Kabuki — Restaurant in Huntington Beach

My school-aged Daughter and I visited this Kabuki, located in Bella Terra, on this past Christmas Day for lunch. We were met by our very cheerful, friendly, and courteous hostess (Sophia) who escorted us to our seat. I understand that it is the job of a hostess to be smiling at all times, but Sophia's seemed so genuine. She really wanted us to enjoy our visit.

Our waitress, Cathy, was also friendly, courteous, and professional. My Daughter and I ordered several rolls, and they all came out with perfect timing.

The rolls themselves were impeccably presented, and were delicious! My Daughter loves the Las Vegas Roll!

As we were leaving, Sophia said good bye with a genuinely friendly smile. What added a beautiful touch was the gentleman host standing next to Sophia who gave us a deep, 90-degree bow. Yes, it is a Japanese restaurant, and that bow added a touch of authenticity to the entire dining experience.

We visited again about two weeks later, and sat at the Sushi Bar for lunch. The head chef (I do not recall his name, but he is Korean-American) was friendly and engaging, as he served us our sushi himself. In addition to the rolls, I ordered Uni which just melted in my mouth. Sitting at the bar made the experience fun and enjoyable!

This Saturday or Sunday, we will probably go to Barnes N Noble, watch a movie at Cinemark, and "roll" over to Kabuki...can't wait!!!

EDIT/UPDATE on 8/27/2024:

My Daughter and I have become regulars at this location. The food is always great, and the service top-notch. Two people stood out during our last visit.

We were greeted by Charlene's wonderfully warm, genuine smile. As I am disabled (I walk with a cane - bad hips, surgery soon, please pray for me, thank you), she was careful and slow in her movement, and looking back to make sure that I was okay and keeping up - disabled people notice these things which we appreciate.

After Charlene so gently led us to our table, John P. took our order soon thereafter. The handsome lad was all smiles, as he took our order, brought our food and drinks (with refills when necessary), and gave us the check without any issues. When I write "without any issues", I mean that literally - except for ordering our food and drinks, we did not ask for anything! The dude knew exactly when to bring everything and anything with impeccable timing (e.g., he brought more lemon wedges when he saw I was squeezing them into my H2O, and I did indeed need more). He is A.I. with a personality! And, I mean that in the most positive way possible.

As we left, Charlene warmly bid us farewell. Hosts and hostesses should note that the good bye is just as important as the hello, if not more important, as the former leaves a more lasting impression than the latter in the context of the entire dining experience.

We shall continue to enjoy the great food and warm ambiance that this Kabuki offers so...

This was the worst Kabuki experience I’ve ever had. And sadly Kabuki is my favorite sushi restaurants. I just moved here a month ago, from San Diego, and was happy to have a Kabuki down the street from my house.

It took a while to be greeted and seated.. waiting at the counter for a bit… waited over 15 minutes before any waiter or waitress came to my table. And I was sitting alone.

They never came. I had just come from a workout so I was very thirsty, plus it was sunny… so still no one came, until I flagged them down, asking for a water and letting them know, by that time, I was ready to order.

He seemed annoyed and bothered that I would turn around and dare ask for anything.

The gentleman, with the bald head, took my order, and then when bringing the drinks, gave me very little wasabi and very little ginger knowing I had just ordered three rolls.

My food was brought to me by a different waitress. No one introduced themselves or let me know they were the waiting on my table …

I had to request a refill of water. No one checked on my table. I had to wait another 15 minutes to wait for more ponzu, ginger, and wasabi, and watching one of my dishes sit on the sushi bar for over 15. By the time I received my food, it was mushy, gross, very little sauce and I literally gagged on the last few pieces, almost throwing up at my table. (Not exaggerating)

I asked for a manager, and the girl serving me , who had a long braid in her hair, told me she was the manager. I let her know my experiences and though she said she was sorry about the experience, it was insincere, as she was the one that was “waiting” on me. She apologized and asked me if I wanted a discount. I declined and let her know I just wanted the problem fixed, as I just moved here and had a horrible experience at my favorite restaurant. Her facial expressions and lack of influx in her tone, suggested apathy, though her words repeatedly apologized.

The service at this location was horrendous. I’ve been eating sushi my whole life, and I’ve never gagged on a dish.

Highly disappointed, and won’t be surprised if this location shuts down.

There were not many people in there, as half of restaurant was completely empty. Not one person was sitting at the sushi bar or cocktail bar.

I even told the the person walking in, good luck!

It’s a true reflection of poor management and poor training. Or perhaps they don’t cater to people in workout clothes who come to dine alone.

My boyfriend and I typically tip very generously, but today tipping $5 on a $57 meal seemed too high.

I highly doubt I’ll...

The place is near the movie theater, which gives a good vibe to come inside for a bunch. They have put up signs for happy hour with prices to be less expensive than other places for happy hour. The place inside has many decorations that are a mixture of Asian cultures, which include the war art that is near the restroom. They also have an outdoor patio and bar for both sushi and alcohol. Making it a place for different people. The service is generally nice, but with some lack of numbers to carry out the service, the place concentrated on big groups and observed the small groups if needed, but very attentive. But the observed progress of the work, it shows the separation of the active to inactive waiters/waitress by the same face in different tables. Which is the only drawback. The food is beautiful in appearance, and the taste is satisfactory, which makes itself in the best than it other branches. The tuna roll is balanced to have a right degree of rice and tuna that doesn't figure for quantity but craft for quality. The squid balls were perfectly cooked inside that many restaurants had made the mistake, but they also made the mistake that made short to perfection the freshness that the squid balls were made. Which in many aspects that most restaurants had uncooked the inside to be cold, soggy, or can accidently for food poisoning by the raw squid. This restaurant didn't make the mistake,but left out the freshness that the Squid balls were baked like a donut. The breading and inside would start to lose the intense flavors as time outside of the oven, which it tastes from the balls dough. The nacho sushi is different in craftsmanship that it was made blissful of flavors, but unknown of sour crop sauce that can smooth out the intense kick that gives the variety taste and adjust to the dish that perfect with creativity. Which made the place that can stand on the location as one of the great for sushi lovers and...