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。“

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

“Came for the omakase and stayed for the uni ✨The sashimis were so fresh, the mini don with uni is very tasty. Definitely really fresh good quality pieces for good value. The owner is super sweet and nice, we had a great time here, definitely would come again!“

“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!“

“MJ Sushi delieved an amazing meal and experience. The sashimi was incredibly fresh, high quality, and beautifully presented.
They also have an excellent sake selection, whether you're looking for a crisp, dry sake or something a little more complex. The staff was knowledgeable and happy to make recommendations. What really stood out, though, was the customer service. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making the entire dining experience enjoyable from start to finish. If you're looking for outstanding sushi, premium sashimi, great sake, and exceptional service, I highly recommend. I'll definitely be back soon with friends!“

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

“The service was great and the food was fresh. I loved the shrimp tempura and the different sushi options - of which there were many.“

“I’ve been here at least a dozen times, and every single visit has been a perfect 10/10. It’s in my top three favorite restaurants on earth, alongside SingleThread (***) and Madrid’s Invernadero (*)—every time I’m in the Bay Area, I’ll go out of my way to visit and it’s always the highlight of my week.“

“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.“

“A neighborhood jam truly one of a kind hole in the wall place. If you want authentic Japanese kaiseki this is the go to spot. We came here to celebrate a graduation for a party of two. Everything was great!

The restaurant is cozy, and the owners are true Japanese chefs and very hospitable. You can choose the main course, but these are mostly set menus. Everything was properly planned with the quality ingredients that were refresh and tasty. Nothing overly powerful that would mask the true freshness of their ingredients which I absolutely loved.

The standouts were definitely the duck salad starter and the main sashimi plate for me.

Reservation recommended. Easy to park around the neighborhood.

**second visit, oct 2026**
Solid food - quality ingredients, mellow ambience, friendly service. Elegant plating and love the variety of their chefs menu. This time the highlight was the dessert: housemade red bean jelly and matcha mochi.

Can’t recommend this spot enough!“

“First time eating here and we were delighted to find this ramen shop to add to our rotation. They offer unique fusions, like the ramen with kimchi and galbi. The portions are generous and with a lot more toppings than your classic ramen (where you have to pay extra for this or that). I could only eat half and had to bring the rest to-go!“

“Many promotions going on, they have eat for under $10 and I was more than full. Also they have a gift card deal and more discounts when leaving a review that I am taking advantage of! This place is very well priced and you can tell everything is fresh. I saw the girl cutting up all the vegetables from scratch. Very honorable place, really liked the kake, similar to miso soup in my opinion“

“Diner Japonica is a hidden gem. The menu consists spectacular authentic Japanese dishes. Since the pandemic, they only do takeout, but the food is great and the portions are generous. Our family favorites are Katsu Curry Chicken, Oyakodon, and the Bento boxes (2 and 3 item). Give them a call - you'll be glad you did!“

“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!“

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

“Enjoyed omakase 8pcs with some age dashi tofu, nigori sake and the white peach panna cotta!“

“We do mostly takeout here and keep returning because the food is great. My family’s general assessment is that their sushi is better than most in the area. But I wanted to highlight their excellent customer service. We had ordered a 3 item bento box in one of orders and one item was forgotten. When it was brought to their attention by phone, they reimbursed the entire bento box, no questions asked. Good customer service is hard to find these days and just wanted to make sure they were recognized for that on top of the great food!“

“What amazing find for being stuck at a hotel near SFO airport for a night. Mostly hidden in an old office park area is a kind, older, I presume Japanese couple who run this place. Everything is made to order. The sign on the door said closed Saturday but they were open and the steady steam of customers mean people know how to find it… and for good reason.“

“Amazing meal, one of the few places for authentic kaiseki in the bay area. Very delicate flavors and intricately crafted. The zensai in particular was exquisite, grilled kamasu with egg yolk sauce was absolutely delicious and had me scraping off every bit of sauce from my plate. Some very unique dishes and flavor combinations I've not seen elsewhere too (peach tempura).

