The Original Sab-E-Lee is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

1. The Original Sab-E-Lee

8.5
6925 Linda Vista Rd Ste B (Btwn Comstock St and Ulric St), San Diego, CA
Thai Restaurant · Linda Vista · 48 tips and reviews

Jill H.Jill Hultquist-Blanton: The most authentic Thai food I've had outside of Thailand! There's only a few tables here, so snag one early or prepare to take it home with you.

Colleen A.Colleen Alarcon: This is really delicious Thai food. The Tom Yum Soup, drunken noodles, pad Thai, garlic wings all prepared so artfully you can appreciate the authentic taste of Thai food.

J G.J G: Food was very good and authentic. Loved the pad-see-ewe. Careful though, if you're not into spicy food, level one can be very spicy in the yellow curry. If you love spicy food: COME HERE!

Izakaya Masa is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

2. Izakaya Masa

8.8
928 Fort Stockton Dr (at Goldfinch St), San Diego, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Mission Hills · 57 tips and reviews

Curateur M.Curateur Magazine: Great late night stop if not in the mood 4 Mex rolled tacos. 3 different sizes, authentic ramen will make your belly full & warm. Get there BEFORE midnight. They will close doors if too slammed.

FranFran: The best & most authentic Hakata ramen & tonkatsu curry in San Diego! Definitely a gem.

Alex H.Alex Hennessey: Great authentic Japanese food. Try everything-- scallop carpaccio, sliced roast pork, noodle dishes are all great

Wa Dining OKAN is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

3. Wa Dining OKAN

8.3
3860 Convoy St Ste 110, San Diego, CA
Japanese Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 38 tips and reviews

Igor B.Igor Balotsky: It was great. Food was very authentic. (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more.

Chieko B.Chieko Bonna: Very authentic Japanese teishoku place. I highly recommend.

Ti W.Ti Wu: Authentic and cozy. All dishes, appetizers, and desserts are delicious. Lunch set (entrées comes with rice, two side dishes, pickles, and miso soup) is an awesome deal, albeit cash-only.

Sushi Tadokoro is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

4. Sushi Tadokoro

8.2
2244 San Diego Ave Ste C, San Diego, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Old Town · 23 tips and reviews

Yu Sunny H.Yu Sunny Han: Authentic Edo era sushi. Rare finds like Golden Eye Snapper, Kohada, and Zuke Tuna. Rare gem.

Ti W.Ti Wu: It's the most authentic edo-mae (江戶前) style sushi restaurant in San Diego. Food made with fresh ingredients in best quality. Seats are limited but feel cozy and spacious. Worth every dollar you spend.

Marc R.Marc R: Fresh authentic sushi made my Japanese chefs. Ryozen friendly and great sushi chef at the bar. You can tell the quality in the sushi with the balance of rice, fresh seaweed, and fish.

Tajima Ramen House is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

5. Tajima Ramen House

8.7
4681 Convoy St (btwn Engineer & Dagget St), San Diego, CA
Ramen Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 111 tips and reviews

Steven L.Steven Lada: Ramen is excellent. Lots of other Japanese dishes if hot ramen is not your thing. Try the Okonomiyaki for something authentic and unique.

Ti W.Ti Wu: One of the best ramen place in San Diego. Always sit at bar if I want to relax and enjoy a bowl of authentic ramen and some drinks after work in late night.

San Diego ReaderSan Diego Reader: Try the Ground Pork, with the thin-cut noodle and spicy Tajima Original (tonkotsu) broth. For a satisfying meal, add a takana (Japanese spicy pickled leaves) rice ball, which bursts with flavor.

Ken Sushi Workshop is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

6. Ken Sushi Workshop

9.3
11375 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Carmel Valley · 11 tips and reviews

Heidi M.Heidi Merkel-Eckstein: Fabulous! Authentic and inspired!

TheDLTheDL: Really, really well done sushi in an unassuming venue. I recommend the larger Omakase

Roger M.Roger Ma: Get their Pride Omakase!

Izakaya Sakura is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

7. Izakaya Sakura

7.9
3904 Convoy St #121 (at Othello Ave), San Diego, CA
Japanese Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 29 tips and reviews

Kimberly Q.Kimberly Q: So good and really authentic. You can tell they put a lot of love and care into their food. I always get salmon rice balls, harami beef yakitori and chicken karaage! Yum!

