Stopped by Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen and had a great experience overall. Appetizer: * Pork Gyoza -- perfect for sharing and really tasty. 5/5 Handrolls: * Shrimp Handroll -- decent, but just okay. 3/5 * Bulgogi Handroll -- not the best fit for a handroll style. 3/5 * 3 Kings -- loved that you can choose your own fillings, and it was delicious. Highly recommended! 5/5 The servers and chef were very nice, and it's casual seating (you just seat yourself). Service was quick, and for the price, I'd say it's a good value. read more

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A good spot for lunch or dinner if you are craving some handrolls! The fish here is fresh and the hand rolls I ordered were all solid and had a good ratio of fish to rice. Service was friendly when I stopped by for a late lunch and we were warmily greeted by the staff. We dined in and there are about 10 seats available to sit at or you can order take out which is what most people do. They have a variety of options to choose from, I went with the spicy salmon and scallop hand rolls and both were delicious. The salmon carpaccio and spicy edamame we ordered as appetizers was also solid. They brought out our handrolls as they finished making them and spaced it out so not everything came out all at once which I liked. The free salad was refreshing and a good palate cleanser. They also offer fresh wasabi for an extra charge which I liked. Overall, this is a solid spot for handrolls and sushi and I recommend coming here if you want something on the lighter side that isn't too heavy compared to the other spots in Rodeo 39! A 7.5/10 read more

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Came here for the first time with some girlfriends and I think Karai is a decent spot -- but very much a vibe-dependent experience. This place is definitely geared more toward solo diners or date nights. You order in an iPad system. The counter-style seating makes it cozy and intimate, but not ideal for larger groups. We made it work, though, and the staff were kind even while visibly stressed (they were dealing with tech issues that threw off service flow all night -- not their fault, but definitely noticeable). I tried the 2-piece yubu with imitation crab and king salmon -- it was light and pleasant. I lived the sweetness if of the tofu pockets! They were the star of the show! The downside of it is that it did mask both the imitation crab and salmon. They are also massive! Like you definitely have to have a game plan on how to approach of it. Half of us opted to cut it in half with chopsticks, the other half said "imma just tackle it and take bites" I also had the 5-piece hand roll set: Salmon was just okay -- a little fishy, not quite as fresh as I'd like. Yellowtail was solid. Scallop was the standout -- sweet, fresh, and tender. Blue crab had a nice subtle sweetness to it. Toro? Absolutely melted in my mouth -- hands down the best way to end the set. Compared to other reviews, I think we had a better experience. Some people mentioned mushy fillings or poor nori texture, but ours was fine. That said, I do agree the value could feel underwhelming depending on what you get. The rolls are small, and if you're expecting something more flavorful or customizable, it might fall short. I feel like for what you pay for, I should have more to say about the food, but that was it? It was good but it wasn't noticeably good - just nice. I haven't tried their ramen yet, but I noticed a few people around us ordering bowls and honestly, they looked pretty tempting -- might be worth coming back for that next time. Overall: not amazing, not awful. A solid "maybe again" spot if I'm in the area and craving a quiet sushi bar night. read more

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Full transparency, it's been a long while since I've been to Rodeo 39 and I came here craving Banh Xeo Boys. After discovering that BXB had closed, I ended up at Karai simply because it was the only restaurant I found at Rodeo 39 that had some plant-based items. For dine-in, there's bar seating and a small tablet for ordering. For take-out, there's a tablet near the door for ordering. Either way, the food comes out fairly quickly. King Yubu Avocado and King Yubu Seaweed are solid snacks. Good flavor and filling. Is $4.50 each a standard price point for this type of item? I honestly don't know but I personally wouldn't purchase this on a regular basis. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/karai-hand-roll-bar-and-ramen-stanton?select=xrbryVpsXvrb12iVDqcRXA Edamame is solid. Hard to mess up. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/karai-hand-roll-bar-and-ramen-stanton?select=2H2Wu4zZ0GZxLMAtffsavg Miso soup is good. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/karai-hand-roll-bar-and-ramen-stanton?select=6hk00ieA3tZhcnVN-gIVMA Cucumber seaweed salad was light and refreshing. Thinly sliced and good flavor. A tiny bit sweeter than I would have liked but that's just my preference. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/karai-hand-roll-bar-and-ramen-stanton?select=kQ3c_SQLASAG-yPGGu7C9w Would I eat here again? Only in a pinch. Food is solid but doesn't necessarily stand out. I would have love to order the Vege Ramen but unfortunately, their noodles contain egg. At least I'm grateful for the staff sharing that information with me. read more

