Izakaya Full Moon

We were craving Japanese food and decided to try this place based on Google Maps. We ordered the lunch special bowl with tuna, salmon, crabmeat, and ikura for $18. While the flavors were good, the portion felt unbalanced—there were only two thin slices each of tuna and salmon, but a lot more rice, making it hard to enjoy the fish with the rice. We also tried the char siu ramen for $20. The portion was small, the broth was a light chicken base and not very rich, and the char siu came as just five thin slices. Overall, the taste was enjoyable, but the portions seemed oddly small and not quite satisfying.

Went here with my partner last week while on a day trip from LA. Food was absolutely delicious, staff was incredibly kind, and we truly didn’t dislike a single dish. I will be back!

Quite possibly the best fish I’ve had in a while. The bonito and Spanish makerel were next level. And also this one little rice chicken egg situation

Food was amazing! Small seating area and seven seats at the sushi bar but was so worth it! Seems like one gentleman was working when we came in however he handled the large rush of people very well!

I seen Instagram post of this sushi restaurant in Ojai. I looked at the reviews on Google maps. I work 3 to 7 days a week here in Ojai. I made it after 2 very hard days of working to treat myself to dinner. It was a busy Friday night. There special hand written menu had chicken heart Skewers. This is a home cooked comfort food for me growing up my dad made them. They were delicious and perfectly cooked. I also had Carpaccio Tai Snapper & Salmon, Shiitake skewers, miso soup, ONIGIRI (Rice ball) Spicy cod roe. Everything was fresh and full of delicious favors. I was full and beyond satisfied with the whole experience. I had a friend ask me to get food togo before I left. The service was friendly and didn't wait to long for anything. Also the music playing was fantastic for the perfect Atmosphere. 🎶 I will definitely be going back again. ❤️👍👍😁💯%

This is a very good sushi restaurant tucked away in an unpretentious structure. Don’t be misled, the fish quality is excellent and the service brisk and efficient. I haven’t had such fresh quality fish in a long time.

Worth a detour. Wish we had a spot like this in the Bay Area. So chill, warm, welcoming, amazing and authentic izakaya food and drink. I’ve been looking for this since my trips to Japan and watching Midnight Diner. Thank you for a wonderful dinner and we’ll be coming back to Ojai to make sure we can come again!

Nice evening in the patio. The fiesta roll was good, eggplant was nice, small sausages were great. Beef Tataki was flavorful but very chewy, not worth the price

We visited Izakaya Full Moon on a Sunday at 11:45am, and being one of the first ones there was amazing. We usually come for dinner, and the wait can be up to 45 minutes, but this time we were seated right away! The lunch and dinner menus are different, with the lunch menu focused on Ramen and Don Small Bowls. While sushi wasn't available for lunch, the sashimi salad with salmon and tuna more than made up for it. I also had the Salmon Rice Bowl with Ikura (salmon eggs), which was another great substitute for the sushi we usually enjoy. We shared the Tsukemen, which is our favorite type of ramen to try if it's on a menu. Theirs was packed with flavor, and sharing just one bowl was more than enough for the two of us. It's always a great experience here, and totally worth the drive to Ojai. We'll be back again for dinner!

Subtle hole in the wall type place that was delicious! In an area with little to no asian food, this place definitely stood out. It may not be as "traditional" as places you cold find in LA or OC, but the quality of the food was excellent! Timing: We got there at 5pm on a Thursday (right when it opened). Within a half hour, 80% of the tables were full. To me, that validated our choice! Food: -Skewers: (4/5) Overall was delicious. Definitely get the beef tongue if available. -Rolls: (5/5) The fish was super fresh! -Uni Soba: (5/5) Fresh santa babara uni never disappoints! -Salad (4/5) The dressing was super delicious but a tad salty. Ambiance: small little place with a couple of bar seats inside and a handful of outdoor tables. Neither the inside nor the outside is decorated much.

This intimate place is lead by a chef who cares. It may be small but the food is mighty and worth the wait. A good place to slow down and share a great meal with those you hold dear. Delicious selection, some staff are more attentive than others, however nothing takes away from the skilled chef.

This place is a hidden gem. It's actually located in the back of a building and so when you go the the address you won't see the place. There is a sign that says to go around back through. The wife and I came in for lunch and they had two lunch specials. We order one of each. They ere both under $20, and they were fantastic! WE will defiantly be coming back. It's a small place with a sushi bar seating for maybe 10 people or less, a couple of tables inside and then more seating outside.

So glad we finally made it. Brilliant patio. Subtle and not over fussy food that is done authentically Japanese, just like the decor. Of course. Standouts: Tuna cut roll Corn tempura Chicken skin skewers Yuzu sour (refreshing!!)

