I was very impressed on my first visit to Iyasaka. We had an array of dishes that felt familiar, yet were new to us. The chef expanded my idea of what Japanese cuisine was. My mother, who was raised with her own Japanese food sensibility, loved every single dish, which is rare. The saba battera (mackerel sushi) I will be thinking about for a long time to come. The pickled mackerel melts in your mouth. It was thicker than the rice bed, which was dipped generously in soy sauce. It was topped with nori paste, something I haven't had in years. We started our meal with kanjuku (fully ripe) tomato salad and kimpira (simmered lotus root). The tomato salad was sliced thinly, arranged beautifully on the plate like sashimi, and topped with dressing, red onions, and finely shredded shiso (perilla leaf). The lotus root was also sliced thinly and simmered in sweetened soy sauce with tiny bits of hot pepper. We loved both dishes. We also had buta kakuni (pork belly), tori tsukune (chicken patty), and ika shumai (squid dumpling). The pork belly was very tender, and the fat just melted in your mouth. It came with some slightly sweet carrot, hard boiled egg, baby bok choy, and a little wasabi. It also came in a thickened light-colored broth, which surprised me because Japanese food often in a sauce darkened with soy sauce. The ika shumai also came in a light-colored thickened sauce that seemed to have a different flavor. I was surprised that the ika shumai was a single cake of squid (that somehow didn't taste strongly squidlike) with the thinnest artfully shredded wrapper. The tori tsukune came with a delicious dark sauce, garnished with benishoga (bright red ginger) and green onions. Only I tried dipping it in the egg yolk, which gave the ground chicken a delightful creaminess. I was pleasantly surprised that Iyasaka offered rooibos herbal tea, as most Japanese restaurants have only green tea and don't even have mugicha (barley tea common in Japanese homes). Most of the desserts had either caffeine or alcohol in them. They sounded delicious, but we were so full we couldn't even consider them. Our server was attentive and patient with our many questions. She seemed happy that we enjoyed this journey of authentic Japanese cuisine made new. The space was dark with little fabric to absorb sound, as can be expected in a Japanese izakaya. At first my mother was bothered by the noise from another party, but as we got into the food and as the space filled we noticed the noise less. We got there just as Iyasaka opened, so it felt warm as the air conditioner kicked in. That too bought back fond memories of Japan. I wasn't sure how my mom would enjoy an izakaya setting and menu, but Iyasaka was a bigger hit than any other Japanese restaurant I took her to this year. We will definitely be back! read more

Iyasaka - Kanjuku tomato salad and kimpira (lotus root). - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I love a good izakaya. And this was as authentic Japanese as it gets! Quality dishes. Good food, good service, good volume so it was easy to chat. Easy place to grab a few bites and catch-up with friends over a nice meal / drink. I also appreciate their online menu with photos of their dishes. Huge plus in my book, since I like to know what my food will look like. ;) This place was solid. Would come again if in the area again! read more

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A very authentic Japanese izakaya experience. A great selection of Japanese whiskeys and beers and a unique selection of appetizers and dishes like you will find in cities in Japan. Definitely worth the visit. read more

One of the most amazing restaurants I have ever eaten in. The food was so good. I had not tasted tongue. I had never had pork belly. There's so many things I've never had and one thing was better than the next. Our server. Manami was helpful and darling, and the sweetest could be. The owner Nicki was also very helpful and charming. My favorite was the pork belly special and the stewed tongue. Absolutely incredible. I will post some pictures so you can see the food. I would go back in a heartbeat. It is a very small restaurant so make sure you get there early so you can get a seat. They opened at 6 o'clock tonight and we were there at 10 minutes standing at the door and there were two very large groups also. read more

