Top Japanese Restaurant in Lake Forest
Uoko Sushi and Japanese Cuisine
23600 Rockfield Blvd # 2I, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I have been traveling to and from Japan since childhood and there is nothing more exciting when food transports you to a place of memories filled with joy. Last night my mother and I took a quick break for dinner and stumbled upon a new strip mall in Lake Forest with over 15 restaurants featuring Vietnamese, Peruvian, Turkish, and Mexican to name just a few. Uoko was amazing and the interiors and smells were like any family owned and operated establishment in Japan. The sushi, tempura and katsu-don were awesome and I would rank it as one of my favorites in the USA. Japanese owned with Japanese chefs and servers. The dashi base was authentic and genuine and I plan to return again. GH
Sushi Wazen
22641 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I love this whole in the wall Japanese/sushi restaurant! Japanese owned, fresh fish (love the salmon) and EXCELLENT sushi prices! They have everything from sushi to entrees to noodles. Favorite sushi spot in Lake Forest!!! Nobu the chef is great and his mom is sweet. Hard workers! ?
Kanji AYCE Sushi
21212 Bake Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Local Japanese restaurant. Got their lunch plate/combo and a unagi roll. Lunch plate left more to be desired. Portions are reasonable, great value especially right now where they are offering 40% discount on takeout. The lady taking the takeout order was quite brusque, but other than that would consider coming back for the sushi since the value is pretty great.
Izakaya Tenko
20491 Alton Pkwy A, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Nice little Japanese restaurant (Chinese owned) tucked away near Baker Ranch. The quality of the food & portion size is good! Its a little pricey, but I guess because of the location they can justify the prices.
Fuji Grill
20702 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Fish is good here! Poke bowls are a decent size for your $ a little extra protein would be nice but not that there isnt enough just my greedy stomach would like more. Calling in your order is a great option that I would suggest. Ive ever waited more that 5-10 min for my food, but theres nothing better than walking in and your food is ready for you to devour. The staff is pretty reserved and very respectful. Parking varies on the time of day due to the fact that theres a bar, car wash and multiple auto repair shops in the complex. If you havent been here you definitely should try it out.
Musashi Sushiya
23532 El Toro Rd Suite #18, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Super cute small mom and pop Japanese restaurant! Really really great prices and nice ambiance and staff.
Minato Sushi
23505 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I have not been to Minato in years! When I first moved to Laguna Hills a few years ago, I was so desperate for Asian food. I was also young and could not gain weight. Times have changed and I no longer take on food challenges... So when it was time to eat at another AYCE place. I wasnt ready to blow a year of hard work in one meal. Im not on a diet, but I did lose a few LBs this year.Heres a tip. AYCE doesnt mean MORE than you can eat. Just eat what you like and dont try to stuff your face. Theres enough people that do, so be a little different. Try to enjoy what you are eating.Heres the strategy:Rolls are the largest items. Make sure to only eat one or 2 rolls and share with your friends. If your friend doesnt eat much, dont order more than one roll, because a whole roll is too much for an average person.Appetizers. Skip it! The only exception is I would start with some miso soup, but you dont need rice to go with it. Also avoid all the fried foods if you can. After you eat a lot of food, the oil will try to get out of your stomach. Not trying to graphic, but you may need to release the evil within later.I know its tempting to load up on items that you like, but try not to order 3 or 4 of the same item. Use the first round to sample items that you might like (1 or 2) orders is fine.After the first round, thats when you turn it up a notch. NO MORE ROLLS! That seems like a rule you can use at any restaurant :). Since AYCE does not include sashami. Stick to the Premium and sushi its only!! A small piece of fish on rice is all you need. Eat slowly and enjoy. If you feel a little full, switch to your absolute favorite item.Once you are ready to throw in the towel. Finish your meal off with some green tea ice cream to clean your pallet.Lastly, raise your arms like a Field Goal was just scored and drop your napkin like its a microphone. You did it!Hit the gym tomorrow, but dont feel guilty today. You did it!If you are looking for descent-ish Sushi come here. If you eat a lot and you are not Asian, you will like this place. If you want quality or you are very picky, go somewhere else.Recommended to try, but you may either love or hate this place.
The Rice
26781 Portola Pkwy #4d, Lake Forest, CA 92610, United States
Small friendly family owned Japanese restaurant ! Great place for authentic Japanese food ! Highly recommend!
Yogis Grill
22331 El Toro Rd B, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Every time I go to this place, they mess up my poke bowl order- been the last 5+ times something is not how I ordered it. The girl behind there is usually the one making it. I don't even know why I keep going and giving them another shot. For example last night I got 4 scoops ahi and 1 scoop salmon- they gave me 2 scoops or so of mushy spicy tuna which I hate, and I even checked the bowl this time before driving all the way home, but didn't realize there was tons of spicy tuna (and not just all cubed ahi) underneath. There have been many others times where I ask for no sauce in the bowl and sauce ON THE SIDE and the manager has said I need to pay for the sauce, or also instead I've sometimes had the whole thing drenched and dripping in sauce when I have instructed no sauce. Not really sure what the disconnect is every time but it's unbelievable how every time it's never right. Otherwise, it would be a very great bowl.
Teriyaki Madness
23647 El Toro Rd # D, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I have always wanted to try this place but find myself driving up the street to Yogis for my teriyaki chicken fix until today when I actually went in as I needed a battery from the battery store next door.I ordered a large chicken bowl and asked for light rice... that didnt happen... I still got way too much rice and way too little chicken. The quality was decent but the proportions were off big time.As I ate in the restaurant I couldnt help overhearing the manager/owner talking to some marketing person in a meeting about how to boost sales.Forgive me if its unwarranted but I have had a lot of teriyaki chicken and from a customers viewpoint if the manager is reading this I would like to give an opinion about boosting sales from a customers perspective:#1) include bigger portions of chicken I am talking like 10% more chicken would have left me content (especially when the sign on the window reads big portions.... it just lead to a big disappointment when that was not the case. .. and if it isnt possible to that, at least cut the the chicken into small pieces to give an impression that there is more chicken.... that would help!#2) Give bigger sides of teriyaki sauce and not those little tiny cups reserved for hot mustard at Chinese restaurants. I mean I needed like 4 or 5 those tiny little sample cups and wasnt able to completely cover my rice.... bigger sides of teriyaki make people who enjoy teriyaki come back.3) as a customer I want more options for fixings instead of just steamed veggies, especially for me like an option for green onions is standard at most teriyaki spots.... I did enjoy the steamed vegetables (I requested on the side) but I would have been content with scallions on top and paying extra for mixed veggies (if I wanted them).Sorry for the long message but the food isnt bad here its just not served correctly and no amount of marketing will help if customers like me dont care to come back on a normal basis.Hope this place finds its footing... it could be great instead of just barely average.