Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Shogun Japanese Restaurant in Santa Cruz

4.4 (198) 1123 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States

Categories

Japanese restaurant
Asian restaurant
Restaurant
Sushi restaurant
Sushi takeaway

Location on the map

Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California, US

Phone: +1 831-469-4477
Site: https://toasttab.com/shogun-...

Opening hours

Monday:5–9 PM
Tuesday:5–9 PM
Wednesday:5–9 PM
Thursday:5–9 PM
Friday:5–9 PM
Saturday:12–9 PM
Sunday:12–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

198 Reviews for Shogun Japanese Restaurant 2024:

Review №1

2023-08-03 08:09:09

Refined and unique yet inexpensive authentic Japanese cuisine I would most certainly recommend. I had the Teriyaki steak/ vegetable tempura Bento, and my girlfriend ordered the Teriyaki chicken dinner, both complete with a salad and miso soup. We also decided on a Soft-shell crab appetizer, not to mention a small sake. The steak flavor alone was enough to write home. The texture of the appetizer was incredible, and the crab was very tasty. All in all, a nicely presented meal with a lot of value! Shogun is a favorite spot, and my go-to for traditional Japanese fare.

Review №2

2023-05-05 04:30:04

I love sushi. A client suggested to eat at Shogun. I tried the shrimp tempura roll. Also ordered the Gyoza. Yumm. 2rolls and appetizer were $31. Great deal. Didnt get a chance to take pics of the menu, next time!

Review №3

2023-12-03 06:32:28

What a bummer. I knew they recently changed ownership, but never imagined it could turn into what it is now. Have been in four times since this summer. From the poor quality of salmon and hamachi, to the unfriendly sushi chefs, to the horrific floor ‘service’…, I’m so done with the new shogun. The fish does not seem fresh. It’s tough, fibrous, and lacks flavor. And that’s been the case for the past two months. The tempura is soft, almost soggy, as if it was cooked last week. Then there’s the service. WHAT THE HECK!!?? Shogun used to be somewhat elevated. Now the service is sporadic, inconsistent and a bit obnoxious. Not kidding, I spent more time waiting for a server than I spent eating. And it’s like musical servers…never the same person twive. Took forever to get my order started. Then, 1 star for the food coming out quickly. Then, thought I would order another drink…wait. Wait. Wait. Nothing. Finished my food. Decided to just call it a wrap. Wanting to close out…wait. Wait wait. Finally, they took my money. One of the servers is really loud, all over the place, not focused. Calls me honey, darling, sweetie—but not in a genuine way. The whole vibe is just off and uncomfortable.What a disappointment…in every way.

Review №4

2023-06-13 02:02:59

Wish I took more pictures of our meal. We got the NY Fresh roll, fried soft shell crab, the short ribs and the soup and salad. EVERYTHING. I REPEAT EVERYTHING was amazing. Naz was our server and she topped off the experience! Super friendly, informative and quick. I couldn’t be happier with our decision to come here. Would definitely come back when in town! Ask for Naz also. She’ll take well care of you and make the experience more enjoyable.

Review №5

2023-01-09 20:22:55

Really very good sushi, TOP Quality fish meat. We also had the quail eggs, the cheapest restaurant dish, those are good too! Total for 3 persons 120$, including 2 beers.

Review №6

2023-03-30 16:18:51

Parking is a little bit of a hassle but in this area, you have to be willing to walk a little. The food was delicious, big servings, and the slices of fish on our sushi was fresh and thick. The staff was very welcoming and friendly as well.

Review №7

2022-11-27 04:38:45

Best Sushi in the world. Very generous portions. Today all the cooked food was old. No adjustments made. They blamed us for letting it sit too long. Never again

Review №8

2022-12-31 16:37:19

The food was good. Katsu had great flavor. Im pretty picky with my sushi. But I would try again.

Review №9

2022-02-02 04:04:47

Miso soup was great, not too salty. Shogun poppers were excellent, jalapeño with salmon, spicy mayo, sriracha, and cream cheese. Donkatsu was also good with huge amounts.

Review №10

2022-07-01 04:39:47

Fabulous Japanese cuisine and sushi. We had several rolls that were specific to this location and they were all fantastic! The Gilroy roll had a slow spiciness/heat that built up and lingered...it was excellent. The quality of the sushi was also top notch. There were so many items on the VERY expansive menu that would need multiple visits to try everything; and wouldnt mind that effort. :) Would go back!

Review №11

2023-09-11 18:23:12

If I could give Shogun a 6-star rating, I would! I recently came here for the first time and had a great experience.The food was fantastic. From the miso to the rolls and the nigiri, everything tasted dicious. You can tell they put a lot of thought and care into the meals they serve.Our server was fantastic as well; polite, attentive and she has a great sense of humor. She really made the dining experience that much better.I also managed to leave my bank card at the restaurant and didnt realize it until the next day. When I called Shogun to see if they had my card, I relieved to hear they had and they even put it in a secure office. I dont live near Santa Cruz, but their manager Jeff offered to meet me halfway so I could get my card back. He really went above and beyond!Overall, I am more than happy with my experience at Shogun. I cant recommend them enough!

Review №12

2023-08-29 22:45:23

Definitely a disappointing dinner. Been there many times but this time was terrible and our last time.Ordered the salmon teriyaki bento box - for $3.00 extra . The salmon was so dry - like it was yesterday’s, and a smaller portion than usual. Could barely cut it with my chopsticks - didn’t eat it. The tempura was greasy, very greasy, not light as usual.Had to ask for ginger. The music was so loud that it was difficult to talk across the table. Service was good as usual, though.

