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.) read more

Robataya Oton - Sushi 6-piece (it's chefs choice), soft shell crab, unagi don, and the special (baby squid- I forgot the specific name) - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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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. read more

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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!! read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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We came here for Valentine's Day. Only reservation, I could get last minute. Sat at the bar but this place just felt old and maybe less refined then other omakases we are used to. Walking in, I felt it looked cluttered and a little run down. To preface, we live in Vegas so we've been to some amazing kaisekis and omakases. Server was new but seemed not in tune with basic needs. No napkin given without asking. No soy sauce or ginger or wasabi given with sashimi. We were sitting by the door so I can see the kitchen and everything behind the counter. It was looking a little messy back there with things thrown on shelves and disorganized. Sushi chef dropped fish slices on the ground. Overall, I mean I didn't get sick and almost everything tasted fresh. But honestly, there wasn't one memorable item on the omakase dishes. We opted for the higher end one with uni and toro too. read more

The food was excellent and the service was incredible! Everyone was so kind and hospitable and accommodating! The ambiance was really fun and unique too. Highly recommend for something different! read more

Honestly pretty good. It was a lot better than so many other places. the grilled fish had nice flavor and decent cook, not perfect though. the fish they put in the sashimi salad was fresh. a bit heavy handed with the sauce though. if i have to take sometime to midtier japanese, i think i would try to take them here. read more

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

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

Robataya Oton - Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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! read more

Robataya Oton - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

We had an amazing time at Robataya Oton! We went out on a whim to try a new restaurant and were immediately greeted by the owner, Kenji. We told him our budget, and he crafted a multi course meal for us which was absolutely delicious and introduced us to new flavors. Things that stood out in particular were the uni udon, eel roll, house smoked salmon, and chicken meatballs. We felt so welcomed and loved experiencing a new cuisine and culture. The ambiance was inviting and calming. We will definitely be back to see what Kenji picks for us next! read more

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My husband and I had reservations for 5:30PM and we arrived a little over 5mins early. The restaurant opens right at 5:30, so they couldn't let us in early. We waited in the car until we saw other customers start walking in. The service was very nice. We sat in one of the traditional rooms (which I thought was "on the floor" but there is room for your feet under the table). The atmosphere was really cool. A sheet separated us from another larger party - no issues with loudness or anything. The food was delicious. Husband got the Sapporo beer flight special and I tried the Yuzu wine with Calpico. I've never had yuzu wine and I don't normally like wine but this was delicious. We tried the poke bowl and chirashi. Poke bowl is more saucy and flavorful. Chirashi is more fresh. We also got the horume as an appetizer but it came out last. Everything was delicious. My favorite was the horume as it's hard to find anywhere else. For dessert, we got the mitarashi dango - it was unfortunately not as good as I hoped. I'm a big fan of this chewy/stretchy texture, but it was a bit too dense, almost grainy, and not very stretchy. Overall, it was definitely a cool experience and I'm glad we tried this restaurant. read more

Robataya Oton - Dango - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Hubby and I just got into town and was searching for places to eat. He dropped me off to the entrance, which he looked for parking. As I entered, I was amazed of how Japanese decorated it is. The seating is Japanese style, you remove your shoes and you have your own sunken table. It's an experience. The workers were friendly, despite how busy it was. There's omakase style, but we opt for Sukiyaki and unagi Don. You cook your own hot pot of Sukiyaki and the Don was properly proportion wit unagi. Definitely a great place to try! We were lucky to be seated without a reservation. read more

Wow! My husband and I were visiting San Diego from Chicago, and an Uber driver recommend the Kearny Mesa area for good Asian food. Little of research of some Japanese restaurants, we decided to give this restaurant a try. We were so impressed with the food and ambiance. The chefs were friendly and the service was great! If you are looking for low key but, kick ass sushi/sashimi/Japanese hot pot, don't look further. Next visit, we would love to come back and try their hot pot. read more

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Super hidden lowkey sushi spot with the most authentic home-y ambiance! I recommend making a reservation a day or two in advance. The tables are very private and you climb inside after taking your shoes off. Perfect for a date night or fancy girl dinner :) . The quality x pricing is crazy! We got the special handroll for the day and the nigiri omakase. They have a white board of specials each day so every visit is unique. The host was so sweet and attentive to us. We mentioned being curious about one of the matcha wine(?) and she gave us a small sample to try as well as a small portion of an appetizer from the chef. ~still dreaming about this meal ~ read more

