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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Local picks in Costa Mesa

Nigiri spots

A piece of nigiri prepared with precision and care.

Based on 518 Opinions
+515
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Updated May 2026
01
Kappo Sui / Sazu Sushi image 1
Kappo Sui / Sazu Sushi image 2
Kappo Sui / Sazu Sushi image 3
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Japanese restaurant

Unassuming exterior leads to a cozy, authentic Japanese atmosphere with calm, relaxed energy inside. Space offers both bar and table seating with fresh, high-quality sushi prepared by skilled chefs. Music plays softly, supporting quiet conversation and a welcoming vibe.

Authentic Japanese cuisine shines with homemade sushi and dishes that stand out in quality. The food pairs with excellent service and a higher price point for dinner.

Freshness stands out with incredibly fresh fish that melts in your mouth. The toro and salmon nigiri offer rich, flavorful bites, and the chef crafts custom options on request.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and truly authentic."

"The food here is authentic and delicious."

"The nigiri here is so fresh and melts in your mouth."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is family-owned and operated, enhancing its authentic atmosphere.

2

Lunch specials offer great value and are a must-try.

3

Weekly specials feature traditional Japanese dishes.

02
Eat's Sushi image 1
Japanese restaurant

Small Japanese restaurant with authentic decor and warm yellow lighting creates a cozy, immersive atmosphere. Busy and popular spot, often filled with couples and groups enjoying fresh, high-quality sushi. Outdoor seating with heaters and a nearby ice cream shop add to the relaxed vibe.

Quality food comes at reasonable prices with options like limited sea urchin priced at 8.75 each. The menu offers delicious Japanese dishes that balance cost and taste well.

Sweet shrimp and uni nigiri stand out with their freshness and creamy texture. Assorted nigiri like salmon, yellowtail, and eel come with perfectly balanced vinegar rice and consistent quality.

People are saying

"The sashimi here is thick, super fresh, tender, and delicious."

"The sushi and sashimi here are so fresh and delicious."

"The nigiri here is so fresh, especially the uni."

Good to know

1

The wait can be up to 2 hours long for 2 people, so I recommend RSVPing or arriving early.

2

There was a large parking lot available for guests.

3

Expect an hour wait on the weekend.

03
Takumi Sushi image 1
Japanese restaurant

Japanese restaurant offers cozy, authentic decor with a relaxed, quiet atmosphere and fresh, excellent sushi. Seating mostly suits small groups, with an open, clean kitchen visible. Outdoor patio seating provides a sunny, comfortable option with heaters available.

Food features exceptional quality and delicious sushi with standout items like the Philly roll and OH Baby roll. Sweet shrimp sushi comes with crunchy fried shrimp heads, adding texture variety.

Freshness stands out with nigiri like toro, uni, and unagi all tasting clean and vibrant. Ordering single pieces lets you build a custom platter featuring generous portions of jumbo scallops and madai.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is so fresh, especially the buttery tuna nigiri."

"The food's sashimi and salmon collar were fresh and flavorful."

"The nigiri here is so fresh, especially the buttery yellowtail."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 8-9:30 pm with $3 large sake.

2

Reservations are accepted, but it's best to arrive early to avoid the dinner rush.

3

The restaurant is small and fills up quickly during busy hours.

04
Wafu of Japan image 1
Sushi restaurant

Small space with cozy seating and soft lighting creates an intimate, welcoming vibe. Atmosphere stays relaxing and authentic, though it gets loud and crowded during busy times. Decor and presentation reflect thoughtful Japanese style, focusing on food quality over luxury.

Food features authentic Japanese soul food with fresh ingredients and exquisite flavor. Portions are generous and the quality stays consistently high.

Creative and authentic nigiri options appear, with perfectly seasoned rice and fish in most pieces. Some nigiri can taste waterlogged, affecting texture.

People are saying

"The sushi here is so fresh and perfectly prepared."

"The food here is really good and authentic Japanese soul food."

"The nigiri here is so fresh and perfectly seasoned."

