The place is small and very noisy. Hard to have a conversation. But the food is delicious! We had the halibut crudo, the yukimasu, and the oni and the kraken rolls. Everything was delicious! Just wish we could have been able to talk without raising our voices. read more

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

I went and had dinner here and it was fabulous! The omakase was good for the price and the crudo was great!

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

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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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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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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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

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

Such an amazing sushi spot! Everything is amazing. Highly recommend the nigiri. Service is good too! read more

DASHI - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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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

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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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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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

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

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

Bomb sushi, definitely recommend it. I had take out but would've loved to sit in for dinner.

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

Stumbled upon Dashi while driving around hunting for boba on a late Sunday evening--right as they were winding down for close, but the place was still buzzing with a solid crowd. Decided to pivot and grab a few bites instead, ordering up the wagyu beef skewers, tuna tataki, and Kinmedai nigiri. Overall, the food landed squarely in average territory. The sushi rice was disappointingly cold, and the Kinmedai nigiri had that unfortunate frozen-fish vibe that took away from the freshness. But those wagyu beef skewers? Spot on--melt-in-your-mouth tender, exactly what you'd hope for with quality wagyu. The tuna tataki was a solid 4/5; super fresh and seared nicely, but that random dollop of mayo on top felt like an unnecessary gimmick that muddied the flavors and took away a star. Service was friendly and efficient despite the rush, and the sleek vibe made it a fun detour. Worth swinging by if you're craving skewers, but I'd skip the sushi next time and hunt down that boba elsewhere! read more

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My friend and I finally went to Dashi, and we weren't disappointed. The atmosphere is bright and cheery, which matches the friendliness of the staff and the quality of the food. This location has seen its share of turnovers, and it's refreshing to see a restaurant with staying power. We order several items, including Miso Butter Mac-N-Cheese, Salmon Roll, Fire Crunch, and another that I forgot. All of the sushi looked amazing, and the taste was very good. The downside was the mac-n-cheese; while it looked and tasted great, it wasn't hot, practically cold. I notified the waitress, who took it back to fix this issue, but the second version lacked the flavor of the first and was only mildly warmer. I want to give Dashi 5 stars, but serving cold mac-n-cheese is not acceptable. read more

Great new sushi restaurant! Hillcrest needed something fresh and Dashi does not disappoint. As soon as you walk in you feel welcomed, the staff is friendly and service is great. Everything we ordered was amazing and super fresh, decor is superb and the ambiance relaxed. Definitely my new go to sushi place. And to finish it off, you must try their matcha flan, its out of this world!! read more

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Planned to eat at this restaurant last Sunday. Difficulty to find street parking. After driving three times, decided to go to another restaurant. read more

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

Dashi is one of those places where you can tell right away that the kitchen takes its ingredients seriously. My husband ordered a sashimi plate with a cucumber roll, both were spot-on. The fish was genuinely fresh, pretty clean flavors with great textures. The roll is simple and was put together with care and nicely seasoned. It's pretty refreshing to eat. I went in a different direction with the galbi beef, which turned out to be more of a fusion dish than I expected. There are clear Cantonese and Vietnamese influences at play, and while I appreciate the chef's ambition, some elements felt like they were competing with the beef rather than highlighting it. The crispy rice noodles and the green sauce with fish sauce notes didn't really add much for me. The beef itself was already well-marinated, tender, and full of flavor. What I did really enjoy was the short-grain rice it came with. It's freshly cooked and well seasoned. Overall, Dashi has a strong foundation, especially when it comes to seafood, and there's real talent in the kitchen. Even when a dish doesn't fully land, you can see the intention behind it. I'd happily come back to try more of their more traditional offerings. read more

We came here on a Sunday evening for my sister's birthday. The place is so modern and super clean! We were greeted immediately by the chefs and servers. We got lucky and sat in their corner booth! So roomy and comfortable. We ordered nigiri, rolls, and a couple of their specials. All their fish was so fresh and just so buttery! Zero fish smell! The prices matched their fish quality, location was good, and ambience was great for a sushi place. I would definitely recommend! read more

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ate at DASHI for the first time today and it LITERALLY IS THE BEST SUSHI IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!!!!! Coming from a sushi girl, that is a big statement. Everything from the rice, edamame, miso soup, 10/10. Don't even get me started on the rolls..... pictured from left to right: Oni roll, Lemon Glow roll, and Daruma. SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOD I cannot tell you ENOUGH!!!!!! read more

DASHI - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Cute restaurant with a modern feel. It was only my server Connor's second day and he did a great job! I will say I did have to wait for a bit to be seated when it wasn't really that busy, but the sushi selection is fantastic and carefully curated. Great bang for your buck as far as good quality sushi, everything I had felt elevated. I had a fine dining experience for one under a hundred bucks. Totally recommend. read more

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

Came to Dashi for the first time last night and had an excellent experience. We sat at the sushi bar, and shared the halibut crudo appetizer, the Hillcrest, Oni and Kraken specialty rolls and they were all so well prepared, I really couldn't even choose a favorite among them! The sushi tasted so fresh in all of the dishes. I especially loved the raspberry vinaigrette on top of the tuna crudo. It was an unexpected, but delicious pairing. Our server, Karin was so helpful in giving us recommendations and was very attentive throughout our dinner. I would highly recommend this new spot! read more

DASHI - From left to right- Hillcrest, oni, and kraken specialty rolls - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Delicious, fresh restaurant. Sushi, edamame, draft beer--everything, and the service is amazing. I highly recommend it. read more

DASHI - Edamame - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

I know they just opened not too long ago but I do appreciate how organized/put together everything was. From the ambience down to the food & service, everything was amazing! Rolls were about ~$17 each but with the quality of fish they use?? It genuinely feels like they should be charging more! Anyways, if you're looking for your next neighborhood sushi spot, this should definitely be in your rotation. read more

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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

This place is so good! I have a new favorite sushi restaurant. I recommend the lemon glow!

Was very excited to see a new locally owned restaurant in Hillcrest! Dashi is a great addition to the community. Food was excellent and service was 5 star all the way. Special shout out to it waiter Joshua. He was extremely passionate about the food and customer experience. Will definitely be back. read more

DASHI - Chicken Teriyaki! Beautiful presentation and tastes as good as it looks. - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Sushi so good and fresh and prices so so good been here a few times and love it everytime!

We returned to Dashi. Inadvertently, my earlier review was posted with one star: digital malfunction on my part. This sleek and classy interior is the backdrop for a five star experience. The fish and crustaceans are beautifully presented and ocean fresh. Service generously tipable. As an admirer of generally heavier fare, Dashi opens the door wide for this wonderful option. Go! read more