Hatsuzakura

Quaint Japanese restaurant with some nice menu offerings (that aren’t normally seen in San Diego). The cold hiyashi udon was outstanding. A refreshing and simple dish with beef, green onions, and tempura flakes. The udon was surprisingly soft and light. The dish was brought together by a cold and slightly acidic soup base. So good on a warm day. The hayashi omurice was a hearty dish with a delicious egg omelet covered with a slightly sweet and rich brown gravy. The omelet was carefully laid over a meaty fried rice. Interesting combination for the taste buds! The salmon onigiri was a large, warm surprise. Tasty, soft rice filled with minced salmon and wrapped with nori, it was a nice comfort food appetizer / small dish. The chicken karaage had crisp skin and was nicely cooked. However, the flavors from the other dishes seemed to outshine the chicken. The side salad had a rich sesame dressing and fresh greens/tomatoes. The cold, pure matcha drink was balanced - not sweet or overly bitter. The Japanese shaved ice (kakigori) was excellent. We had half green tea (with red bean and mochi) and half mango flavor with fresh fruit and a two scoops of vanilla ice cream in the center. This dessert was refreshing, light, and so good. Highly recommended as a change up from traditional rich, heavy desserts (which we also enjoy). Thank you to Sharon and Vivian for their kind service and showcasing the desserts while we sat at the bar 😊

I recently returned from a trip to Japan and have been missing it. The food and atmosphere of this restaurant instantly transported me back! I got the omurice with the $3 beer deal and my husband got the yakisoba. We both really enjoyed our meals and split a delicious matcha parfait for dessert. We will be back!

Food was amazing and so were the drinks and desserts! Just be careful when parking because there is only street parking and the inside is small that it's best to go either as a pair or 3. Party of 4 is pushing it and any more, either you want 1 hour+ for a table to all eat together or eat at separate tables.

such a great spot! they have a special right now for 50% off wine or $3 beer. it’s a small, super cute japanese place with a cozy, welcoming vibe. the food was absolutely delicious. everything tasted fresh and flavorful. the service was so friendly and attentive. definitely a new favorite for a casual, authentic meal!

I recently visited this quaint Japanese restaurant and had a wonderful experience. The Hojicha latte was a standout—since my recent trip to Japan, I had struggled to find a good one in San Diego, but this was perfect. It had a rich, earthy flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. I also ordered the Japanese curry, which came in a very generous portion—so be sure to come hungry! While I couldn’t finish mine, I appreciated its mild and comforting flavor, making it an excellent choice for first-time curry eaters. The owner, Sakura, was incredibly welcoming and attentive. She took great care in speaking with her customers, sharing stories with a warm and cheerful demeanor. Unfortunately, I was too full to try the desserts this time, but I’ll definitely be back to sample them on my next visit!

Drinks are delicious and not too sweet. Chicken karage is out of this world, moist and crunchy. Omurice is very tasty and has the right amount of sauce, I love the chewy beef bits, but it can get heavy towards the end. Napolitan spaghetti is savory and tangy. Table is quite small which is not the most comfortable to have a bunch dishes and drinks. Definitely will come back!

Everything we tried was flavorful and delicious! Highly recommend the chicken karaage and cold udon noodles. The egg sando and omurice were also delicious. We will definitely come back!

had an exceptional dining experience at Hatsuzaura! The soup, salad, and dessert were all delicious and authentic Japanese cuisine. Some dish only can find here. Highly recommend. Worth a visit

My friend sends me a video of the Hambaagu steak... and a quick Yelp Search, I find Hatsuzakura. It looks like Hatsuzakura opened in June 2023 in the University Heights area of San Diego. Their website notes their focus on traditional Japanese desserts, beverages, and dishes. Passion in bringing authentic flavors. Between my friend and I, we tried the following: - Mochi - we tried both original and matcha - Earl Grey Lavender Milk Tea - Yozakura Milk Tea - Chef Soichi's Karaage - Japanese fried chicken - Omurice - Japanese egg omelet with tomato based chicken fried rice - Hambaagu - Japanese hamburger steak made in house with garlic butter rice, roasted veggies, and house made cheese sauce and demi-glaze sauce I loved everything. MUST GET items? Karaage. Milk Teas. Mochi. Only wished my egg was a little more runny on the Omurice and the steak a little more medium cook - but the flavors were excellent. Definitely worth the trip! Food. Delicious. Service. Excellent. Atmosphere. Classy. ENJOY!!

Very odd location for a cute restaurant and aesthetic decor. Street parking only. Pricy food and drinks. Ordered omurice, fried chicken karage and bacon mushroom spaghetti and some other things I forgot hehe. The eggs on top of the omurice were overcooked. Kinda disappointed. Spaghetti was flavorful and good but it feels like a simple dish. Need more bacon and mushrooms. Fried chicken Karage was my fave. It's crispy and lightly battered.

