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.“

“Here’s a polished, natural English review that keeps your tone and emphasis:

Sanraku completely changed my impression that you can’t find good Japanese food in an American shopping mall.

The best surprise was that both the servers and the sushi chefs appeared to be Japanese, which really added to the authentic atmosphere. The interior also felt very much like a restaurant you would find in Japan.

Most importantly, the food was genuinely fresh and tasted authentic. We intentionally avoided ordering the Americanized items on the menu and stuck with more traditional dishes. For us, simply receiving food that tasted exactly as it should—with no unexpected twists or unnecessary “fusion”—was a huge plus.

Every dish that arrived at the table was cleanly presented, fresh, and delicious. Having each dish taste exactly the way it’s supposed to was surprisingly satisfying. It reminded us that authenticity and simplicity can be the most memorable part of a meal.“

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

“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.“

“Really enjoyed this spot! We got a few dishes to share, including sushi rolls, grilled short ribs, and some fried appetizers. Everything came out nicely presented and tasted fresh. The sushi roll was my favorite flavorful, saucy, and had a good mix of textures. The short ribs were also really tasty and well grilled.

Overall, great casual dinner spot with solid portions and good food. I’d definitely come back for the rolls and grilled meats.“

“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’d like to call this a hidden gem in the Bay Area! The sashimi is so fresh that it has no fishy smell, and its distinctive chewy texture lingers in your mouth. The various rolls and sushi are neat and clean, but the sashimi rice bowl is a work of art! Unlike other places, the chili sauce has a harmonious balance of acidity, sweetness, and saltiness, making it a sauce that brings all the ingredients together. I also highly recommend the Nagasaki Champon. You’ll understand once you try it! The staff are friendly and skilled, so they prepare everything efficiently without you even asking. The various events are also a plus. You definitely have to visit! Highly recommended!!“

“Efficient service, delicious sushi and Saki.“

“Pretty great rolls here at KAI Japanese Restaurant. Had their chicken bento as well which was fine, a bit better then some places honestly but their scallop roll was fantastic.

Pricing wise their about what you expect for a Japanese restaurant in the area so worth a try for sure.“

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

“The shrimp battered onigiri with teriyaki sauce and a mustard tasting leaf sha-la-la on my tongue.
Came home from work and tried this… The presentation threw me off, I’ve only really had seaweed covered onigiri. And I was pretty skeptical of the taste especially because the rice looked drowned in teriyaki sauce (is it teriyaki sauce?). but when that first bite touched all my gustatory cells I was in heaven looking down at earth. The leaf separating the rice and shrimp gives the food so so so much depth. Its sweet and then a bitter and fresh taste.
This was the best surprise after work.“

“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“

“está página es muy interesante bendiciones para esta“

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

“Great food, fast service!“

“Some friends from work brought up this place to meet up and so we did afterwards and after seeing the pictures it really piqued my interest and I was happy to drop by because I really enjoyed my dish. I just had to add some more seasoning to it. But I definitely will go back“

“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!“

“Who's alright?I just wish they would give you more food for the price.And then the spaghetti was kind of like there wasn't really much going on for it , you know , like I kind of little disappointed , they should just give more meat with how much noodles they just give you“

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

“Best Date Night dinner ever!“

“Eat there!! It’s great!!!“

“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.“

“We ordered a 3 sushi combo, I think that was a good price for the 3 basic rolls. Also a Yoshi roll, which was very good. Overall food is great. I wasn’t sure if I was to take a seat or wait. I signed in on the pad but the wait staff didn’t acknowledge me for a bit. Finally she offered me a tiny table in corner next to another table or wait for her to clean one of the several empty ones. I waited.
Other than that, service was good and food order was quick. And the food was very good.“

“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.“

“Keep in mind this may have been a isolated incident. The service is always respectful and courteous. Portions are above par. Prices are Lil sus but take it or leave it . The price is the price. I got the teriyaki chicken and veggies . Which started out really good after a few more bites I started feeling a little nauseous. I figure maybe I was eat so fast that my brain and stomach did click. So I just dismissed it and added more sauce. Think it just need more flavor. Before I knew it what was on the inside came rushing to the outside . I barely made to the parking lot and spent the next 7 1/2 minutes praying to the trees and the dirt. Can't say what happened if it was bad chicken veggie or rice or the extra sauce that did me in. This just one experience i have gone back several times since then but vow to never eat the teriyaki chicken bowl again. Never want a repeat episode“

“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 😋“

“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.“

“Awesome take out live them“

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

“Very delicious, very good, highly recommended“

“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“

“Fresh poke bowl made as you order.“

“Great sushi and sashimi! ❤️“

“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! 🍣🍺“

“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!“

“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.“

“Kenji Sushi delivers an amazing culinary experience. We ordered their spicy sushi and chicken karage, and were left amazed by its taste. The restaurant also remains open till midnight which is such a life-saver, and the items are not too pricey either!“

“Having traversed a variety of shabu places, this one will scratch your Japananese shabu shabu (hot pot) itch. Great quality meat, a variety of veggies, and tasty broths. There's just enough variety to not be overwhelming.
Easy to walk in for lunch!“

“Came here for my daughter’s birthday and her friends. Wonderful atmosphere and delicious food! Serving size was very large! Come hungry.

Kid-friendliness: Saw lots of kids. I would bring my own.

Wheelchair accessibility: I had to get around on a knee scooter. Ramps were present. Staff helped with accommodations.“

“Best Japanese Curry in town !“

“The 🍣sushi was okay, but the takoyaki and miso soup were overly salty. To be honest, the takoyaki tasted like it was from frozen and was pretty bad. You won't see any piece of🐙 in takoyaki. It was just a breading. However, the service was excellent, which is why I’m leaving 4 stars.“