Sushi Shibucho is absolute fire! If you're looking for top-tier Omakase, this is the spot. But if you're in the mood for sushi rolls, you might want to look elsewhere since this place is all about the art of traditional sushi. The space is small and intimate, which adds to the charm, but the real star is the sushi itself as it's fresh, high-quality, and well worth every penny. A true gem. The service is great as well. The owners tend to keep to themselves and are on the quieter side but they're always attentive to their customers' needs. They let the food do the talking. 10/10 would recommend to a friend read more

I went to this restaurant on a Sunday evening and it was such an enjoyable experience! We were the first ones there after dinner hours opened (we made reservations but ended up not needing them) we sat at the bar and we didn't feel any rush to order, the chef just patiently waited and explained to us how we could order. We got the sushi combo deluxe- the fish was extremely fresh, high quality cuts. We also got complimentary miso soup. Everything was so delicious! read more

Sushi Shibucho - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Decent fish quality but the manners of the chef leave something to be desired. I typically don't care about staff attitude if the food is good--I've come here a few times, actually--but in all my omakase experiences, I've never had a chef so completely uninterested in talking about his own dishes. Makes for a very lackluster dining experience. read more

Sushi Shibucho - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I really wanted to like this place but it's missing a few marks. Upon walking in for my reservation, my party and I were seated at the bar and were the only ones in the restaurant. The restaurant was very quiet and in the beginning and at one point, it was so awkward because 1) there's no menu and 2) the chef and staff looked at us as if we knew how the ordering process works. This was my first time here and we had to ask the chef... "Okay, so how do we go about by ordering?" Before coming in, I already looked at Yelp and saw other reviews saying that there is no menu and that we could just order from the chef. I really wish the chef talked to us in the beginning and gave us a short introduction of what is going on or even a template would be helpful. I'm also unsure how prices are calculated because there is obviously no menu. Fast forward to finally ordering, chef was very quick and the nigiri that was served was very fresh. My favorite were the scallops and the uni that melted in my mouth. All throughout the night, I really do feel like there could've been more explaining with the sushi that was being prepared and served. I liked all of the nigiri that was served but I didn't like the awkward silence and staring from staff when we're eating. Another party walked in and they also seemed to have the same puzzled look as this was their first time. I had about 12 courses of nigiri and it came out to about $80 each. For similar quality, there are other great restaurants in the area. read more

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Chef Glen was super nice and welcoming and answered all the questions we had. We sat by the sushi bar and saw all the fresh fish he had available and honestly we were blown away by the quality. We will definitely be back! read more

When you first walk in Chef Glen greets you and ask you if you have reservations. Call a week in advance to make the reservation over the phone. There's only 8 seat at the bar. It's omakase or you can tell chef what you want. There is no food menu here. Chef Glen took over his Father's restaurant, it's very cozy here. It's quiet, and visited by many Japanese locals. I would come back here again. read more

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absolute gem in the downtown of costa mesa. sushi is authentic as it gets, chirashi, nigiri, and cut rolls only. fish is fresh and buttery. the rice is warm and not too vinegary. service is attentive. it's a tiny spot with a bar and two tables, so call ahead. happy eating! read more

Went here recently for Omakase with the family. We had 5 people and sat at the sushi bar - it was fun watching Chef Glen make the sushi. It was amazing how fast he was as he was the only chef. There were 3 other people at the sushi bar and 3 seated at the tables and it was at capacity. You definitely need a reservation. A total of 11 people in the room so it was very private. The uni was the best I have ever had... literally melted in my mouth. The raw scallops were very fresh. read more

Sushi Shibucho - melts in your mouth, fresh from Santa Barbara - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place is great for authentic edo-mae sushi !! I loved every single part of it & although the place is small- it is delicious !! I recommend a reservation in advance due to its capacity. The chef is very nice & the omakase was definitely a great experience. Our omakase included uni, ikura & toro !! I came recommended by our friends, and they have been going here for years !! read more

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Came in at around 5:15 and we were the first ones in there. It was our first time and the waitress sat us and handed us a menu not saying anything and then just stood there staring. The menu has 4 things all basically called sushi so we ordered "sushi". We came in hoping for omakase but it doesn't mention it anywhere and everyone just sits in complete silence. We watched the chef make the pieces of sushi in complete silence while the waitress stood directly in front of us staring. Felt way too strange to have a conversation in front of her and the chef in dead silence. The whole time we ate they both stood directly in front of us in silence looking straight at us. We ate quietly and paid $75 and then left about 20 mins later. I have seen others with similar reviews just something to think about ambiance and wait staff is a big part of the experience. The fish quality was on par with others in the area, solid and fresh but not more than others nearby. read more

I have been coming here for years and realized that Chef Glen is super talented, he has been doing this for many years, he grew up seeing and learning from his master sushi chef dad. The love for serving traditional, fresh sushi is inherently his birth right. So if you want traditional and really good sushi O encourage you to come and dine here. It is a really one man show. But a very talented one man show. Support local business! read more