Robataya Oton - Handroll special: wagyu, uni, toro $20 - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Parking can be a challenge and plan on a reservation. There's tatami rooms where you remove your shoe to dine but we had a regular table. The ambiance is an authentic Japanese restaurant with authentic flavors. We started out with the sumo which is the chef's choice for 65.00 a few selected sashimi pieces and a hosomaki. The garlic calamari was good but small portions so I would skip this appetizer for 10.00. The katsuo tataki was beautifully prepared on a bed of onions, slightly smoked seared and topped with garlic . The dashi tamago was nice and reminded me of traditional Japanese breakfast. Try the other specials they offer, the yellowtail nigiri was tasty - ate it before I could photograph it for y'all. Overall the dining experience was unique and authentic. The price tag is a tad high for a casual night out. read more

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Been wanting to try this place forever because of the tatami rooms but didn't realize you need to call in advance to reserve! Make sure to do that if that's what you want. We ended up sitting at the bar and ordered a few items. The star of the show was definitely the unagi gohan. I don't think I've ever had this dish at another Japanese restaurant and I would definitely order it again! I loved the flavor of the eel inside of the rice, I was worried there wouldn't be enough eel and I was pretty satisfied. I also loved pouring the broth at the end for a change, and it was a really comforting taste. The rest of the items unfortunately did not meet our expectations: - beef tongue curry just tasted like very plain box curry but the beef tongue was really tender. -the beer set that comes with 3 appetizers were extraordinarily tiny and plain. -we also each ordered the special handroll that came with wagyu, baked uni, and toro. it was yummy but we agreed we wouldn't pay $20 each again. we agreed the wagyu felt wasted in the roll If it wasn't for the unagi gohan, we agreed it would've been a disappointing meal given the hefty price and mediocre food (probs spent $130) :/ I definitely would still give it another try for the sukiyaki and tatami room though! read more

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Small Japanese restaurant that serves various appetizers, sushi, and hot pot. Interior is very nicely decorated with little wooden rooms for each table; adds a very nice and interesting atmosphere. We were seated at the bar area in front of the chef (pictured). Service is friendly for the most part. One server is a little gruff in giving instructions. No water top offs. They did forget one of our items and it took two asks for them to bring it out (they had forgotten it and then got confused about whether it had come). Not a major issue. We ordered the sukiyaki which was sweet and salty. Pictured is 2 servings, which is the minimum order for any hot pot. Enough to satisfy but not a ton of food on its own. We added eggs and udon noodles, which we stir fried at the end in the pot because our soup had become like more of a thick sauce by the end. Three stars is because the food is alright, but for the ingredients (in the sukiyaki it's some konjac noodles, a couple of tofu and mushrooms, some beef, cabbage) and quantity it was definitely not worth the $30 per serving. Might be worth coming for more of an izakaya experience with appetizers, but didn't enjoy very much for their hot pot. read more

Robataya Oton - Bar area - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I'm glad I got to try this traditional Japanese restaurant. It has the cool Japanese style seating where you take off your shoes. I ordered a Sushi mori, chefs choice set of 5 piece sashimi, 4 piece sushi, and 6 piece Hosomaki. We also ordered the thick beef tongue steak and a chirashi bowl. The beef tongue came out first but was quite chewy. Next was the sushi mori set with miso soup and chirashi bowl. For some reason, it seems that the cleaning products or something directly impacts the taste of the sashimi and sushi. I wished I didn't notice it but it made the taste less enjoyable. While the fish were fresh, I really was hoping for an overall good sushi experience. Maybe it is just a coincidence that it happened when I'm there but I'm open to giving it another visit. The server was very nice and I enjoyed the ambiance. read more

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I have eaten at this place a few times and have never been disappointed. They have been one of the best places to have authentic Japanese food in town. However we were disappointed at our last visit. We ordered the hot pot for the first time. And our server left the ingredients with us without any instructions. We had to ask another server to help us prepare the hot pot on our table. We realized our dish included tofu per the menu, but it wasn't provided to us and we had to ask for it. And the portions were honestly meager and we left a little hungry still after paying $40 per hot pot. Not sure if we will be coming back here unfortunately. read more

Excellent food. Very limit number of seats but great ambiance overall. Highly recommend reservations. Menu is not inexpensive but seems on par for similar places in the area. Very polite and professional staff. read more

