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Food: sushi rolls were priced around $16-20, which is slightly cheaper than most sushi places around the area. The rolls were okay, the rice was a little mushy, but at least it didn't feel super filling. Basically everything was okay and definitely satisfied me in the end, but nothing stood out! Service: our server was very attentive and the food came out quickly! Ambiance: A lot of outdoor seating with ambient lighting. We came at 6:30pm for dinner on Memorial Day and got seated right away!
Being in n La Jolla (not really my stomping grounds) I wasn't sure what place had some good sushi. Soooo of course I went to Yelp for help haha. Some of my fellow Elites had some great things to say about Nozomi Sushi, so I was in! Tucked in the back corner of a little shopping mall in La Jolla sits Nozomi Sushi. The outside sitting looked like it could very well be inside seating. It's covered by a wooden structure with what looked like a nice tarp covering. Very clean and plenty of fresh air. Inside had some sitting as well but this order was for take out. The service was great! Young guy came out and was very friendly and more than willing to answer any questions I may have. I kind of knew what I wanted but he offered a menu and made sure I didn't need drinks because he saw I was thinking about drinks haha. Ordered the Alaska, Gentlemen, Super Crunch, Blue Fire Cracker Roll, Garlic Edamame and for fun we threw in a California Roll. EVERY SINGLE ROLL WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS AND DEVOURED!!! Mmmmm mmmmm mmm this place is absolutely a hidden gym!! I will definitely be driving out to La Jolla just to eat sushi here! Thank you for the service and the great food Nozomi Sushi, I will see you soon !!!
TL;DR Nozomi is a simple eatery with a big menu. That can be a good and bad thing. I've had varied experiences here. The donburi and char grilled apps are great! Ramen and sushi are okay, and the fried foods are really hit and miss (sometimes very greasy). The service is not great; long waits even when empty. Short attention given. Nozomi is a small Japanese eatery located in UTC by graduate housing for UCSD (on the backside of the Regents Pizza lot). There's a small indoor seating with a larger outdoor patio. Pretty nice set up and very roomy outside. The menu is pretty expansive, with traditional Japanese food; other than the sushi rolls which are more Americanized of course. Ambience 6/10 Food Tonkotsu Ramen Large portion of ramen with a variety of garnishes: char-siu, black wood fungus, bamboo, spinach, corn, and a soft boiled egg. I think this dish summarizes the restaurant well. I feel there's so much on the menu that the quality is hit or miss. Even here, the garnishes vary in quality. The pork belly is well cooked, tender and charred without being dry. However, the sprinkle of spinach is superfluous and some leaves were turning. Just two examples. The broth is decent, however it is on the lighter side for tonkotsu (personally I prefer more pork funk). The real problem is that it takes a lot longer than a lot of ramen places but this seems to be an issue with every dish even though I've come several times and each time the restaurant was nearly empty. 6/10 Chicken karaage Not my favorite bite here. The coating gave no crisp and the chicken was rather bland. I think it would have served well as a base for nanban where the chicken is meant to be a vehicle for a saucy soak, but for this to be chicken meantto stand on its own with some togadashi mayo, it disappointed. For $4 more you can get an oyako don instead 3/10 Oyako donburi Best bite of the meal but also took the longest. While I understand that there are multiple parts to this dish that take time I did not appreciate that the others at my table sat for 15 minutes with their food waiting for us to eat together while this dish was waiting (we did ask for all the food to come together). There was no communication in the different prep times either (and I saw other donburi being served to larger tables that came after us). Anyway the bowl itself is the tastiest dish we got. This chicken is well seasoned and tastes of soy, mirin, and sugar. The sauce that pours over the top rounds out the flavor well. Tastes of seaweed and maguro flake. A very comforting bowl of egg, chicken and rice 7/10 Grilled hamachi Simple char grilled hamachi collar done really well. Nice char without drying out the flesh 7/10 Takoyaki Classic takoyaki with plenty of toppings. Too greasy to me, even for fried food but not bad flavor wise 4/10. The service is the real sticking point to me. Very little communication. The place was empty each time I went but it took 15 min to get an order in and I had to wave a server over. One of us got served 15 min before the rest of us. It also took 15 min to get our check. Service 3/10 Overall food is decent. Service is not so much. I'd go back if someone chose it but it won't be my first choice.
