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This was my very first omakase experience, and I'm really glad I gave it a try. The restaurant has a great atmosphere, the staff were welcoming, and the chef was professional and friendly. Everything felt well organized, and the quality of the service was excellent. As for the food, I realized that omakase may simply not be my personal preference. Some pieces had flavors and textures that were unfamiliar to me, so there were a few courses I didn't enjoy as much. Since this was my first omakase, I don't really have anything to compare it with. Overall, I'm happy I experienced it, and I can appreciate the craftsmanship and quality behind the meal.
"A Safe Omakase" Ichifuji offers an excellent introduction to traditional sushi omakase. For my experience, we reserved the omakase set for the winter season. The setting was cozy and quiet, being seated at the 10 seat sushi bar. The chefs were warm and inviting as we enjoyed conversation over Japan, sushi, and life in San Diego. As for the sushi, the fish was superbly treated, high quality, and delicate in flavor. The omakase was mostly nigiri mixed with several dishes that featured seasonal ingredients. Specifically for the winter set, there was snow crab and fattier white fishes. The meal definitely reminded me of being in Tokyo having dinner at a tucked away sushi bar. While the quality was great, I do admit that I was hoping for more risks with the omakase. There were some standout pieces with the seared otoro, seared kinmedai, and blackthroat seaperch, but otherwise it was the same set of whitefish nigiri you'd see at every omakase. And even with the preparation of the pieces themselves, it was the standard torched or simple soy on top. One thing I will give big props for is the unique black sesame creme brulee dessert at the end (no more matcha ice cream pls). Overall this was a great experience and definitely worthy of a try for someone new to omakase or looking for a friendly sushi bar in town. The price was pretty good value compared to other places like Tadokoro and there were 17 dishes in total. Favorite bite: Seared Kinmedai nigiri (melts!)
Had a fantastic experience for our anniversary dinner. The ambiance is top-notch with the way they designed the space with distinct sections for the sushi bar, patio, entry way, bathrooms - it feels very private and intimate. We had the winter omakase menu and from beginning to end, the flavor, quality, and presentation were wonderful. I loved the delicate and flavor of the baked fish. The chawanmushi was so fresh and umami. The red snapper nigiri - amazing. Had 2 types of uni - San Diego uni and Hokkaido uni. The San Diego was mild and sweet, and the Hokkaido was stronger and super creamy. I think it's the best uni I've had ever. Even my husband who normally hates uni said it was good. The service was truly fantastic and our chef was so fun and conversational. We had a great time chatting with the other 2 couples as well. You could tell they enjoyed talking to their guests unlike some sushi chefs feel like they only initiate conversation because it is expected. I wish there was a little more food as I was still a little hungry at the end. Maybe an extra hand roll or something filling at the very end. I know there was the option to add in something a-la-carte but they didn't explicitly asked if we wanted anything extra and by the time I was thinking about asking, the dessert was served. I felt like flavor-wise it would be weird to eat dessert and then go back to sushi, so I just abandoned that thought. If you complete each of their 4 seasonal menus within a year, they give you a special gift from Japan. Based on our experience, we would like to come back for sure.
We had the best experience. The Chefs were very knowledgeable and kind. The food was fresh and delicious. We will definitely come back again. I was nice and full when we left. The place was very nice and cozy. It was a wonderful experience. Don't forget to buy your Chef a drink. (:
We made a Saturday night reservation here for their fall seasonal omakase. Definitely one of the best omakase places in SD. We love Ichifuji and come here regularly. The chefs are so nice and friendly and really make the experience enjoyable. The staff is also fantastic and helpful. They do a good job of making the meal and event feel special. We always look forward to our seasonal visit and are always so impressed by the unique selection of fish. Definitely add this on your list for a great omakase and be sure to reserve the bar for the full experience! I've been to most of the classic omakase spots (Soichi, Tadokoro) and the new spots (Kinme, Maru) in San Diego but after coming here, stopped going elsewhere! Without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego!
