Otoro Sushi

My son and I went based on a recommendation. It was outstanding. We ordered the waygu fried rice, a ton of sushi, mixed tempura, and the OOtoro Tower. Very good. Had to wait an hour, very busy. Staff was excellent.

Amazing sushi. My family followed Masa-san here from his last sushi joint and the quality of fish here is still on par with the quality of presentation and selection he demonstrated before. It is expensive, but well worth the splurge if you love great nigiri!

This is a very fun and delicious experience. Had some of the best fresh fish you can possibly have . Saki was so smooth tastes like water , I definitely recommend trying everything you can from here . Chef made a special ramen for us that was out of this world. The experience was amazing I will definitely be back

+5

We came here for lunch based on recommendations from friends and we weren't disappointed. It is definitely pricey, but the quality of the food is melt-in-your-mouth delicious! We shared the bbq pork rib, toro cut roll, masago sushi, albacore sushi and uni sushi. Definitely plan on coming back here to eat again and would recommend this to anyone who loves sushi and Japanese dishes.

+1

Otoro Sushi is my favorite sushi spot in Irvine! The food is fresh and you get great value with the chirashi bowl. They give you a lot of thick cuts of a variety of fish. The atmosphere is very elegant and the service is incredible! I’m Japanese so I can be very picky about sushi (😅) and there are very few sushi places owned and operated by Japanese people in Orange County and I believe this is one of the few. It can be pricey depending on what you order but it’s definitely worth it because the fish is very fresh and their rice is delicious too! I’ve only had rice like this before in Japan! I highly recommend this place :-)

Arrived for lunch, and even though there were a few people ahead of us, we sat down fairly soon after. We also waited for a table, as the sushi bar does mostly sashimi / nigri and the wife wanted ramen. I ordered the Premium Chirashi, with the shrimp head deep fried, and she ordered the combo, with Ramen and BBQ Don Pork. Everything was excellent. The ramen, while not having an egg to my slight disappoinment, was very good. The broth was rich, the noodles just Al dente enough to where they wouldn't be soggy 10 minutes in, and the pork was delicious and thicker cut than usual. The BBQ Don was great as well. The Chirashi was fantastic. Everything was premium as the name implies, the fish incredibly fresh, and each piece of sashimi is larger than your normal sushi place serves. This is a Japanese sushi restaurant. Not a Korean, Japanese inspired style sushi. I'll be back for the omakase dinner one of these nights, it looks beautiful.

Otoro Sushi is an exceptional restaurant that serves some of the most delectable sushi dishes that you will ever have the pleasure of experiencing. One of the standout features of this restaurant is their commitment to using the highest quality and freshest fish available. You can taste the difference in every bite. The sashimi plate is a must-try dish at Otoro Sushi. The plate is artfully presented with an array of colorful, fresh slices of fish that will tantalize your taste buds. Each piece of fish is expertly cut and served at the perfect temperature. The flavors are delicate and nuanced, allowing the natural taste of the fish to shine through. What sets Otoro Sushi apart from other sushi restaurants is their dedication to sourcing the highest quality fish.

Went here for an outing with some co-workers and this was the best sushi I've ever had. The fish was so fresh it was mouth watering. Not your place for rolls but definitely the place to be if you like sashimi. Service was excellent. Come early though because the place gets packed fast. Be prepared to spend as it is on the pricier end but totally worth it.

Best Toro I'm California, idk how they do it but rivaling both the best from Seattle even the Toro and Tuna here was fresh and luxe like nothing else I've tasted outside of the Washington State.

Worth every penny. We got one of the omakase menus and every bite was nothing short of the perfection. I don’t think an omakase or a sushi restaurant has ever had me leaving so full. All of their seafood is so fresh. Their wagyu fried rice is also the best I have ever had. It is very expensive to come here so I usually only go once a year.

