4. Restaurants

Echizen Japanese Restaurant

9111 Valley View St,Ste 113, Cypress, CA, 90630
  • (714) 828-2155
  • Store is closed

Echizen Japanese Restaurant Menu

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  • Dale A.

    If you want to see gross hygiene habits of the tall japanese cook just sit on counter chair and watch him touch his hair, put his finger on his lip, use the same towel to wipe counters, then wipe his fish cutting board. He also picked up the tv remote twice to change channels then resumed touching the food to prepare dishes. Never washed his hands once after doing all these things in front of us. I lost my appetite. Though the food is good, he lacks in hygiene. My friend and i believe he's the owner. Will not return. Thank goodness the Mexican cook prepared our food.

    (2)

  • Emily C.

    Had a family dinner here on a Monday. There were seats available, no wait. Japanese steak was not tender, it was bland. Sauce was watery and not flavorful. Salmon and sashimi combo was tiiiiiny. Yellowtail cheek was juicy but burnt. Steamed egg was delicious but again, overpriced for a small cup of egg with some other ingredients. They have it with chicken and shrimp but I paid $6 for that little cup with no clams? Other places usually have clams. Family dinner for three cost more than $70 and we left feeling not entirely satisfied with the small portions. I'd rather go to Geko Tei or Sushi Samurai twice with that money and I'd feel full both times.

    (2)

  • Joyce A.

    Small restaurant hidden in a strip mall. Currently, its neighbors are a boxing gym and a frozen custard place, both of which have very good amount of foot traffic. Parking can be a bit difficult because of the crowds at other businesses. Came here on a weeknight midweek and was prepared to be wowed (because of the many good reviews). Am very happy to report that we were quite pleased by our entire meal. VERY AUTHENTIC JAPANESE seems to sum it up. (Good indicator: A lot of Japanese customers!) Apparently, this place has been around for years, but this was my first go at it. Had: -Grilled beef tongue with miso marinade - very tasty and tender, enough to share -Hiyakakke Tofu - squares of tofu served with ice and seaweed garnish, with a soy/ginger/scallion sauce on the side - very refreshing -Grilled Hamachi cheek -Marinated butter fish - comes almost as a longer sear, rather than grilled, fish. very tender, flaky and tasty. -Cold soba buckwheat noodles - really good, just wondering if it is served without wasabi normally? We've had it elsewhere and it usually comes with wasabi. A lot of grated daikon and a light dashi/soy "broth". -Grilled onigiri (triangle rice "balls") are not inexpensive but can be served with different fillings: we got one salmon and one umeboshi (plum). Both very good , grilled perfectly to a nice crispiness, and I also appreciated the smaller size of the rice ball. -a type of broth with onigiri and ume - I did not relish this dish but it was still good -Deep fried crab dumpling - very crisp outside, tender and light inside - most dumplings like this end up very dense, not real crab though, I think made with imitation crab, but again very good. Complementary hot green tea to finish off the meal. They also offer bottle service: will save any leftover bottle of Soju or Sake that you've ordered. I like that.

    (4)

  • Kressler N.

    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.

    (4)

  • Jennifer N.

    I discovered this place while in the area shopping and was hungry! This is not a sushi restaurant even though they have sushi & sashimi if you so desire. They have many great japanese dishes from udon, ramen, soups, and appetizers. Pricing is reasonable and service is great! The owner is also the chef who cooks everything to order on the spot literally. Will definitely be going back to try other dishes!

    (4)

  • Damien P.

    This place is a hidden gem! Food is quite good! This is an AUTHENTIC Japanese restaurant so don't get confused by those sushi restaurants. If you want rolls go to those typical sushi restaurants but if you want something unique and authentic this is the place.

    (4)

  • Jeff L.

    Live this place. Haven't tried anything I didn't like! Lunch specials are great and dinner awesome as we'll!

    (5)

  • Baikal P.

    Lunch was the one of the best lunch I had (katsudon) and I tried to visit but since they are closed in the mid time, I somewhat couldn't. I went back sometime after and visited for dinner. It was twice as expensive for the same thing same size with a few side dishes are omitted and told that is not omited And most of all. Wasn't tasted the same.

    (2)

  • Lea D.

    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!

    (4)

  • Nick H.

    This is a totaly 4 star place if you compare it with South Bay. In orange county though, this is a 5 star. 1. Teriyaki-Steak 3 Star. Nicely prepared. Teriyaki on the side. Meet quality was not that great. 2. Tempura 3 Star. Pretty good batter. Veggies were ok. 3. Spinach w sesame 5 Star Perfect. 4. Butterfish 5 Star. Perfect 5. Yakitori-Chicken 3 star 6. Asparagus 3 Star Stem only 7. Eggplant 4 Star 8. Soba (hot) w/ Tempura 3 Star (Average) Nice little place. Great service. Definately a great place for the OC. Probably in the top 5 category. Overall, I am a fan.

    (4)

  • Kimmy C.

    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.

    (3)

  • Sheena K.

    145 reviews already?! Darn. I have a feeling it won't be long before you'll have to start waiting in line to get a table here. FOOD So far I've tried...Beef tataki, seared bluefin tuna, ankimo (monk fish liver), gyutan (beef tongue), kani shumai, oroshisoba, soft shell crab, various yakitori, various sashimi, uni, chicken wings, ice cream and a lot of sake. A lot. (I might be missing a few things I've tried because of the excessive amount of sake consumed per sitting). The beef tataki, seared bluefin tuna, gyutan, and the sashimi (and sake) are my must orders whenever I go. My mouth is watering at just the mere thought of it. YUM. I plan on trying everything on the menu before I die. The only thing I didn't like was the uni (must be an acquired taste?) and the chicken wings. Oh, and the tea they bring out at the end is the perfect way to end the meal. SERVICE A little slow but I'm not complaining. They're always very nice and give great recommendations... except the uni... -shivers- Please don't blow up this spot, y'all. I don't want to start waiting for a table like I have to at other izakayas. I love you, Echizen.

    (5)

  • Jimmy H.

    The lunch special here for $9 is great and it is different every day. I go once a week. If you are around this area drop by and try it. Try to get there before 12 to avoid the lunch rush.

    (5)

  • Yuki M.

    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.

    (3)

  • Lawrence L.

    Gotta pick a decent place to review, after all this is my 200th review... I used to come here all the time for lunch because I used to work nearby. You know that this tiny little Japanese restaurant must be good because all of the Japanese business people who work around the Katella/Valley View area come here all the time; they even bring their Japanese clients who are here for business from Japan. I can't vouch for dinner, but the lunch is simply AWESOME. The daily specials are terrific but if you're not in the mood for what they have to offer on a particular day, the fallback for me is always the grilled saba... On this day, the special was a sort of chicken katsu with a sort of salad on top... hmmm.... "we'll have two of the Saba lunches." Never a disappointment for all the times that I have been here. There is always bowl of miso soup and a sunomono salad, the bright green pickled cucumber that they use is terrific although I don't know what it's called. Also included is sort of a vegetable du jour in a bowl that they always prepare, this time we had a Japanese eggplant in a thin sauce, perhaps mirin based. Soft, ever so slightly mushy but still holding its shape, the eggplant was sweet and savory. The Saba was a generous piece, perfectly broiled on a foil covered pan under a flame. I watched them prepare it as they would broiled the fish, and bring it out and check for doneness by sensing the texture between two cooking chopsticks. All I can tell you is that the fish is moist and tender, and has the perfect saltiness for mackerel. The entire meal is well thought out and balanced, the saltiness of the fish, the sweet pickled cucumber, the sweet savoriness of the eggplant, the warm miso broth; even the short grain rice has the perfect combination of stickiness and starchiness to go with the fish. I just love it... You have to check this place out for lunch if you're close by. Really a bargain for $8.35. Everybody is really enthusiastic and friendly too. I could keep coming back, but unfortunately for me I don't work close by anymore :-/ ...

    (5)

  • Julie L.

    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!

    (4)

  • Pauline L.

    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.

    (4)

  • Richard S.

    Place is extremely pricey for its portion. A small butter fish small as a lemon cost $9. Japanese owned so it was authentic.

    (2)

  • Katy L.

    I have been coming to Echizen for many years and it is still one of my family's favorite local Japanese restaurant around the Cypress area. I would describe this place as a very casual mom and pop Izakaya restaurant that would satisfy your cravings for some good home-cooked Japanese food. Forget that philly roll or hamachi crudo nonsense! There are no rolls at this restaurant if you are craving sushi. During lunch time, you will definitely see this place packed full of Japanese workers and their clients from all the surrounding Japanese businesses and companies in the area. The more elderly gentlemen standing in kitchen when you enter the restaurant is the owner and I have never seen a day or night when he is not there cooking for his customers. It's a small place and I would recommend you making reservations a head of time because in the evening or weekends, you might have a hard time getting a table because reservations are usually made ahead of time or there might be a private party going on that night Lunch: Lunch Special- They always have a different lunch special on their menu and they are all usually very good and affordable. I love my salmon shioyaki but this is another great alternative if you are craving something new. Salmon Shioyaki- The best I have had. I always try salmon shioyaki at other japanese restaurants but I feel that Echizen does it the best. Salmon crust is crispy but inside meat is still extremely tender. Perfectly cooked. Nabeyaki Udon- Simple but very fresh. Noodles are cooked perfectly and it comes with assorted seaweed, chicken, egg, and shrimp tempura on the side. My family's favorite dish. Dinner: Agedashi Tofu- Crispy on the outside and soft tofu surrounded by a sweet savory soy broth. Must get at Echizen. Sashimi- Portions are a little small but fish is very fresh. Enoki Asparagus- If you like mushrooms, you will like this dish. Just simple sake flavored friendship between enoki and asparagus. Definitely a MUST-GO if you are in the area!

    (5)

  • Nancy M.

    Waited so long for our food. The one thing that bugs me is the baseball cap the chef hangs on the statue over the food. It is absolutely GROSS! He takes it off and puts it back on. Back and forth. Also it seems like he only says thank you to japanese business people only. The rest can just suck it. Hey, I'm a paying customer too. I don't think I will be going back. Rude and dirty.

    (1)

  • Annie K.

    i come here early for lunch as the place is small and fills up really fast. i've tried their tempura lunch, zarusoba lunch, & hamburger steak but my favorite would have to be their BROILED FISH. try the BUTTERFISH or the MACKEREL.

    (5)

  • Relish F.

    I do like the daily lunch special. Somehow dinner doesn't match what I expect. Sushi isn't delicious and portion is pretty small.

    (3)

  • ALANA C.

    Uuummmm..... Why am I here sitting down WAITING to eat. We are the ONLY ONes here late night almost 1 hr to close, besides 1 other table that is already almost out the door...My hubbies food came Out LITERALLY 30mins ago!!!! Not even the appetizer we ordered is here!!! I am just sitting here NO FOOD IN FRONT OF ME!!! table of two. WWWTTTHHH?!?!?!?!? food was good and delicious BUT--- and its a biggg buuttt-- WHY so much time lapse in bringing out the orders in a timely proper manner??? NO GOOD MAN

    (3)

  • Ji T.

    Nabe...Yaki...Udon... Nabe...Yaki...Udon... Nabe...Yaki...Udon... I cannot stress enough how much this place rocks.... A wise man once said to me, "the udon noodles are the heart and soul of a good bowl of udon" The udon here has A-quality texture and the marinated soup together with the vegetables and meats only can sing to the rhythm within my mouth The service here is spot on, the ladies always refill your cup of iced water. I need to come back here more to try other things on their menu. Big plus for being in the same plaza as frostbites ;)

    (4)

  • Julia Z.

    Went there for a dinner. Got the crab meat porridge which is warm and light. Tastes pretty nice. We got quite a lot appetizer. The fishes are tasty, but all pretty small portion, but it's Japanese. In short, pretty standard Japanese place, nice for a casual meal.

    (3)

  • Lisa U.

    Totally. Legit. Japanese. Food. Source: totally legit Japanese girl (me!) Everything was pretty solid, but MVP of the night was the Chicken zosui. It had a pinch of fresh yuzu citrus rind and mitsuba leaf. We sat at the counter because it was so busy and the we were totally impressed by the efficiency in the tiny kitchen. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have a real Japanese place run by Japanese people who know what real Japanese food should taste like. I can definitely see myself becoming a regular here.

    (5)

  • Kat J.

    Being unemployed from a 9-5 has it's perks. I wish I had discovered this place when I was on a college schedule. Their lunch is reasonably priced for what you get. ~$9 if you go for the higher priced lunches. You can order from about a dozen items. Don't expect their dinner menu to show up at lunch (which is what I craved during lunch and how I found their lunch menu). They have items like Sashimi, Pork Cutlet, Chicken & Egg Bowl, Kitsune Soba/Udon ($1 more for sides), etc. There is also a daily special. Each lunch comes with pickles, rice and side of the day. Their dinner is pretty delicious too. I think I might have written a review about that too. So on I go, to lunch at Echizen. I have had lunch there everyday since last week. And some of the reviews showing up in my side bar are slightly offensive. You have to be patient and not expect "what you get in other places". This stuff is made to order by ONE MAN with little assistance. Food will take a little bit longer. But hey, it's worth it knowing it isn't coming from a bag or some hot table in the back.

    (5)

  • 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 too and friendly. Great to toast with as you enjoy your meal at the counter.

    (4)

  • Raechel S.

    It's pricey but so worth it. My favorites here were the seared bluefin tuna sashimi and the sea urchin. I would pass on the eggplant we ordered and the crab croquettes. It's a tiny restaurant so don't come during rush hour, but it's definitely a fantastic choice if you're in the mood for Ikayara and authentic Japanese food. The service is very friendly, and they are more than happy to recommend some tasty food suggestions. I can definitely see myself making a return trip very soon!

    (4)

  • Wyland L.

    This place is delicious. Authentic Japanese restaurant. Name take mushrooms and asparagus was super tasty. A bit salty, but rice takes care of that. Yellowtail cheek was very good. Tasty. Japanese style served. The karei karaage was cool. Filleted the fish then styled it nicely. Could have used a but more flavor though. The sauce makes up for it. Happy waitresses happy chefs. Full of old timers because that's who knows where the food is at!! Not a sushi restaurant.

    (4)

  • Lena H.

    BAD SERVICE! I've went here once with a friend about 3 or 4 years ago and the food is just ok...but considering that it's probably the only traditional japanese food in Cypress, it's passable. The dishes weren't memorable, except that I know I do not like raw amber jack...I don't think their sashimi is fresh. I remember thinking 'eh, whatever' and that's my only recollection of my experience. However, I am writing this review and a poor one at that, b/c they were mean to my mom =(!!!! My mom is a RN and sometimes after work, she just wants a warm hot meal in a convenient comfortable environment. Sometimes a person just wants to go to their neighborhood diner, not for the food, not for the company, but for the comfort and the ambience. That's all my mom wanted. She's an Asian lady, so the local Dalton's doesn't fit the bill. Cafe Hiro is just too pricey for a normal week day meal...Echizen was a good contender. She had a decent experience there when she went in a larger group, but the waiters treated her very poorly when she went in alone. She even tried to go back there twice to give them the benefit of the doubt. The first time, they seated her but didn't pour her tea! They poured everyone tea except for her. The second time, they just ignored her. When they finally acknowledged her, they told her she couldn't eat there unless she paid cash and ordered over $20. How frustrating to end a long hard day in the hospital with pointless rudeness! Bottom line, why they got to be mean to my mom?!

    (1)

  • Matthew C.

    The best!! Very authentic!! Great sashimi!! Great place to relax grab a drink and eat some great food!!

    (5)

  • Cindy T.

    Came here for dinner. So many people talking about it and it is indeed very good. I can't believe I never noticed the place before. The food was extremely fresh and comparable to restaurants in Little Tokyo. Will definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Sunny W.

    Honestly, I love loveeeeee their food. I had a wonderful experience here so I wanted to come back the next day. When I came forbthe first time, it was little crowded, but service was wonderful. Second time I came, I didn't come expecting good services; I just came for their food. But to my disappointment, I couldn't eat in here. I was willing to wait but the very moment I walked in, the server told me and my friend that we had to leave because there us no space for us. Ughh it was only around 7:30 but she wouldn't even tell me that I could wait. she just pretty much kicked me out. Since I was so excited to come here, there was greater disappointment. Echizen, I really liked you but very disappointing. Maybe I will come back to see how that one turns out but... I'm afraid I will be kicked out again.

    (2)

  • Ken H.

    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.

    (5)

  • Sally E.

    This is authentic as Japanese gets (well, at least outside of Little Tokyo!). My friend and I came here as soon the restaurant opened because we know that it gets really crowded. The food was really good! I especially enjoyed the beef tataki and the crab dumplings--highly recommend them! We also ordered crispy tofu, shrimp and eggplant, japanese pickles, and the fresh sashimi tuna. If you are a fan of sashimi I would DEFINITELY recommend getting it. It was super fresh and really tasty The prices were pretty decent--depending on what you order, I believe each plate was around $5-$10, which isn't bad considering that we left full, and satisfied with the delicious, fresh food!

    (4)

  • Mia L.

    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..

    (2)

  • Roxanne B.

    This is NOT a sushi place, although they have some sashimi and some raw fish. It was not my cup of tea. I like tradional Japanese places and this was OK. The prices were reasonable. I think its pretty authentic because there were a lot of real Japanese speaking people eating here. The chef also spoke little English and was fluent in Japanese (not korean). The food was ok - Food was NOT kid friendly.

    (3)

  • Kat N.

    Came here with coworkers who were guaranteeing an "authentic Japanese experience". They ordered the Nabeyaki Udon and I followed suit....from beginning to end the soup was scorching hot- almost too hot to enjoy it! The udon was great though, but I gave it 4 stars because it wasn't super flavorful. Definitely a filling and inexpensive lunch- hot tea, udon, and tip- $10. I'll come back again if ever in the area.

    (4)

  • Heng S.

    Hands down BEST Japanese izakaya around the area! Food is amazing! Good atmosphere! (very izakaya style) Some food items: - beef tongue, very nicely done; one of the best beef tongue I've ever had. - yellow tail cheek, ours was a bit burnt; skin is crispy and meat is tender. - yakitori (grilled chicken on skewer), could have come in bigger portion (is almost three chunks of meat on one skewer, and one order comes with two skewers) - onigiri (broiled rice ball), I ordered a traditional one with plum inside. Very very yummy. Outside was perfectly crispy, and very flavorful! One of my favorites! - soft shell crab, best deep fried on the table. Totally worth the $9! - miso soup with clams, clams are fresh and juicy. - deep fried tofu, not as deep fried as I expected. More of a light version. Waitress was very nice. Service was a bit slow though (only one waitress with an almost full house) Will definitely come back again!

    (5)

  • Belle N.

    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!

    (4)

  • Vincent D.

    Great spot to have a drink and some small Japanese dishes. Only tried a few dishes. they were good, but not too memorable. Ill definitely be back to have a drink and try some more things.

