Founded in 2001, Tajima now expands to seven locations, including five within San Diego County, as well as a location up the coast in Long Beach and down south in Tijuana, Mexico. With one of the widest selections of Japanese cuisine, Tajima offers an array of mouthwatering ramen, rice bowls, sushi and appetizers that definitely hit the spot.

Owner and entrepreneur, Sam Morikizono, grew up in Amagasaki, Japan, making his way to Illinois and then to California in 1995. Morikizono takes pride in delivering an authentic taste of Japan, in a comfortable atmosphere with reasonable prices. As Tajima continues to expand, Morikizono’s main goal is to ensure that both customers and employees are always happy.

Each Tajima restaurant has its own unique aesthetic, featuring modern ambiances with custom artwork and warm lighting fixtures. Along with tasteful décor and lighting, all locations offer community tables and private seating areas, making dining at Tajima an enjoyable experience. Guests on the go will also enjoy their full take-out menu available for pickup or delivery.

Over the years, Tajima has perfected the “art” of ramen. Theirs is fresh and springy – a result of being made with several types of flour and water, with the perfect pH level. Tajima’s original Tonkotsu soup takes up to 12 hours to cook, resulting in a rich and creamy broth, perfect with a choice of ramen noodles and toppings. They also offer a Vegan Ramen option; an original vegetable soy-based soup with mixed vegetables. Tajima serves up a variety of tapas-style (small plates) including traditional starters such as Chicken Karaage and Kakuni Buns, as well as Poke Bowls and Kimchi Fried Rice.

Hillcrest, East Village, North Park, Long Beach, and Tijuana locations serve a variety of ramen and tapas-style (small plates). Convoy and Mercury serve the same variety of ramen along with authentic Izakaya-style dishes. Most of the restaurants offer a wealth of local craft beer and sake. Mercury has a full bar with a plentiful amount of sake, beer, wine, soju, specialty cocktails and Japanese whiskey options. There is a convenient location for everyone, with Happy Hour daily from 3:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m., and an extended Happy Hour on the weekends for a late-night bite!

The attention to detail, from food presentation and flavor, to the design of each restaurant, is impeccable. Morikizono and his staff have rightfully earned the title of Best Ramen and Best Japanese Restaurant in San Diego.

Check out tajimasandiego.com to view Tajima’s irresistible Japanese cuisine!