Hakumaru Sushi in 4S Ranch is an absolute gem! Located in a fantastic, upscale area, it sets the tone for a great night as soon as you walk in. Staff were exceptionally warm and friendly, making us feel like regulars. Being a nigiri guy, I'm particular about my sushi, but theirs was solid. The fish was fresh, cut to perfection, and tasted incredible. My wife ordered a few of their specialty rolls. I'm normally not a roll guy, but I ended up stealing bites because they just hit. I believe he was the head chef, but Anthony, was super cool, personable, and talented. You can tell he takes a lot of pride in his craft, and it really shows on the plate. If you are looking for a solid sushi joint, a great neighborhood vibe, and stellar hospitality, you have to check this place out! read more

We ordered takeout, and the food was packaged well! We ordered the: -Sashimi champloo ($31.95): This had twelve pieces of prime cuts of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and chef's choice. Every piece was delicious! -Chirashi bowl ($30.95): I really enjoyed the sushi rice in this bowl since not every restaurant does quality sushi rice. The sashimi was pretty good, but quality wise the sashimi champloo was definitely superior. -Salmon mango roll ($9.50): This had spicy salmon, mango, and ume furikake. This was quite tasty, and definitely had a kick to it. -Maru Maru roll ($9.50): This had imitation crab meat, shrimp tempura, and avocado. A basic roll but still good. -Chicken katsu curry don ($16.95): This was disappointing because the portion was quite small for the price. I do like how the curry was packaged separately. All in all, Hakumaru has quality sashimi and rolls, but could work on portion size for chicken katsu curry don. read more

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Hakumaru is a quality sushi spot in the beautiful 4s ranch neighborhood with reasonable prices. Seating is fairly limited inside so I'd recommend a reservation for dinner. We were having takeout so we didn't have to worry about seating. Food: Sashimi Champloo: ($31.95) 12 pieces of prime cuts of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and chefs choice. The fish quality was solid and the pieces were good sizes. Chirashi: assorted sashimi, ikaru, tamago, sushi rice. This was also solid, the quality was solid but a step below the Champloo and the pieces were smaller than the Champloo. Chicken Katsu Don: delicious flavors in the curry, wonderful texture on the katsu, but had a surprisingly small volume of rice. I'd like to try the belly sampler (salmon, tuna, chef's choice) ($28.95) and sashimi bebop ($52.95) (18 pieces chefs choice) at my next visit! read more

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A gem of a place tucked in a strip mall in 4S Ranch. Lunch on Sunday...had a nice hum of customers. Love the different screens with anime and baseball. Fun J-pop music. It's dark but feels classy and cozy; love the minimalist, clean lines. My chirashi was amazing!! Artful presentation. Wonderful blend of flavors. The fish and rice were a lovely balance, including the same temperature...not cold or warm. The quality was top notch. One of the best I've had. Best miso soup I've had in a restaurant. Excellent flavor. And it had enoki mushrooms on top of the wakame and tofu. Delicious!! Maybe a little green onions to top it off for color would be nice. My husband loved his mentaiko pasta. Delicate flavor, not swimming in a sauce, and the mentaiko was able to shine in its quiet way. Beautiful place! read more

Hakumaru - Chirashi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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High quality sushi at a low-key spot! We visited during early dinner without a reservation and was lucky to get seated right away! It looks like most of the other tables were reserved for reservations. The decor is modern and very clean and chic. They also had a high chair and was accommodating with our baby. Food was incredible and the quality of the fish is evident throughout. We started with the mixed shrimp and vegetable tempura - light crispy batter, really good. The sashimi champaloo came with 12 pieces of sashimi, salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and the fish of the day was albacore. For rolls, we got the Luna Lemon, Maru's Sushi Toro, and Hamachi Hiro. The rolls were a good size and I loved how each had a fun twist (but at the same time not TOO crazy with their combinations like some other sushi places). You can tell it was designed with intention and each roll had a nice balance. The Luna Lemon roll was great with spicy tuna inside, salmon outside, and the soy dressing and shallot oil put it over the top. The Maru's Sushi - Toro roll looked so good in the photos so I knew we had to order it. The negitoro was delicious and did not disappoint. The Hamachi Hiro roll was hearty and loved the combination of yellowtail outside the shrimp tempura in the inside. We were blown away by how fast the service is. The staff was friendly and on top of everything, and the food came out REALLY fast. For example, when we ordered an extra roll at the end, it came out in maybe 3 minutes and we were shocked. Highly recommend! read more

