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    Joy Sushi

    3.7 (1.4k reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Japanese
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Joy Sushi Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    JOY SUSHI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Joy Sushi

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    Sweet Potato Roll
    Lindsay C.

    My family and I are big fans of Joy Sushi! They have a promotion right now (5/23/26)--all rolls are 25% off to celebrate their 20th anniversary. I love their iced lemon water. Always so refreshing. We ordered edamame to start. It was a little overcooked and too squishy for my liking. Nicely salted. My mom ordered the agedashi tofu and futomaki and she enjoyed both. My dad ordered the samurai roll. He said it has everything he likes - salmon, tuna, unagi, and Joy special sauce. I ordered the edamame gyoza and sweet potato roll. I love the dipping sauce that comes with the gyoza. I even dipped my roll into it. For my roll, the sweet potato is fried on top of a cucumber-avocado roll which adds some nice texture and crunch. Service was fast and waiters were friendly. We will be back again!

    I have never seen a rice that small in a bento box
    LuLu D.

    Prices have gone up like crazy--everything is at least 20% more. And seriously, $10 for instant noodles? That's hard to justify. The rice portion was surprisingly small too. On top of that, the food just lacked flavor--there's nothing authentic about it as Japanese cuisine. Overall, it feels like a total rip-off for what you get. Definitely not coming back.

    Best value!! Order direct from the Joy Website.

    Joy has been my goto place for sushi since they opened over a decade ago. Been coming here both dine in and take out 1-2 times a month. The speciality rolls are still as big as ever. The prices have been going up since covid but you still get a solid large roll compared to other places with the same price but smaller rolls. I realized something on this last order. I normally order through YELP which takes me to some third party site or order direct through their website. Sometimes it would ask me to pay at checkout and sometimes I would pay at the restaurant when I pick up. I don't know why. I think depending on which site I go on. FACT: Do not order from through Door Dash. They will charge you an additional $1 per roll. Even Grub Hub is a little shady. Some rolls are $1 more also. Order direct from the Joy website and you will get the best value!

    Island roll; poki tuna roll-
    Ben L.

    The giant cruiser boat for four was really filling and fresh. We got a mix of fish and it hit the spot. Service is always good here. They have expanded their sushi rolls which are all pretty hearty and fresh.

    mixed tempura and katsu bento
    Maurine S.

    Came here with some gfs for a nice bento box lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. Got here around 11:30 and was surprised to find it so empty! We wanted to sit upstairs but i guess cuz it was so empty they wanted to keep everyone downstairs which is understandable. It was pretty mellow since most of the tables were empty. The staff was nice and the food wasn't bad. Especially for 14.95 for two items. Can't find a deal like that nowadays. I guess they stopped the $10 lunch deal which would have been a nice choice. I had a mixed tempura and chicken katsu. The tempura was crispy and I not too battery and there was even an onion! The katsu was nicely breaded and moist. Friends had salmon and sushi and they commented that the salmon was moist. The staff was accommodating as they were nice enough to give us small containers to bring the salad dressing (on the side) and tempura sauce to bring home with our leftovers. Will definitely come back for lunch when craving a bento in downtown San Mateo. It's give it a 3.5 star total for lunch.

    Paul Blossom Roll
    Allison W.

    Came here on a Tuesday evening and the restaurant was not super crowded. The menu is very large with a good variety of different types of rolls. The inside is not that loud so conversation is easy to hear. The waitstaff checked in with us and kept our water glasses full consistently. I got the Paul Blossom Roll, and wow are the rolls large at this restaurant! The roll was wrapped in so much salmon, and they do not overpack their rice. I was very satisfied just after the one roll. The quality was fine, nothing to write home about but it was tasty and plentiful. Pretty solid sushi spot without breaking the bank!

    Paolo B.

    Came to Joy Sushi for a quick lunch and saw they had a $10 lunch special being promoted on the window, so decided to give it a try. When I sat down and was given the menu, I didn't see the $10 special, and honestly was too lazy to go back out to look at it again, and decided to go with the two item bento box with my favorite combo, beef teriyaki and pork tonkatsu for $14.99. The food came out pretty quick, and when it arrived, I was amazed at how big the portions were. For my big appetite, this was plenty of food. It was enough for two small meals, but I ate it all in one sitting anyways. The beef teriyaki was tasty but a tad chewy. The pork tonkatsu was crunchy and the meat was still a little juicy. I think for the price point though, this a one of the better values for lunch in the area. Definitely wouldn't hesitate to come back

    Calamari
    Stephen W.

