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    Gintei

    4.1 (551 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndJapanese, Sushi Bars
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Gintei Photos

    Business Info

    GINTEI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Gintei

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    Reviews With Photos

    Eric L.

    I wanted to love this place - and I couldn't. The omakase is a fantastic value (given the quality of the fish, it's one of the best deals in the Bay Area). But service was too fast. I was in and out in less than an hour, even after ordering the 10-piece omakase and adding a number of other additional items. And given the place was mostly empty, there was no real need to rush what I've often felt should be a slow, patient meal. Instead, as I'm biting one piece, the chef is already making the next one. SLOW DOWN. It's an expensive, special occasion. The restaurant itself is sparse; that's typical of these omakase spots, but there's a lot of tables as well... Parking is challenging (though I did manage to secure one of the only two spots outside the restaurant). I won't go back - i just felt too rushed to really enjoy the meal. And that's disappointing because the fish itself is great.

    Tuna fried roll
    Jim Y.

    Service was good, our waitress was friendly and made some good recommendations for the flown in from Japan Otoro (my wife's favorite) and Wagyu A5 torched nigiri (melted like butter). The rest of meal was good (salad, vegetable tempura, short ribs, and tuna roll). A bit pricey for what you get. A half star taken off for not mentioning it was our anniversary when I booked and notified them in advance.

    Jen L.

    Every day, we pass by this non-descript restaurant located in a strip mall while picking up my son. We've noticed their white simple sign with black writing which is aesthetically pleasing but we've never paid much attention to the place. Recently we read about them in the Michelin guide and only then realized we were reading about the Gintei in our own little San Bruno. The building is tucked away in a strip mall and the door and windows are very non-descript. When pulling up front, I wasn't even sure I was at the right place. There are a few parking spots in front but parking was sparse in the area on a Sunday evening. We arrived late for 6pm reservations and were quickly greeted by friendly staff to let us know it would be a minute. The place was packed and we took the last available table. It was a very inviting place, very nicely decorated, charming and pleasant. Once we were taken to a table, I asked for a Sprite before we even sat down. My son's sugars were dropping. Without hesitation or questions or comments, not even a face, the server quickly brought me the Sprite. We perused their menu and decided to slowly order and try different things. Eventually we had the fish board brought to us so we could learn about the offerings for the evening. They had quite a large selection of fresh fish so it was difficult to decide. We ended up ordering a few dishes at a time to try and coursed out the evening and enjoyed it with a sake flight. To start off, we had Grilled Beef Tongue, a Tataki, Kurobuta Kukuni, Nyumen, and Oyster Shooters. Then Amaebi, Camino Roll, and two kinds of raw Tokyo Fish. Everything was delicious. The broth in the Nyumen was really tasty and it came out hot. The sake flight I had was so yummy, I had a hard time deciding which sake I liked more. The best part of the meal was the service. Everyone was friendly and attentive. The manager (or maybe owner) spoke Cantonese and Japanese. She spoke to us in Cantonese and entertained my husband's attempts so that always makes me happy. They came by to pick up plates as soon as you were done. We loved our meal. We will surely be back soon!

    Eugene C.

    We had omakasei at the sushi bar. The service was friendly. The chef would tell us the name of the fish but wouldn't volunteer any more information unless we ask. The sushi was served in relatively rapid succession. The pieces were fresh, and we had no complaints. They don't have an alcohol list for some reason. When I asked for sake, the server asked us for our preference and offered a recommendation. I had to ask to get the price of the bottle. It is reasonable, but it's weird that the price was not given. I had high hopes of making this our go-to sushi place, but it failed to reach our expectations this time. I am willing to give it another try and order a la carte.

    Amanda S.

    Solid spot! The owner was our sushi chef on a Sunday night and we got bar seating. The omakase is $90 for 10 pieces but the owner was so chill, he hooked us up with 17 pieces! We also ordered the wagyu, extra amaebi nigiri, and uni at the end. Every piece was delicious and authentic. The tasting came with an appetizer and soup, too. We enjoyed our experience for my birthday celebration.

