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    Whisper

    4.3 (574 reviews)
    Closed 9:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    WHISPER ATMOSPHERE

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

    Recommended Reviews - Whisper

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    Reviews With Photos

    Loosh V.

    Whisper is such a cute addition to downtown San Mateo! The space is super aesthetic, and if you've been here before when it was a brewery, you'll recognize a lot of the original charm. Bonus points for being surrounded by parking garages because we've all fought enough downtown parking battles. The Korean fusion menu absolutely delivers. The gochujang fried chicken was and an easy favorite. The beef tartare was tasty too, though the beef-to-everything-else ratio had me playing a little game of "where's the tartare?" Now let's talk about the kimchi carbonara... I would happily order a bowl of just the sauce and drink it like soup. No shame. It was THAT good. Service was attentive, we were seated immediately on a Saturday night (always a pleasant surprise), and everything came out quickly. Their brunch menu also looks amazing, so I'm already planning my return. And it looks like they kept the speakeasy downstairs too! Guess I'll just have to come back and do some very important research.

    Kimchi Carbonara
    Angelie P.

    Whisper definitely lived up to the hype! The restaurant is spacious and can easily accommodate big groups, which made it perfect for our party. The servers were attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. We ordered the Mango Scallop Ceviche, Kimchi Carbonara Cast Iron, Bulgogi Nachos, Nori Pasta, Corn Ribs, Creme Brulee French Toast, Mango Pancakes, and their matcha drinks. Our absolute favorites were the Creme Brulee French Toast and the Kimchi Carbonara Cast Iron. The French toast was unforgettable we're still talking about it even after leaving! It's rich, perfectly caramelized, and definitely something I'd come back for. The kimchi carbonara had a creamy sauce with just the right amount of spice and was another standout. The Mango Scallop Ceviche was fresh, refreshing, and packed with flavor, while the Bulgogi Nachos were loaded and perfect for sharing. The Nori Pasta wasn't our favorite overall, so we probably wouldn't order it again. That said, the bulgogi on top was incredibly delicious--it was honestly the best part of the dish. The pasta itself just didn't quite come together for us. The Corn Ribs were good, but we felt like they were missing a little something to make them really memorable. The Mango Pancakes looked beautiful, but we probably wouldn't order them again. As for the matcha drinks, we wouldn't recommend them. They tasted too bland for our liking, and we could barely taste the matcha. Overall, Whisper has a great atmosphere, excellent service, and several dishes that are worth coming back for. We'll definitely be back, especially for the Creme Brulee French Toast and the Kimchi Carbonara Cast Iron. Those two dishes alone are worth the visit!

    Colleen C.

    This brunch spot is so delicious! My favorite dishes are mango pancakes and their creamy white sauce pasta! I do love their side order of the potato medley! It's such a generous amount of assortment of different potatoes in the country fried format! Service is so accommodating. The server that checked us in asked us if we wanted to sit upstairs or sit downstairs. Because stairs are hard on my mom and I she let us sit downstairs. The waiters pour water and they have different drink options! I want to try their affogato at some point! Definitely want to come back and try other food! On the table you can scan the code and it gives you an option to add more food to your tab and gives you a picture menu with description. The ambience has a bit of a loud echo in the space so if you're a bit sensitive I def recommend some type of ear plug to lower the chatter. I really like this place the seats are very comfy.

    DIANA T.

    What an absolute gem of a find! The vibe here is the perfect balance of chill and bustling, spread across a beautiful two-story space. The staff is incredibly warm, and the service is seamless. Best of all? Rolling in at 10:00 AM meant completely bypassing the brutal lines at Stacks and walking straight to a table. As for the food--wow. The Wagyu skillet was the absolute star of the show. It came accompanied by these incredibly fresh, perfectly seasoned house potatoes. I'm normally not a fan of breakfast potatoes, but these were executed so beautifully that I completely polished off the skillet. Not a single crumb was left. We also tried the porridge. It was definitely unique and an interesting twist, but it just lacked that "wow" factor for me compared to the other heavy hitters. Saving the absolute best for last: the crème brûlée French toast. Oh my goodness... pure, heavenly bliss. It is incredibly decadent, and once you drizzle that syrup over it, it elevates it to another level. The syrup is an absolute must! I'm already plotting my next trip back just to repeat the skillet and French toast combo. Exceptional food, great atmosphere, and very reasonable prices. Highly recommend!