Good to know

1

Parking is very limited in this area, so carpooling is best.

2

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends to avoid long wait times.

3

The omakase price is $39, which is lower than typical prices.

05
Shunka Sushi & Japanese Cuisine image 1

Sushi restaurant offers traditional Japanese interior and a fun, inviting atmosphere. Skilled chefs prepare authentic, fresh sushi with phenomenal omakase experiences. Small portions and reasonable prices attract both sushi connoisseurs and newcomers.

Fresh, high-quality fish defines the menu with dishes crafted through true craftsmanship. The food pairs with exceptional service in a fine dining setting where quality justifies the price.

Shrimp nigiri comes with fried heads for extra crunch. Toro nigiri offers a rich, fatty bite. Quality varies compared to earlier visits.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is exceptional, practically melting in your mouth."

"The sushi here is so fresh, it practically melts in your mouth."

"The Nigiri here is so fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

Parking can be tricky, so plan to arrive early.

2

Omakase is available and offers a great value for the quality.

3

Expect to pay around $40 for a combo meal with green tea.

06
chobop - Premium All You Can Eat Sushi image 1

Sushi restaurant offers all-you-can-eat menu with fresh, high-quality fish and perfect fish-to-rice ratio. Atmosphere stays chill and inviting with balanced background music. Kitchen is hidden from view, focusing attention on unique sushi presentation.

Food comes out quickly and portions are generous. The dishes are consistently delicious and fill you up without feeling too heavy.

Large pieces of fish sit atop a small amount of rice, creating a perfect fish to rice ratio. Both the rice and fish receive careful preparation, making the nigiri stand out.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is so fresh, especially the nigiri."

"The food here is so fresh and delicious."

"The nigiri has a perfect fish to rice ratio."

Good to know

1

The restaurant charges $35 for regular dinner all-you-can-eat and $55 for sashimi all-you-can-eat.

2

A free parking lot is available for customers.

3

An 18% gratuity is automatically added for parties of five or more.

07
Koyi Sushi AYCE - Premium All You Can Eat Sushi image 1

Small, cozy sushi restaurant offers affordable all-you-can-eat options with fresh, high-quality fish. Atmosphere stays relaxed and casual with no loud music, creating a comfortable dining experience. Seating includes a traditional sushi bar and small tables, often crowded but intimate.

All-you-can-eat sushi offers excellent quality and flavors. Service includes thoughtful gestures like bringing food to your car in the rain.

Nigiris come out fast with perfect fish to rice ratio. Bluefin tuna, scallop, salmon, surf clam, and yellowtail nigiris stand out for their generous portions of fish and careful preparation.

People are saying

"The Bottomless sushi options had a wide variety of fresh fish."

"The AYCE menu here is a pretty decent sushi deal."

"The AYCE food here is worth the price with so many options."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs Monday through Thursday from 12 PM to 4 PM at $24.95 per person.

2

The happy hour special includes all-you-can-eat rolls only, not the entire menu.

3

This month, buy 1 get 1 free sake or beer is available during happy hour.

08
Izakaya Hachi image 1
Izakaya restaurant

Western-style seating fills a space with a traditional Japanese vibe and a nearly closed-off kitchen view. Noise levels run loud to very noisy, often making conversation difficult amid lively gatherings. The atmosphere suits casual dining with authentic Japanese touches and a busy, energetic crowd.

Authentic Japanese dishes stand out with consistently great flavors across visits. Grilled items shine especially at the Torrance location, balancing a lively atmosphere.

Nigiri sushi and rolls stand out as really good here, preferred over sashimi. The eel nigiri is solid but just serviceable.

People are saying

"The Japanese Food here is served by friendly and attentive staff."

"I loved the yakitori skewers and salmon sashimi for dinner."

"The food here is delicious and pretty good."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended to avoid long wait times, especially during peak hours.

2

Expect a 30-minute wait during busy times, even with available tables.

3

Parking can be challenging due to valet restrictions; arrive early for a spot.

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Costa Mesa, California

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