I have been visiting the Irvine Mokkoji location for years and plan to continue going during non-peak hours. My favorites are the pork broth and marinated toro. While the food is great, the service can be inconsistent, especially when it's busy. There's usually enough staff when I'm there, but the place is quite small, often leaving me elbow-to-elbow with other customers. Additionally, it gets extremely cold at this location. read more

Mokkoji is slightly hidden in the corner of this plaza, and yet everyone knows where this is - get on the Yelp waitlist ASAP! For shabu shabu, this is the go-to in Irvine - everyone is so patient and friendly and helpful, and gave honest answers to my questions. The meat quality is top tier, and they give a lot more than you'd expect (I guess not if you are looking through photos and reading reviews on here). I tried the flat iron with the sukiyaki broth, and added two spicy drops to my sauces. It was so good and perfect for a cold winter night. Highly recommend and am already craving it again! read more

Mokkoji - Flat Iron "Mokkoji Cut" - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

quality isn't the same anymore, the flat iron was super tough to chew and the restaurant really needs a good refresh and deep cleaning because the furniture have all seen better days. the service was ok until they charged my credit card on another party's check, although refunded but that's a mistake that shouldn't be made in the first place. when asked if we could split our checks it was a maximum of 3 cards and the server had the audacity to ask if we could just all venmo each other and put it on 1 card, he/she's lucky i ate with a group of very accommodating people. maybe the costa mesa location is better but the irvine location is not what it used to be. read more

*Does not take reservations* Check Yelp Waitlist -- although it's not always open Approx. 30-45min wait Order: - Spicy Miso Broth w/ Flat Iron (Large + Marinated) - Miso Broth w/ Fatty Toro (R + Marinated) Tip 1: Since the miso broth can be a bit on the bland side, we asked for a side of soy sauce. This way, you can adjust your broth to your liking. Tip 2: The veggies are unlimited, so if you're not feeling full, ask for an additional bowl of veggies Tip 3: If you're looking for some extra heat, but you don't want to be on fire, ask for a spicy drop. BUT instead of placing it in your sauce, add it to your broth. This way the spicy drop can be dispersed in more liquid. It adds just the perfect kick of flavor Overall, I really enjoyed this place! The meat is very high quality, and the marinade makes it taste even better! It adds a nice garlic flavor to the broth. I try to minimize my food waste, so I really enjoy that they let you take your soup togo if you don't finish it. I'll usually turn it into a simple soup for the next days dinner read more

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I came here with my friend back in March since she recommended this place, and I was not disappointed! The marinated meat tasted sooooooo good in the hot pot broth, and the meat melted in my mouth. If I didn't get full so fast, I probably would've ordered one of every meat on the menu :P They also have really nice sauces,, they offer to add like a ghost pepper(?) sauce BUT WHEWW... my spice tolerance is not it... one drop of that spicy sauce sent me chugging water for 5 minutes straight. That sauce is not for the weak LOL.. Overall this place is great for shabu shabu, and I'd love to come back here again. My mouth is watering just writing this review read more

Mokkoji - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

OMGGGGGG SO FREAKING GOOOOD! The quality of the meat cuts was so yummy. The broth I chose was the spicy miso and it was perfect. They give you a side of onions, radish and garlic to add to your broth if you want more flavor. Overall this place exceeded my expectations. I will 100% be back when I come down to visit my friend again. read more

Mokkoji - Toro "Fatty Belly" with spicy miso 10/10!!!!! - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Delicious food and a good vibe! We got this on the whim and did not disappoint. Would recommend if looking for a hot pot place. read more

