Stopped in for dinner as one of our friends wanted to get yakitori/visit an izakaya like place. The restaurant is cozy and very homey. We were seated immediately and were in awe with the offerings the restaurant had for entrees, light bites and drinks. Staff is extremely friendly and polite and gave some great recommendations. We ordered their seasonal yuzu cocktail which was refreshing. I did order it sweeter, but it was not as sweet as one would think. It was still well balanced and perfect for my taste buds! If you order any of their entrees, be prepared for a feast! There was so much food that came with each entree ordered, like salad, miso soup, potato salad, and pickled veggies! All balanced so well with each dish. The yakitori ordered was cooked to perfection, and the pork belly appetizer came out fresh off the grill! Highly recommend coming here for an appetite of any size! They will definitely have what you're looking for! read more

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The chicken karaage had a lot of fat. I've had karaage at other Japanese restaurants that wasn't as fatty. The omurice was much better, and I enjoyed the main dish much more. I've been on a search for the omurice that is cut over rice and prepared in a way where the yolk spreads over the rice after the egg is cut. The service itself is okay. I was checked on one time but wasn't asked if I wanted a refill on water. Overall, an okay experience, I'd like to try other dishes since a friend said this is as authentic as it can get for some dishes. read more

Izakaya Sakura - Omurice - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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It is a small establishment and seats filled up fast. It also looks like they have regulars because the waiters greeted them warmly and knew exactly the preferences of these customers. Food: good varieties and fresh sashimi. We also like the small dishes that came with the main meal. Good value! Parking can be a challenge at peak hours because of multiple restaurant establishments in the same complex. read more

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This is what have been looking for! Authentic, clean, delicious and a little eclectic!! The food, flavor, and culture are the main attractions here. You can feel owner pours is heart and soul into the food. Every patron that walked in was greeted like an old friend. It was fun watching regulars choosing here to celebrate life together. I had the chirashi and a couple of oyesters. Everything was phenomenal! There are many things I am excited to try. If you value tradition and authenticity, Izakaya Sakura might blow you away! Hopefully you find a time that isn't too busy so you can enjoy conversation with the owner when he is working. His insight and attention to detail made the experience that much better!! read more

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Fantastic food, the bento box was a great value and the miso soup was incredible, I had to get two bowls of it because it was the best I'd had in my life read more

Fish bone in salmon belly nigiri I had visited this restaurant during college and remembered enjoying it, so when I returned to San Diego after eight years, I was looking forward to coming back. Unfortunately, I found a fish bone hidden in my salmon belly nigiri. If I hadn't noticed it (through chewing and it poked my soft palate) and removed it, I could have swallowed it and had it stuck in my throat. When I told the server, she said, "It's fish; it's natural to have fish bones." Yes, of course fish has bones, but sushi should be carefully prepared and checked for bones before being served. The restaurant offered to another order, and we accepted, but our original order came with two pieces while only one replacement piece was served. That was petty. This was disappointing, especially because I had previously enjoyed this restaurant. I hope the kitchen will be more careful with preparation and that staff will respond more thoughtfully when customers report a potential safety concern. read more

The food itself was very good at this casual and homey restaurant - it was the abrupt service that left me feeling meh... Met a girlfriend here for a weekday lunch, and while her Tempura Bowl and my Grilled Shio Koji Black Cod Bento were tasty and bountiful with a good assortment of sides, we felt rather rushed to order, eat, and leave more quickly than was comfortable. Interestingly, the latter dish came in a plastic takeout container even though we were dining in - perhaps a hint? :P I'd probably only return despite the subpar service if I were able to come right at opening in order to snag one of the extremely limited lunch specials which are a screaming deal! read more

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Came here for a family dinner. When we entered, we were seated immediately. The inside is quite cozy, with plenty of seating. I ordered the Chirashi bowl, which came with some sides and miso soup. I think overall, this is a solid spot. The food wasn't amazing, but definitely filling. read more

