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    Bistro Kaz

    4.3 (396 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Japanese
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    BISTRO KAZ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Katarina G.

    I really enjoyed Bistro Kaz :) the food was very delicious and the drinks were great. My boyfriend loves squid ink pasta and their did not disappoint :) the service was okay, I feel like they didn't check up on us a whole lot, but the were nice. The restaurant is also small, so on a busy night you could experience a wait. Overall a good spot for date night :)

    Eggplant curry
    Curt T.

    The Japanese curry was simply delicious and flavorful. Loved it. The egg plant was cooked perfectly as well. The meatloaf sandwich was also very flavorful and tasty. Breaded and then fried??? Hell yeah. Sign me up!! The cucumber, fresh mozzarella just really added to it. Complimented everything perfectly. The fries it was served with was crispy and delicious.

    Meatloaf sandwich
    Arnold T.

    Looking for a place in SD that offes meatloaf and this place came up. First time here and we absolutely love the food. The meatloaf sandwich was deep fried, came with mozzarella and a side of fries. The Japanese curry was also excellent. I had the fried eggplant and it really worked together with the curry sauce. Place is small and parking can be difficult.

    Jeffrey Y.

    Cozy Japanese Yoshoku Cafe in Kearny Mesa Like a Euro cafe in Japan, Bistro Kaz is a super cozy seeming hole in the wall, bringing the comforts of West meets East yoshoku eats to the San Diego metro area. Nestled in a strip mall in the heart of Kearny Mesa, you are instantly greeted to modern kissaten cafe lounge jazz enveloped in a cute little space of reddish brick and dark woods. For lunch on a Friday, the crowd was small with plenty of seating, which even has a coffee bar. Service was gently slow and actually worked great with the music. I ordered the lunch set, which is a bit on the pricey side, but what you get is an actually great value: main + salad + soup + drink. And with a large portion size! Hayashi Omurice. I love omelets with rice inside, a Japanese comfort food. Combined with hayashi sauce and beef, I couldn't resist. This isn't your classic hayashi sauce, however, being a rich umami tomato base filed with onions, carrots, and sweet-and-sour soaked bamboo shoots. It's a lovely mix, and frankly, it's worth trying. Comes with some red pickled radishes to change it up on the flavor every now and then. Definite recommend. House salad. No extra charge. All green leaf lettuce in a light vinaigrette. Can recommend with combo. Cold barley tea. Served with ice, and it has a nice mild flavor, easy to drink with a hot meal. No extra charge with set, so recommend. Corn soup. Creamy and sweet. Nothing says cozy Japanese food like a hot corn soup. $1.50 extra with set, so a definite recommend. Overall, a great lunch spot if you want to take your time and feel like you stepped into Japan for a cozy bite. Next up: dinner.

    390548. Seafood Doria
    Kristian T.

    Great spot to check out if you're in the area. Reservations recommended. We've been here several times and my recommendations are the Seafood Doria, Cold Cod Roe Salmon Roe Angel Hair Pasta, and Corn Soup. Always have a great time here!

    50325238. Crab Cream Croquette, 50325475. Garlic Bread
    Raquel S.

    The food was good. The pasta is al dente and the sauces are creamy but light. The bread was perfect. The corn soup was super yummy.

    390488. Crab Meat in Creamy Tomato Sauce
    Jennifer W.

    I absolutely love this restaurant! The crossover between Italian and Japanese is so good and they do it so well. We ordered a Unagi Eel Pizza to share and tried the Crab Meat in Creamy Tomato Sauce Pasta. Both was divine and they give you a good portion! The pizza was very fresh and had a generous number of unagi on there with perfect amount of eel sauce, which paired perfectly with the cheese. The pasta held a very good balance between being heavy and refreshing, which worked well with the huge crab chunks and crunchy asparagus. It's a very small restaurant that's on the quieter side. It felt cozy inside and service was great:) I want to go again already.

