Now after a day for business out in sunny California. I figured I'd have a bite in Laguna Beach... This is a for sure spot to eat I while in Laguna. Easy parking. Great location and parking. Even close to the beach where after eating, you could take a walk. The service was fair. Smiles and quick. Delicious food. No complaints from this review. But if you're in a mood for a bite and a drink. Check out Starfish! Thank you Starfish! I had a pleasant experience.... read more

Starfish - OG Vietnamese Roll and a roll on the side.... - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

I love starfish. I live in NorCal and every time I come down, this is the one and only spot I make a date to go. It's just me and I don't need much, so HH is perfect. The libation of choice: lychee martini. Though this last visit, I finally tried another at the rec of Alexis - enlightenment. It's very refreshing- now I've got two favs. The wontons are fire! I normally go for shrimp chive, but also tried the pork Saigon ones this last visit, pan fried. Also super delicious. Crab Philly sushi was quite yum, I had a few left over and ate on my drive home. The roll is big!! Alexis is phenomenal- I only wish I could be as natural and on point as she. Fantastic server... I mean, fantastic person really. A++ Two drinks, an app or sometimes two and my evening instantly livens up. Gd I wish I lived in Laguna. One day! This is a local must. Love what the owners do, all the responses are genuine, the staff are great, and the vibes/drinks/food will keep you coming back. Till next time starfish! read more

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As a vegan with life-threatening allergies to gluten and animal products, I'm always very scared to eat out at non-fully-vegan kitchens. However, I was pleasantly surprised by having two options safe to eat! The tofu lettuce wraps were amazing, though I'd probably pass on the Naked Buddha roll the next time. Pricing for the entrées were pretty fair! The drink menu was a bit outlandish though with pricing. I do really wish they would denote on the menu what is gluten free or GFO for peace of mind. I'm ultimately super grateful to have been able to go out with my business partner & friends. I'd love to revisit the spot again. read more

I was really excited to try out this place because I've heard good things about it from other people. However, the main reasoning for my low rating is due to the food. I ordered the shrimp and chicken wonton soup, and I was not impressed. Although this place is labeled as Asian Fusion, I would have hoped that their food would still make the effort to respect the authentic versions of the dishes they serve. 1. There was so much spinach. Most wonton soups are served with baby bok choy, but spinach has a different taste and texture so I wouldn't overdo it. 2. There were also so many slices of water chestnuts like they were carrot slices. I just thought it was odd because I was expecting water chestnuts to be added into the filling of the wontons rather than a handful of cut slices in the soup. 3. The shrimp was hard to bite into so they were overcooked. There were also free pieces of white chicken meat in the soup, which I wasn't expecting either. I had assumed all the shrimp and chicken would be minced together to be placed in the wonton. 4. The chicken broth tasted off. I'm not sure really what it was if it was lack of ginger and garlic but it just wasn't as flavorful as I hoped. Service was okay, my waiter was nice and attentive. Inside the restaurant has a nice dim light environment so it just felt very calm to have a meal across the beach. I'm willing to come back if someone invited me and hope that other dishes wouldn't disappoint as much. read more

Starfish - Shrimp and chicken Wonton Soup - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Starfish has one of the best options for this year's Orange County Restaurant Week, especially if you use InKind, too. It did not disappoint! They still serve full portions, and they also have broad options. Small Plates - Banh Mi Sliders 4.5/5 The patties were great, with the right amount of grilled flavor and the pickled vegetables were not overpowering. This was one of those simpler dishes that was prepared very, very well. - Crispy Chicken Spring Rolls 4/5 They were just fried with a great crunch, but the ingredients still felt fresh. The sweet and sour had almost a ginger kick to it. Large Plates - Cambodian Black Pepper Fillet 5/5 The filet was incredibly tender and there was a generous serving. The vegetables added a good, fresh crunch. (The table next to us ordered it and as soon and we smelled it, we knew we had to try it, too.) It is well worth the mark up. - Mongolian Beef 3.5/5 This dish has potentional, because the beef was tender and the flavor profile of the dish was great. However, the asparagus was thin and had a chew to it, and the snow peas were stringy. Dessert - Flourless Chocolate Cake 3.5/5. The texture was amazing, but the flavors felt muted, especially the berry puree. Drinks - Enlightenment 4.5/5 It was so refreshing, yet effective, with the right hint of sweetness - Lagniappe Margarita 4/5 Strong but well balanced flavors The lighting was dim, but it is still inviting. It was great for conversations, even with the tables being pretty close together. The kitchen and bar were both backed up, but the staff was aware and communicated it well. They also apologized as each dish was served, but it was all hot and freshly prepared, so we were not complaining. read more

