Kagura is a fantastic option if you're feeling some katsu. Starting with the Karaage, they came out looking potentially a little too fried but I couldn't have been more wrong. The coating was tasty, the chicken was juicy, and the sauce with a little bit of lemon was exquisite. For the main dish, I went a little bold and tried their Chicken Katsu with Umeboshi Sauce and Shiso inside the katsu. May sound kind of odd, but the combination of flavors was both fresh and bold. Service at the restaurant was solid and I don't think there was a moment where my water wasn't full. The restaurant itself was quite big and I was surprised by how many tables/people could be seated. 100% would come back to try some of the other katsu options. read more

How have I not known about this place? In the area and found this gem in a strip mall on Yelp! Thankfully no wait! Felt like we morphed to Japan. Service was great. Food amazing. I loved the sides and miso soup with the meal. Rice was perfect. Katsu sauce and soy on table. We shared between my husband and 11 yo -an order of the chicken chili cheese katsu set and the pork (no fat) katsu set. I asked for extra salad sauce which was .50. The marinated egg side was delish. Ordered another pork katsu set for my older son to go. He enjoyed it. So so so good! What a gem!!!! Beautiful woodsy ambiance. Staff were Japanese. An authentic experience. Will definitely be back. read more

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Solid spot for katsu and hamburg. Almost everything on the menu is fried except for their wagyu hamburg and the pork ginger set. I do wish they had some more non fried options, but the fried stuff, they do well. It comes with the side dishes traditional to Japanese meals, and the katsu is veeeeeery crispy crunchy. Their curry flavor is pretty flavorful too but not mindblowing or particularly memorable. The wagyu hamburg was tender, juicy, but definitely salty. The gravy was alright because it was just salt forward. I loved the salad with it because it cut through the salt, but it got drenched in the gravy because it was put on the same plate. The rice was perfect and the miso soup was good, and I particularly liked the sweet potatoes. I liked the okra side but it was a little slimy for me and a little awkward to put in one's mouth with the goo. But once it was in my mouth it was great LOL. The service was great; they filled up our waters extensively and got everything perfect. Quick, efficient, accurate service is always amazing! And the restaurant itself is very cutely decorated in the Japanese style and I was pretty impressed with how cute it was since the outside can seem like an unassuming strip mall. Yummy food!!! read more

Kagura - hamburg - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Came in on a Saturday, and was seated immediately. Inside is typical of a Japanese restaurant... natural wood and minimalistic. Service was great, very nice and attentive. I really wanted a beef katsu, and they had it on special. As you can see from the picture it was served very rare in the middle. It was delicious! Came with a couple sides (sweet potatoes, and root vegetable + Miso Soup) All in all, a very good serving, leaving me satiated. Worst part about this place is the parking. Its horrendous. Get here early, and don't take your nice car. Costa Mesa needs to figure something out here... maybe Wahoo's can spare some parking. I'd definitely be back...especially if they bring back the Gyu katsu! read more

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Parking: Kagura shares a parking lot in a small strip mall. It was a bit confusing to get into because some of the businesses blocked off certain areas so that I could not drive over directly from Bristol Street. The entrance to the lot is actually on Baker Street. Interior: The interior was spacious and did not feel very crowded. I went on a weekday with some coworkers and it was not very crowded. Service: The servers were friendly. Our food came out relatively quickly. Food: I got the pork katsu with curry sauce. It came with a side of miso soup, pickled radishes, and some sweet glazed potatoes. The breading on the katsu was crispy and not too greasy. It stayed on pretty well and did not get soggy too quickly. Overall, it was a very solid meal and I would definitely recommend giving it a try if you are a fan of Japanese curry. read more

