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    Sushi Ota

    4.4 (4.8k reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Sushi Ota Photos

    Business Info

    SUSHI OTA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Sushi Ota

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    Diana C.

    Friendly, welcoming service. We went for lunch and ordered a few of the lunch specials. The restaurant is clean with a small parking lot in front and additional parking to the side. Like many Japanese places they close between lunch and dinner service, so they seem to hover a little near closing time.

    Felicia T.

    I came here on a Thursday evening for a girls dinner, 7:45pm reservation, we (four of us) all managed to snag either street parking or a spot in the shared lot. We split appetizers of the agedashi tofu, cucumber sunomono, and crispy eggplant. We also got the chef's choice, Crunch Salmon roll, Rainbow roll, and Shrimp Tempura roll. Everything came out delicious! We were pleasantly surprised by the crispy eggplant. Definitely recommend getting it as the whole table wished we ordered more. The chef's choice was beautiful and tasted great! I'm not an uni fan, but this Santa Barbara urchin was amazing, subtly sea salty and no odd taste that I usually get. The place doesn't get super loud even with all the tables. We also ordered dessert of a matcha basque cheesecake and 2 yuzu ice cream. If you love yuzu like me, you'll love it! Almost like a sorbet rather than ice cream, but so refreshing! We absolutely enjoyed our meal here! The total came out to ~89 per person and everyone thought it was very reasonable for the quality of the fish and how much food we'd ordered!

    Shrimp Tempura
    Kenneth T.

    When: Weekday early dinner What: Ota B, Shrimp Tempura, O Toro and Yellowtail Belly Experience: The food was simply delicious! Definitely a restaurant I would return for some good Japanese food. O Toro and Yellowtail Belly sushi were simply mouth watering. The way both fish just melts in your mouth and the proportion of rice to fish being just right makes a difference so that it gives you the perfect sushi experience. Shrimp Tempura was tasty. Not overly oily and a nice layer of tempura that wasn't thick. But the best is the shrimp! Definitely didn't taste like those frozen ones and the quality of the shrimp (size, texture, and tasty) was delicious. My son ate 2 out of 3 on his own - and he's very picky with shrimp tempura. Ota B was yummy! It was such a balanced meal of flavor, texture and variety. Even the rice itself was good, I kid you not! Definitely a good value to have if you're there. Our kids didn't want anything else but ended up eating two bowls of just udon. All because it was good udon. What can improve (hence the -1 star) is the service. The server wasn't friendly to begin with, probably because we have two young kids in a nice Japanese restaurant, and perhaps because we didn't order too much since we had a delayed lunch but had this place reserved for dinner already.

    Julie B.

    Forever will be my favorite sushi in San Diego! The uni and chu toro is a must order everytime! The craftsmanship and attention to detail in the plating really elevate the entire dining experience making it clear why this remains a staple for anyone who truly appreciates high-quality nigiri. The servers are all very attentive and nice and the ambiance is cozy and intimate - great for date nights or just a normal day for some sushi. The dress code is casual. If you are a sushi purist, Sushi Ota is worth every penny. Just be sure to book your reservation well in advance! (I use OpenTable)

    Keiko H.

