Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Sakae Sushi

    3.8 (708 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 1:45 pm, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Waitlist - Sakae Sushi

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Sakae Sushi Reservations

    Order Sakae Sushi Takeout or Delivery

    Sakae Sushi Photos

    Business Info

    SAKAE SUSHI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Sakae Sushi

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Baked clam

    We made reservations for 3 and sat at the bar and we had so much fun. Staff was very attentive and the draft beer was served in a chill glass very refreshing. The place is small reservations recommended.

    Dry flavorless whole grilled squid
    Alex A.

    Lot of hit or miss dishes. The sashimi is best to stick to. Small portions as many others have mentions with higher pricing. Saki by the glass is a very generous pour. Whole grilled squid was a totally dry and lacked flavor. Rolls were meh. Servers and service was spot on! For me, I'd probably try another place.

    Salmon belly
    Phil Y.

    Sakae is my go-to neighborhood spot when I'm craving Toyosu-sourced fish but don't want to commit to a full prepaid omakase. Their kitchen food is great too, but for me, it's where I go for sushi with unique fish that most other Burlingame/San Mateo restaurants don't have. Reservations are easy to make and easy to get, but walking in right when they open for lunch or dinner almost always guarantees a seat. They're open seven days a week--closed only on Christmas and New Year's Day. The vibe is respectful and traditional. Service is friendly and calm; the chefs are Japanese. This isn't the place to order tons of sake and get rowdy. Sitting at the sushi bar requires a $40 minimum spend, but that's easy if you order from the specials board, which is usually $9+ per piece. Highlights from my most recent visit (a few days ago, for a weekday lunch), almost exclusively from the daily specials board: - Tai (Red Snapper): Clean and subtly sweet with nice firmness. - Kanpachi (Amberjack): Supple and buttery with a sheen and crisp edges that spoke to how expertly it was handled. - Shima Aji (Wild Striped Jack): Somewhat oily with balanced richness. - Wild King Salmon: Silky; cross-hatched so the soy could soak in evenly. - Ocean Trout: Perfectly smooth all the way through. - Aji (Horse Mackerel): Briny, lifted by ginger and scallion. - Iwashi (Wild Sardine): Soft, full of umami; bold but never heavy. - Sanma (Wild Pike Fish): Lean and savory. - Kohada (Gizzard Shad): Bright and tangy. - Zuke (Marinated Bluefin Akami): Deeper red from its soy cure, with a velvety finish. - Salmon Belly (Aburi Style): Lightly torched so the fat just began to caramelize: smoky and melt-in-the-mouth indulgent. Every piece came out glistening and precisely cut; no over-handling, no gimmicks. You can see and taste the difference in how carefully the chefs work each piece. Why I keep coming back: - True Toyosu sourcing with consistent quality. - Authentic Edomae technique from Japanese chefs. - Relaxed, drop-in-friendly neighborhood feel. - Fair pricing for the level of fish you're getting.

    Joshua C.

    I ordered the spider roll. It tasted good however I was shocked when I realized it was only 4 pieces of sushi for $19. I should have listen to the reviews of this place being over priced. If you are hungry I don't recommend coming here unless you have a lot of $$ to spend. Only come here if you already ate a meal elsewhere and you are just looking to sample sushi for high price .

    Yuvraj P.

    The sushi was amazing and very fresh. The service was very good and she was really top-notch! Everything came fast and the people were friendly. I really enjoyed it and will definitely come back again.

    Erich L.

    Small independently owned business. Inside has a traditional style of Japanese design. They ship in some of their fish from Japan. Top notch quality! Everything was fresh and delicious. We tried the artichoke tempura this was amazing! Tried some sushi, a rainbow roll and hamachi collar. You have to call to make reservations. Definitely going back!

    Doug C.

