50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Menlo Park

“Robin really took me by surprise. Having tried many Omakase, I was not expecting this to rank among my favorites. They are producing some remarkably creative gastronomy and sushi here!First, I appreciate that they offered three different pricing options. We chose the middle tier ($150 pp) which gave us a couple more premium cuts, such as Otoro and Uni. This was overall enough to leave us feeling full by the end of the meal.Over the course of two hours we were surprised by creative enhancements on familiar nigiri as well as completely unexpected dishes not typical to traditional omakase. Each course was an opportunity to highlight a different ingredient or flavor profile. I think they have struck an ideal balance between new and old here which is not easy to do.Chef Scott was a great host for us and the service was excellent. They have done a really nice job with the decor and ambience as well. I highly recommend Robin for any sushi lover looking for a breath of fresh air.“

“Gotta love small places like this where the owner is on deck and takes pride in his restaurant. Value to price was awesome. Bunch of Stanford students drive out here probably for this reason. The lunch sashimi bento box was outstanding. Cheers and ty for having “

“Good sushi for good price“

“I hate it when I have to say this is the best Sushi I have had in 20 years, because it will be pack more, then I will have to wait. This is an actual Japanese restaurant! They usally close at 8:30, but they were packed. At the looks of things, the were not going home until midnight. Unbillable how fresh the food was. Great assortment of Saki. Food was to die for. I will be returning on Sunday after the Super Bowl.“

“We were looking for a new place to try and Octopus had some great reviews/ pictures of their sushi rolls. After looking over the menu we decided to head on down. Friendly staff got us seated right away and we started with a round of appetizers. Gyoza, chicken karaage and a Toro Nigiri special started off the night and everything was delicious. Ordered 4 rolls and a bento box combo and everyone was extremely satisfied with the food. Can't wait to return and explore more of the menu“

“Los invito a todos a disfrutar de un buenísimo sushi!! 100% recomendable!! sabrosos y accesibles ;)“

“My husband and I made reservations for omakase dinner at 5:30pm on a Saturday. We showed up at the restaurant a couple of minutes before opening, and there were several couples already waiting outside. We noted how punctual the restaurant was as they opened at 5:30 right at the dot. Sushi Jin was beautiful in its own simple way. Our table was tucked in the corner, which was nice because it made for a private and intimate dinner. Wonderful hospitality! I had put in the reservation notes that the reason of our reservation was celebrating our nuptials, and we received a sweet congratulatory table card and complimentary champagne toasts. In general, the wait staff was very friendly and courteous. We got the omakase dinner, an uni tasting, a nigiri a la carte per recommendation of our waitress, and a dessert. Overall food was delicious, but there were certainly some standout dishes. The omakase tasting wasn't the best I've seen in terms of presentation, but the quality of the fish and unique flavors and textures were impressive. We also ordered the nodoguro that isn't part of the omakase menu. The grilled ebodai (butterfish) was my favorite from the sushi course. I also enjoyed the soup course, which had a soft and flaky black cod. The uni tasting was such a treat. When I initially signed up for the tasting, they had 3 types of uni. Sushi Jin had 5 types at the time of our dinner, so we decided to upgrade our tasting to include the other 2. I love uni but admittedly never done a tasting. This was an experience I couldn't miss out on, and what's cool was that I could really taste the differences between each one. Loved the hojicha panna cotta. The panna cotta was smooth and creamy, and the hojicha flavor was very prominent.“

“Ramen is still unfortunately an insanely difficult dish to rate, because it largely depends on your preference for many things (and there isn't a culture of customizing your ramen here in America) Overall though, I think Hironori is a great stop to grab ramen, even though it's not necessarily my style. Vibes in the restaurant are nice and cozy, staff is friendly, and they have watermelon infused water (?!) The crispy chicken (karaage) was definitely a highlight. Not my favorite style, but very interesting and tender nonetheless. I chose the thin noodles, but I believe they are probably more specialized for their thick noodles. Both the broth and noodles would fall into a 3-4 star for me, but the chashu was a fantastic 5 star given both its flavor and cut size. Great choice in San Mateo if you're in the area!“

“friendly staff, monstrous upon great broth“

“Sushi was delicious and service was great! Not a romantic spot though because it’s loud but fun if your going with family and friends. Music is good!!“