    This is one of the OG sushi spots in San Diego, and I've been coming here on and off for decades. It had been quite a few years since my last visit, though. With so many new sushi restaurants opening around town, it's a little out of the way for us, and honestly, I had almost forgotten about it. I'm so glad we decided to come back because it's every bit as good as I remembered. I made a reservation for the sushi bar, which is always my favorite place to sit at a traditional sushi restaurant. Instead of ordering my usual rolls, I decided to splurge on the Chef's Choice nigiri. I also asked the chef to serve each piece one at a time rather than bringing everything out at once. I love taking my time, enjoying each bite, and watching the chefs work, which is another reason I prefer sitting at the counter. The Chef's Choice was absolutely worth it. Every piece was incredibly fresh and beautifully prepared. My favorite was the aged toro, which had been aged for three months. It had such a rich, buttery flavor and completely melted in my mouth. My husband ordered a few specialty rolls, and he was very happy with both the quality and the generous portions. I also upgraded my regular miso soup to the clam miso soup, and I'm so glad I did. The broth was delicate and flavorful without being overly salty, and the clams added a wonderful sweetness. Even though I was already pretty full, I couldn't resist ordering three pieces of tempura after seeing them come out for another customer. I rarely order tempura in the U.S. because it's often heavily battered, when authentic Japanese tempura should be light, crisp, and delicate. If you've ever been to a dedicated tempura restaurant in Japan, you know exactly what I mean. This tempura was surprisingly close to what you'd find in Japan--light, airy, and perfectly crispy without feeling greasy. For dessert, we shared the green tea Basque cheesecake. It leaned a little on the dry side, but I still really enjoyed it because the matcha flavor was rich, bold, and not overly sweet. We also had a chance to chat with Akira-san behind the sushi bar, which made the evening even more enjoyable. The hospitality and attention to detail really reminded me why I've always loved this place. With so many trendy and expensive sushi restaurants in San Diego these days, this restaurant continues to stand the test of time. The quality of the fish is outstanding, the atmosphere is authentic, and I honestly think the prices are very reasonable for what you get. It's a classic for a reason, and I'll definitely be making the drive back more often.

    Yvonne F.

    My boyfriend and I were recommended Sushi Ota by multiple people and we opted for dinner on Father's Day -- we knew it was a risky choice with no reservation, so we showed up 10 minutes before they opened. Luckily, for a group size of 2, we got sat at the bar with a time limit of 2 hours. We ordered 2 rolls and thought it was good. Nothing out of the ordinary. However, we opted for multiple pieces of the nigiri and that was delicious. The fish was fresh, buttery, and had a good ratio when it came to the rice. We also thought that the rice was seasoned perfectly. Our favorites was the tuna belly, salmon belly, and the spanish mackerel. The restaurant is small and tucked away in a small plaza. I would opt to sit at the sushi bar again if possible, it's more intimate and always a cool experience to see the chefs work.

    Lisa G.

    If you are able, I would suggest getting a seat at the sushi bar (where they make the sushi). The chefs are very considerate and attentive and will take care of you. Service was fast as our orders were made fresh in front of us. We were taken care of by Kei-san and Take-san. The salmon (5pc) was as buttery and tasty as I remember. We ended up getting 2 orders during our dining here. Liang was a fan of the Chu Toro sashimi. We got an order of chef's choice of nigiri (came with 1 miso soup), tokusen nigiri (came with 1 miso soup), 3 orders of the unagi nigri, 1 order of the soft shelled crab roll, and a hand roll. Cheesecake and black sesame topped it off. Presentation and taste were all on point. I recommend getting an eel and spicy tuna hand roll - combination is very tasty! And honestly never thought of combining it for a hand roll. It was easy to book a reservation through opentable. Looking forward to our next visit here (when we have some free time)

    Miso soup
    Sarah B.

    Was recommended to me by at least 3 people from out of state. Got a reservation about 14 days in advance. The food was incredible! Everything was tasty and fresh and came out quite fast. Service was awesome all the ladies I spoke to were kind and efficient. The space was simple but elegant, great vibe. Will definitely be back.

    Macarena O.

    I came with a group of friends and shared some rolls and chef's specials. We got the tokusen nigiri and the chef's choice nigiri. A great variety to share and the fish was very fresh and flavorful. Then we got the salmon jalapeño roll (delicious!), the double double tuna roll (my favorite) and the black pepper scallop (also good). I would say I wasn't full when we finished and the price is higher than normal so take that into consideration. Other than that, we had a great experience.

    Salmon, Hamachi belly, Hotate
    Eleanor C.

    Delicious sushi! We appreciated the quick service and the great cuts of the fish. They were efficient and so nice to us, we felt very welcomed in the restaurant. The rolls are a bit on the pricier side but it is worth it for the quality and size of the fish. I would recommend to anyone for a date night of yummy, quality fish!