    One of the best sushi restaurants in the BA. Various price points with the highest quality fish ever experienced. Sushi Restaurants need high volume to keep the prices down. The distinguishing factor is the quality of the fish and the lower price points because of the volume. Can compose a menu from $50-$100/person to higher depending on what you order. Split a $165 sushi combo for 2 people. They can convert this into a chirashi for 2. Jidori TATSUTA AGE, batter not thick like a kaarage. Not panko. maybe potato starch like popcorn chicken. Maybe the finely ground PS not the chunky type they use for popcorn chicken. Better exceptionally thin. Excellent technique. Maybe fried at too low a temp. Little oily. Sushi combo $165.00 a regular menu item. Not online. Chef picks what is fresh. That was the best blue mackerel I have ever had. Usually oily and hard to do right. No oily sensation at all. Deeper fresh flavor lingering in the mouth for longer because of the oil. Best I have had in US. 2 types of toro, can see the different fat content, pinkish vs more white than pink. Melt in mouth, no chewing necessary. When the high content fatty tuna hits mouth, the heat melts the fish. None of the standard hamachi, sake, unagi, cuts. Hiramasa may have been farmed, asking for more sustainable cuts the next time; maybe those contain less heavy metal toxins than the wild versions from the longer lived species. 2 types of tea, a green tea before and during sushi and the brown tea for after. Very subtle. Added hot sake and asahi draft. The hot sake is served in a bigger carafe than the standard narrow 16oz or smaller container. Better value. Don't need to order hot sake multiple times during a meal. The $10 add on crab chawan mushi was the best I have ever had. Very tasty complex broth with deep flavors. Impossible to replicate at home. Not just dashi with seaweed, dried shiitake broth, bonito flakes. Very savory. Texture of cold crab vs warm egg and broth was stunning on first couple bites. Steamed egg very different than chinese version of steamed egg. Small pieces of shrimp/crab/mushroom for texture contrast vs. soft melt in mouth egg custard texture. The rolls other restaurants use with lower quality fish and less technical technique aren't popular here. Can order them as some do. Is possible to find lower cost sushi and with their technique don't need to fill up on cheaper rolls. The low star reviews talking about beef asparagus rolls or iced tea aren't accurate. Not a popular item. The whiteboard specials and menu items have remained unchanged for decades. The long lasting items have specific techniques to perfect the texture and presentation which aren't replicated at other restaurants, regardless of price. The sushi roll restaurants are the same price. They aren't any cheaper.

    tuna kama

    Food was great the service was awesome. I felt the sushi was a bit too big but overall perfect. Nice ambience to go for fresh sashimi.

    Uni special order
    Jeannie P.

    Sakae is my one of my favorite restaurant in burlingame. Whenever I want some authentic Japanese food in this area, I will go there. The food is always tasty and fresh. My favorite dish is always the sashimi deluxe. The restaurant is conveniently located in downtown burlingame. The decor is in a very casual setting. The service was also good. Whenever I go, it's never too busy. I give it 4 stars only because of the price. I went there this time for lunch, and the sashimi lunch plate alone with over $42 alone with tax and tip. I would go back again though in the near future.

    Ines J.

    Loved the ambience, we ordered dragon roll and salmon fire. Both were really good. Took some time to get it which means its fresh. Service was excellent

    we ordered quite some time. The food comes out quite slow but the fish was fresh. The flavor was decent, nothing too special but it was good. It is basically in downtown Burlingame so it is very convenient. Prices are okay-expensive. Ambience was nice, very big place

    Chirashi
    Marques M.

    This little restaurant was in this random complex in Burlingame and was very hard to find. But sitting down I was greeted by this wonderful Chirashi bowl. I had a multitude of different fish. The crab head was VERY tough and hurt to eat due to the prickliness of the skin. You can't fault Sakae for that but has to be included. The rest of the sashimi tasted very fresh, and I especially liked the assortment of each fish. I loved how all of the fish melted in my mouth. Its a bit over my price range, but I would consider coming back if it was a bit easier to find!

    Sushi and Sashimi lunch and the Sashimi lunch
    Elisa H.

