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    Dan Izakaya

    3.8 (1.5k reviews)
    Closed 11:15 am - 1:30 pm, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    DAN IZAKAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Dan Izakaya

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    Braised pork
    Eric I.

    It's been years since we've been here, but my cousin and his wife were visiting from an area of SoCal where they have little authentic Japanese food, and we remembered that this wasn't your typical Japanese place that has simplified bento boxes. We're glad we picked here to show them what the Bay Area can do in terms of more authentic Japanese food. The decor is traditional and not fancy, but comfortable and clean. The shishito peppers were really tasty, not too hot, pleasantly hot. Edamame was typical, nothing really special, but it's a bit difficult to really elevate edamame. The braised pork was good and the lean parts were easy to selectively eat. Nothing here is aggressively seasoned, but also not at all bland, so it's a good balance of flavorful but not overbearing. The grilled chicken wings were okay, but nothing outstanding or memorable - but simple and fine. Our "main" dishes, the deluxe meshi, nike tofu, and okonomiyaki were all great! Really enjoyed all of them and they were again flavorful, authentic tasting, and generous portions to share. Wish this were a little closer to where we live, but we enjoy coming here whenever we do and I recommend this for trying more traditional dishes when you want something different than simple teriyaki and sushi rolls.

    Saemyi L.

    I loved my experience here! I was visiting the San Jose area, and this is one of my friend's favorite places. No wonder why!! Everything was so yummy and they did a great job of making the atmosphere very japanese izakaya vibe! The sashimi salad had such generous amounts of fish and they were cut pretty thick too! The sauce was the right balance of sweet and savory. I'm salivating just thinking about it. The salmon rice in the stone pot was perfect! I loved the crispy rice at the bottom. And just a little bit of soy sauce goes a long way. The shishito peppers were simple, the char added a good flavor. Some of the peppers were a bit spicy but i still loved it. Definitely a go-to whenever i visit the bay area again.

    Chicken skewer
    James K.

    Haven't been to this place in years so wanted to give it another shot. My go to for izakaya before was Tanto but got sold last year so looking for a new spot. The menu was nice with photos and was excited at first but dishes were just OK. Chicken skewers were good. Ika somen eh. Kimchi clams wouldn't do again. Overall not a bad spot but will keep searching for a new izakaya

    Spicy Niku Tofu
    Xinran Z.

    Our Japanese grandma's go to restaurant. The servers are so friendly and chats with her every time. Their menu is pretty extensive and the prices are pretty good. The salmon kama is a classic. I tried the niku tofu tonight because it's cold outside. It's sweet and warm with loads of beef. The bentos are also really good if you want variety, but their takoyaki in the bento is kinda mid. The restaurant is not too big, so might have a wait at night. They also have some Japanese style booths in the back that can accommodate more people.

    Salmon Meshi
    Helen C.

    Dan Izakaya is a very popular option offering Japanese bar food and I'd highly recommend calling in for a reservation for a weekend dinner. Parking is easy with a large shared lot and I was generally impressed with the food. Definitely recommend going with a group so you can sample a bunch of items. Ankimo (4/5): I'd describe this as foie gras of the sea, so think insanely fatty, melt in your mouth tofu, but slightly saltier and a little more firm. Very solid and quite delicious as an appetizer. Beef Tongue (3.75/5): The cook on the tongue was pretty good as overcooked tongue can get really chewy, but also nothing special. I wanted a bit more char or some sort of sauce as its current form feels like something you could make at home. Agedashi Tofu (4.75/5): Surprisingly, this was the unanimous favorite item of the night. Just the most delicate fried crunch on the outside with a super savory yet light broth / sauce at the bottom. Easily the best agedashi tofu I've ever had. Deluxe Meshi (3.5/5): Unfortunately, the salmon was really overcooked for my preference. Rice did get a nice crunch in the stone pot for texture. Asari Ramen (4/5): Ramen noodles have a nice satisfying chew and the clam broth is super savory and salty without being heavy. Great option for a main dish here. Salmon Kama (3.75/5): Once again, found this a bit overcooked. Unfortunate because salmon collar is such a lovely fatty cut.