    Kelly M.

    Gintei is fabulous! The fish was so incredibly fresh and delicious- some of the best we've had in the Bay Area. The sushi chefs were kind and interactive with us as we sat at the counter. Can be pricey, but 100% worth the splurge. My partner and I both did the Omakase and everything was perfect, the fish, the rice, and the delicious delicate toppings.

    Wagyu beef with uni

    One of the best sushi restaurants in the Bay Area. Amazing customer service and super fresh sushi and we got a special treat. If you haven't been, must come and try this place.

    Sushi Deluxe 10 pc omakase
    Alyssa M.

    We had the omakase and it was delicious and beautiful! 10 beautiful pieces of fish, all of them with unique flavor profiles (some delicate and light, some strong and fatty- all delicious). Our wait staff was super attentive and efficient, and the atmosphere they created was fun and welcoming. The parking situation is basically street parking, we didn't have a problem finding a spot a bit down the way. We came on a cold night and got the hot tea- was perfect to accompany the meal.

    Sake Oyako Don Sushi Special
    Vivian Y.

    Score - 3.5 - rounded up for yelp Came for a weekday lunch with some coworkers just before noon. Parking around the area can be difficult. There's a few parking spots in front of the restaurant but they're all for accessible/ADA. We were lucky to find street parking around the block and just had to take a short walk to the restaurant. I had made a reservation on OpenTable so we were able to check in and get seated immediately. At this point, there was only one other table occupied. The server was very polite and friendly. We were given menus and a good amount of time to look over everything before he returned to take our order. There is a lunch menu!!! I had yelped this place before going and didn't see any posts of the lunch menu except one from 6 months ago so I wasn't sure they still had it, but they do! We ordered the sake oyako don ($30) and bluefin toro don ($25) from the lunch menu and the "I ate the bone" special roll from the regular menu. The sake oyako don was my favorite of the three. The salmon and ikura were very fresh and the sushi rice was well seasoned. It was the perfect combination. The bluefin toro don resembled a poke bowl with the avocado cubes and seaweed salad, and we all found it a bit too salty. The roll was tasty, with soft shell crab and fresh fish. The sauces on top melded well with the toppings and fillings of the roll. It was a very filling roll. Overall, the ambiance of the place was good and food was decent but not worth the price. I wish I was more impressed as the place seemed more upscale, but we were unanimously underwhelmed with the food. By noon, the restaurant was pretty full so I'd recommend making a reservation if you can but walk-ins would also be fine.

    Sake flight
    Malina A.

    Went there for my boyfriend's birthday and we loved it! We sat at the sushi bar and each got the omakase set. This was our first time having an omakase tasting and it did not disappoint. There were 10 pieces in each set selected by chef's choice and we really enjoyed the experience of each piece coming out one by one. The sushi itself was very fresh. My favorite was the sweet shrimp, but my boyfriend loved the amber jack. The omakase set pairs really well with the sake flight. We chose the seasonal one and it was a great range of sweet to dry options. They also gave us a glass of our favorite one after trying them all. The only thing was that parking can be difficult as they don't have their own parking lot and there is only street/residential parking around. Overall, this is a great place for date night and we would definitely come back again!

    Sushi bar
    Raina D.

    The friendly atmosphere and service made up for some of what it was lacking in our experience. This was not Michelin quality anything. I've had way better sushi at average restaurants before. This place is overpriced. There is no where to park but on the street and that is pretty though to find too. The neighborhood is kinda questionable too. I'm not familiar with the area but when I see old motels and liquor stores on the corners it makes me wonder what goes on at night around there. Let's just say it took me awhile to find parking a little closer to the restaurant. The food is ok but it's nothing special and the presentation was extremely lacking. The sushi wasn't cold enough either which was slightly concerning. The quality of the fish just wasn't what you expected. The bathroom was run down and dingy. Slightly dirty too. I'm being generous with 3 stars. The nice part is the food came fast. The roll and sashimi were good. I do not recommend the Salmon Toro Carpaccio roll The service was great, they kept my tea cup full and warm. The smiles were non stop and all of that is wonderful for customer service but it didn't make the food taste better.

