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Hatsuzakura
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Hatsuzakura
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Hatsuzakura

Japanese · San Diego

4.5 · 171 reviews Google

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www.grainscafe.com

About Hatsuzakura

Hatsuzakura is a welcoming Asian-owned and women-owned gem in San Diego, offering fast yet thoughtful service in an accessible setting with outdoor seating. Guests praise the warm atmosphere and generous portions that make every visit special. Signature dishes include the addictive popcorn chicken,...

Hatsuzakura is a welcoming Asian-owned and women-owned gem in San Diego, offering fast yet thoughtful service in an accessible setting with outdoor seating. Guests praise the warm atmosphere and generous portions that make every visit special. Signature dishes include the addictive popcorn chicken, flavorful Banh Mi, Buffalo cauliflower, and salt and pepper calamari. While some items vary, the menu consistently delivers delicious comfort food like Thai yellow curry and pan-seared fettuccine. Whether enjoying a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner with friends, Hatsuzakura stands out for its excellent staff, diverse choices, and the genuine care shown to every solo diner or group alike.

What Customers Say About Hatsuzakura

Hatsuzakura (Grains) is a popular vegan restaurant known for its flavorful and extensive menu. Standout dishes include the Bahn Mi, Buffalo Cauliflower, and Pan Seared Fettuccine. Customers praise the friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere, though some find the sandwich fillings sparse.

Popular Dishes

Bahn Mi (7) Buffalo Cauliflower (3) Pan Seared Fettuccine Popcorn Chicken Tokyo fries Thai Yellow Curry Pad Thai

Best For

Casual Families Locals

Tip: The menu has many choices and lists allergenic food and gluten-free options.

Features

📶 WiFi 🌳 Outdoor 🅿️ Parking Accessible 🍽️ Lunch 🌙 Dinner 🥗 Vegetarian 🌱 Vegan Coffee
🎯 Casual 🛋️ Cozy Trendy 👨‍👩‍👧 Family

What to see nearby

Old Trolley Barn Park
A 204m

Old Trolley Barn Park

parque

View details
Teacher Training School Building-San Diego State Normal School
Heritage
A 900m

Teacher Training School Building-San Diego State Normal School

edificio

View details

Data from Wikidata

Explore the area around Hatsuzakura

Hatsuzakura is located in San Diego, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.

Historical Heritage

  • Teacher Training School Building-San Diego State Normal School (A 900m) — building in San Diego, California, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos

Parks & Gardens

  • Old Trolley Barn Park (A 204m) — park in San Diego County, California, United States of America

Data from Wikidata

Frequently asked questions about Hatsuzakura

Hatsuzakura is located at 2123 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116, San Diego.
Near Hatsuzakura you can find points of interest such as Old Trolley Barn Park, Teacher Training School Building-San Diego State Normal School.
Hatsuzakura offers japanese cuisine.
Hatsuzakura has regular opening hours. Check their profile for updated schedules.
Hatsuzakura offers the following services: dine-in, takeaway.
The most recommended dishes at Hatsuzakura based on customer reviews are: Bahn Mi, Buffalo Cauliflower, Pan Seared Fettuccine, Popcorn Chicken, Tokyo fries.
Hatsuzakura is ideal for casual dining, families, locals.
Hatsuzakura (Grains) is a popular vegan restaurant known for its flavorful and extensive menu. Standout dishes include the Bahn Mi, Buffalo Cauliflower, and Pan Seared Fettuccine. Customers praise the friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere, though some find the sandwich fillings sparse.
The menu has many choices and lists allergenic food and gluten-free options.
171
Reviews

Hatsuzakura San Diego Reviews

4.5
171
5★
77%
4★
12%
3★
4%
2★
4%
1★
4%
Reviews (40)
D
Darnell Neely (Nutritional Alchemist)

First time here. Very pleased with the atmosphere and the timing of our arrival. Started getting busy after we arrived the menu has so many choices and they list everything on the menu including allergenic food and gluten-free options. You will not be disappointed. Save the flavor and also make sure to get one of their signature drinks. It will be a place to remember. ✨️👌🏾💯

J
Jimmy Visessung

Went to the pre soft opening of Grains on Adams ave. Saw the post from friends on IG. We had the a few of the new items and it was delicious. It’s the weekend menu for now brunch 12-3 pm. Not sure if it will be all day menu in the future.great quaint spot friendly environment, chill spot. Will definitely return. We usually go to Madi but I can say the wait is much less and the foods and drinks are above par.

