Honestly this place is so good. The atmosphere genuinely feels like you walked into a cafe in Japan it's cozy, cute, and nothing like your typical San Diego restaurant. It's based on the kissaten café style from Japan and you can really feel that when you're sitting there. Servers were friendly and attentive as well The omurice was amazing. fluffy egg over brisket fried rice with a house-made demi-glace that all just works together really well. Got the earl grey lavender tea to go with it and that combo alone is worth the trip. Already planning to come back and try more of the menu. read more

Hatsuzakura - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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This Japanese restaurant is so cute and pretty!! The servers also add to the Japanese vibe~ 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. read more

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Finally got to try this cute Japanese cafe we saw on TikTok, and it did not disappoint! 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. read more

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THE OMURICE IS SO GOOD The sauce was ketchup forward and the meat was tender although not a lot of it. The sauce was soo good. Everything else was cooked perfectly. The egg was soft, creamy, and not overcooked. I WAS SO HAPPY EATING THIS Guratan was a creamy baked mac and cheese. It was good and creamy, but a little too cheesy and creamy. Tuna Mayo Onigiri WAS BUSS. HUGE. AND PACKED WITH TUNA MAYO. Solid onigiri and very filling. Matcha latte was rich in flavor but the milk was just a tad bit overpowering. The yozakura milk tea was nutty and floral, delishhh Service was so nice and attentive. There was a bit of a wait for a weekday dinner because of how small the restaurant. can't wait to go back! read more

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This review is strictly for the desserts and drinks! Love the decor and the cute design every time we come in. We've been here quite a few times now and decided it's best to come during dessert hours. The wait can get pretty long because it's popular, but it's honestly worth it, especially for date nights. Parking is still tough to find during prime time, so be prepared for a bit of a walk and a wait. $16.50 for the parfait is still kinda shocking, but we always end up ordering it anyway lol. The kakigori is also really good, especially the seasonal blueberry flavor. You can tell it's house made with their puree. read more

Hatsuzakura - Parfait and Kakugori - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Loved this spot. Came here the morning of my birthday and we ordered a curry, ceremonial matcha and milk tea. It's a hidden little gem and I do want to come back and try more items on the menu. Everything looks delicious. Good ambiance inside and service was very quick/friendly. It's just a bit smaller, so not ideal for bigger groups. read more

Hatsuzakura - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

My BFF & I came here for an early dinner. For drinks, I ordered the Yozakura Milk Tea and my friend got the Earl Grey Lavender Milk Tea. We ordered the Hatsuzakura Curry and Chef Soichi's Karaage to share. These 2 dishes complemented each other well and we really enjoyed our dining experience here. It came with side salads that were fresh and had a light dressing. Loved the decor with the light pink and Cherry blossom theme. Definitely recommend this place! read more

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If you're looking for a cute, small, warm, cozy date dinner spot... this is it. The place is very very cute and feels intimate without being cramped. It's perfect for a lowkey date night where you just want to sit, talk, and eat comfort food. Price wise, I wouldn't say it's cheap, but it's not crazy expensive either. It feels fair for the quality and the vibe. My favorite is their curry. It's super rich and just tastes... homey. I don't even know how to describe it other than it feels like comfort in a bowl. The flavor is deep and cozy and makes you want to keep eating even when you're already full. The milk teas were kind of ehh for me. They all tasted very milky, so I couldn't really tell much of a difference between the flavors. Not bad, just nothing too special. Their shaved ice is HUMONGOUS. Like actually huge. There's nothing too crazy about it, it's mostly fluffy ice with homemade syrup, but it's fun to share and looks cute on the table. Overall, it's definitely a must try for a cozy date night. The vibe is adorable and the service was great too. I'd come back just for the curry and the atmosphere alone. read more

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The place was super super amazing. Love everyone there. They were super nice and were helpful with my daughter. The ambiance was great! Love the Howl's Moving Castle background music while enjoying my meal. The matcha drink was delicious. The omurice was good, but was more on the sweet side. The curry was much better, but both was satisfying. The coffee jelly really hit the spot. My daughter also enjoyed the virgin sake (apple juice) as she got a little wild when I was enjoying the dessert in the end. In summary, awesome place to eat. Going to come again for the yakisoba and the pudding. read more