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Quick dinner out and was surprised how slow it was for a weekend evening. My husband and I were seated right away and orders taken pretty quickly. The menu is pretty extensive, but it definitely has a good quality for what we ordered. Service is quick and ordering to food coming out was pretty fast. For someone with a low tolerance of spice, you never know how spicy the spicy tuna will actually be, I gambled wrong for my tolerance. Delicious none the less but for me a little too spicy haha! The other rolls were fantastic though, and all very good. Would definitely come again if in the area! read more

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Easily the absolute BEST sushi restaurant I've been to! Food quality is unmatched. You can tell how much they really care about their cuisine by the fresh high quality ingredients that they use. Easily recommend this to anyone looking to satisfy their sushi craving. The atmosphere is welcoming and clean, and the staff is friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Portion sizes are generous, prices are fair, and the consistency keeps me coming back. Whether you're a first-timer or a regular, Hakumaru delivers every time. Easily one of my go-to spots when I'm craving quality Japanese comfort food! read more

Hakumaru - Hamachi Hiro Aburi Sake Salmon Dac Biet - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Been to Hakumaru a handful of times now since its opening, each time with a different party. I've gone different times of day as well and that really affected the overall experience and service. If you arrive during a slower time of day like 2 pm, I've experienced that service is typically more attentive because of the minimal tables being served. My most recent visit was on a Friday at 530 pm - which was a mistake on my part. Every seat was filled and service was extremely slow. I saw my server when I ordered and when I took my bill. I had wanted to put another order in but didn't want to wait another 30 minutes for a roll to come out. All that to say, it really depends on when you arrive. Other than that, service is always friendly. Now onto what really matters - the sushi. I'd say that Hakumaru has the best quality sushi in RB/4S ranch. Their fish is always fresh and you can taste how buttery some of their cuts are. I love the attention to detail they put into both their rolls and nigiri. Some of my favorite pieces here are Hotate, Engawa, Shima Aji, and their Ankimo. Their Fire Lord Yuki is a solid roll too. I'm an avid fan of Azuki in downtown, but Hakumaru is a great contender on my list of sushi spots in SD, especially with it being a lot closer to me. I've continued to recommend this spot to my friends and coworkers - even coworkers from Japan say the quality here is decent. Come here for the sushi and if you have the time to spend. Dining here will require time for the chefs to serve you, it's not somewhere to go for something quick. read more

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Wanted to take my kids to sushi for my birthday. We go to a lot of sushi spots. The one I really wanted to go to was closed because it's never let me down. I went to this place based solely off of reviews. Saw the 4.6 rating and was really excited. Unfortunately the only really good thing I had was the spicy garlic edamame. That was really tasty! We ordered the fried gyoza. Not much flavor at all sadly and the plate they serve it in doesn't hold much sauce. I was also excited to have my son try crispy rice, since he's never had it (but I've tried it at a lot of sushi places across SD and LA). I was so disappointed. It wasn't very crispy. Kind of fell apart, and not much flavor. The sushi rolls we had were good, just not great. I was underwhelmed. I feel bad writing this but I also feel like I have to be honest. Overall the place was cute and a good location. But I wouldn't come back. read more