    sashimi salad
    Sara

    Food: 8.8/10 on Beli Will come again!! Their sashimi salad is SO GOOD they give u sm high quality sashimi (sake, toro, and hamachi) and a lot of salad for $23.99!!!! It was the favorite dish for all four of us at the table. The crispy rice onigiri was also delicious but imo there wasn't enough filling. Service 10/10 We came in around 8pm and the waitress let us know that the kitchen is closing soon right when we were seated, we had enough time to order and they asked one more time before truly closing. We requested to move to the tatami after another party left and they were super nice about it!!! Ambiance: 7/10 It's a bit dark and slightly cramped, but i dont think it can be helped. Tatami experience 10/10!!One more thing - my friend said their prices haven't changed since she was little, she used to come w her family.

    Grilled chicken wings
    Maria L.

    Four of us came here for lunch today. We got seated at one of the regular tables right away around 11:30am. The restaurant got pretty busy later, but not completely full. I liked their traditional izakaya decor inside. They also had a tatami seating area towards the back. We decided to go family style so that we could try more items on their menu. We ordered the Niku Trio Set, which included braised pork, grilled chicken wings, niku tofu, edamame, and shishito. The food came out really quickly. Other than the edamame, which was very bland, everything was very flavorful. The pork was very soft, and the sliced thin beef paired really well with the tofu in the niku tofu. Both dishes came piping hot, and were very comforting, like home-cooked food. The shishito peppers came with a lot of bonito flakes; they're charred very well and not spicy at all. Wings well nicely grilled, too. The seafood okonomiyaki was not bad. It's a bit softer than I expected, but had quite a lot of seafood. The large Deluxe Meshi was pretty big. It came in a hot stone pot with a generous amount of salmon, eel, flying fish roe and a poached egg. I loved how crispy the rice around the pot was. No wonder it's their most popular dish. If you like authentic Japanese food, I would highly recommend this place.

    A busy and bustling place packed with many customers as soon they opened for dinner at 5:30 pm
    Anne H.

    Dan Izakaya is clearly popular - and for good reason. The moment they opened for dinner at 5:30 pm, the place filled up quickly and stays busy. If you are coming here, expect energy, noise, and very fast-paced dining experience on a weekday evening. Food - The food is the highlight. Everything we ordered was flavorful and well-executed. Tofu beef was savory and comfortable. Grilled hamachi kama was tasty but a little on the dry side though. Unagi don was perfect and satisfying. Seafood soup in clay pot was delicious! All dishes came out quickly within 15 minutes, which explains why this spot works so well for takeout or for a quick meal. Space & Ambiance - The front dining room seats a little over 30 people, with three tatami tables in the back. While functional, the ambiance is minimal and not particularly inviting. With how busy the restaurant is, it feels more transactional than relaxed. Service & Pacing - Service is efficient but clearly geared toward quick turnover. There is an unspoken expectation that you will finish within 60 minutes or less. Staff are focused on keeping things moving, which makes sense given the demand-but it is not ideal if you are looking to linger or enjoy a leisurely dinner. Bottom line- great food, fast execution, and consistently busy-but limited ambiance and rushed service. I'd recommend takeout or dining here with the expectation of a quick, efficient meal rather than a sit-down experience. So, I took off one star for lack of ambiance.

    Garlic steak // spicy chicken karaage
    Lisa N.

    Finally crossed this place off my bookmarks! We came here for a friend's bday and had booked a reservation. We got seated in a tatami seating area. Love the privacy and intimacy of it. Us 4 girls ordered a handful of dishes to share. Our order came out one after the other. Jess was our server and really great at it too! Very attentive, personable, and helpful! Wha we ordered: Gyu tongue -- 8/10 yummy Seafood Okonomiyaki -- 9/10 pretty good! Asari sakamushi (clam soup) -- 8.5/10 very comforting Agedashi tofu -- 10/10 would recommend Spicy chicken karaage -- kinda dry, would skip Deluxe meshi w/ add-on uni -- 10/10 would recommend Garlic steak (medium rare) -- would order again I just love the menu and how cute it is. They have pictures for everything so you know what you're getting. Good portions for sharing. What a great experience. Thanks for the yuzu sorbet dessert!!

