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✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
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Compact, upscale Japanese eatery serving multicourse kaiseki menus at fixed seating times.
Hours
| Friday | 6:30–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 6–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6–9 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 6:30–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30–9:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 115 De Anza Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: (650) 286-0410
Website: http://www.wakuriya.com/
Menu Photos
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Related Web Results
Wakuriya – San Mateo
WAKURIYA. Japanese kitchen. 115 De Anza Boulevard San Mateo CA. TEL (650)286-0410 …
Wakuriya – San Mateo – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
Innovative, serious and well-established, Wakuriya successfully blends a deep respect for the kaiseki tradition with a contemporary touch.
Wakuriya – The San Francisco Peninsula
Wakuriya · 115 De Anza Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94402 · [email protected] · (650) 286-0410.
Reviews
ALC
This is not a just a simple meal. It is an experience for the senses.
The visuals is a feast for the eyes and the flavors will make your tongue dance.
Every dish is well thought out and put together. The pace of the dinner is well timed. The server/owner explains the ingredients and how to eat it for the best experience.
… moreThe visuals is a feast for the eyes and the flavors will make your tongue dance.
Every dish is well thought out and put together. The pace of the dinner is well timed. The server/owner explains the ingredients and how to eat it for the best experience.
Rebecca Chen
Six years after my husband and I first visited Wakuriya in 2019, we finally came back for a long-overdue second visit. Some things have changed during that time (their menu has become less traditional and more fusion-y), but what’s stayed constant is the delicious food, intimate atmosphere, and warm, attentive service.
Wakuriya serves a single, fixed menu that changes monthly. This time, we enjoyed a seafood-focused dinner with seven savory courses, a palate cleanser, and a dessert. Our favorite course was a creamy and slightly sweet dish of shrimp and trout that came beautifully presented in a mini dutch oven.
The reservation system is unusual. You call the restaurant at midnight a month before your desired date (e.g., April 14 for May 14) and leave a voicemail. If they can take your reservation, you’ll get a call back within a couple days.
… moreWakuriya serves a single, fixed menu that changes monthly. This time, we enjoyed a seafood-focused dinner with seven savory courses, a palate cleanser, and a dessert. Our favorite course was a creamy and slightly sweet dish of shrimp and trout that came beautifully presented in a mini dutch oven.
The reservation system is unusual. You call the restaurant at midnight a month before your desired date (e.g., April 14 for May 14) and leave a voicemail. If they can take your reservation, you’ll get a call back within a couple days.
L X
I had a disappointing experience due to how a situation was handled by the staff, rather than the food itself.
When we arrived, my boyfriend explicitly asked whether it was okay for him to use his laptop, as he had an urgent matter to handle. The staff member did not say it was prohibited—only mentioned that the table might be a bit small—so we reasonably assumed it was acceptable. We were seated at a table, not the counter.
While my boyfriend was already using his laptop (before first course was served) and the same staff member was in the middle of explaining the wine list to me, she suddenly interrupted the conversation to say that the laptop screen brightness was disturbing other guests, stating that this is a restaurant with “very dim lighting.” This was confusing and redefined the word “dim” for me, as we were seated directly under two bright overhead lights. More importantly, the abrupt timing and manner of the comment felt unnecessary and discourteous.
If laptop use is not appropriate for the restaurant’s atmosphere (which I can understand for a kaiseki setting), that expectation should be clearly communicated at the beginning when we explicitly asked—not after service has started, and certainly not by interrupting a table mid-conversation.
We chose this restaurant largely because it is known to be extremely difficult to book. The food was good but nothing too remarkable.
Clear expectations and more considerate communication would have made a significant difference.
… moreWhen we arrived, my boyfriend explicitly asked whether it was okay for him to use his laptop, as he had an urgent matter to handle. The staff member did not say it was prohibited—only mentioned that the table might be a bit small—so we reasonably assumed it was acceptable. We were seated at a table, not the counter.
While my boyfriend was already using his laptop (before first course was served) and the same staff member was in the middle of explaining the wine list to me, she suddenly interrupted the conversation to say that the laptop screen brightness was disturbing other guests, stating that this is a restaurant with “very dim lighting.” This was confusing and redefined the word “dim” for me, as we were seated directly under two bright overhead lights. More importantly, the abrupt timing and manner of the comment felt unnecessary and discourteous.
If laptop use is not appropriate for the restaurant’s atmosphere (which I can understand for a kaiseki setting), that expectation should be clearly communicated at the beginning when we explicitly asked—not after service has started, and certainly not by interrupting a table mid-conversation.
We chose this restaurant largely because it is known to be extremely difficult to book. The food was good but nothing too remarkable.
