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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.
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!
Well, this was perhaps the best sushi of my life. Fell in love with a sweet early March local uni, sweet and flavorful scallops, and so many other things (everything with some fattiness was downright buttery ). It was an honor sitting at the counter watching the chef expertly cut the fish while chatting with us at the same time. The wait staff was also so welcoming and lovely. So special we had to come back a few days later, and we will certainly be back the next time we're in SD.
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
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!
Came here to celebrate a friends birthday and it was my first time here. It's in a cute location in a small complex next to some other small shops. The decor is a vibe. Very aesthetically pleasing. You can even hear the birdies chirp. Our server was Michelle. SUPERRRR NICE and informative. We opted for the secret Nigiri which was a great portion for me. Came with I believe 10 pieces. Miso and salad. Only $55! Great quality fish and presentation. Also real wasabi!
We were able to book a reservation easily on Open Table for a party of 2 for lunch. Treasure Bowl: loved the uni, octopus, and salmon in the bowl. Tokusen Chirashi: well balanced and fresh, the scallops and uni was the most memorable parts of the dish Each bowl is Hokkaido Scallop (not pictured): so light and buttery, melt in your mouth goodness The staff were welcoming, pleasant, and had great recommendations on the menu. My friend and I were celebrating our friendship anniversary and our waitress brought out a scoop of matcha ice cream! We sat outside where there were a bunch of small tables on a covered patio and staff is able to pull down the windows to protect from what looks like rain/sun. There is a small parking lot that is shared with other businesses and ample street parking.
Himitsu : "C," with a final score of 60%, meaning "Mediocre. Not coming back, but not yet angry." Executive summary: good vibes, but mediocre food and poor value makes me question how Himitsu made it to the "Michelin recommended" status, and in my books, "not recommended." ------------------------------- Before the restaurant review, I created a new rating system. Of course there is always subjectivity in reviews, but taking inspiration from Car & Driver head-to-head car reviews, I'm hoping a more systematic way of analyzing different restaurants can help lessen subjectivity. The final grade will be determined by a weighted score of 3 factors - food (70%), vibe & decor (20%), service (10%). The scores will be added, then multiplied by a "value" factor that can improve or reduce the score by up to 20%. See photo for elaboration. Himitsu, I first tried about two years ago, and had a fairly good experience. So on my wife's birthday, who's actually out of town, I decided to celebrate it anyway, but without her. I got a 5:45pm reservation, and excitedly told my daughter "let's go to good Japanese!" Note to self: never set high expectations! The restaurant has very limited inside seating. About is inside, in a "covered tent" and another on the "patio" (err...sidewalk?) beside the parking lot. Despite sitting on the patio, the weather Gods cooperated and it felt quite comfortable. A cheerful waitress greeted us, and shared the "tonight's specials." Nothing popped out, and I was quite happy about the standard menu, most dishes served in small plates, allowing us to go for variety. We ended up starting with 6, and I figured we'd continue to order as we ate, depending on how we felt. Ribeye katsu sando (B ) : This was the meal highlight. Beef was tender, juicy, and nicely seasoned. The breading wasn't as crispy as desired, but understandable since it was in between two slices of soft white bread. The ginger dressing was a little too tangy, overpowering the beef, but the weakest link was the cold au jus. Dipping the sandwich meant it became cold and soggy. So I only dipped once because I'm a fast learner. "Today's special" soft shell crab roll (C ) : The weakest dish of the night. I originally ordered the "regular" soft shell crab roll from the menu, but the waitress mentioned they had "fresh crab" off the special menu, and I simply said "sure." In hindsight, I should have asked about the price but I never would have expected it to be double! The worst part, it didn't taste anything special. The lettuce conflicted with the crab that didn't taste particularly fresh, and it really didn't taste much better than something from a Japanese supermarket. Salmon hand roll (B ) : I didn't try this, but my daughter says it deserved a "B". Anago (eel) nigiri (B ) : This was quite nice, very light seasoning, reminiscent of how they're served in Japan. The good, I could taste the sweetness of the eel. The bad, the eel wasn't fatty enough, so given the quality of the eel, the North American style with a little more char and more sauce would have improved the dish. Salmon belly nigiri (C+ ) : It was a generous slice of salmon belly, but not enough marbling and rather tasteless. Ebi (shrimp) nigiri (C ) : The shrimp was overcooked and rather tasteless. My original intent was to keep ordering, but even my daughter, especially after eating the soft shell crab roll, said "nah, the quality is not there." I asked about desserts but they sounded all French based, like creme brulee, and ultimately, nothing appealing. So we stopped, and asked for the bill. At $122 for the quality and amount of food served, especially $39 for the soft shell crab roll, plus the auto 20% gratuity, the value certainly wasn't there. Finally score: "C" at 60% or "Mediocre. Not coming back, but not yet angry." Food: C+ (65%) Vibe: B (70%) Service: B (70%) Weighted total: 45.5 (Food) + 14 (Vibe) + 7 (Service) = 66.5 Value factor: "Not worth it" so reduced score by 10% for a final score of 60% (rounded).
