Hamamori Restaurant and Sushi Bar

We visited Hamamori Sushi just before Christmas and loved the festive atmosphere. We found it while shopping on the home and lifestyle side of the mall. We were pleasantly surprised that we were able to get a table as a walk-in, and even got a nice seat near the entrance. The sushi was fresh and well prepared, and the service was friendly and efficient. A great spot to enjoy good sushi during a shopping trip, especially during the holiday season. Would definitely return.

We enjoyed the light, bright and open atmosphere. Service was very friendly and attentive and recognized our birthday Girl with a special dessert. Unfortunately the Calamari was bland and Mushroom Frites were not too interesting but we enjoyed the Tempura Prawns and Veggies and the crispy rice with tuna.

Hamamori is a high quality sushi restaurant located in the South coast Mall Annex. The best offerings on the menu are the Gems, which are creatively flavored sushi so leave the soy behind. We came here for lunch a few times and the bargain on the menu is the VIP lunch with a sashimi salad, miso soup, the crunchy asparagus, several pieces of sushi (7-8) and some ice cream. Sit at the bar if you just want to order as you go. We didn't get to try the many cooked items on the menu but will be back.

Popping in for a quick review because Hamamori deserves the shout-out. Still claiming the top spot for the best sushi in town! The quality is amazing and consistent every time. Love the team here—they're incredibly sweet and friendly. Thanks for another perfect night!

It was my first time visiting the mall (and the state!), and needless to say, I was 1000% satisfied with my choice to eat here. The food was great. I ordered the VIP sushi, and all of the sushi are very, very fresh. The hamamori shooter was interesting. The pork belly was amazing. It was my favorite, like, I literally closed my eyes to absorb the taste when I ate it because it was that good. Besides the food, the most memorable thing I experienced while eating here was the service. The server recommended pork belly to me, but I was afraid I couldn't finish it because I came here alone. Then she said that she could cut it in half, as in, there should be 6 pork bellies, but she could serve just 3 for half the price. I really appreciated that. And as I said before, the pork belly was, indeed, amazing. I was seated in the high table part, in front of the chef, so I could see them preparing the sushi. The chefs were so nice. They prepared the food and served them directly to me. I had some nice chat with one of the older chefs. He also made sure that I enjoyed the dishes and hinted the waiters to take my plates once I finished. Overall, it was such a wholesome dining experience. Eating alone in a new place is scary and intimidating sometimes, but here, they treated me very well and made sure that I got the best food and service 🫶🫶 TL;DR: Amazing food, amazing service, much recommended 💙

Had an anniversary dinner with my wife. Omakase was as good as the omakase I had in Tokyo, Japan. Great service. Will come back for more for sure!

The restaurant has been open for 15 years with the same owner Hamamori. It is an upscale Japanese restaurant. Every sushi piece is unique under the Executive Sushi menu (8 pieces Hamamori Gems). We enjoyed every dish ordered at Hamarori Lunch Tasting Menu, e.g., miso soup taste is very unique, etc. Our waitress is very friendly.

Hidden gem on the third floor of South Coast. A good friend asked me to join for dinner and did not disappoint. Employees were genuinely happy, eager to serve and there wasn’t a wait in line to come dine. All fish looked extremely fresh, and the omakase selections from the chef were amazing. Would come back!

Hamamori gave me one of the most exceptional dining experiences I've ever had. The food service was flawless, and the Omakase prepared by Chef Daisuke was out of this world--he's truly the best in the world. Every dish felt like a work of art, bursting with flavors I'll never forget. Kohei and Nate, and Ivan the other Omakase chefs, were equally incredible, showcasing their own unique talents and attention to detail. From start to finish, it was clear they take pride in their craft. I've had sushi at some great spots before, but nothing even comes close to this. Hamamori has completely redefined sushi for me--I honestly don't think I could eat sushi anywhere else now!

Had the lunch omakase and it was amazing! Every fish , every bite we was so fresh and so good! Our chef kept the fish coming until we said stop! I don't gunk I took pics of all of the dishes we ate but got most of them! Will def be Back again!

My new favorite sushi restaurant! Dining out with 2 babies under 2 years old I'm always afraid to go somewhere with tablecloth. At the South Coast Plaza, we tried Hamamori and the sushi was so fresh and amazing! Uni was great as well! The appetizers are also so delicious and unique like the shiitake mushroom fries with truffle cream cheese to dip. My toddler was a fan of the asparagus crusted in rice cracker, finger foods are so kid friendly. The staff was very helpful and attentive we also ordered edamame to keep the kids busy!

