Always consistently great food. Wonderful owner and staff. Highly recommend, especially when they do omakase and specialty dinners.

My husband said he wanted sushi for dinner. I said, say less. Thanks to the Yelp community, I found this hidden gem. Overall ratings is a well deserved 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. Came here on a Monday night with no dinner reservations. The waitress escorted us to outside seats since indoor were all taken, but they have heaters outside so it wasn't too bad :) Service was quick and attentive. She took our order quick and our food came out fast too. SAKE FLIGHT: $15 yummy trio with variety. Would order again. SPICY SCALLOP ROLL: Star of the show. Melt in your mouth kind of sushi. 10 out of 10 would recommend. SHRIMP TEMPURA ROLL: it was good, not the best I ever had. Wouldn't order again. CHEESE WONTONS: 100 Out of 10. Idk how they fried the cheese, but it is so dang good. Knocked my socks off. WAGYU TATAKI PONZU: Some of the best I've ever had. Tender, tasty and mouth watering. Would definitely order this again. Ambiance; cute and quaint. I love the area. The decor is nice too. It's not super spacious. I recommend making a resection ahead of time due to its popularity. read more

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I visited Tanuki on a cold and rainy Thursday night looking for some Japanese comfort food to warm me back up. There was a wait to get an inside table; the inside seating is pretty limited. The wait staff was extremely kind and gave me updates about the wait time and was able to accommodate us sooner than expected. The food was amazing! I love Japanese food; I've been to Japan many times and the food here is authentic but also some creative twists. I only took a couple pictures because I couldn't wait to eat but all the dishes were spot on. We had the crispy rice w/ spicy tuna, chicken karaage, agedashi tofu, and hamachi Kama. Extremely delicious! Thank you for the wonderful food and experience. Gochisosama read more

Tanuki - Crispy Rice - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tanuki is a small sushi bar in the Kensington neighborhood. Six parking spaces were available in front of the building which they share with neighboring businesses. The interior decor was nice and modern with a Japanese raccoon dog statue near the entrance to represent the restaurant's namesake. Some outdoor seating was available if you wanted to dine al fresco. At the time of my visit, it was one of the rare occasions in which the chefs were not making sushi behind the bar. All the food was prepared in the back kitchen so you couldn't view any of the cooking or knife work in action which was disappointing. I guess the area behind the bar was temporarily designated for making and pouring drinks. The wagyu roll was unavailable because they had sold out of the meat. I settled for a piece of yellowtail sushi, a piece of unagi sushi, a spicy scallop roll, and a soft shell crab roll. The quality of the fish was good, but some of the prices were high. I didn't have any issues with the service unlike a few other reviewers which was certainly positive. If you live nearby, this would be a good spot to get a fix of Japanese cuisine and sake. read more

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TLDR - Made a reservation by phone to confirm accommodation for a highchair; showed up to be told request could not be honored. Don't risk coming if you need one for a child in your dining party. We've enjoyed meals at Tanuki many times before today - good food, charming location, etc., but were deeply disappointed when we showed up with out-of-town friends for a special occasion. Despite making a reservation when we requested (and confirmed) a highchair, we showed up only to be told that there was only ONE on premise that was already earmarked for another reservation "that had been made a week before [I] called". Instead, "we could have a table with no highchair" (????) which is not a reasonable alternative at all. We would have happily brought our own highchair if told ahead of time, so when I asked why hadn't someone told me either when I called or *anytime* before our reservation, I was given the excuse that "they couldn't see the other party's request until today" (???) which doesn't make sense. We decamped for another restaurant given the lack of a real explanation or solution. read more

I stopped by Tanuki in the Kensington area after a chiropractor visit, looking for something healthy, fresh, and good to eat. With their high Yelp ratings and convenient location, I decided to give it a try - and I'm so glad I did! I ordered the Sashimi (5 kinds), while my wife had the Sashimi (3 kinds).The kids went for their usual California roll and some slices of Salmon sashimi. Everything was incredibly fresh and tasted amazing - exactly what I was hoping for! I also ordered a Hot Matcha Latte with soy milk, which was so good. It was the perfect complement to the meal. We couldn't resist trying their cheesecake for dessert, and it was just as great as the rest of the meal. The service was excellent throughout our visit. If you're looking for an authentic sushi spot, this is it and I can't wait to come back again! read more