The fish here was very good and very fresh. It was so smooth. You can taste the authenticity here. Would I say it's the best sushi restaurant in San Diego, no. But it's pretty good. My few complaints would be, they could expand their menu a bit. The portion sizes are pretty small. The sashimi peppers could've had more flavor. The parking lot was full but granted it was a Saturday night. The service was decent. The ambiance was nice.
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.
My family and I celebrated my sister's birthday at Himitsu on 11/15/25. The quality of the sushi is top notch and the service from the staff was amazing. This is the second time my husband and I have dined here and the first time for the rest of our family. My personal favorites were the lobster miso soup and the Nigiri Paradise set. The vibes are immaculate when you sit at the sushi bar and can interact with the chefs which was what I experienced when I went for the first time in 2024. However, there were 5 people in our party this time around so we decided to just get an outdoor reservation to avoid hogging the sushi bar. It was super windy on the day that we went and unfortunately, the tarp was flopping around but the employees went above and beyond and found a way to contain it so we can enjoy our meal. It's in Downtown La Jolla where parking is typically far and few in between (especially on weekends) but it wasn't difficult to find a spot on the day that we went due to rains. I suggest getting there a bit earlier to find a spot if you're going on a nice sunny day.
My husband and I tried their once monthly Omakase held on Sunday evenings. It did not disappoint. Ambience was intimate with seven other guests. The staff service and all cooks were friendly and got to know the customers very well. Chef Mitsu and his team's preparation was delicious and the non sushi dishes were different yet refreshing. Quality of fish was great and we always appreciate a no soy sauce sushi establishment. We were unsure of how much food the omakase would provide, but were pleasantly surprised (and full). No add ons needed for us. We will be back for sure.
2 years ago
One of my new favorite places to grab sushi! From the quality of fish to the service, everything was perfect. Sat at the bar and had the omakase dining option ($150 per person). A lot of what's served is flown in from Japan and presented in the most delicious way possible. Thanks again for an amazing dining experience read more
2 years ago
Great food, great service, and love Mitsu! This place always makes me happy (Reservation is highly recommended) read more
Best sushi I've ever had in San Diego. Yup, I said it! Decided to go here last minute, on a Saturday. There weren't any reservation spots left. However, one of their employees, was kind enough to squeeze my friend and I at the sushi bar. Five stars for service, ambiance and food quality. Each roll and nigiri we ordered melted in our mouths. My favorite: the himitsu roll. All sushi chefs were kind and engaged with us during dinner too. This place is quite intimate and perfect for date night. 10 out of 10 recommend. I also strongly recommend making reservations too. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
Amazing flavor great service. The Ambiance is relaxing and gentle to the eyes This is the best Sushiya I've been to on the west coast. You must try the isake it has to be the best sushi piece I've ever had. Highly recommend. This is my new go to. read more
2 years ago
Gave Himitsu another chance, and was reminded why it just didn't meet my 5-star expectations. For the price, I really expect AMAZING unbelievable sushi-- but, it just isn't. The place overall is a bit underwhelming IMO. This time we sat in their little enclosed patio and recommend that spot over their general outdoor seating. The general outdoor seating just seems so unserious given how much you're paying for their sushi. They are also clearly dog friendly as we were sitting right next to a cute frenchie lol. I really wish I could remember our servers name but can't for the life of me, but I will say that he was on top of it. Very sweet and also gave us a little ice cream sorbet and candle whilst celebrating valentines (even though it wasn't valentines). Don't think I will be returning, but I will say it's worth a try! read more
11 months ago
3.500 stars. We really wanted to love Himitsu, but ended up walking away slightly hungry and slightly dissatisfied. Service was on the strange side as well, which is why our experience merited 3 stars instead of 4. This is a smaller restaurant with an outdoor patio and a small section inside at the bar in front of the sushi chefs. The bathroom is a shared bathroom with the entire plaza, and you'll need to get a key from the host/hostess to use it. For the price (Around $100 a person+), I would expect their own restroom for their patrons. We were seated at the bar and could watch the sushi chefs work, which was very entertaining. We loved a few dishes--the salmon/hamachi crudo was a standout, as was the karaage. The sushi rolls were good but small--plan on getting at least 2-3 rolls per person in addition to appetizers. There