This Omakase. Beautiful. Elegant. Yum. It's Ichifuji. A haiku for you to prepare your stomach, senses, and camera for this delicious and filling, multi-course, fine dining meal reflecting the fresh seafood catches and ripe ingredients of the season. At Ichifuji, you'll be taken on a culinary adventure while sipping on some of the most crisp and refreshing sake you've had. First and foremost, you will need a reservation! For larger parties, you may have the option to reserve the private patio and for smaller parties, you may be able to be seated in the main room with the chefs. Head to their website to make the reservation which may require an upfront down payment to secure your spot. Once you've arrived to this small private lot which seems to be located in a middle of nowhere, you can make your way into the restaurant where the staff will welcome and seat you. As we were seated, we were given menus simply highlighting their omakase (chef's choice) options and their extensive array of sakes. The multi-course meal options only differed in the number of courses which also reflected the types of items you'll be served. As a first timer, we preferred to go with the biggest offering to enjoy the full extent of the menu. The sake menu detailed out the different sakes including their origins and taste profiles. As a relatively uninformed consumer, it was great to read through the menu and listen to the staff describe the options. Before making our selection, we were able to get a sampling of the ones we were considering. Once the order was in, they placed the sake bottles on ice to keep them chilled and started dinner service. Each round of food that came out was carefully crafted into beautifully plated masterpieces full of color and texture and was accompanied by a quick introduction by the staff of its ingredients and suggested method of consumption. We had a good mix of bite sized seafood delicacies, plates of fresh, raw sashimi and nigiri as well as cooked items like soup, grilled salmon, and fried bites. The most impressionable dish to me was for certain the nearly live shrimp head that was still wriggling and to be soon fried and consumed in a separate dish. Everything was stimulating to the eyes and the tastebuds. The staff were great at immersing us in the dining experience and kept the dinner service flowing. At the end of the meal, they brought out the chefs so we were able to personally thank them for the meal and also capture a photo with the entire party. The whole meal took about two hours in total and it was a pleasant, memorable evening. Overall, Ichifuji is a special place reserved for those unique occasions and given that their menus rotate every season (every quarter), you'll want to consider celebrating those special events throughout the year and experience the full year of seasons (they have a stamp card that is redeemable for a gift if you've visited every season). The omakase is extravagant with its extent of ingredients and amazing presentation. For sake drinkers, you'll be dining lavishly while sipping their variety of imported rice wine. The meal is, of course, on the higher price point but it is totally worth it if you've never had an omakase before or looking to expand past your dining norms. Make a reservation, come see and taste for yourself and perhaps you may also be inspired to write your own haiku (maybe after a nap from the food coma)!
An unforgettable evening filled with echoing laughter among new friends and the sound of clinking glasses to celebrate life's bounty. From start to finish, each course was prepared and delivered with the upmost care, certain to prompt grinning wide-eyed exchanges across the table to express obvious satisfaction. Each seasonal selection carried light, savory intensity. Even the versatile cuts of fish were paired perfectly with sauces ranging from soy, ponzu, yuzu or ginger profiles. The lively camaraderie from chef to guest created an atmosphere full of shared experiences, laughter and at one point, "happy" tears. Le pièce de résistance came at the end of our evening when the entire staff contributed to delivering a very special proposal. Ichifuji is now an embedded fabric in our story, and it's an experience I'd gladly relive over and over again if our new friends will honor us again in the future. Ichifuji Ichiban!
This place was hard to find, tucked in a tiny lot between two large plazas, it resembled more of a hole in the wall establishment from the outside. Going in, you're transported to an intimate omakase sushi bar in Japan. The chef's are good friends from Osaka that decided to open this restaurant together after some time working together, and I'm so glad they did! The entire meal was expertly prepared with some of the freshest fish I've tasted - which makes sense given how close the place is to the ocean! We had live San Diego sweet shrimp prepared right in front of us (my fave dish of the night), and one of the liveliest omakase experience I've had. Every dish and nigiri was delicious, and I was able to taste some unique San Diego seafood. I can't wait to come back to try next season's menu, as they rotate every season to highlight that season's best ingredients.
My boyfriend and I were in town for his birthday, so I brought him to Ichifuji, which Yelp and elsewhere on the internet highly recommended. The reservation was very easy to make -- just keep in mind that they require you to make a deposit of $50 per person. Location/parking: The restaurant can be a little hard to find -- it's located in a small lot in between two bigger lots. It's located right next to a Vietnamese restaurant, Mien Trung Restaurant, which is easier to see from the street. Food: There were two menu options available -- the Spring menu (available only from March to May), and the nigiri course. The Spring menu was priced at $160 (only $20 more than the nigiri course, with several more courses), so we opted for that one. The array of food was astounding -- we had everything from tempura to chawanmushi to sushi and sashimi. The quality and delicacy of each bite was apparent, and some of our favorites included the uni and ikura rice bowl (served with uni from San Diego and Hokkaido) and the amaebi sashimi served alongside its still-moving head (...to be honest, not sure how I felt about that -- I wasn't expecting it to move so it scared me at first. Then I just started feeling bad for the shrimp. I guess no one can question its freshness, though.) Service: The overall service was accommodating and friendly. The server kindly gave us the option to sample three different kinds of sake before making our selection, and the sushi chefs came by our table at the end of the meal to take a commemorative photograph. However, we did note that the pacing of the meal was a little off. In between some courses, we waited five minutes, and others, ten or more. I think if we had made a reservation for the sushi bar, it would have been a better experience, as the waitstaff and chefs seem to prioritize those seated at the bar. We ended up staying at Ichifuji for around two and a half hours, but if the pacing had been better, it's possible that we could have finished in around one and a half or two. Food was great, so we're open to coming back -- but we'll probably opt for the sushi bar seating next time.
