Narrow space with tight seating and hard surfaces creates a loud, fast-paced atmosphere. Mostly younger crowd fills the small room, making it unsuitable for quiet or intimate dining. Unique decor includes minimalist design with wood accents and a vertical garden.
Soup stands out with a very good soy sauce base and a pork belly noodle soup that many find delicious. Every spoonful is packed with flavor and not too salty, enhanced by a black garlic oil sauce.
Ramen here stands out for its authentic tonkotsu broth and fresh noodles. The shoyu ramen and crispy chicken karaage come in generous portions and deliver solid flavor.
"I thought the ramen here was the best around."
"I found the ramen soup to be consistently delicious."
Good to know
Reservations are required to avoid long wait times.
Parking can be difficult during peak hours; consider arriving early.
A 16% service charge is automatically added to all bills.
Ramen restaurant offers modern, lively ambiance with indoor and dog-friendly outdoor seating. Space feels cozy and visually appealing but can get loud inside. Menu features fantastic ramen with standout spicy chicken and tonkotsu options.
The soup features a rich, creamy pork broth that tastes a bit heavy, typical for tonkotsu ramen. Fresh noodles pair well with the flavorful, tasty soup base, creating a satisfying balance.
Ramen features a traditional Kyushu thick white broth with soft-boiled egg and chashu pork slices. Takoyaki and Gyoza also appear as popular side dishes with amazing flavor and attentive service.
"The Japanese food here is really good and tasty."
"The soup here is so flavorful and creamy."
Good to know
Reservations are recommended during peak hours to guarantee a seat.
The average price for a ramen bowl is around $20.
Parking can be limited during busy times, especially around lunchtime.
Spacious shabu-shabu restaurant with self-serve ingredient and sauce bars and clean, well-organized cooking stations. Atmosphere balances family-friendly and bustling energy with comfortable noise levels and room to move. Offers varied broth and meat selections alongside sides and desserts, creating a lively yet inviting dining experience.
Each person gets their own shabu pot with a choice among four soup options. Soup bases can be changed anytime, and there are six complimentary dipping sauces and soup bases including Mara Soup Shabu and Beef Bone Broth.
Shabu shabu features personal pots for cooking with a choice of broths like Sukiyaki and Yukgaejang. Tempura Chinese pumpkin is a frequently refilled side that pairs well with the meal.
"I loved the shabu shabu buffet with its great variety of meats and ingredients."
"The all-you-can-eat soup options have a wide variety of meats."
Good to know
The all-you-can-eat price is $35.99 per person on weekends.
Reservations require the entire party to be present.
Expect long wait times on weekends; arrive early around 4:30 PM.
Small restaurant with an industrial look and warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere that can get loud and crowded during peak times. Seating is comfortable and well arranged, supporting a buzzing energy. The vibe feels casual and self-serve, attracting a steady flow of diners.
Light and flavorful miso soup comes with meals. It pairs well with rice, pickled veggies, and cabbage salad sides.
Tonkatsu stands out with perfectly crispy and light breading and a tangy, sweet katsu sauce. The Hire-Katsu filet pork is tender and thinner, offering a rare quality pork option. Curry pairs well with the tonkatsu, and sides include rice, pickled veggies, miso soup, and cabbage salad.
"The Japanese food, especially the katsu, is crispy with a juicy center."
"The fish katsu was crispy and crunchy, especially with the curry."
Good to know
Reservations are recommended to avoid long wait times, especially on weekends.
Expect a 15 to 40-minute wait during peak hours, particularly on Fridays.
Be cautious of peanuts in the sauce; call ahead for allergy accommodations.
High-end European market style creates a relaxed and clean atmosphere with a warm, inviting vibe. Multiple bars including a cocktail, wine, and sushi bar offer spots to eat and socialize. Well-organized displays and impeccable cleanliness support a premium shopping experience.
The soup bar offers a great selection with options like broccoli cheddar soup that stands out. Hot soups are available but none are vegetarian.
Sushi bar offers a variety of fresh sushi with a welcoming staff including Brandon, Annie, Jill, and Tomo. A small wine bar and restaurant complement the sushi section, alongside salad, hot, and soup bars.
"I loved the sushi here; it looked delicious."
"I loved the great selection at the soup bar."
Good to know
$2 off share plates available on select days.
$2 off all draft beers on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The store offers a wide selection of high-quality produce.
Open kitchen and cafeteria-style setting create a casual dining experience with freshly made noodles visible to diners. Atmosphere stays lively and welcoming, with a self-serve tempura bar adding interactive appeal. Quick service and consistent quality make it suitable for family meals and casual visits.