Chef’s Special Omakase Price: $300–$500 per person (Pre-Order Only, Minimum 2 Guests) If you’re searching for an unforgettable culinary journey, Otoro Irvine delivers an exceptional Omakase experience that stands out for its precision, creativity, and high-quality ingredients. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance is intimate and refined—perfect for a special night out, an anniversary, or an elevated culinary escape. For those seeking the ultimate in luxury dining, the Chef’s Special Omakase is the crown jewel of Otoro’s offerings. At $300–$500 per person, this pre-ordered, curated experience is nothing short of spectacular. Each course was thoughtfully crafted, blending traditional Japanese techniques with innovative, modern flair. The fish was incredibly fresh—melt-in-your-mouth toro, buttery uni, and flawlessly seared A5 wagyu were just the beginning. Every bite felt intentional, building in flavor, texture, and presentation as the evening progressed. Highlighted Dishes from Chef’s Special: • Toro Trio – Otoro, chutoro, and akami, served three ways (raw, seared, aged). A masterclass in tuna. • Live Uni from Hokkaido – Presented in its shell with yuzu zest and fresh wasabi. Ocean-sweet, creamy perfection. • A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Nigiri – Seared and topped with black truffle and caviar. Rich, tender, and luxurious. • Scallop Carpaccio with Lime Foam – A delicate dance of citrus and umami. • Foie Gras & Monkfish Liver Fusion – Paired with sake jelly—silky, rich, and surprisingly light. • Abalone with Dashi Butter – Slow-poached and elegantly savory. • Custom Dessert Course – A refreshing finish with yuzu sorbet and a black sesame matcha mochi cake. And hot pot Service was attentive yet unobtrusive—every dish was introduced with care, and the chef was clearly passionate about every creation. From the plating to the pacing, everything flowed with intention and grace. The staff made us feel taken care of without ever taking away from the focus: the food. Otoro Irvine isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re indulging in the $165 Nigiri Omakase, the $225 Standard Omakase, or going all-in with the Chef’s Special, you’ll find yourself immersed in an evening of culinary artistry and pure joy. For those seeking top-tier Omakase in Orange County, Otoro Irvine is a hidden gem that delivers not just a meal—but a memory. Worth every penny for those who value quality, authenticity, and excellence at the highest level. Rating: 11/10 – A flawless fusion of flavor, finesse, and feeling.

Amazing service, outstanding food and nice atmosphere. The best sushi I’ve ever had was at otoro and I go at least twice a week. The staff are so kind and eager to help. Highly recommend.

Food was fresh and well done. The staff were friendly and helpful.

Goodness gracious. You are going to be hard pressed to find a better sushi option in the area. The tuna and hamachi and sake were amazing. The true winner was my favorite, the kinmedai. Everything else was fantastic including the clam dish. Will definitely return the next time I’m in the area.

Tbh I was a bit socked to see the prices but the food was really good. We ordered the less expensive things and the quality of the food impressed us. My favorite thing was the soft crab hand roll, uffff, soooo goood! We ordered sashimi a la carte, one of them was really chewy, they didn’t took it out of the bill but gave us a complementary creamy green tea ice cream. Restrooms, not as clean as I would expected for the place. Make reservations (they don’t take same day reservation, has to be at least the day before)

Very, very good food. Chilean sea bass and lobster fried rice are amazing. The kobe steak is the best beef I've ever tasted. Hot pot with the A5 is really good. The 3 way oysters are fun way to try different preparations. Both salmon sashimi plates were fresh and high quality.

This place was Delicious! The best sushi I’ve ever had thus far. Tony was our server. He explained each dish very well and complimented the overall omakase experience. Im a big fan of seared salmon so this place did not disappoint. I cant wait to go back.

This is the best sushi I've had outside of Japan. We went through a typical selection of nigiri and sashimi and they're all totally fresh, to the point where the tuna has a texture that reminds me of a nice cut of wagyu. Beautifully made sushi with the freshest ingredients I've tasted. Still maintaining its standards.

Excellent quality sushi that will rival and jump ahead of some top sushi spots in Japan. The food comes out with excellent presentation and in a consistent flow to ensure that you’re enjoying all the food while not feeling stuffed along the way. The staff are friendly and helpful. This place gets busy quickly so need to arrive 15-30mins before opening to get your name on the list otherwise you’ll wait for a while to get great food!

