Yummy. Very yummy. I had seen this place but never tried it out. Then one night the girlfriend wanted sushi and we gave it a shot. Wow. Very friendly guys behind the sushi bar (which we always tend to pick as opposed to a table) and their specialy "hummingbird roll" was so good that we realized halfway through it that we were going to order another one. The spicy tuna roll was also really good and there is a good selection of beers.
Review Source:One of the best sushi places in town! The sushi is always fresh and the service is awesome. The Oh No! roll and calamari are fantastic! When you order sushi they give you a cucumber salad- very tasty. If you aren't a sushi lover the bento boxes are also delicious- the steak teriyaki- BOMB! They usually serve the edamame cold but if you want it warm- you can request it. Also fun on the weekends for Karaoke!
Review Source:Blah sushi. Overly priced. Not authentic at all. If a customer asks if a certain roll can be made, and the waitress says yes, she should also let you know that they will charge you for 2 separate rolls to make your one roll. The rolls were way mediocre and the sauces even tasted off. Sushi is meant to be devoured with your eyes first because of hoe exotic sushi is, our looked as if they were just thrown together with no care of presentation.This place says Japanese restaurant, but doesn't even have Sake bombs on the menu. A Sake bomb in a glass half full of Japanese beer and a shot glass of Sake to be dropped into your beer for your drinking pleasure. So again when this was asked for, the waitress brought out a full glass of beer and a full vase of Sake. Of course both were separately charged. Ridiculous. $80 and 2 hours of my life I'll never get back.
Review Source:Taka-O....My home town sushi spot.... Now there are many many mixed reviews on this place. I'm here to give my opinion on it from the years I've been going here.
Taka-O has provided me with some of the greatest sushi I've ever tasted! The mix of flavors and textures was just beyond perfection in their maki. Oishii desu ne!! Â Their main sushi chefs are a lovable bunch of guys and can make some delicious special rolls if you ask them. Â The sashimi is also quite tantalizing for the tongue.
But..... Unfortunately there have been a couple instances when I've had bad sushi and horrid service... I really don't even understand why it happens sometimes they just aren't on par with their usual selves.  It's unfortunate because Taka-O is so wonderfully amazing  but the let themselves down sometimes. Â
Overall they still maintain the love of my taste buds because the many MANY goods most definitely out weigh the few bad. Â
Few tips:
Order the hummingbird roll, oh no roll, their aji(Spanish mackerel) is simply delicious, and order a special roll and let the chef do as he pleases.
And always sit at the sushi bar.
ITADAKIMASU! ^__^
I've been curious about this place and recently I tried it out. I would have to say that Taka-O is a pretty good place. I went straight to the sushi bar and waited a bit for the service. The sushi I had was pretty good, but a little bit too dressed up with vinegar or yuzo. I think the sushi chefs noticed I ordered some pretty crazy things, so they did give a few free things like a single halibut roll with monkfish liver sauce and fried prawn heads. They were really good.
I would definitely come back, but it might not be my first choice.
The service was good, food not so much. I really don't understand the reviews here. I was super excited to try the Oh No roll that everyone raves about and was very disappointed. The sauce was....weird. Maybe my expectations were way too high or something. The fish was ok, not the freshest but not bad either. I would try the sushi bar if I came again; it seems maybe you get a different experience here than when you sit at the tables.
Review Source:It's interesting to see all of the different types of reviews on this place. Personally, I've never had a bad experience in the 8 years I've been eating here. Although, I always eat at the sushi bar and I mostly order the same things. The item I order include: The O-No roll, which is amazing and unique, the kitchen sink hand-roll, and the albacore sushi. It's not the cheapest sushi in town, but it's worth the price and there's a reason why it's always busy. . .
Review Source:A nice local place to get some good sushi. The fish is fresh (not the case at every place in San Clemente, unfortunately) and the vibe a just-right casual. We really like the rainbow roll and the unusual but inventive Hummingbird Special. The staff are always pleasant and the chefs incredibly cheery! Quick service too. Good stuff!
