Café Japengo in La Jolla specializes in innovative sushi and Pacific Rim cuisine and Chefs Jay Payne and Gerry Warner offer diverse "fusion" menus ranging from "starters" to lunch, Happy Hour, and dinner - all with an Asian flair.

Known as a "haven of urbane sophistication," Café Japengo spent 18 years providing trendy, cutting edge fare, and has been voted the #1 sushi restaurant in San Diego for ten years running. The soothing décor of wood, rock formations, and bamboo trees pleases newcomers as well as the La Jolla dining regulars and sushi aficionados from the surrounding areas.

Appetizer options include the Kim Chee Crab Martini (jumbo lump crab with Kim Chee dressing), Duck Potstickers, or the Crispy Spring Rolls with sweet and sour sauce. Tengu’s specialties include Vietnamese Crispy Pork, Seared Scallops, and Sautéed Black Cod.

If you’re in a hurry for lunch, consider ordering from the Japengo Bento Box Express Menu. Choose from among the Tengu Bento Box with assorted sashimi, the Japengo Bento Box with prawn salad, BBQ salmon, and char siu duck, or the Vegetable Bento Box for a meatless alternative. Dinner entrees, ranging in price from $19-38 and include Rack of Lamb, Kobe Flat-Iron Steak, Roasted Coconut Chicken, and more.

California and Hawaiian rolls top the Happy Hour menu, followed by more unusual choices such as the Thai Chili Tofu Three Ways and Curry Dusted Calamari. An extensive sushi menu lists classic favorites as well as more exotic presentations. For dessert, sample the Cinnamon Dusted Tempura Banana, Pan Fried Bread Pudding or their signature Chocolate Lave Cake. Beer, Sake, wine, and cocktails are also available.

Run by the nearby La Jolla Hyatt Regency Hotel, Café Japengo is a top destination for La Jolla dining in the UTC area for lunch, happy hour, and dinner.