Came here recently with my coworkers and was so impressed. Deserving of the michelin . Been thinking about that tuna nonstop! Sake selection is huge and all were great, they gave us a flight to see which bottle we wanted. Can't wait to come back. read more

This place really makes the fish shine. I can tell Chef Takeaki is passionate about his preparation. It was very fun just to see him craft each dish. Fish was fresh and the taste really shines through. This place focuses on bringing out the natural taste of the fish! I absolutely loved the miso flounder, his fatty tuna and uni bowl, and the oyster. They were my wife's and my favorite. It is also surprisingly filling. Highly recommend this place. Staff and the chef are super friendly and the restaurant is quite cozy! read more

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Our experience here fell far far short of the Yelp rating it currently enjoys. Instead we can fully understand why it's Michelin Star was stripped and wonder how it achieved one on the first place. We came for a omakase birthday celebration. Let me be fair and start with the high points: The bluefin was good. The miso sea bass was good (but small). The roe and urchin was good. The setting was cozy and unassuming. The low points: Almost all the other food was subpar. I don't mean subpar for a Michelin omakase; I mean subpar for even a mediocre sushi restaurant. Many of the nigiri and sashimi pieces had gristle and bloodline. The omakase had only one serving of bluefin and of chu toro and no other tuna. No hamachi. Instead we got sardine and mackerel among the fish. What's worse was the restaurant daring to pass off seafood leftovers like they were main courses: a fried shrimp head and a fried fish head. No joke. Those are normally either the base for stock or thrown in the garbage. They both were rank. The raw shrimp was slimy. The fish we did have was bland. For this nasty omakase we had the privilege of wiping our mouths with paper napkins and leaving $470 poorer for two omakase, a beer and a carafe of sake. read more

Sushi Tadokoro - Fried triggerfish head as an omakase course - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I was very excited to try this spot but was definitely disappointed. I love omakase and have never been let down before. I can understand why they lost their star. Nothing stood out and nothing was amazing. It wasn't bad don't get me wrong it was very very average and the price point def didn't match. read more

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Wonderful experience to celebrate a friend's birthday. Unassuming from the outside, no muss no fuss inside just the way it should be. Watching the food prepared is fantastic, Some of the best cuts I've had! Definitely worth the splurge, can't wait to try it again! read more

Such a great dinner. Went to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday she loved all the different sushi she had, garlic edamame was Devine. Staff was super friendly even surprised us with a birthday cake and ice cream read more

Sushi Tadokoro - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

The best omakase experience I've ever had!!! My boyfriend was nice enough to take me here to celebrate. He got a 5pm reservation on a Saturday. Parking is tough since it's a small plaza but plenty of street parking. They have a sign saying it's reservation only, but some people were able to be seated since some people were no shows. We were seated at the bar. Very clean shop, great service (very attentive and kept refilling our drinks). We had the omakase experience and the owner was our chef. He was so lovely! Great description of each dish and comparisons. I can't even name all the fish we tried, it was all so good. I really liked the miso cod, sashimi platter, and halibut bites. The dessert was a coffee pudding that was sooo yummy. I got a plum wine and really loved it. It is a pricey meal, but if you're looking to splurge this is the spot to go! read more

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I have been to a couple of omakases before and Sushi Tadokoro did not disappoint! We sat at the bar where we could watch the preparations of the chefs and had a wonderful experience. The omakase experience was $165 in August 2025 and we were served: Appetizer: the appetizer plate consisted of a fresh oyster with ponzu sauce, a few tempura-fried peppers and a freshly made tofu block - I can't remember exactly what the chef had said about the tofu, but it was delicious and had more body and soybean taste than your regular grocery tofu. Fresh Sashimi: Delicious - I don't typically like shrimp but that preparation is my favorite that I've ever had. Please note though - the shrimp was so fresh that the head was, uh, still moving. Mine was moving just a little, but there was someone down the bar that had a really, uh, feisty one. You can request that they remove the shrimp head from the presentation. You're not eating the head, because they will fry it for you later (it was crunchy! Like a soft-shelled crab). Grilled Chillean Sea Bass: perfectly cooked, and paired with a pickled ginger. Nigiri Sushi: I could not describe how good each piece was - and I'm sure this changes day-to-day. At the end of the nigiri sushi round, we were asked if we wanted to re-order any of them again and we asked for unagi (not part of the menu, but we had seen them prepare them and they were delicious) and "the one with the white kelp on top". That one tasted so unique and so good. Words fail me! Clear Soup - after so much sushi and food, this soup was hot and felt so soothing getting into my stomach! It looks like only a little bit of soup in the bowl but was more than enough to satisfy. Dessert - their featured dessert was a coffee panna cotta, which neither of us felt like. We were also given the choice of alternative sorbets, and we chose the lychee sorbet. Delicious and light, and perfect to finish off the meal! My only disappointment is that there was no sake flight pairing, which I think would've have enhanced the experience. I asked for their recommendations and chose a carafe (and the carafe has a separate compartment for ice so that the sake doesn't get diluted). I did get to choose my own sake cup. :) My BIL got a lemon sour and enjoyed it. Overall, fantastic experience and would definitely recommend! read more

