lol. waiters totally forgot us. We waited 50 min for the next corse. We understood omakase takes times and on that day the restaurant was full. But until they served us dessert, we found that they forgot a course, that’s why we wasted 50min. WHAT A JOKE! This happened in a michilin star restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
K
It was just a beautiful, tasty, artful experience. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and feels straight out of Japan. The staff are attentive and kind. The reservation system is annoying, but once you get in it makes sense. They have a tiny seating capacity and I believe that's critical to the quality of their food.You have to get the full 2hr omakase. It's an incredible journey from start to finish. I've had sushi all over the world, this is some of the best I've ever tasted. If you sit at the bar (which you must try and do) you can watch their three sushi chefs prepare the fish right in front of you. If you're not used to Japanese flavors and textures, definitely come with an open mind! Most of the pieces they serve aren't the norm in American Japanese restaurants.I went for my birthday and the chef pulled a guitar out of nowhere and serenaded Happy Birthday with the staff. I've been twice and it's absolutely worth the price tag.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase Course
Margaret Vieira Riach
Very disappointed with our experience. Let me preface and say the food was very good - but that was it for us.We arrived around 8:30 and ordered the omakase. We waited and waited, watched as people who came in after us received course after course. After waiting 45 minutes and mentioning it to multiple people, our server must have realized he never put in our order. No apology, nothing - nobody cared. It was so rude. Meanwhile, we were seated next the host stand where some visitors (friends of the hostess perhaps) stood for at least 30 minutes enjoying their takeout food. It was NOT an experience of a Michelin star restaurant. Sushi Takadoro was far superior. Food was great - so if you don’t care about service, go enjoy.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Felicity Fung
I was skeptical about Michelin restaurants especially for any Asian restaurants. Boy was I wrong.To my surprise, it was a complete 5 stars omakase experience! Don't expect to be able to just walk in and have a meal. You will need at least 2 months in advance reservation. Everything was cooked to perfection and unique. Sashimis were fresh. Staff and chefs were all friendly. Note: sip on the sake. Yes they serve high quality sake, and it tastes so good, but you would want to slow down. Don't make my mistake..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
steven
Michelin star must try. The evening couldn’t have been better. We drove by and on a whim and stopped by this place not knowing it was a Michelin restaurant. Very intimate venue with 2 tables outside, 3 tables inside, and the sushi bar. We asked if there was availability for 2 and we were advised they were booked for the night. We walked outside to contemplate our next move when to our surprise said they could fit us in within about 30 min. They called me in less than 30 min to tell me the table was ready and seated us. The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable. After ordering an item we were checked in on and then made recommendations based on our likes. The food was AMAZING! This is a must try and they only open up the books once a month on the first of the month to book a spot for the next month. We got super lucky to get a chance to try out this great spot and will for sure be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt
Not just best sushi in san diego - the best restaurant in san diego.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Antonio Da Costa
There's a reason this place has a Michelin star. This place is superb. The best sushi experience we have had. The sushi chef serenaded us with a birthday song while playing guitar for my wife's birthday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase Course
Mikhael Mikhael
Found this place on Yelp, I have been wanting to try it for a long time and was finally able to try it. Everything tastes amazing.
Food: 5
Mikhael M
Found this place on Yelp, I have been wanting to try it for a long time and was finally able to try it. Everything tastes amazing.
Food: 5
Denise G.
Treat yourself to the full omakase experience; you will not be disappointed. This not-so-hidden gem (well-deserved Michelin star) in University Heights absolutely delivers in flavors and experience. Exceptional service and fresh seafood transport you to Japan without having to leave San Diego.
I highly recommend this place if you love raw sushi and you are celebrating something special. Yes, it's definitely pricey but worth every penny as I was introduced to so much seafood that I've never experienced before! Drinks: I had to dip into the extensive sake menu. The smoothest one was definitely the Green Ridge. I also enjoyed Cherry Blossom and The Green Ridge as these were very light and fresh. I loved that you can pick your sake cup! Something I've never done before. Omakase: Since the menu can vary from day to day, you are pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of fresh seafood. Some standouts are the mackerel (it was not fishy at all despite this being a fish that can be pretty strong), live prawn (it was still moving!), and Toro (it melts in your mouth). Honestly, it's hard to pick a favorite because the food was fresh and beautifully prepared. The best part is the ambiance and chefs. The head chef, Chef Soichi, serenaded me Happy Birthday with the guitar that hung on the wall and with all the guests bursting in song with him! It was so awesome! We, of course, treated our sushi chefs to several rounds of sake as a thank you for their service. Definitely will return again as this dining experience was superb!
