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Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5:30–11 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5:30–11 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5:30–10 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–11 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–11 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–11 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 104 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: (650) 558-8239
Website: https://rin-tei.com/
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Rin-Tei – Thai & Japanese Restaurant in San Mateo
Rin-Tei is a Thai & Japanese Fusion restaurant with authentic flavors and home-style dishes by Chef Tam.
Rin-tei (@rintei_asianfusion) · San Mateo, CA – Instagram
1.7K+ followers · 170 posts · Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese Fusion Handmade Cuisine ⏰ Open until late at Night.
Rin-tei Asian Fusion | San Mateo CA – Facebook
El Camino Real, San Mateo Phone: (650) 558 8239 Website: www.rintei-asianfusion.com #Rintei #AsianFusion #Restaurant #SanMateo #San MateoRestaurant Japanese.
Reviews
Aimee Huang
A cute boutique-sized Asian fusion restaurant with creative, tasty dishes made from quality ingredients. Great variety of Japanese beers, friendly service, and comfortable seating. Cozy, welcoming atmosphere—definitely a place I’d come back to! ✨
… moreTim
It’s very rare to see a 4.8 star establishment with over 1000 reviews on yelp. The 2 reasons for Rin-Tei is because they ask for a review after each meal (without bribery, just a QR code to review on yelp) and their food/service is actually good. So they actually earned it.
Called in a couple days ahead for a reservation for lunch on Christmas day at 11:15 and we were the first ones there. The table was ready. Other customers tricked in steadily after. Its a strange ordering set up in that you are seated at a table with menus, order and pay/tip at the register whenever you are ready, then the food is brought out to your table. They serve a variety of non alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, but no full bar or draft beers. It is full table service in that they will check in on you regularly. Very nice staff and good service. Indoor seating only. Very clean medium sized restaurant with many small tables and a long row of counter seating as well. Metered street parking right in front of the restaurant.
We ordered the chicken croquette $15, green curry $23, and creamy soy milk pho with mushrooms and chicken $25. All the food was good. Nothing was salty and the quality is apparent. The croquettes were tasty, especially the sauce it comes with. Green curry isn’t anything special from what you would get at a Thai restaurant, I would skip that. The star of the meal was the creamy soy milk pho. Very unique. Broth is not salty yet very flavorful. It is loaded with noodles, mushrooms, chicken. The price is justified by the portion for the pho dish, but the other dishes seemed a bit pricey for what you get, but you are paying for quality. I highly recommend the soy milk pho and would come back just to have it again. I recommend this place overall
… moreCalled in a couple days ahead for a reservation for lunch on Christmas day at 11:15 and we were the first ones there. The table was ready. Other customers tricked in steadily after. Its a strange ordering set up in that you are seated at a table with menus, order and pay/tip at the register whenever you are ready, then the food is brought out to your table. They serve a variety of non alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, but no full bar or draft beers. It is full table service in that they will check in on you regularly. Very nice staff and good service. Indoor seating only. Very clean medium sized restaurant with many small tables and a long row of counter seating as well. Metered street parking right in front of the restaurant.
We ordered the chicken croquette $15, green curry $23, and creamy soy milk pho with mushrooms and chicken $25. All the food was good. Nothing was salty and the quality is apparent. The croquettes were tasty, especially the sauce it comes with. Green curry isn’t anything special from what you would get at a Thai restaurant, I would skip that. The star of the meal was the creamy soy milk pho. Very unique. Broth is not salty yet very flavorful. It is loaded with noodles, mushrooms, chicken. The price is justified by the portion for the pho dish, but the other dishes seemed a bit pricey for what you get, but you are paying for quality. I highly recommend the soy milk pho and would come back just to have it again. I recommend this place overall
Ilovelobakgo
The broth is very flavorful, and the Tom Yum Pho was an interesting fusion. However, the noodles are the thicker type and don’t soak up the broth as much as I’d expect. For a classic pho experience, I would still prefer a traditional pho restaurant.
