This place is my guilty little pleasure. It's the only spot I know where I can get a delicious tofu skin pocket stuffed with perfectly seasoned rice and topped with fresh salmon or tuna. It's simple, but that's exactly what makes it so good. Some days, a full poke bowl feels like too much, and sushi can be a little too expensive. When I'm just craving fresh raw fish over rice in a fun, satisfying bite, this is exactly where I come. If you're like me, treat yourself to a few yubu--they're only about $5 each and totally worth it. My recommendations: Seared Salmon Cream Onion Salmon Soy Marinated Salmon Yellowtail Seared Tuna read more

My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place when we saw the Yubu! We wanted to try it out never seeing something like that before. We got the Lunch Special #1 and Lunch Special #2, then added on 2 more Yubus: Soy Salmon Donburi, Udon, Miso Soup, & Yubu (Spicy Salmon, Creamy Onion Salmon, & Spicy Yellowtail). Our favorite was the creamy onion salmon because it brought out the flavors for sure. The spicy levels on these dishes were insane!! Had him sweating at the end of it. I will say the yubu falls apart pretty easily because of how big it was, but make sure you get as much of the bite as you can. This entire meal was pretty filling. read more

Yubuya - Yubu: Spicy Salmon (Left), Creamy Onion Salmon (Right), & Spicy Yellowtail (Right) - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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A mouthful of deliciousness!! The stars aligned for me to try a new lunch spot today and I loved it!!!!!! This is a cute smaller size shop, but it's very efficient and there are some inside and outside seats if you would like to enjoy your food there. I got a bag of their salmon chips and four yubuyas. I had the Unagi, seared salmon, seared tuna and snow crab. My meal also came with a cup of miso soup. My food took maybe five minutes to come out and I asked if there should be a sauce I should use to dip my food in. The host mentioned that all of the fish and rice is already seasoned and they recommend that you eat it just as it is. Parking in the shopping center is free, but can be a little busy. I took my food home and enjoyed every bite. The food was so flavorful and fresh. I enjoyed all of it. For everything I spent $30 and I'm very full and satisfied with miso soup left over for another meal. I'll definitely be back again to try more of the menu. read more

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Our first yubu experience and it was delicious!!! The staff were so nice and inviting and the place is cute, not much seating in general but enough for a few people to sit and eat. We ordered 2 yubu per person and then quickly realized we needed more. The seafood was so fresh overall. The Philly salmon was our favorite, with a slight tang and the perfect creaminess. The salmon with onion was next, the seared salmon, and I was super impressed by how fresh and tasty the snow crab one was! The rice was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the tofu wrap brought it all together nicely. The seared salmon nigiri was also so fresh and tasty! Wish they had this in San Diego but we'll be coming back for sure! read more

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My friends and I came on a Friday afternoon & ordered the lunch special! It comes with 3 yubus of your choice. Friendly workers and nice environment! I got the seared salmon, Ikura, and salmon (+ avocado for 75 cents) The seared salmon had a lot of flavor and I would definitely order this one again! I also really enjoyed the Ikura. The salmon avocado was more plain but still yummy. Everything comes preseasoned so you need to ask if you want soy sauce. The lunch special with 3 yubu also comes with miso soup. read more

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With not many yubu spots in OC, I'm happy to have found one that serves fresh fish with great flavor! I've been here a couple of times now, and it hasn't disappointed. It's located in a busy shopping plaza, but there's plenty of parking. Inside, you order at a kiosk, but the staff is welcoming and encourages you to ask questions about the menu. They also have a few daily deals, including a complimentary miso soup when you buy three yubu. After ordering, you can grab a seat at the counter inside or at one of the two tables outside. I ordered the seared tuna and soy-marinated salmon, which came out to $11.86 after tax. The inari was fresh, and the sushi rice was perfectly cooked, moist, and well seasoned. Even without the toppings, it had plenty of flavor. Even so, the toppings were the highlight! The seared tuna was lean and had a subtle charcoal flavor. The salmon was well marinated without being overly salty. Every bite was packed with flavor, and I didn't feel the need to add soy sauce or wasabi. Both were also exceptionally fresh and didn't leave any fishy aftertaste. I had tried the spicy yellowtail on a previous visit, but I wasn't a fan of the spicy sauce being drizzled on top instead of being marinated and coating the fish, so I skipped it this time. Definitely worth stopping by when you're craving something light, fresh, and satisfying. read more

