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    Kaizen & Coffee

    4.5 (724 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Kaizen & Coffee Photos

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    KAIZEN & COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Kaizen & Coffee

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    Egg toast
    Corinna T.

    4.5 stars for Kaizen & Coffee. I met a friend here for a 9 AM coffee date on a Monday and was met with good vibes, happy baristas, and club like music. We came here for coffee but ended up with 2 toasts and a pastry. By the time we left, the line was out the door. Food: -Banana, peanut butter, cinnamon, chia toast was delicious -The egg toast topped with micro greens was great -The sausage custard pastry was nice, savory, and crispy Coffee: -Black Sesame Latte was good Overall, good coffee and pastries.

    Miso caramel latte and egg Sando toast
    Vivien L.

    Very busy coffee spot in San Mateo. I've visited twice and this is what I've ordered. Vanilla bean latte: I normally order some variation of vanilla lattes at cafes and thought Kaizen's wasn't my palette. Something off with the syrup or coffee itself? Took sips before tossing Miso caramel latte: tastes exactly how it sounds if you're curious. It was better than the vanilla bean latte Red bean pan suisse: never had anything like this and it was an amazing pastry. Would 100% get it again Black sesame kouign aman: I also haven't seen this at other cafes and thought it was good! If you like black sesame you'll definitely enjoy this Egg sando toast: filling and I appreciate the chili oil being complimentary Overall, bakery items 8.8/10; lattes 4/10

    Black sesame latte
    Sho R.

    I stopped by for a quick coffee on a Saturday. There was a short line. I went for a Black sesame latte. It had good flavor. A bit more strength would have been nicer.

    Avocado Toast
    Nevaeh S.

    Stopped by here on a Tuesday morning around 10AM to get some coffee and grab a quick bite to eat. It was quite busy but easy find street parking and we didn't wait too long after ordering but the line built up pretty fast. It's a small coffee shop with very little seating but the aesthetic was super nice and employees were welcoming. We ordered 1 Ice Miso Caramel ($7), 1 Okinawa Brown Sugar ($7), and 1 Avocado Toast ($15 + soft boiled egg - $2.50). We unfortunately weren't much of a fan of the coffee. The miso caramel wasn't that great, the miso was too overpowering it just tasted like cold miso soup with no caramel and a hint of coffee. The okinawa brown sugar was much better but was mostly milky. I did enjoy the toast even though it was quite small for the price but it tasted great along with the egg and the tomatoes were very refreshing. Experience overall was good. I probably wouldn't come back for the coffee because there's better places in the area but definitely recommend the toast/other pastries if you're okay with the price.

    Miso Caramel Latte
    Kaho L.

    Not only is their coffee amazing, but their variety of toasts as well! I recently had their Open Faced Egg Sando which was delicious. Highly recommend getting it with their chili oil. Rich, savory, with very soft toasted Japanese milk bread. There aren't a lot of seats, but most people seem to get to go, so if you wait a little you'll most likely be able to snag a seat. Very friendly staff too!

    Sausage danish
    Julianna H.

    I love this place. It's very Japanese with anime playing 24/7 with Japanese-esque food and drinks. The staff is really friendly! They have really quality drinks. Only bummer is the size of the place, it's always packed (bc it's so good) and I wish I could bank on getting a seat but it's rare. Love this gem though!

    Matcha Latte
    Miranda L.

    Headed over in the afternoon on a Saturday around 2 pm for a little pick me up. It was busy the day we went with a line out the door and around a 20 minute wait before we ordered but the drinks came out pretty fast after. There is some seating on the sides as well as a bar area facing the baristas. Matcha Latte - I got regular sweetness and it was perfect for me. The matcha itself was pretty rich, not too overwhelming of a flavor but it gave me a good caffeine buzz. It was really smooth and lightly grassy which I enjoyed. From the balanced sweetness to the richness in flavor and color, I really enjoyed the drink and would go back again to try other ones they have.

    Matcha tea w/ kaizen kumo & cold brew w/ kaizen kumo
    Sandy N.

