50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Los Altos

“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 came here with a colleague for a meeting over lunch last week and was not disappointed. I was impressed by the peaceful atmosphere of the restaurant even when full of patrons. While the portions were on the more conservative side (at least for basic rolls), the sushi was very fresh and delicious. The QR code menu confused me (which was my own fault, not theirs) because I didn't realize that the code was shared for the whole table, not for each diner on their individual phone. So my colleague and I ended up deleting part of each other's orders. Our server was swift to correct our order, and was very gracious in doing so. The wait was very brief for our amended order to come out from the kitchen. I would recommend this restaurant for those who enjoy a quiet dining environment with low ambient lighting.“

“I have been to Sumika several times, for lunch and dinner. I love going for dinner because the vibe is just like an izakaya in Japan -- everyone minds their own business and enjoys drinks and good food. They were awarded a Michelin bib gourmand previously and it's one of my favorite places in the Bay Area. They have been around nearly 20 years and quite popular, so it's best to reserve. I have tried doing walk-ins on a Friday night, and it was quite packed.

Recently, I celebrated my bday dinner at Sumika. Sumika is family owned and one of the first authentic yakitori places with a izakaya vibe to open in the Bay Area. They have a large menu that has so many of the classic, delicious flavors and well as inventive dishes. This is one of my favorite places I go to in the Bay Area, as it's perfect for celebrations and hanging out. They use charcoal grill for their skewers and the kitchen is open so you can watch everything being prepared.

I recommend any of the skewers, especially the yakitori (chicken). The flavors are authentic and the charcoal grill flavors bring out the best flavors. The team is incredible here, from service to the chefs. I like seeing the grill smoke, which makes this a lively experience.“

“Absolutely love Mikado! It's hands down my favorite sushi spot in the Bay Area. The sushi rolls are consistently delicious, with the New Mexican and Mango Alaskan being my personal favorites—perfectly fresh and full of flavor. The service is incredibly quick, and the restaurant is always spotless. The servers are friendly and welcoming every single time. Never a miss here, highly recommend!“

“I think it's good to be able to eat a lunch box for this price considering the location.
They also serve brown rice tea for free. I had the lunch bento box with a choice of 2 sides, $17.50. You can choose sushi rolls or nigiri sushi on the side, but there's plenty of white rice, so I personally recommend choosing a side dish. Personally, I'm concerned about the quality of the white rice. There's nothing wrong with vinegared rice, but that white rice is a no-no in Japanese food. The female staff member was very kind and managed the whole thing by herself. I think there was one craftsman who seemed to be Japanese.“

“It was Ok. Thin slices of fish on th sushi. Not a big selection on th boats, but u can order off th menu. I ordered th eel don, which didn't hv too much teriyaki sauce (a good thing) n a good size piece of eel but not enough rice (for me, at least).

Vegetarian options: Sushi is vegetarian...... no?

Kid-friendliness: Kids love u th sushi on a boat“

“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.“

“We came here since HiroNori was too packed and were pleasantly surprised. The tonkatsu curry was quite delicious (I added a side of corn and egg). I'm not sure about other reviewer's experience, but the curry had a slight level of spice and the pork was cooked just right.“

“Server is very friendly and considerate! We really enjoyed our time here!

Vegetarian options: Plenty of non meat options! Great for those who are vegetarian.

Dietary restrictions: Lots of snacking options, so there’s something for everyone!“

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

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

“friendly staff, monstrous upon great broth“

“Sushi Roku offers a chic and sophisticated dining atmosphere that blends modern elegance with traditional Japanese aesthetics. Located in the Stanford Shopping Center, the restaurant features stylish decor with sleek wooden accents, contemporary furnishings, and soft lighting that creates an upscale yet inviting environment. The outdoor seating area is especially charming, providing a serene setting for an enjoyable dining experience. The ambiance is perfect for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings.

Food:
The food at Sushi Roku is exceptional, showcasing a blend of traditional Japanese flavors with innovative twists. The menu offers a wide variety of sushi, sashimi, and creative rolls, all made with the freshest ingredients. The yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño is a standout, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The signature rolls, such as the Katana and the Baked Crab Hand Roll, are beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The robata grill items are cooked to perfection and add a delightful dimension to the menu. Additionally, the omakase experience is highly recommended for those looking to indulge in a curated selection of the chef's best offerings.

We ordered the Gensai Roll, Tuna Japaeno Roll (Can't go wrong at all with this) , Tokubetsu Roll, Full Hanabi (Tuna), Fluke Kumquat (FTW), Hamachi Serrano (can't get over that) and Yellowtail Diced Chillies. There was a bit of a delay in the first round getting to our table though after that the subsequent orders were stacked right one after the other. Loved every bit of all of these and Fluke Kumquat somehow turned out to be my favorite.

