Here at the Kokoro restaurant, we provide the freshest ingredients available whether it is obtained locally or straight from Japan. We pride ourselves on serving traditional Japanese food but also serve modern sushi rolls made with all natural ingredients. You will not find any imitation crab here.
Our drink menu hopes to inspire by offering you an arrayment with beer, wine, premium sake and signature cocktails. The Omakase, while needing a three day notice prior for the reservation, is well worth the wait. Executive Chef Akio Ishito hand picks each course, to make your experience here at Kokoro a memorable one.
Our drink menu hopes to inspire by offering you an arrayment with beer, wine, premium sake and signature cocktails. The Omakase, while needing a three day notice prior for the reservation, is well worth the wait. Executive Chef Akio Ishito hand picks each course, to make your experience here at Kokoro a memorable one.
Services
Our Executive Chef "Taisho" Akio Ishito grew up in a home located next to a Japanese high-class cuisine. A Japanese high-class cuisine is a different world where they prepare the best ingredients with expert cooking skills. As chef Ishito grew up watching those highly talented chefs, without realizing it, cooking became something familiar to him.
Reviews (27)
Jay O.
Jan 06, 2022
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A hidden gem in San Diego, this is absolutely among the top 5 best places to get real authentic sushi. Yeah, I know, everyone uses authentic and it's almost always just Americanized crap with sauce dumped all over it. Not this place.
The fineness to their food is exactly what you'd experience in Japan. Covid had definitely caused them to scale back the menu quite a bit, but if you can make a reservation for their tasting menu you will be very happy you did.
The fineness to their food is exactly what you'd experience in Japan. Covid had definitely caused them to scale back the menu quite a bit, but if you can make a reservation for their tasting menu you will be very happy you did.
Jeremiah K.
Dec 30, 2021
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Fong L.
Dec 12, 2021
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Another delectable dining experience here. I very much enjoy the low key atmosphere. For dinner last night we opted out of omakase having intimate knowledge of what to order. I think we got more food for same price and including alcohol. The pineapple soju cocktail is very good and very deceptive as you don't taste the alcohol but It will hit you lol.
We had the amberjack Kama which is not in the menu. Last time we had a sizable pice but last night quite small. It was still very good but expected more hehehe. Didn't take all the pics the time.
We had the amberjack Kama which is not in the menu. Last time we had a sizable pice but last night quite small. It was still very good but expected more hehehe. Didn't take all the pics the time.
Mary Beth Logan
Dec 02, 2021
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Delightful, and at a good price! I got the omakase- though their website says that you need to reserve 3 days in advance to get the omakase, I called 15 minutes before I went in and they still offered me the omakase… VERY accommodating!
Every course was incredible, and the attention paid to every detail in each dish was remarkable. The sashimi course was fantastic, the smaller dishes (like the squid tempura after the wagyu course) were all just as lovely as the bigger courses like the wagyu! The course with the cuttlefish was INSANELY good. For dessert, I asked the server what he recommended
Every course was incredible, and the attention paid to every detail in each dish was remarkable. The sashimi course was fantastic, the smaller dishes (like the squid tempura after the wagyu course) were all just as lovely as the bigger courses like the wagyu! The course with the cuttlefish was INSANELY good. For dessert, I asked the server what he recommended
Jessica C.
Nov 17, 2021
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Jay M.
Oct 24, 2021
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Tammie W.
Sep 25, 2021
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My friend and I sat down at the bar and enjoyed an evening of wine and Omakase.
Kokoro is a very small restaurant tucked away in a plaza in Serra Mesa. You probably would typically pass this place up because it's not screaming to come inside and eat, but it was a lovely evening in which we left the menu up to the sushi chef.
There are other options on the menu if you don't want to do Omakase or sit at the bar. I'd give this place a try to support the local community and check out what all they have to offer.
Kokoro is a very small restaurant tucked away in a plaza in Serra Mesa. You probably would typically pass this place up because it's not screaming to come inside and eat, but it was a lovely evening in which we left the menu up to the sushi chef.
There are other options on the menu if you don't want to do Omakase or sit at the bar. I'd give this place a try to support the local community and check out what all they have to offer.
Mary L.
Sep 12, 2021
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Olivia C.
Aug 29, 2021
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Authentic ambience + menu, nice staff (albeit clearly new), and incredible sashimi. My only detractor is the price point. While I'm used to good fish costing a bit, the portions were on the smaller end compared to other local restaurants and we had to eat a second meal at home afterwards.
