Aomatsu

by Stella L.

The atrociousness of its sushi actually compelled me to write a review.  Need I say more?  The service was ok, but you'd be _WAY_ better off getting sushi from Albertsons, or from Mitsuwa's garbage bins.

by Samson E.

Had my taste buds set for having some sushi and this was the place considering I've tried it before and it wasn't bad.Unfortunately, this Sunday was disappointing.  We got to Aomatsu at 11:45 am but the place did not open until Noon. So we decided to wait outside until it opened.  Noon came around and we peer our head into the place but the servers were still setting up and they did not even acknowledge our presence and they did not look like they were in no hurry to open the doors either.  It was like "Ya..whatever".  But we still decided to wait.  A family of 6 came and they, too peered into the restaurant and asked the server if they were opened, they said another 20 minutes.  And this was right after 4 guys came by too and left after they weren't opened at he posted time.  The family left and we decided to take our business somewhere else.  Maybe I was just hungry and irritated that they did not opened with the posted hour and that the staff appeared that they did not give a crap about the guests that they just lost within that 15 minutes.  Did not get a chance to have my sushi fit but just needed to vent out.

by jessica O.

I came here on a Tuesday night and I was more than happy with the food and the "sake bomb Mon/Tues night special"My friend and I had the Salmon Sushi, Avocado Roll, Spider Roll, and the Heart Attack Roll. Everything was tasty and decently priced.The Salmon Sushi was covered in Onions and to be perfectly honest, I was a little drunk because our "Sake Bomb Order" resulted in a big blue bottle of sake (the mistake of the server, who was very nice about it) as well as a large pitcher of beer. However, the sake was delicious, which made the Salmon Sushi delicious as well. Beyond that...my taste buds have failed me.The avocado roll was a little more disappointing. It was a little skimpy on the avocado...and yeah. what else can I say?The spider roll was pretty average...the soft shell crab was nice and crispy. The Heart Attack Roll, however, was seriously...just amazing. Maybe it was all the sake coursing through my body, but I just couldn't get enough of it. It's literally like a heart attack waiting to happen, with the rich tempura fried exterior, the spicy jalapeno,  and the rich sauces, but oh man. it's one of those artery clogging experiences that's...well...truly worth it. I think the best part of the night, however, was the service. The wait staff was extremely attentive. There was a very nice busboy that replaced my fallen chopsticks before I had even realized I had dropped them, and he called our waiter over for us as soon as we were ready to order as well. The hostess(?) came over to ask us if we wanted glasses of water when we were midway through the meal, and our waiter was nice and very courteous. He was also helpful with our alky selection, as he recommended the best bottle of sake I have ever had in my life. All in all, I'd say that Aomatsu is a very welcomed addition to the area, although I am sad to see Jimmy Z and their hookah nights leave us. The food was probably a 4 or so, but I'm going to bump it up to a 5 for the excellent service.  I thought the decor of the place was nice and I will definitely be back, especially for their Mon/Tues nights. I'm looking forward to trying a larger selection of their sushi/sashimi as well.Update: 7/3/2008Ok so I came back to Aomatsu...sober. Man being sober changes things. I had the heart attack roll again, and yes it was still good...a little heavy though. However, the rest of the sushi/rolls we ordered were only average at best and this restaurant is a bit pricey for the quality of the food. Therefore, sorry Aomatsu, but I've got to knock off a star. I'd give you a 3, but again, the service was amazing the first time around, so you go ahead and keep that extra star.

by Kat L.

I used to dorm by Albertson's and noticed a sushi place was opening, so my boyfriend and I made a mental note to try it! We came on the second day this place opened, decor was nice, staff was attentive, and the manager was super friendly going to each table and making conversation. Food was... alright, which was a huge disappointment especially being lead up to think it was going to be amazing by the vibe, ambiance, PRICES, etc. For the money you pay, you expect it to taste a lot fresher, better, and of higher quality. I guess they lowered the prices since my last visit but seems like the food... well, still sucks.Went back to give it a second try a month later and got the lunch special bento boxes. Again, it was alright. Nothing to write home about. So far nothing served seemed authenticThe only pros I can remember were location convenience and service. But I'd rather save my money and go into Tustin or Costa Mesa for my sushi fixes. But if I could give zero stars for this place, I would.

by Barry I.

