Visited on a Friday night with a friend, restaurant was about half full when we arrived so we were able to quickly grab a table. Space is minimalist with a clean aesthetic. As we finished dinner most tables were taken but a few bar seats were open so a solid spot for walk in dinner. Beverages: Sake Flight - we got the daily japanese flight which had a fun mix of sakes from japan two filtered sakes and one unfiltered giving us a range of tastes and textures Food: Vegetable Spring Roll - good, very light and refreshing, classic rice paper wrapper filled with crisp fresh lettuce, bell pepper, radishes, and carrots, served with a thick creamy peanut sauce with nice savory nutty notes a great starter Japanese Style Chili Garlic Poached Chicken - excellent, served chilled, tender poached chicken in a delicious spicy garlicy soy sesame dressing, served with cucumber which provided a nice cool refreshing bite, really well balanced with great depth of flavor Soy milk pho with chicken & vegetables- good, a very unique and interesting take on pho, broth has a subtle soy milk flavor with a nice depth from the chicken broth, served with flat rice noodles which made this a lighter dish, chicken in this was also very tender and juicy, the yuzu kosho added a nice subtle citrusy spice to the broth, noodles had a slight bite wish it was cooked just a touch longer, flavors were really balanced as well with lots of complexity Service was good, really quick and efficient, staff was warm and friendly and were knowledgeable about the menu with solid recommendations. Staff refilled our water throughout the meal and checked in periodically. Pacing of dishes also felt just right not much of a wait between courses. Overall really enjoyed our meal at Rin-Tei, a great spot for a nice dinner that's still fairly affordable for the bay area. Really loved the fusion and unique twist this spot offers. Definitely worth a try if you are in San Mateo read more

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I wanted to like this so bad. This was highly recommended by many folks, but now I'm questioning their taste buds haha. Very clean and cute eatery with an adorable entrance. You enter and check in at the front where you will be seated and given menus. Once you decide on your order, you head back to the front to place your order and they'll bring it to your table later. Our order... Creamy Soy Milk Pho $25: It's straight forward, taste like pho with soy milk in it. The dish doesn't open some new flavor combo in your taste buds, just expect it as is. Keema Curry $23: I liked this a lot, fan of curry. However, this wasn't spectacular curry. Tasted as good as I can make it at home, but I'm not a great cook, just follow the instructions on the box. I liked the flavor but bummed that I paid that much for it, haha. I was very confused it tasted as such. Vietnamese Papaya Salad $12: Another of my favorites dishes, but boyyyy, this missed the mark. It was so strangely bitter. Again, the ingredients seemed quite fresh, but the sauce (which makes the whole dish) did not taste good. I would avoid. One note I will say is that the ingredients do seem fresh. I guess it could be considered clean eating? But over all, the visit was disappointing unfortunately. read more

I was searching for a place to eat dinner on a weeknight. I was intrigued by the amount of reviews this place has on yelp and google so I knew I had to give it a try. Boy was I happy we ended up coming here for dinner! Small things to note, the restaurant isn't the biggest so smaller parties are probably best. They were able to accommodate a table of 8 during lunch but probably if you came right when they open. After that, you would definitely need to wait. For dinner, we ordered the Rin-Tei Plate ($28), Keema curry ($23), and the Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Poached Yuzu Chicken and greens ($25). The Rin-Tei Plate consists of Papaya Salad, Shrimp Fresh Spring roll, Calamari, and Thai fried chicken. We both enjoyed the sampler plate, specifically the Thai fried chicken and calamari. The papaya salad and spring roll were good and fresh when paired with the fried items. But the flavors and perfect crispiness of the fried chicken and the calamari were 10/10. The Keema Curry was beautifully plated. The flavors were distinct and was not spicy (so a safe choice especially if you cannot handle spice or for the kiddos). The minced meat mixed in the curry topped with an egg was delicious. However, our favorite was the Soy Milk Pho. I've never had soy milk pho before and now I cannot stop thinking about it. When you think milk, you might think super heavy and creamy. But this was quite the opposite, in the BEST WAY. The flavors of the ginger and yuzu with the broth was AMAZING. If you had to choose just 1 item, this would be the one. My friend and I both left feeling satisfied and loved how it did not feel heavy leaving (aka not a ton of oils and msg). I had since a great experience I brought my family back for lunch a few weeks later to celebrate my grandma's birthday. For lunch, I was able to try the green curry dish and the cold sesame tantan pho (in addition to other dishes). Both were equally yummy. You honestly cannot go wrong with anything from here! I will definitely be back again to share the love of this place to others! read more