Tucked away spot. We got a reservation for patio and were the only 2 people out there so it was a private experience. However, next time I would definitely sit inside by the bar as it seemed quite lively with the chefs interacting with diners, drinking sake, etc. the two chefs were very gracious and came to say hi to my sister and I right before the dessert course. They took a photo with us that was printed out and placed in a plastic frame for me to take home. It was a really nice touch! I think it was because we mentioned we were there for a very belated bday celebration. The chefs were very friendly and I could tell it would be fun to interact with them at the bar. As for the food, it was a nice variety of different dishes. I particularly enjoyed the first course of appetizers, sashimi and steamed fish. I was not a huge fan of the sweet potato ice cream as it was bit too starchy for me but props for the creativity. Also I didn't love the seaweed salad but again found it to be a nice creative dish as I'd never had seaweed salad prepared the way it was here. I think it would be fun to go back since the menu changes seasonally. The patio was a bit noisier since it had street traffic noise and since it was rainy, it was a bit cooler though they did adjust the heat for us. The standout experience was the hospitality - I don't think I've had chefs take a picture with me before and it was quite thoughtful to send us home with the picture as well as some of the more creative twists on the omakase courses.
Perk of going to an early dinner on a Thursday evening is you get the whole restaurant to yourself! Chef presented a wonderful seasonal omakase filled with traditional and personal recipes from his hometown. I love the stamp card, can't wait to return for the summer menu. Here are a few pics.
My FAVORITEEEEE sushi restaurant in San Diego, in CA, and maybe even the entire country! We went to celebrate my friend's birthday but honestly, I could find any excuse to splurge here if I had the chance. This is the third time I've gone to Ichifuji and it never fails to amaze! Chef Ichi and Chef Fuji literally are the best at making you feel like you've been friends for decades when you come into Ichifuji. As always, the sushi quality is to die for. The hospitality from the Chefs and the servers remain unmatched. The vibe and energy inside the sushi bar is so fun - I love how everyone eating at the sushi bar talks to each other like we're all old friends even though we've never met each other. We got the nigiri omakase and it leaves me so full each time. We kept saying that each plate/serving/sushi was our favorite after eating it and I could not prevent myself from audibly going "mmmm mm mmmmmm" because of how good it was. It even made Chef Ichi laugh. Their sake selections are always so good. They go out of their way to source from small local sake distilleries in Japan. If you want theee most authentic omakase experience, you HAVE to dine in at the sushi bar [max 4 people per party]. I've yet to go to Japan myself but the first time I posted a picture of my husband and I when we first dined at Ichifuji back in May 2024, my friends immediately DM'd me and assumed that I was Japan haha. My friends and I are trying to fill up our Ichifuji passport by going during all four seasons for the special secret gift. We have stamps on the Summer and Winter omakases so far and just need to go during Spring and Fall next year to complete it.
Came here to catch up our belated anniversary celebration and we had wonderful time!! The restaurant is very cozy and the chef was very friendly and everything was very very delicious!! They gave us a picture of us at the end of the dinner. The food was very unique compared to other omakase we have been to and the price was so so reasonable. I would love to come back for other season omakase! I highly highly recommend for sushi lovers!!
**5:30pm Omakase seating with Nigiri** My dear friend and I came here for dinner on Monday night to enjoy Ichifuji's summer menu. Everything was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. All of the fish is high-quality, and most of it is imported from Japan. They do also source fantastic shrimp and uni from San Diego at times. Both sushi chefs are super personable, very skilled, and they have rad knife skills! Service from the waitstaff was attentive yet unobtrusive. The restaurant is diminutive and consists primarily of the sushi bar with 10 seats and an attached patio dining area. They do have a small parking lot which is appreciated! The pacing was just right, and each course was presented simply yet beautifully. I truly enjoyed this experience and give it my highest possible accolades! I loved that we were able to taste test three different sakes before choosing, and the carafe of sake was perfect for two of us to enjoy with our meal. It was also fun to choose our own special sake cup/glass from Ichifuji's eclectic collection for the evening I truly enjoyed all of the 19!! courses but the chilled chawanmushi, king salmon & all the nigiri were my favorites. When you come to Ichifuji, know that you are getting a very authentic Japanese dining experience. This is the real deal! Another fun thing that Ichifuji does is they give you a punchcard, and once you've tried all four seasonal menus, you will receive a special gift from Japan. Arigato gozaimasu! read more
[Food] Spring Omakase $165pp - Appetizers: 4 dishes consisting 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. read more
Originally, I sought out Michelin star restaurants in the SD area but they didn't have a lot of glowing 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. read more
18 days ago
This was my very first omakase experience, and I'm really glad I gave it a try. The restaurant has a great atmosphere, the staff were welcoming, and the chef was professional and friendly. Everything felt well organized, and the quality of the service was excellent. As for the food, I realized that omakase may simply not be my personal preference. Some pieces had flavors and textures that were unfamiliar to me, so there were a few courses I didn't enjoy as much. Since this was my first omakase, I don't really have anything to compare it with. Overall, I'm happy I experienced it, and I can appreciate the craftsmanship and quality behind the meal. read more