    Black Pepper Scallops
    Denny V.

    It's been a while since I've had sushi ota but thats was take out and during covid. So was excited to dine in person! We had reservations for 5 at 7:45pm. Highly recommend getting a reservation. The place gets pretty busy. But even though they were busy the service was fast and friendly. The parking lot is pretty small but we got lucky and got a spot. Would definitely plan accordingly. The food was amazing! Probably the best sushi I've had in SD! We got 3 rolls: Black Pepper Scalop, Jalapeno Salmon and the Double Double Spicy Tuna. And the chef's choice and Tokusen Nigiri. I love tuna so the Double Double was my favorite, so much high quality tuna in each bite! But literally everything was good. They also had specialty items on the white board on the wall. So I will definitely try some of those next time.

    Tokusen nigiri
    Jenny C.

    This place is overhyped and I am flabbergasted by how high the reviews are on Yelp. I came on a Saturday night, so it was quite busy but there was still ample parking available. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated and serves as a cute date night spot. However, my partner and I got the Tokusen nigiri set ($38 for 11 pieces) which we REGRETTED because none of the items were fresh whatsoever. The presentation was nice, but the seafood tasted like it had been sitting out for some time and the rice easily fell apart as I picked up the pieces. I do not recall a single piece that was exactly memorable, which was very disappointing considering how loved it is by the internet. They did provide complimentary miso soup and it was arguably better than the set itself. I will not be returning here again.

    Jerry H.

    This San Diego favorite restaurant for consistently high quality sushi was again packed with satisfied customers. We came here for lunch and reservations are recommended even for lunch. The staff was courteous and fast. We loved it. The restaurant is very clean and welcoming for a great sushi experience. It felt like being in a high end restaurant in Japan. The nigiri sushi was some of the best and freshest I ever tasted. We had the double tuna roll, scallops jalapeno roll and snow crab California roll. Everything was outstanding and made with lots of special care. The sushi chefs here are high end experts. I see why sushi ota is a San Diego favorite.

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    Sushi Ota Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sushi Ota

    Are kids allowed?

    Yes, but they don't have high chairs (as of mid August 2025)

    Are reservations necessary?

    Yes. I have been turned away without them!

    Do they have gluten free food? How about gluten free soup sauce?

    Lots of gf food options. Not sure on the sauce.

    Does Sushi Ota sell salmon cut rolls? Not spicy salmon roll, not salmon skin roll, not salmon hand roll. Just plain salmon roll?

    It isn't on the menu ! I'm sure they will do it.

    I heard the quality suffered after Covid. Is this true?

    It is still awesome. Fresh fish is like produce - some times some items will be better than other times, but they seem to purchase quality products so while my favorite nigiri of the night will vary, I have not had any that was poor quality.

    Trying to call for the past week, getting a message that the number does not have a voice mail setup. are they closed?

    They close for about 3 hours in the afternoon. Check yelp. The restaurant is open

    How much is the omakase?

    I think we paid around $140 each.

    Is this restaurant Kid friendly?

    This restaurant doesn’t provide high chairs or a kids menu. It’s a refined, chef-driven tasting experience in a calm, intimate setting, so it’s generally better suited for adults or older children who can enjoy that format.

    Are reservations suggested for lunch?

    Yes. The place is nor big and so if you walk in you may wait for a long time.

    Hi, do you take reservation? I can't seem to find you online. Do you have any availability for 3 people tomorrow at 6:30pm?

    Call them +18588808778 Here's their Web site https://www.sushi-ota.com/

    Do you offer a sushi making class?

    No.... Why would they. You should look on etsy or something

    Hi, Do you have private dining room for party of 6?

    No.

    Is the bar open for Omakase/dine-in?

    Yes and it is the prime seating location.

    Do they have premium quality? Do they use real crab or just imitation crab?

    I would imagine real... unless it's a California roll. This place is very Japanese and authentic. I doubt they do anything outside the Japanese norm.

    Is Omakase available at the bar now?

