I visited on a whim. I was underwhelmed. I got a a combo karaage meal with thighs and wings. It came with miso soup, a green salad, and a hefty amount of white rice. The rice was actually not bad. The miso was so-so. And you really can't go wrong with fried chicken but this was totally bland. The space is small. There are a couple of tables and counters eating meh. It was very cold. They had a couple of Japanese beers. I didn't try one. 12 bucks will fill you up! read more

Tenkatori - Thigh KARAAGE set - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

So sorry this place closed. I always stopped by when I was in the area. The food was tasty and generous portions for the price.

If you intend to call to place an order, be aware that your phone number might be blocked because of their activated spam filter. Waiting for 20 minutes for a to-go order can be quite inconvenient. Otherwise food is great here! read more

Wow! So my sister was visiting from outta state (The South) for the holidays, and I wanted to share a legit dining experience with her while she was in town. I gave her 3 international options and she chose Japanese. She's had teppanyaki & sushi, but she's never had karaage. I told her Tenkatori - Costa Mesa hits different. Walking into the small restaurant we were met with a chill low key Japanese vibe. Authentic tapestry on the wall, Japanese beer signs, wood paneling, and high end brick & tile work. There was limited seating: a few tall stools at a bar and a couple small tables. The ladies working were hustling hard to get orders out. To go orders are the norm here. During a wonderful conversation we had at the end of our meal, we got more detailed information. We ordered the large karaage, 2 dipping sauces, a CA roll (basic, I know), and the ponzu cabbage salad. My sister loved the chicken! She was impressed with how crispy, juicy, and flavorful it was. She didn't think she would like the spicy mayo dipping sauce but she was pleasantly surprised. I had never had the sweet and spicy sauce, but I agreed with her that it was better than the spicy mayo. The chicken was the star of the show. I LOVE cabbage slaws.... The CA roll was CA roll'n. Towards the end of our meal, one of the women came out to ask us and the diners sitting at the other table if everything was OK. The four of us simultaneously said yes with mouths full of food. She shared some of her past, the restaurant's history, and that they normally have 4 people working. Only 2 were present for our visit. Shout out to them because our food and the service were quick and seamless. All around, great dining experience! My sis flew back east just before New Year's. I'm not sure when she'll be back. But I do know that in the next couple weeks, I'll be back in Costa Mesa to get some more karaage. read more

Tenkatori - Karaage Chicken with 2 Dipping Sauces - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I tried their chicken karaage it was amazing crunchy and delicious will ho back abd eat again.

Place is always closed Food is over priced (not worth it & very greasy) Website doesn't work for ordering online New management is rude still... The paid influencers on instagram for food collaborations make this place seem so good but the food is still mediocre. read more

THEYRE OPEN AGAIN YALL!!!!!!! Despite what yelp and google say. Their website is hard to navigate so I suggest just coming by and ordering in person! Please give them your support!! read more

Tenkatori - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

They are back open! The chicken is still crispy and delicious. The karaage pieces are juicy and freshly made after you order. Make sure to get the yuzu aioli. read more

Tenkatori - Menu - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I recommend ordering a box combo if it is your first time. Chicken Karange, Potato, Salad and California Rolls make a delicious combination. I also recommend the tempura if you don't like potato croquettes. I used to order the Karange + Wings, but the wings were smaller in size the last time I had them. The sweet and sour Karange is also delicious - I was able to share it with a friend, which made the combo even better! Note that the restaurant is small, so know that seating is limited if you decide to dine in. read more

Tenkatori - Box combo - Chicken Karange, Potato Croquette, Salad and California Rolls - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Moist and crispy Japanese boneless fried chicken. Bowls are perfect for lunch, but the plate option gives an opportunity to sample their great assortment of side dishes. read more

