Mokutan

  4.6 – 59 reviews   • Japanese restaurant

✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in Mokutan 93101

Address and Contact Information

Address: 716 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Phone: (805) 869-2173

Website:

Menu Photos

mokutansb.com

Related Web Results

MOKUTAN CLOSES | The Restaurant Guy

Reader Steve C. tells me that Mokutan restaurant, which opened at 716 State Street in August 2022, has closed.

Mokutan (@mokutansb) · Santa Barbara, CA – Instagram

895 followers · 43 posts · est. 2022 | izakaya inspired cuisine | Sake, Kushi, Fresh Fish, Sushi, & Specialty Dishes!

Mokutan | Santa Barbara CA – Facebook

Mokutan, Santa Barbara. 64 likes · 64 were here. Here at Mokutan, we want to offer a variety of kushiyaki skewers and Japanese/Japanese-fusion dishes. We…

Reviews

Bobby Therdchitphaisarn
Mokutan was a truly amazing experience. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was the freshest sashimi I’ve ever tasted. It really does make a difference! The takoyaki, skewers, and miso soup were all very tasty, too!

The filet mignon melted in your mouth and the teriyaki sauce was light and didn’t overpower the flavor of the steak. Everything was very well put together and the flavors complimented each other perfectly.

I would definitely recommend this place if you’re looking for truly authentic Japanese cuisine!
… more
Annabelle Abba Brownell
Our entire meal was absolutely delicious. This Japanese restaurant is the best Santa Barbara has to offer. For those who are fond of sushi, the fish was as fresh as could be. I usually don’t love Tuna or Mackerel but the sashimi here was as premium as I’ve ever had. Having said that, the restaurant is authentic to the core and serves some outstanding traditional Japanese fare that is done to perfection. The Katsu with curry was divine. I don’t tend to be drawn towards Japanese curry but this one was exceptional. The Sake was equally enjoyable. The service was great. Caelon was such a wonderful host. We very much enjoyed our meal here and will come back without a doubt.
… more
David Lee
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Mokutan on State St, Santa Barbara and I must say, the experience left me thoroughly impressed. I’ll be going over each dish I had and the feelings I felt from it. Let me start with the Ika Geso Karaage, the fried squid legs that I ordered. They were absolutely delicious, boasting a satisfying crunch and bursting with flavor. Each bite was a delightful treat, and I found myself wanting more.

Next up was the Bluefin Tuna Kama, a dish unlike anything I had ever tried before. The meat of the tuna literally melted off the bone with every stroke of my chopsticks, creating a mouthwatering sensation that was simply divine. It was as if the flavors were dancing on my palate, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was melting in my seat with each bite.

Then came the Binchotan Grilled BBQ Eel, a unique twist on a classic. Unlike the usual baked eel, this dish had a distinct char flavor that added an extra layer of complexity to the taste. With every bite, I could savor the smoky essence, creating a delightful contrast that truly elevated the experience.

My partner opted for the Mixed Sashimi Bowl, and it was nothing short of perfection. The fish was impeccably fresh, and each piece melted in our mouths. The soft texture and incredible taste of the sashimi made it a true delight to savor.

Overall, our dining experience at this restaurant exceeded our expectations. If you’re seeking a quick bite, this might not be the best choice, as the focus here is on enjoying the food and taking the time to savor each dish. It’s worth noting that the kitchen is currently understaffed, so some dishes took longer to arrive than others. However, the wait was well worth it, as the appetizers were promptly served, keeping us satisfied until the main dishes arrived.

The service we received was excellent, with attentive staff who made us feel welcome and well taken care of. The overall ambiance of the restaurant added to the experience, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that enhanced our enjoyment of the meal.

As far as Japanese restaurants in Santa Barbara go, I honestly believe it doesn’t get any better than this. The quality of the food, the attention to detail, and the overall experience were truly exceptional. If you’re looking for a place to sit down, relax, and truly appreciate the culinary artistry of Japanese cuisine, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Mokutan a try.
… more
Vincent Lau
The food was very fresh. The portion was bigger than I expected (comparing to South Bay). The desserts were so good that we all loved. This restaurant has a lot of specialty dishes; I will try them next time.
Small minor improvements: the menu on the black board was too small to read, and the restaurant sign is not obvious from the street.
… more
Melody Wen
A beautiful and delicious gem on State Street! We went on a rainy Saturday evening and had their bento and weekly special (donburi bowls). Both of our meals were amazing and fresh! We had a sake along with our meals and that was just the right mix.

They have happy hour specials on most days (except Saturdays) too
… more
Kay Kay Zhou
Stunning food in the heart of SB! Mokutan has a wide array of menu items from all over Japan. You can tell they take pride in the quality and creativity of their food.

Need to come back to try more items!
… more
Wesley Han
My friends and I were visiting santa barbara and we wanted to try this japanese restaurant on state st.

I was recommended this restaurant from friends that live in Santa Barbara and wow I was blown away. I didn’t expect such high quality and well plated food to be on state st.

Not pictured: Agedashi Eggplant Mochi, Unagi Rice Bowl, Veggie Udon, and some yakitori. We got hungry and ate the food before being able to take some pics.

Veggie udon was done well. al dente noodles and broth that warmed me up making me feel very content.
The Agedashi Eggplant Mochi was the first time I’ve ever tried something so unique and it altered my brain chemistry. Soft chewy mochi with savory umami flavors of agedashi eggplant.
Their sushi was delicious
We tried their Santa Barbara Uni which was fresh and melted in my mouth.
We tried their Shiso Fresh roll which was delicious some of the most unique flavors I’ve had before. The shiso leaves and some other things they add inside really pop in your mouth.
We tried their Mokutan Roll which included A5 Wagyu and Lobster. That was a nice indulgent dish and would definitely get it again to treat myself.

Overall, I’d add this to my top 5 restaurants in Santa Barbara and will definitely be going again.
… more
David Vo
I am obsessed with Japanese food and it’s been a real struggle living in Santa Barbara because it’s pretty hard to find a good fresh sushi and a variety of cooked Japanese dishes here. Restaurants come and go but they are generally your run of the mill cheap sushi joints. This is an izakaya with loads of great tasting grilled and fried dishes, sushi and nigiri, and cooked Japanese dishes. Highly recommended!
… more
AF
Really love this place. My new favorite sushi place in town. The fish tested very fresh and the staff was very kind. I loved the Japanese cooking shows they had on the TVs. My only suggestion is it was very bright in the restaurant. It could use a dim switch on the lights to give it a more intimate feel and less cafeteria
… more
Dignified American
Go here for:
Fresh sushi,
Pleasant staff,
& leave with a full belly.

Food Recommendation:
*Agedashi Eggplant & Mochi Cake, it is both savory and sweet, crunchy and soft, an experience worth having.
*Lobster Tail. The uni melts like butter on the lobster.
*Shiitake Mushroom. Tender and umami flavors.

Environment:
Social & Warm
Family friendly
Pet lovers welcomed

My favorite part:
Culinary food that young adults can afford.

Please make a reservation on Saturday nights to avoid wait time.
… more
… View more

Leave a Comment