Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Kyoto Japanese Cuisine in Tustin

4.5 (114) 17582 17th St #103, Tustin, CA 92780, United States

Categories

Japanese restaurant
Asian restaurant
Bar & grill
Seafood restaurant
Soup kitchen
Sushi restaurant

Location on the map

Tustin, Orange County, California, US

Phone: +1 714-838-2300
Site: http://kyotosushioc.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11:30 AM–2 PM
Tuesday:11:30 AM–2 PM
Wednesday:11:30 AM–2 PM
Thursday:11:30 AM–2 PM
Friday:11:30 AM–2 PM
Saturday:5–10 PM
Sunday:5–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.5

114 Reviews for Kyoto Japanese Cuisine 2024:

Review №1

2023-03-19 05:19:44

High quality sashimi beyond expectation. You know that a Japanese restaurant is on a higher tier when they have fresh uni, fresh amaebi, toro, Spanish mackerel or scallops. This place has them all and they are so fresh. The uni is so buttery. Scallops is super sweet. Miso soup is better than most places we have been to. We inquired how their sashimi taste so fresh and learned that their fish come directly from Japan EVERYDAY. Im so impressed. Thank you for a wonderful dining experience.

Review №2

2023-09-16 00:59:13

New owner. Sushi are New style which I never have before. My salad is horrible of rotten leaves .

Review №3

2023-08-23 02:16:37

The high quality of the fish is what surprised me and its the best Ive had in years. If youve eaten at other sushi places in the area, come here, sit at the bar, and see for yourself. Drastic improvement all around since the change of ownership. Casual friendly environment too. My new go to place. I dint even like to order. Just let the chef do his thing.

Review №4

2023-09-14 14:32:51

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kyoto Japanese Cuisine, and I must say, it was a delightful experience. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the welcoming and cozy atmosphere. The restaurant is tastefully decorated, and the soothing Japanese music in the background added to the overall ambiance.Now, lets talk about the food! Kyoto Japanese Cuisine truly delivers on flavor and quality. I tried several dishes during my visit, and each one was a delightful culinary adventure. The sushi was fresh and beautifully presented, and the sashimi practically melted in my mouth. The menu offers a variety of options for both sushi lovers and those who prefer cooked dishes. The tempura and teriyaki were exceptional.The service was friendly and attentive. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu and helped me make some excellent choices. They made sure my dining experience was comfortable and enjoyable.My only reason for not giving this review a full 5 stars is that the prices are on the higher side, but considering the quality of the food and the dining experience, its worth the occasional splurge.If youre looking for a lovely Japanese dining experience with delicious food and a great atmosphere, Kyoto Japanese Cuisine is definitely a restaurant you should consider. I will certainly be returning to try more of their mouthwatering dishes..

Review №5

2023-06-11 20:21:01

Its a good spot but has some work to do to measure up to some of the other Japanese restaurants in a fairly saturated market.Pros:-Great service! Ive never had so many people checking in on our table.-Nice ambiance: they have a tatami room, a bar, and some spacious booths.-Great value: I got a lot of food in my combo order.-Price: Very reasonable - doesnt seem to be getting hit by inflation a lot.-Great presentation, everything looked well plated.Cons:-Neither sashimi nor rolls were really up to par. Something about them didnt taste as fresh as competitors - though I cant place exactly what the issue was...Overall, Id definitely go back again just not specifically for fish.

Review №6

2018-12-02 03:50:12

I have been going to this sushi bar for the last 15 years. Great food, great staff, and excellent prices. Definitely one of the best sushi restaurants in Southern California, if not anywhere outside of Japan. I recommend this place to all of my friends and family.

Review №7

2023-11-19 06:55:12

Very good food! We had the sashimi dinner, dinner boat, and shrimp tempura roll. Amazing service! Highly recommend!

Review №8

2023-09-17 01:15:46

Havent been here in a long time but I am glad I came back. Under new ownership and the sushi chef is amazing. Super friendly and creative.

