Hinotez has been one of my go-to places for Japanese food for a number of years now. I’m a big fan of their curry which has good depth of flavor that I don’t recall from other places where I’ve had curry(though admittedly I’m not the biggest curry connoisseur). Their ramen, though it doesn’t have a particular wow factor, is solid enough that it satisfies my ramen craving without me walking away going«Eh, it was okay.» The noodles generally have pretty good consistency and flavor and the egg is soft-boiled and marinated(though last night’s experience was a little too marinated – fine line though!); I particularly like their shoyu ramen broth for being light enough that I can drink it to the last drop, yet flavorful enough that it doesn’t taste too watery. I’m sure I’ll be a patron for as long as I’m here in San Diego.
Boudewijn T.
Classificação do local: 3 San Diego, CA
I have been going to Hinotez for a few years now. Early on I went there mostly for a late night bowl of ramen, lately only for breakfast. The breakfast menu has changed recently. Now you are forced to pick two main topping dishes(what if I want only one?) and they nickel and dime you for the(used-to-be-free) dried seaweed, cold tofu and pickled veggies. But you can still get your free rice refills. The waiters are nice and offer consistent good service. Most tables are separated by thin walls for privacy, just like in an izakaya in Japan. I like that alot, but this might obstruct the hot air flow in the restaurant since often I feel cold here. I’m gonna be back to check out their yakitori :-)
Candice N.
Classificação do local: 4 San Diego, CA
I like this place. always have. Given, most of the times I’ve gone it’s been midnight and/or after an evening of drinking. I love yakitori and thought this was a great place to get it. My favorite was the beef liver in sauce. Perfectly cooked, just a tad rare in the middle. Melted in my mouth! A bit sweet because of the sauce. Heart and tongue were amazing too! I can eat a million of them. Ramen was pretty good. Not the best in San Diego but really decent. I really like how they’re consistently open really late. Reserve a spot where you can sit on the ground!
Lili S.
Classificação do local: 3 San Diego, CA
I love the tonkotsu ramen and fried chicken here but they don’t really score high in the customer service department. The ramen I order comes with thinner noodles and I happen to like the regular noodles that all the rest of the ramens come with. They used to switch them out for me no problem. Tonight I was told that they«don’t do that anymore.» That frustrates me and makes me want to go elsewhere next time. So silly that they are willing to lose a customer over something so easy to do.
Fumiko H.
Classificação do local: 2 San Diego, CA
They changed menu on the breakfast. I am very disappointed. Not only they raised prices, but much less flexible to chose dishes. I wish they go back on the old menu. :(
Kat H.
Classificação do local: 3 San Diego, CA
Came here because it was open when Rakiraki and most other restaurants were closed. They’re open pretty late! We got a tonkotsu ramen and a spicy sesame ramen, both were just alright. Broth didn’t have a strong flavor and the ramen noodles didn’t seem very chewy or fresh. The ramen is also quite simple, not a lot of different toppings on it. The octopus skewer we got was pretty good though, soft with good flavor. This is a good place for a late night meal, but their food doesn’t seem that special. If you want some good ramen, Rakiraki or Tajima is still the way to go. I will be back to try their breakfast though and maybe their vast selection of skewers and small dishes.
Joyce Y.
Classificação do local: 3 San Diego, CA
I’ve been to Hinotez a few times now and have had inconsistent dining experiences here. My previous experiences have all been great and I really enjoyed their«authentic» appeal. The special menu items were refreshing and well-made. However, I was quite disappointed by my most recent visit for breakfast. The miso soup and beef plate were both way too salty. I mean really, at least get the miso soup right. The beef was also soggy and had no bite to it whatsoever. Felt like I got a big scoop of the bottom batch. Everything else that I got tried were just OK, including the curry, potato croquette and fried shrimp. Based on other reviews I was expecting a lot of smaller dishes to come with the basic breakfast but their pricing/menu has changed. The tofu and soured vegetables are now an additional $ 0.50 and they were just mediocre. I would still come back for more but this breakfast experience has definitely changed my thoughts about this restaurant.
Naja T.
