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Took my wife here for her birthday since she's a sushi fanatic and it was perfect. Reservations are a must in my opinion otherwise you'd have to wait for a time slot since this place is always packed. We were sat at the bar and was able to watch all types of sushi being made. We were so full by the end of our orders! The fish was fresh and the chef would explain every detail of the fish and how to eat it. This place was very busy but the food came out perfectly spaced out so you didn't have much on your table. I would definitely get there early since parking isn't that great. We had to park two blocks and walk over but it wasn't too bad since the food made up for it. Noise level was moderate but that was a given for a great sushi place as this one. Definitely will come back to try other stuff and possibly the omakase!
Sat at the counter to get the best sushi vibes. We were craving some nigiri and the seafood tasted very fresh here. However, I do wish they used fresh wasabi. I needed a little more of a kick. Service was impeccable and the Hokkaido scallops were so refreshing.
Great place. We had to make a reservation in advance and still we only got a table at 8:15pm. Place is super busy. Service was super friendly and attentive. And they are extremely fast, you get your food right away. Ambience is very low key, pleasant, mostly outdoor dining under the cover. The menu is pretty decent. We had spicy edamame which was excellent. Miso soup also excellent. They unfortunately didn't have any mocktails. We had 2 orders of tostadas which we absolutely loved. After one order of tostadas we realized we needed more food and got a second order. YTS sashimi was excellent. We also had California roll that unfortunately we didn't find very good, even though it had a real crab. Tuna roll was excellent as well. Overall amazing experience with excellent food.
We had an incredible dining experience. Every dish we ordered was fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. The shishito peppers were the perfect start to the meal, and the hamachi tostadas were a standout! Crispy, fresh, and bursting with flavor in every bite. The hamachi jalapeño and salmon jalapeño dishes were equally impressive, offering the perfect balance of freshness, spice, and texture. We also enjoyed the Honeymoon oysters and Shikoku oysters, both of which were incredibly fresh and showcased the quality of the seafood. The miso black cod was absolutely delicious! It was buttery, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The hamachi kama was another highlight, tender and rich with incredible flavor that made it one of our favorite dishes of the night. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and absolutely delicious. The cucumber wrap and matsu rolls were just ok to me. The only downside was the price as it was a tad high, but that's somewhat expected given the location in La Jolla and the quality of the ingredients. Parking was also a bit difficult to find, so plan accordingly. Even with those minor inconveniences, the food and overall experience made it well worth the visit.
Came here on a date and let's just say the food stood out a lot more than the date himself LOL The sauvignon blanc was a nice pairing, a little more on the acidic side, and the fish quality was great as well! I think the yuzu on the hotate overpowered the natural sweetness of the scallop and the sinew on the chutoro was a bit tough to chew, but everything else was great! Not pictured was the spicy tuna hand roll (spicier than I anticipated, but nonetheless yummy!)
EXCELLENT spot! Vibe was incredible. Rodrigo was charming, accommodating, and incredible! Food was fantastic. Specials were unbelievable! A must hit.
Superb omakase experience with great quality fish and vibes. Nothing truly beats having smooth, buttery fish on a dinner night. Out of the dishes I got -- hon maguro nigiri, ika with shiso nigiri, iwashi nigiri, nodoguro nigiri, zuke nigiri, himitsu roll, and himitsu sushi -- my favorite was surprisingly the ika with shiso nigiri. The ika was fresh and the shiso gave that sweet and delicate notes that did not disappoint. Although this was my favorite, all the other nigiris were also amazing as expected from a quality omakase place. Service was quick and friendly. Our server checked on us quite often. Chef mitsu also consistently made sure that we were enjoying the food and experience. The chef also gave his opinions on various fish and gave background to what fish he likes to select and suggest. Honestly, there was nothing better than hearing from a chef who loves his art and craft.
They are normally closed on Sundays, but on some Sundays they are open for a special omakase only. It's usually the last Sunday of the month but recently they've been experimenting with 2 Sundays a month. Check on Instagram or call and ask. Reservations for the omakase are almost a must as they start and end at a certain time and limited to 10 people. We started with a pumpkin soup which was very creamy. There were a few unique dishes and preparations. I liked the lobster sashimi which I haven't seen at other omakase experiences. I of course liked the nodoguro and kinmedai. But what surprised me was the ika which I normal don't like was torched and gave it a better more firm texture. I also liked the unagi. It was much smaller but I had not had it torched to that extent before. So good. I also liked the Wagyu that was slow braised with the chipotle sauce. It was quite a unique blend of Japanese and local flavors. There were a lot of servers so a lot of attention was paid to the few diners around the sushi bar. The restaurant is basically closed except for the omakase. A sign out front says closed for private event. Himitsu provides quality fresh sushi under normal business hours. Their special omakase was no different.
