We were really impressed by the service and freshness of the food here. We ordered the seaweed…read moresalad, chicken karaage, chicken teriyaki bowl, and salmon bowl. All were delicious with generous portions. The prices were reasonable. Great value for the money and location. Inside the restaurant contained nice decoration, comfortable seating, and appropriate lighting. uplifting music was playing.

This place is cozy and friendly. They have a good selection of sashimi and rolls. Their ramen were…read morealso good. Everything we got were good. Their black ramen was so flavorful. The ramen noodles tho were a tad overcooked. Since it was overcooked it took away from the experience of the slurping and chewing the ramen. IYKYK. Their spicy tuna crispy rice has too much rice in proportion to the spicy tuna. It was delicious but has too much rice.

This is an update since my last updated review was back in 2019 when I was working nearby like one…read morebuilding over and now i'm a bit far away. Stop by next door to get my nails done for a wedding and decided I had some time to kill before my next meeting so I stop by. Keep in mind this was after the lunch rush so plenty of seating and no wait time i got in around 2;53pm and was pretty happy to be seated right away. I was hungry and I missed eating here, prices were still affordable and delicious. My meal came out to be less than $25 and yes, that is with tip. I ordered an appetizer of Shrimp and Vegetable tempura, coke and a shrimp & veggies tempura udon. Perfect combo on a gloomy day, and honestly, I need to head here more often. I did past by the other day right before 6pm and there were people waiting outside for a table so it's a great spot. I'm telling you guys, its the go to place in SC. Their sushi is pretty darn fresh too, if you don't want to drive all the way to Irvine or L.A.

Very unassuming sushi spot tucked in a plaza. If you are coming here for dinner, be prepared to…read morewait. My group of 3 came around 6pm and waited close to 25 minutes for a table. It does feel a little cramped inside but they do their best to accommodate as many diners as they can. The two servers were running around and being efficient and attentive as possible which I recognized and appreciated. Looking at the menu, they have a variety of sushi rolls and other non-fish options such as udon and teriyaki plates. Also, I felt like I was transported to pre-2010 days with the prices. Never seen a menu with prices under $15 for everything and $3.50 for a handroll? It's no wonder why this place is poppin. To be honest, while the fish quality is not stellar, it still tastes good and flavors are satisfying. Plus considering the price, you can't expect to have 5 star cuts. I would recommend the tataki special roll (spicy tuna with seared cajun tuna on top) and the baked salmon roll (CA roll with baked salmon eel sauce on top), these two were my favs. I would recommend!

Our new favorite sushi restaurant. Didn't even know they were there close to our house. They're…read morecelebrating their 25th anniversary. I can see why. High quality fish. Some of the best yellowtail and salmon we've ever had. Keep it up!

I went in at 8:30 PM. It's great they're open so late and the staff is so friendly. I got the…read moreshrimp tempura Ramen and the shrimp was so good 10 out of 10, the whatever role was also so delicious especially the garlic Ponzo sauce. I usually come for their scallop roll, but I'm glad I tried something different this time even though the scallop roll is my favorite!

Staff super friendly. Teriyaki chicken bowl is really good . And food came out fast!…read more Highly recommended

In short, still a great local hole in the wall spot for rice and beef/chicken bowls…read more This place has been around forever, and though I believe it has changed ownership sometime around COVID, it's still a great place for a fresh teriyaki bowl - or platter, if you're hungry. The people are always friendly and will generous with the sauce(s), adding them until you tell them to stop! Though it's located on El Camino, it can be easy to pass by. I always head towards the transit station and look for the coffee shop next door. There is a little bit of parking in the lot nearby, though it is shared by other businesses. Overall, still a great place for a quick bite to eat. I recommend it.

Went to this place for the first time today and loved it!…read moreThe decor, the service and the food are all amazing. Can't wait to go back!

