San Diego's sushi buffet scene is dominated by large Asian buffet operations, many of which are Vietnamese-owned and located in the Mira Mesa and Kearny Mesa corridors. These all-you-can-eat spots combine sushi rolls with hot food bars, and the quality ranges from surprisingly decent to purely volume-driven.
Onami Seafood & Japanese Buffet top-pick
Onami is the most well-known sushi buffet in San Diego, offering an extensive spread of sushi rolls, sashimi, and hot Japanese/Asian dishes. The sushi selection is wide — from basic California rolls to specialty rolls — and the turnover is high enough that pieces don't sit around too long. It's not omakase-level fish, but for an AYCE sushi experience, Onami delivers variety and reasonable freshness.
Hokkaido Seafood Buffet best-value
Hokkaido offers a massive buffet with sushi, seafood, and a wide range of hot dishes. The sushi bar has a decent selection of rolls and nigiri, plus crab legs, oysters, and other seafood options. The quality is consistent for a buffet, and the spacious dining room handles large groups well. A reliable choice when quantity and variety matter.
Crazy Buffet hidden-gem
Crazy Buffet rounds out the sushi buffet options with a more modest but still satisfying spread. The sushi selection is smaller than Onami or Hokkaido, but the hot food bar compensates with Chinese and Pan-Asian dishes. Good for mixed groups where some want sushi and others prefer cooked items.