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。“

“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!“

“This is an interesting place, primarily known for their omakase (I think), but we came for the tsukemen. The tsukemen was tasty and presented with a dipping sauce warmer set up. I gotta say the egg was perfectly cooked, but I don't know if we really needed the bamboo shoots and mushrooms given the dipping setup.

The ambience is good and there is a unique water and condiment setup that makes it standout, although it also crowds the table a bit. Nevertheless, it's unique and adds to the charm of the place.

Service was great and we chatted a lot with the lady who was covering our table. She gave us a lot of background on the work they did to get the current menu in place and tweaks they are planning going forward.

Overall, this place was a refreshing change of pace. Tsukemen is not that common, the ambience is different, and the service was super engaging. I will definitely go back to check on the evolving menu. Highly recommended.“

“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“

“Consistent, quick and delicious. I dined in restaurant when they first opened and the service was great. Since then I regularly order take out from here either for pick up or delivery. It’s always reliably good. My favorite is the MJ Roll, and the deluxe hand roll when I’m feeling like treating myself.“

“One of my top 10 restaurants. Love the interior decorating, and of course the food is incredible and creative. It's created and delivered with the upmost of care.

I like the concept of pay-what-you-want, we got the middle tier-ish and had a lot of really unique and fresh food. Dishes include uni from Hokkaido and Santa Barbara, triggerfish, scallops,band many others.

Almost everything about this restaurant was perfect. My only change would be the music, it was fun but didn't seem to match the mood. Not a deal breaker though.“

“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!“

“Went out to celebrate a special day and decided to try ramen for the first time. I absolutely loved the depth of flavor in the broth—it was a great introduction to the dish. The fried chicken we ordered didn’t quite live up to expectations, but the yakitori skewers were outstanding and definitely the highlight of the meal. Overall, it was a memorable experience, and I’m excited to come back and explore more ramen options.“

“Unexpectedly good. Excellent nigiri. Hand rolls just right. Balance of fish and flavor. They have the basics and I’d love to see them venture to other kinds of fish like mackerel and sardine. If I lived locally I’d come here again and again. Nice Japanese music. Easy atmosphere. Enjoyable for a long meal.“

“I think actual price of menu was a bit higher than what was online/on the table but not a huge issue. Food was decent and good enough for the price, service was super attentive for certain tables and generally good overall. Great for a date where you’re not tryna spend an insane amount of money“

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

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

“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“

“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.“

“Iki Omakase was an amazing experience, and one of the best we’ve had in the Bay Area. Chef Lee puts a lot of care and attention to detail in the 20 course menu. He ships his fish weekly, serves wet and dry age fish to perfection, and compliments with unique appetizers. One of the few omakase spots we would return to. Very highly recommend!“

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

“All their yakitoris were seasoned well and I loved both the salted and soy options. You order through a QR code using your phone so you won't have any issues with flagging down a waitress whether you're seated on the first or second floors.“

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

“So many veggie options! They have a large section of vegetarian sushi, some of the best I’ve had. Very creative! Nice fusion dishes too like sushi tacos!! We ordered several veggie dishes and all of them were excellent. Casual atmosphere, friendly staff, and easy parking too.“

“Easily the best sushi in the area. The fish selection is seasonal. The preparation is thoughtful and appealing.

The restaurant is tiny and seats 12 patrons. The decorations are a little kitschy but the food is worth it. This is one of the few sushi restaurants I keep coming back to.“

“Attentive and lovely service, wonderful food that’s well worth the price, and a simple spartan jnterior. The whole staff was amazing and patient and took the time to explain things. The food was excellent and a wonderful mix of flavors. The presentation was simple but elegant.“

“Maybe it was just because I hadn't eaten all day, but the food here was something else. Transcendental experience. Ate some of the best donburi of my life and I felt full after only finishing half because the portion sizes are huge. Great experience for sure 🙂‍↕️“

“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!!“

“I'm SO glad someone mentioned 'mom & pop' - this place reminded me of the local places I grew up going to in Hawaii... (& hard to find here)

The Bento boxes are so oishi!!! The salmon teriyaki serving was huge and cooked perfectly (both pieces)... We also got chicken katsu & chicken teriyaki - both were great. Veggies - cooked & a side salad... Great value for the portions.

Now someone mentioned the curry was 'watery' - that IS Japanese curry. I didn't order it this time, but that's on my list to try on our next visit.

