At or near the top of sushi in San Diego. Not as diverse as Ikiru but everything they served was great! I put them on the repeat visit list! read more

DASHI - Sashimi and fresh wasabi! - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Hillcrest just got a new sushi player, and her name is Dashi. As someone who basically has rice and raw fish running through my veins, I was happy to see another sushi spot pop up in the neighborhood. From the second you walk in, the vibe says "Welcome" stay a while, eat rolls, maybe take a selfie with the wall art. The design is seriously on point as the interior is bright, sleek with artsy flair. The tables and bar look like they're auditioning for an Architectural Digest spread. I didn't get to try the whole menu yet but what I did have was proof that Dashi chefs aren't just making sushi they're painting edible masterpieces. Clean cuts, balanced flavors, and precision worthy for a kow tow before stuffing your face. Dashi is in its early days and just had a soft opening but feels like it's about to become a Hillcrest heavy hitter. I'll absolutely be back once they're firing on all cylinders. Welcome to the neighborhood, Dashi! Welp. Onto the next! read more

DASHI - Dashi! - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

The daruma was my absolute favorite roll! The flavors of the yuzu and sesame garlic were The point break and mr miyagi were good as well. Point break is pretty spicy so be aware! Would love to come back whenever I'm in the area read more

Fortunately, my son and I arrived at 4pm to have dinner as we were on our way to Balboa Park for a Play at the Old Globe. I chose this place due to the proximity of the Park and the rave reviews and also quite recent. We were happy to be the 2nd party to be seated because 30 minutes later there was a waiting line. Service was excellent and only 2nd to the food. Excellent Sushi and noodle bowls. Cannot wait to have a fun reason to go back! Great experience and the ambiance is fun and lively. read more

Everything I tried was FIREEE. oh my god the Mac and cheese!!!!!!!!! The lemon roll!!! The sunomono!!!!! And the staff was very kind and helpful. Great decor and vibes all around. Will definitely be back! read more

DASHI - Mac and cheese - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

We came here around 8 PM on a Tuesday evening. I couldn't find a way to make a reservation online so it seems like calling is the only option. My friend did call, but after a certain time they only accept walk-ins. It would be really helpful if they added online reservations. When we first arrived, we were told we might not have enough time to be seated, but we came back about 15 minutes later and they had seats available. We were immediately greeted and given water. We ordered several dishes and everything came out quickly, all at once, in under 15 minutes. Salmon Crispy Rice: was delicious with just a bit of spice and felt like a unique, well-executed dish. Yellowtail Sashimi: was extremely fresh, and you could tell the quality of the fish was excellent. There are five pieces per order. Lemon Glow Roll: was light, refreshing, and absolutely delicious. Oyabun: was torched beautifully and very flavorful, though there was a bit too much sauce on top, which slightly saturated it. Hakutsuru Saturn Nigori: was smooth, silky, and not overly sweet. Very good. Our waitress was super friendly and checked on us throughout the meal. Service was attentive without being intrusive. Overall, I'd definitely recommend calling ahead for reservations since they seem to book up quickly. Just note that parking is street parking only, which can be tricky, especially during busy times. Overall, this place is delicious. The fish is fresh, the service is great, and I highly recommend coming here. read more

DASHI - Lemon Glow Roll & Yellowtail Sashimi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Everything we ordered was so flavorful and delicious. The fish was so fresh and all of the dishes did not disappoint. The service was great and the overall experience was wonderful. Definitely worth the price and will be coming back! read more

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Truly incredible sushi! the staff are great and I've been 4 times now and everything has been top of the line. I've seen this space be many things, and I'm glad this has taken off. The space looks incredible! Just make those wine pours a little bit bigger, this is Hillcrest after all read more

Best and freshest sushi I have had in a long time! Great people and atmosphere. Reasonable prices read more

DASHI - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Went here for lunch. We had a table seating. The selection of sushi is nice and well prepared. We had coke and water with our meal. The food came out quickly and was to order. The service was barely noticeable. read more

