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    Hakumaru

    4.6 (279 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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    HAKUMARU ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Lin C.

    Wanted to take my kids to sushi for my birthday. We go to a lot of sushi spots. The one I really wanted to go to was closed because it's never let me down. I went to this place based solely off of reviews. Saw the 4.6 rating and was really excited. Unfortunately the only really good thing I had was the spicy garlic edamame. That was really tasty! We ordered the fried gyoza. Not much flavor at all sadly and the plate they serve it in doesn't hold much sauce. I was also excited to have my son try crispy rice, since he's never had it (but I've tried it at a lot of sushi places across SD and LA). I was so disappointed. It wasn't very crispy. Kind of fell apart, and not much flavor. The sushi rolls we had were good, just not great. I was underwhelmed. I feel bad writing this but I also feel like I have to be honest. Overall the place was cute and a good location. But I wouldn't come back.

    Stephanie O.

    Quick dinner out and was surprised how slow it was for a weekend evening. My husband and I were seated right away and orders taken pretty quickly. The menu is pretty extensive, but it definitely has a good quality for what we ordered. Service is quick and ordering to food coming out was pretty fast. For someone with a low tolerance of spice, you never know how spicy the spicy tuna will actually be, I gambled wrong for my tolerance. Delicious none the less but for me a little too spicy haha! The other rolls were fantastic though, and all very good. Would definitely come again if in the area!

    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!

    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.

    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!

    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!

    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.

    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!

    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.

    The 4S, Maruto, & Philadelphia roll!
    Jazmyn N.

    Omg soooooo good! My manager & I came to eat here for lunch & we were in love with that karaage! & the rolls were so good... I DEFINITELY will be coming back!!!

    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.

    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.

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    2 months ago

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

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    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

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    Sushi Kami

    Sushi Kami

    4.5
    (575 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Free WiFi

    I was visiting a friend in Escondido today and he recommended that we go to Sushi Kami and it was…read moredelicious! I had the lunch special spicy tuna, salad, rice, and miso soup and it was really good. Great sushi restaurant.

    Cute sushi spot near Phil's bbq…read more Very warm and inviting inside and I like all the booths and how spaced out they are even in the center of the restaurant. There's a lot of businesses around this area so I can see Sushi Kami being a popular spot for a go-to lunch outside of work. We came for dinner and got seated right away and it wasn't too busy at all. It was nice but still casual at the same time if that makes sense. I will say the parking was a little tight and we had to make a bit of an awkward U-turn to get to the restaurant but the lot wasn't that full so it wasn't too bad but I could see this being trickier in the daytime. I really enjoyed both the spicy tuna and salmon. I've had a lot of weird spicy tuna but this one hit just right. It's always hard to find that perfect balance between fish and spice but I really enjoyed this one. The salmon was good too. The standout was definitely the tempura we got as well. It was large and came out hot and crispy and perfect. This is the type of sushi restaurant I could take people to who don't necessarily like sushi all that much. There's lots of options on the menu including bulgogi (next time I shall try!) and really good combos for people to enjoy. Ambiance is chill but still has that fun sushi vibe with the displays of fish (and I even saw some creative fish decorating on the walls which I thought was a nice touch) Service was nice and they always refilled our waters without us having to ask. I enjoyed the food and the vibe! Would definitely come back to try more ...and brings others along too!

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    Sushi Kami
    Mmmmmm mmmmm uni!
    Mmmmmm mmmmm uni!
    Medium sashimi

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    Medium sashimi
    Genki Sushi

    Genki Sushi

    4.1
    (85 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Now known as PKI Sushi (formerly Genki Sushi) in Rancho Bernardo, this place is a solid spot for…read moresushi. Decor is the same as previous management (actually, the management hasn't changed. Only the name did ) The happy hour deals are definitely worth checking out, and the service is consistently awesome...friendly and attentive. Prices are pretty much in line with what you'd expect for sushi in the area. I love that they have a good variety of rolls, and the staff is happy to customize anything you can dream up. If you have a creative idea for a roll, they'll make it happen. The only reason I didn't give five stars is that while everything is good, it's not quite mind-blowing compared to some other spots, but still a very reliable and enjoyable sushi experience.

