Ken Sushi Workshop
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This is one of the best sushi places in SD! It's definitely a best kept secret. The food and service is on point! It's in a business office complex. The crispy tuna was ridiculously gold! The rice is crispy, the tuna and avocado is so delicious. Has the perfect rice and tuna ratio. This is a must get. All the sushi here is buttery and just melts in your mouth. I loved the salmon belly, toro, and tuna cheek. You can taste the quality and freshness of the fish. The A5 wagyu is insanely good! It's smokey, buttery soft, and rich. This was our favorite dish of the night. The bring the tuna cheek in this cool smokey container. I used my chopsticks to split it in half and it's so soft it just cuts through so easily. For rolls, I really liked the workplace roll. It had a little hint of coconut, crispy, and creamy texture. The ice cream was interesting! I'm not an uni person, but the uni ice cream was creamy and really good! The black truffle is pieces of black truffle with vanilla ice cream. It has a strong truffle flavor, but somehow works lol The matcha creme brûlée has a strong matcha flavor. I thought it could've had a more balanced, creamy flavor.
I have been fantasizing about this sushi bar since I came here in 2021 and it's not nearly as good as I imagined it to be! Good sushi and I love Ken. He's so adorable and brought us some side treats! The fish is extremely fresh and very high quality BUT the prices are ridiculous for the location and lack of ambience. I've spent decades eating sushi and this was lacking in so many ways so I just want to be transparent here. I love Ken and think he's a SHOWSTOPPER however he should dim the lights and put on some Japanese music and make it reasonably priced not exorbitantly expensive for a neighborhood sushi place. It has a 19th hole vibe like lots of golfers partying which is fun but not at the crazy price point here
Ken's Sushi is our go-to spot and always exceeds our expectations. We recently had a surprise birthday dinner there with a party of 10 on a Tuesday, and Ken made the whole night feel extra special. We ordered a mix of nigiri, rolls, and a few people did "Ken's Way," where you just tell him when to stop bringing sushi (omakase style). Everything was so fresh and delicious. Ken even gifted us a bottle of sake and came out to sing Happy Birthday. We've been coming here for years and it's one of those places that never disappoints. Good music, good vibes, happy staff, and amazing sushi. If you're planning a visit, I'd recommend trying to get a reservation during the week since weekends can get pretty busy. I also recommend eating outside in your own individual bubble.
Ken sushi is amazing. We went for my husbands birthday on Saturday. They were great for 8 people. We sat outside and it was lovely. We got 3 orders of the tuna crispy rice. I'm obsessed with them. recommendations: Crispy tuna rice - order multiple Workshop roll- Everytime we get this roll it's a knockout Hula- very yummy Mango- a go go Chocolate cake for dessert. The service is so lovely and the front of house staff are always so friendly.
Ken Sushi Workshop is one of my favorite places in San Diego to get sushi! Amazingly fresh fish and fun creative rolls are the highlight. The twister roll, salmon belly nigiri, and wagyu are always must gets. Ken the owner and chef is also super charming and funny, and always generous with his pours! Great service, great food, it's a great spot to go just minutes drive from Torrey Pines beach!
I lucked out in knowing a friend who knows Ken and was able to secure reservations for me four days prior to the date, which was a Friday night at 7:30 PM. I have been meaning to go for ages as my friend has been telling me about it and considers himself a bit of a sushi connoisseur. Finally, I took the opportunity to go to celebrate my sister's birthday. It only took a few minutes for them to get the table ready, but it was in a great location for us to see Ken and for him to know that we we're a guest of my friend. We decided against the Omakase experience just because I think I was turned off on the thought of maybe just having the traditional soup and salad items that I took to mean as filler foods. I wanted to have the opportunity to choose the items that I was most interested in. Everything was spectacular. We probably had a total of about 10 items shared amongst three people. The tuna tartare and caviar over the eggplant tempura was in incredible. Omg the Chilean Seabass was phenomenal. It tasted almost like sweet king crab. The sauces and the flavor had perfect depth, nothing felt heavy. The workshop maki was spicy, and it all paired so well with a sake. Ken came to surprise us and toast us with his special sushi water, which was incredibly smooth like water and dangerous. We finished the meal with some incredible ice cream a truffle one which I've never had before and the green tea crème brûlée that I can't stop thinking about it. It was a very memorable dinner and I cannot wait to go back again. It all would've been perfect had it ended there, but the hostess had made a comment asking about all of us in attendance and said something to the extent that she thought I was a young grandma, which is insulting in anyway that you look at it. No one wants to be called that but that's all I was remembering when I left. Come here for Ken though he is an extremely gracious host and a master chef.