Hot soup has a pleasant aroma and good flavor. Some dishes come without soup, which can feel odd. Beef soup tastes watery and curry soup looks like gelatin and lacks curry flavor.
Freshly handmade udon features chewy noodles and a savory broth with options like beef udon and Kitsune Udon with slightly sweet fish cake. Tempura selections include crab sticks, shrimp, sweet potato, and pumpkin, all with a crispy texture and good flavor.
"The Japanese food here, especially the udon, is perfectly chewy and comforting."
"Lance replaced my soup with a different one at no extra charge."
Good to know
Expect a 25-minute wait for takeout orders during peak hours.
Parking is usually available behind the bank next to 7-Leaves.
A 15% discount is available for UCI students with valid ID.
Shabu-shabu restaurant offers all-you-can-eat menu with fresh ingredients and a DIY sauce bar for personalized flavors. Indoor and outdoor seating create a family-friendly atmosphere with a relaxed, welcoming vibe. Noise levels vary, sometimes making conversation difficult during loud gatherings.
Nine different soup bases offer unique flavors like bulgogi and Korean spicy rice cake. Options include vegetables and noodles you can add freely, with all soups tasting fresh and flavorful.
Offers an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu buffet with freshly made noodles, especially ramen. Ends meals with soba and porridge for a complete experience.
"The Japanese food here has amazing broths and a great selection of meats."
"The soup bases here are flavorful and unique."
Good to know
Dpot offers an all-you-can-eat menu for $35 per person.
Lunch prices are around $50 for two people, including tax.
The restaurant is closed every Sunday.
Casual, clean space with a modern ambiance and chill SoCal music sets a trendy, cozy vibe. Seating includes an outdoor wraparound shelf by a fire pit, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Wait times can be long during peak hours, but the environment suits simple dates and family outings.
Soups here feature a creamy miso base and a thick, tasty broth. Classic ramen soup offers a solid introduction with an extra crispy pork piece adding texture.
Broths like shoyu and tonkotsu stand out with clear, tender flavors and perfectly cooked pork. Chicken karaage offers a crispy, flavorful side. Prices stay reasonable while service remains consistently great.
"The Japanese food, especially the ramen, is flavorful and perfectly cooked."
"The pork ramen soup here is fantastic with a creamy broth."
Good to know
Expect wait times exceeding two hours on weekends.
Reservations are recommended for peak hours to avoid long waits.
Online pickup orders are often unavailable; order directly through the website.
Japanese restaurant offers a cozy modern atmosphere with mostly bar seating and limited tables. The vibe is hip and lively, especially during peak hours with a notable wait time. It stands out for high-quality shabu shabu featuring various broth choices and a live drama show element enhancing the dining experience.
Fire Crab Soup Base offers a unique flavor not found in other hot pots. Soups are rich in flavor and turn into a tasty broth after cooking, enhanced by marinated meats and a touch of chilly oil for adjustable spice.
Shabu shabu stands out with various broth options like spicy miso, pork bone, and sukiyaki. The menu includes surf and turf with spicy sukiyaki sauce, plus starters like garlic shrimp and desserts such as mochi ice cream.
"I enjoyed the shabu shabu here; it's a great Japanese food option."
"This shabu-shabu soup has been my go-to since 2016."
Good to know
Sign up for the waitlist on Yelp to avoid a 20+ minute wait, especially on weekends.
Mokkoji gets really busy during peak hours, so plan accordingly.
Reservations are recommended as tables are held for only 5 minutes.
Open kitchen design reveals chefs at work in a bright wood space with authentic atmosphere. Ramen features rich, flavorful broth and homemade-style noodles with crispy fried chicken popular among families. Busy periods bring waits, often managed with a digital waitlist.
Soup here offers a rich and flavorful profile that has improved over time. The Kitakata ramen soup blends soy sauce, pork bones, dried sardines, and chicken stock for a light yet flavorful taste. The umakara tan tan ramen features a creamier and slightly spicy soup base.
Ramen here features bouncy noodles that taste homemade and high-quality chashu with generous portions. The menu includes unique options like green chili shio ramen and rare finds such as seasonal Hiyashi Ramen.
"The Japanese food, especially the ramen and chicken, is so delicious."
"The soup is rich, flavorful, and improved significantly improved, and delicious."
Good to know
During busy periods, there may be a wait to be seated or served.
If it's the weekend, be prepared to wait.
You should put your name down and keep your phone in your hand at all times because the wait can be between 10 minutes and an hour.
