Izakaya Osen Irvine — Restaurant in Irvine

I’m super disappointed that my reviews keep getting deleted by this company on a popular review website so here we are. In a nutshell, weird and awkward service, and mediocre sushi in an elevated environment. The Los Angeles location is what drew me into this place which mind you is fantastic. I recall each bite being melt in your mouth at the LA location. Here in OC, the quality of food and fish quality was subpar, and of course they're focusing more on aesthetics than actual service or fish quality. They spend more money on the plates and holders and really need to focus on training their staff.

//ENVIRONMENT// The environment is beautiful, with a beautiful sushi bar and private seating, and a bar which I honestly would go back to try the drinks. A very Japandi, Wabi-Sabi vibe. Everything includes plates, chopstick rest is extremely beautiful, this is definitely a place for a fancy client dinner!

//FOOD// Omakase bowl: the omakase bowl we received was disappointing and I thought there would be fish slices but all we got was chopped toro. I think we got the wrong bowl (Toro Uni Bowl) - The toro and uni were extremely fishy and didn't have that melt in your mouth experience like it did at the SM location. It tasted extremely “fishy” and unpleasant. Toro and Uni Small cold plate: this was okay! A lot better than the omakase bowl, but again didn't have that melt in your mouth experience I would expect from uni and toro. The crispy seaweed was a unique idea however and was a premium seaweed. Rock shrimp tempura: also just okay, taste like your standard wok style dynamite chicken but nothing worth the $25. Albacore handroll: this was my favorite of the night! It was super tasty and loved the onions, however it felt too big and they were trying to fit their plate. I enjoy smaller handrolls personally. Also the seaweed got soft/soggy FAST. Blue crab roll: not good, a weird paste like structure that didn't seem appetizing Kushiyaki: all the kushiyaki was just OK. It was all cold when served, and didn't have that same delicious taste/char as other places we've been to or seasoning. We had prime beef, asparagus bacon and beef. It seems like they focus more on quantity or size

//SERVICE// Service was really bad. We weren't greeted for 10 minutes, we were just sitting waiting for someone to take our drink order. Throughout the night service was super weird, not sure if there was assignment but had different servers throughout the night. No one checked up on us. I asked for an empty plate and this guy whipped out a wet plate before realizing it was drenched.

In addition my friend went the other day and she told me that they had a reservation, and they were a few minutes late due to finding parking and the hostess said they normally penalize those who are late. WTH. Hostess have to be more cordial and can say things in a nicer way! My friend was super upset because they’re from Gardena area and the Japanese hospitality there is so nice and not pretenti

//OVERALL// I don't think I would be back except maybe the bar to try their drinks. The servers here do need more training. The food quality needs to be improved. Go to...

Truly disappointed with our experience tonight at Izakaya Osen. We had made a reservation and yet, when we arrived, a table wasn’t ready and we still had to wait, despite there being open tables.

When seated, we had already noticed the table was quite cramped with all the different types of table decor - while it looked nice, it just didn’t logistically make sense. Regardless, we sat and ordered - this is when things took a turn for the worst.

Within about 10 minutes, our first dish was presented. Which normally- is amazing! But, soon after, the second dish. Then the third. And then all the food arrived all at once. We even asked a server to ask the kitchen to slow down on our food, as we felt rushed. (Mind you, our reservation was at 8 and the restaurant closes at 10) The servers didn’t even know where to put it all - that’s how small the table was. They ended up having to remove soy sauce, the condiment platter, and chopstick holders - which we noticed was a common theme with most of the tables surrounding us.

By the time we tried each dish, everything hot was cold, everything fried was soggy, and the seaweed on our hand rolls was soggy and couldn’t hold the rice or fish in place.

The host/manager on the floor noticed we had place our credit card on the table and asked if he could take it from us. I’m honestly surprised he noticed we didn’t touch half our crispy rice and a skewer. He asked us if everything was okay and I let him know that we unfortunately felt rushed and it was not an enjoyable experience. We asked him if we could just settle our check- he went to go investigate before he took a look at our bill.

They ended up taking off the Agedashi Tofu (mind you, the cheapest item we ordered) and a green tea, that we didn’t even order. Which was a kind gesture, but was pretty minute, in my opinion. We ended up paying $152, not including tip for a rushed meal. Which was incredibly disappointing, considering the fact that the food was actually pretty okay.

As we walked out, we got our parking validated and the same gentleman/manager proceeded to tell us that we should really talk to “our” server instead of another server who served us food to let them know about our experience to avoid any miscommunication. Followed with “I just don’t want you to have a ruined experience at Osen”

How’s this for miscommunication? Consider the...

I recently went here for their soft opening. I brought my nephew with me for his birthday. The set menu we experienced that evening was a special menu set for the soft opening for two and Izakaya Osen did not disappoint. They definitely know what they're doing when serving fresh tasty seafood and the presentation is perfection. The servers did an amazing job. They took the time to discuss in detail what they just presented to us. I would definitely go back and experience all this again. And then explore what else they have to offer

Here's to my omakease experience (This is the order was served | not what's shown in photo) • Miso Soup - delicious. Filled with tofu and seaweed • Miso Glazed Eggplant | Gluten Free and Vegan - I love love eggplant. When I saw this on the menu, I was so happy. My nephew doesn't like eggplant...more for me. Imagine eating this with 🍚 😍 • Toro Uni | loaded Toro and huge uni on top of crispy seaweed and topped it off with caviar - I would eat this again and again. This was my favorite • Rock Shrimp Tempura | Gluten Free - Shrimp tempura tossed in spicy aioli sauce. They had me at spicy and aoili • Miso Crab Salmon | Gluten Free - Snow crab wrapped in salmon. Drizzle with truffle oil, miso dressing and topped it off with black tobiko - this tasted amazing but very filling • Sashimi| Gluten Free - premium sashimi assortment, 3 pieces chef's choice: Amber Jack, Yellow Tail, and Fatty Toro • Sushi | premium nigiri assortment, 5 pieces chef's choice: Fatty Tuna Belly, Golden Eye, Snapper, Lumber Jack, Uni, and Sweet shrimp • Omakase Bowl | Gluten Free - Chef's choice or chopped and mixed seasonal fish, sea urchin, blue crab, salmon roe, sesame oil and sushi rice. Served with a side of kajike nori - this is delicious combination. First time trying kajike nori too. • Kushjyaki | Meat and Veggies on a stick • Futo Maki | Toro, salmon, yellowtail, tamago, kanpyo, cucumber, oshimko, avocado - a huge roll that comes with two pieces per person. Another perfect combination • Dessert | Matcha Ice Cream with mochi Perfect way to end the meal

My stomach was happy and full

#sushi #japanesefood #irvinefoodies...