50 Best Japanese Restaurants near La Mesa

“the bestttttt japanese food!“

“I found Juanbachi at the Rancho Santa Fe farmers market and all I can say is OMG they are so AMAZING!!“

“One of the best Japanese Restaurant in town, highly recommended!“

“Makai Sushi offers a cozy, casual dining experience where the focus is clearly on the freshness of the ingredients. I tried their hapa roll, featuring Aji tuna and crab, and was impressed by how fresh everything tasted. The venue itself is small, with just four tables inside, but the patio provides a more spacious alternative. It’s a counter-service spot, so you order up front and they bring the food to your table—perfect for a relaxed meal. When I visited, the place wasn’t busy, allowing for quick service. A word of advice: the rolls are generous, and the large pieces make it a challenge to eat in one bite. I’m eager to return and explore their sushi burritos next time!“

“@kinmesd delivered a memorable experience for us. From beginning to end I was in awe with the attention to detail, precision and heart they put into every bite. There was never a moment we weren’t taken care of by the chef’s assistants. It was beautiful to watch a group of people work together, harmoniously, and the reflection that had on the food.

@kinmesd I will be thinking about this meal for a very long time. Thank you for making our anniversary dinner such a special experience.“

“The food is SO good. The chef was super friendly and nice. We can’t wait to go back. 😄“

“Luke is an amazing multitasker❤ made us feel very welcome.“

“A big market to purchase almost everything necessary for life. There would be a special corner for sides appetizers. The Personal care part is with many products from different brands. The meat are somehow expensive. The vegetables are various in spices. Especially love their large fruit tomato as well as the Sea Urchin (Uni). The uni is so fresh from local just as what I saw in Japan.“

“Hatsazukara is a very intimate restaurant located in a quiet neighborhood in University Heights. When driving to the place, at first I thought I had the wrong address but it’s just a little hidden. Once you enter, you’ll see how amazing the decor and ambiance is inside. Our party of 2 ate here for lunch on Thursday and there were still many seats available, though I can see how a long wait can form during dinner/busier times. There were a few 4-person seats, a few 2-person seats, bar seats, and 1 bigger table on the patio that can maybe seat around 6 people.

Our server was very attentive and our food came out fairly quickly.
There’s a separate tea menu that featured milk teas (all iced) and loose leaf tea (hot or iced). I opted for the Okinawa Brown Sugar Milk Tea ($8.50) and it was delicious! My friend ordered hot Matcha Latte which also tasted great. We ordered the Full Set + $7.50 for 1 entree, soup, salad/rice, and 1 small dessert.
-Guratan ($17): creamy baked macaroni casserole that was bigger than what we had seen in the pictures. It was so creamy and delicious and was pretty filling
-Yakisoba ($15) + sub shrimp ($3): it was filling and had a generous amount of little shrimps in the dish though I think it could used just a tad bit more flavor
-For the small desserts as part of the full set, you get an option for either regular mochi or mochi ice cream. We opted for Matcha Mochi Ice Cream which had 1 piece cut in half. It was pretty delicious!

Absolutely loved the vibe inside this restaurant and would come back again for their teas and to try out more things on their dessert menu!“

“Owner is from Hawaii. Great service and great taste. Spicy Miso Broth hit thr spot. definitely will be back when I'm in town for work. 🤙🤙🤙“

“The best you can find stateside without a doubt and better than most in Japan too and I lived in Japan for 10 years. �. Can’t go wrong and the atmosphere is awesome. �“

“Eaten here numerous times. Excellent quality food, and service. Equivalent to San Francisco Bay Area Japanese restaurants..which are outstanding.“

“We came here to celebrate my birthday and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The dining room is intimate but well appointed, with obvious care given to the sensory experience. Every dish was meticulously prepared, and the Chefs were friendly and knowledgeable. Their love for food and the culinary experience was evident in every dish. We can't wait to go back and see what else Chef John has in store for us!“

“Absolutely wonderful food and service at Ju-ichi! Each piece was beautifully plated and the food was up to par. Didn’t have one bad piece of nigiri, each dish was fresh and some of the most outstanding I’ve had. To top it off service was great! Water was attentively filled and the sushi chefs were friendly and funny. I was truly impressed with the level of attention and skill each piece was made with, even the dessert.“

“For the price, wait time, service and meat quality during our first visit; Kanpai is our new spot for Japanese AYCE BBQ!

We were there right before opening on a Saturday so there's still spots for parking.
We did the BBQ. You can also have the option for Shabu experience. The assorted meats are to order. Service was quick, got our additional meats in 3-5 mins. There's 4 dipping items/sauce available.

We ordered the following:
Prime Cut Steak- the most tender meat that we ordered so we requested it twice. Recommended!

US Wagyu Brisket - it was tender also and only took couple of minutes grilling. I like the amount of fat in the meat. It was delicious. Recommended!

M8 Wagyu Steak - another meat that we're satisfied for its tenderness. Recommended!

We weren't a fan of the Wagyu cubes..I had it medium rare hoping to be more tender but it was chewy same as when I cooked it well done.

Also ordered chicken karaage; it was crispy and well seasoned Sriracha Mayo.

