Good food. The service here is always very prompt and friendly. The lunch specials are always a good call.

Friday early dinner, we got seated immediately at around 5:15. Ordered some sushi (ninja roll), a combo Teishoku with spicy tuna and sesame chicken and happy hour fried dumplings. The sushi came out quickly and the everything else took forever, some of the cooked food was cold especially the fried stuff. The ninja roll tasted off, maybe it was the soft shell crab. The spicy tuna roll was good. The fried dumpling and sesame chicken was pretty dry and tough. Overall this place has passed its prime and its holding on to its glory days from 20 years ago. There are just too many other sushi places in Irvine for this quality to be acceptable. read more

So when we went to lunch down in Irvine, the place that we had lunch had no cocktails so we decided to do happy hour at Taiko next door. This place is quite the busy place when we went in. There were several people on the waitlist waiting so we simply asked these host if we could sit at the bar just to have drinks. They sat us immediately at the sushi bar. We asked for a happy hour menu which they provided. This place is pretty much a typical Japanese sushi bar, small and quaint. Lots of Japanese decor but actually very pretty. They have a great happy hour menu. I would definitely recommend this place if you're gonna go have drinks and maybe just a couple appetizers because it is very affordable. We ordered Sapporo in the bottle which were three dollars each, and we also ordered the hot saki which I believe was six dollars for the large. The beers were ice cold. The saki was nice and hot. They have an actual happy hour menu where you can order a few of the appetizers, but we decided to try the A5 Wagyu sushi. Actually, it was pretty affordable as well. I believe it was eight dollars for one piece. It wasn't the best Wagyu I've had. They actually did put a lot of rice. It was still buttery, soft and delicious all in all the place was really good. I think we got out of there with a bill under 35 bucks for everything that we ordered if you want an affordable, happy hour with ice cold beers, cute ambience, and good service. I would definitely recommend checking this place out. read more

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Food and service always exceed expectations. Our waitress was on top of everything we could want and the 3 generations having dinner together could not have been happier read more

When my mother and I discovered this spot online as one of the best sushi spots in Irvine, we took the family out to examine what the hype was all about. Low and behold, Taiko did not disappoint! Our server was the sweetest and most polite lady who guided us to a cozy table and gave us countless recommendations for our first visit. We ordered numerous rolls such as the Rainbow Roll, Baked Scallops, Salmon Aburi, Fresh Roll with tuna, Cosmic Roll, Vegetable Roll, and countless plates of sashimi and nigiri. We're bound to order the exact same items for sure--maybe try some other rolls and dishes too--and yes, this has become one of our favorite spots in Irvine! read more

Taiko - Salmon Aburi - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

We have been going to Taiko for 40 years! The best sushi ever! Sad that they don't make some of the original items from the original owners but we have found new things on the menu it their stead. Still miss the baby tuna sashimi salad though... read more

Have been coming here for years. I thought I had already reviewed it but I guess I forgot? Anyways, it's been around for decades. The food quality was great back then and is great now too! Pricing is on point and the staff is very friendly. It's A LOT of food. Most of the items can be shared and I always plan on taking left overs home. Only thing that most people won't be used to: they bring the food out when it's ready and not necessarily together. Which means that for a party of 6, one or two people may be completely done eating when one or two appetizers comes out. It's odd, but it's been like this for 25 years. read more

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I had a lunch with my daughter at Taiko. I love this place! Food is delicious every time we come here. The service is great! Our waitress was very attentive and helpful. The ambiance is nice, tables are clean. I would definitely come here! read more

Taiko - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Been coming to Taiko for lunch for almost 20 years. The service, atmosphere and food are excellent. If you're planning on going for lunch get there early as the lines are long. read more