    Simply wonderful fresh fish in an intimate, but comfortable space. This is not a creative roll or fake krab and mayo kind of place. There are two ways to do Sakae the right way. For dinner, sit at the bar and let the chef dazzle and surprise you with whatever is fresh on the whiteboard. It is unique and special, but not inexpensive. However, the weekday lunch specials ( which I rarely get to indulge in due to my work schedule) featuring sushi, sashimi and chiarasi are a great way to get more bang for your buck. Today my son and I were able to walk in. I got the Sushi and sashimi ( Tokyo combo) and my son got the Sashimi combination. These were similar, except his came with a bowl of rice. We were both so pleased with our meal- healthy and lots of high quality, delicious protein. Both meals were approximately $32 which for the quality and quantity of fish was so reasonable. If you are hungry and like more variety, I think the Sushi and Sashimi lunch is the way to go Service was attentive enougb and we were in and out pretty quickly. Sitting at the bar and slowly ordering piece by piece is still my favorite way to go, but the price tag is more precious. Regardless, if you love fresh, raw unadorned fish, this is THE only sushi restaurant in Burlingame.

    See all

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrea S.
    16
    44
    83

    3 years ago

    Nice atmosphere, small family owned business with great selection of fresh sushi! Hidden local gem!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S Y.
    67
    72
    80

    18 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kazuki Y.

    Kazuki Y.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jenny L.
    214
    1213
    2712

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Omar N.
    345
    592
    2253

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jerry W.
    217
    147
    3406

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chung N.
    42
    144
    481

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dnb 0.
    0
    14
    6

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kai J.
    0
    63
    6

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Won Y.
    7
    115
    125

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy D.
    911
    3758
    8819

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paul F.
    117
    28
    9

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anne D.
    1
    103
    4

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jennay K.
    56
    73
    105

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rrrona 7.
    5
    145
    19

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Amazing. No other words are needed, must try ‍ best sushi in town and great environment

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 4 of 18

    Sakae Sushi Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sakae Sushi

    How is parking?

    There are about 10 street parking spots along Highland Avenue, just south of the restaurant. If those are full, you can use the Highland Parking Garage, a 5-story parking… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Curry Hyuga

    Curry Hyuga

    4.6
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Today first time here, I was very impressed. The food was great and atmosphere was comfortable and…read morethe best part was young servers was incredibly friendly, always smiling, attentive, made us feel very welcome and took great care of us throughout the meal. Excellent customer service and a wonderful dining experience.Highly recommend!

    There is a reason Curry Hyuga was named one of Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants in the United States. It…read moreis one of those rare places that completely lives up to the hype. If you plan on visiting during the weekend, expect a wait. The line can get pretty long, but after eating here multiple times, I can confidently say it is worth every minute. Some restaurants are all hype, but Curry Hyuga earns every bit of the praise it receives. The katsu is consistently excellent. Whether you order the chicken or the pork, the breading is always perfectly crisp while the meat stays incredibly juicy and tender. That level of consistency is something I really appreciate because every visit has been just as good as the last. The curry is what keeps me coming back. It is rich, comforting, and packed with layers of flavor. Every bite has a depth and complexity that makes it stand out from your typical Japanese curry. It is the kind of meal that leaves you thinking about it long after you have finished. One thing I also really enjoy is the atmosphere. The restaurant strikes a great balance between being lively and comfortable. There is enough energy in the room that it feels welcoming and full of life, but it is still quiet enough to have an easy conversation without having to raise your voice. I often find myself stopping in for a solo meal when I am in the area, and it is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful lunch or dinner by myself. At the same time, it works just as well when I bring friends and family. It is one of those rare restaurants that feels right no matter who you are dining with. The staff has also been nothing but friendly and welcoming every time I have visited. Even when the restaurant is packed, they stay attentive and keep things moving with a smile. If you have been debating whether to wait in line, take this as your sign. Curry Hyuga earned its place among the Top 100 Restaurants in the country for a reason, and it continues to prove why with every visit. I will happily keep coming back.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Menchi Katsu (Pork) Curry:
    Menchi Katsu (Pork) Curry:
    Assorted Chili Powders チリパウダー盛り合わせ

    See all

    Assorted Chili Powders チリパウダー盛り合わせ
    Tuna Kahuna

    Tuna Kahuna

    4.6
    (799 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    It's always such an amazing time going to Tuna Kahuna for their Chef's Table available on Fridays…read moreand Saturdays. They have super fresh fish, and the photos just speak for themselves.... Look at it glisten!! Though pricy, the Kahuna donburi is a loaded bowl with the best cuts of fish which I highly recommend. Even the lean akami is super succulent and delicious! It comes with nori on the side so you can wrap your own roll. We always like balancing the meal with a yuzu salmon/hamachi bowl, which helps cut the fattiness of the fish with the yuzu seasoning. I love that it's a family owned business, and you can tell the owner, Clarence, has a lot of passion for his craft. I'll be a repeat customer until I die. Tuna Kahuna forever!

