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    Somisomi

    4.3 (348 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 10:30 PM

    Somisomi Photos

    Business Info

    SOMISOMI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Somisomi

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    Upside down ahboong with nutella filling and Earl Grey soft serve...almost forgot to take a photo
    Teresa G.

    We love this place for the variety of soft-serve and for their taiyaki which is a cross between a pancake and a waffle. We've tried several soft serve flavors over time: black sesame, Earl Grey, matcha, ube, and sakura berry. The smooth, light, fluffy swirls of whipped ice cream is always a treat. One can have it different ways - ahboong (fish-shaped waffle cone), upside down ahboong, in a cup, or cold brew float. The taiyaki is a perfect pair to the soft serve and I recommend you try it with different fillings. Service is quick after putting in your order in a self-service terminal at the counter. There are plenty of outdoor seating on South B street which is the pedestrian friendly area of downtown San Mateo. I don't think I will grow tired of this place.

    Upside Down Ahboong -  Matcha & Banana Pudding Soft Serve, Strawberry, Biscoff Crumble (R) & Ube Soft Serve, Strawberry, Fruity Pebbles (L)
    Mike L.

    Between all of the great things I had heard about them and how long they've been sitting on my list of bookmarks, I can't say I have anything close to a good excuse for taking so long to finally come here. What's worse, it's not like I'm hardly ever in San Mateo either. However, in my defense, this technically wasn't my first time trying Somisomi. It's just that since I had only tried a couple of bites of their tayaki with red bean, it didn't feel like I had gotten a proper experience! With their location right in the heart of the downtown/3rd Ave area of San Mateo, it's not the least bit surprising that this Somisomi can draw a fairly steady crowd. Besides how busy the neighborhood can get, they're a terrific option for an afternoon treat just as much as for an evening dessert. Their menu is pretty simple, consisting of two main things - soft serve, which comes in a half dozen permanent and a handful of seasonal flavors, and taiyaki, which comes with your choice from eight different fillings - that you can order separately or together as part of their signature ah-boong dessert. -- UPSIDE DOWN AH BOONG with Ube Soft Serve Topped with Strawberry, Fruity Pebbles, and a Taiyaki with Matcha Filling Pretty solid overall. The soft serve had a surprisingly strong taste of ube to it and it wasn't overly sweet. As for the taiyaki, I liked how crispy it was on the outside and how soft it was on the inside, but the matcha filling was a little underwhelming (really subtle and gloppy). -- UPSIDE DOWN AHBOONG with Matcha & Banana Pudding Soft Serve Topped with Strawberry, Biscoff Crumble, and a Taiyaki with Black Sesame Filling Of the two, I liked this one better. For one, I thought the flavors in the soft serve balanced each other really well (the matcha helped tamper the sweetness of the banana pudding), but I LOVED the black sesame filling in the taiyaki. It tasted so good, I wish there was more of it! As far as service goes, there's usually not much to note at a place like this, but I thought the workers here were great. The girl at the register did a good job of making sure folks knew there was a second table to the side tat folks could order from and happily answered the questions that the group in front of us had. Perhaps more importantly, they're pretty efficient with everything, as they seemed to get orders out at a steady pace. Besides how much I enjoyed the desserts here (did I mention I love their black sesame taiyaki?), the other thing that I like about Somisomi is how they stay open so late (11:30pm). Quite welcome, considering how most dessert shops in the area close so much earlier, but also because it just means I don't have to worry about rushing here to get more of the black sesame taiyaki before this place closes! FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded down for now.

    Line on a Saturday
    Shih Fa K.

    The taiyakis here are pretty much made to standard. I tried the Dubai Chocolate for the first time, and it was good. The service was fast and friendly. And the ambiance was typical of SomiSomi

    Sakura berries
    Anthony N.

    This place was good. I got the sakura berry and i wish i could go back for more. It was a reallly good combination of floral and fruity. I think the ice cream is really creamy and tasty too. I think everyone needs to give that flavor specifically a try.

    Upside down matcha and ube with black sesame filling
    Sho R.

    I stopped by on a weekend afternoon. The place was not too busy. Black sesame filled fish was my favorite. Matcha custard filling was good too. I went for an upside down matcha and ube with black sesame filling and an ahboong milk and strawberry with matcha custard filling. Both flavors of softserve was good.

    Taiyakis in red bean and black sesame flavors
    Irene L.

