Amazing experience! Extremely authentic and was the perfect combination of taste, ambience and service. The highest quality fish and ingredients, worth every penny! Most notable courses, black throat, Kama Toro, abalone with liver sauce, amaebi , kani w/ shisho flower, uni additional set, black cod, scallop!! Thank you chef Katsu for such amazing service! read more

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**Originally posted on IG for our visit in June 2023** This 22-course Edomae-style omakase is going to be living rent free in my mind for a while. Katsu offers its omakase experience by Chef Maruyama in an intimate 8-seat setting. I felt calmed just being in the space and ultimately, well taken care of. Each course was clearly selected with intention and sourced from various areas of Japan. I loved the variety in dishes, and it really didn't feel like I left overly stuffed, which speaks to how well portioned each course was (and Chef Maruyama offered to make sure and accommodate if we started to feel full). My standout favorites were the smoked trout from Lake Biwa, black perch (kuromutsu), and our generous add-on of the Ensui uni special. They were also so sweet to treat us to an ice cream dessert in celebration of us being newlyweds We can't wait to come back for more special occasions. read more

Came here for a birthday dinner and loved it. Some of the comments here are ridiculous -- "just switch out the ingredient" for food allergy? And as if it's that easy given the high complexity of each and every course in the 21 course meal. Omakase is chef's choice -- go somewhere else if you're not looking for this chef's vision. Ambiance: In general, their rigor has a purpose: their few strict policies accentuate their overall attention to detail and control of the ambiance. The design of the storefront makes it private without feeling like you're eating in a windowless room. They bring the evening's party in all at once, and don't answer the door. When we were seated, they placed my utensils at my left hand, noticing that I wore my watch on the right. A+++ Food: impeccable. All the imports from Japan you expect. Key pieces from our night included sujiko (pre-ikura salmon roe), abalone, conch, hokkaido uni, miyagi octopus, japanese spanish mackerel (sawara), and of course a couple of toro courses. There was a king mackerel dish too but I don't know if it was from Japan. If you think the uni and toro here are anything like what you get at places like Bushido or Nori Nori (already excellent by most standards), prepare to be impressed. Chef will demonstrate why good sushi is more than just the raw ingredients. Service: I got a bloody nose during the dinner and they were so gracious about it even though I bled all over one of their nice napkins. Wish I had a way to tip more after the meal. Don't be afraid to ask if you missed the course description -- Chef was super approachable and happy to re-iterate the information! They were also very attentive to the state of our dishes and napkins without feeling intrusive. They made sure our drinks were never empty. Speaking of drinks, I highly recommend ordering some tea and/or draft beer. The tea is so soothing towards the end, and the beer goes so nicely with the sushi! They have a nice selection of other drinks as well. Overall: why doesn't this place have a Michelin star yet? Y'all should go go go before people wise up to the situation. I'll be making excuses to come back with my partner soon. read more

Might've drank too much sake and didnt quite understand the uni situation but man was the ginger great. I think my best meals were all centered around attention to detail which they do a pretty good job at here. But maybe I also learned i'm not the biggest fan of high end sushi tastings and would prefer a bucket of raw salmon. Dont get me wrong, chef and his team went above and beyond on refinement and fine tuning every part of the evening. The service was attentive, and the pacing of everything was great. The explanation that came with every dish was also really nice, felt they really wanted us to know what was being served at each stage of the meal. The venue was nice and quiet so we could really focus on the meal, everyone was taking pictures of the food served so I guess things were aesthetically pleasing as well. The highlight of the meal was finding out that the least expensive sake on the menu was by far my favorite, the sweet fruit forward profile made my night complete. The ginger was amazing and i'm pretty sure i ate a quarter pound of it that night, so sweet and tasty! I talked about Maruyama in San Mateo with the chef and learned it's history. Overall a great night and managed to get a good buzz. The seaweed that came with the uni special could have been toasted more though. read more