    (4)

  • Angie C.

    Who would have thought that in a strip mall there is an authentic and traditional Japanese restaurant in Cypress? It's hidden behind Albertacos and sits discretely next to Nickel Nickel. Come lunch time, Echizen is buzzing with Japanese people in impeccable suits and skirts eating tasty lunches. The lunch menu is small but precise and every item is perfect. The broiled butterfish is delicious. The sashimi lunch is tasty. The udon is impeccable. The staff are super nice. I cannot do much but rave about Echizen. Five stars!

    (5)

  • Deana I.

    It's a small restaurant that serves bento boxes for about $10 each. It includes rice, miso soup and potato salad with each entree. I got the shrimp tempura lunch to-go and I wasn't impressed. Although, the tempura looked like a big portion, it really wasn't. The shrimp was small inside and the tempura was too soft. I might try their chicken katsu (which was what everyone inside seemed to get) but I sure won't come back for the tempura.

    (2)

  • C-C Y.

    Food is meticulous! I normally see this kind of detail from more expensive restaurants. Love the variety of food and detail paid in its preparation. Highly recommended. Please keep in mind this isn't one of those all you can eat places or one of those places whose menu has been changed to accommodate neophytes. If you don't frequent Japanese restaurants, you may not appreciate this place. Having said that, this place is a foodie dream and I would think the lines would be out the door. For whatever reason, they are not, which is a mixed blessing for its patrons who can still reliable get seating on a Saturday night.

    (5)

  • Harold L.

    I get high with a little Yelp from my friends! First time I came and I was completely ready to order the Beef Tataki everyone was raving about. The owner who is the main chef was center stage doing his thing with a smile on his face. I've heard he's a little temperamental while cooking, but I think that edge is good for a master chef. He enjoys his customers but likes time to interact so maybe he gets a little perturbed when he doesn't have time to visit. Today the guests were ordering the Special Salmon, so I changed my mind as they had been here before. The salmon was perfectly cooked, and the side dishes complimented each other. Miso Shiru soup was delicious in the traditional Japanese manner, Chicken Karaage and something I would describle like an Eggplant tartar were all working in concert. Salad and homemade dressing were delicious and a side of crisp pickled vegetables . Umami was happening today at Echizen. Going back for the Beef Tataki some day. Why don't you join me?

    (5)

  • Jenn K.

    I will keep this short and sweet. If you are looking for some good Japanese food (small dishes) without having to go into Little Tokyo come here. I have never been disappointed and also have a really good lunch menu. The downfall of this place is that it is small but that adds to the atmosphere. For dinner it can get on the pricy side but I think it's worth it. The butter fish is to die for lunch the sashimi plate is great. Even though everything looks small it will fill you up and if not... order more ^ ^

    (5)

  • Mike T.

    One of my favorite places when I was going to Cypress college. I still drive from Covina to go to this place. The atmosphere is very different and feels very traditional and feels like home. Owner is also the chef and will gladly drink with you. Beef tataki is a must. They have a suggestions on the front page of their menu that people usually order and I have tried everything on there and has not steered me wrong.

    (5)

  • Karol H.

    I'm probably giving this place 4 stars because I really don't want it to become "mainstream" and keep it on a low profile, but my tummy says 5 stars. This is one of those serendipitous finds walking around the neighborhood. It's a small restaurant tucked away within its plaza, but the packed room of mostly Asian diners had peaked my curiosity. Therefore, I tried it once and instantly fell in foodie love. FYI, if you find an Asian restaurant packed with Asians, then it must be authentic...or dang near close! I ate lunch here once, and found out there are only combos during that time. If you want to experience the whole menu, then you must come here for dinner. The lunch combos are plentiful though and decently priced. On the inside of the dinner menu cover are a list of popular dishes, and daily specials are listed on the wall. Beef Tataki is one of my favorite dishes and is always an ordered item. The Flatfish is very good and the presentation of it is excellent although it is pricey. Some popular dishes are Butterfish, Yellowtail cheek, soft shell crab, or garlic scallops. If you're watching your budget, then be careful of how many dishes you order. Most of them are tapas-size servings, so it will add it up if you arrive famished. This is definitely a place to go to if you're feeling adventurous as they have items like beef tongue or chicken hearts. If you happen to come on a night when there is a large group of older Asians at one table, make sure you glance over and ask the waitresses what they are ordering, that is, if you are the exploring kind...especially if the chef is serving them or may intermittently sit at their table! This is why Scorpion fish and mushroom soup served in a mini teapot are future items I will order. There are off-menu items. I've discovered one, but I want to come here more frequently to discover the rest of them. My dad is not the waiting kind when it comes to being served food especially when he's hungry, but he will exhibit patience here.

    (4)

  • Dan N.

    Not sure why this place isn't more crowded...good for us. The filet mignon was great especially the eggplant that was prepared with it. Chilean seabass and tuna cheeks were also excellent. Great food friendly.

    (5)

  • Susie B.

    I had here with friends for a lunch and found this place really busy with the crowd of people. We got the lunch special, probably got all other people too, was pretty good and nice. Pricing is super and affordable. Have nice and plenty of parking lot in private.

    (4)

  • Poupee C.

    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..

    (4)

  • Christine Y.

    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.

    (4)

  • Brick W.

    Small restaurant with owner as head sushi master. Lovely older gentleman who greets patrons with a smile behind the sushi counter. Delicious dishes with a twist of magic. Even the cold soba noodles was prepared perfectly; not under or over done. Texture of sashimi was superb; like butter. You can tell that this restaurant has very satisfied "regulars" as they greeted servers with familiarity. It gets crowded early. If it only weren't so far from home, we would frequent twice a week at least.

    (4)

  • Jen H.

    Very nice waitresses and food was delicious. The pork was flavorful and the grilled squid was good too. Japanese patrons so that is always a good sign too.

    (4)

  • Steve A.

    The place is small and cozy. The food was good, though a little pricey, only reason I gave them 4 stars. The staff were friendly and helpful. They even brought me a menu with pictures which I thought was hilarious! (must be for the non Nihonjins ^ ^) little did she know I was born in Japan, not really lol. Anyway it's pretty good food but a bit on the pricier side. I probably won't come back because I don't want to pay that much to eat, and still feel hungry (alcohol = big appetite). + it has a TV and they were watching Dodgers vs Giants ( I was happy about it) =)

    (4)

  • Christy L.

    The chef/owner of Echizen is a really hardworking awesome guy who never fails to cook your favorite dishes in such a consistent manner. You can never have an off day at Echizen and know that your food will come out tasting the same as the last time. The restaurant is small and quaint with older generation Japanese business men/women dining and drinking here. The chef/owner is a hardworking awesome guy who makes sure that every customer is taken care of and leaves the restaurant very happy and satisfied. I love watching him in action as he busily prepares all the dishes inside the open kitchen/bar area. For two people you are looking at a $50+ bill and those little dishes do add up quickly. When I am craving solid Japanese food, this is the place I like to dine at.

    (5)

  • Omar R.

    My wife confirmed this place is the real deal, authentic Japanese style. The service is good and food is excellent. The place is small so get reservations just in case. Good place to bring friends and family.

    (4)

  • Doug O.

    Just got back from eating there. It was authentic, but lacking. I ordered a tempura soba, hot. I had to flavor it with extra soy sauce because the dashi broth was too bland. After I finished my lunch, I was still super hungry. I eyeballed the KFC in the parking lot and told myself I'll just have an extra portion of instant oatmeal when I get back to my desk. They also don't accept credit card for anything less than $20. I really hate that. That reflects so poorly on customer service and I hardly carry cash around. It came out to about $7.75 with tax. I should've just told them that I didn't have the cash on me. I gave them $8. Oh well. Not going back.

    (3)

  • JT L.

    This is fairly decent "traditional" Japanese food. The portion is small, freshness is decent. And the service sucks. The food- I ordered sashimi plate which contains about 8-10 small pieces of fish. Yes I said pieces, becuase they were cut into pieces, not slices. Each pieces contains chewy muscle like texture. I hope the chef/owner at sushi bar didn't cut the "bad" part of the fish because I am not Japanese. There were Japanese diners next to me at sushi bar orderd sashimi too, but their sashimi sure didn't look like pieces, they were cut into thin slices. The service- terrible. The waitress barely understand English, and when I asked her questions on the menu, she had to run back and forth ask other waitress or the chef at sushi bar.... She even got the price wrong on their "house special items......." I had to questioned her first, then she went back and forth ask other waitress again THEN correct it... Otherwise, the dinner would be closer to $120 for 3 people instead of $100.....

    (2)

  • Christopher B.

    In a struggle to find something good for lunch I came across this place on one of my yelp searches. The reviews sold me but the question was whether I would be sold. I will say that there are not too many times where I walk into a place and I'm thinking to myself: I'll be back. This place isn't big and if you come at 12PM you'll be waiting for a while. In fact, about 15 people showed up within a couple minutes after we arrived so we lucked out. It's a small place but with lots of character. There are several tables to the left and an "L" shaped bar to the right where you can watch the cooks prepare lunch. The one thing we noticed while we waited a couple minutes was that, almost without exception, every person ordered the lunch special- pork katsu kare (curry). Given that we were the only 2 white people in this place we did what everyone else was doing. Well, my wife did go with the udon, which one lady had, and it was something she was already talking about before we got there. The katsu curry was excellent. I can't say I would normally go for this dish but the taste was fabulous and liked the kick on the back end, too. It was so unassuming but refreshing at the same time. I think I was sweating by the end of lunch and it's not like it was spicy but the spices did me in! ;) The udon soup was excellent as well. We had super high expectations coming in and it met every one of them. I also loved that the lady serving us the lunch plates who didn't speak in English and asked us or thanked us in Japanese. No, I don't speak or understand but I got it- that's what makes the experience. This place was packed with business people on lunch. No TV's, no radio, just a whole lot of conversation and being in the moment and observing. I love being transformed like that, sort of losing yourself in the experience. That is something this place did well. As I initially thought, I will be back. As I watched the cook make the fish I already know what I'm getting next time. I almost wished that my stomach was bigger because I probably would have ordered another dish! Ha! This was 5-star dining in every facet!

    (5)

  • David L.

    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. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/5kF7… ) 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.

    (4)

  • T T.

    I have been coming here for years and the Food and Service are both great at this restaurant. This is fresh authentic Japanese food but not a good place if you have little kids. You need to try the Butter fish and Hamachi kama.

    (5)

  • Luis M.

    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.

    (1)

  • Meredith D.

    Small, authentic Japanese eatery with delicious food and a homey atmosphere! A friend and I came here for a late dinner and it was a good idea to have called ahead for seating -- by 8:30PM it was packed. We ordered the appetizer size of the pork cutlet, and each ordered a cold soba dish. Mine was in a cold, icy broth with fish flakes -- it was flavorful and the noodles were tender. Hers was the type to dip in a soy sauce mixture; equally as good. Altogether our meal was about $25 and the portions were perfect! Clean bathrooms, friendly service, authentic and tasty food: can't go wrong. I'll have to come back to try the beef tataki.

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    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.

    (2)

  • Caroline K.

    This place is pretty small, so people weren't kidding when they said it gets packed at lunch. I got there around 11:50 a.m. and scored a table, but the place was packed within 5 minutes. I ordered the Pork Tonkatsu and my friend ordered the special, which was basically Pork Tonkatsu with one Deep Fried Shrimp, and a little bowl of marinated fish. The variety was nice. Food came out quickly and so did the check. The pork tonkatsu was crispy and juicy - not sure how it stayed crispy the whole time. The lunches also came with a side of potato salad (average), rice, and miso soup (really good soup). The prices are kinda weird (i.e. $8.39) but only because it makes the bill come out even after tax. It was $18 for two after tax and they do not accept credit cards for bills under $20, so bring cash! Will come back to try dinner here.

    (4)

  • Cyndie L.

    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.

    (4)

  • Michelle F.

    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.

    (3)

  • JJ P.

    my gf and i visited for the first last Thursday for dinner. i was craving for pork katsu or pork cutlet... this japanese waitress got our order, i asked for pork katsu, and she said, "we only have pork katsu for lunch" i was like "what??" the menu said they have it and she was telling me no katsu?? so we took our time... so i asked for pork cutlet... she said "we have pork cutlet i asked her what is the difference between pork katsu and pork cutlet..?? she reply "they are the same thing"... i was like "wtf?!?!" my gf wanted some "steamed egg" ... i thought it would be regular egg but steamed, Waitress: "you need to order minimum of 2 orders... so we ordered 2 steamed eggs While we are waiting for food, we are looking at the Chief, how they cook one of the most disgusting things i have seen, chief was cooking and sticking their fingers on the food and suck it and wipe that finger on their butt, not on their apron, my gf and i were very disgusted, First Steam eggs arrived, it wasn't just steam eggs we were imagined, some weird egg mix with vegetable,... it was not bad but they didn't have ANY description about this steamed eggs i got my pork cutlet and my gf got some noodle by the time we got the food, we lost our appetite seeing Chief's action (cooking), we didn't eat much Bill came, They hand written the check, i don't know what they charged, i compared with the check and price from the menu, it was completely off ,, i mean really off pork cutlet was 14.50 , Waitress charged 18.50 noodle was 10 something, Waitress charged 13 something steamed eggs, 14 something... we got 1 large beer and 1 small beer Waitress Charged 2 full large beer price i was pissed!!! i told the Waitress that the price is off, Waitress: menu price are old, one you are seeing is new price... TOTALLY RIPE OFF!!! I WILL DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO GO rude workers and the Chief..... omg......... One of the worst Japanese restaurant i have ever been to...

    (1)

  • Warren L.

    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 and it's ignorant to hear people complaining about bad service because they're not "Japanese." I personally love Japanese owned establishments because I know I'll be getting good to great service. I get better service here than at Korean restaurants (I'm Korean American). I always see them give equally good service to everyone and their behind the scenes cooks are Mexican. So let's not pull the race card with this joint. The chef/boss 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.

    (5)

  • Mikey Y.

    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)

    (4)

  • Jonathan K.

    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.

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    A hole in the wall restaurant in the middle of Cypress located in the same plaza as Frostbites and LA Boxing. Think of similar menu items such as Kappa Honda or Honda Ya - izakaya dishes and authentic Japanese dishes rather than your typical Americanized Japanese restaurants with loads of sushi rolls. On my first visit here, I really enjoyed everything! Really great selection of food for such a hidden place in the middle of nowhere. We also found out that the sushi man is the owner of the restaurant!! Haha, we didn't know that until one of the servers brought out a complimentary sake bottle after we asked the sushi man to drink with us. Great customer service, friendly staff, and great food. A little more on the pricey side, but it's always worth it for good food.

    (4)

  • Michael N.

    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.

    (5)

  • dave y.

    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.

    (5)

  • John E.

    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.

    (5)

  • Vix V.

    it was super COLD and RAINY TODAY. i went to Echizen during my lunch. i have two words... NABEYAKI UDON. OMG, it REALLY hit the spot for me. it was like an orgasm in my mouth. *drool*

    (5)

  • Christine D.

    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.

    (3)

  • Bill W.

    I thought this place was just okay. Portions are small and prices I thought were a little high for such small amounts of food. The restaurant should not warrant such high prices for such a mediocre restaurant. When I mean mediocre I am talking about an old restaurant in a strip mall with greasy kitchen...

    (3)

  • Ashley H.

    yea i'm yelping this amazing place AGAIN i realized why i love this place, like i stated before it's cheaper than the other places (i.e. honda ya, kappo honda, etc) and there's more food. i realized everything i try is AMAZING. i had the blue fin tuna sashimi hands down freshest i've had...ever. usually w/ tuna i get it as poke or spicy tuna because i always taste this fishy taste and even w/ blue fin, but at echizen the tuna and blue fin tuna is SO FRESH and soooo GOOD yum. tried the potato croquette last night...it was really good and not too greasy. perfectly cooked potatoes and had a bit of meat and corn in it. came w/ a side salad. also tried the drink...it has alcohol in it but tastes like grapefruit soda...AMAZING back to the food: we shared the scallops w/ the garlic butter sauce (order rice and pour the sauce over it! you'll thank me :]), sashimi salad: fresh tuna over iceberg lettuce...very refreshing, seaweed salad: soaked in vinegar and has grated white yam on it (may not look appetizing, but is DELISH), yellow tail collar: perfectly cooked & perfectly seasoned, marinated butterfish: it seriously melted in your mouth...so good, and the veggie rice porridge: more soupy than a porridge, but was very good. can't wait to go back and try more!!! maybe tonight!? hmm...well definitely will be back by next week :]

    (5)

  • Christine C.

    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.

    (4)

  • Jonathan C.

    My wife and I have finally made here! Everytime we try and come eat it's usually closed... craziness. The wait was well worth it though! The food is excellent and it's priced very well. Decor is humble and the waitstaff is very personable and willing to explain all the dishes. We had a great time. I wish I could tell you what we had but after a few big bottles of Kirin all I remember was that it was delicious and worthy of me writing a review.

    (5)

  • Amy W.

    I LOVE this izakaya. I come here a lot with my fiance and his family. The owner seems like he can be the "Soup Nazi", but he's actually really friendly! The waitresses are also very sweet and helpful. They don't speak perfect English (but who really does?), but they always understand what I want to order. My favorites: Renkon hasamiage- fried lotus root with shrimp in the middle; ume yaki onigiri- sour plum grilled rice ball; crab shumai; Boiled fish- has some soup with soft tofu and green veggies; mushroom tea pot- small tea pot inside has stewed "special" mushrooms, ck, shrimp, fish; ankimo- monk fish liver. Everything I've had there is good, but those are my favorites! Lots of regulars come here to drink, watch sports and eat good food. I believe you can purchase sake by the bottle and they'll keep it for you until you finish it. So you can just ask for that bottle everytime until it's finished. Supposedly some of the types they have you can't find elsewhere. During lunch, they have set bento boxes unlike dinner where there's so much to choose from, but it's still very good!

    (5)

  • Kristine E.

    My favorite spot to eat with my coworkers

    (4)

  • Duc B.

    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.

    (5)

  • Colin H.

    This place is absolutely fantastic. Huge menu but everything comes out great, like it's their specialty. Definitely going to do a huge lobster next time.

    (5)

  • Stephanie W.

    Place was pretty good. We didn't know what to expect seeing no one was in there...It's located in a plaza with Frostbite's which I love.... I ordered the nabeyaki udon, since I'm still a little under the weather... I figured something hot and soupy would do me some good. The husband ordered garlic scallops, butter fish, yellow tail collar, and beef tataki... He loved the butter fish, and he said the beef takaki was really good... Overall, it was a good meal, and we'd probably return... but we would rather go to oshima on tustin in orange.

    (4)

  • David G.