I've reviewed before. No update and no change. Still amazingly fresh and delicious. The pickled wasabi is unreal. I need to bottle that condiment.
If I could, I'd fly to San Diego every weekend just to come here lol Visited from the Bay Area and we were recommended Ken's by a friend of ours who frequents here. Sat in an outside tent which was so nice to keep wind and bugs away, service was great, and food was to die for. We got the nigiri combination, unagi roll, and creamy soda. Everything tasted so fresh and perfect, we wanted to order more if we could have eaten more. 10/10 recommend! Great experience and some of the best sushi I've had.
Ken's is the kind of place that you can come to almost every day and never get bored of it. It has so much character with all the legendary golf memorabilia. Chef Ken is a true master of his craft, and having a great personality is the added bonus. All the staff is great. You must try it.
One of the best sushi experiences. Would definitely go back. Got to meet Ken and he definitely knows how to welcome guests and feel at home. Everything was fresh and delicious. The omakase nigiri sushi was amazing and a good portion!
A+ atmosphere, Ken is amazing, staff is great, incredible plating, bold flavor profiles with an interactive omakase experience. Fresh fish, beautiful plating and serving plates, very complex takes on omakase. Ken is super welcoming and attentive - pouring shots on the house. Their omakase starts simple, then ramps up in complexity. Their bone marrow uni dish is legendary and a fun experience. Definitely give this place a try!
A very nice sushi spot! Don't mistake its no-frills approachability for a lack of craftsmanship. Everything here is run tightly, from the quality of the fish to the pacing of the meal. The seafood was sweet and fresh, the service was speedy, and Chef Ken greeted every table, giving the place a family-like atmosphere. I also appreciated that our nigiri was coursed by flavor progression - they took our dining experience seriously.
12 days ago
Amazing sushi spot to come to, coming to San Diego for work I always pass by this spot and finally got to try it! Service is top teir as well with Ken and his staff taking care of you, especially Izzy who's one of their servers is always on top of taking care of you and making sure your sushi experience is as awesome as the food. read more
13 days ago
Ken Sushi Workshop is one of my favorite sushi restaurants in San Diego. Their sushi rolls are a bit pricey at $25 - $32 per roll, but the rolls are unique and the fish quality is fantastic, so they are certainly worth the price! The restaurant gets pretty busy, so I would definitely recommend making a reservation beforehand. My favorite sushi rolls are the hula (has matcha crunchies on top) and the twister (wrapped with fried potato). The crispy rice is also a delicious appetizer! For dessert, the matcha tiramisu or the lava cake are both solid options. There is indoor, outdoor, and bar seating, and lots of golf decor. Would definitely recommend checking this place out! read more
3 months ago
This is one of the best sushi places in SD! It's definitely a best kept secret. The food and service is on point! It's in a business office complex. The crispy tuna was ridiculously gold! The rice is crispy, the tuna and avocado is so delicious. Has the perfect rice and tuna ratio. This is a must get. All the sushi here is buttery and just melts in your mouth. I loved the salmon belly, toro, and tuna cheek. You can taste the quality and freshness of the fish. The A5 wagyu is insanely good! It's smokey, buttery soft, and rich. This was our favorite dish of the night. The bring the tuna cheek in this cool smokey container. I used my chopsticks to split it in half and it's so soft it just cuts through so easily. For rolls, I really liked the workplace roll. It had a little hint of coconut, crispy, and creamy texture. The ice cream was interesting! I'm not an uni person, but the uni ice cream was creamy and really good! The black truffle is pieces of black truffle with vanilla ice cream. It has a strong truffle flavor, but somehow works lol The matcha creme brûlée has a strong matcha flavor. I thought it could've had a more balanced, creamy flavor. read more
I have been fantasizing about this sushi bar since I came here in 2021 and it's not nearly as good as I imagined it to be! Good sushi and I love Ken. He's so adorable and brought us some side treats! The fish is extremely fresh and very high quality BUT the prices are ridiculous for the location and lack of ambience. I've spent decades eating sushi and this was lacking in so many ways so I just want to be transparent here. I love Ken and think he's a SHOWSTOPPER however he should dim the lights and put on some Japanese music and make it reasonably priced not exorbitantly expensive for a neighborhood sushi place. It has a 19th hole vibe like lots of golfers partying which is fun but not at the crazy price point here read more
