Very authentic Japanese cooking, loved the food! Service was great and the staff was so nice.

My bf and I came back over the weekend to Kappo Sui, one of my most favorite Japanese restaurants, and we were so happy! So happy to see Zuke again, the owner. He is always such a joy to talk to and he always takes great deal in making sure that his food, desserts, and experience of his guests are a priority. We ordered a variety of items again because this is one of the few places, if not the only ones in SoCal, that offer such authentic home cooked items meals.. For my beloved home-cooked Japanese meals such as daikon with ground pork, nasu with ground pork, and mackerel with pickled veggies, I appreciate these dishes so much and it reminds me of my time living in Japan back in college in Fukuoka. Other favorites are hamachi kama, or any kind of kama, takowasa, the chirashi bowl, agedashi tofu, all so delicious! And, you can't forget about desserts. Zuke makes all of the desserts, and my favorite are the blueberry and green tea pana cotta, and the burnt Basque cheese cake.. Well, actually that is all of their deserts and they are soooo good!!! You really need to order a lot and then save some more room for his desserts. I can't recommend Kappo Sui enough! They are in a very unassuming plaza but they are big on flavor and taste and hospitality! read more

A quiet standout in Costa Mesa. We ended up at Kappo Sui after considering a few other spots during a local staycation. First visited a few months back, came back again--and it holds up. This time we kept a couple favorites but added some new dishes, which made for a really balanced, traditional spread. What we ordered: * Braised daikon with minced meat -- soft, deeply flavored, very comforting * Nasu (eggplant) with grated daikon -- silky with a light soy/dashi finish * Agedashi tofu -- crisp outside, delicate inside, clean broth * Chirashi bowl -- fresh cuts (uni, tuna, white fish), no filler * Grilled fish collar -- rich, slightly smoky, easy highlight What to expect: * Food leans traditional--simple dishes, done well * Flavors are clean and layered, not heavy or over-sauced * Service is warm and personable without being over the top * Portions are moderate; pricing reflects the quality The whole experience feels thoughtful and unforced. Nothing flashy--just consistent execution across the board. Easy place to overlook from the outside, but one you'll likely come back to once you've been. read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I went back to Kappo Sui/Sazu Sushi for the first time in a long time today. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they now serve lunch. My mom ordered the miso eggplant lunch set, and I ordered grilled mackerel lunch. We also got cabbage salads. The cabbage salad was light and refreshing, just like what one might get in Japan. It nicely complemented our lunches. My mom is picky about her miso soup, but she gave Kappo Sui a thumbs up. She also noticed that the rice is genuine Japanese short grain rice. We learned it's Koshihikari Hitomebore ("love at first sight") rice. It's rare to see rice cooked so perfectly--no brown bits, no mushiness. The eggplant was tender and covered with a sauce of old-fashioned chunky miso, reminding me of what a rural Japanese grandmother might make. I also enjoyed the mackerel. It was tender and nicely cooked, served with grated daikon and soy sauce. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the lunch sets come with hijiki, a black seaweed simmered with carrot bits. It's a nice bit of home cooking that you rarely see at most Japanese restaurants these days. Kappo Sui is now under new ownership, but the first two owners are still involved with the restaurant. One of the co-owners served our table. He was very nice, and patiently explained things to us. The space has the same awning as before, but the flooring is new. It's a bright, well-lit space, and at lunchtime it was easy to have a conversation. The current co-owners understand that the original menu is something special for which their customers will return. Come here if you care about authentic Japanese food. Now that I know they serve lunch, I'm definitely taking my mom back here next time I'm in the area. read more

