Minato Sushi: Your Go-To for Fresh, Affordable Sushi in Lake Forest, CA

Minato Sushi Introduce

Are you a sushi enthusiast living in or visiting Lake Forest, California, searching for a place that offers both exceptional quality and incredible value? Look no further than Minato Sushi! This beloved local sushi restaurant has earned a stellar reputation for its outstanding food, wide selection of dishes, and surprisingly affordable prices. Minato Sushi aims to provide a high-class dining experience without the high-class price tag, making it a must-visit for anyone craving fresh, delicious Japanese cuisine right here in Orange County. From meticulously prepared sashimi to a vast array of specialty rolls, Minato Sushi promises a memorable meal every time.

Introduction / Overview

Minato Sushi is a highly-rated sushi establishment located in Lake Forest, California, celebrated for delivering a truly amazing culinary experience. Patrons consistently praise the restaurant for its outstanding food quality, noting that the dishes, despite their affordable prices, feel "high-class." This balance of quality and value is a significant draw, setting Minato Sushi apart in the local dining scene. The menu is extensive, offering a wide selection that caters to diverse tastes, from traditional sushi and sashimi to innovative rolls and other Japanese specialties. A particular highlight for many is the sashimi boat, lauded for its superb quality and freshness, making it an ideal choice for sharing with friends and family. Beyond the food, Minato Sushi is known for its consistent service and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages repeat visits. The thoughtful "final touches," like a teddy bear-shaped orange for dessert, add a unique and charming element to the dining experience, reinforcing its appeal as a friendly and reliable spot for sushi lovers.

Location and Accessibility

Minato Sushi enjoys a prime location at 23505 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA. This address places it directly on a major thoroughfare in Lake Forest, making it incredibly convenient and easy to find for residents across the city and surrounding areas. Being situated on El Toro Road means it's well-connected and accessible via various routes. For those driving, Minato Sushi is located within a commercial plaza, which typically provides a private lot for parking. This ensures that guests can easily find a spot, alleviating the common concern of parking in busy areas. The restaurant's strategic placement makes it a natural stop for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner, or even a takeout order on the way home, embodying true local convenience.

Services Offered

Minato Sushi provides a comprehensive range of services designed to offer a flexible and enjoyable dining experience for all its customers:

Dine-In: Guests can enjoy their meals in the comfortable and friendly ambiance of the restaurant, perfect for a casual lunch or a delightful dinner with friends and family. The restaurant can accommodate parties of various sizes.
Takeout: For those who prefer to enjoy their sushi at home or on the go, Minato Sushi offers convenient takeout services. Orders can be placed online or by phone for pickup.
Delivery: Minato Sushi partners with popular third-party delivery platforms such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Caviar, allowing customers to have their favorite dishes delivered directly to their doorstep, providing ultimate convenience.
Extensive Sushi and Sashimi Menu:
- Sashimi: A standout offering, with options like Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, and a highly recommended Sashimi Boat featuring a fresh selection of chef's choice fish.
- Nigiri: A wide array of fresh fish options including Ahi Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Albacore, Eel, Shrimp, and more, available by the piece.
- Specialty Rolls: An impressive selection of unique and creative rolls such as the Lake Forest Roll (cucumber wrap, no rice), Burrito Roll (soy paper wrap), Crunch Rainbow Roll, Fire Fighter Roll, Ginger Man Roll, and the popular Crunch Roll.
- Classic Rolls: Favorites like California Rolls, Spicy Tuna Rolls, Philadelphia Rolls, and Tempura Rolls like Crispy California Roll and Shrimp Tempura Roll.
Cooked Japanese Dishes: Beyond sushi, the menu includes grill items like Chicken Teriyaki, Beef Teriyaki, Salmon Teriyaki, and Kalbi Grill, served with miso soup, rice, and salad. They also offer bowls such as Chirashi Bowl, Unagi Bowl, and various Teriyaki Bowls.
Appetizers & Other Specialties: A diverse range of appetizers like Albacore Chips, Baked Green Mussels, Gyoza, Jalapeno Poppers, and various Tempura options. They also offer a variety of Udon noodle soups and delectable desserts.

