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Izakaya Ginji

3.9 (708 reviews)
Closed • 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

Izakaya Ginji Photos

Business Info

IZAKAYA GINJI ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Izakaya Ginji

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Lollipop chicken wings
Angelina C.

Tried this place for the first time. I had a chicken teriyaki bento box, and lollipop chicken wings. The chicken wings were very tasty with a great sauce. The bento box was just ok, good nothing spectacular. Did not try the skewers which it seemed most other people were having. The restaurant was full and people really seem to like it. Wait staff were very nice.

Karaage chicken
Ray I.

We went here on Tuesday evening for dinner and we were seated right away. The service was attentive and hospitable. The food was above average. Good flavor on the beef spare ribs. The atmosphere was energetic with a good crowd but not to crowded. I would comeback to this place

Spicy Tuna Roll
Sharon S.

Izakaya Ginji is one of my favorite places to grab a bite on the peninsula. The service is always with a smile, attentive and quick. The restaurant is small and cozy but we never feel cramped. There are so many dishes I love here. My faves are the mentaiko udon, miso eggplant, chicken knee karaage, salt pork cheek, chicken cartilage skewer, and chicken skin skewer. Parking is fairly easy around this area of downtown San Mateo. Make a reservation if you want to make sure you get a table. Weekends get super busy and if you're with a large group, it's likely you won't get in without a ressie.

Tiffany L.

They changed the menu so the skewer options are less now and added on to the bigger plates. Personally I think they give enough food and it's nice they have happy hours even on sat before 5:30pm. The food tend to be tapas and pretty salty, so not for a regular meal if not drinking . Still very tasty dishes and will come back again to try other dishes !!

Chicken skin gyoza
Michele T.

It's been a while since I've last visited and was happy to return. Arrived at around 5:30pm on Wednesday and was seated quickly. Usually order a bunch of skewers, but didn't this time. During this visit, we ordered: 1) Butakimchi carbonara - this is a must whenever I visit and still as good as I remember 2) Age Mochi Oroshi - the broth is yummy with the chewiness of the mochi 3) Chicken skin gyoza - perfect for those on keto and/or just tying to avoid the carbs 4) Chicken liver pate - always a good one, but prefer toasted bread slices rather than the crackers. It's a pretty generous portion of pate, too, so extra crackers (or bread slices) would be nice.

Chicken ramen
Ed L.

I was in the area and came here for Japanese food because, honestly, the pictures looked really good! We arrived and sat down at the bar are right away and those were the only open seats; this spot is popular and not that big so we got lucky! We sat down right next to the grill where the yakitori orders were prepared and the aroma in the air was so nice. I ordered a bowl of ramen and my friend got a set combo dinner. The portion was big and presentation looked appealing; and the taste? It was very delicious too! Too bad we weren't that hungry and didn't order any other dishes to try, but will do so next time!

Anthony G.

It was a chilly Tuesday afternoon. My partner and I had been looking around at different restaurants, but with a bit of bad luck ended up still needing food at 4 pm. We ended up heading over to Izakaya Ginji right when they opened for dinner service. They also do have a happy hour from 4 to 6:30 but we weren't really feeling like drinking. Anyways we got our order in and awaited the food. We got the grilled wagyu rib finger skewer, grilled chicken thigh skewer, salmon carbonara udon and the happy hour popcorn shrimp. Everything was really delicious and you can see the flame grill as you enter, showing just how good the skewers had to be. Overall I really enjoyed my time there and though it was not busy at all at the time, I am sure it gets busier later at night.

Cold frosted mug
Tim Y.

I've walked by Izakaya Ginji many times in the past but finally had the opportunity to dine here recently with some friends. Right when you walk in you can see the chefs grilling yakitori on the Binchotan charcoal grills. The of meats grilled over the charcoal We started out with a cold Sapporo beer which is always refreshing and complements Japanese food well. They also serve the Sapporo Premium Black here. We ordered the yakitori quail eggs, chicken wings salt tare style, and chicken thighs. Though it was tasty, $5.75 was a bit pricey for one wing. The grilled octopus was excellent! For sushi, we shared the Tosaka and Ginji Lion King rolls. Both were 8 pieces with a generous amount of fish and were fresh. The restaurant was clean and the service was friendly attentive service.

Jo Ann D.

My friends and I really enjoyed our time here! The vibe and service were top tier and recommend coming here for a date night or a dinner with a few friends. The restaurant is decorated so thoughtfully. It felt cozy and trendy at the same time. I would recommend coming here with enough friends to try and sample lot of times. We ordered A LOT and liked pretty much everything (some more than others.) The stand outs were carbonara, mussels, chicken skin skewers and takoyaki. I liked how the cook grilling can be seen right when you walk in. It's interesting to watch!

