Seabutter in Laguna Beach was amazing experience. When I was searching for a new sushi restaurant to check out in Laguna beach for my bf bday, Seabutter was highly recommended. There's patio and indoor seating. You can bring your dog and sit in the patio area. We didn't have a view of the water but the restaurant is on the 3 floor so you should have a view at some part of the restaurant. It's quite hidden unless you know of the spot. There is a sign on the building when you're driving off PCH but I've never noticed it. This will have to be our new go to restaurant when we are Laguna. It's close to the beach, delicious and honestly affordable for the quality of the fish you're getting. It's comparable to the omakase sushi we had in Seattle. We haven't found anything in CA that comes close to it till we tried this spot. It's not AYCE but honestly we can't even eat that much anymore, and the amount we order made is full but not like bloated. Fish was so fresh and flavorful. One of our favorite sushi spots in OC so far! read more

Came here on a Wednesday night , no wait sat at the bar. Looking through the menu and we decided to get Taste of Seabutter (their version of omakase) Edamame came out first nothing spectacular , some hot and some cold pieces. We asked for a refil of ginger then we notice a group of servers and workers watching the World Cup game with another customer. About 20 mins go by I had to ask another server for ginger ... not ideal. First came out 6 sashimi pieces Very lean pieces was lacking flavor (felt like I bought grocery market fish ) Then came some nigiri The rice was the lowest quality and driest rice ive had at a sushi restaurant. As I was picking up each nigiri individual rice was falling out and the texture ruined the experience. Most of the nigiri had "lava salt" at this point that's all I tasted. Then came the pressed sushi which seemed like a slice of salmon smothered in their dry rice like hamburger buns and topped with seared salmon. We had to take the salmon and out and discard the rice. Handroll was a bluefin one I believed. Took a bite into it and the seaweed paper was stale and wet which made it incredible chewy. We also ordered a bottle of sake Overall very low quality fish and service. read more

I called ahead specifically to confirm that they could accommodate my request for food prepared without seed oils and with wild-caught seafood. I was assured over the phone that this would not be a problem. However, after driving out and being seated, I was informed that nearly everything contained seed oils, and the available modifications would have required removing many of the sauces and ingredients that make the sushi enjoyable. I was very disappointed, not because they couldn't accommodate my dietary preferences, but because I was told beforehand that they could. I would have appreciated an honest answer over the phone and could have saved myself a wasted trip. read more

We love coming here, especially on holidays like Father's Day, is that a holiday? Peter is always happy to see us and he always gives us special treats! I love their kimnedai but tonight they were sadly out of it so I guess we'll have to come back tomorrow! It's always fun and the sushi is fresh, the Japanese scallops are terrific! I've been here so many times so I can't even add any new pictures read more

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Overall decent fish. Nothing to write home about. Avoid halibut and shrimp here. Great ambiance. Great staff. Slow AF to take orders and fill. Understanding that there is a perfect balance between fish size and rice ratio when considering nigiri; I felt Seabutter was toeing the fine line of trying to be a one bite wonder to ultimately being way too small in portion size. Typically a 12 piece nigiri will fill me up from other locations - I needed 15 here and a hand roll before I felt satisfied for context. Avoid their halibut and shrimp. Halibut tasted like black licorice and has officially given me halibut PTSD, and sweet shrimp was everything but, having a strange texture more slimy than delicate. Staff was kind - but order taking and fulfillment was painfully slow, even on a slow Saturday at the bar. The pros - Otoro, seared salmon, uni spoon appetizer, goldeneye, red snapper were really good. 8-9/10 on these. read more

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Went for our anniversary dinner and reserved via Resy for Amex credit. Went on a Sunday and had no issues with last minute planning. The team were able to accommodate my avocado allergy and were great hosts. We had a wonderful time and great experience. The seared rolls were the absolute best and I would come here again just for that. A bit on the pricey side but again we had the amex resy credit so it wasn't too bad. read more

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Legit some of the best sushi I've ever had. The fish is extremely fresh and delicious. Do yourself a favor and order the pressed yellowtail, it's easily my favorite dish. 100% recommend checking this place out! read more

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Pressed tail - Japanese Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Parking- It was surprisingly easy esp for the area. There's a convenient garage connected to the building and it's not crazy expensive. The restaurant also validates! Lobster Tail Cut Roll- This was incredible! The lobster was buttery, tender, and perfectly cooked with a slight crisp on the outside. Every bite tasted fresh and well-balanced. Not overly sauced and had an almost smoky aftertaste. A5 Wagyu Nigiri- The beef was incredibly rich, buttery, and literally melted the second it hit my mouth. You could almost mistake it for salmon with how soft the bite was. Perfectly seared with just enough warmth to bring out the fat without overpowering it. This alone is worth coming back for. Bluefin Tuna Sushi- The bluefin tuna nigiri completely melted in my mouth. The fish was visibly high quality, rich, and perfectly sliced. The rice was seasoned just right and held together without overpowering the tuna. You can really taste the freshness. Definitely coming back! read more

