It was a night with high expectations for this restaurant. To give a little background my boyfriend and I finally had a day off at the same time. We decided to have a long over due date night. After getting dressed up we went to Ootoro Sushi because it was highly recommended to us by a close friend. We gat sat very quickly. I mentioned to our server that it was our first time and he gladly gave us a tour on our menu. We ended up ordering a few items based off of the servers recommendations. After we placed our order, he came back and mentioned he was being sent home because it was very slow and another server was going to take care of us. We never saw our new server the entire night even thought the restaurant was empty. Once my entree was brought to the table, Chilean Sea Bass, it took 30 minutes for my boyfriend to get his entree. All while every new server that come into the restaurant ignored us. We didn't have any water for our entire meal. My boyfriend was starving and sadly I had to eat my Sea Bass alone other wise it was going to get cold. When there was less than an inch left, my boyfriend FINALLY got his entree. And yet we still didn't get an acknowledgement from management or another server. I truly felt disrespected and an inconvenience to Ootoro Sushi. Keep in mind we still didn't know who our new server was because no one approached us. Our drinks were empty, I was still hungry and I wanted to order another entree. But I could not because every staff member in the restaurant ignored us. When my boyfriends entree was delivered it came with a side of shrimp heads. A server then asked if he wanted it fried or in a soup. He wanted it fried. Now I don't know about you but it does not take 20 minutes to fry shrimp heads! My boyfriend was completely finished with his meal when the shrimp head finally arrived. I tried very often to get the attention of other servers near by and everyone ignored us. It truly felt like I was being racially discriminated against. I was still hungry and wanted to order another item but even the manager ironed us. The fact his restaurant is highly rated I had high expectations especially if I was going to pay $250 for the both of us. It is very apparent the basic foundation of service is non existent in this restaurant especially since getting a water refill seemed impossible. I will never come back here and I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone. I would have gotten better service at a McDonald's and left happier than I did at Ootoro Sushi.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Amir Tehrani
On of the best sushis in OC. Reminded me of Japan. Went there 3 days in a row on my recent trip to OC. Just WOW
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Si Josieee
Sushi is so fresh!!! Best in Irvine! Will come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just Wink Lashes
We came to Otoro Sushi in Irvine with a group of four on a Saturday night around 8:30 PM. The wait was a bit long, but totally worth it! We ordered a variety of side dishes and nigiri, and everything was absolutely delicious.
The fish was incredibly fresh and flavorful — you can really taste the quality in every bite. The uni was top notch and definitely a standout. We also tried the uni pasta, and it was so rich and creamy — a must-try!
The service was excellent. All the servers were friendly, attentive, and quick to accommodate anything we needed. It’s clear they care about providing a great dining experience.
If you’re a sushi lover, this place is a gem. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andy Ho
Goodness gracious. You are going to be hard pressed to find a better sushi option in the area. The tuna and hamachi and sake were amazing. The true winner was my favorite, the kinmedai. Everything else was fantastic including the clam dish. Will definitely return the next time I’m in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Iman Reza
Super fresh sushi Great lunch
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tara Jonnes
fresh and tasty sushi we always going to this place
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Krishan Khurana
Best sushi around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vinicius Lopes
Have lived in Southern California for a few years, recently back in Irvine, driving around looking for a restaurant on a Friday night, had passed by this place many times but tonight decided to try it. What a find. Impressed. Food quality and service above average. This is now our Japanese place. We’ll return often. I recommend this place with no reservations, figuratively and literally.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kris Takasuka
Lived up to the hype. Generous slices of sashimi that are super fresh. Patrons queued up before they open. Best to have a reservation. Closed on Sun/Mon. Parking is a challenge. Nice TI. Efficient staff.
Excellent sushi and sashimi. Very pricy but worth it for special occasions.
patrick coughlin
Some of the best yellowtail and unagi I have had in years. Well done over here. Only downside is the space is a bit noisy.
Y T
Chef’s Special Omakase Price: $300–$500 per person (Pre-Order Only, Minimum 2 Guests)
If you’re searching for an unforgettable culinary journey, Otoro Irvine delivers an exceptional Omakase experience that stands out for its precision, creativity, and high-quality ingredients. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance is intimate and refined—perfect for a special night out, an anniversary, or an elevated culinary escape.
For those seeking the ultimate in luxury dining, the Chef’s Special Omakase is the crown jewel of Otoro’s offerings. At $300–$500 per person, this pre-ordered, curated experience is nothing short of spectacular.
Each course was thoughtfully crafted, blending traditional Japanese techniques with innovative, modern flair. The fish was incredibly fresh—melt-in-your-mouth toro, buttery uni, and flawlessly seared A5 wagyu were just the beginning. Every bite felt intentional, building in flavor, texture, and presentation as the evening progressed.
