Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Uncle Tetsu

    4.5 (315 reviews)
    Closed • 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Uncle Tetsu Takeout or Delivery

    Uncle Tetsu Photos

    Business Info

    UNCLE TETSU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    Recommended Reviews - Uncle Tetsu

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Angela C.

    I don't make it out this way often, but when I do, this cheesecake is the whole reason. Light, delicate, exactly what you want from a Japanese cheesecake. They had cookies out front this time too, so I got the taro cheesecake and matcha cookies, both good, but the cheesecake wins every time. Prices are fair: regular cheesecake is $14, mini cheese pies are about $5, and they've got new basket cheesecakes for $24 that are extra rich.

    Pinay M.

    I love this place! I think we've tried almost everything on the menu. The Oreo cheesecake, ube cheesecake, mousse au chocolat, and burnt basque but my favorite is their original fluffy cheesecake. It's pretty similar to French soufflé. It's very fluffy, and has a light and airy texture, it's very soft and delicious! They are cashless and only accept card payments or Apple Pay.

    Oreo
    Justin C.

    Uncle Tetsu serves delicious authentic Japanese cheesecakes. We tried the original milk and Oreo flavors. The texture is consistent and fluffy and you can taste the quality. The cakes are not large but we were able to cut them comfortably into 8 piece slices to serve our group. I really liked the Oreo flavor cheesecake and would definitely get it again. Looking forward to trying some of their other flavors like the Ube cheesecake.

    Outside the store with my cheesecake purchase.
    Vince B.

    This is a review for my visit back in March of this year. I was coming out of the Vinh Hoa Hong after buying some winter herbal essentials when I chanced upon this small shop with a big red sign and a cute Japanese drawing of a bespectacled balding man. A "Now Open" banner invitingly waves at me together with the aroma of freshly baked cheesecake. How could I resist? I allowed my desires take over and ordered a Burnt Basque, took it back to my car and ate a small slice. Beneath that gorgeous burnt exterior lies a creamy, custard-like interior that's almost impossibly rich and decadent. This indulgent dessert will pair perfectly with whatever I'm having for dinner" I thought. If you love cheesecake, you gotta try how the Japanese make theirs, it will make a fan out of you!

    Cookies
    David Z.

    Came here to get a cheesecake and a cookie. The inside is very small and has no seating. You order at the counter and get your food immediately. Love their airy cheesecakes. Always a treat.

    Very affordable
    Susie T.

    This place is very small inside and had no chairs. Quick service and simple. I wanted to try the pandan coconut and im glad I got it! The fluffiest and softest cake ever! Its like a souffle not a cheesecake. For me, I much prefer an American original cheesecake made with Philadelphia cream cheese. This pandan coconut cake was one of the best cakes I've had! Its semi sweet leaning towards bland side but with the shaved coconut, it added the sweetness it needed! A marvelous cake!!! Also for a slice its only 11-16g of carbs. Worth 14$. I also got the ube cookies. This was a bit too sweet for me. I only took a bite of that. I can never have too much of sweets. My sugar will spike so high. Since I don't take insulin or medications for my diabetes bc I've kept it under control through water fasting/exercise/0 carb life style, this cake is of the lesser evil and I appreciate it! I could have eaten the entire cake! But self control! Hehe Will be coming again next month. I can only cheat once every two weeks and next week im at my third home and love, vegas! so I have to save my cheat days for that! Lol! I'll be back to uncle tetsu for sure!

    Ube Cheesecake
    Diana L.

    Small but clean. I've only gotten desserts to take home. They have always been fresh and moist. The ube is yum! Fast service, cute custom bags.

    bag
    Anthony D.

    Stopped by Uncle Tetsu to pick up a box of Original fluffy Cheese Cake. This tiny bakery serves airy, soufflé-like Japanese cheesecakes in flavors like pandan coconut, burnt Basque, and black sesame, plus treats like ube cookies and cheese tarts. Their desserts are soft, lightly sweet, and delicious. The shop is small and mostly grab-and-go, but the quick service and standout flavors make it worth stopping by.

    black sesame cheesecake, Burnt Basque Cheesecake
    Sharon H.

    The black sesame cheesecake had an odd taste. Good black sesame flavor and fluffy texture but somehow the mixture between cheese and black sesame made it taste strange. The basque cheesecake was on the sweeter end but still really good. Everyone preferred the basque cheesecake over the black sesame cheesecake.

    Tim T.

    Awesome San Diego got an Uncle Tetsu - they have amazing fluffy Japanese cheesecakes in a variety of flavors like pandan-coconut, ube, strawberry, chocolate, coffee, cookies and cream, and more, and special burnt basque cheesecakes (in normal and cookies and cream flavors) that have caramelized tops and custard centers flavored like vanilla or lemon. Moreover, they sell smaller Hokkaido specialty cheese tarts - double-baked crusts with cheese mousse inside - in original, chocolate, matcha and ube flavors as well as cookies in matcha, ube and ube crumble flavors. Prompt and attentive service, especially if you order ahead on the site or app, and cozy interior where you can purchase a variety of beverages (designed for just pick up, and there is a convenient parking spot out front where you can park to pick up the goods). Most highly recommended!

