Came here for lunch. Got the chirashi (my go-to for wanting fish variety + filling rice for cheaper than individual nigiri... just build it in muh mouth!) which was fantastic. Wife got a buncha safe salmon nigiri and the hamachi toastadas -- everything was super tasty. Attentive service and cute decor inside, what's not to like? read more

I can't give them a 5, but that might just be because I haven't tried most of their sushi items. I love this place! Bar seating is amazing and the chef talks with you, makes recommendations and it's just a wonderful experience. I did mostly hot dishes and they were good. I would make a reservation for the bar and I'd skip the miso soup, but otherwise probably the most satisfying meal I've had in San Diego so far. Scallop appetizer: this would be the dish I ask for as my last meal 10/10 perfection! Miso soup: 7/10 not a lot of tofu or wakabe Tempura crab: 7/10 with the lemon and salt addition is 9/10 Blu fin nigiri: 8/10 I've had better at one other place in San Diego so I can't say it's the best but it is good Yellow tail nigiri:10/10 I cannot say enough good things about this Wagyu nigiri: 8/10 flavorful but just not my jam read more

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I am not sure why people rave about this place I have been to many sushi restaurants but this place is not special Sushi quality is fair but over priced. Staff are pretentious The sushi chef does not care much for the service quality other than their customers who sits at the sushi bar which was surprising to me Pls spend your money elsewhere read more

Great place. We had to make a reservation in advance and still we only got a table at 8:15pm. Place is super busy. Service was super friendly and attentive. And they are extremely fast, you get your food right away. Ambience is very low key, pleasant, mostly outdoor dining under the cover. The menu is pretty decent. We had spicy edamame which was excellent. Miso soup also excellent. They unfortunately didn't have any mocktails. We had 2 orders of tostadas which we absolutely loved. After one order of tostadas we realized we needed more food and got a second order. YTS sashimi was excellent. We also had California roll that unfortunately we didn't find very good, even though it had a real crab. Tuna roll was excellent as well. Overall amazing experience with excellent food. read more

Himitsu - Sashimi and sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

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We had an incredible dining experience. Every dish we ordered was fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. The shishito peppers were the perfect start to the meal, and the hamachi tostadas were a standout! Crispy, fresh, and bursting with flavor in every bite. The hamachi jalapeño and salmon jalapeño dishes were equally impressive, offering the perfect balance of freshness, spice, and texture. We also enjoyed the Honeymoon oysters and Shikoku oysters, both of which were incredibly fresh and showcased the quality of the seafood. The miso black cod was absolutely delicious! It was buttery, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The hamachi kama was another highlight, tender and rich with incredible flavor that made it one of our favorite dishes of the night. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and absolutely delicious. The cucumber wrap and matsu rolls were just ok to me. The only downside was the price as it was a tad high, but that's somewhat expected given the location in La Jolla and the quality of the ingredients. Parking was also a bit difficult to find, so plan accordingly. Even with those minor inconveniences, the food and overall experience made it well worth the visit. read more

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Food was on point, service was friendly and knowledgeable. Must try! Chefs were comical. Can't wait to come back. read more

Himitsu - Next level chefs! Non-stop hustle and we're happy to do it. - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

Came here on a date and let's just say the food stood out a lot more than the date himself LOL The sauvignon blanc was a nice pairing, a little more on the acidic side, and the fish quality was great as well! I think the yuzu on the hotate overpowered the natural sweetness of the scallop and the sinew on the chutoro was a bit tough to chew, but everything else was great! Not pictured was the spicy tuna hand roll (spicier than I anticipated, but nonetheless yummy!) read more

Himitsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

Superb omakase experience with great quality fish and vibes. Nothing truly beats having smooth, buttery fish on a dinner night. Out of the dishes I got -- hon maguro nigiri, ika with shiso nigiri, iwashi nigiri, nodoguro nigiri, zuke nigiri, himitsu roll, and himitsu sushi -- my favorite was surprisingly the ika with shiso nigiri. The ika was fresh and the shiso gave that sweet and delicate notes that did not disappoint. Although this was my favorite, all the other nigiris were also amazing as expected from a quality omakase place. Service was quick and friendly. Our server checked on us quite often. Chef mitsu also consistently made sure that we were enjoying the food and experience. The chef also gave his opinions on various fish and gave background to what fish he likes to select and suggest. Honestly, there was nothing better than hearing from a chef who loves his art and craft. read more