Food: better than any sushi/Japanese cuisine you will find in ojai or maybe the county! This is very high quality food and this restaurant always has a line when they open for dinner (it's very verryyy small inside), with some outdoor seating as well. Service is amazing, I recommend ordering everything as it comes and not making adjustments... they know what they're doing. It's not the cheapest spot but you get what you pay for and I've never had this quality of Japanese cuisine elsewhere to be honest

Non-pretentious Izakaya in Ojai. Beautiful experience, tending and trusting service. Food was next level... beyond being delicious, there was an artists unique brush stoke on everything we had that makes this stand out as more than just another place to get sushi, it is a genuine approach to what an Izakaya experience should be.

This place is small! But the food is really tasty! My girlfriend and I ordered the premium sashimi and the kimchi pork belly with vegetables and a side of rice. Also got their miso soups and hot green tea. SO GOOD. Definitely doesn't seem like you'd get full, but it fills you right up and so much great flavor.

Very Authentic!!! Great Service!!! Seating in here is just like being in Japan!! The owner is from Chiba Japan!!

This place was well recommended by a trustworthy local and delivered far beyond expectations. The sushi was exceptional but they also have an extensive menu with a little bit of something for everyone. Considering the coziness of the space and the friendly staff, you will feel at home here. Would come back in an instant.

The food is outta this world. The owners are warm. Occasionally the patio ambience is enhanced with a guitar player, or so.

Wow, my new favorite restaurant! We were only in Ojai for 2 nights and after finding this hidden gem the first night, we knew we had to come back the next night and try more things! Everything is so fresh and intentional and every single thing we ordered was so tasty and flavorful. Every dish was so impressive!!! You can really taste the love and passion from the chef. Cozy atmosphere and seated immediately. I reallyyyy wish I lived closer, I would eat here every week!!!

Ok sushi, not great! But ok so would try again... sometime , wouldn't last in LA, OC or SD.

I still am thinking about the ramen special I had here. Best ramen ever. Everywhere else I go now disappoints! We sat outside in their charming courtyard. I cannot wait to return, what a hidden gem. It really is hidden. The restaurant is actually kind of around the back of the building.

Amazing food, both beginner friendly and refreshing to those more experienced. Relatively small seating space, very cozy space. Be ready for the service to miss one or two of your ordered dishes, I guess it's part of the experience (;

OMG! Coming to Ojai and finding a little hole in the wall literally izakaya was fantastic! Tried a variety of dishes from the Kushi to the hand rolls and soups! Delicious and quant! Can't wait to come back!

Great food, intimate setting hidden away with friendly service. Yellowtail collar xcllnt. Chicken thigh skewer, xclnt, chicken karaage, very xclnt, tender, and even the skewered wings were a tender mouth-full of of hot charred saltiness. They backed oysters in broth, also excllnt. They have beer and sake, so hit em up.

Oh. My. God. Finally made it here after hearing about it for quite some time. We got a couple of the skewers, beef tataki, wontons and yellowtail sushi. While every single thing was absolutely amazing, the beef tataki was next level! The restaurant opens at 5:00, but you should get there a little earlier because there are only a few tables and it's first come, first serve.

We had an amazing experience here for my husband's birthday! Went on a Wednesday evening and sat outside. Casual ambiance and excellent service. We ordered the miso, tsukune (chicken meatballs), uni sashimi, beef tataki, clam ramen and salmon skin hand roll. The food was spaced out perfectly and everything had the upmost quality. This is hands down the best salmon skin roll I've ever had in my life. We'll definitely return and I couldn't recommend this mom and pop shop more to anyone looking for excellent food and kind service.

Everything was amazing fresh and dance in your seat quality love and care and amazing food. The service is so happy and love that you are here the vibe is cute and clean and very simple the menu is perfectly sized because everything they do is made with thought and love Also the corn kakiage is amazing weirdly and all it feeeeeeedd my soul! The premium sashimi was to die for!!! I didn't want that bite to end. Also bonus for the shrimp heads fresh and hot and deep fried !!! Such a happy belly and soul!

Place is really cute. The food was amazing and the service was great. Will definitely be back.

Simply the best. Family owned, the most dedicated hard working husband and wife team making the most delicious and beautiful food. I admire them and the quality of everything they put out! If you love incredible authentic Japanese food...this is a must. There are no misses here.

Cannot go to Ojai and not stop for an early dinner at Full Moon. The chef is a sweet guy and practically all items on the menu are good. Certain items are a staple that's always on the menu. Corn tempura, yum ! Fish is very fresh. Love this place !