Features / Highlights

Minato Sushi distinguishes itself with several key features that contribute to its high appeal among locals:

Outstanding Food Quality and Freshness: Customers consistently rave about the high quality of the ingredients, especially the freshness of the seafood used for sashimi and sushi. The "thick and buttery" salmon cuts and "strong wasabi" are often highlighted.
Incredibly Affordable Prices: Despite the high quality, Minato Sushi is noted for its very reasonable and affordable pricing, making high-class sushi accessible to a broader audience. This value proposition is a significant draw.
Wide Selection of Dishes: The extensive menu ensures that there's something for everyone, whether you're a traditional sushi purist, a fan of creative rolls, or prefer cooked Japanese dishes like teriyaki and udon.
Signature Sashimi Boat: This is a must-try item, highly recommended for its generous portions of fresh, high-quality seafood, ideal for sharing with groups.
Consistent Food and Service: Minato Sushi is known for its reliability, offering consistently good food and great service, which contributes to its status as a "reliable and tasty sushi place" for regulars.
Unique Dessert Touches: The "teddy bear shaped Orange for dessert" is a charming and memorable final touch that adds to the overall positive dining experience.

Promotions or Special Offers

Minato Sushi is well-known for its fantastic ongoing promotion that truly sets it apart and offers exceptional value to its customers: Every 3rd sushi roll is free! This offer makes it incredibly appealing for individuals and groups alike, encouraging customers to try a variety of rolls and share the experience. It's an incentive that directly benefits locals looking to enjoy more for their money. It's important to note that this specific "Buy Two Rolls get One Free" special typically applies to dine-in and pickup orders and may not be applicable for online delivery orders through third-party platforms. Additionally, while not explicitly stated, local restaurants often have rotating lunch specials or seasonal promotions. For the most up-to-date information on any other specials, it's always a good idea for patrons to directly contact Minato Sushi by phone or visit their official website before their visit.

Contact Information

For inquiries, placing an order for takeout, or to learn more about Minato Sushi, you can reach them using the following details:

Address: 23505 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA
Phone: (949) 472-4547
Mobile Phone: +1 949-472-4547

Their operating hours are generally consistent, being open Sunday to Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, and Friday to Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Confirming hours, especially around holidays, is always recommended.

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

Minato Sushi is an absolutely ideal spot for California locals in Lake Forest, and here's why. Firstly, the combination of outstanding food quality and incredibly affordable prices is a rare find. Locals can enjoy fresh, high-class sashimi and expertly crafted sushi without breaking the bank, making it a perfect choice for regular outings or special treats. The "every 3rd sushi roll is free" promotion is a huge draw, encouraging repeat visits and allowing diners to sample a wider range of their extensive roll menu, which is particularly great when dining with friends and family. The wide selection of dishes, catering to various preferences beyond just sushi, ensures that everyone in a group will find something to love. Furthermore, its convenient location on El Toro Road with ample parking makes it easily accessible for anyone in the Lake Forest area. The consistent quality of food, combined with friendly service and delightful small touches like the teddy bear-shaped orange, creates a welcoming and memorable dining experience. For any local seeking a reliable, delicious, and budget-friendly sushi restaurant in Orange County, Minato Sushi stands out as a highly recommended and truly suitable choice.

Minato Sushi Menu

Drinks
Fruit Juice US$4.00
14 fl. oz.
Tropical Iced Tea US$4.00
24 fl. oz.
Japanese-Style Soda US$5.00
24 oz.
Green Tea US$2.00
14 oz.
Iced Green Tea US$4.00
24 oz.
Jasmine Tea US$2.00
14 oz.
Water US$2.00
16.9 fl. oz. Crystal Geyser
Fountain Drink US$4.00
24 oz.
Ramune US$4.00
6.76 fl. oz.
Sparkling Mineral Water US$4.00
11.15 fl. oz. Perrier
Flavored Iced Tea US$5.00
24 oz.
Cucumber Slush US$4.00
14 fl. oz.

