This is NOT a sushi place, but savory and delicious. Trapeza sake is a chilled light sake refreshing with every sip. The calamari was my favorite (with tentacles) lightly battered and lightly fried. Scallops, I can only explain melts in your mouth, cooked top perfection. The soy butter sauce I dipped everything in 🤤 The skewers, I had Wasabi beef and thighs, also cooked to melt in your mouth. They don't have hot sauce if wondering, but they have a chili sauce and powder I mixed that did the job and didn't take away from their amazing flavors. 💯Must try this quaint delicious eatery, ticked away in a divey vibe strip mall. Yall won't be disappointed!

Such an amazing little spot, the vibes are so good and the food is even better! Somehow the best brussels sprouts I've ever had; they felt like the warmest hug and made me want to hug the chef and cry a little bit.

Some of the best humans I’ve met in this city work here. The food is great, the selection of sake is wonderful, and the vibes are relaxed yet lively. Highly recommend making a reservation.

+2

My husband & I have been chasing the flavors of Japan, since we got back to the states last week & we found 'em . This place nailed it. I recommend making a reservation, but we were seated within an hour, of making a walk-up res. We got 2 of the last 4 orders of chicken skin to start, & it stopped us dead in our tracks. Love at first bite, which set the tone for the rest of our meal. Every. Single. Thing. was incredible. We even went so far as to agree that their liver was better than our favorite izakaya's- which is massively difficult to achieve. We will forever be guests of this lovely spot. Brusslesprouts - to die for. Liver - melts in your mouth. Yuzu chili paste - give me 77 of these. Chicken meatballs- I ordered 4 sets to myself. & the staff is unmatched!!! We never needed for anything & our table outside had TWO heaters. I love this for us!!

I always loved the original Yakyuudoori that was in Hillcrest. The little ramen shop and Hinotez are good too, but Taisho really reminds me of what they had been doing originally. Such good quality, grilled to perfection. It can get a bit pricey, especially if you drink. And before the pandemic we never attempted to try it since they have very limited space and long waits. But this time, we got there right when they opened, and they had several tables set up in the parking lot. Excellent service from everyone on staff.

+3

Came with a group for dinner, and made reservations ahead. The place gave me a true Japanese yakitori bar vibe from the start. People were welcomed and farewelled like in Japan. It seemed like they had different specials each day and week. The menu was simple and easy for ordering. Got an order of almost everything from the yakitori menu and was not disappointed with flavor. Tried a few things from the appetizer menu. My favorites are the chicken heart, chicken thigh, pork belly, and chicken karaage. Black sesame seed ice cream is what they had for dessert. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable with their menu. The cooks even came from behind the grill to check on us. I would definitely come back and become a regular.

+2

This is one of the best yakitori spots in San Diego. It's a hidden jem. The food is phenomenal. The service is good. The atmosphere is cheerful. They have a good selection of sake, too.

+3

Very legit yakitori place, the yakitori were cooked and seasoned perfectly. The Brussel sprouts yakitori was very tasty and unique that I haven’t seen it offered anywhere else. The pork neck with garlic was very good as well. Nice sake selection too. This is my happy little place :) recommend making a reservation otherwise you’ll most likely have to wait!

Absolutely incredible food. My friend and I ordered mainly dishes from the “specials” menu, most of which I had no experience with. The plating was beautiful and I loved everything I tasted. The service was wonderful — extremely attentive and friendly, despite how busy it was, and the restaurant itself was incredibly cozy and inviting. Although the seating was pretty close together at the bar, groups were separated by wooden dividers, which made me feel like I had plenty of privacy while still feeling immersed in the atmosphere of the restaurant. The only drawback I could point to is that sound carries very well in the room so if you come at a busy time like we did, the volume could be a bit overwhelming. The drink menu was extremely detailed and diverse, with a wide array of sakes that each had a detailed description. It specifies at the top that the sakes are carefully selected and come from smaller labels, as opposed to large companies. While we didn’t end up ordering any sake, it was clear to me that a lot of knowledge and passion went into curating the list and I’m eager to try everything I can in the future. Overall, I was so lucky to have stumbled upon this wonderful restaurant and I can’t wait to come back in the future! :))

Amazing. Hands down amazing. Fantastic yakitori! Everything I had was delicious and I ate almost every different skewer on the menu. My favorite was the wasabi beef. 10/10

Wonderful food, amazing service. Jan was especially friendly and helpful. We ordered so many things, it's hard to pin point a stand out favorite, but the eggplant, chicken wings, and chicken karaage were all amazing, as were the chicken thighs, and Brussels sprouts. The sake menu is really nice too and broken down into helpful sections.