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I really wanted to like this place they have Rombauer Chardonnay which is great not too many places have it on the menu. First of all their menu is HUGE like Cheesecake Factory which I don't appreciate. Everything has sugar very very sweet. Too many things going on when you taste the flavor profile of their dishes. Unfortunately for me is a NO. read more

Starfish - The food OK - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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This is delicious high end Asian food at very reasonable prices. The menu has a lot of variety. Our family split the spicy Ahi Tuna roll. It is made fresh to order. It is packed with flavor and the fresh ginger and wasabi can add as much heat as you like. We also had the crispy Chicken Spring rolls. Nice sauce of sweet and sour to dip into. The braised bbq pork buns were fabulous. Soft chewy buns stuffed with delicious pork. The freshness of the vegetables inside offset the richness of them. And lastly we had the steamed pork dumplings. These could have been fried. Full of meat, perfectly cooked and delicious. We ordered take out and the service was good as they checked our order, made sure we had extra sauce if we needed. The restaurant is easy to get to off of Coast Highway in Laguna with plenty of parking. read more

Kia was great very attentive . We ordered the spicy tuna roll, definitely had a kick to it . Tempura rolls was ok, nothing special . The crab wonton was crab forward . The whiskey blossom was very delicious, smooth and tasty . My lychee drink was to heavy on the lychee, i guess I don't really like lychee . I would choose a different drink next. Only a couple issues the crispy chicken spring Roll was a little dry, I would suggest cutting it in smaller pieces and adding a different dipping sauce ( I added a side of wonton sauce , tasted like sweet and sour ) . Another issue I was swatting gnats away from my food which was annoying . read more

Starfish - Spicy tuna , wontons - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Excellent selection the food was tasty. The drinks were creative.. We especially liked the coconut vodka, strawberry muddled drink with basil and the ginger martini was also nice. We had great service from Kaylee. She was very informative and helpful helpful suggestions. Lobster macadamia roll was delicious and unique. Wasn't a big fan of the cucumber salad we liked in Thai Phung's much more. It's more refreshing with the rice vinegar. The seafood and the seafood curry was cooked to Perfection and the flavor was great. The coconut rice was a nice twist. We look forward to coming back some day to try the Mongolian beef. Pleasant but dark ambience with Asian decor. read more

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We went during "Opium Hour" basically their happy hour. We ordered exclusively off that menu and put together a good meal for under $150 with cocktails. It is daily from 3-6. The service was quick and the cocktails were tasty. We went on a Saturday evening and took advantage of the beautiful scenery across the street that overlooks the ocean. The sushi was the highlight of the food, with the California roll being the table favorite with the sides of Wasabi and Ginger. The Bahn Mi slider was also really good but tasted more like a burger than what you would expect from a traditional Bahn Mi in Vietnam. That one in particular really puts the fusion in Asian-fusion. read more

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I was totally satisfied while here. Everything I ate was a five. They have an Happy Hour from 3 to 6 and if I lived here, I would never miss it. The ribs were cooked perfect. This was the best chicken lettuce wraps I ever had. The waiter was extremely patient and walked me through the menu. Is not a huge restaurant but the perfect size. Very cute outdoor seating. When I come to visit again this will be my first stop to eat. read more

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blown away once again! I celebrated my birthday at starfish and was so pleased with my delicious go-tos, highlight of the meal was definitely the Vietnamese rolls it's a must try! service was wonderful and the desserts were very unique, the banana in filo dough had great presentation and it was delicious! read more