Sausages
Phil Y.

My teenage son was craving red meat last Friday, and I wanted a bit of sushi. So Izakaya Ginji was a perfect spot for us to both get the best of what we wanted in Downtown San Mateo. We walked in without a reservation at 5pm, and had our pick of bar or table. The staff greeted us with a warm, efficient welcome like we experience in Tokyo. Ordering is a mix of new and traditional: hot kitchen and sushi items go through a QR code on your phone, while the yakitori and kushiyaki still use the old-school paper slip. It's a thoughtful setup that keeps things moving smoothly while preserving that hands-on izakaya rhythm. The salmon sashimi came in thick, fresh slices that needed nothing but a dab of wasabi, and the Seiichi Roll (with salmon and tobiko) was simple, colorful, and balanced. We ordered the skewers all in one shot. Of the skewers, the Wagyu arrived first, beautifully charred and buttery, which set the bar high enough to make the leaner cuts that followed--lamb, sirloin, chicken--feel anti-climactic. Next time, I'll stagger the order and save the Wagyu for the closer. That said, every skewer was spot on: chicken thigh juicy and lightly smoky; tsukune loose-packed and tender; lamb perfectly medium with a clean, savory finish. The sausages had a snappy casing and hint of sweetness. Popcorn shrimp arrived crisp and greaseless, while chilled hiyayakko tofu offered a refreshing break between grilled bites. Service kept an easy rhythm; skewers arrived steadily, always hot off the grill, and the table stayed clear between rounds. The room has that cozy hum of conversation you expect from a neighborhood izakaya. If my son wasn't there, I definitely would have enjoyed a beer and/or sake, which would have perfected the meal. At about $80 per person for our spread, Ginji sits in the mid-to-upper tier for San Mateo but feels justified by the quality and craft. Authentic, comfortable ... great food without drama.

Grilled squid and the Takoyaki
Linda H.

I've been to Ginji a few times and it solid and dun every time! My absolute favorite are the pork cheeks! Others include the grilled squid and beef rib finger meat. All their yakitori is nice and smoky and they serve their beer in chilled glasses. Service is quick and attentive. And the atmosphere is fun and lively! It's a great time.

Alyssa O.

super yummy! went for happy hour and price was fair! we got a pitcher, hot sake, some skewers, popcorn shrimp, and curry fries! my favorite would have to be the chicken heart skewers! would love to come here again!

Heart and chicken skin

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Prime BBQ - Yakitori

Prime BBQ

4.6(946 reviews)
1.7 mi
Locally owned & operated
Kitchen open late

Overall, a really solid spot that the whole family enjoyed--the kids especially loved the beef…read moretongue curry. Most of the seafood and skewers hit the mark, with just one miss on the veggies. The Highlights: Abalone in Shell with vermicelli (5/5): Fresh, tender, and perfectly prepared. Scallops in Shell with Vermicelli (5/5): Fantastic flavor and texture Beef Tongue Curry: Rich, comforting, and a huge hit with the kids. The tongue was cooked just right. Skewers & Sides: Abalone Skewers (4/5): slightl larger pieces than the ones served in the shell, tasty and well-charred. Shrimp Skewers (4/5): Well-seasoned and cooked properly without drying out. Corn Skewers (3/5): A bit of a letdown. Heavily over-seasoned to the point where the natural sweetness of the corn was completely lost. Definitely worth a visit for the seafood and curry--we'll be back, but will likely skip the corn next time.

Overall: I went here for a quick dinner. The food was tasty and came out fast, but it felt a bit…read morerushed and expensive for what it is. I liked the food, but it took several incremental orders to feel full. Food: 4 Service: 3 Value: 3 Atmosphere: 2 Food: I had the Gyu Don rice bowl as well as several of the yakitori skewers: Gyu Hire (ribeye skewer), Kurobuta Sausage, Negima (chicken with green onion), and Kamo (duck breast). The rice bowl had good flavor and was reasonably filling, while most of the yakitori items were excellent when fresh. Service: Service was overall very fast, though not very engaging. You primarily order via a QR code on the table then the food comes out quickly. It reminds me a bit of an airport. Value: The rice bowl was filling, but I was a little disappointed with the skewers. Each skewer had 3-4 small pieces on it. And while tasty, they weren't very large. The sausage and chicken were $3-4 each, but the ribeye was close to $6 for a couple small pieces. Atmosphere: The restaurant has several small tables and was pretty empty when I got there. Things were fast, but it wasn't much of a place to hang out. Again, it had a bit of airport vibes.