"A Safe Omakase" Ichifuji offers an excellent introduction to traditional sushi omakase. For my experience, we reserved the omakase set for the winter season. The setting was cozy and quiet, being seated at the 10 seat sushi bar. The chefs were warm and inviting as we enjoyed conversation over Japan, sushi, and life in San Diego. As for the sushi, the fish was superbly treated, high quality, and delicate in flavor. The omakase was mostly nigiri mixed with several dishes that featured seasonal ingredients. Specifically for the winter set, there was snow crab and fattier white fishes. The meal definitely reminded me of being in Tokyo having dinner at a tucked away sushi bar. While the quality was great, I do admit that I was hoping for more risks with the omakase. There were some standout pieces with the seared otoro, seared kinmedai, and blackthroat seaperch, but otherwise it was the same set of whitefish nigiri you'd see at every omakase. And even with the preparation of the pieces themselves, it was the standard torched or simple soy on top. One thing I will give big props for is the unique black sesame creme brulee dessert at the end (no more matcha ice cream pls). Overall this was a great experience and definitely worthy of a try for someone new to omakase or looking for a friendly sushi bar in town. The price was pretty good value compared to other places like Tadokoro and there were 17 dishes in total. Favorite bite: Seared Kinmedai nigiri (melts!) read more
Had a fantastic experience for our anniversary dinner. The ambiance is top-notch with the way they designed the space with distinct sections for the sushi bar, patio, entry way, bathrooms - it feels very private and intimate. We had the winter omakase menu and from beginning to end, the flavor, quality, and presentation were wonderful. I loved the delicate and flavor of the baked fish. The chawanmushi was so fresh and umami. The red snapper nigiri - amazing. Had 2 types of uni - San Diego uni and Hokkaido uni. The San Diego was mild and sweet, and the Hokkaido was stronger and super creamy. I think it's the best uni I've had ever. Even my husband who normally hates uni said it was good. The service was truly fantastic and our chef was so fun and conversational. We had a great time chatting with the other 2 couples as well. You could tell they enjoyed talking to their guests unlike some sushi chefs feel like they only initiate conversation because it is expected. I wish there was a little more food as I was still a little hungry at the end. Maybe an extra hand roll or something filling at the very end. I know there was the option to add in something a-la-carte but they didn't explicitly asked if we wanted anything extra and by the time I was thinking about asking, the dessert was served. I felt like flavor-wise it would be weird to eat dessert and then go back to sushi, so I just abandoned that thought. If you complete each of their 4 seasonal menus within a year, they give you a special gift from Japan. Based on our experience, we would like to come back for sure. read more
1 month ago
We had the best experience. The Chefs were very knowledgeable and kind. The food was fresh and delicious. We will definitely come back again. I was nice and full when we left. The place was very nice and cozy. It was a wonderful experience. Don't forget to buy your Chef a drink. (: read more
9 months ago
We made a Saturday night reservation here for their fall seasonal omakase. Definitely one of the best omakase places in SD. We love Ichifuji and come here regularly. The chefs are so nice and friendly and really make the experience enjoyable. The staff is also fantastic and helpful. They do a good job of making the meal and event feel special. We always look forward to our seasonal visit and are always so impressed by the unique selection of fish. Definitely add this on your list for a great omakase and be sure to reserve the bar for the full experience! I've been to most of the classic omakase spots (Soichi, Tadokoro) and the new spots (Kinme, Maru) in San Diego but after coming here, stopped going elsewhere! Without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego! read more
9 months ago
This Omakase. Beautiful. Elegant. Yum. It's Ichifuji. A haiku for you to prepare your stomach, senses, and camera for this delicious and filling, multi-course, fine dining meal reflecting the fresh seafood catches and ripe ingredients of the season. At Ichifuji, you'll be taken on a culinary adventure while sipping on some of the most crisp and refreshing sake you've had. First and foremost, you will need a reservation! For larger parties, you may have the option to reserve the private patio and for smaller parties, you may be able to be seated in the main room with the chefs. Head to their website to make the reservation which may require an upfront down payment to secure your spot. Once you've arrived to this small private lot which seems to be located in a middle of nowhere, you can make your way into the restaurant where the staff will welcome and seat you. As we were seated, we were given menus simply highlighting their omakase (chef's choice) options and their extensive array of sakes. The multi-course meal options only differed in the number of courses which also reflected the types of items you'll be served. As a first timer, we preferred to go with the biggest offering to enjoy the full extent of the menu. The sake menu detailed out the different sakes including their origins and taste profiles. As a relatively uninformed consumer, it was great to read through the menu and listen to the staff describe the options. Before making our selection, we were able to get a sampling of the ones we were considering. Once the order was in, they placed the sake bottles on ice to keep them chilled and started dinner service. Each round of food that came out was carefully crafted into beautifully plated masterpieces full of color and texture and was accompanied by a quick introduction by the staff of its ingredients and suggested method of consumption. We had a good mix of bite sized seafood delicacies, plates of fresh, raw sashimi and nigiri as well as cooked items like soup, grilled salmon, and fried bites. The most impressionable dish to me was for certain the nearly live shrimp head that was still wriggling and to be soon fried and consumed in a separate dish. Everything was stimulating to the eyes and the tastebuds. The staff were great at immersing us in the dining experience and kept the dinner service flowing. At the end of