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    Rantei Japanese Cuisine

    4.2 (1.8k reviews)
    Open 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    RANTEI JAPANESE CUISINE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

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    sake-uni oyake don
    Andy L.

    Baby friendly and high chair available. Staff over July 4th weekend was great and accommodating. The beef skewer yakitori was the best I have ever had, perfectly cooked with juicy tenderness. I also loved the fresh Omakase sushi and the sake uni oyake don. Every bite was so good with perfect uni and rice. Parking was easy in a large parking lot and side street parking is plentiful.

    Lindsay R.

    Quick service and attentive the food was awesome we were in a hurry and we got out in pretty good timing. They were really nice. And I've never had garlic edamame that was good too. The ambiance was classic.

    Auriana N.

    This little gem is definitely worth every penny. Our party of 4 chose the tatami seating (traditional Japanese) which comes with a minimum spending amount of $200. Easily got that handled. We were served by Alan and his team: Henry and Christine. Service was one of the best I've had in the Bay Area. He went above and beyond. Our meal was nothing short of perfect. Every dish came out quickly and we didn't leave a bite behind.

    Waffle cream
    Nan Y.

    This place is so yummy! Ordered some rolls, sashimi and yakitori. We booked a private room ( 6 people, price minimum, gratuity included ) . The room was so nice and it's nice to take your shoes off! Food was delicious and prices seem reasonable. The only thing was that service seemed slow ( not sure if it was just the day). My faves were the salmon crunchy and volcano. Would recommend for a delicious sushi spot!

    sushi & sashimi omakase
    Matthew C.

    We got the sushi omakase (this is nigiri) and the sashimi omakase, and I think it was good - but certainly not great value. It's strange that, if you prefer nigiri over sashimi and want the rice - the sushi omakase option is significantly less food than the samshimi omakase option. The portions were not particularly generous, and the chosen fish did not exactly feel premium. I think the only standout was the tuna belly. It is also a little upsetting that the staff does not tell you what fish the chef has chosen for omakase. So, if you did like a fish, you wouldn't really know what was what. However, it is a nice spot so the ambiance earns it some points.

    Eva S.

    Tucked inside a small strip mall, this Japanese restaurant is such a gem. Street parking is usually easy, service is quick, and the food always hits the spot. Their sashimi is super fresh, and the rolls are consistently delicious -- the Rantei Roll and Mango Spider Roll are our favorites. We also love their Katsu Chicken Curry, which comes with a crisp salad topped with creamy dressing and a comforting bowl of miso soup. Simple, satisfying, and always worth the visit.

    Dee L.

    Food: A few things fell short for me. They don't offer draft beer, and the beer glass wasn't chilled. The ankimo was on the salty side, soaked in soy sauce and the portion felt small for the price. The fried oysters were also quite small and mostly batter. Another disappointment was the omakase experience--it was served all at once rather than piece by piece, which took away from the traditional experience for me. I probably wouldn't order the omakase again. Overall, I wasn't impressed with the appetizers. The sushi and sashimi, however, were a different story. It was my first time trying ruby fish, and I really enjoyed it--it was soft, buttery, and packed with umami. The engawa, kanpachi, and hamachi were all fresh. The uni was also fresh, making it one of the highlights of the meal. Ambience: The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing, with Japanese music playing in the background that adds nicely to the dining experience. Service: Service was excellent throughout the meal. The staff was attentive, refilling drinks without being asked and promptly clearing used napkins and plates. Small details like that made the experience feel polished and well cared for. Overall: While the appetizers were underwhelming, the quality and freshness of the fish, along with the attentive service, made the meal enjoyable. I'd return primarily for the sashimi and sushi selections, which were the clear standouts of the evening.

    Best sushi in South Bay with amazing sushi quality and variety to choose from Good service and ambience a must try!!

    Ron P.

    Been wanting to try this place for a very long time and finally made it out. The place is quite the cute and nice vibe with very friendly service. I think the servers checked everytime we used our napkin to replace it. The food is really good too possibly the best roll I've had in the bay area. The price is not cute however but compared to other places to get sushi rolls I might just prefer here!

    Kaisen Don & Omakase sashimi special
    Elle F.

