We were just looking for some good delicious food and we found this place in a strip mall totally hiding and would had never thought all the good food they had in there! [[HIGHLIGHT]]They also have a little speakeasy area (seat there) and the ambiance over there was super cool and very intimate.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is as great and the servers were very nice. We started with Sakura Sour - deliciously made! And short bottle of unfiltered sake- excellent. For food: Lemongrass dumplings: too good, don't miss it. Wagyu Bao: absolutely delicious Seared Hamachi: Hamachi was prepared to its perfection and the sauce was perfect. Just too much asparagus for me. Garlic Noodles: OMG - you cannot miss this out if you like noodles and garlic! Chicken Katsu: great dish but can be skipped. Lamb Chop: if you like yakitori style lamb, it is absolutely great. (I love lamb) Over all this place from service to ambiance to food execution was absolutely amazing. I highly recommended this place and I will be coming back to try other dishes! read more

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Brussels sprouts: 5/5- I liked how the outside layers were fried to a thin crisp. Adding lemon on top enhances the flavors. I really enjoyed this dish as someone who isn't much of fan of Brussels sprouts. Seared hamachi: 5/5- The fish melts in your mouth. Tastes great paired with the sauce. Garlic noodles: 5/5- I liked the use of ramen noodles. The shimeji mushrooms were really good. Personally could've done without the shrimp, but it is a nice palette change. Chicken & Scallion Skewer and Pork Belly Skewer: 3.75/5- Alone they tasted bland (esp the pork belly) but with the sauces it was better. The sauces are on the salty side so use only a little at a time. Personally I preferred the other dishes over the skewers. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Came at 6 or 7 pm on a Friday. It is a small location so it's pretty packed, but seating was always available throughout the time I was there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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this was one of the best restaurants i've ever been to! [[HIGHLIGHT]]my boyfriend and I sat in their speakeasy which was dim and fun, and they played the best music. great date night vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] we got their yellowtail salmon poke which was so light and flavorful. their black miso cod which was buttery and rich. the wagyu skewers which is some of the best steak i've ever had, the flavor is insane and it was so buttery on the inside. and the chicken and scallion skewers which were amazing and the char flavor was immaculate. they brought us out a free dessert for my birthday which wasn't for another week! so nice of them! we got their salted caramel gelato which was some of the best ice cream i've had. and their ube banana pudding which was amazing. so fluffy, perfectly sweet, and a great size. this is my new favorite spot! absolutely incredible! read more

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One of our last minute double date spots on Easter Sunday night, Oak & Coal popped up on Yelp when we were searching for options. There were no reservations for under six people, so we went around 6:30 pm to secure a table for 7 pm. When we walked in, they gave us the option to sit in the dining area or the speakeasy side. After checking both out, we decided on the speakeasy side. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The darker ambiance felt more upscale and fun.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ambiance (4/5) [[HIGHLIGHT]]The dining area has more of a casual neighborhood vibe, while the speakeasy side feels more elevated and lively.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service (5/5) Everyone was attentive and friendly throughout the night, which made the experience even better. Food (4/5) We really enjoyed the appetizers and yakitori items, especially the Brussels sprouts, wagyu beef skewers, and pork belly skewers. Those are definitely the items I would order again. I also liked my drink, the shishito sour. The main entrees, however, were a letdown. The shrimp garlic noodles were too salty and the noodles were overly soft. The wagyu don was chewy, and the beef quality felt below average. We would probably come back again, but more for sitting at the bar and sticking to appetizers and drinks. read more

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I absolutely loved Oak & Coal! The food was delicious, the presentation was fantastic, and the cocktails were really inventive! Dishes we ordered: - cucumber sunomono - 7/10 - seared hamachi - 20/10 ~ my favorite dish by far! - organic chicken and scallion skewers - 6/10 - snake river wagyu beef skewers - 8/10 - new zealand lamb chops - 10/10 - broccolini - 8/10 - miso black cod - 7/10 - oak's famous garlic noodles (veggie) - 8/10 - smOAK show cocktail - 10/10 Overall we really enjoyed our meal. We will be back for sure! read more

Oak & Coal - Miso black cod, Lamb Chops, Chicken & Scallion skewers, Veggie Garlic Noodles, Blistered Broccolini, Wagyu Beef skewers - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We ordered the tuna tartare, agedashi tofu and one of everything on the yakotori menu. The tuna tartare was okay but slightly bland. The tofu came in a big bowl of sauce and was so good!! My favorite yakitori was the wagyu and pork belly. My least favorite was the eel as it was way too mushy for my liking. Service was amazing. The food came out extremely fast. We came here with no reservations on a Saturday at 5pm when they opened and were sat immediately. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Within 10 minutes of opening, the restaurant was at 90% capacity[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. read more

