50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Laguna Beach

“We have been there many times and love it! One of the best sushi restaurants I know! I prefer sashimi and the presentation is beautiful and mouthwatering!“

“Had a really good experience at GU Ramen Taps & Tapas recently. The ramen was flavorful, the tapas were perfect for sharing, and the drinks selection was solid too. We went during happy hour and the atmosphere was super fun and relaxed, definitely a place we’ll be coming back to.“

“Great little gem! It’s more like eating Art! The photography is breathtaking Every menu item is a work of Art and tasty! No dish is the same 😋😍“

“The vegetarian rolls are so flavorful and the staff is super friendly! Definitely going back.“

“We ate dinner here last night. Probably the best sushi we’ve ever had. The staff was great as well.“

“The staff member that helped me (purple hair and a nose piercing) made my first visit to Poke Tiki so pleasant that I want to go back. Their communication was clear and they helped me make such a delicious poke bowl! We need more customer service and kindness like this person—they made me feel welcomed. The bowl was tasty with fresh fish and great toppings. 10/10 would recommend if you like a relaxed food spot with nice people around.“

“Third-floor sushi spot above Glenneyre on the main drag. The fish quality is noticeably above the average Coast Highway sushi stop — thick cuts, proper temperature, buttery texture that tells you it's fresh. The black cod preparation is a standout. Doubles as takeout if you want to eat on the beach across the street. One of those spots that quietly outperforms its profile.“

“place is awesome. quick and tasty“

“Authentic, great service, fun staff!“

“Fast ... very friendly... great foods and great prices... A+++++....“

“Been coming here for 2yrs. Always fresh, clean and delicious. James is a Master.“

“This place is a hidden diamond. It was the best sushi me and my wife ever had. I am big with all you can eat sushi restaurants but this place is heaven. I will not go anywhere else moving forward. This is my spot now.
I highly recommended the hostess, and the waitresses are extremely friendly.“

“Well worth the wait! GREAT sushi, service and quality.“

“Very good“

“Jerk chicken ELL eggs Tantan udon Kaisendon Everything“

“Super fresh, smelled clean inside. Owner is quite friendly and really cares about making a nice bowl.

Got the large bowl with brown rice, and a selection of great sides and toppings. Not *too* many, but each one worth considering. Flavors and spice level were spot on, not too salty or sweet, which highlighted how good the fish choices are.“

“Family brought us here to celebrate a birthday - even though they stick to bento boxes and don't get the sushi. Worked out, everything was very fresh and tasty. It's a small space inside and very homey. Loved the no rice roll options. The servers were making jokes with us and jumping in pictures, we were the only ones there for awhile. (If you're the stick to yourselves type, you will hate this.)“

“Simple, delicious, and healthy. This place species in beef pepper rice and have mastered their craft. The menu is nice and simple which makes it easy to order. The beef pepper rice is affordable and delicious, but the toppings at $2 each is pretty absurd. You order at the tablet and the staff bring out the food to your table if dining in. The staff are very friendly and the interior is clean.“

“The vibe and sushi/bento box were fire 🔥 🔥🔥“

“The sushi is so fresh and everyone is so friendly, It is obvious that there are many regulars in there. So many groups of customers were talking and joking with each other, it is a very friendly atmosphere. It is a small place with only one Sushi chef and it appeared that many customers knew each other, the chef seemed to know most of the customers, the customers knew the chef……you get the picture. Seeing the place full of so many regulars was reassuring on its own but the food spoke for itself.“

“So good!!! A must when in Orange County!“

“Best poke! So much variety, tuna, salmon, spicy tuna, albacore, octopus, shrimp. tamago, and tofu. Delicious add-ons and lots of toppings!“

“The service was great and the sushi was delish! Great job redecorating and the music was nice too! 👍✌️🍣“

“Great food, you get a lot of food for your money! Had the Chicken Katsu, came with the chicken, rice, some vegetables and broth. A great amount of food for the price. Great Customer Service. Located inside the WestPark Plaza. Lots of options to choose from and this is a sure bet.“

“Needed a healthy option for my daughter and this is her favorite.

Super fresh ingredients and tasty quality I expect of sushi and bowls. The teriyaki chicken bowl is very tasty and enjoyable.

