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    Tea Pavilion

    3.1 (291 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Tea Rooms
    Closed 10:30 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Tea Pavilion Photos

    TEA PAVILION ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Tea Pavilion

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    JAPANESE POTATO SALAD
    Brent M.

    The tea pavilion provides a peaceful place to rest and try some traditional Japanese snacks and food The main building is a caricature of a Japanese tea house which stands out from the surrounding Balboa Park pavilions. There is a good selection of authentic Japanese and Korean drinks and snacks. The menu for noodles, rice bowls, and tea is simple. We tried the chicken noodles and the curry noodles. They were ok for a quick snack. We liked the potato salad. The staff was friendly and helpful.

    View
    Cat R.

    Slightly disappointed. For a place that's called the Tea Pavillion the tea wasn't that great. I ordered an iced chai tea and whatever sugar they used wasn't dissolved and wouldn't dissolve so I just ended up throwing it away.My mom enjoyed her curry and my son seems to enjoy the chicken teriyaki bowl. I saw the chicken was nice and tender. Our seating that was available had one side that has a broken slat on it right in the middle. Okay food, okay experience. For the price of the food they should include entry into the tea garden.

    Food menu
    Carol F.

    Inside they were out of everything. No Thai Tea or Matcha teas. The girls (there were 3) at the register were loud speaking different languages . I could not be sure what was happening, they were cute and having fun. We purchased a small can of watermelon mela water and I tried the Blue Lady tea which was very good. Outside seating was enjoyable with approx 14 tables and very welcome umbrellas. The music was Japanese which added to the ambiance.

    Miso Soup
    Winston L.

    For me, this take out restaurant is more like Tears Pavilion. I wept a river of tears for a lost meal in a land of hundreds of great food options. Part 1 started last November where we met up some family at the Japanese Friendship Garden. We opted for a quick meal at this pavilion before heading to another Balboa Park museum. 3 stars, can't be that bad? Oh, it was bad, and I vowed never to return. Part 2 was 3 months later, same Friendship Garden, different people. Like how mothers forget how painful childbirth is and how parents forget the memories of sleepless nights with a newborn, my brain had blacked out the trauma from my first experience here. TWO wasted meals in San Diego in the space of a few months. Ok, enough ranting - here is the food: Miso soup - my daughter tried this and thought it was passable Teriyaki chicken bowl - imagine Minute Rice, Costco Rotisserie Chicken, and bottled Teriyaki sauce. That would be a Michelin starred masterpiece compared to what you get here. A huge glob of overcooked rice, some unseasoned dry strips of chicken, and I have no idea where they are getting their sweet and flavorless teriyaki sauce. Tea Pavilion, please just buy Kinders or anything readily available out in market, it will taste better. California Crab Sandwich - chopped up surimi dressed with spicy mayo. The surimi didn't have enough dressing and this was served on slightly stale sandwich bread. I'm really sorry/angry that I have nothing nice to say, but the food service is slow and the outdoor tables are a mess since customers are busing their own tables. Also, if you would like a fortune cookie, you need to buy it.

    Teriyaki chicken rice bowl and my iced matcha green tea latte.
    Anna D.

    Such a nice location to grab a bite to eat while enjoying the views of the Japanese Friendship Garden down below. The Tea Pavilion has such potential, but unfortunately, the food and service ruins the zen moments. I think the reason why I come here to eat is simply for the location and ambience. It's conveniently located at the entrance of the Friendship Garden, and there are plenty of shaded tables to sit at. But I do have to mention that your meal may be interrupted by the chaotic music selection they choose to play over the loud speakers. If anyone working there is reading this, I recommend a more zen and peaceful playlist. I've ordered many items before, and each were just not very memorable. I recently had the chicken teriyaki bowl and although it was my first meal of the day, it did not satisfy my hunger. The rice and flavor were both just fine to me, but the chicken was extremely dry and tough to chew. It was very rubbery. It came with some shredded carrots that seemed to have been tossed in straight out of a bag. I hate to say it, but the teriyaki bowl at Jack in the Box tastes much better. It was also pretty pricey for $14 per rice bowl. I did have their iced matcha green tea latte, and I have to admit, it was surprisingly good! There is a good selection of teas and other beverages served there. I guess go there if you're thirsty. Lastly, I was just off-putted (if that's even a word, which im pretty sure it isnt), by the kitchen staff working that day. Customers could hear their profanity-laced conversations in the back. Honestly, it wasn't very zen of them. They almost ruined my peaceful day at the park.

