So delicious & fresh it nearly brought a tear to my eye. We tried the pork belly skewer, yaki onigiri, calamari, rainbow roll, & bluefin tuna maki. All were absolutely spectacular, & the bluefin was melt-in-your-mouth buttery. Dishes were so perfectly flavored & constructed, & even the tabletop soy sauce was uniquely special. It has an intimate dining room, so get there early or plan to wait for a little (it will be worth it). The staff is very friendly & attentive. Already trying to figure out when we can make the trek back to Ojai just to visit this restaurant again. read more

Izakaya Full Moon - Bluefin maki! - Izakaya Near Me - Ojai, California

I know Izakayas don't always serve sushi but I was so psyched to when my girlfriend found one close by our hike that did! We were starved after a day in the mountains and luckily didn't have to wait too long for a space here at Full Moon. The restaurant can maybe only seat 30 ish people outside/inside at once and my girlfriend were sat at the bar which initially didn't excite me too much but being right in front of the sushi master was sweet as were handed each role by him as soon as it was prepared. My girlfriend and were instantly impressed with each item we ordered. The pork belly skewers and Ceviche came out first which was stark contrast between the steamy chewy tendy pork and the zesty rich ceviche with a lovely serving of crunchy red onion, cucumber, and a lovely mix of seafood. Also the cut rolls were premier. Quality of mint, fish, and cucumber and wasabi were all 10/10. If remi from ratatouille was Japanese, I would have thought he'd been in the chef's hat as he was preparing our food. All our plates were powerful in flavor, presentation and made us eager to return if ever in Ojai again. The service here is friendly, genuine, and efficient. I look forward to another chance to dine here again. read more

Izakaya Full Moon - Japanese Ceviche, Hand Roll Salmon, Handroll Bluefin Tuna, Pork Belly skewers - Izakaya Near Me - Ojai, California

Delicious. Came here on a Thursday night where meditation mount and it hit the spot. Staff was quick and bar area was nice to sit at Favorites because they were juicy and flavorful -seaweed salad -duck skewer -lamb chop -serrano pepper kampachi -duck wing -beef teppan (but instead of pouring the sauce on top,will dip next time) Would pass next time -fiesta roll -pork belly read more

Wow, where do I even start? This place is truly a hole-in-the-wall gem in Ojai, which I honestly would not have expected. I was golfing nearby and decided to stop by today. I first heard about this restaurant from one of my clients, who absolutely loves sushi and has been here multiple times. We got there 30 minutes before opening because the lines get long, and I think they only have around 18 tables or less, including the bar seating. When we arrived, there were already about 10 people in line, and keep in mind, this was still 30 minutes before they opened. Luckily, I was able to get one of the tables and did not have to wait long to be seated. Just know that even after you sit down, there may still be a bit of a wait. Our server was very efficient and did a great job handling all of her tables. We sat outside, which was the best choice because the fresh air made the experience even better. Now let's talk about the food, because we had a lot. We ordered the duck skewer, chicken skewer, sashimi salad, miso soup, a roll that I cannot remember the name of, but it had all kinds of fish in it, and spicy edamame. The spicy edamame was super oily, so I had to use paper towels to wipe some of the oil off, but it was still good. Overall, for the food, experience, and atmosphere, I would give this place 5 stars. My plan is to try everything on the menu since it is not a big one, and that is something I can actually do because I golf in Ojai on Sundays and the golf course is only about a 4-minute drive away. So keep an eye out for my updated review. As always, these are just my opinions. Please visit this restaurant and let them know African Girl sent you. read more

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A hole in the wall Japanese restaurant that is a must try! What I liked about it was not a huge menu, and items that seem more real/authentic than usual sushi restaurants. No Americanized menu items with all the sauces. Also the chicken wings and pork belly was so tender and juicy. And of course flavorful. It can be a wait so just be prepared but it's worth waiting for. Service is fast and friendly. Attentive staff. So delicious! Highly recommend if you are in Ojai! read more