the meal, they brought out the chefs so we were able to personally thank them for the meal and also capture a photo with the entire party. The whole meal took about two hours in total and it was a pleasant, memorable evening. Overall, Ichifuji is a special place reserved for those unique occasions and given that their menus rotate every season (every quarter), you'll want to consider celebrating those special events throughout the year and experience the full year of seasons (they have a stamp card that is redeemable for a gift if you've visited every season). The omakase is extravagant with its extent of ingredients and amazing presentation. For sake drinkers, you'll be dining lavishly while sipping their variety of imported rice wine. The meal is, of course, on the higher price point but it is totally worth it if you've never had an omakase before or looking to expand past your dining norms. Make a reservation, come see and taste for yourself and perhaps you may also be inspired to write your own haiku (maybe after a nap from the food coma)! read more
An unforgettable evening filled with echoing laughter among new friends and the sound of clinking glasses to celebrate life's bounty. From start to finish, each course was prepared and delivered with the upmost care, certain to prompt grinning wide-eyed exchanges across the table to express obvious satisfaction. Each seasonal selection carried light, savory intensity. Even the versatile cuts of fish were paired perfectly with sauces ranging from soy, ponzu, yuzu or ginger profiles. The lively camaraderie from chef to guest created an atmosphere full of shared experiences, laughter and at one point, "happy" tears. Le pièce de résistance came at the end of our evening when the entire staff contributed to delivering a very special proposal. Ichifuji is now an embedded fabric in our story, and it's an experience I'd gladly relive over and over again if our new friends will honor us again in the future. Ichifuji Ichiban! read more
16 days ago
This place was hard to find, tucked in a tiny lot between two large plazas, it resembled more of a hole in the wall establishment from the outside. Going in, you're transported to an intimate omakase sushi bar in Japan. The chef's are good friends from Osaka that decided to open this restaurant together after some time working together, and I'm so glad they did! The entire meal was expertly prepared with some of the freshest fish I've tasted - which makes sense given how close the place is to the ocean! We had live San Diego sweet shrimp prepared right in front of us (my fave dish of the night), and one of the liveliest omakase experience I've had. Every dish and nigiri was delicious, and I was able to taste some unique San Diego seafood. I can't wait to come back to try next season's menu, as they rotate every season to highlight that season's best ingredients. read more
1 year ago
My boyfriend and I were in town for his birthday, so I brought him to Ichifuji, which Yelp and elsewhere on the internet highly recommended. The reservation was very easy to make -- just keep in mind that they require you to make a deposit of $50 per person. Location/parking: The restaurant can be a little hard to find -- it's located in a small lot in between two bigger lots. It's located right next to a Vietnamese restaurant, Mien Trung Restaurant, which is easier to see from the street. Food: There were two menu options available -- the Spring menu (available only from March to May), and the nigiri course. The Spring menu was priced at $160 (only $20 more than the nigiri course, with several more courses), so we opted for that one. The array of food was astounding -- we had everything from tempura to chawanmushi to sushi and sashimi. The quality and delicacy of each bite was apparent, and some of our favorites included the uni and ikura rice bowl (served with uni from San Diego and Hokkaido) and the amaebi sashimi served alongside its still-moving head (...to be honest, not sure how I felt about that -- I wasn't expecting it to move so it scared me at first. Then I just started feeling bad for the shrimp. I guess no one can question its freshness, though.) Service: The overall service was accommodating and friendly. The server kindly gave us the option to sample three different kinds of sake before making our selection, and the sushi chefs came by our table at the end of the meal to take a commemorative photograph. However, we did note that the pacing of the meal was a little off. In between some courses, we waited five minutes, and others, ten or more. I think if we had made a reservation for the sushi bar, it would have been a better experience, as the waitstaff and chefs seem to prioritize those seated at the bar. We ended up staying at Ichifuji for around two and a half hours, but if the pacing had been better, it's possible that we could have finished in around one and a half or two. Food was great, so we're open to coming back -- but we'll probably opt for the sushi bar seating next time. read more
Tucked away spot. We got a reservation for patio and were the only 2 people out there so it was a private experience. However, next time I would definitely sit inside by the bar as it seemed quite lively with the chefs interacting with diners, drinking sake, etc. the two chefs were very gracious and came to say hi to my sister and I right before the dessert course. They took a photo with us that was printed out and placed in a plastic frame for me to take home. It was a really nice touch! I think it was because we mentioned we were there for a very belated bday celebration. The chefs were very friendly and I could tell it would be fun to interact with them at the bar. As for the food, it was a nice variety of different dishes. I particularly enjoyed the first course of appetizers, sashimi and steamed fish. I was not a huge fan of the sweet potato ice cream as it was bit too starchy for me but props for the creativity. Also I didn't love the seaweed salad but again found it to be a nice creative dish as I'd never had seaweed salad prepared the way it was here. I think it would be fun to go back since the menu changes seasonally. The patio was a bit noisier since it had street traffic noise and since it was rainy, it was a bit cooler though they did adjust the heat for us. The standout experience was the hospitality - I don't think I've had chefs take a picture with me before and it was quite thoughtful to send us home with the picture as well as some of the more creative twists on the omakase courses. read more
