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    HITOKUCHI

    4.3 (96 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 pm - 9:30 PM

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    Kevin W.

    This has to be a top 5 experiences for me! This place was fantastic on every level. Service, ambiance, quality, and creativity of the food, amazing! Great selection of Saki to pair with as well.

    Raw wagyu toast. Wish they can torch a little bit
    David L.

    Really nice interior. That's why you're getting 2 star Food is average and cold, takes too long between course of the meal, lost my interest after my 3rd plate. The bibimbap is a joke, they should just say it's a poke bowl menu is a little on the cold side, wish there's something warm/hot to balance the menu. Service is below average, lady server just throw plates down without explaining about the dish. I paid, didn't finish the last course and walked out. Most people are only trying this place because the sushi place next door doesn't take walk ins.

    Estefany B.

    ABSOLUTELY LOVED MY EXPERIENCE! The menu is constantly changing which is so cool. The staff is nice and friendly I loved everything single item on the menu I believe it was about $170 per person. Did have a slight allergic reaction to the blue prawn this allergy was unbeknownst to me but lucky it wasn't severe and the owner came and check on me and was even nice enough to bring tea over which helped so much. I 100% think you should make the reservation it's worth the wait and money.

    Amanda T.

    Came here with my friend for my birthday and it was such a fun experience! We had a reservation and got seated right away upon arrival. There was a small gift (shot glass) on our seats, as the restaurant was celebrating a new menu, which was a nice touch. The menu was unique and gave you the option to pick between two dishes for the last 4/7 courses. All the dishes were good, but my favorite was the Abalone Liver Jook. It was so good, flavorful, and the portion size was more than enough. I also liked the uni + caviar rice, it was a simple dish but it was really creamy and filling. Aside from the food, the experience was also great. We sat at the bar and had a fun time interacting with the chef. They also let us try a complimentary sake shot which was nice of the staff. Overall, I had a great experience here and would definitely recommend to others/come again.

    Miso sake Chilean sea bass
    Jennifer C.

    Everything tasted good but nothing very memorable and the price is way too high for the quantity you get. We got the scallop on 1/2 shell, shrimp and crab pan roast, miso sake Chilean sea bass, creamy lobster basil, pork belly rice bowl and the tofu somen salad with the Korean chili sauce. My favorites were the scallop and the tofu somen salad. The scallop was really fresh and all the flavors were well balanced. The tofu salad was a nice mix of textures and very flavorful. Service was friendly and everything came out well paced. This is definitely more of an upscale place but there are many other upscale places I'd recommend before this. I probably wouldn't come back.

    Lobster basil dish
    Dung N.

    We came here to start our wedding anniversary celebration! It was really empty when we came! Hubby got a bottle of kitaya kansansui (sake) and Kagua beer to start with. For food, we got almost everything on the menu! We ordered the amberjack & jumbo scallop and snow crab legs to start with. Both appetizers were light and cirtrusy. Our server recommended a side of soy pickles, so we got that too. We also had the shrimp and crab pan roast as well as the king crab and uni toast. I liked the flavors and textures of both! We also tried their bone marrow special, which was nice and buttery! It came with a couple slices of toast. In the hot bites section, we chose the A5 wagyu tataki and the creamy lobster basil. The wagyu melted in my mouth and had a side of garlic green beans that paired well together. The lobster basil dish was our least favorite. It was lacking in flavor. We mentioned that to the chef, so now he knows haha. The uni and caviar was brought out last and it was a great ending to our meal. Overall, the service and food was phenomenal! I would love to come back, but be forewarned that you will probably still be hungry afterwards.

    Emily K.

    One of the best in SD/convoy. Chef John owns both hidden fish omakase and this elevated Japanese izakaya and it hits the spot. You can order a la carte here and also get alcohol. They have everything seafood from scallops to pork belly rice bowl!!! The atmosphere is super calming and professional. The servers were very attentive and seemed like they knew what I needed at all times. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants a fancy date night or with friends who want an ELEVATED IZAKAYA experience and for those who have good taste. 10/10 would come back again, & I heard they have a chef's course menu coming up so keep your eyes peeled!

    Wagyu beef
    Maurice A.

    This wasn't going to eat at a restaurant it was transportation to Japan. Not that I've been, but it's what I imagine. There were only a few tables and the service was meticulous! The place was very private it felt. It was a chef's menu and 3 of the 7 courses were brought to you. 4/7 course you chose between 2 options. Fish is flown from Japan. Few wine choices, but the choices were excellent. The dishes looked like art work and tried things I've never had before and were great. We met the chef and that was very cool! You have to go at least once in your life. It's that excellent and can't say enough of my time there. Thank you chef!