Izakaya Sakura - Salmon Bowl - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Came for some sushi and it's definitely one of the better sushi places I've had in San Diego! Alba helped with explaining the menu and was very friendly! I got the yellowtail, scallop, and the mackerel! They were all good but my favorite was the scallop. The scallop was so flavorful and soft, it was also seared. The sushi rice, was perfectly seasoned it wasn't too strong and it wasn't too bland. I can't stand it when the rice is completely flavorless. But here, everything was perfect. read more

Small, cozy spot that serves Japanese food. We were seated at the bar and we were only allowed to order sushi from the chef. We asked if we could order chicken karaage and they made an exception for us since it's a small dish. read more

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Excellent. This place makes me feel like I'm back in Shinjuku. Fun, fast, no frills, good food, strong drinks. Real Japanese servers. Also see a real Japanese behind the sushi counter. That Okinawa Sour knocked me out! Will definitely make this my weekly stop with friends. read more

Izakaya Sakura - Okinawa Sour - potent! - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here to eat lunch on a weekend. The place is small and cozy. Fast service but after they gave us our meal they never checked on us again. They had a lunch special that looked really good but it's already sold out when we got there. The chirashi bowl looks deceivingly full of assorted fish but think again! The food is okay/good but not sure if I'll be coming back. read more

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IG: @allysxn.eats | great service and comfortable ambiance, but food was average. i got the sukiyaki bowl, which had a nice variety of sides, but the main dish itself was a bit plain and had a lot of rice - i wish there was more beef! otherwise the flavor was pretty good. my friend really likes this dish (and the pasta) though so maybe it is just different for everyone! (also, the parking lot also gets pretty full even on weekdays.) read more

Izakaya Sakura - IG @allysxn.eats | sukiyaki bowl - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

I have been coming here regularly for the last 5 years because the food is so amazing. I haven't had any issues with the service, until my most recent visit. It took over 30 minutes to be seated, which is fine since we walked in. However it took over 30 minutes again after taking our order specifically for my chirashi bowl. Once the food finally came out, it didn't disappoint. The uni ikura spaghetti is probably the best one we've tasted yet. read more

Izakaya Sakura - Uni ikura spinach pasta - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I came on a Sunday during lunch with a friend recommended by a friend. There was a short wait time but not too bad. I ordered an unagi bowl but it came in a set with miso soup, salad, a slice of watermelon, pickled veggies, and a carbonara sample. The unagi was on the thicker side and tasted really good. Loved the seaweed garnish on the rice as well. The miso soup was good, salad had a mustard dressing which was interesting, and the other accompaniments were nice. My friend got a beef udon and it came with a rice ball and pickled veggies. She said it was good. Ambiance is good. Would come back read more

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We had: Chicken Karage appetizer Grilled Mackarel appetizer Oxtail Soup Beef Hash Omelette Meal Miso Grilled Cod Bento Box Spicy Tuna Roll Caterpillar Roll We've been here a couple of times already. It's as close as you can get to Japan. The karage is very crispy and yet so light and airy. This is the only karage in the Convoy district that has flavor even in the meat not just in the coating. It's also very juicy. The sushi rolls were fresh. No fishy or slimy taste or texture. Rice game is on point. The grilled mackarel was well seasoned, tender and had a crispy skin. The cod was so flaky and melts in your mouth. The chef knows how to handle and cook fish better than fancy, expensive restaurants anywhere in San Diego. The oxtail soup had a sizeable meat and really rich broth without being salty. Everything was delicious. Parking is always tough in this lot. The restaurant has a very long wait on Fridays and weekends. read more

