Absolutely enjoyed this restaurant! It is located in a small plaza with limited parking. We came around 9 and waited about 20 mins before we were able to get a table. We ordered drinks first. Their green tea was soooo delicious! I also enjoyed their alcohol options. Each dish is sooo delicious and definitely worth the money! A must get here is definitely the tuna carpaccio!! it's soooooo good! We ended ordering it twice. There were still a good amount of people when we finished. A lot of people catching up. Vibes were great! read more

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I appreciate that it was opened late because we were looking for something to eat at 9:30pm! The food itself wasn't anything special, but since we were craving Japanese food, it hit the spot. I got the lobster roll, but tbh it just tasted like an elevated california roll. The menu also said there was caviar but it was just masago... read more

Izakaya Masa - lobster roll, soba noodles - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

This spot was gas once again I had to double back fasholy 2nd time around & yes this is the same spot where you had to wait and put my name on the paper as everybody will too but the food is worth it!!! I ordered once again the same thing as last time which were the Spider Special Roll (Soft Shell Crab Tempura, Avocado, & Caviar). Lobster Dynamite Special Roll. (Lobster, Avocado, Caviar & Spicy Mayo W/ Green Soy Paper) Hakata Ramen (Sliced Pork 2pc, Fried Garlic, Green Onion, Dried Seaweed, And Red Ginger). Donburi (Over Rice) Salmon Teriyaki read more

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I hate to be the customer who walks in right before closing, even if it is an hour prior, but it's not aSD visit without a stop in at my favorite Izakaya. It's cozy, lively, and welcoming makes me want to eat here every night. We had come from a party where I had been too full from breakfast to eat, so we got a mini version of our usual spread. Sadly they were out of Takowasa but everything else was delightful. Service is quick and courteous and I will be back next time! read more

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How have I not been here before! This not-so-hidden gem is probably one of the best sushi spots I've been to in San Diego. My friend and I met up for dinner and put our names down at 5:15pm. We were there 15 minutes before they opened. Although, we were eighth in line, we were seated first since no one else was around. Once we were seated, our server came around and took our order for drinks and appetizer. We started with seaweed salad, fried gyoza, and tuna carpaccio. The tuna carpaccio was delicious and I loved the garlic. I wanted to order everything on the menu, but was sold on the rolls. I ordered the spicy hamachi roll and the cherry blossom roll, which was recommended by the server. Both rolls were the freshest sushi I've had in a long time. The flavors were perfect and they weren't flashy rolls. They were classic rolls that showcased the fish so well. The service was incredible, everyone was so friendly and I really enjoyed the whole experience. I can't wait to come back, especially on a colder day to try their ramen! read more

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Cute little place. There was more seating than I had initially thought. We still waited over an hour for 5 people on a Friday night but it was worth it. Got the Hakata Ramen and caterpillar roll were good! read more

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Sushi rolls were tasty and filling. They all tasted sort of similar despite ordering diverse rolls. Overall, food is great for the price and a super cute interior. The service was quick and friendly. Didn't try any of the other dishes besides rolls so can't speak to that. Lobster dynamite was my favorite, midori was very soft and cream cheese forward, rainbow roll was good, and spicy scallop was good too but not very spicy. read more

Izakaya Masa - from left to right: lobster dynamite, midori, rainbow roll - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

Get there early to make it your name on the list. Then be prepared to wait. Luckily, we got in on the first seating. The inside is very casual and a little cramped, but the flavor of the food is excellent. We had sushi, chicken, ramen, udon and curry. They were all very tasty. Service was quick and friendly. The prices are great, too. If you have time to wait - you will enjoy it. read more

Excellent food at excellent prices. A smaller restaurant with less seats. Be prepared to wait. Also a great drink selection for Japanese alcohols. read more

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Finally got to check this place out after hearing great things and was not disappointed! The service was great, our server was so kind. You put your name on a clipboard and a host will call out your name once a table is open. Came on a Sunday night and waited maybe less than 10 minutes! Smaller parking lot, but there's plenty of street parking around. Smallish restaurant inside. We sat at the bar! Loved all the cute decor inside! The food was delicious!!! Got 4 rolls, salad, appetizer, and a dessert and loved everything! We kept looking at people's plates near us and wanted to order more off the menu but we were too full! Price was very reasonable for good quality sushi! Will be coming back read more

