A small shop right next to 711 on Bristol is a must try. The staff was incredibly nice and checked up on us periodically. We got the party pack of the TEBA wings and karaage. The size of each chicken piece was huge! The chicken was cooked fresh to order and was even still steaming when given to us. The batter is perfectly crispy and the chicken was still juicy. The only downside is the lack of seasonings in both the batter and the chicken, but the sauces can help and drives the flavor experience. The sauces we got were the spicy mayo and the sweet and spicy. Both were great choices. They have a ton of different sauces so you can really experience different flavors. The fries were nicely salted and they give a great amount too. read more

Tenkatori - Wing TEBA and KARAAGE set - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I need to review the horrible service that we got today. We ordered 1 Karaage Box and 1 Tartar Kraage Box. Tartar Box became Tartar chicken Al Carte. We paid $13.80, but didn't have 4 pcs of California roles nor 2 croquettes. I called the place, but the guy who took a phone said, it was Uber's mistake, because if that was a box menu, it would have cost $18 to $20. Basically, what he was saying was, "you got what we paid for". Really? I checked Uber and the menu directly from the restaurant. I was right. The tartar Karaage box has sushi and 2 croquettes and the price is $13.80. I need to tell you, the food is ok, but having such a bad-mannered worker gives a bad impression of the restaurant. I never took importance in the service, but this was the worst. read more

Tenkatori - This was what we got. - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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First time here and it was ok. I would go back but nothing I had really knocked my socks off so to speak. The Boneless Chicken Thighs were actually better than the Wings I had. Juicy and very crispy. The Wings however we're cooked too hard so they will not warm up later. That means that I would be throwing food away and let's be honest these days you damn near have to Finance a family pack of chicken wings. The flavor was on point and they were very crispy. (They should be). Service was great and there was a pretty constant flow of customers. Curry wings cooked to regulation internal temperature. Yallhollaatchaboy! read more

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Amazing, fresh, and delicious karaage! Every time I've come here I had a great experience. I usually order the box combo, which comes many options! I got 2 boxes that came with 5 piece, potato croquette, salad, california rolls. The california roll is so creamy!! Everything was yummy and FRESH. I also ordered takoyaki, a little sweet for me. The yuzu aioli is the best!!!! I also enjoyed the spicy mayo. The salad was refreshing and the dressing complemented the other flavors. I am definitely coming back for more! read more

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Food: 4. Came by around 11:15 am on a Friday for some food to go. First things first, parking is terrible here. So limited parking spaces and the spaces are small. I parked a block away at the medical office because the only space available would have made it impossible for the driver of the car next to the space to enter the driver's side. The place is very small with 3 small tables and some counter seating. I ordered the Family Pack I (10 pcs of Karaage (thigh) and 10 pcs of Teba (wing)) and Yuzu Aioli Sauce. The prices online do not match the prices posted in the restaurant. My chicken order was $1 more than online menu price. The person who took my order had a manager name tag. They must be dealing with a labor shortage. I did a Yelp check-in (free drink) and was promptly given a cup to use at the fountain drink machine. Food was delivered timely and at the right temperature. Chicken was good and a change of pace from KFC and Popeyes. I wish the coating had a little more flavor. I probably prefer this chicken over KFC and Popeyes. The yuzu aioli sauce was interesting. I prefer eating the chicken plain or with a chili based sauce. Service was good. Service: 4.25 Ambiance: This is more of a takeout place Value: 3.5 read more

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Delicious chicken karaage box... the flavor is perfect. I love the dressing on the salad. The California rolls are a bit smaller than I am used to. They are good though. The carrot tempura is undercooked, very hard. The veggie roll is good. The miso soup is not so good; it is very watery. Recommended read more

Had to update my review due to an incident that happened while my partner was getting our food there. He told me he experienced witnessing two staff members who were presumably related to the owners arguing in front of customers. The fight continued to escalate over the course of 20 minutes and ended with one of the staff members leaving and slamming the door. One of the staff is also not wearing proper kitchen attire which concerns me of a lack of proper kitchen cleanliness and what can be gotten away with by staff. I'm not sure that we will return as customers until staffing issues have been resolved. read more

