Such a hidden gem! The sushi is consistently delicious, but the special dishes are what really blew me away. Honestly, they're Michelin-worthy! The uni pasta and risotto are an absolute must-try. The mala udon is also delicious, and the lamb chops are fantastic as well. I've brought several friends here, and every single one left impressed and raving about the food! If you're looking for high-quality food with amazing flavors, I highly recommend this place. Definitely a hidden hotspot worth checking out! read more

Kaori Sushi - Lamb chop - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

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LOCATION: Chapman/Harbor PARKING: Small lot, but there is adjacent lot you can park in WHAT WE ORDERED: * Maguro Don ($22) * Kaori Plate ($34) - loved the variety; it also comes with a salad and tempura * Baked Salmon Roll ($18) What a cute spot for a Friday sushi date night! As soon as you walk in, it feels like a cozy izakaya. I got seated at the bar, which I usually prefer because you get to watch the chefs work their magic. Service was quick and attentive, and the fish was fresh, buttery, and delicious. Definitely coming back to try their omakase. My wallet may actually approve of this one. Especially in this economy, the prices are a steal. read more

Kaori Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

My girlfriend has been to Kaori Sushi several times with her girlfriends, so when everyone decided to turn it into a triple date, we ended up with a party of six and collectively decided to go for the omakase. Now, I should probably explain that I am VERY new to seafood. My girlfriend has slowly been introducing me to sushi and different types of fish, and I've discovered some things I absolutely love and others that I still can't get past. So when everyone said omakase, I'll admit, I was a little intimidated. But as someone currently on a mission to explore seafood, challenge accepted. We started with the cucumber sunomono, and this was an excellent way to begin. I added some fresh ginger and absolutely loved it. Light, refreshing and immediately had me excited for what was coming next. Then came the asari clam miso soup. This one wasn't really for me, but I gave it a solid try! That's basically the entire point of this seafood adventure anyway. Next was the chef's choice sashimi, which I believe included salmon belly and yellowtail, and this was REALLY good. Beautiful cuts, great texture and flavor. Raw fish continues to be where I'm finding my happy place. Then came the main event: the nigiri. This was probably the most adventurous I've gotten with seafood yet. We had everything from uni and bluefin toro to kampachi, madai, scallop, black cod and unagi. I especially loved some of the lighter-colored fish with the bright, citrusy yuzu flavors. Those were easily some of my favorites. The food also started coming FAST. I remember scarfing down what I thought was my last piece of nigiri only for another plate to immediately appear with the unagi and black cod. I've learned from my previous seafood adventures that I really like unagi, and that held true here. The unagi was delicious. Black cod, however, has now gotten multiple chances from me and I think I'm finally ready to admit we're just not meant for each other. There's a particular fishy flavor that I haven't been able to get past. We finished the omakase with the negi toro hand roll, cut in two, and by the end I felt like I'd just completed an entire crash course in sushi. We also added a few things outside the omakase, including jalapeño bombs and chicken karaage. And after ALLLLLL that sushi... The chicken karaage was my favorite thing of the night. I know. I know. I survived an entire omakase, tried uni, toro, kampachi, madai, scallop, black cod and eel...and walked away talking about the fried chicken. But that karaage HIT. Overall, this was an awesome experience and I'm genuinely glad my girlfriend convinced me to jump into the deep end. The omakase helped me try several types of fish I probably never would have ordered individually and, more importantly, helped me figure out what I actually enjoy. Would I do the omakase again? Probably not, but that's not a knock against it at all. I feel like it accomplished exactly what I wanted it to. Next time I'd love to come back knowing what I like and explore the rest of the menu, maybe a bento or another entrée. For a former "I'm not a seafood guy" slowly figuring out that maybe I actually am a seafood guy...Kaori Sushi was one hell of a training session. read more

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I really like this place. They might not have the variety of some places but the quality is up there with more expensive spots. The only thing to take into consideration is no reservations on weekends and it's small so arrive early or be prepared to wait in line. read more

