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Sushi Exchange

4.3 (707 reviews)
Open • 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM

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SUSHI EXCHANGE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Trendy
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Sushi Exchange

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Their chef is sick :( Hope he can go back into remission soon
Shreyasi D.

I like big ROLLS and I cannot lie. This place does not skimp on the food. I ordered 2 specials and eel sashimi and it was a meal for 4 people. Very generous portions. Definitely not a cheap meal but it's a good amount of food. I liked the blood orange yellowtail roll. Very creative and loved the fresh and salty taste. The spicy tuna crispy rice wasn't my favorite but I think it was creative. It was like a deconstructed roll but I felt a bit too much with the sauce. The blood orange roll was nice and balanced with the slice of orange on the yellowtail. And highly recommend the eel sashimi. Very well done. Really fast service and again, generous portions of everything. Great waitress. Small parking lot out front. And the restaurant isn't large itself but great solo or with another person.

Kristian T.

For a casual sushi meal, this is probably my favorite place in North San Diego. Find myself coming here whenever I crave sushi. They have great prices and they have rolls here that I haven't been able to replicate elsewhere. Always order the flaming hey Lee and yuzu yellowtail along with a new third roll every time I come. I find those two to compliment each other and the third roll is always good no matter what I get. This time I tried the Ted's truffle which was also great.

Great place! My daughter and I go there once a week. We love the people work there. Very nice and friendly. I have been going there for 7 years

Monique T.

I had a hankering for some sushi and this hit the spot! We were sat quickly, had great recommendations by our server. I love that we have this little gem in our neighborhood just a few minutes from our house where we can run in and grab a quick bite or sit and take our time to really get the full experience. Friendly staff, clean restaurant, great sushi and even a nice beer selection if that's your jam. Ooh, prices are fair, too!

Spicy Garlic Edamame
Ethan S.

This is a personal favorite of mine, Sushi Exchange is an incredibly unsuspecting favorite for San Diego sushi. Situated by a 7-Eleven gas station outside of a suburban neighborhood, it is easy to pass by and never even see it was there. However, if you are one of the lucky few to have tried their food, you realize it is more than just a cute little sushi shop and actually quite competitive with its taste for value ratio.inside they have 4 screens (recently it seems only 3 consistently turned on) which show either a disney or ghibli movie, some anime (usually Naruto or boruto), sometimes they will have the news on one (which is new), and a martial arts movie. This has seemed to change frequently in the past couple of years so I would not get your hopes up for all of them unfortunately, but the overall atmosphere (while a bit tacky) is really nice and generally very quiet. Nearly all the food you can get here is fairly priced, and besides the sushi, I have not had one dish that I didn't love. The service changes from month to month but errors on being mostly friendly and attentive. I highly recommend trying the Ninja roll and the Shishito Peppers as they are two items I feel they do particularly welll, but no matter what you decide to order, I doubt you will be disappointed. Also, be sure to check out their 3-6 PM happy hour with some very strong drink prices!!!

Caterpillar Roll
Audrey C.

Great neighborhood sushi spot, located in the same lot as 7-11 and Dominos. Service is always friendly here and they have screens playing anime and old Asian movies. Seating can be limited inside but they also have several outdoor seating tables. Happy is from 3-6 but only consists of drink specials. ($5 beers and hot sake). Wish they had some sushi specials :p Their fish always tastes fresh and of good quality, decent pricing too. I always order the ninjette roll-my go to.

Seetha G.

Continues to be our go to for great sushi! Any new appetizer/roll we've tried hasn't disappointed us so our list of favs simply keeps growing longer. Huge fans.

Breana N.