We are fans of Karaage chicken - just not how Tenkatori makes it. We got the combination box and the chicken wings and the boneless chicken were both dry unfortunately. The sauces we paid extra for really didn't do anything to make it taste better or elevate it The veggies we ordered on the side were frozen and watery with absolutely zero seasonings and the sushi (California roll) was hot bc it was put in the same container as the chicken so it was pretty gross and inedible as well. Even if it was colder though, it would have been low quality and not good to eat. Normally when trying a new place, both of us can share a plate easily and want more. We could barely finish a wing or piece of chicken here bc of how bad it was. Took a bite of the sushi and a vegetable and spit it out. The icing is when we called the restaurant thinking to get the chicken with sauce already on it bc maybe that one gets marinated and would have flavor. Perhaps it would be fresher and not taste old and dry bc it's a more popular get? I don't know but either way we called bc we weren't happy with the fact that we spent $25 for one awful plate (delivered) from Tenkatori but the guy who answered said "that's not my problem you got the wrong plate, sorry" and hung up. This story has a happy ending - I went and bought some organic chicken from the grocery store (it was BOGO) for $5 and made karaage myself for us - the way it should be made - fresh, flavorful, and delicious. read more

Tenkatori - All No's - Combination Karaage - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

1. The chicken and rice were delicious! 2. Definitely loving the fun cozy energy as they have limited sitting! 3. The staff is friendly and will respond to phone orders! Tip: Limited parking spots with 1-hour limit! Photo: Chicken Gizzard 7 oz & Karaage Bowl read more

Tenkatori - Chicken Gizzard 7 oz (TikTok: @justandyvu) - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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On the way to airport, we stopped here. We love fried chicken and super happy everything has NO MSG! I had to order some curry with my fried chicken. Haven't had curry in a long time. Owner was super nice and happy to talked to us. We ordered the large chicken tray so my sister can take home to Utah. Gluten free! Would love to come back again if I'm ever in the neighborhood again. We live 40 miles away.Karaage Box was great. Box Combo with bbq beef was good also. read more

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For our monthly food meet up we chose Tenkatori. Good thing there was only 5 of us this time because the inside seats around 12 people! Also parking could be a bear. I like to order the #15 box. The chicken thighs with California rolls, Tempura, steamed veg, rice, and miso soup. All this for $9.50! I order karaage whenever I see it on a menu and this is by far on another level. Extra crispy skin and juicy thigh meat inside. The rest of the box is pretty standard, but it's the karaage that will keep making me come back. See you soon Tenkatori. read more

Tenkatori - #15 - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Juicy fried chicken enough for a hungry adult for under $10? Such a deal. I came here last night with our foodie friends (Trina, Jenny, Grace, and Jon). This place is small, like really small. Needless to say, eating in here was difficult since there are only 2 high tables that seats 4 and two small tables that also seats 4. But what is small they make up in their food. Portions are big and enough for offset my hunger. I ordered the 5 pcs bento with sides like miso soup (1 pc. of tofu and 1pc. of wakame), 2 pcs of california roll, and 2 pcs of that crunchy creamy croquette. Oishikatta! f you're not sure what to get, take a look at that box menu like I did. http://tenkatoriusa.com/page/costamesamenu-1 You order what you want from #15-20 Choose 1 item from each of A, B, and C Check in on Yelp for your free drink And this will be one of the best value meals you'll ever get! For comparison, if you go to Mitsuwa up the street and get the cold karaage version to go, it will already be around $5 that is not even half the size of what they offer here. The chicken here is crunchy and juicy. I believe they use potato starch here and also change their oil on a daily basis. I totally believe that because it tasted super fresh and the fried chicken was light in color. And I make karaage myself, I know how much of a pain it is to marinate the meat beforehand, and then fry it up in batches. So I am not doing that anymore since I will just come here and support local small businesses like this one. Parking here can be a little difficult and are small in size depending on the time of day you come. read more

