Very good service and love their summer special menu! The cold tantan noodle tastes great with soy milk soup base! read more

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

Cozy fusion restaurant. We got the chicken croquettes, mentai noodles, beef pho and pad kra pow. Such unique flavors! And attentive staff. Highly recommend! read more

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

I have been coming here for years - stumbled upon it as a late night joint, but it easily became one of my fav spots. I sometimes even drive for more than an hour to try their beef pho. Service is always amazing, and the staff is always very nice (have seen many different staff here over the years - the experience has always been the same). Ambiance is cozy and comfortable. Highly recommend coming here and trying their beef pho or their new beef stew (pricy for some but worth it!). I love White Yuzu Ale too... but that's perhaps not for everyone. read more

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

I came here on three occasions: 10/21/23 and twice in December 2023. 10/21/23 For our first time here, the restaurant was almost full so the only available seats left were at the bar. As soon as we were seated, water and menus were brought out promptly. It's a small restaurant, but it gives off a cozy and homey vibe. The establishment is also very clean! The staff members are super friendly and polite as well. Here's what we got: - Croquette (appetizer to share) - Keema curry (his) - Tom yum noodle with shrimps (mine) 12/10/23 - I had dinner here with some friends and here's what we got: - Rin-Tei plate - Calamari - Croquette (We also ordered our own plates of either rice or noodles, not pictured) I also came back here on 12/14 for my birthday dinner. - Green curry (his) - Creamy sesame pho (mine) - Lemon ricotta cheesecake Everything I've eaten at Rin-Tei has been fantastic. It is more pricey, but the freshness and the quality of the ingredients is unbeatable. Each time I've been here, the food smelled amazing and I like how the flavors are not so strong or overbearing. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

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We tried the Rin-Tei sampler, cold sesame tantan pho, chicken rice, and basil tofu. The pho was really refreshing with a unique soy miso chicken broth and great al dente noodles. The sampler was a nice way to try a bit of everything--karaage chicken, calamari (a little chewy), shrimp roll, and beef jerky papaya salad. The tofu was crispy and juicy inside, with a tasty sauce, though not much basil flavor beyond the garnish. The chicken rice was probably our favorite--super moist chicken and flavorful rice. Lots of interesting dishes on the menu. We'll definitely be back to try more. read more

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

This is one of the most interesting and refreshing restaurant I had been to in the bay area recently. A Japanese take on various different type of asian soup noodles such as pho, Korean cold noodle, thai style. The rice noodle or pho here are more of a cross between ramen and pho, a lot more chewy than pho. The Tom Yum shrimp noodle soup is truly special. The soy milk chicken pho are also quite good and interesting. The Korean cold noodles is pretty good, though the use of cold braised beef chunks isn't as good as traditional beef slice, since cold beef is a bit harder to chew. A great place to try if you are looking for a refreshing new noodle spot! read more

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My Spidey sense went off when the menu is fusion, but overall, not bad. Food is quite good, but I prefer the 100% ( or as close as possible ) authentic food. To me, it feels like the food is a more non-Asian friendly take on the dishes, watered down, if you will. read more

My all time favorite pho restaurant! Very creamy soup and fresh ingredients. Service is always welcoming and helpful. read more

Rin-Tei - Love the creamy tan-tan pho and fish roe pho! My all time favorite pho restaurant! - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

Always a satisfying meal! Having supported this place since its soft opening, we are always impressed by how they maintain such high standards. There's truly something for everyone on the menu, and every dish is prepared with consistent care. read more

Very nice Asian fusion eatery near downtown San Mateo. The menu has a lot of good choices, but not overwhelming. Ambiance is nice and clean, including the bathroom. Staff was very friendly. We got the chicken rice , beef pho , and keema curry. All of the dishes were so flavorful and delicious. I would come again. read more