Review Source:I just left this place less than an hour ago. Â It was a co-worker's going away thing. Â I thought someone told me this place was pretty good. Â I was pretty disappointed. Â I ordered the gyoza appetizer, which was pretty good, but what was up with the sauce? Â Oh right, there wasn't one, just a pile of yellow doo doo. Â That was 6.95. Â The website suggested the "Oh No Roll". Â The roll was good, but not 14 dollars good. Â A friend and I split a volcano roll and it was really just a California Roll with some sriracha sauce in it. Â Very disappointing. Â The food wasn't horrible, that was the service. Â She didn't check on us aside from checking whether or not we were ready to order. Â I won't come here again.
Review Source:Come here for the karaoke and the drinks, not the sushi!
My experience at Taka-O was completely average. Out of all of the dishes tried, nothing was exceptionally good. The yellowtail sashimi was probably the best dish, but I wasn't crazy about the ponzu it was drenched with - it tasted too sour and overpowering.
The Philly roll was okay. The salmon was fresh, but a bit too much cream cheese for me! We had asked for this roll to be made spicy, but when it came out, each piece of the roll had a small ball of wasabi sitting on top of it. I love wasabi, so the heat was fine for me, but I would have preferred the wasabi inside the roll. It would have been much better if made spicy with jalapeño or some other way.
The deal breaker for me was the eel! I wanted to introduce a first-timer to eel and bet him a bottle of sake that he would enjoy it if I ordered it. I basically had to ask the sushi chef 8 different times/ways to make a plain eel & avocado roll. I really didn't understand what was so confusing about that, but the 4 beers I saw him drinking in the time we were there may have been a factor....
The roll took forever to make and when it finally came out, it was a california roll with the tiniest amount of eel and avo on top only. I was annoyed because I had said eel & avo only so many times! We both hate imitation crab and didn't eat any of the not-so-cheap roll. It was a total waste, but I still forced my friend to try just the eel & avocado part on top, which we both did, and both agreed that it was not good at all and wouldn't be ordered here again! I lost the bet...
The best part of the night was listening to the incredibly bad 80s songs being sung in the adjacent karaoke/bar area... That and the sake completely made up for the mediocre sushi. I'd come back for that.
Friendly staff, excellent service and high quality sushi!
This isn't an overpriced LA sushi place, as I've seen some reviews here critisizing the decor. This place has been here for 30 years and this is a local beach town. If you want to pay 3x as much in Bevery Hills then go ahead. Been there, done that. I'll take Taka-O anytime.
My mom was in town for an art class, so I drove down to have dinner with her. The hotel recommended a local restaurant, but that was full with a 45 minute wait, so we hopped next door to this place. I have to say that I've never seen a sushi restaurant where not a single employee was Asian. That was kinda' odd. Actually there wasn't much about the decor of this place either that suggested Japanese or any Asian cuisine or culture.
We were seated quickly, but we also were wedged between families occupying booths with screaming children. It was a little loud in the restaurant. Our server was slow and would bring us one item at a time, which my mom didn't like too much. We ordered some sodas, edamame, a soft shell crab roll, and a hummingbird roll. The edamame looked a little shrivelly like they'd been sitting around too long or overcooked. The rolls themselves were even less exciting. The hummingbird roll sounded like it'd be nice and spicy, but I didn't catch a hint of spice between the pepper or the spicy tuna. Too bad. I was just ultimately turned off by the food. I think it was cheap and not so fresh, to be honest. All in all, it was cheap, but it wasn't a very satisfying meal.
This is perhaps one of the worst Japanese restaurants I have ever been to. Â I have had better Japanese food at the mall.
"Fresh" seafood is used in their sushi, which looks and tastes a solid 4-5 days old.
I ordered green tea, and I kid you not that the waitress told me it was made with hot tap water, because they only make jasmine tea there. Â A JAPANESE RESTAURANT THAT DOESN'T SERVE HOT GREEN TEA?! Are you kidding me?!!!!
The tonkatsu and tempera were greasy, overly salted by a mile, and inedible. Â
Run far far away from this place. Â
PS The menus are dirty and smelly. Â That should be your first indication that you are in for a rough ride.