We were in the shopping center Taiko is located in and saw that there were people waiting by the door around 4:30 PM. Then we happened to leave a store next door at 5 PM and saw the line was very long and joined it right as it opened! I ordered the creamy uni udon, which was reminiscent of lobster bisque. I just wish there was more uni for $30 (it only came with one piece and ikura). Then my husband and I each got a piece of salmon ootoro which was so fresh. My daughter got shrimp tempura udon which wasn't anything special. Then my husband got the teishoku meal combo with spicy tuna roll and beef teriyaki. The only thing is he asked for medium well and it was well done. Also we wanted to wait for his food to arrive before we started eating but our broth was getting cold. His food ended up coming after we were done, it took that long. read more

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Tried out this restaurant yesterday for dinner and was super satisfied!! Had a handroll with salmon + salmon roe, red snapper and bluefin tuna nigiri, and then tuna, yellowtail, and salmon sashimi! The serving was perfect and the server I had was also super sweet - she did a great job! The restaurant itself was very spacious yet homey and there was tons of parking! read more

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I came here twice within the same month, and I realize your experience can definitely change based on what you order and when you come. In my opinion, the portions are very generous and the food is pretty good! I ordered the Build Your Own Teishoku -- Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetable Tempura! Each Teishoku dish comes with a generous side of salad and soup, in addition to what you order. The teriyaki chicken was very tender and the teriyaki sauce was just the right amount! The salad wasn't bad either, and overall the portion was huge (very good value)! The tempura was pretty good, although some pieces were more well-battered than others. The appetizer sesame chicken was very flavorful, as well! It came out pretty quickly and was warm and soft, so I quite enjoyed it! It's not the crispy type and has a thin batter. My first experience was pleasant, and I greatly enjoyed the flavorful, filling food paired with the more traditional Japanese-feeling decor and furnishing! However, the second time we went, my friend ordered the Teishoku dish with sesame chicken and their chicken wasn't exactly warm. We did go during a busier time, so perhaps that may be why it wasn't the best quality, but regardless it did dampen the experience. In addition, the restaurant gets very busy fast. We went around opening time and there was already an extremely long line outside the store. The staff get everyone seated pretty fast, but still I will recommend either going early before they open or later in the afternoon when the traffic dies down. In general, this place has good value (they give you a lot of food for the price, especially for the Teishoku options), so it's really filling). The flavors are strong, and the interior decoration is very calm and creates a very fitting vibe! read more

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I guess they were famous a long time ago but based on how chewy and tasteless the sesame chicken is, they might be retiring soon.

First time here and definitely coming back! My husband and I were a late party, arriving just shy of last call but the entire staff was so welcoming and made sure we got our orders in. We were also surprised by how spacious and neat the restaurant was! Shoutout to Yen, our server! She guided us through their happy hour deals, which I must say is the best in Irvine! We ordered a handful of nigiri's, and the portion was so generous! I ordered a scallop handroll, and my God, it did not disappoint!! The experience was phenomenal, definitely coming back with friends soon! read more

Taiko - Toro, salmon, yellowtail, Spanish mackerel, eel nigiri - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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When people tell me that they live/work/go to school in Irvine and have never been to Taiko...I tell them it's blasphemy! Taiko's been around for decades because they know what it takes to stick around as a restaurant in Irvine. Food, portions, prices, and service are reliably good. Taiko has been my fam's go-to for celebratory gatherings or spontaneous outings. The staff are attentive and accommodating. For lunch and dinner, we usually order entrees or combis, and we always get at least one order of baked scallops. The plates come with a huge amount of food, and I don't think I've ever been able to finish everything in one sitting. The sashimi, rolls, and other appetizers like agedashi tofu and sesame chicken are also decent. I still down the miso soup every time. I can't vouch for the authenticity of the food - I've heard people say that this is not "real" Japanese food, or that it's Americanized, but it doesn't bother me because the meals are very satisfying and provide delicious leftovers without breaking the bank. Parking and wait times have drastically improved over the years, which I think is partly due to Covid. It's nice that they use a Yelp waitlist now. It's also nice that they are in the same plaza with a bunch of sweets/dessert shops. I will continue to get my teriyaki proteins, sesame chicken, and baked scallops here. read more

