50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Foster City

“ラーメンと言っているが、そばや焼き鳥など日本のメニューが複数ある。 日本で食べるような美味しさは無いが困った時やどうしても日本の味が恋しい時などは行ける。 まあ、悪くはないとおもいます。“

“Went there craving for sushi and omakase experience, and this place did not disappoint!

Each dish was creative, thoughtful, well-presented, and very delicious. The chefs explained each dish in details and made the experience interactive, which I really liked. We learned a lot about the different ingredients, why they were selected, and how they prepared them. Not typical in omakase places where they would just mention the fish and moved on.

The service was also top-notched, well-prepared, and friendly, which makes the atmosphere is cozy and relaxing. I just wish they play some musics in the background.

Note that their sake flights come with free one refill. So you would get 6 instead of 3 for the price. I thought this was a bit strange. Not sure why they didn’t just price for one portion, but we finished the double portions anyways haha. They have good sake selection!

I would highly recommend for special occasions or if you are simply into creative dishes. They rotate their menus every month or so. I would love to see lunch menus so I can enjoy it more regularly.“

“I had to go to the Richmond District today and I knew farmers market was happening. I told myself to just get a snack because I need to fit into a dress for the two holiday parties I'm going to on Thursday. Within 10ft of entering farmers market, I saw Kunugi Noodles's booth that had a picture of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. So naturally I didn't listen to myself and ordered one lol!The owner was working by himself so it was a wait. But the okonomiyaki was worth it, especially because Hiroshima-style is hard to find in the city.It wasn't exactly Hiroshima-style because the crepe batter was mixed with the cabbage and the egg was pre-made (a fried egg instead of it being shaped like a crepe). But working in an outdoor kitchen has limitations and cooking it that way was the way to do it in this situation. It was delicious nonetheless!The cabbage/crepe pancake is where the seafood was. There were pieces of shrimp and squid that gave it a chewiness against the softness of the crepe batter. The cabbage added a smokiness. The yakisoba noodles were yummy and maintained a slightly firm texture from being fried. I also liked the amount of Bonita flakes added. It was just right to add more seafood flavor.The owner was really nice! Even though he was clearly busy working on his own, we conversed a little on our travels to Japan.I know this page says his location is at a farmers market elsewhere and I don't know how often he's at Clement Street's farmers market. But wherever you go, if you see his booth, check it out!“

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

“Great find and will be back often … loved everything about this place“

“The food is excellent. I visited about a month and a half ago. We had a family of 4. We each ordered two to three rolls, and beer. We all loved the food and I cannot stop thinking of the Honey walnut roll. Super fresh. The only thing disappointing is that our waiter basically left us or went on break halfway through our meal. We were still wanting to order more. He didn’t tell us he was leaving. He didn’t pass us off to another waitperson. It was odd, confusing and kind of disappointing. We had to keep asking waitstaff as they walked by, for additional items, as well as the check. We basically had no additional wait service, unless we sought it out. If they wanted us to come to the counter and order- that would’ve been fine, and the staff could bus, but we were definitely seated and treated as if we would have service at the table at the beginning. We watched other staff wait tables for the entire meal of other patrons. Not sure what was going out with our waiter (shorter guy).
Anyhow the food was great. I’ll probably try carry out next time instead.“

“Fantastic evening at Robin. The omakase restaurant had a hip, night clubby feel to it as the interior was dark with dance club music, but the sushi was definitely worthwhile. Erin and Abby provided friendly and efficient service, which contributed to the overall positive experience. Free parking lot next door makes it easy to find a parking space.“

“Solid tonkatsu with spinach added. The soft-boiled egg was a bit disappointing as it was a bit cold, but the rest was good. Interestingly, this was the first time I've had chasu that was grilled. Gotta say, it's an excellent innovation.