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I WAS CAT FISHED. Had the Torro sushi and sashimi which were priced appropriately for La Jolla But I was 1000% short changed on the Ribeye Katsu sando. See their photos what I saw online vs what I got. It will make you laugh at me as my wife did when I got back to the hotel room. All the pictures I found before ordering were 3 pieces sometimes 4 solid pieces. I paid $18 for 2 tiny hand sandwiches that to their credit were awesome but just didn't make sense for such a small amount of ribeye on what could be wonder bread ended up being $18 Take out adds 15% tip umm okay? 6 pieces of sushi 1 child size sampler of ribeye $105 Idk La Jolla was great. This one stung getting back to hotel with. read more

Himitsu - $18 Rib-Eye Katsu Sando - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Good spot for a sushi in La Jolla. Its strange but I feel like san diego needs more sushi spots. There are a few really good ones. There are a lot of bad ones. This is a newer sushi spot located in a small strip mall in La Jolla. I managed to score a late night reservation on a wednesday. The place was still pretty packed. That being said the restaurant itself is pretty small. Service was pretty fast. The menu is pretty simple, just a single two sided page. You have an assortment of appetizers, rolls, nigiri and sashimi. They also have a selection of specials. We ordered a selection of nigiri (wanted to keep it simple). The fish was good quality and fresh. The rice was a bit more dry then I expected. Overall, this place does a good job of filling the niche for above average sushi in San Diego. read more

My husband discovered this gem about three years ago, surprising me with a birthday lunch that's since become one of our favorite traditions. We've practically built date nights around Himitsu ever since. While reservations are a must, they're absolutely worth planning ahead for. One of the things we love most is that every visit becomes a chance to try something new. We're adventurous eaters, so nothing on the menu is off-limits, and we've never left disappointed. On one memorable visit, we ordered the Daily Bento Box, the Tasha Roll, and the Himitsu Sumaki Roll. While the Sumaki Roll leaned more subtle in flavor, the quality of the fish spoke for itself. The Bento Box was a collection of beautifully prepared bites, fresh salads, and perfectly cooked fish that showcased the kitchen's attention to detail. Oddly enough, one of the biggest standouts that day was the rice. It had a wonderful texture, a natural off-white color, and tasted remarkably fresh--as though it came from a small producer who truly cares about quality. Whether that's true or not, I can't say, but it's those little details that make Himitsu feel special. The food is consistently exceptional, but the service deserves just as much praise. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what they do. You can feel that this isn't just a job--it's a craft they take pride in sharing with every guest. Most recently, I brought my sisters here while they were visiting me in San Diego for a much-needed sister date. We ordered the Karaage Rice Bowl, the Himitsu Bowl, and the chef's recommended sushi (three pieces each). We were so excited to dig in that we forgot to take a picture until after we'd already eaten one piece--that probably tells you everything you need to know. The sushi was, without exaggeration, phenomenal. To quote one of my sisters: "Seriously... the best sushi I have ever had... ever." High praise from someone who's eaten plenty of sushi, and honestly, I couldn't disagree. After years of visits, Himitsu continues to deliver the same outstanding quality, creativity, and hospitality. Restaurants this consistently excellent are incredibly rare. Himitsu is an absolute gem, and every visit reminds us why we keep coming back. We already can't wait for our next culinary adventure. read more

