This sushi spot is a great option for a speedy lunch or casual dinner. Their hour's are great: even opeb in-between L & D! They won't blow your mind w/ culinary innovation, but you get fresh, decent sushi in a clean & friendly atmosphere.The miso soup was a satisfying starter, hitting the spot with its savory warmth. The tempura was a bit standard but the gyoza pulled up their rating, but all still enjoyable. The sushi rolls were fresh BUT a little underl-constructed, nice choices.The the service & convenience are the best. The wait staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure everything came out quickly. Plus, with a good selection of draft and bottled beers, it's was a relaxing and hassle-free experience.Overall, this restaurant won't be your next special occasion destination, but it's a reliable choice for a quick and tasty sushi fix. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the mood for a no-fuss, fresh meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Oliver Chang
My mom ran into this mean manager.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Nick Kemme
Bland food, overcooked, and quite expensive for the portions. The beef teriyaki was cooked well done plus some, with very little sauce. Tempura wasn't seasoned. Yakisoba was overcooked and mushy with very few shrimp. The sushi was good, but hard to recommend the restaraunt as a whole.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Allyson D.
I enjoyed my visit here. The service was great - friendly and on top of their customer service. Their menu has a great variety of Japanese food, including ramen, sushi, rice bowls, and bento boxes. I intended to get ramen, but curry and rice sounded good. They have a vegetable curry bowl. The pictured bowl that looks like soup actually has rice on the bottom and just enough. I would ask if I could add tofu next time (I'm not sure if they would). Their spicy edamame was one of the best I've had in a while. Their spicy sauce is sooo tasty and made well. I suggested to my friend that he add it to his miso ramen. The restaurant decor is nice too. Nice looking lighting and comfortable area for dining.
Reviewer R.
Sushi Ren (Ototo Sushi, 16480 Paseo del Sur, Ste 115 San Diego, CA 92127 It's Christmas Eve and I'm coming home from attending service at my friend Joe's church. Joe, who I've known for more than 45 years (since middle school) invited me today to the evangelical church he attends in North County, with its medium-upscale gated communities inter-laced with new strip malls, one of which has Sushi Ren which I was hungry enough to wander into. Or maybe it's called Ototo Sushi as it says on the front of the restaurant. I'll call it Sushi Ren in this review because that's the name on the receipt I was given. I'm not sure what the relationship is there but maybe they're in the midst of an ownership change. Who knows? The receipt will factor into the review in a moment. The food: I ordered two tuna hand rolls and a small hot sake. It should have been simple, but it wasn't. The sushi chef was Asian (Japanese?) and didn't understand me too well, or refused to understand me. I ordered the first-hand roll and ate it, it was light on the tuna strips and heavy on the cucumber sprigs. I was still hungry so since the sake was only about $5 I tried ordering another tuna hand roll. The chef was difficult to get the attention of now. He was breaking down the bar and the place appeared to be closing although it was not even 8 p.m. and there was still a large party of Asian people around a table in the center of the restaurant. He disappeared into the back of the kitchen without serving me and the young man who seated me came and asked me if there was anything else I wanted. I told him I'd ordered another hand roll from the chef, twice, but was unsure if he understood me. The chef had returned by now and the host and he had a brief conversation in their native tongue during which the chef looked at me and nodded as if to say he understood. Then the host dutifully told me another hand roll was coming up. Eventually, the chef reached across the bar with a small bowl and handed me what looked like strips of cooked halibut with avocado slices and teriyaki sauce over a bed of white rice. I figured he'd gotten my order wrong and, not wanting more controversy, against my better judgment I didn't refuse it. Besides I was hungry and wanted to leave now. The host returns with a salad and miso soup, saying they went with the dish. I told him, "Yeah fine but I'd ordered another hand roll and not this." "Ohhhhh..." he replied, distressed. "Yeah, 'Ohhhh...'" That's when the host and the chef had their talk, their pow-wow, and shortly after that, I was given the second tuna hand roll I'd wanted. The female manager (I assume she was the manager) came over and asked me why I hadn't refused the mistaken order. I told her I was hungry and the chef didn't understand me too well apparently. She began to say apologetically that it was a miscommunication. She mumbled it with what I think is known in the interviewing business as "diminishing facts", her voice trailing off weakly. She offered to give me "30% off the order," which I politely accepted and thanked her for. So what was originally going to be a $20 bill I now figured would be almost $30. Not very cool, but I can handle that I guess since the food's alright. The total came to about $50 with the tip, which was kind of a ripoff. Afterward, when paying the cashier, the female manager was there and reintroduced the topic. She had regained her confidence and now snapped back cheerily that the sushi chef DID understand English. Yes, okay whatever. I silently paid and left, an awesome customer that I am. They can try to immediately confuse you and contradict your facts when you have a complaint, restaurant people. Gosh, they can be so slick, so sly. I was at the OB Noodle House & Sake Bar restaurant in Ocean Beach once years ago and showed the manager a long thick black hair in the soup I was served there and he angrily claimed no one that worked at th
Miguel R.