Yubuya - Hidden gem for a quick lunch | Lunch Combo #2 (Spicy Yellowtail, Seared Tuna, Udon) & Soy Marinated Salmon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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YUBUYA @ COSTA MESA This place was such a hidden gem with SUPER fresh and affordable nigiri! We loved the variation and the fact you get a free miso with 3 orders. The food was so yummy and it was such a treat for a casual lunch! read more

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Yubuya is a really cute and cozy spot in Costa Mesa that I'd definitely recommend. I ordered the lunch set which came with udon and two inari, and I chose the creamy onion salmon and unagi for my flavors. Honestly both were really good and the udon was solid too. The service was friendly and the vibe of the place just made it a nice overall experience. The only thing I'd say is the portion was a bit too small for a lunch set. I wasn't stuffed by the end of it which was a little disappointing. But the quality of the food made up for it if you're in the area and want some good Korean/Japanese food. read more

Yubuya - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I had such a lovely experience at Yubuya! I picked up lunch and the food was absolutely phenomenal--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The atmosphere is just as wonderful, with such a beautiful, warm, and inviting space. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better. I truly can't recommend this place enough. Such a special spot in Costa Mesa--I'll definitely be back! read more

This was a start to finish excellent experience. Wonderful service from explaining the menu, providing recommendations, to simply kindness. It's a small business but they have counter seating and small tables inside. The food was just as described- seasoned well! We tried multiple items: seared salmon, seared tuna, different salmon items, crab avocado, yellow tail, and a few other items because we wanted to try it all. Nothing disappointed us so we'll definitely be back when in the area and have already recommended to friends. read more

Yubuya - Outside - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is a Korean establishment that serves a select menu of fresh and seared fish like salmon, etc., both as sushi and as their so-called "yubu", which is essentially the Korean take on the Japanese "inari". The salmon was actually pretty tasty and certainly fresh enough, and the whole experience was quite positive. I didn't get sick afterwards so that's positive confirmation that the fish quality was good despite the lower business volume they have here versus a bigger sushi place. The staff lady was very kind and I enjoyed being helped by her. The vibe is pretty nice, and I like the tray to take outside and everything to eat at one of the tables. A neat place! read more

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Flavorful Nigiri & Great Service A solid, casual spot whether you're looking for a quick dine-in meal or a takeout option. The staff here is super nice, which makes the experience even better. Flavor Profiles: I really enjoyed that the nigiri and yubu come pre-seasoned/flavored. It adds a nice touch and keeps the flavors consistent without needing much extra. Portions & Pricing: You'll likely need to spend at least $20 for a full meal. read more

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My second time visiting and it was so good!! Immediately noticed that the staff were super friendly. I got the #2 lunch combo which is such a good deal! The udon was good, the soy marinated salmon was better, and the seared salmon was the BEST. So tasty and flavorful, you can tell they put a lot of care into their menu and food. The inside is also very nice and clean. Can't wait to go back! read more

Yubuya - Lunch Combo #2 with Seared Salmon Yubu and Soy Marinated Salmon Yubu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I absolutely love frequenting this establishment! There is a deal that I always get: buy 3 yubus and get a free miso soup. When I'm hungry, I'll get another Yubu! My favorite flavors are the fresh salmon, seared salmon, creamy onion salmon, fresh yellowtail, and seared tuna. The fish is really fresh and when combined with the sweetness of tofu skin...perfection! The workers are really nice and friendly! I always like saying hi to them. There is some searing both inside and outside! It's limited but I've always had a spot to sit when I came. They also have a bathroom to use too. There a large parking lot so no need to worry about parking. read more