Tenkatori - 5 pc bento with croquettes - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We headed to Tenkatori Karaage for our "T" dinner in our Alphabet Series. I arrived after my friends and this place is small. I actually showed up at the wrong center initially. This spot is next to the Subway on Bristol just past the center with Halal Guys. It's more of a to go spot than a dine-in spot. They have maybe 5 tables or counters to sit at so peak times may not be best. Once they are slammed, expect a longer wait time. The menu is long. I didn't know what to get so I opted for the karaage salad and the spicy edamame which was on the white board of specials. Turns out they were out of spicy edamame. Why don't you cross it out if it's no longer offered? Anyway, I also got a free drink with check in so that's all I ordered. I was told it might be a 15-20 minute wait since all my friends had ordered before me. No worries, as we planned on taking up what little space they had. My order was called shortly after my friend's orders so it was fine. The salad was well, mostly iceberg lettuce, a few cherry tomatoes, some red and green onions, and chicken karaage. I picked spicy as my sauce and asked for the dressing on the side so that I could dip it. First of all, this karaage chicken is perfectly fried and juicy! It's no wonder they have so many rave reviews. As with most fried items, it's best to consume shortly after receiving so I don't know how it would do if you had to drive home. I would totally come back and try their combos or bento boxes with miso soup and sushi rolls. The chicken karaage is the star so definitely get it! It's also gluten-free. read more

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My brother suggested one of his fave places for lunch and offered to do a pickup since parking can be a hassle in that strip plaza. I chose #17 on the Box menu, which is a combination karaage (3 pcs thigh and 3 pcs wings). I've never been there before, so I wanted to try all the things! The box menu delivered on a little bit of everything since it came with rice, miso soup, and choice of 3 different side options labeled as A, B & C. Side A offered choice of tempura, croquettes or 2 pcs karaage. Side B offered California roll, veggie roll or edamame. Side C offered green salad or steamed veggies. For my entree, I selected tempura, veggie rolls and green salad. It was a well rounded meal and pretty filling. The thigh karaage pieces were generously portioned and so juicy! The wings were crispy, but I think I would go all in for the karaage next time. Definitely would like to come back to try their gizzard, tartar karaage, cartilage and gaburi (deep fried whole thigh). I am tempted to order their Family Pack 1 too, but we'll see what happens when I'm back. read more

Tenkatori - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great place for hot & juicy Japanese fried chicken! Surprised I haven't reviewed this place earlier as I have been going here for probably 7ish years now. The combo plates are a great value for your money. Recently tried their karaage curry plates and have really enjoyed those as well. Service is fast and friendly. There are some tables inside if you want to dine in. Try to eat the chicken ASAP for maximum crispiness! If you have to drive home, you can also pop them in the air fryer for a little bit. Parking can be a bit of a pain since it's in a very small lot. Highly recommended! read more

Tenkatori - Kaarage curry + steamed vegetables - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I enjoyed my meal from here! I ordered from Doordash and the food arrived quickly. My boyfriend and I ordered a Karaage Roll, Sweet and Spicy Karaage Box (with 2 Potato Croquettes, Steamed Veggie, Brown Rice, and a California Roll), Sweet and Spicy Karaage, and a Yuzu Aioli Sauce. I thought all the food was tasty. I liked that none of the food tasted oily or heavy. I also thought the Karaage Box was a great deal as it also came with Miso Soup! The one thing you cannot skip out on is the Yuzu Aioli Sauce. The Karaage itself was good, but once I had it with the Yuzu Aioli Sauce, I COULD NOT STOP EATING IT. So addictive! read more

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A solid place to pickup some crispy karaage. I remember coming when it first opened ans enjoying it but I hadn't been back for many years. It was nice to come back and chill with some karaage before we continued the rest of the day. The service was quick and friendly. He was quick to help us with our order. The interior is just okay. They do have several tables and do serve beer if you want to hangout. I wouldn't suggest coming with a huge party dining here though. It is more of a to-go shop though where you can order food and eat or go home with. The food is good! It's adjacent to fast food serves Japanese American style food. The karaage comes out in big pieces with nice crispy coating and juicy interior. They serve bentos too with the karaage and california rolls. I like their homemade sauces a lot too! You should definitely order some. My favorite is their Sweet and Spicy Sauce. read more

