Kiiro Sushi Izakaya — Restaurant in San Diego

Got there around 4pm on a Tuesday and there was no wait to be seated, in fact we were the only customers. Parking in this complex is typically a disaster, but empty on this occasion. Menu had a lot of variety, but I was there to try the sushi rolls.

It's not a good sign when you ask the server if they've eaten there before and they say a couple times, but not really. I then asked for his favorite roll and instead he told me which were the popular rolls.

Ordered the Salmon Lover and the All-Star rolls. As the server set down the All-Star, I could see a hair sticking out from under the yellowtail piece on the end. The server apologized and took it back. He brought over the Salmon Lover and even after dipping it in wasabi/soy sauce it had a STRONG fish taste. I'm assuming this fish was about to go bad or wasn't sushi grade salmon. The All-Star made its way back to the table minus the hair and it tasted fine. For a place that held its grand opening not too long ago, I was surprised and disappointed at how thin the pieces of fish were on the outside of the rolls, but the presentation was nice.

The place had a few more customers by the time we wanted our check and it took a while to get the servers attention. That was surprising to me cause I could see employees just hanging out behind the sushi bar and kitchen area. A beer, lemonade and 2 rolls with wafer thin pieces of fish was $58... definitely...

I wanted to like this place as there are not very many ramen restaurants in the area. I was originally going to a restaurant in Linda Vista, and on my way I saw this place. I should have just kept going.

This review is based solely on the Ramen I ordered and interaction I had with the server.

The Tonkotsu ramen is not great. To be fair, it is a large serving, which might account for the 18 dollar price tag on it.

The broth was ok, but it lacked creaminess and umami. The noodles where a little overcooked but passable. The toppings where honestly terrible. What is supposed to be the "piece de resistance" of this ramen, the chasu was so underwhelming and honestly, bad. The serving was very smal, but it turned out thatvthat was lucky for me. The meat was dry, hard , and like every other topping on that plate had a slight taste of freezer (fridge?) Burn. The tamago was extremely salty and dry, it feels like they kept most of these toppings in the fridge for a looong time.

Service was ok, however the server was not able to tell me her opinion on the ramen (or maybe she didn't want to?). Otherwise it was acceptable.

The place looks ok, but as soon as you enter there is a whiff of sewer smell that hits you. I guess I should have left then.

Perhaps the other food is better. Do not xome...

My wife and I are very picky about the sushi we eat. We need it to be tender, finely sliced, very fresh, and flavorful. Kiiro Sushi Izakaya gave us food so amazing that we had to go back two days later to have it again. This is some of the best sushi I've ever had!

Some must-tries: Aburi Garlic Butter Salmon Belly Nigiri - that is perfectly seared and melts in your mouth - we had at least four orders of this in our two visits. Kiiro Yellowtail Belly Nigiri - I've never heard of truffle on sushi, but it works! The chef shows incredible restraint with the truffles which can be overpowering if overused. Roppongi Roll - the bluefin tuna on the outside of this roll just falls apart in your mouth, and the whole roll is seasoned so perfectly that I urge you not to add soy sauce and wasabi.

The sake offerings extend beyond the menu, and you would do well to ask what's available.

Besides the food, the owners, Chef KT and Manager Josie, are incredibly friendly and hardworking. Their staff is also very nice.

This is a new restaurant, and it is easy to get a table right now. I predict it will not stay that way for long, I think this restaurant will get very busy in the...