    As of 4/9/2022, they do not have sushi bar service. You can still order the omakase at the tables though.

    Is Sushi Ota Japanese owned?

    Yes

    Is this restaurant dog friendly 🐕?

    It is not

    How do I make a reservation?

    Is omakze in front of the chef?

    How can I buy a gift card? Website and phone numbers are not working.

    I agree- order take out and then buy gift certificate when you arrive. they are a very small restaurant with a small outdoor seating area that they must serve and are… 

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    Azuki Sushi

    Azuki Sushi

    4.4(3.6k reviews)
    6.1 miBanker's Hill
    $$$
    Takes reservations
    Vegan friendly

    My husband brought me here as a surprise bday dinner. We had our 5 year old in tow who ended up…read moreknocking out right after we ordered. We ordered a bunch (see photos). Cant remember what they're all called but they were all good and would 20/10 order them again. Ambiance was also wonderful! But what made this place even better was the staff. We were promptly sat down upon arriving. Servers frequently checked on us and were all so nice. But what really stood out was their empathy. Like i said, my son knocked out. He's 5. He woke up as we were leaving. by the time we figured out what was really upsetting him (he wanted to stay there and eat and wanted the table we were on), we have gotten out of our table and obviously the table was then cleaned for the next guests. So basically my lil one cried, took him to the bathroom bec unfortunately we dont get everything we want just bec we cry. So we went into the bathroom for him to cry his feelings out and be ready to get out. Was he loud? Absolutely. Was i embarrassed? Yes. But it was a lesson he needed to learn and i didnt want my discomfort to hinder that. (Mind you the bathroom was in the middle of the stairs lol midway the lower and the upper floor). So was i ashamed to get out? Yes. But the staff, so empathetic. So nice about it. Told me i didnt need to apologize and that they get it. And that made me feel better as a mama who walked out of there carrying a 5 year old out their door. No judgy stares. Just smiles and understanding eyes. So july 18 2026, 4-5pm staff, you are all so amazing and we truly appreciate it. We hope to be back again when in the area.

    What a lovely place. Every bite of sushi was melt in your mouth, heaven. I loved the crispy tuna…read morerice - perfect fish to rice ratio in my opinion and the spicy tuna was seasoned well. I got an assortment of nigiris (sorry I forgot which ones I ordered) and the Azuki chirashi bowl which included an assortment of fishes. I do wish the nigiris were dressed as I like different flavors paired with my fish but soy sauce and wasabi worked perfectly fine. The chirashi bowl was a great dish to share as it was quite filling and was a generous portion. Overall ambiance was super cozy and felt intimate enough for a date night.

    Photos
    Azuki Sushi
    Azuki Sushi
    Azuki Sushi

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    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi - Baked Scallop Roll - @rayz

    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi

    4.3(2.8k reviews)
    8.7 miMira Mesa
    $$$

    I never get tired of going to this restaurant, I'm a sushi fan and as a former sushiman I'm…read moreextremely picky about eating sushi, especially temakis. Rice, the main ingredient of cooking is always on point but today it overcame, probably because it is very hot, the contrast of today's air conditioning was excellent, anyway. The best temaki in San Diego because it still arrives at your table crispy. A restaurant that surprises me every day that passes because it is a restaurant with the age group of younger waiters in SD but with better service than many restaurants in La Jolla. For those who really understand modern (non-traditional) Japanese cuisine, without a doubt the best. By the way, today the yellow tail was melting in the mouth. Anyway,,, thank you Little Sakana Crew,,, you are to be congratulated.

    My go-to casual date night spot! I love Little Sakana's fish quality, and often opt for their…read moreall-you-can-eat option over à la carte. If you want to add sashimi to your all-you-can-eat experience, there is an extra charge. My favorite rolls are the lemon roll and the UFC roll. Ask about their secret menu! They often have things like salmon belly nigiri and yellowtail belly nigiri. For a two-person AYCE experience, with tax and tip, it's around $90-95. The wait is pretty long on weekends, and you can join their waitlist from a QR code at the host stand while you walk around other businesses in the plaza! Heads up, the restaurant is pretty loud, as they often blast their "Happy Birthday" audio over speakers multiple times. Recently, I've ordered catering for their large platter (base $150). Super great deal considering the amount of rolls they give you and the freshness. Pretty simple to order catering off their website as well!