(3.5stars) Great location for a cute date. Come for the cozy vibes, aesthetic decor, and great customer service. The food? very mid-mediocre at best. We swung by after dinner to check out their Matcha lattes. Everything is 5 stars, even the bathroom. The dishes were very interesting however I wasn't going to let it wear down the whole experience. I would definetly come back with friends and enjoy a snack or two. Iced Matcha Latte $7 (3.5/5) The milk they use is very sweet. Very very sweet, so much that it takes away from the matcha (very good!). I asked them to add more matcha to even out the sweetness which helped +$1. Iced Hojicha Latte $7 (5/5) The hojicha tea stood out more than the matcha, given the nature of hojicha. Highly reccomend. Chef's Soichi Chicken Karaage $13 (3/5) Was very excited for this given its name and recommendations. Not as bite size as your traditional Karaage nor as crispy/fried. I like the light potato starch dust and juiciness of the chicken. I would order this appetizer again but it wouldn't be my first choice. Parfait $15 (2.5/5) For what it is (cup, purée, corn flakes, more purée, cornflakes, purée, whip cream, 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream, purée, pocky sticks), it was a fun dessert to share! They make it right in front of you and the parfait was very pretty. $15 is really steep but hey, it's a pretty parfait! Would not order again on my own, def share. Price aside, I highly reccomend this restaurant as you can get plenty of nice pictures in a cute cozy enviroment. **usually price is not an issue, this place made me think twice. Reviews can be subjective, swing on by and give this place a shot when you're in the area!

Expect a long wait! And the Yelp Waitlist is not recognized by the restaurant. Cute cafe with a cute menu. We got the Hamburg and it was kind of tough. The Napolitain spaghetti was too saucy compared to what I get when I'm in Japan. The dango was delicious and the strawberry daifuku was delicious!

This place has been on my list for a while and we happened to be in the area so we randomly stopped by for a snack. There was no wait on a Thursday evening. We ordered the kakigori (half matcha half strawberry) and the omurice to share. Kakigori flavor options were mango, strawberry and matcha. We asked for half strawberry and matcha. It had the right amount of sweetness. It's a refreshing dessert. The omurice had strong tomato/ketchup flavors. No complaints here. It's a cute small shop. A bit pricey, but the quality matched the price so I can't complain. Will definitely stop by again if I'm in the area.

Love this place. Cozy, great food and service. The food is excellent. The karaage is exceptional as is the tamago Sando. There are rich and creamy pasta dishes and amazing desserts. The shaved ice is a real retreat. Go here you won't be disappointed!

At first thought this was a dessert place but they serve food/entree too! Got their omurice, karage, and the Japanese spaghetti, which were all flavorful and really good! Portion size was a bit smaller but turned out to be pretty filling! Seating a bit limited, but nicely decorated with Japanese style interior, definitely feels like a theme of intricate delicacy style. Servers were all great and friendly!

Cozy Japanese cafe with some pretty good food. We came on a Sun and was surprised that it actually closes pretty early at 6pm, with the kitchen closing 30 min prior. We got there at 5 and we were able to get a seat for 4 people right away. They have some counter seating and a couple small tables. Definitely not a place for a larger group. I got the omurice and my partner got the karaage. For any of the entrees you have the option of making it a side, meal set and full set. The full set gives you a soup, salad or rice and a small dessert. My partner got the full set for his karaage and chose rice and an original flavored Ichigo daifuku. The omurice was pretty good. Not too sweet either. I think the only letdown was that it stated having chicken fried rice in it but I probably had 3 pieces of chicken in the whole dish. The karaage is very different than other kinds we've had before. A much lighter batter and it felt a bit underseasoned. It really needed the mayo it came with for more flavor. The daifuku was amazing!! The mochi part was so soft and tasted like it was freshly made. The red bean paste was good and the strawberry was sweet. Not sure I'd come back for food but would definitely come try their desserts.

This place is so cute and trendy! Perfect authentic Japanese cafe vibes. I went here with a large group for dinner and they graciously accommodated us! I probably wouldn't come back for dinner as the portions were a bit small, but I appreciated the well thought out menu of cozy meals. The abundance of teas and treats made it hard to decide what to get. You can also get a meal set which is a better deal than one off desserts which were a little pricey imo.

What a super cute Japanese cafe! We even lucked out with parking close by. The fruit sando was stuffed with strawberries and quite yummy. Karage chicken had seasoning that was so good. It's lightly fried and they include chicken skin which is a plus in my book! Matcha, this is oat milk by default (amazing), is so cute. Dango: I love these. Highly recommend. The peanut flavor dust is sweeter than the ones in Japan. The soy based one is what I usually get at the Japanese market. Mango kakigori comes with mango fruit cubes which is amazing. Daifuku: my favorite here. I'm not sure if they make the mochi in house but it's good! Service was quick. The decor is absolutely cute and aesthetic, a paradise!

