Been here server times and always go with our friends who go there all the time. Waiters are nice and service is great. I wonder sometimes if they're nicer cause they know our friends lol. The food is yummy, executed well. We like so many of their sushi rolls! It may be small but they put out good food! Smaller, to me, is very often better. read more

Izakaya Naruto - Sushi menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Came here for dinner Friday night. It was my daughter's turn to choose a restaurant and she chose this for us three. We were immediately seated, but as soon as my husband and I saw the menu, we wanted to get up and leave. Their menu was very limited, very pricey for the the place & location. But since my daughter was excited to try it, we decided to stay. No bento boxes here, and everything you request is an additional charge, even a tiny amount of teriyaki sauce! My daughter got the Naruto bowl, and my husband, the Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, each one costing $17 EACH. I went with the soy sauce ramen which was $16, and to add an egg additional $1.50. The bowls were only filled with rice, the ramen was filled with scallions, and not much else. The Cali Roll were also mostly rice, no avocado, they were so cheap and did not even add wasabi & ginger! Plus the place was not very clean. In front of where we were seated were dirty bins collecting dirty dishes, and a trash can where servers just dumped everything from trash, to soups, to drinks! It was so nasty, why not place the trash cans inside, where it is hidden, not where customers were dining?!? We won't be coming back. Pls save your money for another Japanese restaurant... the price, portion or taste weren't worth it for us. read more

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A good little Sushi/Ramen hidden gem in Chula Vista. Heard a lot about this place so I finally came & yes I'm a fan. First let me start with the customer service, it was great, from the door to getting seated to the waiters checking on us & the cooks smiling & the speed & quality of the service was all great. And the prices are very reasonable, they don't open till 5 tho, for dinner basically, weekends can get busy so get there early. The food was very good, I got the Chula Vita Ramen & I'd get it again, very filling & flavorful. The sushi was very fresh & good & filling as well, Abre La Boca Mucho was our fav roll, it can be shared with another person for sure, Viva Chula Vista was a good roll too. Miso soup was ok & no garlic edamame they have lemon butter edamame, if you like lemon & butter flavor you'll like it, it was ok but it lack a bit of flavor for me. My fav item here was the Jalapeño Popper as an appetizer, 8 pieces & man let me tell you, it was mouth watering & on point, it's a must to start with. Overall I good little spot & we come again for sure, keep up the good work Naruto & see you soon :) read more

Izakaya Naruto - Jalapeño popper roll only $10 & Ramen on point :) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

I like how they stay open late at night, which is a big bonus and they were quite busy up until 11. The tuna sashimi was exceptional very good solid happy hour wish it was a little bit more expanded though service was excellent very attentive and friendly and overall the food was solid nice little somewhat undiscovered family restaurant that we never knew was in the area and we will return also the Edinamiii or however you spell it ha ha was very good. Good service good atmosphere good food. 4 to 5 star restaurant for me, but the service made it five stars. read more

I was in the area with my husband and was looking for dinner- it was on the later side (a little after 10 pm) so our choices to dine were limited and this was pretty much the only Asian food option. I waited for about 15 minutes before being sat down. It was late night happy hour so we order some sake and beer with our ramen and jalapeño roll. The ramen was OK- nothing special but was acceptable while the jalapeño roll was pretty good. The establishment has about a dozen or so tables and was comfortable/clean enough. What I did find annoying was they tried to take away all our alcohol 15 minutes before closing. Apparently there was a sign on the wall stating all alcohol had to be consumed 15 minutes prior to closing but I found this a little ridiculous because they didn't point to the sign when we ordered the alcohol 20 minutes ago. No 5 minute warning or anything- we ended up having to chug a beer and sake each. I probably won't be back unless I'm desperate. read more

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Delicious as always!! Favorite ramen spot in southern SD. Get the lemon mayo shrimp! You won't regret it. Super juicy shrimp with a nice crispy outer layer. The salt ramen broth is light and very flavorful too. Noodles cooked to perfection. Lots of parking, but come close to opening during the weekend or expect a bit of a wait during peak hours since the restaurant is small. Service is quick though and the staff is always very nice and friendly. read more

