Fantastic food in an intimate setting. Definitely a place I want to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex Lazovsky
Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at Wakuriya in San Mateo, and I must say, the experience was quite remarkable. From the moment I stepped in, the serene and welcoming ambiance set the stage for what was an exquisite culinary journey.The service at Wakuriya was impeccable. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience. Each course of the kaiseki menu was presented beautifully, showcasing a blend of traditional Japanese culinary artistry with subtle Californian influences. The highlights for me were the braised sea bass with its delicate yuzu gelee and the perfectly cooked Wagyu beef, which was both tender and flavorful.However, while the food and service were exceptional, I have some reservations about its Michelin star status. The quality and presentation were top-notch, but I felt that the overall experience, while delightful, did not fully align with other Michelin-starred restaurants I’ve visited in terms of creativity and culinary innovation.Additionally, considering the price point, I found Wakuriya to be slightly overpriced. While I understand and appreciate the quality of ingredients and the skill involved in preparing such dishes, the cost seemed a bit steep when weighed against the overall dining experience.In conclusion, Wakuriya is undoubtedly a great restaurant that I would recommend for those seeking high-quality Japanese cuisine in San Mateo. The serene atmosphere and meticulously prepared dishes make for a memorable dining experience. However, if you’re looking for a Michelin star-level experience, you might want to temper your expectations slightly, especially considering the price. Nonetheless, Wakuriya remains a gem in San Mateo’s culinary scene, and I am glad to have experienced its offerings.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wagyu Beef Donburi, Sake Flight, Hokkaido Hotate Scallop with Momo-Oroshi, Snake River Farms American Wagyu Beef
april zheng
The overall taste of the food was exquisite, with a particular highlight being the second course featuring hotate scallops with turnip soup and sautéed Hokkaido cod 'kumoko' (soft roe). Love the chef’s selection of sake flights! Amazing service.However, I wished for a more substantial inclusion of sashimi/seafood in the courses, as the main course seemed to lean towards regular beef or pork instead.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sake Flight
Andrew Hsu
Amazing. Only difficulty is getting a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Catherine Nguyen
This has to be one of my favorite Michelin star restaurants. Every dish was fresh, unique and full of flavors, textures and beautiful designs. My favorite was the braised sea bass with yuzu gelee, yamaimo potato + aosa seaweed and rice with toro sashimi + shiso + basil. Delicious!! I would definitely go here again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Z Xue
Very good experience. Cozy environment. Perfect food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amy Chu
Wakuriya holds a special place in my heart as a Japanese restaurant that offers an extraordinary dining experience. While it may be considered a bit pricy, the memories created and the flavors savored at Wakuriya are truly priceless.Stepping into Wakuriya is like entering a tranquil oasis, where the cares of the outside world melt away. The warm welcome and serene ambiance instantly put me at ease, ready to embark on a culinary adventure like no other.With each dish that graced my table, I found myself transported to Japan. The intricate artistry and attention to detail in the presentation were a feast for the eyes. And when I took my first bite, a symphony of flavors unfolded, dancing on my taste buds and leaving me in awe.
Ruei-Ting Chien
My friends and I had a wonderful night here. The best Kaiseki style restaurant in the area. I would definitely come back if I could get reservation again.Food is prepared to perfection. My favorites include 蛍烏賊(squid) and つぶ貝(whelk) on a heated stone BBQ, yamaimo gratin, and the wagyu beef with Maitake mushroom. The combination is excellent.Server is great, very attentive and introduced the sake menu pretty well. We ordered fruit flight (nigori, plum and yuzu sake) and premium sake flight and really enjoyed it.
Recommended dishes: Sake Flight
Fang Fang
The chef design the whole menu like a spring symphony. The intro with luminous blue shrimp and firefly squid. Then come with seasonal Sakura from Japan! Before the climax he pause and with a plum yogurt let you refresh a little. And ending with a warm homemade cookie just echo with the hot stone at beginning! What a delight spring start.