For San Clemente, solid ramen. Great service! We just moved here from Irvine so it's hard to…read morecompare to the plethora of insane ramen but def 4 stars for all the way down here in paradise. Noodles needed more chew, broth was solid but needed more time with the bones but very solid. We'll be back.

Sushi is amazing! Some of the best rolls and dishes we've had in California. Chefs are welcoming…read moreand hilarious. Wait staff is top tier. Love this place. Definitely recommend the poke taco appetizer and the Ichiban Roll!

An absolute hidden gem in San Clemente! From the quality of the fish to Chef Hide-San's thoughtful…read morerecommendations and warm hospitality, every dish showcased an incredible level of freshness, balance, and craftsmanship, making this one of the most memorable sushi experiences I've had. 5-Piece Omakase Set: 5/5 The Omakase set for that day included Red Snapper, Bluefin Toro, Hamachi Toro, Cherry Salmon, and Seared Miso Black Cod, with each piece showcasing its own distinct flavor and texture beautifully. The Red Snapper had a delicate sweetness that paired nicely with the fresh wasabi on top, creating a clean and refreshing start to the set. Both the Bluefin Toro and Hamachi Toro were incredibly buttery with a luxurious melt-in-your-mouth texture that immediately made us order another round. The Hamachi Toro was the definite standout, delivering a deeply savory richness with a silky finish. The Cherry Salmon was incredibly tender without feeling overly oily, allowing its natural richness to shine through. The final course, the Seared Miso Black Cod, was so decadent with the sweet and savory marinade of the miso glaze perfectly complementing the richness of the sablefish. Spooni: 10000000000000/5 The Spooni was easily the star of this meal. Featuring Santa Barbara Uni, Ikura, Tobiko, Caviar, Quail Egg Yolk and topped with scallions, it tasted incredibly luxurious and delivered an explosion of flavor as every ingredient blended together perfectly. The Santa Barbara Uni was rich and buttery, pairing beautifully with the briny Ikura, Tobiko, and Caviar to create a decadent yet perfectly balanced experience. The quail egg yolk tied everything together with its creamy, velvety richness, while the scallions added the perfect fresh finish. Every element complemented each other flawlessly, creating an absolutely unforgettable and indulgent experience. Santa Barbara Uni: 5/5 The Santa Barbara Uni was one of the best pieces of sushi I've had in a long time. The Uni was exceptionally fresh, rich, and buttery with a smooth and creamy custard-like texture that tasted incredibly luxurious. Paired with perfectly seasoned rice, it allowed the natural sweetness and briny depth of the Uni to truly shine. Engawa: 5/5 A rare and prized sushi delicacy, Hide-san recommended the Engawa to us and it absolutely exceeded every expectation! The aburi-style preparation brought a delicate smokiness from the light sear that enhanced the natural sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture of the Engawa beautifully. The balance of richness, softness, and subtle char made this piece truly unforgettable and one of the standout nigiri of the night! Black Snapper: 5/5 The black snapper nigiri immediately stood out to me for its exceptional freshness and clean, refined flavor. It had a delicate sweetness with a buttery finish and a soft, yet slightly firm texture that created an incredibly satisfying bite. The balance of freshness, richness, and subtle umami of the fish lingered beautifully on the palate, making this an elegant and memorable piece of nigiri. Yellowtail Special: 5/5 The Yellowtail Special was incredibly refreshing, allowing every ingredient to shine without overpowering the delicate flavor of the fish. The Yellowtail sashimi was exceptionally fresh, buttery, and rich, while the ponzu added a bright citrusy depth that enhanced its natural sweetness. The lemon brought a refreshing acidity and the jalapeño introduced a subtle heat to elevate the dish. Light, vibrant, and flavorful, the Yellowtail Special highlighted an elegant balance of acidity, heat, and rich umami. Toro-taku: 5/5 The Toro-taku delivered the perfect contrast of rich, buttery Bluefin Toro with the sharp sweetness and satisfying crunch of yellow pickled daikon radish. The toro had a creamy richness and deep, savory umami, while the takuan added a refreshing texture and brightness that balanced every bite beautifully. The dish was a perfect harmony of smooth and crunchy textures, finished with a subtle, refreshing zest that kept every bite exciting. Blue Crab Roll: 4/5 The blue crab roll was a well-executed dish that delivered a delicate sweetness and buttery richness, complemented by a subtle, briny ocean tang that created a pleasant balance. The ingredients tasted fresh, and the roll itself was light, flavorful, and enjoyable to eat. While it didn't stand out as much as some of the other dishes from the meal, it was still a solid and satisfying roll overall! Dragon Roll: 5/5 The dragon roll was absolutely outstanding and easily one of the freshest eel rolls I've had. The unagi was incredibly tender, delivering a rich, decadent melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite. Paired with creamy avocado, sweet crab meat, rich eel sauce, and the crisp texture of shrimp tempura and cucumber, the roll blended sweet, savory, and umami-rich flavors together seamlessly. The freshness of the eel truly stood out and elevated this classic roll into something exceptional!