    I walked past a Taiyaki place called Somi Somi while walking around Downtown San Mateo. Though it might be a good place to stop for a treat. I ordered the Taiyaki with black sesame filling and the other with red bean. It was nice that you can see them make it fresh and hot when you get it. It took about 10 minutes to receive. The texture was crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside with just the amount of filling. It wasn't too expensive which is 2 for about $5. I preferred the black sesame because of the taste and goes well as a overall dessert. The place looked pretty modern and simple. The staff was pretty quick in getting your order ready after ordering at the kiosk.

    Inside
    Kayee C.

    Love the texture of the taiyaki, crispy on the outside and chewy and soft on the inside. Dubai chocolate is extra $1.95 per taiyaki, overpriced and not that great. The mint Oreo just reminds me of Andes chocolate. Minimum order of 2 ($5) or also comes in 5. Has 2 tablets for ordering, calls name when the order is ready. Has self serve complimentary water and napkins.

    Justin F.

    I feel as if Somisomi is really consistent no matter what location. Today I ordered an Upside-down Ahboong which is what I usually get because it's more mess-free than if you were to have it handheld. I feel like you get a generous portion of ice cream for the amount paid which is awesome. The mixed flavor they had was Ube & Milk Tea and it was really excellent. I got the custard filling in the taiyaki with oreo & biscoff dust as well as Fruity Pebbles. The line was moderately long but it felt like I ordered and got my dessert in no time.

    Anh P.

    Wait I'm surprised it actually hits! Why do I discover this place so late, like I walked pass Somi Somi multiple times without thinking about giving it a try but now I'm obsessed!!!

    Ube and milk tea
    Tiffany P.

    Been coming to somi somi for years since their Cupertino location opened in the bay. It's hard to resist when I pass by since their soft serves and taiyaki are so yummy. This time I got the ube and milk tea swirl w/ fruity pebbles and oreo taiyaki. The taiyaki is made fresh so the outside is hot and crispy while the inside is mochi-like. The Oreo is whatever. I think the other fillings are better. Red beans probably my favorite. The ube is strong and overpowers the milk tea completely since the tea flavor is quite mild. Cold ice cream paired with a hot pastry is one of the most amazing combos. I also love how most flavors are lactose-free :)

    I keep hearing a collective 'Waaaaaaaaaaaah' when I see these...
    David C.

    This was definitely grab and go for us but the wait was a bit. Nice day in the bay area so there were many people out and about. We had gotten a few things to go to try a few flavors. While we waited, there was a water dispenser inside and some benches conveniently located outside as well. It was quite warm within the store at the time. I did like that there were kiosks just to put orders through though I did wish there was some way to better estimate time for things to come out. We had gotten a 5 pc taiyaki (cheese, custard matcha, and redbean) as well as a strawberry milk. Each flavor was pretty good. I'd say I was surprised I liked the cheese as much as I did. Nothing was too overly sweet which was great. The strawberry milk was well balanced but the fruit tasted fresh and there was a good amount of strawberry chunks to go with it. I'd definitely stop by again to try out the soft serve and eat the taiyaki on the spot.

    Julie N.

    Had their taiyaki with fillings such as oreo, nutella, matcha, and custard. You can order a set of 2 or 5 taiyaki at a time. It takes a while for the employee to make your taiyaki but it will come out hot. Their taiyaki is good snack for sure. Will definitely get their ice cream in the taiyaki. This place is cardless so you will have to order your soft serve ice creams or taiyaki through the tablet. Then the employees will make your snacks.

    Kevin P.

    Came in after grabbing Malatang in the area and was surprised at all the special flavors they had, I ordered the peach ube swirl, and enjoyed the mixture. Wasn't too sweet and it hit the spot. Not much service since I ordered through the kiosk and picked up my soft serve next to the register. This place is more of a grab and go kind of place, no seats.

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    4 days ago

    The ice cream is good, but you pay extra to Fill the cookie and they just out the same like normaly

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    1 year ago

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    19 days ago

    Love this place! I enjoy the flavors and toppings. You place your order thru the kiosk and it's pretty quick.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Somisomi

    Is there dairy free &/ or lactose free options?

    Yes there are. If you go to their main website, at the bottom of the page there is a link to allergen information which will show which flavors have lactose and which ones don't. Since some flavors may rotate I'd also suggest contacting in case to… Read more

    Is the milk pasteurized? We asked one of the employees and he said no! i'm pregnant so we are considering abt it. We love somisomi but if its not...:(

    Hello Quinn, All of our dairy products are pasteurized.… Read more

    Do they have black sesame or chocolate flavors? Seems like they used to but now the selection has been cut way back to just a few flavors. The corporate website for SomiSomi has way more flavors than I see on the menu here. Thanks!

