Anjin has been on my list for so long and I've always heard good things. I just couldn't bring myself to wait 2 hrs on most days. My wife and I decided to leave our names down and walked around antil mall/the lab. Our wait time ended being about almost 2 hours. The service here is pretty good, they are pretty attentive. You could tell they been around due to the furniture and style. Anyways, we absolutely enjoyed our meal. We ordered three al carte meats: marbled prime rib eye, boneless short ribs and the prime outside skirt. I can assure you the meat was so soft and tender. Quality at its finest. You can cook them either well done or my preference is medium. Very tender and melts in your mouth.. Their side dishes were good, the seaweed salad and the hot stone rice bowl. Make sure you to add those on your visit. I mean this place has 2k reviews, 2 hour waits, not much I need to say. This restaurant speaks for itself. I'm glad I finally had the courage to wait out the hangryness! read more

The interior of the restaurant is relatively small and cozy, so when I arrived shortly after 5pm the first wave of diners had all been seated and I was asked to come back around 6:15pm. This was on a Saturday evening. Highly recommend stopping by 1954 Egashira or Taco Stand for an appetizer and to browse the surrounding area while waiting. For 2 people, we ordered the thick-cut beef tongue, normal beef tongue, marbled short rib, and pork cheek along with a bowl of rice and the homemade kimchi assortment. We really enjoyed the dipping sauces, especially the sweet soy sauce--we ended up mostly cooking the pieces of meat, dipping them into the sweet soy, and then grilling them some more to caramelize the sauce onto the meat. The napa cabbage and radish kimchi were also standouts, while the cucumber kimchi and shredded daikon kimchi were not very notable (they mostly tasted like salty veggies). Overall, a good experience and good food, but not necessarily amazing in every way. read more

There are always long lines here and they do not take reservations so come really early or really late. I've eaten at so many grills/bbqs with high quality meat like wagyu and even Kobe beef but none have overall quality as good as Anjins. The owner has several restaurants in the area and he is always going back and forth between them though he does seem to work at Anjins the most out of them all. If you want to brave the line it is worth it thought I personally would not wait 1-2 hours to eat here. The sides and salads are actually as good as the meat and I can't eat just pure meat so I do recommend getting some of the side dishes. It was a family gathering so we did order the Kobe which is visually different and defnitely a different melty/fatty taste than the normal meat offerings. read more

See all

Solid late-night Japanese BBQ stop! We ordered the Marbled Prime Boneless Short Rib and Prime Outside Skirt. While the portions are on the smaller side, the meat had great marbling and tasty marinades. Despite food taking a long while to arrive, the staff was attentive with frequent water refills throughout the meal. A small but memorable touch: complimentary hot green tea! If you're craving quality Japanese BBQ and don't mind paying a premium, this spot is worth checking out. Note that the restaurant is small, suitable for solo dining or small groups. Just be prepared for a dining experience where everything is petite... except the bill. Tip: Bring cash for a discount! read more

Anjin - Marbled Prime Boneless Short Rib - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

Thank you Mr Andy. Your team is very good service and good smile We love you so much 先輩ありがとうございます。 read more

Anjin - Thank you Mr Andy - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I'm so obsessed with this place I come almost 2 times a week and so does everybody I know haha The meat is very quality and the staff are so friendly and amazing. Place is always clean and has a very cozy and friendly environment. I recommend this place 10000/10 read more

Anjin - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

This place was SO delicious! I'm actually sad I forgot to take a picture of the kimchi because WOW... it was one of the best I've had. It was super flavorful, perfectly fermented, and honestly one of those things you keep thinking about long after you leave. The meat was excellent too. You can definitely tell they use high-quality cuts, and everything tasted fresh and flavorful. I also ordered the peach soda cocktail, and let me just say... it's dangerously good! You can barely taste the alcohol, so drink it with caution because it'll sneak up on you. We also had the sake, and I loved that they kept it warm by placing the bottle in hot water. Such a nice touch! Just a heads up, this isn't an all you can eat BBQ spot. Everything is à la carte, which I personally didn't mind at all because the quality of the food made it worth it. The service was fantastic. Everyone was friendly, the food came out quickly, and they were always on top of taking our orders. Even though this place stays busy, everything runs so efficiently that you're in and out without feeling rushed. The wait to be seated wasn't bad at all. I also loved the ambiance. It has that old-school Japan feel that makes the whole dining experience even better. The restaurant felt warm, welcoming, and just overall a really enjoyable place to eat. Thank you, Anjin, for such a great experience! You definitely gained a regular customer. I'll be back very soon! read more