Review №13

2022-06-04 04:43:49

I had the tuna roll and the salmon roll. They stuffed a lot of fish in the roll, more than most places. It was fresh and well priced. Service was friendly and attentive. Minus one star for being sloppily rolled, it didnt stay together and fell apart.

Review №14

2022-12-20 03:49:43

Enjoyed a great dinner at this fine establishment. Very kind staff and great food. Had 2 apps and a roll. Very fresh fish and great presentation. Check this place out when you’re craving sushi and are cruising h downtown.

Review №15

2023-07-25 05:21:28

The food was fine and I wasnt going to write a review. The check came with extra charges on top of the bento boxes for salmon teriyaki and sashimi. This was not indicated in the menu, so we asked our waiter to rectify it. A different person came back and said that beef, salmon, and sashimi have $3 upcharge. We showed him the menu. He said the menu was not up to date and asked what we expected him to do. We said you cant charge whats not on the menu and that we would like those charges removed. He said he has to check with the owner, which he did and came back to say no. We felt bad for our original waiter, who was nice, but ended up deducting the tip. While were discussing what to do and saying that weve never experience anything like this at a restaurant, the guy came back to say that if were going to batter their restaurant we should take it outside. Were absolutely shocked by this treatment. Mistakes happen and even though none of our 3 menus mentioned this charge, were sure some have been updated. But instead of correcting the bill to reflect the menu prices (which is surely a legal requirement), they chose to scold their customers for noticing the discrepancy.

Review №16

2017-07-24 04:08:40

Awesome, great price for how fresh and innovative it is. They made kid chopsticks for my daughter, and her California roll came in a boat with cantaloupe, which she loved.

Review №17

2023-05-02 09:23:47

We have been there May 1st and we had a great dinner. We were 15 people for a birthday party. The service was great and so was the food. Friendly and welcoming restaurant. They also have delicious sake based cocktails that I recommend.

Review №18

2019-11-04 17:17:08

Very nice place for a quick and tasty bite.Many rolls are not vert “traditional”, but that makes them great. The sushi is very tasty and fresh. We took 4 rolls for the 2 of us and had plenty.

Review №19

2022-07-17 19:19:20

Dinner here was very pleasant. They had a range of items on the menu including vegetarian options. They offer a variety of Japanese cusine options.

Review №20

2023-06-24 03:24:19

We’re visiting Santa Cruz from Fresno with our 5yo daughter who loves the boardwalk. After a long day of play we came to Shogun for sushi. Our 5yo loves Japanese food. Food was amazing, service with Kat was equally amazing, presentation was impressive! Their toro was magnificent. Most Japanese restaurants get a kick out of our child loving tobiko and maguro but Shogun made her feel like royalty. 10/10 recommend and we will be coming back!

Review №21

2023-09-05 14:04:12

Food was excellent and priced well considering area. Their bento boxes have good portions of everything but recommend their rolls and sashimi. Dinner meals come with miso soup.

Review №22

2019-02-01 02:34:14

Honestly, way better than I was expecting. Quality of fish was good and the nigiri had nice presentation. However, the rice needs work. It was too sticky and loosely packed; our rolls were falling apart. Prices are surprisingly cheap though. Will probably return to see if the rice improves.

Review №23

2021-08-21 19:21:44

The food was good and large portions. We ordered a salmon collar. It was like a whole serving of salmon. I ordered the sashimi mix with hamachi and sake salmon. The presentation was beautiful. The slices were generous portions. A great deal for that much sushi. We sat outside. They have heat lamps. I would go back again.

Review №24

2023-04-27 03:49:18

Really bummed about the quality of the sushi. Based on the reviews and being on the California coast I was expecting great seafood, what a disappointment. I legitimately could not force myself to eat more than 2 bites… Life is to short to risk eating bad raw fish. Giving 2 stars instead of 1 because my fiancé enjoyed the tempura rolls and the service is good.

Review №25

2023-04-12 14:57:17

The food is really good. I havent found another Donkatsu that comes close. Tempura is amazing even the salad has some dressing that is out of this world. Very nice staff and they prepare the sushi right in the open.

Review №26

2023-07-25 04:35:25

They charged us extra for items they had on the bento box as normal priced. Their excuse, when charging us, was that the menu was outdated. We deducted the extras of the tip and the waiter proceeded to tell us to leave the place.

Review №27

2017-11-23 15:37:46

Been around for a long time and owner mingho is still serving up fresh quality sushi/authentic Japanese cuisine. Great service from his lovely wife as well♡I highly recommend these quality chefs and dining experience.

Review №28

2023-11-19 04:48:53

Salmon appetizer, shrimp tempura avocado cucumber roll, miso soup all were tasty.

Review №29

2022-02-17 05:15:59

Friendly service and decent rolls. Also have Udon. Big dinning hall, clean bathroom, great location.

Review №30

2019-10-23 00:40:45

My Go-to sushi place when visiting Santa Cruz!Very friendly atmosphere and delicious foods. We ordered tempura Udon, rainbow roll and chef’s special sashimi assort.Udon was LOADED. Lots of vegetables, lots of variety in tempuras. Probably won’t find this in the Bay Area.Rainbow roll was good.Assorted sashimi was my favorite. Great presentation and amazing variety. Just loved everything about it. And the orange in the middle was a plus.

