This is a new find, and a total gem! I can't wait to go back. Service was friendly and the chefs were so nice. We came on a Sunday night, and for some reason, lots of fish were unavailable. But it wasn't an issue, everything we got was fresh and delicious!! We thought about getting the omakase but decided against it. We started with the Yellowtail carpaccio. It was so refreshing and delicious. We also got the Chef's special sashimi which came with 6 different fish (2 pcs each). Each piece was thick cut and fresh. We added Tekka Maki, Eel, and Bluefin tuna nigiri. Honestly everything was so so so good! And then there were desserts! DO NOT SKIP THE DESSERT! The Penna Cotta and Matcha Tiramisu were divine. So creamy but not overly sweet. Really the best way to end a meal. This is a small, intimate establishment. There were only a few tables and bar seatings. Reservations are definitely recommended. read more

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Thank you to the Yelpers that posted some great pictures and reviews. It looked so good, I made reservations and went yesterday when they opened. This is a small and intimate setting. Reservations are a must. There are two nice owers that work the entire operation. My wife and I were in sake heaven. The selection they have is impressive and not the typical brands and styles that one would see at a Japanese market or any other sushi restaurants would have. We chose a summer seasonal sake they presented to us and it paired very well with our 8 piece omakase nigiri sushi set. Every fish we were served was outstanding. The fish is dry aged and it makes a huge difference in texture and taste. The sushi rice is the best sushi rice we have had in many years. The texture and seasoning of the rice was amazing. These guys make it in smaller batches from what I could see, which ensures you are not getting rice that is mushy or old. I apologize for not taking more pictures. As soon as the sushi was served, we couldn't wait to taste it. Everything was so good that we couldn't pick one favorite fish. They were all amazing. After the 8 piece course, they let us choose ala carte. We just put it in their hands and asked our chef to choose 4 more different nigiri pieces each. This is the best sushi we have had in a few years and we look forward to returning soon. I think the word is getting out that these guys are the real deal and it won't be long before it will be difficult to get a reservation. My wife follows their Instagram and they have great content. They are very kind and have a great sense of humor which makes the entire experience memorable. This is the best sushi in Orange County. Thank you Wabi Sabi Team! read more