Ken's Sushi is our go-to spot and always exceeds our expectations. We recently had a surprise birthday dinner there with a party of 10 on a Tuesday, and Ken made the whole night feel extra special. We ordered a mix of nigiri, rolls, and a few people did "Ken's Way," where you just tell him when to stop bringing sushi (omakase style). Everything was so fresh and delicious. Ken even gifted us a bottle of sake and came out to sing Happy Birthday. We've been coming here for years and it's one of those places that never disappoints. Good music, good vibes, happy staff, and amazing sushi. If you're planning a visit, I'd recommend trying to get a reservation during the week since weekends can get pretty busy. I also recommend eating outside in your own individual bubble. read more
Ken sushi is amazing. We went for my husbands birthday on Saturday. They were great for 8 people. We sat outside and it was lovely. We got 3 orders of the tuna crispy rice. I'm obsessed with them. recommendations: Crispy tuna rice - order multiple Workshop roll- Everytime we get this roll it's a knockout Hula- very yummy Mango- a go go Chocolate cake for dessert. The service is so lovely and the front of house staff are always so friendly. read more
2 months ago
Ken Sushi Workshop is one of my favorite places in San Diego to get sushi! Amazingly fresh fish and fun creative rolls are the highlight. The twister roll, salmon belly nigiri, and wagyu are always must gets. Ken the owner and chef is also super charming and funny, and always generous with his pours! Great service, great food, it's a great spot to go just minutes drive from Torrey Pines beach! read more
I lucked out in knowing a friend who knows Ken and was able to secure reservations for me four days prior to the date, which was a Friday night at 7:30 PM. I have been meaning to go for ages as my friend has been telling me about it and considers himself a bit of a sushi connoisseur. Finally, I took the opportunity to go to celebrate my sister's birthday. It only took a few minutes for them to get the table ready, but it was in a great location for us to see Ken and for him to know that we we're a guest of my friend. We decided against the Omakase experience just because I think I was turned off on the thought of maybe just having the traditional soup and salad items that I took to mean as filler foods. I wanted to have the opportunity to choose the items that I was most interested in. Everything was spectacular. We probably had a total of about 10 items shared amongst three people. The tuna tartare and caviar over the eggplant tempura was in incredible. Omg the Chilean Seabass was phenomenal. It tasted almost like sweet king crab. The sauces and the flavor had perfect depth, nothing felt heavy. The workshop maki was spicy, and it all paired so well with a sake. Ken came to surprise us and toast us with his special sushi water, which was incredibly smooth like water and dangerous. We finished the meal with some incredible ice cream a truffle one which I've never had before and the green tea crème brûlée that I can't stop thinking about it. It was a very memorable dinner and I cannot wait to go back again. It all would've been perfect had it ended there, but the hostess had made a comment asking about all of us in attendance and said something to the extent that she thought I was a young grandma, which is insulting in anyway that you look at it. No one wants to be called that but that's all I was remembering when I left. Come here for Ken though he is an extremely gracious host and a master chef. read more
2 months ago
I've reviewed before. No update and no change. Still amazingly fresh and delicious. The pickled wasabi is unreal. I need to bottle that condiment. read more
If I could, I'd fly to San Diego every weekend just to come here lol Visited from the Bay Area and we were recommended Ken's by a friend of ours who frequents here. Sat in an outside tent which was so nice to keep wind and bugs away, service was great, and food was to die for. We got the nigiri combination, unagi roll, and creamy soda. Everything tasted so fresh and perfect, we wanted to order more if we could have eaten more. 10/10 recommend! Great experience and some of the best sushi I've had. read more
23 days ago
Ken's is the kind of place that you can come to almost every day and never get bored of it. It has so much character with all the legendary golf memorabilia. Chef Ken is a true master of his craft, and having a great personality is the added bonus. All the staff is great. You must try it. read more
20 days ago
One of the best sushi experiences. Would definitely go back. Got to meet Ken and he definitely knows how to welcome guests and feel at home. Everything was fresh and delicious. The omakase nigiri sushi was amazing and a good portion! read more
8 days ago
Oh. My. God!! Not only was the food amazing, but our service was 20/10! The ambiance was wonderful and Ken was a joy as always. Our server Izzy was genuinely such a great server and gave us amazing recommendations. I recommend the smoked toro. read more
A+ atmosphere, Ken is amazing, staff is great, incredible plating, bold flavor profiles with an interactive omakase experience. Fresh fish, beautiful plating and serving plates, very complex takes on omakase. Ken is super welcoming and attentive - pouring shots on the house. Their omakase starts simple, then ramps up in complexity. Their bone marrow uni dish is legendary and a fun experience. Definitely give this place a try! read more