Lived up to the hype. Generous slices of sashimi that are super fresh. Patrons queued up before they open. Best to have a reservation. Closed on Sun/Mon. Parking is a challenge. Nice TI. Efficient staff.

On a recent work trip, I just had to take advantage of the opportunity to try some of the wonderful food SoCal has to offer. I have family/friends in the area, and my aunt really wanted to try this place. What better excuse to take her to try Otoro's Omakase? Fortunately my Aunt did all the arrangements. Reservations are a must as this place is extremely popular. She booked us for a Friday evening dinner and the place was hopping all night. Parking was a bit difficult as the the restaurant shares space with multiple restaurants/businesses in the little strip mall. Besides the parking everything else about the evening was wonderful. The Omakase was deliciously creative, yet it didn't stray too far from traditional Japanese sushi/sashimi. The fish was very fresh and delectable- heck the shrimp was literally still moving on my plate. The nigiri was prepared with unique flavorful marinades, and the A5 wagyu beef cooked to our preference at the table was a treat to watch. Overall, the presentation was gorgeous and the meal went along at a good pace. Servings were plentiful, generous and filling. I would highly recommend getting the omakase if the budget allows. I did notice they have take out and other standard Japanese fare like my go to Chirashi bowl besides the omakase. Looking over the menu I feel prices overall were very reasonable, especially for sushi of this caliber. I'll definitely have to come back another time to try their other offerings. So, if you are ever in the Irvine area and are craving some top notch sushi make sure to stop in to Otoro.

Michael M

Food was fresh and well done. The staff were friendly and helpful.

Andy Ho

Goodness gracious. You are going to be hard pressed to find a better sushi option in the area. The tuna and hamachi and sake were amazing. The true winner was my favorite, the kinmedai. Everything else was fantastic including the clam dish. Will definitely return the next time I’m in the area.

Jenna L

Worth every penny. We got one of the omakase menus and every bite was nothing short of the perfection. I don’t think an omakase or a sushi restaurant has ever had me leaving so full. All of their seafood is so fresh. Their wagyu fried rice is also the best I have ever had. It is very expensive to come here so I usually only go once a year.

Y T

Chef’s Special Omakase Price: $300–$500 per person (Pre-Order Only, Minimum 2 Guests) If you’re searching for an unforgettable culinary journey, Otoro Irvine delivers an exceptional Omakase experience that stands out for its precision, creativity, and high-quality ingredients. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance is intimate and refined—perfect for a special night out, an anniversary, or an elevated culinary escape. For those seeking the ultimate in luxury dining, the Chef’s Special Omakase is the crown jewel of Otoro’s offerings. At $300–$500 per person, this pre-ordered, curated experience is nothing short of spectacular. Each course was thoughtfully crafted, blending traditional Japanese techniques with innovative, modern flair. The fish was incredibly fresh—melt-in-your-mouth toro, buttery uni, and flawlessly seared A5 wagyu were just the beginning. Every bite felt intentional, building in flavor, texture, and presentation as the evening progressed. Highlighted Dishes from Chef’s Special: • Toro Trio – Otoro, chutoro, and akami, served three ways (raw, seared, aged). A masterclass in tuna. • Live Uni from Hokkaido – Presented in its shell with yuzu zest and fresh wasabi. Ocean-sweet, creamy perfection. • A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Nigiri – Seared and topped with black truffle and caviar. Rich, tender, and luxurious. • Scallop Carpaccio with Lime Foam – A delicate dance of citrus and umami. • Foie Gras & Monkfish Liver Fusion – Paired with sake jelly—silky, rich, and surprisingly light. • Abalone with Dashi Butter – Slow-poached and elegantly savory. • Custom Dessert Course – A refreshing finish with yuzu sorbet and a black sesame matcha mochi cake. And hot pot Service was attentive yet unobtrusive—every dish was introduced with care, and the chef was clearly passionate about every creation. From the plating to the pacing, everything flowed with intention and grace. The staff made us feel taken care of without ever taking away from the focus: the food. Otoro Irvine isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re indulging in the $165 Nigiri Omakase, the $225 Standard Omakase, or going all-in with the Chef’s Special, you’ll find yourself immersed in an evening of culinary artistry and pure joy. For those seeking top-tier Omakase in Orange County, Otoro Irvine is a hidden gem that delivers not just a meal—but a memory. Worth every penny for those who value quality, authenticity, and excellence at the highest level. Rating: 11/10 – A flawless fusion of flavor, finesse, and feeling.

