Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kiyo Sushi & Sake

    3.9 (730 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

    Waitlist - Kiyo Sushi & Sake

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Order Kiyo Sushi & Sake Takeout or Delivery

    Kiyo Sushi & Sake Photos

    Business Info

    KIYO SUSHI & SAKE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Kiyo Sushi & Sake

    Recommended Reviews - Kiyo Sushi & Sake

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Kiyo Sushi & Sake

    Chirashi Don
    Jocelyn Y.

    Came with my friend for the lunch special. We both ordered the Chirashi Don ($22), and it was yum! I'm allergic to shellfish and they accommodated nicely. Pretty good price for what you get. Interior is comfy, and service was fast. I will say they broke 2 glasses during our meal but accidents happen. The people next to us ordered the lunch special bentos and those looked delish. Would come again to try those!

    Electronic Menu
    Fran L.

    Fat five stars for the BEST, absolutely BESTEST SUSHI restaurant in Irvine ever! There are so many really good Sushi restaurants in Orange County, California; but only very few truly worthy Japanese Original Sushi places with exceptionally fatty tuna that literally meltingly captures my imagination is this place. I am not a huge fan of Sushi and Sashimi, but when your tastebuds act as if they were sleeping vampire thirsty for fresh blood just woke up to the newly collected pint of the Red Cross PRBC, I have to call out to all of my Mukbang colleagues to swarm over to this King of Tokyo Sushi.

    premium sashimi lunch
    Jin H.

    How have I never been to Kiyo before? I live super close but finally got around to trying their lunch specials. The best sashimi I've had in a while, the cuts are so thick and buttery. We went all out and got all the premium items- the premium sashimi platter, premium chirashi, and lunch sashimi. Would definitely recommend the premium chirashi the most- feels the most balanced because it comes with rice and the sashimi is literally just the sashimi haha. The quality of the fish is top tier, and there's a lot of cuts in the premium orders that are unique like sweet raw shrimp, uni, and jumbo scallops. Kiyo will definitely be my new go-to whenever I'm craving sashimi, the prices are amazing for what you get, especially for Irvine. I'd also like to try just their regular lunch specials and dinner items to compare them to the premium options.

    House Miso Soup
    Phoebe L.

    My first time trying Kiyo and it was solid! Easy to find parking, restaurant was clean, and staff were attentive. Best of all, the fish was fresh, and the fried heads of the amaebi weren't greasy. I would've preferred my cucumber salad with more vinegar since it just tasted like sliced cucumbers, but that's just my personal preference and very minor. Would definitely return to try more!

    Ordered lunch.
    Grace w.

    The food is great, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the service has been good during my last two visits. However, my experience today was disappointing. When we arrived, we were placed on the waitlist and ended up waiting for about 30 minutes. During that time, there was an open table available, but a waitress placed a "Reserved" sign on it instead of seating waiting guests. We were originally told the wait would be about 15 minutes, but it ultimately took around 40 minutes before we were seated. What made the situation even more frustrating was that no one ever came to use the table that was being reserved. Overall, it was a disappointing experience that negatively affected an otherwise positive impression of the restaurant.

    Alyssa T.

    A great spot for very fresh sushi with very well priced lunch specials. There's a good amount of parking in the parking lot. They're fairly popular for lunch because of their specials. They have sushi bar seating as well as smaller tables available. They have iPads that they give to each party to order, but the lunch specials need to be ordered from their staff directly. The food is of excellent quality and all of the fish is extremely fresh. Their dishes have very appealing presentation and the taste of the food matches the effort that they put into the presentation. They give a generous amount of fish per dish and it makes for a very satisfying meal. I've been several times and the quality is very consistent.

    Deluxe Chirashi Don
    Ky-Anh H.

