"Excuse me, are you done yet?" It's a fine coffee spot. Just not a place to get work done, relax, read, catch up with friends, or have something with your specialty coffee. Lest you be assaulted by the stares of the envious folks in line waiting to do the same thing. Just do yourself a favor and get the coffee to-go. As suggestion to the business: If the space could be renovated, then I'd recommend a long bar top along the wall at counter height. At least then you can fit more people in the space and their line of sight would be facing the wall or watching the coffee be made. Vs staring at the queue awkwardly. read more

Best coffee ever. Everything I've had has been spectacular Pasties very beautifully made read more

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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. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Miso Caramel Latte ($7) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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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. :) read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Pork floss croissant and a black sesame latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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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. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Miso caramel latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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It was busy when we got here but the line moved quickly. The line was even longer by the time we ordered though. We got lucky and we're able to grab a small table. There are a few but not too many dine in spaces. This place has a lot of great options for coffee lovers and tea options for non coffee drinkers! They have some simple classics and some fun flavors as well. The Mission Mocha was a favorite in our group. It had a nice slight spicy tingle too. The Earl Grey Matcha was also super good. Will be back to try the rest of the menu, the fusion drinks all really peaked my interest. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Stopped by Kaizen after hearing about their matcha drinks and was sure happy I did! I ordered the jasmine tea with ceremonial matcha kumo (cold foam) and it was so good and refreshing. The matcha color was an impressive dark green and the jasmine tea paired well with it. I ordered it to go since the place is quite small and was very crowded, but I will be coming back soon to try their other matcha drinks and pastries. read more

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Be prepared to wait, even if you show up at opening (7am). The line moves pretty quickly, though. Love the Asian inspired flavors on the menu. I tried the black sesame latte, and it was the perfect warm, nutty drink for a chilly morning. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Black sesame latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Came on Friday afternoon and the cafe had a fair amount of people. Love the vibes and has lots of counter seating. I tried the Jasmine Tea with Matcha Foam, and it was a great balance with the jasmine and matcha. The first half of the drink u taste the light jasmine then you later get a little more of the matcha. Not too sweet or heavy, and perfectly refreshing. I definitely recommend trying it while it's on their menu! They make the drinks pretty quick and I heard their lattes are amazing so will need to come back for those. Highly recommend this cafe! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Jasmine Tea with Matcha Foam - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

This place is good. Their coffee, pastries and toast are all so delicious. It's definitely a trendier type of vibe which i think is fun and different. Especially when their coffee and their vibe compliment each other. The staff is super friendly. We ate at the counter and got to watch them all craft delicious coffees, they were super attentive and checked on us frequently to make sure we didn't need anything. Be prepared to wait as people know this place is good! The line can be a little long and since the place is a little on the smaller side it gets packed. read more

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One of the best spots for really flavorful coffee and matcha in the Peninsula. Definitely a must visit if you're into either! Everything is nicely balanced, just sweet enough with a solid caffeine kick to get you through the day. The baristas are super friendly, and even though the space is small, it feels cozy and welcoming. They also have a great selection of coffee beans. Every drink I've had so far has been a hit. There's no parking lot, but street parking is easy to find right out front or nearby. It does get busy though, both times I went all the seats were taken. read more

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We went here 3 days in a row and we are only in the area for 3 days which shows how good the coffee here is. The miso is amazing! All the house made syrups are fantastic the entire staff each day was very positive and welcoming! There is some seating as well for anyone who wants to stay there for some time! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

I've been here many more times since my last review, and every time has been great! Depending on my mood, my favorites have been the iced ube latte, iced strawberry matcha, hot matcha, or hot black sesame latte. The Okinawa brown sugar latte is good as well. My friend visited us and loved the iced miso caramel latte. My husband likes their espresso tonic. Their frens chocolate collab is also tasty. I've only tried the strawberry matcha chocolate so far and loved the bar! They have strawberry pieces throughout. I gave them as gifts recently and my cousin loves the spice in the Mission Mocha bar. The place has limited seating and the line can be out the door on some days. Service is fast so you shouldn't be in line for too long. It's our favorite coffee shop in the area! read more

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Still some of the best coffee around! Even better having it for here instead of to go. I got my usual Miso Caramel Latte which is such a unique treat. Was able to get a seat this time in the late afternoon. Very cool vibe and quick service. Had anime playing on the TV. read more