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This small spot is located in a slice of Costa Mesa that should be renamed Tiny Tokyo. It is O.C.'s version of Sawtelle Blvd in WLA. Wabi Sabi is in a strip mall with mostly J-eats from Tofu to Tonkatsu. The decor is spartan and all Sushi. And don't ask for a pitcher of Soy Sauce or a knob of fakey Wasabi along with committing a long laundry list of Sushi sins. ie; pointing the hardwood (no cheesy plastic chopsticks) or stabbing a lobe of Uni with them. The Chopsticks are solely a vehicle for delivering each bite to your lips and then your hips. There are only 15 seats in the place. Most of them at the horseshoe Sushi Bar. There are two four tops plus one two top. That's it. My Dorm Room was bigger. But cozy is good for such a place as it creates conviviality. Shushi Chef Makoto-san holds court and Kampachi. He serves a curated variety of Ikajime, (aged Fish), fresh fish flown in from sources in Japan, and some local fish when it meets his requirements along with 45 different Sake choices. Just ask Akira-san, the Sake Somm, for suggestions. Despite it's size, Wabi Sabi offers an auspicious and ambitious menu. Sushi etiquette dictates that you eat exactly as it arrives. No bottle of Soy Sauce or a knob of fakey Wasabi (Horseradish with food coloring). There are three levels of Omakase from $85 per person to $180 per person. For my first time I opted for the Sushi 101 version ($85) and planned to supplement that with ala carte plates until I could enjoy no more. The Omakase featured six Nigiri, (Vinegared Rice and fish), one small mystery Bowl and a Hand Roll all up to Chef Makoto. I lost count and I think Chef Makoto did to as we were having a grand ole time. First you will be asked questions. "Anything you don't eat? Anything you must eat? Any allergies?" "No Chef", I replied. "I eat everything alive or dead. Cat Hair, Puppy Pimples, Dust Bunnies, Bee's Knees, and Roasted House Mouse. You decide. (Probably a good thing that didn't translate well). That issue having been resolved the party started. Akira-san brought a flight of thee Sakes. All lovely and unique. The first dish was a lightly Vinegared Half Avocado with shredded Hanakatsuo (Bonito Flakes). The cuts in the sliced Avocado were so precise Sweeney Todd would have approved the presentation. Plus it was bright, delicious, simple and elegant. Next came Crispy Unagi (Fresh Water Eel) intertwined with Baby Corn inside a crunchy wrapper to hot to touch. Talk Politics while it cools. Add some Pickled Ginger that packs a pickled punch to the plate and move on to something less derisive...Religion. House Made Corn Tofu was really interesting and terrific. It was as thick as a Lemon Curd settled into a shallow pool of Sweetened Dashi topped with Hokkaido Uni and a dot of real Wasabi. Machigainaku ichiban. Out came a bisected bivalve (Dry Day Boat Scallop) also from Hokkaido served with Seasonal Rice. The Scallop was firm but not chewy and as good as this dish can be. Buri (Yellowtail) with House Made Corn Sauce, Daikon Radish with a dot of Tobiko (Flying Fish Roe). Hard enough to harvest such a delicacy when they're flying let alone when they are swimming. It's Tuna time. Otoro, fully fatty style with a paint brush of Soy Sauce lightly applied and as soft as Butter. Then there was Medium Fatty Toro. Both were wonderful. Having worked my way through the fatty scale it was a fatty on the scale in the morning. How about some Salmon on Rice with a dot of Basil Paste. Doesn't that sound divine? Well, it was. Buri (Amberjack) with a drop of Green Peppercorn Sauce was spiritual as well. I began to think about tapping out and then I asked for chopped Buri, a dash of Chili Powder and Chopped Shiso Leaves, a brush of Soy Sauce all neatly loaded into a Nori Square Hand Roll. Finally, I encouraged Chef Makoto to go to the edge and make a last Roll of his choice. It was just Chopped Toro and Pickles. Ooh Baby, was that perfect. A true perfect Happy Ending. Sushi Wabi Sabi you're my new hobby. read more

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I did the omakase and it did not disappoint. The sushi were fresh and the combination of flavors were inventive. Small but cozy. Its laid back and wecoming. I highly recommend and will come back soon. Excited to see what this talented chef will develop in the future. read more

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Really nice omakase experience! The sushi was super fresh, and the chef was friendly and welcoming. My favorite course was definitely the crab hand roll. The matcha sake and plum wine are a must try! We chose the Wabi Sabi course, which included an appetizer, six pieces of sushi, a hand roll, mini bowl, miso soup, and dessert. My only caveat was the pacing. The experience lasted about two hours, and unfortunately, they forgot our dessert. I didn't realize it until after we had already left. Despite that, everything we tried was delicious, and overall, I really enjoyed the experience! PP: $120 read more

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Newly opened location. The menu offering for dinner is mostly omakase experiences with a few appetizer and nigiri à la carte items you can add on if you so choose. The $120 omakase option was solid. Nothing innovative or remarkable, but good quality courses and pieces. The two chefs are quite friendly and very personable. I'd love to come back when they have firefly squid again! The interior is small and intimate, with a sushi bar and a few surrounding tables. Wishing this establishment lots of success! read more

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A friend highly recommended Sushi Wabi Sabi and I also happened to be searching for a quality restaurant to celebrate Mother's Day, so I was stoked when I was able to score a dinner reservation for this special occasion. I highly recommend calling or emailing for a reservation prior to your visit. Akira and Makoto are partners in creating this space to provide an authentic Japanese sushi and sake experience. They offer both à la carte and omakase options as well as a curated sake menu. I decided to order the Wabisabi Course from their omakase menu. This included the following: - Assorted Appetizers - Chawanmushi - 6 pcs Sushi - Signature Mini Bowl - Hand Roll - Miso Soup - Dessert I genuinely appreciated the artistic presentation of each course, the high quality ingredients, the premium fish, the modern spin on classic dishes, the unique preparation and recipes, and the polite and friendly service. See for yourself with the photos I captured or better yet, book a reservation at Sushi Wabi Sabi! read more