Review №31

2023-04-16 18:41:14

4/5/23 finally tried the joint after living here in SC for 3 years. very first impression is the pricing. its up there, i see why its for sure a tourist trap in the mid streets of DT. sushi was good, evertthing is just a cliche joint. so nothing bad in here.

Review №32

2023-02-28 20:17:47

This is our go-to Japanese restaurant. They are very consistent with kind service, good quality food. The selection satisfies the entire family: rolls, bento boxes, and Japanese dishes. We really enjoy the laid-back atmosphere with good sushi!

Review №33

2021-01-05 04:44:25

Easy ordering at the front door, minimal wait for a fresh, quality beautiful meal. Always our family favorite for birthdays, anniversaries and fun family meals! Such wonderful staff!!

Review №34

2019-10-29 21:58:38

Bento box was good. On this visit, the kitchen was s little slow, but we informed while waiting for our meal.

Review №35

2019-07-02 04:57:49

Good prices, service a little bit slow but very very good, the hostesses were very kind and when my food took a while to get here, the owner came out and let me know it was on the way. Good prices as well, and the quantity of the food is good.

Review №36

2019-10-27 06:01:30

I got the bento box. It was incredible and it could have fed two people. Big miso soup fan but did not like theirs at all. Very very salty.

Review №37

2018-04-23 05:36:30

One of life’s happy surprises. A world class location where Sea Peoples represent with love and gratitude. I gave out my fave agedashi soft-shell crab ‘appetizer’ recipe to my well-organized server, and I was pleased with the kitchen’s result. Then there’s the Chirashi Dinner. Fresh? Yes. Not that it means anything! Silly me, I want FLAVORS. And a traditional fish operation knows how, what and when to allow their fish to both rest and mature- safely, properly and flavorfully.Savor that!This place sings in concert like a zendo chanting Heart-Sutra, and not at ‘tapa’ prices either. The prices here support my properly tipping the staff (gentleman: that’s 20% for human help).

Review №38

2023-08-06 20:09:53

Fantastic restaurant.All the workers were so friendly and the food was so fresh.

Review №39

2023-03-04 16:51:13

Good as always. Especially, their Korean fusion dishes. I just wish they would add a few more :)Edit: Maybe this last time was an exception, as we generally have a great time here. However, this time, our server was rude and our sushi took over an hour. Our server told us twice, the sushi bar was behind, so buy more food from the kitchen, if we are hungry. I found that response to be obnoxious. Meanwhile, they were fulfilling many take out orders while everyone dinning in had excessive waits for their food. I understand stuff happens. However, a restaurant needs to prioritize their customers dining in, over take out order. Otherwise, there is no reason to dine in.Sadly, due to this experience, we will likely avoid Shogun for a while.

Review №40

2022-06-25 18:54:29

Its always iffy to find a good sushi place when youre on vacation. My family eats a lot of Japanese food at home, and we found Shogun to be a lovely restaurant. The food was delicious and fresh, the service was friendly and personable, and the prices were good for the amount of food we got. Whenever Im in Santa Cruz and want sushi, Shogun will be the place I go!

Review №41

2023-11-12 17:01:00

Beautiful, fast and friendly service!

Review №42

2023-09-30 15:58:47

Eel was great felt a bit busy though even so great service and good food

Review №43

2022-05-02 22:07:51

Shogun is THE BEST sushi I’ve ever had the staff is amazing love their food always consistently 🤤 delicious

Review №44

2022-11-08 17:08:43

When I walked in the door you smell sewer or there grease trap! I have never smelled this before sitting down in any restaurant before. The food is very average and over priced. The service is was not very good, as our waitress was training another waitress and dropped our tea cups on the ground and sauce all over my pants. Would not recommend the place!!

Review №45

2018-02-23 01:21:03

Absolutely the finest Sushi restaurant in the world. 20 stars wouldn t be enough to cover this place. Ooooo My Goooood! Just Go! Go now.

Review №46

2022-09-12 07:33:47

Favorite sushi in Santa Cruz county. Fresh, tasty and a great dining experience. The Spicy tuna hand roll is something special its my favorite I’ve had anywhere and the Sunomono is also unrivaled. The downtowner, the leftover and the spicy ruby roll are all favs. It’s all good.

Review №47

2023-07-16 20:20:27

New owner, new taste, fantastic place for eat out! Def coming back!

Review №48

2023-07-16 20:22:13

Very fresh, good service, nice decoration in restaurant. Plan to visit again

Review №49

2022-07-01 16:18:32

We all ate plenty and considering what we were eating it was pretty cheap. I enjoyed the salmon very much. I would recommend it, especially the sashimi. It had very nice sized portions

Review №50

2023-06-06 14:32:54

Probably the most classic sushi in Santa Cruz, focus on fantastic cuts of fish and great execution.

