Must-Try Omakase in Southern California | Irvine 🍣

Name: Hana Re 📍 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 How do I describe my love for Hana Re? Out of the 15+ omakase experiences I've had in the UK, Japan, and the US, this remains the most unforgettable. The chef is a quiet, dedicated craftsman, running this intimate spot with his wife — always warm, always serene.💕👍 Hana Re was my first omakase ever, and I’ve returned every year since. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been back. Every time the meal ends, I always order extra appetizers, more sushi, and their signature panna cotta. Even when others are full, I keep going — plate after plate. The chef would kindly ask, “How’s tummy?” and I’d hold up one finger with a smile, asking for just one more piece of sushi. The other guests would laugh, the chef would chuckle — and he’d even change the cut for me.😁😊 I’d also eagerly ask his wife for another panna cotta — how much do I love this dessert? Let’s just say I once ordered three servings in one sitting.💕😍 Seeing my obsession, she smiled and said, “I’ll consider keeping panna cotta as our permanent dessert.” I immediately replied, “Please, you must!” She mentioned she once thought about opening a dessert shop after the chef retires. Excitedly, I said, “Really? Please do — I’ll bring every friend I know!” She smiled and shared that the chef has been making panna cotta for 20 years, even experimenting with wasabi flavor once. I couldn’t help but think: true artisans. And yet, I felt so grateful that all these years, Hana Re’s dessert has stayed the same. Maybe my bond with Hana Re is best captured by what I say after every meal: Not “goodbye,” but “I will see you very soon.” #Omakase #SouthernCalifornia #Kaiseki #LosAngeles #SoCalEats #JapaneseCuisine #FoodShare