    Can't believe I waited 3 years to come here . I've always had it bookmarked but didn't want to go in the beginning because of the absurd wait times . Flashback to a random Wednesday evening the Husbie asked me what I wanted to eat & of course it's sushi !! We had a table for 2 + baby . They sat us at the bar & we made it work . We ordered the soft shell crab appetizer , the Kaisen Don & the Omakase sashimi set . Soft shell crab : It was perfectly fried and it was super crunchy and fresh . The sauce was okay . I wish they had a better sauce but the crab tasted great . 4/5 Kaisen Don $63.95 : Uni , scallop, Blue Fin Toro, crab , Ikura over rice . Myyy gooddddd this was super divine . Everything literally tasted so fresh and the briney pops of ikura with the creamy uni , scallops were so good . The blue fin toro was like buttery silk !! This was a no brainer . 5/5 Omakase Sashimi special $63.95 : Chefs choice of special fish (16 pcs ) comes with a mini ikura don . This was definitely a must . All the fish tasted super fresh and a great value for everything that's in the box. A MUST . 5/5 Can't wait to come back and try other items on their menu !

    Victoria
    Nancy L.

    I think this is a solid place for sushi rolls! We were seated pretty quick on a Friday around 8:30pm. I got the Victoria roll because I loveeee spicy tuna. It was really good and fresh tasting! The agedashi tofu sauce was amazing. It didn't have the mochi texture that I've tried from other places but it was still great to try. We sat at the bar which was a chill experience. The service was really quick!!!

    Veggie Tempura
    Jeremy D.

    Came her on a weeknight. No wait but quite busy. The batter for the veggie tempura was good. Mango spider roll was great. The Omakase sashimi was $64 for 16 fish. So $4 per fish prefer much. Very reasonable pricing and everything tasted very fresh. The only complaint I have is - we asked the server for more fresh wasabi (look at the photo, it barely came with any wasabi for 14 pieces of fish !! ) and he didn't inform us that it would have cost extra. I hate it when restaurants aren't transparent with their customers up front. So if you use a normal about of fresh wasabi when you eat sashimi, be prepared to pay $3.95 for extra fresh wasabi because they are stingy with the fresh wasabi.

    Tonkatsu entree
    Shayna C.

    Long lines either means overhyped or truly good!! Glad to announce that this restaurant is the result of the latter Food quality - I give a 5/5, all of the fish, katsu and even down to the ginger was superb and fresh quality. I truly had no complaints about any of the food. The crunchy salmon roll was my favorite - please give me 10 of those. They did not hold back on the quantity of crunchy tempura flakes. Inside, the store is resemblant of a traditional japanese restaurant with bar service, tatami mats and tables. Service was quick and friendly once inside the store. On the pricier side for food items but that's fair for Japanese foods (and honestly worth the price) THE ONE CON I HAD was the wait system. The waitlist sign was tucked on the side, leaving many people confused on how to sign up on the waitlist. I recommend putting the sign in a more central location near the door front. We waited roughly 35 minutes for a table, although we were top of the list for at least 20 of those minutes. I wish staff was more friendly with helping to navigate the wait. They were very rushed at times :( I highly recommend doing a reservation in advance if you can or signing up the waitlist early All in all, great date night spot for superb sushi but needs a few tweaks to be truly amazing! I'll be back

    Omakase sashimi

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    Rantei Japanese Cuisine Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Rantei Japanese Cuisine

    Do they take reservations? If not, how long is the wait for Saturday evening?

    There is a waitlist. It only took us 5-10 min to get in.

    How do I get a hold of the restaurant to book a tatami room? Phone number doesn't work. First come first serve?

    I just called them a few minutes ago and they were able to help me book a reservation for the tatami room! Maybe it's different from 5 months ago - but definitely had a good over-the-phone experience so far :).… 

    Do they have high chairs for kids?

    They do

    Is there a minimum charge for booking tatami?

    I believe it was $250 not including the mandatory 18% tip.

    Do they take reservation?

    Yes but only for parties of 6 or more.

    What's the difference between a ROLL and a HAND ROLL?

    A roll is your traditional sushi roll, sliced into bite-sized pieces that you can easily grasp with chopsticks.… 

    Is it byob/ is there a corkage fee?

