Review Sushi Ota - San Diego

M V

we stopped here for lunch on the way to the airport as our friend told us to check it out before we left. we were happy with the prices, service and quality of the sushi. it was all very good. the place is located in a strip mall and is super very unassuming from the outside ... definitely worth a stop though! we really enjoyed the specialty rolls we ordered.

Helena Li

The BEST sushi. Very affordable and the quality is just superb. This is equivalent to a fancy NYC omakase but probably only 20% of the cost. Cannot recommend enough. They have daily specials on top of their standard menu. Very packed in an understated strip mall with parking in front and back. Definitely make a reservation before you go. The food is absolutely delicious (I got two orders of the Kumamoto oysters coz they were so fresh!) and I would very much like to come back sometime. The only thing I didn’t like as much in comparison was the hand roll but the portions in the hand roll are massive - equivalent of almost 4 pieces of sushi!

Jun Huh

When we entered, we were seated immediately and were given the lunch menus by accident. We said it was okay because everyone makes mistakes, and high reviews I had seen led to high hopes for the taste of the food here. We ordered various sushi sets, udon, miso soup, and calamari. The nigiri sets gave an extremely substantial amount of sushi, which really filled me up. The rest of the items had the perfect flavor and texture. The staff were very flexible to any changes in our order and attentive like hawks. It was a bit pricey, but well worth the cost. I left more satisfied in my stomach than I had at any previous Japanese restaurant. My personal favorite was the Tokusen nigiri set, which offered nigiri of various fish. Will likely be coming back! Make sure you have a reservation or wait in front of the restaurant very early, as it is usually very crowded and popular.

Yuki

Squid, scallop and sweet shrimp sushi 🍣 are very good. We even ordered again after finishing them. However, uni is not fresh. It's very smelly. Not for long, we heard the other table complaining about the freshness of uni as well. They reluctantly removed the uni from the bill after we and the other table both complained about it. But as the other sushi tastes really good and the service is great, it still deserves 4 stars.

Dude

In A Nutshell: -Sushi Ota has been around for long time. -It's been over a decade since I last enjoyed a meal here. -I was glad they still have their famous live sweet shrimp (aka Amaebi), I ordered it of course & it was decadent & succulent. -My favorite part is the deep fried heads they bring out afterwards. -I also enjoyed their Bluefin Tuna sushi, the red color is amazing to look at before you take a bite. -If you like handrolls, they have a nice range of choices, I usually order Salmon Skin Handrolls, theirs was terrific. -This place is very popular, so don't be surprised if you see a line outside even before they open at 5pm. Overall, with all that being said, you should make a reservation in advance or risk not being able to eat here.

Crystal Kendrick

We were so lucky that we got to try this place! We flew in and they fit us in, also held our luggage for us. We sat at the sushi bar and Kaz was our guy! He was amazing, we got a couple rolls and they were sooo good. We then took some to go for our my family who we were staying with. Definitely going again!

Rob Stephenson

When I first pulled up this this place, I thought it may be closed. It’s tucked into a small strip of businesses, next to a 7-11. Upon entering I was pleasantly surprised to see such a beautiful and cozy restaurant. We were lucky we came early as they only had 2 seats that weren’t reserved. We sat at the sushi bar. WOW, the food, chefs, and wait staff, all excellent. Altogether I tried 8 different sushi and sashimi variations. Just wonderful. I’m definitely going back to try more of their offerings. Next time I will also call ahead, and I recommend that you do too. I may still choose to sit at the sushi bar just to see the beautiful creations the chefs was putting out.

Brenda Frauenhoff

I had the jalepeno salmon roll, and it was very good. My two favorite sushi orders are salmon and spicy scallop. This combines the two, and it was delicious. They also have California rolls with real snow crab. This was my favorite, even though it's so basic. I NEVER order California rolls elsewhere. My daughter had a pizza roll, which is essentially a baked California roll with spicy Mayo. This was also quite good. The menu isn't huge, but what they do have on the menu they do well, so don't let that dissuade you from going. I rated the atmosphere as a 3. The location is in a strip mall, and the interior of the restaurant is basic. Go for the food, not the atmosphere. You won't be disappointed.

