Japanese food in Costa Mesa

Cozy spot offers fresh sushi with a family owned touch and authentic Japanese atmosphere. Skilled chefs prepare high-quality rolls like the dragon roll. Soft music and calm energy create a welcoming vibe for quiet chats.

Fresh sushi matches the quality found in Japan with homemade Japanese food and a family owned touch. Set lunches and rolls like the dragon roll stand out for their unmatched freshness and flavor.

Small sushi bar offers an authentic Japanese vibe with calm jazz music. Enjoy fresh, exceptional sushi that melts in your mouth and a diverse sake selection. Cozy, clean interior creates an elevated dining environment with phenomenal service.

Sushi here features highest, freshest grade fish with every bite melting in your mouth. The omakase dinners offer incredible flavor and perfect texture, paired with phenomenal service.

Small, cozy sushi spot with a calming atmosphere and handcrafted yubu filled with fresh options. Exceptional sushi rice shines alongside real wasabi and yuzu ponzu. Space fits 8 to 10 people, perfect for intimate dining or takeout with a homey vibe.

Rice and sushi rice stand out as exceptional here, paired with real wasabi and a splash of yuzu ponzu on each bite. The menu includes donburi, nigiri, sashimi, and vegan options, plus a free miso soup with meals.

Small, lively spot with cozy Japanese bar vibes and tight seating creates a bustling feel. Known for authentic handmade udon with perfect texture, especially in tempura chicken curry and shabu shabu dishes. Popular for chicken karaage and solid soba, it draws a busy crowd often needing a wait-list.

Fresh udon noodles have a perfect texture that pairs well with broths like the tempura chicken curry and shabu shabu udon seasoned with ponzu. Chicken karaage and tonkatsu stand out as well-prepared dishes alongside solid soba options.

Small Japanese spot shines with fresh fish and specialty rolls that impress. Cozy vibe with warm yellow lighting and outdoor heaters makes dining inviting. Popular among couples and groups, it blends authentic taste with a relaxed atmosphere.

Fresh fish and top notch selection define the sushi here. Specialty rolls offer extremely tasty options, and gluten-free soy sauce is available.

Small space with cozy seating and soft lighting sets a warm mood. Sushi is fresh and authentic, featuring creative rolls and traditional nigiri. The $39 omakase includes seven pieces plus miso soup and rice, all with great flavor and texture.

Sushi comes out fresh and authentic, with both creative rolls and traditional nigiri. The $39 omakase offers a filling seven-piece selection, plus miso soup and rice with good flavor and texture.

Small ramen spot serves authentic flavors like black garlic and vegan miso. Cozy space with laid-back vibe fills fast and features unique decor. Enjoy beer on tap with fast, no-fuss dining for a casual meal.

Ramen here stands out for its exceptionally good flavors and variety, including spicy black mushroom and black garlic ramen. Options range from traditional hot ramen to soupless dry noodles and cold ramen, all consistently tasty.

Open-space seating creates a lively, communal vibe with Showa-era style. Charcoal-grilled beef tongue offers authentic smoky flavor and tender texture. Unique dishes like gyutan balls with furikake and teriyaki sauce highlight the Japanese food experience.

Beef tongue bento box stands out with its tender, flavorful meat. Gyutan balls offer a soft and crunchy texture, served with furikake, kewpie mayonnaise, and teriyaki sauce.

Spacious layout suits family dining with cozy, warm vibes. Authentic tonkotsu ramen shines alongside tasty gyōza and vegan options. Noise rises when full, making chats tricky but food quality stays consistent.

Ramen here stands out for its authentic flavor and consistent quality across locations. The menu includes a delicious vegan ramen and tasty gyōza, offering great variety.

Sushi restaurant offers an intimate setting with fresh, delicate sushi and expert chefs crafting authentic bites. Enjoy a quiet atmosphere perfect for savoring high-quality Japanese food and excellent sake flights.

Sushi here is simple, fresh, delicate, with well-prepared small bites and great sake flights. The California roll stands out as very good, and the overall quality ranks among the highest in the area.