The service was friendly and fast, while the atmosphere was a bit sterile.“

“From the warm greeting everyone receives when walking through the door to the attentive and super friendly service, this place is amazing! The sushi was outstanding… hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had! The texture, taste and presentation was top notch. Wish there was a location on the east coast!“

“Absolutely delicious and the presentation is off the charts! Even my French wife was impressed : ) Wonderful service, freshest sushi that I've had in years, incredibly tasty, perfect blends of flavors and textures. Loved the Sake selection presentation by one of the knowledgeable owners (see video). My highest recommendation for this excellent Japanese restaurant in Millbrae to experience the Art of Kaiseki in its truest essence!“

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

“Family operated business establishments are always the best!! Food is superb!! Price is competitive!“

“YES THIS SUSHI IC SO CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE AND CHEAP!!!! YOU GET A FREE DRINK WITH ORDER! ( not including water, that’s always free)

Kid-friendliness: Not many kids go there, but they are still kind to kids who do go there.“

“It was not our first time here , it’s one of those places where u wanna go on the weekends cuz easy working n most importantly, not too pricey and food is good for the prices.
I got two lunch ramen , and was able to ask to swap out the rice for more salads
Def will go back with my children.
It’s a cozy little restaurant, it’s a place for u to eat finish n go place.

Parking: Street parking was easy on a Sunday lunch time

Kid-friendliness: They were able to provide forks , kids tableware , but no stroller“

“We ordered one of their specials, Regular Chirashi Bowl, 2 types of sashimi and one Spider Ramen. The food was great. The Chirashi Bowl was spectacular. The Spider Ramen was quite interesting. Nice presentation with fried soft-shelled crab and shrimp tempura. The sashimi was also very fresh.

The restaurant was quite fancy yet cozy. The price was on the expensive side, but the food was delicious.

Wheelchair accessibility: No steps to the restaurant. Wheelchair tables.“

“This restaurant was right next door to my hotel, just outside the side door. When I entered the restaurant, I noticed that many of the patrons were still wearing their coats. I was shortly seated and took my coat off, then it became apparent why everyone else still kept their coats on. It was just cold inside the restaurant. I put my coat back on and then ordered a Dragon Roll, some Sushi Rice, Miso Soup and a large Sapporo. Everything was perfect! The Dragon Roll was plated perfectly, the Miso was very hot and the Sushi Rice was delightful! The only downer was the cold room.“

“Not a lot of japanese bakery selection here in the Bay Area, but this spot is a must-try.

Decided to try a large variety of the menu, and everything was a hit. Would def recommend getting the chocolate and matcha lattes; they are so rich and authentic which is rare to find even amongst drink specialized stores. Also would recommend the cream cornets and the tonkatsu sandwich; portion is huge!

Staff were all very friendly and professional; I you like your bread not too sweet, would def recommend.“

“Absolutely amazing❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ best sushi!“

“Seated right away without reservation. Outside and inside options. Sat outside. It's covered. Heat lamps if necessary, which is great. Ordered a bunch of yakitori options. All were delicious. I'm definitely gonna try more!

Parking: I parking at the main garage and walking over. It's free after 6pm.“

“Exceptional hidden gem sushi spot. So glad we found this place. Very small, only about 6 small tables inside. All the sushi was exceptional, wide variety of foods including a sushi taco which was not a gimmick or stunt food, so so good. Prices were fair, they had a range from simple to fancy based on what you wanted. Miso soup was also delicious. The water cups were made of heavy stone, the miso bowls were handmade wood. I almost don’t want to recommend this place since it’s so small I’m worried it’ll get too busy! But they deserve it. Best sushi in the Bay Area.“

“Super happy to have found Minako and Yoko-san again! Yoko-san's cooking is still homie, comforting, and delicious as ever. Be sure to come visit, relax, be delighted by the carefully made dishes from Yoko-san, be awed by the handwritten menus, and enjoy the chats with Minako!“

“First of all the owners are absolutely delightful. We got take out and it blew our socks off! Hands down the best egg I have ever had in my life....Seriously, I had waited a long while to come here and when I got a reservation for my husband's birthday it was a magical, moment. We were delighted. We traveled through taste and it suspended time. Satiated and joyous. Wakuriya is the best Japanese I have had in my life. I cannot wait to dine inside, but until then I will treat myself to their fare every month. Truly, a delight of sight, smell, texture and taste. I feel lucky to live in the neighborhood, to be so close to this 魔法の場所. Much Love Everyone, may you eat well, be well and visit Wakyuriya.“