Mokkoji - We did the shared combo - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Mokkoji has been an extremely popular Shabu Shabu restaurant that has been expanding in Orange County. Located in the Cypress Village Shopping Center, it's conveniently near many other food establishments, as well as other dessert places to check out afterwards! There's a large parking lot with good parking available, and you'll usually be able to find a good spot. One of the hardest parts about coming to this restaurant is the wait, but fortunately they allow you to join the waitlist through Yelp. Still, you should definitely expect a wait. I went in a group of four on a Saturday night and we waited over 40 minutes to get a table. But there's also seating outside while waiting as well. Once you enter, you can see why the wait times are so long. The restaurant is usually bustling. The restaurant is an overall casual vibe, but you can definitely go for any occasion! There are a lot of tables adequate for large parties as well! Each table has their own stovetop so each person is able to have their own pot! All of the waiters who helped us were very polite and personable, as well as so ready to provide recommendations when we needed it! This is not all you can eat, so you're typically required to order the quantity you want meat-wise. Considering how this is an individual pot, make sure you order accordingly! I ordered the large (14 pieces) size for the meat, and I was sufficiently full! But my other friends ordered XL (20 pieces) and they felt it was a good choice for them! I liked how their menu offered a wide variety of broths and meat. I got the sukiyaki broth and it was a great balance of sweet and savory! They also provide you with a bowl of vegetables, which I felt was a sufficient amount for one person. Overall, if you're looking for a non-AYCE shabu shabu restaurant, I recommend Mokkoji! I only took one star off because of the long wait times, but overall, I do think it's worth the wait, as long as you have the time for it! read more

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Love food , service and place the people are amazing . The quality of the meat everything fresh and clean read more

Mokkoji - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Really good food. Fresh veggies. Quality beef and delicious sauces. Just add one drop of chili oil for a good heat. read more

Mokkoji - XL NY steak with original broth and one drop of chili oil in each sauce - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Came here for the first time last night with two others! We put ourselves on the Yelp waitlist online about an hour in advance. All of us ordered Sukiyaki broth ($2) and split the Flat Iron "Mokkoji Cut" (XL - 20 Pc) and the Toro Fatty Belly (Regular - 10Pc). I'd recommend getting the Flat Iron marinated when they ask. Each entree came with sauces and a veggie set that can refilled. Total came out to $70 with tax and tips! The servers give you the option of adding drops of hot sauce if you're into that. I wish I tried this place earlier - loooved the meat. The marinated flavor + sukiyaki broth hit perfectly (I didn't even use the sauces tbh). I liked the Toro's texture a little better than the Flat Iron, but honestly both were delicious. It's easily one of my favorite shabu places in Irvine now , would definitely come back just to order the same exact meal. read more

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Mokkoji will always have a special place in my heart. This has always been our go-to for after hikes, a catch up session with a friend, for family birthdays and especially a casual dinner out during the colder days. The quality of the meat, sides and sauces altogether are fantastic. It's always packed because it's so good. The only complaint I'd have is for them to invest in a bigger space haha but aside from that it's a must go. read more

We came before 9pm but they served us very bad, they take care the people that came after us. We had orders of pork belly and brisket but they brought out pork belly until they asked us how we were doing a while later, and we had to ask 3 times for hot drops until they finally they bring it out. read more

It was my first time coming here and it was a pleasant experience! I've always heard about this place and have seen pictures of this place but never had a chance to go until now. Considering it was my first visit, I decided to try to the original soup base and got the toro fatty belly for my meat choice. I was warned that the original soup base was plain but I took my chances because it was my first time (I should've listened lol). It wasn't terrible, but definitely could've used more flavor haha. The toro fatty belly was good with everything else. At first, I wasn't sure if it was going to be enough meat but honestly I was struggling to finish all my meat towards the end In the beginning, they will ask if you would like to add chili oil to your sauces. Be cautious with how much you add because it is extremely spicy! I only added like a few drops and my mouth was on fire T_T read more

Mokkoji - Original soup base - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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High quality shabu shabu -- overall such a great eating experience. The meat was super fresh and well-marinated, and the soup broths were flavorful but not overly salty. Service was really quick and attentive, and they were able to refill the soup base. read more

Mokkoji - Toro Fatty Belly - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

The best shabu place. One of the things I miss about living in OC is being close to this place. Whenever I'm in Irvine I try to go here. Assortment of veggies is good and the fatty toro and iron cut are my favorite meats to get. read more

