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Lagu Cafe

4.4 (523 reviews)
InexpensiveCafes, Japanese
Closed • 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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LAGU CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
Intimate

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Recommended Reviews - Lagu Cafe

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yamitsuki and takama mentai onigiri with pickled vegetables
Florence Y.

Cute Japanese cafe with a simple concept, tucked away in a business park near John Wayne Airport. Parking is pretty easy to find. I got the yokohama peach, which was a refreshing peach drink with mildly earthy flavors that was not too sweet or too bitter. I also got one takama mentai onigiri (savory, a little briny, slightly spicy) and one yamitsuki onigiri (mild, fresh, and green). I enjoyed both onigiri but did feel that the yamitsuki didn't actually have much of a tempura or pickled ginger crunch in it. The pickled vegetables are crisp and not too sour, a perfect accompaniment to the onigiri. The workers were so friendly, helpful, and patient. If I needed a quick bite before a flight or something to bring with me on the plane, I would definitely get onigiri here to go!

Jenny P.

Ordered takeout so cannot comment on ambience and service. Onigiri bento was not good, especially given how pricey it was. The karaage chicken tasted fishy and the texture was soggy. The mentai mayo was way too fishy as well + canned tuna was used for my onigiri which I wasn't a fan of. I wasn't able to finish any of the food. /:

Mentai Mayo and salmon onigiri
Roger L.

First time coming in after walking past it for 5 years. First impression upon entering was it that it felt like the small mom and pop onigiri store tucked away in Japan that I frequented. The servers were very friendly and offered me their suggestions of the popular items. The onigiri are smaller than your traditional ones, but the flavors are there and they fill the insides to the brim. Had the staple mentai and salmon onigiri and they were delicious. Also enjoyed their Sea salt green tea which was very refreshing. While eating inside, there was a huge amount of people going in and out so they definitely have their regulars at this small tucked-away store. I plan to return with a bigger appetite next time.

Samantha P.

I really wanted to like this spot but it very much missed the mark for me. I ordered 2 drinks, a matcha tea and a banana matcha, and 2 onigiri, the pepper chashu and wasabi konbu. Unfortunately the drinks were a miss. I'm not sure if it's the matcha they used but I wasn't a fan of the flavor and I'm fairly convinced they put both water and milk in my matcha tea. The chashu in the onigiri was on the dry side and the pepper flavor overpowers all other flavor, the wasabi konbu was really awesome in flavor and I enjoyed that very much but both onigiri fell apart far too easily which made it challenging yo eat. I think the space is a cute little shop with kind staff but for me their offerings are a pass

Lavender Latte | IG @moniquedao
Monique D.

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.

Melon Matcha Latte, Shiso Konbu, Pepper Chashu, French Toast (1 PC)
Amy T.

Really yummy and fresh onigiri!! The French toast was great as well - and not too sweet. My only complaint is the matcha. They say they use high quality matcha, but have definitely had better matchas elsewhere (also should've ordered half sweet).

Banana Cream Matcha Latte
Joe Y.

Came in on a quick break from work! Service was fast, the banana crème matcha latte was delicious! Space was limited but still very accommodating for about 8-10 people.

Great place to study or stop by for a quick snack one in Irvine. They have a great assortment of onigiri. You can mix and match flavors-- I got the spicy roll and the salmon onigiri, which were delicious. They also have all the great flavors you look for at an East Asian Café, including Matcha, and Taro. Would definitely recommend their Toro with salt foam!

Matcha Rose Latte
Jenny C.

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.

Menu
Rachel Y.

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!

Mentai-Mayo onigiri
Yau-Ru C.

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. :'(

Banana Cream Matcha Latte
Angela B.

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.

Sea salt taro latte with oatmilk $7
Mary D.

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!

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Ask the Community - Lagu Cafe

Why did you guys discontinue the uma-kara onigiri? Will you be bringing it back any time soon?

Yes, we plan to Umakara back in by mid July. Sorry for the patience and appreciate for your feedback. Thank you

Does any of the food contain nuts?

Do you have bakery items?

We do not sell Okayama Kobo's bakery items, but you can pre-order through their website and pick up on Thursdays at Lagu Cafe!

