Still one of the BEST omakase in the County!! If you LOVE sushi...it does not get any better than Murasaki. Authentic, delicious, and amazing. Every bite is a journey through your senses. Cannot wait to come back. Service is TOP NOTCH. read more

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The first time I discovered Sushi Murasaki was back in my early 20s. I would go often for their comfort meals. The menu back then was very extensive. For a while, I stopped going because I was working quite a distance away in the other direction. Now that I work a few doors down from the restaurant, I finally made a quick visit there for lunch. I ordered the chirashi zen, which comes with a wide variety of food on a tray. It comes with your bowl of chirashi (and there is a good selection in the bowl outside of the typical salmon and tuna), chawanmushi, tempura, and, miso soup for $40. The inside looks the same as I had remembered it to be. It's a nice place for a date or solo dining. read more

Sushi Murasaki - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Weird location, zero regrets. Authentic Japanese-owned, all Japanese staff - the real deal, not a costume. The $130 omakase was worth every penny. Attentive, friendly, and the kind of experience where you lose track of time in the best way. Already planning the return visit. read more

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4.5 stars. One of our favorite sushi places in OC. Love that every nigiri sushi comes with its own seasoning to create its own unique flavor profile. It's a bit pricey ($110 for the 12-piece omakase) so this is more of a splurge meal rather than a casual luncheon. Service is prompt but the sushi chef doesn't talk much...some might prefer this. :) read more

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Located in an unassuming strip mall as it was the only dining establishment among other businesses. Inside is small where the bar seats about 10-11 people. They have a few spots for table seating. I called to make reservations for 3 and requested the sushi bar area and was advised it's for omakase dining only. They accommodated my request even though it was only 2 of us partaking as my daughter won't eat omakase. It was a great experience having a combo of small dishes along with nigiri. Fish was fresh and flavorful and portioned well with rice. This will be another add to my rotation of omakase places I frequent. Hopefully we come often enough as the chef was quite stoic and serious. read more

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The omakase was such a special experience. We had so much fun, each of the many dishes was a delicious surprise. Every bite was completely savored. Thank you, we will be back! read more

I first visited Sushi Murasaki nearly 20 years ago, and the fact that they're still here says a lot, they must be doing something right. I haven't been here in many years. Coming back after so long sent me down memory lane, thinking about who I was then versus now. There's a strange softness to moments like that, realizing time moves whether we're ready or not. Funny how a familiar doorway can remind you of everything you've gained and everything you've quietly lost along the way. But let's get to the food. The place sits in a business-style plaza, not exactly surrounded by restaurants, but it has its own understated charm. Plenty of free parking. Inside, it's calm and cozy with just a few tables, and ~10 seats at the sushi bar. The decor is simple, and so is the menu. Nothing fancy, just as I remember from two scores ago. Kay was our server. Warm, attentive, and pleasant. I ordered a 6 piece sashimi, and everything was tasty. The one downside: they were out of sweet shrimp during my visit, which was a letdown since it's usually a must order for me. Still, Sushi Murasaki has that quiet, enduring consistency that keeps people returning, even after decades. read more

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Love love love this place! We always go for the Murasaki course. It has enough omakase sushi pieces and warm dishes. Highly recommend! Best price for wonderful omakase in OC. read more

Sushi Murasaki - menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

A local spot, a legendary spot for years. Sushi Murasaki has easily become one of my favorite sushi spots in Orange County. Every time I visit, I'm reminded why I keep coming back. The fish is incredibly fresh, the presentation is beautiful, and you can tell there's a lot of care put into every dish. What I appreciate most is how welcoming and genuine the experience feels. Make a reservation, stop by and enjoy! read more

Our very favorite omakase spot. The nigiri is consistently good (fresh and springy as my husband would put it) and all the staff is so kind and wonderful. The two japanese chefs (and I think owners?) know their craft. I've taken a few people here and they all love it. We're not from the area but every time we visit so cal, this is one of our go-to spots because of the quality of food and the prices are so reasonable ($95 for 10 pieces, $115 for 12 pieces, or $135 for 8 pieces and 6 appetizers). Drinks are also really spot on. Make a reservation and ask to sit at the bar so you can enjoy omakase. Can't wait to return. read more

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This is our favorite sushi spot in all of Southern California. We drive down all the way from LA to eat here. They have the freshest fish and all the best ingredients. Their omakase is such a hit, honestly their fish is better than what we had in Japan. 10/10 recommend, the staff are all super nice as well! read more