H
H Brown

Food is fantastic. Order at counter. Employees are nice. Very clean and chic. Portions are reasonable but not huge. Bahn Mi sandwich was a little different from other versions, but delicious. I would like to see a little more diakon though. Salad vinaigrette was out of the park awesome.

C
Christina Coons

Very long day working the Kaiser strike 🪧 how restorative a visit here is! I did not realize it was Vegan until arrival. The reviews were so strong I was on a fast track. Vegans know how to balance sources of protein. Just be open minded about that and give it a whirl. You will not only survive but indeed THRIVE. Thanks Grains!!

R
Ruthanna Hutton-Okpalaeke

I ordered the Bahn Mi, it was pretty okay bread was soft and the jackfruit was flavorful but overall just okay. The fries were little bland but the amount of food you got for the price was good! Not my favoirte but I would come back and try something else. The restaurant was cute with a nice patio. Would try again.

c
carly king

The food here is incredible! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff are so friendly. Even though I’m not vegan or vegetarian, I was blown away by the flavors and quality of the dishes. I almost never remember to take a photo because I’m too excited to eat.

A
Alex Zabavsky

Stopped here for a quick bite and ended up enjoying a full meal. Hong Kong Chicken was incredible! Monkey latte was delicious

s
suzanne baligad

The eggplant and tofu is really good -- the sauce is very light and flavorful. The mango and sticky rice is my favorite dessert, and the probiotic drink is refreshing.

L
Lanae Moreno

The food here is amazing . I wanted to try everything on the menu because it all sounded so good. The dishes were so delicious! The popcorn chicken and buffalo cauliflower are a must-try. The pad Thai was also incredibly tasty. It's a shame we live far away, or we would definitely be regulars here.

P
Parker Monroe

The Bahn Mi pulled pork sandwich was delectable and the buffalo cauliflower tasted like Sunday night football and dad’s cigars. …no, not literally but it definitely elicited powerful memories of buffalo chicken wings times past. A potent taste.

M
Marie H.

Very nice atmosphere! Customer service was excellent!! I appreciate the woman being kind and welcoming. I enjoyed my vegan meal, except I'm learning me and fried oyster mushrooms just don't mix 🤷🏾‍♀️. However, the food was seasoned wonderfully and very tasty. Highly recommend.

J
Jasmine Hippe

The food here is to die for! It was hard to choose from their extensive vegan menu. I got oyster mushroom chicken strips and my partner got a mushroom gravy fettuccine bowl. It was all so flavorful and the veggies tasted fresh and well cooked. I’ll be back!

R
Ris Burton

Love this place. 😀 The food is great 🍜. The staff is excellent 👌 My brother in law wants to go thru every dish because he was impressed with the first three he got in three visits. We ate here again on 2/19/2023. We will pay photos of the appetizer we had today, along with the cup of coffee ☕️ I had. I had the Curry 🍛 tonight. The taste was excellent.

E
Estefania

This was our first time at grains. We ordered a few things and everything was delicious. Especially the Buffalo cauliflower and the bahn mi. Sizes are generous so we had to take some food home. We went there at around 3pm and it wasn’t busy. I definitely recommend this place to any vegan or anyone wanting to try vegan food out. My boyfriend is a major meat eater and loves everything!

Darnell Neely (Nutritional Alchemist)
Darnell Neely (Nutritional Alchemist)

First time here. Very pleased with the atmosphere and the timing of our arrival. Started getting busy after we arrived the menu has so many choices and they list everything on the menu including allergenic food and gluten-free options. You will not be disappointed. Save the flavor and also make sure to get one of their signature drinks. It will be a place to remember. ✨️👌🏾💯

Jimmy Visessung
Jimmy Visessung

Went to the pre soft opening of Grains on Adams ave. Saw the post from friends on IG. We had the a few of the new items and it was delicious. It’s the weekend menu for now brunch 12-3 pm. Not sure if it will be all day menu in the future.great quaint spot friendly environment, chill spot. Will definitely return. We usually go to Madi but I can say the wait is much less and the foods and drinks are above par.

