Yoko - Buena Park

Yoko might just be the best Korean Donkatsu spot in Orange County. To keep things concise, here are some highlights from my visit: 1. **Delicious Donkatsu**: The classic pork and chicken katsu are both excellent. I was pleasantly surprised to find “designer” Donkatsu options that I hadn’t seen outside of Seoul, like kimchi cheese and cheese donkatsu. 2. **Cabbage Salad**: I absolutely loved the cabbage salad! Yoko generously serves a hefty portion alongside your cutlet, topped with a light and delicious dressing. It's fantastic! 3. **Concise Menu**: The streamlined menu is a breath of fresh air. You can easily choose your Donkatsu, rolls, and/or noodle/soup dishes. With fewer options, the focus is clearly on quality, and it pays off. 4. **Trans Fat-Free Oil**: I appreciated that they use zero-trans-fat oil, which makes indulging in deep-fried meat feel a bit less guilty. 5. **Stylish Interior**: The restaurant has a beautiful and well-thought-out design, featuring contemporary art in a spacious and clean environment. I really enjoyed the ambiance. 6. **Self-Grind Sesame Seeds**: This unique feature is reminiscent of trendy places in Seoul's MyeongDong district. They provide you with a bowl of roasted sesame seeds and a small mortar and pestle. You can grind the sesame seeds to your preferred consistency and then mix them with the Donkatsu sauce for added flavor. Just be careful not to hit them too hard, or you might end up with sesame seeds flying everywhere! Overall, Yoko is a fantastic choice for anyone craving quality Korean Donkatsu!

1. The donkatsu is excellent. The classic pork and chicken katsu are both very good. I hadn’t encountered “designer” donkatsu outside of Seoul, but this place nails the basics, including kimchi cheese and cheese donkatsu. 2. The cabbage salad is HUGE! I loved it! Yoko is generous with the slaw that comes with your cutlet, serving a large mound topped with a light and tasty dressing. Absolutely delightful! 3. The menu is focused and straightforward, which I appreciate. You can choose your donkatsu, rolls, and/or noodle or soup dishes without feeling overwhelmed. Fewer options mean a higher quality meal. 4. The oil used contains no trans fats, making you feel a bit better about indulging in deep-fried meat! 5. The interior is charming and well-designed. There’s plenty of contemporary art in a spacious, clean environment. I love it just for the decor. 6. You can grind your own sesame seeds, which is a delightful touch I’ve only seen in the trendy MyeongDong district in Seoul. They provide a bowl of roasted sesame seeds along with a small mortar and pestle. Here’s the fun part: A. This is where you pour your donkatsu sauce. Crushing the sesame seeds to your preferred consistency makes the sauce even more flavorful. B. To crush the seeds, rotate the pestle clockwise or counterclockwise against the mortar's ridges. Trust me on this – don’t make the rookie mistake of pounding the seeds; they’ll fly everywhere, and you’ll look silly. Definitely check out Yoko!