Kinme: An Unforgettable Omakase Experience

On my birthday, I visited the long-anticipated Kinme, hoping it could restore my confidence in Omakase in the United States—and it truly satisfied me! 😊 This place absolutely deserves the title of "Best Omakase in San Diego." If you have the budget, it’s definitely the choice to make in SD. 📍 Kinme is located near Balboa Park, with a modest storefront and fairly convenient street parking. The interior is comfortable, featuring a spacious and bright Japanese-style design. There are only ten seats at the counter, offering a clear view of the chefs at work—I really loved the atmosphere! 🍶 The drink menu even included Uni sake, the same brand I have at home, so I opted for the seasonal selection with a subtle apple aroma—so delightful. The autumn menu thoughtfully incorporated seasonal ingredients like persimmons, chestnuts, and apples, making the experience feel perfectly timely. The chef team consists of two Japanese chefs and one Western-style head chef. They didn’t talk much but kindly checked in on our dining experience. 🍣 The sashimi platter featured striped jack, greater amberjack, baby snapper, medium-fatty tuna, and fatty tuna, each prepared distinctly—some paired with shiso, others sprinkled with yuzu pepper sauce—creating layers of flavor that were incredibly fresh. The most stunning part was the local sea urchin: one bite melted in my mouth with a sweet richness, so satisfying! 😋 🍖 The Wagyu tartare puff was also creative: A5 Wagyu beef combined with pickled radish and tartar sauce, topped with fried shallots, all nestled in a soft puff—refreshing and rich in texture. The nigiri was equally excellent, with some pieces charcoal-grilled, some aged and wrapped in shiso, and others sprinkled with lime zest—each one perfectly executed. Overall, the ingredients, flavors, and experience were all outstanding—truly worth recommending! 👍 #SanDiegoFood #OmakaseReview #BirthdayDinner #JapaneseCuisineRecommendation #KinmeExperience #SeasonalIngredients #FoodShare