This restaurant was amazing! There was no wait when we went for weekday dinner but there are very…read morefew tables so I would expect a longer wait on the weekends. The raichi drink was good and the miso carbonara was creamy and the proportion of bacon to pasta was perfect. It is super cute inside as well, but the service was kinda slow because they only had one server for all the tables. I think it's important to compare this to Ini ristorante because I think with this place being new that it is quite similar to Ini especially with the japanese italian fusion concept. I would say it is basically the same price if not more expensive than if you were to go to Ini and I personally think the food, ambiance and service is better at Ini than here. So in the future, I would be open to going back and there was nothing wrong with the restaurant, but I would definitely choose Ini over momonoki just cause I feel like I get more with how much I spend.

Notes to consider so you don't make the same oops I did. -…read moreThe restaurant does not have apparent signage in the front. Know where you're aiming to go. - There is a sister restaurant named Mono Yama two doors down ...cue to me walking in between aimlessly because my friend recommended the place and all i recalled was "momo". That said, the people were super nice in both places. You can tell it happens often. We went right as it opened, and we got seated right away. The menu is via a QRC on the table. We ordered 3 things - vongole pasta. Previously they offered it uni but this one had claims and shrimp. We also got the pesto and the calamari. Calamari was crispy but it also was slightly too salty and seemed to be a lot of batter. The calamari pieces were small. The pesto pasta was okay, but the pesto wasn't the traditional pesto. I couldn't put my finger on it but it must've been the dashi. The udon was cooked well though. Soft, definitely not al dente. This vongole was the biggest miss. It had a taste that we also couldn't figure out, but it was not enjoyable to eat. We left the meal very dissatisfied. The friend I went with, who has gone before, also agreed it was disappointing. As someone who hates to waste food, we were very close to leaving nearly half of each dish there. My friend ended up taking it back. Later that evening, we both were feeling off. Idk, perhaps it was a coincidence. In the end, it was a truly sad experience.

I love Tsuruhashi Plus! The meat quality is top-tier with beautiful marbling. You can really taste…read morethe difference. Service is quick and attentive. The space is cozy; all the tables are private booths. The interior is clean with a classic (but not dated) wooden Japanese design. It feels intimate and elevated. They also have a great selection of sake, which pairs perfectly with the rich meats. Definitely a great option for a special event or celebratory meal!

This place has one of the best wagyu in the area, but the portion is way too small…read more The waygu set i got was $100, supposed to be for 2 person but that barely filled me up. Nevertheless, the meat melts in your mouth like butter and it was super fast to cook. I got their vegetables assortment as a side, which is average. To end the meal, i tried their matcha fudge ice cream which was pretty good. They whisk the matcha right in front of you. Service was super fast and friendly. This place would be the perfect waygu place for me if they increased the portions and if the sides tasted better.

One of the absolute best omikase experiences I've ever had. Each course was wonderfully seasoned…read moreand curated to highlight the seafood (NOT overpower it). Staff was friendly and prompt with each course. The adapted to each tables eating preference/speed. There seems to be a private area where they can accomdateba larger party (6+). I think this is a reservation only situation. We booked ours weeks in advanced on a Wednesday afternoon and it was surprisingly packed. The restaurant is not super visible from the street, just look for the suite address.

Affordable omakase lunch experience…read more Was it absolutely mind blowing? Not quite if I'm being honest, but it's only because the nigiri left a bit more to be desired. We did leave still a bit hungry. I will say though- the apps and the post-nigiri dishes made the experience fun and a bit unpredictable which is what I love about omakase. I want to mention too that our server's attention to detail and his guidance through the courses was very much appreciated! A+ on hospitality.

Good food and good atmosphere. Good selection of meat and…read moreseafood. Easy to find restaurant and great staff.