judy Altuwaijri

Amazing service, outstanding food and nice atmosphere. The best sushi I’ve ever had was at otoro and I go at least twice a week. The staff are so kind and eager to help. Highly recommend.

Michele Karl

Tbh I was a bit socked to see the prices but the food was really good. We ordered the less expensive things and the quality of the food impressed us. My favorite thing was the soft crab hand roll, uffff, soooo goood! We ordered sashimi a la carte, one of them was really chewy, they didn’t took it out of the bill but gave us a complementary creamy green tea ice cream. Restrooms, not as clean as I would expected for the place. Make reservations (they don’t take same day reservation, has to be at least the day before)

Lorin

Very, very good food. Chilean sea bass and lobster fried rice are amazing. The kobe steak is the best beef I've ever tasted. Hot pot with the A5 is really good. The 3 way oysters are fun way to try different preparations. Both salmon sashimi plates were fresh and high quality.

Pholex

This place was Delicious! The best sushi I’ve ever had thus far. Tony was our server. He explained each dish very well and complimented the overall omakase experience. Im a big fan of seared salmon so this place did not disappoint. I cant wait to go back.

Leng Ooi

This is the best sushi I've had outside of Japan. We went through a typical selection of nigiri and sashimi and they're all totally fresh, to the point where the tuna has a texture that reminds me of a nice cut of wagyu. Beautifully made sushi with the freshest ingredients I've tasted. Still maintaining its standards.

Nolan Rumble

Excellent quality sushi that will rival and jump ahead of some top sushi spots in Japan. The food comes out with excellent presentation and in a consistent flow to ensure that you’re enjoying all the food while not feeling stuffed along the way. The staff are friendly and helpful. This place gets busy quickly so need to arrive 15-30mins before opening to get your name on the list otherwise you’ll wait for a while to get great food!

Kris Takasuka

Lived up to the hype. Generous slices of sashimi that are super fresh. Patrons queued up before they open. Best to have a reservation. Closed on Sun/Mon. Parking is a challenge. Nice TI. Efficient staff.

Evan H

On a recent work trip, I just had to take advantage of the opportunity to try some of the wonderful food SoCal has to offer. I have family/friends in the area, and my aunt really wanted to try this place. What better excuse to take her to try Otoro's Omakase? Fortunately my Aunt did all the arrangements. Reservations are a must as this place is extremely popular. She booked us for a Friday evening dinner and the place was hopping all night. Parking was a bit difficult as the the restaurant shares space with multiple restaurants/businesses in the little strip mall. Besides the parking everything else about the evening was wonderful. The Omakase was deliciously creative, yet it didn't stray too far from traditional Japanese sushi/sashimi. The fish was very fresh and delectable- heck the shrimp was literally still moving on my plate. The nigiri was prepared with unique flavorful marinades, and the A5 wagyu beef cooked to our preference at the table was a treat to watch. Overall, the presentation was gorgeous and the meal went along at a good pace. Servings were plentiful, generous and filling. I would highly recommend getting the omakase if the budget allows. I did notice they have take out and other standard Japanese fare like my go to Chirashi bowl besides the omakase. Looking over the menu I feel prices overall were very reasonable, especially for sushi of this caliber. I'll definitely have to come back another time to try their other offerings. So, if you are ever in the Irvine area and are craving some top notch sushi make sure to stop in to Otoro.