    50322806. Omelet Rice with Hashed Beef Sauce Lunch Combo
    Amanda N.

    Such a good value for their lunch set! Comes with a drink, a salad, soup and the main meal. I got the omlet rice and WOW was the sauce on top super flavorful. The meat was so tender and elevated the omlet rice. The soup was also very yummy it had lots of veggies in it! Would love to come back to try one of their pastas.

    50327495. Miso Marinated Salmon Belly Specialty
    Nina S.

    Bistro Kaz is an absolute gem of a restaurant!! Their fusion of Japanese and Italian flavors were done so incredibly well, we were practically dancing in our seats from how flavorful some of the dishes were. We started with the miso salmon belly, and wow wow wooow this was hands down one of the best bites I've had in a while. The salmon was incredibly soft, practically melted in your mouth, and the miso enriched flavors were spot on. We also tried the pork belly served on a bed of mashed potatoes with a sweet sauce, and it was absolutely delicious! A good portion of a pork belly with such a unique and tasty flavor and texture combination. My boyfriend had the chicken doria, which to us was tasty, but didn't quite compare to the other two dishes. To me it was a little lacking in texture, where I feel like it would've benefited from a little crunch, but honestly still very comforting and flavorful. The restaurant is a bit small, so if you're with a bigger group, you might need to wait, but they do a fantastic job accommodating everyone. The service was super quick and friendly, and the atmosphere felt cozy yet elevated. Almost like we were dining at a hidden fine dining spot. Bf and I will definitely be back here for more date nights.

    50321789. Cod Roe Cream Pasta Lunch Combo
    Pam B.

    Disappointed. We really wanted to like this place. I read all of the reviews and was hopeful even though they were mixed. Overall the only reason for a 3 star was the ambiance and curry, it would have been maybe a 1 or 2. Food was not anything worth while to fight the parking traffic for. Waiter messed up on our order, even though it was repeated 3 times and my daughter even pointed to the item on the menu and the waiter supposedly 'looked' at it. He even tried to correct us, even though my husband and I heard her right order all 3 times! SMH. Pizza had more cheese than anything else. We ordered the Unagi/Eel pizza and I swear it was just melted cheese with a few small eel pieces and a gang of unagi sauce. If you just wanted flavored melted cheese, order this. I got the Uni pasta at $36 MP. Never again. It was very al dente pasta, water and a few small pieces of Uni. It was so extremely watered down and flavorless. I absolutely do not recommend. Only item that may have been worth it was the fried pork curry. It was a really good portion and son said it was actually really good. It looked good too, but he started scarfing it down before I was able to take a picture of it.

    Fried Chicken Curry ($18)
    Grace L.

    This place is a small and intimate restaurant. There was only one server, so he was the only person that we interacted with for the whole time. He was quick and efficient. We ordered the: -Unagi Eel Pizza ($20): This was delicious, and the first time I've had unagi on pizza. The unagi was cooked perfectly, and all of the flavors blended together perfectly. It was the first to arrive on our table, and we all finished it before trying anything else. -Spaghetti with Crab Meat in Creamy Tomato Sauce ($18): This was actually quite filling, and came with two pieces of garlic bread. There was a good amount of crab meat and tomato. -Fried Chicken Curry ($18): The chicken was fried well, and there was a good portion especially for the cost. -Black Squid Ink Paella ($32): It had a nice assortment of seafood. The plate was pretty small though, so it seems a bit pricy. -Miso Marinated Salmon Belly ($20): The flavor of the miso was good, but the salmon was a bit dry. Overall, we enjoyed the dishes that we got. At the end of our meal, the four of us were all full, and even took home some leftovers. The next time that I return, I am going to order the Creamy Sea Urchin with Salmon Roe spaghetti. The couple that was next to us each ordered one, and said that it's their favorite dish here.

    50324001. Cream Cod Roe Pasta 390539. Unagi Eel Pizza
    Jeslyn L.

    The atmosphere of the restaurant is very nice, quiet, and calm. We ordered on of the cream cod roe pasta and the unagri eel pizza. The pasta was okay, but the eel pizza was delicious! The crust was not too hard or filling and the toppings were plentiful. The eel and sauce tasted slightly sweet and was very pleasant. Would definitely recommend the eel pizza.