I WAS CAT FISHED. Had the Torro sushi and sashimi which were priced appropriately for La Jolla But I was 1000% short changed on the Ribeye Katsu sando. See their photos what I saw online vs what I got. It will make you laugh at me as my wife did when I got back to the hotel room. All the pictures I found before ordering were 3 pieces sometimes 4 solid pieces. I paid $18 for 2 tiny hand sandwiches that to their credit were awesome but just didn't make sense for such a small amount of ribeye on what could be wonder bread ended up being $18 Take out adds 15% tip umm okay? 6 pieces of sushi 1 child size sampler of ribeye $105 Idk La Jolla was great. This one stung getting back to hotel with.
My husband discovered this gem about three years ago, surprising me with a birthday lunch that's since become one of our favorite traditions. We've practically built date nights around Himitsu ever since. While reservations are a must, they're absolutely worth planning ahead for. One of the things we love most is that every visit becomes a chance to try something new. We're adventurous eaters, so nothing on the menu is off-limits, and we've never left disappointed. On one memorable visit, we ordered the Daily Bento Box, the Tasha Roll, and the Himitsu Sumaki Roll. While the Sumaki Roll leaned more subtle in flavor, the quality of the fish spoke for itself. The Bento Box was a collection of beautifully prepared bites, fresh salads, and perfectly cooked fish that showcased the kitchen's attention to detail. Oddly enough, one of the biggest standouts that day was the rice. It had a wonderful texture, a natural off-white color, and tasted remarkably fresh--as though it came from a small producer who truly cares about quality. Whether that's true or not, I can't say, but it's those little details that make Himitsu feel special. The food is consistently exceptional, but the service deserves just as much praise. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what they do. You can feel that this isn't just a job--it's a craft they take pride in sharing with every guest. Most recently, I brought my sisters here while they were visiting me in San Diego for a much-needed sister date. We ordered the Karaage Rice Bowl, the Himitsu Bowl, and the chef's recommended sushi (three pieces each). We were so excited to dig in that we forgot to take a picture until after we'd already eaten one piece--that probably tells you everything you need to know. The sushi was, without exaggeration, phenomenal. To quote one of my sisters: "Seriously... the best sushi I have ever had... ever." High praise from someone who's eaten plenty of sushi, and honestly, I couldn't disagree. After years of visits, Himitsu continues to deliver the same outstanding quality, creativity, and hospitality. Restaurants this consistently excellent are incredibly rare. Himitsu is an absolute gem, and every visit reminds us why we keep coming back. We already can't wait for our next culinary adventure.
Went here today for lunch for my birthday. First time trying Himitsu but seeing it on social media, I really had to give it a try so wife and I stopped by this afternoon. It did not disappoint. Food: Had various dishes which included the sando, miso cod, hand rolls, kaarage...the list goes on and EVERYTHING was delicious. A++ Service: They automatically charge a 20% gratuity but even with that, the service was deserving and they did not lack on attention whatsoever. They even gave us a free bday ice cream for my bday lunch. A++ Ambiance: Loved the look and feel of Himitsu. If say this is now one of my too 5 sushi spots in San Diego after giving it a go. A+ Thanks again for making my bday lunch so delicious. We WILL be back for sure!
Food was on point, service was friendly and knowledgeable. Must try! Chefs were comical. Can't wait to come back.
