Top Japanese Restaurant in Santa Barbara
Edomasa Sushi Bar & Restaurant
2710 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Real Japanese restaurant. Food reminds me of when I lived in Japan. Super friendly. Always stop here when in santa Barbara.
Sakana Sushi Bar & Japanese
1046 Coast Village Rd K, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, United States
As someone who prefers traditional sushi to rolls, Sakana is very much the opposite of what I typically look for in a sushi bar. It is here that sashimi and nigiri take a backseat to expensive rolls that combine multiple types of fish. Western concoctions like sriracha cream cheese, truffle soy sauce, and habanero pepper aioli find themselves on nearly EVERY dish, either painted on the plate in squiggly lines or as a fluorescent goo ominously drenching the food like the slime from You Cant Do That on Television.Beyond its culture-bending culinary point-of-view, Sakana is a trendy Instagram-darling of a restaurant situated in one of the most posh communities in the country, unapologetically catering its menu and prices towards trust-funders and (occasionally) their truly rich benefactors. This place violates so many of my sensibilities that I should challenge its owner to a Hamilton-style duel. And YET, I gotta be honest, Sakana kinda almost works for me.Their Habanero Yellowtail Melt Press Box was perhaps the richest sushi dish Ive ever eaten. What Sakana calls a press box is essentially a roll shaped inside a box without a seaweed wrapper. Spicy as it was, this roll featured a bunch of different seafood, and both a habanero sauce and a truffle soy sauce, but it was surprisingly pleasing - both in terms of taste and in terms of its dramatic presentation, which resembled the type of high food art Id expect at a Joël Robuchon outpost. It was as luxurious and caloric of a sushi splurge as I could imagine.The Garlic Albacore Kawari Sashimi boasted a tasty plate consisting of seared albacore topped with garlic chips, chives, roasted ginger, dijon crab, and truffle soy sauce. The sinfully rich dijon crab-infused truffle sauce stole the show.What didnt work for me? The nigiri I ordered had rice that was too tightly-packed, and the uni was not great despite being in Santa Barbara. Better than Id get in most places, but I expect it to be transcendent in this region. Most detrimentally, everything was super expensive.Attempting to come to a conclusion about this place, I am faced with a dilemma: despite not conforming to my sushi preferences, the food here is quite good and the interaction with my chef at the sushi bar was friendly, informative, and professional - but there are just too many things about Sakana that turn me off for me to recommend it. For an area with other worthy Japanese dining alternatives (such as the outstanding Yoichis in downtown Santa Barbara), I believe one must really LOVE rolls for this restaurant to be a priority.
Teru Japanese Cuisine
1305 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Im a Japanese. This restaurant is certified as a REAL Japanese. The best sushi restaurant in Santa Barbara.The perfect cook with fresh fish. The chef knows the best taste of each fish to serve. Just order the chefs special!A lot of fish are flown in from the fish market in Japan.
Sushi Teri - Santa Barbara Japanese Restaurant
1013 Bath St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
As a Ninja(Japanese),I can say that this place is a real Japanese restaurant in Santa Barbara.
Sun Sushi
3631 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Best sushi I had in years. The uni is so sweet, scallop so tender, and the fish fatty and full of flavor. Freshness is the secret recipe. I’m so impressed that Santa Barbara has such good Japanese cuisine. No less than what I had in famous restaurants in Osaka.
Kyoto Japanese Restaurant
3232 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Kyoto Japanese Restaurant was at the time of reviews the top rated Japanese restaurant in Santa Barbara. However, if youre looking for a truly delicious restaurant to remember- look elsewhere. The fire roll was good but only because I liked the sauce, you couldnt taste any of the innards of the roll.
Ichiban Sushi
1812 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States
I like Ichiban Sushi on the Mesa in Santa Barbara. It is convenient and very Traditional Japanese Sushi Restaurant with a Traditional Decor. I get the California rolls with Spicy Mayo Sauce and I love the 007 Roll. I go there often and bring Friends.
Shintori Sushi
3001 State St A, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Haven’t been here in 15-20 years due to moved out of area. Moved back and thought I would visit an old reliable sushi restaurant. First off, seating for maybe 8 people. Still looks like an old Covid restricted zone. Tables and chairs stacked up. 2 seats at sushi bar. 2 small tables….that’s it. Waitress wearing mask?? Really?? In July 2023 still wearing mask?? Don’t be open…. Food was dreadful. 1 roll and 6 pieces of nigiri sushi. Fish was tired and probably very close to inedible. The rice was the worst I’ve ever had at any Japanese restaurant. The rice is the key to good sushi, assuming almost expired fish doesn’t make you I’ll…. STAY AWAY!!! Worst sushi experience in my life…. Grocery store premade sushi would’ve been better; and that’s not saying much ?
Yoichis
230 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Yoichis is one of the best restaurants Ive had the privilege of dining at in the United States and I say this as someone who dines at AAA 5-Diamond and Michelin-starred restaurants regularly. My initial meal here was so good that I went back a second time the very next week. Flat rate of $100 for a 7-course Kaiseki dinner. Kaiseki originated in the 16th century as a Japanese tea ceremony. Here, it features seasonal cuisine, a mixture of sushi, grilled plates, boiled plates, and (of course) dessert. You do get a few choices on menu options. I highly recommend the Kamo no Yuanyaki (Sweet Soy Sauce Marinated Grilled Duck Breast), the Kinki no Nitsuke (Japanese Rock Fish Simmered in Sweet Broth), and the Hamaguri Shinjo Sumashijatate (Clear soup with Hamaguri clam fish cake). Also I suggest the Denshin Natsu (Junmai Daiginjo Namazake), a seasonal sake, and one of my favorites Ive had either in or out of Japan.This is THE place to eat if you visit Santa Barbara. Dont think twice about it, put yourself in this restaurants capable hands and prepare to have your mind blown.
Sushi Bar 29
1134 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Easily the most amazing japanese restaurant in Santa Barbara.The staff is always very nice, the rolls are great. Their meat is good quality and the prices are well aligned with the food they serve. Everything you would ask for from a Japanese restaurant. Go try it!