Hakumaru - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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What a fantastic sushi spot tucked away in this little 4S Ranch shopping center. Literally a perfect date night spot and the vibe inside was very dark and intimate. We sat at the bar and realized we were just in time for happy hour! We talked and laughed and shared food and it was the perfect night. The edamame was delicious and the shishito peppers were so great to much on as an appetizer. We also got the pan fried gyoza but I didn't care for that one as much because it wasn't very crispy. Still, it was happy hour so we didn't spend that much on it regardless and I thought the offerings for happy hour were still really amazing. That was it for the happy hour menu and then we also got a salmon cut roll and a spicy tuna roll. Both were fantastic. I loved how much spicy tuna was on the plate - they did not skimp! I was already so full from the appetizers but I ate both of these rolls regardless with zero regrets haha. I would say this place is small so make sure to plan accordingly. We didn't have to wait too long but I can see this filling up pretty fast, especially on a weekend. I will definitely be back to try more of the menu. I'm super impressed by how fresh the sushi was and how cool this place was. Great vibe and great food! read more

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Food was all good and tasted fresh! Service was friendly and efficient. Casual and nice atmosphere to hangout with friends. Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday, wish they did a little birthday thing but that's okay! I'm a fan of sushi rolls so those were my fave! read more

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This place is a hidden gem in the middle of a shopping center. They have the most unique rolls which I absolutely loved. Everything was fresh and flavorful. The server was fast getting our orders in and bringing everything to our table. I recommend getting reservations since it was busy and there was limited seating. read more

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I've dined here a couple of times and every time has been wonderful. Staffs are all nice, welcoming, and detail oriented when it comes to service. The vibes are immaculate as they play studio Ghibli vibes music and videos and their menu is so unique and delicious. You honestly can't go wrong ordering any of their special rolls or appetizers. I will for sure be visiting Hakumaru again! read more

Hakumaru - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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My new favorite Sushi spot in North SD! This place is the real deal! They have everything from specialty rolls, Chef's choices (omakase-like), and non-sushi items. The chef's choice came with 8 pcs of nigiri which was absolutely INCREDIBLE. Tasted like a high end omakase restaurant. From the moment we walked in, the service was warm and attentive without being overbearing. The fish tasted incredibly fresh, and every roll was beautifully presented. The aesthetics in the store are also incredible :) The atmosphere was clean, modern, and relaxed, making it a great place for both a casual dinner and a special night out. Prices were very reasonable for the quality you get. read more

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This place was tasty and had great service. Nice cozy and sleek aesthetic with their L shaped sushi bar. Between 4 of us (2 guys and 2 girls) we shared 2 katsu curry dons, 4 sushi rolls, and 1 noodle based dish. Was happily full after that. read more

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Omg soooooo good! My manager & I came to eat here for lunch & we were in love with that karaage! & the rolls were so good... I DEFINITELY will be coming back!!! read more

Hakumaru - The 4S, Maruto, & Philadelphia roll! - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

We like to try different place. This place is small. Sushi bar and some tables to sit at. The guy who sat us also served us and sat and served everyone else. What we got: Chicken Katsu Curry Don - bf ordered this. He loved it. He wished it was bigger Sukiyaki Beef Bowl - this was good. We got 2 rolls. Can't remember the name of the first one, but the second one was the Lemon Roll. Both were good. We would come back try try other things.. or more sushi. read more

Hakumaru - Sukiyaki Beef Bowl (front) Chicken Katsu Curry Don (back - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Oh my goodness! This restaurant is absolutely amazing! I am currently planning my next visit as I write this review. Located in 4s Ranch, in the Shell shopping station. I came for lunch & sat at the bar. The sushi chef & server were excellent, always checking in on me & making sure that I had everything that I needed. Salmon Belly Nigiri: Wow! So fresh & delicious. Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice: *drool* This was incredibly tasty. Luna Lemon Roll: Yummy roll, flavorful & refreshing with the lemon. Great selection of sake! I ordered Kubota Junmai Daiginjo & it was lightly sweet. read more

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Delicious sushi! We make a point to stop in every time we are visiting San Diego. The rolls are unique and so flavorful. The fish is always fresh. Service is really nice too. read more

