About
Welcome to Yamame, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Rancho Santa Margarita, California. Located at 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Yamame is more than just a sushi place; it embodies the spirit of authentic Japanese cuisine right in your neighborhood. With an array of delectable dishes and a cozy ambiance, Yamame is a perfect spot for both sushi aficionados and newcomers alike.
What sets Yamame apart? The quality and freshness of their ingredients are outstanding. Many of the fish is flown in from Tokyo, ensuring that each bite is a true reflection of traditional Japanese sushi craftsmanship. As one satisfied customer noted, "The quality of fish and authenticity of flavor at Yamame is genuinely impressive." It's not just about sushi here; it’s a culinary experience that transports your tastebuds straight to Japan.
The ambiance of Yamame is another highlight. With its intimate setting enhanced by paper lanterns and a cozy canopy, it’s the ideal place for a romantic date or a special celebration. Echoing a recent visitor's sentiments, “Great ambience under their canopy with paper lanterns and heat lamps... We are hooked!”
While the service can be a bit bustling during peak times, the staff provides thoughtful recommendations and a friendly atmosphere. Early or late visits are recommended to ensure the freshest options are available.
Yamame is indeed a shining star in the local dining scene. Whether you're a longtime sushi lover or just discovering the art of sushi, this restaurant delivers quality and authenticity that is hard to find. Next time you're in the mood for sushi, head over to this local treasure and experience why so many have fallen in love with its offerings.
“ I'm lucky enough to go to Tokyo every 6-8 weeks, so I find it difficult to find sushi I enjoy at home, but the quality of fish and authenticity of flavor at Yamame is genuinely impressive. We're very lucky to have this restaurant in our town, and the prices are extremely reasonable for the quality of food and service. ありがとうございます ”
“ We visited last week and loved the delicious sushi. The dishes are beautifully crafted and we will be back. The service was a bit pushy, but great recommendations were given. One bit of advice to the owners, please deep clean your shop. This will turn your clients off. ”
“ Hidden gem. Have gone here at least 20 times in the last 2 years. Truly first class, much of the fish flown in from Tokyo. Always consistently good. A little pricey but definitely not your typical local sushi joint. Highly recommend. Great service, intimate and small. Generally recommend reservations especially if more than two in your party. The omekase never disappoints. Be sure to check on the "specials" board inside for more rare offerings not on the menu (for example, monkfish liver). ”
“ Copied from my Google review: Best local alternative to Oshima Sushi in Orange! This is somewhat RSM's best kept secrets - a little gem tucked away in a corner by the RSM Lake. The sushi is fairly priced for the quality, Now that's to say that the $$$ is fully Justified. If you're looking for inexpensive sushi, this is not the place for you.. maybe find an AYCE sushi or grab the Tuesday night deals at Sushi by the lake in Mission Viejo. Plus, it's in RSM . Anyway, Yamame sushi course or Chef's nigiri is the way to go. The rest is fluff. Service is sufficient, good on weekdays and non-holidays otherwise it gets too busy and the servers don't have room for small talk with the customers. The head server/hostess is super nice. All smiles under pressure and remembers frequent goers. That said, Go before 6 or after 8 to avoid the rush, though you don't want to risk them running out of fish of you go later - 'cause it's that gooooood. Overall, Best sushi in town. Convenient for RSM locals, after a big feast You can sweat the meat out with a walk around the lake. Great ambience under their canopy with paper lanterns and heat lamps. Great for splurge-worthy date nights! We are hooked! ”
“ We are so lucky to have this little gem right here in RSM. If you want AUTHENTIC sushi, then this is the place for you. Sushi is all about the rice. They use the correct type, cooked to the right doneness (ever so slightly al dente), seasoned just right (the hint of vinegar that puts the "su" in sushi), formed to the right firmness, in the right serving size. The fish is cut proportionally to the right thickness and size and each piece of the omakase flight was creatively topped with a tiny dab of a complementary topping. Yum! Authentically made sushi like this has gotten pretty hard to find in SoCal outside of certain well-known pockets these days. I'm so glad they made it through Covid and I hope for their continued success! ”
“ The sushi/sashimi is super fresh. If you're into nigiri then this is the place for you. It's expensive but you get what you pay for. It's good. The black cod legit melts in your mouth. It has a sweeter and smoky taste profile. The Yakisoba and gyoza are my children's faves. I love the sake selection. I can't speak to the rolls since I love nigiri. But my mom loves their rolls too. Their service is quick and friendly. The ambiance is busy, and small. But you're there for the freshest sushi. When it's cool out, sitting outside is pretty. ”
“ We ended up getting the omakase box. Just the right amount for dinner. Came with 7 pieces of assorted nigiri along with tamago. The fish was just so fresh. Melted in your mouth. Absolutely premium cuts. My only gripe were the cut rolls. We paid for the upgrade from the regular box, which comes with spicy tuna and California rolls, to the omakase, which should have come with a chef's choice cut roll. Instead, we got home and noticed the mistake...bummer. Service was great. We ordered online and they were accommodating towards our requests. Located right next to the lake, cute little spot tucked away in the corner! ”
“ Best Japanese restaurant in RSM. You can't beat the lakeside location and airy ambience. We chose to sit on the patio to capture the last bit of the sunset. The service was immediately friendly and accommodating. We started with miso soup and salad. The salad dressing was the right balance of sweet and salty and the greens were fresh and not wilty. The crunchy rolls were what expect sushi to taste like. It was all top quality and no skimping. The chicken karagee was crunchy/juicy pure fried chicken perfection! Made this fried chicken feind very pleased. So glad RSM has this cultural gem, this city needs more ethnic food lol. ”
“ BEST SUSHI IN TOWN! after living here for three years, we finally was able to try out this place today and it was amazing! Yes, the prices could be sticker shock but you are at the lake and the sushi. Let me tell you is super fresh! She said that they fly in from Japan directly!! My husband got a baked salmon roll, which he loved, and he does not like sushi at all, and he loved it! And I got the crunchy roll, and it was delicious as well! We definitely will be regular customers here! Great service, lovely ambiance, and DELICIOUS sushi!!! ”