Best of San Diego · 2026

Best Japanese Restaurants in San Diego

Our top picks for japanese restaurants in San Diego: SHABU-WORKS (San Marcos), Ichifuji Sushi and Mokkoji Shabu Shabu – Hot Pot — ranked by what thousands of San Diegans say in their reviews, weighed for consistency, and checked by us, from 200 places compared. Rankings are editorial and never for sale.

Updated October 2026 · 200 listings

  1. 1SHABU-WORKS

    SHABU-WORKS

    Japanese restaurant in San Marcos.

    Local favoriteSan MarcosCallDirectionsWebsite
  2. 2Ichifuji Sushi

    Ichifuji Sushi

    A Kearny Mesa sushi restaurant near Mesa College, and San Diego's top-rated sushi spot.

    Local favoriteKearny MesaCallDirectionsWebsite
  3. 3Mokkoji Shabu Shabu – Hot Pot

    Mokkoji Shabu Shabu – Hot Pot

    Shabu-shabu restaurant in Mira Mesa

    Local favoriteMira MesaCallDirectionsWebsite
  4. 4Kamon Craft Cocktail Bar

    Kamon Craft Cocktail Bar

    A craft cocktail bar on 14th Street in East Village.

    Local favoriteEast VillageCallDirectionsWebsite
  5. 5Fish & Things Poke Bar

    Fish & Things Poke Bar

    A Pacific Beach poke bar on Hornblend Street.

    Local favoritePacific BeachCallDirectionsWebsite
  6. 6Kinme Omakase

    Kinme Omakase

    Japanese restaurant in Bankers Hill.

    Local favoriteBankers HillCallDirectionsWebsite
  7. 7369 Ramen. Poke .Chinese Cusine

    369 Ramen. Poke .Chinese Cusine

    Ramen shop in Poway — also a Japanese restaurant.

    Local favoritePowayCallDirectionsWebsite
  8. 8GONZO!

    GONZO!

    Ramen shop in Carlsbad — also a Japanese restaurant.

    Local favoriteCarlsbadCallDirectionsWebsite
  9. 9Arbor Sushi & Grill Express

    Arbor Sushi & Grill Express

    A Linda Vista sushi and grill spot on Balboa Avenue.

    Local favoriteLinda VistaCallDirectionsWebsite
  10. 10Ken Sushi Workshop

    Ken Sushi Workshop

    A Carmel Valley sushi spot on El Camino Real.

    Local favoriteCarmel ValleyCallDirectionsWebsite
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Find japanese restaurants by neighborhood

Japanese Restaurants in Kearny Mesa25 placesJapanese Restaurants in Carlsbad14 placesJapanese Restaurants in Chula Vista10 placesJapanese Restaurants in Escondido10 placesJapanese Restaurants in Oceanside10 placesJapanese Restaurants in Hillcrest9 placesJapanese Restaurants in San Marcos8 placesJapanese Restaurants in Mission Valley7 placesJapanese Restaurants in Pacific Beach7 placesJapanese Restaurants in National City6 placesJapanese Restaurants in Carmel Valley5 placesJapanese Restaurants in Poway5 places