Junk. How does this place keep getting good reviews? I eat sushi all the time, and can accept bland boring sushi but this place is horrible. I was shocked I actually kept my food down all night. And the hostess acted like we bothering her by coming in for lunch.
If I were starving to death, I would club a bird on the street and eat it raw before walked in this dump again.
I LOVE this place!!! We sat at the sushi bar and the service was incredible. Our sushi chef was really helpful and suggested some really great things. We had:
Uni
Yellow Tail
Oh No roll
Cucumber roll
Hummingbird Special
Along with miso soup and the cucumber salad.
All were amazing. My boyfriend was a little reluctant to try the Uni but the chef assured him it was great and gave a good detailed description of it before he decided to try it. I found the staff to be very personable and helpful. All in all, this place was awesome and I can't wait to come back.
I really love this place! Everytime I'm visiting I stop by here for dinner. i personally love their specialty house rolls (the ohno roll is my favorite) but my friend really prefers the "kitchen sink", which, from what I understand is really just a bunch of stuff wrapped into a steamed rice paper skin...
Beware though, sometimes, especially on weekends and especially later at night, the bar crowd (they have a small bar in the front) get a bit rowdy with their karaoke...and it becomes a nightmare from american idol.
The one thing I always notice when I come here though is the age group- almost everyone here is in the mid 20s/ late 20s early 30s range, and I think it's because of the demographic that this place kind of feels like a meat market (esp. near the bar). I don't know if that's just me, but it's kind of gross watching a table of guys scam on a table of girls over dinner- c'mon now aren't there rules limiting this type of craziness to when the poor girls aren't eating?!
Anyway- overall- I love this place. highly recommend it for a low key, fun place for some good sushi.
This place wasn't horrible but as I would consider myself a sushi snob, ehh 2 stars sounds about right. We sat at the sushi bar and the chef was very nice but was kind of pushy. Let me get to the food, not bad...not great either but after a very, very long bike ride it was filling. We had the hummingbird thing, not a roll but stuffed jalapeno's and they were different, good and I would have to say creative.
 To elaborate on why this place is only a 2 star eat? I like service that is honest!! If I see someone who is pretty wasted and is asking for another drink I do not recommend a long Island, I don't care if its the priciest drink I am looking out for them. Similar situation.... We were stuffed, pretty buzzed and already had quite a tab, when we were talking amongst ourselves about ordering something small to finish the night. The chef made a suggestion after we told him we were thinking about another small roll or appetizer, well his suggestion didn't include the detail that this was a $14 roll or that its 3 rolls, but he described it plenty well enough to sell us on it!!! I felt robbed, we were already spending a decent amount but this was just taking advantage of our easy going nature.
 So after my honest rant, I would have to include that this place is very over priced, like I said the food isn't bad but for the price your paying there is way better out there so a solid two star rating for Taka-O and I probably won't be back.
I really dig this place as long as we go for an early dinner, if it's too late it gets crowded and the obnoxious karaokers come in! No thanks! We always sit at the ssushi bar and I love how everyone chats with each other. Every time I have been there my seat neighbor has started a convo with me and everyone is showing off their rolls and suggesting to others what to order.
The chefs are all extremely friendly and helpful. Whenever I go to a sushi place, I like to order the chef's favorite spicy roll. The last time I went the chef told me not to sue him if my face melted off! LOL. Each time I get a new, interesting, off-the-menu roll and each time I have loved them.
My boyfriend always gets sashimi and has said that this place has the highest-quality sashimi in San Clemente, which is a definite compliment because he is uber picky!
It is a bit on the pricier side, but if you like sushi, that shouldn't be a shock!
The place has been in San Clemente for 30 years! It has an amazing blend of traditional and new-style Japanese foods. Also probably one of more entertaining spots in town on Friday nights.
You will be amazed at the quality food, and generous cuts of fish given to your order! This is a great Japanese restaurant that will satisfy customers looking for innovative modern sushi (try the Hummingbird special!, and Tataki Sushi!), and traditional sushi lovers (Yellowtail Sashimi, Mackeral (Saba) Sushi, Spicy Tuna Rolls, and Salmon Skin Handrolls are my personal favorites!). Every item here does not seem to be just put together, but real thought was put into each. The wait staff is engaging, and there to help you with any of your needs.
