Takaya Yakitori Izakaya

Visited this cute little restaurant a couple months ago and really enjoyed it. It is by reservation only, I guess it’s because it is run by only 2 people. We ordered quite some yakitori and they were so good. They were lightly seasoned but it brought out the ingredients’ original taste. And service was nice and friendly, cozy and reasonably priced.

Called for a reservation and the owner didn’t know English well and somehow didn’t reserve my table. Very disappointed with so many weird rules.

Compared to other Yakitori places, the food is perfectly seasoned. If you like strong flavors, I would recommend going to other popular yakitoris around. Takaya is reservation only, and the space is quite small and cozy. I definitely recommend the Black Cod, and the Spicy Nabeyaki udon.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

A bit pricey but the best, authentic Japanese Food anywhere in Orange County!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: 鍋焼きうどん, Takoyaki, Broiled Squid, Salmon Sashimi, Assorted Sashimi, Roll, Sauce, Tuna, Variety of Yakitori, Black Snapper, Albacore Roll, California Roll

A yakitori gem nestled in OC! Place is pretty small, and it's by reservation only. Reminds me of a neighborhood restaurant in Japan.
Yakitori was so darn tasty!! I can eat a dozen of the grilled shrimp.
The sashimi special was amazingly fresh. Enjoyable meal! Can't wait to come back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Assorted Sashimi, Broiled Squid, Variety of Yakitori

I loved every second I was in this place. It’s a little hard to get into: you HAVE to make a reservation, and you can’t be early/late to the reservation, and you might have to call in order for them to let you in.
But it’s worth it.
We had the crispy tuna, soy simmered pork belly, curry udon, yuzo ribeye, and assorted yakitori.

Highlights include:
Beautiful interior with great music
Fantastic service from our wonderful waitress
Everything that was served to us. I cannot pick a favorite.
Don’t sleep on the pork belly yakitori. It’s so good.

10/10, new favorite Japanese place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Variety of Yakitori

I got food poisoning from their sashimi I had earlier today..

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

They use expired meat for their yakitori & overcook it to make the matter worsePlease avoid this restaurant at all cost as they are not honest people who take pride in fresh ingredients and rather cheat out their customers

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Terribly rude lady server, salty half cooked yakitori, pretentious reservation only system with half empty restaurantWould never come back & this is my first bad review I was dying to write as soon as I got of the restaurantBut I’m not surprised as Americans would like this restaurant with the awful taste they have for foodPS:their takowasa is frozen as well

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I wish I lived nearby so I could eat here more often. This was the best kind of dining experience. The staff are kind and inviting, and each item we tried was so delicious and perfectly prepared it became our new favorite. It's very reminiscent of a great restaurant in Japan.On our next visit we'll be sure to leave room for extra garlic chicken skewers and the broiled salmon collar, but everything was great across the board, down to the rice and vegetable croquette.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Grilled Bacon Asparagus, Sushi, Skewer, Variety of Yakitori

Wonderful little hidden gem of a Izakaya. It is Husband and Wife run so be patient and considerate as owning a business in California in this day and age is a riddled with problems from inflation to labor. Important, be kind and considerate no matter how busy they are.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

No walk-ins. Reservations only. They open at 5pm and you can't make a reservation before 5pm, but when I called at 5pm exactly they said the next open slot was at 6pm.

Service: 1

Yammy yammy

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Yakitori was great. Good stuff.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Grilled Bacon Asparagus, Skewer

Been going to his place for over 10 years. The food is always on point.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5