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Been to many sushi restaurants but first time trying omakase. Given that Sushi tadokoro is the OG San Diego Michelin star omakase restaurant it was the obvious choice. Few key details that might be a deal breaker for some if you're doing this for the "experience" and/or going on that special date. 1. Not all seating is at the bar. There's only about 10 seats at the bar where you see the chefs making the courses and get served by them as well. The rest of the seating are regular tables serviced by a server. 2. No interaction. If you sit at the bar the chefs will interact with you. They'll tell you fun facts, show you their daily catch, ask you questions. So if you sit at the table you'll miss that. If that's something you care about. The hokkaido uni is the best I've had. Creamy and delicious. I have had better tuna and toro but it was still solid. The price was $165 before tax and tip (08/2025). They are very busy and only had 2 servers so the wait between food was a little longer than we liked. Overall it was a great experience and the food was delicious but we were still hungry after haha read more

Sushi Tadokoro - Omakase course 1 - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Best sushi I've ever had (including Japan). Chef Tadokoro who owns the restaurant personally prepared all of our omakase courses and every dish was mind blowing. He explained everything in depth and showed us photos of all the fish. I'm usually not full after tasting menus, and we were so full at the end of this one. The coffee panna cotta dessert was amazing. Well deserving of their Michelin star and more! read more

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I came here recently with two friends. We had omakase and it was good, but we have all had better (including at the one remaining Michelin-starred sushi restaurant in San Diego). Two things seriously detracted from our meal. First, there was a group of three very drunk and very loud women sitting at the bar. They shrieked in high, piercing voices throughout the evening. I understand that the owner and staff wouldn't want to correct any customer; however, these women's behavior was beyond the pale and ruined our experience. The second negative was that we left a 22 or 23% tip. This was on top of the "service charge" that was collected at the time of booking. To our surprise, after paying the bill, the hostess came running after us in the parking lot, asking whether everything was ok. We said it was. She then specifically said that the tip was low. We checked the bill again, in case we'd made a mistake, but we had not. This really was the "icing on the cake," as the hostess had witnessed and heard the women at the bar all evening. A 22-23% tip was appropriate given what we endured, and it's terribly bad form for anyone to come pursuing you to ask for a higher tip. read more

Drove down from OC today for an adventure and this place was highly recommended.... And boy it did not disappoint. The food was fresh! The service was impeccable. The ambiance was lovely and cozy. Everything was delicious read more

Sushi Tadokoro - Kampachi, Toro, Tuna, and Negitoro gunkan Yummmmmmmm - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

My boyfriend and I were on a weekend trip to San Diego and wanted to have a special birthday dinner for him. We decided to check Sushi Tadokoro and it was the right choice! As soon as we walked into the restaurant, we were greeted right away by the host. The restaurant was both cozy and modern, featuring warm lighting and a wooden counter. Counter and table seating were all reserved on the night that we visited so I highly recommend making a reservation. We went for the omakase and it lived up to my expectations for a Michelin 1-star experience. (Note: Michelin 1-star rating was for 2021-2023; they lost the star last year.) Every bite was fresh, balanced, and beautifully prepared. Some of my favorite bites were the oyster from BC, sea bass, and sea bream. We even got to try some items that I've never seen before at other omakase places like needlefish which was totally up my alley. High quality ingredients with flavors that were dancing in my mouth! The attention to detail that goes into each piece was chef's kiss. Speaking about the chef, Chef Takeaki (also owner) was funny and incredibly knowledgeable. He shared where each fish came from, how it was caught, and explained the preparation behind every bite which is a huge plus to the overall experience. Most of the fish was flown in from Japan and they only serve what is in season. The customer service was good as expected. Parking is a little challenging to find so definitely set aside some time to look for a spot. They do have a tiny parking lot but you will find better luck looking for parking on the side streets. Overall, a 5/5 experience and I would love to come again during a different season! read more

