20 Best Japanese Restaurants in Santa Ana

“I honestly debated whether to write this review or keep this place to myself — it’s that good. The food is truly unique and absolutely delicious. You can taste the quality in every bite; everything was incredibly fresh and beautifully prepared.
Andrew completely elevated our experience. His energy, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality made the night unforgettable. I don’t think I can ever go back to my previous sushi spot after this.
What really stood out was how accommodating they were — I was able to taste an item before they were added to my dish, which has never happened to me before. That level of care is rare.
The atmosphere is clean, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. I’m so glad I discovered this place. Highly, highly recommend.“

“Never thought I'd like sushi but now I do!! Very delicious! Will definitely go back again soon! �“

“Hidden Gem Near South Coast Plaza
I love this small sushi and ramen spot! Our main courses were generous and satisfying, leaving us full and happy. We ordered:

Fresh edamame $3.95 was a nice start. I liked that it had a naturally sweet taste. The BSCR Roll $13.95 and Baked Lobster Roll $15.95 were rich and delicious. The Sashimi Salad $12.95 was refreshing, and the Assorted Sashimi (12 pieces) $26.95 was fresh and well worth it.
The Philly Tempura Roll $13.95 had great texture, and I really liked the Tonkotsu Ramen $13.95 which was warm and satisfying

Overall, everything tasted great, and the prices were very reasonable for the quality. The service was also a standout, exceptionally prompt, friendly, and welcoming. Plus, there’s plenty of parking around.

It’s a true hidden gem that delivers both quality and value!“

“I live nearby and would like to support this Bar 100%. Staff and food quality and cleanliness are equally excellent. Have been going to this bar for more than 5YRs. Also, the location and the next-door wonderful restaurants are attractive to hang out.
This review is to suggest a few things that might attract more traffic: providing options of peanut-sauces (I loved the P. sauce from California Shabu Shabu but chose this Bar to support the business), installing the led-blinking light with a design for the interior wall and wrap around the bar. I believe few small additions would make the difference. Thanks for reading.“

“Stopped by to try this place out as I heard it was delicious…. Surely, it was. I got combo with both teriyaki beef and ckn. Very flavorful, and to get a pork dumpling ( I never had before) with some green leaf salad compliments it very well. My favorite side was the fried shrimp🤤“

“Excelente servicio y alimentos exquisitos“

“Koco’s Sushi has been special to me from the very beginning. When I first moved to the area, it quickly became my go-to spot, the kind of place that feels familiar, comforting, and consistently good every time. The sushi is always fresh, beautifully made, and full of flavor, but what really stands out is the experience.

The owner is truly one of a kind—always greeting you with a warm smile and making you feel right at home. That genuine kindness and welcoming energy makes every visit feel personal, not just like another meal out.

My boyfriend and I’s best dates have been here, sharing rolls like the TNT and Fuego with spicy sauce, and just enjoying the atmosphere. It’s one of those places that naturally creates special memories.

During my pregnancy, I had to stay away from sushi, and honestly, Koco’s was one of the things I missed the most. After I gave birth, it was the very first meal I wanted—and it did not disappoint. That first bite was everything I had been craving and more.

Koco’s isn’t just a sushi spot to me—it holds memories. From new beginnings to big life moments, it’s been there through it all. If you’re looking for fresh sushi, amazing service, and a place that truly makes you feel welcome, this is it.“

“I absolutely love Kiazen Shabu! The food here is consistently amazing, with fresh ingredients and rich, flavorful broths that make every bite memorable. The owner and the entire team are incredibly friendly, always making you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. I especially appreciate how the owner often offers free alcohol to customers, adding that extra touch of hospitality. I first visited when they first opened a few years ago, and at that time, it wasn’t too busy. But with the incredible food, excellent service, and inviting atmosphere, it’s no surprise that Kiazen Shabu has become so popular. Now, it's always packed, so be prepared to wait, especially on weekends and during dinner hours – but trust me, it's worth it! I highly recommend trying most of their dishes; you won’t be disappointed. Kiazen Shabu is a must-visit for anyone who loves delicious food and top-notch service!“

