Taka-O Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Been coming here for years. Last night was the first time I’ve found an eyelash in my soup.
You’d think the manager would come apologize, offer to comp the meal or a bottle of wine, but nothing.

Came here for lunch. The tataki sauce they use here is awesome! Had it with some albacore and it was delicious. The hummingbird roll was also very good. Everything else I tried was ok. Nothing is order again but those first two dishes were amazing. Would definitely come back here if I’m ever in the area.

An update to my last post!
The B###H that prompted my last rant has been terminated. WOOHOO! That’s what happens when you drink on the job, and vomit on the stage. LOL! I just love karma. Now we can enjoy any night there, sing, eat, drink, and not have to look at, and deal with little old «Sour Puss».
Put that in your empty tip jar… B###H!
Thanks to the management for making the best choice here. Hail Taka-​O !

A co-​worker of mine (neither of us are California locals) recommended this to me as I was in the area for work. WOW! Did not disappoint as I had high expectations based on her rave reviews.
Hummingbird appetizer. Stuffed peppers w tempura atop cucumbers. Delicious sauce.
The Ono roll (the white colored roll pictured) was described to me by the waiter as the house specialty and everyone orders it. It was the best sushi roll I’ve tasted in a long, long, long time. The house tataki sauce was very yummy.
The seared tuna roll was also very good and had a nice flavor.
Very satisfied!

Roger is great. Always excellent sushi. The parking in front is limited. However, there is street parking in front and behind. Hero’s salad is a lot of mixed fish with an outstanding sauce.
The kitchen sink hand roll is a must.

Delicious sushi!
Try the famous …
‘OH NO!!! Roll!‘
Delish!!!
I also like the Crunchy Roll!
Everything there is delicious!
Fun and friendly atmosphere.
They have a separate bar with Karaōke for those that love to entertain others.
Roger, the owner, is very friendly, hospitable and fun!
It has a nice dining area too.
Good for families.

Albacore Tataki is the bomb. Family recipes. Dining room lunch is the best Japanese sit down deal in town. Parking in front is limited. Trick is to park on the street above and come down the steps to the restaurant.

Whats up my Unilocalies,
YES!!! I’m once not in LA, haha! Came here for the first time since I went to San Diego Seaworld with some friends and they actually live in San Clemente so thought why not try this Karaōke Bar after our delicious dinner. Parking here is a little hard since they don’t have many spaces, but luckily we found a spot right next to the trash cans.
I personally didn’t order anything to drink, just came in for some fun and chat. My friends did order some beer which was around $ 7. I do like how the place is very homey feeling, but I wish that they have more chairs for people to sit. The bar is located right at the back of the Karaōke, so very convenient for people who wants to drink and sing. I like how at each bar table they have a little iPad attach on the side of the wall so you can see what choices they have for the Karaōke.
I personally didn’t go up to sing since I didn’t drink any alcohol, but it was definitely great fun for my friends. It would have been better if they have more choice of songs but hey, it is more of an 90s place so it was still enjoyable to listen to some oldie songs. We weren’t there for long maybe just an hour or so but I definitely had a great time chatting with my friends and watching them sing.
Their service is pretty decent, they have 2 people in the front to check IDs and a few at the bar to help people with drinks. Their drinks weren’t that expensive so definitely affordable.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to try their food since I did just ate before I came, but it seems like they do have pretty amazing Japanese food. A little sad that I didn’t get to try it since I love sushi but hopefully there will be a next time.
Overall, 4 stars for service, 3 stars for atmosphere, 3 stars for environment and decorations, 4 stars for drinks/​food.

My go to and the place where I convert said «non-​sushi» to licking the plate at this place. Try their «Oh– No» roll along with any of their fresh cuts. I’ve been going forever with the same sushi chefs who also remember my favorites. Love this place!

