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    Spiral Flame

    4.5 (31 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Spiral Flame Reservations

    Order Spiral Flame Takeout or Delivery

    Spiral Flame Photos

    SPIRAL FLAME ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Reviews With Photos

    49er Roll
    Jenny P.

    Best skewers (ranked best to worst) Squid tentacles 10/10 (wow the texture is amazing...) Napa cabbage 10/10 (VERY REFRESHING PAIRING WITH THE MEATS, u would think why am i gonna pay 3 dollars for cabbage but then u put it in your mouth and feel the juicy crunch and everything makes it worth it) Squid 10/10 (just so good w/ the seasoning) Oyster mushroom 10/10 (MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH so juicy and good pairing with meats) Chicken gizzard 10/10 (my bf's personal favorite! good texture, so juicy) Beef (very juicy and good but a bit fatty for me) Potato slices (very good, think potato corner spiral but the pairing with the meat is a little starchy) Pork belly (so good but too fatty for me personally) The edamame is good and wasabi flavored. If you like wasabi...consider... The wait staff is SO nice! They always check up on you and see what you're missing. The set up makes it so it's never too loud and the restrooms are clean. Pretty nice area. Is clean inside. If you can eat buldak, the extra spicy is handlable and very good! Spicy is also good, but I just like that extra spicy kick!

    Elizabeth H.

    Great little spot for sushi and skewers! We were craving sushi so left skewers for a return visit. The searing on the fish had great flavor. Service was friendly and helpful.

    Grilled Chicken Thigh (1) ()
    James H.

    I hate to give a newer restaurant a low rating. But a lot to improve on. All the skewers were kind of too salty. The meat skewers all tasted like same seasoning used. The lion king, 49ers and double hamachi rolls all $14.50 were tiny. Only 6 pcs and 8 pcs, the fish were tiny sliver. The sushi rice tasted plain with no rice vinegar. The service was nice but didn't get checked on until after finishing. I won't be returning here. Street parking.

    Rainbow Dragon Roll
    Tiffany C.

    My friend was coming to visit and my husband found this new place and asked us if we wanted to try it. Sushi and skewer sticks? What a weird combo! What was I thinking? It was a GREAT combo! The restaurant itself was super cute and the waitress was super friendly and helpful! The food was even better! I was blown away! All of us kept saying "mmm" as we bit into each different piece. Our favorite sushi roll was the Romeo and Juliet. We ended up ordering another one of those along with the 49er. Each of the skewer sticks were packed with flavor and everything tasted super delicious! I can't wait to come back to try the other stuff!

    Chloe C.

    Food - ordered a ton of sushi and skewers. Sushi - chef's choice came with a variety of super fresh sushi. Salmon belly was a special and it was perfectly seared. Negihama roll was fresh and tasty. all the sushi was super good and fresh Skewers - ordered a variety of skewers from lamb, chicken and beef. The meats were perfectly seasoned and tender. You can choose to have it spicy or non spicy, which was nice since my bf eats spicy and I don't. Quail eggs were delicious Service - got seated pretty quickly and food came fairly fast. Ambiance - cute spot with lots of seatings, maybe 10 tables or so. Interior had a sushi bar as well for more cozy seating and overall was very clean and nice chill vibe.

    Hamachi Yellowtail
    Kelsey M.

    What a gem! Everything we have tried has been delicious. We enjoy being able to get amazing sushi and skewers all in the same place. Notably, we have been to many skewer places and this has some of the most flavorful and tender. Service and ambience are great too. Very clean inside. We have been twice and both times have been, so good. If you want to try a new place this is it.

    Avocado and tamago rolls
    Mary Ann B.

    Got off late from work and it's 9:25 pm on a Friday night. Did I mention it's Friday and it's no meat because of lent? We were welcomed without hesitation. Why do I mention this? Well the restaurant closes at 10:00 pm, and they kindly accommodated. Mad props because I was hungweeeee and worked up an appetite from a busy shift in the ED. Service and staff are superb. It's just good vibes all around. The food was top notch and delicious. I was super satisfied and did my happy dance while eating. Not gonna lie I was kinda in a bad mood from my shift but after I ate I was in such a better headspace. Was I hangry? Nah, I did have a whack shift at work and eating hella top notch food fixed my attitude. Sushi and skewers ermagerd nom nom nom. If you haven't tried this place, stop lagging and come through! Hidden gem in San Bruno with quality food and genuinely excellent service.