David Sun

Ordered menu: -Sushi Combo C x2 -Ankimo(monkfish liver) -Chawanmushi -Assorted tempura -Live sweet shrimp nigiri -Dewazakura sake(Recommend!) Based on what we had ordered, their cooking was on point. I would definetly come here again for high quality and reasonably priced Japanese dishes. Nigiri: But at this price point, I am unsure about how satisfied I am about their nigiri. I love sushi to the point where we've been to multiple culinary trips to Japan, including Hokkaido, and make nigiri at home on regular basis. The shari was seasoned perfectly, but the rice itself was a bit disappointing to my taste. Neta for shiromi was on point, seems to have been aged just right. The live sweet shrimp was on point as well, it is very worth the price. Like your ordinary live sweet shrimp order, they either fry or make miso out of the head of the sweet shrimp; BUT, their sauce that comes out with the fried head is SO GOOD. Others were great, but thought it wasn't extraordinary based on the price point. Overall: I would order more of their dishes next time, and prob will get a few specific nigiri that I crave instead of the combo.

Sherns Wang

Decided to try this spot out since rating and photos look good! Parking: it’s in a plaza so parking can vary. Sushi combo B: comes with miso soup! doesn’t look like a lot in photos but it can get filling. Sashimi salmon: so smooth and fresh. Highly recommend as it just melts in your mouth. Dragon roll: it’s good but nothing different from other places. Ota B: don’t look like a lot but it’s enough. You have the option of brown or white rice. It comes with miso soup. It wasn’t just one kind I’d item which I liked. The cooked salmon was very tender. Price: you pay for the quality of food here. It’s good but the price is a bit high in my opinion. I’d recommend to make a reservation

Summer Sandberg

This is a little hole in the wall in PB area towards the freeway. There's hardly ever tables available or reservations so you have to plan ahead! Everyone there is very nice and the sushi is incredibly fresh and well made. I'm not easily impressed by most sushi but this place is such a hidden gem! My favorite Are the volcano roll and the double salmon roll, but honestly everything we Have ever ordered from here husband exceptional. They also serve the real green tea, not from a tea bag, and the miso soup is great!

Christine Garrett

I wasn't able to snag a reservation, so we showed up 30 minutes before they opened for lunch to be the first one in. There were three parties behind me when they opened so I'm glad I used this tactic! Sushi is phenomenal - we opted for both Combo A and B options and both were fresh and delicious. The server was really nice and attentive as well. Wish we lived in San Diego so we could visit more often!

David Zeledon

Unbelievable Japanese cuisine, with authentic flavors, high quality fish and a great culinary experience. Won’t go wrong with anything you get here.

David Wang

Beside San Diego’s best sushi, my favorite item from Ota are the lunch only chicken teriyaki, it’s the only chicken teriyaki use real fire to grill the chicken and then decorated with teriyaki sauce.

Kirsten R

Fantastic meal and service. Kiho was a lovely server. The chef’s choice sashimi was incredible. It came with the fish skeleton (pictured) which they cooked after I was done with my sashimi. It was crunchy, chip-like, and fun.

Drew Hinkson

This is my favorite sushi spot in the entire San Diego area. The fish selection here is extensive and everything is incredibly fresh and delicious. Some of my favorites Include Uni, Sake Toro, Chu Toro, Tamago, Tai, and Aji. This is traditional Japanese sushi so I would stick with nigiri and sashimi, but the maki is also good. Reservations are highly recommended for this spot. You mark what you want to order on the paper and the server will bring it out to you. I have not had a chance to sit at the sushi bar yet. Definitely try this place if you have not yet.

Bank W.

Probably the most authentic sushi place i ever tried in America. The ingredients were fresh and the rice was properly cooked and prepared at the right temperature. They have great selection of Tuna.

adeline looi

Oh my word, what a delightful surprise - one of the freshest sashimi we’ve had and their lunch specials are also very well priced. There’s a good range of what is seasonal as well, and they’ll have that on a whiteboard inside. Place fills up super fast though, so be early or make a reservation ahead.

Mario

Authentic Japanese restaurant with amazing quality sushi. The clam miso soup is to die for.