Clear expectations and more considerate communication would have made a significant difference.
XY S
Been to Wakuriya second time (Feb 2025) already. The last condensed photo has my second visit dishes. Food tastes and materials are even much better than my first visit in July 2024.
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Overall great Japanese restaurant experience so far. Love the traditional Kaiseki style and food quality. Overall it took about 3 hrs to finish. Ordered hot tea. I personally like mild flavors. Especially recommend the sesame ball, toro chirashi, lobster soup, truffle USD wagyu beef, the gohan and the white peach mochi ice cream(with the mint sprout). Definitely will come again!
… more———-
Overall great Japanese restaurant experience so far. Love the traditional Kaiseki style and food quality. Overall it took about 3 hrs to finish. Ordered hot tea. I personally like mild flavors. Especially recommend the sesame ball, toro chirashi, lobster soup, truffle USD wagyu beef, the gohan and the white peach mochi ice cream(with the mint sprout). Definitely will come again!
Michelle Y
Great dining experience. The food is very delicious. Each dish is presented in beautiful plate. The service is nice and overall the tasting experience took more than 2.5h. They provided extra dessert at the end to celebrate our anniversary.
The reservation process is very hard. You need to call in one month ahead at midnight and leave a message for researvation. But it’s super hard to get your call in.
… moreThe reservation process is very hard. You need to call in one month ahead at midnight and leave a message for researvation. But it’s super hard to get your call in.
Olivia Tam
Absolutely enjoyable dinner with set courses. Every dish is pleasing to both the eyes and the palates. I enjoy every dish , can highlight the urchin and crab rice , the oven baked cheese red trout and sea bass, the dessert . The atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable. The crew is a nice couple. We came here to celebrate a birthday and would highly recommend it on special occasions.
… moreJoann Kuo
So good. Love this little place. Everything carefully prepared and you could just taste the thoughtful execution that goes into each and every dish. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and we’re recommended to anyone looking for a romantic evening out.
Apparently it’s also a favorite for birthdays. I really hope the five cups of green tea tonight doesn’t keep me awake at night tonight!
… moreApparently it’s also a favorite for birthdays. I really hope the five cups of green tea tonight doesn’t keep me awake at night tonight!
Yi-Hsiang Lai
Thanks to my friend who reserved the restaurant a month ago. The restaurant itself is like a hidden gem in an ordinary shopping plaza. There are four tables that can be seated with 4 people and some bar seats also. The tables were fully reserved the day I visited. Each table is separated with a screen so it’s actually very private for each party. We ordered two sake flights to begin with: chef selected and primary. All of the sake in the flights are daiginjo. I bought one bottle from the chef’s selected flight in the end. That one is Nabeshima from Kyushu. It is less sweet and has a stronger acid flavor, which matches more with my whiskey soul. Since it is kaiseki omakase, all we need to do is to wait for each dish to be presented. The first dish was Sakura salad. The Sakura was imported from Japan. The Sakura was presented along with tai sashimi. As an appetizer, it had just the right flavor: fresh and easygoing. The next dish was composed of four smaller dishes: uni with hotate, lobster, ikura, and fried small squid. There wasn’t a specific order to take in. I like the fried squid the most because you can taste different textures in one bite: the crispy skin and the chewy inside. The hotate and the uni were also very fresh and full of umami. The only thing that I’m slightly unsatisfied with was that the uni was shredded. Next one is the blue shrimp soup with somen noodles. The shrimp was sweet but the soup was seasoned in a right way such that the sweetness from the shrimp wouldn’t be taken over. The next dish was the chef’s sashimi. I liked the way the sauce was presented. Unlike traditional sashimi plates, where wasabi is placed next to the sashimi, the chef made the wasabi a part of the sauce that was also used as a decoration. Next one was my favorite dish that day: chawanmushi with duck. I need to say this is really a bold but clever combination. If I remember correctly they also put soybean milk inside the chawanmushi, which made the eggs more fluid. The duck meat was really wonderful with the steamed egg and asparagus. The next dish, usually a vinegar dish, was replaced with yuzu sake sorbet. The acidity was provided by the crispy ginger candy instead, which was amazing. The next one was pure protein: usa wagyu and poached eggs. The dish was really warm, a distinct contrast to the previous dish. You can feel that your body was also warmed up. After the proteins were the starch dish. This time, it was rice mixed with mentaiko along with cod. The rice was a bit sticky to me but I still liked the flavor. Finally, the dessert was panna cotta with mochi. A very nice ending for the course.
