Okawa Steak House & Sushi in Santee

This is a hidden gem that's tucked away. The food is above average and there's usually not a lot of people that come here. You can come in for dinner without reservations and still get a table fairly quickly. Unlike Benihanna where they wait until there's 8 guests to fill a table, I've been here with just 1 other person and they cooked for us 2 only and it felt like a personal chef. Great place to eat!

This place is awesome. The food is really really good. I also love that they are very friendly. They're also very very helpful and on point. And the prices are slightly better than benihana. Also the waits are way shorter than benihana

They are amazing! Best customer service ever, and their food is delicious. Their sushi chefs Jum and Tony are awesome! Elia, the waiter is always great! Everyone is very nice. If you want great food, with the best customer service I highly recommend this place! Thank you Okawa for always making us feel at home!

We weren't impressed, 7 orders to-go of basic sushi, no specialty rolls 50 dollars that did include tip, without tip was 42 or $43. I guess that would be okay if my order had been correct when I got home, and it had flavor, it was pretty much like eating wet newspaper ( Bland). You know you can Overlook a lot of sins when food is really really good. You're not willing to overlook any sins when it's bad. I'm not saying the food was bad. I'm saying it was Bland, and my order wasn't correct. I will give it a couple of months. I will give them one more try, if I feel that I should adjust my review I will. That says a lot there are times that I will not give a price a second chance!! My review could be closer to 2.5 Stars but I won't Round Up to 3

Loved it!!!! First time here and was so good! Definitely will be back..

I was a great place to go for birthday parties or dinner in general

Loved the food and show

This place is awesome call and make reservations so you don't have to wait..👍

First time here. Great experience. Salad was good, steak was amazing, rice and noodles were delicious. Service was quick and on point. Will be back.

Made a reservation and was seated in 5min. Chef was great but not fantastic. I have seen better showmanship, but we did go to dinner at 830pm on a Saturday. Maybe more enthusiastic shows happen before it gets too late? Didn't matter because all the food was cooked to perfection. Sushi rolls are delicious and presentation outstanding. The server, David, was very attentive and helpful. He is the main reason I am giving this place 5 stars. No question was annoying and he was very patient with my daughter. David made great sushi and sake recommendations. My wife, daughter, and I had such a good time here. I would highly recommend you visit this restaurant and find out for yourselves how awesome hibachi steakhouses can be. And thank you David for making our visit exceptional.

Saki from the squirt bottle at the table reminded me of being at a TJ night club! Was awesome!!!

Too much fun, food was prepared right before our eyes, it was delicious, the chef was fun and entertaining. If you bring young children you should warn them about the fire, just before he starts cooking. Great place to bring people that are visiting from out of town!!!

The food is really good. Chefs cook at the table and make the experience fun. Can be spendy but it is worth it. We love to go there for special occasions like birthdays!

This is a quiet little place the food was good service was very good.

I told the staff that I can't eat gluten, and they cleaned their kitchen and made my plate separate from everyone else's! Excellent customer service. They even brought me my own sit sauce. Very gluten free friendly. I'll come back. Great food.

Great staff, seating is a bit cramped but the place has great food.

I am a huge sushi fan and out of San Diego this is one of my favorite places! Friendly staff great food!

Okawa Steak House located in Santee is delicious. I ordered the sweetie roll, which is the pretty one and the Santee roll. They were both delicious. We sat at the sushi bar area. They also have seating were you can get sushi or many other things on their menu. They do have large tables were they cook in front of you. Yes, like Bennihannas but smaller. All diners were enjoying the show and there food. I strongly suggest trying Okawa. You wont be disappointed!!!

I simply loved the place. Food is very good. Reasonable price.

Very friendly staff, creative chef. Food was fast and really good.

The absolute BEST sushi restaurant in San Diego. Incredibly FAST service. I come here multiple times a week. The sushi is so fresh- melt in your mouth fresh. The staff are all friendly and make sure your water glass is filled! I get the ISO roll. I could eat it every day and still be impressed. Another favorite is the “Okawa Roll” The price is fantastic! Come here!