Japanese food Small restaurant University heights No parking Matcha and teas Karaage Haangan Yakisoba Unisex bathroom Heated and lit toilet Pink theme Outdoor indoor seating Not recommended for large groups No pets Sando Tamagoyaki Very friendly Piano music

Ive been wanting to try this place since we've gone to Soichi and the chef mentioned his daughter was opening up the cafe. Went on a weekday for lunch and got seated right away. It is very small and cozy plus the area doesn't have much parking so I wouldn't be surprised if you needed reservations for weekends. If I could I would've tried everything on the menu. We ordered matcha and hojitcha lattes, chicken karaage, and omurice. Everything was amazing and portions are huge. My only critique would be the kaarage needs something a little more to cut the richness of the chicken plus Mayo dipping sauce. We also ordered the mochi and a float for dessert. I will say it's a bit pricey but for a lunch but we left stuffed and satisfied. I'll be back to try more items

Such a cute restaurant; Sakura theme! There's a nice section outside in front of the place to sit while waiting to be seated indoors. The workers were super friendly, excellent service. Some of the milk teas were sold out, but we were able to order Yozakura (light & floral scent wasn't too overwhelming) & Jasmine (strong tea flavor). The milk teas are dairy free! My favorite was doria (similar to risotto); super rich in flavor. Omurice (tomato based) was delicious as well. Chef Soichi's karage had a unique texture (didn't realize it was gluten free); very savory. Tamago sando (egg sandwich) was basic, but it still tasted pretty good. Ended the night with the amazing Japanese Parfe. Selected wafu (matcha + red bean) option, includes corn flakes & strawberries. Hope to revisit this place in the future.

Literally on the side of the street, but across from a large park so there is street parking. Be prepared for a wait due to limited seating, I'd highly recommend sticking to small groups of 2-4. Walk in wait list. Not much space outside to wait, essentially a single file line outside of the bamboo fence so prepare some sun coverage. Walking in made me so happy because the place is so nicely decorated and the space is so small that its sort of an open kitchen concept. I was so surprised by how little staff there was for how busy it was on Saturday ( I don't think they had time for breaks :(). Literally 3 servers to make all the desserts, waitlist, take orders, clean up, and take phone calls. So your items/ordering may also take a while to come, if you come on the weekend be sure to be patient ( our dining exp took a couple of hours because of how much we ordered & orders getting stacked leading to wait time for ordering/paying, but we were never rushed despite reaching capacity). And there seemed to be only one chef + dishwasher & then another chef switched in near the end of the lunch hour. But it was hot!! Anyways, overall superb team effort, I appreciated the synergy present. Pricing is a little more expensive for meals, but you can stick to it as a cafe/quality dessert exp ( its just quite tight). I got the hambaagu steak with a meal set that came with a chicken flavored broth, sesame salad, and dessert (+7.5). The hambaagu steak was everything I ever desired, the patty was thick but not oily or dry, the cream and reduced tomatoe sauce worked well, but not that many veggies. The omurice is a big portion and definitely shareable, but it is heavily ketchup flavored. It has chicken breast cubes, but I think the dish would work better with thigh. I also got a matcha and it was high quality, they hand whisk it and the lady who mainly does the desserts/drinks has a really graceful demeanor. You do have to ask for sweetener with it. My friend got the chamomile milk tea and it was quite creamy with oat milk but you could taste the chamomile too, so a cozy noncaffeinated option. We opted for the wafu parfait ( matcha, extra 0.5) and it was perfect. I wish it came with some mochi balls, but the frosted flakes x redbean and they were quite generous with the matcha syrup + ice cream. We were gonna go for the matcha shaved ice, but the portion is definitely bigger than we expected. On observation, I think its more worth it than the fruit ones since they add lots of brown sugar/matcha syrup in layers + toppings. Other menu items I saw that may not be worth in my opinion are the onigiri ( so funny it's so big I think you need two hands, but mostly rice) and the fruit sando ( was berries). Overall, everything met my expectations and I was so happy to be able to experience this place! I hope you can too, and if you want to take cute pics I suggest dressing in light pink/Pastel light colors!

Food: Overall, I would say their desserts/sweets/drinks are pretty good compared to their savory food items. Kakigori Japanese Shaved Ice (Half - Strawberry/Matcha) - (5/5): I love the ice texture and how flavorful it was. The toppings were also great. The mochi tasted fresh and had a nice chew. Chef's Soichi's Karage - (5/5): Juicy and flavorful Bakudan Onigiri - (1/5): Unfortunately, this dish fell short with its excessive rice and tendency to fall apart. Yakisoba - (2/5): While not terrible, the taste of the yakisoba could be improved. Iced Okinawa Brown Sugar Milk Tea - (5/5): A perfect beverage to complement the meal, refreshing and flavorful. Service: The service was attentive and pleasant. Ambiance: The atmosphere was clean, cute, and aesthetically pleasing. Despite its small size, the restaurant offered a cozy dining environment, complete with a thoughtful feature of a box under the table to store bags.