I made omakase reservations for my fiancé's birthday and we both had an amazing time! I made reservations at the bar with Take Tadokoro. We enjoyed talking to him and he was so knowledgeable about every dish. Every dish is curated beautifully and tastes as delicious as it looks! All the nigiris were so good that it's hard to choose a favorite. All the staff were so friendly and attentive to us. We didn't know what kind of sake to order so they let us try out some samples. They even gave my fiance a complimentary dessert with a candle which was so thoughtful. Thank you Take and everyone for an amazing first time! read more

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Went to Sushi Tadokoro for my birthday omakase and it was amazing. The restaurant is small and cozy, and the service was excellent. Jessie, our sushi chef, was incredibly knowledgeable and prepared everything beautifully. Each course was fresh, balanced, and so delicious. Perfect spot for a special occasion! read more

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This restaurant deserves 5 star for their hospitality, flavor, and ambiance. When you step in the restaurant, you immediately feel calm and zen. My partner and I chose the Omakase course and we were lucky enough to get Chef Tadokoro (owner). He was very kind, knowledgeable, and friendly. We enjoyed all the courses and we even got an extra desert since it was our anniversary. I enjoy the staff's strong attention to detail from their service to the food. read more

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An amazing omakase experience with my husband for our anniversary. Chef Takeaki prepared a delicious and elegant meal for us. He was very kind and a pleasure to watch and listen to, explaining where ingredients came from and how various items were prepared. His staff also took great care of us. The interior is simple and fresh and does not distract the diner from their delicious food journey. I look forward to returning! read more

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This Sushi Tadokoro review is long overdue! Tadokoro was our very first omakase experience (2022) and it was amazing, even when we weren't able to sit at the bar during our first visit. We were able to get bar seats the following year and I highly recommend - because you get to see the masters at work, especially Chef Tadokoro. Sushi Tadokoro is located in an unassuming little strip mall in Old Town San Diego - and totally looks/feels like a hole in the wall place. But once you step inside, you're teleported out of Old Town into cozy sushi-ya in Japan! The omakase experience was $160 (2022) / $165 (2023) per person, and is such a culinary experience! You are given hand selected, curated pieces by Chef Tadokoro. If you are at the sushi bar, Chef Tadokoro will personally educate you on each dish, while having conversation in between. If not at the sushi bar, the capable waitresses will be the ones to relay Chef's descriptions and messages. The whole omakase experience is about 2.5hours, depending on how quickly you eat. Chef will obviously try to pace the experience to match how the table is doing, but bear in mind that while it seems like there's not a lot of food... the pieces of nigiri and other omakase items will quickly add up and expand in your stomach. So, take your time, enjoy, and savor the experience!! At the end of the savory courses will be a dessert course, sometimes made by Chef Tadokoro's wife. I will, however, note that the omakase menu from the fall of 2022 and fall of 2023 were the same (dessert was different, I think) which was a smidge disappointing, but this could be due to what was in season and us going around the same time. Regardless, if you have not had an omakase experience before, I highly recommend trying Sushi Tadokoro at least once and make sure to book early so you can sit at the sushi bar. Chef Takeaki Tadokoro is humorous, hospitable, and amazing at what he does. You will be in good hands and in for a treat! read more

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Second time visiting and also second time getting the same table omakase. 4/5. To my understanding they lost their star in 2023 - hence maybe the easy reservation this time vice the nearly impossible one in 2022. I prefer the omakase at the table - you're not missing much. I'll get to the point on this one. Every course was nice, but not mind-blowing. It feels "less" than my previous experience when it comes to the quantity/quality you get. Sushi: Tasted and looked average. You get about 10 pieces and it's pretty standard. Hot courses: standard flavors compared to local sushi restaurants. Atmosphere: Restaurant is tiny, so it's nice and cozy. You get great service! Also, the staff wears masks..so that's a plus especially when they explain your courses to you in front of your food. We ordered 2 bottles of sake, beers, and 4 omakase courses and total came out to ~$1100. At this quality/value I compare it to Nobu SD, where I found their quality top-tier. Again, it's good, but not star good. 4/5 stars based on quality and value. read more