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Came in for lunch on a Saturday around noon and it's not too busy. A very cozy restaurant. The receptionist is very nice and helpful with questions. We ordered 4 items. Thai fried chicken, beef pho, cold braised beef, and tan tan pho (hot). The food took a while but everything came super fresh. The chicken was freshy fried and juicy. Not too oily and you could still taste the spices. The beef pho was average. Cold braised beef was a little salty but still good. The tan tan pho was definitely the best. The creamy milk broth was very flavorful read more

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

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Very flavorful food, really enjoy the soy milk soup base and the curry rice is also cooked to the perfection. Would definitely come again! read more

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

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One of the few restaurants in San Mateo that are open late. Tasty food in a serene setting with wonderful service. Such a nice place to step into from the bustle of El Camino Real. read more

The food was amazing!! Loved the cold noodle and the service was so nice too!! Wonderful place! Would come again! read more

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

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Very great and clean. Awesome customer service and the food is amazing. Definitely telling my friends about this place read more

Rin-Tei - The beef pho - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

Tasty food, quick and friendly service, and a fun and upbeat environment make for very tasty eating. We got a summer special to share and beef pho for this unseasonably chilly summer we're having and we're very happy! read more

Rin-Tei - Summer special! - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Super aesthetic and cozy fusion restaurant that's open late!! Love the decor and jazzy music read more

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

I love the soy milk pho here, particularly the keema curry one! It's so unique and I always randomly crave it. It is a small restaurant so there can be a long wait at times, and even after you ordered you may be waiting a while for your food especially if you get stuck behind a large party, as they only have 2-3 chefs in the small kitchen. read more

Rin-Tei - Keema curry soy milk pho - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

I wasn't impressed my last visit. The chicken croquettes were lacking I felt. They were similar to a crab cake. It was ok but I was disappointed and was expecting something different when I get a croquet, probably my fault. The calamari didn't taste as fresh and the coating was falling off. The pho was ok. Service was ok. You have to go up to order and pay the bill but that is no big deal. The spring roll tasted of purely vegetable. Fresh vegetables but got no shrimp or anything really beyond cucumber taste. Everything was fine I just didn't think the food was deserving of the prices. Maybe I was having a bad day or they were. I will go back but probably stick to the keema curry pho I enjoyed previously and skip the appetizers. I like this place I go every so often but this time I wasn't happy with the quality for cost. Since I tried only new stuff this time I will give 3 stars and hopefully raise it next time I go. Still really nice place and I recommend giving it a try. read more

Very interesting concept. The restaurant is run by actual Japanese people, with the small portion sizes to go along with it. We shared a Rin-Tei plate and a Rin-Tei hot pot with cod. The plate was a sampler of appetizers: papaya salad, spring roll, calamari, and fried chicken. The fried chicken was especially good, with a unique melange of spices. The hot pot had high-quality ingredients and came in a very mild broth, with creamy soy sesame dipping sauce on the side. read more

Service: Excellent Ambiance: Lively, Modern, Comfortable Food: "Special" Beef Stew with white miso very tasty, beef was very tender "Special" Salmon Bites Lightly seared rare Salmon Lightly seasoned With Siracha Mayo lime Sauce Seafood Kaho Yum Lettuce Salmon, Shrimp, Octopus Marinated bamboo shoots, Wood ear mushroom and many other vegetables Jasmine rice mixed in lettuce wrap was a unique refreshing Dish Delicious! read more

Reluctantly providing review because afraid I won't be able to get in when I want lol. Very cool spot , almost like I'm back in Tokyo with clean, modern lines, warm and woody. Cool jazz playing. Food ? Very clean flavors, tasty and good sized portions. Today we had the Creamy milk pho and Thai chicken, both very different and with very definable flavors. Love this spot. Don't go lol. read more