are only 6 pieces to most of the rolls, and even the special rolls would have about 8 small pieces. Now, onto the service. Our server was nice and earnest and meant well but was either inexperienced or did not have good instincts on a number of occasions. We were handed the menus by the host and sat down and our server asked us what we wanted to drink which was fine. We told him we needed a minute to decide, so he left and came back exactly a minute later to try to take our order. I would have given my guests at least 4-5 minutes to get settled before coming back. After our rushed drink order and appetizer order was put in, my partner and I discussed what we might want to get for our rolls. I went to the bathroom (note the shared bathroom that required a key above) and came back to my seat. No sooner than a few seconds after I sat back down the waiter was there to ask us what we wanted to eat. I literally had not even adjusted myself in the seat yet prior to him coming back. We had mostly decided on what we would eat but clearly had not finalized our decision. At an upscale restaurant where I would expect the server to leave and let us discuss, he just stood there while we awkwardly discussed pros and cons to the different dishes and we felt rushed to make a decision. I saw him do this to a couple of other tables as well that were seated after us. Midway through the meal, he asked us if we wanted to order anything else, which is something that is typically asked when all of the food or at least almost all of it has come out. In our heads only half of the menu items had been delivered to us, but it caused us to have to remember what we ordered and what was left before we decided that we didn't need to order more. One final situation that stood out. He asked my partner if he wanted another glass of rose, which my partner said no to. At that time I ordered a second, different draft beer as there were a couple of sips left in my glass. He took my unfinished glass (who does that without asking?) to get me another beer but prior to doing this, asked my partner if he was sure he didn't want another glass of rose. (I'm sure my partner would have said something if he changed his mind!) In isolation, this faux pas would have been overlooked but there were too many others to overlook. One constructive criticism that they could improve is when the sushi chefs delivered the food items to us, they should tell us what we are eating or have the waiter come and tell us what it is that we are eating; it just adds to the experience and the ambience and is pretty standard for higher end restaurants. We had to guess based on our memory for what we ordered what it was that was being given to us. Anyway, perhaps it was an off night, who knows, and the food was decent but nothing that we would rush to return to Himitsu for. read more
7 months ago
Came here with my best friend after she suggested we do their omakase for my birthday! She had their omakase before and wanted to let me experience it at Himitsu. We made a reservation a couple weeks in advance and were promptly seated upon arriving at the restaurant. Everyone was so nice and kept thanking us for celebrating at Himitsu. We were greeted by the friendly waitress and we had already planned to get the omakase for this meal so that made it nice and easy! We told her what we did and did not like which is nice that they take our preferences into consideration. This is my second omakase experience and it was seriously so amazing. It starts off with miso soup, some appetizers, amazing oysters, a really pretty and delicious sashimi spread, followed by awesome nigiri choices, and ends with an ice cream sandwich. I had such a great time and enjoyed every bit of this meal. All the fish was so fresh and I cannot wait to come back again!!! Thank you Himitsu for such a wonderful experience and I am looking forward to dining again soon! read more
The service was good but the sushi river was a bit hard and lack flavor unfortunately The cold sake choices were plentiful. I just wish the rice texture and flavor was better so it would compliment the fish. The fish taste and quality were good though. The fired shrimp heads were delicious but the small spikes on the head and tail on the shrimp nigiri cut my mouth a bit. read more
2 years ago
The quality of the sushi is great and the location is great, but the sushi had no flavor. We had spicy tuna in all of our rolls and it didn't even taste like it. I asked for a side of spicy mayo and it didn't even have flavor. We ordered spicy edamame, It was not spicy. All they did was put a powder on it no sauce or anything. I had two glasses of wine, extremely overpriced, and basic pour size. Then on top of it, they automatically add a 20% gratuity. I definitely won't be back.. $200 lunch and didn't even enjoy it. read more
2 years ago
The hostess was friendly and sat us immediately from our reservation. Our server was attentive and all the staff here helped each other out. It felt very cohesive and loving, the way they worked out helping bring it each dish to different tables with a smile and a explanation. The place was twinkling and beautiful, the experience outstanding. Every peice of fish or shellfish was fresh and exquisitely prepared. The wagyu sando was tender and flavorful. Absolute gem in San Diego and a must try! read more
