Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Hakumaru

    4.6 (272 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Order Hakumaru Takeout

    Hakumaru Photos

    Business Info

    HAKUMARU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

    More like Hakumaru

    Recommended Reviews - Hakumaru

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Sushi roll
    Sharon T.

    Food was all good and tasted fresh! Service was friendly and efficient. Casual and nice atmosphere to hangout with friends. Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday, wish they did a little birthday thing but that's okay! I'm a fan of sushi rolls so those were my fave!

    Hamachi Hiro Aburi Sake Salmon Dac Biet
    Kelvin M.

    Easily the absolute BEST sushi restaurant I've been to! Food quality is unmatched. You can tell how much they really care about their cuisine by the fresh high quality ingredients that they use. Easily recommend this to anyone looking to satisfy their sushi craving. The atmosphere is welcoming and clean, and the staff is friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Portion sizes are generous, prices are fair, and the consistency keeps me coming back. Whether you're a first-timer or a regular, Hakumaru delivers every time. Easily one of my go-to spots when I'm craving quality Japanese comfort food!

    Yellowtail Sashimi
    Stephanie S.

    This place is a hidden gem in the middle of a shopping center. They have the most unique rolls which I absolutely loved. Everything was fresh and flavorful. The server was fast getting our orders in and bringing everything to our table. I recommend getting reservations since it was busy and there was limited seating.

    Plastic in my ankimo
    Valerie C.

    Been to Hakumaru a handful of times now since its opening, each time with a different party. I've gone different times of day as well and that really affected the overall experience and service. If you arrive during a slower time of day like 2 pm, I've experienced that service is typically more attentive because of the minimal tables being served. My most recent visit was on a Friday at 530 pm - which was a mistake on my part. Every seat was filled and service was extremely slow. I saw my server when I ordered and when I took my bill. I had wanted to put another order in but didn't want to wait another 30 minutes for a roll to come out. All that to say, it really depends on when you arrive. Other than that, service is always friendly. Now onto what really matters - the sushi. I'd say that Hakumaru has the best quality sushi in RB/4S ranch. Their fish is always fresh and you can taste how buttery some of their cuts are. I love the attention to detail they put into both their rolls and nigiri. Some of my favorite pieces here are Hotate, Engawa, Shima Aji, and their Ankimo. Their Fire Lord Yuki is a solid roll too. I'm an avid fan of Azuki in downtown, but Hakumaru is a great contender on my list of sushi spots in SD, especially with it being a lot closer to me. I've continued to recommend this spot to my friends and coworkers - even coworkers from Japan say the quality here is decent. Come here for the sushi and if you have the time to spend. Dining here will require time for the chefs to serve you, it's not somewhere to go for something quick.

    Inside vibe
    Amanda C.

    What a fantastic sushi spot tucked away in this little 4S Ranch shopping center. Literally a perfect date night spot and the vibe inside was very dark and intimate. We sat at the bar and realized we were just in time for happy hour! We talked and laughed and shared food and it was the perfect night. The edamame was delicious and the shishito peppers were so great to much on as an appetizer. We also got the pan fried gyoza but I didn't care for that one as much because it wasn't very crispy. Still, it was happy hour so we didn't spend that much on it regardless and I thought the offerings for happy hour were still really amazing. That was it for the happy hour menu and then we also got a salmon cut roll and a spicy tuna roll. Both were fantastic. I loved how much spicy tuna was on the plate - they did not skimp! I was already so full from the appetizers but I ate both of these rolls regardless with zero regrets haha. I would say this place is small so make sure to plan accordingly. We didn't have to wait too long but I can see this filling up pretty fast, especially on a weekend. I will definitely be back to try more of the menu. I'm super impressed by how fresh the sushi was and how cool this place was. Great vibe and great food!

    Jessica T.

    I've dined here a couple of times and every time has been wonderful. Staffs are all nice, welcoming, and detail oriented when it comes to service. The vibes are immaculate as they play studio Ghibli vibes music and videos and their menu is so unique and delicious. You honestly can't go wrong ordering any of their special rolls or appetizers. I will for sure be visiting Hakumaru again!

