The food was good and the ambiance was great. Our waiter was very nice and attentive. We came for lunch and it's a unique experience! read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

Truly authentic! The quality here rivals restaurants I've visited in Japan. Every detail felt intentional--from the beautiful plating to the freshness of the ingredients and warm, polished service. The salmon ikura don was outstanding: thick-cut, buttery salmon layered perfectly over rice, topped with generous bursts of fresh ikura and real wasabi. The tamago with ikura was also excellent--light, fluffy, yet pleasantly firm with a satisfying texture. Atmosphere was clean, calm, and minimalist with that refined Japanese touch. read more

Hibari - Salmon don - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

Food here is fresh and good-looking, and the vibe is good too, nice for a meet-up. The staff here is friendly and patient. read more

Hibari - Food here is fresh and good looking - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

We were so fortunate to experience the Mother's Day omakase. Outstanding! Beautifully presented dishes with unique and unexpected flavors and textures. Food as art. Impossible to decide which was my favorite. Service was impeccable and the ambience is serene and relaxed. What a gem in Portola Valley! We will absolutely be back for their regular menu offerings. read more

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Hibari is the newest omakase destination in Portola Valley and it needs to be on your radar We tried their 10‑course prix fixe ($150), a beautifully curated lineup featuring sashimi, tofu, clay‑pot broth, and nigiri. Such a perfect date‑night spot that we're already planning our next visit. If you want to level up, they also offer a more elaborate kappo‑style omakase, plus lunch options we're definitely coming back for read more

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Currently my TOP sushi spot on the Peninsula!! We were so impressed with the quality and value that we went twice in the span of a week! - Table: We got a last minute table ressie last week and had the prix fixe dinner menu. All of the dishes were bursting with flavor and the nigiri were so nicely prepared and well balanced. We also got an excellent sake recommendation. We were so impressed that when we learned that the counter omakase is a totally different experience than the table menu, we came back a week later! - Counter: Another excellent experience! For now, they are only doing one counter seating per night and serve a curated menu that's completely different than at a table. It was so fun watching Chef Taka at work and we loved chatting with him throughout the evening. And, there was so much food! We had 14 pieces of nigiri plus almost a dozen other dishes. We were especially impressed with the selection of fish, including a lot of pieces you don't typically see. Hibari is honestly such a hidden gem. Definitely worth the trip out to Portola Valley! read more

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My wife and I came here for our anniversary and had a wonderful experience overall. The service was top-notch from start to finish, and our waiter Justin was attentive, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the evening. The omakase was delicious and introduced me to several new fish that I really enjoyed. Standouts include the Shima Aji and Kanpachi. They also served Katsuo which I thought was unique. The dashi course was incredibly flavorful. One aspect of the meal that I thought was very unique was the fact that they serve pickled lotus root with their pickled ginger, which Justin mentioned was unique to this restaurant. Their sake selection was also quite extensive, and the sake service itself was memorable -- they presented a box of different sake glasses for us to choose from, and some of the sake carafes were very creative, including one with a cute perched bird that sang a birdsong when poured. A couple minor critiques: the hand roll did not seem as fresh as it could have been since the seaweed lacked crispness, and I wish it had been prepared right before eating. The yuzu sorbet dessert was excellent, though the accompanying sweet potato felt slightly dry and a bit out of place. Overall, this was a very enjoyable anniversary dinner with excellent hospitality, unique presentation, and several standout dishes. read more

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I'm always down to try new sushi spots! I came on a Saturday night and it surprisingly wasn't too busy. The restaurant is located in a small plaza with parking right out front. The space has a modern, minimalist vibe that feels calm and intimate. They only have four seats at the counter (which I think are the best seats in the house) so I recommend making a reservation early if you want to sit there to watch the chefs and interact with them. The food: - The omakase started with tofu noodles paired with a light tomato broth. The texture was great but I personally would have liked the broth to be a bit more tangy. - The sashimi course were on the thin side but had decent flavor. Quality was standard, nothing really stood out. I did enjoy the pickled ginger with lotus root, which was a nice and unique touch. - My favorite appetizer of the night was the tofu mashed with persimmon and cucumber. It was creamy with a natural sweetness from the persimmon and a nice crunch from the cucumber. - The meal included two rounds of nigiri, which were the highlight. The fish was buttery and fresh with many selections sourced from Japan. I also liked that the chef used both white vinegar rice and red vinegar rice, choosing the one that best paired with each fish. Overall, the nigiri were very good but the appetizers felt a little underwhelming for the price point. If the opening courses were stronger, the overall experience would have been more impressive since the sushi itself was solid. read more

