You can text the restaurant if you want to reserve ahead of time. I would do this if you have a larger group since the space is small. If you have two people you should be able to walk in and get seated. We've been here three times and love each time! I've tried the lunch and dinner menus. The appetizer sampler is always unique and tasty. The mains are smaller but you still get full from the full course. All the staff are always so nice and welcoming. read more

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When I first found out about Hana Izumi, I couldn't believe it. It's amazing to have this in a small suburban town, so you don't have to always pin SF as a destination. The place itself is homey, cozy, and feels like a family run place which it is -- apparently the owner used to be a chef for a former Japanese ambassador! The dishes, while *almost* kaiseki style, runs more homey too -- you will find simpler family dishes you can choose as mains like miso cod, tempura or chicken wing. Same with the drinks. There are nice sake and shochu flights, but not a specific pairing, and the selection is more mainstream (but still way more premium than a regular Japanese restaurant!) The waitstaff are all very polite and well trained, maybe not at the higher end (like starred restaurants), but definitely the best in the area. The set menu allows for 2 choices: your main and your starch. They are seasonal so you might not be able to get the same yummy thing as previous visits, but they really utilize seasonal produce well -- on a recent visit, the corn was simply phenomenal. Dessert, is à la carte, and I never have the appetite for it by the end of the meal. Honestly, the portions are rather huge, unless you're a hungry teenager or a large eater, it'll definitely be more than enough food per person. They provide to-go boxes if you need. It's definitely an elevated date night kind of place, and definitely make reservations via text! They are super responsive. read more

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Really cute and fun place. I went with a friend and we were both very happy with their set menu. We love actually being fed and they came out with solid portions that still felt like a lot of attention was given to the flavors, textures, and presentation. Would be happy to go back and spend an hour or two enjoying good, homey food. read more

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We came here as a party of five to celebrate a birthday. The staff were extremely nice and the service was great. However, the food fell short for me overall and was just decent. The meal started off strong and I really enjoyed the first three dishes (chef's tasting plate, assorted sashimi (super fresh!), and miso black cod. Unfortunately the main dishes just were underwhelming and didn't have much flavor. The claypot in particular was not very good and didn't have or develop the crispy undercarriage most claypot rices do when served in the hot claypot. It was a decent meal overall but I probably wouldn't come back due to the food and higher price point. read more

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Hana Izumi has become one of our favorite sushi spots. One bite completely transported us right back to Japan. Not only is their sushi amazing but even their vegetarian side dishes have so much flavor. Right after my wife gave birth, this was the first meal she wanted and they packed everything so beautifully for us. The owners are so kind and I would highly recommend this place to all sushi lovers. read more

Hana Izumi - Japanese Near Me - Millbrae, California

DISAPPOINTED 3.5 Good friends were back visiting the Bay Area, so when we scored reservations here just a week before their visit, I was thrilled. Where they live, specialized Japanese cuisine is hard to come by; this was intended to be a big treat for them. We had high hopes for this Kaiseki restaurant. Having just returned from Tokyo and after dining at several Kaiseki restaurants around the Peninsula, this one fell short of our expectations for a number of reasons. Two of us ordered the five-sake flight. After sampling all five, we agreed on our favorite and ordered a half bottle to continue with dinner. I loved how we were able to choose our pretty sake glasses, as this is always a nice, charming touch. Where they excelled: * The Black Miso Cod was delicious! It was firm, moist and very flavorful. * The chef's selection of sashimi was fresh and also good. Where the experience fell short for a Kaiseki/elevated Japanese meal: * Appetizer (Chef's tasting plate; 5 items). Three of the five items: chawanmushi (egg custard), sesame tofu topped with an unidentified orange sauce and inarizushi (rice stuffed in tofu skin) all felt noticeable muted; no savory umami richness one typically expects from Japanese cuisine. The random placing of two fried lotus root slices did not add anything to this plate. *The Chirashi bowl was satisfactory. It consisted of finely chopped fatty bluefin tuna, similar to a beef tartar. Perhaps small chunks would have been more visually and texturally appealing. *Lastly, the dessert portion was the worst part, mainly because we were not served any. As printed on the Prix fixe menu, dessert was the last course (Matcha Warabi Mochi). Our server placed a dessert menu in front of us with a $13 up charge. We declined. The server then returned and handed my husband the bill payment machine showing only the $660 total, not the itemized bill. When asked to see the itemized bill, the server flipped the screen to show him for two seconds, then back to the total. It was quite obvious that at 7:15pm, they were in a rush to get us out for the next seating. In such a rush, they did not bring our dessert. The next seating was at 7:30pm. If the restaurant is running behind in its service, then the second seating's start time should be adjusted for their mishandling of time. We were feeling disappointed with the meal but very happy to be with our friends, as they made it a wonderful night anyway. read more