H Brown
H Brown

Food is fantastic. Order at counter. Employees are nice. Very clean and chic. Portions are reasonable but not huge. Bahn Mi sandwich was a little different from other versions, but delicious. I would like to see a little more diakon though. Salad vinaigrette was out of the park awesome.

Ruthanna Hutton-Okpalaeke
Ruthanna Hutton-Okpalaeke

I ordered the Bahn Mi, it was pretty okay bread was soft and the jackfruit was flavorful but overall just okay. The fries were little bland but the amount of food you got for the price was good! Not my favoirte but I would come back and try something else. The restaurant was cute with a nice patio. Would try again.

carly king
carly king

The food here is incredible! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff are so friendly. Even though I’m not vegan or vegetarian, I was blown away by the flavors and quality of the dishes. I almost never remember to take a photo because I’m too excited to eat.

suzanne baligad
suzanne baligad

The eggplant and tofu is really good -- the sauce is very light and flavorful. The mango and sticky rice is my favorite dessert, and the probiotic drink is refreshing.

Lanae Moreno
Lanae Moreno

The food here is amazing . I wanted to try everything on the menu because it all sounded so good. The dishes were so delicious! The popcorn chicken and buffalo cauliflower are a must-try. The pad Thai was also incredibly tasty. It's a shame we live far away, or we would definitely be regulars here.

Parker Monroe
Parker Monroe

The Bahn Mi pulled pork sandwich was delectable and the buffalo cauliflower tasted like Sunday night football and dad’s cigars. …no, not literally but it definitely elicited powerful memories of buffalo chicken wings times past. A potent taste.

Marie H.
Marie H.

Very nice atmosphere! Customer service was excellent!! I appreciate the woman being kind and welcoming. I enjoyed my vegan meal, except I'm learning me and fried oyster mushrooms just don't mix 🤷🏾‍♀️. However, the food was seasoned wonderfully and very tasty. Highly recommend.

Jasmine Hippe
Jasmine Hippe

The food here is to die for! It was hard to choose from their extensive vegan menu. I got oyster mushroom chicken strips and my partner got a mushroom gravy fettuccine bowl. It was all so flavorful and the veggies tasted fresh and well cooked. I’ll be back!

Ris Burton
Ris Burton

Love this place. 😀 The food is great 🍜. The staff is excellent 👌 My brother in law wants to go thru every dish because he was impressed with the first three he got in three visits. We ate here again on 2/19/2023. We will pay photos of the appetizer we had today, along with the cup of coffee ☕️ I had. I had the Curry 🍛 tonight. The taste was excellent.

Estefania
Estefania

This was our first time at grains. We ordered a few things and everything was delicious. Especially the Buffalo cauliflower and the bahn mi. Sizes are generous so we had to take some food home. We went there at around 3pm and it wasn’t busy. I definitely recommend this place to any vegan or anyone wanting to try vegan food out. My boyfriend is a major meat eater and loves everything!

Kendra Kennedy
Kendra Kennedy

I’m not sold on much vegan food so I was surprised when I tasted their pulled pork Mi sandwich it was actually tasty and flavorful I enjoyed it and the salt and pepper calamari stole the show!!!! The Tokyo fries were also very delicious. We ate there sat. And literally came back sun and ordered the same dish!!!!

M
Mary M

My husband and I are not vegan and we love this place - it’s on our dinner restaurant rotation. Staff are very kind, food is consistently good, and the few times we eat there, feels community-based and has a chill ambiance. We particularly love the buffalo cauliflower and the vegetable heavy dishes 💗

C
Christy Holman

To say I’m obsessed is an understatement!! The Popcorn “Chicken”, Philly Cheese Sandwich, and Pan Seared Fettuccine are so good. My husband loves the Banh Mi and Thai Yellow Curry. Anytime friends or family visit, we take them here, and everything we’ve tried has been delicious. I always can’t wait to come back! 😋

Shelby Jolley
Shelby Jolley

My husband, son & I literally just left, & the pan seared fettuccine made my soul so happy. It was the comfiest of comfort foods & I wish I found out about this place sooner. Highly recommend even if you aren’t vegan.

