Sushi MARU
$$$$ • Sushi Bars, Japanese Book a table: 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM MoreAbout Sushi MARU
Customers' Favorites
Aji Horse Mackerel
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Hairy Crab
Sushi MARU Reviews
81 ratings
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We visited San Diego again and this is always a MUST GO restaurant/ experience for us. We love it!! We also compared it head to head against another omakase place in San Diego that had a Michelin star.. sushi maru is a better value and better experience overall. I am surprised it does NOT have a Michelin star yet.. it certainly will in the near future
This is a slice of Tokyo in the heart of downtown San Diego. The details of creating the nigiri sushi were amazing, carefully prepared, and explained dish by dish. This is for veterans of sushi lovers, as the price and cuisine is more for those that love high end omakase.
WOW ! One of the best experience I have dining out! We were there for my daughter's birthday but think I enjoyed it more than she did. We went through a wonderful 20 course meal ... each one elevating in taste and texture. Chef Maru was very fun, engaging and of all things a VERY fine host and chef. If you are not shy, kanpay with him and your guests and keep it going, he has one of the best sake pairings that I have had. Also his staff were wonderful and was on top of their game....read full review
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 8 - 10PM 5:30 - 7:30PM |
| Thursday | 5:30 - 7:30PM 8 - 10PM |
| Friday | 5:30 - 7:30PM 8 - 10PM |
| Saturday | 8 - 10PM 5:30 - 7:30PM |
| Sunday | 5:30 - 7:30PM 8 - 10PM |
Sushi MARU offers a unique and memorable omakase experience in San Diego. The restaurant features a sleek, minimalistic interior that creates an elegant yet simple atmosphere, emphasizing the focus on quality food. Chef Maru is passionate and knowledgeable, personally explaining each dish and showcasing his craft with care. The menu highlights fresh, seasonal fish and ingredients sourced from local spots, resulting in a variety of flavors and textures not typically found at standard sushi places.
Guests can enjoy a carefully curated selection of dishes, including unique offerings like hairy crab, kamatoro, yagara (trumpet fish), and braised abalone with liver. The sushi rice is perfectly seasoned, and the fish is prepared with skill, often sliced or presented in ways that enhance tenderness and flavor. Highlights include seabass, Toro Takuan, uni from both San Diego and Japan, and a range of fish like kinmedai and nodoguro. The experience also features interesting presentations, such as sushi served on black lacquer boxes and the chance to try different preparations of familiar fish.
Service is friendly, welcoming, and attentive, with staff explaining each dish and providing recommendations, including sake pairings. The intimate atmosphere, with seating at the bar, allows for a personalized experience that lasts around 2.5 hours. Many diners find this experience to be their favorite meal in San Diego, often comparing it favorably to other sushi spots and considering it well worth the price. Overall, Sushi MARU delivers a divine, elevated, and unforgettable omakase dining experience.