50 Best Japanese Restaurants near La Jolla

“An amazing restaurant! The fish is so fresh that it sparkles!! Get the omakase!! And we will definitely be back And that means traveling there from Northern California. It’s that good.“

“We sat at Sam Cha’s sushi bar and it was amazing. This will be our go-to place for sushi. Great food, fun ambiance, easy parking. We can’t wait to return.“

“Shiku Sushi has the best atmosphere for dining, from their amazing menu and service. You are greeted the minute you enter and each server has a smile for you. I love the rolls, and I try different ones each visit. Casanova, Summer Beach Body to name a few. This Sushi bar is a MUST when you're visiting. You won't be disappointed!“

“It is an okay place for a fast bite of sushi. Atmosphere is average. Service was average. Food was just edible. Not bad but not really good. Mediocre.“

“Great chefs, great staff, great food, great sake… what’s not to like when everything was great!?!?“

“Fantastic food quality. Purist food.“

“Makai Sushi offers a cozy, casual dining experience where the focus is clearly on the freshness of the ingredients. I tried their hapa roll, featuring Aji tuna and crab, and was impressed by how fresh everything tasted. The venue itself is small, with just four tables inside, but the patio provides a more spacious alternative. It’s a counter-service spot, so you order up front and they bring the food to your table—perfect for a relaxed meal. When I visited, the place wasn’t busy, allowing for quick service. A word of advice: the rolls are generous, and the large pieces make it a challenge to eat in one bite. I’m eager to return and explore their sushi burritos next time!“

“@kinmesd delivered a memorable experience for us. From beginning to end I was in awe with the attention to detail, precision and heart they put into every bite. There was never a moment we weren’t taken care of by the chef’s assistants. It was beautiful to watch a group of people work together, harmoniously, and the reflection that had on the food.

@kinmesd I will be thinking about this meal for a very long time. Thank you for making our anniversary dinner such a special experience.“

“The sushi is amazing...baked salmon roll and Philly rolls are my go to!“

“Luke is an amazing multitasker❤ made us feel very welcome.“

“We dined at their SM North Edsa branch. Good food. 👌 Crews were accommodating. 💯“

“this is clearly one of my favorite Japanese markets in San Diego is not that big but I has enough stuff to make you happy in the dinner place is really good the ramen is amazing and I love you decoration because it makes you feel like you're in Japan looking at the samples you should totally go here will never regret it. prices are there regular has another Asian market but when you think about these being products that you don't get every where it is kind of cheap.“

“The food is SO good. The chef was super friendly and nice. We can’t wait to go back. 😄“

“Owner is from Hawaii. Great service and great taste. Spicy Miso Broth hit thr spot. definitely will be back when I'm in town for work. 🤙🤙🤙“

“We are visiting from Mexico, and the food at Moment was absolutely delicious. The sushi was one of the best I’ve ever had. The quality of the food is exceptional, but what truly stands out is the extraordinary service. Everyone was incredibly kind and attentive. I made the mistake of ordering a roll without asking about the ingredients, and when it arrived, I realized it had truffle oil, which I really dislike. Without me saying anything or asking for a replacement, a young staff member noticed when I leaned in to smell the sushi and came over to check if everything was okay. I explained that I hadn’t asked about the ingredients and wasn’t a fan of truffle. They replaced it immediately, no questions asked. It was an incredible experience with top-notch service. Highly recommended!“

“I’ve been to Hatsuzakura four times now and each one has been a unique and rewarding experience. From the service, to the atmosphere, and the food. Especially the food! Each meal has been a welcoming reminder of wonderful times living in Japan. An absolute must when in San Diego! Don’t forget, they close briefly from 3-4:30 pm.“

“The best you can find stateside without a doubt and better than most in Japan too and I lived in Japan for 10 years. �. Can’t go wrong and the atmosphere is awesome. �“

“Great place. True European feel.“

“this sushi place is hidden gem! the owner is a old man who is so welcoming and always smiling. He makes everyone feel at ease. I ordered chirashi bowl, and let me tell you that was one of the best I ever had! so fresh and so much in quantity! also the kind man gave chocolates, apple, water with it.. Will definitely visit again! ( the door might seem closed, they have a shade or something, but they are open! )“

“I really enjoyed the food. We got 2 sushi rolls and chicken katsu. All 3 were delicious. My only complaint would be the miso soup which had an odd taste, I believe due to the bowl holding the scent and slight taste of whatever soap was used to clean it. Other than that, it was an enjoyable meal.“

“Outstanding Mother’s Day omakase dinner with Ni, Ronald, Kay and Emily. We been to some great award winning restaurants around the world, but Ju Ichi stands out because of the care and passion that is evident in the menu and quality of the dishes that Ni and crew create and execute. We’ve been to JunIchi several times but the omakase for Mother’s Day was particularly outstanding. The menu was modern and creative but in keeping with classic taste profiles of traditional Japanese. It was simply delicious, the presentation was world class and the service was excellent. I go to Japan a lot and I would put Ju Ichi up against the the best I’ve been to. We will definitely go again.
Thanks Ni, Ronald, Kay and Emily for cooking for us as if we were family, great work!!!!“

“Kumi Café is one of those hidden gems you find and just keep coming back to. My husband and I have been here multiple times, and every visit is just as good — if not better — than the last.

