9 Best Asian Fusion Restaurants in San Mateo

“Wanted Pho kinda late, 9pm, and when looking around this place was open late. Stopped by, as expected seated right away as only a few people in the restaurant at that time. Waitress was great, right away brought a cup of water with extra bottle table side for refills. Already knew I wanted pho, but still looked at the menu, everything looked good, if i didn't have my heart set on Pho already would of been a hard decision to make. Ordered the Beef Pho, braised oxtail broth was delicious with shredded oxtail throughout the broth. Came with the typical, bean sprouts, lime wedge, jalapeno slices and fresh basil. Added some of everything. Didn't get a picture when my food first came out as I forgot and was hungry, but remembered when 2/3 through. Can't wait to be back in the area to try some of the other menu items. Would recommend if your looking for some food Asian fusion food.“

“Urban Momo San Mateo is a true delight for anyone craving Nepali and Indian flavors. Every dish we tried; from momo and choila to chicken chilly, naan curry, and biryani was packed with authentic taste. The staff are warm and welcoming, making every visit a pleasure. If you’re in the area, this place is an absolute must-try!“

“super yum! i had the garlic chili tonkatsu ramen and unagi chazuke and they were great! the chazuke was very satisfying and addicting to eat - the unagi was perfectly cooked and seasoned with a sweet sauce! i felt like the garlic chili tokatsu ramen was a bit overcooked but still very fragrant. a sleeper hit was the shishito pepper tempura - crispy and flavorful!“

“Hands down the best Korean fried barbecued chicken in the Bay Area! Banchan in San Mateo blew me away — perfectly crispy, juicy chicken with a rich glaze that hits all the right notes. The flavors are bold but balanced, and the sides (especially the pickled radish and kimchi) complement the meal beautifully. Service was fast and friendly, and the place was spotless. I’ve been craving it ever since. Highly recommend for anyone who loves Korean BBQ or just amazing fried chicken.“

“The staff was so so helpful and accommodating with my baby and stroller. It's a tight space inside but they seated us in a very comfortable spot where I could park my stroller and they were all very kind (and adorable and silly with the baby). I'm very grateful!!“

“What we thought would be a casual Thai joint in San Mateo turned out to be one of the best veggie meals we've had in a long time. Our group of three split a couple of mainstay dishes including their Papaya Salad, Tom Kha with Tofu, and entrees such as their Fried "Fish" and Minced Basil Soymeat. Everything came in large portions that we were barely able to finish most of them without taking a few bites home. The salad and tom kha were my two favorites - each having so much depth and flavor to each dish. The mock fish was also a standout and really goes well with a serving of rice, so don't forget to order some. Looks like they used to be a fully vegetarian/vegan restaurant but have since started serving animal products. Despite that, I encourage anyone to give them a try because their food and service were fantastic.“

“Great ramen!!! Fast and friendly service!“

“This was our second visit to Avenida. We decided to return because our first experience was outstanding, but unfortunately, this visit fell short in both food and service. We ordered the beef bulalo, which had good flavor, though the beef shank was not as tender as expected. The pork sisig, which was the highlight of our first visit, was noticeably dry this time. The salmon inasal was enjoyable, especially the garlic kangkong that accompanied it, but the mashed potato on the side felt mismatched with the dish. Service began well but became disappointing as the meal went on. Staff asked if we needed boxes while I was still eating, then proceeded to clear dishes without checking if we were finished. Even the extra rice we planned to take home was removed without asking. The bill was brought promptly, giving the impression that we were being rushed, despite the restaurant not being full and with no guests waiting. A more attentive approach like asking if we were finished before clearing plates, confirming whether we wanted to pack leftovers, or checking if we were ready for the bill would have greatly improved the experience. Sadly, this visit was not as enjoyable as our first, and we may not be returning in the near future.“

“A pre-flight tradition with veggies (and fish!)

My friend loves this place, and over time, it’s become a little tradition: a quick dinner here before I send her off to SFO. I’m not exactly what you’d call a vegetarian (far from it!), but hey—this is a poke spot, and fish definitely isn’t a vegetable. Still, I always follow my friend’s lead and pick kale as the base. By the end of the bowl, I feel like I’ve eaten a year’s worth of greens… in a good way. 😄

This time, I also tried their signature (I think?) taro chips—and I liked them! Crispy, slightly sweet, and a nice change from the usual sides.

Simple, fresh, fast, and now a sentimental favorite. Looking forward to our next “see-you-later” dinner here.“