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! read more

Robataya Oton - 70. Mentai Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I absolutely enjoyed my experience here! From the service to the food, everything was amazing and this is definitely up there for my top choices in Japanese food! It's definitely on the more traditional end, but I loved everything about it! Located away from all the chaos of Convoy, Robataya Oton is next to Denny's, Kogi BBQ and Shogun! So depending on what time you go, parking may be a bit of a challenge especially since Kogi attracts a big crowd. But most of the time I'm there I usually snag a spot, I just have to drive towards the back a little more. The place itself is small but seats a decent amount of people. It has a very traditional feel to it as there are some spots that you have to take your shoes off first before walking in and sitting on the mat. Very clean as well! Service was great! Everybody greeted you when you walked in. I wish I got our hostess/waitress' name but she was awesome! She did great at explaining everything to us on the menu and was super polite! She kept checking in on us and was making sure we were well taken care of. Food was AMAZING! The Uni was so FRESH and flavorful! Plus the amount that they gave us was super generous too! The sukiyaki hotpot was delicious! The broth was so flavorful and the cuts of meat were really good! We also had a wagyu sushi and that was delicious and melted in your mouth. Everything about that was amazing and I would love to go back! Is it on the pricey end? Yes, but you're definitely getting what you pay for. Everything was fresh and flavorful and the portions were super generous. I highly suggest this place for some good traditional Japanese food. I definitely will be planning to come back again! read more

Robataya Oton - Uni - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I am always on look of Japanese restaurant. I can't believe that I didn't know about this place earlier. Maybe because their location is not in the center of Kearny Mesa. Anyways I am so glad that my husband found them on yelp. My favorite was eel rice. It was so delicious. It seems only one piece of eel on the rice. But they blend more eel together with rice. It was flavorful, heartwarming and comforting. Egg omelet with eel was soft, bouncy and delicious. Beef tongue was also good. But I don't care for their sashimi. The cuts were too thick. And fish was not flavorful. read more

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What can I say about this restaurant that already hasn't been said? No. It's horrible here. You shouldn't come here. The food is bleh, the workers non existent & the shop is lit up like a warehouse! So please. Save me some time by not coming here... so I can get seated right away. You can stop reading now. No. It's actually amazing here! Everything you want from a legit traditional Japanese restaurant that screams vibes of Japan! Staff, on point. Vibes, vibing. Food, Deeeelishush! You can sit at the sushi bar if it's only you or if you have a party you can get a "booth" which is more like a cool Japanese like room where you take your shoes off before you step in. You really need to call in and reserve twice as early as you normally would. They're sometimes booked even a day ahead! So yah... definitely a not recommend. read more

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Came with a friend yesterday and we really enjoyed it. The food was absolutely delicious and top quality as well. Service was great and staff were friendly. Place is a little small so definitely make reservations. I will definitely be coming back again soon. Thank you again! read more

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Food was really good but I thought it was a little more loud than expected. But then again, isn't it always about the food. Will I go again? Of course. read more

If you're looking for a sushi izakaya that delivers everything--incredible food, top-tier sake, and a chef whose talent shows in every bite--this is the place. The moment you sit down, you can feel the passion behind the counter. Every dish that comes out is crafted with precision and care, from melt-in-your-mouth cuts of sashimi to perfectly balanced small plates that hit every flavor note. The quality of the fish is next-level fresh, and each piece of sushi feels like its own little masterpiece. Their sake selection is just as impressive. The staff actually knows how to pair each pour with the food, and the recommendations were spot-on--smooth, fragrant, and elevating every bite. But the real star is the chef (Kenji and Taka). You can see the dedication, creativity, and skill right in front of you. Watching each dish being made felt like watching an artist at work. The chef interacts with guests, explains the flavors, and makes the whole experience feel personal and memorable. From start to finish, this izakaya is on another level. Amazing food, beautiful sake pairings, and a chef who truly cares about the craft. I can't recommend it enough--absolutely worth every visit. read more

This small, dimly lit Japanese restaurant offers a cozy and private atmosphere. We sat in a booth surrounded by traditional Japanese screens, creating an intimate dining experience that felt truly special. The food was exceptional--fresh, beautifully presented, and full of authentic flavors. We got the uni udon, pokedon which came with miso soup and cucumber salad, as well as the hamachi carpaccio and the special hand roll. The service was attentive yet unobtrusive, allowing us to fully enjoy the meal and ambiance. If you're looking for a quiet, immersive dining experience, this place is a must-visit! read more