Amir Tehrani

On of the best sushis in OC. Reminded me of Japan. Went there 3 days in a row on my recent trip to OC. Just WOW

J B Eats

This is a very fun and delicious experience. Had some of the best fresh fish you can possibly have . Saki was so smooth tastes like water , I definitely recommend trying everything you can from here . Chef made a special ramen for us that was out of this world. The experience was amazing I will definitely be back

Food and presentation are all good... sushi boxes are good value. But on two occasions, I’ve waited a very long time for to-go and dining in. They need better operations as to alleviate the painfully slow kitchen and speedier service.

$$$$ Super expensive for what you get, sushi quality was good and fresh, ramen was average. The beer was reasonably priced. Atmosphere was great, high end vibe.

+6

Hubby took me here for my birthday dinner and our first outing without our newborn. We both opted for their Omasake meal $185 per person (minimum 2 person). My husband wanted to get their premium Chirasi platter, but had to get Omasake because I wanted it. Ambiance was nice, severs are good (but not great), i couldn't keep up with what we were getting served because they spoke so fast and that food was coming out too fast ( which was annoying because I felt like there was no order and it was brought out along with other tables that started way before us and at one point we had 3 dishes at our table.) Overall, food was great. Only wish we had a list of what was served to us so I can explain the pictures or remember what I ate. Would i do Omasake here again? Probably not, but would come back for o toro and their tuna selection , ala cart menu, and their Chirasi bowls. Service & Ambiance-that's where i took out a star. Service was sparse and i felt annoyed and pressured with the ordering. P. S. I would like thicker napkins for my $185 meal... LOL i had to asked for new napkins 3 times...

+6

Food was good, but too pricy for the quality. The service was not so great. It seemed they were concentrating on certain customers only. The interior is getting too old

The sushi is good and of good quality but expect high prices. The sashimi here is cut thicker than other sushi places; comes down to personal preference.

+1

The food is really good, but oh my is it expensive. The blue fin tuna has amazing color, and the regular toro and the supreme otoro tuna just melts in your mouth. They also use real wasabi root instead of the common "fake" paste. Service was fine.

+2

They have good quality fish. No wonder why they are popular. They serve generously cut fresh fish for lunch. If you crave for traditional sashimi or sushi, this is a good place to go.

Quality of fish was excellent. Oysters were fantastic. Fried rice was good. Much better than a typical sushi spot. High end grade. However, coming from the IE, the travel distance to come here, I'd rather go to Ohshima, Ikko, Sushi Bear. Great for locals.

If you plan to go here even for lunch plan on having a lengthy wait time. We waited almost an hour to get seated during the lunch hour. We almost left but glad we stayed because the sushi was amazing. I agree with others that it’s on the pricy side, but the quality is excellent. Unfortunately, our service wasn’t good, but I’m sure it was because of how busy they were. We ordered second beer and we had to ask twice for it and when it came they brought it unopened. Unfortunately, I don’t carry around a bottle opener so it sat on the table for a very long time until I could get the attention of someone to come open it. 😏

+1

We tried the lunch specials along with the Kobe beef steak. The steak was good, though naturally it couldn’t compare to what we’ve enjoyed in Kobe itself. Portions felt a bit small for the prices charged, but the quality and presentation of the food were definitely there.

3/6/26: I would say this is our fourth time here. The food is very consistent with very high quality. The only drawback is a $45 for corkage fee. The most expensive corkage fee in Orange County the least. I dont mind a reasonable charge but this is very outrageous... 1. Sashimi deluxe: 5/5 - very fresh and very high quality. Every bite is sweet and tender, buttery. 2. Salad: 3/5 - delicious but needs abit more miso dressing. 3. Karaage: 3.5/5 - good but lacks of flavors and not crispy enough for my taste. 4. Seabass handroll: 5/5 - so yummy, light, tasty. 5. Spicy tuna: 5/5 - very delicious, balanced with flavors and taste. 6. Cod tempura: 5/5 - so delicious, the breading is light and crispy. 7. Trio desert: 3.5/6 - pretty good. The Macha cheesecake is very dense and hard, not creamy texture. The Lychee sorbet is very good with robust flavor. The Macha icecream is pretty good, not too bitter, pleasant Macha flavor and taste. The service was great. ### Tried this out. We made a reservation in advance so didn't have to wait long. Took 20' for a server to come greeting. The food and service were very slow and took long times. The server forgot to bring back a fried shrimp head... However, the food was delicious, fish was so fresh and very high quality, even the steamed rice. The pricing was very expensive, $12 for one small bite of wagyu ... yike. Any way, highly recommend this place for sushi/sashimi novice! Perhaps for special occasions... 🥰