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I was excited to try out this place...it took over the okasan (spelling may be wrong) restaurant. Per owner, they'd just opened two weeks ago so unsure how some of the reviews/images are from previous months and year. When we came, it was just two chef working. One was solely occupied with the sushi bar. The other chef was the kitchen chef, as well as the waiter for all the tables. Wait time for the food was a bit lengthy. Price was a bit steep for some item-uni (2 piece) was $40. Also, their menu is so limited-very limited. For the quality of the food and everything, I'm not sure if I'd come back here-there's plenty of sushi spots nearby that I feel is more worthwhile. read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My husband and I came here for my birthday and we did the omakase and it was absolutely incredible! Every dish was immaculate and so well thought out. Every bite was delicious. Their sushi is so incredibly authentic. The restaurant itself is intimate in the best way possible and the staff is so friendly and welcoming - they walk you through every dish and the flavor profile. Definitely recommend 10/10 would absolutely come back here, this is my new favorite sushi spot in Orange County! read more

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Stopped by their new brick and mortar restaurant being a fan of their previous takeout sushi work. These guys still got it and have a skillset for new tastes not found anywhere else. Sake list very unique and if you are new to sake they will do their best to help you find something you would like. Everything is well made here. All the little things are definitely paid attention to. A place for enthusiasts as they do not offer cut roll options. Probably a new top spot in the increasingly competitive OC sushi landscape. A recommendation from me. read more

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Chef Makoto and Akira helped make my birthday dinner absolutely amazing. This was my 1st visit back to Wabi Sabi after their soft opening in March and the service and quality is still 10/10. My party of 4 each opted for the Omakaze and Akira happily convinced me to get the sake flight. The 9 course Omakaze was the star of the dinner, though the sake flight and the miso braised beef tongue were also a stand out. Chef Makoto had new and different seasonal dishes prepared for us this time, and it was nice that their Ikura Bowl remained a staple on the omakze set. Every dish course was a stunner, but the halibut, chutoro, yellowtail, and amberjack were standouts for me. As last time, the ambiance was quiet as the restaurant is on the smaller side. I've sat at the bar every time so I can't say as how noisy it would be sitting at a table. Making a reservation is highly encouraged but drop ins are welcome. Just understand it's a small place and a small crew! read more

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Saw that this place finally had a sit down where they were having a soft opening. We did the 10 piece omakase and had a great experience. The 2 owners who have partnered were so friendly and service was wonderful. We made 6pm reservations where we had the place to ourselves. This quality of ingredients used in our food was amazing where we experienced sushi in a different way from our other usual places. They even took a Polaroid picture of our group. Will definitely come back and support this local sushi place read more

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My second time visiting and I absolutely love it here. Authentic Japanese food in a cozy atmosphere--perfect for a date night! Everything was fresh and delicious, and we really enjoyed our dinner. read more

Easy 5 star Both chef and server were excellent ! Food was fresh and no frills. Getting to enjoy sake with everyone is always a plus. Definitely will be back read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Came here twice in two weeks. Absolutely INSANE! The chef is doing the best sushi in orange county. The hot and cold dishes can't be missed (tomato, beef cheeks, snapper), and the nigiri is other worldly. Every bite of fish was perfectly curated and seasoned, with so much intent. Cannot say enough food things. Try the Halibut nigiri, O-Toro, Scallop, eel hand roll, salmon nigiri. Honestly, just so good. read more

This was more than just a sushi dinner -- it was an experience. Every single piece was crafted with intention, balance, and respect for the ingredients. You can truly feel the chef's dedication in each bite. The flavors were clean, precise, and beautifully layered. I've had sushi before, but this felt like tasting it for the first time. Absolutely unforgettable. read more

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I ate the Omakase for dinner last night here and it was fantastic. The two gentlemen who run this restaurant are from southern Japan. They import many/most of the ingredients from Japan. Everything was very authentic. An American family walked in and asked for "California Rolls" and didn't realize what they were missing out on when they chose to leave. The ambiance is small and clean inside. It could probably seat 10 people at the bar? The imported selection of Sake is also very impressive and fairly priced. I will be back here again, for sure. read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Amazing sushi chef - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Incredibly fresh ingredients, traditional vibe, great chefs who were very interactive. All the nigiri was served to perfection and incredibly flavor balanced with the fish. Met a great couple celebrating their 13th anniversary in style. Parking was plentiful and location is a hidden gem. read more

Bad service! Bad food! Bad choice! Too many good choices near by. Go to ETC for quality! read more

Delicious sushi! Great service, able to accommodate us without a reservation, would definitely return!