Highlighted Dishes from Chef’s Special: • Toro Trio – Otoro, chutoro, and akami, served three ways (raw, seared, aged). A masterclass in tuna. • Live Uni from Hokkaido – Presented in its shell with yuzu zest and fresh wasabi. Ocean-sweet, creamy perfection. • A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Nigiri – Seared and topped with black truffle and caviar. Rich, tender, and luxurious. • Scallop Carpaccio with Lime Foam – A delicate dance of citrus and umami. • Foie Gras & Monkfish Liver Fusion – Paired with sake jelly—silky, rich, and surprisingly light. • Abalone with Dashi Butter – Slow-poached and elegantly savory. • Custom Dessert Course – A refreshing finish with yuzu sorbet and a black sesame matcha mochi cake. And hot pot
Service was attentive yet unobtrusive—every dish was introduced with care, and the chef was clearly passionate about every creation. From the plating to the pacing, everything flowed with intention and grace. The staff made us feel taken care of without ever taking away from the focus: the food.
Otoro Irvine isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re indulging in the $165 Nigiri Omakase, the $225 Standard Omakase, or going all-in with the Chef’s Special, you’ll find yourself immersed in an evening of culinary artistry and pure joy.
For those seeking top-tier Omakase in Orange County, Otoro Irvine is a hidden gem that delivers not just a meal—but a memory. Worth every penny for those who value quality, authenticity, and excellence at the highest level.
Rating: 11/10 – A flawless fusion of flavor, finesse, and feeling.
Kevin YC Lee
Disrespectful with the chirashi sides. Batch 4/11 5:35PM togo order
Tony Chung
A big let down. I've been wanting to try this place for a long time but was let down. Where to start.....The biggest complaint was that sushi rice kept falling apart as soon as you pick it up. This was for everyone in my party and the only other place where this happened was at a conveyor belt sushi which is acceptable but not when you are being charged like I was here.
The place was super loud like some Izakaya. I literally had to yell to talk. I ordered sashimi deluxe and I thought I would never complain about a fish being too large but this was the case. Each pieces were unreasonably too big. They also were putting soy sauce on top of the sushi and I thought they were just being pretentious with that because they were putting too much and it was dripping on to the side. The fish quality was good though.
The service was extremely slow and the servers were very nice but not good at explaining the menu and different types of sushi when asked by one of the members of my party who is less familiar. I had to step in and help. I would expect this at a restaurant billing itself as high end.
I am told lunch is quite good but can't see myself coming here again. Maybe I will bring my wife just for the sake of it but I wasn't very happy with the overall experience. The place is quite busy though which I simply do not understand.
It was a night with high expectations for this restaurant. To give a little background my boyfriend and I finally had a day off at the same time. We decided to have a long over due date night. After getting dressed up we went to Ootoro Sushi because it was highly recommended to us by a close friend. We gat sat very quickly. I mentioned to our server that it was our first time and he gladly gave us a tour on our menu. We ended up ordering a few items based off of the servers recommendations. After we placed our order, he came back and mentioned he was being sent home because it was very slow and another server was going to take care of us. We never saw our new server the entire night even thought the restaurant was empty.
Once my entree was brought to the table, Chilean Sea Bass, it took 30 minutes for my boyfriend to get his entree. All while every new server that come into the restaurant ignored us. We didn't have any water for our entire meal. My boyfriend was starving and sadly I had to eat my Sea Bass alone other wise it was going to get cold. When there was less than an inch left, my boyfriend FINALLY got his entree. And yet we still didn't get an acknowledgement from management or another server. I truly felt disrespected and an inconvenience to Ootoro Sushi. Keep in mind we still didn't know who our new server was because no one approached us. Our drinks were empty, I was still hungry and I wanted to order another entree. But I could not because every staff member in the restaurant ignored us.
When my boyfriends entree was delivered it came with a side of shrimp heads. A server then asked if he wanted it fried or in a soup. He wanted it fried. Now I don't know about you but it does not take 20 minutes to fry shrimp heads! My boyfriend was completely finished with his meal when the shrimp head finally arrived.
I tried very often to get the attention of other servers near by and everyone ignored us. It truly felt like I was being racially discriminated against. I was still hungry and wanted to order another item but even the manager ironed us. The fact his restaurant is highly rated I had high expectations especially if I was going to pay $250 for the both of us. It is very apparent the basic foundation of service is non existent in this restaurant especially since getting a water refill seemed impossible. I will never come back here and I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone. I would have gotten better service at a McDonald's and left happier than I did at Ootoro Sushi.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
On of the best sushis in OC. Reminded me of Japan. Went there 3 days in a row on my recent trip to OC. Just WOW
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sushi is so fresh!!! Best in Irvine! Will come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came to Otoro Sushi in Irvine with a group of four on a Saturday night around 8:30 PM. The wait was a bit long, but totally worth it! We ordered a variety of side dishes and nigiri, and everything was absolutely delicious.