Ok yes, I've only visited once. Ok, yes, they didn't have any of that coconut mango ceviche I really wanted to try:/ but...they were really good! The Toro nagiri was good, the rolls, stood out! Great quality. Really nice friendly staff . The chefs sent over a bit of avocado for the boy which was so sweet. It's smaller, don't recommend larger groups. Clean, and authentic feel/vibez. Can't wait to go back. read more

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We came on a Sunday around 6:30 pm and there was a 30 minute wait. We walked down the street and into the strict store a few doors down to kill time. The place is small but classy and elegant! The food is delicious and the salmon belly was melt in your mouth delicious! The service is top notch and a must visit restaurant! The wine selection is minimal but doable. I literally can't stop thinking about that salmon belly! Our server and the hostess were all so genuinely nice and appeared so happy to be at work which always makes the experience nice! read more

DASHI - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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One of the best sushi spots in San Diego! Went here prior to dropping a friend off at the airport and was surprised at how great the overall experience was! Service was amazing - sushi chefs as well as server were incredibly warm and welcoming. As for the food - this was one of the freshest sushi I've ever had! So many speciality roll options with each having its own unique twist. It seriously felt like each set was made with such care and love. The sashimi set was also so worth it. Very price friendly. Overall the prices, ambiance, service, entire experience was a 10/10. My new GO TO SPOT in SD! read more

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Outstanding sushi spot in Hillcrest! My girlfriend & I came here right when they opened for dinner. We were the first diners there but as the night when on, it got busy. Customer service was friendly & top notch! We loved all of our servers recommendations. Salmon Crispy Rice: Never had salmon crispy rice & it was good but a bit slimy. Salmon Belly Nigiri: So good, so fresh! A must order. Sashimi Platter: Loved the variety of fresh fish. Kraken Roll: Amazing! We devoured this roll & had to order a 2nd one. Caramel Matcha Flan: This was okay. I would recommend getting dessert elsewhere though. Street parking only. read more

Great sashimi deals, fish is very fresh, sushi rice was lacking I was excited to try a new sushi spot in Hillcrest especially since I heard they had great quality fish. I completely agree with that statement, the fish here is excellent. Great tasting and definitely fresh. They have excellent pricing on the sashimi combo and the fish quality was truly excellent. My concern came with the sushi rice. It was really not enjoyable in the roll I had. It had almost tasted like regular cooked rice which as confusing to me. The service is friendly and attentive. They provided excellent recommendations. The ambiance is great, very modern feeling with cozy tables. I'll be back for more sashimi! read more

5 star all around hands down. 5 star service from our server Karen. She was confident in her menu knowledge and could help navigate the menu with ease. 5 star on food quality and flavor. Simple menu reasonably priced. Would recommend read more

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Went here for date night! We got there around 5:30 on a Friday night and while it was busy, we were able to grab seats at the bar immediately. It definitely got busier as the night went on and there is limited seating. Service was excellent and they were very friendly and attentive, and the food came out very quickly. Overall, would come back again! The Kraken roll and Oyabun roll blew our minds with how flavorful and fresh each bite was and would highly recommend. We also got the Tuna Tataki which we enjoyed, but thought the sauce overpowered the fish just a bit. We also tried the lemon glow roll and the salmon crispy rice appetizer based on recommendations from Yelp- they were fine but probably would not get again. read more

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Visited Dashi on a Friday date night with my girlfriend, and it ended up being a great experience overall. Reservations are definitely encouraged--I called a couple days in advance to secure bar seating, but the wall between the bar and the sushi chefs is tall enough that you don't need to sit there to enjoy the experience. We got the Omakase sashimi, which was excellent. The fish was fresh, well portioned, and featured my favorite--kanpachi. The sushi chefs were quick, efficient, and you could tell they truly loved their craft. Even on a busy Friday night, they worked with a level of care and precision that made the meal feel special. The highlight of the night was the Daruma roll. The hint of sesame made it stand out and gave it a unique flavor profile that I loved. We also tried the Point Break roll, which was just okay. I really wished the tempura had been crispier; without that crunch, it felt more like a standard tempura shrimp roll. Not terrible, but definitely not the best follow-up after enjoying the Daruma. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side--maybe seating around 30 people--but they know exactly what they're doing. Despite the crowd and the variety of ages dining that night, the service was smooth and the quality consistent. Overall, Dashi delivered a solid date-night experience with memorable dishes, skilled chefs, and a cozy atmosphere. The Daruma alone makes it worth the visit. read more

