Top Japanese Restaurant in San Diego
Kokoro Restaurant
3298 Greyling Dr, San Diego, CA 92123, United States
This is the best restaurant my wife and I had in this weeks San Diego trip. We found it as a lunch spot yesterday then we loved it for its COOKING. We ordered deluxe bento and chirashi sushi. We then realized that this is one of the three places we have been to in the US which cook their miso soup instead of making it from soluable soupbases. (One of the other is Hanamizuki in Orlando, FL.) The tempura is the correct crispness and fried in the correct oil, this is rare in the US! The decoration is a fully open kaiseki kitchen, simply the authentic feel. We loved it and realized that they offer limited new year meals for Saturday lunches, so we immediately made a reservation for that the second day.Today, we had our special ordered new year meal and a Hokkai Don. The new year meal is prepared exactly right. It emplys multiple traditional cooking techniques and offers a full meal from start to end / from pale to strong. The Hokkai Don is simply wonderful. It came with the correct rice and sea urchin portion. So smooth that only coituit oyster is comparable.We liked it so much that we reserved a Hokkai Don to go before we head to the airport tomorrow.If you are like us who likes COOKED Japanese cuisine. You will like it as well. Of course, one can only rate this place as solid or bread and butter in Japan, but it does deserve 5-stars in San Diego.
Robataya Oton
5447 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego, CA 92123, United States
One of the best traditional Japanese restaurants in San Diego. They offer traditional Japanese seating in the booths where you take your shoes off and slide into a semi private room (tables are separated by a shade).One of the best dishes to order here is the Sukiyaki. It is delicious and well worth the visit alone. They also offer really fresh sushi that rotates based on what they get and also offer many traditional Japanese dishes that you cant find in a lot of competitor restaurants.You will need to make reservations as the restaurant is small and is always busy. This place is a gem and its off the main Convoy strip which means finding parking is really easy.
The Yasai Plant-Based Japanese Experience
4646 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111, United States
Amazing new vegan Japanese restaurant in Kearny Mesa San Diego! Came here on opening weekend and service was surprisingly fast! Food was super delicious, hands down best vegan Ramen in all SD! Cant wait to come back and try more sushi!Ordered:Crispy GoboCaterpillar rollThe Classic RamenOur server Juan was super nice and helpful!12/21/2019 Went back for a 2nd time, super pleased and impressed, outstanding vegan food and service. We asked if they should split one order of ramen into 2 separate bowls and they didnt hesitate, really nice since we wanted some but didnt want to get too full. Ordered the Neon Gravestones (favorite vegan sushi of all time, must try!!) and Some Nights which we really didnt like. When I read the description of Some Nights I didnt catch the pickled tomato topping, it gave the sushi roll a really strange texture and flavor (kind of tasted like a wet soggy sandwich), the last bite made me gag. Too bad, wish I would have ordered another roll instead. Not saying it was revolting but tomato and sushi just dont go together (maybe they should use roasted red bell pepper instead)!!
Buta Japanese Ramen
5201 Linda Vista Rd ste.103, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
How did I just discovered Buta Japanese Ramen? Wow. This place was such a solid find tonight. Out of all the ramen restaurants in San Diego, Buta definitely deserves a spot as one of the citys top ramen shops.This place definitely has a neighborhood and relaxed vibe. Spacious and modern. You could feel that this place gets a ton of repeat patrons and/or locals. I got the Crazy Garlic Ramen and I was a big fan. It had a ton of flavor, was absolutely delicious and arrived piping hot. The trifecta. The best part of my bowl was definitely the chashu, which is probably the best in all of San Diego, and yes, thats a huge statement. It was well seasoned and smoked to perfection. There was a tad bit more fat than Id like, but the flavor more than made up for it. The soft boiled egg, noodles and other toppings were okay - nothing to write home about, but they werent bad.My partner got the Tahini Old School, which he preferred more than my bowl. I begged to differ, lol, and preferred mines more.Overall, I would definitely add Buta Japanese Ramen to your rotation, if youre in the nearby area and are looking to try out a new place. The staff was also more than helpful at all times - super attentive and thorough - constantly checking on us and keeping our drinks filled. They even allowed me to customize the firmness of my noodles, which was greatly appreciated.We were in and out in a very reasonable time. Great job, Buta! Yall are crushing it.