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We went to Oak & Coal for the first time for my fiancé's 40th birthday and it was amazinggg! It ended up being the perfect spot for him. There were six of us and the dishes are the perfect size to share, so we just ordered a bunch of things for the table and passed everything around. One of the specials was wagyu skewers and it was delicious so we ordered that 3x. We also loved the garlic noodles with vegetables and the spicy tuna on crispy rice. Honestly everything we ordered was great! We cleared every plate. The drinks were also amazing, which says a lot because my fiancé Martin is very picky with his cocktails. He got the old fashioned and I had the shishito sour drink and it was perfect. Not too sweet, just really well balanced. We seriously can't stop raving about this place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is intimate and cozy, service was great and attentive -- it'd be the perfect date night spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We'll definitely be back! read more

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Go to the bar side for a chill night out and some chats with your girls. The drinks are delicious, I had the lychee spritz and it was so yummy. The Mesa Marg was so strong but my friend loved it. Their food is okay for the most part. Servers will check up on you every 5 seconds. read more

Oak & Coal - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

During a speakeasy hopping date night, decided to stop by Oak and Coal just for a drink. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The drinks and the vibes were amazing 4 drinks later we decided to finish the night here![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]As soon as we walked in, the front felt modern and elegant, for an intimate dinner, business meeting or relaxing sushi night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Since it was a slow Monday they asked us if we wanted to go in the speakeasy. The drink menu has some unique flavors that work so well. The bartenders are friendly and very knowledgeable, it elevated our experience. read more

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Another review that I didn't get to finish from early October. My husband's co-worker recommended we meet him, his wife and toddler son here for dinner. Hubs and I have been here once before (around the pandemic) for Oak's Japanese-version of garlic noodles. Oak & Coal is a hidden gem for Japanese-inspired comfort with a gourmet twist. From perfectly charred yakitori to crisp karaage and elegant hand rolls, every shareable appetizer was bursting with flavor. The miso black cod, shrimp garlic noodles and grilled lamb chops were the highlights--bold, balanced, and beautifully presented. Friendly service and a stylish vibe make this spot ideal for both casual bites and special nights out. Don't forget to check out their speakeasy. Highly recommend for anyone craving charcoal-grilled excellence and refined Japanese fusion in the Newport/Costa Mesa area. read more

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Interesting Name Unique Food & Environment Make sure that you say hello to Jose Manuel! He knows everything about everything, and is very congenial! Many of their appetizers, entrees, and desserts, like the Ube Banana Pudding are off-the-chart delicious! Order early, before they run out! [[HIGHLIGHT]]For a more intimate experience, ask to be seated in the bar area, that is not visible when you enter this establishment.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This will be our newest Go To place, in a cool part of Costa Mesa. read more

Super fun getting introduced to this spot. The host was very warm and welcoming. For drinks I ordered the lychee spritz: it came with green tea infused Absolut vodka. I love lychee in everything so this made me so happy. It came garnished with a bit of basil which rounded out the drink perfectly. For food I ordered the unagi crispy rice. This came with three nicely portioned and perfectly grilled pieces of unagi. The smoky flavor of the grill and sweetness of the eel sauce came together perfectly. Exactly what I was looking for! [[HIGHLIGHT]]I was excited to see the bar located in the back room. It was such a cool scene.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Oak & Coal - Lychee Spritz - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Honestly sooooo good, it's just a bit hidden but it was so good. Gabriel was our bartender and he had so much patience and knowledge. The drinks are not only good but STRONG. Quality drinks and quality food. The Ponzu NY strip was to die for!!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a nice but hidden vibe, perfect for date night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Oak & Coal has that cool, speakeasy vibe that pulls you in the second you walk through the door -- dim lighting, dark cozy atmosphere, and just the right touch of mystery. The drinks are delicious, the food is amazing, and everything we've tried on the menu so far has been a hit. It leans into an Asian-fusion style, and they pull it off perfectly. The bartenders are incredibly friendly and make you feel welcomed right away. Even if you're not a local, they treat you like you've been coming there for years. It's the kind of place where the vibe, the service, and the food all sync up in the best way. If you're looking for a chill, intimate spot with great flavors and great people, I definitely recommend trying Oak & Coal. read more