    Deluxe Meshi
    Katie R.

    I was wanting Japanese food that isn't my usual sushi, and a quick Yelp search brought me to Dan Izakaya. We noticed they didn't take same day reservations so we came in for an earlyish dinner to try to beat the crowd. It's a pretty small spot, so if you can make a reservation or come early, try to do so. Based on the pictures and reviews I knew the Deluxe meshi and Sashimi salad were a must, so we got those and also the Beef tongue and Seafood okonomiyaki. The sashimi salad blew us away, we couldn't believe how much sashimi was in it, I don't think I got a single bite that didn't have any fish. I would absolutely get this again. Portion of it was pretty large, so easy to share or have it as a full meal just for yourself. The beef tongue and deluxe meshi were also fantastic, with another huge serving for the deluxe meshi. The seafood okonomiyaki was fine, but we'd skip it next time for something else on the menu. Service was quick and friendly, but it didn't feel rushed at all. Can't wait to come back!

    Brian T.

    Decided to come here on a dinner date night. We got seated pretty quickly. We had to change from the initial table because it was close to the door and the wind was blowing in. The food came out pretty quick. Unagi Meshi (M) : The rice was very crispy on the bottom! It was a light sauced from the unagi and wasn't too salty. The unagi was crispy and the sauce wasn't too salty. The portion was bigger than anticipated, considering I got a medium. Yaki Onigiri (Salmon Filling) : The onigiri was HUGE. It was perfectly cooked with the outside being crispy and crunchy. The inside was packed with salmon. It wasn't my favorite as the rice was a bit salty for my preference and it could have used more filling. Kani Chirashi : There was a great amount of fish inside. My personal favorite was the hamachi inside the bowl. The tamago was probably my favorite one in the area. There was a lot of rice at the bottom too, which we didn't end up finishing. Following the hamachi, I liked the salmon and finally the tuna. All the food that we got was great! Great portion size and the service was fantastic. With the vast array of food they have, I will have to come back to try more of what they have to offer!

    Beef Tongue
    Anh T.

    I went to Dan Izakaya with a friend for her early birthday dinner. There was not too many people present on a Saturday lunch time, so we were seated immediately. I ordered their Mini Bara Chirashi Bowl and Beef Tongue apppetizer. Even meant for one person, the Mini Bara Chirashi Bowl was a decent size, and it was great mix of fresh and flavorful fish on top of perfectly seasoned rice. The Beef Tongue appetizer was tender and nicely seasoned! It was savory and not too difficult to chew on. Service was great, and it was not crowded to the point where my friend and I were able to keep a normal talking level. Good choice for anyone wanting fresh/classic Japanese flavors in a cozy setting!

    Bryan C.

    Dan Izakaya is one of the most best and oldest Izakaya in this South Bay. I have been eating here for the past decade. During these years they have change their menu and owners, but the quality of the food never disappoints! Whenever we are craving Japanese izakaya food, Dan is always on the top of our list!

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    Dan Izakaya Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Dan Izakaya

    Where can I find the takeout menu?

    You can find the current take out menu in our photos, or instagram @danizakayarestaurant

    Do you do to-go order?

    Yes they do and they even do $3 delivery within 5 miles radius

    Do they have cold soba for lunch? I saw tempura soba or udon in noodle section but not sure if it's only hot. Thanks

    Yes

    Are the takoyaki frozen or fresh?

