LA — The Undisputed King of Affordable Izakayas: 【HONDA-YA】🏮

A well-known spot among LA locals, famous for authentic Japanese small plates and a lively vibe. The menu covers everything from skewers, sushi, and sashimi to ramen—truly something for everyone! We arrived around 7 PM and waited almost 1.5 hours, finally sitting down past 9 PM 😵 The space is larger than expected, buzzing with energy, and the decor feels charmingly retro and cozy. 🔥 SKEWER HITS: ✅ Garlic Pork Belly ($3.25) — Fatty, garlicky, perfectly charred. ✅ Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus ($3.25) — Smoky, crispy bacon + tender asparagus. ✅ Duck ($4.25) — Tender, no gamey taste. ✅ Leg Meat with Sauce ($3.25) — Juicy chicken thigh with savory-sweet glaze. ❤️ FAVORITES: 🧀 Cheese Meatball ($3.50) — Juicy chicken meatball topped with melted cheese—so good we ordered seconds! 🐚 Bacon-Wrapped Scallop ($5.25) — Lightly charred bacon + plump, sweet scallop. 🦪 Oyster from Japan ($9.95) — Huge, crispy fried oysters bursting with juice. Even without tartar sauce, they’re delicious. 🍲 Sautéed Clam ($7.95) — Clams in creamy garlic butter broth—tender, chewy, gone in seconds. 👍 SOLID: 🥓 Hoi Ko Ro ($9.95) — Stir-fried pork and cabbage, great with rice (a bit salty without it). 👎 PASS: 🥔 Potato Salad ($6.50) — Under-seasoned, tasted like they forgot the salt. 📌 TIPS: • Try calling to reserve, but the line is often busy. • Better to visit in person, put your name down, then explore nearby while you wait. • The wait is long, but the quality + value make it worth it. 📍 556 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780 📞 (714) 832-0081 #LA #LosAngeles #Izakaya #AffordableJapanese#JapaneseFood #SkewerHeaven #LateNightEats #TustinEats