Appetizers
Dynamite US$14.50
Scallop, langostino, mushroom and onion broiled in our dynamite mayo sauce.
Ramen US$8.75
Half packet mild veggie ramen
Albacore Saute US$12.50
Fried albacore sauteed in mild spicy teriyaki sauce with mushroom and onion
Calamari US$16.00
Battered and fried squid rings served with tempura sauce.
Yellowtail Collar US$18.50
Grilled yellowtail collar served with ponzu sauce
Soft Shell Crab US$16.00
Soft-shell crab tempura served with ponzu.
Spicy Salmon Collar US$14.50
Salmon collar braised in a spicy soy sauce-based sauce
Cucumber Special US$20.00
Spicy tuna and crab meat wrapped in cucumber
Mixed Tempura US$16.00
2 pc shrimp tempura + 4 pc vegetable tempura
Veggie Egg Rolls US$7.75
Shredded vegetables wrapped in dough and served with spicy teriyaki sauce (3pcs)
Chicken Cutlet US$17.25
Sesame Chicken US$10.00
Battered and fried chicken tossed in a sweet sauce
Sumai US$10.00
Lightly-fried shrimp dimsum (4pcs)
Gyoza US$10.00
Lightly-fried beef dumplings; served with tempura sauce. (6 pcs)
Edamame US$5.00
Steamed and salted soy beans
Baked Mussel US$11.50
Green mussels baked in our special mayo sauce.
Garlic Edamame US$10.00
Pan-sauteed soy beans in garlic sauce with sesame seeds.
Jalapeno Poppers US$14.00
Jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and spicy tuna; topped with our spicy sauce.
Takoyaki US$10.00
Battered minced octopus; Fried. (4pcs)

Featured Roll
Ginger Man Roll US$24.50
In: spicy tuna + avocado On: spicy albacore + smelt egg + garlic ponzu + fried onion + eel sauce
Jalapeno Roll US$26.75
| Soy paper wrap | In: assorted fish + avocado + crab meat On: jalapeno + spicy mayo + sriracha
4U Roll US$26.50
In: spicy tuna + avocado On: tuna + cilantro + smelt egg + ponzu sauce + fried onion + eel sauce
Lake Forest Roll US$25.25
| 5 pc | No rice | Cucumber wrap | In: assorted fish + avocado + crab meat On: ponzu
Mountain Roll US$25.25
| 4 pc | No rice | Soy paper Wrap| In: shrimp tempura + avocado + cucumber + spicy scallop + crab meat + smelt egg + lettuce On: eel sauce
Sashimi Roll US$26.75
| No rice | Soy paper Wrap | In: assorted fish + avocado + crab meat
Burrito Roll US$25.50
| 4 pc | Soy paper wrap | In: tuna + salmon + shrimp + spicy crab meat + smelt egg + white onion + avocado
Lobster Roll US$24.50
In: crab meat + avocado On: baked langostino + eel sauce
Crunch Rainbow Roll US$24.00
In: shrimp tempura + crab meat + avocado On: assorted fish + crunch flakes + eel sauce
Fire Fighter Roll US$22.50
In: crab meat + avocado On: cooked shrimp + spicy crab meat + jalapeno

Bento
2 Choice Bento US$22.50
Your choice of any two (2) items
3 Choice Bento US$30.00
Your choice of any three (3) items

Baked Roll
X-Man Roll US$23.75
In: crab meat + avocado on: sautéed scallop + salmon + vegetables + eel sauce
Eel Special Roll US$22.50
In: crab meat + avocado on: fresh water eel + eel sauce
Baked Salmon Roll US$20.00
In: cream cheese + avocado + asparagus on: baked salmon + eel sauce
B.S.C.R. US$21.00
In: crab meat + avocado on: baked scallop + eel sauce
Hot Summer Roll US$20.00
In: crab meat + avocado on: baked salmon + eel sauce
Caterpillar Roll US$18.25
In: baked fresh water eel + cucumber on: avocado + eel sauce
Volcano Roll US$20.00
In: crab meat + avocado on: baked spicy salmon ﹏
Minato Roll US$25.25
In: crab meat + avocado on: baked salmon + baked spicy tuna + eel sauce