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Went for lunch, there's a variety of lunch set options, ordered the Hibari Don set. The fish and uni tastes super fresh! Mid way though they poor miso soup to make it chazuke. Didn't like the chazuke that much - prefer to eat the Don as is, but not bad! Service was pretty quick, store looks new and clean. read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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My husband and boy brought me her for Mother's Day lunch! Such a great experience. Perfect because some eat raw and some don't. I got the Hibari Don set and everything was so fresh! My husband got the Mentaiko Tamago set and he loved it! We have never seen it as an extra like this before! Our older son got the fried chicken set. It was do tasty! He put the sauce over the rice and finished it all! Our younger son got the Salmon Don! He ate it all! Would definitely come back for lunch and need to try the Omakase for dinner! We definitely recommend! read more

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​Our second time here for lunch and it's still 10/10! Love the minimalist, clean vibe and the staff are super on top of things. We had the Hibari and Kaisen don sets--the fish was super fresh and top-tier quality. ​Pro tip: Don't let the bowl size fool you. It looks a little small when it arrives, but it's actually very filling. The best part is how they finish the meal--pouring hot broth over the leftover rice to turn it into a savory tsukedon. It's so cozy and genius! Definitely coming back to see what else they add to the menu. read more

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Very nice local addition to the neighborhood! As a long time Portola Valley resident, very glad to see the upgrade in our neighborhood sushi game. We had the Hibari Don Set and grilled cod saikyo miso for lunch. The preparation is simple and just right. The fish in the Hibari is perfect. The portion is on the small side, but everything was other wise great. Came here for lunch. Dinner reservations is a bit harder to get on weekends. The service is just right, attentive but not too over whelming. read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

We came by for lunch and the restaurant filled up pretty quickly. This is a new restaurant at Ladera and the owner, Chef Taka, was the former head sushi chef at Nobu Palo Alto. Ambiance: 5/5 Bright white interior with light wood tables and chairs, giving off a crisp atmosphere that is perfect for dates or a casual meal. Service: 5/5 Quick, friendly, and efficient. We got our teas and water refilled promptly without having to ask. Food: 4/5 Servings are pretty small so please do not come hungry. Lunch comes in sets; I'm curious about dinner menu as well. Salmon don, Kaisen don, and Tekka don sets - Fish was incredibly fresh and buttery although we all agreed tuna was a bit dry. Grilled cod saikyo miso set - I personally thought the grilled cod was dry; it was almost as if they forgot to marinate it in sweet saikyo miso. I also thought it was lacking in taste, which was unfortunate. Overall, I would recommend to give this place a try and would come back to try other items on the menu. read more

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Hibari is a hidden gem in Portola Valley for high-quality, authentic Japanese comfort food. The atmosphere is serene and perfect for a focused, delicious meal. We ordered a few different dishes and everything was executed perfectly: * Salmon Don: The fish was incredibly fresh and buttery, served over perfectly cooked rice. * Miso Grilled Cod: This was the standout. The miso glaze had the right balance of sweet and savory, and the cod was flaky and moist. * Grilled Salmon: A classic done right--crispy skin and tender on the inside. read more

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Came for the lunch menu, my friend got the miso black cod and it was very flavorful and flaky! The rest of us got the luxury don, came with quite a variety of fish, not offered elsewhere on the menu! Everything was fresh and service was super prompt and friendly! read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

New restaurant and we came here for lunch today during their soft opening. We ordered the cod, blue fin tuna, and the omelette. The blue fin tuna was definitely the best out of the three. Tuna was fresh and the miso soup was really good. Nothing is wrong with the other two, they were delicious but just didn't stand out like the tuna. The restaurant is in a quiet neighborhood stripe mall. Easy to find. read more

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did the petit omakase two weeks ago. loved everything about it and can't wait to do the full omakase course next time. I hope I can bring my parents too, and try their lunch menu. the corn somen noodles were amazing, and the fish was unique and fresh. read more

