Irvine｜Honda-Ya — Cozy & Lively Izakaya Vibe 🏮

One of Irvine’s few authentic izakayas — from the food to the decor, it really feels like a traditional Japanese pub. The only catch: it’s always packed, so that intimate izakaya atmosphere can feel a bit lost in the crowd. 🍢 Yakitori is decent — can’t compare to what you’d get in Asia, of course. I’d recommend the fatty heart. A pleasant surprise: they also serve chicken tail which was super fragrant — bursting with savory chicken juices! 🍗 The fried chicken was coated in a thick batter and wasn’t very juicy — wouldn’t recommend. 📝 Pro tip when ordering skewers: order small batches at a time. Unlike some yakitori spots where skewers come out gradually, here they tend to bring everything at once — so your later skewers might get cold before you reach them. ⏳ Even on a Thursday, the line was long. If you plan to go, arrive early! 💺 I’d suggest sitting at the bar counter — there’s glass separating you from the grill, so you avoid the smoke but still get to watch the chefs in action. 🏮 Honda-Ya Japanese Restaurant 📍 556 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780 #Izakaya #JapanesePub #YakitoriSpot #JapaneseCuisine #WeekendPlans #FoodReview