Yubuya - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We drove here all the way from LA because I wanted to try this place so much. I even flipped through the menu the night before because I was so excited to try it. Soooo worth it. Everyone was right: the creamy onion salmon was so freaking good and my favorite one. It was the right amount of savory and tangy. I also enjoyed the other crowd favorite, soy marinated salmon, and it was also super yummy. It had a different flavor profile than I would have expected. The seared tuna was also tasty and I really enjoyed the toasty char taste. The people working here were super nice too :) Parking was easy and ample in a strip mall. I also liked the music they played. Hehe read more

Yubuya - Seared tuna, unagi, another seared tuna - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Got the seared salmon, creamy onion salmon, soy marinated salmon yubu and all really good! Perfect quick lunch option. My favorite was the soy marinated salmon. I liked the vinegar rice too. Buy 3 Yubus to get a free miso soup! The store is small with a few bar tables. The staff were really friendly and helpful. It's located in a plaza with easy parking. read more

Yubuya - Seared Salmon Creamy Onion Salmon Soy Marinated Salmon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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8/15/26 They dont even deserve 1 star. Should be zero star. Red flags, Saturday night, no guess. The place is EMPTY, chairs & tables all stacked up. We asked about $5 off as advertised. The clerk said to order online. We proceeded, not many choices. Then, came to find out "need to open an account" the clerk was too lazy to even mention it in the beginning, zero customer service manners. I DONT recommend this poorly managed place at all. I am sure they bought the ratings to look like that. Waste of time. ------------------ 8/16/26 Reply to the owner: Dear: other customers, Am I surprised to see this unprofessiona, lowest of the low manners' response from the "business owner" No, it was written all over her face. Business etiquette 101. Not to argue with customers, especially online, it serves nothing but to expose yourself how uneducated and ignorant you are. The customer has no other intention but to get the good food and experience they deserve. when this fails, look at your poor service delivery. This concept must be very hard for a lame and uncivilized person you are to comprehend. "$5 off was a huge gesture"? wrong focus. But again, the readers would not be surprised this is how the low mind think. I wish you the best since your weak and incompetent way to handle the business at a non-busy, EMPTY store time. Good night again. read more

Have been here many times - always here for the lunch specials whenever I can make it in time for that. I eat a lot and usually 4 yubus plus a miso soup or cucumber salad is enough to fill me up for a meal! Great flavor, portion and freshness. The salmon here is my go to and I love that they have many other options. read more

Yubuya - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

One of the first places I wanted to try around this area as I love yubu! I ordered the three set + complimentary miso soup for lunch and took it home to try with my family. Slightly pricy, but a decent portion. I will say, two of these weren't to my personal taste sadly. The onion salmon was great, but the snow crab was far too salty, especially considering it's priced higher. The marinated salmon was similarly too strong, overly sweet instead of a complimenting marinade. I was looking to these the most, so quite disappointed by that. Service was self-checkout, and I waited about 5-10 minutes for my order. Small storefront with only a few seating options, so be aware of lunch rushes. Overall, a fairly good experience. Despite some menu items not being to my personal taste, I want to return someday to try more options and see if those will turn out better. read more

Yubuya - Salmon Creamy Onion Salmon, Snow Crab, and Soy Marinated Salmon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

So cute and convenient! Easy parking in this shopping complex. Only has maybe 10 spots max to sit but it's definitely more of a grab and go place. Despite being super convenient and fast - these yubus are made on the spot!! Tofu skins with half rice (at the bottom) and topping (as seen on top). Flavor is amazing and so fresh. It's only lightly sauced and you'd have to buy extra if you need it but i think it's perfectly seasoned. The staff are super sweet and answer all the questions patiently. I can't wait to come back!! read more