We went here on a Tuesday afternoon. While there was a wait for tables, there was none for the sushi bar. We got the teriyaki chicken bento, shrimp tempura udon, California roll, and tuna roll. The udon had a relatively sweet broth. I expected a kitsune broth (umami-rich with dashi) as the restaurant specializes in sushi. Regardless, it was decent; the accompanying shrimp tempura were good. Interestingly, this restaurant is also mentioned in the Michelin Guide. I believe this is due to the quality of the rolls. The tuna tasted amazingly refreshing. I liked the California rolls too. For the quality served, they were decently priced. I'm sure more premium items would taste delicious. Walking inside is like entering a small traditional izakaya densely packed with Japanese decor. The restaurant is usually busy with only one or a couple servers accommodating everyone. Sitting at the sushi bar is convenient as the chefs can serve orders themselves. I wouldn't go here if I was in a rush due to the restaurant's popularity. The parking situation is fine, but make sure to use the bigger lot sectioned off from the restaurants. read more

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Omakase $50/pp from Monday to Thursday for dinner. We request for the booth, they did not accommodate. Server girl said the booth is reserved for 4+ people, yet girl sat us at a table for 4 people so I don't know what difference does it make. Service was slow on Tuesday night and there were 3-4 unoccupied booth. We got the omakase, menu said a5 wagyu but we didn't get any a5 wagyu, such a scam. The rice were so dry and fish were stiff. Unsure how they got recognized as Michelin 2025. Omakase Menu: * Cucumber Sunomono w/ Umeboshi) * Asari Clam Miso Soup * 2 pc Sashimi * Chef's Choice * 8 pc Nigiri: 1. Uni (Santa Barbara) -or-Spain Blufin TORO (Belly) 2. A5 Wagyu (#1 Japanese Beef) 3. Spain Bluefin w/ Truffle 4. Japanese Kampachi (Amberjack) 5. Japanese Madai (Seabream) 6. Black Cod 7. Japanese Hotate Jumbo Scallop) 8. Anago (Sea Eel) Lobster Handroll read more

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We visited for lunch because of its Michelin recognition, but were extremely disappointed. The grilled salmon bento was drenched in teriyaki sauce and looked nothing like the menu photo. The rice tasted like it had been sitting overnight--dry and cold. Overall, the food fell far short of expectations, leaving us wondering how it earned Michelin recognition. read more

a little hole in the wall I found! love the atmosphere and of course, the food! uni pasta is a must! read more

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Super authentic atmosphere--feels like a cool spot you'd actually find in Tokyo, complete with a great soundtrack that isn't too loud. Service was on point, too; our server was super sweet and checked in on us just the right amount. If you go for lunch, you have to get the himokawa cold udon (the texture on those wide noodles is amazing) and the uni pasta (insanely rich) Just a heads-up on the omakase: they only do it Monday-Thursday for dinner. I showed up on a Friday night expecting to do the menu, but ended up doing à la carte instead. Still had a great dinner, but I'm definitely booking a weekday night next time to get the omakase. 10/10 recommend. read more

Food is 5 stars! My husband and I sat at the sushi bar. We were a bit hidden which i feel affected the service but it was still a 10/10 experience. Sushi is fresh. Rice to sushi ratio was great and the sushi was coursed well by the sushi chef. read more

Kaori Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

Our go-to sushi spot! We always love the food and atmosphere here. Everything is consistently delicious, and it's one of those places we keep coming back to. I definitely recommend making a reservation on Resy, especially during peak hours, since it can get busy. read more

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We have so many great sushi places where I live now. We used to and then they disappeared during the pandemic but during the last couple years they've came back to life and Kaori sushi has survived it all and come up five stars ahead of the rest. If you haven't been here, you have to go. It's a great vibe, great sushi, small friendly neighborhood spot with wonderful staff! read more

