Uoko Japanese Cuisine

by Mike M.

A few reviewers have mentioned that the location may initially seem off-putting if you haven't been here before. It certainly looks like an old school strip mall that has seen better days, but step into Uoko and toss a few pieces of sushi down your gullet and concerns about the location will disappear.We've stopped by this place 4 or 5 times now and I can't think of a bad word to say. I'm a fairly predictable sushi eater: hamachi and tuna sashimi, ikura (salmon eggs), uni, spanish mackerel, and an occasional roll. These guys score high on all of these. Nice big hunks of buttery yellow tail are not the norm in a lot of the local joints, but these guys deliver.One of the negative reviews I see here is quite interesting in that the person complains about the number of "typical" rolls that are offered here. Well.....many folks like those rolls, so it's pretty much di riguer to offer them, but if you're a "real" sushi buff, nix the rolls and go for the simplicity of sashimi or ngiri and then you'll be able to discern the difference between indifferent sushi and folks who get it right. I think these guys do a great job.

by Nina L.

Get the toro!!  It melts in your mouth.  The raw sweet shrimp is also very tasty.  This is definitely not your average sushi bar with California Rolls and whatever-else rolls.  Of course you can order those but would you order that in Japan??  This place is authentic and the sushi chefs and servers are all Japanese.  If you sit at the bar, ask the chef to make you whatever is fresh that day.  It'll be worth the adventure.

by Kyle H.

This was my second time visiting Uoko.  Both times I've visited the service was nonexistent.  The food was so-so.  I was not impressed with the variety of rolls or the moderately fresh fish

by Peter Y.

I don't know why it took me this long to review this place.  I have been coming here for the past 15 years!  I guess I haven't been here for awhile and I wanted to make sure the quality of the place is hasn't changed.  If you want the best sweet shrimp in OC - this is the place.  They have an aquarium with the live shrimps and lobsters!  When you order sweet shrimp sushi (2 pcs), the sushi chef will actually net one out of the tank and prepare it right in front of you.  I love the firm texture and the sweetness of the shrimp.  You can't get any fresher sweet shrimp sushi.  The Uni sushi is always creamy and sweet as well as some of the chef's specials - just ask the sushi chef.  Some of the specials rolls are ok - nothing remarkable but do sit at the sushi bar and try the sweet shrimp for yourself.Cheers,

by Kirsten D.

Uoko is definitely one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in south Orange County. I usually go there about once a week on my work lunch break to satisfy my Japanese food craving. The restaurant itself isn't super fancy, so if you care about appearances over taste, then this isn't your place. The shopping center is outdated and there must be some kind of sewage problem because sometimes it will stick really bad outside. If you are looking to eat fresh sushi and yummy Japanese food, then this place is definitely worth checking out. They serve authentic Japanese food and you will spot many Japanese business men dining there (always a good sign). They also serve food that isn't on the menu, so if you are looking for a certain item or Japanese dish, just ask the waiter and most likely they will have it. Everything I order pretty much isn't on the menu. This place sometimes will get very busy during lunch, so a wait may be expected but it's totally worth the wait.

by Joe M.

I've been having dinner lunch there for the last 16 years. Great service, they you like family every time. The Japanese cuisine is superb and the sushi is even better. You can't go wrong when your ordering, they even have a kids plate just for the little ones.

by Anita L.Phil V.Mike M.Steven N.