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Had visited here before 20 years ago specifically for their omelette rice. At that time, they had no sign but the restaurant inside has not changed. The omelette rice did not disappoint and you can see why this is a specialty of Izakaya Sakura. Delicious and comforting. What surprised us were many additional things on this visit. The staff are so genuinely kind and welcoming. Smiles and quick service. Feels like being in a local restaurant in Japan. The sushi it's very high quality. The best California rolls I've had!!! No need for soy sauce. Such delicious creamy flavor from the crab, avocado, and cucumber. Rice cooked and seasoned perfectly. The sushi chefs know their craft. Spicy tuna roll...fantastic! Lastly, the bento box. At $16, it is a lots of food and flavors in one. If you enjoy taking your taste buds on a journey from sour to salty to sweet. You will enjoy this daily lunch bento box that changes daily. Even the draft beer is served in a frozen mug and poured into a perfect pint. Cheers! We'll definitely come back for the bento, sushi rolls, omelette rice, and beer. read more

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Came in for lunch with a friend right as they opened at 11:30. It's reminiscent of a diner style mom and pop restaurant, old school vibes. Seated promptly in a comfy booth and given menus. Shortly our server came and we ordered our entrees along with green tea for the table. I ordered the Bento box (they have a rotating box daily for lunch). So much flavor!! Miso soup, assorted fish, tofu, cucumber salad, rice, coleslaw, katsu chicken. A spectacular meal, very satisfying and reasonably priced at $16. There were many other entree items and I'll definitely be back soon! read more

Izakaya Sakura - Bento box - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

We stumbled upon this place by accident--and what a wonderful surprise! The atmosphere felt so authentically Japanese that I almost forgot I was still in town. Our server was fantastic and suggested dishes I'd never tried before (I usually stick to the same Japanese favorites), and I was so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. I had the crab appetizer, the cod, and another dish I can't quite remember--but the crab was definitely the star. It's a small restaurant, so the food took a little longer, but the wait was enjoyable thanks to the fun donut-making show and the lively ambience with Japanese speakers all around. We left happy and are already looking forward to coming back! read more

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I asked a simple question about whether I could sit at one of the empty tables outside. Instead of listening to what I was asking, the staff member kept telling me there was no seating inside and that I had to wait outside. I clarified that I wanted to sit at one of the available outdoor tables, but he still refused without giving any explanation. What made the experience worse was his attitude. He was impatient, spoke in a rude tone, and gave me an intimidating, hostile look the entire time. I wasn't asking for anything unreasonable--I was simply trying to understand their seating policy. A little courtesy and basic communication would have gone a long way. Very disappointing customer service, and I won't be returning. read more

Wow! What an amazing dining experience. My fiancé and I came in for lunch and we were immediately seated. The service was phenomenal. We got our waters and ordered within 5 minutes. My fiancé got the assorted sushi plate and I got the katsu don plate. We also got the gyozas to share. The sushi plate transported me back to Japan. The fish was extremely fresh and delicious! It melted in our mouths. My katsu came with salad, miso soup, and two other sides. Everything in my katsu bento was exploding with flavor! The gyozas were homemade and again just perfectly seasoned. I wasn't expecting much based on some of the reviews, but it turned out to be one of the best meals I've had in Kearney. Probably up there with Karami Ramen. Definitely intend to be back soon! read more

Izakaya Sakura - Assorted 2731413. Mix Sushi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Fresh fish. Come here if you love traditional Japanese bistro. I'm visiting the area but had to come for lunch two days in a row. Not even worth looking around anymore. read more

If this place wasn't so hard to park at, I would be a regular here. I've been here several times, but most recently on a Monday night, and I still struggled to park. The food here is good, there's definitely something for everyone. The menu is quite expansive and there are many different types of Japanese dishes, which I really like. My go to is the chirashi, the fish here is always fresh and has never done me wrong. This is a cozy restaurant, and you most likely will need to put your name down and wait to be seated. The service is not anything to write home about, but I've never had a bad experience either. Definitely check out this restaurant if you want a variety of tasty Japanese dishes! read more