    The foods are delicious. Softshell crabs and beef lengua dipped in sesame oil and salt were quite tasty. The pork kim chi and the two servings of fried chicken katsu thingees were average to sorta good. We order a couple of other fried goodies, but it was hard for me to remember what they were. I just put them in my mouth and didn't ask questions. The only questionable thing on the menu was the large pitcher of Sapporo for $14. WTF?! That seems kinda steep, no? And what's with that damn white cylinder in the middle of the pitcher?! They say it's to keep it cold, but we all thought we were robbed of another glass of beer. So yeah, white cylinder of mystery and at $14 is kinda shady. It was quite difficult to see if a pitcher at that price was worth it so we ordered another pitcher to see if we can measure it out. After drinking that one, we still were inconclusive so we ordered another. At that point, we forgot what we were griping about and just drank.

    (4)

  • Becky K.

    ittadakimasu! I'm determined to establish communication with these people beyond "to go" or "lunch special" because that chef now seems to me, a kind of a fatherly person (I mean.. aside from the whole paying for my food...) making my lunch everyday, neatly packaged for me to scarf down at my will without strangers crowding me on all sides. (They really should consider expanding...) But as far as the food goes, it is entirely oishi desu! Good things to know: Their hours are crazy. If you want to eat the lunch special, go there between the hours of 11:30am and 1:45pm. It's better to go early. I went there at the stroke of 11:30am and as I was approaching the door, I suddenly noticed people popping out of seemingly empty cars from scattered locations, also headed to Echizen at something of a run ahead of me. Without really knowing why, I broke into a trot myself. Geez whats the hurry people? Also, just get the lunch special if you're open to surprises. It's always good. And Cash Only.

    (5)

  • Ben R.

    Simply this place is the best Japanese food in the area of Cypress, Stanton, and Garden Grove... My favorites are the tanshio and tebashio.... Occasionally, they have live lobster sashimi, and that's the bomb.... Thumbs up for this place

    (5)

  • Amanda C.

    nice fresh sushi.....at least i think they were fresh. 3 stars because they close i thik at 2 and open at 5.

    (3)

  • Chips L.

    I'm giving echizen a 5 stars rating because it has become my weekly dosage of good home made Japanese food. They serve with daily special which i like to be surprise! On their tray, you have small dishes to go with the main dish and it makes everything taste so good. If you look around the place, most of the customers are Japanese so that tells a lot that it brings the local back to the authetic taste of their hometown food which is a good sign. Usually i would ordered the lunch specials but if not, the broiled butterfish, mackerel are equally delicious. Want something soupy, try their nabeyaki udon and that does it for me when i just want something light. Also their katsu-don is pretty popular! The only set back is the wait to get in to this tiny place. The seating are very and fill up easily. The servers are always so nice tho and attend to your needs. I like to give my compliments to the chef to make his day, you can't miss him..hes right there watching you devour his delicious food!! :) I rarely go for dinner since its closer at my work place but they do serve a different menu than the lunch. I do have to say that this is not quite the place for sushi or sashimi, its more a teppanyaki place and cooked hot food.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    I have wanted to try this place for a couple of years and finally got around to it. (I don't know too many people who like Japanese food that's not sushi.) We came in around 6pm and it was pretty quiet. It's small clean and they have a ton of cute little maneki neko on some shelves on the wall and a few on the long sushi bar like counter. Our order consisted of: Halibut Sashimi: Decent but nothing to get excited about. I thought the portion was a little small. Soft Shell Crab: I'm pretty sure the crab had been frozen. While the tempura was light and crisp, the texture of the crab was a bit mushy. Scallop and Shimeji mushroom: This was really simple bay scallops and shimeji mushrooms cooked up with a little seasoning in a foil pouch. The flavor was tasty and clean. Kani Croquette: I am totally envious of the texture of these croquettes. The outer shell is nice and has a substantial crunch to it while the inside is luscious and creamy. But! I couldn't discern any crab flavor at all. Beef Tataki: This was unlike any tataki I've had before. The portion was surprisingly large and it was cooked medium, the pieces were sliced but kinda chunky. It was served hot and doused in a citrusy marinade. I liked but if you order it don't expect the seared off but raw in the middle dish. Onigiriyaki: This one was our last item and we ordered one plum and one salmon. It was just okay. I wanted a touch more crisp on the exterior of the rice and it seemed under seasoned. I wish I could say I liked this place as much as all of the reviewers before me.

    (4)

  • Mary O.

    I'd say this is the most "Japanese" restaurant in my area. Customers are usually business people on their lunch breaks. The chef and waitresses are Japanese, and the food (although nothing spectacular) definitely tastes more authentic than a lot of Japanese American restaurants around. Simple, small restaurant.

    (4)

  • Bryan M.

    ....different menu...if you're looking for americanized Japanese food, go elsewhere! The chicken was fried....seemed like double friend...but still good!...I mean it's FRIED...wtf can you expect? I also got the butterfish, which wasn't as good as when I had it in Hawaii My girlfriend loved the soup she got. Service seemed a bit...not all there. Waited a bit to get my check after we were done eating.....

    (3)

  • Dan Q.

    Echizen has some amazing izakaya food Izakaya is basically your japanese bar food. To give some history about this place, the menus actually used to be in Japanese and wasn't that foreigner friendly. But that changed quite a bit in the past couple of years. If you go here, please.. please.. do not order katsu + anything. Skip that and go straight to the izakaya menu and order some rice. My recommendations are.... + butter fish + aspara beef + chicken karaage + chicken yakitori with soy sauce + grilled eggplant (if you like eggplant you'll appreciate this) Oh yea.. and their nabiyaki udon is pretty stellar also. A sign of a really good restaurant is consistency. I've been eating at Echizen for years and the food has always been pretty stellar. However, when you eat here though, you have to keep in mind what you are eating. The tapas plates that come out are rather small, giving you the ability to sample a diverse set of food. This is a place where you come enjoy with friends for a longer dinner, preferably with some tea, beer, or sake. Coming here requires you to come in with an open mind, and stomach. Japanese food is rather subtle by nature, but if you really take the time to taste the food, their technique and flavors are spectacular. I don't know why this place as a $$$ rating. It should be $-$$ as mentioned by an earlier reviewer. For dessert, I would go over to frostbites.

    (5)

  • HelloKitty L.

    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.

    (1)

  • Julie A.

    Glad to have found a Japanese restaurant run by actual Japanese people! came here for lunch. it was packed, but we were able to get a seat without waiting. It's a hole in the wall place and seemed to be filled by mostly locals. Everything on the lunch menu was under 10 bucks. It's pretty simple menu, but i did look at the dinner menu and it was bigger. The lady kept speaking Japanese to us so we just nodded and smiled haha. Yummy food for good prices, can't beat it. Cash Only

    (4)

  • Mike L.

    Authentic Japanese food tasted like home made. Try their today's special. You won't regret.

    (5)

  • Lady V.

    VIsits: 2, lunch Bottom line: Real Japanese food served by real Japanese people, but not everything on the menu is worth the price. Note: I don't eat sashimi, so mosey along if that's what you're interested in. First time we ordered mackerel lunch and a tempura udon. It was disappointing, but we were aware this was probably because we ordered wrong. The mackerel itself was pretty good, but nothing really special either. The problem was that the plate came with very little besides the mackerel. There was absolutely nothing to season the rice with except possibly the miso soup, but that's just not how we roll. (Knew a guy who was too cheap to buy rice at the restaurant so he just drank his curry. He would probably have no qualms about pouring miso soup into his rice.) The tempura udon was pretty good - great noodles, surprisingly chewy AND soft. However, the tempura consisted of two really tiny shrimp and a piece of seaweed. No vegetables or anything. It didn't even come with a dipping sauce, and the udon had nothing in it except some green onion and two pieces of fish cake. As much as I love plain carbs, I just really felt like the meal was missing some flavor. It did fill me up pretty well though. Next time I will probably try the nabeyaki udon. Second trip we had a lunch special - ground chicken over rice (I thought the waitress said "grand chicken" and assumed it was some specialty I did not know about. Haha.) and the plain pork cutlet bowl. (There are three pork cutlet items on the menu: A pork cutlet plate, a pork cutlet bowl, and a pork cutlet bowl (with special sauce). We tried asking the waitress what the difference was been the three, but her English wasn't that good. In the end we got the plain pork cutlet bowl.) This time, lunch came with too much flavor. I mean, the pork and the chicken both tasted fantastic, but then the side dish of the day was marinated seaweed with anchovy and that was too salty, but both our bowls had plenty of sauce (I think mine had just a *tad* too much) so there was nothing to help that go down. If we had had that last trip, would have been perfect. Their pork cutlet is so amazing. Fried to perfection and the flavor is sooo good. You have to try it to believe it. Just beware, their pork can have giant chunks of fat in it. Also, the plain pork cutlet bowl comes with an egg on top - It looked like they dumped the egg on top of the cutlet a few seconds before taking it off the grill. It was still a little slimy at parts. The ground chicken special was also very flavorful and delicious. Loved it. Came with shredded egg, seaweed, ginger and something green. I forgot to identify it, I was so busy eating. They give you plenty of chicken to go with your rice and it will definitely fill you up. Overall, this place will be awesome once we figure out how to order.

    (4)

  • Alice L.

    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? :]

    (4)

  • Beth H.

    My dish was ok, my husband's was very good. We were about 30 cents shy of their $20 minimum for credit cards, and they hadn't mentioned the minimum until we gave them our card, and we didn't have cash on us. Not cool to give your customers a hassle over a difference of 30 cents when they've just bought $19.70 worth of food.

    (2)

  • Paul B.

    We always have the sashimi, the many appetizers and the Inaniwa Udon soup. The only challenge is the chef can be moody, but which great restaurant does not have an egomaniac chef? The restaurant is catering to a more diverse crowd now at dinner so the quality is not like it used to be. But like most places, if you pre order, I am sure you will be well taken care....Naya-san is a great chef!

    (4)

  • vivian t.

    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.

    (4)

  • edith g.

    Well, let's just say this place is legit. Didn't know what to expect, but walked in on valentine's day and quickly realized we were the only people who didn't speak Japanese. That being said, the waitress and chef were super nice and accommodating. I don't think they were ready for it to be so busy, because the waitress was a little frazzled and the chef was helping her out a lot. I thought it would take forever to get our food but it worked out fine! Everyone was ordering the flat fried fish but we were not that brave. It looked good, though! We got the broiled yellowtail collar which was crispy and flaky and not dry at all. Delicious! Fried crab wontons were huge and I wanted cream cheese in there because I'm so gringo. Yaki Udon was SOOOO good! Greasy fried udon with veggies and pork, nom nom nom. But the crown jewel of the evening, which was saved for last, was the ASPARABACON. Don't leave without eating ASPARABACON! It's thick slices of bacon, stir fried with crispy fresh asparagus. Add pepper. That's it. It's the best dish I've ever tasted involving 3 ingredients. I want some now. Dinner for 2 was expensive but delicious. We ended up spending about 75$ for dinner for 2 and 2 beers. But worth it! I probably won't drive 30 minutes to go there again, but I will have sweet sweet asparabacon dreams....

    (4)

  • kenji y.

    this place is the real deal. all you have to do is watch the owner/ chef in action. it's obvious that he knows what he's doing. his two assistants are almost equally as deft at their respective roles. every time i eat here i am transported back to my days of living by the sea in japan. i coulda sworn some cherry blossoms floated down from the ceiling as i dove into my maguro-don a couple weeks ago. i have lunch here at least once a week. you can't go wrong ordering the daily special. pretty much 80% of the lunch crowd orders the special. thus he has it all cued up and ready to roll. your meal will arrive in under 5 minutes every time, with no sacrifice to quality. plus it's always $9 with tax. the local japanese salary men leave a ten, but all you westerners know better. dinner is the time to bring your friends and sample all the specials that are not on offer at lunch. order up some drinks and enjoy. they do serve sashimi, which is not bad. but the real specialty is the cooked food. 4.5 stars.

    (4)

  • Christy W.

    a HOLE in the wall. I went during Thursday lunch time and it was packed. We ordered the SALMON, UDON, COLD SOBA, and KATSU. I'm from Oregon so i know what a good salmon should taste like. THE SALMON WAS GREAT. They didn't over power it with sauces or butter. it was perfectly pan fried and served with side dishes and rice. Perfect!~ The cold soba was really good too. And the katsu and udon.. well.. i could find better but around cypress I think its pretty decent. The price is from 7.75 to a little over 9 for the salmon. So not to cheap but. I love the service! Will go again soon.

    (4)

  • Noel C.

    Echizen FTW!! for some odd reason, i was really craving the treats of Echizen all day long yesterday. it started from the moment i woke up and wouldn't stop until i got my Echizen fix. right smack in the middle of cypress, who would've thought to find an authentic japanese restaurant where the owner and staff are all japanese and speak little engrish, and even the customers are mostly japanese! i like to go here and stand as upright as i can so i can appear to be a giant asian amongst all the 5'4" japanese men. hehe. we went there for dinner and ordered variety of dishes: fried squid, marinated butter fish, sesame chicken, asparagus bacon, avalon sashimi, yellowtail cheek, and some other stuff i forget what they were called and to top it all off with Saporo. Food here is truly amazing. Marinated butter fish is a must!! the owner is awesome, friendly, and has the funniest facial expressions ever. waitress there are uber friendly as well. almost shy! **i've noticed that the price range is at $$$ are you people mad?! what are you people basing that on?! you're at a traditional japanese restaurant!! if you based it on size of the portions then, you sir, or ma'am, are a turd nugget and should not be let inside of anywhere not named Denny's. they have a ton of items for less than $5. we ordered 11 items and 3 bottles of Saporo and our bill came out to $99.00! 11 items!!! price range should be at $-$$. let's not give false information on yelp and discourage people from coming to this local hole in the wall. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES!

    (5)

  • Jaimie D.

    Their lunch specials are always a great deal! can never go wrong with the lunch special. personally don't like going here for dinner. its a bit pricey. lunch is $10 including tip. not bad anywho, the sashimi lunch plate is good. it looks like its small when it first comes out. but you starting munching and before you know it you are full. their cold soba noodle delicious. the grill fish are good too. my favorite is the butter fish. don't really find butter fish at many places. its a mild tasting fish. all the lunch plates come with salad, pickles, and rice. somethings other side dishes. you can tell the food is pretty authentic by the clientele, seems like everyone is japanese. the owners and workers are all japanese too. their english isn't the greatest so its easier to point at the menu for what you want. also they sometimes forget to write the specials in english (yes its written in japanese) so i suggest asking or taking a look around at the tables to see. they run out of the specials so get their early if thats what you want. the service is quick. for the lunch rush anywho. they get people and in and out with enough time to get dessert and get back to work before your lunch hour is up. but for lunch they are a lot more attentive and don't really feel as rushed. location: its in the plaza where frostbites is. THIS PLACE IS TINY! i dont suggest coming here with more than 4 people in your group.

    (4)

  • Joshua M.

    Fresh, creative, and ultimately tasty. That's how I would describe the elements that make this restaurant so great. I usually come here for lunch whenever I get the chance to have a lunch, and it always makes my day a lot more relaxing. I have tried their pork tonkatsu, sashimi plate, and a number of their specials and they are all really good. Their meals come with your entree, rice, soup, and a few side dishes such as cabbage and tofu. Everything just goes really nicely together and the food is healthy. The portions aren't typical 'American sized' meals, so don't expect quantity but they do deliver on their quality of ingredients and result. Their lunch specials usually differs from day to day and I would highly recommend trying them if you have already gone through their menu. The waiters are all very kind too and they will take care of you. I do wish that they would accept credit cards though, since that is the only thing that prevents me from going back sometimes (i just dont carry cash very often...). Other than that, I can not say anything remotely negative about this place. It's just all around awesome and the visits here won't hurt your wallet or your stomach.

    (5)

  • Amir M.

    Wow indeed. This place is so authentic if you forget the timezone for a moment, you think you are in Japan! Just like the restaurants there it is a tiny place. I counted about 30 seats with 7 of them at the counter. So as mentioned, be aware of the place filling up. I went there at 8:00pm and the place was full but the bar was empty. Almost everyone there was Japanese. The place was humming. Everyone enjoying themselves. Just like in Japan, two ladies served while the chef ran the kitchen with unbelievable efficiency and speed. He had two helpers one of whom was a Mexican gentleman. Even he worked almost like a Japanese and with high speed. Anyway, I speak a bit of Japanese so I asked the table in that. She spoke Japanese back to me which was nice. I sat in the middle of the sushi bar. I ordered the sashimi combination appetizer. It arrived with real wasabi which I did not expect at these price points. They quality was very good especially for the price ($13). After I finished my appetizer another group of people come in. I listen to the lady host telling the check in Japanese that there are four of them. There were no tables empty. I looked and there are only three seats to my left. But also two on the right. I expected them to ask me to move but they did not as much as look at me to imply that and told the group that it would be a 10 to 20 minute wait. I told her that I would be happy to move. They were ecstatic and we exchanged thank you/you are welcome in Japanese. I ordered Buri Daikon which is braised yellowtail with daikon radish. While waiting I see the chef prepare a nice appetizer bowl with "roasted" fish. I was about to ask him what that is only to see him give that bowl to me as a thank you for moving! We are talking a $6+ item here. My Buri Daikon arrived and it was delicious. The yellow tail had soaked up this great flavor from the borth and it was moist and delicate just like I remember it in Japan. I had a very big lunch earlier in the day so no room to sample more. But the menu is extensive with many classic Japanese dishes. Best thing to do is to go with a group so that one can sample many of them. For a place in a nondescript little place in a shopping center, this is a real Gem. It is tasty well executed meals. Not luxury class food mind you. But everyday man's Japanese food done right. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Danielle N.

    I went to Echizen all excited after reading the Yelp reviews, and thought, I wonder why it's been 7 years since I've been here...I live 1 block away. I got my answer pretty quick. I brought a friend who'd never been to izakaya style Japanese food, and I was anxious to share the experience with him. Right away we ordered a handful of dishes, and followed up ordering a few more after the dishes began to arrive. We started with the asparagus/bacon (OK - sliced up and cooked altogether like a stir fry), beef tataki (OK), and butter fish (very good). I was excited about the beef tataki, but it left me longing for Furaibo. Next came the yellow tail collar (OK - kind of burnt and flavorless), nikujaga (beef/veggie stew. OK), and tuna w mountain yam (Good). The yellow tail collar left me longing for either Haru Ulala OR Shin Sen Gumi. Last was the crab croquettes (OK - flavorless but crispy) and scallops (OK - but too buttery). Overall, the food was good but not great, the service was good, but by no means does the food compare to most of the izakaya I've been to. I really wanted to love this place since I could walk there in 5 minutes. But I was so disappointed. I recommend going to izakaya where the chefs are really Japanese (like SSG). The owner may be awesome, but I feel he should hire new cooks.

    (3)

  • Diana H.