Definitely one of the best yakiniku places in orange county. We arrived 10 minutes before opening…read moreon a Sunday and there was a small line to get it. There were more than enough tables to accommodate everyone that arrived at 5 although the tables did fill up and there was a wait during the dinner rush. Tsuruhashi feels more relaxed and less rushed compared with Anjin. There isn't the constant line out the door which helps make the experience more enjoyable. The decor matched the vibe of the restaurant and adds to the overall experience. All the meats we tried were on the more expensive side, but the quality definitely matched the price. The yukke bibimbap was delicious. The raw marinated meat was an unusual but absolutely worth trying. Both the panna cotta and mango pudding were delicious. We ended up ordering two of the mango puddings and still wanted more.

I always love going to Ikeda! I believe their lunch special is incredibly underrated and is a…read morehidden gem with a 2-item or 3-item combo bento box ranging from $15-18ish. This includes rice, soup, and salad! If you're looking for an affordable teriyaki or sushi special that is also in a relaxing lunch location, this is a great option! Also, if you are Gluten-Free and or have Celiac Disease, they are incredible with accommodations to eliminate cross contamination. Thanks Ikeda Team! :)

Their food is fantastic, my favorites were the Chilean Sea Bass, Black Cod, and Grilled Salmon. The…read moreBlack Cod especially stood out; it was prepared in the authentic Japanese style, and I've never found anything like it anywhere else in the Huntington Beach area. The flavors were rich and absolutely delicious. The atmosphere made me feel like I'm in Japan, the decor and ambiance were immersive and peaceful, it added to the overall experience. I'm definitely going to bring my family here next time

Might I say this might be the best ramen in the Orange County region! Ample parking in the lot…read morecoupled with friendly service. Takoyaki was made fresh and delicious as an appetizer. Would recommend. Spicy TanTan Ramen was superb. Great broth with chewy noodles. Loved the toppings. Not crazy spicy if you're worried. The Pork Belly Tonkatsu Ramen was visually pleasing and also packed with flavor. If you're a Tonkatsu fan, this is a must-try! Everyone please keep this place in business! I wanna go back for my next ramen fix.

Fountain Valley is TAIKO's more casual ramen, izakaya and sushi spot! This spot is a great addition…read moreto FV's food scene with simply amazing Japanese favorites taken to the next level!! There is the MEGA PORK BELLY RAMEN DELUXE where you will no longer complain that you didn't have enough pork belly in your ramen! To me this meat to ramen ratio is perfect. I always get disappointed when I get 3 really thin pieces of char sui. This definitely a win for my ramen belly. Then TAIKO's take on Carne Fries but made with WAGYU and nacho cheese in a sizzling hot plate! Its very impressive. Honestly I would have never imagined getting served fries on sizzling hot plate with seasoned Wagyu and then they drip the nacho cheese. I could not help but wipe the saliva off my lip. Their variety of AVALANCHE rolls with sushi rolls topped with an avalanche of sashimi and the hardest part is picking Salmon or Tuna. It soo crazy good. For lunch they also have unbelievable $17 Sashimi & Tempura Lunch Set that's wow because again, how can this be only $17 and its from Taiko. Tempura cooked to perfection, the selection of sashimi is fresh simply enjoy all the little side dishes. I need to swing by Happy Hour sometime.

There are so many restaurants in the area but we somehow stumbled on Kitakata on a Friday night and…read moreit was just what we needed. It was busy, as the weather called for ramen. Yet, we were seated right away. We ordered two types of ramen and the ramen flavors are similar, with slight variations. I loved the melt-in-your-mouth pork, the broth was hearty, and the noodles were slurpable. We even enjoyed their spiked Japanese selzters. When we wanted to go, we did have to track down a waitress for our check, but, honestly how welcoming they were were and how cool the ambiance was made us look past this.