Stumbling upon restaurants like Hakumaru are my favorite kinds of find. A true hidden gem Came for dinner on a Friday night and it wasn't super busy. Staff was welcoming and had a lot of recommendations Started with the agitate crudo which is a must if you love scallop The Chirashi which you can never go wrong with. Excellent quality fish good portions Ordered a bunch of rolls for the table but the Hamachi Hiro (blueberry sounds weird in sushi but it worked) and the Marito rolls were the standouts. But i mean they were all good Haramaru standouts on a road less traveled (literally if you're not a local)Give them a try next time you want a new sushi spot that will impress! read more

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Fantastic quality even as take out. The chef's sampler of sashimi was fabulous . Will be our new go-to

First time visiting Hakumaru Sushi in 4S Ranch and I was really impressed! Although the restaurant is small, it feels spacious. The vibe is decidedly classy with rich dark hues, yet well lit. Service could not have been more professional, friendly, and accommodating. I ordered the Chicken Yakitori Bowl and it was excellent. Chunks of tender, tasty chicken thigh grilled with tare, green onion, cabbage and bell pepper, served over white rice. I also appreciated their use of stemless wine glasses. Highly recommended. read more

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Google AI says the name comes from the two dogs of the owners, Haku and Maru. That might explain the two dog faces in the background of the menu card. It has a cozy and inviting interior. When we went on a weekday it was not too busy. The service was excellent with very attentive and courteous staff. Food was amazing and they two sided menu card is full of interesting rolls, Sashimis and hot food. We ordered a bunch of items and the crispy rice tuna and the Halibut Carpacio really stood out . The spicy Tuna Albacore roll and the Toro rolls were also delicious . Definitely on my list to go back . read more

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My wife and I stumbled in here for lunch because they were the only spot open on a Monday a few months ago. Had an amazing experience with Irwin taking great care of us. We decided to go back for lunch again and got lucky enough to get his service again. Absolutely has become our favorite spot. We've been all over SD for sushi and this is easily the best in north county. It's like Azuki vibes but a hidden quiet gem in 4S. Wish we had found it sooner but it has become our new go to for dates. Great presentation on apps, amazing nigiri selection and rolls are packed with flavor. Highly recommend asking for the house favorites as well. Irwin hasn't steered us wrong yet. Can't wait to go back for a dinner next time. read more

Amazing! My husband and I came on a whim and we fell in love! We were greeted by some chefs and the host as we walked in and we sat at the bar. The place was quaint and intimate and felt very cozy. There were TVs playing anime segments of food and cool fight scenes which caught my attention pretty often. The food was AMAZING. You can taste the quality in the fish and the rolls and how much time was dedicated in each of the dishes. My husband and I had to order more because it was THAT good! I will come back here again 10/10! read more

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My friends and I finally tried this place for dinner and I was amazeddd at how delicious it was. The restaurant itself is super cute and small. Very simple, clean vibes. The service was great. Our server, Kate, gave wonderful recommendations and was very passionate about her job which we love! There are 8 tables and bar seating available. It gets packed so I definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Plenty of free parking available in the lot. Definitely recommend giving this restaurant a try if you're in the area and looking for some yummy sushi. Food/drink review: 3 different sakes: (5/5) I don't remember the names. I didn't drink but everyone at the table said they were delicious and super smooth! Pretty good price for the carafe. Salmon belly and yellowtail nigiri: (5/5) Melt in your mouth buttery soft! So fresh and tasty! Wagyu nigiri: (5/5) OMG. Bombbbb. Pricey, but worth it. So dang good. Hamachi & halibut carpaccio: (5/5) Both were soo damn good and fresh. I did like the one with the chili crunch business. I forget which one! Spicy garlic edamame: (5/5) Little kick, but not too spicy. The sauce was so good I added it to my soy sauce for dipping! Yummy! Jordan roll: (5/5) Bomb! My favorite roll. Flavors blended well together. Would def order again. Maru shishi toro: (4/5) It wasn't my favorite. It was pretty good, but lacked flavor compared to the other ones. Crispy tuna rice: (4/5) Yummy! I wish there was a little more crunch to the rice but overall it was really good! Creme brûlée: (4/5) I was excited to try this one! It's definitely a unique flavor and you definitely taste the earl grey. Chocolate: (5/5) simple and delicious dessert! It was so soft and melt in your mouth chocolate. They were very rich in flavor. read more

