Each year, we ask Orange County Register readers to choose their favorite places to shop, dine, play and do business in OC.
Read more Best of Orange County 2026: Best amusement park ride
Out of the entries voted on, here are the top picks for Best sushi.
1. Yama Sushi & Grill
27782 Vista Del Lago, C-22, Mission Viejo; 949-716-9262; yamasushionthelake.com
If you really want to climb the yama, which is Japanese for mountain, then Yama Sushi & Grill is worth checking out for a peak sushi experience.
Chef/owner Don Lee and his crew of chefs, who average 20 years experience, have been seeking out the finest fish and serving exquisite sushi since 2006 from their lakefront locale in Mission Viejo.
If you want to go “full yama,” try the Yama Omakase or Nigiri Omakase Edomae.
The Yama Omakase is an intimate one-on-one taste experience in which the chef and diner work together through increasing levels of complexity for a unique experience with the freshest fish enhanced by chef added garnishes and seasoning.
Similarly, the Nigiri features hand-pressed rice and 12 pieces of chef-selected fish in the Edomae — Old Tokyo — style with either miso soup or salad.
Yama also has about 25 premium sakes that can be paired with the meals. Lee himself is a sake sommelier.
There is also a prix fixe menu with black cod miso yaki, yellowtail and rolls and sushis.
There is also a massive menu with a wide array of cold and cooked appetizers, sushi rolls, salads, noodle and rice bowls.
The lunch menu offers a wide selection as well, including box lunches. There is also a kids menu.
Or you can always opt for steak, grilled fish or even, eek, chicken teriyaki.
2. Roll & Grill
1308 E Chapman Ave, Fullerton; 714-879-5588; rgfullerton.com
From its small corner storefront in Fullerton, Roll & Grill serves up a popular array of sushi, sashimi, hand rolls, teriyaki, udon soups, combo plates or other Japanese favorites.
The menus can change by the day, so the restaurant suggests patrons use the menu page or call before making a trip for a particular dish.
Read more Best of Orange County 2026: Best pizza restaurant
Roll & Grill is definitely a no-frills operation and known-to-locals spot, but the wide selection and rock-bottom prices keep the customers rolling in.
Two large menus are posted on the walls behind the cashier. The main has a variety of selections under fresh and hand rolls, tempura, sashimi and platters. Another menu lists bowls and plates, combos and sides. There are also lunch specials and other options. Beyond sushi and other staples, the restaurant says that Cold Ikura Udon and House Udon Soup are among its most popular dishes.
There is a sushi chef and counter where you can watch preparations. Several tables are arrayed around the store, although you may have to remove stacked chairs from table tops.
3. J Sushi & Grill
Brea,Orange; jsushigrill.com
If you find yourself jonesing for sushi rolls, J Sushi’s is the correct call.
Sure, there is poke and udon, soups and bowls, bento boxes and daily specials. They even have a fish and chips meal.
But let’s be real, it’s the massive, eclectic and cross-cultural selection of 64 fresh handmade rolls, with colorful and flavorful names, that draws the crowds
“We suggest you try our new menu items including our Fire Roll, Sunkist Roll, and our newest addition, the Sushi Burger,” the restaurant’s literature states.
Burger — wait, what? Indeed, the restaurant’s unique offering features avocado, spicy tuna and imitation crab served in a bun of crunchy seaweed.
The Sunkist Roll is seared salmon on fried shrimp, cream cheese and spicy tuna roll.
Also available are about a dozen two-piece sushi dishes and sashimi platters of between six and 18 pieces. Bento boxes include combinations of chicken, beef and usually California rolls.