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This hole in the wall has a great vibe. There are traditional and non traditional yakitori such as duck and lamb chops. Really enjoyed my uni nigiri. Hamachi kama was on point. The courtyard is a pleasant place to wait. Seated as promised. read more

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I've been here a few times now, and it's always delicious. I usually leave already planning my next visit. I tend to stick with the hot plates and classic izakaya dishes, but don't overlook the vegetables--they're marinated with really unique, flavorful profiles. Last time we went, we tried some specials, including duck and steak, and both were excellent. Honestly, I could eat 100 of their skewers--they're that good. If you go get there early because it fills up fast. It's a great spot to order a variety of dishes, mix in some specials, and share. Definitely don't skip the vegetables. If there is a wait, there is a cool bar next door where you can grab a beer maybe catch some live music if you're lucky. read more

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What a special little spot. Had dinner here this evening, friendly service and really delicious bites. The fish was very fresh and the tare on the yakitori was also very good. Specials beef tongue and chicken skin were excellent! read more

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This is hands down the best sushi place I've ever been to. Everything is so fresh and so delicious, they are so kind and hospitable. We had to wait for a table for dinner but it was so quick. read more

Delicious. Special place. So fresh. Always a treat. Even broth is so good. Chicken a little salty.

Small and unpretentious. Seating limited. Expect quality sushi and Japanese dishes. Locals know the food is simple and fresh with quality seafood. If from out of town keep in mind this is a very small place with limited staff. Expect a wait as they do not take reservations. read more

A must try! We came here for lunch and the restaurant is small, but intimate and stylish. They have a small menu but that's always a good sign for an asian restaurant! We got the tuna bowl and chasiu ramen, and both were great. The tuna was high quality and well portioned, and the ramen noodles were bouncy with a rich broth. We also think the price is extremely good, especially for the tuna bowl considering the quality. This is the best food I've had in Ojai. read more

Izakaya Full Moon - Tuna Bowl - Izakaya Near Me - Ojai, California

The place is nice. Polite service, poor quality fish Place smells like,'not good' fresh fish. read more

Izakaya Full Moon is probably my favorite restaurant in Ojai. The fried corn is SO good, and i love the chicken meatball with egg yolk, and the grilled mushroom skewers. the sushi is always great of course. i usually get a draft asahi, but they also have a good selection of drinks. i appreciate the friendly service, and the improvements they've made to the waiting area (get there early, there WILL be a wait). seating is pretty limited, but the patio is lovely and the inside feels like a "real" izakaya in japan. they always did a great job helping with wheelchair accessibility for my dad, too. i just made a date with some friends to go to the Izakaya in a couple weeks - i can't wait! read more

This restaurant totally lived up to the hype in the reviews. Everything was delicious. The grilled meats were flavorful and tender. The sushi was great and comes sauced/seasoned. It's a small place but I found a seat at the bar. It was somewhat loud inside but I didn't mind. Service is good and I will definitely be back. read more

Eating here is always a pleasure. The restaurant is very clean, the sushi is high quality, and the service is nice. Arrive early if you don't want to wait in line to be seated. read more

Izakaya Full Moon is a hidden gem! The sushi is incredibly fresh, and the duck and chicken skewers are absolutely bomb. Perfect spot for great food, chill vibes, and amazing flavor every time. Highly recommend! read more

Izakaya Full Moon - Izakaya Near Me - Ojai, California

We were craving Japanese food and decided to try this place based on Google Maps. We ordered the lunch special bowl with tuna, salmon, crabmeat, and ikura for $18. While the flavors were good, the portion felt unbalanced--there were only two thin slices each of tuna and salmon, but a lot more rice, making it hard to enjoy the fish with the rice. We also tried the char siu ramen for $20. The portion was small, the broth was a light chicken base and not very rich, and the char siu came as just five thin slices. Overall, the taste was enjoyable, but the portions seemed oddly small and not quite satisfying. read more

