Habuya Okinawan Dining in Tustin

🇯🇵 OKINAWA, JAPAN (via Eat the World Los Angeles) - If it happens to be your first time opening the door to Habuya, tucked into a corner of a Tustin plaza anchored by a Stater Bros., you will immediately chastise yourself for not becoming a regular much sooner. Open since late 2010, the small Okinawan izakaya is obviously popular with a regular following, the restaurant is normally full. Even before anything hits your table, smiles across your face will be unavoidable. It is an absolute joy just to be here, and the friendly staff only make it better. They seem to be doing one hundred things at all times but also treat each customer as if they were a longtime regular that was there from the very beginning.

A wonderful and truly different Japanese restaurant, specializing in Okinawa cuisine. Delicious, different and very unique. Family run with all staff that speak Japanese. This is a very small place and reservations should be made in advance.

A 10/10 dining experience! Their menu is extensive and has a good variety of small bites and entrees. I recommend the chicken wings, sea bass, and ton ton ton (stewed pork rib, feet, and belly). I also enjoyed the “pink beer”—a shiso leaf beer made in house! I noticed a lot of people trying their clam ramen. I’ll have to give it a try next time!

Man oh man oh man...was I in America? I couldve sworn that felt like Okinawa. The food is different than a typical Japanese izakaya... but it is delish! Salmon salad, unagi, sweet potato and pickles were all great, and the beer wasnt bad!Will be back. Tiny place.... good luck getting in.

The atmosphere inside was cozy with vintage memorabilia and menus handing along the walls. $160 for 4 pp, gratuity included. Since it’s an Izakaya, we got to try many dishes. Standout dishes : hamachi sashimi, yuzu ramen was different and refreshing, white corn tempura. The octopus salad was good but a bit on the salty side. Okinawan soba - noodles were nicely cooked, pork ribs could be a tad more softer, it wasn’t falling off the bone. Other dishes were standard - chicken wings, grilled mackerel, pig ears. Okinawan lime beer was very light, didn’t taste like any alcohol was in it. So if you’re a light weight, it might be for you. Service was great. Staffs were nice and attentive. This place usually quite packed on Fridays and weekends, reservations is recommended. We made reservations the day before. The party has 1.5 hours to dine. Overall, we enjoyed our time there.

So authentic. As if I teleported to a small town in Okinawa, Japan. Orion beer on draft is clutch, food selection is rich, staff and restaurant vibe is super homey. Only around 6 bar seats & 10 table seats. Everyone in the restaurant is your friend-kind of vibe.Been a local favorite for over 12 years now, hole in the wall that you should not miss.

Quick SummaryFantastic and unique Izakaya spot, as it serves Okinawan style Japanese food. Ordered a little of everything, and enjoyed almost every dish. Recommend calling beforehand for reservations, as its a small restaurant that only seats 19 guests. Plaza parking available. My favorite dishes were the scallop and uni truffle carpaccio, chicken wings, Habuya pork belly soba, their desserts and the Orion draft beer!Food- 5 starsUni truffle carpaccio- this was very good. Great balance of sweetness and umami with the 3 ingredients. I couldve eaten so many plates of this3 kinds of sashimi- toro, salmon and yellowtail. They were all good, but I liked the yellowtail the most (very fatty and fresh). All the pieces were very freshHabuya soba- the noodles were more similar to a ramen, and everything was delicious. Broth was filled with flavor and pork belly was delicious and fattyChicken wings- this was my favorite of the fried foods. Very great flavor and sweet. They didnt use much flour / batter, so you really taste how good the chicken wasYellowtail collar- this was good as well. Certain areas were salted better than most, but it was deliciousFried clam chowder- this was unique and well prepared. I did like the above dishes more thoughSautéed bitter melon- came with egg and sausage. It was more bland than the other dishes. Would be good as a healthy / daily optionGreen tea waffle ice- this was fantastic. Great flavor and not overly sweet. Great end to the mealRed bean mochi- this was fantastic as well. Great texture and flavor, without being too sweetOrion draft beer- They iced the glasses well and the beer was so smooth, creamy and delicious. Great way to wash down the mealService- 5 starsWe got really lucky and was able to get a table without a reservation. Servers were helpful and got food out fast. Communication couldve been better regarding wait time on a table, but we were just happy they were able to seat us (multiple parties without a reservation were turned away after us)Ambiance- 5 starsIts a small restaurant with 19 seats, including their bar area. Cool lighting and hanging notes from the ceiling (you can add to the collection if you want). Greeted by the servers in Japanese. The whole experience made us feel like we transported to an Izakaya in Okinawa. Great experience!Bottom LineFantastic food, drinks, dessert, and ambiance. Make sure you call ahead to get a reservation as its a very small restaurant

This is a fantastic Okinawa restaurant, serving most of the typical Okinawa cuisines as well as more innovative, twisted dish of Okinawa fashion, which is actually rare to find even in Tokyo.Atmosphere is small and cozy, staffs are kind and tell you what you should try depends on your liking.Also one of the rare places in US where Orion Draft (beer from Okinawa) is served from the barrel into frozen glass! Nice!Also you can try most of all kinds of Imuraya deserts such as Yawamochi or Ultra soft Daifuku.I really want this restaurant in my neighborhood.

Good spot in OC for okinawa food!I ordered mozuku, rafute, habuya soba, and fried squid.Although it can’t compare to the actual food made in Okinawa, this place does a good job with the atmosphere and food.Habuya soba had a unique flavor. Little bit disappointed in noodle length and shape, broth flavor, and topings. But overall, it does a decent job.Rafute was spot on, could use more chunkier meat. Meat on Habuya soba had a same texture as Rafute.Mozuku is sweet and sour with the vinegar.Fried squid was fine.This place was super busy when I came in.. so make sure you make reservation beforehand. The seating reminded me of izakaya place in Oki, the posters, decals also reminded me of Okinawa.I will try to come back again some other time!

One of my favorite restaurants in Orange County, the place is a bit tiny but with a lot of character. Love Mayumi the owner, food is great, beer is always the fresh and icy cold. Do visit, suggestion call ahead for reservations. Make sure to try the WINGS they are amazing.