Sake Bomb Masa Sushi - Costa Mesa

Important note for anyone considering dining here: be sure to call ahead and make a reservation, or you might find the door closed! The restaurant fills up quickly. Masa, the owner, has mentioned he would prefer to turn guests away rather than offer a less-than-perfect experience. His dedication to maintaining high standards is truly commendable! I returned here with my brother, and it was simply brilliant. The quality of the dishes was exceptionally high and consistent with my previous visits. I’ll be uploading some photos of the dishes I managed to photograph. I tried to capture each individual plate, but once the food is in front of you, it’s hard to focus on anything but enjoying the meal. You’ll notice that some pictures feature half-eaten dishes—it’s surprisingly challenging to snap a photo before digging in! My brother is now a big fan. We ordered our usual favorites: Cattle Tongue, Pot Stickers, Kurobuta Pork Sausages, Ankimo, Kohl Rolls, and Marinated Tuna Sushi. We also tried the Mushroom Bon Bon, which consists of tempura shiitake mushrooms filled with crab meat, and tempura-spiced tuna wrapped in shiso leaves. It’s a true tempura paradise! The pig’s head with black cheese and snails was also fantastic, filled with wonderful aromas. I forgot to mention dessert in my last review, but don’t skip it! There isn’t a fixed dessert menu, and everything I’ve tried here has been delightful. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to take any photos of our desserts today because we devoured them before I remembered to grab my camera. We enjoyed green apple sorbet, cranberry sorbet, strawberry sorbet, and coffee jelly. All the sorbets are freshly made, allowing the natural flavors and fragrances of the fruits to shine through. The strawberry sorbet was my personal favorite. The coffee jelly was delightful as well, featuring whipped cream. You simply scoop it up with a spoon and enjoy. Keep in mind that the dessert menu changes frequently. Last time, I had a delicious millet crepe and melon sorbet that I loved. Did I mention how fantastic all the desserts are? Whatever Masa has prepared, be sure not to skip the dessert. Regarding my previous review: If you’re looking for quantity over quality, this place isn’t for you. This isn’t a chain restaurant or a place for an all-you-can-eat experience. If you expect a typical bar catering event, you’ll be disappointed. However, if you seek culinary artistry, you may have found the best restaurant in all of Orange County that offers depth in every dish. Don’t let the “Sake Bomb” sign fool you—this is a serious place for food lovers. The chef is incredibly proud of his work and shares insights about how each dish is prepared. Based on the careful and intricate preparation of each meal, it’s easy to see his dedication to culinary excellence. Recommended dishes include the Cattle Tongue, Eintopf, Pot Stickers, Kurobuta Pork Sausages, Ankimo, and Kohl Rolls. The beef cinnamon stew and cabbage rolls are standout options on a menu that is sure to please every palate. Be adventurous and try some of the unique dishes; they’re always remarkable culinary experiences. Both the chef and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Because it’s a small operation, you may have to wait a bit for your food, but it’s always worth it. Highly recommend coming here if you’re in search of high-quality food. Just don’t expect large portions of mediocre food at budget prices!

We ordered several dishes from the menu and then asked Masa-san to surprise us with a few extra items. Everything was beautifully presented and authentically delicious—there wasn't a single dish that disappointed! All the food was incredibly fresh, and our friendly and attentive server made the experience even better. I'm excited to return soon. I highly recommend this place for authentic sushi!

We had a fantastic evening! The grandmaks were out of this world.