Izakaya Naruto - Salt ramen and Lemon Mayo Shrimo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Why I haven't posted a review of one of my favorite places? I dont know, but here goes a long one. Where do I start!? Izakaya is my husband and I's favorite local restaurant. The portions in food and their service is great but the taste! Delicious to the point we were coming in once a week for like two-three months. The Chula Vista Ramen is what initially brought us in a year or so ago; The sushi, the service, but most importantly the simplicity but perfected Ramen is what kept us. Now a days I crave the Salt Ramen with one ( or two) marinated eggs, I dont know how they make them but wow. The fried avocado is one of their popular appetizers and I can see why, It's delicious! Same for the jalapeño poppers. Even my picky eater son enjoys the Ramen and his cucumber sushi. We have brought many people over the year to try and each one has enjoyed their food just as much as us. If yoi were thinking of going, Do it! I can assure you, you will enjoy it. read more

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Discovered this place last night after watching a movie at AMC Chula Vista. Not many options with places open after 9PM in the area so this was a nice find. Food was fantastic and service was top notch. The place was small and unassuming, but very clean. Definitely will be back when craving for late night sushi eats. read more

1st time here and we enjoyed our dinner here The food was delicious all made to order, sushi is top notch, I will try the ramen next time Service is friendly and accommodating... shout of to our sushi chef, salamat po The vibe here is hole in a wall kinda vibe, clean space organized and friendly staff Def coming back again. read more

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The restaurant was cozy. I went on a Monday evening and there was no wait. Last time the line was too long to wait in, but that was on the weekend. The service was great. The staff checked in to make sure everything was to our liking. The Ramen was awesome, I will be back. The chicken in the Ramen was a little tough, it wasn't a dealbreaker, and being seasoned nicely was a plus. I had the Spicy Ramen. They described it as a "6/10 for spice" ...it would probably be too spicy for a lot of people, but since i like spicy it was perfect. I love when your sinuses open up a little bit, but not too much. read more

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Updated 2025 review - It has been awhile since I provided an updated for this business. A few things have changed. Prices have ibcreaswd as has everything else, although most rolls are just under $20 each with more basic rolls on or under $10. They offer online ordering through "Toast" and there is no upcharge. You can still order over the phone although depending on your order, be prepared to pre-pay. Every new rule has a reason. Not to mention dining is still available inside. When you walk in, there is one line, they typically have you sign in regardless. But there is also a rope to keep everyone away from the register and exit door. There is a small waiting room. When you are ready to besat they tale you back to your table. Alternatively, when your to-go order is ready, rhey have you come to the register to confirm your items are the ones you ordered and bag everything up and you are on your way. They do provide soy sauce free of charge ut be prepared to pay about $0.50 for each additional sauce you wish to add. Staff has always been friendly when dealing with phone orders and in person. There is signs posted but rhey are typically good about keeping track of customers. My husband loves this place. This past order included Abre La Boca, Rainbow Roll and an Orange Lemon Roll. This place continúes to be in our sushi rotation. read more

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Our first visit here (thought we were headed to Kanpai down the road) and it did not disappoint. Quaint seating as you pass the blue velvet rope- but, limited four tops as you walk towards the back. It is refreshing for a limited menu selection. It saves time from flipping page after page deciding what to order. And it keeps food turnaround swift in the back. I didn't realize ramen bowls are topped off with chicken cha shu! Our server, kindly pointed that out as I was selecting items from the toppings menu. I was able to substitute the chicken for the pork cha shu. Mmm! Added the seasoned egg (which is two halves). Just a bit FYI since other spots will have a HALF egg for the same price. Gotta add Nori, make sure to spread them out a bit more before submerging in the broth! Garlic butter really added a velvety taste to the chicken broth. And the fried tofu wasn't as fried as I'd expected it to be- but, still delicate to absorb the yummy broth and not take away from the silky smooth texture inside. Servers always welcomed guests as they entered. It was great to meet Go (owner) as we walked out. He asked for our feedback and we introduced ourselves to him. He mentioned he wants to add more toppings and other items to the menu! Stay tuned and support local! read more