[Missing noodles, expensive ramen, bad customer service, and no reason to come back.]…read more I visited this restaurant to place a to-go order and picked up my food during a late lunch around 1:40 p.m. I ordered two items, including a bowl of tonkotsu ramen. When I got back to work in Santa Ana and opened my bag around 2:30 p.m., my ramen had NO NOODLES. It was literally just broth and toppings. I called the restaurant expecting a simple apology and a reasonable solution. Instead, the manager would not even speak to me directly and chose to communicate through a waiter the entire time, which made the situation even more frustrating. We went back and forth multiple times with the waiter acting as the middleman. First, they told me I could come back and pick up the missing noodles. That was not realistic. I was already back at work, and it takes me about 25 minutes to get from Fountain Valley to Santa Ana. Driving all the way back for a side of noodles made no sense. So I asked for what seemed like the easiest and most reasonable solution: a complimentary bowl of ramen on my next visit. Instead, I was told no, but they could give me "extra noodles" next time. Extra noodles next time? What exactly was that supposed to do for me when I was sitting there hungry with no actual ramen to eat that day? Then the manager, again through the waiter, said she would personally drive noodles to my job. I even told them that did not make sense because by the time she got there, it would be around 4:30 p.m. At that point, my lunch break would be long over, the ramen would be cold, and all of it would be a waste of my time, her time, restaurant resources, and gas. But I agreed, because at that point it was obvious they really did not want to simply offer me a free bowl of ramen on my next visit. And to be clear, I was not asking for some huge free meal. I was asking to be compensated for the ramen I already paid good money for and did not even receive correctly. For how expensive ramen is, that should not have been a difficult ask. About 10 minutes later, the waiter called back and said the manager would give me a free bowl of ramen next time I came in, which was the exact solution I had suggested from the start. I can only assume she realized how far the drive was and how unnecessary and impractical that solution would have been. Mistakes happen. Forgetting the noodles was one thing. But the way this was handled was unnecessarily difficult, inconvenient, and honestly kind of absurd. I did not ask for a refund. I was looking for an apology and some common-sense customer service. Instead, I got a lot of back-and-forth and a manager who would not even speak to me directly. Kudos to the waiter for doing their best to mediate the situation. Even they thought the situation could of been handled differently by the manager. Very disappointing experience. I will not be returning, and I would not recommend this place to others based on how this situation was handled.

Their fish was very fresh, and you can really taste the quality in every bite. The sushi was nicely…read moreprepared with good balance -- not too much rice, and the cuts of fish were generous. The menu has a good variety of bowls and traditional options, so there's something for everyone. Service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere felt clean and comfortable, perfect for a casual dinner without being too crowded or hectic. Overall, this is a solid sushi spot in Fountain Valley if you're looking for fresh fish, good portions, and reasonable prices. Definitely coming back again!

We visited for lunch on a recent Sunday, and the restaurant was surprisingly quiet. We were seated…read moreright away. I ordered the chirashi bowl, while my husband chose the Okhotsk Don. The presentation of both bowls was beautiful and very aesthetically pleasing, but unfortunately, we felt the quality of the fish was below average. We also shared three hand rolls: negi toro, shrimp tempura, and blue crab. I liked that they included cucumber and avocado in the rolls, but the seaweed was soggy and overly chewy. As for the Okhotsk Don, the scallop-to-fish ratio felt off. It came with only one scallop, while the rest of the bowl was mostly filled with random pieces of fish and topped with an overwhelming amount of roe. The service was good overall, but we left a bit confused by all the glowing reviews regarding the food.

Bao and Cal Shabu for the win, man. This is my new go-to for Shabu. Heard about this place, made…read morethe drive out from Echo Park... Worth every mile and cent. From the quality of the food to the taste to the service to the parking. All of it is A+. Bao and the young-lady that was on shift that day were all class and made the experience well worth it. We went with the King Kong order of the prime. Everything was super fresh and delicious. The sauces mixed takes everything to a 5 star rating for me. We will for sure be making the drive out here again. Thanks, Bao!!!

We stopped in here because we were going to a different place that we thought was closed and Shabu…read moresounded good and healthy enough. We found out this place is family owned for almost 30 years and one of the original in the area. The gentleman was very nice. Service was 100% excellent. We ordered two of the ribeye plates and had a dish of vegetable vegetables with some noodles on the side as part of our meal. This is a traditional Japanese style Shabu and if you want a different broth as an upgrade for it. The vegetable you get is what you get without refills and everything is all the cart. This place, reminds me a little bit of mojikiko Shabu except they actually give you unlimited vegetables. The meal I had was good. The service was excellent and the place is clean with individual table top seating. I'm not sure if I'll be back because the food is not really in line with what my boyfriend likes, but for me, it was good.