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Iyasaka is a wonderful intimate restaurant with around 6 tables. It has the feel of a fancier restaurant but doesn't push that pressure on anybody. The co owner of the restaurant is very nice! She was attentive and very helpful with the menu as we were trying so many new things. The food here in general has wonderful presentation as you can see from the photos, reminded me so much of kaiseki dishes. The ripe tomato salad is exactly how you think it would taste, refreshing, citrusy, cold, a great balance of the warmer and heavier dishes. The daikon soup and fish was made wonderfully, the fish melts in your mouth and the daikon soup is savory but clean. I really enjoyed the appetizer omakase, it had a wonderful variety of apps that my partner and I were both able to try due to the pairing, I think the standouts for me on that plate were the tuna, salmon and surprisingly the green tea tofu which had an incredible texture and taste. Lastly the pressed salmon sushi and mackerel rolls were awesome, they were dense, savory. And the mackerel rolls were tender! Usually when you have mackerel it can have a heavy fish taste with a more dense texture but the rolls made them taste light and soft. I also purchased a special onion cocktail which I thought was surprisingly good! It had a hint of savory flavor but was nice and strong. It reminded me of savory cocktail pairings I had in Japan. Overall a wonderful experience at Iyasaka! It's really a hidden gem, we'd definitely want to come back to try other dishes, thank you Iyasaka! read more

Iyasaka - Higawari (omakase appetizers plate) - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I get it now. Super authentic food. Beer on tap. Fabulous service. Cool ambiance. Can't wait to come back to try more yummy food. read more

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Been my favorite spot for drinks ever since it was the former bar, La Lune! I'm so glad I still get to enjoy Chef Goto-san's amazing dishes :) Ume Nankotsu and Eihire have been my drinking buddies since the La Lune days :) Their Battera, Miso Cheese, and Tsukune have become my new favorites, but everything here is soooo delicious!! The staff are always so friendly and welcoming. It gets pretty busy on weekends, so I'd recommend making a reservation :) read more

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Found this hidden gem after landing at SNA and wow is this truly hidden and truly a gem! I would have never thought to come here if I hadn't stumbled across this yelp page. When we dined at this restaurant, there was only one woman serving and one man in the back. They serve super unique dishes, most of which I haven't had before, at least in the way they cook them. My favorites were the pressed mackerel sushi, corn and shiso leaf tempura, and the rum creme brulee. I also loved the melon soda cocktail! However, some dishes might be an acquired taste - the braised pork belly is on the lighter side and comes in a thick broth. The chicken gizzard is served cold, which I'm also not used to. Some of the dishes can be quite salty, but I suppose that's why you drink with them! The service was amazing. We were one of two parties in the restaurant so I'm sure our experience was more intimate, but our server was attentive and it felt super comfortable and familiar. She was very friendly and recommended their popular dishes to us. Definitely check this out if you're in the area! I'm excited to come back and see what they have on their new seasonal menu! read more

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Iyasaka is a dim-lit hole in the wall serving small, Japanese plates with a twist. Our party of 5 was seated without a reso. Service was exceptional! The dishes were unique and well executed. Though I wish some of the plates had a sauce (like the potato and tempura) flavors were delicious and memorable. We did not order any crazy entrees so I'm interested to be back and see what that's all about. I would say this is a great place to try, especially for a date night! read more

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Had a nice unexpected meal here. Was out late looking for dinner and came across Iyasaka on Yelp! Food looked good, so we went It isn't like some of the larger Izakawa spots in that they have a limited menu, but there are still plenty of options. We had the salmon sushi (x2), which comes seared, the duck, which is, shall we say - artistically plated, the toro fries, the sweet potato tempura, agadashi tofu, and the tomato salad. That plus a bottle of sake was about $175. I think the highlights were the salmon and the sweet potato tempura, but everything was good. The bar is interesting in that they have a full license, but a very limited selection and far more soju cocktails that full booze cocktails. read more