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Although the ambiance and service were top-tier, the food was quite mediocre for the premium price. *FOOD* Omurice - The Omurice had a pleasant earthy tomato flavor which meshed well with the rice and egg. I would say this is one of the better dishes. Karaage - The chicken karaage had a good ratio of breading to chicken and the chicken itself was juicy. However, there was not much flavor and it tasted like I was just chewing on plain chicken. I would not get this again. Yakisoba - The yakisoba had a sweet taste and was a very small portion for its price. I didn't think of anything special in the flavor that would make me want to buy this again. Daifuku - The red bean filling was a little bit too sweet for my taste. The mochi wasn't anything special. I don't see anything special that warrants its price, so I would probably not come again. read more

Hatsuzakura - Omurice - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Surprisingly amazing. A small hidden gem that had a simple menu but so good. We ordered two HIYASHI UDON's but one was the hot curry that you can upgrade too. The regular is a Japanese traditional chilled and it was amazing. For dessert we got the KAKIGORI SHAVED ICE which had strawberry with matcha ice cream. So refreshing and generous portions. Everything about this place was perfection. read more

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I've been wanting to check this place out for some time and finally had the chance to. They did not disappoint! The hayashi omurice was savory and delicious. The egg was really fluffy, and the meat was tender and juicy. I also ordered the Okinawa brown sugar milk tea. It's probably one of the best milk teas I've ever had. It had the perfect amount of sweetness. The flavors all worked well together. Can't wait to go back to try some other items on their menu. read more

Hatsuzakura - Hayashi Omurice - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Finally got a chance to visit this hidden gem in San Diego. I gotta say, first impressions do really matter. When you enter this place, the ambiance makes you feel like you want to celebrate an occasion here. The space is limited but in a good way; it encourages more intimacy and quality time. Staff were very kind and attentive. Very intentional and efficient. Now we go with the food and drinks; Absolutely amazed on the drinks! Very refreshing and unique at the same time. The curry and omurice was definitely the highlight as it has a very homemade feel and taste; which makes you want to order more. Ended our night with some desserts and that definitely hit the spot. The coffee jelly was on point; not overtly sweet like the other places we experienced and the mango mochi was a very sweet gesture from their end. Overall, I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back! read more

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This restaurant was highly recommended so of course I had to try. The inside is small (very Japanese feeling) but so cute inside. Cherry Blossoms decor which is so warm & comforting. The food was amazing. I had the hatsuzakura curry, and the fruit sando. We had the Bakundan onigiri, & the yakisoba. Even the earl grey lavender tea was delicious. I loved this restaurant it reminded me of Japan. The wait staff were all so kind. I'll be back for sure. read more

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Hatsuzakura is a local Japanese cafe serving some of the best and most authentic Japanese food. Honestly, so yummy. The drinks are great. The food is excellent. And the desserts are amazing! The hojicha latte was my favorite of the drinks! The entrees have not disappointed. I will say I like the Guratan and Hayashi Omurice better than the curry. The Hatsuzakura Curry is good but I thought the beef was a little overcooked. The flavor of the curry was great though. The Ichigo Daifuku was excellent, and I really liked the pudding as well! The service is always friendly and quick. Make sure to come early to sign in as the place is a little small and is always kind of packed! Overall, Hatsuzakura remains an excellent Japanese spot in San Diego! read more

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Escaped a rainy Thursday evening (8:00ish) for a meal at Hatsuzakura with a couple friends. Finding neighborhood street parking was a bit difficult considering its very popular neighbor, but we got lucky a few blocks away. The cafe was at about 30% capacity with a handful of the bar seats and tables occupied and we were seated upon entry. Our hostess and server were particularly welcoming and offered some very solid recommendations and menu information. Between the japandi interior and fairylike accents, it's no wonder this cafe has been popularized among first date goers and Instagram couples. Sencha (pot): Great choice for the night! Medium bodied and satisfyingly astringent without bitterness. Fit the weather perfectly and helped palate cleanse between every dish. Karaage: Thinly sliced and lightly breaded + fried, with a nice variation of white and dark meat. Some of the pieces were on the saltier side but nothing the lemon and mayo couldn't fix. Omurice and Guratan: Both of these dishes were extremely sweet and somewhat forgettable, and the guratan in particular was overwhelming in richness. Points for only the rice in the omurice for flavor. Daifuku: A crowd favorite - unbelievably soft and chewy and perfect with the semisweet red bean filling. In my opinion, there was little, if any, discernible difference between the matcha and strawberry flavors. Blueberry Kakigori: This was an unexpected hit, as it was icier than most shaved ice variants I've tried and much less sweet, but the blueberry syrup (maceration? Either way I suspect it was housemade) was the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Enjoyable even on the rainiest of nights. In my opinion, the prices are at a bit of a premium for what you receive. We had a good time, but I probably won't return without a good reason to. read more

