- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Echizen Japanese Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
9111 Valley View StSte 113
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 828-2155
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Mon-Sat 5:30 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
115 reviews for Echizen Japanese Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Beef Tataki - very tender and lightly seasoned."
(in 22 reviews)
"Marinated butter fish is a must."
(in 4 reviews)
"Fried Eggplant & Shrimp - YUMMMMM."
(in 4 reviews)
Loading...
115 reviews in English
-
Review from dave y.
Fountain Valley, CA
8/29/2011
I've never had a bad dish here, this is one of my all time favorite restaurants. A great chance to try something different. Michelle Y may not understand izakaya style, the portions are supposed to be smaller - it gives you a chance to order something else!!
The highlight is the owner/chef. It's amazing to watch Naya-san (and his two assistants) kick ass in that small kitchen on a busy night...while watching sports on the TV. Don't stroll in there looking to be pampered over a sushi roll - he yells to his servers "tell them this isn't a sushi bar!" when those types come in. Think of the izakaya nazi.
The food is always delicious. -
Review from Belle N.
Anaheim, CA
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
4/12/2011
I used to come when I worked in the area with coworkers...met up a friend for lunch today...
I like how friendly they r and how everything is set and ready with their lunch menu...I know it gets busy so it's best you come when they open at 11:30! -
Review from Mia L.
12/20/2011
10.22.11: I'm spoiled, I know good authentic Japanese Food when I see it, taste it, smell it..
Unfortunately I'm not sure what the rave is all about for this place..
Beef Tataki: Too much oil, that's all I tasted. Bland.
Agedashi Tofu: So sad, they make it different here, the sauce is on the side and not great at all. How hard is it to have great tasting tempura sauce? That's all it is..
Butterfish: Hence the name butter! If that's what you like, then this is for you.
Beef Tongue: Dry, Dry and dry..Highly disappointed.
Yellowtail Collar: Ok
The more I write about this the more I get upset. It was such a disappointing meal, I wished I could agree with others, but I have tasted way better traditional style Izakaya and this is not it. I have ordered more dishes than listed, but I am far tired of complaining. Maybe I came on a off day. But lets just say I will never make the trip out here again. Only for Frostbites..LOL
Sorry not so good.. -
Review from Amy C.
Tustin, CA
10/29/2011
Took dad here for his birthday dinner. It was a week-day...pretty slow.
Food was ok for me. We had scallops (miso and garlic sauce?), mackerel fish, yellow tail collar, crab dumpling, sashimi dinner and chicken wings. I think the price was ok too except for the sashimi dinner! I have never seen such small slices of sashimi ever!! It's half of a "normal" slice, there were 2 kinds of cheap white fish...I was very disappointed with this entree, it was I think $18 and only came with miso soup and rice. I should have taken the picture and blast it on yelp on FB.
I asked the waitress to recommend what is good and popular...she couldn't really recommend much. I had to eat half a bowl to rice to make me feel not hungry. Total bill was almost $100 (we only had one sake). No wonder Honda Ya does so well...
I will not come here again. -
Review from Tim D.
Los Alamitos, CA
1/12/2012
So rude to me and my date. They sat us in 3 different places and brought our waters in 15 mins. We walked out and will never go back.
-
Review from Jonathan K.
Anaheim, CA
1/9/2012
So I think I've been pretty spoiled with Japanese food having lived in LA. The food here was definitely good, but some of the dishes had a different "spin" than I've had at other restaurants. Not that their take was bad, but it was unique.
For two people I think we had five dishes plus beer and it was about $50 pre-tip. I would return here. -
Review from Luis M.
Garden Grove, CA
10/23/2011
Overall the food was below average. The shrimp tempura Udon had soggy noodles, and the tempura shrimp was over cooked. The chicken teriyaki was burned and the platting was sloppy.
The worst was the service. The chef/owner unless you are a regular, ignores you completely. Which makes you feel un-welcomed. The servers were polite but it was hard to get their attention.
We were very disappointed. Because based on prior reviews we thought this place was going to be great. -
Review from Michelle F.
Irvine, CA
8/18/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Came here because of the reviews and because it was close to work. We noticed there were actual Japanese people eating here so we figured that was a good sign. When Japanese people (and I'm talking about the ones who don't speak much English, not the ones who have been here for generations) eat at a Japanese restaurant, then you know there is a certain level of authenticity.