    Japanese Cherry Iced Tea
    John C.

    The Tea Pavilion is my favorite spot to grab an iced tea or bite in Balboa Park. It overlooks the Japanese Friendship Garden from the seating area. My "go to" menu items are the Japanese cherry iced tea and chicken curry sandwich (which is delicious). The staff is always friendly even when there is a rush of customers.. they are patient taking each order and I never feel rushed. My team hosts over 1,000 reservations a year in San Diego and we highlight the Tea Pavilion and JFG as a must try for our guests during their visit here in San Diego.

    We had the China Jasmine iced tea, and it was very good
    Amber E.

    Pretty setting, prices are pretty reasonable, and despite some of the average reviews, our food was surprisingly good. I wanted to try their sushi, but they had already run out 2 hours after opening, by 12:30, so my mom and I each got the grilled salmon rice bowl. Salmon was tasty, as was the teriyaki sauce and generous portion of rice. No veggies, other than a few sliced scallions; some pieces of broccoli or other veggies would have been nice. We got a Jasmine iced tea, which was very good and refreshing on this sunny day. And don't forget to show your Balboa Explorer Pass for 10% off if you have one!

    ICED MATCHA LATTE

    Very pleased with the matcha. We were here on a weekday and it still had a bit of a crowd! Very popular place. Can't comment on the food because we didn't order any, but the drinks were great.

    Matcha and Japanese Cherry Sakura
    Rowen H.

    I feel like having a tea place inside a park is a necessity and tea pavilion is doing a great job at filling that necessity. The place is located in a convenient area, being near a tram station and parking, and also by a decent view and stadium. The iced matcha was pretty good although it was a little sweeter than I usually have it. As for the cherry Sakura tea, my girlfriend said this was one of the best teas she's ever had and downed it before I had the chance to try it. Will get back to you when I actually try it.

    tastes like gum unfortunately

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    27 days ago

    The rice bowls were really good and the service was also nice. Right next to the friendship garden--so convenient!

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    1 year ago

    In the heart of beautiful Balboa Park its a must, Love the salmon bowl along with a refreshing blueberry Kombucha !!

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Tea Pavilion

    Hi, any chance do you have an allergen menu? I'm allergic to soy and I'll be working in the park looking for lunch on the daily?

    Hi Sensi, We don't have an allergen menu , however based on your soy allergy these are the menu items you could order:… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Hatsuzakura - Ichigo Daifuku - Original and Matcha flavored

    Hatsuzakura

    4.4(567 reviews)
    2.3 miUniversity Heights
    $$

    Finally got to try this cute Japanese cafe we saw on TikTok, and it did not disappoint!…read more Service: [5/5] The two girls who helped us were so sweet and made the whole experience. We were seated at the bar, which ended up being such a vibe--we got to chat with the girl behind the bar and watch her make lattes and desserts right in front of us. That kind of interaction really sets this place apart. Price: [4.5/5] It's on the pricier side, but honestly it feels fair given the quality of food you're getting. You can taste where your money is going. Food/Drinks: [5/5] Matcha Latte -- We shared one, extra sweet at my request, and it was perfect. Exactly what I was hoping for. Chef Soichi's Karaage -- We had this as an appetizer and my boyfriend made a point to say this is the closest he's had to traditional Japanese karaage. High praise from someone who's passionate about his Japanese culture. Hayashi Omurice -- This is their most popular dish and it's easy to see why. The demi-glaze has a really unique flavor that ties the whole dish together beautifully. This was my pick and I'd order it again without hesitation. Guratan -- My boyfriend's order, and it was incredibly creamy and delicious. We were both too stuffed for dessert by the end, which says a lot about the portion sizes. Ambience: [5/5] The restaurant is small, but honestly that's part of what makes it so charming. Pink everywhere with wooden accents and cherry blossoms throughout (very fitting)--it's cozy, homey, and just really well put together. The intimate size adds to the appeal rather than taking away from it. Overall Experience: [5/5] Hatsuzakara was such a wonderful first experience. Yes, we waited about 30 minutes to be seated arriving at 7:30 on a Friday night but for a waitlist-only spot this small, that's actually a pretty reasonable wait by San Diego standards. The food, the atmosphere, and the staff more than made up for it. Already looking forward to coming back to try the curry and work through their dessert menu.