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The Mugs - Matcha Croffle

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3.8(387 reviews)
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I made a yelp account just to write this review. this is my fave study spot ever as a junior in…read morehighschool! the workers are incredibly nice and friendly, and even when i have wild drink requests they still offer me alot of options and changes with a smile. I love this place i ALWAYS come here and i usually stay until closing time LOL!! The food here (esp croffles and the nutella banana bread) are so good. my fav drink is the mango jasmine tea one and also the double matcha strawberry drink(extra matcha base) The vibes are phenomenal here, the music is awesome! i wish they had more seating but i still manage to snag one lol!! Best study spot I love this place more than my home and always get all my work done. If you try one thing in irvine, be sure to come here!

needed to do work while my place had no wifi, and was so relieved to find that the mugs had both…read morefree wifi and many outlets available. i ordered the rose matcha with oat milk, and was surprised at both how strong the matcha flavor was and how well the rose flavor complemented it. i nursed it for a few hours while working and appreciated the clean bathroom, plentiful seating and spacious tables. next time i'm there for work, i need to figure out how to get the actual mug instead of the takeout cup stop by for a reliable place to do computer work! i wish there were more vegan food options but at least there's one. i can't wait for their autumn/winter menu to come out w the pumpkin drinks

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MoonGoat Coffee Roasters - Iced Matcha Latte

MoonGoat Coffee Roasters

4.1(234 reviews)
3.3 mi
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This is my first time at moon goat Coffee Roasters in Irvine in a commercial complex by UCI. There…read moreis lots of parking out front. It is a Large coffee shop with a warm and cozy interior. I loved the large painting on the wall depicting the rugged old west with a cow boy having a cup of coffee by the fire in the mountains. They have Different types of seating arrangements. The interior is modern with a comfortable lighting scene and wrap around floor to ceiling windows. They also have a large patio with more seating. I also noticed a fire place and a Television outside. Aside from their great coffee and Tea menu, they offer daily pastries, refreshments, small bites and coffee bean bags to go. I had the Horchata Latté with oat milk (available hot or cold). It was really good. It is made with 2 shots of their signature espresso with a house-made horchata syrup or base, steamed or iced milk, and a dusting of cinnamon. You could taste the quality of the coffee. It was really good. The coffee was a little strong. The service was great and prices are average. I really enjoyed hanging out in their shop with friends. They have several locations. I highly recommend Moon Goat Coffee Roasters.

The drinks are okay. We got a PSL and it was very sweet. The low review is because it was 100…read moredegrees today and I told the cashier someone had left their dog in their car outside. Immediately another employee, a white or Latino man making coffee, interjected and said, "Call 911! We just make coffee here." He made it clear he didn't care -- I told him that they could at least make an announcement and he proceeded to make the weakest, quietest, and snarkiest announcement that no one could hear. We get it, you hate animals. Thankfully the other employees did care and the owner of the dog left shortly. We will not be coming back for two reasons: that specific experience and also because my workplace sells moongoat coffee at a subsidized price so there is no reason to come back.

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KIT Coffee - AVO Toast w/kimchi and smoked bacon - perfect!

KIT Coffee

4.3(345 reviews)
0.4 mi
•$$

Kit Coffee has been saved on my cafe list for so long and I finally was able to try it and needless…read moreto say, I definitely enjoyed it. The service here is so kind and the staff helped us recommend drinks for our first time there. The cafe itself is small but there is a lot of seating options both inside and outside of it. I ordered the Blueberry Pie Matcha, which seemed to be a seasonal item and it genuinely tasted like a blueberry pie (would recommend for anyone who like really sweet lattes or a "sweet treat" type of drink). My friend ordered their famous "Thank You Berry Matcha" and I got to try it. It was super yummy, sweet but not too sweet and the strawberry matcha flavor was pleasant. The breakfast burrito was also good! I really liked the hot sauce it came with and it was a nice savory bite to pair with our drinks. My only complaint was that the Wi-Fi here wasn't seem to be connecting to any of my devices or my friend's (maybe this was user error on my behalf) but I would advise maybe staying inside the cafe if you want to get working Wi-Fi. Parking is also validated if you park at the parking garage behind Kit for 90 minutes! Overall, I'll definitely be back to try more of their drinks!