Izakaya Sakura - Chirashi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

It's been many years since I've been here and I've only been here for dinner. The menu for lunch was slightly different and they offer a daily lunch special. We ordered a California hand roll which wasn't on the menu but they made it for my friend and a spicy tuna hand roll. The hand rolls were great... filled generously with the spicy tuna and imitation crab and the rice was so fluffy. We also ordered pork katsu curry, grilled shio koji black cod bento , and the lunch special which was a bento box with Fried chicken and mackerel. The bentos came with miso soup and salad. The miso soup had big cubes of tofu, seaweed, and onions. It was more hearty and flavorful than other miso soups I've had. The bentos came with a variety of little bites. I don't even know what they're called. Haha. But the Items were pickled cabbage, potato salad , an eggy roll etc . We appreciated the variety of bites. Everything we ordered was delicious and we were stuffed. Comparable prices to other Japanese restaurants with Generous portions. This place is authentic with a friendly Japanese staff.This is a great place that caters to all Japanese cravings from noodles to sushi to a variety of entrees. read more

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This is a small hidden gem in Clairemont. If you like authentic Japanese food, this is your spot. I've only been here for lunch and always have the sukiyaki bowl lunch. It comes with small green salad, small noodle salad, miso soup and a nappa okazu. It gets very busy at this restaurant for lunch. The service this time was pretty slow but worth the wait. If you like sukiyaki, I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Izakaya Sakura - Front of restaurant - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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This was for To-Go: Chanpon is my thing. My 1st trip to Japan, was the first thing I ate after our flight. If I can find it in SD, I'll go and try it out. This is my favorite place, tied with Kanpai in Chula Vista. Totally delicious and savory broth. Noodles were perfectly soft, but chewy. Perfect size and felt very satisfied. Everything was great, even for a to-go order. Will definitely order again. read more

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I had the daily lunch bento box which they change the main entrees everyday. That day's main entrees were super delicious. All other side dishes were also tasty and yet different...it's something I don't see in other Japanese restaurants' ordinary bento boxes. I good to also see that the sushi chef and staff are Japanese Would come back again. read more

Izakaya Sakura - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

If you know convoy you know there's no shortage of Japanese restaurants. But this Izakaya caught our eye while we were trying to head to a restaurant we know, a few doors down from here but regrettably it wasn't open. Luckily we walked back to this place where we were quickly seated and handed menus. Our server was very nice and even helped my husband make a selection off the menu. All of our food was delicious but what especially stood out to me was how perfectly crispy and juicy the tonkatsu was. Both of our orders came with a side of salad and miso soup which we enjoyed. Definitely a hidden gem we will be returning to. read more

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Food is okay, nothing special in my opinion. Service is subpar. Barely checks on you, doesn't seem like they really care about your experience or what you think about the food. They just want you in then out so they can have more people to come in and eat. read more

We stumbled upon this place while looking for a quick bite and decided to give it a try despite the mixed Yelp reviews. We got seated right away and ordered the chirashi bowl lunch special ($34) and the pork katsu curry plate ($18). The chirashi set came with a pickle salad, miso soup, scrambled eggs, and agedashi tofu, and the curry plate came with a small salad, a slice of watermelon, and miso soup. The fish/seafood in the chirashi was fresh, and the katsu curry was delicious, especially with the fried onion bits in the sauce. Service was a bit inconsistent with some delays. The place has a nostalgic '90s Japanese-American restaurant vibe, and I noticed a few Japanese diners, which felt like a good sign. Overall, if you keep your expectations realistic about the service, this spot serves solid Japanese comfort food at a good price. read more

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I rarely leave bad reviews, but this place was a huge letdown. The sushi tasted substandard and poorly prepared. What ruined the night completely was the service. The staff showed zero hospitality and acted very unprofessional throughout our meal. A restaurant needs both good food and good service, but this place failed at both. read more

Came here 30 minutes before closing. Parking was easy. I ordered the black cod bento. Fish was tender and flavorful. My wife had the Chirashi bowl. She did not like hers. She liked my black Cod. But she did taste the miso flavor in the Cod she liked the texture. We will plan to come again next time to try other food in the menu. read more

