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Gintei

4.1 (551 reviews)
Ultra High-EndJapanese, Sushi Bars
Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 3 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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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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11 years ago

Fabulous sushi. Beautifully presented. The interior, esp sushi counter area, is neat and pleasant. A very enjoyable experience.

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9 years ago

I been calling this place today for more than 10 times, all I want is add two more people for my reservation

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Sushi rolls were just okay. They didn't taste old or anything, but also not super fresh. Prices are decent but probably not worth it.

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Page 13 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.

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Hana Izumi

Hana Izumi

4.8(213 reviews)
1.6 mi
$$$$

The 5-course Kaiseki set menu is beautifully presented and tasty. Each course complements each…read moreother. The homemade tofu is always a treat, silky smooth and right touch of mochi. The service is always attentive and friendly, feels just like home.

My friend took me here for my bday and I will tell you the staff goes above and beyond. I'm sorry…read morethis is a late review but this was for my experience in Feb. This is actually a Japanese kaiseki style restaurant. Reservations are highly recommended as they do not take Walk-ins. There's two seatings for this restaurant so arrive promptly as they serve everyone at the same time . We started with the amuse bouche which was the kobachi three way. The three ways they served this was very unique. It was prepared with one steamed, one in soup and one fried. All were delicious! Next was the sashimi and it was also served with three different fishes. They did serve it with crostinis which was really good with the olive oil. We got the simmered yellowtail collar and the Toro skewers next. The yellowtail collar did have a lot of bones so I won't recommend this for older folks. It was very tender but a little on a salty side. I did like how it came out eggplants. The Toro skewers were also very tender but that wasn't my main dish. My friend enjoyed it very much. The dungeness crab chawanmushi was by far my favorite. It has a streamed egg and crab meat. They didn't skimp out on this dish it had a lot of crab in it. My next favorite dish was the kaki-age donburi which was a scallop and shrimp tempura. It was dust with a green tea sea salt I think. I wasn't able to eat it with the soup and I definitely wasn't able to eat it with the rice. By this dish I was already full. We also had the soju flight which was originally three flights but we added a fourth one . We got the yuzu. Lemon, strawberry and grapefruit orange. They were all good but the yuzu is the main winner! Since it was my bday , they turned off all the hours of the restaurant and everyone sang happy birthday to me. It was a little embarrassing but it added a little special touch. This was one of the best experience I've ever had at a Japanese kaiseki restaurants. The servers were so attentive. The food was creative and you can tell they spent a lot of time perfecting everything. They do change the menu every season so I'm excited to try their next menu when I come back.

Photos
Hana Izumi
Hana Izumi - Duck salad

Duck salad

Hana Izumi - Hana Izumi; our favorite of the 5 sake flight

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Hana Izumi; our favorite of the 5 sake flight

Curry Hyuga - Chicken Katsu curry

Curry Hyuga

4.6(1.1k reviews)
3.3 mi
$$

My boyfriend and I tried this place on a whim after seeing good reviews, and it definitely did not…read moredisappoint! We went around 5 PM on a Tuesday, and it was nice and quiet, so we were seated right away. We started with the teppanji and then ordered the katsu curry and karaage curry. The curry was rich, flavorful, and honestly reminded us of our trip to Japan. Portions were generous, and I liked that you can customize with extra meat, veggies, or even add an egg. The real standout, though, was the teppanji chicken--it was so good that we'd come back just for that alone. Overall, great food, good service, and a clean space. Definitely a spot we'll be returning to!

Food: 3.5-4.0 | Service: 4.95 | Ambiance: 3.75…read more CURRY HYUGA BURLINGAME was a long time in waiting to try. Japanese Curry, a sweet and mild curry, is very different from Indian and Chinese/Thai curry. Usually served w/crispy Tonkatsu and a cabbage salad, it can be hard to find. Finding good Japanese curry can be just as difficult. CHB satisfies on the Japanese curry savoriness front. While it's nothing fancy (that extends to their decor), it is housemade and delicious. Waitstaff was brisk and courteous. Was advised to not order more than what I had...he was right. Had leftovers to take home! Ordered the signature ORIGINAL KATSU CURRY w/pork. Other option is chicken. Steamed rice in a Japanese eatery is always top notch, always perfect and generous in portion here. The Tonkatsu was crispy but a tad short of tender, but tasty enough to dip in the accompanying Japanese curry sauce. I might ask for the curry sauce on the side next time. Cabbage salad, traditionally a huge portion was a small offering cushioning the Tonkatsu. Accompanied by a small scoop of house made potato salad and pickled veggies. The hot Tonkatsu, steamed rice and Japanese curry sauce was a great combo for me, a very filling and satisfying meal! CH offers a tabletop varied selection of chili peppers: Pequin, Wiri Wiri, Ichimi, Jalapẽno, Orange Habanero. I did a light sprinkling of the traditional Japanese Ichimi pepper to add a touch of heat and that was fine. Signature ORIGINAL KATSU CURRY was a great start to this menu tasting. I'll be back to try their DOUBLE MENCHI CURRY, KARAAGE CURRY, ASSORTED VEGGIE CURRY, KATSU CURRY UDON. CURRY HYUGA BURLINGAME is also one of the few places that has Omurice on its menu. A Japanese omelet w/rice or noodles inside. Their version is HAYASHI OM-RICE. I will definitely be back to try this! See you there!

Photos
Curry Hyuga - Inside

Inside

Curry Hyuga - Menchi Katsu (Pork) Curry:

Menchi Katsu (Pork) Curry:

Curry Hyuga - Assorted Chili Powders チリパウダー盛り合わせ

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Assorted Chili Powders チリパウダー盛り合わせ

Ichika Izakaya - Nigiri

Ichika Izakaya

4.4(261 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

Gintei - japanese - Updated May 2026

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