50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Millbrae

“The appetizer course alone was worth the visit — miso-marinated grilled fish, crispy fried river shrimp, and inari sushi filled with hijiki rice. We also added sashimi and it was excellent too. Delicate, but with real depth of flavor. After that you choose from three mains; I went with the duck served over a soba-based salad, which was perfectly summery — cool, light, and refreshing. I am originally from Japan, and this genuinely felt like sitting in a ryotei back home. This was lunch, so I’m curious to come back for dinner next time!“

“We were looking for a new, decent sushi place between SFO and home and this one popped up. Checked the menu and decided to give them a try. We were happy with everything we tried, especially enjoyed the oysters on the half shell and the Bachamichi roll. We'll be back. Prices were reasonable and sushi was fresh 😋“

“Amazing sushi! Easily one of the best we’ve had in a while — everything was so fresh and flavorful. I love the idea of half rolls; it’s such a great way to try more kinds of sushi. The staff were super attentive and efficient. We’ll definitely be coming back!“

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

“Really good Chinese BBQ place. All of the bread items we tried were flaky and tasty, highly recommend the brown sugar one. The skewers were all solid, and I appreciated that the beef had a more teriyaki-style flavor, because too much cumin starts to get a bit sameish. In that regard, you should consider getting an order of the lettuce leaves to use as a wrap for the skewers, it's a great palette cleanser and adds some nice texture.

Would love to go again, but it's a bit far from my house and Chinese BBQ isn't something you can do too frequently.“

“You have to stop here before your 14 hours flight to Asia or anywhere else. Udon is good for airport food and they make it hot and fresh when you order. The chicken katsu is also delish. Sitting can be tight so give space to others and be mindful of your luggage taking up space.“

“Ate up the food so fast, I forgot the pictures! We had the best beef noodle soup here. They make their noodles by hand and their 10-hr soup base is perfection. Not too oily and not overly spicy. They let you tailor it all.

We had the chicken katsu noodle soup which was highly loved by the kids. We also had. The unagi as well as the chicken and mushroom clay pot. So good and flavorful.

Apps - the chicken wings, the cucumber salad - were excellent. The Pure Grape drink and tea were perfect add-ons.

To top it all off, all the games, books and air hockey and foosball tables were so perfect for my elementary, middle school and high school students!

Definitely will be back to try the lamb cumin noodles. They have their own parking lot too!“

“5-Star Review

Tiny Sushi - Oh Baby is such a fantastic spot! The sushi was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared, and the whole experience was wonderful. The atmosphere was welcoming, and the service was friendly and attentive. Everything came together perfectly for a great meal. Definitely a 5-star experience—I’d happily come back again!“

“First time.
Friendly staff in a casual spot. Table and booth seating.
Lots of options and we chose 2 rolls (Toro & Scallop) and a bento 3 item option (Salmon, Shaba, and Kaki).
For the rolls, the tuna and scallop was fresh and melts in your mouth. The bento fishes were moist and good portioned. The kaki (oyster) was plump and nicely fried.
Overall, a wonderful meal and a place that we will visit again. A solid option for all.“

“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!“

“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!“

“👍👍🍜🍜 good Udon place in SFO 👍👍“

“BEST RAMEN EVER! I've eaten ramen all over the U.S. & this is absolutely the best I've ever had! You can't beat the rich savory creamy broth, tender noodle, moist chashu, all fresh toppings & generous portions. The beef short rib was fabulous flavor & succulent.
I had miso ramen & my son had TanTan ramen. This is my new favorite ramen eatery!
Staff is super kind & accommodating. I'm in electric wheelchair and they made space for me at their cozy restaurant. Food came out very quickly.“

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

“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!!“

“The food here was definitely the highlight. Everything tasted pretty fresh and flavorful, and overall I would rate the food about 4/5. The ingredients seemed good quality and the dishes were enjoyable.

However, the service was a bit disappointing. The staff did their job, but they didn’t feel very welcoming or friendly. There wasn’t much interaction beyond the basics, and with the price point here, I expected a more warm and attentive experience.

The atmosphere was also just okay. It wasn’t fancy or fine dining, but it also didn’t really give a strong Japanese vibe either. The environment felt a bit mixed and not very memorable.

Overall, I’m giving 4 stars mainly because the food was good. If I rated the experience as a whole (food + service + atmosphere), it would probably be closer to 3/5. Still worth trying if you care mostly about the food.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!!“

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

“good food great service and accomending.“

“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.“

“We’ve been here twice, but only downstairs, which can get very noisy. Their yakitori is very good. We also tried the mentaiko udon and grilled corn and both were good, too.