We had the:
Butter fish: very good
Nabeyaki Udon: claimed to have chicken and found the one piece swimming at the bottom of the bowl; broth was mediocre, portions were decent
Tempura: your typical tempura
My main comment is that the portion size is MINISCULE. The salmon looked bigger, but the butter fish was TINY. I think it was almost 4 bites. And 3 if you take big bites. The tempura meal was also small. It did come with a small mac salad (which is good), some pickled cucumbers and miso soup but I highly doubt any normal person would be left full and satisfied with that portion.
Service was fine. She spoke English and helped us when needed...good enough for me. -
Review from K D.
New York, NY
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here for lunch/catch-up session with one of my friends who lives nearby. We both had the lunch special. I can't remember what she ordered, but I had the Nebayaki Udon lunch special. It was pretty good. But service seemed a little off. We had to ask for water a few times, and I guess they closed at 2 in the afternoon or something and we felt rushed towards the end when they started cleaning around us and told us they were closing. Odd. They were busy with the lunch rush when we got there a little before 1, but it was empty half an hour later, so guess they normally close in the middle of the afternoon? In any case, food was good, but don't like to feel rushed through my meal, so that didn't really leave a good impression.
-
Review from cyndie l.
Gardena, CA
Updated - 8/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Inaniwa (thin udon) cold noodles is a must try.
Whenever i come here i must have my chicken karage and the cold noodles. This is the ONLY place where i'm the first one done eating at my table.
Really amazing izakaya place. Its small but cozy. And right next to frostbites.
You just cant go wrong when you come here.1 Previous Review:
-
11/22/2010
every time i go i always get greedy and order way too much. it is that good.
enough said.
-
-
Review from Warren L.
Cypress, CA
8/9/2011
Don't let these bad reviews fool you. This place has not disappointed me once.
Yaki udon and beef tongue are my favorites here but honestly, you can't go wrong no matter what you order.
I've also never had bad service here. It's easy to play the race card but I'm a Korean American and if you know the Korea's history with Japan, you now how that goes. Which makes it feel more ignorant to hear people complaining about bad service because they're not "Japanese."
The chef is a great guy, doesn't speak English much but that doesn't stop him from interacting with non-Japanese customers. Great food, great service, great chef makes this a local staple. -
Review from Christine Y.
Orange, CA
6/24/2011
Decent izakaya + sushi place (hole in the wall, of course, right next to a Nickel Nickel arcade ^^;;;). Was wanting some Cafe Hiro, but on a whim stumbled into this place instead. We ordered:
-Chicken teriyaki + tempura: let this be a lesson to not be cautious and go for the familiar. There was nothing wrong with it, but nothing great either, and it definitely wasn't worth $16.
-Marinated butter fish: juicy, tender, maybe a tad bit salty but overall tasty
-Crab shumai: really really good! A generous serving of crab baked into a solid/paste (hard to describe ^^;;) and wrapped up in a wrapper. Three large pieces.
-Scallops: soooo tender and juicy (almost a little tender to the point of being undercooked). About six pieces?
Overall a good first experience, and I'll definitely be back for more of their izakaya/sushi fare. Like most izakaya places, if you don't want to wait, either go very early or very late: we showed up around 7pm, and by 8pm the place was packed. -
Review from kimmy c.
8/2/2011
We may have been misguided when coming to this place. It is not a sushi place although they do have some sashimi available.
The sushi dinner platter had quality but very small amounts of fish to justify the price. The dinner platter would not fill you up at all. We started off with two orders of that for three adults and were still hungry.
Next ordered the pork katsu which was tasty. It was crispy and the meat was thick and juicy.. not flattened out and dry. But again, the portion was small and definitely akin to a lunch serving with just one chicken breast sized portion with lettuce and rice.
We got the beef taki which was really really yummy. The flavors were amazing but I again, it's something that you could consume very easily and would not be a stand alone meal.
Ordered the hamachi kama which was amazing. Lots of fish in the cheeks and very well flavored. My girlfriend was near sucking the bones dry on this dish.
Finally added the tempura style veggies which were served already soaked in the sauce (a little too heavily). I really liked the eggplant but wasn't a fan of the soggy batter. Peeled it off and enjoyed the dish very much.
I don't know the cost but I imagine it was pretty high. The amount of food I saw associated with the listed prices makes me think this place is alright but not amazing. I think Taiko in Irvine is similar in style but a few points down from quality. Taiko gives you more quantity at about the same price with average quality.
I probably wouldn't come back here again unless it was for lunch (if they have similar dishes). A bit disappointed but all in all it wasn't bad for the few dishes we had.
