I've come here twice now and I didn't realize I never left a review the first time I came! So now I…read morefeel I have even more to say how you much gotta come to Kajiken! Both times I've come I hadn't had to wait very long and our second time was with a large group including kids. Our server was great in helping us preorder before we could get seated and we only waited 15 minutes. We all ordered the same things: half of us ordered the original aburasoba and the other half ordered the homura aburasoba and the food came out quickly. They kindly gave us little bowls for the kiddos and forks and all the kids loved the noodles and the adults shared a large pitcher of beer. All in all, best aburasoba and one of my favorite spots in San Mateo!

Kajiken is an Aburasoba Japanese restaurant serving brothless noodles in downtown San Mateo. There…read moreis often a long line of people waiting. Their noodles are homemade and their secret sauce gives the noodles balance and umami. Nearby Taishoken has a similar offering. 4.5 on Yelp and Google. We waited about 30 minutes after lining up at 5pm on a weekend. Got Ubereats in summer 2026. Note: No public phone number Safety Pluses - Online menu, Delivery services available, online ordering. Food Review: Takoyaki ($9.50) had 6 good sized balls with octopus, takoyaki sauce, mayo and bonito flakes. Decent. 7.5/10 Pan fried Gyoza ($8.50) are pork & vegetable pan eggless fried dumplings. Not overly crisp. Solid. 7.5/10 Homura Aburasoba ($19) They suggest you mix the eggless noodles for 20 seconds to ensure full coating. Noodles are very al dente and better than expected. You can choose the type of egg you want. It takes getting used to no broth. 8.5/10 Nikumori Aburasoba ($20) has spicy minced pork, pork slices and more. 8.5/10 Original Aburasoba ($16.45) does away with the egg and is still a solid simpler version. 9/10 Overall - Very Good Food - Very Good Decor - Very Good Service - Good Value - Very Good Would we come back - Yes

Food was very good! I would say the only thing for me was the portion size for the katsu was small…read morefor the price. Besides that i would recommend all the food here

Omakase price is very reasonable for what you get. Sushi chef's skill is outstanding! Great…read moreJapanese interior for eating atmosphere.

Had lunch here last week and I would say it's hands down best udon in Bay Area!…read more Ordered their rice bowl with mini udon and enquired if veg or seafood based broth option was available..and yes they do have veg with fish paste and it was delicious. I also got their spicy garlic edamame which hit the right notes! Also the rice bowl came with the shrimp n veg tempura which was just yummy! Great pleasant service and a clean nice interiors and I believe they have recently opened this location (perhaps a year or so). The udon itself is nice and thick fresh handmade sanuki style noodles. Tip: try asking for spicy garlic sauce on side and mix with udon or with rice...kicks up the taste immensely. The sake based cocktails looked appealing...didn't try them, perhaps next visit. Definitely one of my fav spots locally.

First time visit, and enthralled by this place. Beautiful thematic interior with a very strong…read morestaff who were all willing to help our table. The menu carries such a large diversity of items to cater different soup/rice plate tastes. The sukiyaki was a little more on the sweeter side and wish there was a little more umami balance, but the regular bowl was very filling. The table got the shrimp tempura set, the tonkatsu broth, and the curry katsu soup, and every item was tasty and the plating very thoughtful. I'm especially impressed by how child friendly this place was. I got the same vibes as marufuku, with the gashapon machine for the kids meal, the high quality bibs available for kids and adults, the child bowls and utensils, and the water cubs with lids and bendy straws. Both locations are great, but the menu at udon mugizo gives it a sizable edge. Great spot, and absolutely cannot wait to come back.

Good portion of tasty / a bit heavy tsukemen. The signature and duck tsukemen are both pretty good,…read morewith the duck one on the lighter side

We had dinner at Taishoken for the first time, and I ordered the Niku Ramen--it was a bomb! The…read morenoodles were extraordinary, and the soup was thick, rich, and packed with flavor, with just the right spicy kick I was looking for. The best part was the thick-cut pork slices--I got two generous pieces, and they were delicious! Definitely not stingy with the ingredients. I also ordered the fried calamari, which was really good. I loved that they served the spices on the side, so we could add them according to our taste. Even my son enjoyed every bite! Overall, we had a great dinner and will definitely be coming back.

I ordered a custom tray for a large group celebration and we were pleased with the quality and…read morenovelty. The fish were fresh, the rice was seasoned, and the garnishes were interesting. The owner was communicative via text and E-mail. Pick up was from a ghost kitchen. Menu was difficult to find online, but here is the link: https://twodotsco.typeform.com/to/eUm9sISf?typeform-source=linktr.ee The tray was beautifully decorated. At $6.25 per piece of sushi, the price was similar to nice sushi restaurants. I probably would not order from here frequently, but only as a special treat.

The food was delicious, the service was great, and the atmosphere was very nice The staff was…read morefriendly and attentive. I'd definitely come back!

Super underrated place. My favorite sushi restaurant in the bay and the people that work there are…read morethe kindest.

