Japanese Restaurants

Sushi Ota, located on the outskirts of Pacific Beach on Mission Bay Drive and Bunker Hill Street, has been serving handcrafted sushi and seafood preparations for years. As word spread about the freshness of their fish and the quality of the food, Sushi Ota became one of the best places to satisfy a seafood craving. This neighborhood Japanese restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, offering a great selection of sushi and seafood for both meals. Ordering a Sushi Combo gives guests a good sampling of the fresh fish expertly prepared by the sushi chefs. For patrons craving cooked … Learn More »

Over the years, it has become quite common knowledge that Nobu is simply one of the top destinations for truly fine sushi and Japanese-Fusion cuisine in San Diego. Located within the Hard Rock Hotel on Fifth Avenue, this is a hot spot for tourists, and the Gaslamp Quarter is always bustling with locals in search of a good meal. With more than forty sushi and sashimi options, in addition to a broad selection of specialty tempura, salads, special cold dishes, brick oven entrees, and many different hot dishes, including tobanyaki-style beef, vegetables, mixed seafood or tofu, the possibilities are seemingly … Learn More »

Full Moon is a kaizen style kitchen featuring fine Japanese delicacies. "Kaizen" means "change for the better," which illuminates Chef Sung's non-traditional Japanese cuisine. Enjoy an intimate group setting in the plush lounge seating, or settle at the bar to relish at the highly regarded sushi chefs. With menu items ranging from hot entrees alongside traditional sushi rolls to an exotic fish menu changed daily; Full Moon sushi has a wide range of food options for everyone. All food items pair well with the large sake menu - most imported from Japan. Learn More »

While hidden from the road in the La Jolla UTC area, Cafe Japengo should not be missed. The upscale restaurant offers what is consistently dubbed the best sushi in San Diego as well as inventive Pacific Rim Cuisine. Executive Chef Jay Payne excels in crafting fresh, often exotic ingredients in innovative ways, with tantalizing dishes that almost threaten to overshadow the sushi. However, with Sushi Chef Jerry Warner’s 17-year tenure, and unrivaled creativity, the fresh, inspired sushi offerings more than hold their own. Guests looking for an especially unique experience should sit at the sushi bar, where Chef Warner crafts … Learn More »

A bustling lunch crowd advertises the popularity of Niban Japanese Restaurant in Kearny Mesa and an outdoor patio makes it an enticing opportunity to get outside for a lunch break. It’s not uncommon to see a line out the door , and the friendly and attentive staff consistently delivers food quickly to the table, no matter the size of the crowd. Menu items are reasonably priced and along with weekly changing specialty rolls like the Spicy Scallop Roll, which are available for $5. All food is freshly prepared and curries, noodle dishes, bento boxes, as well as teriyaki bowls, round … Learn More »

In a contemporary, cozy, and calming atmosphere, Robata Ya Oton offers patrons traditional Japanese fare that some Japanese restaurants have strayed away from. Located in Kearny Mesa, Robata Ya Oton specializes in the art of “Robatayaki”: the original Japanese barbecue, cooked in front of customers and served direct, similar to the style of sushi. The chef sits in plain view of the customers and surrounds himself with selected ingredients he has on display for all. This offers a lively setting and one-on-one interaction with the chef to help him create the quintessential dish for each guest. Delve into traditional Yakimono … Learn More »

The Wa Dining Okan motto is “welcome home”, providing guests a space that is equally warm and cozy, just like home. Its dining room is decorated with Japanese traditional art and furniture that transports guests to a rural location of Japan, far from modern day problems and worries. The menu offers guests a traditional take on Japanese cuisine that utilizes simple flavors and seasonal ingredients that are prepared with kindness, which is definitely hard to find these days. Indulge in Okan's signature grilled dishes like the Roasted Duck with Green Onions or the Chicken Wings: seasoned with special spices and … Learn More »

Sabuku Sushi offers fresh, traditional seafood combined with vibrant sushi creations. Experience a variety of daily specials, including Happy Hour, Monday Madness, Tuna Tuesday, Woohoo Wednesday or the local favorite, Naughty Nights. Later in the evenings, after 9:00pm, just request the “Naughty Menu” which lists popular rolls and special prices that will blow you away. Along with the many specials, Sabuku offers sensible retail pricing across the menu, so everyone can enjoy a meal without breaking the bank. Ranked as one of the best sushi restaurants in San Diego, Sabuku is aesthetically pleasing and the décor joins modern style with … Learn More »

Boasting exceptionally fresh and authentic Japanese cuisine, a unique sake list, and international beer and wine, Sushi Mura at Liberty Station in Point Loma is one of San Diego’s finest sushi destinations. Sushi Mura is dedicated to integrating seasonal ingredients into the regularly evolving menu, in the company of the delectable house made soy sauce. Patrons will savor sushi classics like the beloved Spicy Tuna Roll or California Roll, or more unique offerings like the Hurricane Roll with in-snow crab, cucumber, avocado, jalepeno, albacore, and crispy onion with garlic ponzu. Other mouth watering menu selections include the Hamachi Jalapeno, Teriyaki … Learn More »