Service was fine on our end. I'll admit i was more attune to our little guest (we had a baby) than anything. ^^
3.5. -
Review from Mikey Y.
Buena Park, CA
10/30/2011
If you come here, don't sit at a table like I initially wanted to, sit at the bar. The guys there won't really talk with you but it's like a dinner and show to watch your food (and everyone else's) get made in front of you. Between tasting the food in front of you to touching scalding hot plates/bowls/pots with bare hands, it's well worth everything.
The food was mostly good. When we ordered three items for two, the server asked us, "is that all?" with a look of, "you're still going to be hungry" which suckered us into the sashimi salad. BEST.DECISION.OF.THE.NIGHT.
The sashimi in the salad just melted in my mouth and the dressing they poured over the salad looked excessive but was actually just right.
The rest of the meal was a broiled yellowtail cheek which was average. Udon in hotpot - which was as good as udon gets but over priced at $9.50.
Lastly we had also ordered the deep-fried crab dumpling which was the largest disappointment of the night (yet made it on to their recommendations listing on the inside of their menu). If you get sucked into ordering this, use soy sauce instead of the sauce they give you.
Definitely go back but take a date with my in the future (as opposed to going with friends or family) -
Review from Michael N.
Chino Hills, CA
7/6/2011
This is a perfect place if you want to try some authentic Japanese food. Me and my girlfriend are Japanese American and we only knew half the things on the menu. This is more of a tapas style restaurant, most of the dishes are small and meant to be accompanied by beer or sake, this can also be referred to as Izakaya style. This is great if you want to try out 3 or 4 dishes between a couple and with the large selection of the menu, you will not have a problem.
Since their menu is so vast, approx 40 to 50 items, we decided to order their top selling items, which are usually listed on the front of the menu. Items that I would recommend here are the Kama (yellow tail or Salmon cheek), Beef Tatake, Tonkatsu, and sesame chicken. The Kama was cooked perfectly here and was moist, juicy, and fresh. The beef tatake is similar to seared beef caviche. Meat was tender and well marinated in lime/lemon. The tonkatsu is pretty good quality and sesame chicken goes well with beer.
This is a small place, so try to come before or after rush hours to avoid a long wait. -
Review from Kressler N.
Orange County, CA
4/30/2011 6 photos
A pleasant surprise in Cypress...you would not expect some great Japanese Izakaya in the same center as Albertaco's, KFC, and Nickel Nickel Games. =)
The plates are small (like tapas) and there are some items that I probably would not even think of trying but I really enjoyed the food here. All staff are Japanese and most of the patrons are also Japanese...quite a good sign. My friend and I tried several items:
-Cold tofu = obviously this isn't very hard but I liked the presentation and garnish.
-Salted chicken wings = not a ton of flavor to them...I probably would not order this again.
-Buta kimchi = yum! I order this dish any place I see it...I am a fan of kimchi & of pork so it's a winning combination. I've had it better at other restaurants BUT it's still very good here.
-Bok choy with bacon = double yum! It's so simple...why don't I do this more often at home? Stir-fried bokchoy with large pieces of bacon...we happily finished this entire plate.
-Giant clam sashimi = very clammy. =) My friend ordered this & enjoyed it.
-Oysters = ?? I did not eat any but my friend finished them all quickly - a good sign. =)
-Beef tataki = decent. The beef was quite tender but my friend was hoping that it would medium rare to rare and it seemed to be medium well. The flavor and texture were good but I think this can be hit or miss.
-Stir-fried udon with veggies = delish! It was a tad bit oily but I loved the flavor and it is something I would definitely order again.
Sometimes the servers had trouble understanding exactly what we want but overall it was a good experience. Even on a weeknight, it was a full restaurant - I can only imagine Friday and Saturday nights. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if in the mood for some traditional Japanese dishes. -
Review from Beginning P.
Fontana, CA
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
A Japanese restaurant that serves small plates or tapas style. Like the Yaki udon, amber jack sashimi, scallops with garlic. Ordered pine mushroom. Really nice presentation of pine mushroom. Owner, cook, staff are all Japanese.
-
Review from Bob K.
Anaheim Hills, CA
10/16/2011
Went to this restaurant with a friend of mine. This place is Japanese owned and the food is authentic. The dishes are fantastic unlike non-Japanese owned restaurants. I'll definitely have to return here.
-
Review from Phil C.
