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.“

“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.“

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

“Incredible experience! My family & I went on our vacation and we could not have had a better time. Wonderful food & service - our waitress gave us amazing suggestions & helped us try all of the right things! The fish was very fresh. This place is a must visit!“

“Authentic, great service, fun staff!“

“place is awesome. quick and tasty“

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

“Such a cute spot next to UCI! The interior decor is gorgeous — such a vibe! They have beer, sake, and COFFEES! Everything on the menu looks soo good. Many of the rolls use the same ingredients so that’s an area for potential improvement, but didn’t take away from the experience.

Service was great, our server was very kind and attentive. I didn’t love that water for the table was already sitting on each table when we arrived, it looked like it had been there all day. The ginger and wasabi was a similar situation, it didn’t look fresh, but when we requested more the server immediately replaced it!

It was so quiet and chill in this area, and they have outdoor seating as well where families were hanging out. Very mellow and cute.

We were in the area for a concert, but would definitely return for Botan Sushi! Thank you!“

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

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

“Very good“

“Jerk chicken ELL eggs Tantan udon Kaisendon Everything“

“Pretty good sushi place, fish tasted fresh. The rolls are on smaller side but tastes good. They have bento lunch specials. I would recommend they invest in a better menu book with photos. It will help their business and make it more enticing for customers to purchase more menu items. I was recommended to try the Romeo and Juliette Roll and it was light and delicious. Bonus, there’s a huge Tesla Charging Station on the other side of the strip mall.“

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

“Bro they have really good food and such a big potential to remodel that spot for a spot of culture with outside cozy spot, big parking lot and location is perfect. Just a little hand and marketing can make this place so great. Although it’s great as it is“

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

“Today was first time dining here with my wife and what a surprise very nice place with very delicious food , great service and some charm to it . We were in the area shopping in Trader Joe’s and went on google maps to see if there was any food near by . Kotobuki came up and we just headed straight there . We ordered bento boxes and everything I mean everything tasted fresh and amazing. We will be back !“

“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!“

“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, 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.“

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

“Why did I wait so long to come here? I've seen Pepper Lunch around and I never tried it. The food was so good! Reasonably priced for the quality. Also, I have to say that the staff in the front was very attentive and they keep the place spotless. Seeing a clean dining room is always impressive.“

“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.“

“Ordered for the entire office!
Ive had the chicken bowl and the tempura plate. It has been consistently great in service and quality! I recommend it for anyone looking for delicious fast and healthy meal- their portions are very generous as well!“

“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“

“I had a light dinner of super delicious, fresh sashimi salad and miso soup. Both were wonderful. Good food must make you happy, because all of the staff and the customers at the sushi bar were very sweet and friendly. I will definitely go back.“

“Great food and great staff“

“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!“

“Amazing Japanese cuisine in Costa Mesa, CA. This place is one of the best Japanese restaurants in all of Orange County. The interior style resembles what all Japanese restaurants should look like, and most importantly, the food and service was top notch. They have an extensive sushi menu and it has always been very fresh and also Japanese imported. Hands down, my top 5 favorite Japanese restaurants in California.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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).“

“Craving some udon while we were passing through the area so we decided to stop here for a quick early dinner on a weekend. It was quiet and service was quick.

Set up like a Chipotle and Subway. You order your main dish and you move along to customize it by adding tempuras (extra fee), vegetables (extra fee), green onions, or tempura flakes.

The udon soup base and noodles was good. The tempura batter on my shrimp tempuras was too thick and not light and flaky. I wanted to add vegetables to my udon and wish they were cooked first or cooked with my soup. Dumping uncooked vegetables into my soup just cooled everything down right away.

There was a lot of seating inside and on their large outdoor patio. The place was very clean.“

“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“

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

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

“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.“

“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.“

“Best Sushi/Japanese spot I’ve been to in OC. You know the food is good when my Mother “75 year old Thai” and my two children “8 and 9” love all the food. The waiter/manager was extremely accommodating, and everything was fresh, timely and satisfying. Will come here again!!! Highly recommended. A+++++++++“

“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“

“Food was good, we got the beef belly curry and the pork belly curry. The restaurant was nice and clean, it was a little cold for me but overall clean and simple. Service was good and relatively quick. We went during the week so kids 12 and under get a kids meal for free with a purchase of an entree.“

“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.“

“We’ve walked by this place many times and finally decided to try it! The food was delicious, some favorites were the chicken karaage, kureji toro roll, and the lemon pepper roll. Our server Kaho was very friendly and attentive. Will be back!!“

“Fresh fish expertly prepared by friendly chef with equally cheerful service staff! We will be back“

“First time here and I absolutely love this place!! I’m very particular about sushi - I love my sushi to be very fresh tasting And this place here had nothing but High-quality Sushi.

I ordered the blue fin toro & Salmon Nigiri. Also got the yellowtail, Crunchyroll.

So delicious, easily became one of my favorite Spots!“