    I know Kaizen is super popular and well loved so I'm shocked that I've been sorta disappointed every time I've given it another shot. I've tried their Earl gray matcha latte twice (my fav Earl gray matcha is either from Ceré or home) and both times I just found it to be too milky and lacking matcha taste. Today I tried their matcha tea w/ kaizen kumo listed on their menu under kumo signatures and it was straight water. The salted cold foam is good but it was overall disappointing. I prefer their iced espresso lattes (I've had the vanilla and black sesame one). Although I still expected their lattes to wow me more because of how highly rated this place is. I had a gift card and kept coming back hoping to find something I really enjoy here but I don't think I'll be back but if I do come back itll probably be for an espresso latte. Sorry Kaizen

    Miso caramel latte
    Austin W.

    My friends and I stopped by Kaizen & Coffee on a Sunday morning and there was a long line out the door. I wish I could say the line moves quickly, but it does not: if there's a line out the door, you'll definitely be waiting for a while before you're able to even order. My wife ordered their miso caramel latte and I thought it was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The milk froth was very airy and the drink had an underlying burnt flavor to it that reminded me of the brûléed sugar on top of a creme brûlée. Definitely a drink I'd get again. I ordered a pork floss croissant and it was light and fluffy. There was a generous amount of pork floss both on the top and the inside of the croissant, and the layers were nicely laminated. My friend asked where they sourced their pastries from, and apparently today's batch came from Amour Bakery in Belmont. If you're around this part of San Mateo, I would not hesitate to recommend Kaizen & Coffee. Their Asian flavored lattes are delicious and there's a wide selection of Asian inspired French pastries to enjoy as well.

    Valery T.

    Hands down some of the best matcha around! They also have one size for the cups and it's a pretty good one. Not too big and not too small, felt perfect. I got one of the coffees and my cousin got the strawberry matcha. Both were 10/10! They are so busy in the mornings but still managed to our order out fast. Delish!

    Miso Caramel Latte ($7)
    Sabrina J.

    Excellent coffee and friendly service! The line is long, and this place is packed for a reason. Their coffee is great. I enjoyed a Miso Caramel Latte ($7), and it was the perfect blend of salty and sweet. I saw that the barista who took my order was friendly to everyone whose purchase she rung up, greeting everyone with a smile and thanking folks for being patient. I also love that they have solid cups for hot and cold drinks. Sustainability is important to me, and I like when a reusable cup us the default option. There is free wi-fi, password is coffeebeans, and plenty of outlets!

    Egg toast
    Mich W.

    Ugh I understand why this place always has a line out the door. Came on a Friday morning and there was still a wait but once you order it comes out quickly. The drinks were so delicious, the earl grey matcha especially. And highly recommend the egg toast, which was well seasoned and good portion size.

    Pork floss croissant and a black sesame latte
    Diane N.

    No shame in declaring Kaizen as my favorite coffee shop in the Bay Area! Kaizen is a coffee shop located blocks away from the Hillsdale shopping center. It does not have a dedicated parking lot, so be sure to grab the first street parking slot you see! It's a modern, small shop with some seating options (if you come early enough, you will be able to get something!) My usual here is typically a black sesame latte and I will say, probably the best one you can get in the Bay Area. It's toasty, nutty, but not over powering. I have been having a hard time finding a comparable contender. Besides that their vanilla latte is delicious and bright. For me their miso is a bit salty but that might be a preference. They also have some amazing selections of pastries you can get. I always get something new while I'm here, most recently, I got a pork floss croissant but I did enjoy the ube croissant when they still carried it. Their baristas are always very kind, and are willing to help. Despite coming in some busy times, I always get my drink in a reasonable time. I will continue to rave about this spot to my friends! It's a gem. :)

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    Kaizen & Coffee Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kaizen & Coffee

    Can i park my bike somewhere safe? Or is it okay to bring it inside?

    The place is pretty small and the lines usually out the door don't think you'd be able to bring it inside, but I don't have a bike so I can't guarantee it

    I'm diabetes so I would like to know if I can have black sesame latte without sugar?

    Hi Joy, thank you for your question. Unfortunately we do not have a sugar-free option at this time. We have been considering separating the sauce and sugar for some time now, but will let you know on this thread once we do.

    Can they do decaf?

    Yes! I can't drink caffeine and ordered the black sesame decaf.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Ceré Tea

    Ceré Tea

    4.5
    (153 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    I absolutely love the matcha here! My two favorite drinks are the Black Sesame Matcha and the…read moreMatcha Einspanner--both are delicious. The matcha is smooth and flavorful, and I really appreciate that they offer a non-sweet option, which is perfect for my taste. The cream topper on both drinks is incredibly smooth and light, adding a rich texture without feeling heavy. The store is always clean, the staff is friendly, and ordering is quick and easy. Highly recommend this place for anyone who enjoys high-quality matcha!