We generally get to-go. The eat-in option are basic tables and chairs.“

“This is an amazing restaurant with fantastic food and truly incredible owners who give back to the community. I recently learned that they’re one of the diamond sponsors supporting Tzu Chi USA, a nonprofit humanitarian organization that has provided significant disaster relief here in the U.S. — including over $2.5 million in cash aid to wildfire survivors in Los Angeles and ongoing support efforts for Maui wildfire survivors and other disaster-affected communities. Thank you for your generosity and leadership.🙏🙏🙏“

“this was me and my husband's anniversary dinner
We happen to stumble across this restaurant
Hats off too this place! Everything was so delicious so fresh, and not only that it was so beautiful the presentation the taste the quality of the food was top-notch“

“Super solid sushi spot. The fish tastes really fresh, everything is well-prepared, and you can tell there’s real care behind the food. Nothing feels rushed or overdone just simple, high quality sushi done right. Definitely a go to if you want something reliable and consistently good. Thank you so much sushi sho!! & The lovely host tonight.“

“Great food and great staff“

“Sushi Town in Costa Mesa was such a nice surprise! It’s right by the I-55 freeway, kind of easy to miss, but totally worth finding. From the moment we walked in, the staff were super friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home.
We started with the yellowtail collar appetizer, which was amazing — perfectly grilled, crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Then we tried a few nigiri pieces like fatty tuna, negi toro, and fatty yellowtail, and wow — everything was so fresh and just melted in our mouths. The Edo Mae combo was also fantastic, a great mix of traditional and flavorful pieces that showed off the chef’s skills.
We finished it all off with some nice warm sake, which was the perfect way to end the meal.
Honestly, Sushi Town feels like a hidden gem right off the freeway. Great sushi, amazing service, and a cozy vibe — can’t wait to come back!“

“I had such a wonderful experience at this Japanese restaurant! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt warm and inviting. The staff was incredibly attentive and made us feel genuinely welcomed.

The food was outstanding! Super fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish tasted like it was made with care and high-quality ingredients.

What really stood out was the consistency in both service and food. Everything came out in a timely manner and the team checked in just enough to make sure we were taken care of without feeling rushed.

Overall, it’s a place I would absolutely return to and recommend to anyone looking for a great Japanese dining experience. Truly a gem!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had the best experience at Tabu Shabu! I sat out on the patio with my dog and it was absolutely perfect—comfortable, welcoming, and such a great vibe. I ordered a glass of wine and started with the cucumber appetizer and edamame, both super fresh and full of flavor. The highlight was the salmon bowl with rice…so delicious, perfectly cooked, and so satisfying. The service was friendly, the food came out quickly, and they made me (and my pup!) feel totally at home. I think everyone came out at some point to visit with me and my pup. Highly recommend if you’re looking for great food, a relaxing atmosphere, and a dog-friendly spot for a drink and apps (cant do hotpot outside, but still worth it).“

“I really like the sashimi style rice bowls this place has to offer. My favorite is the spicy tuna rice bowl. My daughter loves the regular tuna bowl. The have many different styles bowls to offer, tuna, salmon, etc. there is a nice window display presenting the many different offering.

They are a fair value for what you get. I feel you can spend just as much anywhere else or more but here the fish is fresh and clean. Worth the value to me.

By the way, their Oyako Don Buri is also excellent. The egg omelet cooked just right. It’s a popular dish in Hawaii and Japan. Comfort food“

“The service was very good, and the overall taste was impeccable; the food was delicious and well-balanced, but it lacked the authentic and refined Japanese flavor. It was also unusual that the rolls fell apart. They gave us two eggs with the oden... The bonito broth tasted exactly like the one from Lawson convenience store, haha. The sake-steamed clams really tasted strongly of sake! The sukiyaki was quite impressive, a huge bowl! The only downside was the lack of a raw egg accompaniment, which felt like something essential was missing“

“At Mitsuwa Market, there’s a big food court with a lot of good spots where you can eat tasty food without spending too much.

