I had visited this place before, but their banana matcha was an absolute delight! It's a charming little spot perfect for a quick grab-and-go. They played some Japanese music, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The staff was incredibly friendly and greeted me the moment I walked in. The service was incredibly fast; I had ordered online and received my food within 5-10 minutes. I'll definitely be checking out their other food items next time. read more

My Iced Lavender Latte was okay. The lavender flavor was subtle, but I was hoping for something a little more bold. Compared to other lavender lattes I've had, this one tasted a bit too mild. The Tuna Cheese Salt & Butter Sando was unfortunately the biggest letdown. It looked great on the menu, so I had high hopes. Before ordering, I asked if the bread was soft or crispy, and the staff mentioned they could toast it. However, when it came out, it didn't seem toasted at all. The tuna itself was decent, but the cheese felt like an afterthought. It seemed like a couple of plain cheese slices were simply tucked into the sandwich without adding much flavor or texture. Overall, it just didn't come together the way I expected. The café itself is very small, with only a couple of tables available. There wasn't enough room to wait inside, so I had to step outside until my order was ready. Overall, the experience didn't quite live up to my expectations, and I don't see myself coming back. read more

Lagu Cafe - Lavender Latte | IG @moniquedao - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

omg the drinks here are not very good. we got the banana cream matcha and the taro sea salt latte. both the banana and the taro just tasted processed. it was difficult to finish. i gave an extra star though bc the onigiri was delicious! would come back for the food, but def not their drinks. read more

Such a super cute and tiny cafe with a cozy charm. All of their drinks looked so good, it was hard to choose! I got the sea salt green tea, and I loved that it wasn't too sweet--it made it even better. I'll definitely be coming back to try more drinks. My friends also really enjoyed their savory items. Cute spot worth visiting! read more

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Stopped by Lagu Cafe after seeing some mixed Yelp reviews, and honestly, I get both sides. Lagu Cafe is near John Wayne airport so the area itself is busy. :( Once you parked and enter the cafe, the space is definitely on the smaller side, so it feels more like a grab-and-go spot rather than somewhere you'd hang out for a while. There's a couple tables if you're able to snag a spot. :) One thing that really stands out is their matcha--super smooth, rich, and not overly sweet. I can see why people rave about drinks like their matcha lattes. So, I figured I'd treat myself to a cold matcha drink . I tried the matcha rose latte. Overall, the drink taste good. So, if you're a matcha fan, it's worth checking out. read more

Lagu Cafe - Matcha Rose Latte - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

Onigiri inflation is too extreme at Lagu. I started purchasing the onigiri set in 2022 and it was $6.50 (after tax). Today it's $10.08 (after tax), that's over 55% increase in 4 years! I have to say the onigiri is yummy but the price is now overly pricey and a bit unreasonable. I will wait until I head back to Tokyo and get equally yummy onigiri at fraction of the price. :'( read more

Lagu Cafe - Mentai-Mayo onigiri - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

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2 drinks $12 Matcha with banana cream 2/5 Their matcha is ok.. I wouldn't get it again. It's not very vibrant, more pale in color. Banana cream is also ok, I've had better. No charge to use other milks! Coffee with matcha cream 4/5 This is better! Bae loves their coffee, they use groundwork and tho the caffeine content is not comparable to Vietnamese, still tasty! Pork chashu onigiri 4/5 On the simpler side, but very tasty! Would get this again. I enjoy their rice quality a lot, esp with their pickled veggies. The onigiri could have some more filling added, but given the quality of their rice, it's a yummy treat. They also carry bread from okayama kobo which is great. Not the largest selection, but kinda saves a 20 min drive to Anaheim. There's some sweet and savory available. Easier parking on the weekdays and I waited maybe 5 min for my order. read more

Lagu Cafe - Banana Cream Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

It's a little off the beaten path but well worth the hunt. These ladies make some mean coffees. I'll have to try the food options next time. I was introduced to the iced americano with sea salt cold foam and now that's my new jam. I now like a cold drink thanks to Lagu. The shop is pretty small but that's no problem, get your drink and go tackle your day. There are a couple of tables and a few chairs, but feel free to get your Joe and go. read more