Just as a preface, I order with less rice and no wasabi. I absolutely love eating here. It's a very nice environment, cozier but not small, with a great consistent team. Fish is delicious, with many options for the omakase and different price points and you can order outside of it as well. Great appetizers as well! read more

Sushi Murasaki - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Hi BluGummites! You know this little gummy bear doesn't like to have to do this... but Sushi Murasaki was a big disappointment why didn't I leave when I walked in? why didn't I leave when the two male chefs - (who I believe are the owners from the quick BG research BG conducted) - gave off an unwelcoming, judgmental vibes? quite literally looking a bear up and down why didn't I leave when salmon sashimi wasn't on the menu? ...at a SUSHI restaurant? The only welcoming thing about the joint was the kind female server thank you, madame thank you for your light in an otherwise dark pit of ego, pretentiousness, and VERY average sushi your target was eclectic-ness and uniqueness - I get it but you missed now, this lil bear wouldn't have been so harsh just now if those two behind the sushi bar were kind if they gave off even an iota of warmth or gratitude that I spent my time and money in their establishment (also... WAY too expensive) Anyways - please do better. Get over yourselves. and so I've gotta give a 4 out of 10 blue gummies read more

Sushi Murasaki - It's be, BG, at this place - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

The sushi here was really high quality for a decent price. I went with the 10 sushi omakase and definitely wasn't disappointed. I'd recommend getting an appetizer or two to go along with this to really be full. I also got a sparkling sake that paired really well with the sushi. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The sushi bar gave a very private feel. I'd definitely recommend coming to check this place out. read more

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Sushi Murasaki was a delightful surprise with a wonderfully warm atmosphere, thanks largely to the incredible staff. Everyone there greeted us with genuine smiles and made us feel right at home from the moment we walked in. But the real star of the show was Chef Dai, whose kindness shone as brightly as his culinary skills. Watching him prepare each plate was like watching an artist at work--meticulous and utterly attentive to every detail. His interaction with us wasn't just professional; it was genuinely engaging, adding a personal touch that made our dining experience truly special. Overall, Sushi Murasaki isn't just about great sushi; it's about great people making great food. Which happens to be the essence of omakase in my opinion. read more

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So good, fresh , and take reservations Love how attentive service was, and the prices were fair for the quality and chefs! read more

This place never disappoints. Fresh and Delicious Want to impress, bring someone that likes authentic Japanese. Lunch is on point. read more

Sushi Murasaki - Chef Special Sushi Lunch - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Amazing customer service, chef are very friendly and nice! The fish are fresh and the drink are amazing! Must try!

We had a recent lunch for the 12 piece nigiri omakase. Two seasoned Japanese sushi chefs from Kitayama opened their own restaurant 18 years ago. We enjoyed each piece of nigiri following a printed form that was provided on the counter. We appreciated the fact that each piece of nigiri was perfectly timed so that we were not rushed to finish one piece followed immediately by the next. We could enjoy a conversation and eat at our pace. We'll be back again if we are in the area. read more

If you're craving some seriously good sushi in Santa Ana, Sushi Murasaki is a spot you need to check out. It's a little hidden gem with super fresh fish, an intimate vibe, and a killer omakase experience. We have been coming here for 10 years and it's remained our go to place. The chefs really know their stuff, and you can tell they put a lot of care into each piece. Whether you're grabbing a simple sushi roll or going all-in on sashimi, everything is top-notch. The staff is super friendly too, making the whole experience even better. If you're a sushi lover, this place is definitely worth a visit. It gets pretty popular, so making a reservation isn't a bad idea. read more

Supreme quality fish, served with thoughtfully delivered flavors and impeccable service is what awaits you at Sushi Murasaki. It's amazing how such a simple formula can create such a profoundly enjoyable meal. The only right choice here is the12 piece Omakase enjoyed at the sushi bar. I have noticed that their prices have gone up slightly but it is entirely worth it, and settling for the 10 piece or sitting at a table just isn't the same experience. The nigiri you will find here is not strictly traditional, in that the chef will add small garnishes to complement the flavors. That might translate to a perfect little pinch of salt with your amberjack or a tiny burst of fish roe to complement the scallop. But rest assured that each dish will be presented as beautifully as it is thoughtfully. There are many choices for great sushi in this part of town, but I have no qualms about returning here again and again. The sushi is delicious. read more

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Oh how the mighty have fallen. I went once in 2018 and had a stellar omakase lunch there. On a recent visit though, it was evident that the quality had gone downhill. The most notable issue was the quality of the rice. It was overcooked, mushy, and lacked any vinegar. In addition, the fish quality was poor. For paying $300+ for two, we left severely disappointed. read more