Taiko - Sashimi lunch, very filling! - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

I honestly don't get the hype about this place. Im usually not a very picky eater but even I couldn't enjoy this place. We ordered 3 dishes and they really don't taste that good... I didn't order any sushi because iI just don't think it would be good. The seafood nabe - honestly I think I can make a better seafood udon soup at home, it's flavorless and a bit salty. The scallop cut roll - the scallops are dry and doesn't taste very fresh. The ninja roll - the soft shell crab are not crispy at all, and I don't really understand the portion of this roll.... You are suppose to eat the entire piece together but it's so big that u can't fit... Anyway, I'm sorry to say that the only thing that's reasonable is the price .. If you don't care much about sushi quality and just want some reasonable priced dinner, you can come here... otherwise theres plenty of other better choices read more

Taiko - Seafood Nabe - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

It's been long time since we ate Taiko. Usually it's super long line during weekend. Now the queue is much better with Yelp waitlist. You can get waitlist on the way to the restaurant. The wait is not that long on the weekend. About 35minutes. When we arrived, we checked in and seated right away. The restaurant was not full. It's Saturday dinner time. The dine in entrance is on the back now. The front is for to go pick up only. Not sure what happening in the area. Looks like the place is dying down. No long line looking for parking. No long hours queue for dine in. Food still excellent as I can remember. We love the Sukiyaki. Large family style and delicious. Sushi was fresh and come with tiny rice underneath. Salmon Aburi was tasty with Yuzu sauce. The only look sad is spider roll. As you can see from picture. It looks less appetizing. Overall, another tasty and good experiencw at Taiko, with excellent service. Very attentive. read more

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Taiko has been around for a long time, I always enjoy the experience, but a lot has changed. Friendly staff and service is wonderful. Menu items are generally the same, but I miss the simplicity of the old menu and the beautiful drawings rather than the photos. Small nuances like pickled cabbage, hot tea service, and miso soup have changed. I appreciate having happy hour, integrating more tech with ordering, but I miss the simplicity. Thank you. read more

I went to Taiko on a Thursday night with a party of 4 and had a short wait for our table. When we were seated, we ordered through our phones by scanning a QR code that was on the table. My partner and I ordered the sukiyaki nabe udon, the yakitori set, and the takoyaki. I enjoyed the sukiyaki, but I think it should come with a little more meat and a little less cabbage. I wasn't a big fan of the takoyaki or the yakitori. The takoyaki was really mushy and the yakitori wasn't anything special. I also tried the unagi kabayaki that my friend ordered, and that was pretty good. Overall, I had a decent experience at Taiko aI think I would come back again to try more of the menu. read more

Taiko - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

This place was PACKED for Sunday dinner but we were seated within 40 minutes and the food came in quick. The sashimi tray was pretty good and the California and spicy tuna rolls were also good. I wouldn't say this is the best sushi ever but for a craving, it definitely hits. The service was excellent and we were able to get happy hour beer and cold sake for $2-3 each which was really nice. read more

Taiko - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Love taiko!! Been coming here for more than 10 yrs. Through new owners and Covid we keep coming back!! Good quality and good service. Thanks to the cooks and sushi masters for your continued service!!! Gracias!! read more

The food was good, service friendly and the ambience was nice. I visited after a long time and was surprised to see there was plenty of room. The food was fine. read more

Always friendly and delicious. The crunch roll is amazing. All the entrees are delicious and the portions are large. Always have leftovers for lunch the next day. Family friendly. read more

My family has enjoyed dining at Taiko for many years, and I've finally decided to share my thoughts. Recently, I've had a few standout dishes that were so exceptional, they compelled me to write this review. The hand rolls, especially the Hokkaido scallop roll, the honeymoon oyster, and the uni cream pasta, are truly remarkable. I almost want to keep these delicious secrets to myself, but I highly recommend trying them if you haven't already. The staff at Taiko is consistently friendly and attentive, ensuring a wonderful dining experience every time. read more