Total hole in the wall restaurant. Iyasaka is in an unassuming strip center literally adjacent to a gas station. Walking in the entire atmosphere, layout, and decor is reminiscent of an actual restaurant from Japan. The best part? The food quality is surprisingly exceptional. The execution of the food here is minimal and high quality. Dishes that look simple are packed with flavors, and it's been such a long time that I've had a mackerel dish that surprised me. The pressed mackerel sushi, Saba Battera, is some of the best mackerel I've had in a very long time. Not a hint of any fishy flavor and the portion of fish is huge. It's worth coming to this place for this one dish alone, but for everything we ordered there wasn't a single bad dish. Our server was really sweet and everything came out in a reasonable time. This is a great spot if you need to grab a bite before going out, or even better if you're done with a night out and you need a place to keep the night going. Closing at 2am, this is the perfect spot to end the night with some beer and great izakaya food. read more

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I eat healthy. The only problem is late-night eating. It's the Sumo Diet, they eat and go to sleep and that's how they get them that big -- John Pinette After seeing a show at Segerstrom, checked the Yelp app to see what could possibly still be open after 10 in OC. Found this Japanese bar close by and the reviews were stellar. The reviews were not wrong. Outstanding apps and drinks with unique combinations and plating. Especially loved their take on braised pork belly along the pressed mackerel, creatively arranged toasted duck, wagyu nigiri and clay pot. Service was friendly and the ambiance is a strip mall next to gas station bar ;-) Wine list is pitiful, get a sake. Highly recommended read more

Izakaya as a word has been kind of co-opted by non-Japanese to mean more or less upscale Japanese food. The actual real meaning of izakaya should be a drinking restaurant with a focus on small plates. This place has a bar that covers nearly all the major forms of alcohol and the small dishes to accompany your drinks here are superb. All the details here are paid very well attention to for discerning gourmets. I think this is the perfect place to eat and drink for a few hours with a friend or two. I will definitely be back. read more

Iyasaka - Seasonal bamboo shoots - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

i love this place so much!!!! perfect spot for date night or small group dinners, ambiance is more casual but food and service is spectacular the corn tempura is soooo good, so cronchy and the blast of juicy corn was perfect my favorite bite from the appetizer plate was the roasted duck. it was sooooooooo tender and juicy, packed with flavor and even my bf who doesn't normally like duck named it as his favorite bite the teba gyoza was our absolute favorite dish hands down. we got like 3 orders of it xD seriously so delicious, a must order dish fsho highly recommend this spot for anyone who wants some really good japanese food paired with really delicious drinks read more

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HIGHLY recommend eating here!!! The vibes, the service, the food - everything was high quality. We came in on a weekday evening and there was no wait. We tried multiple dishes and each dish wowed us. I felt like I was eating dishes from culinary class wars - that's how innovated and amazing the dishes were lol. The dishes were more elevated compared to traditional izakaya. We started off with the tomato salad, which was so refreshing and had an amazing sauce with a mixture of tartiness, sweetness, and savoriness combined. Next, we had the stuffed chicken wings which were amazing - it was like a dumpling but inside of a chicken wing and chicken itself was nice and crispy. After that we got the fried octopus which came in a soup and the flavor was so delicious and unique. We ended with the braised pork belly which was super tender and melted in my mouth. read more

Iyasaka - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We came in on a Sunday around 9pm for our first time. We were absolutely blown away by the quality and creativity of the dishes. The wait staff were incredibly friendly and the dishes came out very fresh. This is a small operation with limited seating, but because of this, they're able to maintain a very high quality of product. Some highlights for us: Both types of pressed nigiri (mackerel and salmon) Pork belly in black vinegar sauce (incredibly tender) Corn and shisho leaf fritter Assorted pickles (great flavor and variety) Stuffed chicken wing Sweet potato tempura Appetizer omakase This was the first time in a while we were blown away by a restaurant. It was relatively quiet when we went, but maybe the location and/or time of day meant not too many people were visiting. Don't be fooled by its presence in an unassuming strip mall by a gas station, this is a high quality, authentic, and creative izakaya. There wasn't one dish that was average; we were surprised by the flavors of each one. We will absolutely be back and we are happy to be only 7 minutes away from such a great spot. If you're on the fence about going, let this review be a testament to the quality of our experience here and give it a try. Thanks for having us. read more