This place is probably the best Japanese restaurant in Orange County for sure. The place is high-end, without the seriousness that many Hollywood high-end Japanese joints try to convey. Taka-o is a breeze away from all that, a non-serious still romantic beach resort Japanese restaurant with food that is seriously top quality!
I'd definitely recommend taking your date to Taka-o for Japanese, because other Japanese restaurants are trying too hard to be "hip, classy, like a wannabe Cuban cigar". You know that feeling where your trying too hard to impress your date, because the restaurant is too cool (blah ikea modernism, overdone jazz-electro porn music) for you type of thing haha. Just come to Taka-o, buy some cocktails, and eat some great food, while getting to know each other properly (Without the gross over-modern hipster vibe! We know your cool, but your not that cool! Unless you dress like your homeless, then I can't outdo your cool sorry!).
My normal experience at Taka-o is that of the Friday night karaoke crowd. While the drunken locals singing pop country singles is as entertaining as a Friday can be, Taka-o is actually more than off-key crooning. Serving classic sushi rolls and Japanese grill style food the wood clad dining room serves as a great family dinner setting.
Seeing how busy the sushi bar was upon entering, my table stuck to Taka-o's specialty rolls. The two rolls, while on the same menu, could not be any more different in terms of representing sushi. The No Rice Roll substituted imitation crab for rice, and baked it with asparagus and salmon. The effect was something more like Mom's casserole rolled in seaweed than the typical fresh lightness of a sushi roll. In comparison, The Oh No roll, a salmon and vegetable roll topped with seared albacore and their tataki sauce, was a great example of innovative sushi. All the elements of the roll were entirely complimentary to one another, lending to an amazing dish. While both the rolls were slightly pricey, the Oh No was definitely worth it.
To accompany our food we ordered a seaweed salad and miso soup. While I'm a big fan of seaweed in the miso soup, the more Western Culture friendly noodles in its place only seemed to add to the family ambiance of the place. It evoked a pseudo home-style chicken noodle soup, rather than the cloudy broth of other sushi places. The seaweed salad appeared to be the most traditional dish we ordered, served on a type jicama and cucumbers adding to its light flavor.
If you enjoy non-traditional Japanese cuisine and family atmosphere then Taka-o is a great place. Similarly, if you like waiting in the line at the bar and watching local marines and hipsters sing their favorite songs in a drunken stupor; just wait around for a few hours.
I ordered the Rainbow Roll and Crunchy Roll. Â Rainbow Roll was a little blah. Â Fish seemed dead in color and taste instead of fresh and bright. Â Avocado was browning a bit. Â Crunchy Roll was good, but not the best I had. Â
We ordered sake bombs which was good. Â Ordered soy beans for the table but it never came. Â Also, they gave us fortune cookies with our check, the fortune cookie was stale and not crunchy.
+ = nice atmosphere, interesting booths/seating, Crunchy Roll
- = Rainbow Roll, no soy beans, stale fortune cookie, a bit pricey $$$
Bottom Line= Although we came close to closing on a Monday night, the food was meh and a bit pricey. Â The waitress was very nice. Â She suggested dishes for our group and seemed genuinely interested. Â I love sushi and had many, I would probably come here again with friends to give it one more try.
Yummy, Yummy... YUMMY!!!!
Great Sushi! Â I'm a big sushi fan, and I was definitely pleased with the sushi here! The "Oh-No Roll" is Freaking Fan-Fucking-Tabulous! Â One of the best rolls I've had! It was pretty busy when I went, so I'm guessing others feel the same way, especially since it was a Sunday Evening and it was close to closing time...
The only reason the 4th and 5th star wasn't posted on my part was because, frankly, the Karaoke stunk to high hell! Â Dead like you wouldn't believe. Â Rude people, and the karaoke system they were using was totally horrible. Â It was cool with the videos playing behind the words, but at the same time, you couldn't read the words because there was so much going on on the screen. The karaoke host just didn't seem like she really wanted to be there, and frankly, that's what makes the karaoke, is the host. Â So, the food was great, but definitely don't got for the karaoke, it's not worth it.
