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    Robataya Oton

    4.1 (477 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order Robataya Oton Takeout or Delivery

    Robataya Oton Photos

    Business Info

    ROBATAYA OTON ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Robataya Oton

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    miso grilled fish
    Ashlee L.

    omg they have the traditional japanese seating where you take off your shoes and sit criss cross!! such an adorable interior!! very limited seating though but we came on a weekday and there was no wait so i'd recommend that. we got the sukiyaki nabe (only offered by reservation) and it was so delicious. the beef with egg was divineee and i love napa cabbage. portion was a bit small for the price tho ($40 per person). we also got a miso grilled fish and it was SO TENDER AND SOFT and flavor was amazinggg the servers were all so sweet and nice though, i definitely want to come back to try their other items :)

    Tuna, stripe jack and amber jack
    Phing T.

    Dear diary, Decided to try this place out for dinner and let me tell you it did not disappoint. The restaurant is on the smaller side with a more intimate and cozy vibe. There are bar seatings or Japanese booth seatings where you take off your shoes. The food is impeccable. There are so many variety that you can get there such as hot pot, sushi, and even omakase. We decided to go with sushi and uni noodle. The uni noodle is one of the best if not the best that I've ever had. It was rich and creamy. The sushi was extremely fresh and I was told that the fishes were shipped in daily! The chefs and servers were very friendly and attentive to our needs. They recommended many awesome sushi and drinks that we loved after trying. There are limited parkings in front of the restaurant but there are plenty more behind so no problem there. Can't wait to return to check out more things on their menu!!

    Hokkaido scallop
    Nate C.

    Came here on a Saturday night for dinner with a reservation for 2 at 7pm. It's a small intimate place with a cozy/warm atmosphere. A hidden gem that makes you feel like you're dining in Japan. All the servers and chefs were very welcoming and joined us in conversation every now and then. They gave us sake samples on the bottles they recommended. We settled on a bottle of one of their sweeter sake brands. Whatever your preference is I'm sure they can find something you'll enjoy. Our dinner started with the takowasa (octopus marinated in wasabi). The meat was tender and with just the right amount of wasabi. For our next dish we shared the uni pasta. To be honest I was never really a fan of this dish before, but oton is my exception. Pasta had a good chew, the sauce was creamy and rich, and the uni brings it over the top. This dish is a must order item for your next visit. Lastly we ordered nigiri sushi until we couldn't eat anymore. Fuji salmon, blue fin tuna, black tiger shrimp, ect. The quality and care they put into their sushi is worth every penny. We ended the night with a few beers and got to know the staff a little more because we're gonna be coming here more often. To everyone at oton I would like to give a big thank you for making our late Valentine's dinner very special.

    Specials
    Vivian T.

    I've passed by Robataya Oton countless times, not knowing how familiar I was with the area until I arrived! It shares the parking lot in the same plaza as Kogi BBQ. We were walk-ins and sat in a booth on the left hand side. More private dining was reserved for those in booths on the right. We ordered different items to share for a group of four, which were the sashimi salad, calamari, Horumen (cast iron beef intestines), and the Mentai Udon. Our food arrived at a steady pace, however, there was a long gap between our order of Horumen. It was served in a cast iron pan and needed more time to cook maybe. It took so long we thought the staff forgot about it. It was, surprisingly, my favorite thing out of our order. Highly recommend, that is, if you are up for a lot of chewing. The sashimi salad was quite different from what I have had. There was mackerel sashimi included which I have never had on a sashimi salad. It is chef's choice, so you may get something different. The sauce was sweet, so if you are looking for something savory, this would not be the best choice. The calamari is also safe choice, but I'd skip on this and try something more traditional. I would say the same for the Mentai Udon, as my preference for the sauce is a thicker sauce. This one was more soup like, and it was a bit difficult to share this. There are some hits in our meal, the service was kind and timely, even though we were short of an entree for a bit we were made aware. I love the intimacy of the dining space and I'd like to be back to dine in one of their private booths!

    Unagi Don
    Blake G.

