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 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

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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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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Hubby and I did a lunch time omakase. The food was delicious which you would expect no less for the price/past reviews. The bill came to $400 after everything which is okay but we found out they accidentally charged us $80 more when the bank posted the transaction. Manager did work with us to refund and seemed very apologetic but just found this to be a bit of a bummer (we typically don't keep receipts and luckily did not throw this one away immediately). read more

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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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

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

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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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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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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This is our favorite restaurant in California! Fresh sushi. Delicious. Friendly. Love it.

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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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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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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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

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

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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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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Just randomly strolled in here today for lunch and it was phenomenal. I had the full portion omakase. Each dish was executed with flawless precision. Started off with the Spiny Lobster Miso soup and 15 courses later, ended with a nice tiramisu. Chef Mitsu was awe inspiring to watch. The attention to detail was amazing. It's a little pricy, but it was worth every penny. I would definitely come back in a heartbeat. Lunch was $355 with the auto gratuity. Be prepared to spend a little bit of change here, but also be prepared to be completely satisfied. read more

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Ordered the tokusen chirashi with ikura and the tuna heaven. We also got the sashimi sampler and Japanese scallop sashimi from the handwritten specials board. The food was amazing. I can't emphasize enough how fresh the fish and scallops were. Each order comes with miso soup and a spinach salad with a Japanese vinaigrette, which was surprisingly good. We were originally supposed to sit outside but were seated inside. It was a cozy little garden-style setup. Service was great. It's a bit on the expensive side, but definitely worth it as a once-in-a-while splurge. read more

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really fresh fish!! loved the service and really vibes. theres a small parking lot w free parking too which is clutch for the trenches of la jolla. lunch deal sushi dons are a steal for the amt you get and comes with miso soup and spinach salad too. would recommend. i love the corn puree in the scallops too read more

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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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Came here for a solo lunch 12:45 on a Friday, and was able to be seated at the bar immediately after they confirmed my reservation. The staff greeted me warmly and my waitress was super friendly, and the sushi chefs also checked in periodically to ask how I was doing/if I was enjoying the food. I really liked the bar seating because I could watch the preparation of the food--so precise and intentional, making it such a pleasant lunch experience. I ordered the chirashi bowl and the hotate (scallop) nigiri which was on the specials menu. The chirashi was excellent with well sized slices of fresh fish, shisho, and yummy sushi rice, and the scallop was buttery and slightly sweet, with the yuzu and the flaky salt bringing out the clean flavor of the shellfish. There's a tiny parking lot and street parking around the restaurant. Would love to be back in the future to try other options on the menu. read more

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A fantastic sushi spot with delicious sushi, an almost entirely gluten free menu (including homemade tamari and numerous fried/tempura options), and friendly and attentive staff! We came here for a date night and it absolutely did not disappoint, we can't wait to go back for another special occasion. Their outdoor patio was very cozy, and we're excited to try the sushi bar area next time. The fish was so fresh and there were lots of unique options. If you are a sushi fan, and especially if you need gluten free options, you absolutely must try Himitsu! read more

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I found Himitsu on Yelp and decided to try it based on the reviews, and I'm so glad I did. I eat sushi and omakase frequently in NYC, so my bar is fairly high. I was impressed by the quality of the fish, the thoughtful preparation, and the way the chef was able to convey so much flavor through such simple, fresh ingredients. Beyond the food, the experience really stood out because of the staff. Everyone was incredibly kind, welcoming, and attentive, which made the meal feel relaxed and special at the same time. I loved my experience at Himitsu and wouldn't hesitate to return the next time I'm in San Diego. Arigatou gozaimasu! read more

Great food, amazing service and an ambiance that cannot be topped!!! Even though it's in the heart of La Jolla it feels like a little getaway. Such a cute and perfect location for a lunch or dinner date! I cannot wait to come back for my next celebration!!! read more

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A great neighborhood sushi spot in La Jolla! This is a restaurant that is a little hard to find as it's in a small shopping plaza with an even smaller parking lot; however, the quality of the fish and service did not lack. I went for lunch on a weekday and I made a reservation on OpenTable ahead of time. I found this restaurant from the Michelin Guide list of restaurants, so I had high expectations. I would highly suggest to make a reservation ahead of time because the restaurant became packed as soon as it opened. I was seated in their covered outdoor patio and it was a very comfortable experience. For the food, I ordered the treasure bowl and a negitoro handroll and the other member in my party ordered a selection of nigiri. The first thing I noticed was how crispy the nori was and it had a great crunch factor when I bit into it. The rice was also well seasoned and had a slight sweetness to it. I was quite surprised by the sheer size of the Chirashi bowl for the price (they even included uni in it!). The nigiri was also well formed and the perfect size. Also, little to no soy sauce was needed for the nigiri as it was pre-seasoned. The service was exceptional and my waitress had an extensive knowledge of Japanese cuisine. I don't think I had to even ask to have my water refilled once. If I return in the future I would definitely opt to sit at the sushi counter seating and select an omakase option. Overall, I was thoroughly surprised by this restaurant and I could definitely see this restaurant doing well in San Francisco or New York City. I hope San Diego continues to add more restaurants like this one to their food scene as it is much needed! read more

