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    Kaizen & Coffee

    4.5 (740 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated a few days 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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    Instagram: TianTianEats
    Tian Q.

    Waited 45min in a long ass line before 10:30AM, chugged my latte in 30sec. Incredibly smooth and balanced Miso Caramel latte made me feel less pissed about waiting too long in a line for the first time in years while accidentally stuck in older san mateo. Vibes: modern minimalist aesthetic space but packed like cattle. Instagram: TianTianEats

    Mission mocha and caramel miso
    Ashley W.

    Got the caramel miso and mission mocha. Delicious not too sweet, slightly salty taste to each which makes the drink more flavorful. Would come again!

    Pork Floss Croissant
    Sarah-Lorraine K.

    WHY I WENT HERE: - breakfast THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located on N El Camino Real, closest to 24th Ave - the line definitely pours out of the door onto the sidewalk to the neighboring establishments THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - packed; some seating available against the wall or in the front window; limit on how many people waiting to order can enter inside the establishment THE MENU: - signatures - espresso - coffee - matcha - kumo signatures - tea - toast WHAT I ORDERED: - strawberry matcha chocolate bar - black sesame matcha latte - pork floss croissant - open-faced egg sando THE TASTE: - strawberry matcha chocolate bar - didn't taste it but niece loved it - black sesame matcha latte - underwhelming; the oat milk was overpowering - pork floss croissant - great! - open-faced egg sando - good! just a tad too salty CUSTOMER SERVICE: - warm - welcoming - efficient

    Red bean pain puissant  Ube brioche Black sesame coffee
    Alyssa T.

    Stumbled upon this cafe and enjoyed the pastries and coffee. I got the black sesame signature coffee, which was a bit bitter for my liking and could have been sweeter but still enjoyed it! 8/10 Ube Brioche was not too sweet and had ube crème in the inside which was a nice touch. 9/10 Red bean pain puissant was something I never had before and paired very well with the coffee! This pastry was crispy on the outside and the red bean gave it a nice texture! 10/10 Service was wonderful and I had a good experience

    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.

    Inside coffee service area
    Monica N.

    I've driven by this place a hundred times and there's almost always a line of 20-30 people outside. This morning I decided to wait in that line. Super funny that the couple behind me commented that they go here all the time and there's never a line. After about a 40 minute wait, I got to the cashier at around 10:20am. Half the pastries like the ube brioche were already out so I opted for just the lattes. I played it safe and got the Tahitian vanilla latte. I will say that it's good quality coffee. Didn't need to add sugar. It didn't come super hot though so as I took it away, I downed it pretty fast! I got my mom and aunt the ice latte version of the black sesame and the brown sugar. Sounds like both were good as well. The black sesame wasn't sweet, which was to my aunt's liking. Inside, it's very clean and not crowded. What helped is that there is a sign that tells the people in line that only 6 people at a time should line up inside. If I have the time, I'd line back up. 4.5/5 stars, but I'll round up.

    Vanilla Bean
    Dylan V.

    Sorry for the bad picture! The salmon toast was amazing. There's a good amount of salmon, it's filling enough to be a meal. I added chili oil and I'd recommend it. The vanilla bean latte was not bad, it was solid. It was my first time ever having one and it wasn't too sweet, but it wasn't too bitter either. I think it was perfect. There was a line out the door on a Sunday morning when I went at 9:30 AM. Lots of bar seating.

    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

    Amy T.

    I was eager to try this place since I've heard good things about Kaizen and wanted see the hype around this place. First off, the line gets long and is known for that and I was quite surprised when I went it wasn't that long but the wait in line took longer than the service itself. It's sort of tiny inside so maybe that's why I'm not sure but my drink came out faster than expected. I got matcha strawberry and pandan matcha and it was both ok. I seen someone make a comment how the strawberry matcha tastes like strawberry milk and I totally agree. Not enough matcha and I didn't taste any matcha whatsoever. Also, the pandan matcha tastes like straight pandan milk not a hint of matcha. Nothing fancy about the drinks in my opinion and I don't get the hype or the high ratings of this place. It's not worth the line or wait I'd rather get Starbucks than this. Unfortunately I would not come back.