Katie M.
There's a reason why it's so hard to get a reservation of this place - this Kaiseki restaurant is amazing. Their attention to detail make your experience great once you step into the restaurant. All the dishes are executed to perfection and their seasonal menu makes it always fun to be here. We really enjoyed their sakura rice last time we visited - hope they will bring it back when it's season again. Can't wait to be back again soon!
My favorite restaurant in Bay Area. Have visited here 7 times this year and I could never get tired of it. The menu changes monthly except December since they are now on vacation and will be back on January. Menu provides classic kaseiki with a modern twist. I have to say chef is really genius as he can come up with totally different menu every month with the freshest ingredient. The service is also great! Always ask for sake recommendation! Environment is quiet and tables are well separated. Great for dating. Will come back next February !
Jing Huang
The service is good. Sashimi and other seafood are very fresh and nicely arranged like food art. However, wagyu is a little bit overcooked. The starters are the most impressive ones. Overall worth the money (so big size and all good quality and pricy raw materials).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dong Wook C.
Of all the Japanese restaurants I've been to in the Bay Area that specialize in kaiseki, this one is my favorite. It's not easy to book a reservation here. The restaurant is small and it's always fully booked a month in advance. I don't particularly enjoy calling at midnight one month ahead, but this place is so good and so popular, I don't really have a choice. Obviously being a fine dining restaurant, service will be top notch but what about the food? Every dish is so well-thought out, so delicate, so delicious. Presentation is beautiful. Much time and attention is put into each course. The best tasting kaiseki dinner I've had. I wish the restaurant was closer and offered more reservation availability. I would eat here everyday if I win the lottery.
Joann Kuo
So good. Love this little place. Everything carefully prepared and you could just taste the thoughtful execution that goes into each and every dish. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and we're recommended to anyone looking for a romantic evening out.Apparently it's also a favorite for birthdays. I really hope the five cups of green tea tonight doesn't keep me awake at night tonight!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve C.
Not everything is a smash hit here but it's so cool to have a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant in a strip mall next to a CVS and a pediatric dentist.
Fantastic food in an intimate setting. Definitely a place I want to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at Wakuriya in San Mateo, and I must say, the experience was quite remarkable. From the moment I stepped in, the serene and welcoming ambiance set the stage for what was an exquisite culinary journey.The service at Wakuriya was impeccable. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience. Each course of the kaiseki menu was presented beautifully, showcasing a blend of traditional Japanese culinary artistry with subtle Californian influences. The highlights for me were the braised sea bass with its delicate yuzu gelee and the perfectly cooked Wagyu beef, which was both tender and flavorful.However, while the food and service were exceptional, I have some reservations about its Michelin star status. The quality and presentation were top-notch, but I felt that the overall experience, while delightful, did not fully align with other Michelin-starred restaurants I’ve visited in terms of creativity and culinary innovation.Additionally, considering the price point, I found Wakuriya to be slightly overpriced. While I understand and appreciate the quality of ingredients and the skill involved in preparing such dishes, the cost seemed a bit steep when weighed against the overall dining experience.In conclusion, Wakuriya is undoubtedly a great restaurant that I would recommend for those seeking high-quality Japanese cuisine in San Mateo. The serene atmosphere and meticulously prepared dishes make for a memorable dining experience. However, if you’re looking for a Michelin star-level experience, you might want to temper your expectations slightly, especially considering the price. Nonetheless, Wakuriya remains a gem in San Mateo’s culinary scene, and I am glad to have experienced its offerings.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wagyu Beef Donburi, Sake Flight, Hokkaido Hotate Scallop with Momo-Oroshi, Snake River Farms American Wagyu Beef
The overall taste of the food was exquisite, with a particular highlight being the second course featuring hotate scallops with turnip soup and sautéed Hokkaido cod 'kumoko' (soft roe). Love the chef’s selection of sake flights! Amazing service.However, I wished for a more substantial inclusion of sashimi/seafood in the courses, as the main course seemed to lean towards regular beef or pork instead.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sake Flight
Amazing. Only difficulty is getting a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This has to be one of my favorite Michelin star restaurants. Every dish was fresh, unique and full of flavors, textures and beautiful designs. My favorite was the braised sea bass with yuzu gelee, yamaimo potato + aosa seaweed and rice with toro sashimi + shiso + basil. Delicious!! I would definitely go here again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good experience. Cozy environment. Perfect food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wakuriya holds a special place in my heart as a Japanese restaurant that offers an extraordinary dining experience. While it may be considered a bit pricy, the memories created and the flavors savored at Wakuriya are truly priceless.Stepping into Wakuriya is like entering a tranquil oasis, where the cares of the outside world melt away. The warm welcome and serene ambiance instantly put me at ease, ready to embark on a culinary adventure like no other.With each dish that graced my table, I found myself transported to Japan. The intricate artistry and attention to detail in the presentation were a feast for the eyes. And when I took my first bite, a symphony of flavors unfolded, dancing on my taste buds and leaving me in awe.
