San Diego, CA — Sushi Ota

Sushi Ota 4529 Mission Bay Drive San Diego, CA

(858) 270-5670 website map

Sushi Ota came to me highly recommended. It is the sort of sushi bar that I generally like. By that I mean that it is not too trendy nor is there much attitude. The waitresses and sushi chefs are mostly Japanese and wear traditional outfits. The place is not pumped full of loud music and the decor is rather ordinary.

Sushi Ota is all abot the fish. The restaurant is located near teh mission bay golf course in a crowded strip mall right next to a 7-11 store. It doesn't look like much from the outside but it is larger than one might think. I stopped by for lunch on my way to the airport. Even at lunchtime Sushi Ota is crowded. There were reserved signs at several places on the sushi bar.

This was not a particularly trendy crowd. [For good sushi in a trendier environment, sushipilgrim recommends nearby Zenbu or Cafe Japengo.] But for great quality and reasonable prices Sushi Ota has to be high on the list.

I just could not think of anything to complain about. The service was prompt. The Mirugai (Giant Clam) sashimi was absolutely perfect. It was served in a lemon peel on a thin bed of seaweed — a very nice touch. The sushi chef paid attention to the Philadelphia Roll and all the pieces were of uniform size and not sloppily assembled. The Saba (Mackeral) was only lightly marinated and retained more of the fish flavor than is often the case.

This is not a place to see and be seen, the crowd was rather ordinary — but the sushi was great.

           

Sushi Ota: 5 rice bowls