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*** No cash accepted *** Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen is one of many eateries inside Rodeo 39 Public Market with bar seating and a tablet ordering system at the bar. [Parking]: Our party arrived at 11 AM when the shop opened, so there were plenty of available parking spots; however by 1 PM on weekends, the lot was packed. [Menu]: The most popular item is the Cinco which is a preset five-handroll combo featuring toro, yellowtail, scallop, crab, and salmon. The sushi chef serves one hand roll at a time and only prepares the next roll after you finish the one in front of you. Other handroll combos include Quatro (yellowtail, salmon, crab, and scallop, Seis (salmon, shrimp tempura, and crab), Yubu Combos, and Lunch Combo (available Monday to Friday only). *** Cinco (toro, yellowtail, scallop, crab, and salmon - $26): As other Yelpers have mentioned, the hand rolls here are very similar to Kazunori's handrolls - warm rice + fresh seafood = great hand rolls. I thought all five were very solid and the final roll (toro) even came with a small beach umbrella as a cute decor. *** The sushi chef was very friendly and constantly checked in on our party. While I enjoyed all the hand rolls, I still left only 50% full. If you are looking for great taste rather than a filling meal, then this is not a bad spot to check out; however, if you want to leave somewhat full without spending more than $30 pre-tax, then you might want to order a ramen bowl instead. For full transparency, I did not get a chance to try their ramen. read more

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Quick lunch spot primarily known for their handrolls and ramen - Handrolls (3.5/5) : 5 handrolls for $26 - salmon, crab, scallop, yellowtail, and toro with caviar. Decent handrolls for good value (you even get the toro with carviar!). Rice to fish ratio was a little off - there was too much rice in all the handrolls. The fish was chopped up to a mush-consistency, leaving little room for texture. Yubus (4/5): 4 for $17.50. I actually enjoyed the yubus more than the handrolls. The sweetness from the tofu wrapper was a nice touch complimenting the rice and toppings. You get to choose your yubu toppings. Chicken Karaage (3.5/4): nothing special. Fried chicken goodness dressed with eel sauce and spicy mayo. Tonkatsu Ramen (4/5): Ramen noodles were al dente and the soup was flavorful. The ramen even comes with a whole seasoned egg! You order from an iPad, and food comes out fairly quick. Ambiance is casual with counter seating only. Tip: For the best deals, go during lunch for the combos: Choice of ramen + handroll ($19.95) Choice of ramen + yubu ($18.95) read more

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Karai is a fresh and somewhat new! addition to the Rodeo39 food hall scene that needs some help. With Banh Xeo Boys and Kra Z Kai closing down in 2024, this spot is the boost we all needed. The hand rolls for take-out have Japan-style packaging to ensure the Nori stays crispy when you finally get home to unwrap your snack. Great quick lunch spot and solid lunch special deals make this place a great pit stop during office or Remote work days! read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Salmon Hand Roll - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