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I've been wanting to try Rin-Tei for the longest time! Their dishes seem really unique and I was always fascinated by how they're able to create fusion dishes from so many different types of Asian cuisine. I'd probably give them a 3.5/5 but rounding up! I ordered (and was most excited to try) their popular Soy Milk Pho, and got the mentai version. The broth was smooth and sweet which was nice, but IMO after a few bites in it started to taste more one-dimensional and plain. It lacked that level of depth that I typically get from pho. I tried the green curry too and felt the same way about that dish. I was also disappointed because they ended up not having their poached chicken appetizer in stock. :( Service was great on the other hand - I think only con was that our meals all came out at different, staggering times so we kept having to wait for one dish after the other. read more

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Overall: 4 stars Asian-centric restaurant that features a medley of common dishes across many cuisines of East Asia. Snap Peas with Beef - Sumptuous dish with a hearty foundation of braised beef and potatoes that really carry. The snap peas are flash sauteed, which give it the light cooked sweetness while retaining its crispness. Tuna Tartare - Uses a blend of cooked tuna which is much less desirable than raw tuna, but in a way that gives much more fish taco flavor with everything going on including the tortilla chips. Flat Iron Steak - Well cooked tender steak that has a little kick to it coming from the blend of Asian caramel glaze of the fish sauce, fall spices, and chili. Cod Claypot - Very boldly flavored dish that helps give the tender fish a depth of flavor that perfectly pairs with rice. Food: +1 Presentation: E Price: E Atmosphere: E Service: E Menu: +1 Insta/Yelp/Beli: @amei_eats Insta/TikTok: @ameizing.race read more

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Rin-Tei is a delicious Japanese-Thai fusion restaurant that I'd highly recommend! I came here a few weeks ago with some friends on a Sunday whim, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience here. When we arrived, we were easily able to get seated without a reservation (perhaps because it was a Sunday). The service was wonderful from the get-go - they were extremely friendly and attentive the entire time, and made us feel very welcomed. And though we arrived on the slightly later side, they never made us feel rushed. The interior of Rin-Tei is minimalist and cozy, and had a very familial feel, as virtually all the tables are connected by a long bench along the wall. It contributes to the inviting, inclusive atmosphere of the restaurant, making it a great spot to meet up with friends. We ordered a variety of dishes which we all split, including: the garlic shrimp, the Vietnamese papaya salad, cold sesame TanTan pho, keema curry, calamari, sizzling wagyu loin, and a couple drinks. And everything we had was excellent! My personal favorites were the sizzling wagyu loin, which was perfectly cooked and abundantly juicy and flavorful, and the warm, tasty keema curry. I'd also never had cold pho before, but I ended up being very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I don't think you can go wrong with anything here. I loved my experience at Rin-Tei, and will no doubt be back soon! read more

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Does fusion between Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine work? Absolutely. I came to Rin-tei on a whim after work around 6. It was not as busy when I first arrived (I'm assuming it ramps up as soon as folks get off work). That being said, the restaurant itself is on the smaller side with limited seats, but they do have bar seating if you're coming solo Service-wise, our server was super nice, friendly, and knowledgeable. She definitely made the experience feel warm, and I enjoyed her energy! Between two people, we ordered: * The beef carpaccio, which was nice and refreshing. The beef was cut slightly thicker than I'm used to, but that's not to say it wasn't still tender. * The yuzu soy milk pho: this is hands down so good and one for the books. The soy milk broth was nice and silky, while the yuzu really shines in the poached chicken. A dish to remember! * Creamy tan tan pho: this is a cold noodle dish that is strong in sesame flavoring. It was a great summer dish to have and very interesting. Overall, I highly recommend coming to Rin-tei to experience this rare combination of Asian flavors. read more

