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

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

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

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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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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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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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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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

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

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

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

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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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Definitely one of the very best sushi restaurants in OC. Quality of the fish is extremely high. Standard sushi has creative sauces that are light and don't take away from the flavor of the delicious fish. The scallops sushi was the highlight for me but all is truly too notch. Very small restaurant and will eventually be very difficult to get in. Price of nigiri is per piece so it's not cheap and shouldn't be. Nice people worki6there too and they really care about quality. Rice under the fish is also extremely good. 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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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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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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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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Called ahead and was able to get a walk-in close to opening on Wednesday without any issues. We each ordered the 8pc sushi omakase and every piece was amazing. The craft Makoto and Aki put into the food is very evident and is worth a visit for any sushi lover! 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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I had the opportunity to join my son-in-law at Sushi Wabi Sabi in Costa Mesa, which just opened its doors a week ago, and I must say, it was a wonderful experience that truly impressed me. This charming little spot is still under the radar, but it's bound to become popular soon, so I suggest visiting before the rush begins. The selection of high-end sushi is simply outstanding, all meticulously prepared by a talented Master Chef whose skill is evident in every bite. The nigiri and sashimi were exceptionally fresh, with toro that practically dissolved on the tongue. The miso soup was also so delicious as well as the Vanilla Ice Monaka dessert! The intimate setting with just a few seats creates a cozy, exclusive feel that's quite special. While the prices are on the higher side, they're far more reasonable than Nobu, and I'd venture to say the sushi here exceeds Nobu's in quality. For anyone who truly appreciates fine sushi, this is an absolute must--five stars from me; Sushi Wabi Sabi is waiting to be discovered! read more

This place was just OK, falling short of the *expensive* experience I hoped for (as in these two things we ordered ended up being over $100 expensive). It's inside 4th St Market, so there's plenty of seating, but not within the restaurant itself. The space is essentially just a kitchen, and you order via an iPad or online. On the bright side, parking is free for the first hour, which is a nice touch. There's also two garages which is good for when the place gets packed. I tried the omakase sushi box and the bluefin Toro roll. The packaging was actually pretty well done so kudos there. However, the sushi rice was very very vinegary overwhelming the taste. I ended up eating just the fish, which was fresh (like I expected) and good. read more

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

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With seasonal fish flown in from Japan, this spot is on its way to becoming a Santa Ana local treasure. I love their commitment to seeing the community grow with their small business. I came after I saw their IG page where they do daily vlogs. Chef Makoto and Ryoji are gems and I highly recommend checking them out inside the 4th Street Market! I already plan to go again to see how they evolve with the seasons. Their counter was not easy to find, they are located in a corner alleyway. I asked them about it and they mentioned they were planning to install some floor stickers. Easiest access would be on 4th street and Bush street through a door with the 4th street market sign. The ambiance for a takeout spot is pretty decent. It is located inside a food hall with tons of other small businesses, so they do not have a sit down counter. Ordered: * Wabisabi Premium Box - A signature item!! With so many types of fish and seafood, this is the perfect sampler to see what this spot has to offer. Highlights include the unagi eel (perfectly smoky and soft), the creamy and delicate Japanese sea urchin (uni), perfectly flavored fatty and regular tuna, and so much more. * Omakase Sushi by Makoto - 8 pieces of fresh nigiri sushi that changes upon the season. My favorites tend to be the scallop and fatty tuna, so I was very happy with the selection I received. There was also a piece with kombu and halibut that was such a playful and fascinating flavor and texture combination I've never had before. * King Salmon Box - This was so good. The salmon was fresh and the ikura was perfect. Not too salty, and perfectly briny. They were very generous with the portion and I'd definitely order again. Overall, their rice bowls are incredible!! If you're not craving nigiri, I highly recommend ordering 1 chirashi box per person! Parking: There is a lot somewhere on fifth street but I could not find it due to the construction. We ended up parking at a local grocery chain and walked over! read more

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5/5 sushi experience! It was a very intimate "pop up" omakase dinner served with just 8 people and about a 10 course meal. All the fish was fresh. They were also not stingy with their uni Im sad because I don't know when they will have another pop up omakase dinner. I will be sure to order their take out while I wait for the news. read more

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

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My mom always told me not to walk down random hallways, but if I listened to her, I wouldn't have discovered this gem! If you go to their website you'll be able to easily find the link to book a private event, but if looking for take-out, search around for the "Order Online" button. They only offer take-out a couple days during the week, so check the home page for their hours. We placed an order a day in advance, but I believe you can order a few days in advance too. I showed up about 20 minutes before the scheduled pick-up and they informed me it wasn't ready yet since they want to make it as fresh as possible. As soon as the pick-up time was coming around I received a text notifying me the order was ready. They greeted me with my meal and even offered a couple complimentary drinks. The owner was a pleasure to interact with and speaks fluent 日本語. The food was nothing less than amazing. We ordered the Premium Wabi Sabi Box and even though the price was a little steep, we didn't regret it one bit. The uni melted in your mouth, the tuna was tender, and the unagi wasn't overly sweet. Since it comes as fish over a bed of rice, we used a spoon to try to scoop things out as intact nigiri. Speaking of the rice, it was perfectly seasoned and really enhanced the flavors. Next time we're spending the night-in, but are looking for a premium sushi experience, Sushi Wabi Sabi will be our go-to. read more