    First time trying Ceré Tea Burlingame (I frequent the Saratoga location). Overall, solid. Earl Grey…read moreHojicha Latte was good. No complaints. Not overly sweet at 50% sweetness with lactose-free milk and no toppings. Ambience is much nicer at this location compared to Saratoga. Way more seating if you wanted to chill with friends. But it smelled kind of bad in there (might've been a today-only issue)...it smelled kinda like cat pee?? Maybe there was a plumbing issue or something. Odor of the space aside, it was generally pleasant but a little dirty. Service was fine. Nothing to note good or bad. I think kiosks are great for ordering efficiency, but it kind of takes away the human interaction at cafes like this. Not necessarily a horrible thing if you're introverted, though. 8/10 shop, would come again

    Photos
    Black Sesame Matcha Einspanner (oatmilk, 50% sweetness)
    Black Sesame Matcha Einspanner (oatmilk, 50% sweetness)
    Hojicha Einspanner
    Hojicha Einspanner
    Sunny Side Up Matcha

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    Sunny Side Up Matcha
    Anton

    Anton

    4.3
    (50 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    I've come to this place on many occasions and I have to say it never disappoints. Anton stands out…read morewith its Crepe cakes but the other desserts are delicious too. When you walk in, there is always someone there to greet you and inform you of the new crepe cakes available and what they have in stock. So far, I've tried the Hokkaido Milk Crepe Cake, the Matcha Crepe Cake, Tiramisu Crepe Cake, the Pistachio Crepe Cake, the matcha tart and the mango panna cotta. My favorites are the Hokkaido Milk Crepe Cake and the Pistachio Crepe Cake. All of the cakes are not too sweet and have great balance. It's so good that you don't even realize that it's done. If you're feeling adventurous, give the Panna Cotta a try. It won't disappoint! Overall, one of the best crepe cakes I've had on the West Coast.

    Ordered a biscoff crepe cake (holiday special) for my boyfriend's birthday. The online ordering was…read moreeasy and there was a discount during the holiday season. Pickup was at the San Mateo location, which is right by the caltrain station. Its a super small storefront for carryout only. They have a kitchen but most of the cakes are made at other locations and brought over for pickup. Unfortunately we were not super impressed by the biscoff crepe cake. While the design was cute and the crepes were thin, there wasnt enough biscoff creme (only about 1 layer for every 4-5 layers of plain vanilla creme) for the flavor to really come through. For a special holiday flavor like this, we expected a stronger biscoff flavor. If theres a special again, we'd be willing to give another flavor a try!

    Photos
    2 SLICES - HOKKAIDO MILK (back) AND HOJICHA MILLE CREPE SLICE (front) SET
    2 SLICES - HOKKAIDO MILK (back) AND HOJICHA MILLE CREPE SLICE (front) SET
    Collage. IG: mikaelekeni
    Collage. IG: mikaelekeni
    Holiday Chocolate Crepe Cake - 3/5

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    Holiday Chocolate Crepe Cake - 3/5
    Little Late Bird

    Little Late Bird

    4.2
    (95 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Recently discovered this place and today I was with my baby who fallen asleep in the car. I ordered…read moreonline but I couldn't park or figure out how to pick up my order. I stopped in front of their coffee shop and run back forth saying that my baby is sleeping, let me know when it is ready. So the cook bought my sandwich to the car even though I didn't ask for that. Awwww as postpartum mama who did not have her breakfast and coffee at 11am, I was so touched by their excellent service! Coffee was so smooth and my sandwich like my grandma did - so yummy! They just earned forever customer! :-)

    Visit July 2026:…read more Hmmm....I really wanted to like this place more. It's cute. It's clean. They are friendly. It's a good vibe. But dang it....I paid nearly $11 for a Good Morning Burrito (ham, eggs, tots, a ton of cheese) that was only the length of my iPhone 14. Great taste but I was hungry still. Plus I wish it had come with some sort of salsa. There was a hot sauce bottle, bulk size, that was almost empty so I said meh. A homemade salsa would be a nice touch. My daughter got a vegetarian omlette which was basically a mushroom omlette. That seemed a good size but basic mushrooms and they had a side of spinach with some sort of dressing which I was sure was just mayo. There were a sad four tots on the side. She didn't like her matcha latte and my Vietnamese coffee lacked kick. They are well situated to serve the area and clearly have regular business. For that younger tech crowd across at Sony this seemed like a spot for them to pound away at their laptops while drinking boba and listening to lo-fi jazz.