“Came here with a buddy and made out for about $50 or less. We ordered 3 rolls and split them, which was enough food for the two of us. The portions were fairly well sized and reasonably priced(for current bay area sushi prices). The fish tasted fresh, and they had plenty of options. They were not very busy and the waitress was friendly. I enjoyed the mostly wooden decor, reminded me of the more old school sushi places i grew up with. Mini bonus for me is that they are in the same spot my childhood chinese restaurant was at!“

“My take out dinner was humongous from Diner Japonica. It could’ve fed 2 patrons easily. It was a combination dinner with tempura, salmon lots of rice and a side of greens w an umami dressing. The place is not a sit down diner with the booths cordoned off. The old looking restaurant is in a small strip mall right on Woodside with a small parking lot. If you like big portions of oishi foods, get on over there. If you’re looking for ambience, it’s not this place but when I’m hungry for oishi foods, I’m definitely going back. The obasan who works there is very sweet. I recommend this little take out place.“

“Very friendly staff and delicious food. The variety is great! Definitely a go to place if you like Sushi 🍣 🤙🥇“

“Great place For the best sushi in the Bay Area.“

“Got the 3 Onigiri Combo (Spicy Beef, Salmon, & Unagi) w/ Chicken Karaage & a Kabocha Croquette.
All 3 onigiri were great! The karaage & croquette was nice and crispy.
Also included some edamame & tamago.
Overall a great spot for a quick lunch or dinner.“

“Delicious and Creative dishes including the poke bowls we enjoyed for lunch. The spicy marinade on the chicken was excellent. Lunch crowd is steady for them and service was good considering there was just one waitress/server who was hustling to take care of everyone. Definitely will be back.“

“💣🎉💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣👌💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣“

“Gonna give it 4 stars because while the aburasoba is good I'd like them to make mazesoba too, which has more complex ingredients, preparation, and flavor. Mogomogu in Sawtelle, LA sets the benchmark for great mazesoba on the west coast.“

“The best Shabu in San Jose and located in the perfect part of San Jose in Japantown, we love coming here to eat Shabu, it is so delicious. I highly recommend it *****five stars the owner Richard treat’s us great with so much hospitality, we just feel so welcomed and will continue to frequent his establishment.“

“Very cute to-go place. Perfect for a quick lunch pick up especially if you work in South City. I got the unagi with egg (savory with a hint of sweetness) and takoyaki which were both hot and fresh! I want to try the fruit sando and pork sando next time.I purchased it at the Kei Sushi location.“

“Best sushi spot on the peninsula. The food, the drinks, the ambiance, the service...it all makes for an incredibly fun evening. Can't think of a restaurant with a happier vibe than Tokie's. Family run, family friendly, a cherished staple of the San Mateo community. The owners, Diane and Vic, are wonderfully kind, welcoming, and hardworking folks. It's not uncommon for them to stop by your table, say hi, and sometimes drop off an extra little treat if you're a frequent diner. Dine at a table, at the sushi bar, or at the drinks bar, which has a TV, making it a great spot to watch a Warriors game.“

“Found this location while staying nearby at the Westin. Unsuspecting and a bit hidden. However, the food was excellent, owners were kind / helpful, and the atmosphere was pleasant. For a quick dinner, I would certainly come back if in the area.“

“This place was fairly close by for lunch when I had to report for Jury duty. Owner was super positive and nice personality was pretty contagious, despite how terrible the weather was that day. Had their "Power Chicken" at a mild spicy level. The food came out quick, and I can tell that there was some "wok hay" in the cooking. The chicken was tender, onions were fresh, crisp, and lightly charred which takes skill. Sauce was actually mildly spicy, unlike some places where there is barely any spice when you order "mild". Generous helping of rice.

