Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » KUMI – San Diego
KUMI - San Diego
Photo from KUMI
KUMI at a glance
San Diego Kearny Mesa
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 90 of the guests
#261 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#16 Japanese Restaurant out of 36 in San Diego
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
438
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality food
- Friendly service
- Good ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Tip issues
- Service inconsistency
- Lunch pricing
The restaurant KUMI Sushi Grill, a popular Japanese Restaurant in San Diego’s vibrant Kearny Mesa neighborhood, invites you to discover a truly authentic dining experience. You’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for any occasion.
Beyond the delicious sushi and grill options, you can also enjoy a great tea selection, making it a standout spot for both foodies and tea enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, this spot has you covered.
Overview: Introducting KUMI
KUMI offers a dining experience where the culinary creations often take center stage, delighting patrons with their flavors and quality. Many guests have highlighted the deliciousness of the food, often noting generous portions and well-prepared dishes that leave a lasting impression.
Beyond the plate, the establishment is frequently praised for its attentive and friendly service, with staff members often going the extra mile to ensure a pleasant visit. The overall atmosphere is generally described as inviting, clean, and comfortable, contributing positively to the dining experience.
Good
7.8
out of 10
438
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
68
negative
24
neutral
346
positive
KUMI achieves a solid overall Restaurant Score of 7.8, indicating a generally positive reception among diners. This is supported by a strong Customer Satisfaction rate of 79%, suggesting most guests leave content with their experience.
These figures are drawn from a substantial pool of 438 customer observations, with 346 positive remarks outweighing 68 negative ones. The culinary aspect shines brightest, with Food scoring an impressive (8.1).
Service also performs well at (7.7), reflecting the staff’s efforts. The Ambience contributes positively with a score of (7.5), creating a pleasant setting.
However, Value registers as average at (6.2), suggesting some guests find the pricing a point of consideration.
What people like
- Delicious, quality food
- Attentive, friendly service
- Pleasant, clean ambiance
What people don't like
- Mandatory tip issues
- Inconsistent service experiences
- Expensive lunch deals
If you prioritize well-executed Japanese and Korean-fusion dishes and appreciate attentive service in a comfortable setting, KUMI is certainly worth considering. The strong Recommendation Score of 8.1 suggests a high likelihood that you’ll enjoy your meal here.
However, be mindful of potential pricing concerns, particularly regarding lunch deals or mandatory tips, which some guests have noted. While the food and service are generally strong, occasional inconsistencies in service have been reported.
Overall, it’s a place that delivers on its culinary promise.
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Verdict: Our expert take on KUMI
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
Diners are consistently impressed with the food here, which scores a 8.1 and boasts a 83.4% customer satisfaction rate, reflecting widespread approval across 211 positive remarks. Guests rave about the diverse menu, highlighting the excellent sushi, comforting ramen, and satisfying bento box options, all praised for their remarkable freshness and quality. However, a smaller number of 26 concerns point to some areas for improvement.
A few experiences mention inconsistency in cooking, with issues like rubbery fish and rice being off. Some found certain rolls to be mediocre, suggesting that not every dish hits the mark for all patrons.
Food
253
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
26
negative
16
neutral
211
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, delicious food
- Diverse sushi options
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent cooking
- Rubbery fish texture
- Subpar rice quality
Often praised
- foodLoved the food!! Definitely a great spot for some great bento.
- sushiMy experience at Kumi Cafe was a delicious sushi dinner. They offer a large menu with many options, and we focused on their sushi.
- rollsThe rolls were incredibly tasty
- sushi rollsMy experience at this restaurant was characterized by good prices and decent, if unremarkable, food. However, the great selection, including all the standard sushi rolls, was a definite highlight. The recommended dish was Gyoza.
- fishMy experience at this restaurant was very, very good. The food was of really good quality, especially the fish, and especially for the price. Being a small business, you know the food is gas.
- portionsthe portions were well done and I feel full
- Dragon rollDragon roll, chicken ramen, dynamite roll
- Finding NemoThe Finding Nemo and Moonlight we excellent!
- TempuraI recommend their Tempura
- drinksMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the good customer service and the delicious authentic Japanese food & drinks. They also offer other cuisines, like jalapeño poppers.
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food took a long time to come out
- riceThe rice was a bit more chewy than I like
- rollsrolls were mediocre at best
- Japanese cuisineworst Japanese cuisine I ever been to
- SashimiSashimi was not fresh
- alcohol selectionThe alcohol selection is lacking unfortunately
- edamameThe edamame, priced at $7. 50 for about half a pound, seemed pre-boiled rather than sautéed, despite the description. However, the sauce for the spicy edamame was quite good, though it required digging through the pile to access.
- fishThe fish is rubbery
- flakesToo many flakes on it.
- hot green tearequested a hot green tea with my meal which I never received
If you're seeking a spot with a wide array of fresh and delicious Japanese and Korean-fusion dishes, especially sushi, ramen, and bento boxes, this place is definitely worth a visit. While there might be occasional inconsistencies, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests a satisfying culinary experience awaits.