Came here on a random week night with some friends to grab omakase. We were originally going to go to Ohshima, but since we frequent that spot, we figured we could try another omakase place in the area. For $110 for the set, it was so disappointing. Another Yelp used the word "forgetful" and that honestly is the perfect word to describe it. None of seafood were amazing, and this was the first time I've had cooked scallop; it was so dry it almost tasted like it was boiled and forgotten on the stove. My theory is that the scallops were starting to go bad, so instead of serving them raw, they decided to serve them cooked. Terrible idea. I would've ranked this place a 3/5 stars except for what I'd consider a cheap shot that the server did. Generally speaking, she was nice and attentive, however when we asked for extra wasabi, she served us wasabi root, which was a side dish we did not ask for. When we asked for wasabi again, she then brought regular, grated wasabi on a side dish. When we got the check, we were charged for the wasabi stem we didn't order. Strange. The total for 4 omakase, a few teas, and an ankimo dish with 19% tip came out to be $600. Not terrible for good omakase, but this omakase was far from good. read more

The sushi quality was absolutely amazing and the customer service was warm and welcoming. Truly a hidden gem.

Great quality Omakase from sushi chefs who know exactly what they're doing! My favorite part about Omakase is that the chef will know the best fish and flavor combinations; all I have to do is eat it. The fish quality is top-notch, and the service is attentive and great. I had the $85 10 course meal and though it didn't make me full, I was completely satisfied with my meal. We weren't able to get a bar seat to see the chefs preparing our sushi, but it was a great experience overall. read more

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Very unhappy with the atmosphere as soon as I walked in. Upon walking in me and my friend were not greeted or welcomed. Instead the "host" an older woman looked at me up and down. I was wearing a semi low cut shirt (long sleeved though) and she looked at my chest almost in jealous disgust. Yes, I am a younger woman with a larger chest, and I won't hide my body. Anyway, she motioned us to sit wherever. When we got the menu's we saw the sushi rolls were very traditional to their hometown. No California Sushi Rolls or similar items were offered. We tried asking for suggestions since we didn't know what to order, but instead of guiding us and letting us experience their unique ambience in which others rated it highly for, she took our menus from us and simply said, "Somewhere else." Very rude, unappealing service, and ambience. I don't recommend this place if you're looking for Tempura Rolls, Crunch Roll, or Fresh Rolls. Additionally, their rolls were at $25 a piece. We found another spot nearby (Raku Sushi) with no wait time and great sushi! read more

Took the hubby here for his birthday dinner! We made reservations for the sushi bar on a Thursday night at 7:30pm - wasn't too difficult, I called on Monday of the same week and they seemed to have availability. FOOD: We both got the 12 piece omakase, and ordered the grilled black cod as well. That night the 12 options were: Japanese salmon, bluefin tuna, albacore belly (my fave!), sea eel, salmon with truffle, kanpachi, mackerel, mantis shrimp, scallop with caviar, goldeneye snapper, toro (my other fave!), and uni. The omakase also comes with a cucumber appetizer dish at the beginning and miso soup about half way through. I was pretty full afterwards, but hubby ordered an extra nigiri and toro handroll at the end :) My least faves (personal preference) were the mantis shrimp (I had this in Japan years ago and wasn't a huge fan and this has not changed lol). I'm also not a big fan of mackerel or uni, but hubby was a fan, so its just me :) SERVICE: Definitely sit at the sushi bar if you can! The chefs are super friendly and the pieces come one by one (if you sit at the table, you get your sushi 3-4 pieces at a time). The servers are super polite and discreet, your water cup is refilled regularly and you get a really refreshing hot towel when you get seated! PRICE: $85 for 12 pieces, which I think is really reasonable! The pieces themselves are a good portion, and already come with wasabi. No soy sauce on the side, the chef brushes it on top. Located in a random industrial center, it's on the corner - look out for the "open" sign. Would definitely come back! read more

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Fresh fish, not too sweet rice The chef was super nice in changing up the "omakese" menu since there were few fish we couldn't eat. The yuzu infused sauce was very delicious read more

Excellent sushi, out of the 10 piece omakase we ordered , we loved about 4 of them. The other six were great, but nothing special. Standard affair. Overall, still a very excellent place for omakase, but I'm at a point in my sushi journey where I'm looking for a twist on classic omakase affair. read more

