Kuma

4.3 (455 reviews)

ModerateJapanese, Sushi Bars, Asian Fusion

Open • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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Kuma Photos

Kuma - Apollo, Spicy Paula, California Roll - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma - Interior - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma - CARMEL VALLEY ROLL - @rayz - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

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Kuma - SPICY SCALLOP HAND ROLL - @rayz - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma Popular Dishes

Phoenix Roll

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Spicy Paula Roll

10 Photos11 Reviews

Spanish Bay Roll

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KUMA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

Inside

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Outside

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Casual

Trendy

Loud

Dogs allowed

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Reviews With Photos

Sophia H.

Kuma was a great find during our trip to Monterey. The service was excellent from start to finish--everyone was friendly, attentive, and our drinks and food came out surprisingly fast. We started with two of their specialty cocktails, and both were fantastic. They were a really unique fusion of Japanese flavors and a margarita, perfectly balanced and delicious. For dinner, I ordered a sushi roll that was huge, incredibly filling, and made with very fresh fish. My husband had the chicken teriyaki, which was also a generous portion and came with miso soup and rice, making it a great value. The only part of the meal that fell a little short was the gyoza. They were cooked well with a nice texture, but the filling was just okay, and the dipping sauce lacked flavor. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal and would definitely come back for the sushi, cocktails, and great service.

Gabe P.

Had a chance to try Kuma this weekend. This place did not disappoint. Though we didn't get to sit and dine in the restaurant seemed very clean and staff was very helpful and friendly. The sushi was fresh. I loved how it didn't have a lot of sauce on the rolls you were really able to taste the freshness of the different fishes on each roll. The quality was great, prices were decent, and overall had a great experience. We would definitely come back and I would love to dine in next time.

Aaron V.

If I could give this place a 10 I would. You want to talk about a spot that hit every mark and some? This was it. The service was lights out. Multiple people helping us. Plates being cleared, drinks being served, sushi coming out fast. The sushi itself was flat out unbelievable. We ordered sashimi and rolls...ALL delicious. We also ordered the stuffed jalepenos which were also incredible. I really do mean this, one of the best sushi spots I've ever been to. I wish I could tell more and more people. Check out all the photos and make sure that if you want sushi and you're in the area...you check out Kuma.

Rachel M.

Sushi was yummy! Happy they had room for our party of 7. Service was pretty prompt even when the place got packed soon after we arrived. Spacious interior and a separate room for private party. Agedashi tofu and the sushi rolls (Aspen, Sun and Whole-Hearted) were delicious and I'd highly recommend for a good variety. I appreciated the freshness of the fish, rice to fish ratio and creativity of each roll. They also have vegan rolls. Prices were a little elevated for the smaller portions of sushi - $18 and up for each roll but they were tasty enough. There's 60 min street parking nearby.

Julie S.

Really good sushi in Monterey. This is located in downtown Monterey and we stopped in because our original destination had a huge wait. Kuma had a few minute wait. This place is really family friendly, and there were a lot of people with loud kids on a Saturday night around 6. It was also really packed, so the servers were running around getting everyone everything pretty quickly. I thought they were very pleasant and energetic. They have an interesting variety of sushi rolls, including some vegetarian and vegan selections. I felt like the serving size was pretty large, and I ended up taking some home. All the fish was fresh and high quality. A very enjoyable dinner!

Pamela F.

Two friends/colleagues and I skipped out of a nearby conference to chow down on sushi and were so stoked on Kuma! We had good service and even scored some free sake when one of the wait staff misunderstood a request (likely because the dining room is so loud! not great acoustics because it's so cavernous, but bright and welcoming, too). I have to admit that I was a little intimidated by their extensive menu, but we loved pretty much everything we ordered. Left stuffed and satisfied!

Loved this place!!! Ordered two rolls and a few different nigiri and all were very tasty and fresh! Even the rice was the correct temperature. The service was spot on! The Nikka whiskey was tasty. And the prices were so much better than I'm used to! I will be back!

Jennifer G.

I stopped in for a solo dinner on a Weds night. The restaurant was only half full so I was attended to very quickly. The service was pleasant and prompt throughout my visit. There is a small bar with some seating when you first walk in, and then a medium sized dining room with a sushi bar as well. I ordered the scallop blossom appetizer ($10) and the Spicy Paula roll. I felt the roll could have been a little spicier to warrant the pepper label. But it was fresh and delicious. Overall I was happy with my visit and would return.

Mai T.

This place has decently good sushi. I tried their edamame, sashimi, Spanish Bay roll (riceless), unagi roll, and salmon skin hand roll. Fish tasted fresh and was presented well. The place does't have a typical restaurant layout. The front part is rather dark and feels like a bar lounge. When you enter the back, it is a large airy space with plenty of tables. The tables are far apart so there is no crowded or intimate feeling. While a bit on the pricier side for sushi, it is on par for its downtown location.

Stephanie C.

Really friendly service, but kind of slow with the food. Got the platter with 8 rolls. To be honest, they all tasted kind of the same. It wasn't bad, but it was a lot of California-roll flavors. And there's a lot of sauce, so you're tasting the sauce more than the fish. Will try their chirashi next for something a little simpler.

Angelica H.

We ended up here after Alvarado brew had a 1+ hr wait and it was a GREAT pivot! Prickly pear marg was a fantastic start, strong and sweet Our rolls came quickly, best of which were the Sun roll and Phoenix (fun fire at the table!) Best of all was the Toro tuna belly sashimi!!! Our server Jaiden went above and beyond recommending this, telling us how to eat it, and even bringing over a special wasabi for us to try!! Ambiance leaves something to be desired, but Jaiden's service and the toro sashimi was the BEST! Definitely visit for fresh sushi when you're in Monterey

Andrew B.

Since my last visit the food quality and service has improved. We came to love the simple cut rolls.

$65 Love Plate for 2 with an add on of fried squid (Ika)

Cindy N.

