The Top List of Sushi Restaurants - Orange County, CA
Send your taste buds on a roll with sushi in Orange County by Sarah McClure
Sushi has remained popular for over 2000 years and in more modern times, the Asian cuisine has grown into a refined, distinctive and exotic dining experience. Sushi carries a rich ritual from wiping sushi-eating fingers with the oshibori hot towel, cleansing the palate in between bites with sliced ginger and of course, thanking your sushi chef, domo arigato!
When it comes to jumping on the sushi wagon, it’s about savoring subtly of textures, flavors and appreciating one of the most flaunting and artistic displays of prepared cuisines. Its patrons can taste a diverse combination of ingredients from freshwater eel, Spanish mackerel to quail egg in a single bite. Somebody once described to me sushi was like eating ‘pretty little packages of art.’ Aptly said, on a rice bed or roll, sushi is a ride not to be missed. So, “kampai!” (Japanese expression for a toast!)
Mosun Sushi/Club M 680 Coast Hwy. Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949.497.5646
A sushi restaurant and nightlife club, Mosun gives its clients sushi fusion with a side of Laguna Beach flair. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a 500-gallon coy fish tank. Walk past a cool, manmade waterfall that drops down a marble wall. Expert sushi chefs like Chef Toshi, and trendy and attentive servers make for a satisfying experience at Mosun, whether you’re there to grab a quick Sapporo and sushi after work, dine late with friends or sip cocktails listening to DJs on their second floor until morning. Sushi is displayed in artistic fashions on beautifully-simplistic square and triangle-shaped platters. Try the OC roll; a California roll topped with baked baby lobster (slightly crunchy), and firecracker roll, a tempura roll with spicy tuna and eel sauce. Also worth a taste is the Volcano roll, a halibut wrapped asparagus and scallops baked in homemade aiole sauce. Monday night try their all you can eat sushi for $19.95; Thursday nights is $5 for sake bombs and specialty rolls -- choose from over 20 rolls, Wednesdays and Fridays is Orange County locals night with a %50 discount off the menu. Plasmas TVs show the latest skate, surf, and snow videos all night. Celebrate private or corporate parties with guest accommodations up to 800.
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday to Saturday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Club M: Friday and Saturday 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays require $10 cover charge Cost: $7-$12
Sushi Wasabi 14460 Newport Ave Ste F Tustin, CA 92780 714.505.3496
Veteran sushi Chef Katsu Aoyagi of Sushi Wasabi is a big part of what makes this restaurant – that sits in such a non-descript strip mall you’d probably pass it while blinking – keep attracting loyal customers each year. Aoyagi serves sushi in a more natural state and without the fancy, over-the-top flashy presentation seen in newer sushi restaurants, even cut rolls are nonexistent here. Don’t look for California rolls, noodles or miso soup on the menu, in fact, there really isn’t a menu. A sign on the front door reads to the idea of trusting the chef, since Sushi Wasabi is omakase style, the menu is prepared beforehand by the chef. You can mention if you’re allergic to something, but that’ll be the extent of input you’ll have on the options. Only nigiri sushi and hand rolls are available and ponzu sauce is a popular ingredient, but the homemade wasabi by Aoyagi is heard to be exceptionally delicious. Another treat, is that the fish is bought fresh from the market, so the menu varies slightly depending on what’s available each morning. The Texas blue crab roll is the specialty. Other varieties to find are yellowtail from Japan, toro from Australia, shrimp, red snapper, halibut and salmon skin rolls.