I never got the chance to try Karai when it replaced Nandomo by HiroNori, by chance I saw that they had a lunch deal so I thought that was the perfect opportunity to stop by. We were greeted when we walked in and the staff was friendly. We immediately noticed that this restaurant was Korean owned so we expected a more Korean style ramen. The chairs and the bar seating was a little uncomfortable due to the height of the table, but it wasn't a big deal. I ordered the spicy tonkotsu and salmon skin hand roll lunch special, which was about $20. The ramen broth was different than traditional Japanese broth in that it was made with Korean dash, giving it a unique but identifiable flavor that's familiar to Korean Soon Tofu. The hand roll was enjoyable, but best eaten right away, which can be difficult when you get both around the same time. Overall a decent spot for a quick lunch, but nothing yet that begs me to come back. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Spicy Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Ok this is a great additional to Rodeo 39 I have been a regular Ramen eater, a frequent visit at a Japanese owned Ramen shop 1 mile from my place. This shop's ramen bowl definitely hits! The soup - nice thick salty flavor with a slow base burn from the spice The Chashu - There is no lean meat. The whole piece was great. Egg - a whole egg?! Noodle - just the right amount with the right texture Serving time - less than 3 mins since i ordered 5 stars no question read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Ordered from a machine and got the edamame and vege ramen--and double checked that it was vegetarian (it was! though not vegan; there are eggs in the noodles) The edamame was a little salty, but tasty. Definitely overdressed; you'll find a pool of sauce at the bottom as you're eating The vege ramen had a really nice broth that was very well balanced. My main gripe was that there weren't enough veggies (just fried tofu and the typical ramen toppings of green onions, bean sprouts, mushrooms, fried onions, seaweed). I also liked the little salad that came with it. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Vege ramen - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

After walking through Rodeo 39, we decided to have lunch here. When we walked in, we were the first party to be seated. But within several minutes, 90% of the seats were filled! The 4 Kings yubu assortment & the 5 handroll set were all super good, & definitely worth repeating. The toro, yellowtail & lobster handrolls were my faves! The Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice was so good, we ordered it twice! Service was warm and friendly, & we left full and happy. Highly recommend! read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - 4 Kings : ) - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

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Karai is located inside Rodeo 39. We came for hand rolls. Usually when it's a new place, we always share a set. But at Karai, we decided to each have our own set at $5 a roll. Now I know why. You get what you pay for. We started off with the Yellowtail carpaccio ($13) and 5 set hand roll called Cinco ($25). The carpaccio was the decent meal out of all. The onions and jalapeños added an extra oomph to it. However, the hand rolls were a big disappointment. The set included Salmon, Scallops, Yellowtail, Crab and Toro. It was too much rice, the nori quality was poor, it wasn't crispy for easy breakage. I had hard time separating with every bite and felt like I had to pull at it which caused the filling to spill out. The fish fillings were mushy. Crab tasted like it came out of a can. They all lacked flavor. They don't offer Yozu koshu which would have made it 10x better. So we had to drench it in soy sauce to get some flavor. Looking at photos on Yelp, every handroll looked different. Some had green onions, some had crispies and other toppings. We only had unflavored sushi rice and bland mushy fish. Prior to ordering, the server pulled out a plate of ginger and wasabi from the fridge that was prepared who knows when. The ginger was dried out. Also, the plastic water cups were stacked faced down in front of you touching the dirty table. It just didn't feel clean. Should have walked out at this time. We sat at the bar and saw others come in eating a bowl of ramen. So maybe the ramen is what they are best at? Should have gone for a set of Yubu instead. Afterwards, my stomach did not sit well. read more