Hatsuzakura is a beautifully decorated quint cafe in University Heights. The interior is cute and serene. It offers various Japanese entrees, beverages, and desserts. The staff are incredibly friendly and sweet. The moment we entered the cafe, we were greeted with "Welcome!" from every staff member, even the chef haha. We arrived at 5pm on a Saturday and there was no wait. There is limited seating so if you come in a group, don't be surprised if there is a little wait. There was a slight wait for the food (~15 min) and about 10-15 min for the kakigori. We ordered: Yakisoba (4.8/5) - great flavor and loaded with veggies and noodles! Omurice (3.5/5) - the rice was moist and rich in ketchup flavor. This was not my favorite dish but it was still enjoyable! Matcha Kakigori (4.5/5) - amaazingg matcha flavor! the kakigori came out slightly melted already at the bottom but the red bean was a delicious addition and the whipped cream was light and fluffy!

This cafe is so cute! My friend lives in Arizona, but came out to kick start by birthday month. We didn't have reservations, but were able to get bar seating. There were a lot of items I wanted to try! I started with a hochija latte and she got a pot of hot tea. My drink was delicious! We got the full set, which comes with an entree, soup, salad, and dessert. For our entrees, we chose the salmon and plum onigiri. The onigiris were huge, but I like mine with more filling. The soup and salad was okay- I would probably skip the full set next time. We also got some karaage and it was flavorful. I also tried the tamago sandwich. The bread was so soft! For dessert, we got mochi as part of our set. I also got a mango parfe with a candle as our second dessert. I'm not sure if this was complimentary or not haha. I was definitely full and happy. I didn't have enough room to try their fruit sando. I will have to get that next time!

Since my friend and I are teachers, we always like to go to a fun lunch spot for spring break. It's really nice to be able to eat warm food while sitting down instead of eating a protein bar while making copies. Shout out to all the teachers out there! Anyway, we love Japanese culture and we're excited to come try this new spot! We got here exactly at 11 AM on a Wednesday, and had no wait. The inside of the cafe is super cute! I was excited we were the first people there, so that we could take it all in. We were helped right away by the our wonderful waitress, Viv. I got the Matcha latte and my friend got the lavender milk tea. Both of our drinks were delicious! We split the yakisoba and the guratan. Both of the dishes were so yummy, and I am glad we split because it was the perfect blend between something creamy and something a little lighter. With one of the meals we opted to get the salad and the soup broth. The salad dressing was incredible! For dessert, we got the fruit sando, and it was light and delicious. All in all, this café is an experience! Every detail about this restaurant was thought out. It was such a fun spot to go for a lunch, and we will be back.

Cozy interior and 2 outdoor seats. There's very little parking so you'll have to go into the residential areas unless you get lucky. Long wait times, then took a long time for the food to be prepared. Portions are small, food is mediocre in taste, and hot food came out warm at best. The omurice had very hard pieces of dried chicken bits and sauce was lacking. Rice was a mix of new and old drenched in tomato sauce.

Such a cute spot! Love their omurice and karaage. Most of the food is on the sweeter side of sweet and savory but I enjoyed it! They're drinks are the best as well and the standard base for their lattes is oat milk(i love not having to pay extra for milk alternatives). My friends love the matcha latte but I love the hojicha latte even more. The staff were also very sweet considering how my friends and I got a bit loud sometimes.

This is such a lovely new cafe/lunch spot. I visited on a weekday afternoon as I heard it was small and could be difficult to get a seat during popular hours. The decor is very cozy and reminiscent of spots in Japan. We ordered the karaage and the yakisoba. Both were delicious. The food was not too heavy and really good for lunch. I'd love to come back to try the desserts and teas.

Came here on Valentine's Day! There was around a 45-min wait time as there's no reservations at this cafe. You can't join the waitlist on Yelp until you're close to the cafe. The cafe is really small but very cosy and cute. Omurice was probably my fav entree! The onigiri was giant but underwhelming; the salmon was extremely dry and had no taste. The yakisoba was also pretty mid. The desserts saved the day tho!! Highly recommend the parfe--I'm sure they're all delicious. The mochi was also super soft and the red bean was yummy. The servers are all very kind and it was cool to watch them make the desserts in front of us at the bar.

Very cute and clean restaurant. We got there when it first opened. Service is good and friendly. The earl grey lavender latte came out iced. I thought it would be hot but it was still very good. We ordered the omurice and karaage with a side of rice. For dessert we had some azuki bean sandwich. Unfortunately I did not like any of the food! It was not authentic like in Tokyo. But that's okay since this is America! However, I just didn't like the taste and sauce of the omurice with barely any chicken. The karaage was too fatty and not crispy enough. I did not prefer the light colored the batter. The bread for dessert was too dense. It is usually really fluffy and soft.