    Rich H.

    Some friends took my out for a belated bday dinner at Gintei a few weeks ago. I've seen this place many, many times but never thought about checking it out. My mistake. This place is a place one would find in the City instead of San Bruno. No offense to San Bruno, I live there. But, it has that boutique quality that would right at home in Japantown. Anyway, everything was excellent and extremely fresh. I haven't had Uni in a long time, because it can spoil very quickly. The Uni was awesome. I'll just let my pics do the rest of the talking. Without a doubt, my new favorite Japanese place in Bruno.

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    9 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Smaller menu, but very high quality and friendly staff. Really nice hole in the wall find

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    1 year ago

    The best sushi I've had in the bay. Sashimi and nigiri and rolls are all amazing. Wonderful toro especially. Please support them

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    Page 1 of 14

    Gintei Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Gintei

    I don't like fish or rice. Do you serve burgers?

    Wil S. is either a troll or an idiot. It's a f**king SUSHI bar bruh...

    What is your corkage on wine?

    $35/ bottle

    Do you have options that are pure vegetarian like no meat no fish?

    Sorry no!

    I want to order catering for a private party. Can you please contact me?

    We will reopen soon for dine in. Please email directly at 235gintei@gmail.com. Thank you for the continuous support during these tough times. See you guys soon.… Read more

    Please update your hours. It says you open at 11:30am on Tuesday, but we went there slightly after and it was closed? And no one answers the phone. Are you open?

    Sorry We missed you. We will open when at least 50% of dine in is allowed by the government. Thank you and stay safe.

    Are u guys open recently? Cuz I called several time and no one answered my call. I can't wait to eat my favorite sushi.😭

    They are open right now!

    Do you do take out during COVID?

    Yes they do.

    Do you need to order omakase in advance?

    You can order ahead or order at the same day

    Is there a dress code?

    It's California, if you can afford to eat here you're probably dressed appropriately.

    View All 10 Questions

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    Ichika Izakaya - Nigiri

    Ichika Izakaya

    4.4(260 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    Soo good!! I've gone here 3 times already. The first time I believe was before they got many things…read moreon their menu.. Now there are so many things to choose. They have the best edamame and their chicken breast is delish. They have good service and 2 out of the 3 times I've gone the servers were extremely kind.

    My husband and I had dinner here tonight, and overall it was a really memorable experience. We've…read moretraveled quite a bit and tried sushi in many different cities, including around the Los Angeles area where we live and have our favorite spots. So when we visit a sushi restaurant, we tend to evaluate everything as a whole -- price, quality, service, and of course the flavors. For dinner we ordered the Mango Tuna Roll (which was our first time trying a mango-style sushi roll), the 8-piece Omakase Nigiri, a Double Toro Roll, two pieces of Otoro, and a hot sake. With a 20% tip included, the total for the two of us came to $163.50, which honestly falls within the average range of what we usually spend for a sushi dinner like this. Normally we might pay around $120-$130 depending on the place, sometimes a little more if we add an extra item or two. The portion sizes were pretty standard. Not unusually large, but not small either -- similar to what we've experienced at many other sushi restaurants. Where this place really stood out was the depth of flavor. The quality and balance of the ingredients were excellent. At one point I actually caught myself closing my eyes just to focus on the taste, which is something I almost never do. The preparation felt very refined and the flavors were elevated, rich, and memorable. I would describe it as delicate portions with very elevated flavors. Because of that, I'm giving this place 5 out of 5 stars. This is the kind of restaurant that works perfectly for a nice dinner with your partner. It's not necessarily a place where you go wild ordering everything on the menu like at a taco spot. Instead, it's better to be thoughtful with what you choose and enjoy a few well-crafted dishes. You can easily have a special, enjoyable dinner here without going overboard. Definitely worth visiting if you're in the area and want a quality sushi experience with refined flavors. The only thing I felt was missing was a small welcome miso soup. In some sushi restaurants we've visited, they serve a tiny cup of miso with a couple pieces of tofu as a warm welcome. It's a very small gesture, but it creates a nice first impression and adds a sense of hospitality to the experience. Considering the quality and pricing of the menu here, a simple welcome miso soup would fit perfectly with the overall dining experience.

