50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Pacifica

“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!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Looking for something festive to share for a quiet Christmas Eve and suddenly thought can we get sushi delivered? Why, yes: yes we can!

So we ordered online, it came, and it was awesome. We now have a new delivery tradition for next year. Thank you, thank you, thank you and happy holiday“

“This might me my favorite sushi spot on the Peninsula! Everything we had was top-tier in taste. The service was fantastic as well. They gave me complimentary miso and gave us both some yummy salmon to try. This place is small so I anticipate a wait during peak meal times.“

“The best omakase and multi-course dinner I’ve ever had. We came to celebrate our anniversary here and a great time. The atmosphere was perfect and the food/fish were literally hands down the best I’ve ever had. If you want high quality omakase where every bite is the perfect blend and diversity of textures and flavors you must go here.“

“Phenomenal nigiri 🍣. Exceptional in freshness and flavor. Left me feeling very energized. My girlfriend got the two piece bento box with agedashi tofu and saba; it came with rice, miso soup and a small salad that was crispy but she said the dressing could be better. The bento was hot and fresh. We also got the sesame chicken, battered in tempura with a slight sesame glaze… crunchy and fresh. I’m already dreaming of returning to eat more of that nigiri. Great service! Cozy ambiance with cool aesthetic details.“

“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“

“Exceptional service. Delicious, artfully presented omakase at a reasonable price point.“

“Blown away! Sitting at the chef’s bar was an outstanding experience. The chef made recommendations; he is a true artist of his craft - what a delight to watch. The nigiri/sushi is classic with no frills, relying completely on the quality of the fish and the expertise of the chef. What a local gem!“

“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!“

“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.“

“Best Omakase in town.“

“Great place. Friendly staff. Beautiful fish selections and daily specials. Limited open time, but absolutely worth going to.

I had the chirashi, rice beer, and panacotta - good relaxing night.

Reccomended!“

“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.“

“It has a very interesting menu, I really enjoy the food.“

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

“👍👍🍜🍜 good Udon place in SFO 👍👍“

“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.“

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

“I was actually jonesing for some good Japanese curry when we were searching for a place to eat.. I decided on Fumi because the Japanese curry before the ramen lol must be good if it’s first right? It was perfect and the ramen was really good too. I definitely recommend this place for doing “simply” delicious.“

“Food was really great and the staff were super friendly. Unfortunately the atmosphere was not relaxing. We were sat at a shared table and there just wasn’t any room between parties. The couple next to us was talking VERY loudly and we couldn’t concentrate on our thoughts which was very distracting. The restaurant was also playing this bad pop music as if we were in a department store. The experience just made us want to eat quickly and leave! It’s a shame since the food was great.“

“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...“

“Watermelon 🍉 Roll; no rice, refreshingly good Fried seafood chips appetizer; I wanted it as a meal it’s a different yum 😋 Ice cream sandwich wow!“

“Just went here our first time on valintines day and although I did not have any noodles we had spicy spring rolls the Katsu chicken and chicken teriyaki skewers and everything tasted so good thin cuts of chicken lots of flavor all under thirty bucks we will definitely be back“

“very fresh sushi, good service ☺️“

“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!!“

“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!“

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

“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.“

“🍣 The Pinnacle of Bay Area Sushi
This restaurant sets a massive benchmark for Japanese cuisine in the region, and boy, the name is true. After sampling numerous spots across the region, I can confidently say this is the BEST SUSHI I've had in the Bay Area! The kitchen displays an exceptional level of mastery, ensuring that every cut of fish is pristine, well-tempered, and presented beautifully. From traditional nigiri that melts in your mouth to innovative specialty rolls, the execution is flawless. It’s a true destination for sushi purists and casual fans alike who want top-tier quality.

🍶 Amazing Happy Hour and Fair Pricing
The value proposition here is outstanding, making it accessible without compromising on the premium nature of the ingredients.

Amazing Happy Hour: They feature an amazing happy hour that provides incredible deals on both drinks and signature bites. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample a wide variety of the menu at a fantastic price point.

Reasonable Everyday Value: What makes this spot even better is that the prices are fair even during normal times. You don't have to wait for a special promotion to get a great meal for a reasonable cost, which is a rarity for sushi of this caliber in the Bay Area.

Generous Selections: The portion sizes for the sashimi cuts and rolls are substantial, ensuring that you leave feeling entirely satisfied with the investment.

✨ Vibrant Atmosphere and Stellar Service
The front-of-house operations complement the high standards of the kitchen perfectly.

Lively Vibe: True to its name, the environment is energetic, fun, and highly welcoming. It’s an ideal spot for a fun night out with friends, a casual date, or uncoiling after a long work week.

Attentive Staff: The service team is quick, knowledgeable about the daily fish catches, and excellent at pacing the meal so you never feel rushed or neglected.

Clean and Modern: The dining room is beautifully maintained, balancing modern aesthetic touches with a comfortable, classic sushi bar feel where you can watch the chefs at work.

