Where to Go for Good Food?

Since my partner and I moved to San Diego in mid February last year, we have been looking for good places to go, mostly for dinner, and are delighted to have found the following:

Asian Food

My partner and I both enjoy Burmese, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese. So we frequent the following eateries whenever the mood strikes:

1. Lana Thai Grill
   4501 Mission Bay Dr 1B, San Diego, CA 92109, (858) 274-8424
   https://lannathaicuisine.com/
   One of the most popular restaurants in Pacific Beach, this small place gets packed at dinner time on weekdays and weekends. So we try to get there by 6:30 to get the table without waiting. The food is excellent, reasonably priced, and the waiters provide excellent services.  Our favorite dishes here are Yum Yai Salad and Chicken Green Curry.
   
   
2. Pho Ca Dao Mission Valley
   2401 Fenton Pkwy #D104, San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 684-5129
   https://www.thephocadaogrill.com/
   The one we go to is located in the same shopping center as IKEA, CostCo, and Lowes. So it’s easy for us to stop by for early dinner. The soup for Pho Tai and Pho Ga are both quite savory served with fresh sprouts, Thai basil, and lime wedges. The portion is generous, and we typically get the large size and take half of the bowl home for lunch the next day. The delivery robots bring the food to the table without spilling any soup, and the waiters put them on the table to serve. Unlike many other Pho places we’ve been to, the service here is excellent. My friends enjoy the Bahmi sandwiches here. My favorite is the rich tasting Grilled Chicken Pho which comes with some tasty vegetables.
   
   
3. Steamy Piggy Convoy
   4681 Convoy St # A, San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 492-0401
   https://www.steamypiggy.com/
   This casual Chinese Fusion restaurant is one of the busiest eateries around Convoy St where many Asian restaurants vie for business. While this place is known for the Taiwan-style soup-filled dumplings, they also serve some of the best Ramen noodle bowls. Their Shio (salt) Ramen is absolutely the BEST ramen I’ve ever had this side of the Pacific Ocean. Friendly waiters are always very accommodating as well.
   
   
4. RAKIRAKI Ramen & Tsukemen Convoy
   4646 Convoy St, Ste 102-A, San Diego, CA 92111, (858) 771-7254
   https://rakirakiramen.com/
   This place stays open till 2 am almost every night seven days a week. Needless to say, this place is hopping after 9 pm when the other establishments are done for the night. The variety of dishes (mostly fusion Japanese) are unique, tasty, generously portioned, and reasonably priced. While I like Steamy Piggy’s Shio Ramen the best, I also enjoy RakiRaki’s Spicy Miso Ramen. My partner swears by their Karaage Chicken, which he orders every time we go there. I also enjoy their rice bowl dish, Organic Crispy Sesame Tofu & Setagaya Soboro Donburi, which is surprisingly rich, interestingly textured, and simply yummy. It’s been my go-to comfort food for some time.
   

5. Le Bambou
   https://lebambourestaurant.com/
   As a family-owned restaurant, Le Bambou has been serving Vietnamese cuisine to the San Diego/Del Mar area since 1986. Lightness and subtlety distinguish true Vietnamese cooking. They  use only 100% cholesterol-free canola oil when preparing their food, and they do not add MSG in any of their dishes. Their Pho Ga (Chicken Pho) is absolutely my favorite here, but I also enjoy many other dishes. The formal decor and excellent waiter services make you feel like you’re dining at a more expensive place but the prices here are very reasonable.
   
   
6. Sushi Yorimichi 1 & 2
   2405 Ulric St, San Diego, CA 92111, (858) 279-6868
   https://www.sushiyorimichi.com/
   The original small Yorimichi 1 and the second location are both popular. The food here is prepared in the more traditional but casual Japanese fashion. Their sushi rice could be better, but I like their Eel Bowl.
   
   
7. Ototo
   5651 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111, (858) 505-8700
   https://ototosushico.com/
   This is a popular Sushi restaurant with a real sushi bar and decent menu. I like the sushi rolls here. We typically get the food to go, but also enjoy the sit down dinner there once in a while.

Non Asian Food

Besides all the Asian eateries above, we also frequent the following:

8. Surfside Fish House
   10585 Scripps Poway Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92131, (858) 397-2020
   https://surfsidefishhouse.com/
   One of the best rated seafood joints in San Diego, this casual cafeteria style Surfside Fish House serves a variety of reasonably priced seafood dishes. I simply love their Seafood Cioppino, and Cajun Salmon Taco.

9. Pizza Port Ocean Beach
   1956 Bacon St, San Diego, CA 92107, (619)224-4700
   https://www.pizzaport.com/
   One of the best pizza & beer joints in San Diego, this casual family style pub serves a variety of good pizza. I’ve eaten at other Pizza Port locations and think this one serves the best pizza.
   
   
10. Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant
    5302 Napa St, San Diego, CA 92110, (619) 542-1462
    https://www.tioleos.com/
    We go to Tio Leo’s primarily for their Sunday Jazz Night. While we’re there listening to great live Jazz, I also enjoy their Pozole, Chilli Relleno (huge), and Grilled Fish Taco. The generous portion of the dishes and excellent free chips and salsa make having the meals there worthwhile.