Review №9

2023-07-12 16:10:41

We were there last night for the first time and LOVED it! This is Tustins best kept secret. Definitely a hidden gem! Everything was so fresh and delicious. Fair prices. Service was very attentive. We sat at the sushi bar. The vibe is a little retro / old skool Japanese and thats part of its charm. Will definitely be back! We had a vegetable cut roll, salmon skin hand roll, yellowtail sashimi, tuna sashimi, salmon cut roll, oysters on the half shell, tamago sushi, and uni sushi to finish it off! Yummy!

Review №10

2023-06-02 23:47:01

Been there on Jun 1, Thursday for lunch and that was my first time. The restaurant is in an old strip mall next to a massage parlor and there is plenty of parking.I was excited to try a new place but ended up with mixed feelings mainly because I was overcharged for sweet shrimps and did not realized it till I got home when I looked at the detailed receipt. 2 medium shrimps measuring just two inches of meat each with fried shrimp heads were $36!I did not see this item on the menu and the waiter just ordered it directly from the sushi chef. I also did not ask for the price because the same type of sweet shrimps I have frequently eaten at other nearby Japanese restaurants were always around $16 for two shrimps.The other dishes I ordered were OK. The sashimi plate was $22 but the sliced fish portions were very small compared to other similar or even higher-end restaurants. However, the softshelf crabs were good and we received good service from a lady food server. I do regret tipping 27% after learning this unpleasant experience.

Review №11

2018-09-22 19:25:19

We took advantage of their takeout menu. We had a large group and to say we made it difficult might be an understatement. But, when we arrived home, it was perfect.The food was tasty, great portions and a nice variety.The staff was very friendly and helpful.In looking around, it was clean and packed with people. Would be a nice place to eat dinner at for sure.

Review №12

2023-11-08 02:41:32

Sashimi is so fresh. Chefs and servers are so friendly and professional. Strongly recommend!

Review №13

2019-03-30 19:18:54

Friendly staff and good food. They have a good selection of combo plates and sushi. Tried their boat and it was a lot of really good food. They also give complimentary dessert to dine in customers.

Review №14

2023-04-18 23:40:43

Worst sushi you can get - unless you love msg. Owner said they put msg on everything. Instead of just quality sushi - they ruin it and every dish by adding lots of msg. He even came out and showed me the box. It’s even in their salad - he said everything they serve has it. Service is terrible, although their young daughter that is sometimes chastised is adorable. Owner is very uptight - I feel stressed just walking. The place is REALLY dirty and the entrance is clogged and uncomfortable to sit in while u wait for a table. Don’t eat here if you like real quality prepared food.

Review №15

2020-10-20 06:35:44

Fairly priced. Awesome outdoor seating. When it comes to Japanese food, I can be fairly picky. Does the basics well, decent Yakitori.

Review №16

2021-02-02 00:30:20

Excellent sushi here, have been going here for years.

Review №17

2021-04-10 14:07:53

Lts always yummy coming to eat at this place. Fast service, great prices and most of all that dessert at the end! 🙂

Review №18

2022-05-08 06:22:29

As a family we love this place but today we were put in a very unpleasant situation. There was an additional charge to the bill that wasn’t the tax so we assumed it was charging for tip already. We paid and left the building and as Im putting my son in the car the waitress confronted us on why we didn’t tip her, still confused she proceeded to ask me if there was something wrong with the service? She handed me the bill so we adjusted the total. It felt uncomfortable the whole time definitely the last time I come here.

Review №19

2023-07-10 04:18:13

Oh no! Uoko! Sold!And, unfortunately, changed, and not for the better. Sushi - twice the price, amenities - half as nice. No more hot towels, sushi place settings or happy hour.

Review №20

2022-05-04 23:26:48

Great bang for the buck. Poke bowl lunch is cheaper and better than any of the chains. Sushi and sashimi has never let me down. Good rolls at a good price. 👍

Review №21

2023-04-15 03:03:59

Honestly it a gem. Everything was fantastic. Food was amazing. It is going to be one of my top spots to come and eat.