Looking for good food at a high value? This is the place! Is it super authentic? Not so much. Is it delicious and filling at a reasonable cost? Absolutely! People get confused when they order a combo. They think they can choose the side from A, B, or C. Actually you choose which side you want from A, from B and from C. I typically get the sweet and spicy Karaage with tempura or croquet, California roll, and a side salad. It comes with giant pieces of Karaage and a large bed of rice. And of course a side of miso soup. All for under $12 (in 2023). Can't beat that! read more

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First time I tried this place at the oc fair and loved it! I was never big on karaage but after trying it there, I had to get it again at the official store. This place serves juicy, tender, crunchy and relatively big karaage pieces. You can get the karaage bowl which has rice at the bottom. They have lots of other options such as karaage burrito or karaage curry. Give this a go! read more

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apparently i have not updated my review. my apologies. my opinion of the karaage here has improved. while i still do not prefer large pieces of chicken, they are so juicy yet the coating so thin and airy when fresh hot. no idea where or how to get the undersized sauce cups since the era of cov19 started but u don't really need it if you're a fan of the purity of the taste. now iono if my original review mentioned the potato croquettes and yung me scoffed at the idea of paying $3.50 for 3 patties of breaded deep fried potato cakes. i may have once tried them elsewhere and was not impressed and so i never thought to try them here until my friend wanted them and shared one with me and i smeared the dkbrown sweetish sauce on it and my world was changed. this is for when piping fresh ok, so if you doordash this it's likely cold and clammy like when you hold your new girlfriends hand too long and you're at the beach trying to impress her with the freezing dirty pacific coast waves. ok so FRESH croquette, it's a crisp thin exterior so you want to hear that sound, and then the interior is this soft melts gooey mass not quite like a grilled cheese but soft and creamy still. MYgAWD i jus wanna keep shoving more of it into my mouth, AH ITS HoT ITS HOT ~3/18/23~ menu is electronic now, which is clean but the rotating menu is confusing. ah yea potato croquettes are also $8/3piece now read more

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Came here for the first time; for some reason they wouldn't take my yelp check-in for a free drink? they also had to ring me up twice bc they forgot to charged me for the second half of my order. nothing against them but the cashier seemed a bit nervous and or inexperienced? i got the original karaage and the sweet and sour. 10 pieces is good enough to fill one person. the size of one piece is like a giant meatball which is nice. however the sweet and sour sauce is kind of lacking and very fluidy? the crunch of the karaage is alright but there a bit of excess fat in all my pieces.. i kind of wish they trimmed off excess fat parts so i wouldn't have a bite of chicken fat surrounded by fried batter. Would i come here again? .... probably not ^^;;;; i did try to take nice pictures to share tho read more

Tenkatori - karaage - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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When I tell you this chicken is good.... It was enough to have me keep coming and trying to come back to this place to see if they changed up the workers. I gotta say - it took a while. But the manager Ricardo seems to be consistently in, and I've seen what seems like the owner herself a few times and haven't had to deal directly with the people in the past and wow Ricardo runs a tight ship!! I'm so happy to be able to walk in and not feel so uncomfortable!! I know a few of you walked away because of the service in the past and I recommend going back. FOOD UPDATE: QUALITY!! I don't know how it's possible but the chicken is even more delicious. I don't even regularly like chicken, I swear. I'm actually mildly allergic but I splurge on this chicken when I can. Once I get my nima pods I will update you guys on how Celiac safe the food is but for the most part I don't seem to have any problems with the karaage for gluten free reasons - which IS HUGE. THEY MUST HAVE HONED IN ON THE SPICY MAYONNAISE RECIPE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN FAIRLY CONSISTENT THE LAST FEW TIMES I HAVE GONE. In the past sometimes it would be too spicy or two mayonnaise and although always delicious the flavor would be mixed.... But now it's perfect, consistent and it's amazing!! Consistency is quality. Literally. The spicy tuna is just always so perfect. Sometimes I can't decide between chicken and sushi and so I come here because I can get a little bit of both. The last few times I got wings they're not whole anymore - not too big of a deal but I did miss the crunch little tips. But now there seems to be another option for tebanaka (middle wings) But tbh the karaage keeps me coming back. I have never returned to a location when I experienced bad service but the food here is seriously good. I'm hoping to up my intake again. I used to spend hundreds here a month - no lie - and I tell everyone I know about this chicken so I'm happy to go back to recommending this place with the small updates -it's everything to me!! Soooooooo good. read more

