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    Kotobuki

    4.5 (200 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Sushi Bars
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

    Kotobuki Photos

    Business Info

    KOTOBUKI ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Kotobuki

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    Reviews With Photos

    chicken terriyaki
    Catalina G.

    I would give this place a 3.9. I think the sushi is fresh, the sashimi is good. The inside is clean. The restaurant has a pleasant ambiance. Parking is easy, there's a big lot right out front. The service was pretty good. The only reason I'm putting it on a lower ish scale is because I believe there are a lot of solid Japanese restaurants in the area. However, if you would like a quick lunch that's healthy and delicious this is the place to go. The plating was very nice.

    Sashimi Bowl
    Jocy C.

    It's about time I write reviews again. Kotobuki is a family owned Japanese restaurant located in Kearny Mesa area of San Diego. The menu has a variety (Appetizers, Salad, Combo Bowls, Rolls, Sashimi, Beer, Sake, Wine, Dessert). I'm a big fan of their Sashimi Bowl, Hamachi Kama, and Arnold Palmer. Simple, non-pretentious, & delicious food. ENJOY!

    Inside
    Shalin E.

    Clean restaurant, large free parking lot. Fresh ingredients, nothing fancy to the rolls - not too much sauce. Authentic simple menu. Friendly service. Some outdoor seating available. I didn't try one of the bowls, seemed like a good deal, I will try next visit.

    Nigiri

    Clean, quiet, and quality food. I love the udon - chewy noodles and generous portion for the size. Their nigiri is yum with a spicy wasabi kick. Glad I discovered this local spot and will definitely be frequenting more often. Wait times are variable due to one server, but well worth the wait

    Cleanest restaurant floor!
    Ruffa G.

    The caterpillar roll is great! The roll was moist, the avocado was velvety and the unagi was tasty. The dragon roll was a little dry. The salmon sushi was delicious! The wasabi was so fresh- the freshest I've ever had. The place is sparkling clean! They have the CLEANEST BATHROOM ever! I have been to the The Marine Room and Roy's bathrooms- but not even close to Kotobuki's bathroom!

    Soft shell crab roll though
    Alina L.

    Food was fresh! We ordered: 1) sashimi bowl 2) sashimi plate 3) fatty tuna sashimi (2 pieces) 4) soft shell crab roll The sashimi tasted fresh, rice with the seaweed mix in the bowl was nicely made. My favorite was probably the soft shell crab roll though, it was wrapped in protein paper. I'm just hoping that they can expand the menu more someday! I took my mom because she loves sashimi but there were only 3 choices of fish: salmon, tuna, yellowtail. Service was wonderful and very attentive! I think this is a family owned business, probably husband and wife handling all the operations for the restaurant. Luckily, we came on a quiet night so but I can imagine how busy and overwhelming it could get with more people between 2-3 people! Another favorite part for me was the interior design! Lots of wide open space and modern minimalistic design.

    Rainbow roll
    Cesar C.

    one of our fav. Places to come for lunch!! super quiet, perfect for 1:1 lunches!! family owned, our go tos are the matcha tea, mixed tempura, and usually somekind of sashimi combo. i never seen the restaurant busy, maybe because we come during odd hours?... it is occassionally closed when thr family is out of town. Do call ahead to ensure they are open. Thank you kotobuki!!... Oh also their hamachi kama is delicious!! Must get it next time!!

    Rainbow roll
    Kaloni S.

    My friend and I picked this place randomly since the reviews looked decent. It's a very small restaurant with limited seating. There is plenty of parking in the lot. We were there right at 5pm and seated right away. Server was sweet, but very slow. Toward the end of our meal, we waited at least 20 minutes to get her attention to give us our check. Otherwise, the food was okay, very limited menu, and nothing special about the sushi rolls. Food review: Sashimi: (4/5) Simple but tasted pretty fresh. Seaweed salad: (3/5) Very hard, not that good. We could only eat half because it didn't taste fresh. Yellowtail Jalapeno sashimi: (5/5) Very delicious, the jalapeños were very spicy but otherwise fish was very fresh and overall dish had good flavor. Salmon avocado roll: (4/5) I get these everywhere I go and this one was just ok. Idk if the avocado was off or what but wasn't my favorite. Rainbow roll: (4/5) This roll was pretty good! I appreciate it was made with crab instead of shrimp because I have an allergy. Probably my favorite thing we ordered.

    Roll Menu
    Grace L.

    This restaurant is on the smaller side, and only has one server. She was really working really hard going from taking the orders, serving the food, and also bussing the tables. I got seated after a few minutes. The ambiance was relaxed with a good amount of people dining in, as well as carrying out. I ordered the sashimi bowl ($23) which came with tuna, yellowtail, and salmon over sushi rice. It also had a miso soup on the side. It was a bit of a wait before getting the food, which is understandable. My favorite sashimi of the bowl was actually the tuna. This is rarely the case because I actually usually prefer salmon and yellowtail. However, the tuna tasted so fresh and was a great cut. The yellowtail was delicious too, but I wish that the salmon was cut a little thicker. There was a lot of sushi rice at the bottom, so I had some leftover at the end of the meal. I also ordered a two piece fresh water eel nigiri ($6.50). This was amazing and was such a great ending to my meal. I would return to this restaurant in the future!

    Toro belly and scallop nigiri
    Julian T.

    Came here for Valentine's Day and it did not disappoint us. The service was great. The service was great. She was very friendly and explained everything very well. The food was incredible. My wife and I ordered the sashimi combo and we noticed the different slices of fish were melt in your mouth fresh. There was no taste of fishiness and not one of the slices of sashimi were chewy or anything. Great quality and great prices. Looking forward to our next visit

    Salmon+Spicy Tuna Bowl
    Tim B.

    Really good Japanese food. Their California rolls were high quality. The bowl was pretty good and I don't even like seafood that much. Their staff were very nice and the food came out pretty quickly. The inside is very nice, they even have bar seating which I like.

    Sashimi Bowl
    Sandy C.

    Such a cute spot to meet for work lunch! The fish was very fresh and the sashimi bowl and bento box were both delicious. Also quick service!

    Chopsticks adapter!
    Angel L.

    Decent local find! 4.5 stars Sees to be family run and they have decent selection of sashimi and teishoku sets. They even have this chopstick adapter for my little one to use the disposable chopsticks with! We enjoyed their scallops, yellowtail, grill salmon set Prices are reasonable and the food was fresh. Will return again

    Sashimi bowl

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    Love this place. Fresh seafood, miss traditional Japanese, I think japanese owned. Delicious

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    7 months ago

    Great service and food. Quiet place and I loved the cold sake. Simple and flavorful sushi rolls as well as Sashimi bowl (okay). Enjoy!

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    7 months ago

    Went for my birthday. Everything was perfection. Service, aesthetic, the sashimi bowl was out of this world. I can't wait to go back.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Kotobuki

    Does this place do AYCE?

    No, they have pre-set sushi platters, nigiri a la carte, and others fresh fish entrees (e.g. chirashi bowls). Quality sushi only here.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    People searched for Japanese 17,416 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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    Wa Dining OKAN - Rib Eye and Scallop X2

    Wa Dining OKAN

    4.3(1.5k reviews)
    2.0 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.

    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

    Robataya Oton

    Robataya Oton

    4.1(465 reviews)
    0.6 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.

    Photos
    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)
    1.8 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)
    1.5 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)
    1.5 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)
    3.0 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!

    Kotobuki - japanese - Updated May 2026

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