KOTOBUKI

This restaurant is always extremely slow, and the host/server often refuses to seat us, claiming tables are “reserved” even though no one shows up. I went with two coworkers, and the server was rude and took a long time just to take our order. The experience was so poor that I decided not to return and did not leave a tip for a single sushi roll. Honestly, I wasn’t even going to leave a review until I found out the host told my coworker a few days later that her friends were “cheap.” That comment was unprofessional and uncalled for. If the service had been better, I would have gladly tipped. It’s clear they only care about money, and with just one server/host and one cook, the restaurant is poorly managed.

Service: 1

This is a small restaurant with not many tables. It is attractive and pleasant but not elegant. Staff is lovely. The food was delicious and it's obviously popular with locals-- we would definitely go back!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: California Roll, Nigiri Combo, Spider Roll

So I’m just writing this review in regarding me sitting outside on the table with my daughter , 5-10m average time I only sat down because I was having some chest pain I didn’t know I was interfering with business , A lady walked out older with short hair told me “We just opened are you gonna order if your not this is for paying customers you need to leave now “ and kept insisting I understood but she doesn’t have to be so rude to be about it and she stood there waiting for me to get up cleaned the table as I hear her whispering under her breath talking about me. Wed June ,25, 2025 around 11am

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

Just horrible service and very disrespectful

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I look forward to coming here every week during my lunch break. It is such a calm and relaxed atmosphere where I can unwind and read a book with green tea and my favorite sushi roll. The service is amazing and they are all so kind. I bring friends and family here every chance I get and am always told that this place exceeded their expectations. 100% recommend

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I got a crunch roll. Did not see any tempura shrimp or even the fake Krab. It was rice blobs, with cucumber bits covered in tempura crunch.

Giving them the benefit of the doubt that we caught Kotobuki on a bad night but geez 1.5 hours for four menu items- and only one hot. She forgot our beer and though she was sweet and apologetic it was agonizingly slow. Three stars because it genuinely seemed like she was the only person working and her husband was in the back in the kitchen. For a two person team I get it, but the food was not good enough enough to wait for.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

So good. 5 star everything. On Level with michelin sushi but not the price.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Miso Soup

really quaint place! there was only one person waiting tables so i want to offer some lenience. i went by myself & three other tables were full. i waited 20-30min for one sushi roll and the waitress was apologetic.

the sushi itself was okay and not really worth the wait and price. it’s a nice place although i’m not sure if i’d return.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

There were only 2 people in the restaurant. We had a party of 7 and were turned away. We were willing to split the party to 4 and 3 but we're still turned away because she couldn't accommodate us. Horrible service.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

My friend and I picked this place randomly since the reviews looked decent. It's a very small restaurant with limited seating. There is plenty of parking in the lot. We were there right at 5pm and seated right away. Server was sweet, but very slow. Toward the end of our meal, we waited at least 20 minutes to get her attention to give us our check. Otherwise, the food was okay, very limited menu, and nothing special about the sushi rolls.
Food review:
Sashimi: (4/5) Simple but tasted pretty fresh.
Seaweed salad: (3/5) Very hard, not that good. We could only eat half because it didn't taste fresh.
Yellowtail Jalapeno sashimi: (5/5) Very delicious, the jalapeños were very spicy but otherwise fish was very fresh and overall dish had good flavor.
Salmon avocado roll: (4/5) | get these everywhere l go and this one was just ok. Idk if the avocado was off or what but wasn't my favorite.
Rainbow roll: (4/5) This roll was pretty good! I appreciate it was made with crab instead of shrimp because I have an allergy. Probably my favorite thing we ordered.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Salmon Crunchy Roll

This is a cute place for sushi. The menu was basic which was good, helped me decide easier what I could choose from my options. The fish and rice were fresh. They were the best I have tasted so far in San Diego. The prices are fair. The teriyaki chicken was also very good. My kids ate it all up. I likes that it came on a bed of salad. The miso soup was good as well. I highly recommend for a classic sushi restaurant.

Kid-friendliness: Other families had their kids with them. There is no kid menu.

Wheelchair accessibility: There was a wide layout where the tables were far apart from each other allowing wheelchair accessibility.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Miso Soup

Small place with not a lot of seating, max 6 at a table, only one worker, small menu, but pretty good fish. I got the sashimi bowl, and although portions of fish are small and I did not leave full, it was pretty good.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Tiny portions, very plain and uncreative. I get it, you are trying to go minimalist sushi. The empty restaurant at lunch rush should be a clue. It's not working. I ordered scallop sushi, it was good but tiny, I ordered a roll which was only ok, boring and.... tiny. I ordered a salmon skin hand roll, again boring and tiny (smallest I've ever seen). The price was not tiny, $35.00 total. Take a pass on this place.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Miso Soup