I was skeptical of the high ratings -- truth be told, I've visited multiple restaurants in this plaza and found their ratings to be heavily inflated, as can happen when a neighborhood joint is beloved mostly for being walking distance from home. But! Hibari blew me away -- this is truly top notch 4.8+ star Japanese cuisine. Fresh, complex, nuanced, and delicious. If you swing by for their lunch sets, you'll enjoy their top tier ingredients and technical skill for a bargain price. Now that we know this place is the real deal, we'll have to return for their more expansive evening tasting menu. Exciting to have an excellent Japanese restaurant in the area! read more

Probably a 3.5-4 for me. Tried this relatively new Japanese restaurant after seeing great reviews. The restaurant itself is bright and welcoming, with nice staff and they add a lot of cute and pretty details such as the finger towel dishes where the lids also serve as chopstick dishes! They also have a nice variety of colorful sake glasses and seving plates, bowls and pots! Our party of 6 had both dinner sets. We ordered 3 of the full $150 prix fixe set and 3 of the $88 pettit sets and they didn't mind that we shared the larger sets. However, while the food dishes themselves were presented nicely, they lacked any memorable favors particularly in the raw fish in the sashimi and nigiri. They explained that the dinner service is still a work in progress while their lunch menu is now pretty solid and doing well. However, they are still trying to come up with the right dishes for dinner and are working towards offering a full kappo-style meal with perhaps some nigiri only options and ability to offer patrons who don't reserve the full sets a chance to try the kappo dishes, too. I will say that they were helpful also in answering our questions about the drinks menu as we wanted better descriptions of the flavors. I wish them well but admittedly have had much better sushi and sashimi at these prices in the Bay Area. read more

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Beautiful space, but missing the mark on the menu** We visited for a friend's birthday dinner. The service was nice, and the restaurant simple decor, which makes for a atmosphere. However, I felt the menu lacked the "wow factor" you'd expect at this price point. We actually visited our neighborhood omakase just a week prior, and the contrast was stark. Here, the selection felt a bit disjointed--there were several different soups (which felt like overkill) and a potato salad that just didn't hit the mark. While the fish itself was fresh, I would have been much happier with a smaller, more curated version of the assortment rather than the filler dishes. It's a lovely spot, but the food didn't quite live up to the refined aesthetic of the space. read more

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Hibari is the newest omakase destination in Portola Valley and it needs to be on your radar We tried their 10‑course prix fixe ($150), a beautifully curated lineup featuring sashimi, tofu, clay‑pot broth, and nigiri. Such a perfect date‑night spot that we're already planning our next visit. If you want to level up, they also offer a more elaborate kappo‑style omakase, plus lunch options we're definitely coming back for read more

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Currently my TOP sushi spot on the Peninsula!! We were so impressed with the quality and value that we went twice in the span of a week! - Table: We got a last minute table ressie last week and had the prix fixe dinner menu. All of the dishes were bursting with flavor and the nigiri were so nicely prepared and well balanced. We also got an excellent sake recommendation. We were so impressed that when we learned that the counter omakase is a totally different experience than the table menu, we came back a week later! - Counter: Another excellent experience! For now, they are only doing one counter seating per night and serve a curated menu that's completely different than at a table. It was so fun watching Chef Taka at work and we loved chatting with him throughout the evening. And, there was so much food! We had 14 pieces of nigiri plus almost a dozen other dishes. We were especially impressed with the selection of fish, including a lot of pieces you don't typically see. Hibari is honestly such a hidden gem. Definitely worth the trip out to Portola Valley! read more

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Omakase place that has dons for lunch. Their plates are super cute and the food is great. Cant wait to try other things on the menu Goma kanpachi don: 5/5 this is our favorite. Its already seasoned with sesame and soy. Tekka don: 4/5 good but nothing special, has different cuts of tuna. Hibari don 4/5: also good but didnt seem worth the price. As the dish that has the restaurant name i would have expected some special treatment of the fish. The hokkaido uni was great though. All their dishes come with sides and half way through they give you dashi. Loved the dashi part! read more

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This new spot is amazing, even during its soft opening! The space feels wonderfully warm and inviting, and the staff was nice enough to adjust the indoor temperature when I mentioned it was a bit too warm. I ordered the off-menu premium sake flight where you get to pick your own gorgeous glasses. The lunch premium don set featured incredibly fresh fish from Japan, cute plating, and an amazing miso soup that tasted perfect when mixed into the rice halfway through. Service was highly attentive from both the reception and our server. A perfect dining experience! read more