Sushi Exchange is hands down my all-time favorite sushi spot! I find myself coming back at least every two weeks because it never disappoints. Every time I have friends in town, this is where I take them. Their Yuzu Yellowtail is absolutely incredible, fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced with a wasabi mayo on top. I also love the Chef's Choice Nigiri, which always feels like a special treat with the quality and variety they serve. I always do the chopped wasabi to pair with my nigiri. The Lemon Cilantro is also very good as well as the Flaming Haley. The prices are very affordable for the quality you get, and the service is consistently amazing. My servers Maylinh and Sally were very welcoming and sweet. Everyone is very friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Whether you're a sushi lover or just looking for a go-to spot that feels both high-quality and affordable, Sushi Exchange is the place. Highly recommend!

Dynamite Mix
Aaron S.

Still as great as when it opened. We really love the quality of the food. The service is always fast and very friendly. The restaurant is small and inside can get full quick so always plan to sit outside. We will continue to eat here, we really love it.

Ruzanna M.

Such an underrated "hole in the wall" type of place. I'm lucky i live down the street and can indulge in this delicious sushi place so often! Tastes GREAT, service is great, and prices are soo fair and unbeatable for Carmel Valley area. Very very happy to live down the street from this gem!

Tempura - Mix
Sai Geetha K.

Outdoor seating is available, and that's where we settled in to enjoy our lunch in the sunshine. The ambiance outside was pleasant and nicely shaded. The staff was friendly and attentive, checking on us several times to make sure everything was going well. The teasers were a great way to kick off our appetite. The sashimi was fresh and beautifully prepared. Their specials--the spicy tuna crispy rice and jalapeño lime roll were tasty. Although I wish the crispy rice pieces (4 in total) had been smaller. They were so filling that I didn't have room to fully enjoy more rolls or dessert. Overall, the food was solid, but nothing truly stood out for me.

Katsu Curry Don, Blood Orange YT Roll, Ted's Truffle Roll,
Mandy L.

My go to spot for sushi. Staff are always so friendly and although this place is known for their sushi rolls, their katsu is exceptional. After trying a bunch of dishes each time I go, my favorites have to be: Ted's Truffle Blood Orange Roll Dr Young J Roll Their sashimi is also yummy, but I think Sushi Exchange's rolls are what really makes them stand out from all other sushi restaurants.

Lemon Cilantro Roll
Stephanie H.

Affordable sushi that's great quality! There is sometimes a wait, but it's well worth it! They offer a yummy variety of cut rolls so there's always something for everyone. The restaurant is fairly small, but they do offer outdoor seating, so plan your visit accordingly. It's awesome that they constantly have anime playing on their TVs and the staff are friendly.

Chef's Choice 9pc Nigiri

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Sushi Exchange Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Sushi Exchange

Do they offer sushi platters for parties?

Is there outdoor dining?

Yes

What are your hours thanksgiving eve and thanksgiving day 2020?

Hi Cupcake, We will be closed on thanksgiving day and and we will close an hour early on… 

Is this place still in business?

Yes it is!

Do they have a lunch menu?

They serve lunch and have meals/specials like the lunch size bento box.

Is this place dog friendly?

Yes! Our patio is dog friendly.

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Azuki Sushi

Azuki Sushi

4.4(3.6k reviews)
16.6 mi•Banker's Hill
•$$$
Takes reservations
Vegan friendly

I have heard amazing things about Azuki. So was super excited to final it try it! We had…read morereservations at 6pm. We showed up on time but still had to wait 20 mins to get out table, which wasnt really ideal. But they did offer us free nigiri to make up for it was a nice touch. We sat at the sushi bar which was cool to see the chefs in action. They also had seating outside and a second floor as well. I got the strawberry matcha cocktail. This had to one my favorite cocktails in SD! The strawberry flavor was so fresh. And the fact that there wasn't an ounce of green but the matcha flavor still comes through was amazing! For sushi, I got the bluefin four ways. If your a fan if tuna I would highly recommend, it was delicious and a nice way to try the different cuts of tuna. We also got 2 nigiris, sake toro and scallops. Both also amazing. The rolls we got were the Rainbow Roll and the Super Dragon. Both delicious. One thing I do appreciate is that they use real blue crab instead of imitation crab. Will definitely come back! And highly recommend anyone to try it out!