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Came here to celebrate my wife's birthday. Made reservations for their omakase experience. There is a small parking lot outside. Once inside, service was very warm and prompt. We were served by Tadokoro himself. We were a little worried that previous reviews mentioned that there were very few sushi courses, but I disagree. The whole meal was longer than two hours, and very well paced. I couldn't eat another bite afterwards. Highly recommend this place for your next special celebration. read more

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Does this place deserve its high ratings? let's dig into it. Reservations only, they do take a deposit which is non-refundable if you no show, so don't no show. It is located in a very unassuming small lot, next to a liquor store, without any real signage, but it is there. Price. Yes it is expensive, but you know what you are getting in to here before you go, so it's not really a sticker shock. To be fair I believe the Omakase was a bit less pricy that other well rated spots in San Diego. Walking in, it is a quaint little spot, with surprisingly decent bar space, and a handful of tables. There is a minor fishy smell upon entering that quickly dissipates as you sit. The Omakase itself was very good, well plated, each dish well explained out by our waitress. They do ask you if there is anything you don't like, or are allergic to, before you order. In looking at reviews and pictures submitted, it seems like the "Omakase" has been pretty much the same for quite some time, which for a first timer here, perfect, but I would like to mix it up a bit if I came back here for the same Chef's choice. I will not give a fish by fish highlight, as they each were delicious, but I will highlight the scallop, which was fresh and one of the better ones I have had in a long time. As far as comparable' s to this experience, Sushi Ota a long time ago, was my go to for "good sushi" but the last several times I went were mediocre to me, and I have not been back for awhile but I intend to revisit. Soichi Sushi, I will state is my favorite in San Diego, and Tadokoro is at this time my 2nd. read more

July Saturday 7:30pm . I got the last bar seat at the counter with the chef about two weeks prior to the reservation. I also got street parking up front, arriving about 20 minutes prior. . Conversing with Chef Takeaki at the bar was delightful. He talked about his journey from Japan, his apprenticeship, and random sushi facts. My favorite tidbit was about having an air pocket in the rice so that the fish and the rice will mesh together in your mouth when you chew. My second favorite tidbit was that the water that the rice grows in changes the flavor. The menu was otherwise set with chef's selection for the pieces: . Appetizer: smelt wrapped in shishito dipped in ume sauce, tofu, oyster. Loved all three, particularly the smelt! . Sashimi: ebi, hotate, amberjack, toro, and another . Grilled Chilean sea bass: fantastic! I didn't think I'd enjoy the sweet miso on it as much as I did. I also loved the ginger and I tried to eat the whole thing and was stopped. My seat partner also offered a piece of kindaime, which was nice, but the sea bass was superb. . Fried shrimp head with salt from a beach in shizuka. Really great salt, couldn't stop eating it. . Nigiri sushi: cured halibut, sardine, skipjack, tuna yakitori, baby barracuda, uni roe nigiri, trigger fish, toro . Clear soup: Dashi broth with white fish bones and kelp . Dessert: coffee blanc mange. Perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed my time and my meal at Sushi Tadokoro. I hope you get your well-deserved Michelin star this year as well! read more

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The fish was so fresh here. The inside is super cozy, but they have limited seating. Reservation is required there. The staff was super friendly and service was exceptional. The price for omakase here is not bad at all. Got everything from uni to oyster. I was full at the end. Each course was very well balanced. read more

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Really wish Yelp allowed half stars on individual reviews, as my experience here was between full ratings. Regardless of the unassuming entrance and interior, a Michelin star rightly carries with it high food-specific expectations, and for the most part Sushi Tadokoro hit the mark with its fantastically fresh omakase served by Takeaki Tadokoro himself. The entire course was premium quality and delectable, no question. However, some inconsistently sized cuts of fish left me confused (not to mention jealous when other sushi bar patrons received greater portions)! :P Again, given the Michelin standard to bear, I feel I have to round down in this case. read more

