I ordered sushi set B plus a roll. Fish/neta is laughably thin. I'm actually impressed by how thinly chef was able to slice the fish. Nigiri is poorly formed. Chefs are probably still in the training phase, but they shouldn't be allowed to serve paying customers. Shari could use more vinegar, but that's more a personal preference. Stools were a bit wobbly. Service is nice and quick. Parking is plentiful and easy, which is a plus over the Ootoro location on Michelson. If you don't mind the parking situation, Ootoro on Michelson is much better at a slightly higher price point. Rating: Could've been better. read more

Ootoro Bar - Fish/neta is laughably thin. Nigiri is poorly formed. - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

Good food. The chirashi was ok. hand rolls were average. The grilled miso was really good. The udon was good as well. Nice interior. Good service. would come again. read more

One of the important questions that I ask myself after dining at a restaurant is: "would I come here again?" And unfortunately the answer is "probably not". I think for the pricing, I was expecting something a bit more, but the hand rolls were very tiny and lackluster and overly simplistic. There was just a tiny portion of fish in it and not a lot of rice: it kind of felt like a little childs portion from a kids meal. Which, I am not knocking simplistic, but when I am paying a premium price, I want a little more for my buck. To be fair, what little of the fish I could taste did taste fresh, but I just wanted a little more of it. It is all bar seating, so I think this is great for a "fast" service spot if you wanted a quick lunch. I came on a weekday and the service itself was fast, so you can get in and out pretty quick for a work lunch. read more

I know they're in their soft opening, so I would say let's give them some grace. However, it just wasn't an enjoyable overall experience being here. We came in close to opening and were the only people in the restaurant for a while. We ordered 2 Sushi Set A's. Taste wise, everything was delicious! However, price to food ratio it just didn't feel like enough food. Additionally, one of the chef's serving us didn't know what fish was being served, which is ok I guess, but then the other chef scolded him right in front of us and it felt a little rude. Additionally, right as we would take our last bite on a plate someone on the other side would be telling us to hand over the plate as I'm mid chew. Please, let me enjoy my bite! If it was busy or something maybe I'd understand, but there didn't seem to be a reason to rush. Also, everyone seemed to be watching us eat which doesn't make for comfortable dining. The water cups definitely need straws or a different type of ice. They bunch together and when you go to sip, it all comes splashing in your face as one giant ice cube. I know Omakase has a way of doing a meal and being served quick (I think?) But ultimately we were only there for like 15 minutes total for eating time. Not really sure how this would appeal in a date setting or even going out with friends if you're done eating SO fast. read more

We've tried Ootoro in Walnut, CA but we were very excited to see what this new location has to offer. The restaurant is very clean with two sets of bars and lots of seating. The parking is also located in a large plaza and is plentiful. We opted for the 6 hand roll set which were all fantastic and had an extra Toro sushi on the side which was amazing! Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The fish was fresh and I wouldn't mind driving out here to splurge and try some of their higher end cuts! read more

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ootoro bar is such an elevated and intimate handroll spot -- perfect for date night. the space feels upscale but still relaxed, and the service matches the vibe. all the handrolls were super fresh and packed with flavor. everything was made right in front of us and served at the perfect temperature. definitely one of the better handroll experiences i've had in oc! read more

Ootoro Bar - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

To be honest, this is more of a 3.5 stars but I rounded up to 4 stars since it's still their soft opening. I had high hopes, especially since Ootoro was my absolute fav spot for sashimi & sushi. Unfortunately, the hand rolls didn't quite live up to that bar I had. Compared to Kazunori or ROL, the hand rolls here felt one dimensional and muted since nothing really stood out. The nori was a bit dry & stuck to my lips as I took each bite which made it unpleasant. The rice, while cooked well, lacked flavor--there was no hint of vinegar or warmth to enhance it. Oddly enough, the ginger ended up boosting the taste rather than just serving as a palate cleanser. I had 5 hand rolls, hubby ordered 6, and we added 2 more otoro rolls and a spicy yellowtail roll. The fish was good quality, but it didn't quite shine as a hand roll, if that makes sense. After 6.5 rolls, I felt like I could eat more, but I was just satisfied enough. One thing I noticed that can be improved is the pacing of the rolls. The chefs seemed overwhelmed by the amount of customers, and at times, it looked like they weren't sure what to do next as there's just too many tasks. That said, with more time and experience, I think they'll get the flow right and improve the overall experience (I hope). Also, we went right at opening time so there wasn't a line. By 6:30, there were like 3-5 parties waiting & this is just soft opening! So prepare for long waits but visit soon as they have 10% off right now! read more