    Hello Neela, Yes, we have those flavors but availability in the stores vary per season. Right now… Read more

    Are they still out of the milk flavor?

    Hello, Alex We sincerely apologize for this flavor's unavailability. Rest assured that we have… Read more

    Hi! Is this place open now? I don't have instagram so I haven't seen any updates. Thanks!

    Hello Jeannie! SomSomi San Mateo is currently not open, but it's coming soon!… Read more

    When is this place opening? Love soft serve but ill be sad if it's like that lobster roll place that never opened in that same location lol?

    Hello, Maia Thank you for your interest!… Read more

    When is the grand opening?

    Saw on their Instagram that this location opens this Friday, February 3, 2023!

    View All 10 Questions

    Dessert Republic - Mixed Fruit with Grass Jelly B

    Dessert Republic

    3.4(907 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $

    The fried intestines appetizers here are the only fried intestines I've ever liked. They're crispy…read moreon the outside but soft on the inside, and extremely snackable. I love the night market decor too, especially the outdoor buildings facade. It's such a fun treat to look at the signs and the fake shops while you wait for your food.

    I'm not sure how it managed to happen, given how long they've been around and how many times I've…read moreeaten around 3rd Ave, but I had no idea Dessert Republic even existed, let alone been here. Presumably, never walking down their block of the Main St. alley had a lot to do with it, but who knows how much longer it would've taken if not for my friends suggesting we come here for dinner. Which is kind of ironic, considering the name of this place! While nothing about the outside of Dessert Republic really stands out, the decor inside is great. It may not be all that flashy nor have much of an IG aesthetic, but I like how it has a Hong Kong/Chinatown alley sort of look to it. As for the menu, true to their name, there's no shortage of desserts to choose from, whether it be hot desserts, like glutinous rice balls, sweet tofu, or egg pudding, cold desserts, like mixed fruits, sago, or ice cream sundaes, egg puffs, and crepes. In addition, they also have a bunch of regular food options, from snacks and dim sum items, to rice plates, noodle soups, and even lomo saltado. -- (#A03) POPCORN CHICKEN Not terrible, but not popcorn chicken either. Rather, this felt more like the salt & pepper porkchop dishes I've had in the past - the batter was thick, the chicken was unmarinated, it was seasoned with just salt and pepper, and it was topped with cut peppers instead of crispy basil. -- (#S01) BRAISED BRISKET & WONTON NOODLE SOUP Overall, this was a mixed bag. On the plus side, the bowl was decently loaded, the wontons were plump, and it had chunks of beef tendon, which were tender. On the other, while the noodles were fine, the veggies were way overcooked and the beef was chewy. -- (#M08) SUPER STRAWBERRY - Strawberry Freeze, Aloe Jelly, and Strawberries Topped with Strawberry Ice Cream Undoubtedly, this had a lot of strawberry flavor to it. Even though the strawberry freeze didn't do a ton for me, especially as it melted, I liked how well the aloe jelly, strawberries, and ice cream complemented each other. As far as service goes, I've seen some folks mention running into issues, but I've actually found it to be entirely unremarkable, for better or worse. Each time I've been here, the workers haven't really gone beyond the basics (take orders, bring out dishes, take care of checks, etc.), but I never really expect anything more than that either. Still, they do seem to be relatively friendly and get orders out decently fast, which certainly counts for something. Since I've clearly only had a small handful of what their menu has to offer, there's the distinct possibility (probability?) that I haven't had the best of what Dessert Republic has to offer. However, based on what I've ordered and my friends' egg puffs and sweet tofu that I've tried (both were fine), the desserts here definitely seem to be the safer bet overall. Which is handy since they stay open so late, especially on Friday and Saturday nights (until 1am).

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    Dessert Republic
    Dessert Republic
    Dessert Republic - Green Milk Tea with boba

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    Green Milk Tea with boba

    Antoine's Cookie Shop - 9/1/25

    Antoine's Cookie Shop

    4.7(1.2k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    First time trying this out, my friends told me these cookies are delicious... well they were right,…read morethe cookies were so good! This shop is small, the service was great and I liked how they also write down on their menu if they are low on cookies and how many are left. They also have a small oven where you can WARM UP YOUR COOKIE(S)! Such a great idea, highly recommend checking this place out for their cookies.

