As of spring quarter, UCSD is home to a new Japanese restaurant. Shogun of La Jolla, specializing in sushi and teriyaki items, opened on March 29 on the second floor of Price Center next to the recently completed game room.
Shogun’s menu also includes beer, sake and plum wine, though the restaurant’s license to serve alcohol is still pending. Shogun would become the third on-campus location to serve alcoholic beverages.
For 13 years, Shogun was located a few minutes away from campus at University Towne Center. One year ago, however, owner and manager Sean Yoo decided that he wanted to move his restaurant to UCSD.
“I wanted to run a restaurant on campus because I wanted to be a part of the campus life. I was a student, and I love the atmosphere,” Yoo said. “I think [the advantage of running a restaurant on campus] is much better than elsewhere.”
According to Yoo, the process for relocating his restaurant began about a year ago when the university sponsored an open bidding of local restaurant vendors to occupy the space in Price Center. Yoo jumped on the opportunity and Shogun ended up as the selected eatery.
In its first week of operation, Shogun seems to have had no lack of customer activity.
“The reception has been overwhelming. I am very pleased with the number of people who have come to eat here so far,” Yoo said. “At first, I was afraid of not being able to live up to the expectations; I was afraid of sacrificing the quality of the food because of volume. I figured it would be a gradual increase, but nothing like this.”
Student reaction to the Japanese eatery has been positive.
“I thought the service was very good, and I found the prices to be reasonable,” John Muir College senior Andrea Esqueda said.
Thurgood Marshall College senior Natalie Wheatfall agreed.
“[The cashiers] did experience a small problem with the credit card machine, but I’m sure it’s nothing that cannot be worked out soon,” Wheatfall said. “I also thought the food was excellent.”
According to some students, the addition of Shogun is a good first step toward offering students and faculty diverse dining options. However, some said they would like to eventually see an even greater number of varied restaurants.
“I’m glad they’re adding new options, because I get tired of eating at the same places over and over,” Revelle College junior Caroline Lindsay said. “It would be really nice if they added a Thai place, and maybe Indian cuisine, too. I would be willing to eat on campus more often if more different kinds of restaurants were introduced.”
The philosophy of Shogun, Yoo says, is centered around students.
“I love to be on campus and be connected with the university. I see the university students as my children,” Yoo said. “I see my customers as more than just an opportunity to make money. I am serving them food like I would to my own daughter or her friends.”
Shogun’s hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