    It is not byob. Do you know any restaurants that are? There is a corkage fee.

    Hi I want to make a reservation for 7 people but no one is answering and mailbox is full?

    Good luck, nobody has ever picked up the phone whenever I call. I've just walked in. Food is great. But attentiveness to customers isn't what they are known for.

    Is the wasabi provided with their sashimi real wasabi root?

    Please note that the real wasabi provided on the side is included. If you need more, it cost 3.50 though.

    So how does reservation work here? Nothing on website and nothing on Yelp.

    Minimum party of 6 for reservations!

    It's MLK today, are they still open?

    Yes

    Are they open on MLK day?

    Yes they do

    Is there outdoor seating?

    No, 3 months ago

    Can I make a reservation?

    I called today 1/14/22 and they said they only do walk ins

    For the kaisen don, is it good for one person only or can it feed a group of two?

    It can honestly feed two if it's not the only dish you'll be eating. With the bed of rice on the bottom, it's pretty filling.

    How do I make a reservation? How long is the line usually? Thank you

    I just called today 10/14th and was informed they only take reservations over 6 people.

    Is dog allowed?

    No. They don't have an outdoor seating.

    View All 24 Questions

    Omee.J Fusion Sushi Bar & Grill

    Omee.J Fusion Sushi Bar & Grill

    4.1
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    Ask any sushi chef worth his salt... he will tell you that sushi is more about the rice NOT the…read morefish. Omee.J is not a super traditional Japanese sushi restaurant. In fact, the chefs are korean. Take that how you will... but one thing I can say for sure is this... This place is by far the most consistent sushi restaurant i've been to in the Bay. The sushi rice is the same EVERY time. That's not easy to do... Why? Because the same rice from the same vendor will be drier/more wet depending on which time of year you get it. That said, you have to accurately adjust the amount of water when cooking the rice. It's not easy. The food here is VERY consistent. Sounds weird to say but I wouldn't be surprised if the Head Chef here has OCD.

    I came into this place with pretty high expectations because of all the great reviews, so I was…read morekind of expecting my mind to be blown, but it didn't quite hit that level for me. The food was decent overall, and the aroma when everything came out was really nice. The restaurant itself is very clean and has a good atmosphere, but it is a bit on the pricier side. We ordered the Caterpillar, Alaska, Erika 54, and Big Daddy rolls. Out of everything, I liked the Alaska roll the most, it tasted fresh and the crab was really good. The other rolls were okay, nothing bad, just not super memorable. Overall, it was an okay experience, just not as amazing as I expected based on the ratings. Overall, I'd give it a 3.5/5.

    Photos
    Salmon Spicy Tuna Fusion Nigiri
    Salmon Spicy Tuna Fusion Nigiri
    Salmon Express: Shrimp tempura, avocado, salmon, spicy tuna, house sauce, eel sauce
    Salmon Express: Shrimp tempura, avocado, salmon, spicy tuna, house sauce, eel sauce
    Orange Ball: Salmon, avocado, mild spicy salmon, meyer lemon sauce, sliced orange

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    Orange Ball: Salmon, avocado, mild spicy salmon, meyer lemon sauce, sliced orange
    Amakai

    Amakai

    3.7
    (321 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Food: Salted Saba bento 3/5…read moreThis is a pretty straightforward bento. I wasn't too big of a fan of the gyoza so I'd recommend replacing it with tempura when you order. The gyoza is fried well but the fillings is mushy. Miso soup and salad comes with the bento. The Saba was dry but the portion of fish they gave is pretty generous! Service: Service is friendly but slow. This could have been because I came with a large party though so that could have affected the service times. They did end up forgetting some orders at the table but since there was only one server at the time, handling the entire restaurant, it's understandable. Ambiance: Pretty cozy. Japanese decorations here and there.