I love their lunch menu!! Sashimi bento is great &delicious. Chirashi bowl is large portion. Inside is small but very cozy! Free parking. All the food is so delicious! Their service was awesome so polite. I would totally come back! read more

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i was expecting more since this was recommended by michelin guide! wasn't fully disappointed though i opted for the omakase set! the only notable fish were the uni and scallop. everything else was just okay or lacking. the seaweed was not crispy whatsoever, it was SO hard to bite through. uni pasta was really good--it's a very small dish but it's heavy so the portion size makes sense! the miso soup was too salty service was good, waiters checked in with us multiple times. really loved the decor of the place! read more

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I was looking for a sushi dinner spot and this one hits the spot. I came here on a Saturday night and there was a small line. I ordered the Chef's Special 12 Pcs of Sashmi, Fried Soft Shell Crab, Salmon Roll, and Clam Miso Soup. Every dish was packed with unique flavors and everything was pretty fresh. Great spot and will have to be back for other items! read more

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10/7/25 - My partner and I got here shortly after they opened for the day. There is parking in the small lot in front of the restaurant but plenty more in the adjacent lot. We were the only customers at that time so we were seated immediately. The inside is cozy and the interior design incorporates a lot of Japanese culture and pop references. I ordered the Himokawa Udon lunch special ($24.99) which came with a 4 piece sushi set. They'd been promoting the flat udon noodles as part of their lunch special on social media, and as an udon lover I wanted to try it. The udon was served cold with pieces of ice on top and also came with a sweet, lemony dipping sauce. I'm glad I tried the Himokawa Udon and it did taste good, but it was not a meal that I would necessarily reorder. We also ordered a baked salmon roll ($18) which we could smell from our seats as it was being baked. The roll was served warm and was very filling. My partner ordered an unagi don ($19). The unagi was savory with the sauce and came one a bed of rice with slices of avocado. As we dined the restaurant did start to fill up quickly, so get there earlier if you want quicker and more attentive service. I do want to come back to try out their $50 omakase weeknight dinner special. read more

Kaori Sushi - Interior - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

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Came back for more! Always packed, but service was good and food was amazing. We came on Saturday night, wanted the $50 Omakase but it was not available on weekends! Will be back on a weekday for that. Fresh sushi and sashimi. Other dishes like beef tongue or crispy rice were also delicious. I honestly wanted to order the whole menu lol. read more

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Kaori Sushi is a solid choice if you're looking for affordable omakase during the week. I came on a weekday evening and didn't need a reservation, which was a nice surprise. The food came out quickly, everything was fresh, and there was a good variety throughout the meal. $50 for a 5 course omakase - the price and convenience is unbeatable, it's definitely worth checking out. With super cute decor too! read more

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They have some great tasting food items! We had the blue crab risotto and oh my goodness it was delicious. I was so sad when we finished it up. I'd also had the rainbow roll, which was pretty good but it wasn't as cold as I would have liked it to be. For dessert we ordered the yuzu sherbet. So good with authentic yuzu flavor! Plus they gave a pretty good amount for just $5. I would love to come back here and order that risotto and sherbet again. read more

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I came to Kaori after seeing that they had the thick udon on social media! My partner and I came during lunch and they had a thick cold udon + 4 piece sushi deal while my partner got the Kaori bento box! Service was slow since it seems like there was only one server serving customers food! Ambiance was average due to chatter! Cold Udon: Super chewy and thick! Nice dipping sauce to dip noodles into! Bento Box: Based on my partner, he liked the portion sizing of the sushi! TIP: Parking in this plaza is ample and they have a restroom as well! This restaurant closes around 2 PM and they opens at 5 PM, so keep that in mind! read more