See all

Anjin has been my #1 favorite Japanese BBQ restaurant for over 20 years, and honestly, nothing has changed. It's still the first place I want to eat whenever I'm back in town. If you've been coming here long enough, you know the line has always been crazy. The loyal fans probably already know the tricks to get in a little faster. But no matter how long the wait is, I've never felt it wasn't worth it. The restaurant is tiny, but they make every inch count. What always impresses me is how organized and efficient the staff is. Food comes out fast, they're constantly refilling water, changing grills, clearing plates, and making sure everything runs smoothly even when the place is packed. You can tell they've done this thousands of times. The quality has also been incredibly consistent over the years. I've eaten here more times than I can count, and I honestly can't remember a disappointing meal. My must order is #3, #4, #5, #11, #30, and #40, sometimes with a bowl of white rice. I normally don't eat much pork, but Anjin's pork cheek (#11) is the one exception I'll happily make every single time. The marbled short rib (#4) is juicy, tender, and flavorful. And their cold noodles (#40) are another must-have. I still haven't found another restaurant that does them quite the same way, especially with the dipping sauce, fresh ground ginger, and shiso leaves. Maybe it's not for everyone, but I absolutely love it. Back when I lived in LA, I came here so often, sometimes few times a week. Even after all these years, Anjin is still one of those rare places that lives up to the memories. P.S. - Some staffs have been here since my first visit 20 years ago. :) read more

See all

Came to anjin for my birthday since I was craving some bbq but nothing too greasy or heavy. We ordered a couple of dishes like the tongue, harami, kalbi, yukke, etc. everything is so delicious and tender. The marinade is perfect that I even forgot there were dipping sauces. The anjin salad and rice were gigantic so you can easily split it. The dressing on the salad was amazing and refreshing, it had tons of topping like seaweed and apples so I could eat that thing forever. read more

Anjin - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

Small restaurant in strip mall with quality meats. I recommend the marbled short rib. Comes with two sauces with are both sweet but more so than the other. There is always a wait during dinner hours but they are open late on the weekend. I went once at 11 pm and did not have to wait. The cold noodles are a nice cool balance to the hot meat, especially during the summer. read more

See all

I cannot say enough great things. The beef quality here is next level. Their beef tongue is phenomenal. No words can describe. This is a must try. read more

There's not much to say that hasn't already been said. The food is delicious and it's open late which is a huge bonus for night owls, a lot of other places in this area close early. I really enjoyed the beef carpaccio But the BBQ (the whole point of the place) rocks!!! You can't go wrong. The servers are great and the service is very quick. Special shout out to Ami for being a sweetie pie and stopping to geek out with me about Studio Ghibli for a sec! read more

What in the holographic charizard?!? All these photos and check ins but no formal review for my favorite Japanese bbq joint in OC? Okay, fine. I'll do it cus I'm a nice bigback. This is the best in Orange County. Not that there's that many Japanese bbq spots overall, but it's certainly the best one I've had. The fact that it's open until 1am makes this so clutch. Probably one of the best places to eat (of any genre or style) that's available during the late hours. If you haven't tried it yet you're a dummy. 美味しい read more

See all

I was absolutely mind blown by how good this Japanese BBQ was. In my opinion this is the best Japanese BBQ spot in ALL OF So Cal !!! My family and I was here and we somehow dropped a piece of beef tongue into the grill. We called the waiter and he helped us replace that singular beef tongue. So over all the service is great. There is some music in the backgrounds with different genre's. I give the place a solid Five stars and would definitely come back!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Anjin - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