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This is an updated review based on the many changes that have happened since COVID. We no longer dine in at this location because the seating area is extremely cramped, and the owner has created his own set of rules. Whether you're dining in or picking up takeout, you're placed in a very small space, and people walking through the dining area constantly bump into you--it's frustrating and uncomfortable. At this point, we only order takeout. I usually get the Chula Vista Ramen and the Abre la Boca Mucho roll. The food itself is very good, though on the pricey side, and the cost seems to increase every time we order--even though we order monthly or every other month. One thing that really bothers me is that if your phone order is over $50, they require payment over the phone, which feels unnecessary. On top of that, they charge for lemons or hot sauce, even though those items are free when dining in. Customer service still needs improvement, and the owner's appearance and behavior don't help the overall atmosphere. It doesn't look professional when he's sitting at the bar with his laptop in the middle of the dining area. Overall, I would only recommend this place for takeout." read more

Izakaya Naruto - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Amazing service - very friendly and attentive staff. The sushi was good and you get some pretty big portions but it did seem a little pricey for the quality, but I should also note I was visiting from LA and Im not sure what average price for fresh sushi rolls might be in the area. I got the Algo Refrescante roll and the Southeast Rolls and the $5 California roll add on. Both of the fresh rolls were good. I also made it during their HH and got a small sapporo for $3.50 :) read more

Izakaya Naruto - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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I'm a frequent customer, and every time I come here I notice the same thing--someone who appears to be the owner sitting at the sushi counter on a computer, which feels a bit strange during service. Last Saturday, we felt overlooked after placing our drink order and had to bring it up to our server. The server did their best and even went to get the owner, but no one from management came to speak with us. So we left. It was frustrating to see the owner remain on the computer the entire time, not helping the staff even when it was busy. Poor management. read more

Loveeee my experience here: we were waited on by the sweetest lady. The orange lemon roll is so so good. read more

Izakaya Naruto - Orange lemon roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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I had heard from several friends that this is the place for sushi in Chula Vista so I had to stop on my most recent trip! I got there right at 5 and there was already a line. Since I was by myself, I was able to get seated right away. I was immediately greeted and put in my for the lemon garlic edamame, the yellowtail crudo, and a drink. When my edamame arrived a short time later, I ordered a few rolls. Everything was absolutely delicious. My favorite thing was the edamame. I am now a firm believer that all edamame needs lemon. This is a cute spot with incredible food and even better service. Next time I am in the San Diego area, I will definitely stop it. read more

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Hidden Gem in Chula Vista for Sushi and Ramen. I am a Sashimi lover of Fresh cuts of flavorfull melt like Butter Salmon and Tuna Sashimi. I went for the Best cuts of Salmon Sashimi and Tuna Nigri. Very simple and Fresh. I loved it bottom line. I have lived in the South Bay area of San Diego all my life . This little hidden Gem for Sushi has definitely got my full attention. I will be making this my New Sushi spot based on Freshness, simplicity of the Menu and Outstanding Customer Service with a Calm soothing Japanese Ambiance. I will be Back to try the Ramen next time. The Miso soup was outstanding making me want to Order the Ramen, however I could only eat so much so I am excited for next time. read more

Izakaya Naruto - Salmon Sashimi 5 piece , Tuna Nigri 2 Piece. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

We came here for the first time on a Saturday around 5pm, waited about 25 min to get seated, and during that wait 6 other parties came in shortly after! So this place gets busy FAST! Service was OK, we got our sushi before we got water.. had to ask twice for it. But the sushi was BOMB! A little on the pricier side so I'd recommend coming for the lunch prices instead. The Suppicy ramen, on the other hand, was so bland... I'm also used to pork chashu in my ramen so the chicken breast threw me off. Also, it costs $2 for a boiled egg. Couldn't do it! Would not recommend the ramen, stick with the sushi! read more