    This place is the best! The daily lunch specials are always delicious, but beware because the specials usually run out fast by 1pm, so make sure to get there early. The croquette lunch special which is not the same as the crab one on the dinner menu (if you're lucky enough to go on that particular day) is absolute perfection -- perfectly fried to form a crisp crust on the outside with a creamy and fluffy filling without being oily. At dinner time, it turns into izakaya or Japanese pub style. This place is authentic Japanese cuisine and specials are written in Japanese. Good thing is that even if you're blindfolded and just randomly point at anywhere on the menu, you're sure to get something scrumptious. My favorites besides the croquette are the katsu curry lunch special, beef tataki during izakaya, and onion and masago during izakaya. 4.5+++ stars

    (4)

  • Q W.

    Atmosphere: Quaint. Small. Clean. Food: Spinach & garlic. Rice. (Bf had teriyaki salmon & tempura) Saturday. Around 8:30pm. It was at all crowded. There were 3 other groups and a couple of people at the bar. Friendly service. Not over board w/ Japanese decor. Cute. I wasn't too hungry so I only ordered the spinach & garlic and a side of rice. The spinach was fresh and light. Rice is rice-not sure if anyone can mess that up. I wanted to try the butter fish but maybe next time. Bill came to $27 for the 2 of us. I did notice, as one yelper posted, about the chef wiping hands on...wherever. I didn't pay too much attention so it didn't bother me that much. Now, I'm afraid that I'll notice it more the next time and ruin the experience :/

    (3)

  • Justin K.

    Nothing was that good. Beef tataki was decent. Eggplant had unchewable fibrous material with shrimp that was not fresh. The worst was the few tiny slivers of sashimi. I don't have a problem with expensive Japanese food but at least serve portions and quality that warrant the price. Small pieces of tempura too. Miso soup came warm, not hot. Green tea was nice touch at end. Sorry, not coming back

    (2)

  • Bill S.

    The real deal! Super authentic place in Cypress...if this place was on the west side you would hear about it. The food was terrific. I had the Nabeyaki Udon, which was very good and my date wanted Salmon with no sauce, just grilled and it was provided..also very good. I cannot wait to go back and try all the small plates... If you appreciate details, the place has great art on the walls, nice serving stuff. I know, it's about the food, but I like those things too!. It would help to read Japanese. I wanted cold sake and was presented with a menu in Japanese...I just said to select and they picked a mid range which was very good. It is a very small restaurant...I do not know when it is busy, but not crowded when I went at 8PM on a Saturday night. Parking is in the mini-mall lot. Bottom line: a terrific surprise!

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    If you can't fly off to Japan to eat authentic, then visit Echizen for the next best thing. The noodle selection is impressive, as are the choices of entrees and "snacks", or 'Japanese tapas', as one friend put it. Enjoy.

    (4)

  • Tim D.

    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.

    (1)

  • Chicco C.

    We came for the izakaya. Very authentic. We ordered 18 different things. Most of the stuff was good. But the butterfish was perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned. The beef tongue too. And also the deep fried oysters. The scallops were slightly overcooked but if you're a sauce person that'll make up for it.. One of the oysters we got looked as if a hair got into the batter; when we pointed this out to our waitress she immediately resolved the problem in her cutely polite Japanese way and brought us back two freshly fried ones! The verdict: fair prices, authentic and delicious food, good service. Check it out.

    (4)

  • Ed C.

    Fresh food. Taste very good. Love their sashimi and their udon pot.

    (5)

  • T J.

    I am not Japanese, but I've lived in Japan for a couple of years so I am somewhat familiar with authentic Japanese food. I've dined at this restaurant twice, both times with a large group so I was able to try quite a few dishes on each visit. The other reviews that mention the authenticity of the food are accurate. Ask for the photo menu if you need help deciding what to order.

    (5)

  • T J.

    This restaurant is not bad, but not great either. We decided to try this place out since it is so close to home, but I'd rather hop on the 405 and drive to Kappo Honda in Fountain Valley instead. We ordered the beef tataki, which had good flavor in the ponzu sauce, but was over-cooked to medium well. The crab croquette had imitation crab and wasn't very creamy. The tuna on the Sashimi Salad was mediocre, Black Pork Sausage tasted like a hot dog, the butterfish didn't melt in my mouth and have as much flavor as Kappo Honda's and the Fried Taro was okay. Maybe we ordered the wrong things, but nothing stood out as a favorite and worth coming back for.

    (3)

  • Jason J.

    W00T. breaking my yelp virginity & finally writing my first post. I've been compelled to write reviews over the past year or so, but never took the initiative to do so until now. So.. Echizen. A definite jewel of cypress. Went there for dinner today with my friend. This was our 3rd time coming here. First thing i gotta say about this place- LEGITIMATE JAPANESE. I'm not racist, or try to be judgmental, but you can definitely tell the difference when japanese food is cooked by a real japanese person. Not some korean pass-off of tried and true japanese flavor & recipes. I have scoured much of the gardena area, and little tokyo with many japanese friends, and they have taken me to many of the little bars & hang out spots that, for the most part, are only frequented by japanese people, and some of which have absolutely no english menus, and i can tell you, again- ECHIZEN IS LEGIT! Ok, so on to the food. I guess i will just list off the food we had & my opinion of it. Sorry if i slightly misname the items, but I'm sure you can get a gist of which ones they are, Sashimi Salad - pretty typical chef's salad w/ a japanese style vinaigrette. About 8 slices of tuna sashimi resting on top of the salad. My opinion of salads- only as good as the dressing. This dressing had a light citrus/vinaigrette bite to it. very light & refreshing. The tuna- VERY fresh. honestly, the tuna in this salad was more fresh than many sushi restaurants Ive been to. This made the salad extremely satisfying. Creamy Crab Croquette - Apparently one of the owner's 'home made' creations. This one was just ok for me. It seemed like just a handful of imitation crab w/ mayo, rolled in panko, then deep fried. Beef Rolled Asparagus - One word - AWESOME. 3 stalks of asparagus are wrapped in what i think was flank steak, and broiled. When ours came, the meat was extremely tender, and the asparagus was perfectly cooked. it was sitting in a sauce that complimented the flavors of both the asparagus & the beef. Fried Eggplant & Shrimp - YUMMMMM. basically, an eggplant is sliced in half, stuffed with big chunks of shrimp, then tempura'd. after it's fried, it is served in a bowl with some sort of sauce as well. Apparently, its one of their top 10 items they serve. I can definitely see why. Marinated Butter Fish - WOW. this has a slightly sweet marinade. the fish is broiled to perfection. Extremely moist & delicate flavor. This is definitely one of my favorites here. Steamed Crab Dumplings - Basically the same filling as the croquettes... except it's put in a dumpling wrapper & steamed. Apparently, its one of the top items sold there, but i wasnt too impressed by it. It seemed more like a standared dim-sum item. I was expecting a bit more authentic crab flavor, than what i got out of it. Sesame Chicken - Another one of their top items there. This item is kinda like popcorn chicken... I'm kinda stuck on opinions about this dish. I found it to be ok.. Not what i had expected @ all. I couldnt taste any sort of sesame in the breading or anything. Im thinking maybe they got our order wrong? But this was definitely nothing to blow me away. BLUE FIN TUNA SASHIMI - OMG. sooooo goooood!!! I must admit, this was probably some of the freshest, best tasting sashimi i ever had. generally, bluefin tuna is a bit lighter in flavor in comparison to yellowfin or bigeye(the type usually served in sushi restaurants). What can i say, i know good sashimi when i eat it. I am an avid fisherman, and have fished for tuna, yellowtail, wahoo, etc etc, and i have eaten fish just minutes after it was brought on board. I can tell you, the specials on sashimi there are SUPER FRESH. definitely worth every penny.. So there you have it. For some reason, its never really been completely busy whenever i've gone there.. service is good. food is always on point.

    (5)

  • Jonathan C.

    I stopped by this place with my girlfriend randomly out of no where. We were stopping by for frost bites. I walked in and was greeted almost immediately. The waitress was nice and service was pretty good. This place seems like an authentic secret hub where Japanese business men congregate because when we walked in there were lots of them. People speaking in Japanese. The chef is out and visible to his customers which I think is customary to a lot of Japanese restaurants and he was a lively person at least in my opinion. The price doesn't seem too expensive to me, but my wages probably wouldn't be able to support frequent visits here. My girlfriend and I weren't too hungry so we shared a sashimi tempura combination plate which was very delicious and filled us up nicely The sashimi was the freshest I've had in a while and taste wonderful. Salad was decent, as well as the miso soup and rice. The tempura was also very good, The point is they're fresh and you'll really enjoy yourself. Though looking over at the business men at the next table, I was thinking maybe I should have ordered some Udon, cuz that looked pretty good too. They didn't stop by and fill up our water or really check up on us. The restaurant is somewhat crowded, but the atmosphere was kind of nice. I wasn't disappointed but I didn't really know what to expect :) So I guess I was pleasantly surprised.

    (4)

  • Nancy P.

    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!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Beginning P.

    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.

    (4)

  • Kat D.

    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.

    (3)

  • Bob K.

    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.

    (4)

  • Jason K.

    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.

    (5)

  • Jerry K.

    I'm sorry to say, I was a bit disappointed by this eatery. Food was not top notch as I hoped it would be for the price. Their signature beef Tataki was sub par when it came to the beef itself, but with a decent sauce. Butter fish was fresh with a bit of bitterness in the flavor profile. I can go on, but it's basically the same with every dish except the fresh blue fin tuna. Also didn't help that the restaurant has a strong odor when we walked in. Great ingredients, but with missteps along the way.

    (3)

  • Richard F.

    Came here on a quiet Tuesday night with the lady. No wait, promptly seated- they have a picture menu in addition to the normal menu which helps give an idea of what you are ordering. We ordered the Chilean sea bass, eggplant miso, tofu steak and stir fried udon. Total bill came to around $25 which was great for a dinner for two. On to the food. Chilean sea bass was spot on , though it is hard to mess up as well. Eggplant in miso was a pleasant surprise, tender yet still had some crunch. Wonderful. Stir fry udon was good, but also not that special. It was mixed with a few pieces of pork. The tofu steak was good, tender with good flavor, unfortunately we were unable to finish it as my companion discovered metal brush hair inside one of the pieces. Accidents happen, and they were quick to apologize and offered to take it off or replace it, so I felt their reaction was appropriate. All in all I would come back if in the area, authentic Japanese dishes at affordable prices. Parking is abundant, in a large shopping center.

    (4)

  • Rachel C.

    Echizen is an Izakaya restaurant (read: small plates) so that is their specialty. It seems like the sashimi is an afterthought as portions are minuscule and that combo plates are on the menu to appease patrons who don't understand the Izakaya concept. Best menu items were the steamed egg (minimum 2 orders), but everything else we ate was forgettable. Agedashi tofu had a hard crust and butterfish had a medicine aftertaste (too much miso marinade?). Our table of 4 was the only dinner diners on a Tuesday evening. A guy came in saying he was watching the game next door and asked the waitress what time they closed. She said that they might close early since it was so slow. As our party was leaving they got a party if 5. So if you want to check this place out, I'd recommend calling first to see if they're open.

    (2)

  • Steve S.

    (Lunch review only) Lunch is usually a set meal here with about twelve to choose from and a daily lunch special. Price wise, it was very reasonable I went with the Broiled Butterfish. Two pieces of perfectly broiled butterfish. The meal came with miso soup, a pickled vegetable and some grated daikon. The portions were on the small side, but the taste was very good. Tempura Udon - The broth was very good and it had a strong bonito flavor. The tempura was a bit sad though. You only get two small tempura shrimp. It would have been better if it was more crunchy. Service was so so. We got seated at the end and it seems like they forgot about us. No refills on drinks and we only saw the waitress again when she dropped off the bill. This is a good place for a light lunch. With prices arround the $10 mark, it's affordable as well. I look forward to trying their dinner fare next time. So right now, they're A Ok 3 Stars. Try them out for yourself and decide 2015 Review #107

    (3)

  • Carol L.

    I was driving back from Rancho Bernardo and stuck in bad traffic, getting hungrier by the moment. I decided to make better use of my time with an early dinner. After a search on Yelp for nearby restaurants, I found Echizen. Between the menu and the specials on the board, there were so many dishes I wanted to try! I finally settled on a SASHIMI SALAD and the TEMPURA SOBA. The sashimi was disappointing; the texture was kind of rubbery that day. Also, the greens were mostly lettuce. The soba was better. The tempura (on the side) consisted of two shrimp and a piece of nori. Not the best I've had by any means, but I feel like I didn't order the right items. The cooked food might just be the better route here. I'll stick with that next time and get my sashimi elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Rebecca N.

    If I could give them a zero I would. HORRIBLE service. I go there and they tell me to wait 15 minutes so I do. However, they made me wait 30 minutes without notifying me. Also, while we were waiting, there was an empty table and they went ahead to seat those at the bar before us. When I called to complain they promptly cut me off while I was trying to explain the situation. They also told me while I was trying to explain that it was rude to cut me off while I was trying to explain, they told me that they didn't need to listen. This was honestly the worst service that I have ever gotten. In the end they just wasted my time.

    (1)

  • Toyo K.

    This place has inexpensive, delicious Japanese meals. Their lunch specials are usually priced under $10 and come with a variety - rice, miso soup, pickles, and the main dish. Their menu is simple and easy to read. I usually get the cold tempura soba - hits the spot. Place is a bit small as it only seats less than 20 or so, and it can get quite crowded during lunch. But the service is fast and efficient. If you don't mind having a table close to you, but want a delicious meal and be in and out within 30 minutes, this is a great option.

    (5)

  • Derrick K.

    Everyone loves a local joint that serves up authentic Japanese food. This little gem is one of my favorites for lunch or dinner. You feel the authenticity because the food is good and the setting is intimate. With the small size of the restaurant and only having one main cook and line cook, every order is handled with care. All the ingredients used are picked with care. You have to try the signature beef tataki, which is delicious. The blue fin tuna was also top notch.

    (4)

  • Hello K.

    Their $10 daily lunch special just worth money! Lots of corporate Japanese people during lunch time and long wait sometimes. The atmosphere changes at night time to more like Izakaya rather than dinner place. Taste of foods have nothing to complain. Very authentic.Oyaji (the owner/chef) observes whole dining area and checks customer's activities. True Japanese Izakaya in the city.

    (5)

  • Lee L.

    Echizen Japanese Restaurant is boldly Japanese. It does not cater to the average gaijin; it does not cower from its traditional roots. And that's just fine with me. I like a restaurant with some balls (as long as the balls don't end up on my plate). The cooked dishes were so on target the target probably shattered. The Simmered Octopus was a robbery at $7.75, boiled down to a springy texture, with a tentacle girth so wide it would make some fine-dining restaurants blush. From the counter seat, I watched my Sea Bass slide into the flaming broiler, then come out some time later perfectly scorched. It was simple but skillfully on point. It's the raw plates that didn't impress. My Oysters were fully-shucked but not masterfully pried. It had some bits of pesty shell when I went to slurp. The ponzu didn't quite drown out the fish tasty either. The Sashimi Salad came with just tuna on primarily iceberg lettuce. I would have liked more variety of fish and nicer greens but no big complaints. It was plain but not flawed. The Tuna Sashimi was also ordinary but does the job. It's similar to a block you could buy from Mitsuwa and cut up yourself. It's an izakaya so remember to wash your food down with beer. Beer enhances the dishes you like and chases down the ones you don't. As for the service, contact with the servers were minimal. Either they were busy or the language barrier was an issue (or maybe both). We could have used some suggestions for the lengthy menu; we were struggling for an awkward amount of time. Though we sat at the counter, the chef never greeted us. He looked at us straight in the eyes then averted his gaze indifferently. He was friendly with the regulars though and even had a drink with one table. Maybe we need to become regulars, maybe we need to speak Japanese, maybe we just need to forget that we didn't feel that welcomed. Or maybe they just don't want or need our patronage. After all, they're boldly authentic, and they've got a pair to back it up.

    (3)

  • Akiko I.

    - Locale Destination - It's on Valley View St and Lincoln Ave in Cypress. It's in a shopping center nearby not so yummy Italian ice place. Decor is very "traditional/old" Japanese izakaya style. Simple with lots of classy decorations. Nothing fancy. There

    (4)

  • Kim N.

    After getting back from Tokyo it was hard to find new good Japanese eats where I lived so going to SoCal to see family fit the bill. After some various great noodle shops, we had a late dinner here. It's a small Izakaya literally run by like 5 people. 3 Male cooks and 2 Female servers. -Tofu and mushrooms -Chawanmushi -Crab souffle croquettes -Shio Kara -Gyutan shio -Hotate garlic -Ankimo -Umeboshi yaki onigiri All solid stuff. I think when the owner realized I was ordering things without some of the menu and knowing the food she got very cheerful. As I say when you eat a cultures food you're automatically accepted by said culture. Everyone around was Japanese except us. Real bonus points for being open late too. 4.3 stars

    (4)

  • Les S.

    I used to work at a Japanese company nearby and I always saw executive managers eating here during lunch, so I knew this place was pretty legit. I came here several years ago with my coworkers and tried the butterfish which was pretty good. It seemed like a pretty popular lunch item as I saw few other people ordering it as well. It's been quite a while so I came back recently with my wife to try few more dishes. This time we came during dinner time. The dinner menu is a lot more extensive than the lunch menu. It's somewhat overwhelming. I think that's why they listed several recommended items on the first page of the menu to help you narrow down to few choices. There were 12 recommended items on the list - deep fried crab dumpling, tori karage (sesame chicken), yellowtail cheek, steamed clam with butter, spinach garlic, beef tataki, deep fried tofu, steamed egg custard, egg roll, seared bluefin tuna, udon in clay pot, and porridge with crab. We tried four items from the recommended list. Tori karage had a really nice crispy texture but didn't have too much flavor. It just came with a side of lemon wedge and had a rather bitter taste. It tasted like it could've used some salt and pepper in the batter. I prefer the karage at Geko Tei in Cerritos. The texture here is better but Geko Tei has better flavor. Lot of people mentioned beef tataki in reviews but I thought it was just ok. It's seared beef in ponzu type of sauce, very similar to seared ahi you get at sushi places. Seared bluefin tuna came out right afterward and we had a tough time figuring out which was which because they looked almost identical. They had the exact same sauce and seasoning as well but the seared blue fin tuna tasted very fishy. I had to ask for more lemon wedges to mask the fishy taste but it didn't help much. I would definitely skip this in the future. Udon in clay pot was quite good. The broth didn't have a strong flavor but was very soothing. The noodles were cooked just enough to keep them firm, which is how I prefer my noodles. We also ordered soba noodles with grated radish which wasn't one of the items on recommended list. This was probably my favorite dish of the night. It's so simple. It's soba noodles in cold broth, similar to sauce used in agedashi tofu, withs some grated radish and green onions. It's a great refreshing dish, especially in the summer. Even though our dishes were mixed, I'm still giving this place 4 stars because the menu is quite extensive, and I'm pretty sure there are other great items on the menu we haven't discovered yet. Place is pretty tiny so it fills up quickly. I rarely see people waiting for a table at dinner time but it's still a hit or miss when it comes to wait time. We came back over the weekend on a Saturday night, and there was only one party ahead of us, but they still said it would take about an hour for us to get a table. It's located in the same shopping center as Frostbites, 7 Leaves Cafe, and KFC.