Kappo Sui is hidden in a small strip mall on the intersection of Bristol and Red Hill. As a solo, I got seated at the bar right away but they were busy, and it took a while to get orders in. Fried oysters ($14) Small and bready. I'm really looking for the briny flavor here and it's absent or minimal. Yummy dressing on the side salad though. Stick with the raw fish and rolls. Blufin Tuna Nigiri ($12) Deep rich flavor. Smooth and fresh texture - there's also more expensive toro options but I don't like too much fatty flavor. This was amazing already. Yellowtail Nigiri ($9) Nigiri cuts are more substantial than expected and the flavor is definitely all that. Golden eye snapper ($15) Generous gorgeous cut with the red criss crossed skin. Flavor levels more mild than a maguro and certainly less than hamachi so I'm not sure I would order this again at this price point. Japanese mackerel ($9) Fancy cut and no mistaking the mackerel flavor. The texture is a little tougher than the maguro standard. Salmon skin roll ($9) Instant smokiness of the charred skin on nose and palate. An excellent crunch that requires some chewing at the end but that just makes for a longer delightful finish. This is an everytime order. Fire grilled chicken thigh ($11.5) They have several meats that they grill in a high temp oven. Not quite hibachi but pretty darned close. The particular chicken breast is on the dry side but then got more tender with the inside cuts. While it comes with a spread of yellow wasabi, it really needs some kind of sauce or au jus. Who doesn't love the charred skin though. Service is somewhat scattered but earnest and I get the feeling that it's a family run operation that somewhat mitigates the higher prices. This looks like a great place for group gatherings but you should probably come early as it fills up fast. That's all. read more

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Delicious authentic Japanese style hotpot. A bit pricey for hotpot but absolutely delicious. Very courteous staff and attentive service. Need to try their sushi next time. read more

Kappo Sui - Remaining soup made into congee with some eggs. Delicious - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This restaurant is one that is both delicious and where you can truly enjoy the peaceful dining experience. Perfect for a weekend date night! So many options for food (fried, grilled, raw). The Chirashi bowl fish is very fresh, rice pairs perfectly. The Agedashi Tofu is also amazing. Service was extremely pleasant. Type of place where you can slow down, enjoy the food, and have intimate conversation. read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Came here on a Monday night and the ambiance was so nice! A few of us were running late but they seated us and didn't rush us to order at all. I don't eat raw fish, so I was pleasantly surprised that they had SO MANY options for me! The eel box was my favorite item! So delicious- will be back for that alone. They are more of a traditional restaurant, but they were trying to expand and make rolls (spider roll was yum!) which I appreciated. The business feels family owned, and you can tell that they really care about their customers and want you to come back. Zuke chatted with us while we ate, gave us recommendations on what to order when we weren't sure! They had a variety of dessert and you can never finish a meal without a sweet treat so we tried it all! We will be recommending this place and returning! read more

Kappo Sui - dessert - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We have been coming to Kappo Sui for many years now and it is an absolute treasure! It starts with a cozy atmosphere and extremely welcoming and attentive service. From Zuke, Ritsuko and the whole staff, you feel you are being greeted by an old friend. The food is delicious, exquisitely prepared and perfectly balanced. We always order more than we need because everything is so good! The meal is wrapped up with wonderfully tasty and delicate desserts, house made by Zuke. We always look forward to our next visit. We highly recommend!!! read more

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What an absolute hidden gem! My mom's coworker recommended Kappo Sui, and we couldn't be happier. They're a traditional Japanese restaurant, so don't think of "sushi rolls" here, think more like izakaya in a traditional atmosphere. The menu is small, so they really stick to what they do best. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. There's some seasoned Japanese chefs and cooks in the partially open kitchen making some of the best Japanese food you haven't found in OC yet. What we loved: egg custard (chawanmushi), yellowtail collar, eel box, crab dumplings, black cod, soft shell crab, and simmered eel with egg. Thank you Zuke for being such an amazing server & pastry chef! read more

Kappo Sui - Simmered eel & egg - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Our fancy foodie friends rave about this place . True appreciation of food only need a restaurant that simply says " Japanese restaurant " on the marquis and no fancy furniture. Just clean good unique menu items to try with regular fair Japanese food . Loved the Herring Roe and Kinki . All the fish were high quality, albeit cooked or uncooked . The sashimi was fresh and crunchy. Very nice service from waitress and waiters . read more

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High-quality dishes, excellent service, and a relaxing ambience. The chirashi box was fresh and agedashi tofu is a must get. Go to spot in Costa Mesa for sure! read more

I ordered the soba and spicy tuna lunch set, but there was barely any dipping sauce for the soba. The two sauce bottles that came with it both dispensed soy sauce instead of the proper dipping sauce, so everything ended up overly salty. On top of that, the portion of soba was very small compared to other restaurants. The waitress was extremely unfriendly and had an irritated expression the entire time. Even though I arrived first, she prioritized other tables before me. Overall, this was the worst restaurant I've experienced in terms of both food and service. It doesn't even deserve one star. read more

Fresh frozen authentic Japanese food really good manager and owner really takes pride in the customer service It was so delicious. I slammed everything I ordered. Thank you so much for the authentic vibe. read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