Kagura - Pork katsu with curry sauce - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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After trying the Torrance location, I was happy to find out that there was one closer to me. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, there was a short wait to get seated. I ordered the Fillet and Ebi Katsu. Food came out at moderate pace. Overall the dish was good in terms of flavor profile. I enjoyed the shrimp more than the pork since the pork was a little more tough and slightly fatty. The side dishes were alright. I enjoyed the radish and the miso soup. I believe the potatoes or pumpkin? had a distinct taste to them which I wasn't a fan of. Inside was slightly loud due to it being busy. There were various size of tables for different party sizes. Service was friendly and quick. Parking was alittle bit of a hassle due to the small lot. I had to circle a few times before finding a spot. read more

Kagura - Fillet Katsu with Shrimp - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

First time visiting and I have to say the food was pretty mid. I had high expectations going in since this place is known to be a popular spot, but unfortunately it didn't live up to the hype for me. I'm not sure if I just ordered the wrong dish, but I got the millefeuille with cheese and it wasn't good in my opinion. The herby scent and flavor it had wasn't something I personally enjoyed, and it's definitely not something I'd order again. My cabbage lettuce also tasted pretty bland. The only thing I really liked was the miso soup. That said, I'm willing to give this place another chance. The service was great--staff were quick and attentive to my needs right away. The ambiance was nice as well, with plenty of tables and a comfortable place to sit. read more

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This is a somewhat small place and can only seat ~30 people. I called to reserve a table for 6 at 7pm, but that might not be needed since there wasn't a waitlist when I arrived. Edamame -- 7.5/10 just average, nothing special. Cooked perfectly and a good amount of salt Karaage -- 8/10. Juicy and crispy! Nothing stand out as well, but I'd recommend ordering if you're looking for an appetizer Pork katsu curry set -- 9/10. This is my second time trying this set and it's as good as I remembered! I like that they leave the curry on the side so you can slowly add as much as you'd like. The curry has a deep and rich flavor which paired nicely with the lean katsu. I do wish they had some type of pickled side to offset richness. Unfortunately the cabbage wasn't doing enough, but it was still good nevertheless. read more

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Decent food but got forgotten. Came in a party of 3 where everyone got their food pretty quickly but my food didn't come for a while. They admitted they missed the order and offered to comp 2 appetizers, which was a nice gesture. The karaage tasted rubbery and was not crispy at all. Tasted more like chicken nuggets than anything. The pork loin katsu was at least better and somewhat crispy. Ambiance was okay. Tables are kind of close together so hope you don't have sneezing kids next to you like we did, but that's not the restaurant's fault. I'd say the Torrance location has a much nicer ambiance. Oh, also, the parking situation is awful. Wahoo's takes up the core parking spots along the street so you have to go around the entire city block to turn into this small section of the lot if you miss it or come from a different way. Overall, I don't think I'd come back to this location. The food was alright and the fact that my order was missed put a bad taste in my mouth. I will stick to the Torrance location for a much nicer dining experience. read more

Kagura - Pork loin katsu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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世界上沒有一個人是每天都快樂的，無論處在什麼樣的環境，你都要相信， 真正能治癒你的， 只有你自己～ 今天要介紹好友，也是我們版友Derek帶我去吃在 Costa Mesa 的豬排飯，日式豬排飯, 從chino hills 到 Costa Mesa 應該有兩百家， 但這家不一樣， 好像是從 Torrance 開過來的名店，裏面賣的就是一份份簡單的套餐，等我吃到他們的炸豬排時， 有點像小時候看日本電視節目的感覺，看似平凡無奇， 入口一點都不柴，很嫩，多汁，也太好吃了吧， 我想在美國， 這家的炸豬排應該是數一數二的啦，日式小吃， 每個月都有機會跟不同朋友吃個 兩三次，近期只有這家的炸豬排值得推薦，我點的是還有加點咖喱的，不喜歡吃炸的， 他們也有親子丼，一家也很適合一個人來吃商業午餐的地方！ read more

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I'm so whatevs abt katsu but this was amazing. Irrelevant but I saw a cute bby here too read more

