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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Guide to San Marcos

Japanese food

Made for those who seek the precision and intentionality found in traditional Japanese preparation.

Based on 592 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
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Hot pot restaurant

Hot pot restaurant with all-you-can-eat beef belly and self-serve drink and shaved ice bars creates a hip, cozy atmosphere. Spacious layout and modern decor support a comfortable, friendly vibe. Guests boil their own meat in flavorful broths, adding an interactive element to dining.

Food here is consistently fresh and of high quality with great attention to detail in presentation. Service matches the food with excellent table care and smooth waitlist management.

Shabu Shabu stands out with its quality broth options like Garlic Miso Tonkatsu and a variety of hot foods including gyoza, curry, and karaage. The buffet offers a wide range of authentic Japanese dishes such as udon noodles, sukiyaki, and teriyaki chicken.

People are saying

"I loved the buffet's unlimited meat options and variety."

"The Japanese food here has an incredible variety of fresh ingredients and delicious broths."

"The food here is always fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended at least an hour in advance, especially on weekends.

2

Kids eat free on Tuesdays, making it a great family option.

3

Expect to pay dinner prices during holidays, even for lunch visits.

02
One More Bite Dumpling--San Marcos image 1

Open design with high ceilings and bright, modern decor creates a spacious, welcoming environment. Relaxing Asian-influenced music adds a calming vibe to the casual, cozy atmosphere. Small size and spotless cleanliness make it feel comfortable and inviting.

Food arrives extremely quickly with an excellent and authentic taste. The menu offers a good selection and maintains consistent quality across locations.

Beef udon noodles stand out with rich flavor and satisfying texture. Dumplings like pork soup dumplings and spicy pork wontons complement the menu alongside chicken and corn wontons in spicy udon.

People are saying

"The Chinese food here, especially the dumplings and wontons, is so tasty."

"The food here is delicious and fairly priced."

"The Japanese food, especially the udon noodles, was amazingly delicious."

Good to know

1

Parking can be quite difficult during busy hours.

2

Reservations are recommended for larger groups to avoid long wait times.

3

Prices are remarkably affordable, with generous portions.

03
Sushi On San Marcos - Japanese Restaurant image 1

Sushi restaurant offers fresh, high-quality sushi with reasonable prices and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The space feels elegant yet comfortable, suitable for casual meals and special occasions. It stays busy with a lively energy and features clean, relaxing decor.

Food comes with a great variety including a kid-friendly section. Dishes are incredibly fresh and packed with flavor.

Fresh, made-to-order sushi stands out with a great variety of sushi, sashimi, and rolls. The tempura is notably fresh, and dishes like Salmon teriyaki and agedashi tofu are highlights.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is so fresh and delicious."

"The baked salmon here is so buttery and fresh."

"I found the food here to be delicious and full of flavor."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 3-5pm with great deals on drinks and appetizers.

2

The restaurant offers plenty of parking.

3

Credit cards and mobile payments are accepted, but cash is preferred for tips.

04
Hyuga Sushi image 1
Sushi restaurant

Small, cozy space with walls covered in classic anime posters and signed rockstar records creates a unique blend of Japanese and American culture. Atmosphere feels homey and lively, mixing j-pop and 80's rock music with warm, personal service. Sushi leans toward authentic Japanese flavors, attracting those who appreciate fresh, well-crafted dishes in an intimate setting.

Authentic Japanese cuisine shines with high quality food served in a small, comfortable setting. The dishes offer very delicious flavors and warm service enhances the experience.

Authentic Japanese cuisine shines through with hand-made sushi and homestyle dishes like chicken katsu. The sushi rolls and soup specials offer delicious, high-quality flavors paired with warm, friendly service.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious, especially the sushi and katsu."

"I found the sushi here to be the best in the area."

Good to know

1

Expect a wait due to the small size of the restaurant.

2

Reservations are not accepted, so arrive early.

3

Some rolls are priced higher than average.

