Went on a date here last night with my husband, after a friend from school who is from Japan recommended the place to us, and it did not disappoint. I liked the price/portion ratio. Favorite item we ordered was the Salmon Carpaccio - for being an appetizer, it was a generous size, also very fresh. Staff was friendly, good energy. Can't wait to go back, next time we will try sitting at the sushi bar. The Clam Miso soup was also a favorite. Highly recommend. read more

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Amazing experience, great food, staff, and atmosphere tucked away hidden gem highly recommend trying it out

Literally new found hidden gem! Been 3 times in the last 2 weeks, always fresh. Not a lot of "roll" options, but we're here for the fish! So fresh and good! Pricing a little higher for the area, but you get the quality! read more

Kisetsu Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Claremont, California

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Fish quality for the area is one of the the better ones. We sat by the bar and the chefs were very friendly and chatting with us the whole time. read more

Kisetsu Restaurant - Tuna nigiri, yellowtail nigiri - Japanese Near Me - Claremont, California

The food was amazing, the fish was delicious and beyond fresh!! The staff was friendly and so very customer service centered, it's rare now days!! I can't wait to go back! read more

Kisetsu Restaurant - Spicy tuna temaki (handroll), masago, Blue fin tuna and Tuna maki. - Japanese Near Me - Claremont, California

Best sushi in this area!! The head chef Joel is a true gem and he keeps people coming back again and again. We will definitely be back!! -Grace & Matt read more

Read great reviews of this place and went for a Friday night date night. We arrived for reservation on time and were seated. The sushi was really fresh and decent. However, the service was terrible. We ordered all of our food at once and it arrived one by one and waited a while for the next 2 pieces. The waiters kept asking us if we were done and wanted the check however shouldn't they know we are still waiting for the rest of our food?!!! They would say they were going to go check and would come back and ask us the same questions. We asked to cancel the last two pieces as we had been waiting awhile. The waiter comes back and brings the pieces we had been waiting for and we let him know we asked the other waiter to cancel them. He took the sushi back and brought back the check with attitude. I understand a busy restaurant on a Friday night. However, if you are not even sure what the tables ordered and not even communicating then what is taking so long. There are other decent places to go to. read more

Well this was a first for my wife and I. Arrived, tonight, on a Friday evening at 8pm. When we sat down, the server informed us that the rice served for dinner was gone? But assured us they had sushi rice. A few sips into our tea, the server came back and announced the rice for sushi was also gone? At 8pm on a Friday night? We noticed that people were being turned away even though there were several empty tables. And we too left. That's how you run a business into the ground. read more

I'm really trying to like this place. This is our second time here and tried to give them a second chance. Food is great but the wait times are just ridiculous. From the moment we ordered, it took them 40 minutes to get 4 orders of nigiris out. If you don't mind waiting 40-45 minutes for the food then go for it. I did. Oh, service wasn't great. Inattentive and unprofessional. Perhaps not their fault but I don't think leaving your customers hanging when they asked the status of your order is prudent. There are a lot of other alternatives in the area that will treat you better. Just saying. Note to the owners: - ADD staff. You're WAY UNDERSTAFFED. Two people to serve approximately 40? - improve your staff through more training read more

We've been coming here for the past six months and I have to say not once have they disappointed all fish is really fresh amazing preparation and flavor nothing but the best but one thing is the price very affordable the don't charge crazy they charge market price and that is why I go all the staff is amazing read more

So good to have an authentic ingredient focused sushi bar in Claremont. If you're into an assortment of rolls this place isn't for you but if you're looking for a quality omakase experience I highly recommend. Some of the highlights were the bluefin akami sashimi, toro, sb uni, iwashi, aji and kimedia nigiri and the abalone sashimi was amazing. Definitely check it out if you're in the area. Joel and his staff are great! read more

Amazing dining experience at Kisetsu. Many traditional sushi options as well as some twists like the Salmon Carpaccio. So flavorful! Sushi was very fresh, and the hot items were delicious as well. Beef curry and Saba Shio were great. Our server was super sweet and attentive! So glad this opened up right by us, definitely worth stopping in! Best sushi in the Claremont area. read more

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This is my to go place for sushi and tempura, delicious fresh fish, fluffy and crunchy tempura and just genuinely amazing Japanese food. 10/10 highly recommend. read more

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They neeeeeeeeeed to fix the lighting. The white fluorescent bulbs they have in there since the change in ownership make the ambiance drastically worse. It makes it unappealing to eat there at night because you're getting blasted with light that is bright and white. Also, the food looks much much worse under these lights. There are plenty of high efficiency warm tone bulbs. Food is great, service is excellent, definitely give it a try. Best sushi in the area. read more