Boat
El Toro Boat US$96.50
12 pc sashimi ⋅ 8 pc sushi ⋅ 8 pc California roll ⋅ 8 pc spicy tuna roll ⋅ 2 miso soup ⋅ 2 house salad
Sashimi Boat US$101.25
24 pc sashimi - tuna, salmon, yellowtail, chef's choice special ⋅ 2 miso soup ⋅ 2 house salad
Teriyaki Boat US$77.00
4 pc sumai ⋅ 8 pc gyoza ⋅ 3 pc egg roll ⋅ chicken teriyaki ⋅ beef teriyaki ⋅ 8 pc California Roll ⋅ 8 pc Crunch Roll ⋅ 2 miso soup ⋅ 2 house salad
Family Boat US$172.75
16 pc sashimi ⋅ 16 pc sushi ⋅ 8 pc California roll ⋅ 8 pc spicy tuna roll ⋅ 8 pc Rainbow Roll ⋅ 8 pc Crunch Roll ⋅ 4 miso soup ⋅ 4 house salad

House Roll
Cucumber Roll - Cut US$5.50
Cucumber in.
California Roll - Cut US$8.50
In: crab meat + avocado
Spicy Tuna Roll - Cut US$10.75
In: spicy tuna + cucumber
Tuna Roll - Cut US$10.50
In: tuna
John's Roll - Cut US$13.75
| 5 pc | In: spicy scallop + crab meat + shrimp + cucumber
Vegetable Roll - Cut US$9.25
Avocado, cucumber, gobo, asparagus, daikon in. 5 pcs.
Salmon Skin Roll - Cut US$10.00
In: salmon skin + cucumber + gobo
Avocado Roll - Cut US$6.50
Avocado in.
Salmon Roll - Cut US$10.25
In: salmon + cucumber
Yellowtail Roll - Cut US$10.50
In: yellowtail + cucumber
Philadelphia Roll - Cut US$10.75
In: salmon + avocado + cream cheese

House Roll - Hand
Salmon Skin Roll - Hand US$7.75
In: salmon skin + cucumber + gobo
Salmon Roll - Hand US$8.00
In: salmon + cucumber
Vegetable Hand Roll US$7.50
Avocado, cucumber, gobo, asparagus, daikon in. Vegetarian.
Yellowtail Roll - Hand US$8.50
In: yellowtail + cucumber
Avocado Hand Roll US$5.50
Avocado In. Vegetarian
Cucumber Hand Roll US$4.25
Cucumber in. Vegetarian
Tuna Roll - Hand US$8.50
In: tuna
Philadelphia Roll - Hand US$8.75
In: salmon + avocado + cream cheese
Spicy Tuna Roll - Hand US$8.75
In: spicy tuna + cucumber
California Roll - Hand US$6.50
In: crab meat + avocado
John's Roll - Hand US$11.00
In: spicy scallop + crab meat + shrimp + cucumber

Desserts
Mochi Ice Cream US$5.50
Ice cream wrapped in Japanese rice cake. Select up to two (2) flavors. 2 pcs.
Ice Cream US$5.50
2 scoops
Apple Pie Roll US$7.00
Fried apple pie egg rolls served with vanilla ice cream
Green Tea Cheesecake US$5.50
2 slices.
Banana Tempura US$7.00
Lightly-fried bananas served with vanilla ice cream.