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I'm a little torn about this review. Read on to find out why. Was on a business trip in Laguna Beach, California. Not my usual stomping grounds. Due to my travel itinerary I ended up on my own for dinner on the last evening. I was there. Somebody in my party recommended I try Starfish. Because it was such a busy establishment, I ended up ordering over the phone the Chilean Seabass, an order of edamame, a mocktail and a highly recommended (by the wonderfully friendly front desk) dessert: the mango pudding. Even though I ordered ahead of time, this place is so hopping, I had to wait about another 15 or 20 minutes after arriving. I received the text, saying my order was ready, stepped inside the restaurant, the lady at the front, checked my order and saw that the mocktail was missing and went, went back to retrieve it, which took about another five minutes or so. So far, all was fine. Headed back to the hotel, and literally just as I was stepping across the threshold, the restaurant called me back to let me know that they had forgotten the mango pudding. They offered to hold it for me if I went back or to take it off the bill. I was hungry, and really did not want to return all the way back to the restaurant, so ask them to take it off the bill. The lady on the phone tried to get the manager to do it, but apparently they were so busy, manager was not able to come to the phone. She assured me they would take the charge off that evening, and hung up the phone. Well, all of that was last week and I just checked my credit card statement. The charge was not taken off, even though it should have shown up by now if it had been. This is so disappointing. Let me say that this restaurant is pricey, not just because of location, but the quality and taste of what they serve is incredible and, in my humble opinion, well worth it. Even though I ended up having to eat takeout, so didn't have a chance to see their presentation or spend time in what was clearly, a cute and happening place, I would definitely go back again. I also wasn't thrilled, but could understand the accidental omission of the mango pudding. Props to the front desk, lady, for realizing that it was missing, even though that realization came about because the putting apparently was brought out after I had left despite the rather long wait for the food which presumptively was more because of the cooked items than the mango pudding. However, the failure to refund the mango pudding after I was expressly told they would do so is really very disappointing for what otherwise is a well-run and well-regarded establishment. (For those of you who may think it's not a big deal or ask why I didn't just run back for it, first again many items here are very expensive, second it was very late and it had been a long day and I was hungry and just wanted to eat, so I didn't feel like turning around and returning to the restaurant while my food got even colder) So, three stars more because of the unfortunate experience regarding the missing dessert that I paid for, but never got to try and never received a refund as promised, then for the quality of the food, which I have to say, was absolutely amazing. No pictures because once I got back to my room, everything was gone very quickly! read more

First time her Liked the bar area Vibe is cool People and employees are nice I really like the food read more

Starfish - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Cute vibe. Friendly staff and the peanut sauce was delish. I just got take out. I want to get drinks here soon!

Came here shortly after my engagement, and there was quite a bit of a wait, about 15-20 min despite the place not looking very crowded. Once we sat down, the service was pretty good, and they helped us take some pictures. The actual food was ok. Had the calamari rings which were not bad, wish the breading was thinner and crispier. Great sauces on the side though. The rolls also were acceptable. The sunset roll was probably the best one as it had the most fish, but was also drizzled in sauce as was every single roll that we ordered. Many had too much sauce and was monotonous. It's nice that some of them included avocado to mix up the texture and flavor, but not all had it. The meal ended with a chocolate cake which was a very nice engagement gift I appreciate from the staff. Again very good service here! read more

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Unique and tasty food, excellent service in a fun and interesting restaurant - what's not to like? Every time we go to Starfish we ask ourselves, "Why don't we come here more often?" My wife and I tend to find and order the proven winner meal. Here we order new things every visit. We have yet to be disappointed. My only negative comment: I'd prefer it if they turn up the lights a little. :) read more

I still think about their chicken satay. The bits of mango in it were so good and one of my favorites I've tried. The crispy and flaky sea-bass with the curry was also a great combo I never had before. The staff was also very kind and personable. Our waitress always had a smile on her face. This dinner experience overall was amazing and a bonus that they can make any of their cocktails into mocktails :D read more

Starfish - Wild Lychee Martini (Mocktail) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Well prepared seafood options - very tasty - with indoor and outdoor seating options nicely arranged. Indoors has wonderful charm. Suggest for your outdoor seating you request the "booth / long bench" table area with planted buffer to screen parking - very pleasant with our weather here. Attentive / well versed staff. read more

Our first time here and we loved it! Dishes came out promptly. Our waitress was pleasant and attentive. The interior was pleasant. Busy, lots of chatter but still able to have a conversation without yelling. We had the yellow curry dish and the pad thai with homemade noodles. So delicious! We will definitely be returning! read more

Fantastic lobster and hamachi rolls. Must try seafood coconut curry dish. Nathalie is attentive and very knowledgeable. read more

Underwhelming the food was average and nothing special for the price . the sevice was good, the senery was cool and that was a plus.