Ootoro Bar - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

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This new spot kept popping up on IG...They opened 4 weeks ago. It's a similar hand roll bar concept to Rol and Kazunori. It's located in a strip mall with pretty easy parking. The ambiance is modern, minimalistic but new and clean. You sit at a bar and the chef serves you much like the other joints I mentioned. Service was quick and courteous. Fish was fresh and delicious. Thought the prices were a great value for the quality of food and service. They also serve sake and beer. I'm pumped this place opened in the neighborhood and will be regulars at Ootoro Bar! read more

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TLDR; Omakase quality sushi at half the cost! Food: For 2 people we got - Sushi set A (12 piece nigiri + 1 hand roll). The sushi set was easy to share since you get 2 of each fish. Fish quality is very fresh and rice is warm and perfectly marinated. The perfect combination of high quality sushi! Tastes just like sushi at omakase and everything is made fresh at the counter so you can eat them at the perfect temperature. - 2 sets of 3 piece hand rolls. It's the base set and it comes with tuna, blue crab, and salmon. Service: Our servers were really attentive from start to finish. Our water, ginger, wasabi is always refilled without having to ask! Ambiance: Unassuming from outside but it's very nice and clean inside. Bar seating only and plenty of parking read more

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Food: excellent. Very high quality fish. We tried the omakase as well as the hand rolls. Both are very good. I think their rolls are better than ROL by Kei Concept Service: very quick, friendly and well trained. A little too quick to my opinion cuz I was here for dinner and they serve so fast that our dinner done in 30 mins. If you want to have a longer conversation with your friends, you can ask them to slow down but overall excellent customer service Ambiance: bar style. No tables. Not too loud and nice. Very good for dinner Price: it is on a high end side but again their fish are very good. Overall, 5/5 I highly recommended read more

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Sooo good!! Food, service, ambience excellent!! Loved this place! If you love fresh sushi, this is the place. read more

Ootoro Bar - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

Went for lunch with family, food is great, service is descent. Since we have a party of 8, the waiter reminded us 2-3 times that there will be an 18% gratuity charge. We are aware and planned on 18 % gratuity. When the time came to pay, he was looking over my shoulder as I was paying on the credit card device. I tipped 18% on the pre-tax amount. Watching closely behind me, he told me I did it WRONG- I'm supposed to tip based on the suggested tip, which was based on the post tax total. I disagreed, I should not be tipping on tax. Another waiter came over, but stated that it's the policy of the restaurant to tip on the amount suggested. He kindly offered free ice cream to make it up by we declined. Overall- the food is great but I disagree with the rigid tipping policy for a large party. read more

Came here on a Thursday after Christmas and there was a wait. Not sure if it's because the business is kind of new but service was all over the place, watching the workers behind the sushi bar was stressing me out. However, I would say the handrolls we got were super delicious and the quality of the fish was really good. Probably one of the best hand roll places I've been in OC. Other than the service which I'm sure can get better later on, I think the value for the handroll sets are really worth.! read more

