Great omakase by Hiroshi and Masato. They take full advantage of any ingredient that is in season.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rachel Keliinoi
What a great place! Drove by it a couple times before I noticed it, tiny parking lot and ended up parking on the street. There is seating at the sushi bar, as well as on the patio. Loved the food selections! Definitely ate things outside of my comfort zone, but everything was delicious and amazing. Showed up super hungry and left full and satiated. Only complaint was that no one ever asked me if I wanted any water (I got quite thirsty, as the course was a little over 2 hours.)Looking forward to returning for another seasonal menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Timothy Trun
First and foremost if you are going to give Ichifuji anything less than 5 stars I ask you to ask yourself why. Like, really. Why? Because Hiroshi and Masato execute their omakase menu flawlessly. Yes there were very little details in the overall service that could have been better but they become insignificant when you zoom out and really understand what you're paying for. The flavors were delicate and each dish was simple yet impactful. They aren't reinventing anything and they aren't trying to either. The experience is friendly and fun and one you should experience even if only once. They have seasonal menus also in case you do come back so you get a fresh take each time. Thank you for the great meal and refreshing experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Irene Levenson
Excellent omakase, and a fun, intimate environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carrie Baarns
Ichifuji Sushi. Let's get started.Maybe it was because I was here on a date, but I had a hard time determining what kind of vibe to dress for. It's SD, so obviously you can get away with fashion murder if you want, but I still struggled, especially since it was due to rain that night and was chilly and breezy as a result. If you too are apprehensive about how to dress, think "cozy wealthy" and you'll be solid. A woman at the table next to me on the patio (which is covered and has good heaters) was wearing a caramel leather cropped puffer jacket, for reference.Parking was slightly harder than I expected, considering how small each seating is, so you'd think the attached lot would be sufficient, but that would be an overly optimistic thought. There are lots for other businesses and street parking immediately surrounding it, though, so you'll probably be fine.Food was very good, with very respectable presentation for each course, and some nice standouts. Many of the items had been sourced directly from Japan, although I also learned that apparently San Diego has shrimp farms. Who knew? This place has great chefs with excellent prior experience, and even our waiter had been a sushi chef before, so they have obviously gone to great lengths to try and source quality ingredients and hire knowledgeable staff.The one thing I would say is missing is that the courses felt slightly perfunctory. They certainly adhered to the idea of what a tasting menu is, but I wanted to see it go even further. Not in a gimmicky way, of course, but I felt like I couldn't get a sense of the chefs' personality or unique perspective based on the tasting menu. There were delicious components, but the courses were maybe slightly lacking in soul. If you want something fairly traditional, with excellent ingredients, Ichifuji Sushi will absolutely hit the mark for you. For me, however, I'd love to see more perspective. A good experience (and a great date, for those wondering), but probably not a restaurant I'd visit again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Nigiri, Dessert Home Made Houji Tea Panna Cotta
Diane Davidson
Beyond spectacular! One of my favorite sushi experiences of all time. Our server, Ken, was so helpful and taught us so much. We loved every bite and every minute here. Highlights were well beyond the flawless nigiri: the chawanmushi, firefly squid, panna cotta. Just wow!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jasmine koo
The parking is little tricky and sometimes you need to park on the street.The sushi and presentation is authentic and very very fresh. The two chefs create very friendly environment. We love going there. The price of the food is very reasonable and well worth it.They change the menu every 3 months. We definitely will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aila S.
The food was amazing, the chefs were so friendly, and the wait staff were very attentive. The only minor downside to the experience was the 25-minute wait past our reservation time, since the group before us ran over. It's a small, intimate dining area, sushi bar seating only (no stand-alone tables). During the wait, several of us were milling around in the hallway area without much communication from staff about when we would be able to start. However, once we were seated, the whole experience was excellent. I've gone to omakase at a few different sushi restaurants in the San Diego area, and I'd say this experience was one of the best, both in terms of service and food. I would definitely recommend it and would go again once their seasonal menu changes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bufflehead B.
San Diego has several outstanding Japanese restaurants and Ichifuji is as good as any of them. Food, of course, is impeccable, but the ambience and friendly and informative chefs make for an unforgettable experience.
Monika Simoes
We have been to Japan many times and love sushi. Sushi Ichifuji felt like being transported to some of our favorite places in Japan. Wonderful omakase experience, great atmosphere, service, just all around a most perfect experience. We will be back very soon I hope!