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Very disappointed with this place. Had high hopes looking at the menu. The restaurant was empty when we got there. We were asked if we had a reservation because they were all booked up. I asked how do you make a reservation. They said just called in. I told them I tried calling multiple times but the call would not go through during the day. I would understand during the rush hours but it was not. We got reluctantly seated. Ordered the Karaage , gyoza, wagyu tataki ponzu, and the shrimp tempura roll. The gyoza and Karaage were all stuck together. When separating the gyoza, the wrapper ripped causing it to fall apart. It was difficult separating the Karaage. The wagyu was a complete disappointment. The meat was very tough. We could not chew through the meat and parts were uneditable. The soy sauce they gave for the roll did not taste right. They said it was soy sauce but it tasted like ponzu sauce. I don't think they even cared it was the wrong sauce in the soy sauce bottles. I was served hot tea in a metal cup. I could not drink the tea due to the metal cup being very hot. Normally I would get served HOT tea in a ceramic cup to avoid this. I could not leave fast enough because of all this. read more

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Came here on a Saturday night around 7pm for date night. It was a very last minute decision. The place is very small and upon arrival they asked if we had a reservation and we didn't. So surprisingly we were able to get a table for 2 within 15 minutes. I do believe they had a last minute cancellation or no show though. The service was great, but the food lacked flavored. We order 3 items. Baked salmon roll, Wagyu tataki ponzu, and roasted striped sea bass. The baked salmon roll was weird. The shiso leaf in the baked salmon roll made it have a weird taste. The wagyu tataki ponzu was drenched in sauce. Very vinaigrette. The roasted striped sea bass was the best out of all 3. I don't recommend coming here if you want to actually have a full meal. Also beware they charge you for sauce. read more

Tanuki - Baked salmon roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place was solid. Everything we had was good. We definitely had some standouts though. Sake flight: was only 15 dollars so highly recommend. Each was different and tasty. Gyoza: tasted very fresh and was solid. Truffle French fries: delicious. Not sure what seasoning was added to this but loved. Will def get again! Karaage: very good! Sauce was phenomenal with it. The pieces were nice and crispy. Chicken katsu: our favorite item! The chicken was thick and flavorful and cooked to perfection. Corn: very very buttery! Solid but not spicy. We thought it was going to be but it wasn't (but we still adored it). Cream cheese wonton sticks: cream cheese lovers rejoice! If you like cream cheese def get! Crispy rice: this was okay. Still good but everything else was just SO SO good. Unagi nigiri: great! Eel was fresh and great cuts. Another stand out. Eclairs: these are Friday only and we're going fast. Special shout out to the cookie butter one! All in all our favorites were: chicken katsu, truffle french fries, karaage, unagi. Will def be back to try more though! Service was fast and excellent. There's seating inside and outside but recommend getting a reservation as on a Friday night there was a wait. Very cute small place. Parking is street parking but they also have a few spots in front. read more

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The service was amazing, I loved our waitress! She was super sweet, checked up on us often and even suggested desserts. The Wagyu Tataku Ponzu was so yummy. We also got the Chicken Karaage, Truffle Fries, and not pictured but one of the rolls as well. The Chicken Karaage was pretty good, the roll was mid. There wasn't anything special about it and it was very basic for the price. On the other hand, the fries were so good!!! I would come back just for the truffle fries themselves. I ate nearly the whole order. We also got creme brulee and it was so tasty. I love creme brulee and this really hit the spot. read more

Tanuki - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Came as a walk-in over the weekend and was able to be seated promptly before the dinner rush that settled around 6:30pm. Service was pretty standard and the food came out fast since we only ordered raw fish options. What was disappointing was the chef's choice plate that came with 3 pieces of 5 different types of fish. The scallop was 1 piece cut into 3 small strips! The other fish cuts were fine and didn't have a fishy smell, but I feel like I could get a sashimi block from the local Japanese store and do it myself at home. read more

I honestly wanted to gatekeep this place but Tanuki deserves another 5 star review. From the service to the ambiance everything was a solid 10/10 for me. I LOVE SAKE! And this place has a ton of sake options to choose from along with some Japanese tapas to pair with. Another thing I love about this place is the prices, it's very affordable depending on how bougie you want to be. As for the food I highly suggest getting the Tanuki Roll as it has all types of fish including uni. Sake wise I would ask the host and let them know what you like, they will also give you samples so you can pick a bottle everyone will enjoy. Would I go again? Absolutely! read more

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Very nostalgic of my visit to Japan. Food was delicious and the sake tasters were great.