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If you want legit Japanese Izakaya like you would find in Japan you would love Masa. Well, minus the rolls, which you would not find in Japan but even the rolls were really good. The way to eat Izakaya is to order lots of small plates to share. The agedashi tofu is as you would expect. Crispy outside and creamy inside. The steak with ponzu was one of my favorites and should not be missed. Everything was pretty solid. Those that did not like it here probably aren't familiar with genuine Izakaya and like more Americanized Japanese food. read more

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There was a long wait, but the whole family was so satisfied with everything. Food was just delicious. Tuna carpaccio: so tiny but so melt in your mouth & so garlicky. I would order this again just for myself. Forget sharing. lol. Pork Katsudon: one of the best I've had here in sd. The pork was so tender & the sauce a perfect balance of savory & sweet. My brothers & I will forever compare our favorite katsudon to our fav in Japan when we lived there & this passed. Chicken teriyaki: not usually a fan of teriyaki chicken but my mom let me taste hers & the chicken had a nice crispy texture & the sauce was really tasty & one of the better teriyaki's I've tasted. Crunchy roll: surprisingly good. It was weird that it had imitation crab instead of tempura shrimp. & most of us on the table prefer sushi with raw fish. But the whole table devoured it & ordered 3 more. Agadashi tofu: tasted as it should. One of my favorite appetizers to order when I see it on the menu. Tofu wasn't as melt in your mouth as my fav, but sauce was good. Hakata ramen: I get the rave reviews, the broth was flavorful & super garlicky. Takoyaki: wasn't a fav, sauce had a unique sour taste to it. Unadon: my daughter loved it. The eel melted in your mouth. Gyudon: tasted just as it should, my hubby enjoyed it. It can be difficult to find parking on a busy night, & the wait felt forever. But we enjoyed the food so much & would come back again. read more

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Genuinely my favorite restaurant this year. Friendly service, outstanding food, lovely interior, and imported sake at a great price. Special shoutout to Mari who's served my wife and I every time we've dined here. She's so nice and gives the best recommendations. We love to order our dishes from light to heavy and finish with the Curry Udon. It is first come first serve, so I recommend dropping someone off to write their name on the paper while someone else finds parking. read more

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"Tucked away Japanese Tavern" Tried this place for the first time with some friends. Vibes were great, it really felt like we were transported to an Izakaya in Japan. Got the ramen and curry, shared some karaage. The food was decent but turns out we are all Japanese food connoisseurs so it was slightly mid. Overall, convos were good, would be down to hang again but maybe at a different izakaya. Food 3/5, Company 5/5, Vibes 10/9. read more

Izakaya Masa - Oyakodonduri - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

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I've been here many times and they constantly deliver on solid plates for reasonable prices. We got a number of dishes that were presented well and properly seasoned. All the rolls we had were fresh and balanced. My personal favorite is their Ankimo; it's smooth and pairs well with the seaweed salad as served. The service, once seated, is pretty fast. The servers are attentive and the kitchen pumps out plates in reasonable fashion. This time around, for a party of 5, we waited about 45mins on a Sunday at opening to get seated. I recommend coming a bit earlier than opening time to write yourself down on the waitlist and get some parking as it does form a crowd. The lot where the restaurant is at is small but there's plenty of street parking. I've gotten practically immediately sat during the week and parties of 2 have better luck as they are typically sat at the bar seating. Izakaya Masa is a smaller, cozy restaurant. The music isn't too loud and I love the walls covered in illustrations of their menu items. The staff is polite and the place is very clean. I will definitely be coming back to try some more of their appetizers and non-roll dishes. read more

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They do have a list outside where you put your name down. We came a little early knowing there would be a line. I genuinely thought people were exaggerating how great this place was, especially when it came to authenticity. They were not. Not one item we ordered was bad and we ordered about 20 dishes. The ramen was the absolute winner. Best ramen I have had in San Diego. I was blown away by the broth and the noodles. The sushi was great, including the spicy tuna. Everything tasted fresh and fairly priced. You really can't beat these prices. The fried chicken and tuna carpaccio were standout appetizers. Honorable mention to the chicken katsu roll. It was insanely massive and so good. We will absolutely be back to try more appetizers and the ramen. We recently went to Japan and this ramen has been the closest we have had to what we experienced there. I didn't even take a picture of it before it was in my stomach! read more

