Kabuki Japanese Restaurant

02/24/2008 Posted by girlbug2

My dh and I go out for sushi a few times every month for at least 17 years now. We haven't come close to trying all the sushi places in Orange County but we have tried quite a few and we have our favorites in both the authentic Japanese style and the more "Americanized" style. We visited Kabuki shortly after it opened because it was conveniently located next to the cineplex at the new Bella Terra mall and we had to catch a movie later. In its favor, Kabuki has the best possible location and its decor and atmosphere can't be beat (very modern, trendy style). We were seated at the bar quickly for a Saturday night. The service was courteous and prompt, if a bit indifferent. But truthfully, I can't imagine why I have seen rave reviews of its food from other customers on this site. We ordered a spicy tuna roll, a crunchy roll, a sashimi salad, a california roll and salmon and yellowtail sushi. It was really just okay; fresh, but medium quality fish, flavors on the bland side. The prices were much higher than average, but hey, I do understand they have to make up for premium overhead at that prime location. And those interior designers couldn't have come cheaply. If you are a fan of western-style sushi, I'd say Full Moon Sushi and Todai offer a better value for your money. If you are looking for more authentic sushi, then Sushi Mimi and Zen Sushi are your best bets in Orange County. We were not impressed enough with Kabuki to ever return, although we live less than 10 minutes away. But hey, it may be just the thing for some people, it is an attractive place to dine and the whole Bella Terra mall experience is fun and entertaining. It depends on whether your priority is enjoying the best quality sushi or a sitting in a pretty restaurant (in my experience, they are rarely found in the same place).

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08/24/2007 Posted by bchea

The last time I visited Kabuki at Huntington Beach was in June 2007... I think... anyhow, all I can say is 'Thank you!'.. I love sushi, sashimi, rolls, and the whole Japanese culture... Kabuki is where you can find them all! The full bar is where you can wait in the beginning to have some drinks! Then you get to be seated by very well trained hosts. the servers are amazing - they recomment new items and what we should try for the appetizer and entress! It is no longer just about sushi and rolls but their entrees are speechless!! The whole place is romantic, fun, and very well managed! Thank you! thank you! for creating such a great place for us all to enjoy! Other sushi places should learn from Kabuki! This is how you run a business! We will continue be the number one fan of Kabuki! I want to visit them all!!!

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06/25/2007 Posted by sushiuniverse

I really love this place. Great look, service is tops. Food is very good. 99 out of 100 americans like american style sushi...and I have no problem with that, at all. If I want the stuff I ate in Japan and where japanese people actually go...it's Ango Tei. BUT, I don't want to dismiss Kabuki at all. The sushi chef are not traditionally apprenticed and diplomaed chefs, but their food is excellent. I recommend asking them to make "some kind of special salad" for you. Let them make little special things off the beaten path that they have spent a lot of time creating....you will be thankful you did. Please be sure to speak to the chefs, even if you sit at a table.....very good ettiquite :-)

04/25/2007 Posted by stuppicat

Kabuki is an AWESOME place. I have been looking for a great sushi place in Orange County that did not cost an arm and a leg. This is the place. The fish is high quality and the portions are large. Some sushi places serve tiny portions and charge more. The staff is very friendly and make you feel special while dining. I have been taking everyone I know to Kabuki and they all agree that they plan to return many times. The first month I went three weeks in a row. You have to try Kabuki!

07/25/2006 Posted by jennynewton

The place is beautiful! Jazz music and elegant lightings make it even more fantastic! The food is absolutely gorgeous in both taste and its look. And service, simply speechless! They are just so kind and caring! seriously I dont know if the managers brainwash these waiters but they are seriously so nice... all the time that I visit. Yes, during the weekend, food might take a little longer than usual and yes, sometimes their appetizers come out before the actual meal but honestly who cares?! when the waiters are so nice and the atmoshere is so perfect! And if it takes that long... you get to drink at their full bar! And on the side note, their bartenders are sizzling hot! hehe... I recommend you all to try their ginger shrimp on rice! although the quantity is small... but the taste rocks! thats why I always order two for myself! hehe Eitherway, go try today! Kabuki Rocks!

07/15/2006 Posted by marykay11

I recently celebrated my anniversary with my husband at Huntington Beach Kabuki and let me tell you, it was simply perfect! The ambience of the restaurant, the people, and the food... everything was so great! I loved everything about it! I'm an interior designer and I thought the place was very well decorated, positioned and composed. The service was excellent! Its the kind of service that you cant really get from any other restaurant these days: Server's constant checkups and even the manager was going around to see how everything was for his customers. The music was perfect and the food was more than I couldve ever asked for. The server recommended me to try the chillian seabass and it was just perfect! And the sushi and sashimi were so fresh and beautifully served. It really made my anniversary night perfect!

07/12/2006 Posted by djung07

Yes! Yes! Yes! From the setting and the interior design of this place to service and of course, the food - everything about this restaurant is excellent! I was somewhat scared at first to try dining at a Japanese restaurant, especially the fact that I'm not familiar with many of the Japanese food and the whole 'raw fishes' as a main entree but I was so wrong! From the hosts and the cashiers to the servers and the managers - They are not only friendly and helpful but they're so knowledgable and kind.. plus, they're hot!! Moreover, not only do they serve sushi and rolls but they also have variety of dishes that are fusion styled. They also have meats and chickens and salads!! Prices are reasonable! and the quality of the foods are excellent! Perfect for romantic dates! Perfect for birthdays! and Perfect for family dinings! Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Huntington Beach is the place to be! The best restaurant I've ever visited! Go there and Try some Today!!

03/29/2006 Posted by sushiisthebomb

I and my friends when to watch a movie at the new theater. We stopped by at Kabuki restaurant. We were like "WOW" what a nice place they built. We sat a the table, ordered some teriyaki, sushi and rolls. Sushis and rolls came out on this glass platter, looked very cool. The waitress was very polite and nice. Eventhough we were there for a long time talking, she didn't disappear like every asian place's waitresses do. She took care of us all the way!!. We will definteley be back. I'm thinking about having my b-day dinner there.

Pros: seating, service, interior

01/21/2006 Posted by sushiloverinhb

We tried Kabuki this past weekend - heck, half price sushi -why not. The interior and the decor of the restaurant is very cool- very Fusion and modern, hep. We sat at the sushi bar. Our sushi chef had about zero personality and barely spoke english. The best description we could give for the sushi was "Grocery store" like. There is absolutely no presentation, the quality of the fish is very marginal and the rolls weren't even prepared well- the rice was falling off, etc. The service was annoying- they tried too hard. Someone was interrupting us every few minutes to see if we wanted anything else or if they could clear a dish, etc. Any special requests such as extra semlt eggs, soy paper, etc., you get charged extra for. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

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