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Came here for my birthday and along with some life-changing, delicious sushi and cooked dishes, they served a complimentary dessert. A nice touch at the end was the kitchen chef coming out to make fresh matcha for us. The quality of fish was top notch. I've never had sushi like this before. My favorite was the king mackerel! It was so flavorful and tender! The service was very elegant, with a great attention to detail. Whenever I needed something I never had to ask for it, she came to me with it like she could read my mind. I've seen other reviews here about bad service but cannot understand. A lot of them seem to be the customer's fault to be honest... If you look carefully at the instructions on Tock there wouldn't be an issue. The communication with the manager is very accessible too. I felt very valued coming here, before, during, and after! The restaurant itself is gorgeous. A simple yet well designed place in a great location, jazz playing in the background, and comfortable chairs. The bathroom is also very nice. read more

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One of the finest sushi restaurants in the Bay Area right now--maybe not quite at the level of Yoshizumi, but very very good. Service is impeccable. The otsumami are excellent without a lot of excess flourish (no caviar and gold flakes here!) The nigiri was excellent as well, although I personally think the shari could do with a touch more vinegar but that is a personal preference. I went twice (about one month apart) and it was very impressive that the chef made a point to vary the menu so that it was not identical even though the season hadn't changed that much. (We asked if the menu had just changed, and he said that he actually realized that we had been recently and had adjusted the menu slightly for more variety) Please note that the restaurant is reservation only, omakase set menu, and they want guests to show up on time for their reservation and not wear perfume or scents that could be distracting for other guests. Basically, they won't let you in the restaurant until your reservation time. I just mention this because there were a few people who tried to walk in and got a little frustrated because the door was locked. read more

I had a good time at Katsu, located at downtown Mountain View, is the latest rapidly growing omakase offerings. Chef Katsu Maruyama surprised us with delicious authentic courses. My favorite is the Uni cup and baby eels! Nigiris are also tasty ! I also love the interior designs. Plus the service is good. If you are a omakase lover, this is the perfect restaurant for you ! read more

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We had an excellent experience at Katsu. Every dish was exquisite and beautifully presented. They stuck with tradition and simplicity of true Japanese cuisine, and let the ingredients shine. Honestly I cannot pick a favorite course because they were all absolutely delicious. Chef explained what the dish was and where ingredients came from (all imported from Japan). 8-seat restaurant is very intimate and you can enjoy how masterfully chefs prepare dishes. One of the best Sushi Omakase we've had and would definitely go back. read more

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The sushi was delicious, and I loved having a front row seat to the chef. It's a different experience getting to watch the meticulous way the seaweed was roasted, the wasabi ground, etc. The chef was super willing to answer the questions around how they source fish and his experience getting trained. We had approximately 20 courses, and my favorite was the awabi (abalone with liver sauce). Some of the starters we had were completely new experiences for me as well! read more

I paid almost $750 back then not for them to treat my boyfriend poorly and made him upset on his birthday date It happened in 23rd August 2023 but I still think about it so I would write it here to get it out of my chest. I booked reservation for 2 to celebrate my boyfriends's milestone birthday. The chef and host didnt friendly at all even though they knew it's his birthday. My boyfriend tried to talk to the chef but he didnt seem to want to talk to my boyfriend. He is the last one who getting the food for every course even though yeah it's his birthday and he is hungry so why he cant get the food sooner? He didnt eat anything before the dinner but getting drinks from the restaurant next door so he was kind of more hungry and me was upset about it. It was 20 courses and we ended up leaving after the 10th courses and the host didnt check in to see if we're okay. There are so many other omakase offer same quality food with higher service. It's not worth it here at all read more

They are too exotic for me. I didn't like that they served pate, it made me feel like I'm eating cat food. Also they gave us a raw snail too. If you are into traditional omakase, this might be the one for you. Unfortunately, I am not a big fan of traditional omakase. Everything was raw. I prefer nigiris lightly torched and not completely raw. It was also difficult for me to eat the raw snail. The menu was definitely not for me but it was an interesting experience overall. The atmosphere was too serious too. It was mostly older people dining here, and the chefs' were not as entertaining and friendly as the other omakase places I've been to. read more

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If there ever was a sushi haven on Earth, it would undoubtedly be Nestled discreetly in Mountain View, this remarkable gem has effortlessly earned the title of my all-time favorite omakase place. From the moment I stepped through its doors, I embarked on an unforgettable gastronomic journey that left me in awe, and I can't wait to share my rhapsodic experience with you. Menu changes everyday.. The sushi omakase experience is orchestrated by none other than Chef Katsu, a culinary virtuoso whose expertise is beyond compare. read more