Came here on a Saturday night with a group of 6 and had a great time! Food: A lot of options for tapas so we got a bunch of things to share. Truffle fries and karaage were really good and we got double orders of those. Had a good amount of options for sushi so will definitely be back to try more of those. Service: Didn't have a reservation but were still seated fairly soon but just had to be outside in front of the restaurant. Servers were nice and consistently checked in with us. Ambiance: We sat outside so there wasn't much to look at but the inside seemed nice! Modern Japanese-style vibes. The dining room is pretty small though so keep that in mind as it seems like it can get pretty noisy and feel crowded. Water: Excellent water service. Water quality was standard but our server constantly came back to check and refill. Even refilled my cup when I still had a pretty full cup. Explained to my friends then and will say it again here: water service can really make or break a dining experience! read more

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Awesome good eats! Yummy Japanese dishes. Lots of flavor and ambiance. Service is awesome too! read more

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The sushi was fresh and spot on - super tasty with fast and friendly service. I love places that let you pick your own sake vessel and this is one of those places. Vibes were high - will be coming back over and over again! read more

First time here and was not disappointed! The service is the best. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. I got the Tanuki roll and loved every bite. read more

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Such a cute spot for sushi! Very great quality fish. Our meal consisted of: cold brew green tea 2 appetizers - sake wasa & karaage sashimi plate (5) Hamachi jalapeño roll & an éclair for dessert Our service was cordial & well-paced --------- DETAILS -------- The tea was nice, earthy, & smooth. Loved the container it was infused in Sake Wasa was a diced style, with great flavor. I wish this was offered as an entrée portion because it was my favorite part Karaage came very hot, but too delicious to wait Sashimi pieces were all buttery textures. Normally I avoid ahi because I can't stomach the texture being chewy (unfortunately common), but I let myself try this & was quite pleased. Also, didn't expect to enjoy the jellyfish so much! The toro was the most mild, least favorite, but not bad, the rest just have more flavor Hamachi jalapeño roll was alright. It's a bit underwhelming for me, which I think is because it's on a veggie roll & the jalapeño is only a topping... wasabi would have more kick. It needs like... 1 more ingredient to be interesting, in my opinion For dessert, I originally was expecting to order the matcha cheesecake. For some reason, I wasn't really interested in the presentation, especially next to the beautiful éclairs! I heard an employee listing the flavors & "cookie butter" caught my attention. Wow, it was so so yummy! Now that I've ticked that box, maybe I'll get the matcha cheesecake on another trip if it's equally worthwhile read more

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Found this cute little gem in Kensington and I have to admit I didn't know it existed because where it is. However, I am glad I found it. The place has seating indoors, outdoors and bar seating. The waitstaff was very friendly was attentive. Tanuki has a large selection of sake to choose from, but they do not have hot sake per se, but can make any of the sake hot. we tried the flight which was cold and it was delicious. we started out with a vegetable tempura, and I love when the batter is light and crispy which it was. we both had a salad which was pretty big and had one cherry tomato just lettuce that could be improved a little. We got the spicy tuna roll the Hamachi jalapeño roll. Both rolls were fresh tasting. Definitely can't wait to go back to try more, if you're up in normal Heights area or Kensington definitely try this place. read more

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Truly amazing food, everything we had a great. Also the ambience was casual but comfortable. Service was excellent too. Highly recommend

I can't say enough great things about Tanuki--the entire experience was so impressive and I highly recommend. We decided to come here last minute on a Saturday night around 7pm, and surprisingly it wasn't as busy as other reviewers had mentioned. Our waitress was so sweet and the service was impeccable. Now onto the food--we ordered quite the assortment as we were very hungry: - Toro Wasa - Wagyu Tataki Ponzu - Shrimp Tempura Roll - Spicy Scallop Roll - Udon with Shrimp Tempura - Octopus Nigiri - Scallop Nigiri - Sake Flights - Vanilla Eclair Everything we ordered was incredible--the only thing that fell short was the spicy scallop roll in comparison to the other dishes. I highly recommend the Toro Wasa (the wasabi is incorporated very well and not overwhelming at all). This is a smaller space and I think we got lucky with the reservations on a Saturday night, so I would recommend calling in advance as that doesn't seem to be the norm. read more