I can't believe I've never stopped in before, but now I'm a big fan of Nozomi! The fish quality is very good, and the nigiri is reasonably priced in comparison to similar spots. You absolutely have to try the yellowtail belly nigiri, this was the star of the night for us.
Perfectly placed within walking distance from the Marriott and on a cold rainy day we walked over. We were so happy to find great quality seafood from a small place. They have a cute outdoor patio and a small indoor seating. The service was just a tad slow but well worth the wait for the yummy sushi! For sure next time we're in town we'll make another visit.
Great sushi!!! They had an awesome collection of rolls with good variety! Loved their pinku, red panda rolls. The spicy garlic edamame is also a hit!! Attentive staff and nice ambience outdoors. This place is a little tricky to find (it's on the backside of the storefronts seen from the street) but there is ample parking. Will be back to try more of their menu!
The location was great because it was walking distance from my hotel. We were seated quickly because they were not busy, but the service was extremely slow. We were ready to order and sitting there waiting and talking for atleast 15 minutes before they came to take our order. The same was true for after we finished eating, we had to wave them down to pay. The restaurant was not busy enough for tables to be overlooked or forgotten. They also did not have any alcoholic drinks despite having a full drink menu, due to not having the licensing. Why have it on the menu then? The food was good. Spicy garlic edamame had a good kick too it. The sushi was flavorful and balanced. I'd maybe order to go if I was back in the future.
The food was refreshing! Service was quick and employees were nice. Small spot that's hidden but definitely worth the try. Nice and quiet, with TVs and ambient lighting. For 4 rolls, a sparkling water, and sprite it was $80 ish, and a $20 tip so total was $100 ish.
This restaurant was established in 1999 and specializes in modern-style sushi and Japanese cuisine. The space is clean with a relaxed atmosphere, making it a great spot to enjoy a casual meal with friends. They offer a wide variety of sushi options. We ordered the NOZOMI SIGNATURE (3/4 of the Original), which came as a huge platter of sashimi -- incredibly satisfying and so fun to eat! We also ordered the Baked Salmon, which was very unique: a sushi roll with crab meat inside and salmon on the outside, and it tasted excellent as well. The total came to $51. They accept inKind, so we got $25 off, which made it a great deal. If you need a referral, feel free to reach out to me.
Been back here many times and figured I'd update the review. Still a solid A-OK lunch spot. You can park in the Einstein Bagels parking lot and get a validation here. It's usually not busy during lunch hours so you can get a table easily. Good portion sized food and flavor as expected. I consider this a good lunch spot to meet friends. I got chicken katsu donburi. If you want to eat with appropriate portion size, it's enough for two meals.
Last minute restaurant change to this spot for lunch. And when I saw Japanese Korean as the category, I had my presumptions. Interestingly enough, it was different from what I typically have experienced everywhere else. I ordered sashimi because I wanted something light (didn't have much of an appetite). And was urged to taste "they're most known for" dish: chirashi salad. All the while thinking, "Uhm, okay. Chirashi salad? Really?!" Before it came out, they gave a squirt bottle of Korean hot sauce. Getting more intrigued. It came out first and didn't look like the usual chirashi - the fish was finely cubed. Best way to explain it... a Korean chirashi salad or a Japanese bibimbap. Now that's the most creative fusion of the two cuisines that I've ever seen! Much props! Can't not give a 5-star for the well executed concept!! Service was alright. They forgot the green tea kettle. And didn't rush us to pay. Quite the opposite actually. Especially since they had already received a credit card (slickest move). Ambiance is very much a local dive-y sushi bar with an enclosed outdoor patio. All in all, I'd recommend. And yes, try out their chirashi salad!