“Walking into ROKU in Palo Alto feels like catching up with an old friend over a drink. This new Japanese spot blends traditional elegance with a modern twist. From delicate sashimi to bold, inventive Robata, each bite highlights the chef’s craft and creativity. The service is sharp and attentive, and the entire staff ensures everything flows smoothly and you feel well looked after. The space strikes this perfect balance of chic and cozy, inviting you to kick back and take it all in. This will be a new regular for us, and a welcome addition to the MP/PA dining scene.“

“I love places like this. This is a small mom and pop shop, with a old school sign, no frills, and the food speaks for itself. I wasn't really sure what to eat today, but was in the area and did some searching on what was available. I've seen this place come up before on my searches, but don't think it was open at the time. It's tucked away in a small shopping center near Dunkin which I've driven by many times, but easy to miss. Not a lot of parking, but luckily I came early. Just a heads up, it's currently take out only which is surprising. I thought most places opened back up indoor dining, but to be honest, I'm not sure if this place every really offered it. It's pretty small inside, maybe room for a few tables if they wanted to, but being take out only doesn't bother me. I took the photo in the car, but ended up waiting to get home to try it other than sneaking a tonkotsu piece while hot to get a good feel for the texture in case the container steamed it. I was greeted by a friendly women who I asked about what to get. I am not a picky eater at all and willing to try anything that the staff recommends as their favorite. She suggested the Bento box which was what I was considering (other than the omurice, but wasn't available. I only chose the Sashimi option since the pictures looked fairly good, but she recommended the pork tonkatsu and the teriyaki salmon (which is something I would never really order). The order also came with a side salad which isn't in the photo. The Pork tonkatsu has a light breading with a slight crispiness too it. it wasn't greasy at all and had some good flavor especially mixed with the katsu sauce. The sauce was tangy and not too sweet. The sashimi came with 2 pieces of salmon, tuna, and i believe the 3rd was mackerel. For a non sushi spot and bento box item, it was pretty good. It was a $2 upcharge and something I would get again for sure. The Salmon teriyaki, as mentioned before, is not something I ever would order, but was glad I did. It was flaky, tender, and moist. The sauce was a nice complement to it. I'm glad I found this little place and hope to come back again when I'm in the area. They don't have a large window for being open since they close between lunch and dinner, but for a small place with very few staff, I get being closed when it's not busy. $21 for a 3 item bento with sashimi is a great deal considering the prices on everything else.“

“Authentic sushi experience in downtown San Mateo. Plenty of choices from the omakase menu, as well as the standard/regular dinner menu. Efficient and friendly service, but please note there’s a 90-minute limit for dinner. Paid street parking and it’s free after 6:00pm and also free on Sundays.“

“Quick take: make reservations This place was super busy on a Wednesday night. Not sure if dining in is available without a reservation. Either water I highly recommend a reservation. The food was delicious. We ordered mainly all skewers. Our dishes came out one at a time. We weren't able to order more than pictured because the food was settling and we were full. The ambiance was no frills. Indoor and outdoor dining is available. Definitely will be back to try more dishes. We parked in the nearby downtown parking garage. There's only a few spots available in their own parking lot.“

“This cafe is like going to your favorite aunt or grandmas house who is really good at cooking and baking. There is a menu but it seems more like they make what they want and sell what they have - feels very quaint and homemade Tonkatsu sandwich - big pork cutlet with a squishy bun and a generous portion of finely shredded cabbage. Yummy and crispy, pork was a touch dry. Matcha cornet was delicious, great flavor w the cream and nice soft cornet Melon pan - did not get much melon fragrance and felt a bit dry/stale, but great crisp sugar top. There's some chocolate inside the bread which I did not expect.“

“Great food, clean and nice place and warm staff. I ordered it for lunch on door dash and I liked it so much that I brought my kids for dine in the next day. The steak, curry noodle soup, shrimp plate, their salad and the peanut butter dressing were amazing. The plates are decent size and heartily.“