    Visited Robataya Oton for the first time and absolutely loved it. We sat in one of the private booths, 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.

    70. Mentai Udon
    Kelsi G.

    The food was really yummy, perfect portions and the restaurant has such a great, cozy ambiance. Our waitresses were super friendly and fast, even with how busy it was. Be sure to make a reservation in advance!

    Hamachi carpaccio
    Demi N.

    I've been here a couple times, and the menu is hit or miss, but the hits are big hits. Fried soft shell crab: 9/10 this was by far the star and biggest hit!! I'll definitely be back to eat more of this. I don't often eat crab because of the price point but this was so worth it. Very memorable Saba shio: 8/10 A little on the saltier side that day, but I really enjoyed this dish Salmon skin salad: 8/10 good stuff Hamachi carpaccio: 7/10 Aburi set: 7/10 this is the chef's choice so it depends on the fish of the day. I really love seared salmon so I give a 9/10 for the seared salmon and 7/10 for the rest of the fish because it was good fish but not my preference Special: wagyu and fatty tuna handroll. I tried this out of curiosity but the wagyu and fatty tuna don't play well together and would be better enjoyed separately. Poke don: 5/10 I got it out of curiosity, but did not enjoy it. It's not the same as a chirashi don. If you want to enjoy fresh fish, you're better off getting chirashi / sashimi / sushi.

    Udon
    Janine K.

    Went here for my birthday dinner and loved it! It was a Tuesday evening and we got seated right away. Service and ambiance were good. We had sushi, udon, hamachi carpaccio, and kyuri- everything was delicious. Also got to try a new sake which was fun. We will definitely be back!

    Uni shooter
    Yokyok N.

    We found this place by instagram but it becomes what we've been looking for since we move to SD. We saw they have room for sitting, Japanese style. That was what we want when we first went there. But it was full. So we have to sit at the sushi bar.... BEST THING EVER! The chef and the owner kept us company and make sure we feel welcome and taken care of. That's including my 2 years old toddler! He was so entertaining and enjoyed everything!! Since then, We always sit at the sushi bar! Yesterday we went there for our wedding anniversary, my husband went for Omakase: 6 course meal: chef choice! Everything was phenomenal! Everything is so fresh and tasty! We also order some stuff off the menu which the chefs here is super accommodating! This's definitely the best Japanese restaurant in SD! The hole in the wall tha fill your heart and, of course, your tummy! Can't wait to go back there again!

    Francesca C.

    What a lovely hidden gem in SD that makes you feel like you just stumbled into a small izakaya inJapan. Recommend calling in advanced for a reservation. We were seated at the bar, but there's also a few small tatami rooms for intimate groups. Very cozy vibes + superb service. We ended up ordering a bunch of things and staying for a while because there were so many great options for food and drinks. Would love to visit again!

    Sushi 6-piece (it's chefs choice), soft shell crab, unagi don, and the special (baby squid- I forgot the specific name)
    Lauren M.

    The food was all very delicious. Ordered the soft shell crab (2), 9 piece sashimi, 6 piece sushi, an 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.)

    Pedro Y.

    Ambiance service food were amazing. Try everything the chef should suggests. Very unique sake selection

    Purple sweet potato roll, green tea ice cream

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    Robataya Oton Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Robataya Oton

    How much is omakase these days? Any link to an updated menu with prices?

    $120

    How many people will fit seated in private room?

    Max.6

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    Ju-ichi

    Ju-ichi

    4.6
    (299 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    My boyfriend and I tried Ju-ichi for the first time and it's now easily one of our favorite spots…read morein the Convoy area. Don't miss out on Happy Hour as they have some pretty good deals on nigiri, sashimi, hand rolls, appetizers, sake and mini bowls. All the fish we had were fresh and everything was prepared nicely. They do not skimp on presentation here. Nigiri fish to rice ratio was perfect. We also got the Mixed Veggie and Shrimp Tempura, Soft Shell Crab Hand Roll and Salmon Skin Hand Roll but was not able to take a photo. They were all very good as well. It was probably the best salmon skin hand roll I've ever had and it was only $5 because of Happy Hour. We will be back for the sunday Omakase soon!