Once again our girl Paola served us and I had to give credit where it's due! Every single time I come here she is always so friendly and on point! Always makes our experience so good! Keeps us coming back! With love your biggest fan, Sam! read more

We came here for lunch and had a great experience! When first walking into the restaurant, it's fairly dark but has an upscale vibe to it. They have both outdoor and indoor seating as well. We chose to sit outside because it was a nice day and had more light. We were sat very quickly as the restaurant was fairly empty during lunch. I'm guessing this place is more of a dinner spot. Starting with the food, it's delicious but just keep in mind that it's pretty heavy. We got their sunset and Asia de Philly rolls, Shao Mai, Rickshaw Ramen Noodles, and Braised BBQ Pork Buns. The rolls were super fresh, the meat in the Shao Mai was The staff were great too! Our waitress was very attentive and had great recommendations and everyone was very nice. I would give this place a strong 4. read more

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I've been a regular at Starfish and still love the food and ambiance, which is why I'm giving a few stars. Unfortunately, my recent Saturday lunch was disappointing. Service has gone downhill--our server rarely checked on us, and at one point spilled water directly onto our table, soaking my clothes and even my car key. While he apologized, he didn't help clean it up or replace the wet napkins, and I had to ask other staff for assistance. To make matters worse, at the table next to us, a server dropped a dish on the floor, causing food and liquid to splash over to our table. No one came to check on us or make sure we were okay after that incident, which made the whole situation feel chaotic and poorly handled. The food is still great, but the lack of attentive service and how these incidents were handled made the experience frustrating. Hoping they improve because this place has a lot of potential. read more

This is our regular spot for Yummy tasty food, love the food came out fast and hot love it! great service great atmosphere. Conor is nice and friendly! Definitely refer to friends and family read more

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This is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Laguna Beach. They have the BEST happy hour. The decor is dark and moody. Kinda like a cool "opium den" in Myanmar. The Lagniappe Margarita is my most favorite margarita that I don't make myself. Super flavorful without being overly sweet. The mint thai chicken rolls are something I crave weekly. I have never had anything as good anywhere else. The bartenders are super friendly and warm. Lots of locals come here regularly. I haven't had anything on the menu I don't love. 10/10 go see this place! read more

My absolute favorite sushi spot in Orange County. Happy Hour is the best I've ever experienced. Servers are always super nice. The inside and outside seating are both great. Go during their opium hour from 3-6! Lobster Macadamia Roll is my favorite roll on the menu. read more

Starfish - Lobster Macadamia Roll - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Food was delicious and the servers are so sweet. Great happy hour selection too and right by the beach so it's nice to sit outside in the beautiful sun. read more

Starfish - Sunset Roll and Shrimp Tempura Roll - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Stopped by Starfish the other night for a nice treat and had some of their most popular selections. There was very little wait time and the staff was extremely friendly. The restaurant was clean from the entrance, throughout the dining area, all the way to the restroom. Starfish offers a selection incorporating sushi and Thai. If you're looking for little adventure, stop by here and enjoy the experience! read more

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My favorite spot for Opium Hour and libations is a rare gem that offers happy hour seven days a week, from 3-6pm--a dream for any cocktail and food lover! I recently visited both the Newport and Laguna locations on back-to-back days, and to my delight, the cocktail menus weren't identical. At the Newport location, the Maui Water stole the show as my favorite drink, while in Laguna, I couldn't get enough of the Buddha's Kiss and the Starfish Cooler, which tasted just like a gummy bear. The food was equally impressive, especially the dry rub ribs--not on the happy hour menu but absolutely worth the splurge. Everything else on the happy hour menu was delicious, with so many great options I can't even list them all. I'm already counting down the days until my next visit! ‍Pirate's Pear Enlightenment Lychee martini Buddha's kiss Espresso martini Starfish cooler- gummy bear Pornstar martini Thai strawberry breeze Spicy Ahi tuna roll Half rack dry rub ribs Saigon Summer roll Soft shell crab banh mi sliders read more

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First time as a local on a recent visit. Ordered multiple dishes to share with our group. Service was impeccable and all our food was delivered in a timely manner. All good except for the lettuce wraps! Wow, never seen a head of lettuce that was so "limpy" that it was difficult to enjoy even though the filling was delicious. Next time, we'll bring it to the attention of the server and have it swapped for a fresh head. read more