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A new addition to Rodeo 39, Karai is serving up OC's recent food fixation: hand rolls! Their set menus are on the affordable side. You can opt for 3, 4, or 5 rolls which I can tell you now isn't going to fill you up. You'd definitely have to order additional rolls or complimentary dishes if you're really looking to dine. We went with the Cinco set which features toro, yellowtail, scallop, crab, and salmon. Speaking candidly, the food quality kind of missed the mark for me. The fish wasn't the freshest and the flavors weren't really there. Pacing, especially with a set menu, is really important to me. Other hand roll spots I've visited really pay attention to when to best serve the next roll to fit within the flow of the experience and if you as a diner are ready to receive it. Here, rolls were getting cranked out ASAP. I was rushing to fly through my meal, so I wouldn't have to deal with soggy nori. Overall, you kind of get what you pay for. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Small ramen and sushi restaurant inside Rodeo 39. Most people order take-out, that's what I did. If you dine in, there's about 8-10 tables in a sushi bar setting. I walked in and was immediately greeted by an older gentleman. If you dine in, you're seated and they take your order. If you do take-out, you're pointed toward the ordering screen. I love the ordering screen because they have pictures. It was quick and easy to order. I got my order within 10 minutes. I ordered the Cuatro hand roll combo: albacore tuna, salmon, scallop and crab. The latter three were delicious! Unfortunately the albacore tuna didn't do it for me. Overall, the Cuatro was a great sampler. Can't wait to go back to try their other hand rolls and ramen! read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Self order station - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Came in on a weekday evening for dinner and we were sat right away. This place is located in Rodeo 39 with plenty of parking. I opted for the set menus, I ordered the Cinco ($25) as well as the Tres ($16). I thought the price was fair for how good the quality of the fish was. These handrolls are not huge, but they're also not tiny. I also thought the fish to rice ratio was pretty even. My favorites from both sets: Crab - real blue crab, not imitation and plentiful. Mayo didn't over power it, they also added some crips like tempura batter or something to that effect to help with the texture. Shrimp Tempura - decent sized shrimp fried beautifully paired with a good chunk of avocado. Scallop - some people said it's mayo heavy, but i thought in my roll it had just enough. not too much and not too little. Yellowtail - probably my favorite one! fresh, tender and not too fishy! The service was also really good, the chef checked in on us, made jokes, but wasn't overbearing. If you order the set, they wait until you finish your roll before prepping and giving you your next roll so that way it's fresh and the seaweed doesn't get soggy. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Hand Roll/ SHRIMP TEMPURA - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

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1. The handrolls were delicious, and the Chicken Karaage smelled amazing! 2. The spot has fun cozy vibes! 3. The staff were friendly and attentive! 4. There are only indoor seatings available! 5. Parking for this public market can get crowded after noon! Note: Only card transactions accepted! Photo: ICED COFFEE, JESSICA ALBACORE, CHICKEN KARAAGE, CRY BABY read more

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I won't go here anymore, as I don't want to get sick. I used to really like this spot. Went last Friday. Fish tasted fresh and spicy garlic edamame was generous. Went today, 6 days later, and the carpaccios I ordered tasting extremely fishy. Even all the dressing couldn't cover up the fishy taste. The texture was oddly chewy. I think this fish has to be unsafe to eat, I've never had sushi this fishy, and I eat sushi regularly. I am worried about food poisoning. Also the edamame portion was less than half of what I received last time, shockingly small portion. read more

Got the Quattro hand rolls for take-out from them the other day. Cutely packaged and they provide covers for the seaweed to stay crispy (until you're ready to eat). Price was REALLY good for the handrolls (though they're kinda small) and would say get the Cinco for best value with the Toro. Everything was pretty good but I'd say scallop was my favorite, then crab, then salmon, then yellowtail. Think you probably want 5 rolls to get full (as a smaller, 5 foot asian girl). Plan accordingly for food. Solid spot at a convenient location, grab some beer before or after. Walk around. People watch. Nothing I'd go out of my way for though read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - QUATRO/ Ytail, Salmon, Crab, Scallop - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

We've already ate at two other places, but we decided we needed to try something here, too. My cousins and I ordered the set menu with the six handrolls, and tried two handrolls each. I got the Lobster and Scallop. I also tried a bit of the Blue Crab. We all enjoyed it. I thought the Lobster one had a bit too much sauce, and the lobster was too overcooked. And the Blue Crab could've used a bit more of something, like mayo or seasoning. read more

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We came for my birthday and it was amazing. It was such a great time. Kudos for the chef for entertaining my friends kid and giving me some sake for my birthday. The sushi was super good! It's not bad in terms of prices too and everything was delicious especially the tuna belly. I was quite full too! It felt pretty close to being in Japan at least with the vibe and feel of it. The chef really made it worthwhile! With the different shops in the area, this spot is different since the others don't really serve sushi so it's a good mix. read more