    Jason Y.

    This place was tasty and had great service. Nice cozy and sleek aesthetic with their L shaped sushi bar. Between 4 of us (2 guys and 2 girls) we shared 2 katsu curry dons, 4 sushi rolls, and 1 noodle based dish. Was happily full after that.

    Salmon Dac Biet
    Lilly N.

    My new favorite Sushi spot in North SD! This place is the real deal! They have everything from specialty rolls, Chef's choices (omakase-like), and non-sushi items. The chef's choice came with 8 pcs of nigiri which was absolutely INCREDIBLE. Tasted like a high end omakase restaurant. From the moment we walked in, the service was warm and attentive without being overbearing. The fish tasted incredibly fresh, and every roll was beautifully presented. The aesthetics in the store are also incredible :) The atmosphere was clean, modern, and relaxed, making it a great place for both a casual dinner and a special night out. Prices were very reasonable for the quality you get.

    Chicken Yakitori Bowl
    Dan E.

    First time visiting Hakumaru Sushi in 4S Ranch and I was really impressed! Although the restaurant is small, it feels spacious. The vibe is decidedly classy with rich dark hues, yet well lit. Service could not have been more professional, friendly, and accommodating. I ordered the Chicken Yakitori Bowl and it was excellent. Chunks of tender, tasty chicken thigh grilled with tare, green onion, cabbage and bell pepper, served over white rice. I also appreciated their use of stemless wine glasses. Highly recommended.

    Sukiyaki Beef Bowl (front) Chicken Katsu Curry Don (back
    Jalina R.

    We like to try different place. This place is small. Sushi bar and some tables to sit at. The guy who sat us also served us and sat and served everyone else. What we got: Chicken Katsu Curry Don - bf ordered this. He loved it. He wished it was bigger Sukiyaki Beef Bowl - this was good. We got 2 rolls. Can't remember the name of the first one, but the second one was the Lemon Roll. Both were good. We would come back try try other things.. or more sushi.

    Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
    Saleen M.

    Oh my goodness! This restaurant is absolutely amazing! I am currently planning my next visit as I write this review. Located in 4s Ranch, in the Shell shopping station. I came for lunch & sat at the bar. The sushi chef & server were excellent, always checking in on me & making sure that I had everything that I needed. Salmon Belly Nigiri: Wow! So fresh & delicious. Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice: *drool* This was incredibly tasty. Luna Lemon Roll: Yummy roll, flavorful & refreshing with the lemon. Great selection of sake! I ordered Kubota Junmai Daiginjo & it was lightly sweet.

    Arron E.

    Stumbling upon restaurants like Hakumaru are my favorite kinds of find. A true hidden gem Came for dinner on a Friday night and it wasn't super busy. Staff was welcoming and had a lot of recommendations Started with the agitate crudo which is a must if you love scallop The Chirashi which you can never go wrong with. Excellent quality fish good portions Ordered a bunch of rolls for the table but the Hamachi Hiro (blueberry sounds weird in sushi but it worked) and the Marito rolls were the standouts. But i mean they were all good Haramaru standouts on a road less traveled (literally if you're not a local)Give them a try next time you want a new sushi spot that will impress!

    OToro roll
    Prakash I.

    Google AI says the name comes from the two dogs of the owners, Haku and Maru. That might explain the two dog faces in the background of the menu card. It has a cozy and inviting interior. When we went on a weekday it was not too busy. The service was excellent with very attentive and courteous staff. Food was amazing and they two sided menu card is full of interesting rolls, Sashimis and hot food. We ordered a bunch of items and the crispy rice tuna and the Halibut Carpacio really stood out . The spicy Tuna Albacore roll and the Toro rolls were also delicious . Definitely on my list to go back .

    See all

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vivian L.
    101
    105
    53

    19 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    3 months ago

    Helpful 80
    Thanks 28
    Love this 68
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hakumaru S.

