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    Hinotez

    3.7 (971 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese
    Open 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Hinotez Photos

    Business Info

    HINOTEZ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Hinotez

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    Lina P.

    I haven't been in here years and don't recall trying much but back then I was younger and everything was pricey for me and my young self's wallet lol. We came the other evening and I had such a good time! First off I like how it's in the outskirts of convoy so not too crowded. They have their own parking lot with ample parking. When you enter, the left side is the restaurant side and the right side will be the bar side but you can still order food items. This was my first time requesting the floor seating and it was a no nice! I'm short so comfy for me and my toddler. The table was the perfect height for him without having to use a booster. Also there was still space behind us so he could play or roam around for a bit and not bother other guests so I definitely want to sit here again! I believe they just have the two floor seating tho. They also have happy hour from Sunday through Thursday from 5-7pm and late evening from 11-12pm. It's been so long since I've been here that you order on your phone with the QR. Which was nice and the menu items typically had a photo reference so I liked that. They have a realllly big meh selection. I will say I guess because it's a QR now, they don't really wait on you so if you need them it can be a bit. But once you put the food order in it comes pretty quickly. Also we are all able to order on our own phones and they can be paid out separately (so a plus if you come in groups etc) or combined at the end and paid together. Which we paid together since it was a family meal. Overall all of the food was very good. I'm surprised at how good the ramen were we each got our own and I would come back for them. Spicy tuna roll was not spicy tho. Spicy tonkotsu ramen was so good and very spicy! The quail eggs tasted like quail eggs so kind of expensive when I can grill them at home but we came to the experience so it's ok. The beef was so soft and flavorful. I'm definitely coming back for the ramen lol. Just check your order if you can during happy hour. Luckily I need so I now the few hh items were not discounted which she corrected

    Sue D.

    10-19-2025 My son had just returned from his vacation the night before. We decided to come here for dinner on a Sunday. Just as the place opened for the evening, I was the first one of my party to walk in; right away, the musty smell didn't give me a good impression. Still, I kept an open mind. Ordered: -Edemame- steaming hot, we enjoyed it. -Salmon Roll HH- small, just tasted rice. -Yellowtail Roll HH- also tiny. -Gizzard- smoky, spouse liked it. -Chicken Heart- yummy snacks. -Pork Shiso- my most favorite of the 3 Yakitori. -Fried Gyoza- oily -Mushu Roll- not worth $19.95 -Peach Float- refreshing drink. Service: Cordial staff. However, after we finished with all the food the staff still didn't serve the Gyoza. We checked with a different server. It took 10min for our order to come out. Note: Prices on the menu I am posting are not updated. Don't think I will be returning.

    Sweet Potato Tempura
    Christopher G.

    Hinotez is an awesome Japanese restaurant on the eastern side of Kearny Mesa near the 163. They have a huge selection of yakitori, ramen, and rice dishes. I really like their fried gyoza, which they serve with a nice mustard. The spicy miso ramen is great too. They serve pitchers and large beers as well. They even have an interesting tempura selection, including mixed vegetables, sweet potato, and avocado. I highly recommend it! Just try to come later at night after the dinner rush--wait times can stretch to around an hour if you come at 5 or 6. Update: The yakitori is pretty solid as well. The eggplant, beef tongue, bacon-wrapped asparagus, chicken heart, and Brussels sprouts--all of them are great. If you go right after entering, there is a bar area and you can order there as well. It's nice to do yakitori with Sapporo in there.

    Fresh lemon hi
    Sammi L.

    I've been to Hinotez twice now with friends, and it's always a special experience on my San Diego trips. The most recent time, we came in around 7:15pm on a Friday and we're seated right away inside the bar. It's great that you can order food at tables in the bar side. We've dined on both sides of the restaurant. The whiskey highball drinks and yakitori are some of our favorites. I love the fresh lemon hi and the chicken cartilage and pork shiso. Everything is super flavorful and fresh, including the ramen and tempura. The bar can get noisy and packed as it gets later, so if you want a quieter dining experience, eat on their restaurant side. It's still fun to sit in the bar area, and staff were very friendly and attentive, even as the night got busy. We've never had trouble finding parking in their lot or getting seated within 0-15 minutes. Their menu is a bit pricey, so it's definitely a special occasion get together. For 3 people for drinks, entrees, and appetizers, the total came out to around 200$ including tip or 67$ per person.