Small family-owned sushi bar serves authentic edo-mae sushi with fresh, melt-in-the-mouth fish. Chatty, casual vibe invites conversation with the chef and diners. Menu focuses on traditional Japanese dishes like chirashi and futomaki, highlighting quality and simplicity.

Sushi here features high-quality fish and authentic Japanese-style sushi crafted by a chef trained in Japan. The menu stays true to tradition with fresh, made-to-order pieces and highlights like chirashi and futomaki.

Small sushi bar offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with limited indoor seating. Enjoy premium fresh fish and affordable prices that make quality sushi accessible. Beautiful presentation of maki rolls and sashimi highlights the Japanese food experience.

Sushi here features premium, fresh fish with beautiful presentation. The maki rolls and sashimi stand out for their size and flavor.

Restaurant offers customizable ramen with rich broth and tasty sides like fried chicken. Seating includes communal tables and a large outdoor patio, creating a lively, somewhat cramped vibe. Popular spot blends traditional and modern styles for a fun dining experience.

Highly customizable ramen lets you adjust soup richness, noodle firmness, and spice level. The Black King ramen features a rich, flavorful broth. Side orders like fried chicken and gyoza complement the meal well.

Japanese supermarket offers excellent sushi and fresh sashimi with a wide variety of authentic groceries. Vibrant atmosphere welcomes diverse shoppers, with staff ready to help translate labels. Parking is tough but prices and quality make it worth the visit.

Sushi and sashimi come in excellent quality and variety here. Options include salmon nigiri, fried horse mackerel, takoyaki, and fresh sashimi available for takeout.

Shabu-shabu spot shines with fresh sashimi-grade salmon and Wagyu short rib for Japanese food lovers. Cozy patio and late-night vibe make it great for casual dining and dates. Parking is easy, adding to the relaxed, clean atmosphere.

Fresh sashimi-grade salmon and truffle-infused edamame start the meal with bold flavors. Rich dishes like Wagyu short rib and ramen noodles come alongside prime ribeye, while velvety mango mochi ice cream finishes it off.

Cozy spot with authentic decor and a quiet vibe. Sushi is fresh with generous portions like toro and uni. Outdoor patio offers a sunny, comfortable place to enjoy meals.

Sushi here features very fresh fish and generous portions with options like toro, uni, and ikura. Creative Japanese-American fusion rolls come in 4-piece sets, offering variety at reasonable prices.

Yellow oven shines in a busy spot with long lines. Udon noodles boast perfect texture and fresh boil, served in a light broth. Tempura is crispy and hot, with a crunchy coat and tender inside, making the beef udon rich and authentic.

Udon here has a fresh, chewy texture that stays firm and never gets slimy. Tempura comes out crispy and hot, with a crunchy coating and tender inside. The beef udon stands out as rich and authentic, reminiscent of Japan.

Spacious store offers fresh fish and daily made sushi with authentic bento boxes. Bright seating areas with microwaves invite enjoying hot food like tonkotsu ramen. Large sake selection and hand-drawn signs create a Tokyo market feel for a genuine Japanese food experience.

Fresh fish and sashimi trays stand out with daily made sushi and baked goods. Ready-to-eat options include tonkotsu ramen, niki udon, and authentic bento boxes alongside a wide selection of Japanese snacks and beverages.

Sushi restaurant blends traditional Japanese interior with a fun atmosphere. Skilled chefs serve fresh fish in an omakase experience featuring shrimp nigiri and fried heads. Small portions and fair prices welcome all guests.

Sushi features fresh fish imported from Japan served with perfect balance between cold fish and warm rice. The omakase experience shines with a variety of sushi including shrimp nigiri and fried heads, prepared right in front of you for immediate enjoyment.

Small, modern space offers intimate atmosphere with low lighting and traditional Japanese seating. Highlights include A5 Wagyu beef and fresh sea urchin sushi. Smoke-free environment keeps clothes fresh, perfect for quiet dates or small groups.

Wagyu beef shines with A5 and Kobe sukiyaki, harami and butabara cuts, and karubi and zabuton ribs. Sushi features fresh sea urchin paired with sweet Wagyu beef, plus umami-rich A5 rice.

