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Welcome to The Hood Kitchen Space

**OUR STORY**

At The Hood Kitchen Space, we celebrate the rich heritage of Japanese cuisine through authentic, handcrafted meals. Nestled in Costa Mesa, our story is rooted in passion and community. We prioritize quality by sourcing fresh ingredients and focusing on traditional cooking methods, such as charcoal grilling. Each dish, from savory yakitori to perfectly steamed karaage bowls, reflects our commitment to excellence and flavor. Our vibrant presence at local farmers markets allows us to connect with food lovers, ensuring every meal tells a story. Join us for a culinary experience that feels like home—where every bite brings comfort and joy.

The Hood Kitchen Space: Reviews & Ratings

Tatsunori T.
Tatsunori T.

A while back, I remember seeing a social media post or something about a Japanese bento place in Costa Mesa & decided to bookmark them here & follow them on IG. Well the time & the hankering for the bento came 2 days ago & I met these guys at the Laguna Hills Farmers Market. They rotate to various Farmers Market in the area. On this day, they were cooking up some yakitori on hot sumi-coals, for the casual passerbys at the FM. Gave me ideas about having a chicken skewer party at my place of business. As for bentos I brought back to work. I had the grilled saba, 2 of my coworkers had the wagyu, & 4th member he had the yakitori bento. All the food & sides were cooked to perfection. A bonus, Yosuke-san gave us some skewers hot off the grill.

Noriko S.
Noriko S.

Found this place at Farmers Market in Irvine Regional Park on Tuesday. First time trying here. The owner Yosuke is Japanese, he is very friendly and informative about their food. I am Japanese who is allergic to wheat. He mentioned me any ingredients that might contain wheat. So this time I got Green tea pudding for myself and a Karaage bowl for my husband. Yosuke told me that he may consider some gluten free bento near future! My husband also a Japanese enjoyed Karaage bowl. Rice is perfectly steamed. Karaage chicken is very juicy! My green tea pudding is more like Bavarian cream, or I would say panna cotta. Soft and creamy. Matcha has good flavor in it. I am so happy that I found this place! I will definitely come back. I highly recommend this place to everyone.

Remi N.
Remi N.

My absolute favorite spot for a comforting and home-cooked meal. Not only is their food amazing, but their service is unmatched. The lady that works there always offers water despite being a grab-and-go place, and she always has a smile on her face. The chicken is so juicy and tender, and it's all the more fun to eat with the side dishes. The presentation is unmatched. You can feel all the time and effort the owner puts into each dish. If I could eat here everyday, I would. My only complaint is that they need to extend their hours! I used to drop by after getting out of school, but with a new schedule, I've found it difficult to find time nowadays. Oftentimes, they're only open for lunch hours.

Vy D.
Vy D.

Picked up lunch today because I was craving for Japanese food. This place offers only pick ups with delivery available. Follow me! Highlights of the menu: 1. Kushi katsu - eat with B sauce, green onion, and its own sauce 2. Grilled chicken bento with shiodare 3. Charcoal grilled chicken typed with green onion and Shiodare side of lemon 4. Wagyu don - marinated wagyu beef with onion. Topped with green onion with ginger They are also available at Costa Mesa Certified Farmers Market every Thursday 9am-1pm. And more locations will be opening!

Tracey P.
Tracey P.

Had a potluck style Christmas party this year with my friends and since I had no time to make food at home, last minute decided to get my food catered from here. Best decision I've ever made! By far it was guaranteed to be the parties favorite! Folks all went for the food I brought in and it was devoured within minutes. My favorite was definitely the mentai udon but my friends contest and say the karaage chicken but all in all every dish ordered came out delicious! I love finding unexpected hole in the wall places and this place did not disappoint. Highly recommend! It was also a huge plus that the service was A++. since they were a small family run business with husband and wife duo, they were very attentive and communicative. I would for sure be ordering from them again.

Evelyn T.
Evelyn T.

We discovered ichirin through Yelp recently and has been coming back multiple times for lunch! My partner and I have only tried the tartar and karaage bento, and so far we are in love with the tartar bento. The chicken tastes healthy, yet buttery. The rice is good and the side salads sauce is great, I love that I can get in some heathy greens during a weekday lunch. The owner puts in a lot of effort to make sure the presentation is nice, which I really appreciate. You will not regret getting this. Be aware that right now they are only open on certain days of the week, so my partner and I plan ahead and make sure to call them to order before they close for the day, or for multiple days. We are sad when we crave the Tartar chicken and they are not open. Right now they are only doing to go orders. The first time you get there it might be a little bit confusing because it's hidden away in a business/warehouse area. When you are on newhope, turn left/or right into the Los caballeros vlg and keep going, ichirin will be located to the right. We are looking forward to trying out more items but so far the tartar bento is a winner!