If you're ever in Monterey County, be sure to check out my absolute favorite sushi bar called Kuma! This is our 2nd time coming to this restaurant and we will keep coming back. The "Lover Plate" for 2 is an especially good deal that features Chef's Choice of a special roll, 8 pieces of Nigiri, 2 hand rolls, 4 pieces of gyoza and wakame seaweed salad -- all for $65! You let the server know what you like and don't like and they will customize the meal for you! Kuma gets 5 stars for SAFAV: Service Ambiance Food Alcohol Value for Money For more food recommendations of restaurants rated 5 stars for SAFAV, check out my IG: https://www.instagram.com/cindythechomper?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

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Joseph M.

4 years ago

Best miso soup I've ever had! The Polar express role was yummy yummy yummy and also the North Star. I was reading reviews before we came in and all the 5 star people are telling the truth! read more

Kuma - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

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Mallory K.

4 years ago

I've tried almost every sushi spot on the peninsula, and this one is my (new) official favorite. The fish is high quality and FRESH - I actually want to order nigiri and sashimi. In terms of management, Dylan is exceptionally nice. My only request would be offering masago nigiri with quail egg on top. read more

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Cynthia D.

4 years ago

Food was delicious! I got the bad beat (without masago) and the tuna tasted so fresh. My fiancé got the akuma and his was delicious as well! It was so good we wanted to go back the same day for more. Drinks were great and friendly service read more

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Marisa C.

3 years ago

If I could give you zero stars I would. Terrible service. Placed an order over the phone, person taking our order didn't know what a Philadelphia roll was and was rude to us. Then was told by another person who ended up taking our order that it would be 45 minutes or if it was more they would call us. Drove over there 50 minutes after the call and said it would be 20 more minutes. After 30 minutes they said it would be another 15 minutes. Manager was rude and didn't even seem to care about us waiting nearly two hours for 3 rolls placed over the phone. Terrible service by the employees and terrible service from the manager. It's understandable if you let the customer know but to say one time and have me waste my gas and drive all the way over there just to receive no food is ridiculous. The ambiance sucks too. read more

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Liz L.

4 years ago

90 percent of the staff here is so nice and fun to chat with! The sushi is great, I whole heartedly recommend the whole hearted roll

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Mary B.

4 years ago

Such a great staff! And Sushi creative and fresh ! Thank you for a family friendly time!!

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Christina L.

4 years ago

Service was not great but sushi was delicious. Took a while to get menus, drinks and water. Once we were finally able to order food was reasonably quick. Waiter didn't write down order and then came back 7 times to clarify. read more

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Honey B.

4 years ago

Epic Sushi service from Spencer!! Weve come to Kuma so many times...however this time we met an amazing human named Spencer! We loved watching him make the sushi. You can absolutely feel his passion in his art creating visual and flavorful masterpieces. We enjoyed the special , Violent Mango along with RedEye roll. The scallops were so buttery and melted in our mouths. We could watch him all day. You can also feel he truly loves working for this company and thats refreshing :) Sushi at Kuma hittttt me different today. Our dinner was so amazing topped with a sweet eel sushi dessert. We are so grateful for our lovely date night. read more

Kuma - Patrick on the sushi line - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma - Special: Violent Mango - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

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Kate S.

4 years ago

The food is delicious! It's a little loud so I wouldn't go expecting to have quiet conversation, but it was worth it for the food! The staff is really nice and the service is quick! I suggest making a reservation. read more

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T S.

3 years ago

4 stars for the quality of the sushi, but 1 star for the extremely slow service, particularly given it was not very busy.

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Jem S.

5 years ago

great lunch with my homegirl and ofcourse, great service from Chef Monkey & server Samson read more

Kuma - CARMEL VALLEY ROLL - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma - SPANISH BAY ROLL - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma - chef monkey - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma - SALMON CARPACCIO - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma - SOFTSHELL CRAB - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

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Lisa H.

4 years ago

So, the good and the not so good. Our favorite rolls were the Spicy Paula, North Star and the Wholehearted. The Phoenix roll was our least favorite and we had hoped it would be great since it comes out flaming. Tasted the smoke from the flame and it really didn't help the overall flavor. We also ordered an appetizer and unfortunately, it didn't arrive until after our rolls were served and we asked why it hadn't come yet. Only then did they rush to get it delivered. The sad part is that the restaurant wasn't that busy, the rolls were slow coming out and the appetizer was slower still. We enjoyed the food, but couldn't give them five stars because of the delays in getting our food. They had sufficient staff so I can't explain why they're not on point. Read other reviews that said the same thing. It's s shame. read more

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Oyo B.

4 years ago

We used yelp to find this restaurant and it didn't disappoint. They have the friendliest service, the best sushi, amazing vegan rolls, and it's very clean! Everyone was working efficiently and helping one another out. I worked at a restaurant for many years so I appreciate this type of team work! The chicken Katsu was delicious and so was the grilled chicken! Omg the grilled chicken! Soo good! If you're watching what you eat and want some clean protein their chicken teriyaki (no sauce) is for you! Opted for the veggie rolls for additional veggies. Everything was delicious! Thank you for having us and for treating us so well! Oh we got a freebie! Jalapeño poppers! Ooo! So good! read more

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Robert D.

4 years ago

4.5 actual rating. Was craving sushi and this was the closest to my hotel. Staff was very attentive and I was properly greeted upon entry. My glass was almost never empty. Only reason I don't give five stars was the wait time for the food. I ordered the Love Plate, which is a very reasonably priced sampler of sushi and appetizers. There was a mix up with my gyoza and I ended up receiving someone else's full order instead of the plates half order. The wakame salad took long to get to me, which didn't make sense sit it is just marinated seaweed. It was delicious, don't get me wrong, it just took longer than needed. Then I received the hand rolls which were delicious as well. It took more than 10 minutes for me to get the main dish of the meal, which was the chef's special roll and an assortment of nigiri. All the sushi was tasty, and I enjoyed every bite. Even the rice has a distinct flavor which is rare for a lot of sushi joints. Everything was good, but I just wish I had gotten my items sooner. Small gripe. read more

Kuma - Chef's special roll - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma - Wakame salad - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

Kuma - Nigiri - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

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Sy C.