Izakaya Full Moon - Izakaya Near Me - Ojai, California

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Found out about Izakaya full moon because of an ig post and I'm so glad I did! The restaurant is a walk in based establishment. We came on a Saturday around 7pm and were seated in less than 30 mins. I really liked the chicken meatball and mushroom skewers that we got. They were perfectly charred and the sauce over them was delightfully sweet and salty. The cut tuna roll was also delicious! The tuna was fresh and fatty. I was super excited to try the Uni soba but was thoroughly disappointed. They described the broth as creamy. There was no real flavor. There was a broth reminiscent of a Maruchan ramen broth where you've added too much water. But!!! The uni and salmon roe in the soup were fresh and lovely. Please don't order this though. They offer tai-chazuke which I should've gotten instead. The lemon sour I got was light and refreshing. The ambiance is warm, inviting, yet simple. The service was a bit slow but friendly. They seem to be a bit short staffed. However if you order sushi and sit at the bar you'll get it right away. I would love to come back if I'm ever in ojai read more

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We visited Izakaya Full Moon on a Sunday at 11:45am, and being one of the first ones there was amazing. We usually come for dinner, and the wait can be up to 45 minutes, but this time we were seated right away! The lunch and dinner menus are different, with the lunch menu focused on Ramen and Don Small Bowls. While sushi wasn't available for lunch, the sashimi salad with salmon and tuna more than made up for it. I also had the Salmon Rice Bowl with Ikura (salmon eggs), which was another great substitute for the sushi we usually enjoy. We shared the Tsukemen, which is our favorite type of ramen to try if it's on a menu. Theirs was packed with flavor, and sharing just one bowl was more than enough for the two of us. It's always a great experience here, and totally worth the drive to Ojai. We'll be back again for dinner! read more

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Very cute hidden gem! They open at 5 and we arrived at 5:10 and got one of the last tables! I can tell why it's so busy I have heard amazing things about this spot. I am so happy we came to try it out. Everything we got was so fresh and delicious! The sashimi was my favorite! All of the skewers were really good as well! The duck and chicken skin were my boyfriend's favorite! read more

Subtle hole in the wall type place that was delicious! In an area with little to no asian food, this place definitely stood out. It may not be as "traditional" as places you cold find in LA or OC, but the quality of the food was excellent! Timing: We got there at 5pm on a Thursday (right when it opened). Within a half hour, 80% of the tables were full. To me, that validated our choice! Food: -Skewers: (4/5) Overall was delicious. Definitely get the beef tongue if available. -Rolls: (5/5) The fish was super fresh! -Uni Soba: (5/5) Fresh santa babara uni never disappoints! -Salad (4/5) The dressing was super delicious but a tad salty. Ambiance: small little place with a couple of bar seats inside and a handful of outdoor tables. Neither the inside nor the outside is decorated much. read more

Izakaya Full Moon - Uni soba - Izakaya Near Me - Ojai, California

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Was not expecting there to be a Japanese place in Ojai that was this fresh and tasty. Must get = Santa Barbara Uni! Great and quick service! read more

Best place ever. Unique menu items and authentic Japanese flavors worth driving from LA for! read more

We ordered the "ramen of the day," and figured we couldn't go wrong; we were very wrong. With the option of spicy or regular, I assumed the regular wouldn't be spicy. Wrong again. We tried to call to ask what the ramen option was for today, but the first phone number listed went straight to voicemail and the second number was disconnected. We picked up our ramen to discover it was clam ramen in chicken broth. Why clams?! What happened to the chicken you made the broth with?! To make it even more of an insult, not only was it covered in chili paste, making it inedible, but there were only three clams in each ramen. For $20 and a small amount, there should at least be enough protein to make this a meal. I can't believe I was just cheated out of $60 for this garbage. read more

This place was great! The Food was delicious and the ambiance good. Great food and drink menu. They even had some specials. There are no reservations so get there early to get seated or you will be waiting. The only recommendation I would make is possibly get the fly table spinners or something for the fly's . I know it's the season, hot and door is constantly open, but as a customer having to swoosh flies away during our whole meal was not pleasant. ( just a suggestion) read more

