Hurry! One of Hyatt’s Best Restaurants Set to Close

by Shelli Stein

It’s always sad when a restaurant closes that has been an institution for 30 years. Especially if that restaurant is great. And especially if it’s owned and operated by your home Hyatt property, so when you’re staying there you can charge your meals to your room for those extra Hyatt points! I’m making light of some very sad news we got this week here in San Diego.

Do you enjoy Japanese food? If you do and you live or visit San Diego you have probably eaten, or at the very least heard of, Japengo. Japengo has been an outstanding Japanese restaurant for 30 years and on June 22 it’s closing its doors. Japengo is run by the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, which is just across the way from Japengo. We were all shocked to hear the news.

I reached out to Jayne Aston, Hyatt’s Director of Operations, to ask her why Japengo was closing. There had been talk about possible reasons but I wanted to get the real story. Here’s what she told me:

“We are all so sad, Japengo has been an amazing restaurant for almost 30 years. That’s a run that many restaurants can only dream of. Basically the 30 year Lease signed when the hotel opened is coming to an end. The owners of the space have a tenant wanting to lease the space for a national fitness franchise. Unfortunately, when considering new higher lease terms the economic viability of the restaurant made closing the only feasible business decision.

During this difficult decision process our primary concern has been ensuring the fantastic colleagues that have really made Japengo what it is over the years are fully supported. While many restaurants close by simply locking the doors with no notice, Hyatt and our owners committed to providing as much notice as possible. We’re ensuring every colleague who chooses so will receive severance based on their length of service, and also be provided assistance in finding other positions with Hyatt should they wish.

It is sad when any business closes but we find it particularly sad because Japengo has held such a presence in the San Diego market for so long. Until June 22nd our team is committed to delivering the same outstanding service and amazing food that Japengo is known for.”

I went to Japengo last night to enjoy some sushi! I wanted to get the word out as soon as possible, because June is upon us and if you’re in San Diego before June 22, head on over to Japengo and enjoy some great Japanese food before Japengo becomes only a delicious memory!

a plate of sushi on a shelf a plate of sushi on a table a plate of sushi on a table

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4 comments

Kyle May 30, 2018 - 11:46 am

Bummer! But, there are two Japengo’s here in Hawaii. One at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki and one at the Hyatt Regency Maui.

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Shelli May 30, 2018 - 1:45 pm

Aloha Kyle. Please see my reply to the other comment above. I would say that if I’m in Waikiki, even though it’s a bit of a walk, I always went to Tokurri Tei for sushi. Of course there are many great places you can drive to as well. Thanks for reading and writing!

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ghostrider5408 May 30, 2018 - 12:58 pm

you forgot to inquire about the Honolulu location

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Shelli May 30, 2018 - 1:43 pm

HI GR, The only difference is that the space the Hyatt La Jolla Japengo in was leased. The Maui Japengo is within the hotel grounds. The Japengo in Waikiki also closed some time ago. Hope this helps flush out all the Japengo info.

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