out and about: sushi ota

Here’s the og of our san diego sushi journey. Our first love, if you will. And seriously? Sushi ota is just as good now as it was when we first discovered it back in ‘04. Even without ota at the helm. Our favorites are still our favorites…

Ota was on the way home from downtown, where both jamie and I worked, and after I started staying at home with the kiddos where he continued to work. It was an easy weeknight pick up and a frequent pregnancy craving — although then i would limit myself to veggie rolls and cooked crab/shrimp.

It’s still an oft requested celebration meal, or kiddo lunch date. And it’s no coincidence that our favorite local himitsu’s head chef came from ota, and was our favorite chef at the bar.

First up is always, and I mean always, the crispy eggplant spicy tuna. We love it so much, I created my own version during the covid years.

It used to be only on the special menu, or secret menu. It was also four pieces, but now, it’s on the regular appetizer menu and only two pieces. Which is fantastic when I am lunching with the kiddos who don’t like it. If there are more than one of you eating it- you need at least two pieces a person.

Tempura fried eggplant, topped with spicy tuna, eel sauce and tobiko. It’s literally the perfect bite. No kidding, the last time dylan and I were there and I ordered it the diners on both sides of us asked what it was, proceeded to order it for themselves, and then profusely thank me. Get the crispy eggplant.

nigiri: blue fin tuna, tuna, salmon, salmon belly, red snapper
avocado maki roll

Sushi ota is where I first learned of the wonder that is salmon belly. And I can’t even express to you the flavor bomb when compared to plain old salmon nigiri. Shout out to my friend heather who read a review that highlighted both sushi ota and their salmon belly decades ago.

We always get a smattering of nigiri - I always get the red snapper, because it’s my favorite, and sadly other sushi spots don’t have it. Neither does our local fishmonger, although it doesn’t stop me from asking.

And always always a cut avocado roll - because socal and avocados.

diego roll: spicy tuna and cilantro roll topped with chopped jalapeno

All the adults and most of the child love this roll. My oldest two have been known to eat 4 of them in one sitting. Not kidding. It’s the addition of cilantro for me. Something about that with the spicy tuna and the chopped jalapenos just takes a spicy tuna roll to a whole new level.

double double tuna: spicy tuna and green onion roll topped with seared spicy tuna and eel sauce

This is a relatively, “new to us” roll, that has fast become another family favorite. If you can’t tell - everyone ‘round here loves spicy tuna, in all iterations. So this is a perfect roll for us. I also personally love the hit of scallions.

And now, I’m craving sushi.