Hako is great! Their strength definitely lies on the katsu dishes. They're nice and crispy yet the meat inside is tender. I loved my fish katsu which used wild caught Alaskan cod. We added a side of curry which was pretty standard but I did enjoy the two types of dipping sauces they gave and a huge pile of cabbage salad on the side. The shrimp tempura udon was pretty standard as well - nothing bad but also nothing to write home about. I was pleasantly surprised with the salmon sashimi salad. It was quite refreshing and had a slight kick of wasabi in there. You can only waitlist when you're there via yelp using your name and phone number. We went on a Saturday and waited about an hour, which is usually a long time, but thankfully this place is located in a big plaza where you can hang around. read more

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OVERALL : I think the last time I had Hako was for take-out during the pandemic, so I was super hyped to come back this time and dine-in! They specialize in katsu, specifically the pork katsu and also the cheese katsu that has a big cheese pull! They also have other items like noodles, sushi, and appetizers if you want to order a variety for the table, but I would say most people get the katsu here! It comes as a set meal for one with rice, miso soup, cabbage salad, and some pickles on the side. You can also add a side of curry to dip! I recommend this option. There can be a wait (we waited about 45 mins on a Saturday afternoon), but once you're seated the food comes out super fast. Staff was friendly as well. This is a casual spot, perfect for the families or small groups grabbing a meal together! Can't wait to come back again! PARKING : Big parking lot since it is in a plaza with a supermarket and other shops FOOD/DRINKS : - Hako Tonkatsu - pork loin cutlet was really tender and juicy, not dry at all. Not oily or heavy. Went so well with the fresh cabbage salad and rice! Miso soup helped to wash everything down. I liked the katsu sauce provided, but wish we could still ground up our own sesame seeds to add to the sauce like some places have! - Spicy Curry Tonkatsu - pork loin cutlet, same as above set but this one came with a side of curry. It did have a bit of heat to it which I loved! Curry helped to keep things interesting and was delicious with the rice. read more

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Love this place! This was my first time coming here after hearing about it for a while, and I had a really great experience. The vibes are really good and the restaurant is very clean and well kept. When we arrived there were about 16 people ahead of us on the waiting list, but we were seated within about 25 minutes which is not bad for a saturday during lunch time The service was okay, and the staff was attentive and checked in when needed. The food was amazing. I ordered the curry tonkatsu and the fish katsu, and both were super good. The breading had the perfect level of crispiness and everything tasted really fresh. The portions are also pretty big, so it definitely fills you up. Overall, I really enjoyed my first visit here and would definitely come back when in Irvine. read more

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I came with a group of 3 on Monday afternoon and the wait wasn't too bad at 10 minutes. We decided to order the chicken katsu, curry katsu, and a California roll. Our food came out fairly quickly and the portions were huge. The breading on the chicken and pork katsu was perfect and it didn't taste too heavy. There was a good amount of meat compared to other places where their breading is more overpowering. The side salad and curry both taste delicious but I do wish the miso soup was hotter since it came out barely warm. Overall, the store was kept clean and service was nice! read more

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Average at best. The sushi rice is overcooked, artificial crab is basic, with soft squishy tempura. Karaage chicken was mid, hako katsu was good but nothing exceptional (can find at any other Japanese restaurant)... beef udon was good! But again nothing wow. Not sure why there's such hype. Always a long line. Service is good, but there's a big rush to turn over the table because of the long wait and lines so I felt super rushed to eat and gtfo. I went here 4 years ago. Forgot why I never returned and came back yesterday with same experience. Now I remember why I didn't return :( read more

Super good deal. Ordered katsu over the phone and was ready in 10 minutes. Crispy and very tasty. Nice to go packaging also. read more

We came on a Friday just in time before the lunch rush-- there were a lot of people waiting outside to get seated. Overall clean establishment. Thankfully the service is fast so people were in and out in a fair amount of time. As for the food, everything tasted delicious! I love cheese so I had to get the cheese tonkatsu of course, which I would highly recommend. Other items we got were the Hako Tonkatsu, Tanuki Udon, and Tiger Dragon Roll. read more