I was craving sushi and stumbled upon Ootoro Bar in Tustin. I was lucky enough to catch the last day of their soft opening deal of 10% off. I arrived 10mins after opening and there were already a good amount of people dining in. When you walk in, there are 2 big rectangular bars for seating. I kind of wish they had hooks under the bar tables so ladies could hang their purses, but I was able to tuck my bag behind me. I started with Sushi Set #A (I requested no wasabi or anything spicy) The sushi came out about 4 pieces at a time and most of them already had sauce on them so soy sauce was not necessary. The waitress explained what each fish were and the sauce or seasoning on them. I was told to eat from right to left of the plate. Not sure why but I abided. The sushi were good. My fav would have to be the scallop and white fish with their citrusy sauce. Least fav was unfortunately the salmon. It's wasn't bad, just wasn't anything special... and salmon is usually my favorite. I also ordered some Sashimi and was surprised to see such thick cuts. They were delicious! Fav of the sashimi was the yellowtail. I ordered the 5 non spicy Hand Roll set as well. Hand rolls came out last because they had to make sure you ate one at a time while the seaweed was still crispy. Fav hand roll is the blue crab. At first sight, the crab filling seemed so little. But after taking a bite, I understood why. The blue crab packs a powerful punch of flavor! The lobster roll was surprisingly my least fav. It tasted like it was drenched in sesame oil and I didn't get any lobster flavor at all. Staff was friendly and apologetic about the wait even though the wait was not bad. Hot tea is complimentary so that was nice to go with my meal. Overall, I would give this place a 4.5 star. read more

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This place is a hidden gem! Fresh & high quality sushi, in a very modern & elegant atmosphere. It feels like something I'd stumble upon in Manhattan. I came here because another spot had an 1 hour 30 min wait. I was seated immediately, which I was surprised because it was 7:30 on a Friday night. read more

Ootoro Bar - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

Ootoro is always my number one choice for Japanese food. If you're looking for some incredible handrolls and sushi, try this place. fresh ingredients with different secret sauce. So delicious ~ I also love their restaurant design and the high sushi counter; I can watch the chef prepare my dishes. Highly recommended read more

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Premium sushi spot with generous slices of raw fish. Great service and very attentive to my drink refills. Dark and intimate ambiance makes this a great option for smaller groups or dates. It has the energy of a fancy restaurant while still feeling comfortable and casual. read more

Ootoro Bar - Salmon ikura bowl from lunch menu - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

Great sushi. Around $100 per person for a good meal. They have a real sushi bar and the chefs are very friendly.

I recently visited Hand Roll Bar and don't think I will be returning any time soon.. While the fish quality was fresh and the chefs were incredibly attentive, I found the flavors to be lacking. The sauce in the spicy tuna roll was way too strong and overpowered the fish, making it hard to enjoy. Also, the blue crab roll had pieces of shell, which was quite unpleasant when I bit into it. My last issue was that none of the fatty fish were truly fatty. The toro was very lean as was the salmon belly. Overall, while the quality of ingredients and service were great, the execution of the dishes just didn't hit the mark for me. read more

Ootoro Bar - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

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This was for lunch. I knew I was in the right place because there were 21 people in there, including me, an 19 of them were Japanese. I had the lunch combo and I chose the 5 piece sushi and karage, plus I added a 5 piece salmon cut roll as a side. The sushi was very fresh and practically melted in my mouth. The karage was a large order and very well cooked. The combo included miso soup and steamed rice. I was very impressed with the service, food and value, given the quality. When I am in the Tustin area, I'd have no problem stopping back here again. read more

I'm glad they have lunch special now, so there are more choices for us. Service is good that they keep checking on you and madding sure everything is good. Ambiance is a little dark but very clean and nice. read more

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I am a regular at Ootoro Irvine. It's consistently excellent quality and fair priced. I prefer table seating and lunch combo, cirashi and sashimi vs hand roll sets. I am not a business person but if sales are less than expected they could move the bar all the way back and setup tables and try that. Irvine seems very busy. read more

Came in on Saturday with a reservation for four and got seated immediately. Ordered the 6-piece handroll set -- fish was incredibly fresh, and the nori was perfectly crunchy. Tried the unagi and ootoro sushi as well, and the ootoro was melt-in-your-mouth good. Service was excellent; the staff was attentive and quick. Great spot for fresh handrolls and fantastic service! read more

Ootoro Bar - Ootoro sushi, must try! - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

Unique experience every sushi lover needs to have. High quality and super attention to detail. Ofcorse I recommend this place. From the moment you walk in you realize it's all about the food, no unneeded noise or visual distractions. read more