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Seabutter Sushi is my go to on DoorDash. The sushi is always fresh, flavorful, and really consistent, which is why I keep ordering from here. Everything I have tried has been really good and it always hits when I am craving sushi at home. My only complaint is the packaging. I really wish they would change their containers because the rice always sticks to the container, which kind of takes away from it a little. Other than that, it is definitely one of my favorites to order in. read more

This restaurant is located on the 3rd floor. Street parking is probably best in the surrounding neighborhood We tried: Spicy tuna crisy rice Omakase select A5 Wagyu sushi Sweet shrimp Crispy Albacore roll Quality of the fish is OK. The wagyu I ended up swallowing it hole for some reason they meat did not break apart. Overall it's a cute spot for a date night/catching up with friends. read more

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We booked a reservation, but we arrived 30 minutes early and still seated quickly! Service is quick but at times it was hard to get our servers attention. The food was good but definitely wish we tried different items! Soft shell crab was good, yellowtail roll was okay, Mr crab roll was yummy! Definitely would love to try the pressed sushi, and various sushi / sashimi options they had! read more

Amazing everything! Food was amazing, service was fantastic and they took excellent care of us. Seating at the sushi bar, I missed the interaction with the chefs, usually order through them, but had an actual server who was fantastic just enjoy talking with the chefs. read more

My husband and I visited this restaurant this evening , and as someone who is currently pregnant, dining out can sometimes require a little extra attention and flexibility. Our server Tiffany went above and beyond to make our experience comfortable and enjoyable. She took the time to recommend pregnancy-friendly dishes and thoughtfully answered all of my questions about ingredients and preparation. The food was delicious, and the accommodations they made allowed me to relax and fully enjoy our meal. Their kindness, patience, and excellent service truly stood out. It's not often that you find a team so willing to personalize the dining experience for their guests. Thank you for making our date night special. We will definitely be back and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for great food and exceptional hospitality! read more

Such an awesome sushi place. The staff is friendly and the chefs are exceptional. Highly recommend. read more

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Japanese Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

I came here for my Birthday again this year(third time in a row) as this my absolute favorite sushi spot at home. It did not disappoint. I tried again to get a sunset window spot but alas...no luck. I will keep trying. The star here if you can only get one thing is the Salmon Nigiri! It's simple, fresh and bold! Our waiter was kind and attentive and recommended some amazing cold sake. I can't wait to come back for more! read more

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We were craving sushi and Seabutter did not disappoint. We got a reservation within an hour and sat outside in the semi enclosed patio - when the sun is shining its actually quite warm out there. They also have indoor seating and bar seating if you want to see the sushi be made. Our server was a cool dude and gave us good suggestions in terms of how much food we should order. We started with the spicy salmon and spicy tuna crispy rice - 2 pieces come in each but they were quite large with a decent amount of fish. For our mains we ordered the 911 role, the sunset role, and one spicy tuna handroll & one spicy tuna cut roll. The fish all tasted super fresh, the portions were nice and filling, and the flavors felt fun and fresh. The view was gorgeous, the sake was well priced, and service was fantastic. A definite stop in Laguna beach next time around! read more

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice and Spicy Salmon Crispy Rice - Japanese Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Do not recommend, save your dollars & taste buds!! We had salmon, yellowtail, & albacore. All of our rolls were fishy. The rice was not seasoned. For the price I expected much higher quality. The pieces you get are soo small like AYCE portions. read more

Recently visited this popular sushi restaurant in Laguna Beach. Having it on our radar and wanted to spend more time by the coast, it was finally time to make it happen. It's actually located on the 2nd floor off of PCH. Parking is currently only street. I think they are improving the lot below as we saw construction going on down there. But, be mindful how tricky it is to find a local street spot. Food wise, it was good. While the rice was on the drier side, overall quality and bite was good. Amberjack is our go to with every sushi meal and they no only have it, they even have a carpaccio version of it as well. It needed a bit more citrus to bring the flavor out as it was on the sweeter end. Sea Bream was also a favorite. Scallops were on the softer side for our liking but it wasn't bad. Our service staff was super friendly and patient with us. It's always nice to have subtle etiquette and patience when visiting a new establishment. As for seating, they have both indoor and outdoor seating options. It can get chilly in the evening, especially if you're sitting outside. Bring a jacket. Overall, experience was nice, food is good, service is nice... good all around. I would note that the bar seating has quite a bit going on with to go boxes on display. Glad they are getting great business flow, but perhaps put those elsewhere? Customers journey begins when they schedule a reservation until they walk out of your establishment. If you can improve that experience in any way, wouldn't you want to do so? Food for thought :) Great job team! read more