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Very nice Japanese fusion restaurant tucked out in an area of San Mateo away from the main restaurants. Interesting but extremely fresh ingredients here that actually tastes like a great fusion spot with cool twists Super nice staff as well! read more

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My friends and I dined at Rin-Tei on a Sunday afternoon and the restaurant was empty when we stopped by. You're handed menus at the table, but you actually need to order with the host at the front (and you pay for your meal upfront as well). I really didn't feel comfortable with the tipping situation. The receipt you sign has pre-calculated checkbox options for a 18%, 20% or 22% tip, but you're tipping for service and food you haven't received yet. Don't even think about not leaving a tip, because the host is staring you down as you make your selection. The prices here are definitely on the high side, with main dishes coming in around $25. I ordered the keema curry and felt like it was very unremarkable; there was nothing particularly special about the dish. There's ground pork mixed in with the curry, but it ate very one-note, lacking layers upon layers of flavor. With some boxed Japanese curries, you get hit with a strong curry flavor right of of the gate, quickly followed by a nice subtle sweetness, and then rounded out with a hint of spiciness at the end. That flavor complexity was not here. For the chicken croquette appetizer we ordered, the inside of the croquette had the consistency of a crab cake, and the outside had a very light coating. The croquette was fine, but I would've liked it to be more crunchy, and the inside needed a touch more salt. Overall, I felt like the value simply wasn't here for the quality or quantity of food received. Not sure if I would stop by again. read more

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Every time I visit this restaurant, the service from the staff is consistently excellent. I always order the same Vietnamese beef pho. The noodles are delicious, the broth is rich yet not greasy, and the beef slices are incredibly tender and smooth. It is almost impossible to find any flaws. If I had to point out one area that could be improved, it would probably be the choice of beef chunks. They are still very tender, but the texture feels just a little dry at times. Even so, this small issue does not take away from the overall experience. Overall, I highly recommend this modern pho restaurant. They also offer many other dishes with great value for the price. Strongly recommended to everyone. 每次去拜訪這家餐廳，服務員的服務都非常得好，我始終點一樣的越南牛肉粉，好吃的麵條，濃郁的湯頭也不油膩，加上超滑嫩的牛肉片，無可挑剔。硬要說一個能改進的地方，唯一美中不足的部分應該就是牛肉塊的部位挑選，感覺也是非常嫩，但是口感始終有一點柴。但是瑕不掩瑜，整體來講，我非常推薦這一家好吃的現代河粉店，裡面還有非常多性價比非常不錯的餐點，強力推薦給各位。 read more

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This is such a cute and unique place! Came here on a Friday at 7pm for 4 people and waited like 20 minutes. It's a smaller dining space that's why. The outside has a cute little garden walkway. We got the soy milk pho - such an interesting dish that I was dying to try! It was actually really good since the broth was light. The pho was a little sweet from the soy milk. The original pho broth flavor is subtle. The noodles were cooked perfectly chewy and I lovedddd!!! The wagyu skillet was tender and juicy! My friend and I both thought the meat tasted like al pastor for some reason lol. Not a bad thing. read more

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Okay ngl I came here on the whim of a tikkytokky featuring the cold tan tan men and the chicken soymilk pho, they both so interesting. Guess what, it's pretty interesting!!! And worth trying! Get the soymilk pho, it reminds me of Korean kong guksu a little bit. Not very much the classic pho flavor but the soymilk broth hearty and yummy nonetheless. The prices are on the steeper side for the portion but honestly, I think this restaurant is a growing venture in a tough market and expensive location, I think they are worthy of support as they continue to develop creative meals! read more

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Amazing find by my sister! Rin-Tei is a true gem, offering an elegant kick to some traditional asian dishes. The chef has done an amazing job mixing some of the greatest flavors with amazing ingredients. We had a platter of delicious appetizer. And then I ordered a chicken rice dish, my sister got the milky pho, and her boyfriend a beef dish (forgot the name). We finished with three desserts, mochi, ice cream with strawberry and yozu sorbet! Wow! Pure bliss in my tummy :) Thank you for creating these comforting and delicious dishes, and also satisfies my helpless sweet tooth. Ambiance was superb. Staff were friendly and super efficient. We shall return! read more