    Three G.

    My partner and I have been on a pandan hunt for MONTHS. When we saw there was a bakery nearby where we were staying in SD, we had to stop by! We got the pandan cheesecake for $14. It didn't taste like cheesecake to me, it was more spongy like a flour cake. It was also topped with coconut flakes, which aren't my favorite but this place still hit the spot.

    Rohith V.

    Quick service and a no-frills bakery setup. They're known for their light and airy Japanese-style cheesecakes, and they absolutely live up to the hype. Very different from your classic American cream cheese-heavy cheesecake -- these are incredibly soft, fluffy, and almost feel like you're cutting into a warm soufflé. Such an easy, delicious treat. Highly recommend this place!

    The new tarts that are smaller than the old style.

    You know I have always come here and loved this place (always got the tarts) However recently, or idk if I came on an odd day or two, but they have made the tarts much smaller now and still charge the same price. Kind of disappointing to be honest

    See all

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Panda

    Panda

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Abbey S.
    132
    49
    23

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Meli C.
    1
    103
    79

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay L.
    1
    17
    31

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of H P.
    7
    84
    35

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of TeeHee G.
    444
    170
    139

    2 years ago

    They have personal sized cakes! Ate it all up by myself .. always consistent ! Highly appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Went for my mom's birthday I really wanted to get her a ube cheesecake. It was amazing and the it fast and quick service.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mikkel B.
    54
    40
    24

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 5 of 8

    Ask the Community - Uncle Tetsu

    I'm allergic to peanut, tree nuts, and sesame. Do any of your items contain these ingredients?

    How long do they last? Is it smart to buy ahead two days?

    I had them the day after and they were not as fresh. The third day was meh. It’s definitely better the day off.

    Does it jiggle?!?

    Not really...I think that may be when it's fresh from the oven but these have settled.

    Can you order ahead for pick up?

    Yes !! But they do have it ready already and you can pick what you want

    Can we order large orders pre sliced?

    I dont think they preslice but i have ordered 10 cakes at 1 time no problem.

    Will this location sell cheese tarts in the future too?

    Yes! We will be bringing our other flavors and cheese tarts to this location.

    View All 7 Questions

    Extraordinary Desserts - Road trip with the girls. Gorgeous stuff here.

    Extraordinary Desserts

    4.0(9.3k reviews)
    7.2 mi•Little Italy
    •$$$

    This place is properly named extraordinary dessert for a reason. They are known for their desserts…read moreboth in taste and in aesthetics. Desserts: 5/5 We got a blood orange scone and a strawberry danish. The scone was warm and delicious. The orange essence was well infused. The danish was crispy and creamy. Everything was so picturesque. Food: 3/5 Unfortunately, the food was not the best. We got the smoked salmon sandwich which was not very flavorful. The salmon was also slimy. The pesto spread was good though. It was creamy and the artisan bread it was served had great variety. Ambiance: 5/5 This place is such super cute. When you walk in, the desserts all look super appetizing. The seating areas are super cute and the floral decor are stunning. Service: 5/5 It is an order then sit down establishment. There is great attention to their dessert. I saw them heat up a knife just to cleanly cut the cake. The food service however did take some time to come out.

    One of the absolute best Cake / Dessert cafe in San Diego hands down. Over the last couple of years…read moreI've always enjoyed the same cake The Ivoiry Royal with Raspberry and Vanilla Bean sauce that are a perfect complement to this cake ... Ok I can't stop praising this cake . My disappointment was : On this Sunday we made the trip Downtown from Eastlake and they had the cake in the display I was a happy camper TILL THEY SAID ONLY THE WHOLE CAKE IS FOR SALE WHEN I ASKED FOR A SLICE !!! Extremely Disappointed Settled for a Shangri-La slice only to regret it. It was good but it's no Ivoire Royal .

    Photos
    Extraordinary Desserts - Spinach dip and chips and tomato and basil soup

    Spinach dip and chips and tomato and basil soup

    Extraordinary Desserts - One of our 'go to' dessert places in San Diego.

    One of our 'go to' dessert places in San Diego.

    Extraordinary Desserts - Chocolate lemon bon bon

    See all

    Chocolate lemon bon bon

    Pappalecco

    Pappalecco

    4.3(3.1k reviews)
    7.1 mi•Little Italy
    •$

    Absolutely amazing! That was the first thought that came to mind after my first bite of the…read morecroissant and my first spoonful of gelato. Alex helped me choose my gelato flavors, and she was so patient, friendly, and kind. There were so many different gelato and sorbet flavors to choose from that it was honestly hard to pick! The moment I tasted them, I felt like I was back in Italy. The flavors were rich, layered, and complex--you could actually taste the different ingredients, rather than just tasting sugar like you sometimes do at other places. Everything was so delicious and thoughtfully made. Definitely a place I'd love to come back to!