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One of my favorite go-to matcha/ coffee spots in San Mateo! It's definitely a popular spot as there's always a long line whether it's morning or the afternoon. Wait time isn't too bad, Kaizen just prefers 6 people in queue inside. Bought the usual regular matcha latte and earl grey matcha. The matcha latte with default syrup had the perfect amount of sweetness. The earl grey matcha has a balance of umami, citrusy flavor. Can't go wrong with these! Have yet to try their food/ baked goods. Will have to come and try another time. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Earl grey matcha and Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Got super lucky and came on a Friday when there wasn't a line! IYKYK, Kaizen frequently has lines out there door and we knew we were in for a treat! Ube Latte - at first sip, the coffee was sour. However, mix up the drink along with the Ube and the drink turns into a smooth, nutty, and someday sweet coffee. Overall ok and would try a different drink. Caramel Miso - this was so delicious! Something about sweet and savory-like leaves you wanting more with each sip. Street parking in the front! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Came here on a Saturday afternoon with a line out the door. It went by relatively quickly but the real challenge is finding a seat inside. We tried the hojicha latte (9/10) and early grey matcha latte (10/10). Both drinks had very strong hojicha/matcha flavors which were great. I asked for less ice and the drinks came out without being filled to the top. They ran out of pastries by the time we got there so you should go early if you want those. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Earl grey matcha Hojicha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

I've returned several times since my first visit and tried both coffee & tea options from their everchanging menu. +Black Sesame Latte +Black Sesame Matcha Latte +Earl Grey Matcha +Latte +Miso Caramel Latte -Earl Grey Supreme -Ube Latte Some drinks have been a miss, but the beautiful latte art, creativity, and friendly service are always there! Side notes: 1.) Restroom available for customers 2.) Walking distance from Hillsdale Caltrain station and Hillsdale mall 3.) Limited street parking (1 hour cap Mon-Sat 8:00am-6:00pm): I'd recommend having someone wait in line while the driver looks for parking. *Verdict: If you're in San Mateo, I'd recommend stopping by! read more

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Came by here with some friends for a pre-climbing session caffeine / pastries stop. There's some limited seating inside, but when the store is busy they limit the indoor line to 6 people (which is honestly pretty nice for keeping noise levels down / maintain walking space). I ordered the black sesame latte and enjoyed how the flavor is there but doesn't overpower the drink. I also tried some of the miso caramel latte and liked the subtle flavors in that one as well. I was quite hungry, so I ordered two of the toasts (to share, but I ended up eating most of both). I liked the smoked salmon better, largely because there are so many more layers to the flavors in that one. In both, the milk toast adds a nice subtle sweetness and fluffiness to the other flavors. The ube mascarpone was good, but not as complex as the salmon. Service is pretty quick. The drinks came out almost immediately, even though they were pretty busy. Will definitely come back for the lattes and the smoked salmon toast read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Smoked salmon & ube mascarpone toasts - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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It was a cold Tuesday afternoon. My partner and I had class in a bit, but needed a quick caffeine pick me up. We decided to try out Kaizen & Coffee in San Mateo, and we have become regulars now. Everything here is so awesome. They are constantly adding new drinks to their menu and they have such unique inspired drinks. Though the drinks can get really expensive, they are truly handcrafted and this place is the best. My personal recommendations are the miso caramel, regular matcha, or earl grey matcha. Each of these is awesome on their own, but if you add the kaizen kumo(salted cold foam), they are taken to the next level. They have the best cold foam I have tried. read more

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miso in love w da miso caramel coffeeeeeeeeee!! i was lowkey skeptical about miso in coffee but it actually worked so well and complemented the caramel perfectly. new flavor combo unlocked fr. it wasn't too sweet at all and tasted great with the normal settings. my friend got the black sesame coffee and it was lowkey not it the coffee itself was good but the sesame didn't pair that well here. i've had better black sesame drinks elsewhere so i wouldn't get that one again. read more

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This is the best matcha latte in the Bay Area (sorry not sorry!!) they prioritize quality and consistency over mass producing and batching (at least the times I have been). I usually go in the mornings around 7am on the weekdays and honestly because of the hype it has been getting I avoid coming on a Saturday because there's usually a line out the door. The service is attentive, and friendly. The vibe inside is very modern and they have anime playing on a TV. Baristas are sweet, and will give you suggestions if you're stuck. Lattes are aromatic and floral, and matcha is smooth and creamy. Must try's: Tahitian vanilla bean, Matcha latte with Kaizen Kumo, Earl Grey Matcha latte, strawberry matcha latte read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Vanilla latte and Earl Grey Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

waited 20+ mins on a saturday morning. got the iced americano + miso caramel latte. both were really good. you can actually taste the notes, not just generic coffee. line was a bit of a wait but kinda worth it for the quality. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - miso caramel latte, iced americano - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Such a great spot! Their vanilla latte is soooo good! But honestly my coworker and I come here specifically for their strawberry matcha. It is soooo yummy. We drink it so quick. The only problem is the parking and the size of the shop. The parking is so hard cause it's all street parking. Then there can only be 6 people in the store at a time. It's all handmade stuff so it's quality and worth it but wish they would find a new spot. read more