If you're looking for truly authentic Japanese food this is the place to go in OC! Their sashimi is so high quality, my family came back a second time. Everyone who runs this restaurant is so kind and accommodating to my family and my toddler! Would recommend the sashimi, agedashi tofu, and black cod. read more

Came in for the lunch special and was seriously impressed. The food was really good across the board. My dad got the sushi combo (around $37) and it was awesome, and I had the chicken with a California roll lunch special which was just as solid. Service also great. Great quality, good portions, and the place has a nice authentic vibe. Would definitely come back. read more

Tried Kappo Sui and it honestly exceeded my expectations. The fire-grilled duck was insane, super juicy and cooked almost medium-rare, like a steak. I've never had duck like that before. The veggie tofu was also really good: perfectly seared, great sauce, umami from the mushrooms, and a nice crunch from the carrots. Everything tasted clean, intentional, and very authentic. 10/10 if you're into legit Japanese food. Would 100% come back. Service is excellent even though they can get busy! read more

Kappo Sui - Veggie tofu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Came here with my son while dropping him off at UCI. Amazing food, authentic, local favorite, tucked away in this unassuming shopping center. Came back three times and will definitely come back whenever in Irvine! read more

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This is the best Japanese restaurant there is. Hands down. Fresh and delicious and a wonderful friendly staff read more

If you've been on the hunt for an amazing sushi spot, this is the one! Fresh sushi (and I'm picky) that melts in your mouth. Make sure you take their recommendations - sake flight (first time for everything!) was a great way to try different sakes! (now I'm a sake lover lol) Amberjack - had no idea what it was, we wrote it down and crossed it off. They came back and said "we think you'll like this more than yellowtail" and they were right! Amazing! Service is spot on! Excited to visit again soon! read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Been wanting to come here for a while. Finally was able to tonight. Very Authentic Japanese food. Had some great different items that you dont find at most places. Highlights were the Orange Clam Sashimi, Ikura, Shrimp Toast, and Fire Grilled Duck. Service was excellent. Definitely putting this restaurant in our normal rotation. If you are looking for an OG japanese style restaurant you don't need to look any further. read more

Wow, they will be open during all of the upcoming holidays! My only gripe about this place was that it was a little smoky inside due to poor ventilation, but we liked everything we ordered. The pictures on the menu seem big, but portion sizes were small which is normal for Japanese Izakayas so we ordered a lot and it added up. My favorite thing we ordered was the braised kinki cod. It was unique, very flavorful, and a meatier fish. Their udon was very QQ and bouncy and broth was salty but had umami. The mountain yam and cod was the most unique dish I've had lately. It was slimy because of the mountain yam, yet slightly salty because of the soy sauce, and a little spicy due to the wasabi. It didn't look like much on the menu and when it arrived at our table but I would order it again. I wouldnt order the konjac again. It was a little spicy and mostly chewy. The eggplant was good but not a very good value and VERY hot when it came out, so be warned. Shishito peppers were a good veggie option. They weren't very busy on a Tuesday night but I also called in to make a reservation so our table was ready for us. Food came out relatively fast and service was good. The nice waitresses entertained our toddler twins when they weren't too busy. read more

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My friend had brought me here for a business lunch/meeting but I was way too distracted with how amazing and fresh the Sashimi was. I'd praised how good the food was and I told myself I'd be back with my girlfriend and today was the day. She loved it so much she said it was the best sushi she's ever had and I confidently agree with her. It was only lunch time, I can only imagine what dinner is like so this means.. WE WILL BE BACK. We met Zuke the owner, and he was so attentive to everyone's needs and potential wants for food. Service gets a 10/10 from us. Ambiance is peaceful, and serene enough to whip our laptop to put a little work in until our food arrived which was pretty a short wait. We've found our favorite restaurant in Costa Mesa! read more