Mokkoji - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Came here with my cousins on a Tuesday evening. The place was packed and we were on the waitlist, but there's limited seating for a large party (e.g. 5). In the end, we weren't able to get our own table with enough pots for everyone. I did appreciate them offering to place us at a table with 4 to diminish the wait time, which we agreed to because they were closing early for a company party. We might not have made it in if we decided to opt for a 5 person table. In general, the food was good, though a little pricey. This is normal for dinner Shabu places. When you come in, they give you your own sesame seeds to grind for you sauce which is really cool because it makes your sauce more flavorful and fresh. I ordered the sukiyaki base but didn't like it as much as my cousin's spicy pork broth and my husband's spicy sukiyaki. If I were to rank the broths, I would say 1) spicy pork broth 2) spicy sukiyaki 3) sukiyaki. For the meat, we ordered the mokkoji beef marinated and the fatty belly. The cuts were really good and thin. Portion size was good too. The veggies had several types of veggies including kale (which I thought was different from other places). Veggies were alright. I feel like I've had better elsewhere. The rice was a little overcooked for my taste, but others seemed to enjoy it. Overall, the things I liked most from this place was the dipping sauces, the soup broth, and meats. I would recommend if you're looking for a good Shabu place in Irvine. read more

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PREMIUM SHABU SHABU!! Atmosphere: You can choose between being seated at the table or at the bar! We were seated at the bar and you can watch them prepare your order and other orders! Staff: Staff are super friendly, but you barely have any interaction with them because once you get your food, you're basically all set to go lol Food: Everything about the shabu shabu was amazing! The SUKIYAKI broth is really flavorful and savory and adds a flavor profile to the ingredients that go into it. You also get a raw egg to dip your cooked meat into- a must try! The TORO is soooo good- fatty thin cuts of premium beef are the way to go! You can also add in extra UDON since the portion that is included is pretty small. Also, for someone who hates KALE, the kale here soaks up the broth and if all kale tasted like this, I would have eaten it on a daily basis. Price: You pay for what you get! The meats are definitely pricey but the quality is unbeatable, so if you're gonna go, splurge y'all. Wait: We were seated right away even though we were a party of 7! read more

Mokkoji - Sukiyaki - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Our family's favorite place and Tyler was amazing! There is always a wait because the food and service is the best! Perfect for a cold night and the veggies are so fresh and plentiful. Get the hot drops in your soup. So delicious. We would come more often if we could handle the crowds and wait read more

Mokkoji - Spicy miso broth . - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Love this place! The meat is good quality and unlimited veggies is a great touch. The place is small and packed but it's a great deal for those days where you want some shabu shabu to warm you up! read more

Mokkoji - Flat Iron "Mokkoji Cut" 32 Pc with classic base - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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omg i love mokkoji so much! i had this place bookmarked and was so excited to finally try it. they have so many broth options i definitely want to come back to try other broths! --- spicy miso broth + flat iron mokkoji cut i got the spicy miso broth which adds an additional $2 and i thought it was good but sort of bland compared to other miso broths i've had. i got the mokkoji cut large size with only half of the meat marinated but i would get it all marinated next time because the added flavor was so good! --- spicy pork broth + toro fatty belly my bf got the spicy pork broth which adds $4 and i liked his broth more because it was a lot more flavorful and not too spicy. the toro fatty belly comes all marinated and i liked his cut of meat more too LOL it's definitely fattier but tasted so good with the marinade... we got this in a large size too and shared (i ate most of this one because i liked it more than what i got LOL) --- fyi the servers come by and offer you ghost pepper oil or something to put into your dipping sauces which is apparently very spicy! i didn't get it but my bf said it was good and not as spicy as they say it is... also this place is next to red straw so you can get boba right after YAY read more

Mokkoji - the marinated meat is BOMB -- @foodiejocho - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Mokkoji is so good! They're currently offering outdoor dining only but it is very well done. The service is also great, as are the menu selections. Everything was delicious and flavorful! They don't have any vegetarian-friendly sauces, which is why I'm taking off one star. Also, the rice was a little too mushy, it seemed like they let it absorb too much liquid while cooking. I wouldn't take off a star for this, though. Overall, we had a good experience and would return. read more

Mokkoji - How cute is this branded tofu! - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Good food good service. Visited this Shabu shabu a couple times last year all with good experiences. I ordered the flat iron steak under the specials for two menu and it was delicious. Large portion of soup which you need to flavor and smaller portions to meat to cook yourself. Very clean and had to wait awhile to get a table. Quick service. Wish they had larger servings of protein. read more

