sushi ii

It was one of the best of Sushi places in Town. We had the wonderful time and the foods were delicious and well crafted by the Fun loving and experience Chef.

Nasu Desu

Outstanding omakase experience in the US for sushi. The seafood and fish very fresh and presentation very good compared to what we experience in Japan during our annual stay there. Sitting at the counter provided nice conversation with our chef much like in Japan.

Antonina Pavliuk

Hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had in the U.S. — and I’ve tried a lot! The fish is incredibly fresh, melt-in-your-mouth quality, and the presentation is stunning. You can really taste the difference. It honestly felt like I was back in Japan. If you’re a sushi lover, this place in Newport Beach is an absolute must. Pure perfection.

Lorin

Ordered A LA Carte and everything was very fresh. Great flavors; the chefs allow the quality of their food to speak the loudest, and we were very impressed. We will be back to try the Omakase.

J. Kwon

Wonderful Omakase experience! Chef was very skilled, friendly, and funny. They opened during Covid so it’s amazing they’re still here. But then with the chefs, the attentive staff, and the quality of ingredients explains it all. The dining experience it pretty close to private since the room is limited to about 25 guests. Reservations only. Def order their sakes….so good with the food.

Geoff Hatcher

Came for omakase. Was hesitant after reading some of the reviews. I’m a big fan of well done omakase. This place delivers. It’s clear to me the negative reviews don’t really get it. They’d be better off looking for a place with California rolls. Sushi ii is solid. Fresh fish from Japan, master sushi chefs, a great saki list, and attentive service. I will be going back!!

Larry Jia

I have been here two times. Everything is good. I wonder what those one-star reviewers eat daily in the US. It was exciting to see if I could find a better place at this price range from their previous review, but it ended up being nothing😅

Christian Lee

It is not often that you get the experience of dining at a sushi restaurant recommended by a Michelin star sushi chef. Tonight, I had the pleasure of dining at Sushi-ii, a relatively new, high-end sushi bar located in Newport Beach. Sushi-ii is tucked away past residential areas of Newport Beach, which makes it a much more pleasant experience to find parking and enjoy the dining experience. The interior of the restaurant draws inspiration from a clean modern Japanese sushi bar, with about 10 seats at the main bar and 3 or 4 tables. There are three main dining choices: Bizen, Oribe, and Karatsu. Tonight, I chose Karatsu, the nigiri omakase. This course advertises a starter, 12 nigiri, miso soup, and a dessert. At the sushi bar, you are seated with place setting consisting of a hand towel, a napkin, and a pair of chopsticks. This particular style of chopstick is gaining in popularity, as they combine a clean splinter-free design, while also still being disposable and clean. Right off the bat, we are served some tofu with dashi broth and egg yolk on top. This was a very soft but still surprisingly flavorful tofu, much better than any packaged tofu. The nigiri I was served, in order, include: Red Snapper Amberjack Bluefin Tuna Spanish Mackerel Sweet Shrimp Baby Snapper (with sea kelp) Hokkaido Uni Salmon Salmon Roe Scallop Yellowtail Fatty Tuna (Toro) Gizzard Shad Eel (Unagi) Egg Sushi (Tamago) To finish off the night, a choice of dessert is presented. Panna cotta, tiramisu, or various ice cream flavors. I chose the panna cotta. If you are ordering a nigiri omakase, the aspect that matters the most is the quality of the fish. And this restaurant delivered. Every single cut had the traits of a high quality fish flown in fresh from Japan, with their distinct and welcoming flavors. The two notable nigiri of the night are the amaebi and unagi. What makes amaebi excellent to me is the sweet creaminess and soft flavors of the shrimp. This sweet shrimp was full of flavor and sweetness, and came served with the head, prepared to your preference. I selected tempura fried, and it was very well done -- perfectly crispy, and full of flavor. The unagi is something special, and I will be thinking about this for days to come. Taken out of its marinade when you are seated, the cut eel is set aside until it is ready to be served. At that time, it is cooked on a special cute small Japanese grill and it is grilled right then and there. No blow torch eel. Cooked over a grill in a very Japanese fashion. Then it is topped off with eel sauce, and the result is sublime. You get the jam packed flavor bomb of warm unagi, with the melt in your mouth butteriness of fresh eel. This piece is truly something sublime and was the most notable bite of the night. I love finishing off dishes with tamago, and their egg is a no nonsense sushi. No rice, no seaweed, just a block of tamago chopped and served. Some other highlights include the excellent japanese sencha green tea, and the care and attention of the waitresses explaining every element of the plated dishes.

