Nozomi La Jolla

Chirashi salad is heavenly. I have to have it every time we go there! My favorite roll of all time is the Ocean Kiss. The scallops are so fresh and delicate!!! Everything on the menu is such high quality, I’ve eaten at other sushi restaurants, but none compare to Nozomi, as far as I am concerned.

Nozomi definitely deserves more stars on Unilocal.They have a fresh selection of rolls, hand rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. But the biggest star on the menu has got to be the Chirashi Salad. This is what my friends and I always order when we come here:
1) ¾ Chirashi Salad
2) 1 order of tuna, salmon, and yellowtail sashimi. The pieces are thick and melt in your mouth!
3) 60oz pitcher of Saporo. It’s only 10 dollars during happy hour!
I’ve gone to Nozomi a few times now and each time the service and food has been great. They also have a wonderful happy hour! Come before 6:30 and get $ 5 specialty rolls as well as discounted nigiri. Also, note that the bathroom is not located within the restaurant, but rather around the corner. The walk isn’t too far, but it would be more convenient had it been inside the restaurant. Overall, a great sushi place!

Ewwwww so bland! Don’t let the nice presentation fool you… me and my bf went here and neither of us enjoyed it. It’s like eating really nice looking dirt.

Pretty good sushi. A bit over-​priced in my opinion and the service was nothing special. We sat outside and asked for a heater to be placed near our table and no one seemed to care to help with that.

Decent place if you are looking for japanese food!
The particular location is pretty awesome. We always seem to find good parking, and they have plenty of space (small indoor but a lot of outdoor, heated too for cold weather!). And seating always pretty immediate!
They have a good variety of food, with a ton of sushi rolls and other japanese fare like Ramen and other rice dishes. All which are done quite well. One dish I greatly enjoy is their chirashi salad, which packs lettuce rice and a ton of diced fish with a spicy sauce all in to one bowl. So big it is definitely for a group!
Definitely a decent place for a quick pick up of Japanese food!

Not great. We called in to pick up and it was ready on time, however the chicken teriyaki and baked salmon roll wasn’t too great. The teriyaki lacked flavor and was just grilled chicken. For a number one review on Unilocal,I’m very disappointed and questioning credibility. Taking this place off my list. Would not recommend.

I called in my order and arrived about 7 minutes after they said it would be ready. They were slightly disorganized, with multiple people handling the order, so I almost didn’t receive the Diet Coke I had paid for. The chirashi salad was huge but I’m not sure why all fish had to be cubed in tiny pieces. There were also a lot of roe included in the salad, so if you like lots of everything, this salad is for you. The miso soup that came with it was perfect. If you’re super hungry and just looking for above average Japanese food, this is a great find. Dining in the restaurant seemed like a nice option, as they had an outdoor patio with heat lamps.

One of my favorite sushi places in La Jolla.
— Cool ambience with outside seating
— Don’t leave without trying the Chirashi salad (¾ for 2 ppl, regular size for 4+)
— Good selection of rolls (the Bill Gates is an interesting choice if you want a roll but not feeling rice)
— Remember to check in for some discount!

BEST HAPPY HOUR! Rolls for $ 2.5 and beer for $ 2? You can’t go wrong. The specialty rolls on happy hour are around $ 4 – 5 and pretty good quality. You could leave full of sushi and beer for less than $ 20 — definitely a steal. It was within walking distance of my husband’s old place and a staple of our afternoon spots when we were hungry and thirsty.
I wouldn’t say it’s the best sushi I’ve ever had, and that, paired with the slow service, are the only reason I’m not giving this place a 5. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been to this place NOT at happy hour, which is the only time I’d suggest going. I like the outdoor patio seating and heaters are there for when it gets cold. Check it out!

You know when you’ve had a busy day turning oxygen into carbon dioxide at work? Nozomi is a nice reprieve from the corporate world. The relaxing ambiance coupled with the easy-​listening tunes overhead made it a pleasant dining experience.
My BF and I slipped in right before 3pm on a weekday (they close from 3p-​430p M-​Th) and our server made sure we were well taken care of. My BF ordered the teriyaki chicken and unfortunately it was bland. I ordered the ¾ portion of the famous chirashi salad and loved it. It was accompanied with considerable portions of sashimi-​style salmon, white fish and tuna chopped into small pieces. There were also generous helpings of chopped octopus and shrimp as well as three kinds of roe (fish eggs). All this fresh seafood sits atop a healthy bed of lettuce, moyashi and rice. Douse it with their special chirashi sesame oil/​soy dressing to bring everything together.
Def try the chirashi salad and be happy!

