KakuBites
Okan Diner is a Japanese diner in Clairemont Mesa serving homey cooking and drinks. While the atmosphere is warm and the service is great, the kitchen’s execution was hit-or-miss during our visit.
The Hits (Order These)
Chicken Katsu Curry: Outstanding. The cutlet was golden-crisp and served over hot rice and comforting curry. A well-executed classic.
Chicken Thigh Yakitori: Hot, juicy, and delicious.
Uni (Sea Urchin): The standout of the Chirashi bowl, which melted at first taste.
The Misses
Pork Belly Yakitori: Unevenly cooked and tough.
Oroshi Hamburg: The patty was smaller than expected, and the accompanying corn on the cob was served cold, which was an odd choice.
Saba Bento: The portion of grilled mackerel was small, and the texture/flavor was slightly sour and soft. It didn’t come together for me.
Service & Venue
⭐️ Special thanks to Shin for his personable and attentive service. The interior is inviting, with warm wood paneling and tables that give it a cozy feel.
Overall
A standard Japanese spot with some standout dishes but noticeable consistency issues. Recommend researching the popular dishes ahead of time to avoid the “misses.”
… moreLiam Leeson
Okan Diner in San Diego offers a welcoming spot for Japanese comfort food, especially if you’re craving curry. The curry I had was hearty and flavorful, with tender chunks of meat, potatoes, and carrots in a rich, mildly spiced sauce served over sticky rice—perfect for a satisfying meal without being too heavy. The dining area feels casual and cozy, with friendly staff who explain the menu highlights quickly and keep things moving during busy hours. It’s a great neighborhood vibe, ideal for solo diners or small groups looking for authentic home-style eats. The curry stood out for its balanced taste, not overly sweet or greasy like some versions, and came with a side of pickled veggies for a fresh contrast.Portions are generous, and simple sides like miso soup added to the comforting experience. Situated conveniently in the heart of San Diego, it’s easy to access and offers solid value with meals that leave you full and happy. While the space is straightforward without fancy frills, the quality of the curry and efficient service make it worth a return visit.
… moreViviana Martinez
A friend recommended this, we came in, took a while to order from a very interesting and diverse menu. We ordered udon, shishito peppers, the spicy tuna roll and the house sake. Everything was delicious.
… moreGabriel Lee
We have been coming here for decades, and I don’t normally leave 1-star reviews, but we were thoroughly disappointed today with their food, service, and the atmosphere.
Salad was NOT fresh, the shrimps were too small / thin, and there were multiple flies flying around us.
… moremasqueradetea
Shin single-handedly saved an entire orphanage, carried an Olympic torch from saving a world leader, received the Nobel Peace prize, all before being the best server here. 11/10 thank you for handling our party of 12.
… moreBritley Smith
I owe Shin, our waiter for tonight, a life debt for the best service I’ve ever had at a restaurant in my life. He single handedly grew our crops, raised our children, did our homework, made us laugh, and got us our food in record time still steaming. He wins a gold record in serving and if he has a boss who is reading this, he deserves a raise and also maybe a smooch on the cheek. The food was stunning and the prices were great, amazing, will come here again (mostly for Shin)
… moreAshley LeBourveau-Truong
Super cozy, laidback restaurant, with lots of great Japanese comfort food. The menu is pretty diverse so you can find some dishes here that aren’t as common to see, and there’s a good drink selection too. We really enjoyed our dinner.
… moreAlicia Yuan
Highly recommend the udon. First bite it made me feel like it’s Mac and cheese and the more I ate, I felt like it’s Alfredo. Super creamy and unique. The salmon roll is very fresh. And the chicken in the curry is super crispy. We finished the three dishes with two adults!
… moreDrew Tschirki
Great food, service and experience. Very authentic Japanese food. We went right before 7 on a Thursday and it wasn’t terribly busy. We were able to get seated quickly. Their appetizer menu is huge and we ordered the beef tongue, the fried nankotsu (chicken cartilage), and the pan fried onigiri (rice ball) with miso, which were all fantastic. For our main courses, my wife ordered the fried kaki (oyster) and I had the chicken nanban, a fried chicken with a tartar sauce style topping. Everything was fantastic that we tried and I wanted to try more. Next time we’re in San Diego we will definitely be back.
… moreDavid Dedios
When I stepped in they were playing Japanese music from the past few years so huge nostalgia factor to start. Their menu was authentic and the atmosphere definitely fit the bill. The servers were kind and asked if I needed anything or needed to order more food. I thoroughly enjoyed the yakitori, udon, and unagi rice biwl I ordered. Would definitely recommend and plan on eating here again.
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