🍱 Final Thoughts and Recap
To recap, this is an awesome place that easily earns a flawless 5-star rating. The realization that this is the BEST SUSHI I've had in the Bay Area makes it a mandatory visit for any local foodie. Between the amazing happy hour deals and the fact that prices are fair even during normal times, it delivers unmatched value. If you want phenomenal seafood, a great drink selection, and a fantastic atmosphere, I highly recommend making this your next dinner destination!“

“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! 🍣✨“

“My friend brought me to this restaurant. I was amazed at the amount of food you get in their lunch specials. A good portioned ball of rice that is a good portion. It is serviced with salad and terriyaki beef, chicken, or salmon. Along with that in a bento box you get 6 sushi rolls. I had the CA roll, fresh salmon, and smallish gyoza. All that for $17.95. What a deal!!

The service is excellent. Daniel is a very nice man who works the register and takes orders. He was so kind and understanding because we couldn't go inside because of my friend's condition she cannot walk. He offered to bring the food out to us. Who does that anymore.

The atmosphere felt comforting. The customers all looked pleased and happy.

I WILL make this restaurant one of my go to's now. Come see for yourself. You won't be disappointed. They ROCK!!“

“We got the mango salmon roll, rainbow roll, oysters, and a few nigiri. The mango salmon roll was fine. The rainbow roll used imitation crab. For the price, they should have used real crab meat. The usual sushi place we go to uses real crab meat and is cheaper. The oysters tasted pretty neutral although I wasn’t too fond of the citrus jam they paired it with. The nigiri were all fresh but the price is only for one piece and they are small pieces. I think we will give other places a try before coming back here.“

“Really good and large portions . Friendly staff and great value! Highly recommended 🥗🍲🍛🍱“

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

“Loved this place for being what it is. If you want a hearty Japanese meal without breaking the bank, this is the place. Not a lot of fancy, ornate dishes, but the price also reflects that. Parking is easy which is a big plus. I really enjoyed the food, the service and the convenience.“

“Excellent service Team thanks 🙏. Very fresh sushi at generous portions that’s satisfying. Neighborhood shop that’s busy with high turnover. Pricing was great 🤩 Excellent for me for takeout on business trip and very close to hotel 👍“

“Open late on Sundays when most other places are closed in the area. Sushi was very reasonably priced and satisfying. The tea was loose leaf and not from a bag which we prefer.

Service was everything I expected and it has a cozy homey vibe. No frills, no pomp, but what I was looking for.“

“Spiral has amazing food. The sushi is delicious. The employees are also wonderful, warm and friendly.“

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

“This beautiful little haven is tucked in among the storefronts on San Mateo Avenue. Once you step inside, you are pleased to find a very clean and beautifully decorated interior. There are artfully framed pictures of several of the dishes served. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The chef is skilled. The whole experience was extremely enjoyable.“

“We ordered a large sushi and Japanese food spread for our office lunch, and it was amazing! The sushi rolls and sashimi were fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The rice was perfectly cooked, which is so important to me. The fried dishes were crispy and perfectly done, and the beef teriyaki was tender and delicious. The staff were friendly and attentive. We’ll definitely order again!“

“Second time stopping by, and I am very impressed, the attitude and service is great and food is delicious. Was skeptical at first but glad I stopped by. Chicken burrito one day and Steak and Shrimp with vegetables and hibachi sauce on point. I do recommend stopping by, but be careful, parking is not very good or plentiful.“

“I can’t even describe this place! The food is so good and delicious. It was so fresh and clean at the restaurant and I was very pleased with our food!“

“Pros: Fresh and good food. friendly staff, very affordable Cons: Hard to find a place to park in that part of town.“

“It’s cozy, good and fast service and the food is high quality. We got the top secret and hamachi carpaccio which I would definitely get again, then for main dish we ordered curry rice (little bit of spice, nice crispy pork) and mentaiko yaki udon (flavorful, not too heavy noodles were perfectly cooked) which were good but would want to try other items that also looked good on the menu. Definitely recommend!“

“came here for their $38 sashimi omakase. which was really good and fresh. great for the price for the selection we received & portions. sashimi came with a side of sushi rice. we also got the truffle ramen which I though was okay but my daughter loved it. Also got the snow white roll which I though was pretty good also.“

“Located near Luckys and Lowes, this is a neighborhood hole in the wall. It’s not an Ichi Ramen (shown in the front of the restaurant) as they just never spent the money to replace the sign. Being said this place gets packed fast especially on weekends. It’s a great spot for rice porridge and other Cantonese comfort food. Guess don’t judge the book by its cover 😉Tried the pork rice congee (hope I spelled that right) and the beef stew clay pot with both the regular and sweet Chinese doughnut. Enjoyed the tender pork and thick porridge. Beef stew was also very tender and savory 😋 I say check it out.“

“We eat here about once per week (or get take out)! Addicted. So good. Friendly staff! Highly recommend!“