although the man who served me did not have to, he gave me a free drink for the long wait and I…read morereally do appreciate it

Finally, a really good Japanese Curry spot…read more The girlfriend and I went to the Tustin location while we were in the area and really enjoyed Curry Do. We shared the Ishiyaki Curry and the Burger with Curry and Cheese sauce. The Ishiyaki Curry was REALLY (temperature) hot as expected and the flavor was spot on. The chicken katsu was very tasty, both the chicken and the breading were full of flavor. The curry itself was also very tasty. When it comes to the unique aspect of the ishiyaki, I think it may have been lost on me. The burnt rice mixed with curry was interesting but not sure if it was my jam. That and the curry stayed IMMENSELY HOT for the entire meal which was an unexpected surprise. On the flip side, the Burger was delicious. It's a simple burger with bun, patty, cheese, and grilled onions but it was amazing. The side sauces of curry and cheese were good, but the burger could honestly carry itself without either. If there was one note, it would be maybe a bit more salt on the fries and sauces. The inside of the place is quite spacious with lots of seats. We got lucky and had no wait but by the time we left, the entire restaurant was full. In terms of service, very nice waitstaff. Sometimes a bit tough to catch but that's life when there's a rush of people. Am 100% planning on coming back for just regular curry haha.

There are plenty of parking spaces. I ordered the Ume Shiso Cold Noodle Soba and it was so good…read more The flavor was perfect and delicious! They say it has a plum taste, it does have a unique taste and I couldn't really figure out what it was, but it was good. Recommendation(s): - Ume Shiso Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - The place gets pretty packed - Plenty of parking spaces - Accept Apple Pay

We visited TANAYAKA around 7 pm on a weekday and were seated immediately. There were only a few…read moreother parties dining at the time, and there's plenty of parking available. We love soba, so we were really excited to try this spot and ordered the Soba Sampler along with the Karaage. Unfortunately, the sampler was pretty hit or miss for us. Some of the soba was good, while other portions had a strange, almost soapy aftertaste that made them difficult to eat. The Karaage was where our experience really went downhill. When we cut into it, the chicken was very pink inside and had a soft, almost squishy texture. Both of us believed it was undercooked and weren't comfortable eating it. We brought it to the staff's attention and were initially told that it couldn't be taken back or replaced and that it was supposed to be that way. Regardless, neither of us felt comfortable continuing to eat it, so we set it aside untouched and asked for the bill. After bringing us the bill, the server seemed to notice that we hadn't eaten the Karaage, took the bill back, and returned with a new one that removed it from our total. I appreciated that he ultimately did that, but I still have mixed feelings about how the situation was handled leading up to it. The staff otherwise seemed nice, but between the inconsistent Soba Sampler and our experience with the Karaage, the meal unfortunately left us disappointed.

This is such a hidden gem for a weeknight dinner. The katsu is really battered well-I would say…read morealmost like some diners in Japan. The dining room is setup just like you would expect in Japan too! Menus, decor, and even the pricing were pleasant surprises! The difference is that the servers are personable here in Costa Mesa! Thank you for great katsu! Some music to break up the closeness with other customers is my only suggestion.

My daughter was craving curry so this is our go to spot. It wasn't busy so was served right away…read more Unfortunately my daughter almost choked on plastic as she was eating. Somehow there was plastic wrap on the rice. They comped her meal as I let the staff know but I hesitate on their quality control on food

[Ambiance & Service] A clean, bright, and modern…read moreJapanese-style casual dining spot. The wooden booth seating and minimalist aesthetic make it very welcoming. It gets quite busy during lunch and dinner rushes, but the floor team is efficient, attentive, and keeps service moving seamlessly.  [Food Highlights] Curry Tonkatsu Set: The pork cutlet is gigantic--golden, perfectly crisped with panko, and remarkably light without feeling greasy. The pork inside stays tender and juicy. Served with a rich Japanese curry sauce, classic katsu dipping sauce, steamed rice, and finely shredded cabbage salad, it is comfort food at its best.  Agedashi Tofu: Golden cubes of lightly fried tofu swimming in a flavorful, dashi-soy broth, finished with scallions and shredded nori. Crispy on the outside, silky and melt-in-your-mouth inside.  Zaru Soba (Cold Buckwheat Noodles): Chilled to perfection with great chew and elasticity. Dipping the noodles into the refreshing savory tsuyu sauce provides the perfect balance against the deep-fried entrees.  Tanuki Udon: Chewy noodles served in a savory, aromatic dashi broth topped with fried bean curd strips and seaweed--light, soothing, and utterly satisfying.

Hako has become a go-to spot for my family and friends. It is easily one of our favorite spots for…read morekatsu and curry in OC. We've been here plenty of times, and the food has always been incredibly consistent. What really makes their katsu stand out to me is how thin and crispy it is without sacrificing the flavor. I personally prefer thinner katsu, and Hako does it SO well. My go-to is the Curry Tonkatsu. The curry itself is amazing too, with mild and spicy options. Even the spicy isn't particularly hot, so I would recommend that one if you just want a little kick. They're almost always busy, so unless you come during an off time, I'd expect at least a little bit of a wait. Considering how good the food is, I completely understand why, and I'm willing to wait every time. If you don't want to wait for a table, their takeout is a great option too and everything comes neatly packed in its own little box. Overall, Hako is incredibly consistent and still some of the best katsu and curry I've had. If you love this kind of meal and you're in OC, this is a must-try.