“I love orange grill!!! Myself and my coworkers frequently get our lunch from here !! I know the owner has changed recently!! The marinade on the chicken seems to be a bit saltier than the previous owner but it’s still good fresh and convenient!!! And the cashier is such a sweetheart“

“I love this food truck and all of their staff. They recently moved their permanent location, but thankfully they updated all of their social media postings with the new address. My regular favorites is the 'side portion' of the Garlic Noodles & the Yakisoba Noodles side with vegetables. Even though it's considered a side order, they are both definitely what I feel are hearty portions. I've had other items from their menu that are also wonderful, but those two are my 'go-to's' always!“

“Food is on point. Spicy Teriyaki chicken was juicy and cooked perfectly. The tempura and salad were delicious as well. Service was great. The AC was not working so I ate in the car. Overall this is a great place where the food does not disappoint.“

“My girlfriend and I came here on a Friday night around 9PM for some sushi and let me tell you this place doesn't disappoint. We came around 8:30PM there was a reservation slot for 9PM but we didn't want to wait so we decided to take the chance and go in. We didn't have to wait. We started with some poke nacho, they were good, but not the star of the show. We also ordered some sashimi and the cuts were thick and taste delicious 😋. However, these were still not the star of the show. The true star was their black cod sushi(black dish). I had my doubts at first when my gf ordered it but when it came out and I had one of the 2pcs serving and my tastebud exploded. So we ended up ordering 2 more orders. Ponzu is great place for a nice date night I approved👍. Services was fast and very attentive. I enjoy the fresh wasabi that they serve with their sashimi and when I asked for more they brought out way more than what's originally was served, this place doesn't skim.“

“Fresh fish! I can’t imagine my life without Sushi Murasaki in US😘“

“This was one of the coolest experiences, maybe ever. LolIt's not actually a storefront(?), but seems to be this yellow warehouse with a little entry room that has some lockers on one side, a little desk for an attendant built into the wall, and a computer for orderingThe computer has menus for a couple dozen restaurants and your order, then wait for the order to finish and it acts like a doordash or Uber eats for pickup.I ordered sushi. My partners for Mexican food - everybody was happy ?I dunno if its just because we were there at 1 AM, but the parking was PACKED with food trucks that were obviously closed for the night.This place doesn't really *do* atmosphere, per say, but I suppose you could think of it like an Amazon warehouse pickup station.“

“Used to Love this place but why did the prices go up all of a sudden 40 bucks for only 2 ppl for food and drinks kinda going overboard this place use to be good and affordable now its overpriced and still tastes the same if yall gonna charge more give us something extra or offer us some specials or a discount for the weekends idk think of something so we wont complain and you guys wont loose ur loyal customers who been going for years“

“All you can eat sushi and sashimi“

“Was craving some beef bowl and this place did not disappoint. I'm surprised at the quality and taste of their food here especially with the affordable price. Probably the best beef bowl combo I had. Friendly service too. Highly recommend!“

“Underrated, Johnny is a legend when it comes to Japanese cuisine. Presentation is immaculate, taste is magnificent. Can't praise this spot enough. Best sushi ever, and Chef Johnny has the track record to prove he's the best. He's owned multiple restaurants in Newport Beach and he brings all that flavor and experience to Santa Ana. Stop by and talk to Johnny while he prepares not just food but an experience.“

“No complaints here. We had the two large for $15.99. We both had the chicken teriyaki. The portion size was nice and the veggies weren't too overdone. The sun was going down but they had nice shades to drop and block out the sun while it finished setting. There is no packets of regular table sugar. This is a request I had due to backing off on HFCS drinks. The the unsweetened tea choice they had was good though.“

“Used to enjoy coming here but recently there food has been declining. Chicken used to taste like it was actually grilled and would be very favorable. Now its taste frozen and has this wierd after taste. Their rice is a bit to chewy.Update* Huge improvement since last time I came. Which ever cook you have now, keep him. Food was amazing once again. Would come back anytime“