5 years ago

Found this new Sushi place when there was no other availability in other downtown restaurants and we are glad. The sushi rolls were awesome...very light and flavorful. We got the chills and the calamari for appetizer and got a roll each. The rolls were so light and good that we ordered a chicken Katsu. It was also very juicy and light. At the end of the meal the chef came out and greeted us. Very humble. They have started a nice place and I hope it is successful. Will certainly be back the next time we visit. read more

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Jaci N.

5 years ago

Great new addition to the downtown area! Would definitely recommend. Sushi rolls and appetizers were great

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Patty N.

6 years ago

Went to Kuma last weekend and wow...it was so good! We had the Monarch and Dulcinea roles, and hamachi carpaccio. All were so flavorful and delicious! Staff was very friendly and fun too! Definitely recommend this place! Can't wait to go back and try everything on the menu!!! read more

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Scott A.

5 years ago

This restaurant is great and the e really enjoyed our meal. Best sushi in Monterey! And great people

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David S.

3 years ago

Great service from the hostess, bartender, and server. Very nice people. Food was not very good. The ambiance is ok.

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Jazz B.

6 years ago

Thanks Kuma for being so hospitable!! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this gem after bike riding. We ordered sashimi zensai and it was melt in your mouth goodness. Also, the chef gave us a complimentary jalapeño appetizer. We ordered two other sushi rolls that were delicious too. I would definitely come back here again. Big props to the staff. read more

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Amrit D.

3 years ago

Family owned business serving you fresh fish consistently. Our go to every time! We have tried almost every roll and dish everything has impressed us! Highly recommend! read more

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Lindy P.

6 years ago

I went on a day trip to Monterey this past weekend on Saturday. When I arrived at Kuma Restuarant in Monterey, I was absolutely surprised and impressed with the service and accommodations which one of the owners, Gian Franco, provided myself and my friends.......Personally! Not only did the owner personally setup a lovely table outside with a heater and snacks, be he personally got our table/party our beverages. We even wanted to listen to music and he lent us his speaker to play our music. What I think impressed me most is that I myself am an event planner and I can understand the pressures and new restaurant "accommodations" which owners, managers, and staff have to abide by during Covid! Not once did he ever break Covid regulations, he was literally at the TOP OF HIS GAME!! Please go visit this amazing family establishment, you will NOT be disappointed! If this is not the definition of customer service I don't know what is :) read more

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Brutus B.

6 years ago

Legit the best sushi in the peninsula. Phil is an absolute sushi genius. Everything that comes out of his kitchen is beautiful as it is delicious. The Spanish bay and Lighthouse rolls are seriously works of art. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Audrina M.

4 years ago

The food was delicious and the ice cream sandwich met it's expectations. Waiters were friendly and funny. Definitely a place to visit! read more

Kuma - The food was delicious and the ice cream sandwich met it's expectations. Waiters were friendly and funny. Definitely a place to visit! - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

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B W.

3 years ago

We go here about once a month. Great restaurant. Food is excellent, staff is friendly and helpful. Plus the prices are very reasonable compared to other restaurants in Downtown Monterey, PG and Carmel. read more

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Eric L.

4 years ago

Super good! Great taste, fresh ingredients, creative combinations, friendly service, and reasonable prices. Great addition to downtown Monterey. Hint: their deep/flash fried sushi (like the Full House) are wonderful AND, upon request, they will flash fry certain other sushi on the menu! read more

Kuma - Deep fried salmon sushi - Japanese Near Me - Monterey, California

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Brett B.

4 years ago

The food was delicious and the service was great. Sat at the bar on a Saturday night with the owner tending the bar. Great guy and super nice! Will definitely be coming back if I'm ever in town again. read more

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Coco C.

3 years ago

What a delightful restaurant! We've been there twice and the hostess at the front is has been helpful and wonderful each time. The bartender is full of good humor, is attentive and really takes care of each customer. We've had the Vegan Sushi and salad and Miso Soup and everything was delicious. Oh and my husband had a beer. We hope to go back again and again. Thank you Kuma! read more

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Marcus B.

3 years ago

Waited an hour to be seated, plus food came an hour later after ordering, then a waiter from another table chargers my card for someone else's meal and doesn't have the courtesy to tell me he made a mistake. Nor have I received my refund. read more

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L. A.

3 years ago

Hands down the best sushi in town. Good food and good service. We come often. Only once can I say they burned our meal. Must of been an off day because we really enjoy eating here. read more

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Cameron D.

3 years ago

The best place in Monterey. Between the service and the quality, you cannot find better. Best food in Monterey. Even if not a sushi lover you will love it all read more

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Elo M.

4 years ago

Lovely dining experience! Good food and great staff! I would recommend it to anyone passing through:) also soup approved!

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Angie R.

3 years ago

Service was good but the food was horrible we were disappointed. I read the reviews before making reservations and not at all what we read on the reviews. read more

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John M.

4 years ago

Good sushi spot right in the heart of town! Parking is sometimes tough but I'd recommend the side alleys or back streets around Alvarado street. This place recently reopened and is meeting all the marks - quick service, tasty food, and affordable pricing. I'd call ahead to check on the wait because this is the sort of place that will most certainly fill up fast. read more

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Alexa G.

3 years ago

the flavors were melting on my tongue good service :) absolutely jaw dropping, my mouth was salivating just seeing it :0 read more

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Daverle G.

5 years ago

Come to Kuma sushi and be prepared for satisfaction beyond belief. The photo posted is a "chef special" you tell the chef what you love and he makes you something that will fulfill your wildest dreams. Five stars all the way! read more

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Cory T.

3 years ago

Great food, friendly staff, lots of options, and good atmosphere. Great change from all the American and Italian food options.

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达伟

3 years ago

The Best sushi place in Monterey with professional service also good price . Go there and make your sushi dream come true.

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Jeehye W.