First time review here! I came with my friend who raved about the quality of the food. He's from Japan and he even said their food reminded him of his homemade food. So, I was really excited to try it out. I asked for hot green tea and they served me like warm tea and the miso soup that came with my food was also like warm. My experience there didn't start off well to say the least. I enjoyed their chicken teriyaki, edemame, mixed tempura, and spicy tuna roll. Well, the tuna was fresh but it wasn't that spicy, the chicken was dry but the tempura was my favorite AND they forgot my wasabi...who forgets wasabi with sushi?! Them apparently. The only reason why I'm giving them 4 stars is because of their amazing grilled salmon collar dish! It was moist and crispy! The service was good. I went there on a Friday night where they were maybe 10 guests with 3 staff working the floor. Would I come back? No. Would I recommend this establishment? Sure! read more

Sushi rolls are really small for the price. They have combo meals, but almost everything on the combo menu was an upcharge. Service was good

We ordered the omakase while sitting at the sushi bar. The experience included a couple of oysters, an appetizer, a small plate of sashimi, and only five pieces of nigiri sushi. The food was decent, but it didn't quite deliver a top-notch experience. What stood out most was the untraditional approach the chef took with the omakase. Instead of serving each piece of sushi individually to us at the bar, he placed all five pieces on a plate at once. This diminished the unique experience of sitting at the sushi bar, and in hindsight, we might as well have opted for a regular table. Adding to the disappointment, when we wanted to order a couple of bowls of noodles to fill up, the waitress informed us that noodles were only available for table seating, not at the sushi bar. How bizarre is that? I appreciate tradition, but their way of serving the sushi was anything but traditional, which made this rule feel inconsistent and frustrating. read more

Kisetsku has quick become my go-to sushi restaurant. If you want quality fish, reasonable prices, and a fantastic dining experience, I definitely recommend this place. The place is always packed with regulars because on top of amazing food, the chefs, Joel and Reggie offer a combination of entertainment and knowledge about their craft that can't be beat. If you're feeling adventurous, I recommend leaving up to the chef to decide your pieces for the evening. You won't be disappointed! read more

Great service! Very small restaurant, decent sushi bar. Good appetizer menu but limited to about 3 special sushi rolls. Don't look for creativity here but everything else is delicious! It's basically a Japanese restaurant. Very nice staff. read more

Kisetsu Restaurant - Spider Roll - Japanese Near Me - Claremont, California

We arrived with no reservations party of 2. But got seated after 20 mins. We sat down and inquired the omakase. They said they had 8 piece course so we ordered 2 portions. 20 mins later the 1st portion of 8 pieces came out. After 30 mins they said it was a share dish. Why in the world didn't they say at the time of serving because I waited for a second plate for 30 mins. The 2nd 8 piece came. I've never had to share omakase! Then the check took another 20 mins. Wait staff all in the back. So we waited some more. Sushi was just ok. Plating was awful. Nothing special about the ambiance. Chef chatting away not making sushi. The wait time is ridiculous for mediocre sushi. I would never come here again and would not recommend to anyone. read more

Kisetsu Restaurant - 8 pc shared omakase - Japanese Near Me - Claremont, California

Sushi here was SO GOOD and SO FRESH! We were feeling sushi and wanted to check out somewhere new and stumbled upon Kisetsu- best decision ever! We've been in Claremont for about 3 years and have yet to find a really good sit down sushi restaurant. This is the one guys. We sat at the sushi bar and the sushi chefs, Reggie and Joel, were amazing. Joel was so knowledgeable about the fish and we were lucky that they just got fresh fish from Japan that day! Joel and Reggie had great service and introduced us to a bunch of nigiri that we had never had before including a seared salmon belly special from Reggie. They had A5 Wagyu sushi seared and raw which was sooo good. The Hokkaido uni was fresh and delicious. We had zuke chutoro, salmon from the Faroe Islands, crunchy juicy trout roe, yellowtail belly, the best negitoro and blue crab hand rolls, to name a few of the things we ordered. Bottom line- super fresh fish, great sushi chefs, quality food. They know what they're doing here. Definitely coming back on the regular when I want sushi, so happy we found you guys!! read more

My wife and I were lucky enough to come to this restaurant based on her research from several social media outlets. We sat at the sushi bar and were excited to know the chefs from another sushi place from years back. We sat back Omakase style and let them wow us with every dish which came with explanations of each dish/piece, following up with our thoughts and friendliness that started at the door? This will definitely be on our rotation and we highly recommend the food and experience!!! read more