Susanna Wong

We have been looking for authentic sushi places in Newport Beach. A friend of mine whose husband is Japanese highly recommends this place. From the price, you can tell it’s a high rank sushi place but we are happy to pay more if the food quality is justified. I like places that you can make reservation online especially during Covid. They take deposit $50/person for dinner and so we decided to try their lunch first. If it’s good, we will go back for the omakase. The patio seating is actually very nice. Service was good and quick. I ordered the sushi lunch set $60 and my husband ordered a la carte nigiris. Green tea was from high quality green tea powder. The appetiser was very different. Miso soup was one of the best! And the nigiris were an absolute WOW! The toro maki roll was surprisingly outstanding! The salmon was best I have tried! The toro... OMG!!! The sea eel was very different! I loved the new sensation!! And the best for me was... the amaebi!!! $18/piece but it’s totally worth it! Best of the best!!! My husband liked the Saba so much (very traditional)! Everything was just so good! The dessert - green tea red bean ice cream. A must try!!! Without a doubt, the best sushi place in Newport Beach. Chef ii brings his years of experience from Osaka in each piece of nigiri that he serves. It’s totally worth the $!

Ping Chen

Great sushi spot, high quality fresh food, great service. One of the best omakase in OC. We had the bizen which was plenty of food.

Alice Hatcher

Friendly staff, authentic omakase. Extremely accommodating and care if you enjoy the food. The restaurant is beautiful and clean. We went there recently for my husbands bday with a party of 12. Most of us ordered the omakase and loved it. The presentation was stunning and creative. A work of art. Everything was fresh love this place

Incredible upscale restaurant perfect for that special occasion. The food is so delicious and the experience is great. If you can, ask for a seat at the bar so you can see all of the action. My only piece of advice for the restaurant and even for the diners, their tipping situation is very confusing… they add 20% service fee to the bill and also ask for a tip. They go as far as highlighting that the service fee is not a tip, but don’t tell you that until you after you pay and they bring you the receipt. They should either keep the automated service fee that covers your tip or get rid of it and let people tip. I suspect your waitstaff (who are amazing) end up getting stiffed because folks get confused.

Sushi ii in Newport Beach offers a truly authentic sushi experience. The fish is incredibly fresh, the chefs are masters at their craft, and the vibe is relaxed and intimate. Definitely a hidden gem for real sushi lovers.

Sushi quality might be the best in OC, way better than Michelin one star at Laguna. Service great and good atmosphere, chef may not be chatty but very professional.

We went there for the first time tonight. We will be back. It is a beautiful restaurant with good soft music in the background. The sushi chefs and wait staff were great and very friendly. My water and tea were constantly kept full. They brought me a basket in which to put my purse. We did not order the omakase because that is so much food. They have an a la carte option, which is a big selling point for me. My husband had a gorgeous big plate of sashimi. He said it was great and the fish was very fresh. I had nigiri. I asked the chef to decide for me. It was all great. Then I had a bowl of miso soup and my husband had some rice. They gave us fruit for dessert, but they have wonderful sounding desserts too. It was easy to park. It was only $200, including beer and ginjo sake.

Sushi ii is a hidden gem. Located on West Coast Highway in Newport Beach, the restaurant is located in a small retail center with ample (and free) parking. Stepping into the restaurant is like stepping into a space in Japan, beautiful and natural decor, soothing, and intimate. The sushi is first class and don’t be daunted by the omakase offerings. We picked the third choice. The sushi was of excellent quality and at the end of the set courses we were offered the opportunity to make an additional choice to repeat a favorite or choose a special dish. The amount of food was more than enough and the meal was finished with miso soup and dessert. Interestingly for a Japanese restaurant there were several desserts on offer and we loved the ice creams we chose, rum raisin and matcha. There were two chefs on duty for our visit, both of whom were very personable and spoke good English. The rest of the staff were Japanese and fluent in English. The service was excellent. Friendly, welcoming and professional. It was a great treat to dine there and we look forward to dining there again.

Terry Hong

Sushi quality might be the best in OC, way better than Michelin one star at Laguna. Service great and good atmosphere, chef may not be chatty but very professional.

Patricia Galligan

Sushi ii is a hidden gem. Located on West Coast Highway in Newport Beach, the restaurant is located in a small retail center with ample (and free) parking. Stepping into the restaurant is like stepping into a space in Japan, beautiful and natural decor, soothing, and intimate. The sushi is first class and don’t be daunted by the omakase offerings. We picked the third choice. The sushi was of excellent quality and at the end of the set courses we were offered the opportunity to make an additional choice to repeat a favorite or choose a special dish. The amount of food was more than enough and the meal was finished with miso soup and dessert. Interestingly for a Japanese restaurant there were several desserts on offer and we loved the ice creams we chose, rum raisin and matcha. There were two chefs on duty for our visit, both of whom were very personable and spoke good English. The rest of the staff were Japanese and fluent in English. The service was excellent. Friendly, welcoming and professional. It was a great treat to dine there and we look forward to dining there again.