Kagura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I can't believe this is my first time at Kagura. It's a little tricky to get to the parking lot. You have to enter from Baker just before getting to Wahoo's in the corner of Bristol. They close after lunch so don't go for late lunch. I loved their katsu. There are so many different ones to choose from. read more

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I happened to find Kagura while on my way to another restaurant and am happy I stopped by. I ordered the chicken katsu curry and it was absolutely delicious. The chicken was a thick cut and crispy and the curry itself was rich with umami earthy spice. This is my preference for Japanese curry and the sides that came with the dish also paired well. I think in terms of taste this might be my favorite Japanese curry. My only wish is that they would have larger portion options. It is also one of the more priced restaurant but worth the value. Service was good and the inside was nice. read more

Kagura - Chicken katsu curry - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This was my first time dining in at this place. The interior was spacious, but it was really warm inside (maybe because it was raining outside). The food was really good! My curry pork katsu came out so crispy, and it was soooooooo good. The staff were really friendly and attentive. read more

Kagura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Kagura in Costa Mesa is hands down one of my favorite spots for Japanese comfort food! The chicken katsu here is amazing. I love both the regular katsu and the katsu with cheese which they're both equally delicious. The ambiance is really nice, with a cozy yet modern feel that makes it great for dining in. Most of the time, there's no wait which is such a bonus, especially when you're craving a quick meal. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the service is fast without ever feeling rushed. Whether you're grabbing a casual lunch or a relaxed dinner, Kagura never disappoints. If you love well prepared katsu and a pleasant dining experience, this place is a must-visit! read more

Kagura - Regular katsu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Kagura is one of the most authentic katsu experiences I've had so far! Came here with a craving for tonkatsu curry and I was not disappointed. There's a parking lot just outside the restaurant, though can get crowded depending on time of day. The inside of the restaurant is small, cute, and decorated on theme with Japanese cuisine. The service here is extremely friendly and attentive. I got the Tonkatsu Curry. Tonkatsu Curry 10/10 - One of my go-to's for tonkatsu curry! The meat is juicy and tender without being too fatty. The breading is crunchy but still light and airy providing a nice contrast per bite. The curry is savory and deep with flavor. One of the rare places where the katsu and curry and excellent. I appreciate how you can also choose the fattiness of the pork to your preference. Highly recommend checking out Kagura if you're in search of a more casual spot with great food and service! read more

Kagura - Curry Tonkatsu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place is hidden gem located in Costa Mesa that serves authentic Japanese katsu. Maan does this take me back to when I was in Japan when I tried Kagura. We got the pork fillet and shrimp dish along with the pork fillet dish. Each entree came with veggie sides and miso soup. The katsu here is like no other-- insanely crispy and light at the same time. The meat was so flavorful and tender, and the shrimp was super fresh as well. The staff here are very friendly and on top of their service, one glance over and they're already at your table asking if there's anything you need. The price is great for their big portion sizes, I had some leftovers for my next meal and it was still great even if it wasn't as crispy. A great 10/10 spot!! read more

Kagura - Pork fillet with shrimp - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place is a hidden gem. You walk in, and it's only japanese people eating here. Japanese servers and cooks in the back. Food is authentic, TASTY, and hearty portions. We've tried a variety of katsu options - shrimp, pork, beef - and everything was delicious. Small strip mall with parking. Apple pay available. read more

Standard katsu+curry option, tasted good enough. I found the serving size and taste of the katsu + curry lacking compared to other competitors like Coco Ichibanya (chain), EE NAMI/Hako/Wako/Yoko (nonchain). The small sides were a nice add on, but the curry and katsu as the main needs to be GOOD. The salad lacked dressing. read more

I've been craving a beef sando since I came back from Japan and this place totally came through for me. The pork loin katsu was so rich, fatty but not chewy at all. Perfect crispy and cabbage gave the right balance. The beef sando was the star of the show, cooked perfectly and with a light sauce to bring out the flavor. Beer and shochu options were an excellent way to round out the meal. This place serve high quality food and quick to serve their customers. I can't wait to come back read more