I went to Miyabi Tei because I wanted a proper meal, something with meat and a side and not a soup based.
The staff were super friendly, they even swapped the fish in my dish for beef, and it came with miso soup, so everything was really delicious.“

“all of it was delish! great service as well.“

“The Fried chicken is awesome, my girl friend has celiac disease, and I wanted a fried chicken. Its not KFC, but it is great stuff the sauces are also phenomenal and they price for what you get is great considering what you might pay at another place.

And Yes not every one speaks great english but they are patient and understand the gluten issue so I am very greatfull to there staff.“

“I’ve been to this store quite a few times, and it’s definitely one of my favorite places to grab a bite. The food is fantastic, especially the Ishiyaki—whether it’s pork belly or beef, it’s simply the best. I always try to get the rice extra crispy at the bottom. The service is top-notch and the staff are so friendly and attentive. They really listen to what customers suggest, which makes it even better. I highly recommend it!“

“Food: Sushi rolls were excellent and pretty competitive prices. My favorite was the caterpillar. Fish quality was excellent. Avocado and cucumber was fresh and sushi didn't taste like it had sugar in it which was excellent.!

Service: Sucks. They are impatient, rude, and quick to walk away and pretend they didn't hear you. For example I asked if a waiter could remove a plate. He ignored me and signaled at the busboy to pick up the plate instead. Even the busboy realized that was odd.“

“It's my favorite lunch spot the service is consistently great, and the food is absolutely fantastic. Their lunch specials are a steal, and the regular menu items are delicious too. Plus, they can accommodate large groups! Highly recommended!“

“I’ve been coming to Miyabi Shabu Shabu in Irvine every week for the past 7 years, and it has never disappointed. That kind of consistency is rare, and it’s the reason this place has become one of my absolute favorites.

The food is always incredibly fresh—especially the meats, vegetables, and sauces. You can really taste the quality in every bite, and the presentation is always clean and inviting. It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking for a healthy, satisfying meal.

What truly makes this place stand out is the service. The staff is consistently friendly, attentive, and efficient, even during busy times. They make you feel welcomed every visit and ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality shabu shabu experience in Irvine, I highly recommend Miyabi. After 7 years of weekly visits, it’s safe to say they’re doing everything right.“

“Could not ask for a better dinner spot to end the day!!!“

“A favorite restaurant for our friends and family. Food is always consistently good and the atmosphere is fun!!!“

“This place is one of the best Sushi place I've ever been to. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone because everything here tastes really good. The service is really nice, too.“

“I am allergic to shrimp, and today I decided to have an udon soup here. My sincere congratulations and endless thanks to the staff who took care of me tonight at the bar. They remade my order from scratch to make sure there was no cross-contamination, and the manager personally supervised the preparation of my udon soup to ensure it was completely safe. Thank you so much, I will definitely be coming back to this restaurant!“

“I always love coming here. The onigiri is really tasty and they season it well. This place to go to is nice and kinda private plus many places to sit. The service is wonderful too!! Great spot for someone who wants to try onigiri for the first time as it won't let you down for a first try or for someone who loves onigiri.“

“Rather popular for their Japanese style bbq. Good quality meats overall. Veggie platter was smallish but adequate.Really wish they took reservations or waitlists. I am hesitant to stand in line another time. Service was professional and efficient.“

“Superb Japanese restaurant that is set in a modern, elevated dining space. The quality of the food is great and very delicious. They have a large menu filled with classic sushi, sashimi, rolls, and other entrees. The staff are very friendly and helpful. This was the first time I have ever seen double sided chopsticks, which were very interesting and helpful.“

“The food is amazing!!! Knee is the best waitress ever👏👏👏👏🥰🥰“

“Got take-out from here and it ended up being pretty decent. Went with the kaisen yakisoba which I was worried would be too garlicky given the way it smelled on the drive home but it was really pleasantly seasoned with a good amount of seafood. Also grabbed karaage because it was 50% off the day I went (Tuesdays). I probably didn't need this: it was nicely seasoned but the crispiness was a bit lacking and parts of it were frankly soggy.

The food court itself is pretty solid with a bunch of rice/noodle/etc options. I will say most of the things here, including this takeout and the market itself, are rather on the pricy side. However, the food was made quickly and I got a little buzzer so I could explore the market while waiting. It's overall a pretty lively place and it's nice that they have a parking garage.“