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Prime BBQ
Prime BBQ - Yakitori Combo

Yakitori Combo

Prime BBQ - Yakitori Combo (All Chicken)

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Yakitori Combo (All Chicken)

Yakitori Kokko

Yakitori Kokko

4.1(1.3k reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$$

This yakitori spot is definitely worth a visit, especially if you're dining with family or a group…read moreof friends. Parking, there's a small lot in front with only about three spaces if you're lucky but there is 3 hour street parking nearby. We made a reservation, and the restaurant was packed with families and groups, so reservations are highly recommended unless you're dining early. My favorite features is the outdoor patio seating in the back, which is pet-friendly and perfect. The yakitori is delicious, and they proudly use premium-grade charcoal, which really comes through in the flavor. That said, after several skewers, it can start to feel like you're eating variations of the same grilled meat. Thankfully, the menu also includes rice dishes and ramen, which help round out the meal and add some variety. HIGHLY recommend the wagyu. The beer selection on tap is good, and the overall atmosphere is lively and welcoming. The restaurant is also conveniently located just a couple of blocks from downtown San Mateo, making it easy to stroll around afterward. There are plenty of dessert spots, boba shops, and other places to explore nearby, which makes for a fun night out. Great food, great atmosphere, pet-friendly seating, and a vibrant neighborhood. I'd happily come back again.

Best izakaya no cap Ramen good rice good yakitori good fried…read morestuff good appetizer good beer good Server friendly Worth to drive 7 hrs for this Busy weekend tho

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Yakitori Kokko - Kokko's menu (updated on 1/9/2022)

Kokko's menu (updated on 1/9/2022)

Yakitori Kokko - Kokko's menu (1/9/2022 updated )

Kokko's menu (1/9/2022 updated )

Yakitori Kokko

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Taishoken - San Mateo - Tokusei Tsukemen, the house special

Taishoken - San Mateo

4.3(2.2k reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$
Vegetarian friendly
Wheelchair accessible

Every time I pass by this restaurant, there's always a long line of people waiting outside. So…read moretoday, I specifically decided to come at 4 PM to avoid the crowd, and it worked perfectly--absolutely no wait at all! The staff was friendly and efficient. They took my order quickly and professionally without any unnecessary small talk, which I actually appreciated. I ordered a bowl of tonkotsu ramen, their signature tsukemen (dipping noodles), and a plate of edamame, which is one of my favorite appetizers. The tonkotsu ramen came with thin noodles, very similar to the ones I've had at Ramen Nagi. The texture was excellent, and the broth was flavorful without being overly greasy or salty. It also came with both chashu pork and tender, fatty pork slices, which were incredibly delicious and practically melted in my mouth. As for the tsukemen, the noodles were slightly thicker, with a wonderfully chewy and springy texture. The dipping sauce was rich, thick, and flavorful, with a taste that reminded me of a concentrated miso-based sauce. Both dishes were absolutely delicious and very satisfying! Overall, considering the friendly and efficient service, clean dining environment, delicious food, and reasonable prices, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves Japanese ramen. My only suggestion is to avoid peak dining hours unless you're prepared for a long wait. Coming during off-peak hours, like 4 PM, is definitely a great way to enjoy the food without standing in line! 平常看這家店都是大排長龍,今天特地挑一個下午四點來吃,真的是完全不用等。進來以後,服務人員還算親切,不過完全不囉嗦的幫我完成點菜服務,乾淨俐落。我點了一碗豬骨湯拉麵和他們招牌沾醬冷麵,外加一盤我常常點的毛豆。拉麵用的麵條是我在Nagi吃的那種細麵,口感不錯,不會太油膩也不會太鹹,叉燒和豬肥肉都有,也是非常的美味鮮嫩;另外在沾麵的那一碗,麵條是略粗的麵,口感彈性有嚼勁,沾醬非常像是很濃郁的味噌醬,整體來講都是非常的好吃。 不論是良好的服務、乾淨的餐廳環境和可以接受的價格,我極力推薦這家餐廳給大家,但是不建議在餐點來,會排隊等待非常久。

Can here on Sunday afternoon for lunch. No wait. We were seated immediately. The server was nice…read moreenough to let us know that there was happy hour in a few minutes and out in our order when it was actually happy hour. Chicken karaage and edamame were fine. Niku spicy ramen was okay and average tasting. But didn't like the dipping noodles with soup on the side. I wanted to try it but it was just difficult to eat. The noodles were cold but soup was lukewarm and dipping it just felt I was still eating cold food. It was also a little too salty.

Photos
Taishoken - San Mateo - Shichida Daiginjo

Shichida Daiginjo

Taishoken - San Mateo - Niku spicy Ramen

Niku spicy Ramen

Taishoken - San Mateo - Tori Chintan

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Tori Chintan

Izakaya Ginji - izakaya - Updated November 2026

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