I so wish I was able to eat chicken (food allergies) because I really wanted to try the Japanese Fried Chicken Karaage; I wish they made Fried Fish Karaage. Nonetheless I did try the spicy tuna sushi roll and shrimp tempura. I love sushi and tempura and it was pretty good; however I would personally like the cucumber to be sliced a little thinner and maybe that wouldn't make me taste the cucumber with the skin on it as the primary bite when I eat the sushi roll. As you can see in the pic attached the cucumber is pretty thick and took over the the roll. The guy at the cashier register was very nice and helpful to me when I had questions to decide what I wanted to order. I believe there are a couple of seats if you wanted to eat there but it's very small on the inside. I can't say that I will be running back to this spot unless they add Fried Fish Karaage but I definitely will return when I would like a quick sushi roll and tempura; also I meant to mention that they have limited choices of sushi but it was decently good! read more

Tenkatori - Spicy Tuna Roll and Shrimp Tempura - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Need I say more? The value for what you get is so, so good. A box of 20 karaage can easily feed a family of 3, and then some. This is our go-to order when I visit family in Southern California. Their salad is also good. We've heard good things about their California rolls too so we might order those next time. Our one mistake was that we didn't call ahead and place the order, so we ended up waiting 20+ minutes. So make sure to call ahead! read more

YUMMO. Love fried chicken, love karaage. Don't know why it took me so long to try Tenkatori! It's been on my bookmark list for a while now and we finally came on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm. For being an off meal time, there were about 3 tables eating and a couple people waiting for their orders. We shared a rice box combo which was more than enough food for two (if you're not starving) and such a great deal! You can choose your main (we got the sweet and spicy 5 piece karaage) and it comes with rice, miso soup and your choice of tempura/california roll/salad. Food does take a while to come out, but I assume it's because it's being made fresh so the wait is worth it! Great portions, super juicy chicken and super friendly and pleasant service. There are so many menu options that I can't wait to come back and try! There's bar counter seating and several small tables available to eat there, along with self serve water and utensils. $7.00 minimum for credit card transactions and no restroom for customers. read more

Tenkatori - Rice box combo with sweet and spicy karaage, tempura and California roll - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Tenkatori and trying their Karaage chicken, all thanks to a glowing recommendation from a friend. Let me tell you, it was an absolute delight! The Karaage chicken exceeded my expectations in every way possible. The moment the plate arrived, I couldn't help but admire the golden, crispy perfection of the chicken. The first bite was pure magic - tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. What elevated this dish even further was the exquisite sauce that accompanied it. It was the perfect balance of savory and slightly tangy, enhancing the chicken's taste without overpowering it. What truly surprised me was the exceptional service at Tenkatori, and much of that credit goes to Simona, the owner. Simona's warm welcome and personal attention to every detail of our dining experience truly made a difference. She not only ensured that our food was perfect but also shared her passion for Japanese cuisine, making our visit even more memorable. As if the delicious chicken and impeccable service weren't enough, the pricing was incredibly reasonable. It's safe to say that the Karaage chicken at Tenkatori offers the best bang for your buck, especially when you pair it with their sushi. I couldn't find any drawbacks during my visit. Tenkatori's Karaage chicken not only met but exceeded my expectations. It satisfied my craving for a mouthwatering meal, leaving me completely content. In summary, I wholeheartedly recommend trying the Karaage chicken at Tenkatori. Whether you're a fan of Japanese cuisine or simply looking for a fantastic dining experience, this dish is a must-try. With Simona's personal touch, it's an experience you won't forget. It's a definite yes from me, and I can't wait to go back for more! read more

GREAT fried chickens!!! However - never gets the box combo because everything else is really not to standard and unnecessary. the breading for the tempuras were WAY too thick and no flavors, the rolls were OK... plenty of sauces you can get - but they don't have the Japanese seasoning that is usually for karaage? that really needs to change.... small parking lot and very limited seatings. would definitely come back - but only to get the yummy chicken karaages - and i'll ask this time if they have the seasonings to go! read more

Tenkatori - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ohhhh yeah. This is the best karaage I've had in SoCal. My grandma in Japan used to always make me karaage growing up, and Tenkatori is almost as good as grandma's. Japanese food relies on high quality ingredients, and let me tell you this chicken thigh is SO flavorful and SOOO JUICY, with a perfectly crispy outside. The only thing missing is a little bit of lemon on top! But, the yuzu aioli sauce is a good backup in case you don't have a lemon on hand -- be sure to order some! The lady who was at the cash register when I came was so so kind, I loved her so much. She made sure to tell us before we left to NOT CLOSE THE TOP, or else it'll get soggy!! It sounds strange, but she was so right. If you're getting to-go, do not close the top of the lid, or it definitely will get soggy by the time you're home because of how juicy the chicken is! Tenkatori is the best, hands down. I gotta take more of my friends here and you should too!! read more