To sum up, although the full course did not use too many high-class ingredients such as A5 wagyu or premium ootoro, it still granted you an amazing taste journey. You can still taste the umami of each ingredient in the dish. Especially considering the price, I would say it is totally worth it. There are many omakase restaurants around the Bay area that are more expensive but with a worse dining experience. It definitely matches the one-star Michelin.
… moreTo sum up, although the full course did not use too many high-class ingredients such as A5 wagyu or premium ootoro, it still granted you an amazing taste journey. You can still taste the umami of each ingredient in the dish. Especially considering the price, I would say it is totally worth it. There are many omakase restaurants around the Bay area that are more expensive but with a worse dining experience. It definitely matches the one-star Michelin.
Elizabeth Yeh
This is my absolutely favorite Kaiseki in the Bay Area, also the only Michelin Star restaurant that I keep coming back to.
My review is a little bit overdue (the last time I dined in the restaurant was 2019 but I did order takeout dinner during 2020), but I really want to share my experience.
This restaurant is hard to get a reservation, the process is to call at midnight and leave a message on reservation detail. If you’re able to secure a reservation, the restaurant will call back the next day to confirm.
For all the times I have been here, I have never been disappointed by the food. I could really tell that the chef puts a lot of thoughts into each dish. Each dish was so intricate and so fresh. Their service was also exceptional.
Their menus refresh from time to time, but I always get their Sake Flight! My favorite is their fruity Sake Flight.
I can’t wait to come back and dine at this restaurant soon!
… moreMy review is a little bit overdue (the last time I dined in the restaurant was 2019 but I did order takeout dinner during 2020), but I really want to share my experience.
This restaurant is hard to get a reservation, the process is to call at midnight and leave a message on reservation detail. If you’re able to secure a reservation, the restaurant will call back the next day to confirm.
For all the times I have been here, I have never been disappointed by the food. I could really tell that the chef puts a lot of thoughts into each dish. Each dish was so intricate and so fresh. Their service was also exceptional.
Their menus refresh from time to time, but I always get their Sake Flight! My favorite is their fruity Sake Flight.
I can’t wait to come back and dine at this restaurant soon!
Alex Lazovsky
Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at Wakuriya in San Mateo, and I must say, the experience was quite remarkable. From the moment I stepped in, the serene and welcoming ambiance set the stage for what was an exquisite culinary journey.
The service at Wakuriya was impeccable. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience. Each course of the kaiseki menu was presented beautifully, showcasing a blend of traditional Japanese culinary artistry with subtle Californian influences. The highlights for me were the braised sea bass with its delicate yuzu gelee and the perfectly cooked Wagyu beef, which was both tender and flavorful.
However, while the food and service were exceptional, I have some reservations about its Michelin star status. The quality and presentation were top-notch, but I felt that the overall experience, while delightful, did not fully align with other Michelin-starred restaurants I’ve visited in terms of creativity and culinary innovation.
Additionally, considering the price point, I found Wakuriya to be slightly overpriced. While I understand and appreciate the quality of ingredients and the skill involved in preparing such dishes, the cost seemed a bit steep when weighed against the overall dining experience.
In conclusion, Wakuriya is undoubtedly a great restaurant that I would recommend for those seeking high-quality Japanese cuisine in San Mateo. The serene atmosphere and meticulously prepared dishes make for a memorable dining experience. However, if you’re looking for a Michelin star-level experience, you might want to temper your expectations slightly, especially considering the price. Nonetheless, Wakuriya remains a gem in San Mateo’s culinary scene, and I am glad to have experienced its offerings.
… moreThe service at Wakuriya was impeccable. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience. Each course of the kaiseki menu was presented beautifully, showcasing a blend of traditional Japanese culinary artistry with subtle Californian influences. The highlights for me were the braised sea bass with its delicate yuzu gelee and the perfectly cooked Wagyu beef, which was both tender and flavorful.
However, while the food and service were exceptional, I have some reservations about its Michelin star status. The quality and presentation were top-notch, but I felt that the overall experience, while delightful, did not fully align with other Michelin-starred restaurants I’ve visited in terms of creativity and culinary innovation.
Additionally, considering the price point, I found Wakuriya to be slightly overpriced. While I understand and appreciate the quality of ingredients and the skill involved in preparing such dishes, the cost seemed a bit steep when weighed against the overall dining experience.
In conclusion, Wakuriya is undoubtedly a great restaurant that I would recommend for those seeking high-quality Japanese cuisine in San Mateo. The serene atmosphere and meticulously prepared dishes make for a memorable dining experience. However, if you’re looking for a Michelin star-level experience, you might want to temper your expectations slightly, especially considering the price. Nonetheless, Wakuriya remains a gem in San Mateo’s culinary scene, and I am glad to have experienced its offerings.