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(949) 559-7190
14775 Jeffrey Rd Ste K
Irvine,
CA
92618
33.6879
-117.7707
Neighborhood: El Camino Real
Price:
$$
Last updated 9.05.09
Category:
Payment Methods:
Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Family Style Dining, Group Dining
General Info:
Open 7 Days
Cuisine:
What People Are Saying About Taiko Japanese Restaurant
Featured Review
Andrea Rademan
Contributor
The Scene – The nuclear family thrives at this comfortable, Naugahyde-and-Formica-furnished neighborhood magnet, where well over half the clientele is Asian. Though there are no reservations, for more than two decades, patrons line up at least a half hour before both lunch and dinner openings. – – The Food – American efficiency meets Japanese simplicity at this cultural crossroads where, too often, taste, texture or temperature is sacrificed at the altar of efficiency. Partially pre-prepared morsels that are rushed to dining room patrons pale beside the made-to-order…
Editor's Tips
- Know Before You Go:
- Some items available at the sushi bar, such as seafood salad, are not on the regular menu. Ask your server to recommend special dishes served at the bar and he'll be happy to serve them at your table.
05/08/11
Not worth your time
by Dogbert95 at Citysearch
Frankly very disappointed. Parents ordered tak out for mothers day cuz I just had surgery so couldn't go eat there. They REFUSED to take sushi order!!! Now keep in mind my rents are repeat patrons. There's no excuse for that type of BS attitude to customers. Then they REFUSED to give us miso soup with the dinners when they come with it. To top it off the tempura was soggy with grease... Not how it should be. Chain restaurants make better food than these guys. Bad service, bad management, bad customer attitude, bad food. I give 1 stars only cuz they at least let my dad leave with some food and not empty handed. If you read this Taiko, you've just lost another customer and I'll be sure to tell all my friends moving to OC to avoid you like the plague. Inexcusable how my dad was treated.
04/01/11
It is the best sushi restaurant
by montecristoalcatraz at Citysearch
I can't believe the people who write one star. When you read their reviews, you can tell they are not cultured.
Nor are they accurate about pricing.
The pricing is not cheap, the sushi is always fresh, that is the number one important thing when eating anything raw people.
For a sushi restaurant. Ambience, outdated,... I do not care about. If they will take that money and spend it on getting the most freshest fish, that is all that matters.
Think about it, and don't be uncultured or ignorant.
03/27/11
People who are giving a bad review don't know good food
by jojoeka at Citysearch
Taiko is the best and most consistent sushi I have ever had! The sushi chefs have been there forever and the line is always long for a reason! I live in San Diego and have had sushi all over the west coast and this is as good as it gets!
The salmon sashimi is TO die for, the ponzo sauce is amazing and the best I have ever hadl. The fresh scallops are just melt in your mouth wonderfully smooth and sweet, really you can't go wrong with anything you order. The halibut and japanese snapper is great too! Pack your patience and be prepared to not get in for lunch if you are not there at least an hour before opening and want to sit at the sushi bar (It seats approx 21) that goes for dinner too! Beyond worth the wait!
Enjoy and ignore the haters, they need to buy some taste and are probably the california roll eaters that tell people they eat sushi!
10/18/10
The Best Sushi Around and Worth the Wait
by Ziggy C at Citysearch
My good friend turned me on to Taiko recently. I was surprised to see a line of faithful sushi lovers waiting outside for well over an hour before the place was even open. The best place to sit is right up at the sushi bar. The cuts of albacore and yellowtail are right from the belly and will melt in your mouth. The octopus is superb, as are the hand rolls. The toro is spectacular, too. I didn't mess with "California Rolls" or any of the other non-sushi offerings. Just the sashimi and sushi. Why else would I be there?
Keep in mind that different sushi restaurants offer different specialties and it is well worth the effort to have a good rapport and ask your chef for suggestions of what they recommend, or what is good today. They will not steer you wrong, and your tummy will be way satisfied.
In Southern California, I frequent several sushi restaurants and Taiko is the best. Close at second would be Sumo sushi in Sherman Oaks, followed by Ike sushi in Hollywood (known for their oysters and fresh octopus - most places only offer frozen octopus, including Taiko). Lastly, for a good vibe, try Teru Sushi in Studio City. Definitely avoid the buffet-style sushi restaurants. They may be cheap, but so is the food. You get what you pay for.
To clarify, Taiko is hands-down the best sushi to be had in Southern California. Worth the wait to sit at the bar. And reasonably priced, too. You don't have to trust me. Give it a try and trust your instincts. You'll be back again and again.
02/15/08
Best Sushi from the sushi bar. Not the best if you sit at table.
by joo02 at Citysearch
Taiko has THE best sushi available from their sushi bar. And the price is very reasonable for the taste.
Now, if you're sitting at the tables, it's a different story. Sushi doesn't taste as good all of a sudden. If you're not sitting at the sushi bar, try other Japanese restaurants that offers more choices in their menu.
- Pros: Best sushi
- Cons: Long line to sit at the sushi bar