1 year ago
Perk of going to an early dinner on a Thursday evening is you get the whole restaurant to yourself! Chef presented a wonderful seasonal omakase filled with traditional and personal recipes from his hometown. I love the stamp card, can't wait to return for the summer menu. Here are a few pics. read more
8 months ago
My FAVORITEEEEE sushi restaurant in San Diego, in CA, and maybe even the entire country! We went to celebrate my friend's birthday but honestly, I could find any excuse to splurge here if I had the chance. This is the third time I've gone to Ichifuji and it never fails to amaze! Chef Ichi and Chef Fuji literally are the best at making you feel like you've been friends for decades when you come into Ichifuji. As always, the sushi quality is to die for. The hospitality from the Chefs and the servers remain unmatched. The vibe and energy inside the sushi bar is so fun - I love how everyone eating at the sushi bar talks to each other like we're all old friends even though we've never met each other. We got the nigiri omakase and it leaves me so full each time. We kept saying that each plate/serving/sushi was our favorite after eating it and I could not prevent myself from audibly going "mmmm mm mmmmmm" because of how good it was. It even made Chef Ichi laugh. Their sake selections are always so good. They go out of their way to source from small local sake distilleries in Japan. If you want theee most authentic omakase experience, you HAVE to dine in at the sushi bar [max 4 people per party]. I've yet to go to Japan myself but the first time I posted a picture of my husband and I when we first dined at Ichifuji back in May 2024, my friends immediately DM'd me and assumed that I was Japan haha. My friends and I are trying to fill up our Ichifuji passport by going during all four seasons for the special secret gift. We have stamps on the Summer and Winter omakases so far and just need to go during Spring and Fall next year to complete it. read more
Came here to catch up our belated anniversary celebration and we had wonderful time!! The restaurant is very cozy and the chef was very friendly and everything was very very delicious!! They gave us a picture of us at the end of the dinner. The food was very unique compared to other omakase we have been to and the price was so so reasonable. I would love to come back for other season omakase! I highly highly recommend for sushi lovers!! read more
10 months ago
What a wonderful experience we had at Ichifuji! From the moment we walked in, the staff were so warm and welcoming, striking that perfect balance of friendly and refined. Every dish was incredibly fresh and beautifully prepared. We loved how the head chef asked when we'd last been to Japan, sparking a fun conversation with his guests about our travels and favorite spots. We also loved getting to choose our own sake cups, and the presentation of one of the sakes -- in a stunning glass decanter -- absolutely delighted me! It's the little details like that that make Ichifuji memorable. Overall, a fantastic experience from start to finish! Ambiance: 9/10 Food: 9/10 Service: 10/10 Cost: 9/10 read more
I had just gotten promoted at my current job and I was really craving sushi. Our normal sushi spot, Ju-Ichi, changed their hours and they were closed on Wednesdays now so we were scrambling looking for a similar sushi spot and that's how we found Ichifuji with its 4.9 stars. Ichifuji took the place of the old Sushi Diner, for which we were regulars when my husband used to live in Linda Vista. It was a trip coming into a completely reimagined omakase restaurant, but it was so worth it! First of all, we told them we were coming with our two children, 5 years old and 3 months, and we planned to sit in the patio because of our family situation. We came in at 6pm and they normally only do indoor seating at 5pm and 730pm. However, they said they were willing to to make an exception for us and they accommodated us inside because it was an unusually slow day. We were so glad they did because we had the best experience with Chefs Masa and Hiro. It was so good our daughter Phoebe said she wanted to come back every day. She doesn't normally eat seafood but she asked to try to uni to our surprise and she loved it! We have tried many omakase spots in San Diego but this has instantly become our favorite. Incredible food, service and ambiance. We can talk about every single dish we had, but honestly everyone needs to try for themselves. 5 stars highly recommend and we will definitely be back! read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
I made a 5PM reservation to celebrate my partner's birthday in April, and we both enjoyed everything about our omakase and first-time experience here. There's a little parking lot for Ichifuji, but we missed our turn-in and parked down the block and on the street instead. We were the first ones in for bar seating, and the rest of the bar folks didn't roll in until about 15-30 minutes after, so we were ahead of everyone else in eating through the omokase menu--even when taking our time to eat. We interacted a lot with the chefs and with everyone around the bar, and appreciated our group's interactions with one another and to ourselves. We especially appreciated the chefs' and staffs' friendliness, attentiveness, and the very frequent cheers for everyone around the bar for all the reasons why we all had omakase that evening. My partner even got a picture with the chefs--and from the chefs--as a birthday gift :) (If you want a less interactive meal or would rather keep to yourself or the company of your party, then opt for table seating / patio seating instead. You'll still be served the same delicious meal!) We opted for the seasonal omakase (spring menu). All of the dishes were beautifully presented, and the seafood tasted clean and fresh with the additions that the chefs bring to each dish. Staff is able to give you recommendations for sake and pairings, and even allow you to taste three different ones before you select. The kinme was my favorite of the nigiri that was served, and I also loved the freshly prepped ama ebi and its fried head. Watching the chefs do their craft in front of us was a treat in itself. Ichifuji offers a stamp card of some sort: if you eat there once during each season, which allows you to eat what is in season when their menus change to fit the season's offerings, you get... something! I'm not sure what, but this place is more of a special treat / celebratory for us so we might not visit once during each season. Ichifuji definitely deserves more patronage, so please keep them in mind for a nice dinner of high quality food and fish! read more