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This modern Japanese izakaya was the perfect place for my friends and I to catch up for a girls night. It was a little confusing because they have a back room which they call The Oak Room, their "speakeasy". I think using that term is generous as it's just a second room that serves the same menu as the main room but has a bar and more of an ambiance. If you're looking for something lively, that's where you'll want to sit. We were greeted warmly by our server and ordered a few cocktails. All of them were fantastic, but my favorite was the Shishito Sour. I had never had anything like it. Their special menu item for the day were lobster hand rolls with caviar. At a very affordable $9 each, we knew we each had to have one and it ended up being one of our favorite items of the night. The Chicken Katsu with Yuzu Slaw was another of my favorite dishes. I'm a sucker for some yuzu and the katsu was perfectly executed. The Spicy Wagyu Bao Buns were a fun and flavorful item, and we enjoyed both the Shishito Peppers and Brussel Sprouts. I would order the Pork Belly Skewers again and again, and the Ube Banana Pudding for dessert was decadent yet fresh and a wonderful combination of flavors. I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu. read more

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Been coming here for a couple years now. They added a "speakeasy" type room too which is great for a date night. Americanized Asian food. Yakitori is good but not the best I've had and not too much variety. Overall though I enjoyed the food. Drinks are well made. Favorite was the monkey one. Service top notch. read more

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Paid a visit during a weekend late night, got seated almost immediately, which was nice. The bar seating is a great place to get drinks, but the food on the other hand was passable. Drinks were pretty good but the food felt severely overpriced and none of the flavors really stood out. I usually don't mind paying a premium if it's tasty but the food here was lackluster or overly salty. Got 5 small dishes and that alone was already $120. Tldr if youre coming for food just walk away. If youre there for a drink feel to check out their bar. I will not be returning anytime soon as i am confused on why their ratings are soo high read more

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Wagyu Bao Buns 10/10- I absolutely loved this! The bao buns had ginger and jalapeño which brought a nice heat to the dish without being overwhelming. The Wagyu meat was incredibly tender and flavorful - you could really taste the quality of the beef. I loved how fluffy and soft the bao buns were - they had that perfect pillowy texture that made them ideal for holding all the delicious filling. The combination of the rich Wagyu with the spicy kick from the jalapeño was amazing. Brussels Sprouts 10/10- these came with lemon and bonito shavings and a spicy aioli on the side. This was the perfect shareable dish! I loved the charred flavor from the cooking method - it gave them this amazing smoky taste. They almost had a teriyaki sauce flavor too which I really liked and wasn't expecting. The bonito shavings added this great umami depth, and the lemon brightened everything up. The spicy aioli was the perfect dipping sauce that complemented the earthy Brussels sprouts perfectly. Chicken Yakitori Mix- I didn't try this but my friend liked it Tokyo Gimlet 9.75/10- made with Roku gin (my favorite!), yuzu liqueur, lemon, simple syrup, St. Germain elderflower, and mint. Honestly this had more of a lychee taste to me than elderflower, but it was still really good. The drink was also pretty strong but not overwhelmingly strong - just the right amount of kick. The yuzu added this perfect citrusy brightness and the mint made it so refreshing. Even though the elderflower didn't come through as much as I expected, the overall flavor profile was delicious. Ube Banana Pudding 9.65/10- normally I don't like ube but this was so good! The ube flavor was subtle and not overpowering like it usually is for me. The banana added this perfect sweetness and the pudding texture was so creamy and smooth. It was the perfect ending to the meal and I'm honestly surprised I loved it since ube isn't usually my thing. They have a back room that's a speakeasy vibe which I absolutely loved! The atmosphere was so cool and intimate. I actually can't believe this is the first time I tried Oak and Coal - I've been missing out! I loved everything we ordered and I will definitely be back to try more of their menu. Everything is made with high quality, organic and free-range proteins from sustainable farms, which you can really taste in the quality of the food. This place is doing something special! Instagram; @hungrytamale read more

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Really great service!! Everyone was super friendly and accommodating. We came to celebrate a birthday and started in the main room. No rez for a party of 4 on a Wednesday and was seated right away. The portions are much larger than usual yakitori, but overall just ok in flavor/texture. We felt the bacon was too thick around the asparagus and tomatoes which made it really salty. The pork belly was on the drier side. Everything came with miso for you to salt your food, but it didn't need it. The lamb chops were my favorite with the yuzu on the side. After our meal, we moved over to the Oak room to enjoy one more drink. Honestly, the drinks were better than the food imo! Overall still very enjoyable night out. read more

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Ordered the lamb chops, kabobs, corn, shrimp, and garlic noodles at Oak and Coal. Everything was really good and well prepared. Great flavors across the board. read more

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Jason our server was awesome. Great service great staff and amazing food. Plus those drinks are on point!!