“What should I do in Japanese restaurant while some americans are talking too loud?In a situation where fellow diners are being too loud in a restaurant, it's generally best to handle it with tact and politeness. Here are a few steps you could consider:1. **Self-assessment**: First, check if their volume is indeed excessively loud or if it's a normal conversation level for a public place.[I put the earplug on to protect my hearing.]2. **Move Away**: If possible, ask the restaurant staff if you can move to a quieter table.[This is a small place.]3. **Communicate with the Staff**: If moving isn't an option, you might consider speaking to the restaurant staff or management. They are usually trained to handle such situations diplomatically.[Staff is busy and understaffed even for bringing dishes to the side of our desk.]4. **Direct but Polite Approach**: If you feel comfortable, you could approach the individuals directly. Do so politely and calmly, expressing that their conversation volume is a bit high and is disturbing your dining experience.[Some of them speaks Chinese but they just pretend to ignore our complaints. ]Remember, every situation is different and requires a judgement call. It's important to stay respectful and considerate in your approach.[I am wondering what else I can do to deal with this situation?]“

“I recently visited Sushi Sam's Edomata in San Mateo to celebrate a friend's birthday, and it was an unforgettable dining experience. Even though we had a reservation, we faced a slight wait due to the bustling nature of the restaurant, reflecting its popularity. Attempting to get bar seating for our group of four proved challenging given the crowd, but it was a small hiccup in an otherwise fantastic evening. The atmosphere at Sushi Sam's is vibrant yet intimate. Despite its small size and busy environment, the space is well managed, ensuring it never feels cramped. The chefs, including Sam himself, add to the lively atmosphere. They were engaging and fun, even exchanging rounds of beers with us, which added a personal touch to our celebration. The service was exceptional, particularly from Calvin, a seasoned server who expertly guided us through the seasonal menu. His detailed explanations of each fish and thoughtful travel tips for our friend's upcoming trip to Japan were highlights of our service experience. The food at Sushi Sam's is nothing short of amazing. We opted for the omakase, and every dish was a hit. The sushi boasted a perfect rice-to-fish ratio, with each piece of fish being soft, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The steamed egg was particularly memorable--earning the chef's kiss from me and being the highlight of the night. Sushi Sam's thrives on its seasonal menu, offering different experiences with each visit, which I find incredibly appealing. This dynamism, combined with stellar service and exquisite food, makes Sushi Sam's Edomata a must-visit for sushi lovers and anyone looking for a top-tier dining experience in San Mateo.“

“The food was excellent-deluxe Chirashi bowl was loaded with a variety of fish, a little uni and a sweet tender spotted shrimp. I really enjoyed the rice as well. My companions had the Kikoro roll and the tuna mango roll. Both were beautiful & delicious. Service was quick and professional. Love it. I will definitely come back again.“

“This was our first time at 808 Zone and we were thrilled to find such a gem in our own neighborhood. It is an expensive dining experience, but the quality, preparation and service make the price worth it to have that level of culinary expertise.“

“Great sushi! Must get the omakase nigiri or Toyosu special!“

“My all-time favorite place for Sushi and Sashimi. A great place to go with a crowd that is willing to share. Everything tastes so good.“

“Love their foods, so delicious and fancy will bring my family & friends there again!!“

“Don't let the location fool, you , we ordered the nigiri deluxe and salmon kamo. We got 12 pieces and it was a very tasty assortment of very well prepared fish placed not to thick or thin served with the right amount of rice seasoned just right“

“Not only one of the best sushi restaurants in San Fran, one of the best I've enjoyed anywhere. What makes them special is they have a nice variety of fish, some of which I've never tried before. If you go, I hope you'll experiment and try some things you've never eaten before. I only wished we lived closer.“

“THE SPOT for sushi in the peninsula. We walked in at 7pm on a Saturday, sat within 10 mins. Terrific goyza and the “mango secret” was the best veggie roll I’ve ever had.First drinks are free! Great service, incredible value. Sign me up! YUM.“

“Cozy little Japanese restaurant with super friendly servers. The owner works at the counter. I come for Ishiyaki Hitsumamushi (Stone Bowl Seafood Rice) which I don’t think is served anywhere else. I also had tuna bone marrow for appetitzer and black sesame cheesecake for dessert. So many other dishes I want to try so will be back.“

“Have been going to this place lately. Fresh and delicious. The price is pretty good for 1 combo with sides.“

“Great service, food was delish. Chef made special sushi dish ( not on the menu) that was FIRE! My new to go place.❤️❤️❤️“

