Izakaya Osen Irvine - Irvine (CA)

5 /5 Sammi L.: I visited this restaurant for lunch and was truly impressed. I opted for the omakase bowl, a delightful combination of various fresh seafood delicacies, crowned with a piece of uni, fish eggs, and caviar. The dish included a base of rice, along with seaweed on the side to craft your own delectable sushi rolls. The seaweed had a wonderfully unique texture that added to the experience. Additionally, I ordered a potato salad, which unfortunately left a forgettable and overly sweet impression. The restaurants size is quite intimate, so I highly recommend making reservations for a larger group in advance. P.S. parking is complimentary with validation!

5 /5 Isabel Yanes: *Delayed post from Jan ‘25 We arrived around 6pm on a Thursday and found the place packed, but were seated immediately at the bar since it’s first come first serve. Despite the large crowd, ordering was quick and easy and our items were brought out one after the other. Everything we ordered was absolutely outstanding! I would recommend the Toro Unagi Bowl, Beef Tantan Nabe, and the Osen Signature Makimono. For Kushiyaki, order Prime Beef, Pork Belly, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, and Sea Bass. You will not be disappointed! Having been to Japan, I highly recommend coming here for a more authentic experience in comparison to many Americanized restaurants you see, like hibachi. There are so many different kinds of Japanese foods to try besides sushi rolls, such as udon noodles, tempura and endless fish meals. Keep in mind that these meals are magnitudes cheaper in Japan, but alas, the novelty and sourcing costs more here.

5 /5 Keith Lim: My favorite sushi place in all of Southern California. Great for amazing sushi quality, but also for bringing friends or clients. Interior brings me back to Japan and the staff are very attentive and friendly. Will be recommending to all friends!

5 /5 Nick Su: My fiancé and I left a work holiday party still a little hungry, so we decided to make a reservation at Izakaya Osen. Reservations are highly recommended here, as the restaurant is popular and tends to fill up quickly. Fortunately, we were seated immediately at the sushi counter after checking in with the hostess. We were offered fresh water and handed menus along with the specials for the day. I decided to try the Premium Kaiseki Osen, a curated selection of six small dishes featuring premium fish. Each section of the box had its own charm, fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The standout for me was the uni on top of scallop, finished with a thin slice of black truffle and a touch of caviar. That single bite alone carried more depth and richness than some entire dishes I’ve had elsewhere. My fiancé ordered the toro uni bowl, which is one of our staples here. It comes with tubular seaweed sheets that do not provide crunch, but instead offer a very distinct seaweed flavor that pairs perfectly with the toro and uni. It is our preferred way to enjoy the bowl and something we look forward to every visit. While I enjoyed the experience, I am not sure I would order the kaiseki box again. It was good, beautifully presented, and clearly made with care, but for me the value did not quite match the price point. That said, the overall meal and atmosphere made the night memorable. Food: 4 out of 5 – Fresh, elegant, and flavorful, with a few standout bites Service: 5 out of 5 – Warm, attentive, and well-paced Ambiance: 4 out of 5 – Trendy, lively, and intimate, especially at the sushi counter I would absolutely return, especially for the toro uni bowl and to try more of their specialty dishes. Izakaya Osen is a great choice for a date night or special outing if you are looking for refined Japanese cuisine in Irvine.

2 /5 yogi: The ambience was noisy. The tables for couples are small and very close to others, offering no privacy. If your neighbors are loud, it’s difficult to hear your partner. We actually switched to bar seating just so we could hear each other and avoid the noise from nearby tables. Use your indoor voices, people! Despite having reservations, we still had to wait 15 minutes to be seated, only to end up moving to bar chairs for a better experience. Our order was also mishandled. The server skipped our drinks and appetizers, bringing the mains directly. I had to remind them about the drinks, and they had completely forgotten our appetizers. The overall atmosphere was loud and uncomfortable—not ideal for a date night. While the sushi was good, the poor ambience and service left a bitter impression. I also feel the sushi here is overpriced since you can find similar quality food with better ambience and service elsewhere. I recommend trying O Fine Japanese Cuisine instead—the ambience, service, and sushi quality are all better.