We had such a wonderful dinner at Anjin. Everything we ordered was delicious, but my favorites were definitely the Kainomi, the Anjin Seaweed Salad, and the orange sherbet at the end. The Kainomi was incredibly tender and flavorful, and the seaweed salad was fresh, light, and perfectly seasoned. The orange sherbet was also such a refreshing way to finish the meal. I honestly wanted to try so many more dishes, but since there were only two of us, we could only order so much. Next time, I would love to come with a bigger group so we can try more of the menu. We came to celebrate a very special birthday, and it made the evening even more memorable. We both left very happy and completely satisfied. Thank you for such a lovely experience! read more

See all

Anjin is easily one of the most well-known spots in OC for Japanese BBQ, and it's great to see they haven't lost a step over the years. If anything, it feels like they've only gotten better with each visit, both in quality and service. What really sets Anjin apart for me is that it's not just about the meat (which is obviously excellent), but the appetisers hold their own just as much. The kimchi is phenomenal, and honestly better than what I've had at a lot of Korean spots. Their cold noodle dish (not entirely sure if it leans more Japanese or Korean) is also a standout- super refreshing and packed with flavour, very reminiscent of Korean naengmyeon. read more

See all

We went on a Sunday a little after 8pm and there was only a 5 minute wait, which is awesome. The food was okay, nothing to write home about and I'd say pretty expensive for the portions we got. Luckily we weren't that hungry and ordered only a couple of meat dishes and the assorted pickled veggies. The service was good but it did feel rushed because we barely sat down and had to tell 2 different waitresses that we were still looking at the menu, all within 5 minutes. When we were done with the meats, they asked if we were going to order anything else and promptly cleared out our dishes after we said we were good. There were still some of the assorted veggies left that my husband was hoping to finish but they cleared the table too quickly to get a word in. Overall I don't think I'll be coming back but it was a good first and last try of this popular place, to at least say we've tried it. read more

See all

make sure to get here early and put your name on the list! we came very close to opening and still had to wait 45 mins for a table. inside is small but very clean and staff were all welcoming and nice food was delicious. meat here is top quality and melts in your mouth. we loved the thick cuts of tongue. pairs so nicely with their house sauces. the crispy rice dish was also delicious. make sure to pay the extra dollar to make the rice crispy! it makes a difference :) read more

See all

Apparently, the best way to get a seat is to come early when they open. Also makes parking in the lot a lot easier, too. It's a quaint Japanese barbecue restaurant that operates extraordinarily efficient...like the restaurants in Japan. The menu is very succinct. Proteins and veggies that can be tossed on the grill, salads, noodle and rice dishes. Sochu cocktails and plenty of beer and sake options to round up the rest of the menu. We just wanted to grab a few things and bounce. But the menu is too appealing. We ordered the beef carpaccio (excellent for it's $12 price tag), the house special salad (it's got seaweed and apples), house made kimchi, beef tongue, and boneless yakiniku short ribs. You grill your proteins to your desired doneness. There's fresh lemon juice for your beef tongue, and both a ginger-sesame and a sweetened soy to dip all your other cooked items. I gotta say, I loved that I didn't walk out smelling like eau de beouf. Service was great and it was a terrific meal. read more

I've been hearing about Anjin alot, just around -- it being one of the best japanese bbq spots around. I think I'd have to agree! This is not AYCE, but a la carte and it being so made me savor each slice of meat more. Im utterly impressed with the whole experience. Not only is the food good, they go out of thier way to make customer service amazing and the interior was beautiful. FOOD: Price: Kinda pricey but not as bad as u think. ~$50 to make my belly full Pork Cheek - $7.95 (10/5) I didnt think the pork would be so up in my list but goddamn is it good. One order comes with like ~7 pieces but it was sooo delicious. It is so tender no matter how much u cook it. One of my favs and I get this every time. Beef Carpaccio - $7.95 (10/5) YES YES this one was soooo good. You arent supposed to cook it aparently but i didnt know. It tastes amazing both cooked and uncoooked but pls dont cook it. The sauce that was on top paired with the thin cuts of meats meltttt in your mouth Salted Tongue $21.95 - (5/5) Sooo good. It is a bit harder bc tongue is like that but it is wayy more tender than other places Ive tried it at. It is beef so i like it a little rare but the chewyness makes it whole. It comes with lemon and dipping it in there is sooo good. Almond Milk Pudding - (5/5) This was surprisingly so good. I assumed it would taste like the chinese almond pudding. It does but it is slightly sour. Great kick and very refreshing sweet treat VIBES: Amazing interiors. Great parking. Great service. Food came out very fast and staff was very very attentive. One of the best ive seen. They would refill our waters without us even knowing and have food out when they see it running low. Since the space is limited, staff can see all tables at once so its very quick if you need anything. At the end of the meal, you get free green tea!! The green tea was very good. Thick and refreshing. read more