Dave G.
Dave G.

Delicious. I got the chicken katsu bento box and it was very tasty. I'm a chicken lover and I can be critical. This was delicious. Will order from Ichirin again for sure. :) And thank you for the good service.

Sammie C.
Sammie C.

Tried this place today and it was ok. Take out only so we called to order in advance. Located in a weird industrial complex, next to a decor store. Plenty of parking. Saba bento was good, I enjoyed the flavor of the grilled mackerel. The beef was ok. Chicken karaage was a bit oily. For almost $17 per bento box, the food was just ok.

Migwell I.
Migwell I.

This place is a hidden gem, with an emphasis on the word "hidden". The storefront is tucked away along the road to Los Cab Sports Village with just a modest sized sign to help you find this culinary treat. But in this hungry man's opinion, the reward is completely worth the adventure. I ordered the Chicken Tartar bento and the presentation of the food was a 12/10. A wonderful mix of colors packed into a rather tiny, but robustly filled lunch box. The chicken itself was extremely tender and juicy, but the homemade tartar was the star of this dish. It was creamy, sweet and delicious, yet not overwhelming at all. My order also came with rice, salad and 3 special side dishes. On this occasion, I was lucky to receive gobo (burdock root) salad, boiled spinach and two pieces of sweet rolled egg. Each item had a unique flavor that complimented the main course extremely well. To summarize, this place is delish AF. Do yourself a favor and hit this place up ASAP before it blows up!

Location

Welcome to The Hood Kitchen Space! Nestled in the vibrant heart of Costa Mesa, California, this charming catering brand has quickly made a name for itself with its authentic Japanese-inspired cuisine. Located at 350 Clinton St Ste A, The Hood Kitchen Space invites you to indulge in a culinary journey that is both comforting and satisfying.

What sets The Hood Kitchen Space apart is its dedication to providing not just food, but an experience. As a versatile caterer, they offer delivery and takeout options, ensuring that your delicious Japanese meals are just a call away. Accessibility is also prioritized with parking nearby and accepting various payment methods including Apple Pay and even cryptocurrency.

Customer Praise

The Hood Kitchen Space has found a loyal fan base, and why wouldn’t it? Customers rave about the quality of the food and the warmth of the service. Tatsunori T. recalls the delightful experience of visiting the Laguna Hills Farmers Market, where the aroma of sizzling yakitori filled the air. He highlighted the perfectly cooked grilled saba and wagyu, accompanied by sides that were equally impressive.

Noriko S., a Japanese customer, also experienced a personal touch when she visited, as the friendly owner, Yosuke-san, took the time to discuss her dietary needs. Her karaage bowl was juicy, and the green tea pudding was a creamy, flavorful delight. This kind of attentiveness transforms a routine meal into something memorable.

Remi N., another fan, expressed how The Hood Kitchen Space has become his go-to for a home-cooked feel, praising the staff's friendly service. The unforgettable chicken, paired with delectable side dishes, showcases the passion embedded in every meal they serve.

Menu Highlights

  • Kushi Katsu: Crisp skewers served with B sauce and green onions.
  • Grilled Chicken Bento: Marinated chicken cooked to perfection with shiodare sauce.
  • Wagyu Don: Tender marinated wagyu beef topped with green onions and ginger.
  • Karaage Chicken: Juicy fried chicken that leaves an impression.
  • Mentai Udon: A favorite for potluck events, rich in flavors that captivate the palate.

As evident from Tracey P.'s recent experience, The Hood Kitchen Space delivers not only delicious food for events but also exceptional service with a personal touch from this family-run business. It’s the little things—like attentive communication and a warm smile—that set them apart in a bustling catering landscape.

Conclusion

The Hood Kitchen Space is a treasure for food lovers in Costa Mesa, offering a unique twist on classic Japanese dishes that brings a taste of home cooked meals to the forefront. With its dedication to quality ingredients and personal connections, each visit feels special. I highly recommend stopping by or ordering from The Hood Kitchen Space for your next meal. You won’t just eat. You’ll savor every moment!