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This is a great restaurant. We've eaten here several times and the food is always fresh and delicious. Service can be spotty, however, so bring some patience with you. With that said, every bite I've had here is wonderful and satisfying. We've been coming here for years. read more

My all time favorite go to Sushi place when I'm in OC! Love love everything about Seabutter from delicious food to ocean view patio seating and super friendly accommodating staff. Emma, Marilyn Mon Roll, hottie and miss salmon are my all time favorites. They have the best yellowtail out of all the places I've tried, super fresh! read more

Nice spot, hidden away from the busy street so no crazy street noise, great menu and service! The Mr Crab roll is amazing! I'd definitely come back again! read more

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Came for an early dinner on a Friday with a reservation but it seemed there was almost no wait for walk in's too. Portions are on the lighter side but the flavors were really nice. Really like that this spot offers low carb options for rolls! Service was very attentive and quick! We ordered: - Pressed toro: very creamy fish and marinade. Slightly seared at the top, really liked this one. Has a slightest hint of spice that was nice. - Pressed tail: more creamy, the mushrooms were an interesting touch but really liked how it added to the flavor. Personally I liked this one better than the toro. - Polar bear: low carb roll, felt like a salad very refreshing. I liked the spicy tuna in this one. - Marylin monroll: funny name, presentation was super nice. Definitely on the smaller side but nice to share as a light bite. - Oyster shooter: shot of sake, ponzu, oyster, raw quail egg. I really enjoyed this, it was super refreshing and I could barely taste the bitterness of the sake. read more

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Been ordering from here for about a year and genuinely loved it, the food was fresh, there were always little notes in the bag, and you could tell someone cared. Lately that's completely changed. Orders are arriving cold and significantly late, the attention to detail is gone, and my last delivery had soy sauce packets thrown on top of my order, crushed and leaking. Hope they find their way back to what made them good read more

Hit or miss honestly. I've been here where it's good, and the fish tastes so fresh, and I've been here where the food tastes less fresh. Service this time was also not the best, I'll give it another try. Get the Hye it's delicious. read more

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Hye - Japanese Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Went here for Valentine's Day with my gorgeous girl, the view from the restaurant of the ocean is so gorgeous. The service was amazing and the food came out very fast, giving us our rolls and appetizers one by one instead of just bombarding us with all our selections. The workers were very attentive to our needs while eating and were so nice and informative when it came to the menu. All the food was reasonably priced for the quality of what you get. It is a nice and quality spot though so it's recommended to get a reservation (saying from personal experience). read more

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Salmon Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass - Japanese Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

to the surprise of nobody i am back at seabutter, one year since my first visit to their laguna location. mr crab roll stuns as always, warm and delicious like coming home to your wife after a long day of work. the sunset roll is also there as a perfect citrusy compliment to the sweet savory of the mr crab roll we tried something new today, the salmon avocado pressed sushi. it looked interesting and had a flavor very similar to the salmon truffle, so i highly recommend! we also tried the naked salmon which was really good and if you like the sunset roll you'll like it too. Another successful day at seabutter read more

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Laguna Beach, CA The Japanese owned restaurant we normally go to was closed so we decided to try this one. We found out after sitting down this is not Japanese owned rather a Russian owned Japanese fusion restaurant with several locations in So Cal. Definitely on trend with the LB hipster to middle aged crowd. To be honest, I prefer a more traditional experience. While our meal was satisfactory, service was outstanding. My favorite taste of the night was the miso mushroom soup. I would return just for that delicious soup. I ordered a low carb no rice marylin roll wrapped in daikon. I was so excited to try this but quite surprised at the miniscule size and the cloying sweetness of the roll and the sauce drizzled over it...not a fan at all. I even tried to save this with chili oil to no avail. We ordered salmon collar and pin bones were not removed and I did not realize this until I may have accidentally consumed some. We let the sushi chef know and he said they should have been removed by the kitchen cook...I found at least 5 or 6, possibly ate a few as well. Collar was overcooked as well. Tried a salmon skin salad with beets, the beets are very thin strands versus pieces of beet. This was OK. We were curious and tried a pressed roll, which is like a sushi roll but no seaweed, rather items are pressed together in layers. Honestly it was mostly rice, so not a fan of this at all. I picked off albacore sashimi and mushrooms from the top, spicy albacore was negligible. I am sure there are better items, but not overly impressed with fish portions of the sushi items we tried, especially at the menu price. Parking validated 2 hours in garage. read more

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10/10 loved this place it was so fresh and delicious. All our food came out so fast and was mouthwatering. Our server was amazing and so sweet. We sat on the patio deck which was perfect because the weather was great. Everything just melted in our mouth and honestly was top tier sushi/fish. Would definitely come back. read more

