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    Rin-Tei

    4.8 (1.1k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

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    RIN-TEI ATMOSPHERE

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    Casual
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    Recommended Reviews - Rin-Tei

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    Menu
    Izzy T.

    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.

    Yuzu chicken soy milk pho
    Linda C.

    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.

    Frozen dessert with peach and milk
    Hanna L.

    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!

    Soy milk pho
    Sabrina D.

    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!

    Chicken and rice
    Mokshya S.

    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.

    Cin-Yee S.

    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.

    Papaya salad and carpaccio
    Bubu N.

    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.

    Garlic Shrimp
    Teresa G.

    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.

    Naomi J.

    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.

    Tantan noodles
    Amy T.

    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.

    Menu 01/23/26
    Dana L.

    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!

    Yummy creamy pho soup broth combined with a generous offering of mushrooms and chicken
    David V.

    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!!

    Fried king oyster mushrooms
    Kenny C.

    Food: - Great food selections - Nicely plated - Great taste Service: - Friendly - Attentive Ambiance: - Clean - Comfortable - Nice decor

    Beef stew

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    Page 1 of 29

    Rin-Tei Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Rin-Tei

    Are there gluten free dishes?

    Where do customers park?

    City of San Mateo has a parking garage (2nd and El Camino) right across the street

    How can I make a reservation?

    Give them a call to make a reservation! +1 (650) 558-8239

    View All 4 Questions

    Kajiken - Homura Aburasoba

    Kajiken

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Kajiken hits the spot between comfort and pure gluttony! I typically do not love noodle places, but…read morethis is on another level. I have been to Kajiken twice now, and it has been absolutely delicious each time. It is located in downtown San Mateo, so it does not have its own dedicated parking lot. If you come on the weekend, it can be harder to find parking, and the likelihood of a wait is high. When it gets busy, there is a section outside for you to line up. The servers typically come out to the folks closest to the front of the line and hand them menus so they can decide what they want before being seated. When it is not as busy, you can walk in directly and request a table. The shop itself actually has a lot of seating, but there is always an influx of people, so it fills up quickly. The interior gives off a nice modern Japanese chic vibe. :) They also offer outdoor patio seating, which is great if you are trying to enjoy a nice day outside. I have tried both their Wagyu Roast Beef Aburasoba and their Soboro Aburasoba. The roast beef is tender and adds a nice chew against the silky noodles, while the soboro chicken is juicy and coats your mouth with a savory soy flavor. Additionally, I've had their karaage on both occasions I visited, and it was succulent! I love how the juice from the chicken balances with the generous amount of grated ginger and green onion. This place is definitely worth a try! If you can go on a weekday before the dinner rush from people getting off their 9-5 jobs, that would probably be the optimal time frame. I came here on a Wednesday around 6:15 PM, and it was not too bad until around 7 PM when it started getting busy.

    I was in San Mateo, and I was hungry. I checked Yelp and Google, and there were so many places to…read morechoose from, I didn't know what to pick. I checked Michelin, and it help me narrow it down to Kajiken. As I walked to Kajiken, I knew I was getting close because it was the only place that had a line-up outside. There were probably 12-14 people waiting, and I wondering if I should find another place because I didn't want to wait. Fortunately, as a single diner, they sat me right away. I ended up ordering the Original Aburasoba and it came in about 5 minutes. It was good. Great texture, good flavours, and a reasonable serving size. Service was fine but minimal. Dining area is typical of modern ramen places. Overall, a nice quick meal. Maybe closer to a 3.5 or 3.75 as it was good, but I was also very hungry. I would consider returning.

    Photos
    Kajiken - Inside

    Inside

    Kajiken - Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)

    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)

    Kajiken - Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

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    Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine - Otsumami box

    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine

    4.2(245 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$

    Quality of the food, staff and service is exceptional. Food is fresh, prepared with finesse,…read morequality and excellence....we will be back.

    Came here on a weekday around 5:30PM, and there was about a 15 minute wait - luckily, we were…read moreseated in the private room! Come early, as they only take reservations for parties of 6+! Monkfish liver 8/10 - I love a good monkfish liver and the liver itself was sooooo creamy and decadent! I personally felt that the marinade used was slightly on the sweeter side, not as packed full of umami as I would have liked! Beef tongue 9/10 - a standard, well cooked, well seasoned beef tongue, but the sauce they they served with it made it exceptional!! Deluxe Chirashi 8.5/10 - this is a HUGE amount of food, definitely worth the price tag! The cuts of fish are incredibly thick and you can tell that their fish is fresh! However, some of the cuts of fish weren't prepared very well, and were falling apart, becoming stringy. The seasoned rice under the fish might have been my favorite part - perfectly seasoned and topped with a small amount of garlic furikake!! I did have an issue with the ikura & tamago - they were slightly too sweet for my tastes. They also advertise this as coming with fresh wasabi - the amount of wasabi they actually provide is tiny, definitely not enough for the amount of fish served. Overall, I will say that I think this place has great quality of fish and beautiful presentation, but is better for people who have a sweeter palate! Their tamago, ikura, and even their soy sauce is on the sweeter side, so if you have a salty, savory palate like me you might be a little thrown off!

