San Clemente Sushi Company is very easy to find, right on the corner with its unique rounded turret…read morearchitecture. This small plaza has its own parking lot with about a dozen spaces. The lot was about half full at 5pm on a Sunday. The dining room is small. There are five or six tables, and some seating at the sushi bar. It does have a nice feel with the round interior, high ceiling, and many windows with a nice view outside. There was some light background music playing. It wasn't busy this early, but it started to get busier after 5:30pm. We started out with the four piece jalapeno poppers ($10). These were very good. The jalapenos were crisp, stuffed with cream cheese, with two sauces drizzled on top. I think there was also a little spicy tuna on top. Next, we ordered a California roll ($8) and a spicy tuna roll ($9). These were good standard rolls with fresh ingredients, and reasonably priced, especially for the area. They have a menu of chef's special rolls which sounded good, and we decided to try the Pink Lady (Inside: Shrimp, Crab, Spicy Tuna, Avocado, Outside: Salmon, Jalapeno, Lemon, Soy Paper, Mustard Ponzu, $20). It might seem a little expensive, but it a roll with no rice. It was excellent, and well worth the money. If you love citrus like I do, you have to try it. I have never had pink lemon before. It's still tart but sweeter than a yellow lemon and less sweet than a Meyer lemon. Our server was friendly, and our food arrived promptly. We would return again when in the area. The only downside is that the restaurant is small. If the dining room is full, you may have to wait a while to be seated.

First Impression: first time we had it was take out, and the portions were generous and fish was…read moresuper fresh. First impression dining in - small dining area, a lot of take out materials of covidpast Location: located near the freeway. Parking is limited and shared with the plaza. You park in the back and walk around the building to enter. Experience: service is quick and friendly. We have gone a couples times now and each time whether dine in or take out is the same. Sushi chef are working fast to pump out orders without compromising on quality. I would suggest the non rice options and sushi. Note: you can phone in your take out order for fast service.

They have a great happy hour specials $5 options and wide variety of sake / drinks. I was able to…read morewalk-in on a Friday at 5pm pretty easily. The space is upstairs and great seating options. I really enjoyed the unagi and spicy tuna. The warm rice and crispy seaweed were delicious and delightful. This is a great spot to start the night before exploring San Clemente and the service is super quick. They have a virtual waitlist which is nice to see the walk-in availability.

Drinks and food were all excellent. Execution of the drinks was fantastic…read more The lost star is for medium level service. At other small, speakeasy locations that I have visited the wait staff/bartenders/etc are overly knowledgeable about the menu and how to help select a cocktail that you will like. We did not get that on this visit.

This is an update since my last updated review was back in 2019 when I was working nearby like one…read morebuilding over and now i'm a bit far away. Stop by next door to get my nails done for a wedding and decided I had some time to kill before my next meeting so I stop by. Keep in mind this was after the lunch rush so plenty of seating and no wait time i got in around 2;53pm and was pretty happy to be seated right away. I was hungry and I missed eating here, prices were still affordable and delicious. My meal came out to be less than $25 and yes, that is with tip. I ordered an appetizer of Shrimp and Vegetable tempura, coke and a shrimp & veggies tempura udon. Perfect combo on a gloomy day, and honestly, I need to head here more often. I did past by the other day right before 6pm and there were people waiting outside for a table so it's a great spot. I'm telling you guys, its the go to place in SC. Their sushi is pretty darn fresh too, if you don't want to drive all the way to Irvine or L.A.

Very unassuming sushi spot tucked in a plaza. If you are coming here for dinner, be prepared to…read morewait. My group of 3 came around 6pm and waited close to 25 minutes for a table. It does feel a little cramped inside but they do their best to accommodate as many diners as they can. The two servers were running around and being efficient and attentive as possible which I recognized and appreciated. Looking at the menu, they have a variety of sushi rolls and other non-fish options such as udon and teriyaki plates. Also, I felt like I was transported to pre-2010 days with the prices. Never seen a menu with prices under $15 for everything and $3.50 for a handroll? It's no wonder why this place is poppin. To be honest, while the fish quality is not stellar, it still tastes good and flavors are satisfying. Plus considering the price, you can't expect to have 5 star cuts. I would recommend the tataki special roll (spicy tuna with seared cajun tuna on top) and the baked salmon roll (CA roll with baked salmon eel sauce on top), these two were my favs. I would recommend!