Review №51

2021-03-07 19:58:06

Check Your Itemized Charges: Ive been a loyal customer for many years---including takeout orders throughout the pandemic. Ive enjoyed practicing my rusty Korean tongue with some of the staff. Overall, the food has always been great and the service average. The negative review is overwhelmingly due to a shady business practice. When I placed my last order over the phone for pickup, the total was a bit higher than expected---as it was for other recent orders. This time, I asked the young woman what the tax rate was and she told me 15.95%. I stated that the tax rate in Santa Cruz is only 9.25% and asked why they would be charging 15.95% tax. She said, Because thats what they told us to do. It costs more for the carryout supplies. Imagine how much they are saving in wages and utilities while not serving/bussing/setting tables, washing dishes, etc.---yet they charge extra (without notice!) for carryout supplies. The restaurant seems to remain as busy and as popular as ever (40-60 minute wait for pickup, pickup line at the door), so this seems very opportunistic of them. I requested to speak with the manager. I was told she would call me. She did not. So here we are.

Review №52

2021-12-25 19:39:34

Pretty good food. I liked how seaweed salad is called ocean salad here. I almost missed it. Unfortunately I think the food caused me some stomach turning the next day and I felt nausea. Was good nonetheless. Some of the rolls are unique and I wish I could come back for some more.

Review №53

2018-03-22 03:37:25

The Best sushi in town... they owners and staff are really fun.. take a moment to Talk and get to know them! (&%777%&)

Review №54

2019-05-15 17:35:39

Very positive dining experience at Shogun. Went on a Saturday evening, and wait time was 15 minutes. Server was attentive and friendly. Ordered a number of rolls and they were all delicious. The food was fresh, which is great. The restaurant was clean, and so was the restroom.

Review №55

2019-06-14 08:03:36

I just had the best roll Ive ever had in my life here. The Pacific roll - get it if you just plain like fish. I was actually planning on getting two rolls, and was going to get the Fisherman Roll also, but the one roll was enough - and very good! Not too much rice, wonderful fish, and those crunchy little fish eggs, yum!Yeah rolls are not traditional but they are fun, and and a nice way to have a meal thats small and quick.

Review №56

2023-09-11 00:18:14

Great authentic spot! Fish here is fresh!

Review №57

2017-04-18 15:09:42

The food all looked amazing, and the rolls we got tasted great (even though some didnt hold together). Some of the highest quality sushi Ive seen in a while.The servers were a bit aloof though. We sat near the area where the chefs would put their orders and we saw some sit there for more than 10 minutes. Meanwhile the servers were chatting nearby.

Review №58

2017-11-28 20:24:15

4.5/5.0Pros:Good sushi, good price, kind and prompt staff, high quality fish, nice presentation, knowledgeable and helpful sushi chef.Con:A little under done rice the first time I went in. But honestly other than that it was excellentFeedback:The cuts of the sushi were a little off in thickness. I certainly loved the ample size of the cuts, but with some of the fish it makes the chew, and mouth feel seem off.

Review №59

2020-01-26 05:02:56

A wide variety of good sushi in downtown Santa Cruz. They have all of the staples plus some local creations that are good. If you order enough sushi from their normal menu theyll even serve it to you on a boat which is fun. Service can be slow during busy times but most of the time the wait staff is very nice

Review №60

2021-08-19 04:49:40

Very expensive for the low quality of the food. We went there on a Friday night and we came to the unanimous conclusion that it was pretty bad. The fish that dark and flavorless, the rolls were messy and the water tasted like sewer water. The menus were also very sticky. For that price and in Corona times good hygiene would be the bare minimum.

Review №61

2017-04-15 23:14:44

This is a nice place. I like their vegetarian selections. They have the biggest on the area. I wished they had more cocktails and drinks. However out of the three sushi places in downtown Santa Cruz it is the best. The sushi quality is great, it has vegetarian options, and sake shots. I do wish for a bigger drink variety but if you are gonna eat sushi at reasonable prices, eat here.

Review №62

2019-05-14 09:15:52

Ive been almost everywhere else for sushi and nowhere comes close in Santa Cruz. If you want good sushi for fair prices I wont recommend anywhere else. The waits can be a little long at times but I guess its the price of quality. Service is almost always perfect the restaurant looks very well kept. Good drinks and some of the best food in town.

Review №63

2019-12-01 05:18:09

Absolutely delicious sushi! We enjoyed every single thing we ordered and in a warm/cozy atmosphere which can be hard to find in a sushi restaurant. We could not believe the affordable price for such terrific sushi! Our new favorite place in Santa Cruz.

Review №64

2018-08-13 21:14:37

Service was fine. Quality of seafood was truly upsetting. Ordered the octopus with pickled cucumber....cut at an inch thick and covered with sesame. Im assuming they do this to hide the stank. It was definitely bad. The cucumber was falling apart and dark brown in the intense vinegar solution.The dynamite roll, supposedly a spicy tuna roll....it and I mean it was drenched in a sweet hot sauce that had no distinguishing flavor. The only reason I think they put it on there is to mask the bland and low quality tuna. I asked for a side of spicy mayo that only showed up when asked for the check and she insisted we take our uneaten food. I have since vomited the scraps I happened to ingest and am better for it. Dont hurt yourself or loved ones, stay away . The green tea was great tho...

Review №65

2021-05-04 16:24:36

Simple Japanese for a midweek craving. Service is great as well. Unfortunately I wasnt wowed by any of the dishes we ordered - udon soup had bland broth, california rolls were prerolled / not made to order (dry rice and bleak fillings). The best dish was one of the sushi roll specials - recommend these for ingredient quality and prep!