Yubuya - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Was in the nearby area and saw a spot I've had bookmarked was there! We came around lunch on a weekday so it wasn't super busy yet. The store is small, cozy, cute. They have a register or a self order kiosk. The staff is helpful at any question you may have. My partner got the lunch combo with udon, seared salmon, and creamy onion salmon. I got the set of 3 with creamy onion salmon, eel (unagi), and soy marinated salmon. His favorite was the creamy onion salmon. Mine was the soy marinated and the onion salmon. The lot has parking as it's in a little shopping plaza. Will stop by again when I'm in the area. read more

Yubuya - TOP: Creamy Onion Salmon & Seared Salmon BOTTOM: Creamy Onion Salmon, Unagi (eel), & Soy Marinated Salmon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Cute cozy little spot to grab some delicious inari sushi! The sweet tofu skin, with seasoned rice, makes for the perfect base for salmon, tuna, and other delicious topping choices. Love that they offer lunch specials here, and if you order 3 or more inari, they give you a free miso soup! Got the Fresh Salmon, which you can't go wrong with! The Soy Marinated Salmon, which was soo good, I loved the sweet and savory soy flavor! And then the Unagi, which had a sweet smoky flavor which I enjoyed too, good option if you don't want raw fish. The staff here were also the sweetest! Few seats available inside and outside too. read more

Yubuya - Unagi, Soy Marinated Salmon, Fresh Salmon Inari - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

- parking is plentiful in this plaza with other restaurants and businesses situated here - this quaint shop has some indoor and outdoor seating - staff were so kind and briefly explained the menu to us newcomers! - loved both yubus!! the rice itself was seasoned so well and the quality of the fish was fresh. the spicy paste on the scallops were delicious too! read more

Yubuya - seared tuna, spicy scallop - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Delicious! You order and pay at the kiosk and then the chefs work up your order. I did a lunch special and a couple nigiri. The perfect snack. Not many places to sit inside but there is a little outside seating too. Good takeout spot. read more

Yubuya is small cafe that specializes in yubus (fried tofu pouches that have vinegared rice and are topped with fresh sushi). It's similar to Japanese inari sushi. The yubus are priced at about $5 when I visited but I saw they had a lunch combo that included 2 and udon soup. Lunch combo ($13) - This came with udon soup, and 2 yubus. For my yubus I went with a salmon and cream cheese topping and the other yubu I went with tuna. I was impressed with quality of the fish in both the yubus, they were both so fresh. The udon noodles, while chewy, were just ok and nowhere as good as the udon at Marugame. Overall the yubus are fresh and taste great. They have a large selection to choose from. Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of fish in the yubu, but it's definitely worth checking out if one is looking for some that tastes great and is fresh! read more

Yubuya - Lunch Combo #1 - $13 - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Yubuya serves inari, which are little pockets of rice and toppings inside a fried, seasoned tofu pouch. Easy snack (or meal if you order a lot) and a lot of different toppings to choose from! Order in-person via kiosk or check online to see if they're still doing $5 off your first order of $20 minimum. Each inari is freshly packed so when there's a lot of people, there might be a small wait but usually it doesn't take long for them to stuff a couple of tofu pouches. There isn't much room indoors to eat, just a couple of tables and counters. I ordered the regular salmon, soy marinated salmon, and ikura. I also got to try a bit of the unagi and the creamy onion salmon. If you purchase 3 yubus, you can also get a free miso soup! Out of all of them, my favorite was the soy marinated salmon. It's a sweet/salty sticky marinade that reminded me of bulgolgi and the fish was actually pretty good quality. Second place would have to be the unagi because of the seared taste from the blowtorch. Each yubu is stuffed but half of it is all rice so don't be disappointed if you thought it would just be entirely of fish. For me, eating three of them filled me up. Highly recommend and can't wait to be back to try other flavors! read more