This place is expensive but that's because every time we go, we splurge on the high quality fish offered. I wish we could dine here more often because the service and ambiance are quite pleasant. Highly recommend executive sushi during lunch.

Hidden Sushi Gem at South Coast Mall: An Unexpected Delight Tucked away in an unassuming corner of South Coast Plaza, there is a sushi experience that defies expectations. With all the shops and crowds, you'd hardly expect to find such a culinary treasure nestled in the shadows. But this tiny, understated sushi spot--though easy to overlook--is a revelation for true sushi lovers. The first thing that strikes you is the simplicity of the place. No grand signs or elaborate décor, just a minimalist setting that lets the food speak for itself. It feels like a well-kept secret, known only to those in the know. Once seated, you're greeted with impeccable service--warm, attentive, but never overbearing. And then comes the sushi. I always sit at the sushi bar and order the omakase. Each piece is a work of art, crafted with care and precision. The fish is fresh, buttery, and melts in your mouth, paired perfectly with just the right amount of rice. The quality rivals that of high-end sushi spots. Standouts include the toro, which is rich and indulgent, and the uni, which bursts with the essence of the ocean. The omakase is a must-try if you're looking for a true journey through the chef's selection of the best offerings of the day. What makes this sushi spot special isn't just the incredible food, but the sense that you've stumbled upon something rare and personal. It's not about flash or fame--it's about flavor, craft, and a quiet dedication to quality.

I came here with my wife after shopping at south coast. So convenient that a good sushi restaurant is located in the mall. We ordered quite a few things but really enjoyed the uni and the truffle selection on their menu. Perfect for a date or a quick bite. This place will not disappoint! If you're shopping or in the area, definitely would recommend to stop by!

Visited here on a Sunday afternoon w/ my partner (who doesnt normally enjoy raw fish). The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and the service was extremely hospitable! Our chef, Nate, convinced us to do omakase and it was such an amazing experience. We let him surprise us for the majority of the courses and he did not disappoint. He was personable throughout our meal and his love for his craft was definitely presented. My partner actually likes omakase now, I never thought we'd be able to enjoy it together! We will definitely be returning soon :)

The South Coast Plaza mall has many good restaurants and this is definitely on the top of the list. Assorted Sushi Platter- Fish seemed fresh and the fish to rice ratio was very similar to what can be found in Japan as the grade of each piece (Ebi/Maguro/Hamachi/Madai/Unagi/Hotate/Tamago) was excellent. Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna - a great starter as the rice was warm and the spicy tuna was a good portion size. Good portion size for lunch and excellent service staff!

Truly excellent. My husband and I came here for our anniversary and couldn't have had a better experience. It's hidden away on the third floor of South Coast Plaza on the side of the mall that is across the bridge. They have a free parking garage so parking is easy. We sat at the bar for their omakase. We spent around $150 per person. The service was excellent. Our sushi chef was friendly and made sure to ask what we liked and accommodated everything we asked for. The quality of the fish is great. Everything was fresh and delicious. One of my favorites was the honeymoon shooter. I didn't get a picture of this because I was too excited to eat but it was great. Everything was great so it was hard to pick a favorite. I will definitely be back and will recommend this place to others.

A very very long overdue review. Have been coming here for years and absolutely love it. The food, the staff, the ambiance. Anytime I'm in SCP we always stop by for dinner. My faves here are the lychee sake (off menu but when you ask for it they know what it is). The soft shell shrimp is a must order as well and all their sushi is great as well. I recommend calling in for a reservation cause they do get busy too.

在最美的年紀， 別辜負了最好的自己， 每天， 你都有機會讓自己變得不同，也只有你， 能讓自己不同～ South coast plaza 裏面光不錯餐廳就好多， 這次來的是旁邊的crystal court, 頂樓的這家日本料理，之前我也來過一次， 這家的生魚片都很新鮮，生蠔也非常的鮮甜，我來的這兩次，朋友都點了一樣的生蠔， 跟 Toro, 兩次都很棒，我現在敢吃的生魚片越來越多了， 除了有些味道實在太重的魚， 大部分的也都給他硬吞下去了，逛街逛累了， 走過天橋， 也可以來這家看看

We go every other month or so and every meal we leave happy. Sushi is fresh, quality is always good.