This is a very intimate sushi bar environment, where the two owners of the place are your chefs! They have decades of experience, and have authentic Japanese backgrounds. I did think a lot of their nigiris were creative with good combinations of flavors. The fish was fresh. My favorite was the live sweet shrimp And the Uni. They had some unique items that aren't found usually other places, including the savory custard. They l also have a rotating seasonal menu, which was a nice experience. They even personalized our experience with a photo because of our special occasion. I loved mostly the personal touch of this place and the generous portions for Omakase! I was stuffed afterwards! read more
1 year ago
Had a wonderful birthday dinner for my mom here. Definitely one of the better value omakase spots at $160. Every course was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Good mix of local SD and Japan seafood. I really appreciate that their menu is seasonal; it keeps things exciting and fresh, and I love the little stamp card they give you to collect each season. Such a fun touch with a special treat once you complete it! Service was friendly and attentive throughout, and parking was easy, which is always a plus. They even took a photo with us to celebrate my mom's birthday and gave us a printed copy in a little frame! We sat on the patio, which was nice for privacy and conversation, but I have to knock off a star because it does take away from the full omakase experience. The ambiance out there isn't quite as engaging or warm, and it feels a bit detached from the action happening inside. If you're going, I'd definitely recommend requesting indoor seating to get the most out of it! read more
1 year ago
Delicious food, my favorite omakase experience so far. The service was amazing, it was fun to talk to the sushi chef and he explained everything we ate in detail. Every piece of sushi was delicious and I left full. Highly recommend trying the sake here as well. Clean and comfortable seating at the bar too. read more
9 months ago
What is the difference between the meal at Ichifuji vs cocaine? Ichifuji is legal eating !!! This place is as the young kids would say "the vibe" - stop reading ... just eat !!! Omakase for life ... You know what's up ... great time, great chefs and fun spot !! Love this place ... come all 4 seasons for the ... vibe read more
7 months ago
My second omakase and this one was amazing! The chefs were wonderful and the servers were so attentive, it was definitely a luxurious experience. The food tasted so fresh and I enjoyed everything. It felt like I was back in Japan. Compared to most prices this one was the most affordable. Would come back again! read more
Went here to celebrate an anniversary and we were definitely not disappointed! We made a reservation for dinner on a Thursday at 7:45pm. You have to make the reservation via Tock where there is a $50 deposit per person. You are refunded the deposit once you show up to your reservation. There is a private parking lot with a good amount of spots. There are two chefs and seats for ten people at the sushi bar. There is seating at the patio as well. There are two options on the menu, the seasonal omakase for $160 and the nigiri course for $140. There is also an extensive sake list, where they let you taste test a few before picking one. We chose the seasonal (fall) omakase. Everything was so fresh and flavorful. You start with a plate of appetizers (oyster was my favorite) and then a plate of sashimi. They actually save the shrimp head as they deep fry it later as another dish (it was actually one of my favorites of the night!). Next you are served a series of nigiri, which were all delicious. A couple of my favorites were the Hokkaido uni and fatty tuna. There were also some other side dishes served in between the nigiri, the sunomono salad with octopus being a highlight for me. For dessert they served a sweet potato ice cream which was so good! It was like mashed potatoes and ice cream in one. Service was great! The chefs were very friendly and conversational. At the end of the meal, since we were celebrating an anniversary they took a photo of us with the chefs and printed it out for us. It was a great surprise! Overall we had an amazing experience at Ichifuji. Definitely one of the most interactive omakases we've been to. There were so many delicious dishes, we were stuffed by the end of the meal. I would definitely recommend a try here and I can't wait to go back as the chefs change up the menu every season. read more
Ichifuji!!! Thank you for such a fantastic birthday meal! My bf reserved us a couple seats here to celebrate my birthday and wow we were so impressed! It was seriously the perfect meal curated by the chefs here at Ichifuji. Chef Ichikawa served up each dish with a smile! He shared with us that he and his partner Chef Fujita worked endlessly to create the beautiful interior and were so happy to finally see it fully operational. It was nice getting to chat with them and learn about our meal. We had the summer seasonal menu and look forward to trying their others as well! We loved it so much we recommended it to our friends who went the following week and loved it just as much. I look forward to our next trip back and will be thinking about it until then!! read more
Came to celebrate Valentine's Day weekend at Ichifuji and had the best time! Reservations can be made through Tock and I'd recommend being seated at the bar for the best experience. Keep in mind you may be seated a little later if the groups before you aren't finished dining. We had a reservation for 7:30PM and didn't get seated until about 7:45PM. Sake (5/5): I love that they ask what type of sake you like and provide 3 samples before you commit to a bottle! You also get to pick out your own sake glass. Seasonal Omakase (5/5): I would recommend the $160 seasonal omakase over the $140 nigiri omakase as it includes a sashimi platter. Everything was so fresh and flavorful! Overall I would highly recommend Ichifuji, I haven't had such a satisfying omakase experience in awhile. The pacing was good, conversation with chefs was entertaining, and customer service was excellent. I hope to come back to try a different seasonal menu. read more
