Kagura Costa Mesa — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

This restaurant very closely reminded me of Katsu shops in Japan. The katsu was very well cooked, the panko was not over-cooked or over-fried and perfectly crispy. The meats had a good distribution of fat which improved taste and chewability. Another thing that reminded me of Japan was the high quality rice that was used. This is something that is often overlooked when eating at restaurants in America as we are used to the generic rice used at most restaurants. Next time you are here, take a close look at the grains of rice and pay attention to texture and taste.

I highly recommend this restaurant for its focus on Katsu and as an authentic experience of a Japanese katsu restaurant. The only difference is that the ingredient quality in Japan on another level and that is the only area that this restaurant needs to improve if it wanted to be perfect. (In America, usually only fine dining, or Michelin tier restaurants, take such an approach in regards to...

I saw some 4-star reviews commenting on the lack of service. I have no idea what they’re talking about, as it was some of the best service I’ve ever received.

I entered the restaurant at 1pm on a Sunday and was immediately seated. A minute later, they took my order as they brought me my water. The food came out 5-10 minutes later, which was surprising given that the restaurant seemed to be at ~90% capacity.

2 different servers checked in on me within 5 minutes of receiving my food to make sure I was good (I was doing great, that katsu & rice are amazing).

I finished my food and pushed the plate away a bit, a server immediately saw and asked if I was ready to pay.

From walking in to walking out, 30 minutes total. I was super surprised at how fast, kind, and efficient the service was.

Also a very nice ambience! Reminded me of a similar katsu place I ate at once in Kyoto.

5-stars across the...

I recently dined at Kagura Costa Mesa, and while the food was decent, my overall experience was far from satisfactory.

The service was poor from the start. The staff seemed disinterested and inattentive, which made the dining experience unpleasant. Additionally, the parking situation is less than ideal—spaces are small and tight, making it difficult to park comfortably.

What truly ruined the experience was witnessing a server chase down another customer over a low tip, yelling at them in the process. This incident gave a terrible impression of how the staff treats customers, showing that they care more about tips than providing good service.

I expected a much better experience and will not be returning. There are plenty of other dining options in the area where customers are treated...