Sides, "free" assorted drinks(soda), soup were available in a corner that you can keep going back. All the sides that we tried were all good; seaweed salad/cucumber salad/edamame.

Definitely will come back if we're craving for Japanese Boq.
Our server asked if we need anything multiple times which is great. Great customer service!!!“

“We picked this place randomly and we were not disappointed! The curry was delicious and prices reasonable. You can pick your own spice level. This place was also kid friendly! The kids meal came with a small toy. I love a restaurant that keeps the children in mind! The service was also good, kind and friendly. I will definitely be back for more delicious curry!“

“Everyone who works there is friendly With excellent customer service food was delicious 🤤“

“Omakase sashimi, from chef Taka himself.
This is truly the best meal I have eaten in my life, and it was a profound experience. Calling this a treat would not be doing it justice. Giving this restaurant 5 stars invalidates every other review I’ve written because this food has absolutely elevated what “5 stars” means for me.“

“Great place. True European feel.“

“I recently dined at this sushi restaurant and had a wonderful experience overall! The specialty rolls were absolutely fantastic—creative combinations and bursting with flavor. I also appreciated the good drink selection, which paired perfectly with our meal. The staff was attentive and friendly, ensuring that we had everything we needed throughout our visit.

One of the standout features was the quality of the fish; it was fresh and delicious, making each bite a delight. However, the atmosphere did take a hit once the restaurant got busy. The small space made it quite loud, which made conversation a bit difficult at times. It would have really elevated the dining experience if there had been outdoor seating available to enjoy a quieter atmosphere.

Despite the noise, I would definitely recommend this place for anyone looking for great sushi. I look forward to returning and trying more of their specialty rolls!“

“Ichifuji is hands-down one of the best dining experiences I've had. The chefs are great conversation as well as great at making delicious, beautiful dishes. The service was very attentive and professional. There is a patio but I'd highly recommend sitting at the bar to see the dishes being prepared and to chat with the chefs - you'll have a wonderful time.“

“Everything was delicious and fresh. I really enjoyed the Tonkatsu Curry and spicy garlic edamame (not pictured because I immediately dug in lol). My mom really enjoyed the Crispy "no rice" roll, and she's not as versed/adventurous as I am when it comes to Japanese food/sushi.

The staff was great, attentive, and efficient. So glad I finally made it to try out. Will definitely be back soon to try more of the menu! ☺️“

“We have been here multiple times, and the food and service has been great every time! The Jody's Roll is a stand out roll, and other rolls such as the Jalapeno Crunch and Jimbo Slice are very tasty as well! Friendly staff as well, would recommend.“

“What a find! Completely unexpected gem in Chula Vista. Food was absolutely amazing. My garlic noodles with pork belly was the best pork belly I've ever had. By far. The cut of pork and preparation were perfect. My UK coworker gave a huge 2 thumbs up for their fish and chips. Said it was legit. Another coworker raved about their bao buns. Drinks from the bar were great as well. A must visit when in San Diego.“

“I recently dined at Kaki Sushi and had an exceptional experience. The food was outstanding, with each dish prepared meticulously to highlight the freshness and flavors of the ingredients, especially the sushi. The service was impressive, with attentive and efficient staff who were incredibly kind and hospitable. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and valued. Overall, Kaki Sushi offers a delightful combination of excellent food and exceptional service, making it a top-notch dining destination. I highly recommend it.“

“Amazing omakase, friendly and knowledgeable staff“

“good food, friendly staff and atented“

“Happy Hour at Artifact is the highlight of my week! I always look forward to those afternoons when I can wrap up an early day at work and walk over to unwind.

Kendra and Kelly are the best—they always greet me warmly and, knowing sparkling rosé is my go-to, pour a glass right after saying hello. The ambience is light and relaxing, and the conversation is consistently pleasant and entertaining—it’s the perfect way to transition from work mode to relaxation.

All of the food here is absolutely delicious, but the ahi crudo and beet salad are my favorites. They’re fresh, flavorful, and never disappoint.

Artifact has mastered the art of creating a welcoming, delicious, and enjoyable happy hour experience. Highly recommend!“

“The food is amazing, as is the service. My family have eaten there since they opened in 1986. They were small then, when Swenson's ice cream used to be next door. My favorite dish was the champon noodles. It still tastes the same!!“

“Basic neighborhood Japanese restaurants serving basic dishes at very affordable prices. You order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. Part of a 3-restaurant group that has served San Diego for decades.

The lunch and dinner specials are excellent deals. On my most recent visit, the teriyaki chicken was freshly grilled, with just the right amount of char with crispiness on the outside, tender juicy inside, and a sauce that is neither too sweet nor too thick as one would expect from other bargain Japanese restaurants.“

“We had the most amazing meal there on Wednesday night! Everything was exceptional, especially the uni! The service was fantastic! We will be back!“

“First of all, it is extremely difficult to make a reservation. ???

It took us TWO YEARS to finally dinning at this exquisite restaurant.??

I deeply appreciate this waitress to allow me to record this video. ❤️❤️❤️

The service is absolutely excellent! And it is not bad at all to enjoy your omakase on the patio. They have an under table heater so you won't feel cold.???