I've lost count of how many times we've had dinner there, and each visit is just as wonderful as the last. The food is consistently incredible - seriously, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. And the team working there? Absolutely lovely! They're super efficient but also incredibly warm and welcoming, which really makes a difference. You absolutely, positively *have* to try their sushi rolls if you go. They're truly next-level good! On my most recent visit, I decided to try the Gyudon Bowl, and oh my goodness, it was such a delightful and comforting dish. So flavorful and perfectly prepared - definitely a new favorite of mine! Just a little heads-up though, finding parking in that area can sometimes be a bit of a challenge, but I promise you, the delicious food and fantastic experience are well worth the minor hassle. Hope you get a chance to check it out soon! read more

Izakaya is located in Mission Hills. They don't take reservations so make sure to get there early! Our party of 2 arrived right at opening and we were seated immediately but within 30 minutes, the tables filled fast. Parking/Environment: Dedicated parking lot in front with limited spots. Metered street parking spots available around the restaurant. Traditional Japanese style restaurant inside. There were many 2 person tables, a handful of 4 table seats, and some bar seating. All indoors. Service: Our waitress always checked in on us, water was always filled, and each item came out in a timely manner. Food: -Soft Shell Crab Tempura ($13): 2 small whole crabs deep fried with sauce on the side; this was delicious, I highly recommend -Gyoza ($6): 6 pieces pan fried -Caterpillar Roll ($14): delicious if you're an eel lover -Lobster Dynamite Roll ($17): also delicious -Una Don ($19): eel bowl with rice; good enough to share if you're getting more entrees Overall: I really enjoyed this place and would definitely come back. Remember to come close to opening especially if you have a larger party! read more

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First time coming here, it came up on Yelp as a decent place to eat and had no real complaints outside of the sushi roll having too much rice. Got lucky on the parking, and was able to go in and out quickly as I had an old neighbor in town I wanted to meet up with. Excellent customer service to boot! The 2 servers were very attentive and taking care of the whole restaurant with ease. Would for sure come back and sit outside next time read more

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Wanted to love this little place in a strip mall given reviews and "hole in the wall find" feel, but we could not. Administratively, it is a little frustrating with the age of technology to have to write your name on a list and then stand in a parking lot waiting for your it to be called, otherwise lose your place in line. The entry into the restaurant is harried and does not feel clean as you stare into a cramped kitchen where you can't see them making sushi. I have high expectations for sushi in general. The best sushi chefs pride themselves on rice, fish selection and knife skills. The rice was Vonns/Kroger type rice. Too compacted, too mushy and bad ratios on one of the rolls. The sashimi had inconsistent thicknesses and shapes which may be a mortal sin for the chef. A lot of folks had the ramen which looked neither good nor bad. They have fried chicken (Karaage Roll) but not shrimp tempura. Odd. Anyway, we will not be back. read more

Izakaya Masa - Sashimi - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

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I seriously felt like I had been transported to a little ramen shop on a side alley in Tokyo. Limited seating. Efficient fast service. Delicious food. Great sake selection. The spicy tuna roll is one of the best in town. The gyudon bowl? So good. The fatty thin sliced beef and onions over rice. Ask for togarashi and you are set. This is our go to in Mission Hills. But check the days and times they are open. It's not intuitive. read more

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Finally returned after more than a decade for another late night dinner, around 9pm. It was a Sunday night and our group of 9 was able to be seated right away. A small, cozy restaurant. The smell of the food thick in the air. Anyways.. we ordered and we didn't have to wait too long. I ordered the gyudon, THIN slices of lightly seasoned beef on top of a generous amount of rice. It's a simple dish but one of my picks in any Japanese restaurant. One item I haven't seen anywhere else, is their bacon and garlic sprouts... I love bacon and I love veggies... this dish was soooo satisfying lol. The bacon was tender and the garlic sprouts were new to me. Similar texture to asparagus but with a very neutral flavor that lets the bacon shine. Hahah. Honestly loved it with some rice. My kid got their tonkatsu ramen: thin noodles and the broth was rich and savory. Their fried chicken (karaage) was golden brown, crunchy, and the pieces were pretty big.. my kid enjoyed. Overall a decent spot to check out if you're in the area and craving some Japanese food. Prices are comparable to similar restaurants.. the staff was attentive. Small shared lot and street parking might be a challenge. You will definitely smell like ramen when you leave lol. read more

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We got there 15 minuted before opening and put our name on their list. Once it opened, we were part of the first group seated.our server greeted us quickly and took our order. The food was all delicious. I would get everything again. read more

Izakaya Masa - Hakata Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

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Sushi rolls, chicken and katsu curry love walking over as a family for a quick dinner. Has never disappointed fresh sushi rolls we cherry blossom, yellowtail & avocado. Salmon is my daughter's favorite dish. read more