Michael H.
5pm on a Thursday, seemed half full, but not having a reservation for 1 was a problem. They were kind enough to accommodate me at a table but there was a 545 reservation so I couldn't waste a moment!Selecting my own sake glass was a new thing, but fun. Great selection of sakes and organized by style was also new but very helpful. Settled on a $33 300 ml bottle which was carbonated. Not generally my favorite but was lovely. By 515 full house, not the only white person here, but the only one who only speaks English. Excellent sign. Order in. It's an omakase place, 3 tiers. Not the time and not as much fun by myself. But the dishes coming out look great. My miso came out right away. Too hot but otherwise fine. One salmon roll and 10 assorted nigiri came out all together about 10 minutes later. Everything melted in my mouth. They offered soy sauce with the roll but nothing else needed it. Roll probably didn't either but it's a habit. Pricey check but definitely worth it for the quality and unique experience. Seems like reservations are pretty hard to get but they gave me some tips how to make them so can't wait to bring the family back to try it out. Top notch place. Give it a try. But make a reservation! 10 stars. Hard 10 stars.
Bernadette T.
Sochi has been on our bucket list for some time, it being a Michelin star omakase restaurant. You can tell why they earned a Michelin star, the quality and tastes are top notch!Ambiance: The place is pretty unassuming on the outside, tucked away next to a neighborhood. Parking might be hard to find but we found street parking a couple blocks away. Inside is very cozy and intimate, the place probably seated less than 30 people total. We got seated right away and the servers were very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.Food: They had the best thing I've ever had from a sushi restaurant... and it was actually a cooked fish. One of the courses was a cooked miso-marinated toro. Toro is my all time favorite fish but I've never had it cooked. It was AMAZING!!! So buttery and tender, super flavorful. It came with a shishito pepper, sweet potato chip, & picked ginger root. It was the best thing I've probably tasted ever and I'm still thinking about it to this day :)Some other standout bites we had included:- oyster from british columbia appetizer- soft tofu appetizer- monkfish liver appetizer (surprisingly sweet and not a typical liver taste)- bluefin tuna sashimi- toro sashimi- scallop sashimi (so sweet! so good!)- amberjack sashimi- egg custard with gingko bean, scallop, shrimp (texture is very similar to a very soft tofu and taste is similar to miso)- japanese barracuda sushi- rockfish sushi- seasonal japanese mackerel sushi- marinated bluefin tuna sushiThere are a lot I'm missing and I wish I remembered them all but it was a wonderful variety of fish and flavors. Cost: The full omakase is $150 each. We also ordered more oysters ($10 for 2) and barracuda ($5/ea). The total came to be around $400 after tax and tip but we came prepared to spend that much for the experience. It might be a bit less food than expected so I probably wouldn't come here starving.Reservations: As you may know, getting a reservation can be difficult. They open their reservation system on Tock on the 1st of every month for the following month (eg, on Oct 1, I booked a reservation for Nov 19). They don't necessarily open it right at noon, it opened for me at around 12:10, so I definitely recommend staying on the page and refreshing. I also recommend having a date, time, and type of seating in mind before it opens so you are good to go and can book as fast as possible. Spots get taken fast! I originally did not get the time and date I wanted at first but after a few minutes, the exact time and date opened up for me! I think people either hold the spot and then it expires or cancel, so definitely keep refreshing the page.
David Sun
Menu Ordered:-Full Omakase Experience-"Silk Dragon" Kuzuryu Daiginjo Sake (Highly Recommended)Overall Experience:The dining experience at this establishment exceeded all my expectations in terms of food quality, ambiance, and service. The pricing was remarkably reasonable, considering the exceptional quality and meticulous care evident in each dish. I will certainly be back.Course Dishes:Each course was a showcase of the chef's commitment to culinary excellence. The attention to detail in every dish was palpable, showcasing a harmonious blend of seasoning, sauces, and the freshness of ingredients. The chef's skill in balancing flavors and textures was prominent throughout the meal.Nigiri:The Nigiri selection was particularly noteworthy, featuring high-quality neta and a symphony of flavors. Each piece was a masterful display of the chef's artistry in enhancing and decorating the neta's flavors, crafting an unforgettable and uniquely flavorful dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greg Stillman
Killer sushi! Well trained and well versed chefs. If it's in season, get the ama ebi shrimp, tempura the head and eat it all! Yum!