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Labu, Labu, Labu-labu! J/k This is how I remember the name of this place... due to the popularity of labubus. However, unlike the latest fad of Labubus, I hope this place continues to stay and thrive. They are located in a business center near John Wayne Airport, on Main and MacArthur. This is my FAVORITE COFFEE AND MATCHA place! I've gotten most of their drinks, and my favorite is the MATCHA ROSE LATTE, STRAWBERRY SAKURA LATTE, AND MATCHA LAVENDER LATTE. I also like the sea salt taro latte. The cream on their drinks is magic and delicious! Most of their drinks are $5.50-6 with oatmilk for an extra $1. I am looking forward to trying the banana creme matcha and melon matcha lattes. They also sell rice balls aka onigiri and sandwiches. Service is slow as they are always packed... but good drinks are worth the wait. You can order on their website ahead for convenience. The café is very small and only has maybe two tables near the register. This place is more of a takeout spot. Keep in mind this place is CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS, and open Tues-Sat from 9am - 3pm. Stay thirsty my friends! read more

Lagu Cafe - Sea salt taro latte with oatmilk $7 - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

Got to ordered the nigiri online as pick up the food. It is a cafe near my office that I'm in an office park. The space is a bit small because it is basically a converted light commercial space. The pickup was quick and efficient by the servers. I got the potbelly and salmon nigiri rice balls. the pork belly was chopped up and folded into the rice ball while salmon was more like dried salmon flakes. Both rice balls were a bit on the drier side for me. read more

Lagu Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

Mentaiko mayo sandwich (5/5) - bread is soft and pillowy. Had the perfect ratio of mentaiko & mayo in the sandwich. They did not skimp out on the mentaiko. Very fresh and delicious! Strawberry latte (5/5) - It's 2 pumps of their strawberry syrup with their latte. I loved the strawberry taste - didn't taste artificial, and it was the perfect sweetness and ratios. Service was fast and parking was easy when I went on a Friday morning. They sell matcha and Hojicha powders as well as other items like tote bags and hats. Shop itself is a bit smaller with 2 small tables fitting probably 2 people max and a side bench area. read more

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I've been wanting to try Lagu Cafe for a while now, but their limited hours have always made it hard to visit with my work schedule. I finally made time to go, only to find a sign on the door saying their opening was pushed to 9am, even though their listed hours say 8am Totally understand that things happen, but it was disappointing and sad since this was the one time I could make it work. Might try again in the future, but I'd recommend updating hours more accurately or posting updates online so people don't make the trip for nothing read more

Lagu Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

I loveeeee Lagu!! It's so unfortunate that they're closed whenever I'm in town (sundays/mondays) but when I'm there during open hours... I have to get it! My favorite has always been the Sakura latte- a cherry blossom latte. The flavor to coffee ratio is delicious and I love the cherry blossom!! It has a floral but sweet taste. I love the cold foam too read more

Lagu Cafe - Sakura latte (favorite) - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

One of those businesses that you'd never find without the help of Yelp. This cafe is located in an office complex, but it's serving up more than just corporate vibes. They specialize in caffeinated beverages, as well as ongiri and sandwiches. They were sold out of the salmon onigiri during our most recent trip, so I ordered the tuna. I wanted to try one of their fan-favorite speciality drinks and landed on the Strawberry Sakura. A mix of Japanese cherry blossoms, espresso, and strawberry. It was both floral and fruity, a unique mix that you won't find elsewhere. 100% will be stopping by this biz on all future airport trips. read more

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Review based on the onigiri only, didn't manage to get a drink. Seems like their sea salt drink series does well! FOOD 3/5 Pepper Cha-Shu Onigiri (SPICY) and And Salmon Onigiri - Was sold out Mentai Mayo and Yamitsuki Onigiri - quality rice but just didn't hit the mark for me but it could be because it wasn't eaten immediately. PARKING 4/5 Good size work complex parking lot with tons of parking, then again I came on a weekend when everything was closed AMBIENCE 4/5 It's tiny, literally two small tables inside for sitting and everything else you need to grab and go read more

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Wow best banana matcha I have ever tried, and I've tried a LOT. I downed this drink in 30 minutes. The banana flavor was strong in the best way possible. It didn't have the chemically, artificial taste that sometimes banana flavor has. It felt like a banana was blended into their cream top. I ordered this with oat milk and it didn't compromise any of the flavor or creaminess of the latte. Lagu's drinks are dangerously good!!!! read more

Lagu Cafe - Banana Cream Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

I've always been super curious about this place, since it pops up on my TikTok AND is super close to my office! I placed an order online for an onigiri and karaage bento and a melon matcha. For my onigiri, I chose the Takana Mentai and Uma-Kara Mentai. It seemed a little pricey tbh, but I'm always willing to pay for quality food. My food was ready well before pickup time, so it was ready when I got there! It's a small spot with few tables, and the ordering counter. The employees were super nice! I thought the onigiri were very great, and better than say... supermarket ones. The karaage was actually the best part, as it was crunchy and tender - i just wish I got more. I think the matcha was alright. Maybe I should've gotten the OG latte, since it was a bit too sweet for me. Overall solid spot! read more