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They are normally closed on Sundays, but on some Sundays they are open for a special omakase only. It's usually the last Sunday of the month but recently they've been experimenting with 2 Sundays a month. Check on Instagram or call and ask. Reservations for the omakase are almost a must as they start and end at a certain time and limited to 10 people. We started with a pumpkin soup which was very creamy. There were a few unique dishes and preparations. I liked the lobster sashimi which I haven't seen at other omakase experiences. I of course liked the nodoguro and kinmedai. But what surprised me was the ika which I normal don't like was torched and gave it a better more firm texture. I also liked the unagi. It was much smaller but I had not had it torched to that extent before. So good. I also liked the Wagyu that was slow braised with the chipotle sauce. It was quite a unique blend of Japanese and local flavors. There were a lot of servers so a lot of attention was paid to the few diners around the sushi bar. The restaurant is basically closed except for the omakase. A sign out front says closed for private event. Himitsu provides quality fresh sushi under normal business hours. Their special omakase was no different. read more

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Our first time here. Top notch sushi spot. My fiancé took me for my birthday and we were blown away! From being greeted at the front, to the warm towels, attentive servers and sushi chefs at the sushi bar, the FOOD, to the birthday dessert and until we left it was very pleasant! Thank you to all the staff for making our dining experience memorable. We will definitely be coming back! read more

Himitsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

Went here today for lunch for my birthday. First time trying Himitsu but seeing it on social media, I really had to give it a try so wife and I stopped by this afternoon. It did not disappoint. Food: Had various dishes which included the sando, miso cod, hand rolls, kaarage...the list goes on and EVERYTHING was delicious. A++ Service: They automatically charge a 20% gratuity but even with that, the service was deserving and they did not lack on attention whatsoever. They even gave us a free bday ice cream for my bday lunch. A++ Ambiance: Loved the look and feel of Himitsu. If say this is now one of my too 5 sushi spots in San Diego after giving it a go. A+ Thanks again for making my bday lunch so delicious. We WILL be back for sure! read more

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Starting off the new year with a bang! Found Himitsu on Youtube on the Gareth Eats channel, check him out for recos in San Diego (& southern Cali) and it did not disappoint. Himitsu catapults into the #1 sushi spot in SD for me! Although this place is a little more expensive than other sushi joints, the quality of the food is undeniable. The service was also really great and everyone was friendly. Loved that they provide a basket for your bags so they're not on the floor or hanging on your chair. The place itself is small so make sure to grab a reservation. We got seated on the outside patio, cute decor, super clean. They also had outdoor seating near the small parking lot. The lunch and dinner was a bit different & we opted for options on the lunch menu (dined around 12 and could order from both menus). Their sandwich board of specials were actually brought to us so we can see the options. Ordered the Nigiri Paradise [$39] & it did not disappoint. Came w/10 1 pc nigiris and everything on that plate was soooo fresh. The toro, tuna & yellowtail were all melt in your mouth goodness. Their motto is "no soy sauce" and definitely did not use any throughout the whole meal. Also got a bite of their Matsu Roll [$24] which was really good too. The thing about Himitsu is that they focus on the fish and nothing else. With that being said, the sushi roll was light on the rice and heavy on the fish. Loved thaaat! Typically, we're so full of rice we don't enjoy the fish enough, but it's opposite of that here. We also got the Buri (one of their specials) which is a winter yellowtail [$8.50/pc] as well as the Hokkaido Scallop [$8/pc] w/yuzu salt. Both were delish! So manyyy good things to say about this. Try it out! read more

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We had high expectations given the pricing, but unfortunately the experience didn't match the cost. The quality of the fish was good (not excellent), but that's only part of the dining experience. We waited about 10 minutes before our server even acknowledged our table. The biggest issue was finding a fish bone in one of the sushi pieces. We brought it to the staff's attention, but nothing was done, not even an apology or an offer to replace the item. We have sushi regularly, so we know what to expect at different price points. At this level, we expect excellent service, careful preparation, and excellent fish quality. While the fish itself was fresh enough (again not excellent), the overall experience fell well short of what the restaurant charges. There are other sushi restaurants that provide both outstanding quality and service for the same price. Unfortunately, this isn't a place we're motivated to return to. read more

Always high-quality sushi. The fish is fresh, everything tastes great, and the quality is consistently good.

