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 seven 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 in October 2021. 
In 2022 Tajima took over the 1,990 square-foot space long occupied by The Menu in the Crown Point neighborhood of San Diego's Pacific Beach. After sitting dormant for almost two years, Tajima has finally begun construction in the former The menu building and is expected to open by this summer. Like other branches, the Crown Point location will 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 new Tajima will sit at 3784 Ingraham Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information, visit tajimasandiego.com.
The new Tajima will sit at 3784 Ingraham Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information, visit tajimasandiego.com.