    Be careful. The Yelp reviews aren't accurate. They are biased at least 2-3 stars too high. Read the…read moremost recent reviews in the last year before going here. And make sure you read the details and filter out the ones with few reviews to account for biasing by friends of the owner and workers. Called in togo order for last minute dinner guests. 2 bentos, 3 rolls. Sat at sushi counter waiting for order to be completed. Upon sitting received angry glare from the grill cook who had the demeanor of a WWE Wrestler. There are 2 cooks, one does sushi wearing gloves. The other is a line cook manning the grill. The wrestler. He is unsanitary. Doesn't glove and doesn't wash hands. Handles raw meat with bare hands then without washing goes to prep bentos transferring bacteria to the serving dishes while plating. Waited for 15m. The rolls were done and one bento was done. Heard a discussion between the cashier and wrestler about there were 2 ribeye bentos and he gave one to me. The wrestler got visibly angry and rescinded the order. He could have cooked one up in 3-5m. He declined and refused to do anything. Make people wait. He went to the back out of view; I assume to a toilet break. I asked for a refund so I could leave. No response. 20m later he appears from the back and has another discussion with the cashier. Now it is clear I am being punished for existing and sitting at the sushi counter waiting for an order to be prepared. . Pretty sure there was a load of feces and and E Coli being transferred to my to go order as an additional punishment. Saw a low grade piece of meat being dropped onto the grill. Never seen a ribeye like that. Seems like a low quality piece of meat. Sinew and thin with layers of sinew interspersed throughout the slice. I just paid 97$ to these people. Asked for a refund again for the missing item. Was clear it wasn't waiting for food to be prepared. Health risk. Low quality fish. The tuna they use is reformed and food coloring is added to give it the tuna color. stomach ache the next day. mild food poisoning.

    Photos
    Niner's
    Niner's
    Waikiki
    Waikiki
    Rose Garden

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    Rose Garden
    Tomi Sushi

    Tomi Sushi

    3.9
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    I've passed this restaurant multiple times and finally got around to trying it on a Friday night…read more We waited 10 minutes for a seat at the bar. The inside is quite packed and very clean. There are many tables and 10 or so seats at the sushi bar. Upon sitting, we had our drink orders taken immediately. There are daily specials posted on the board, one paper menu for nigiri, rolls, and hand rolls as well as a regular appetizer and entree menu. I ordered the sushi special which was an assortment of nigiri with a fatty tuna roll. Every slice of fish was fresh, buttery, and had the perfect amount of rice. The bluefin tuna nigiri melted in my mouth I wish I ordered more. A standout for us was the Toni special roll which has your choice of fish inside with seared salmon and scallop on the outside. Needless to say, the service, the speed at which the food was served, and the quality of fish were fantastic. Easily one of the best quality sushi spots close to me.

    I have mixed feelings about Tomi. I've always heard it's considered a San Jose staple, but after…read morevisiting, I'm still not entirely sure why. This is very much an Asian-American buffet, and it's quite different from something like Hometown Buffet. Instead of traditional American buffet offerings, Tomi focuses on a mix of Chinese-American dishes, dim sum, sushi, seafood, and desserts. They have a section dedicated to Chinese-American fast food (think Panda Express, but greasier), a dim sum section, and a large sushi selection. The dim sum section was my favorite part of the buffet. The steamed buns were surprisingly delicious and were easily one of the highlights of the meal. The dessert section was also pretty nice, with a variety of cake slices and hand-scooped ice cream. Unfortunately, the sushi and seafood sections were where I had the biggest issues. I'm allergic to shellfish but can eat other types of seafood, and I didn't feel comfortable eating much from the sushi section because the cross-contamination risk seemed pretty high. There weren't enough serving tongs available, and I saw customers using the same tongs for shrimp and other shellfish items before using them for salmon, tuna, and other sushi. Because of that, I ended up avoiding the sushi altogether. They also had oysters, but they were the opposite of fresh. I wasn't expecting premium seafood since this is an all-you-can-eat buffet where people generally come for variety and quantity over fine dining, but the oysters were genuinely inedible. They tasted unpleasant and seemed like they may have been from a bad batch. Overall, Tomi has a lot of variety, and I can understand why some people enjoy it as a one-stop spot for many different Asian dishes. However, the quality is inconsistent, and for me, the experience didn't quite live up to the reputation it has as a San Jose staple.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Shrimp tempura
    Shrimp tempura
    Sushi lunch box

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    Sushi lunch box

    Rantei Japanese Cuisine - sushi - Updated July 2026

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