A couple of months back, I saw this "sushi" shop while driving down Fifth Avenue.
It wasn't the "sushi" sign that caught my eye, but the name, "Makai"….hmmm, in Hawaiian it means "toward the sea"….versus "Mauka" which means "toward the mountains". At least that's what struck me when I saw that sign. So, I got back home and did that Google thingy and read that the owner is originally from Kauai. And then he opened a shop in Hillcrest? Kinda interesting.
I've mentioned hating the parking in Hillcrest in other posts and even though I'm quite "niele", seeing a menu with all kinds of "rolls", and poke bowls, etc…..the only thing that I was curious about was the ahi poke. And since the place opens at noon and is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays….well, I just wasn't that motivated to deal with the parking situation and the crowds. Until…..I recently had an appointment in Hillcrest which would be finished just before noon. Seemed like the perfect opportunity to check the place out. I walked on over arriving just after the clock struck twelve.
And like I said…taking a look at the menu, there was really only one thing I was interested in.
I walked on into the tiny restaurant and the counter and placed an order for the Ahi Bowl ($20) with the sweet and very nice young lady that was working.
The owner, Matt, came on over and he spoke major pidgin! So, we wen talk story. He's from Poipu on Kauai! I asked him what brought him to San Diego and he told me that he one local kine sushi place in a market in Poipu (I found this in the online HAL guide) with the same name. And then Covid happened and his business was gone. He decided to move to San Diego and open up the same kind of place. But why Hillcrest? Well, he told me that he wasn't looking in the area, but Hillcrest found him! And he's doing good business here. Good for him!
I got my poke bowl, thanked the both of them, and den wen hele…….
I really liked the folks at Makai, so I truly hoped this wasn't going to be one of those mainland "Chi-poke" kinda bowls, you know, 2 ounces of fish, and then all kinds of "stuffs".
Well, upon opening, even though there was avocado, some greens, sort of kimchi like cucumber, it was mostly fish. Though there seemed to be a bit more "sauce" than I usually like.
There was a good amount of decently cooked rice. I could have done without the "wasabi aioli" and the overly sweet unagi sauce. I guess I just wanted some good shoyu poke? The fish danced close to the edge of being over-sauced, but avoided falling off that cliff. I did enjoy the creaminess of the avocado and the mild sour-spice of the cucumber.
The fish was of decent quality, not the best, but tender, and most importantly, without all the "sugi"; the chewy connective tissue.
I enjoyed the addition of tobiko as it added another layer of textural contrast and some good, mild saltiness to the poke.
While not quite as good as It's Raw or HFS in my opinion….though I gotta return to HFS soon. I prefer this to 8th and B or Poke Etc, and definitely over all those "chi-poke" places.
If it were in my 'hood, I'd probably visit periodically. Especially since the folks here are so welcoming…..Matt does display that "Aloha Spirit"!
As it is; if I'm passing thru and hit the parking lot-tery, I'll stop by again.
Makai Sushi
3968 5th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
Current Hours:
Thurs – Mon 12pm – 7pm
Closed Tues – Wed
The Hawaiian translation makes a lot more sense. In Japanese Makai means Hell or demon world!
Lol Junichi! I didn’t even think about that! Well, if the poke was terrible, I could have gone with the Japanese translation! ;o)
Looks good
I recall they got named one of the top sushi spots in the U.S. by Yelp last year. Had a similar experience when I visited a few months back, for the same reason. I was in the area for a weekday appointment and lucked out with a metered spot across the street. The owner is super friendly and I find his story of how/why he left Kauai interesting. Overall I was satisfied with the poke bowl, though I still prefer HFS for San Diego poke options. That spot is a tough location for restaurants, hope they do well.
I haven’t tried 8th and B yet. Isn’t that the same owner as Zarlito’s? I walked by the other day while I was in the neighborhood, but I had already eaten lunch. Honestly, I’m more curious to try Sabor Piri Piri next door.
Look pretty good. Not ready for the sushi burrito mash up. That’s a fusion too far for me.
It was pretty good ST!
Yes, what I gathered from 8th and B is that it used to be the folks from Zarlitos….I could tell by the poke as well.
/2024/02/12/8th-and-b-poke-national-city/
I need to try the brick and mortar Sabor Piri Piri too. I’ve had food from their stand in the Hillcrest Farmers Market.
/2021/07/02/the-seven-bridges-walk-hillcrest-farmers-market-and-sabor-piri-piri/
It’s pretty good and worth trying if you’re in the area Kenneth. Though, like you, I’m not quite ready for a “sushi” burrito!
hope the parking gods will give you a stall the next time you are in the area
Wow, in Hillcrest huh
I hope so Kat! ;o)
Yes Franklin. Hope you get to check them out!
Hillcrest parking actually isn’t bad if you go on a weekend. You can easily find free street parking along any of the streets north of Washington like 1st, 3rd, Lewis, etc. Weekdays before 7pm require a permit or visitor pass. In that case, you can try the underground garage across from Makai where the Sushi Roll Land is. Not free, but it’s convenient.
Thanks for the tips Eric! My office used to be in the area and all recall are needing the parking permits……