Wonderful fried tofu yaki udon this time. Loves the flavor and texture of noodles with veggies…read more Good service, nice upbeat music and plenty of seating available today.

First, the beer was not chilled at all, despite the fact that Japanese restaurants typically serve…read morevery cold beer ("hiyashi") in their culture. I ordered a spicy seafood udon, but it only contained two pieces of mussel, a few tough, dried calamari rings Finger size), a couple of tiny scallops about the size of baby fingernails, and three pieces of baby shrimp. The soup lacked any seafood flavor and had an overly salty, unappealing red color. The price seemed unreasonable compared to the quality of the food. It's no surprise that they only had two tables occupied on a Saturday afternoon at 1:30 PM. I recommend they consider changing the restaurant's name from "Sushi Kara" to "Kara Sushi." If they are truly Japanese, they would understand the significance of this.

We were really impressed by the service and freshness of the food here. We ordered the seaweed…read moresalad, chicken karaage, chicken teriyaki bowl, and salmon bowl. All were delicious with generous portions. The prices were reasonable. Great value for the money and location. Inside the restaurant contained nice decoration, comfortable seating, and appropriate lighting. uplifting music was playing.

This place is cozy and friendly. They have a good selection of sashimi and rolls. Their ramen were…read morealso good. Everything we got were good. Their black ramen was so flavorful. The ramen noodles tho were a tad overcooked. Since it was overcooked it took away from the experience of the slurping and chewing the ramen. IYKYK. Their spicy tuna crispy rice has too much rice in proportion to the spicy tuna. It was delicious but has too much rice.

The Boulder and I rolled in on a suspiciously perfect Monday afternoon--clear skies, good vibes,…read moreand my dog in tow (a true critic.. of me). My tall Sequoia of a date did the classic awkward shuffle at the front like, "hi, can the dog come through to the patio without causing a federal incident?" The guy we asked looked like we had just asked him to solve climate change (bc he was a customer...), but he very politely redirected us to the cashier, who was lovely. So: Kindness: 10/10. Confusion: also 10/10. ~Balance~ Now the food. The Boulder orders a fish burrito. I go for the chimichurri salmon bowl with quinoa because I, too, enjoy pretending I have my life together. BUT. The boulder also then orders clam chowder--a surprise, a moment of elation, but at the same time... skeptical? Sir? I have lamented over my favorite chowder like a woman waiting for her husband to come back from battle. Were your ears too high in elevation for my voice to reach? ANYWAYS. Let's talk about the clam chowder, because this is where things get serious. I have grown up eating clam chowder in Santa Cruz (my hometown, my birthplace, my origins). I have known greatness (shoutout to Stagnaro Bros., the downstairs fish market). So when I tell you I approached this chowder with standards, I need you to understand the weight of that statement. I put my spoon in. It did not sink. At that moment, I knew. This was not soup. This was a lifestyle. A structural entity. And it was GOOD. Creamy, thick, unapologetically clam-forward. Not quite Santa Cruz enlightenment, clouds-parting-angels-singing, but honestly? Strong contender. We're talking solid top 4-5 chowders of my life, and I do not say that lightly. Now, my salmon bowl? Good. Respectable. Salmon = crispy, quinoa = doing quinoa things (why is it always slightly annoying to eat??). Chimichurri good. The fish burrito (from my observational research + dog validation panel): packed, flaky, generous. My dog approved, which frankly is the highest honor available. Overall: Great food, great vibes, excellent chowder, and quality time with the Tall Sequoia Boulder Man™ on a random Monday. Plus points--chips looked fried on site :D

Busy spot during lunch but the wait wasn't too long. You order first at the counter and you're…read moregiven a number and seat yourself. We opted to sit outside as it was nice out. The portion sizes are large. Food was flavored well. For the poke bowl, the rice to protein ratio was off as had too much rice. Plus only a few pieces of uni. I like that they have non alcoholic beer available