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I'm always down to try new sushi spots! I came on a Saturday night and it surprisingly wasn't too busy. The restaurant is located in a small plaza with parking right out front. The space has a modern, minimalist vibe that feels calm and intimate. They only have four seats at the counter (which I think are the best seats in the house) so I recommend making a reservation early if you want to sit there to watch the chefs and interact with them. The food: - The omakase started with tofu noodles paired with a light tomato broth. The texture was great but I personally would have liked the broth to be a bit more tangy. - The sashimi course were on the thin side but had decent flavor. Quality was standard, nothing really stood out. I did enjoy the pickled ginger with lotus root, which was a nice and unique touch. - My favorite appetizer of the night was the tofu mashed with persimmon and cucumber. It was creamy with a natural sweetness from the persimmon and a nice crunch from the cucumber. - The meal included two rounds of nigiri, which were the highlight. The fish was buttery and fresh with many selections sourced from Japan. I also liked that the chef used both white vinegar rice and red vinegar rice, choosing the one that best paired with each fish. Overall, the nigiri were very good but the appetizers felt a little underwhelming for the price point. If the opening courses were stronger, the overall experience would have been more impressive since the sushi itself was solid. read more

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Best omakase in the Bay Area! Truly authentic Japanese omakase and this is my favorite place right now. I have been here twice within a month. And each time the food is quite different and super good. The chef here is very professional. Highly recommend and best place ever! read more

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The food here was amazing! The environment was very comfy as well. I went with my dad and we had gone for the kappo omakase, which I definitely would recommend! It's definitely different from the other omakase places I had in the bay where they focused mostly on nigiri. The service was phenomenal as well, chef Taka along with Jesse and Justin were very attentive! The stand out dishes were definitely the monkfish liver and the wagyu. Definitely would come back! read more

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Went for lunch, there's a variety of lunch set options, ordered the Hibari Don set. The fish and uni tastes super fresh! Mid way though they poor miso soup to make it chazuke. Didn't like the chazuke that much - prefer to eat the Don as is, but not bad! Service was pretty quick, store looks new and clean. read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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We came by for lunch and the restaurant filled up pretty quickly. This is a new restaurant at Ladera and the owner, Chef Taka, was the former head sushi chef at Nobu Palo Alto. Ambiance: 5/5 Bright white interior with light wood tables and chairs, giving off a crisp atmosphere that is perfect for dates or a casual meal. Service: 5/5 Quick, friendly, and efficient. We got our teas and water refilled promptly without having to ask. Food: 4/5 Servings are pretty small so please do not come hungry. Lunch comes in sets; I'm curious about dinner menu as well. Salmon don, Kaisen don, and Tekka don sets - Fish was incredibly fresh and buttery although we all agreed tuna was a bit dry. Grilled cod saikyo miso set - I personally thought the grilled cod was dry; it was almost as if they forgot to marinate it in sweet saikyo miso. I also thought it was lacking in taste, which was unfortunate. Overall, I would recommend to give this place a try and would come back to try other items on the menu. read more

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We were so fortunate to experience the Mother's Day omakase. Outstanding! Beautifully presented dishes with unique and unexpected flavors and textures. Food as art. Impossible to decide which was my favorite. Service was impeccable and the ambience is serene and relaxed. What a gem in Portola Valley! We will absolutely be back for their regular menu offerings. read more

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​Our second time here for lunch and it's still 10/10! Love the minimalist, clean vibe and the staff are super on top of things. We had the Hibari and Kaisen don sets--the fish was super fresh and top-tier quality. ​Pro tip: Don't let the bowl size fool you. It looks a little small when it arrives, but it's actually very filling. The best part is how they finish the meal--pouring hot broth over the leftover rice to turn it into a savory tsukedon. It's so cozy and genius! Definitely coming back to see what else they add to the menu. read more

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Very nice local addition to the neighborhood! As a long time Portola Valley resident, very glad to see the upgrade in our neighborhood sushi game. We had the Hibari Don Set and grilled cod saikyo miso for lunch. The preparation is simple and just right. The fish in the Hibari is perfect. The portion is on the small side, but everything was other wise great. Came here for lunch. Dinner reservations is a bit harder to get on weekends. The service is just right, attentive but not too over whelming. read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

New restaurant and we came here for lunch today during their soft opening. We ordered the cod, blue fin tuna, and the omelette. The blue fin tuna was definitely the best out of the three. Tuna was fresh and the miso soup was really good. Nothing is wrong with the other two, they were delicious but just didn't stand out like the tuna. The restaurant is in a quiet neighborhood stripe mall. Easy to find. read more