    If you're craving sashimi, sushi, or Japanese food in general, Kiyo is a really nice spot to try or dine in at! My girlfriend and I were looking for a place to choose and the chirashi bowl caught her eye, so we ended up here, and were thoroughly surprised! Seating was pretty quick nearing closing and there's plenty of parking, and service is great! Servers stop by often to refill water, ask questions, make sure you feel at home honestly, and that's a big plus. I personally can't handle too much when it comes to sushi, so I only ordered 1 seared salmon roll, and I got full off it quick, but the flavor from the seared salmon was good and balanced the fatty feeling I typically get. Plus the hint of sriracha and spicy mayo added a kick, but in a good way. The mushroom miso soup was so good to have on the side, not too salty, very savory in my opinion which I liked. The salmon carpaccio was amazing, definitely have to order that if you're coming here in my opinion as it's an all around good dish. Garlic edamame was okay, it's just an average side dish to have with everything, just would maybe ask for a tiny bit less garlic overall? But it didn't ruin the dish. Lastly, I had the takowasa, and I was really surprised with this. I've never had raw octopus, but this was very wasabi heavy and the texture was really interesting. It was kind of like really firm popping boba, and tasted mostly like wasabi. The only thing I didn't try from was her deluxe chirashi don, but in her words, it was perfect and so good that she'd be thinking of this place often. So if you're really captivated by the look of it, you should try it! You won't be disappointed ^_^ we'd definitely come back some time and recommend Kiyo!

    Sashimi Salad and Kiyo Roll
    Sepideh S.

    Dined in this time and really enjoyed the sashimi salad and the Kiyo roll, which is my all-time favorite. If you're a fan of fresh rolls and high-quality fish, I would absolutely recommend the Kyo roll. I came in for lunch and they were offering a great sashimi lunch special, but since I was craving something lighter, I went with the sashimi salad along with the Kiyo roll. The portions were larger than expected. The server mentioned it's meant for one person, and I agree -- if I had been a bit hungrier, it would've been perfect as a full meal on its own. The service was excellent and the food quality really stands out. As someone who considers themselves a sushi connoisseur with a strong appreciation for good sashimi, I would definitely recommend this place. Their lunch specials are especially worth it.

    salmon don
    Natalie Y.

    I've frequented kiyo sushi a lot and its a go-to for me when i want good quality sushi easily. its super close by and there is usually no wait. my favorite order is a salmon don. though, i have to reduce a star bc the service isnt very consistent. we have had some moments where the service wasnt the best. for example, there have been a couple times where they seated people out of order, as we were 1st in line for a party of 3 and another party of 3 who came later was seated first, and they didnt have a reservation. it was very odd. ambiance is minimalist and clean. can be upscale if you want it to be but also casual too.

    Chirashi don
    Steve H.

    My friend treated me this Japanese restaurant because it's the best in this area. I chose chirashi don, their lunch special. Possibly one of freshest fish in chirashi don and rice tastes great as well. The lunch set comes with miso soup and it's not watered down - flavorful. Service is good and quick. Their menu is actually an iPad. Ambiance is modern Japanese sushi restaurant. It's busy at noon. The lunch is great, if you are hungry - order the premium sets!

    Ray J.

    Delicious and fresh sushi with a modern touch! We got the new Uni with homemade tofu as appetizer, the creamy uni marry well with the plant based tofu. We also got the lightly marinated grilled abalone; it was full of flavors and our fav item for the meal. For lunch, we shared a steak plate, three pieces of lightly torched toro; it just melted in your month and you can tell it was high quality fish! The steak was cooked to perfection, served with ripe tomatoes, and the dry garlic flakes added a different texture to it, we were surprised to find such plater at the sushi restaurant. It just shows there is something for everyone at Kiyo!

    Salmon Skin Salad
    Jimmy L.

    One of my go-to spots for lunch specials in the Irvine area (and unlike most places, their lunch specials run on the weekend as well!). Their Chirashi Don lunch special is around $22, and is a pretty good bang for your buck. For $13 more you can get the "premium" chirashi bowl, which includes a few extra items like uni, ikura and fried shrimp head. Combined with the miso soup that comes with the lunch special, it's a decent thing to order and split with a friend if you're not too hungry. They also have lunch combos (for around $20) that include miso soup, an entree (from a selection of salmon skin salad, teriyaki chicken/beef, or a selection of grilled fishes) as well as a side (from a selection of the usual edamame, karaage, and tempura options plus various sushi rolls). The servings are pretty generous, so once again, if you're not too hungry, it's a decent thing to split or eat partially and take the rest to-go. One note: even though their outdoor signage says they close at 2:30pm, they actually close at 2pm (which is what most online listings say, so at least it's been updated there), so last call usually happens around 1:45pm.

