Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

RAKITORI Japanese Pub&Grill in San Diego

4.5 (199) 530 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, United States

Location on the map

San Diego, San Diego County, California, US

Phone: +1 619-501-4091
Site: https://rakitori-hillcrest.busin...

Opening hours

Monday:4–10 PM
Tuesday:4–10 PM
Wednesday:4–10 PM
Thursday:4–10 PM
Friday:4–10 PM
Saturday:4–10 PM
Sunday:4–10 PM

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Total reviews rating 4.5

199 Reviews for RAKITORI Japanese Pub&Grill 2024:

Review №1

2023-11-19 04:01:13

Instantly felt the welcoming vibes from the staff once we walked through the door. Service was good especially from our server Johnny and everything we ordered was really tasty, I especially enjoyed the sweet potato yakitori. Would definitely come back!

Review №2

2023-07-25 20:45:08

Food was not fresh at all. Some of the yakitori we ordered were cold and not tasty at all. We ordered salmon Kama ( collar) and it looked like a piece of salmon and not the collar, see pic below. Out server was probably new cause he didn’t know how to answer some of our questions regarding the sake. Sake was not that great either. Waste of money. I wouldn’t come back.

Review №3

2023-10-18 23:42:33

Food is delicious and they have good deals. The staff is super welcoming and fats at serving. The atmosphere is super cute. Would recommend for dates and small groups.

Review №4

2023-07-02 03:28:03

I saw their sign passing by and I thought it was a fun idea, and it came up in my mind on the next day when I was choosing what to eat for the dinner.And everything I ordered was super delicious. From the yakitori, spicy ramen, and to the “surprise me” roll.I definitely recommend this place to anyone who loves japanese food.

Review №5

2023-07-13 00:57:19

This place is probably the best sushi bar in Hilcrest! 🍻 The service was great, the food was amazing, service was also very fast as well. The vibe of the restaurant is very low-key, and definitely has that hole in the wall feel! Also LGBTQIA+ friendly!Love this place! 🍣

Review №6

2023-07-23 01:28:36

My new favorite restaurant in the area. We had great service and conversation with our server March during our visit. The food was also delicious (spicy tonkatsu ramen pictured) and some of the best ramen I’ve had in the area, the only negative was the soy sauce egg was a little rubbery but the other factors made up for it. I would definitely come again!

Review №7

2023-10-16 00:09:01

Came here on a Sunday to celebrate a birthday that happened earlier this week. Got the tonkatsu Ramen and the takoyaki and it was very good. Id come back for sure to get that takoyaki again. Also tried a citrus cosmo and it was very good (comming from someone that doesnt drink alcohol due to the taste)

Review №8

2023-05-09 01:50:41

Really a 4.5. Everything was pretty good. Some portions a little small for the price, but all tasted good. Ramen noodles were a bit undercooked and broth was only alright. Grilled pork belly was great.

Review №9

2023-11-25 03:12:22

Absolutely the best ramen we have ever had! So delish! Start to finish, we were blown away. The salmon tartare, the strawberry nigori, the poke bowl, the special ramen…everything was done to perfection. And our server?!?! So sweet and so attentive. This is a must visit in San Diego! We don’t get back very often (away due to military) but we will be here every time we come home ❤️

Review №10

2023-09-28 14:00:59

Great quality all around! Our server John was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu and sake. The quality of the sushi was top notch, as well as the deeply flavorful black garlic tonkotsu. The yakitori portions are a bit small for the price but very tasty; we loved the short ribs (galbi). I loved the bulgogi bao bao. Wouldve ordered more food if we had the room! Dropped sake bombs with the sweet yuzu sake and a nice dark beer - perfect together. The green tea ice cream is also lovely. Cant wait to share this place with more people!

Review №11

2023-09-22 04:02:22

Real deal little ramen spot. Broths were flavorful and the spicy options are delicious. Cute interior and wonderful green tea ice cream!

Review №12

2023-02-03 02:58:37

Man. I usually dont like Ramen, my wife loves it. This place changed my mind. If we lived in the area I would come back to here hands down. My wife pointed out that they did so well with the broth, I agree. It seems they took the extra time to make sure the broth tasted like the dish and wasnt just a clear broth added to flavored meat. We also just finished with a F45 workout. I was worried that this wouldnt fill me up. I ate all of the meat, noodles and most of the broth and it did the trick. Im very active and my wife is very active and this filled us up. Definitely worth a try at least! The one star less in atmosphere is due to the slight mop water smell upon walk in. The friendly staff, good music and clean everything else made up for it.

Review №13

2023-09-08 05:03:20

Thank you for the tonkatsu ramen and the bulgogi. It was absolutely delicious. Also our waiter was so nice and attentive. A great dining experience at Hillcrest.

Review №14

2023-09-18 01:40:22

Yakitori was really good especially the bbq pork belly. Also really liked the seaweed salad with ahi. And make sure you try the ice cream macarons for dessert.

Review №15

2023-09-09 19:09:57

Exceptional service! Incredibly attentive staff. The cuisine is truly outstanding, especially the tonkotsu ramen, which I adored. Wholeheartedly recommend it! 😄

Review №16

2023-08-03 02:28:16

Fantastic service from John! Me and my family were visiting San Diego as a trip, and he made sure to accommodate, great food and great atmosphere

Review №17

2023-10-27 00:11:11

My boyfriend and I came here around 4 o’clock one afternoon and had a wonderful experience! We ordered rainbow sushi, a pork bao bun, and pork dumplings. Delish!! All in all it was superb service from a super friendly staff with chill beats in the background to keep us relaxed and well fed. Can’t wait to come back again soon!