Went to Mokkoji recently for a weekday lunch and we got there right before it opened at 11:30 am. I hadn't been there in probably at least 6 or 7 years, and when we used to go for dinner, it was always really crowded. But on a Tuesday, after the initial 4 or 5 parties went in at opening, the place was pretty empty. The two bar areas remained empty and there was plenty of seating available even as we left. Hopefully they do better during dinner. That being said, we had a great meal. Customer service was good. The food is good, albeit a little pricey (I got the 10-piece brisket for $27). I saw on their menu that they have the dinner for 2 starting around $79 I think. That comes with two alcohol drinks. But anyway, for our lunch, everything came out quickly and the brisket was tender. I didn't realize you could get unlimited rice, kale, Napa, and spinach veggies, so if you don't feel like breaking the bank, it's a good way to load up on veggies. The staff were all really attentive and the food is good, but prices are a little steep for what you get. I just like that they still stamp their name on the tofu. read more

Mokkoji is one of my favorite places to go for Shabu. Everything from the presentation- service- to the quality of the food is impeccable. They have a wide variety of meats to choose from, and the servers have answers to any questions you may have. Freshly ground sesame paste is given to you along with a spicy tincture to add to your sauces. I went with one of the combo dinners which included a sampler plate of all of their meats, along with a bottle of cold sake. read more

Mokkoji - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Came here to take my girlfriend out for Valentines Day Diner. My 1 Star is not based on Food Quality or Outcome. The night was going great up until the server, spilled peanut sauce on my girlfriend's expensive outfit! That wasn't the worse part. As they were cleaning the mess in a hurry. There was no apology given to her or the table next to us that got blasted with peanut sauce. They came by gave her a wet towel to clean the mess. The worse part was the owner came to the table next to us ( New Group ) he offered free Soju/ Special Cut Meats to celebrate an occasion. While we were 2-3 feet covered in peanut sauce. With no apology or compensation. Me and my girlfriend worked and currently works in Customer Service, myself a Small Business Owner and this was a Huge NO NO! We still tipped, cause we're servers. But WILL NOT be back. Thanks! read more

Expect a wait but it goes by quickly. Service is friendly and attentive. Ambiance is a bustling loud and energizing. Food quality is good with lots of options and variety. read more

I think I may have found my new favorite shabu place. To be honest, I've known about this place for a whileee but it was only recently that I decided to check it out. I joined the waitlist on Yelp, but was seated a little later than anticipated since they were really busy. I ordered the spicy pork broth and my boyfriend got the spicy sukiyaki--both equally delicious in my opinion. We also got the beef sampler in the specials for 2 section, which came with hot sake, appetizer, 6 pieces of every beef cut, and 2 icecreams for dessert. Our veggies and broth came right away, but it took a while to get our sake and meat (had to ask them for it). However, everything was really tasty and I particularly enjoyed the marinated meat :) A small note is that the meat is cut super thin, so it does break apart quite easily.. The platter is huge though, be warned LOL. We really struggled to finish it... it was just one of those meals where you gotta unbutton your pants at the end lmao. I think next time, I would get a smaller platter for sure. The food was 4.5/5, but I would say that the service was a little slow on the night that we went. I understand weekend nights are really busy, but they had our broths heating up right away but took a while to bring the meats out. They also started doing closing duties/cleaning while we were eating, which is fine, just as long as they do check on the patrons. They almost forgot about our desserts lol. We were leaving the restaurant when one of the waiters chased after us and asked us if we had gotten our dessert. Appreciate that effort though! Will be back, hopefully well before closing and on a less busy night. read more

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Really fresh food. Good beef and seafood. My sister and I really enjoyed the lunch there.

Swung by on a Wednesday evening and there was no wait! It's outdoor dining only at this time, and we were seated immediately. The food and service has always been great at all locations and this spot is no different. This is the first time I didn't have to wait though! The menu is via QR code, but I always get the same thing - the Mokkoji cut, and the veggies are always the same, so makes it easy. read more

I love getting the toro beef with chicken broth. It's my favorite place for Shabu Shabu in the Southern California region. My girlfriend likes the spicy miso the most. Overall this will forever be a spot in my restaurant rotation. It's like a 1-2 times a month vibe read more

Been coming here for years and it's consistently good. Great meat quality and broth. Individual pots and not shared.

