Sushi Tadokoro

"Guests are in good hands at this mini sushi counter that's off the beaten path in a modest strip mall. Chef/owner Takeaki Tadokoro along with young chef, Tatsuro Tsuchiya, take great pleasure in providing an enjoyable experience. Their style is approachable, and while an à la carte menu is offered in the dining room, the omakase is a more popular option. Whether it includes those creamy and meaty oysters from British Columbia or succulent scallops from Hokkaido, they use only the finest ingredients. To wit: a mix of sea urchin from California and Hokkaido topped with ikura hits all the right notes. Goldeneye snapper with yuzu zest and ponzu-marinated bluefin tuna are two more highlights." - Michelin Inspector

Best Restaurants in San Diego’s Point Loma Neighborhood | Eater San Diego

"Sushi Tadokoro occupies positions on several of our best-of lists, including a spot on the Eater 38 of San Diego, iconic dishes of the city, and where we send folks for the best sushi in town. Though the location and interior are unassuming — think: dark wood laminate tables and pale yellow walls in an intimate, one-room setting — the restaurant held a Michelin star from 2021 through 2023 and is renowned for its Edo-style dishes available omakase or a la carte. The bar is the best view in the house to watch chef Takeaki Tadokoro top-sear Spanish mackerel or hand-slice plump Kanpachi in real-time. Reservations are required." - Keri Bridgwater

The 38 Best Restaurants in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"Well-crafted nigiri sushi is one of the attractions at this Michelin-recognized restaurant, which tops many sushi aficionados’ lists for its adherence to traditional Japanese style and technique. Classic edomae sushi is the ethos here, meaning the raw fish is served simply with rice seasoned with vinegar. Tucked away in Old Town, the setting is sparse and intimate; all of the fireworks are reserved for what’s on the plate. Menu options include omakase at the sushi bar or the table, as well as a la carte sushi. Be sure to try the sea urchin sushi, a specialty here. Chef Tadokoro selects the seasonal sea urchin from Hokkaido and California for the best flavors. Know before you go: Parking is tight in the modest strip mall where Sushi Tadokoro sits, but nearby street parking is usually available." - Candice Woo

The Best Sushi Restaurants in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"This intimate Old Town restaurant spotlights chef Takeaki Tadokoro as one of the best local practitioners of traditional Edomae-style sushi, specializing in pristine sashimi and nigiri. With more than 12 years of experience working as a chef under his belt, Tadokoro’s outpost offers both omakase ($165 per person) and a la carte options. Sushi adventurers swear by the kitchen’s selection of torch-seared sawara Spanish mackerel and preparation of ankimo or monkfish liver." - Roxana Becerril

The 38 Essential Restaurants in San Diego

"Well-crafted nigiri sushi is one of the attractions at this Michelin-starred Old Town restaurant, which tops many sushi aficionados’ lists for its adherence to traditional Japanese style and technique. The setting is sparse; all of the fireworks are reserved for what’s on the plate." - Candice Woo, Helen I. Hwang