Review №18

2022-10-05 03:36:42

This place was so tasty and this place did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the beef tongue and garlic. My favorite was the perfectly cooked baby octopus it was basted with a sweet sticky sauce that caramelized on the grill. The cocktail I got was their signatur mule made with soju! Our server Minn was also super attentive and I Can’t wait to go back and try the ramen and sushi.

Review №19

2023-11-03 16:45:40

Great atmosphere, I loved the music specially for a birthday celebration. The food is fantastic, high quality Japanese food. Will definitely come back again. Also John was a super helpful and attentive waiter.

Review №20

2023-08-08 01:17:01

I just wanna write a review here so hopefully the owners can see this. Service here is nice the staff are well train and super nice. But overall the food needs to be better. The ramen noodles first off taste like they been frozen and then reheated. The broth is nice and tangy. Both the chicken and pork belly are DRY! Like it shouldn’t be it should be tender and delicious…. The sushi here is not at all at top par where it should be. I shouldn’t order sushi and it be warm it should be cold and correct room temperature that’s concerning for me as a customer to eat something that’s not the right temperature especially if it’s fish. Overall service (good) but food here needs FAR IMPROVEMENTFor other customer they well clear from here till food is better cause u can get your money well worth somewhere else at prices they charge. Please change y’all use to be way better!

Review №21

2023-12-04 01:33:13

The sushi and edamame were fantastic. The servers were also amazing! We got the what the hell and the surprise me for the rolls and the spicy garlic edamame. So good! Come at happy hour.

Review №22

2023-11-30 05:46:18

We had an awesome experience and service with John our waiter. The food was delicious and the yuzu and house hot sakes are a must.Well come back 🍜The music is cool 😎

Review №23

2023-05-08 03:20:33

I got the pork ramen with a side of bulgogi. The noodles in the ramen were really underwhelming with no flavor and the texture just wasn’t smooth. The broth could use some more salt as the flavors were relatively weak combined with those noodles. I will say the bulgogi was the highlight with the perfect marinade. Service wasn’t the best but there was one guy for all the tables so that is on management.

Review №24

2023-10-08 00:30:31

Good Japanese very tasty 😋 and service was wow high Recommended

Review №25

2023-10-30 03:41:20

This is my second time here and I really enjoyed both visits! It’s nice and quiet but still a cool atmosphere. They also have a good selection of delicious food.

Review №26

2022-09-09 02:58:16

The servers were nice and very helpful, answering questions we had concerning the menu. Ramen tasted good, and had a lot of flavor. Apparently the kimchi ramen was too spicy so if you cant handle spicy foods, I recommend getting something else.The edamame and green chili also tasted good, first time having those as appetizers.Their mochi is decently priced and a good dessert after having some spicy ramen.I would recommend this place if looking for some good Japanese food.

Review №27

2023-07-07 02:12:43

This is hands down the best ramen spot in San Diego! Such quick and great service, and the ramen is delicious!!

Review №28

2023-10-29 01:27:33

Great food and ambiance. Poke bowl was delicious. They have a vegan ramen as well that was pretty good. Overall would recommend and come back!

Review №29

2023-11-21 01:43:20

Yummy food. Bubbly atmosphere. Happy place! Cant beat it!

Review №30

2023-08-06 03:36:01

Brought our friend for his 18th birthday because he is a huge sushi fan. We ordered the green crunch shrimp and cara pillar rolls. Both were made really well with fresh products. The sauce on the sushi added to the depth of flavor and was a nice contrast.Tye service was amazing. Everyone on staff was friendly and welcoming. I would recommend visiting.

Review №31

2021-07-18 03:17:47

The atmosphere is perfect, it is so chill and the service is quick kind and wonderful. The pace of your orders coming out is fantastic. Food is beyond delicious we will be coming back and recommending this place to our friends thank you so much.

Review №32

2022-10-19 04:34:40

We were greeted at the door by a friendly face and directed to sit at one of the booths.We looked through the menus and asked a few questions. We decided to order the Rainbow sushi rolls, Salmon Skin rolls, Salmon rolls and Salmon Nigiri. All were delicious, but I was expecting the nigiri Salmon to be a bit more fresh.We also had a beer, I belive it was called Saporro. My partner enjoyed it a lot.In this occasion the Padress game had been delayed and we asked if they could put the Yankees game on, the workers/oweners were really nice and put the game on for us.Over all a really nice atmosphere.

Review №33

2023-08-09 04:29:33

This place is amazing, the ambience reminds me of yakitori places in Japan and the black tonkotsu ramen is fire!

Review №34

2023-07-22 01:19:09

Moved to San Diego 3 years ago and have been looking for our “go-to” sushi spot. Happy to say we finally found it here!!!! This place has fantastic food, quick and friendly service, and a nice atmosphere. Definitely recommend.

Review №35

2023-11-02 03:18:00

Really enjoyed the tonkatsu and spicy ramens here. Service was quick and efficient. We appreciated the decor/aesthetic and vibe of the place! Highly recommend for a chill, pleasant dinner spot!

Review №36

2023-08-24 03:18:35

I got the ramen bulgogi combo which was very tasty. The portions were big and the meal filled me up. The ramen had great broth and the noodles and pork belly were very good. Our server was super nice and made sure we had everything we needed. Will definitely be coming back!

Review №37

2023-09-28 04:34:31

FOOD WAS AMAZING AND THE SERVER IS VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL.