The fish was incredibly fresh and flavorful — you can really taste the quality in every bite. The uni was top notch and definitely a standout. We also tried the uni pasta, and it was so rich and creamy — a must-try!
The service was excellent. All the servers were friendly, attentive, and quick to accommodate anything we needed. It’s clear they care about providing a great dining experience.
If you’re a sushi lover, this place is a gem. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Goodness gracious. You are going to be hard pressed to find a better sushi option in the area. The tuna and hamachi and sake were amazing. The true winner was my favorite, the kinmedai. Everything else was fantastic including the clam dish. Will definitely return the next time I’m in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super fresh sushi Great lunch
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
fresh and tasty sushi we always going to this place
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Best sushi around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Have lived in Southern California for a few years, recently back in Irvine, driving around looking for a restaurant on a Friday night, had passed by this place many times but tonight decided to try it. What a find. Impressed. Food quality and service above average. This is now our Japanese place. We’ll return often. I recommend this place with no reservations, figuratively and literally.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lived up to the hype. Generous slices of sashimi that are super fresh. Patrons queued up before they open. Best to have a reservation. Closed on Sun/Mon. Parking is a challenge. Nice TI. Efficient staff.
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent sushi and sashimi. Very pricy but worth it for special occasions.
Some of the best yellowtail and unagi I have had in years. Well done over here. Only downside is the space is a bit noisy.
Chef’s Special Omakase
Price: $300–$500 per person (Pre-Order Only, Minimum 2 Guests)
If you’re searching for an unforgettable culinary journey, Otoro Irvine delivers an exceptional Omakase experience that stands out for its precision, creativity, and high-quality ingredients. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance is intimate and refined—perfect for a special night out, an anniversary, or an elevated culinary escape.
For those seeking the ultimate in luxury dining, the Chef’s Special Omakase is the crown jewel of Otoro’s offerings. At $300–$500 per person, this pre-ordered, curated experience is nothing short of spectacular.
Each course was thoughtfully crafted, blending traditional Japanese techniques with innovative, modern flair. The fish was incredibly fresh—melt-in-your-mouth toro, buttery uni, and flawlessly seared A5 wagyu were just the beginning. Every bite felt intentional, building in flavor, texture, and presentation as the evening progressed.
Highlighted Dishes from Chef’s Special:
• Toro Trio – Otoro, chutoro, and akami, served three ways (raw, seared, aged). A masterclass in tuna.
• Live Uni from Hokkaido – Presented in its shell with yuzu zest and fresh wasabi. Ocean-sweet, creamy perfection.
• A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Nigiri – Seared and topped with black truffle and caviar. Rich, tender, and luxurious.
• Scallop Carpaccio with Lime Foam – A delicate dance of citrus and umami.
• Foie Gras & Monkfish Liver Fusion – Paired with sake jelly—silky, rich, and surprisingly light.
• Abalone with Dashi Butter – Slow-poached and elegantly savory.
• Custom Dessert Course – A refreshing finish with yuzu sorbet and a black sesame matcha mochi cake.
And hot pot
Service was attentive yet unobtrusive—every dish was introduced with care, and the chef was clearly passionate about every creation. From the plating to the pacing, everything flowed with intention and grace. The staff made us feel taken care of without ever taking away from the focus: the food.
Otoro Irvine isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re indulging in the $165 Nigiri Omakase, the $225 Standard Omakase, or going all-in with the Chef’s Special, you’ll find yourself immersed in an evening of culinary artistry and pure joy.
For those seeking top-tier Omakase in Orange County, Otoro Irvine is a hidden gem that delivers not just a meal—but a memory. Worth every penny for those who value quality, authenticity, and excellence at the highest level.
Rating: 11/10 – A flawless fusion of flavor, finesse, and feeling.
Disrespectful with the chirashi sides. Batch 4/11 5:35PM togo order
A big let down. I've been wanting to try this place for a long time but was let down. Where to start.....The biggest complaint was that sushi rice kept falling apart as soon as you pick it up. This was for everyone in my party and the only other place where this happened was at a conveyor belt sushi which is acceptable but not when you are being charged like I was here.
The place was super loud like some Izakaya. I literally had to yell to talk. I ordered sashimi deluxe and I thought I would never complain about a fish being too large but this was the case. Each pieces were unreasonably too big. They also were putting soy sauce on top of the sushi and I thought they were just being pretentious with that because they were putting too much and it was dripping on to the side. The fish quality was good though.
The service was extremely slow and the servers were very nice but not good at explaining the menu and different types of sushi when asked by one of the members of my party who is less familiar. I had to step in and help. I would expect this at a restaurant billing itself as high end.
I am told lunch is quite good but can't see myself coming here again. Maybe I will bring my wife just for the sake of it but I wasn't very happy with the overall experience. The place is quite busy though which I simply do not understand.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Toro
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