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Neatly tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, Tanuki takes you by surprise. Authentic Japanese cuisine served in a unassuming yet elegant way, the dishes were tried were excellent. I did find the prices quiet high. Some of the dishes we tried include the: Karaage - fantastic crunchy exterior and perfectly seasoned chicken Cream Cheese Misozuke - loved this, very kid friendly as well! Shiokara - appreciate how we were warned about the 'fishiness' and texture, my boys were a huge fan of this appetizer. Rolls: Wagyu roll (special of the day, fired up table side) Hamachi Jalapeño roll, Shrimp Tempura roll and the Eel & Avocado roll My hubby also tried the flight of sake and really liked it. Looking forward to our next visit! read more

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This sushi place is in Kensington and the decor is warm and inviting. Everyone that works here is very nice and attentive, and the service is wonderful. I ordered the Softshell Crab roll and they created a roll that included soy paper, tuna, salmon, and arugula I thought both rolls were ok and the quality of fish was good, but I wouldn't drive out of my way to come here. read more

Tanuki - Tuna and Salmon roll (wrapped in soy paper with arugula) - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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My love for Tanuki is on another level. This sushi restaurant has my heart. I am there at least 2 times a week. I have taken so many of my friends and family to Tanuki and, my team frequents there for lunches as well. I want to start by thanking the owner and his team for always being so kind, lighting up whenever I'm there. They call me by name, remember my order and all of the random sides I ask for every time I go and, take such good care of us. They make me feel so special. Thank you!! It means a lot to me and, it is one of the reasons why we always come back!! Everything we order is always so fresh and, delicious. I have yet to order something from Tanuki that wasn't really good! Now, let me just say...this is not your typical sushi restaurant with the random rolls that are fried and, have cream cheese and all the random extras. This sushi restaurant has rolls that are simple and fresh. What I ordered this time around: Iced Hibiscus Tea: So refreshing and tart. You can add sugar if you prefer but, I drink it as is. Sake Wasa: I order this every single time I go because it is so addicting. It is a diced sashimi Salmon marinated in a wasabi relish. It is not spicy. This is unlike anything I have ever tried anywhere else and is delicious! I will say that the portion is small but, great to have with any meal. Whenever I take someone new with me to Tanuki I order this and they fall in love. Salmon Teriyaki Bento: All bento boxes come with a side salad and, miso soup. The salmon is cooked to perfection and the teriyaki sauce compliments the salmon nicely. It also comes with a side of mixed veggies and white rice. The mixed salad comes with a creamy sesame dressing that is so good that I always ask for an extra side. At this point I have ordered pretty much every single one of their rolls and, love them all. Again, super simple rolls but, delicious and fresh. I have also had their salmon poke bowl and, it is also delicious and flavorful. The Vegetable Ginger Soup is magical. Whenever I'm not feeling well, I have this and instantly feel better. The portion is also small but, so worth it! The Ambiance is always so inviting and clean. The music plays at just the right level and, the owner always comes out to say hello. read more

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This might just be the definition of a neighborhood gem. I had a massive craving for sushi and so I came to this place based on the great reviews it's received. Those good reviews are certainly deserved. The fish tasted so fresh and delicious. Today, they were doing a jellyfish sashimi special and it happened to be one of the fish that's on the sashimi mix plate, which was a pleasantly delicious surprise. If I had to change one thing, I would go easier on the avocado in the Hamachi Jalapeno Roll and make it a tad spicier. We had a lovely waitress who made sure we were served well. I never had to wait too long or flag anybody down. I could also tell she gave us some time to finish whatever dish was on the table before presenting us with our next order. Keep in mind, though, that it's a little small inside so it can feel a bit crammed and all the loud noise can get a bit overstimulating. They do have outdoor seating and a small bar, which is cool. Kensington just seems like a nice, peaceful neighborhood and this restaurant's a great addition to the area. read more

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I just wasn't impressed with this place. The sushi was just ok. Nothing great. Below average. The edamame tasted like it came from Costco frozen section and just heated up. No flavor at all. The truffle fries were delicious however. Service was really good so that's why 2 stars. The service and fries!! The other menu items I had just missed the mark and not that great. read more

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Great sushi spot! All the rolls we had (veggie and the 2 jalapeño rolls on the lunch special menu) were very tasty! Definitely had a nice kick and the fish was deliciously fresh. The lunch special rolls also come with edemame, salad, or miso soup whixh is nice. Our waitress was very helpful and was able to sub our regular edemame for the spicy ones (not that spicy). Food came out fairly quick but it was also a slow time. Best part...they have parking in the front!!! read more

Tanuki - Toro - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

A favorite local spot. Small, simple menu but everything is really good. Great saki selection.