Tenkatori - Karaage!! Mmmm look at how juicy it is! - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food is as good as always but the customer service is HORRIBLE! No matter how good the food is I will never come back again!! I placed my order and added 1 teriyaki sauce and 1 spicy Mayo (see the attached pictures). After I got back home, I noticed that they forgot to add the teriyaki sauce and spicy Mayo. I called back to the store and wanted to let them know that they forgot about the sauce politely . The girl insisted on she gave the sauce with a very rude tone! Then, I said to her I can send you a picture or a video so that you can see you forgot to add teriyaki sauce and spicy Mayo (She only put soy sauce and sriracha). She replied back saying we cannot take pictures over the phone. I replied with, but I do not see my sauce. She kept insisting on she has put the teriyaki and spicy Mayo. Then, she HANGED UP on me! Her behavior was rude, not respectful, awful, and horrible! After she hanged up on me, I called back and asked her why did you hang up on me! She said I'm busy and I don't have time. She also said my driver might kept the sauce. But the thing is I placed and picked up the order myself, and how could you come up with such an excuse! The whole thing is not really about the sauce. It is all about her behaviors, which is beyond rudeness ! read more

Tenkatori - [Horrible customer service!] I don't see teriyaki sauce and spicy Mayo. Only chili sauce and soy sauce! - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Ordered 2 orders of the 8 PCs chicken at $9.00 for each. Also paid $0.95 for yuzu aioli sauce which was surprisingly very good (sour though). This place has good tasting crispy karaage and would recommend. Limited parking in the lot and you need to wait at least 10-15 min for your chicken to be prepared in the back. Got a free soda for doing a Yelp check-in! read more

Tenkatori - Karaage chicken 8 PCs - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I ordered a box meal with the sweet and spicy karaage, tempura, veggie rolls, and steamed veggies. It came with a miso soup on the side as well! It was only $12 and SO MUCH FOOD. I loved it. The human who took my order was so so kind and had an amazing attitude. It's really small in there but had a few tables and chairs. Soon after I got my food, it got super busy and I do not blame them! The food is incredible. I took it back to my hotel room and ate it. :) read more

Tenkatori - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ordered that Chicken Karage and it did not disappoint - ordered the sweet and spicy and spicy mayo sauce. I didn't love the mayo but it was made well if you do. Got a side of potato salad (6/10) Cali roll (8/10) & potato croquettes 10/10) the chicken was so tender and delicious! I want to go in person next time, I'll be back here. read more

One of the best karaage places in OC. Their fried chicken wings are unmatched in the area. Simply the best!!

My son favourite place since we in the neighbourhood, i thought i gave him a treat. Since we eating in & waiting for order he need to use the restroom. The lady over the counter said no rest room available. I told her we been here over the years and used the restroom at the back before. Poor kid have to go other place to find a restroom! Sigh! read more

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Please listen to this song that I am parodying, while you read my parody/review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtOvBOTyX00 . Flavor last Like the Minato Bridge Every plate Brings out the love that breaks down Every wall I see inside this bowl Without a doubt I know I want Karaage now And forever Every time you are near, I feel so new You are not a world away You're in my soul For a thousand years Love you for a thousand more Crispy skin Tender and moist within All of this plate Stardom with such a great freshness So great Love in this recipe Valor and depth I will be dreaming until breakfast And forever Every time you are near, I feel so new You are not a world away You're in my soul For a thousand years Love you for a thousand more Something great and so near South Coast Plaza Call ahead for great poultry You will love too For a thousand years Love it for a thousand more And forever And forever Every time you are near, I feel so new You are not a world away You're in my soul For a thousand years Love you for a thousand more Something great and so near South Coast Plaza Call ahead for great poultry You will love too For a thousand years Love it for a thousand more read more

Cashier lady in the front was not friendly and honestly a little rude. Should've walked out right then and there with such attitude. Paid $11 for a palm full of chicken gizzards and a fork. Asked for some kind of sauce to go with it and she said it's extra charge. Gizzard was mediocre. Not returning. read more

This was terrific. The karaage was crispy and tasty. The sweet and sour had a smooth and tangy flavor. The sweet and spicy had a nice bite with light heat. The gizzards were a pass - too chewy and tasted like they had been frozen. I will definitely be back for the karaage. read more

Tenkatori - My family got into these before I took the picture but these are the karaage, sweet and spicy, sweet and sour and the gizzards - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