10 months ago
10 months ago
Really disappointed for the service, not take customer feedback seriously, I hope the quality of their service matches their level of food. read more
5 months ago
The boyfriend and I visited here to celebrate his birthday! We are avid sushi lovers however it was our first time trying Omakase! We had such a good time and the food was amazing! The quality was so great and the presentation was also beautiful as well. Service here is one of a kind! The chefs are so kind and they really know how to make it feel like home. They have different menus based on the season so you won't always expect to get the same thing if you visit a different time! I believe they can only serve 10 people per reservation so it is a small and intimate dining experience. 11/10 if I could rate it! read more
5 months ago
5 months ago
1 year ago
Ambiance is relaxing and warm. Chef is welcoming and try to have a conversation. Food is good too! read more
My daughter and her husband gave me this visit for my 79th birthday. It was a great experience. The chef at my request put less rice on my sushi because I feared I would not be able to eat a portion meant for a younger adult. This turned out to be a good decision! I left pleasantly full. The sushi itself was the best I've ever had, including experiences on four trips to Japan. The chef explained the ingredients for each one. I'd not had several of the fish species but all were delicious. Japanese barracuda, for example. The yelpers have done a terrific job of posting pictures of the colorful presentations. We sat at a table with four parties, with each chef handling 5-6 people. The meal included cold sake; the chef offered samples to choose from. The menu is just two levels of omakase, which means the chef chooses everything depending on the ingredients he has available. The sushi is interleaved with other dishes such as a soup. The meal began with an appetizer trio and ended with a dessert. The uni (sea urchin) was presented as a hand roll which I found a bit awkward. This was my first experience with omakase. If you have never tried it, be prepared for a different experience than a regular sushi bar. There is no little bowl of soy sauce with wasabi because (a) that was never a good idea in the first place and (b) the chef is giving you the exact taste he wants. I was reminded of a long-ago experience at a German restaurant in San Francisco with a little placard on the table explaining that there was nothing like salt, pepper, or mustard on the table because "we already seasoned everything properly in the kitchen". The photo I posted was taken by the staff and presented to me as a memento. Happy times. read more
6 months ago
The most insane dining experience I have ever had oh my gosh!! I highly highly recommend this place it's worth the money it's worth the time it's amazing! The chefs are so funny and amazing at what they do, trust the completely! I cannot wait to come back here this was amazing and definitely worth the splurge!! read more
5 months ago
Our first omakase experience and we had a wonderful time! The uni was the best I ever had and the nigiri fish was so fresh and buttery and sweet. Favorites were the golden eye snapper and chawanmushi. The cherry on top: We came for our anniversary and they surprised us with a framed photo keepsake. So thoughtful! The two chef-owners work both seatings together nightly and are amazing. Passionate and knowledgeable about their menu and great conversationalists. Dinner was well paced and service was attentive but not intrusive. Hidden gem among all the big omakase names in SD. They have four seasonal menus and I can't wait to come back and bring friends. read more
2 years ago
My first true omakase experience (aside from Nobu) and it was nothing short of amazing. My friends treated me here for dinner and we did the 8 course Fall menu, which honestly was like 16 courses because they end up giving you palette cleaners and dessert and what not. (We also did the sake pairing, which was great, and I love that you can pick your own shot glass!) From beginning to end, this dining experience was amazing. The two chefs are so sweet, lively and love what they do -- you could see it and even taste it with the food they present. I had never tried uni (sea urchin) until this night and I was a huge fan. There were two different types also: one was from Japan and the other was more local, but I can't remember. Prior to me tasting it, I remember one of the chefs referring to uni as "sea peanut butter," and after tasting it, that was the most accurate description ever. Not taste wise, per se, but more so texture. I just recall loving everything I ate. Everything was melting in my mouth and I was truly in heaven. You have to make reservations because they only seat probably up to 10 people at a time, and there is a time limit in order to seat the next group of people. It's a very small and intimate experience, which makes it that much more special. You really get to speak to the chefs. I loved every moment of it. PS: I have way more photos of food, but Yelp only allows up to 10. So know that you'll actually get pretty full by the end of the meal. read more
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More info about Ichifuji
7530 Mesa College Dr
Ste B
San Diego, CA 92111
Clairemont
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(858) 565-1179
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http://www.ichifujisushi.com
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Ask the Community - Ichifuji
Hi. I know this is short notice but wondering if you have any opening for 2. (Date Night). Found out the kids are attending a dance competition which doesn't include parents. I would really love to try your restaurant. Any possibility?
Call them.
Can the chefs accommodate a shellfish allergy (more specifically crab/shrimp/lobster really)?
Yes. We can accommodate you. Please tell the chef when you come to the restaurant. Thank you.
Where can I find the menu it's not on their website?
Hi. Tera. There are 2 courses on the menu. They are $160 and $140. The $160 course comes with…
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Ichifuji - sushi - Updated August 2026
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