Love the curry! Try level 2 spiciness to start. It has a slight kick. Level 5 for extra $1.00 for the delightful spicy… tiny dine in area so better get there early.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Omelet Curry with Pork Cutlet
Amaldev Devadas
Ventured into this small spot for Japanese curry in Irvine, but the experience left me with mixed feelings. While the ambiance was cozy and the service was prompt, the slightly higher prices and limited, expensive add-ons were a drawback. Unfortunately, the curry itself fell short of expectations, not living up to the mark one would hope for in Irvine's culinary scene. The limited choices for add-ons made it difficult to elevate the Overall taste. Regrettably, The curry flavor didn't hit the mark, leaving room for improvement. Despite the cozy atmosphere, the overall value and taste may not make it a top choice for Japanese curry enthusiasts in Irvine. The smnall size of the place adds to the charm but might impact your comfort during peak hours. Consider it for a quick visit, but explore other options for a more comprehensive Japanese curry experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Wilson W
Love this famous Japanese Curry house. I love level 2 curry. Hamburger okay. The vegetable is a great add on.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Curry
Miguel Angel Durán (Duranarts)
Gone are the Curry House days and the wait for a reigning curry champion continues. I went to Maji a couple of times and enjoyed the first few but then the quality drastically went down. Their chicken was consistently overcooked. The nail on the coffin (and why I’ll never return) was when I ordered to go. Being a curry place, you’d figure they would make sure a good amount of curry was included. Arrived home to find the slot was barely filled. Added a one star for atmosphere, they crank up the music for being such a small place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Omelet Curry with Pork Cutlet
Cesar hernandez
This place was soo good. I had the burger curry with cheese. Will definitely come back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hamburger Steak
Joann C.
I've been wanting to try Maji Curry for a while now and finally had the chance to try it during off-peak hours. The restaurant itself is fairly small-- about 5-6 tables inside? Service was great. Food: the food came out really fast. I've tried the pork katsu curry and well as the one with cheese sauce. As a cheese lover, I recommend skipping the cheese because it was completely flavorless. It was basically a watery cheese sauce. The curry is on the sweeter side which I've read in many reviews. I wish it was more savory like traditional Japanese curries. You can really taste the sweetness and spices. Portion was pretty good. You can choose from Regular, Large, XL. I found the L to be the perfect amount.
Geri C.
This smallish restaurant (5 tables and wall facing counter seatings for six; plus outdoor tables) was not crowded when we came for early Saturday dinner. We're delighted to finally get to taste the championship curry at this award winning chain's first US outpost. The restaurant interior exuded a clean, cheerful unmistakably Japanese vibe; with courteous, friendly staff. The menu displayed a dazzling variety of unique curry theme combinations. We selected the regular size, classic signature omelette curry with pork cutlet, and pork cutlet veggie curry (both standard spice level). Our dishes came quickly. The curry was pleasantly flavorful, slightly sweet, with a subtle kick to it. Definitely a deeper, more nuanced taste profile than our favorite House curry package could offer. The soft omelette added a savory mouth feel. Glad they used fresh, not frozen, vegetables. The tonkatsu was tender with a somewhat crispy panko coating. Portions were solid. Good comfort food on a chilly evening. Noted the restaurant handled many takeout orders.
Amaldev D.
Ventured into this small spot for Japanese curry in Irvine, but the experience left me with mixed feelings. While the ambiance was cozy and the service was prompt, the slightly higher prices and limited, expensive add-ons were a drawback. Unfortunately, the curry itself fell short of expectations, not living up to the mark one would hope for in Irvine's culinary scene. The limited choices for add-ons made it difficult to elevate the overall taste. Regrettably, The curry flavor didn't hit the mark, leaving room for improvement. Despite the cozy atmosphere, the overall value and taste may not make it a top choice for Japanese curry enthusiasts in Irvine. The small size of the place adds to the charm but might impact your comfort during peak hours. Consider it for a quick visit, but explore other options for a more comprehensive Japanese curry experience.