    Phuoc B.

    I really love this place! They have their own little parking lot. Service is always fast and friendly. I love that you can order through your phone. Lots of seating inside. I always order a bunch of little side dishes and eat it with rice. The price isn't bad either!

    Lychee shouchu
    Chloe K.

    Honestly had such a wonderful experience, thank goodness I didn't read the bad reviews before coming here. Plenty of parking in their lot. Came for dinner. Place seemed full but we waited a few minutes and then were seated in the back area with the tatami. Absolutely beautiful, I love the tradition. Food you order on your phone (QR code on table), and drinks with the waitress. Drinks came quickly and everyone seemed to be open to help when i asked for something (napkins, more drinks, etc), i didn't have to only speak with my waitress. Food was salted and spiced wonderfully except the beef udon soup which was a bit salty so i added some hot water - problem solved. Overall a great experience for our first dinner in San Diego.

    Elvin D.

    Food never disappoints here. Prices are about average. Lots of seating, they have their own parking lot. Open late which is a plus.

    Egg tamago
    Joyce L.

    Easy izakaya spot! Food is yums. Paired with a refreshing beer -- this place is always a hit! For a izakaya, they have more seating. And their own parking lot. Which is why I say it's an "easy" spot, relatively speaking. Service can be meh sometimes, hit-or-miss. But you come to a place like this to take it easy and casually eat to your hearts content, order as you go.

    Everything is a 10/10
    Allison L.

    This will always be one of our favorite spots. Love the many options on the menu. Jellyfish Salad -- Since our last time coming here, they've made this dish bigger! We used to get a tiny amount and were super excited with how much more they give now. Love the textures and flavors of this dish. Spicy Tuna Roll -- A bit more expensive compared to other places but the roll is pretty big. The spicy tuna flavor is great. Gizzard Yakitori -- LOVE. The reason we even started coming here. We always have to order at least three orders. Must eat fresh and with salt. Black Garlic Ramen -- We recently got the double portion and the bowl was HUGE. We got a good laugh. Love that they even have that option. The soft boiled egg in the ramen is perfection. Curry Tonkatsu -- Their curry is pretty good here. The tonkatsu was juicy which I appreciated. No one likes dry pork. Portions were big. Our server was great. She was attentive and sweet. Checked in on us even though we were ordering through the QR code. The smell outside of the restaurant from the yakitori grill will have you drooling!

    Fried Chicken Mix Tempura udon carbonara Hamachi Serrano
    Derek I.

    I've had this bookmarked for years because they used to serve Japanese breakfast. Fast forward, they don't serve it anymore, but we decided to try something new. As soon as we walked in the place felt a bit unclean. My wife said it smelled like dirty mop water. I went to wash my hands before dinner and the bathroom had no working paper towel machine, and the paper towel roll was on the floor (opted to air dry my hands). Food: 2.5/5. The pork and shiso is a savior - juicy and has a nice tart flavor. Fried chicken (3.5/5), hamachi (4/5), udon carbonara (2/5), tempura (2/5), chicken thigh (3/5) and beef (3/5) were for the most part just okay. Their sister restaurant yakitori taisho is MUCH better.

    Pork shiso and nama grapefruit sour...
    Bellamara B.

    I am happy to see that Izakaya Hinotez is still going strong, this place really feels like a little slice of Japan. That said, Im so sad that they've discontinued my favorite drink, the Nama grapefruit sour with honey. It was seriously the best- refreshing, slightly bitter, sweetened just right. Ugh I'll miss it! On the bright side the atmosphere is still amazing and most of the servers are Japanese, made me feel like I was in Japan for a moment. The cucumber salad was super refreshing, and their nasu and shiso yakitori are still top notch. Now the quest begin finding another Izakaya that serve Nama grapefruit sour. But until then Hinotez still has my heart. Good job to Norie she was our server last night. Domo Arigatou Norie san.

    Eleana S.

