50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Millbrae

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“The name comes from the ability to order small plates of what you want, letting you stitch together the meal you want (and no more / extra). It's not the best quality sashimi, and I wouldn't go here for ambience, but service is quick and you get exactly what's promised. The non-sushi portions are better than I expected“

“Our family enjoys eating at Naked Fish in Millbrae. Their sushi rolls and bento boxes are always delicious. There are many options to choose from between the menu and their daily specials. Their food is presented well and amply portioned. Their service is consistently good and the servers are attentive. Whether we eat a late lunch or dinner with family and friends, we always leave this place full and content.My only criticism of this place is the location. Because the gym is directly above it, more specifically, the weight room, you can hear the weights dropping on the floor on certain occasions and it’s distracting. However, because we enjoy eating here more than anything else, we tolerate the noise on the few instances it’s happened.There is ample parking around, both on the street and in the parking lot next to it.Overall, I recommend you try this restaurant if you’re in the neighborhood.“

“Social Eatery food hall is a gem located in Millbrae offering a variety of Chinese cuisine all in one easy-to-reach location. Social Eatery has a parking lot for patrons, which makes dining in easy. Upon entering the food hall, patrons will be guided to a table, and provided with a tablet on which they can place their orders from a variety of establishments contained within Social Eatery. After the order is placed, a staff member will bring the food and beverages straight to your table! When it's time to check out, you can either do so via their app/online or request a staff member to come and help you close out your bill.

Social Eatery has the following 3 restaurants within: (1) Noodleosophy - a local Bay Area chain focusing on hand-pulled noodle dishes; (2) Rice Monster - specializing in Catonese claypot rice; and (3) Grapeholic - a tea shop with grape-centered drinks to round it out.

We came here on a Saturday afternoon looking for a one-stop shop for our weekend lunch and decided to try something from each one of the establishments - after all, isn't that the beauty of food halls? We got the beef tendon noodle soup and prok and shrimp dumplings from Noodleosophy, the cha siu and steamed egg claypot rice from Rice Monster, and finished up our meal with two drinks from Grapeholic - cotton candy grape slush, and grape and lemon tea.

(1) Noodleosophy - the beef tendon noodle soup was rich and flavorful, while the accompanying noodles were perfectly cooked and chewy - providing a great mouth feel to the dish. The dumplings were delicious as well, and were a nice addition to the meal as a whole.

(2) Rice Monster - the cha siu and steamed egg clay pot rice was in a single word - satisfying. The salty-slightly-sweet cha siu paired well with the mild flavors of the egg, and the salty soy sauce you pour over the rice. I will say the rice could have been a little more scorched to provide the accompanying crunch that you expect from this dish; however, if you're really craving claypot rice and are in the area, then Rice Monster will definitely help satisfy that craving for you.

(3) Grapeholic - the cotton candy grape slush was amazing - true to it's name it captured the cotton candy grape flavor in a delicious slush form that was both sweet and refreshing. The grape and lemon tea was also good; however, the lemon flavor was a bit overpowering and made it difficult to truly enjoy the grape that was in the drink. If you want grape to be the star of the show, then I'd recommend getting one of their grape-centered drinks instead.

If you're ever in the Millbrae area and are looking for a great lunch spot, then Social Eatery has to be the next place on your list!“

“I had an amazing meal at this cozy spot! I ordered the Oh Baby box, a scallop roll, and a vegan roll, and let me tell you, everything was simply delicious. Each bite was bursting with flavor, and the freshness of the ingredients was truly impressive. Even the miso soup and salad were delightful; I didn't expect to enjoy those so much!

