Kotobuki

mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog, is being written by Cathy for the next few days; Kirk (and His Missus) are out and about, elsewhere.

Kirk visited Kotobuki in 2019, before Covid-19.  It's in the same parking lot where La Miche Kabobgee had been and where Kahn's Cave Grill and Tavern still exists.  This particular storefront had also been a Japanese restaurant, Wa Sushi.

 There's plenty of parking on this end of the parking lot; the former Boll Weevil is closed. 

 The interior is spacious; there is only one waitress, so I think that is why they have limited seating.
 Of course, we ordered hot tea ($2 each) and it was an excellent matcha, strong with a slight bitterness along with a slight sweetness.  
 We decided to try the mixed tempura appetizer ($11).  Properly fried, light, crisp and not oily at all.  Potato slices, broccoli florets and carrot slices along with three large shrimp.  This was a sizable appetizer portion we shared, using the house made, not salty tentsuyu dipping sauce.  
 The Mister ordered the teriyaki chicken combo ($14) which came with miso soup.  A better version-not watered down and containing thicker seaweed slices along with tofu cubes.  Flavorful in a not-salty way.
 The chicken itself was breast meat, so a tiny bit dry.  The teriyaki sauce was house made and not sticky sweet; pleasant.  The carrots and broccoli (same as from the tempura) were a nice side along with the rice.
 I ordered the sashimi salad ($20) which had very fresh and fatty salmon, soft yellowtail and excellent tuna on top of greens (which included the thick seaweed that was in the soup) and a pleasant (again, house made) ginger-sesame dressing.  An excellent lunch salad.

A great Japanese restaurant with only one waitress and two working in the kitchen along with a steady amount of to-go orders, so be patient; it's worth it.

Kotobuki 9340 Clairmont Mesa Blvd San Diego 92123 Website  (858) 737-4267 Open Tues-Sat 11:30-2, 5-8 Closed Sunday and Monday

Comments

[SD Julie]

Have been coming here since it opened. The place is owned/operated by a lovely couple. The food is so good, fish is always fresh. So glad they survived the pandemic. Hoping someday the chef will be able to return to serving sushi from behind the counter.

[kat]

everything looked delicious

[Cathy]

It makes sense now, SD Julie- being family owned and operated and surviving Covid is quite an accomplishment. We really liked the quality of everything ordered and will return.

Everything was very fresh and quality, kat. We did enjoy it all.