    Hakumaru S.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan E.
    119
    285
    8711

    3 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hakumaru S.

    Hakumaru S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Saleen M.
    1065
    2564
    2303

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hakumaru S.

    Hakumaru S.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hakumaru S.

    Hakumaru S.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 4
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Eda X.
    348
    761
    7474

    2 months ago

    Hakumaru offers Asian pan fusion sushi rolls. I highly highly recommend you come check this place out for their Dac Biet and sushi rolls!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hakumaru S.

    Hakumaru S.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hakumaru S.

    Hakumaru S.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hakumaru S.

    Hakumaru S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hakumaru S.

    Hakumaru S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hakumaru S.

    Hakumaru S.

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 6

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of George J.
    569
    30
    18

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of LC C.
    1
    9
    45

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jaypee W.
    81
    91
    474

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Hakumaru

    Do they allow dogs inside?

    It's sort of a small place. If your dog is well behaved and trained, I don't see it causing an issue. If it's a registered service animal then by law they can't deny you. Although in California, business have the right to refuse service to anyone.

    Do they offer takeout?

    Yes we do

    View All 3 Questions

    Azuki Sushi

    Azuki Sushi

    4.4(3.6k reviews)
    20.0 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

    See all

    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi - Baked Scallop Roll - @rayz

    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi

    4.3(2.6k reviews)
    7.3 miMira Mesa
    $$$

    Food: Super fresh, delicious flavors. Fried items didn't seem too greasy and the oil didn't taste…read moreold. Good variety of items to choose from for the buffet option. Included to choose from: specialty and basic rolls, hand rolls, basic udon, miso soup, calamari, etc. Best if with a group to share so nothing goes to waste if you don't like something. Our group of four left satisfied. Value: Four adults without drinks came to about $180 before tip. It's pricey but considering it's fresh sushi made to order and not generic rolls left on a counter like other buffets I think it warrants the higher price. Be advised adding sashimi is an additional ~$13. Service: Very quick to take orders, bring out food (fried/baked will take longer), fill waters and give the bill when ready. Excellent. Interior: Very clean, modern, and my guest was able to watch the padres game while we ate. Overall: If you're willing to spend over $40 on quality sushi, you'll love it here. If you only want appetizer items you may get bored of all the fried items, seaweed salad, and soups. And if going that option it wouldn't be worth the $40+.

    This place is always a great time, but it's an even greater time with a good group of friends who…read moreshare the sole purpose of getting their monies worth in sushi! They have sooooo many options it's perfect. If you like sushi then this is the place for you. Nigiri, specialty rolls, cut rolls, appetizers, it doesn't end! For an AYCE the fish is surprisingly high quality. I'm not a sushi snob, but I can't tell a drastic difference between here and super upscale sushi joints. Little Sakana employs like a thousand people which is awesome because there is always someone there to take an empty plate, drop off more food, refill your water/beer, and whatever else you need! These people are working just as hard as you're working so tip them well!

    Photos
    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi - Inside

    Inside

    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi - Yellowtail, Salmon, Ikura

    Yellowtail, Salmon, Ikura

    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi - Get on the waitlist using the QR code

    See all

    Get on the waitlist using the QR code

    Chef JUN - Bay Ho

    Chef JUN - Bay Ho

    4.6(686 reviews)
    15.2 miClairemont
    $$

    My bestie searched up this spot and we were excited to try it out. Parking was a little tight but…read moreluckily I found a spot right away. She made a reso so that was helpful since it did seem to get quite busy. The HH was bomb we both had the Iced Green Tea which tasted a little like matcha! The roll were very unique and fresh!