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Cute little diner with pretty aesthetics! The prices are a little on the high side but the quality of the cod and beef pho were wonderful! I only had a few bites of the curry but that was very tasty too. The cod was about $28 for three pieces, but the cod was very flaky and well seasoned. Of note it does NOT come with rice. The beef pho was good and the slices of beef that came with it a very tender and break apart easily. The broth is light and clean! Service was quick and attentive, our food came out super quickly too. read more

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We have been to Rin-Tei a few times, and have loved it every time! They seem to have new rotations, too. Loved the corn tempura - I wasn't expecting it to be served in corn on the cob style, delicately fried, and generous portion size too. Their soy milk chicken pho with yuzu and greens is so unique and delish! It's also nice that they're kid friendly read more

Got two different soy milk pho broths. Both had creamy savory soy milk broth. The noodles were cooked very well - I get anxiety thinking about how rice noodles usually get soggier towards the end, but these remained firm and chewy through the meal. The waitress was also super friendly. I was a little sad that I mixed the mentai throughout the broth as instructed but the broth was pretty hot and cooked the mentai through, so I felt like it lost a little of that mentai flavor. If I got this again I would wait for the broth to cool a bit first. Overall it was a light, clean meal in a bright and clean environment, and was so peaceful on a rainy day. read more

Rin-Tei - Yuzu chicken soy milk pho - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Not bad by any means but overall highly overwhelming. I think my expectations may have been too high given the amount of great reviews this restaurant has. The service was friendly, but it honestly was quite slow...After they seated my party at the counter it felt like they almost forgot about us until the rest of the restaurant filled up, lol. I don't know if this is the norm for them or if we are just unlucky. As for food, we shared a corn tempura appetizer. I was really disappointed! The tempura batter was light and tasty but...once you get past that, it literally just tastes like corn on the cob. It just didn't feel worth the price. I think it would have benefited from utilizing smaller pieces of corn so you get more of that tempura crunch. I had the soy milk pho, which was unique and tasty. Not a big fan of the brussel sprouts but that might just be my personal preference...I think one thing I thought was missing was the flavor of fresh herbs that you normally have with pho. It did start to feel a bit heavy towards the end. Also I'm not sure if this was intentional but the way the pho noodles were cooked was slightly firm, like al dente which was interesting?! Not bad but maybe not my favorite. Overall it was good but again i thought it was a tad overpriced. read more

Rin-Tei - corn tempura - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Modern and calming ambiance overall. Their dishes are very unique and exceptional. Soy milk pho was one of a kind, very clean but savory taste with soft chicken and refreshing yuzu. The broth tastes very healthy so we finished almost to the last drop. Sizzling wagyu was a great visual with charred grilled enoki and yuzu/lemon juice. The meat itself wasn't too greasy, and overall clean taste. We wanted to try out one more menu (yes, I'm in my last trimester and I eat a lot) so got the Japanese curry. This was more like home made comfort food. The frozen dessert with peach and milk was interesting, milky creamy gelatinous but frozen so it was a great refreshing end of our meal. Definitely will come back to try their karayake with draft beer/sake when I can! read more

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The food was really good! My favorite was the soy milk pho. It was unlike anything I've ever tasted before but in a good way! What an unexpected combo. I will say it takes a while for the food to come out so keep that in mind! read more

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I'll begin with the pros by saying the staff were SUPER friendly and kind, and you can tell they take a lot of pride in the business. The dishes are unique and I was excited to try the creamy soy milk pho ($25) since I've never heard of anything like it, but the flavor profile was a little bland and it just tasted like a creamy chicken broth with rice noodles. The wagyu loin ($39) was tender, but it was just a tad salty for my liking. The salmon tartare ($23) would've paired a lot better with some kind of wonton chip rather than the thin tortilla chips, so that was also just okay. The prices are too steep for what it is. read more