Izakaya Masa - Sushi rolls, chicken and katsu curry love walking over as a family for a quick dinner. - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

We found this place while looking through yelp, had some good reviews. Did not realize that we were going to step into one of the best Japanese restaurants we've ever had and doing it while on vacation. You know the food must be good when all they have is a waitlist outside the door, they don't do takeout, I can still make it with just serving they're good food. Took us over 45 minutes to get a table for five of us, but was worth the wait and honestly couldn't believe how long the line was after we left. The place isn't too big, but was decorated with a bunch of decor that the kids liked. Me and my wife ordered a couple of rolls which were delicious, my son ordered the udon that has a good tasting broth, the other two kids had the Tonkasu, and the Agedashi tofu. The kids loved everything. I also tried the fried chicken, which was OK. Service was great and everyone was really friendly. The food came out super quick. Definitely would recommend anyone if they're in the area. We will definitely try to come back if we are back in San Diego area. Would recommend to friends and family. read more

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I went on a Thursday night and parking was terrible but I didn't have to wait long until I was seated. The food was decently priced, I would say it was on the cheaper side but the portions are not that big. I got the hakata ramen and it was good and I loved the ambiance of the izakaya. The music they were playing reminded me when I was living in japan. They only get a 4 star from me since I felt that my friend and I were rushed to leave even though there were no line (they took my food away without asking me if I was done, and I wasn't done ): and gave us our checks while eating) read more

Izakaya Masa - Hakata ramen - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

Visiting San Diego for my cousins wedding, this place was 5 min walking from my Airbnb so I had to try. Rolls tastes fresh, miso soup was very delicious. Great alcoholic prices. Service was fast once you got sat and place was so cute inside. Def recommend. read more

Izakaya Masa - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

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The cuisine at Izakaya Masa is authentic and craveable. We started with agadashi tofu which had dancing bonita flakes on top. The panfried gyoza was crisp and fresh, just like it is made in Tokyo! Next was chicken katsu curry with rice and it was perfect! Sauce was creamy and so flavorful. Tonkatsu ramen smelled amazing and my friend slurped up every last bite with gusto! Their fruit sorbet is so good and a great finish to dinner! Very good selection of beer and sake! We will be back for sushi very soon! Service is always friendly and efficient even though there can be a very long line. The cafe is small but they move people out efficiently. Free parking lot and street parking in the charming business blocks off W Washington. read more

No frills authentic sushi. This spot has been successful all 6 years I've lived in San Diego. I've been there several times but with no wait maybe twice. Sushi is well crafted with lots of extras and sides on the menu. Solid service from the team, you are in and out. Traditional sushi decor. No takeout. read more

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There's a Japanese izakaya a bit far from downtown San Diego that I absolutely love! Their signature fried chicken is a must--crispy, thin skin with juicy, tender meat. The fried tofu is also super tasty. The tuna sashimi drizzled with oil and green onions is so refreshing, and the salmon sashimi is incredibly fresh. The grilled fish collar comes in two pieces, soft and tender, with a squeeze of lemon juice that makes it so satisfying! Everything on the menu is really affordable, and the place is always packed, so be ready to wait during peak hours read more

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Ambience reminded me of a hole in the wall restaurant you find walking the streets of Japan. The cherry blossom roll literally melts in your mouth and with the curry udon, it was the perfect combination! read more

Izakaya Masa - Got the curry udon, spicy tuna, cherry blossom, and San Diego roll - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

At 8pm on a Sunday there was a wait gathering outside the door. You put your name down and they call for you when a table opens up. They do not take reservations. We had about a 30 -40minute wait but turnover seemed to go quick. We tried the gyoza and edamame for a classic appetizer. Out of the fireman, rainbow, cherry blossom and lobster dynamite rolls we tried, the lobster dynamite blew the others out of the water when it came to flavor. read more

Izakaya Masa - Fireman, rainbow, cherry blossom, and lobster dynamite rolls - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