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Kappo Sui feels like an OG neighborhood spot - if you know you know. A friend in town found this on Yelp for an impromptu group dinner. None of the eight of us locals who were invited to dinner had ever heard of this spot. Considering the location in the heart of OC, prices are quite friendly. Barebones decor, with an L-shaped sushi bar that seats maybe a dozen and banquette seating for maybe twice that amount along the wall. There were perhaps four or five personnel working the whole restaurant on our visit, which made for a space that felt severely understaffed. Refills, questions, and order updates were difficult to come by on our visit, as staff would dart by without even a glance towards our general direction. There were three or four orders of the $40 chirashi box at our table and somehow, one box arrived over thirty minutes later than the others. My orders of Fire-Grilled Yellowtail Collar ($13.50) and Fried & Grilled Eggplant ($8.50) arrived in reasonable time and offered some exceptional value but an order of Cold Soba with Yam ($16.00) never arrived, forcing a cancellation about 80 minutes into our seating. While both of the items received were expert preparations of flame-coaxed umami indulgence, the utter lack of ability of staff to tend to tables would likely keep Kappo Sui low on the revisit list. read more

I've loved this place for ages, and it's just as delicious as ever--now with desserts on the menu, it's even better. So happy to see it keep evolving! Especially the simmered kinmedai (金目鯛の煮付け), agedashi tofu, grilled eggplant, croquette, and lotus root tempura were all absolutely delicious. read more

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My friends and I had the sashimi platter along with a few cut rolls, the veggie tempura, and karaage. The fish was high quality and portions were generous. The staff were also very kind and friendly. It was very chill in the restaurant and overall a great place to have a catch up dinner, would definitely recommend if you're looking for quality sushi in the area. read more

Kappo Sui - Regular sashimi platter - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Modest appearance from the street, but be sure to dine here. Great food and service. I'll be back many times for their Spanish Mackerel, Ankimo, albacore and salmon sushi. Don't skip their delicious dessert sampler read more

the duck soba was so good. it was a good balance of flavors and perfect for the rainy weather. we would def get it again! the rainbow roll was good and I would try more sushi next time! the service is really good and the vibes are nice. I would recommend coming here, they have many options!! this place is a bit hidden since the name is not in english but it is on the right side of the plaza! i also am not typically an order dessert at a restaurant type of person but tried their blueberry panna cotta and it was so sweet and delectable. the basque cheesecake was also pretty good if you are feeling something a bit heavier! read more

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This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in OC! My husband and I come here every month. Everything is so authentic. The sushi is very high quality and the sushi rice is perfect - highly recommend the toro, amberjack, scallop, and cherry salmon. The appetizers are so authentic and delicious - the ankimo is the best I've ever had. Also recommend the fried eggplant, crab croquette, and steamed cod and yam. read more

Kappo Sui - Amazing bluefin tuna and toro - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Our group of 3 arrived around 9 PM, ahead of their 10 PM closing time; I attempted to call ahead, but they did not answer (at approx 8:45 PM). Please note their voicemail box is full and you cannot leave a message as of August 2025. I was concerned that we'd arrive after the kitchen's last call, which ended up being 9:45 PM! Quite late, which I appreciated. We ordered the simmered eel & egg, grilled mackerel, and fried/agedashi mochi soup. The entrees themselves were approx $14 each, +$2.50 to add miso soup, or +$4.50 to upgrade to a dinner set, which includes miso soup, rice, seaweed, and pickled cucumber. All three of us immediately updated to dinner sets, and I believe my iced tea was $2.75. The restaurant is reasonably large, with plenty of seating. Although the dishes look small, the dinner sets are reasonably sized and filling. The final bill was approximately $26 per person after tax and tip. The staff was very friendly and attentive (the owner himself served us!) and the sushi staff has apparently been working at the restaurant for 30 years! We passed on dessert but the options looked great - blueberry panna cotta, matcha ice cream, and basque cheesecake. I'll have to come back and try them :) This restaurant is part of a plaza with its own parking lot, and there were plenty of parking spots when we arrived on a Monday night. read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Delicious food excellent service Cold tofu was very good California rolls and sushi shisamo is always good The dessert was amazing definitely will come back read more

The food is delicious and everyone is so kind. My friends and I really enjoyed our dinner here and will definitely be back ! Highly recommend the sashimi platter read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Best Chirashi! Been coming here for years and the Japanese food is very traditional quality is exceptional. Would highly recommend it. read more

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The owner is SO NICE! Food was awesome, light, and refreshing. Portions are on the smaller side, but since it's Japanese cuisine, I expected this. Quality over quantity for sure at this establishment. The interior is well decorated and dimly lit, which makes it relaxing. The dessert was SHOW STOPPER! Ironically, the best dessert I have had in my life was here at this Japanese restaurant and not at any French restaurant I have ever been to. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! 100% will return! read more

