Wafu of Japan

  4.7 – 344 reviews   • Sushi restaurant

Social Profile:

Tucked away in Costa Mesa on Bristol Street, close to South Coast Plaza and John Wayne Airport, is a restaurant that serves up some of the best sushi and tempura in Orange County. Welcome to Wafu of Japan. Founded in 1999 by sushi chef Hideto “Harry” Arimizu, Wafu continues to attract both OC locals and sushi lovers everywhere with unique offerings and unwavering high standards. “We offer not only the freshest fish, but the freshest ingredients in all our dishes,” says Arimizu, an owner who stays “hands-on” with his team of sushi and kitchen chefs. “We also offer a large selection of appetizers and hot plates, delicious teriyaki and tempura entrees.”

Standard sushi spot offers plenty of hot fare such as tempura, teriyaki, noodle soups & more.

✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out Wafu of Japan 92626

Hours

FridayClosed
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed
MondayClosed
Tuesday11:30 AM–1:45 PM, 5–8:45 PM
Wednesday11:30 AM–1:45 PM, 5–8:45 PM
Thursday11:30 AM–1:45 PM, 5–8:45 PM

Address and Contact Information

Address: 320 Bristol St Ste. G, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Phone: (714) 641-7321

Website: http://www.wafuofjapan.com/

Menu Photos

Order and Reservations

Reservations: wafuofjapan.com

places.singleplatform.com

Photo Gallery

Related Web Results

Wafu Of Japan – Takeaway food – Costa Mesa – Order online

Order Online for Takeout or Book a Table. Here at Wafu Of Japan – Costa Mesa you’ll experience delicious Sushi, Japanese cuisine.

Wafu of Japan Delivery Menu | 320 Bristol St, Ste G Costa Mesa

Order delivery or pickup from Wafu of Japan in Costa Mesa! View Wafu of Japan’s January 2026 deals and menus. Support your local restaurants with Grubhub!

Wafu of Japan Sushi | Costa Mesa CA – Facebook

There’s always a place for you at Wafu. Indoor & outdoor seating available! Reservations can be placed through our website www.wafuofjapan.com Walk ins always …

Reviews

Rissa Liu
Absolutely love this place. I had the regular chirashi and pineapple sorbet, and both are amazing. I especially love the rich flavor of the sorbet. Shared the butterfly rolls with friend, and that’s pretty tasty too 😛
… more
Rupinder Matharu
Stopped for a quick bite while visiting the area.
Easy to find from the main road, it’s located in a strip mall. Parking was pretty easy.
Not very assuming place from the main road but once inside very cozy. Felt like places I’ve visited in Japan.
Service was first class, very friendly staff.
Food was fine, the spicy tuna rolls were not very spicy but otherwise tasted fine. Spider roll was good. Presentation of the food was excellent.
Definitely would stop by again when in the area. We did see a combo roll set with 4×4 rolls for about $24 which I would likely try next time I visit.
Would definitely like to explore the menu more.
… more
Tolegen Baitukenov
Surprisingly cozy restaurant with delicious food. The beef was amazing—strongly recommend!
The place doesn’t look very attractive from the outside, but inside it’s pretty good and authentic.
… more
冯熹涛
Absolutely love this restaurant! Great food and good service. Top rate in town. Must give it a try. Not pricey too
… more
David Lindes
My car broke down and I was stuck in Southern California for an extra day. I needed a win. I happened to stay at the hotel across the street from Wafu, so my family and I just walked over for an early dinner. In all honesty, I wasn’t expecting much. My boldest hope was for an above average roll. They beat my expectations by a mile. Their miso soup was flavorful, their spicy tuna roll was so clean and subtle, and their tempura was amazing! I’d eat my veggies so much more often if they were served like that! I was having a rough day, my family and I needed a win, and Wafu delivered. Thank you!
… more
M A S
Salmon quintet was fun and delicious.
Salmon skin salad was okay; not bad, but not great; salmon skin was a little too shredded.
Yuzu Madai tasted watery; was not a fan.
Spider roll (soft shell crab) was okay and good portion, but the tempura batter was a little heavy.

Place is cozy and small.
… more
Michele Karl
Review 2025. The food is so wonderful here, The high quality and fresh ingredients translate to exquisite flavor. Check the secret menu, they have delicious options. The burrito roll is a must!

Review 2024. Great quality salmon, so good that it felt like butter melting in my mouth. The samurai burrito was delicious. My only “but” would be the seaweed of the rolls was hard. Service and attention was really good.
… more
Angela Treaster
We’ve dined here many times and always enjoyed it, which made this experience especially disappointing.

Everything was great until we received a spicy tuna with avocado roll that tasted spoiled. Both of us took a bite to confirm and asked for it to be sent back. We didn’t eat it beyond that.

When the bill came, only half of the roll was removed, which felt inappropriate given the quality issue. We were also charged $1 each time we asked for extra sauce, and no wasabi or ginger was provided — small things, but it added up to a very nickel-and-dime feeling.

When we questioned being charged 50% for a roll we didn’t eat, the manager told us that was their policy. She then spoke with the chef, who came out to our table and reprimanded us in front of the restaurant for sending the roll back, with a very dismissive “how dare you” attitude. Before we could finish explaining, he walked away.

To make matters worse, I became sick shortly after and had to leave the table due to stomach issues.

Food issues can happen — especially with sushi — but the way this was handled felt defensive and unprofessional. Unfortunately, this experience has made us reconsider returning, which is disappointing given how much we previously enjoyed this place.
… more
Wilson Knapp
This is the best sushi place in Orange County. The chefs are amazing, the food is excellent, the staff is delightful. I have been going here for 20+ years. The unique rolls that you can’t get anywhere else would be the Samurai Burrito, Dragon Balls, the Fuji Special, and the Holy Special.
… more
Maryssa Briggs
I recently stopped by Wafu of Japan and left with a warm, satisfied smile. Here’s a quick snapshot of my experience.

Ambience
– The spot is irresistibly cute. Soft lighting, cozy seating, and thoughtful Japanese decor create an intimate, welcoming vibe. It feels like a tiny, well-kept treasure tucked away from the city bustle.
– The attention to detail in the presentation of each dish mirrored the cuteness of the space—delicate garnishes, playful plating, and a clean, inviting dining area.

Service
– Service stood out in a genuinely friendly way. The staff were attentive without being overbearing, offering helpful recommendations and timing checks that felt perfectly tuned to the pace of the meal.
– The team exuded hospitality, making the dining experience smooth from the moment you step in to the moment you leave.

Omakase Experience ($40)
– The omakase at $40 was surprisingly robust for the price point. It delivered a thoughtful progression of flavors, showcasing a solid balance of technique and seasonal ingredients.
– Each course arrived with careful plating and clear intention, allowing the chef’s choices to shine. It’s a commendable value for a focused, chef-driven tasting in a casual setting.

– A playful aside: the notion of being a “real foodie” often circles around bold, adventurous statements. For me, a real foodie moment sometimes feels earned by embracing all parts of the experience, including the sometimes-divisive ones. In the spirit of that, I’ll put it plainly: if you’re chasing that extra kick, you might hear a tongue-in-cheek claim about savoring every element, even the shrimp head in the miso soup. It’s a playful nod to culinary bravado and the fun, unapologetic side of tasting culture. If you’re not into that, no worries—the miso soup is still delicious, and the omakase stands on its own merits.
… more
… View more

Leave a Comment