Japanese Bites & Drinks
Lagu Cafe, located in Irvine, is a cozy cafe where you can enjoy everything from Japanese rice balls, onigiri, to sandwiches and a variety of drinks. We visited to match the weekend opening hours, and as soon as it opened, customers began to line up, making it lively in no time. Although there weren’t many seats, the steady stream of to-go customers made it clear just how popular this place is.
On this day, we chose the Mentai Mayo & Yamitsuki Onigiri Set, Arabiki Sausage Dog, and for drinks, the Banana Creme Matcha Latte and Sea Salt Green Tea. The onigiri set allowed us to choose two onigiri combinations, served with pickled vegetables. We were curious about the flavors of each menu item and enjoyed them one by one.
First, the Mentai Mayo had a savory flavor with a subtle spiciness that immediately captured our taste buds. Its smooth richness paired well with the rice, making it a flavor that was not overly stimulating yet kept us reaching for more. The Yamitsuki we chose had a crispy texture and nutty flavor that provided a solid base, while the occasional refreshing ginger aroma left a surprisingly clean impression. It didn’t just stop at being nutty; the subtly lingering flavors kept it interesting until the end. Enjoying both together was fun as we compared their different charms, and the accompanying pickled vegetables played a great role in balancing the overall experience. Both were unexpectedly delicious, so I would highly recommend trying them if you visit this place.
The Arabiki Sausage Dogs featured a bouncy Arabiki sausage paired with a light and soft Salt & Butter Roll. The unique juiciness and texture of the sausage were impressive, and the combination of ketchup, mustard, relish, and mayo added a subtle umami without being heavy. The bread was moist and soft, wrapping the ingredients well, resulting in a flavor that was not overly stimulating yet had a nice point of interest. It was satisfying enough as a simple meal and had a great composition for a light snack, making it memorable enough that I would want to order it again on my next visit.
The Banana Creme Matcha Latte created a smooth and rich flavor by blending sweet banana cream with deep matcha. The banana aroma was not overpowering, harmonizing well without overshadowing the matcha’s depth, making it feel like enjoying a dessert throughout the drink. The Sea Salt Green Tea was an impressive beverage with a clean green tea base subtly enhanced by sea salt cream flavor. Its non-sweet and light taste made it great for refreshing after a meal and would also pair well for a cool drink on a hot day.
Lagu Cafe
The food and drinks at Lagu Cafe were impressive with their harmonious flavors that were not overly stimulating, leaving a clean aftertaste overall. The menu items are easy to enjoy, making it a place I would like to visit again if I’m nearby. If you’re looking to casually enjoy some simple Japanese snacks and drinks, it might be a good idea to stop by Lagu Cafe.