    Photos
    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi
    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi - Yellowtail, Salmon, Ikura

    Yellowtail, Salmon, Ikura

    Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi - Get on the waitlist using the QR code

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    Get on the waitlist using the QR code

    Sushi MARU - Iwashi

    Sushi MARU

    4.8(89 reviews)
    6.6 miDowntown, Core

    Adequate street parking in front and a huge ACE parking lot right in front if you're down to pay a…read morelittle extra. Easy to miss the door but theres a small wooden plaque by the front. Super small and intimate service, never felt rushed and very attentive staff. Extensive sake list and more than the usual options for beer. Chef Maru recommended to take photos upside down to get a better angle and he's so right lol The nigiri was great and I loved how the menu switched from fresh snappy bites to buttery melt in your mouth pieces, never felt like the last piece was competing with the next. I loved that crab was used in multiple dishes, like the warm dish and soup. I wish the nigiri was bigger in general, on the smaller side compared to other spots. Tuna lovers will appreciate how many dishes had tuna. The warm dish (seabass w hairy crab sauce) was one of my favorites, the hairy crab sauce consistency reminded me of banh canh cua. Tuna is from Mexico, most veggies and fruits were from Chino farms.

    I was really looking forward to Sushi Maru omakase. I made reservations for the late seating at…read more8pm. Once arrived we were seated about 5 minutes later. They were still setting up. My first impression of the restaurant was, it was beautiful restaurant with a counter that seats 14. First off, Chef Maru and his entire staff was absolutely fantastic and professional. They were all attentive on refilling water and tea. Chef Maru himself was absolutely awesome, he explained each course that was served. Which was the right way to do it. Omakase: Omakase 20 pieces at $180. It's a great price, but in my head there had to be a catch to it. The starter and appetizer started out strong. Everything (fish) were all fresh, so when the nigiri course started that's when everything went south. The nigiri that chef served was really small and it's not your standard size nigiri .There's barley any shari ( sushi rice) and fish. If felt like I was sampling each nigiri. You can't really enjoy it when it's that small.The only highlight was the Uni from San Diego. That felt like a month full, other than that everything just felt like a tease. Don't let my photos fool you, it was all zoomed in. My wife and I had many omakase before and lelf happy and satisfied. This was the first time that we ever left after an omakase meal and was still hungry and a little disappointed. I would love to give Sushi Maru more stars but I just can't after this vist.

    Photos
    Sushi MARU - San Diego Uni!! So sweet!

    San Diego Uni!! So sweet!

    Sushi MARU - Appetizer - Hairy Crab and Ika

    Appetizer - Hairy Crab and Ika

    Sushi MARU - Seasons Simmered Dish

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    Seasons Simmered Dish

    Soichi Sushi - Nigiri

    Soichi Sushi

    4.8(554 reviews)
    5.2 miUniversity Heights
    $$$$

    The first time experiencing Soichi, we just lucked in to it. We were in the area, popped in and…read morethey happened to have a table for 2, the reason I say lucked in is we tried to get a reservation the next time and they book out months at a time. It is not surprising as this Michelin 1 star since 2021 is quite the tiny, yet comfortable setting that continues to get high praise. Unlike several of the other Michelin guide or Michelin Star sushi establishments, they offer more than just Omakase. While the do offer Full Omakase for $189, Nigiri Omakase for $140, and Petite Omakase for $65, they also allow you to order nigiri, sashimi along with multiple other specials and cut rolls. On our first walk in experience, we ordered the Petite Omakase which included 4 seasonal dishes, 6 pieces of sushi, a light fish broth, and a small dessert, we also ordered some add-on sushi. On our first reservation here, we opted for the Full Omakase, which was absolutely amazing. It is hard to find any fault in the experience here as everything is done with such meticulous care, and exceptional service, making you feel welcome. I cannot recommend Soichi enough!