    I am so thankful we stumbled upon this establishment!…read more On a Tuesday morning, we initially tried to go to another sushi restaurant about ten minutes away, but unfortunately we didn't have a reservation and they wouldn't have had another table available for another two hours. Called Chef Jun to confirm if we needed a reservation here, but they said they had tables available since we were planning on being there in 10-15 minutes. We walked in and were immediately greeted by the girls up front and sat at a nice table outside on the back patio. We ordered the chef's choice sashimi, poke, beer, and green grape soju. I ended up asking for lemonade too to mix with my soju since I rarely drink and do not like the taste of alcohol lol. The food was absolutely delicious, I wouldn't have changed anything about our meal! We left satisfied and were so impressed with the sashimi variety we were served. I had no idea amberjack existed, but it's definitely up there with my usual salmon sashimi favorite! We definitely got our money's worth. Service was incredible, our server Marylyn D (that was on our receipt) was sooo sweet and we really enjoyed her energy. (We love your pikachu tattoo btw!) She made sure to check on us and give us updates on when our food was coming, which we really appreciated. Overall 10/10. Next time we visit from the Bay Area we will definitely be coming back here and recommending to our friends :)

    Photos
    Chef JUN - Bay Ho
    Chef JUN - Bay Ho - Spicy tuna

    Spicy tuna

    Chef JUN - Bay Ho - Spicy tuna

    See all

    Spicy tuna

    Sushi MARU - Iwashi

    Sushi MARU

    4.9(81 reviews)
    20.7 miDowntown

    The food is absolutely of the best quality! Their method and process for preparing and cooking is…read moreunparalleled from most anywhere I have seen in the world let alone San Diego. Truly world class! The service was amazing- I am a messy eater and dropped my napkin several times, each time they handed me a new clean napkin. The ambiance is incredible- so intimate. This is an experience!

    Came here to celebrate a birthday. Timing on a Saturday evening was good enough such that there was…read morea good amount of parking out front when we arrived around 5:10 for our 5:30 reservation. We were first to enter and it was clear immediately that omakase is this restaurants institution; delicate lighting that highlighted the bar that separated diner and chef, clean lines everywhere, and just overall a beautiful place. The theme of Sushi MARU is truly attention to detail, and that extends from arrival, to service, to, of course, the food. Staff were incredibly attentive and easy to talk to, including the chefs. The food, I will comment on just generally as the menu is constantly changing (as is the case with many omakase): each dish was composed of pieces that complemented each other well and created a cohesive flavor pallette. Each nigiri was artfully prepared that emphased the quality and cut of the fish, and were complemented by flavors to further highlight that. The flow of the evening was non-traditional omakase, but it felt perfect. Price ($180pp) is not for the faint of heart, but is cheaper than others I've seen. Would absolutely visit again for a special occasion!

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

    San Diego Uni!! So sweet!

    Sushi MARU - Kobujime Tai

    Kobujime Tai

    Sushi MARU - Kasugo-dai

    See all

    Kasugo-dai

    Soichi Sushi - Nigiri

    Soichi Sushi

    4.8(546 reviews)
    17.6 miUniversity Heights
    $$$$

    Finally was able to secure a reservation here. I've tried many omakases, and Soichi was always…read morementioned. Made the reservatiin online at the beginning of March for an omakase seating in April to celebrate husband's bday. They had a 5:15pm seating on a weekday at the sushi counter. Other options are the table and outside patio, however, for omakase, I always prefer the counter/bar. Unlike other omakase restaurants, Soichi offers their full vs petite vs nigiri only omakases at variable times (not limited to 2 seating times like others). You can also enjoy any of these omakases or order a la carte or both at the tables and outside patio also. The ambiance is bright and full of energy. Can get a bit loud with people talking, but didn't bother me. Parking is street parking. No designated lot. We found one a little down the street and walked over, which worked out. There is a park down the street and street parking around it. I recommend arriving earlier to find parking though, just in case. Restaurant is small inside, but clean and cozy. We arrived 15min early, and they seated us. The staff were all friendly. They all spoke Japanese to each other, which also felt more authentic. Our omakase chef was Daniel today. He was very nice, friendly, professional, and skilled. When we had questions, he answered them promptly and kindly. He also checked in with us to ensure the ratio of rice and sashimi was OK for us (of course it was). They served on unique plates too. Everything tasted so fresh and smooth. Some items were also unique compared to other omakase restaurants. The chawanmushj was also piping hot when served, so it also tasted fresh. They have barley tea here too and not just green tea. They offer a la carte at the end of the omakase course if we like, but I was too full. My husband ordered a tuna maki roll, which he thought tasted great. The dessert was also yum! Hojicha ice cream was very tasty! I recommend! They sang the happy bday song for the bday folks, where the senior chef (perhaps the owner?) played the ukelele/guitar and sang happy bday with the rest of us guests. Thought that was really neat. I recommend Soichi! Shout out to Chef Daniel!