4 years ago

This restaurant may serve tasty food but is very poorly managed. I signed up on a waitlist on Yelp and went to the restaurant, but they didn't honor it at all. For a party of 3, the hostess told us there's a wait for an hour and a half although I was 5th on Yelp waitlist. She blamed the system saying there's no way for them to manage both online and in-store waitlist but in that case, how does other restaurants do so well? You simply just have to use one waitlist that combines both online and in-store using the Yelp platform!!! Or, just don't have the online Yelp waitlist open if you are not going to consider it at all! Awful experience, and will never give it a chance. Thanks! read more

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D G.

4 years ago

We had miso soup, edamame, gyoza, rice, two sushi rolls and a chicken teriyaki dinner. All were excellent. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Will go again. read more

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Page 10 of 12

414 Alvarado St
Monterey, CA 93940
Directions
(831) 324-4745
Call Now

Hours

What time does Kuma open?

Kuma opens at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Kuma close?

Kuma closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Kuma take credit cards?

Yes, Kuma takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Kuma have catering options?

Yes, Kuma does have catering options.

Does Kuma have a drive thru?

No, Kuma does not have a drive thru.

Does Kuma serve alcohol?

Yes, Kuma serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Kuma allow dogs?

Yes, Kuma allows dogs.

Does Kuma have TVs?

Yes, Kuma has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Kuma have bike parking?

Yes, Kuma has bike parking.

Does Kuma have outdoor seating?

Yes, Kuma has outdoor seating options.

Does Kuma have parking?

Yes, Kuma has parking options. Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is Kuma wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Kuma is wheelchair accessible.

Does Kuma have free WiFi?

Yes, Kuma has free WiFi.

Kuma Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Kuma

Do they take Reservations?

Yes, I made a reservation a few weeks ago.

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What days are they open? Are they open for lunch?

No, I wish they did though, because I would be there for breakfast. They open at 5 pm.

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Is this place dog friendly?

No they are not. There is no outdoor seating.

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4.1(1.5k reviews)

1.0 mi

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amazing food! the sushi was fresh and delicious. the service was great and the servers are really…read morenice. the ambiance of the place was really neat and tidy and i greatly recommend this place!

Legit . I'm sitting…read morehere right now writing this review because it is SO good!! The fish is so fresh, it's so smooth, it's so EVERYTHING you want sushi to be! I added cream cheese and macadamia nuts to my roll and it's just amazing. Quick friendly service. My food came out fast! The combo of the lemon and cilantro is killer! Can't wait to come back

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Sapporo Sushi and Steakhouse

3.9(988 reviews)

0.3 mi

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4 stars I was…read moreexpecting tourist trap levels of quality, but that is not the case. In fact, I think it's a bit better than the Yelp score of 3.9. The sushi was very fresh and the bento box was of a reasonable value. Though I still think the prices are a bit elevated because of its location. $19 Bento: chicken and squid: squid was perfectly cooked. Chicken was fine? Tempura was typical but good. $6 Mackerel: fresh and mild $8 Yellow tail: really delicious. Can eat again.

Sapporo Sushi and Steakhouse in Monterey has great views of the wharf and bay…read more The food is excellent for both sushi and hibachi. We began dinner began with edamame and a house salad. My wife and I shared a Chicken Tempura Roll and a Sunday Morning Roll. Parking is public, so remember to pay at the meter. After dinner take a walk along the pier and watch the seals play in the basin.

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Perfect for those chilly coastal nights! We gave this spot a chance again and definitely a better…read moreexperience than my last! Great vegetarian options. Creamy ramen was recommended and it was good! 4.5/5. I ordered the spice on the side and that complimented the ramen very well. I also love that chili oil they have on the table. It's really good! The jammy egg is perfect. Honey got tonkatsu spicy ramen: 4/5. Solid ramen. Would return when around the area to warm up our bones!

The food was amazing, but what truly made our experience unforgettable was the kindness and…read morecompassion of one of the waitresses. Right before we arrived at the restaurant, my 3-year-old daughter had fallen and hit her head on the cement. Unfortunately, I didn't get the name of the wonderful older Asian woman who helped us, but I hope she somehow sees this review. She was incredibly attentive and kind. She had us sit down while we waited, brought my daughter ice and bandaids for her head, and continued to check on her throughout our time there. Before we left, she even came back to check on my daughter one more time. It may have seemed like a small gesture to her, but in that moment, it meant so much to us. It's the kind of kindness you don't forget. The food was delicious and the service was wonderful. If she happens to read this, thank you so much for taking care of my daughter and for being so incredibly kind to us. We truly appreciate you.

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4.4(55 reviews)

0.4 mi

Been here a couple times while roaming the wharf because we love the little outdoor balcony…read moreoverlooking the ocean! Such a calm and beautiful spot to relax for a little. The coffee is delicious. Our latest order was a lavender latte and it's got a great flavor. We haven't tried their pastries yet, but they have some available if you need a snack, as well as Marianne's ice cream. The inside of the cafe is nice too! There's plenty of tables to sit at and they have board games to play. Been here a couple times while roaming the wharf because we love the little outdoor balcony overlooking the ocean! Such a calm and beautiful spot to relax for a little. The coffee is delicious. Our latest order was a lavender latte and it's got a great flavor. We haven't tried their pastries yet, but they have some available if you need a snack, as well as Marianne's ice cream. The inside of the cafe is nice too! There's plenty of tables to sit at and they have board games to play.

The staff seemed super friendly and were able to get my drink out quick despite it being a busy…read moretime. The ambiance was quite interesting. You're hit with the smell of ramen the moment you walk in and it's a bit loud. I ordered to-go so I can't say much about the dine-in experience but it was nice that they had seating both inside and outside. I got the Mango Matcha Latte with soy milk which was great! The purée was sweet but not overly sweet and balanced out the matcha. I'm not a matcha snob so I can't tell you if it's high quality but I loved the color and it tasted rich. My only complaints are that the matcha was a bit bitter and this drink was $10. They charge $1 for soy or almond milk substitution so keep that in mind if you don't drink cow milk! Overall, I think it taste great but I feel like it should be around the $7-8 range instead of $10-11. This is definitely a touristy area so I was expecting higher prices.

