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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of San Mateo

Japanese food

When you have a craving for Japanese food, you want a meal that hits the mark every time.

Based on 555 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Izakaya Fusion Grill Keitan image 1
Izakaya Fusion Grill Keitan image 2
Izakaya Fusion Grill Keitan image 3
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Barbecue restaurant

Japanese-style barbecue shines with tabletop grills and fresh yakitori combo. Intimate izakaya vibe blends with live anime music for a lively feel. Open kitchen adds authentic atmosphere while cozy seating invites relaxed dining.

Menu features tonkotsu ramen, yakitori combo with chicken cartilage, and Beef Gyudon. Dishes include fresh sashimi, perfectly seasoned yakitori, and takoyaki, all with rich flavors and authentic izakaya style.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and flavorful."

"The yakitori here is great, and the service is so attentive."

"The Japanese food here is authentic, flavorful, and perfectly grilled."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs every day after 9pm with half-off chicken skewers and buy one get one free beers.

2

After 10 PM, all chicken dishes are half off, making it a great deal.

3

The restaurant stays open until 12 am, perfect for late-night dining.

02
Colander Kitchens image 1

Space blends chic and homey design with a cool coffee bar in an old pick-up truck, creating a warm lounge vibe. Fresh sushi shines with simple salmon and tuna rolls, while roasted Hamachi Collar offers rich teriyaki flavor. Seating suits all, with plants adding calm and noise kept low for relaxed chats.

Fresh sushi stands out with simple yet flavorful salmon and tuna rolls. The Hamachi Collar comes roasted with teriyaki glaze and shrimp tempura is crispy and light inside.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and beautifully plated."

"The Black cod with Miso for lunch was brilliantly seasoned and delicious."

"The Japanese food, especially the sushi, is so fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is cashless and uses QR code ordering.

2

The bar is not yet open due to pending permits.

3

Portion sizes are generous and prices are reasonable.

03
Suruki Supermarket image 1
Japanese grocery store

Small space with narrow aisles creates a busy vibe but shelves stay spotless and stocked with fresh sashimi and sushi-grade fish. Offers a wide selection of Junmai Daiginjo sake alongside Japanese groceries and balanced bento boxes for a fresh meal.

Sashimi comes freshly cut to order with sushi grade fish that stays incredibly fresh. Bento boxes offer a balanced and fresh meal, and there's a wide variety of sushi options available.

People are saying

"This grocery store's sushi and bento bar is a go-to lunch stop."

"The ready-to-go food here is fresh, delicious, and affordable."

"The Japanese food here, especially the sashimi, is impeccably fresh."

Good to know

1

Sashimi discount starts at 4PM; arrive early to avoid long lines.

2

Cooked food and sashimi available from 4PM in the deli area.

3

Parking can be challenging; consider visiting on weekends for easier access.

04
Prime BBQ image 1
Barbecue restaurant

Cozy spot with upside-down umbrellas and subtle Japanese decor sets a refined mood. Yakitori shines with flavorful ribeye skewers, while udon offers rich broth and chewy noodles. Heated trays keep food warm, matching the chill vibe and enhancing the dining pace.

Yakitori stands out with flavorful ribeye skewers and a variety of tasty selections. Udon dishes feature a rich, savory broth and perfectly chewy noodles, while sides like fried eggplant and vegetable tempura add great variety.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and tasty."

"It's a great late night spot that's open really late."

"I loved the yakitori; it was grilled to perfection."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 9:30 to 11:30pm, offering buy-one-get-one-free beer.

2

An 18% tip is automatically added to all bills.

3

Parking is available, but it may require a short walk.

05
Udon Mugizo - San Mateo image 1
Japanese restaurant

Japanese restaurant shines with rich tonkotsu broth and creamy mentaiko sauce udon. Sleek, modern interior feels bright and airy, shifting from chill to lively at peak times. Outdoor seating welcomes dogs, adding a family-friendly vibe.

Broths range from rich tonkotsu to light shoyu, each with well-cooked udon noodles. Dishes include crispy tempura, flavorful beef donburi, and creamy mentaiko cream sauce udon that resembles fettuccine.

People are saying

"The udon noodles here are thick and soft."

"The shrimp tempura is so crispy and satisfying."

"The Japanese food udon noodles were soft and great."

Good to know

1

There is a large paid parking lot behind the restaurant.

2

Expect wait times of 40+ minutes during peak hours.

3

Reservations are not accepted; it's first come, first serve.

06
Kodawari Japanese Cuisine image 1
Japanese restaurant

Space blends mini Kyoto charm with modern Japanese dรฉcor, creating a zen atmosphere. Premium sushi and sashimi feature high-quality seafood at fair prices. Busy evenings bring a lively vibe, with a partitioned area for groups to enjoy.