    Definitely 5 stars if compared to all restaurants, but 4 stars if compared to other omakase…read more Came at one of the first seating (4:30pm) on a Saturday for the full omakase. The service and partnership between the sushi chef and the wait staff was fantastic and every interaction was well thought out. The appetizer wasn't my cup of tea, but the sashimi, nigiri, grilled fish, chawanmushi were really good. The assortment of fish (at least for this season) wasn't my favorite (featuring sardines, mackerel, etc.) when I would have loved some yellowtail and salmon belly. We ordered a negitoro cut roll a la carte because we were still a little hungry - this was super tasty as the quality of the tuna/toro is top notch. For dessert, they had 4 flavors of homemade ice cream to pick from. The sesame was incredible and the roasted green tea really good too. I feel like most of the omakase I've been to have 2-3 seating for dinner, so all the customers for that time arrive at the same time and everyone is at the same point of the omakase. At Soichi, it seems like each party has their reservation at a different time (4:30, 4:45, 5:00, etc.) so each group is at a different part of their meal, not to mention some parties that ordered a la carte or a different omakase menu (sushi only option, etc.) As a result, the chef is bouncing around working on a bunch of different items, and we had to wait quite a bit for each of our nigiri courses. The whole meal took 2.5 hours. We also felt less of that group vibe with other parties that is common in other omakases. Overall, we still had a really lovely time and glad we got to try it!,

    Photos
    Soichi Sushi - Beautiful flowers for Valentines!!

    Beautiful flowers for Valentines!!

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

    Fried shrimp head. Whole thing is edible!

    Soichi Sushi - Appetizer

    See all

    Appetizer

    Ichifuji

    Ichifuji

    4.9(203 reviews)
    15.1 miClairemont
    $$$$

    [Food] Spring Omakase $165pp - Appetizers: 4 dishes…read moreconsisting of minced tuna, squid fly, oyster, & tempura. All delicious and wish I could've gotten seconds! - Sashimi: Chef's selection of 4 different sashimi with a side of seaweed. I enjoyed them all but my favorite are the toro and amaebi. Love that they also fried the shrimp head and gave us a choice of salt & lemon or ponzu sauce to pair with it! - Yakimono: Grilled cod with asparagus, crispy fried lotus root, and goji berries. The cod was so buttery and cooked to perfection. - Nigiri: 9 piece nigiri chef's selection. All were super fresh, melts in your mouth, and of course delicious! - Uni wrap: I'm not sure if this was part of the nigiri or its own course, but chef let us try San Diego Uni & Hokkaido Uni! Both incredibly yummy. I feel like the SD Uni has a nice sweetness while the Hokkaido Uni has a slight bitterness. My group mostly liked the Hokkaido Uni. - Chawanmushi: Very flavorful and silky as I think they added dashi to enhance the egg. - Soup: Red miso clam soup (Nagoya style) was delicious. Super comforting and savory to end the course out before dessert. - Dessert: Hojicha Panna Cotta with strawberries! I usually don't like the desserts at most omakases, but I loved this! Great balance of light sweetness of the Panna Cotta with the sweet and acidity from the strawberries. [Service] - Friendly, charming, attentive, helpful - Shoutout to our Chef, Hiro-San & server Ken-San for making sure our experience was beyond amazing! Thank you! [Ambiance] - Classy, upscale, intimate - Has sushi bar & patio seating [Overall] - Made reservations for a party of 6 for my bf's bday and they definitely made it special! I love that they took pics for us with the chefs and even gave us a print out with a stand. So cute! - Would definitely come back for the food, vibes, and great service! - Each season they have a different menu, if you had all 4 on your stamp card, you'd receive a little gift! I definitely would love to try all 4 seasons but unfortunately I don't live around the area.

