Temari-zushi — Restaurant in San Diego

After returning from a long deployment, I found myself yearning for some authentic and comforting food. That’s when I stumbled upon Temari Zushi, a delightful sushi restaurant that quickly became a favorite of mine.

Walking into Temari was like stepping into a cozy little oasis filled with charm. The decor was adorable, with Pokemon that made the atmosphere warm and inviting. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a long absence; the ambiance alone was a comforting reminder of home. Now, let’s talk about the food. Oh, the food! From the moment I took my first bite, I knew I was in for something special. Each piece of sushi was not just a meal but an experience. The quality of the ingredients was evident in every sashimi slice. It truly stood apart from other sushi places I've tried—incredibly fresh fish, and beautiful presentation. The chef’s unique twists on classic dishes added an exciting dimension that I hadn't encountered elsewhere. The staff at Temari only added to the experience. They were incredibly friendly and attentive, making me feel right at home. It was clear that the team takes pride in their work, from the warmth of their greeting to their knowledge about the menu. They were more than happy to recommend some of their favorites, and I was delighted with every suggestion. After my long time away, finding Temari zushi felt like a true treasure. It satisfied my craving for authentic Japanese cuisine while offering a unique culinary experience that is hard to find. If you’re in search of quality sushi, a welcoming atmosphere, and a friendly staff, then Temari is the place to be. I’ll certainly be returning, and I highly recommend it to anyone in need of some delicious...

My wife and I visited on Valentine’s Day. The sushi rolls we ordered tasted very mayo forward, overpowering everything else. In fact, they were overpowered enough that neither of us finished our rolls. The apps were nothing special. We were honestly very surprised that the food wasn’t better given the good reviews.

When it came time to pay, I gave my debit card to the server and he took it back to the counter to run it. I got a tap on the shoulder a few minutes later as he asked me to follow him over to the counter to put in my debit card PIN. I thought it was a bit strange that they didn’t run it as credit, but I went with it. He gave me the receipt and said goodbye and thank you. Looking at the receipt, it became clear that I hadn’t been asked to give a tip! I asked him about it, and at first he hesitated, but then he said that they can’t take tips when a debit card was used. I immediately pushed back because a restaurant in the U.S. should always have the option to leave a tip if they take cards.. He quickly asked a coworker, who corrected him. The card had already been run, but his coworker said I could write in the tip value and sign the receipt even though there was no tip, total, or signature space available. I was very skeptical, but I did so… a few days later I verified that the charge did NOT include the tip I wrote in.

I wasn’t very impressed with the overall experience. We probably...

Quaint restaurant in a desirable location. Interior is decorated with animated cultural references from Pokémon, Mario, Yugioh, among other things. I stopped in for the lunch special (11AM-3PM) which is an incredible value, I’m almost certain this has to be a lost leader at the $13.5 as of time of writing. I had the option with Chicken Karaage + Edamame + 3 Temari Sushi (1 Salmon, 1 Spicy Tuna, 1 Ebi), which also comes with miso soup and a small salad. The chicken Karaage was juicy and tender with a reasonable amount of crunch to it and of course some light drizzles of sauce to enhance flavor. The sushi was really nice as well. The chicken, edamame, and most assuredly the Miso soup was piping hot and all of it was great. The lunch special alone would be enough to leave someone who was hungry content but if you are extremely hungry or looking for a larger portion I would tag along a roll. I additionally ordered a Tempura Cali Roll which is a deep fried roll, rich, creamy, hot, and filling. This was a perfect combination and overall I was incredibly satisfied with the meal, the value for the meal and the overall appearance and atmosphere of the restaurant. I would certainly recommend...