    Friends hired them for their baby shower
    Andra S.

    Randomly, you'll get luck on your side and you won't have to wait in a line that trails down the block for this place. But only randomly!! My husband hates coming here to get me my strawberry matcha with oat milk because the line takes long but there really are far and few good matcha places in San Mateo. My sister's bf also refuses to get matcha from any place else if he's in San Mateo.

    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!

    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.

    Black sesame latte

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    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
    (161 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!

    Inconsistent spot. My first visit was on 6/3, and I ordered the matcha einspanner--it was honestly…read moreone of the worst matchas I've had. I later found out they closed that same day due to some kind of sewage/health inspection issue, so I decided to give them another chance after they reopened, especially since friends recommended their other locations. My visits since then have definitely been better. My go-to is now the Double Matcha at 50% sweet. It has a strong matcha flavor, is creamy, and is really good when made right. I definitely won't be getting the matcha einspanner again though. The biggest issue is consistency. Not every visit tastes the same, but when it's good, it's good. The shop also sometimes has a noticeable bathroom/cleaning chemical smell, which isn't the most pleasant when you're sitting inside.

    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
    (53 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.

    This was my first time trying this cake shop. Layered cakes like these seem to be getting more and…read moremore popular in the U.S. I've tried Lady M before, and I felt that most of their flavors, except for the green tea one, were a bit on the sweet side. The two cakes I ordered here were actually quite light and not overly sweet, and the flavors were also pretty unique. They also offer special seasonal flavors for certain holidays, which is a nice touch. Overall, I think it's a pretty good place to try! 第一次嘗試這家蛋糕店,這種分層式的蛋糕感覺在美國越來越多,我之前吃過Lady M,感覺他們除了綠茶以外,口味都偏甜。這家的蛋糕其實我點的這兩款都挺清淡的,口味也很特殊,加上在某些特定的節日,店家還會推出應景的不同口味蛋糕,感覺挺不錯的。

    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
    (97 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! :-)

    I've been here a number of times, they're located in a business complex, but they're also open on…read morethe weekends so we pop in here and there for coffee or a snack. We've tried a good number of things on the menu and the main thing for me is that even though the prices are not steep, the food portions are quite small. Even the bagels are not standard-sized bagels, they're smaller and feel more like a mini bagel. Whenever I order any rice dish, I'm never full. Taste is average at best across everything I've tried. So even though it's not expensive, it doesn't feel quite worth it. The drinks are good, I've enjoyed most of what I've tried. The space is pretty big and open, good for working or hanging out and the staff is usually friendly. The only time I've had a negative experience with service was with the owner or manager (not sure), she was a bit rude and stand-offish.

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

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    Cafe interior
    Cafe Kazka

    Cafe Kazka

    4.2
    (155 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.

    This was my first time trying Cafe Kazka, and unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The…read morerestaurant seemed seriously understaffed and very disorganized. I ordered the lemongrass pork jaw rice. There were only about six pieces of meat, and the lemongrass was chopped into very tiny pieces and mixed into the sauce. The problem was that the lemongrass was extremely tough, almost like small pieces of tree branches, and impossible to chew. I had to spit them out, but because they were chopped so finely and mixed throughout the sauce and meat, it was very difficult to eat. If this is how they prepare the dish, they should reconsider the way they cook and serve lemongrass dishes--or consider removing this dish from the menu. I also waited about 30 minutes for my food. After such a long wait, I expected the food to at least arrive hot, but it was already cold. It seemed like the food had been sitting in the kitchen for a while because there weren't enough staff to bring it out to customers. The table service and cleanliness were also disappointing. There were no staff available to clean the tables, and I actually saw customers moving previous customers' dirty plates to one side and wiping the table themselves. Our table was also extremely sticky. The restaurant really needs to review its food delivery process. Instead of having staff run around the dining area trying to find the right table number, they could simply have customers pick up their food using an order number. This would probably make the process much faster and more organized. Overall, the food was just so-so, the service was slow, and the whole restaurant felt very unorganized. Unfortunately, I will not be coming back.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Duck breast rice
    Duck breast rice
    Fried fish siu mai

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    Fried fish siu mai

    Kaizen & Coffee - coffee - Updated August 2026

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