3/5 price relative to portion:
OK, I get that good sashimi is going to cost you, but $38 for 3 slices of salmon, 3 hamachi, 3 toro, 3 tiny squid, and 3 tiny octopus is a bit much. The Wagamama bowl was 3/4 rice and 1/4 fish. Most of it tasted incredible (except the toro and octopus), but I was barely content
3/5 price relative to portion:
OK, I get that good sashimi is going to cost you, but $38 for 3 slices of salmon, 3 hamachi, 3 toro, 3 tiny squid, and 3 tiny octopus is a bit much. The Wagamama bowl was 3/4 rice and 1/4 fish. Most of it tasted incredible (except the toro and octopus), but I was barely content
Carissa Williams
Aug 21, 2021
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Kirk P.
Aug 15, 2021
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Adam Koziol
Aug 02, 2021
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Anthony L.
Aug 01, 2021
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This is, and I'm confident it always will be, in the top 3 best restaurants in San Diego. Everything here was amazing. The location didn't give me high hopes, but the restaurant really blew my mind. I lived in Japan for a couple years, and I believe this place to be on par with a lot of the best places in Japan. My girlfriend and I had the omakase. It was a mix of sides, sashimi, and sushi. My favorite from the omakase was the steak strips. It was marinated and cooked so well. I also really liked the amberjack sushi, the uni, and the squid tempura. We also ordered aged toro (tuna belly
Abdullah Tabra
Jul 14, 2021
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If you love sushi then this is the place for you! I unfortunately couldn't take any pictures of the sushi I ate because I was way too distracted eating it. Very high quality sushi made right in front of you. The chef takes a lot of care making each piece and each roll of sushi, and it shows. This is definitely my new favorite sushi restaurant. After your food do your taste buds a favor by finishing off with some green tea and panna cotta (dessert) trust me you will want more than just one of those!
T. D.
Jul 13, 2021
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Just had lunch, chirashi and bento, simple and delicious. Very authentic, I love the absence of mayo in my sushi meals. The couple working the restaurant was very effect and helpful. I'm allergic to sesame and they told me the grilled salmon was marinated with sesame oil, thank you I avoided that. The bento box was elegantly filled with the most yummy kaarage (sweet and crispy, boneless but skin on - it's some of the best fried chicken I've ever tasted), grilled salmon (must have been good, the husband ate it), sashimi, square egg and pickled daikon. The chirashi had an variety of
Sean Pipatkhajonchai
Jul 03, 2021
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Got the omakase and some other things. The omakase starts off super good in my opinion and kind of ends kinda bad. Another issue was super huge pacing issues in-between meals. Up to 20 minutes in between plates. We got so hungry that we ordered the extra things like fried squid legs.
If you go here you are better off ordering sashimi platter off the menu and getting a couple appetizers.
If you go here you are better off ordering sashimi platter off the menu and getting a couple appetizers.
Robert M.
May 15, 2021
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What is this... a dinner for ants??? This measly serving of salmon and one roll of sushi cost me nearly $30! And an extra kick in the nuts- the food was terrible Overcooked salmon and mushy sushi filled with what I could only assume was a mystery mix disguised as crab surimi left me disappointed. Also, it would be nice if the staff was aware of what items are on the menu because when I first arrived I asked if they had grilled salmon and was told no, but when I asked to see the menu it was on it... maybe I should have taken that as a sign to go somewhere else. Oh well suffice to say I WILL
Bill Y.
May 04, 2021
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Swan L.
Mar 04, 2021
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Absolutely incredible! Who would have thought this little place in the Crunch Fitness and CVS plaza could serve up such high quality and delicious dishes! I love that it's tucked away in Serra Mesa and had a very chill atmosphere. A large tent with heat lamps is set up for outdoor dining.
Since this is the first sushi dining experience since COVID hit, we went to town. Sadly they were out of the beef tataki, but our substitute choice of kamo-wasa (sliced duck with wasabi) ended up being my favorite bite of the night. We were also lucky to snag the last hamachi kama (yellowtail cheek), which
Since this is the first sushi dining experience since COVID hit, we went to town. Sadly they were out of the beef tataki, but our substitute choice of kamo-wasa (sliced duck with wasabi) ended up being my favorite bite of the night. We were also lucky to snag the last hamachi kama (yellowtail cheek), which
Cesar C.