Hako - Hako Tonkatsu, Cheese Tonkatsu, Tanuki Udon, Tiger Dragon Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Delicious food! Hako reminds me of Yoko in Buena Park - both are excellent. There was a wait when I came on a Saturday afternoon so it took around 15 minutes to be seated. Service was pretty quick once inside and my food came out fast. I ordered the hako tonkatsu which was sooo yummy. The katsu was crispy and had a nice crunch, and the pork itself was tender. The katsu sauce was flavorful and nice to dip the katsu in. The meal also came with a side of miso soup that was comforting and not salty. I like that they also give abundant cabbage salad. The portion was huge and I was left stuffed. Hako is definitely a good bang for your buck! read more

Wow, this restaurant lived up to its hype! There's a Yelp waitlist right outside that you can join when you reach the restaurant. For our party of 5, the wait quoted 15-25 minutes for a Friday night at 5:00 PM. That was extremely accurate as our table was ready at 5:25. Every member of your party does have to be there in order for you to be seated so make sure that you're all on time! The ambiance is bustling with customers, and the delicious smell of katsu. There's also k-pop playing in the background. We got a lot of food, but collectively felt that the chicken katsu is absolutely the star of the show. -Chicken katsu entrees ($14.95): This came with the house made katsu sauce, cabbage salad, rice, and miso soup. The katsu was perfectly crispy on the outside, and juicy inside. The housemade katsu sauce was perfect with the katsu, and made of Japanese mayo, ketchup, and peanut sauce. I recommend adding a side of mild curry ($3) which adds even more umami. -Curry Tonkatsu ($17.95): This comes with the same sides as the chicken katsu. This katsu is made with pork loin cutlets, and already comes with a side of curry. The chicken and pork katsu were both tasty, but the chicken was ever so slightly juicier. -Nabeyaki Udon ($15.95): This was a big portion with udon, shrimp tempura, poached egg, fish cake, fried tofu, vegetables, seaweed, and scallion. It was filling and savory. -Tanuki Udon ($10.95): This was a smaller portion of udon compared to the Nabeyaki, and came with tanuki crunch flake, fish cake, fried tofu, seaweed, and scallion. The food was delicious, and the portions were so generous that we all took home leftovers. The service was quick and effective. All of the servers work together seamlessly. My whole group thoroughly enjoyed our time here, and will definitely be back again! read more

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wow, hako def lives up to the hype. my boyfriend and i came on a sunday and checked in at 12:45, wait was around 45 mins! inside felt a bit cramped and humid but the two of us were seated in a booth so we had plenty of room! all of the workers were kind and attentive even though it was super busy. mixed tempura (5/5) - the portion was a lot bigger than i thought. everything was fried super well, so light and crisp. agedashi tofu (5/5) - boyfriend and i really liked this! silken tofu with a perfectly crispy shell. the sauce it came in was super yummy as well. chicken katsu (5/5) - sooo yummy!! i added the curry, mild spice and the 4 piece cali roll. the portions are huge for the price!! the katsu sauce was really good as well, i kept going back and forth between that and the curry. fish katsu (4/5) - boyfriend said it had a good crisp, the fish was cooked well and flaky. we both liked that the miso soup was warm instead of super hot. overall very good experience! i'd definitely come back if i was in the area and had time to wait, it was well worth it! read more

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Hands down the best fish katsu I ever tried! The fish is cod. The cod was super moist, flavorful, flakey, and the crust was absolutely crunchy and the tartar sauce was delicioussss! The combo is the best deal to go with if you're hungry and want to try the appetizers. Our go to is the chicken katsu, it's always very juicy chicken! When we first started coming here the lines weren't that long, but now they are a thriving place during dinner. The Ambience is kind of loud due to it being a small and busy place, so make sure to get here with enough time as waits can be long but their turn around time goes pretty fast! Hako is our go to katsu place and definitely a must try in the Irvine area! read more