Review №38

2023-08-23 04:12:13

Bulgogi Ramen. Kimchi Dumplings. Ginger Cosmic Mule. Green Tea Ice Cream. All simply incredible!

Review №39

2023-07-04 00:07:35

Awesome experience! The server was amazing, food was great and high quality flavor. The server also was very knowledgeable of the gluten free options for me since I have that allergy. I will definitely be returning!

Review №40

2023-07-31 03:33:05

Chewiest salmon sushi I’ve had. Rice was hard and just overall not the best. Though, their rainbow roll is probably one of the best rolls I’ve had.Ramen was mediocre, very poor in flavorings. Staffs were nice though.

Review №41

2023-10-22 00:01:49

Very nice place to sit down and eat. The food was delicious and our server was very nice. Will come back for sure when I’m in town. 😀

Review №42

2023-12-04 03:03:15

Beef bulgogi Shoyu had a lot of 🍖. Very good

Review №43

2023-04-13 02:02:52

We got the tonkotsu ramen combo with grilled pork belly donburi, both were very yummy and big portion! The service was also phenomenal. Loved the decor and ambience of the restaurant

Review №44

2023-02-23 02:05:10

They have yakitori, sushi, bao buns, but Im here for the ramen! The ramen is on point! I usually get the spicy tonkotsu ramen to go, but this time, I tried their spicy seafood ramen and boy-oh-boy it did not disappoint!The broth was hot (temperature hot) and rich. The noodles was thin and very slurpable and there was plenty of seafood in the ramen itself. Personally, I like mine a bit more spicy than this.The house hot sake is good too!They have flavored sake that I did not try this time -- coconut and strawberry.Definitely thinking of coming back for their happy hour (4-6pm).The place can get busy. Id recommend putting your name on the list through their website.

Review №45

2023-11-27 04:10:02

Great service and very yummy sushi. definitely coming back soon to devour some more!

Review №46

2023-07-22 01:20:22

This place is so good! Ive been coming here for years and it has stayed consistently amazing. The quality of fish is amazing and they have good happy hour deals! The service is fast and everyone is very kind.

Review №47

2023-09-15 04:05:17

Stopped in for some Ramen and was happy that I did. Attentive and friendly staff. Pork bao bun is a must. Best appetizer I’ve had in a long time.

Review №48

2023-07-07 00:31:42

Awesome taste on all the food I ordered

Review №49

2023-02-25 04:18:31

I love this restaurant! One of my favorite ramen spots in SD! Great service as well.

Review №50

2023-10-25 02:01:59

I had the shoyu ramen with chicken and a caterpillar roll. The roll was very tasty and fresh. But personally I found the shoyu broth to be a little bland, otherwise the ramen was delicious!

Review №51

2023-09-05 00:03:33

The ramens we ordered were absolutely delicious ( beef bulgogi shoyu, spicy curry, tonkutsu). Bomb flavor! The staff is super welcoming and friendly. Would definitely come back!

Review №52

2023-06-25 00:33:42

Came here accidentally, as our plan was to go to the Thai place across the street. What an amazing find...the sushi and ramen are both out of this world, and the service was second to none.The ambience is perfect and they have a full bar.Definitely check this place out!

Review №53

2023-02-27 03:09:04

I had delicious spicy chicken bao buns and kimchi dumplings! So flavorful and would definitely order again and recommend to friends in the area :)

Review №54

2023-07-25 04:19:18

Our waiter M needs a raise. He was so kind and thoughtful during our time here! We recommend the BBQ skewers and to look at the blackboard at the back for chef recs. We had the bulgogi shoyu ramen! So yum :)

Review №55

2023-06-14 00:18:02

They play chill music, me and my cousin got 4 rolls between us, food was great, macaroons were great, and beer tasted like a fresh tap. I had a great first time eating here

Review №56

2020-07-20 06:13:57

Late night eats. Open for take out. Ordered Pork Bao, grilled pork belly and pork dumplings. Yes I like pork.😁 Super friendly and quick service. Back at hotel I opened it up and proceeded to chow down. OMG, super delicious. So glad I stopped by. Highly recommend. they are quit busy do get that order in.

Review №57

2023-03-13 00:04:58

Lemme tell you about this place…everything was AMAZING!!!! Service was super friendly and welcoming, and overall going above and beyond. Food was also fantastic and full of rich flavors in every bite. Presentation was awesome too. The menu as well is very well put together with many delicious options. The restaurant itself had really cool intimant vibes, and decorations. Will definietly be back here soon :) Definietly now on my list of my top favorite 5 resturants!!

Review №58

2023-11-18 03:05:18

My Vegan option was so savory! Not to mention the creamy green tea ice cream!Definitely coming back ✨

Review №59

2023-10-17 03:07:24

Really enjoyed the special ramen as it gave a chance to try the dumplings and chicken skewer. Best pork belly Ive had.

Review №60

2023-09-23 02:12:07

First time trying this spot and I would give it a 4-4.5. The yakitori is way overpriced for the very small portion. Skip it and try something else as an appetizer. Ramen and bulgogi were great though. Would come back to try other menu items! Cute and cozy spot with a nice vibe.

Review №61

2023-11-23 04:44:09

Seriously delicious! I’m very picky about my ramens and this was a 12/10. I got the spicy tonkotsu and yummmm. New ramen spot for sure.

Review №62

2023-08-27 03:07:08

The atmosphere is lovely and perfect for a date or night out with friends. Great food and drink selection. Great service! Absolutely delicious!