The food is spectacular here!!! I enjoyed everything I ate here. I wasn't expecting too much when it is inside Plaza like place. Their service is top notch. We ordered the Volcano Ramen, Jessica HR, a Toro one too, Crab King yubu then the chino HRs. I also ordered the shrimp tempura and that's eh. I like the fluffy batter ones and this was not it. Will I be back? Hell yeah!!! Plus this place is affordable and it's good for a quick fix when you want something fast and delicious. Just don't go compare it with fine dine etc. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - I love them all especially the Blue Crab one yum - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Needed a quick lunch before an event and found Karai Hand Roll with a couple available chairs at the bar. I loved that when a sat down there were clearly regulars enjoying their meals and chatting with the sushi chef. The ambiance was happy and calm and very chill. The staff was SO friendly. I'd had a crazy long drive from LA and was a little grumpy, but the sushi chef was having none of that. He leaned over the bar as he handed me each roll to ask if I was local, how I found the place, how I was doing, what are my thoughts on the sushi. It was honestly very kind and earnest and exactly the kind of interaction I needed to kill those grump vibes. As a great plus, the sushi was excellent. The quality was high, the fish was fresh, each roll is done as you finish the previous roll so every time you're biting into crispy, crunchy, fresh seaweed. The rolls are on the smaller side, but that makes it perfect to try multiples and the price point reflects that. The Cinco Set is a great way to try a bunch of the menu. I added the Jessica Albacore just so I could try a bit of every thing on offer, as well as the Cucumber Salad (which had a wonderful dressing and came with seaweed and burdock root). Honestly fantastic and in a great location with tons of parking. If I find myself in Garden Grove again, I will for sure go back. read more

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Karai had some of the tastiest hand rolls Ive ever hand. We got the cinco which came with toro, real crab, yellowtail, salmon and scallop. Each piece was made pretty quickly right at the bar and the toro was my absolute favorite. It came out to about $5 each with the combo, which is amazing. Its in the Rodeo 39 packing house and totally worth giving it a try. read more

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Located Inside of Rodeo 39 (Food/Retail Hall) on Beach & Garden Grove Blvd. I Called To Place An Order For PickUp. The Gentleman That Picked Up The Phone Asked If I Can Place The Order Online. I Mentioned I Did But The Only Option To Pay Was Apple Pay. Hopefully Different Payment Methods Are Added Soon!!! The Concept Of The Seaweed Paper Being Covered Up With Plastic -- Is Great For Sanitary Purposes! But For Someone That Hasn't Experienced It Yet & Just Wants To Start Eating Right Away, I Can See The Frustration. That's What I Felt Because If You Don't Carefully Pull Each Side Of Plastic As Directed Then The Seaweed Paper Would Rip!! The 'Hand Rolls' Looks More Like 'Mini Street Tacos'. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Hand Rolls - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Good Ramen for a good price! But when it comes to sides like shrimp tempura it's a complete rip off! They serve the smallest garbage shrimp for $8.00 ! Very disappointing read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Get again: Sai loved chicken karage Get a inare set with 3 salmon mayos with karage Get 3 hand roll sets with unagi roll added to each one Get 1 side of kizami wasabi For mom get avocado inari and spicy veggie ramen no egg read more

Best new spot at Rodeo 39!! I was ecstatic to see this new hand roll sushi bar when visiting with my friend the other day. We went around noon on a Sunday, and there was barely anyone else, so we were able to get seated at the wraparound sushi bar immediately. We ordered 3 rolls each, and I got the crab, toro, and Karai, while my friend ordered the salmon, tuna, and Karai. The hand rolls tasted incredible and were packed with flavor, and they were a good portion size for the price. There are also appetizers and ramen options on the menu if you want a variety! This place is my new favourite at Rodeo 39. It was a much needed addition in Orange County, and it's wayyy better than its competitor, ROL Hand Bar, in terms of quality, price, and experience. Staff at Karai are very welcoming and attentive, and the environment is clean, bright, and comfortable. I can't wait to come back and hope others discover this gem too! read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - crab hand roll - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

