y far the best izakaya in Irvine/Tustin (and honestly, maybe in all of Orange County). The food is consistently outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and made with real care. Their draft beer selection pairs perfectly with the dishes, always cold and refreshing.
What really sets this place apart is the atmosphere and the people. The owner is incredibly welcoming, often stopping by tables to greet guests, and the servers are attentive, friendly, and genuinely make you feel at home. It’s rare to find a spot that combines top-notch food, drinks, and hospitality so seamlessly.
No wonder they’re always packed—yet I still find myself wanting to come back again and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
satsuki hoshino
We came 10 minutes before the store opened and there were no lines at all. After we got seated about 10+ minutes it got all packed right away.
We knew about this restaurant under my son’s recommendation. So we ordered dishes like we are in izakaya not soba or ramen place. Totally 7 dishes: 3 kinds of sashimi , white corn tempura, avocado salad,grilled gizzard hot skillet, Okinawa bitter melon salad, fried chicken wings and grilled cheese with yamaimo.
Every dish was tasty. Of course sashimi was really fresh like you ordered in Japan. But what I really liked about were white corn tempura because I don’t see it a lot. Avocado salad with Okinawa mozuku seaweed was amazingly delicious. Ingredients were very fresh. Lastly grilled cheese with yamaimo was also my first time trying this dish and it’s amazing delicious.
The only dish I least cared about was bitter melon salad. I personally love bitter melon so I was hoping to taste its flavor again but the flavor didn’t stand out.
The decorations absolutely made you feel like you were in Okinawa. Staff were amazingly friendly. Since we ordered a lot of food and table was tiny and yet they timed it perfectly not to make it crammed.
I know that google maps doesn’t have 6 stars but Habuya definitely on my 6 stars list.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: White Corn Tempura with Truffle
Tony Tseng
There's always a wait, but it's worth it. Dishes range from good to great, and they is a fixed 15% service charge to make it easier for customers.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Sho Kikugawa
As someone who's family is from Okinawa, lived over there for a few years, and visit regularly, this is about as close you can get to dining in Okinawa, right down to the atmosphere. It really feels like the owners took a place they owned over there and plopped it in Tustin. I live about an hour drive from the place and I think it's more than worth it whenever I'm craving a taste of Okinawa.
If you plan on going, keep in mind it's wait list only through Yelp (not sure if they do reservations). Wait times are usually 30 minutes or so. In addition, there's a time limit since the place is popular, but it's generous amount.
As for the dishes to try, definitely go for Okinawa Soba or Soki Soba. The way they cook the pork is some of the best I've had, even including what I've had on Okinawa. I also try to get the jimami, or peanut tofu, but it's in limited supply. Drink wise, you can't go wrong with those using shikuwasa (it's a citrus fruit, more towards lemon/lime in flavor)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joyce Alonzo
Small restaurant that is open only for dinner service. You MUST use Yelp waitlist since there are no reservations available. Excellent service and outstanding food. Highly recommended: I love a clam soup and they add ramen to this dish, okay for sharing. Peanut butter tofu is served chilled and has a much firmer yet soft chewy texture. A lovely little dish. Sashimi trio served with freshly grated wasabi is a perfect way to enjoy raw fish and cool down. Would come again for special occasions, because we usually end up trying as many dishes as as possible to get a more authentic taste.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
A C
White truffle corn so good
Darin B
If you haven't eaten here it's a must. Authentic food, authentic atmosphere and the staff is awesome. All of them. I not only get amazing food, but I always have a great time. One of my all time favorites. I've been coming here for years!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tawny V
I saw this spot on Instagram, and since I was in the area, I knew we had to check it out. If you know me, then you know I’m not a fan of waiting—actually, waiting really irritates me. We probably should’ve gone when they opened at 4:30 PM, but that felt too early for dinner. The wait wasn’t too bad—about 30 minutes—and yes, it was worth the hype. The owner was very sweet, and when you come in, they try their best to accommodate you. We definitely didn’t feel rushed. The atmosphere was a Japanese eclectic vibe. If I lived nearby, this would be my go-to spot! We ordered a bunch of fried foods—Kara Hama, Ika, Corn Tempura, and Chicken Karaage—which were all damn good. I should’ve tried more dishes because the sashimi was amazing, the beer was ice cold, and the staff was fantastic. I highly recommend this spot—it was so dope, and I can’t wait to come back!
