50 Best Japanese Restaurants in San Jose

“Goku Sushi is a real gem!! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was welcoming and the staff was attentive. We ordered a variety of rolls, and each one was a delight. The Mango roll was outstanding. The presentation of the food was also beautiful. We'll definitely be back! By the way, we came to the one on Blossom Hill !!“

“Love this place, they have the best fried tofu and service is fast!“

“Good ambience, great food. Loved the family vibe. Feels like eating in a cozy eatery in Osaka.“

“Shabutime was such a great experience and easily one of the best Japanese hot pot spots I’ve been to so far.

This was my second time ever doing hot pot and my first time trying a Japanese-style hot pot, and it completely changed my perspective. Everything felt very organized and easy to follow, which made the whole experience way more enjoyable.

We ordered the beef toro belly and the seafood combo, which came with a full spread of vegetables. For broths, we went with the yukisaki and spicy Sichuan, and both were really well balanced and flavorful without being overwhelming. We also added vermicelli and udon noodles, which soaked up the broth perfectly.

What stood out to me was how satisfying the meal actually was. I’ve done hot pot before and left feeling like I didn’t really eat enough or get the full experience, but that was not the case here. Everything felt complete and well thought out.

They also have a solid selection of sauces and add-ons, which really let you customize each bite.

Overall, super impressed with the quality, the setup, and how smooth the whole experience was. Definitely a spot I’ll be coming back to.“

“This has been my favorite Japanese restaurant since it opened almost 10 years ago. I have since moved to Sacramento but every time I’m in San Jose I make sure to stop by. The food is delicious, authentic, and the staff is kind and hard working. You MUST try Sanraku“

“Amazing food 🍱 Great Service“

“I passed this place up for many years, it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but don’t judge a book by the cover, it is seriously good. Big assortment of common and unique sushi rolls, udon noodle soup, and definitely consider the sanban bento box.“

“love this cute place . tempura veggies crunchy.all fresh , great service.“

“My wife and I love ramen. And we love coming to this place when we visit from out of town. One of the best ramen we've had. Great flavor and quick service. The service overall is wonderful as well, always nice to hear a couple of Japanese words. The atmosphere is wonderful, works with kids as well. And my server this round was Yoshie, she was great as well as everyone else that proactively helped keep things in tip top shape.“

“Been here several times over the years, not nearly as much as I would like as I don’t live close enough. The food is always excellent, whether it’s the traditional skewers or their rotating more creative bites. And, I’m a sucker for Yaki Onigiri and theirs is excellent. As is the rice bowl side that comes with the perfectly cooked runny egg yolk. These space is a small so definitely recommend reservations during peak hours.

Service is very prompt and friendly.“

“The Saba Shioyaki combo is really good, one of the best ones I’ve had in California for years. It even outshines the unagi a bit, waaat..

The fact that this place has both good quality authentic Japanese food and reasonable pricing is insane. Will definitely come back“

“Sushi is good. Worth waiting twenty to thirty minutes to get the best sushi in San Jose, California. I live in Fresno and on my way to Sacramento I stopped by at dinner time and ate sushi with my friends. This place is authentic Japanese home style food. I like their Chicken Katsu and Salmon. I ask if they use farm raised salmon and they say yes. Anyway, this place hit the spot. Will be visiting on my way home again. Thank you Sushi Kan and Chef Eric.“

“Efficient service, delicious sushi and Saki.“

“I was looking for a sushi place the other day and found Kai Sushi or maybe it found me. Let’s just call it destiny but hands down it’s now my favorite sushi spot. Service is amazing. The aesthetics of the place is great. The food was the best part. Every dish I had (sushi, gyoza, nigiri) was amazingly fresh, it tasted amazing. I don’t like eel very much but the Chard eel on the dragon roll was so good it changed my mind on eel. I liked this place so much I had to bring my brother with me for round 2 and it was just as good as the first time. If you’re in the area it is a must stop. Did I mention how nice the hostess. She was very attentive but had a great balance of making sure we were taken care of yet still gave us our space to enjoy our meal. I will definitely be returning and making this my new sushi spot.“

“Great food and the staff is friendly the environment is spectacular“

“Was the best ramen in San Francisco. Also the best gyoza. The black pepper karaage was fantastic. Sorry to see it close the San Francisco location. I hope they are looking for a new location in SF. There are some empty store fronts on Post Street in Japantown. I hope you come back!“