Classificação do local: 5 San Diego, CA
I absolutely love this place for a late night bite or something filling in the morning! I find myself coming here at least once every couple weeks. The food is always good, I love the spicy sesame ramen and all of the yakitori never disappoints. Not to mention the Japanese breakfast, it’s a great deal and super yummy! The service is decent, not the best but definitely not the worst. I personally don’t mind just as long as I get my food in a reasonable time(which I always do!).
Wilson A.
Classificação do local: 4 San Diego, CA
I see all these comments about bad service from all these nobodies on Unilocal,and I’m still yet to experience any of that bad service. Came here because the location from which this place is derived was full with a long wait. Felt fairly consistent with the other one. The way I feel about that one, I probably feel about this one as well. There were at least a couple of tables that allowed customers to sit around the short tables. My ramen was good. So was my girlfriend’s ramen. The weird thing we noticed was that we got different types of ramen. I had the thin kind while she got the thicker, softer kind. It really didn’t matter to me since I find both to be delicious. Our server was fine. Nothing even close to 1, 2 or even 3 stars worth. I’m glad I didn’t listen to you, Kelsey, Alexa, and Sasha. So yeah, I’d recommend Hinotez. Clientele can be idiots, but the place is perfectly fine.
Anita T.
Classificação do local: 4 San Diego, CA
Disclaimer: this review is only based on their breakfast. As much I as I love omelettes and french toast, the simplicity of Japanese breakfast somehow appeals to me more. It’s cheaper, healthier, and you get to eat rice for breakfast? Score! I came here on a Saturday morning and we were seated immediately. It wasn’t crowded at all and I love the Zen vibe that the traditional Japanese interior design gives off. The basic set comes with rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, tofu and green tea. All that for only $ 3. And there are different toppings that are either $ 1 or $ 2 you can add to your basic set. I got the beef brisket, grilled miso salmon, and 3 minute egg and my boyfriend got the curry and the udon noodle. Everything was delicious and we cleaned our plates without feeling super heavy and full. The breakfast here truly deserves a five star but I was really disappointed to find out they stopped serving tamagoyaki. Tamaogokai is Japanese styled omelette that is really easy to make and it is such a common dish in Japan it doesn’t make sense that they don’t have it. Despite that, I’ll definitely be coming back for some more breakfast!
Katrina V.
Classificação do local: 4 San Marcos, CA
The food is great here! Also the same food and prices as Yakiatori & Yakyudori and Ramen. It is cooked very well and it is no disappointment of what you are eating. There is a long wait in between your food that is served but it is worth the wait. 5 star food! When I come here, I like to try something different for each visit. The best yakiatori I recommend would probably be the pork neck and asparagus bacon. My first visit here had really terrible service. Like I was pretty upset about it the whole night. However, the next two visits, it got better which makes the idea of coming here less apprehensive. If you have a party of 4, or you have a kid with you, you are more likely to sit at a table. If you are here with one other person, you’re probably going to be at the bar. The place is pretty hidden since its right next to the 163 away from the popular places of Convoy. Just keep an eye out when you’re trying to get there. Also, park is pretty atrocious. It is very small and narrow with only a one way loop. There is a karaōke bar next to the restaurant so they share the lot.
Jamie Y.
Classificação do local: 2 La Jolla, CA
Service is eh, we got here and checked in with the server. He said he’ll check back with us in a couple more minutes, but we were pretty sure he forgot about us. So we ended up just get seated at the bar. Got the Tonkatsu Miso ramen was very whatever. The noodle was definitely overcooked, it was very soggy and soft to a point where it was about to disintegrate… The broth was okay, but oh man… no wonder it’s more crowded at Yakitori Yakyudori. Karaage Chicken was below average, it just tasted like powder. Probably won’t be back again.
Yutaka M.