Came for our anniversary dinner. Food was great! There were some hiccups in service but they did a…read morenice job trying to make up for it. We made a reservation at the sushi bar so we could see them making all the rolls which was fun. We ordered the bluefin four ways, rainbow roll, super dragon and the sake toro and scallop nigiri. We got two of their cocktails as well. My favorites were the rolls and the sake toro. I usually prefer salmon so I didn't try the bluefin but my partner enjoyed it. The rolls were a good size and all the flavors were well balanced and tasted fresh.

Photos
Azuki Sushi
Azuki Sushi
Azuki Sushi

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Sushi MARU - Iwashi

Sushi MARU

4.8(88 reviews)
17.3 mi•Downtown, Core

Adequate street parking in front and a huge ACE parking lot right in front if you're down to pay a…read morelittle extra. Easy to miss the door but theres a small wooden plaque by the front. Super small and intimate service, never felt rushed and very attentive staff. Extensive sake list and more than the usual options for beer. Chef Maru recommended to take photos upside down to get a better angle and he's so right lol The nigiri was great and I loved how the menu switched from fresh snappy bites to buttery melt in your mouth pieces, never felt like the last piece was competing with the next. I loved that crab was used in multiple dishes, like the warm dish and soup. I wish the nigiri was bigger in general, on the smaller side compared to other spots. Tuna lovers will appreciate how many dishes had tuna. The warm dish (seabass w hairy crab sauce) was one of my favorites, the hairy crab sauce consistency reminded me of banh canh cua. Tuna is from Mexico, most veggies and fruits were from Chino farms.

I was really looking forward to Sushi Maru omakase. I made reservations for the late seating at…read more8pm. Once arrived we were seated about 5 minutes later. They were still setting up. My first impression of the restaurant was, it was beautiful restaurant with a counter that seats 14. First off, Chef Maru and his entire staff was absolutely fantastic and professional. They were all attentive on refilling water and tea. Chef Maru himself was absolutely awesome, he explained each course that was served. Which was the right way to do it. Omakase: Omakase 20 pieces at $180. It's a great price, but in my head there had to be a catch to it. The starter and appetizer started out strong. Everything (fish) were all fresh, so when the nigiri course started that's when everything went south. The nigiri that chef served was really small and it's not your standard size nigiri .There's barley any shari ( sushi rice) and fish. If felt like I was sampling each nigiri. You can't really enjoy it when it's that small.The only highlight was the Uni from San Diego. That felt like a month full, other than that everything just felt like a tease. Don't let my photos fool you, it was all zoomed in. My wife and I had many omakase before and lelf happy and satisfied. This was the first time that we ever left after an omakase meal and was still hungry and a little disappointed. I would love to give Sushi Maru more stars but I just can't after this vist.

Photos
Sushi MARU - San Diego Uni!! So sweet!

San Diego Uni!! So sweet!

Sushi MARU - Appetizer - Hairy Crab and Ika

Appetizer - Hairy Crab and Ika

Sushi MARU - Seasons Simmered Dish

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Seasons Simmered Dish

Soichi Sushi - Nigiri

Soichi Sushi

4.8(556 reviews)
14.4 mi•University Heights
•$$$$

We celebrated our anniversary here and had a wonderful experience! The food was beautifully…read morepresented, fresh, and thoughtfully prepared, with each piece of sushi showcasing the chef's attention to detail. The service was very warm and attentive, making the evening feel extra special. The vibe was amazing, creating an intimate and welcoming atmosphere perfect for a special occasion. One of the highlights was when the head chef played guitar for a customer celebrating a birthday and even came over to wish us a happy anniversary. Those personal touches made the experience truly memorable. We really appreciated the hospitality and would love to come back for another special occasion!

