Small Korean spot offers a quiet cozy vibe with soft K-pop tunes. Juicy tonkatsu shines among Japanese dishes, paired with classic tteokbokki and kimbap options. Tight seating invites casual meals in a clean, modern space.
Tonkatsu stands out with its incredible juiciness inside. Tteokbokki comes in original and squid versions, and kimbap includes a tonkatsu option. Tempura is available but less favored.
"I loved the Korean food, especially the tteokbokki and kimbap."
"This Lunch Spot has quick, cheap, and tasty food."
"The Japanese food here has this thick, tender katsu with a golden, crispy panko crust."
Good to know
They don't take cash; only card payments are accepted.
Parking can be tricky, but there is ample space on weekends.
It operates like a fast-food place; order and pay upfront.
Small bakery inside an Asian grocery store offers fresh desserts like buttery croffles and crispy taiyaki with rich fillings. Cozy atmosphere invites enjoying treats with hot jasmine tea or milk teas. Orders may take longer due to focus on authenticity and freshness.
Taiyaki stands out with crispy edges and a variety of fillings like red bean, custard, and Nutella. Croffles pair well with hot jasmine tea, and milk teas complement the sweet treats.
Good to know
Orders can sometimes take a little longer due to fresh preparation.
The shop offers a variety of desserts including croissants, macaroons, and drinks.
Parking can be a bit difficult in the area.
Narrow space with tight seating creates a loud vibe. Younger crowd fills the room, making it lively but not quiet. Ramen shines with authentic tonkotsu broth and fresh noodles, paired well with crispy chicken karaage in big portions.
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.
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.
Order window and small outdoor seating create a casual takeout vibe. Sushi shows incredible freshness and artistic presentation. Bold flavors and Slavic-style rolls attract those seeking high-quality Japanese food.
Sushi here stands out for its incredible freshness and high quality. The sushi is well-presented and offers a flavorful experience that rivals high-end restaurants.
Good to know
Sushi Atelier is a takeout and delivery-only sushi place.
The restaurant is open late and seven days a week.
Expect high-quality ingredients that rival top restaurants.
Modern space offers a cozy vibe with thoughtful family design and beautiful décor. Enjoy premium Japanese dishes like marbled Wagyu ribeye alongside sushi and sashimi. A self-serve sides bar adds to the lively, engaging dining experience.
Sushi and sashimi come alongside marbled Wagyu cuts like ribeye and brisket. The menu blends premium Japanese dishes with BBQ, offering seafood, appetizers, vegetables, and sides.
Good to know
Expect a wait time of 1-2 hours during peak dinner hours.
Put your name on the waiting list early to avoid long waits.
The restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat option with high-quality dishes.
Open kitchen and freshly handmade udon create a lively, casual dining vibe. Self-serve tempura bar offers crispy crab sticks and shrimp, adding fun and flavor. Quick service suits families and casual visits, making it a welcoming spot for Japanese food lovers.
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.
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.
Japanese curry shines with deep savory flavor and customizable spice and toppings like crispy katsu. Cozy, casual seating feels cramped and the busy, loud space with music can challenge conversation. Service buzzers ensure quick staff attention.
Japanese curry here features deep, savory flavor with options to customize spice levels and toppings like crispy katsu, cheese, and vegetables. The Chicken Katsu Curry stands out as a notably rich dish.
Good to know
Reservations are recommended as the restaurant gets busy in the evenings.
Expect long wait times during weekends and lunch hours on weekdays.
The kitchen closes at 9:50 PM, despite a 10:00 PM closing time.
Small, modern dessert shop offers fresh taiyaki with fillings like custard and Nutella. Open kitchen adds fun, lively vibe. Limited seating pushes guests to enjoy treats in the nearby plaza, making it a crowded, inviting spot for Japanese sweets lovers.
Fresh taiyakis come out warm and crispy with fillings like custard, Nutella, and taro that balance sweetness well. Watching the taiyaki being made adds to the fun, and pairing it with soft serve ice cream creates a tasty, visually pleasing treat.
Good to know
Avoid peak times to prevent long wait times.
There are no seats inside, so plan to eat standing or take it to go.
Expect wait times of 20-25 minutes during busy hours.
Sushi shines with exceptional freshness and thick sashimi cuts. Upscale vibe blends with elegant atmosphere and pleasant music. Expect long lines and a noisy space before opening.
Sushi here stands out for its exceptional freshness and thick sashimi cuts that take multiple bites. The omakase and chirashi bowls deliver consistently high-quality fish across all preparations.
Good to know
Reservations are required at least a day in advance, as they do not accept same-day reservations.
Expect over an hour wait for lunch during peak times.
Parking is challenging and compact; arrive early to secure a spot.
Robot servers add a playful tech vibe to a modern dining space with authentic Japanese hot pot. Enjoy all-you-can-eat meats and crispy chicken wings in a calm, upscale setting perfect for quiet meals.
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.
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.
Small market buzzes with fresh seafood and lively music. Korean food court offers varied groceries and free samples. Japanese section shines with daily sushi deals and warm dishes like ramen and hot pot.
Fresh sushi and sashimi come daily with a buy one, get one 50% off deal. The deli offers warm meals like hot pot, ramen, and dumplings, plus a wide range of Japanese staples like golden curry and udon noodles.
Good to know
They offer a discount on prepared food to go at 1 pm and 7 pm.
H Mart Irvine has a hot section with a buy one get one free special towards the end of the day.
H Mart Irvine accepts EBT payments.
Fresh poke bowls and large sashimi portions shine here, perfect for sushi fans. Space feels loud and cramped with limited seating, but prices stay competitive. Busy lunch crowd near the airport adds to the energetic vibe.
Fresh sashimi stands out with a large sashimi bowl that offers great value at $20. The food stays healthy and yummy, especially for sushi lovers.
Good to know
A small poke bowl costs $15 with 2 scoops, a medium costs $16.50 with 3 scoops, and a large costs $19 with 5 scoops of protein.
During lunch rush, it is often tough to get through the front door due to high demand.
Seating inside is limited, and outside seating is shared with other restaurants.
Spacious spot near the airport offers a relaxed vibe and Far East decor. Japanese dishes shine with steak udon and unique sides like garlic parmesan fries. Friendly staff keep the atmosphere welcoming for a diverse crowd.
Steak udon stands out with solid flavor, while the garlic parmesan fries and Buffalo Chicken salad add variety. Yaki Udon beef dishes appear average, with beef sometimes lacking tenderness.
Good to know
Parking is validated for free and is conveniently located next door.
Expect 30-cent beers all day on Thirsty Thursday.
The cafe offers daily specials and happy hour.
Small café offers an intimate, cozy vibe with only two tables inside. Unique matcha drinks and authentic onigiri shine here. Atmosphere feels cute and bustling, perfect for quick pick-up visits.
Onigiri here shows amazing quality with each grain of rice visible and a great texture and flavor. The shop feels like a quaint Japanese cafe serving authentic onigiri and unique drinks.
Good to know
Lagu Cafe has very limited seating, making it a grab-and-go spot.
Online ordering is available for convenience.
The cafe often sells out of food items by the afternoon.