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If you are looking for exceptional sushi Taiko is the place you want to try. It's located in this little Asian section of Irvine. It is in a strip mall... but, it delivers big flavors and super fresh fish. We didn't waste our time we went straight for the fresh yellowtail, The fresh Blue fin tuna, A regular tuna, ( which could not compare to the blue fin tuna) and my favorite the barbecue Eel. The cold sake we had was recommended by our server. Otokoyama Sake. Which translates to: "Man of the mountain." And dates back to when the samurais would drink this and party before going to war... " if you can imagine this" it is a sweet delicious sake with dark plum and black cherry flavors... perfect for sushi, or actually any light meal... read more

Taiko - Regular tuna bluefin tuna yellowtail and BBQ Eel... - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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LONG LIVE TAIKOS!!!!! I just wanted to say that I ordered the tempura chicken last night and it was perfect. Thank you Taikos for keeping me fed and continuing to be one of my favorite restaurants in the world (and shoutout all the staff especially Hiro for all the hard work they do). Love you guys and thanks so much for taking my feedback into account! read more

Been coming here for almost 2 decades. Love the food,portions and people here. There's usually a wait but it worth it. We usually get the Crispy Calamari; Spicy Tuna Cut Roll, Salmon Kama (if they have it), Tempura and Teriyaki Plate. And don't worry if you order too much. The leftovers the next day hit the spot. read more

Excellent, excellent, excellent! Not very commercial and trendy. Just great food, excellent service, and a family friendly atmosphere with lots of locals. The sushi rolls we ordered were great flavors, simple and straightforward. Not all the drizzled sauces. Will definitely recommend and go back whenever Im in the area. read more

Cute place! Really good food. I'm just sad that my favorite roll of spicy tuna tasted a little strange, not like the normal ones at other places. I couldn't really pin point what was weird about it though. But everything else was amazing and the food came out fast. read more

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Massive portions. Great service, and a variety of combinations to choose from! My friend recommended this restaurant and Taiko sushi did not disappoint. I had the combination one that came with sesame chicken-very crisp, big chunks of chicken, beef teriyaki, and tempura. The tempura had a nice crunch factor, and two shrimp and several vegetables. Additionally the combo came with miso soup and salad, which rounded out the meal nicely. The one complaint I'd have was the beef teriyaki didn't actually come with any sauce, not sure if it was accidentally overlooked, so I ended up dipping it into the tempura sauce for flavor. All in all, had a great time and would come back to try other items! read more

Taiko - Dinner combination No.1 Beef Teriyaki, Tempura, Sesame Chicken - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

I've lived in Irvine for 5 years and normally frequent this plaza for A&J and 7Leaves, but it's only recently did I discover Taiko. I've heard so many things from friends/coworkers, so boyfriend and I finally decided to try it out. We read the reviews on Yelp and it's highly recommended to get their early. We arrived about 10 minutes before opening on a Saturday and there was already a line. The front entrance is reserved for takeout only, so the line for dine in begins at the back of the restaurant where the doors lead to the dining room. The dining room is quite spacious and has way more seating than I thought. Menus are provided and they also have picture menus along the walls as well. We ended up trying their combination entrees since it was such a good deal + Eel California Special Roll ($17.00). We got the No.1 Beef Teriyaki & Tempura ($12.00) and No.5 Sashimi & Tempura ($12.50). The sashimi was tuna and I think a halibut or yellowtail. Portions for the combination meals were pretty filling that we packed leftovers and added a to-go order for the chicken teriyaki & tempura meal to complete our meal for dinner. The cut roll ended up being too much food! We basically ate Taiko for lunch & dinner. And now every weekend, my boyfriend suggests going to Taiko if we wake up early to wait in line. read more

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This is the best authentic Japanese restaurant left on the west side. No fusion or drink bars. Just authentic Japanese food i always get Ikura oroshi udon. My date gets hot udon with wakame and vegetables curry combo. And salmon skin salad. Best value. But they also make things for gringos too. read more