There’s a public parking garage behind the restaurant. Parking is free after 6 pm. You can enter the restaurant through the back door.“

“What a great discovery! Amazing food and super kind service. We tried the Chu Toro and the double toro sushi roll. The tuna was so soft and tasty, it was literally melting in our mouth. Very high quality and very good price for SF. We will definitely come back!“

“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!“

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

“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!!“

“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“

“This spot has been a local favorite of mine for years. I come at least once a week. The food is great, they've got some super creative rolls. The service is fast unless they're swamped, but that's not their fault and I don't mind waiting. The prices are incredibly affordable by sushi standards and the owner works hard to keep them low. Best of all are the staff; they are SO kind and welcoming. I really recommend the place.“

“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!“

“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“

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

“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!“

“This is truly a hidden gem of a Japanese restaurant. ✨
Every time I come here, I just let the owner decide what to serve, and it never disappoints. The sashimi platter is always beautifully prepared, especially the six-section assortment — every piece is incredibly fresh and high quality.
One of my favorites is the uni hand roll, so rich and satisfying. And the small oyster topped with egg yolk and fish roe? Absolute perfection in one bite, especially paired with the fresh wasabi.
You can really tell the owner cares about both the food and the customers. Super genuine, friendly, and generous. Every meal here leaves me completely full, satisfied, and somehow still feeling healthy and refreshed.
Definitely one of those rare places you want to keep secret but also want everyone to experience. Highly recommend!“

“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! 🍣✨“

“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 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“

“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.“

“What a discovery! The service is beyond impeccable. Very attentive, making sure the diners' needs are met without being intrusive. The servers are engaging and explain all dishes. Every bite of each dish was delicious! Well prepared and presentation is beautiful. I highly recommend all the dishes we enjoyed. However, the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice is an ABSOLUTE MUST! I was hesitant about the Corn Tempura, but it was an unexpected treat. The restaurant is quite small so I highly recommend making a reservation.“

“Great food, great service. The Calamari is top notch!“

“Stumbled on this charming sushi restaurant while traveling in the area. Sat at the bar and got to watch as well as speak with chef/owner Jason. Very talented, rolls were fresh and tasty, and service was very attentive. Will definitely be back and highly recommend.“

“I’ve been going there for over 30 years. It’s the best tasting most reasonably priced Japanese food I have ever found.“

“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.“

“We wanted to have a special meal to end our arduous few weeks of surgery recovery and I found Chacho when we landed on sushi because of their menu and location. They also seemed to be a little newer and worth a shot.

When picking up I was very warmly greeted by the ladies working there in a cozy and lovely shop and was offered even more soy sauce when I asked if it was in the bag (which there was).

We had a big takeout order of takoyaki, yellowtail Nigiri, a monster roll and some hamachi maki and California rolls. Because of how much we ordered there site offered us a free dish to select and I chose the yellowtail collar as I'd never had it before. A true feast. The takoyaki where still warm after a 15 minute drive and where perfectly savory and sweet with just the right amount of meat to batter. The yellowtail Nigiri was of great quality with a firm texture that wasn't chewy at all. The monster roll was an explosion of flavors and textures and so rich and filling. The maki and cut roll where dead simple and lovely as well with great rice/filling ratios. The yellowtail collar, while a little tricky to pick over offered delicious fatty morsels of meat with the occasional bone to dodge. It was tasty, but I wouldn't order it as a non freebie.

All in all it was such a hearty and rich meal and if we're in the area again we'll be back to come in next time!“

“I’m not usually in the San Mateo area, but I happened to be nearby with a friend for some tech-related work and decided to place an online order from Udon Mugizo for the first time. It was a Saturday and the restaurant was clearly very busy, so I expected the pickup to take a while, but everything was ready smoothly and the person who helped me, possibly the manager, was genuinely kind and attentive even with so much going on. I was honestly impressed by the quality of the food too. Everything tasted fresh, carefully prepared, and much better than I normally expect from an online order. The whole experience, from the pickup service to the food itself, was excellent. I don’t come to this area often, but I would definitely order from here again the next time I’m nearby“

“From the moment we walked in, everything about our experience was wonderful.

The ambiance was warm, inviting, and comfortable, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy dinner. It had a welcoming atmosphere that made us want to stay and take our time.

The food was excellent. My favorites were the Truffle Scallop, the Shinjuku Roll, and the Bluefin Lovers Roll. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. Each roll had its own unique taste, and I would gladly order all of them again.

The service truly made the night unforgettable. Eric was our server, and he was absolutely amazing. He has such a positive energy, and you can genuinely tell he enjoys being around people. He made us feel welcomed from the start, checked on us throughout the meal without ever being overbearing, and made the whole dining experience feel personal and like we were guests in someone's home rather than just customers in a restaurant.

We'll definitely be coming back--not only for the food but also for the incredible hospitality. Thank you, Eric, for making our dinner such a memorable experience!“

“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.“