Kai Lounge

4.1

48 Reviews

$31 to $50

Japanese Speciality

Charming
Great for creative cocktails
Great for outdoor dining

Welcome to Kai Japanese Bistro, a hidden culinary treasure atop Pacific City in Huntington Beach, Orange County. Kai redefines the traditional Japanese dining experience, blending authentic flavors with innovative presentation.

Our expert sushi chefs showcase their craft at the sushi bar, preparing each dish with precision and care. For a truly unique experience, step into our private speakeasy, an intimate and upscale retreat designed for discerning guests. The pinnacle of our offerings is the omakase menu, where our chefs personally tailor a culinary adventure with the freshest, highest quality ingredients.

At Kai, we're not just serving meals; we're offering a journey into the heart of Japanese cuisine, all in an environment that epitomizes elegance and creativity. Join us at Kai for an unforgettable dining experience where tradition meets modernity.

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This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Japanese Speciality, Asian, American
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(657) 259-0010
Website
http://www.kailounge.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Tin Nguyen
Catering
Bring the Kai experience to your event with our outstanding catering services. Whether you're hosting a private dinner, a corporate lunch, or a large-scale event, we provide the same exceptional food & service that our restaurant is known for. For inquiries, please contact us at info@wildthymegroup.com.
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion or planning a corporate event, our venue offers versatile spaces that cater to any need. We are equipped to handle groups of all sizes with the option for a complete restaurant buyout.
Private party contact
Jordan Graham: (602) 918-2524

Location
21058 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Neighborhood
Huntington Beach
Cross street
Located at the Pacific City Mall, 2nd Floor, opposite the Bungalow
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Chef's Table, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access

Veggie Tempura(6)$16.00
seasonal veggies
Shrimp Tempura(5)$17.00
Mixed Tempura(8)$18.00
Edamame$7.00
garlic, sweet chili, butter, soy sauce
Shishito Peppers$9.00
yuzu honey aioli, cilantro lime salt
Hamachi Kama$17.00
Salmon Kama$10.00
Stuffed Avocado$16.00
blue crab, spicy tuna, avocado
Ahi Tuna Egg Roll$12.00
pineapple, cucumber, avocado
Tempura Rock Shrimp$18.00
yuzu honey aioli, toasted sesame
SRF Wagyu Gold NY Strip$27.00
snake river farms, smoked sea salt, cracked pepper, pickled radish, kai sauce
A5 Wagyu Meatballs$17.00
toasted sesame, shaved scallion, orange teriyaki
Sticky Ribs(4)$18.00
plum bbq sauce, sesame seeds
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice(4)$17.00
spicy aioli, sweet soy, green onions
Japanese Black Cod$22.00
kai's signature miso marinated cod
Stuffed Jalapenos(6)$12.00
blue crab, mango puree, eel sauce, spicy mango
Pork Gyoza(4)$9.00
served with kai sauce
Vegetable Gyoza$8.00
served with kai sauce

SALADS/SOUP

Watermelon Salad$14.00
pork belly, cilantro lime salt, mint & basil leaves, yuzu kosho vinaigrette
House Salad$10.00
greens, tomato, pickled apple, cucumber, sesame dressing
Miso Soup$7.00
tofu, wakame

BUNS

Kaiseki Burger$18.00
signature house beef blend, white cheddar, spicy aioli, house baked milk bun
Pork Belly Buns(3)$15.00
slow roasted bbq pork belly, spicy aioli, house baked milk bun

WOK

Black Angus Shaking Beef$29.00
charred beef tenderloin, scallion, watercress, kai sauce, pickled chili
Pork Belly Fried Rice$19.00
kurobuta pork belly, five-spiced pineapple, basil, mint, cilantro leaves, garlic, ginger, sunny egg
Jidori Chicken Fried Rice$19.00
lemongrass, green beans, garlic, ginger, scallion, soy, sunny egg