Sushi restaurant offers a modern, clean interior with a small, intimate space that can get busy and a bit loud. The atmosphere shifts from quiet to lively depending on the crowd. Sushi features fresh, high-quality fish with large, flavorful rolls and some standout dishes like tuna sashimi and wagyu.
Miso soup comes with meals like Bento Boxes and includes tofu and fresh broth. It can be ordered separately and arrives with plenty of soup and a tasty, fresh flavor.
Sushi here features big, fresh rolls and sashimi like bluefin tuna with crispy kale chips. Bento boxes come with super-sized portions and sides like spicy garlic edamame add bold flavor.
"The sushi here is spectacular and very tasty."
"I asked to add extra tofu to the soup."
Good to know
The restaurant is fairly small and can fill up during busy times.
Niko Niko Sushi was super busy on New Year's Eve with to-go orders.
Each Bento Box includes rice, miso soup, salad, pickle, and orange slices.
Ramen restaurant inside a market offers fast, affordable ramen with creamy broth and perfect noodles. The menu features four soup varieties, including notable miso and salt flavors. Seating is convenient with dessert available on-site and parking accessible through a rear entrance.
Soup options include four types with a base that is not too greasy or salty. Adding mustard boosts flavor, and dipping rice in the ramen soup tastes great. The Santouka salt ramen serves as a comforting choice with a mild broth, while the miso soup broth contains no salt.
Ramen features a super flavorful broth with options like Shio Ramen and toroniku curry ramen that balance spice well. Rice pairs nicely when dipped in the soup, and smaller ramen sizes suit lighter appetites.
"The Japanese food, especially the ramen, has a soup that's not too greasy nor salty."
"The salt ramen soup was my favorite comfort soup."
Good to know
Parking is available in the back of the plaza with direct access.
The ramen place is located inside Mitsuwa.
Lately, there is no wait at the Irvine location.
Japanese restaurant offers all-you-can-eat Wagyu and prime beef with a cozy, warm atmosphere and chill music. Space divides into bar and seating zones, attracting diners who appreciate quality meats and authentic shabu-shabu flavors.
Soups come with a platter of vegetables and rice with crispy garlic. The broth varies from miso tonkotsu to yuzu and sukiyaki. Soup bases boil down and are not refilled unless asked repeatedly.
Offers both Shabu Shabu and BBQ grilling with a variety of meats, vegetables, and broths. Shared ribeye with spicy miso tonkatsu stands out as a filling option.
"The Japanese food here, especially the Wagyu shabu shabu, is a melt-in-your-mouth delight."
"The meat cuts here are so fresh and high quality."
Good to know
Reservations are not required but recommended during peak hours.
The all-you-can-eat option is available, featuring a variety of meats and vegetables.
Expect longer wait times during weekends, especially for dinner.
Small indoor space feels cramped with limited seating, while large outdoor patio offers ample room and a pleasant atmosphere. Noise rises near the ordering area, but outdoor seating remains lively and clean. Casual setting emphasizes comfortable chairs and mostly outdoor dining.
Soups here range from light and flavorful shoyu ramen to rich, creamy tonkotsu bases. Miso soup stands out as particularly delicious, with some enjoying the addition of broccolini for extra texture.
Ramen here stands out for its tonkotsu broth and vegan sesame ramen with charred broccolini. Options like shoyu ramen and pork rice bowls complement the menu with consistent, rich flavors.
"The ramen here is really good, with lots of toppings."
"The soup broth is so rich and flavorful."
Good to know
HiroNori Craft Ramen does not accept cash; bring a card or electronic payment.
Expect long wait times, especially during busy hours with limited outdoor seating.
A 10% service charge is automatically added to all bills unless waived upon request.
Robot servers deliver meats with a playful touch, adding fun technology to a modern, clean dining space. Each diner has an individual induction cooker, creating a calm, authentic Japanese atmosphere. The open kitchen and upscale decor enhance the experience, making it suitable for casual meals and quiet conversations.
Broth options include spicy tonkotsu, miso, and seafood-based tomyum. The buffet offers many additions for the soup and a small selection of hot foods.
All-you-can-eat hot pot features constant broth switching and high-quality meat. Crispy chicken wings and Takoyaki stand out alongside excellent tonkotsu and miso soups.
"The Japanese food here offers an amazing all-you-can-eat hot pot experience."
"I loved the spicy tonkotsu soup base."
Good to know
The all-you-can-eat lunch special is $25 on weekdays, including Fridays.
Dinner prices are $33.99 on weekends for all-you-can-eat.
Parking is available in an underground structure, but can be hard to find after 6pm.