Living nearby, I pass Aomatsu frequently and recently noticed the sign advertising 50% off sushi so we finally went to try it out.The menus came with rice stuck all over them.  There are many signs worded very poorly or even completely incomprehensible which I am sure is due to the fact they were made by an ESL person (English second language).  Even the menus had some confusing contradictions in the dinner combo plates.  The servers were very young an inexperienced which was painfully obvious even though there was hardly anyone else dining in the restaurant.  The prices were average even with 50% off so not a good value either.They do have some sake bomb specials but if they want to go for the young college crowd then they need to go all the way and make into more of Cal Beach Sushi kind of place; cheaper prices, fun atmosphere, music, etc.They have a great patio with a fire pit and it's such a shame that it goes to waste because no one ever eats out there.

by Samson E.Sida B.LUBY H.Bonnie L.Joe D.

Had my taste buds set for having some sushi and this was the place considering I've tried it before and it wasn't bad.Unfortunately, this Sunday was disappointing.  We got to Aomatsu at 11:45 am but the place did not open until Noon. So we decided to wait outside until it opened.  Noon came around and we peer our head into the place but the servers were still setting up and they did not even acknowledge our presence and they did not look like they were in no hurry to open the doors either.  It was like "Ya..whatever".  But we still decided to wait.  A family of 6 came and they, too peered into the restaurant and asked the server if they were opened, they said another 20 minutes.  And this was right after 4 guys came by too and left after they weren't opened at he posted time.  The family left and we decided to take our business somewhere else.  Maybe I was just hungry and irritated that they did not opened with the posted hour and that the staff appeared that they did not give a crap about the guests that they just lost within that 15 minutes.  Did not get a chance to have my sushi fit but just needed to vent out.Four times I've been here, only once I've actually enjoyed my experience -- Opening week. The rest of the three times:occasion 1. ordered food did not come until 1 hour later, to which the server also charged us for.occasion 2. special 50% deal on lunch sushi. They not only don't specify which one, but get upset when you bring it the fact that the flyer does not specify "On select sushi". Present your student ID for an additional discount and they will give you major attitude. occasion 3. i ask for basic tempura donburi (tempura and egg rice bowl)....and the chef refuses to modify the Tempura Don (tempura rice bowl). REALLY?? This is a basic main rice bowl dish that most Japanese restaurants serve. Chef fail.Today was the fourth and final time I am ever going to this place again. To start off, unless your seated at the sushi bar, do not expect prompt service. 2nd, the menu has many typos and stains on them. 3rd, the food is just terrible. My friend and I ordered:1. (99 cent per item) Salmon and Squid sushi.          nothing too impressive. I do not like how they add the extra mint to the Squid, most restaurants add a little mint. I want to taste my squid, not the mint.2. OYAKO DONBURI (chicken, onions, and egg over rice)             Hands down worst rice bowl I've ever had. Onions were taking the flavor away for the dish itself, and chicken was dry. Cheaped out on egg. I literally ended up taking my entire dish home. 3. Combo of CHICKEN KATSU and FISH TEMPURA                 Katsu is dry, fish tempura is all right. Both are completely bland by themselves, and the sauces provided do not really compliment the dish. Also comes with Miso soup which tasted like the ones you buy yourself at Mitsuwa. Heck those might even taste better. 1-star only because they have a flat screen HDTV that I sat and watched the 2009 US Open (Federer vs Soderling) to distract myself from the horrible food.Visited for a birthday dinner and it surprised me!My friend (the birthday girl) worked there, and she kept warning us that it isn't all that great, but we decided to pick this restaurant as the gathering spot anyways, and I thought overall the food was better than I had expected! The spicy tuna roll was cheap and delicious, and the sushi chef even gave us some rolls and baked scallops for free!There's a really good ice cream store just next door also, making it very convenient for yummy and cheap dessert!OM NOM NOM NOM! (:Delicious and cheap!(Srsly, even cheap, but good sushi!)Everything I've tried so far has been sooo great.Love to Yaki soba and Yaki udon.Miso soup isn't the best though, neither is the dessert.I love Japanese Green Tea though because of the hint of rice flavor in it! (:They don't seem to mind splitting the check when we eat in large groups. (:I made a Yelp account just to review Aomatsu, because it is the single worst Japanese restaurant on the planet. But first, the good: Cheap, good nigiri! Hey, that's pretty cool.Now for the bad: Lackadaisical staff, terrible lighting, awful service, bad attitude. This place SUCKS. I'm not trying to be mean, it's the truth. I suspect the people who work there agree with me, because aside from the sushi chefs, everyone always seems to want to go home. I am amazed by the terrible attitude at this restaurant every single time I go. It's actually worth trying, because you feel like you're in a SNL skit, or Punk'd. I feel like Ashton Kutcher is going to come out every time I arrive a half hour before closing and the hostess tells me they're closed.In a way, this place is like a local treasure, in the same way the locals of a town feel pride over their toxic waste sites, or terrible gang violence. Indeed, I take perverse pride in how terrible Aomatsu is. It's the opposite of a hidden gem, it is an incredible accessible pos.