Extremely SLOW service!!! Slow to the point of waiting almost 15 minutes for the girl to get us water after we sat down. Avoid if you’re on a time crunch. We were here for about an hour and a half, and most of it was waiting on the servers. There was only three other tables for 4 or 5 servers so there’s no excuse really. We had friends go to this location a few hours after we went and it took them almost twice as long. They also forgot to add our Unilocal check in discount, so double check to make sure you get the 10% off.
The chicken teriyaki came out in a beautiful display but sadly tasted so bland I didn’t even finish it. The chicken was a little rubbery tasting also. The tempura was very delicious, as was the green tea and the Hawaiian sushi. Highly recommend all those things. Overall the food and location was nice, and if you have time to waste, try this place out.

Best happy hour deal ever! We went here after hiking/​walking at Torrey Pines so we were all starving. We got there just before 6:30 so we were able to take part if their happy hour specials. The normal rolls were only 2.95 and their speciality rolls were only 5.50! Not all speciality rolls were on happy hour, just a select few but that was fine with me. We were able to get 6 rolls plus garlic edamame for under $ 30! Not only was it great price wise everything tasted amazing as well. It was the fastest that I ever ate sushi. My favorite roll is the simple but yummy spicy tuna and it didn’t disappoint. We didn’t have to wait long for our food either which was a plus.
I would definitely go back here for happy hour.

I’m glad I came across eating here. I came because the raw fish salad looked very good on Unilocal.Stefan and I both ordered poké bowls and two rolls to split. The poké bowl was big enough for me to eat as a whole meal, but luckily we got the two rolls because they were tastier than the poké bowl.
The poké bowl was good but I’ve had better. It was spicy, but not a flavorful spicy. But, as a raw fish lover, I still enjoyed it.
The lobster dynamite roll was very delicious. It was great to split. I think all the creamy, cheesy lobster would have have been too much to eat alone. Splitting it was perfect.
I forget the name of the other roll we got, but it was also really tasty.
I’d recommend coming here if you want delicious Japanese cuisine. You have to pay the price though. It’s not very cheap, but it’s not super expensive either. $ 10 – 15 rolls and the poké bowl was around $ 10

I had the ¾ portion of the chirashi salad! Very nice presentation. Great for a hot day. Even the ¾ portion is a lot for 1 person! The dish even comes with a bowl of miso soup. The sashimi could have been cut into slightly bigger pieces… with the smaller pieces it just looked like chunky fish purée.
The outdoor seating is well shaded which made eating in the heat very nice. Our waiter was friendly. Our food came quickly as there was hardly anyone else there for lunch on a Saturday afternoon.

Driven past this Sushi spot so many times — at least 3 times a week. Divided to give it a try and I am so happy I did.
Had the ahi Poki salad — was very fresh and tasty.
My kids had simple rolls and some salmon nigiri
The wait staff and Sushi chefs are very friendly and attentive as well as the presentation spot on.
Will be back very soon !!! Can’t wait to try more rolls and salads.
FYI. Prices look high, but most rolls are way more pieces than your average sushi joint.

Try the chirashi salad, a generously sized bowl of rice topped with lettuce, fish, octopus, shrimps, and roe. It’s a visual pleasure and even better tasting when mixed with spicy sauce to your liking. It’s cool and refreshing, perfect for a hot day. One bowl is enough food for two to three people.
I visited this La Jolla location on the evening of Sunday June 21^st, and had a great server. I didn’t get his name, but it was the black guy. He made a few good jokes and was very considerate, even though we got there late and it was approaching closing time (11pm). He was my favorite server I’ve had at any of the Nozomi locations previously.

Upon walking in there was a sign that stated wait to be seated. We stood there for a good 2 – 3 minutes before anyone came to seat us. We were seated outside as we were a group of 5. The waiter asked for the drinks we desired in which we ordered 4 waters and 1 Dr. Pepper. After ordering we still did not receive any drinks. As we observed there was sushi that was made sitting on the counter for a good 10 minutes. And after 15 – 20 minutes still no water or any drinks. We had told a passing waiter we still did not receive any drinks and she said she would check on it for us. So far nothing. The tables were not that filled to the brim so its not that packed to be busy.
And the water arrives after 20 minutes, and the waiter told us our food is ready so we assume that the food that has been sitting on the counter for the past couple of minutes is ours. He comes back out with miso soup and no Dr. Pepper in sight. We polish off the miso soup, and after the udon comes for my cousin — all the sushi rolls start coming out one after another. Afterwards all we cared about was tasting and demolishing everything on the plate. The fried onion pieces were tasty with the sushi. We ordered 7 sushi rolls in total — 2 dragons, Bill Gates, Ninja, Super Boston, Super Albacore, and Vampire Killer excluding the plain Udon and Eel Hand roll ordered by my younger cousin.
I personally felt this place deserved 3 ½ as the food is good, decorative and tastes good. It was really just the wait that got us a bit wondering whats going on. Our waiter also kept disappearing to the back so it was hard to really ask for anything. We were still a bit hungry and luckily we had ordered a Dragon to go so we got to order one more roll — Scallop Lover as he dropped by. Also the bathroom was located in a dark corner as you had to walk around the building. Weird as it was not connected.
I would come back again but only when I am not extremely hungry. Its pretty agonizing waiting for food or water to be served. On the perk side, you could use the 10% discount for checking in on Unilocal.Just make sure to remind the waiter when you are paying. And it would probably be good if you sit somewhere that you could get the waiter or waitress’s attention more easier.