    We stopped by Tuna Kahuna on a Saturday around noon to pick up lunch. I was impressed by how…read morequickly they got our order out. We ordered the Ginger Scallion Bowl and the Yuzu Salmon Hamachi Bowl. The fish tasted fresh, the portion sizes were solid, and neither bowl felt overly heavy, which made for a really satisfying lunch. Of the two, I preferred the Yuzu Salmon Hamachi Bowl. Both were good, but the ginger flavor in the Ginger Scallion Bowl was a little overpowering for me. I wished there were a couple more ingredients to help balance everything out. It was still enjoyable, but felt like it was missing a little something to bring it all together. Overall, Tuna Kahuna is a good spot for a fresh poke bowl. I'd definitely come back to try some of their other options.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Ginger scallion bowl
    Ginger scallion bowl
    Yuzu 1/2 Salmon 1/2 Hamachi

    See all

    Yuzu 1/2 Salmon 1/2 Hamachi
    Quail + Crane

    Quail + Crane

    4.4
    (117 reviews)
    3.6 mi

    Grand Hyatt at SFO is a must stay when traveling in and out of San Francisco. Everything about the…read morehotel is spectacular. Quail + Crane is situated on the 3rd floor of the airport connected hotel. If you can get a seat close to the floor to ceiling windows; one can see the airport and even some planes. I've only dined in for breakfast/or brunch, and so I can't speak much about the dinner offerings. But, I can say that the food has been delicious each time I've eaten here. I absolutely love Eggs Benedict, and so it's a no brainer for me if it is on the menu. One can upgrade the dish to include Thai style Dungeness crab cakes, and it is worth every penny. Service here is also warm and inviting. Depending on where one is going, the time of the flight, the time of season, and overall time one has; staying at Grand Hyatt SFO and getting a bite at sit down, in this case Quail + Crane; makes all the difference for a long journey ahead.

    This place is in the Grand Hyatt hotel at SFO airport. It's located below the lobby and it has a…read morebeautiful dining room with a view for the international terminal and airplanes. Service was good for the most part but there were some inconsistencies and some of the staff seemed a bit inexperienced. Our server was good though. Food wise, I had the salmon for dinner. Nothing stood out that much. I wouldn't go out of the way to come here again unless I want to eat and see planes. But it's a nice spot if you are staying at the hotel or are looking for a unique experience nearby. I just don't live close enough to justify it.

    Photos
    Spectacular art and light fixture
    Spectacular art and light fixture
    Solo dinner post Adverum Board SLT visit. SF, CA. 10/25
    Solo dinner post Adverum Board SLT visit. SF, CA. 10/25
    Cocktails