Absolutely lives up to, if not exceeds, the reputation of its predecessor, Hayato. I have no doubt this newer establishment will also become a treasured little gem in the community. It's smaller, more intimate setting, with a friendly and attentive staff. I went for lunch, but will definitely be returning for dinner as well. To start I had the clam miso soup, which had about 5 clams I think, as well as one piece each of amberjack and fatty bluefin, and a two-piece serving of grilled eel. All my favorites. Everything was perfectly portioned and delicious, it's obvious the restaurant is sourcing high quality fish. After that I had the tonkatsu curry (pictured) which was simple perfection. The curry plate also came with a tasty salad--something about sushi spots, they always have the best house salads. I think it's how finely the veg is cut. In any case, this is probably the best Japanese restaurant in the Pomona/Claremont area, and I highly recommend if you're looking for a place that prioritizes nigiri and sashimi over rolls. While they've got a few of the standard classic rolls available, this is for a more authentic, fish-centered experience, not to mention the excellent Japanese comfort foods like donburi, yakisoba, or curry. read more

Kisetsu Restaurant - Tonkatsu Curry. Perfectly spiced, excellent crunch on the pork cutlet, and some pickled veg to brighten things up. 10/10 - Japanese Near Me - Claremont, California

Amazing food and service! I loved the atmosphere and the fish is incredibly fresh and delicious!

The best sushi you can get in the local area. My husband and I went out for a fancy dinner and Kisetsu did not disappoint. Everything was fresh and delicious. The uni and sweet shrimp were particularly excellent. If you like super fresh sushi made to order, this is your place. read more

We had the omasakse. It was phenomenal. Very tasty and fresh. I ate a lots of sushi restaurants. Recently, I ate at 2 restaurants in San Diego which were both awarded 1 Michellin star. Kisetsu was my favorite and cheaper. If I ever am in the neighborhood again, I'll go back . Still thinking about the meal as I am writing this review. read more

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Food is beyond delicious. The service is great and they are very attentive to anything you could ask. I love coming here and it's always a good time bringing friends to try for the first time! read more

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The food here is tasty, customer service is excellent. Everyone is friendly and helpful. This'll be our regular whenever we want sushi. read more

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Kisetsu may be the best sushi restaurant I have ever been to. The chef / owner Joel was extremely attentive to my needs / wants. Walked in ordering omakase and it was the best sushi experience I have ever had. Joel took the the time to explain every dish and side dish into detail. Giving me a history of dish I did not understand previously. For anyone looking for a great sushi experience in the inland empire area I would recommend Kitsetsu. read more

Food is fantastic and service is very good. Portions are just fine. Don't come expecting AYCE portions. Come here if you quality over quantity. read more

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If you're looking for a phenomena cut, brilliant blend or plated palace of stepped palate design- this chef knows how to present it. If someone can serve sushi that you can drive home and salivate over- it's a MUST in my book. Sushi in house is one thing- this is preparation at its best. I would highly recommend. read more

Kisetsu Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Claremont, California

Yelp has not captured the real vibe of this place. I see mostly cooked food menus and pictures. This place is really known for its seasonal nigiri and sashimi. With special menus changing weekly, this place is great for the experienced and beginner sushi eaters alike. The owner has created a family workplace for his staff and the service reflects their dedication to him and the food. Although the owner Joel is teporarily out recovering, the 2 other sushi chefs have many years of experience themselves. That's not counting the cook in the back has been there for decades. I choose a restaurant on yelp by 2 things... the food pictures and the bad reviews. This place has a ton of 5 stars and a few jilted Karen's conveying their dismay. "They didn't have the roll with a gallon of sauce on it like the other place" or "Don't they know how important I am!" No real critiques other than speed of service. Hey Karen- if you want food fast, go to fast food. This is a dinner experience for a great price. All that said, these guys know great tradition style sushi. You can get a great Omakase without having to commit to a large preset meal (but you can if you want to). The selection of fish is the best. Fish from Japan that you never had. All delicious. You don't have to take my word for it. They'll be fine without you. read more

Kisetsu Restaurant - April 10 specials board. Always unique and delicious! - Japanese Near Me - Claremont, California

Keep, keep it coming all night long... from the appetizers down to the last bite of dessert, Kisetsu did not disappoint. This is not your typical quantity over quality joint. First off, when it comes to oysters freshness and cleanliness is the game and these guys nail it from their source and how they prepare them. The sushi and sashimi also were high quality, where each nom melted in your mouth with a burst of flavor for each type. The service was on point with waiters constantly checking in and asking if we're doing well at every opportunity. I highly recommend you take a pit stop at Kisetsu if your in the area and have a hunger for Japanese flair. read more

