Top Japanese Restaurant in Pacific Grove
Takara Sushi Japanese Restaurant
218 17th St, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, United States
We are long time customers of Takaras restaurant, and we have eaten at most Japanese sushi restaurants on the peninsula, as well as, other cities in the United States and abroad. This restaurant is clean, has impeccable service, excellent food, and a wide variety of items for every palate. The owners are genuine, wonderful people who strive to give excellent service, food, and drinks. I would hope no one has a negative attitude toward this restaurant as they go out of their way for every table they have to make sure each customer is satisfied and will return. I was born and raised in PG and have been going to this restaurant for my entire life...and theyve been open for 27 yrs, and my wife and I keep choosing to support this Japanese restaurant because of the quality of food, service, and genuine thought put into each and every meal served.If you want to go to a restaurant for oversized/stuffed sushi rolls, then please do, but if you come to Takaras be prepared to enjoy traditional Japanese food(s), and exceptional service where you walk out feeling full and content.
Top other services in Pacific Grove:
Maxs Grill
209 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, United States
Quiet french restaurant run by a cute Japanese couple
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, United States
The most completely satisfying meal Ive had in a long time. Price point was reasonable for the quality.The buttery buttermilk biscuits were amazing. Buttery, flaky, rich goodness. We ordered 2 and I wanted to get a 3rd for dessert but was vetoed by DH. It would have been great though.The best fried oysters that Ive had outside of Japan - fresh and mildly sweet, the tempura-like batter was lighter than it looked. DH even finished one, and he doesnt like oysters. The accompanying kimchi was very light, and rather had a refreshing effect. I didnt think it particularly matched the oysters but thats just me. I didnt really need anything for the oysters anyway. DH liked the bean sprouts in the kimchi.The scallop appetizer on top of artichoke risotto was tasty. DH really enjoyed the risotto, and I enjoyed the resemblance to Japanese cream croquettes. I would have enjoyed a stronger artichoke flavor, but the chunks of artichoke added a nice texture.The black bean and goat cheese fritters were delicately balanced with the accompanying salsa. I found it a very harmonious dish, where all the flavors could be identified without one overpowering the other, but DH wanted a stronger goat cheese flavor. I enjoyed it but it wasnt a standout for me. Hard to compete with fried oysters in my book though, so its not exactly a fair contest. DH particularly liked the salsa.The king salmon special was very nice - medium rare as desired. The corn and daikon sauce was amazing - the corn was so sweet! I prefer my daikon a bit softer, but thats a personal preference. As we were sharing, they kindly plated the entree in 2 servings without our asking - excellent service.They ran out of the dessert special - grilled figs (so sad! I love figs) - so we tried the mudpie - very good. I also got the chamomile rose etc. tea, which came in a nice heavy metal pot so I could enjoy multiple cups of tea. I appreciated this generous serving choice.All in all, a delightful meal with excellent service. I wish we lived closer!
Zum sushi
159 Central Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, United States
We went there on a weeknight and though the small restaurant was not crowded, the two of us have to wait around 20 minutes for our order of rainbow rolls. Though the service was very friendly, it doesnt overcome the need to wait when the restaurant was not busy!Now, about the food...For some reason, overly sweet teriyaki sauce was poured over our large sushi rolls, making the experience more like eating candies! In other restaurants, the teriyaki sauce was lightly brushed on while it appeared they either poured or spooned large amount into our sushi rolls.Then, the rolls themselves were loosely wrapped or the rice over cooked with too much water because the rolls were very mushy. While the prices for the rolls were reasonable, Id rather pay more for a decent, more traditional Japanese sushi meal! We could not stop comparing what we were eating with the same items from the far superior iki riki in Seaside or Crystal Fish down the road!My partner couldnt finish her roll and we quickly paid and left, we would not be going back there again; there are many other much better Japanese restaurant in town.
Ocean Sushi Deli
2701 David Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, United States
Terrible quality I eat Japanese food regularly and this place has to be lowest quality places Ive ever had the chance to try.Fish was low quality / frozen. Every Japanese restaurant around the area is a way better option then this placeI wouldnt trust the cleanliness of this place the back looks dirty and messy.
Wild Fish Restaurant
545 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, United States
This was our first visit to Pacific Grove, and we wanted to have a good, light, and healthy dinner near our rental. I walked a few blocks down to the main drag and found Wild Fish. It looked interesting, so my wife and I tried it. Are we glad we did! We split the recommended appetizer (crab over flattened and fried sweet potato halves) and main-dish (a Peruvian-Japanese fusion tuna sashimi) specials, along with a really unusual locally-sourced mushroom appetizer. Really great, refreshing, and intense flavors. Meanwhile all the waitstaff, the owners, and the chef came out to talk to us. It felt like a family gathering! We ate early, but it was already busy by 6 pm and fully packed by the time we left just before 7. Glad to see a place like this thriving. One very serious diner I talked with before entering the restaurant told me after his meal that this place is a 10! My wife and I certainly agree. They also have a Wild Fish restaurant in Little River, just south of Mendocino.