Kaga Sushi is one of those hidden gems tucked away in a suburb of San Diego in Chula Vista. Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area and only 10-15 minutes from the Mexico border. It used to be a very unpleasant part of the city but with the recent development in real estate and shopping malls, it is slowly becoming one of the most popular places to live in the San Diego metropolitan area. The San Diego Chargers even considered moving to Chula Vista at one point but I guess that never came to fruition.
So let me tell you about Kaga Sushi. It is by far one of the most controversial restaurants in the San Diego area. Here are some reviews from Yelp:
1. "Really, a zero stars. yep, all the things you read about the discrimination is true. try it if you haven't had your dose of humility. Kaga can stick a chopstick up there ass sideways."
2. "Very bad. And for your information..I will not "bow down" to anyone to get a seat or say the "secret word." We are in America and I will say hello, please, thank you and so should the proprietors. What is going on here??"
3. "I wish I spoke Japanese. And had more money. Cuz then I'd eat here more. DEFINITELY the freshest sushi I've ever had."
4. "This is the best sushi in all of the world. Its a pretty bold statement but for me im willing to make it. The menu is in Japanese and they have a small sign that says 'we do not serve california rolls'."
Catch on yet? Long story short, Kaga Sushi is a very authentic Japanese sushi restaurant operated by an elderly couple that refuses to serve fusion rolls and california rolls. It's actually very unfortunate because this couple is accused daily of being racist when it is not about racism at all. It's about pride, authenticity and respect for the Japanese sushi culture. Yes, I'm sure they could do a better job of explaining this to their patrons but with limited English, they've chose to turn away customers who are not Japanese or do not understand the term "omakase." The joke is that as long as you enter the restaurant and say "omakase" (chef's choice), you will be seated. But of course, you will now have to eat whatever the chef serves which is not a problem for me. As far as how I got seated, my dad is a regular here. My dad is obviously Korean but speaks fluent Japanese and first dined here with a Japanese business partner. My dad has had his share of sushi all over the world and says Kaga Sushi is in the top three of all sushi restaurants.
This was my last night in San Diego before flying back to Seoul. Couldn't have asked for a better send off dinner. My lovely mother in front of Kaga Sushi.
For some, this is all they see before getting shoo'd away.
No English. No Menu. That right there is the menu.
"Reserved." Sort of.. kind of.. hope you catch on to what I'm trying to say.
The man. The myth. The legend.
"Omakase o kudasai!"
Prep the stomach with some Asahi Super Dry.
Tako Tsukenomo
Akami. Thing is literally glowing.
So you know what? Fresh fish is fresh fish. But what differentiates this place from all others? That rice. That rice is to die for. Room temperature, slightly salty, slightly sweet with a touch of vinegar-like flavor. Amazing.
Hamachi
Still not sure what this fish is. I just keep quite and eat when I come to this place lol.
Pickled Nasu (Eggplant)
DAMN good.
Ebi. Look at the size of that thing.
Home-made Miso.
Amaebi
Let me pause here to explain this couple's story. So contrary to popular belief, this man's name is not Kaga. Kaga is actually a city located in the Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan and most likely where this couple came from. He was sent to the states in the '70s by the government of Japan to popularize the sushi culture in America. Sushi only recently became a fad in the late 90's/early 2000 in America so you can imagine the kind of negative feedback he may have encountered when he came here to popularize sushi. Perhaps this is why he refuses to serve the average American who wants california rolls, fusion rolls sprinkled with fancy sauces, etc. Don't get me wrong - I often enjoy eating fusion rolls but Kaga Sushi isn't your restaurant if that's what you are looking for.
Ok, back to the sushi. Ika.
Kani
Uni Maki
I prefer the sushi with uni on top but this was amazing as well.
The Unagi takes some time to prepare so we asked for it in advance. Cookin' in the toaster oven.
Holy mother of...
Served with tamago. Must be the last dish (tamago is typically the last piece of sushi served on an omakase)
In comparison to the length of a typical chopstick.
We could have asked for more (and pay more of course) but we were contently stuffed so we called it a meal.
There are three restaurants that I always look forward to in San Diego:
1. Tom Ham's Lighthouse Sunday Brunch
2. Sushi Ota
3. Kaga Sushi
If you are willing to eat whatever the chef serves, say the magic word "omakase," be respectful to the elderly couple, and lastly... enjoy some of the best sushi you'll ever taste.
출라비스타 카가 스시 (Chula Vista Kaga Sushi)
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