Third time here, service is always very personable Nate one of the sushi chefs went out of his way to satisfy our demanding palates. The whole team is very costumer service oriented. Kudus to the management The fish was superb, worth every $. Thanks guys!

Hamamori Sushi in Costa Mesa, located inside South Coast Plaza, is a true gem for sushi lovers. The omakase experience here is simply delicious. I highly recommend sitting at the bar for an intimate service that allows you to witness the master chef James create the best sushi dishes right before your eyes. His expertise and attention to detail truly elevate the dining experience. If you're in the mood for an unforgettable sushi feast, don't miss out on Hamamori Sushi at South Coast Plaza!

Love it, highly recommend. Delicious food, excellent service. One of my favorite sushi spots.

Amazing omakase experience with chef Ivan. 22 dishes on his menu today and all of them were delicious. Would definitely recommend this place to others. We paid around $400 for 2 people. Maybe 35 dishes total. They surprised me with a complementary cheesecake since it was my birthday.

Hamamori is actually my favorite sushi spot. I've been here a few times, but because it is on the pricier end, I often opt out for more affordable places. The place is really nice and all the staff are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend doing an omakase as it allows you try a lot of dishes you wouldn't plan on trying, and don't worry, you'll end up loving it!! Nate has always been our chef and has always amazes us with his dishes. Definitely recommend!!!

Went to have the omakase with Nate for my dad's 66th birthday. It was amazing, and I'll definitely be back again. The fish was fresh and the sushi was inspired. I think we had some blackend pirch sushi that was our favorite, plus had some unique dishes such as an uni 'cocktail' and a snow crab pasta with miso butter. Every dish was on point and I can't wait to come back again for my wife's birthday. Great service, and quiet enough for my dad and I to enjoy talking about the stellar food.

The quality here is unbeatable. If you're looking to splurge. Go for the Omakase! Every single bite I had was out of this world. So much detail and flavor in every bite. They have a huge variety of premium sushi. Our chef even asked us if we had any preferences or things we didn't like. We opted for all chef recommendations and James did not disappoint. Every bite was melt in your mouth, buttery, so delicious! The service was amazing. After every course a server came and removed the plates we were served with each bite. Also as soon as our sake glasses were empty someone would come offer to refill them. They were on top of it. All the chefs were very friendly and we enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar. I would highly recommend the sushi bar to get the full Omakase experience, so make a reservation and plan ahead! This is place is such a gem at south coast plaza! Absolutely worth a try!

Service and ambience were great. The presentation of the sushi was great as well. Taste wise, the sushi was decent but not great. Not sure how to explain it but the flavor wasn't quite on point for me. It maybe the freshness, I am 100% sure. It is worth the try for the lunch price since it included the sushi, salad, and soup.

- located at south coast plaza so plenty of parking (we went on Sunday at 4pm) - interior is nice and clean, restroom available - we sat at the sushi bar for omakase - super easy to make reservation and they accommodated when we needed to push the time back a bit - servers were friendly and helpful over the phone and in person - Chef Kohei was super friendly and observant with what we liked 1. Japanese red snapper 4.8/5 2. Hokkaido scallop and snow crab 5/5 3. Golden eyes snapper 4.5/5 4. Fresh albacore from Fiji and maui onions 4.7/5 5. Amberjack 4.7/5 6. Perch 5/5 7. Toro with Santa Barbara's Uni and real wasabi 5/5 8. King salmon from New Zealand 5/5 9. Japanese A5 wagyu 5/5 10. Seared yellowtail 5/5 11. Halibut fin 4/5 12. Fresh water eel 4.5/5 Side dish: calamari 4/5 Dessert: cheesecake has hint of lemon and honey drizzle, perfect sweetness, loved this combo 4.5/5 We really loved all the pieces he gave us but the absolute favorites were the toro w SB uni, seared yellowtail, perch, king salmon, & Japanese A5 wagyu!!

