Honda-Ya Tustin

556 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
714-832-0081
izakayahondaya.com

One of the best Yakitori establishments in Orange County, and located in Old Town Tustin, Honda Ya provides for a nice, special, intimate lunch or dinner with family or friends. Service has usually been excellent and used dishes are hauled away fairly quickly.

Expect long wait times during peak hours (Fridays and weekends), but there is plenty of parking available. There are some bar seats available, but I generally opt for tables. Whenever I go, I spend roughly $30-$100 a person, depending on company :)

My favorite dishes are the Yakitori – coal grilled items on sticks. If you are familiar with Tapas, Yakitori is the Japanese equivalent. Delicious, bite sized, expensive items that are good for social settings.

Favorite Non-Yakitori

• Gindara Miso Fish
• Yellowtail Jalapeño
• Grilled Onigiri Salmon
• Nabeyaki Udon
• Okonomi Dinner Plate

Favorite Yakitori

• Scallop Bacon/ Spicy Scallop Bacon
• Cartilage
• Okra
• Chef’s Special #3, 5 kinds of beef
• Yakitori 5 Mix
• Heart
• Gizzard

Recommended

• Salmon Skin Salad
• Poke Salad
• Osaka Style Yakiudon

Didn’t care for

• Zucchini Yakitori
• Duck Yakitori
• Blue Crab Hand Roll (at $8, it barely had any crab)

Not Recommended

• Spicy Shrimp Yakitori
• Grilled Avocado Volcano

Since Yakitori are on the pricey side, fill your meal with non-Yakitori dishes to help fill your stomach, or you may end up spending more than you wanted, or leave still feeling hungry.

After dining, walk around the block to Cream Pan bakery to grab yourself some of their delicious Strawberry Croissants, or in that same plaza, Snow Station (Taiwanese Shaved Ice.)