The food is okay but the service is lacking in so many ways. After waiting 15 minutes, we had to flag down a passing waitress to take our order. My daughter's udon came out right away and she was almost done with her dinner and I still had to wait another 20 minutes for my tofu salad to come out! After we were done, we had to again flag down a server after no one came by after another 15 minutes. Then, this new handheld card terminal has the server watching you as you apply tip, and the tip at the left starts with 22%, 20% and 18%...wow. Tip is based on service and is up to the customer. Anyways, from start to finish, dinner took almost 2 hours for 2 people. I have lived in Irvine for over 40 years and Taiko used to be the place where people used to line up at the door before opening. Those days are long gone with past ownership. Guess good things can't last forever. It's a shame. read more

人生如夢，歲月無情，生命的意義是在於過得多充實，而不是在於活得有多久，就像我的小孩常跟我說的～ we're here for a good time , not for a long time, 今天來落兩句英文， 證明偶也是有在美國唸書，有唸大學的歐～ Taiko, 這家從我在 UCI 唸書時，就有的日本料理，30年的老店了，相信也是很多讀UCI學長學妹們的回憶，以前同學聚餐，一天到晚選這家，那時候我還不敢吃生魚片但一天到晚會跟去吃，大家都愛，當窮學生時，價格差個一兩塊，都差很大，現在常常外食，再看看他們的價格，真的只能說～阿娘喂呀，這種時代居然還有這麼佛心的老闆，有很多套餐低於十元， 這種deal 去哪找呀，生魚片也新鮮， 每道菜份量也很大， 講這麼多，其實就四個字～ 俗又大碗～還好吃呢， 難怪能開30年屹立不搖，各位勤儉持家，一塊錢打12個結的朋友們，可以來吃這一家， 是物超所值的. read more

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Sesame chicken lunch is pretty worth it. The amount of chicken is very generous, and the meat is tender. Some pieces were a bit over-fried, depending on how crunchy you like your fried chicken. The rolls were decent, but the imitation crab mix was a bit too sweet. The aloha roll was just average considering it was $18.50, which is pretty pricey. The crab asparagus roll was very similar to a California roll, but with asparagus subbed in for the avocado and cucumber. The rainbow roll was pretty standard, but the fish portions were pretty small. Just FYI: pickled ginger didn't seem like it was made with young ginger root but rather older ginger. read more

Taiko - Top left: Rainbow Cut Roll, top right Crab Asparagus Cut Roll, bottom: Aloha Roll - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Last time was better. Now the tempura was hard and too crispy and the chicken was mostly greasy dark meat with skin etc. It was busy and server was nice. Hiro Nori on Irvine Center Drive was excellent. read more

Food was yummy!!! Especially loved the mixed tempura. Cool and varied sushi menu. Barely received any service, but it was a busy night. A little pricey. read more

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My family's favorite Japanese restaurant! We always order the Combi dishes (combination plates) with my favorite being the Salmon, Karaage, Tempura Combi plate. Their tempura always comes out hot and crispy. You get so much food in any dish that you order from Taiko. Ingredients, esp the fish, are great quality so you know that they're only serving you the best. Staff here are really wonderful. There was one older waitress that we used to see all the time, and she always remember those who visit making each visit here so sweet. It's been a while since my family has dined in since we've started ordering take-out here since the pandemic. The restaurant is located in a plaza with other businesses. The parking situation can be tough only if you come during peak dinner time, but you'll always be able to find a spot. read more

First time back in a long time for a casual dinner. We had rainbow roll, salmon boat, triple hand rolls and toro sashimi and our experience here is always supreme. The owner and the staff are so welcoming and service is always great. I enjoy the atmosphere every time i go there. read more

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Fresh fish, large portions and great variety. If I'm within 50 miles of this place I go. Line forms about 30 minutes prior to open.