Parking is only street parking.

This humble looking Japanese restaurant is actually a Michelin One Star.

The only way to make a reservation is via their reservation partner. They will send you an email notification like two hours ahead of your reservation.

However, you have to really "fast hand" to confirm your reservation. If you are like a sloth, you will never be able to complete your reservation.???

And, they will charge a despite of $50/ person when the reservation is confirmed.“

“Really busy store but I really enjoy the food!
The place is a little crowded. The portion of the food is similar to what you get in Japan, and so is the quality. So far I feel like this place resembles what you might get in Japan, small portion but higher quality.“

“Honestly It is much better than I expected. I like that it is spacious, has plenty of
sports tv's and plays good Reggae Music regularly. They are not quite on that 5 Star level, but if they turned on the A.C. and had a little more attentive table service, they would be.“

“Ordered for takeout and the staff were nice. The restaurant is clean and I love the mural! The food is super fresh and tasty. I highly recommend. The baked sushi is the best baked sushi I've ever gotten and their nigiri is soo good it melts in your mouth.“

“Had my birthday there, and you can absolutely taste the good quality of the food there. Recommend their premium family combo, I’ll say it’s a good amount for 1-2 people. The regular beef tongue is also a great option. Really nice service, the only problem is it’s a little pricey, but fair enough for what you get.“

“Fresh and delicious sushi at Kotobuki! Ordered takeout of the sashimi bowl (tuna, salmon, yellowtail, comes with miso soup), hamachi jalapeño roll, rainbow roll, and dragon roll. The rice tastes really good and makes for a really nice chew. The staff is very friendly and waited about 20 minutes to pick up my order. Recommend!“

“We love Chiba! We lived here 8 years ago and we’re back. I am glad to see the food is still as delicious as I remember! The food was fast and I recommend the sushi! Also, our waitress was great!“

“Located inside the food hub. Let me tell you I ordered the shrimp plate (north shore butter garlic) they offer, I believe 3 different shrimp plates. BUT north shore butter garlic was fuegoooo! ?? Sooo yummy literally reminded me of Giovanni’s shrimp truck on north shore! I will continue to come back and buy this plate. The Mac salad I feel is the best Mac salad In SD & trust I’ve eaten at a lot of plate lunch spots (seasoned good, not too much mayo, nice and cold.) The cashier who helped me was so polite , they ran out of lemons and she apologized for that and offered me limes (which I don’t mind at all, I actually prefer limes over Lemons.) The plate had so much food on it I ended up splitting it with my husband. He said “ it’s very simple & just like the shrimp from the north shore.”He also said ask for extra garlic paste/sauce on the rice (if you can) he enjoyed that little touch with the furikake too. Anyways it’s a cute little spot. Definitely recommend. Oh when you go , not during lunch rush or dinner, the hub has a lot of seating. Incase this is your first time going don’t worry if it’s crowded the food places inside give you a little buzzer so when your food is ready it beeps to let you know so you don’t have to actually stand by the booth that you order at and you can walk around to see what other places offer as well or take a seat while you wait.“

“Excellent customer service“

“I've been coming here since I was a little kid. I don't come often, but I love this place. It hasn't changed much, but that's a good thing. My bf and I had a great time, the sushi chef overheard me talking about being a long time customer and took very good care of us. The lemon roll is my favorite and we also ordered a caterpillar roll and salmon skin hand rolls. Everything was delicious and reminded me that I should eat here more often.“

“Food is amazing.
Rose lychee green tea is refreshing and my new favorite

I had the chicken pad Thai level 1 spice and it was great. Not too spicy. But it has a decent kick to it.

I definitely want to try the bbq honey pork next.“

“First Time great. Second time even better because the man in charge remembered me and he was not even working.Awesome tasty food and portions are worth it by far. I buy what I buy from other places in San Diego- no comparison they are on top of their game.“

“Best sushi in San Diego at reasonable prices! Delicioso!!!“

“Sakura's Mystery, the new hibachi food truck, offers an exceptional dining experience. Their flavorful hibachi bowls and delectable sushi platters are absolutely delicious. The friendly staff and skilled chefs create a warm and inviting atmosphere. With a variety of options available, Sakura's Mystery is a must-visit for anyone seeking a culinary adventure on wheels. Five stars without hesitation!“

“Sushi was very good 😋 edamame green beans also ! Great service 👍🏼“

“Oishii is such a hidden gem! Very clean, and the insanely friendly and attentive staff make you feel right at home. The highlight for me was the pork noodle soup—seriously, it’s the closest thing I’ve found to authentic street noodle soup from Thailand. Such a rare find! Everything we tried was fresh and delicious. I’m already planning my next visit. Highly recommend!

Also 50% off apps and some rolls, beer and Thai tea for happy hour. Can’t beat it. Everyday from 2-5pm.“

“Good food and friendly employees“

“Love their food and drinks!“

“The chicken was overcooked and greasy.....the ramen was good and the spicy flavor was on point....the chicken threw it off however so, it could have been perfect if the chicken would have been cooked properly.....probably would not return if I was ever in San Diego again....“