Starting off the new year with a bang! Found Himitsu on Youtube on the Gareth Eats channel, check him out for recos in San Diego (& southern Cali) and it did not disappoint. Himitsu catapults into the #1 sushi spot in SD for me! Although this place is a little more expensive than other sushi joints, the quality of the food is undeniable. The service was also really great and everyone was friendly. Loved that they provide a basket for your bags so they're not on the floor or hanging on your chair. The place itself is small so make sure to grab a reservation. We got seated on the outside patio, cute decor, super clean. They also had outdoor seating near the small parking lot. The lunch and dinner was a bit different & we opted for options on the lunch menu (dined around 12 and could order from both menus). Their sandwich board of specials were actually brought to us so we can see the options. Ordered the Nigiri Paradise [$39] & it did not disappoint. Came w/10 1 pc nigiris and everything on that plate was soooo fresh. The toro, tuna & yellowtail were all melt in your mouth goodness. Their motto is "no soy sauce" and definitely did not use any throughout the whole meal. Also got a bite of their Matsu Roll [$24] which was really good too. The thing about Himitsu is that they focus on the fish and nothing else. With that being said, the sushi roll was light on the rice and heavy on the fish. Loved thaaat! Typically, we're so full of rice we don't enjoy the fish enough, but it's opposite of that here. We also got the Buri (one of their specials) which is a winter yellowtail [$8.50/pc] as well as the Hokkaido Scallop [$8/pc] w/yuzu salt. Both were delish! So manyyy good things to say about this. Try it out!
28 days ago
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Came here for lunch over summer and we were sat outside. The most memorable thing about our experience was the abundance of flies that were flying over our food. Although they do have table top fans to swat them away, it really hindered our experience. We got the secret omakase and the tokusen chirashi + ikura add on. The sushi quality is good and fresh. The only thing was that the fatty tuna in the chirashi was incredibly hard to chew, but maybe it was just the cut that day. The quality of food is great, just unsure if it's worth the price / would come again. No bathroom in the establishment so they direct you to use a shared bathroom in the plaza. read more
Came here for a solo lunch 12:45 on a Friday, and was able to be seated at the bar immediately after they confirmed my reservation. The staff greeted me warmly and my waitress was super friendly, and the sushi chefs also checked in periodically to ask how I was doing/if I was enjoying the food. I really liked the bar seating because I could watch the preparation of the food--so precise and intentional, making it such a pleasant lunch experience. I ordered the chirashi bowl and the hotate (scallop) nigiri which was on the specials menu. The chirashi was excellent with well sized slices of fresh fish, shisho, and yummy sushi rice, and the scallop was buttery and slightly sweet, with the yuzu and the flaky salt bringing out the clean flavor of the shellfish. There's a tiny parking lot and street parking around the restaurant. Would love to be back in the future to try other options on the menu. read more
A fantastic sushi spot with delicious sushi, an almost entirely gluten free menu (including homemade tamari and numerous fried/tempura options), and friendly and attentive staff! We came here for a date night and it absolutely did not disappoint, we can't wait to go back for another special occasion. Their outdoor patio was very cozy, and we're excited to try the sushi bar area next time. The fish was so fresh and there were lots of unique options. If you are a sushi fan, and especially if you need gluten free options, you absolutely must try Himitsu! read more
7 months ago
Just randomly strolled in here today for lunch and it was phenomenal. I had the full portion omakase. Each dish was executed with flawless precision. Started off with the Spiny Lobster Miso soup and 15 courses later, ended with a nice tiramisu. Chef Mitsu was awe inspiring to watch. The attention to detail was amazing. It's a little pricy, but it was worth every penny. I would definitely come back in a heartbeat. Lunch was $355 with the auto gratuity. Be prepared to spend a little bit of change here, but also be prepared to be completely satisfied. read more
2 years ago
A great neighborhood sushi spot in La Jolla! This is a restaurant that is a little hard to find as it's in a small shopping plaza with an even smaller parking lot; however, the quality of the fish and service did not lack. I went for lunch on a weekday and I made a reservation on OpenTable ahead of time. I found this restaurant from the Michelin Guide list of restaurants, so I had high expectations. I would highly suggest to make a reservation ahead of time because the restaurant became packed as soon as it opened. I was seated in their covered outdoor patio and it was a very comfortable experience. For the food, I ordered the treasure bowl and a negitoro handroll and the other member in my party ordered a selection of nigiri. The first thing I noticed was how crispy the nori was and it had a great crunch factor when I bit into it. The rice was also well seasoned and had a slight sweetness to it. I was quite surprised by the sheer size of the Chirashi bowl for the price (they even included uni in it!). The nigiri was also well formed and the perfect size. Also, little to no soy sauce was needed for the nigiri as it was pre-seasoned. The service was exceptional and my waitress had an extensive knowledge of Japanese cuisine. I don't think I had to even ask to have my water refilled once. If I return in the future I would definitely opt to sit at the sushi counter seating and select an omakase option. Overall, I was thoroughly surprised by this restaurant and I could definitely see this restaurant doing well in San Francisco or New York City. I hope San Diego continues to add more restaurants like this one to their food scene as it is much needed! read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