    Bulgogi Benedict
    Alayna K.

    This place was busy and understandably!! The brunch was top notch and we were pleasantly surprised. With a table of 6, we only waited 15 minutes (which I think was luck). Our favorite was: - the bulgogi benedict, eggs were perfectly poached. (8.5/10) Ask for the potatoes extra crispy!!! These were amazing. - The latte was surprisingly strong and good too! (8/10) Can skip: Chicken and waffles (decent but not anything to come back for!) Gochujang chicken appetizer (a bit too saucy) Mushroom app with bread Servers forgot about us at some moments and had to ask for spoons/plates a couple of times but understandable because they were busy!

    Kimchi carbonara
    Eric Y.

    Come for: the ambiance of an interesting lunch spot Know that: despite being fusion, choose something that leans one way or another The name Whisper is very appropriate. The dishes I had felt like it had a slight whisper of cultural fusion while largely maintaining the flavor of the normal dish. I was disappointed as my expectations were quite high. I came for dinner and was able to make a reservation which is very nice. The servers were nice but they did seat is at a table too small for the group. Now for the food: Wagyu truffle yukke (4/5): my favorite dish of the night. The pear is always the star and this version was no exception. I loved the little sauce though the fact that this was wagyu made no difference. Same could be said for the truffle. Truffle cream oyster mushrooms (4/5): not bad. Pretty rich. Wish they gave more bread. Again, truffle felt forced here but flavor did come through more than in the yukke. Kimchi carbonara (2/5): this was the dish that ruined the night. This dish felt like someone took a regular "okay" carbonara and added kimchi just to make some instagram posts. The flavor of kimchi was barely noticeable and really did not feel like it even belonged. I would skip this. Overall, I would not wait in line for this place. The food is okay at best, nothing special. I do not believe this fusion concept really worked, felt more like forced integration than cohesion.

    Strawberry Guava Refresher - essentially a guava strawberry juice with sparkling soda
    Eddo C.

    Strawberry Guava Refresher - 4/5 Sweet & Salt - 3 tiered KFC with croffle, powdered sugar sprinkle, and some fresh fruit sprinkled around 4/5 Kimchi Carbonara - creamy sauce infused with kimchi with aide or focaccia 5/5 Cast Iron Stone Axe - great taste, definitely more food than the other entrees. Wagyu finger rib definitely more marble texture. Recommend them for those that are looking more for savory than sweet options! 5/5 As a reminder for those that are planning on going, they close between 230 and 530

    Kimchi Carbonara
    Pearl R.

    I came here with my friends and we were on the waitlist for nearly an hour before we got seated but the food was worth the wait. I got the pineapple mimosa, kimchi carbonara, scrambled eggs with toast and potato and it was delicious! The restaurant is really spacious and the decorations are really cute and a lot of seating so it's a great place to come with friends or family!

    Stone axe steak
    Kristy L.

    Been wanting to try Whisper for a while now, thankfully my boyfriend and I were able to get off work early to come and try it! We got there right at opening and a line formed behind us fairly quickly. The decor inside is such a lovely mix of modern and cozy - it really sets the tone for a welcoming and a little upscale atmosphere. Lots of seating and it seems they have seating upstairs for overflow, would recommend coming at opening for minimal wait time! We came hungry and ordered quite a lot -- corn ribs, bulgogi nachos, kimchi carbonara and stone axe. Our rundown of the dishes: Corn ribs: 5 stars, so delicious and full of flavor! We really enjoyed this one, would get multiple of these next time! Bulgogi nachos: 1 star, honestly was really disappointing. In both flavor and bulgogi presentation - it was like mediocre nachos with a sprinkle of meat. Not sure if it was just off or what, we didn't really enjoy this one. (Hence the dock of one star) Kimchi carbonara: 10 stars, would highly recommend getting this! It was so filled with flavor, spicy and sweet and savory. The cheese mixed in made the dish all the more remarkable. I was very impressed with this one! Wouldn't recommend switching to sourdough bread on this, stick to their focaccia bread. Stone axe (I can't remember the full name): 4 stars, very delicious! My boyfriend didn't love the kimchi tomato at first but once it was mixed into the rice, it was actually really tasty. I love the different flavors each sub part of the dish had to offer. Overall, would come back to try their other dishes - mostly their brunch options. Very surprised with what whisper had to offer!