Christy Holman
Christy Holman

To say I’m obsessed is an understatement!! The Popcorn “Chicken”, Philly Cheese Sandwich, and Pan Seared Fettuccine are so good. My husband loves the Banh Mi and Thai Yellow Curry. Anytime friends or family visit, we take them here, and everything we’ve tried has been delicious. I always can’t wait to come back! 😋

S
Saffron Hartley

I wanted so badly to love the food here, but was a little disappointed. The tofu nuggets were good but not particularly great, and same for the banh mi sandwich. Fries were cold :( The chicken strips were definitely disappointing — I’m not totally convinced there were actually oyster mushrooms inside the fried shell, which was quite hard. The side of rice was overcooked and mushy :(

J
Jordan Morrison

Like others have said the bahn mi was flavorful but lacking in filling. I couldn’t help but laugh at the single pepper slice and single leaf of cilantro inside. They were sparse on all ingredients other than the “pork” mixture. It sounds like all their sandwiches are minimal on filling which the chunky bread loaf exaggerates further. I’d come back and try something else but wouldn’t get a sandwich again. They have a creative and intriguing menu. With all the yummy sounding options I was disappointed in my selection. Nice people and relaxing ambiance. I always want vegan restaurants to survive so despite my disappointment in my meal I give it 4/5 and would try again.

Jordan Morrison
Jordan Morrison

Like others have said the bahn mi was flavorful but lacking in filling. I couldn’t help but laugh at the single pepper slice and single leaf of cilantro inside. They were sparse on all ingredients other than the “pork” mixture. It sounds like all their sandwiches are minimal on filling which the chunky bread loaf exaggerates further. I’d come back and try something else but wouldn’t get a sandwich again. They have a creative and intriguing menu. With all the yummy sounding options I was disappointed in my selection. Nice people and relaxing ambiance. I always want vegan restaurants to survive so despite my disappointment in my meal I give it 4/5 and would try again.

Saffron Hartley
Saffron Hartley

I wanted so badly to love the food here, but was a little disappointed. The tofu nuggets were good but not particularly great, and same for the banh mi sandwich. Fries were cold :( The chicken strips were definitely disappointing — I’m not totally convinced there were actually oyster mushrooms inside the fried shell, which was quite hard. The side of rice was overcooked and mushy :(

N
Nicolle Cooper

My boyfriend has been vegan for over 5 years and I’ve eaten at countless vegan restaurants all over the country with him. We went to grains because we were visiting San Diego and wanted to explore some good vegan food in the area and grains came up on multiple searches. When we got our food I don’t think I’ve ever had a more disappointing food experience in my life compared to what we experienced at grains. The food was made quickly I can’t deny the fast service but the quality of food was so embarrassing. We ordered the bahn mi sandwich and the Philly cheesesteak and both came on the same bread and had hardly any toppings on it. My boyfriend’s sandwich cost $14 and had 5 mushrooms inside, and some cheese and the sandwiches weighed no more than 2 punches it was literal air. My sandwich had simple vegetables and a vegan meat that was horribly seasoned and off putting. This was the first meal we ate when landing in San Diego after our 9 hour drive so we were very hungry and chose to finish the food but wow that was lighter than a snack it felt like it gave us no actual healthy nutrition or vegan protein source and I know for a fact the quality of ingredients put into making those sandwiches didn’t cost more than $2 to buy and it was so up charged for what little was given. This place was embarrassing to eat at and be seen as a vegan restaurant because they are not making sure to give their customers a good eating experience. It’s obvious to me the owner of this establishment is interested in hardly serving any food and trying to maximize profits. I am very confused how this is highly rated after eating here. Maybe the owner paid people to give high reviews because there was nothing high quality about this place.