05
Ahi Sushi & Grill image 1
Sushi restaurant

Small, cozy sushi restaurant with a relaxed vibe and welcoming atmosphere. The place fills with fresh, flavorful sushi rolls and offers reasonable prices that attract casual diners. Noise levels can be a bit high, making it less suited for quiet or romantic occasions.

Food offers consistently excellent quality with a variety that satisfies both sushi lovers and those seeking other tasty options. Meals come with great flavor and provide a quick, affordable fill-up.

Sushi arrives incredibly fast and features freshest fish with affordable prices. The rainbow roll stands out as fresh and colorful, and the teriyaki beef bowl offers a flavorful option beyond sushi.

People are saying

"I considered this the best sushi place I'd ever eaten."

"I considered this the best Japanese food I had."

"I thought the food here was great."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers lunch specials that provide good value.

2

Expect large portion sizes for the price at this sushi place.

3

The menu features both sushi and cooked dishes for non-sushi fans.

06
It's Tabu Sushi image 1
Sushi restaurant

Intimate sushi bar blends sports bar vibe with lively, warm atmosphere where local regulars share good vibes and conversations. The space features many TVs showing sporting events, creating a unique mix of sushi dining and casual bar energy.

Food comes out delicious and with large portions. The Baja Roll stands out as a notable dish. Service is timely and consistent.

Sushi here is consistently very fresh with unique rolls that stand out. The spot offers great sushi that many find among the best they've tried.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is so fresh and delicious."

"I found the sushi rolls here to be unique and delicious."

"I found the food to be delicious and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers discounted drinks daily, but pricing details can be unclear.

2

Military discounts are honored, providing additional savings.

3

Free parking is available in the nearby Ralph's parking lot.

07
TEKIPOKE RAMEN & BOBA image 1
Ramen restaurant

Space blends old, modern, and otaku themes with beautiful hanging lanterns creating a unique visual mix. Atmosphere feels neutral and nice, neither overly inviting nor uncomfortable. Menu offers wide variety and customization, especially notable for poke bowls and ramen options.

Food here is consistently fresh and has very good quality. Presentation stands out, and the poke is notably amazing.

Ramen features a rich, spicy pork broth that is filling and flavorful. Poke bowls include fresh, salmon poke that stands out for its taste. Miso soup is also available and well-liked.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is delicious with very good portions."

"I thought the poke here was wonderful and yummy."

"I found the food here to be delicious and fresh."

Good to know

1

You have to order on a placard for your to-go order.

2

They have a ton of options to customize my poke bowl.

3

The pricing is reasonable considering the large portions.

08
Ramen Mik image 1
Japanese restaurant

Small Japanese restaurant with minimalist seating and colorful murals creates a laid-back vibe. Background music adds to the pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. The outdoor seating area features heaters for comfort.

Food here matches Japanese quality with miso ramen and homemade gyoza standing out. The menu also includes strawberry mochi and fried rice that blends Chinese and Japanese flavors.

Ramen here features authentic Japanese flavors with broths that are full of body but not overwhelming. The homemade gyoza and seasonal Tan Tan ramen add variety and quality to the menu.

People are saying

"The ramen broth here is rich and incredible."

"The Japanese food here, especially the ramen broth, is amazing."

"I thought the food here was amazing and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Expect to spend 15-20 dollars per person.

2

There was plenty of parking available.

3

They have pretty generous hours, operating half-day on holidays.

09
Sushi Huku image 1
Sushi restaurant

Sushi restaurant offers fresh, high-quality fish with a menu focused on special rolls and poke bowls. Atmosphere shifts from pleasant and friendly to loud and lively during busy times, with 90s old school music playing. It serves unique drinks like soju and pairs well with large Sapporo beers.

Freshness stands out with consistently delicious sushi, bowls, and rolls. The menu offers a variety of appetizers and entrees served with friendly and professional service.

Sushi here offers very fresh sashimi and sushi with consistently good quality. The poke bowls are large and flavorful, and the overall food and service maintain a top notch standard.