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I like the concept of a nice kaiseke place with a set menu that's not that too expensive and not far from home since I sometimes don't want to drive into SF or down further in the peninsula to get higher end Japanese. The servers are very nice and attentive but sometimes they forget to tell you what you're having. Most of the food was good and presentation was very good, although a few items weren't that exciting to taste for me. So for about $80pp without drinks, you get a filling 4 course meal with a variety of Japanese cuisine and techniques that you don't get at your everyday sushi bar or izakaya restaurant. It's worth a try to decide for yourself. A solid 4 stars for me. read more

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FOOD: 3 SERVICE: 3 AMBIANCE: 3 SERVICE: 3 This was our second visit and we brought some out of town friends who were looking for an upscale Japanese restaurant. Unfortunately Hana Izumi was a bit of a let down. Why? The food was quite ordinary with nothing outstanding. The service, food delivery and pace was all over the place. For example, they have two seatings per night, and they serve everyone (in the dining room) who orders the fish at the same time; my companions (3) ordered the black cod and I ordered the American filet. When the cod was served, the whole dining room got their cods, then about 10 minutes later, my filet came. Then, at the end of the meal, they plunked down dessert menus (extra cost items), we said no, but they didn't serve us the dessert included in the prix fixe menu! As soon as we said no to the additional dessert, they cleaned the table and presented us the handheld machine to pay. It really felt like we were being rushed out of the restaurant. The food, was really undistinguished and quite ordinary. The sushi was good, the black cod was probably the most tasty item of the night. The filet was decent but American Wagyu is different. The prix fixe menu we had on our visit consisted of: Appetizers - mochi like cold tofu, Chawanmushi w/crab meat, a lightly fried shishamo, slice of roasted pork and a tofu skin pocket rice. The best tasting pieces were the deep fried lotus root, otherwise, nothing really outstanding. Sashimi - baby squid, tuna, yellowtail, salmon and toro. Fresh pieces of fish with the toro being the best. Choice - we had American Wagyu Filet Mignon, yes, it was tender, but if I didn't reread the menu, I wouldn't have guessed that it was filet mignon. Black Cod (not on menu), it was perfectly marinated and buttery soft; probably the best dish of the whole meal. Entree - we had Chirashi bowl, finely chopped toro served with salmon roe; decent tasting, but we've had much better. Asari Takenoko Takomi, baby clam Takomi rice with bamboo shoots; really nothing special and the rice was cold. Dessert - ?? We were never served this. YMMV, but we will not be back. read more

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My friend took me here for my bday and I will tell you the staff goes above and beyond. I'm sorry this 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. read more

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Celebrating all March Birthdays. "Happy Birthday!" "Ashley, Fiona, Herm, Josh and Monique." Hana Izumi Luna and Kogi Small Business Owners Husband and Wife Team Located in the historic Massolo building, in Millbrae. Enjoyed the: Dinner Kaiseki (5 courses) Sake Pairings Desserts This Japanese restaurant offers an elegant, multi-course kaiseki dining experience featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Each dish is beautifully presented with an artistic and traditional meal with a thoughtfully curated, ever-changing menu, plus sake pairings and desserts. Always a nice evening with friends. Such amazing service, you feel like family. A must visit. I hightly recommend supporting this amazing local small business! read more