My Minty Orange Salmon roll for $ 15.95 made a nice lunch at Nozomi’s, and it was so generous that it could have fed two of me. (-; I took half home. This roll has spicy crab, lobster and salmon, plus orange, chopped mint, avocado and cucumber. The spicy crab and the bites of lobster were my favorite part. The mint and orange nicely contrasted with the spicy crab. The salmon seemed bland as it was overpowered by everything else.
I burned my mouth and tongue by slurping a big spoonful of the Miso soup.)-; I didn’t expect it to be so scalding hot! Miso soup isn’t normally served boiling hot. The server brought me a glass of ice to soothe my tongue. As the soup cooled down, the ingredients separated, so that there were little white specks floating in the liquid. It didn’t look appetizing and tasted bland. I didn’t finish it. (My roll came with Miso soup.)
My green tea was too weak. It would have benefited from more tea leaves. Even when I let it steep longer, it was still too weak and lacked flavor.
My server was very friendly and helpful. I sat outside just in time to catch some sun rays on an overcast day.
Nozomi’s is in Regents Marketplace in La Jolla with difficult parking. Parking is most difficult from 11:45 to 1:00. Please do NOT park in the spots that are designated for Dr. Stein’s patients!); I’m one of Dr. Stein’s patients, and even I don’t park there while having lunch. You won’t enjoy being tagged or towed.
When I’m in the area, I’ll try Nozomi’s again. It was a pleasant lunch, except for the baby screaming in my ear when her momma left her with a friend. 0-​; I loves babies but the poor desperate baby deafened me. This is a small restaurant, so please lady, put your wee babe in a stroller and take her with you to the bathroom next time, I’m begging you.
Nozomi’s doesn’t have their own bathroom, but they will direct you to use the public bathroom in the building. It does have a handicapped stall too.
Thanks to my server for friendly and prompt service, and thank you to the sushi chef for a good roll. Dear Nozomi’s, please put more tea leaves in the pot of green tea, and don’t serve the Miso soup boiling hot. Thank you. See you next time. The 10% discount with Unilocal Check-​in is much appreciated.

Nestled off Genesee & La Jolla Village Drive, in-​between business buildings, it’s a well-​designed little restaurant with a nice patio and 10 tables inside. If you choose to sit at the sushi counter, you’ll battle it out for 6 spots.
The menu is expansive, and features creative and uniquely named rolls with small pics and smaller descriptions that hurts ol’ eyes.
I ordered the Unagi Crunch Roll (3.5 stars), the Black Tiger Roll (4.0 stars), and some Bulgogi (2.5 stars). Presentation of each was beautiful and bountiful, but I would say it’s only fair in taste and execution.
Happy Hour is 5p-​630 with $ 1 Sake. Good if you’re walking distance to Nozomi (and stagger back), both for businesses and nearby Embassy Suites.

Literally right in front of the Marriot (and right behind Regents Pizzeria). If you’re a UCSD student, in La Jolla to shop, staying at the Marriot, going to Sea World, etc., this is a nice and friendly spot to go to when you have a craving for sushi and chirashi/​hwae dup bap bowls.
The restaurant itself is a small, charming place with a few outdoor seating and some small to medium sized tables inside. They have some of the freshest sashimi (We got the sashimi boat) and the chirashi bowl or the hwae dup bap bowl is outta this world. Nothing is skimped, it comes in a huge bowl (I got the small and it was huge), and it is finished off with a sprinkle of edible flowers. Awesome presentation. Also, the kakuni pork belly. I die. Melt in your mouth porkgasm. The rolls are also really tasty. There really is something for everyone here. If you’re not into raw fish, there is a lot of alternatives here, from Korean to Japanese entrees.
The staff and owner are super friendly and you’ll feel good knowing you’re supporting a small mom/​pop operation. I’m craving their chirashi bowl as I type this. Gotta make it down there again.

Best roll I ever had! I tried chef David the Dragon roll and for a good price! Sit at the bar and enjoy the show on Fridays and Saturdays to have the most fun watching David’s hands and smile!