Best sushi place in Orange County that won't break the bank. I've been eating here for years and I still love it. It's one of the few OC Japanese sushi restaurants that's actually owned by Japanese people. They have good service and are always friendly. I'm a sucker for rainbow rolls for some reason so I always get that here because they make a pretty good one. Their baked clam, miso soup, and sushi/sashimi are all good. I can't say that their teriyaki dishes are all that great but the other dishes make up for it. There's always a huge line so you definitely want to get there early. I did eat at the sushi bar once and I really enjoyed that experience as well. read more

i still feel fat. and full. portions are out of this freaking world. ordered the combo a, and it came with a beef skewer, sesame chicken, and tempura, plus rice and soup and salad. it was jam packed during the lunch time, but thank god the service didn't reflect that. it was on point, and on time. there lunch menu is pretty legit. you've got the non sushi sashimi combos, as well as the fully loaded meat combos that can please any tastebud. did i mention cheap? we got 2 combos and it barely came out to 20 bucks. you're basically paying 9.50 a piece for enough food to feed like, 4-5. ugh did i mention i feel fat? cause i still totally do. they close from 2-5 i believe and re-open just in time for dinner. it does appear to be japanese owned. oh God. i totally feeeeel extra fat today. read more

I have been to this place multiple times with my family. The wait is so ridiculous. I remember a couple of times the quoted wait time was 2 hrs. Seriously, there are tables open and people can't be seated b/c the shortage of wait staff. Ridiculous! For some reason, my sis and bro love the rainbow roll here. It is just okay for me. We have tried a variety of items here. The food is okay, not memorable and the wait is long. There are better sushi restaurants out there and the wait would not be 2 hrs long. read more

Went here last night with some friends and we sat at the sushi bar. It was just so good I wanted to throw things and yell and give everyone high fives. I wish I went with more of an appetite though - it's not the cheapest but if you walk away full and feeling like you've just eaten the finest, thickest, buttery smoothest pieces of fish, yeah alright it's worth it. read more

Sit at the bar. Order the oyster and the spinach.. if you're into that sort of thing. Otherwise - it's a nice clean fresh run-of-the-mill GOOD CLEAN FRESH sushi place. Nothing extra special. read more

Didn't get to try try sushi bar bc the host put us on the wrong list..I got the sashimi salad instead.... After a long wait and all the hype.. I was disappointed and I'll stick to fukada read more

This place is OG Japanese food, I've been here for years growing up in Irvine. The entrees on the menu are all pretty decent, but the star of this place is the sushi. The quality of their cuts are amazing and the sushi chefs are hilarious. Ask about their specials if you sit at the sushi bar and you won't regret it. read more

I come here pretty much once a month or two with my family. They are very traditional but if you are into sushi, especially nigiri sushi or sashimi, This is the right place to go to. They have generous cuts of fish at very reasonable prices. They dont offer fancy specialty rolls like other places in irvine such as tokyo table but for traditional sushi this gets you the most for your money. read more

Decent food, price is pretty good too

I don't know why people wait so long for this place. It's a pretty mediocre sushi joint. I think it's pretty affordable though if you are craving sushi. But really this fish is chewy and the cuts are really not great. Good sushi normally melts in your mouth and I am not trying to chew off a piece. I ordered the sashimi dinner and it had such few pieces of fish that I ordered more a la carte. Salmon was chewy, tuna was decent, mackeral was fishy I traded it to my wife for a tamgo egg (something I would never do HA HA) All in all not worth the wait if you want fresh sushi but if youwant a cheapish sushi dinner then maybe its your spot. read more

Taiko is classic. There is always a wait, and they don't take reservations. But there are things to do near by while you wait, so it's not that bad. Their portions are HUGE, so you definitely get a lot for what you pay for. I really like their sesame chicken and their tempura. I also love the green beans + mayo, yum.. You can't go wrong here! read more

Not my favorite Japanese restaurant, but it tastes decent. I really don't like the sesame chicken, it has too much fat on it. The salmon teriyaki was pretty good though. read more

Went there with my sis the other day n it was packed!! I think the best way to enjoy this place is to sit at the bar not he table because u get the best stuff at the bar. I ordered seafood salad, amaebi, salmon collar, rainbow roll, and spicy scallop handroll!! Soo bomb!! read more

4 rolls, 3 sushi orders, 1 veggie tempura dinner, 1 side of rice, 1 side of miso soup, water and hot tea = FOR ONLY $52 & SOOOOOOOO GOOD!