“Cute packaging, very good quality fish, beautiful presentation. Omakase box comes with 10 nigiris for $75, which is a pretty solid deal. Pick up from a ghost kitchen - parking might be challenging, but they had it ready during the pick up window. One feedback I would give is the rice separated a lot from the fish, couldn't tell if it was supposed to be sushi rice or brown rice or some other rice with some sauce - it was grainier and harder than the typical omakase nigiri rice, and honestly the temp of the rice was quite cool even 1 hour after pick up. Nevertheless, really enjoyed the meal and might try something else next time.“

“The food was good, service was great, ambiance was weird, wait times between courses were atrocious. If you're on a timeline, this is not the place to go to. We had 5:30 reservations - right when they opened so we could still get home for our son's bedtime. We wrapped up dinner right after 8pm so it was a mad rush to get home in time. The ambiance of the space was really odd. Walls have these weird textured lines and it's this ugly pale green against a blue wall and wood panelling. Just wasn't thought out considering their dishes and presentation all the way down to the attire of the server were so thoughful. They have 4 levels of Kaiseki courses you can get: 1. Ohara $158. 12 courses 2. Kibune $188. 14 3. Tatao $228. 15 + 1 supplement option. 4. Katsura $288. 15 + 1 supplement option (grilled dish from #3 is replaced with Kobe beef) As for the food, we got the Ohara course. It was good, but definitely not Michelin quality considering they haven't figured out the cadence to bring the food out in a timely manner. This was the main reason dinner took 2.5hrs for the shortest meal. In order: 1. Starter: homemade tofu and homemade soy sauce. This will be the freshest tofu I've ever eaten. So smooth. 2. Appetizer: Spring veggies sukiyaki style. Pickled veggies, rice, pickled yams that look like noodles. This was just okay. 3. Soup dish: Asparagus soup with a block of tofu. It as okay. 4. Sashimi 1 type: White fish with daikon, green onions, and homemade soy sauce. This was good. 5. Simmered dish: Duck with crunchy veggies. Crunchy veggies were weird but the duck was really good. 6. Refreshing dish: Shiso sorbet. It was lovely. 7. Grilled dish: A5 Wagyu sirloin from Japan. It was overcooked but still had good flavor. 8. Steamed dish: Rice and fish. Rice had a congee texture which was unexpected and the fish was at the bottom of the mixture. It was nice and the most creative dish imo. 9. Vinaigrette dish: Seared octopus with veggies in a plum sauce. This was good. 10. Rice with clams. "Hagama". Comes with oolong tea. 11. Miso soup. Tastes like miso soup. This is on its own line because that's how they listed it, but it's delivered with #10. 12. Dessert. Mochi with red bean filling. Comes with green tea. This was yummy. 18% gratuity automatically added. 20% gratuity for parties larger than 6.“

“The pumpkin cheesecake was unique and excellent! We also loved the strawberry shortcake we got.The menu is small but everything looks incredible. There was no line when we went after lunch on a Saturday. It's located inside state street market.“

“California diaries・I keep coming here and eating delicious food!Delicious seafood, vegetables, and meat ?It's delicious?Here are the meal details!It's a sushi restaurant with a spacious space, a wonderful counter with the smell of wood, and a live performance that feels like a stage, where you can watch the craftsmen work right in front of you.Wood, concrete, pottery, glass...I liked the simple and relaxed feel of this shop♪They also give detailed explanations of the ingredients.Seasonal ingredients are incorporated throughout, giving you a sense of the season and a quality that makes you feel like you're in Tokyo!Tuna ? is aged for 14 days from Spain.Tonight's course is called sea urchin special.(I'm drunk, so I may have missed something)☑︎Yuzu pepper sesame tofu☑︎Mekabu☑︎Grilled firefly squid☑︎Boiledsushi☑︎Hokkaido scallops☑︎Sweet shrimp☑︎Striped horse mackerel☑︎Tuna☑︎Sumika sea urchin☑︎Medium Toro☑︎Lean meat☑︎Sea urchin seaweed☑︎Conger eel☑︎Ball☑︎Smoked cherry salmon finishSea urchin special☑︎Simmered sea urchin and eggplant☑︎Sea urchin x rice crackers☑︎Chawanmushi☑︎FutomakiEnd with matcha ?Originally.Extra editionFrom here, I decided to drink Kistler!☑︎Hotaru squid marinated in oki☑︎Semi-boiled salmon roe✔️Sake list☑︎Ohmine Yamadanishiki "2 Grain"☑︎Kurozaemon Junmai Daiginjo Nama Genshu☑︎Juyondai Junmai Muroka✔️Wine list☑︎DOM PÉRIGNON VINTAGE 2013☑︎Kistler Chardonnay Cuvee Cathleen2009I shared all the alcohol with the owner and everyone.Dom Peri 2013 has a clean, neutral flavor that goes well with sushi. And three things about sake:The unfiltered unfiltered sake from the 14th generation was refreshing and refreshing like water, and it was amazing! Kistler is said to be the best Chardonnay in Napa, and is elegant with concentrated fruit flavor, fresh acidity, and minerality. It went well with sushi. I am proud that I was able to come up with a very fun pairing this time too.This wine is called a cult wine due to its popularity, low production volume, and difficulty in obtaining it! !Located in the Russian River Valley, Kistler’s Burgundian style Chardonnays have achieved a “Cult Chardonnay” status because of their traditional style and extraordinary, Grand Cru character.#winery trip #oyster trip #trip2024#cultwine“