This is the perfect comfort food place - simple, tasty, good value - all prepared and served by a very nice couple.“

“This place is pretty small but cute. There are not that many seats inside, and most people seem to be taking food to go. I got the tonkatsu quesadilla for $12 and it was essentially cabbage, corn, and tonkatsu, and cheese inside a tortilla(?) shell. It was an interesting item, but tasted pretty good.“

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

“I love Onigilly!!! This location was wonderful. I came from a 30min drive away with my husband and baby and had a nice time. My Zosui soup was a bit delayed but a staff member gave us little ice cream puffs as an apology and it was very sweet. They were also kind and laughed when my husband and baby were playing games. Food was top tier and delicious, as usual. Above and Beyond.“

“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!“

“Tokie’s Sushi in San Mateo is an absolute gem. The food is consistently fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor...from the sushi to the cooked dishes, everything is done with care and attention to detail. You can truly taste the quality in every bite.
And don’t skip the craft cocktails—they’re just as impressive as the food. Creative, well-balanced, and perfectly made, they pair incredibly well with the menu and really elevate the whole dining experience.
What truly sets Tokie’s apart, though, is the people. The owners are incredibly kind, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about what they do. The staff is just as amazing, friendly, attentive, and always making you feel like a regular, even on your first visit. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, which makes the experience even better.
If you’re looking for outstanding sushi, excellent craft cocktails, and top-notch service, Tokie’s Sushi is a must. Highly recommend and can’t wait to keep coming back.“

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

“We love it! This is party tray. Fresh, tasty, thick fish.
Love it every time we order to go, or eat in the restaurant.
There's plenty of parking next street, so that's not a problem at all.
Love their friendly and fast service!“

“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.“

“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“

“Visited Yakitori Kokko for the second time. Expect classic izakaya vibes, well-executed grilled dishes, and a solid place for late-night dining with friends.

Highlights / Must-order items:
* Wagyu Steak – nicely seared, tender, and juicy
* Beef Tongue – thick cut with great texture
* Lamb Chop – well seasoned, no gamey flavor
* Steamed Clams – very fresh with a flavorful broth
* Grilled Scallop – sweet and tender (often sells out)
* Takowasa – smooth texture, great with sake

Small portions, great for skewers + sake flights 🍶. Ideal for casual dinners, late-night bites, or a first stop after landing at SFO.“

“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! 🍣✨“

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

“Waited approximately one hour to be seated. Spoiker: it was well worth that wait. I ordered the tonkatsu ramen and pork buns. I can't decide which part was better, the noodles or the broth! The pork buns were priced just right at $8 for 2. Some of the best I've had. You are all so lucky to have such a wonderful ramen bar in your community. I am from Maine and will be sure to stop by this establishment every chance I get once I am in town.“

“Came here during the week for their popular lunch special and it did not disappoint! For less than $20 I got chicken teriyaki (get it with crispy skin), salad and California rolls. The lady who workers here (I believe is the owner) is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I will definitely be back and encourage others to give this place a try!“

“good food great service and accomending.“

“Food and service was incredible. The sushi and ramen was delicious. We went for a birthday party and brought a cake. Without us asking, the waitress offered to store the cake in their own fridge and even gave us new clean plates to eat the cake with after we ate our food. Now I have 2 reasons to go back. The food and the service.“

“Udon Mugizo is still a trustworthy place for udon. The tonkotsu one is still the best with perfectly cooked eggs and all the assortments on top. Somehow the appetizers like chicken karaage is not as good as before/ other branches. What I like about this branch compared to others is more relaxing vibe around the bar area. It would be really cool to serve the food across the bar rather than on the side though lol. Despite comments here and there, it is still a good place that I would come for udon over other chains.“

“Sushi Kuu has a nice variety of dishes. Among them, they offer 2- and 3-item bento boxes with a good selection of options. I appreciate that they don’t put limitations by having customers choose one item from one column and another item from another column. You can choose anything on their list.

I had the bento box with saba shioyaki, miso salmon, and chicken katsu. My son had the bento box with beef short ribs, tonkatsu, and spicy tuna roll. We really liked them.

Service was excellent!“

“This place is ASTRONOMICAL. Sushi is cheap for the area, is extremely flavorful, and the attention to detail on some of these rolls are just chefs kiss. I come here very often to get food and it is highly enjoyed by me and friends. If your in the area and are craving sushi this is the place to go. One (extremely) small downside is for the tuna. Sometimes it's color is very light and is sometimes chopped in smaller rolls like the smaller tuna roll. Other than that everything is PERFECT“

“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.“

“Great ramen!!! Fast and friendly service!“

“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“

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

“Cauliflower 3 not flavorful, grilled
Ikura Salmon Yaki-oni Benedict 3 egg & salmon on deep fried rice ball, not flavorful
Dry aged Salmon Kama 3 a little dry, salty
Thick cut beef tongue 4 crewy, flavorful
Ox-tail udon 2 only one pc
Uni Flan 5 pudding, salmon roe, spread on bread, flavorful, refreshing
Seafood Skewers 4 black cod, salmon, yellowtail, scallop, oyster, not flavorful, some juicy, some not
Aburi Oxtail 5 grilled braised, super tender, fall off the bone, miso ponzu sauce, flavorful
Wagyu Steak & Garlic Rice 3 not enough steak, medium rare, medium crispy rice“

“I was seated right away during lunch time and it wasn't too busy. My favorite and reason for my visit was to have the torikawa (chicken skin skewers) I also had the Bento with the shrimp tempura and shioyaki salmon. Everything was delicious 😋 I almost forgot to take photos as I was hungry lol... price was also reasonable.“