See all

Can never go wrong with their beef carpaccio and marble boneless short rib! Been going here for years and this place never disappoints read more

See all

Oh my goodness.... It was my first time here and I was very impressed! The meat quality, the service, the quality all the ingredients were just top notch. We got the beef tongue, marbled prime short rib, skirt steak, pork cheek, and their kimchi. The beef tongue was so good we got a second order of it! The kimchi was exceptional too! I've never had kimchi with a flavor profile like this one. It was slightly Smokey, it was salty with just a tiny hint of spice. Perfect with the meats or just rice. The rice bowls are pretty big but we ended up ordering another one because we couldn't stop eating.... We also got a bottle of asahi to go with the meal and it was perfect! I will say i recommend getting there around 4pm to put your name on the waitlist to ensure a table because it is a smaller place and it does get busy. There is a 90 minute dining limit but the service is fast enough to where that is not a big concern. read more

See all

From celebrating birthdays to date night this is one of our favorite restaurants . Hands down best Kimchi around, we order 2-3 plates of it... All the food is phenomenal, the beef tongue is a must have. The service is always great here too. I recommend calling in and see how their availability is before just showing up as they can be busy especially on weekends. read more

It's been years since I've had Anjin's and honestly, it's still as amazing as I remember. We came to the restaurant around 5:30pm and the wait was only 10-15 mins. Not bad at all compared to the previous 1.5 hrs last time. We ordered the marbled prime short rib, marbled prime rib eye, kimchi, apple salad, and clay pot rice. Everything was amazing. My husband loved the marbled prime rib eye. It just melts in your mouth and was so delicious. I'm sad my meal is over and all I have are memories of the delicious food. Can't wait to go back. read more

See all

We spontaneously tried out anjin on a whim and we were so shook by how good it was. With a variety of meat to choose from, we chose the beef tongue, pork cheek, and marinated boneless short ribs. My favorite was the beef tongue it paired so nicely with the lemon! We also got the beef carpaccio- this was good but I would pass next time, I thought the sauce overpowered the beef slightly. We also opted to get the cold udon noodles to carb up and it was SO good!! The noodles were so chewy and the broth had so much flavor and coated the noodles nicely. The restaurant itself was small so I can see it getting busy with long wait times but overall a good date night spot or a place to catch up with friends! The service was nice but we had a hard time finding our server throughout our meal to order more so we opted to just pay out. Nonetheless still a great place to try out! read more

Anjin - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

I've been here now 3-4x over the decade. I would definitely come more but the wait is always too crazy. It's been known to have limited seating, insane parking, and time limit. There's a reason for all the chaos is - the quality of their food is impeccable. This is definitely a Japanese bbq I would highly recommend, but can't come here unless other people put their names down beforehand due to my tight schedule OR they modernize their waiting list. We went last night for a friends dinner. We ordered Saporro, salads, spicy cold noodles (5/5), rice, short rib soup (3/5), kimchi was (5/5!), shiso rice was so delicious as a palate cleanser. We ordered like 4 of skirt steak (#4?) and #8 and pork belly and so much more. We were super full and all the meats were just truly soooo good that I didn't use much of the sauces, but they were also delicious. read more

Anjin - Omgsoooooo good - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

Took my GF here for birthday dinner because she suggests it randomly all the time. Got to restaurant at 5 and the wait was two and a half hours. Got some boba and streamed Tulsa king in the parking lot which gave me neck pain. Food and service were solid, had a lot of trouble cooking the meat with green onions so I'll never order that again. Tongue, short rib, and ribeye were bomb. The raw meat thing with egg was weird. We got a salad after we were halfway through the meal and it helped me feel less gross and oily. Would consider coming back but would never wait two and a half hours again. read more