ROBATA SKEWERS

Black Angus Filet Mignon$19.00
smoked sea salt, cracked pepper, pickled radish, kai sauce
Hokkaido Scallops$19.00
shaved fennel, mandarin orange, thai basil, mirin butter glaze
Kurobuta Pork Belly$16.00
pickled apple, crispy shallot, cilantro leaf, yuzu marmalade
Roasted Corn Skewer$8.00
black truffle butter, cilantro lime salt

Signatures

(available after 4pm)

Jidori Chicken Breast$29.00
crispy sushi rice, vindaloo curry sauce, pickled chilis, toasted coconut, thai basil
Black Angus Filet Mignon$41.00
royal trumpet mushroom, kai sauce
SRF Wagyu Gold NY Strip$59.00
snake river farms, wagyu gold grade, royal trumpet mushroom, kai sauce
SRF Rib Eye$41.00
snake river farms rib eye steak, royal trumpet mushroom, kai sauce
Japanese A5 Wagyu
choice of 2oz or 4oz, cooked table side on our signature hot stone

SIDES

Green Beans$8.00
garlic, chili, sweet soy, crispy shallots
Kyoto Fries$8.00
shichimi salt, furikake

What 48 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.1

4.1 based on recent ratings

4.1Food
4.3Service
3.9Ambience
3.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Kai Lounge captivates with its "beautiful place" and "great dining experience." The speakeasy offers a "great option for private events" with attentive staff. While some find the food inconsistent, highlights include "amazing" sushi and desserts like the "yuzu key lime pie." Friendly service adds to the allure.

48 Reviews

G
Greg
VIP
San Antonio
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Nice restaurant with some great choices for food, we would definitely go back again if were were in the area.
Is this helpful?
A
Alisa
Los Angeles
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
The quality of the food was terrible! The sushi was not fresh! Myself and guests that joined me got sick shortly after eating.
Is this helpful?
J
Jose
Orange County
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Definitely a “for the gram” location. In terms of music and decor the place was awesome. Our server was kind and did his job well. But that is as far as it goes. Food was mediocre at best. If you’re looking for good Japanese Cuisine there are other locations which do a much better job. To the owners and staff, I understand the want and need to differentiate yourselves amongst others in terms of your cuisine. Less is more, keep that in mind.
Is this helpful?
A
Ann
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The speakeasy was a great option for our private event, the staff was awesome, from the bartender to the sushi chef. Great experience!
Is this helpful?
K
Kevinn
Los Angeles
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on October 24, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Very slow service, portions small and price very high. Definitely not on my go back list.
Kai LoungeResponded on October 25, 2024
Hi Kevinn, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We always strive to provide exceptional service and value, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Interestingly, at almost the same time as your review, we received another one from a guest on Yelp who had a fantastic experience at KAI. Lori G. praised the food and service, giving us a 12 out of 10! It goes to show that tastes and preferences can really vary, but we’ll certainly take your comments to heart to see where we can improve. Thank you again for your input, and we hope to welcome you back in the future to provide a better experience. Best regards, Management Team at KAI
Is this helpful?
M
Matthew
VIP
Orange County
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 11, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
Awful experience; we literally “begged” to be served; nothing arrived on time; we have had really high expectations but were terribly disappointed. Food was just OK; nothing special. We cannot recommend this place…
Kai LoungeResponded on October 25, 2024
Hi Matthew, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations. We strive to offer better service and will address this with our team to ensure future visits are more in line with the standard we aim to provide. Best regards, Management Team at KAI
Is this helpful?
M
Mike
VIP
Seattle
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 5, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Tried this place out as it was highly recommended. On the whole it’s a cool looking restaurant in Pacific City mall, with friendly staff and some interesting cocktails. The food though is ok. Had the dumplings, sticky ribs, tempura vegetables, fried rice and noodle dish. I found the meat to be very tough on both the ribs and the noodle dish. Also the sticky ribs were not sticky and coated in a watery sauce. The tempura veg was in a soggy batter and some of the veg half cooked or hard. Not really appealing. The gyoza were well done and enjoyable. Solid 3/5 place.
Kai LoungeResponded on October 25, 2024
Hi Mike, Thank you for trying us out and for sharing your detailed feedback. We're glad you enjoyed the service, cocktails, and gyoza. We’re sorry to hear that some of the dishes didn’t meet your expectations. Your comments about the ribs and tempura will be shared with the kitchen team to ensure we improve. We hope you'll consider visiting us again for a better experience. Best regards, Management Team at KAI
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We went to early dinner and had the restaurant basically to ourselves. No need for a reservation, but they sat us in a separate space of our choosing, for our anniversary. The service was fantastic and food was wonderful. We will certainly be back.
Kai LoungeResponded on October 3, 2024
Dear guest, thank you so much for rating your experience with us so highly! We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed your time with us on your special date. Your kind words are highly appreciated. Stop by any time! you are always welcome. Best, The Kai Management team
Is this helpful?
t
tara
Charleston
42 reviews
3.0
42 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Mediocre food. Mediocre service. Very disappointing.
Is this helpful?
B
Brooke
VIP
Sacramento
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was amazing! Understaffed but not their fault. We went during a large private party and its clear the attention was on them. They tried their best to make up for it and the food really was incredible.
Kai LoungeResponded on September 27, 2024
Dear Brooke, thanks for taking the time to share your experience. We truly appreciate your feeback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed our food and that our trained servers could make up for the large party we had going on. We look forward to hosting you in the future maybe with a more intimate setting this time. Thank you. Best, Kai
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FAQs