You want authentic? You got authentic! Echizen is one of those "hole-in-the-wall" places that keeps you coming back for more. Located in a small plaza across from Cypress College, I come here mainly for the tapas, a few of the light dinner items and sashimi.Specials change daily. Make sure you check the hand written board or ask.
A few favorites... (too many to name)
- cold sobas
- soft shelled crab - perfectly crispy and tender center. melts in your mouth. sometimes they have live ones on special.
- marinated butter fish - slightly charred edges and tender meat.
- the broiled fish
- sashimi
A must try if you're tired of the same ol' "sushi" places. There are no fancy rolls here. Service is friendly and prompt. Prices are reasonable. Can get pricey, but the food is worth it. The head chef is awesome to and friendly. Great to toast with as you enjoy your meal at the counter.Listed in: Japanese Favorites!
-
Review from Poupee C.
2/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here with my parents tonite. Got here around 6ish and tables were full. Only space available is at the counter, which was alright. We were able to see the chef in action. It was entertaining.
I think I ate too much O.o
Raw Oysters - 5 small oysters on a plate, prepped and served to perfection. Shared this on with my dad. Mom's not really into this. (Yay, more for me, hee hee) I really enjoyed these...
Yaki Onigiri with umeboshi - Flavored with soy sauce, then stuffed with umeboshi (This was good. And filling. I try to limit my carb intake at dinner but had to have this.
Broiled Mackeral - mmmmm, Crispy surface, tender middle. Nice taste. Damn! Should have ordered a beer. (but I was the desinated driver tonite.)
Another broiled fish - but I cannot remember the name.
Yakinasu - Grilled eggplant
Tsukemono - assorted pickled veggies and seaweed.. mmmm, great wth Onigiri...
Croquette - potato, beef and corn. Always a favorite Japanese staple of mine. But filling...
Broiled beef tongue - it was just ok. It had a bit of a burnt taste, but it wasn't burnt. Maybe it needed to be paired with a glass of soju or sake. I skipped out on drinks tonite. Had to drive the folks home safely :o)
Sashimi Salad - No comment. Will skip this next time.
Service is good, friendly.
Definitely coming back for some more.. -
Review from Christine D.
Las Vegas, NV
6/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I would give this place a higher rating if the service I received wasn't so bad.
The food I ordered, though, was delicious!
Beef Tataki - good flavor, but it was a bit overcooked for my taste. It was cooked to medium, rather than medium rare.
Marinated Butterfish - flavorful and delicious!
Agedashi Tofu - really good! The sauce makes the dish.
Great hole in the wall. I never would have known about it had I not found it on Yelp. -
Review from Ross C.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 3/4/2011 4 Check-ins Here
ECHIZEN, I LOVE YOU.
I've been coming here once a week for my lunch break during work, and last night I got off late and stopped by for dinner. I like to sit at the bar by myself and listen to the Japanese business men have politically incorrect conversations, and watch the cook work at a furious pace to fulfill all of his orders yet he manages to do it all with style while knocking back a large beer.
Lunch will run you about $10 but it's a varied meal and will keep you full for a while. I usually get the special, which changes daily and have not been disappointed.
Dinner is pricey, but well worth it. If you aren't Japanese the menu might be a bit intimidating because they serve so many things, and servers at Asian restaurants aren't exactly patient. But don't get suckered into the teriyaki/tempura combo menu. The fried eggplant is amazing and the urchin dumplings are also a favorite of mine. Beef tataki is a must, by the way. There's a reason that everyone orders this.
Best part about Echizen is the service. Most of their waitresses don't speak any English but they still make you feel completely welcome and that's what always keeps me coming back.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/9/2010
Basically a poor man's Kappo Honda. Not trying to take anything away from them! For a city as bland… Read more »
-
-
Review from Lea D.
Long Beach, CA
12/28/2010 4 photos
I am so thankful for my friends. They are always suggesting new places to eat and always willing to take me with them. Tonight, a couple of my favorite friends went to dinner with me and took me to this tiny little Japanese restaurant in Cypress. I had only heard good things about it but I was excited to try it for myself.
Luckily my friends like to try different things so we ordered a bunch of food to share. I'm just going to list the things we ate and comment on them, that will be the easiest way to review this restaurant.
Agadashi Tofu - Really good if you like tofu. I'm not a big tofu eater but I love the way this tofu is cooked and seasoned.
Beef Tataki - very tender and lightly seasoned. So good!