lol. waiters totally forgot us. We waited 50 min for the next corse. We understood omakase takes times and on that day the restaurant was full. But until they served us dessert, we found that they forgot a course, that’s why we wasted 50min. WHAT A JOKE! This happened in a michilin star restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
It was just a beautiful, tasty, artful experience. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and feels straight out of Japan. The staff are attentive and kind. The reservation system is annoying, but once you get in it makes sense. They have a tiny seating capacity and I believe that's critical to the quality of their food.You have to get the full 2hr omakase. It's an incredible journey from start to finish. I've had sushi all over the world, this is some of the best I've ever tasted. If you sit at the bar (which you must try and do) you can watch their three sushi chefs prepare the fish right in front of you. If you're not used to Japanese flavors and textures, definitely come with an open mind! Most of the pieces they serve aren't the norm in American Japanese restaurants.I went for my birthday and the chef pulled a guitar out of nowhere and serenaded Happy Birthday with the staff. I've been twice and it's absolutely worth the price tag.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase Course
Very disappointed with our experience. Let me preface and say the food was very good - but that was it for us.We arrived around 8:30 and ordered the omakase. We waited and waited, watched as people who came in after us received course after course. After waiting 45 minutes and mentioning it to multiple people, our server must have realized he never put in our order. No apology, nothing - nobody cared. It was so rude. Meanwhile, we were seated next the host stand where some visitors (friends of the hostess perhaps) stood for at least 30 minutes enjoying their takeout food. It was NOT an experience of a Michelin star restaurant. Sushi Takadoro was far superior. Food was great - so if you don’t care about service, go enjoy.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
I was skeptical about Michelin restaurants especially for any Asian restaurants. Boy was I wrong.To my surprise, it was a complete 5 stars omakase experience! Don't expect to be able to just walk in and have a meal. You will need at least 2 months in advance reservation. Everything was cooked to perfection and unique. Sashimis were fresh. Staff and chefs were all friendly. Note: sip on the sake. Yes they serve high quality sake, and it tastes so good, but you would want to slow down. Don't make my mistake..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelin star must try. The evening couldn’t have been better. We drove by and on a whim and stopped by this place not knowing it was a Michelin restaurant. Very intimate venue with 2 tables outside, 3 tables inside, and the sushi bar. We asked if there was availability for 2 and we were advised they were booked for the night. We walked outside to contemplate our next move when to our surprise said they could fit us in within about 30 min. They called me in less than 30 min to tell me the table was ready and seated us. The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable. After ordering an item we were checked in on and then made recommendations based on our likes. The food was AMAZING! This is a must try and they only open up the books once a month on the first of the month to book a spot for the next month. We got super lucky to get a chance to try out this great spot and will for sure be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not just best sushi in san diego - the best restaurant in san diego.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
There's a reason this place has a Michelin star. This place is superb. The best sushi experience we have had. The sushi chef serenaded us with a birthday song while playing guitar for my wife's birthday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase Course
Found this place on Yelp, I have been wanting to try it for a long time and was finally able to try it. Everything tastes amazing.
Food: 5
Found this place on Yelp, I have been wanting to try it for a long time and was finally able to try it. Everything tastes amazing.
Food: 5
Treat yourself to the full omakase experience; you will not be disappointed. This not-so-hidden gem (well-deserved Michelin star) in University Heights absolutely delivers in flavors and experience. Exceptional service and fresh seafood transport you to Japan without having to leave San Diego.
Restaurantji Recommends
I highly recommend this place if you love raw sushi and you are celebrating something special. Yes, it's definitely pricey but worth every penny as I was introduced to so much seafood that I've never experienced before! Drinks: I had to dip into the extensive sake menu. The smoothest one was definitely the Green Ridge. I also enjoyed Cherry Blossom and The Green Ridge as these were very light and fresh. I loved that you can pick your sake cup! Something I've never done before. Omakase: Since the menu can vary from day to day, you are pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of fresh seafood. Some standouts are the mackerel (it was not fishy at all despite this being a fish that can be pretty strong), live prawn (it was still moving!), and Toro (it melts in your mouth). Honestly, it's hard to pick a favorite because the food was fresh and beautifully prepared. The best part is the ambiance and chefs. The head chef, Chef Soichi, serenaded me Happy Birthday with the guitar that hung on the wall and with all the guests bursting in song with him! It was so awesome! We, of course, treated our sushi chefs to several rounds of sake as a thank you for their service. Definitely will return again as this dining experience was superb!