    That have takoyaki If you ask, you can get

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    Enka Japanese Izakaya

    Enka Japanese Izakaya

    4.3(370 reviews)
    5.7 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Takes reservations

    Came here Saturday evening with a group of 5. You can add your name to the waitlist, but also make…read morea reservation as we did. The restaurant was pretty full so not sure how long it would take if we waited. The restaurant is inside a plaza with some other stores and restaurants but there was plenty of space even in the evening. They have a happy hour menu from 7 to 10 pm on Saturdays, but they differ depending on the day. They have some appetizers and drinks on the happy hour menu, so we tried the gyoza, mochi and side tempura. The mochi had a house made sauce glaze that was sweet and salty, and came with nori as a wrap. The texture of the mochi was really soft and chewy. The gyoza were really crispy with a soft interior. We ended up ordering a second round of them. The tempura was nicely fried with not too much batter. The shrimp was really succulent and I liked that they have mushroom tempura too. From their regular menu, we ordered a bunch of food. I tried the yaki-onigiri ochazuke with salmon, fried chicken skin, the eggplant and various skewers. The fried chicken skin was really nice and crispy, and came with a ponzu sauce and mayo to dip in. The yaki onigiri was nicely grilled and still had crispy bits when submerged in the soup. I was really excited that they have shishamo/smelt. It was nicely roasted and didn't have any overtly fishy flavor. Everyone at my table really enjoyed their food. I'd definitely come back here to try their other dishes!

    Enka is a small, warm izakaya serving the kind of Japanese food that goes well beyond sushi and…read moreramen. The menu is built around yakitori, grilled seafood, fried dishes, and other small plates meant to be shared over drinks. We had the kurobuta pork sausages, grilled whole squid, chicken thigh skewer, shishito peppers with bonito flakes, grilled corn, and crispy panko-fried shrimp. Everything was simply prepared, properly cooked, and excellent. The squid was beautifully charred, the sausages were plump and blistered, and the shrimp were exceptionally crisp. We washed it all down with a bottle of chilled junmai sake. A nice touch: they bring over a basket filled with mismatched ceramic and glass sake cups so everyone can choose their own. Excellent food, comfortable atmosphere, and a welcome reminder that Japanese cuisine offers much more than sushi and ramen.

    Photos
    Enka Japanese Izakaya - Uni poached egg shooter

    Uni poached egg shooter

    Enka Japanese Izakaya - Grilled Squid

    Grilled Squid

    Enka Japanese Izakaya - Yuba Shot

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    Yuba Shot

    The Yakitori Bar - Fried enoki mushrooms

    The Yakitori Bar

    4.2(563 reviews)
    13.6 mi
    $$$

    I come here pretty much once a week. I will skip lunch and breakfast knowing I'll have an awesome…read moremeal at this place. The food and vibes are amazing . Staff are super friendly and it's an awesome place to grab some late night food and drinks. Beyond the wide selection of beer, sake and highballs - they have incredible chicken skewers. These are my favorites: - Chicken wing - salted - Chicken skin - Gyoza with chicken skin - Knee Cartilage - Chicken Skin salad If you're looking for a great deal, see udon and skewer set is worth ordering. It's really filling and you get to pick your choice of three skewers. But of course, if you're coming with friends, the Nabe is a good choice to be able to share with others. What's really interesting about this place also offers a sake tasting set. If you're like me and like to try a little bit of everything, it's a great way to get a taste of everything to figure out what you like and don't like. Overall, this is my go to place that I come to week after week. My mouth is watering just thinking about the amazing food that

    Pretty neat local spot. I could always go for some good yakitori, and this place definitely hits…read morethe spot. The restaurant is small and cozy, which really adds to the atmosphere. As soon as you walk in, you're surrounded by the pleasant aroma of smoke and grilled meats cooking over the open grill. The interior is thoughtfully decorated, with street art covering the walls that makes the place feel like you've been transported somewhere far from where you actually are--especially considering it's located in a simple shopping center in Fremont. It actually reminded me of eating skewers in Asakusa, which is a nice feeling to get from a local spot. It's a fun place to grab some drinks, order a bunch of skewers, and just enjoy the atmosphere. Servers are kind and welcoming. It can get a bit pricey if you lose track of how many skewers you've ordered. They're tasty and easy to keep ordering, though, so it's a great place to splurge a little and treat yourself. Just not an everyday kind of place, at least not for me.