    Three continuous nights' dinner choice here: consistent food quality, traditional setup inside,…read moreclean and neat nothing fancy , the service depends on the waitress you got. Based on my experience, the first two nights were good, the 3rd night, got really impatient waitress, I asked her about the dish on the tv, her cold tone and her impatient face implied that I did something wrong .... The four stars go to the chef's great job on the hamachi/ salmon collars, outside crispy inside juicy, maintained freshness , I can have it every night :) the Agidashi tofu is authentic, great seasoned and lightly fried. The blue fin toro is silky and fatty ^.^ the tempura was ok good, shrimp not that fresh, and the coating was too thick for me. The cucumber salad is simple and refreshing, if you like vinaigrette taste, you will like it. The Seattle roll was not my favorite, somehow the texture and taste do not please my taste bud, acceptable . The last, I would recommend the owner to put single dinner a little far from the noise bar area, sometime the noise level can trigger my watch noise alert. Overall, this is one of my most favorite Japanese restaurants in this area. Not sure if they are working on changing the names, I would vote on the previous name Genki sushi -- matches the whole atmosphere, comfy food.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Lunch Box
    Lunch Box
    Front of Genki (formally Akai Hana)

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    Front of Genki (formally Akai Hana)
    RB Sushi

    RB Sushi

    3.8
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Not bad for the suburbs in north county inland SD!…read more I used to go to the Hillcrest location (RIP) back in the day when they had an AYCE model. This is the last RB Sushi location (located in RB, fittingly) and I'm glad to say that the quality is excellent with great portions. The value is good; there isn't AYCE but it's still worth it for what you get. The dining room is clean and modern and extra spacious with a HUGE fan. Definitely a comfortable spot to bring the family. Lots of ample parking located inside a strip mall near the 15 freeway. Will def be back!

    I ordered through Postmates for pickup, and the app clearly listed spicy mayo as a free add-on…read more When I arrived to pick up my order, I was told it would actually cost an additional $0.50. I showed the employee that the app indicated it was included at no charge, but I was told they couldn't honor it. He said he even called the owner, who also refused to make an exception. This review isn't about the $0.50. It's about how the situation was handled. If a business's own ordering platform displays something incorrectly, the customer shouldn't be expected to pay for that mistake. Instead of resolving a simple issue, the response was essentially, "too bad." For the sake of fifty cents' worth of spicy mayo, they lost a customer. Good customer service means taking ownership of problems, even when they're small. Unfortunately, that wasn't the experience I had, and I won't be returning.

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    RB Sushi
    Poke Bowl
    Poke Bowl
    Eel (Unagi) Handroll

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    Eel (Unagi) Handroll
    Akita Japanese Restaurant

    Akita Japanese Restaurant

    4.3
    (522 reviews)
    6.6 mi
    $$

    We came for lunch on a Saturday afternoon, and it was a great choice. The ambiance was relaxed and…read morepretty quiet, and the staff were fast and attentive, and very helpful answering our questions about the menu. We got the garlic edamame, which was a nice and generous appetizers to split for 2-3 people. We also got the dragon roll, spicy tuna roll (which was ACTUALLY spicy), and the salmon avocado rolls, as well as the salmon nigiri. All of the food was delicious and very reasonably priced, and worth the trip. Additionally, a huge thank you and kudos to the staff for being so kind and warm about our excitement watching the World Cup matches that we're playing while we were eating. They were very sweet and understanding, and didn't rush us at all, which made it much more enjoyable to take our time and savour the food and the game. Overall this is a great spot to grab sushi and enjoy some quality time with friends or family, and I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a good Japanese and sushi restaurant!