4 years ago
Finally made it into this spot and am thoroughly annoyed we didn't try it sooner. Did the omakase for two and was beyond full at the end. It started with the miso soup, then oysters, sashimi feast and nigiri. We added hotate (scallops) because that's my favorite and it was the perfect addition. Unsure of what we ate for dessert but that was amazing too. I wanted to stick my finger in the tiny bowl to lick all of the remnants. Tried an unfiltered sake. Will try other kinds next time. It was a fun added touch that you could pick out your own sake glass AND they kept refilling our glasses for us - semi dangerous, 100% awesome! Service was beyond stellar! Super fun date night! read more
1 year ago
Decided to give this place a try after looking for a spot for a girls night out, and im glad we stumbled upon this spot! I tried to make a reservation the day of on their website but unfortunately I didn't see any availability, so I decided to give them a call just to make sure. The really nice lady on the phone actually told me that there are seats available! We ordered the - ribeye katsu sando (4/5) wish it was cooked a little less, was chewy but the flavor was good -himitsu sashimi (5/5) all of the pieces were yummy! It was also nice that there were 2 pieces each so I could share them all with my friend. It's $50 though so a little pricey -himitsu roll (4/5) not bad! Overall, the service and the atmosphere made the experience really great. All of the servers that I've encountered are welcoming. However it is a little pricier than I would've liked. We ended up spending around $50 per person with these 3 dishes. I would recommend! read more
Absolutely delicious food. One of the best sushi places we've ever been to. Chefs are incredibly nice, and the gentleman in charge was in the kitchen too helping out! Always cool to see. Quality was fantastic. Will differently be returning. Dessert was amazing as well! read more
Decisively the best sushi I've eaten. Disclaimer that I'm from Denver and this was the first sushi I've had on the west coast. Although we have some really good and world renowned sushi spots, what places back home will never be able to replicate is how truly fresh this fish is and how you can taste the ocean in every bite as if it was from a fresh catch. The rice actually melts in your mouth and the wasabi was real (we saw them scraping it from the root). The inside is small and intimate, even if you're not at the sushi bar you can see the sushi chefs doing their thing. The service is really nice, helpful and very quick. We came in just before the end of their lunch hour so I didn't have the chance to order more things after our initial course, but I will be anticipating the day I come back to try more of what they have. read more
It was very easy to make a reservation. It even let me modify the reservation by 15 minutes since we ran into some traffic. Very flexible. Once we arrived we were seated right away. When we were seated waitress came by immediately and told us the specials and offered us drinks. We ordered some draft beer, sake and the oysters with uni to start. Before that we received a fresh salad and miso soup which were very good. The oysters were amazing. I ordered the nigiri secret and my guest ordered the sushi lover. Both were excellent with the freshest fish. Everything came out in timely manner. We needed the meal with wagyu nigiri. It was amazing. Can't wait to return. read more
2 years ago
Tonight's food was delicious and unique. I was able to enjoy familiar dishes such as oysters on the half shell and soft shell crab prepared in new ways. The sushi was also delicious. Mitsu-San prepares his fish in a style that requires no additional soy sauce (or wasabi for that matter). Our bar server, Julia (?) was most attentive and able to field a wide array of questions from neighboring guests in such a pleasant manner that I almost wished I had questions as well! The ambience is terrifically upbeat and it's a definite joy to sit at the bar and watch as the chefs bang out nigiri after nigiri. I don't eat sushi often and this place is definitely worth it for a special night out. read more
This is a destination, Jiro-worthy, seven-star sushi experience. Perfection is a goal seldom achieved by any enterprise. Yet you will find Sushi, and hit dishes, that grace the edges of that lofty goal. The hot dishes, like the exquisite Rib Eye Katsu Sando, lobster miso soup, and the Snow Crab Tempura were delicious. The cold dishes were truly stellar. Kumamoto Oysters, were the best oysters, out of a decades long pursuit, that I've tried. Fresh fish nigiri, including the: Golden Eye Snapper; Kanpachi; Seared Scallops; bluefin tuna, and the fisherman's, *boom* blew my mind. Many were so delicately seasoned that the servers politely requested refraining from soy sauce, for some. The suggestion was well rewarded! One, with a hint of charcoal salt, was perfect pop. Service was equally seven star. They want you to have a great experience. Management, too, was first-rate, and incredibly kind. It's a small place. Reservations are definitely a good idea. They have warmers, in their patio, that work well, on cold days. Parking is equally limited, in their small, bustling lot. Nearby street parking, and a hike, may be needed. If it is an epic sushi experience that you seek, this is your place, in San Diego County. read more