Good vibes 🌅 Reminds me when my husband and I were in Okinawa. Highly recommended to try white corn tempura.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
YUN KI MIN (GoM)
This place is run by real Japanese chefs and staff, and it’s often filled with Japanese customers — offering an authentic Okinawan vibe and cuisine. I absolutely love the interior and atmosphere. You can tell they put a lot of thought into the little decorative touches and even the staff’s fashion sense. The background music? All Okinawan songs. The food is not only amazing but also surprisingly affordable. I honestly can’t believe I hadn’t discovered this place sooner. It feels like I’ve missed out on half my life.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
its a beer life
Habuya is a dream come true if you’re looking for some Okinawan culture and food that you remember from either visiting or being stationed on the island in the military.
You need to know upfront to even get in here you must sign up on a wait list on Yelp. They will text you when your table is ready. Don’t be that dude who keeps opening the door asking if your table is ready. You get two hours at your table and you have to go.
The owner is such a sweetheart and makes everyone feel welcome. She is an amazing artist also and some of her art is on display in the Izakaya.
The Izakaya (pub) is decorated just like a family owned little Izakaya back in Okinawa. Be sure to check out the bathroom as it’s like a museum of Okinawa culture and adverts. I probably spent ten minutes in there just taking it all in and reading everything.
The foods are Okinawan and Okinawan cali fusions of blue zones foods and great pub fare.
We tried a little of everything and were amazed at how good everything was. You can get fresh Orion beer in frozen mugs and there is a great selection of awamori too.
What a hidden gem. I will come back here again and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Photography OC
The best Japanese restaurant in OC.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Donna Marie Go
Tiktok brought me to this place! They don’t take reservations but it was worth the wait. Everything we ordered was so good!
Food is cooked to order and it is all terrific.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
🐟🍺🥜🥒
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
y far the best izakaya in Irvine/Tustin (and honestly, maybe in all of Orange County). The food is consistently outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and made with real care. Their draft beer selection pairs perfectly with the dishes, always cold and refreshing.
What really sets this place apart is the atmosphere and the people. The owner is incredibly welcoming, often stopping by tables to greet guests, and the servers are attentive, friendly, and genuinely make you feel at home. It’s rare to find a spot that combines top-notch food, drinks, and hospitality so seamlessly.
No wonder they’re always packed—yet I still find myself wanting to come back again and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came 10 minutes before the store opened and there were no lines at all. After we got seated about 10+ minutes it got all packed right away.
We knew about this restaurant under my son’s recommendation. So we ordered dishes like we are in izakaya not soba or ramen place. Totally 7 dishes: 3 kinds of sashimi , white corn tempura, avocado salad,grilled gizzard hot skillet, Okinawa bitter melon salad, fried chicken wings and grilled cheese with yamaimo.
Every dish was tasty. Of course sashimi was really fresh like you ordered in Japan. But what I really liked about were white corn tempura because I don’t see it a lot. Avocado salad with Okinawa mozuku seaweed was amazingly delicious. Ingredients were very fresh. Lastly grilled cheese with yamaimo was also my first time trying this dish and it’s amazing delicious.
The only dish I least cared about was bitter melon salad. I personally love bitter melon so I was hoping to taste its flavor again but the flavor didn’t stand out.
The decorations absolutely made you feel like you were in Okinawa. Staff were amazingly friendly. Since we ordered a lot of food and table was tiny and yet they timed it perfectly not to make it crammed.