Came in for lunch and when looking at the menu... didn't know whether to get the lunch pri-fixe ($57 miso soup, tempura asparagus, sushi salad, 8 pieces, and ice cream) or the executive set ($53 miso soup, salad, and 8 pieces premium sushi). So we tried both! And I wish there was a combo that had the executive and the pri fixe because the sushi salad and ice cream was bomb! Lunch Pri-fixe - Miso soup - nothing special compared to other sushi restaurants but hits the spot! - Tempura asparagus - very different! Perfectly battered, great appetizer! - Sushi salad - amazing! The yellowtail, salmon, and tuna in this salad just melts, super soft. Topped with yummy sesame dressing. - 8 pieces of sushi - I really enjoyed the Toro, uni, and scallop that came with this! Seriously tasty and melts in your mouth. The other pieces, such as crab, clam, and eel was okay, nothing special. - ice cream - must get the red bean! It's like a strawberry red bean mixed ice cream. Was super good! Executive Set - miso soup and salad - nothing special, great to get tasting palate. - 8 pieces of sushi - all pieces were amazing! Most memorable was the king salmon, scallop with caviar, toro with uni, and eel with fresh truffle! We also got oyster shooters with uni (The Honeymoon $13 each), simply the best oyster shooters. We saw the chef cutting some wagyu, I was curious and wanted to try it. He seared it for us put some chili and put on rice. It was really good! If I had to go back I would get the executive with the ice cream on the side and the sushi salad.

The restaurant has been open for 15 years with the same owner Hamamori. It is an upscale Japanese restaurant. Every sushi piece is unique under the Executive Sushi menu (8 pieces Hamamori Gems). We enjoyed every dish ordered at Hamarori Lunch Tasting Menu, e.g., miso soup taste is very unique, etc. Our waitress is very friendly.

First time being introduced to this place by my client. It's on the third floor at the very top of the escalator in the corner towards the windows. Just like all the other people that reviewed this place the food was spectacular. The fish was fresh and every dish that we tried we all loved it. Parking is pretty easy if you park underground there's plenty of parking to take you straight to the top. If you're looking for a place with fresh fish and in the mood for authentic Japanese food this is located in the the other mall behind South Coast Plaza on Bear Street.

I think Hamamori just became my favorite sushi spot in OC :') My hsuband took me here for an omakase experience for my birthday, and it was better than any other we had been to in the past. First of all, easy parking and reservation. Just call in advance and ask to be seated in front of the sushi bar. They don't seem to be too terribly busy when we came on a Wednesday night, but I imagine it may not be the same during the weekend. We had Chef Sim (sorry if I mispelled your name!) as our sushi chef, and he just kept the good stuff coming! We started off with some seasoned sashimi, then went straight into lobster, chu-toro with uni, etc. etc.. He paced us as well, and weren't trying to rush us out of there. The most memorable would have to be the chu-toro, lobster, and the tiger prawn. The fried shrimp head was TO DIE FOR! We probably ate like 12 pieces of fish before we tapped out, and the bill came to ~$100 per person including one cocktail. Very worth, and will definitely be visiting again!!!

My company hosted a large lunch (15 people) at Hamamori this past week. Foremost, I appreciate that Hamamori is one of the few higher-end sushi restaurants in Orange County that accepts reservations, and moreso reservations for large parties. The restaurant itself is well-appointed with contemporary decor and white tablecloth, however it is hard to say the ambiance could ever be suitable for a date night. Hamamori is situated next to Oliver People eyeglasses at South Coat Plaza, and is oddly placed in a corner section of the mall, next to the bridge. If you are seated in the patio section, you are very literally in the shopping mall. Unlike Knife Pleat (a Michelin-starred French restaurant in South Coast Plaza), Hamamori does a poor job of making you forget you're in a shopping mall. Moving on to its food, Hamamori offers a variety of fresh, tasty sushi options--from sashimi, nigiri, and rolls, to bento boxes and sushi pizza. All of the dishes we shared were great, through a few of the rolls were not head-and-shoulders above what you would find at any sushi place, just a bit fresher. The standout dishes were the crispy calamari which everybody said was very bright and tasty and the crunchy roll, which was topped with a tempura's cream cheese. Yum! The service was fast and friendly and when I accidentally ate a couple pieces of blue crab roll (I am allergic to shellfish) thinking it was imitation crab, the staff was very concerned for me and even tried to find Benadryl. All said, I highly recommend Hamamori for sushi, but warn it may not make for the most romantic date night.