A very nice sushi spot! Don't mistake its no-frills approachability for a lack of craftsmanship. Everything here is run tightly, from the quality of the fish to the pacing of the meal. The seafood was sweet and fresh, the service was speedy, and Chef Ken greeted every table, giving the place a family-like atmosphere. I also appreciated that our nigiri was coursed by flavor progression - they took our dining experience seriously. read more
2 months ago
The sushi tasted great, no complaints about the food itself. But for the price point, the vibes of the whole place were not it. If i'm paying that much for sushi, i want the ambiance to feel just as elevated. Instead, the tents, the business center parking lot vibes, the tiny overfilled space inside too away from the experience. The tents outside just look ridiculous and the tables inside are super close to each other, and there was no air conditioning on a super hot day. The service was good, but again, because the place is so cramped the waiters have to squeeze through to your table and it's awkward for everybody. It's also reservation only, so it's not the kind of place you can spontaneously go to if you are craving sushi. So overall, while the sushi is good, the ambiance and overall atmosphere made the experience feel underwhelming for the price. There are other places in San Diego that will satisfy a sushi craving without being such an expensive and underwhelming experience. read more
I had a really wonderful experience here! I was fortunate enough to be seated at the sushi bar and served by Owner/Chef Ken. For our visit, my friend and I ordered the following: salmon belly sashimi, hamachi jalapeño, smoked toro, sweet shrimp, Kumamoto oysters, shumai, and garlic edamame. Everything was incredibly fresh! Chef Ken took excellent care of us. He's a very kind man and is very sweet. His personality alone makes me want to come back again and again to support his business. I think I have a new favorite sushi restaurant! The restaurant itself is not very large, but there are igloos outside. I guess these were set up during COVID, and they remained. They look very cozy and intimate, perfect for a date! Note, if you're a golf fan, you'll appreciate that Chef Ken has a golf-themed decoration throughout the restaurant. There's even a golf cart in front of the restaurant! Definitely come check out Ken Sushi Workshop! I promise you will not be disappointed! P.S. There's fresh wasabi here! read more
5 months ago
I had heard about this place but this meal was beyond amazing! Bill, our waiter, was outstanding as he was the driver of what to order! Warm, efficient, and wise in what he told us to eat. Our kind of server. Impeccable service. If you can mold a waiter, it would be Bill. But onto INCOMPARABLE sushi. Top 3 items. The Scallop Nigiri, the A5 Wagyu nigiri, and the sea bass. Mouth watering. We loved the hamachi belly, the yellow tail nigiri, the hamachi jalapeño special. The side of rice was impeccable. Moist and so hot. This is a MUST eat place. Love love love. read more
1 year ago
I have lost count of how many times I've been here--it's easily one of my favorite sushi spots in San Diego. From the warm greeting at the door to the great outdoor seating they created during COVID to give each group more space, everything adds to the experience. For me, a great outdoor dining experience comes down to three things: the ambiance and service, the company you share it with, and the quality of the food. Last night, all three came together perfectly. We went with our friends from Orange County and spent a wonderful 90 minutes enjoying sushi, sashimi, and lively conversation. The highlights were the crispy rice with tuna and albacore, and the seared scallops. The scallops were a new discovery for me--recommended by our waiter (whose name I wish I had remembered)--and they turned out to be a standout Overall, it was another five-star experience read more
1 year ago
Came here with my dog and friend, we were seated outside in a tent, it felt both cozy and a little tucked away. This place is busy and full of energy. You can tell the owner, Ken likes golf and outdoor by the decor outside of the restaurant. The servers were all very nice, and even bought out some water for my dog. We got soft shell crabs. mixed tempuras and assorted sushi, they all were very fresh and tasty. It is a warm, welcoming spot, we'll be back. read more
1 month ago
Expensive, rare treat - creative, inventive, and unique sushi, beautifully presented. We had the crispy rice appetizer, the hula roll, the workshop roll, surf's up roll, and chef's choice nigiri. Our favorite was the oh no but yes roll. The tempura ice cream was fun. Customer service was top notch. We've only dined outside in their bubbles and tents, which gives you more privacy. They kept the outdoor dining warm with heat lamps and blankets. Sake selection was impressive. read more