Service (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
The service here generally shines, with a good score of 7.7 and 76% customer satisfaction. Many of the 92 positive comments out of 121 total praise the staff for being incredibly attentive and efficient, often describing the experience as having amazing service that makes you feel right at home. However, not every experience is perfect.
A smaller number of 27 comments mention instances where guests felt ignored, received the wrong order, or encountered unfriendly staff who seemed annoyed. While these are fewer, they suggest there's still room for consistency.
Service
121
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
27
negative
2
neutral
92
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Efficient, quick service
- Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- Wrong orders received
- Feeling ignored
- Unfriendly servers
Often praised
- serviceAs native San Diegans and true foodies, we were impressed by our experience at Kumi. If you're looking for delicious Japanese and Korean-fusion classics, fast and friendly service, and affordable prices, we highly recommend visiting! The owner revamped the space with a modern, cute aesthetic.
- staffThe fresh, flavorful ingredients and creative combinations delighted my palate. The service was top-notch, with attentive, knowledgeable staff happily guiding me through the menu. They expertly answered questions, offered pairing suggestions, and ensured a seamless dining experience.
- JoshJosh is a complete gentleman and answered every question I had
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the good customer service and the delicious authentic Japanese food & drinks. They also offer other cuisines, like jalapeño poppers.
- serversOur servers were super friendly
- peopleThey were helpful and went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed. It’s rare to find such a combination of great food and genuinely nice people. Highly recommend this place!
- Joey and StephanieMy mom and I came here for lunch while my sister was at Sharp Mary Birch. We had the pleasure of being served by Joey and Stephanie! We absolutely loved the teriyaki bento box and the rainbow roll!
- KitchenKitchen was fast on getting our order ready
- StaffStaff was welcoming and spot on
- StephanieStephanie was phenomenal!
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service was ok. ... they brought me the wrong order
- waiting timewas ignored and wasn't seated until after 2:00 PM
- ServerServer was a bit much. I don't need to be called boss 8 times
- orderThey messed up my order
- waitressAt the end of dinner, we found a small piece of metal fiber in our ramen 😔. All this makes me think the waitress brought us the same plate that she touched with her dirty hands so my daughter could eat it. 😠 It is definitely a place I would not return to again.
- ServiceService was nothing to write home about
- burdenHowever, the service was so-so. We felt like we weren’t really welcome and were more of a burden than anything. At the very least, we got our food fast and ate well.
- clearing tableswhile they were clearing tables
- interactionodd interaction when I first walked in
- place an orderupset when you want to place an order
Overall, the service here is a strong point, often making for a delightful visit. While there are occasional hiccups, the positive experiences far outweigh the negative, making it worth trying if you value attentive and friendly staff.
Ambience (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
The vibe here generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7.5 and customer satisfaction at a good 73.7%. Out of 38 comments, 28 were positive, praising the calming atmosphere, clean and modern aesthetic, and even convenient parking options. Many found the space charming, welcoming, and enjoyed the good music, making it a great meal spot.
However, there were 5 negative comments. Some found the building cold inside, and a few mentioned the music being annoying, which could set a less-than-ideal ambiance. There was also a specific note about a single gender-inclusive bathroom stall often being occupied, which could be a minor inconvenience for some.
Ambience
38
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
5
negative
5
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Calming atmosphere
- Clean, modern vibe
- Convenient parking
What people don't like
- Cold interior
- Annoying music
- Occupied bathroom
Often praised
- atmosphereliked how it’s designed to be like a diner that serves Japanese food!
- ambianceThe ambiance is sleek, modern, and intimate
- cafeThe cafe is small and charming
- chill ambianceThe spot has a chill ambiance
- cleanit was clean
- clean placeIt seemed like a clean place
- cozy placeReally nice and cozy place
- energy hereThe energy here gives my living room energy
- environmentenjoying the environment
- good musicgood music playing on low
Frequently criticized
- ambiancesets a terrible ambiance
- building was coldthe building was cold
- cold insidecold inside
- gender-inclusive bathroom stallsingle gender-inclusive bathroom stall there seemed to be occupied
- musicmusic is annoying
Overall, the ambiance is a strong point for this place, offering a mostly positive and welcoming environment. If youre looking for a clean spot with good parking and a modern, chill vibe, its definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that the temperature or music might not be to everyone's taste.
Value (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners find the pricing quite agreeable, with 15 positive remarks out of 26 total. Guests frequently praise the affordable and fair pricing, noting that the food is often reasonably priced and offers good portions without breaking the bank. It seems you can get a delicious meal here that feels like a real steal!
However, the value isn't universally loved, contributing to an average score of 6.2 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 57.7%. Some experiences mention the restaurant being on the expensive or pricey side, especially concerning certain lunch deals or when a mandatory tip is added to the bill, leading to unexpected costs.
Value
26
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Fair pricing
- Good value
What people don't like
- Mandatory tip
- Can be expensive
- Pricey lunch deals
Often praised
- priceI had the tempura udon noodles, which were incredibly flavorful. The portion size was generous, and the price was very fair for the amount of food received. I definitely recommend going here!