Not sure what happened. Been here 3 times prior and the food was solid, good not great, fresh enough where you wouldn't get sick, and quick in-and-out for the neighborhood. But this time, was awful! Food wasn't fresh, even the rice was dried out. All three of us were so displeased that we only ate 1/3 of our food to hold us over until we could eat elsewhere. Service is usually better as well. This time, slow to take our order and didn't check on us. We seriously couldn't wait to leave. Too bad since we're in the area often. At least the tables were clean....but then again, only two tables occupied. Slow day? Spent $150 on lunch for 3 adults, only to leave hungry and disappointed. Sorry, but can't recommend.
I love their food and visit often. I think the curry they serve is one of the best dishes there. It's a large portion and the curry is seasoned just right. The chicken is soft and tender. I love the banana roll they have; at first I ordered it because I sounded interesting but I ended up ordering it every time I went. It's a good combination of sweet and savory if you want to try something new. I will say the service is a bit slower and you have to walk inside the restaurant sometimes to ask for a server.
26 days ago
This is one of my go-to sushi restaurants. The sushi is fresh, the ingredients are high quality, and the rolls are always beautifully prepared. Every visit has been consistently good. Whenever I'm in the area, I often order takeout because I know I can count on the quality. Great food, friendly service, and a reliable spot if you're craving sushi. Highly recommended! read more
2 months ago
Happy hour just rolls different. Why choose one when you can have it all? From fresh sushi rolls, hand rolls, and robata skewers to crispy karaage, poke tacos, bulgogi burgers, and Japanese street corn, @nozomilajolla happy hour is packed with delicious bites. Pair it with a Japanese Old Fashioned, Lychee Martini, House Margarita, or an ice-cold Asahi draft and you've got the perfect excuse to gather your foodie crew. Monday-Friday: 3-6 PM Saturday-Sunday: 4-6 PM Who's joining me for happy hour? Kanpai! read more
Food: sushi rolls were priced around $16-20, which is slightly cheaper than most sushi places around the area. The rolls were okay, the rice was a little mushy, but at least it didn't feel super filling. Basically everything was okay and definitely satisfied me in the end, but nothing stood out! Service: our server was very attentive and the food came out quickly! Ambiance: A lot of outdoor seating with ambient lighting. We came at 6:30pm for dinner on Memorial Day and got seated right away! read more
9 days ago
Being in n La Jolla (not really my stomping grounds) I wasn't sure what place had some good sushi. Soooo of course I went to Yelp for help haha. Some of my fellow Elites had some great things to say about Nozomi Sushi, so I was in! Tucked in the back corner of a little shopping mall in La Jolla sits Nozomi Sushi. The outside sitting looked like it could very well be inside seating. It's covered by a wooden structure with what looked like a nice tarp covering. Very clean and plenty of fresh air. Inside had some sitting as well but this order was for take out. The service was great! Young guy came out and was very friendly and more than willing to answer any questions I may have. I kind of knew what I wanted but he offered a menu and made sure I didn't need drinks because he saw I was thinking about drinks haha. Ordered the Alaska, Gentlemen, Super Crunch, Blue Fire Cracker Roll, Garlic Edamame and for fun we threw in a California Roll. EVERY SINGLE ROLL WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS AND DEVOURED!!! Mmmmm mmmmm mmm this place is absolutely a hidden gym!! I will definitely be driving out to La Jolla just to eat sushi here! Thank you for the service and the great food Nozomi Sushi, I will see you soon !!! read more
7 months ago