4 years ago
Sushi day! It was a treat myself weekend so I invited my brother to join me. I was lucky enough to snag a reservation last minute. The place is located in a small complex and the place itself is small so I understand why everyone recommends a reservation. Luckily, it was a weekday lunch so there were some seats available and we were lucky with some street parking. We got to eat at the outside patio and because SD weather is always so beautiful, it was nice to enjoy the meal outside. I got the sushi set, specifically the Sushi Lover Set with Spicy Tuna It was the best choice for me for sure. The plate was colorful. The sushi was so delicious. The fish was light and melted in your mouth. The meal was honestly so filling, even with just 10 pieces. The price was on the higher end but reasonable especially a treat myself lunch. read more
2 years ago
The best sushi in San Diego.....period. Mitsu is the owner and the master chef. He is a true gentleman and a real master chef. You must try this place. A reservation is a must. read more
Slowly but surely, I'm making my way through some of the most recommended Japanese restaurants in San Diego. Himitsu has long been on my to-try list and I think the best experience is at the bar eating omakase. Reservations are highly recommended and try to get a spot at the bar. Not only do you get to watch the sushi chefs do their thing, you can also interact with them...it really does add to the experience. If you sit elsewhere, the servers will explain to you what you're about to eat but it was nicer getting that firsthand explanation from the chefs themselves. So if you don't know what omakase is, it's a set meal where everything is selected for you. Of course, you can always tell them what you're allergic to, what types of fish you love or hate, and they can cater it to your preferences. It always sounds like you never get enough food but I walked away stuffed. It's a special occasion kind of meal but what a treat it is. High quality seafood, paired with the perfect balance of rice and/or marinade...what more can you ask for? Menu changes from time to time and I honestly don't really remember everything we had. But the highlight for me was the sashimi platter that included lobster, salmon belly, uni, etc. I've never had lobster sashimi and that was delicious. Fresh caught from San Diego waters! Not sure if I'll do omakase again but it would be a nice treat just ordering sashimi individually, trying different ones until I figure out my favorite things at Himitsu. read more
We loved everything we ordered from Himitsu! Unlike everyone else in my party, I only consume fully cooked seafood. I had the miso black cod which melted in my mouth. It was served on top of a simple kale salad that perfectly complimented the fish. I also had the soft shell crab hand rolls that I'm craving right now. My husband and son tried the omakase, chirashi bowl, and treasure bowl. They were both giddy when their food arrived then suddenly turned into fish connoisseurs as they started eating. The chef took the time to stop and chat with my table. Super nice guy! Very fresh and delicious food! We're already trying to plan our next visit. read more
1 year ago
My favorite sushi place ever! I absolutely love coming here for lunch. They have so many amazing lunch specials, and my top pick is definitely the nigiri special! The service is always super attentive and friendly too. read more
An incredible and delicious experience. First, the place is quaint. It's nicely decorated and the staff is amazing. Props to my server who filled my water no less than 10 times. She was charming and on-point. Sat at the bar counter where the chef expertly prepared everything as he chatted with all of us. Very personable guy and well trained. The fish was sooo fresh. Everything melted in my mouth. Even the lean tuna was decadent. The special hand rolls are so delicious. Although the price is a bit high, the fish is so good you won't mind paying it. The Otoro was superb. The sake belly was among my favorite also. So many good pieces, I definitely didn't want to stop eating. I left so full. I wish I could have tried everything. I saw the chef working on a roll and asked him what it was. It wasn't on the menu but he was making it for a table for the chefs whim. I requested one and he made it. So glad I was able to see him preparing it so I could ask for it. Loved the food. Loved the service. 5 stars all around. If you're looking for great sushi in La Jolla, I highly recommend this place. read more
What a treat. My friend insisted we come here for their seasonal soft crab last qtr. Legendary fried soft shell crab sitting in a ponzu. Really good stuff. Tried different toro grades, and a chefs nigiri special. Family owned operation - super accommodating and very fresh fish flown in from Japan Will be back soon! read more