Truly magical sushi...great atmosphere, servers and Levi the sushi king... chef's kiss!read more

I often have to commute from San Diego to Los Angeles, and I am always looking for good sushi…read more Usually, I cannot find it. This is the first time during my commute. I found exceptional sushi. Everything was exceptional! The food, the ambience, the merch, and the service was outstanding. I complimented the owner Levi on their aprons, it turns out that his father used to work for Levi's and it's a tribute to his family. Every single touch of this business is a work of art and has so much intentionality behind it. All the sushi was incredibly tender, and it was so beautifully placed on top of its original taste and feel. As a brand ambassador, I rarely wear brands at all outside of work. Their merch was so cool that I got the beanie and the sweatshirt. I've never done that at any business in my life. The ambience is gorgeous both inside and out, and the crowd are mainly locals. It's such an awesome place, and I would probably go to any of those places outside and try them all. I can't wait to have an excuse to go back to dark magic sushi, it's one of the best sushi places I've ever been to

The food was delicious and we were able to taste a variety of rolls so I'm pretty confident in…read moresaying it was all great! The staff were super helpful, friendly and efficient. They kept the plates coming!! The restaurant is nothing fancy - maybe not a date night location - and was busy the entire time we were there - with both eat in and takeout. My one complaint was the noise level - I felt like we were screaming at each other just to hear above the noise. The table next to us had kids that were not only loud but running around. I think next time I would take the food to go and enjoy it in the quiet of my own home.

Really bad service I find a hair in my food I will never come back to this place .. please check…read moreyour food before you eat

The service was awesome. There was only one dude manning the floor but that didn't bring down my…read moreexperience. His name was Manny and he was a friendly, amazing, and hospitable guy. Our ramen came out fast and it was really tasty. As a vegetarian the veggie ramen is really good. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. A must-try for Orange County.

I've always really liked this place but today I placed an order for pick up & they forgot to give…read moreme the pork & egg for my ramen. I had also ordered an extra side of pork & they DIDNT include it either. It was a long drive plus it's raining, now to come home & eat my food with missing items. This sucks. I even called the place right now that I got home & no one cared to answer my two calls. ....

They have a great happy hour specials $5 options and wide variety of sake / drinks. I was able to…read morewalk-in on a Friday at 5pm pretty easily. The space is upstairs and great seating options. I really enjoyed the unagi and spicy tuna. The warm rice and crispy seaweed were delicious and delightful. This is a great spot to start the night before exploring San Clemente and the service is super quick. They have a virtual waitlist which is nice to see the walk-in availability.

Drinks and food were all excellent. Execution of the drinks was fantastic…read more The lost star is for medium level service. At other small, speakeasy locations that I have visited the wait staff/bartenders/etc are overly knowledgeable about the menu and how to help select a cocktail that you will like. We did not get that on this visit.