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A very enjoyable dining experience from beginning to end. Service, food quality, and taste were top notch. The pacing and portions were also perfect for me and my group. We booked a reservation on 5:30PM on a Saturday. Reservations are super easy; just text their number. I would give yourself 5-10 minutes to park and walk over. Street parking is tough but there's a public parking lot 2 blocks away from the restaurant. It's more important to be on time for your res because they start everyone's first course at the same time. The restaurant is warm and cozy, but there's plenty of space between tables so it's comfortable. Everyone who works here is super friendly as well, explaining the menu, drink order options, and any choices you have on the menu. Our waitress was very kind and patient as we deliberated over the options and asked for more details on each of the choices. For example, we had a choice between one of the apps and the main (chirashi vs. tempura yaki). They also accommodated food allergies very well. Each course was impressive and it's a good mix of seafood, meat, veggies, and even fruit. They used fresh wasabi and the slicing of the fish and veggies were very precise and thin. There wasn't a course that I didn't enjoy, though my favorites were the sashimi and the first dish with the uni on top of sesame tofu. We also had two options for dessert, and ordered the set with the chocolate cake and flan, which was just the right amount of dessert and sweetness. This restaurant has 4 $$$$ on yelp, so it's intimidating but it costs $150 per person including tax and tip. Desserts and drinks are extra. For the quality and amount of food they give, it's actually such value. They change their menus every month, and I can't wait to come back! read more

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Quick stop at SFO before heading onto Waikiki, got to see some long time friends from the Bay Area. Hana Izumi is a classic little pre-fixe Kaiseki style Japanese restaurant focusing quality and freshness. Wonderful traditional feel, outstanding service and delicious food makes this place a winner! read more

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I finally visited Hana Izumi after seeing several social media videos praising their affordable lunch omakase and quality. I went for dinner, which is significantly pricier at $150 per person compared to $65 for lunch. (Note: their prices increased slightly this year.) This restaurant has wonderful mom-and-pop vibes. It's run by a husband-and-wife team with one waiter. The husband prepares the dishes while the wife visits each table to explain them. She was incredibly sweet, and I genuinely enjoyed learning about each component. The interior is cozy and intimate. The quality was good, and we left satisfied and full, something I don't always expect from omakase. I appreciate that they offered a few options within the omakase menu, allowing my partner and me to try different items. However, there were some disappointments. The waiter didn't really explain the entree options, so I had to choose without understanding what each dish entailed. While you can ask questions, I feel the server should proactively provide at least a brief description of each option. I ordered the Hamachi Collar, which was prepared similar to braised fish. Half of it was so tender, buttery, and fatty, but the meatier half was dry and tough. I'm not sure if this was intentional, but it was disappointing enough that I didn't finish it. My husband's Wagyu Miso was a bit salty, and since the entrees are just protein with minimal garnish, there wasn't anything to balance the saltiness. Overall, Hana Izumi is a nice spot for a date night dinner. There are definitely more high quality Omakase places in the city, but the ambience and staff really make this place. read more

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first off, the service is impeccable. It's a husband and wife duo (wife is front of the house while the husband cooks). She is incredible and provides too of the line service. Shes constantly checking in, monitoring your tea levels, satisfaction, and the dishes itself. The dishes are amazing. It's a seasonally changing menu so I'm not going to dwindle on the specific dishes since they won't really be relevant in the future however, everything I ate was delicious. I tend to be more hesitant towards a kaiseki since I'm a more picky eater, however everything they made was delicious and at worst (which didn't happen): tolerable (which is an achievement bc usually during meals like this there's at least something I really don't like). The standout was the entree eel and tempura. it was so good. I've never had tempura as delicious as this in the states. Their lunch price is $48 per person and gosh dang you'll never get a better deal than that. I told my sister about this place (she made reservations) and my grandparents (they wanna come now). read more

Hana Izumi - Japanese Near Me - Millbrae, California

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Hana Izumi is a great find for a local treat! The tasting menu was excellent, everything you'd want from authentic japanese food but with unique twists. I loved that it wasn't a stuffy environment; instead, it felt warm and welcoming. On my Wednesday visit, there was live music, which added a fun vibe. The sushi was great quality and each course had good-sized portions. My favorite bite was the mochi tofu - super unique and unlike anything I've had before. A perfect mix of artistry and comfort - Hana Izumi is a must-try. read more

I love their lunch special menu! It's so affordable for the amount of dishes they give as a set menu. They do change their lunch menu monthly but it's always so good. I love how flavorful every dish is and it combines both traditional and modern twist! Definitely recommend coming here for their lunch set but also try their dinner menu as well. It's also in downtown Millbrae so come early! read more

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So excited to finally try Hana Izumi! The lunch menu starts with a Chef's Tasting Plate of seasonal small appetizers. The seasonal appetizers included chawanmushi steamed egg, inarizushi, tamagoyaki egg with daikon, and 2 other items. The Bara Chirashi Bowl included seaweed to make hand rolls with the sashimi, ikura, diced pickled radish, ginger, etc. Each type of fish was prepared well, but the scallop was especially good. Beyond the food, the service was wonderful. The restaurant responds quickly to calls and texts for reservations. The staff are very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. The restaurant feels classy and comfortable. It is easy to see the care they put into their business. Can't wait to visit again for dinner! read more