Everything we ordered was sooo good here. The fish is so fresh, and the dishes are creative. The server was so nice too and super busy. We ordered a few dishes: the belly sampler, kohaku dragon roll, and the halibut isuzukuri. The belly sampler was melt-in-your-mouth delicious! It comes with 3 pieces of salmon, tuna, and chef's choice. The kohaku dragon roll is like a regular dragon roll except that it's topped with sesame oil and roasted nori flakes, which gave it a nice texture and boost of flavor. Really good! The halibut was the star of the show for me. The server told us to eat the monkfish liver and the halibut together. Oh my gosh it was so good! It's definitely not for everyone I imagine, but if you're open to it, it's worth a try. I think they might have been understaffed. It was a Monday night, and it was packed. We actually called first to make sure we'd get a table. We got there at a good time right before the dinner rush. read more

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My favorite sushi place for the north SD area! Their sashimi has been fresh everytime, very unique dishes also available like carpaccio with monk fish liver that you can't easily find elsewhere to try. They also have a rotating specials menu so there's different seafood options to try for your sushi and also cooked options. My go to is the chirashi bowl. Good portions and delicious sashimi! Sushi is one of my favorite foods, so I don't say it lightly :). I have brought family and friends back here too My brother in law brought his kid and tried the chicken of the sea nuggets (tuna) and even I loved them! Friendly service, although sometimes food takes a while to come out. The parking is plentiful, in a plaza parking lot. Good ambiance for a bit more casual date night that's cozy! read more

I came here for dinner tonight and was blown away by the freshness and quality of each dish. Our party decided to go all out and ordered quite a few items on the menu. From the appetizers, specials, rolls, sashimi, and dessert. A few stand out dishes we ordered were the hamachi carpaccio, halibut usuzukuri, shishito peppers, and the mentaiko pasta. We also got one of the specials which was the mango miso harasu which is not available everyday. I'm so glad we ordered it because it truly was one of the best bites I've had. You HAVE to save room for dessert and try the matcha brownie. It was the perfect way to end our meal. Everything was so incredibly flavorful. Each dish was so unique. You can tell there is a lot of attention and care that goes into preparing these meals. Each dish was so beautiful to look at and even better to eat. On top of the incredible food, the service was amazing. This place is on the smaller side, but the interior design is so nicely done, that it really feels like you're getting a fine dining experience. This place is really special and I can't wait to come back again! read more

Hakumaru - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Best sushi I've tasted in San Diego thus far!! Definitely try the wagu beef sushi and the tuna sushi was topped with crispy truffle flavored potato shreds...so good. Service was great and friendly. Nice small Japanese sushi bar with tables ambience. read more

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The fish was super fresh, the food was amazing, and the service was just as good. The ambiance was nice and cozy, which made the whole experience even better. Everything felt high quality and well done. Definitely a spot I'd come back to and recommend! read more

This spot has always been a go‑to sushi location over the years, even though the restaurants and management kept changing. It finally feels like Hakumaru might be the one that sticks. Our visit didn't start great. The place was packed, and even though we arrived early, the host didn't take our name--he just said they were cleaning a few tables. We waited, but people who came in after us were added to the list and seated before us. Obviously, we weren't happy. Once we brought it up to the staff, though, they fixed it right away. Erwin really stepped in to make things right, and we appreciated his effort. To kick things off, we ordered a local draft Asahi and an orange cream soda for the kids. For appetizers, we had shishito peppers, seaweed salad, and chicken karaage. The karaage and its dipping sauce were delicious. The shishito peppers were soaked in a sukiyaki-style sauce--so good and not spicy at all. Plus, the bonito flakes on top started moving from the heat (check my videos!). The seaweed salad was a little too sweet for our taste. For rolls, we followed the staff's recommendations and ordered: Salmon Dac Biet (krab, shrimp tempura, avocado, salmon, fried leeks/serrano, coconut milk, eel sauce, habanero oil) - This was melting in our mouth, best Sushi we ever had. Rainbow Roll (krab, avocado, cucumber, assorted fish) Maru Maru (krab, shrimp tempura, avocado) - Very simple and tasty California Roll - Never go wrong for my little one For dessert, we had the matcha brownie with miso caramel, powdered sugar, and vanilla ice cream. This was hands down the best thing we tried. The brownie was firm on the bottom and soft on top--perfect with the vanilla ice cream. At the end we got Matcha chocolate as compliment, it was Yumm. The restaurant itself is pretty small for the amount of people they get, and it's definitely on the pricier side. But overall, once the rocky start was sorted out, we had a really good experience. read more