First time trying karage and this place did not disappoint! Excellent customer service helped us pick the most popular item from their menu. Food was fresh and quickly prepared within 10 minutes. We also used to the Yelp check in offer without hassle. Definitely worth checking out. read more

Tenkatori - Chicken Karage Bowl - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Not very friendly! First time ordered to-go food on Yelp, I couldn't find name of my order. I show them my order number and details, but they told me the only way to pick up the food is the name of the order. And they did help me to find out where to find it out. Worst picking up experience in my life. Food is good tho read more

I went here for dinner and it was fairly packed at around 8 pm with like 4 orders ahead of me though the food didn't take too long; like 10 minutes. Nice prices for a decent amount of food but the chicken felt a bit oily and heavy. The croquette was decent very mushy. read more

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You blink and would probably miss this joint. Delicious hole-in-the-wall restaurant that sells chicken karaage cooked fresh to order. It's sandwiched between a Hawaiian restaurant and another small restaurant. I ordered the 12-piece chicken karaage and it was enough for two people. The lady in the front is super nice. One time I had to wait a little longer than expected because she mixed up my order and to compensate for my wait, she gave me four extra pieces of chicken karaage! Four extra pieces! The wait wasn't even that long...probably 15-20 minutes tops. I also tried their sushi and it was meh. My advice is to stick with their chicken karaage. Prices are super reasonable, and they have multiple locations (Costa Mesa, Sawtelle, Gardena, and Miramar). You can place your order over the phone or on their website. Give it a try and let me know how you like it! read more

I was super excited to see that there was a place that sells Karaage. But I guess you should never really set your expectations too high, because this place served the worst chicken I've ever had. I ordered a 20 piece karaage with fries. The chicken tasted off, and the breading tasted very oily. The fries were soggy and limp, and tasted like they were from a frozen bag from the grocery store. The food was such a disappointment, after coming back from San Diego and having the best Karaage chicken ever from a ramen restaurant, and I was desperate for a good chicken place. On top of that, the service was beyond lackluster. We came in to order the food, and the cashier didn't offer so much as a smile, or ask us if we wanted any types of sauces with our order. I really wished I could give the place a higher rating, but I see nothing redeemable about this restaurant. I hate wasting food, but the taste was so bad that we had to throw out half the order. read more

Tenkatori - French fries - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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2 stars because the staff was friendly and tried to be helpful. First off, this place is BARELY Gluten Free. Like maybe 15% of their menu can be ordered GF. It's a problem because they have huge vinyl letters on the window saying "No MSG" "Gluten Free". ALL of their sauces have gluten in them. Most of their sides also have gluten in them. What's worse is that the lady behind the counter is selling me stuff like it's all gluten free. Knowing Japanese food and also having been GF for almost 10 years, I know Japanese Curry, Potato Croquettes, Eggrolls, Tempura, and Takoyaki are all made with wheat flour. These would all have to be made in house, custom. They aren't. Just a bunch of frozen stuff fried. So let's talk about flavor. The karage chicken is the worst karage I've eaten to date. Mind you, Karage isn't known to be fancy or gourmet. It's like Japanese Chic-fil-a and they managed to make it greasy with potato starch on the outside... yay? I can't comment on their sauces because...the only one I could have was sriracha...thanks... The miso soup was exceptionally salty and had too much sake in it. Even if I wasn't gluten free, their offering are just sad. Bunch of fried junk food with rice. Pet Peeves: Unfiltered fountain drink machine water and styrofoam containers everywhere. read more

Great gluten free fried chicken!!!.. Never had perfect gluten free fried chicken like this!

Perfectly fried karaage, and they have gizzards too! The batter is crisp though not crunchy like flour battered ones, but thanks to the good frying it's scrumptious without being oily. It's not too salty that you can't enjoy it without a bowl of rice, but definitely perfect when accompanied with rice. Tried the tantan sauce that is deep and nutty, a good match with the chicken. But spicy mayo or more acidic sauces is the match made in heaven for this savory chicken. read more

Tenkatori - Sunagimo 7oz - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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They give a solid amount of food; I was pleasantly surprised. And the sweet & spicy sauce was really good. read more

Tenkatori - Sweet & Spic KARAAGE Bento - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I doordashed this to my office (which is why I can only fairly give 4 stars, I haven't been there to give the full scoop). I do have to say the chicken was sooo good! I ordered the spicy mayo which was different than others I'd had before but was so tasty. The rice was slightly over cooked and dry but when eaten with the chicken, you hardly noticed. read more