    Love Chef Hong's concept and creativity! I've been here a few times and each time is a little different based on the season and fresh local ingredients. I almost didn't come here the first time because of the one star reviews of cheap customers complaining about price and portions... this restaurant is about quality over quantity. Each time we're greeted at the door, immediately the server got us our drinks, and the menu is straightforward. I am still dreaming of that uni rice with roe! Oh so gooood! Halfway through the tasting, chef comes to the table, thanks us for dining, chitchats a little, and generously offers some of his own stash of sake to us. What restaurant does that?! I feel like I'm at his home! From start to finish I'm ear to ear smiling with mmm's and ah at the deliciousness. Can't wait to come back!

    Scallops on the half shell
    Michelle Z.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this establishment. Yes, the food is pricey and the portions are a tad on the smaller side, but it is a drinks and tapas place. As long as you don't come on a fully empty stomach, this place is great for small quality bites. The atmosphere and interior vibe is very chic and great for a girls night or for a nice date. Our server was attentive and told us that their menu changes every 2-3 months so we are excited to come back again to see what's new.

    Uni & caviar
    Joyce L.

    Right off the bat, ambiance was off with loud music... and heavy electronic dance music, at that. If I wanted to listen to EDM, I would go to a rave, not a more high-end restaurant that we booked to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We are chronic music festival goers, so it's not that we hate the music. There is a time and place -- this is not it. We felt the food had so much potential, but was a missed opportunity. We ordered the following: - Scallops on the 1/2 shell. The only dish we enjoyed all night. Impressed by the wasabi crème fraiche and ponzu pearls. Cute presentation. - King crab & uni toast. Overall unimpressed. The uni flavor does not come through. Felt like an expensive piece of toast that was lackluster in flavor. But again, artful presentation. - Creamy lobster basil. Also lacked in flavor. Sauce tasted as if watered down or something. It could have been creamier (or more buttery) to elevate the lobster. My husband said it could have been saltier? Whatever it was, it tasted plain. Missed opportunity. We were most disappointed by this dish. - Uni & caviar. This is supposed to be the signature dish, and yet again, we were unimpressed. We've had amazing uni/caviar rice dishes before, so our expectations were let down. Not sure if it was the batch of uni, but uni flavor felt subdued. And the rice is cold! We were thrown off by that too. And personally felt that warm rice would've elevated the comfort food aspect of this dish. Disappointment. Overall, we thought the dishes were alright... but we don't pay $30+ per tiny dish for just alright. I will give it to Hitokuchi -- their presentation is on-point: A+. Their food looks great! But for overall taste of the food: C+. Overall vibes of the place: C+. We would not come back again.

    King crab + uni toast
    Jessica D.

    What I ordered | King Crab + Uni Toast ($45) | Amberjack ($30) | Soy-Sichuan Pork Belly Rice Bowl ($36) | Creamy Lobster Basil ($42) | Tofu Somen Salad ($23) | Sake - Kinpou Odayaka | Sake - Kitaya Arabashiri Taste | my favorites were the king crab + uni toast and the amberjack sashimi. I like how they use milk bread for the toast. the tofu somen was light. the creamy lobster was good, I think I was more sauce since it said creamy lobster. the pork belly rice bowl was good. tasted how you expect a pork belly rice bowl. The sake were good! they tasted very similar. they were sweet and dry. Service | server was nice. she helped explain the sake menu. Parking | small lot Notes | next to Hidden Fish. This is a sake tapas lounge. they do note that these are small dishes. the menu is small and some of the dishes are on the pricier side. We made a reservation online!

    Miso-sake Chilean Seabass
    Mai N.

    Like B R U H. This 7 course meal was G A S. B U S S I N. D E L I C I O U S. SAY LESS. Honestly this is my second time coming back and was really excited that it has an omakase menu. When I first time i came it was an A la carte tapas and you got to choose small shareable dishes with a partner or small group. I definitely wanted to comeback especially got the uni cavier don so I was so happy when I came back it was on the omakase menu hehehe My favorites from the course were the sea bass, blue prawn & uni and TOP FAVORITE WAS THAT SNOW CRAB SOBA. Honestly any the dishes I had with broths I SLURPED IT ALL UP. MY GOD IT WAS SO GOOD. I wanted more of it. I was extremely happy to end the course with the soba because I am a huge soba fan and there are no good spots in San Diego for it. It really hit the spot for me. I really like how all the favorites for each dish blends together and compliments and adds more depth. It is really cool to see how much this restaurant has grown within the past 2 years. My boyfriend and I like to have bi annual dates at their here or their sushi omakase location next door, Hidden Fish. Their flavor profile and quality has been very stable and consistent compared to other restaurants/omakases I've been too. Something I think is really big for me is the staff and atmosphere of the place. It has very good chill vibes. Good music, and you can tell the staff take good care of each other and their customers. I've had Jenny around at each of my visits and she's been such an adorable and kind soul. She remembered my boyfriend and I since our first visit and always taken good care of us. It was nice this visit since we got to meet Chef John and he's honestly such a really cool and super nice dude to talk to. Getting to see Hitokuchi be his playground to cook up amazing dishes was a delight to see. It makes me happy and want to support both restaurant. I most definitely want to come back and bring some friends to try out his food! See you soon my dudes.