    (4)

  • Shauna L.

    Verry gooood unagi pasta!!!!!! Their wine selection is limited, but their food is absolutely great!

    (4)

  • Kancer X.

    Not nearly as good of an experienced as I had hoped. Service: Friendly but SLOW. Timing on serving the dish was pretty bad. Didnt get one of our appetizers (garlic spinach) til we finished just about everything else! Unacceptable. Dish quality: Good menu options but poor execution on most of the dishes we had. The taste combined with the small portions definitely don't justify the price. - Yaki nigiri. Very underwhelmed. Tasted like something I could've gotten from a Japanese supermarket freezer and microwaved on my own. - garlic spinach. It was maybe less than 25 grams of over salted stirred fried spinach for $5+ and a 45min wait. I'd get more satisfaction lighting my money on fire and watching it go up in flames. - hamachi yellow tail. Too dry and too boney. Maybe it was just the wrong dish to order, but very poor in terms of value. - miso beef tongue. this was the dish that I had high hopes for, but sure enough, I was disappointed by it. Over-grilled and over seasoned. It was too chewy and salty. - mentaiko mountain yam. Not sure if it was just poorly prepped or subpar ingredient, but yam was julian-cut (interesting choice of technique for mountain yam), so half of the portion were made of broken pieces of thin strips when they brought it to the table. Could barely taste the freshness nor the crunch that good mountain yam should have. Oh and the mentaiko was lumpy and too salty. Not even sure if it was mentaiko at all... - lotus roots with shrimp. I'd say it was the only acceptable dish of the meal, largely due to concept/construction of the dish. Shrimp with lotus roots battered and fried. Tasted just ok though. Batter was too eggy. - simmered pumpkin. The only reason why this review even has 2 stars. Interesting dish and well flavored. But not worth $9 for the portion imh. Now I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt that we just didnt order the good dishes. But c'Mon! 0/7 is a pretty bad batting average for anyone! All in all, pretty horrible value in return for the investment. Next time I'd rather spend $60 on buckets of kfc and puke it out later, at least that wouldve been much more satisfying.

    (2)

  • Lili K.

    I wanted to like this place, but the food was too salty and some of the food came out really late. It was pretty packed here on a Monday night, though. I had the spinach garlic (pretty good, but it was the last dish to come out, after we ate all our main entrees!), the yaki udon (kind of a limp looking dish), and kimchi pork dish (that came out super hot, which was nice). Everyone else had seafood, but I don't eat seafood in general so I can't say how that was!

    (3)

  • Esly T.

    The tempura is super good! Everything is super good! I always forget their specific times, but lunch is always super crowded! It's worth the wait. The taste and quality is absolutely amazing and with their low prices?! Completely worth the visit. Just check the times when they're open!

    (5)

  • Alex P.

    Fresh ! Fresh ! Consistently high quality foods and reasonable prices. Excellent authentic Japanese foods. Fresh sashimi : Toro, uni, abalone, sweet shrimp. Love the oysters, rice balls, soft shell crab, yakitori, hot sake..... Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Julia M.

    A place to get tastes of home without actually being there - Echizen is it. So many izakayas in Southern California are dumbing down their menus to flavors Americans are more familiar with, which is so disappointing. No evidence of that here. Echizen's menu is lengthy, as any izakaya menu should be; some of the things we tried: -beef tataki, citrusy and so tender! -ika natto, you'd be surprised how easy it is to mess up simple natto; This was spot on. -karaage (for our kid), average. -kani cream croquette, something I haven't had in a long time, definitely hit the spot. -tonkatsu, nice and crispy outer crust! -chawanmushi, oh my god. I'll just leave it at that. -miso nasu, can't go wrong with this dish. -anko and green tea ice cream Great place to come for dishes we don't know how to make at home. Echizen has been in the community for many, many years and their flavors cater to the Japanese palate - if that's what you're after, pay this place a visit!

    (5)

  • Cristine S.

    I love everything about this place! It's so authentic, delicious, and quaint. Everyday they have a different special, and every time I come in for a visit the special has never disappointed me! The entree itself is always so fresh and tasteful, and the numerous side dishes it comes with compliment the food so well. While the chefs and servers may not be very talkative, they're very polite and helpful. It really doesn't get any better than this place. The only downfall I see is that the place is quite small and fills up very quickly for lunch and dinner, however, my little tip is to come right before 11:45AM for lunch to avoid the lunch rush.

    (5)

  • Nikki T.

    I'm a lover and believer of authentic Japanese cuisine. Echizen is the definition of authentic. The head chef and servers are Japanese and speak Japanese fluently. Yes, I pay attention to these details being that I'm part Japanese. One great quality of authentic Japanese cuisine is the great, but limited options. The menus are rarely extensive, but the food is usually tasty and satisfying. I ordered the nabeyaki udon and steamed crab dumplings. Delicious to say the least. The udon was bubbling when the server brought it to my table. I like my food piping hot to the point where my first bite burns the roof of my mouth. I believe that food tastes best when it's hot. The three crab dumplings were huge and the taste was light. They were stuffed with real crab meat and steamed perfectly. The dumplings came with a light soy mixture which complemented the dumplings well. So good! I ended my meal with green tea ice cream which brought me back to my childhood when my mother would spoil us kids with the best green tea ice cream she'd pick up from this quaint Japanese store near our house. It's safe to say I loved every bite. They don't serve sushi, but they do have sashimi which looked great. Also, there's no ac in this place, so be prepared to be hot if you order hot soup or any other piping hot dish. I literally wanted to undress at the table because it felt like satan's inner layer of hell in there midway through my meal. However, despite the lack of ac, I'll definitely be back for the udon, dumplings, and green tea ice cream. Sugoi oishii desu!!

    (4)

  • Katie T.

    I wanted to try this place for ages and glad that I finally did! They serve lunch specials and izakaya for dinner. The main chef and waitresses were Japanese, which means authentic! Prices were reasonable and portion is bigger than other izakaya restaurant. We ended getting more food than needed because we were expecting normal portion. -Butterfish - good flavor, thick slice, but it was a little burn. That burn bitter taste ruined half of the fish for me. -Nabeyaki Udon - comes in a clay pot, good for sharing, the broth is delicious! -Ankimo - a bit too vinegary. I would hold the lemon. a lot for $6.50! -Fried Shrimp with lotus root - get it! I love lotus root so this was the highlight of the meal -Crab dumpling - creamy but the skin was dry and falling apart. So happy to find a good and reasonable izakaya restaurant in the neighborhood

    (4)

  • Anna D.

    Awful!! I ordered teriyaki salmon it was so bad too burn!! I asked for the new one. The chief say no!!! I can't finish it feel so upset.

    (1)

  • Ying L.

    Came here today for lunch. Friendly staff. The food was great for a $10 lunch....the odd part was the bill came the same time as our food. They offer daily lunch special. Will return to try out other lunch offering!

    (4)

  • Mike T.

    I think the food is delicious but we had horrible service. One of the waitresses ruined our experience here. Fresh Softshell crab - $8 - 4/5 - Delicious. The softshell crab is solid. My favorite dish here. Every bite was awesome. Fish-cheek w/ butter - $7 - 4/5- The fish was very moist and they didn't skip out on the butter. A tasty dish. Very juicy. Sea Urchin (Sashimi) - $12 - 4/5 - Pretty fresh. If you like Sea Urchin I think you'll like it here. Beef Tatakai - 3/5- $7 - I think the chef prepared this wrong or he was lazy or something. I've seen pictures of this dish on yelp and their dishes looked beautiful; our order on the other hand didn't look that great. The medium rare steak was okay but I felt like it was missing something. Salmon Skin Salad - $8- 3/5- It tasted okay. I wish they gave more salmon skin. Service - 1/5 -One of the servers was extremely rude to us. After we put our name down, a female server kicked us out for waiting inside the restaurant. She said this in an extremely rude way; after which she told us a table would "open up in an hour if you still want to wait." I knew she was lying 'cause our party of 2 was the first name on the list, and people were already paying their bills. First off, why kick us out? Second, why lie about the wait time? We were seated within 2 minutes after "kicking us out." Couldn't she just wait 2 minutes to let us sit too? If she phrased this politely I would've been ok but she was very unprofessional about it. Additionally, she deliberately avoided us the rest of the night and check on us (she checked on the party next to us tho). -The cook forgot our order. We ended up cancelling our order 'cause we knew it wouldn't come out soon. There's only 1 cook here and he cooks rather slow (each dish comes out in 5-10 min intervals). -I felt the cook was kinda dirty, mid-way when he's cutting sashimi he grabs the TV remote control to change the channel, then goes back to slicing fish (he didn't wash his hands either). Glad that wasn't our dish... TIPS: -Portions are kinda small, think "tapas" style. -No ginger is served w/ the sushi. Instead they give radish. -They take reservations. -Located in the same plaza as Frostbite. -$20 min in credit cards

    (2)

  • justine c.

    BEWARE.. They do not honor their hours of operation. There was a few times I drove out of my way to eat here and they were closed an hour before their posted hours. And today I wanted to order noodles to go.. 45 minutes before they close. Someone answered the phone , after I ordered she put me on hold, I could hear her talking to her coworker , and then said their kitchen is closed . So very obvious that the cook was just lazy. Sorry but I simply can't respect a business that fluctuates so much on their hours of operation, and whether they "feel" like cooking. I've gotten to eat here only twice (out of the numerous times I attempted to eat here ) . I would have to say the food is a hit or miss depending on what you order. I really wanted to give this place more stars .. But since 7/10 times I've come here to eat was a failed attempt. They only get 1 star . Get your shit together.

    (1)

  • Rosemary T.

    Can there be good sushi inside this place? I ask myself as I pull into the parking lot. Then, when I walked inside ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ), I thought to myself there's no way this place serves good sushi. Well, I was wrong.... For TWO: 1. Oyster ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - super fresh and sweet. The sour and sweetness from the ponzu sauce matches the oyster perfectly. 2. Beef Tataki ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - melts in your mouth~ No gamey taste at all = super fresh. A must order for sure! 3. Amber Jack & Uni ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - one of the freshest sashimi I ever had. The uni is very sweet and surprisingly delicious (I usually hate uni since it has this gross taste). If you normally hate uni like I do, you gotta try these ones. Uni has to be super fresh for it to taste good. Amber jack is one of my favorite fish because it has a good bite to it, but if it's not fresh, it will be super duper fishy. 4. Fresh softshell crab ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - OMG, this is the first time I had fresh ones~ they are NOTHING like those frozen ones, super amazing! If you ever had a chance to try it, you NEED TO. The chef also fried it perfectly! 5. Soba ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - cold noodles are the best during a hot summer day, but only if the noodles are cooked right. These noodles are just that, perfectly cooked. 6. Blue Fin Tuna ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - SO GOOD~ It's almost as good a taro, but not as fatty as taro. It's so sweet and so fresh! 7. Korean BBQ Short Rib ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - their own special house seasoning - sweeter than what I expected.... definitely a Japanese version of Korean BBQ 8. Mockfish Liver ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - another one of those items that has ben FRESH! So good, so delicious, melted in my house! 9. Ice creme ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - go for either red bean or green tea with a cone - a perfect way to end the meal! Tip: Don't judge a book by its cover.

    (5)

  • Jin L.

    I'm a little sad I wasn't able to try a wide variety of Echizen's menu considering all the great yelp reviews. Unfortunately, we went for a quick late night dinner, and boyfriend wasn't very hungry to begin with. Therefore, we ended up ordering only a cold soba and pork cutlet. The thing with cold soba is it's never enough. I had that exact same sentiment as I took my last bite of the delicious soba, and was left feeling 98% satisfied. The pork cutlet on the other hand was plentiful and yummy. Then again how can you go wrong with deep fried pork? It came with a side of rice, salad and miso soup. The miso soup was yummy. The pork was crunchy and juicy! Pretty sure it is Japanese owned. I would think it would be a great happy hour spot. Kind of a super mini kappo Honda. You can get dessert right after at frostbites or 7 leaves!

    (4)

  • Lan L.

    Good local joint near my house. Small restaurant, usually a long wait, but they were able to reserve a table for me when I called in on a week night since it wasn't that busy. Ordered sashimi, clams, beef, etc. Everything came out really fast but the entrees are very small, I recommend sharing a couple of dishes with your meal companions. A little overpriced but the food is delicious.

    (4)

  • Margaret F.

    Echizen is really exquisite. I have never been unhappy with anything I've ordered here and I've been over the moon about most of it. I can't speak to the dinner menu but the lunch menu, at $10 even for an entree, rice, miso soup, pickles and side of the day is a marvel. The changing daily specials are always a good choice but I have a hard time not getting the perfectly broiled fish, especially the salmon or mackerel--without fail always the exact right balance of charred, juicy, flaky and fatty. I also enjoy how you never know what the sides will be--nimono, tuna, potato salad? Feels very homey that way. Sometimes the miso soup has cabbage and onions in it which is delicious. The iced tea that comes with everything is great (barley tea I think? Very earthy and refreshing) and the pickles are outstanding and their rice is perfect. Service is good, perfunctory and quick. My only gripe is that they close at 2 for lunch--my schedule usually has me taking a lunch break on the later side and I can't always make it here. But I can't even dock them a star because the food is JUST. SO. GOOD! PS also love their cute and extensive collection of maneki-neko spanning one whole end of the counter ;)

    (5)

  • Walter T.

    I went for the weekday lunch special. It is a pretty small place, with not too many tables, so go early because it is packed at noon. I tried the catsu (pork cutlet) and my co-workers had the soba (cold noodle soup). The food is good, the portions are good and the service is average. My plate came with salad and white rice and free tea. Perhaps because it is in Cypress has 4 stars, but I have been in downtown LA and this Japanese restaurant has nothing extraordinary. It is good and I may come back, but not 4 stars, at least not for lunch.

    (3)

  • Courtney N.

    I came here for the lunch special. It's always a flat $10 so they don't accept credit cards for any orders under $20. Make sure to bring cash!!! Their lunch special today was salmon with a side of tofu, salad, rice, and miso soup. It was very delectable. Their salmon cooked perfectly and kept tender. It is very much authentic Japanese. The place is actually very tiny and at most, fits only about 25 customers at most so do expect a wait if you don't come when they open. Service is great. They serve you green tea: hot and cold depending on the weather. I love coming here with friends after classes. It's a nice place to chat at and there is a 7Leaves that recently opened up in the same plaza. So more reason to come!!!

    (5)

  • Jackie K.

    Came here with my friend for lunch on a Wednesday and man this place gets REALLY busy right when it opens. I came here at 1145am and almost had to wait for a table of 2. The restaurant is SUPER small and space is tight. Tables are so close to each other that it seems as though you could be eating with the table next to you. haha. My friend and I both got the lunch special and it was really good. It was a chicken teriyaki dish with some sort of spaghetti side dish, white rice, miso soup, and a very interesting bean dish. The bean dish was interesting. It can be a bit off for many people's tastes but I liked it. The prices are super affordable. Come early or come after the lunch rush. People will wait outside to eat at this joint. Will be back if I am in the area. There is plenty of parking in the private lot that is shared by many other establishments.

    (4)

  • Josie C.

    First off, this is not a sushi place. So don't come here craving for sushi. Which I did. Although the Beef Tataki and Yellow Tail Collar were really good. The beef had really good flavor and the yellow tail was perfectly made to a crisp. Things were a little pricey but definitely tasty. a small restaurant but good service. Can't say I'd make a drive down here for it, but might stop by if I crave yellow tail collar.

    (3)

  • S.K. A.

    Best sashimi in town. Everything is so tasty and fresh. Authentic Japanese food. You can either have a full dinner course or just order tapa style and try all their delish plates. Try this place, you wont be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Rick G.

    This place is a hit and sometimes a Huge miss! I've been reading other reviews here and I agree with the great food. But the service is horrible. Dined with my family tonight and the food came out two at a time. They forgot 2 of our orders and we just decided to get our check. We didn't want to wait anymore. What should have been an hour and half dining experience turned into a 2 hour even though it wasn't that crowded. I don't normally write lengthy reviews but this was a frustrating place.

    (2)

  • Michael R.

    Echizen is down the block from my Crossfit box, and after a brutal WOD, our group enjoys coming here for late night bites. Must order: -Tanshio (Beef tongue): This is what beef should always taste like. Downright awesome and probably my favorite item on the menu. The texture might be a bit chewy but the flavor of the meat cannot be beat. -Beef Tataki: I love raw beef, so this is a no brainer. The meat is seared perfectly with a nice red center. -Kurobota Sausage: 3 pieces to an order. The sausage are juicy so be careful when when you bite into them! -Bok Choy with Bacon: Heaps of bacon which compliment the bok choy so well. I enjoy this dish over the asparagus and bacon. -Butterfish: Marinated in sake and miso perhaps? Always comes out moist and delicious. -Chicken Karaage: Lightly battered with the chicken cooked to perfection. -Fried Small Shrimp: If you like fried shrimp heads (amaebi) definitely order this dish. Service is great and they're always accomodating even if they're about to close. Overall: You'll be seeing plenty more check-ins from me at Echizen.

    (4)

  • Alice H.

    Looks like a traditional Japanese restaurant. The price is a little high but the food is great. I had cold soba and baked scallop. Actually I have a mushroom allergy so I couldn't eat the baked scallop so much but took it out and ate a bit. It was very good. I recommend it.

    (4)

  • Scott S.

    Japanese Chef. Japanese Staff. Japanese Customers. A true Izakaya. Cheaper than a flight to Japan.

    (5)

  • Tony F.

    We've been coming to Ichizen for many years. First kappo house in the hood that basically set the bar. Everything on the menu is first class. The sashimi is always fresh and top pick from the morning market. This is Japanese kappo the way it was meant to be. No glamour, not trendy, just local Japanese enjoying the taste of Japan. Our go to dishes are any of the sashimi, Karei Karaage, tataki everything, saba shiyoyaki, and yellow tail kama. Everything on the menu is worth a taste. Service is outstanding, can't get better unless they offer massage after the meal.

    (4)

  • Jon D.

    A cozy venue where you can watch the chef at work in an intimate environment. Ordered the beef tataki, karabuta pork sausage and the tonkatsu dinner. Was surprised at the amount of food we got. Was definitely full by the end of the meal. Have tried the tonkatsu in Japan and Taiwan and have been looking for a good tonkatsu place in the US. Happy to say that the tonkatsu was juicy, crispy, and delicious without being greasy at all. Happy with all the dishes we got!

    (5)

  • Anne T.

    Stumbled unto this one while at a dance recital... Very authentic.. I had the clam with butter... yum. And my daughter had the awsom deep fried mochi!! Will be back..

    (5)

  • Diana T.

