Maki Yaki OC — Restaurant in Dana Point

Calling all seafood lovers! In the lantern district of Dana Point, lays a hidden treasure for sushi lovers on a budget. Once you step through the doors of the bamboo bead clad door of Maki Yaki, you know you have reached the right place for a cheap bite. The lovely, authentic, Japanese decor livens up the miniscule restaurant; intricate hand made paper and fabric dolls line one side of the wall, while a beautiful bamboo waterfall is on the other. Yes, the mustard yellow walls may be a bit frightening at first sight, and the sticky tables may encourage your fears, but do not run away yet, there is abundance of other specialties to make up for these errors. Even though this restaurant may not be for everyone, especially children and those who dislike fish. Although the manager/owner will make it seem like the restaurant is for everyone. The staff here truly give Maki Yaki a homey feeling. The menu may not be the largest, but there is enough to choose exactly what you would prefer. Whenever I eat here, I always go for the Lunch Special B which comes with: a roll of your choice, five piece sushi, a salad, and some miso soup. Just make sure to show up at the right time, from twelve P.M. to three P.M., in order to access this deal. My all time favorite roll to purchase with the lunch special is the delectable Green Dragon Roll. The Green Dragon Roll is everything good in life, warmed up. The inside of the roll includes crispy shrimp tempura, not-so-tasteable crab meat, creamy avocado, and crunchy cucumber. Lying on top is evens more avocado, and the golden child, the melt in your mouth, eel, and finally some of their special sauce to complete it. No other sushi place has eel like Maki Yaki. Even though Maki Yaki is not the best quality sushi place around, their eel makes them seem like a five star restaurant. The Dragon roll is also warmed up, which gives it a perfect flare. The only criticism I have for this roll is for there to be a spicy variation of it. Although, this roll is perfect for anyone looking for something to treat themselves with. Even though the Dragon Roll is the best, a close second would be the spicy salmon handroll. This sinus-clearing dish is best served on those cold days when you need to be warmed up from the inside out. It includes sticky rice, cucumber, avocado, crab meat, a slab of delectable spicy salmon, all wrapped up in salty crunchy seaweed. This is a great option if you are not quite ready to devour a roll, but are still hungry. Or even if you want to eat something before your roll. Either way this handroll is a great choice. Also, if you do not prefer spicy salmon, there is a choice of spicy tuna, spicy calamari, and a plain California handroll. The next runner up is something to help refresh you during your meal: boba drinks. Boba drinks are like the icing on a cake, for your meal. My favorite would be the flavorful green tea. Whenever I purchase one of these, I have to restrain myself from not gulping the entire drink once I receive it! If you have never experienced boba, this drink is a must have. Boba is soft, squishy, brown sugar tapioca balls. They are then mixed with the drink of your choice. You can have boba in either a slushy or a tea, either way it is absolutely to die for. If you are lactose intolerant, like me, be prepared; most boba drinks contain a lot of milk. Overall, I hope you will give this not-so-shabby sushi place a try. Once you go there, you'll never want to leave. Just remember, the food is superior...

Maki Yaki OC – 5 stars

If you're in the mood for some incredible sushi in the OC, Maki Yaki is the place to be. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with a modern yet cozy vibe that makes it perfect for both quick bites and leisurely meals with friends.

The star of the show is, of course, the sushi. The quality of the fish is top-notch, fresh, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I highly recommend trying their signature rolls – the Maki Yaki roll is a standout, with a perfect balance of flavors. The spicy tuna roll is also a must-try, packed with bold flavors without being overwhelming.

The service here is friendly and attentive, with staff always willing to offer recommendations or chat about the menu if you're not sure where to start. It's clear that the chefs put a lot of care into their dishes, and the attention to detail shines through.

They also have a great selection of appetizers and sides, like the crispy gyoza and miso soup, which are perfect to start your meal. And for those who love a good drink, their sake selection pairs wonderfully with the food.

Overall, Maki Yaki OC has quickly become one of my go-to spots for sushi in the area. Whether you're a sushi connoisseur or just someone craving some great food, this place won’t disappoint....

This must be a little hidden gem Japanese restaurant in Dana Point area. It looks like a small typical teriyaki shop but some of their dishes’ quality was surprisingly amazing!

Halapeno Hamachi appetizer sashimi was superb with a pinch of spice👍🏻 Fullmoon rolls doesn’t have any rice so it’s perfect for people who need to avoid too much carb and it’s delicious! Green dragon rolls, fire cracker rolls, and veggie rolls were served together on a long plate which looked beautiful and every one of them was yummy👍🏻

I’ve heard that their chicken teriyaki is absolutely the best, so I’ll try that next time. Will definitely...