Hana Izumi - Chef's Tasting Plate - Seasonal Small Appetizers - Japanese Near Me - Millbrae, California

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It was a special day, and coming here truly made it one to remember. From the first dish - a delicate tofu course - to the closing rice and porridge, everything moved with the rhythm of autumn. The chef's sense of pacing and balance instantly reminded me of Kyoto - each course flowing naturally into the next, quiet but full of intent. The sashimi felt aged just right - rich, deep, and confident. The tempura was crisp without a hint of heaviness, and the miso-simmered fish captured the warmth of the season perfectly. Even the smallest transitions - from one temperature and texture to another - felt deliberate, almost ceremonial. The sake pairing was remarkable, thoughtfully curated to mirror the meal's tempo: * Chōkaizan Junmai Daiginjō - pure and clean, the perfect opener to awaken the palate; * Akabu Junmai Daiginjō - structured and crisp, harmonizing beautifully with the aged sashimi; * Dassai 45 - gentle, mellow, and quietly elegant, closing the night with warmth and calm. Three bottles, three moods - each chosen with precision and heart. And then there's the grace of the service - the owner in kimono, pouring tea and sake with poised calm, every movement reminiscent of Kyoto hospitality. Maybe I'm too particular - who else notices the weight of chopsticks or the glaze of a bowl? But that's only because the food and atmosphere were that good. They brought me back to Kyoto, where even time seems to slow for flavor. A meal that didn't just end my day - it made it. Dr. C Only writing for what truly earns the stars. read more

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I've been here on 2 separate dinner occasions and each time the meal and service were memorable and delicious. Hana Izumi was my first kaiseki experience and really gave me an appreciation for the prep and skill that goes into it. Even though the space is small, it's cozy and calming. The menu changes up each month so you'll be in for a treat regardless of which month you come in. I make sure I eat and drink every last drop of food that comes my way because of how tasty everything is. Apart from the menu curation, I always look forward to the fruit sake flight as well particularly for the yuzu, strawberry, and unfiltered sake. This place is one of my most favorite restaurants in the Bay Area and I cannot recommend this place enough to friends and family. I look forward to returning here for future celebrations! read more

Hana Izumi - Japanese Near Me - Millbrae, California

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This is our second time celebrating birthdays at Hana Izumi - first time for their lunch menu. Service is outstanding! Food is clean and fresh. Everyone had a great time! read more

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My husband and his best friend have a tradition of taking each other out on a double date for a fancy feast on their birthdays. (Ironically, he takes his friend to better restaurants than he takes me for our special occasions...we wives are just background characters in their bromance.) Every year is like a showdown on who can find the most delicious place to treat. I stumbled across this place on IG and bookmarked it 6 months in advance. I was hesitant because there were not many reviews but every one was stellar. I'm here to report back that it is as delightful as promised! Rating Breakdown: 2/2 Stars for Taste -- Every course was so thoughtfully and deliciously prepared. The duck soba salad with the yuzu sauce was a refreshing palate cleanser to start. The kobachi included the sesame tofu that my husband has been dying to try since watching Chef Choi make it on Culinary Class Wars -- probably my favorite small dish! The close second was the braised eggplant with the Dungeness crab. I liked how the dishes were deceptively unpretentious but simply delicious. We splurged on the sashimi platter and have no regrets about it -- the ocean trout and the fatty tuna were melt in your mouth delicious. The kind of delicious that makes you widen your eyes and say "MM". I was a little disappointed that the chawanmushi didn't come in a crab shell but maybe that's just for the dinner service. My husband and I shared one of each entree. The featured entrees for March are the BBQ unagi and tempura shrimp as well as the chirashi bowl. Since it was a celebratory occasion, my husband also ordered the sake flight (3), which came with a complimentary fourth cup to try. 1/1 Stars for Value -- I appreciate that the price on the menu includes tax and 20% gratuity. It was $68 pp for lunch plus $48 for the optional sashimi. Definitely a splurge but in my opinion, worth trying at least once! 1/1 Stars for Customer Service -- The reservations were easy to make by text. Service is leisurely but it's part of the experience, definitely not a meal you can rush. They also let you bring in outside desserts for celebrations. The chef's wife even offered us candles. When she first offered, we gave a mildly horrified "No, no thank you!" and I think she read our minds and said "No singing, just candles" LOL. The whole place gives mom and pop shop vibes. Bonus star because it's the kind of place I would take my parents to for a special occasion. read more