Went there with a friend and had a nice dinner. They have very nice Japanese food and sushi. The salmon kama was delicious and their uni was really fresh as was the scallop nigiri! We ordered salmon and hamachi nigiri - tasty. We also had the rainbow and maguro rolls. Both were good and I especially appreciated that they actually use crab. I won't eat krab. Service was nice and prices were reasonable. It's not a huge restaurant and was nicely decorated. They do not offer a sushi bar to sit at andI recommend making a reservation. Parking was easy even on a Friday night. Our complaint was that the miso soup was too, too salty. Also, my friend is gluten free and for whatever reason, their agedashi and tempura are not - Why? When I make tempura, I only use starch flours, never gluten stuff. read more

I absolutely love the food at Tanuki. Some of my favorites are the Tanuki Roll and the Crispy Rice both are so good. The fish is so fresh and with the Tanuki roll you get a variety. I would recommend getting a reservation because it's pretty popular especially at night. I would also recommend going at night because the menu is a little different compared to the lunch menu. read more

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This place is a gem! Charming ambiance, outstanding food, fun sake menu! Intimate and quiet and choosing your sake glass is such a sweet touch read more

We called and made a reservation for 6 people same day with no issues. They were able to accommodate a nice high chair for our daughter. Our server was prompt and made great recommendations. Everything we tried including the karage, beef wagyu, rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and tea were all excellent. The fish was fresh and great quality. read more

Tanuki - Tanuki Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I was working in the area and just happened to stop by this place. It wasn't very crowded but it was the most amazingly delicious sushi. Definitely check this place out. Everything we had was absolutely amazing and the staff was fantastic! read more

The quality of the dish's are A+, 10/10, two thumbs up. The fish tasted so pure, the mouth feel was sublime. My favorite item was my wife's fried rice + ahi. It was delicious. My secondary favorite was the shrimp tempura. The quality of the fry was perfect. The nigiri was still strong but my tertiary pick. The fish again was good but the quantity was tiny. $5 a piece for a portion that is half of what you may be served elsewhere. Every other part of the experience is well thought out. The tableware, the seating, the service, was all stellar. The catch is the prices. Everything is premium priced. Not so much a lunch spot, definitely a date spot. Tanuki strives at being the middle ground between your go-to weekday sushi spot and the higher end places like Himitsu or Nobu. read more

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Made a reservation for a weekday dinner and sat inside. Our server was very attentive and helpful. Seating was tight inside but they had seats at the bar and heaters for seats outside. Food-wise, the favorites were the bang bang corn, hamachi, and the tanuki roll. The hamachi had lots of tender meat and the corn was hot and sweet. We also ordered the mix sashimi, the waygu tartare, the special for the day (salmon and chutoro, I think), and chicken wings. From a price point, the quality of the fish was worth the price. The plates are smaller portions and felt like a tapas style. Overall, the food, service and value was great, can't wait to come eat here again. read more

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Probably the worst sushi I've ever had. Lettuce instead of seaweed. Rolls were not rolled. Sauce for tempura had no flavor. No Japanese beer. read more

I love this cute little spot. Would definitely recommend the spicy tuna on crispy rice that's my favorite.

Great little neighborhood restaurant. Wonderful to be able to walk over, have a great dinner and have a leisurely stroll home. Service was attentive but not bothersome. Quiet enough to have a nice conversation but not so quiet you feel like people can hear everything. Love the small plates so we were able to try different things. read more

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SOOOOO GOOD! I can't tell you how happy I am we discovered this gem in San Diego (Kensington area). The food, the service, the cleanliness, the vibe - all superb. The place is really great. Fun and well-thought out decor. They grind their own coffee beans and have a cute dessert station where they sell homemade eclairs. The service is also amazing. Our waitress was super kind and helpful, and the amazing chef came out himself a few times. The food. WOW! Everything was very fresh and perfectly and meticulously made. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. It's all delicious. The sake was also amazing. They have some unique options and the flight is a great thing to try! Parking is easy - they have a few spots and there are typically spots available around on the street. Love this place! Can't wait to go back one day! read more

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Crispy rice & tuna Tanuki Roll Salmon Carpaccio Salmon & Tuna nigiri Best items you can eat. Service always friendly and spot on. Consistently excellent service and food. read more