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Wish i discovered this place sooner! It's such a cute restaurant and really gives off mom and pops vibes! The staff is so friendly and the food was amazing! Drinks were also so good! They use Paru loose leaf tea which I love! Street parking can be kinda tricky but if you park in residential you should be able to find something! read more

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Amazing quality food and drinks also loved that it was away from the busy part of Adam's avenue its a little hidden away hub. So cute on the inside too. read more

Hatsuzakura - Japanese parfait with matcha ice cream - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I love the vibe at this place! It's so cute and small and the presentation is great! I do think it's more on the pricer side but the service is wonderful and the food is also good so it's definitely worth it! read more

Hatsuzakura - Karaage - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Hatszuakura was the star of my SD trip. My family ordered one appetizer, entree, drink & dessert per person and not a single order served left the table without being scraped clean. Drinks: The strawberry soda float was refreshing and not over sweetened, it was very similar to Italian soda. I can't remember the exact milk tea I got, but it was very floral, they use oat milk so there's a bit of a nutty flavor to it that works well. Entrees: I didn't try the omurice or curry but my family loved it. I can't remember the name of the Mac and cheese dish I ordered but it was absolutely delicious the only issue I had was the large chopped onions in the dish, they distracted from the sauce and cheese. Dessert: the Matcha parfait was my favorite and the light red bean complemented it perfectly. The size of the parfait is pretty big. The coffee jelly is served in a large glass mug and topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel. The bitterness of the jelly is sweetened with the tasty ice cream, if you have a large party, I recommend sharing them. Parking was a nightmare streets are jam packed but yeow is it worth the hassle. I will be back! read more

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I've been seeing this place all over my socials so I knew I had to try it! We ordered the Chef Soichi's Karaage, Hayashi Omurice, and Matcha latte. The food was all really good but I think I liked the karaage the best. I don't think it's mentioned in the menu, but the matcha latte is made with oat milk. I didn't realize when I ordered and was a bit surprised and I later overheard a different server telling other tables that the milk teas and lattes were made with oat milk so I think they may have just forgotten for our table. Other than that, everything was really good. Service was pretty quick and the store itself is well decorated and very cute. The food itself is a bit on the pricier end though. read more

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This was a cute hidden place! It is small with limited seating, but I loved the simple well thought out ambience that they created. The service was great and the dessert was great too! I want to come back to try out the food. You can also come in and order matcha and other drinks to go! read more

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Cute restaurant that reminds me of the cafes in Japan. Menu offers Japanese comfort food. The Matcha Latte was delicious and we started with Chef Soichi's Karaage which had a tasty light batter and tender chicken. The Hayashi Omurice was nostalgic traditional comfort food. Creamy pasta Guratan rounded out our meal I will be back to try more menu items. Service was friendly, prompt and very attentive. Space was clean and loved the lowkey vibe for a Friday lunch, Street parking was plentiful. Definitely adding to my rotation. read more

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Hatsuzakura (初楼 /first cherry blossoms) is a Japanese style cafe serving a modern-classic Kissaten experience with teas, sweets, and comfort dishes with alcoholic pairings. AMBIANCE Entrance/Waitlist: write your name on paper Exterior: enclosed patio dining and seated waiting area Interior: cozy & modern with three 2-person tables, two 4-person tables, and a 7-person hightop bar Restroom: clean, bright, textured walls, toilet seat warms up SERVICE Attentive and friendly with orders. There didn't seem to be a feedback loop in terms of staff asking how the food was. FOOD Meal set 4/5 Salad: a smoky asian dressing over spring mix and sliced cherry tomato 4/5 Chicken soup: clear broth with bits of carrot 4/5 Hayashi Omurice Thin Japanese-style egg omelet wrapping around a wet fried rice (with brisket, onions, pepper) , finished with a sweet house-made demi-glace sauce. 3/5 Chef Soichi's Karaage (w kewpie & lemon wedge) Served lukewarm for me making me think this was not freshly made or it was sitting for a long while. I took most of this home and refried this to a crisp, and enjoyed this better at a hotter temperature. DESSERT 5/5 Ichigo Daifuku（1 piece w full set entree) (V) Silky; tender mochi encasing sweet and dense red bean paste and a fresh strawberry - an exquisite balance of sweetness and texture 4/5 Japanese Parfait Matcha ice cream and matcha pocky topped off layers of whipped cream, crispy corn flakes, a sweet and dense red bean paste, cut strawberries, and a liquid matcha corn flake mix. 和風-Wafu （Japanese traditional style） +0.50 RETURN For the desserts and drinks. read more