    50323965. Chicken Cream Pasta
    Jocy C.

    I'm a fan! Bistro Kaz is kind of an unassuming place. It's small quiet and tucked away. I honestly didn't even know it was there until I searched on Yelp. Bistro Kaz is a Japanese / Italian fusion restaurant located in Convoy area of San Diego. My boyfriend and I went there on a weeknight to eat. My Italian-American boyfriend ordered an Italian dish - surprise surprise - Chicken Cream Pasta. I ordered a Japanese dish - surprise surprise. Hahahaha. I ordered their Curry Rice. Portions were generous that we both ended up taking home leftovers. Delicious. Will definitely be back!

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    Azuki Sushi

    Azuki Sushi

    4.4(3.6k reviews)
    5.9 miBanker's Hill
    $$$
    Takes reservations
    Vegan friendly

    Man, these guys are consistently producing high quality dishes in a modern, chic ambiance with…read morefriendly service. We were lucky to snag a table on Thursday night for two without any resy's. We were offered a two person table upstairs, which I prefer. Started with the Azuki salad that's perfect for sharing. The dressing is light and lots on the plate including avocado, taro chips, cucumber, and apples. Textures and flavors go so well together. I also got a spicy tuna hand roll, the Kobe Roll, and a few nigiri's including Hamachi, Chutoro, and Salmon belly. All were delicious but the Chutoro was the fave. Finished dinner with a burnt butter mochi cake complete with ice cream and some strawberry sauce. Def glad we stopped in and will def be back for more.

    Food: Overall the food isn't bad but I didn't find anything…read moremind blowing or special as it was made out to be because I know how popular this spot is. Although, it was still enjoyable! Crispy Rice & Spicy Tuna (9/10) - loved the crisp and the flavor. it wasn't too spicy and the spice was more for a little kick of flavor Stardust (7/10) - wasn't as citrusy as i thought with the lemon but tasted fine. it was basic in flavor but still good Spicy Salmon Hand Roll (8/10) - it was made well and it was good but nothing too special either Super Dragon (9/10) - the sweet potato was such an interesting and nice touch. really good flavor combination Service: Service is a bit slow since the beginning even to seat you even with a reservation but they remained very kind throughout the experience. Ambiance: It's a bit small but we were sat upstairs in another room with seating and since it's small, when it's packed it can get really loud with everyone talking. The vibes of the place is dimlit and not too upscale but also not too casual. It's just a very nice restaurant vibes

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    Azuki Sushi
    Azuki Sushi
    Azuki Sushi

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    Hatsuzakura - Ichigo Daifuku - Original and Matcha flavored

    Hatsuzakura

    4.4(567 reviews)
    3.7 miUniversity Heights
    $$

    Finally got to try this cute Japanese cafe we saw on TikTok, and it did not disappoint!…read more Service: [5/5] The two girls who helped us were so sweet and made the whole experience. We were seated at the bar, which ended up being such a vibe--we got to chat with the girl behind the bar and watch her make lattes and desserts right in front of us. That kind of interaction really sets this place apart. Price: [4.5/5] It's on the pricier side, but honestly it feels fair given the quality of food you're getting. You can taste where your money is going. Food/Drinks: [5/5] Matcha Latte -- We shared one, extra sweet at my request, and it was perfect. Exactly what I was hoping for. Chef Soichi's Karaage -- We had this as an appetizer and my boyfriend made a point to say this is the closest he's had to traditional Japanese karaage. High praise from someone who's passionate about his Japanese culture. Hayashi Omurice -- This is their most popular dish and it's easy to see why. The demi-glaze has a really unique flavor that ties the whole dish together beautifully. This was my pick and I'd order it again without hesitation. Guratan -- My boyfriend's order, and it was incredibly creamy and delicious. We were both too stuffed for dessert by the end, which says a lot about the portion sizes. Ambience: [5/5] The restaurant is small, but honestly that's part of what makes it so charming. Pink everywhere with wooden accents and cherry blossoms throughout (very fitting)--it's cozy, homey, and just really well put together. The intimate size adds to the appeal rather than taking away from it. Overall Experience: [5/5] Hatsuzakara was such a wonderful first experience. Yes, we waited about 30 minutes to be seated arriving at 7:30 on a Friday night but for a waitlist-only spot this small, that's actually a pretty reasonable wait by San Diego standards. The food, the atmosphere, and the staff more than made up for it. Already looking forward to coming back to try the curry and work through their dessert menu.