Super excited Wabi Sabi has a new permanent location in Costa Mesa! My wife and I went for the Valentine's Day Omakase and were blown away by the quality and experience. She said it was one of the best meals she'd ever had, and I agree. Quality, presentation, atmosphere, conversation, everything was fantastic. We went again a couple of weeks ago with friends, and again everything was 10/10. Definitely my favorite sushi in OC. We'll be back soon for sure, thank you Makoto and Aki! read more

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What a gem! We came in looking for sushi and ended up blown away by the quality, the ambiance and especially the service. We both ordered the 6 piece omakase and each bite was over the top fantastic. This isn't your ordinary sushi spot. They are really doing something special here. I'm so glad they opened up and we just can't wait to come back! Arigato gozaimasu Makoto and Akira! read more

hello amazing !!!! Delicious, fantastic, and yes we will return. I'm so happy to find such authentic sushi near my house . Thank you for a delicious meal :)!! read more

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We just finished dining here, I have to say this restaurant has probably the most unique tasting sushi in OC. Every piece is paired with different sauce made from scratch, not to mention the most amazing sushi rice. The appetizers, hot dishes and desserts were all amazing. I wish I can eat here everyday, but we will definitely be back. Great service and fun experience. read more

I order an Omakase 8pcs course. SOO DELICIOUS!! Open kitchen, I got to see the chief and his talent cooking skills. I also like the vibe, private and clean. Customer service is 10/10, everyone is nice and professional. Price goes along with quality read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

It's been a WHILE since I've left a yelp review but I felt COMPELLED to after an AMAZING intimate "homakase" experience with my family by Ryoji and Makoto from Wabi Sabi! They were both very warm, welcoming, and the food was so well done. They really put in maximum effort and commitment into their craft to give you the most authentic and tasty dining experience directly to YOU. My favorite pieces were the lean tuna (akami) and the monkfish liver appetizer (it looks like a sandwich) but really everything was great. They need to hurry up open up their own restaurant already. In the meantime, I highly recommend their private dining experience! Tip: You can order additional sushi at the end if you're somehow not full :) read more

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Sushi was fresh and delicious. Our sushi chef was very creative in his omakase dishes for us. We also love the chamanmushi! Our waiter Akira was very helpful in recommending the perfect dish. Highly recommend this new sushi place in Costa Mesa! read more

I discovered wabi sabi because they came by my work for lunch and offered a phenomenal sushi experience, we were all blown away by the quality of the fish, everything tasted amazing and the serving sizes were plenty. Highly recommend sushi wabi sabi read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Beautiful packaging - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This review is for the shop at 4th St Market. The kitchen is located inside of 4th St Market at the end of the hallway near the kombucha shop. You can order online or at the kiosk there. When we arrived, the chef and person who handed us our order were welcoming and cheerful. It was super easy since we ordered online. We even got a couple free drinks for following them on IG. My husband and I ordered the Omakase Sushi by Makoto and the Wabisabi Premium. They were packed up beautifully and ready to eat. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the omakase selection which included uni, unagi, toro, and scallop. My Premium box was served as a continuous base of rice with fish arranged like a checkerboard. There were 2 of most pieces of fish. It was an interesting way to eat as I carved out each square of rice to enjoy. The quality was 5 stars, super fresh. What surprised me was how much I enjoyed the rice itself. It was seasoned so well and just perfect with the fish. When I have omakase, ambiance and pacing are part of the experience but with 2 kids, I don't have time to enjoy a delicious sushi dinner. With Wabi Sabi's takeout option, I was able to enjoy fresh and delicious sushi with my kids in tow and at my own pace. Considering the price and quality, I will definitely be back. read more