Lagu Cafe - Onigiri & Karaage Bento - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

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Cute concept, meant for quick bites and drinks. Tiny spot (as you can see) so not much room to sit and hang out. It's really meant to grab and go. I got the black tea with salted cream and honestly it was really good and unique. Tea had a strong flavor and the salted cream provided great contrast. The onigiri was ok. I felt the rice to stuffing ratio was really skewed towards rice. If i didn't pick it separately from the rice, i wouldn't have been able to taste the salmon/ tuna or pork. The pickled veggies were reallllyyy good though! read more

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Lagu never disappoints! Located in a small business complex near SNA airport, it always hits the spot when looking for an affordable coffee shop. I love their matchas and you can customize what flavoring you'd like in there. I typically go for a strawberry matcha, which is great here too, but changed it up with lavender instead this time. Seating inside is limited and can get a little bit cramped so it is not ideal to meet a friend to catch up and chit chat at. Despite the limited seating, I'd still recommend this spot if you're looking for a place to grab a quick drink to start your day. read more

Lagu Cafe - melon coffee and matcha lavender latte - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

Their hot dog is so good! The salt bread roll was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside and the Japanese sausage had a nice crunch bite to it, and the banana cream on the banana cream matcha tasted like banana pudding! The workers are also nice! read more

This nondescript cafe is located in a business park near John Wayne Airport. I've seen some IG videos about it and wanted to check it out. The space is very small with only 2 small tables but they were very busy with constant flow of customers coming through at 9:30am on a Friday morning. The staff were very friendly and I ordered the matcha latte and the peppered pork chashu onigiri. Matcha latte was creamy and you can taste the strong matcha taste which I like. The peppered pork chashu onigiri came in a pair and was served warm. It was a filling and yummy snack! Since the space is small I would recommend ordering online first for pick up. read more

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I've heard about Lagu Cafe from friends and I was glad I finally got the chance to try it during my lunch break! The cafe is located in an unassuming plaza with plenty of parking. The inside is fairly cramped, with 2 small tables and standing room only for about 3-4 people so definitely more of a to-go spot. Staff were very busy keeping up with orders but they were nice and responsive. I ended up ordering online for pickup which I'm glad I did because it got pretty busy on a Wednesday afternoon. I got the salmon onigiri and Banana Matcha. Onigiri 9/10 - The best onigiri I've been able to find outside of Japan. The rice is a nice texture and maintains the shape well while eating. Other places put way too much rice but this rice to filling ratio is perfect for me. Banana Matcha 9/10 - The banana flavor really stands out in the cream. The matcha is good as well, but mixing the banana cream in the drink makes it for me! Definitely recommend checking this place out for a quick snack and drink on the go. I would order ahead online just to avoid a potential line. read more

Lagu Cafe - Salmon Onigiri - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

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I have heard a lot of hype around Lagu Cafe so I was excited to try it! There was a long wait but as expected with its popularity. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy my banana creme matcha latte or bento box that much. The banana cream top on was fairly good and a nice texture but the matcha itself was bland and thin. The food was cold and soggy :/ read more

Lagu Cafe - Banana Cream Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

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I wanted to love this place but it was just mediocre for me :( The space is teeny tiny so my friend and I were glad to get a spot at one of the two tables! We got the strawberry sakura latte, banana matcha latte, and shared an onigiri combo (1 tuna mayo, 1 pepper chashu). Our order came out pretty quickly which was nice! But the onigiris were falling apart as we tried to eat them so we had to pick at them with forks. The drinks were also a bit too sweet for my taste, and the cream foam on top was very thick and salty. Probably wouldn't come again but I'm glad I tried it! read more

Lagu Cafe - Tuna mayo + pepper chashu onigiri - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

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Lagu has been on my list for a while but the stories about the long lines kept me away. I decided to try it out in Saturday morning and was surprised that there wasn't a line at all! It's pretty tiny though so I think even at two people deep, this place can feel cramped. I decided to go with a classic Hojicha latte on my visit, although the sandos definitely looked tempting. I guess I will need to come back to try those! Service was excellent, it was a little busy because of online orders I think but they apologized for the wait. The Hojicha was good. Nice and toasty, with a bit of sweetness. I'm glad to know this spot is pretty good and just down the street! read more