Kai Lounge offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (657) 259-0010.

Kai Lounge is rated 4.1 stars by 48 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Order delivery or takeout

21058 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Located at the Pacific City Mall, 2nd Floor, opposite the Bungalow
Neighborhood
Huntington Beach
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Japanese Speciality, Asian, American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Tin Nguyen
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Chef's Table, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access

Website
http://www.kailounge.com/
Phone number
(657) 259-0010
Catering
Bring the Kai experience to your event with our outstanding catering services. Whether you're hosting a private dinner, a corporate lunch, or a large-scale event, we provide the same exceptional food & service that our restaurant is known for. For inquiries, please contact us at info@wildthymegroup.com.
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion or planning a corporate event, our venue offers versatile spaces that cater to any need. We are equipped to handle groups of all sizes with the option for a complete restaurant buyout.
Private party contact
Jordan Graham: (602) 918-2524

Kai Lounge

Permanently Closed

Order delivery or takeout

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

SMALL PLATES

Veggie Tempura(6)$16.00

Shrimp Tempura(5)$17.00

Mixed Tempura(8)$18.00

Edamame$7.00

Shishito Peppers$9.00

Hamachi Kama$17.00

Salmon Kama$10.00

Stuffed Avocado$16.00

Ahi Tuna Egg Roll$12.00

Tempura Rock Shrimp$18.00

SRF Wagyu Gold NY Strip$27.00

A5 Wagyu Meatballs$17.00

Sticky Ribs(4)$18.00

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice(4)$17.00

Japanese Black Cod$22.00

Stuffed Jalapenos(6)$12.00

Pork Gyoza(4)$9.00

Vegetable Gyoza$8.00

SALADS/SOUP

Watermelon Salad$14.00

House Salad$10.00

Miso Soup$7.00

BUNS

Kaiseki Burger$18.00

Pork Belly Buns(3)$15.00

WOK

Black Angus Shaking Beef$29.00

Pork Belly Fried Rice$19.00

Jidori Chicken Fried Rice$19.00

ROBATA SKEWERS

Black Angus Filet Mignon$19.00

Hokkaido Scallops$19.00

Kurobuta Pork Belly$16.00

Roasted Corn Skewer$8.00

Signatures

Jidori Chicken Breast$29.00

Black Angus Filet Mignon$41.00

SRF Wagyu Gold NY Strip$59.00

SRF Rib Eye$41.00

Japanese A5 Wagyu

SIDES

Green Beans$8.00

Kyoto Fries$8.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Kai Lounge offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Kai Lounge restaurant rated?

Is Kai Lounge currently accepting reservations?

Permanently Closed

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information