Review №63

2023-10-16 00:11:11

Nice atmosphere and amazing hospitality, Definitely coming back. The food was great and I Definitely recommend trying the Ginger cosmic mule.

Review №64

2023-07-17 04:45:38

The Tonkatsu ramen was great. The noodles were cooked perfectly and I could tell they were hand made. Yakitori was also great. Space is very clean and relaxing and the service was fast

Review №65

2023-03-23 23:52:51

Excellent service! Great food.. amazing atmosphere! Great Miso Soup… and excellent veggie fried rice!

Review №66

2023-11-23 04:47:32

Excellent service, spicy tonkotsu was a 10/10, sushi was very good as well. Highly recommend will come back again!

Review №67

2023-01-10 18:41:15

I ate here last June 2021. The food is good and has some nice touches. There are rolls you wont find elsewhere. I really enjoyed the LED lights they put in drinks and in some of the garnishes.However, upon entry you are greeted with a hostile, disrespectful sign for delivery drivers, even as a customer. The sign claims the restaurant will take very strong action against drivers who enter without permission.These drivers do honest work to provide you, Rakitori, the opportunity to deliver your product to other customers. They are providing a service to you. These drivers have more than enough on to worry about, and now they have to worry whether or not you will take very strong action if they dont have your permission before entering, as if they are coming into your restaurant for fun.As a customer, this sign is tacky and makes the atmosphere seem stuffy and rules-focused. And its just weird. Honestly, I have never seen anything like it anywhere else, ever. It was just really weird and unnecessarily demeaning. -1 star for that and because I still remember it months later.

Review №68

2022-03-22 17:08:50

Rakitori never disappoints! The service is amazing and Tina, our server, was very attentive. We ordered the Spicy Tonkatsu, Black Tonkatsu, Takoyaki, edamame, and strawberry nigori.I appreciate them limiting seating and the cleanliness! Parking is not the greatest as it’s street parking only, but it’s definitely worth it :)

Review №69

2023-05-16 23:42:56

Great food but expensive. Friendly staff.

Review №70

2023-10-07 03:29:50

The pork dumplings and What The Hell sushi rolls were very good! The Yakitori was also tasty and well cooked. Will have to come back for the Ramen.

Review №71

2023-06-15 04:13:16

Best pork belly ever, everything is perfect. Highly recommend spicy tonkotsu ramen

Review №72

2023-08-07 01:10:21

Finally! I have been looking everywhere for gluten free ramen. This place has filled a void in my heart that can only be filled with delicious ramen. If you are gluten intolerant, rejoice! You have found refuge here.

Review №73

2023-05-11 01:52:23

Super nice atmosphere (good music and decor is cute!!!!), service 10/10, and food was amazing!!

Review №74

2023-08-17 01:57:37

Got the ramen with low sodium broth. Still great flavor and so much lighter. Oyster shooter is the best I’ve ever had.

Review №75

2023-11-10 04:55:52

Really loved the atmosphere and the spicy garlic edamame! Very cozy place and nice staff.

Review №76

2023-09-04 02:14:26

The food and service was great. Not too crowded either. Great little spot with a diverse menu… highly recommended.

Review №77

2023-07-19 01:43:16

Nice atmosphere it feels very modern and refined with a great theme overall. The food was delicious and flavorful. Overall a great experience.

Review №78

2023-09-05 02:22:49

Great first-time experience! I had the vegan ramen and the broth was amazing! I will definitely come back.

Review №79

2023-08-07 03:48:44

The hawaiian poke bowl was amazing! lovely mix of flavors. Service was awesome too. highly recommend !

Review №80

2023-03-30 04:07:33

Excellent service and food!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! (Music selection was excellent too!!) New favorite spot!!!

Review №81

2023-11-21 01:11:49

This place has the best spicy tuna roll I’ve ever had also the other sushi is good too but the spicy tuna hits

Review №82

2020-09-09 04:18:43

This place is amazing!! The vibes the culture the respect they give you is legit!! I wanna go back already. lol. We had the roll from hell spicy seafood ramen and tonkatsu pork and at last the green tea brownie! Try it out everything was on point.

Review №83

2023-06-12 01:15:16

Every time I have a chance to come to Rakitori I enjoy layers of flavors in every dish I have ordered. The Ramen broths are all fantastic including the vegan broth! The service is always friendly and swift. Overall the environment is cozy and reminds me of walking into an eatery down the way from where I was staying when I was in Japan years ago. A great choice any day of the week!

Review №84

2023-06-23 02:48:53

This place is so kute and amazing to eat at and pretty affordable! i had such a good time here and the servers and workers are so freaking nice! please don’t hesitate if you’re thinking about coming here just do it!!!

Review №85

2018-12-05 18:17:11

The Ramen is excellent, the Yakitori were mostly good (the bacon wrapped ones were a bit salty, shrimp/enoki), pork belly bao weren’t bad but I’ve had better.

Review №86

2023-11-18 02:35:59

Great food great service. Bao bao bun was amazing (bulgogi) the vegan option was amazing . Lots of flavors and veggies . A+

Review №87

2023-06-07 01:24:06

First time being here. We came at a time on a Tuesday where everyone is still coming home from work so its pretty empty during that time.Our waitress seated us and she is very friendly and welcoming. Got myself the Rakitori Ramen combo with the skewers and my girl got the Special Tonkotsu Ramen. Both taste very good and the skewers are delicious as well. The meat in the ramen is tender and juicy, the noodles semi-firm which is the perfect way noodles should be cooked in ramen. If we came here around 6pm of course we would get the happy hour prices but were on borrowed time.I bet this place has a lot of good vibes once it gets busy in the night. Its Hillcrest anyway.

