88 (Eighty Eight) Katsu — Restaurant in Fullerton

It looks like this place hasn’t been open for very long, so I wanted to give it a fair try. When I walked in, I received a cup of ice water within about five minutes, but there was no greeting at all. The restaurant was quiet, but the service still felt a bit unorganized. For a place where staff depend on tips, basic manners when customers arrive or leave are important.

As for the food, the rice was hard and difficult to eat, and the cabbage slaw was tough, so I couldn’t finish it. Some of the Korean-inspired side dishes were a nice idea, but they felt more like kids’ snacks rather than proper sides. I think with better staff training and more attention to the basics, this place has potential as they continue...

I recently ordered a Jumbo Tonkatsu to go from this place. They told me it would take 15 minutes, so I went on time to make sure it wouldn’t get cold. However, even though I live nearby and ate right away, the cutlet was already cold and tough. The meat was very thin, so I mostly tasted the batter, and the sauce flavor was unclear. The cabbage was stiff and not very fresh, and the portions of jalapeño and kimchi were so small they were gone after two bites. Since it’s a new place, I think there’s still a lot of room for...

88 Katsu really delivers when it comes to flavor and quality! 🍛 The curry katsu was amazing — the pork was juicy on the inside and perfectly crunchy on the outside without being too heavy on the breading. The 88 Jumbo Katsu had a unique, flavorful sauce that was so satisfying and paired perfectly with the crispy texture. I also tried the zaru udon, and it totally blew me away — the noodles were soft, chewy, and the dipping sauce was so addicting. Everything tasted fresh and made with care. A...