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This place is a cozy little sushi shop located in downtown Fullerton! We came here for dinner around 6 pm on a Friday night and there was quite a wait. Once we got seated, service was quick and attentive. The interior is SO nicely decorated with ambient lighting and Japanese-inspired motifs. The menu offers quite a variety of dishes so it was hard to decide, but I went with the slash salmon cut roll. It was delicious and the salmon was so fresh! I don't normally like cucumbers, but the seasoning on the salmon and spicy tuna complimented the cucumbers so well. I do think that for the price, the rolls are on the smaller side. We also ordered the Chirashi sushi plate and Philly and Mexican rolls. I didn't take a bite of the other rolls, but they looked solid. The Chirashi plate came with miso soup. Overall, amazing interior, fresh sushi, and quick and attentive service. I'll be returning! read more

Kaori Sushi - philly roll, Mexican roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

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Will be back for their lunch specials WOWWW the sashimi is the most buttery I've ever had, would almost go to say it's too buttery...(almost haha I love a fatty fish). Splurged on the premium chirashi and it was definitely worth it, thought there was only sashimi on top only to find layers of spicy tuna, crabmeat, and seaweed salad underneath! Service was also great despite there only being one waitress- she was very attentive and quick with everything! read more

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I ordered the Kaori plate, and it was very good. The variety of fish that was given was great. I love salmon, and it was very buttery. The tempura and everything else were also very wonderful. The inside is very aesthetic, with traditional Japanese decoration throughout the restaurant. As for service they are very on top of it and very welcoming whenever you need something. Will definitely come back here to eat again. read more

Kaori Sushi - Kaori plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

Four of us came for a late weekday dinner, & found out exactly why they earned a Michelin star last year. All the food was fantastic! 2 of us got the sushi omakase. At $50/person, they really did get the best pieces. We all shared spicy tuna on crispy rice, a few rolls & desserts. The consensus among us was that these were the favorites: Mini truffle don - a perfect smallish bowl of truffle-y rice, topped with ikura & a piece of Santa Barbara uni Black cod sushi - charred & smoky, with the lightest bit of a creamy sauce on top Toro sushi - some of the best toro we have had since we were in Japan! Yuzu sherbet - refreshing, lightly sweet, even on full tummies we made room for this Service was really warm & spot on gracious. Absolutely recommend! read more

I have been coming to this place over the years but it has become a weekly visit for my boyfriend and I! We love this place almost as much as we love sushi. Inside feels so cozy and the decorations are so cute, the staff is always kind and everything always comes out fast. Sometimes service is slower when it's busy but that's to be expected. I can confidently say I have never had anything bad here. The quality of the fish here is unmatched. For the price the portions you get are amazing and I genuinely feel as this place is always worth it. My boyfriend loves getting the dinner bento boxes that come at a great price! I love everything here especially the chefs mix sushi & sashimi! I love this place so much and we always look forward to our weekly sushi dates here!! read more

Kaori Sushi - yellow tail jalapeno - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

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TLDR: great appetizers, sushi hit or miss, amazing ambiance (especially the booths in the back), reservations highly recommended Tako wasabi portions go crazy. Agedashi tofu is really good. Squid sushi was great. Salmon was not really great. Eel and toro were standard. read more

Fresh Fish!! Fresh Fish!! I jerked my head around as soon as I heard it. I was panic stricken, with sweat beaded forehead and fear pulsating all through my presently incapacitated body. Was I living my worst nightmare? Had I inexplicably done something horribly wrong? Was it my time to pay for my actions now? Could this possibly be? Could this be prison? Take a sigh of relief my friends, I am not in prison. I am standing in front of Kaori Sushi and the two people exiting the restaurant are raving about their fresh fish. After regaining my baseline faculties, I wondered to myself, is sushi supposed to be fresh? I've heard this urban legend that sushi is actually supposed to be served off-fresh. What do I know though? Not enough to waste my time pondering, instead I stepped inside to what looked like a restaurant resembling something that one might imagine existing in Japan. The Korean chefs and owner might be a dead giveaway though. To be honest I couldn't really tell you if the sashimi was fresh or not but it was delicious. They have all varieties of sushi and they are prepared properly. Their food from the kitchen is solid and if you order some sake you're looking at a good night. The odd thing is, every subsequent time I've been here, I've left progressively less enthused. Stay out of prison and eat more fish my friends... read more