    See all

    Cocktails
    Ichika Izakaya

    Ichika Izakaya

    4.5
    (271 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$$

    My husband and I had dinner here tonight, and overall it was a really memorable experience. We've…read moretraveled quite a bit and tried sushi in many different cities, including around the Los Angeles area where we live and have our favorite spots. So when we visit a sushi restaurant, we tend to evaluate everything as a whole -- price, quality, service, and of course the flavors. For dinner we ordered the Mango Tuna Roll (which was our first time trying a mango-style sushi roll), the 8-piece Omakase Nigiri, a Double Toro Roll, two pieces of Otoro, and a hot sake. With a 20% tip included, the total for the two of us came to $163.50, which honestly falls within the average range of what we usually spend for a sushi dinner like this. Normally we might pay around $120-$130 depending on the place, sometimes a little more if we add an extra item or two. The portion sizes were pretty standard. Not unusually large, but not small either -- similar to what we've experienced at many other sushi restaurants. Where this place really stood out was the depth of flavor. The quality and balance of the ingredients were excellent. At one point I actually caught myself closing my eyes just to focus on the taste, which is something I almost never do. The preparation felt very refined and the flavors were elevated, rich, and memorable. I would describe it as delicate portions with very elevated flavors. Because of that, I'm giving this place 5 out of 5 stars. This is the kind of restaurant that works perfectly for a nice dinner with your partner. It's not necessarily a place where you go wild ordering everything on the menu like at a taco spot. Instead, it's better to be thoughtful with what you choose and enjoy a few well-crafted dishes. You can easily have a special, enjoyable dinner here without going overboard. Definitely worth visiting if you're in the area and want a quality sushi experience with refined flavors. The only thing I felt was missing was a small welcome miso soup. In some sushi restaurants we've visited, they serve a tiny cup of miso with a couple pieces of tofu as a warm welcome. It's a very small gesture, but it creates a nice first impression and adds a sense of hospitality to the experience. Considering the quality and pricing of the menu here, a simple welcome miso soup would fit perfectly with the overall dining experience.

    I wasn't expecting such a legit Japanese restaurant to be in this plaza! I've been here several…read moretimes and always enjoyed every dish I got, and always had great service. They have regular specials which are often very good, a recurring special seems to be their uni and toro on a crispy base (yam if I remember correctly), which is always served with the seafood fresh and the base warm and crunchy! They also have great non-seafood options, I recently got the spicy lamb skewer, which was served warm, and seasoned and cooked to perfection. The restaurant is a pretty decent size, if you come early evening it's easy to get seated right away, but it gets pretty popular as the evening goes on!

    Photos
    Ichika Izakaya
    Spicy tuna crispy rice
    Spicy tuna crispy rice
    Double toro roll

    See all

    Double toro roll
    New England Lobster Market & Eatery

    New England Lobster Market & Eatery

    4.3
    (6.1k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$$
    Curbside pickup during COVID-19
    Gift cards during COVID-19

    As a tourist in San Francisco of course you are trying lots seafood options and friends and family…read moreare recommending many places. But! Of all the places we tried on this 2026 trip, this was the best hands down! Our favorite was the corn chowder packed with seafood . To us it had the flavor of a fancy lobster bisque and the bread that comes with it was crispy on the outside and so fluffy on the inside. We also had the taco Tuesday special. The tortillas were okay but everything packed in them were delicious. Lastly we had a crab slider. It had a blue crab hand roll flavor and quality to it. It was our second favorite dish. Oh and the kids Mac and cheese was gooey and more than enough. The service was very kind and helpful when ordering. The location is large and spacious. Tho on a hot day it made me miss the coastal breeze.

    This was a random find from our bookmarks, and we decided to give it a try…read more There is parking in the back, but spaces are limited, so parking was a bit of a pain. Once inside, the vibe was very friendly, spacious, and welcoming. They also sell lobsters and other seafood on the side, and I've heard they have very good prices. We ordered the Naked Lobster Roll, a 1.5 lb lobster plate, corn chowder soup, and a Coke in a glass bottle. The "naked" lobster roll means it comes with minimal seasoning, letting the lobster flavor shine through. It was very clean and simple, but my husband didn't enjoy it as much as the lobster roll we had in Half Moon Bay. His favorite part of the meal was actually the house-made potato chips! The lobster plate was a fun experience -- cracking and eating the lobster ourselves made it enjoyable. Overall, we really liked this place. The service was quick and efficient; they brought the food to our table, and we could choose any seat we wanted. A cute little spot near the airport with a relaxed atmosphere. I'd definitely come back again.

    Photos
    Eatery opening October 23rd, 2012
    Eatery opening October 23rd, 2012
    1.25lb Whole Lobster Platter for Catering - 5 x 1.25lb Whole Lobsters with side of lemon and butter. Serves 5-10 people
    1.25lb Whole Lobster Platter for Catering - 5 x 1.25lb Whole Lobsters with side of lemon and butter. Serves 5-10 people
    Lobster roll - naked!

    See all

    Lobster roll - naked!

    Sakae Sushi - japanese - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...