Ridiculously pricey for such tiny portions. The food tasted fine, but nothing extraordinary, certainly not what I would expect at this price point. read more

We were able to book a reservation easily on Open Table for a party of 2 for lunch. Treasure Bowl: loved the uni, octopus, and salmon in the bowl. Tokusen Chirashi: well balanced and fresh, the scallops and uni was the most memorable parts of the dish Each bowl is Hokkaido Scallop (not pictured): so light and buttery, melt in your mouth goodness The staff were welcoming, pleasant, and had great recommendations on the menu. My friend and I were celebrating our friendship anniversary and our waitress brought out a scoop of matcha ice cream! We sat outside where there were a bunch of small tables on a covered patio and staff is able to pull down the windows to protect from what looks like rain/sun. There is a small parking lot that is shared with other businesses and ample street parking. read more

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Let me just start by saying a must try is their tostadas- albacore, hamachi and salmon. Chef's kiss! These are the perfect bite with a flavor explosion. The snow crab tempura is also incredible. They have the freshest nigiri in town and they even made me a salmon skin hand roll lover. The restaurant is small so reserve early since there aren't a lot of tables. Even their desserts are the perfect light sweet bite. 10/10 read more

Came here to celebrate a friends birthday and it was my first time here. It's in a cute location in a small complex next to some other small shops. The decor is a vibe. Very aesthetically pleasing. You can even hear the birdies chirp. Our server was Michelle. SUPERRRR NICE and informative. We opted for the secret Nigiri which was a great portion for me. Came with I believe 10 pieces. Miso and salad. Only $55! Great quality fish and presentation. Also real wasabi! read more

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Well, this was perhaps the best sushi of my life. Fell in love with a sweet early March local uni, sweet and flavorful scallops, and so many other things (everything with some fattiness was downright buttery ). It was an honor sitting at the counter watching the chef expertly cut the fish while chatting with us at the same time. The wait staff was also so welcoming and lovely. So special we had to come back a few days later, and we will certainly be back the next time we're in SD. read more

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Himitsu : "C," with a final score of 60%, meaning "Mediocre. Not coming back, but not yet angry." Executive summary: good vibes, but mediocre food and poor value makes me question how Himitsu made it to the "Michelin recommended" status, and in my books, "not recommended." ------------------------------- Before the restaurant review, I created a new rating system. Of course there is always subjectivity in reviews, but taking inspiration from Car & Driver head-to-head car reviews, I'm hoping a more systematic way of analyzing different restaurants can help lessen subjectivity. The final grade will be determined by a weighted score of 3 factors - food (70%), vibe & decor (20%), service (10%). The scores will be added, then multiplied by a "value" factor that can improve or reduce the score by up to 20%. See photo for elaboration. Himitsu, I first tried about two years ago, and had a fairly good experience. So on my wife's birthday, who's actually out of town, I decided to celebrate it anyway, but without her. I got a 5:45pm reservation, and excitedly told my daughter "let's go to good Japanese!" Note to self: never set high expectations! The restaurant has very limited inside seating. About is inside, in a "covered tent" and another on the "patio" (err...sidewalk?) beside the parking lot. Despite sitting on the patio, the weather Gods cooperated and it felt quite comfortable. A cheerful waitress greeted us, and shared the "tonight's specials." Nothing popped out, and I was quite happy about the standard menu, most dishes served in small plates, allowing us to go for variety. We ended up starting with 6, and I figured we'd continue to order as we ate, depending on how we felt. Ribeye katsu sando (B ) : This was the meal highlight. Beef was tender, juicy, and nicely seasoned. The breading wasn't as crispy as desired, but understandable since it was in between two slices of soft white bread. The ginger dressing was a little too tangy, overpowering the beef, but the weakest link was the cold au jus. Dipping the sandwich meant it became cold and soggy. So I only dipped once because I'm a fast learner. "Today's special" soft shell crab roll (C ) : The weakest dish of the night. I originally ordered the "regular" soft shell crab roll from the menu, but the waitress mentioned they had "fresh crab" off the special menu, and I simply said "sure." In hindsight, I should have asked about the price but I never would have expected it to be double! The worst part, it didn't taste anything special. The lettuce conflicted with the crab that didn't taste particularly fresh, and it really didn't taste much better than something from a Japanese supermarket. Salmon hand roll (B ) : I didn't try this, but my daughter says it deserved a "B". Anago (eel) nigiri (B ) : This was quite nice, very light seasoning, reminiscent of how they're served in Japan. The good, I could taste the sweetness of the eel. The bad, the eel wasn't fatty enough, so given the quality of the eel, the North American style with a little more char and more sauce would have improved the dish. Salmon belly nigiri (C+ ) : It was a generous slice of salmon belly, but not enough marbling and rather tasteless. Ebi (shrimp) nigiri (C ) : The shrimp was overcooked and rather tasteless. My original intent was to keep ordering, but even my daughter, especially after eating the soft shell crab roll, said "nah, the quality is not there." I asked about desserts but they sounded all French based, like creme brulee, and ultimately, nothing appealing. So we stopped, and asked for the bill. At $122 for the quality and amount of food served, especially $39 for the soft shell crab roll, plus the auto 20% gratuity, the value certainly wasn't there. Finally score: "C" at 60% or "Mediocre. Not coming back, but not yet angry." Food: C+ (65%) Vibe: B (70%) Service: B (70%) Weighted total: 45.5 (Food) + 14 (Vibe) + 7 (Service) = 66.5 Value factor: "Not worth it" so reduced score by 10% for a final score of 60% (rounded). read more