The service was fantastic! Our server was friendly and attentive, making us feel right at home. The vibes in the restaurant were great, creating a perfect atmosphere for a relaxing meal. I can’t wait to return and try more from their menu! This place is definitely going to be a regular stop for me!“

“We loved this place! Hard to flag down a server to get a table, but the food comes quickly! Mid-tier sushi, but very good service, and delicious and fresh enough! Definitely nice to get ice cream with a review as well :) Romeo and Juliet roll is a must-have if you like scallop.“

“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.“

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

“My family has been dining here every couple weeks since it opened 3 years ago. The owner Paul always greets us and does some special things for the kids: salmon sashimi in bite sized pieces and steamed tofu. Our favorites are negima, the local halibut nigiri, agedashi tofu (I would argue best in the city), grilled butter fish, and okra. All washed down with Echigo lager and our favorite sake Drunken Whale. Highly recommend for a casual but delicious meal“

“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 little sleeper on Monterey Blvd is awesome! The booths are spacious and intimate. A fine place to enjoy a quiet meal of delicious sushi rolls, hot saki, cold Sapporo. The food was modestly priced and so good my friends and I just kept ordering.
This hidden gem is highly recommended.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Good place for a quick bite after shopping or a movie at the Regal at Stonestown Mall. The udon had the right firmness, broth was not salty and the different selections of tempura were light. Service was quick. Free parking on the lot.“

“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!“

“I’ve been on the hunt for a new go-to sushi spot since my favorite one in Burlingame closed down (RIP). This is currently top of my list for when I’m in town with colleagues. Great service and ample parking. Easy to get to and plenty of delicious items on the menu. Good variety of sake as well.“

“My wife and I made a trip from the east bay here for our date night. The sushi was good; my wife really loved the soft shell crab appetizer! My spicy tuna hand roll was good but disappointingly on the small side.

We got a couple of rolls and an udon bowl and enjoyed all of it.

The service was good but I had to remind the waitress to bring our udon after waiting quite a while… not a huge deal but accounts for the 4 star service.

The atmosphere wasn’t intimate at all but the place was filled with locals which we enjoyed.

Overall, a good experience with good food. We’d definitely got again.“

“very good and fresh food for lunch“

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

“My favorite Japanese restaurant in San Francisco! A couple doors down from a killer Chinese bakery as well!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“HIGHLY recommend Tekka House! The quality of the fish they serve is top notch - great flavor, texture and presentation. Also the truffle wagyu nigiri was the best wagyu we’ve ever had! A very delicious meal!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“good food great service and accomending.“

“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“

“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.“

“💣🎉💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣👌💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣“

“Oh my god! Absolutely love this place!! The food was amazing, the miso soup hit, and the service was just the cherry on top. We had the lovely old woman who served us with amazing humor and sass, it was just lovely interacting with her. The food was so good, we had the vegetable tempura dinner (amazing), the Charlie Brown roll (real crab!!!), the Kani Kosen (bomb), and the spicy tuna roll (I’m not a huge raw fish fan but the flavor was great)!“

“Great food and excellent service. We had the tea leaf salad, Tonkatsu Ramen and Japanese curry. The Tonkatsu was tender and the breaded coating was crispy and flavorful. We were very happy with the curry and tea leaf salad. You can taste that everything was fresh and the portions were plentiful. We were stuffed and gladly ate everything because it was delicious! The owner is very nice and you can tell she cares about quality. We'll be back.“

“Fantastic Japanese experience at Sushi Kashiwa! The sushi was incredibly fresh, and each bite was packed with flavor. The ambiance feels authentic and cozy, and the staff were super friendly and attentive. I can't wait to go back for more delicious sushi!?“

“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!“

“Amazing flavors, fabulous chef!“

“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.“

“So delicious!!!!!! I stumbled upon Kunugi Noodle at the Clement St Farmer's Market. I had the Sweet Fried Tofu Udon and it was so good––I even had a total stranger ask me while I was eating where I got my noodles because I looked so happy eating them lmao. If you're a fan of classic udon noodles stop by here!“

“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.“

“My beautiful mother Sharon had the bento box and it was delicious.I had the Dragon Roll and it was fantastic.Great place to stop in before the movies!Food is always really good and the service is fast.There's free parking in a garage nearby.“

“I got the beef teriyaki and tempura lunch special for $12.95. With a tip still under twenty bucks. The beef was more tender than other places I've tried. The tempura was delicious and included one shrimp tempura, and the rest was vegetables. It also came with rice and a small salad. There are sushi boats here I'd like to come back and try. The staff told me for now, the boats are operating fridays and weekends only. While I waited for my to go order, I spoke with a very friendly employee who said the restaurant has been there for thirty years. This restaurant is definitely worth a try. I will be coming back. It's right next to lowe's in San Bruno.“

“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.“

“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。“