Tajima Ramen Convoy
4681 Convoy St STE H, San Diego, CA 92111, United States
Have been here about 5 times and its always delicious. Service depends on the people working there but its never below decent. The food is truly Japanese style, they have many meals that arent normally found in other Japanese restaurant. The price is not too expensive but not cheap either. Its still one of my favorite restaurants.
Tajima Ramen East Village
901 E St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
By far one of the best ramen place in San Diego. Can compete with Japanese ramen. Best person to serve you is Derrick. One of the best and genuine people at this restaurant. Highly recommend due to Derrick and flavor of food!!
RAKITORI Japanese Pub&Grill
530 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
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.
Tajima Ramen North Park
3015 Adams Ave #102b, San Diego, CA 92116, United States
Serviceable Japanese food place for vegetarians. The ramen was good enough, the Gyoza were quite good but only came in appetizer portions. There is also a fried rice option for vegetarians.After my partner and I spent our honeymoon in Japan for a month we decided to try out some of the best rated Japanese restaurants in SD. To be honest its not as good as The Yasai for vegetarian ramen and nowhere near Japanese ramen quality but its serviceable for sure.The outdoor seating option with heaters was great though, were always so glad for outdoor options. The shop interior was nice too, great aesthetic. We live close enough to walk thankfully but its a difficult place to park, dont park on Adams unless its on the bridge theres free parking in the northern neighborhoods.
Tajima Ramen Bar Hillcrest
3739 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
I had the worst experience here especially since its being my first time here. So a customer place an order 20 mins before my arrival. Most places when food is ready they have a spot for the drivers to pick up the food okay cool. Upon my arrival, the young is walking in from outside so I follow her in and I go to the register as she did to. So Im standing there but she leaves from their and walks to the other end of the restaurant. So when I see the food already bagged up, I checked to see if my customer food is there. She immediately rushes over to and starts yelling at me like Im her child saying you are not allowed to touch that, mind you I dont have to touch anything to see the name. That is not allowed, that is our company policy. So she went on and on. Ok cool so I didnt say anything, I told her my customer name she said its going to be 5 mins. I text my customer and told her 10 mins. I left and went in sat in my car because I didnt like how she really spoke to me. After about 12 mins I went back in food was still not ready mind you the was a phone/online order. Then I asked if the mgr was in of course not but she gave me an email that I can barely read. I asked for the store number she said look it up on Yelp. I said I didnt like the way you made me feel of how you spoke to me. She went back and forth with me. I wasnt rude, yelling or cursing at her. I asked her for her name she said I dont have to give you my name I said ok I just inform your manager that you are the short stubby one. I got to the restaurant at 11:15 and didnt leave until 11:40pm on yesterday May 2, 2019. She said and I will inform postmates you was touching the bags of food I said you do that. I was looking for my customers order without touching the bags. She came at me sideways and in a disrespectful unconscious way. Not acceptable. Dont go here the short stubby girl is rude and dont give a damn
Tomodachi Sushi Bar & Restaurant
4390 Palm Ave, San Diego, CA 92154, United States
Nice place for Japanese fare. Good service, tasty food, would come back here again.Ok, its been 6 months since the first review and Im happy to report that this place is the real deal. The staff is very diligent and fast and the food is delicious. New pics posted too and the entire menu.So, its been 10 months since my last review and I popped in here to get a bite. There was no customers in the restaurant but a guy came over and said they were closed. Apparently, they close between 2 and 3. It was 1:55 in the afternoon on a Wednesday but the doors were still open and the sign didnt say closed. What the F? I told him that I would not EVER be back. What a stupid business practice to close between 2 and 3. Its obviously to cut costs but if it drives customers away, is it really worth it? I think not.