Hours: Monday to Friday 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $25-$80
Bluefin Seafood Restaurant Crystal Cove Promenade 7952 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. Newport Coast, CA 92657 949.715.7373
Two-year-old Bluefin sushi and seafood restaurant, dishes out sushi the omakase way. Also referred to as ‘chef’s tasting menu,’ omakase is just another opportunity to see Bluefin’s Master sushi chef Takashi Abe create his delightful sushi selections for the epicurean indulgences of Newport coast locals and visitors. Bluefin executes sushi at a very affluent level, while diners enjoy an oceanfront view of the Pacific. Some menu items include the rolled duck breast, sashimi salad, lobster hand roll and live Ama Ebi. They have a pretty, wrap-around sushi counter that slides down the center of the place. And serve an appetizing desert of chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream covered with strawberries.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. everyday Cost: (Dinner) $80 per person, (Lunch) $35 per person
Wasa Sushi 13124 Jamboree Rd. Irvine, CA 92602 714.665.3338
1346 Bison Ave. Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.760.1511
23702 El Toro Rd. S-6A Lake Forest, CA 92630 *Now opened February 2007
This restaurant offers what’s called “new generation sushi” for its twist on traditional sushi, Wasa Sushi boasts a contemporary setting and some of the most premiere sushi in Orange County. Started in 2001 by Chef Bronnie Lee and Chef James Hamamori, their latest and third location recently opened in Lake Forest February 2007. Japan-born Hamamori trained in Tokyo and has quickly become a favorite among his OC clients for his innovative style of cooking sushi. For example, he sears tuna to crunchy style. As a sushi chef in Los Angeles, he served up customers like Cindy Crawford, Dustin Hoffman and Michael Ovitz. Delicious items at Wasa Sushi include the Newport roll of spicy tuna and cucumber and the Wasa rainbow, a rainbow roll with wasabi sour cream sauce.
You have to love their Asian-spun deserts too, which include a banana spring roll with ice cream; a halved banana wrapped in rice paper, fried golden and served with a choice of green tea, vanilla or red bean ice cream. Also check out the watermelon cubes in coconut milk with a side of ice cream.
Hours: (Lunch) Monday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Dinner) Sunday to Thursday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $11-$19
Hapi Sushi 250 Beach St. Laguna Beach 92651 949.494.9109
Probably the smallest-sized of our top sushi picks, but even so Hapi Sushi grabs a top 10 spot, delivering delicious sushi and making waves in scenic Laguna Beach since 1983. Try the kalamari temura, tempura squid and green pepper in ponze sauce, the seaweed salad and mushroom stuffed with yellowtail, drizzled in Hapi special sauce, which are more than worth your picks. Reverse rainbow roll of variety fish is garnished with smelt eggs on the outside. Spicier still, is the tuna dream albacore laid on a spicy tuna roll with radish sauce. Another recommendation is the 49 Special that is halibut, mint leaf, lemon on california roll (yum!) and the Japanese burrito salmon of tuna and crab wrapped in soy bean paper. Must-trys are always the Mochi ice cream in amazing flavors as green tea, mango, red bean cappuccino, and strawberry flavors.
Hours: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. everyday Cost: $4-$8
Kitayama 101 Bayview Place Newport Beach 92660 949.725.0777
Kitayama optimizes harmony and balance at their restaurant, nestled amid private Asian gardens, bamboo, Bonsai-style plants and miniature waterfalls, which wonderfully mute street noise. Vibrant and authentic kimonos sit on display for onlookers. Here, you’ll enjoy attentive servers, some donning kimonos and even see traditional private Tatami rooms -- minimum $25 per person to reserve but a divine retreat for private parties. Veiled curtains for booths create an ultra-private space for dining. A la carte items are crab chawanmushi (a tantalizing blend of hot custard with fresh crab and shitake mushrooms), beef shiso rolls broiled with Asian béchamel sauce, and Chef’s Special sashimi plates (a little pricey). If you are lucky you won't like uni, or sea urchin, if not you’ve just developed an expensive habit. Desert of choice includes their sake almond pudding and green tea coconut mousse, served in a martini glass and bejeweled with tropical fruits. Hot, green tea served with desert.