Review №22

2021-12-12 02:27:22

Such a great place. Very welcoming service and fresh sushi, you can tell that people here care about every single visitor! Prices are good too

Review №23

2017-02-20 10:38:37

A cozy Japanese restaurant with friendly service and great food.

Review №24

2023-05-19 03:05:00

First time here! amazing service and food! definitely will return!

Review №25

2019-09-07 04:17:25

We stumbled upon this restaurant and gave it a try. The restaurant is a very cozy neighborhood atmosphere which I enjoy. I had their sukiyaki set which had tempura and grill salmon for $19.95. Good value. It tasted good. My wife had the nabeyaki udon that she enjoyed. There was a nice sushi bar and a good selection of sake and beer. If you are looking for a casual dining I would recommend this place.

Review №26

2021-02-20 03:43:18

I cannot give a fair review on their food which I am sure is good. However, we waited over 40 min while other people were seated inside. They said had reservations. Ok, but when they seated 2 people outside w no reservations and gave them menus while we just stood there right next to them, thats when we realize the poor service.

Review №27

2023-08-10 17:16:32

The fish is very fishy, taste like old fish.

Review №28

2023-05-01 21:11:44

Love the small dining experience. Great service, great food.

Review №29

2021-08-25 02:07:17

Excellent quality sushi. Very fresh. A lot of other menu choices as well. Not particularly creative sushi rolls but an excellent quality traditional Japanese restaurant. Super nice people.

Review №30

2016-11-11 16:08:19

For years, my family and I have enjoyed our experiences at Uoko Japanese. We appreciate their consistently friendly service, fresh food and simple ambiance. Some in my family live in different parts of the country or abroad, but we know that whenever they visit well dine at Uoko. Its tradition now.

Review №31

2015-12-07 07:24:41

By far one of my favorite places in CA. The vibe as well as the food is absolutely amazing! I am so addicted to the Apple mint lemonade and the sesame green tea cookies. The prices are reasonable, and the food is beyond any synonym of good.

Review №32

2021-04-30 23:47:34

Really nice small and more intimate of a sushi experience. Went here for lunch and got of their lunch special bento boxes with sashimi and pork cutlet and they gave us a free coffee jello dessert. Very friendly staff.

Review №33

2021-04-24 23:47:08

Went there last night, was disappointed. The restaurant was PACKED !! NO RESPECT for Covid rules.The older female waitress who wore no name tag and when I asked for her name, she said dont worry about it. After 7 pm, she was the only female there.She kept on rushing us, so she can take the plates and bring in new patrons. I stoped eating and was looking around the restaurant, taking note on how crowed/ packed it was and she grabs my bowl and tries to take it away. I MEAN NO RESPECT, we still had plates of food left, relax lady, Im not done yet!!Then again, my friend stopped eating for 2 seconds she zoooms right in trying to take his plate and telling him that he completed. So she is telling a 40 something year old men when he is done with his dinner.

Review №34

2021-08-17 14:16:11

Fantastic! The food has been delicious for 20 years no wonder they’re still in business. It’s a true Japanese experience. The food is the best anywhere.

Review №35

2023-09-09 13:51:34

Good atmosphere good food and good service !

Review №36

2023-02-23 01:08:07

The restaurant used to be Uoko, great food, same staff and food. We’re going there tonight! ❤️🥂

Review №37

2022-02-05 20:54:33

They are super nice and authentic Japanese. A little Okinawa style. I do miss the previous sushi chef but still love it here.

Review №38

2019-04-09 20:38:08

Authentic Japanese foods and good services.

Review №39

2020-11-15 08:50:56

Ive been coming to Uoko for many years and they have always provided great service and Delicious food! Grateful they are open for dine-in (cause take out sushi just isnt as fresh!)

