LA Sushi Pro Opening First San Diego Restaurant

Can sushi, which relies on the freshest fish and the skilled technique of a chef, be cheap and really good? Sushi Hachi, a new Japanese restaurant opening in Kearny Mesa, says it’s found a way to offer an authentic sushi experience that’s both high-quality and affordable.

With more 40 years in the restaurant business in Los Angeles, owner Shuji Kimura is the veteran restaurateur behind SushiStop, which is known for its moderately-priced sushi. A chain with six locations around LA, the eatery was once pitted against high-end omakase temples in a viral Buzzfeed video.

Now, Kimura and his family are bringing their well-tested formula to San Diego, choosing Convoy Street for their first restaurant in the area because of its reputation as the center of the city’s Asian food scene. Kimura, who hails from Okayama, Japan, says one key to keeping costs low while still delivering on quality is that he personally shops for and handpicks his fish every morning rather than outsourcing the work to another employee.

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Save for some premium plates, most dishes on the menu are priced at $3.50, from nigiri to appetizers, salads, and small rice and noodle bowls. Some signature SushiStop items, including the salmon truffle hand roll, snapper yuzu carpaccio, and spicy tuna guacamole roll, are also available here.

Since sitting inside at its 23-seat sushi bar is not permitted right now, as the restaurant is opening under purple tier restrictions, Sushi Hachi will start by offering outdoor seating as well as takeout and delivery.

Kimura shared that his family is looking forward to being part of the San Diego restaurant community, and told Eater that they’re hoping to open two additional Sushi Hachi locations here within the next two years.

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