- pricesAs native San Diegans and true foodies, we were impressed by our experience at Kumi. If you're looking for delicious Japanese and Korean-fusion classics, fast and friendly service, and affordable prices, we highly recommend visiting! The owner revamped the space with a modern, cute aesthetic.
- affordablefood is delicious and affordable
- affordable pricetake it here in affordable price
- fair pricingfair pricing is why I come here
- food pricefood is priced good
- pricedMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was great and very reasonably priced. The staff was incredibly welcoming and spot on with their service.
- reasonable pricereasonable price
Frequently criticized
- mandatory tipit’s too much to pay a mandatory tip as an extra meal
- billasked to correct the bill the server agreed, but then brought me the change for the original incorrect receipt
- expensiveSo expensive
- lite lunchfor my lite lunch I'm running $28 pre tip
- lunch dealtheir lunch deal is expensive. 20$ for 3 1/4 sushi rolls? Terrible deal.
- lunch special rollslunch special rolls are around $20
- priceI’ve been here twice now, and I definitely recommend this spot! It’s a little on the pricey side, but the food is delicious. The sushi rolls are HUGE!
- price pointat a higher price point
- tip on billadded a tip on our bill that made it super expensive
Overall, this spot offers decent value, especially if you're looking for good food at an affordable price. Just be mindful of potential extra charges or specific menu items that some find a bit pricey, particularly around lunch specials or mandatory tips.
How are the prices at KUMI?
On average, you’ll spend around 29 per person – from 90 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners (47 out of 90) are right in that $21–$30 sweet spot, with a good number (24) also opting for the slightly lower $11–$20 range. This shows prices really cluster around the mid-range, offering a consistent experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 90 reviews.
How this Japanese restaurant’s value compares to similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Japanese restaurant, especially considering its in San Diego. Its a solid mid-range option where you know what to expect without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about KUMI
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Excellent Japanese Food and Huge Portions
My sister and I were craving Japanese food, so she suggested Kumi Sushi Grill. I ordered a bento box with chicken teriyaki, yellowtail sashimi, and mixed tempura. My sister also got the chicken teriyaki bento box with mixed tempura, and fried gyoza.
The Bento boxes come with miso soup and we also ordered Green Tea. Everything was excellent. They give you 3 big pieces of yellowtail sashimi that melted like butter and their tempura was awesome.
The portion sizes are huge; we should have split a box. You can see how much food my sister had in her to-go box. Mine was just as much food but not as pretty.
I highly recommend this place.
- chicken teriyaki9
- yellowtail sashimi10
- mixed tempura9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
8
Great Salmon, Crunchy Roll Needs Tweaks
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, with the Salmon being a standout dish, as great as always. The Crunchy roll was different this time, but still good. I did notice too many flakes on it, and next time I'll ask for it to be light on flakes.
Overall, the food was rated a 4, service a 4, and atmosphere a 4.
- Salmon9
- Crunchy roll7
- flakes4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Amazing Sushi Experience!
This is my new favorite sushi spot north of the 8 freeway! The customer service is amazing! Our waiter Josh was so kind and thorough, it was so nice to experience this since it doesn’t happen very often these days!
The food was amazing and I highly recommend eating here!
- customer service10
- waiter Josh10
- food10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Homie, Welcoming, and Best Service Ever!
My experience at this restaurant was incredibly positive. The atmosphere is so homie and welcoming, giving off a "living room energy" that makes you want to stay and chat for hours. The food is always fresh and delicious.
What truly sets this place apart is their service, which is honestly the best I've ever had, even when traveling internationally. A special shout-out to the waiter, Josh, who is the "face of the place" and always remembers my order. He's a beautiful person inside and out, and truly the best waiter.
The entire team is wonderful!
- atmosphere10
- food10
- service10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
2
Wrong Order, Mediocre Rolls
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The rolls were mediocre at best. To make matters worse, I received the wrong order.
I ordered two specialty rolls but was given two California rolls instead.
- rolls2
- wrong order1
What KUMI offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Kids' menu
- Has changing table(s)
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience and amenities can you expect at KUMI Sushi Grill in San Diego?
At KUMI Sushi Grill, you can enjoy a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere with options for dine-in, takeout, or delivery. They offer outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, and a gender-neutral restroom. You’ll also find plenty of free parking, making your visit convenient and comfortable.
Are there healthy, vegan, or family-friendly options available at KUMI Sushi Grill?
Absolutely! KUMI Sushi Grill provides a range of healthy, vegan, and vegetarian options, alongside small plates perfect for sharing. For families, they offer a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables, ensuring a comfortable experience for everyone.
How does KUMI generally rate among customers?
KUMI holds a strong overall Restaurant Score of 7.8, with Food leading at (8.1), followed by Service (7.7), and Ambience (7.5). Value scores (6.2), indicating it’s generally well-regarded.
What do customers enjoy most about KUMI's food?
Many customers praise the delicious sushi and rolls, often highlighting the good quality fish and generous portions. Specific dishes like the Dragon roll and Finding Nemo are also frequently mentioned positively.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks at KUMI?
Some diners have expressed concerns regarding mandatory tips and the pricing of certain lunch deals. Additionally, there are occasional reports of inconsistent service, such as incorrect orders or feeling overlooked.