Came here for OC restaurant week and it was worth it for the amount of food given. The portions were large so you could do family style. All the dishes are westernized Asian food and have a sweet taste. Appetizers: Pork Lettuce Wraps- 5/5: My favorite appetizer of the night. The lettuce made it refreshing. Braised BBQ Pork Buns- 3/5: This one was just alright. Korean Tacos- 4/5: On the sweet side. Tastes like bulgolgi. Banh Mi Beef Sliders, Traditional Style- 3/5: Tasted more like a burger with mayo sauce. Main: Kung Pao Prawns- 4/5: The prawns are huge. I liked the chestnuts in there. SoLag Drunken Noodle- 3.5/5: Tastes like your average drunken noodles. Grilled White Miso Black Cod- 5/5: This one was really good. The fish paired well with the sour sauce on the side. Thai Spicy Beef wtih Basil- 4/5: Tasted like Mongolian beef. Scratch Vanilla Bean Cheesecake- 4/5: I liked how the graham layer was in crumb form to eat with the cheesecake. The flavor is slightly different from regular vanilla in a good way. read more

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I love Starfish! Went for Lunch right upon opening because the whole day was booked out! Some days get reallll busy it seems (at both locations!) So make reservations! The cocktails are AMAZING- there was a new one called Spiced Carajillo and I fell in love. The sushi rolls are always spectacular. The shrimp lettuce wraps blew me away. This Candy Dragon Prawns with the Coconut rice was like the best version of Honey Walnut Shrimp ever. The miso salmon salad was alright but nothing too special in my opinion, and I am a huge miso salmon lover. Last, the scratch cheesecake was so light, fluffy and flavorful I loved the addition of the pear!!! Also our waitress Paola was so down to earth and personable with the me and my boyfriend- made for a great experience Will come back many times! read more

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The Naked Buddha roll is all vegan and is so delicious! It's filled with tasty fresh ingredients. I also love the tofu lettuce wrap. The server, Myles , was very attentive and kept the ice tea flowing. Five stars for sure. read more

Starfish - Naked Buddha roll - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Best happy hour in town. And it's daily!!! It gets really busy, so I'd recommend booking a reservation in advance. Drinks, food, and ambiance are superb. Definitely will be returning! read more

This place is dangerous in the sense that the menu is a little too good and catering to my tastes. I always get the lobster macadamia roll. The happy hour drinks always hit, and they're not a bad deal either. It can be easy to get carried away ordering more though. Ambiance is fantastic, place is clean every time I go, servers are always attentive even when we're sitting out of the way. Can get a bit chaotic during busy hours since it's a popular spot, but it's easy to avoid that. One lowkey positive is that it's one of the few places in town with ample parking, being located in a plaza center with some stores and restaurants. You never have to stress about parking there. read more

I've been coming here off and on for many years. When I use to drink alcohol it was amazing for the craft cocktails and their names. Now, it's nostalgic reasons and to have food. To be honest food is just okay as most likely won't return again as I've given it 3 separate attempts. Most recently I got sashimi, a sushi roll (can't remember name) and the shrimp kung pao. The side of coconut rice was my favorite part of meal sadly. Ambience and decor is epic, love it hence the higher star rating. Service is always great. read more

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After numerous attempts this year we have been disappointed and done. The happy hour is glorified bar food and the service slow and unfriendly. The food runner dipped her flowy sleeves in my food twice w no apology. The prices are high for the quality. So sad. Used to be a fave read more

This is one of the most impressive restaurants that I have dined in. My friend is a Starfish regular and recommended this place. This establishment combines excellent food and beer with excellent service and large portion size and excellent atmosphere for the best dining experience. If you want to learn how to operate a successful restaurant--get a job here and work for a few years. The folks that own this restaurant know what they are doing I can tell. Perfect for dining alone at the bar, romantic couples dinner, business meal or friends get together. Free parking in front shared with other businesses. I had the Kung Pao Chicken ($21) (summer squash, water chestnuts, bell peppers, peanuts, green onion, chili pods, brown rice) and large Japanese Beer actually brewed in Japan ($11). They gave lot's of chicken and lot's of fresh vegetables and lots of brown rice--I eat a ton of food and was filled up. My friend gave me a taste of her scallops and it was excellent too. Service is friendly, efficient and helpful. They have tables inside and outside on the patio. They take reservations. read more