Make sure you call them up and make a reservation first before you go there for dinner. The wait is super long, I meant like 1h & 30 mins plus. The price is $22 and above for a dish, if I recall it correctly. But the food is super good. Especially the salmon, it just melts in your mouth. It's totally worth the money. Oh, and the parking spaces are very compact, lots of cars in that plaza, so go early for a spot.

David C

We tried the lunch specials along with the Kobe beef steak. The steak was good, though naturally it couldn’t compare to what we’ve enjoyed in Kobe itself. Portions felt a bit small for the prices charged, but the quality and presentation of the food were definitely there.

Tammy Nguyen

Make sure you call them up and make a reservation first before you go there for dinner. The wait is super long, I meant like 1h & 30 mins plus. The price is $22 and above for a dish, if I recall it correctly. But the food is super good. Especially the salmon, it just melts in your mouth. It's totally worth the money. Oh, and the parking spaces are very compact, lots of cars in that plaza, so go early for a spot.

The sushi is phenomenal!!!the wait time, not so much!! The prices, definitely more than your typical sushi restaurant. The quality is great but if you factor in the wait time, the price and the service that feels rushed, I’m not sure it is worth it! I went there for lunch time, and asked for a table. Was told there’s a 30 min wait, which I agreed to. Didn’t want to sit at the bar as the menu is limited. 50 min later I was seated (this was on a weekday lunch nonetheless). Ordered the lunch special, a chirachi bowl and few sushi items! The food was of excellent quality . 1 whole roll was missing from the lunch special was missing and only found out when the check was brought in and realized there was a missing roll. Overall the good food quality might not outweigh the long way and exorbitant prices ! In an area when you have infinite options, not sure I’ll be back! I’m scared tot think what dinner might be like! Go at your own risk.

Last week, we decided to try this sushi restaurant when we got to OC. We asked to sit at the sushi bar and the host said that at the sushi bar they only serve nigiri and sashimi. No problem, we sat down and started to order. The good and bad thing about sitting at the sushi bar is that you get to see what the sushi chef/cook does. Sometimes it brings enjoyment but this time it brought disappointment. We ordered a giant scallop which actually was tiny but the sushi cook (he’s not qualified to be called a chef) cut it in half to serve two nigiris. We couldn’t believe this. What’s worse was that when we ordered an order of uni nigiri that cost almost $35, it turned out to be Santa Barbara uni and the cook also didn’t give us the entire uni. What’s next? We ordered otoro sashimi that cost $24 but there were only TWO pieces. Well, if it’s delicious, we absolutely didn’t mind. But the sashimi was full of veins that we could barely chew it. That tells you the cook didn’t even know how to cut the fish. We felt like we got tricked. When you charge people a certain amount of $, give them the food quality that they deserve! Nigiris like Aji and red snapper were like paper thin and tiny. The rice wasn’t even in shape and could hardly hold. We felt cheated and disrespected. We have been eating sushi all over the world and NEVER seen a sushi cook with these unprofessional practices. It is unbelievable! We ended with a $154.00 bill without any alcohol. It was absolutely not worth it. We are willing to pay $300 for Omakase and even $800 in Jiro’s sushi restaurant in Tokyo. But this restaurant’s practices made us leave with disappointment and even anger because we felt like it’s an insult to customers. Towards the end of our meal, we didn’t even bother taking any pictures of the food! Stay away from this dishonest restaurant!