People are saying

"The sushi here is so good, especially the lemon roll."

"The miso ramen here is really good."

"I found the food to be really yummy and delicious."

Good to know

1

Each sushi is priced between $13 and $20, which is reasonable.

2

The portions at Sushi Huku are very generous compared to other sushi restaurants.

3

There is plenty of parking available nearby.

10
Umai Sushi image 1
Sushi restaurant

Furry artwork greets guests in a space with a warm, authentic atmosphere and 70's funk and 80's hits playing. The setting feels comfortable and inviting, often quiet with a family vibe. Sushi rolls come well put together, paired with generous portions and reasonable prices.

Fresh sushi and sashimi stand out with excellent quality and rapid service. Every dish is well-prepared and offers good value.

Sushi and sashimi here feature thick, lean cuts and fresh ingredients. Unique rolls and creative dishes from the sushi chef add variety to the authentic atmosphere.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is amazing and delicious."

"The sushi here is always fresh and delicious."

"The food here is so fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

Parking can be difficult to find near the restaurant.

2

The prices are affordable compared to other sushi places.

3

Umai Sushi is one of the few sushi places open on Sundays.

11
Sapporo Sushi image 1
Japanese restaurant

Outdoor patio offers shaded private booths and overhead heaters, creating a relaxing atmosphere with a nice breeze. Bright interior contrasts with the patio's calm vibe, attracting a busy evening crowd. Sushi features high-quality fish with a wide selection of specialty rolls and sake, emphasizing freshness and presentation.

Food features freshness and lovely flavors with options beyond just cut rolls. Service and ambiance complement the delicious dishes well.

Sushi here is consistently fresh and delicious, featuring standout items like the Cyclone Roll and bluefin tuna sashimi. Friendly staff accommodate dietary needs and maintain attentive service even when busy.

People are saying

"I found the Japanese food here to be super fresh and delicious."

"I love coming here for dinner, it's my go-to spot."

"I thought the food here was great and delicious."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended during peak hours to avoid long wait times.

2

The new Omakase menu is priced between $80 and $100 depending on the fish.

3

Expect higher prices, with rolls averaging around $17.99 for two pieces.

12
Pan Asia Buffet image 1
Asian restaurant

Buffet offers Mongolian barbecue and hibachi stations with chefs cooking fresh food in front of diners. Spacious layout feels warm but tables are packed tightly, creating a noisy, crowded atmosphere as the crowd grows. Variety includes salad and dessert bars alongside Asian dishes.

Variety stands out with diversified food options that taste great. Prices stay reasonable considering the quality and amount served.

Offers a wide variety of Japanese dishes including sushi, sashimi, and Hibachi. The all-you-can-eat buffet features raw tuna and other fresh fish options alongside grilled noodles and other items.

People are saying

"The hibachi grill at this buffet is the crown jewel."

"The hibachi grill food here is fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked."

"The Japanese food, especially the hibachi grill, was fresh and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Crab legs are available on Fridays and Saturdays after 4pm.

2

Prices are about $21 per person on weekdays after tip and tax.

3

Parking is very limited; expect to park nearby.

13
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue - San Marcos (Inside Walmart) image 1

Small space inside a large retail store with Hawaiian music and cool decor creating a distinct vibe. The atmosphere feels separate from the surrounding store, offering a convenient location near the entrance. Menu includes unique items like garlic chicken not found at other locations.

Food arrives fresh and fast with lots of flavor and a variety of choices. Staff serve quickly and include all utensils and napkins.

Chicken katsu varies from crunchy and juicy to overcooked and tough. Teriyaki burger and BBQ mix plates also appear alongside the katsu options.

People are saying

"I thought the food here was amazing and delicious."

"I found the BBQ chicken here to be super bomb."

"The Japanese food, especially the katsu, is crunchy and juicy."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is located inside Walmart, making it convenient for shoppers.

2

Expect to see gnats around the dining area, especially near sauces.

3

The full-size plate costs $15 and can feed two people.

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San Marcos, California

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