I may have had one of the best matcha's ever: KIT's salted maple matcha!…read more Holy cow guys, I can't even explain how yummy this matcha was. The warm maple flavor, balanced with the saltiness was perfection.

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KIT Coffee - SMOKED AVOCADO TOAST - with extra bacon, cherry, tomato, smoked paprika, lemon zest, chives *added a fried egg

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KRISP Fresh Living - Oreo Latte - craving established

KRISP Fresh Living

4.2(1.1k reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$

A hidden gem in Irvine!…read more Great breakfast/coffee spot. Have been here a few times and each time has been a great experience. Food and coffee is consistently good. The ambiance is perfect for hanging out or getting work done. Coffee wise, have tried the Nutella Madeleine and their seasonal Pumpkin Latte. You can completely customize each drink when ordering which is so nice. Both drinks were fantastic, with the Nutella one being my fave. Food wise, the Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwich was delicious. Perfect size for breakfast. Great vibe here. Staff was very friendly. The whole place is super clean and welcoming. Will definitely be back when in the area!

Honestly disappointing, especially what appears to be good reviews of this place…read more The only positive factor I can remember is how much seating there is inside (lots of people just meeting up, working, etc). - You order on two available consoles, which you think would help with efficiency and workflow (it was pretty busy when I got there). However, it took my drink a while to come out. There was a sign above the consoles that indicate ETA of the drink. Based on the color I thought it would be a quick wait but it ended up taking 15 minutes. It seems like the coffee station, manned by one person it seems, was cranking out multiple drinks whereas the drink I got (matcha) took a long time - this is despite me being one of few matcha drinks ordered when I was waiting... - I noticed that as the barista was whisking my drink, she took the whisk out, took a look at the whisk then with her bare hands touched the tip of the whisk and reinserted it into the cup.. all without washing her hands or using gloves... I honestly wanted to say something but I was already in a rush and didn't want to make a scene at an already busy hour and the barista looked kind of frazzled already... - If you are hoping for a strong matcha, this isn't the place to go to. I got the blueberry matcha, which was a pale green in a color and it tasted like a premade mix of blueberry matcha.. although calling it matcha may be a bit generous as the drink just tasted like blueberry milk...Not sure if I'll be coming back.. not for matcha any way

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Bag of Cakes - Berries danish

Bag of Cakes

4.0(320 reviews)
5.4 mi
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Food: Wow Bag of Cakes's banana matcha is truly the best I've had. It comes with a generous dollop…read moreof banana pudding with toffee bits on top that you can taste in every sip of the matcha! Their garlic bread and strawberry matcha is so good too! Service: The staff here are really nice, and you can tell them which cakes and pastries you want and if you want them warmed up as you walk by the display case. Ambiance: They have a few tables inside and more tables outside! There's a clean bathroom inside and a station at the back with utensils/napkins and to return your tray. They also have such an appetizing display case of pastries! Wow this is my favorite matcha in Irvine, so please please stop by! You can also share a few of the delicious pastries with friends!

Ive been to their other location but never this one, but i wanted to bring my husabnd since he's…read morenever been. The inside is beautiful and had all their cakes and pastries laid out! Its gorg and i was tempted to get a ton! We ended up just choosing a salt bread and the seasonal danish which was the green grape one! I also recall loving their matcha latte so i wanted to try it again. They def raised their prices. I remember it being pretty affordable and cheaper than other bakeries, and i swear their matcha was also like $6 but it was $6.50 today with most pastries being over $5! Our total for 3 items was $18.36 so it was super pricey!!! They offered to warm up our salt bread which was nice, but even with it toasted it was still underwhelming. It wasnt very crispy at all, i thought it was underbaked as in it needed to be baked longer to get crispy. Otherwise it was fine - tasted like bread but not salt bread. The danish was gorg, but also not good. I recall their croissants always always always being bready and this one was no different. This one was super bready and dissapointing. The filling was yummy and graps were sweet but i expect a bakery to know how to make a good croissant..... The matcha latte was good, but with paying extra for oat milk it's now just as expensive as other places so i dont think its worth going back. Overall dissapointed, i wont be back :( its really a shame bc their stuff is so cute and i love bakeries but it's overpriced and their stuff isnt that good

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Lagu Cafe - cafes - Updated October 2026

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