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Perfect meal. As great as premium dining in Tokyo. The Seko Crab was amazing! I enjoyed the sake pairing as well. Atmosphere and staff is perfect. read more

I truly believe this is one of the best omakase experiences in the Bay Area. It stands with the best from SF / San Mateo / Redwood City and I think it stands on top. While Katsu's nigiri is excellent, the tasting also adds a number of wonderful dishes that are interesting , exciting and delicious. I often leave fine dining omakese's still a bit hungry and wanting to order additional items from an a la carte if they even offer it, but not at Katsu. I've eaten here a couple of times now and I'm full every time , which I know should be a given, but with omakase it unfortunately isn't (at least to me). Highly recommend! read more

We've tried various omakase places in the area. Initially, considering the price, the food was just okay. There are better options in the area at lower prices. Moreover, they skipped serving us one course of uni and claimed we hadn't completed an online survey. Firstly, we didn't receive any emails regarding the reservation. Secondly, there was no reminder or information on the website indicating that I needed to respond or fill out forms when making the reservation. If there was no response, they could have called to confirm. First time I had a bad experience at an omakase restaurant read more

We came on a rainy day, it was pouring outside. Our reservations were at 8 p.m. and we were early, so we waiting outside until they unlocked the door. We were seated right away by the hostess, she was very helpful. The overall ambiance was great. I love looking at the beautiful ceramics and plates. Just gorgeous! The fish was fresh and curated so perfectly. Having the ending tea was much needed given we were about to venture out into the rain. Overall wonderful experience and we're so glad to see it in downtown Mountain View. read more

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The most delicious sushi I've had in San Francisco Bay Area since I've moved here in 2012. That's all I have to say. For the non-believers, try it. For the haters, your palate isn't sophisticated enough for this. read more

Katsu - Japanese Near Me - Mountain View, California

It has been a long time since I've been wowed at a restaurant... but Katsu was AMAZING! Each bite was tasty, fresh, creative. Service was attentive -- not obtrusive. Sake tasted crisp. I loved it so much and hope to eat there again soon! read more

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Horrible service, they saw me being outside (chef, waitress..) and no one is willing to open the door or even let me know what's happening, it's open on yelp and I see people there... the only 2 customers looked pretty awkward too Have no idea how come such a high end Japanese restaurant have such bad attitude, will not come in EVER AGAIN DO NOT RECOMMEND read more

Absolute 5/5 experience! From start to finish, my experience with Katsu (the restaurant and also the chef!) was superb. Prior to our reservation, Yuko reached out to ask for accommodations for additional extra dishes. Not only did I get an email, but I also received a text to ensure I didn't miss out. When we arrived, we were warmly met by the staff who let us in and out of the rain and sat us immediately. The sake flight is a MUST! The environment, with only 9 patrons, was perfect for this Omakase experience and to ask about each dish. I can't wait to come back! Thank you Katsua and team for making my bday so special! read more

An authentic Edomae-style Omakase Japanese restaurant with top-notch ingredients expertly prepared and explained by chef-owner Katsu Maruyam Edomae-style tends to be saltier and sweeter. Ingredients and dishes are seasonal though if you're a repeat customer, the chef may vary the menu. That's why I didn't list the dishes I ate. They were all delicious. Seating is for only 8 and you all sit side by side. You're expected to arrive on time so the chef can start. He prepares each course in front of you and serves it to you immediately. Omakase means "I leave it up to you" in Japanese. Japan highly values respect and in omakase you are respecting the chef's talents and skills to prepare a complete meal for you. The way this restaurant works with the chef preparing a dish for 8 and then serving it probably won't work for most dietary restrictions unless you reserve the entire seating of 8. read more

Food was good. Service was nice! Liked the ambiance. Very intimate atmosphere. Went here for a birthday dinner.