Specialty Sashimi & Sushi
5pc Sushi US$16.00
Sashimi Deluxe US$59.50
16 pc sashimi - tuna, salmon, yellowtail, albacore, escolar
Albacore Crispy Onion US$37.25
garlic ponzu and mustard sauce
Sashimi Regular US$46.50
12 pc sashimi - tuna, salmon, yellowtail, albacore
Spicy Tuna US$37.25
spicy mustard sauce and garlic ponzu with sesame oil
10pc Sushi US$31.50
10 pc sushi - tuna, salmon, yellowtail, albacore, and escolar (2 pc each)
Seared Tuna US$36.00
garlic ponzu and sesame seed sauce
Cajun Tuna US$36.00
garlic ponzu and mustard sauce
Yellowtail Jalapeno US$36.00
ponzu and mustard sauce
Salmon White Onion US$34.75
ponzu and sesame seed sauce

Fresh Roll
Washington Roll US$18.25
In: crab meat + avocado on: salmon
Rainbow Roll US$19.50
In: crab meat + avocado on: 5 types of fish
Palm Spring Roll US$20.50
In: crab meat + avocado on: tuna + tomato + smelt egg + spicy mayo + ponzu sauce + eel sauce
Crazy Albacore Roll US$21.00
In: crab meat + avocado on: seared albacore + garlic ponzu + fried onion
Hawaiian Roll US$20.50
In: crab meat + avocado on: tuna + avocado + eel sauce
Alaskan Roll US$19.75
In: spicy tuna + cucumber on: salmon

Bowl
Chicken Bowl US$13.25
teriyaki chicken on rice.
Beef Bowl US$17.00
teriyaki beef on rice.
Fire Bowl US$22.00
salmon and tuna on a base of your choosing with avocado, cucumber, salad and jalapeños and poké sauce.
Hawaiian Bowl US$22.25
two servings of tuna on a base of your choosing with salad, avocado and cucumber. served with poké sauce and crunch flakes.
Lucky Bowl US$28.50
salmon, tuna, and yellowtail on a base of your choosing with avocado, cucumber, and salad. served with ginger dressing and poké sauce.
Super Bowl US$23.00
spicy tuna and yellowtail on a base of your choosing with avocado, cucumber and salad, served with poké sauce. and crispy onion
Ultimate Power Bowl US$22.50
two servings of fresh water eel on a base of your choosing with avocado, cucumber, and salad. with poké sauce and eel sauce.

Build Your Own
Build Your Own Bowl US$5.00
Build Your Own Roll US$0.00

Sushi (2pc)
Crab Stick US$6.00
Stick crab
Salmon Egg US$9.50
Mackerel US$7.25
topped with garlic ponzu.
Salmon Tataki US$9.00
Yellowtail US$8.50
Buttery mild fish.
Smelt Egg US$7.25
Tuna Tataki US$8.75
topped with garlic ponzu.
Scallop US$7.25
bay scallops with mayo, green onion, and smelt egg.
Shrimp US$7.25
Shell fish.
Fatty Yellowtail US$10.25
Tuna US$8.50
Mild and tender fish.
Fresh Water Eel US$8.75
Sweet firm fleshed white fish. seaweed wrapped around rice and filling.
Albacore Tataki US$8.75
topped with garlic ponzu.
Salmon US$8.00
Sea Urchin US$14.50
Squid US$7.75
Sweet Shrimp US$14.50
Oyster US$8.00
on the half shell with ponzu, smelt egg, green onion, touch of spicy.
Bean Curd US$6.00
Octopus US$8.50
Sweet Egg US$6.00
Escolar US$8.50

Sashimi (4pc)
Octopus US$16.75
Squid US$15.50
Yellowtail US$16.75
Buttery mild fish.
Shrimp US$14.50
Shell fish.
Salmon US$16.25
Mackerel US$14.50
Sweet tuna-like fish.
Escolar US$16.75
Tuna Tataki US$17.50
Topped with garlic ponzu.
Sweet Shrimp US$28.75
Fresh Water Eel US$17.50
Sweet firm fleshed white fish. seaweed wrapped around rice and filling.
Tuna US$16.75
Mild and tender fish.
Fatty Yellowtail US$20.50
Sweet Egg US$12.00
Salmon Egg US$19.25
Bean Curd US$12.00
Oyster US$16.25
Mollusk.
Albacore Tataki US$17.50
Topped with garlic ponzu.
Crab Stick US$12.00
Stick crab
Salmon Tataki US$18.00
Sea Urchin US$28.75