    If you're a sashimi lover, Ju-ichi is worth adding to your list! We ordered takeout and when we…read morearrived, everything was already neatly packed. We ordered: -Deluxe sashimi mix: This was my absolute favorite item that we ordered. Every piece truly felt premium. It included tuna, salmon, albacore, and yellowtail, all of which were fresh and delicious. My favorites were the chef's choice pieces which made the upgrade worth it. The fresh wasabi paired perfectly with every bite. -Bara chirashi: This was hands down the most beautifully presented dish. I loved the balance between the sashimi and rice, so every bite had a great ratio of both. -Sashimi mix: This was also very good, but I'd recommend spending a little extra for the deluxe sashimi mix. The chef's choice selections really set it apart and justify the higher price. -Soft shell crab hand roll and eel hand roll: Unfortunately, these didn't hold up as well for takeout. I'm sure they'd be much better when enjoyed fresh at the restaurant. -Mixed shrimp and veggie tempura: Some of the pieces could have been cooked a bit longer. Overall, Ju-ichi really shines when it comes to its raw fish. The quality and freshness of the sashimi stood out, especially in the deluxe sashimi mix!

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    Ju-ichi
    Gohan (mini rice bowls) with Snow Crab Legs
    Gohan (mini rice bowls) with Snow Crab Legs
    Yellowtail Crudo

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    Yellowtail Crudo
    Monsta Ramen

    Monsta Ramen

    4.5
    (292 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Hands down, one of my favorite ramen spots for a quick, budget-friendly bite! I've introduced this…read moreplace to so many people and have never gotten a complaint. The food is consistently 10/10, and service is fast. There may be a short wait for a table sometimes, but usually only 5-10 minutes. Parking can be a little tough since there are so many food and boba shops nearby. I recommend parking on the other side and walking over. I came with a group of friends, and we all had a great experience. Ordering and paying through the QR code is super convenient, especially if you have Toast Rewards! We ordered the Soy Garlic Karaage, Orange Chicken Karaage, Edamame Stick, Potato Croquette, Teriyaki Skewer, and Spicy Mayo Skewer with sauce on the side. Everything was delicious! The karaage was juicy, tender, and crispy, with both sauces offering great flavor. The Edamame Stick was crunchy, soft on the inside and went well with the sauce. The Potato Croquette is my favorite. It's so crunchy, soft, the sauce is incredible and it goes well with everything. For entrees, we had the Beef Ramen, Gyudon, Black Garlic Ramen, Curry Rice, and Curry Ramen. I'm a big curry fan, so I loved both the Curry Rice and Curry Ramen. Everything was flavorful and well-balanced. The ramen broth is light, not overly salty, and very satisfying. The table hot sauce adds a nice kick too! It's a small but cozy restaurant with beautiful wood accents. Definitely a hidden gem that deserves more recognition. I'll absolutely be back again and highly recommend it for friends, family, or a casual date!

    Wow, a spot that's actually affordable with good food. Finally made it around to try Monsta Ramen…read more Ironically, I did not order ramen but got the curry chicken katsu, and it was simple yet tasty. I love the convenience of being able to order at the table without a server. Not only that, each person at the table can order and get their own bill. Tech when it's working is great. Went right at opening, and parking was easy (free for the first 90 minutes, I think), and we were seated right away. I noticed they also had a takeout station you could easily order from too.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Pork cutlet plate
    Pork cutlet plate
    Potato shrimp

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    Potato shrimp
    The Curry Club