TL;DR Nozomi is a simple eatery with a big menu. That can be a good and bad thing. I've had varied experiences here. The donburi and char grilled apps are great! Ramen and sushi are okay, and the fried foods are really hit and miss (sometimes very greasy). The service is not great; long waits even when empty. Short attention given. Nozomi is a small Japanese eatery located in UTC by graduate housing for UCSD (on the backside of the Regents Pizza lot). There's a small indoor seating with a larger outdoor patio. Pretty nice set up and very roomy outside. The menu is pretty expansive, with traditional Japanese food; other than the sushi rolls which are more Americanized of course. Ambience 6/10 Food Tonkotsu Ramen Large portion of ramen with a variety of garnishes: char-siu, black wood fungus, bamboo, spinach, corn, and a soft boiled egg. I think this dish summarizes the restaurant well. I feel there's so much on the menu that the quality is hit or miss. Even here, the garnishes vary in quality. The pork belly is well cooked, tender and charred without being dry. However, the sprinkle of spinach is superfluous and some leaves were turning. Just two examples. The broth is decent, however it is on the lighter side for tonkotsu (personally I prefer more pork funk). The real problem is that it takes a lot longer than a lot of ramen places but this seems to be an issue with every dish even though I've come several times and each time the restaurant was nearly empty. 6/10 Chicken karaage Not my favorite bite here. The coating gave no crisp and the chicken was rather bland. I think it would have served well as a base for nanban where the chicken is meant to be a vehicle for a saucy soak, but for this to be chicken meantto stand on its own with some togadashi mayo, it disappointed. For $4 more you can get an oyako don instead 3/10 Oyako donburi Best bite of the meal but also took the longest. While I understand that there are multiple parts to this dish that take time I did not appreciate that the others at my table sat for 15 minutes with their food waiting for us to eat together while this dish was waiting (we did ask for all the food to come together). There was no communication in the different prep times either (and I saw other donburi being served to larger tables that came after us). Anyway the bowl itself is the tastiest dish we got. This chicken is well seasoned and tastes of soy, mirin, and sugar. The sauce that pours over the top rounds out the flavor well. Tastes of seaweed and maguro flake. A very comforting bowl of egg, chicken and rice 7/10 Grilled hamachi Simple char grilled hamachi collar done really well. Nice char without drying out the flesh 7/10 Takoyaki Classic takoyaki with plenty of toppings. Too greasy to me, even for fried food but not bad flavor wise 4/10. The service is the real sticking point to me. Very little communication. The place was empty each time I went but it took 15 min to get an order in and I had to wave a server over. One of us got served 15 min before the rest of us. It also took 15 min to get our check. Service 3/10 Overall food is decent. Service is not so much. I'd go back if someone chose it but it won't be my first choice. read more
I can't believe I've never stopped in before, but now I'm a big fan of Nozomi! The fish quality is very good, and the nigiri is reasonably priced in comparison to similar spots. You absolutely have to try the yellowtail belly nigiri, this was the star of the night for us. read more
Perfectly placed within walking distance from the Marriott and on a cold rainy day we walked over. We were so happy to find great quality seafood from a small place. They have a cute outdoor patio and a small indoor seating. The service was just a tad slow but well worth the wait for the yummy sushi! For sure next time we're in town we'll make another visit. read more
9 days ago
Great sushi!!! They had an awesome collection of rolls with good variety! Loved their pinku, red panda rolls. The spicy garlic edamame is also a hit!! Attentive staff and nice ambience outdoors. This place is a little tricky to find (it's on the backside of the storefronts seen from the street) but there is ample parking. Will be back to try more of their menu! read more
8 months ago
The location was great because it was walking distance from my hotel. We were seated quickly because they were not busy, but the service was extremely slow. We were ready to order and sitting there waiting and talking for atleast 15 minutes before they came to take our order. The same was true for after we finished eating, we had to wave them down to pay. The restaurant was not busy enough for tables to be overlooked or forgotten. They also did not have any alcoholic drinks despite having a full drink menu, due to not having the licensing. Why have it on the menu then? The food was good. Spicy garlic edamame had a good kick too it. The sushi was flavorful and balanced. I'd maybe order to go if I was back in the future. read more
4 months ago
The food was refreshing! Service was quick and employees were nice. Small spot that's hidden but definitely worth the try. Nice and quiet, with TVs and ambient lighting. For 4 rolls, a sparkling water, and sprite it was $80 ish, and a $20 tip so total was $100 ish. read more
