hawaii, where I live... read more

Robata Wasa - The best pasta! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

I was impressed with the decor and comfortable seating for a dining experience. Very relaxing to grab a bite after a day of shopping here at the Irvine Spectrum. Service level was mediocre and could improve by checking in with guest during the dining experience. They recommended a few items and their Bake Bree was to die for!! I was impressed! The sushi itself was good, but the roll wasn't the best. For the price point could've had more flavor or thicker slices of the sushi in/on the roll. I tried their seasonal drink which looked amazing but the tase itself was very tart. Overall good experience and will be going back for their omakase when the Chef Is in. read more

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Always a great time here. The servers are so attentive and kind. Music and ambiance really sets the tone for a lovely meal as well. The food is very fresh and well put together on the plate. read more

Robata Wasa - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Everything from the bento boxes to the calamari and rolls are delicious here, and there's always great service as well. The bathrooms are clean, and I've never personally had to wait for a table. read more

Robata Wasa - Calamari Tempura - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

This place is incredibly unprofessional. I called to request a refund because I never received my food. I placed my order online, but they were closed when I went to pick it up. Nowhere on their website did it indicate that they were closed. In fact, one of my coworkers had a similar experience and she received a callback along with her food. I, on the other hand, have yet to receive any response from them or my refund. This restaurant is not inexpensive, and I was really looking forward to my sushi that day. I've called multiple times, and each time they assured me that they would call me back, but it has now been over a week with no follow-up. I rarely complain about food services, but I was genuinely disappointed about missing out on my sushi. Unless I either get my food or my money back, I will hold a grudge against them. read more

Robata Wasa - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

The food was perfect. There was a large party on Saturday night when my family was eating there, so the dishes came out slowly, but the server was very kind and gave us a discount. read more

The sushi itself is good quality, and there's some great choices on the menu. The interior is also very nice, besides the occasional ill-fitting music playing in the background. However, for the prices, the service is very lacking. Every time we have come in, our drinks don't really get refilled. Even when it's not busy, we're checked on very briefly (with the focus being on whether the items are correct or want to order more) before they quickly disappear again. We only see our server when ordering, getting our meals dropped off, and paying. Having been here for both lunch and dinner during both weekdays and weekends at varying levels of traffic, the service is always the same. Although the location at a mall is convenient, there's plenty of other options nearby with cheaper prices, better service, and comparable quality. I've liked the sushi here, but it's difficult to fully enjoy a meal thirsty with an empty glass trying to find your server. read more

This is the best sushi place in the Irvine area! The fish quality, service, and atmosphere are all top-notch. Everything was absolutely delicious! read more

Robata Wasa - Sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

First time at Robata Wasa at Irvine Spectrum on a Sunday around noon. Restaurant was half empty and the service was a tad slow. We ordered the sushi gozen bento, uni meets ikura, shrimp tempura and karaage chicken. Sushi gozen bento and uni meets ikura are good. Uni meets ikura is served in a tea cup so portion isn't huge but it's the perfect light lunch. The karaage chicken is mostly fried crunchy batter, not a lot of real chicken meat...don't recommend. Shrimp tempura is smaller than average size and served 5 pieces in an order. Overall a decent lunch option when you are at Spectrum. Just don't expect prompt service. read more

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What an amazing experience! The sushi was incredibly fresh and beautifully presented. It was definitely some of the best I've had. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the service was top-notch. A special thank-you to our wonderful host, Viviane, who was so welcoming and attentive. She made sure everything was perfect from start to finish. Highly recommend both the restaurant and Viviane's exceptional hospitality! read more

Great food and wonderful experience that was compounded by the fact that our waitress, Vivian went above and beyond to make our visit memorable. 10/10 will be back read more

The food was really good and the servers were very friendly. We really liked sitting outside on the patio. I am really glad that we chose this restaurant. read more

This place is great. For quality, service, and great atmosphere. Great menu with a lot of options. Phenomenal service. Amazing staff and very nice surroundings also with very fast times for food thank you - to Will for the great service! read more