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Lovely place to stay

Ramen with a view at the patio

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Prepare your own ramen

Ocean Sushi Deli

4.1(550 reviews)

0.2 mi

•$$

I was visiting Monterey and found this place in downtown. Great sushi joint! It was surprising to…read moresee the massive variety of options on the menu. There were far too many things I wanted to try... next time! I settled on choosing the sashimi bento combo with miso soup. The hamachi, salmon, tuna, and octopus were fresh and the soup hit hard. The people were really nice too. Would come back again and try something new!

Cozy sushi spot that offers both prepared and made to order dishes. I stopped by on a Monday…read moreevening and the small space was decently filled. I snagged a window seat. I ordered the #120 which came with 4 pieces of Lobster roll and 4 pieces of nigiri for $20. The fish and rice were both super fresh, I really enjoyed it. The cashier was also super friendly. I would for sure return for a quick bite.

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Tuna hand roll, shrimp hand roll, spicy tuna hand roll (all $4.50 each)

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Fried Salmon Bento Box

Züm Sushi

4.3(858 reviews)

1.4 mi

•$$

Solid local sushi restaurant in the PG area of Monterey. Great service, high-quality cuts and fish…read moreprep that are generous and delicious. Fresh fish that is seasoned well and paired well with the right amount of seasoned rice. Plenty of sake selection to pair with your meal. Beers are cold and fantastic. Parking is very limited and street-based only. Indoor and outdoor seating is pretty limited, so it can be a little bit of a wait to get a seat during busy hours. Good for small groups and friends catching up. Can be a date night but can be a bit hectic during busy times. Kids are welcome but it's a boisterous place as well. Prices are a bit on the higher side, so dinner can be a bit more expensive than anticipated. Recommended.

One of my travel companions craved sushi so our Saturday lunch venue was here. We found street…read moreparking across the street a little before they opened around 10:50 am. As we walked towards the entrance, we noticed the building looks to be a house converted into the quaint eatery. The greeter led us to a table on the far left next to the fireplace for our party of five. They really did an interesting display above the fireplace (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=120&select=r42btqKfvvKsIOYknRbdjg). We studied the menu and discussed how we would craft our meal and what to order. We agreed to do everything family style. We started with the beef asparagus (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=RlbIYWT6B9eQt-RagCVKig), 6 pc, an interesting appetizer with a tender, lean beef piece wrapped around an asparagus spear. We also shared the combo tempura (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=QNLssRbP07gLE1f9UXJygg), comprised of two pieces of shrimp and assorted be vegetables to that include sweet potato/yam, onion, and zucchini, I believe. This was okay as I had the squash and one of the shrimp. The two meals that we ordered came with miso soup and salad (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=QNLssRbP07gLE1f9UXJygg) and I enjoyed the soup for this slightly chilly noon meal. We shared the chef's choice sashimi dinner (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=gDhRF8lrf4084V0nlOwLRg), 16 pieces assorted sashimi - tuna, salmon, hamachi, scallops, shrimp, and surf clam; everything tasted fresh and the fish pieces were generous. Next, we shared the sukiyaki with beef (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=f40nJOx1Pt_G1i3TnJkHkQ), tofu + vegetables, glass noodles, soy-based soup; this came with a bowl of rice and we apportioned the sukiyaki into personal bowls to enjoy. I liked that the flavors were balanced and there as plenty of glass noodles. Our last item was the King Kong roll sushi (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=XMUp9bipmbbacgqUG13mRA), In - shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, and cucumber, Top - Tuna, salmon, yellowtail, tobiko, and secret sauce. We were their first customers and the dining rooms gradually filled to about 3/4 capacity by the time we left. There were guests dining at the outdoor tables too with the comfortably sunny weather. Both the hostess and a waitress tended to our needs in bringing our food, removing empty plates and bowls, and refilling our water glasses, both friendly and efficient. We enjoyed our meals and it was convenient. *** note - I started having stomach issues later that afternoon so, though not confirmed, I am unsure whether there was an issue with one of the sashimi items. Our meal was on Saturday 9/12/26.

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The restraint

Wakatobi Japanese Grill Hibachi and Sushi

4.1(398 reviews)

2.5 mi

•$$

Amazing food, Amazing Service, Amazing Ambiance…read more Quaint family owned restaurant in the heart of Seaside. The Tempura roll and the Gyoza are amazing! The best Miso soup I have ever had!

Decided I wanted some late night sushi. Found this place and based on the reviews, I thought it…read morewould really hit the spot. Please don't be fooled. Miso soup was bland and one of my sushi pieces had crunchy rice. I ordered a Philadelphia roll and the pieces were huge. Trust me, this place is not good.

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Wakatobi Seaside

**Volcano Roll at Wakatobi Japanese Grill Hibachi & Sushi**

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Volcano Rolls at Wakatobi Japanese Grill Hibachi and Sushi

Old Fisherman's Grotto

Wheelchair accessible

Over the years the Grotto rates no 1 for our selection. Expect to be well hosted…read more Great food variety. Great cooking.

Excellent as always. We had the Clam Bake, Fish and Chips Calamari and Shrimp Bruschetta. For…read moredessert Cheesecake and Tiramisu. Consistent dining experience. Thank you!!

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Linguini Isabella

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Sushi Kyo

4.6(5 reviews)

1.0 mi

Killer food, great, friendly, fast service. Nice music being played while you wait to order. Grab…read moreand go, and enjoy!

Very conveniently located inside PX on Presidio. I never…read moreknew this place existed but saw the sign and gave it a try. So glad I did because it was easy, very convenient and inexpensive. I ordered sushi combo B which came with spicy tuna roll and salmon and cream cheese roll. It was only $12! Next time, I'll order ahead by calling this place :) def be coming back!