Came back for my 3rd visit here since they've opened and am thrilled that the business is doing…read morewell and has continued to hold it's Michellin star. I've ordered the Omakase each time and while I still love the atmosphere and the energy from Chef Soichi and the staff, I do have to say that this last go round was not quite as good as the last two. This is meant to be opinionated criticism to help improve but I think the dishes could use more diversity and depth. Having done a fair share of omakase from places like Kinme and Matoi, I feel like this isn't that much more memorable or special and I'd hate for it to follow the same path Tadokoro did where they were absolutely my #1 choice and fell after they got their star (which they later lost). Still love that Chef Soichi continues his tradition of birthday serenades with his guitar and the place still has that mom and pop charm so I hope they continue to thrive!

Photos
Soichi Sushi - Beautiful flowers for Valentines!!

Beautiful flowers for Valentines!!

Soichi Sushi - Fried shrimp head. Whole thing is edible!

Fried shrimp head. Whole thing is edible!

Soichi Sushi - Appetizer

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Appetizer

Ichifuji

Ichifuji

4.9(214 reviews)
11.7 mi•Clairemont
•$$$$

If you're looking for a unique, intimate omakase experience and love trying unexpected flavors,…read morethis is absolutely worth it. We initially couldn't get a reservation, so we joined the waitlist and were thrilled to get a Friday afternoon call offering us an 8 PM opening. The sushi bar has only about 10 seats, making the entire experience feel incredibly personal. The fish is flown in daily from Japan, the menu changes every three months, and you get to interact with the chef as each course is prepared. There are two omakase options: $145 or $165 with additional nigiri. If you're worried about leaving a tasting menu hungry, get the nigiri. I lost count of the courses and was completely stuffed by the end! The highlight was getting to try fish I'd never even heard of and some genuinely creative flavor combinations. You do need to be an adventurous eater--think oysters and fried shrimp heads--so it may not be ideal for someone hesitant about seafood. But if you're willing to trust the chef, that's part of what makes it so fun. The entire experience lasted about 2 1/2 hours, and because the setting is so intimate, we even ended up chatting with the diners next to us. And the sweet potato ice cream at the end was absolutely divine. We left full, happy, and feeling like we'd been briefly transported back to our travels in Japan. Such a special experience. We will absolutely be back!

The omakase started off alright with complex appetizers that I didn't love, but fit Crystal's…read morepalate better. However, when the sushi started coming out the omakase got better and better and the fish selections included both classics as well as some unique options that we had never had before.the flavor combinations were also quite strong. Additionally, the price point was very affordable at around $160 per person.

Photos
Ichifuji
Ichifuji - Toro handroll

Toro handroll

Ichifuji - Chawanmushi

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Chawanmushi

Shino Sushi

Shino Sushi

4.4(685 reviews)
17.3 mi•Little Italy
•$$$

What a little gem in Little Italy! Shino Sushi was recommended to us by a friend, and since it's so…read moreclose to my brother's apartment, we decided to give it a try. Such a cute, intimate spot, and everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! What really stood out was the hospitality. The chef personally went out of his way to accommodate us, which made the experience even more special. We ordered the Wagyu sushi, which is traditionally served raw, but he kindly seared it for us so we could enjoy it the way we preferred. We had so much fun stepping outside our comfort zone and trying new things! Delicious food, thoughtful hospitality, and a wonderful overall experience. Definitely a little hidden gem we'll be coming back to!

An extra star for the thoughtful and child-friendly service…read more I brought my 6 year old here for sushi after trying to get into Sugarfish and then Azuki. There was no wait here but parking was a nightmare and there is almost no street parking right around the restaurant which is near the trolley tracks. I recalled coming here for a light dinner with my husband many years ago and thinking it was good, but expensive. I asked if they had Japanese soda for my daughter because it was not on the menu, and they said no, but after we came back from the bathroom the host had found one for us. They gave us chopstick helpers and were very nice. We ordered braised pork belly as an app and wagyu nigiri, albacore, hamachi, salmon belly, 2 salmons, and unagi. I think that was all. They nicely split the order so half had no wasabi for the kid. They were very considerate and I appreciated it. The food however took a while to come out. The braised pork belly was ok, but the fat had not rendered as well as at some other places so we ate around it. The flavor was good though. The hamachi was probably the best item-tender and tasty. The albacore was standard and a generous piece, but the salmon was a bit tough and my kid who usually inhales salmon tasted and then left the salmon. The wagyu had good flavor but was surprisingly chewy. For $26 I would expect it to melt in your mouth but it was not easy to bite through. The eel was very tender but had a weird taste, and was disappointing. I found myself chewing on a scale from maybe the salmon and was overall underwhelmed by the food. The bill for a soda and the sushi came to almost $150 after tax and tip for me and a 6-year old. Usually my husband and I and my kid go to places with better quality and pay the same price for the three of us. Will not be back.