    3rd time dining at this restaurant, 3 times the charm, so I guess it's time I Yelp a review. So far I've only gotten the fish (Mackerel, Butterfish & Salmon) entrees, so I can't vouch for the other items listed on the menu, but so far, so good, and I would definitely return to either re-order the entrees I had, or try something different. The only down side is the restaurant isn't too big so it doesn't seat too many, so all three times I've dined there, we had to wait, but it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Aram H.

    This place had the rudest owner ever! We went in and no one was there and we asked the owner if we could change the Chanel to the laker game the owner said no you can leave if you want to watch the game. So we left and came back after the game and the service sucked they were rude and we had to keep asking where our food was at cause it was taking for ever!!

    (1)

  • Eric C.

    The boyfriend and I came here for dinner after a long day. We stopped by this place around 9pm because we were craving some sort of Japanese food and we saw the reviews on Yelp and decided we had to try it. BEEF TATAKI FTW. Dude, this meat was so delicious and tender. It was an absolute pleasure to eat and dine down to. Don't be fooled by the photos on Yelp cause the plate isn't that big. It has enough for two people if you order other dishes with it. TUNA SASHIMI SALAD. I wasn't sure how this was going to taste, but I love SASHIMI and I really wanted something lighter (like a salad) so we just went with it. I was actually pleasantly pleased with this dish as well. SEARED BLUEFIN TUNA. This was so good as well. The tuna absolutely melted in your mouth and ours was perfectly seared on the outside that it had a salty and crispy crunch that it needed. I'd recommend it. And then we got the Udon. I wasn't a big fan of it. It didn't taste like much to me and the broth plus the vegetables were just average. I give this place 4 stars because of the food. The owner was our waiter and he was really nice and very patient with us. Not many people were there around 9pm on a Saturday night (I mean c'mon, who eats dinner at that time anyways?) so it wasn't very crowded. We did sit next to a lot of Japanese folk who spoke the language so it was cool to hear them converse with each other. I WAS HAPPY. And I know my boyfriend keeps sending me pictures about that TATAKI. Haha.

    (4)

  • Clara L.

    spots like this definitely earn the title of 'neighborhood hidden gem' i've been to my share of izakayas all throughout the japanese-centric cities in so cal echizen is probably one of my favorites smaller than most a miniscule "bar" area and single digit tables that are tetris-ed to try and accommodate the large crowds that gather for lunch and dinner a good number of older japanese folk ordering a bunch of different dishes to share you know they have to be picky when it comes to their food two friendly waitresses skillfully weave around each other shuttling out saucers filled with butter scallops or nikujaga (beef stew) trying to avoid the wrath of the wiry old cook downing cupfuls of beer while he cooks while spatting out expletives in kansai ben at the waitress whose handwriting is a little too messy for his taste his fickle personality is entertaining his prickliness instantly switches to smiles and butterflies when a customer compliments him and thanks him for a great meal makes me feel like i'm back in japan at my neighborhood izakaya

    (4)

  • Twinkies T.

    If you ever want to know how much protein Japanese people eat in Japan come here but here you are full in Japan you will be still hungry. I love coming here for lunch. Haven't not tried the sashimi yet but their broiled fish is a must! You can not get a chef to cook it like this unless you go to a 5 star restaurant, I'm not talking about 5 stars on yelp. ~a gem for cooked, broiled fish.

    (5)

  • Krystle T.

    I work out in Torrance, so I've been spoiled with really great authentic Japanese food. When I'm not in the South Bay and I'm craving some legit Japanese eats, Echizen is THE spot. Don't come here if you're looking for crazy fancy crunchy rolls. I love me some crunchy rolls, but they will not be found here. With a cozy atmosphere and great service, expect a wonderful dining experience here. I was greeted very warmly and very excited to eat once I scoured the menu. So many thingsssss!!! I ended up getting a sashimi plate, mushrooms and asparagus, and the steak tatake. Fish was FRESH, the mushrooms and asparagus were a savory side dish, and the steak tatami was refreshing. There are still so many things I want to try here especially since I was very much pleased with the food I ordered. This place will be a staple for me on the regular....I just know it!

    (5)

  • Michael L.

    This place is not for little kids. My 9 years old son had reaction on his lips after eating from Echizen.

    (1)

  • Albert W.

    This place reminds me of the old Okasa Kappo place in Tustin (the old owners have sold the business for almost 10 years now). Not as good but has the same type of feel. Their menu is quite small specializaing in udon and soba and it's hard for them to provide options due to the speed of the traffic coming in. You'll find a lot of japanese regulars (huge plus) and other foodies in the know. Also visit frostbites for italian ice :-)

    (4)

  • Hanna L.

    Understandably Echizen is subject to hype as it serves Japanese delicacies, has long lines and wait times for a seat in a fairly tiny restaurant that serves moderately flavorful food for a high price. In terms of if they deserve their hype, that's a big fat no. My friend ordered their udon, and for $7-$8 we were expecting a huge bowl, but out comes this tiny bowl of udon that we could have ordered at Gatten for $3. I was embarrassed that I suggested this restaurant and was less than surprised when he suggested we go to McD's after we paid the bill. Their most popular fish entree is the buttered fish. It comes with a bowl of rice, and 3 tiny sides of assorted pickled vegetables. I admit, at first bite the buttered fish is extremely tasty, but after that, all you taste is the salt and butter that you can't help but stuff your face with rice and guzzle down water to dilute the taste. The meal ended up being unfulfilling and left me wanting for ice cream. Good thing Frostbites is right next door! That's the best thing about this place! If you are okay with the above descriptions and $8-12 lunch special prices, then this restaurant would be a great place for a lunch date. You both might not be full afterwards, but your date will be impressed by the food being Japanese. You can further impress your date by taking them to Frostbites next door! Sounds like a perfect date idea, yes? Plan to spend 45 minutes to 1 hour as service is slow and the line is long. Note that they don't take reservations or seat anyone until the whole party has arrived. Plan accordingly and good luck!

    (2)

  • Cat N.

    Eh... I came here on a Friday for some dinner. We ordered the following and its description: Small Oysters- probably my favorite thing there. They tasted fresh. Crab Dumplings- biggest disappointment. Do not get this. It was just 3 pieces of dumplings that were stuffed with IMITATION crab! Bad!!! pork cutlet- were whatever. was not worth finishing. yellowtail collar- kinda dry but not too bad. It was a small piece. beef tataki- was good. my second favorite thing there. Our total was $47, which wasn't bad. However, each dish was very small and some were really disappointing. As for service, they were excellent. The place is very small and casual. I think next time I come here, I would try other items.

    (3)

  • Kitty K.

    Its a very small place in a shopping plaza....attentive and friendly service but food did come slow...Forgot about it's a Izakaya. like a pub...you drink and small plates so take your time enjoy your company ;) Disappointed that they do not offer any dishes from lunch menu...which is what I wanted to try...so I will come back for lunch soon lol

    (3)

  • Darlene Y.

    I came here with a few friends for dinner and I usually do not venture to this part of town, and I am delighted that I did. The restaurant was filled upon entering. There were times that we were neglected by the servers, however they were running around like mad men trying to get to everyone. Needless to say, their lack in ability to serve everyone was compensated by the amazing food selection. Since I had never been I let my friends order EVERYTHING for me. I highly recommend everyone to come. Unfortunately, I cannot remember everything that I ordered but I can pin point that the best dish that was most memorable for me was the SOBA NOODLES. Yes, it is a very simple dish, but the noodles were cooked perfectly and the dipping sauce was perfection. Check this place out. I know I will again. ENJOY!

    (5)

  • Jonathan T.

    My dad introduced me to this place a little while back and since then it's been one of our go to spots when we dine out. The food is probably some of the best I've had outside of being in Japan. The main chef behind the counter has got some serious skill in preparing all the dishes as well as a fun personality. The waitresses as well are very friendly and attentive. Every time I've been here, they definitely demonstrate that they appreciate your business. I've only got great things to say for this place. Definitely worth checking out if you've never been!

    (5)

  • Hideki F.

    I had a friend suggest this place for dinner and as someone who is very particular about Japanese food, I was reluctant. I decided to NOT check Yelp to make my own judgements about the spot, and to my dismay I was pleasantly surprised. It's a pretty small restaurant, but it has a very authentic feel to it. They have a lot of very traditional Japanese dishes and an assortment of different styles of food. They're essentially a small Izakaya, which is like Japanese tapas. My friend and I ordered the beef tataki which is a seared beef, garnished with grated radish and green onions, which you then dip in ponzu sauce. We also shared fried squid legs, a yellowtail collar, and natto with pieces of cubed raw tuna. The food tasted fresh and the portions were just right. I'll definitely be back again.

    (5)

  • Danny T.

    I went here for the first and it was definitely worth the try. It's nice to see that they have a good priced lunch special and great service overall. It came out to be $20 (not including tax and tip). I will come again for there dinner dishes. Pros: -Delicious sautéed salmon as the "Today's special" -A nice variety of sides: miso soup, pickled vegetables, rice, fried chicken, and salad -Very nice staff Cons: -Since I eat more than the average human being, I was a bit sad about the portion sides. But, it is made up by quality

    (4)

  • Yvonne L.

    I can't deny that Echizen does a pretty good job in delivering authentic Japanese cuisine to its patrons. They definitely capture the essence of simplicity and effortlessness often found in many Japanese dishes. Sad that I couldn't try their lunch special - hambagu - since I gave up beef for lent, I ended up going for a Nabeyaki Udon. Soup was delicious and flavorful, and I was pleasantly surprised by the lemon rind added to the stock. Overall, a pretty simple dish that was done well. My friend did get to try the lunch special and stated that it was not bad, but nothing special. Our experience was alright for the most part. However, I must be truthful in saying that the service was definitley off. Staff was far from friendly. The tab came as soon as the food was set on our table. And to top it all off, we were rushed to pay our bill and leave before even finishing our food and drinks. Will I be coming back to Echizen? Probably not. Food isn't bad, but it isn't good enough to tempt me to come back. And the staff didn't seem like they cared to enlist more loyal customers.

    (3)

  • Krystle C.

    Okay. This place lives up to its hype. It's a very authentic Japanese restaurant located in a strip mall across Cypress College. I have to admit, the best time you should go to get more bang for your buck is lunch. Take advantage of the lunch menu and specials. I came here for dinner last night and although the food was amazing, it comes in very small portions and the bill ended up being super pricey for 2 people. As if I were going to Mastro's or somewhere fancy. I digress.. here is what me and my boyfriend ordered: -Yellowfish cheek - Delicious -Butterfish - I LIKED THIS THE BEST! Haha I sound like i'm text yelling but I really loved the butterfish! -Uni - so fresh and soo good -Tempura - probably could have done without the tempura. Don't get me wrong, it was good but it's the same across the board everywhere.. nothing special -Bluefish tuna - delicious -Large Sake: It comes in this plump bottle that contains a good amount of sake and was enough to get me on a good buzz. At the end of our meal, we got complimentary green tea. Such a perfect ending to our meal! Had a great time and will come back again. Maybe not for dinner because even though it's good, that price is too steep for what you're getting.

    (4)

  • Ha N.

    I love this place! Especially their lunch menu. Authentic Japanese. Simple yet tasty.

    (5)

  • Grace C.

    Maybe it's because of all of the other great reviews. Maybe it's because of all the Japanese businessmen and first generation Japanese elderly patrons. Maybe because I feel like the vibe is similar to what a quick lunch place would feel like in japan but I really like this place. Only been for lunch. Always get the lunch special, regardless of what it is because I trust that it'll be a solid choice.

    (4)

  • Faith z.

    I love love this place so much, the food is ... Let's just say amazing. The chef was so nice and very professional. I could tell that he loves his job. And the waiters so polite and attentive. I will be back soon. Thank you so much chef.

    (5)

  • Amanda N.

    Very, very small place, but quite cozy. The waitresses are sweet, and if you have no idea what to order or is new to this type of food, you can request for a photo book. Lol our table and the table next to is had to use it just because we haven't even heard of most of the dishes. Very mom and pop, but in an endearing kind of way. Anywho! We ordered the beef tataki, the pork cutlet, the steamed crab dumpling, and the butter scallops. The beef tataki was excellent, one of the better ones I've ever had. The steamed dumpling wasn't very bit size but the taste was delicious. The scallops were perfect, not to rubbery and the sauce was yummy!! My boyfriend enjoyed the cutlet and said it was filling. I however, was not very full. The portions are tiny :[ but definitely will come back!

    (4)

  • Gabriel C.

    Got here by chance when it was about to open. Its a nice friendly restaurant and thought might be expensive at first, but was presently surprised by the menu prices. Another surprise was how small the selections were. Not a big deal though once you actually try the quality of the food they provide here. The Pork Cutlet was out of this world. Also had the same reaction to their Miso soup. It will be the best soup I will ever have. You get quite a portion which includes tofu and free Hot Green Tea all for just $9! Plus tip of course. Always tip the lovely waitresses! Overall a great experience, especially for the budget college student, any student that is nearby. I'd say get there right when it opens if you are in-between classes. It gets packed quick and is only open for a few hours during the week. Definitely will try to be a regular around here.

    (4)

  • John M.

    Cute little Japanese izakaya. The only thing smaller and cuter would be their portion sizes. Then again maybe that's because I'm now used to American portions. Maybe that's why I've gained so much weight. Hmm... Maybe Echizen is on to something with these smaller, healthier portions. Maybe I should learn to be satisfied by these smaller portions so I can return to a more natural body mass index. Anyway, the food is great. Haven't had anything here I regretted ordering. Service is adequate... At least there are actually Japanese workers / cooks instead of Chinese or Koreans. The coolest part about this place is it feels like you've entered some small izakaya in Tokyo, but after leaving, you are in a parking lot in Cypress.

    (4)

  • Michelle N.

    I came here for dinner with my bf because I miss izakaya food and I was not disappointed when I left! Echizen serves more of traditional izakaya food, so you won't see fusion plates here like you might somewhere else, but I was still excited to eat here. Between my bf and I, we ordered: - Beef tataki: Delicious! Tender and had that grilled smoke flavor. - Nabeyaki udon: Not bad. Components were good, but the broth wasn't awesome to me. - Sashimi salad: Delicious! Surprisingly came with a lot of sashimi. Dressing was great and the sashimi melted in my mouth. The sashimi had a strong fish taste, so I assume it was fresh and not frozen. - Ikasugata yaki (grilled squid): Delicious! Squid had the grilled flavor and it was pretty fun to eat. Went well with a bit of soy sauce. - Kani cream croquette (crab cream croquette): Not bad. I was hoping for more creaminess in the croquette, so I found it a bit dry. - Sesame chicken: Probably my least favorite of the night. I think they overfried it and I didn't get any sesame from this at all... Overall, a very satisfying meal, craving-wise and tummy-wise. For those 6 items we ordered, we paid around $50 which I think isn't so bad for izakaya food. No complaints about service either. I'd like to come back and try their lunch specials sometime. Verdict: 5 stars for yummy traditional izakaya food!

    (5)

  • R. S.

    I usually visit Echizen for dinner or after-work beer and snacks before heading home for a light dinner. I love that this izakaya offers different food options than other Americanised Japanese restaurants. Whenever I'm there, the clientele seems to be older- to middle-aged Asian people, which I love because they're quiet and don't have crying kids (I'm Asian too, so I like to see other Asians in Asian restaurants). Also, the clientele and the staff all look generally content and happy, which creates a relaxed, easygoing environment. Some tasty, quick snack suggestions to go with your tea, beer, sake, or plum wine: - onigiri, any flavour (I like the bonito flakes) - the Japanese pickles go great with so many things here - enoki-aspara (enoki mushrooms with chopped asparagus) Note: don't be surprised if the service seems "slow" -- it's supposed to be relaxed like that, because an izakaya is basically a pub, and it's customary to sit, drink, talk, nibble a bit of food, drink, sit, talk, nibble some more, et cetera. Lastly, this is next door to a UFC gym, so you can feel physically fit by osmosis while you sip your Sapporo and enjoy a salted chicken yakitori.

    (5)

  • Linda L.

    Love the ambiance very authentic and classic. Food is delicious service good even that they forgot my hot tea. The portions are small, no hand roll or cut rolls. No sushi sashimi only. If you can enjoy this experience is great but forget your spicy tuna roll. Kind of pricy.

    (4)

  • Catherine C.

    I had the sashimi salad with the dressing on the side and the soba noodles with shredded radish on top. The amount of sashimi they gave you was very small, but it WAS very fresh. The soba was cooked perfectly so I can't complain. The service was not good and the atmosphere was unappetizing.

    (3)

  • Kiyoto K.

    I take a lunch special! I't gooooooooood!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Phoebe C.

    Yay, now that I work in Cypress I can enjoy the culinary specials Cypress has to offer for lunch, Echizen being one of them. Came here for lunch on a Thursday afternoon. Was welcomed with a cup of hot green tea, yum yum. I ordered the Tempura Udon lunch special. Included was a bowl of steaming udon and one miniscule tempura on the side. Fair enough (note the sarcasm). The hot soup broth and udon noodles was comfort food for my stomach on a cold, rainy, November day. It's not the best udon noodles I've had, but for the variety (or lack thereof) offered in Cypress, it's considerably decent and more than acceptable. I ordered my udon without the rice and sides, which made my order a little cheaper than the rest of my party. Plus, the big bowl of udon was more than enough to fill me. My order, with tax and tip, came out to be $9. Hmm... The general consensus for Echizen is that it's definitely on the pricey side, especially for lunch... Sames goes for dinner actually... Echizen is the type of restaurant where, if the rest of my party decides to eat here, I won't oblige. However, if I were to choose a local restaurant by my own accord, it probably won't be first on my list. In terms of Japanese/udon, I prefer Fukada in Irvine (South OC area), hands down... PS. Accepts card if over $20. Always good to know.

    (3)

  • Rod D.

    My favorite spot for lunch and sometimes for dinner. The space is tiny but the food is excellent. One of the very few genuine Japanese restaurants in the area.

    (5)

  • April P.

    Izakaya- huge selection. the beef tataki was delicious!! salmon skin salad was good, but wasn't a fan of the actual salmon skin. sesame chicken was ok.

    (4)

  • Andy L.

    I have been visiting this place for years. Easily the best izakaya in the area. I always order Sasuimi omakase ($15-$20/person) and Naya san will take care of you. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    Based on all the great reviews on yelp, i finally decided to try this place. I was thoroughly disappointed. I love izakaya restaurants and this by far has been the worst one I have ever been to. I ordered ankimo which was subpar because it was not fresh, gyutan was okay because the pieces were not quality pieces, the eggplant was whatever because it was bland, the enoki mushrooms were pretty good, and the crab porridge, which is their popular item, was tasteless (and i've had many different types of porridge from different cuisines). I was very confused on how customers who were native Japanese were able to enjoy eating at this restaurant. Then I realized that Cypress is not an asian populated area so people who have been eating and reviewing this place probably don't have the taste or experience with this type of food. I would save your money and just go eat somewhere else to be honest.

    (2)

  • Kevin B.

