Thank you for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! Cathy is writing for a few days while Kirk gathers intel for some interesting posts.
I did write about eating at one of the restaurants in Mitsuwa Food Court in 2016, I wrote about a pop up crepe/dessert place in 2013 and again in 2016, when it became a permanent storefront. Kirk wrote about the actual Market in 2006.
In reality, The Mister and I shop here quite often and try to have a bite to eat before walking down the aisles. 
There is almost always some sort of sale/display in the center entrance area. The two main restaurants are to your left.
Hokkaido Ramen Santuoka is a favorite stop, especially on these chilly, rainy days. 
The display of the menu -in plastic form-is mesmerizing. All bowls are available in small, regular and large sizes. 
Shio, soy sauce as well as the miso broths (non-spicy; I like to taste ingredients) are each milky, rich and strong flavored. The thin, fresh noodles are slightly firm. Each ingredient is fresh and perfect together. (This is a small size basic miso ramen ($11) you can order char siu, tonkatsu as well as a variety of sides or sets).
Santuoka open 11-7:30 in the Mitsuwa Food Court
The other restaurant, Musashiya, has an even larger display of Shokuhin Sampuru; an overwhelming menu and choice of items. Musashiya is owned by Mitsuwa. 
The #24, Chicken Katsu Set (the small food model photo is only 'off' by the color of the chicken breading) ($15) is large enough to share for a light lunch. Miso soup, potato salad, cabbage, pickles and omelet (tamago) along with a good portion of rice are each a compliment to the large piece of crispy chicken cutlet.
The tempura zaru soba ($12.80) has been a choice ever since I realized that soba noodles do not seem to affect my blood sugar level the way udon does. The two fritters (kakiage) of tempura vegetables with shrimp were very light and crisp.
The Sanzai soba ($12) is a bowl ordered when I don't want meat for a meal. The vegetables are Japanese parsley, bamboo shoots and mushrooms. Really tasty, filling and a bit different.
Musashiya 4240 Kearney Mesa Road San Diego 92111 Website
When you walk in the front door of Mitsuwa, to the right is J Crepes & Cafe.
Which, of course, has its own display of plastic food models. 
Strawberry crepe ($7.50) add vanilla ice cream ($1)
J Crepes & Cafe 4240 Kearny Mesa Road #119 San Diego 92111 (858) 292-5200
It's light and fluffy, but not "jiggly" like the Missus prefers. I pick up stronger cream cheese tones and strangely, I thought it could be a bit sweeter! It's also missing the slight almost citrus tanginess that we like. It is quite delicate. The Missus prefers this version slightly refrigerated.
We were instructed to start with the "naan", basically a buttery cube of flatbread with wonderfully flavored fowl in it. The skewered liver was wonderfully gamy and delicious. 
We started at the top right corner of this map (Green Line), changed to the Orange Line and after getting downtown, changed again to the Blue Line going North, ending up at the top left of this map. (Going home, we changed from the Blue to the Green Line)
It was sunny leaving Santee.
Then it got a bit cloudy when we hit downtown.
Many people left the Trolley at this stop, since it was closest to the Ballpark and the Padres had a playoff game.
By the time we were headed on the 'new' line, alongside Interstate 5, there was full fog.
We stayed on until the last stop, followed signage (and the other people who exited) to the Mall (through the parking lot) and eventually got to the Food Court, which overlooks the Ice Rink.
After checking all of the Food Court offerings, we decide on a meal and went off to order. The Mister stopped here, at Craft Pizza.
He ordered a Calzone with ham, sausage and mushrooms; an item going back to our dating days. This was excellent.
I went over to Kebab Grill and ordered a 'Lunch Special' advertised behind the cash register to the left in this photo.
Salad and
Lentil soup. Each was really good and made for a filling and complete meal. Then we started walking around the mall. 
The Mall has remained about the same, with new stores taking the place of old ones. There were some interesting vending machines.
Then we saw this. Had to stop.
A great selection of cookies, cupcakes, pastries and ice cream as well as hot and cold beverages. 
We shared a cup of coffee and a 
It was still overcast changing from the Blue Line to Green Line in Old Town.
Passing the new Snapdragon Stadium and back to sunshine by the time we got home.
There are a few choices of shaved ices along with three sizes (the prices are $9.75, $10.75 and $11.75). Topping combinations are varied and all sound good. I pointed at one on the laminated menu at the register. The cylinder shaped Q-mochi, potato balls (sweet potato/taro), jelly and mini mochi balls surrounding the ice cream topped fluffy milk soaked shaved ice made each bite unique. We ended up taking a lot home.
At the curve in the alleyway stood a little gelato shop. The Missus and I decided to take a short break here.
Good lord, this was so delici-yoso, perfectly roasted, the bones were bursting with buttery-beefy marrow, which just melted in your mouth. A perfect amount of salt and the herbs added layers of flavor. This was so darn good, that we immediately made reservations to return on our last night in Guanajuato.
Located at the 'corner' of the 
Walk up, order, pay and wait about five minutes. All items are made fresh.
One day, I had ordered my meal at another Food Court business and decided that my 'side dish' should be a cheddar-mozzarella ($4.45). This is probably now my favorite item here; quite large and wrapped in the delicious, slightly sweet fried dough. The condiments of 'cheddar cheese' and 'cheese mustard' are tasty additions to add a variety to each bite (I add condiments on the second half of most menu items, enjoying the intended flavors on the first bites).
One day I decided to try the Sausage Kkwabaegi ($3.25). Not very large, a good sausage surrounded by the same light, sweet dough. This was a nice snack. 
Of course, the traditional Kkwabagi (two for $4.49) are what most people order. The Mister chose matcha and ube flavors, saying he thought they were 'photographable'. Very true and very nice flavors. The matcha mixed with sugar had a nice 'background' flavor of green tea/tannin and the ube was lightly flavored but still the starch of ube was discernible. The light crunchy exterior and chewy interior of these yeasty, twisted doughnuts is enhanced because they are still warm when served. 
In 2016, Mahalo began as a shave ice food truck. It expanded into an Arizona franchise in 2020, along with catering events. The Zion Market storefront is the first brick and mortar location for this (now two location) locally owned business "inspired by the beauty of the Hawaiian people". 
The menu is simple; Five items.
The choice of flavors can be not as simple, depending on your cravings.
For this shave ice plate ($6), I chose li hing mui guava (li hing is the flavor of dried, salty plums) and tigers blood (strawberry, watermelon and coconut) flavors; not very photogenic but very tasty. Adding ice cream ($1) rounded out the plate.