This space is tiny but lots of parking in the back. it used to be Hip Vegan restaurant which moved to Montgomery. We didnt have to wait long to sit at the bar as it was late, but still very full. The food is fantastic! The best uni I have had in years, and the sashimi was so fresh! It sure isnt cheap but so worth it!

My Favorite Spot for so many reasons! Authentically creative Japanese cuisine! Beautifully prepared dishes, Japanese street foods! We love it all!

We had the most outstanding dinner at Full Moon in Ojai! What a lovely little spot. The inside sushi bar is gorgeous and the outside patio was peaceful, shady and pleasant. Everything we ordered was phenomenal. From the fried corn and fried mountain yam, to the bbq skewers (chicken thigh was our favorite), to the sesame sashimi and the rare steak tataki. Our absolute favorite dish of the whole night though was the superb tai chazuke. I have never heard of this dish but I am so glad we ordered it - a grilled rice ball topped with fish and the most flavorful fish broth. We were blown away!

Life is so good when you get an unexpected, amazing meal. This was the case tonight at FullMoon Izakaya. I was so blown away by the food and kind service here, I had to post. Everything we got, from the welcome eggplant to the ramen to the yellowtail collar to my birthday lychee sorbet was exquisite. Delicately made with unique flavors. The quality of this restaurant belongs in a big city but it's hidden in the back of a building in quiet Ojai. Sadly I will just have to make the long drive here to have this food again and I will. It's so worth it.

Tonight was our first meal here, and as locals who could have been eating here since they opened, we were kicking ourselves the whole way home, it was so good!!!!! We went tonight for our anniversary and had just wonderful food and service. We sampled quite a few things- oysters in ponzu, grilled mackerel, chicken skewers, sashimi, and a magic mushroom roll. Everything was excellent. We loved the special touches to the sashimi- fresh wasabi, seaweed, and shiso leaf. The fish was fresh and since they were out of sweet shrimp, we got extra uni. So much uni, it was awesome since it is my favorite! The end of the meal was the magic mushroom roll- YUM! This was so so good, we wished we'd gotten two. We will be back soon!

This place must not be Japanese owned. Myself and 3 friends walked in to eat, 20 mins before closing and was told by the young waitress that they're closed. Not the service I'm use to from real Japanese places. We took our business to Sea Fresh and was happily welcomed with 12 mins to closing.

Left hungry. Bad customer service. The waitress takes your order without writing it down. Make sure what you order is correct. The husband brings stuff to your table that you didn't order, but tries and say you ordered it. Asked for water three times. ....I am a local. It's not my first time here. FYI Keep track of what you order. Every single time we've been here, they didn't bring an item out but we still got charged. They think everyone is from out of town and that they can get away with it. *****++Question anything!+++++++Question Authority Food is good. They need to let you know what the dish is. They drop food off without letting you know what it's called. You have to ask for a place settings. They will not bring any condiments unless you request.

All I can really say is wow. The food is absolutely amazing and the portion size perfect. I live in Camarillo and I will keep coming back to Full Moon Izakaya in Ojai as much as I can. Highly recommended. FYI, the fried mountain potato is .

Without a doubt the best Japanese food in Ojai by a long shot. It's tough to get a table and you have to be patient waiting, but it's worth it. Go early, drop your name and go for a walk. They'll call you. Atmosphere is cozy and minimal. Love the family involvement. Food is SO GOOD!

Great little Japanese off the beaten path restaurant. Family owned and authentic Japanese vibe. They have a adorable little patio but we ate inside because it was a chilly night. Food was great and fresh and service was also very good. Only complaint was that it was very bright lighting inside. Would definitely recommend!!

Always delightful. A very delicate and special treat. Probably our favorite in ojai. Worth the wait.

So so so good! One of those meals that nourishes you and your inner child. The tempura corn cake! F#%k off it was delicious. Sashimi with sesame sauce, and the fish collar! I just can't. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. But my absolute favorite thing was the shiitake skewer. One simple mushroom per skewer presented with the stem and the cap cut in two. ‍. I've never had truffle oil mixed with soy sauce. Absolutely exploded my brain. Probably won't be able to eat anywhere else in Ojai ever again because I'm coming here every time I'm in town. Sorry not sorry. 11 out of 5 stars.

