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    Uncle Tetsu

    4.4 (283 reviews)
    ModerateDesserts, Japanese
    Open 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Uncle Tetsu Takeout or Delivery

    Uncle Tetsu Photos

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    UNCLE TETSU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Uncle Tetsu

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    Menu. 1/18/2026
    Sandra L.

    Uncle Tetsu is still the OG when it comes to Japanese Cheesecake, at least that's how I feel. They come out with limited flavors throughout the year and I just missed the most recent one with coffee tart and cheesecake. I love coffee desserts and while I've had their coffee cheesecake in the past, I have never seen it in the tart form and wanted to try. It's a bummer because they just switched over to the pandan flavor for a limited time. Still, I love this place for their Japanese style cheesecake - which is really more of a soft sponge cake rather than the traditional cheesecake. The workers here are friendly and the shop is always clean.

    Nikki Y.

    Stopped by for some cheese tarts! Parking was easy & it wasn't busy either (: if you're looking for dessert I would recommend you stop by here!

    Janney A.

    I haven't had Uncle Tetsu in a very long time. But I finally did last weekend and got to try the coffee one. I loved it. It tastes just like coffee, not too sweet, very fluffy and spongy. I think this flavor is my favorite. We also got the cookies and cream, but it was just okay. They told us it was sweeter, but it wasn't, at least not for me or anyone in the family who tried it. I couldn't really taste the cookies and cream. It wasn't as strong as the coffee flavor. The workers at this location were nice & helpful.

    Family birthdays party for this month
    Crystal G.

    Most delicious airy cheesecake I've ever ! We also had and the Ube just a slight flavor change.. Feels like I was biting into it sweet cloud. It was perfect not too sweet just perfect. Definitely made the birthday party special five stars.

    Burnt top layer

    I visited the store around 7:30 PM about 30 minutes before closing at 8:00 PM and to be honest I've been here a couple of times before and never had any issues so I fully trusted this place. That day I purchased one original cheesecake and one basque cheesecake as gifts for my friend and since I was in a rush I didn't open the box to check and handed the basque cheesecake directly to my friend as she was waiting in the parking lot, my original cheesecake was great just as good as always but the basque was not because the top was burnt completely black with a thick charred layer nothing like the thin beautifully caramelized brown crust shown in other customers' reviews, my friend got upset with me thinking I had given her a bad cake which I genuinely had no idea about and it wasn't until over a week later that she finally showed me the photos and it looked really bad as she had cut a small piece to try but had to discard the entire top half because the burnt layer heavily affected the flavor and tasted extremely bitter and I will attach the photos below I had to apologize to her repeatedly and felt so embarrassed by this experience and I paid $24 and received a cake that was essentially ruined and I understand the name is "burnt" but should a store really be selling something burnt to this extent, I will not be returning and my advice to other customers is to always check your order before leaving the store and avoid shopping close to closing time like I did.

    Leeza D.

    Fluffy cheesy Japanese style cheesecake which is great for get togethers. I like that they usually have samples out and I am not shy to grab a couple. So tasty. Parking is easy during off peak. Please come and create your own adventure.

    Original Cheese Tart
    Amy B.

    I had some pretty high expectations but was ultimately disappointed to the point where I won't be coming back. The food was actually not that good at all and it didn't taste like something made by real Japanese people. The ube cheesecake samples they had out tasted decent initially but quickly descended into tasting like not much more than excessive flour. The original cheese tart had a crust that was too unhealthy and tasted like Walker shortbread cookies, which I'm avoiding, and the cheese part of the tart wasn't impressive at all and also tasted a little too heavy, dull, and unhealthy. The vibe and decor inside was terribly unimpressive and actually looks like a run-down dungeon with the darkness and shiny tiles on the walls. There were no authentic Japanese staff on my visit and I believe Uncle Tetsu in the USA isn't even owned by the Japanese, so that probably explains why my expectations were decimated upon the first visit. I wanted a Japanese experience and this establishment doesn't deliver in any respect so I will chalk this up as part of the costs of trial and error. On the plus side, the Hakata Ikkousha ramen restaurant a few doors down was super impressive!

    Menu 2025
    Tim H.

    If you haven't tried Uncle Tetsu I would highly recommend it! Easy in and out service and delish cheesecake - light fluffy and a subtle sweetness

    Menu as of Nov 2025
    Amy L.

    Light fluffy cheesecake $14. It's not too sweet and you can taste more of the cream cheese.

    Original Cheese Tart
    Gladys P.

    This cheese tart is AMAZING! It's light and airy with a crispy crust. My friends brought this back from Costa Mesa but I was thrilled to find out there's a location in Eastvale which is the next city over from me. Can't wait to bring my family there to try out their other desserts.

    Ube Cheesecake
    Michelle C.