Side / Extra
Spicy Tuna US$3.75
Spicy mustard sauce and garlic ponzu with sesame oil
Smelt Egg US$3.00
Miso Soup US$2.50
With tofu and wakame. 8oz
House Salad US$7.50
Mixed greens with house ginger dressing
Crab Meat US$2.50
Sumi Salad US$7.50
Shredded cabbage tossed in a sweet vinaigrette and topped with almonds
Seaweed Salad US$7.50
Seasoned mineral-rich green wakame seaweed.
Sushi Rice US$2.50
Sunomono Salad US$7.50
Cucumber in sweet vinegar sauce with sesame seeds, shredded crab, and wakame.
Steamed Rice US$2.50

Tempura Roll
Hot Night Roll US$17.50
In: shrimp tempura + cucumber on: spicy tuna + eel sauce
Crunch Roll US$14.75
In: shrimp tempura + crab meat + avocado on: crunch flakes + eel sauce
Popcorn Lobster Roll US$24.50
In: crab meat + avocado on: popcorn langostino + eel sauce
Monkey Roll US$22.50
In: spicy tuna + salmon on: eel sauce lightly fried
Nevada Roll US$21.00
5 pc | In: assorted fish + cream cheese + stick crab + avocado on: eel sauce lightly fried
Spider Roll US$21.50
5 pc | In: soft shell crab tempura + avocado + cucumber + crab meat + gobo on: eel sauce
Crispy California Roll US$12.00
5 pc | In: crab meat+ avocado on: eel sauc lightly panko fried
Shrimp Tempura Roll US$10.50
5 pc | In: shrimp tempura + cucumber + avocado on: eel sauce

Udon
Udon US$13.75
Udon noodles in broth.
Chicken Udon US$20.75
Udon with chicken and vegetables(carrot, broccoli, cabbage)
Nabe Udon US$27.25
Udon with chicken, veggies, and slightly-cooked egg. Served with 2pc shrimp tempura.
Beef Udon US$23.50
Udon with beef and vegetables(carrot, broccoli, cabbage)
Tempura Udon US$25.00
Udon served with shrimp & vegetable tempura.
Seafood Udon US$28.75
sweet shrimp, scallop, and langostino

Minato Sushi Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great tea selection

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Spirits
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar on site
Toilet

Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy

Crowd
Groups
University students

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Parking

Minato Sushi Photos

Minato Sushi Location

Minato Sushi

California Orange County Lake Forest El Toro Road

23505 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA

Minato Sushi Reviews

I had an amazing experience at Minato Sushi! The food was outstanding, with a wide selection of dishes to choose from, all at incredibly affordable prices. Despite the reasonable cost, the quality of the food felt high-class. The sashimi boat is a must-try item, perfect to enjoy with friends and family—great quality seafood and super fresh! I will definitely be returning to try more from their menu. Highly recommend coming with friends so you can order a variety of dishes and share.Also, I love the final touches with teddy bear shaped Orange for dessert 😋A must-visit spot for sushi lovers!
September 27 · Chef Olive
A reliable and tasty sushi place. Like most places today, they specialize in rolls to economize. The food is consistently good. The service is great and prices are reasonable. Every 3rd sushi roll is free. I love taking my 92 year old mom here.
May 18 · Steve D
Amazing sushi!! The bento boxes are delicious and the service was excellent
May 05 · Ana S
A friendly place that is enjoyed by locals. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this place for sushi. They have all the favorites and they are well executed at an affordable price. I noted two things that made this place stand out. 1. A well curated saki selection and 2. Two TV’s with sports on for all to watch. While I was here with family, I like the option of being able to watch the game if dining alone. If you’re in the area and like great sushi at an affordable price this place is for you.
December 09 · matt weide
I went there for the first time with my wife, it was very delicious. They have a deal, buy two sushi roll and get the third roll free. We ordered Eel special roll, spider roll and baked salmon roll. They provide generous amount of ginger and the rolls are not loaded with mayo like most sushi places. They are light, you do not feel heavy afterward. I highly recommend Minato Sushi.
January 15 · Shahbaz Salehi