50 Best Japanese Restaurants in San Diego

“Amazing omakase, friendly and knowledgeable staff“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“The shrimp head moving scared the crap out of me but everything was delicious and awesome“

“I’m not much of a reviewer unless an establishment is amazing or the opposite.
I must take the time to let everyone know that this was the BEST fish and sushi that I’ve ever had. It was incredibly fresh and each dish was better than the next. It is most certainly worth the price (although less expensive than some other spots). The drinks were also suberb and service was excellent and genuine.
Don’t be fooled by the exterior appearance. Once you go inside, it’s chic and modern.
Absolutely will give Hane 10+ stars.“

“Fantastic food quality. Purist food.“

“@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.“

“Inspiring, creative menu that rivals the best menus in the world. Surprising affordable and unforgettably crafted cocktails. Entire staff is friendly, approachable and highly knowledgeable.“

“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.“

“We had a great time here tonight. The restaurant staffs and the sushi chef were friendly and the omakase dinner course portion was generous and super delicious. :)“

“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. 🤙🤙🤙“

“I had a salad which was perfect except the chicken I ordered with it was excessively salty. Nobody seemed to apologize or even try to make things right. I tried one piece of chicken and it felt like I was eating a salt pack. I tried another in case I just happened to get the saltiest piece, but each of the pieces of chicken were very salty. After I told the waitress, I ordered it next with a side of shrimp. It was kind of disappointing because they give you a few baby shrimp and some of the pieces were also pretty salty, but I didn’t want to call them out on it. My daughter had the curry udon. The taste was great, but because they put the beef on top of it, it was quite oily. The salmon onigiri was fantastic and well worth the price. It was my favorite savory item we ordered.

The best part was dessert. We had strawberry and mango shaved ice. It was enormous and they use fresh fruit. I think they make their own flavored sauces too. It comes with whipped cream which adds a nice touch.

I also tried the 3 mochi sticks. It was not what I expected. I got it to go, and the three skewers of mochi were very puny soggy and wet. They packed the sauces on the side. It was not very appetizing for the price that you pay. You can get better mochi in the Japanese markets.

Overall, I think it’s a really great place to go for a beverage and dessert. The shop is very cute and beautifully decorated. It is like stepping into Japan and savoring the beauty of the cherry blossom season. It’s definitely worth trying as an overall experience.“

“Eaten here numerous times. Excellent quality food, and service. Equivalent to San Francisco Bay Area Japanese restaurants..which are outstanding.“

“Great place. True European feel.“

“As a long-time fan of Japanese curry, I was thrilled to finally visit a Curry House CoCo Ichibanya – my first time at this particular chain, though I'm no stranger to the style, having frequented a beloved (and now sadly closed) Curry House in Westwood pre-pandemic. I was so happy to find the menus quite similar, with all my old favorites present and accounted for!
We started with the Garlic Cheese Naan, which was absolutely delicious fresh and hot, though it did lose a bit of its magic as it cooled – so definitely enjoy it quickly! It was also my boyfriend's very first foray into Japanese curry, and I'm happy to report he absolutely loved it. He opted for the spicy teriyaki fried chicken, while I indulged in my classic chicken cutlet. Both dishes were just as rich and flavorful as I remembered, hitting all the right notes of comforting deliciousness.
My only minor disappointment was that they were out of iced coffee, which would have been a perfect complement. Nevertheless, the overall experience was fantastic, and I'm already planning my next visit to have my old favorite, the keema curry! I'll definitely be back when I'm in San Diego.“

“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.“

“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 :)“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Hands down the best ramen I’ve had! Everything was delicious - we had the garlic spicy edamame, oxtail ramen, and spare-rib ramen. We asked for non-pork broths and were given two great alternatives that were perfectly paired with our ramen orders. The atmosphere and service were excellent. Highly recommend! Will definitely be back“

“A very nice Japanese Yakiniku style restaurant (beef, vegetables, chicken or others that you grill on the table).

They have a good selection of different meat and meat quality. All was excellent, and you can really taste the difference between the different quality levels.

The staff were very friendly and professional, and provided excellent service.

I really liked the nice, cozy atmosphere, with individual booths and wood paneling.