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We went for lunch and it was more food than we expected. Great service and really good food. Loved the chawanmushi. The duck salad was light and refreshing. read more

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Came by for dinner the other night and it was a tasty, albeit rushed experience. Hana Izumi is a kaiseki restaurant in Millbrae, right across from the Fairfield Inn. Parking was available on surface lots or on the street. Dining is available indoors exclusively. Made a reservation for a table via text and our table was ready upon arrival. Dinner service is a tasting menu for $108. Started off the meal with a wide variety of appetizers, which reminded me of Japan! The eggplant and spinach appetizer was tasty and light. The slow-cooked duck was tender. The homemade tofu was light and refreshing. The seafood over the chip was decent although the tempura seaweed chip tasted store-bought. Moved on to the sashimi course and the sashimi was fresh. There was a rice ball with fish along with some octuput inside a tomato based sauce. The hamachi and soba noodle salad was a light course. For the entree, we were presented a few options, including a beef tongue, seafood stew, seafood tempura, and fried oysters. The seafood tempura featured a couple gigantic shrimp, a mushroom, and a couple potatoes. The steamed egg course was tasty and featured some uni and real crab. The soba noodles with wagyu beef was fantastic. The marbling on the wagyu beef was excellent and the broth was flavorful. Ended off the meal with the mochi and red bean dessert for a $13 add-on. ~$150/head after tax and 20% mandatory service charge for dinner. read more

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Artfully fun lunch. I think lunch is the best deal here. It's a set menu every month so check online or at the door to see what they're serving. Starts off with some small bites. Cucumber salad, some tofu, the rice ball, and soup. The egg custard Chawanmushi was light and had real crab in it. Also delicious. Presentation on everything was great. Nice ice cold water and hot tea. Clean atmosphere. The eel (unagi) over rice with 2 shrimp tempura was delicious and there's an option to add sashimi for an added cost. Would recommend for a party or event or just to treat yourself because YOU deserve it! read more

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Sometimes you just gotta treat yourself so I went on a solo Kaiseki date for some refreshing me time Absolutely kind and efficient service. Lunch time two waiters both courteous and had me taken care of Lunch set $48 plus 20% auto gratuity. I thought the auto gratuity was easy and convenient because I didn't have to think about it, just pay and was ready to go after my meal Plenty of tables available weekend lunch. Made reservation by text which was so easy. I liked that I could test and didn't need to call. Though Didn't need to because there was lots of tables when I went Eel and tempura donburi was great. Tempura crisp was light and flavorful. Egg sauce drizzled over the steam rice Good presentation for a quiet meal. I Finished in exactly 1 hour Light jazz music Casual and easygoing, don't need to dress up read more

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I was really excited to try this restaurant because it advertises kaiseki, which is quite different from omakase. I noticed several reviews referring to it as omakase, but that's not accurate. Kaiseki is a traditional, highly structured multi-course Japanese meal that emphasizes seasonality, artistic food presentation, and the overall dining experience. It's considered a refined, high-end style of dining in Japan. Since authentic kaiseki meals are usually very expensive, I was excited to find a place offering it at a much more affordable price. My friend ordered sashimi set while I chose the cooked dishes so we could try a variety of items from the menu. The food itself was fresh and the flavors were decent--nothing tasted bad. However, the overall experience didn't really feel like kaiseki. Compared to the kaiseki meal I had in Japan, it was a bit disappointing. Kaiseki typically emphasizes beautiful and meticulous presentation, along with carefully selected tableware that enhances the dining experience. Here, the presentation felt quite simple, and the utensils and plates looked old and didn't give the refined feeling usually associated with kaiseki dining. In the end, it felt more like a cozy, family-owned Japanese restaurant serving good, simple food rather than a true kaiseki experience. If you come expecting a casual Japanese meal, you may still enjoy it. But if you're expecting the elegance and artistry of a traditional kaiseki experience, it may not fully meet those expectations. read more