BOMB. one word needed only. Went on a whim and did not disappoint in the slightest. Best pastries,…read moresushi, cake, you name it. You can't go wrong with anything here!

My family and I have been patrons of Cream Pan in Tustin for nearly two decades now, even before…read morethe TikTok strawberry croissant craze and even before it opened more locations like in Fountain Valley and Lomita. The quality has just been so utterly consistent. These baked goods truly taste rustic and homemade; I believe the freshness is guaranteed and everything is baked daily. I always buy the shuku pan to make sandwiches my daily lunches and the country bread/sourdough for my avocado toast and breakfasts. The sandwiches made in-house are also recommended especially the chicken katsu and the assorted ham/tuna/egg salad. I like the croquette and egg salad in a bun especially. All of these are savory and flavorful yet subtle. I also recommend any of the pastries including curry pan, melon pan, and of course the strawberry croissants but beyond that I also really like the strawberry banana croissant and blueberry croissant. There is also a selection of drinks made in-house café-style as well as bottled Japanese drinks. The staff are friendly and I really like the space even though it's small. You can find seating outside especially if you avoid rush hours. Of all the three locations, this one is my favorite because it's so rustic and historic and really fits in with the overall vibe and aesthetic of Old Town Tustin and the El Camino Real. Please check this bakery out; it's one of the best in all of SoCal in my opinion.

Food is always amazing! I love all the combos you can do with toppings…read more The only complaint is the cups. The plastic cups leave a bad taste to any drink you order and they smell. This is consistent in my last 5 visits. I wish they brought back glass cups for all drinks.

Ordered 4 items from GrubHub. Do NOT recommend…read more For a curry specialty restaurant, this Coco Ichibanya failed at so things. First and the most important thing, curry. Their curry is super watery and tastes like something I can make from store-bought curry cubes. Then, the rice...too much moisture so the rice is all stuck together... very unappetizing when paired with a curry that's already "too wet". My husband got the seafood curry, and he normally doesn't complain about delivery food but he said "don't order this again" after trying it. I got the stewed beef omelet curry...the stewed beef is supposed to be tender but the actual texture is like cubed beef jerky laced with tough tendons. The omelet portion was more like scrambled egg stuck together into a sheet, very solid sheet of egg instead of soft, fluffy omu-rice omelet. The chicken katsu was probably the best of the four dishes. Overall, not really good Japanese curry. You can make better curry at home.

We were the only people there at 5:30 on a weekday. Fast…read moreservice and good food. Serving size is enough for one adult.

Curry Do? More Like Curry DON'T!…read more Saw this place on TikTok and thought the food looked pretty good. Decided to give it a try. Wish I hadn't. First off, the cheese sauce. What the hell was that? It was gritty, watery, and tasted like powdered cheese mixed with hot water. Not good. Then the curry sauce. I was expecting something rich and flavorful, but instead it was ridiculously sweet. I actually stopped eating for a second because I couldn't figure out what I was tasting. And the burger? Same problem. SWEET! Maybe it was the onions, maybe the sauce, but the whole thing tasted like a hamburger dipped in sugar. I've had plenty of burgers in my life, but never one quite like this. The fries were just okay. Nothing special. Now, I know everyone's taste is different, and maybe some people really enjoy this kind of food. But for what they're charging, I expected a hell of a lot better. The restaurant itself didn't do much for me either. The decor seemed like a random collection of beer advertisements rather than anything that gave the place its own personality. What really gets me is how good everything looked on TikTok. Whoever made those videos certainly knew how to make the food look appetizing. Unfortunately, that wasn't my experience when I actually ate it. Would I go back? Not a chance. TikTok sold me a culinary experience. What I got was an existential crisis with fries.

Everything was very delicious. Pavi was so sweet and helpful! Loved a lot of the songs they were…read moreplaying too.

Jane was really sweet and provided amazing service! The ambiance was nice and the food was tastyread more

Hands down one of our new favorite spots! What I love most is how approachable the menu is--it's…read moresimple without being boring, and the food quality is top-notch. Finding a spot where the food is great and the kids are completely happy is a win in my book. We'll definitely be coming back!

The food portions were solid with some good flavor it was decently priced. The curry cones on the…read moreside which is more than enough for your meal. They had some nice & friendly workers who gave the food out fairly quickly. I got the chicken katsu and my friend got the beef belly. Chicken katsu was $15 and the Beef belly was $16. I see this as a spot I'd come every 2-3 months!

