(858) 450-3355

8960 University Center Ln
San Diego, CA 92122 32.8704 -117.2253

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Neighborhoods: University City, Northern, Northern San Diego

CAFEJAPENGO.COM

Hours:

Monday To Friday From 11:30 AM To 02:00 PM Sunday To Saturday From 05:30 PM To 12:00 AM

Last updated 6.23.11

Category:

Restaurants

Cuisine:

Japanese, Asian, Sushi, Mexican

What People Are Saying About Cafe Japengo

Featured Review

Amy Eddo

Contributor

In Short – The Asian-themed dining room, oriental décor and classic Japanese artwork ready diners for Pacific Rim fusion cuisine and sushi specialties. The cobblestone floor is modeled after a river bed and flows onto the intimate outdoor patio where al fresco diners sip sake and nosh on spring rolls. If seafood isn't your taste, try the roasted coconut chicken with pineapple fried rice or fire roasted BBQ pork. –

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Happy hour is available Monday through Friday from 5-7pm and features half priced California, Philly and cucumber rolls, $3.50 drafts and well drinks.
Look good:
Though a casual atmosphere, this is a "be seen" hang-out, so step up your wardrobe.
Save time:
Expect a wait at the sushi bar on busy nights. For the main dining room, reservations are recommended.
Parking:
Valet is recommended, but 3 hour underground parking is validated at the restaurant.
The Extras:
There are vegetarian dishes available among seafood, meat and poultry selections.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The crowd was good, wait staff friendly and decor nice.
  2. Service was prompt and the atmosphere was good!
  3. The atmosphere is very nice and it is dimly lit.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. Japengos has a great sushi bar, cocktail bar and a number of seating areas.
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. Cafe Japengo has good sushi as well as other Asian dishes.
  2. also ordered a Fifty-Fifty roll which was also very tasty!
  3. Japengos has a great sushi bar, cocktail bar and a number of seating areas.
  4. think the sushi is pretty good here even though it's a bit out of my area.
service
100.0% positive
  1. The crowd was good, wait staff friendly and decor nice.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/04/10

Great Sushi!

by Christina G6 at Citysearch

This place has great people, great staff and best of all-- great sushi! I love the Hawaiian roll-- simply amazing! This is a great place to go for a special occasion!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/10/07

Best Pizza Roll!

by jazf at Citysearch

I went to Cafe Japengo for a birthday celebration and let me tell you, this place is upscale and finely decorated. I order Pizza rolls, if available, at any sushi restaurant I visit. Hands down Cafe Japengo has the best Pizza roll! I also ordered a Fifty-Fifty roll which was also very tasty! This roll has many things going, highly recommended!

Service was prompt and the atmosphere was good! Highly recommended for special occassions.

  • Pros: Atmosphere and Sushi
  • Cons: Price and valet parking
3 Star Rating: Average

03/02/07

Don't go for happy hour

by grrlt at Citysearch

My friend and I are always looking for new happy hour spots in San Diego. She suggested Cafe Japengo. We went for happy hour on a Thursday and sat in the bar. The crowd was good, wait staff friendly and decor nice. We didn't make it by 7pm and missed out on the food and beverage discount. We tried again a few weeks later on a Wednesday and I wish I never had. We ordered the calamari, spicy tuna roll and a couple of drinks. After we ate, we were ready to order a couple more drinks before 7pm rolled around, but the waitress handed us our bill basically cutting us off. Then I went home thinking all was good, but I found myself hovering over the toilet around midnight. I talked to my friend the next day and she said she threw up also. My guess is they use left over fish for the happy hour rolls, because our spicy tuna roll was mashed up and not sashimi grade fish. Needless to say, I will not return.

  • Pros: Decor, people
  • Cons: Bad Happy Hour sushi, parking

The Details on Cafe Japengo

Place Categories:

  • very nice atmosphere
  • very tasty fiftyfifty roll
  • good sushi
  • elegant place
  • friendly wait staff
  • good other asian dishes
  • good crowd
  • great cocktail bar
  • great sushi bar
  • recommended highly
  • nice decor

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