    This Japanese restaurant is so cute and pretty!! The servers also add to the Japanese vibe~…read more The menu is pretty easy to navigate. I feel like everything looked really good, so it was hard to decide what to order. The dishes have small portion size despite the price. I think this kinda helps in that you have room to eat dessert! The brown sugar Okinawa tea was good but the after taste of the sugar was not good. They kept the tea pot warm, and they served oat milk on the side. Karaage had too much chicken skin for my preference. Guratan was penne pasta and not macaroni as specified in the menu. Yakisoba could have used more chicken. Omurice had the more flavor and the egg was really good. I want to try naporitan next time because of the tomato based sauce. Of the desserts I tried, the parfait was most enjoyable because of the fruit with ice cream. The mushi pudding was good; it was the thick and "hard" type of flan. I want to try kakigori next time because I saw their shaved ice machine was legit. Parking - free street parking only. Be prepared to walk up/downhill. Credit card/apple pay accepted Bathroom is only one room in the back. THE SEAT IS WARM. This was a nice gem to find in this part of town.

    Photos
    Hatsuzakura - Interior view from front to back

    Interior view from front to back

    Hatsuzakura - Guratan with Asahi Beer

    Guratan with Asahi Beer

    Hatsuzakura - Eggs salad sandwich

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    Eggs salad sandwich

    Artifact At Mingei - Seabass in coconut broth

    Artifact At Mingei

    4.1(200 reviews)
    0.1 miBalboa Park

    Second visit to Artifact, and I'm still loving the aesthetic interior, international menu, and…read moreservice. COCKTAIL 5/5 the ladybug | rosemary vodka (spirit forward!) + cranberry + lime 4/5 artifact house tonic | gin + fig+ lemongrass cardamon + seltzer (very light on flavors) SNACK 5/5 vietnamese pork meatball + chili caramel + pickled carrot + kohlrabi + ginger + cilantro + mint + lemongrass emulsion 3/5 lebanese 7 spice fried chickpeas (seemed stale) SALAD 5/5 delicata squash + crushed kale + spiced corn nut + caciocavallo cheese + pickled shallot + huacatay mint gf PLATE 5/5 lamb kofta + twice cooked eggplant + roasted sweet pepper + compari tomato + cacik yogurt + shatta chili sauce + mint + hyssop + cilantro + saffron rice + bazlama flatbread 4/5 brandt beef choripan burger + scamorza cheese + roasted tomato + arugula + shaved red onion + chimichurri + dijonnaise (wanted more flavor from either the cheese, chimichurri, or dijon mayonnaise)

    Visited A@M again and a slightly different experience…read more Diverse menu still yet a lot of repeats even after 2-3 yrs..I thought being a global restaurant they would change their menus often but maybe not. Food lacked flavor depth this time. Service was nice and the fact that it's in balboa makes everything better because you can head out for a walk n explore the place or events.

    Photos
    Artifact At Mingei - Restaurant is open to museum

    Restaurant is open to museum

    Artifact At Mingei - Crispy green bean pakora + cilantro + mint chutney

    Crispy green bean pakora + cilantro + mint chutney

    Artifact At Mingei - Butterfly Lemonade

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    Butterfly Lemonade

    DASHI - Point Break

    DASHI

    4.6(150 reviews)
    1.4 miHillcrest

    I went here for dinner to meet up with a friend on a Friday evening and did have a reservation…read more There was a modest wait time of about 15 - 30 minutes, but didn't mind since you can leave your number and they'll call you while you visit a bar down the street. Ambience: the restaurant itself is moderately noisy, but I didn't really have to speak up in order to hear my friends. There's always going to be people moving in and out of the restaurant since the restaurant is also moderately small for this part of town. But it's very stylized to to a wooden Japanese aesthetic. Service: service was also great. The waiters knew the menu pretty well and we're able to customize recommendations to our taste preferences, which was really great. Food: the food itself was also really great. Portion sizes were a lot bigger than I was expecting, so we did have to take home some leftovers between the two of us for the four items that we ordered. The things that we ordered include: - The Hillcrest Roll - The Miso Butter Mac and Cheese - The Sashimi Salad (*would order again!) - The Sashimi Omakase The Sashimi Omakase was an overall pretty standard array of raw fish from the chef, and I thought that was pretty solid. Honestly, I was very surprised by the Sashimi Salad because there was a lot of raw fish in that, and the dressing and the salad itself were really nice. I wasn't expecting the size, and so we were barely able to finish it amongst the other things that we ordered. The miso butter mac and cheese is something that I've heard about from everyone, and it was honestly up to par with everyone's praises. It is also a little bit big, and it can get a little bit rich and heavy given the dairy, so keep that in mind. I would share this with someone to have room for other stuff.

