Great food, amazing waiters and awesome atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rick Rice
Best dining experience, food and service, we've had in a long time. Really special to see three generations of the same family working at a place that's been in business over 30 years. The Kani Kosen appetizer is amazing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kani
Kim Falter
Very weird place. They sat us without a reservation, which we thought was nice. Service was good, but it took an hour to get half of our order. After an hour plus, still waiting on half of our order, the owner(?)-who has been yelling at the chef for 20 minutes- tells us that the chef is an alcoholic and drunk and going slow. At this point I’m not really sure I want to eat sushi from a drunk chef.After another 10 minutes she comes to our table and asks me if I want to go home?! I reply, “what I want is to eat, will I ever get my food?”She then tells us that all of the food we had is on the house-kindly kicking us out. So weird. Nothing else was open in the area by this point.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
amy murray
I searched on google for best food near me and this place showed up. I love Japanese food, lived in Japan for 3 yrs, and was excited to find an “authentic” Japanese place after a King Low Tide hike. It was difficult to find, in a small complex, no street signage. When I arrived the Mama-San approached me stressed, unpleasant, scowling saying “did you make a reservation, we can’t serve you, we are understaffed”. I was still believing this would be the 4.6 rated food experience. The room was 1/2 empty. I was just one person, who would order quickly. She scowled, walked away and the sweet young man approached me, apologized and I thought we were now off to a good start.The place has the “old world Japanese small restaurant” vibe, with lots of old articles about the place on the wall. I thought I’d found a hidden gem.Everything looked pretty unkempt, dusty and forgotten—but, still optimistic that the food was going to be special, I pursued. I ordered the sushi sampler, unagi, pickles and miso soup.The last 2 items were solid. When I flagged Mama-San over to hear about the pickles I got more barking and scowls. “We use shiso!” Was all she could say. I told her how delicious they were, but she had decided to be rude/mean/unfriendly to me, although she was fawning all over her regulars.The sushi sampler was the worst dish I’ve ever seen or tasted. I should have walked out. It had really old, freezer burned, terrible octopus, avocado rolls, all brown, past it’s prime (no good chef puts a vegetarian item on a sushi sampler, this was a cheap move, in addition to the shock that any sushi chef worth his nori would let spoiled food be served to a guest). There was farmed salmon and something white, maybe tuna. It was so bad I felt sorry for the place, and the exceptionally nice and kind server trying to provide a better experience for me.The unagi was good, altho the teriyaki glaze was too sweet.I saw the older man come to the kitchen in his street clothes, but he wasn’t overseeing the quality that night.I spent $76 and left feeling confused that the art of Japanese hospitality was abducted by an inexplicably rude owner who, from the moment I arrived, was mean, cold and out of line. I can forgive most missteps, but the sushi sampler quality was beyond horrible. The sweet young man brought me lemon sorbet, a kind gesture after a weird and unpleasant experience. Thank you to him. I hope this was just one bad night, but serving such poor quality fish, and the mean owner left a bad taste.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
이렌
We got kicked out of the restaurant because we didn’t order a lot. We were not notified that there is a minimum order amount or we have to order drinks. I am very offended by the owner’s attitude and cannot understand why she’s so rude to us.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
bennie Cesak
I had an incredible dining experience at Kani Kosen, with delicious seafood dishes and impeccable service.
Donna Torres
What can I say, the food is FABULOUS. I have been several times and I'll continue to come back .Vegetarian options: All goodDietary restrictions: They take care of youKid-friendliness: Family orientedWheelchair accessibility: It's good
Kani Kosen has been a true gem of Pacifica for 30 years. The owners have always treated you like family in their own charming, unique way. It's very sad news to hear that they will be closing soon. ? I hope that everyone who reads this goes there as much as possible over their last 2 months!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
carter Nguyen
My wife and I went in for the first time and were seated and waited and waited and waited and waited and after 45 min of being ignored and seeing other people that came after us ordered and get food we just left. I would give a rating for food but we never ate. We just saw other people’s food and were sad that they ignored us. Total bummer
TankQGirl67
I haven't been there in years. However, every time I went there I felt like family. Kay and family are amazing. Well deserved retirement. Miss you Kay. Even after you get me drunk on sake.
It's worth the slow service. I absolutely love this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Adam Osteen
I'm a fat boy, so you can trust me when I say this place has great food.It's a small family place in a strip mall, so you should make a reservation.My wife and I found this place across the street from our hotel and gave it a chance.It was so good we made a reservation for the next night, too.Everything we tried was super fresh and prepared perfectly.The family that runs this place is really nice and inviting, makes you feel like you're part of the family while you're here.If you're in Pacifica or within 100 miles of this place, you should make a reservation, get in the car, and go try it.You won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tempura
Joe Vorih
Absolutely top notch Japanese food by authentic and warm family. The fresh nigiri and sashimi were incredible - including the standout bluefin toro. Excellent sake selection as well. Can’t recommend highly enough. Just go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dima Ruden
My personal Michelin guide must visit! Unforgettable experienceBest food I’ve ever tried outside of Japan. Highly recommend for all lovers of traditional cuisine and family-like service.Beautiful Japanese couple owns and operates this restaurant for 30 years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tempura
T.W. Mc Donald lll
Best Sushi in Pacifica. I like the more exotic stuff and they usually have it here. Always a great experience.