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Stopped in for chicken katsu curry. It was very tasty. The only thing missing was a bit of Japanese pickles... I missed them. Excellent service and nice ambiance. Recommend. read more

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My kids love japanese cuisine so I'm glad we found this place and it's close to home. I've been here a few times and the food and experience has been pleasant. Fish has been fresh and my kids enjoy what we order for them so it's a win win. I only wish that they would change their happy hr time to an earlier time as 7pm is a but too late for true happy hr. It's a small restaurant with not so much seating so I recommend coming before the dinner rush to avoid waiting. We always do this since our little people don't have much patience. Servers are quick, attentive and friendly. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Been wanting to try this place because a friend kept raving about it and we finally got to try. My wife and I went right when they opened and we ordered a lot to try. The fish tasted fresh with no fishy smell. Everything we tried was delicious! Our server Irvin? Sorry I forgot his exact name was very polite and helpful in explaining what was on the menu. The restaurant had a modern look which my wife liked. Not too noisy since we went right when they opened. The halibut carpaccio was soooooo delicious and the unagi had the perfect char. Definitely would recommend this spot to try for a date night or lunch! We'll be coming back to try other things as well read more

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What a disappointment. Came here for a birthday and asked if they do something for it. They said "they can put a candle on it." Not a biggie I guess but a little customer service goes a long way. Sat down ordered 2 salmon nigiri, wagyu nigiri and yellowtail nigiri, unagi don, Luna lemon roll, 2 dragon rolls, tuna tataki roll, grilled oysters. Turned a year older waiting for food to come out. It just slowly trickled in. Everything was fine but pretty standard. Water left unfilled because they got busy. Matcha brownie came out without candle or anything. About $200 total for standard sushi, nonchalant service, and still hungry. Went to pick up California burrito for $12 afterwards. So much more satisfying. read more

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This place is a gem! The staff is amazing and very professional! Crystal is an excellent server and employee, always smiling and has introduced me to some amazing dishes! i.e. Negitoro Don (for the uni, quail egg, salmon roe lovers) The sushi quality is very good, very well presented and super fresh! Very authentic and impressive house dishes! The ambience is very quaint but hip, not too loud but not too quiet, Very nice crowd from family groups to dates to friends! Super fun and delicious spot! read more

Yelp asked 'What went well?' as the header for this...since you asked, everything!!!! We usually get to go, but today we ate in. It's so nice when you don't have to clean up :) Nice restaurant, kinda small so I can see it getting really busy at times with maybe even a wait. We came in on a Thursday at 5ish, was seated quickly. It was like the wait staff knew us? But we have never ate there, just picked up. Got something different than last time, things we thought would be better eaten there. Everything was amazing! Flavor - spot in. Serving size was perfect. Very fresh. Oysters were clean, refreshing, next time I may get 2 orders. A must come again! Lucky us, it's around the corner from home. read more

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Hakumaru offers Asian pan fusion sushi rolls. I highly highly recommend you come check this place out for their Dac Biet and sushi rolls!

I came here with a very specific mission to try the Luna Lemon roll, as I was craving it and this place had excellent reviews. Let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint! The first bite I took literally made my eyes light up there is sooo much flavor and it is incredibly refreshing and light! I don't typically like to order the same thing twice but let me tell you I can't wait to come back again for this one read more

Hakumaru - Luna Lemon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California