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New Yorkers 1st Choice
El Camino Real's best

Japanese food

Made for those who seek out the specific textures and preparations found in Japanese cuisine.

Based on 579 Opinions
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Updated April 2026
01
Waka Sakura Irvine image 1
Waka Sakura Irvine image 2
Waka Sakura Irvine image 3
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Conveyor belt sushi restaurant

Conveyor belt sushi setup with automated delivery and tablet ordering creates a modern dining experience. Comfortable booths and a relaxed atmosphere support easy conversation despite occasional noise. Quality of fish is fresh and carefully prepared, distinguishing it from typical quick-service sushi spots.

Food arrives quickly from the conveyor belt or tablet orders with clear pictures. Dishes taste fresh, delicious, and look beautiful.

Freshness stands out with premium scallop nigiri that includes light sears or sauces enhancing natural sweetness. Sushi features quality fish like salmon and tuna, all priced reasonably, with freshly made tempura complementing the menu.

People are saying

"The seafood here is so fresh and high-quality."

"The Japanese food here is amazing, fresh, and delicious."

"The food here is amazing, fresh, and delicious."

Good to know

1

Expect a 20-25 minute wait on Thursday afternoons.

2

The restaurant has a tight and chaotic parking situation during peak hours.

3

You can order six items at a time using a tablet or your phone.

02
Tokyo Central Irvine image 1
Japanese grocery store

Massive Japanese grocery store with bright, clean interior and extensive food sections creates a bustling, festive atmosphere. Crowded aisles and shoulder-to-shoulder pedestrian traffic make navigation challenging. Outdoor seating near the sushi restaurant offers a place to eat, while indoor seating is unavailable.

An excellent selection of hot bar and sushi items stands out here. Ready-to-eat foods like prepacked bento and freshly cooked dishes make lunch quick and easy.

Sushi rolls come delicious and reasonably priced with a strong focus on sashimi and sushi options. Prepacked bento and hot foods offer quick meals, while the hot bar and sushi section provide a wide selection of Japanese dishes and ingredients.

People are saying

"This grocery store has a great food court with lots of ready-to-eat options."

"The staff here is super kind and always cracks jokes."

"It's a great place for all your Japanese and Asian food needs."

Good to know

1

Parking is extremely challenging, with tight spaces and high demand.

2

Expect long lines, especially during peak hours and grand opening days.

3

Hot food selections may be limited, with some items frequently empty.

03
Mitsuwa Marketplace image 1
Japanese grocery store

Japanese grocery store offers authentic products and a small food court with diverse options like tonkatsu and ramen. Atmosphere feels friendly and vibrant, attracting shoppers seeking unique snacks and fresh sushi. Claw machines add a playful touch to the shopping experience.

A vibrant hub for authentic Japanese groceries and fresh sushi anchors the food scene here. The small food court offers tasty ramen and curry, drawing a packed crowd enjoying diverse outlets.

Fresh sashimi and sushi-grade seafood stand out in the seafood section. The food court offers flavorful ramen and curry, alongside onigiri and bentos. Mochi donuts and pastries add sweet options.

People are saying

"This Japanese grocery store has amazing mochi donuts and Royce chocolate."

"The food court options here are amazing and plentiful."

"I found the Japanese food here to be amazing and vibrant."

Good to know

1

Mitsuwa Marketplace does not accept EBT.

2

Expect limited seating during peak times.

3

Mitsuwa offers unique items like Joice Chocolate not found elsewhere.

04
Miyabi Shabu and Grill image 1
Japanese restaurant

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.

High quality shabu stands out as a comfort food here, paired with fresh, delicious ingredients. Meals come with refillable vegetables to complement the dishes.

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.

People are saying

"The bottomless meats and unlimited vegetables were so fresh and high quality."

"The Japanese food here, especially the Wagyu shabu shabu, is a melt-in-your-mouth delight."

"The food recommendations here are great."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not required but recommended during peak hours.

2

The all-you-can-eat option is available, featuring a variety of meats and vegetables.

3

Expect longer wait times during weekends, especially for dinner.

05
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka image 1
Ramen restaurant

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.

Japanese dishes stand out with quick service and good value. Food quality varies, sometimes disappointing but often satisfying.

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.

People are saying

"The Japanese food, especially the ramen, has a soup that's not too greasy nor salty."

"I found the ramen here to be great and quick."

"The ramen broth here is super flavorful and pretty good."

Good to know

1

Parking is available in the back of the plaza with direct access.

2

The ramen place is located inside Mitsuwa.

3

Lately, there is no wait at the Irvine location.

06
Taiko Japanese Restaurant image 1
Japanese restaurant

Interior shows aged decor with a cozy atmosphere and a Japanese vibe. Dining area fills with a friendly, lively crowd, especially during family dinners. Sushi bar offers limited seating, and the place features large, fresh fish in its dishes.

Food stays consistently fresh and authentic with premium quality ingredients. Portions are solid and dishes like sushi and udon look even better than the menu shows.

Sushi here stays perfectly fresh and leans authentic when you know how to order. The Wagyu sushi stands out as a unique and tasty option. The sushi bar seats about six, keeping the vibe intimate.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here, especially the sushi, is so fresh and tasty."

"This lunch spot has great lunch combos and bento boxes."

"The food here is fresh and tasty."

Good to know

1

Reservations can be easily made at Taiko Japanese Restaurant.

2

Expect generous portion sizes for the price at Taiko.

3

Prices for bento and sushi bowls range from $16 to $25.

07
Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Irvine image 1

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.

Food arrives quickly with solid service. Textures stand out as amazing, and flavors taste authentic and delicious, matching traditional Japanese ramen well.

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.

People are saying

"The ramen noodles here are so bouncy and chewy."

"The Japanese food, especially the ramen and chicken, is so delicious."

"I found the food here to be consistently great."

Good to know

1

During busy periods, there may be a wait to be seated or served.

2

If it's the weekend, be prepared to wait.

3

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.

08
Misasa image 1
Japanese restaurant

Japanese fast food spot offers quiet atmosphere and reasonable prices with a focus on traditional dishes like pork cutlet bowls and chicken katsu curry. Lunch hours bring a busy crowd, making seating limited. Parking is available behind the mall with direct access to the food court.

Food here offers traditional Japanese flavors with a focus on fast food style dishes. Quality has improved over time, with several stalls like Santouka standing out for their delicious offerings.

Katsu Don stands out with its freshly cooked preparation and a half-boiled egg on top, keeping the dish simple with katsu, rice, gravy, and pickled ginger. The Chicken Katsu Curry offers fantastic flavor and texture with generous portions, while the tempura bowl comes with miso soup and is priced around $13.

People are saying

"The Katsu Don here is freshly cooked with a half-boiled egg."

"I loved the pork cutlet curry; it was a go-to."

"The food, like the Katsu Don, is always freshly cooked."

Good to know

1

It's crowded during lunchtime, so plan to arrive early.

2

Finding parking can be challenging; use the back corner of the mall.

3

If you want to eat out and the price is below $15, this is a good option.

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El Camino Real, Irvine

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