When I walked in, the ambiance of the restaurant was very clean and nice, I had been seated almost immediately upon walking in, the service was ok, our server was rude in various moments, mainly upon asking questions regarding the menu, however the other Asian server, he looked like a teenager, was very polite and courteous, and answered all of our questions respectfully, the food was very good as per the latter servers recommendations I would definitely come again.
Consumer S.
The service level was great! The food was not. We have been to just about every local sushi place and thought we would try this one. The fish had zero flavor. Ordered multiple rolls. On par with Vons Sushi.
Cheyanne I.
This place was alright. don't think I'll come back .. the sushi was decent , bulgogi rice bowl was good ,but the teriyaki beef was disgusting. it tasted like it was cooked in chemicals and was chewy. the calamari had no flavor and was super chewy as well. 3 stars because service was good otherwise I wouldn't give three stars
Their Bento Box is filled with everything you want: Teriyaki, Sushi, and tempura... Very tasty. I always have some for a second meal later. Marv Lyons
Terri L.
Good hot food. Sushi is not bad but I prefer Korean hot stone BiBimBop and Tofu soup. You can choose the spicy level and topping for Tofu soup. Comfortable seats and friendly service. Will visit again soon.
M S.
Wow, where do I start?! Our fav. sushi place in 4S had closed, so we tried this place tonite.....I ordered a teriyaki chicken Bento box, my hubs got two rolls, one being a Dragon Roll....Could the food be any more BLAND????? Everything had a "funk" to it, the chicken in bento box was fatty gross thigh meat, the teriyaki sauce was horrible, the dressing on salad was awful, ALL of the sushi (rolls, etc.) had zero flavor and tasted like chunks of soy dipped in mayo...The young man who waited on us was delightful, quite polite. An older woman that we assumed was the owner was totally oblivious to everything going on. She DID ask how our meal was (I had just picked at it) and I refrained from telling her it was ALL crap, but I did tell her I was surprised I was served thigh meat and not good, she immediately copped an attitude. Long story short, we will not be going back!! I've been a huge fan of sushi/Japanese food my entire like, and, this was honestly the WORST!!!!
Sara Stellarum
I got the baked salmon roll. It had way too much cream cheese on it. The cream cheese drowned out every other flavor and made the dish hard to finish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Tony M.
Waited 45 minutes for an order that was supposed to be no more than 15-20 minutes. Ordered Chicken and rice and a simple salmon roll. Sitting customers were no more than three tables of 4 people. People that made orders after me in person (way more food) got theirs first. I had to ask why the wait at 35 min in. A simple explanation would be ok and instead I get a "i don't know why" even the obvious reason was that someone probably didn't put in the order. Was then told 5 minutes... 10 minutes later it was the same story. will not be recommending for anyone coming here. Two stars as the food was good. Total time: 1hr 02 minutes wait.