I have been here multiple times and every single time, I leave so satisfied!!!! This is one of the best shabu shabu places I have been to. Although it's not AYCE, the veggies have unlimited refills for free! I love getting their spicy sukiyaki broth along with the fatty toro. The meat is truly so delicious and amazing. With the spicy sukiyaki broth, it comes with an raw egg dip that pairs perfectly with the meat. It also comes with a variety of different veggies and udon. The employees are always so nice and accommodating as well. They offer outdoor seating and I recommend coming early because there is usually a wait. (longer on weekends) 10/10 recommend this place! read more

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TLDR: Worth trying if you're not too hungry or planning to order a lot. More limited veggie options. Would recommend skipping the seasoning on the meats. My wife and I have been wanting to try Mokkoji for awhile since it's been recommended by our friends who also love hot pot. We came for dinner on a Monday evening and this was our first true meal of the day so we ended up ordering a lot to try. For reference, our favorite shabu-shabu place is Shabuya in Fountain Valley because of the variety and overall value. Spicy Miso broth: Compared to other shabu-shabu places where the broth was made ahead of time and allowed to marinate, the broth here seemed like it was made to order with a scoop of red pepper seasoning and miso added to a soup base so you'll have to mix it together yourself when you get it. It was also weird that when we asked for more soup base they brought what seemed to be a clear pot of hot water (?) instead of soup stock Garlic shrimp: size of the shrimp was good and it came with squid ink dipping sauce. Could use a bit more seasoning but overall it was okay Meats - Flat iron (x-large): very tender and the non-marinated option is probably our favorite - Prime rib (side order): great option if you want larger lean cuts of meat - Toro (x-large): very good if you like fattier cuts of beef. I would skip the seasoning if you don't like sweet sauces (which we don't) since it also makes the soup broth more oily and sweet towards the end Pros: - Good quality meats and good service. - Price is pretty good if you plan to order a regular or large single meat option Cons: - $2 extra charge for spicy miso - Only bok choy, cabbage and kale are unlimited for vegetables (seriously who eats that much kale with their shabu-shabu). Not a great option for mushroom lovers since there's only enoki mushrooms. I love kabocha squash but it's cut really thin to the point where it falls apart if you leave it in there too long. read more

Mokkoji - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Open for outdoor dining and limited indoor. Good broths, good meats. A little pricey but worth it. Try their sweet soy marinated meat, so yummy (I think it's complimentary right now), but make sure to let it marinate for a little before cooking so it's more flavorful. Dipping sauces are also good. Veggies are fresh. Very little amount of udon but you can order extra noodles for pretty cheap. Some veggies are free refill (ask your server, I think bok choy, cabbage and kale). Free hot tea so make sure to order some when it's cold out. Broths comes with mushrooms in it so if you don't like mushrooms, remember to tell your server so they can modify it for you before bringing out. Our server was nice and friendly. read more

Mokkoji - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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I can't believe this is my first review. My husband and I and our kids go there every week religiously. The food is always great. The service is fast and efficient. It's located next to Starbucks the restaurant is kind of small and gets packed quick. You'll love it! read more

Great service and great food! There is so much flavor! the Mokkoji cut is the best! I would definitely recommend!

The quality of the meat and broth are the only things that are needed to make a good Shabu shabu. The meat was great, the broth was lacking flavor, I got the tonkotsu (which was an extra charge) and it was still pretty plain, I added in all the sauces and spices offered and it wasn't right. I would go back but if you're in south oc there's plenty of other places. read more

Mokkoji - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

If I'm not at Miyabi, you can probably find me here. Mokkoji is one of the restaurants that never fails to make me feel lucky to live in Irvine. Some of the best shabu I've ever had with such high quality meat and broth and friendly service as well! One of my favorite activities pre-Covid was to come with friends for their lunch special as it's quite affordable at under $20 for your choice of broth + a plate of meat, tea, rice/noodle, and veggies that you can refill! The prices go up for dinner but I always enjoy myself here no matter what time of day it is. Mokkoji is unique because they marinate the shabu meat for you so that it is even more flavorful once you boil it in your broth. The thinly sliced meat is of great quality and pairs so well with their goma and ponzu sauces. I also love refilling my vegetables and rice whenever I run out of meat! Will forever be one of my favorite restaurants in Irvine and hold a special place in my heart for all the fun memories and yummy afternoons/evenings I've had here :) read more

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Had reservation at 12:30 for lunch and this place was packed! We were seated outside and the weather was around 87 degrees...too hot for shabu-shabu. The quality was great and no complaints so far. read more

Mokkoji - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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