    Mango pancakes
    Chris K.

    Came to Whispers for brunch on a Sunday at 12, and the place was packed. They also have a Yelp waitlist there. Just note that you won't be seated until your full party has arrived. I ordered the mango pancakes and a side of bacon. Sooo good! Light, fresh, and sweet. The side of bacon came with three thick slices. One of my friends wanted to order a burger, but the waiter told her all burgers are cooked well done and that she couldn't choose her preferred temperature. I thought that was a little weird. Another friend ordered the mango pancakes, but they never came out, even after multiple reminders to the staff. Overall, the experience was great for a first timer. The staff was friendly and kept our waters refilled throughout the meal.

    instagram: @jlr.eats
    Jenna R.

    I was in the area so i decided to treat myself to brunch. I didn't wait long but I had first placed myself on the yelp waitlist before they said it wasn't working. I was seated right away when they announced they weren't using the waitlist. I ordered a pandan Matcha iced latte and the gogi morning benedict. Both were very good, i cleaned my plate. Staff were friendly and attentive. The wait for my items was not too long. The space is so cute and decorated fun and eclectic. The furniture was actually really nice. It's been a while since a brunch spot has impressed me!

    Mango pancakes
    Stephanie D.

    Service was amazing as per usual, the manager and all the staff are really friendly and welcoming. This is my 2nd time here and I really love coming with a group. The interior overall is so cozy but modern at the same time, perfect for pictures!! Overall I would say the pastas are 7/10. My favorite was the mango pancakes (8/10) and the gochujang chicken (7.5/10). The pancakes were fresh, soft, and topped with fresh cream and mangos (not too sweet either). The chicken was also pretty affordable $15 and was a nice appetizer.

    Veerawan T.

    Huge wait time ever since they opened. Our family had a reservation and still had to wait after we checked in. Amazing decor inside and even the utensils had a unique touch to it. Great food selection for brunch - Korean/American fusion. Overall, I would like to come back if the wait time wasn't so long. Truffle oyster - expected to be creamier - more watery. Corn ribs - mild flavor Kimchi carbonara - probably my favorite dish! Very delicious and flavor was rich. Creamy and savory! We even saved the leftover sauce to mix with other noodles afterwards. Fried chicken and waffles - felt like just every other place Latin sunrise omelette - it was good! Very light and healthy. I really enjoyed eating the purple yam with it.

    Kimchi Carbonara | IG @teawithjxsmine

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    Ask the Community - Whisper

    Where should I park?

    There is metered street parking everywhere but there are also a bunch of parking structures around. The one on second is the closest.

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    OLHSO Truck

    OLHSO Truck

    4.7
    (38 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    Large group friendly
    Catering service

    I've been wanting to try OLHSO Truck since it opened and finally had my chance during a catered…read moreevent. The concept of having Korean food cooked in a robotic food truck is interesting to me. Since the food was catered, unfortunately I was unable to see the robots cooking in action, but fortunately was able to taste the final products. I was able to try the Wagyu galbi (short ribs), dak galbi (marinated chicken), Seoul food bowl (stir-fried pork belly and shrimp), and japchae, served with their corn salad, kimchi, and white rice. The Wagyu galbi was very flavorful with a good amount of vegetables; though I enjoyed the inclusion of lotus root, the veggies seemed like borderline filler to skimp out on meat. The dak galbi was also flavorful though spicy, and again the inclusion of rice cakes seemed like filler. The pork belly and shrimp were delicious, and I liked that the pieces of pork belly I had didn't have an overpowering amount of fat. The japchae was pretty standard and was nice to balance out the meat. I enjoyed the corn salad because it added a creamy component to my meal. The kimchi got lost in the mixture of food in my bowl and the rice was cooked perfectly by the robot. Overall, I enjoyed the food prepared by OLHSO Truck. Unfortunately, since the food was catered and already prepared when I arrived, I cannot comment on the service or wait times provided by the staff. I would consider ordering food from the truck if I am craving Korean fusion type of food and am too lazy to dine in at a local Korean restaurant. If the food from the truck is a good representation of the restaurant in downtown San Mateo, I am more inclined to try the restaurant for a nice sit down dining experience.