Review №40

2016-05-22 02:57:55

Perfection. Something that we strive to experience, but rarely do. I found it tonight. The perfect sushi experience. NO, its not in New York, Las Vegas, Japan...its right here in OC. Where everything is about as distinctive as a terra cotta tile roof on a tract home.I have eaten at so many sushi restaurants over the years. I have eaten at some of the most expensive ones in the United States. Nobu in Las Vegas at $300 a person, Tokyo-Tokyo at the Mandarin Hotel in Honolulu to name a couple. And believe me the sushi experience was great. But its just as good at Uoko in Tustin at a fraction of the cost.Sushi Bars are like a favorite drinking bar. Its very personal. Many things besides the food make people recommend an establishment. Uoko has great food, but so much more. Its a DINING EXPERIENCE. The food, patrons, chefs, and ambiance all perform to make this place unmatched. Many sushi places have fresh fish. Other things are needed to set them apart from the others. Uoko has these things in spades. I hate when people review sushi bars and say The fish was so fresh in their review. It is supposed to be fresh. Thats like saying there were not rats at any given restaurantI have found 2 kinds of sushi bars. Very traditional ones and very progressive ones that fuse different cuisines into their offerings. I have found that the traditional ones offer excellent quality and I appreciate the strict adherence to custom and decorum. However, the offering sometimes gets boring. The there are the new fusion restaurants that offer a progressive, exciting offering, but often times makes you wonder if you are eating at a sushi bar or at a Wolfgang Pucks after Wolfgang( got back from Japan and wanted to showcase what he saw on his vacation. Tuna in a crepe, perhaps? No authenticity! Uoko is the perfect blend of the 2. You will feel the creativeness, innovation, and exoticness you crave, and at the same time, the tradition, quality, and authenticity you REQUIRE. Our sushi chef Humi also exemplifies this. Traditional when needed, but a hell of a lot of fun and engaging..I will concede that places like Nobu fill your senses and ego with the ambiance and atmosphere that is hard to beat. They blast you with rare and exotic delicacies that perpetuate this state of euphoria. Your ego is fed by the rare offerings they remind you that you are eating. I thought this was just an eelTurns out its some almost endagered species. It tastes good, but is it 50 dollars good for a serving? You tell yourself so to justify the price you paid. But if you ignore the fancy titles (ie Seasonal Wild Mushrooms that only sprout every 10 years) and close your eyes, and listen with your mouth and not your ears, you will find that the food served at Uoko tastes just as good. I bet if I threw some exotic stories and titles by the dishes, they would taste the same or if not better!Specials are written on the wall. All Japanese men preparing sushi. The patrons consisted of mostly Japanese with several Caucasian people mixed in.Most Japanese beer in the US is all brewed in Canada now (check the label) and tastes like Hell. Kirin is the same. But they have it on draft which improves the taste exponentially!One of the specialties at Uoko are the live Ama Ebi. You can not get them fresher than this. Caught in Santa Barbara.I would put Uoko up with the most expensive sushi bars in the world. You may not have the over the top decor of those places (although the decor is just fine at Uoko),

Review №41

2018-02-18 22:29:31

Food (bento boxes) were good. Tempura has always been good here in my experience. Service is not as good as the food. It could be because they are busy and not enough staff to go around.