Izakaya Sakura - Black cod bento - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Went for a solo lunch on a Friday, got seated right away in the already fairly busy cozy restaurant. Lots of interesting items on the menu, ended up getting the Champon, a Chinese inspired ramen that originates from Nagasaki. Very delicious by the way. Very similar to Korean Chinese Jjampong without the spiciness. They give you 2 shakers one with red chili powder and one pepper to add to taste. The chili powder definitely warms up the insides. Also a small helping of pickled veggies on the side. Overall very filling and satisfying dish. Service was fast, not sure what happened with some of the other reviews stating negative issues but today was a good day, Friday. read more

Izakaya Sakura - Champon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Small Japanese restaurant located in a busy plaza! Foods were honestly good! We got their Katsu curry and champon. Service can be slow but to be expected when they're busy. If you want traditional Japanese foods, this is a spot to go! read more

Izakaya Sakura - 2731480. Champon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place has amazing flavors in their curry which is quite different from what you would normally expect around the OC/SD area as I typically find other Japanese Curry spots to be a little too salty for my personal taste. At Izakaya, the curry is sweeter from the fruits that they use which makes it much more light and easy to finish without feeling parched. Their portions are huge and it comes with additional miso soup, cabbage, and watermelon which was such a great thing to end with! The service was awesome with Japanese workers who are very kind, funny, and are passionate when they greet you. read more

Izakaya Sakura - 2731444. Omelet and Rice with Curry - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

We love coming here and always come right when they open at 5pm because this place gets crowded. We ordered: -Chicken karaage - juicy thigh meat -Sukiyaki udon- when I crave for udon, I come here. The broth is so beefy and lots of tender fatty thin meats. It's so rich in flavors. -Takoyaki - I like that this is on the smaller side because it's less wheat flour and more octopus. -Fried meatloaf curry entree - It comes with miso soup and salad. The miso soup is so good. We got spice level 8 for the curry which had a tiny kick. The parking lot is super tight and small that people park on the street. Another reason why we come early is to get a parking spot. read more

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Stumbled in here for lunch one day with my fiancé and we were pleasantly surprised. They offer tons of different types of Japanese food and it was really good. We shared some sushi and my fiancé got one of the lunch specials. The prices were fair and the food was good! The salmon belly nigiri literally melted in my mouth and had no 'fishy' order or taste. SO GOOD. Our server was very nice and the ambiance was mellow. This place isn't fancy looking or 'trendy' but the food is good, which is refreshing. We will definitely be back to try one of the curries! We saw someone else order it and it looked and smelled great. read more

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I'm half Japanese. This place is like mom's kitchen. If you're Japanese, you'll love it. If you're not Japanese or you didn't grow up eating homemade Japanese food, you'll likely compare it against modern "Japanese" restaurants, ran by people that aren't Japanese, and then you won't be impressed. read more

I came here for a lunch with my Japanese fisher women grandma for her birthday. And she was not impressed one bit by the sushi nigiri lunch. Fish was chewy and extremely fishy. My sister and I got the mix tempura plates which were okay, but ended up giving us extremely bad stomach aches and sweats after eating. My mom had the curry plates that had a side salad which had huge pieces of lettuce, it wasn't easy to eat, but mentioned that the curry was ok. Overall, there's plenty of other places to go and try out.. I won't be returning read more

Izakaya Sakura - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Japanese home cooking. Curry, bento box (during lunch time) sushi, rice bowls, ramen. Everything is delicious here and tastes as if we are in Japan again. Tucked in a small food plaza in convoy area, you'll miss it if you aren't looking for it. There's plenty of free parking. There may be a wait sometimes on the weekends as people often line up before opening time. Staff here are very nice and a majority (if not all) are Japanese. Definitely a place we choose to come back to whenever we are craving some japanese home cooking. read more