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My husband and I had a date night at their nigiri omakase bar counter experience, and I can confidently say, you will not leave hungry! What a treat from Chef Taka. His knife skills, presentation, flavors, and conversation made the experience even more special. The menu featured a mix of ingredients sourced locally and from Japan, and we tried several dishes we had never had before. Everything was delicious - oishikatta desu! The staff provided great customer service, and it was fun getting to pick out our sake glass and a whistling tokkuri. Overall, it was a fantastic experience - gochisousama deshita! We will definitely be back for another date night and with friends. read more

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We had a great dining experience. Food was excellent, great service and chic interior. We would definitely be coming back. read more

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Would give a 4.5 if I could. Came for lunch so the menu was limited and didn't like that the rice was regular rice and not sushi rice. Otherwise the fish was fresh, sides and miso soup were all great! read more

Hibari - Tekka and kaisen donburi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

Amazing food with new menu from this ex Nobu chef!! Great service- new decor- clean and well laid out- also has outdoor seating read more

Hibari - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

We came here for lunch on a Sunday. We ordered the Tekka Don set, salmon don set, Goma kanpanchi set, kaisen don set, yurinchi set, and the mentaiko dashimaki tamago set. Everything was delicious and I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Went during lunch time and decided to give salmon don set a try. I love that the salmon is very fresh and flavorful so it is super good. The presentation is amazing and the service is very friendly and attentive. The ambiance is amazing bc it is really clean and the decor is very beautiful. Overall, I had an awesome experience and would definitely come back to try other items they have! read more

Hibari - Salmon don set - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

The restaurant is very clean with relaxing Japanese city pop playing at lunchtime. We had two different don sets at lunch and it was a great experience. The fish was fresh and the presentation was wonderful. Service is top-notch and very attentive. So glad this is in our neighborhood and can't wait to come back and try their omakase for dinner. read more

Hibari - Kaisen don set on top and Tekka don set on the bottom - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

We got the Kaisen Don and the tekka Don (tuna) and hot green tea. Out of the two we really liked the Kaisendon and the sauce that they use for the Kaisendon. Service was really quick and friendly, they checked on us often and refilled our tea very consistently. We might come check out their omakase dinner. You can make reservations with them through ig, calling, or resy :) but there's also a couples option that you can currently only reserve through ig or calling in read more

Hibari - Kaisendon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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TLDR: It's like the Portola Valley version of your local neighborhood sushi spot. Ambiance (4/5): * Casual and bright. Bar seating a plus. Service (4/5): * Fairly friendly and helpful. Menu (5/5): * Simple menu, but covers anything I would want for my palate. Kaisen Don Set (4/5): * Elevated presentation, good flavor, quality fish. * Without the presentation, the value is a bit difficult to swallow. Hibari Don Set (4/5): * Again, high quality fish, tasty, but very familiar. * Also again, I would think difficult to embrace the value for middle class diners. read more

Came here for an early mother's day celebration with my wife and daughter. We had the Hibari don and the dashimaki tamago set, which were both delicious. The staff were very attentive as well. The interior is a simple and clean, luxurious look, which I liked. Obviously, you don't want to bring a screaming child here, but very friendly and more casual than other premium options out there so it's perfect for bringing a calmer child or family. read more

This is by far the best sushi/omakase experience I have had! I have heard great things about this restaurant, and decided to come and try it myself. I ordered the Dinner Prix Fixe. Every single piece of nigiri and sashimi was incredible, you can really tell that Chef Taka takes so much time and care in choosing the highest quality fish. Everything tasted clean, fresh, and perfectly prepared. The highlight for me was the Hokkaido uni -- unbelievably fresh, creamy, and honestly to die for! Jessie was an amazing host. He took his time explaining the ingredients of each dish, which made the whole experience even more special and personal. You could tell he truly cared about making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. The presentation of every course was beautiful and thoughtfully done, and the entire staff was friendly, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. If you're looking for a memorable high quality omakase type experience, Hibari is it. Can't wait to come back! read more