    Came back for my 3rd visit here since they've opened and am thrilled that the business is doing…read morewell and has continued to hold it's Michellin star. I've ordered the Omakase each time and while I still love the atmosphere and the energy from Chef Soichi and the staff, I do have to say that this last go round was not quite as good as the last two. This is meant to be opinionated criticism to help improve but I think the dishes could use more diversity and depth. Having done a fair share of omakase from places like Kinme and Matoi, I feel like this isn't that much more memorable or special and I'd hate for it to follow the same path Tadokoro did where they were absolutely my #1 choice and fell after they got their star (which they later lost). Still love that Chef Soichi continues his tradition of birthday serenades with his guitar and the place still has that mom and pop charm so I hope they continue to thrive!

    Photos
    Soichi Sushi - Beautiful flowers for Valentines!!

    Beautiful flowers for Valentines!!

    Soichi Sushi - Fried shrimp head. Whole thing is edible!

    Fried shrimp head. Whole thing is edible!

    Soichi Sushi - Appetizer

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    Appetizer

    Ichifuji

    Ichifuji

    4.9(210 reviews)
    3.4 miClairemont
    $$$$

    If you're looking for a unique, intimate omakase experience and love trying unexpected flavors,…read morethis is absolutely worth it. We initially couldn't get a reservation, so we joined the waitlist and were thrilled to get a Friday afternoon call offering us an 8 PM opening. The sushi bar has only about 10 seats, making the entire experience feel incredibly personal. The fish is flown in daily from Japan, the menu changes every three months, and you get to interact with the chef as each course is prepared. There are two omakase options: $145 or $165 with additional nigiri. If you're worried about leaving a tasting menu hungry, get the nigiri. I lost count of the courses and was completely stuffed by the end! The highlight was getting to try fish I'd never even heard of and some genuinely creative flavor combinations. You do need to be an adventurous eater--think oysters and fried shrimp heads--so it may not be ideal for someone hesitant about seafood. But if you're willing to trust the chef, that's part of what makes it so fun. The entire experience lasted about 2 1/2 hours, and because the setting is so intimate, we even ended up chatting with the diners next to us. And the sweet potato ice cream at the end was absolutely divine. We left full, happy, and feeling like we'd been briefly transported back to our travels in Japan. Such a special experience. We will absolutely be back!

    The omakase started off alright with complex appetizers that I didn't love, but fit Crystal's…read morepalate better. However, when the sushi started coming out the omakase got better and better and the fish selections included both classics as well as some unique options that we had never had before.the flavor combinations were also quite strong. Additionally, the price point was very affordable at around $160 per person.

    Photos
    Ichifuji
    Ichifuji - Toro handroll

    Toro handroll

    Ichifuji - Chawanmushi

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    Chawanmushi

    Shino Sushi

    Shino Sushi

    4.4(684 reviews)
    6.4 miLittle Italy
    $$$

    What a delicious hidden gem! Fun to sit at the sushi bar and watch them make the rolls. Great…read moreselection and everything is very fresh

    An extra star for the thoughtful and child-friendly service…read more I brought my 6 year old here for sushi after trying to get into Sugarfish and then Azuki. There was no wait here but parking was a nightmare and there is almost no street parking right around the restaurant which is near the trolley tracks. I recalled coming here for a light dinner with my husband many years ago and thinking it was good, but expensive. I asked if they had Japanese soda for my daughter because it was not on the menu, and they said no, but after we came back from the bathroom the host had found one for us. They gave us chopstick helpers and were very nice. We ordered braised pork belly as an app and wagyu nigiri, albacore, hamachi, salmon belly, 2 salmons, and unagi. I think that was all. They nicely split the order so half had no wasabi for the kid. They were very considerate and I appreciated it. The food however took a while to come out. The braised pork belly was ok, but the fat had not rendered as well as at some other places so we ate around it. The flavor was good though. The hamachi was probably the best item-tender and tasty. The albacore was standard and a generous piece, but the salmon was a bit tough and my kid who usually inhales salmon tasted and then left the salmon. The wagyu had good flavor but was surprisingly chewy. For $26 I would expect it to melt in your mouth but it was not easy to bite through. The eel was very tender but had a weird taste, and was disappointing. I found myself chewing on a scale from maybe the salmon and was overall underwhelmed by the food. The bill for a soda and the sushi came to almost $150 after tax and tip for me and a 6-year old. Usually my husband and I and my kid go to places with better quality and pay the same price for the three of us. Will not be back.