9 months ago
2 years ago
Amazing and friendly service. Our server was well versed with her omakase menu items. Quality fresh proteins - several imported from Japan. The ambiance was relaxing seated under their hanging garden. read more
4 years ago
Fantastic food. The sushi is so fresh. They are expensive yes, but the quality is there and they carry unique fishes that other spots don't. They have a cozy outside patio now which is nice since the sushi bar is so small. Their Bento box is great. Comes with miso and has some sashimi, we got fried octopus that day, seaweed salad, rice, this hot dog sausage? I didn't touch that. Kama, salmon or hamachi (small) and black cod (small) but tasty. So for $24 that was a nice lunch. Service was good, a couple ladies walking around, re pouring waters etc. The sushi bar Omakase experience is wonderful for those who have never tried it, but it's not for the faint of the wallet read more
2 years ago
This place was absolutely amazing! 10/10! The food was delicious and very fresh. Service from Mateo was fast, thoughtful, and personable. We will be back. read more
3 years ago
Our hostess was so knowledgeable and made amazing recommendations on what we should try...secret omakase, tokusen chirashi, a bunch of items from the daily board and then more nigiri... everything was amazing, love the salsa topping (asked chef to consider bottling it so we can buy it by the case!) The way the rice was prepared made it taste different than traditional sushi rice but still delicious .. only the spinach salad seemed out of place. We came for lunch, 2nd party to be seated so it was nice and quiet, we got to sit at the bar and watched all the amazing action, calm preparation, extensive knife skills of all the chefs. Here's a recommendation..allow extra time to get into La Jolla, traffic was backed up all the way to the bridge. The parking lot is tiny with so many businesses next to each other and though there's street parking, we still had a loop around a few times to find an open spot. Take this into consideration so you don't lose your reservations because when we were done and it was lunch rush and the whole plaza was packed! read more
2 years ago
My boyfriend took me here for my bday and it was the best! Our server was so on top of everything. It's like she had two sets of both ears and eyes lol. So genuinely sweet and attentive. All of the staff were. Their toro was sooo good, probably the freshest we've had and we go to a lot of excellent sushi restaurants. The wagyu was also delicious, along with everything else we ordered. She brought out a cute little blueberry soufflé for my bday and it was also super good. Highly recommend! read more
Quaint sushi joint nestled in a small shopping center off the main drag. They don't have a ton of seating but luckily, adding more outdoor seating a la Covid, helped in the way of a nicely decorated tented area that's every bit as nice (and heated) as the indoor area. Himitsu offers up some of the freshest sashimi that my mouth has ever been graced with. While they do offer a few select rolls, hand rolls and salads, apps, etc., their bread and butter seems to be single piece orders of sushi or sashimi. They have a pretty extensive menu of sea creatures to choose from and you honestly can't go wrong. Among my personal favs were the Ika (squid) and Hamachi. Everything was so fresh that they probably just removed the hook and it was expertly cut and plated with aesthetic flare. A VERY honorable mention for the soft shell crab hand roll that was overflowing with a sizable, deep fried Sebastian (sorry Ariel). It was absolutely delicious. Yours truly would 100% go back for round 2. read more
1 year ago
My husband discovered this gem about 3 years ago. He surprised me for my birthday and we halved lives coming here ever since. While the restaurant does require a reservation, it's well worth the plan in advance. We've made this a date night and one we're NEVER disappointed by. Every time we come here we try something new. That being said, we are not picky eaters so we will try everything once. In that respect, everything on the menu is fair game. This time we tried the Daily Bento Box, Tasha Roll, and the Himitsu Sumaki roll. While the Sumaki roll was more subtle, the quality of the fish stood out like a star. The Bento box offered an array of wonderful bites, salads, and superbly cooked fish. Their rice stood out to me this visit. I wonder if they switched suppliers? I have ZERO complaints. The rice had wonderful texture, an off white color (not quite brown rice) and tasted less processed, almost as though they found a small supplier to support. Of course, this is all speculation with no proof, but I digress. The food is absolutely wonderful with equal quality and attentive service. Their kindness encourages one to believe that they truly enjoy what they do. Their work seems less like with and more like a passion they get to live out each and every day. I am so grateful to have experienced this place several times and we don't intend to stop now. Thank you again, Himitsu, for a wonderful lunch and we can't wait for the next culinary adventure. read more