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Lagu Cafe is a hidden gem in Irvine. We are always looking for a matcha that isn't full of sugar and ceremonial grade, and we found it here. The girl who took our order was sweet, and was able to make us a perfect matcha latte. read more

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small, cute place - great for to go & a quick brunch or afternoon snack! i got the takana mentai, and it pretty good & not too spicy. i came around 2, and they had about 3 items left for the onigiri set so try to come earlier if you're trying to get mentai or tuna which are their popular ones. i also go their matcha latte with vanilla sea foam, and one of the best vanilla sea foams that i've tried. overall great spot to start the day at. service was friendly and fast as well! read more

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Lagu Cafe has been on my list for so long now - so glad I finally got the chance to check it out, and it definitely did not disappoint! Service was friendly and knowledgeable. Since it was my first visit, I asked for staff recs and she didn't lead me astray. The Onigiri set comes in a set of two with pickled veggies, so you can pick 2 different flavors. I chose the pepper chashu onigiri and shiso konbu onigiri, fully expecting the chashu to have more flavor than shiso konbu, but was pleasantly surprised by the umami and intensity of the shiso konbu! Would order either again, and am interested in trying the takana mentai next time (sold out because I went later in the day). To drink, I ordered one of their "specialty drinks" - the sea salt green tea and the sea salt was delightful, creamy, and very satisfying. So excited to come back and try additional drinks! Ambiance is cute and casual, with not much seating. Thank you for a great first visit and can't wait to come back again! read more

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Cutest little cafe in Irvine! It's mostly a to-go place, although there are 1 or 2 seats and tables inside and outside. The interior is very small. The drink menu is extensive, and their food menu is perfect for a light lunch or snack. The matcha here is enjoyable but different from what I'm used to. It's very similar to Okayama Kobo (Anaheim), and their matcha lattes are very creamy, slightly earthy, and perfectly sweet. read more

Lagu Cafe - Banana Cream Matcha Latte and Matcha Lavender Latte - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

Drink: Hojicha Latte and Banana Cream Matcha Latte Price: $6 Overall: I came to this place since they sell hojicha lattes since I don't know a lot of places that does hojicha lattes. Very small cute cafe with limited tables! It was a bit busy but it didn't take too long to get the drinks. They also sell onigiri and Sandos. The hojicha had the deep nutty flavor and definitely on the bitter side, not sweet at all. I also enjoyed the banana cream matcha latte but it was on the sweeter side. read more

Came here, and there was already a line out the door. Mind you it's a small space. There are a few seats inside. I order the Onigiri Set (about $7.75) with a cooked tuna mayo a cooked salmon, and it came with a tiny pickled vegetable side. The tuna mayo was tasty, not too mayo-y. However, the cooked salmon was very dry and tasteless. The upside was the pickled veggies. I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful it was. I think they should sell the pickled veggies in a separate bigger portion. It's close to the plaza that has Paderia. We beelined it over there to pick up some food too. read more

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Been going here for a bit now since it's so close to my work place. Tips: Parking here is abundant so don't worry about that. The store however is very tiny. After the store popped off online there's always a crowd around lunch now. I would definitely order online and just do pick up. Drinks: I've had the Banana matcha latte, the lavender matcha latte, and the sea salt green tea. If you like overly sweet drinks you'll probably enjoy the matcha drinks here. Personally I like a deeper matcha taste so it wasn't my favorite. The sea salt teas are really good though. Food: I've had all of their onigiri flavors now and the only two I would really come back for is the tuna mayo and the mentai mayo. The other flavors are okay but didn't stand out that much. Unfortunately the karaage was not it. I'm not sure how they prepare it but the chicken is very squishy and has no crisp to it at all. However the combo is definitely worth so I still get it with the miso soup every time. Can't complain. I also really enjoyed their hot dog sandwich. Will be coming back to try all their other sandwiches! Overall: - Order online for pick up - Tuna and Mentai Mayo Onigiri are the best - Sea Salt Teas are great - Hot dog sandwich is delicious read more

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Delicious matcha drinks. A fave is the banana matcha latte. The rose matcha latte is also delicious. They have soy/almond/oat milk alternative. For vegetarians, they do use bonito/dashi in their onigiri. But if you look past that they have two versions that do not have seafood. You get two onigiri and a shot of pickled veggies. Delish little meal. They also have sandwiches but I've never tried them. Great little bite before or after airport! read more

