by Jenny Bengen & Chris Faust

SUSHI OTA
4529 Mission bay Drive
San Diego, CA 92107

Undoubtedly one of the finest Sushi bars and restaurants in San Diego, Sushi Ota combines traditional preparations with the casual friendliness of the laid back California lifestyle. The Sushi bar itself is staffed with two Japanese Chefs and two assistants as well as another two assistants making the platters and dishes which are delivered to the dining room. At any Sushi bar, the best indicator that your fish will be fresh is that the restaurant is busy and Sushi Ota is very busy. At lunch there is barely a seat at the Sushi bar and the dining room often has a wait. Dinner is more of the same. But it is well worth the wait. If you are a novice then stick with the main stays of Sushi dining like Hamachi, $4.50.

by Jenny Bengen

SAMURAI
979 Lomas Santa Fe Dr
Solana Beach, CA 92075

Samurai is known to be one of San Diego’s premiere sushi venues, a reputation it’s solidified since opening almost 30 years ago. It’s located in Solana Beach, where sushi restaurants are not uncommon, but most locals will tell you that Samurai beats them all by quite a bit. The chefs fro Samurai come directly from Japan, so the sushi is incredibly authentic, as is the interior decoration; it really does feel as though you walked into a top-quality sushi restaurant in Japan. You will pay for the high quality, but it’s definitely worth it. The sashimi literally melts in your mouth, and the only place I’ve had sushi this good was at Nobu’s in Las Vegas. Venture into the Teppan Yaki room to get and close-up view of your dinner being cooked on a grill directly on your table.

Cuisine Type: Japanese, Sushi, Asian

by Jenny Bengen

TAKA RESTAURANT
555 5th Avenue (Hillcrest)
San Diego, CA 92103

Taka Sushi, located in the trendy uptown neighborhood of Hillcrest is a fine example of an Americanized Sushi Restaurant. Hillcrest is a small enough village that you can park, walk around and enjoy a creative mix of wine bars, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Occasionally at lunch you may see one or two Japanese parties at Taka, but being in Hillcrest you are more likely to see every other eclectic, arty type that exists in San Diego. You will see the local actors and the local modern and ballet dance crowd. You might even see Elvis. Yes Elvis does like Sushi! Elvis’ favorite dish at Taka is Hamachi Kama, $10.50, which is baked rare pieces of Yellowtail served with a Ponzu sauce or flavored with Teriyaki. Operated by a Japanese family and being quite popular Taka serves a good quality of Sushi, fresh and flavorful. Taka is an “in” spot and hence the prices can be up there. Taka is as much a scene as it is a Sushi bar. Taka Sushi is one of the best “Americanized” Sushi restaurants in town.

by Jenny Bengen

Café Japengo
Routinely voted by San Diegans as one of the area’s best sushi restaurants, Café Japengo is a hip and trendy locale in the Golden Triangle area. The food is not the only star at this restaurant, the atmosphere is as well. The sushi here is great looking as well as great tasting, and everything from the service to the menu selections are produced with flair and sophistication. Entrees and scrumptious desserts are offered in addition to the sushi, but most everyone comes for the sashimi and the rolls. Café Japengo is more a place to be scene than be heard due to the loud music always playing in the background, but don’t let that scare you away. One bite of the food and you’ll be back to wait in line many more times.

Cuisine Type: Japanese, Sushi, Asian