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    Hapa J's

    4.1 (1.4k reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    HAPA J'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Hapa J's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Teriyaki Beef bowl
    Jus E.

    The service was amazing and fast!!! Siana was friendly and nice! The food was delicious though the ambiance was okay the music was too loud. Overall food was delicious! We will be back and we highly recommend it!

    North Shore Shrimp was honestly better than North Shore's
    Kristina C.

    WOW! We finally have an authentic Hawaiian spot that tastes amazing! There is a reason the prices are high, the portions are generous. We'll be back!

    Laura S.

    Good food, service and atmosphere. For a tasty Hawaiian meal, Hapa J's hits the spot. It's located in San Clemente and keeps with the laid back, casual feel of the beach city.

    Hapa Nachos - Big enough to feed the fam!
    Scott B.

    So much goodness from this spot! Great Happy Hour discounts. The service was attentive but not intrusive or invisible. The food was super fresh and flavorful! The atmosphere was nice, clean but pretty loud. Seems like a great family or event spot as well! We hadn't been in a few years and were very happy about the experience! We'll be back!

    Mac n Cheese w Macadamia Nuts
    Rebecca W.

    The only thing I'd change about this place is it's location!! I wish they would come to LA!!!! Hapa J's is a GEM of a restaurant located in San Diego/Clemente area, specializing in Hawaiian food with enormous portions. Seriously, if you think you know big portions, this place will make you think again. We ordered: LOCO MOCO - Heavenly. Came with 3 side dishes, we opted for the mac salad, the pineapple fried rice, and greens! Seriously could serve like 3-4 people to share. The pineapple rice surprised me - I wasn't expecting such a sweet and satisfying texture! Highly recommend getting that as one of your sides! CHILI MOCO - Yes we doubled up on the moco. This came with 2 eggs on top. It was a little too spicy for my sensitive acid reflux prone tummy, but I enjoyed it! MAC n CHEESE - This came with Macadamia Nuts sprinkled on top! It was rich and heavenly, I had to eat this in multiple sittings because it was so rich! We also asked for a side of haupia for dessert, even though it wasn't on the menu. But nothing like some fragrant coconut putting to top of the meal. Our server was an absolute joy. She was very attentive and friendly to us throughout the evening, and made it all the more enjoyable!! I love that there are windows all around the main foyer area, so that you can feel the ocean breeze and it never gets too stuffy. The restaurant itself is actually deceptively large, as they have various seating areas deeper into the space. Parking is located across the street where Stewart's Surf shop is. There is signage for Hapa J's! If I ever find myself in this part of town again, I would LOVE to come back!

    Da Luau Plate
    Edward S.

    If you're passing thorough San Clemente, make sure to stop at Hapa J's for great Hawaiian cooking. Da Luau Plate: The plate is massive, possibly enough for two meals. Their kalua pig is really juicy, flavorful, and tender - the best item on the menu. The shoyu chicken is really tender, and it should have its own plate on the menu again. The Portuguese sausage is savory and well seasoned. For a little sweet treat, there's a square of coconut milk haupia pudding and pickled mango slices. You can add three sides. The correct answer is one scoop of rice and two scoops of mac salad. Parking: The restaurant has a large parking lot on the side street.

    Loco moco. Huge portions!
    David W.

    TL:DR - Huge portions for a good price. Super friendly After we spent a day at San Clemente beach we just wanted something quick and tasty. Hapa Just looked ono so we dropped by. There is parking across the street in Stewart's surf shop parking. We came on a Thursday evening at 730 and it was chill. Not too crowded. But that was perfect because our food came out super quick and the waitress was super friendly. We got the loco moco, chili moco fries, and mac nut mac n cheese! They were all incredibly delicious and the portions were huge!!! We could barely finish the loco moco and had to take the rest home in carry out boxes. Overall I would definitely come back for another round of food!

    Da Biggest Mixed Plate
    Joe M.

    Stopped by this Hawaiian spot on the way back from San Diego and enjoyed the island-style vibe and friendly service. We ordered the big mixed plate to sample a bit of everything, plus a cup of chili. The chicken katsu was the clear standout--crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The teri-beef was good, but the rest of the plate fell short. The shoyu chicken was my least favorite, and the kalbi beef short ribs were sliced so thin they didn't add much. It doesn't taste like authentic Hawaiian flavors, but it's a decent spot if you're craving something different and want to try a variety of dishes.

    Loco Moco Bowl
    Chelsea H.

