The only no-deep-fry Japanese pub in Hillcrest's 92103 ZIP code, RAKITORI Japanese Pub & Grill at 530 University Ave has grilled every yakitori skewer and simmered every ramen broth in-house since 2015. A sake list curated to pair with each skewer's char profile complements the no-deep-fry kitchen's grilled-only approach, a Japanese izakaya format that shares Hillcrest's craft beverage scene with Wine Vault & Bistro's wine-paired tasting room. Each ramen broth base cooks individually for eight to ten hours before being blended and simmered again, producing a layered depth that differs from single-cook methods. Guests who want a gelato chaser after their spicy tonkotsu can step over to Gelato Vero Caffe nearby on University Ave. The most elaborate bowl on the menu is the RAKITORI Special, which stacks a soy-glazed egg, pork belly, chicken yakitori, pork dumpling, and black garlic oil over the house double-simmered tonkotsu in a single serving.