Review №66

2016-09-28 02:07:48

Perhaps the best chirashi bowl I have ever ordered. Fresh, filling and creative. My favorite was the tuna and mint wrapped in octopus. It also had all my favorites, salmon, tuna, and scallops. I was full enough off of the bowl that I didnt even need to order an extra roll.Location was great as well. Great location right smack in downtown where a lot is happening - shops, bars, and people.I really like this place.

Review №67

2019-11-26 04:32:11

The food was decent. The low rating is for the hour and half wait for food. And the fact that instead of refunding the money they accidentally overcharged, they charged me twice. So two rolls cost me $90 until I get the bank to fix it. And when I pointed out the mistake the waitress rolled her eyes.

Review №68

2017-09-03 01:46:56

Great place, wonderful sushi and good prices! Even Nigiri sushi have a special touch!

Review №69

2022-06-21 03:31:51

Food was great! They really took care of us. Clean restrooms. Read another review before I came here and they were right, BEST SUSHI 🍣 IN THE WORLD 🌎!!

Review №70

2017-03-09 01:50:51

What makes this place stand out from other sushi restaurants is how they do their vegetarian rolls. They are phenomenal. They do flavor things with veggies you didnt know where possible. Another thing that makes this place unique is how they use Japanese veggies that you normally dont see.And they do amazing salmon skin sushi. Its the ONLY place that Ive been to where they will actually crisp up large chunk of salmon skin (not chopped up like every other sushi place that offers salmon skin) and crisp it up like bacon. Its heavenly.Its an unexpected find in Santa Cruz for fantastic sushi. Go here for their unique vegetarian rolls and salmon skin sushi.

Review №71

2016-08-29 04:22:39

Best Sushi Ever...reasonable prices.

Review №72

2023-07-02 18:18:36

One of the best sushi restraunts in Santa Cruz

Review №73

2018-12-14 02:06:27

Clean, kind, yummy. Love Shogun Sushi.

Review №74

2019-06-20 22:04:44

We went at 1.30pm and got a table no issues. The waitress is so slow. Took forever to get an order of edamame on tje table.Ordered buch of rolls. The Doobie roll is very popular but we couldnt eat it. The sause the fish is covered with has some old smell to it.Rice in rolls is too much and falls apart. Rolls are too thick. We have had much better sushi.

Review №75

2021-11-15 23:33:31

Delicious, fresh, and tasty food with a variety of sushi flavors. This is definitely my favorite sushi restaurant. One of the best sushi places that I have been, in the last 20 years.

Review №76

2021-05-29 00:10:11

I know this place is popular and to be honest the food is pretty good. But to me its over-rated and over-priced. Service is shotty at best and same quality of food can be found all over. Its just not anything special.

Review №77

2019-11-21 22:53:41

Enjoyed every minute and every morsel of Japanese cuisine that they offer. Friendly staff and excellent customer service. Prices were also very reasonable for the quality of food that you get! A must visit!

Review №78

2021-07-03 01:36:47

I went to Shogun for the first time tonight. It is difficult to park downtown, but I paid for parking and walked to the restaurant. I picked up my orderand went home to find out the person that gave me the bag forgot to include the 2nd bag. I called the restaurant and all they could suggest is that I come back and pick up the missing bag. To pay to park again, and have everything at home get cold. I asked for a refund and they said. O

Review №79

2018-04-09 19:37:19

One of the two best sushi restaurants in Santa Cruz (the other is Mobu). The menu is pretty broad, and the sushi/sashimi is consistently good. Service is so-so, only marginally friendly. The restaurant can get noisy when crowded, and the tables by the door can be chilly during the winter months.

Review №80

2018-05-08 16:50:07

We love Kim! She paid special attention to my toddler and he hasnt stopped talking about going back. Of course the sushi was VERY good, they have a sushi master who knows his stuff!!!

Review №81

2018-08-30 03:48:46

I absolutely love coming here basically every week if not every other week! Been coming here for two years practically. Best sushi in town in my opinion and the staff and sushi chefs are so friendly and attentive. They know me quite well and sometimes even give me something on the house. For someone who doesnt really eat shrimp - their Saketemp roll is just supberb! Their miso soup, nigiri, and mochi also super delicious. I definitely have several sushi roll favorites that I always come back too!!! Will keep coming back time again and again. Man do I love sushi!

Review №82

2019-08-08 03:50:52

Couldn’t find a menu, so found one on door dash. Ordered a dinner special that claimed it came with 2 rolls and a combo of nigiri for $21. When I went to pick it up, it only came with one roll and the combo of nigiri for $30. When I asked about the second roll and the price, I was told there is no second roll and that the menu is out of date. So I paid $9 more than expected and received one less roll.

Review №83

2014-11-11 21:13:16

In our experience the sushi has been so-so, but the hot meal items have been great! The bento/hot box was a great value for your money, and you can easily go home with almost a whole portion of takeout with a lot of the menu items.

Review №84

2017-09-10 18:33:59

One of my favorite sushi restaurants. Their Philly roll is my favorite thing on the menu. Atypically, it includes macadamia nuts, which adds a taste and texture combination that I adore. A must try.

Review №85

2019-04-20 23:08:30

This place was great! They had a few vegetarian options, but they were delicious! I ended up getting the shotgun dinner box special, which comes with rice, salad, miso soup, and 2 options of protein (I got teriyaki tofu, and veggie gyoza). I also got the cashew maki roll which I would 100% recommend for vegetarians.