    Small little japanese restaurant in a strip mall. I liked the open kitchen and service was pretty good too. On to the food: Beef Tataki was really good as many suggested! Seared Blue fin tuna was very average, felt like maybe it was overcooked but a little lemon made all the flavors shine. Sashimi dinner entree is really small and light but for $17.95, a little over priced I believe. The sashimi was fresh but also nothing to really write home about. Yellow tail collar was superb!! Such a nice char and broil on the collar and a nice sprinkle of salt and lemon made this dish the highlight of our meal. I was impressed with this quaint little restaurant. I'd definitely want to come back and try other items in the near future.

    (4)

  • Andrew L.

    My favorite izakaya in Orange County. However, this place isn't for everyone. If you come here expecting food comparable to Kappo Honda or Honda Ya you might be disappointed. Echizen is not trying to be like them. If you want typical Japanese dinner combos this isn't really the place you go to for that either. Its on the menu probably because too many people ask for it and the really high price for said dinner combo is sort of trying to tell you to not buy it. But hey if you want it its your money. To really get the most out of this restaurant, you unfortunately require two things: An adventurous palate. Someone Japanese who is really familiar with Japanese food. Echizen was my gateway into what Japanese food can be. But like most, I had no idea what was out there besides the Americanized Japanese cuisine. Japanese culture is partly to blame here. For whatever reason they are hesitant to believe that non-Japanese people can understand them easily so they for the most part do not try to instruct unless requested. Even if requested they still might hesitate. That said you can get over that barrier by having a good Japanese friend (who likes to eat) show you what is out there and how to eat it. To be honest if I didn't have a guide I would never have thought to try many of the items I have come to love at Echizen. I would have probably just stuck to foods that had recognizable ingredients in the description (e.g. bacon, beef) if I had no one to guide me. So get someone who can guide you, trust them completely, and dive in. Like izakayas in Japan, you get a free amuse-bouche like dish (called an otooshi [otoh-shi]) if you order a drink. It changes pretty often. Sake list is ok and reasonable. I honestly think a single glass is the best value. Try Hakkaisan. Its the benchmark Niigata sake. Shochu list is better than most places and reasonably priced. Unfortunately they stopped carrying my favorite Rice-Shochu, Torikai. That stuff was awesome on the rocks. Izakaya Ku has a shochu list that is just as good as this place. Not a sushi place but they do serve sashimi. The sashimi is really good. The specials they offer are pretty seasonal. If you are lucky you can try an off-menu item if you ask the right questions. While I do not feel the food here is 'gourmet', it certainly has a lot of heart behind it. Helps that the food is prepared by the same 3 guys for at least 15 years. Its not like other trendy Japanese spots in Orange County or South Bay where the food is prepared by Japanese young people who are just trying to work under the table and see it as just another job. These guys have been doing it for a long time and they still appear to enjoy what they do. So get a guide, have a drink (or three), order a few dishes at a time and see where the night takes you. But yes, Echizen is a definite 5-stars for me. Maybe it will be 5-stars for you too.

    (5)

  • CJ Y.

    Came here on a recommendation of a friend, Friday night around 8pm. Surprisingly, the place was empty. I was very happy since the restaurant was quite small, by my guess, seat approximately 30 people. This place is a diamond in the rough. Very authentic izakaya style Japanese food. Closest description would be Japanese Tapas. Don't expect it be cheap. Real Japanese food is expensive due to the creativity and freshness of the food. It's not about quantity, it's all about quality. Tried the following items: - Bluefin tuna sashimi ($13.50), about 7 pieces, fresh and melt in your mouth - Uni sashimi ($13.50), a tray full, also fresh and melt in your mouth. - Baby bok choy with bacon, so tasty - Butterfish - Yellowtail cheek - Beef tataki - Agedashi Tofu - Mushroom miso soup, came piping hot which I like. We had a few more dishes but I couldn't remember. Service was good but I can see how some can complain about service. It's very much a mom and pop place so lower your expectations. This place is better than Honda Ya. For those who gave this place low ratings, you have no idea what izakaya style Japanese food is all about. Please do us a favor and dine at Kabuki so that people like me who appreciates Izakaya style cuisine are less likely have to deal with waiting for a seat.

    (5)

  • soo h.

    Wow! What's all the hype about this place? One of the waitresses was nice, the younger one is kinda rude. But the chef in the baseball cap...what a FREAK SHOW! Had a COW speaking in Japanese when I said the salmon skin salad was not crispy enough. Just canceled that order. Still waiting for the butterfish...been here nearly 20 minutes waiting for food, almost just want to cancel the whole order. But...here comes the butterfish now. Not eating that sh!t after seeing the spaz attack displayed by the cook, who knows what he did to it. I'm outa here! Just wasted 10 bucks for free hot tea. Don't come here if you're not Japanese, the f@#%ing freak show gives you dirty looks or ignores you all together. Just ate KFC in the same strip mall, so much better!

    (1)

  • Twinkies T.

    Taste like home cooking. Feel like I am in Japan. Portions are small but tasty. I love the buttermilk fish.

    (5)

  • Julie L.

    You know this place is legit the moment you walk in. No fancy smancy decor (interior is minimalistic and clean) to draw you in, you have your tables and chairs and you better be ready to eat! Food was really fresh and delish. -Grilled beef tongue- love! The chewiness of the meat and the sesame oil dipping sauce was a great combination -Beef tataki- first time having this dish and it was great. The beef was really tender, lightly seared and was well flavored in the marinated sauce. -Soft shell crab - So fresh. We paid about $2 more for a live crab, rather than a frozen one and the crab meat was really tender. I found the lightly fried batter to be a tad salty. -Nabeyaki udon - came out piping hot. Broth was wonderfully light and the udon noodles were cooked just right. -Sauteed mushroom and asparagus - ok. The other dishes stood out more in terms of flavor, but this dish was fresh too. The service was good. Always refilling waters and giving us recommendations on dishes. Menu is simple. Meat, veggie, seafood and noodle dishes. Portion sizes are a tad small, but still enough, considering the quality of the food you get. Call to see what time they close. On a Monday night, even though it says they close at 11pm, when I called, the waiter told me they might close at 10pm, depending on customers. Really great authentic Japanese cuisine. I thought I was in Little Tokyo for a bit. =)

    (4)

  • Aleyna L.

    After many experiences here, i have never been disappointed. This place is one of the few Japanese owned business that sells authentic Japanese food. They have tight space which causes long wait sometimes, but that's always a good news. Their Udons are GREAT. Lunch prices are very affordable and service was always prompt and kind. Dinner menus do get pretty pricey though. But because of the varieties of selection, I never get tired of this place and makes me want to come back.

    (4)

  • Christopher H.

    Went here last week for the lunch special and was a bit disappointed. First, service was incredibly slow: I sat for almost 10 minutes before my order was taken and for almost 15 minutes at the end before my check was brought to me after asking for it. As for the food, it did come out quickly but the quality of everything but the main dish (simmered chicken) was not worth the price I paid. The eggplant was bland and left untouched by the end of the meal and the salad was unremarkable.

    (2)

  • W. S.

    A MANDATORY TIP POLICY AT THIS RESTAURANT?? BULL. A waitress named GINGER came outside to confront why we didn't leave a tip. I explained that we didn't feel they deserved a tip because we felt we didn't receive the proper service and she dared to tell me,"Never come back because that's the way we are." First of all, we walked in when the restaurant just opened at 11:30am for lunch. NO ONE was inside, of course, because we were the first customers. NO ONE was behind us when we were escorted in either. A waitress (not Ginger) asked how many people and I answered 3 adults and a baby (in a car seat). One person was missing because she was still on the way. NO ONE BOTHERED TO ASK US TO WAIT UNTIL ALL THE PARTY IS PRESENT BEFORE WALKING US IN. She walks us in and decides to tell us AFTER we are already seated that unless we have everyone in the party we cannot be seated. She tells us to go BACK outside and wait until the last person arrives. I kindly ask if we can just be seated because I'm carrying a heavy car seat with a baby inside. She looks at us uncomfortably and tells us she will ask if that's ok. In the meantime, my last party arrives and we are seated right away anyways. Again, the waitress should've asked us BEFORE hosting us in about their seating policy instead of telling us to go back outside when she clearly sees that I'm carrying a heavy car seat. WE WERE NOT HAPPY BUT DECIDE TO LET IT GO. NO BIG DEAL. Then, as soon as we finally sat down, the waitress asks us if we're ready to order. Hello??? You just sat us down!! We need to look at the menu first! We get our food relatively quickly AND our bill at the same time. We are feeling rushed to eat and get out of there. Ultimately, I get super annoyed here: My cold soba and tempura plate came out without tempura sauce so I asked for tempura sauce. The waitress bluntly tells me that "EVERYONE DIPS THEIR TEMPURA INTO SOBA SAUCE." Are you kidding me??? I ASK FOR TEMPURA SAUCE AGAIN then she brings it this time. (I'm super annoyed but I don't lose it. After all, this is just lunch.) So, at this point, we are not enjoying our lunch and unanimously decide to pay for our meal without tipping. The service clearly sucked during the whole 30 minutes of eating while we are rushed to eat and go. That's when this GINGER lady came OUTSIDE of the restaurant following me to CONFRONT why we didn't leave tip. I was sitting in my driver side and she is yelling why we didn't leave tip while waving my PAID bill in front of my face. I simply explained that we didn't feel we received proper service, which is why there is no tip. SHE THEN YELLS, "THIS IS THE WAY RESTAURANT WORKS SO DON'T EVER COME BACK!" UNBELIEVABLE. I WILL NEVER SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS. POOR MANAGEMENT, POOR SERVICE, POOR QUALITY ALL AROUND.

    (1)

  • Pearl H.

    Me and my boyfriend came here by accident. The place is a little small but it wasn't crowded. It's actually an authentic Japanese restaurant owned by Japanese people. They have a pretty nice selection of entrees to choose from. We had their zarusoba which was great compared to most places that would be warm or unchilled. Their hamachi kama was very juicy and delicious and the waitresses were very sweet and attentive as well. Definitely coming back again. If you're looking for a small authentic Japanese restaurant and don't feel like going to Gardena or Little Tokyo. This place is your place to go.

    (4)

  • Shingo A.

    Here is an update. I love eating here at lunch time. But when I visited at night time, it was not so great. Felt the food prices were high but food was just average. I'm only going to return here for lunch, no more dinner for me.

    (3)

  • Cris A.

    This place is funky!. My nephew kept telling us to try this place. Finally had the time and when we walked in, i was told i need i needed a freaking reservation. The hell?! First and last time.

    (1)

  • jerry a.

    crappy little strip mall that holds a pearl right in the middle. Echizen is not a typical little japanese restaurant. Don't go for sushi, or typical combos. Get several small dishes and share them. I dig the deep fried sole carcass.... just a bunch of bones fried up like potato chips. Kinda strange, but delicious.

    (4)

  • Vu N.

    My old editor took me and my fiancee here tonight and I had to write about it. So good. It's authentic Japanese pub food. No sushi here. We had a wonderful sashimi (sliced fresh fish), beef tataki (lightly seared and sliced steak), deep fried tofu slathered in salmon skin and ponzu sauce and other assorted goodies. We loved it all. I had spent the last year in the Midwest so it is nice to grub back at home again. The service was okay and there was a little bit of the wait before the food came. It's a good idea to wave the wait staff down to order quick, they aren't exactly the most attentive. Besides those little things, I highly recommend coming and trying out different things on the menu. It's affordable --- the three of us at like little piggies and spent $60 bucks --- and the strip mall parking lot was easy to maneuver. I think we'll be coming back and experimenting with more dishes. Eat here!

    (4)

  • Hannah C.

    One of my favorite places to go for home style japanese food. Lunch menu is smaller but awesome. simple, clean and delicious. Butterfish is one of my favorites as well as deep fried gobo. If you love bacon, they have potatoes and bacon (yum) and aspara-bacon. They offer a lot of small dishes for dinner so you can try whatever you'd like. The owner Nayasan is one of the funniest characters ever and all the waitresses are really nice. One of the only great places to eat in cypress.

    (5)

  • Jeff A.

    This is the best Japanese restaurant in the area. They serve Japanese tapas. It seems to me like the cook behind the counter is like that uncle who doesn't say anything to you, but just cooks the best food in the family! The dude just watches baseball, or whatever is on TV, and cooks. Sometimes you can catch him pouring sauces without looking down at the food and it tastes amazing after he is done! The food is amazing. The best dishes are the yaki udon, potatoes and bacon, garlic scallop, bacon bok choi, tuna tataki, and the fresh sashimi. There are specials on the board, but are written in Japanese. You do have to ask them about it. Even the eggplant dish they give you before the main food comes has a unique taste.

    (5)

  • Steve K.

    Yellow tail kama.... sesame chicken...beef takaki.... mmmmmmmm.... tha bomb!!!

    (4)

  • Terry T.

    Katsu was ok, I've had better. Service is good. Honestly, a good 10 dollar lunch. Also, all the side dishes are great. Nice healthy Japanese lunch

    (4)

  • Eddy T.

    So I went to eat at this mom/pop right across street from cypress college very week with co-workers at my old job. I can tell you the lunch is really affordable. For about $8-9, you can get a lunch combo set. While their selection are rather limited , they're really focused in perfecting their crafts. I always got the lunch special which they change it up everyday. Everything from udon, fried fish, broiled fish, chicken karage (absolutely to die for), Japanese Curry, Katsu, etc are usually paired with rice and veggies or even nado (fermented beans). On top of that, the special come with soup and at times tempura. So it's all about enjoying an authentic yet simple Japanese lunch. While the restaurant itself is small, service were prompt. Avoid going from 12-1pm as you may have to wait.

    (4)

  • Brandon I.

    Found a great local Japanese restaurant with great prices and awesome food. No sushi bar but we ordered a bunch of small plates and they were all delicious which more than made up for it. Its a small japanese owned and operated hole in the wall place which is the kind i like This will be my usual Japanese restaurant as long as im living in the area.

    (5)

  • Dean Y.

    Just average. Kappo Honda and Shin Sen Gumi in Fountain Valley are way superior. This place uses a broiler instead of the Japanese BBQ which gives the Izakaya it's flavor. Service was not great either. I don't know why all the yelp reviewers say that this place is authentic. Izakaya without the Japanese BBQ is like a pizza place cooking a pizza in the microwave.

    (2)

  • Daniel S.

    I'm only giving two stars because I like most of their food and they're the only japanese restaurant of this type in the area. We went here for dinner and ordered the Tempura dinner ($13.50), and the broiled butterfish (which still had many sharp bones in it) for $6.75. Nevermind that the portion size for the butterfish was very small (smaller than the lunch portion, I only got 1 piece instead of 2). I went ahead and asked them to make it a combo or whatever so I can have rice and miso soup, and they double the cost of the meal. Are you kidding me? Another $6.75 for a bowl of rice and miso soup? Really? Between the fish that had bones in it and that, we decided not to leave a tip. I guess we were only hurting the waitresses though (it wasn't their fault), which didn't occur to me until later. Anyway, the main chef and who I assume is the owner chased us out of the restaurant yelling at us, and told us "Don't come back!" Your wish is my command, sir. How unfortunate. I enjoyed coming here for lunch too.

    (2)

  • B P.

    Food is terrific here, but the service needs some improvement. We have come here several times before, but this time I noticed that there were two new waitresses. Maybe they were still learning, but we had to ask few times before our hot tea got refilled. One of the waitresses (bleached hair) was kind of rude. She had a little attitude when taking our order and serving food. Very unpleasant... It's a shame because food is so great here. We might give this restaurant one more try, but if she serves again with the same bad attitude, we won' go back there anymore.

    (3)

  • Jen K.

    Thursday lunch: busy, but we got seated right away. My friend ordered the salmon lunch, and I ordered the Tempura lunch. She loved the salmon, and what could go wrong with a tempura dish? But each lunch came with 2 small vege sides, & miso soup. Yum! My cup of green tea was always filled to the brim. And the servers are so friendly!! That was definitely the 5th star to the food :)

    (5)

  • Taro M.

    I've been coming here with my family for 16 years, and now that I've moved away, this place is a staple every time I visit home. An izakaya of this quality is rare even by Japanese standards, and I've yet to find a replacement here in NY. My favorite items here are: uni sashimi, natto omelette, hamachi/kampachi kama, and buta kakuni. I usually finish off with hot udon, ask for tanuki (off menu) if you're not a fan of kitsune. The dashi is excellent, a lot better than many udon-specialty restaurants I've been to.

    (5)

  • maggie e.

    My husband and I felt like udon, so we tried this place after reading reviews on yelp. The udon is different. It's not exactly how I like it but I enjoyed it anyway. The shrimp tempura, although small, was not as oily as other places. We also ordered hamachi kama which was good, but overpriced because it was so small. The fatty tuna was fresh and delicious, but the highlight of the night was the red bean ice cream for dessert. Three dollars for a scoop is kinda steep, but it was yummm. Service was mostly ok, but then again it wasn't busy.

    (3)

  • Mihoko C.

    You need to read Japanese to have dinner here. I think they do have an English menu but at a glance, no one was using it. They have a fully stocked menu of Japanese tapas type dishes. No pictures and no descriptions. In addition they have a special menu written very carefully on the white board near the sushi bar. Be sure to check that out before ordering! We ordered a bunch: buta no kakuni (pork stew?), kani-kurimu croquette (crab cream croquette?), shishamo (grilled fish?), hitochuchi katsu (one bite fried chicken?), tan shio (beef tongue?), etc. And beer. Yum! On a side note, its a little hard to find. Its right next to the arcade in the shopping plaza next to KFC. This should help since I drove by it 4 times before I found it....

    (5)

  • Joshua L.

    Echizen is actually two different restaurants, like Batman. During the day as Bruce Wayne, this restaurant is an alarmingly quick Japanese lunch nook. It is as if the proprietors of the restaurant know that they were going to be serving alarmingly efficient Japanese-type businessmen who are ready to go back to the office as soon as they ask for the bill...and it shows, as during lunch most of the clientele seems to be Japanese office types. You'd swear you left Cypress as soon as you enter the door. Echizen is not to be confused with the many Japanese restaurants and sushi bars in the area, Echizen is a place into it's own. The menu for lunch feels very traditional and simple. Whatever you want, it will always be delicious. For lunch, the place tends to crowd very fast. If you manage to snag a seat at the counter, good on you. The special is usually written in Japanese, so if you're a culinary risk-taker with no Japanese language skills, but an adventurous palette, I recommend ordering "blind". I have yet to ever be disappointed by ordering a special for lunch, and it's a good price at 10 bucks, including tip. Then at night, Echizen goes down to the batcave, puts on his mask and becomes the Dark Knight. Well, that's kind of silly, what I mean to say is that Echizen becomes an Izakaya, or Japanese Tapas bar at night. Again, A lot of the clientele seems to be Japanese business/ex-pat types. Now at night, it becomes a full Japanese bar experience, with big beer bottles, sake, and lots of odd little things to eat. One must be careful here. The bill will add up if you choose to try and feast. One must always remember bar food exists so you can keep drinking! Each morsel makes the beer and sake taste better, and if you're going to go all the way, you best better be splitting the bill with a friend. So, here's a summary: Lunch = cheap, Dinner = not so cheap. Also, the staff is wonderfully friendly, and the main chef/cook behind the counter may just be the single coolest man I've ever met.