    The Curry Club

    4.4
    (201 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    I've been wanting to try this restaurant. Let me Tell you…read morethis, I should've tried it sooner. This was such a great experience. Everything was perfect. We went on Friday during lunch at 12. Parking lot was busy but there was parking. Right when we walked in we were greeted and seated. The restaurant layout and the booths are awesome. Reminds me of Japan. The art work is awesome as well, the music choice is great, and I really enjoyed the Curry show that they had playing on TV. Service and Ambiance 5/5 Ok for the Curry. I Ordered a Chicken Cutlet curry with Mozzarella cheese and an egg. The rice is on point!!! The egg was cooked exactly how I like my eggs with the crispy edges and runny yolk. The mozzarella cheese is a must, mix it in with the curry and let it melt . For the curry, wow this is so far the best curry I've ever had. It had a nice sweetness to it but not over powering sweet! Wow! 5/5 The Pork Cutlet Udon was also amazing! Thick and creamy also the pickled ginger is soooo good!

    We came for their 2nd anniversary weekend so it was pretty busy! This was my first time trying The…read moreCurry Club and the stickers that they have are so cute and fun! We ordered: -Beef stew curry with a potato croquette (+2.25/1 piece): the curry itself was pretty flavorful, and I liked how they provided different spice levels to add to your curry. The beef pieces itself though were a hit or miss, some pieces were melt in your mouth amazing, but other pieces were kind of tough still. The potato croquette had a nice crisp on the outside and complimented the curry very well. -Yuzu Sour: great deal ($6), easy to drink, not sure if this was an anniversary weekend special -Lychee Sour: too sweet for me personally, but if you like sweet light drinks, this is for you Overall, parking may be hard during peak lunch and dinner hours. We waited 60-80 minutes for a table for 2 during their anniversary weekend, but the wait passed by pretty fast. We just got boba next door, which was super convenient.

    Photos
    Decor
    Decor
    Karaage Bowl
    Karaage Bowl
    Takoyaki

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    Takoyaki
    Kotobuki

    Kotobuki

    4.5
    (204 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Kotobuki is an understated sushi restaurant in a suite at the western end of Kearny Mesa's Hazard…read moreVillage. It's operated by a husband-and-wife team without much fanfare as I rarely have seen the business mentioned when it comes to sushi in the SD area. I do worry that its location is not very visible when you are speeding down Clairemont Mesa Blvd. It might be a reason why this place is so quiet and seldom filled to capacity. After exercising at a nearby gym, I came for a late lunch and was their sole customer at the time. Parking is never an issue at this plaza so I got a space near the front. The place can hold about a couple of dozen customers with another four more that can be seated at the sushi bar. The interior decor was clean and simple which was also reflected in their menu. The offerings have definitely been tweaked since their grand opening several years ago. Some varieties of fish were no longer featured, and I noticed more combination choices. For my meal, I picked a Rainbow Roll and three kinds of nigiri... toro, scallop, and eel. Everything was prepared by the owner who is the sushi chef. Even with the impact of inflation, the prices remained very reasonable while retaining fresh quality fish. For example, where else can you find two pieces of fatty tuna for only $11? Most competitors will charge that much for just one slice of otoro. The Rainbow consisted of tuna, yellowtail, salmon, and avocado wrapped outside of a California Roll. A minor deduction would be that the sushi variety wasn't as extensive, and you won't find any rare fishes served here. Kotobuki is definitely worth trying if you appreciate a no-frills approach to sushi. I gave a 4.5 star rating for my latest visit to this hidden gem.

    No notes. We had: - Delicious, perfectly battered tempura…read more- Delectable sashimi bowl. Sushi rice was perfectly prepared; I tried not to finish the whole bowl (I usually have leftovers with chirashi) but it was hard to resist. - Negitoro and Fatty Toro nigiri. Prepared so everything was very tender and melted in our mouths. Kotobuki at dinner time had one very hard working server also manning front of house, but we never waited very long for service or felt rushed. Simple but comfortable ambience with clean, modern interiors and plenty of space between tables. We are thrilled to have found this place and will be back!

    Photos
    Sushi bar seating
    Sushi bar seating
    Hamachi roll
    Hamachi roll
    Salmon & spicy tuna rice bowl. So good!

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    Salmon & spicy tuna rice bowl. So good!

    Robataya Oton - japanese - Updated August 2026

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