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What a great experience! My Husband read great reviews about this sushi spot. We decided to try it out on a Friday Night. When we arrived, there were two other parties waiting to be seated. The staff immediately greets everyone who comes in with a "welcome!"? All said in unison, pretty nice. You sign in onto a paper sheet at the front. Make sure that you enter at the door on the left. There is one way in and one way out. It took about a 7-10min wait to be seated, as we chose the sushi bar. The place was packed. Our server was a nice dude in a white baseball cap. He took our drink order and appetizer: 1 0% alcohol beer, 1 Kurukirishima (Sweet Potato) Sho__-Chu, and a Chicken Karaage. The drinks were very cold and perfect. The Chicken was very crisp and juicy. We then ordered several assorted rolls and enjoyed them very much. Please see the pictures for the ones that we ordered. The greatest and most popular one here is called the Abre La Boca Mucho. We thought that was really cute so we ordered that last. The owner was very very warm as well as all of the sushi chefs that we had. I will say that it's a cool experience to sit at the bar so you can watch them prepare everything. I had planned to bring my sister back here because she was visiting from Japan but we ran out of time. For sure we will be bringing her when she returns. Overall, this was an excellent experience. Thank you. read more

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A friend told me the ramen here was A1 so I had to give it a try and sadly it did not meet my expectations. The broth was flavorless. Ordered acouple of rolls and it tasted like they were pre made, so nothing fresh about it. Not only that but the servers were basically ignoring us. Even after pressing call button for service. The layout didn't look organize was just the walls seem a little off. I really wanted to like this place but sadly it just wasn't it. read more

The restaurant was clean, service was very polite & attentive. Teriyaki chicken was great & so was the sushi. I liked the ambiance, very chill. Would definitely recommend & will definitely be back! read more

Let me start by saying that I'm not sure when exactly Izakaya Naruto opened, but I've been coming here since 2014 or 2015 ish. This is my absolute favorite restaurant ever! The food quality that you get here is unmatched by any other izakaya or sushi restaurants! I have never encountered an unfriendly staff member here in the entire decade that I've been there. I really appreciate how frequently you see the owner's face, and how hard he works to keep this place to its own high standards! I personally really appreciate the policies they have, and how they're visible anywhere in the front. People often act like this place is "weird" and has dumb rules, but 100% of the time it's because they don't take the time to read those policies. One thing you can count on Izakaya Naruto to be is BUSY. Whenever I show this place to someone new, that's the first thing they notice, but I always mention that it should tell them how good the food is! Over the course of time, I have seen the prices go up here and there, but this is the one place where I don't mind that too much because the quality is THAT good! It definitely has a traditional Japanese Izakaya vibe where people go to socialize and catch up! In my opinion, MUST haves from their menu include: -Chula Vista Ramen -Orange Lemon Roll -Abre La Boca Mucho Roll -Spicy Lemon Garlic Edamame -Jalapeño Poppers I cannot recommend this place enough! read more

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My favorite Ramen! Customer service is everything here! From the moment you walk in you are greeted by all staff. They are very patient and kind. I come about 1-3 times a month. Always have had lovely service and not one complaint. Food is always warm and taste is always exceptional!!! Thank you to all staff for making such yummy food and making this experience lovely. I enjoy jalapeño poppers and Chula Vista Ramen!! read more

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We arrived 5 mins before they opened, our fault we didn't even bother checking the hours. We were greeted and politely told us that they opened in 5 mins, so we waited in the car. What's 5 minutes. However, during those 5 minutes I was already having second thoughts. We really don't like being the first guest at restaurants. So within those 5 minutes we were already searching for an alternative. An employee saw us in car and waved us in. The person who greeted us and waved us in was Kevin, who was our server. And because of him and his gesture, we stayed. And oh my gosh, glad we did. It was clean and had a nice friendly vibe. Kevin was great! He answered questions and made recommendations which we always appreciate. We ordered the Lemon Mayo Shrimp Tempura, Sup'picy Chicken Ramen, Jalapeño Popper, California Roll and Yellowtail Nigiri. The shrimp tempura with lemon mayo, was delicious. The batter was light and the sauce was delicate but flavorful. It reminded me of honey walnut shrimp but this was so much better. The jalapeño popper, was good as well. Not greasy and nice and crispy. The Sup'picy chicken ramen, had a nice broth not too spicy it was nice. The only part I did not enjoy much was the chicken cha-shu which was a bit dry and reminded me of rotisserie chicken. Nonetheless, it was a yummy bowl of ramen. The Yellowtail nigiri was fresh! And portion was generous. The rice was not too cold or sticky. Definitely a great place. Love the vibe and the staff. read more