This gem is located in La Jolla nestled in a nice and cozy cottage setting. I sat at the bar, seated by Koke and got to converse with chef Mickey. Both were very knowledgable, attentive and funny. All the nigiri and ribeye sando was mouthwatering. I got the following: Wagyu with uni Wagyu Scallop Halibut Yellowtail Salmon Amberjack Seared otoro Ribeye sando If you're ever in La Jolla and want some yummy nigiri, this is the spot to try. read more
My second time here and both times were amazing! I went here this past Sunday for their new Sunday special dinner; which is limited seating at the bar with a unique tasting menu prepared and served by Himitsu himself. So many favorites, I wish I remembered all the names of everything we tried but take my word for it! If you are a sushi lover and haven't tried this place, you must at it to your list! Depending on the night parking can be difficult, there's a small parking lot, so just account for that. Supringly there was plenty of parking on Sunday when we went! They are going to continue a monthly Sunday special service if you we were looking for a special and unique sushi date night! read more
Not sure how this place has gotten anything less than 5 stars because we were definitely WOWed by everything- the food, the vibes, the SERVICE! My husband and I actually canceled our reservations to Nobu to celebrate our anniversary here instead and we left with no regrets! We did the omakase and went through about 6 courses and loved everything that was brought out to us. Our server, Kouki, was the best. He was attentive and very knowledgeable when it came to our food. Highly recommend asking for his table. The manager, or maybe owner, even came to our table a couple of times to check on us. All in all, we will definitely be back. I highly recommend doing the omakase because the surprise element makes for a very cool dining experience! read more
8 months ago
1 month ago
4 months ago
I love to visit La Jolla and the sushi place was a great find! It is on the expensive side, but it is in a prime location so I understand. One of my favorite items on the menu for the value is the lunch bento, it consists of delicious baked fish, sashimi, fried foods, and veggies. Another highlight, which was one of my favorite bites of my dining experience was the Akami Tuna with yuzu koshu. The outside patio is quite nice when dining for lunch. At night this restaurant can get very busy and it can get quite loud. The waitresses are nice and is a place. I will continue to pass through when I'm in La Jolla. read more
10 months ago
Came here before over 1-2 years ago and really liked everything. They had a lot of daily specials that were standouts to me. This time however, feels like the quality has declined. Many of the nigiri's we got was more chewy than normal and most of them had uneven cuts and the sashimi platter didn't stand out much either. A lot of their advertised "specials" were already on their regular menu and the special pieces that I ordered because it was recommended to me, were not unique and tasted like normal bland cooked white fish. For the price, I'm a little disappointed with the quality. We also got salmon skin roll but there was a lot of salmon attached to the skin. Some people may like that but it was not what we were expecting to get. It felt like eating a normal cooked salmon roll. While we thought the food was mid, the service was excellent. Overall I would say this is a solid restaurant but the quality definitely didn't meet our expectations this time and will not be back anytime soon read more
This was fire. Honeymoon oyster was an insane experience, honestly even better than Daigo's hamachi shots which I deemed spiritual. The nigiri was great though I don't think I came into this with the stomach for the whole set. Service was so spectacular that the customer next to me asked if I was famous/a food critic/knew the owner because the chefs and servers were incredibly attentive LOL read more
8 months ago
Great food, amazing service and an ambiance that cannot be topped!!! Even though it's in the heart of La Jolla it feels like a little getaway. Such a cute and perfect location for a lunch or dinner date! I cannot wait to come back for my next celebration!!! read more
I had high expectations and boy was right! The sushi was melt in your mouth delicious!! We had the Big Belly sashimi plate with melt in your mouth delicious toro, hamachi belly and salmon belly. Then we asked for a 2 piece set of the chef's choice and was served snapper and scallop nigiri. The hamachi kama is a favorite and went well with the sake. Lastly, we had Isaki that was prepared fisherman's style, wrapped with a shiso leaf that added brightness. For dessert the black sesame ice cream was rich and refreshing!! Can't wait to return to this gem! read more