We have been long time diners at Sushi Marayama and when we learned they were opening Katsu, we knew we had to give it a try. Katsu offers an edomae style omakase service. Each dish is beautifully prepared by chef in front of you and is described with passion before presentation. During your service, which is traditional and authentic in style, you will be treated to the most amazing dry aged tuna and scallops I have ever tasted. Throughout the service, you will pick up hints of yuzu, citrus, and some flavors new and exciting. The restaurant books thru Tock and any questions you might have are quickly and professionally answered by Yuko, who is just lovely when you met her in person. Prepare yourself for a treat...while this is a splurge meal, you will leave feeling overly satisfied and pampered just a bit. Can't wait to visit again. read more

Incredible Omakase experience with friendly, phenomenally skilled chef. Each bite was crafted perfectly. Highlights include the salmon, monkfish liver, and toro cheek aged for three weeks! More importantly our chef took time to explain every ingredient and answered my more than naive questions. Rivals three star Omakase experiences in Hong Kong, NYC and SF. read more

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I will not eat sushi that's not from Katsu anymore. We went to Katsu for my fiance's birthday and we had the best sushi of our lives. It's been a while since we've gone but we still cannot stop talking about the place and how amazing it was. The place is beautiful and bright, and the chairs are so comfortable I could have sat there and watched the chef for days. The server and chefs were very attentive and knowledgeable about all the dishes and nigiris, it was the perfect Japanese experience. Each dish is carefully picked based on what's caught in Japan, and we are dying to go back. read more

Rude, horrible, awful staff. We planned this for weeks. We invited friends. We got an email confirming the very difficult to get reservation. We showed up on time... And our entire party was turned away. We were stunned. The woman who "greeted" is informed my husband she'd emailed him several times, and chided him for not responding. The emails explained they would not accommodate an allergy in our party. First, there were no emails. He even did a search as we were walking away, worried that he'd made a mistake. Nope. Nothing. Even so, they had his phone number. You don't just pick up the phone and CALL?!? No, obviously it's a better choice to chastise someone in front of his friends for YOUR mistakes. Especially when it was his birthday dinner. As to not accommodating allergies, that is insane. You just swap out that item. You even ask for people to list allergies when they make the reservation. If your policy is to discriminate against people with allergies, whatever. Just make it clear. We will never, ever attempt to go here again. They ruined my husband's special celebration, and were horribly rude while they did so. For the amount charged per person the least to expect is common decency. I do not recommend this restaurant, and the experience was so bad that I'll go out of my way to tell everyone I know. read more

Top class Edomae sushi in Mountain View. This is the sister restaurant to Sushi Maruyama in San Mateo, another excellent traditional sushi restaurant. The space is in the former ramen Ryowa spot, but has been nicely renovated as a tranquil, eight seat counter that is private and removed from the busy area. Everything was delicious and included unusual seafood such as octopus eggs, icefish and baby eels. Katsu and his staff are friendly and the evening was very enjoyable due to the combination of outstanding sushi, great ambiance and fun atmosphere. They make it a point to remember your prior visits so on future visits, they can give you something different. I found this unusually unique and distinctive to this place. read more

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AMAZING!!!! I missed out on my original reservation....my fault for not checking the date... anyway, the lovely hostess took care of changing my reservation through prompt emails. I'm a total foodie and this was next level! If you are looking for not only incredible Omakase but also an intimate experience this is the place. I ate fish that I would never eat elsewhere and loved it!!! 21 courses of heaven! 10 of 10 would highly recommend! Thank you Katsu! read more

Greatest Sushi in SF bay area. You don't have to go to Japan. Not only foods, also hospitality is great. You don't wanna leave the restaurant. read more

Chef Katsu and his staff were absolutely amazing - everything from decor, service, presentation, attention to detail, and the quality of the food and sake superb! Every single bite was delicious, he took us on an amazing journey and experience w his flavor profiles of food/drink choices. Everything was super fresh and clean tasting, and wasn't too full and didn't leave hungry, perfect amount! The intimate seating arrangement, the tasteful yet simple decor and the extremely clean bathroom topped off the wonderful omakase experience! read more

This is truly an amazing omakase not to be missed. The food was delicious and each dish unique. We had such a wonderful dinner, will definitely be back! read more

Exquisite food, excellent service, and warm and elegant ambiance. Enjoyed and savored every single dish. Amazing experience! Highly recommend! read more

Great tasting Omakase! The small bites were inventive and delicious. The nigiri were all on point. Server and sushi chefs were amicable and welcoming. Would go back in a heart beat. read more

Great food and service! Will definitely come back here again. Just one thing, one of the chef can be a little annoying though, he kept looking at my receipt about how much I put down when I am writing the tip amount. read more