This is a really pretty restaurant at the SCP I've been here several times before but it's been a long time in between because of Covid. I really like the interior and the sushi chefs are nice but I think it's absolutely ridiculous that they charge per piece. I mean we're not in New York City so WTH? The presentation is nice and I enjoyed my miso soup. Better to get the lunch special as opposed to ordering individual pieces of sushi. I don't think I will come back here for a while. I just HAD to have sushi for lunch today. 3.5 star at the most

Came here for Omakase during lunch time! Definitely had an overall good experience. Quality fish, good pacing especially if you want to catch up with friends or family, and in a nice environment! I was always intimidated by the environment but I think the prices are reasonable. //CONTEXT// I came here with one of my girlfriends to celebrate her birthday. I made a reservation about two weeks prior by calling them and they picked up immediately. It was easy to make a reservation. It was also Mother's Day weekend (day before) so surprising they had a spot at 12 pm. //ENVIRONMENT// It's in SCP shopping mall - definitely a bougie environment. Looks super nice and sleek inside! Clean and neutral cool tones. Table seating and some bar seating! Mostly everyone was at tables. //FOOD// We chose the Omakase and let the sushi chef know when we just wanted one more piece. In total it was ten pieces which included two appetizers. - Snow crab and Amberjack cucumber Sunomomo - Truffle Hokkaido scallop with chopped tuna and egg - Sea bream - bluefin tuna - ocean trout - Japanese uni - Japanese wagyu - sweet shrimp - negitoro handroll - ocean perch //PRICE// Overall it was $120 per person, after tax and tip it was $150 per person. I feel like Omakase prices are so different everywhere now but I felt it was a reasonable price for the experience and quality! We left super full surprisingly

Outstanding food and service!! Try their Omakase!! Kitchen prepares awesome dishes also

Came here on a Tuesday night so if lare with the bestie and decided to sit at the sushi bar. The sushi chefs were sooooo entertaining and friendly. The vibe is great and I loved the ambiance. We had some great banter and I had a great time! It's located in the south coast plaza and parking was pretty easy to find and we just went up the escalator to level 3. We went for a la carte but the VIP would e been a good deal as well. As for the sushi: Honeymoon shooter (4/5): This had oyster, uni, ponzu, quail egg and masago. So creamy and delicious! Definitely tasted like the ocean in a good way. Seared yellowtail (5/5): My absolute favorite of the night, it was so good! The fish was fresh with a good sear and the garlic ponzu with jalapeño added a perfect touch! Seared spot prawn (5/5): This was a close second favorite! We had the head deep fried (fried makes everything better) and the nigiri was soooo good. Meaty and shrimpy just the way I like! Some of the other ones we had were albacore with crispy onion (4/5), scallop with yuzu kosho (4/5), special wagyu (4/5), hamachi (3.5/5), crispy rice spicy tuna (4.5/5). Not too bad price wise for what you get in quality but definitely still a bit of a splurge and more of a special occasion type of spot. I heard the lunch special is a good deal so hope to get to try that at some point.

I still give this place another 5 star rating. I'm never disappointed in Hamamori, they have wonderful food, great service and an upscale ambiance. I curated my sushi order and i like i am confident enough in putting my plate together and I'm super happy. From uni to ankimo to toro and my last piece was an A5 wagyu. I will definitely come back. And this time appetizer was the shuttle mushrooms and calamari and both hit the spot. I'm Always happy here!

The first time to visit here with my partner Very clean and cozy ambiance and fine Sushi and Sashimi. A server was very attentive and good service and hospitality Come back again soon!

Never thought such an exquisite sushi experience would be located inside a mall! Across the bridge from the main south coast plaza center, Hamamori is located where you can get some of the best omakase in OC. We sat at the sushi bar with Chef Yoshi who gave us 15 of the best pieces of sushi. Some of my favorites were the uni shooter, the toro topped with uni, the live shrimp which was deep fried, and the seared scallop wrapped in nori. Chef Yoshi explained every piece and whether to eat it with soy sauce or not. We also ordered a delicious bottle of sake that was smooth to the taste. Restaurant was very clean and not crowded although we went on a Wednesday. Definitely a great place to come and don't assume it's overrated just because it's in a mall!

*****Food: everything was excellent! High quality! Smoked squid melts in your mouth! ***** Service: On point, no hovering, timing on food perfect! ****Ambiance: Casual yet refined! Wish both sides of table could look out the window and watch the sushi chefs! Overall: a regular spot in my restaurant rotation!

