Lisa
Google
After exhausting most of the food spots in Irvine, I recently stumbled upon this cozy little tavern in Garden Grove — and wow, it’s a game-changer. At this price point, I haven’t found another place that matches its plating or food quality.
The menu is impressively diverse, the ambiance is warm and intimate, and best of all, they’re open until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. For Irvine folks who constantly struggle to find decent late-night bites, this place is a blessing.
Whether you’re swinging by after work for a quick, comforting bowl of curry or unagi don, meeting up with friends for some bar bites and drinks, or coming specifically to enjoy the chef’s choice sashimi — this spot has you covered.
My personal favorite is the Hotate Crudo: a giant scallop as the base, topped with rich, fatty tuna belly, a perfectly balanced house-made sauce to cut through the richness, and a tiny dollop of caviar to bring out the flavors. It’s beautifully composed and seriously addictive.
The Salmon Don and Unagi Don are both incredibly hearty. For dishes that are just over ten bucks, the presentation is stunning — you can really tell the chef puts heart into the plating.
Since we had a group, we also ordered the Chef’s Choice Sashimi and Sushi. The portions were generous, the fish was fresh, and the chef even came over to introduce each type of fish — super friendly and passionate.
I especially liked the yuzu-seasoned black sea bream, which had a great texture and citrusy balance.
Don’t skip the sweet fruit sake! The pineapple and plum flavors were both refreshing and light — we’re already planning to hunt them down at the supermarket.
There’s also a daily specials board by the entrance and some solid lunch deals worth checking out.