Great food, amazing waiters and awesome atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best dining experience, food and service, we've had in a long time. Really special to see three generations of the same family working at a place that's been in business over 30 years. The Kani Kosen appetizer is amazing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kani
Very weird place. They sat us without a reservation, which we thought was nice. Service was good, but it took an hour to get half of our order. After an hour plus, still waiting on half of our order, the owner(?)-who has been yelling at the chef for 20 minutes- tells us that the chef is an alcoholic and drunk and going slow. At this point I’m not really sure I want to eat sushi from a drunk chef.After another 10 minutes she comes to our table and asks me if I want to go home?! I reply, “what I want is to eat, will I ever get my food?”She then tells us that all of the food we had is on the house-kindly kicking us out. So weird. Nothing else was open in the area by this point.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
I searched on google for best food near me and this place showed up. I love Japanese food, lived in Japan for 3 yrs, and was excited to find an “authentic” Japanese place after a King Low Tide hike. It was difficult to find, in a small complex, no street signage. When I arrived the Mama-San approached me stressed, unpleasant, scowling saying “did you make a reservation, we can’t serve you, we are understaffed”. I was still believing this would be the 4.6 rated food experience. The room was 1/2 empty. I was just one person, who would order quickly. She scowled, walked away and the sweet young man approached me, apologized and I thought we were now off to a good start.The place has the “old world Japanese small restaurant” vibe, with lots of old articles about the place on the wall. I thought I’d found a hidden gem.Everything looked pretty unkempt, dusty and forgotten—but, still optimistic that the food was going to be special, I pursued. I ordered the sushi sampler, unagi, pickles and miso soup.The last 2 items were solid. When I flagged Mama-San over to hear about the pickles I got more barking and scowls. “We use shiso!” Was all she could say. I told her how delicious they were, but she had decided to be rude/mean/unfriendly to me, although she was fawning all over her regulars.The sushi sampler was the worst dish I’ve ever seen or tasted. I should have walked out. It had really old, freezer burned, terrible octopus, avocado rolls, all brown, past it’s prime (no good chef puts a vegetarian item on a sushi sampler, this was a cheap move, in addition to the shock that any sushi chef worth his nori would let spoiled food be served to a guest). There was farmed salmon and something white, maybe tuna. It was so bad I felt sorry for the place, and the exceptionally nice and kind server trying to provide a better experience for me.The unagi was good, altho the teriyaki glaze was too sweet.I saw the older man come to the kitchen in his street clothes, but he wasn’t overseeing the quality that night.I spent $76 and left feeling confused that the art of Japanese hospitality was abducted by an inexplicably rude owner who, from the moment I arrived, was mean, cold and out of line. I can forgive most missteps, but the sushi sampler quality was beyond horrible. The sweet young man brought me lemon sorbet, a kind gesture after a weird and unpleasant experience. Thank you to him. I hope this was just one bad night, but serving such poor quality fish, and the mean owner left a bad taste.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We got kicked out of the restaurant because we didn’t order a lot. We were not notified that there is a minimum order amount or we have to order drinks. I am very offended by the owner’s attitude and cannot understand why she’s so rude to us.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I had an incredible dining experience at Kani Kosen, with delicious seafood dishes and impeccable service.
What can I say, the food is FABULOUS. I have been several times and I'll continue to come back .Vegetarian options: All goodDietary restrictions: They take care of youKid-friendliness: Family orientedWheelchair accessibility: It's good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tempura, Fresh Maguro Sashimi, Kani
Kani Kosen has been a true gem of Pacifica for 30 years. The owners have always treated you like family in their own charming, unique way. It's very sad news to hear that they will be closing soon. ? I hope that everyone who reads this goes there as much as possible over their last 2 months!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I went in for the first time and were seated and waited and waited and waited and waited and after 45 min of being ignored and seeing other people that came after us ordered and get food we just left. I would give a rating for food but we never ate. We just saw other people’s food and were sad that they ignored us. Total bummer
I haven't been there in years. However, every time I went there I felt like family. Kay and family are amazing. Well deserved retirement. Miss you Kay. Even after you get me drunk on sake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Maguro Sashimi
Restaurantji Recommends
It's worth the slow service. I absolutely love this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
I'm a fat boy, so you can trust me when I say this place has great food.It's a small family place in a strip mall, so you should make a reservation.My wife and I found this place across the street from our hotel and gave it a chance.It was so good we made a reservation for the next night, too.Everything we tried was super fresh and prepared perfectly.The family that runs this place is really nice and inviting, makes you feel like you're part of the family while you're here.If you're in Pacifica or within 100 miles of this place, you should make a reservation, get in the car, and go try it.You won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tempura
Absolutely top notch Japanese food by authentic and warm family. The fresh nigiri and sashimi were incredible - including the standout bluefin toro. Excellent sake selection as well. Can’t recommend highly enough. Just go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My personal Michelin guide must visit! Unforgettable experienceBest food I’ve ever tried outside of Japan. Highly recommend for all lovers of traditional cuisine and family-like service.Beautiful Japanese couple owns and operates this restaurant for 30 years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tempura
Best Sushi in Pacifica. I like the more exotic stuff and they usually have it here. Always a great experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5