    Photos
    Shino Sushi - Sushi bar

    Sushi bar

    Shino Sushi - Tofu

    Tofu

    Shino Sushi - Toro Toro Roll

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    Toro Toro Roll

    Lumi - Charred Yellowtail yellowtail, charred green onion, masago, avocado, cucumber, yuzu kosho aioli, garlic ponzu

    Lumi

    4.2(1.1k reviews)
    7.3 miGaslamp

    My husband and I came here for dinner and really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. The…read morerestaurant has a modern rooftop vibe in the heart of Downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, making it a great spot for date night. We ordered the miso soup, spicy edamame, Den Miso pork belly skewers, tamarindo tuna ceviche, seabass serrano, crispy karikari tuna, and mochi ice cream for dessert. To drink, we had the Taiyo Margarita and the Clouds of Matcha cocktail. The spicy edamame was probably the only dish that fell a little short for us. It wasn't bad by any means, but we were hoping for more flavor. The absolute standout was the Den Miso pork belly skewers. My husband and I both took our first bite at the same time, looked at each other, and immediately said, "Oh!" We were genuinely surprised by how juicy, tender, and flavorful they were. There were only two skewers, but they packed so much flavor that we instantly wanted to order another plate. The tamarindo tuna ceviche was fresh, light, and refreshing. The taro chips added a nice crunch without overpowering the dish. The seabass serrano was enjoyable, though it wasn't a stand out for us. The crispy karikari tuna (spicy tuna over crispy rice) is one of my go-to orders whenever I visit a sushi restaurant, and this version was up to par. The only component I wasn't crazy about was the long, thin slice of avocado on top--I personally could have done without it, though my husband actually liked it, so that's just a matter of preference. We finished the meal with mochi ice cream, which was the perfect sweet ending. Overall, we had a great dining experience. Between the rooftop ambiance, attentive service, and several delicious dishes - especially those unforgettable pork belly skewers - we'd definitely come back and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a great dinner spot in the Gaslamp.

    This is a hipster restaurant for after-work drinks and sushi, where the crowd is relatively young…read more The rooftop bar and open air is great for a breezy summer evening. The music is a bit on the loud side, but you can still have a chat with a group. I ordered the Akira Back Pizza, Mango Bongo Roll, and Super Spider Roll. Akira Back Pizza was my favorite, as the crunchy chip base and truffle drizzle made it extremely craveable. The rolls were pretty good too, and they use real crab! By the way, Lumi's AI answering service says they do not do take-out, but they do. Their receptionist is difficult to reach to confirm, but I have ordered take-out from their bar without any issues. It's just that they may not be able to allow call-ins for to-go orders.

    Photos
    Lumi - Inside the upstairs.

    Inside the upstairs.

    Lumi - Namaiki "Sassy" made with producer espadin, herradura blanco tequila, aji amarillo, pink guava, lime

    Namaiki "Sassy" made with producer espadin, herradura blanco tequila, aji amarillo, pink guava, lime

    Lumi - Uchuu "Universe" made with bombay dry gin, alma tepec chili liqueur, passionfruit, lemon, effervescence, coconut cream

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    Uchuu "Universe" made with bombay dry gin, alma tepec chili liqueur, passionfruit, lemon, effervescence, coconut cream

    Sushi Ota - sushi - Updated September 2026

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