
GRAND OPENING ON NOVEMBER 11th 2022. Izakaya Osen Irvine is a Japanese restaurant founded by Matsumoto Cho in July 2017. Izakaya refers to a Japanese restaurant that serves the type of alcohol and subsequent simple dishes. Izakaya Osen is different from ordinary restaurants in that it mainly serves alcoholic beverages imported from Japan. The dishes are all made to give local people a close taste of Japan with Matsumoto Cho’s recipe. We provide premium sushi/ sashimi, raw bar, and Japanese fusion dishes that are new, unique, and innovative to the culinary landscape of Silverlake. We look forward to servicing our diners and also being a part of the culinary landscape of Irvine.
Hours
| Friday | 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM |
| Monday | 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2000 Main St suite 100, Irvine, CA 92614
Phone: (949) 308-4290
Website: http://izakayaosen.com/
Menu Photos
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Related Web Results
Izakaya Osen Irvine Menu | Sushi, Kushiyaki & Japanese Cuisine
Izakaya Osen
Izakaya Osen Irvine – いざかや おせん (@izakayaosenirvine)
Reviews
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.
From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by the creativity and care behind every dish. The plating is next level. Thoughtful, artistic, and just as beautiful as it is delicious. Every bite, from the sashimi to the warm dishes, showcased incredible technique and balance. The menu itself is impressively diverse, blending premium sushi with innovative Japanese dishes that feel refined and intentional.
What really stood out to me is how Izakaya Osen builds on the traditional Japanese izakaya concept, a place meant for gathering, sharing food, and lingering over great flavors, and elevates it into a more upscale dining experience without losing that welcoming spirit. You can feel the respect for tradition while also seeing their own creative point of view in every course.
The service was excellent across the board. The servers were friendly, accommodating, and genuinely attentive without being overbearing. We felt well taken care of throughout the entire meal.
The ambiance ties everything together. It is upscale, warm, and inviting, making it perfect for date nights, celebrations, or an elevated evening out. Everything from the lighting to the tableware reinforces the level of thought behind the experience.
One extra detail that made the night even smoother is that they validate parking, which is always appreciated in Irvine.
Overall, this was a phenomenal dining experience. Beautiful presentation, exceptional food, welcoming service, and a concept that truly delivers. We will absolutely be returning.
✨ $150 per person
✨ 9 courses + a welcome shot of sake
Courses included:
• Miso Soup
• Ankimo Uni Truffle Scallop
• Japanese Steamed Egg Custard with Black Truffle
• Braised Spanish Octopus
• Premium Sashimi
• Premium Sushi
• Miso Lamb Chops
• Shiso Shimeji Pasta (my favorite )
• Kinako Burrata with red bean, soybean powder & sweet milk dressing
• Matcha Cake with green tea ice cream
The sushi and sashimi were incredibly fresh and I’m still thinking about that pasta.
I dined here by chance after a business trip to Irvine on the day before Valentine’s Day and ordered their $100 per person menu. As a walk-in guest, I was told it would take about 10 minutes before a server could take my order, but I actually waited 25 minutes.
After I finally placed my order, the first three courses arrived quickly. However, after that, I waited another 30 minutes for the fourth course — four pieces of sushi. There is absolutely no reasonable explanation for it to take 30 minutes to prepare four pieces of sushi. Ironically, those sushi pieces arrived literally five seconds before I was about to stand up and leave, and I ended up paying an extra 30 minutes of parking just to wait for them.
The server did acknowledge her mistake and offered a complimentary dessert, which I appreciated. However, this gesture did not make up for the overall poor experience.
We ordered a variety of dishes, and everything was beautifully executed with high quality ingredients.
What we ordered:
• Spicy tuna on crispy rice
Actually spicy and generously topped with tuna. Rich, indulgent, and very satisfying.
• Kushiyaki
Prime beef and pork belly. Both were incredibly tender and deeply flavorful.
• Toro roll
High quality chopped toro with pickled vegetables that added an unexpected but really pleasant crunch and balance.
• Uni scallop carpaccio
A luxurious combination. The uni was creamy and paired perfectly with the sweetness of the scallop.
• Omakase bowl
My favorite dish of the night. Creamy uni, fresh salmon roe, and perfectly seasoned rice. Rich but balanced with great texture throughout.
• Premium sushi hachi mori
Excellent fish quality across the board. Standouts for me were the otoro and the black truffle salmon.
Overall, Izakaya Osen delivers a refined sushi experience with beautiful presentation, thoughtful flavor combinations, and a luxury atmosphere. It is on the pricier side, but absolutely worth it for the quality and experience.
Every dish feels thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, with flavors that really stand out. You can tell there is attention to detail in both the quality of the ingredients and the execution. The ambiance strikes a great balance between cozy and refined, making it perfect for a date night or a special occasion. If you are looking for a memorable dining experience with high quality Japanese bites, Izakaya Osen definitely delivers.