    Parking: there's a small parking lot across from Hapa J's (on W Avenida Cornelio). Otherwise there's street parking, but that can definitely be tough. Service: they were very attentive and kind. Quickly took our order and brought everything out. Ambiance: we enjoyed the island reggae music they were playing. Loved the chill vibes inside the restaurant, felt like we were really on the island. The restaurant was huge and had tons of indoor seating. There was also bar seating. Food: Ahi Poke Trio (8/10)- the first one was a crusted ahi, probably my least favorite. I really enjoyed the spicy mayo poke on chips, it was really good. I also liked the marinated tuna with the sesame oil! Delicious! Hapa Fries (8.5/10)- the French fries were delicious, so crispy! Fresh out of the fryer. The sauces were ketchup, honey mustard, garlic aioli, and thousand island. My faves were the garlic aioli and honey mustard. Mini Loco Bowl (with two sides: white rice and kimchi) (6/10)- not my favorite, the meat was a little too well done so the patty was a bit dry. Kalbi Plate (with three sides: white rice, Mac salad, and kimchi (on the spicier side)) (8/10)- the kalbi meat were super flavorful! Absolutely delicious. Definitely on the pricier side though.

    Outside
    Vince P.

    Hapa J's is serving some of the best and authentic Hawaiian food in all of South OC! To get here, there is a parking lot across the street from the restaurant with some spots or street parking around the area as well. Inside, they have a pretty spacious setup with a good amount of seating. Wifey and I stopped by for dinner around 6:30pm and were seated right away. For their menu, they have a variety of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, plates, and bowls to choose from. We opted to get the Spicy Poke Plate and Da Big Mixed Plate along with a Fruit Punch and a Plantation Tea for our bevs. Everything we had was delicious and the portions were very generous! Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience here. All of the staff are very friendly and accommodating. Pro tip: make sure you ask for togo box after because you will definitely have leftovers. There is a reason why this spot has over 1,000+ positive reviews!

    Combination platter
    David Z.

    We wanted to grab a nice homely dinner near San Juan Capistrano. Saw this spot and decided to try it out. We were seated promptly and service was very good. The inside is very large. There are tons of tables for dinner service. We ordered the combo, and there was probably enough food for two of me! Would definitely come back.

    Hapa J's, San Clemente
    John S.

    A fun place that serves large portions at reasonable prices. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. I asked for a low-salt garlic chopped steak and it was served perfectly. This flavorful dish was made of chopped flank steak and came with three sides. I chose papaya, stir fry vegetables and green salad, thus making it a more healthy meal. The tasty Happa Nachos menu item was huge and included a substantial amount of cheese and pork. Unless you have a big appetite, are very hungry or plan to bring much of it home in a "to-go" box, plan to share it. I liked that a variety of beers were offered at prices even more reasonable during their happy hours.

    Small patio area at front entrance
    Jeanilee S.

    Stopped by to place a to go order after seeing pictures of the food on Yelp. On a Saturday afternoon, it wasn't busy at all but still took awhile to be acknowledged. I kind of knew what I wanted already and ordered the Yokozuna burger, Spam Tempura, and Maui onion soup. I also had a happy hour Mai tai while I waited. The food itself was delicious, with the spam tempura being my favorite. The burger was massive, and a little hard to eat but good. The onion soup would have been better enjoyed at the restaurant. The portion of fried you get is a lot.. but with a 29.99 price tag for the entree, it should be. Fun Fact: there's a nice outdoor patio at the front entrance.

    Da Biggest Mixed Plate

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    The Poke nachos were amazing! Love the wonton chips with it! Service was great. Good vibes and will be going back

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    Page 1 of 35

    Hapa J's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hapa J's

    Any outdoor dining set up?

    no outdoor dining

    Are dogs allowed?

    Yes I have brought my dogs to sit on their outside patio. The seating is like sitting at a bar, though.

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    Kawamata Seafood - Large, ahi tuna/salmon,  original blend and spicy mayo with spicy tuna and furikaki topping.

    Kawamata Seafood

    4.5(1k reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Kawamata Seafood
    Kawamata Seafood - Regular salmon bowl with Furikake and spicy mayo

    Regular salmon bowl with Furikake and spicy mayo

    Kawamata Seafood - Regular salmon bowl with Furikake and spicy mayo

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    Regular salmon bowl with Furikake and spicy mayo

    Seasurf Fish - poke nacho

    Seasurf Fish

    4.5(648 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    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

    We drove all the way from San Diego to enjoy this restaurant on a fine Saturday day. we arrived at…read morenoon and there was about five people in line out the door. We waited for 25 minutes and the line did not move. The line only continued to grow about 20+ people wrapping around the corner. What a failure by the business owner to only have one cashier and not offer any shade, apologies, (or potentially a free sample of POG etc) for their 20+ patrons waiting in a stationary line that is not going anywhere. After 30min we called it quits and went to active culture where we were treated with great customer service. Go to active culture!

    Photos
    Seasurf Fish - Prepped and ready for pick up orders

    Prepped and ready for pick up orders

    Seasurf Fish - Poke Nachos and a cold beer for the win!