    Photos
    The Yakitori Bar - Wall with stickers

    Wall with stickers

    The Yakitori Bar - Takoyaki, fried oysters, beef tongue, fried baby octopus

    Takoyaki, fried oysters, beef tongue, fried baby octopus

    The Yakitori Bar - Pork belly

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    Pork belly

    Ozumo - Sushi Classic Rolls

    Ozumo

    4.1(1.7k reviews)
    2.3 miWest San Jose
    $$$

    We absolutely love this place! The sashimi is top-notch, fresh and sweet; and the chefs are…read moreexceptional at what they do. We usually do omakase here instead of ordering off the regular menu, and we let the chefs decide what we're having. It's always such a fun experience and they never disappoint. The restaurant is clean, the ambience is beautiful and relaxing, and the service is always fast and attentive. Everything just feels really well done from start to finish. Definitely one of our favorite sushi spots and somewhere I'll keep coming back to!

    Ozumo is fine-- the sushi tastes good, but it didn't stand out from my usual spots. Nothing that…read moremade me think "I need to come back." What did stand out was the bill -- $200 for one app, two rolls, two handrolls, two desserts, and a cocktail is a lot to swallow, especially when the sushi is just solid and not exceptional. For a Santana Row location at that price point, you'd expect the ambiance to match. Instead the interior felt crowded and didn't have the vibe you'd want for an upscale sushi experience. The chocolate-Chan and matcha tiramisu were genuinely amazing -- easily the highlight of the meal. With so many great sushi spots in the Bay, I wouldn't go out of my way to come back here.

    Photos
    Ozumo - Inside

    Inside

    Ozumo - Honcho ($21)
 shrimp tempura, snow crab
 spicy tuna, salmon sashimi avocado, spicy aioli, unagi sauce

    Honcho ($21) shrimp tempura, snow crab spicy tuna, salmon sashimi avocado, spicy aioli, unagi sauce

    Ozumo - Honcho ($21)
 shrimp tempura, snow crab
 spicy tuna, salmon sashimi avocado, spicy aioli, unagi sauce

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    Honcho ($21) shrimp tempura, snow crab spicy tuna, salmon sashimi avocado, spicy aioli, unagi sauce

    Sumika - Shishito Pepper, Quail Eggs

    Sumika

    3.8(1.3k reviews)
    9.3 mi
    $$

    I've been coming to Sumika for many years. Since I live in the area, it's one of my go-to places…read morefor lunch, and I usually get the bento box. I've come with friends as well as with my mom, and the food is always fresh and consistently good. One of my favorite things about coming here with my mom is that she speaks Japanese and sometimes likes to ask the waitstaff if they speak Japanese. Surprisingly, we've had at least two servers who do! She'll happily chat with them in Japanese and tell them about how she lived in Japan when she was young. It's always fun to watch her make that connection. Sumika is very popular, so I usually recommend making a reservation, even for lunch. On weekends, there can be quite a line. A longtime Los Altos favorite that I'm always happy to return to!

    We came back this time and we had a great experience as well. We got sat quickly and there was no…read moreline. Space is on the tighter side but there's enough room. Service was prompt and food came out one at a time, ending with the skewers which all came out together. I thought they were all very good except for the skin (kawa) which I thought lacked flavor compared to the others. My favorite item from them isn't even one of the skewers, but the oyako don which is my favorite Item here. It's so good. The chicken meat is soft snd juicy with the egg and the rice has a bit of an egg chicken broth taste.

    Photos
    Sumika - Interior

    Interior

    Sumika - Bluridashi tofu bento lunch

    Bluridashi tofu bento lunch

    Sumika - Tako Karaage

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    Tako Karaage

    Dan Izakaya - izakaya - Updated September 2026

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