This used to be my family's absolute favorite restaurant. We've brought so many guests here over the years and constantly recommended it to everyone we know. Unfortunately, the service has been noticeably declining for a while. Last time, when I tried to place a pickup order over the phone, they refused to take it simply because there was only one sushi chef working. Even after I said I was completely fine picking it up an hour later, they brushed me off and said, "You can check back after 30 minutes." Despite that frustrating experience, we loved this place so much that we decided to give it another chance and visited in person today. Unfortunately, today's service was the absolute worst. It's deeply disappointing to see a place we loved go downhill like this. We will not be returning. read more

Would I come back? OH YEA. OVERALL: ‣ $50 for a 5-course omakase ? YUHH. ‣ Good quality seafood !! ‣ They use HIGH QUALITY vinegar for their sushi rice ! Here's What I Got: $50 Omakase by Kaori | 5-Course: 1 | Cucumber Sunomono (w/Umeboshi) 2 | Asari Clam Miso Soup 3 | 2-Piece Sashimi | Chef's Choice ‣ King Salmon Belly ‣ Yellowtail Belly 4 | 8 Piece Nigiri ‣ Uni (Santa Barbara) ‣ Spain Bluefin Toro (Belly) ‣ Spain Bluefin w/Truffle ‣ Japanese Kamachi (Amberjack) ‣ Japanese Madai (Seabream) ‣ Black Cod ‣ Unagi (Freshwater Eel) 5 | Negi Toro Handroll ATMOSPHERE: ‣ Good for parties small to medium sized parties ‣ Slightly on the darker side PARKING: ‣ FREE parking STAFF: ‣ Attentive & kind IG & TikTok: @keilanieats read more

Kaori Sushi - Omakase Menu as of July 2025 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

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Omg this restaurant exceeded my expectations! The blue crab risotto was sooo freakin good. Perfect balance of flavors with the cheese and crab. I would for sure get that again. The n-ta roll was also another favorite. Really rich unique flavors with shiso and a creamy sauce (mayo based maybe?). The red snapper and black cod were really good quality. Black cod melted in my mouth! Very excited to come back! Hopefully I can come for a weekday lunch to get their omakase or chirashi for a cheaper price. read more

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Small sushi spot that serves fresh fish! We went for lunch to try the big udon special. Overall going for lunch was definitely worth it. Everything is about $10 more for dinner. Food: - Cold Udon: Dipping soup was very flavorful but we felt like the noodles would've been better with a hot broth - Sushi and sashimi: fresh and delicious chefs choice. will definitely come here again for my sushi fix Service: - The waitress serving us was great. Unfortunately she was the only server at that time. Really felt for her so we didn't mind everything being a little slow. She was still very attentive and everything. Inside: A little small but fits a good amount of people. We went for lunch so there was no wait but dinner might take a little longer to get in. Parking: Abundant amount of parking!! read more

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Saw Kaori popping up on my social media feed and decided to try them out. The ambiance feels like you're in Japan - it's a small restaurant adorned with Japanese decorations and is dimly lit. I got the $50 omakase and it includes: - Seaweed cucumber salad - Clam miso soup - 2 piece sashimi - 8 pc nigiri - uni, bluefin w/ truffle, toro, kampachi, madai, black cod, jumbo scallop, egg - Negi toro handroll. This is such a great deal for what you get! I'm surprised for $50, uni and toro were included. Rice was seasoned well and complimented the fish. My favorites were the uni, toro, and black cod. The miso soup was a great addition to the meal, and had a depth of umami flavor from the clams. I sat at the table and the food came out quick. Just note that the nigiri for the omakase doesn't come out piece-by-piece individually. Service was friendly and prompt. I'd come back again for this deal! Such a great value to enjoy quality sushi. read more