Family food trip. My husband drove about an hour because we stopped by at the 85 degree bakery first. We waited almost 2 hours before we got seated. I guess during the weekend is packed. Best to come here right when they open to avoid longer wait. At the end it was worthy my kids enjoy their foods. I ordered seafoods( halibut) it came with some tempura veggies,beef teriyaki and four order of sushi for me and my kids. My husband ordered beef sukiyaki and some other sushi. Satisfied with all the foods I ordered .It was worth the wait and the travel. Yes, we would come back again. And hopefully by then the server would come and asked if we need anything else like refill etc. I meant part of giving tips is how were treated with our visit as guess to your restaurant. read more

It was our first time there. We got there right before they opened and there was already a long line. We were really surprised . But fortunately we were able to get in. It was actually pretty big inside. We ordered lunch sashimi and shrimp tempura. The food was served fast but didn't taste amazing. But considering the price it was fair. Probably won't go again, still prefer better quality Japanese food. read more

I feel obligated to update my review because I have gone back here to dine-in countless times after the first failed experience with phoning in for a takeout. It is conveniently located for me while staying in Irvine. I never tried to order takeout again but for dining in, the sushi is fresh and the price is great. This place is really busy, especially on the weekends so prepare to wait to get seated. read more

The food was ok, very nice and Friendly staff. The green tea before the food was a great gesture and the portions were big. The server was kind and helped us pick our food. The scalp appetizer was Amazing good. read more

I grew up in Irvine and I remember my parents always coming to this spot when I was younger - it was one of their favorite places for their "nights out" without us kiddos, and sometimes they would take us too. I went back again this past Wedesday at 9 pm - and there was still a line to be seated for the sushi bar! Guess a lot of people love this place too. After being seated, we had a variety of fish- yellowtail, toro, halibut, salmon, and albacore - all were extremely fresh and delicious. Service is very good too - fast and efficient given there are a lot of people eating there. The ambiance could use some sprucing up.....its pretty dated, but I guess in reality they know they don't need to update because they are already getting a ton of business. read more

This is my favorite sushi restaurant ever. It's a mix of the amazing service (love all the sushi chefs - shoutout to Masa SAN!) and the great food. I've come here with my dad since I was probably 12... I am now 24 and this is still my dad and i's favorite spot to come for lunch at the sushi bar. Sashimi salad is amazing, amaebi, California roll with avocado and eel on top and fried oyster handroll ftw!! This restaurant will always have a special place in my heart!! I love Taiko! read more

Always friendly and quick service but always so busy it can get annoying because of the wait . The price is really affordable for the food portion and its quality, plus you get a hot tea, miso soup and pickled cabbage on the house . One thing I dont like about taiko is that I feel like they charge TOO much if you wanna modify your rolls, and sashimis other than that i love taiko , their food and their staffs! read more

The sashimi lunch is a great value. Try it! The fish is fresh enough. The seafood salad is a heap of ill cut sashimi on a bed of cucumber and radish. Try it! You have to ask for a sushi menu. Otherwise you'll only have a menu on hand at a table. Tempura batter is on point. Try it! I'm not really a fan of the cooked food combo dishes. I don't come here for that. Fish is cut on the large side, definitely more than a mouthful. Staff have always been friendly and efficient. The bathroom needs an overhaul asap! From the old floral wallpaper, stained tiles, and grimy corners.. it feels like a room from the horror flick SAW! read more

From the San Fran Bay Area, and first time at this Sushi Bar. Our Chef was MASA, this guy is a not only superb at preparing succulent dishes, he is able to handle multiple customers without missing a beat, and is an all around fun person with a great personality. The fish was exceptionally fresh, and most delicious Sushi that includes awesome Uni, Aji, Hamachi, Amaebi, Sake, Ikura, Mirugai, Tako, Saba, and Oyster. I will always return when in Irvine. By the way, you can request your Sushi Chef when you check in with the hostess. read more

Taiko - MASA, the Sushi Chef. - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Five star for sushi but it loses a star for poor service. It seems like there's an issue or mix up everytime we go there. Whether it's not getting drinks or wrong entree. This time they almost let a group of people under our name get seated. Wish they were more vigilant when it comes to customer service. read more

The line outside of Taiko is always really long. We love this place because the sushi here is really fresh and tasty! The portions are always large and for a good price too! Love this sushi place, we drive an hour just for the sushi here! read more

One of my Favorite Japanese Restaurants in the OC. There is a reason there's a line and you have to wait. The food speaks for itself.

For price and portions, this place is pretty good. In terms of quality, the meat dishes are good but the fish is not always fresh.