Review №86

2019-10-19 23:17:07

Very nice food with good prices! I got the Pacific Roll

Review №87

2018-06-25 06:10:22

The food was great! Only giving a 3 because customer service sucked. Never was checked on. I had to flag the server down and ask her for more water. Then she waited until we were about to leave then asked my kids if they wanted more water. My number one pet peeve is bad customer service.

Review №88

2017-10-22 10:58:32

This is a great little Japanese restaurants it in the main street of Santa Cruz. Open from 11:30 a.m., The wonderful staff make you feel right at home as soon as you enter the door.The menu is extensive and they have some great lunch specials. I ordered the lunch special bento box which included two choices for $11.95 and I was pleasantly surprised at the size and flavour of all the options in the box. The box also came with a bowl of miso soup to start.The sushi here is very tasty as is the teriyaki salmon teriyaki chicken and the tempura vegetables. This restaurant is well worth a visit!

Review №89

2021-06-27 03:27:41

Horrible place.. Avoid this place! I asked to sit outside at a table thats a little bigger than a tv tray size table and the lady said no its held for parties of more than 1.. So i waited 20 minutes a few places down and noone sat at the table I requested. Horrible customer service.So I decided to take my money and eat at Oceans. ..a new place that just opened u p. I sat a a larger table ..no problem. Oceans is the place to go for great customer service and fantastic food.

Review №90

2018-11-09 06:48:33

Average Japanese restaurant experience. One thing that annoys me is that the tables are not in good condition. It is not stable. Luckily I find a good one to switch to. Appetizer choices are average. You can find common Japanese appetizers like Tempura (battered and deep fried shrimp), Karaage (fried chicken breast) and tofu. Unfortunately the Entree I choose, Salmon teriyaki is below average Japanese restaurant quality IMO. Bad cooking timing (火候).

Review №91

2017-12-03 02:12:40

17 years and running band we have never had a bad meal. We regularly get Hanami, Pacific, Nancy and Sake Maki rolls. The rolls are fresh and hold their shape and the nigiri sushi is a great value for size. The do both dine in and take out which is great.

Review №92

2019-05-06 17:30:55

Great sushi at a reasonable price, but the staff is clearly overworked. The orders were really backed up and it took a while to get our food. But the staff was super nice about it.

Review №93

2022-07-17 22:35:24

The first sashimi I have ever liked. The way the flesh and fat of the fish melts into your mouth is an experience like no other.

Review №94

2014-08-21 23:25:16

Good Japanese food. My only complaint is their menu is a bit limited. They dont feature some items you normally expect from a Japanese restaurant, but what they do serve is good. A touch more expensive than other places, but thats probably because of the prime location. I ate here basically every other week with a friend and once wed found our favorite bentos we just kept coming back for more.

Review №95

2016-07-09 01:21:29

This place is by far the best sushi I have had in northern california. Their Sushi Dinner #1 seems small on paper, but you get pieces of nigiri the size of your hand! This even includes a nice slab of fatty tuna (Toro) which is unheard of for a sushi dinner. Granted the prices here are a tad bit high, but it is worth every last penny spent.

Review №96

2022-09-23 19:40:29

Great fresh food, pleasant service and awesome selection, always a pleasure to visit when we drive through Santa Cruz

Review №97

2019-10-07 01:33:26

The service was slow and when the roll came out (Dragon roll), the sushi rice did not taste fully cooked (too crunchy). The edamame was good (on par with other restaurants) but was disappointed by the state of the roll.

Review №98

2017-06-15 15:43:45

Good service and okay food. A bit pricey

Review №99

2022-08-16 08:20:08

Sushi was great!! The servers were kind and service was fast. Overall a nice experience

Review №100

2019-11-22 04:02:44

Amazing food, always fresh and cooked perfectly! Presentation is very good and prices are reasonable. Drink specials are outstanding! Staff is always the best!

Review №101

2016-09-04 07:52:51

The sushis really good, but the vegetarian rolls are amazing. The prices are good and the staff are really nice. One of my favorite places to celebrate something.

Review №102

2013-10-18 19:50:32

My favorite sushi spot in Santa Cruz! Portions are generous for a sushi restaurant. Quality ingredients and imaginative sushi rolls keep me coming back. I recommend the Umi Maki for folks who dont want fish - its crunchy, salty and savory. Another FAVORITE is the Sakegawa Roll, with baked crunchy salmon skin.

Review №103

2017-02-10 20:17:21

I come in here every week with my friends. Love the place. Relaxed feeling and excellent sushi. Dont tell the other local sushi bars but this place is the best!

Review №104

2018-07-18 01:18:10

The service was poor I was so thirsty my waiter never came. Tried the cheffs appetizer sampler and it was a bunch of raw meats and sea food. I wish I would of got a heads up before spending 20 on raw food.

Review №105

2016-11-08 19:36:47

They pay extra attention to even subtle details, making me feel I was back to Japan. I think even Japanese people would appreciate their work. One of the few Japanese restaurants I would recommend in the States. They also provide a wide range of vegetarian options at very good quality.

Review №106

2015-11-16 22:04:56

Our favorite sushi joint 15 years and counting. By far the most consistent on quality and value for your sushi fix. My favorites are the Nancy and Pacific Rolls.

Review №107

2019-02-17 04:10:38

My favorite sushi in Santa Cruz. They always offer great service and fresh fish. Ive never been disappointed.