    This Japanese restaurant is so cute and pretty!! The servers also add to the Japanese vibe~…read more The menu is pretty easy to navigate. I feel like everything looked really good, so it was hard to decide what to order. The dishes have small portion size despite the price. I think this kinda helps in that you have room to eat dessert! The brown sugar Okinawa tea was good but the after taste of the sugar was not good. They kept the tea pot warm, and they served oat milk on the side. Karaage had too much chicken skin for my preference. Guratan was penne pasta and not macaroni as specified in the menu. Yakisoba could have used more chicken. Omurice had the more flavor and the egg was really good. I want to try naporitan next time because of the tomato based sauce. Of the desserts I tried, the parfait was most enjoyable because of the fruit with ice cream. The mushi pudding was good; it was the thick and "hard" type of flan. I want to try kakigori next time because I saw their shaved ice machine was legit. Parking - free street parking only. Be prepared to walk up/downhill. Credit card/apple pay accepted Bathroom is only one room in the back. THE SEAT IS WARM. This was a nice gem to find in this part of town.

    Photos
    Hatsuzakura - Interior view from front to back

    Interior view from front to back

    Hatsuzakura - Guratan with Asahi Beer

    Guratan with Asahi Beer

    Hatsuzakura - Eggs salad sandwich

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    Eggs salad sandwich

    Wa Dining OKAN - Rib Eye and Scallop X2

    Wa Dining OKAN

    4.3(1.5k reviews)
    0.0 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    We got the agedashi tofu and the deep fried baby octopus to share. Love both of these sides, the…read moretofu was extremely soft and flavorful and the octopus was crunchy, chewy, and just so flavorful. I got the Nabeyaki Udon, it was delicious, hearty, and filling. It really hit the spot on a cold cloudy day. The broth was light and clear and the udon was bouncy and chewy. I also loved all the ingredients, the chicken was tender and the shrimp tempera were light and crunchy.

    This is a low-key long-standing local spot with mostly regulars. Tucked right next to Nijiya…read moreMarket, it never relies on marketing--only authentic home-style flavors and consistent quality keep customers coming back. It's a cozy Japanese izakaya with warm yellow lighting, just like a traditional neighborhood pub in Tokyo. Perfect for casual drinks and enjoying a genuine laid-back vibe. I ordered the eel kamameshi, which took about 20 minutes to serve. Their house-marinated eel is incredibly fragrant. The Creamy Mentai Udon is a must-try: rich creamy flavor, savory pollock roe with no fishy taste, and perfectly chewy noodles that are absolutely addictive. Their grilled beef tongue is cooked to perfection--tender, juicy, and well-balanced in salt and sweetness. The teppanyaki is also very flavorful. Price range is mid to high, around $40+ per person. The staff gives off classic old-restaurant regular vibes: efficient and no overly formal small talk. It feels like a neighborhood comfort spot--warm and relaxed without forced hospitality.