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Stop in for a lunch on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. This corner location has seen lots of restaurant, I hope this one sticks. The garlic edamame was heavy on the garlic sauce but good. Next time I will ask them to lighten it up a bit. The crunchy dragon roll was delicious albeit without the avocado which I am allergic to. The staff was very nice and friendly. Cozy spot with good outdoor seating. I'll definitely be back. read more

been waiting for a sushi spot to finally hit Hillcrest and I will say they did a really good job. The fish was really fresh. The service was really good and there was a lot of unique items. There were options to choose from rolls and then also different fusion items like miso mac & cheese really interesting take to bring to San Diego just would go back again for happy hour.! read more

DASHI - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place just opened but services were 10/10! Staff were so friendly and helpful in answering our questions. Their salmon crispy rice is a must order! The rice texture is perfect, crispy with a nice chew. Salmon was fresh and really flavorful with a bit of a kick. I really enjoyed the omakase sashimi I ordered. Fish was fresh and the selection was to my expectation. The space is cute, modern but cozy. Overall one of my top favorite sushi restaurants in sd. Def going to go back to try other items! read more

DASHI - Omakase Sashimi, chirashi bowl, salmon crispy rice - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Second time coming back to Dashi after their soft opening weekend and the food was even better! When you walk in, you're greeted by the entire staff and feel very welcomed inside. The vibes were great and mostly had tables for 4-tops and bar seating. Getting a reservation was very easy through the phone as well. Our servers were very attentive throughout the meal. We ordered 5 dishes and they all came out in 10-15 minutes, which was a pleasant surprise! The miso butter mac and cheese was such a unique combination, but wasn't too heavy-feeling. The kama was perfectly torched and seasoned with just salt, paired with ponzu and side salad with sesame dressing. I was also pleasantly surprised by the Miso Tai roll that had an interesting balance of flavors. The pickled cucumber added a good crunch to balance the spicy tuna and tanginess of the sauce. Finally, the sashimi omakase had a wide variety of fish like red snapper, sea bream, and even offered uni and ikura! Our family was very happy with the each dish's quality. Huge shoutout to the chefs for churning these dishes out so quickly and the servers for paying attention to the little things for us. Will definitely come back again! read more

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I went to Dashi during their soft opening. The service was very good and the food was excellent. I cannot remember the exact names of the rolls since there is no website yet, but we ordered Toro and yellowtail sashimi. Both were fresh and delicious. We also ordered a spicy tuna roll that had crunchy garlic on top, which added great flavor and texture. We also got the Gyoza and that was delicious as well. I will definitely return once they are fully open to try more of the menu. read more

Dashi is finally open and they are serving up legit master pieces that make you want to come back for more!! The restaurant is beautifully designed and the staff are all so friendly and welcoming. You can tell the chefs are passionate in what they do and it shows in the food they put out. Everything is delicious!! So happy to have Dashi as one of my go to spots for sushi and a great welcoming environment. I can't wait to come back for more read more