Hako - Fish Katsu, Chicken Katsu, Gyoza, California Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Tried this chicken katsu spot recently and I was really happy about the outcome! The inside is a little small, but there were enough seats and it felt very roomy. Our server was super kind and was patient with us. We ordered the curry tonkatsu and the zaru soba, and added the 4-piece gyoza to make it a combo for just $3 more. The curry tonkatsu came out in about 10-15 minutes, and the soba followed about 5 minutes later. The tonkatsu stood out the most with it being crispy, tender, and the curry had amazing flavor. The coleslaw and sauce on the side were surprisingly good too and added a nice balance of flavor to the plate. I wasn't the biggest fan of the soba personally, but it was still well made and tasty. The gyoza tasted like any other gyoza. The total came out to $42 after tax and tip and for everything, it was a fair price for the quality and portions. It' got two people very full. Definitely worth checking out if you're a katsu fan. Their curry katsu is absolutely delicious! read more

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So crunchy, so good. Good value for the portions too. You will probably have to wait a while for dinner but definitely worth waiting. Any variation of the tonkatsu is super well cooked, crispy but not overcooked. My favorite is the classic hako tonkatsu. Food comes out pretty quick. One of my go-to spots in Irvine! read more

Hako - Hako Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Came here before rush hour at around ~11pm with a group of 7 and were promptly seated. The menu was organized well and really easy to read. The restaurant staff were quick with ensuring the needs of our party were met, delivering waters to the tables and taking our orders. Was reccomended the fish Katsu which absolutely did not disappoint. The fish was nice and flaky and paired well with the cabbage and miso soup. Certainly a well proportioned dish. read more

Hako - Fish Katsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

There's nothing to complain about this place as food, service, and ambiance was all great. I have been missing the cheese tonkatsu I tried back in Korea, so I was very happy to try it again here. Crispy outside with thick pork cutlet and full mozzarella cheese, a beautiful dish. The variety of side dishes like the agedashi tofu and the mixed tempuras definitely made the meal more enjoyable as well. I highly recommend to order these side dishes together and try it out! read more

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I ordered Togo and I must say it's as good as dining in!! They package the food really nicely too. We got the: -chicken katsu 10/10 - crispy on the outside soft in the inside. But the standing out factor has to be their katsu sauce. Super flavorful and somewhat creamy. -fish katsu 10/10 also amazing and it came w tartar sauce which goes perfectly w the fish. The resturant Itself is pretty small so the wait may be long. However do note that if you order Togo you don't get the complementary miso soup as you would get dining in. read more

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Cute spot for a quick meal. My friends and I liked it so much. It's next to a bunch of other Asian restaurants. Parking was a bit difficult, as the lot was pretty small. But that's ok. It's also next to Zion grocery store so we got some pastries and snacks before we left. We also didn't realize that one of our friends actually works there, and she was our server. I'd come back to Hako!! read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

Quality food and good amount of food for the price, nice menu option, easy order by the phone to go. Always too busy and need to plan ahead if you want to dine in. Best place for donkatsu in irvine read more

Stopped by Hako in Irvine recently and had a solid experience overall. The restaurant itself is clean, modern, and has a casual atmosphere. I ordered the chicken katsu and a California roll. The chicken katsu came out hot and crispy with a nice golden crust while staying juicy on the inside with a side of fresh salad. The ratio of bread to chicken is the perfect amount. The BEST katsu I've had hands down. The katsu sauce added a nice sweet and savory balance, and the portion size was generous enough to make it a filling meal. The California roll was simple but well executed. Sometimes basic rolls can be hit or miss depending on the rice, but this one was done right. Service was friendly and efficient, and the food came out pretty quickly. Expect there to be a wait which confirms how good this spot really is. read more

Hako - Chicken katsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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First time coming here. I went on a Saturday night. There was a 40 minute wait. I got the cheese tonkotsu. The curry is good too! It was fantastic! There was a small wait to order after being seated. The food was served immediately. It's a lot of food for the price. It might be worth sharing a plate. The inside is clean. The menu is straightforward. Parking can be a little competitive but there's usually space. I'll be back! read more