Carla G.
my boyfriend & i came in around 6pm and were immediately sat! the interior is pretty small, not many tables, so i can understand why there's typically a long wait. now my bf loves coco ichibanya, but this was my first time ever having japanese curry so i was excited. our server was kind enough to take the time to explain the different spice levels they offer & his favorites. we eventually decided on their regular-sized Omelet Curries with Pork & Chicken. i wanna say i had a level 2-3, while he had a 1, though can't remember correctly. the cutlets were SUPER crispy, the egg was thin, & the curry was slightly sweet. the spice wasn't super noticeable. overall, it was okay - the highlight was the crispiness of the pork/chicken cutlets. (we had coco's a few days later - coco's is definitely better.)
Salvador A.
One star because of bizarre service. Came to ate in with my family at opening. Was told they can't take order because "the server/manager is coming". 25 minutes later still hasn't arrived. Just insane way to run a business. This is written for the sole reason to get the owners/management attention: you will close if you keep up with this. There are too many other options in this town. Step it up or you WILL lose money and close your business.
Apparently this joint is known for being busy & having to wait. We went on a Saturday evening (!!!) & just our luck we didn't have to be put on any wait list, we were able to walk right in & be seated right away. The seating inside is so limited so I was worried about the wait. It was our lucky day ! I ordered the chicken cutlet regular size level 2 spice, hubby got the same but large & with an omelette. We also got an order of karaage for an appetizer. The food came out fairly fast. The karaage was so good ! I have had my fair share of karaage & this had its own unique taste. It was juicy & the dip (I think it was kewpie) paired so well with the chicken. We gobbled up all the bites. At first glance the regular size chicken cutlet seems small & mediocre. I actually couldn't finish my plate as I got full & hubby had to finish for me. The medium grain rice was sticky but cooked to perfection. The breading on the chicken had a crunch & the chicken was tender & juicy !!! I could of ate a spicier curry but really was being cheap & didn't want to pay extra to up the heat level. I'd say if you're into spicy food level 2 is still very mild. Even though it was mild, i really enjoyed it !!! Very small complaints, why the shortage on napkins ?? I have a 10 month old & things get messy at the table. We only had one napkin & my hubby asked for more. We were given only 3 more. Plus curry is messy so don't be stingy on napkins ! Also wassup with the canned drinks ?? Fountain drinks always taste better than canned. Anyways we really enjoyed our meal & we would be back !
George O.
Very few seating and the wait is not worth it at all. Curry flavor is lackluster with not enough spices and the cheese sauce is a lumpy Japanese cheese that tastes odd. In general it seems like a poor recreation of an old recipe they have that hasn't adjusted in a long time.
Chris L.
This is a different type of Japanese curry--but I personally love it. The curry is very spiced, like a mixture of Indian and Japanese. The katsus are all very fresh and flavorful. Chicken and pork are always juicy and tender.
S T.
I went during a non-peak time, so it was pleasantly calm. The staff was attentive and provided us with excellent, transparent recommendations! I chose the omelet curry rice with spinach (regular; level 1 spicy), which was perfect for me as I can't handle much spice. It resembled traditional Japanese curry with authentic spices, evident as soon as you enter the restaurant... you know that's a positive sign for any curry place. The establishment exudes a nice, cozy ambiance. While it's relatively small, making it less suitable for large groups, it's perfect for couples and families of four. In summary, a solid 10 out of 10, highly recommended!
Alan S.
I was hoping a Japanese curry restaurant would open after we lost Curry House (coincidentally located a few doors down) many years ago, so I was stoked when Maji Curry appeared in the same plaza near the intersection of Culver Drive and Walnut Avenue. I ordered the Hamburger Steak Curry and I appreciated the rich flavor of the curry. However, the size of the hamburger steak was pitifully small and left me wanting more. There def wasn't enough protein to go around and the quantity was not in balance with the amount of white rice and curry. I might give them a try again in the future to see if they've improved, but they've got some work to do! They have locations in five countries, so I hope their other establishments do better.