We came here for the sushi however Hamamori prides itself as more than just a sushi restaurant! I'm not sure if the other entrees are good here but we got a double dose of the sushi special. The fish itself was okay. It definitely wasn't sushi-grade compared to other lower-end or mom-pop sushi restaurants in the surrounding area or even good compared to Mitsuwa's grocery sushi takeouts. There are definitely better sushi restaurants in the area, especially in Costa Mesa but Hamamori is great for the convenience of being in the South Coast Plaza and having a more non-traditional flair than being an authentic Japanese restaurant. The restaurant's seating is also placed in the general South Coast mall, rather than inside their establishment, so you will get all the joys of hearing children kicking and screaming throughout the mall while enjoying your sushi meal :)

The restaurant is located on the third floor of the South Coast Plaza annex, with a good vibe but mediocre food. and a forgetful waitress that order our order wrong twice. We ordered the VIP Sushi, Chirashi, and Inaniwa Udon. The VIP Sushi comes with a sashimi salad, but when they brought out a salad without the sashimi I brought it up and it turned out the waitress got my order wrong. It was fine because they fixed it, and I confirmed our other two orders...but they brought me the Nabeyaki Udon instead of the Inaniwa five minutes later. We opted to keep the Nabeyaki, and it ended up being a pleasant surprise. The flavors were there and the noodles had the right bounce to it. The Chirashi and VIP Sushi are disappointing. For the price point, the quality was bad and can't compare to other sushi joints in Costs Mesa. In conclusion..only come here for the hot food and not not the sashimi and sushi.

Omasake at Hamamori is not ordinary omasake; James Hamamori always pay special details for his frequent diners' personal preferences. The taste of food is marvelously fresh, services is friendly and attentive. The atmosphere of the restaurant is so beautiful & modern. This place is perfect for dining while you shop at South Coast Plaza, attend concert or special event at Segerstrom Hall. I've been dining here more than a decade. Every time is a pleasant dining experience.

Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 I've gone here multiple times, and each time it's been perfect! The quality and flavors are unique and rich. You can order Omakase upon request, or just order by piece. There are also dishes you can order and one of my favorite, Japanese A5 Wagyu cooked on a lava stone. The fish taste fresh and melt in the mouth. The Chefs and staff are all working together and very friendly. Sitting at the bar, you get more of an engaging experience and better service. Since it's located in South Coast Plaza, there are a lot of shops and walking around for before or after the meal. Recommendations: - Yellowtail: Salt, Yuzu, Lemon - Scallop: Salt, Lemon, Caviar - Snow Crab: Ginger Sauce - Albacore: Ponzu, Crispy Onions - Seared Toro: Ponzu, Chives - Japanese A5 Wagyu $$-$$$

Date night at Hamamori rated at 4.5 STARS!!! Haven't eaten at Harmamori in years. Located on the top (3rd) floor of SCP Macy's Home Store wing, the restaurant offers a nice view of the connecting bridge to the main mall. We opted to sit inside the intimate main dining room for a optimal view of the bridge instead the initial corner booth request at the dining area outside the restaurant. The reason it wasn't 5 stars was bc our server didn't tell me my giant clam sashimi was combined with my date's hamachi sashimi, so he ate all the giant clam/mirugai , WTS??? I had to order another giant clam nigiri (not the huge sashimi) bc I never got any mirugai, smhhhh! Not cool since I'm a HUGE mirugai fan & not every upscale sushi restaurant has it available upon request (ie Nobu is often out of mirugai). I know I'm such a cry baby, but I was distracted with my date & I'm not focusing much attention to the delicious foods, ya know.. Plus we had our sake which makes me tipsy, LoL!! Fresh premium quality sushi as expected for this caliber of restaurant. Beautiful presentation, intimate setting, upscale ambience, friendly staff.. Enjoyed our views, something unique & different from restaurants. Plentiful & convenient parking inside the structure. Turn left once inside structure, then make first left into the parking area where escalators take you towards the 3rd floor.

I was really disappointed in our sushi here. It looked great, but they used way too much Wasabi on it & ruined the flavor. We ordered 3 of the Assorted Sushi options and they were all this way. We couldn't even get through half of it. Service was great (called in and picked up), and the pork belly & asparagus were delicious. I would just expect the sushi to be the highlight, not the appetizers.

Was disappointed with this place. Food was just ok, nothing special. I'm a foodie and have high expectations. For the price of the sashimi it didn't seem that fresh. I will never go back here. we were also celebrating a few birthdays and I told the waitress and they did nothing to celebrate them. But they did for the guy at the sushi bar.