    After 5 years, we finally returned to Hinotez to celebrate our friend's birthday dinner. It was so nice to relax and dine at the traditional Japanese low table, where you sit on the floor (I forgot the name hehe). You can scan the menu or ask the servers for one. They used to have small monitors for ordering, but not anymore. We ordered a lot, garlic edamame, ramen, noodles, momo skewers, asparagus bacon skewers, and more! The staff were friendly and easy to talk to, even letting us know when happy hour was almost over, haha!. Overall, it was such a great night with good food, good vibes, and a great place.

    Veggie Sushi Kyoto Sour
    Tena D.

    went to the bar side of hinotez, and had a good experience! the garlic edamame was a good starter and very garlicky. i also enjoyed the veggie sushi, though it was a bit sweeter than what i was imagining. i was bummed they were out of omurice, so i tried the curry, and thought it was pretty solid. i wish it was more customizable with spice level or toppings, but overall happy with my meal :) service could be a little slow at times, but not too bad. ample parking in the lot, which is a huge plus in the area!!

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    Horrible I drove all this way because they say they're open on Google, but they are not open.

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    Page 1 of 25

    Hinotez Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hinotez

    My step brother made reservations here for Thanksgiving. My partner is very gluten sensitive (Celiac's), and usually Asian restaurants are great with that. Is this known as a good place for GF people?

    Are they open for breakfast?

    Not anymore :( So sad, because they had such a good Japanese breakfast.

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    Azuki Sushi

    Azuki Sushi

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

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

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

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    Azuki Sushi
    Azuki Sushi
    Azuki Sushi

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    Hatsuzakura - Ichigo Daifuku - Original and Matcha flavored

    Hatsuzakura

    4.4(567 reviews)
    4.1 miUniversity Heights
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Hatsuzakura - Interior view from front to back

    Interior view from front to back

    Hatsuzakura - Guratan with Asahi Beer

    Guratan with Asahi Beer

    Hatsuzakura - Eggs salad sandwich

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    Eggs salad sandwich

    Wa Dining OKAN - Rib Eye and Scallop X2

    Wa Dining OKAN

    4.3(1.5k reviews)
    0.5 miKearny Mesa
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Wa Dining OKAN - Partial view of indoor dining

    Partial view of indoor dining

    Wa Dining OKAN - Fried baby octopus

    Fried baby octopus

    Wa Dining OKAN - "Tamago" + unagi

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    "Tamago" + unagi

    Yakitori Taisho - Pork belly

    Yakitori Taisho

    4.4(555 reviews)
    1.8 miClairemont
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Yakitori Taisho - Legit

    Legit

    Yakitori Taisho - Scallop and Squid Legs

    Scallop and Squid Legs

    Yakitori Taisho - Sake bombs!

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    Sake bombs!

    Cui-daore - Sanji's Tuna Roll

    Cui-daore

    4.7(67 reviews)
    5.3 mi

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

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

    Photos
    Cui-daore - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Cui-daore - Tuna Poke bowl

    Tuna Poke bowl

    Cui-daore - Sea Dragon roll. Seaweed salad.

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    Sea Dragon roll. Seaweed salad.

    Izakaya Masa - Ochazuke

    Izakaya Masa

    4.2(1.5k reviews)
    5.0 miMission Hills
    $$

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

    I've lost count of how many times we've had dinner there, and each visit is just as wonderful as…read morethe last. The food is consistently incredible - seriously, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. And the team working there? Absolutely lovely! They're super efficient but also incredibly warm and welcoming, which really makes a difference. You absolutely, positively *have* to try their sushi rolls if you go. They're truly next-level good! On my most recent visit, I decided to try the Gyudon Bowl, and oh my goodness, it was such a delightful and comforting dish. So flavorful and perfectly prepared - definitely a new favorite of mine! Just a little heads-up though, finding parking in that area can sometimes be a bit of a challenge, but I promise you, the delicious food and fantastic experience are well worth the minor hassle. Hope you get a chance to check it out soon!

    Photos
    Izakaya Masa
    Izakaya Masa - Green tea mochi

    Green tea mochi

    Izakaya Masa - Green tea mochi

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    Green tea mochi

    Tanuki - Exterior

    Tanuki

    4.4(522 reviews)
    4.9 miKensington
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Tanuki - Exterior

    Exterior

    Tanuki - TANUKI

    TANUKI

    Tanuki - Interior

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    Interior

    Hinotez - japanese - Updated May 2026

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