Diners' Choice: Japanese restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Japanese cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Harmony Cuisine 2B1

4.9

4.9 (236)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kearny Mesa

About the restaurant

OpenTable Diners' Choice 2022 and 2023!
Come dine in our modern and relaxing atmosphere, where we serve traditional sushi and unique fusion dishes created by our chef, Mickey Ninomiya who developed and sharpened his skills at various restaurants including Sushi Ota over 12 years with his passion and dedication under Master Chef Mr. Ota till just recently. With Chef Mickey, we have created new dishes and serve traditional dishes for our guests.
Enjoy particularly selected sakes, wines, and unique cocktails that pair exquisitely with our fine dishes.
In addition to traditional sushi, unique Omakase and hot and cold Japanese appetizers, our menu includes pastas, homemade desserts, and other regional fusion dishes to cater to a wide range of guests.
We are also proud to offer premium A5 Miyazaki Wagyu dishes.
Please let us serve you our traditional and creative dishes so that you can enjoy "To Become One (2B1)" with us in Harmony!

Top review

Yuminavip

Dined 4 days ago

Best sushi Omakase! So fresh. So beautiful. Sake flight is perfect!

Temaki Bar

4.7

4.7 (21)

$30 and under

Japanese

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Translating to “hand roll,” Temaki Bar celebrates the tradition that all perfect hand rolls should be eaten within seconds of the chef passing them across the counter — while the rice is still warm and the fish, fresh and chilled.

Delivery and in-person to-go orders are now available!

Temaki Bar does not take reservations. We encourage guests to put their name on the online waitlist up to an hour prior to their expected arrival. The online waitlist can be accessed via our website,
temakibarsushi.com, or on OpenTable. Parties larger than 4 guests cannot be guaranteed to be seated together.

EAT HERE || LIVE FOREVER

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 12, 2024

Our favorite sushi spot, love the nigiri specials!

Mo-Mo-Paradise - Mira Mesa

4.7

4.7 (219)

$30 and under

Japanese

Mira Mesa

About the restaurant

Since its first restaurant opening in 1993, Mo-Mo-Paradise has expanded its presence to over 20 cities throughout Asia with plans to expand further throughout the rest of the world. Currently, Mo-Mo-Paradise can be found in Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, USA, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Our Mo-Mo-Paradise brand focuses on traditional Japanese “hot pot” with a modern twist. We offer a wide variety of quality international and local meats and vegetables that is cooked shabu-shabu or sukiyaki style at your table. Throughout Asia, Mo-Mo-Paradise has established a strong fan base due to our focus on fresh and varietal selections that are unmatched compared to other establishments. Our goal is to bring you the same quality and selections currently not offered at western shabu-shabu restaurants.

Top review

Olympia

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

My nieces and nephew love this place so we came back for a birthday.

Shimbashi Izakaya

4.5

4.5 (967)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Del Mar

About the restaurant

Shimbashi's theme is based on the Izakaya, a Japanese tapas restaurant. We offer a multi-faceted menu that can be used as a pairing with sake for the light eater or sophisticated dinner entrées served in the Japanese tradition. Our menu changes with the season making each dining experience a new adventure.

Top review

Petevip

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent sushi and extremely accommodating! Will certainly return ! A+++

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Popular dish

Omakase Sashimi

Gyu-Kaku - Downtown San Diego

4.6

4.6 (256)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Alejandravip

Dined on Aug 15, 2024

Amazing 10/10 customer service is great food was amazing per usual

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Experience

Prix-Fixe Yakiniku Courses for Everyone!

Experience

Restaurant Week Special Menu

Experience

Restaurant Week Lunch Menu

Craft Bar Kamon

4.9

4.9 (150)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

"Taisho Roman craft cocktail bar in the heart of East Village San Diego that reflects the period in Japan when traditionalism and modernism first converged. We are committed to offer the unique and best craft cocktails!
**To make a reservation for a party of 6 or more, please contact us through email at info@barkamon.com
Please refrain from booking multiple tables as we most likely won't be able to accommodate to seat together.

**Please be aware that table or bar seating selection is just a request and it is not a confirmation. We will try our best to accommodate but due to limited seating availability, you may be seated to a different section from what you have requested at the reservation.

Top review

John

Dined on Aug 12, 2024

The true definition of a hidden jam! I loved surprising my friend with this spot. Will be back soon!

Nobu San Diego

4.5

4.5 (3676)

$50 and over

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

World renowned for its award winning "New Style" Japanese cuisine, Nobu continues to offer savvy diners across the globe a culinary adventure. Our San Diego location is yet another canvas for Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to display his legendary dishes, such as the Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno. The restaurant which is nestled in the perennially hip and centrally located Hard Rock Hotel also features unique creations by Executive Chef David Meade who has honed his skill at Nobu locations in Miami and New York. Nobu San Diego delivers equally on food, impeccable service and ambiance that is sophisticated yet lively.

Top review

Jimvip

Dined on Sep 4, 2024

Excellent service and the food was perfection. A must

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4.6

4.6 (650)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

Featuring world-renowned celebrity chef Akira Back, Lumi is an energetic and upscale rooftop experience serving innovative Japanese fare and sushi accompanied by handcrafted libations in a vividly unique atmosphere.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Sep 4, 2024

Our family celebrated my son’s 25th birthday last night at Lumi. We were a party of 12 and was seated on time. Our server was very attentive and ensured that we had a very enjoyable evening. He served Welcome tequila shots for everyone to celebrate the birthday boy’s special evening and made sure all of our food was served timely. Our favorite dishes were the yellowtail serrano, shrimp tempura, the signature tuna pizza and of course the mystery boxes are AMAZING!! This is one of our favorite places to celebrate in large groups - the rooftop deck is awesome!

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4.7

4.7 (34)

$31 to $50

Japanese

La Jolla

About the restaurant

If you’re in the La Jolla area, be sure you visit Sushi Mori Restaurant located near La Jolla Shores Park. Experience cuisine that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in La Jolla, San Diego.

As one of La Jolla’s premier dining spots, Sushi Mori offers a contemporary atmosphere imbued with the kind of ambiance that is just right for a romantic dinner. If you’re looking for a quick meal, the Sushi Mori menu offers great specials. Our sushi chef's dishes are created with fresh, seasonal ingredients and prepared with great attention to detail, making the end result a meal to truly relish in

Top review

Jerryvip

Dined on Aug 19, 2024

Was exceptional Seated at booth Attentive waitress Wonderful food and service

Benihana - Carlsbad, CA

4.3

4.3 (3663)

$30 and under

Japanese

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

Top review

Victoria

Dined 2 days ago

Our Chef was great, cooked everything perfect left a 40$ cash tip hoe he got it!

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