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I first came here years ago when they had just opened, so returning after all this time and finding the food still just as delicious, huge applause to them for their consistency! We visited on a Saturday night around 6pm and had to wait about an hour, which wasn't surprising given how popular the place is. Once seated, service was quick; we got our menus and water right away, and the food came out fast too. The agedashi tofu was a standout; crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfectly paired with a slightly sweet, flavorful sauce. Their katsu was equally yummy; light, crispy batter with tender meat, and the spicy curry had just the right kick. Overall, a solid 10/10 meal! read more

Hako - Agedashi Tofu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Had to leave another review after 2 years since this spot does not miss! I am so glad to see the popularity Hako has gained. The only downside is now there is usually a wait, but it is definitely well worth it. Wifey and I stopped by for dinner with some family and it was about a 30 min wait. I opted for the Hamburg Beef Katsu and wifey got the Cheese Tonkatsu. The portions are very generous and you definitely get your money's worth! Everything was delicious and worked so well together. Overall, this spot is up there as one of the best katsu spots in Irvine and all of OC! All of the staff are very attentive and welcoming. There is a reason why they now have over 1,000+ positive reviews! read more

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A small shop in the Zion market plaza but full of flavor. We ordered the cheese katsu and the Hako Tonkatsu. The portions are large, even for me, and delicious. The ingredients used are fresh and the meats are tender, as well. Will return soon and will order the Hako Tonkatsu, definitely worth it. The udon noodles were good but definitely a go-to option on a cold day. Service is quick, friendly, and very attentive. In terms of appetizers, the gyoza were good but fairly standard and the agedashi tofu, maybe because I'm a sucker for tofu, but it definitely hit the spot. Wait can be a bit long if you have a large party, but otherwise, people go in and out fairly quickly. read more

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This is my favorite katsu restaurant. Busy location with a bit of a wait during peak hours but definitely worth it. My go to is their fish katsu. Panko crust is light and satisfying. Great portion size. Each katsu order includes cabbage salad, rice, pickles, sauces and the entree and miso soup. (Soup is only for dine in only - must order as an add on for to go orders) Attention to detail - katsus are on little cooling racks on the plate to prevent the from getting soggy, great to-go boxes, branded plates, and nicer chopsticks that won't leave you fearing splinters. Nice assortment of appetizers and sides to choose from although haven't tried them since the katsus are so filling. A must try - go early, expect a wait but you can take the time to check out some of the nearby shops. read more

One of my favorite spots to get katsu! My go-to order is the cheese tonkatsu because I'm a huge fan of cheese and the ratio of cheese to pork is so good. It comes with pickled radish, cabbage salad, and rice so it's quite satisfying. The katsu has a nice crunch to it. They have a good variety of dishes but not too many choices to the point where it's overwhelming. Along with the cheese katsu they also have original, curry, fish, and a few others. They also have sushi and udon here if you're not feeling katsu, as well as a lot of appetizers to choose from. There's usually a long wait during peak hours because the restaurant itself is a bit small but it's definitely worth the wait. You can also order takeout and they'll have your order ready in a very timely manner! read more

Hako - cheese tonkatsu takeout - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

I had such a great experience at Hako! The katsu curry was incredibly crispy and flavorful -- honestly one of the best I've had. The restaurant itself is cozy and cute, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing meal. The staff were so attentive and checked on us frequently to make sure we had everything we needed. Overall, amazing food and amazing service. Definitely worth a visit! I would love to come back next time! read more

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Everything was great except pork katsu was pounded thin to make it larger and didn't have choice of thick pork hire katsu. Also doesn't come with traditional tonkatsu sauce and mustard. It came with home made peanut sauce. Not a authentic Japanese katsu restaurant. But curry sauce was creamy and excellent taste. read more

Hako is my go to spot for Donkatsu! All their options are great but we go with the Fish, Hamburg Steak and Hira Katsu. The cold noodles are great as well! This place does get busy so expect a wait or go during off hours. The staff is attentive and friendly. They are really busy so take that into consideration. read more