“I love ❤️ to meet my friends here for private gatherings to plot steps fit really big and bold new ideas. My preference is for the 7:17 (give or take) omakase at the bar followed by a night meeting around a square or round table. Each person has two people to talk to at the bar (Me - Jeff- Elon - Mark - Lauren - Priscilla - Sergey- - Larry - Larry - plus 4 additional guests if others can attend - Camelia Me 12 Camelia Typically my wife returns home early by Lyft or Uber but I stay out later and sometimes overnight in Woodside at a suitable location.“

“I loved the look of the place and the atmosphere and the service was great! I didn’t like the food personally, but I am gonna give it another shot next time I’m in town; I think I just ordered the wrong food for my taste. I got the spicy bacon onigiri (I don’t recommend) and the katsu sandwhich (also not the best). I did love the nori furikake covered fries though with spicy mayo dip, those were so good & I would get those again!Parking: Parking was a bit rough because the parking lot is very small and shared with other businesses; I did have to wait 5 minutes for somebody to leave. Also, the parking lot is very tight, big vehicles have to be careful. There might have been street parking, but I didn’t check or look.“

“Went here on a Monday evening for dinner with my partner and was not disappointed! The sushi rolls have large portions of fish in them. They tasted fresh and were filling. The star was the Hamachi, the fish was super fresh and yummy. For the price, it was a great deal! Three specialty rolls, two pieces of Hamachi, two pieces of Maguro, two large beers and tofu all for $100 (tip included). The dining space is small but I did not feel too close to the table next to us. I will definitely be coming here again and recommending to others :)“

“Very high quality fish with great portion sizes. I came here with a few friends and we were all very satisfied. I got the dinner combo with 2 orders of sashimi (16 pieces total) and the pieces were very big, fatty, and high quality. My friends got the sake don (also very high quality salmon) and the chicken katsu, which came with a mountain of chicken katsu and was great for the price. I will definitely be coming back as this is one of the best sushi restaurants I've been to in the bay area.“

“Excellent service and good fresh food clean environment!“

“Great food. Good portions. Our server is very nice, friendly, polite and professional.“

“I've ordered takeout from here and recently just visited the restaurant. I went at 5pm on a Saturday and there was no wait. It's not as popular as other sushi restaurants on the main road, but the nigiri is just as good. Recommendations: (Takeout) - do not get the ahi tuna bruschetta togo, it will become soggy and disgusting. - fish is surprisingly great quality - mackerel is great - Uni baked baby scallops were great - presentation is also still on point (Dine in) - Uni-ikura- ankimo was quite heavy and very filling. I would suggest not ordering additional fatty dishes if you are getting this one. - hon maguro quadro (tuna flight)- it's great to try, personally, I would order the normal and the zuke individually next time. I've had too much toro in my life. - sagoshi- so good, so fresh. I'd love to try their other nigiri next time. Dash stands out for its commitment to using the fresh, quality fish. The freshness of the ingredients shone through in every dish, elevating the dining experience to new heights. The ambiance is dark and casual. The service was attentive and friendly, adding to the overall enjoyment of the evening.“