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The fish was fresh and great, but sadly the restaurant's business skills nor chefs skills did not match. First of all, this place was inside a food hall which did not have address outside the building. The receipt did not say it was inside a food hall. I guess I didnt expect a one person's to go lunch that is prices at $50 (after tax) would be inside a food hall. Inside this hall it had a lot of start up(?) Kitchens and no updated directory. I ended up looking at photos on yelp to find the place. It took me 20 min. The chef's skills are questionable. The rice wasn't cooked all the way through. The rice was better quality, but it was sad it wasn't cooked right. I found a bone in the fish, and they were butchered (and a bit smashed too). Sane with dessert. Used great ingredients, flavored only with sugar. A lot of sugar. This is a small hole in the wall place, the extra price comes from not serving many clients. The reasons why some japanese places is priced at $150 pp or $250 pp is because we are paying for the chef's experience and perfection in service. This place is definitely not one of those. The chef and service need at least 5 more years to establish that. Again, if the food was prices 50% lower, I wouldnt be this critical, at least to these young, aspiring youths. I can purchase good quality fish from mitsuwa, chop them up and serve. It felt like I was being served by friends who just started attending culinary school. read more

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Stopped in at Wabi Sabi late on a Wednesday night before closing and had the best sushi dining experience I've ever had. Everything we ordered was fresh and tasty, and exceptionally prepared by a very friendly staff. I highly recommend this spot for a truly authentic and memorable Japanese dining experience. read more

The restaurant has a very elegant atmosphere, and the head chef is incredibly warm and welcoming. The sushi is carefully crafted by the chef, incorporating his own creative touch while building on traditional Japanese techniques, resulting in a unique and refreshing flavor. The braised beef tongue is absolutely delicious--far more impressive than expected. It's truly a restaurant full of warmth and character. read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great food, great service and great sake! The food was very fresh, flavorful and creative. We'll be back!

Service was great food was great. Loved everything that came out. Definitely want to come back read more

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We were lucky and able to grab a table as walk-ins at 5:30 on a Friday evening with no wait. Everything was amazing, our favorites were the firefly squids which are only in season in Spring and the toro sushi and handroll. It's a small cozy restaurant and we felt welcomed by the staff who explained every dish to us. Will definitely come back for more! read more

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Food and customer service was awesome. Highly recommended . I will be back . The chef and waiter explain each dish as it comes out. Traditional sushi ! read more

Wow wow wow wow wow! My new favorite omakase spot! I've eaten here 3 days in a row now. The fish is so fresh. It is a pick up and go spot so I recommend grabbing your sushi then checking out Recess in the market. read more

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Highly recommend! Incredible food, personable and attentive service, and cozy atmosphere. I was looking for a sushi spot in the OC that rivaled LA and this is definitely it. We had the 8 piece Omakase and each bite was better than the next with homemade ingredients and fish flown in directly from Japan. You can absolutely taste the quality and craft. 10/10 amazing experience! read more

I just want to start by saying that my husband should win the Husband of the Year award by planning the most intimate private omakase dinner for my birthday but we are not here to talk about my husband since he's not up for grabs. For my birthday, my husband and Sushi Wabisabi spoiled me w an intimate private omakase (-Kannazuki omakase w sake pairing ). My husband said that communication with Ryoji was constant and pleasant. My husband took pictures to show him what the dining room and kitchen looked like prior to the dinner so that they are prepared. Chef Makato is amazing! He was so creative, the flavors were unique(for example he used a hint of basil and truffle oil on a few pieces) without it being overwhelming. He used local vendors and included a ceremonial grade matcha salt on one of the piece. All his fish were flown in from Japan except the salmon, which was flown in from New Zealand. He picked out a perfect sake for the paring. The menu was for 10 pieces but the chef threw in a few extra pieces because he there were two pieces that paired well with certain fish and he wanted us to have that experience!! That just shows how much pride he takes in his craft! Overall, this is the best sushi we had in OC. And they will come right to your home. We were so impressed we immediately booked a Valentine omakase next week and another private dining at our home with another couple because we wanted to share the experience w our close friends! read more

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Food is good but only two people working and portions are small. We were there on Saturday night and only two other people at the bar. Service was slow and it was frustrating because server and chef were doing shots with two customers at bar. read more