    Originally, I sought out Michelin star restaurants in the SD area but they didn't have a lot of…read moreglowing reviews. I found out about Ichifuji through some Reddit forums for omakase's. Ichifuji has routinely been one of the personal favorites of many users. I booked a reservation. It was about $160 before tax and tip. Definitely a lot cheaper than most of the Chicago ones and the quality of each course was exceptional. Our chef had a great sense of humor. Everyone was pleasant to talk to. I recommend coming here early before your reservation to secure a parking spot, at least an hour or more. The lot is shared with a Vietnamese restaurant and the parking lot is already small. We thought about parking in the bigger lot to the right but was unsure due to the towing signs. We're from out of State so we didn't want to risk it. If you have the money to spare with no kids, I recommend coming here.

    Photos
    Ichifuji
    Ichifuji - Toro handroll

    Toro handroll

    Ichifuji - Chawanmushi

    See all

    Chawanmushi

    Ju-ichi - Yellowtail Crudo

    Ju-ichi

    4.6(291 reviews)
    13.3 miKearny Mesa

    Located somewhat off the beaten path of the Convoy district tucked in between a couple other Asian…read morerestaurants. The space is decent size with plenty of tables with service available at the sushi bar as well. The staff were friendly and attentive. We came in for lunch and ordered the chicken katsu curry rice. The chicken was fried perfectly, golden and crispy on the outside with juicy meat inside, sliced and laid right over the curry. The sauce itself had great depth, not too thick, not too sweet. The miso soup that came with it was really good as well. A light broth with mushrooms and green onion. Nothing heavy, just a perfect complement to the richness of the curry. The menu has other intriguing options, so I'll definitely be back to try the sushi and other dishes.

    Talk about a strong-bodied miso soup; yum! The miso soup at Ju-Ichi is only bested by Takaramono…read moreSushi. Also amazing is the uni, toro, and ikura (known to me as the holy trinity of sushi, a.k.a. U.T.I.). They must marinate the ikura with some kind of soy-based sauce because it tastes quite different from--and much better than--the ikura from other restaurants. I also appreciate that you can order just one piece of nigiri, an offering typical of sushi restaurants that focus on quality over quantity, which furthermore incentivizes chefs to make each bite count. The sushi chefs get a sense of pride from their creative and productive work while the customer gets more gastronomical bang for the buck; this is a beautiful win-win relationship, and while this win-win relationship exists in all trading relationship, it's especially pronounced and palpable between sushi chef and the customer. So you've had the most satisfying miso soup and incredible nigiri. While you're at it, also order yourself the pot du creme; the candied bacon is to die for! My only gripe with Ju-Ichi is their disappointing mixed tempura: The batter on the shrimp is more akin to panko and the snap peas did not complement the batter. Nonetheless, I've eaten at many sushi restaurants in San Diego and I hereby crown Ju-Ichi the best sushi restaurant in town! You get Michelin-quality sushi (if you do stray from sushi, avoid the mixed tempura) with casual, but typically Japanese reverent, service.

    Photos
    Ju-ichi
    Ju-ichi - Gohan (mini rice bowls) with Snow Crab Legs

    Gohan (mini rice bowls) with Snow Crab Legs

    Ju-ichi - Nigiri: Golden Eye Snapper, Blue Fin Tuna, Scallop (left to right)

    See all

    Nigiri: Golden Eye Snapper, Blue Fin Tuna, Scallop (left to right)

    Hakumaru - japanese - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...