    What a treat! A mentor friend had bought this for me and my family - a cake that hits the Asian desert palate: it is not too sweet!!! The ube flavor is comforting and light, not overpowering. If you haven't had a Japanese cheesecake before, this is a wonderful place to try on a local level! The service was kind. You can sample whatever cheesecake they have out for the time of day. I got to try the strawberry cheesecake! There is no seating to eat inside - it is more of a place to get a dessert gift for family and friends of which my family has been an incredibly happy recipient! Thank you all, God bless you all

    Mini original cheesecake
    Jasmine N.

    Tucked away in a corner of a plaza. Not too busy in there during the weekday and it's nice to try out the sampler in the front. I tried the cookies and cream cheesecake and it was just eh. I've come to realize I like more of a regular cake than a Japanese cheesecake so this is a review of my comparison of the flavors and the store/staff. I came in for a free mini cheesecake offer with purchase and got myself the popular ube flavor and then a seasonal flavor called summer mango. The mini cheesecake was just the original flavor. All of them are very light in flavor. The cakes are smaller than I remember? The original obviously being like the light Japanese cheesecake taste and slightly spongey. I am missing the extra brown top that adds a little more flavor. The ube cheesecake flavor was very mild. You cannot tell it's ube other than the darker purple color of the entire cake. I also think it's slightly drier. The summer mango had a little more flavor and feels more refreshing - definitely a summer flavor.

    Seasonal Burnt Basque Cheesecake flavor Nov 2025
    Angie L.

    I love trying the uncle tetsu seasonals!! There's usually a sample of a cheesecake in the front too so that usually helps occupy my little one (and temporarily satisfy my sweet tooth) while I order and pay. The service is decent, they get me what I want and I'm in and out super quick. These cheesecakes are so fluffy and not too sweet. The basque cheesecake is the opposite, it's great if you have a sweet tooth and it's quite rich and dense. I like both so I usually pick up both. Don't forget to ask for a stamp card too!!

    Ube Cheesecake

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    Uncle Tetsu Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Uncle Tetsu

    Would a lactose person be able to have if they eat cheese but not cream?

    Hi Ana, Unfortunately our products contain cream as one of the main ingredients. We apologize for… Read more

    Should the cheesecakes be consumed the same day or is it ok next day? I want to bring some to my family in Hawaii! Would it be fine as a carry on with some ice packs?

    Hi Kristine, no the cheesecakes do not need to be consumed on the same day. They are good in the fridge for up to 3-5 days so it would be fine to bring as a carry on with ice packs!… Read more

    How do you store the original cheesecake? Do you leave it in a cool place or refrigerate?

    Hi Jenny, our cheesecakes are good in room temperature for a few hours. After that, they should be refrigerated.… Read more

    Sorry if this sounds dumb, but is there anything gluten free?

    Hi Francis, No worries! At the moment, our cheesecakes are not gluten free.… Read more

    What time are you guys close?

    Hi Christine, our daily business hours are 11am-8pm. Best,… Read more

    View All 11 Questions

    Kagura

    Kagura

    4.2(453 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Had an amazing meal at Kagura--easily one of the best katsu spots I've been to in the area…read more The quality really stands out. The pork was incredibly tender and juicy on the inside with that perfect crispy, golden crust on the outside. You can tell a lot of care goes into the preparation, from the precise frying to how everything is plated and served. Honestly, it reminded me a lot of the katsu I had in Osaka--simple, focused, and done really well. No unnecessary extras, just high-quality ingredients executed properly. The sides and sauces complemented everything perfectly, and the whole meal felt balanced and satisfying without being too heavy. If you're into tonkatsu or just want something done right, this place is absolutely worth it. Definitely a 5-star experience for me.

    Solid spot for katsu and hamburg. Almost everything on the menu is fried except for their wagyu…read morehamburg and the pork ginger set. I do wish they had some more non fried options, but the fried stuff, they do well. It comes with the side dishes traditional to Japanese meals, and the katsu is veeeeeery crispy crunchy. Their curry flavor is pretty flavorful too but not mindblowing or particularly memorable. The wagyu hamburg was tender, juicy, but definitely salty. The gravy was alright because it was just salt forward. I loved the salad with it because it cut through the salt, but it got drenched in the gravy because it was put on the same plate. The rice was perfect and the miso soup was good, and I particularly liked the sweet potatoes. I liked the okra side but it was a little slimy for me and a little awkward to put in one's mouth with the goo. But once it was in my mouth it was great LOL. The service was great; they filled up our waters extensively and got everything perfect. Quick, efficient, accurate service is always amazing! And the restaurant itself is very cutely decorated in the Japanese style and I was pretty impressed with how cute it was since the outside can seem like an unassuming strip mall. Yummy food!!!