This place is amazing! Ken is a warm and personable guy who is proud of his craft. We sat at the bar and had a wonderful time socializing and watching him prepare dishes. He has some unique sauces that are flavorful! Loved the Hula roll (it has macadamia nuts and matcha), toro, and tuna cheek (omg to die for I've never had anything like it - even in Japan!) I love the vibe of this place, it's very casual inside although quite pricey. It's 100% worth it. I never was a fan of sake until coming here. I am definitely recommending this to all light-hearted sushi lovers. read more
4 months ago
Wow wow wow best sushi in all of San Diego absolutely loved every single bite. We had just Ken was absolutely phenomenal. The service was incredible and the ambience was great but honestly, Ken is truly amazing. He treated us like family !!!.we got the turo cheek and ahhh incredible. Every single piece was custom and unique to us and again best sushi I've ever had loved it !!! read more
I have been to Ken's several times and my family frequently dines here. They have individualized dining experiences outside where you can sit in your own "bubble" or "tent" which feels like an exclusive dining experience. The staff is very professional yet fun. The sushi and food itself are AMAZING. Every time I go, I leave so satisfied. Ken is friendly and welcoming too! I will continue to keep visiting this restaurant when I want high-quality sushi and a fabulous dining experience. read more
2 months ago
2 years ago
Great service by our server Jacob and another young man who came to check on us often. No wait at Tuesday lunch time and we sat outdoors in their tents which is fun. Weirdly located in a medical plaza but I'm not complaining about free parking. The food came out quickly and everything was delicious. I enjoyed the sashimi plate more than the nigiri even though they had similar fish. It was just tastier to enjoy the fish by itself. I really liked the variety and it did "melt" in your mouth. Very tender and well cut. Amberjack, blue fin tuna and otoro were my top favorites. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful sushi venue. Some people had business meetings too so it was very relaxing. read more
First time here, been a fan of Ota, so KSW right up our alley. We wanted to celebrate our 5 year anniversary with an omakase and didn't want to drive down to convoy area. We made a reservation a month in advance, we decided to do bar seating. We got there 10 minutes early on a Friday and parking started filling up fast and a lot of people started coming. We sat at the bar and brought our own sake bottle. Ken takes a shot of sake at the bar for any one that orders sake. He was probably wasted at the end of the night. lol. We did the Pride Omakase ($180). It came with about 9 items: salad with grilled salmon pieces, sashimi, oysters, tuna tartare with uni, fried soft shell crab, nigiris, smoked otoro nigiri, miso soup and ice cream (mango, uni, vanilla). And we got an off item, the salmon nigiri, 2 premium beers, and brought our own sake (corkage $20) from Otaru Japan during our travels. Everything was delicious. The sushi was definitely fresh. We loved the smoked otoro and fish from the sashimi plate. Oysters could go without the sauce they drench it in. Tasted good by itself. The uni ice cream was definitely something to try but really dank. High turn over with the fish, it was packed once the restaurant opened. We definitely enjoyed their omakase menu! But want to come back for regular nigiri or some rolls. Cost was about $500 for the meal. Quite pricey but well worth the experience and amount of food you get. It's a family oriented place, and there's no trendy vibe. It's fun and loud and we now know we can bring our toddler for some good sushi!! read more
29 days ago
6 months ago
2 months ago
Wow - what an unforgettable dining experience. Ken is an incredible artist, and every plate that came out was both stunning and delicious. Even my friend, who isn't usually a sushi fan, couldn't stop raving about every course. This is so much more than great sushi; it's an immersive culinary experience. Without questions, one of the best meals I've ever had. Highly recommend! read more
3 months ago
3 months ago
3 months ago
Celebrated my daughter's graduation with omakase at Ken Sushi Workshop. Hands down the best sushi I've had. Ken went out of his way to help celebrate alongside with us and make the night more memorable for everyone. read more
4 months ago
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More info about Ken Sushi Workshop
11375 El Camino Real
San Diego, CA 92130
Carmel Valley
Directions
(858) 793-1200
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https://kensushiworkshop.shop
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Ask the Community - Ken Sushi Workshop
Where can I make a reservation? I don't see on website and you guys are not part of Opentable
Did you try calling? I called.
How many pieces is the $150 omakase?
My omikase has always been well over $150, and well worth it!
How much is the cheapest omakase?
I believe it is $130. We had the $180 and thought it was well worth it.
Is this an AYCE Sushi bar?
no it is not but its so good youll order everything and it might as well be,
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