Review №108

2019-07-27 03:44:30

I had a lunch box. The food was okay but not great. Prices were slightly higher but its right on Pacific downtown. Service was fast and friendly.

Review №109

2023-01-17 07:05:36

High-quality food for the price. This is my go-to place in the city to get Japanese food.

Review №110

2019-03-30 03:45:09

Terrific sushi and shashimi in the heart of Santa Cruz. Fish was incredible and the uni was the best I have seen locally. Prompt attentive service made it a great evening.

Review №111

2009-08-18 07:47:34

Every time I go to Shogun I leave in delight. The fish is extremely fresh and the pieces are long and beautiful. I love the sauces and it doesnt take long at all.

Review №112

2021-07-09 19:15:56

Our favorite Japanese restaurant in town. Great sushi, seaweed salad, Bento boxes, and more. Great service.

Review №113

2019-06-25 01:14:25

It has so many vegetarian options, service was excellent, the food was amazing. So good that I am thinking of driving the three hours just to go and eat there!!

Review №114

2015-06-30 01:01:29

Food was great, only wish I could order more smaller servings to try out more variety like other sushi places Ive been.

Review №115

2017-12-03 19:47:53

Super tasty every time. If you havent tried the spicy pork 10/10 should eat. Good price too.

Review №116

2018-12-22 06:31:50

It okay, Id go here if I were to lazy to walk to I love sushi or drive somewhere outside of downtown. I really think that this place remains popular because its one of the only Japanese restaurants on Pacific and as a result, gets the tourist and college student business.

Review №117

2017-04-19 18:16:34

Good sushi. Usually not much of a wait. Plus $2 sake bombs are killer! Double check your bill though. Multiple mistakes have been noticed.

Review №118

2021-08-12 15:42:42

Excellent service, friendly staff, very fresh fish. My grandson and I come here often we are never dissapointed.

Review №119

2019-11-18 02:08:36

Favorite place to eat sushi in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz speciality roll is our favorite. Service is always great, will always come back for more.

Review №120

2018-11-19 04:28:09

It was pretty good but I don’t recommend the barbecue pork it has a kind of sour taste i did not like. But good value, and boyfriend loved the ramen

Review №121

2018-12-02 16:48:38

Great sushi and fast/friendly service. Comfortable place to sit and chat during dinner, not a quiet place where you need to whisper...fun!

Review №122

2016-05-30 15:34:25

Quite the nice Japanese place. Took advantage of the combo meal, app, soup and rolls. Well packaged deal, along with enough food to satiate. Great experience.

Review №123

2023-10-20 00:37:12

Ive gone here for over 20 years. Since the ownership change it just isnt worth it.

Review №124

2020-10-08 03:42:22

Same level of consistency each and every time. I never had a bad experience there, and so thats why I keep coming back..for many years.. :)

Review №125

2023-06-11 20:24:47

Delicious sushi, loved every bite

Review №126

2011-04-10 00:31:45

The boxes are so so. The Sushi is fresh and delicious. The spicy sauce is strange, definitely try it before you order anything spicy

Review №127

2023-07-27 01:21:48

Found what appeared to be a pubic hair in the California roll

Review №128

2021-09-01 01:05:17

Amazing food. Looked good, tasted good and staff was super friendly. Definitely recommend

Review №129

2016-08-25 07:22:25

My favorite place for sushi in Santa Cruz. They really focus on quality here. The nigiri combo and shogun combo #2 here was great

Review №130

2018-01-19 21:40:16

Some days the sushi is better than others, but Shogun mostly wins for location and generous portions of hamachi or sake kama (roasted collar)

Review №131

2017-05-14 03:45:10

Good ambiance, great and fast service, and the rolls we had were so delicious! Definitely going back ASAP!

Review №132

2018-12-16 00:07:30

The other day my friend and i stopped in for $2 saki bombs. And they were awesome! Good service too!

Review №133

2019-05-20 21:08:10

The service is good, the environment is good and the food is very tasty. If you visit Santa Cruz, you shouldnt miss this restaurant.

Review №134

2018-10-20 05:52:54

Have the freshest sushi, the portions are quite large and delicious, not to mention the service is excellent.

Review №135

2017-09-02 18:27:45

This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Santa Cruz. Fresh fish, good sake selection, not too pricey.

Review №136

2019-10-06 16:13:07

Great value for delicious sushi rolls. Beautiful presentation. Friendly staff.

Review №137

2017-03-11 19:18:25

Love this restaurant, especially when the chef sends a complimentary dish to your table. Always packed but worth the wait.

Review №138

2017-01-23 01:38:47

Best of Santa Cruz! Love the Sake here (both fish and drink)...downtowner, westside and Shogun Special #2...all golden goodies!

Review №139

2022-03-29 03:17:36

They don’t take reservations, just wanted to add that to this review. Haven’t eaten there yet!

Review №140

2019-01-04 20:11:21

Tasteful Japanese food with great service.Ask for kids versions of the dishes if youre dinning with little ones.

Review №141

2023-03-13 19:35:46

Hands down the best sushi in Santa Cruz.

Review №142

2019-02-07 04:53:27

Great place to eat, food is amazing, staff is super friendly and very attentive. Highly recommend!!

Review №143

2017-03-12 23:20:38

Loved it! Another successful sushi restaurant. Very nice people and kid friendly! 😄

Review №144

2022-08-04 04:51:57

Amazing food, high quality fish, and the friendliest staff!