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Amazing new sushi place right in the heart of Hillcrest. Love everything about it. Super fresh, flavorful dishes. Beautiful ambience with wall murals painted by an artist from Japan. Friendly and fun service by Karen and Josh. And Owner/sushi chef Aristiees is the best. Between the 6 of us, we ordered 3 starters: (1) halibut crudo - delish! (2) tuna tataki - blue fin w/ truffle aioli and potato threads - so flavorful; and (3) mango coconut ceviche - w/ sesame shrimp crackers - out of this world! Then we ordered 3 rolls created by the chef, (1) Mr. Miyagi: Niki tempura, crab, salmon, marinated, jalapeño, Serrano sauce, and torched micro greens. (2) my favorite, the Kraken: yellowtail, avocado, cucumber topped with tuna, sesame garlic, emulsion, crispy red onion. (3) my next fave, the Point Break, with spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, avocado, topped with/ a Crazy tasty spicy chili sauce/ eel sauce. Wow! (3) Daruma w/ spicy tuna, cucumber, yellowtail, sesame garlic emulsuon, marinated jalapeño, crispyred onion, and micro greens; and (4) Kami - spicy tuna, tempura asparagus, and avocado topped with salmon, ponzu, truffle oil. I am not a huge fan of beer, but their Asahi on draft is made with a Japanese imported machine that makes it super creamy. Sake is also a treat, Served in a beautiful light blue glass carafe with matching glasses. Cannot wait to return! read more

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DASHI in Hillcrest has become our favorite sushi place in SD, excluding sushi places that are strictly omakase of course. This is a late post as my boys and I came here a few weeks ago. Great food and sushi along with great service. The only thing I would say is I wouldn't order the miso butter, macaroni and cheese again. It smells great and looks great but just taste OK. read more

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We decided to try Dashi in the heart of Hillcrest and wow, it did not disappoint! We didn't have a reservation, so as walk-ups we waited about 40 minutes for a table--but honestly, it was worth every minute. The sushi here is great. Our absolute favorites were the Kami Roll and the Point Breaker Roll--both beautifully presented and packed with flavor. The Salmon Crispy Rice was another standout, perfectly balanced with just the right crunch. Service was friendly and attentive despite how busy the restaurant was, and the atmosphere had a fun, modern vibe. If you're in Hillcrest and craving sushi, definitely give Dashi a try. Pro tip: call ahead to make a reservation unless you're up for the wait--it's a popular spot for a reason! read more

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Saw how good the reviews were and came in right around 4:30 for dinner as a group of 6. Luckily we sat at the large table and didn't wait that long! While we were eating, we saw how packed it was getting. The sushi here is 10/10! Admittedly, the rolls are a little smaller than some other places I've been, but still filling and uniquely flavorful. The fish, especially the sashimi, was so fresh and soft. The miso butter mac & cheese was amazing!! It was definitely needed as a comforting filler appetizer. I think Dashi is a hidden gem sushi restaurant that will blow up to be popular soon. Although it is still soft opening, I think this is one of the best tasting sushi restaurants in SD. So happy I got to experience this place! Will be back for more. read more

DASHI - (top to bottom, L to R) tokusen nigiri, miso tai, lemon glow x2, kraken, sashimi flight, daruma, mr. miyagi, miso butter mac & cheese - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here for a date night and had a great time! The sashimi was so fresh and service was quick. It's definitely more of a casual date night spot, but great quality food! read more

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We had 2 rolls post massage and they were fantastic. We sat at the bar and everyone was super helpful and friendly. read more

DASHI - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

My wife and I have absolutely loved this place from the minute they opened! Right when you first walk in you are greeted by amazing energy from the unique interior decor, the servers (we love Karen and really all the servers) and the sushi chefs who truly seem passionate about their craft. To start their passion fruit lemonade is one of my favorites and of course their sakes, beer and wine selection is great too. The omakase platter is unbeatable-a delicious selection of local and seasonal fish, most recently we had toro, amberjack, snapper (to name a few) and even uni. Their basic and complex sushi rolls are creative, non-pretentious and well priced and even their other options like the lobster mac and cheese are delicious. A once vacant street corner has been transformed into lively and vibrant thanks to Dashi, adding to the charm of amazing Hillcrest! read more