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This gem is located in La Jolla nestled in a nice and cozy cottage setting. I sat at the bar, seated by Koke and got to converse with chef Mickey. Both were very knowledgable, attentive and funny. All the nigiri and ribeye sando was mouthwatering. ⁣ ⁣ I got the following: ⁣  ⁣ Wagyu with uni⁣ Wagyu ⁣ Scallop⁣ Halibut⁣ Yellowtail ⁣ Salmon⁣ Amberjack ⁣ Seared otoro⁣ Ribeye sando⁣ ⁣ If you're ever in La Jolla and want some yummy nigiri, this is the spot to try. read more

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My second time here and both times were amazing! I went here this past Sunday for their new Sunday special dinner; which is limited seating at the bar with a unique tasting menu prepared and served by Himitsu himself. So many favorites, I wish I remembered all the names of everything we tried but take my word for it! If you are a sushi lover and haven't tried this place, you must at it to your list! Depending on the night parking can be difficult, there's a small parking lot, so just account for that. Supringly there was plenty of parking on Sunday when we went! They are going to continue a monthly Sunday special service if you we were looking for a special and unique sushi date night! read more

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Not sure how this place has gotten anything less than 5 stars because we were definitely WOWed by everything- the food, the vibes, the SERVICE! My husband and I actually canceled our reservations to Nobu to celebrate our anniversary here instead and we left with no regrets! We did the omakase and went through about 6 courses and loved everything that was brought out to us. Our server, Kouki, was the best. He was attentive and very knowledgeable when it came to our food. Highly recommend asking for his table. The manager, or maybe owner, even came to our table a couple of times to check on us. All in all, we will definitely be back. I highly recommend doing the omakase because the surprise element makes for a very cool dining experience! read more

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Came here before over 1-2 years ago and really liked everything. They had a lot of daily specials that were standouts to me. This time however, feels like the quality has declined. Many of the nigiri's we got was more chewy than normal and most of them had uneven cuts and the sashimi platter didn't stand out much either. A lot of their advertised "specials" were already on their regular menu and the special pieces that I ordered because it was recommended to me, were not unique and tasted like normal bland cooked white fish. For the price, I'm a little disappointed with the quality. We also got salmon skin roll but there was a lot of salmon attached to the skin. Some people may like that but it was not what we were expecting to get. It felt like eating a normal cooked salmon roll. While we thought the food was mid, the service was excellent. Overall I would say this is a solid restaurant but the quality definitely didn't meet our expectations this time and will not be back anytime soon read more

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This was fire. Honeymoon oyster was an insane experience, honestly even better than Daigo's hamachi shots which I deemed spiritual. The nigiri was great though I don't think I came into this with the stomach for the whole set. Service was so spectacular that the customer next to me asked if I was famous/a food critic/knew the owner because the chefs and servers were incredibly attentive LOL read more

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I had high expectations and boy was right! The sushi was melt in your mouth delicious!! We had the Big Belly sashimi plate with melt in your mouth delicious toro, hamachi belly and salmon belly. Then we asked for a 2 piece set of the chef's choice and was served snapper and scallop nigiri. The hamachi kama is a favorite and went well with the sake. Lastly, we had Isaki that was prepared fisherman's style, wrapped with a shiso leaf that added brightness. For dessert the black sesame ice cream was rich and refreshing!! Can't wait to return to this gem! read more

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A fantastic sushi restaurant owned/run by a master sushi chef. The kind of place other sushi chefs go for inspiration. Fantastic ambience and traditional, unimpeachably superb Japanese service, this place is the real deal. Not sure when I'll be able to return to San Diego, but I'm certain that I'll be here when I do. read more

Celebrated my birthday here after hearing Himitsu is one of the top sushi spots in the area from a close friend who lives locally. Just coming back from a holiday trip to Japan it's very tough to have such high expectations on sushi and raw seafood but I am more than pleased to report that Himitsu lived up to the hype! I highly recommend sitting inside if possible for a better overall cultural experience, even if you aren't opting in for the omakase. Being close to the sushi chefs and watching how they prepare the rolls and fresh fish is always a delight, plus gives them a great opportunity to interact with you and the overall sushi bar staff is worth meeting during your dinner. I believe it was Josiah that was mainly serving us and he was incredible friendly and knowledgeable about the menu despite being one of the newer/younger sushi chefs. The main chef, Mitsu, was also there and was mostly tending to those who ordered the Omakase, but still made time to talk to us as well. We also learned that the restaurant is named after greeting the chef: "Hi, Mitsu!" as well as the translation to "secret" from Japanese. My favorite roll was the Himitsu Sumaki which was pretty much all my top favorite kinds of fish in one roll (toro, salmon belly, yellowtail belly). So good! We ordered a BUNCH of things off of the specials menu on the blackboard, but some of my favorites included the Honeymoon Oyster, Hokkaido Scallop, and Aburi Toro (seared Toro). Love their menu and staff enough to want to continue coming back whenever I am looking for excellent sushi with an authentic Japanese feel in La Jolla! read more

Such a cool vibe! Outdoor seating is nice and where we sat but they also have a sushi bar for omakase. We did table service and it was great! Everything was fresh and even my vegan sister had options and they made her a custom vegan roll which she loved. Amazing service made this experience the best! read more

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Epic service and brilliant food. Wonderful ambiance. The food was SO fresh. A true joy. read more

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