Honestly, I'll preface this review by saying that there is no "ambiance" to speak of here. The restaurant is tucked away in a dead plaza and looks almost run-down from the outside, and the interior doesn't look promising. However, anyone who's been to Japan knows the best spots are usually the ones hidden in the nooks and crannies of alleyways and apartment complexes. My plus one and I didn't have high hopes for this spot, but after seeing all the raving reviews about the sushi, we had to stop by. We ordered a chirashi bowl ($19) each and two orders of the seasonal Hokkaido scallop ($6/pc). They came with miso soups and a salad, both of which I thought were delicious with just the right amount of saltiness. The Hokkaido scallop MELTS in your mouth. I was skeptical of the price point, but the experience of it practically disappearing on your tongue is worth it and more. The chirashi bowls were pretty standard (comes with shrimp, salmon, yellowtail, halibut, fatty tuna, tamago, and surf clam), though I was surprised to see that they served fatty tuna and tamago that actually tasted like they were made in-house. This place definitely doesn't skimp on the quality of their fish. What was even more impressive was that the sushi rice was seasoned to absolute perfection. Not too salty, not too sweet. You can taste the craftsmanship and authenticity in the cooking, and I believe that's more than enough for another visit. If you're expecting high-end or a romantic "date night" ambiance, though, this spot might not be for you. read more

Absolutely love this place ! The chefs at the bar are so funny and nice ! The servers are super sweet as well, always more than happy to give quality recommendations, and they're all so cute. Best traditional Japanese food east of la by far. Their sushi is so fresh :) is read more

Definitely coming back, the sushi was AMAZING! A gem in Claremont! Zoom in to see the cuts! read more

Kisetsu Restaurant - Ama Ebi - Japanese Near Me - Claremont, California

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Our only go to sushi place in LA. Sushi always fresh. If you look at the board they have finest choices of sushi, oysters, wagyu. Their cuts are proportional to the rice. Fish melts in your mouth. You have this gastronomic explosion in your mouth in every bite. Place is like sushi version of Cheers everyone knows your name. Staff are very friendly, accommodating, pleasant, polite. read more

Disappointed that my husband and I drove specifically to Claremont to try this Japanese restaurant since I've been wanting to try their food for some time (due to the good reviews on Yelp). However, when we walked into the restaurant, none of the waiters, waitresses, or sushi chefs at the bar acknowledged us. While waiting at the front entrance, a waitress walked past us to help serve a table nearby and still did not greet us or give us any direct eye contact (even though I knew she saw us when she first walked out from the kitchen area). After she walked past us a second time around, I asked her if we needed to make a reservation. All she stated was, "Hold on a minute", and proceeded to serve the table and ignore our existence. My husband and I just sat down in the corner waiting area and a separate employee said that there was a table available. He too did not greet us or say hello, but at least allowed us to sit down at the table after it was cleared. We then sat down and the server walked away. After being seated, we were not given any menus and just played on our cell phones just to keep ourselves occupied. And after about 10-15 minutes of sitting there (still without any menus), I just told my husband that we could pretty much get up and leave without anyone noticing us. Well, I was right! We left the restaurant without anyone saying anything to us...a repeat experience to when we first walked in. Customer service was extremely poor! Sorry I couldn't review the food. Anyway, long story short, we had an enjoyable dinner next door at LA Kung Fu Noodle (where we didn't feel invisible and where we were acknowledged right as we walked through the restaurant's front door). read more

Such a delicious and fun dinner. Joel is a fantastic chef, he's pretty much a wizard and everything he and his team puts together is magic. It's like he picks out all these fantastic flavors, some traditional and some unexpected/rarely seen (crystallized shoyu?? Wow), and puts them together so they perfectly compliment the fish and you really slow down and savor every bite. The fish is sustainable sourced too! It's from the Yokose Fish Company and it's high-quality, ethically sourced, and prepared by a culinary genius. For October's menu, our table's favorite was the hamachi tostadas. The fish was really delicious and the shiso pico de gallo was perfect with the little slices of jalapeño. The sauce for the butter-poached salmon was also amazing, the dill and fennel cream had subtle vanilla that was unexpected in such a good way. The sauce for the perfectly crispy pork belly was so delicious, and we even overheard that the crystallized shoyu for the Amadai Sashimi takes 6 days to make. Every course was a 10/10 and it seemed like every table, from dates to bday celebrations, was having a really good time. The events are only once a month and they always sell out, so make sure you book early! read more

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We ordered Omakase sushi at the bar and it has exceeded my expectations! All of the fish that was served was fresh and tasted soooo buttery! Service at the bar was amazing. I have been coming here for about 5 years now and will continue to come back! Reggie and Joel are great! read more