Kappo Sui - Yuzu ice cream, blueberry panna cotta, and basque cheesecake - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Hands down this is the best Japanese restaurant stateside! Highly recommend going here, you won't regret it! They have the best homemade Japanese food and sushi! The flavors here are so authentic and umami! Having lived in Japan for more than two years, this is one of the few spots in the US that truly does have that delicious, homemade Japanese taste. Let's start with the sushi, which is super fresh and amazing. The menu has a huge selection and we loved everything we had (which was most of the menu). Our absolute favorite was the Uni Hand-roll. The freshness of the uni combined with the shiso leaf delicately wrapped with seaweed was orgasmic! We literally had to order another round because they were just that scrumptious. The cooked food is amazing as welll! We usually start with a Spinach Salad. While the salad looks deceptively simple it packs huge, umami flavor. The dressing combined with the bits of bacon and the greens themselves make the perfect combination of light and dark flavors. Next is the Crab Croquet. So deliciously creamy with lots of crab inside. You won't regret ordering this appetizer for sure! The Agedashi Tofu is also very yummy if you're looking for a light and refreshing appetizer. For the entrees, they have the #1 eel box I've had in the US. It is super, delicious! The eel is perfectly grilled and the sauce is divine. The portion size is substantial as well, if you're looking for something heavier. The Duck Nanban Soba's broth is so savory and addicting. The Duck itself was tender and delicious. This soba was so good, the bowl was literally empty before I knew it! The Simmered Black Cod was phenomenal as well. Tender, savory and mind-blowing good. Even if you're not into fish, you'll probably love this dish! The Fire-Grilled Mackerel was also an explosion of deliciousness and one to add to the must-try list! For dessert, the Cheesecake was bomb, but the Matcha Panna Cotta was the winner for us. It was so creamy, smooth, and tasty. The matcha flavor was perfectly sweet and not bitter at all. The perfect way to end a perfect meal! Honestly, you can't go wrong ordering anything from the menu. Everything is so fresh and delicious and you can tell they put a lot of effort into making each bite something to remember. Not to mention, the staff is so friendly and attentive. The owner, Zuke, is awesome and definitely cares about running a welcoming and top-notch establishment. Great ambiance as well! Overall: 10 Stars!! Go here if you want amazing Japanese food. You won't regret it! read more

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Right around the corner from the Ayer's Hotel in Costa Mesa is a small Japanese Sushi Bar that a family has owned for twenty eight years. Everything is made fresh and most of my meal consisted of fish that normally available at American Japanese restaurants. Ankimo Japanese Mackerel Spanish Mackerel Jellyfish Seaweed Natto Handroll Freshly Chopped Wasabi For any of my pilot friends flying into the John Wayne / Orange County (SNA) Airport please try this delightful establishment. You will feel like you've found Japan in the OC. read more

Kappo Sui - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food and service are always so good. Definitely the best Japanese restaurant around. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but I recommend trying something from the specials any time you go. And don't skip dessert! Their pastry chef Zuke is a genius and makes an amazing basque cheesecake and matcha panna cotta read more

Kappo Sui - basque cheesecake and matcha panna cotta - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Cozy izakaya with heartwarming dishes and welcoming vibes!! The servers and chefs are all so nice and friendly and treated us with warmth and complete hospitality. I came because I was craving chawanmushi and my craving was definitely satisfied. The custard was so smooth and light that it just melted on the tongue. We also tried their duck soba and simmered kinki fish and both were so flavorful and expertly prepared. The duck breast still retained the smell of smoke, which combined nicely with the deep broth and refreshing soba. The rock fish tasted naturally sweet and buttery and paired so well with the marinated soft tofu. We were also pleasantly surprised to learn that they have been around for 24-25 years now! All in all such a wholesome experience :) I'm definitely gonna come back here again. read more

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我们品尝了炸猪排，鸡翅，天妇罗，乌冬面，非常好吃。没想到甜点也很意外的好吃。地道的日本食物。值得再去一次。 Really good cheesecake!! The best cheesecake I've ever had! Also wonderful read more

Kappo Sui - 地道的日本食物。 甜点非常精致，甜而不腻。 - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

It can't get any better. If you want an authentic great quality what is the Japanese food the place to come? The food was also good that I will definitely be back to try more. The service was amazing. Owner was very welcoming and a chef is very talented. The place is a small little spot in a shopping Center off of Santa Ana Ave and Bristol. Don't skip on the dessert it is to die for and all homemade in house. read more