In the heart of Irvine, Izakaya Osen Irvine brings together traditional Japanese izakaya culture, premium sushi and sashimi, charcoal-grilled kushiyaki, creative Japanese dishes, and an inviting atmosphere designed for sharing.
Located on Main Street in Irvine, Izakaya Osen offers a dining experience that blends the casual social spirit of a Japanese izakaya with the presentation and ingredient quality of a more elevated sushi restaurant. For Orange County food lovers, it has become a destination for sushi dinners, date nights, celebrations, and meals with friends.
The Spirit of a Japanese Izakaya
The word "izakaya" refers to a Japanese style of bar and restaurant where people gather to enjoy drinks, conversation, and a variety of small dishes.
Izakaya Osen brings that concept to Southern California with a menu designed for sharing. Guests can move from sushi and sashimi to grilled skewers, specialty bowls, hot pots, and other contemporary Japanese dishes throughout the meal.
The restaurant first opened its doors on July 20, 2017, in Silver Lake. The Irvine location followed in October 2022, expanding the Osen experience into Orange County.
Premium Sushi and Sashimi
At the center of the Izakaya Osen experience is its sushi and sashimi program.
The restaurant says it sources premium fish directly from Japan, combining traditional sushi techniques with contemporary presentations. Its menu includes chef-selected sushi and sashimi assortments, nigiri, specialty rolls, and seasonal seafood.
For lunch, the Irvine menu includes selections such as Sushi Hachi Mori, Sashimi Hachi Mori, Sushi & Sashimi Hachi Mori, and Chirashi, giving guests several ways to experience the restaurant's seafood-focused menu.
Signature Bowls and Creative Japanese Cuisine
Izakaya Osen also stands out for its specialty bowls, which combine premium seafood with bold flavors and carefully selected ingredients.
Among the restaurant's signature offerings are the Toro Uni Bowl, Uni Bowl, Blue Crab Uni Bowl, Toro Unagi Bowl, and Omakase Bowl. These dishes bring together ingredients such as fatty tuna, sea urchin, blue crab, salmon roe, and sushi rice.
The menu also includes creative dishes such as Miso Crab Salmon, reflecting the restaurant's approach of combining familiar Japanese flavors with contemporary ideas.
Kushiyaki: Japanese Flavor from the Grill
Sushi may attract many first-time guests, but Izakaya Osen's menu extends well beyond raw seafood.
The restaurant features kushiyaki, traditional Japanese skewered foods cooked over charcoal. Chicken, seafood, beef, and other ingredients are prepared for the grill, adding a smoky, savory element to the menu.
For diners who prefer cooked dishes, the menu also includes Japanese comfort foods, teriyaki dishes, donburi, udon, yakisoba, and other hot selections.
A New Omakase Experience in Irvine
In September 2026, Izakaya Osen Irvine introduced a new $150 omakase course, created around premium sushi, seasonal ingredients, and a progression of carefully selected Japanese dishes.
The restaurant describes the new course as a modern interpretation of traditional omakase, making it particularly suited to special dinners, date nights, celebrations, or anyone looking for a more curated Japanese dining experience.
For Orange County diners interested in exploring omakase without leaving Irvine, the new course adds another dimension to the restaurant's already extensive sushi program.
More Than Just Sushi
One of the attractions of Izakaya Osen is the variety of the menu.
Guests can start with small plates and appetizers before moving into sushi, sashimi, grilled kushiyaki, signature bowls, or hot pot. The restaurant also offers Japanese sake, beer, wine, and other beverages to accompany the meal.
That variety makes it easy for a group to order multiple dishes and share different flavors rather than limiting the meal to a traditional sushi dinner.
An Irvine Setting for Dates, Groups and Celebrations
Izakaya Osen Irvine has a modern, intimate atmosphere that works for different types of occasions.
The restaurant offers semi-private dining rooms for groups, meetings, celebrations, and other gatherings. Its Irvine location also includes a patio area, while certain private rooms can accommodate smaller groups and are equipped for presentations or business gatherings.
Whether it's a dinner for two, a night out with friends, or a special celebration, the restaurant's combination of sushi, cocktails, Japanese dishes, and group-dining options makes it more versatile than a traditional sushi bar.
The Osen Family Continues to Grow
Izakaya Osen is part of the broader Osen restaurant group founded by Chef Damon Cho.
According to the company, Chef Cho has more than 18 years of restaurant-industry experience and trained at Le Cordon Bleu in California, with experience at establishments including Nobu, Four Seasons, and Tao. He opened his first Japanese restaurant in San Francisco in 2009 before launching Izakaya Osen in Silver Lake in 2017.
Today, the Osen family includes Izakaya Osen locations in Silver Lake and Irvine, with additional concepts and locations in development. The group has also expanded its Japanese dining portfolio with omakase-focused concepts.
The SocalEat Take
Izakaya Osen offers a modern interpretation of the Japanese izakaya experience, combining premium seafood and sushi with charcoal-grilled dishes, creative bowls, hot pots, and an extensive selection of Japanese-inspired dining options.
For Orange County food lovers, the Irvine location provides an opportunity to enjoy everything from a casual lunch of sushi or donburi to a more elaborate dinner built around premium sashimi, kushiyaki, signature dishes, and omakase.
With its emphasis on Japanese ingredients, contemporary presentation, and a social dining atmosphere, Izakaya Osen is a destination worth exploring when you're looking for something beyond the typical sushi restaurant.
Visit Izakaya Osen Irvine
Izakaya Osen Irvine
2000 Main St, Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92614
Phone: (949) 308-4290
The Irvine location is open daily for lunch and dinner, with lunch service from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM and dinner from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Visit Izakaya Osen's official website
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