    Ambiance: A small cookie shop located on one of the side…read morestreets in Downtown San Mateo. The shop has a small seating area upon walking in with mainly a counter and the cookies on display for you to pick what you would like to refer. Wait time: Practically no wait time waiting in line or for cookies after placing your order. Service: The workers were nice and greeted upon entry and were quick to put the order together. Order via worker standing behind the counter. Cookies: The 66% chocolate chip had big chunks of chocolate which the bitterness helped balance the cookie. The cookies n cream was a little sweet for me but had again pieces of Oreos inside with a nice texture. The chocolate peanut butter again had both chocolate and creamy peanut butter which didn't leave the mouth dry. The honey comb was a unique and different taste with the honeycomb providing a less common sweetness but can be overpowering. The toffee cookie had bits of toffee which again provided texture without being overly sweet. The oatmeal chocolate walnut cookie was my second favorite after the 66% dark cocoa due to the oatmeal again balancing the sweetness of the chocolate with the saltiness of the walnuts. Overall would recommend for a solid cookie with a fair price and the day olds were also extremely cheap for a better quality than you could get at other places.

    Photos
    Antoine's Cookie Shop - Cookies n cream and Honeycomb

    Cookies n cream and Honeycomb

    Antoine's Cookie Shop - Toffee + honeycomb

    Toffee + honeycomb

    Antoine's Cookie Shop - 66% Dark Chocolate Chip

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    66% Dark Chocolate Chip

    Beard Papa's - 6 Minis

    Beard Papa's

    3.9(453 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    The very first time I ever tried Beard Papa's, over a decade ago when the one by the Metreon in SF…read morefirst opened, I wasn't exactly blown away by the experience. Granted, my friends probably hyped it up a bit too much while we were waiting in line (I think it was already their second or third time going), but, regardless, I thought it was just okay. Fast forward all of these years later and I have to say - whether it's because my tastes have changed or because I found a flavor that I really liked, this place is so much better than I remember! With so many boba joints and dessert shops nearby, it's pretty easy to overlook Beard Papa's. Being located on the edge of downtown/3rd Ave certainly doesn't help, but, for something quick and convenient (and different), they're a decent option. While the menu may not look all that extensive, it has a fair amount to offer when you consider how you can mix and match your choice from their near dozen cream puffs/eclairs and handful of cream fillings. Add to that the occasional seasonal/featured flavors they'll have and their assortment of lava cakes and cheesecakes and there's plenty to choose from! -- ST. VALENTINE'S RASPBERRY ECLAIR - Raspberry Cream Custard-filled Eclair with White Chocolate Coating and Raspberry Frosting This was a seasonal offering (admittedly, an older one), but if they ever added this to their regular menu, I'd easily get this again. Surprisingly, this actually wasn't super sweet and I loved how well the raspberry and white chocolate flavors complemented each other. -- GREENT TEA ECLAIR WITH VANILLA CUSTARD FILLING Not nearly as good as the St Valentine's Eclair, but way better than the original Vanilla Cream Puff I had before. The frosting had a strong hit of green tea to it, and the custard was fine, but, this time, the cream puff felt a little stale/dry-ish. While I definitely enjoyed Beard Papa's cream puffs/eclairs more than I did before, I can't say I've loved everything about this location. Mainly, the service here has been a little uneven - the first time we stopped in, the guy behind the counter looked really annoyed with having to help us and seemed like he was dying for us to leave (FWIW, we walked in almost an hour before they closed). Our last visit, though, the workers were friendly and super fast, as they handed us our eclair before we could even finish paying. Even though my opinion of Beard Papa's has definitely improved, since I never really crave cream puffs/eclairs and limit my sweets to the occasional scoop(s) of ice cream or milk tea, I can't say Beard Papa's is on the verge of getting into my regular dessert rotation. However, given how much I enjoyed their St. Valentine's Raspberry Eclair, I'm definitely more open to coming back than ever before if/when should the desire come along, especially since they don't have those same long lines anymore! THREE AND A HALF STARS rounded up for now.

    This Beard Papa's is located in downtown San Mateo. Parking is either street parking or there is a…read moreparking garage around the corner. Only one employee working for a semi-busy weekend evening, so it took awhile to order and get my cream puffs. I ordered a couple of their cream puffs with green tea filling in a green tea eclair shell. The cream puffs tasted a bit old like it has been sitting out for a long time. The shell tasted hard like a rock and the green tea filling tasted a a bit off compared to their other locations - it was super bitter as well.

    Photos
    Beard Papa's
    Beard Papa's
    Beard Papa's

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    Somisomi - icecream - Updated June 2026

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