My first true omakase experience (aside from Nobu) and it was nothing short of amazing. My friends treated me here for dinner and we did the 8 course Fall menu, which honestly was like 16 courses because they end up giving you palette cleaners and dessert and what not. (We also did the sake pairing, which was great, and I love that you can pick your own shot glass!) From beginning to end, this dining experience was amazing. The two chefs are so sweet, lively and love what they do -- you could see it and even taste it with the food they present. I had never tried uni (sea urchin) until this night and I was a huge fan. There were two different types also: one was from Japan and the other was more local, but I can't remember. Prior to me tasting it, I remember one of the chefs referring to uni as "sea peanut butter," and after tasting it, that was the most accurate description ever. Not taste wise, per se, but more so texture. I just recall loving everything I ate. Everything was melting in my mouth and I was truly in heaven. You have to make reservations because they only seat probably up to 10 people at a time, and there is a time limit in order to seat the next group of people. It's a very small and intimate experience, which makes it that much more special. You really get to speak to the chefs. I loved every moment of it. PS: I have way more photos of food, but Yelp only allows up to 10. So know that you'll actually get pretty full by the end of the meal.
Emz P.
Ichifuji has the same business model as Hidden Fish: Omakase restaurant with two waves of seatings one around 5 and one later. Both places provide limited seating around the two sushi chefs who do their magic. In terms of food I have to give a slight edge to Hidden Fish, even though both were very food. As a general remark, Hidden Fish was more specialized to nigiri while Ichifuji was more diverse, with seafood offerings and even a dessert. In terms of service and ambience however, I preferred Ichifuji. The server was not intrusive at Ichifuji, not pressuring to buy additional items as was the case at Hidden Fish. Also the chefs at Ichifuji were naturally more social.
Thomas Ford-Hutchinson
Fantastic omakase experience with traditional Japanese dishes. Tasty and innovative.Pricing at either $140pp or $160pp for an additional sashimi platter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Nigiri, Japanese Sake
Emma Matters
We had a wonderful experience dining at Ichifuji Sushi. The food is phenomenal but what really makes it stand out is the atmosphere. The interior offers a very intimate omakase experience and the chefs are terrific.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Nigiri, Japanese Sake, Appetizer Platter
Ally M.
The food was amazing and I loved the ambiance. The chefs are friendly and make it a fun experience. I would recommend probably doing a reservation for indoor seating. We are definitely coming back to try next season's menu.
Great omakase by Hiroshi and Masato. They take full advantage of any ingredient that is in season.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a great place! Drove by it a couple times before I noticed it, tiny parking lot and ended up parking on the street. There is seating at the sushi bar, as well as on the patio. Loved the food selections! Definitely ate things outside of my comfort zone, but everything was delicious and amazing. Showed up super hungry and left full and satiated. Only complaint was that no one ever asked me if I wanted any water (I got quite thirsty, as the course was a little over 2 hours.)Looking forward to returning for another seasonal menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First and foremost if you are going to give Ichifuji anything less than 5 stars I ask you to ask yourself why. Like, really. Why? Because Hiroshi and Masato execute their omakase menu flawlessly. Yes there were very little details in the overall service that could have been better but they become insignificant when you zoom out and really understand what you're paying for. The flavors were delicate and each dish was simple yet impactful. They aren't reinventing anything and they aren't trying to either. The experience is friendly and fun and one you should experience even if only once. They have seasonal menus also in case you do come back so you get a fresh take each time. Thank you for the great meal and refreshing experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent omakase, and a fun, intimate environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ichifuji Sushi. Let's get started.Maybe it was because I was here on a date, but I had a hard time determining what kind of vibe to dress for. It's SD, so obviously you can get away with fashion murder if you want, but I still struggled, especially since it was due to rain that night and was chilly and breezy as a result. If you too are apprehensive about how to dress, think "cozy wealthy" and you'll be solid. A woman at the table next to me on the patio (which is covered and has good heaters) was wearing a caramel leather cropped puffer jacket, for reference.Parking was slightly harder than I expected, considering how small each seating is, so you'd think the attached lot would be sufficient, but that would be an overly optimistic thought. There are lots for other businesses and street parking immediately surrounding it, though, so you'll probably be fine.Food was very good, with very respectable presentation for each course, and some nice standouts. Many of the items had been sourced directly from Japan, although I also learned that apparently San Diego has shrimp farms. Who knew? This place has great chefs with excellent prior experience, and even our waiter had been a sushi chef before, so they have obviously gone to great lengths to try and source quality ingredients and hire knowledgeable staff.The one thing I would say is missing is that the courses felt slightly perfunctory. They certainly adhered to the idea of what a tasting menu is, but I wanted to see it go even further. Not in a gimmicky way, of course, but I felt like I couldn't get a sense of the chefs' personality or unique perspective based on the tasting menu. There were delicious components, but the courses were maybe slightly lacking in soul. If you want something fairly traditional, with excellent ingredients, Ichifuji Sushi will absolutely hit the mark for you. For me, however, I'd love to see more perspective. A good experience (and a great date, for those wondering), but probably not a restaurant I'd visit again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Nigiri, Dessert Home Made Houji Tea Panna Cotta
Beyond spectacular! One of my favorite sushi experiences of all time. Our server, Ken, was so helpful and taught us so much. We loved every bite and every minute here. Highlights were well beyond the flawless nigiri: the chawanmushi, firefly squid, panna cotta. Just wow!