We arrived at Hako at around 1:30PM on a Saturday. They use the Yelp waitlist system - once you're on the waitlist, they text you a link where you can view your spot in line, and they send you another text once your table is ready. Our estimated wait time was 26-41 minutes for a party of 2, and there were 15 parties ahead of us. We ended up waiting 30 minutes, which was not bad at all considering there were a few bigger parties ahead of us. There are other stores in the same plaza that you can check out while waiting. There is also a lot of parking available. The inside of the restaurant is on the smaller side, which is why the wait can be a little long sometimes, but the food is worth it! I ordered the cheese katsu (mozzarella cheese wrapped in pork cutlet), and it was delicious! The cheese pull was sooo good. My fiance ordered the curry tonkatsu (pork cutlet w/ house made curry on the side), and you can choose mild or spicy for the curry. Each katsu plate is served with cabbage salad, rice, miso, and house made katsu sauce. The portions are generous, the katsu is crispy, and the servers are attentive. This is one of my favorite katsu restaurants in the OC! Definitely a bang for your buck with how yummy the food is & how much food you're actually getting. read more

Hako - Cheese Tonkatsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Katsu is my favorite Japanese cuisine to eat and although this isn't Japanese owned, it still is an amazing spot to fulfill your katsu needs. The line here is always long and you need to jump on the Yelp guestlist in person. They usually get through the line pretty fast though. One thing that stands out about Hako is that the pricing is pretty affordable. It's $14.95 for a katsu meal with rice, soup, cabbage and let me tell you, it's super filling! Not only can you get katsu but also appetizers like sushi, edamame, kaarage and more. To get your bang for your buck you can add another side to your katsu combo for an extra $3. Choose between their Curry, California Roll or Gyoza! read more

Hako - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Hako is super popular thanks to their variety of katsu options. Ate here for dinner on a weekend. Waitlist was ~45 minutes so my partner and I went around the corner for hot tea and sit down. Crowded and packed elbow to elbow. Noisy from all the hubbub, plus the road noise since they keep the front doors open. After we were called and sat down, we ordered from their menu. It's not a big one but it's well-sectioned into appetizers, mains, noodles, rolls and drinks. My partner got the pork tenderloin katsu (hire-katsu) while I ordered the nabeyaki udon and the Agedashi tofu appetizer. The katsu were small tiny pieces, breaded well but fried a dark color. It was crunchy on the outside but not so tender on the inside. My udon was ok. Very soupy, with lots of toppings but not enough noodles. Overall, it's a decent katsu spot after shopping at Zion market next door. We will likely revisit our favorite katsu / udon spot in Laguna Hills. read more

Hako is a Japanese restaurant located next to Zion Market in the Northwood area of Irvine. Hako means "box" in Japanese but they are actually Korean-owned and you can see that in some of their side dishes. We ordered the spicy tuna roll ($8.95), tiger dragon roll ($13.95), shrimp tempura udon ($12.95), and chicken katsu ($14.95). The rolls were just okay and pretty standard. The shrimp tempura udon had a sweet broth, pickled veggies for a nice balance, and togarashi on top for some spice. The chicken katsu was crispy but so light; they used chicken breast but it was still so tender. The dipping sauce was good and overall this was my favorite dish. We had a pretty filling meal and the service was good and quick. read more

