In Bay Area, we have a lot of Japanese restaurants because we have many Japanese immigrants. I would say this is one of best areas to enjoy Japanese food except for Japan!
In this article, I will introduce authentic Japanese restaurants recommended by Japanese people in the Bay Area. This list does not include San Francisco downtown.
Contents
Set Meal: Gombei
The first time I ate at Gombei, the croquettes tasted like home and reminded me of the taste of my mom’s food in Japan. I think the owner is Japanese, but the chefs who actually makes the food are Mexican. However, the taste is real. It’s really delicious. Please enjoy daily meals which Japanese really eat every day.
- 193 Jackson St, San Jose, CA 95112
- +14082794311
- http://gombei.com/
Izakaya: Gochi
Izakaya restaurant. It is very popular among Japanese people as a restaurant where you cannot get a reservation. How popular? I will give you an example. My Japanese friend of mine who lives in Washington DC likes it so much that he requested to go to Gochi whenever he comes to California. I recommend this restaurant for its delicious Japanese Izakaya menu.
- Mountain View: 1943 W El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94041
- Cupertino: 19980 E Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014
- http://www.gochifusiontapas.com/index.html
Yakitori: Kokko
Yakitori restaurant. It’s a restaurant where you can’t usually get reservations & there’s usually a huge line. It’s a bit expensive. However the yakitori is so authentic that you’ll feel like you’re in Japan. We paid around $100 for two people. Definitely it worth visiting.
- 509 2nd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401
- +16504017008
Course Meal: Wakuriya
A small, family-run restaurant that has also won the Michelin Star. The food is not cheap, and the portions are not very large. However, the quality of the food is so delicate. I ate there only once, and the experience is unforgettable! I still remember that the rice was flavored with green tea, which surprised even Japanese people and introduced me to a new kind of Japanese food. If you are very picky for food, this is the restaurant you need to visit.
- 115 De Anza Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94402
- +16502860410
- http://www.wakuriya.com/
Ramen: Santouka
Ramen Santouka is located in the Mitsuwa supermarket in Cupertino. You can enjoy delicious ramen of Japanese quality. A bowl of ramen alone costs from $10. There is always a huge line. One important thing is you must pay in cash, so don’t forget to bring cash. The taste is really good, but the only downside is that the place to eat is not very comfortable. This is because it is located in a food court inside a supermarket. If you want to have a relaxed meal with friends, Orenchi Ramen is a better choice.
- 675 Saratoga Avenue #103 Inside Mitsuwa Marketplace, San Jose, CA 95129
- +14084461101
Ramen: Orenchi Ramen
Tonkotsu ramen with thick noodles. As someone who grew up in Fukuoka (Hakata), thick pork bone noodles are a little strange to me, but the soup and noodles are delicious. Authentic. I took my friends there and they raved about it. Because it is a delicious ramen restaurant, it is quite popular not only among Japanese but also among local Asian Americans, and there is always a line. The drawback is that you have to wait at least 30 minutes.
- 3540 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051
- http://www.orenchi-ramen.com/
Japanese Cream Puffs: Beard Papa
Here is a rare place where you can eat Japanese cream puffs, Beard Papa. When you go to urban areas in Japan, you can find Beard Papa everywhere. This is because the cream puff chain is very popular in Japan. Fortunately you will find it in the Bay Area. Comparing to Japanese one, the puff pastry is a bit smaller and more expensive than the Japanese ones. However the taste is same. The crispy outer crust is really delicious.
- 19748 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014
- +14089962300
Summary
Japanese food is not only Sushi and Ramen. We have more! In this article I have introduced my favorite Japanese restaurants. Hope you will enjoy my recommendations.