Aleksei G

Sushi Ii in Newport Beach is an exceptional destination for sushi enthusiasts. The restaurant offers an authentic omakase experience, featuring meticulously prepared dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients. The ambiance is serene and minimalist, creating a tranquil dining environment. Chef Koji Takahashi, who trained under Master Chef Susumu Ii, continues the legacy of excellence, delivering dishes that are both artful and delicious. For those seeking a refined and memorable sushi experience, Sushi Ii is a must-visit.

Rebecca J Weatley

Sushi ii in Newport Beach offers a truly authentic sushi experience. The fish is incredibly fresh, the chefs are masters at their craft, and the vibe is relaxed and intimate. Definitely a hidden gem for real sushi lovers.

Susan

We went there for the first time tonight. We will be back. It is a beautiful restaurant with good soft music in the background. The sushi chefs and wait staff were great and very friendly. My water and tea were constantly kept full. They brought me a basket in which to put my purse. We did not order the omakase because that is so much food. They have an a la carte option, which is a big selling point for me. My husband had a gorgeous big plate of sashimi. He said it was great and the fish was very fresh. I had nigiri. I asked the chef to decide for me. It was all great. Then I had a bowl of miso soup and my husband had some rice. They gave us fruit for dessert, but they have wonderful sounding desserts too. It was easy to park. It was only $200, including beer and ginjo sake.

Beau Dunn

Incredible upscale restaurant perfect for that special occasion. The food is so delicious and the experience is great. If you can, ask for a seat at the bar so you can see all of the action. My only piece of advice for the restaurant and even for the diners, their tipping situation is very confusing… they add 20% service fee to the bill and also ask for a tip. They go as far as highlighting that the service fee is not a tip, but don’t tell you that until you after you pay and they bring you the receipt. They should either keep the automated service fee that covers your tip or get rid of it and let people tip. I suspect your waitstaff (who are amazing) end up getting stiffed because folks get confused.

This place was extremely overpriced. I have had omakases at half the price and twice the quality. Food wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. Average sushi vibes. Would come back if it weren’t for the outrageous cost.

Jenna L

This place was extremely overpriced. I have had omakases at half the price and twice the quality. Food wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. Average sushi vibes. Would come back if it weren’t for the outrageous cost.

I’ve been coming here for years, and things are not the same under the new ownership. Under the retired chef, he kept everything in check. Food quality and the staff. Now, the staff is not organized, looks like they don’t wanna be there, I have to constantly get their attention for anything, instead of them being on top of everything. Like I saw the chef make my food, then the server didn’t bring the plate w my food for over 5 minutes. I was like I wonder if that’s my food, and why is it just sitting there. Obviously all the cooked food was cold by the time I had them. The server was too busy checking his paperwork for some reason, and they just look at the chef make food while chit chatting instead of making sure the guests are doing ok…I think the food quality hasn’t chanced much but all these little things took my attention away from actually enjoining the food. I’ll go to Nobu next time. Oh and when I asked for the check, the server said oh we forgot one sushi/sashimi, so it’s coming soon. Like 15 min later, cold fried sweet shrimps were served…my family and I bonded over how bad the experience was on the way home, so I guess that was one good thing.

Pretty bad experience. I was taking my wife to this place for an anniversary this Thursday. Arrived around 7:30 and left around 8:50. Chef has no interaction with customer at all, and server cannot remember the name of sashimi in the plates server even chef told her in front of us. I guess that’s why this place charge mandatory service fee since no one will tip for this kind of service at a fine dinning place. Been to lots Japanese omakase restaurants, this one really disappointed me and not worth the price. There was only 3 group of guest and why you guys trying to kick people out quick? We ordered a whole bottle of sake and when all the food was served we still have half bottle left which makes us need to hurry and finish it. Not recommended and never gonna come to this place again. Train your employees better before charging high price.