YUM. I highly recommend this little gem. [[HIGHLIGHT]]At first when you walk in, the restuarant appears very small, but it actually divided by a wall and extends out to the side creating a cozy little vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I came here to celebrate a birthday with a friend who has several allergies. I have to say I love the fact that they take allergens seriously and the modifications to the food doesn't take away from the taste. If you have a gluten allergy, just know that they will take care of you. The meat was so soft, so tender, and so flavorful. You could definitely tell the quality. Altogether, food, service and ambiance was amazing. The drinks were also fantastic. I would definitely be back. read more

Super cool speakeasy type of bar with great food. Tried the raw hamachi and it was delicious. I also got then noodles and they were super fire. Going to go back and try some skewers because the couple next to me tried a bunch of them and they looked really good. read more

My brother and I wanted to try a new spot for dinner and drinks and we came across this place. The walk through the restaurant felt like a speakeasy. Bright lit room and then into a dark bar. We ordered a bunch of things whatever sounded good on the menu. Each had a cocktail. I ordered the OJ sour very delicious. Started off with the chicken karage pretty bomb. Then we got our wagyu skewers, I thought they cooked it a little too much but it was decent probably gonna ask next time to cook it less. The salmon sashimi was very good soft salmon but still a bite to it. My favorite was the unagi and crispy rice. The rice was so crispy and the unagi was flavorful. All in all it was a good meal and the vibe was cool. Will be back. read more

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This spot has such a cool, tucked-away vibe with a gorgeous speakeasy in the back. The food is amazing, with tons of shareable options, which I love. We had the spicy Wagyu bao buns--really good. The ginger and jalapeño brought a nice heat, so if you're into spice, definitely try them. The veggie mix was great too. The eel crispy rice was a standout. I usually feel like the crispy rice-to-topping ratio is off at most places (just a personal thing), but I still really enjoyed it. The eel was delicious. We also got the Wagyu skewers, which were super flavorful and cooked perfectly. Shoutout to the server--we had originally meant to order the bao buns instead of the skewers, and he brought the skewers out on the house. Such great service, super friendly and accommodating. I had the lychee spritz--it was okay, but I'd probably try a different drink next time. Overall, the vibe is great, the food is solid, and I'd definitely come back. read more

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From the outside, you would not expect this spot to have a 2 part experience - 1 being a restaurant with view of kitchen, the 2nd being a vibey bar with a speakeasy like atmosphere! The drinks were all simple, inspired by Asian flavors (lychee, yuzu, green tea), yet I enjoyed them all! The food were all flavored nicely with just enough sauce, spice, and tenderness. Probably would come here for more light bites and drinks rather than a full meal. I'd definitely come back to this spot to bring friends or family! read more

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A must go and a must come back to! So much flavor with every dish! [[HIGHLIGHT]]This is our fav date night spot![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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They have the best food! Never been let down with anything I've ordered! [[HIGHLIGHT]]And I love the atmosphere and the bar they have in the back.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Great bartenders who make great drinks even when asked to wing it. read more

First time coming here. Been on my bookmarked places to visit for sometime now. Upon entering I thought it was a small seating area with tiny open kitchen but they actually have another area tucked away inside towards the back for bars and tables. Dark lighting indoors. Have mini lamps on each tables. That's how I managed to take food photos haha Ordered 5 small tapas style plates. Wagyu beef was cooked well done so it was so hard and chewy. Wished it could have been cooked medium rare. Lamb chops were cooked perfectly! This was my favorite. Pork belly was okay. The unagi and crispy rice tastes better separately cuz their crispy rice is crispy on the outside and mashed on the inside. Rice is too mushy, and unagi itself is a soft fish. The black cod was my second favorite dish. Well seasoned and cooked right which complimented well with the cucumbers. read more

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Your money is well spent here. Everything is amazing - especially the service in the oak room (and the food absolutely). Q and Kellen (sorry if spelled wrong) are the best guys in the house. Absolutely professionals and the kindest people. I come back as often as I can and you should too. read more

10/10!!!! I walked in on a Thursday night with my friend, and we were blown away. Ordered the carajillo (if you haven't had one, just order it) and it had a nice cinnamon twist. For food, we ordered the special which was Bao buns with shrimp and they were SO GOOD! Also ordered the Wagyu, the garlic noodles, and the dumplings. For dessert, we had the ube banana pudding (I was dying because it was my favorite foods put together). The service was top notch and everyone was so nice. The first room is great for families or a casual vibe, and the second rom is dark and sexy, great for a date night. I can't wait to go back! read more