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Sushi Shibucho--an establishment that holds a storied place in the annals of OC sushi history. Once helmed by a tough and uncompromising sushi chef who had no qualms about ejecting those he deemed unworthy, the reins have now been passed to his son. This heir, while maintaining his father's high standards, has adopted a courteous yet professional manner in place of the previous regime's more controversial approach. Make no mistake, the sushi here is competent, with rice and fish that are well-matched to the price. Shibucho stands out in an era when the obsession with omakase-style service has swept the nation. Despite the mythologizing of omakase--an experience found predominantly in certain elite Ginza sushi restaurants--it is by no means the norm in Japan nor the hallmark of an authentic sushi experience that many believe it to be. Even among sushi connoisseurs in Japan, a significant portion prefer to navigate the menu themselves. I count myself among this group, appreciating the ability to time and pace my meal at a slower, more relaxed speed. Shibucho accommodates this preference, allowing one to order to their liking--a revolutionary concept, apparently. The spread of the film "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" has unfortunately instilled in many the notion that a sushi meal should be a tense experience, where one must desperately try to demonstrate their erudition and appreciation to an authoritarian itamae, as they are presented with a rapid-fire sequence of nigiri to be consumed within a rigid timeframe. Sushi Shibucho, while perhaps not a Michelin-starred destination, offers a more relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. The sushi is solid, the atmosphere pleasant, and the approach refreshingly laid-back. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars--As Dazai Osamu wrote, "Man is a strange creature. He can endure the loss of everything but his appetite." At Sushi Shibucho, your appetite will be well-satisfied, without enduring the trials of omakase. Lucien Bramard. read more

Traditional Japanese sushi spot. Food items are omakase, nigiri and maki rolls, so if you're wanting fancy rolls with multiple sauces or appetizers this place won't be for you. Chef focuses on fish and serves it with a good rice ratio to balance flavors. Limited seating where bar seats 8 people and about 3-4 table tops behind the bar. Suggest making reservations to make sure you get a seat. It's one of the top places I'd go to for omakase. read more

I walked in at 12pm. There was one customer at the bar. I asked for a table so that I could work on some emails but they said I can only order sushi if I sit at the bar. So I moved and the sushi chef then told me that I would not be allowed to use my laptop at the bar. Mind you, I was only one of two customers. So I left. And they lost at $200 in revenue that I was planning to spend. Moral of the story- snooty and not worth the stop! read more

Went back for my fiancés birthday dinner. We had about 16 pieces of omakase and loved every single bite. I made sure to call ahead of time so we could guarantee our seats at the bar. Glen had impeccable timing with serving each piece and made sure we got to eat the fish we wanted. So happy to be able to enjoy this gem. read more

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I stumbled upon this place. Omg it's the best sushi spot I've tried in Orange County. I ordered the chirashi bowl, and there was no fish smell at all--the fish tasted incredibly fresh.The price is reasonable given the quality of the sushi. I highly recommend it! read more

Sushi Shibucho - Menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

If you would like high quality sushi this is your go to place. Their menu is very limited so if you are picky with certain fish. This is probably not your place. As they are mainly serving omakase where the chef will select for you. In my opinion, they are quite some selection and are all very fresh. So would recommended. However, on the other hand, the service is horrible. The server is not very patient when we ask questions. There was no customer there on Sunday lunch, so we did not caught them from bad timing. We thought maybe it's the language difference, so we speak Japanese to them. But still very unfriendly. Also, my 90 year old grandma who accidentally use the tray they use to put soy sauce as soy sauce dish. The server had to come by and correct her to take it and as we apologized for the inconvenience , she rolled her eyes and walked away. Would not go there again. read more

Sushi Shibucho - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We went there for lunch but not much choices but only two Chirashi or Sushi plate (11 pieces) both are for $35.50 (way over priced!!!). No customer beside us but we decided not to dine-in as the they were not so friendly and prices were little bit too much to us for what we can get. I wish the price were little bit more reasonable with more selections at least for lunch and they were more friendly. No wonder there were no customers beside us. If I need to pay this much, I will go to Blue Fin or Nana San ($24.5 for Chirashi) both are in NB. read more

Sushi Shibucho - Lunch menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Chef was amazing for our first experience with omakase. Gave us a run down of everything. Friendly and personalized experience to our taste. Would come back. Great deal for under $100/ person read more

Always fresh sashimi love the fish Make sure to reserve ahead space is small the server seems lost but owner is really good one man show read more

Highly recommend this sushi restaurant they are a gem in Orange County. Impeccable service and the food quality is 5 star. Can't say enough and the chef is master chef! read more

Excellent, Edomae style Omakase with extremely fresh fish. Good prices relatively too - I got 15 pieces in the Omakase plus two large beers, and the bill was around $100. They do Kohada (gizzard shad) well, which takes a lot of experience. Interestingly, did not carry Otoro or Nodoguro explaining that he felt they were overpriced/overhyped. Would recommend this place to the traditional sushi enthusiast read more

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I've been to this place many times and still enjoy it very much. The seasonal hotaruika nigiri is my first time trying and is so sweet and juicy. read more

Sushi Shibucho - Chirashi bowl - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The Chirashi bowl is so good. The fish is fresh and they have a large selection of fresh choices read more