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Cute little izakaya that opens late (but last call for steamed/ fried food is midnight on a Monday). We stopped by for a late night snack and were a little surprised by karaoke which starts at 11pm. The server was very charming, and the food was amazing. The Saba battera (pressed marinated mackerel) was excellent as others have noted. The soy sauce was very good with it. I have never had something like the kinoko agedashi tofu (soft tofu wrapped in seaweed and fried then served in a thick mushroom broth), which is very different than the standard agedashi tofu, and am sad that this flavorful version is not served more often. Finally we enjoyed the salmon/salmon roe clay pot dish, where the salmon was cooked but the roe were raw--very much a comfort food type of dish. I wish we had something like this back home, and I'll definitely bookmark this for another visit next time I'm in So Cal. read more

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What a wonderful little Izakaya spot! I was told Iyasaka was just a bar and only recently decided to become an Izakaya in October 2025. The menu is not very extensive but there is a decent selection of à la carte items. We unfortunately happened to order a lot of fried dishes, which felt a bit much, so next time I would try and order a better mix of fried and non-fried dishes. Among what I ordered, I really enjoyed the following: Tori Tsukune (chicken patty) Teba Gyoza (stuffed chicken wing) Saba Battera (mackerel pressed sushi) Corn Ooba Kakiage (corn and shiso leaf tempura fritter) The only dish I'd say was a miss was the fried taro balls. It was on the bland side and needed to be either more sweet or more salty. Service was inviting, attentive and friendly. I would love to return and try some other menu items. The biggest plus is that they are open until 2am, which is kind of unheard of around here haha. read more

We really enjoyed coming here since we usually go to izakayas in OC and this is something different. Smaller plates (like kaiseki) and the quality/selection is better and you'll see items you've never seen at the other restaurants. The beef yukke was our favorite, fried octopus was really good and different since it's served in a thick sauce, chicken cartilage (not pictured) was great also. The server used to work at Kappo Honda, and she remembered us and provided the same great attentive service she has always provided. Their drink selection is also different from other late night Japanese places since they make cocktails. Overall, highly recommend for people looking for good eats outside of the other izakayas in OC that have been around for a while like Shinsengumi/Hondaya/Kappo Honda. read more

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Great service and cute spot! Open super late. We ended up randomly popping in because it was one of the few spots open later. Food-wise, my favorite dish was the pressed salmon sushi. I've been thinking about it still and it's been weeks. We also tried the omakase dish which was an assortment of foods such as sashimi, tofu, an edamame based dish. Even with this, I liked the fish dishes the most and want to come back to eat more of this compared to the other dishes. We tried an apple based cocktail and a melon based cocktail but I wasn't the biggest fan of these. I think it's better to get the beer! read more

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We were really impressed by the food quality and taste at Iyasaka. The wife heard about it and I had no expectations, but every dish was so good. We love pressed mackerel and came here just for that one dish. It was our favorite and didn't disappoint. Fish was really fresh and flavors great. Croquette and octopus were delicious, would definitely get those again. Gizzards aren't my thing but the wife loved them. I thought the Hamburg was really good, but it wasn't exceptional where I would order it next time - and that's only because everything was so good and we want to try more. Honestly I would pay more for these dishes as an kaiseki or multi-course fancy meal. Can't wait to go back and try more! read more

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Awesome izakaya with so many items you don't commonly find here, like how izakayas are in Japan! Some items we got: kinoko agedashi - the tofu is plump and tender and goes really well with the mushrooms saba pressed sushi - need 2 orders of this. the mackerel is thick and pickled well toritsukune nabe - so healing, the chicken meatballs are super tender and juicy definitely coming back to to try more items and grab some drinks read more