Oak & Coal - Ube banana pudding - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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入眼的是風景，入心的是人生，心裡的話有人傾聽就是溫暖，鬱悶的事有人懂你就是幸福～ 跟也是在這吃貨版上認識的兩位美女到很遠的Costa Mesa ，吃這家超有氣氛的燒烤店， 店一半是現在很流行的 speak easy 的氣氛，一半則是一般日本燒烤中規中矩的模樣，生意超火紅的，我們五個人， 因為有大胃王在，幾乎整個菜單都給他輪一回了，都試過了，才覺得剛剛好，有吃飽了, 日式燒烤是我的心頭好，這家的菜色雖然沒有很多很多， 整體吃下來， 算很棒的，實在點太多，沒法一一說明，每樣我都試到了， 整體有90 分左右，還有很多有特色又漂亮的調酒等你來點，想像一下，就是到家很有氣氛，裝潢你喜歡的酒吧，但是可以吃到蠻道地的燒烤，這樣的店，你喜歡嗎？ 我很喜歡 read more

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One of the very best. For a few years this was definitely my #1 favorite and most frequented restaurant in OC. I don't live as close anymore otherwise very well probably would be. I'm not gonna highlight any specific menu items because I have tried literally every item on the menu and IT IS ALL FIRE! read more

We sat at the bar in the back room. Great spot for a date night. The staff were all very friendly and the food comes quickly. Admittedly I was slightly suspicious of the food but they share the kitchen with the restaurant so it was very good. Highly recommend this spot for a relaxing meal and drinks. read more

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This place was SO GOOD. I went on a whim on a Friday night with my sister and a friend! We waiting a little but that was expected seeing as it was a Friday night. It was so worth it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We walked in and I realized that it's the perfect date night spot. It's dimly lit with little electric lamps on the table.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We sat and looked at the menu. We pretty much ordered one of everything and shared! You have to order the spicy tuna crispy rice, the garlic noodles - we did veggie! And honestly... nothing we ordered disappointed. I also had a drink that was made perfectly. Not too sweet, not too strong. I will definitely be going back! read more

Cute speakeasy with two different areas with two different vibes. We chose the front area as it was a little quieter. All the food here was absolutely delicious! We got the salmon crudo, chicken and pork belly skewers, garlic noodles, chicken dumplings, ube banana pudding, and unagi crispy rice. All 10/10! The salmon was light and fresh and the unagi crispy rice was very unique and not too greasy. Everything perfectly balanced in flavors. Would definitely come again! read more

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was described to us as a japanese fushion spot. no wait on a saturday at 5:30pm. got the miso glazed cod (7/10), wagyu skewer (10/10), pork belly skewer (8/10, good but very salty), blistered shishito, and unagi crispy rice (7/10 good but the rice to unagi ratio is too much). imo the price isnt worth as the ambiance isnt anything special and the food quantity is small read more

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Such a cute vibe. Didn't have reservations & had no issues being sat. We sat in the back for the bar which I highly recommend. There is a parking lot so it wasn't hard to find parking. Service was fast & friendly. They decorated it nicely for Halloween. I got the chicken skewers & the seared hamachi. Both were delicious. Also for drinks had the lychee spritz & the Japan smash, so tasty. Would definitely recommend to anyone & I will be back! read more

I didn't expect such a tiny restaurant to be so good in every aspect. It was super easy to make a reservation for 12 people. The place had cool, interesting decor. The service was great, staff was very attentive. I got the charred elotes, the tofu, and the unagi skewers and all were very tasty. The sauce on the corn had some spice to it. The tofu was comic-ly huge, everyone thought I ordered soup. My friend ordered the ube banana pudding dessert and I must say that I normally don't like ube as I find it way too sweet but this dessert was not too sweet and it was sooo good. I totally regretted getting full from my dishes and wish I saved room to get my own ube banana pudding. I would totally return just for the dessert alone. read more

Oak & Coal - Charred Elote - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Big fans! My husband and I came here on a date and got the Mai tais, which were delicious and strong hehe! We also got the garlic noodles with shrimp, shishito peppers ahi poke and karrage chicken! Everything was delicious, packed with flavor! Service was great however wait was pretty long, but didn't mind since we were on a date. Definitely going back read more

Oak & Coal - Mai tai - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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