3 months ago
7 months ago
Our family decided to try a different sushi spot than our usual and booked a dinner reservation for my little sister's birthday. Came on a Friday night at 5:15 pm and there was barely anyone. They have a tiny parking lot with around 15 spots & surprisingly, there were some available when we got there. Good customer service, nice ambiance, & fresh food but nothing amazing. The portions are pretty small and not cheap. For instance, their live soft shell crab as an appetizer is $30 yet it technically feeds 1 person!! Sushi is good but not worth $20+. The best dish was their sashimi plate but it only comes with 10 pcs of fish and a live shrimp head for a total of $50...However, their staff was so friendly! They discounted an appetizer for free since we waited awhile for our food & gave us dessert for my sister's birthday. It was nice to try but we most likely won't come back due to their small portions & high prices :') We've definitely had better for less. read more
5 months ago
really fresh fish!! loved the service and really vibes. theres a small parking lot w free parking too which is clutch for the trenches of la jolla. lunch deal sushi dons are a steal for the amt you get and comes with miso soup and spinach salad too. would recommend. i love the corn puree in the scallops too read more
Such a cool vibe! Outdoor seating is nice and where we sat but they also have a sushi bar for omakase. We did table service and it was great! Everything was fresh and even my vegan sister had options and they made her a custom vegan roll which she loved. Amazing service made this experience the best! read more
1 year ago
10 months ago
Oh man- soooo yummy. Love the vibe and staff all very friendly. Sushi was amazing Everything so fresh, melts, perfectly prepared. Sushi chef wonderful! Will be back! Gluten friendly also!! read more
a great ambiance surrounds this place as you walk in, seating inside in front of the chefs and outside is lit up nicely with heaters to keep you warm. they offer an array of delicious apps to sushi to rolls. their sake is also crisp and fresh, loved it! our server was so so very nice, actually everyone here was so welcoming and thoughtful. i love how they bring out warm towels to wipe your hands before eating their apps all have a uniqueness to them and out of them, i loved the cod and yellowtail, you can really taste the quality of the fish. the mini crabs were also such a cool experience! super crunchy and delicious! their rolls are packed with fish and topped generously. they do not skimp out on the size as well! everything was nicely plated and served quickly! if you're in the area, definitely check this place out! can't wait to come again! read more
this place has cute interior but everything was just so small, like the rib eye sando i expected it to be bigger. also our second order of hand rolls took so long i wanted to just get the check and leave. spicy tuna and salmon hand roll i recommend, the himitsu sushi roll i could pass on read more
8 months ago
Ordered the tokusen chirashi with ikura and the tuna heaven. We also got the sashimi sampler and Japanese scallop sashimi from the handwritten specials board. The food was amazing. I can't emphasize enough how fresh the fish and scallops were. Each order comes with miso soup and a spinach salad with a Japanese vinaigrette, which was surprisingly good. We were originally supposed to sit outside but were seated inside. It was a cozy little garden-style setup. Service was great. It's a bit on the expensive side, but definitely worth it as a once-in-a-while splurge. read more
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My first dining experience at Himitsu was wonderfully pleasant. The inviting atmosphere and generous service brought me back to the caliber of dining in Japan. We had the katsu sando, 5 Star sashimi plate, hamachi kama, and the Matsu specialty roll. All of which were delicious, fresh, and presented with elegant simplicity. Our server was knowledgeable, incredibly friendly, and the manager took great care of us. We were well accommodated and will definitely be back! read more
8 months ago
We had a great lunch here. Reservation was easy, once we arrived we were directed to our chef's table and was able to watch chef working. Our appertizer was shishito peppers, which was a little salty for me so I wouldn't order again. Our sashimi were good though, all were so fresh, uni and himitsu bowl didn't disappoint either. read more
More info about Himitsu
1030-G Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
La Jolla
Directions
(858) 263-4463
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http://himitsusd.com
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Ask the Community - Himitsu
Are there GF sushi options?
Yes they are very good at gluten free. The staff are knowledgable and they have GF soy sauce. Some have said their fryer is GF but others haven't, so you should confirm that when you go.
What is the typical price range for omakase for 2 people?
It is $85 per person for the basic omakase (which comes with a ton of food but no sea urchin). If you want sea urchin, then the price increases to $120.
Do they offer omakase/chef's choice sets for lunch?
I believe they do. I’ve been there for dinner but I think so at the inside bar seating
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