I love Ootoro bar. The fish tastes great, the textures are amazing. This is the only place I will eat scallops. There's a large variety of sushi at a decent price for what it is. My biggest complaint is when ordering a set menu, the chefs bring the handrolls SO quickly...back to back to back. No spacing between each roll. I'd say...a 4 handroll set-- done in 15 minutes, and I don't get to fully enjoy them because I feel pressured to hurry and eat. I feel like im being rushed to eat and then to get out. I think I've asked once to slow down, and I still felt like the timing was too close. read more

Food is always excellent. Staff friendly and great ambiance. Great place for a date night and yet also family friendly. Love this please!

Great quality fish at a reasonable price. I've been twice now and I enjoy the food BUT I really feel I must say that both times now the experience has been VERY uncomfortable. Let me explain... When I came in on a Tuesday evening it was pretty empty, there were only 3 couples and one small family sitting at the bar, but there were 10+ employees (one waitress/hostess, food runners, and sushi chefs) all standing inside of the bar. Only about 3 of them were actively working taking/delivering/making orders, and the rest of them STOOD INSIDE OF THE BAR AND STARED AT THE CUSTOMERS THE ENTIRE TIME. Like I said this was my second time here and it was the same the first time too. I'm not sure if they're overstaffed or what it is but if they don't have anything to do they should at least not stare at us because it makes for a very uncomfortable meal. The entire time my main focus was avoiding eye contact with the several employees standing 2 feet in front of me watching me eat. I enjoy the food here a lot and I really hope they don't go out of business. So I mean this in the most constructive way as possible but this could be contributing to the lack of customers because although I will come back here again it's a uniquely uncomfortable experience dining at the bar, and it discourages me from bringing my family and friends. I was informed that the 3 tables (booths) are only for large parties. Also the lighting is designed so that it's a spotlight on you and your food and the rest of the dining area is dark, which adds to the awkwardness when there's multiple people standing in front of you and staring. read more

One of best sushi restaurants you could try. The same good quality and service for years. I have recommended this to my friends and all of them have been satisfied. read more

If you live in Orange County area, the Ootoro in Irvine would be a better choice for special lunch combos. Service : 1) while all servers are friendly, the quality of service would be very much improved if it has better restaurant setting and the order process/system. While waiting for our order, we saw servers and chefs were bumped each other inside the sushi bar area. 2) while I was glad one of our dish came out, the server brought to the party sat next to us who were much later ordered the same dishes as us. We ended up waiting for another 15 minutes before our meals showed up. Food: fish head soup - scales weren't fully cleaned. Fish tasted a little fishy. The other order crunchy cut rolls were forgotten. We asked twice and finally showed up. Miso Chilean Sea Bass was the only dish tasted great. read more

Soft open mode. Two sides one for sushi and one for rolls. I tried set D which was good. Felt a bit rushed as they always had my next dish ready for me vs seeing that I'm done or almost done and then working on the next dish. Quality was solid though. Favorites were kinmedai, Kama toro, and each of the crab ones (king, snow, blue). Word seems to be spreading already as they were 50% ish busy on both sides after being open for a week. Happy to have a sushi spot in this area. read more

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This location offers a hand roll bar version of Ootoro sushi, which is a change from the regular one in Walnut, a place I used to visit frequently. The quality of the fish remains exceptional, and the service and ambiance are also amazing. However, one significant drawback is the serving size, which many reviewers have noted as being quite small. Despite requesting less rice, I still found the portion of fish to be inadequate. I ordered the Sushi Combo A for $42.95, in addition to some a la carte items, but the chef sliced the fish extremely thin, resulting in portions that felt much smaller than what I experienced at the Walnut location, where the fish cuts are typically more generous. Overall, I left feeling that both my stomach and my wallet were relatively light. PS. I didn't even bother taking pics of the hand rolls because they were extremely small to the point I think it would look ridiculous to post on my IG I hope they consider improving this and I'll revisit again. read more