Yubuya - Bottom Row: Fresh Salmon, Ikura, Soy Marinated Salmon. Top Row: Creamy Onion Salmon, Seared Salmon, Unagi - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I've been wanting to try yubu for SO long (inari lover) and one pic of the yubu here made me route there immediately after getting off my flight. First of all, the individuals working here were super accommodating. We came in half an hour before they closed at 2:30 just to ask if they would still take orders (to-go), but they welcomed us and allowed us to dine in. We were super grateful since we were starving and ordered quickly so they could wrap up in the kitchen. I don't have many words to describe this meal. It was simply delicious, fresh, and completely satisfying. The soy marinated salmon, must-get. I think we tried four different yubu that differed from each other and were delicious in their own ways. Definitely want to try more if I'm ever back in the area! Lastly, thank you to the server that let us order and offered us another miso soup since there were two of us! You were super sweet and as one of our first interactions since landing in Santa Ana, it set the good mood for the rest of our first day here. Def recommend. 5/5 read more

Yubuya - Soy Marinated Salmon, Seared Tuna, Ikura, Creamy Onion Salmon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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First time having yubus and they were so delicious! They have inside and outside seating and the decor inside is cute :) The girl helping me with my order was so nice and friendly! Fresh Salmon: 8.5/10 yummy and basically what you would expect,, good quality fish! Spicy Tuna w/ Spicy Cilantro Sauce: 10/10 omg their homemade sauce was the winner,, if I go again I would get every yubu spicy w/ this sauce Ikura: 7/10 super fresh tasting and not fishy at all but it was slightly too sweet which was kind of throwing me off because I'm used to ikura being savory,, it was still good though!! I got a free miso soup for ordering 3 yubus (i think normally it's supposed to be for dine in only but they were nice enough to give me one for togo!) I would definitely go again and try more because they have so many options and they're family owned which I love read more

Yubuya - Fresh Salmon, Spicy Tuna, Ikura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Went to Yubuya with a friend -- she got two salmon yubus, and I ordered the fresh salmon yubu, spicy tuna yubu, and a salmon nigiri. The fish here is super fresh and tastes great! It's a small spot, but I've never seen it too crowded, and they make everything pretty quickly. If you haven't had yubu before, it's a slightly sweet tofu skin wrap filled with rice and topped with your choice of fish -- really unique and surprisingly good. Definitely something different and worth trying. Highly recommend! read more

Yubuya - yubu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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If I could only pick ONE restaurant to eat at every week, it would be Yubuya in Costa Mesa. I love EVERYTHING about this place. The food, the service, the parking, the vibe, and how healthy and alive I feel after eating there. This is my usual order: Seared Salmon Yubu Fresh Tuna Yubu SPAM Yubu Fresh Yellow Tail Yubu You get a cup of warm miso if you order at least 3 Yubus for lunch. Then I get a cucumber salad (the BEST version in OC) I always order two 50-cent sides of yuzu ponzu (I pour some on the cucumber and some on the fresh yubus) I love that you can switch it up between fresh Yubu and seared Yubu, and it's totally different. I also love ordering Unagi as either Yubu or Nigiri. You should also try the Donburi bowl. It's amazing. Both of the artists who work here are so kind, friendly, and they truly add that extra artistic touch to everything. The rice has a unique blend of seasoning, and the toppings are carefully placed with plating tweezers. Nothing is haphazard or rote; everything is there to create the perfect "I'm in my happy place vibe." If you want to wash away a bad day, or celebrate a great day, you should eat pure happiness at Yubuya. read more

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I've seen so many photos of these inari pockets and have been dying to try for the longest time! So glad we finally got the chance to! - PARKING - Plaza lot has a decent amount of parking spaces, so you shouldn't have any problems! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Really small shop, with only counter seats surrounding the edges and a few tables outside. One bathroom available here. Seems like people usually order take-out! The staff here is very welcoming! - FOOD - 3 Combo Deal: If you order 3 and are dining in, you automatically get a miso soup for free! I ended up picking soy marinated salmon, seared salmon, and yellowtail. I loved the soy marinated salmon the most, but they were all good! - OVERALL - A great spot for a quick snack, or if you're like me and have a smaller stomach, this was the perfect casual meal! read more

