Recently, the Missus and I have been talking about Japan quite a lot. We're obviously missing Japan; but with how far ahead we plan our trips; it's been hard trying to fit another visit with our timelines.
Recently, after a rather long morning, I just wanted a nice peaceful lunch and maybe something that'd would remind me of Japan. It had been ages since I'd had lunch at Kokoro; a place that was a favorite of the late Ed from Yuma, it seems that he'd eat there at least once on his visits. Having a meeting close by gave me the perfect opportunity to drop in for lunch.
There was only one other table occupied when I arrived. It was three generations of Japanese women having lunch.
This was exactly the kind of atmosphere I wanted. It was easy to find what I wanted for lunch on the menu. It was right on the first page.
You have your choice of Miso Soup or Udon...I've always enjoyed the miso soup here; but decided to try the udon.
Loved the texture of the noodles; which were nice and firm. The broth was really salty. The crisp and fresh greens were dressed with a typical Asian vinaigrette; I loved the tomato which had a good deal of acidity. But enough about that.....
On to the main course; the Chirashi ($20).
I'd recently had a poke bowl in San Diego that nearly cost me this much and was terrible. So, when looking at things that way..... Anyway, the sushi meshi, while perhaps a bit heavy on the vinegar did a nice job, along with the ginger of cleansing; then prepping my palate for each slice of fish. The tako was nicely tender; the maguro standard issue; the Hamachi nice and buttery....but it the shiromi (the whitefish) that made this particularly good....and those nicely prepared slices of saba and kampachi. The piece of hirame hiding in the back had a nice mild sweetness to it.
This was a really nice lunch.
So; I decided to return a week or so later.
And while I was sorely tempted to have the chirashi again, I turned over the menu and ordered something from the other side of it.
This time I started with the miso soup; which was as good as ever; nice miso flavor, with a bit of thickness to it.
I ordered the sashimi and chicken karaage combo ($14.95).
The karaage was straightforward chicken thighs, skin on, seasoned with salt and black pepper, and lightly dusted. It was quite plain and without crisp or crunch, nor with any complex umami flavors.
The sashimi was basic; the Hamachi being the best of the bunch; the tako was again very tender, but did not have the light briney flavor of the previous meal. The maguro was fine; no off flavors.
It wasn't bad by any means; but I'm going to stick with the Chriashi. The older woman who works here is so very gracious and when things are slow I really enjoy the vibe of the place. I've got to have lunch here more often.
Kokoro Restaurant
3298 Greyling Dr
San Diego, CA 92123
Hours
Mon - Tues 1130am - 2pm, 530pm - 10pm
Wed 530pm - 10pm
Thurs - Sat 1130am - 2pm, 530pm - 10pm
nice!
Posted by: kat | Monday, 04 March 2019 at 01:20 AM
Looks great! In terms of food/ambience, it looks similar to Gyotaku or the old Suehiro in Honolulu (yes?)
Posted by: James | Monday, 04 March 2019 at 05:54 AM
I enjoyed it Kat!
Actually, perhaps a even a bit better James! And Suehiro/Wisteria were two of my go-to places for old school Japanese "back home".
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 04 March 2019 at 06:41 AM
What's the item to the left of the karaage in the bento? Pasta? I haven't been here before but the lunch menu looks affordable and worth a try.
Posted by: Faye | Monday, 04 March 2019 at 09:30 AM
Poke's approaching $20 nowadays? That's insane. $20 for chirashi with soup and salad is super reasonable. I think at Sakura it's close to $30 now.
Posted by: Junichi | Monday, 04 March 2019 at 10:09 AM
It's a pseudo pasta salad thing Faye. Lunch at Kokoro is quite affordable.
It can get up there Junichi. I think that 20 bucks for chirashi these days is very reasonable.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 04 March 2019 at 10:19 AM
Hi Kirk!
Have they fixed the smell inside the restaurant? Last time I was there (and the time before that) the liquor store next door's plumbing issue had unfortunately caused the unmistakable stench of sewage to permeate through the inside of Kokoro. As much as I love their food, that's the last thing I wanted to smell while dining (on sushi no less).
Posted by: Black Belt Jonez | Monday, 04 March 2019 at 02:37 PM
No off smells during my two visits BBJ.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 05 March 2019 at 07:00 AM
I've been meaning to get out to this place since first Ed posted way back when.
Posted by: Janfrederick | Tuesday, 05 March 2019 at 10:19 AM
Lunch here is a good value Jan - they even have it on weekends I think.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 05 March 2019 at 12:01 PM
Thanks for the reminder....I really love this place and always forget about it!
Posted by: jack | Wednesday, 06 March 2019 at 07:26 AM
Yeah, I think it has something to do with the location Jack.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 06 March 2019 at 07:57 AM
Definitely the location, but i like it. The restaurant and mall remind me of a place you would find in Hawaii.
Posted by: jack | Friday, 08 March 2019 at 12:39 PM
Yes, it does Jack. All those hidden treasures.
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 09 March 2019 at 09:27 AM
Have you tried Kotobuki in Clairemont area? Relatively new sushiya. The fish quality is fantastic!
Posted by: Julie | Wednesday, 20 March 2019 at 05:33 PM
Hi Julie - That's the shop that replaced Wa Sushi, right? Well, I gotta go check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 21 March 2019 at 06:59 AM