    Joy Sushi is tucked along a street that feels a bit quiet and worn, and from the outside, it doesn't scream excitement. Inside, the restaurant is modest and simple, offering two dining areas--one downstairs and another upstairs. We visited around 1 PM on a weekday, and the place was fairly quiet with just one other party seated. I believe I ordered the Negi Shiro Toro Roll, Spider Roll, and Foster City Hand Roll--all of which were flavorful and well-prepared. My mother had the Salmon Bento Box, which she found to be tasty and well-cooked. We also ordered calamari as an appetizer, but had to remind our server since it didn't arrive until we were nearly finished with our meal. Once it came, it was crispy and flavorful, though my mother had some doubts about its freshness. Service was friendly but a bit forgetful. Ambiance-wise, the restaurant has a darker, understated vibe that might not be immediately inviting, but it's quiet and comfortable enough for a casual meal. Overall, the food was great with some standout rolls and satisfying variety. Despite a few minor hiccups, I'd say this spot earns a solid 3.75 to 4 stars--definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and craving sushi.

    Yvonne Y.

    Joy is a safe bet for sushi in San Mateo. We used to go there quite often when the kids were younger as they love their sushi rolls and pricing is fair. Last Friday night, we went to Joy for dinner as the other two restaurants that we wanted to go have 10 - 15 tables in the waitlist ahead of us. We were too hungry to wait and decided to go to Joy. Kiddo had a poke bowl which he likes it, although it's surprisingly spicy even for me. The spicy tuna is indeed spicy!! I had a Tonkatsu which is alright. Hubby ordered two rolls and he likes both of them. All in all, it's a quick and decent dinner. The servers are nice and efficient. 4/5

    Jack R.

    We found little Joy in these $10 specials. You get what you pay for sometimes at these family outings. 1. Ramen-Tasted like it's from the package. Nothing but a few greens and very salty broth. 2. Chicken Bento was super dry and hard to eat. The California roll was fake crab and the rice was gummy and cold. 3. My unagi roll with soft shell crab and an additional charge for real crabmeat was also a dissapointment. Cold softshell crab, cold eel, weird tasting cheap canned crab. Not worth the $20. 4. DIY poke bowl. Probably the best out of the four. Decent size with okay fish. I will say the waiter was amazing in the sense that he didn't write anything down and got all our orders right. Slow service though and a charge for a to go box. Can't say we'll be back.

    Mango Mania (left) & #1st Roll (right)
    Christian A.

    This is a usual spot for my family and I, you can never go wrong with Joy Sushi! We came an hour before closing, service was quick but not pushy considering they were closing soon. We ordered a good amount of food, I recommend getting the Sashimi Deluxe, you really get to taste the freshness of the fish. Also ordered 3 rolls, the rolls are bigger than most places so keep that in mind when ordering. The interior is roughly updated but that doesn't diminish their quality of food. We're typically seated upstairs where there is a bigger seating area. Enough from for our toddlers to explore when they're done eating and their parents are still eating.

    Bento Box

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    3 months ago

    Food is NOT fresh. You can taste sourness. We both got diarrhea later. Also we didn't order raw fish. Can't imagine the quality of raw food

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    Cho H.

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    Page 1 of 36

    Joy Sushi Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Joy Sushi

    Are you open on thanksgiving day. ? Thursday. November 24.

    Sorry closed

    Is this all you can eat?

    No, it's not.

    View All 3 Questions

    Kajiken - Homura Aburasoba

    Kajiken

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    No wait, got in immediately on a Saturday 1PM. Waited about…read more10 min until our food came. We sat outside which was nice on a hot day. Good portion, good level of spice, added some vinegar. Tasted deliciousssss and hit the spot.