Review №88

2023-09-03 00:53:10

Best Ramen in town hands down! We drive out from Oceanside all the time here. Great service great ambience

Review №89

2020-02-11 03:59:11

Cozy, friendly, and very welcoming. Was passing through town and found this little gem. A cross between a full fledged izakaya and a hearty ramen shop. Fully enjoyed the yakatori and ramen specials. Perfect on a dreary cold night.

Review №90

2023-07-22 01:23:53

Best sushi and menu I’ve seen in a long time! Love the atmosphere and vibe, excellent service and great music which it vital to the sushi and exceptional food!

Review №91

2023-10-16 03:30:45

This place is great! Waiters are cool! Atmosphere is very chill, food is good!

Review №92

2023-12-04 01:52:05

This place is really great. Chill atmosphere and great ramen.

Review №93

2023-05-28 01:05:05

This was our second time eating here and we loved it! The spicy tuna roll was the freshest and spiciest I’ve ever had, also a good price. The bao buns are where it is at though, perfect to share or as an entree for one, I can’t wait to come back and try all the flavors. We had the beef bulgogi bao buns and they were perfection.

Review №94

2023-08-18 03:40:29

Great food. Fast service and good atmosphere.The Bao Bao buns were amazing, the sushi too. The mango mochi is a MUST!

Review №95

2023-09-02 02:14:26

Great food!! Nice vibe!

Review №96

2023-10-31 04:46:25

Awesome service, great food with a chill atmosphere! Will definitely be back!

Review №97

2023-09-09 01:28:04

Every time I go here Im reminded why its so amazing! Great staff so friendly. Always fast and impeccable service.

Review №98

2019-11-05 05:12:10

Amazing delicious ramen with friendly service! Will definitely come back with friends! Love that they offer combos to be able to try other items on the menu. Portions are perfect as well!

Review №99

2020-01-28 17:10:01

So after years of trying ramen from different places, I have finally accepted the fact that I just dont like ramen. UNTIL, I tried the ramen from this place. I wasnt seeking ramen particularly, but we went out to this place because it was convenient and within walking distance. I ordered the gyoza, spicy chicken and pork belly and my bf got the special tonkatsu ramen and everything including the ramen blew me awaaaaaay. The food here is exceptional.

Review №100

2023-06-10 23:47:46

SUPER CUTE place with DELICIOUS food! Everything was flavored so well and the staff was so nice! Definitely lives up to the high rating

Review №101

2023-11-25 00:47:00

Cute spot and great customer service! Pork dumplings were crisp and delicious!

Review №102

2023-11-18 03:55:45

Great authentic atmosphere and excellent food! Bringing my friends here.

Review №103

2023-11-11 04:47:15

The Vegan ramen and chicken miso ramen was delicious. Good spice level options.

Review №104

2023-07-31 03:31:27

Best ramen I’ve had in a while highly recommend bulgogi shout ramen bowl!!M was very professional and hilarious as a server too! :)

Review №105

2023-08-17 03:55:09

Service was attentive and warm. The food was oishi! If we lived here we would definitely come here regularly.

Review №106

2023-05-15 01:50:14

Friendly service. there was a foul smell where we were sitting, smells like we were having food in the restroom. Food was below par. Ordered California roll and the ramen. Broth feels diluted, pork has a nice charred flavor. The roll is well presented but its mostly rice and the mix was a meh.

Review №107

2023-09-04 03:49:46

Food was great but info about how much is given should be a bit more specific. Great place for Ramen🔥

Review №108

2018-12-26 17:05:55

Best place ever, the people there are extremely respectfuland nice. Super attentive waiters and workers. The food is amazing great flavor I had the special tonkotsu (sorry if misspelled) combo with Cali. Which was amazing . The sushi had so much flavor you can see the difference of what kind of rice and crab they use unlike other places there Cali is amazing super yummy . Now the ramen has veggies and meat . Over all texture was well balanced gave it a very earthy flavor with soft meat flavor and soy and the veggies . Now I do recommend like 1000% the place I loved it would of loved to try their sake but I was driving and I just happen to see the place and was like I gotta try it . No regrest first time and I loved it . Thank you and will be going for more later to try different things in their menu .the prices compare to other places are good and fair . I been to many different places and the price is fair and good.

Review №109

2018-05-05 23:48:31

Good good nice atmosphere. Havent tried the ramen yet but the grilled pork belly rice bowl was good quality and the dumpling has some sauce in the bottom of the bowl that gave it a nice twist. Over all solid place to come visit for a nice mid afternoon lunch Matthew was an excellent server felt very welcome

Review №110

2023-10-27 02:20:18

Superb service! Fantastic food! Highly recommend this place for everyone!

Review №111

2023-08-18 23:13:35

Very delicious food! The broth was amazing. I’m definitely coming again!

Review №112

2023-06-13 04:12:00

We are visiting SD and found this place base on the Google Review. We ordered beef tongue, chicken, ramen. Everything was so delicious!

Review №113

2023-08-17 01:57:52

I got the teriyaki chicken with brown rice. Delicious ! Cold beer on tap as well! Will return

Review №114

2023-06-04 03:40:11

Rakitori has good vibes, friendly and attentive staff, and fantastic food! Had the Bulgogi Shoyu Ramen, absolutely loved it!! Rakitori is ole reliable for bomb ramen!