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    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine
    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine
    Kodawari Japanese Cuisine

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    The Backhouse

    The Backhouse

    4.3(67 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    I ordered a custom tray for a large group celebration and we were pleased with the quality and…read morenovelty. The fish were fresh, the rice was seasoned, and the garnishes were interesting. The owner was communicative via text and E-mail. Pick up was from a ghost kitchen. Menu was difficult to find online, but here is the link: https://twodotsco.typeform.com/to/eUm9sISf?typeform-source=linktr.ee The tray was beautifully decorated. At $6.25 per piece of sushi, the price was similar to nice sushi restaurants. I probably would not order from here frequently, but only as a special treat.

    The Backhouse was first on my radar two years ago on Valentine's Day when my husband surprised me…read morewith one of their beautifully curated omakase boxes for a cozy night in with sake. Everything was really good and thoughtfully prepared, and it made for such a fun and elevated at-home date night. This past week for my mom's 60th birthday, I decided their party platter would be perfect for celebrating. They were very responsive and easy to coordinate with, which made planning simple. You do have to pick up from a ghost kitchen in San Mateo, but the process was efficient and smooth. The platter itself was beautiful and the quality was just as good as we remembered. Fresh, flavorful, and nicely presented. Definitely a great option for special occasions or when you want something a little elevated at home.

    Photos
    The Backhouse
    The Backhouse - Omakase box @whaevaeats

    Omakase box @whaevaeats

    The Backhouse - Omakase and Chirashi  box @whaevaeats

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    Omakase and Chirashi box @whaevaeats

    Prime BBQ - Yakitori

    Prime BBQ

    4.7(918 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Kitchen open late

    Loved it. We ordered a whole bunch of items and almost most of them were really good. Highly…read morerecommend the duck breast, and beef tongue (both styles). Oyster is also pretty good. The clam with vermicelli is not recommended (tiny clam). Service was awesome. We got water refills and napkin refills very often. Waiters and waitresses are nice and friendly, especially with our little one.

    A bit fusiony for a typical Chinese bbq place with some Japanese yakitori options. My personal…read morefavorites were the beef tongue (JP), chicken hearts (JP), Gizzard (CH), Lamb (CH), Beef (CH), Achoy, and Green chives. Semi sweet glaze over complimented well with some of the bitterness of the veggies. Spice powder on the side was also a nice addition! Barely spicy but good to add with the meat. Honestly everything was not bad. My biggest gripe though was that these hot plates were heated by two tea lights and basically did little to nothing. You can hold your finger there and it will feel barely warm at all. The food is already cooked so it's not like it did anything other than to "warm." There were other tea light candles underneath and if the other ones lit up, it might've actually did something. If I could, I would've lit them all up since I prefer my food hot. Otherwise, these hot plates are pure aesthetic, near zero function.

    Photos
    Prime BBQ - Interior

    Interior

    Prime BBQ - Yakitori Combo

    Yakitori Combo

    Prime BBQ - Yakitori Combo (All Chicken)

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    Yakitori Combo (All Chicken)

    Tokie's - Spicy Hamachi Roll

    Tokie's

    3.9(778 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Tokie's Japanese Cuisine has been one of my go-to spots for years, even back when they were in…read moreFoster City. No matter what you order, you really can't go wrong--everything on the menu is consistently amazing. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, which makes every visit feel like you're coming back home. Diane and Victor are incredible hosts and truly make the experience special. I've known them for a long time, and Victor never fails to greet me with a shot of sake--something I always look forward to every time I walk in. Their rolls are absolutely to die for, but as someone who appreciates traditional Japanese flavors, I always find myself going back to the sashimi. It's fresh, clean, and really lets the natural flavors shine. If you're looking for great food, great vibes, and even better people, this place is it.

    Tokie, what happened?? Thursday night, around 6 pm. No line got a table quick. In front of…read morerestaurant, only thing is when new people came in the rush of cold air , forcing us to keep the jackets on. They did move us to a table closer in , without asking to be changed. Ordered the deep fried oysters, $11. Got three small oysters and tartare sauce. Not worth getting, my kids food came out because they ordered cooked food, katsu and grilled salmon. The problem was the restaurant was not that busy . Two sushi people. My kids had finished eating and my food or my wife's dinner had not come out . Not that it was complicated. A tokie special roll and another basic roll off the menu. They didn't even have to cook it! I am so disappointed. Overall probably stick to cooked food if you Don't want to eat after everyone is done eating. ‍. Bang for the buck not so much anymore.

    Photos
    Tokie's - Interior

    Interior

    Tokie's - Shishito peppers | @whaevaeats

    Shishito peppers | @whaevaeats

    Tokie's - Chawanmushi | @whaevaeats

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    Chawanmushi | @whaevaeats

    Rin-Tei - asianfusion - Updated May 2026

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