I've had far better sushi for a fraction of the price. I understand it's South Coast Plaza and Costa Mesa but this was a joke. Since they only list a whopping 6 rolls, none of which are standard sushi rolls we asked for a basic California roll... I wouldn't recommend doing that because I got charged $31 for a "blue Crab Roll".... Or a simple rainbow roll, you know that's normally $17-$21 at most places... not here.... $38 later. My god I thought I was at Nobu.... I appreciate making off menu items but come on.... You're a mall sushi bar.

James, the sushi chef at Hamamori delivered a 10x better experience than i was actually hoping for during a lunch pop-in! His sushi selections and preparation built upon one another, and were all delightful in their own right! His service and hospitality were equally excellent, and i look forward to dining at his table again in the future. The restaurant is humble and understated. The host who greeted me was polite, patient, and completely present. When she asked me how i was, she actually waited for, and listened to my answer. The atmosphere was very comfortable! I cant wait to return with my wife!

This restaurant has a cool chill ambiance and open, bright environment at South Coast Plaza. Service is friendly and attentive. The food is amazing. Sushi is as fresh as they come. My bros had the imperial wagyu steak and boy did it impress. You cook the meat yourself on the hot stone salt plate and just cook for few seconds each side and voila, deliciousness in your mouth!

Super high end sushi. At this place it's not about the rolls, it's about the nigiri and sashimi and even the hot dishes. Btw they only have six rolls on the menu. To start, the two of us shared the Assorted Sushi main dish that came with house ginger salad and miso soup. The salad was your standard fare. The miso soup however was a bit different. It had diced mushroom in it and even seemed to have some change to the broth. I didn't care for it. The plate of Assorted Sushi was top notch. Many little pieces, smaller than your average nigiri. Enough for two people to share as a starter, or for one person as a main course. We loved it. It came with bluefin tuna, albacore tuna, salmon, halibut, a tuna roll, Japanese egg, unagi, tako, shrimp, and instead of uni we got some Amberjack (which is similar to yellowtail but not as good). The spicy tuna over crispy rice (they call pizza because they top it with shaved parmesan) was good, but after a while got boring and filling. The star of the show was the lava (hot) stone with Wagyu Beef. They have 2 kinds of beef to choose from... Imperial American Wagyu or Japanese A5 Wagyu (twice the price). We chose the Japanese Wagyu and were blown away. You cook it yourself on the hot stone. It just melts in your mouth like butter. It looks like they don't give you much, but it's so rich that you are satisfied by the time you have the last piece. They have my favorite Japanese beer called Orion on tap. Very trendy ambience. Located on third floor by the elevator. It was an amazing experience!

Was craving sushi and wanted to try a new spot so decided to check out Hamamori. Reservations are easy to make over the phone and they have plenty of availability. The omakase here is about 13 courses and you can keep going if you want more. It was a nice mix of sashimi, appetizers, and nigiri. Each course was so delicious, my favorite was the uni martini. Cost came out to around $115/person. Overall I had a great experience here and the staff and sushi chefs are so friendly. Omakase, sake, and beer came out to about $300 so definitely not cheap, but a nice place to treat yourself. Will definitely be back!

I've been coming to this place for years. Hands down the most amazing sushi place in Orange County.If you are a sushi connoisseur I strongly recommend omazake sushi which is like chefs choice. I usually love sitting at the sushi table. For some reason I always feel like they give you better sushi at the sushi table. This place is located in south coast plaza on the side of H&M and right next to Nike. You wouldn't expect such a jem in a mall but it's seriously the most amazing sushi! Highly recommend this place. Service is exceptional, food is out of this world, ambiance is casual. It is definitely a must try!

This review is going to be short and sweet as I have reviewed the big "H" before. This was an amazing omakase experience from the first palate drop to the last one. You have to order the Dassai 23 as well to accompany the wonderful story telling of delicacy. The live baby crabs were exquisite. 乾杯!!!!!!! Or Kanpai James!

Went to eat here on our anniversary on the 17th and was surprised it was empty. My husband and I ordered and our salad came out first. I took a bite and then looked at my raspberry... to my surprise, I look at it closely and see that there's MOLD!! I wasn't going to say anything but my husband eventually told the waitress. She did apologize but nothing more. She told the chef and he looked at it. I looked towards them and see him shrug while looking towards us. That was it. Pretty disappointed that that was his reaction. I can see why it was empty. For the price, there wasn't enough food. Could've gone to another place for better quality food or even ayce for more food for less $$ Hopefully, we'll never end up there again and won't ever recommend to any friends or family.