    Photos
    Kagura - Tables interior

    Tables interior

    Kagura - Sauce Katsu Sando | $14.95

    Sauce Katsu Sando | $14.95

    Kagura - Misokatsu

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    Misokatsu

    Takumi Sushi

    Takumi Sushi

    4.6(573 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Food was amazing, all you can eat menu is fantastic many options, waiters have amazing service and…read moretalk very well with customers.

    i came here on a sunday afternoon for a lunch date, and everything we had was super yummy and…read morefresh! there was about a 30 minute wait, which wasn't so bad for how crowded it seemed inside, and the service was super efficient and tentative. food: - eel, sweet shrimp, madai, & seared salmon nigiri: these were all really good, and you could taste the freshness in each slice of fish! i also appreciated how the rice ball was small hahaha. i was craving eel and really loved the eel they had, which was soft and had a savory and sweet sauce on top. - bluefin tuna & salmon sashimi: these carpaccio dishes were sooo yummy! the fish was soft, and the sauce that came with it had a nice tanginess that didn't overpower the fish. definitely my favorite bite of the meal! - spicy scallop hand roll: pretty standard handroll, and nothing special but still tasty! the scallop wasn't spicy but i never really expect sushi to really be spicy LOL - spicy tuna crispy rice: these were MASSIVE. we underestimated how much rice and tuna would come with each one, so we mistakenly ordered two orders (4 total) LOL ... good but can get heavy quickly. - baked salmon roll: pretty good, and the fish wasn't dry from being baked! this was a nice contrast from the raw fish that we ordered overall, i really liked takumi sushi! it's nice eating at a non-AYCE sushi place every now and then to taste the quality in each slice. it looks unassuming from the outside, but the inside is very cozy and great for a date spot!

    Photos
    Takumi Sushi
    Takumi Sushi
    Takumi Sushi

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    Ramen Nagi - Delicious ramen noodles!

    Ramen Nagi

    4.5(417 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    This place has quickly become one of my go to spots at South Coast Plaza ever since they've opened!…read moreThey offer four different tonkotsu ramen bases, with further customization available from like oil richness, veggies, salt, and more, to tailor your ramen to your desired flavor!! Even with the unlimited customization options, they also offer limited-time ramen bases as well , like a pumpkin ramen, crab ramen, or even a curry ramen just recently. These limited-time ramen flavors are always so creative AND tasty, so the announcement of a new limited-ramen always gets me rushing over to try it!! The ambiance is excellent as well, and the addition of the patio provides a nice and private scenic breeze, with extra bonus points in practicality for providing a nice space for pet owners like myself when I have my dog with me! Not only is the food and ambiance great, but the service is spectacular as well. The servers are attentive friendly and quick, so I'm never waiting long! Extra special shout out to servers Bao and Kenny!!! Both Bao and Kenny have been my server time and time again, and both of them provide beyond exceptional service at lightning speed!! The managers too have been so wonderful to me as well, with Nike, Brandon, Britt and Chuong facilitating such wonderful dining experiences every time I visit!! I can't recommend this place enough to all of my friends. With their continuous dedication to quality, quickness, and care, I've found myself coming back again and again

    Although there was a line, it moved quickly and we were able to be seated pretty fast (Friday night…read morearound 8pm) They are very efficient, explaining the menu and letting you pick your order while in line so immediately when you get seated, you can hand your server your order. I got the veggie king with an ramen egg and the thick noodles. Super delicious and flavorful although the "normal spicy -1" was not spicy at all. Also interesting choice to add hash browns to the ramen. I actually loved that addition even though I wouldn't have thought it would work. It came piping hot though and I burnt my tongue. My only wish is that they would add tofu or some sort of vegetarian protein to the veggie ramen.

    Photos
    Ramen Nagi - Restaurant entrance

    Restaurant entrance

    Ramen Nagi - Red King with level 10 Spice

    Red King with level 10 Spice

    Ramen Nagi - Chashu bowl

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    Chashu bowl

    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining

    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$
    Healthy dining
    Hipster vibe

    Can't believe this was our first time eating at Habuya -- such a hidden gem and totally worth the…read morewait! We joined the Yelp waitlist about 30 minutes after opening and waited around an hour to be seated. Since it was prime-time Saturday dinner and the restaurant is tiny, the wait made sense. Pro tip: come 30 minutes before opening or join the waitlist early if you can! White Corn with Truffle Salt -- 5/5 A must-order. I wasn't expecting much, but it was absolutely perfect and so good with drinks. Pork Cutlet Curry -- 4/5 Classic katsu curry flavor, but the breading was a little on the harder and darker side. Maybe just a bad batch, but still really good. Bluefin & Salmon Sashimi -- 5/5 Order it with the pickled wasabi. It melts in your mouth -- SO good. Purple Sweet Potato Fries -- 4/5 A great appetizer and perfect for snacking with drinks. Beef Sukiyaki -- 5/5 Served with a soft-boiled egg, tofu, mushrooms, and kimchi. I usually don't love sweet beef with kimchi, but this was perfectly seasoned. The BEST. Saving the best for last -- the owner and her team are the sweetest ladies. They work fast, check in often, and you can really tell they care about their customers becoming regulars. Best izakaya in OC! Thank you, Habuya, for a wonderful dinner.