TLDR: Convenient location and roll bar concept are attractive but the food is rather disappointing in flavor and quality. Food Review THE HAND ROLL SET MENU: Cinco $24 Verdict: Ok to try once. Cost the same as KazuNori at less quality though. Five hand rolls prepared as you finish them. A concept imitated by ROL in HB and started by KazuNori in LA. These rolls ranged from "fine" to "disappointing" unfortunately. Here's the list: -Salmon - Standard. Delivers what it's promised. -Crab - Mayo heavy, one might wonder how much crab is actually in there -Yellowtail - I actually don't even remember this one so I assume it was fine. -Scallop - Another mayo strike combined with the scallops being chopped up, so again you wonder how much scallop is in there. -Toro - Disappointing. Very flavorless and too lean to taste like toro. Very light pink, almost watery flavor. All the rolls til this were at least acceptable. The SIGNATURE HAND ROLL: Crunchcheetos $8 Verdict: Not worth it. Delivered in an elegant wooden roll holder, topped with flamin' cheetos. Enjoyable crunch from the cheetos and some familiar heat. Not sure what protein is even in this one so you should ask. Actually don't because you could order any other hand roll yourself, crush the cheetos in the snack bag and top it to get the exact same roll. The SALMON CARPACCIO $12 Verdict: Don't get it. Carpaccio is the latest fancy name for places to get you to order 3 orders of sashimi. Coming at 6 pieces, it cost about that much as sashimi orders, except they drizzle a sauce. Unfortunately with Karai - They drown it in sauce. Overwhelmingly salty, we had to order a side of rice to cut attempt some balance. I cannot recommend this. SERVICE, AMBIENCE, VENUE It's a great location, easy to sit and enjoy bar-style seating, and is bustling from Rodeo 39. Why nearly every restaurant in Rodeo 39 has a 5 star look but 2-3 star personality, I don't know but Kurai continues the tradition. The hand roll staff look tired of their jobs already and it's only been open a month. The (I assume) owner is lively, friendly, and putting a good foot forward. Running a restaurant is difficult and the last ramen place in this location did not survive for similar reasons actually. I hope they are working through some kinks on this. WOULD I RETURN? RATING As much as I love hand rolls, no I can't. Guess I have to make the drive and wait in line at KazuNori. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Cheetos crumbled on hand roll. - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Came here on a Monday night with my husband after putting the baby down to sleep. We both ordered the six set and I added a spicy tuna just because I knew I wouldn't like yellowtail in the six set. The owner greeted us right away and was super accommodating. He offered us miso soup and was very attentive to our needs. He made sure we enjoyed our food and got each roll promptly with minimal wait time. Each roll size was very generous. I liked the balance of rice and fish in each bite, and I didn't feel that one overpowered the other. My favorites were the crab and lobster ones because the flavor was just right. I wish the scallop had a little more flavor in them since I typically like that one at other hand roll spots. My only suggestion would be a little more flavor to the sushi rice, but it's definitely not bad as it is. We will definitely come back especially since we are just down the street! read more

Located inside Rodeo 39, Karai is a hidden gem. Super tiny establishment, but we were lucky enough to walk in and sit right away. Service was prompt and attentive. The menu isn't large but the choices available were wonderful. I honestly didn't feel like anything was missing. We ordered two hand roll sets and it was definitely the way to go! The crab roll was tasty, the spicy tuna excellent, but the star of the entire meal was the toro hand roll. It was *chef's kiss, unbelievably delicious!!! We've since been back twice, and this time with our son who ordered the ramen. It was spicy, which is the way he likes it and full of flavor. I mentioned earlier that the service was attentive, but I should add that they were very personable and make you feel special. I know that sounds weird, but I love a little extra care when I go out and eat. I can't recommend this place enough. I'll be back soon with my daughter this time. She's missed out twice already. read more

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Service was great. The staff was so friendly. We ordered the albacore cappacio and we loved the crispy things they put on top. Our favorites were the crispy tuna rice, crab hand roll, and scallop hand roll. read more