Robataya Oton - 71. Uni Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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We had a reason to celebrate and I was thinking of many restaurants to choose from but having such a picky partner, I had to choose a restaurant that he enjoys, robataya oton came to mind. I could have chosen another high end sushi restaurant or omakase but I chose to go here today because it has always been a great experience and there is humbleness coming here and we always experience the highest quality of sushi here, especially their uni. Uni here melts in your melt and is orgasmic! Today's visit, we felt something changed. We just learned that the previous head chef is no longer there. We had the honor of meeting the owner, Chef Kenji and he was running the food. As we came in the restaurant, it was busy but he made sure to seat us right away. He was even bussing tables. Complete admiration there. I can tell that he is an owner that has strength and endurance. Being a business owner is not for the faint of heart but his passion shows to deliver quality food and service. We met him only today, but we are soooo proud of him. I hope he knows his restaurant is recognized! We are thankful we came here today. This restaurant will be in my rotation and I will continue to support this business. This is a business we admire and look up to. We put them on a higher pedestal than other restaurants because we know they have dedication, discipline and passion in this business. We wish Robataya Oton complete success, peace and happiness! read more

Hidden gem in San Diego!!! We had one of the most amazing omakase experiences ever! The food was truly top-notch -- five-star quality -- and the service was absolutely exceptional. We were lucky to meet two incredibly passionate and talented chefs, Kenji-san and Chef Miguel -- thank you both for an unforgettable night! Seating is limited, so make sure to book in advance and ask about their special off-menu experience. read more

My husband and I came here after ube festival. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. The food was ALL amazing! We will be returning again! read more

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Love this place. Service is great, food is wonderful! Sushi is very fresh, we love the shabu shabu too. Very impressed!

** 2.5 stars ** This place is really just ok. Maybe I'm snobby (I'm Japanese) or we're just spoiled with Japanese food, but we have infinitely better restaurants in LA. Yes, Robataya Oton is authentic Japanese food... but we can honestly make similar levels of food at home. What we had: The chefs choice hand roll set - the server did not want to tell us what the chef's choice fish were prior to ordering. They gave us amberjack, bonito, and fluke which were all fine. Garlic calamari - lightly fried squid. small portion. Salmon skin salad - there were barely any salmon skin on the salad, and the salmon skin had a sweet sauce on it which wasn't great. Salmon Kama - probably the best dish we had, but it's grilled fish... so can you really mess it up? Meatball skewers - not memorable at all, even with the egg dip. Torimatsu wins the medal for best yakitori in SoCal! The bill came out to ~$100 which was shocking because we weren't full. Since the food was lackluster, we paid the bill and opted to check out a second spot, Yokohama Yakitori Kobo and the food was way cheaper and better there. Note: they do not take walk-ins, only reservations. read more

Robataya Oton - Salmon Collar Kama - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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This Japanese izakaya is a fantastic spot for anyone who loves variety. Everything we tried was excellent, and the menu offers so many options that it's hard to pick a favorite! The pokedon was a standout, served with perfectly seasoned fish, fluffy rice, and a side of miso soup and pickles. It was a beautifully balanced dish that hit all the right notes. We also ordered the hamachi carpaccio, which was fresh and delicately seasoned, and the seared beef tongue, which had a smoky, rich flavor. The mentaiko udon was creamy, savory, and packed with umami, a perfect comfort dish to round out the meal. This place is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a wide variety of Japanese dishes. Unless you like to go bare feet, wear or bring socks! You have to take off your shoes to sit. read more

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Food was criminally overpriced. The service was not the best and the semi private rooms were disappointing

Very cozy restaurant with good service. It's an intimate setting and they have lovely private little rooms where you take your shoes off. We didn't have a reservation so we sat at the bar, but would definitely come back to try out the more private seating and because the food was so great! We started with the monkfish liver which was fresh and super rich in flavor. I got the uni udon which I thought was delicious until I tried the mentai udon. It was insane, the amount of flavor that was packed into each spoonful. We licked the dish clean. The plum wine with ramune was a nice, refreshing drink to wash everything down and we ended with tempura ice cream! Such a nice treat and don't get to have it very often as it's a bit hard to find in San Diego. read more

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