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Creamy SOY milk pho! Have you tried it? I believe Rin-Tei is pioneering the next big food trend! Their entrees fuse Thai & Japanese flavors! APPETIZER: Japanese Style Chili Poached Chicken (served cold with cucumber and finished w/ a spicy sesame sauce) ENTREE: Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Poached Yuzu Chicken (the lemon was so bright and really brought out the refreshing herb flavor!) ENTREE: Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Keema Curry (the minced pork curry completed the creamy milk SOY well!) ENTREE: Kra Pao with Braised Beef (served with a yolky fried egg - the garlicky chili basil was delicious! I HIGHLY recommend this dish!) This time we tried their lunch menu and we'll definite be back to try their dinner menu! If Ryan if your server, you're in good hands!! He's so kind, makes the best recommendations, and really took care of us! PARKING: street parking all around read more

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Another episode of ladies who lunch with my friend Shanna and baby Ava. Enjoyed our calamari appetizer, although the calamari was more chewy than tender, and our basil tofu and keema tofu entrees. Will have to come back for their signature dishes, like the soy milk pho. Decor is minimal and stunning, perfect for a date night, and the service is unmatched. Many small batch food stuffs also available for purchase. read more

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very cool restaurant, limited seats, but interesting flavor profiles. we started with the seasonal chicken wings as an appetizer, i got the beef pho, and my wife got the green curry. both were very good. our party also got the seasonal soymilk cold noodles, and the milky broth pho. service was very great, overall pleased with visit. read more

Rin-Tei - Chicken wings - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Didn't have 1 bad item. Both the service and food were phenomenal. The ambiance is clean with a few tables and bar type seating. Our party came right at opening to ensure a table! Soy Milk pho - 5/5, love the mushrooms and texture of the noodles. They've got a little thickness to them. The flavor of the broth was so goood Green curry - 4/5, good flavor, simple dish, if I could change something the consistency is very watery/runny. I wish there was more texture or thickness but other than that the flavor was very well rounded Papaya salad - 4/5, can't go wrong! The beef jerky on top was interesting but I wouldn't call it anything out of this world The consensus at the table is that the roast beef carpaccio was a must get! Highly recommend! It comes with fresh wasabi if ur into that. read more

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We tried this place on a Saturday night and it was packed. Thankfully we had reservations. It's well lit and cozy inside. For parking, there's street parking on El Camino or the parking garage across El Camino at the corner of 2nd Street in San Mateo. We decided to try several dishes and they accomodated our request to have small bowls. The vietnamese Papaya Salad is made of green papaya and has very small pieces of beef jerky. I personally liked the Calamari that was served on a bed of shredded red cabbage. What made it even more delicious was the cilantro sauce on the side. The Garlic Shrimp was also tasty. The shrimp is tossed in this garlic butter sauce. We were glad we shared the Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Mushrooms and Chicken. It's a huge serving of this rich chicken broth based soy milk soup sauteed in butter. The rice noodles was firm to the bite. The Japanese-Inspired Beef Stew with White Miso is this rich beef round dish said to be braised for 48 hours and infused with white miso. It's served with steamed rice and pickled tomatoes. A sizzling plate with Wagyu Beef is this very savory melt in your mouth dish which is my favorite. read more

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Came here for the soy milk mushroom chicken pho and had a feeling (mix of anticipation and faith that good cooking actually does exist) that it is going to be good. I parked in the meter spot just in front, which was free on a Sunday. We were the only customers until half hour after opening. We were seated and asked to order and pay in the front at the beginning of the meal. I am happy to report that the mushroom chicken pho was indeed very good. The broth composed of soy milk, cow's milk and chicken broth and it was just short of creamy which means it wasn't too heavy. Each ingredient was managed so well and packed with flavor from the chicken to beech/mixed mushrooms. I read a review that said the chicken is dry and mine was firm but still tender enough. The noodles were pho noodles and firm but not el dente (that's a positive imo). My sister's tantan noodles had firmer and chewier noodles. At $25 on average per bowl of noodles, it is pricey for noodles but it was excellent and I left so full that I almost couldn't finish everything. I heard the staff say the beef pho is also very popular so I am interested to return to try it. read more