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What kind of sushi restaurant serve regular plain rice for Chirashi..? I've never been to any sushi place that serves plain rice instead of sushi rice. When I asked owner, he answered "since we don't serve sushi on Lunch, we only provide regular rice" Well then, why don't you just not serve Chirashi during lunch? It tasted so bad although fishes were fresh. I had to pour soy sauce they provided but still bland. I wanted to like this place, but it's not authentic. Picture looks better it was way overpriced. For Hibari don, I got 9 very thin sashimi pieces with bland rice. It was $66. And Uni-- it tasted like Santa Barbara uni, I expected hokkaido uni since it was pricey and came with only one small piece. Save your money for instagrammie place. so dissappointed. P.S. when enteted restaurant, it has weird smell. Maybe something wrong with plumming idk. read more

Hibari - Plain rice with thin sashimi for $66??? - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

Good food with sides. The tekka don set was really good. The yuzu drink had a nice a flavor. The sashimi were really smooth and tender and taste of it was high quality read more

Hibari - Tekka don set with miso and sides - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

Soft Opening Success at Hibari! Stopped by Hibari for lunch during their soft opening and WOW... this place is already off to a strong start. I tried three of their lunch specials (yes, for research) and I was seriously impressed. First of all, their lunch sets are such a good deal -- every set comes with two mini side dishes, soup, rice, and your main entrée. Prices range from $18 (Yurinchi set) all the way up to $66 (Hibari Don set), so there's something for every mood and budget. Here's what I tried: - Grilled Cod Saikyo Miso Set - The fish was super smooth, light, and perfectly cooked. The miso flavor was subtle and not overpowering at all. So comforting and clean. - Goma Kampachi Don Set - If you love that nutty sesame flavor, this one is for you. They even grind the sesame in-house, and you can absolutely taste the difference. So rich and flavorful. - Dashimaki Tamago with Ikura Set - Think Asian-style scrambled eggs with caviar... but better. The eggs were fluffy and savory, and the ikura added the perfect pop of saltiness. You'll definitely leave feeling full, happy, and already planning your next visit. My suggestion? - Ask for their recommendations based on your taste buds OR - Be adventurous and order something you've never tried before Either way, you really can't go wrong. Hibari is already a solid lunch spot and I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu! read more

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A gem in Portola Valley! The interior is modern and clean. I loved the salmon don set, so fresh, flavorful ikura, and delicious pickled veggies. I can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu! read more

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Really fun experience with Chef Taka and his team. My fiancé found out about the soft opening on IG and was amazed by the concept of 29-30 course kappo (basically omakase-type meal) for $200. He got us a reservation and off we went. It's located in a cute tiny plaza, so parking is easy and plentiful. We sat at the counter for literally 4 hours, chatting with the chef while stuffing our bellies. The only time I have ever dined at a restaurant for that long was in Rome at La Pergola. I remember taking a break mid-meal to go out onto the balcony, and we were all SO STUFFED. Now 30 courses is a lot, and I did not eat anything the whole day to prepare myself for this meal. Granted, I was at work and kept myself too busy to eat so it didn't really take much effort. There are some standout courses and dishes I had never been seen before. There were only two things during this meal that upset me: seeing a live lobster sacrificed for me (I don't even like lobster y'all!). Part of me really wanted to save it, but like, how would I even ask the chef to spare it? PETA, don't come for me okay? And also, I didn't get to eat the ice cream monaka sandwich because it wasn't offered! I spent the whole night watching it get made for the tables! I supposed I could have asked, and I really was too stuffed that night so it worked in my favor...but that one dessert was the only one I was really excited for. Regardless, we would come back and look forward to the team working out the kinks as they are currently in their soft opening stage. read more

Was surprised to see a new Japanese restaurant in Portola Valley pop up on Resy (ahem fellow Amex cardholders), so decided to give it a try for lunch after a hike nearby. The Kaisen don I ordered was amazing. The cuts of fish were excellent and I don't know what they put into the sauce that goes over the whole bowl, but it is ridiculously tasty. Towards the end, they even fill your bowl with a warm soup that perfectly complements your remaining rice and fish, for an unexpected but satisfying conclusion to the meal. The presentation is also great, with little details like the intricately designed bowl, owl soy sauce dispenser, and the daruma doll chopstick holder. Loved the clean, bright aesthetic of the place, and service was very good as well. If you sit at the bar, you get a clear view of Chef Taka and his skilled team at work. The place isn't super big, so definitely recommend making a reservation, though there were still open seats when I had lunch on Saturday at 11:30am. They just opened about two months ago, so maybe less people know about it, but I think it will definitely get more popular. I, for one, will be coming back as well as recommending to everyone I know! read more