I decided to take myself on a solo Sunday date and opted for Hatsuzakura. It was the perfect choice. I arrived shortly before their lunch closing time, and they graciously seated me--points for hospitality! This was my second visit; my first was strictly for dessert, which left me eagerly wanting to return for a full meal. Now, let's get to the sweet and savory details. Their desserts are, hands down, the stars of the menu. The food? Well, it played more of a supporting role. I ordered the full set, which includes naporitan, salad, and one ichigo daifuku. The soup and salad were fresh and delightful, and the naporitan was nice, but overall, it was like a good background soundtrack--pleasant but not particularly memorable. The matcha ichigo daifuku, however, was a symphony of flavors. The soft, chewy mochi, the rich red bean paste, and the refreshing strawberry made for a fantastic finale. On my previous visit, I indulged in the kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) with strawberry and matcha, and it was mind-blowingly good. While I'm glad I sampled the savory side this time, I don't see myself coming back for it. Hatsuzakura is definitely my go-to spot for all future dessert cravings! A few notes: since the restaurant is in University Heights, you'll only find street parking, so give yourself plenty of time to park or just Uber. Definitely check out the restaurant--the heated toilet seats are a dream! This is a great spot to take a date for a special dessert after dinner and is sure to impress.

Cute japanese cafe with lunch offerings, drinks and desserts. We got the tamago sando, ham sando as well as the omurice. The omurice tasted very authentic, sweetened with ketchup flavor. The standout for me was the matcha latte which was fresh and matcha was high quality. We capped off our meal with kakigori with mango/strawberry flavors.

A cozy and cute cafe! Very well designed and perfect for a brunch with a friend. Customer service is top notch! Definitely a small place though, so I wouldn't recommend coming with a huge group of people. My favorite item on the menu is the daifuku! Honestly I would go as far to say... this is a MUST ORDER! The perfectly chewy mochi, sweet anko, and fresh strawberry is balanced well. No complaints here! The best way to end a meal. The guratan was just okay to me... Considering the price, it was not worth it. It was more cheese than anything. Lacked chicken and mushroom for me. The tamago sando also fell short for me. Needed more cucumber and egg, less onion. Very creamy and good quality bread though.

Interior is gorgeous, ambiance is relaxing, and definitely feels like you're whisked away to Japan. We got there around 12pm on a Sunday, and although the waitlist quoted a really long wait, we got seated around 25 minutes later since we were okay with bar seating. One thing that I really appreciated was they had hooks below the table to hang your bag. We ordered the guratan, naporitan, and omurice for entrees. Unfortunately, the naporitan was way too salty due to the bacon and got really heavy towards the end, but the other dishes were good. The highlight of the meal was definitely the dessert - we ordered the 3 piece dango, and it was chewy and the perfect not-too-sweet! Make sure you stop by the bathroom before you leave, as there was a heated toilet, makeup lights, and aesthetic decor. Overall, a really unique find in San Diego but definitely on the pricier end.

My rating is probably 3.5 stars. Service is okay. I noticed the people who got in when it was not busy got an explanation of the menu. I don't remember ever getting one. Street parking can be hard, depending on when you go. I've been here several times. My recommendations are: * Kakigori - this is the only thing that brings me back here. * Karaage - my husband loves this. I didn't like the yakisoba and their pasta dishes. The omurice is meh. My husband thinks the hamburger steak is the same way. I still have to try their sando and sushi. Maybe that's what I should've been ordering. But I wanted to try the items not commonly found elsewhere in SD first that's why I tried those items.

Small place really nice and relaxing. The service was a bit slow (probably under staff that day) but We really liked the food and the dessert.

I was very hyped to hear there was a Japanese-style café in the area and it did not disappoint. Atmosphere/decoration are beautiful and relaxing. I felt happy just sitting there. Staff were friendly and helpful, and they were great about handling my food allergies (nuts and sesame)! I tried the karaage and kakigori which were both excellent. The karaage is unique with a light, airy fry and super juicy, tender meat inside. It was seasoned enough and went well with the rich Kewpie mayo. The kakigori was huge and I was surprised by the high quality and texture of the ice. The fruit was fresh and you get to watch them make it which is fun. We were able to walk in for an early dinner on a weeknight but the place definitely filled up as the night went on.

Tokyo vibes matched! Love love love the ghibli feel. They nailed it all the way down to the heated toilet seats. Customer service is impeccable. I loved my hojicha drink. The dangos were all soo good. I got to try each one. The daifuku made me feel so happy. That's the one thing I miss about japan because you can get them anywhere even at a train station. For me to finally get it here at home just makes my soul happy.

I was delighted to finally visit Hatsuzakura, a charming Japanese cafe in University Heights that specializes in traditional Japanese desserts, dishes, and beverages. And let me tell you, it was absolutely incredible! Fun fact: Hatsuzakura is actually the sister restaurant to Soichi, and it's owned by the daughter of Soichi's chef. During our visit, we ordered a variety of items including mouthwatering onigiri (tuna mayo, salmon, and seaweed), a delightful Tamago Sando, Chef Soichi's Karaage, heavenly Matcha Kakigori (Japanese shaved ice), and the oh-so-delicious Ichigo (strawberry) Daifuku. Everything we tasted was absolutely delectable, but the real standouts for me were the phenomenal matcha latte, Chef Soichi's Karaage, and the refreshing Matcha Kakigori. One thing to note is that the onigiri at Hatsuzakura are very large, so it's best to order just one if you want to leave room to try other items on the menu. The cafe itself has an inviting and authentic Japanese ambiance that adds to the overall experience. However, the best part of our visit was definitely the friendly and exceptional service. The staff eagerly engaged with us, providing information about the cafe and the menu, and ensuring that we had a delightful experience. I can't wait to go back to Hatsuzakura and try more items from their mouthwatering menu. It's truly a gem of a place!

