Izakaya Masa — Restaurant in San Diego

Just great. The vibe, the food, & the service was perfect. - 1st experience.. Left a five star after this.

2nd experience - Wasn't very busy, the place was half empty, yet had a 20 minute wait to be seated. Just a few minutes before our listed name, which we posted at 11:17pm, was called, a pushy bunch of Asian kids and their Brazilian friend showed up and acted like they were somebody and insisted on being sat. Watching this started to make my blood boil. The Asian kid who thought he was tough had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and then lit it while standing in the entrance doorway which is 7 or 8 feet, at most, to some of the tables. This place is already small so that made it worse. My meal was delicious, the beer was not the coldest however, and my lady who loves Japanese culture and food said the beef in her dish was overcooked and she likes her meat well done. Once our rushed experience was over, even though they weren't half full at that point and they close at 1am, the group of four kids were at the host stand which we were sitting behind, attempting to get their bill lowered, speaking in Japanese which my lady understands, telling the host that they could not afford the check of the items that they ordered, all the while the smoker lit up another cigarette standing at the door, which was 7 or 8 feet from our table which is directly behind the host stand. So, with all this in mind, I am lowering my 5 star review to a 2 star review. Their tip also dropped from 20 percent to 15 percent to 12.5 percent and they were a few seconds away from just a 10% tip.

Run your business properly. Know the laws (no cigarettes in food based establishments) and Don't expect USA citizens to put up with your bad guests ignorance and B.S.

This makes us sad that we can't even experience mediocrity. Does not make...

The place is small and situated inside a business area. Despite it's hiddeness, it's a very popular spot.

We arrived at 830pm on a Saturday night and had about an hours wait.

Once in, you get to see why the long wait. The place is small but they make do by being space savvy. I saw one booth for large parties and many small seating and bar seating.

The place's decor is cute. Some of it looks hand drawn!

The food was good. Not the best or really worth the wait but it was good and reasonably priced.

We ordered 2 specialty rolls, 2 different Ramens and a Katsu Curry all for $75.

The Shoyu Ramen broth has a rich fatty taste, it was nicely garnished with green onions and seaweed and Naruto. I didn't exactly enjoy the texture of the noodles, felt a little hard maybe under cooked or maybe it was the brand they used.

The Hakatu Ramen has a nicer creamy taste to it, with heavily marinated mushrooms. I'd recommend that one.

The curry was not exciting, but actually bland in taste.

My favorite was the Rainbow roll. It tasted very fresh and sweet! The Sandiego Dream was alright.

Despite the averageness of most of the food, the standout was the staff. They were very quick and attentive. Withing 2 minutes if our ordering they already started bring out out our Rolls, then the Katsu then the Ramens.

The staff and the cooks really have speed nailed down especially during...

Izakaya Masa offers a vibrant and delicious escape for a fun family outing. Our recent visit with two young children proved to be a delightful experience, thanks to the restaurant's welcoming atmosphere, attentive staff, and, most importantly, exceptional sushi.

We dove headfirst into the classics, indulging in perfectly prepared California rolls and spicy salmon rolls. The freshness of the fish was undeniable, each bite bursting with flavor. Even the simple salmon nigiri showcased the high quality of the ingredients.

For the adventurous eaters, the San Diego Dream roll offered an exciting combination, while the rainbow roll provided a visually stunning and flavorful experience. We also couldn't resist the irresistibly crispy gyoza, a perfect appetizer to kick off the meal.

The beverage selection complemented the food perfectly. Our children enjoyed the refreshing ramune sodas, while my wife and I opted for a smooth kikusui sake and a crisp sapporo black.

The entire meal, catering to four people, came to a very reasonable $133. Considering the quality of the ingredients, the generous portions, and the overall enjoyable experience, Izakaya Masa offers excellent value for money.

Highlights: Exceptionally fresh and flavorful sushi Diverse menu with options for both classic and adventurous palates Attentive and friendly service Clean and inviting...