Very tasty. Good service. Delicious Brussels sprouts and sausage.

Fantastic meal. Yasushi is an incredible chef! The yakitori and prepared dishes were delicious.

Wow, I'm definitely going back! There were a lot more items on the menu I wanted to try. Didn't have much time to spend there but everything we had was excellent. We sat at one of the outdoor tables, they had propane heaters which was a big plus as my elderly father would have been top cold otherwise. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. I lived in Japan for several years and would say this was equivalent to the Yatai stands I occasionally ate at back in Fukuoka. The place is very small so I would recommend making reservations.

My favorite yakitori restaurant in San Diego. I almost don’t want to leave a review because I don’t want more people to go. Really tiny Restaurant, you need to have a reservation a few days in advance or walk-ins they seat outside. Pork neck is my favorite skewer. They also have great appetizers, including fresh sushi. Everything is amazing.

Food is amazing here！My favorite would be chicken vein, beef with wasabi and takoyaki！

Zhuoya Wang

All skewers are amazing! I also like the black cod the most. You will not regret getting the black cod. The rice tea soup is awesome to finish the meal. I am happy and full now. Make sure to call in advance to reserve a table though.

Stephanie Barnes

Delicious and friendly! Reservation for 3 made same day for 5:30. Called at 5. There is a table for 3 in the cozy corner. We loved the yakitori chicken thigh, chicken heart, squid legs, pork belly, scallop and shitake mushroom. Additional menu fried tofu, smoked radish (a must), calamari salad, and our favorite of all the shrimp spring roll (not what you are expecting but incredibly delicious!) The staff is organized, friendly and laid back.

Momo Zhang

This is a Japanese skewer restaurant recommended by a friend, and it’s essential to make a reservation in advance when in San Diego. The place has limited seating but is always popular, so walking in might not get you a seat or you may end up sitting at a temporary spot outside. The menu doesn’t offer too many options, but each item tastes great. I’d recommend that if there are two people, order one skewer of each kind so you can try them all! The downside is that there’s only one skewer chef, so the service is a bit slow. It’s more suitable for enjoying food while chatting with friends—not the best choice if you’re too hungry.

Jen C

It is really hard to get a table unless you make a reservation or put your name on the wait list right after they open. Still, you should try their yakitori. The smoky flavor of bincho charcoal will not disappoint you.

Ashley LeBourveau-Truong

One of my favourite dinners we've ever had in San Diego. We were seated at the bar, but with the dividers they placed it felt very intimate still, and we loved watching the chefs cook. The meal is very intentional, with each item paced perfectly. Everything is delicious and the sake menu is also great, and very detailed about flavor profiles. My only complaint is the server argued with me about the sake I wanted to order, which was a little odd (it was a great choice by the way). Make a reservation just in case because the restaurant is very small and fills fast, but definitely well worth the stop.

Erika

We reserved for 4 with two birthdays in our group last night, all the food was amazing and the sake selection was very good, decided on a bottle of the black dragon, the beef tongue was my personal favorite paired with the yuzu sauce, kimchi had a great flavor to pair with everything. I had a peach shochu drink and it was smooth. Ended the dinner with their ice cream, sesame and lychee sorbet are their options, had one of each, sesame was light and lychee was sweet (my favorite) The service was amazing, the staff would check on us frequently. I can't say enough great things about this place.

Yen Soto

Top notch! The best Yakitori place I've eatin! Everything was perfect. The timing of the food coming out was on point, and each dish was carefully prepared. Servers checked on you on a great rotation. If you want a place to go and have some fantastic food, this is a must in SD.

Man Xue

One of best Yakitori shop in SD and had to come back for a nice review. The skewers were amazing as always and most dishes are excellent quality. I love their chicken liver and beef tongue the most. We definitely love the food but server unfortunately was too busy so they forgot one of my order. No biggie though

Madeline K

We love Yakitori Taisho! It’s quick and easy to call a few days or a week in advance to book a reservation. If you’re sitting for just two, we recommend sitting by the bar and seeing the action. Some of our favorites: * Deep Fried Garlic * Chicken Skin * Pork Jowl * Quail Egg * Yellowtail * Chicken wings!

