Buddha's Favorite

About the Business

Specialties

Traditional Japanese Sushi & Fusion cuisine on an inner finger of Newport Bay with a waterfront patio. Reservations are highly suggested although reservation times are not guaranteed. Due to the nature of our business, we will do our best to seat you as close to your reservation time as possible. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience. Reservations are recommended. We do not offer all you can eat due to the quality of our fish and innovative fusion cuisine.

History

Established in 2000.

In September of 2000, Masaki "Yoshi" Yoshitsuka opened what locals call Newport Beach's hidden treasure. It's a place where traditional and authentic Japanese cuisines merge with innovative and creative dishes not found anywhere else. It was Yoshi's desire to have a restaurant and entertaining space where everybody could have a good time. He succeeded! In March, 2019, my husband and I were fortunate enough to buy Buddha's from Yoshi and his wife, Miko, after they had moved back to Japan. Our promise was to keep it the same sushi joint we have loved for so many years! Including the awesome staff! Every dish from our kitchen is made from the freshest ingredients and family recipes all the way from Yoshi's mom's restaurant in Japan. Providing the highest quality sushi is our priority and in order to do so we have fish flown in from all over the world daily. Please come in, say hi, sip some sake, enjoy the sushi and relax! We look forward to seeing you at Buddha's Favorite, Nicole & Matt

Meet the Business Owner

Business owner information

Nicole P.

Business Owner

In March, 2019, my husband, Matt, and I were fortunate enough to buy Buddha's Favorite from the original owners, Masaki "Yoshi" Yoshitsuka and his wife Miko. Yoshi opened Buddha's in September of 2000. October of 2000, I stepped foot in Buddha's Favorite for my first time and have been going ever since! I introduced Matt to it in 2008 when we started dating.My restaurant experience started at the ripe old age of fourteen as a hostess, then a server at sixteen, at my neighborhood Coco's. I still have the uniform! I spent a summer as a chef Garde Manger, or pantry chef, at Pacifica Grill in San Diego, then back to serving at the Daily Grill after college. My mom was a professional chef at one of Los Angeles' defining restaurants, Citrus. Needless to say, its in my blood. As my kids grew up and went to college, the desire to get back into the restaurant business grew and grew and here we are! What I love the most is the interaction with the customers!