The bibimbap here is very delicious....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fresh sushi, good service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This sushi spot is a great option for a speedy lunch or casual dinner. Their hour's are great: even opeb in-between L & D! They won't blow your mind w/ culinary innovation, but you get fresh, decent sushi in a clean & friendly atmosphere.The miso soup was a satisfying starter, hitting the spot with its savory warmth. The tempura was a bit standard but the gyoza pulled up their rating, but all still enjoyable. The sushi rolls were fresh BUT a little underl-constructed, nice choices.The the service & convenience are the best. The wait staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure everything came out quickly. Plus, with a good selection of draft and bottled beers, it's was a relaxing and hassle-free experience.Overall, this restaurant won't be your next special occasion destination, but it's a reliable choice for a quick and tasty sushi fix. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the mood for a no-fuss, fresh meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
My mom ran into this mean manager.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Bland food, overcooked, and quite expensive for the portions. The beef teriyaki was cooked well done plus some, with very little sauce. Tempura wasn't seasoned. Yakisoba was overcooked and mushy with very few shrimp. The sushi was good, but hard to recommend the restaraunt as a whole.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
I enjoyed my visit here. The service was great - friendly and on top of their customer service. Their menu has a great variety of Japanese food, including ramen, sushi, rice bowls, and bento boxes. I intended to get ramen, but curry and rice sounded good. They have a vegetable curry bowl. The pictured bowl that looks like soup actually has rice on the bottom and just enough. I would ask if I could add tofu next time (I'm not sure if they would). Their spicy edamame was one of the best I've had in a while. Their spicy sauce is sooo tasty and made well. I suggested to my friend that he add it to his miso ramen. The restaurant decor is nice too. Nice looking lighting and comfortable area for dining.
Sushi Ren (Ototo Sushi, 16480 Paseo del Sur, Ste 115 San Diego, CA 92127 It's Christmas Eve and I'm coming home from attending service at my friend Joe's church. Joe, who I've known for more than 45 years (since middle school) invited me today to the evangelical church he attends in North County, with its medium-upscale gated communities inter-laced with new strip malls, one of which has Sushi Ren which I was hungry enough to wander into. Or maybe it's called Ototo Sushi as it says on the front of the restaurant. I'll call it Sushi Ren in this review because that's the name on the receipt I was given. I'm not sure what the relationship is there but maybe they're in the midst of an ownership change. Who knows? The receipt will factor into the review in a moment. The food: I ordered two tuna hand rolls and a small hot sake. It should have been simple, but it wasn't. The sushi chef was Asian (Japanese?) and didn't understand me too well, or refused to understand me. I ordered the first-hand roll and ate it, it was light on the tuna strips and heavy on the cucumber sprigs. I was still hungry so since the sake was only about $5 I tried ordering another tuna hand roll. The chef was difficult to get the attention of now. He was breaking down the bar and the place appeared to be closing although it was not even 8 p.m. and there was still a large party of Asian people around a table in the center of the restaurant. He disappeared into the back of the kitchen without serving me and the young man who seated me came and asked me if there was anything else I wanted. I told him I'd ordered another hand roll from the chef, twice, but was unsure if he understood me. The chef had returned by now and the host and he had a brief conversation in their native tongue during which the chef looked at me and nodded as if to say he understood. Then the host dutifully told me another hand roll was coming up. Eventually, the chef reached across the bar with a small bowl and handed me what looked like strips of cooked halibut with avocado slices and teriyaki sauce over a bed of white rice. I figured he'd gotten my order wrong and, not wanting more controversy, against my better judgment I didn't refuse it. Besides I was hungry and wanted to leave now. The host returns with a salad and miso soup, saying they went with the dish. I told him, "Yeah fine but I'd ordered another hand roll and not this." "Ohhhhh..." he