Sushi Shibucho - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Sushi were not fresh and very limited selection. I've been to many sushi restaurants and although none could be compared to the ones in Japan, this was one of the worst ones in Orange County read more

My favorite sushi I've ever had in California. 100% AUTHENTIC! I wish I lived closer so I could go every week

Friday night date, omakase for two. Small place that can accommodate perhaps 10-12 people tops. Fresh, good variety of fish. For how much we pigged out, the bill was super affordable. Def adding this place to our rotation. read more

Sushi Shibucho - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Service: great! The chef was funny, attentive and very accommodating. Food: omakase - the fish quality was great, especially for the price. This was my first time having proper sushi due to COVID-19 and it was a worthwhile experience. The selection was a little limited but understandably so. read more

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This is a wonderful sushi restaurant that has high quality fish prepared traditionally, and absent of American invented saucy rolls. If you are the type to order omakase, you will probably be happy here. That said, do note that the menu prices are much higher than some of the photos that you see pictured here. Be prepared to spend the type of money you would spend at a high-end sushi restaurant. For example, the lunch items in the pictured menu that shows $16.50 or $18.50, are actually $35.50 now. read more

Excellent! What else can I say?! Worth every penny! Especially love the little mini squid when it's in season. The rice is perfect temperature and of course made to the sushi chef's perfect concoction. Traditional sushi though so none of those spicy mayo sauces. If you eat here, you should expect sushi like it is prepared in Japan! Go Chef Naga! read more

BEST SUSHI EVER! This place in OC is the best in anywhere I have been to, believe me I know, I'm from Japan and I go home every year, I tried all the Japanese food in OC and LA, people pay hundreds of $$ to eat Japanese food, I'm like why you pay $300 or someplace charge more than $300 each person for the Japanese food, and when I leave the place I'm still hungry!! You can eat excellent sushi at this place, I went to lunch and I have chirashi for under $30 and come with miso soup, dinner if you paid $100 you can eat good and satisfy! I would never go anywhere else to eat sushi, bcz this place will take me back to Japan every time I eat here, so why I go other places I recommend this place 200%, but it is small place so make sure to call for reservations, it fills up the place very quick! read more

Sushi Shibucho - Chirashi lunch special, best - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've tried so many omakase options since Covid restrictions started, and this by far THE favorite omakase among so many good options out there in Orange County. I love that Shibucho's style is not pretentious. If you're not as interested in Michelin haute cuisine atmosphere but just care for delicious, high quality sushi then this is your hometown sushi restaurant to count on. read more

Sushi Shibucho - This is a photo of just their omakase bento. Beautiful, delicious, and highly recommended. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We had high hopes for the omakase experience after hearing about this place from a couple we met at another sushi restaurant. Arrived to a somewhat empty restaurant on a Friday evening (only one other couple there at 7pm on a Friday!). Overall this was one of the most lackluster omakase experience we've had. It's like any other mediocre sushi joint. While serving uni, the chef stated that he had tasted it and it doesn't taste good but he has to serve it since he already bought it. He was right - the uni wasn't good. And while I appreciate his honesty I am unsure why he would put it on the menu and charge us for something that wasn't good. There wasn't a set omakase menu so we decided to cut our dinner short. We were not given a menu when we arrived and I wish I had requested for one. We have no problem paying for great meals but this meal was in no way worth $200 especially since we were in and out within 35 minutes. Total rip off. read more

Omg... one of the best sushi places I have tried. We tried omakase left it up to the chef. Every single piece just melted away in mouth. My only complaint is that now that I have tried top tier sushi, it's hard to eat sushi elsewhere... damn.. read more

I am soooo happy to have found this sushi place! The portions are just right, served with a variety of fresh, rich fish. The chef is very talented and the host is attentive and will make sure you have everything you need. An intimate, authentic experience. Definitely will be frequenting this place, and will spread the word to anyone I can. read more

Sushi Shibucho - Salmon, octopus, halibut, yellowtail, snapper, shrimp, albacore, chutoro, unagi, tamago - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Private intimate sushi dinner with fresh fish and amazing chief who is very personable. Definitely a got to sushi restaurant in Orange County. read more

I was craving Sushi last night stopped by new place. As I was getting ready to place order, Racist Owner stated for me to go to In-N-Out to use bathroom. Americans unwelcome here so went to Nobu Newport Beach had amazing Tuna rolls! read more

So amazing. Sushi disintegrates in your mouth. Such a personal experience. You can tell the chef what you don't like before ordering omakase. Chef was very friendly. Loved everything about this! read more

Sushi Shibucho - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

A hole in the wall find. Glenn is second generation sushi chef, that was formally trained in Japan for 5 years. Fish are fresh and no nonsense; he has some specials up his sleeve which is kind of reserved for regulars. Price is reasonable for what you get in omakase. I would return! read more

One of the best sushi I have ever had! The fish was so fresh and tasty and the pieces were a decent size. It is a sushi bar so you will eat the pieces fresh as they are made and handed directly to you! It's an amazing value and quality in my opinion. read more