Review №42

2014-10-07 00:43:22

A new Japanese restaurant with delicious free flan. Yum.Im a big lover of Japanese food and always looking for new places to try. I found Uoko on Yelp and the reviews of tasty more authentic-than-most japanese with tatami room seating and complimentary tasty flans (a favorite dessert of mine) decided that Uoko Upon entering I was excited to see the tradition heavily wooden interior with traditional japanese lantern style lighting. The booth we were seated at had high walls giving privacy and visual appeal.Both me and my guest were going to order sukiyaki and opted for the Sukiyaki Set instead! The set (only $4 more $18 total) also included as sides: Miso soup, a small dish of stewed onions beans carrots and chicken, a salad with a mysteriously delightful herby taste to it.All of these small items were delicious and were eaten quickly between breaks in conversation haha.Then the main meal came...along with the full sized sukiyaki came two other items selected from multiple combinations. I chose sashimi and salmon teriyaki. The sashimi was bright, colorful orange salmon and ruby red tuna. (There was a third pale fish I could not identify and it was excellent)The salmon teriyaki was good. Basic salmon teriyaki. I mixed it with my bowl of white rice, a tasty combination!Now yes the sukiyaki. It was GREAT. The sauce was sweet and savory the upon noodles were thick and chewy and the tofu was of a very pleasing consistency. The beef tasted great with sauce though I prefer the beef more rare. Alas. I enjoyed every drop of the broth mmm. The meal was VERY filling; in the best possible way. And well worth the price for the quality, variety and ammount.Lastly we were presented with the dessert tray. Which included the flan I mentioned above, an orange and blueberry custard something (?) And coffee jello. I picked flan and my guest got the orange blueberry. We split both, and each was great. One sour, the other sweet. (Youll have to try the coffee jello your self haha)Next time I think Ill try the tatami room for fun.Go, eat and have fun! And grab that flan before your friend does.

Review №43

2018-03-30 05:34:06

The best sushi in town. Crunchy rolls fried to order, best Negi Toro in the world, a tank full of live sweet shrimp: what more do you need to know?! Go here!

Review №44

2019-04-20 05:05:47

Absolutely Fantastic. I tried to write a good review but my words couldnt match how happy I was with every aspect of this restaurant.

Review №45

2021-05-10 07:11:58

This was my first time going to this restaurant and it was amazing the first ever bowl of udon I had was perfect the beef was juicy and the noodles was just amazing i would go back again

Review №46

2017-12-20 05:11:23

I just went there for the first time tonight. The food was excellent! Really great quality and the service was top-notch

Review №47

2021-03-25 02:17:30

Love this place food is very fresh and service is too notch. It is a local spot for me I can walk from my house.

Review №48

2019-05-23 16:32:50

Food was good but portions were smaller than other sushi places.

Review №49

2019-11-07 02:03:48

Food, service and ambiance is great. The milk boba was a little funky but Im also extremely white, so...

Review №50

2019-02-11 02:01:40

Always delicious and authentic Japanese food. The staff are so wonderful and welcoming too.

Review №51

2022-04-25 18:21:19

The sushi dishes are all good. It will be better to speed up the orders

Review №52

2021-03-25 16:36:46

Fresh and delicious... the staff is hospitable and super nice. My new favorite!

Review №53

2019-06-24 05:09:09

Homey, family run and family friendly Japanese restaurant. Nice staff and a good variety of sushi, noodle and other options.

Review №54

2019-04-21 22:15:38

Great place; just be aware their lunch special has wasabi if you hate it like I do.

Review №55

2019-07-09 17:49:07

Great food, great service. Tasty, place was great. Free Edamame, free desert at the end.

Review №56

2017-11-20 05:02:38

Good authentic food, family owned, friendly staff, and very reasonable prices.

Review №57

2018-12-22 19:27:05

Chicken udon soup was very yummy, but our rolls took a very long time to come out.

Review №58

2022-07-10 21:36:40

Yummy every time. They have some very traditional Japanese dishes. Okinawa style.

Review №59

2021-02-06 03:25:38

Staff was very nice and the food was amazing. Will definitely come again. Thank you!! 🥰

Review №60

2018-01-24 04:39:06

It was my first time trying unagi and it was 🔥. Service was great and I loved the ambiance. Definitely felt right out of Japan

Review №61

2017-10-17 05:32:01

Authentic Japanese food prepared and served by a Japanese staff. The owner is friendly and visible at all times, greeting guests and talking to customers.

Review №62

2018-02-19 05:15:27

Ask for Sei if you want the best sushi. Great prices and the best service.

Review №63

2021-04-01 03:35:29

Delicious, authentic, friendly. Great neighborhood Japanese restaurant.

Review №64

2019-09-18 19:05:30

Great food and authentic atmosphere. My family loves Uoko

Review №65

2016-09-25 23:57:11

Love this place! Great service and fresh sushi and sashimi.