9 months ago
This restaurant was established in 1999 and specializes in modern-style sushi and Japanese cuisine. The space is clean with a relaxed atmosphere, making it a great spot to enjoy a casual meal with friends. They offer a wide variety of sushi options. We ordered the NOZOMI SIGNATURE (3/4 of the Original), which came as a huge platter of sashimi -- incredibly satisfying and so fun to eat! We also ordered the Baked Salmon, which was very unique: a sushi roll with crab meat inside and salmon on the outside, and it tasted excellent as well. The total came to $51. They accept inKind, so we got $25 off, which made it a great deal. If you need a referral, feel free to reach out to me. read more
1 year ago
Been back here many times and figured I'd update the review. Still a solid A-OK lunch spot. You can park in the Einstein Bagels parking lot and get a validation here. It's usually not busy during lunch hours so you can get a table easily. Good portion sized food and flavor as expected. I consider this a good lunch spot to meet friends. I got chicken katsu donburi. If you want to eat with appropriate portion size, it's enough for two meals. read more
26 days ago
3 months ago
Last minute restaurant change to this spot for lunch. And when I saw Japanese Korean as the category, I had my presumptions. Interestingly enough, it was different from what I typically have experienced everywhere else. I ordered sashimi because I wanted something light (didn't have much of an appetite). And was urged to taste "they're most known for" dish: chirashi salad. All the while thinking, "Uhm, okay. Chirashi salad? Really?!" Before it came out, they gave a squirt bottle of Korean hot sauce. Getting more intrigued. It came out first and didn't look like the usual chirashi - the fish was finely cubed. Best way to explain it... a Korean chirashi salad or a Japanese bibimbap. Now that's the most creative fusion of the two cuisines that I've ever seen! Much props! Can't not give a 5-star for the well executed concept!! Service was alright. They forgot the green tea kettle. And didn't rush us to pay. Quite the opposite actually. Especially since they had already received a credit card (slickest move). Ambiance is very much a local dive-y sushi bar with an enclosed outdoor patio. All in all, I'd recommend. And yes, try out their chirashi salad! read more
3 months ago
Not sure what happened. Been here 3 times prior and the food was solid, good not great, fresh enough where you wouldn't get sick, and quick in-and-out for the neighborhood. But this time, was awful! Food wasn't fresh, even the rice was dried out. All three of us were so displeased that we only ate 1/3 of our food to hold us over until we could eat elsewhere. Service is usually better as well. This time, slow to take our order and didn't check on us. We seriously couldn't wait to leave. Too bad since we're in the area often. At least the tables were clean....but then again, only two tables occupied. Slow day? Spent $150 on lunch for 3 adults, only to leave hungry and disappointed. Sorry, but can't recommend. read more
I love their food and visit often. I think the curry they serve is one of the best dishes there. It's a large portion and the curry is seasoned just right. The chicken is soft and tender. I love the banana roll they have; at first I ordered it because I sounded interesting but I ended up ordering it every time I went. It's a good combination of sweet and savory if you want to try something new. I will say the service is a bit slower and you have to walk inside the restaurant sometimes to ask for a server. read more
1 year ago
I liked the rainbow roll and the takoyaki I ordered Service was good Most of the seating is on the covered patio read more
Had a great time here! It was pretty quiet on a Saturday evening. My server was super friendly and helpful because I was overwhelmed by how many sushi options they had. I ended up going with a dragon and gentleman's (?) roll, both which were really tasty and filling. With sushi, I'm always concerned that it's not enough food, but 2 rolls was enough even though I was quite hungry. read more
1 year ago
I've had both the sushi and the ramen here before. This restaurant is just a bit on the expensive side for sushi, but it's good food. I'd come here again. read more
2 months ago