Ootoro Bar - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

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Ootoro is one of my favorite restaurants, so it was no surprise that this place was phenomenal. The outside is very unassuming, but the interior is gorgeous. The food is excellent and the sushi is fresh. The waitstaff was very attentive as well read more

This place sucks don't bother. By the time the hand roll comes out the seaweed is all soggy. Not sure why the Uni roll would have a bunch of lemon sauce on it either, ruined the flavor. The seating chairs are also stupid as well. read more

Ootoro is one of my favorite sushi places I Orange County. So when they opened a handroll bar, I had to come check it out. Came during their soft opening. I did a handroll set option as well as a la carte sushi options. Their handrolls are pretty small. Their service is fast, having almost all of my handrolls at the table faster than I can eat them. Even with the first one, the seaweed was already a bit chewy by my first bite. The handrolls came out fast and the quality of fish was good, but they couldn't even get their consistency between handrolls right. Differing amounts of fish and rice with each handroll was a bit of a roller coaster ride. Their sushi was so good, and came out much faster than it does at Ootoro. They didn't have everything on their menu in stock, so that was a bummer. Their service was atrocious, though. What they did well in ambiance was taken away by waitresses who were not familiar with the menu and the training staff were rude. Tldr; would not come for handrolls, although taste and quality is still better than ROL in Huntington Beach, the price is steep for the amount you get and I will just wait for Kazunori to open in Laguna. Sushi is great, faster than Ootoro, and menu had pretty great selection although not always available. read more

Ootoro Bar - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

This is a new sushi spot in within the Kensington strip mall in Tustin. The first thing I noticed when I entered was that the interior was nicely decorated, and there are two wraparound sushi bars (one for hand rolls, one for the traditional sushi although you can order either one at each bar). Service was great, and the chefs behind the counter will chat with you and tell you about each entree. However, I thought the price was pretty steep for the quality and portion size (especially compared to other sushi spots in the area like Gurume and Izakaya Osen). We got the #A gurume sushi set which came with a total of 12 pieces of sushi and one hand roll. My favorite was definitely the snapper, and the sushi rice was very good as well. I thought true quality could've been a bit better, especially for the albacore and tuna which I felt were a little bit mushy. Overall, I don't think we'll be back, but this was a good spot to try out. read more

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This is a hidden gem. Fresh sushi and sashimi that doesn't need much to highlight its flavor. Will definitely come again. read more

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this place is great. more casual version of the irvine location that's constantly packed. unsure why but this place is never packed. that's good because i can go whenever i want, and bad because i really hope it stays in business. handrolls are fresh and fish is high quality. nigiri has a ton of variety and is really great. the sushi or handroll combos provide a discount vs ordering a la carte. so many types of fish. so many types of toro. if you order a combo that has the "beef baguette" sushi.....its worth it. read more

New sushi restaurant in OC featuring a handroll and nigiri bar. Very spacious Japanese bar with many seating and a modern look. I came when they open at 5:30 pm on a Friday and there were some people waiting already. The staffs were friendly and went over the menu with us since it was our first time. They offer hand roll sets, sushi sets, sashimi, and side orders. I got the 5 hand roll (non spicy) set: bluefin tuna, salmon, toro, blue crab, and lobster. I also got a spicy scallop on the side. The spicy scallop was my favorite! My friends enjoyed their salmon and spicy yellowtail. Overall, a good addition to OC's sushi bar. I would come back to try their sushi menu! read more

Ootoro Bar - Bluefin Tuna Handroll - Japanese Near Me - Tustin, California

My favorite go to sushi and chirashi place close to home. Not Japanese run, but you would not know it by the service, quality of the fish and style of preparation and the all important flavor and texture of the rice, which hit on all cylinders. I hesitated to write this review as this new location is not overly crowded as the Michelson location is and i have walked in for dinner multiple times without a wait. Leo is "the man" there. Staff was new, but service is progressively getting better. read more

The food was pretty good, we had the sushi set D and a couple of hand rolls and the food was good. Service was great too, very friendly and accommodating staff, location was quiet and peaceful. read more