Rin-Tei - Tantan noodles - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I had bookmarked this Asian Fusion restaurant for a while now and finally got to try it a few days ago. Came here on Friday evening ~6:30pm and had a 15-minute wait for 2 people and was given the menu to peruse while I waited. The service was friendly, and the space cozy (There was a counter bar type seating for ~8 people plus ~5 tables of 2-6). My friend and I decided to share a calamari, sizzling wagyu loin, and creamy soy milk pho with mushrooms and chicken. Calamari - crispy, flavorful. The cilantro dipping sauce had citrus in it to cut the heaviness of the fried batter. Creamy soy milk pho with mushrooms & chicken - Hearty portion with a really yummy umami-heavy broth. Was not heavy at all. I think they used chicken breast so it was a little dry/overcooked in my opinion but I could overlook that, since I had the broth to try to counteract that. Sizzling wagyu loin - Served sizzling to the table. The server poured a lemon juice sauce on top, tableside, causing the dish to sizzle more, which was pretty neat. Upon first bite I thought the combination was a little too acidic, but after eating more tender slices, I realized it worked well to combat the greasiness/fattiness. The brussels sprouts included in the dish were a nice accompaniment. I love garlic & cilantro, and this dish had a lot. In conclusion, yes, I would definitely return to introduce my family to all of the above dishes and to also try other tantalizing ones on the menu that caught my eye! read more

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Took the wife out for lunch and she found this spot near by. A quick view of the menu we both decided to give it try. As we expected, the taste and freshness of the dishes we ordered were really good and the serving sizes were plentiful. If your looking to try something new I recommend you give this establishment a try, you wont be disappointed!! read more

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What an incredible space and concept! Super minimalistic, very attentive service and great food. The soy milk pho was very light and had a mild flavor, could not taste the yuzu much. The chicken and rice and the appetizers were got were amazing! Walked in for week day lunch date and no wait. read more

Rin-Tei - Chicken and rice - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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While looking for a restaurant still open for business past 9pm, we found Rin-Tei. Its minimalist interior was casual, modern and welcoming. Ordered Rin-Tei Plate which consists of papaya salad, fresh spring rolls, calamari and fried chicken. Fried chicken was similar to karaage and quite good. Spring rolls were very fresh. Calamari had some rubberiness although the cilantro dip was super tasty. Also enjoyed the peanut sauce for the spring rolls. Croquette had chicken filling with an indescribable denseness that was soft with unique mouthfeel. Hmm interesting dish. read more

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Ambiance: designed like a modernized ramen store. Good date vibes if you are going for a brighter aesthetic Service: exceptional! Server was super nice and food came out fast Food: The mushroom pho was delicious. The soup base wasn't too heavy and the toppings really enhanced the textural diversity. The keema curry was more on the average side. Good but nothing spectacular. read more

Rin-Tei - Mushroom and Chicken Cream Pho - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Food: GET the mushroom pho. The broth is so umami and the dish overall was so unqiue. Missing it already Service: Very quick and friendly staff. Ambiance: A very nice and intimate place to get dinner. Good for date night read more

Rin-Tei - Keema Curry - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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A unique Asian fusion spot best known for its soy milk pho, and it's definitely worth trying at least once. The broth is smooth, comforting and light - so good that I finished most of them. I ordered the soy milk pho with mentaiko, which was flavorful and satisfying, though I do wish there were options to add protein. This version was mostly noodles with mentaiko on top, making it a bit carb-heavy. Adding meat or another protein would really elevate the dish, especially given the price point. Overall, it's a good and enjoyable meal with a cozy and causal space, perfect for catching up with friends. read more

Rin-Tei - soy milk pho with mentai - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

Went here around 6:30pm on Wednesday, pretty crowded, but there was seating at the bar section so we got seated there. We got genmai hot green tea and we had to wait for it to seep in. It was fairly tasty. We got creamy soy milk pho with chicken and mushrooms, super good. Love the creaminess and homely taste it gives. We also got the roast beef carpaccio, the chef explained to us to eat altogether with the real wasabi, it was life changing, I've never had such great carpaccio. Overall, the place is super good, fairly small so I would suggest coming early for a seat! read more

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Wow, stopped by because I wanted pho and apparently this is the place to go for pho in downtown San Mateo! The restaurant is clean and looks new/freshly remodeled. For a weekday lunch, waitstaff seat you and bus your table, but have you order and then immediately pay at the cash register. I got the "beef pho" (5/5 stars) but I want to go back for their creamy soy milkpho, plus they have other items on their lunch and dinner menus that look great. read more