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An unexpected find on Adams Ave Antique Row. I had fun catching up with my girlfriend here. Street parking wasn't too hard to find on a weekday afternoon. We were greeted promptly, and chose to sit at one of two tables on the small patio. The place is simplistically but tastefully decorated. I went with all of the dishes my friend recommended. I was not disappointed! The salad was fresh and the sesame dressing light. I thought, how strange to have mac and cheese at a Japanese restaurant, but my goodness, it was rich and flavorful! I loved the mushroom and onion additions. The brown sugar Milk Tea was just right, not overly sugary, and very refreshing. I chose the Ichigo Daifuku dessert to end the meal on a sweet note. They were so nice and accommodating to us even though we spent hours here. I would happily come back! read more

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This place truly feels like you've been transported to Japan. We went on a cloudy Friday morning/noon and as soon as you enter, you feel the warmth and smell a bit of incense (or at least I think that's what it is). The decor is very cozy with japandi colors. We only ordered the hojicha latte and Ichigo daifuku. Both are a bit pricey but worth it in my opinion. The mochi in particular was chewy and tasted like perfection. Our waitress was also very friendly and made us feel welcome. read more

Hatsuzakura - Hojicha latte and Ichigo daifuku - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

My friends and I arrived around 12:40pm and tried to add ourselves to the waitlist but were told that they were no longer taking any customers for indoor seating since there were too many on the list. The place itself was pretty small, so I could see why, but was surprised since they close at 2pm on Sundays. Fortunately they gave the option to order to-go which was an easy process through the QR code posted at the entrance! Omurice: I was very excited for this dish! The egg was nice cooked with a delicious umami sauce. However, the amount of protein was lacking and the dish mostly consisted of rice. Karaage: There were large chicken pieces with a mix of fried chicken skins. It came with lemon wedges and mayo to dip. I enjoyed the light and crisp coating. The chicken came piping hot and tender. Ichigo daifuku: We chose the half/half option which included the matcha and red bean outer layer. The mochi was so soft and fresh. The adzuki beans and topped strawberries were my favorite part with the perfect amount of sweetness. Matcha latte: I wasn't too impressed this the latte mostly because the matcha flavor wasn't strong enough. It was way more milky and diluted than what I usually prefer. The service was wonderful! As the restaurant started to empty, they offered us seats on their patio right when our food was ready. They apologized that we would have to eat out of to go containers but we didn't mind at all! And checked in a couple times to see how we were doing. read more

10/10 will be back for this daifuku. It is perfect. My friend got an entree rice dish I do t recall the name of but that was also delicious and savory. And the matcha is quality/ real matcha. read more

Hatsuzakura - Daifuku - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Harsuzakura is such an amazing find in SD! It has a long line and for good reason! We waited around 40 minutes. I will say I wish they had less odd hours, but the food was so delightful I would come at any hour to be so honest. This cafe is the closest you can get to the traditional Japanese cafe experience in the USA. I really appreciate the attention to detail in both the quality and aesthetic of the food and ambiance of the cafe. Everything was priced fairly well too. The matcha latter was extremely rich and flavorful. I can tell they use very high quality matcha. The quality of the milk in the matcha latte was superb and uber creamy. The onigiri with tuna was the biggest I've ever had and one of the tastiest! The ratio of rice to fish to seaweed was near perfect. We absolutely loved the parfait. It was exploding with real strawberry flavor which was such a surprise compared to a lot of artificial stuff I've had in the past. The crunchy cereal and simple syrup on the bottom and layered throughout the parfait made for such an amazing textural experience in each bite. Definitely check this place out if you're in San Diego! read more

Hatsuzakura - Matcha latter and tuna onigiri - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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loved the food & drink we ordered! the service was great & attentive as well. would definitely come back for a quick bite if i was craving omurice + want to try their desserts next time! read more

Hatsuzakura - omurice, egg sando, and the cafe au lait! - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Great service excellent food. Went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded. Excellent spot for Japanese food. I want to try the Kakegori next time. read more

