A dual-concept restaurant, Harumama and Blue Ocean Sushi, recently replaced the Prospect Street space previously inhabited by The Hake. Perched atop La Jolla Cove offering stunning ocean views, the two new restaurants split 5,783 square feet of retail space.
“Both restaurants are a fresh, fun, modern take on Asian cuisine,” said Hiba Khalid, marketing manager for parent company Love Boat Group. “It’s not traditional. It’s more Asian fusion.”
The two restaurants were created by local restaurateurs Jenny and James Pyo, who own and operate Love Boat Sushi, Pokewan, Blue Ocean Robata and Sushi Bar (Carlsbad), as well as two other Harumama locations in Little Italy and Carlsbad.
“Restauranting is really their passion, and they just want to bring fine quality, and fine dining, to La Jolla,” said Khalid of the Pyos. “They pride themselves on having high-quality fish and a beautiful presentation.”
Harumama is in the front of the Prospect Street space, and Blue Ocean Sushi is appropriately located oceanfront toward the back of the restaurant. Harumama offers playful twists on Asian fare with inspiration from Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisines. Seating 58 people, Harumama offers cult favorite and Insta-worthy steamed buns shaped into cartoon-y pandas, chickens and seasonal figures in flavors like chicken, pork, mushroom and purple sweet potato.
“Character buns have been a huge hit on Instagram,” noted Khalid.
Similar to its sister eateries in Little Italy and Carlsbad, Harumama La Jolla offers a contemporary turn on traditional ramen, noodles, buns and more.
Blue Ocean Sushi offers an expansive menu featuring items highlighting fresh ocean flavors. The new La Jolla restaurant serves a wide variety of sushi and sashimi. Items unique to La Jolla Blue Oean Sushi include scallops with black rice risotto, ribeye steak, port wine crispy duck breast and campfire pineapple with beef, shrimp, quail egg, pineapple and vegetables wok-seared in pineapple sauce. Blue Ocean Sushi La Jolla seats approximately 90.
Of Blue Ocean’s branding, Khalid said, “It is completely different now; very fun and whimsical. Blue Ocean is very high-end, beautiful, emphasizing the ocean view. There’s also an upbeat structure inside to provide some fun lighting.”
Khalid noted there is no outdoor seating while adding, “There is a glassed-in area where guests can watch the chefs as they make the sushi rolls by hand.”
Lunch specials are served noon to 3 p.m. daily along with happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Social media is at @harumamasd and @blueoceanrobata.