Went back after service to order a small party tray for dinner, and to get some boba next door from Teaspoon. Would go again if I was in the area and looking for food.“

“Great little place. Been here twice. The chefs greet you as you are walking in. I didnt notice it because of a loud diesel passing by out of place but the chefs greet everyone as the come in, even the obvious deliveryman that was lost. I should know by now, this is just a standard in japanese culture and i should keep this knowledge with me when walking into Japanese establishments. The environment is nice. Feels a little cluttered but i definitely dont sense it when having a seat. I love looking at the booth side. I believe it is called "Izakaya" decor. It is a cozy feel, especially in booth. The Bathroom is western style, modern, and clean.The hostess is very sweet and endeering, always smiling. I ordered a sushi lunch combo and very well worth the price. Along with miso and salad you get to choose two fish items, which i went with salmon nigiri and spicy tuna roll. The rice portion was standard, the salmon was doubled and doubled again. Ill attach a photo but you know how other sushi places charge six bucks for two pieces? This place basically gives you 8 pieces of fish as it basically covers the rice entirely. Again, the rice was a normal portion. The spicy tuna looks like it was handled a little too heavily but the taste was there.Is this something I can always expect? Probably not, just extra salmon maybe paired with an aggressive sushi chef for the day, but I am coming back for sure!

Parking: Parking get a little cramped on school days lunch and dinner hours.“

“Fabulous food: taste textures and appearance. When you want to sample a large variety of flavors but don't want to consume too much, Dash is a great choice of restaurant.

Parking: It's first come, first serve for street parking, which is Okay during the week but tricky on Fridays and Saturdays. There is also paid parking available.“

“good food great service and accomending.“

“good place to dine and very clean“

“very good and fresh food for lunch“

“Very clean, fresh and delicious, excellent service, if there are a lot of people it takes a while to serve because there are few people who work.

Vegetarian options: Plants and vegetables

Parking: There is a lot of room“

“Came here with my husband on my birthday. Overall the food was excellent. Very good personalized service... At 7:30 p.m. we were the only people there and remained the only people there the entire time. I thought that a bit odd. The food was delicious. Carefully created. Great play presentation... Except for the worm ?/ or parasite that I found on top of the one dish. They promptly took it away and informed me they remade it. I think they just removed the flowers/leaves. Recommended sake was delicious. The menu is seasonal so things will probably adjust if others go there. I'm still thinking about that delicious chestnut inside of a fried fishball. The rice made tableside was underwhelming to be honest.“

“Have been back for a few times to try different things on the menu, I will let the pictures speak for themselves! They serves fresh, high-quality sushi and delicious skewers in a relaxing atmosphere. Attentive service and variety of sake selection. Highly recommend for a special night out!“

“I almost don’t want to leave a review as this place is such a hidden gem. We got a dragon roll, chicken teriyaki, and a miso ramen.

We devoured the roll, it was incredibly fresh. The miso ramen was very flavorful and massive.

What really made our visit memorable was the spectacular customer service. We came in 30ish minutes before closing and not once did we feel rushed, the waiter was so welcoming. Must visit, you will not regret!“

“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“

“We frequent Shiki at least monthly. The variety on the menu is very good, no complaints about the quality of the food or raw fish, they typically have seating, and I have no complaints about the service. Overall it's a great last minute choice in a packed San Carlos/Redwood City area.“

“adoro la variedad de Mocho que tienen además la excelente atención“

“TASTY MEAL & COZY PLACE It was lunch time in San Mateo downtown and I wanted some different for lunch. The ambience was friendly, comfortable, and inviting. At lunch time, there were both the Lunch Menu with many Lunch Plates, multiple Lunch Combos, several Beef Curry bowls, various Donburi bowls, numerous Noodles dishes, and quite a few Nabe pots; and the Lunch Special with 8 different sets which includes soup, salad, and entree. My Curry Soba was delicious and the soba noodles were swimming in the curry sauce. Wow! Lots of sauce. It was heavenly delightful. Lunch Special #2 Bento Box - chicken teriyaki was tender, the tempera had a light batter, and the California roll added a nice touch along with soup, salad, and rice. There was so much food my wife couldn’t finish her meal The service was excellent. We were served with green tea within minutes of seating. The wait staff explained the daily special. The wait staff made the entire experience enjoyable. We had a TASTY MEAL at a COZY PLACE … at Hotaru Japanese Restaurant, San Mateo downtown.“

“On the cheaper side for food, and it's amazing. Haven't tried their ramen but tonkatsu curry is great.Takoyaki is more on the soft side, and karaage isn't crispy— but good. It's a different style— liking it would be preference.“

“Great sushi 😋😋🤤🤤. Feel like mom and pa places in Japan. Cozy feel!! Really like and enjoy.“