2 years ago
Two visits inside three weeks has confirmed that Himitsu is where you go when you desire the freshest and most carefully selected sushi in La Jolla. Make sure you call in a reservation at least a week in advance. The first visit was great, we were accepted as a walk-in party but had to kill a couple of hours before a table was available so we ate seafood at El Pescador as an appetizer and walked it off. When our turn came we were sat and served by Vince who took stellar care of our progress throughout the meal. His fine dining manner was professional through and through. We ate with our eyes too because everything is spectacular in presentation and intricate knifework is also on display. The various toro sashimi and sushi are absolutely stunning in flavors, textures, and sizeable portions. We ordered the Big Belly plate on both visits. The Waygu 'sushi' was another favorite and I personally enjoyed the spicy Hamachi hand roll. Other outstanding items, not that any disappointed us, included the Black Cod, Sweet Shrimp, and the Matsu Roll. The latter item was ordered on the se9cond visit as well. We decided to return for my GF's birthday and basically repeated much of the first visit with a few substitutions. We requested Vince again, and enjoyed the expert service. Food:The Rib-Eye Kotsu Sando was as unique as it was delicious. Very clever how it's essentially a quartered sandwich with dipping sauce. We found the Amberjack to be a great varietal and I really enjoyed savoring my piece. Keep in mind the Nigiri Sushi is by the piece, not pair. I also tried Hirame (Halibut), and we ordered Ebi since the Sweet Shrimp option was already sold out that evening. All-in-all, this is a very expensive restaurant but we never left hungry (wishing we had tried more more likely). A place for special occasions? Most definitely, inside it's intimate and semi-darkly lit. Outside seating is limited too and the area is shared by a Himalayan and Italian restaurant, as well as a fancy wine seller with currently closed wine tasting options. read more
5 years ago
Came back to Himitsu after 2 years, and celebrated my birthday by having the Omakase at the bar. Either my palette has changed for the better, or Himitsu has stepped up their game. In the end, my second experience here was definitely better than my first! Greeted warmly again by the staff and the chefs, my boyfriend and I excitedly sat down at the bar, seeing the bustle of prep work being done. We decided to go all out for my birthday dinner and ordered the $95 Omakase option (I believe there is a $50 Nigiri Omakase, and a $125(?) Omakase that includes Wagyu/Uni). As to not spoil any surprises as well as the fact that their Omakase changes depending on the chefs' choices and supply, some highlights from our meal: - Sashimi Plate: Absolutely gorgeous plating, as with all the other items in this multiple course meal. Their Kanpachi has yet to be bested by any other Sushi spot in San Diego. My all-time favorite fish is Salmon/Salmon Belly, and I enjoyed the Kanpachi more, if that's saying something. I said in my first review that their Belly pieces were underwhelming - this time was different, the Salmon Belly was extremely buttery and amazing! - Deep-Fried Sawagani: They gave us a "couple" of Sawagani Crabs which was adorable - almost too adorable to eat! But WOW what a delicious, umami-filled bite! - Mehikari Fish: I've never had Greeneye before, but the way Chef Mitsu described it as being a French Fry (vs the Sawagani being a Popcorn), was perfect. Crisp on the outside, and a soft fluffy texture on the inside. Was honestly shocked at how much I loved this! - Nigiri: You get 8 pieces of Nigiri, and all the ones we had that night were AMAZING. The Engawa (Halibut Fin) is a prized piece as there's only so many available in an entire Halibut, and wow... I'm definitely keeping this in the back of my head whenever I go to Sushi spots now, just to see if they have it! Chef Mitsu also gifted us with a special order of Shirako - if you know what it is... well, you know. It was delicious though, and we all agreed more people should be more open-minded about these things! It was a pleasure and honor to have Chef Ivan as our main chef of the evening - he was communicative and made our night very enjoyable. I very much appreciated when he asked if I needed to adjust the rice amount - this allowed me to enjoy the fish a bit more and not get overly full! Chef Mitsu took the small spurts of time he had available to make some comments about our meal and also have some conversation which I truly appreciated as well - I know it's not easy handling several other orders while still giving your attention to your guests. Will absolutely be back, hopefully not waiting another year for my birthday to visit :) read more
More info about Himitsu
1030-G Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
La Jolla
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(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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Himitsu - sushi - Updated May 2026
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