My friends and I were craving sushi after our hospital shift and we stumbled upon this place. We went around 8pm and parking was fairly easy to find near the restaurant. Staff were very welcoming and attentive and we were seated right away. The restaurant itself it very small, but the patio had a nice vibe. The music was on point also, they were playing some jams! Definitely a hidden gem tucked away in this plaza, the food was fabulous! Recommend giving it a try! Food review: Jalapeño yellowtail: (4/5) The fish was very fresh and each slice was a good portion. The jalapeños were spiiiiiicy though. Seared blackened tuna: (5/5) OMG. I wish we ordered 2 or 3 of these. This melted in your mouth and was. So flavorful. Alaska roll: (5/5) Simple, but fresh and so damn delicious. We ended up ordering two of them. Hot night: (5/5) Fresh and flavorful. Definitely would order again! Green aqua: (2/5) This was not good in our opinion we are rice people and tried to be adventurous. The rice with this roll would have tied the flavors together. read more
1 year ago
Very straight and simple review. Drove to SD from SF for the weekend and I loved this place. Great music and atmosphere, great services by 2 friendly and professional young people, great food and price !!!!! Definitely coming back and highly recommend! read more
3 months ago
Cal by here for the first time a few weeks ago after some of my family finished a half marathon in the area. Surprisingly they had enough energy left to hang out and have an awesome lunch here. Located near utc and ucsd with plenty of parking. The food was excellent and the service was top notch as well. New business in the area and a very pleasant surprise to find great Japanese food and sushi in a casual environment. We can't wait to come back again. read more
5 months ago
1 year ago
Fresh and flavorful sushi with beautiful presentation. The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff are friendly and attentive. read more
We always enjoy getting the giant chirashi salad to share. Lots of fresh seafood in it, and the secret sauce is amazing in it - it's made in house. Outdoor seating is dog friendly and nice. Servers are always nice. Validated parking available. read more
12-29-23 Our first time dining here. Didn't have reservation but we were seated right away. Food: 4/5 -Green Aqua $21- melted in your mouth. -Caterpillar $16- yummy! -Spicy Scallop $9- couldn't taste the scallops. -Gentleman $17- just ok. -Unagi $9.50- loved the eel sauce. Tonkotsu $15- creamy delicious! Drinks: Hot Sake $7 Beer $8 Service: Fast. They brought everything we asked for. Nice touch, the bot delivered our food to the table. read more
I remember they used to better, but the quality has gone down. We got the shrimp tempura, hamachi Kama, jalapeño yellowtail, salmon carpaccio, bluefin tuna nigiri, yellowtail nigiri, toro nigiri, and seared black tuna sashimi. The raw portions were big cuts of fish, but they were not so fresh. I actually enjoyed the cooked items more- like the shrimp tempura and hamachi Kama. Service was also very slow. We sat outside and were not attended to for quite some time. I heard their chirashi bowl is really good, so I might try that next time! read more
4 months ago
Generally feel like the odd man out when dining at Japanese restaurants. Sadly not much of a seafood guy and though I've tried, can't really seem to get into Sushi. Which is quite unfortunate as my wife loves sushi and same with a lot of our friends. Lucky for me I was introduced to Chicken Katsu Curry. Which is kinda like a stew served with Potatoes, Carrots, Diced Onions on top of some rice. The Chicken is fried and is perfect for dipping into the Curry. While I've had this at a couple of places - our fav is Nozomi. As the Sushi is great and the Curry is excellent. The only real issue with Nozomi is it can get a little busy at times. Parking can be a challenge though using the underground parking structure is way easier. I would make sure to plan ahead and try to make the happy hour. The ambience is pretty chill - I prefer to eat outdoors as they have a nice little dining area. Though the time I did eat inside - it was quite tranquil. Overall just a calm environment to get a meal. We generally take my whole family and everyone has something to eat. Though it's usually a round of Chicken Katsu Curry and some Sushi. read more
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More info about Nozomi
4150 Regents Park Row
Ste 190
La Jolla, CA 92037
Directions
(858) 452-7778
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https://www.nozomisushilajolla.com
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Nozomi - sushi - Updated October 2026
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