Wonderful, delicious food with great service. Can't wait to go back!

Absolutely love this place (for not having to leave our neck of the woods)!!!! Fun for the entire family!!! Not into the hibachi thing? Then grab dinner at a normal table or join friends for a sushi lunch at the bar!!!! Price is great too!!!

Good prices. Fast service. Fun. I just wasn’t a fan of my steak and lobster. But the shrimp and chicken were amazing.

Good food but service a bit disappointing. We had 3 birthdays in our party and the staff did nothing to acknowledge them nor desserts offered. Hard to even get attention for a drink refill or boxes to go. Prices high, good amounts per serving, but lacking in other respects.

Awesome food and a fun atmosphere/experience at a reasonable price. We've been here a few times now and the kids love it too. Highly recommended!

Great food, friendly service, great hibachi, and relaxing music

Sushi is 5 stars. Service 3.5 stars. (Sitting at normal table, not the live cooking) I recommend the Jalapeno lover roll and the spicy garlic edamame. Will go back again. The philly roll is amazing, has a great smoked flavor which I've not had anywhere else. Fair prices. Excellent food.

Great local spot! Our first time here, and we were pleasantly surprised. We decided last minute to try a new place near home (Santee), and opted for Okawa Sushi. Glad we did. It was date night so we enjoyed the ambience, romantic lighting and the option to sit with group at hibachi grill or privately at table for 2. We opted for table for 2. I ususally only sit at booths (even if I have to wait a long time), but they have none...unfortunately.You can also sit at the sushi bar which is a nice option for more social people (unlike me.. lol). It was kinda noisy, but good vibes and happy customers and staff. Don't come for a quiet meal. We ordered veggie fried noodles, avocado roll customized to a jalepeno roll, sweet potatoe roll, house salad and mochie ice creams. Enough good vegetarian options, and all that for under $30 (not including tip). Food was fresh, good, and brought out fast! It was a nice experience and we will definitely go back.

The food is good here. Only down side is they always seem to be in a bad mood. Not very friendly and always awkward silence as they never have background music on. But will return because the food is good

First off, parking is a breeze here. You won't have any trouble finding a spot as compared to some of the busier Asian restaurants in San Diego. The Samurai steak was cooked just right, the sushi was fresh and didn't have that "fishy" taste. I brought my girlfriend here and we're definitely coming back, she loved the sushi even though she hates seafood with a passion! It's the only place in SD she's been able to enjoy sushi or fish of any kind. The Sakura Sake was smooth, cold, and it sneaks up on you! You don't feel the alcoholic burn or even taste it, but 3 sake cups in I could definitely feel it even after an insane amount of food! The staff is very friendly and polite! Awesome service and you even get to see your food get made! 10/10

Decent Japanese Steakhouse in Santee. Good service, delicious goyza, and well cooked proteins. The noodles are bomb, fried rice just ok. I'm not a fan of their version of the yum yum sauce, it's very thin and not very flavorful. We enjoyed our meal and have visited a couple of times, but it's not the best hibachi style restaurant we've been to.

This is the 3rd time tried to order take out. And every time they’re out of the dinners I wanted. Third time I even tried to order 4 different things than I tried before. And still said they where out. First time I ordered take out it was 7:30 pm. Other 2 times it was 6 pm. I guess you have to order take out at lunch time. Very disappointed.

I meet with friends this great spot many times a year! This is my favorite place to grab a bite. I go there at least once a month. The meals are great, the crew is welcoming and the rates are decent. I like going in this place for a nice lunch.

Love this place! Very entertaining, the food is great and the people are always nice!

Service is good but the atmosphere seems to be a lot more subdued than in the years we've gone before. Chefs don't seem as good or as exciting as in the past. Still a great place to eat and will go again.