Review №115

2023-04-17 01:50:22

We came to this place last minute and started off with the Classic Nigiri. The drink was served in a beautiful container unlike any other I have ever seen and had a gorgeous presentation of the appetizers. So far the price point is beyond reasonable especially with the happy hour offer on the table. The entree we had was ramen. I had the tonkotsu with chicken and although I came to the joint with half a belly full I definitely made more room to accommodate a delicious broth that filled me with pleasure. Will definitely be coming back again 10/10!

Review №116

2021-04-09 17:37:53

Great place. Cool atmosphere. Good music. Food was delicious. Also great customer service. Will definitely be going back.

Review №117

2021-12-29 04:46:10

Amazing! Their service was spectacular, beer delicious, and ramen was extremely tasty 😋 🔥Ordered: (1) Spicy Tonkotsu(1) Combo Tonkotsu Ramen + Donburi

Review №118

2023-08-15 03:52:48

I had the ramen and rice bowl combo, and it was a great amount of food for the price and delicious too!

Review №119

2020-02-14 22:59:13

Stopped in on the return bike ride to Balboa Park. Had some delicious Sashimi and a What the Hell roll (see pic). Amazing and the service could not be beat. Also, the interior was nice surprise.

Review №120

2023-09-22 03:25:05

Food was amazing. Sushi tasted fresh and the noodles were nice and soft

Review №121

2023-09-05 02:22:31

Favorite place for sushi & ramen, great drinks incl Nigori (unfiltered cold sake), really fun place!

Review №122

2019-01-23 07:58:13

Great atmosphere, great service, and great Ramen in the Hillcrest area. I frequent this restaurant and highly recommend it. Price is what you would expect for Ramen between $10-$15.

Review №123

2023-05-08 01:09:01

Lovely little Japanese restaurant with delicious food. Had the bulgogi ramen which I literally couldnt stop eating even after I was full! Also had the galbi beef ribs which were delicious! The fried dumplings are most definitely homemade and clearly have that made with love touch to them. Prices are very reasonable and HH beer special is a nice bonus!

Review №124

2023-06-04 04:15:14

5 stars across the board! Rainbow roll and black garlic ramen were phenomenal. Friendly and speedy service, and nice music playing. Thank you!

Review №125

2023-08-22 04:16:06

This is our first time and we already are planning our next visit! The food is good and the presentation is trippy🥰

Review №126

2022-01-07 02:33:59

The BBQ pork belly skewer, and filet mignon skewer were excellent. Bar buns were great, as well as the avocado roll.That being said, the tonkotsu ramen left a lot to be desired. It was plain, and the spicy aspect of it was nothing but chili oil (and pretty bad one at that) I added the entire black garlic oil that I got on the side, barely made it ok. The noodles were extremely firm. Probably the most firm noodles Ive ever tried (I could not finish). Chashu was too hard, almost boiled rather than grilled?Dessert was excellent. Overall good, just do not look at the ramen, do not think of ramen and do not order the ramen.

Review №127

2023-05-11 01:12:13

Cute ambience, amazing service!Had an amazing time celebrating the end of the semester with my friends :)

Review №128

2023-02-25 05:15:32

We love this spot! The food is great, the drink selection is great, and the service is fantastic! We have always had really memorable experiences with the staff. Everyone is so friendly, quick and attentive. I usually get the special tonkatsu buuut if you are up for an adventure the spicy seafood ramen is so, so good!

Review №129

2023-09-07 03:39:40

Amazing food. Had a great bulgogi bowl and great service!

Review №130

2019-08-02 20:47:32

Hands down best Japanese restaurant Ive been to in SoCal.The environment is incredibly comfortable, with traditional Japanese decorations throughout.The spicy garlic edamame is the best Ive ever had! The right amount of spice, with a red chilli paste that is unlike anything Ive ever tasted! The edamame itself cooked to perfection.Our host, John, is the most polite host Ive ever had the pleasure of meeting. He gave us an extra round of drinks, and an appetizer without us asking (I was here with two other people). John also brought us some real wasabi! (The wasabi paste youre given at your typical sushi restaurant is horse radish; John gave us legit wasabi. Its not as spicy as the wasabi paste, but it still has that great sinus burn that you get from the paste).My friend ordered the Takoyaki, which Ive never had before, and holy moly its delicious! He claims its the best hes had here in SD.Its a quarter to 2 right now, and the place only has three small parties; not busy at all.If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would! Definitely check this spot out if youre in the area, you will not be disappointed.

Review №131

2023-07-17 00:47:46

I love the food here so much. Service staff is so nice. Such good vibes!

Review №132

2023-10-02 02:49:58

Every time I come the atmosphere is incredible, the staff is friendly, and the food is delicious!

Review №133

2017-07-20 05:05:53

AMAZING food, amazing service. Bartender and server both were knowledgeable and attentive. They have daily specials and you can get a bowl of Miso Ramen and one item for $15 which is a good deal.They have local beers on tap which is nice compared to a lot of Japanese places and they also have a nice vibe in there-not too trendy but also not a dump. Its the perfect relaxing in between. Good music and good food. Open late and they have a fun cowbell they ring for sake bombs!

Review №134

2023-01-24 06:08:34

Food is great thoroughly enjoyed it great customer service explained the different options will definitely be back

Review №135

2023-03-06 04:33:41

Super delicious 😋My favorite is the spicy kimchi with pork belly and an egg.