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Gyoza

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Sushi Kyo inside PX

Hula's Island Grill

4.2(3.5k reviews)

1.1 mi

•$$

I have been to Hula's twice since moving to Monterey and have loved it both times! The food is…read morephenomenal, abundant, and affordable! The ingredients all feel of high quality and the dishes are unique, and fun! The ambience of the restaurant itself is that of a bar, with dimmer lighting, but without overtly loud music, making it great for a casual hangout or date! If you want to come just for drinks, they have an extensive drink menu, including designated dates and times for happy hour (tiki hour?) with a special menu with small appetizers to enjoy with your drink. During my last visit, I ordered the jerk pork plate which came with pulled spicy pork, coconut rice, a gingery cole slaw, fried sweet plantains (perfect contrast to the spicy pork), and a small piece of a Johny cake (imagine a corncake that is a little crispy). We also ordered the coconut shrimp rolls to share and wish we would have ordered a second plate! These were filled with small pieces of shrimp, wrapped in a crunchy (but not very oily) shell, and topped with shredded coconut. They were served alongside a sweet and sour pineapple sauce (delicious, but honestly the rolls tasted great even without the sauce). My dad ordered fish of the day (he chose Mahi mahi) encrusted in macadamias and loved it! It is nice that they offer options that feel more like a sit-down restaurant than strict "bar food." I hope to return to try more things on their menu! Maybe even for a little Friday night fun drink!

I've never been to Hulas when it wasn't busy. This time we manage the last two seats at the bar…read moreduring happy hour. Alice, our bartender can walk and chew gum, poor drinks and have a conversation all at the same time she is a jewel. My friend loves my ties. It had two. I had a marvelous martini made to perfection. We shared an appetizer of calamari. It's not really the kind of calamari I like it's a calamari steak. I prefer the tentacles and the rings. I would prefer if they use Panko rather than the heavy breaded covering that they use. It's not fine cuisine but it's a very fun and very noisy place. don't come here if you want to have a conversation.

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Bar area, nice spot to sit

Coconut shrimp rolls were sooooo good! And filling!

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A hurricane

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

17 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Mat C.

182

3 years ago

WARNING: there's an ass**** who works here. If you are a sushi fan, this place is average. The rolls are on the small side, and sushi is cut thinly. The restaurant lack decor and mood. The reason for the low rating is: the staff is all Asian, they discriminate against Asian customers. It is obvious that our server (Asian guy with a tiny hair bun) treated our table very poorly, while all the non-Asian customers around our table he served kindly and offered service to see if they needed anything else. He never asked if we needed anything else, he was condescending & waited us with an disgusting, ugly , ass**** attitude. He is very rude and disrespectful, he did not gently place our food & tab on our table, instead he slightly drop it, saying hardly a word the entire time we dine there for an hour and a half. He did not deserve a tip although we did tip. The server walked over to the sushi bar, and all the Asian staff/chefs suddenly started chatting loudly in their language; the body language suggested it was towards our table as we were the only Asian customers. If it wasn't already late we would have left to another restaurant. Never looking back to this restaurant as long as the staff are the same. If you are Asian, do not eat here, you will be treated poorly. The staff looked depressed and do not enjoy their job, save your appetite for another restaurant in downtown Monterey. read more

Rich R.

Elite 26

178

282

6 months ago

The dining experience here was unfortunately disappointing. It took about 45 minutes just to have our order taken, and another 45 minutes for our three chirashi bowls to be served. The long wait really took away from the overall experience. It seemed like the restaurant was understaffed, with only a couple of servers and a few sushi chefs handling the entire place, which likely contributed to the delays. While the food itself was okay, the service timing made it difficult to enjoy the meal. Overall, not a great experience due to the extended wait and lack of efficiency. read more

Amy Y.

Elite 26

117

510

1136

2 years ago

If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience, look no further than Chef Mike's new location! Reuniting with Chef Mike after the closing of Sushi Fly was an absolute joy. We sat at the counter and let the chefs work their magic, and it was a culinary journey like no other. The eel and scallop hand roll was absolutely divine--the eel rich and savory, the scallops fresh and sweet. Every bite was a testament to the quality and expertise that Chef Mike brings to the table. Come dine here and immerse yourself in the magic that Chef Mike creates! read more

Viv B.

9 months ago

Have eaten here at least once a month for the past year or so. Can't speak highly enough about the staff, super friendly. Easily the best sushi in the area IMO. I know Sushi lovers opinions vary, so I'll tell you why I love it. It's fresh AF. You know a sushi spot is great when they don't need to hide the flavor of the fish by over saucing. Even their specialty rolls, the focus of the flavor is the fish, not the dressings. Best sashimi in the area. Again, just my opinion. read more

Marcos G.

2 years ago

I recently visited kuma sushi and it was an incredible experience! The ambiance was cozy and welcoming, perfect for a relaxing meal. The sushi was fresh and beautifully presented (big bang roll ,and the dragon roll), with a wide variety of options to choose from. The staff was attentive and friendly, making sure we had everything we needed. The highlight for me was the Big Bang roll , which was a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Overall, this place was good read more

Bryan M.

Elite 26

118

3 years ago

Kuma Sushi is simply outstanding! Their special plates are a true delight for the senses. Each bite is a burst of flavors that will transport you to culinary heaven. And oh, the hand grenade and baked mussel appetizers! They are absolute must-tries. The hand grenade is a flavor explosion, while the baked mussels are tender and flavorful. Kuma Sushi is a haven for food lovers, where every dish is a masterpiece. Don't miss out on this extraordinary dining experience! read more

Tonya M.

975

292

514

1 year ago

Service at Sushi Kuma is top-notch, with friendly and attentive staff who are eager to recommend dishes, such as the Spicy Paula, based on customer preferences. The restaurant's popularity among locals, as mentioned in reviews, suggests it has quickly become a favorite, with a lively atmosphere that adds to the enjoyment. Prices are reasonable for the generous portions and high-quality ingredients, making it a great value for such a memorable experience read more

Marvin M.

2 years ago

Kuma Sushi exceeded our expectations in every way possible! Dillon's exceptional hospitality made our last-minute decision to dine here an absolute delight. The ambiance was inviting, the sushi was fresh and expertly crafted, and the service was impeccable. We'll definitely be returning to Kuma for more delightful experiences! read more

Esther E.