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Hibari is a hidden gem in Portola Valley for high-quality, authentic Japanese comfort food. The atmosphere is serene and perfect for a focused, delicious meal. We ordered a few different dishes and everything was executed perfectly: * Salmon Don: The fish was incredibly fresh and buttery, served over perfectly cooked rice. * Miso Grilled Cod: This was the standout. The miso glaze had the right balance of sweet and savory, and the cod was flaky and moist. * Grilled Salmon: A classic done right--crispy skin and tender on the inside. read more

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did the petit omakase two weeks ago. loved everything about it and can't wait to do the full omakase course next time. I hope I can bring my parents too, and try their lunch menu. the corn somen noodles were amazing, and the fish was unique and fresh. read more

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My husband and I had a date night at their nigiri omakase bar counter experience, and I can confidently say, you will not leave hungry! What a treat from Chef Taka. His knife skills, presentation, flavors, and conversation made the experience even more special. The menu featured a mix of ingredients sourced locally and from Japan, and we tried several dishes we had never had before. Everything was delicious - oishikatta desu! The staff provided great customer service, and it was fun getting to pick out our sake glass and a whistling tokkuri. Overall, it was a fantastic experience - gochisousama deshita! We will definitely be back for another date night and with friends. read more

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Went to Hibari for lunch. We had the Hibari Don and Yurinchi set. Both were fantastic, in particular the otoro and uni were both extremely fresh. Presentation was refined and consistent with a high end Japanese sushi restaurant in the US. read more

My husband and boy brought me her for Mother's Day lunch! Such a great experience. Perfect because some eat raw and some don't. I got the Hibari Don set and everything was so fresh! My husband got the Mentaiko Tamago set and he loved it! We have never seen it as an extra like this before! Our older son got the fried chicken set. It was do tasty! He put the sauce over the rice and finished it all! Our younger son got the Salmon Don! He ate it all! Would definitely come back for lunch and need to try the Omakase for dinner! We definitely recommend! read more

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Came for the lunch menu, my friend got the miso black cod and it was very flavorful and flaky! The rest of us got the luxury don, came with quite a variety of fish, not offered elsewhere on the menu! Everything was fresh and service was super prompt and friendly! read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

The Hibari Don Set and Yurinchi Set was the perfect amount of food for lunch. The Hojicha ice cream had a delicious roasted green tea flavor and also the right amount of dessert to end our meal The staff was very kind. I really liked the Japanese city pop music quietly playing in the background that fit the atmosphere as well as the cute dishware that was used for our meals. read more

Hibari - Hojicha ice cream - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

Casual lunch bento during lunch and Omakase set during dinner. Exceptional food and quality. A steal for omakase sets. read more

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My wife and I came here for our anniversary and had a wonderful experience overall. The service was top-notch from start to finish, and our waiter Justin was attentive, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the evening. The omakase was delicious and introduced me to several new fish that I really enjoyed. Standouts include the Shima Aji and Kanpachi. They also served Katsuo which I thought was unique. The dashi course was incredibly flavorful. One aspect of the meal that I thought was very unique was the fact that they serve pickled lotus root with their pickled ginger, which Justin mentioned was unique to this restaurant. Their sake selection was also quite extensive, and the sake service itself was memorable -- they presented a box of different sake glasses for us to choose from, and some of the sake carafes were very creative, including one with a cute perched bird that sang a birdsong when poured. A couple minor critiques: the hand roll did not seem as fresh as it could have been since the seaweed lacked crispness, and I wish it had been prepared right before eating. The yuzu sorbet dessert was excellent, though the accompanying sweet potato felt slightly dry and a bit out of place. Overall, this was a very enjoyable anniversary dinner with excellent hospitality, unique presentation, and several standout dishes. read more

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We had a great dining experience. Food was excellent, great service and chic interior. We would definitely be coming back. read more

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This is a new restaurant in the area. It has excellent quality fish and great service. Highly recommend!

Would give a 4.5 if I could. Came for lunch so the menu was limited and didn't like that the rice was regular rice and not sushi rice. Otherwise the fish was fresh, sides and miso soup were all great! read more

Hibari - Tekka and kaisen donburi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

It feels good to be well taken care of with good food quality. Great environment; not too busy when coming in on a Saturday right when it opens. read more

Amazing food with new menu from this ex Nobu chef!! Great service- new decor- clean and well laid out- also has outdoor seating read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

We came here for lunch on a Sunday. We ordered the Tekka Don set, salmon don set, Goma kanpanchi set, kaisen don set, yurinchi set, and the mentaiko dashimaki tamago set. Everything was delicious and I'll definitely be coming back! read more