Tenkatori - 1kg (2.2 lbs) it's a huge box - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I don't like writing bad reviews but need to provide feedback. I normally don't go to restaurants that have less than 4-stars and I, in general, trust the Yelp community. The to-go combo order was not good. I agreed with everything Sherrie said (She provided a review from 3-weeks ago which I'm just reading). - Chicken was flavorless, I wish I had some salt or sauce at my office desk. But they were very generous 5 pieces - they were huge. - Tempura included 3 pieces (shrimp, onion and carrot), the batter was way thicker than the shrimp...I only took one bite. The batter was not crunchy, it was too soft and moist. Again, they were huge. - The 4-pieces of CA roll were lukewarm because they were in the same box so that tasted odd and they fell apart easily. - The miso soup was pretty good. - The service was good, the guys are nice. - No issue with parking although lot is small but it was not lunch time. I came once many years ago before Covid. I don't remember not-liking it so I was surprised by the quality of food. I have to say again the amount was generous, the bag was probably twice as heavy than my expectations. Give it a try if you are hungry, and maybe eating on site is better than getting to-go. read more

Surprised by how much I enjoyed my meal! I ordered the Karaage Box with Croquettes, a California Roll, and Steamed Vegetables. All of that for about $9? Not a bad deal. The karaage was really delicious and definitely the star of the menu. It was tender, flavorful, juicy, and had the perfect crunchy exterior. Not to mention the karaage pieces were huge! You definitely cannot eat a piece in one bite. The california roll was pretty standard. You can't really mess it up. The steamed vegetables tasted like a typical steamed veggie pack that you could find in the freezer section of a grocery store... but I expected that. What I was a little surprised by were the croquettes. I was a bit unsatisfied. Compared to the karaage, they were not crunchy at all. They were a bit soggy and overly coated in sauce. Overall, this place probably has some of the best karaage that I've had in the area. I recommend you skip the box deal and just get the karaage bowl or family pack. read more

Tenkatori - Karaage Box with Croquettes, California Roll, and Steamed Vegetables - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great little spot to stop for lunch! They have a convenient ordering systems off of their website (be sure to select the Costa Mesa location!) I ordered the tartare karage box set, which was a lot of food, very tasty. The only thing I would do differenly about this order would be to not get any sauces on top of my meal! I couldn't finish it all immediately, and rehestig the chicken, just wasn't the same because of the sauce (which is quite tart by the way!) My coworkers and I all really enjoyed our lunch there and would most likely come back! I'd love to try all the other things on their menu! Parking there is a little tough, as it is a small little strip of shops that share a lot with 7/11, but there is a lot right next to it with a bit of overflow parking! read more

Tenkatori - Tartare Karage with potato croquette, steamed veggies and Edamame - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

They give a solid amount of food; I was pleasantly surprised. And the sweet & spicy sauce was really good. read more

Tenkatori - Sweet & Spic KARAAGE Bento - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This place is the bomb! Came here for the first time and had a great experience. It's small place but they offer fresh delicious karaage and the staff is super helpful and nice. I will definitely be back and will probably order for lunch as well. I am looking forward to trying more of their menu! read more

Tenkatori - 8 piece karaage with yuzu aioli sauce - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place took me by surprise and exceeded my expectations! The price of the food was so cheap and the portions they give out is way more than what you pay for! Service was great and very welcoming! Super chill spot and the karaaage chicken is a must try! Recommend the combo meals!! read more