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Blah. Food is just whatever for me , ordered a rice bowl. The rolls are just average. I heard from my kids that the ramen was good. Everyone greets you in a friendly way upon entering. Very casual atmosphere; so much so that the server wears pjs. Yes; wearing pajamas to work. They take your order, bring you the food. Don't bother with dirty dishes. We had dinner and a couple of drinks after dinner and the stack of plates just sat there. Just because you are automatically adding a tip to bill; doesn't relieve you from your server duties. You still need to clear my table. Apparently that's just too much customer service. I don't get what people love about this place? It closes late; that's the only reason I've ever visited. Very few places serve this late ( past 9pm on a weekday). read more

Izakaya Naruto - Receipt - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Our server was amazing! She was so kind and sweet. She provided exceptional service, recommended the perfect sushi rolls, and was both friendly and professional. We tried the Abre La Boca and Lemon Roll, and they did not disappoint. I'll definitely be coming back soon! read more

Izakaya Naruto - Lemon roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Our service was wonderful but our order was accidentally canceled . I don't know how but the manager cooked our food specially for us. Yes we waited forty minutes to be seated and there was a small mistake but the service and food made it well worth it. read more

Izakaya Naruto - I would really appreciate if the man who makes the sushi rolls use gloves . Just for sanitary reasons - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

The food is good The ambiance is good Prices are way too high And service is OK We went there yesterday and the sushi was very good, our check quiet literally never arrived. We had to go up to the front to get charged after waiting around 20 minutes. read more

Izakaya Naruto - Abre La Boca Mucho Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Some friends brought my husband and I here one night, they've been before but it was our first time. This is a small but nice little spot, with limited seating but it's very intimate. The service was very helpful as well. I got the salt ramen with chicken and my husband got the pizza roll and protein roll. My ramen was delicious! The broth was very flavorful, and the chicken as well. My husband definitely enjoyed both of his sushi rolls. So much so that he ordered a crunchy roll afterwards! Which was one of the best crunchy rolls he's ever had! We had a very nice time with our friends here. It's a little bit on the pricey side, but it's worth it if you're wanting to splurge for some good sushi or ramen. read more

Izakaya Naruto - Pizza Roll and Protein Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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I had high hopes for this place, but it was a letdown. I ordered the Chula Vista Ramen $17 plus tax and it came with nothing but broth, clumpy noodles, a pile of green onions, and chicken that looked pre-grilled but had a boiled, rubbery texture. That's it, unless you want to pay extra for basic add-ons like an egg or corn. The noodles were soggy and stuck together, like they had been sitting too long. Orginally came for sushi but it was waaaaay overpriced to only get 8 pieces for a premium price. On top of that, service was slow; we waited about 20 minutes before anyone even came to take our order. The restaurant looks nice, but that's about all it has going for it. Definitely not worth the money. Save yourself the disappointment and eat somewhere else such as Harumama if you're craving good ramen or Saki Sushi & Grill if you're craving sushi (they don't charge an arm or leg and its waaaaaay better) read more

Izakaya Naruto - Chula Vista Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Horrible service. Had to wait 20 minutes for someone to come to our tabkebafter pushing the button. Service has gone down, taste has gone down. Time to move on read more

