Niban Japanese - San Diego

This sushi place is my exclusive go-to option—consistently my top choice. They go out of their way to accommodate my allergies, and the staff is unfailingly pleasant. The presentation of the food is aesthetically pleasing, and, most importantly, it's incredibly delicious. In my book, it deserves a rating beyond the usual scale—10 out of 5 stars.

This has been our go-to fast, inexpensive-but-tasty Japanese hot meal establishment for decades. Our hearts light up whenever they have the teriyaki yellowtail bento special (usually on a Friday or Saturday).

This restaurant has been around for quite some time and offers a wide range of Japanese dishes. Unlike many establishments in Japan that focus on a specific type of cuisine, Niban boasts an impressive variety. The food is as authentic as you can find in San Diego, and the atmosphere feels like a blend of a family-run eatery and Japan (though larger than what you’d typically encounter in Japan, except perhaps at Narita Airport). It’s not upscale; you place your order at the front counter and the food is brought to your table, but it’s a great spot for a relaxed meal. There are also a few outdoor tables. I appreciate that they offer standard lunch specials alongside a rotating selection of three daily specials. Sometimes, if you're uncertain about what you're in the mood for, one of the specials might just catch your eye.

This is my favorite sushi restaurant whenever I'm in town. The staff is incredibly friendly and laid-back.

This is a great spot to come for their daily/lunch specials. Japanese food for around 10 dollars. It's pretty much the same price as fast food, but much more like a meal. Their service was really nice too. This is more for the price than the quality.