    (5)

  • Lisa L.

    My family and I've been coming here for many years, but the head chef that works there is by far the worst kind ever. Not once did he greet us or even say so much as a 'thank you' whenever we come over, though to other people he chats with them like they were best friends. We walk in, he just gives us one glance and that's it, although we were practically regulars there. Well we had enough, we've found another good izakaya place with a way better service and no more of the bad chef attitude. So we won't really miss this place...

    (1)

  • Angie K.

    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!

    (4)

  • Flo K.

    If you have heard of the soup Nazi, then Echizen is its equivalent. The following is an anecdote of my husband's experience in convincing the chef (Japanese Nazi) to allow him to take some noodle soup to-go for his sick wife at home: H (husband): Can I order some udon soup to go? W (waitress): Umm...let me ask master. N (Nazi) looking disapprovingly at H: No. H: But my wife is sick and she really wanted something from here. N doesn't even pause: No. H: Please. She really likes this place. N: It won't taste good anymore. H: I live nearby. It will still taste good. N looking suspiciously at H: How far? H: Five minutes (more like 15-20). N contemplating the risk of having this man adulterate his food by taking it to go, finally concedes: Okay. H: Phew. Thank you!!!! See, this is how much the chef cares about how his food is presented. I respect that. You know what else I respect? Vegetables cooked with bacon. Genius! It's like arterial blockage and health insurance together in one delicious package. Asparagus = Good. Bacon = Good. It's win-win. The bok choy w/ bacon is also equally beneficial. Our favorite dishes to order are the agedashi tofu (the sauce is so good that I can just eat that and rice), beef tataki, and creamy crab croquettes (my favorite alliteration ever!) Echizen is a hole-in-the-wall located next to a very reputable cell phone store (Hook-Up Wireless) in a strip mall. This is authentic Japanese cuisine that garners many regulars (mostly Japanese). The place is spartan and the Japanese waitresses are nice. Dishes are of small portions, so ordering a lot can easily add up. However, I feel that it is well worth it. I'm not sure about their schedule, might be closed on Sundays. When you go to Echizen, think twice about asking for your food to go, or else, there might be "No soup for you!"

    (4)

  • Elizabeth C.

    This was the worst food I have ever eaten. My daughter and I came in and they sat us at the bar in the corner because they said "all reserved." Ok whatever. The guy comes over right after we sit down and asked if we were ready. NO! I did however ask some questions about the food and it seemed to annoy him. So we ordered some squid legs and sesame chicken. The chicken came out first and it was so overcooked it was burnt. I called the waiter over and told him and he starts to argue with me. I told him to say what he wants but I dont want it, Its burnt. He took it away and we finished our other food. I asked for the check and wouldnt you know he didnt take the chicken off the bill. I called him over and he said "oh no we never take anything off the bill even if you dont like it." I asked him why and he said he couldnt do that. We had words back and forth and he asked the filthy cook (whole other story) and he said ok. He brings me the new check, with a nasty attitude, and said "next time we wont do this." REALLY? What makes this guy think I will ever come back? We went home hungry to top the whole crummy experience off. NO STARS FOR THIS PLACE

    (1)

  • Sophorn T.

    The food here was good. The price is what you would expect to pay for when eating yakitori. Def a place to try if you are in the area.

    (4)

  • Cocomero M.

    I heart Echizen. I go at least twice a week for lunch. They change their lunch special everyday. My favorite lunch special they have is katsu curry. It's way better than Curry House but the drawback is you only get it if you're lucky. There's also the marinated tuna on sushi rice bowl. It's soooo delicious. Other lunch specials include saba misoni (mackerel stewed in miso sauce), minced chicken bowl, eel bowl & soba, stir fry pork, and more. The lunch special comes with 2 side dishes, pickles and miso soup. The cost is $9 for the special and I usually leave a $2 tip because the service is awesome. They take your orders quickly and bring out the food quickly so you can go back to work on time. The check comes out quickly too, some people may mind that but it doesn't bother me. If you don't like the special that day, they also have a lunch menu with a limited selection. I have yet to try their nabeyaki udon because I always end up getting the special. I've been there for dinner also and it's much more expensive but there is a lot more choices. Just like Osaka Kappo, they write their daily specials on the board...in Japanese. But the waitress translated for us. Dinner is much more expensive and the rolls are just ok. I like their stew dishes and salted chicken wings. I think lunch is still the best deal but they are the closest replacement to Osaka Kappo so far.

    (5)

  • Josh S.

    Best Japanese restaurant in LA. Very authentic. Very cozy.

    (5)

  • Katty C.

    A solid Japanese restruant. My wife and I tried the tempura soba, salmon teriyaki, beef tongue and fish cheek. All dishes are great. Food seems to be authentic and all waitress speaks and write Japanese. Will definitely on our to go restruant list.

    (4)

  • Jenny Y.

    Love this authentic restaurant, that doesn't over-marinate every dish with the sweet sauce that most fusion sushi restaurants use! Everything truly tastes like the dishes you get in Japan. My coworkers and I ordered whole bunch of different dishes and everything was good, except for tempura. But hey! There are like 100 other choices, so order other things that will taste great... Wish they had more of these REAL Japanese restaurants in LA/OC. Almost every Japanese nowadays are owned by non-Japanese people and they don't serve the real Japanese food. Everything is catered towards American tastes buds! Only thing I didn't like about the restaurant is that the menu is handwritten receipt in Japanese, so there's no way to "audit" whether they really are billing you for the right amount or not. We spent $200(including tax & tip) among 4 people and we were completely stuffed! We had 1 bottle of Asahi Beer. Really enjoyed their food!

    (4)

  • Oceans L.

    If you think Japanese food = teriyaki or sushi rolls, then you need to visit Echizen and see what Homestyle Japanese food is like. You won't find any popcorn lobster rolls or dynamite rolls on the menu here. Instead, they have items like pork and kimchi stir-fry, niku-jaga (traditional japanese meat and potato stew), coroquette, etc. This place is izakaya style, like a japanese traditional bar where people will go after work to grab a bite and gab with co-workers. Everything I've had here is GOOD. I've only been here for dinner and late dinner, and the place is always bustling. If you look remotely japanese, it's likely that the waitress might hand you a menu that's entirely in japanese. But they are very friendly and will bring you and english menu, and explain the specials written on the wall (in japanese of course), if you ask. Other things to try here: the yaki-onigiri (japanese rice ball that's grilled to make the rice crispy on the outside), the hamachi-kama (grilled? baked? hamachi, which will be the juiceist fish you've ever had in your life.) The chef behind the bar is hilarious too, after 9 I think he starts to sip the sake as well, and gets very jolly!

    (5)

  • John W.

    I was told to check this place out by Dai from Sushi Murasaki... I've only been to this place once, but it was awesome. Beef tataki was plentiful and very tender... Nabeyaki Udon wasn't the best I've had but still very good. My attention was more focused on all the dishes the people next to me were eating which I totally regret not ordering. It made me want to get a japanese girlfriend so that she can talk to the chef and get all the good stuff. Oh I almost forgot, eating there tonight, I was definitely the only person who was speaking English in the entire restaurant-- and of course all the specials were written in Japanese so I couldn't take advantage of any of those. Anyways.. They do have a menu in English, but you better know what you want cause there aren't any descriptions on what the dishes are. The place reminds me of the good ol' days when Osaka Kappo in Tustin was still good and I could get good authentic japanese food for a reasonable price. Check it out if you're into kappo and stuff.

    (5)

  • Lena B.

    i tried this restaurant one late cold night with my bf. he was very skeptical as we walked in since this small joint was filled with japanese men in their well tailored suits. we sat at the bar where you can see the whole kitchen and looked at the menu...quite traditional japanese dishes, a lot of cooked fish with some variety of rice dishes. we decided to be unadventurous and ordered a nabi udon and another noodle dish (thin noodle soup with meat and veggies...can't remember the name). both our udons cooked by a latino man took forever to come out, and they were just ordinary. in fact, nothing about this restaurant really stood out. the service is slow and unfriendly, unless you are a regular, and the decor here is plain. this place probably deserves four stars since there seems to be many regulars, and it is one of the most authentic japanese restaurants around, but it will not lure me in again to have their noodles. i am willing to try their fish and may update the review. others to consider: yoshino in tustin, taiko in irvine (just try their udon and maybe some fusion rolls, but not their sushi. not the freshest fish)

    (3)

  • Natasha L.

    Really tasty stuff. Definitely not the Americanized sushi or Japanese, but really good. There is probably something for everyone, but those of you who love more raw flavors of things like fish (good fish), seaweed, etc will enjoy this. It was just me and I had the nabeyaki and the crab dumplings in the house special. Crab was really fresh tasting and there were three dumplings but really stuffed with crab. The soup tasted nourishing. Broth was really good and then there was tofu, egg, spinach, seaweed, noodles, onions, fish cake and shrimp tempura. I might even be missing something there - tons of food. Service was great. Ambiance is simple and to the point - you don't go for the ambiance. Good price too. Both of these items together came to $15 and it was a lot of food.

    (4)

  • Bigg D.

    Poor service, and they seem to give certain groups preferential treatment, serving them before us, even though we were seated well before them.

    (1)

  • Yuichi I.

    great food, and awesome amount of choices. if i lived close i would go there at lunch all the time for the daily changing specials.

    (4)

  • Fabi M.

    Wow.. A true Japanese restaurant 5 miles from Seal Beach?? that was a nice surprise.. I have found very few Japanese owned in OC. Just moved there from the West Side and I have been on the quest to find them all. Echizen is a true hidden delight.. I enjoy mingling with the chefs and learning more about the cuisine. Had the Udon noddles and was happy.. I will say that there is a place in Fountain Valley called "IBIZA" which has the best Udon soups I've had. The soup was tasty and lacked flavor (salt) which was good (healthy) tried the sashimi and was very happy.. I will go back and try other dishes.. I recommend also 'SUSHI KOTO" in Fountain Valley.. master Chef YUTAKA is the best.

    (4)

  • Pablo M.

    In a neighborhood that is filled with Japanese restaurants, Echizen stands out as one of the most genuine. I have been going to this restaurant some 8 years, not far from work, and it always strikes me as an eerily foreign corner in the middle of LA. I have only gone during lunch time. You usually have to be early as the place is small and it fills up quickly, mostly with Japanese folk. Once or twice this place has been crowded exclusively with grey-suited, quiet sarary men. On one of these occasions I was there with my good friend. She was the only female and noticed it right away. She was so intimidated by the crowd of sullen, over-dressed men busily eating that she wouldn't go back with me for years! The food is served in individual bowls and plates of all sizes, brought and set at your table in a tray. The large rice bowl usually dominates. The pickle or the grated radish get their own little bowls on the side. The fish comes framed in it's own square ceramic. No gimmicky, worn out, bento-style, plastic trays here. The kitchen is right behind the high counter. There is an actual Japanese cook looking after the food, albeit assisted by two or three Latinos. You can be entertained by the busyness of the place as you wait briefly for your food. The loud hails and farewells that the staff keeps shouting at the clientele are pretty startling, too, in a funny, prodding way. You're not exactly sure if you should be scared or appreciative of the gesture. The prices in the lunch menu range from 7.50 to 10, so it starts to be pricey enough to be considered only as a Friday, end-of-the-week, lunch time indulgence. However, it is always an adventure. They have chef's specials every day, usually worth trying. You'll see the day's special posted on a whiteboard by the kitchen entirely in Japanese. The waitress usually can translate. I love the place. I don't give it five stars just because of the culture shock. They adhere to the very unamerican practice of placing the bill in front of you when you're barely done with your soup. If you're taking too long to vacate your table after you're done, the waitress will not hesitate to walk up and ask you to leave promptly. Usually there are people outside waiting for your seat. This is the last restaurant in this neighborhood that still serves grilled pike.

    (4)

  • Joe j.

    very good authentic japanese food u wont see cal rolls or fire rolls here. the fish is alwyas fresh when u order the sashimi, the toro is cheaper than any restaurant out there and the tapa style food is awesome.. the udon soups are plain an dnothing special. if you go here order the tapas that is what they are known for. checken karaage hamachi kama asari butter scallops wth butter garlic beef tataki aspara bacon are jst a few of the dishes tahat are extremely good

    (4)

  • Ai M.

    I remember that the businessman next to be was eating zaru soba. I think I had grilled fish and udon. The specials menu is mostly in Japanese so we had to ask for a little translation. This is Japanese bar food frequented by salarymen. When I first entered, the waitress warned me that they do not serve sushi.

    (4)

  • Eugenia C.

    I went here on a wednesday night with the bf and ended up being the only customers there... The atmosphere is clean and basic Japanese decor Their server was very polite and always made sure everything was good.. We had agedashi tofu...This is our favorite Japanese appetizer, so we tried this at multiple location...Echizen was comparable to the rest... and we also ordered the lotus root and shrimp tempura...which was good I had a sashimi salad and sauteed garlic scallops and bf had chicken teriyaki with sashimi... the sashimi salad had a good serving of fresh fish on top but I was expecting a variety of fish and not just tuna...still good, but won't order next time... the garlic butter scallops were good, but mainly because of the little asian roasted peppers on top for the chicken teriyaki, they had a small portion of chicken, so the servers were so kind to give up another serving without us even asking..which definitely makes me want to come back for their honest service... Overall...a good meal and I would order different items since there were so many interesting menu items... Thanks!

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    Omg, I love this restaurant, I litterally want to give it a six star! I got off work Friday and wanted to reward myself with some good food, so I came here with my cousin's recommendation. It's a small japanese restaurant but the food and price was both amazing! I had togos, but they packed everything well and pretty, oh japanese ppl u know, and guess what, the food taste fantastic even togo! I will definitely come back with friends and recommend anyone!

    (5)

  • JOHN K.

    I've tried this place several times because of the reviews. Service definitely sucks. They were totally friendly to japanese customers while they were ignoring us. Felt lucky even to receive our order. Asked for the chicken wings well done which i love at other yakitori places... came out really fatty. Not going back anymore

    (1)

  • ruby t.

    i came here one nite cuz my cousin kept on checking in here and i though i might as well try it out. the food was ok, but i thought it could be better. i order the udon and some meat thing. the meat thing was not bad. it is cheaper than going to kappo honda, but i think i'll stick to my kappo. :)

    (3)

  • Cool G.

    its a tiny little restaurant with a really friendly Japanese lady who can barely speak english. when i went it was right before they closed for the evening at 2 so we ordered quickly. the lunch special was that day was good i cant remember what it was, it had pork and it tasted like sukiyaki. we also ordered the tempura udon and sashimi. tempura udon wasnt that great but the sashimi made up for it.

    (4)

  • Edgar G.

    My girlfriend and I were ready for some dinner after checking into the Marriott Courtyard so we decided to check restaurants out on Yelp. We chose Echizen since it was not too far from our hotel. I got the beef teriyaki with sashimi while my girlfriend had the beef teriyaki with tempura. I enjoyed my meal. The meat was thickly sliced, though I wish it was more medium than well since I asked for medium. The miso soup was good. The rice was authentic Japanese rice as it was a bit softer, probably just used more water when they made it. The sashimi was good! I hate sashimi that is cut bad, but Echizen cut them really good! The wasabi also look fresh, actually everything looked and tasted fresh! The waitresses were also very friendly. I am giving Echizen a 4 out of 5 stars only because the table next to us were VERY obnoxious and it annoyed the hell out of my girlfriend and I. Gotta hate ignorant customers who have no manners. SMH...

    (4)

  • Frank C.

    Whenever I have a client in the BP area, my coworkers and I make it a point to always eat at Echizen for lunch. Sometimes we are out there for weeks, and we still eat there every single day. It's that good. This place is a Japanese salaryman's dream. That's why you will probably see throngs of Japanese businessmen during the lunch time rush. They have a daily lunch menu that has your regular offerings from a typical Japanese restaurant such as tonkatsu, ten-don, udon, and a variety of cooked fishes. All great items. But what keeps us coming back is the lunch special which changes every day. Favorite specials are the maguro-don, Ton-jiru, and salmon saute. Note: I think it's hilarious that someone compared the Echizen chef to the soup Nazi because it's so true. There have been many a times when I have wanted to take my order to go, but couldn't because the chef was "concerned" about the freshness of his dish.

    (5)

  • Debbie M.

    Thanks Yelp- my hubby & I were starving & wanted something a bit more fun than KFC for dinner...my Mobile Yelp pulled up this little gem of a place. We were at Home Depot & my husband wanted food now...lol He gave me 2 minutes to find something or KFC was going to be it. I know some of the reviews said this place was not authentic...but hubby & I were the only two in this packed little place that didn't speak Japanese as a 1st or 2nd language. We got the last open table. When some one left the table was cleaned and before you knew it was filled. Our server was helpful in helping us select a sampling of food & wow oh wow did we order a little too much which made lunch enjoyable the next day. We had some miso soup...always good on a cold night, and the beef takaki was tender & tasty...I had some very fresh sashimi & hubby had tempura - we sampled a few other things, but I cannot remember everything we had-but the food was fresh, tasty & delish!!! Will be making this stop next time we are in town.

    (4)

  • June S.

    I'm pretty much taking back everything I said! This place is a great hidden gem in Cypress and maybe I was too blind to see that initially. I have to admit, my first visit was not so pleasant. It wasn't until recently when I decided to invite a couple of friends to Echizen for a beer that I changed mind. The server this time was a lot nicer. We drank, laughed, and then the fun stuff came. I ordered my favorite Japanese dish, Beef Tataki, as well as Octopus vinegar salad. Both were so delicious! Honestly, the food here is complimentary to beer. Another friend ordered fried onigiri and yakitori - and that's when things got better. We all ended up sharing our dishes, drinking more beer, and ended the night with some delicious green tea icecream (that I've just grown fond of actually.) I have to say this place is like the mini version of Kappo Honda (Fountain Valley). All the food here is cooked delicately, and may take some time, and it's ensured to taste delicious. The service is still mediocre but all you really need to do is order your food and bring your friends to enjoy your time at Echizen anyway!

    (5)

  • D L.

    I love coming here after a long day's work! It's a Japanese style "pub" / drinking place. As much as I like their hot pot udon, I also enjoy getting a variety of small dishes (butter fish, asparagus with bacon ) and a bottle of beer to share with a friend.

    (5)

  • Clara C.

    tapas-style japanese restaurant. quite cheap if you are ordering ~2 dishes per person since each dish costs 5-7 dollars. they have english menus, but today's specials are all in japanese, so take a japanese friend with you when you go. :)

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : No
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Echizen Japanese Restaurant

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