Labelled as the safest city in California, Irvine is a popular travel destination among many tourists due to its wide range of entertainment, food and sightseeing. The city is also home to the headquarters of a popular taco joint, Taco Bell, so it is no doubt that many would see Irvine as a thriving food destination! While Irvine definitely has a large number of American restaurants, the Asian culinary scene is also growing with an array of Asian food available. Ranging from Taiwanese, Korean to Chinese - you name it, you have it. The diverse city is also known to have one of the best Japanese restaurants in California - which is what we are covering in this article. Read on to find out our take on the top 10 Japanese restaurants in Irvine, California.
1. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
There is just something about conveyer belt sushi places that makes the dining experience extra exhilarating as you watch the sushi plates slowly approach you as you secretly hope that no one else would take it. While many may have thought that conveyer belt sushis are often of subpar standards, Kura proves it wrong as they serve up affordable, fresh and quality sushi up to your mouth. However, be prepared to have to wait as this restaurant is always packed to the brim, be it lunch or dinner time. But you know what people always say? Good things are worth the wait.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Address: 2700 Alton Pkwy #133, Irvine, CA 92606, United States
Website: Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
2. Taiko Japanese Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Taiko Japanese Restaurant on Sunday, March 21, 2021
Taiko Japanese Restaurant has been labelled as one of the best sushi makers in Irvine and there is absolutely no doubt as to why this restaurant has been around for 40 years and yet manages a snake of the queue before their opening time. Packed with locals as well, Taiko serves your typical Japanese food such as tempura, teriyaki and sukiyaki. On top of its amazing food, the engaging and friendly chefs are the highlights of the entire dining experience as they keep you engaged throughout the entire time.
Taiko Japanese Restaurant
Address: 14775 Jeffrey Rd, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
Website: Taiko Japanese Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 4:30pm - 9:30pm
3. Ootoro Sushi
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
@ootorola is now open indoors dining at limited capacity! Please call for your reservation Ootoro Little Tokyo 232 E....
Posted by Ootoro Sushi Japanese Restaurant on Thursday, March 18, 2021
Slightly more on the pricier side, Ootoro Sushi serves premium, high-quality Japanese food which includes a good selection of sushi and sashimi, chirashi bowl as well as uni and king crab pasta; they are extremely generous with the uni!. The restaurant also cuts their sashimi slightly thicker than usual, perfect for sashimi lovers out there and definitely makes it worth every penny. Together with a wide range of sake to pair with your Japanese delights, this Michelin-star restaurant is not a place you would like to miss when you’re at Irvine!
Ootoro Sushi
Address: 2222 Michelson Dr #246, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
Website: Ootoro Sushi
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 2pm, 5:30pm - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 2pm, 5:30pm - 10pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
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4. O Fine Japanese Cuisine
If you’re looking for a more intimate dining experience, be sure to head to O Fine Japanese Cuisine where you can sit right at the bar counter and watch those sushis come together right before your eyes! Opt for the omakase menu and leave it to the chefs to curate a series of unique dishes for you with their finest ingredients and fresh fishes which are said to be delivered directly from Japan Tsukiji Market daily.
O Fine Japanese Cuisine
Address: 6731 Quail Hill, Irvine, CA 92603, United States
Website: O Fine Japanese Cuisine
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30pm - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm; Fri: 11:30 - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm
5. Makino Sushi and Seafood Buffet
Makino Sushi and Seafood Buffet is a perfect venue for you if you are a big eater and enjoy indulging in authentic Japanese food. With a wide range of fresh sashimi and sushi to yakitori, tempura and soba, Makino is a great place to spend your noon or evening with your family or friends, or both. On top of serving quality food at a price that wouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket, the sushi bar also offers a free-flow buffet and ensures to keep the food area filled. While many of us would have the misconception that Japanese buffet does not serve delectable food, Makino has shown that they are different for all the other competitors out there! Quality food, value for money and free-flow buffet - what more can we ask for?
Makino Sushi and Seafood Buffet
Address: 1818 Main St, Irvine, CA 92614, United States
Website: Makino Sushi and Seafood Buffet
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 2pm, 5:30pm - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 9pm
6. Tomikawa Sushi Bar Restaurant
Positioning itself as a sushi bar with the highest quality food and excellent service at the best price, Tomikawa definitely did not disappoint. On top of your usual sushi and bento, the popular sushi bar also serves a variety of food items ranging from carpaccio to izakaya. They also provide an option for an all-you-can-eat buffet for all you big eaters out there. This is perfect when you are famished and in no mood to cook up a storm in the kitchen.
Tomikawa Sushi Bar Restaurant
Address: 14191 Jeffrey Rd, Irvine, CA 92620, United States
Website: Tomikawa Sushi Bar Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 10pm
7. Crazy Rock'n Sushi
This is a cosy fusion sushi restaurant that serves you amazing food at prices that wouldn’t break the bank. A must-have in the restaurant includes the various roll flavours as well as miso soup; get ready to be blown away by how flavorful they are! Come with your family to have a great time eating together.
Crazy Rock'n Sushi
Address: 5365 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604, United States
Opening hours: Mon: 11:30am - 9pm; Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 9:30pm; Fri: 11:30am - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm
8. Fukada
Known for their udon and soba, Fukada has pledged themselves as a restaurant that serves up freshly made soba that is handmade by their chefs. They also offer an array of meat and fish dishes as well as organic products for all the meat lovers and health-conscious individuals out there. So if you are on a particular diet, you might want to step into this restaurant.
Fukada
Address: 8683 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
Website: Fukada
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm (closed on Mon)
9. Tokyo Table
Unlike your usual Japanese restaurant, Tokyo Table brings innovative Japanese food to your table! While the prices are slightly on the steeper side, you will definitely not be disappointed by their unique creations such as sushi pizza and donburi served in a stone bowl. Do also remember to check out their drinks menu where they offer quite an extensive range of sakes and specially crafted cocktails!
Tokyo Table
Address: 2710 Alton Pkwy #101, Irvine, CA 92606, United States
Website: Tokyo Table
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 12am; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 1am
10. Sagami
Serving traditional and authentic Japanese dishes, this restaurant has been open since 1989 and offers sushi rolls as well as a various izakaya-style tapas menu. A great place for a date night, this place definitely does prove why they are able to stay around for such a long period of time despite the intense competition surrounding them.
Sagami
Address: 3850 Barranca Pkwy Suite B, Irvine, CA 92606, United States
Website: Sagami
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 2:20pm, 5pm - 8pm; Sun: 11am - 2:45pm, 5pm - 8pm
Never go hungry again in Irvine
Never go hungry again in Irvine, California, as you are given a ton of Japanese food options, which includes free-flow buffet as well! A happy tummy is a happy day, so go ahead and give our recommendations a try! If you enjoy them, share it with your friends!
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