Verified Izakaya restaurant

Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori

Santa AnaClosed nowOpens at 5:00 PM

About

Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori is listed on FindALoco in Santa Ana, CA with address, phone, website, hours, and map location. Common services and related keywords include Izakaya Restaurant.

Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori is a well-regarded izakaya restaurant in Santa Ana, CA, known for bringing together carefully grilled skewers, distinctive ramen, and a lively Japanese dining experience. Located at 2 Hutton Centre Dr #203, this local spot has earned strong word of mouth and a 4.6 rating from hundreds of reviews, with many guests returning for both the food and the atmosphere. For diners searching for an izakaya in Orange County that feels energetic, welcoming, and food-focused, Gokumi stands out as a memorable choice.

What draws people in most is the cooking. Guests consistently praise the yakitori for its smoky charcoal aroma, balanced seasoning, and excellent texture, with skewers ranging from familiar favorites to more adventurous bites. Reviews mention standouts like pork belly wrapped mushrooms, chicken heart, grilled rice, vegetables, and even A5 wagyu selections. The ramen also gets plenty of attention, especially the bone marrow ramen, which customers describe as unique, rich, and deeply satisfying. Nigiri, cocktails, and Japanese craft beer add even more variety, making Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori a place where groups can order broadly and still feel like every dish has a purpose.

The atmosphere at Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori fits what many people want from an evening izakaya meal in Santa Ana: lively, social, and comfortably busy. Reviews describe the space as a little noisy in a good way, with an upbeat vibe that works well for date nights, catching up with friends, or a casual dinner that feels a bit more special than routine takeout. Service is another recurring strength. Customers regularly mention that the staff is kind, attentive, and efficient, even when the restaurant is busy. That reliability matters, especially for a place where diners often come specifically for grilled skewers and ramen done with care.

For local SEO and practical planning, Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori serves dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM, stays open until midnight on Friday, is closed Saturday, and opens Sunday from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Because it can get crowded, especially during peak times, guests often note that wait times and parking can be part of the experience, though many feel the meal is well worth it. If you are looking for a trusted izakaya restaurant in Santa Ana, California for smoky yakitori, standout ramen, and a spirited dining room, Gokumi offers a focused experience that locals and visitors alike continue to recommend.

Ratings & Reviews

4.6322 reviews
5
5
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
J
Joy & Will Dailey
6h ago

Came here on a Saturday night around 9pm and it was very busy. We were able to join the waitlist and the estimated time was pretty close. Ambiance is nice, a little noisy in a nice lively way. Vibe was freat, service was great, and food was amazing. We ordered a good variety and genuinely enjoyed everything. We can't wait to go back and try more!

K
Kevin Chen
6h ago

The best yakitori I've had outside of Japan! The yakitori and nigiri are extremely tasty. The grill gives the yakitori a nice smoky flavor that meshes well with the meat, grilled rice, and veggies. Excellent service as well, everyone is nice. Place gets busy and parking can be difficult, but that doesn't take away how great the food and service is. Go eat here!

M
Mar Albarran
6h ago

Excellent food, one of the best Yakitori I've had in the states and the most unique and delicious ramen. Highly recommend the bone marrow ramen! There's also a great cocktail selection and a great variety of Japanese craft beers. The service was quick, attentive and very kind. It can get busy so I recommend reserving a table, especially on peak nights such as weekends and holidays.

R
Ryland Talamo
6h ago

I've been to Gokumi Ramen several times now, and every time, the food and service are amazing. This time, a friend and I shared several skewers including ginkgo nuts, pork belly wrapped mushrooms, chicken heart, and A5 wagyu–both tri tip and (I think) filet or similar cut. We had no idea what the ginkgo nuts were, so we tried a few and then did some Googling and learned more about them. Super interesting (and toxic) nuts–they're buttery and sweet, definitely worth a try–they are well cooked and de-shelled so they're not dangerous. The pork belly wrapped mushrooms are so good–they get a great crisp on the pork belly which really makes it. The star of the show, however, was the wagyu (non-tri-tip). I had never had A5 wagyu, and this was the best bite of steak I've ever had (I have had my fair share of great steak cuts, filet minon, chateaubriand, Australian dry aged tomahawk, etc). It was perfectly cooked to a medium-rare (which is really impressive considering the size of the three pieces on the skewer). I can't wait to order that skewer again on my next visit. We each ordered different noodle dishes–I had the tonkatsu ramen and my friend ordered the Mentaiko Mazemen with mentaiko, ikura, shiso leaf, kizaminori, bonito flake, corn, and green onion. They make their noodles and broth in house–every time I've come, the noodles are perfectly cooked and the broth is a perfect balance of umami, salty, and creamy. The combination of all of the toppings (chashu, sprouts, egg, mushrooms, green onion) makes for a great ramen dish. I also enjoy the 5yr aged white oak (a grain spirit)–it's similar to whiskey but nearly clear. It's got a clean, crisp taste with a subtle smoke on the finish. The interior design and bar seating with great views of the grill are excellent. I love coming here and have enjoyed everything I've ordered. I highly recommend this spot if you're looking for ramen or yakitori. You will not be disappointed.

L
Lingua Adamica
6h ago

I love yakitori and have tried many places, but I can confidently say this is my #1. The grilling, charcoal aroma, seasoning — everything was spot on. Every skewer was excellent, and the ramen was also very good. I especially appreciated that the soup came out nice and hot. If I’m being honest, the ramen alone wasn’t quite top-tier for me, but still around a 4.7–4.8. The only downside is the price — for a family of three including a child, it came out to about $160 with tip, and we didn’t leave feeling super full. Still, the yakitori quality here is seriously top-notch.

HomeDiscover
ClassifiedsAccount