    Sign next to the front entrance

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    Ask the Community - HITOKUCHI

    Are kids allowed? I have a 6 yo

    They didn't check the id

    Can I make a reservation online?

    yes

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    Wa Dining OKAN - Rib Eye and Scallop X2

    Wa Dining OKAN

    4.3(1.5k reviews)
    1.0 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.

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    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

    Robataya Oton

    Robataya Oton

    4.1(465 reviews)
    1.0 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    The food was all very delicious. Ordered the soft shell crab (2), 9 piece sashimi, 6 piece sushi,…read morean extra 3 pieces of Alfonsino sashimi (was our favorite - it was seared on the edge), the special in season which was a starter of little tiny squid, Unagi don, and ended with a matcha tiramisu (menu says cheesecake, so the tiramisu was a surprise). All of the food was delicious. We do not regret ordering a single thing. And we had a cold sake and a hot brown rice green tea. I loved the tea alot; it was very warm and cozy. It is expensive, but the prices are very clear on the menu, so I think it's fair. You know what you are going into as you order each thing. The staff we interacted with (a man and a woman) were also very nice. They move us over a table to have us some space from a party coming in, which was good thinking. And the space is very comforting, like you are in Japan. We would come back for a special occasion, for sure. (Booked a reservation from the request form on their website, and got the confirmation the next day.)

    Visited Robataya Oton for the first time and absolutely loved it. We sat in one of the private…read morebooths, which made the experience feel intimate and special. The ambiance and music immediately stood out. It felt like being transported back to Kyoto, with a traditional atmosphere that really sets the tone. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and well prepared. Highlights included the shrimp tempura, karaage, grilled kama, sushi mix, unagi don, and the uni noodles. Great sake selection as well, plus beer on draft. Definitely a place I'll be coming back to.

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    Robataya Oton
    Robataya Oton - Grilled Kama

    Grilled Kama

    Robataya Oton - 70. Mentai Udon

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    70. Mentai Udon

    Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - San Diego - Miso Ramen with egg

    Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - San Diego

    4.4(393 reviews)
    0.8 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    !My family and I recently dined at Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai for an early Mother's Day celebration…read more The ambience was casual and welcoming, with limited bar seating available as well. We were a party of 9, and Zoe and Brandon provided such wonderful customer service throughout our visit. They were incredibly patient, attentive, and helpful with our entire family. I also truly appreciated being allowed to order the kid's portion of Tonkotsu Ramen and substitute the fried chicken for steamed tofu. Thank you for being so accommodating! My parents and brother have dined here before, but this was my very first visit since I had not known about this ramen spot until recently. Safe to say, I'm happy I finally got to experience it. A huge thank you again to Zoe & Brandon for their superb hospitality and kindness!

    **CARD ONLY - they DO NOT accept cash**…read more Appetizer: Juicy Fried Chicken Hubs: Chashu Ramen Me: Tonkotsu Ramen Son (1.5years old): Kids Meal - choose the base for the ramen, and comes with edamame, a pc of juicy fried chicken, french fries, corn, green onion The freshness and taste of the ramen and the juicy fried chicken hit the spot. We were huge fans of their chicken. Their ramen noodles were fresh and tasty. Hubs said the juicy fried chicken was very good! And he was so full afterwards because he had the chashu ramen. My son did have to run around outside with Dad for a bit ; as he can't stay still until food's made and in front of him. I appreciated that they have a kids set of plate and bowl along with scissors and plastic fork and spoon. We will be back.