The cutest little Japanese cafe :)) came here at around 2pm on a weekday and it was not too busy. We ordered the kaarage and the dango. The dango was a little smaller than expected but I thought each flavor was super yummy. Very nice and chewy! The kaarage batter flavor was unique and the mayo/lemon mayo paired nicely. I would say the meat itself was not that juicy/crispy. I would definitely come back for the vibes tho!

Immaculate establishment that truly seems to embody the Japanese cuisine environment and food wise. Ambiance: small restaurant with a bar area. There are only a few tables and some bar seating. I do like the small restaurant feel since they cater to the customers more and take the time to prepare really delicious food. Service: The best service ever. All servers are so nice and patient. They answer all your questions and check in an appropriate amount of time. Because they only serve so many people at a time, they can really cater to you. Food: Amazing five star food! We had four people and shared our dishes with each other. Everything was immaculately prepared. According to my friends, it's very similar to what is prepared in Japan. Very authentic. Fav dish was a new one I have never had before which was the Guratan- for lack of a better description it's a super cheesy pasta dish. Highly recommend the Matcha as well. As a matcha lover, this is prepared very well and you can tell it's high quality. Lots of amazing sweet desserts to choose from as well: Kakigori that we had was very light which is a good thing and refreshing with fruits. Tips: **Highly recommend making a reservation or else you will be waiting a while; or go during opening when we did bc the line will get long quickly. **Do not go with a big group bc they can really only seat up to 4 ppl.

My date and I were looking for an Asian restaurant to satisfy our cravings and we found this place! Went right at open on a Sunday morning and we almost didn't get a seat because there were people in line already. We loved the chicken karaage! We also ordered the omurice and the tuna mayo onigiri. The only thing about the onigiri was that the rice to tuna ratio was slightly off. There was just way too much rice in that onigiri. Maybe a smaller one would've been better but the menu only seemed to have the big version. Service was exceptional. We only saw two waitresses working to serve the whole hall but they did incredibly. The vibes inside the shop were immaculate as well! We loved the interior. Definitely coming back when we visit SD again!

Went here recently because I've been meaning to try it out. Nothing special really, the flavors are a bit bland and they try to compensate for over the top cheese and cream. Had the Hamburger steak meal upgraded with rice and soup, the hamburger was cooked to medium rare which I liked but as I said no seasoning and too much sauce. Little rice ratio, so glad I upgraded with more rice on the side. The dessert is a lot better, as I got a coffee jelly and strawberry parfait. The coffee jelly is on the stronger side with a side of liquid condense milk Im assuming, and the strawberry parfait contained ice cream with corn flakes. Overall the entree is okay but the desserts were good. Onto service, the service was really good and everyone was very attentive. The atmosphere and ambiance of the whole cafe was a really nice vibe. Everything was on the pricier side, personally I wouldn't come back for the food and maybe only the dessert themselves. :3

What We Ordered | Guratan | Chef Soichi Karage | Strawberry Parfait | Matcha Latte Taste | the karage was light, crispy and juicy. the guratan was creamy and cheesy. the matcha latte was delicious and has oat milk in it. the strawberry parfait was decent. the strawberry puree was a tad sweet, but hoping to try to the mango parfait next time as that was sold out. Service | server was very nice! food came out quick! Parking | street Notes | we got on the waitlist for a table. went on a Sunday around 1 PM!

Cute & friendly little joint. I love their karaage! Staff are very attentive and nice. Aaaand, I don't usually visit restrooms because...eeew, public restrooms - but this time, I had to (long drive home due to traffic). And guess what? I was overwhelmed! I love their restroom! It's pink! It's clean, immaculately clean! I am so impressed, even the toilet seat clean - it is heated & has a light! It felt like I was in my own bathroom at home, all that's missing is my bathtub, lol! Anyway, this is supposed to be a restaurant/cafe review but it turned into a restroom review, hahaha! Do you know why? Well, everytime I go to a restaurant, my impression of cleanliness is based on how their washroom/restroom is maintained. If they can't keep their restroom clean, how is their food prep doing & how clean is their kitchen? But that's just me, I have weird analogies & logic, lol!

Visited on a Tuesday around noon and didn't wait too long. Hubby and I got the matcha kakigori and daifuku. Both were so light and delicious! Just like being back in Japan. The decor in this small cafe was so adorable, truly a cute date spot!