A cross between causal and fancy, that holds true for both their ambiance, interior, food and pricing. Robata Wasa is located right on the corner of the Apple Store and Target at the Irvine Spectrum. Huge plus for parking because you have plenty of outdoor lot parking with direct access to the restaurant. You also have a round about directly in front of you need to be dropped off or picked up. I came here with a friend after a workout class at the spectrum, so needless to say we were dressed as we were and sweaty on top of it. The interior of Robata gives a fancier aesthetic but, not so fancy we felt uncomfortable dining in. The menu pricing is mid to high, you're getting good quality ingredients but in smaller portions. We ordered a variety of shareable items and a roll but, the star of the show was their salmon skin salad. Not only delicious but the portion size was so generous. Now as simple as it was (truly it's spring mix, salmon skin, and housemate dressing) it was so good. We also paired our meal with their house sake and it was very smooth! Overall, loved our experience, food was fresh, service was good, hostess was pleasant. They also accept Apple Pay (seems this is hit or miss at a lot of restaurants now) If you're at or near Irvine spectrum, check out Robata Wasa for your sushi fix! read more

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As another reviewer indicated, it's not the service but the quality and taste of the food that is bad. We were seated right away on Wednesday night and the server met expectations with attentiveness. Above average dishes: Chicharron salmon skin salad - portion is big and salmon skin was very crispy. Not enough dressing though. Would have been better with more dressing. Yasai croquettes - crispy and made as expected Mango Foam Salmon - while this dish was okay, it was very pricey for the taste I'm paying for Dishes to skip: Salmon Truffle Carpaccio - dry and bland. One of the worst carpaccio I've had. Adding truffle just added to the unnecessary costs without contributing any flavor Yellowtail sushi - dry and bland Fresh eel sushi - chewy and bland Volcano roll - not very good. They try to impress you with the presentation of fire but still not good Kurabota sausage - dry and bland Not worth coming back. read more

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Always great service here, our server Tomoko was super friendly and had the best recommendations! The salmon skin salad was huge and packed with flavor and the hamachi kama was perfectly grilled. read more

Would be 5/5 but the natsu salmon sushi roll I got was just ok. A little too oily for me. The garlic edamame was great and same with the two piece scallop sushi. Our waitress was truly the sweetest and made my experience the 5/5, thank you Tiff! read more

I walk by here all the time when I'm at the Spectrum and always wanted to try it. And one faithful day I finally decided to walk through those doors and be underwhelmed. I ordered the beef udon and it was too oily and pungent unlike other Japanese places like Meiji Siemens or Habuya. The beef had too many fatty chunks and I prefer my sliced beef a bit leaner. The great news, (or not so great news), is you get large portion. I kinda want to go back and give other dishes a try because maybe this isn't the place for udon. But now I'll never wonder every time I walk by. read more

Robata Wasa - Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Had a great lunch meeting at Robata Wasa. Service was top notch and the food was quite enjoyable. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Robata Wasa - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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I had a very negative experience here last time and I'm unhappy with the outcome. I don't feel like the manager handled it well at all. The roll we ordered was absolutely inedible but we were starving and picked at it. The fish quality has gone downhill considerably since the first few times I've dined here. Now it is sub par and I wouldn't return unless they have new management or ownership. read more

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This place is definitely worth trying. Robata Wasa offers a diverse menu with a wide range of options, from traditional nigiri and sashimi to creative rolls and cooked dishes. The restaurant hosts a low-light and intimate atmosphere. I had a great waitress who had great knowledge of the menu. The reason as to why I'm only rating this place three stars is that a lot of the items that I ordered were good, but nothing amazing given the price. The standout of the night was the bento box of sashimi. The fish was high quality and fresh. Definitely try this place out if you're at the Spectrum, but be conscientious of the price and what you might be paying for. read more

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Micro Review: 5/5 We came on a Friday night without reservations and got seated right away. Love the vibe of the restaurant. Quick service and delicious tempura, sushi, and entrees. Try the spicy tuna crispy rice. read more

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Decided to give this place a try since it was close and we were feeling sushi. Sushi was great but other items weren't as good. Service was terrible. At one point had to waive someone down like I was in school with my hand in the air cause no one was attentive to us. They brought out the food and never came back. Had to do this for a refill and again for the check. Food 5, service zero, I expected better. read more

This was delectable and actually really filling. The fish was savory and flavorful. The decor and ambiance at the bar was calm and beautiful. The bartender was hospitable and on top of service. Loved loved the sashimi platter. read more

Robata Wasa - RW Sashimi Platter - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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