San Diego's original chain of Japanese ramen restaurants, Tajima is continuing its local expansion and has plans to open a branch in the Crown Point area of Pacific Beach, replacing a nearly half-century-old breakfast eatery.
Well before San Diego became inundated with ramen eateries, Isamu "Sam" Morikizono was a pioneer with the opening of his first Tajima location in Kearny Mesa in 2001. Now, Tajima boasts six San Diego branches and another outpost in Tijuana.
In 2017, Morikizono teamed up with Cesar Vallin, the previous owner of now-defunct Prospect Bar & Grill in La Jolla, and Setaro Takashi, who operates more than 30 restaurants in Japan, to open Cloak & Petal in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood. Morikizono also took over the longtime Cafe Chloe space in the East Village to open Corner Chicken Nashville-style fried chicken restaurant, but that concept shuttered last October.
In addition to an outpost set to open later this year within Westfield Plaza Bonita mall in National City, public records indicated that Tajima will soon take over the 1,990 square-foot space long occupied by The Menu in the Crown Point neighborhood of Pacific Beach. Like other branches, the Crown Point restaurant is expected to serve a menu centered around a variety of ramen noodle soups, Japanese appetizers and rice bowls, as well as a many beers on tap, wine and sake.
The Menu has been a fixture in Pacific Beach since 1976. Known for its inexpensive yet hearty breakfast dishes, the restaurant has been owned and operated by David Russel since 2006. It is not known when The Menu plans to close for business.
The new Tajima aims to open by year's end at 3784 Ingraham Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information, visit tajimasandiego.com.
The new Tajima aims to open by year's end at 3784 Ingraham Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information, visit tajimasandiego.com.