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We stumbled upon this spot while in the area. I ordered the King Salmon Bowl and my husband had the Kabayaki box. The unagi was perfectly cooked with good flavor. AND the presentation of the Kabayaki box was such a nice surprise. It made the experience feel even more authentic. The King Salmon Bowl was yummy with a generous portion of salmon and good amount of marinade. I loved how fluffy the rice was. To add to our experience, the owner noticed we had a newborn and even wrote us a little note. Such a nice touch! We'll definitely be back to try their larger omakase boxes. read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - King salmon bowl with avocado and Kabayaki box - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Sushi Wabi Sabi is located inside 4th Street Market, tucked away on the left side of the market towards Bush St. It's a small but wonderful sushi spot that my friend Justin introduced me to! You'll usually see Ryoji and Mako, both of whom are always so kind and knowledgeable. Fish is always great quality, beautifully and deliciously prepared. I love coming here and grabbing a few pieces to satisfy my sushi cravings. Wish I lived closer so I could come more often!! read more

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

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The sushi take out is hands down the absolute best sushi deal in Orange County. The quality of the fish and seasoning of the rice is on par if not better than what you would receive at an upscale $250/seat omakase. Japan Jewelry box is a show stopper, to see and to taste. Negitoro Cut Roll has been my go to. Expect nigiri flavor experience from each piece. If you can secure a seat at their pop up omakase, do it. Trust me. Whether it is at omakase or pickup Ryoji and Chef Makoto always take the time to learn about your preferences and palette. If you know good sushi, Sushi Wabi Sabi will be your new spot. read more

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I had a really great experience at Sushi Wabi Sabi. You can order via kiosk at their kitchen in 4th St market. You leave your phone number when you order so you get a text when your order is ready. The fish they use in their sushi is really high quality and tastes fresh. The cuts of fish, while generous, are not always uniform though. The rice is really high quality and isn't mushy or falls apart under soy sauce like most sushi places. As far as ambiance goes, this is in a food hall, so it is loud and lively. I wish they served bottles or cans of teas as it would really pair well with sushi. I will come back to try their poke bowl and other dishes. read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Sushi "Tacos" from left to right: Unagi, red snapper, and yellow tail. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

As someone who loves a nice sushi omakase, Sushi Wabi Sabi did not disappoint. I loved the ease of being able to take out and enjoy quality fish straight from Japan all within one transaction. At that, the pricing is fair and reasonable considering what you're getting as well! Although quick, Ryoji and Chef Makoto did not skimp on 5-star service. Everything tasted amazing and I would definitely recommend a visit to try one of their boxes. Will definitely look to cater an event when an opportunity arises. read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Chef's Omakase and Chirashi Box - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Food was great, quality of the fish was very good, not some fusion Japanese restaurant with fried rolls sushi. It's given real authentic Japanese sushi quality. To find the place, it can be a bit confusing, Place is located inside the Santa Ana 4th street market food court, the sushi spot is not near the main entrance, we had a bit difficulty finding the place. Once we found the spot, we didn't have to wait for a long time to pick up our order. Service was pretty fast since we ordered online. The sushi rice was kind of hit and miss, some of them are not cooked well, some of them are cooked perfectly. We ordered the omakase and the wabasabi premium box, total of 138. Do I think it's worth it? Maybe. Would I come back? Maybe. Overall, it's not something that wowed me but it's a good choice if you want authentic sushi. read more

Had a wonderful experience with this place! The quality of the sushi was pretty fresh. I was running a little late for my pickup time towards closing but Mako was incredibly accommodating and waited for me which I really appreciated. It came in a nice take out bag and beautifully presented. The rolls were larger than expected too! My boyfriend and I shared and we were both pleasantly full by the end. I would definitely order again. read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Toro Taku Roll, Unagi Avocado Roll, Omakase Sushi by Makoto - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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My new favorite sushi restaurant in Santa Ana . They just opened not too long ago but hey!! They are by far one of the best I have in USA ( fresh ingredients/ very nice service , and the locate in the plaza that you can sit ) I love the vibes the decor reminds me of me of Japan too love everything lol read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - chirashi bowl is the best - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is a great sushi place for takeout:) Food is very delicious. the quality of the fish was fresh. I will definitely be coming back again, thank you so much!! read more

Sushi Wabi Sabi - Omakase Bara Chirashi, Aburi, and Wabisabi Premium Box - Sushi Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great food. If you really know about sashimi then you will enjoy the food. Food is price accordingly to quality. I am very picky about raw fish because I have had great food. I absolutely loved it. Definitely a hidden gem. It's tucked away down a hallway and is take out only. There are plenty of places to sit in the main areas. Also thank you for the personal note thanking me for trying your delicious food. Gambare! read more

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We were very impressed with the quality of fish. It was delicious and would definitely come back here again. read more

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

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Ordered the bara chirashi and loved it. The customer service 10/10 Would highly recommend for an affordable splurge read more