Tenkatori - 15. Karaage 5pcs - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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No for me. I was in the area and this place came up on Yelp with high ratings so I thought I'd give it a try. Their menu listed "butsu giri" as bone-in chicken breast pieces. Confirmed with the guy that took the order that they are chicken breast. He said it's breast, but mixed pieces. Waited for over 40 minutes before I got my order. Checked it in the car and there was none, not even one piece of chicken breast. All dark meat, thigh and 2 drumsticks. And the chicken wasn't even cooked all the way. It was still pink all the way, outside and inside. Gross. I threw it away. Disappointed. I will not be back. P.S. If you're looking for a japanese restaurant, this is not. Not sure if it was before, but it is definitely not now. Possibly changed owner or a franchise. read more

This little hidden gem is amazing. Of course, the chicken is phenomenal - it's what they are known for. But so were the California rolls and sushi burritos. The blond lady taking our order (Suman?) was so helpful and kind as well. We will definitely be back. The family packs are a good deal - I think my family is addicted to the chicken. read more

Tenkatori - Sushi burrito - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Disappointed that the Karaage was so bland and dripping in oil. The owner was nice, in an aggressive way. But the way she explained how to order was a little confusing. I'd like to give it another chance, just not sure if I will. read more

Tenkatori - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Really solid meal for a really good price. If you're craving chicken, come here. What I ordered: -Sweet and Spicy Rice Bowl: You get about 5 sizable pieces of chicken on a bed of rice and some steamed veggies. The chicken was super moist, great texture. I don't think I've had a karaage chicken this soft and juicy before. Rice and veggies were standard and cooked well. I thought it was a good portion size and felt full after eating. The main critique I would have for this order is that it's really not spicy; it had good flavor but definitely could use a bit of a kick. Also, due to the sauce coating the chicken, it wasn't crispy as what you typically imagine karaage chicken to be. Knowing this, I'll probably order the plain karaage next time around. Still, I thought it was a good meal, and for about $9, you can't beat that. The restaurant and parking: The restaurant offers several options with their chicken like whether you want it in a bowl or a box combo, with various options for sides as well as a la carte items. You can order in person, on their website, or place your order through their partnered delivery apps (Grubhub and Postmates). I placed an order directly on their website for pickup which took around 15-20 minutes to finish at around dinner time. The store is relatively small and it looks like it was operated by only two ladies, so kudos to them holding it down! There were several other cars parked out front coming in and out to grab orders and they did a great job handling it all. Parking is kind of minimal; it shares a small lot with subway and some other businesses, but we didn't have an issue finding a spot. Overall: Yummy food, nice workers, great prices. Will definitely be back to try other menu items. read more

Tenkatori - Sweet & Spicy KARAAGE Bowl - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

If you're a huge fan of Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken), this should be your go to place, and if you haven't tried Karaage before, Tenkakori Karaage is a great place for you to embark your journey on this deliciousness. The prices are affordable for the portions that you get. They have a wide array of items on the menu that aren't just limited to karaage such as teriyaki chicken, bbq beef, sushi and salads for those that want a lighter meal option. I've only tried the karaage, so this review is mainly for that, but I look forward to trying their fried gizzards when I'm feeling adventurous next time. || L O C A T I O N / P A R K I N G || -Cross Streets are Baker St. & Bristol St. -Located in the same plaza as Aloha Hawaiian BBQ, Subway, and 7/11. -Small parking strip but parking is hassle free since most people do pick up these days. || F O O D || 5PCS THIGH BOX ($9.50) - Since they use dark meat, the chicken is undoubtedly tender and juicy. It had a subtle flavor, so I didn't really need to use any sauce with it. 5 pieces of karaage may not sound much, but don't fret, the pieces of these karaage are practically twice to triple the size you'd get anywhere else. The 5 pieces of karaage along with the extra sides that it comes with will definitely fill you up. It's a great value if you're looking for something tasty and inexpensive. Each box comes with rice and miso soup, and you get to customize your other 3 sides by choosing 1 option from each list below. Side #1: Tempura, Potato Croquette or an additional 2 pieces of Karaage (I got the tempura, but was lowkey wished I had gotten another 2 pieces of karaage.) Side #2: 4 pieces California Roll, 4 pieces vegetable roll, or Edamame (The California roll was delicious! Imitation crab meat and avocado tasted fresh.) Side #3: Green Salad or Steamed Vegetables (The steamed vegetables were still kind of hard, so take caution when you bite into the steamed carrots.) || T I P S || If you're not consuming immediately or have a long drive to your next destination, I'd suggest poking holes on the box so you won't have soggy fried chicken. I tried this out, and the chicken maintained its crisp. My tip to the business is that if they continue to use styrofoam takeout boxes, it would be a good idea to layer a film of foil on the bottom before you stack the piping hot rice and fried chicken from the fryer. While it's great that they are preparing the food freshly, it's a health hazard when food is so hot that it melts/breaks down the styrofoam. Out of the 4 takeout boxes, only 1 box had this issue. I haven't seen other reviews mention this, so maybe this was just an isolated case. Just something to think about if they are looking for suggestions to improve their business. It would be a shame to see bad reviews because of this issue when it's something that can be easily corrected. read more

