Izakaya Sakura

Sakura means cherry blossom , and this restaurant is like its name: authentically Japanese , and beautifully tasty. Recently they have a new signage, so it's much easier to find this hidden gem !

So good and really authentic . You can tell they put a lot of love and care into their food. I always get salmon rice balls , harami beef yakitori and chicken karaage ! Yum!

One of the best chirashi bowls in San Diego can be found at this izakaya . Perfect for those observing the "No Meat Fridays" restriction during the Lenten season.

The best vegetarian ramen , has lots of veggies , the noodles are so good and the best part is the broth!!!

Usually full of Japanese peeps, so you know it's good. Get the miso-marinated black cod for sure. No sign outside, just look to the left of the military recruiting place for the neon "open" sign.

Still one of my favorite izakayas . Try the miso sea bass and the aji sashimi

Nathan Coulon, chef of True Food Kitchen, eats here on his nights off. He loves the Curry & rice w/ deep fried shrimp . Read more

Nice Japanese food with moderate price .

Uni pasta isn't that great, plus they cook it and the texture is almost like eggs ...

Their chirashi can make a grown man cry.

Do you love uni (aka sea urchin )? Try the Uni Ikura Don or Uni Pasta .

Casual Japanese Izakaya . Okinawan noodle .

Keep in mind that there are NO FREE sodas refills.

Their sushi is the best...real Japanese. No rolls!

There are no signs whatsoever indicating that this is Izakaya Sakura, so look for a small restaurant bunch of black awnings!

Chirashi , Chirashi , Chirashi . Period.

Try their cold ramen . Has chicken , cucumbers , eggs . Yum!

Once great but has gone seriously downhill. Declining food quality and unfathomably bad service.

No sign on the front, in same complex as pancake house

Be adventurous and try the chawanmushi , you'l love it. Read more

Order Tako Wasabi , it goes great with cold beer .

Today is DIY sukiyaki !

Crab fried rice is amazing.

If you like rolls, this is not the place for you.

must eat: Agedashi Mochi or deep fried rice cake .

Izakaya Sakura reviewed in the Reader this week! Read more

No sushi after 830

great beer and yakimono

普通に日本の味にほぼ近いものが頂けました。サッポロビールで枝豆 つまんで、鉄火丼 食べて、揚げ 出しが小鉢で着いて、平和です。