    Photos
    Ichika Izakaya
    Ichika Izakaya - Spicy tuna crispy rice

    Spicy tuna crispy rice

    Ichika Izakaya - Lunch omakase special

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    Lunch omakase special

    Bashamichi Sushi and Bar

    Bashamichi Sushi and Bar

    4.3(314 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    No--you're not going into La Quinta. Right next door you can find Bashamichi. What really got me in…read morethe Yelp pics was the Chef's Choice nigiri which what I ultimately ended up ordering. I threw a Lion King roll--roar and an agedashi tofu appetizer as well. Great little sushi place that has just enough innovation in the rolls to keep things interesting. The staff is made up of Cantonese Chinese speakers, so they instantly warmed up to me as one of their own. The place is simple with a dark, romantic ambiance to give locals a date night place with reliable delivery. I can't wait to go back to Bashamichi for another round of sushi.

    I was excited to come back here on a quieter weekday night to avoid slower service, and to try…read moretheir actual sushi versus just getting the bento box. Unfortunately, even though there weren't that many people - the service still feels uncomfortable because it's like the staff kinda ignores you because they're busy but then they also kinda check up on you and you're just left wondering. (this happens when trying to order and also when trying to pay ) And really unfortunately, the food wasn't as good by any standard as it was in the past. I'm not sure if it was a fluke, but the bento box (katsu, chicken katsu, and especially the chicken teriyaki) didn't hit that hard :( The Agedashi dōfu was definitely not great but tried it bc it's one of my favorites. We also got the Bashamichi special roll and the double Hamachi roll - which were alright too. (The wasabi here is on the weak side, but this doesn't affect the rating.) Overall, pretty "just okay" experience and sad that it wasn't as good as it was before :(

    Photos
    Bashamichi Sushi and Bar - Sushi Bar

    Sushi Bar

    Bashamichi Sushi and Bar - Agedashi Tofu

    Agedashi Tofu

    Bashamichi Sushi and Bar - Gyu Don

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    Gyu Don

    One Piece Sushi

    One Piece Sushi

    3.9(576 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    It's been so long since I've come back here and WOW...I don't think I'd go anywhere else anymore to…read moreget my sushi fix. Their concept is obviously "one piece" of nigiri at a time (or sashimi), but this is the perfect place to get a variety of bites! I love how reasonable their prices are, especially considering the high quality of their fish. Looks and tastes super fresh! They even open super late (3am!!!) so if you're ever craving sushi and sake, this is the place to go!

    Food is ordered through individual tablets at each table instead of through the server. It's a bit…read morefrustrating because this means only one person can look at the menu at a time and you have to wait. The menu is a bit cluttered and disorganized, with some items hidden in folders with ambiguous name. This could be sorted if they had someone tech savvy to fix it. Something they can improve is wiping down the tablets between lunch and dinner. It was really grimey. The servings are not very large and the price reflects that. What's good is there is a unique variety of food not often seen at other Japanese restaurants, like the Okonomiyaki. We ordered a couple of items and they came out in waves. The wait wasn't long but it wasn't fast. The server is attentive despite relying on the tablet for orders and there are special menu deals for certain times. All in all, I would come here if you want a no frills, low interaction eating out experience.

    Photos
    One Piece Sushi
    One Piece Sushi - So deliciously fresh!

    So deliciously fresh!

    One Piece Sushi - Spicy Salmon Roll (3pc) Rainbow Roll (4pc)

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    Spicy Salmon Roll (3pc) Rainbow Roll (4pc)

    Gintei - japanese - Updated May 2026

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