Review №136

2023-10-07 03:28:12

Yakitori roast garlic was amazing and soo unique. I will definitely eat here again.

Review №137

2023-01-10 02:35:04

Came in for a quick bite to eat and had a great experience. The food came out very fast and our server was very helpful and friendly. If you’re looking for good sushi and excellent spicy garlic edamame I recommend coming here!

Review №138

2023-07-04 02:18:39

The food is fantastic and the atmosphere was on point. Very friendly and attentive service from everyone!

Review №139

2019-12-15 07:26:09

Good food, good service, nice atmosphere! Ramen was honestly so good! Sushi was good too and spicy garlic edamame was delicious! Would definitely come back again.

Review №140

2023-03-16 03:48:37

First time here and the ramen is delicious. Had the Vegan Raman with tofu, yummy. Wait staff is super friendly and the environment is chill. Must check out if your in the Hillcrest area of San Diego.

Review №141

2023-09-30 04:35:52

Great place, very friendly service and good food! Johnny did a great job!

Review №142

2023-04-24 05:13:34

A random ramen choice for date night after massages turned into a must return spot. Just, wow!The Sashimi was really incredible, almost outshined the ramen. That ramen though, excellent!!!…. The broth so rich and full of flavor, the pork had a fantastic grill flavor and grill marks to match, and that egg! Normally not my favorite but so glad I didn’t skip it this time. Soo freaking good. Husband and I are both impressed. We’re coming back for sure. It’s only a couple blocks from our favorite massage spot and the heart of Hillcrest, it’s typical Hillcrest parking but there is a pay for parking lot right against the restaurant so easy choice rather than walking when you need it. In the end it comes down to the food. Soo good. We’ll be back!

Review №143

2017-12-25 02:55:08

Love love love this place. First time Ive ever tried Japanese food! I always bring visitors here! I love the yakisoba so much. Too much almost. Would recommend to anyone, whether theyre new to Japanese or seasoned.

Review №144

2023-02-25 04:26:24

Great service & food celebrated our family members birthday and even though our server Alex was in high demand he made sure to give us his full attention as well as other guests! Would recommend the special Tonkostu Ramen is divine

Review №145

2023-10-30 03:41:17

The staff was really friendly, and the food was super delicious.

Review №146

2023-12-04 01:47:36

Great ramen, really enjoyed coming here!

Review №147

2023-05-31 04:24:30

Very yummy Ramen! Will come back again :)

Review №148

2023-11-25 00:48:01

Great service and yummy apps. Happy hour specials.

Review №149

2023-06-13 04:00:57

This place is out of control. The customer service is perfection and the food takes my breath away every time. Consistency consistency consistency! …

Review №150

2023-05-08 02:06:02

I tried out their tonkotsu ramen and spicy salmon roll dinner combo. The food was great and at such a great price with the combo. Servers were also very good. Would recommend to anyone in the mood for some japanese food

Review №151

2023-06-15 04:57:43

Great service even when understaffed, amazing food. I had the spicy tonkotsu and it was one of the better ones I’ve had in the city.

Review №152

2023-07-06 23:28:49

Wanted something small to eat cucumber salad wit octopus, and miso soup very excellent flavor my best prices

Review №153

2023-07-19 02:40:39

Great service, reasonably priced Nigri and tasty ramen including vegan option.

Review №154

2023-07-03 04:32:59

Excellent food, super sweet service, and beautiful atmosphere. Highly recommend!!

Review №155

2023-06-16 03:58:20

Most delicious 🍣 sushi & sopa Ive had in a while! I highly recommend it! Definitely coming back, and telling everyone about it!

Review №156

2023-06-14 03:08:35

Excellent food! Great service. Highly recommend the salmon and green onion skewer and the Bao Bao buns!!

Review №157

2023-03-31 02:08:34

Cute little neighborhood spot if you’re craving Japanese food. They have it all sushi, ramen, and yakitori!

Review №158

2023-10-21 02:33:54

WTH roll was delicious, spicy garlic adémeme is delicious and so was everything else!

Review №159

2023-07-24 03:53:10

Sushi was delicious and the edamame was 🤌 overall great vibes and great service. Will be returning again.

Review №160

2020-01-19 01:27:47

So after a awesome day at San Diego zoo with my girl I decided to try some Japanese food and Rakatori, is the Spot !!! Anybody willing to try something new, Rakatori is the place. Check out the spicy octopus!

Review №161

2023-04-15 03:55:11

This place was a very lovely surprise from the outside I initially thought it was a tiny homey restaurant but the inside was way bigger and fancier than I imagined which was very cool the food was amazing too took a little bit of time but it was worth it everything tasted so fresh (even had the tasty char on the chicken!!) Definitely a lovely gem in hillcrest

Review №162

2023-05-24 04:22:00

This place is amazing, the bulging I and black ramen. Soooo good! Best ramen in town! And we’ve tried them all!!!

Review №163

2023-06-06 00:51:34

Great service and great food! Really dig the environment - will be coming back and would recommend it :)

Review №164

2023-07-16 03:17:26

I live nearby and this is a regular for me.The menu is great and the service is amazing

Review №165

2023-04-16 23:49:03

I’ve been here several times usually get the chicken miso!! It’s delicious! My husband tried the seafood ramen and omg it’s delicious as well the sushi is good!! We love it nice quiet spot! Give everything a try my son loves the sushi.

Review №166

2023-06-11 23:26:42

This place had an enjoyable atmosphere, the food was good and the customer service was very friendly ! I would definitely come back .

