Rich Hill

Upon entering, it was immediately apparent that this establishment would be a delightful experience. We were warmly welcomed by the friendly hostess and promptly seated. The owner and chef were exceptionally personable and well-informed. The cuisine was simply outstanding, featuring incredibly fresh ingredients. I highly recommend the Umi and the Eel, though everything on the menu is certainly worth exploring. I fully intend to return to this hidden treasure.

+46

ROZZ

there are several popular sushi restaurants in SD but when it comes to sushi, i like mine traditional and exceptional… and edo period style sushi is my jam. after reading through reviews on google, and comparing them against instagram and website reviews (its like studying for an exam!) ive decided if i only have one meal for sushi it has to be at Sushi Tadokoro. I WASNT DISAPPOINTED. and im a big sushi snob. ordered the lunch sushi omakase and was blown away. at US$165 per pax, this was way more affordable than the S$350 pricetag i pay for sushi back home in singapore. my highlight: live spotted prawn sashimi. and trigger fish + trigger fish liver nigiri. chef tadokoro was super friendly and engaging and allowed photos - that latter’s frowned upon in traditional sushiyas in japan. 10/10 recommend. RESERVATIONS ONLY - NO WALK INS. this aint your run of mill conveyor belt sushi joint - sushi chefs of this calibre need to prep the ingredients before hand.

+6

Jeff B

Incredible experience all around. The staff, including Chef Tadokoro, is very welcoming. You can tell they care a great deal about their patrons and their craft. It was mesmerizing sitting at the sushi bar and watching how they handle the fish and other products they’re working with. Everything I ate, which included the Sashimi Omakase and a couple pieces of nigiri al-a-carte, was spectacular. Can’t recommend this place highly enough.

Andrew Lim

Sushi Tadokoro offers one of San Diego’s most authentic and refined sushi experiences. Located in Mission Hills in a modest, intimate setting, the restaurant impresses with beautifully prepared sushi and sashimi crafted by skilled chefs who honor traditional techniques. The fish is consistently fresh, delicate, and of exceptional quality. Attentive and knowledgeable service enhances the dining experience, making it perfect for sushi purists or those seeking genuine Japanese cuisine.

+7

Millie Kwan

It's been many years since I first ate at Sushi Tadokaro, but sensei has not lost his touch! His Omakase was brilliant many years ago and it was again brilliant at my most recent visit. Who knew that baby barracuda could be so delicious! Of course the uni from the California waters was creamy and delicious as it was many years ago. Make sure you make an appointment 1 month before on Tock when reservations open. Run don't walk here and don't be out off by the fact that it is located in a somewhat ratty, tiny strip mall and is located next to a liquor store. It's chairman to find off you've never been.

+19

Nora Lu

They are so professional through and through. Upon walking in, they present you with a sketch to ensure that you parked appropriately in the lot. In the world of bad timing, I was on a naturopathic doctor guided health cleanse and could not consume sugar and not too much rice. The servers and chef were so accommodating. Chef Takeaki was committed to me still being able to enjoy my experience. I felt truly taken care of by the staff. The omakase was excellent quality, flavor, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I am very critical of sushi and I loved it here!

+3

John W (Live Love Ride Eat)

A one star Michelin restaurant, this is probably one of the best sushi restaurants in San Diego. The sushi is strictly traditional Japanese, and the taste is amazing. The sushi is fresh, and beautifully presented. The staff are friendly and professional. We had the omakase course, and sushi presented was the perfect mix of flavors and timing. While the inside of the restaurant is nice, the surrounding area outside is almost “slum” like. Parking is very difficult as well, with a very small parking lot.

+10

Qc Yong

As a Michelin starred restaurant, our expectations are high! I would say, the experience was great! We love most of the food. The chef, who was making most of the food, was right in front us, explained all the food to us. Our of so many great food we ate, the clear fish soup wowed me the most. We had a good time!

+6

prezelonline

Environment 🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2 Tiny and easy to miss spot. Parking isn’t great — street parking only. Sat at the bar for my birthday, which turned out to be fun. The chef was very chatty, shared his experiences, and even showed us photos of different fish while explaining them. Food 🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2 Overall a 4.5. The most surprising dishes were the tofu appetizer with roe— simple but really well done. Sashimi was pretty average, but the sushi itself was solid across the board. The standout was the grilled fish collar, prepared almost like chicken karaage — crispy, well-seasoned. Conclusion 🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2 Good food, some real highlights, and a warm birthday touch — they brough out a cake at the end. Not flashy, but thoughtful and memorable.

Winnie Xu

cute spot, quiet neighborhood. relatively empty on a week night, the omakase takes around 2 hours and each course is made hot. the fish selection was pretty standard, the rice was not the best i’ve had in the nigiri. overall was good but not amazing.

+8

Stephanie

Had a lovely omakase experience with Chef Tadokoro himself! Was very full after our meal and had many high quality pieces of fish. Chef was friendly and skilled.

+3

C Neon

This is a one Michelin star sushi bar. The owner chef offered a nice kaisaki style pre fix meal. The cooked dishes are good and the sashimi and sushi are fresh and good. We had a good experience here.

+19

Marc Shomer

I really wanted to love this place—we had such high expectations. Unfortunately, the experience fell short. We paid about $680 (including tax and tip) for three omakase dinners and one child’s meal (rice, California roll, and edamame). Although we shared our general preferences with the waitress, it became clear that the omakase menu is the same for everyone, regardless of individual tastes. The sushi itself was just okay—certainly not bad, but nowhere near the level you’d expect at this price point. The service was very friendly, but overall the experience didn’t justify the cost. Sadly, quite disappointing.