Sushi Ota

Kenneth Tong a month ago

When: Weekday early dinner What: Ota B, Shrimp Tempura, O Toro and Yellowtail Belly Experience: The food was simply delicious! Definitely a restaurant I would return for some good Japanese food. O Toro and Yellowtail Belly sushi were simply mouth watering. The way both fish just melts in your mouth and the proportion of rice to fish being just right makes a difference so that it gives you the perfect sushi experience. Shrimp Tempura was tasty. Not overly oily and a nice layer of tempura that wasn’t thick. But the best is the shrimp! Definitely didn’t taste like those frozen ones and the quality of the shrimp (size, texture, and tasty) was delicious. My son ate 2 out of 3 on his own - and he’s very picky with shrimp tempura. Ota B was yummy! It was such a balanced meal of flavor, texture and variety. Even the rice itself was good, I kid you not! Definitely a good value to have if you’re there. Our kids didn’t want anything else but ended up eating two bowls of just udon. All because it was good udon. What can improve (hence the -1 star) is the service. The server wasn’t friendly to begin with, probably because we have two young kids in a nice Japanese restaurant, and perhaps b

Stella Zamkochyan 2 months ago

Is San Diego okay? If this place is considered their “best” sushi, I’m worried. Don’t get me wrong, there were some items that were great but nothing too rave about. My favorite was the eggplant spicy tuna which is a great alternative to spicy tuna on crispy rice. Other than that, the fish is not great. Atmosphere is nice and cozy. Service is great too. The halibut was rubbery (had to spit it out) same for the salmon belly. The rice is tough and falls apart. The yellowtail jalapeño was sweet. We hated it. Sorry, I wanted to love this place but it was a miss.

Tom Cuccurullo 3 months ago

It has been awhile since I've been to the best Sushi bar in all of San Diego by far. My girlfriend lived in Japan for 10 years and by her stringent and Japanese standards, Sushi Ota would be on top of the list in Japan. Mr.Ota who has since retired was the grand master and his students have carried on his meticulous attention to the finite details. We were extremely lucky to have the head chef make us her inspired creations the whole time we were there.. She did not disappoint, everything she created was a masterpiece in design and flavor contrasts all coming together marvelously on your palette. I started coming to Sushi Ota in 1993 and it's such a blessing to be able to visit and receive the amazing designs, high standards and customer service decades later. I will not wait another 10 years to be back, thanks to all the staff who made this night such a memorable experience.

teadrinker 5 months ago

The sashimi was incredibly fresh—each piece practically melted in your mouth and showcased the quality and care behind every cut. One can truly taste the difference. We highly recommend the Chef’s Choice sashimi and nigiri. The sweet shrimp was exceptionally fresh—so much so that its legs were still moving when it was served. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our drinks were refilled and checking in at just the right moments. Everything made it a pleasant dining experience.

The Adventure of Mimie & Nick 7 months ago

Having called San Diego home for over a decade, my wife and I have explored nearly every sushi spot in town. Sushi Ota remains the gold standard for us, with downtown’s Taka a very close second. What sets Ota apart is their precision. The shari (rice) is perfectly seasoned, and the fish-to-rice ratio is generous—you’ll never feel like the rice is overshadowing the fish. If it’s your first visit or you're feeling indecisive, the Chef’s Choice Nigiri is a flawless pick. I also highly recommend the non-spicy Double-Double Yellowtail cut roll; it’s consistently amazing. For milestone celebrations, their multi-course Omakase is a traditional Japanese journey that is as filling as it is delicious. Pro-tips for your visit: Reservations: Absolutely essential for dining in. Takeout: For those evening you want to enjoy a night in or forgot to make a reservation and cannot get a table. Parking: The front lot is tight, but don’t forget the extra spaces around the back.