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Got to try himitsu at a house dinner experience and the chef and staff, Julia and Miko, were all so beyond sweet and absolute professionals. The overall service and presentation were impressive. Though a special experience, the staff made the dinner feel cozy yet elevated. read more

It was good quality sushi for La Jolla but it didnt taste exceptionally different from other sushi restaurants nearby. The staff was friendly and was accommodating, they sat us quick even though we didn't have reservations. They have an automatic 20% service fee added onto the check. read more

Himitsu - Matsu roll, spice + spicy roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

Tried to visit for lunch and the place was EMPTY. The hostess refused to seat us even though their reservations were over an hour out. They'd rather have empty tables than paying customers. Every month, 10 new sushi businesses open in San Diego that are on par or better than this place. Maybe they don't need my business or your business either. read more

Really fresh sushi. Very knowledgeable staff. Great options for celiac. They have GF soy sauce and ponzu sauce. Almost the whole menu is GF. read more

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The fish here was very good and very fresh. It was so smooth. You can taste the authenticity here. Would I say it's the best sushi restaurant in San Diego, no. But it's pretty good. My few complaints would be, they could expand their menu a bit. The portion sizes are pretty small. The sashimi peppers could've had more flavor. The parking lot was full but granted it was a Saturday night. The service was decent. The ambiance was nice. read more

Himitsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

This sushi was probably the best sushi I've ever had in San Diego! Everything was so fresh and buttery. Our server was so nice and understanding. I would recommend splitting the bowls and a few pieces of nigiri on the side. Perfect for a weekday lunch! read more

Best sushi in San Diego! This is definitely a special occasion place, but the staff is so friendly and attentive and the quality of the fish speaks for itself. I did à la carte nigiri but the omakase and chef specials looked incredible! Cant have a bad bite here read more

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Ordered Tokusen chirashi bowl adding Ikura. They didn't put Uni. They thought I might not notice but I pointed it out and then they apologized and added it later. I'm not sure if it was just a mistake. It wasn't that busy at that hour and they have been doing this business for 10 years. read more

Himitsu - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

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The food is really good with decent portions, however they are a bit overpriced. I asked for an extra side of wasabi and they charged an additional $3. My total for over $55 for just one item. Additionally the lunch menu rolls are the same price as dinner which I find odd. The hostess table is set up a bit awkwardly, but I didn't mind. They have limited parking so car pool if that's an option. read more

Himitsu - Treasure Bowl (lunch) - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

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The rudest hottest ever! They had multiple Open tables and would not seat us. The hostess said they were reserved but not for now, they were reserved for an 1.5 later. Will never come back to this trash place. read more

Fresh fish! Amazing sushi chefs. I thought I knew what I wanted going into it but after going along with doing all of the specials- we had to keep ordering them all night so good! read more