Tldr was ok. Would probably go again I think my overall reaction to this place was just meh because I was really tired. The parking was also a bit difficult because the store is right off the main street. One thing that surprised me a bit was that all of the soy dishes have dairy as well so I was not able to try them but the dishes we ended up getting were still tasty. We ordered 4 things: the Rin Tei hotpot, tomato pho, keema curry rice, and fried chicken. The chicken appetizer was smaller than expected and the juiciness was not consistent for each piece but the crust seasoning was really tasty!! Hotpot: very soothing flavor. It wasn't too heavy and the veggies and fish was cooked so that everything was nice and soft. The sesame dipping sauce is non dairy and very flavorful. Tomato pho: the broth was not what I expected from pho but the tomatoes added a nice depth to it. The meat in the soup was a bit dry but the noodles were good. Keema curry: this was the dish I liked the least but my friend loved it. The curry was very flavorful and the egg added to the tastiness as well. The side salad was just a regular spring mix. They also let us try some of their banana cream soda and it was so yummy! I would like to come back and try this place again when I am not super tired. read more

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We ordered the beef stew with white miso and seafoood Kano yum lettuce. The yum lettuce was healthy but kind of messy to eat. The beef stew was great! Kind of like a French onion soup fusion with Thai rice with nice beef. The service was great and the decor was clean and cute. It's a bit pricy for what it is but I'd come again. read more

Stopped in for dinner the other day. I have been wanting to try this for a while now, finally got the chance and it didn't disappoint. The place was about half full when we arrived, but not a big place. We sat at the bar cause we didn't have reservations. After looking over the menu and chef specials we ordered pho and I got the chef special beef stew with miso and Thai iced tea. The Thai tea was good and stronger than most places. Food came out fairly quick, everything looked good. My friend and sister got the wagyu pho which they both enjoyed. The beef stew was so tender and rich but it was delicious. Nice friendly staff and great service. I tried the pho and it was very good, they use a slightly thicker noodle that doesn't seem to get soggy. Hopefully be back soon to try some other dishes, that basil beef is calling my name. read more

Rin-Tei - Wagyu beef Pho and Thai iced tea - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

The food was very tasty and unique. I'd come again in the future. The cod was our favorite as well as the sampler.

Didn't know this place existed but very excited to come back again! We had the beef carpaccio, snap peas, cold tan tan noodles, and kra pao with oxtail. Everything was delicious, the place is clean and stylish, and the service was very friendly. read more

Tucked slightly away from downtown San Mateo in a little strip mall is the most delightful Japanese-Thai-Vietnamese fusion place. When I walked in, I really felt like I was transported to Tokyo. The decor is modern minimalist and the service is warm Japanese hospitality. There aren't many tables but at lunch on a random weekday, it was almost full. There is only one server and two chefs so it does take a little long to get your food. I had the soy milk mentaiko noodles. It was so delicious. I love milky broths. Definitely want to come back and try the other dishes. read more

Rin-Tei - Soy milk pho with mentaiko - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

Hidden gem outside the hustles of the downtown area of San Mateo. The dishes were fresh and well presented. Ordered the Tom Yun Shrimp noodles and Keema Curry Rice. Nice Japanese infusion of flavors and techniques on South East Asian regional dishes. Can get pretty busy during lunch rush. We got there at 1:45pm and beat the rush. read more

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I come here regularly to try their seasonal dishes. Everything is made with care. The ingredients are fresh, and the flavors and delicate. Service has always been excellent, and the vibes are great! The bathroom is clean, and the utensils are not made of plastic or melamine. The food is Japanese fusion, there are a lot of Thai and Viet fusion dishes in particular. I'll be back! read more

Went here after golf and it hit the spot. Broth was rich, noodles perfect, and the brisket was melt-in-your-mouth good. Solid post-round pho--will definitely be back. read more

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

First of all the restaurant itself is really cute. The vibe inside is just right. The service was also very great. They were quick, polite, considerate, and overall just great service. In terms of the food we had two dishes we shared. We had the Seafood Khao Yum lettuce wraps to start and it was delicious! However, I could do without the octopus (that's a me thing!) I would give this a 6 [out of 10]. For entree we had the beef stew with white miso. It was delicate, delicious, and hearty enough to make you warm inside but light enough to not feel like you're walking out of the restaurant with a heart attack. It tasted very homey; I actually really enjoyed it. I give this one a 7 [out of 10]. Quantity wise it was perfect. We shared this with two people and we walked out feeling comfortable, not super stuffed. Keep in mind they don't serve American portions here which is great imo. Would certainly come again! read more

