Close quarters keep things festive & intimate at this Japanese specialist known for yakitori. Based on 262 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.7 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ No takeout ✔️ No delivery
Address:
5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117
Phone: (858) 752-0468
Website: https://sandiegoyakyudori.com/page/taisho
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 5–11 PM |
| Saturday | 5–11 PM |
| Sunday | 5–9 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 5–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5–10 PM |
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Reviews
Gil Corpuz
Came with a group for dinner, and made reservations ahead. The place gave me a true Japanese yakitori bar vibe from the start. People were welcomed and farewelled like in Japan. It seemed like they had different specials each day and week. The menu was simple and easy for ordering. Got an order of almost everything from the yakitori menu and was not disappointed with flavor. Tried a few things from the appetizer menu. My favorites are the chicken heart, chicken thigh, pork belly, and chicken karaage. Black sesame seed ice cream is what they had for dessert. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable with their menu. The cooks even came from behind the grill to check on us. I would definitely come back and become a regular.
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Ahmed Jaffery
Fantastic spot. It’s a small restaurant but organized with fantastic food and service. You do need to make a reservation though they were able to fit us in last minute because someone else didn’t show up.
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Rhino Monkey
It is one of my husband and I’s favorite dinner restaurants!! We love sharing skewers and trying new flavors. The chef and the staff are also amazing. Food is always delicious. We love going for date nights <3
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Slava Fleshel
Recommended!!
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Free Jazz Enthusiast
Some of the best humans I’ve met in this city work here. The food is great, the selection of sake is wonderful, and the vibes are relaxed yet lively. Highly recommend making a reservation.
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Sarah Schiff
This is NOT a sushi place, but savory and delicious.
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Jo C
You cannot get a table here without a reservation, which is not a horrible thing but it can be confusing because the only way to get one is to call, no online options for booking. When you look up their menu online it can be confusing because they have other locations. This location is just primarily the skewers with some daily specials. Most of the food was delicious, a few things were underwhelming in skewer form. The place is very small, so although the service is excellent, if a large or rowdy party is in there it’s very loud, so probably wouldn’t make an ideal intimate date night in other words. Overall pretty great place.
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Edward O’Beirne
Arrived at 5:45 and was seated right away at 6:00. Skewers were good to amazing, delicious but far from fancy. Beef, chicken heart, chicken thigh with onions, and scallops were favorites. Service was friendly but not over the top. Pacing was perfect, about 1.5 hours to eat over a large bottle of sake. Any shortcomings of the space were made up for by the quirks, like many unusual but harmless “rules” posted around the place. Will definitely return.
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Soheyl Yousefi
The best Yakitori in town. Every time I try Yakitori in any other Japanese restaurant, I immediately say “but Taisho is something else”. Unfortunately for us customers it’s getting really popular and it’s hard to find availability here these days. I had to drive all the way from downtown a few times only to get turned away.
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Amy
Used to be the best Japanese bbq I ever had. But after they changed to two young chefs. The taste changed a lot. Just above average, not amazing any more. The ice cream is the best!
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