I know that google maps doesn’t have 6 stars but Habuya definitely on my 6 stars list.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: White Corn Tempura with Truffle
There's always a wait, but it's worth it. Dishes range from good to great, and they is a fixed 15% service charge to make it easier for customers.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
As someone who's family is from Okinawa, lived over there for a few years, and visit regularly, this is about as close you can get to dining in Okinawa, right down to the atmosphere. It really feels like the owners took a place they owned over there and plopped it in Tustin. I live about an hour drive from the place and I think it's more than worth it whenever I'm craving a taste of Okinawa.
If you plan on going, keep in mind it's wait list only through Yelp (not sure if they do reservations). Wait times are usually 30 minutes or so. In addition, there's a time limit since the place is popular, but it's generous amount.
As for the dishes to try, definitely go for Okinawa Soba or Soki Soba. The way they cook the pork is some of the best I've had, even including what I've had on Okinawa. I also try to get the jimami, or peanut tofu, but it's in limited supply. Drink wise, you can't go wrong with those using shikuwasa (it's a citrus fruit, more towards lemon/lime in flavor)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Small restaurant that is open only for dinner service.
You MUST use Yelp waitlist since there are no reservations available.
Excellent service and outstanding food.
Highly recommended: I love a clam soup and they add ramen to this dish, okay for sharing.
Peanut butter tofu is served chilled and has a much firmer yet soft chewy texture. A lovely little dish.
Sashimi trio served with freshly grated wasabi is a perfect way to enjoy raw fish and cool down.
Would come again for special occasions, because we usually end up trying as many dishes as as possible to get a more authentic taste.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
White truffle corn so good
If you haven't eaten here it's a must. Authentic food, authentic atmosphere and the staff is awesome. All of them. I not only get amazing food, but I always have a great time. One of my all time favorites. I've been coming here for years!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I saw this spot on Instagram, and since I was in the area, I knew we had to check it out. If you know me, then you know I’m not a fan of waiting—actually, waiting really irritates me. We probably should’ve gone when they opened at 4:30 PM, but that felt too early for dinner. The wait wasn’t too bad—about 30 minutes—and yes, it was worth the hype.
The owner was very sweet, and when you come in, they try their best to accommodate you. We definitely didn’t feel rushed. The atmosphere was a Japanese eclectic vibe. If I lived nearby, this would be my go-to spot!
We ordered a bunch of fried foods—Kara Hama, Ika, Corn Tempura, and Chicken Karaage—which were all damn good. I should’ve tried more dishes because the sashimi was amazing, the beer was ice cold, and the staff was fantastic. I highly recommend this spot—it was so dope, and I can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Good vibes 🌅 Reminds me when my husband and I were in Okinawa. Highly recommended to try white corn tempura.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is run by real Japanese chefs and staff, and it’s often filled with Japanese customers — offering an authentic Okinawan vibe and cuisine. I absolutely love the interior and atmosphere. You can tell they put a lot of thought into the little decorative touches and even the staff’s fashion sense. The background music? All Okinawan songs. The food is not only amazing but also surprisingly affordable. I honestly can’t believe I hadn’t discovered this place sooner. It feels like I’ve missed out on half my life.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Habuya is a dream come true if you’re looking for some Okinawan culture and food that you remember from either visiting or being stationed on the island in the military.
You need to know upfront to even get in here you must sign up on a wait list on Yelp. They will text you when your table is ready. Don’t be that dude who keeps opening the door asking if your table is ready. You get two hours at your table and you have to go.
The owner is such a sweetheart and makes everyone feel welcome. She is an amazing artist also and some of her art is on display in the Izakaya.
The Izakaya (pub) is decorated just like a family owned little Izakaya back in Okinawa. Be sure to check out the bathroom as it’s like a museum of Okinawa culture and adverts. I probably spent ten minutes in there just taking it all in and reading everything.
The foods are Okinawan and Okinawan cali fusions of blue zones foods and great pub fare.
We tried a little of everything and were amazed at how good everything was. You can get fresh Orion beer in frozen mugs and there is a great selection of awamori too.
What a hidden gem. I will come back here again and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best Japanese restaurant in OC.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiktok brought me to this place! They don’t take reservations but it was worth the wait. Everything we ordered was so good!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
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