Love the curry! Try level 2 spiciness to start. It has a slight kick. Level 5 for extra $1.00 for the delightful spicy… tiny dine in area so better get there early.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Omelet Curry with Pork Cutlet
Ventured into this small spot for Japanese curry in Irvine, but the experience left me with mixed feelings. While the ambiance was cozy and the service was prompt, the slightly higher prices and limited, expensive add-ons were a drawback. Unfortunately, the curry itself fell short of expectations, not living up to the mark one would hope for in Irvine's culinary scene. The limited choices for add-ons made it difficult to elevate the Overall taste. Regrettably, The curry flavor didn't hit the mark, leaving room for improvement. Despite the cozy atmosphere, the overall value and taste may not make it a top choice for Japanese curry enthusiasts in Irvine. The smnall size of the place adds to the charm but might impact your comfort during peak hours. Consider it for a quick visit, but explore other options for a more comprehensive Japanese curry experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Love this famous Japanese Curry house. I love level 2 curry. Hamburger okay. The vegetable is a great add on.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Curry
Gone are the Curry House days and the wait for a reigning curry champion continues. I went to Maji a couple of times and enjoyed the first few but then the quality drastically went down. Their chicken was consistently overcooked. The nail on the coffin (and why I’ll never return) was when I ordered to go. Being a curry place, you’d figure they would make sure a good amount of curry was included. Arrived home to find the slot was barely filled. Added a one star for atmosphere, they crank up the music for being such a small place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Omelet Curry with Pork Cutlet
This place was soo good. I had the burger curry with cheese. Will definitely come back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hamburger Steak
I've been wanting to try Maji Curry for a while now and finally had the chance to try it during off-peak hours. The restaurant itself is fairly small-- about 5-6 tables inside? Service was great. Food: the food came out really fast. I've tried the pork katsu curry and well as the one with cheese sauce. As a cheese lover, I recommend skipping the cheese because it was completely flavorless. It was basically a watery cheese sauce. The curry is on the sweeter side which I've read in many reviews. I wish it was more savory like traditional Japanese curries. You can really taste the sweetness and spices. Portion was pretty good. You can choose from Regular, Large, XL. I found the L to be the perfect amount.
This smallish restaurant (5 tables and wall facing counter seatings for six; plus outdoor tables) was not crowded when we came for early Saturday dinner. We're delighted to finally get to taste the championship curry at this award winning chain's first US outpost. The restaurant interior exuded a clean, cheerful unmistakably Japanese vibe; with courteous, friendly staff. The menu displayed a dazzling variety of unique curry theme combinations. We selected the regular size, classic signature omelette curry with pork cutlet, and pork cutlet veggie curry (both standard spice level). Our dishes came quickly. The curry was pleasantly flavorful, slightly sweet, with a subtle kick to it. Definitely a deeper, more nuanced taste profile than our favorite House curry package could offer. The soft omelette added a savory mouth feel. Glad they used fresh, not frozen, vegetables. The tonkatsu was tender with a somewhat crispy panko coating. Portions were solid. Good comfort food on a chilly evening. Noted the restaurant handled many takeout orders.
Ventured into this small spot for Japanese curry in Irvine, but the experience left me with mixed feelings. While the ambiance was cozy and the service was prompt, the slightly higher prices and limited, expensive add-ons were a drawback. Unfortunately, the curry itself fell short of expectations, not living up to the mark one would hope for in Irvine's culinary scene. The limited choices for add-ons made it difficult to elevate the overall taste. Regrettably, The curry flavor didn't hit the mark, leaving room for improvement. Despite the cozy atmosphere, the overall value and taste may not make it a top choice for Japanese curry enthusiasts in Irvine. The small size of the place adds to the charm but might impact your comfort during peak hours. Consider it for a quick visit, but explore other options for a more comprehensive Japanese curry experience.