WOW WAS I AMAZED!!! I can never go to any bbq place again, this place was so amazing! Their food and meat quality was delicious. We ordered so many things to try and I could not stop eating. It is not that expensive either, but it is individually ordered. (NOT AYCE) There is usually a long wait (1-2 hours), but it goes by fast. The staff is so kind and helpful, they gave us tips and tricks to cook or even what the best things on the menu was. Everything comes out super fast too, not a long wait for food. PLEASE COME TRY THIS PLACE! You won't regret it and I am so happy I will be coming very often now!!! LOVE ANJIN!! read more

Anjin - Prime Boneless Short Rib - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

#5 are our favorite! #4 and #3 beef tongue. #2 rib eye was our friend A favorite. We put our name jam empat sebelom buka. The salad is also good. read more

See all

Anjin is one of my favorite Japanese BBQ spots in Orange County. Located close to the South Coast Plaza and also near the Japanese supermarket, Mitsuwa, this place still has quite a following. I have been here plenty of times to enjoy a nice and tasty meal. You have a grill on each table and you get to BBQ different cuts of beef on your table. The service when you get a table is quick but you might have to wait in line. When you first get in you sign your name and phone number onto a book. Then they will let you know how long it will take for you to get a table. There are no reservations. This place still looks like how it has been for many years. And the vibe is just being a small traditional Japanese BBQ spot. Haven't been back since COVID-19 but the only thing that has changed is that you can view their menu on like by QR code and that the sauces are not on the table. But still the same, having a good tasty meal! read more

See all

Worth the long wait and the price! This is a small restaurant that gets super busy. The first time I went we waited almost 2 hours for our table. I recommend arriving when they open. They let you put your name down to come back to eat at a later time! You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. My favorites are the beef tongue, short rib, pork belly, and spicy cold noodles. We tried the lettuce wrap as well and it's a great pairing! The miso paste has a delicious salty umami flavor read more

Anjin is an absolute must-visit for me every time I'm in SoCal. The quality here is consistently top tier -- not just the meats, but everything across the board, from their salads to sides to drinks. I always order a few staples: the beef tongue, marbled prime boneless short rib, and pork cheek -- all of which are incredibly tender and flavorful. One standout for me is their red leaf lettuce salad -- it's my personal favorite. The fresh seaweed, apple slices, and the light yet savory dressing make it incredibly refreshing and unique. It pairs so well with the meat. Another item that is a standout for me is the rice with Japanese mint leaf (Shiso leaf). There's thinly sliced shiso on a hot bed of steamed white rice and the portion is huge!! Th kimchi is also a must in my books -- you can really taste the difference of it being made in-house; it's super flavorful and has the perfect umami taste. Okay one last thing is their spicy cold noodles, it's prepared so perfectly. The noodles are bouncy and chewy and smothered in this delicious sauce. The service is consistently fast and attentive, even when they're busy. Pro tip: if you're planning to come on a weekend, make sure to put your name on the waitlist and plan to arrive 1-3 hours earlier than when you actually want to eat. The wait can get long, but it's absolutely worth it. I came on a Thursday night about an hour before closing and had no trouble getting seated quickly. So if you want a more relaxed experience, a late-night weekday visit might be ideal. The restaurant is in a plaza with plenty of parking space. The space itself inside isn't huge, but it's well laid out with plenty of booths and tables. Despite the high volume, it never feels cramped. One thing to note: Anjin is only open for dinner (5 PM to 1 AM), so plan accordingly! If you're a fan of high-quality yakiniku, Anjin is hands down one of the best places you can go!!! read more

See all

My family has been going here for years. Recently the service has gone trash, no grill changes and no service on a Friday night. Food as always was tasty, but for a marinated barbecue place having to ask for grill changes every round takes your appetite away. read more

Seating guests just long enough to ring up an $800 tab before telling them to leave while they're still cooking their food is unacceptable. Easily one of the rudest dining experiences I've had. Ambiance would've been cool if they were nice. read more