Review №167

2017-08-21 01:22:12

Delicious food. Friendly staff. Neat ambiance. Will definitely be back!I had the combo of the Donburi Rice Bowl with Galbi and the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen.

Review №168

2020-08-12 05:58:28

The most terrible sushi I’ve ever ordered. I throw to the trash all the order $90 worth.Poor quality of fish salmon!!

Review №169

2023-07-23 00:38:19

Just got to San Diego. Kind people and food was great. Service was also good.

Review №170

2023-11-25 00:48:22

Attentive and friendly wait staff. Appetizers delicious.

Review №171

2023-06-12 00:05:21

Wonderful service from Jack! Great ambience and fantastic food as well. 10/10 would lunch again

Review №172

2023-03-29 00:19:28

SO good. Came in for happy hour and couldn’t be happier. Food and service were terrific. If you don’t get the salmon collar on the starter menu you’re making a big mistake.

Review №173

2023-06-11 01:34:06

Best miso ramen in San Diego, almost feels like I am in Japan eating.Very clean, fast service and authentic food, very much recommended

Review №174

2023-06-13 04:13:15

This place is amazingly good! We really enjoyed it. Especially beef tongue!

Review №175

2023-02-24 04:13:17

So good, ramen was flavorful and the yakir toro was amazing.

Review №176

2023-03-22 03:52:03

Chose this place looking for tasty ramen and it did not disappoint! I liked that they offer combos with sushi and ramen. They also had a good sake/soju selection and excellent service. One thing that stood out for me is that this place has a nice sit down vibe to it.

Review №177

2023-08-15 03:47:41

Service was above and beyond. Food came out hot and in a timely manner. Bomb edamame!!

Review №178

2022-08-29 01:36:13

Great food, great atmosphere, great service. Food was quite tasty and filling, at a decent price of about 15$ per meal or so. The environment is nicely quiet but has a great choice in background music. Good selection of drink as well. Really enjoyed the whole experience. I recommend the mango mochi :-)

Review №179

2023-04-25 02:52:16

Service was great, lovely place with pretty decorations. I ordered the Chicken Ramen, and it was tasty, but I would’ve liked more chicken in the soup.

Review №180

2023-02-27 03:14:47

Absolutely incredible service. We were about 5 min late to a reservation and brought an extra person, and they accommodated seamlessly. The yakitori is to die for - the filet mignon in particular melted in my mouth. For drinks, the strawberry sake was fantastic.

Review №181

2023-03-24 04:37:22

Rakitori was a great place for a quick and casual dinner. The sake bombs were really fun & interactive. We all ordered ramen and it was very delicious! Servers were very friendly and helpful.

Review №182

2023-02-27 03:02:31

I really enjoyed the food at this spot. I especially really liked the spicy chicken bao bao buns and the kimchi dumpling. Everyone working here was so friendly here too and so kind, so service was amazing! Overall a great experience

Review №183

2023-08-13 03:42:50

The food was so good! And our server was so nice.

Review №184

2023-02-25 06:01:23

I really love this place, the service is always so friendly and welcoming. The food is phenomenal and never ever disappoints. My favorite place for ramen and beer in San Diego.

Review №185

2023-01-11 03:55:56

My brothers and I come here all the time when we want a delicious ramen. Their appetizers are always on point and the service is awesome. Also the drinks are always a good time. Highly recommend!!

Review №186

2023-09-14 04:33:38

💣💣💣 tonkatsu ramen is excellent! Great place for late night dinner

Review №187

2023-08-14 01:47:50

Love their beef bulgogi bao buns. and the spicy kimchi ramen awesome

Review №188

2023-04-17 02:21:46

Our server was enthusiastic and very accommodating. The edamame were well season and the house hot sake was nice and warm!

Review №189

2023-04-17 02:22:53

I ordered the special ramen and the spicy butter garlic and the food does not disappoint!! Definitely recommend ordering this. Customer service is top notch. will return!

Review №190

2023-11-15 02:35:29

The filet mignon skewers were definitely the highlight.

Review №191

2021-07-14 14:34:20

You have to try the sushi roll named CA Pearl Dive also the Korean Beef is good as well. They have happy hour and Drinks and Appetizers.

Review №192

2019-09-01 22:52:20

Full, happy, and getting ready for full bliss with some green tea ice cream:) Matthew is an amazing server and bartender who made their amazing menu and gave us food options that were phenomenal!!!

Review №193

2023-01-15 02:52:10

We have been here a few times! The Ramen is amazing! I always enjoy the spicey tonkotsu level 7. Today my boyfriend tried the curry Ramen, he really enjoyed the flavor profile.

Review №194

2023-07-01 04:35:19

Love the place. The Food tasted amazing and the staff is very friendly !

Review №195

2023-05-05 04:06:32

Enjoyed the ambience and the warm food on a cold night. Many thanks to our server and the staff for being so friendly and attentive! 🗯⚡️✨🌙🌷🦋❤️

Review №196

2023-06-20 02:50:50

Beef tongue yakitori was perfect and the spicy chicken bao was delicious and well balanced😍 service was amazing!!

Review №197

2023-09-02 00:01:32

Happy hour dishes are fabulous!! Service was great!

Review №198

2023-11-20 04:28:36

Black ramen broth was great and the staff was very friendly

Review №199

2023-05-26 03:44:23

Great Environment, Very Helpful & Attentive Host Had A Great Attitude & Was Happy To Explain The Menu ! Great Food Also I Give It A Ten In My Book !!