Mar 02, 2021
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What a hidden gem in serra mesa! who knew? - really enjoyed our dinner here. fyi, they do omakase is around $80. we did not do that, and just ordered a decent amount of things, beer and house sake which was on point.
I can't wait to come back again, def. if you are considering coming to Kokoro, call ahead, make a reservation - they do have patio and heaters - just better to have a reservation / vs. just showing up -
service / plates / setting - all five stars -
the setting is relatively quiet / intimate perfect for date night.
list of plates we ordered:
Kamo-wasa - duck
shishito peppers
I can't wait to come back again, def. if you are considering coming to Kokoro, call ahead, make a reservation - they do have patio and heaters - just better to have a reservation / vs. just showing up -
service / plates / setting - all five stars -
the setting is relatively quiet / intimate perfect for date night.
list of plates we ordered:
Kamo-wasa - duck
shishito peppers
Xinru T.
Oct 30, 2020
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The best Japanese food I've had in awhile. One of my favorite sushi place in San Diego. They make amazing authentic Japanese food. The restaurant is not big, but I really love their atmosphere and environment. It's clean, cozy, and relaxed. I enjoyed watching the chef preparing the food while I was waiting for mine. The chef is highly skilled and professional. Both of the chef and staff are very friendly and courteous.
I ordered omakase. $80 for 9 courses. Each course was delicious and fresh. They were perfectly seasoned and flavorful. I'm not a fan of tempura, but I was impressed
I ordered omakase. $80 for 9 courses. Each course was delicious and fresh. They were perfectly seasoned and flavorful. I'm not a fan of tempura, but I was impressed
Chris D.
Sep 25, 2020
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My friends had some high praises for Kokoro so we all decided to make an outing here for dinner on a Monday night. We had called ahead to make a reservation which may not have been necessary since there wasn't anyone there when we arrived. If you are planning on coming in a large group however, I would still recommend getting a reservation just in case since the restaurant is pretty small and the outdoor seating area only seemed accommodated one large party.
I ordered the Battera (pressed sushi with salmon) and it was delicious! The salmon was definitely high quality and melt-in-your-mouth
I ordered the Battera (pressed sushi with salmon) and it was delicious! The salmon was definitely high quality and melt-in-your-mouth
James V.
Mar 03, 2020
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Fabulous sushi tucked in a strip mall in Serra Mesa. There's a bright, clean, and minimalistic aesthetic to the interior, plus friendly service and easy parking.
We love going there for their lunch sets, which are fresh and reasonably affordable for the quality.
My friends and I typically opt for the chirashi bowl and udon noodle set. All the fish was fantastic. The udon is a great compliment for the fish and sushi rice featured in the chriashi.
It's meals like this I truly find myself slowing down to enjoy each bite - truly enjoying the flavor and textures. Even the subtle bitterness
We love going there for their lunch sets, which are fresh and reasonably affordable for the quality.
My friends and I typically opt for the chirashi bowl and udon noodle set. All the fish was fantastic. The udon is a great compliment for the fish and sushi rice featured in the chriashi.
It's meals like this I truly find myself slowing down to enjoy each bite - truly enjoying the flavor and textures. Even the subtle bitterness
Melissa Chu
Oct 16, 2019
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Ayumi Kamitani
Aug 26, 2019
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I. W.
Jul 11, 2018
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Felt like dining in Japan. Minimalist decor with neatly served dishes. Don’t expect a cheap meal but a fairly authentic one.
Hope to see more patrons here as we were the only dine ins on a Thursday night. Place deserves more credit but price and location may lead to its eventual demise. Eat here while you can!
Hope to see more patrons here as we were the only dine ins on a Thursday night. Place deserves more credit but price and location may lead to its eventual demise. Eat here while you can!
Xuqing Chen
Dec 29, 2017
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This is the best restaurant my wife and I had in this week's San Diego trip. We found it as a lunch spot yesterday then we loved it for its COOKING. We ordered deluxe bento and chirashi sushi. We then realized that this is one of the three places we have been to in the US which cook their miso soup instead of making it from soluable soupbases. (One of the other is Hanamizuki in Orlando, FL.) The tempura is the correct crispness and fried in the correct oil, this is rare in the US! The decoration is a fully open kaiseki kitchen, simply the authentic feel. We loved it and realized that they offer