Amazing! This was our first time here, and we'll definitely be back for more. We came on a Friday…read morenight right when they opened. It's a little hole-in-the-wall spot, so it can be easy to miss, but they're serving fresh, high-quality fish. It's pretty small inside, but we were able to get seated right away. People started trickling in shortly after, though, so I can definitely see this place getting busy, especially during prime time. FOOD Salmon Sampler - 5/5 Very fresh! O-Toro - 5/5 Fresh and good! Japanese Uni Nigiri - 5/5 This was really good and creamy. Noma Roll - 3/5 This was okay. There were too many tempura flakes, which overpowered the entire roll. Dragon Roll - 5/5 Lion King Roll - 4/5 Karaage - 5/5 The kids really enjoyed this. Overall, we had a great experience for our first visit. Next time, I'd like to try more of their specialty rolls and some of their other special items as well.

I love this place! I particularly like it because it's open late and the menu offerings are just…read moregreat for a late night spot. Being Japanese, I love skewers! Lots of options here, the seasonings are a little different from Japanese skewers though just FYI. The mentaiko udon is a must!! The menu is quite large and I haven't tried everything (and I have my favorites, all here) but I always look forward to going back and trying something new.

Food wasn't terrible but on the sweeter side. I typically like my food to be saltier and spicier…read morewhen eating skewers. Service was spot on, really attentive and friendly.

Best Japanese food on the peninsula! Fresh and delicious & amazing selection of sake.read more

Casual but clean and tidy, this sushi spot is tucked away in a strip mall with a nice parking lot…read more It was not too busy on a Saturday at 5, but my friend told me that was unusual. You can make a reservation ahead just in case! We enjoyed: - green tea: hot and refilled constantly (complimentary too!) - miso soup: comforting - blue fin toro app: tender, melting in my mouth and flavorful! - regular omakase: stunning presentation, each one flavorful and unique. - winter wonderland: crunchy and tasty tempura roll - lion king: melt in your mouth deliciousness Don't be fooled by the casual interior, this place is tasty and some of the freshest tasting fish. Service was quick and polite. They quietly refilled our drinks without us needing to ask. Would definitely return for more.

Tokie's Japanese Cuisine has been one of my go-to spots for years, even back when they were in…read moreFoster City. No matter what you order, you really can't go wrong--everything on the menu is consistently amazing. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, which makes every visit feel like you're coming back home. Diane and Victor are incredible hosts and truly make the experience special. I've known them for a long time, and Victor never fails to greet me with a shot of sake--something I always look forward to every time I walk in. Their rolls are absolutely to die for, but as someone who appreciates traditional Japanese flavors, I always find myself going back to the sashimi. It's fresh, clean, and really lets the natural flavors shine. If you're looking for great food, great vibes, and even better people, this place is it.

Tokie, what happened?? Thursday night, around 6 pm. No line got a table quick. In front of…read morerestaurant, only thing is when new people came in the rush of cold air , forcing us to keep the jackets on. They did move us to a table closer in , without asking to be changed. Ordered the deep fried oysters, $11. Got three small oysters and tartare sauce. Not worth getting, my kids food came out because they ordered cooked food, katsu and grilled salmon. The problem was the restaurant was not that busy . Two sushi people. My kids had finished eating and my food or my wife's dinner had not come out . Not that it was complicated. A tokie special roll and another basic roll off the menu. They didn't even have to cook it! I am so disappointed. Overall probably stick to cooked food if you Don't want to eat after everyone is done eating. ‍. Bang for the buck not so much anymore.

Sushi Maruyama is a hidden gem with excellent quality fish and ingredients throughout their menu…read more Their omakase is one of the best I've had in the area, especially at this price point. The sushi chefs really know what they're doing and are incredibly kind and welcoming. I also really appreciate how attentive they are without being intrusive. They seem to know when to give you privacy and space and when to interact and engage with you. They're always friendly and working with a smile, which makes the experience even more enjoyable. This is definitely a place I'll be coming back to, and I'll happily use any special occasion as an excuse to return. I've already recommended Sushi Maruyama to several coworkers and friends, and I can easily see it becoming a go-to spot for me.

Solid local spot with fresh fish and great service! We…read morestumbled upon this place without a reservation and ended up waiting about 20 minutes since it was packed, but the table turnover was quick. Seeing an all-Japanese kitchen staff and sushi chefs immediately gave us good expectations--unlike a lot of Instagram-viral sushi spots run by non-Japanese owners where we've been disappointed before. It's not a flashy, high-end fine dining restaurant, but rather a clean, welcoming neighborhood sushi joint. The overall quality is very solid: sticking to the basics, well-executed, and super fresh with zero fishiness. We ordered the 8-piece Chef's Omakase (which came with a complimentary Tamago for $63--prices seem to vary depending on the daily fresh catches listed on their daily specials board). Most people seem to order the omakase and then add extra dishes. We also ordered: * Hamachi Kama * Deep-Fried Baby Octopus (wonderfully tender and delicious!) * Salmon Tacos * Miso Soup We paired everything with a dry, clean sake that complemented the sushi perfectly. The service was exceptionally friendly throughout our meal. While it's not a "mind-blowing" fine-dining experience, finding a reliable, fresh, and well-priced sushi spot like this in the area is a huge win. We'll definitely be coming back whenever we're nearby!