The corner of 5th and University in Hillcrest has seen many an establishment come and go. DASHI is the latest installment and I'm hoping they are a permanent residence. They are currently still in their "soft opening" phase, but after the delightful dinner experience we had they are more than ready for the real deal. The menu is vast with plenty of tempting offerings of sushi and non-sushi dishes. The nigiri were so fresh and delicious. The sweet shrimp nigiri, in traditional fashion, comes with their heads lightly tempura fried for you to enjoy all its umami greatness! Service was very friendly and inviting from the moment you walk in. Sitting at the sushi bar is where it's at. Can't wait to go back! read more

DASHI - Yellowtail Kama Sashimi. Compliments from the sushi chef. - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is amazing!! First of all the customer service is on point. We got the Tokusen Nigiri, the salmon crispy rice and the sashimi salad. Everything was delicious, the nigiri was fresh and high quality the sashimi salad left us wanting more, the dressing was bomb. read more

The food was so fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Sushi chef Aristides crafted every piece with precision and care, and it truly showed in the taste and quality.Our waitress Karen made thoughtful recommendations and took the time to explain each type of fish on the plate, which made the experience even more enjoyable. To finish, the pastry chef's matcha flan was incredible. Excellent food, attentive detail, and a warm atmosphere made it a memorable evening. Highly recommend! read more

DASHI - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Dashi has been such a breath of fresh air in our neighborhood restaurant scene! We've been three times and each visit was spectacular! First, the service there is too notch! Very personable and professional staff who make excellent suggestions and do a great job of noting food allergies. Next, the food and drink selection is top tier! The omakase options are so well put together and the non-seafood options are delicious too (not an afterthought like some primarily seafood forward joints). Finally, the ambiance is on point! They have custom art and murals created by an artist flown in from Japan (unreal, right?!) on the walls that just elevates the restaurant's unique vibe! The bill is even brought to you in a real manga book! So cute! Please visit this awesome restaurant! It's such a great spot! read more

This was probably the freshest fish I've had in a super long time. The salmon sashimi was to DIE FOR!! I honestly don't think I've ever had real crab in a California roll, so finding crab shell in each bite was an unpleasant surprise. Besides the crab shell, everything was absolutely perfect. The service was amazing as well read more

Delicious. Fresh. Loved the salmon crispy rice appetizer. Not crowded on a Thursday at 6:30 PM. Love the lemon grow roll!

Really cute vibe! Inside is a little tight, but it's cozy! Service was great, and they have lots of vegetarian sushi options, which I always appreciate! Our group of 4 was really impressed with everything here! Highly recommend! read more

Came here with a friend after work and the vibe is so chill. It was his recommendation and it did not disappoint. The sushi was so fresh and so tasty. The salmon was so fresh. The staff was attentive but not overbearing. Definitely would come here again. read more

Was intrigued by their menu and the pictures and came for dinner with my husband and daughter the same day to try it. On a Thursday around 6:30 parking wasn't too bad and we were able to walk in and sit at the bar. The place is very cute (though a bit louder than expected), and the service was great! The bathroom was also cute and clean. We ordered: Salmon crispy rice (for only $14 you get 4 generous pieces that are elevated by the addition of wasabi mayo and pickled onion. These were some of the best I've had) Wagyu skewers (2 pieces for $16. They exploded with flavor and juices when I bit into them and were served with an amazing koji and yuzu pepper sauce. My kid loved them and we let her have most of it. I wish we had ordered more) Nigiris: salmon belly, yellowtail belly, golden eye, eel, snow crab, salmon, horse mackerel. All were reasonably priced and good quality, but what stood out to me was the snow crab leg which was delicate and delicious and came with an amazingly tangy buttery sauce. It was fantastic. Rolls: Oyabun and Daruma were both awesome, though my favorite was the Oyabun. Their rolls are very well crafted with interesting ingredient combinations and special additions that make them stand out from most places. The presentation was beautiful too and again, the prices were extremely reasonable. All this plus a soda and the bill only came to $145 after tax. I was floored as we usually spend this much at a place like Kura (for novelty), and this was obviously a much better tier of sushi with great service. I will definitely be back!! read more