I had this place was bookmarked on my Google Maps for a while, and gave it a try today. I ordered takeout online, and *really* recommend ordering on their website instead of Google Maps. I had the Salmon Ikura Bowl, but I think the dinner size because you cannot order the lunch for takeout. When I arrived, there was already a moderate number of people waiting, and it was already full inside. In any case, everything was beautifully packaged with care. Not visible here, but they even put an ice pack beneath the fish to keep it cold. It was a significant amount of food, more than I expected, about a meal and a half for me. Salmon was really good, rate it top tier with my limited culinary experience. Unfortunately, cannot give five stars because there was hair on the salmon! Right on the top, first thing you see when opening the box! I feel this restaurant has high quality standards, unfortunate this was missed. Too hungry by the time I got home so I picked it off and ate the good salmon. Hope I don't get sick! I will still return to this place in the future, though. Definitely for a dine-in session.

Sleiman El Jamal

The sushi is phenomenal!!!the wait time, not so much!! The prices, definitely more than your typical sushi restaurant. The quality is great but if you factor in the wait time, the price and the service that feels rushed, I’m not sure it is worth it! I went there for lunch time, and asked for a table. Was told there’s a 30 min wait, which I agreed to. Didn’t want to sit at the bar as the menu is limited. 50 min later I was seated (this was on a weekday lunch nonetheless). Ordered the lunch special, a chirachi bowl and few sushi items! The food was of excellent quality . 1 whole roll was missing from the lunch special was missing and only found out when the check was brought in and realized there was a missing roll. Overall the good food quality might not outweigh the long way and exorbitant prices ! In an area when you have infinite options, not sure I’ll be back! I’m scared tot think what dinner might be like! Go at your own risk.

Susanna Wong

Last week, we decided to try this sushi restaurant when we got to OC. We asked to sit at the sushi bar and the host said that at the sushi bar they only serve nigiri and sashimi. No problem, we sat down and started to order. The good and bad thing about sitting at the sushi bar is that you get to see what the sushi chef/cook does. Sometimes it brings enjoyment but this time it brought disappointment. We ordered a giant scallop which actually was tiny but the sushi cook (he’s not qualified to be called a chef) cut it in half to serve two nigiris. We couldn’t believe this. What’s worse was that when we ordered an order of uni nigiri that cost almost $35, it turned out to be Santa Barbara uni and the cook also didn’t give us the entire uni. What’s next? We ordered otoro sashimi that cost $24 but there were only TWO pieces. Well, if it’s delicious, we absolutely didn’t mind. But the sashimi was full of veins that we could barely chew it. That tells you the cook didn’t even know how to cut the fish. We felt like we got tricked. When you charge people a certain amount of $, give them the food quality that they deserve! Nigiris like Aji and red snapper were like paper thin and tiny. The rice wasn’t even in shape and could hardly hold. We felt cheated and disrespected. We have been eating sushi all over the world and NEVER seen a sushi cook with these unprofessional practices. It is unbelievable! We ended with a $154.00 bill without any alcohol. It was absolutely not worth it. We are willing to pay $300 for Omakase and even $800 in Jiro’s sushi restaurant in Tokyo. But this restaurant’s practices made us leave with disappointment and even anger because we felt like it’s an insult to customers. Towards the end of our meal, we didn’t even bother taking any pictures of the food! Stay away from this dishonest restaurant!

Eli Luong

I had this place was bookmarked on my Google Maps for a while, and gave it a try today. I ordered takeout online, and *really* recommend ordering on their website instead of Google Maps. I had the Salmon Ikura Bowl, but I think the dinner size because you cannot order the lunch for takeout. When I arrived, there was already a moderate number of people waiting, and it was already full inside. In any case, everything was beautifully packaged with care. Not visible here, but they even put an ice pack beneath the fish to keep it cold. It was a significant amount of food, more than I expected, about a meal and a half for me. Salmon was really good, rate it top tier with my limited culinary experience. Unfortunately, cannot give five stars because there was hair on the salmon! Right on the top, first thing you see when opening the box! I feel this restaurant has high quality standards, unfortunate this was missed. Too hungry by the time I got home so I picked it off and ate the good salmon. Hope I don't get sick! I will still return to this place in the future, though. Definitely for a dine-in session.