    Photos
    Wa Dining OKAN - Partial view of indoor dining

    Partial view of indoor dining

    Wa Dining OKAN - Fried baby octopus

    Fried baby octopus

    Wa Dining OKAN - "Tamago" + unagi

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    "Tamago" + unagi

    Yakitori Taisho - Pork belly

    Yakitori Taisho

    4.4(555 reviews)
    1.9 miClairemont
    $$

    A great little yakitori spot in an unsuspecting strip mall. Weirdly tucked in the back beside the…read moreSmart & Final, this little shop has an authentic and extensive menu. Love the wings, garlic, edamame, chicken heart, and quail eggs! It gets busy so try to call ahead an hour or two for a reservation. Definitely worth hitting up! Update: Came back tonight with my mom after a two year absence because my mom was craving beef tongue. Everything was even better than I remember. The wait staff was super friendly and accommodating. I loved the quail eggs, chicken wings, beef tongue with wasabi, and brussel sprouts. This is by far one of the best yakitori spots in San Diego. Highly recommend! Remember to call and make a reservation the day before! Update 2: Still insanely good. Call before for a reservation. Top items: Brussel sprouts, beef tongue, fried garlic, smashed fresh wasabi. This place is the gift that keeps on giving!

    Wow! This place is equal or better than the yakitori I've had in Japan. They grill the yakitori…read moreperfectly with the aroma of charcoal. Literally everything was good including the braised wasabi beef that was so tender and flavorful. We had everything on the yakitori menu except the vein and again nothing disappointed. The beef skewers were good but the chicken skewers were the stars. Although the bacon wrapped pork belly was exceptional and my wife's favorite. The customer service was fantastic. They would come by to drop off or take our order. Make sure you make reservations because this place is very busy.

    Photos
    Yakitori Taisho - Legit

    Legit

    Yakitori Taisho - Scallop and Squid Legs

    Scallop and Squid Legs

    Yakitori Taisho - Sake bombs!

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    Sake bombs!

    Cui-daore - Sanji's Tuna Roll

    Cui-daore

    4.7(67 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    This place is one of my new favorite spots! It's pretty hidden, tucked away in an unassuming little…read moreplaza in an industrial area. I think the people there were also surprised to have us come by, because they asked how we came across the place. Apparently it's recently gotten taken over by a new owner and remodeled. The interior and exterior is super cute, with kawaii Japanese decorations all throughout. There's also a cute cat theme throughout, with a little paw print stamped into the wasabi and little ceramic cat chopstick holders. The food was reasonably priced and also delicious. My favorite was the Inari set, which were very plump and full of delicious fish and juicy tofu skin. The Ajitama eggs were also yummy, and the sauce it's marinated was good enough to drink up after. When it came to the rolls, there were so many good ones to choose from, I'll have to come back to try more of them. We went with the Sanji's roll and the Buldak roll. Both of them are really well done, but I still think the Inari set was the star of the show for this meal. I also saw they sold other rice dishes/dons, which looked good, and I'll have to try that another time. There was also a selection of sakes and beers to try. Didn't try it this time, but there was a yuzu sorbet that I would want next time. Overall, this place is a hidden gem, the staff is friendly, the interior is cozy, and the food is affordable and good quality. I almost hope this place doesn't become too popular, but I'll be happy for them if it does.

    Solid sushi spot in Mira Mesa! We walked in without a resy on a weekday night and surprised the…read morerestaurant was pretty filled. There was ample of parking in the lot surrounded by breweries. We were immediately seated at one table by the speakers. The music was blaring right at us, it was a bit loud and the owner noticed and turned it down a notch. Service is an area of improvement and could use a little more support. Nonetheless I think they are family owned and really tried their best! I thought the rolls were a bit on the pricier end. This is what we ordered: - Daruma Roll (5/5): This was my favorite dish of the night! I like scallops and might be a little biased but this worked out perfectly with the ikura and yuzu aioli. - Citrus Hamachi Roll (4.5/5): This was my fiancés favorite and my runnerup. I wished it was salmon on the inside instead. - Protein Roll (4/5): Solid but nothing spectacular, it's just like any other protein roll but the price was a bit steep. - Inari Set (4/5): Flavorful, great for sharing, and perfect introduction to inari - Shrimp Tempura (3.5/5): Would pass on this next time - Annin Tofu dessert (4/5): I love almond tofu but I'm not sure about the granola and it's a little on the sweeter side. The crunch adds texture but perhaps something else besides granola might suit it better like

    Photos
    Cui-daore - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Cui-daore - Tuna Poke bowl

    Tuna Poke bowl

    Cui-daore - Sea Dragon roll. Seaweed salad.