    Photos
    Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - San Diego - Inside decor

    Inside decor

    Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - San Diego - Miso Ramen

    Miso Ramen

    Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - San Diego - House Sake $ 12oz Asahi

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    House Sake $ 12oz Asahi

    Kumi Sushi Grill - Finding Nemo

    Kumi Sushi Grill

    4.3(496 reviews)
    0.7 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    Kumi Sushi Grill - Kearny Mesa…read more Kumi Sushi Grill is an absolute hidden gem in Kearny Mesa and easily one of the best sushi spots in the area. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance stands out--clean, modern, and stylish with a warm, relaxed vibe. The lighting and layout make it feel comfortable and inviting, whether you're grabbing a casual meal or settling in for a nice dinner. The service is top-notch. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming from start to finish. You're greeted right away, orders come out promptly, and they check in just enough to make sure everything is perfect without hovering. They're knowledgeable about the menu and happy to offer recommendations, which really elevates the overall experience. The sushi is incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. Each roll is thoughtfully crafted with high-quality fish and a great balance of textures and taste. You can tell Kumi prioritizes quality and consistency--every bite delivers. Portion sizes are generous, prices are fair for the level of quality, and everything--from the food to the atmosphere to the service--comes together seamlessly. Kumi Sushi Grill is the kind of place you try once and immediately add to your regular rotation. If you're in Kearny Mesa and craving great sushi with excellent service and a comfortable vibe, this place is a must. Highly recommend!

    Unfortunately, our experience at Kumi Sushi was disappointing. While the service was fast, our…read morewaiter was not very attentive or kind throughout the meal. We weren't given chopsticks and had to ask for them, were never checked on during the meal, and ultimately had to ask another staff member for the check. I also have to say, as someone from Boston with access to some really great sushi, I didn't find the sushi here particularly impressive or memorable. Overall, not somewhere I'd personally rush back to, but looking forward to trying some other spots around San Diego.

    Photos
    Kumi Sushi Grill - Plenty of seating

    Plenty of seating

    Kumi Sushi Grill - Tuna Poke Bowl*

    Tuna Poke Bowl*

    Kumi Sushi Grill - Counter seating

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    Counter seating

    Ju-ichi - Yellowtail Crudo

    Ju-ichi

    4.6(290 reviews)
    0.2 miKearny Mesa

    Talk about a strong-bodied miso soup; yum! The miso soup at Ju-Ichi is only bested by Takaramono…read moreSushi. Also amazing is the uni, toro, and ikura (known to me as the holy trinity of sushi, a.k.a. U.T.I.). They must marinate the ikura with some kind of soy-based sauce because it tastes quite different from--and much better than--the ikura from other restaurants. I also appreciate that you can order just one piece of nigiri, an offering typical of sushi restaurants that focus on quality over quantity, which furthermore incentivizes chefs to make each bite count. The sushi chefs get a sense of pride from their creative and productive work while the customer gets more gastronomical bang for the buck; this is a beautiful win-win relationship, and while this win-win relationship exists in all trading relationship, it's especially pronounced and palpable between sushi chef and the customer. So you've had the most satisfying miso soup and incredible nigiri. While you're at it, also order yourself the pot du creme; the candied bacon is to die for! My only gripe with Ju-Ichi is their disappointing mixed tempura: The batter on the shrimp is more akin to panko and the snap peas did not complement the batter. Nonetheless, I've eaten at many sushi restaurants in San Diego and I hereby crown Ju-Ichi the best sushi restaurant in town! You get Michelin-quality sushi (if you do stray from sushi, avoid the mixed tempura) with casual, but typically Japanese reverent, service.

    The food and service is absolutely phenomenal. Very high quality ingredients and attentive staff,…read morewho made me feel very welcome as a solo diner. I'd ordered the yellowtail crudo and the salmon nigiri, which I got seared, and the pot de crème for dessert - each dish far exceeded my expectations. Not only was the crudo beautifully plated, but the garnishes paired wonderfully with the fresh fish. At first, I thought I'd accidentally ordered the salmon belly rather than the regular salmon because of how savory the slices were - they simply MELTED in my mouth. Plus, the rice was cooked perfectly, which I especially appreciated due to the frequency of soggy rice I've encountered lately. I was a little skeptical of the pot de crème because of the description, but I'm very glad I tried it. The flavors were subtle, not overly sweet, and not too heavy either. The custard seemed more like a mousse, and though I prefer my custard to have a firmer texture, I still enjoyed every bite. I'm not sure how I feel about the candied bacon, but points for creativity. I'm astounded at how empty the place was during peak dinner hour. I can't wait to return next time I'm craving a quality meal.

    Photos
    Ju-ichi
    Ju-ichi - Gohan (mini rice bowls) with Snow Crab Legs

    Gohan (mini rice bowls) with Snow Crab Legs

    Ju-ichi - Nigiri: Golden Eye Snapper, Blue Fin Tuna, Scallop (left to right)

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    Nigiri: Golden Eye Snapper, Blue Fin Tuna, Scallop (left to right)

    Yakitori Taisho - Pork belly

    Yakitori Taisho

    4.4(555 reviews)
    1.5 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!

    HITOKUCHI - japanese - Updated May 2026

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