My friends and I had a wonderful night here. The best Kaiseki style restaurant in the area. I would definitely come back if I could get reservation again.Food is prepared to perfection. My favorites include 蛍烏賊(squid) and つぶ貝(whelk) on a heated stone BBQ, yamaimo gratin, and the wagyu beef with Maitake mushroom. The combination is excellent.Server is great, very attentive and introduced the sake menu pretty well. We ordered fruit flight (nigori, plum and yuzu sake) and premium sake flight and really enjoyed it.
Recommended dishes: Sake Flight
The chef design the whole menu like a spring symphony. The intro with luminous blue shrimp and firefly squid. Then come with seasonal Sakura from Japan! Before the climax he pause and with a plum yogurt let you refresh a little. And ending with a warm homemade cookie just echo with the hot stone at beginning! What a delight spring start.
There's a reason why it's so hard to get a reservation of this place - this Kaiseki restaurant is amazing. Their attention to detail make your experience great once you step into the restaurant. All the dishes are executed to perfection and their seasonal menu makes it always fun to be here. We really enjoyed their sakura rice last time we visited - hope they will bring it back when it's season again. Can't wait to be back again soon!
Restaurantji Recommends
My favorite restaurant in Bay Area. Have visited here 7 times this year and I could never get tired of it. The menu changes monthly except December since they are now on vacation and will be back on January. Menu provides classic kaseiki with a modern twist. I have to say chef is really genius as he can come up with totally different menu every month with the freshest ingredient. The service is also great! Always ask for sake recommendation! Environment is quiet and tables are well separated. Great for dating. Will come back next February !
The service is good. Sashimi and other seafood are very fresh and nicely arranged like food art. However, wagyu is a little bit overcooked. The starters are the most impressive ones. Overall worth the money (so big size and all good quality and pricy raw materials).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Of all the Japanese restaurants I've been to in the Bay Area that specialize in kaiseki, this one is my favorite. It's not easy to book a reservation here. The restaurant is small and it's always fully booked a month in advance. I don't particularly enjoy calling at midnight one month ahead, but this place is so good and so popular, I don't really have a choice. Obviously being a fine dining restaurant, service will be top notch but what about the food? Every dish is so well-thought out, so delicate, so delicious. Presentation is beautiful. Much time and attention is put into each course. The best tasting kaiseki dinner I've had. I wish the restaurant was closer and offered more reservation availability. I would eat here everyday if I win the lottery.
So good. Love this little place. Everything carefully prepared and you could just taste the thoughtful execution that goes into each and every dish. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and we're recommended to anyone looking for a romantic evening out.Apparently it's also a favorite for birthdays. I really hope the five cups of green tea tonight doesn't keep me awake at night tonight!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not everything is a smash hit here but it's so cool to have a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant in a strip mall next to a CVS and a pediatric dentist.