    Finding good sushi in San Diego can feel like a gamble... this place was a very welcome surprise…read more Everything we ordered was fresh, well-balanced, and actually thoughtfully put together, flavors that that worked. The Calamari was light and crispy (not greasy), and that dipping sauce was one of those "don't waste a drop" situations. The sushi itself hit that perfect middle ground between creative and classic... nothing gimmicky, just really solid execution. Atmosphere was clean, relaxed, and easy to settle into without feeling rushed. Service was friendly and attentive. Adding it to the regular rotation!

    Photos
    DASHI - Partial view of the sushi bar

    Partial view of the sushi bar

    DASHI - Spicy salmon crispy rice

    Spicy salmon crispy rice

    DASHI - Salmon Crispy Rice

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    Salmon Crispy Rice

    Tabu Shabu - North Park - Upgrade to their famous porridge!

    Tabu Shabu - North Park

    4.6(716 reviews)
    1.6 miNorth Park
    $$

    Loooooove this place. Introduced several of my friends to this place and they are converts!! The…read moreplace is not that big, with U-shaped bar seating and the servers in the middle which makes for quick and attentive service. When checking in be aware your whole party must be there to be seated and it is likely that you will end up next to another party as there are no separate tables. They have premium meats and know that it is NOT AYCE like some other shabu shabu places, so beware it will be a bit pricy depending on what you choose. You pick a broth, a rice, a noodle, a protein and you get a plate of veggies and sauces. You get an individual pot to mix your food to your liking. It is SO GOOD. I have never had a bad experience here. My go-to order is a mix of the tonktosu and spicy miso broth along with double wagyu shortrib and extra udon noodles. It's rich and filling and the veggies are fresh. I like to sub out certain veggies to get extra of others I like better (like mushrooms). I would eat here every single day if I could. If you don't finish your rice and broth they'll put it in a to-go container for you so you can have your "porridge" later. Drink menu is good too, they have rotating selection of drinks available, as well as sake, wine, and beer on tap.

    Japanese hot pot? Ok…read more Driven by the place many many times and always assumed it was a ramen spot. We decided to give it a try after realizing it was hot pot. We walked in and just one other couple was dining. Happy hour from 5-6. Our waitress immediately explained how the menu worked and gave us cooking tips. I ordered the miso broth with pork and toro. We also had the chuck roll and brisket. The chuck roll and the pork were delicious. Would definitely skip the toro and brisket next time. The veggies they served were all great (mushrooms, emoji, bok choy, carrot, spinach, kabocha squash, with the exception of a bit too much cabbage). The experience can a little a bit of an endeavor if you've never done it solo, as you solely have to pay constant attention to the pot while trying to eat at the same time. It can be hard to hold a conversation when your food is boiling boiling hot! Definitely a laborous experience but a fun one!

    Photos
    Tabu Shabu - North Park
    Tabu Shabu - North Park - Mural outside the restaurant

    Mural outside the restaurant

    Tabu Shabu - North Park - Pork broth

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    Pork broth

    Azuki Sushi

    Azuki Sushi

    4.4(3.6k reviews)
    0.6 miBanker's Hill
    $$$
    Takes reservations
    Vegan friendly

    Man, these guys are consistently producing high quality dishes in a modern, chic ambiance with…read morefriendly service. We were lucky to snag a table on Thursday night for two without any resy's. We were offered a two person table upstairs, which I prefer. Started with the Azuki salad that's perfect for sharing. The dressing is light and lots on the plate including avocado, taro chips, cucumber, and apples. Textures and flavors go so well together. I also got a spicy tuna hand roll, the Kobe Roll, and a few nigiri's including Hamachi, Chutoro, and Salmon belly. All were delicious but the Chutoro was the fave. Finished dinner with a burnt butter mochi cake complete with ice cream and some strawberry sauce. Def glad we stopped in and will def be back for more.