Nicolle Cooper
Nicolle Cooper

My boyfriend has been vegan for over 5 years and I’ve eaten at countless vegan restaurants all over the country with him. We went to grains because we were visiting San Diego and wanted to explore some good vegan food in the area and grains came up on multiple searches. When we got our food I don’t think I’ve ever had a more disappointing food experience in my life compared to what we experienced at grains. The food was made quickly I can’t deny the fast service but the quality of food was so embarrassing. We ordered the bahn mi sandwich and the Philly cheesesteak and both came on the same bread and had hardly any toppings on it. My boyfriend’s sandwich cost $14 and had 5 mushrooms inside, and some cheese and the sandwiches weighed no more than 2 punches it was literal air. My sandwich had simple vegetables and a vegan meat that was horribly seasoned and off putting. This was the first meal we ate when landing in San Diego after our 9 hour drive so we were very hungry and chose to finish the food but wow that was lighter than a snack it felt like it gave us no actual healthy nutrition or vegan protein source and I know for a fact the quality of ingredients put into making those sandwiches didn’t cost more than $2 to buy and it was so up charged for what little was given. This place was embarrassing to eat at and be seen as a vegan restaurant because they are not making sure to give their customers a good eating experience. It’s obvious to me the owner of this establishment is interested in hardly serving any food and trying to maximize profits. I am very confused how this is highly rated after eating here. Maybe the owner paid people to give high reviews because there was nothing high quality about this place.

Lisa Green (Banana Beans)
Lisa Green (Banana Beans)

I went with my friend who raised about to Curry, I saw a picture of the Curry on the reviews and it did look tasty. I'm on a budget and shelling out $16.00 I was hoping it would be worth it. It was a small bowl and it did not look like the photo on the review I saw, there was no garnish, there was a few potatoes and maybe three or four green beans. It did have tofu for protein, it had too much salt! I couldn't keep it down later, even my friend thought hers was too salty. I have never had that much salt in one sitting. I ended up eating it because it was $16! The lady behind the counter was really nice and I should have said something but we were in a hurry. The atmosphere is really nice. But Grain's Please lay off all that salt let the customer add more if needed.

P
Pam J

I wish I could give 0 stars. I ordered two Philly Steak sandwiches. For one of the sandwiches, I specifically requested the mushrooms to be well done, but they were not. This sandwich is a joke—it should be called a Bell Pepper Sandwich. Both sandwiches had barely any mushrooms, and the few mushrooms present were just small scraps. I will never go back—this was a complete waste of money. Additionally, the manager was very rude. She didn’t change her gloves after touching the cash register. Instead, I saw her rinse off the gloves with water and then handle clean glasses. She should know better. Proper food safety protocol requires using clean, new gloves in such cases. If she has her Food Handler Certificate, she would know Single-use gloves should not be washed or reused. California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 113973 section C. I’ll be contacting the Department of Health tomorrow to report this.

pam j
pam j

I wish I could give 0 stars. I ordered two Philly Steak sandwiches. For one of the sandwiches, I specifically requested the mushrooms to be well done, but they were not. This sandwich is a joke—it should be called a Bell Pepper Sandwich. Both sandwiches had barely any mushrooms, and the few mushrooms present were just small scraps. I will never go back—this was a complete waste of money. Additionally, the manager was very rude. She didn’t change her gloves after touching the cash register. Instead, I saw her rinse off the gloves with water and then handle clean glasses. She should know better. Proper food safety protocol requires using clean, new gloves in such cases. If she has her Food Handler Certificate, she would know Single-use gloves should not be washed or reused. California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 113973 section C. I’ll be contacting the Department of Health tomorrow to report this.

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About Hatsuzakura

How to get there

2123 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

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Highlights

Highly Rated
4.5/5 stars
💬
Many Reviews
171 reviews
💰
Moderate Price
Price level
👨‍🍳
japanese
Cuisine type

Services

🥐 Brunch
🍽️ Lunch
🍾 Dinner
Coffee
🍰 Desserts
🥗 Vegetarian Options
🌱 Vegan Options
🥡 Takeout
🍴 Dine-in

Dining Options

🍽️ Dine In
🥡 Takeout

Restaurant Info

Status
Verified by owner
🕐 Hours Today
11AM-3PM, 4:30-9PM
Rating
4.5/5
💬 Reviews
171
💰 Price Level
$$
⏱️ Typical Visit
People typically spend 1-2 hours here
📞 Phone
+1 619-756-7760
🌐 Website
www.hatsuzakurasd.com
📋 Menu
View Menu

Amenities

📶 Free WiFi
🅿️ Parking
🌿 Outdoor Seating
Wheelchair Accessible
🚻 Restroom
💳 Credit Cards
📱 Mobile Payments
🏘️

The Neighborhood

Old Trolley Barn Park

park in San Diego County, California, United States of America

A 204m
Teacher Training School Building-San Diego State Normal School Heritage

building in San Diego, California, United States

A 900m
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