Yummy food and I'd drive out of my way to go here if I was in a drinking mood. This place is an izakaya that specializes in fried, steamed and boiled food. A lot of their menu offerings are very unique and offer a fun twist on classics, like their agedashi tofu that is wrapped in seaweed before fried. I do wish they had grilled skewers though... My favs: Chicken cartilage with plum Chicken gizzards Stuffed chicken wing Agedashi tofu Rice with salmon and roe Pressed (seared) salmon sushi Eihire- grilled stingray fin Pressed Mackerel roll - fishy in the way mackerel is Fun to try but wouldn't repeat: Japanese taro fries Fried katsu bites Shumai Tomato salad read more

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The service was attentive and friendly. The server explained all the small plates carefully. The food was uniquely enjoyable as they were prepared in unusual ways such as the corn tempura and the bamboo sushi! The ambience is perfect for a late night place to hang out for after dinner drinks and if so inclined karaoke!! I would recommend trying Iyasaka out sometime. If you are plant based or vegan there are great options for you! read more

Iyasaka - Bamboo Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My favorite food on this planet is Battera (Saba Mackerel sushi). I haven't found a restaurant in the US that offer a good one. That changed here as they offer one of the best Battera I've ever had. Got me hooked and going back for more tonight. Everything else is also top notch quality good. If you want an alternative to other izakaya and want something authentic, this place is highly recommended. read more

Iyasaka - Battera (Mackerel) Sushi. - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The food here is unique and a little bit salty for my pref. The dishes are interesting and great with drinks. I had the signature cocktail that has onion in it and was pleasantly surprised. Service was prompt and nice. The setting gave the ambiance of being at a restaurant in Japan. Overall would come back to try out more dishes. Hits Omakase appetizer plate tako karaage Pork belly cutlet Hamburger patti Mid Miso cheese Misses corn fritter - mostly batter and little corn Cartilage - too salty, no flavor read more

This is authentic Japanese izakaya cuisine at a very high level. Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. My husband and daughter are American, and they were initially worried that it might be "too authentic" or unfamiliar, but they absolutely loved it. It's hard to find a truly high-quality izakaya in Orange County or Los Angeles, so this was a pleasant surprise. The prices were also very reasonable for the quality. We were told that the chef previously worked at Kitayama, which explains the exceptional food and attention to detail. Highly recommended if you're looking for a genuine Japanese dining experience. read more

This hole-in-the-wall bar is like walking into a local dive in Japan. Authentic bar eats but uber creative twists to traditional items. These are small bites so we had fun and tried a handful of à la carte izakaya style items: Corn Shiso Tempura Teba Gyoza Steamed Egg with Matsutake Udon (chawanmushi) Higawari Zosui Nuts Hitokuchi Katsu With a tall glass of Asahi draft beer A lot of menu items have the traditional Japanese names so if you're unsure, ask the waitress for her recommendations and a better description. Even their sauces are homemade and such a good combinations of flavors I grew up with. But if trips to Japan aren't a part of your childhood and you're feeling adventurous, you won't be disappointed. I'm so glad we tried this little spot. The windows are all blacked out and it's in a random strip mall so we weren't so sure but as many good finds, iykyk. read more

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Cozy restaurant and friendly staff, food was delicious. Most the dishes were new to me. Parking was easy. read more

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We came with a large group, and everything was excellent. The food had an amazing presentation, and the flavors were delicious. I really appreciated the attention to detail in how every dish was plated. The servers were amazing--very friendly, attentive, and caring throughout our visit. Definitely coming back again! read more

Iyasaka - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This is my favorite new restaurant. The staff are so nice and enthusiastic about their food and drinks. The food is delicious, with a great selection of small dishes and main courses. The big surprise for me was the mackerel cut sushi. It was fresh and fatty. The omakase appetizer was creative and flavorful. The roasted duck udon had a delicious, rich broth. I look forward to coming back and trying new things. read more

Iyasaka - Cut mackerel sushi - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Under new management (?) They had many small dishes and meant to be shared with your party. I visited with my husband and only two of us but we ordered 9 dishes and we finished all. Everything was delicious and right amount of food. All dishes were made from scratch and remind me what my grandmother and mother used to make, of course their taste is more sophisticated I highly recommend. read more