Review №66

2018-09-14 05:02:55

A favorite place to take friends for lunch. Outstanding, fresh, quality fish.

Review №67

2018-04-25 04:01:45

Amazing cuts of fish. Very nice ambiance. Friendly staff.

Review №68

2020-03-24 04:15:22

We love Uoko...hope to go back soon.. ❤️Curtis and Pam

Review №69

2019-01-26 07:21:14

Very tasty inexpensive food and friendly service

Review №70

2018-11-15 19:41:57

Great place. service is awesome and food is good.

Review №71

2018-02-18 00:05:33

Great place! Food and service always good.

Review №72

2019-07-15 15:12:13

Two thumbs up. Good food, great service.

Review №73

2022-05-26 18:14:40

Great sushi and attentive service.

Review №74

2016-02-12 02:56:04

Always great comfort food. It never disappoints

Review №75

2016-08-21 14:28:14

Authentic, consistent, great quality, and super fast for lunch

Review №76

2018-05-15 06:34:18

Fresh sashimi and oysters.

Review №77

2020-02-22 16:42:40

The food is delicious and the staff is friendly and attentive.

Review №78

2017-09-26 05:19:44

The miso soup is off the hook! Yummy chicken too, recommended.

Review №79

2017-05-02 15:34:31

Traditional Japanese food and setting. Great atmosphere and service.

Review №80

2019-04-11 18:50:42

Good food, good prices. Staff was okay.

Review №81

2018-03-29 20:46:46

Great food and very nice service!

Review №82

2020-12-19 19:10:32

Service was good! Matches the quality of the food!

Review №83

2017-12-20 09:14:43

Old school Japanese restaurant with fresh sushi. Superior to most sushi restaurants.

Review №84

2019-03-07 02:58:49

Always freshest sushi, nicest staff

Review №85

2016-11-09 04:52:19

Always excellent! Wonderful staff, friendly and accomodating.

Review №86

2019-03-07 01:44:09

Authentic Japanese food and very good service

Review №87

2019-04-06 06:40:35

The best fresh seafood in southern California!!

Review №88

2019-12-29 04:56:59

Always delicious, been coming for years

Review №89

2017-01-13 09:35:35

High quality fish for a fair price.

Review №90

2018-07-21 03:21:45

Great food and great service!

Review №91

2023-04-16 05:47:05

Clearly a 39,000,000,000/5

Review №92

2020-01-26 20:02:40

Great ambience and fast friendly service

Review №93

2018-06-09 02:37:01

Sit at the bar and let the sushi chef order for you.

Review №94

2018-09-17 03:55:53

Fresh sushi and great service.

Review №95

2017-01-21 15:11:20

Great food and atmosphere

Review №96

2020-05-08 03:23:20

Delicious

Review №97

2019-04-06 06:35:40

Excellent food and service

Review №98

2018-03-11 03:37:41

Great staff and food

Review №99

2017-08-09 12:45:41

Great for the prices ill be back

Review №100

2020-02-09 05:08:20

Good food

Review №101

2017-08-10 02:35:38

I love the Volcano Roll.

Review №102

2022-03-24 23:44:17

Great food and service

Review №103

2020-09-29 22:26:20

Awesome sushi chefs

Review №104

2018-06-03 07:11:58

The best

Review №105

2018-03-21 03:52:32

4.5 Star Review

Review №106

2021-03-28 17:16:14

Unbelievable quality!

Review №107

2018-11-01 06:31:33

Very very good

Review №108

2017-12-22 22:30:59

Always fantastic.

Review №109

2020-03-26 03:59:22

Open for stressed parents

Review №110

2019-03-16 04:40:34

Very authentic.

Review №111

2018-08-05 02:19:20

Great sushi!

Review №112

2017-12-27 14:52:30

Love this place

Review №113

2019-08-18 04:04:55

Excellent!

Review №114

2022-07-02 00:42:49

The chirashi sushi for lunch was delicious., its a good deal to get dessert as well.