My sister came here with her friends and they kept hyping me up saying this place's matcha latte was the closest to what we had in Japan. She was right. The matcha latte was delicious and the food was great. The food was definitely on the pricier side, but eh you pay for the aesthetic. The place is super cute and definitely date worthy. Docked one star because the service was a little slow.

Ever since I saw the cute ambiance and decor of Hatsuzakura on social media, I was dying to come by and try it out! I was dissuaded by the long wait times, but since it had been a couple months, we figured we try it out now! - PARKING - Street parking only - be mindful of any spaces that are time-limited! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - They do have a Yelp Waitlist, so if you're close enough in the area, you can put your name down in advance! The day we came, there was no wait at all. The restaurant is not very large - (4) 2-person tables, (2) 4-person tables, and seating at the bar which I would guess fits around 6. I may be off on the numbers, but overall its not a place where you would bring a large group! The servers were all very sweet and nice, but I did feel like their attention was lost towards the end of our meal. I also noticed a party next to us completely forgotten, and it sounded like they gave them a few stickers to remedy the situation. - FOOD - Karaage Meal Set ($12.50 + $7): The prices here are not cheap at all, and for what you get, I don't think it's very worth it. The Karaage was very delicious, and with the meal set I was honestly satisfied... but I'm not a huge eater so this might have not been enough food for other people. Kakigori [Strawberry + Mango] ($16.00): You can do half and half for the shaved ice which I was ecstatic about since I couldn't decide which I wanted! Again, the price is quite high for what you're getting in my opinion, but I did feel like this could be split between 2 people versus the Entrees. - OVERALL - I would come back if I wanted to share a dessert with a friend, not so much for their entrees. Cute ambiance, maybe would be a nice place for a catch up with their drinks here too!

I found this new gem on Instagram, and I was drawn towards the Japanese comfort food desserts touted on its simplistic web page. First of all, the ambiance. I love the cute pink wall with small accents of ceramic pumpkins at the bar. I also love their cute glass coasters! Usually an overlooked detail in restaurants, this glass coaster added to the classy, cozy ambiance of this Japanese restaurant. I came here with a purpose! I HAD to try the desserts. I balanced out the sweet with one savory dish - the egg salad sandwich. Perfectly cut, with crusts removed, the sandwich was flavorful but messy. Drink: Cold Hojica latte. So flavorful and smooth!!! This was so good. Dessert: Coffee Kakigori. This literally is THE BEST shaved ice ever! The ice was perfectly flaky and all of the ice was flavored. This was light and can be shared with 2-3 ppl. Japanese Parfe Wafu: The matcha! I can't describe it but this is not some cheap matcha, this was quality. It reminded me of the matcha Royce chocolates. It was that level of rich matcha flavoring. There were also bits of cornflakes, red bean, and fruit to complete the parfe. This was delicious! Dango (all three flavors): The rice flour dumplings were soft and fresh. I've no doubt these were carefully made that day. If I had to choose a favorite it would be the one with strawberries and red bean paste. I'm definitely coming back again since I secured some reservations in November at Soichi, next door. I can't wait to try other desserts!

Hatsuakura is a delightful eatery that brings a smile to your face. The menu features a delicious assortment of Japanese dishes, and the atmosphere is both warm and charming. As the music from Ghibli films played, it evoked a flood of nostalgic feelings from my childhood. The onigiri with salmon and tuna was delicious. We were surprised by how big they were, but the excellently seasoned rice and fresh fish made up for it. Our kids enjoyed it as well. The omurice was decent but it was too sweet for my taste. I was astounded by the shrimp guratan with pasta. The meal had just the right amount of creaminess and sweetness from the shrimp without being heavy. We had the Mango Kakigori for dessert, and it was tasty and refreshing. The mango flavor was strong and delicious, and the shaved ice was fluffy and airy. Following the heavy and flavorful main meals, it was the ideal palate cleanser. We ordered the Iced Matcha Latte and Ice Blue Chamomile to go with our meal. Both beverages were quite refreshing. The blue chamomile was a creative spin on a typical drink that added to the overall charm of the eating experience. Apart from the delicious food, the staff was very kind and helpful. The staff's generosity and hospitality made our evening more memorable and comfortable. They even gave cute stickers to our kids. By the end, we definitely became fans of Hatsuakura and look forward to our next visit.

As soon as you enter the restaurant, you are welcomed by a cozy warm atmosphere with soft pink glow. The vibe definitely reminds me of a Japanese cafe and the servers were very friendly. The wait can be very long so make sure you put a reservation down on Yelp if you do plan to come. There's no parking lot available, but there is free street parking. Food wise, it was pretty mid for me. The onigiri was huge (almost the size of my hand), but it falls apart easily due to its size. I feel onigiri shouldn't be big and if you stick with the traditional palm size, it would've been perfect. With the onigiri, I added the "full set" combo with it that came with salad, soup, and a small desert. The salad was pretty good, but the dressing wasn't anything special and tasted like the Costco sesame salad dressing. Soup wise, it was a standard chicken broth with some veggies (carrots and cabbage I think). The karage was fluffy but under seasoned in my opinion. The Naporitan was good but again, it didn't blow my mind away. The most memorable piece of my meal was the strawberry red bean mochi. THAT was delicious! The mochi was fresh and soft and when combined with a fresh strawberry and the red bean paste, it was divine.