“Not only was Jocelyn a great waiter she treated me
me and my table like family and she's a very beautiful awesome person I got nothing but respect and non-stop assistance from her if you're looking for somewhere to go drink and eat don't go to the downtown on the one right here in Willow Glen Jocelyn can help you“

“Not much to look at from the outside but lovely indoor decor and a pretty extensive menu with alcohol selections available. Trying this one for the first time, according to staff they have been here about 4 months. Today I have ordered the pork katsu bento box. Lunch special for $17.99. comes with gyoza, rice and a salad. Also includes your choice of drink. Staff let me know it would be a 10-minute wait for the food to be cooked up fresh. Actual wait time was only 7 minutes from the time my credit card was charged to me walking out the door with food in hand. Fresh and hot as promised, high quality. Enjoyed back at the office with time to spare!

I already know what I'm ordering next time you come back!“

“At poke places, it is so important for the food to be fresh. You don't have to worry about this here. The staff is willing to help you arrange your bowl if you want any suggestions about pairings. Highly recommend!“

“I had been hearing about this place for months and finally made it in. The Yoshi special roll is everything people said it was. Fresh fish, clean presentation, flavors that actually complement each other. Chef Charly was working and clearly puts care into every roll that comes out of that kitchen. The place was tidy and the service was warm. Lived up to the hype.“

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“Fresh food and good taste. One of pocket restaurants.“

“First time here and be warned, if you ask for the spicy version of food it will be spicy!! Food was delicious. Service was quick. Service was very friendly. Wish they had more drink options. Their ordering system can be a bit funky but the staff are friendly and can help clear things up, that was my experience. I also think it would be helpful if they had a guide for how spicy their food really is. I will be coming back by not ordering spicy. Ha ha“

“First time after a referral and it did not disappoint! The food was fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was clean and modern. The staff were so nice and came by multiple times to check on us. I had the Happy Together roll and a Saba hand roll which were so full of flavor. Will definitely be coming back!“

“This new spot opened up. It’s located inside a building called the “Culinary Block” inside a large parking lot for take away orders only. Overall, the price is good for the quality and quantity of food. I got the Northwest Lianpi noodles, Xinjiang Rice Noodle With Beef Shank, Meiling Congee, Homemade Yogurt, and Homemade Plum Juice.Liangpi: The noodles were soft and slightly bouncy with a nice chew to them. Very unique texture! It came with three sauces to mix into the noodles so you can adjust the spiciness however you like. The flavor was very balanced and it was easy to finish the whole thing without getting tired of the flavor.Xinjiang Rice Noodle: This dish was very flavorful and a little on the saltier side compared to the other dishes. Nice if you are into something heavier in flavor. It’s not as spicy as it looks and comes with a thick round rice noodle.Meiling Congee: This dish was pretty special, the flavor profile is very subtle but well balanced. I haven’t tried something like this before. It has a tiny hint of sweetness and has a bit of a nutty soymilk flavor and bits of lotus seed inside. Like a dessert porridge. Very tasty!Homemade Yogurt: This yogurt honestly has a phenomenal texture and I would definitely recommend it! It’s almost like a mix between mochi and liquid yogurt in the slightly stretchy texture. The flavor is good too since it’s just a tad sweet and just a tad sour.Plum juice: Slightly sour and sweet juice that is refreshing to go with food and increase appetite.Overall, I would say the food here is pretty good because the owner really pays attention to the quality! The food is well seasoned and balanced. Can’t wait to try the other things on the menu.

Parking: Plenty of parking“

“Best Date Night dinner ever!“

“From the moment you walk through the doorway, the warm wood accents and serene atmosphere transport you straight to Kyoto.
​The star of the menu is undoubtedly the house-made udon, crafted fresh daily with an unbelievable elastic bounce and satisfying chew.“

“Great find and will be back often … loved everything about this place“

“The sushi is so fresh it melts in your mouth. It’s so good. It’s a quaint almost hole in the wall type place but it’s clean and the people are friendly and attentive. It’s a definite must if you like sushi. Prices are reasonable and a tiny bit high on some dishes but it’s worth it. I will be going back again and I’m sure lots of times 😋“

“Located at a random strip mall. My noodle and steak sizzling plate was delicious in that comfort food way. 👍🏻 Husband got the chicken version, which wasn’t quite as good. The corn soup was just ok - didn’t have too much flavor. Waitress was friendly and the food came out quickly. Looking forward to coming back to trying other dishes.“

“Eat there!! It’s great!!!“

“Great food, fast service!“

“Fresh poke bowl made as you order.“

“This sushi spot is down the street from my house and it's quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Granted I usually come in for lunch and order a bento box. I love the spicy chicken teriyaki, veggie tempura and California rolls. Their Chile. Matsu was good but I prefer the teriyaki. Their miso soup is tasty.