Tenkatori - Karaage A la Carte (Chicken Boneless Thigh 5 pcs) - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Can't even begin to describe the experience. Best fried chicken in Costa Mesa by a landslide. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, fried chicken, sushi rolls, then this is the place for you. The staff was super friendly and introduced me to a few menu items I had never tried before. So delicious read more

Tenkatori - Karaage, Japanese Fried Chicken - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I walked a couple blocks from my mechanic's shop for lunch while waiting for him to complete work on my car. I was looking forward to some delicious chicken after seeing all the great reviews but this time Yelp led me astray. This small shop has three or four tables inside plus a counter. I ordered the five piece karaage chicken plus the yuzu coleslaw as a side. Prices are fantastic for the amount of food. It was ready in less than ten minutes and I ate at the window counter. The chicken had a crisp coating but it was excessively greasy. The chicken was moist but tough; I had difficulty biting through the large boneless thigh pieces. I didn't care for it. I was expecting the coleslaw to have a citrusy taste but it just tasted..."off". A couple bites and I threw it out. I'm not sure if that was how it was suppose to taste and I just didn't like it or if it was just bad. I must have come at the wrong time if all the good reviews are correct. I just didn't enjoy it at all. read more

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Service was quick and efficient. My husband ordered spicy tuna bowl and I ordered the spicy chicken karaage. Although husband liked his order, he thought the serving (except for rice which was plenty) was too little. He had to order chicken karaage with spicy aioli and he was finally full and satisfied. I liked that their karaage was freshly cooked. The chicken was tender and moist. I wish it was a bit crisper though. Overall, it was a good meal. read more

Karaage is in their name, and karaage is all I have tried. I've tried both their bento box, and their bowls. Maybe it is my mid morning snack or just me getting old, but, I have not been able to finish their bento box or bowls. Their bento boxes come with many combinations. Their bowls come with vegetables. 2 pieces of broccoli is not enough for me as old people like me need to eat more veggies. It doesn't seem like they cook their chicken after I order it. If they did, the wait for their food would be a long wait, and waiting is something I can't do on a short lunch break. Their chicken is nicely seasoned and fried to perfection. Never have I had a dry piece. They are located in a small strip shopping center next to a Hawaiian BBQ and 7-11. Parking is scarce in that lot. The employees are nice. The restaurant itself is very small with only a few tables. I am liking this place. Portions are big for an old guy like me. I've already been back. read more

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I went for the belly-busting yet budget-friendly box, which is customizable. Love the massive pieces of chicken karaage! They have a crispy coating that isn't greasy or heavy, and the dark meat inside is juicy and tender. The 4-piece California rolls were ok, and the miso soup was pretty standard. And not to sound nitpicky, but the steamed veggies tasted like they were boiled in salt water. I am not a fan of the styrofoam packaging (due to health and environmental reasons). I get that it's cheaper and more convenient if people want to take leftovers home, but I would have preferred to use paper plates. It's a great place for lunch since they have small tables, hightops, and some bar seating. There's a good selection of sauces (extra cost) for the chicken and wings. It took a while to get our meals, but I like to think it's because the chicken isn't just being reheated in the microwave. I really like the karaage, so I'll come back just to get them. read more

Tenkatori - Box with chicken karaage, 4-piece California rolls, and steamed veggies. Miso soup and rice are included. - Gluten-Free Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We went to pick up dinner last night based on all the great reviews It was so bad my daughter dumped her sushi in the trash and worried about getting ill She had spicy tuna rolls with some gross fried chicken on top of it Thankfully we didn't get sick but it was bad food California roll Tiny Miso soup bland taste like water The place itself is tiny, and about 3 tables, reslly only for waiting to get your order Zero ambiance Teraki chicken is all dark meat with skin on and smells funny I hate dark meat Tempura was only 1 shrimp, 1 onion slice and part of a carrot Soggy! Rice Kinda stale Seriously I would never want to try anything again, but updated we didn't get sick so that's a relief read more

Great food and better customer service. We ordered take out and my cousin forgot the sauces. They actually drove 20 minutes to the house to drop off the sauces. Much appreciated!!! read more

I recently tried the Japanese karaage chicken, and it was absolutely delicious! The chicken was incredibly juicy, with a perfectly crispy, golden-brown exterior. The seasoning was spot-on, with just the right balance of savory and umami flavors. Every bite was tender and flavorful, making it one of the best karaage dishes I've had. Highly recommend it for anyone who loves flavorful, juicy fried chicken! read more