replied, distressed. "Yeah, 'Ohhhh...'" That's when the host and the chef had their talk, their pow-wow, and shortly after that, I was given the second tuna hand roll I'd wanted. The female manager (I assume she was the manager) came over and asked me why I hadn't refused the mistaken order. I told her I was hungry and the chef didn't understand me too well apparently. She began to say apologetically that it was a miscommunication. She mumbled it with what I think is known in the interviewing business as "diminishing facts", her voice trailing off weakly. She offered to give me "30% off the order," which I politely accepted and thanked her for. So what was originally going to be a $20 bill I now figured would be almost $30. Not very cool, but I can handle that I guess since the food's alright. The total came to about $50 with the tip, which was kind of a ripoff. Afterward, when paying the cashier, the female manager was there and reintroduced the topic. She had regained her confidence and now snapped back cheerily that the sushi chef DID understand English. Yes, okay whatever. I silently paid and left, an awesome customer that I am. They can try to immediately confuse you and contradict your facts when you have a complaint, restaurant people. Gosh, they can be so slick, so sly. I was at the OB Noodle House & Sake Bar restaurant in Ocean Beach once years ago and showed the manager a long thick black hair in the soup I was served there and he angrily claimed no one that worked at th
When I walked in, the ambiance of the restaurant was very clean and nice, I had been seated almost immediately upon walking in, the service was ok, our server was rude in various moments, mainly upon asking questions regarding the menu, however the other Asian server, he looked like a teenager, was very polite and courteous, and answered all of our questions respectfully, the food was very good as per the latter servers recommendations I would definitely come again.
The service level was great! The food was not. We have been to just about every local sushi place and thought we would try this one. The fish had zero flavor. Ordered multiple rolls. On par with Vons Sushi.
This place was alright. don't think I'll come back .. the sushi was decent , bulgogi rice bowl was good ,but the teriyaki beef was disgusting. it tasted like it was cooked in chemicals and was chewy. the calamari had no flavor and was super chewy as well. 3 stars because service was good otherwise I wouldn't give three stars
Restaurantji Recommends
Their Bento Box is filled with everything you want: Teriyaki, Sushi, and tempura... Very tasty. I always have some for a second meal later. Marv Lyons
Good hot food. Sushi is not bad but I prefer Korean hot stone BiBimBop and Tofu soup. You can choose the spicy level and topping for Tofu soup. Comfortable seats and friendly service. Will visit again soon.
Wow, where do I start?! Our fav. sushi place in 4S had closed, so we tried this place tonite.....I ordered a teriyaki chicken Bento box, my hubs got two rolls, one being a Dragon Roll....Could the food be any more BLAND????? Everything had a "funk" to it, the chicken in bento box was fatty gross thigh meat, the teriyaki sauce was horrible, the dressing on salad was awful, ALL of the sushi (rolls, etc.) had zero flavor and tasted like chunks of soy dipped in mayo...The young man who waited on us was delightful, quite polite. An older woman that we assumed was the owner was totally oblivious to everything going on. She DID ask how our meal was (I had just picked at it) and I refrained from telling her it was ALL crap, but I did tell her I was surprised I was served thigh meat and not good, she immediately copped an attitude. Long story short, we will not be going back!! I've been a huge fan of sushi/Japanese food my entire like, and, this was honestly the WORST!!!!
I got the baked salmon roll. It had way too much cream cheese on it. The cream cheese drowned out every other flavor and made the dish hard to finish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Waited 45 minutes for an order that was supposed to be no more than 15-20 minutes. Ordered Chicken and rice and a simple salmon roll. Sitting customers were no more than three tables of 4 people. People that made orders after me in person (way more food) got theirs first. I had to ask why the wait at 35 min in. A simple explanation would be ok and instead I get a "i don't know why" even the obvious reason was that someone probably didn't put in the order. Was then told 5 minutes... 10 minutes later it was the same story. will not be recommending for anyone coming here. Two stars as the food was good. Total time: 1hr 02 minutes wait.