As a local and long(er) term patron of Khan's I feel it's necessary for everyone to know the scoop:
Having changed management a few times over the last few years, Khan's was at a pretty good place starting about a year ago. They had a great sushi chef named Tim, who trained sous chef Tania. The restaurant offered AYCE including sushi, which was the best part. Everything other than sushi has always been mediocre at best, but Tim and Tania elevated Khan to one of the better places in OC in regards to sushi. The other offerings have always been sub par.
A little over a month ago Tim, Tania and the rest of the front-of-the-house team quit because of toxic management/ownership.
I recently went back to assess what has happened since. New sushi chef (Korean), new front-of-the-house. Ok. Sat at the sushi bar, place was empty. Friday lunchtime. Ok.
Was offered two AYCE options, "Appetizers and Rolls Only" and "Everything except Sashimi". I opted for the latter, with the intent to sample their nigiri. Ordered some standard stuff, then I asked the chef to just keep things coming (as Tim would have done). The chef happily exclaimed, "Oh, you like Omakase!" to which I agreed. He told me people here didn't know what Omakase was, and seemed delighted to serve.
Now here comes the kicker: about 2 servings into the experience, chef says, "Omakase higher price!" - I am, like, what do you mean, it's all you can eat except sashimi, and I didn't ask for sashimi. "So what are you going to charge me?" - "I don't know yet, more!" I check the menu, there is no Omakase, and finally having gone back and forth with the server they agree "to make an exception this time" and "only charge me for AYCE".
Now don't get me wrong, I am happy to pay for quality but: (1) I would like to know from the get-go that this is the deal I am getting, and (2) I would like to know how much it will cost me!
Fast forward, chef tells me that Omakase would get me "good quality", while basically saying the rest is "meh", which it going forward it pretty much was, a lame succession of salmon and tuna nigiri without any inspiration behind. A far cry from former chef Tim's creations.
The quality of the food was perhaps 3.0/5, service was below that. The chef was condescending, the service inexperienced (the chef had to explain to them what Omakase meant).
But most importantly, it appeared the problem was the greedy owner (Andy? The chef and servers referred to him several times saying they would "check with him" once he arrived) is the detriment to Khan's.
AYCE once was $29.99 no matter what.
Now it's $39 for appetizers and rolls only, $48 for everything but sashimi (and decent nigiri it seems, but that is not mentioned in the menu, neither is Omakase at all although the chef was happy to charge me for it).
Sadly I have to say I won't return under the current circumstances, and urge everyone else to seek out better sushi and service elsewhere.
The photo shows you what Khan once was like when Tim and Tania were at the helm of the sushi bar. RIP Khan's! read more