    We have ordered delivery from this overrated place before, so I figured maybe dining in would…read morechange my mind. Nope. Big mistake. It was Sunday night and we were driving back to Escondido from Anaheim. GPS says they close at 9:30 PM. We roll in at exactly 9:05 PM. Place still had customers inside, open tables, and two hostesses literally started walking us to a table. The male host said, "Last call is in 10 minutes." Cool. I jokingly ask, "For alcohol?" because I wanted TWO damn sushi rolls, not a 12-course feast. He says with a smile, "No. Last call for food and everything else." Okay... easy day. We already knew exactly what we wanted. Simple order. In and out. No biggy. Then came the look. You know the look. The "damn it, I want to go home, why did customers show up during business hours?" look from management and the sushi chefs. Next thing you know, manager says we cannot be served. Wait... what happened to "last call in 10 minutes?" Suddenly now it is, "You missed last call at 9:00 PM." It was 9:06 PM. So your establishment closes at 9:30 PM... but actually closes at 9:00 PM... but also has a last call in 10 minutes... but also refuses service? Got it. Crystal clear. Listen, if y'all want to leave at 9:00, then change the damn hours to 9:00. Do not advertise 9:30 and have people driving 70 miles just to get hit with attitude and false hope. So we walked out and went somewhere else. Being turned away wasn't the problem. The problem was being treated like customers showing up during YOUR posted business hours was somehow our fault. Change your damn hours to 9:00 pm then. Do better!

    Photos
    Akita Japanese Restaurant
    Spicy tuna cut roll and salmon avacado cut roll
    Spicy tuna cut roll and salmon avacado cut roll
    Ribeye steak Teriyaki

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    Ribeye steak Teriyaki
    Sushi Roka Bar & Grill

    Sushi Roka Bar & Grill

    4.2
    (156 reviews)
    5.9 mi
    Discounts available
    Outdoor seating

    I come here at least once a week for happy hour Monday - Wednesday. This is my go to for sushi and…read moreamazing deals. I enjoy getting sushi, alcohol, and miscellaneous appetizers here. Out of everything, my favorite is the ability for this place to stay consistent and that all food is tasty and flavorful while having a huge menu. I really enjoy the spicy mayo here. The servers are always so nice and paying is through their toast little handheld device. Parking spots are plentiful, but a little small in size. This place is god for big parties and I love coming here when there is a game because the multiple tvs are typically basketball/baseball/football. I highly recommend coming here!

    Since we moved to Ramona, we've been driving to Poway a lot and seeing so many spots we want to…read moretry. This is one that kept popping up for us, and finally, we got to stop in. The staff are very friendly and greet you immediately, except for the sushi chef, who is very stern and does not engage. We came at opening, and the place was empty, for a Saturday, I found that strange. We were told to choose any seat we wanted. Service was quick and very attentive. The menu has a little of everything, but it definitely caters more to the American palate than the Japanese. We ordered Spicy Cucumbers and Shishito Peppers as starters. Both were good. They actually tasted really good when you ate them together. For our mains, we ordered Unagi sashimi style, the honey roll, and the Roka roll. To be brutally honest, I rate sushi restaurants based on their Unagi. For me, it has to be cut very traditionally and served the same. This Unagi did not meet my standards, and yet, it was very tasty and fresh. It was a good surprise. The Honey Roll was very fresh and tasty, except for the lemon on top. The pith was not removed, and it gave it a bitter aftertaste. When we removed the lemon, it was very good. I did not like the Roka Roll, but my daughter really enjoyed it. It was missing something, in my opinion. The portions are generous, so you can fill up with just a few selections. This was just not to my palate. We asked for hot tea, and they brought us a coffee mug with a tea bag and hot water. As I said, more American than Japanese in style. The worst part for me was the ladies' room. I doubt they can do much about this, but there is such a strong sewer smell in there that it is overpowering and really hard to use the bathroom.

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    Sushi Roka Bar & Grill
    Sushi Roka Bar & Grill
    Lobster Roll

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    Lobster Roll

    Hakumaru - japanese - Updated July 2026

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