… moreMaria Stoimenova
Loved this fine establishment. Tasty food and a good selection. We made a reservation, so we were seated right away. Service was fast, friendly and professional. The food was delicious.
… moreChester Law
Authentic quality for Japanese fusion food. The food is delicious and complex, but not spicy, which would be good for people who would like to give Thai food a try, but worried about the spiciness.
I personally recommend the Thai fried chicken. The batter and the chicken are both well seasoned, and the chicken is juicy. Mostly because they used dark meat.
The other dish that I recommend would be the Tom Yum Noodle soup. It is tart and sour, minus the spicy. Even people who cannot eat spicy has not problem finishing it.
They seems to be very busy in lunch time, so recommend reserving a table or come in earlier.
… moreI personally recommend the Thai fried chicken. The batter and the chicken are both well seasoned, and the chicken is juicy. Mostly because they used dark meat.
The other dish that I recommend would be the Tom Yum Noodle soup. It is tart and sour, minus the spicy. Even people who cannot eat spicy has not problem finishing it.
They seems to be very busy in lunch time, so recommend reserving a table or come in earlier.
Angelica Le
Rating: 3.4/5 [dine in]
We had a party of six, and the staff catered to our table very well. The space is a bit small, but we didn’t feel cramped and were seated at a table by the window and front door. Prices are steep, and the food took a while to come out. After trying a good portion of the menu, I wouldn’t recommend Rin-Tei unless you’re ordering very specific dishes.
Roast Beef Carpaccio ($28): House-made sous vide roast beef with red onion, cilantro, and green onion, served with chopped wasabi and citrus soy sauce. This was the only chef’s special, so we ordered it for the table. Unfortunately, it looked much better than it tasted. The beef was dry and didn’t soak up the citrus soy sauce.
Garlic Shrimp ($22): Crispy shrimp tossed in garlic butter. I usually don’t like shrimp with shells, but I enjoyed this more than expected. It had great flavor and was a generous portion.
Thai Fried Chicken ($12): Garlic and fish sauce-marinated fried chicken. It looked and tasted like Japanese chicken karaage. The chunks were a good size, but the Thai flavors didn’t really come through.
Japanese Style Roast Pork ($28): Sous vide roast pork served with tortilla chips, papaya, cucumber, and radish sprouts, alongside a sweet bean and honey sauce. The pork was even drier than the roast beef carpaccio and pretty bland. The sauce helped make it more bearable, but I couldn’t eat more than one slice. The concept also didn’t feel well thought out.
Rin-Tei Flight ($17): A tasting flight of IPPIN Junmai Daiginjo, Akaoni Wheat, and Uji Green Tea Umeshu plum wine. The first two were too strong for me, but the plum wine was sweet and divine.
Rin-Tei Hot Pot with Cod in Creamy Soy Milk-Citrus Soy Sauce ($30) + Rice Noodles ($3): Braised cod with white radish, bamboo shoots, cabbage, mushrooms, green onion, seaweed, ginger, cilantro, and yuzu citrus. My mom felt there wasn’t much cod, so she didn’t think it was worth the price. However, the portion of rice noodles was generous–enough for two people to share.
Tom Yum Noodles with Shrimp ($25): Rice noodles in a spicy & sour infused soup with Thai herbs, shrimps, sh balls, crushed almonds, shimeji mushrooms, & cilantro. I didn’t get to try this, but my dad said it was good and filling.
Basil Tofu ($18): Crispy tofu wok-tossed with garlic, chili pepper, and basil in seasoned soy sauce, topped with crispy basil. The flavors and texture were nice, but not remarkable enough to justify the price. That said, it was one of the better dishes of the night.
Clay Pot Caramelized Cod ($28): Cod with onion, garlic, chili pepper, and rock sugar [winter limited edition]. The cod wasn’t caramelized–it was sitting in a wet broth, with caramelized onions placed on top. The flavors were subtle rather than umami/rich, and the portion was small.
Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Mushroom & Chicken ($25): Rice noodles in a chicken broth-based soy milk, with mushrooms and chicken sautéed in butter and soy sauce [winter limited edition]. This was the dish I came for, and it ended up being the best of the night. The portion was large, the broth was delicious and creamy, and the ingredients came together beautifully.
… moreWe had a party of six, and the staff catered to our table very well. The space is a bit small, but we didn’t feel cramped and were seated at a table by the window and front door. Prices are steep, and the food took a while to come out. After trying a good portion of the menu, I wouldn’t recommend Rin-Tei unless you’re ordering very specific dishes.
Roast Beef Carpaccio ($28): House-made sous vide roast beef with red onion, cilantro, and green onion, served with chopped wasabi and citrus soy sauce. This was the only chef’s special, so we ordered it for the table. Unfortunately, it looked much better than it tasted. The beef was dry and didn’t soak up the citrus soy sauce.
Garlic Shrimp ($22): Crispy shrimp tossed in garlic butter. I usually don’t like shrimp with shells, but I enjoyed this more than expected. It had great flavor and was a generous portion.
Thai Fried Chicken ($12): Garlic and fish sauce-marinated fried chicken. It looked and tasted like Japanese chicken karaage. The chunks were a good size, but the Thai flavors didn’t really come through.
Japanese Style Roast Pork ($28): Sous vide roast pork served with tortilla chips, papaya, cucumber, and radish sprouts, alongside a sweet bean and honey sauce. The pork was even drier than the roast beef carpaccio and pretty bland. The sauce helped make it more bearable, but I couldn’t eat more than one slice. The concept also didn’t feel well thought out.
Rin-Tei Flight ($17): A tasting flight of IPPIN Junmai Daiginjo, Akaoni Wheat, and Uji Green Tea Umeshu plum wine. The first two were too strong for me, but the plum wine was sweet and divine.
Rin-Tei Hot Pot with Cod in Creamy Soy Milk-Citrus Soy Sauce ($30) + Rice Noodles ($3): Braised cod with white radish, bamboo shoots, cabbage, mushrooms, green onion, seaweed, ginger, cilantro, and yuzu citrus. My mom felt there wasn’t much cod, so she didn’t think it was worth the price. However, the portion of rice noodles was generous–enough for two people to share.
Tom Yum Noodles with Shrimp ($25): Rice noodles in a spicy & sour infused soup with Thai herbs, shrimps, sh balls, crushed almonds, shimeji mushrooms, & cilantro. I didn’t get to try this, but my dad said it was good and filling.
Basil Tofu ($18): Crispy tofu wok-tossed with garlic, chili pepper, and basil in seasoned soy sauce, topped with crispy basil. The flavors and texture were nice, but not remarkable enough to justify the price. That said, it was one of the better dishes of the night.
Clay Pot Caramelized Cod ($28): Cod with onion, garlic, chili pepper, and rock sugar [winter limited edition]. The cod wasn’t caramelized–it was sitting in a wet broth, with caramelized onions placed on top. The flavors were subtle rather than umami/rich, and the portion was small.
Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Mushroom & Chicken ($25): Rice noodles in a chicken broth-based soy milk, with mushrooms and chicken sautéed in butter and soy sauce [winter limited edition]. This was the dish I came for, and it ended up being the best of the night. The portion was large, the broth was delicious and creamy, and the ingredients came together beautifully.
Dharma M
Very nice japanese, Thai and Vietnamese fusion restaurant. I have been planning to visit since it opened couple years a a go. It is small restaurant with table and counter top bar seating. The menu is simple and it changes frequently. Looks like lunch menu is different than dinner menu. You order at the front and pay first.
We ordered Chicken rice, Thai fried chicken, and seafood Khao Yum lettuce wrap. All are yummy. I love the light taste of all of the dishes. Will visit again to try others dishes.