Fish quality mediocre. Rice was wet and loose, fell apart. Spicy yellow tail hand roll had small bone fragments. Blue crab hand roll had shell particles. Hamachi toro was lean, not fatty. Fish was too cold. Generous portions

It was a night with high expectations for this restaurant. To give a little background my boyfriend and I finally had a day off at the same time. We decided to have a long over due date night. After getting dressed up we went to Ootoro Sushi because it was highly recommended to us by a close friend. We gat sat very quickly. I mentioned to our server that it was our first time and he gladly gave us a tour on our menu. We ended up ordering a few items based off of the servers recommendations. After we placed our order, he came back and mentioned he was being sent home because it was very slow and another server was going to take care of us. We never saw our new server the entire night even thought the restaurant was empty. Once my entree was brought to the table, Chilean Sea Bass, it took 30 minutes for my boyfriend to get his entree. All while every new server that come into the restaurant ignored us. We didn't have any water for our entire meal. My boyfriend was starving and sadly I had to eat my Sea Bass alone other wise it was going to get cold. When there was less than an inch left, my boyfriend FINALLY got his entree. And yet we still didn't get an acknowledgement from management or another server. I truly felt disrespected and an inconvenience to Ootoro Sushi. Keep in mind we still didn't know who our new server was because no one approached us. Our drinks were empty, I was still hungry and I wanted to order another entree. But I could not because every staff member in the restaurant ignored us. When my boyfriends entree was delivered it came with a side of shrimp heads. A server then asked if he wanted it fried or in a soup. He wanted it fried. Now I don't know about you but it does not take 20 minutes to fry shrimp heads! My boyfriend was completely finished with his meal when the shrimp head finally arrived. I tried very often to get the attention of other servers near by and everyone ignored us. It truly felt like I was being racially discriminated against. I was still hungry and wanted to order another item but even the manager ironed us. The fact his restaurant is highly rated I had high expectations especially if I was going to pay $250 for the both of us. It is very apparent the basic foundation of service is non existent in this restaurant especially since getting a water refill seemed impossible. I will never come back here and I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone. I would have gotten better service at a McDonald's and left happier than I did at Ootoro Sushi.

Last weekend, I gave it a try with my friends, and the result was a nightmare. First, the food quality did not match the price. When you pay around $30 for a lunch, you expect at least none of the ingredients is wrong. However, salmon sashimi was too mushy and we felt no right texture. Also, ikura smelled bad, which was a deal breaker. Second, the service was terrible. We got a table at the corner, and the server did not check us even once after we received the dishes. To get a check and ask collecting a check, we had to call another server who was serving a table next to us. Lastly, which is minor compared to previous two, their lunch set can contain salads based on how you choose. I ordered tuna donburi + salads. I assumed I would receive salads first, but I received salads after I finished the donburi. All in all, I could not understand why people lile this place (google map review 4.6 now) and why Michelin Guide once introduced this restaurant.

I ordered salmon roll for to go and when I opened it, there’s very tiny 6 rolls which has only salmon and avocado. And the cost was $15. Feel like much expensive than New York. I will never go back. Very disappointed…

Elia Rho

Last weekend, I gave it a try with my friends, and the result was a nightmare. First, the food quality did not match the price. When you pay around $30 for a lunch, you expect at least none of the ingredients is wrong. However, salmon sashimi was too mushy and we felt no right texture. Also, ikura smelled bad, which was a deal breaker. Second, the service was terrible. We got a table at the corner, and the server did not check us even once after we received the dishes. To get a check and ask collecting a check, we had to call another server who was serving a table next to us. Lastly, which is minor compared to previous two, their lunch set can contain salads based on how you choose. I ordered tuna donburi + salads. I assumed I would receive salads first, but I received salads after I finished the donburi. All in all, I could not understand why people lile this place (google map review 4.6 now) and why Michelin Guide once introduced this restaurant.