Offers premium sushi and sashimi with high-quality seafood at reasonable prices. Presents a sophisticated take on Japanese cuisine, different from typical US spots.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is outstanding and everything I tried tasted amazing."

"The seafood here is super fresh and thoughtfully prepared."

"The interior felt modern, bright, and clean."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner, due to high demand.

2

The restaurant is very busy; expect wait times during peak hours.

3

Limited seating is available for walk-ins, so arrive early.

07
Yuzu image 1
Sushi restaurant

Small dining room feels cramped yet intimate with tables close together. Enjoy authentic sushi and an incredible omakase that highlights fresh rolls and sashimi. Energy shifts from quiet to lively, matching the notable sake selection loved by regulars.

Tiny spot serves authentic Japanese sushi with very fresh rolls and sashimi. The omakase stands out as incredible, and the chicken teriyaki lunch plate is solid.

People are saying

"The fish here is super fresh and really good."

"I found the sushi here to be authentic and the real deal."

"I thought the Japanese food here was the best sushi I'd ever had."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours to avoid long waits.

2

Expect to pay around $150 for two people, including tips and tax.

3

Seating is limited, so arrive early or be prepared to wait.

08
Nijiya Market San Mateo Store image 1
Japanese grocery store

Small Japanese grocery shines with fresh sushi and authentic snacks like Calbee chips. Offers niche soy sauces and essentials such as natto and sake. Clean, efficient space where items often sell out early, reflecting its specialty and slightly higher prices.

Sushi and sashimi feature incredibly fresh fish with a variety of grab-and-go options like onigiri and bento boxes. The Japanese grocery offers essentials like natto, uni, and sake, plus snacks such as Calbee chips and instant ramen.

People are saying

"I found the grab-and-go Japanese food options to be excellent and varied."

"I found a great selection of Japanese groceries and fresh fish here."

"I found the grab-and-go sushi to be fresh and tasty for a quick meal."

Good to know

1

Parking can be challenging, especially when the restaurant next door is busy.

2

Sashimi often sells out by noon, so arrive early for the best selection.

3

Gyudon packets are priced at $6, cheaper than many other places.

09
Little Late Bird image 1

Cafe blends cozy modern design with fresh onigiri snacks like spicy tuna mayo and bulgogi. Soft jazz plays as you enjoy lake views through large windows. Seating is comfy indoors and outdoors, perfect for work or relaxing in a peaceful atmosphere.

Snacks include musubi and spicy tuna mayo onigiri that are freshly made. Some onigiri fillings are tuna avocado and bulgogi, with salmon avocado also available.

People are saying

"I found the Bulgogi here to be my new go-to."

"I loved the delicious bubble tea and great milk tea."

"I loved the cozy atmosphere and tasty Japanese food here."

Good to know

1

There is ample free parking available near the cafe.

2

The cafe is dog-friendly, making it a great spot for pet owners.

3

Expect a relaxed atmosphere suitable for light work and socializing.

10
Rin-Tei image 1
Asian fusion restaurant

Small Asian fusion spot blends Japanese style with Southeast Asian vibes in a cozy, minimalist space. Highlights include chicken thigh yakitori and fresh yellowtail sashimi. Seating options create a calm, intimate dining experience.

Offers a wide range of Japanese dishes including yakitori, sushi, and ramen. Chicken thigh yakitori and yellowtail sashimi stand out, while the Japanese curry is decent but not remarkable.

People are saying

"The soy milk pho at this Lunch Spot is uniquely flavorful and creamy."

"The modern Japanese-Thai fusion dishes are a carefully calibrated composition."

"The Japanese food here has super fresh ingredients and is flavored perfectly."

Good to know

1

You order at the front and pay first at Rin-Tei.

2

A parking garage is close by, making it easy to get to Rin-Tei.

3

Metered street parking is available right in front of the restaurant.

11
NI-MO Japanese Cuisine image 1
Sushi restaurant

Small sushi spot shines with fresh sushi and large bento boxes. Outdoor patio offers a quiet lunch vibe perfect for people watching. Meals come with savory miso soup and hot tea, making it a great Japanese food choice.

Fresh sushi and udon dishes come with well-flavored rice that is not mushy. Bento boxes arrive quickly with savory miso soups and hot tea, plus edamame on the house.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here, especially the rolls, is so fresh and tasty."

"The bento box food portions are huge for the price."

"I enjoyed the great outdoor seating and people watching."

Good to know

1

Portion sizes are generous, especially for bento boxes, providing good value.

2

Prices are reasonable, making it a budget-friendly option for sushi.

3

The restaurant is one of the few open around 1:30pm on holidays.

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