Kagura - Beef sando - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The food here is great! The katsus have a nice crisp while still making the meat quite tender. The sets usually comes with a bowl of rice, miso soup, small side and cabbage salad. The cabbage salad comes drizzled in their housemade sauce which qas slighty tangy and refreshing. We got the pork loin katsu, chicken breast with oroshi katsu, and the pork curry katsu. They were all delicious and had its own unique flavor. I was worried the chicken breast may be too tough, but it was nice and soft and the addition of the oroshi (grated daikon) sauce was a nice refreshing balance. The service here was great! I was surprised at how quickly we were seated for a Sunday lunch since it usually was a long wait the previous times I've come. Would definitely recommend! read more

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The Chicken Nanban was normal, not too good. The food was okay, the place is very clean, and overall it's a nice place. The tables in the back have more space, and they offer larger tables. The food was okay. read more

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Great service and food came out quickly. The staff checked on us often and no wait on a Tuesday evening. Plenty of parking. Everything was cooked well. The beef katsu was tender and not chewy. Green tea was a little weak but everything else was very nice. Furikake for the rice would've been great. read more

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I've been on break from Yelp for a while but had to come back and give this place a review. When you go to an establishment, you expect them to have at least a little respect or understanding when it comes to their costumers. They didn't let my grandma wait inside where it was warm. They insisted (in a rude way) to have her wait outside. The lady was inconsiderate. This was by far the worst costumer service I've experienced from any business. read more

The Beef Chateaubriand and the Pork Millefieulle are my absolute favorite here! The meat is tender and juicy, and then you pair that with some Japanese curry.... Yum! I love how it's all a well balanced meat. You have your protein, rice, veggies, miso soup, and the little sides. I love this place and can't wait to come back! Thank you Kagura! read more

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Very clean and spacious spot with a welcoming atmosphere. The staff were friendly and made us feel right at home. We ordered the chicken breaded katsu and it did not disappoint. It was incredibly fresh, crispy, and delicious. I especially loved the katsu flakes, and what stood out the most was how light the meal felt afterward. The food isn't overly greasy, but still packed with great flavor. We also ordered a side of curry, and oh my goodness, it ended up being one of the best decisions my wife made. It paired perfectly with the katsu. The side dishes of okra, radish, and Japanese mustard were also fantastic and added a great balance to the meal. Highly recommend this place. We'll definitely be coming back. this spot is officially one of our favorites now! read more

Kagura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Good atmosphere. Great service. Good katsu (on the fattier side). Kinda pricey. I'd come back when I'm craving a very standard katsu meal. read more

Kagura - Pork Katsu w/ Curry Sauce - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

If you are craving katsu, but are not extremely hungry, then this is the place to go. IMO this restaurant focuses on quality of the katsu vs quantity of the katsu. It's by far one of the best places I have eaten at for donkatsu, but I will say I left the restaurant satiated but not full. This restaurant has a different take on donkatsu where they do a more thicker slice chicken than thinning out the chicken. BE WARNED, the wasabi here is also extremely dangerous, it's such a wild experience once you taste it, but do only take a nib of wasabi per katsu. The service was absolutely wonderful, always ensuring my water was topped off, it was just sad the water refill was warm lol. The ambiance here reminds me of a classic Japanese restaurant, with the wooden interior. It is a bit dim in resturant, but it adds to the experience :). read more

