Tsuruhashi Japanese BBQ

Neighborhood:  Kearney Mesa, San Diego

Price: $$-$

Vibe: Small, casual and lively – make reservations. Japanese room dividers separate most of the tables for a little privacy. Can accommodate larger parties of 8-10 with beer towers to boot!

If you’ve read anything else in this blog, you’ll know that I’m kind of obsessed with Asian food.  There is so much to explore in this cuisine!  I promise I won’t stop until I’ve tried it all….at least that’s the goal.  Which brings me to my discovery of Japanese BBQ.  I’m sure that you’ve tried or at least heard of Korean BBQ. Where you are seated at a table with a mini grill in the middle where you cook and flip the meat yourself. A lot of Korean BBQ joints offer an “all-you-can-eat” menu, and while this is delicious, it can sometimes feel like quantity over quality. Japanese BBQ is not the all-you-can-eat type of fare.  You still order meats and cook it yourself, but as you can imagine when it comes to anything with Japanese, it’s meticulous.  The cuts of meat are perfect morsels - probably cut and defined for both the perfect cook and the perfect bite.  It’s an experience.  One that you must try at least once.

Tsuruhashi is in a little strip mall off Convoy Street in Kearney Mesa – where most of the authentic hole-in-the-wall gems are found in San Diego.  You’ll immediately be greeted by the warm buzzing atmosphere of the BBQs sizzling and the diners happily engrossed in conversation as you walk in the door.  The tables are all separated by large booths and wall-hangings, so you are able to stuff your face in privacy. 

The food options are many and there is really nothing that isn’t good – some of the more ethnic options (tongue, intestine, heart) are not for me, so this won’t be a review of those menu items. But we did try a lot of food and had a lot of fun cooking and eating it.

Our order:

Assorted Kimchi

Assorted Seasoned Vegetable

Waygu shortrib

Waygu sirloin

Prime Cap Rib Eye

Onion Prime Rib

Garlic in butter

Stone Pot Bibimbap

Assorted Kimchi and Assorted Vegetables

To start, I suggest getting the assorted seasoned vegetable and the assorted kimchi (if you like kimchi).  These are great appetizers – the assorted vegetable is unique and fun to try, featuring a small sampling of bean sprouts (LOVE), Royal Fern and spinach.  Try this.  The kimchi sampler is the same with 4 different types of kimchi made with different types of cabbage.  These are also great to eat with your meats as you BBQ!

Another side dish that is fabulous and goes well with the meats is the Stone Pot Bibimbap.  All vegetarian, this comes out in a sizzling stone pot.  I recommend letting the server stir and serve it up for you.  Lots of unique flavors and spice in this yummy side.

For BBQ, they were having a special on the Waygu – so we simply could not pass that up!  We don’t always go so bougie…well, that’s kind of a lie, we love to splurge at Food Club!

Waygu Short Rib

Onion Prime Rib

There really are no rules when it comes to how and when you want to BBQ.  What we like to do is cook each cut of meat at the same time.  The grill is not that big, so it’s not meant to smother with loads of meat. Take your time with Japanese BBQ and savor each bite, the meat deserves it.  Because the pieces are small, they do tend to cook fast, so keep an eye on your gill!  A couple of minutes on each side is all you need, typically.  I like to alternate between the dipping sauces as I enjoy what we pull off the grill.  All of the meats are fabulous and if you don’t feel like splurging on the Waygu (which is absolutely divine by the way), I highly recommend the Prime Rib!

BBQ, drink, and eat to your heart’s content!  And repeat.

Do you have a favorite order at Japanese BBQ? Share it with us!

Tsuruhashi

3904 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111