One of my favorite sushi spots but my absolute favorite ramen joints. Definitely is on the smaller side so we always go right when it opens to avoid a wait or order pick up. The Tokyo Metro, Algo Refrescante, and Viva Chula Vista specialty rolls are our faves while the Chula Vista ramen with the cilantro/jalapeño blend is delicious! The cha-shu chicken in the ramen is tender and flavorful and the add-on toppings such as seasoned eggs and garlic butter are plentiful. If you are going for classic, authentic options this is your place - the 2 piece sushi and sashimi offerings will keep you satisfied. The reviews on this place won't steer you wrong- you definitely will enjoy Izakaya Naruto! read more

I saw the craziest review of this place and had to add my own because as a local that's been coming here for a few years- this is the only place in Chula Vista with fresh fish for sushi. The service is remarkable. I saw someone complain about imitation crab on a review... why would you order that if you don't like it? Anyways I personally don't like imitation crab so I always get the Tekka roll and the Negihama roll- never disappoints!! My staple If I want something a little more 'fancy' I get the Algo Refrescante roll. I love that they also have ramune. The place has the perfect set up inside- so cozy and intimate. I usually order to go because I live close but when I dine in it's always been a pleasant experience. I love this place and am so grateful it exists! read more

We've passed this place many times and wonder what the hype is about. The parking is always full. We decided to stop by one day instead of driving to our favorite sushi in convoy area. Bad decision! Sushi was mediocre... I think people who come here are the Mexicans who come from Tijuana and/or people around the area who don't know much about sushi. No offense! But this place isn't good. This place was one and done for us. read more

Have gotten takeout from here once before so decided to eat in tonight. From the start, customer service felt inauthentic and like they're just checking a box. Miso soup came with plastic takeout spoons and chopsticks felt very cheap and were splintered. Sushi is not bad, but not worth the money especially for the cheap ambiance. read more

Wonderful service and staff serving delicious ramen and rolls = 5 stars! The ramen broth reminds me of what you find in Japan - savory and seasoned just right. I especially love the cilantro and jalapeño option. All our bowls had generous portions of chicken, and I love the variety of toppings you can add on. Very reasonably priced seasoned egg (two halves). The $5 add-on California roll is a great deal! Easy free parking is a plus. We had a nice time chatting with the owner, Go, after our meal. We went a little later in the evening after the dinner rush, and the vibe was chill and cozy. We will definitely be back! read more

I ordered to go. It was Pretty decent sushi being in Chula Vista! I really enjoyed it.

Alright I've been to many ramen places but this restaurant.... Great amazing and delicious!! This location has pho, ramen and sushi! I mean, how amazing is that. I came here for the first time Thursday and I'm already back on Saturday! Ramen tried: SupSpicyRamen: 15/10- broth is great, the chicken perfectly cooked and seasoned it was the good like sesame oil with soy sauce, the noodles: perfect thickness, a great portion! Spice level: 5/5 See I love spicy food, this one is perfect has a perfect kick to it, my lips are on fire, but still so good and enjoyable!! If you can't handle spicy, do not get this one- if you can, don't think twice this is *chefs kiss* Salty ramen: 10/10 Basically same as above, as explained to us it is the basic no spice. Still so good. Not salty at all haha. Crunchy roll: 9/10! So good! When you buy a ramen or pho bowl, you can order a California roll for 5.99! What a deal. I also found out that this location is open from 5-11pm. Their last call is at 10:30pm. We arrived at approximately 10pm and they had a line. Must be pretty poppin', as the kids now a days would say. Even though they had a wait manager on duty and staff still stayed after to seat us, kept thanking us for the wait but honestly so worth it. Staff: THANK YOU to everyone! Special shout out to Evan and Mr. Happy face, my favorites! Their energy was great, always attentive and maintained the restaurant clean! Made us laugh and you can tell they have fun while working! Thank you for the chocolates! If you're still reading and I haven't convinced you yet, I mean........ try it for yourself! I'm def going to become a regular! read more

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The owner was the most hospitable person I've ever met at a restaurant! We got the chula vista ramen which was nothing short of amazing in terms of broth flavor and size. The owner was so kind as to push my chair in for me and opened the door for us to leave. The staff are very attentive, kind, and very funny. 10/10 experience! read more

Izakaya Naruto - Chula Vista Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chula Vista, California