Fried Shrimp - This was my favorite!! They fry up the shrimp so crispy that they leave the shell, head, and tail on so you can eat the whole thing. Eat up and enjoy!
Potatoes with bacon - this was my second favorite!!! Love the potatoes and the yummy bacon. But, isn't everything good with a little bacon?
Chicken Karaage - this was my third favorite! The chicken was lightly battered and the chicken was so tender and moist. So delicious.
Creamy crab croquette - these were only ok. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Not bad.
Fried Eggplant & Shrimp - This was good. Battered and fried eggplant and shrimp, served in a light broth-like sauce. I love eggplant and this does not disappoint!
Kimchee Pork - I saved this for last because it was my least favorite. I have had this at other restaurants and this version at Echizen was not worth my stomach space! I do not recommend this at all. Get a second helping of the Potatoes or Fried Shrimp.
Crap! I think that there were a couple more dishes that we ordered but I have a bad memory and can't remember them already.
Moving on from the food...the service was great. The food is freshly made so it takes a bit to all come to the table but once each dish finishes, the servers are quick to retrieve it and bring it to your table. I had a cup of green tea and it was never empty. It was great.
Overall, the experience was great. Add in some awesome friends and the entire night was outstanding. Love them! -
Review from Kim S.
Huntington Beach, CA
10/14/2011 2 photos
I love this place. I can eat here everyday. As authentic as it can get, Japanese food. Despite the very little choices to pick from during lunch, every choice is mmmm mmmm good. Aside from the permanent dishes off of the menu, you get the element of surprise from the daily lunch specials. It's always written in Japanese, some days in English, on a very small white board. Whatever the surprise dish is, it never fails me. Every main dish comes with sides of veggies, miso soup, rice and two other small sides. Depending on the chef's mood, those sides will vary. If you're too scared of the daily specials, the pork cutlet is always a good choice. Lightly fried goodness. The dip sauce that comes with it is amazing. You get a decent amount. The pork is all meaty with very little fat, if at all. Another good one for you entry level, the butter fish. Grilled to perfection every time. Soft, flaky meat with the skin all crispy. So good. Service is always fast. Will not accept card under $20.
-
Review from Justeen Y.
Rowland Heights, CA
9/29/2011
I fell in love with this place! After a visit to my brother's in Cypress, my boyfriend and I were feeling for Japanese food so we found this place on Yelp. Their service is decent, the chef is an amazing and talented cook, his assistant is just as great, and the food is perfect! They have a "Top 10" on their menu which is in no specific order. I ordered the beef tataki and a scallop dish which were all perfectly cooked. Only bad thing is their dishes are skimpy but pricey. Totally worth it though!
-
Review from vivian t.
El Monte, CA
4/11/2011
My coworkers come here almost daily, they've brought me twice. Both times I had the cold noodle, just because I didn't know what else to order!
They change their specialty every day and it's usually a very good deal. I can't really say much about their food because all i've had is the cold noodle and that's pretty hard to mess up on. But observing my coworkers' food, looks delicious! They have this daily specialty board that changes daily, these specials are usually big portions for cheap but it usually contains chicken or pork or beef.
I am going to make it a point to try something new the next time I go.
It's a nice small japanese joint, very busy during lunch time, there's always a wait. -
Review from Yuki M.
9/28/2010
Open until 11pm on a Monday? 5 stars.
"Fried" means "DEEP fried?" 2 stars.
Good food with missing skewers? 2 stars.
Average: 3 stars
Prices are fair and portions are generous. Over all quality and taste of the food were good, though some items left us wanting.
Disappointments of the evening were the bland salmon onigiri and the unimpressive and dry beef tataki. Steamed crab dumplings were not crab but processed crab meat shaped into balls and wrapped in skins. Not happy with this at all.
Pork and asparagus came out on a dish. Odd, but tasted fine.
Beef tongue was very good. I would order this again in a heart beat.
Pork Katsu on a skewer was heavily fried with a harsh crust. Not very light at all.
Cream crab croquette was the same.
Shrimp tempura was also the same.
Broiled cheek (I forget the fish) was very good. Salted just right and with a perfect texture.
Agedashi Tofu was fried heavier than usual but not nearly as much as the three above mentioned fried dishes. I've always liked my Agedashi Tofu a bit on the well-done side. I was very pleased with this dish.
Beer, sushi, and a daily rotating sashimi menu help to round out this 3 star review. I know it seems rather low but honestly, it wasn't even close to being fantastic, BUT it was good.