    Food: Overall the food isn't bad but I didn't find anything…read moremind blowing or special as it was made out to be because I know how popular this spot is. Although, it was still enjoyable! Crispy Rice & Spicy Tuna (9/10) - loved the crisp and the flavor. it wasn't too spicy and the spice was more for a little kick of flavor Stardust (7/10) - wasn't as citrusy as i thought with the lemon but tasted fine. it was basic in flavor but still good Spicy Salmon Hand Roll (8/10) - it was made well and it was good but nothing too special either Super Dragon (9/10) - the sweet potato was such an interesting and nice touch. really good flavor combination Service: Service is a bit slow since the beginning even to seat you even with a reservation but they remained very kind throughout the experience. Ambiance: It's a bit small but we were sat upstairs in another room with seating and since it's small, when it's packed it can get really loud with everyone talking. The vibes of the place is dimlit and not too upscale but also not too casual. It's just a very nice restaurant vibes

    Photos
    Azuki Sushi
    Azuki Sushi
    Azuki Sushi

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    Izakaya Masa - Ochazuke

    Izakaya Masa

    4.2(1.5k reviews)
    1.9 miMission Hills
    $$

    They do have a list outside where you put your name down. We came a little early knowing there…read morewould be a line. I genuinely thought people were exaggerating how great this place was, especially when it came to authenticity. They were not. Not one item we ordered was bad and we ordered about 20 dishes. The ramen was the absolute winner. Best ramen I have had in San Diego. I was blown away by the broth and the noodles. The sushi was great, including the spicy tuna. Everything tasted fresh and fairly priced. You really can't beat these prices. The fried chicken and tuna carpaccio were standout appetizers. Honorable mention to the chicken katsu roll. It was insanely massive and so good. We will absolutely be back to try more appetizers and the ramen. We recently went to Japan and this ramen has been the closest we have had to what we experienced there. I didn't even take a picture of it before it was in my stomach!

    I've lost count of how many times we've had dinner there, and each visit is just as wonderful as…read morethe last. The food is consistently incredible - seriously, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. And the team working there? Absolutely lovely! They're super efficient but also incredibly warm and welcoming, which really makes a difference. You absolutely, positively *have* to try their sushi rolls if you go. They're truly next-level good! On my most recent visit, I decided to try the Gyudon Bowl, and oh my goodness, it was such a delightful and comforting dish. So flavorful and perfectly prepared - definitely a new favorite of mine! Just a little heads-up though, finding parking in that area can sometimes be a bit of a challenge, but I promise you, the delicious food and fantastic experience are well worth the minor hassle. Hope you get a chance to check it out soon!

    Photos
    Izakaya Masa
    Izakaya Masa - Green tea mochi

    Green tea mochi

    Izakaya Masa - Green tea mochi

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    Green tea mochi

    Between Us - Cookie Crunch French Toast

    Between Us

    4.4(252 reviews)
    1.9 miNorth Park
    $$

    Went around 1030am on a Sunday and only waited about 30 minutes for a party of 2. Service itself…read morewas a bit slow as it was prime brunch hours, which was understandable. Food was good! Got the beignets, shakshuka and curry hamburg. Shakshuka and hamburg were great. Beignets themselves weren't anything special, but the matcha and black sesame dipping sauces they were served with were fire. I'd say they're worth trying since they're one of the popular items, but you aren't missing much if you skip out on them. I also got the black sesame latte, which I thought was really good. It wasn't too sweet and had very good black sesame flavor. Parking is pretty standard for North Park. Lots of available free street parking in the surrounding neighborhood/residential areas.

    We had a group of four line up right before 9 AM on Mother's Day for Sunday breakfast/brunch. After…read moredoors opened we got sat fairly quickly. Our sever took our drink orders and appetizers a few minutes after we sat and had a chance to go over the menu. The food was delicious. Fresh, bold and unique. Every dish had it's own personality. The fried mushrooms with chili crisp was the standout dish. Our group all agreed it was fantastic! Even our friend who is not fond of mushrooms agreed! The matchas were delicious and especially matcha-y. The color was vibrant and I can tell they did not skimp on matcha powder. The only hiccup was that my entree (shared with my friend) took a very long time to arrive. Which was strange because it was a salad harvest bowl with fish protein. We were a little pressed for time since we were getting picked up for Mexico soon. We decided to cancel the order. The sever was well versed on service recovery. Not only did she remove the charge, she packed the bowl to go and offered us complimentary dessert. It was a berry panna cotta and it was superb. All and all it was a great start to Mother's Day. I am very grateful my dear friend Nikki, a local SD resident, recommended this neighborhood North Park gem.