    Photos
    Environment
    Environment
    Bulgogi Sandwich & Flat White (oat milk)
    Bulgogi Sandwich & Flat White (oat milk)
    Cafe interior

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    Cafe interior
    Goodthing Coffee

    Goodthing Coffee

    4.1
    (308 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    AMAZING cheesecake & pistachio matcha. The urban angel was perfect sweetness if you sip without a…read morestraw (using a straw gets more matcha, which is unsweetened at the bottom). The cream top is so good and has a super strong pistachio flavor. Would highly recommend the cheesecake too -- it's super light and creamy at the same time because it has multiple layers. The texture is perfect and one slice is a great size for sharing. The space inside is pretty small and once it gets busy, it would be pretty hard to find seating inside or outside. Service was quick.

    idk if you all know about the haaland x bellingham bromance (I LOVE IT) but this cafe is more like…read morea haaland x son heungmin crossover. they are very hygge viking nordic in the design and lot. they use dak!!! yum yum. however they also are known for einspanners and matcha and asian pastries. so best of both worlds. HAALAND HA HA HA. anyway their coffee is okay. good not great like the name! maybe i ordered the wrong thing. i got the flat white - it was not bad but i wish i got a cortado or pourover. the flat white was too big for my liking so the milk masked the more delicate notes. there was like an aftertaste of something floral...jasmine? anyway i wish those notes came out more. ALSO they steamed a touch too hot which released some unsatisfactory notes in the milk. light roasts cannot pair with very hot milk!!! no bueno!!! anyway i may or may not come back. idk guys burlingame lacks some serious coffee game...3.5 stars, not worth the price

    Photos
    Inside Seating
    Inside Seating
    Single Origin To Go
    Single Origin To Go
    Back patio.

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    Back patio.
    Cafe Kazka

    Cafe Kazka

    4.2
    (151 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    cafe kazka is such a hidden gem in foster city! my friend and I came to check it out for lunch…read moreafter hearing it was a hong kong-style cafe, and were not disappointed at all. first, the cafe is so cute and also spotless- I could've stayed all day just reading or doing work. there was lots of outdoor seating overlooking the water which was so nice! I got an iced HK style coffee + milk tea which I've never had before but was so delicious. I'd definitely come back to try the other fruity drinks too! we ordered the tom yum noodles, preserved vegetables & pork noodle soup, salt & pepper fries, and the HK style french toast with peanut butter. the french toast was our favorite- it was fluffy and chewy and was just like the HK classic. the noodle dishes were both so hearty and flavorful too, and the portions were a good size. it did take a bit long for everything to come out, but it did seem like there was only one person working and she was very kind and accommodating when we had questions about our order. we didn't mind at all, especially sitting outside and enjoying the view! overall, I'll for sure be back for the drinks and to try some other HK style street food.

    I stumbled upon Cafe Kazka when I was in the same plaza shopping at Osaka Marketplace. I like HK…read morestyle drinks, so I was excited to try it out. We were initially going to just stop by to grab drinks, but decided to sit down and order a few snacks as well. The location is right behind Foster City's Central lake and the weather was nice, so we decided to sit outside. We ordered the HK style milk tea, OG lemon tea, french fries, and the siu mai. If I just ordered the drinks, it might have been a better experience. The fries were okay, nothing special - they were a bit softer than I like. The siu mai was just bad. I'm not sure where it comes from, but it was gummy in texture and tasted like frozen food. There were only 5 small pieces and we still couldn't finish it. The drinks were priced fairly, but the snacks were overpriced for what it is. You order at a kiosk so there isn't much service to talk about, but we did have to ask for a ketchup a few times before they remembered to bring it to us. Maybe I'll go back to try the actual food dishes.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Duck breast rice
    Duck breast rice
    Chicken corn pasta

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    Chicken corn pasta

    Kaizen & Coffee - coffee - Updated July 2026

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