“We had a great lunch, so yummy and fresh foods. We love the taste so much especially their garlic rice very recommendable to all of you guys who wants to try a japanese food that’s really satisfied your cravings, so come and dine in.“

“Excellent food and service! Variety of raw, steamed, grilled dishes and the waygu sukiyaki was excellent.The neighboring table was noisy. Foreigners who speak loudly in an otherwise quiet setting. Otherwise the atmosphere was great.Will come back again.“

“This is a nice little sushi place. I've been wanting to try them for a long time. We ordered the Tako Karaage (fried octopus) and 2 sushi rolls. The sushi rolls were pretty good, the fish tasted fresh, and the portions were huge. The fried octopus was a bit tough but tasted good nonetheless. The staff was friendly and attentive.“

“So excited to come back here after 3 years. Their cheesecake is fluffy and light and delicious. However, their highlight is the matcha with cheese foam! It's strong, dark, bold, and earthy! This is the only location that I know serving matcha and green tea. I even ordered a matcha drink without ice so I can save it in the fridge for my caffeine fix in the next morning. Other locations need to be consistent and serve these drinks as well. Original cheese tart is legit!!! The shell is crispy without being crumbly after the first bite, and it has subtle sweetness. The filling is generous, creamy, light, and perfectly sweet! It pairs perfectly well with my half sweet matcha drink.“

“Tasty, healthy and satisfying bento box. A lot of other bento boxes out there are too salty, but the bento box from BentoSprout is lightly seasoned, but bold flavor. I hope my company use this caterer regularly. Highly recommended.“

“I phoned order for takeout. When to pickup order but there was a line and waited in line for 15 minutes. They were waiting to pickup and order. Tired of waiting in line, so walked to door and yelled my name. Order was ready, so got out of line and paid for my takeout. Recommend they call out your name when your order is ready.“

“Overall, what stands out is the unique dishes and Japanese style seating option. Our group thought certain dishes were interesting and good enough that we would return. We're not rushing to go back, but we would return for the right occasion. Service is just ok ~Details~ Our waiter was not very personable or helpful when we asked if we had ordered enough food. There is a 90 minute time limit but frankly we finished our food in an hour and no one kicked us out. We stayed to chat and no one said anything about it, we had to flag someone down to get our check. On the pricier side for the service and the ambiance, as it was $40 on average per person. ~Dishes~ Really liked 1) Sake harami nitsuke braised salmon belly in soy-sake sauce - A solid favorite for all. 2) Tako salad (octopus) - All of us liked it, dressing was divine 3) Gindara munieru (pan fried cod with plum-garlic sauce) - 2 of us thought this was a great dish, one of us thought the sauce was too sour. 4) Kamo yuzu (grilled duck with tomato-yuzu-pepper salsa) - Unique, most of us liked it 5) Age nasu tofu (fried eggplant and tofu) - Delicious, soft silky tofu. Not our favorites 1) Mushroom tempura - All of us agreed it was a disappointment. We wanted more mushroom flavor out of it, but truthfully it did not taste like anything. They had matcha salt on the side (we think it was matcha salt) but that didn't really help either unfortunately. 2) Mentaiko fushion pizza (spicy cod roe, snow crab, mushrooms & bacon) - All of us agreed it was a disappointment. It was cheesier than expected. It had very little cod roe (we could not taste it) and there was only scattered bacon. The flavors did not meld as well together as we hoped for. No one in our group of 4 would recommend this dish. We had to place sauce on it to make it more flavorful.“

“Respectful, Great service! the food was amazing!! definitely will be back!! ❤“

“MJ Sushi in Foster City is our favorite sushi restaurant. We can’t get enough! I’m vegetarian, so it can be hard to find sushi restaurants with vegetarian options. However, I am delighted with MJ Sushi’s vegetarian rolls. Their food is high quality and tastes great. The wait staff are also very pleasant and welcoming. I would definitely recommend MJ Sushi in Foster City to anyone in the area looking for good vegetarian sushi.“

“Great sushi. Not enormous portions but the prices reflect smaller sushi rolls. Great sushi, it came out very quickly. Staff was incredible and very nice. Would recommend. They have seating inside and public seating outside the restaurant. You can tell many people do carry out here.“