50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Half Moon Bay

“We love Hangetsu for our family sushi dinners! The sushi is excellent, and my kids adore Chef Charles who always whips up something special for them. The ambience is lovely for date nights as well!“

“Great Japanese food and sushi💯🙋🏻‍♀️. The service is excellent. Very kind and friendly.“

“We chose sushi takeout and it was awesome. Two rolls, nigiri chef choice plate, yaki tori, and simple noodles. Lots of fish; these are good portions. Had the nigiri for lunch the next day. Not sure why some low reviews. My experience was great!“

“The Sushi was delicious and fresh.
The presentation was beautiful.
The service was excellent.
A little pricey but worth the fish selection.
Sake was paired with each course.
This was a great option“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Just a short & pleasant walk from the SFO Westin, Aloft, Marriott, et al., this modest hidden gem (founded 1979!) serves up both fresh & generously cut sushi & delicious old school burgers, all very reasonably priced. Tucked toward the back left of a nondescript office complex parking lot, it's worth the hunt :-) Dine in or take out for an enjoyable picnic on the waterfront where you can watch the planes take off & land at SFO. My only suggestion to them would be to offer cold sake in addition to the warmed sake on the menu...“

“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!!“

“This was a great meal! The side salad/soup/apps/entrees came out of the kitchen fairly spaced out so it felt almost like a fine dining experience. Did take a while so know that it is a whole dining experience - not just a quick meal out to eat. I got the Saba no Shioyaki grilled and liked that better than the sushi my partner got. The tempura was amazing and so was the Age Dashi Tofu appetizer!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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“

“good food great service and accomending.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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! 🍣✨“

“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.“

“If you want good authentic Japanese food, this is the place to go. It's no frills so don't go if you are looking for a fine dining experience. Food is plentiful, service is good and they have an outside / tent seating area that is good for larger groups and kids.“

“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!“

“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.“

“Ah, we are unfortunately disapponted. Came here early enough that we didn't need to wait in line. We ordered all the expensive items to try it out. We really wanted to like it but was left disappointed. The Otsumami bix is essentially presented in a way that makes it look unique but it's essentially sashimi in decorative cups. Too many white fish options like snapper, sea bass and amberjack which were all mediocre. One of the slots were used on picked wasabi. The tamago was way too sweet (too much sugar on top). At thes prices they should at least explained what each item was. Overpriced for what it's worth and in retrospect, the Otsumami box looked more beautiful than it tasted. The premium beef katsu was really tough. This will definitely not melt in your mouth. The cuts are too thick and tough, 1 out of 5. Your really need to gnarl it with your teeth. Kasien Don was probably the best item we ordered. Huge bed of rice but the uni, toro, crab, scallops, etc in top were good. It's best to share this. Lastly both the Salmon crunchy and Ginza roll were both okay. I liked the salmon crunchy more. Service was good; water and tea cups were always filled. Parking is ample. Overall, we had high hopes but spending $360+ for 4 people was an honest try. They made our money but not our hearts. Try for yourself, I hope it works out but for us, we were left disappointed.“

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

“Quality food everyone should give them a try ���“

“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.“

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

“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!“

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

“Excellent meal here. The miso sea bass was delicious, and the nigiri in the seasonal omakase was great. Wagyu nigiri was a standout. Our waitress/server was fantastic also! one of the best sushi/omakases in san mateo in my opinion! pricing is absolutely reasonable too.“

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

“I totally recommend YAYOI Restaurant SM Cebu City branch! For their great & delicious food and great staff, especially to our server Ms. Ygerne 🫶“

“One of the only places in the Bay Area that you can get traditional Chicken Katzu Don made with dashi, egg and onion. I have dreamt about this dish and living in the East Bay it’s hard for me to get it. Apparently they are still open over 25 years later…I might have to make a pilgrimage.“

“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!!“

“My favorite style of food growing up is Hong Kong cafe style, so to have Inshou close to home is a treat! A regular order is the baked spaghetti bolognese and brick toast (with condensed milk and peanut butter). Topping it off with a HK milk tea makes it perfect! The staff are super friendly and they remember us, and we’ve hardly ever had to wait for a table. Service is fast as well.“

“We love going here - it's sort of tucked away giving it a hidden gem feeling. The staff is warm, friendly and attentive. Sashimi is delicious and wonderfully presented. It was pricier than we expected but one wonderful thing they did for us was deep fry some of the decorations on the premium sashimi plate (the shrimp heads and the mackerel bones) - it was delicious and a nice, fun finish to the meal.“

“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.“

“Yesterday I tried Uncle Tetsu inside Hillsdale Shopping Center for the first time and I really enjoyed it. There were so many flavors to choose from but I only got the coconut pandan Japanese cotton cheesecake and the ube cheese tart. They're selling the mini cheesecake - cheesetart combo for only $10, a pretty good deal!
Cotton cheesecake was super soft and fluffy, and the flavor leans more towards the coconut. I think pandan was only there for the color. Like you can see it but the flavor was really light, not super strong like I expected.
Ube cheese tart was also good but definitely on the sweeter side. Me and my friend shared one because it gets kinda sugary after a few bites (but it's still delicious, I highly recommend). The texture is nice, very creamy and buttery inside with a slightly crunchy crust.
Place was not busy, and staff was nice. I’d probably come back again when I'm craving desserts.“

“My family and I love Sushirrito, and the creativity they bring in fusing amazing flavors together with sushi rolls the size of burritos 🌯! We recently dined at their newest location in Redwood City. The restaurant is clean, modern, and I loved the decor, esp the fish lanterns hanging from the ceilings. I got the Satori roll, and it’s the best - fish is fresh and it had the right amount of crunch and sauce to balance the tender hamachi. The matchagave latte was very refreshing, and had flavors mixed together that I’d never tasted before. Sumo crunch roll was perfect for the kids, esp. the red tempura flakes!🍣“

“The bay has no shortage of sushi restaurants, San Mateo least of all. Against this competitive backdrop, The Backhouse still claims a spot at the top. Jui's selection of garnishes and sauces are simply a level above others making this sort of modern style sushi - so delicious and, importantly, unique. And on top of excellent and highly consistent flavor, the business maintains its genuine local charm.

Useful info:
- Responsive to Instagram DMs
- IG story has alternate pickup locations a few times per week
- Parking usually isn't too hard if you're coming to the San Mateo location

If you're looking at the order form and are concerned about getting your money's worth, just go for it. You won't be disappointed.“

“Easily one of the top 5 pho bowls I’ve had an I’m Vietnamese. I had a lot of doubts about so many different Asian ethnicities represented as dishes here but from the few we samples (Japanese, viet, Thai), it did not disappoint. Also the craft beer selection is *chefs kiss*

Bonus points: 👧🏻 tolerant restaurant“

“Great walkable neighborhood“

“Thank you for the fresh Uni, and very awesome customer service. Highly recommend!!!“

“You will not be disappointed !!“

“No parking. No place to eat. Sushi isn't meant to be delivered in my opinion. You have to order online. Their QRcode on the door is outdated and doesn't actually take your order. Price doesn't really make sense when there is no dine in option...“

“Great food and great people. I always have excellent service and great food when I eat there.“