Tenkatori - 5pc Karaage (thigh) bento boxes ($9.50) - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

-:::- VENUE -:::- Located in a semi-run down looking strip mall where 7-11 resides. Parking is super tight & limited in the store front. But there are additional parking in the back or to the side. Prior to the pandemic, seating within this little shop is extremely minimal. Also, no restrooms here for public use. Really it's best to do take-out. Tenkatori is THE spot to get your karaage fix! -:::- SERVICE / TAKE-OUT -:::- Majority of the time I do phone in my order. If they aren't so busy it can take them as fast as 10-15 minutes to make. Otherwise, if they are busy wait can be up to 30 minutes. Staff has all been very courteous & friendly. I haven't had a single bad encounter nor experience here. All orders are fried to order. You won't see the karaage hanging out under the heat lamps. Hence the wait & it's worth it! -:::- FOOD -:::- Tenkatori is known for their chicken karaage. The word karaage implies the food & technique of which the ingredient is lightly coated with flour & then deep-fried. The Japanese style fried chicken nuggets here is exceptionally juicy, flavorful, crispy & very satisfying to the soul. Tenkatori also serve other chicken parts, pieces with bone-in, combos & family packs. But I much prefer just the karaage - which arrives in a convenient, tender-sized sections or what I would refer to them as the "nuggets." I love the original and sweet & spicy flavor (really not spicy at all). Next time, I'll try to venture out & try out their other items. As for take out to-go orders, keep the box open so the steam can escape. This prevents your karaage from getting soggy. It remains freshly hot out to warm for about an hour. Even if you save the karaage for hours later it's still pretty darn good. Damn, as I'm writing this I'm already regretting I didn't get more than 5 pieces! Greedy tummy of mine :P For the quantity & the quality the prices are fair here! O..o..O..o..O..oXo..O..o..O..o..O | | | -:: OVERALL RATING ::- | | | | 3.5/5.0 :: Venue | | 4.5/5.0 :: Service | | 4.5/5.0 :: Take-Out | | 4.5/5.0 :: Food | |________________________ | read more

Ricardo is the man see. I have been going to this location ever since 2016. the food quality and taste has always been phenomenal. I now bring my kids there. Definitely my favorite KARAAGE spot! read more

This place is absolutely wonderful!! The staff was so sweet, and you get a bang for your buck! I got the number 15 and you get to choose three sides, plus it comes with miso soup. I got the cali roll, salad, and a potato croquette. For only $13. It honestly made my day that we decided to come and eat here. The space inside is a bit small, but it's still comfortable to eat in. The cashier checked in on us often to make sure we had all we needed. Give this place a try! I'm sure you'll leave just as happy as I did read more

Service: 10/10- the cashier was wonderful and kind and gave honest recommendations for food Food: 7.5/10- the karaage is good, but not great. The sushi burrito tasted fine, but wasn't extraordinarily flavorful or anything. I thought it was interesting that the fillings seemed more like ones that would go in kimbap than in sushi (daikon, carrot). Price: reasonable read more

Tenkatori - Karaage sushi burrito - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California