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Pretty good omakase with really great service. I actually liked that they had a list of what types of nigiri were being served for the omakase cuz I always forget what the chefs say afterwards. Their A5 wagyu was on the leaner side here and not just a slab of meat butter which was great. More like an extra tender filet mignon. Amberjack and fatty tuna were definitely my favorite of the 12 piece omakase. Overall though, very fresh and the wasabi was perfect. Not too much that it burned but just enough to freshen your palate. Very big fish to rice ratio too. The two ladies were super nice and always refilling our teas and waters and taking plates away. They answered all our questions and checked on us frequently even though we sat at the tables not close to the bar. Hot tea was ceremonial grade matcha and it was free refills! The dessert was really good and all handmade so unfortunately, we could not just bring a pint of gelato home. We had black sesame, ube, pistachio with white chocolate and earl grey. Really authentic flavors that weren't artificially sweet. And decent panna cotta. Definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for great sushi but make sure you call for reservations! read more

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Little disappointed with their food and service. We are always waiting for the next dish to come. Waitress dose not check on us often. We supposed that ordering one special sushi dinner ($75) would mean one total, so we can share. We did not realize there would be two servings until the bill came. Be careful and make sure to check with the waitress how many servings you ordered. Otherwise, the waitress will default to multiple servings. Back to the subject of food, I would say very average. Neither of us plan on revisiting. read more

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Went here for my birthday dinner with my wife and it was an amazing meal. We did the 12 course omakase, every piece was extremely fresh and paired well with the seasonings they put on. I wish we got to try more appetizers, we ordered the monk fish and the wasabi jelly fish. Both were excellent. The jelly fish was very crunchy and had a great texture to it. read more

Sushi Murasaki - Wasabi jellyfish - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

ここの寿司は間違いない ネタも握りも最高です 特別な日に食べる寿司 You can't go wrong with the sushi Murasaki. Fresh Fish and nigiri are the best Eat sushi here on special occasions read more

Sushi Murasaki - First dish - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Came here wanted to try something different and have been seeing their reviews. Normally they're really busy, but I was lucky enough to get a reservation. I didn't know if I wanted to try the okakasi or do my own thing, but I figured to give their Style a shot. The omakasi was very good, but I was still hungry and so I ordered additional items on my own food was fresh and the customer service was spot on. read more

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A gem! Celebrated our anniversary here and had an incredible experience. The service was outstanding, and the sushi was incredibly fresh. The kawakawa was our favorite. Looking forward to coming back! read more

I am very happy to report that our first time at Sushi Murasaki was incredible! I enjoyed every piece, and Chef Tom is clearly a master at his craft. I particularly enjoyed the Scallop with Caviar, Amberjack, and Golden Eye Snapper. Excellent fish quality and a nice combination of traditional flavors with some modern flare. Thank you Chef Tom and team for the excellent service and meal. We will certainly be returning! read more

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I borderline don't want to write this review because I want to keep Sushi Murasaki as a secret! We have ordered sushi to go from here for the first time in January and I think we've been back 3x since then. Their fish is so tasty and fresh! Their fresh assorted sushi box to go has been our consistent order, and I appreciate their assortment each time. We typically add a piece of toro to our order to make 14 pieces total. Totally satisfying! I appreciate their text to order system (because who wants to be waiting on the phone to put their order in?!), and that they always have plenty of parking for pickup. Highly recommend but wish they were on some delivery service websites because we would be ordering more often! read more

Sushi Murasaki - Omakase Sushi to go + 1 pc toro - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

First class, authentic Japanese cuisine with 5-star service to back it up. If you've never been to Japan this is about as close as it gets. Amazing sake selection, too. read more

Fantastic meal! We got there early and sat at the bar. Service was spot on. Way to celebrate read more

Sushi Murasaki - Uni with Caviar. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Sush Murasaki is one of my favorite low key sushi spots in OC. They have one of the freshest sushi in town. The last time I came here was with my BF for our second Valentine date. We went the day after. We called ahead to make a same day reservation and they were able to accommodate. When we arrived they were looking pretty busy. For starters we went with our favorite, the blue crab avocado salad. They are generous with the crab and all the veggies were super fresh. The different colored tomatoes are sweet as hell. We also got a tempura medley to start as well. Their tempura is one of my favorites. For dinner, I went with their sashimi omakase. It is normally for two people but I am a fatass so I got it all to myself. One order is about 10 pieces. My boyfriend got their scallops, blue crab roll, and soft shell crab roll. As usual, everything was amazing. I am not a scallop fan but they have one of the best ones here and I will only order scallops from here. Pricing is reasonable. We usually spend about $100 for both of us every time we go. An order of sushi is 1 piece. The sushi omakase for 10 pieces is $120 I think. The inside of this place is small hence the usual wait. The inside is casual yet intimate. I highly recommend if you love quality sushi. read more

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