… moreWe ordered Chicken rice, Thai fried chicken, and seafood Khao Yum lettuce wrap. All are yummy. I love the light taste of all of the dishes. Will visit again to try others dishes.
Regina Paramitha
Could be better for the price point. We ordered soy milk pho with chicken and mushrooms, kra pao beef, and chicken rice. Among those 3, only kra pao beef that my party liked. Taste doesn’t meet expectations.
Also what made me docked 2 more stars was the service. One waiter (with high red hair bun) kept coming to our table to take our dishes although it’s clearly we were still working on it, as she was trying to snatch the bowl when my dad was about to take the soup. She came 3 times, seemed like trying to rush us to finish. The table next to us were 2 ladies who have been yapping since we were still in line to get seated til we almost finished our food, but none of the waiters trying to clean their table, instead she kept coming to our table. Very odd. I saw 2 people in line and if anything they should try to rush the table next to us first those who yapped for long without much food left, rather than us who came later and were still trying to enjoy the food.
… moreAlso what made me docked 2 more stars was the service. One waiter (with high red hair bun) kept coming to our table to take our dishes although it’s clearly we were still working on it, as she was trying to snatch the bowl when my dad was about to take the soup. She came 3 times, seemed like trying to rush us to finish. The table next to us were 2 ladies who have been yapping since we were still in line to get seated til we almost finished our food, but none of the waiters trying to clean their table, instead she kept coming to our table. Very odd. I saw 2 people in line and if anything they should try to rush the table next to us first those who yapped for long without much food left, rather than us who came later and were still trying to enjoy the food.
Kevin Nguyen
Was excited to try this place out. Sadly the food was a underwhelming. Which is too bad, because the service was excellent! Our waitress was extremely attentive.
Thai Fried Chicken: juicy, with really tasty seasoning! In my opinion was the item with the most flavor among what we got.
Creamy Soy Pho: A very unique dish that I was looking forward to the most. Although I enjoyed the noodles, the broth did not taste as if the flavor was all there, as if the creaminess tasted a bit diluted? I’ll give it a plus for being filled to the brim with chicken, mushrooms, and toppings, but perhaps that should be expected from a $25 dish.
Keema Curry: Great presentation, lacking in flavor. The curry had a barely noticeable mild spice to it, which was very disappointing. The rest of the dish was basic. Would have liked to taste way more spices from the curry. For a $23 price tag on top of this, I can’t say I would recommend this.
Again, for the excellent service I’d still rate this place overall at 4/5. But food overall was quite underwhelming with all the entrees lacking in flavor/spice.
… moreThai Fried Chicken: juicy, with really tasty seasoning! In my opinion was the item with the most flavor among what we got.
Creamy Soy Pho: A very unique dish that I was looking forward to the most. Although I enjoyed the noodles, the broth did not taste as if the flavor was all there, as if the creaminess tasted a bit diluted? I’ll give it a plus for being filled to the brim with chicken, mushrooms, and toppings, but perhaps that should be expected from a $25 dish.
Keema Curry: Great presentation, lacking in flavor. The curry had a barely noticeable mild spice to it, which was very disappointing. The rest of the dish was basic. Would have liked to taste way more spices from the curry. For a $23 price tag on top of this, I can’t say I would recommend this.
Again, for the excellent service I’d still rate this place overall at 4/5. But food overall was quite underwhelming with all the entrees lacking in flavor/spice.
Suzanne Liu
San Mateo sets a high bar for Asian food, and Rin-Tei is easily at the top. We’ve eaten here dozens of times — the food and service is consistently excellent. We’ve tried most of the menu. The pho and kra pao are outstanding, and we haven’t had a dish we didn’t like. The quality of the meat and freshness of the veggies is significantly better than most restaurants. The staff is engaged and consistently shows care in their work. We love Rin-Tei!
… more