    Photos
    Between Us - Matcha Latte Tiramisu, love it

    Matcha Latte Tiramisu, love it

    Between Us - Beignets and Matcha Latte Tiramisu

    Beignets and Matcha Latte Tiramisu

    Between Us - Mushroom Toast added poached egg

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    Mushroom Toast added poached egg

    Pizza Kaiju - Pepperoni

    Pizza Kaiju

    4.3(47 reviews)
    2.1 miBarrio Logan
    $$

    Pizza Kaiju is like no other pizza! Chef Eric has an incredible talent for flavors! Besides the…read moreincredible pizzas, their menu has a variety of wonderful options. The brunch menus on the weekends are insanely creative and delicious! Sunday I had the Shrimp po-boy, wow! Just wow!

    Super frustrating experience…read more The aesthetic Instagram marketing caught our eye. The adjacent pop-up matcha shop lured us in. But we were in for a rude awakening inside. We drive down eager to try a myriad of different flavors that they had on their menu. Thankfully, they have ample parking nearby. But it was deeply cluttered with homeless people, one of which we saw actively taking a dump in the bushes nearby. The sidewalks were sticky, wet, and stained with miscellaneous fluids of questionable origin. A decade ago, I used to regularly bike through here and stop by the coffee shop across the street. I don't know what happened since then, I see some failed hints of failed gentrification. We brush it off and walk to the storefront. Immediately we see what looked like an empty pizza cabinet. Confused with how the place operated, the cashier said "oh we only serve cheese and pepperoni pizza by the slice right now". Uuhh ok, it's 11:30am, lunchtime on a weekend and we didn't want a whole pizza. So I just order a side of ube cheese bread, gotta represent my culture. It took nearly 30 minutes to get our order. We almost thought they forgot our order, none of the workers acknowledged or reassured us that it was on its way. In fact they seemed to have ignored all the customers entirely, being too concerned with hanging out in the makeshift plywood room, which looked like a daycare filled with playing kids. If left a lot of people just standing around confused and unsure what was happening. The interior felt minimal and spacious, but unfinished. We finally got our food and left, not at all eager to come back. There are too many other, better pizza options out there.

    Photos
    Pizza Kaiju - Lots of inside seating

    Lots of inside seating

    Pizza Kaiju - Chocolate Donut

    Chocolate Donut

    Pizza Kaiju - Napolitan Pasta with Egg

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    Napolitan Pasta with Egg

    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy

    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy

    4.0(2.2k reviews)
    1.1 miLittle Italy
    $$

    046/2026/FEB Decided…read moreto try this other location ! So lucky we got a table of 5 without reservation! This location has capacity of 56 diners only ! A stellar service from Matthew ! Food was great ! So famished that when food came didn't get to take picture! Crab Wontons had generous filling and very delicious as well!! Grilled Salmon served on a sizzling plate with rice and topped with furikake and teriyaki sauce!

    The first time we came, there was an empty table, but we were told it would be a 20-minute wait. We…read morewaited, came back, and it was still the same table sitting empty, which was a bit confusing. That said, the waitress we had was very kind and attentive, and the food was decent, so we decided to give the place another try. After a long day at Legoland, we returned around 6pm and I had called ahead to make a reservation for four. The person on the phone took my name and number, so I assumed we were all set. When we arrived, the restaurant wasn't even full, but no one greeted us for several minutes. Eventually, a waiter came over, and when I mentioned our reservation, he seemed confused and said they don't take reservations for parties under six. I tried to explain that someone had taken my information over the phone, but he interrupted me multiple times and didn't let me finish. He then walked over to another group behind us and asked if they were there first, even though we had arrived before them, which was frustrating. We were eventually told there was space available at the bar seating (bar stools) instead of a table. At that point, we were tired and hungry, so we accepted. Unfortunately, the service didn't improve. The waiter seemed rushed and disorganized--he couldn't remember our order and had to ask us which dish belonged to who when the food came out. As for the food, it was okay but not memorable. My ramen was just average--the pork was dry and the egg was overcooked. Overall, the food is decent, but the service really needs improvement. This particular waiter clearly needs more training, or possibly a different role, as the level of service did not meet basic expectations for a restaurant. Our second visit left a bad impression, especially since it was our last night in San Diego. Sadly, we won't be coming back.

    Photos
    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy
    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy
    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy

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    Tea Pavilion - japanese - Updated May 2026

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