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Wonderful experience all around - great food, excellent service, and a homey ambiance. I've been here three times now - once for lunch and twice for dinner. The food is kaiseki style, a set menu where each dish showcases a difference style of preparation and features seasonal ingredients. The dishes are always presented artfully so the experience is as pleasing visually as it is for one's sense of taste and smell. Each dish is executed skillfully with fresh quality ingredients. The set of amuse dishes are always refreshing and flavorful, the sashimi is melt in your mouth, the tempura is delicately crispy and not greasy at all, the chawanmushi silky, etc. Dessert is at an additional cost but imho worth it. Service is attentive and not just friendly, but warm and inviting. Despite being a full house on the night we went, we never got the sense that the wait staff was stressed or harried as they took the time to help us select a sake by letting us taste a couple of samples, explain each dish to us Michelin style, handle one off requests, and kept our tea/water glasses constantly full. read more

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This was amazing - there was such a variety of food and it was all high quality. There was also a surprising amount of innovation. For example, there was a sesame tofu dish with uni. The service was prompt and the waitress did a great job explaining the significance of each dish. Not to mention they took great care in making sure the environment really made the food presentable. The aesthetic was very modern yet traditional. Very great mix read more

Hana Izumi - Salmon, tuna, and hamachi - Japanese Near Me - Millbrae, California

My favorite Japanese restaurant in the Bay Area. Very authentic and unpretentious Kaiseki style food but a more casual atmosphere and won't break the bank like all the other Kaiseki places in the US. They have new dishes every month so definitely worth multiple visits. 100% worth trying before they get super popular. Food: This is the real deal traditional Japanese food that you won't find at most places in the Bay Area aside from super expensive Michelin restaurants. The chef trained at a famous Kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo and also cooked for the Japanese ambassador in DC. Taste of every dish is on point and very similar to places in Japan. Service: This is a hidden gem run by a Japanese couple. They are super friendly and treat everyone like family. Luna takes extra time to explain all of the elements on the plate and you can really see how much effort they put into everything. The atmosphere is cozy and not too loud, perfect for dates. Value: You get so much good stuff for the price during both lunch and dinner. Uni, sashimi, duck, filet mignon, large chunks of crab meat, toro, home made sesame tofu(like in culinary class wars), and beef tongue all for $150 after tax and tip?? Also the sashimi add on for lunch menu is super worth too. read more

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Tried this newish local spot in Millbrae for dinner for a birthday celebration and it did not disappoint. The service was perfect and friendly. They were able to get us a last minute reservation for a party of 6 without issues especially that they have 2 seatings for dinner. The chef was the former private chef for the japan ambassador. His culinary skills was perfect. Everything was picture worthy and tasty. The restaurant was small so it's hard to fit a large group there. The menu is set pricing and you can order from each section as directed on the menu. Every round of food came out at the same time for the table and most of the restaurant (depending on the time you sat down) everything was delicious and tasty and almost felt like you were in Japan still from the service to the taste of the foods. Everything was fresh read more

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Hana Izumi does set lunch menus for lunch (and a dinner kaiseki offering) so when I was in the area for a power lunch, I wanted to try their offerings. The soba and duck appetizer was delicious with perfectly cooked duck and vinegary soba. I also felt that the amuse which included tempura, yuba soup, tamago, mochi, and fish with ume-based sauce were done nicely to provide contrast of flavors and textures. Chawanmushi was letdown - watery and the seafood was overcooked. For main I chose the tempura and unagi bowl as opposed to chirashi as it seemed more interesting to showcase culinary skill. Unagi bones were small making it easy to eat and the tempura was fried well. All in after tax and tip was around $60 which was worth it to me. As long as they fix the chawanmushi I would like to try something else again here if it catches my fancy. No reservations were needed for weekday lunch but highly recommend calling for weekend. read more

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I was surprised to find such a delicious Japanese restaurant in Millbrae. This is an authentic Japanese restaurant. The flavors of the dashi and ingredients really shine through in the refined dishes, and every single one was absolutely delicious. I went for lunch. The appetizer on the lunch set menu consisted of four small bowls and a inari sushi arranged on a plate--just the right amount to savor each dish. It was visually stunning and incredibly tasty. For my main course, I ordered the Bara Chirashi Sushi. The sashimi was fresh and delicious, and the amount of vinegared rice was just right. It came with several sheets of nori, so I was able to make my own hand-rolled sushi. The dashi in the miso soup was also exceptionally flavorful--all in all, it was a very satisfying lunch. The server brought out the dishes at just the right moments and regularly came by to refill my green tea at no extra charge. I definitely want to visit again for dinner. read more