Absolutely blown away. Hands down the best Japanese restaurant in San Diego--and that's not said lightly. The quality of the sashimi and sushi is exceptional: impeccably fresh, beautifully cut, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You can tell immediately that the fish is top-tier--clean, vibrant, and handled with real skill and respect. Every bite tastes like it came straight from a high-end sushi bar in Japan. The sushi rolls are creative yet balanced, generously topped with premium fish, perfectly seasoned rice, and just the right amount of texture and flavor. Nothing is overdone--everything highlights the quality of the ingredients. The ramen and soba are equally impressive. Deep, rich broths, perfectly cooked noodles, and thoughtful toppings that show true craftsmanship. Comforting, authentic, and satisfying in every way. What truly elevates the experience is the service. Attentive, warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. You feel taken care of from the moment you walk in--without being rushed or overwhelmed. The staff clearly takes pride in what they serve. From food quality to presentation to hospitality, this place gets everything right. Whether you're a sushi connoisseur or just looking for an unforgettable Japanese dining experience, this restaurant is an absolute must. Outstanding food. Outstanding service. Absolutely the best in San Diego. read more

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I came by here on a date night and it was great! Izakaya Masa is a pretty cozy spot and the parking lot is quite small, but we were able to get parking on a Sunday night. As mentioned, the place is pretty small and they have just a few tables and a bar area. We ended up getting the tuna carpaccio, San Diego dream, spicy tuna and one of the katsu curries. The tuna carpaccio was fresh snd I loved the vibrant flavors from it. The San Diego dream was really fun and I loved all of the textures in the roll. The fish was great in both of the rolls we ordered. Curry was also super good and had lots of meat in it. I kind of wish we got the dessert they had as well since it looked pretty cool with the spring roll. Staff here is friendly and it's nice that they're open relatively late! read more

Izakaya Masa - Curry and sushi rolls - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

This place gets busy! There is a waitlist but you have to write your name at the door. I like that the ramen is served with thin noodles and doesn't make you feel heavy after finishing a meal. read more

Izakaya Masa - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California

Awesome tapas style menu choices ! We loved the fresh food and quality dishes served! We chose edamame, fried calamari legs, grilled mackerel, pork katsu and the two beef bowls. We were all pleased with the items we selected! The green tea ice cream and pineapple sorbet were a perfect way to end our tapas style dinner! read more

The wait was too long and the price was too expensive for such small portions. Got there before it opened and still waited 30 minutes

Really delicious food, kind and quick service, and vibe that is so cozy! Yes there will probably be a wait and you won't get seated in the first round if you aren't 10 minutes before opening. We got there 15 minutes after opening and waited 20 minutes. We ordered, got our food, and left within 20 minutes- crazy fast!! The masa chicken was lightly battered and crispy- not crunchy. The ramen broth was hearty , comforting, and flavorful. It is not very oily or fatty so I could sip this for hours. The noodle has good bite to it and the chasu was flavorful and is tender with chew, cut a little on the thick side. The curry rice was delicious, much better than any curry restaurant in America. The rice texture wasn't amazing but was very homestyle. The pork katsu was light, crispy, good bite. Not overly flavored so it goes great with the curry sauce. I don't think anything is mindblowingly good, but it certainly is yummy and not too expensive. The entree portions are definitely like 25% smaller than other places so you will likely need 1 appetizer per person. I'd say it's worth up to a 35 min wait. Everyone here is so nice and friendly, will definitely be back! read more

This place is a cute, small, and nicely decorated Japanese Izakaya restaurant. Upon arriving, the parking was very difficult to find, the line and waitlist was already long 20 minutes into opening, and it didn't feel well ventilated inside. It wasn't a hot summers day outside, it was a good 70 degrees or colder, but it felt humid and warm in there. The prices are fair and lower than most sushi restaurants, which is great. The quality of the sushi, isn't the best but of course that explains the lower prices. For the sushi selection, they had no nigiri, just sashimi and rolls. The soft shell crab was a perfect appetizer. Food came out fast. For service, it was great up until we got halfway through our meal. We had barely got halfway through our meal and the server asked if we want dessert and Togo boxes, and we politely said we were still working on it. She visited the table at least 3 times in the span of 10 minutes just to ask if we need anything else and pre-bussed our table and took our utensils when we weren't even done eating. My friend couldn't finish eating the dessert because her spoon was taken away. We constantly felt like we were being pushed out of the restaurant so they could flip the table. Parking: 0/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Food: 4/5 Service: 2/5 read more

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Never been to this side of town before and stumbled upon this izakaya as it nestled in the neighborhood. I knew this place was a great find as there was already a few parties waiting outside on an early evening. Interior looks just like a Japanese izakaya with traditional decors. Have to say that portion size is a bit small but it's also appropriately so as it's an izakaya and that I just have a big stomach. A good spot for hanging out and will have to visit again to try other items on the menu! read more

Izakaya Masa - Curry katsu - Izakaya Near Me - San Diego, California