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Casual spot for inari that I've been wanting to try ever since I saw a picture of the food here! The way everything's presented just gets my mouth watering. The interior of the shop of pretty small, maybe only 7-8 seats total. Luckily it's easy to take the inari to go though! You can order at the kiosk or with a staff member. Lunch combos are also available and if you order 3 inari, you get a free miso soup for dine-in orders. I tried the soy marinated salmon, unagi, and ikura and enjoyed all 3! The unagi was a bit smokier than I usually like but my friends said they actually preferred it this way. Overall, a great spot to grab a quick and casual but delicious meal. Wish it was closer so I could come by more often! read more

Yubuya - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Hugggeee fan of the yubu and the fresh yellowtail, especially the yellowtail in that donburi. Ohhh man that went down smooth. Each item is prepared with obvious care and attention to detail. Lunch specials quite reasonable I'm impressed and will be back. read more

Yubuya - Spicy Scallop Yubu Soy Marinated Tuna Yubu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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My boyfriend and I went here for the first time, and the girl were the counter was very friendly. She gave us recommendations and told us how to order from kiosk. Our favorite was the soy marinated salmon, which she said was the top seller. We went on a Tuesday morning, right when they opened and there was no one else there, so our food was ready quick. It was packaged nicely and came with free miso soup. I would definitely come again for a quick lunch. read more

Yubuya - Soy Marinated Salmon, Snow Crab, Spicy Salmon, Seared Salmon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

So delicious!! They had a variety of options. We tried eel, snow crab, and seared tuna. They gave us some miso soup as well. The tofu pockets were so good and the rice too! Cute small restaurant and friendly staff. read more

Yubuya - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Very cozy mom & pop restaurant. They have a self checkout kiosk but there's someone in the front that can help answer any questions you have. Love the vibe, they told me they have yet to remove/replace any flavors but they're always looking to add more. They do have some unique flavors that are different from other similar locations. Food was really delicious, they also have an order ahead service providing $5 discount on your first order. Will def coming back again. read more

Yubuya - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

It's not often that I try a business and run back for seconds the following week. Yubuya breaks this rule for me. I cannot get their Yubu off my mind. These little rice rolls wrapped in sweet tofu are both delicious and filling. I love their lunch special and that they offer free miso soup when you order three Yubus. My favorites so far have been the snow crab, the salmon, and the Philadelphia. They're also super affordable. $5 per yubu has me stopping by on the regular for a quick lunchtime pick me up. read more

Holy moly the inari here was so yummy. It is a little pricey but there's a combo where you can get a free miso soup with 3 inari. I liked everything I tried, especially the marinated salmon because somehow they got the fish to be so candied and soft in texture. To top it all off, the girl helping us was suuuuper nice and friendly. I'm already thinking about when I can come here again :) read more

Yubuya - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

It was my first time here and it's one of my favorite places for a snack or lunch! I got the fresh salmon and unagi yubu and they were both so delicious. The fish is so fresh and there's adequate topping to rice ratio as well. The worker was also super friendly and brought the food out promptly. There's minimal seating so it might be better to get takeout or have a quick meal. The ambiance is clean and small. read more

Yubuya - Fresh Salmon and Unagi - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've been wanting to try Yubuya for awhile so I was excited to pop in today! It's a small restaurant that is set up for a quick bite. You order on an iPad up front and there are pictures for visual. There are also workers nearby to help if needed. Most of the Yubu's are around $5-6 each. We tried the salmon Philly and the spicy tuna. Both were delicious and perfectly seasoned. The only con is there is much more rice than fish so some bites were just rice. Otherwise very fresh and tasty! read more

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