Megan

THE BEST yakitori in San Diego. Everything is seasoned to perfection every time. The vibe is immaculate. It's small, high energy and loud, the perfect place to get a beer (or 5) and enjoy the night with great food. We buy the kitchen beer/sake from time to time and it's really fun when they take a break to drink with you! Our go to items: - Taisho Style Shrimp Spring Rolls - Chicken vein, heart, gizzard - Bacon wrapped asparagus - Beef with daikon radish and wasabi - Beef tongue The service is also really good! They are knowledgeable about the food and sake and can recommend items based on preference.

Fiona Chau

Almost didn’t want to write this review so I can gate keep this place. But it was too good to not write a positive review to encourage the staffs! Food was amazing, our server (Mar) was my new best friend , and everyone else was respectful, friendly and wearing a smile while working a busy night . The food was extra tasty because it was made with love and a sense of home . Thank you everyone for the great dinning experience, we will definitely come back!

Brian

Hidden gem of an izakaya. On my first visit I hadn’t made a reservation, but they were still able to seat me outside. Once room freed up inside they offered me a space inside. After each part of the meal I was checked on, including by the very friendly chef. All of the dishes were simple but authentically Japanese. It’s a small space, so I would recommend calling ahead to get a reservation. Thank you for the great food and service!

Nikki Henry

First time here and I’ll definitely be back. The food and service was top notch. I recommend booking ahead.

Christopher Gorrie

A great little yakitori spot in an unsuspecting strip mall. Weirdly tucked in the back beside the Smart & Final, this little shop has an authentic and extensive menu. Love the wings, garlic, edamame, chicken heart, and quail eggs! It gets busy so try to call ahead an hour or two for a reservation. Definitely worth hitting up! Update: Came back tonight with my mom after a two year absence because my mom was craving beef tongue. Everything was even better than I remember. The wait staff was super friendly and accommodating. I loved the quail eggs, chicken wings, beef tongue with wasabi, and brussel sprouts. This is by far one of the best yakitori spots in San Diego. Highly recommend! Remember to call and make a reservation the day before! Update 2: Still insanely good. Call before for a reservation. Top items: Brussel sprouts, beef tongue, fried garlic, smashed fresh wasabi. This place is the gift that keeps on giving!

Edward O'Beirne

Arrived at 5:45 and was seated right away at 6:00. Skewers were good to amazing, delicious but far from fancy. Beef, chicken heart, chicken thigh with onions, and scallops were favorites. Service was friendly but not over the top. Pacing was perfect, about 1.5 hours to eat over a large bottle of sake. Any shortcomings of the space were made up for by the quirks, like many unusual but harmless “rules” posted around the place. Will definitely return.

Slava Fleshel

Recommended!! Atmosphere, the food and the service are gathering in to a one perfect, full of joy experience! The Food is excellent, the Sake is home crafted and it is excellent! All the different dishes which I ordered were perfect, so I definitely will be back to taste what I more next time!

Vincent Tan

tiny, loud, with that signature charcoal smell filling the air. Just the way a yakitori place should be. the food is on the expensive side for the quantity you get, but it's authentic yakitori made in a classic style. the menu is missing a few yakitori items I would like, but most of the basics are there. My favorite was the beef with wasabi. Pork with shiso was another highlight. Definitely recommend reservations, there isn't space for more than a few parties inside.

Aaron Brooks

The food is amazing, the service is great and really enjoyed the atmosphere. I will definitely come back to this place. Very fresh and friendly. My favorite was the Carpaccio Yellowtail, garlic and beef Skewers.

Mei Parnes

What a gem to have in SD! 🍶Highly recommend if you love charcoal yakitori or freshly made meats. Our favs are: gizzard, wings, skin, thigh; Pork neck, any beef, scallops, and brussel sprouts. Hot appetizers are also fresh & tasty. A regular spot for many;)

Steve Chen

This is one of the best yakitori spots in San Diego. It's a hidden jem. The food is phenomenal. The service is good. The atmosphere is cheerful. They have a good selection of sake, too.