Classificação do local: 5 San Diego, CA
Konnichiwa, amiguitos! Hinotez(^p^) Love Japanese food!!! I came to Hinotez in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, California on October 16, 2015. The resultant is owned by Japanese. When I went there around 9:30 am for Japanese style breakfast on Friday without a reservation, there were 7 – 8 groups, but the restaurant was not busy. Basic breakfast($ 3.00) with 3-minute egg($ 1.00) and mini grilled salmon($ 2.00) = only $ 6.00 plus tax. You can ask one more free rice. Not too bad, huh? Love Japanese style breakfast!!! Yummy!!!(^p^) I am sure I will go back there sometime soon!!! \(^-^)/ I am very picky about Japanese food. I always prefer to go to Japanese restaurants which are owned by Japanese make real Japanese tastes, NOTTOO Americanized Japanese food. This place is one of them! v(^-^)v Breakfast: Food: 4.5 Stars(1=very bad taste, 5=very yummy taste) Service: 4.0 Stars(1=very bad service, 5=very great service) Price: 2.0 Stars(1=very cheap, 5=very expensive)
Jenelle D.
Classificação do local: 5 San Diego, CA
Stopped in here on a rainy Sunday for breakfast. I never had Japanese food for breakfast, but I was not disappointed. I had their basic breakfast combination with the grilled salmon. It comes with hot tea! You can add several small plates for only $ 2 each. Such a good deal. I love Japanese food because it doesn’t leave me feeling stuffed; and this is an example for that. I fear that it will be too crowded for breakfast once everyone knows about it. ;) The service was friendly and I never felt rushed like I typically do in Japanese restaurants. Can’t wait to come back for lunch or dinner.
Jennifer H.
Classificação do local: 5 San Diego, CA
I love the setup of the place, it’s a very cozy atmosphere and it really feels like you’re in an authentic Japanese restaurant. Customer service is fairly good too. This is a great place to go for breakfast and for late night eats. They have plenty of specials throughout the day and for the amount of food you get, the prices are very reasonable. The place is kind of hidden on the main street of Balboa Avenue, so make sure to keep an eye out for their sign. When I come here, its usually in the mornings. I always get the BASICBREAKFAST!!! It’s a great amount of food for the price you pay. You start with a standard $ 3 tray that includes dried seaweed, miso soup, pickled veggies, cold tofu, hot tea, and unlimited rice! Their rice is delicious, perfectly cooked all the time. Then you have the option to choose from numerous extra toppings that go for $ 1 or $ 2 a piece. My absolute favorite topping is the $ 2 curry, always taste excellent. I also enjoy the fried chicken, beef plate, 3 minute egg, and mini udon. The basic breakfast for 2 people could add up to only $ 12-$ 16(that’s $ 6-$ 8/pp) and still completely fill you both up! I’ve also come for a late night bite. Their yakitori was yummy and not too overpriced. I had to get their curry, this time it was a chicken katsu curry, which I enjoyed and always enjoy when I come here. They also offer various types of ramens(my friend had and really like it), bowls, sushi, and alcohol. FYI: They also have this spicy oil condiment that I love to add to my rice for more of a kick!
Tiffany A.
Classificação do local: 3 San Diego, CA
Decently price, good grub and not too crowded… if this is what you’re looking for, this might be the spot for you! Came here for a some late night eats with the family and it definitely hit the spot. Been meaning to try this place out for some time knowing it was the sister location to Yakitori Yakydory(love that place). Heard this place had some similar items and a bit more spacious and it was all true!
I had the traditional ramen and the hubby got some yakitori and it definitely satisfied our hunger. I’ll have to try this place out again to get a better feel since when I visited I may have been a little tired and intoxicated… but hey… if I liked it then… most likely I’ll like it again regardless of my conditions!
Emy M.