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Stopped by this ramen spot inside Rodeo 39 on a Tuesday night. It was... fine. The broth was NOT bland, but it did lack depth and had an oily mouthfeel that didn't sit great. I also tried the salmon hand roll, but it was mostly nori; I could barely taste the fish or rice. Service was passable, though we didn't get water until midway through the meal. Honestly, with so many stronger food options at Rodeo 39, this one feels pretty skippable. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Tonkotsu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Generous portions of quality hand rolls personally crafted and served by the attentive owner! Went with the 6 set and it did not disappoint. Salmon and yellowtail were solid. Scallop was a bit lacking in flavor. Blue crab had crunchy onions bits for extra flavor and texture. Lobster was broiled with a nice char taste to it. Toro was a treat with an open face roll and nice fatty flavors. The size of the rolls were no joke and I was definitely full by the end. It was a casual bar with great service and the owner even offered soup or salad on the house! Will be back for a smaller set and try their yubu or ramen next time! read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Menu (as of 9/30/24) - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

Amazing food and service! My husband and I live close to Rodeo 39 and this is our most visited spot within it! The salmon carpaccio is fresh and flavorful, and the ramen is perfectly spiced! Definitely recommend! read more

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This was my second time eating here! I ordered the cucumber rolls and miso soup! The food was done fairly quick also! The cucumber rolls were pretty good! I liked how the cucumbers were cut into long thin strips but I feel like this time they may have put too many cucumbers on my roll but everything tasted fresh! The miso soup was good but I wish there was a little more tofu in it! Overall it was a good meal! I will say the plastic wrapping that they wrap the seaweed in, can be a bit of a challenge to take off sometimes. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

My friend and I tried this place recently because she really wanted to try it. She's a fan of Kazunori (I am not lol). I was surprised by how much I liked everything I got here. We split their "cinco" which is a 5-handroll set, and they serve them slowly, at the pace you eat them, which is nice. It feels really relaxed and not rushed, as opposed to Kazunori. Way more of a chill vibe. I will say that they are pricey for the amount of fish in each roll. I feel like there are better deals on hand rolls at several different places in and around LA. But overall a good spot and worth the try. read more

Super affordable if you get their set menu. Best bang for your buck is definitely the Cinco set -- five rolls for $25. Rolls are Toro, Scallop, Salmon, Yellowtail, and Crab. I like that they add crunch into their rolls to give texture, but the flavor isn't all there for me. Seaweed tend to be on the chewier side. Rice to protein ratio was good, but seaweed ratio might be a bit too much. Rolls tend to the on the smaller side so you might want to order other sides (which I haven't gotten to try yet). Soft drinks come in bottles or cans, which I found to be kinda disappointing because I love my fountain machines. This place used to have Japanese ramen (same owners as Hiro Nori so I'm surprised they closed down), so it already has a Japanese vibe to it. Seating is all countertop... but at a weird seating angle... like I have to lean inward or stand up to see what's in front of me ‍ All in all, fast service and affordable. I would come again since it's close by and pretty cheap. read more

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Located in Rodeo 39! The whole restaurant layout was bar seating only and greeted by two chefs. Everything else like utensils, water, napkins are all self serve (right in front of you). I was kind of surprised that the restaurant is very small but I guess that's how the layout is like in Rodeo 39. The limited seating does fill up quickly. The dining concept is great but I feel like it's still lacking in the menu. I've had rolls from other places and this wasn't the best. It does have a lot of potential for growth. read more

Karai Hand Roll Bar & Ramen - VOLCANO RAMEN - Ramen Near Me - Stanton, California

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I can't say no to a hand roll spot! Karai is located in Rodeo Public Market right when you enter with glass windows. It is not big, there's only a bar area. It gets busy but you can also order to go. It's smart that they leave the wrappers on the nori when you order to go to avoid your hand rolls from getting soggy. Although this is also a ramen bar, we only ordered the hand rolls. To start we had the karai edamame, I liked that it was coated in a spicy sauce. I ordered the tres set menu and my bf ordered the tres set menu, toro and tuna hand roll. Everything was fresh and delicious, my favorite hand roll was the shrimp tempura. Everything was presented nicely and the service was on top of it! The place also seems family owned. I'd visit again and order a bowl of ramen. read more

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Nice and quick service. They have a pretty good dinner special with 2 hand rolls and a ramen for $22. The broth was good , but I would like the pork to be more fatty than crispy in my ramen read more

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