Hatsuzakura in University Heights had been on my list to try for a couple of weeks now, and I'm so glad I finally got a chance to check it out. I visited on a Sunday around noon, and the experience was wonderful from start to finish. The service was top-notch, and I used their Yelp waitlist for a quick seating at the bar. Sitting at the bar was a treat because it gave me a front-row view of all the action in the kitchen and bar area, making it fun to watch the skilled staff craft their signature drinks and discover which ones were popular among patrons. The cafe itself is charming with its 'kawaii' aesthetics and cozy ambiance. Now, let's talk about the food. We tried the karage, and it was a hit. The crispy skin on the chicken was a delightful touch, and I highly recommend it. We also ordered the omurice and tamago sando, which were good, though not particularly extraordinary. However, the overall experience more than made up for it. And don't miss their hot paru hojicha latte - a comforting treat that I thoroughly enjoyed. Quick side note: all their lattes are made with oat milk, making this a perfect spot for our lactose intolerant friends, like me! If you're in University Heights and in search of a charming cafe with great service, Hatsuzakura should be on your list as well!

Literally the cutest cafe in San Diego. I thought TikTok overhyped this place, but I can confirm they did not and it deserves it's kudos. I love Japanese culture and aesthetic in general, and this is a great cafe to visit to experience it. There was so much thought that went into the detail of the experience and in the choices of the entrees. Every thing we ordered was so perfectly curated for the cafe in appearance, taste and quantity. I recommend coming before the business opens to find parking and so you don't have to wait in line. The cafe is a little small so it can't accommodate a lot of people at once, but worth the wait if you happen to end up getting stuck in it. They also have some cute merch if you want to support the business.

cute cozy cafe with baby pink aesthetics! everything we ordered was so tasty - onigiri was packed with flavor, the spaghetti was nicely cooked, the matcha and hojicha latte were super good, and the chicken karaage was unique! i would come visit this restaurant again to try other items on the menu. love the little details they focused on such as the color aesthetic & interior design. food - 8.5/10 customer service - 9/10

The restaurant is so cute and tiny. The restaurant workers are very welcoming. The desserts are amazing! We got the matcha and strawberry mochi, matcha parfait, and the kakigori with strawberry, mango, and matcha ice cream. I highly recommend if you love matcha.

Props to this small Japanese restaurant serving both lunch/brunch and dinner. We couldn't decide on a last minute place for brunch and this place was suggested by my fellow Elite Yelper Alicia P. The place is located next to the famous Soichi Sushi (and run by the daughter of the Chef next door). The menu is definitely a Japanese driven and I am sure some of their more favorite items for lunch and dinner. It's simple with choices but not a big menu. You have choices ranging from Nigiri (with tuna or salmon). They present the Chef's version of Chicke Karaage, it was a lighter batter. We ordered the noodle dish pictured, I was fine with it but not my favorite. My friend ordered a Macha latte, and it was delicious. We were so full (the Nigiri rice) that we skipped dessert this time, those parfe (parfait) looked mighty good. Some of the items in the menu looked very Japanese as the description of the restaurant explains, the omelet with chicken fried rice with tomato sauce would have been the one to taste if you were here for brunch. There are options of an entree plus soup/salad with or without a small dessert. You can see it on the menu most people have posted. Honestly, I am not a 5 star first review, it will take a couple of visits before I add that star. I do hope to come again for dinner maybe and see that menu if it has more options.

I saw this place on Instagram and have been wanting to go for a long time. Today I finally got the chance to go here and I was super excited. Parking was easy since we came during the weekday around 11am and there was also no wait time. Me and my boyfriend got the Matcha Latte and the Matcha Kakigori. These lattes did not disappoint! It's been a while since I have had a good matcha latte. We ordered the Salmon Onigiri, Tamago Sando, & Omelette rice. Out of all 3 items my favorite was the Tamago Sando because it was so simple and fresh. My boyfriend enjoyed the omelette rice but to me it was alright. I was kind of disappointed with the Salmon Onigiri because it was so big because it had so much rice - there was barely any filling and the seaweed was soggy. The price was great but I don't think it had to be that big the ratio with everything going on was just off. We were stuffed so we did not get to order dessert. This place is so nicely decorated inside and the music is calming, I was trying to enjoy the soft cafe vibes but it's kind of a small space and you can kind of hear everyone's convos depending how loud people are speaking. It was pretty empty when I went since they just had open, I really enjoyed finally seeing this place in person. I am going to give this place a second chance because I want to have a better experience, I guess my expectations were too high. I will definitely be coming back only for dessert & matcha!