Our first time in Ojai and we're glad we found this gem. The restaurant is small, but we were fortunate to get seated right away at the sushi bar. We ordered the Japanese pickles, bluefin handroll, uni maze soba, saboro Don, and pork belly yakitori. Everything was phenomenal! The quality of the ramen noodles was the best I've ever had. The only negative was we ordered calamari but we never received it, but we were pretty full anyways. I look forward to coming back here again when we visit Ojai. read more

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Super small spot. Get there early. Sweet staff, really great food. Fried corn is a must! The calamari was really good and the fried chicken is a staple. Sushi was great- but the wasabi was heavy handed. read more

What a dope menu. The chef's choice nigiri was solid, the uni maze sobe was a dream, uni hand roll was incredible, corn tempura blew my mind. Loved this spot read more

Best food in Ojai. Worth the wait, nicest people. I typically stick with hand rolls, onigiri, goma campachi, & a few skewers for a 10/10 meal every time. read more

Amazing authentic Japanese cuisine. You can't go wrong with any dish you get. Highly recommend.

Food here was truly to die for. The service was very attentive. We got there just before rush - right when they opened for dinner. I do recommend getting here early to beat the crowds. They are there for a reason! The place has amazing food. We sat inside since it was a hot day in Ojai and felt comfortable. It's a cozy spot. I can't wait to go back! read more

Delicious! We tried the cha shu ramen, the bluefin tuna bowl. And the tsukemen. All were delicious. The chashu was on point. The tsukemen broth was smoky and had so much umami. Even though I was full and finished with my bowl, I kept finding myself dipping my spoon back in the broth for a taste. Yum! Bluefin tuna was melt in your mouth yum! Happy to support a small family owned business that's delicious! read more

So glad we finally made it. Brilliant patio. Subtle and not over fussy food that is done authentically Japanese, just like the decor. Of course. Standouts: Tuna cut roll Corn tempura Chicken skin skewers Yuzu sour (refreshing!!) read more

Izakaya Full Moon - Izakaya Near Me - Ojai, California

Highly highly recommend. Delicious food, great vibe but also make sure to get there about 15 mins before they open. It will get busy and tables get booked! read more

Izakaya Full Moon - Incredible take on sweet potato fries, so good! Sprinkled with salt and butter. They really lean in to the sweetness of it - Izakaya Near Me - Ojai, California

Don't understand why they have a sign saying waiting outside for seat. So we waited for quite a few minutes outside and had eye contact with their staff several times. They just kept us standing there. Finally a waitress came out and asked us in to sign in a waitlist. Don't feel we welcome! Is this normal practice here?! read more

Super bummed - I ordered to go Ramen. I got two wontons in it broth and some onions. It was a glorified cup of noodle soup for $18. I haven't tried anything else there. I'm sure if you ate there the sushi would be great, but it felt like this was a little bit of a rip off. read more

Tony but mighty! That's what Izakaya Full Moon is! Packed with flavors and a fresh sushi selection makes this place an absolute diamond! Grew up here and I've never gone! So sorry I've waited so long. Get the chicken skewers... order a few! All the food was fresh and delicious and fantastic service with a smile! read more

Izakaya is, by far our favorite spot in Ojai. Despite the minimal seating, they always seem to somehow squeeze us in within reasonable time. The location is cozy and has unmatched, attentive flow of service in comparison to similar locations. When it comes to the food, I am yet to have one item I have not enjoyed on this menu. You cannot go wrong with any specials and everything is unique in its own simplistic fashion. The fish is fresher than fresh and their ever-changing ramen of the day is a must try. You also have to get the Beef Steak Skewers and Negima Skewers which are packed with flavor, trapped inside a beautiful char from their grill. (The charred green onion at the end is a flavor bomb) Can't recommend this spot enough! read more

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The food here is AMAZING!! The service was phenomenal as well! They were very accommodating to my sesame seed allergy which I appreciate so so much! 10/10 recommend! We got the japanese ceviche, salmon onigiri, pork belly skewers, corn tempura and everything was sooo yummy! read more