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[IN A NUTSHELL] great katsu, yummy soba, excellent taste [VERDICT] - APPROVED [RUN-DOWN] Found this place while looking for a dinner spot and I was not disappointed. There was a long wait to be seated but I it was worth it. Overall, the katas was crispy and there was a cheese pull on the tonkatsu one. If you come here, the items that I got would be recommendation. The katas was good as a crispy protein and then the soba help cut out the fat. The dish also comes with some pickled jalapeño and daikon. [SCORE & ORDER] OVERALL: 3.91/5 Spicy Curry Tonkatsu $17.95 (4/5) -Pork Loin Cutlet with House Made Curry on the side -This was a really good dish to get and I would recommend getting it. The curry was also really good with this and I used it for the cheese one as well (worth the extra cost). The pork was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. There is also the sesame dip (I think) that comes with it but I preferred the curry. It also comes with two spice levels and I think the spicy was a good kick but I can handle spice. Cheese Katsu $16.95 (4/5) -Mozzarella Cheese wrapped in Pork Loin Cutlet -This was the first time that I had this and it was so good! There was a cheese pull on it and the combination of the pork and the cheese made it super delicious. The cheese was also really gooey which means that it was great. The sauce that comes with it was also super good and I am assuming it was a sesame blend. The pork was also crispy and crunchy on the outside. Zaru Soba $12.95 (3.75/5) -Cold Buckwheat Noodle, Nori Seaweed, and Hoe Made Soba Sauce -The soba noodles were delicious. I have not had a bad soba but this was especially good because it was soft and chewy. Overall would recommend this if you don't want something too fatty. [SERVICE & ATMOSPHERE] (not reflected upon review score): Atmosphere was super cool. We had a big party and they could seat us. The wait was about an hour long but to me, it was worth. The waiter was super nice and the food came out relatively quick but not sure if it's because it was close to closing time. [TIME STAMP] APRIL 2025 read more

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After ordering from Hako via DoorDash too many times, I finally made my way to the restaurant. We stopped in on a Sunday a little after 12pm and the wait wasn't too bad. Unlike the last time I tried to dine in, there wasn't a wait to add your name to the iPad. I do wish they offered the Yelp waitlist option so you could join from the car on your way over. The food was delicious and came out real quick! We ordered 3 chicken katsus (one with a side of curry), 1 fish katsu, and 1 roll. The food here is so good that I will still continue to pay the upcharge and have it doordashed but glad I got to dine in this time! read more

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Hako is a local Japanese restaurant specializing in tonkatsu. This well known spot always has a long wait, so make sure to get here early and get on the waitlist as soon as possible. But there is definitely a reason why this spot is always so crowded because wow is the food good. This spot serves some of the best tonkatsu I have ever had, as the breading is not too heavy and the meat remains juicy and flavorful. I enjoy getting a curry but it definitely isn't necessary as the sauce that comes with the set is flavorful enough! The service is always friendly and quick while the inside is always clean but has people constantly streaming in and out. Overall, Hako remains one of the best tonkatsu restaurants, and I highly recommend it to everyone! read more

Hako - Hako Tonkatsu with Curry - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Solid food as always. Very busy, highly recommend to come early to get your name on the waitlist. Always very popular spot and a fairly small size restaurant. Worth the wait, love the food here. Service was good. They definitely have enough staff/servers to run the restaurant even during peak hours. Came for dinner on a Friday night and they were fully staffed and had no issues. read more

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I was disappointed with how the reservation/waiting list was handled. I added my name first for a table for two, but instead of seating us first, the restaurant seated a group of four who arrived after us simply because a table for four was available. I know because I literally saw her being dropped off from a car so she could sign up while they parked. I understand wanting to accommodate the available table, but it felt unfair to prioritize a larger group over guests who had been waiting longer. I would have appreciated a more consistent and fair approach to the waiting list, based on who was first rather than the size of the table available. read more

Came on a friday evening and got seated right away at around 5:45pm. Definitely would recommend coming early because there were a lot of people waiting by the time we left. Both the udon and katsu we ordered were delicious. Service was very quick and vibes were good for a casual sit down meal. read more

Hako - Nabeyaki Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irvine, California

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Either always come early or be ready to be on the waitlist for 20+ min. The wait is worth it tho! My fav katsu curry place with plenty of options in katsu, udon, and sushi. My fav is the pork cheese katsu with spicy curry. Definitely an Irvine staple read more

This place was actually really yummy! From the undo to the katsu, me and my boyfriend shared. The space was nice very fast paced, they seem to get a lot of to go orders. They have a lot of workers so I feel like they're constantly checking on you making sure you're good. I'd definitely be back read more

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