my boyfriend & i came in around 6pm and were immediately sat! the interior is pretty small, not many tables, so i can understand why there's typically a long wait. now my bf loves coco ichibanya, but this was my first time ever having japanese curry so i was excited. our server was kind enough to take the time to explain the different spice levels they offer & his favorites. we eventually decided on their regular-sized Omelet Curries with Pork & Chicken. i wanna say i had a level 2-3, while he had a 1, though can't remember correctly. the cutlets were SUPER crispy, the egg was thin, & the curry was slightly sweet. the spice wasn't super noticeable. overall, it was okay - the highlight was the crispiness of the pork/chicken cutlets. (we had coco's a few days later - coco's is definitely better.)
One star because of bizarre service. Came to ate in with my family at opening. Was told they can't take order because "the server/manager is coming". 25 minutes later still hasn't arrived. Just insane way to run a business. This is written for the sole reason to get the owners/management attention: you will close if you keep up with this. There are too many other options in this town. Step it up or you WILL lose money and close your business.
Restaurantji Recommends
Apparently this joint is known for being busy & having to wait. We went on a Saturday evening (!!!) & just our luck we didn't have to be put on any wait list, we were able to walk right in & be seated right away. The seating inside is so limited so I was worried about the wait. It was our lucky day ! I ordered the chicken cutlet regular size level 2 spice, hubby got the same but large & with an omelette. We also got an order of karaage for an appetizer. The food came out fairly fast. The karaage was so good ! I have had my fair share of karaage & this had its own unique taste. It was juicy & the dip (I think it was kewpie) paired so well with the chicken. We gobbled up all the bites. At first glance the regular size chicken cutlet seems small & mediocre. I actually couldn't finish my plate as I got full & hubby had to finish for me. The medium grain rice was sticky but cooked to perfection. The breading on the chicken had a crunch & the chicken was tender & juicy !!! I could of ate a spicier curry but really was being cheap & didn't want to pay extra to up the heat level. I'd say if you're into spicy food level 2 is still very mild. Even though it was mild, i really enjoyed it !!! Very small complaints, why the shortage on napkins ?? I have a 10 month old & things get messy at the table. We only had one napkin & my hubby asked for more. We were given only 3 more. Plus curry is messy so don't be stingy on napkins ! Also wassup with the canned drinks ?? Fountain drinks always taste better than canned. Anyways we really enjoyed our meal & we would be back !
Very few seating and the wait is not worth it at all. Curry flavor is lackluster with not enough spices and the cheese sauce is a lumpy Japanese cheese that tastes odd. In general it seems like a poor recreation of an old recipe they have that hasn't adjusted in a long time.
This is a different type of Japanese curry--but I personally love it. The curry is very spiced, like a mixture of Indian and Japanese. The katsus are all very fresh and flavorful. Chicken and pork are always juicy and tender.
I went during a non-peak time, so it was pleasantly calm. The staff was attentive and provided us with excellent, transparent recommendations! I chose the omelet curry rice with spinach (regular; level 1 spicy), which was perfect for me as I can't handle much spice. It resembled traditional Japanese curry with authentic spices, evident as soon as you enter the restaurant... you know that's a positive sign for any curry place. The establishment exudes a nice, cozy ambiance. While it's relatively small, making it less suitable for large groups, it's perfect for couples and families of four. In summary, a solid 10 out of 10, highly recommended!
I was hoping a Japanese curry restaurant would open after we lost Curry House (coincidentally located a few doors down) many years ago, so I was stoked when Maji Curry appeared in the same plaza near the intersection of Culver Drive and Walnut Avenue. I ordered the Hamburger Steak Curry and I appreciated the rich flavor of the curry. However, the size of the hamburger steak was pitifully small and left me wanting more. There def wasn't enough protein to go around and the quantity was not in balance with the amount of white rice and curry. I might give them a try again in the future to see if they've improved, but they've got some work to do! They have locations in five countries, so I hope their other establishments do better.