This place has been my go to Sushi Bar for 20 plus years, although I don’t live in San Clemente, I pass through from time to time, and it’s a favorite for some of my Northern friends and a great place in the middle. We all know there’s more sushi bars today than ever before, but this place sets the standard, and still holds the crown for the best seared tuna with their very own special sauce!!!
It’s always super clean, friendly and serves the freshest of fish.
With a two story Sushi bar you generally can fit in somewhere. As an added bonus, you can always share your sake induced talent for karaōke with their karaōke bar.
Drink, Eat Sing n Laugh!
Thanks TAKAO

We were driving down the PCH and decided to stop here for lunch. Huge mistake. Very disappointed in the food. The service was fine but the food was atrocious. When we came in we were sat right away because the place was mostly empty.
I ordered the sushi lunch special and my wife got the sesame chicken. Her lunch came out a few minutes before mine which would have been fine if my lunch was good. When I got it I looked at the sushi and was turned off right away. The plate had little pools of liquid on it around the sushi of what I can only hope was rice vinegar. You don’t really want to see your sushi sitting in a pool of anything so that did not start things well. When I finally worked up the courage to take a bite I knew I was right about the vinegar. Whomever made that sushi was very heavy handed with the vinegar. That mixed with the slightly off texture of the fish and I couldn’t even finish the few pieces I was served.
Also, the soda was a bit watered down.
Overall, I will not be ever going back.

Came here for my Birthday and sat at the sushi bar upstairs. Had a Great time with Roger the sushi chef. VERY Entertaining! Good food, good service, good times…

Gone downhill
Wow, what a disappointment we had last night at Taka-​O. We enjoyed our two other visits here, but last night we sat in the dining room instead of at the sushi bar. The waitress finally came to our table after about 8 minutes. We ordered appetizers of Gyoza and the stuffed jalapeño special. The Gyoza came out in a reasonable amount of time but were unfortunately well done and tasteless. There was no dipping sauce offered. A little while later sushi, sashimi and teriyaki arrived, all at different times. And then finally the jalapeño appetizer. All of the rolls were loosely rolled and fell apart. The teriyaki chicken was tasteless, as well as the sashimi. And the service was just bad. In all, very disappointed and won’t go back.

Best sushi I have ever eaten. They make it right in front you roughly around 14 $ for 6 – 8 rolls but it is worth it. The staff there were excellent and kind. It’s a cool date spot with a bar and nightly karaōke after 10pm in the next room for after dinner drinks. Crowd is mid aged locals having a good time. Only down fall is the rumor of fights breaking out and when bar was closing that’s exactly what happened. I recommend leaving right before closing. But overall would definitely be going again. The fight did not steer me away from hanging out here!

One of the best Japanese restaurants in Orange County. My family and I come here all the time. Recommend to anyone looking for a good Japanese restaurant. California rolls are fresh and delicious.
Our waiter tonight Cody was awesome!
Looking forward to coming back again

Bam! Taka’O another great dining experience. If your lucky enough to get the upper bar you may meet the owner of this traditional San Clemente hot spot. Great sushi! Don’t miss the Tuna Tataki roll, Oh No roll or the Kitchen Sink. These are all classics at Taka’O. If you feel like crooning (that’s singing) the karaōke bar sports some of the best American Idol and The Voice talent in San Clemente. Roger (the owner) does an outstanding job of entertaining upstairs and once again great sushi. Ask for the flash fried broccoli and rice or the fried calamari, ridiculously good. Oh I forgot about the fried ice cream! My sons favorite! He wouldn’t share with me so it must have been good.

It’s difficult to write a review as not only a customer, but also an employee.
I’ve been a customer at Taka-​O for about 3 years, and I’ve been working here as a Karaōke Host for a little bit over a year now.
What can I say? Well, if I didn’t like this place, I would have not applied to work here, and I’d certainly not want to remain here.
Karaōke 7 nights a week at a bar is incredible and combine that with amazing Sushi = Heaven
We do get weird people at the bar every now and then, but the majority of people are amazing who visit Taka-​O, and I’ve come across some wonderful friends.
5 Stars for Taka-​O Japanese Restaurant
Thank you Kelley & Roger for making all this happen

Had the Santa Maria Roll tonight. Server Sid is the bomb. She is so attentive and thorough. Sal put together our roll. Outstanding. And the crazy karoeke makes it that much better

I love their calamari rings. They are huge. The size of bracelets!!! The sauce that comes with it is soooo good!!! It’s my favorite!!!
This has been a date night place. It has a party feel when you go at night because of the karaōke bar.
The sushi bar is always a nice place to sit here if u can get a spot. It’s usually always a happening place here even on week nights.
One of the hand rolls that you must try is the Kitchen Sink. OmG, it’s a party in my mouth when I eat this!!!
just beware of the hours… they open late for dinner!!!
Enjoy!

I ate here again last night and it was sooooo good! I really liked our server, she was so sweet and provided great service. The fish is fresh, delicious, and our rolls and drinks both came out fast.
The Oh No roll is amazing, you have to try it!