Service:
The service at Sushi Roku is generally excellent, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who are dedicated to providing a memorable dining experience. The servers are well-versed in the menu and are happy to offer recommendations and accommodate special requests. While the service is usually prompt and efficient, there can be occasional delays during peak times. Nonetheless, the professionalism and friendliness of the staff make up for any minor inconveniences. Josh gave us a phenomenal welcome while taking us to our seat. Emily started with taking our orders and helped us with the options and our never ending questions around the menu. Finally, Terrence was kind enough (he stopped on his way out , and it got late) and helped us with a picture at the end and all this while he was a fantastic manager running the show to near perfection. Thank you folks!!!

Value:
While Sushi Roku is on the pricier side, the quality of the food, the elegant ambiance, and the level of service make it worth the expense. The portions are generous, and the attention to detail in each dish justifies the higher price point. It's an ideal spot for special occasions, date nights, or when you're in the mood to splurge on an exceptional dining experience.

Sushi Roku in Palo Alto's Stanford Mall is a premier destination for sushi lovers and anyone seeking a refined dining experience. The combination of innovative cuisine, stylish ambiance, and attentive service makes it a standout choice in the area. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a night out, Sushi Roku delivers a memorable, delightful, top-tier dining experience that merges traditional Japanese flavors with modern culinary innovation. With its outstanding food, elegant setting, and high-quality service, it's a must-visit for anyone in Palo Alto looking to enjoy a luxurious sushi meal.“

“Dined in today and November of last year. Great food especially the side dishes! Also loved the nice ambiance of the place.“

“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.“

“So glad to see a vegan izakaya in the peninsula! They’re Shizen’s sister restaurant, and the food did not disappoint. We got a few of the speciality rolls and they were all delicious. The bao was probably our least favorite since the patty tasted a lot like impossible / beyond patties that we aren’t a fan of. The ambience and service were also great - we will definitely be back!“

“Our first time here and everything was delicious! We had the garlic edamame, salmon express and the spicy tails rolls and the salmon with lemon dill nigiri. So good!“

“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.“

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

“Very refined modern takes on Japanese food. The food is first class, service is great, and love the sake! Considering the incredible quality of the food, the price is very reasonable. If all you want is your typical California Rolls ect, this is not the place. You get a wonderful Omakase menu here. Definitely recommend Soho for those looking for great, and non-typical Japanese food.“

“The service is outstanding, the broth is.. understated (don't drown the meat in a separate flavor), and the sauces/accessory items are god-tier. I've never even had soft serve ice cream this good. Not a single ice crystal in the ice cream!

Get the Sukiyaki broth. Spicy miso would seem like the most flavorful, but our group agreed Sukiyaki is better. Want spicy? Grab the infinite Thai chilis at the bar and add to the soup.

Also ponzu-garlic-onion is the best sauce. Fight me! Raw egg (pasteurized) is crazy good too if the flavors get too overwhelming.

I didn't even talk about the meats! Yeah wagyu is great, oyster is great, crab is meh, shrimp (sashimi and platter) is whoah, abalone isn't my thing (it's just all natural fish cake?). Bone marrow was surprisingly not my favorite for a first time experience.

Membership pays for itself after two visits. Get it!“

“The service and environment are very good, and there are relatively few carbohydrates and vegetables on the menu. The beef tongue is delicious and the price/performance ratio is good. The grilled rice balls were surprisingly good, a bit like glutinous rice cakes. The squid rice has a very rich and creamy flavor.“

“Gaku Restaurant offers a delightful dining experience with its fresh, high-quality food and excellent service. Each dish is carefully prepared, allowing you to truly savor the flavors. The portions are on the smaller side, which is a positive as it allows you to taste and enjoy a variety of dishes. The atmosphere is cozy, making it a great spot for a relaxed meal. If you're looking for a place with consistently good food and attentive service, Gaku is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared to order a few more dishes to satisfy your appetite!“

“I don't usually post reviews of restaurants I've only been to once but I was rather surprised by the experience considering I had no expectations coming in for a place we picked out just because it was close. We came here with a 1 year old so we ordered a variety of things but what stood out to me was the simple plate of salmon slices. Of all the sashimi orders we had, this was the only one to have a side of real wasabi, still on top of the grater no less. I can count on one hand the number of random Japanese restaurants I've been to that actually offer real, grated wasabi (not counting fine dining establishments or places in Japan itself). I'm not sure why it was included in only this dish but not the others that had the standard green horseradish but I'll have to find out for next time.

We also ordered the kaki fry (deep fried oyster) and it came with the standard dipping sauces which I didn't think much of until I tried the tartar sauce. I exclaimed to my wife how that one "throwaway" sauce could have been its own thing based on how good it was. It was a more egg-forward tartar than most places at a time when most restaurants are cutting back on ingredients to cut costs.