Photos
Shino Sushi - Sushi bar

Sushi bar

Shino Sushi - Tofu

Tofu

Shino Sushi - Toro Toro Roll

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Toro Toro Roll

Lumi - Charred Yellowtail yellowtail, charred green onion, masago, avocado, cucumber, yuzu kosho aioli, garlic ponzu

Lumi

4.2(1.1k reviews)
18.0 mi•Gaslamp

My husband and I came here for dinner and really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. The…read morerestaurant has a modern rooftop vibe in the heart of Downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, making it a great spot for date night. We ordered the miso soup, spicy edamame, Den Miso pork belly skewers, tamarindo tuna ceviche, seabass serrano, crispy karikari tuna, and mochi ice cream for dessert. To drink, we had the Taiyo Margarita and the Clouds of Matcha cocktail. The spicy edamame was probably the only dish that fell a little short for us. It wasn't bad by any means, but we were hoping for more flavor. The absolute standout was the Den Miso pork belly skewers. My husband and I both took our first bite at the same time, looked at each other, and immediately said, "Oh!" We were genuinely surprised by how juicy, tender, and flavorful they were. There were only two skewers, but they packed so much flavor that we instantly wanted to order another plate. The tamarindo tuna ceviche was fresh, light, and refreshing. The taro chips added a nice crunch without overpowering the dish. The seabass serrano was enjoyable, though it wasn't a stand out for us. The crispy karikari tuna (spicy tuna over crispy rice) is one of my go-to orders whenever I visit a sushi restaurant, and this version was up to par. The only component I wasn't crazy about was the long, thin slice of avocado on top--I personally could have done without it, though my husband actually liked it, so that's just a matter of preference. We finished the meal with mochi ice cream, which was the perfect sweet ending. Overall, we had a great dining experience. Between the rooftop ambiance, attentive service, and several delicious dishes - especially those unforgettable pork belly skewers - we'd definitely come back and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a great dinner spot in the Gaslamp.

This is a hipster restaurant for after-work drinks and sushi, where the crowd is relatively young…read more The rooftop bar and open air is great for a breezy summer evening. The music is a bit on the loud side, but you can still have a chat with a group. I ordered the Akira Back Pizza, Mango Bongo Roll, and Super Spider Roll. Akira Back Pizza was my favorite, as the crunchy chip base and truffle drizzle made it extremely craveable. The rolls were pretty good too, and they use real crab! By the way, Lumi's AI answering service says they do not do take-out, but they do. Their receptionist is difficult to reach to confirm, but I have ordered take-out from their bar without any issues. It's just that they may not be able to allow call-ins for to-go orders.

Photos
Lumi - Inside the upstairs.

Inside the upstairs.

Lumi - Namaiki "Sassy" made with producer espadin, herradura blanco tequila, aji amarillo, pink guava, lime

Namaiki "Sassy" made with producer espadin, herradura blanco tequila, aji amarillo, pink guava, lime

Lumi - Uchuu "Universe" made with bombay dry gin, alma tepec chili liqueur, passionfruit, lemon, effervescence, coconut cream

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Uchuu "Universe" made with bombay dry gin, alma tepec chili liqueur, passionfruit, lemon, effervescence, coconut cream

Sushi Exchange - sushi - Updated October 2026

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