Ti W.Ti Wu: Sakura means cherry blossom, and this restaurant is like its name: authentically Japanese, and beautifully tasty. Recently they have a new signage, so it's much easier to find this hidden gem!

Fred R.Fred Rodolfo: One of the best chirashi bowls in San Diego can be found at this izakaya. Perfect for those observing the "No Meat Fridays" restriction during the Lenten season.

Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

8. Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen

8.4
4646 Convoy St #102A (at Opportunity Rd), San Diego, CA
Ramen Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 46 tips and reviews

Ti W.Ti Wu: I won't call this authentic, but it's delicious. So, give it a try, at least once.

Christine D.Christine D: They've expanded their lunch menu!! This place is awesome. Definitely my #1 ramen place <3

Serious EatsSerious Eats: This busy ramen shop has created their own take on the ramen burger. Patty options include turkey, veggie, pork, or beef, but go with the signature option: tsukune (chicken).

Tsuruhashi Japanese BBQ is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

9. Tsuruhashi Japanese BBQ

9.2
3940 Convoy St, San Diego, CA
Japanese Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 15 tips and reviews

wasabibratwurstwasabibratwurst: if you like authentic yakiniku(Japanese BBQ) this is the spot.

Marc L.Marc Lucas: pork belly is the way to gosteak & tongue are good tooit's all good!

Ce M.Ce Me: Order the garlic!

Bahn Thai is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

10. Bahn Thai

8.6
4646 Park Blvd #3 (at Adams Ave), San Diego, CA
Thai Restaurant · University Heights · 63 tips and reviews

Andrea Z.Andrea Z: All noodle dishes are delicious- authentic with a wok char on them. Pad See Ew with a medium spice (5) is perfect!

Joyce J.Joyce Jenq: Favorite special is the ginger chicken, light and delicious flavors. Crab rangoon, Pad Sew Ee, and any curry are my other favorites. Go there at least once a week. Owner, Paul, is a great guy!

Rebekah M.Rebekah Murphy: Only thing I haven't like is the param. Fantastic food.

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

11. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

8.2
4609 Convoy St, San Diego, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 28 tips and reviews

Joey H.Joey Hernandez: free prize after 15 plates! go for 30!! sushi is quality. dont waste your time with the fried chicken

DaneDane: You get your first Bikkura-Pon at 15 plates!

Ti W.Ti Wu: Fun and affordable sushi place. Usually need to wait for about an hour during dining time, but you can go visit and wait in the snow-flake ice shop Iceskimo in the same plaza.

Taegukgi Korean BBQ House is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

12. Taegukgi Korean BBQ House

8.4
7655 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #501, San Diego, CA
Korean Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 34 tips and reviews

insta S.insta SHINOBI: Great beer selection, amazing KBBQ, and big screen TVs (it's like a AYCE sports bar)

brian.브라이언brian.브라이언: Don't even bother eating rice! It's all about the MEAT!

Steve L.Steve Leonard: Try the Kalbi (BBQ beef short ribs). You won't be disappointed.

Sovereign Thai Cuisine is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

13. Sovereign Thai Cuisine

8.3
1460 J St, San Diego, CA
Thai Restaurant · East Village · 1 tip

Benjamin E.Benjamin Earl Evans: Authentic isaan food, well worth it

Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

14. Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon

8.3
4625 Convoy St, San Diego, CA
Dumpling Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 81 tips and reviews

Elaine C.Elaine Courtney: Very authentic Northern Chinese cuisine for a decent price. Definitely get the dumplings steamed instead of fried.

Mark D.Mark D: If you can take the heat, order any boiled dumplings in spicy soup/broth. You can also get them with Schezuan sauce as well.

Randy C.Randy Chase: Get there when they open at 11:00am No waiting.

Phở Fifth Avenue is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheap Asian Food in San Diego.

15. Phở Fifth Avenue

7.6
3807 5th Ave (btwn University & Robinson Ave), San Diego, CA
Vietnamese Restaurant · Hillcrest · 56 tips and reviews

Mark C.Mark C: Prices are about a dollar more than most pho joints but this place is nice and clean. Plus they got authentic pho locked down in 92103.

Nick B.Nick Blais: Really inexpensive for being on the crest and the food is very good.... Not so authentic but good none the less..... Try the tofu spring rolls they are very good :)

Di - Chowmut L.Di - Chowmut Le: The food here is pretty authentic and quite noms. My favorites include the Bun thit nuong or the Com suong. Love having a viet place by home