Service was very warm and attentive. Ambiance also very quiet and relaxing. Stepping in feels like being transported to Japan. Menus are truly seasonal too, will definitely be back!“

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

“Wonderful vegan sushi & friendly owner. I tried the shiitake avocado & spicy vegan rolls, both were delicious. Looking forward to visiting and trying other menu items soon!!“

“Exceptional omakase experience in the city; commendable service provided by the chef and waitress, both of whom are exceptionally courteous. Ingredients of the highest quality, with each course meticulously prepared and elegantly presented.“

“Ren Omakase was an exceptional dining experience! The dishes were beautifully presented, fresh, and full of delicate flavors. The service was attentive and welcoming, and the atmosphere made the meal feel special from start to finish. I’d definitely love to return for another memorable experience!“

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

“Kurodai - Black Seabream Nigiri 3 very strong wasabi, bitter, fishy
Ao Ebi - Blue Shrimp Nigiri 5 very chewy texture, slightly seared, slightly sweet
Hon Maguro Chu-toro - Medium Fatty Blue Fin Tuna Nigiri 5 fat evenly distributed, not stringy at all, melt in your mouth
Negitoro Hosomaki - Supreme Fatty Bluefin Tuna w/ Green Onion (Maki) 4 fatty, rich, fresh, flavorful
Oyster Shooter 2 juicy raw oyster, raw quail egg, tobiko, sake, ponzu, tabasco, very strong alcohol, bitter
Baked Baby Scallop 5 two baked Peru baby scallop, juicy, presented on shell, uni, mayo, unagi sauce, green onion, creamy, rich, flavorful
Iku-Uni-Himo 4 soy sauce marinated ikura / large fish eggs, way too salty, uni, mashed monkfish liver, white truffle oil, flavorful
Mentaiko Yaki Udon 4 pan fried thick wheat flour noodles, crunchy seasoned cod roe, crispy bacon, stir fried thin udon, flavorful
Yuzu Cheesecake 5 glazed crust, strong citrus flavor, creamy“

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

“This was a very pleasant surprise. We made a last minute reservation for 8 and ended up being 9. They did not reject us after the change at pick hour. Food was great and because we were ordering so much, we even got some freebies from our waiter.“

“Absolutely love Tomokazu! Every dish is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The sashimi is top quality, and the rolls are always creative and delicious. The beef short rib and shioyaki saba were also amazing, even though I didn’t get a photo! The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is cozy, and this place never disappoints. One of the best Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area! 🍣✨“

“Woah, the greatness of the sushi was unexpected as I was caught off-guard!! My hubby took me here for a regular Frid eat out night. Omg, every bite of my sushi tasted heavenly!! I felt so special like it was my bday as I slowly savored each morsel of divine deliciousness!! Phew! So amazing!! Love the intimate, cute atmosphere, &the service was warm & attentive. Id surely be back here soon with the rest of the fam, & later with friends! Stay great Ryoshin!!“

“San Mateos best kept secret. Best sushi I've had in years. Wonderful atmosphere, great service and at a reasonable price. My comment after dinner was , I guess I have had so much grocery store sushi, I forgot what real sushi should taste like.. Best Japanese food like this is rare these days until you try Tokies“

“For starters, being a new resident within their second year in San Mateo & now attending CSM for some courses I must say how pleased I am to find a gem of a restaurant such as Shiki. For it's convenience and location being an approximate 12 minute walk from campus I intend on visiting again on special occasion.

The service from staff was direct and accomadating as they allowed my cousin and I to enjoy our dinner over the course of our visit which spanned for almost more than an hour. This alone sets the tone of the atmosphere as the restaurant is moderately quaint with enough space to host a party of 4-6 comfortably according to the layout and tableing I could vaguely go over again in my mind.

Now, for the food commentary. The chirashi was a great choice for the night!A well displayed array of fresh fish placed on top of a balance of light seasoning topped sushi rice & garnish of thin clear noodles that could've been substituted from tamago kinshi. The hamachi was the highlight due to the robust sweetness that was propelled through the natural texture of the fish. The maguro being a typical favorite of mine did not disappoint at all!