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This was my first Michelin starred review for one of the best omakase dinner experiences of my LIFE. We had to book a reservation and recommended experience is at the bar where there was probably 3-4 couples max. Although it was on the pricey side, each presentation of the omakase was delicious and potent in fresh flavor. Literally flavor firework explosions in between each bite. And it wasn't just raw fish, they had plethora of other presented food. Parking was a little hard to find, but the restaurant definitely feels super intimate and beautiful. read more

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There are three levels of sushi in San Diego. 1. Solid American style: Banbu, Sushi Harney. 2. American / Japanese hybrids: Himitsu, Harmony 2B1. 3. Authentic Japanese: Soichi, Tadokoro. We've been to all of these places and I'd say our favorite is #2. Tadokoro screams authenticity. There is no extra flavor additives, it's only pure nicely prepared fish. Wife and I are strict to nigiri so our bar is pretty high. The fish here was cut well, nicely sized, but served closer to room temp versus chilled? This was a little weird to us, but because this place has m. stars and this is how it was at soichi it must be a reflection of how it's served overseas. We did try items after our nigiri, basic American crap like shrimp tempura and a toro roll. Those were great so I think everyone would like it here. Service is lightning quick, not too personable but plates are cleared and they're ready for customers to order more at the same time. Very nice spot, but perhaps not for everyone. read more

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Really intimate sushi experience in San Diego! Ordered their chef omikase sashimi plate, tuna roll, and kama. The sashimi plate was great, cost $72, and had two slices of six different fish. The best is the fresh wasabi that comes with their sashimi paired with the toro. The service was great and the experience very intimate. Would definitely go back! read more

Sushi Tadokoro - Chef omikase sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

This review is quite overdue, thanks to a hectic work schedule... But because of the wonderful experience me, my wife and 16-year old had, it just had to go up! The food was fresh, the taste was unique, and the presentation outstanding. That Chef Tadokoro himself served us was just the cherry on the top. My teen, quite a sushi lover, can't wait for the next San Diego roadtrip and have Sushi Tadokoro as a mandatory stop. Five stars!!! 田所さんへ、うちのティーンが真剣な表情をしていて申し訳ありません。彼は本当に楽しく食事をしていて、料理と体験を心から楽しんでいました。おそらく、食事に集中しすぎていただけだと思います。 read more

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Michelin star 3 years in a row says it all about this place. We made rsvps for the Omakase and very much worth it. It's the first thing you should try if it's your first time there to get a taste of the menu. You'll definitely look forward to coming back and trying the ala carte. The full course meal is filling and you're receiving a variety of fish and seafood. The dishes were so unique and flavorful it'll have your eyes roll back like foodie guru mark Weins on YouTube. You have to try it for yourself, words cannot express the deliciousness of this Tadokoro. After having a taste of the best sushi... other sushi spots will never be the same. read more

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I've had a lot of Omakase meals in a lot of big cities, including most, if not every high-quality sushi restaurant in San Diego and this has been my best experience. From the service to the expertly curated menu, everything is top notch. The knifework is amazing as well as the presentation, not to mention the taste and texture. I really can't say enough of this place. I realize Omakase menus constantly change, but if I could eat here every day, I would. read more

Small intimate sushi spot - the outside is nothing to write home. I actually thought I was in the wrong place at first because there wasn't a sign really. Service is attentive and the omakase is Tried a lot of things I never had before like barracuda and triggerfish. The Chilean sea bass was delicious and the uni hand roll and so.much.uni! The oyster on the appetizer was one of the biggest and best oysters ever and it's super cool how in the sashimi plate they use the shrimp head for a later course. Great experience for my first Michelin star place! 11/10 would recommend - and do the omakase! read more

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Amazing good! This restaurant is so easy to book, and for a $160 omakase, the quality is pretty spot-on--what more could you ask for? I feel like only in a place like San Diego can you find this kind of value. It's even a Michelin one-star restaurant. As for the food, the only thing I really remember is how amazing the raw oyster was. If I had to point out a downside, the portions were a bit too small--I definitely didn't leave feeling full. This is arguably the best-tasting omakase in San Diego--leaning traditional, so flavor is the priority here. Master Tadokoro is highly experienced, and the sea urchin is absolutely incredible~Compared to this, Ota is more artistic and modern~ These two restaurants really stand out as the top two omakase spots in San Diego. read more