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This was a really, really fun lunch spot. It is a super small location, but the interior decor is gorgeous! The servers were some of the nicest I have ever encountered, and despite being a bit busy, were always very attentive to our table. The food was really good as well, and incredibly well plated. I really enjoyed the hour or so I spent here and will definitely be returning for the serene atmosphere and tasty food. read more

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Amazing food, service was superb, and the interior and music were just right. This place has a way of making you feel like you're a guest in someone's home eating meals that have been passed down for generations. read more

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Another staple of amazing Japanese cuisine in San Diego this time in University Heights vice Convoy! Hatsuzakura was delicious with every bite and the discount on the drink pairing with your meal was a great touch. Service was friendly and helpful and we had a magnificent time in this homey little restaurant. read more

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Ambiance: cute little restaurant with small outdoor patio, counter seating and a few tables inside. Because of this, wait times easily run over an hour if you don't go at opening or later after primary dinner rush. Comfy and beautiful rose-colored decor. Think old English meets Japanese aesthetic with pretty garden themed china and rose-colored items. Service: both waiter and waitress we had were genuinely nice and patient with explaining the menu and offering recommendations. Kept flow of service smooth without being rushed. Food: excellent omurice! Servings were large and food was flavorful. The Japanese curry with cheese was a favorite with my teenage son. They also have a wide variety of custom house drinks with variety of teas/lattes. Everything was finely executed and you can tell they pay attention to detail. The shaved ice uses imported Japanese ice, and it was delicious! The only item that was passable was the chicke karaage, as it was not as juicy as some I've had elsewhere. All in all, an experience worth queuing up for! Loved it! read more

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I really enjoyed me experience here! The ambiance was cute and sitting at the bar was so enjoyable as we got to watch the matchas and desserts be made. Guratan was yummy and so was the matcha. Great place to bring friends and family! read more

Hatsuzakura - Guratan + omirice - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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What a cozy hidden gem. Monthly Sunday lunch with the cuzzo today. They don't take reservations and I can see why. We arrived shortly after 12:00pm, we had four other groups in front of us. Roughly 30 minute wait. We were sat at the bar, which is always my favorite because get to see all the action. We didn't waste anytime ordering, I already knew what I wanted: Karaage, Hiyashi Udon and Omurice. We watched the barista mix the Matcha after Matcha drink with precision. She crafted each dessert like an art piece. We sat next to kitchen so we watched everyone food come out. The Tuna Onigiri caught my eye, simple because it's as big as my face. Within 15-20 minutes, our food was served. I loved that the server made sure we had our utensils and extra bowls first as well at always keeping our water glasses full. Karaage was lightly breaded, perfectly crisped and season. Just a squeeze of lemon was all that was needed to enjoy. Hiyashi Udon was refreshingly delightful. Simple yet filling, loved the umami broth. Tuna Onigiri was so filling. We split one among three of us. Omurice looked better than it tasted. It was too sweet and tomatoey for me. It gave me Ketchup vibes so not a fan. Overall service was EXCELLENT, food was good and vibes were on point. Any chance I get to dine at the bar I will take it. Will be back for Karaage, Sandos and desserts. read more

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Cute cafe with authentic Japanese vibes. Menu is somewhat limited, but I do love that they specialize in their select items. The omurice is a classic. The (cold) udon was spot-on in flavor and incredibly satisfying on a warm day. The Japanese parfait (we got the traditional "wafu") was loaded, so basically another meal as a dessert. Every dish we ordered was good. Parking is difficult in this area. So I'd leave extra-extra time to make your way if you have a reservation. read more

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Super delicious! I've been here many, many times, and the food and drinks are always so delcious. When you sit at the bar, you can see how much care they put into making the parfaits and drinks. Most of the staff are so meticulous and thoughtful, only once have I watched them make my soda float a bit carelessly. I really recommend the guratan and omurice, they're the perfect comfort food. The place has a very comforting and relaxing atmosphere. Definitely the type of place for smaller groups, as the place is a bit small and cozy, so keep that in mind! read more

Hatsuzakura - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I came here after a trip from Japan as I was missing Japanese food. I was kind of nervous that I would be disappointed or dissatisfied, however, my doubts were wrong. The food here was really good! The karaage was light and crispy. I'm glad they included the Japanese mayo as a condiment. The yakisoba was good but slightly herbal tasting? Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is small and you need to find street parking. Though parking in the area is not bad. There are a few small tables outdoors, which I loved. read more

Hatsuzakura - Karaage and Yakisoba - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California