It's my birthday. I am five feet of determination in 2.5-inch heels (vs my 6'3" date), already…read morehaving eaten pavement twice that morning. Confidence? Shattered. but it's my birthday, spirits are still high We begin our journey: two blocks. Two. Blocks. My date is what I can only describe as a sentient boulder x redwood. A geological formation with feelings. This man covers one meter per stride while I am speed-walking like a determined squirrel in formalwear (or festive hamster?). And because I have to tilt my entire skull upward to communicate with him, I cannot see the ground. The ground, meanwhile, is throwing me curveballs. At one point, instead of warning me I'm about to trip on concrete, he just yanks me sideways with an "ahh!" Like I'm a decorative balloon at a child's birthday party about to blow away. I survive. But I make a mental note: must teach tall man how to steer small people. We are not luggage. We arrive. For sushi in America? Honestly? Pretty good. Suspiciously good. Like when you expect sad fish and even sadder rice, and instead receive something that respects the ocean. We ordered karaage as an appetizer (solid, respectable enough to make my ancestors nod, though it did come out in the middle of our meal, I could not be mad), a sashimi plate (Not fighting for its life), a San Clemente roll--because.. represent(?)--and a no-rice OJSN (ojisan, middle aged man) sushi roll. Also, a "white mushroom roll." I am seated in the corner like a tiny, judgmental raccoon with a giant bottle of Sapporo all to myself. It's my birthday. I deserve structural support. especially after the concrete declaring war? please. The no-rice sushi? Best I've had in the U.S. Except they used rice paper. Rice paper. Which is technically not, not, rice. But I'll allow it. Innovation is chaotic but smart. Now. The White Mushroom Roll--there were *no* mushrooms. let me repeat **NO** mushrooms Our server, Ary--Greek name, Mexican excellence, monk-level patience--explains that the roll is topped with a mayo cap before baking so it looks like a mushroom. I am a proud mushroom enthusiast. A fungal loyalist. I felt betrayed. But then... I tasted it... Why did it taste like clam chowder? Decadent. Creamy. Slightly illegal clam chowder. In sushi form. What coastal witchcraft is this? I was confused. I was impressed. I was emotionally unstable. At some point while chatting with Ary (probably lobbying for actual mushrooms), I casually mention it's my birthday. At the end of the meal... He returns with an ice cream platter and looks me dead in the eyes: "お誕生日おめでとう." (HBD) In Japanese. No warning. No drumroll. Just Ary, you icon. and a candle. So there I am. Five feet tall. In the corner. Singing "Happy Birthday" to myself because Tall Redwood Man is too shy?? Sir?? It is my birthday. You are 87 feet tall and afraid of melody? It's fine. It's ok. He did sing "Happy Birthday" ten times that day. (Nine times too many. but appreciated everytime, nonetheless) Overall review: Fish: surprisingly legit Mushroom: nonexistent Clam chowder sorcery: unsettling but delicious Sapporo: emotional support received Tall date: needs steering lessons Would I order the mushroom roll again, knowing it contains zero mushrooms? ...Unfortunately, yes.

The food was marginal at best. I was disappointed after seeing the other reviews about this place…read more Nothing worth going back for. Three stars is pretty much overrated for them

Our new favorite sushi restaurant. Didn't even know they were there close to our house. They're…read morecelebrating their 25th anniversary. I can see why. High quality fish. Some of the best yellowtail and salmon we've ever had. Keep it up!

I went in at 8:30 PM. It's great they're open so late and the staff is so friendly. I got the…read moreshrimp tempura Ramen and the shrimp was so good 10 out of 10, the whatever role was also so delicious especially the garlic Ponzo sauce. I usually come for their scallop roll, but I'm glad I tried something different this time even though the scallop roll is my favorite!

The line can get long but you're only waiting to place an order. It doesn't take that long to get…read moreyour food. It's not hard to find street parking either. This place is a little pricey but it's worth it. You get a lot of avocado and ginger. I love the original flavor. It makes the rice taste so good. I wish they gave more salmon but I'm still satisfied.

This place used to be good post covid. For the price and the amount i could get better some place…read moreelse. They charge an arm and a leg for every toppings with how little they give you. i got the regular $12.99 (half rice and salad) and i added a few things on there as well. The total price plus tip came out to be about $24 dollars. When i opened the container, i saw how little rice and salad they gave. Honestly, it looked like scraps or leftovers from someone else. Literally looked like a mini icecream scoop of rice and salad...that's how little it was. The same for the fish and toppings. Everything looked like it was sprinkled on top. I was utterly disappointment because this isn't the first time i noticed the portion size being small. This is the second time im giving it a chance after covid and i can confirm that it is the biggest waste of money for what they give you. They're ripping everyone off. tl;dr, mediocre flavor, portion size poor for the the price. Go somewhere else, there are better ones out there.