I'd give it 4 stars for the fact that they're open late but the location is really a turn off. I would come back but the drunken college crowd next door is not icing on the cake. -
Review from Nancy P.
9/7/2011
I'm in love....this is true japanese! It's that kind that makes you say "I miss my mom"! So, you can order the "american" combo dinners if you want but if you're Japanese( or Japanese'ish)......... you can order a bunch of small plates like in a typical Japanese pub. There was 4 of us and we ordered everything, twice! Me and my bro were on cloud nine! Can't wait to come back!!!!!!
-
Review from Pauline L.
Huntington Beach, CA
8/25/2010 7 photos
This is the first time I've ever had Japanese Izakaya, I feel so sheltered now...my first impression was oh, it's like dim sum or tapas, but instead it's Japanese dim sum/tapas. Haha, I know, I'm lame.
We ordered:
1. Beef Tataki - so good! Can I please get five orders of this please so I can get full? lol, the texture was just right, and the flavor...pure perfection; citrusy, meaty, all in one bite = bliss.
2. Sweet Shrimp - to die for! Especially with the fried heads, OMG, divine!
3. Stirfried Udon with veggies - I know it's just noodles, but the flavor was so good, and topped with ginger, definitely gave it crunch. A little bit on the oily side, but other than that, I don't have any other complaints.
4. Fried Tofu - what sauce do they use? Was it ponzu? Nicely done! And it was lightly battered, which didn't make me feel so bad as I was eating it.
5. Chicken - I know it was fried, but it was not at all oily, the chicken pieces were juicy, tender, and crispy like a chicken nugget but TEN times better, lol.
All in all, it was a great experience, come here if you're with a group of friends and in the mood to share, that way you get a bit of everything, will definitely be back if I want Izakaya. -
Review from Christine C.
Los Angeles, CA
8/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
Top notch Japanese Izakaya Restaurant.
They have a variety of authentic Japanese dishes. The interior is a little un-inspired, but the food more and makes up for it!
Dishes I had:
- grated mountain yam: it has a slimy texture but I really like it. fresh. it's even better with the shark fin, soooo good!
- beef tataki: when I had it was okay, but my friend said it has been better at other times.
- agedashi tofu: yum yum. made well.
- sobacha: fresh tea noodles. has a tea flavor and the soba noodles were delicious.
- udon: they serve a very thin style of udon noodles, so it's different than the typical fat ones you find elsewhere. also fresh and delicious. the broth is also very fresh and tasty; it doesn't have that msg taste in other restaurants.
- chicken karaage: great.
They have an extensive menu so you can also get cooked dinners and sushi as well. While everything is at a fair price point, like any Izakaya if you get carried away with ordering you might end up with a big bill without realizing it. -
Review from Julie L.
7/12/2010
My first impression was, "Wow, they really know how to greet you when you walk in!"
I know it's common to hear the grunts and Japanese men giving you a strong, warm, welcome when you walk into sushi bars, but this place has got that down! The welcoming was just the preview to the rest of the great service and friendly waiters throughout the night.
My friend and I ordered a variety of things that we shared. Here were some highlights, now this was a lot of food for two people, but remember that 1. I am a yelper and I love to eat. and 2. My friend just got out of a basketball game. and 3. I just finished work and I haven't eaten all day. So... here goes the feast:
1. Sushi/Rolls. We ordered 4 types from the basic California roll, spicy tuna, crunch roll, and the tempura roll. Delicious. In fact, the shrimp tempura was so good I will get that as an entrée next time around.
2. Plateful of Sashimi was freshly cut, smooth, and went down perfectly after stuffing ourselves with all that rice. The sushi man served it to us directly, wow, what nice service.
3. The broiled butterfish was good, but I'm not a big fan of it...maybe because I didn't like swallowing some spikes.
4. AHHH YES, this is IT: the BEEF TATAKI, cooked medium-rare and melts in your mouth like a piece of meat should. Japanese steak it is.
5. Udon, good broth and regular udon noodles and udon flavor. It was just a good soupy side for us throughout the meal to enjoy.
The service here is fabulous, I'm gonna state that again.
The lasting impression? "We had a pretty hefty check that night but man it was delicious! They have a wider menu of Japanese food that most sushi places don't have...more than just sushi."
(+) My Tip: I worked just a few minutes over, so I got a lot of things to-go when I needed to eat. Just as fresh and just as good as eating in! -
Review from David L.