I can't believe I've never been here before! The lovely Melissa O took me to lunch today for my birthday and we came here. Both of us had the $14.95 sushi lunch special which included 5 sushi items from a menu and miso soup. Don't let the 5 items fool you, it was pretty filling! My selection included:yellowtail sushi -- 2 pieces of nigiri sushi with very flavorful yellowtail! Thi was my first piece so I was quite impressed!salmon skin hand roll -- freshly cooked up salmon skin rolled into crispy nori..... very nice!freshwater eel -- meh this wasn't the best for me.... too much unagi sweet sauce. I was expecting how Murasaki does it, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside with some lemon and sea salt. I think the sauce killed it for mered snapper -- absolutely awesome! this was something I would've liked to have seconds of but unfortunately, you can't repeat your order for this special sushi lunch menu itemsspicy yellowtail handroll -- nice although it didn't stand out in any way... just your typical spicy handrollThey were extremely busy today. Melissa, who is a regular said she'd never seen this many people before.I will definitely come back here again! I can't believe I've never been before! Thanks Melissa for spending my birthday with me and also, for lunch!Went back recently after a long hiatus.  What was I thinking?  I should have never stopped coming here to try something new.  Just reinforces the old adage, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.Had curry here for the first time and it was very good.  The portions were good and the curry to rice ratio was also good.  You know what I mean, like when you have too much rice and not enough curry or vice versa.We also have a cruchy roll.  My all time favorite roll, from my all time favorite place. Don't get no better.The service was very friendly and quick as usual.Would I go back? Hell yeah. This is my favorite sushi restaruant in South County.  The sushi is excellent and the service is… A few reviewers have mentioned that the location may initially seem off-putting if you haven't been here before. It certainly looks like an old school strip mall that has seen better days, but step into Uoko and toss a few pieces of sushi down your gullet and concerns about the location will disappear.We've stopped by this place 4 or 5 times now and I can't think of a bad word to say. I'm a fairly predictable sushi eater: hamachi and tuna sashimi, ikura (salmon eggs), uni, spanish mackerel, and an occasional roll. These guys score high on all of these. Nice big hunks of buttery yellow tail are not the norm in a lot of the local joints, but these guys deliver.One of the negative reviews I see here is quite interesting in that the person complains about the number of "typical" rolls that are offered here. Well.....many folks like those rolls, so it's pretty much di riguer to offer them, but if you're a "real" sushi buff, nix the rolls and go for the simplicity of sashimi or ngiri and then you'll be able to discern the difference between indifferent sushi and folks who get it right. I think these guys do a great job.I use to come here often for their lunch sushi special. You got miso soup along with 5 picks of sushi for $14.95. You can choose from these 2 piece nigiri sushi: tuna, tuna tataki, yellow tail, albacore, salmon, snapper, egg, mackerel, halibut, shrimp, octopus, squid, sea eel, freshwater eel, surf clam and fish roe. Hand rolls to choose from: tuna, yellow tail, salmon skin, California, spicy salmon, spicy tuna, Chinese dynamite, spicy yellow tail, scallop, and spicy scallop. Cut rolls to choose from: California, Philadelphia, tuna and cucumber. The sushi here has always been fresh and the cuts were decent in size. Uoko has a small sushi bar with also a handful of tables for cooked dishes table dining. I've never eaten any of their cooked dishes as their sushi is that good to me. When I order the sushi lunch special, I typically get the same 5 nigiri sushi. My favorite lunch pieces here in order are: tuna tataki, salmon, albacore, yellowtail and tuna.My absolute  favorite thing to eat here is sweet shrimp. They have a tank where they just scoop out a live shrimp. Then do their magic and make it into sushi right in front of you. Doesn't get much fresher than that. Also I really enjoy the taste of raw shrimp. I enjoy cooked shrimp too but raw is a nice change. Most the time I tell people about this place, they will ask where is it again. I then simply reply, in the same parking lot as Captain Creams and then it becomes crystal clear to them. Parking is pretty easy these days as Wahoo has relocated to the new El Toro development.

by Nuggie N.

Another excellent sushi bar in Orange County. Its located in what I refer to as the Anti-Irvine mall (There is a head shop, a strip club, martini bar, liquor store, dance club, hookah bar, and a live music bar in the same lot).If you go there, make sure that you take a look at the menu at the bar and order anything that says 'LIVE' next to it. Sushi just does not get any fresher than this. If you order sweet shrimp (one of my faves), the sushi chef will grab a net and fish a couple out of the aquarium behind him and cut them up for you. I'm not sure why, but it just seems to taste better knowing that the little critter was alive just mere moments ago and was sacrificed for your eating pleasure. If any PETA members are reading this, please do not fire bomb my house.Also make sure that you order the sauteed pink scallops. They make it in this butter sauce that is just crazy yummy.

by Denny S.

Found this place on a recent trip to Orange County for business.  The sushi here was excellent with an atmosphere that is hard to find out of California.  It was a nice mix of a traditional sushi-ya with a dash of modern thrown in.  Overall my sushi experience here was excellent and when I'm next in town on business it will be on places to return to eat.  The sushi specials were a nice touch.  The service for me was above average and for the price I left with a great feeling only wanting to return for more throughout my week in OC.

by Penn T.

Been going to this place for years and it's always been great.  Sushi is always fresh and they have a lot of other stuff on the menu too.  They're also one of the few places in the area that I know does live lobster sashimi.  I know it sounds bad but the lobster is still moving when they serve it, it's THAT fresh.  After you have the meat, they take the arms and shells and make it into a miso soup.It's also a very small place so make sure you get there at the right time...