    Veggie Tempura
    Brian N.

    This place has quickly become my favorite sushi spot. I love coming here on the weekends for lunch, especially because they do happy hour lunch deals. Shocking, right? Not many places offer lunch happy hour on the weekend. The service is great, and I really enjoy the atmosphere here. We ordered: Veggie Tempura: Lately, this has been my go-to. I love anything fried in tempura batter, and the mix of veggies gives a nice contrast to all the sashimi. Miso Soup: Complimentary, flavorful, and a perfect start to the meal. Takoyaki: I'm a sucker for takoyaki,if I see it on the menu, I have to get it. These came out piping hot and crispy, topped generously with bonito flakes. The little side of salad added a nice crunch and balance. Chirashi Don Bowl: The fish literally melted in my mouth. The yellowtail was especially incredible, so buttery it actually outshined the fatty tuna. The way they prepare everything makes it fun to eat.

    Shrimp Tempura

    See all

    18 days ago

    Helpful 52
    Thanks 26
    Love this 44
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fran L.
    161
    619
    5202

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ray J.
    255
    456
    3224

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    A little bit dark inside the restaurant but the lunch special is awesome- so fresh and such generous portions!!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jessica W.
    2241
    1150
    13365

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    30 days ago

    Prices are a little crazy. Found somes bones in my salmon kama but still good flavor.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ken W.
    0
    73
    3

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 19

    Kiyo Sushi & Sake Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kiyo Sushi & Sake

    How much is your omakase?

    Thank you for your inquiry. Since our omakase menu is made from seasonal ingredients and price may be adjusted by the time you visit us, please feel free to contact us at 714-389-7999 for the latest update information.

    Can you accommodate for a gluten allergy?

    Thank you for your inquiry. Can you please specify what kind of gluten allergy you have? We would like to do our best for you.

    Will you be open on 12/24, Christmas Eve? What about Christmas Day?

    Thank you for your inquiry. We will be close on 12/24, Christmas Eve, and return to normal business hour on 12/15, Christmas Day.

    Do you have sake for take out?

    Yes we do. Please feel free to check out our menu below and contact us at 714-389-7999 to place order. Thank you.… 

    Have you opened for in dining services?

    Hi Eileen, currently we only provide takeout and deliver order service. Thank you.

    Is the Chirashi Don the same amount of food for lunch and dinner? It just costs more during dinner?

    More

    Where can I find actual descriptions of the specialty rolls? All I see are the names but nowhere telling me what I would actually be getting.

    Thank you for your inquiry. Please check out our menu at https://fndn.mn/kiyo-sushi-and-sake-1. Feel free to contact us at 714-389-7999 for any questions.

    Are you guys open for dining in now?

    For health and safety, we only open for takeout and delivery now. Sorry for the inconvenience.

    Do you guys open dine in now outside seat?

    Hi Eric, we do have outdoor patio for public. You can order takeout and enjoy the food at the outdoor patio. Thank you.

    Are they open tomorrow for pick up?

    Yes. We are open for pick up. Our current business hour: Everyday 11:30 am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 9:00pm.

    When is the next bluefin tuna live cutting show?

    If you follow them on Instagram they usually post when the next one is!

    Do you take reservations?

    Hi Sarah, thank you for your inquiry. Yes, reservations are always recommended especially for weekends. Please call 714-389-7999 for more information. Hope to hear from you soon.

    Do u have happy hour?

    Dear customer, we don’t have happy offer. However, we offer daily lunch special and chef special :)

    Will there be any other similar events to the bluefin event that occurred a couple of weeks ago?

    Hi Tiffany, thanks for your interest. We will announce on our social media(Instagram &Facebook). Stay tuned for more details and updates! Thank you :)

    How many pieces are there in the deluxe sushi set?

    12 pieces. Thanks for your questions:)

    Any options for gluten-free eaters (eg, gluten-free soy sauce, clearly identified gluten-free dishes)?