DANIEL IS THE GOAT! Had a great meal here! I know it's all about the meat here (and don't get me wrong ... the meat is great!!!) But I also really enjoyed the salad haha I was with a party of 4 and we all really enjoyed our meal. We ordered a few plates of meat, the salad, and veggies for the grill. The meat was incredibly juicy and marbled with a good amount of fat. Really delicious meat! We also got ice cream at the end of our meal and we tried every flavor (vanilla, red bean, matcha, and black sesame). The service was also great! Everyone greeted us warmly and the food came out so fast. Daniel the manager is the best!!! I'd definitely come back. read more

I've been to Anjin many a time - and have yet to do a review! On a crispy Saturday night, the wife wanted some delicious a la carte JBBQ, and I wanted some warm sake, compliments for a spring evening. We were seated promptly, and Anjin isn't as busy during 10pm to close, so if you're looking for an almost all night eatery with great service, you should stop by. We had: - Marinated Ribeye - Regular Ribeye - Scallops The beef carpacio is a must try, and the scallops were large, great to share as well. The Ribeyes were also very fatty and cooked quickly, so please keep your eyes on them. The ribeye was quite delicious, and if you like a chewier piece of meet, the pork cheek with some sauce was also tasty. Great service, with team members continuously taking finished plates off your table, and always there if you needed anything. A classic JBBQ spot, and a must try in OC. read more

See all

Been coming here for years and their price has significantly increased in just a few months alone. Pros: Harami is always a must, even by itself with no side sauces is super delicious. - Staff is attentive. - Sanchu is nice and fresh and helps make it feel healthier. - Kimchi is sweet for my Korean tongue, but it's Japanese style which my husband loves. - Meat is the gukbap is flavorful and a good portion between two people. Cons: - Price is more expensive compared to their cash only price. - They don't have the negi gyutan anymore! - The soup of the gukbap was pretty weak, definitely trying to cut back on some areas. read more

See all

Japanese BBQ experiences you'll find in OC. The quality of the meat is unmatched -- melt-in-your-mouth, fresh, and seasoned perfectly so you taste the richness of the cut without anything overpowering it. The star for me? The garlic paste. I don't know what magic they put in there, but it's truly addictive. It takes every bite to the next level, and honestly, I'd buy it by the jar if they sold it. read more

My husband made a reservation right when they opened at 5pm (in person) and they were able to hold the reservation for us while he went to pick me up from my appointment about 7 minutes away. They called him repeatedly to ensure he was going to come back, and thankfully they were gracious enough to keep our table for us, especially because it was super busy on a Friday night. Menus are all provided via QR Code, though we ordered with the waitress. Since everything was ala carte and on the pricier side, including the bowls of rice, we only ordered one appetizer (the Cucumber Kimchi), two servings of meat (the Prime Boneless Short Rib & Rib Eye), the Vegetable Soup, and two bowls of rice. The portion of the rice bowl was on the bigger side, so at least the price we paid justified the portion we received. Now onto the things we tried: 1) Cucumber Kimchi - The presentation was great, as expected of a Japanese restaurant. Everything tasted fresh and crisp, and was a great starter to our meal. 5 out of 5. 2) Vegetable Soup - It is definitely a one-person portion, though I shared with my husband to save money. It was warm and savory, full of seaweed and small cut vegetables. For the price, I wish it was a bigger portion. 4 out of 5. 3) Prime Boneless Short Rib - Like typical Japanese Yakiniku, this came unseasoned. We cooked each peace to about medium-well and dipped into the sauce before consuming with rice. It was just... okay. We have had better Short Rib elsewhere. 3 out of 5. 4) Rib Eye - This was tastier than the Short Rib (both my husband and I agreed). We cooked each piece to about medium-well and dipped into the sauce. You could tell the meat was premium as it still tasted moist. 4 out of 5. Mind you, after our trip to Japan where we ate at a Japanese Wagyu Teppanyaki place, we definitely had higher expectations since the place seems to be Japanese-run (all the staff spoke Japanese). However, my husband and I both agree we have had better yakiniku in the city we reside. Nonetheless, service was good and all the items came in a timely manner. read more

See all

Service felt rushed, meat quality was okay. I feel like this is more casual sit down place to eat. I wouldn't come back.