What a gem to have in SD! 🍶Highly recommend if you love charcoal yakitori or freshly made meats. Our favs are: gizzard, wings, skin, thigh; Pork neck, any beef, scallops, and brussel sprouts. Hot appetizers are also fresh & tasty. A regular spot for many;)

The food is amazing, the service is great and really enjoyed the atmosphere. I will definitely come back to this place. Very fresh and friendly. My favorite was the Carpaccio Yellowtail, garlic and beef Skewers.

+5

tiny, loud, with that signature charcoal smell filling the air. Just the way a yakitori place should be. the food is on the expensive side for the quantity you get, but it's authentic yakitori made in a classic style. the menu is missing a few yakitori items I would like, but most of the basics are there. My favorite was the beef with wasabi. Pork with shiso was another highlight. Definitely recommend reservations, there isn't space for more than a few parties inside.

+6

Recommended!! Atmosphere, the food and the service are gathering in to a one perfect, full of joy experience! The Food is excellent, the Sake is home crafted and it is excellent! All the different dishes which I ordered were perfect, so I definitely will be back to taste what I more next time!

+4

Arrived at 5:45 and was seated right away at 6:00. Skewers were good to amazing, delicious but far from fancy. Beef, chicken heart, chicken thigh with onions, and scallops were favorites. Service was friendly but not over the top. Pacing was perfect, about 1.5 hours to eat over a large bottle of sake. Any shortcomings of the space were made up for by the quirks, like many unusual but harmless “rules” posted around the place. Will definitely return.

+4

A great little yakitori spot in an unsuspecting strip mall. Weirdly tucked in the back beside the Smart & Final, this little shop has an authentic and extensive menu. Love the wings, garlic, edamame, chicken heart, and quail eggs! It gets busy so try to call ahead an hour or two for a reservation. Definitely worth hitting up! Update: Came back tonight with my mom after a two year absence because my mom was craving beef tongue. Everything was even better than I remember. The wait staff was super friendly and accommodating. I loved the quail eggs, chicken wings, beef tongue with wasabi, and brussel sprouts. This is by far one of the best yakitori spots in San Diego. Highly recommend! Remember to call and make a reservation the day before! Update 2: Still insanely good. Call before for a reservation. Top items: Brussel sprouts, beef tongue, fried garlic, smashed fresh wasabi. This place is the gift that keeps on giving!

+6

Almost didn’t want to write this review so I can gate keep this place. But it was too good to not write a positive review to encourage the staffs! Food was amazing, our server (Mar) was my new best friend , and everyone else was respectful, friendly and wearing a smile while working a busy night . The food was extra tasty because it was made with love and a sense of home . Thank you everyone for the great dinning experience, we will definitely come back!

First time here and I’ll definitely be back. The food and service was top notch. I recommend booking ahead.

Hidden gem of an izakaya. On my first visit I hadn’t made a reservation, but they were still able to seat me outside. Once room freed up inside they offered me a space inside. After each part of the meal I was checked on, including by the very friendly chef. All of the dishes were simple but authentically Japanese. It’s a small space, so I would recommend calling ahead to get a reservation. Thank you for the great food and service!

THE BEST yakitori in San Diego. Everything is seasoned to perfection every time. The vibe is immaculate. It's small, high energy and loud, the perfect place to get a beer (or 5) and enjoy the night with great food. We buy the kitchen beer/sake from time to time and it's really fun when they take a break to drink with you! Our go to items: - Taisho Style Shrimp Spring Rolls - Chicken vein, heart, gizzard - Bacon wrapped asparagus - Beef with daikon radish and wasabi - Beef tongue The service is also really good! They are knowledgeable about the food and sake and can recommend items based on preference.

+4

Top notch! The best Yakitori place I've eatin! Everything was perfect. The timing of the food coming out was on point, and each dish was carefully prepared. Servers checked on you on a great rotation. If you want a place to go and have some fantastic food, this is a must in SD.

+6

We love Yakitori Taisho! It’s quick and easy to call a few days or a week in advance to book a reservation. If you’re sitting for just two, we recommend sitting by the bar and seeing the action. Some of our favorites: * Deep Fried Garlic * Chicken Skin * Pork Jowl * Quail Egg * Yellowtail * Chicken wings!

