Sushi Wasabi — Restaurant in Tustin

This is REALLY a HOLEY MOLEY SUSHI of a place!! =)

Not because it's right next to a Mexican restaurant that's adequately named Holey Moley.. =) I would have NEVER found this place if it wasn't for Yelp.

But because, Hands Down, I have to say for the quality level of sushi that is served here, this 1 of the TOP 3 BEST Sushi places I have been to in OC; I have been to so many Sushi places that have disappointed me from high end to mom & pop places.

Well, NO more!! Because I LOVE LOVE this place! =)

This review is NOT for the Omakase @Sushi bar for $70 / person before tax & tip.

BUT, this IS for the Sit down booths; the smaller side tables surrounding the long sushi bar.

The Iron Chef (Sushi) stands behinds the sushi bar & prepares all of the dishes; him & ONLY him & No one else...

This is a TRADITIONAL sushi place, if you like that Americanized California roll crap then definitely don't come here. So if you come here expecting the Asian/ California Fusion stuff then go elsewhere.

Because, If you are the Hard core fresh seafood lover like Moi, then this is THE place 4 you to go to. =) Food:

Alaskan Albacore: 3 Stars Fresh & pretty thick slices but a bit on the frozen side. Not my cup of tea.

Kumamoto Oyster from Seattle: 5+ STARS (3 pieces per order) The BEST ones I've had in Southern Cali. They're Small but they pack a ton of flavors as your tongue soaks up the deliciousness. So yummy & delicious!! I so wish they were bigger though.

Blue Crab Hand roll - 5 STARS A popular dish for most customers & I understood why because when I took a bite out of this baby, I could taste the freshness of the sea as I was munching away. =)

Yellow Tail: 5 STARS A soft tender piece of fish that just melts in your mouth & makes your mouth sing. =) Backside: Totally white, which means fattier and sweeter - better quality. Berry side - sweeter and better than backside.

Baked Scallop: 4 stars Small pieces of scallops with sauteed onions on top surrounded by citrusy ponzu sauce.

Uni from Santa Barbara: 5 STARS Small but very sweet. One of the best in Southern Cali. I LOVE it, makes me miss freshly caught Uni even More.

Octopus: 2 stars Fresh but So so chewy that it made my jaw a bit tired from chewing. I love octopus but not when it's this chewy.

Halibut: 3.5 stars Fresh & clear color w/ mint & a touch of wasabi underneath which gives it final lingering kick to your senses. A bit on the chewy side.

Eel: 3.5 stars So soft & fresh that pieces were falling off. Grilled & drizzled with BBQ sauce (a bit too much though) ­* Overall:

Food: A++ This place BEATS Angotei on freshness & quality level. The decent sized pieces of seafood are on top of small portions of rice, rather than the other way around like other sushi places. =)

Service: A

Decor: B+ Hidden gem but Cozy, very small mom & pop place ( only 5 tables available for sit down & the rest is by the sushi bar reserved only for Omakase)

Ambiance: A Simple & small but clean; great for a nice intimate night out with your loved one. You will go home with a...

(Note: This review is in regards to their stay-at-home takeout.)

I have been living 5 minutes away and didn't know about this wonderful sushi establishment until recently when another Facebook user posted it on an OC Suggested Eats (during the pandemic) recommendation.

After seeing the recommendation, I've tried out two of their dishes - the chirashi bowl (about $25) and the deluxe nigiri set (about $50) - both of which are absolutely delicious.

First off, the sushi here is quality. The fish selections; the cut; the freshness - they are all here. I've now been here three times and each time, I wasn't disappointed by any of the sushi orders. The standout order is the deluxe nigiri set. You get a set of 11 different sushi items - my set included uni, which I haven't had since the beginning of the pandemic and was so delicious. It came with a handroll (I believe I ordered the blue crab) which was additionally just super solid. You had to roll it yourself with clear, easy instructions and was absolutely a delight. The chriashi bowl is a much smaller portion of a meal but the sushi quality is chirashi as good. The miso soup that the chirashi bowl comes with is super solid as well.

The presentation is also exquisite for a takeout order. It's carefully prepared for both the set and chirashi orders and they did include an ice pack if I was taking a little longer than expected.

Ordering is super easy - just call in and they're usually able to get your order done in 20-30 minutes depending how busy they are. They are also super kind (usually just the server and the sushi chef when I went in - masks required). Their updated menu can be found here on Yelp and they do sell various sake and beer (I believe at a little bit of a discount).

I hope they're able to make it during these tough times as I'd love to go back and dine in to get one of...

Sushi Wasabi is an absolute treasure for those who crave authentic, melt-in-your-mouth sushi. Tucked away in Tustin, this unassuming spot is all about quality over flash, and every bite reminds you why sushi is considered an art form.

The Omakase here is not just a meal, it’s an experience. You can tell immediately that the fish is of the highest quality—each piece is cut with precision and presented like a gift. The toro, especially, is so rich and buttery, it practically melts on your tongue.

What I loved most is how Sushi Wasabi stays true to the spirit of Edomae sushi. This isn’t the place for crazy rolls drenched in sauce—this is real sushi. You come here for the purity of the fish, the perfectly seasoned rice, and the simple, clean flavors. It’s sushi as it was meant to be, and that’s rare these days.

Service is attentive without being intrusive. The staff takes their time to explain each dish and ensure you’re enjoying every moment of the meal. There’s a quiet respect for the food here.

Yes, it’s not the cheapest sushi you’ll find, but for what you’re getting, it’s worth every penny. If you’re a serious sushi lover, you owe it to yourself to experience Sushi Wasabi. I’ll be coming back here...