    A cute authentic Italian neighborhood cafe in Little Italy serving coffee, treats, gelato, and…read morepaninis. My friends and I were just looking to get a coffee in Little Italy, but when we walked in and saw all the delicious treats we had to try something else as well. I ordered a latte and neglected to tell them it was for here so I was given a paper cup, but they give real cups if you ask. The latte was good, and my friend bought a kitchen sink type cookie with chocolate, coconut, and macadamia nuts. It was warm and gooey good! Another friend tried the gelato and said it was very good. There are a few tables inside and tables out in front outside. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful San Diego weather. The decor and tables definitely gives you an old school Italian neighborhood vibe with Italian markets right next door. If I am in the neighborhood again, I would definitely come back here to try the gelato and/or a piece of an excellent looking lemon pie bar I spotted.

    Photos
    Pappalecco - Inside

    Inside

    Pappalecco - Soup Tomato.

    Soup Tomato.

    Pappalecco - Gelato alla menta con gocce di cioccolato, Gelato al cocco con gocce di cioccolato

    See all

    Gelato alla menta con gocce di cioccolato, Gelato al cocco con gocce di cioccolato

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

    4.0(1.2k reviews)
    7.0 mi•Little Italy
    •$$

    This review is for their Bakery part. After dining nearby my wife and I decided to make a quick…read morevisit here in Solunto Bakery. My wife chose a Carrot cake and I had the Canoli. The Canoli was pretty good but my wife didn't like the Carrot cake , i tasted it and all I could taste was the icing and the Carrot part I could barely taste it. They have Plenty of selection for pastries and dessert, but a very small seating area for their Bakery, so this is mostly like good for a grab-and-go. The other half of this place is their actual Italian restaurant, with half indoor seating and outdoor seating . This spot is always a good spot to get Pastries, Ice cream and more desserts.

    Positive: food was great. For me, portions of the protein are small so that sucks but can't argue…read morewith the quality. We both liked our dishes a lot. The outdoor seating was nice. It was a warm day but we got there at 5:15pm and the sun was starting to go behind the downtown buildings. Negative: service. It seems if you are a regular, like the two tables near us, they chat it up and talk about how things are. If you aren't a regular, they just quickly come by and say "anything else?" the two times they came by. Im a huge water drinker so the carafe they brought only refilled our cups once. Never got another one until we were done and they came by asking about dessert. They weren't busy by any stretch on a Tuesday evening but apparently the frequent customers either tip really well or they prefer familiar faces. I assume the latter. So, I mean the food itself was great but service was not good. I mean we went when it was slow too and the host was talking it up with a frequent customer also asking about the changes recently to parking in their area nearby.... So, it puts this review as a 3/5.

    Photos
    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery - Cute restaurant in little Italy

    Cute restaurant in little Italy

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery - Fusilli Genovese

    Fusilli Genovese

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

    See all

    Nonna + Zucchero - Fusilli Boscaiola

    Nonna + Zucchero

    4.1(581 reviews)
    7.0 mi•Little Italy
    •$$

    Our family dinner at Nonna's was great! Was trying to decide which place to go in Little Italy on a…read moreSaturday night with kids and no reservations without feeling under dressed. So we decided on Nonna's for their variety of pastas and pizza. The evening was packed with people up and down the streets. However, when we arrived at Nonna's we only had to wait no more than a couple of minutes before being seated. We thought most italian places would provide some sort of complimentary bread, but this place did not. We ended up ordering the Carbonara, Fusilli Alla Vodka, Pappardelle, and Salsiccia pizza. Each were fantastic, but the family really enjoyed the Fusilli and the Pappardelle the most! The short rib meat was extremely tender and flavorful. Portions were a little smaller than expected, but it was enough to feed each of us with a couple slices of pizza to spare. Ambiance was nice and the staff was great. A drink we ordered was forgotten, but it's understandable since it was quite busy. Overall, great experience and glad we ended up at Nonna's even though it wasn't part of the batch of recommendations provided online. (Sorry forgot to take photos as we were so hungry and didn't realize it until after we ate!)

    Food: - fungi pasta: 7.5/10, strong mushroom flavor…read more - carbonara: 5.7/10, too much sauce and noodles were overcooked - lemon meringue cheesecake + Sicilian cannoli: super authentic cannoli, cheesecake was good but nothing special Service: - hostess was not friendly - they ran out of white peach Italian soda but instead of asking what other flavor we would prefer, they just brought out a vanilla Italian soda - ordering took forever but once our food was in, it came out in less than 10 min Ambiance: - outdoor seating Skip Barbusa (sister restaurant) and come here instead, at least there is better dessert

    Photos
    Nonna + Zucchero
    Nonna + Zucchero - Beef carpaccio

    Beef carpaccio

    Nonna + Zucchero - Tortellini Funghi

    See all

    Tortellini Funghi

    Uncle Tetsu - bakeries - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...