The service is always amazing. The staff is kind, fast, and really on top of things without ever making you feel rushed. They create the kind of experience that makes you feel genuinely taken care of.

Today, we had the Korean short rib, the bento box with gyoza and a California roll, and the tuna poke bowl. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. I normally don’t even like California rolls, but theirs are so good — fresh, not too mayo-heavy, and the rice is just right. My husband said his poke bowl was refreshing and delicious, and I couldn’t stop stealing bites.

We’ve also tried the sashimi and the chicken katsu curry on past visits, and both are incredible. The sashimi is super fresh and generous, and the curry — especially the chicken katsu version — is rich, comforting, and packed with flavor. Definitely one of our favorites on the menu.

The place has a chill, modern vibe — clean and simple, but welcoming. It’s become one of our go-to spots when we want something that hits the spot without breaking the bank.“

“I don’t usually leave reviews, but I had to after today’s visit. I came in during lunch so it wasn’t too busy, and it looked like they were training new staff. Lacy, our server-in-training with orangeblonde hair, was the first person to ever introduce herself at this store. She introduced herself at the beginning and let us know at the end that if we had a good experience, a review on the establishment would be appreciated so here I am.

She was doing amazing. Super sweet, confident, and honestly just adorable. She had a great sense of humor and kept a smile on whether she was helping guests or talking with her trainer. She even took time to play with the kids at tables and made the whole dining experience feel easy and welcoming.

Beyond that, the whole team worked really well together yesterday. Servers were cleaning, bussing, and setting up tables together. Waters were always filled, sodas refilled without needing to ask, and the food came out promptly. Even with staff in training, things ran smoothly. The food was good. Came out in under ten minutes and it was actually mild this time. The Thai tea is also good here, it’s a bit sweet but nothing out of the ordinary.

I’ve had a few so-so experiences at this location before, but earlier in the day felt like a huge step up. If they keep this kind of service going, the rating here will definitely go up. Coco is known to be busy but service is usually mid.“

“The sushi was amazing! Some of the best I have had! We decided to branch out and try some new nigiri and sashimi that we hadn’t tried and everything we had was great! The location is amazing! My one complaint is that the lighting was oddly bright for a 7 pm
Reservation. The rest of the atmosphere was great except for the lighting.“

“Some of the best Japanese food in San Diego. I wish I had known about them sooner.“

“Everyone who works there is friendly With excellent customer service food was delicious 🤤“

“Covid-19 take out can be a hit or miss with food tasting like it's container. This place did not disappoint. I ordered the Vegan Ramen for a late lunch. Inside the restaurant is following proper protocol and is very clean. I have always ordered Vegan Ramen anywhere I visit outside of California, and have ordered all over San Diego. This by far is the BEST Vegan Ramen out there. The coconut milk, chili and miso broth is well balanced and buttery, the noodles and added ingredients are well proportioned, the tofu is not at all mushy or greasy..The noodles are fresh and delicious. for a couple dollars more you can add more noodles.. Definitely a stop for some comfort food!“

“Best Sushi, Omakase, and experience hands down.
These chefs are masters and the nicest guys who put everyone at ease and take your taste buds on an journey of pure joy and deliciousness.

Everything is sooo fresh and top quality. Each bite feels sacred, you can't help but close your eyes when enjoying the symphony of flavors.

I wish I could give more than 5 stars. My only advice: sit at the sushi bar and enjoy the ride :)“

“We found this place thanks to Google Maps and their high ratings. It's in North Park, around the block from City Tacos (highly recommended).

My wife and kids were tired, hungry, and over stimulated. Needles to say, we were ready for good food and quick service.

It took them a while to get us seated with a lot of tables open. The lady serving us came and left whenever she felt like it. They were mopping the floors right next to us, and it smelled like chlorine a lot. The whole combination was putting my wife over the edge, and I just walked outside with our kid.

When I came back, food was served and ready. Very good, but a tad overpriced (probably the area). The food was a good experience, and everyone started to calm down a bit after eating, thankfully.

Will we be back? Probably not because we have much better sushi places around us. But, if you're around, food's good there.“

“Food is good. Drinks are expensive. Service is unimpressive, waitstaff do not seem to enjoy what they do, they are polite but do not care about customer or making sure the order is correctly submitted and received. Lovely dinning area and not overly crowded, so noise is not a problem.“

“Very good price for all you can eat premium waygu meats. Very simple and to the point menu. Only wish their sauces was a little better and they had one extra side like steamed egg or japchae. It's just missing one or 2 things that would make it excellent, but for the lunch price of $35 and dinner for $40 you get your value. The parking isn't too bad either compared to other spots in clairemont.“

“If you’re visiting the Ikiru restaurant — or even just in the area — you absolutely must come here to eat! The food is delicious, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and everything is prepared with such care. Highly recommended! Especially Hamachi Kama! 👍“

“This restaurant is the most comfortable and delicious spot you can find in the area.
The Korean dishes are especially outstanding. I’ve tried the Korean-style short ribs and several types of soup, and everything was authentic and generously portioned.
The rolls and sushi are also excellent—great quality for the price.