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Sushi Tadokoro is located in Old Town and boasts 3 straights years of being awarded a Michelin Star from 2021-2023! We celebrated my husband's birthday dinner here and we had a great Omakase experience. Parking: We got lucky that we found a spot within the very small parking lot. However, it seems that lots of people have to park on the street. When you check in for the reservation, the host will show a map of where you should park. Ambiance: The inside is very clean and bright. We sat the bar and there were tables that seated 2-4 people, though some tables can probably be pushed together to accommodate for a slightly larger party. Service: Our chef, Takahisa, was skilled, personable, and fun to talk to while dining. He really made our whole experience pleasurable! The servers were very quick and attentive, my water cup never reached the bottom! Food: The price for the Omakase is pretty reasonable. I forgot how many dishes were served but we were pretty full at the end. For the appetizer, you can choose between the Grilled Chilean Sea Bass or the Golden eye snapper head and we both opted for the Sea Bass-- this is one of our favorite dishes actually. One of my other favorites was the Uni hand roll. At the end of the meal before dessert, they served a refreshing cup of soup. For dessert, they served my husband matcha ice cream with cupcake, and we also ordered the coffee pudding and Sesame ice cream-- they were all tasty and not too sweet. For drinks, my husband couldn't decide which Sake to order, so the server gave him 3 tasting samples of what she recommended. When he chose the one he liked, they had him choose from one of the unique cups lined up behind the chefs. Overall: We had a wonderful experience here and were so glad we were able to find a reservation 2 weeks in advance. Highly recommend this place for its great service, skilled chefs, and delicious food! read more

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Made reservations here to celebrate my birthday. They only served omakase style. The place is in the Old Town area but towards the south and away from all the touristy areas. Parking here is very limited. The restaurant is next to a liquor store and a hair salon. Our course started out with breaded Smelt, a very smooth and creamy tofu and raw Oyster. Next were Bluefin tuna, Scallops, Shrimp, & Fatty tuna sashimi. All were very fresh. Next we were served Black cod. It was a little too sweet but melts in your mouth good Next we were served Nigiri sushi. I couldnt hear what our server said they were. But it was really good. Next was the Uni with rice and fish roe. This was the star of the meal. Next we were served fish broth soup that I thought I would hate but was actually pretty good and not fishy at all. Lastly, we were served a birthday treat and dessert. Overall, the food was great. Sashimi/sushi needed to be colder when served. If they served ala carte options instead of omakase, i would come here again. But for the price of the food, I didnt think it was worth $165. read more

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Our 6th Michellin star restaurant. The service was ofcourse great. The inside was nice and traditional Japanese. Now for the food, unless you are really really into sashimi style sushi (i.e, not american style avocado/crunchy rolls) then don't go to any michellin star rated sushi restaurant, including this one. If you never been to a michellin star sushi restaurant, you can give it a try and see what you think. For us it was just too much raw fish. If sashimi and nagiri was our passion we would return, but because of our personal tastes we likely won't. read more