by Linda Y.

I don't want to come back here even with the 50% off deal. I tried the philadelphia roll and salmon crunch roll today.  The fish does not taste fresh and there was absolutely nothing special about the cold soba or sushi. The hostess threw daggers with her eyes at me when I walked in today. What the eff? Did I have toilet paper hanging out of my butt or something? The sushi chef did not say goodbye or anything to us when we were leaving.  He just looked like he hated working there. One of the best things about sushi joints is the sushi chefs are very friendly and passionate about what they make for you. You can tell these Koreans are just here to sell sushi as an investment.  They don't really care about the quality of their products.

by Sida B.

Four times I've been here, only once I've actually enjoyed my experience -- Opening week. The rest of the three times:occasion 1. ordered food did not come until 1 hour later, to which the server also charged us for.occasion 2. special 50% deal on lunch sushi. They not only don't specify which one, but get upset when you bring it the fact that the flyer does not specify "On select sushi". Present your student ID for an additional discount and they will give you major attitude. occasion 3. i ask for basic tempura donburi (tempura and egg rice bowl)....and the chef refuses to modify the Tempura Don (tempura rice bowl). REALLY?? This is a basic main rice bowl dish that most Japanese restaurants serve. Chef fail.Today was the fourth and final time I am ever going to this place again. To start off, unless your seated at the sushi bar, do not expect prompt service. 2nd, the menu has many typos and stains on them. 3rd, the food is just terrible. My friend and I ordered:1. (99 cent per item) Salmon and Squid sushi.          nothing too impressive. I do not like how they add the extra mint to the Squid, most restaurants add a little mint. I want to taste my squid, not the mint.2. OYAKO DONBURI (chicken, onions, and egg over rice)             Hands down worst rice bowl I've ever had. Onions were taking the flavor away for the dish itself, and chicken was dry. Cheaped out on egg. I literally ended up taking my entire dish home. 3. Combo of CHICKEN KATSU and FISH TEMPURA                 Katsu is dry, fish tempura is all right. Both are completely bland by themselves, and the sauces provided do not really compliment the dish. Also comes with Miso soup which tasted like the ones you buy yourself at Mitsuwa. Heck those might even taste better. 1-star only because they have a flat screen HDTV that I sat and watched the 2009 US Open (Federer vs Soderling) to distract myself from the horrible food.

by Bonnie L.

OM NOM NOM NOM! (:Delicious and cheap!(Srsly, even cheap, but good sushi!)Everything I've tried so far has been sooo great.Love to Yaki soba and Yaki udon.Miso soup isn't the best though, neither is the dessert.I love Japanese Green Tea though because of the hint of rice flavor in it! (:They don't seem to mind splitting the check when we eat in large groups. (:

by Larry I.

Not too bad for a Japanese/Sushi restaurant operated by Koreans (I'm pretty damn sure it is.  Actually a lot of Japanese restaurants are for whatever reason).  I'm usually there for weekday lunches.  The combination lunches are super reasonable in price, quality and quantity.  I'm a hefty eater and I would say the portions are quite large.  The food is solid and the service is a bit understaffed at times, but attentive.  Their 'half price' sushi menu is a sham; there's no way in hell that I would pay full price for those items.  I think the Philly roll is $7, which is half priced.  Yikes.  The quality of fish is ok, it won't get you sick but will not have you craving for more.  Quite honestly, I cannot understand why this place is so empty at times.