5pm on a Thursday, seemed half full, but not having a reservation for 1 was a problem. They were kind enough to accommodate me at a table but there was a 545 reservation so I couldn't waste a moment!Selecting my own sake glass was a new thing, but fun. Great selection of sakes and organized by style was also new but very helpful. Settled on a $33 300 ml bottle which was carbonated. Not generally my favorite but was lovely. By 515 full house, not the only white person here, but the only one who only speaks English. Excellent sign. Order in. It's an omakase place, 3 tiers. Not the time and not as much fun by myself. But the dishes coming out look great. My miso came out right away. Too hot but otherwise fine. One salmon roll and 10 assorted nigiri came out all together about 10 minutes later. Everything melted in my mouth. They offered soy sauce with the roll but nothing else needed it. Roll probably didn't either but it's a habit. Pricey check but definitely worth it for the quality and unique experience. Seems like reservations are pretty hard to get but they gave me some tips how to make them so can't wait to bring the family back to try it out. Top notch place. Give it a try. But make a reservation! 10 stars. Hard 10 stars.
Sochi has been on our bucket list for some time, it being a Michelin star omakase restaurant. You can tell why they earned a Michelin star, the quality and tastes are top notch!Ambiance: The place is pretty unassuming on the outside, tucked away next to a neighborhood. Parking might be hard to find but we found street parking a couple blocks away. Inside is very cozy and intimate, the place probably seated less than 30 people total. We got seated right away and the servers were very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.Food: They had the best thing I've ever had from a sushi restaurant... and it was actually a cooked fish. One of the courses was a cooked miso-marinated toro. Toro is my all time favorite fish but I've never had it cooked. It was AMAZING!!! So buttery and tender, super flavorful. It came with a shishito pepper, sweet potato chip, & picked ginger root. It was the best thing I've probably tasted ever and I'm still thinking about it to this day :)Some other standout bites we had included:- oyster from british columbia appetizer- soft tofu appetizer- monkfish liver appetizer (surprisingly sweet and not a typical liver taste)- bluefin tuna sashimi- toro sashimi- scallop sashimi (so sweet! so good!)- amberjack sashimi- egg custard with gingko bean, scallop, shrimp (texture is very similar to a very soft tofu and taste is similar to miso)- japanese barracuda sushi- rockfish sushi- seasonal japanese mackerel sushi- marinated bluefin tuna sushiThere are a lot I'm missing and I wish I remembered them all but it was a wonderful variety of fish and flavors. Cost: The full omakase is $150 each. We also ordered more oysters ($10 for 2) and barracuda ($5/ea). The total came to be around $400 after tax and tip but we came prepared to spend that much for the experience. It might be a bit less food than expected so I probably wouldn't come here starving.Reservations: As you may know, getting a reservation can be difficult. They open their reservation system on Tock on the 1st of every month for the following month (eg, on Oct 1, I booked a reservation for Nov 19). They don't necessarily open it right at noon, it opened for me at around 12:10, so I definitely recommend staying on the page and refreshing. I also recommend having a date, time, and type of seating in mind before it opens so you are good to go and can book as fast as possible. Spots get taken fast! I originally did not get the time and date I wanted at first but after a few minutes, the exact time and date opened up for me! I think people either hold the spot and then it expires or cancel, so definitely keep refreshing the page.
Menu Ordered:-Full Omakase Experience-"Silk Dragon" Kuzuryu Daiginjo Sake (Highly Recommended)Overall Experience:The dining experience at this establishment exceeded all my expectations in terms of food quality, ambiance, and service. The pricing was remarkably reasonable, considering the exceptional quality and meticulous care evident in each dish. I will certainly be back.Course Dishes:Each course was a showcase of the chef's commitment to culinary excellence. The attention to detail in every dish was palpable, showcasing a harmonious blend of seasoning, sauces, and the freshness of ingredients. The chef's skill in balancing flavors and textures was prominent throughout the meal.Nigiri:The Nigiri selection was particularly noteworthy, featuring high-quality neta and a symphony of flavors. Each piece was a masterful display of the chef's artistry in enhancing and decorating the neta's flavors, crafting an unforgettable and uniquely flavorful dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Killer sushi! Well trained and well versed chefs. If it's in season, get the ama ebi shrimp, tempura the head and eat it all! Yum!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sashimi Course