Restaurant is typical sushi restaurant size. They may accommodate larger parties with notice. The art on the wall is movies, action figures, and things of that nature

I haven't tried too much outside of that so I will have to order more when I go next time. I want to order specialty rolls. Will update the review after the fact.“

“Miyuki Japanese Restaurant is an easy 4 star place for me. It is excellent, just not quite at that top tier 5-star level.

However it is probably the best Japanese spot in the area. The menu covers a wide range, from sushi to combination boxes with cooked dishes and noodle soups, so there is something for everyone. The chefs are terrific. The rolls are awesome. And the salad dressing has a unique mustard taste that I’ve never had at any other Japanese restaurant.

The service is top shelf. The staff is friendly, attentive, and clearly trying to take care of you throughout the meal.

The interior is fairly average, but it has a subtle Japanese feel that keeps it comfortable and appropriate for the food.

It is a place I keep coming back to, even if I stop just short of calling it five stars.“

“Their sushi rolls are fabulous every time. I love the Dragon roll and Paul’s roll. Consistent and fast service every time.“

“Great menu and terrific service. You will not be disappointed!“

“Each day I visit my mom at the local hospital I come here for lunch to eat my feelings. The sushi is great, it’s a one man shop. As long as you’re patient with time and going for the food and not the ambiance, then this place is perfect.“

“I really liked this food. While it took a bit of time for it to come out, it came out hot and fresh. I got the curry hambak, which is more or less a hamburger patty with demiglace sauce along with the curry sauce and the rice and vegetables. The taste of it all was really good. And it was also really filling. Overall very satisfying. I also like Hmart so the atmosphere was good too.“

“Great sushi and sashimi! ❤️“

“Awesome take out live them“

“Very delicious, very good, highly recommended“

“Cha Cha Sushi in San Jose is a fun and reliable spot for fresh, tasty sushi with a laid-back vibe. The rolls are creative and flavorful, and the fish tastes fresh and well prepared. Portions are generous and the all-you-can-eat option is a great value if you want to try a variety of dishes. Service is usually quick and friendly, and the casual atmosphere makes it an easy place to relax and enjoy a meal with friends or family. Overall, a solid go-to for satisfying sushi in San Jose. 🍣“

“Nagoya Sushi was excellent! The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. I had the Dragon Roll, Musketeer Roll, and miso soup, and everything was delicious. The rolls were especially tasty and packed with great flavor.

The service was friendly, attentive, and made for a great dining experience from start to finish. And as a bonus, the beer was ice cold and perfectly refreshing with the meal.

If you’re looking for quality sushi, great service, and a relaxing atmosphere, I highly recommend Nagoya Sushi. I’ll definitely be back! 🍣🍺“

“I love “Tomo Sushi”. Been going there for at least 20 years. Product is always fresh, Anthony, the owner is the chef. The ambiance is superb lots of variety and professionally done. You owe it to yourself and your family yo try Tomo Sudhi. You will be glad you did“

“Best Tempura donburi in the Bay Area!! You can always request to have Tempura lunch/dinner instead of donburi too!“

“We are so lucky to have this sushi restaurant in the Village. The food is amazing the service is great!“

“Great food and experience!“

“I have been coming here for about 10 years, and after being away for a couple of years, I was so happy to see it is still owned by the same people. The food is just as amazing as I remembered and never disappoints.

The sushi might seem a little pricey at first, but it comes with miso soup and a salad, so it is actually a great value. I have literally tried just about everything on the menu, and I have loved every single dish.

The service is always outstanding too. It is usually the same woman taking care of every all by herself, and she never misses a thing. I have watched her handle a full house while constantly running around, yet she still manages to check on every table. She somehow always notices when I need more water, and I drink a lot of it. I am always impressed by how attentive, efficient, and friendly she is. She truly makes every visit even better.“

“The best sushi ever, can’t wait to go back to San José to eat there Best regards Charlie Marco“