    Most the sushi, sashimi and sushi rolls are gluten-free dishes. Noodles are not gluten-free dishes. Thanks again for your question :)

    How is the omakase?

    We serve 3 kinds of Omakase, $88 for lunch special Omakase, $118 and $158 for dinner. Each Omakase serves about 10-12 courses depends on the daily chef choice. Reservation is required one day ahead. The whole meal may take at least 1.5 to finish, so… 

    Does the leaf symbol next to the veggie and zaru udon mean they're actually vegetarian and don't use bonito broth? At most other Japanese restaurants, even the veggie udon uses fish broth so I want to make sure.

    Hi M.T. We use dashi soup base for all udon which is similar to bonito. If customers don’t like it, we can use soy sauce base as an alternative for the udon. Thanks again for your question :)

    View All 22 Questions

    You might also consider

    Hako

    Hako

    4.5
    (2k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Delicious! Come during off times to avoid a wait, add Curry to whatever you get and be happy…read morebecause you get to eat the yumminess! Yes, you sit close to other parties, but you have enough room to get in between the tables so not too close. It is close enough to know all about the people's life next to you.... I really hope Tom calls you back btw. The katsu sauce is not a dark sauce that you might be used to, it tastes like a peanut sauce, I prefer the curry to eat with katsu. The chicken and pork are both good, the adjacent table to ours got the cheese katsu and that looked delicious as well. The sushi is skippable in my opinion, but don't let me stop you.

    We live in San Diego but this is our 4th time eating at Hako, as it has been our favorite tonkatsu…read morespot in SoCal since we tried it just over a year ago! There is always a waitlist (even on monday afternoon) but we have never waited longer than 15-30min. Service is efficient and friendly. The crowd generally seems to be young and vibrant and makes Hako a nice lively place to have a filling lunch. Cheese Katsu (with curry) (5/5): this is always a hit with us. The cheese pull goes crazy and it is a large reason we always return! We love the curry as well! Hire Katsu (2/5): sad to say this one was a bit of a disappointment. I wish we had taken a picture but the pork had been pounded extremely thin to the point where i only really tasted the panko. To my knowledge, this was supposed to be a more premium cut since it's more expensive than the other pork katsu. I never judge anything based off of value, but this was dry and burnt to a crisp ): From the side profile of the cut, it appeared that one layer of batter and panko was thicker than the meat itself. So far, we have had more good experiences than not at Hako, and prefer not to let this particular experience deter us from returning again. We hope future trips will prove to us otherwise, but until then, as for the quality of our meal, I hope this can be looked into.

    Photos
    Seating
    Seating
    Fish Katsu
    Fish Katsu
    Rainbow Roll

    See all

    Rainbow Roll
    Tomikawa Japanese Restaurant

    Tomikawa Japanese Restaurant

    3.9
    (3.1k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$
    Minority-owned & operated
    Takes reservations

    I've been going to this place for over a decade now (wild to think about!). Seen it go through…read moredifferent ownership and a renovation. It is definitely much busier now because of the AYCE menu. Definitely get on the waitlist when you arrive. Past few times we have been it gets busy during the lunch hours, and thus service is a bit slower. Nice seating inside with booths. Menu QR code will show you some pictures of what you want to order. We have been going down here for a while, so we have our favorites. The appetizers here are surprisingly very good! Garlic edamame and sesame chicken are our favs. I even have a soft spot for the house salad because the dressing is just yum. I rarely order salmon nigri, but for some reason this place is pretty good! The pieces I receive are always nicely portioned and soft. We never bother with the other rolls anymore because we know our favorite is the VEGAS ROLL! It's been my favorite roll since I started coming here. Literally no other sushi or Japanese restaurant has this combination of ingredients. Crunch from unagi, spicy tuna on a CA roll with eel sauce and spicy sauce. *chefs kiss* Lots of textures, flavors, sweet, salty, spicy. Just come in with a purpose. We noticed that other tables tend to a bit longer because they were never ready when the server came by.

