Yakyudori

San Diego doesn’t have the greatest eating, at least in the tourist-heavy areas of the Gaslamp and closer to downtown. But drive 10 to 15 minutes north of downtown, around Convoy Street or Clairemont Mesa, and you’ll be confronted with more Japanese, Korean and Thai joints than you could ever try in a week. My friend Jenn Louis, from Portland, turned me onto this place, and I have to say, the convivial vibe (you can buy the cooks a beer) and the high-quality yakitori and ramen, make this a regular visit for me anytime I’m in town.

Yakyudori

4898 Convoy St. #101, San Diego, CA 92111; (858) 268-2888