Kagura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Making your way to this establishment is a bit tricky. Seems like there is only one way into the plaza from Baker. The other business entrance in Bristol is blocked off from the establishment. In short, follow your Apple or Google Maps directions. It will save you countless U-turns. Food! As simple as a sandwich goes (Sando is the name), it's pretty darn tasty! The sauce inside can come across a bit salty, but with the salad pairing, it strikes the right balance in terms of flavor. Texture, hands down, is awesome. The soft bread and the light crunch from the pork katsu are superb. Love this dish. Wifey got the pork katsu meal, which came with pickle sides, miso soup, salad, and rice. For light eaters like us, this was a feast! The server was nice and attentive in providing us with an extra bowl to share. Inside, you'll find a Japanese-style decor that is simplistic and simple. I enjoy the exposed wood style. The ceiling needs work though. Doesn't influence the food or overall experience but seeing warped ceiling paper up top takes away from the overall experience. Details that go the distance scenario here. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and service. Can't wait to visit again with a larger group to try other items. Note: I ask for lemon for my water, and they charge 50 cents, fyi. I can see why they would do this, but it would have been better if they baked the fee into the meal. read more

Kagura - Pork Katsu Meal - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Kagura is a tasty place to go when you craving some katsu. They were relatively busy on. Saturday evening but we were seated right away. Staff was very attentive and it did not take long for the food to come out. We got the katsudon and one of their new specials with the pickled plum. Everything was good and I would come back again. read more

Kagura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Hako has better katsu in my opinion and it's cheaper. I got the pork katsu ($21.50) which included some potatoes, cabbage, veggies, and sauce on the side. Small, narrow parking lot that usually fills up so I would just park next door. The katsu was not tender and tasted like they just took it out of the fridge as it was still rough. The sauce was too tangy and the sides didn't really complement the katsu. read more

Kagura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My favorite katsu spot. Their coating is what sets them apart imo, it's light and flaky. Also the katsu sauce that they keep on the tables is amazing. I had a hard time deciding whether I wanted my katsu with that sauce or the curry sauce. We got the pork shoulder and Wagyu beef katsu. Both were delicious but the beef was so tender it definitely outshined the pork shoulder. I also tried their shrimp katsu which is not pictured and it was great highly recommend. read more

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I've been a HUGE fan of this place since the first time I tried it!! Parking can get a little difficult on the weekends but usually it's all good. The inside is so cute it feels like you're in Japan and the servers are always so kind!! There's really only very few places in OC that have amazing katsu so I was so happy when I discovered Kagura. The breading is so light and crispy and the meat is SO juicy and perfectly cooked. Also I really love the sides that they give you with the meal like the cabbage, soup, and vegetables they go so well with the katsu and it makes the meal so much more balanced!! The prices are reasonable too. Also I tried the curry for the first time this last time I went, and it was seriously one of the best Japanese curry sauces I've had in a long time. So flavorful but not too heavy. It is on the spicy side but not too bad. read more

Kagura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Best. Pork. Katsu. Ever (in socal) They said their pork katsu curry is their most popular so I thought I'd give it a try and wow!! I understand why it gets the love it deserves! They use the Mille-feuille pork katsu for the curry dish. You can also get that version of the katsu without curry. The pork was soooo juicy and tender. Like seeing those layers was insane! You can definitely see and taste the difference from that with any regular ole pork katsu. My friend tried their beef katsu and said it was just alright and mentioned that she noticed I ate my meal in silence so she couldn't tell if I liked what I got or not. I told her that it was just so good that I couldn't put down my chopsticks and ate the whole thing while her and my other friend ate and would pause to have their conversations. All the little sides that came with the set were also great and I did enjoy the curry that came with my meal as I wanted sauce, but not the demi glace or katsu sauce. I'm not a fan of the plaza the restaurant is located in. The parking situation is kind of difficult because there is only one opening on Baker st to turn on. All other parking lots will say like Wahoos customers only or Garfs, etcetc. Restaurant is small but feels homely and comforting. Service was attentive and they refilled on drinks without having to ask, despite my table being a bit tucked away. Appreciated their attentiveness! I'm excited to return and try their other katsu but honestly it might be hard for me to stray away from the Mille-feuille, it was just too good to stop eating! read more