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    Sea Dragon roll. Seaweed salad.

    Izakaya Masa - Ochazuke

    Izakaya Masa

    4.2(1.5k reviews)
    4.5 miMission Hills
    $$

    How have I not been here before! This not-so-hidden gem is probably one of the best sushi spots…read moreI've been to in San Diego. My friend and I met up for dinner and put our names down at 5:15pm. We were there 15 minutes before they opened. Although, we were eighth in line, we were seated first since no one else was around. Once we were seated, our server came around and took our order for drinks and appetizer. We started with seaweed salad, fried gyoza, and tuna carpaccio. The tuna carpaccio was delicious and I loved the garlic. I wanted to order everything on the menu, but was sold on the rolls. I ordered the spicy hamachi roll and the cherry blossom roll, which was recommended by the server. Both rolls were the freshest sushi I've had in a long time. The flavors were perfect and they weren't flashy rolls. They were classic rolls that showcased the fish so well. The service was incredible, everyone was so friendly and I really enjoyed the whole experience. I can't wait to come back, especially on a colder day to try their ramen!

    They do have a list outside where you put your name down. We came a little early knowing there…read morewould be a line. I genuinely thought people were exaggerating how great this place was, especially when it came to authenticity. They were not. Not one item we ordered was bad and we ordered about 20 dishes. The ramen was the absolute winner. Best ramen I have had in San Diego. I was blown away by the broth and the noodles. The sushi was great, including the spicy tuna. Everything tasted fresh and fairly priced. You really can't beat these prices. The fried chicken and tuna carpaccio were standout appetizers. Honorable mention to the chicken katsu roll. It was insanely massive and so good. We will absolutely be back to try more appetizers and the ramen. We recently went to Japan and this ramen has been the closest we have had to what we experienced there. I didn't even take a picture of it before it was in my stomach!

    Photos
    Izakaya Masa
    Izakaya Masa - Green tea mochi

    Green tea mochi

    Izakaya Masa - Green tea mochi

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    Green tea mochi

    Tanuki - Exterior

    Tanuki

    4.4(523 reviews)
    4.6 miKensington
    $$

    Such a cute hole‑in‑the‑wall spot on the tail end of Kensington! I had no idea this place existed…read morefor years, but I'm so glad I finally found it. Located in a small shopping center with a few parking spaces, Tanuki is a great tapas and standard sushi spot. It leans more toward Asian‑fusion tapas with some sushi rolls and a limited selection of nigiri and sashimi. If you're looking for specialty fish, a huge roll list, or omakase, this isn't that kind of sushi place. But if you want a wide selection of sake, fun fusion tapas, and some classic sushi options, this is your spot. I love that they have a small bar and that cozy, true hole‑in‑the‑wall feel. The staff is friendly, the vibe is relaxed, and it's the perfect place to come alone, with a friend, or for a casual date night. The quality is solid, and the service is fast and welcoming. They also have some great sake and green‑tea‑based drinks. I love it here -- definitely a go‑to spot for us.

    Arrived around 6:30pm and were seated at an outside table. Table for 4 and we ordered quite a few…read moredishes to share. Based on reviews, the Sake Wasa appeared to be popular so we gave it a try. I'm not a big fan of wasabi but this one was good. The crispy rice, salmon carpaccio, roasted striped bass, spicy scallop roll, spider roll . . . All good. The fish was fresh and they were all light. Also ordered a panna cotta and matcha cheesecake - both were good as well and nice way to finish our meal. At no time did we feel rushed. Service was friendly and they checked on us often.

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    Tanuki - Exterior

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    Bistro Kaz - italian - Updated May 2026

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