I think the photos speak for themselves when it comes to the taste.
And the orange slices they serve at the end are always a sweet and refreshing touch. 5 STARS!“

“Authentic restaurant run by Japanese people. My son ordered Katsu-don and I ordered Chirashi. The seafood toppings were all fresh and good. I did not pick up on the smell issue someone mentioned in the review.

The atmosphere was very friendly and the service was good.

For some reason, they could not make plum wine with soda (very typical drink in Japan), so I had to order plum wine and Perrier. But otherwise, we had a nice dinner.

Parking: We sent on Sat night, but there was enough parking available.“

“Amazing omakase, friendly and knowledgeable staff“

“Great food! Staff are very nice and accommodating Will definitely come back with more friends and family. Had a great time with my best friend. Love the place!“

“Really busy store but I really enjoy the food!
The place is a little crowded. The portion of the food is similar to what you get in Japan, and so is the quality. So far I feel like this place resembles what you might get in Japan, small portion but higher quality.“

“First time trying this place while visiting relatives in the area. Located in the shopping center right next to the parking garage. The food and service were both great. I would gladly come again when in the area. Katsu Curry is one of my comfort meals and I enjoyed theirs. Serving size for the entrees was generous. We ordered a couple sushi rolls as well.“

“👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🤗👍👍👍“

“Had my birthday there, and you can absolutely taste the good quality of the food there. Recommend their premium family combo, I’ll say it’s a good amount for 1-2 people. The regular beef tongue is also a great option. Really nice service, the only problem is it’s a little pricey, but fair enough for what you get.“

“Fresh and delicious sushi at Kotobuki! Ordered takeout of the sashimi bowl (tuna, salmon, yellowtail, comes with miso soup), hamachi jalapeño roll, rainbow roll, and dragon roll. The rice tastes really good and makes for a really nice chew. The staff is very friendly and waited about 20 minutes to pick up my order. Recommend!“

“The nigiri at Komatsuya is wonderful, I had salmon, chutoro and amaebi, they were truly great. We also had udon noodles and tofu, which were delicious and cucumber salad and edamame, both of which were exquisite. We are from San Francisco and have travelled in Japan. This place is really wonderful, it is a very nice environment and the service is perfect. What a pleasant surprise in our road trip !“

“We had the most amazing meal there on Wednesday night! Everything was exceptional, especially the uni! The service was fantastic! We will be back!“

“Happy Hour at Artifact is the highlight of my week! I always look forward to those afternoons when I can wrap up an early day at work and walk over to unwind.

Kendra and Kelly are the best—they always greet me warmly and, knowing sparkling rosé is my go-to, pour a glass right after saying hello. The ambience is light and relaxing, and the conversation is consistently pleasant and entertaining—it’s the perfect way to transition from work mode to relaxation.

All of the food here is absolutely delicious, but the ahi crudo and beet salad are my favorites. They’re fresh, flavorful, and never disappoint.

Artifact has mastered the art of creating a welcoming, delicious, and enjoyable happy hour experience. Highly recommend!“

“Food is amazing.
Rose lychee green tea is refreshing and my new favorite

I had the chicken pad Thai level 1 spice and it was great. Not too spicy. But it has a decent kick to it.

I definitely want to try the bbq honey pork next.“

“I visited Ototo with my family where I was able to order sushi rolls without rice (dietary need) - ototo roll, which is wrapped in cucumber. This is excellent.
Everyone ordered their favorite sushi rolls along with appetizers: shishito peppers and edamame.
Everything tasted great.“

“Came here on a Saturday night. Place was busy. Most of the dishes were good. Servers were overall great. Main issue is that food comes out a bit slowly so there can be a wait between dishes. We sat in the patio but somehow diners inside the restaurant who sat down 2-3 dishes after us, caught up and finished before us. Overall took 2.5 hours for the Soichi omakase. There was a heater on the patio if needed which was nice.“

“To any first-timers and newcomers checking out the spot, It's an OLD restaurant, so I would let that slide personally. I remember going here with my parents as a kid since the mid or so 2000s. Recipe and portions haven't changed much nor the decour. Food-wise hits are different, especially the Bento Boxes. Niban was the first place to introduce me to Chicken Katsu.“

“Ordered for takeout and the staff were nice. The restaurant is clean and I love the mural! The food is super fresh and tasty. I highly recommend. The baked sushi is the best baked sushi I've ever gotten and their nigiri is soo good it melts in your mouth.“

“Best sushi in San Diego at reasonable prices! Delicioso!!!“