Food: 5
Service: 5
The parking is little tricky and sometimes you need to park on the street.The sushi and presentation is authentic and very very fresh. The two chefs create very friendly environment. We love going there. The price of the food is very reasonable and well worth it.They change the menu every 3 months. We definitely will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was amazing, the chefs were so friendly, and the wait staff were very attentive. The only minor downside to the experience was the 25-minute wait past our reservation time, since the group before us ran over. It's a small, intimate dining area, sushi bar seating only (no stand-alone tables). During the wait, several of us were milling around in the hallway area without much communication from staff about when we would be able to start. However, once we were seated, the whole experience was excellent. I've gone to omakase at a few different sushi restaurants in the San Diego area, and I'd say this experience was one of the best, both in terms of service and food. I would definitely recommend it and would go again once their seasonal menu changes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
San Diego has several outstanding Japanese restaurants and Ichifuji is as good as any of them. Food, of course, is impeccable, but the ambience and friendly and informative chefs make for an unforgettable experience.
We have been to Japan many times and love sushi. Sushi Ichifuji felt like being transported to some of our favorite places in Japan. Wonderful omakase experience, great atmosphere, service, just all around a most perfect experience. We will be back very soon I hope!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My first true omakase experience (aside from Nobu) and it was nothing short of amazing. My friends treated me here for dinner and we did the 8 course Fall menu, which honestly was like 16 courses because they end up giving you palette cleaners and dessert and what not. (We also did the sake pairing, which was great, and I love that you can pick your own shot glass!) From beginning to end, this dining experience was amazing. The two chefs are so sweet, lively and love what they do -- you could see it and even taste it with the food they present. I had never tried uni (sea urchin) until this night and I was a huge fan. There were two different types also: one was from Japan and the other was more local, but I can't remember. Prior to me tasting it, I remember one of the chefs referring to uni as "sea peanut butter," and after tasting it, that was the most accurate description ever. Not taste wise, per se, but more so texture. I just recall loving everything I ate. Everything was melting in my mouth and I was truly in heaven. You have to make reservations because they only seat probably up to 10 people at a time, and there is a time limit in order to seat the next group of people. It's a very small and intimate experience, which makes it that much more special. You really get to speak to the chefs. I loved every moment of it. PS: I have way more photos of food, but Yelp only allows up to 10. So know that you'll actually get pretty full by the end of the meal.
Ichifuji has the same business model as Hidden Fish: Omakase restaurant with two waves of seatings one around 5 and one later. Both places provide limited seating around the two sushi chefs who do their magic. In terms of food I have to give a slight edge to Hidden Fish, even though both were very food. As a general remark, Hidden Fish was more specialized to nigiri while Ichifuji was more diverse, with seafood offerings and even a dessert. In terms of service and ambience however, I preferred Ichifuji. The server was not intrusive at Ichifuji, not pressuring to buy additional items as was the case at Hidden Fish. Also the chefs at Ichifuji were naturally more social.
Fantastic omakase experience with traditional Japanese dishes. Tasty and innovative.Pricing at either $140pp or $160pp for an additional sashimi platter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Nigiri, Japanese Sake
We had a wonderful experience dining at Ichifuji Sushi. The food is phenomenal but what really makes it stand out is the atmosphere. The interior offers a very intimate omakase experience and the chefs are terrific.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Nigiri, Japanese Sake, Appetizer Platter
The food was amazing and I loved the ambiance. The chefs are friendly and make it a fun experience. I would recommend probably doing a reservation for indoor seating. We are definitely coming back to try next season's menu.