The beef tataki is bussin bussin... it is one of the greatest dishes I've ever had. The beef cooked to perfection, the miso soup is a great combination with the chicken karage. Topped with my calpico and ponzu sauce it is truly a 5/5 I even ate 3 tatakis

Wow! It is so nice to have a new restaurant in Ojai, especially on this fantastic. I am a huge lover of Japanese cuisine and this place hits the spot. Everything we had was absolutely delicious from the chicken to the fish. The fish was incredibly fresh and melted in my mouth. We got the chef selection 3 piece (didn't get a photo because we ate it too fast) and the fish was so fresh it didn't even need soy sauce. The uni handrolls and carpaccio were fantastic. The wasabi was very tasty and I think made fresh in house, it looked as if it was grated fresh. Even the soy sauce was amazing, not just your average kikkoman. I can tell this restaurant cares about quality ingredients. Anyway, I love this place and can't wait to go back! Update: Went back and tried the Kara-age, Clam ramen, Goma Kampachi and Premium Sashimi. Everything was fantastic. We will be back regularly.

Real deal, izakaya restaurant. Ordered salmon skin salad, three assorted sashimi, chicken thigh skewers, and chicken sausage. All very good. Highly recommend.

Great little japanese place with a wide selection of different foods to choose from. I haven't had anything there yet that I didn't like.

I love it here. Reliable great sushi and lovely service. Been here tons of times and have never been disappointed.

Super cute restaurant with tasty skewers and Japanese ceviche. Will be back to try the ramen.

I experienced time patience and greatness tonight. Small staff running a small set but the food was amazing. If I could give one star to guests around us I would since one table complained about everything to the point that the only satisfactory would be a cheese burger plain at McDonald's. I watched the chef walk out and try and make a plate right but witnessed a brick wall of negativity from the table but saw An amazing chef hold back from what most would spew what's on their mind. Full moon puts heart in what they do you can tell by the food they put out and they service they give. Staff was amazing and very caring. For such a small set up they offer the wait is worth it for a table. Thank you

Excellent food and service. A really small space but if you can get a spot, everything we had was delicious. The sushi prices are a bit staggering but the cuts were VERY large. My tuna pieces were huge! Great value at the end of the day. The skewers were delicious, my favorite was the chicken sausage. The corn kaki-age was so unique and very tasty. Need to come back to try other items on the menu. Highly recommend!

Super cute, small hidden gem! Definitely make reservations. We sat on the patio for a late dinner, Loved the ambiance! Everything we ordered tasted incredible, beautifully presented and the fish was so fresh! The sushi chef brought out each of our courses which was a nice touch as well. Can't wait to come back!

Feels like you are on a cool street in Japan. Great vibes, recommend getting there right at open to make sure you get a table on weekends. The special mushroom rice pot was incredible!

I love good food yet rarely take the time to call out my favorite places. I'm making an exception tonight for this special spot. If you respect nuance in flavors, don't pass the little Japanese restaurant by. Life is too short to forego the opportunity you'll find here...

An amazing dining experience! It certainly wasn't what I expected, but it was more than I could have asked for. It is very unassuming but absolutely delicious and fantastic! The ambience is intimate and fun.

Very authentic and worth every cent. Also worth waiting . Only one chef and small dinning area so limited sitting

Tip: make a reservation at least a week in advance for this place during Covid times! They only have 5 tables, so also be mindful about canceling! I was so happy that they had heat lamps! I brought an extra sweater in the car but didn't even need my jacket it was so cozy. When I went, there were only 3 parties, and we were spaced out pretty far, which I appreciated. The only thing Covid wise that made me nervous was the big group that sat in the middle near the end of our dinner definitely was not Covid aware, but happily we were finishing our meal when they sat down. THE FOOD! So good!!! SAKE: I got the first-listed sake and it was delicious. Perfect and not too sweet. And I love the little jars that it comes in! HALIBUT CARPACCIO : YUM. I decided I wanted to try a little bit of everything instead of getting a sashimi plate, so I went with a hamachi plate and it was delicious. The onions and tomatoes and salmon roe all went perfectly together with the sauce it was in. Definitely recommend! UNI HAND ROLL: I love uni, and sometimes you get it at a place and it tastes a little off (just because of what it ate, mostly, and maybe how long it's been out) and this uni was sweet and deliciously briney! And there's definitely a lot in there! YUM. CHICKEN YAKITORI SKEWERS: This comes with two skewers, and I thought it was really well portioned for the price! So yummy, perfectly cooked. Definitely try this one! BEEF: I don't really love beef, this was my husband's pick. But I stole a tiny slice and it was SO GOOD. It was tender and the sauce is perfect. It's not served hot, but I didn't miss that and actually thought it was better that way. Highly recommend this place if you're thinking of venturing out for dinner! Also they do to go take out if you're nervous about eating out, and I bet that's just as delicious! Can't wait to come back!