+2

One of best Yakitori shop in SD and had to come back for a nice review. The skewers were amazing as always and most dishes are excellent quality. I love their chicken liver and beef tongue the most. We definitely love the food but server unfortunately was too busy so they forgot one of my order. No biggie though

+1

We reserved for 4 with two birthdays in our group last night, all the food was amazing and the sake selection was very good, decided on a bottle of the black dragon, the beef tongue was my personal favorite paired with the yuzu sauce, kimchi had a great flavor to pair with everything. I had a peach shochu drink and it was smooth. Ended the dinner with their ice cream, sesame and lychee sorbet are their options, had one of each, sesame was light and lychee was sweet (my favorite) The service was amazing, the staff would check on us frequently. I can't say enough great things about this place.

One of my favourite dinners we've ever had in San Diego. We were seated at the bar, but with the dividers they placed it felt very intimate still, and we loved watching the chefs cook. The meal is very intentional, with each item paced perfectly. Everything is delicious and the sake menu is also great, and very detailed about flavor profiles. My only complaint is the server argued with me about the sake I wanted to order, which was a little odd (it was a great choice by the way). Make a reservation just in case because the restaurant is very small and fills fast, but definitely well worth the stop.

+6

It is really hard to get a table unless you make a reservation or put your name on the wait list right after they open. Still, you should try their yakitori. The smoky flavor of bincho charcoal will not disappoint you.

Delicious and friendly! Reservation for 3 made same day for 5:30. Called at 5. There is a table for 3 in the cozy corner. We loved the yakitori chicken thigh, chicken heart, squid legs, pork belly, scallop and shitake mushroom. Additional menu fried tofu, smoked radish (a must), calamari salad, and our favorite of all the shrimp spring roll (not what you are expecting but incredibly delicious!) The staff is organized, friendly and laid back.

All skewers are amazing! I also like the black cod the most. You will not regret getting the black cod. The rice tea soup is awesome to finish the meal. I am happy and full now. Make sure to call in advance to reserve a table though.

+6

This is a Japanese skewer restaurant recommended by a friend, and it’s essential to make a reservation in advance when in San Diego. The place has limited seating but is always popular, so walking in might not get you a seat or you may end up sitting at a temporary spot outside. The menu doesn’t offer too many options, but each item tastes great. I’d recommend that if there are two people, order one skewer of each kind so you can try them all! The downside is that there’s only one skewer chef, so the service is a bit slow. It’s more suitable for enjoying food while chatting with friends—not the best choice if you’re too hungry.

+6

Great place for yakitori and alcohol! Small and cozy restaurant. I recommend to call for reservation.

+3

Used to be the best Japanese bbq I ever had. But after they changed to two young chefs. The taste changed a lot. Just above average, not amazing any more. The ice cream is the best!

+6

Honestly I was disappointed given the high reviews. The atmosphere was top notch, the service was excellent, and despite generally not liking sake I thoroughly enjoyed what I tried. The yakitori itself however was lacking. I have high standards having lived in Japan, but I've been to great yakitori places in North America before and this was not one. The chicken thighs, probably the most core item at a yakitori restaurant, was under seasoned and didn't have any browning. There also was not an option for negima with leek which I was surprised by. The chicken skin was rubbery such that the fat wasn't rendered but the edges were blackend rather then the crispy fatty delicious skin I expect. The tsukune were tasty though and some of the non chicken skewers were good too, as was the takoyaki. Sitting at the counter watching the grill was great and the staff were very attentive but I was really excited to try this place and left quite disappointed.

Food was decent, but the service had a weirdly controlling vibe (reservation by phone only already says some). In under two hours, here’s what I apparently did “wrong”: - Was told not to stand near the entrance while waiting—had to wait outside until the table was ready - Got corrected for not leaving the pen at the table after ordering (you write the quantity of what you want on the paper, but pen must stay!!) - Was told I dropped napkins “too many times” after being handed another. - Got repeatedly asked if we wanted more water, food, or drink even though we were clearly still eating. The question started after 1 hr of sitting - They would just point at the plate without saying a word, so I’d have to guess—“Yes?”—and only then he’d say, “Can I clear it?” Just awkward and passive-aggressive. Just didn’t feel welcome or relaxed. Definitely not the vibe I’m looking for in a dining experience. All of them had that typical San Diego vibe—polite on the surface, but with a condescending tone that made the whole experience uncomfortable.

Turned away from dining inside because my husband’s service dog was with us. When we informed the server that it’s illegal to turn us away, he said that’s their policy and that he just works there. Reported for ADA discrimination!