My favorite sushi restaurant in the OC. I have to eat here couple times a month. The sushi bar is always worth the wait. The dining room is just not the same. For the portions of sushi/sashimi you get , the prices are not bad at all. My friends and I have been going here since high school. We are loyal customers. read more

generous portions for price, quality is above average, must eat at sushi bar, long wait but worth it, ask for suzuki-san. if you are looking for basic sushi (salmon, unagi, hamachi, toro, etc.), i highly recommend. toro is pretty awesome and extremely reasonable. fyi restaurant is humble and been around a LONG time, not shi shi so if you are looking for a more katana/sushi roku/nobu vibe, you will not find it here. read more

4.5 because they barely have any rolls... there's only like two or three? And the fact that their "sashimi" is ONLY tuna pieces. It's okay, THEIR FISH PORTIONS ARE BIG and THICK!!! So, my bf and I were hungry and we just got out of school around 9. My aunt and her bf took us, because at the moment we are carless. My aunt just went in without looking at the menu and said table for 4 when we NEVER ever tried this place. The sushi bar was packed, and the tables were mehh. At first I was disappointed with their menu because it's mostly combo dinner stuff and you need at least $30 here because everything adds up... I assumed it would be ALRIGHT, but this place TOTALLY proved me wrong!!!!!! IT WAS GOOD!!!!! I usually hate eating dinner combos at sushi places, but danggg this place is good AND their portions are generous. You can get like 3 types of stuff in one combo; lots of varieties. They come with miso soup and rice. aunt and her bf: dynamite roll (?) -- spicy yellowtail roll with cucumber, I thought it was ok. combo dinner (16.75 or .50) -- sesame chicken, sushi (albacore, tuna, salmon, halibut, and it came with tuna rolls), tempura (has shrimp and sweet potato!) and salad/string beans. Sesame chicken is good! ALSO I cannot believe they gave halibut as a sushi! I kept thinking it was some other white fish... Her bf really liked the tuna stuff! bf and i: golden love boat or something ($21) -- we got the lobster tempura combo. tempura vegetables AND lobster, two beef skewers, salad/string beans, and sashimi. [When bf ate the skewer, he said it smelled like 'a herd of cattle just came by' meaning it smelled like YOU KNOW..... and it does so I didn't even eat it, but he ate them anyway. WEIRD.] halibut sushi ($4) -- bf realllllllly liked it. He knows his fish since he loves sushi/sashimi Bill was about $50 which is cheap for 4 people IMO. When bf and I eat sushi, it's around 40ish anyway and the fish pieces are okay or THIN. --- Service was okay. We came at 9 and they closed at 10 so I don't blame them that they closed the kitchen early and had to close the register. At least they were generous enough to inform us and ask nicely. At first the lady was frustrated, but I admit, we were a bit confusing since it was our first time here. --- Money was worth it since we get a little of everything and sushi isn't the skrawny stuff! I couldn't get over the fact that the fish was so big!! I'm glad we ate here!! =) read more

I've been going to this place for over ten years and it never disappoints. Yes, the line for the sushi bar is absolutely crazy but I consider it to be one of the few places worth the wait. If you want to eat sooner you can go to the tables, but I personally prefer the bar. The chefs are friendly, fish is fabulous, and best of all the prices are extremely reasonable for the quality and portion. read more

I come here maybe twice a year because their Combi's are always great. Today I tried there sushi and their Ahi Tuna was kinda fishy but my wife's Combi #1 was awsome as usual. read more

This is my favorite Japanese restaurant, not because they abbreviate combination as combi but because the food here is great. Everything is fresh, the portions are generous, and the waitresses are always polite and efficient. Every time I go, I always order the sesame chicken, tempura, and sushi combi, and I am never disappointed. The miso soup has the right amount of miso and the first bite of the shrimp tempura is about as good as it gets...light and crispy. Unfortunately, they do not take reservations. Combi does make more sense than combo though. read more

who doesn't love taiko?! my mom and i come here pretty often. love the food, love the waitresses. they are so adorable! food is fresh! they just need to remodel their bathroom. that's why it's a 4/5. other than that, great place to go! read more