Hibari - Kaisen don - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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The tuna set was incredibly fresh, with a clean, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The kanpachi sesame set stood out too, buttery and perfectly balanced with a light nutty flavor. Both felt high quality and thoughtfully prepared. read more

Hibari is a place where every detail reflects genuine care and intention. From the thoughtfully designed interior to the personalized choice of tableware, every small touch conveys a clear message of hospitality and respect for the dining experience. It made this meal feel truly special and unlike anything I've experienced before. The omakase menu, carefully curated by a former Nobu chef, was full of delightful surprises. From the first appetizer to the final dessert, the progression felt like a carefully orchestrated sensory journey. What impressed me the most was the exceptionally fresh seafood--delivered the same day--paired with creative and refined techniques that balanced flavor and artistry perfectly. The atmosphere was equally memorable. Sitting at the counter and watching the chef at work felt like a visual performance. Each dish was introduced with warmth and care, creating an incredibly personal and welcoming experience--almost like sharing a meal with family rather than dining out. Hibari is a restaurant I would wholeheartedly recommend and one I look forward to returning to again and again. read more

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Hibari Japanese Restaurant in Portola Valley is a strong new addition to the area, built on the skill and history of Chef Taka, who was formerly the Head Sushi Chef at Nobu Palo Alto and trained at the Michelin-starred Omakase SF. Lunch follows the ichiju-sansai idea of one soup and three dishes, which gives the menu a clean, seasonal feel. I ordered the upgraded kaisen-don, and the quality spoke for itself. The fish was fresh, generous, and well-cut, with rich uni and bright ikura layered over warm rice. It's clear they're sourcing well and treating the ingredients with care. Dinner is a completely different format. Hibari shifts into a full omakase experience with twenty-nine courses. It's designed as a deeper dive into Chef Taka's style and storytelling, so it sits in a more premium tier than lunch. Service is attentive without being stiff, and the space fits Portola Valley's quiet, refined vibe. Hibari is still new, so they're settling into their rhythm, but the foundation is strong. Lunch delivers high quality at a fair value, and dinner aims for a full tasting menu experience. I'd go back, especially to try the full omakase. read more

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A lovely omakase spot in portola valley! My fiancé and I had a great dinner date here. First seats sits at 5:30pm so we got there a little early and was able to watch the sushi chefs craft their sushi and prep. We got the $150 pp for 16 course and thought everything was very fresh and delicious! Highly recommend read more

My partner and I had a wonderful time dining at Hibari for our anniversary! We made a reservation for the $200 kappo dinner and were fortunate to be seated at the bar. While we aren't too versed on the intricacies of omakase dining, the attention to detail, level of care, and intention behind every dish was clear as we observed and interacted with Chef Taka and his team. From the whistling sake bottle to the plating and balance of flavors, there wasn't a moment that failed to impress or captivate us. For one dish presented in a small flower-shaped bowl, I especially remember turning to my partner and whispering, "I feel like a bee!" In addition, the staff was quick to attend to us and shared equal excitement as we ate each dish. While everyone was focused on their work, the atmosphere was never too stiff as jokes and stories were sprinkled in along with their radiant passion for food. By the end, we were satisfied with the 29 course meal. No McDonald's or In-N-Out for us after eating here! We left with our hearts and stomachs full, waving goodbye to Chef Taka as he stood by the door. Thank you, and see you again soon Hibari team! read more

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This was one of the best Japanese restaurants I've ever been to! First of all, the food is very quality. The fish is well prepared, with great taste and texture. The rice and fish eggs are all well seasoned. The food comes with lots of special side dishes with unique tastes, as well as miso soup. It's pricing is reasonable as well. The service is also great! You don't have to wait for a seat or food, and the waiters are very attentive. The restaurant also has a great atmosphere. The place is clean, with a fresh and modern feel. Even if it's a bit small, it is still one of the best Japanese restaurants I have visited! Highly recommend. read more