Kagura - Pork katsu curry - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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kagura - costa mesa easily one of the best katsu experiences i've had. the cutlet was 10/10 -- super crispy, light, and not greasy at all, so you still feel good after polishing off the whole plate. the chicken itself was great quality: juicy, tender, and not overcooked, and i even found myself appreciating the japanese rice, which was perfectly cooked and a great match with the katsu. i also loved the fresh cabbage slaw and side dishes it comes with -- they add a nice crunch and balance to the meal. the interior gives off a minimalist, modern vibe that really reminds me of small restaurants in japan: clean lines, simple décor, and a calm atmosphere. service was quick and efficient, and all the staff we interacted with were friendly and attentive without hovering. overall, kagura in costa mesa is a must-visit if you're into katsu and want something that feels a step up from the usual. read more

Kagura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This place was perfect to me and this topped other katsu spots that I've tried. The katsu was perfectly crispy and what differentiates itself, is the breading. It's more thick, less greasy and crispy. The size is smaller than other places but I thought the quality was top notch. The meal leaves you full and satisfied. It comes with miso soup, veggies and cabbage. I didn't like how much cabbage there was compared to the sauce drizzled on top. I recommend they add more cabbage sauce to balance it out more. We waited about 15 minutes to get seated and we came at the perfect time because the wait got so long. Looking at the reviews the wait time and service seems to be lacking but everything was good on my end! I'm coming back forsure. read more

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I can't say I was super impressed by the breading of the katsu but it wasn't disappointing either. I think my expectations were really high because I expected it to be exactly like Japan's. It was crispy and on the lighter side, but I felt that it was a bit greasy. I ordered the fillet katsu with crab croquette and the whole meal was pretty filling because it came with rice, miso soup, and two small side dishes. I appreciated that it was very traditional in the way it was presented and all the sides that it came with. The katsu was a good balance of lean and fatty and the crab croquette was super creamy. I love topping my katsu with salt instead of sauce, which is an unpopular choice, but everyone at my table really enjoyed the sauce. It gets pretty crowded during the weekend so I'd recommend going a bit earlier than peak hours to avoid waiting for a table. read more

Kagura - Fillet Katsu with Crab Croquette - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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For once, hubs found and insisted on trying this place rather than I - and since my kids couldn't stop raving about beef katsu since our Japan trip, we decided to try this restaurant out. We had the foresight to arrive early, shortly before its opening hours on a weekend so we were the first ones in line. There were several other parties who thought like we did so as soon as they opened, there were at least 5-6 tables seated. We checked the menu and saw that the beef katsu were limited to maybe 30 a day so we ordered right away. We got two beef katsu, a cheese one, a pork one, and then a sandwich for our party of 5, including 3 kids age 3-11. The wait for the food was noticeably long, maybe because we all sat down and ordered at the same time? But at least the portions were big and satisfied my hungry kids. Each came with rice, salad, miso soup, and some pickles dishes. We really liked the katsu, especially when it was fresh and crispy. It's a little out of the way for us, but I look forward to coming back soon! read more

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Excellent service. She was working hard and so attentive to everyone. It is a nice minimalist ambiance that can get loud if there is a boisterous group. My mom was raised in Japan and she said the atmosphere and the food a "just like Japan". She is so happy I brought her here. We will definitely be back. Note- I have been to the Torrance and El Segundo. All yummy but all have slightly different menus. read more

Kagura - Curry katsu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Had an amazing meal at Kagura--easily one of the best katsu spots I've been to in the area. The quality really stands out. The pork was incredibly tender and juicy on the inside with that perfect crispy, golden crust on the outside. You can tell a lot of care goes into the preparation, from the precise frying to how everything is plated and served. Honestly, it reminded me a lot of the katsu I had in Osaka--simple, focused, and done really well. No unnecessary extras, just high-quality ingredients executed properly. The sides and sauces complemented everything perfectly, and the whole meal felt balanced and satisfying without being too heavy. If you're into tonkatsu or just want something done right, this place is absolutely worth it. Definitely a 5-star experience for me. read more