A wonderful gem in the middle of San Clemente.
There's the sushi bar, the actual bar, the restaurant, and the special occasion room upstairs that can be reserved for private parties, etc.
I LOVE this place.
You can go there, and have a quaint little, date night dinner. Or if you're flying solo you can post up at the sushi bar and be entertained my the sushi chefs that are the quintessential, happy-go-lucky personalities and joyfully banter back and forth amongst one another... or  be entertained by the colorful people of San Clemente. And at the end of it all, you can enter the bar area and also enter a whole different level of entertainment with the Karaoke!
Trust me. I have done this plenty of nights.
It's a very small bar area, and if you have 4 or 5 people with you, you'll pretty much own the place. On the weekends it fills up fast and there are a handful of long time regulars that camp out on the mic. But don't worry- it seems that everyone has their chance to shine in Takao. :)
Taka-O is definitely good. The service is friendly, but not exactly fast - but you don't really want FAST sushi, right? Well, maybe we were really hungry, but the time was a little slow between items that were all ordered on one card and it wasn't all that busy on our late evening visit, so they lose a point for slow... but the rest was awesome.
The Aji, which I'd never had anywhere before, was absolutely wonderful. My friend described Aji to me as "the Toro of Mackerel" and I'm glad I tried it because I'm a huge fan.
The Oh-No roll is... OH NO... WOW! (excellent), as is the Hummingbird roll. The sushi here is worth the wait and is very good.
I almost went back for lunch today, but I got lost (tourist). I might go back for dinner!
I've read the bad reviews and I have to say sorry for those of you who had a bad experience here. I come her atleast twice a month during lunch and sit at the bar.
The fish in always fresh and their nigri sushi is awesome. A must try is their tataki and if you want a roll try their special Oh-No Roll. So Good! Their spicy tuna hand rolls are really good too.
Their fish-delivery person comes two or three times a week (I don't remember which days) so ask the chef.
I've never really had any of the "kitchen" food, just the fish.
Will be back here next week for another lunch!
Sorry Tim and Steph that your time sucked, but.....
Taka-O is THE BEST SUSHI RESTAURANT EVER!!
The Bar service is awesome because the Chefs are so much fun to be around.
On weekend nights it gets busy and random older yuppies come in, but still the food is so yummy.
ORDER AN "OH NO ROLL", it will change your view on the world. Except dont get it if you dont like mayo, some people says the Tataki sauce reminds them of mayo, but it doesnt have any in it.
Go here!!!
Darn it! I was hoping to review this place before Tim did.
Maybe it's because we didn't sit at the Sushi bar, but the only thing I saw Japanese about this place was the raw fish. Other than that, you have a menu of phony American Chinese food, Chinese artwork on the walls, Caucasian wait staff and stale fortune cookies for dessert. Â The "Chinese" food wasn't even good. Infact, it was hardly even edible. I forced it down. I ordered Sesame chicken, and I cook it better at home. You're better off at Panda express! Â First time I've ever been served miso with a spoon, which I actually didn't mind. The menu was terribly limited and confusing, so if you don't go there for the sushi, I'm afraid to say you're SOL. Â Also, the wine made me gag.
Tim said the sushi was just OK, but I wouldn't waste my time even going for that.
They get a point for friendly service and kids chopsticks.
"Japanese". hahah Right.
I'm pretty harsh and judgemental when it comes to ethnic food. I have tasted good Japanese food and this place doesn't have it.
My girlfriend ordered sesame chicken. I know that is not really an authentic Japanese dish, but come on, Â I expect it to at least be edible. It was dry and tasteless and there really wasn't much chicken, just a lot of breading.
I ordered a whole slew of sushi. The quality was just so so. I would give the sushi a 4/10.
What really blew my gasket was seeing Chinese art work on the walls and being served fortune cookies at the conclusion of our meal. At least get your freak'n Asian countries straight!
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