    Poke Nachos and a cold beer for the win!

    Seasurf Fish - Motif is the best!

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    Motif is the best!

    L & L Hawaiian Barbecue

    L & L Hawaiian Barbecue

    3.3(46 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    So exited about the L&L Hawaiian BBQ coming to San Clemente. The service is great. Richard is the…read morebest!! The chicken katsu is so good!!

    After visiting some L&L's while in Hawaii, I was excited they were opening in San Clemente…read more When I arrived, the place is all shiny and new, so very clean. Nice little dining area with various tables. I had to take a moment to read the menu before I decided. The counter clerk was very nice and patient as I figured out what I wanted. The experience with him was 4.5 stars, as the 2 stars shown is purely about the food. I ended up ordering a curry chicken katsu bowl with the curry on the side and then a side of the gravy so I could try both. I went and filled up my ridiculously expensive diet coke and found a seat. The cost was $4.50 for a large (?) diet coke. $4.50! Four dollar bills and two quarters! Don't believe me? Check out the receipt picture. That was half the cost of the food. For Diet Coke! OK, enough... The wait was not too long before my name was called. The bowl was pretty small, but they had other options that would certainly get you more food, but this size was good for me at this point. Key points: Chicken Katsu - very thin, so tasted mostly like crunchy batter Curry Sauce - one of my favorite sauces in the world, and this one had zero, none, zilch taste. I was thinking I had covid, since it just tasted like thick water. I tried some soy sauce to prove I could taste and my taster was working OK. Gravy - hard to believe, but this one may have had less taste, or equally no taste. Again, I thought of thick water. Ponzu Sauce or similar - had taste and ended up being my main source of flavor Steam Vegetables - poor guys, they were steamed to oblivion and the taste with them, softly melted in my mouth (and that's not a compliment) Rice - decent, rice cooker rice. I spruced it up with soy and sriracha My fantasy of having some OK Hawaiian food was dashed. Look, it's fast food Hawaiian and even in HI it does not compare to good, hometown spots with GREAT food but it's OK for a quick bite when touring around the Islands. This version did not compare to what I had experienced in Hawaii. I sometimes go back to check consistency and will do the same here. They are still relatively new, so some slack and another visit to check my review score is the right thing to do. Hand Loose. Try in the future. Wish Them Luck!

    Photos
    L & L Hawaiian Barbecue
    L & L Hawaiian Barbecue
    L & L Hawaiian Barbecue

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    LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - usion of traditional noodle soup with rich smoked BBQ in our 12-Hour Smoked Short Rib Pho. Enjoy tender, smoky perfection served with blanch

    LUA Asian Fusion Eatery

    4.7(490 reviews)
    8.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Free parking

    This place is absolutely amazing!!!…read more I had the Smoked Pho and it was some of the best I ever had. The brisket in the smoked pho could be its own entree. Smoked to perfection, full of flavor and tender as can be. The broth was very flavorful and I didn't need any thing extra. Wifey had the Vermicelli Salad with Shrimp and she loved it. My niece had the yellow curry and she loved it. The server was really nice just busy, but she was very friendly. Small place with about 12 tables so it can get busy real fast but there is cool music playing in the background to how the time pass. I promise you that you will not be disappointed!!

    Call it a pho phase or a full-blown pho binge. We've been making more intentional pho stops lately,…read moreparticularly at places that emphasize cleaner broths due to my husband's MSG sensitivity. Lua Eatery feels like a hidden gem and a special find. What makes their bowl stand out is that the herbs and condiments are already incorporated into the soup, creating a cohesive flavor experience from the first sip. The broth itself is quite tasty with a subtle smoky BBQ note that complements the traditional savory base beautifully. Despite being rich and deeply satisfying, it's not greasy or oily, which makes it feel indulgent yet balanced. Definitely a place we'll be returning to. And as as a bonus, the Dana Point Strand Beach is close by and a great spot to enjoy a post-lunch walk!

    Photos
    LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Bo Kho Sizzling Plate

    Bo Kho Sizzling Plate

    LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Garlic Butter Noodles: 
Okinawa soba noodles featuring garlic butter sauce, marinated egg, arugula, and Pecorino cheese.

    Garlic Butter Noodles: Okinawa soba noodles featuring garlic butter sauce, marinated egg, arugula, and Pecorino cheese.

    LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Brisket Phở Dip: Brisket pho in a baguette: braised brisket, bean sprouts, picked onions, Thai basil, pickled red onion, hoisin, and Srirach

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    Brisket Phở Dip: Brisket pho in a baguette: braised brisket, bean sprouts, picked onions, Thai basil, pickled red onion, hoisin, and Srirach

    Hapa J's - hawaiian - Updated May 2026

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