    Kajiken hits the spot between comfort and pure gluttony! I typically do not love noodle places, but…read morethis is on another level. I have been to Kajiken twice now, and it has been absolutely delicious each time. It is located in downtown San Mateo, so it does not have its own dedicated parking lot. If you come on the weekend, it can be harder to find parking, and the likelihood of a wait is high. When it gets busy, there is a section outside for you to line up. The servers typically come out to the folks closest to the front of the line and hand them menus so they can decide what they want before being seated. When it is not as busy, you can walk in directly and request a table. The shop itself actually has a lot of seating, but there is always an influx of people, so it fills up quickly. The interior gives off a nice modern Japanese chic vibe. :) They also offer outdoor patio seating, which is great if you are trying to enjoy a nice day outside. I have tried both their Wagyu Roast Beef Aburasoba and their Soboro Aburasoba. The roast beef is tender and adds a nice chew against the silky noodles, while the soboro chicken is juicy and coats your mouth with a savory soy flavor. Additionally, I've had their karaage on both occasions I visited, and it was succulent! I love how the juice from the chicken balances with the generous amount of grated ginger and green onion. This place is definitely worth a try! If you can go on a weekday before the dinner rush from people getting off their 9-5 jobs, that would probably be the optimal time frame. I came here on a Wednesday around 6:15 PM, and it was not too bad until around 7 PM when it started getting busy.

    Photos
    Kajiken - Inside

    Inside

    Kajiken - Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)

    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)

    Kajiken - Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

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    Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine - Otsumami box

    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine

    4.2(247 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$$

    The restaurant ambiance is very good and the service is incredible. We were incredibly impressed by…read morethe quality and the presentation. The staff were nice and really accommodating. Everything was unique and everything came in sets and combos. The salmon belly is fresh, the wagyu is tender and it doesn't need much cooking. I was shocked by the taste of the roe and it was super juicy like popping boba balls. Highly recommend making resy before coming.

    Came here on a weekday around 5:30PM, and there was about a 15 minute wait - luckily, we were…read moreseated in the private room! Come early, as they only take reservations for parties of 6+! Monkfish liver 8/10 - I love a good monkfish liver and the liver itself was sooooo creamy and decadent! I personally felt that the marinade used was slightly on the sweeter side, not as packed full of umami as I would have liked! Beef tongue 9/10 - a standard, well cooked, well seasoned beef tongue, but the sauce they they served with it made it exceptional!! Deluxe Chirashi 8.5/10 - this is a HUGE amount of food, definitely worth the price tag! The cuts of fish are incredibly thick and you can tell that their fish is fresh! However, some of the cuts of fish weren't prepared very well, and were falling apart, becoming stringy. The seasoned rice under the fish might have been my favorite part - perfectly seasoned and topped with a small amount of garlic furikake!! I did have an issue with the ikura & tamago - they were slightly too sweet for my tastes. They also advertise this as coming with fresh wasabi - the amount of wasabi they actually provide is tiny, definitely not enough for the amount of fish served. Overall, I will say that I think this place has great quality of fish and beautiful presentation, but is better for people who have a sweeter palate! Their tamago, ikura, and even their soy sauce is on the sweeter side, so if you have a salty, savory palate like me you might be a little thrown off!

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    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine
    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine
    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine

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    The Backhouse

    The Backhouse

    4.3(67 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    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 Backhouse was first on my radar two years ago on Valentine's Day when my husband surprised me…read morewith one of their beautifully curated omakase boxes for a cozy night in with sake. Everything was really good and thoughtfully prepared, and it made for such a fun and elevated at-home date night. This past week for my mom's 60th birthday, I decided their party platter would be perfect for celebrating. They were very responsive and easy to coordinate with, which made planning simple. You do have to pick up from a ghost kitchen in San Mateo, but the process was efficient and smooth. The platter itself was beautiful and the quality was just as good as we remembered. Fresh, flavorful, and nicely presented. Definitely a great option for special occasions or when you want something a little elevated at home.

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    The Backhouse
    The Backhouse - Omakase box @whaevaeats

    Omakase box @whaevaeats

    The Backhouse - Omakase and Chirashi  box @whaevaeats

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    Omakase and Chirashi box @whaevaeats

    Tokie's - Spicy Hamachi Roll

    Tokie's

    3.9(778 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Tokie's - Interior

    Interior

    Tokie's - Shishito peppers | @whaevaeats

    Shishito peppers | @whaevaeats

    Tokie's - Chawanmushi | @whaevaeats

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    Chawanmushi | @whaevaeats

    Joy Sushi - sushi - Updated May 2026

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