Irvine｜Second Visit to Kiyo Sushi 🍣

Since our first visit to Kiyo Sushi left a good impression, we went back again not long after. The uni bowl was still pretty good on this second round～ This time we ordered the whole box for $160 — quality was decent, but honestly the value for money still feels a bit off to me 😅 (Missing the high-quality, affordable uni we had in Japan 🥲) The real letdown this time was the Wagyu sushi — which had been amazing on our first visit. The quality dropped a lot this time! Maybe because last time we sat at the bar and the chef served it right after searing — fresh and aromatic. This time we weren’t at the bar, and by the time we got the Wagyu sushi, it felt like it had been sitting for a while — lukewarm and just… mediocre. Not something I’d crave again. 🦐 Sweet shrimp finally available on our second visit — staff said it arrived fresh that day, and it was good! 🍣 Sushi selection — I won’t say it was outstanding, but not bad either. My partner thought the sushi platter here was better than what we had at Ootoro. (Still miss the sushi we had in Japan though…) — A couple of days ago, on Valentine’s Day, our roommates went to Kiyo Sushi based on our recommendation. They said it was pretty average — even the uni didn’t seem fresh. I thought maybe it was just different standards… Then they brought some leftovers home, and both my boyfriend and I tried it. The uni quality was noticeably worse, and even the sushi rice tasted off — way too sour. Our friends guessed it might’ve gotten more sour after sitting out, but who knows? Maybe the rush on Valentine’s Day affected the quality. Being a food blogger isn’t easy!! Personal taste varies so much, and consistency from the restaurant is another thing entirely… I remember once recommending a place I loved, only to bring friends later and have it totally disappoint the second time 😅 #LosAngeles #LAEats #Irvine #IrvineEats #Sushi