Classificação do local: 4 San Diego, CA
Date of visit: 8÷24÷2015 We tried going to the sister restaurant, Yakudori first, but the wait for our 7 person group was 2 hours!!! Yikes!!! Luckily the staff at Yakudori recommended Hinotez, so we all caravanned over. Scotty was worried about the parking lot being too full, but there was a ton of parking and we all found a spot. Scotty made a reservation for us, so the staff at Hinotez had a table ready for us when we arrived. We were comfortably seated and the staff immediately took our requests for waters, tea, and beers. The service throughout our visit was actually really good, and they even have buttons on the table to get the staff’s attention if you need it. Luckily we got there in time for 20 minutes of happy hour, which our waitress was still happy to honor, so we ended up ordering several sides to share. Edamame. We got two orders and they came out piping hot! The salt level was also perfect — not too much salt, but just enough to season the edamame. Seaweed Salad. I really liked the variety available with this salad. There were 3 different types of salad, with one of them being the typical seaweed salad that you get at Japanese restaurants. Potato Croquette. These are basically deep fried panko crusted mashed potatoes. Life really doesn’t get much better than this and the sauces that come with the croquettes just put it over the top. Tonkatsu Miso Ramen. The ramen here is pretty good. It’s not the best, but it definitely gets the job done and leaves you satisfied. I got the tonkatsu miso even though it was a little more expensive because all of the other ramen bowls come with bean sprouts(yuck). The noodles were thin, which were okay, but I definitely like my noodles a little thicker. The broth was rich and definitely went well with the spicy chili oil and chili pepper that are on the table. For those of you who like spice — be careful of the spicy chili oil. I definitely brings the spicy level up a notch. I love that oil, but Scotty can only handle a couple of drops(and she likes spicy). Apple Roll. Scotty ordered this as a dessert to share. It’s basically a deep fried egg roll with apple pie filling inside. Yum! Overall, Hinotez was a great find. According to Scotty, the parking lot is much better than it used to be, but I can definitely see where there would be issues with crowds. Although the ramen here isn’t my favorite, I really love the croquettes!
Lux S.
Classificação do local: 3 San Diego, CA
A quaint place for japanese/asian cuisine. For dinner they offer a generous amount of options of tapas and yakitori. For lunch they have a few specials but it wasn’t anything that I would go back for. My last visit was my second time. I wasn’t aware the lunch was so limited compared to the dinner but it wouldn’t hurt to try ramen somewhere else(I work at two ramen joints). I ordered the tonkatsu ramen. The broth was just ok, I didnt quite like the red ginger although it gave it some color. The pork was average and my noodles were disappointingly clumpy. The texture of the noodles were of what I wasn’t used to and I was very unsatisfied. I also ordered the potato croquette appetizer and that for me was probably one of the best things I’ve had here. The place has a section where you can dine asian style with shoes off and table on the floor, not quite my jam but a cool option. When I walked in it had a strange odor, I felt the spot needs some open air. Probably wouldn’t go back during lunch however maybe for dinner when I’m in the mood for tapas or yakitori.
Jessica G.
Classificação do local: 4 San Diego, CA
Hinotez is one of my go-to ramen places in San Diego. It’s the sister restaurant of Yakudori. It has a similar menu, the same delicious ramen, and more seating! I go here because I can consistently get a great bowl of ramen and delicious yakitori without the wait of Yakudori. My favorite is the shoyu ramen. I add wakame seaweed and an extra egg(LOVE those perfectly soft boiled ramen eggs). The miso ramen and tonkatsu ramens are also really good. Sometimes they will have spicy tonkatsu ramen as a daily special! The yakitori is delicious! I have yet to find a bad yakitori from Hinotez. The beef with salt and the pork shiso are my two favorites. I also like the beef with radish, pork, garlic… if you’re more adventurous they have chicken heart, liver, etc. Really any of the yakitori is going to be fantastic! Hinotez is a great staple ramen place — the great flavors of Convoy, but without all of the Convoy craziness.
Ros A.
Classificação do local: 4 University City, San Diego, CA
This place is pretty hidden, but a good find. Was in the mood for Ramen and decided to try Yakitori Yakydori. When we got there, the place was pretty small and the wait was 30 minutes. We decided to come to Hinotez since it’s the sister company. When we got to Hinotez there was plenty of parking in the back and no wait. Dinner specials are posted right as you walk in. There are several options for Ramen and I decided to try the Tonkatsu, minus the soft boil egg. This has sliced pork in it with green onions. You can get a regular or small size. I went with the regular. This was a good size being that we didn’t get any appetizers or sides. The Ramen was good and satisfied the craving. The servers were friendly and checked up on us often. This place is open until 2AM and they have happy hour specials. I’ll definitely be back.