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Great creative izakaya! I tried multiple dishes and it's all very good to pair with alcohol. Chicken Cartilage marined in plum sauce? - 5/5 Pickled Mackerel - 5/5 super fresh!! Corn & Shiso tempura - 5/5 Fried Octopus - 5/5 Bite sized katsu - 3/5 not crazy about this Overall, very good food and I'll be back! read more

I went to Ilsaka with five friends for dinner. I had just picked up a new watch earlier that day, so I'll be honest--by the time we arrived at the restaurant, I was already a bit deep into the celebration, and my memory of the evening is slightly blurry. What I do clearly remember is that the portions were extremely small. I was hoping to leave full, but instead I found myself constantly ordering more dishes. Even after adding a few rounds of extra orders, I still didn't feel satisfied. The flavors themselves were actually very good--no complaints there. The issue was more about quantity. I just wish I didn't have to order the same dish twice just to fully understand what it tastes like. In short: great taste, but you'll definitely want to order a lot more than you expect if you plan to get full. read more

Delicious well presented food. Dishes for two people, small bites. Stewed beef tongue was amazing. Would def make the journey for a second bite (and third, and fourth...) read more

Iyasaka - Seared Beef Yakke - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I'm so happy I found this place! The food was AMAZING!! We ordered several items and every single one was absolutely perfect. Not only was the quality amazing but the prices were really super reasonable too. Our server was the sweetest!! Super attentive and friendly. Oh, they're also open late. Honestly, this felt like we were eating in Japan while being in Orange County. Amazing food and soooooo worth the visit. read more

Iyasaka - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I've been here a few times now, and I can already tell Iyasaka is becoming my go-to late night spot in Orange County. It's right around the corner from John Wayne Airport on Bristol, only about a 3-minute drive. If you're flying in late or just looking for somewhere to hang out after midnight, skip the fast food and come here instead. This is the kind of place that makes you glad you stayed out. The food is genuinely phenomenal, and you can tell the kitchen puts a lot of pride into every dish, not just in how it tastes, but in the presentation too. It feels thoughtful, intentional, and well executed. What really makes Iyasaka stand out is that it doesn't feel like "just a late night option." It feels like a place you actually want to go to. Good food, good drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy yourself. They stay open until 2:00am and are only closed one day a week, which is huge because there really are not many quality late night spots like this around. The menu is great for sharing, and everything feels like it was designed to pair well with beer, sake, or a cocktail. It has that true izakaya feel where you order a few things, have a drink, and take your time. They also have a full liquor license, which definitely adds to the experience. It's not limited to just beer and sake, you can actually get a proper drink with your meal. Also, be sure to ask about the Higawari Makanai, since it changes daily and gives you a reason to keep coming back. The vibe is relaxed and comfortable whether you're stopping in by yourself or coming with a group, and the staff has always been friendly, attentive, and kind every time I've visited. Really glad this place opened. Orange County needed a spot like this. Definitely worth a visit if you haven't been here before. read more

such a beautiful space with welcoming and polite staff! there is a small bar area with seats and an open dinner area with about 10 tables, so it feels intimate but the tables have good amount of distance between them. you don't feel like you're being squeezed in at all. the food and drinks were amazing. i loved how it offers seasonal and "daily" items to optimize certain ingredients that may be in season at the time you dine here. i enjoyed the that menu offered more uncommon dishes that you don't normally find at other izakayas. we will be returning here! probably our favorite izakaya we tried in oc read more

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Restaurant that opened in La Lune's place. Strip mall with limited parking space so could be hard to find parking depending on the time. Complete hole in the wall! Every single dish we had was amazing! A place that I want to, but on the other hand don't want to share and keep it a secret. read more

This is a true Japanese restaurant, run by Japanese. If you want to understand Japanese cuisine, you come here. The food is exquisite! This is not your typical commercial Japanese restaurant that you find everywhere else. This restaurant is authentically Japanese in its simplicity and understated look. read more