Indoor space mimics an authentic Japanese market with a lively, energetic vibe. Food court shines with Sanuki udon and Santouka ramen, drawing crowds for standout dishes. Open dining and specialty shops create a bustling, modern atmosphere.

A great food court offers udon, ramen, and many Japanese dishes. The Sanuki udon with tempura and Santouka ramen with toroniku soy sauce stand out. Sushi comes in both pre-made and for homemade rolls.

Enjoy fresh sushi with large fish cuts and perfectly cooked rice in a quiet, cozy atmosphere. Service is warm and quick, enhancing the experience. A patio area adds to the relaxed vibe, making it easy to have a calm conversation.

Sushi features fresh fish and perfectly cooked rice with well-balanced portions. Service is quick and warm, and dishes come with fresh wasabi enhancing the flavor.

Handmade noodles shine in a cafeteria-style setting with an authentic Japanese vibe. Tight seating and loud music create a lively atmosphere. Fresh udon and crispy tempura offer great flavor at good prices.

Fresh, traditional udon stands out with great flavor and reasonable prices. Veggie and sweet potato tempura add tasty options, while chicken katsu curry and tonkatsu offer solid Japanese dishes.

Enjoy personal hot pots with custom broths and a spicy sukiyaki option. Outdoor seating with heaters suits groups, while indoor bar buzzes with early 2000s pop. Plenty of parking and quick seating make this shabu shabu spot easy and fun.

Shabu shabu here features a clear explanation of the cooking process and offers a spicy sukiyaki option. Plenty of parking and quick seating make it easy to enjoy this fun dining experience.

Small spot shines with exceptionally fresh sushi and creative rolls like smoky crispy rice varieties. Calm vibe pairs well with a good sake list. Regulars love the melting sashimi and inventive combos that define the menu.

Sushi here features exceptionally fresh fish with creative sushi rolls like Greg Teal and Dream rolls. Sashimi melts in your mouth, and sides like crispy rice and crunchy tempura add texture.

Enjoy authentic Hokkaido ramen with rich broth and tender pork in a busy Japanese market food court. Expect a bustling atmosphere that fills quickly during lunch. Perfect for quick meals with bouncy noodles and satisfying toppings.

Broth stands out with rich flavor and a perfect saltiness in the shio ramen. Noodles are bouncy and toppings include quality pork cheek, making the ramen authentic and satisfying.

Enjoy authentic katsu with crispy pork in a cozy, warm space that feels like a Japanese home. Meals include miso soup and rice with generous portions at a good price. The simple decor helps isolate outside noise, though kitchen sounds can be loud.

Katsu here is light, crispy, and tender, prepared just like in Japan. The tonkatsu sets come with miso soup, rice, and sides at a good price point, offering generous portions and authentic flavors.

Poke bar features an open layout with fresh ingredients for a cool, peaceful vibe. Yuzu ponzu salmon bowl shines in Japanese food offerings. Friendly service and fun music add to the warm energy.

Poke bowls stand out here, especially the yuzu ponzu salmon bowl rated highly. Sushi and service also get positive mentions, though opinions on poke quality vary.

Western-style seating blends with a traditional Japanese vibe in a lively, noisy space. Charbroiled dishes and thick cut beef tongue shine alongside premium sashimi and sushi. Casual dining thrives amid an energetic crowd and authentic flavors.

Charbroiled dishes and thick cut beef tongue stand out alongside premium sashimi and pressed salmon sushi. Nigiri sushi and rolls offer delicate flavors that highlight authentic Japanese techniques.

Small sushi bar with intimate seating offers a 10-course omakase blending traditional technique and artistic flair. Chef grates fresh wasabi on site, enhancing flavors. Minimalist, serene setting invites focus on wagyu beef and sushi.

A 10-course omakase offers a blend of traditional Japanese technique and artistic presentation. Fresh wasabi grated from the root adds a clean, slightly spicy flavor that lifts each sushi piece, including a standout wagyu beef course.