Long Beach, CA
I'd never expect something so engaging as Echizen to be in a run-of-the-mill strip mall. When you walk in, it's sparse and the decorative bits are few and far between. But are you here to gaze at the art or the food in front of you? If it's the latter then you're in for a treat.
I came in as soon as they opened for dinner service so it was rather quiet. But as people started strolling in (with their own chopsticks in tow--serious patrons is a good sign) and my food arrived the show really got started.
I ordered yaki-onigiri (grilled rice balls) and yellowtail collar. While the onigiri was good it wasn't anything I wouldn't expect of an izakaya. What was more impressive was the chef carving my yellowtail collar on-site. And as customers came in they queried the chef as to what he was doing. So enticing was this that the family next to me ordered yellowtail as well. The collar, however, was mine.
So why am I obsessing over this fish bit that is usually forgotten and thrown away under most circumstances? Because it's a treasure trove of delicious meat. As you dig in with your chopsticks you'll find pocket after pocket of succulent meat that is appropriately moist on the inside and nicely charred on the outside. That's because the bones of the collar seemingly help keep the moisture in. (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
As I was about to leave I noticed the giant fan and mask on the wall. I hadn't noticed it before but it was appropriate for my experience. While it's not the fanciest place you'll notice more and more beauty the longer you stay. -
Review from Ken H.
Updated - 9/8/2010 6 Check-ins Here
I guess I'll update the review. I have been here for years...like 15 years to be exact. From the days I used to ride my bike to school until now. Nothing has changed much. Food quality is still the same, atmosphere, everything is the same except its now more English-Friendly. They actually will list all the specials in English now (I know huh, after all these years).
Very traditional izakaya place, it reminds me of those places in Japan. Very Cozy spot at night where you can enjoy good food with a drink or two. I can't comment on their drink selections since I don't drink, but its funny to me when people trying to order sushi here from time to time. (People, its a PUB, not a SUSHI joint!).
Try to come during lunch on weekday, its one of the best lunch spot in the area. Always something different.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/21/2008
I have been eating at this place since 1995. It didn't change much compare to when we first… Read more »
-
-
Review from Angie K.
Cerritos, CA
1/30/2011
It's so hard to catch them when they're open! I literally walked past their front door 10 times, and got in twice. I tried the special of the day - katsu and the butter fish (the special was hot soba noodles that day, btw). I like how their menu has only around 5 choices since I'm really indecisive. But, I do wish they give a little more food for $9-11 an entree. I find myself stuffing myself with rice in between bites so that I'll leave full.
Cash only! -
Review from Jason K.
5/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
My new favorite local Japanese restaurant. Blows the doors off of New Harima. It's a small place with a couple of tables and a bar, so it's usually full or near capacity, so better to get there early. On the inside cover of the menu, they have a "top 10" dishes type of list, which shows the recommendation of the 10 most popular dishes. (Not sure if it's exactly 10, but somewhere around there) Using this, along with the recommendations on Yelp, I have tried a number of superb dishes at this establishment and have to say that the quality of the food here is top notch. The waitresses are very friendly and attentive as well, which is important when choosing a new top dog for a restaurant. Sometimes it's easier to just point out the item on the menu to the waitress. Off the top of my head, I can remember trying:
1) Toro Sashimi (melt in your mouth good)
2) Ama Ebi Sashimi-Sweet Shrimp, w/ the heads tempura fried. We get this every time, the flavor the shrimp is sweet and tastes so fresh, and the deep fried heads are culinary nirvana.
3) Aspara-Beef- Asparagus, sliced, and wrapped in steak, in a cream sauce, very good. Also the asparagus with bacon is a good choice.
4) Sashimi Salad-Fresh Greens, delicious sesame/ginger? sauce, and huge fresh slices of tuna sashimi =excellence
5)Kakifry- Fried Oysters, uses Katsu breading and katsu sauce, very good
6)Clams in butter sauce- Sauce is actually more like broth, very light and refreshing
7)Deep fried eggplant and shrimp-I ordered this a couple of visits ago, so I don't really remember the particulars, but I do remember this: ish was damn good
8)Uni-A tray of two different types of sea urchin roe, very small quantity but taste was like the ocean coming to visit your mouth.
9)Spicy beef tongue- Was ok, but a little tough, this dish I could pass on next time but who knows, I might try it again.
10)Soft Shell Crab- Also deep fried, I didn't really enjoy it but my cousin said it was good.
All in all, I feel like backhanding myself when I realize that a place this good has been literally two miles away and I did not try it until late last year. My #1 go to restaurant in my immediate vicinity. -
Review from Alice L.
