Wafu of Japan

06/11/2008 Posted by stefsterhb

This place "hands down" is about the best little place in the OC. Not only does it have excellent sushi and a good variety of Japanese items to choose from it's one hell of a cute ambiance. Service is excellent, Sushi Chefs prepare "Fresh" not premade rolls, sashimi, and sushi. I could go on and on about how great this place is but I won't. The salad I had with sesame dressing, perfect, the rolls I had, perfect, and lastly the salmon sushi, perfect. I can't wait to go back and try other things there. My biggest pet peeve is Chicken Teriyaki...too many places use dry chicken so I'm hoping this place does it right. We shall see. All I know is for now this place Rocks!!!!!!! Get there early for lunch. It was crowded on this day. I'm scheduling dinner with the wife soon. So we'll see ya soon Wafu. Domo Master Chef, Stef Serafin

Pros: Excellent Food, Service, Price.

Cons: Not having a to go menu but woopdadee.

05/06/2008 Posted by Thalia7

My husband and I affectionately call Wafu "our favorite hole-in-the-wall sushi place" and when trying others in the area are always disappointed. The owner Harry welcomes us into the small non-pretentious restaurant like family. Hiro and Fuji (the 2 sushi chefs) are fabulous - they make delicious creations that are presented and sauced to perfection! In addition to the fresh and large portions of sushi/sashimi, our favorites are the dragonballs, spicy tuny jalepeno, hawaiian roll, and whatever they innovate for us! If you're looking for an upscale trendy sushi restaurant with full bar, this definitely isn't it. BUT, if you're looking for a fun casual atmosphere with outstanding sushi, creative rolls, and great people...become a regular! Kanpai!

Pros: EVERYTHING!

Cons: Small and always packed!

04/16/2008 Posted by WeLoveSushi

I wanted to try a new restaurant, so I looked for hole in the wall restaurant. I found Wafu Sushi and I read all of these great reviews. I have tried several sushi places and none come even close to #O&$Y's in Tustin. So I called my wife and told her we needed to go and find out if these reviews were really acurate. The reviews said that the parking lot is small. Yes it is especially if you drive a truck but we worked it out. Once inside we noticed that the place is small. Their is a sushi bar that seat about 10 and about 10-12 tables. We waited about 5-10 minutes and sat at the sushi bar. Thier is only 2 chefs behind the bar and it appears that they also prepare the sushi for the tables, therefore it took a little bit to place and get our order. "IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT". We had shrimp, tuna, halibut, salmon and yellow tail sushi. The salmon and the yellow tail were the best. We also had the spicy tuna guacamole (so-so) and the Samurai Burrito (no it's not wrapped in a tortilla). It comes wrapped in a soy sheet, which is good but we replaced it with a seaweed sheet. It was delicious. "A MUST HAVE" is the "Super California Roll", a California roll topped with Unagi and sweet sauce. Chef's Henry and Fuji did an awesome job. We are definetly going back and recommending Wafu to all my sushi loving friends. Arigato!

Pros: Chefs, food, ambiance

Cons: Parking could be an issue

04/10/2008 Posted by LOVETOEATOUT333

This is my first review of a restaurant on-line, and I am delighted to have the chance to review Wafu on Bristol in Costa Mesa. My boyfriend and I have been going to Wafu for YEARS! We started when the current owner purchased the restaurant...oh, about 10 years ago or more and have watched his patronage grow and grow and grow. We are locals - just a stone's throw to the restaurant.and we eat here whenever we can. We never eat at any other Japanese restaurants. Yes, it's a tad small; but unbelievably clean and charming. WeI wish they would expand their operation, but the owner says he is happy with the size of the place, and it's jam-packed booths and sushi bar are only a testament to the quality of food served here. Did I mention: IT'S CHEAP too? Decor: Simple and functional, but conducive to stimulating the appetite. Onto the service: Four-star for sure! The placed is staffed with native Japanese who are fluent in English and willing to accommodate your every request promptly and efficiently, never obtrusively. As soon as you open the front door and enter Wafu, they greet you as if you are a long-lost family member. And the owner is still very much hands on in this restaurant. That's a very good thing in the hospitality business! A special note: Many "sushi" restaurants today are owned by Asians from every country expect Japan. They are not authentic! Quality is sacrificed to save pennies. Not so at Wafu of Japan! Their FRIED OYSTERS are delicious and their SAMURAI BURRITO is tops, with it's delectable "secret sauce". Try it with some of their deliciouis sakes and premium beers from Japan. I often get the SUSHI SPECIAL - extremely reasonable for all the sushi you get. It may be quaint and tiny, and it sure doesn't jump out at you as you pass the street, located in a tiny strip mall, but it's a well-kept Orange County secret. If you miss Wafu, you will miss a great dining experience! Enjoy and good eating!

Pros: Food, service, selection

Cons: does get crowded at lunch and later in the evening

11/27/2007 Posted by emstuber

This is a little hole-in-the-wall sushi place that has great sushi. The sushi is bite-sized so you don't have to try to chew a huge piece like in so many other places. Best time for lunch is right when they open at 11:30; otherwise, the parking is difficult and you have to wait for a table. Service is normally very good and quick. The menu has a little of everything - all sushi, combo plates, and noodles. There are also daily lunch specials. I've never been there for dinner but highly recommend the lunch!

Pros: Great food, reasonable prices

Cons: parking and the restaurant is small

01/31/2007 Posted by bs12374

this is the best sushi place ever when i first went there i thought o this place isnt going to be good it is jsut another hole in the wall lace later di i find otu best place ever i have probably been there 30 times i go aobut 1 ortwice every week it is the best place ever who ever says it is not good is horrible at rating places to go

Pros: great food cheap nice people wonderful service great enviroment

Cons: none

11/29/2006 Posted by fasttails

Wafu of Japan is the best place for sushi in all of orange county and maybe even los angeles county. The food and service is the best I have ever experienced. I eat there at least three times a week. The entire menu is excellent and I just cant say enough about the place, I cannot understand why others had posted negative comments about WAFU. I am a huge fan of Wafu and deeply advise all people in all of California to try eating sushi at Wafu of Japan!!! Simply the BEST...I give it 10 for sushi/ 10 for service......Highly Recommend

05/17/2006 Posted by winnih

How can this place get such a high score!?! It's a takeout place with your normal california rolls and teriyaki chicken! I drove all the way to the restaurant and was very disappointed when I saw it!

02/12/2006 Posted by drcntaz

This place is GREAT! Decided to try it despite the review from Erisbeck. They have this item called Samurai Burrito which is a MUST try. We were served by someone named Maya...she was awesome! I've been there 3 times within a week and a 1/2...and...sent 7 co-workers/friends there to try it and they all received the same great service/food. I can't say enough about the place. They also cheap lunch and dinner specials (dinner you can 16 pcs of 4 different types of Sushi for $11.50) not bad. Anyhow, check it out...but if you go at lunch, get there early. The place is a bit small and fills up quick.

Pros: Inexpensive, Great Food, Great Service

11/10/2005 Posted by torutoru

Good service! Great creative rolls! Very nice people working there. Highly Recommended!

Pros: Inexpensive, cozy

Cons: parking, crowded