Hours: Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $40 and up
Sushi Shibucho 590 W 19th St Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.642.2677
Sushi Shibucho opened almost five years ago at the popular hangout spot near Triangle Square in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, and is run by sushi Chef Shibutani and his son, Glen. Their restaurant is small, with only a 10-seat sushi bar and four tables – all that regularly fill up fast. They attract a majority of Japanese clientele, due to their highly-raved omakase sushi, or chef’s choice. This leaves their menu more distinct, each day since none of their sushi appears regularly and is dependant on what Shibutani sees at the fish market. The chirashi, nigiri, squid and toro are especially played up to enhance their bold and contrasting flavors of their sushi. Alas, no sake or desert menu is offered, but wine can accompany the meal.
Hours: Wednesday to Friday 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 5:30 p.m. to 9: 30 p.m. Closed Mondays Cost: $30 per person Reservations highly recommended
Zipangu 2930 Bristol St. Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.545.2800
Proudly chic and mod-hip as its neighboring boutiques and Gypsy Den coffee house on The LAB territory in Costa Mesa, sushi lounge and bar, Zipangu, presents a sleek, Asian-esque décor combined with impressively-handled sushi. Their ornamental interior includes Formica cone-shaped chairs at the bar and the strangely-appealing nylon, rope curtains that section out the restaurant. Suggested items are the oyster shooters, Chef’s Prime selection of sashimi tuna, salmon, yellowtail, albacore, octopus, whitefish and sea urchin, the Hanabi explosion ball of jalapeno masago and seared yellowtail in soy paper and finally, the anti-rice silver dollar roll of salmon baked crab meat, avocado wrapped in salmon and topped with onion aioli sauce. Vegetarians should take note of the zen roll made with seasoned Japanese vegetables, organic baked tofu in whole grain rice and cucumbers.
This posh locale may leave your wallet slightly thinner than before but nonetheless an elegant presentation of Japanese fusion with a cutting-edge. A DJ that keeps the crowd buzzing with chill beats and a happy hour daily offering of $1 Sapporo beers from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. earn Zipangu high marks.
Hours: Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Wednesday 5:30 p.m. to midnight, Thursday to Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sunday 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $15 and up
Zushi 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive Dana Point CA 92629 949.240.1800
Zushi shares its name with an actual city in Japan. But this Zushi is a Teppan-style steakhouse and sushi bar, ‘teppan’ is simply ‘iron plate’ in Japanese. Zushi overlooks nearby Dana Point Harbor and takes advantage of a beautiful open-patio. Friendly and happening bars like Hennessey’s Tavern are also right up the main road, Golden Lantern, for an after-sushi drink. Being near a harbor, it comes as no surprise that fish is brought in fresh throughout the week. Resident Zushi Chef Tomotada Takasaki, a sushi connoisseur, is frequently requested by his returning customers. Start yourself with their steamed soy beans edamame, then maki rolls and maybe work your way to quail egg shooters, basically a raw quail egg and oyster, though alarmingly tasty. It’s worth trying it here. One precaution, waiting line at the door is expected nightly. Just remember to reserve a table and to thank your sushi chefs, ‘Domo arigato!’
Hours: Monday to Saturday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. reservations recommended Cost: $20-$30
Taiko 14775 Jeffrey Rd #K Irvine, CA 92618 949.559.7190
Not to be confused with the martial art practice of Taiko drumming, (there is a Taiko drumming class nearby), the Taiko sushi restaurant, an American-Japanese style of sushi, sits adjacent to the Oak Creek Golf Club. They have three resident sushi chefs that have been slicing and dicing up divine raw delicacies for 15 years since Taiko opened in 1980. No need to sample Fugi the first time though -- the lethal Japanese blowfish contains enough poison to kill you 30 times over if not properly prepared by the chef. However, don’t pass over the toro sashimi or sea scallops that come so fresh they are still in their sea snails shell. The pompano and Japanese sticky potato sweet shrimp boat is as delectable, coming as sweet shrimp sushi, covered in a heap of crabmeat. The fresh abalone is tasty, sautéed in a light butter and panko breadcrumbs. Taiko may push you to eat more ginger to cleanse your palate between bites due to their abundant types of sushi.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $2.50-$9.50
The Top List of Sushi Restaurants - Orange County, CA