mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog, is being written by Cathy for the next few days; Kirk (and His Missus) are out and about, elsewhere.
Kirk visited Kotobuki in 2019, before Covid-19. It's in the same parking lot where La Miche Kabobgee had been and where Kahn's Cave Grill and Tavern still exists. This particular storefront had also been a Japanese restaurant, Wa Sushi.
There's plenty of parking on this end of the parking lot; the former Boll Weevil is closed.
The interior is spacious; there is only one waitress, so I think that is why they have limited seating.
Of course, we ordered hot tea ($2 each) and it was an excellent matcha, strong with a slight bitterness along with a slight sweetness. 
We decided to try the mixed tempura appetizer ($11). Properly fried, light, crisp and not oily at all. Potato slices, broccoli florets and carrot slices along with three large shrimp. This was a sizable appetizer portion we shared, using the house made, not salty tentsuyu dipping sauce. 
The Mister ordered the teriyaki chicken combo ($14) which came with miso soup. A better version-not watered down and containing thicker seaweed slices along with tofu cubes. Flavorful in a not-salty way.
The chicken itself was breast meat, so a tiny bit dry. The teriyaki sauce was house made and not sticky sweet; pleasant. The carrots and broccoli (same as from the tempura) were a nice side along with the rice.
I ordered the sashimi salad ($20) which had very fresh and fatty salmon, soft yellowtail and excellent tuna on top of greens (which included the thick seaweed that was in the soup) and a pleasant (again, house made) ginger-sesame dressing. An excellent lunch salad.
A great Japanese restaurant with only one waitress and two working in the kitchen along with a steady amount of to-go orders, so be patient; it's worth it.
Kotobuki 9340 Clairmont Mesa Blvd San Diego 92123 Website (858) 737-4267 Open Tues-Sat 11:30-2, 5-8 Closed Sunday and Monday
This was a nice bowl. The highlights were the wonderful soft poached egg, which added a wonderful creaminess to things. And the noodles, slippery, springy, with a nice chewiness. This was much better than expected. The broth didn't seem hot enough for me, though I did like how the soy sauce, and light sweetness balanced out the dashi in the "BK" (I remember when they called this, ahem bukakke) sauce.
The scallions are a must as they add a bit of "sharpness" to things, though the agedama really helps with textural contrast initially, it'll get soggy quick, though it does add another range of textures to things. As for the beef, which is like beef teriyaki, they call it "sweet beef" on the menu and they weren't kidding. It was chewy and overly sweet for my taste.
Since I arrived before 11, I took a stroll around the strip mall. It was quite interesting. Back in 
Hot tea is now $1 per person (no complaints; it used to be free, then it was 25 cents for years).
Okonomiyaki ($8.95) was one of my choices this day. This savory pancake, filled with cabbage and eggs, a sort of egg foo young, crisp fried and served with Kewpie mayo and topped with bonito flakes. This could be a meal.
I also chose the agedashi tofu ($6.95) as an addition (since I knew The Mister and I would be sharing). The soft tofu cubes are dusted with cornstarch then lightly deep fried. It's served hot in a soy sauce/dashi/mirin broth. We do like the version here.
The Mister always pretends to read the menu then ends up ordering the Mabo Ramen ($11.95). Mabo is a salty-spicy sauce with a base of fermented beans and chili along with minced meat (pork). This is served with tofu cubes and pork broth over proper (springy, not mushy) ramen noodles. You could also order Mabo Udon or Mabo Soba (Chopstix is a Noodle House; everything can be customized).
One meal I enjoy here (especially on chilly days) is Nabeyaki Wafu with soba ($13.95). Nabeyaki is two shrimp tempura and a poached egg. It's served with soba noodles in the wafu (fish and soy) broth. Fishcake, shiitake mushrooms and green onions complete this bowl of soup and noodles, served in an iron kettle. This is a favorite order.
The interior is bright, rather spartan, and almost "fast-foodish". And to keep up with the times, you can order via menu or order and pay via QR code. The young lady, who was quite friendly also told me that there were special promotions for "online ordering" which was also reflected on the bottom of the menu.
The shrimp was served with a "Thousand Isle-ish" dressing. The shrimp was overcooked and dry; the potato strings while mildly crisp lacked seasoning. A fairly bland dish overall.
Well, let's just say, this reminded me 
The chashu had been marinated and charred. The flavor was not bad, but it was on the tough side.
This was an interesting dish. The tonkatsu was nicely breaded, quite crisp, the pork itself was moist, but mushy, and lacking in flavor. The texture was kind of strange and the taste was definitely in the "other white meat" category.
Man, I still really like the noodles here. It has that perfect ratio of chewiness to slippery pull and girth that I enjoy. The garlic paste went well with the tamago, which was nicely seasoned and still warm. It was a bit much for the broth; which had that nice tongue feel and savory tones I enjoyed previously. In the past it teetered on too salty, but today it was nicely balanced. The garlic paste was too bitter and messed up the balance of the broth. Man, the barrel aged shoyu does wonders for the broth adding a slightly sweet-umami "edge" to things.
I enjoyed this bowl and also the service. As things are now 