Review №145

2020-01-07 04:51:55

Love this place, love this family! I have going here for two decades and love it! Broccoli salad is to die for!

Review №146

2021-07-15 16:57:33

Good food, good prices and great service. I would definitely go again.

Review №147

2020-10-15 09:17:01

Best sushi in town!Try the Marinated Artichoke Hearts & Cucumber roll 😋

Review №148

2022-05-13 06:07:38

Best vegetarian Sushi. Service and atmosphere was perfect.

Review №149

2023-10-17 15:18:52

Bery fresh sushi 🍣

Review №150

2017-02-19 20:53:01

Good food, reasonably priced, usually a wait as the restaurant is pretty small, but its worth it.

Review №151

2019-05-19 03:18:48

Extremely fast and courteous service & the food tastes great with large porportions. Highly recommend!!!

Review №152

2017-06-06 03:27:11

Good Sushi, Great prices, and amazing desserts. What more could I possibly ask for?

Review №153

2018-06-30 04:10:48

Huge portions of delicious dish in a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. Cant ask for more than that.

Review №154

2019-07-18 18:44:32

Salmon teriyaki was amazing, and very reasonable if you get the box meal

Review №155

2016-03-11 18:29:55

I absolutely love theyre vegetarian options! Friendly service and great good!

Review №156

2018-02-16 19:22:58

Sake bombs are must have. Philadelphia Cheesy and Santa Cruz Special Sushis are my recommendations.

Review №157

2016-12-15 02:15:26

Never disappointed with the food or service. Some good options for sake. No WIFI.

Review №158

2020-02-06 18:47:13

This is the best sushi Ive had since being in santa Cruz.

Review №159

2017-02-19 13:25:03

Really great staff, but food is alright. Warm and chatty atmosphere.

Review №160

2013-06-02 15:36:11

The service and sushi here are fantastic and I rarely have to wait long for a table.

Review №161

2022-07-31 01:09:47

Good sushi, with to little rice, large portions

Review №162

2018-12-21 22:03:45

So good. Great lunch menu and value. Great service.

Review №163

2019-09-13 23:19:35

What Fantastic Food, So fresh and Low priced We go everytime we go to Tahoe

Review №164

2017-05-24 19:46:29

Great sushi, fair prices, gone back a few times!

Review №165

2016-04-18 03:17:50

Had saba dinner and crunch roll. Both were good but also a tad bit in the pricier side.

Review №166

2018-09-20 15:58:11

Tons of great and interesting food. I especially love the jalapeno poppers.

Review №167

2017-12-05 06:51:54

Awesome food here if you like Japanese food, but its a little expensive for what they serve.

Review №168

2020-01-11 20:38:24

Decent prices and pretty good sushi.

Review №169

2019-10-12 02:58:26

Great food, service and price. Cant ask for anything more!

Review №170

2017-06-19 04:23:07

Inching its way towards the big league but not quite there yet. Top notch among the mid league.

Review №171

2021-11-28 01:39:55

Fantastic food personal service. Top shelf

Review №172

2019-12-12 03:09:16

I like the decor, the service is okay and the food was decent.

Review №173

2021-09-23 02:00:34

Just absolutely tasty, took the lady and want to come back

Review №174

2019-09-22 04:03:14

Excellent service. Great food. Lively atmosphere.

Review №175

2020-01-22 17:25:19

We love it! best sushi in town

Review №176

2019-12-08 04:41:44

Fantastic date spot. Delicious quail shooters and nigiri.

Review №177

2022-04-07 15:43:42

Comprehensive menu, well prepared, good service

Review №178

2018-08-28 03:08:49

Excellent food overall, really nice people too.

Review №179

2017-06-20 13:12:23

Great service and excellent sushi chefs!

Review №180

2018-01-19 07:09:48

Simple good food. Great place for an easy bite.

Review №181

2019-11-14 18:59:20

Some of the best sushi in the Santa Cruz area.

Review №182

2012-07-27 02:10:45

Excellent service and the food tastes wayyyy better than it looks,

Review №183

2022-07-25 04:39:19

Love it! The best sushi!

Review №184

2019-06-25 04:27:17

Love Shogun deffinatly my go to for sushi in Santa Cruz area

Review №185

2019-04-14 09:08:23

Good experience. Yummy dumplings. Friendly staff

Review №186

2014-12-19 04:33:52

Reputable pace for sushi little overpriced, but very clean.

Review №187

2018-06-08 00:37:13

Excellent food. Fast and friendly service.

Review №188

2018-05-20 02:50:20

This is the best sushi I ever had.

Review №189

2017-03-13 04:02:27

Great nigiri!! Everythings pretty tasty

Review №190

2017-01-02 23:00:57

Very fresh fish and great service.

Review №191

2022-09-20 17:47:52

You will feel like a king...

Review №192

2019-11-18 22:01:06

Such great sushi and service

Review №193

2019-06-09 03:19:19

Everything is so good. Third time and have zero complaints!

Review №194

2020-02-10 02:05:05

Probably my favorite Sushi spot in Santa Cruz.

Review №195

2018-05-30 21:40:04

Great sushi, and soy broth chicken soup

Review №196

2019-05-19 19:20:28

Shogun consistently provides quality Japanese food.

Review №197

2017-02-10 14:58:16

Good sushi choices.. good service

Review №198

2019-01-10 00:31:07

Delicious food and nice atmosphere!