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This is a longtime sushi joint in Old Town whose profile was dramatically elevated when it was awarded one Michelin star back in 2021 with repeat recognition in 2022 and 2023. The parking in front of the restaurant was extremely limited as the spaces were shared with a couple of neighboring businesses. The hostess stand even showed a diagram of where not to park unless you want to risk being towed. Tock reservations can be made for the ten seats at the sushi bar or for one of the tables which could hold another 20 customers. The dinner menu was primarily omakase although one table adjacent to the bar was permitted by the owner to order sushi a la carte. The $160 progression was divided into the following categories that did not have as detailed of a description as some other omakase menus around town. * Appetizer * Fresh Sashimi * Warm Dish * Nigiri Sushi * Clear Soup * Dessert Four sushi chefs manned the bar and also prepared the courses for all of the tables. I felt this took away from the personalized omakase experience that you get when the establishment has only sushi bar seating. The assigned chef can just focus on two to four customers at a time as opposed to twice that number. Our chef spoke with a low tone voice which made it challenging for me to hear him describe each offering. The appetizer was a three-item dish with the left side containing a British Columbia-sourced Kumamoto oyster, the center holding a cube of sweet tofu, and the right side filled with two pieces each of fried Shishamo (smelt) and shishito peppers. While the first two were familiar, the smelt was something I had not sampled elsewhere. It had a fishy taste but not to the point in which it was off-putting. The fresh sashimi started with a recently dispatched Southern California Amaebi (spot prawn). The antennae on the head were still in full motion on the center of the plate. The head was later flash fried and served for consumption. The other pieces of fish were Kampachi (amberjack), Spanish Bluefin Toro (fatty tuna belly), Hawaiian Ahi (bigeye tuna), and Hokkaido Hotate (scallop). The toro had the best texture and taste from the high fat content. The warm dish was a grilled Chilean sea bass that was marinated in saikyo miso and accompanied by a pickled ginger shoot. The white miso used a high quality soybean. The ginger shoot provided an acidic contrast to cut through the glaze that covered the fish. The nigiri sushi was served in the below ten-piece sequence. Both the triggerfish and channel rockfish were new species that I had not tasted before. My favorites were the flounder and skipjack tuna. * Kobujime Hirame (kelp-pressed olive flounder) * Kawahagi (triggerfish) with liver * Zuke (bigeye tuna) marinated in soy sauce * Ikura (Alaska salmon caviar) * Negima Yakatori (tuna skewer) * Shima-Aji (striped jack) * Iwashi (sardine) * Uni (sea urchin roe from Hokkaido) * Kinki (channel rockfish) * Katsuo (skipjack tuna) The soup was made from a dashi stock with white fish bones and kelp. It had a very clean taste profile, almost like a palate cleanser after eating the series of raw fish. Dessert was either coffee blancmange, which my friend chose, or a pick of ice cream. I chose the lychee sorbet as the latter. The scoop contained bits of the sweet fruit to give texture to the frozen treat. The service from the waitstaff was on point. As mentioned above, since our chef also had to prepare dishes for some tables, that created some pauses in the progression of the courses, especially within the nigiri. Our experience at Sushi Tadokoro was very good, however it didn't quite hit a five-star rating. read more

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Has a Michelin Star for a reason. The chef has mastered his craft that it has become art. He plans out these meals, taking into account where the water comes from used to make his sushi rice. The fish, all sourced purposefully. Explained that he line catches fish rather than net so the fish taste is not tampered by the stress of crowding in a net. His attention to detail lets you relax and let him take you on a journey. 10/10 quality. 10/10 attention to detail. 10/10 service and ambiance. A meal to remember. read more

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Great food and great service. One of a kind experience. Drinks on point and sushi was next to none. Above par for sure. read more

Sushi Tadokoro - Soooo good - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

If you're looking for a more traditional and expertly curated omakase-style Japanese dining experience, this is the place for you. I liken it to Soichi, where you will also find authentic sushi and other offerings one might find in an actual Japanese restaurant. The service was prompt and friendly, and every dish delectable. The Michelin Star seems to have been removed as of August 2024, per Reddit, but the quality and experience remain worthy of the honor. One perk of their location is the liquor store next door, where we could get some Haagen Dazs to wrap up the night, and hear from the store owner all about the history and staff of the restaurant we'd just visited; fresh fish shipped in every day, and if it's not up to chef's standards, he sends it back! I recommend trying this place if you have the cash to spend and love authentic Japanese fare. read more

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We stopped by for the omakase at sushi tadokoro thinking since it was a 1 Michelin star that it would be amazing. But it was the complete opposite. Walking into this restaurant inside a parking lot next to a liquor shop and hair dresser, tucked inside with a 10 seat sushi bar and about 6 tables. So very small restaurant. I pre booked online for a table as the sushi bar was completely full. There were 4 chefs at the sushi bar. Which would've been nice. We were off to start with the omakase. There were multiple courses of sashimi (which was excellent, especially the yellowtail). Followed by black cod miso, first round of nigiri consisted of 4 pieces (which was ok but fresh, with multiple selection from Japan). Followed by a fish skewer (so dry and not good at all), second round of nigiri was 3 pieces (including toro). There was also a course of small ikura, Uni rice which was my favorite. So the star rating is due to the fact that first, our soup was served before we even finished the meal (we had 2 courses left), it was a huge mistake and they apologized. Second, the service and food was not up to the quality we expected for a Michelin star. And lastly for the price at $160 per person, really just overpriced for the value. read more

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