    Helen N.

    Great restaurant near SFO airport. The food was excellent and the service was both quick and welcoming. I especially appreciated the variety on the menu--everything from skewers to sushi to noodle dishes--so there's something for everyone. A really solid spot if you're near the airport and looking for a good meal.

    Vincent Y.

    Loved this spot ! It feels completely different from what used to be here before. The new decor with the lit up signs inside gives the restaurant a really cool, authentic vibe and makes the whole experience feel fun and lively. Customer service was excellent from start to finish, and the food definitely delivered. The sashimi platter and ramen was the standout! The sashimi was fresh with generous portions and the ramen was comforting. Definitely a place I'd happily come back to.

    Donna C.

    If you're craving both Chinese skewers AND sushi, this is your spot. The skewers are incredible and the sushi is a perfect match. Great food paired with really friendly service. One of our favorites is the beef tongue, wagyu beef, and eggplant skewers. Everything is so flavorful, and on this day we had the perfect oysters too. We'll definitely be back!

    Huandong C.

    5 Stars - Fantastic food! Loved the delicious sushi and tasty Chinese-style BBQ here! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared. Great service and cozy atmosphere too. Highly recommend!

    grilled chicken Crispy Chicken Mid-Wings (1) ()

    Amazing traditional chinese BBQ skewers! Meat is hand prepped daily, grilled to perfection (not fried!) and we loved their secret seasoning blend! their wagyu, pork jowl, and chicken wings are the popular favorites! Also don't skip out on the Sushi - fantastic mix of fresh fish and a fantastic $33 Omakase special!

    Hamachi Belly Salmon Belly Toro Walu Butterfish
    Vincent Q.

    Great food at a great price! They checked on us consistently during our dinner and they are so nice! Will definitely come back here again when I'm in the area.

    Good but very small rolls.

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    1 month ago

    Little hidden gem. The edamame starter is delicious and the fish tastes so fresh. Looking forward to coming back soon.

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    Ask the Community - Spiral Flame

    Is this place the same owners of the previous Spiral Japanese Restaurant or new owners?

    There is a legal notice on the door indicating an ownership change.

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    Smiling BBQ

    Smiling BBQ

    3.0
    (130 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    The lamb skewers, the chicken, gizzard skewers, and the beef skewers were good…read moreThe squid skewers were OK crunchy Do not get the kimchi fried rice It's literally like rice with oil and a hint of spiciness and more than a pinch of salt. The kimchi did not really have much flavor or a kick to it. When I went at opening, there literally was no one in the place and no person to greet to us We have to scan the QR code to order The ambience is very plain and kinda stagnant feeling The service people were very nonchalant Like they will look at you weird if you ask for more chopsticks, than the amount of people that you have Always ask for more napkins because they will not give you more if you do not ask

    You walk into Smiling BBQ and the first thing you notice is... nothing flashy. No trendy decor. No…read moreInstagram walls. And that's exactly the point. This is what real Chinese BBQ skewers looks like. The kind of place that doesn't need to impress you with aesthetics because the food already knows what it's doing. Family-owned, family-run. The staff is the family. And you feel it immediately, like you've stepped into a small neighborhood restaurant somewhere between Hong Kong and mainland China. There's a warmth here that can't be manufactured. The menu is simple, but every bite takes you back. From the beer selection to the grilled oysters to the BBQ itself... it's all honest, soulful, and unapologetically authentic. The kind of food that reminds you why street-side spots and humble kitchens often outshine overpriced "modern" versions trying too hard to be something they're not. And let's talk value. For the price? You absolutely cannot beat this place. Other spots charge more, dress it up, and somehow deliver less. Here, the quality is front and center... smoky, savory, deeply satisfying. What really blows my mind is how hidden this place still is. A quiet gem tucked away, flying under the radar, waiting for people who actually care about flavor over frills. This isn't a restaurant chasing trends. It's a place preserving something real. And honestly? That's rare.