Stumbled across this cafe looking for a place to do some work on my computer and I was pleasantly surprised at how many matcha options there were! I wanted to try the food but there weren't any more at 2:30pm on a Tuesday. I got the black sesame matcha latte and I loved how the nutty flavor balanced out the matcha perfectly. It came out pretty quick too. There are a good amount of tables but they're pretty small so it can get crowded. There's some street parking right outside too. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Black sesame matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Got the matcha sesame latte - flavours blended so well together and not too sweet. The toast was amazing. The Ube and raspberry flavours worked so well together. Although each bite was light, the dish was filling enough for breakfast. read more

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3.5 stars because they're inconsistent. There's always a line here even when I go super early in the morning but it moves quickly and the drinks come out fast. Staff are very friendly and take time to make recommendations and chat with every customer. The first time I got a strawberry matcha and it was straight up milk. As you can see from the photos, the color was horrendous. I decided to give them another try recently, and I'm glad I did! The cashier recommended the Earl Grey Matcha and I really enjoyed it. The earl grey flavor was not too overpowering but for $8.50 I found the matcha to be lacking and drowned out. However, it was still a very solid drink. Their food options and pastries look good too and I'll be back to try those! read more

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Good drinks. Service was pretty fast. Small and cozy inside with other patrons just staring at everyone who's waiting to order. Staff were pretty knowledgable about their coffee and had good recommendations on the bagged beans. Street parking. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Service was efficient and kind. For our first time visiting, we didn't know the queue extended to the outside to provide sufficient space for those waiting inside. I appreciate this thoughtfulness and organization to lessen chaos inside the cafe. When it was our turn to order, the employee was very patient while we explored the menu aloud with them, and they offered a non-caffeinated milk drink for our young one. The ambiance was very chill as workers did their thing and looked focused and relaxed at the same time. Service was kind and efficient. Drinks came out in a timely manner and tasted delicious. We could then taste for ourselves why this place has been raved about (at least in my circle). Well come by again. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Strawberry March with oatmilk, Strawberry milk with oatmilk, and Iced Okinawa brown sugar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

I'm glad I got to try this place but it's def not my style both in terms of drinks and ambience. Came on Sunday AM and waited in the line. Kinda went quickly but the place is so small that we were sure where we were going to take drinks and food. We managed to snag a table that was just leaving so that was good! I got the black sesame latte as I love black sesame but in coffee was just not my thing. I did get it iced so maybe it would've been better hot? Just tasted like a thick mush that I had to stir and whenever I took a sip, was extremely grainy, For the price, the quantity was much less than I was expecting, since they served it in a tall and narrow glass. Person I was with got the mocha and one of the toast items but no comments on either. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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No latte has ever been worth leaving a review about. But this one was exceptional. Def recommend

I saw this coffee shop pop up on my search as I was looking for places to check out while I was visiting the Bay and Kaizen did not disappoint! I got the Mission Mocha after looking over the menu and it was delicious! The chocolate mixed with the cinnamon and their smooth coffee was a wonderful combination and the gochutgaru gave a nice kick of heat on the back end and it wasn't too sweet overall. It also had a bit of nuttiness to it most likely from their use of dandelion chocolate. They have a good-sized menu with several signature drinks and a matcha section with some unique drinks like the coconut lemongrass matcha and the Miso Caramel. The shop was packed when I went and the line was out the door. There is counter seating available and some tables but they were all taken when I showed up in the early afternoon. The inside was bright and clean and modern. They also sell coffee beans and merch on the side of the counter. There are also pastries for sale as well. Service is friendly and drinks come out decently fast. I had my drink ready in less than 10 minutes. If you are looking for a new coffee shop to check out in San Mateo, come here! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Mission Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Love that they make their own syrups here! I went for a matcha latte w/oat milk and Tahitian vanilla syrup. They get their matcha from Japan and hand whisk. It was very tasty. My partner had a cold brew and miso carmel, he enjoyed both. Service was surprisingly fast and friendly. Unfortunately, they were out of pastries on a Tuesday afternoon. So you probably need to come earlier. I can see parking being annoying, but we were lucky to get a spot in front on the street. Lots of seating inside. Love the modern vibes, kinda felt like a club with the loud music though. No pet friendly seating outside. read more