    Ordered à la carte since the $10 extra for meals didn't seem worth it for a little bit of sides and…read morerice. One thing that is a bit annoying is that there is no way to schedule or get an estimate of your order until after you pay. After clicking the deliver now button, the final eta was actually closer to 70min, but then was actually delivered in 30min. Ordered the Wagyu Galbi, Dak Galbi, SEOUL food, and japchae. The wagyu galbi was nice and tender. The Seoul and dak galbi had similar flavor profiles with the latter being a bit spicier. Note, when you look at your order details, it WONT list any of the sides (e.g. Japchae), which is very confusing. However, it is listed on the final receipt.

    Photos
    Wagyu Galbi
    Wagyu Galbi
    Seoul Food
    Seoul Food
    Dak Galbi

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    Dak Galbi
    Kajiken

    Kajiken

    4.4
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Super dope!!!!!! My ultimate favorite aburasoba of all time! Brought my mom here to try Wagyu roast…read morebeef aburasoba and she approved this place! Some personal thoughts: If you want something light, or try to order for the elders, wagyu aburasoba is a better choice, since the meat is more lean and yogurt sauce help balance the richness. Homura aburasoba is also great, but minced pork is a bit fatty, and traditional sauce is also rich, so I normally find it hard to finish a bowl because I'm too full. Nevertheless, I don't say it's not great, do not order. What I meant is that if you have a preference for light food (like me), hate something too oily/ greasy or afraid of fat, wagyu aburasoba is always a better choice!

    First, the ordering link on their website is wrong. You have to scan the QR code in the store…read morewindow. Why is their website wrong? That's stupid. Second, my takeout Original Aburasoba was missing the chashu; it only had bamboo shoots, green onion, and nori. I contacted both the contact on their website (I guess corporate) and again the store itself. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY FROM EITHER. Clearly, they just want to take your money regardless of the food quality or customer experience. THEY DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS IF YOU DON'T GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR. THEY ONLY CARE THAT THEY GOT YOUR MONEY.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)
    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)
    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
    K. Grill & Tofu House

    K. Grill & Tofu House

    4.1
    (897 reviews)
    6.3 mi
    $$

    I was in San Bruno today and was craving Korean food. Korean cuisine ranks high on my list due to…read morethe awesome variety of flavors and textures you get with your meal. K. Grill and Tofu House is an excellent, family run establishment that serves up delicious food. The space is very nice and the service is very friendly. I ordered a Dolsot bibimbop because I love food that comes to your table and it's still cooking! I also love that your entree is served with several Banchan (appetizer) dishes. One thing I love about any dining experience is getting a lot of different flavors and textures in one meal. The banchan here had seven different dishes! Of course you get your kimchee, bean sprouts, fish cakes and then some other pickled fruits and veggies. They also gave me what seemed like a roasted sardine? In any case, it was delicious! The Dolsot Bibimbap was a hit! Crispy rice, vegetables, beef and a fried egg on top. Plus, some gochujang sauce to go on it! So yummy! I feel like the prices here are pretty standard for the area, but I do think it's 100% worth the money. Check them out if you're in the area!

    Came on Sunday night and there was a small wait (about 10 mins)…read more Service was good after we sat down. The water and banchan came quickly. The seafood pancake is crispy and good. The tofu stone pot is delicious with quite a lot of tofu. The grilled chicken is so-so. The stir-fried glass noodle dish is good. Note there is no free parking and you'll have to pay for parking on the street.

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    Indoor ambiance
    Indoor ambiance
    Banchan
    Banchan
    Galbi $38

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    Galbi $38

    Whisper - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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