We ordered the Matcha Sea Salt Cold Brew and the Banana Crème Matcha Latte, and both were absolutely delicious. The flavors were smooth, creative, and perfectly balanced. I'll definitely be coming back to try more of their menu. read more

Lagu Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

Parking: the cafe is located in an unassuming plaza next to John Wayne airport. The plaza looks more industrial/warehouse-like, but the cafe is tucked in the corner. There were many parking spaces in the lot directly in front of the cafe when I was there around 1:45 pm. Service: the baristas greeted me in a very friendly and kind way. Helped me out when I was deciding between banana matcha latte or melon matcha latte. The drink also came out very quickly! Ambiance: the cafe itself is very small and cozy. There were two small tables (each fit 2 people) and one solo chair by the door. They sell tote bags, snacks, hats, and other knick knacks. Cute store! Overall I would just be aware that it'll be hard to snag a table, more of a takeout spot. Food: Banana Matcha Latte (with oat milk): 10/10 for me. The matcha was perfectly sweetened (not too sweet) and creamy. The mildly sweet banana creme complemented it perfectly. The banana flavor was great, not artificially tasting. I will note that I like my matcha lattes more creamy rather than more earthy (so some may feel that the matcha isn't matcha-y enough). It costed $7 which is decent pricing especially with milk sub. I really enjoyed my experience here! I will be back and next time I want to try the melon matcha latte! read more

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Been seeing this place on social media and have been wanting to try it. We finally got the chance to try it and I was pleasantly satisfied overall. It's located in a little business park in Irvine right next to John Wayne Airport. Parking was pretty decent. They have lots of spots but this place gets crowded, so you may end up parking farther away than anticipated. The place itself is clean but extremely small. Very very little places to sit. They have some tables but they're small and the intention is to not sit there for a while and lounge. Service was satisfactory. It was busy so they definitely were moving as fast as they can. However the one thing that bugs me is the attitude one of the workers gave my boyfriend. There was a little name mixup and confusion and my boyfriend just went to make sure he wasn't gonna grab the wrong one, the worker rolled her eyes at my boyfriend and was a bit rude. I get it that it was busy, but I think she could've been a little more respectful about it. I enjoyed the food and thought it was reasonably priced. The onigiri combo I think was a good price. The two we had were flavorful and yummy and pretty packed. The matcha was delicious. The banana crème was so yummy and sweet. The melon matcha caught me by surprise. Didn't expect that to be a combo but it was so good. I wouldn't mind coming back again. But probably just for the matcha. I definitely suggest giving this place a shot though! read more

Matcha Latte w/ Oatmilk half sweet: tastes creamy, not as earthy as other matcha but the flavor is good Matcha Latte w/ Oatmilk and Vanilla Cold Foam: the flavors from the matcha and cold blends really well together. 100% is pretty sweet but I have a sweet tooth The drinks here are sweetened with vanilla syrup. Overall, I thought both drinks were really well made but at the time that I went, the wait was about 20 minutes since the place was so small. Keep that in mind! I would come back to try their foods! read more

Lagu Cafe - Matcha Latte w/ Oatmilk half sweet Matcha Latte w/ Oatmilk and Vanilla Cold Foam - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

We got the Matcha Rose Latte and Banana Cream Latte, and both were yummmy! Compared to other matchas lattes I've tried, nothing is like this one. The matcha here is very different from other places in a good way -- making this one of my new faves. If you go here, just expect to wait a while because the lines are long and it takes a while for them to make drinks. The space is also small, with only two tables inside. Would come back, especially to try their onigiris! When I visited, it seemed like a lot of people bought those too. :) read more

Lagu Cafe - Drink Menu - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

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I'm a big fan of banana crème matchas & this one was just ok. The creme is very thick like condensed milk and the matcha flavor got overpowered by the syrup-y banana taste, not my fav but great if you're looking for something a little heavier & filling. The ham and cheese sando had a lot of mayo and not much flavor, the sausage dog was ok but I wouldn't recommend it for the price. The melon latte was disappointing, we are big honeydew/cantaloupe fans but the flavor didn't really work with the espresso for us. read more

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Small shop next to John Wayne Airport that I had randomly found on Yelp in search of banana matcha, and that's exactly what I got. Solid drink overall and after mixing the banana cream, I got a pretty consistent banana taste throughout, whereas other places I've tried had a weaker flavor profile, so I really enjoyed that. Very few seats inside and a bit cramped so it's more of a grab-and-go type of spot but service was good and got my drinks fairly quickly. Might try their onigiri and sandos on my next visit. read more