4 years ago

Excellent food! Justin made my phoenix platter and it was amazing. He has great communication skills and I had fun time talking to him. He's good at what he does. Once again my dish was amazing and how it was set on fire. I will definitely be coming back because of him. read more

Marvin L.

2 years ago

I ordered agadashi tofu and an avocado roll with cucumber. Unfortunately, they forgot the cucumber in the roll. However, both dishes were still pretty good. Note that the tofu came with onions as well. A few more vegetarian options would be appreciated. read more

D. B.

4 years ago

Spent over $100...They didn't even include soy sauce. I know this is a tourist trap. But this is how sushi is eaten literally EVERYWHERE in the Bay Area read more

Jade D.

1 year ago

Amazing sushi and amazing service! This place is truly outstanding and will 100% be my new spot for a enjoyable, yummy time.

David G.

207

226

4 years ago

I have been to so many sushi restaurants--this sushi restaurant is now my favorite one. The food was very delicious!

Michael S.

3 years ago

Tolles Sushi 4 von 5. Geschmacklich fehlte mir a bisserl. Service vom Barkeeper und NachwuchsServiceLady

Robert C.

4 years ago

Bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad!

Danielle L.

4 years ago

Great spot. Super busy. Is it worth it? You decide. Check out the plates. Great deals

David M.

316

4 years ago

Service was amazing. Sushi was fresh and outstanding. Highly recommend if in the area.

Kuma - japanese - Updated October 2026

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Crystal Fish

4.1

(1.5k reviews)

•$$

Nura Sushi & Island Grill

4.3

(194 reviews)

•$$

We walked into Nura sushi mostly because other restaurants closed at 8PM and Nura was open until…read more9PM, but we were not disappointed. The food was fresh, filling, and delicious! We got the Nura Sampler which had 6 nigiri pieces of huge slabs of Tuna, Yellowfin, and Salmon and 4 sashimi. The serving size was solid and it came with seaweed and cucumber salad. We also got a Lady In Red roll which was delicious. The copper tables are an interesting touch and service was great. Because it was late and there were only 3 tables, our food came out fast and we were in and out in 40 mins. Our only comments are: 1. The menu doesn't do the food justice because there are no pictures so it's hard to see what may be interesting to customers. Highly recommend updating the menu with photos. 2. We ordered house wine and they don't give a menu for alcohol. We were surprised by the $17/glass cost of a plain house cab.

It's a nice restaurant, they play hip music and the staff is absolutely amazing and super…read moreattentive! That was my favorite part. As for the food, I felt like it's overrated. I've had significantly better sushi than what they served at similar value. They do not have a drink menu since they have such limited options. It's unfortunate that is so difficult to find above average food in Monterey Bay. With that being said, I still enjoyed my visit and had a wonderful time.

Sushi By The Bay

4.1

(244 reviews)

•$$

Food: Wonderful - gyoza, mango mango roll and fried banana…read more Service: Our server Carlos kept us laughing and engaged. Ambiance: smaller place, a converted Mexican restaurant so 6 out of 10. A great time was had by all!

The sushi rolls were very basic needs more flavor. Over all the service was great…read more The chef needs inspiration to decorate the sushi rolls.

C U Sushi

4.2

(110 reviews)

CU Sushi is located in a cute outdoor shopping center in east Carmel. There is ample parking,…read moremaking it convenient for families and friends gathering for a meal. Situated on a corner, it's a cozy space full of diverse flavors. They offer a great mix of Japanese cuisine (sushi, nigiri, poke bowls, donburi, and curry) and Korean bibimbap. The meals are affordable, healthy, and filling, with generous portions that are perfect for sharing or taking home. The service was excellent, and the staff was friendly and helpful!

It was okay wasn't amazing or bad. Everything tasted fresh and made to order. The chefs kept coming…read moreto the front and using the hand washing sink for they're kitchen (like a squirt bottle filled with water from the hand sink and a few other things seemed off ifykyk) other than that yeah was decent sushi a step up from grocery store quality. Maybe I just did not have their popular items. Also their prices were very reasonable overall was okay the inside was also small but matched the surrounding shops 7.75/10

Bulgogi House Monterey

4.3

(87 reviews)

•$$

I'm a local and pass by this spot all the time, so I was excited to finally stop in for dinner and…read moreit definitely didn't disappoint! Everything we ordered was delicious, from the side dishes to the kalbi. The kimchi was so good I couldn't stop eating it, and the fish cake and sweet, crunchy radish were just as tasty. The kimchi kalbi was so flavorful and so tender. The ramyeon was delicious, especially with the mandu added in, and the chicken bowl had great flavor too. I definitely recommend giving this place a try, and I'll definitely be coming back whenever I'm craving Korean food. The atmosphere is nice and cozy. It's a smaller space, but it feels welcoming. The service was excellent as well. I believe the owner was there cooking while we were dining, and he seemed very friendly and kind, chatting with customers and greeting regulars who stopped by. Overall, it was a great experience!

Ugh, I really wanted to love this place because I LOVE Korean food. The food looked so good, but…read moreunfortunately the experience was really uncomfortable because of what was happening with the staff. The manager (?) and a waitress were arguing and actually screaming at each other in front of everyone in the restaurant. It was so loud and uncomfortable that it honestly ruined the experience for us. We ended up asking for to-go boxes only about 5 minutes after our food came out because we just didn't feel comfortable sitting there with all the arguing happening around us. It's a shame because the food looked really good and I was excited to try everything! Also, fair warning: their spicy seasoning is REALLY spicy.

Bada Kitchen

4.0

(74 reviews)

•$$

I went back for the Seaside roll & the salmon lover roll. It's so good. :)…read more The seaside roll was fried shrimp tempura with albacore , lemon and some bright orange sprinkles. It was good . The salmon roll had a lot of salmon. It was also so so good. Yay

For a cold night, hot black or green tea is available. If you can't stand the heat of soon dofu,…read morethey will water it down but that's not the same (I wish they offered to crack an egg in to dilute the spiciness instead). Their bulgogi was the dish I enjoyed the most. There was no wasabi inside the nigiri that was part of the Half and Half combo. They don't have dolsot bibimbap for dinner.

