Sushi Lounge on Market

Contemporary Japanese Fusion in the Heart of Downtown San Diego

Review by Clayton Matthew Wendel

“The Dragon Roll really sparked my palate thanks to its combination of spicy tuna, freshwater eel, grilled shishito peppers and perfectly blended savory/sweet eel sauce.”

Beautiful Interior of Sushi Lounge on Market-San Diego

Sushi Lounge on Market Street is both impressive and fun. It boasts contemporary Japanese fusion in a lively arty environment in the heart of downtown San Diego. Plus the restaurant is committed to using local, sustainable and non-gMO produce. Get ready for the freshest sushi in town.

Upon arrival I got lucky and parked at a meter. (After 6 p.m. all meters in downtown San Diego are free. Another option is to park at the garage called Park It On Market on the corner of 6th and Market, for $1 an hour.) Let’s face it, once you get parking out of the way, your evening Downtown becomes a pleasure from the moment you step out of the car.

The adventure kicked into high gear once we entered this dynamic Japanese restaurant. Sushi Lounge on Market displays an impressive menu with a wide range of options. It was hard to choose. I began my meal with the glazed Brussels and Cauliflower in a sweet chili sauce topped with rice pearls. These are tiny deep-fried sushi rice balls, which added both depth and a light crunch to the appetizer, and punched home the fusion theme. The vegetables had deep, full-bodied flavors that were not too heavy. It was a perfect way to begin.

Tables all around me were packed with diners ordering amazing, beautiful dishes and fresh sushi samplers. It was hard to decide on what to have next, because everything was so eclectic and appealing to look at. I finally opted for the Dragon Roll, which really sparked my palate with its combination of spicy tuna, freshwater eel, grilled shishito peppers and perfectly blended savory/sweet eel sauce. This was the best Dragon Roll I’ve ever experienced. Not only did it melt in my mouth with layers of contrasting flavors, it looked pretty darn cool!

Top top off the five-star meal, I ordered a signature Japanese bistro dish called the Wagyu Burger. Only four breed of cattle are farmed to create Wagyu, which is an ultra-tender Japanese beef deeply marbled with fat so that each bite is plush in texture, unctuous with beefy flavor, and melts in the mouth. The burger was an amazing choice following that excellent sushi roll. Farmstead white cheddar melted on the burger patty, along with grilled shishito peppers and teriyaki glaze, added more layers of character to this unique beef adventure. The fries were just as exciting. Cut thin, light and ultra crunchy, they were the perfect balance to the rich meat.

Overall, the Sushi Lounge on Market features superb service, a positive vibe, and a welcoming, contemporary feel. Add in the emphasis on local sustainable produce, fresh sushi and that Japanese burger, and I’ve found my new favorite restaurant in downtown San Diego. I think anyone would be happy in this chic, arty venue which serves the most amazing food.

Location: 411 Market St., San Diego, CA 92101   map
Phone: 619.696.6262 
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