Definitely a fun place to come to when you have that craving for tasty yakiniku bbq!“

“This place bangs. Disagree heavily that the food was bad. This place is not a 2 star. Absolute insanity to give it such a low review. I love the atmosphere, and I wish more people would check it out.Also, maybe it's the location? Come to Convoy guys, we'll treat you better.“

“This was the BEST sushi we have ever had. The entire experience was so wonderful. We left feeling relaxed and happy. Highly recommend this place and the staff were all fantastic and very attentive.“

“I only gave the food a 3 because I didn’t try any but the popcorn. So don’t take that score for it being bad .. but other than that the lady at the front desk was polite and very helpful. She even upgraded our room when she saw I wasn’t comfortable ??“

“Fantastic fresh food; great sushi bar. Wonderful service from Kaz. I highly recommend..best sushi and sashimi around!“

“Karaage was pretty good, served hot and juicy, but very lightly seasoned, could have had more of a Karaage taste. To me the original Hokka Hokka Tei Karaage from Japan is the standard to be met. A lemon wedge and Karaage spice packet would have made it a sure winner. Gizzards were tough, I wouldn't recommend those. The staff are Japanese which adds to to authenticity. Would recommend to others and I would return to try their other menu items. 🤤“

“The cheesecakes here are so good. Super soft, moist, and fluffy! They’re slightly sweet, which is so addicting. I love the original flavor the most. The pandan one wasn’t that good.
The strawberry burnt basque cakes is also very good. It’s better than the original one.
Parking sucks though because the shop shares a small lot with many other stores, so it’s always difficult to find parking unless you come right when they open.“

“Though under the same ownership (I believe) as Yakitori Taisho, Hino has more of sushi bar feel whereas Taisho has more authentic Japanese Izakaya. I felt Taisho had a bit more yakitori selections than Hino. But, Hino had better sake options including sake flights.“

“The chicken are so fresh and delicious! Also the beef tongue is a must try. Light smoky flavor adds new layer of aroma to the skewers. So happy to have such authentic Japanese cuisine here. I would at least pay double the price for this same level food in NYC. Service is not so warm but its OK for me.“

“Very fast service, friendly people. Delicious food especially the ramen.“

“everything I’ve tried so far has been delicious.

got the salt & pepper tofu bento for lunch at medium spice level — it was delicious & had a good kick.

tried several of the milk breads & pastries - love the classic cream, matcha, and the spicy curry roll.

also got a strawberry matcha drink that was delicious but a little bit too sweet.

can be a little chaotic sometimes as they’re still setting things up, but a nice spot to have in the neighborhood & very friendly owners.

Vegetarian options: Salt and Pepper Tofu“

“This place is wonderful....Good Japanese Traditional Sushi and Modern American Rolls for the Non Japanese. good service and quality is good.“

“Love the sushi here it’s the only place I get sushi from. Well worth the price, plate feels loaded. The flavor just melts away and brings me back to Hawaii (my happy place). The staff are always so polite and doesn’t take long to get your order. There is tables inside and outside, it’s really nice and the vibes are always great. Thank you for having the best sushi in town!!!“

“chef tony is one of a kind! a true master of sushi. I've been coming here since i was a 17. he never ever disappoints. i love the guy! no one does it like he does, he's meticulous and takes his time to make superb sushi. chef tony you're the man!!“

“We tried the Fruit Sando! It was very good- and very generous on the cream. Fruit tasted fresh and bread was okay. Display was nice as well. Next time I’ll have to try some of their savory options but all and all a very easy and pleasing experience. $11 was a little steep and maybe around $8 i’d come more often and they could consider catering at that price. But still good stuff! Thank you“

“Took the wife here for her birthday and it was great! Sushi was reasonably priced and very delicious. Drinks were great and fairly priced. Cool music, lots of 90s hip hop and rap kinda loud but could have conversation. Would definitely recommend due to decor and yummy sushi. Waiting for meal was a little slow but they were packed on a Tuesday night. Very nice staff and attentive to drinks.“

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

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

“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!“

“My family and I have been dining here almost weekly for the last 7 months. The food is phenomenal. It’s fresh, the dishes are innovative yet they offer traditional rolls. Honestly, their ribeye is my favorite dish. Ask for extra mushrooms and sauce- you’ll thank yourself for it. The owners are working there daily and are the sweetest people. My kids are sushi connoisseurs and have declared this their favorite place.“

“The sushi was amazing! We tried the power roll, energy roll, and Mexican roll, and each one was delicious. Sara was super helpful with recommendations since it was our first time visiting. The sushi tasted really fresh, and the rolls were well-made. The atmosphere was also great—very chill and welcoming. Definitely recommend checking this place out!“

“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! )“

“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!“

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

“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.“