I really love OkiDoki Meiji, especially their Cold or Hot Egg Tororo & Mentai Udon. I had egg…read moretororo in New York and had been looking for a restaurant that served tororo ever since, but I couldn't find one until I came across OkiDoki Meiji. Now it's my favorite dish and what I order every time I go. Their udon is house made, and you can really tell in the texture. It's so comforting and chewy. My friend always gets the Spicy Beef Udon and talks about how good it is every time we go. The restaurant itself has a simple and cozy atmosphere, but that's part of what I like about it. The focus is really on the food. I've never had to wait too long. The last time we went around 6pm, we were seated within a few minutes and there were still several open tables. The service has always been great. Everyone is very friendly and attentive, and they regularly check in to make sure we have everything we need without being overbearing. If you're looking for a cozy spot for udon, especially if you're a fan of tororo, I would definitely recommend giving OkiDoki Meiji a try!

They never disappoint me with their monthly special udon…read more What impresses me most is how the udon tastes great no matter what ingredients, sauces, or cooking style they pair it with. March‑only Crab Tomato Cream Udon -- The best of all the specials. A rich, slightly cheesy tomato‑cream sauce, plus a whole deep‑fried soft‑shell crab you can eat shell and all. The crab is the highlight. May‑only Omukatsu Udon -- Soft‑springy noodles and a nicely fried pork cutlet, but the curry sauce leans salty. A few hidden meat slices in the noodles are a fun surprise. June‑only Spicy Sesame Sukiyaki Udon -- The star is the broth, not the beef. A sesame‑fragrant, mildly spicy (about 1-2 out of 10) sukiyaki broth that's rich without being overly salty, perfect for dipping the beef slices. July‑only Sea Urchin & Creamy Udon -- Sea urchin with a thick, creamy broth. I finish every drop. The noodles stay bouncy even after 30 minutes. One bowl fills small eaters; big eaters like me barely reach 50%. August‑only Prime Beef Steak & Garlic Udon -- A bowl that's both refreshing and hearty. The steak is about 20% fat, 80% lean, with soft, springy tendon that adds texture. Comes with a small bowl of pickled jalapeños--very California. September‑only Cheese Curry Udon -- The chef torches the cheese for about 20 seconds. The udon absorbs a slightly sweet curry sauce and comes with sliced aburaage and a bit of beef. Shabu Shabu Udon -- Sukiyaki‑style sliced beef with a lightly sweet, clean broth. They give plenty of meat. Shigure Soba -- Perfect for this scorching SoCal summer. The chilled noodles come topped with minced meat that has a refreshing bean‑like aroma. Other small dishes worth trying: Homemade Sesame Tofu -- A dense and silky tofu, served with wasabi and the sauce at the bottom of the bowl. Homemade Dashimaki Tamago -- The omelet soaks up a lightly sweet sauce at the bottom of the bowl. Soft, thick, and layered, best enjoyed with grated daikon. 他們的每月限定烏龍麵從未讓我失望。 最厲害的是，烏龍麵不論搭配任何食材、醬料、和做法都美味。 三月份限定酥炸軟殼蟹奶油番茄烏龍麵：所有品項中最美味是這道。濃郁且帶點芝士感的奶油番茄醬汁。整隻可連殼食用的酥炸軟殼蟹，是這道菜最棒的部分。 五月份限定歐姆蛋豬排咖哩烏龍麵：炸豬排和麵條夠軟彈，但咖哩醬汁有點過鹹。麵條內藏有幾片肉是意外的驚喜。 六月份限定香辣芝麻壽喜燒烏龍麵：最棒的不是肉片而是湯頭！帶有芝麻香的微辣（約一到兩分辣）卻不過度鹹膩的濃郁湯頭，蘸壽喜燒牛肉片食用。 七月份限定海膽奶油濃醬烏龍麵：搭配海膽和濃郁奶油湯汁好吃。湯汁被我一滴不剩的喝光。麵條放超過半小時依然口感彈勁。食量小的一碗下肚就飽，食量大如我全吃完不到五分飽... 八月份限定極上牛排蒜香烏龍麵：整晚麵同時擁有炎熱消暑感 和 牛排飽足感 。二分肥，八分瘦，帶點Q彈軟筋（是口感加分的軟筋，不是難咀嚼的硬筋）。附上一小碗醃漬墨西哥辣椒切片，嗯，很有加州風情。 九月份限定炙燒起司咖哩烏龍麵：主廚用火槍將表面起司炙燒約 20 秒。吸飽微甜咖哩醬汁的烏龍麵，搭配油豆腐切片，和少量牛肉片。 涮牛肉烏龍麵：類似壽喜鍋的涮牛肉和微甜甘醇湯頭。肉片給很多。 時雨肉燥蕎麥冷麵：今年南加州夏天熱到爆，這碗冷麵來的真是時候。麵條上的肉末，嚐起來有股清爽豆香。 其他值得一試的小菜有： 自家製胡麻豆腐：口感綿密細勻的豆腐，搭配山葵醬和碗底醬汁食用。 自家製高湯玉子燒：煎蛋吸收碗底微甜醬汁，搭配蘿蔔泥食用。煎蛋嚐起來柔軟厚實有層層疊加感。