Cerritos, CA
12/13/2010
I was totally shocked by this cute little restaurant! The thing I found most interesting is that the cooks and waitresses there really spoke Japanese! What a welcome change! Each day they have featured specials and its always super yummy! They don't have sashimi on mondays just FYI and the food is always the perfect portion! I left with a very happy stomach and a wonderful meal! It is a bit small =/ so its sortof hard to hold a conversation because you could hear all the other conversations around you =[
try to aim to go before noon because it gets REALLY crowded REALLY fast!
good food, decent prices, authenticity. whats not to love? :] -
Review from Duc B.
Santa Ana, CA
5/15/2010
The best fast food lunch in the area! Maybe anywhere! However, here are some things you'll want to know about this place.
1) It is set up for ultimate efficiency and anything you do to compromise this is to your own demise.
2) It's a small space and they really pack it in. You'll be sitting literally inches away from the stranger next to you. Can be somewhat uncomfortable if you both happened to come in at the same time and are both just sitting there twiddling your thumbs waiting for your food. Fortunately, Japanese people are very good at minding their own business (is that a racist statement?).
3) The daily special is written on the board, but in Japanese only. If you have to bother to ask what the daily special is, the waitress will kindly struggle to explain to you, but really, see #1 above.
4) They want you in and out as quickly as possible. That means that if you are lollygagging after your meal, you may be kindly asked to leave. So don't come here with a bunch of friends and expect to have a relaxing long lunch.
5) Cash only. I don't know why, but I get reminded of this by the waitress every time I come here, eventhough I've been here over a million times already.
6) Ordering anything other than the daily special will cause a considerable delay in your order. Sorry, that's just the way it is. He does get started on your order ASAP, but it's no contest when the daily special is already made and simply needs to be plated.
7) Yes, the daily special is pre-made, but don't worry, it's not the same as food sitting under a heat lamp. This is fresh home-style cooking and it goes fast!
8) If, by chance, you find yourself here during off-peak hours, then order the broiled fish. The mackerel is oh-so-good! And the salmon is cooked perfectly every time.
9) Tsukemono rules! I want to end every meal with it now.
I have not been here for the Izakaya-style dinner, so this review is based on lunch only. -
Review from Steve K.
Los Angeles, CA
8/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yellow tail kama.... sesame chicken...beef takaki.... mmmmmmmm.... tha bomb!!!
-
Review from Victoria C.
Rowland Heights, CA
12/21/2010
I used to work in Cypress and I never heard of this place until recently. Anyway, portions are very decent and so is price. Here is a list of things I ordered and my rating:
Beef Tatake: 4/4 stars! Super yummy!
Fried Eggplant: 4/4 stars. Just the right crispiness and packed full of flavor
Bacon & Asparagus: 2/4 stars. Just so-so
Chicken Karage: 1/4 stars. Flavorless and overly fried and dry.
Butter & Clams: 3/4 stars. Yummy and reminds of me childhood dish, but its not as buttery as you might think.
Butter & Whitefish: 3/4 stars. Tender and more lemony than buttery.
Pork & Kimchi kurobata: 3/4 I didn't eat any but my husband said it was pretty decent. It was a bit undercooked when we first got it though so we had to send it back.
Overall, it was pretty delicious. But I do want to go back and try other dishes as well! -
Review from HelloKitty L.
Buena Park, CA
11/7/2010
This place was absolutely terrible. We started off with beef tataki, which was tough! Not melt in your mouth like I have had it else where. Ordered a teriyaki combo plate. The waitress asked how we wanted our meat cooked, we asked for medium rare, but it came out very well done. It wasnt very good at that. It was like a cut of steak with teriyaki dipping sauce. I ordered the spicy beef tongue. They totally FORGOT to bring it out.
When we were done with all the food, we were just waiting for the beef tongue, and the waitress asked if we wanted the check!! Well we told her, we were waiting. So we waited lilke 10 more minutes and out came the beef tongue. But it wasnt even the one I ordered!! I ordered spicy and it was not the spicy version. On top of that it was VERY tough. I could tell that the cook was in a hurry to get it out. Usually if tongue is cooked properly it should be super tender.
Will not be returning due to terrible service and disappointing food. The waitress wasn't friendly. The older waitress who wasnt our waitress kept refilling our waters! I think that they should have atleast taken off the beef tongue of the check, but nope! I had high hopes for a "real" Japanese restaurant.