Jay Um

I’ve been coming here for years, and things are not the same under the new ownership. Under the retired chef, he kept everything in check. Food quality and the staff. Now, the staff is not organized, looks like they don’t wanna be there, I have to constantly get their attention for anything, instead of them being on top of everything. Like I saw the chef make my food, then the server didn’t bring the plate w my food for over 5 minutes. I was like I wonder if that’s my food, and why is it just sitting there. Obviously all the cooked food was cold by the time I had them. The server was too busy checking his paperwork for some reason, and they just look at the chef make food while chit chatting instead of making sure the guests are doing ok…I think the food quality hasn’t chanced much but all these little things took my attention away from actually enjoining the food. I’ll go to Nobu next time. Oh and when I asked for the check, the server said oh we forgot one sushi/sashimi, so it’s coming soon. Like 15 min later, cold fried sweet shrimps were served…my family and I bonded over how bad the experience was on the way home, so I guess that was one good thing.

Ted Hai

Pretty bad experience. I was taking my wife to this place for an anniversary this Thursday. Arrived around 7:30 and left around 8:50. Chef has no interaction with customer at all, and server cannot remember the name of sashimi in the plates server even chef told her in front of us. I guess that’s why this place charge mandatory service fee since no one will tip for this kind of service at a fine dinning place. Been to lots Japanese omakase restaurants, this one really disappointed me and not worth the price. There was only 3 group of guest and why you guys trying to kick people out quick? We ordered a whole bottle of sake and when all the food was served we still have half bottle left which makes us need to hurry and finish it. Not recommended and never gonna come to this place again. Train your employees better before charging high price.

If you want to be thoroughly disrespected during your meal, feel free to come here! This was the worst Japanese meal I have ever had. First, the sushi rice was as hard as undercooked rice, making it very unpleasant to eat. Second, Japanese cuisine is typically served in courses, but my friend was served three dishes at once. This is extremely disrespectful to the guests, as if they were telling us to hurry up and leave. Third, when serving my dish, they carelessly tossed it onto the table, showing a complete lack of respect for the customer. Fourth, before ordering, a slim server mentioned something about a 'corkage'. As a foreigner, I didn’t understand the term. When I asked what it was for, she said it was for providing refrigeration or glasses for our drinks. I specifically confirmed with her whether there would be an extra charge if we brought our own drinks, and she clearly answered 'No.' However, when the bill came, we were charged $50 per bottle as a corkage fee. Her response contained incorrect information and was misleading. This not only made me feel disrespected as a foreigner, but according to California law, all products and services must provide transparent pricing to allow customers to make informed decisions. This server was not only unprofessional but also deliberately misled foreign customers, which is absolutely unacceptable. Fifth, their fruit was poorly cut, with pieces of varying sizes, which is far from the standard of a high-end Japanese restaurant. After giving feedback, the second plate of fruit they served was even more haphazardly arranged, showing extreme contempt for the customers. Sixth, we were forced to pay a 20% gratuity after the meal. The staff told me that this was mentioned on their website. First of all, not every customer will see the website (for instance, I booked through a credit card dining service). Secondly, tipping is a way for customers to evaluate the service. This practice robs all customers of the opportunity to provide feedback on their service. This was the worst Japanese dining experience I’ve ever had. If you want to be thoroughly disrespected during your meal, feel free to come here!

Di Jin

If you want to be thoroughly disrespected during your meal, feel free to come here! This was the worst Japanese meal I have ever had. First, the sushi rice was as hard as undercooked rice, making it very unpleasant to eat. Second, Japanese cuisine is typically served in courses, but my friend was served three dishes at once. This is extremely disrespectful to the guests, as if they were telling us to hurry up and leave. Third, when serving my dish, they carelessly tossed it onto the table, showing a complete lack of respect for the customer. Fourth, before ordering, a slim server mentioned something about a 'corkage'. As a foreigner, I didn’t understand the term. When I asked what it was for, she said it was for providing refrigeration or glasses for our drinks. I specifically confirmed with her whether there would be an extra charge if we brought our own drinks, and she clearly answered 'No.' However, when the bill came, we were charged $50 per bottle as a corkage fee. Her response contained incorrect information and was misleading. This not only made me feel disrespected as a foreigner, but according to California law, all products and services must provide transparent pricing to allow customers to make informed decisions. This server was not only unprofessional but also deliberately misled foreign customers, which is absolutely unacceptable. Fifth, their fruit was poorly cut, with pieces of varying sizes, which is far from the standard of a high-end Japanese restaurant. After giving feedback, the second plate of fruit they served was even more haphazardly arranged, showing extreme contempt for the customers. Sixth, we were forced to pay a 20% gratuity after the meal. The staff told me that this was mentioned on their website. First of all, not every customer will see the website (for instance, I booked through a credit card dining service). Secondly, tipping is a way for customers to evaluate the service. This practice robs all customers of the opportunity to provide feedback on their service. This was the worst Japanese dining experience I’ve ever had. If you want to be thoroughly disrespected during your meal, feel free to come here!