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I've seen Kaizen & Coffee recommended on a few Bay Area matcha lists, and I was impressed! The cafe is located on a busy road so street parking is a must, but it's conveniently located between downtown San Mateo and Hillsdale mall. There was a line out the door when we arrived on a Saturday afternoon, but it moved quickly. Interior space was small with limited seating, but had a nice minimalist and modern feel to it. Menu had some interesting drink choices and they all sounded so good! Will have to come back to try others. Earl grey matcha latte: I've never had an Earl grey + matcha drink before and I think Kaizen hit the spot with this one! The flavor profiles of the tea and matcha matched well together and I could taste both at the same time. The menu warns that this drink has an increased caffeine content, but honestly I didn't notice, and would even try an extra shot of matcha next time to get even more of that matcha flavor. Ube coffee latte: The base of the drink is Vietnamese coffee so it's strong, but good! The ube flavor + condensed milk from the Viet coffee made the drink a little on the sweeter side, but overall a good drink. *Note: If you order your drink with less ice, the drink level in the cup is noticeably lower, so if you want an aesthetic picture get normal ice. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Earl grey matcha and ube coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

I've visited a few times now, and I'd recommend going on a weekday morning or afternoon if you can. Weekends tend to get very busy, with lines out the door. The standout for me is their iced miso caramel latte. It's not overly sweet, but still very flavorful. The miso adds a subtle depth that makes the caramel feel more balanced and slightly umami. It comes across as a more refined take on a flavored latte, and I really enjoy it. Their standard latte is decent, probably around a 6/10 for me. The espresso leans more on the fruity side, which just isn't my personal preference. One downside is that they've been out of pastries every time I've gone, which has been a bit disappointing. It would be great to see more consistent availability there. I'm not in the Bay Area often, and it's not necessarily a must-visit destination for me, but it's definitely a spot I enjoy stopping by when I'm nearby. read more

There was a pretty long line that went outside the door, but it went by fairly quickly. They are also fast with making the drinks, which is great. Hojicha latte - 4.5/5, i got 75% sweet with less ice. Good hojicha and nutty flavor! 75% sweet was perfect for me, so 100% would probably be good too. Black sesame latte - 3/5, 75% sweet. It comes with 2 shots of espresso, which made the drink very strong and bitter. Probably better with 100% sweetness read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Hojicha and black sesame - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Occasionally the wife and I like to go see what's trending out with the kids in tow. I'd read about this place in local articles and had it on my list to try out. I did not expect the wait to be that brutal for the line. My wife braved it while I tried to find the near impossible parking near the SM expo center and El Camino Real across from Silver House. If she had gotten drinks only it would have been like 30 mins in line. Because she ordered the toast it took longer. I ordered the iced Okinawa Brown Sugar latte and found it to be good, strong, and slightly bitter. She ordered the iced black sesame latte and avocado toast with the suggested chili oil on top. I really enjoyed the toast. The avo and tomatoes tasted so fresh, flavorful, crunchy, and balanced. It wasn't too much of anything and all the textures worked so well together. Each bite was extremely satisfying and amazing. The price was a bit steep but it was filling and had a lot of wonderful ingredients on it. I want to try other things on the menu to get a better sense of what we like best. 4.5 stars due to the crazy parking situation and brutal wait. It was damn good but the combo of the hype and parking makes it hard to want to brave consistently for us. We'd definitely return though. read more

Solid matcha and coffee!! This spot is located on a Main Street, so there's street parking in the area. It can get pretty packed here, but the line goes by fast! There's a good amount of seats and menu items. Their iced matcha latte is so good!! They use ceremonial matcha and I loved it!! I'd love to come and try their speciality coffees, everything looks yummy! I will defs be back! read more

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I've always passed by Kaizen & Coffee and finally got a chance to try it this past Sunday morning. Super hipster vibes. The service at the counter was nice but the y got a few things wrong on the order. The mochi cakes were supposed to be warmed up but weren't. So these weren't special. The hazelnut chocolate croissant and pistachio blackberry croissants were good. But they were pretty sweet and rich. Street parking only read more

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