    Photos
    Smiling BBQ
    Dumplings, not bad! I believe they were Beef dumplings
    Dumplings, not bad! I believe they were Beef dumplings
    Smiling BBQ

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    Seoul Kalbi Korean BBQ

    Seoul Kalbi Korean BBQ

    3.8
    (1.3k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$
    All you can eat
    Takes reservations

    Originally had a reservation for 6 people for 7:45, but at 7:00 we called to make a last minute…read morechange to 10 people. Ren was on the phone with us, and instead of just telling us the larger tables have already been reserved and can't be done, he asked us to call him back in 10 mins to see what he can do. Lo and behold 10 mins later he said he was able to add on another table at the end but it'll be a tight fit. Not a problem! After sitting down, we opted for the premium menu upgrade, and our table really liked the Premium Rib Meat (boneless marinated short rib). Even though it was AYCE and super busy, we always were able to get our food order in and it arrived quickly. If the heat on the charcoal grill was slowing down, they were quick to refill it. Awesome place for kbbq, and one of the only charcoal places that I know of in the area.

    The restaurant wasn't too filled on a Saturday night. We arrived around 4:30pm and there was no…read morewait. We let the staff know our party size and they had us sit in the waiting area while they set up the table. The food was good and quality was not bad. Only downside was that the restaurant ran out of many of the side dishes we tried to order. I can only imagine what side dishes are left if you dine here later in the day. Other than that, the charcoal grill was also pretty smokey from the very moment we sat down. We were luckily enough to have enough seats to not have to sit directly in front of the grill or it would have been worse.

    Photos
    Seoul Kalbi Korean BBQ
    The signature item! Seoul KALBI LA style, marinaded bone-in flank stead.
    The signature item! Seoul KALBI LA style, marinaded bone-in flank stead.
    Unlimited side dishes

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    Unlimited side dishes
    Sofra Grill

    Sofra Grill

    4.7
    (485 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Catering service

    Amazing! Everything from the moment you walk in being greeted, to the service from beginning to the…read moreend of your meal. We've been here a good amount of times and the quality of service can't be beat. The owner is almost always around and his presence makes the experience that much better. The conversation is one you won't want to miss. The food is always top tier. Freshly made to order and the plating is always so clean. The service has always been great. They even expanded the restaurant so there's even more space to dine in and to bring your whole group with you. Definitely a south city gem. We will definitely be back for more! Thank you Sofra Grill!

    We came here one lazy Sunday afternoon for lunch. We had a Baba Ganoush, the Branzino fillet, and…read morethe Kofte plate. The Baba Ganoush was very good. The fresh bread that came with it was amazing. We probably could have just snacked on this pair all day. The Branzino fillet was pretty good. I like that it was a fillet vs a whole fish, so I didn't have to deal with bones. It was a little bland for me though. I added the garlic sauce which gave it more flavor, but I would have liked not to have to do that. Not bad, but could be better. The Kofte plate was also pretty good, but again a little bland for me compared to the Kofte at Mazra or a koobideh at one of favorite Persian spots. Again, not bad but much more flavor when I added the garlic sauce which and hot sauce. Service was excellent. They were attentive and refilled out waters without asking. The unisex bathroom is EXTREMELY clean. A good indication of how they keep their kitchen. Definitely a plus. This is a nice local spot we'll have to come back to so we can try other items. This visit, however, was just okay. Next time I'll have to try the lamb dish and a few others.

    Photos
    Fork tender lamb shank!
    Fork tender lamb shank!
    Hot tea
    Hot tea
    Kunafa

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    Kunafa
    Taqueria Mi Durango