Overall, the service was great as well as the atmosphere being perfect for intimate and relaxed occasions with loved ones. Not only was the chirasu fresh but the pork tonkatsu paired with a beautifully chopped sweet citrus fruit on the side among a fresh romaine leaflet embedded underneath was simple and clean. Thinly sliced and fried to a crunch with ease.

Thank you to the wonderful staff employed at Shiki! I most definitely want to thank the chef & kitchen crew for the delicious meals made tonight. Blessings!“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House was an amazing dining experience! The wagyu was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly in the delicious shabu-shabu broth. The ingredients tasted fresh, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the service was friendly and attentive. A fantastic spot for a special meal—I’d definitely come back again!“

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

“It’s always cozy and the food is good. Everyone is friendly.“

“Very Japanese, very authentic, has Cafe in the name and they actually serve coffee unlike the Mexican joint across the street. I had a cold brew and Ton Katsu Bento, wish I took a picture before I itadakimasu'd that food right into my tummy. Very tasty, very sweet staff, oishi desu. Please check it out.“

“This is one of my favorite spots for a quick bite. The onigiri are always perfectly seasoned, fresh, and filling. The staff is incredibly friendly, and Erick was especially kind and welcoming. Everything tasted authentic and comforting. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“Came here with my family for a Friday evening meal. Quick and attentive service, delicious food. Definitely like a local place with regulars. The staff were extremely accommodating and thoughtful. It was my 6 year old daughter’s birthday and they surprised her with a treat and candle.“

“The hostess was so awesome and just a ball of happiness and great energy.
The food was delicious and presentation was good; as many have said the Chicken Teriyaki was fantastic.

Portions were pretty good.
I’m a big eater so we ordered a lot. Chicken teriyaki, 5 Maki Rolls and a pop. Total plus tip was $100+

Give it a shot! We will definitely be back.“

“What made this place great besides the food was the service. We enjoyed salmon nigiri, California bomb, and the Alaska roll. Also had the plum sparking wine, which I’d absolutely recommend. I think what was notable was being cared about as if we were family. I’d 100% recommend and return to if ever back in the area.“

“I cannot stress enough how good the food is here. New favorite spot! The city roll is their favorite item on their menu and was so good I went two days in a row just to eat this roll. Absolutely going to be first on my list next time I am in town. Also very friendly staff and great atmosphere but the food is the superstar here. Wish there was a six star ranking for this place.“

“good food great service and accomending.“

“Amazing poke’ ! Incredible service! Awesome owners! Cool Asian sparkling water flavors! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Great little Japanese restaurant in the Carlmont shopping center. The inside has 7 tables plus two counters for dining. The table staff is friendly and helpful. The restaurant is open later than other restaurants in the area. The go tos here are the chicken teriyaki, the gal bi ribs, Japanese fried rice and the four seasons roll“

“Cozy and casual Japanese spot. Great vibes with the Japanese posters and anime theme music playing.

The food is outstanding for such an unassuming spot. Everything is super fresh. We ordered the edamame, a spider roll, chicken karaage, and a tempura bento box.

The Tempura in particular has the perfect light batter and I appreciated all the small side dishes that came with the bento.

We'll definitely be back to try the Japanese curry and ramen.“

“First time here. Long line to get in but it moved fairly quickly. Had the Roast beef Aburasoba. Mind-Boggling GOOD! The flavor was out of this world! The service was fantastic!! I can’t wait to go back again!“

“I had quite a nice time. Their hi's were very good.

Standout yakitori for me were the scallops and chicken thighs. Sapporo on tap. Takowas was very crisp. No complaints all around and service was attentive and the kitchen was quick.

Looking forward to my next visit when I am in the area again.“

“The food was incredibly delicious. Almost all of their dishes are roasted, including vegetables. The okra and green beans were particularly tasty. They also offer vegetarian and keto-friendly options. The atmosphere, however, wasn’t particularly great, but the rest of the experience was enjoyable.“

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

“Incredibly delicious. Friendly atmosphere. Awesome.“

“We ordered the nigiri omakase and the omakase box and it was amazing! The fish was so fresh and delicately prepared. We struck a conversation with the chef/owner Jason, who was so kind, informative and fun to talk to. My favorite was the monk liver and my husband’s was the salmon chutoro. Will definetely be coming back.“