My family and I celebrated my sister's birthday at Himitsu on 11/15/25. The quality of the sushi is top notch and the service from the staff was amazing. This is the second time my husband and I have dined here and the first time for the rest of our family. My personal favorites were the lobster miso soup and the Nigiri Paradise set. The vibes are immaculate when you sit at the sushi bar and can interact with the chefs which was what I experienced when I went for the first time in 2024. However, there were 5 people in our party this time around so we decided to just get an outdoor reservation to avoid hogging the sushi bar. It was super windy on the day that we went and unfortunately, the tarp was flopping around but the employees went above and beyond and found a way to contain it so we can enjoy our meal. It's in Downtown La Jolla where parking is typically far and few in between (especially on weekends) but it wasn't difficult to find a spot on the day that we went due to rains. I suggest getting there a bit earlier to find a spot if you're going on a nice sunny day. read more

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My husband and I tried their once monthly Omakase held on Sunday evenings. It did not disappoint. Ambience was intimate with seven other guests. The staff service and all cooks were friendly and got to know the customers very well. Chef Mitsu and his team's preparation was delicious and the non sushi dishes were different yet refreshing. Quality of fish was great and we always appreciate a no soy sauce sushi establishment. We were unsure of how much food the omakase would provide, but were pleasantly surprised (and full). No add ons needed for us. We will be back for sure. read more

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I went with my mom for a bday celebration since the reviews looked good and I wanted to try a new spot. The waitress was very nice but the sushi was fishy, rubbery and inedible. We had a bento box, Himitsu roll (which was fishy), the sushi lover set and the soft shell crab appetizer. The soft shell crab was the best thing there but I could not even finish half of my sushi due to how rubbery and inedible the rest of sushi was. The rice also fell apart immediately prior to picking it up with my chopsticks. I tried to just eat the sashimi without the rice to not waste food but we couldn't. The Bento box included salad that wasn't cleaned properly and included sausages and a very small amount of fish as the main course. There were also bones in a lot of the fish & eel nigiri (which I haven't experienced before) When asked how things tasted I mentioned that the sushi was rubbery and I couldn't finish the rest. She offered me to take it home which I politely declined. We were then charged a 20% service fee bundled in as a tip and this was not disclosed when we initially sat down. This was not only one of the most expensive lunches but my mom & I ended up getting sick later on that night and should have left halfway through the meal. Needless to say we will not be returning. We had hoped they would offer some sort of price break or an exchange for something else but it was such a horrible experience we just wanted to leave. Such a slimey way to do business and not disclosing a mandatory service fee. read more

Himitsu is a solid 10/10. We got super lucky and showed up right at opening with no reservation and were able to get in. We had spent the whole day at the beach, so sushi sounded perfect after being out in the sun all day--and it did not disappoint. Everything we ordered was amazing. I also loved that they offer omakase even without a reservation. You can either go all-in on the full omakase or do it piece by piece, where you order individual pieces the chef creates. Such a cool option. The service was great too--our server gave really solid recommendations and helped guide us through the menu. Only slight letdown, but also didn't really matter, was the "spicy" edamame. It was basically just regular edamame with some spicy seasoning. But honestly, since it's a more traditional spot, that's kind of what I expected anyway. We also got a rice-less roll that was absolutely unreal--easily my favorite part of the whole meal. Overall, amazing experience. Definitely coming back. read more

Best sushi I've had in San Diego, all the sashimi is super fresh and a lot is flown in from Japan.

Came here for lunch over summer and we were sat outside. The most memorable thing about our experience was the abundance of flies that were flying over our food. Although they do have table top fans to swat them away, it really hindered our experience. We got the secret omakase and the tokusen chirashi + ikura add on. The sushi quality is good and fresh. The only thing was that the fatty tuna in the chirashi was incredibly hard to chew, but maybe it was just the cut that day. The quality of food is great, just unsure if it's worth the price / would come again. No bathroom in the establishment so they direct you to use a shared bathroom in the plaza. read more

Himitsu - The Secret Omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - La Jolla, California

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