    Taqueria Mi Durango

    4.1
    (602 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    "Great hole-in-the-wall Mexican near SFO airport"…read more Came here for dinner at 6pm on a Monday night, based on good Yelp reviews. The place is unassuming-- has a thin stretch of outdoor seating and a handful of tables inside. Not super bright in lighting, and a TV inside was showing a baseball game. Seemed like a lot of the business was takeout, as people would come, hover, get food, and leave. I was GOING to order the fish tacos or a fish quesadilla, but I was swayed by the picture of a breaded fish plate special. My son got the carne asada quesadilla, and others at the table got a veggie burrito and a chicken bowl. Food came out pretty quick-- maybe around or just over 10 minutes (the fish plate and veggie burrito came out slightly after the other two). I was very impressed that the fish plate looked even BETTER than the photo (see photos of both). The fish was HUGE. There was a generous helping of guacamole, lots of fresh avocado slides, some onion and cabbage, etc. There was a nice bed of lettuce on the side with sour cream over it, and the rice & beans (covered with a thin layer of cheese) on another side. The fish plate was just delicious. The batter wasn't overpowering or too heavy, and the fish was excellent inside (and very flat). I really liked the sauce in a little cup on the fish, or having it with avocado or guacamole, or even straight. The rice and beans were yummy too. Such a great dish, and it was under $20 before tax and tip. My dining companions all liked their food, though my son said the carne asada meat was "just good" (he had a bite of the chicken and said that was better). The person at the register was friendly. And as mentioned, the prices were very reasonable. I'd happily eat here again if in the area. Great portion size, great quality, good value, etc. Enjoy!

    The good: the burrito was tasty. The service was good…read more The bad: I ordered the California burrito, which is supposed to come with french fries. The burrito had potatoes, but they weren't french fries. They were boiled potato strips. Kind of somewhat annoying when that's what I was looking forward to. Also, I ordered a super burrito, but it was more like a taco. Burritos here are really small so if you're hungry, forget about it.

    Photos
    Taqueria Mi Durango
    I don't know what it's called.  But come on!  It's so good!  Crispy and creamy due to the condense milk and some sugar grains.
    I don't know what it's called. But come on! It's so good! Crispy and creamy due to the condense milk and some sugar grains.
    Menu

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    Menu
    Mokutanya

    Mokutanya

    3.9
    (2.5k reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    Cute but pricey izakaya (it is owned by non-Japanese Asians!) They have a parking lot so don't park…read moreon the street like I did (alternatively, you could take Caltrain as they are right across the street from Broadway station!) The private booths are intimate, the lighting is dimmed, music is bopping (not to age myself, but it was bops from my high school years) Fitting, as I was getting dinner with my best HS friend! I love how you take off your shoes to get in the booths! So cute and fun. There were some families there and the kids were given coloring pages. Coming from SF, this is how you know you're in the suburbs. The skewers were delicious. A group of 4, we ordered 4 of each. We tried steak, chicken, takoyaki, fries (which were pretty much takoyaki fries), bacon-wrapped mochi, bacon enoki mushroom, unagi, fried chicken skin, Uzura Tamago (Quail Eggs), and more! Everything was good and flavorful. However, it ended up being over ~$70/person, so not cheap. I will say service was lacking. They didn't bring us the bill for over 20 minutes. Relatedly (in that it's negative), whoo boy was my stomach upset after! It was delicious, but at the cost of being greasy.

    A great, reliable spot if you're looking for a fun yakitori and Japanese tapas-style dinner…read moreexperience, especially one that closes decently late no matter the day. We came to Mokutanya for a casual night out. It was pretty late for a sushi spot to be open on a Sunday night (around 8:30 pm), and overall, it hit the spot. The menu has a lot of variety, and it's definitely a good place to share dishes with friends or a group. FOOD: 8/10 The skewers were the highlight for me and, I believe, one of their specialties. They were well-seasoned, nicely grilled, and served hot off the grill. I also enjoyed trying a variety of small plates, which made the meal feel fun and interactive. Some dishes were better than others, but overall it was a solid experience with good flavor and variety. We ordered their Raw Oysters, and it was decent. It definitely was not the freshest we've ever tried, but it was still good, thankfully. SERVICE: 8/10 Service was standard, but the staff was chill and easygoing. AMBIANCE: 8/10 The restaurant has a warm, lively, and slightly upscale-casual feel, great for groups or a casual night out. You can experience zashiki seating, where you take off your shoes before entering the dining area and sit down at low tables. The lighting was pretty dark, lol. Overall, it's a solid late-night option if you're in the mood for skewers, small plates, and a relaxed group dining experience.

    Photos
    Mokutanya
    Momo w/ Wasabi Wagyu Beef (Salt & Pepper) Wagyu Beef (Sweet) Momo w/ Yuzu Honey Glaze
    Momo w/ Wasabi Wagyu Beef (Salt & Pepper) Wagyu Beef (Sweet) Momo w/ Yuzu Honey Glaze
    Shochu

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    Shochu

    Spiral Flame - japanese - Updated July 2026

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