Customers` Favorites
Customers` Favorites
“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.“
Customers` Favorites
“Great sushi 😋😋🤤🤤. Feel like mom and pa places in Japan. Cozy feel!! Really like and enjoy.“
Customers` Favorites
“Enjoyed omakase 8pcs with some age dashi tofu, nigori sake and the white peach panna cotta!“
Customers` Favorites
“I think it must take a lot of effort to source the ingredients to be able to serve sushi of this caliber in San Francisco. It's a great honor to be a fishmonger.‼️“
Customers` Favorites
“What a fantastic hole-in-the-wall gem we stumbled upon! We were unfamiliar with the area, and found this place was open when most other sushi places were closed, so off we went. Did not know this was a tiny 12-seat strip mall sushi restaurant, but man... it did NOT disappoint!
Everything we had from the pork gyoza, tempura, teriyaki chicken, to the sushi (chirashi don) was perfect. A+ on the fish; large cuts of very fresh sushi, and perfect sushi rice. All at amazing prices.
If we ever return to Half Moon Bay, we will definitely be going back. I highly recommend this place.“
Customers` Favorites
“Great food, great service. The Calamari is top notch!“
Customers` Favorites
“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.“
Customers` Favorites
“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!!“
Customers` Favorites
“Lion West Portal was an amazing experience! The atmosphere is cozy and the staff helpful. The star of the show is an entire dedicated page of the menu for vegan sushi with a 90min AYCE option. The rolls were big and beautiful with lots of different flavors. This is a must visit if you’re looking for vegan sushi in SF. Updated from previous review on 2026-02-15“
Customers` Favorites
“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.“
Customers` Favorites
“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!!“
Customers` Favorites
“Always Been Our Go-To For Any Occassion. Everything Is Great But Their Oyster Shot Is The Best“
Customers` Favorites
“The best sushi place in SF…I am a sushi lover. The fish there are so fresh and the Uni are premium. From the sashimi to the Kobe beef, everything is top. Their pricing is also very reasonable. Eric and Phoebe are very nice and provide excellent service.“
Customers` Favorites
“I know this place for a many years. My family loves to come here for dinner. Their sashimi are good. My son doesn't eat sashimi, but he loves seafood. They have different types of fishes dish plates that he looks forward to whenever we come over from Livermore.
The staffs are very nice.“
Customers` Favorites
“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.“
Customers` Favorites
“Great food. Good portions. Our server is very nice, friendly, polite and professional.“
Customers` Favorites
“My girlfriend and I recently tried this sushi spot near us, and we’re honestly so glad we did. It was pretty quiet when we went, but don’t let that fool you—the food and service were both amazing.
We started with the hamachi carpaccio, pork belly skewers, and spicy tuna tacos. Everything was fresh and full of flavor, but the pork belly skewers were especially a standout—so good.
For our rolls, we got two spicy tuna rolls, a spicy salmon roll, and a dragon roll. All of them were delicious, well-made, and super satisfying.
To top it off, the staff surprised us with a complimentary dessert at the end (it looked like a rose and had a green tea/matcha flavor). Such a thoughtful touch and a perfect way to end the meal.
Service was excellent—friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The location is super convenient, and parking was easy, which is always a plus.
Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely be coming back regularly. Highly recommend giving this place a try!“
Customers` Favorites
“Best tuna roll ever.. Large side salad enough for 2. Ededname excellent. Large servings of any of the rolls with attractive black slate to k eep the roll cold, smart. Excellent miso soup in good size bowl. Water containers at each table. Take out available and no reservations taken. We went on a weeknight.“
Customers` Favorites
“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.“
Customers` Favorites
“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! 🍣✨“
Customers` Favorites
“Came here for the first time and I’m impressed! The food was absolutely delicious. I ordered the beef teriyaki and it was cooked perfectly — tender, flavorful, and the sauce was spot on. The presentation was beautiful as well. My wife had the Sushi Salmon Paradise and loved every bite, and my father devoured the Megabite roll. We also had the tempura string beans with onions — crispy, light, and just downright delicious. This place is a welcome addition to the neighborhood — you’ve got to try it!“
Customers` Favorites
“Love their service and their sashimi and sushi. Very good and �!“
Customers` Favorites
“Always great food & service! Clean, friendly & fresh food! Thank you again!🤗♥“
Customers` Favorites
“Was headed downtown for a concert and this restaurant was along the way of the Metro so we decided to try it out. The sushi were decent and tasty. The sashimi were sliced thicker than I'm used to but was not an issue. Overall no complaints with the food. If I had to nitpick, the atmosphere felt a bit of a mix bag with European paintings and all-cantonese speaking staff which questions the authenticity of the (Japanese) restaurant. Then again, who am I to judge, we ordered a maki with cream cheese 🤣“
Customers` Favorites
“Great walkable neighborhood“
Customers` Favorites
“Thank you for the fresh Uni, and very awesome customer service. Highly recommend!!!“
Customers` Favorites
“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.“
Customers` Favorites
“So bomb!!! Service is A+ and the food is delicious. Love stopping in for lunch during the week. Very affordable also...“
Customers` Favorites
“Great food and great people. I always have excellent service and great food when I eat there.“
Customers` Favorites
“This is a quaint little sushi restaurant with super friendly staff and really good food. This is the first time that I ever had raw seafood and I was worried that I wouldn't like it. However, I was greatly surprised and it was delicious. My only negative was that the Wasabi was too mild.“
Customers` Favorites
“Fantastic food and good prices Excellent service“
Customers` Favorites
“We stopped by Owada for a late lunch and found plenty of open seating. Service was prompt and friendly. We shared the Moro Tempura—crisp prawn tempura with assorted vegetables—and both ordered the beef udon. The broth was rich with umami from the bonito, the beef was thinly sliced and tender, and the noodles had a perfect bouncy chew. Overall, a great experience—we’d definitely recommend Owada and look forward to coming back to try more of the menu.“
Customers` Favorites
“You will not be disappointed !!“
Customers` Favorites
“We walked in for a quick munch. Surprisingly we were the only ones there at 2pm. Service is great!“
Customers` Favorites
“Excellent food and service! We will definitely be back!“
Customers` Favorites
“MJ's is me and my friends go to dinner spot in the Peninsula! The cuts of fish are always fresh and buttery, the hand rolls are generously packed, and the price is unbeatable! The value for the quality is honestly hard to beat. The chef(s) are so talented as well, making sure each bit is perfect, and also being able to prepare exceptional plates exceptionally quick! Being able to go for a quality delicious, but fast meal in a hectic day is such a privilege.
Both the front and back of house staff are genuinely so kind and welcoming and they keep us coming back for more than just great food. Most especially, our usual server, Tabo, who always greets, makes sure we're well taken care of, and remembers our regular orders. Truly worth checking out if you are ever in the Foster City area!
Update: Tabo recommended us to try their karaage — mind blowing-ly juicy and succulent. Genuinely some of the best I have ever had, our complements to the Chef. Will be adding this to our go-to orders.“
“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...“
Customers` Favorites
“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!“
Customers` Favorites
“I've been going here for a few years now and the food is always delicious. They always have a table open and the service is fast and friendly. Their portions are always well sized and filling. The price is also very good for what you get.“
Customers` Favorites
“Their all-you-can-eat option is the best deal going! Try everything on the menu- very fresh, so yummy and discount for cash payment“
Customers` Favorites
“The service was great and the food was fresh. I loved the shrimp tempura and the different sushi options - of which there were many.“
Customers` Favorites
“Family operated business establishments are always the best!! Food is superb!! Price is competitive!“
Customers` Favorites
“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!“
Customers` Favorites
“Ooo this place is actually really good! Our team stopped over here for lunch and we were all very satisfied with everything. They also had some interesting yuzu alcoholic beverages that I would have loved to try if I were not headed right back into work.. maybe next time when we're back in this area again.“
Customers` Favorites
“My favorite Japanese restaurant in San Francisco! A couple doors down from a killer Chinese bakery as well!!“
Customers` Favorites
“Nice restaurant, highly recommends.“
Customers` Favorites
“I have been to Kiroro a few times. Each time either during peak or off peak hours I have received wonderful service. The staff is attentive and the chefs are masters in the art of sushi. The sushi and rolls are just absolutely delicious. I usually go for sushi tuna, eel, and salmon. It's all very fresh and cut to perfection. I would highly suggest this establishment to anyone looking for delicious food for a reasonable price (quality sushi isn't cheap).
Thank you for bringing joy to my palate Kiroro. I will definitely be back for more.“
Customers` Favorites
“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“
Customers` Favorites
“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!“
Customers` Favorites
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“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!“