Ocean Sushi Deli

3.5

(72 reviews)

•$$

4.01.25 We only got the onigiri because we were just passing by town but it was great and VERY well…read morepriced. The service was amazing they were helpful in finding us a snack and they also had blue raspberry hi-chew! It's definitely getting a return visit from me! Edit: I posted this review on the wrong location! I'm glad to say that I came back 07.30.24 and it's still the best (they have so many hi-chew flavors). The service was still super fast!

No inside seating so everything is take-out, much smaller than expected portions for rolls, left…read morehungry and dissatisfied. Note that the food and service is actually pretty good. The MAJOR issue is their rolls are MUCH small than expected, like mini rolls. So we ordered thinking based on the pictures and prices that we would get a normal size roll that just happened to be very expensive, and the cashier/sushi maker never chimed in to inform us it wouldn't be enough for four people. What came out were mini rolls. And everything is takeout because there's no inside seating. Once we sat down to eat, there wasn't enough for us to actually feel satisfied with what we were eating, so we had to buy food somewhere else anyway. IF you choose to eat here, order more sushi than you would expect because once you get to wherever you're going, there is no chance to get a second portion: here in lies the reason this place has a 3.5 star rating. If I'd known there was only takeout sushi at this location, we would not have eaten here because the user experience of this place is abysmal even though the food is pretty good and the cashier/waiter was cordial enough.

Maido Sushi Cafe

4.5

(84 reviews)

•$$

*Joins Monterey Food Group*…read more OP: Where can I find a good matcha latte in the 831? R #1: Nowhere. R #2: You have to drive to San Jose. R #3: Make it at home. R #4: Names a new trendy coffee shop in Monterey. R #5 To R #4: Their matcha is NOT good. The thread was like 15-20 replies deep and not one person mentioned Maido?! Opening in late 2024, Maido is a Japanese owned and operated Japanese cafe which is very rare these days. They serve poke bowls, sushi, and matcha. They also have a little corner with Japanese snacks and candies. We walked in and there was a table of Japanese speaking customers...GREEN FLAG! D R I N K S * Strawberry Matcha Latte w/ oat milk, extra matcha shot ($8.50) * Mango Matcha Latte w/ oat milk, extra matcha shot ($8.50) Hand-whisked to order, the matcha latte was bold, earthy, and creamy with the fruit puree adding a natural sweetness and balancing the matcha's slight bitterness. For the area, it was hella solid and probably the best you'll find in the 831. Oh, and where else in the 831 can you sip matcha and enjoy a bidet in the restroom? Please tho...not at the same time! O T H E R I N F O * Very friendly staff. * If you're in a rush, you can order ahead online. * We already ate but I was eyeing their musubi....they use a thiccc cut of spam (2x the thickness of Keoki's). * There's a handful of two tops inside and a cute side patio (dog-friendly) with a bamboo privacy wall. * Bidet in restroom!

We were greeted with a genuine welcome and a verbal introduction to the menu. Very sweet and the…read moremenu was shown with pride. The food was good. We had to wait quite a while for the food. I got the poke bowl, the fish was fresh and it was visually appealing, I could tell it was put together with care.

Curry Journey

4.8

(73 reviews)

An absolute must-try in Monterey!…read more We went to Curry Journey on Sunday night and it was AMAZING! Nui and Chef Lilly were so wonderful and made the experience even better. You can really feel the passion they put into their food and their mission to share authentic Thai curry inspired by family recipes, tradition, and their love of cooking. We ordered the Butter Chicken, Khao Soi Steak, and Panang Curry with Sous Vide Chicken, and everything was delicious! We also had Singha beers to go with our meal. Definitely order extra rice and naan because you'll want every last bit of those incredible sauces! We are 1000% coming back and will be trying the green curry next time. If you're in Monterey, do yourself a favor and check this place out!

Super yummy food!…read more Looked on yelp to decide what to eat and this place looked most comforting and delicious. We came in and were greeted, the presence was very comforting and good vibes. We ordered the Butter Chicken, Tom Yum soup, a kids meal (The Swimming Pool) and mango and sticky rice. Butter chicken was not spicy but spiced very good and the Tom Yum Soup was very flavorful and tart from the lemongrass. The kids meal was "So good! I rate " Don't get me started on the mango and sticky rice! Rice was warm and mango was sweet! Out of all the places I ate in Monterey, I'd say this place is the most affordable and comforting I've visited. Next time I visit this Monterey, I'm going here again for sure!

Fishwife

3.8

(1.3k reviews)

•$$

Such a great find while we were visiting Monterey Bay! We came across Fishwife in Marina, CA, and…read moreI'm glad we gave it a try. We started with the coconut shrimp which were soooo agood and easily one of my favorites. The scallops were huge and cooked perfectly, the salmon was seasoned really well, and the lobster ravioli was delicious. The garlic bread was probably the only miss for me, it was just meh. The drinks were good too! I ordered an espresso martini and liked it so much I had to get a second one. My hubby had a Bloody Mary, which was okay, but nothing special. Customer service was great, and everyone was welcoming and attentive. The restaurant isn't very big, and it filled up quickly while we were there, which definitely says something. The inside seemed a little cluttered with different decor, but wasn't that big of deal to us. I'd ordered keylime pie to-go, which was delicious too. Overall, this was a solid seafood find during our Monterey Bay trip, and I'd definitely come back!

We had a nice lunch at Fishwife. I had been to this restaurant years ago, nice to see it's still…read morearound. They have a fairly large menu with pasta dishes and fish dishes. I ordered the salmon sandwich and was pleasantly surprised by the large, fresh piece of salmon that was served grilled. The fries on the side were really excellent. My mom really enjoyed the primavera pasta that had fresh veggies and a flavorful sauce. I did manage to score a parking spot right in front; I think it's street parking only. Service was very friendly and they kept refilling our water. This is a large restaurant and there weren't a ton of people there, might be the off season.

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17 Kuma reviews that are not currently recommended

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17 reviews that are not currently recommended

Kuma - japanese - Updated October 2026

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