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It is now a mediocre experience. Food wise the blue crab risotto is the only thing worthwhile. Today i had the uni pasta and it was a disappointment. I swear it was sitting and then they microwaved the noodles to heat it up. Something was off on it. The blue crab risotto is the only reason we're at a 3*. Otherwise theres not much redeeming about this place anymore read more

The highlight of the meal was the premium chirashi box, featuring an array of fresh fish and ikrua. They had good choice for rolls, and my Dad was surprised how many scallops came with his roll. Service was okay as we had to ask for refills on hot water, which wasn't too hot to begin with. Prices were reasonable considering their fresh fish. Overall not my favorite local sushi restaurant, but was nice to try. read more

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Kaori is a sleeper for mid-range sushi in Fullerton. We sampled the Kaori special, dinner bento and yellowtail collar appetizer. Everything tasted pretty fresh and the portions were generous. I like that the dinner specials include salad, tempura, miso soup and a scoop of ice cream to finish things off. I did wish that the tamari and wasabi were a bit more refined, but given the price it is totally understandable. Service was decent and we did enjoy the Japanese decor. Not quite Kyoto- but fun and a bit kitschy nonetheless. read more

Kaori Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

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We were in the Anaheim area and had a craving for sushi, so my husband found this place, which was only 10 minutes away. The surrounding area itself is rather unassuming, and parking was no problem. We got the toro, Ikura, sishito peppers, black cod, clam miso. Everything was OUTSTANDING. Quality was awesome. Smallish restaurant and not fancy or anything but the quality. Wow. Ended up getting the yuzu sherbet and green tea ice cream and wow. LOVED the yuzu. Mika was our waitress and she was great! Would 100% be back. read more

Kaiti Sushi is a wonderful restaurant. Today I met with a director of innovation and technology for bento box lunches. I had sashimi as my main dish. I had six large pieces of very fresh fish. Delicious! My friend had a bento box with beef. He didn't leave a morsel. Even start on me. If someone is looking for a delicious Japanese restaurant, I recommend they go to Kaori Sushi. The price are good the server was wonderful. We're given a private table. This is s great place for a work lunch. read more

Really awesome $50 omakase menu available for dinner. You get a lot for $50! They serve it all at once to your table. Fish was fresh and yummy, rice was warm and perfect vinegary. Inside was also beautifully and thematically decorated. I believe they're from Osaka as there's lots of Osaka motifs around. Service was kind and efficient. Highly recommend and would come again. read more

Kaori Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fullerton, California

My husband and I very much enjoyed the Dynamite shrimp, crunchy role and the veggie tempura. We sat at the bar and loved talking to the chef who helped recommend some good dishes. The restaurant itself is small, but is a good atmosphere with good vibes. We went during the week and had no trouble getting a seat, however, may need to check if they have reservations for those busier nights. read more

Went on a Thursday night, and we were sat within a few minutes. We had two different servers helping us out, and both were friendly. We started with drinks and edamame. The edamame actually ended up getting forgotten about, but it wasn't on our bill, so we didn't worry about it. The rolls we ordered were coming out quickly, so we just ended up ordering some sashimi at the end instead. We had not planned ahead and were coming from an event. Otherwise we might have considered the omakase. They had a nice assortment of cut rolls though. I had a hard time narrowing it down, as a lot of them sounded good. They were creative, but not over the top, which is good. We ordered 3 rolls - spicy spider, salmon smash, and valentine. All were good. I liked the textures of the spicy spider and salmon smash, but the valentine rolls fell apart when picking them up. We had some blue fin at the end, which was good as well. Prices were reasonable, and it was cozy environment. As far as downtown Fullerton is concerned, I think it's a good choice. It's a little off the main drag. I would go back again. read more

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