Rin-Tei - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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The beef pho is amazing!! It's a bit pricier than your normal pho, but I think there's that extra love that goes into it and of course the service and ambiance is a few notches up. The restaurant itself has a nice aesthetic with dishes and decor that are tasteful. It's interesting that you order at the cashier and sit down as before a waiter used to come to take your order. But nonetheless a great experience! read more

Interesting fusion of foods, such as pho with glass noodles. Weekend lunch had available seating. The interior is simple. Ordering was odd because we were already seated, but you need to go host stand to order before getting your food. Order creamy tan tan pho ($23) and chicken rice ($18). The chicken rice reminds me of hainan chicken. Chicken is a Thai style steam chicken. Sauce is miso ginger which was really delicious. Creamy tan tan pho was interesting and yummy. soup consisting of milk (whole milk and soy milk) in chicken soup with lots of garlic sesame flavor. Wished it had more ground chicken pieces. Neither dish were spicy, good place with variety of times. read more

Rin-Tei - Chicken rice - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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San Mateo has some cool restaurants, and Rin-Tei is one of them. Parking is pretty nonexistent, but that should not detour you from checking this restaurant out. The seating, hostess and waitress turned out to be one and the same, so my speculation is that they were shortstaffed. The place was pretty busy when we arrived, and the seating can feel rather tight, as the actual tables are small and pretty crammed together We ordered the shrimp spring rolls. I wanted something light and fresh. It was packed with lots of fresh veggies and was pretty tasty. There was barely enough of the dipping sauce for the spring rolls and when we asked the waitress for additional sauce, she said she wasn't able to provide it. I thought that was rather odd. We ordered Thai iced tea, which were decent, but not anything spectacular. The clay pot with the caramelized cod was really tasty. It just wasn't a lot of it. Everything about the dish was delicious, but it ate more like an appetizer rather than an entrée. The Keema Curry- we specifically asked how identical to authentic Japanese curry. This dish was when we were told it was really spot on. It was really not spot on. The curry itself which is supposed to be a mixture of minced pork, a variety of seasonings, then topped with a sunny side up egg. There was barely any meat in this "curry ", and the flavor was unfortunately very underwhelming. As a fan of authenticity, this dish really missed the mark. I actually plan on going back because I wanna try some of the other dishes. Couples that were sitting on either side of us had ordered different things that looked absolutely delicious and one couple had remarked about how tasty their food was, so I'm guessing the curry was just one off. If you're looking for a relaxing evening out, this is definitely a place to check out. read more

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Visited here in the summer this year. My friend found this place. Parking was slightly tricky during prime time but I was able to find something nearby. It is a boutique spot. They keep it very efficient. Food is very fresh and Asian fusion. I got a salad/wrap options. It was super fresh and satisfying, yet light. Great options for lunch. Decoration is cozy yet modern. It is right off el Camino. On a busy street bit at a quiet area. Would like to revisit. read more

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I went over the weekend with my husband & daughter to Rin Tei. No crowd on a Saturday which was nice. Parking - we found street parking in the area luckily. Baby friendly restaurant which was nice, they also have high chairs. You pay at the register then they'll serve the food. What we ordered: Chicken Rice: We ordered this mostly for our daughter and to be honest, we thought it was just ok. It was Thai style chicken with miso ginger sauce and the taste wasn't anything special. Overall 3/5 stars. Beef Pho: My husband ordered this one and he thought it was ok as well. Standard beef pho, nothing special as well. He was not fan of the noodles, I'm not sure what type they use but it tastes like a pad Thai noodles instead of regular pho noodles so it gave a weird texture. He gave it 3.5/5 stars. Creamy Sesame Tan Tan Pho: I ordered this one. I actually really enjoyed the soup for this one but I agree with my husband that the noodles just gave it a weird texture. The soup was delicious and creamy though. I'd give it 4/5 stars. Calamari: This one I must say was too much batter for us. It's not the usual calamari that we eat and the batter just wasn't the typical fry that we like. 2/5 stars. Service was great but I don't think the food stood out much for us. I'd give it at 3.5 stars but I'm rounding up to a 4. read more

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