Literally meaning “New Bridge,” Shimbashi Izakaya brings precision to its meaning by offering an elevated taste of classic Japanese cuisine. Located in Del Mar amongst eye-catching scenic views of the waterfront, Shimbashi Izakaya prides itself on being a casual place where one can easily unwind, similar to the Izakaya-style bars found in Tokyo, Japan. For those who enjoy fresh sushi and sashimi, Shimbashi Izakaya offers a multi-faceted selection that pairs perfectly with their fine array of sake. Shimbashi Izakaya also offers full lunch and dinner entrees that embody Japanese cuisine with a contemporary finesse. Learn More »

Are you looking for an event venue that will touch all of your senses? Centrally located in Downtown San Diego, the LoungeSD is one of the newest scenes in San Diego County. The venue incorporates designer furniture, an urban interior, a built in bar, projector screens, and state of the art sound and lighting systems. This locale creates the ambiance of the San Diego night life, while providing you with privacy of your own home. The LoungeSD also has a fully equipped kitchen and welcomes outside catering. When you enter this locale, you will feel the elegance of the modern … Learn More »

Ikiru Japanese Restaurant is tucked into the historic Liberty Station in Point Loma, offering quality sushi and Japanese fare in a casual and quiet setting. Just beyond the sometimes chaotic scene of San Diego’s beach communities, Ikiru is a choice destination for both creative and more traditional sushi rolls, along with authentic seafood and meat dishes. Ikiru’s enticing lunch specials are always reason enough to stop in, and their full bar featuring a palate-warming variety of sake Japanese beers can turn a meal into an experience. Learn More »

Overlooking beautiful Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, Tomiko offers a well–rounded and approachable menu of traditional Japanese and contemporary Asian cuisine. While Tomiko’s sushi is the featured attraction, the chefs work hard to please all guests, with items like lamb chops and filet mignon on the menu. The sushi bar and lounge provide a casually-elegant setting that is a destination in itself. The full service bar mixes up playful signature drinks like the Moonlight Cooler, and serves from a rich selection of sakes, wines, and beers. The restaurant focuses on healthy and environmentally conscious foods, utilizing sustainable fish, gluten-free products, and … Learn More »

Seafood enthusiasts flock to Onami-TORA’s all-you-can-eat Japanese seafood buffet stocked with fresh salads, a vast spread of sushi, gourmet hot food, fresh baked goods, and more. With so many tasty offerings to choose from, diners revisit their buffet favorites again and again. And lucky for everyone, Onami-TORA’s reasonable prices make the prospect of coming back a definite reality. Fresh produce and seafood is delivered daily for Onami-TORA’s staff of professional chefs to work their magic on—new dishes are always finding their way to the forefront for guests to enjoy. Known for having a light, relaxed, and clean atmosphere, Onami-TORA is … Learn More »

Tucked away in the back corner of one of Convoy’s many Korean restaurant filled plazas, is Nozomi, a quaint Japanese sushi, noodles, and teriyaki eatery. Nozomi’s menu showcases an almost overwhelming variety of fresh sushi, specialty rolls, bento boxes, combo plates, and hot pots. Their specials change daily and they even offer an “all you can eat” deal. Nozomi rolls arrive in style on huge plates in a flower like or animal shaped presentations that come decorated with various sauces and an orchid. Dishes are colorful and fresh and portion sizes are generous and can easily be shared. The décor … Learn More »

The first Benihana opened in 1964, introducing traditional Japanese cuisine to the United States. Now with locations world wide, the hibachi steakhouse serves 'teppanyaki' cooking, with performing chefs preparing and serving chicken, steak, and seafood dishes right in front of guests. Guests are invited to dine at a shared table, and the live preparation of their dishes is both appetizing and memorable, adding a new twist to your average dinner. Dine on delicious entrees such as Colossal Mango Shrimp, Hibachi Chateaubriand, Salmon Tsutsumi-Yaki, and other mouthwatering seafood and meat dishes. In addition, Benihana offers a variety of fresh sushi and … Learn More »

Sushi Yaro, literally translating to, “Let’s do sushi,” is an appropriate name for this local gem tucked away in the backstreets of Kearny Mesa. Chef and owner Sam Cha discovered his culinary passion for sushi while stationed in Japan. In a traditional style sushi bar, Sushi Yaro boasts the expected large sushi bar where patrons can sit back and marvel at Chef Cha’s distinctive style and see his personality come alive through his edible artwork. Accents of Japanese culture subtlety show themselves through artwork and details along the bar. This menu is home to conventional Japanese cuisine of fresh hand … Learn More »