We got the Kaisen Don and the tekka Don (tuna) and hot green tea. Out of the two we really liked the Kaisendon and the sauce that they use for the Kaisendon. Service was really quick and friendly, they checked on us often and refilled our tea very consistently. We might come check out their omakase dinner. You can make reservations with them through ig, calling, or resy :) but there's also a couples option that you can currently only reserve through ig or calling in read more

Hibari - Kaisendon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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The sushi was incredibly fresh and beautifully presented. The service was outstanding, and everyone was warm, friendly, and welcoming. I had a wonderful dining experience and would definitely come back again. read more

Hibari - Salmon Don Set - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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TLDR: It's like the Portola Valley version of your local neighborhood sushi spot. Ambiance (4/5): * Casual and bright. Bar seating a plus. Service (4/5): * Fairly friendly and helpful. Menu (5/5): * Simple menu, but covers anything I would want for my palate. Kaisen Don Set (4/5): * Elevated presentation, good flavor, quality fish. * Without the presentation, the value is a bit difficult to swallow. Hibari Don Set (4/5): * Again, high quality fish, tasty, but very familiar. * Also again, I would think difficult to embrace the value for middle class diners. read more

The food was good and the ambiance was great. Our waiter was very nice and attentive. We came for lunch and it's a unique experience! read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

This is by far the best sushi/omakase experience I have had! I have heard great things about this restaurant, and decided to come and try it myself. I ordered the Dinner Prix Fixe. Every single piece of nigiri and sashimi was incredible, you can really tell that Chef Taka takes so much time and care in choosing the highest quality fish. Everything tasted clean, fresh, and perfectly prepared. The highlight for me was the Hokkaido uni -- unbelievably fresh, creamy, and honestly to die for! Jessie was an amazing host. He took his time explaining the ingredients of each dish, which made the whole experience even more special and personal. You could tell he truly cared about making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. The presentation of every course was beautiful and thoughtfully done, and the entire staff was friendly, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. If you're looking for a memorable high quality omakase type experience, Hibari is it. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Went during lunch time and decided to give salmon don set a try. I love that the salmon is very fresh and flavorful so it is super good. The presentation is amazing and the service is very friendly and attentive. The ambiance is amazing bc it is really clean and the decor is very beautiful. Overall, I had an awesome experience and would definitely come back to try other items they have! read more

Hibari - Salmon don set - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

What kind of sushi restaurant serve regular plain rice for Chirashi..? I've never been to any sushi place that serves plain rice instead of sushi rice. When I asked owner, he answered "since we don't serve sushi on Lunch, we only provide regular rice" Well then, why don't you just not serve Chirashi during lunch? It tasted so bad although fishes were fresh. I had to pour soy sauce they provided but still bland. I wanted to like this place, but it's not authentic. Picture looks better it was way overpriced. For Hibari don, I got 9 very thin sashimi pieces with bland rice. It was $66. And Uni-- it tasted like Santa Barbara uni, I expected hokkaido uni since it was pricey and came with only one small piece. Save your money for instagrammie place. so dissappointed. P.S. when enteted restaurant, it has weird smell. Maybe something wrong with plumming idk. read more

Hibari - Plain rice with thin sashimi for $66??? - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

Soft Opening Success at Hibari! Stopped by Hibari for lunch during their soft opening and WOW... this place is already off to a strong start. I tried three of their lunch specials (yes, for research) and I was seriously impressed. First of all, their lunch sets are such a good deal -- every set comes with two mini side dishes, soup, rice, and your main entrée. Prices range from $18 (Yurinchi set) all the way up to $66 (Hibari Don set), so there's something for every mood and budget. Here's what I tried: - Grilled Cod Saikyo Miso Set - The fish was super smooth, light, and perfectly cooked. The miso flavor was subtle and not overpowering at all. So comforting and clean. - Goma Kampachi Don Set - If you love that nutty sesame flavor, this one is for you. They even grind the sesame in-house, and you can absolutely taste the difference. So rich and flavorful. - Dashimaki Tamago with Ikura Set - Think Asian-style scrambled eggs with caviar... but better. The eggs were fluffy and savory, and the ikura added the perfect pop of saltiness. You'll definitely leave feeling full, happy, and already planning your next visit. My suggestion? - Ask for their recommendations based on your taste buds OR - Be adventurous and order something you've never tried before Either way, you really can't go wrong. Hibari is already a solid lunch spot and I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu! read more

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A gem in Portola Valley! The interior is modern and clean. I loved the salmon don set, so fresh, flavorful ikura, and delicious pickled veggies. I can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu! read more

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