    Authentic, super delicious izakaya food!! Totally worth the wait. Wife and I had a great time. We…read morestuffed our faces. Service was great. Quirky music. Small space. Will absolutely come back! Our absolute favorite dishes were the Atkin Mackerel and Shrimp Curry. Highly recommend them. The only dish that was mid was the Chicken Karaage - we'll skip this dish next time.

    Photos
    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining
    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining - Chicken wings

    Chicken wings

    Izakaya Habuya Okinawan Dining - Purple Yam

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    Purple Yam

    Gyutan Tsukasa USA

    Gyutan Tsukasa USA

    4.3(658 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    so delicious!!! i never knew beef tongue could be this good!! a little pricy but i think it's worth…read moreit. the tounge is cooked perfectly where it's chewy and has a bite without being too much. these are packed with flavor and are perfect topped with some wasabi. i liked the soup that also came with our meal service is nice here and prompt. inside can get packed during lunch and dinner hours but seats will eventually open up. can't wait to come again!

    As of 4/17/26, they no longer do take out orders…read more Every time we've visited Mitsuwa and the food court, we never got a chance to try Gyutan Tsukasa USA until last month. Gyutan Tsukasa USA is always busy and we were intrigued by the hype since the cost was higher than others. #1-B 12 pcs Gyutan Set The motto on their website "Once you try the oxtongue offered by Tsukasa, you don't want to go to the other oxtongue restaurants for Tsukasa's unique taste!" - and we agree! I've tried ox tongue at a few different restaurants and also even in Japan, but the one here at Tsukasa is most definitely different than the ones I have had at other restaurants in the U.S. The charcoal grilled ox tongue pieces were very thick, and of very good quality. They were easy to bite and chew, which is a huge plus in our books. Yes, the meal is simple, but sometimes a simple meal is the hardest to prepare. The soup was not oily at all and there were plenty of green onions and the oxtail pieces were so soft. Everything was fresh and delicious, from the main entree to the rice and the veggies, and not overly greasy in any way. Yes, the price is higher than others in the food court, but there is a reason why it is also one of the busiest.

    Photos
    Gyutan Tsukasa USA - Menu

    Menu

    Gyutan Tsukasa USA - Gyutan set (12pcs)

    Gyutan set (12pcs)

    Gyutan Tsukasa USA - Gyutan Combo

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    Gyutan Combo

    Ramen Izakaya Taiko

    Ramen Izakaya Taiko

    4.6(134 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Sports on TV

    Might I say this might be the best ramen in the Orange County region! Ample parking in the lot…read morecoupled with friendly service. Takoyaki was made fresh and delicious as an appetizer. Would recommend. Spicy TanTan Ramen was superb. Great broth with chewy noodles. Loved the toppings. Not crazy spicy if you're worried. The Pork Belly Tonkatsu Ramen was visually pleasing and also packed with flavor. If you're a Tonkatsu fan, this is a must-try! Everyone please keep this place in business! I wanna go back for my next ramen fix.

    Fountain Valley is TAIKO's more casual ramen, izakaya and sushi spot! This spot is a great addition…read moreto FV's food scene with simply amazing Japanese favorites taken to the next level!! There is the MEGA PORK BELLY RAMEN DELUXE where you will no longer complain that you didn't have enough pork belly in your ramen! To me this meat to ramen ratio is perfect. I always get disappointed when I get 3 really thin pieces of char sui. This definitely a win for my ramen belly. Then TAIKO's take on Carne Fries but made with WAGYU and nacho cheese in a sizzling hot plate! Its very impressive. Honestly I would have never imagined getting served fries on sizzling hot plate with seasoned Wagyu and then they drip the nacho cheese. I could not help but wipe the saliva off my lip. Their variety of AVALANCHE rolls with sushi rolls topped with an avalanche of sashimi and the hardest part is picking Salmon or Tuna. It soo crazy good. For lunch they also have unbelievable $17 Sashimi & Tempura Lunch Set that's wow because again, how can this be only $17 and its from Taiko. Tempura cooked to perfection, the selection of sashimi is fresh simply enjoy all the little side dishes. I need to swing by Happy Hour sometime.

    Photos
    Ramen Izakaya Taiko
    Ramen Izakaya Taiko
    Ramen Izakaya Taiko

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    Uncle Tetsu - desserts - Updated May 2026

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