Hana Izumi - Bara-Chirashi Bowl for Lunch - Japanese Near Me - Millbrae, California

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Very cute restaurant spot! The dinner was delicious, and the owner is super friendly. The owner's husband is the chef. We loved all the dishes. We also talked about a restaurant in honalulu called "Toyota", hope they can consider incorporate some elements in their menu! read more

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Food was beautiful, dainty, healthy. Every dish came out like a piece of artwork! The host, dressed in a kimono, was very sweet, pretty, friendly and explained each dish to us! Clean and relaxed environment made the dinner a memorable experience! read more

Delicious traditional Japanese food. Love their rotating appetizers, and both the chirashi bowl and tempura donburi bowls are incredible. Great value for the food. Pro tip: if you're still hungry after the prefixe menu, you can add additional entrees or sashimi. read more

Walked by so many times but finally checked it out as a gift card brought us in to this true Japanese experience. With a monthly set menu, the March offering looked interesting: Sake Tasting: wanted to try the various offerings that paired well with the dishes prepared that evening and the quality and smoothness of the different types of sake were very satisfying. Amuse Bouche - a variety which included: 1) clam soup which was a delicate subtle clam broth with little shiso leaves chopped in. 2) Mini snapper rice ball topped with plum which was a combo of sweet & savory. 3) Silken tofu with a uni miso sauce which made this a decadent umami bomb 4) Sliced duck with dijon mustard made this a salute to a traditional deli style pastrami. 5) Smoke abalone was a fresh and textural delicious bite. Sashimi- a very great variety of sea trout/hamachi/toro/ahi & squid and all of them were fresh and individually stood on its own. Tamago- a well designed presentation of a sliced roll paired with a crab sauce and topped with Ikura made this dish a very unique salt/savory elevated omelet. Tempura & Hamachi Collar - Two separate entrees from a selection of 4 that was offered and both were prepared to perfection. The tempura was light and no visible oil on the paper it was presented on. The hamachi collar was meaty and well seasoned. Seafood Hot Pot- a soy milk broth of ocean goodness! Generous amount of various types of seafood and the broth was so light and flavorful. Negitoro Chirashi Bowl - a good size portion of toro accompanied with ikura and takuan as it was presented with pieces of nori allowing you to make your own hand rolls and the cup of miso made this a perfect ending. Custard & Mochi- The dessert was probably not needed but still a nice balance of sweet with the black sugar sauce for the silky custard and the matcha mochi for another textural variety. Service was excellent and the hostess was very attentive and made the whole experience memorable. read more

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Very delicious! You must call ahead to book a reservation to dine in. They do multiple rounds of lunch and dinner and everyone in the restaurant is served the same dishes at the same time. I believe they change their menu every month and we had the chance to try their February tasting menu. The servers and owner herself in a kimono comes around to make sure they explain each dish to you. It feels very fancy and comfortable at the same time, like fancy dining at home. The concept is multiple courses of traditional Japanese food with a slight modern twist focusing on balance so don't expect a flavor bomb with each dish. All the ingredients are super fresh and the original taste of the ingredients doesn't get masked in their sauces. You do get a choice of dish in two courses. The grilled yellowtail was yummy but it does have a lot of bones so I don't recommend for younger children. The grilled beef tongue was decent but the beef stew was amazing. read more

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If you're a foodie that enjoys delicious food but have children that hinder you ability to enjoy such pastimes, this is the place for you. The owners and staff are so kind and friendly, the food is delicious (and tons of it)! Reasonable price point for the amount and variety of food. My only warning is that parking is tough but that's not the restaurants fault -- just bake in extra time into your travel time. read more

One of the best dining experiences we've had in the Bay Area. Absolutely stunning service and hella authentic Japanese food. I didn't take a ton of pics but really a generous and beautiful spot. read more

Hana Izumi - Smelt with cucumber and kombu - Japanese Near Me - Millbrae, California

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A dish infused with the spirit of Japan - crafted by a true Japanese master. The techniques, the attention to detail... everything is extraordinary. I was amazed, honestly even a bit stunned while eating. If you want to experience flavors and a moment unlike anything you have never had in your life, You can find it at Hana Izumi. And despite of this level of quality, There is no dress code read more