It's little details like these that make me give this restaurant provisional full marks until we go back at least a second time to try more of the menu.“

“Great food and experience!“

“Great food, fast service!“

“This place is the real deal - they've got servers rocking kimonos that'll transport you straight to Edo-era Japan. Book on OpenTable to snag a spot.
?14417 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
This was actually my second time here - first time was back when they were in Burlingame. Gotta say, I preferred the OG spot. More food, longer experience, you know how it is.
?Every time I do omakase or kaiseki, I swear it's like a spa day for my taste buds. Perfect recharge after traveling!
Highlights:
Jw5 aperitif sake to kick things off
ODash appetizer soup served in a wine glass - looks like white wine but packs a punch with that 5-year aged broth
Sakizuke tofu with fish roe - silky smooth tofu + salty roe = happy mouth
Otsukuri sashimi - fresh but nothing mind-blowing
YakiMono grilled eel - salt-cured eel with morels was ?
SunoMono seafood jelly salad - my fave! Creamy yam, shrimp, uni, edible flowers. Texture for days.
Seasonal Gohan - Hokkaido A5 wagyu over rice. Tiny portion but that certificate-worthy beef tho!
Desserts were on point - loved the caramel mochi cake with soy milk powder
Overall, presentation was fire and the vibe was transporting. Wish there was a bit more food and some bolder flavors, but still a solid kaiseki experience. Who's ready for their omakase fix?“

“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.“

“Ended up going here by chance and very happy we did! All the ingredients were prepared to perfection, good quality and fresh. We ended up sharing one box between the two of us for lunch as it is a fairly sized portion for one box. The staff was patient, well spoken and helpful. Definitely going here again and I hope they open more branches in south bay!“

“10/24/2024

Hanabi Sushi
1040 N Rengstorff Ave Ste A1
Mountain View, CA 94043

We went there for lunch after shopping at Costco in the same plaza. The dining area is split between a cozy interior table and chair setup and a larger patio area. We were seated promptly with fast and attentive service.

We both chose the lunch combo bentos. Wifey had the beef teriyaki and avocado roll and I had the Saba Shioyaki and Combo Tempura. The miso soup had good flavor and a few small cubes of tofu with kombu. My dainty mackerel filet was moist, tasty and boneless. My one shrimp tempura was hot and juicy with a crispy panko breading. The veggies were yam, carrot, zucchini and cauliflower. The dipping sauce was a little sweet. The beef was medium rare and lean of high quality with good teriyaki flavor.

A good place for lunch and conveniently located. May repeat.

Parking: It's in the Costco plaza.“

“good place to dine and very clean“

“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.“

“I've only had the Udon Curry Katsu here at this location. Curry was very hearty and savory with a hint of sweetness. Love how there's chunks of beef and veggies in the curry. The pork katsu wasn't hot but still tasted good - love biting into the small pieces of fat in it. Service was great - reminds me of my trip to Japan.. I was welcomed and thanked in Japanese. Good amount of parking and seating inside.“

“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.“

“Great for a quick and casual meal! Everything comes on a sizzling hot iron cast plate and you cook the protein yourself. My recommendations are the garlic beef pepper rice and Kimchi beef pepper rice. I usually add soy miso, shichimi togarashi, and black pepper for more flavor. Careful not to add too much at once and mix as you go. Enjoy!“

“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!“

“Among the best Japanese food in Mountain View/Los Altos/Palo Alto area.“

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

“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“

“Great people and good food.“

“My 10th Anniversary was on a Wednesday and I made reservations. They give you an hour and a half for dinner but our order took about an hour and a half to come. Long story short.. the restaurant needs to make a better effort in improving their service. It’s gotten bad.“

“The food is average, quite good. The tonkatsu is crispy and delicious, the sushi is just so-so, the okonomiyaki can be ordered with the sauce and is very delicious. The food is served very quickly. It is best to make a reservation in advance otherwise you will have to wait in line.“

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

“Best Tempura donburi in the Bay Area!! You can always request to have Tempura lunch/dinner instead of donburi too!“

“My wife and I have tried many sushi spots, but this is by far our favorite. The Toro melts in your mouth, and the Uni is always fresh. I normally order the Sashimi platter, but lately I've been getting the Nigiri. My wife orders the Spicy Tuna or Salmon handroll. We always sit at the bar, I like to see the chefs doing their thing, and sometimes we share some sake. This place hasn't disappointed us yet. We've been coming for about 5 years.“

“The curry flavor is so good and addictive here. It can be a bit slow sometimes esp if full house but the food and flavor more than make up for it. Take out option also super good. Their tonkatsu is best I’ve had in the bay and is tender and not dry. Their tofu, spinach and mushroom curry is so good. And the chicken with mushroom and spinach. The staff are all super friendly and my kids also really enjoy it here! They love their miso soup and Ebi fry. Karaage is also super good. I’m going to make an effort to try everything on the menu ? I’ve yet to find something I don’t like! But I keep going back to my favs“

“Great food and very tasty!! Staff are very friendly!! Highly recommended!!!“

“Can't believe this was hidden in a market. Love this place. Thick pork slices on the miso ramen. I'm more salty on my soup base but that's just my preference.

Staff is welcoming.

Try the milkshakes they're refreshing! I really liked the strawberry flavor and everyone else on my crew.“

“It was a delight and joy to have chef Steve to prepare our meal. My wife and I ate everything that was prepared for us and the food was absolutely amazing. Great flavors and fresh ingredients. The scallop was to die for. Uni was heavenly, that it melts in your mouth. Uni is not something my wife like or enjoy but she loved it the way chef Steve pair with other ingredients. Once again thanks chef Steve for the fabulous dining experiences.“