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The fish gets an A+ for freshness! Very smooth and indeed buttery. The rolls can be rolled tighter and cleaner. A few were unraveling and some were not cut well. The rainbow rolle crab stuffing I was not a fan of but the rest of the sushi had great flavor, no discoloration, and was soft. Great service and didn't feel rushed at all. Enjoyed our night. read more

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Very cute spot that looks like a traditional sushi restaurant with modern touches, right off of PCH. The service was great, everyone was extremely quick and kind. The food was solid as well, but nothing extraordinary. I think it's a bit overpriced for what it is, but I'd come back again read more

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Japanese Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Wish Seabutter was in Scottsdale. I was introduced to it at their Westlake location but I'm in Laguna more often... and it's the best sushi I've ever had. The sunset roll is something I crave every week but I'm only able to get it when I'm in CA. If you guys ever want to be in Scottsdale... send me a message as we handle commercial real estate development. read more

I just ordered Seabutter from DoorDash. Not only was the sushi delicious, everything packaged very well and they even put a little note (pictured). Seems like they have great customer service and great food! read more

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Japanese Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Have been meaning to try this place. We came on a saturday night and all the staff was so friendly as soon as we got there. We requested an outdoor table so we could watch the sun go down. We were honestly so indecisive so we ended both ordering the taste of seabutter for 99/pp I'd say that's honestly a LIttle steep BUT we enjoyed everything and we did not leave there hungry. i'm so sorry aside from the tuna and salmon and yellow tail i forgot what everything else was. 11/10 GO HERE ASAP read more

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Seabutter is a hidden Japanese sushi/sashimi type food place. It is a hidden gem but is definitely a must visit! They have inside, bar seating, and outside seating if weather is well. The place is small and quaint on the second floor of the plaza. Parking is validated in a garage below it or on the metered street parking. The service was good but the food was better. Verdict - certainly try it and come back. read more

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Outside Seabutter view - Japanese Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Seabutter never disappoints. Whether I'm at their Beverly Hills spot or the new Laguna Beach location, the experience is next-level from start to finish. The fish quality is exceptional fresh, clean, and perfectly cut. You can taste the difference in every bite. The nigiri practically melts, and their creative rolls hit the balance of flavor and presentation. The staff clearly takes pride in what they do; service is attentive without being overbearing. The Laguna Beach spot brings that same excellence but with a coastal, relaxed energy ocean breeze, great design, and the same quality sushi you'd expect from BH. read more

Honestly this review is long overdue. This place is extremely underrated (which I'm not mad about). It's easy to make a reservation at anytime and always has such a cozy/homey feel to it. The sushi is SOSOSO good. My favorite thing on the menu is the toro uni, it literally melts like butter in your mouth. Everything is so good; the toro belly, king salmon, the list goes on. The rolls are amazing, there are some classics and unique ones as well. The fish is always fresh tasting and it always hits the spot. I have recommended this place to so many people and have gotten many of my friends and family hooked on it as well. Best hidden little treasure in Laguna! read more

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Japanese Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

I loved this place! It's tucked away in a small complex with other businesses and restaurants. The ambiance is so cute and allows for a close knit vibe. Dishes were well made, beautifully plated, and delicious! Our favorite was the salmon medley, specifically the seared salmon and crispy rice :). I wouldn't recommend the yellowtail carpaccio as that one has a very very strong truffle flavor. Their rolls were amazing and really worth the price point. Service was kind and so helpful, we initially had a reservation at 8pm and they managed to seat us an hour early! read more

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Good food and good service. I've been here a few times in the last couple years, and food is consistently great. The only thing that has changed is the size of the food. I mean shrinkflation, right?! (See photo for comparison) Overall, we liked all the nigiri and rolls we've ordered. I was not a fan of the pressed sushi- the fish and rice ratio is off for my taste. Service has always been good and attentive. Patio seating was not large but cozy. read more

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This has been a go to for me and my family for years the fish Is always fresh and always great. the nigiri and sushi is amazing. the crispy rice there is elite. the view and ambiance is very good seeing the ocean while eating fish. the service is always good and the staff cares a lot. read more

Heard this place few years ago and finally tried this place last weekend. We went on a Saturday at 6:30 PM, and the place was almost full, so having a reservation is advisable to avoid waiting. The atmosphere is quite traditional, with typical sushi bar decor and a cozy, authentic vibe. The service was decent, with friendly staff, but perhaps due to the busyness, they almost forgot one of our hand rolls. The wait time between each course was a bit long, which was slightly frustrating. However, the servers were attentive and apologized for the delays. The menu had a good variety of options, from classic nigiri and sashimi to creative specialty rolls. The ingredients were fairly fresh, but the presentation of the dishes was mediocre. You can also ask them for fresh wasabi, which adds a nice touch to the food. Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience with room for improvement in service efficiency. Parking is very convenient as you can park directly in downstairs structure, and the restaurant will valid it. read more

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