I've been to Taiko over a dozen time but tonight's experience compelled me to write a review. I'm not sure what happened to the quality but it must have taken some downward plunge since I last came here a few months ago. We ordered calamari for starters. It was over battered, over sauced and just plain soggy by the time it arrived to us. We then ordered sushi that we normally get (yellowtail, uni, sweet shrimp, scallop and albacore). I was actually surprised they had sweet shrimp since most places have recently told me it was out of season. I assumed the shrimp was frozen and knew it's not going to match the quality of the live shrimp I've had at other places. But whatever - since I've had it here before, I thought what the heck - why not? What a mistake that was - the shrimp (while large in size) was slimy and a bit chewy. It wasn't that good, but I ate it anyway. Then I turn to the albacore which turned out to the be the worst albacore I've ever had. I don't know how they messed up typical albacore but whoever cut the fish needs to go back to sushi basics and learn how to cut the darn fish. The albacore still had this slimy tendon-like filmy layer between the different layers of fish meet. The chef (if you call them that) must have cut it wrong. I have NEVER seen this layer in sushi served in a restaurant. The only time I would think it's reasonable to have that is if I (who know nothing about how to cut fish) cut it at home myself! I pulled the meat off that gross layer and ate it anyway. The yellowtail was ok - thick and large slice of fish. The scallop looked dry and dehydrated. Everything basically looked as it was thawed earlier in the day. I seriously don't know how things got this bad. In all the times I've been here, I've always thought it was a decent deal given the large slabs of fish you get. Perhaps I've really become a sushi snob after dining at all these other terrific places in OC and LA (sasabune, nozawa, Yu n Mi etc). I've never expected Taiko to meet the quality of those places, but after tonight - you will not see me dining here again. I'll skip a meal here and save it up for my next visit to Sushi Wasabi. Taiko isn't that cheap or expensive. I would say it is (or use to be) decently priced. Dinner for 2 = $75 after tip and tax (we tipped about 20% because we won't punish the waitress for poor food). I'm generously giving TWO stars because I'm not sure if tonight was an anomaly since I've had ok experiences here before. Could it also be that I went 1.5 hours before closing. Whatever the reason may be - you won't find me back here to see if this was just a one time let down. read more

First off, I didn't know there was a sushi menu and my menu didn't have it- it was my first time there and I just assumed they would give you the sushi menu if available. So I ordered a Combi (Combo) Dinner. The Combi Dinner is one of the best deals you can order because you get a humongous plate of food. I had the combo of teriyaki beef, sesame chicken, and tuna sashimi. The miso soup was delicious! It was one of the best miso soup I've ever had. It was very flavorful and brothy, my taste buds danced. The miso soup barely had any seaweed or tofu though- it had a measly strand of tofu and a few flecks of seaweed. The sesame chicken was really bomb. It had a lot of chicken and it was freshly fried... I ordered my teriyaki beef well done and when I tasted it, it was overcooked and way too chewy. My friend ordered Medium and they got medium well..... odd. Also, the salad was a bit funky with only a blob of salad dressing in the dead center of the salad. I found myself eating salad and rummaging for the last bits of dressing in the middle of the plate. The salad still had water from being washed... Service- Service was really good. Whenever my teapot ran out, they were quick to refill my tea. :) When you enter and when you exit, all the servers and chefs greet you which was very nice. read more

We used to go here alot as a family when I was in Irvine. The sesame chicken and tempura are very good here. They used to give you alot more food though. The portions are alot smaller now. I have not tried the sushi bar but I have heard good things. There is still a wait though. read more

I learned to eat with chop sticks the first time i ate here 8 years ago. The sushi bar is amazing but you generally need to get to Taiko a half hour ahead to be sure you are seated at the bar. My favorite Chef is Ono, so I recommend asking to be seated in front of him. I am a big fan of their sushimi. My favorite is their Halibut sushimi. My normal lunch there is: halibut sushimi, cucumber or daikon radish sushi roll, salmon sushi, yellow tail sushimi, halibut sushimi, and soft shell crab hand roll. usually runs less than thirty and im super full. I highly recommend the sushi bar i have never eaten in the main restaurant and perhaps that is where their poor rating comes from. but, it is the best sushi i have ever eaten. read more

Ive been coming here for almost 10 years and no other sushi restaurant come close to the quality that Taiko brings to the table. The freshest sushi and the generous portion keeps me coming back year after year. Try the Rainbow Roll & Crunchy Roll. They are simple rolls but you'll notice the difference in size and freshness that you wont find anywhere else. read more

This is one of our favorite sushi restaurants. Their sashimi, especially the salmon, is melt-in-your-mouth fresh and the price is awesome. They first start you off with hot tea, pickled cabbage, and miso soup. I usually order the seafood salad ($10), which consists of 3 types of sashimi on a bed of sliced cucumbers and radish, and request all salmon for only $1 extra. It's a huge pile of fresh, delicious sashimi! My hubby likes combi B ($10.95), which includes salad, green beans, tuna sashimi, sesame chicken, and beef teriyaki w/ veggie skewer. You can't beat a whole lot of quality food for less than $25! The only drawback is that the wait can be quite long if you're lucky enough to find a parking spot. Be sure to get there early to beat the crowd. read more