    Solid AYCE sushi place in Irvine. Had a great time with my friends and we ordered a lot of nigiri…read moreand rolls for the table. The fish quality was good and there were a lot of options on the menu. My favorites were the salmon and yellowtail specifically. My biggest complaint is that they pack the rice so tightly that each nigiri feels like swallowing a large pill (and it definitely fills you up fast) The restaurant does get pretty crowded, especially on the weekends so be prepared to wait. We came on a Friday evening and waited about 1.5 hrs to be seated

    Photos
    Tomikawa Japanese Restaurant
    Tomikawa Japanese Restaurant
    Tomikawa Japanese Restaurant

    See all

    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining

    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    Loved this place. The staff is so nice…read more The food was delicious can't wait to come back. The shell crab was so sooo good and tasty. The corn fritters also delicious, with the white truffle salt. Ao unique. Also had the margarita, that was a fun experience shaking the lime into the glass, Pork belly ramen! OMG- melted in Your mouth. Overall 100/10. Get there early, long waitlist, but well worth the wait. Thank you for a great dining experience.

    Habuya Okinawan Dining is one of those rare places that isn't just about the food--it's about…read moreexperiencing Okinawan culture. Mama (Mayumi) has poured so much of herself into this restaurant, from the artwork on the walls to the warm hospitality that makes it feel like you're being welcomed into someone's home. (Oishii Desu "It's Delicious"⁠) If it's your first visit, don't skip the Okinawan specialties. The mountain yam dishes, rafute (braised pork belly), Okinawan soba, and an ice-cold Orion beer served in a frosted glass are all part of what makes Habuya so memorable. It's a place to slow down, share plates, and enjoy the experience. I'm genuinely happy to see Habuya getting so much attention on social media because it's well deserved. My only hope is that as more people discover it, they also help preserve what makes it special. This is a small, family-run restaurant, so please be patient during check-in, be kind to the staff, and remember that many guests have been waiting for the opportunity to enjoy the experience as well. Come to appreciate the food, drinks, and Okinawan culture--not just to snap a few photos and leave. One thing to keep in mind is that if you don't drink alcohol or follow a vegan diet, the menu may feel a bit more limited. But if you're open to experiencing authentic Okinawan cuisine, Habuya is truly one of Orange County's hidden gems.

    Photos
    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining
    Chicken wings
    Chicken wings
    Purple Yam

    See all

    Purple Yam
    ROL Hand Roll Bar - Irvine

    ROL Hand Roll Bar - Irvine

    4.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$$

    Here's a version that feels similar to your Sushi Hassun review--specific, practical, and with a…read morelittle personality: Great spot for a late lunch, especially since their lunch special runs until 4 p.m. The deal is honestly hard to beat: four hand rolls, miso soup, and edamame for $17. The seaweed is served perfectly crisp and is on par with KazuNori, which is exactly what you want in a hand roll. They also have a fun cocktail and drink menu if you want to make it more of an afternoon outing. One tip: if the line looks long before you leave home, you can join the Yelp waitlist as long as you're within a 3-mile radius. The line usually moves pretty quickly, so don't let it scare you off. Another thing I appreciated is that they'll make your hand rolls with ultra-light rice if you're trying to cut back on carbs without giving up sushi. It's a small touch, but one I wish more sushi spots offered. Everything is bar seating, which gives the restaurant a cozy, lively feel and lets you watch the rolls being made right in front of you. Definitely one of my favorite casual sushi lunches in Irvine.

    5 = food 5 = service…read more Enjoyed their $17 lunch special (salmon, spicy tuna, scallop and blue crab rolls). This special is a set menu. Food comes out fresh and you get to watch them make it in front of you because it's bar seating. Plenty of parking in the Heritage Plaza. It's in the same area as the Mitsuwa marketplace. I'm coming back again.

    Photos
    Lobster Roll and Toro Taku Roll
    Lobster Roll and Toro Taku Roll
    Surf & Turf Roll, Uni & Toro Roll, and Truffle Mushroom Roll
    Surf & Turf Roll, Uni & Toro Roll, and Truffle Mushroom Roll
    Uni & Toro Roll

    See all

    Uni & Toro Roll

    Kiyo Sushi & Sake - japanese - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...