Very friendly service. A bit of a wait on a Saturday night. I appreciated that the host came out often in let us know the progress. There is some food that is incredible: 1. The creamy soy milk pho had such nice flavor. And I loved the pickled lotus root. 2. Braised beef spring rolls- yum! But be careful getting too much of the pepper from the dipping sauce. My tongue and lips were numb for a good 5 minutes even though the pepper wasn't all that spicy. The cod was good but too small of a portion to recommend given the price. read more

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Came to Rin Tei and really enjoyed the experience. It's located on a corner of El Camino right before the start of downtown San Mateo (2nd to 4th ave) so it can be a little tough to spot. There are a couple 24 minute meters in front which luckily do end at 6pm so we were able to pull right in. Looking over the menu, the chicken pho and the clay pot cod caught our eyes. We also added a bowl of rice banking on the sauce from the clay pot. Both dishes were very good in my opinion! The cod had one piece that was a little meatier or tough but otherwise, it was buttery, savory, and delicious! My date did comment that towards the end when we ran out of fish, the sauce and rice alone does get a bit salty. When it came to the pho, I had seen soy milk ramen in Japan but didn't get to try it so this was going to be my "close enough" experience and boy, it did not disappoint! The broth was smooth, rich, and creamy! The little bit of lime also added just enough acid to keep you coming back for more. I also really enjoyed the pickled lotus root for this same reason. I wish they used fresh noodles which would have really given the dish a silky texture but the medium rice stick noodles were still good and very generous on the portioning. I absolutely would come back to Rin Tei to try more of the menu! It was about $70 with tip for two without drinks. read more

Rin-Tei - Clay Pot Carmelized Cod - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Food is always delicious here. I got the cold beef noodle soup and the shrimp (seasonal for the summer). But are delicious and worth coming back for. We also love that they are open late!! read more

We ordered the shaking beef, asari pho, and matcha IPA. The shaking beef was incredibly tender and full of flavor! The asari pho was unique--creamy, but still light and balanced. It was a pleasant surprise. The matcha IPA was interesting and my boyfriend liked it. Service was great too, and the restaurant was clean. I'd definitely come back to try more dishes on the menu. read more

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

Great little place that we found by accident on the way back from SFO. Menu is diverse with thai and other asian items. I had the Vegan Kra Pao and crispy Cauliflower. The cauliflower was fantastic highly recommend it. Soft enough to remove rawness but well tossed with fantastic spices. Vegan kra pao tofu was good too. It could have used more vegetables. I was slightly disappointed in the limited vegetarian options. However the server was thoughtful and pointed to us that vegan kra pao comes with sea weed. Calming yet upbeat jazz music, clean and good find. Will definitely stop by here if we're in the area. read more

Came on a weekday for lunch - it can get a bit busy during lunch hour. Service is great. Warm and quick. Food is awesome! We ordered shrimp roll, calamari, beef pho and kra pao shrimp. Every dish tastes amazing; portion is decent as well. Will definitely come back again to try other items on the menu. read more

We came here on Christmas Eve upon returning from our trip and looking for something that we open late and soupy. Found Rin-Tei and they had Asian fusion food that specializes in milky broth. To our suprised the restaurant was cozy, clean, upscale and had very good vibe. We had their special beef stew which hit the spot and was very comforting, the fried tofu basil was also delicate and cooked to perfection. As app, we had the grilled garlic shrimp which you can eat the shell and tail. That was my favorite as it was really crunchy and tasty. Great place for a date or nice dinners. Service was efficient and upscale. Timing of when the food came out was perfect. Would come again. read more

Excellent find in San Mateo. Restaurant serves pan Asian cuisine but with an European ambiance. Food was fantastic, we had the croquette, calamari, beef pho, keema curry, kra pal with braised beef, and basil tofu. All dishes were delicious and prepared with finesse. Will definitely be back! read more

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