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    Joy Sushi

    3.7 (1.4k reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Japanese
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Joy Sushi Takeout or Delivery

    Joy Sushi Photos

    Business Info

    JOY SUSHI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

    Recommended Reviews - Joy Sushi

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    Reviews With Photos

    Best value!! Order direct from the Joy Website.

    Joy has been my goto place for sushi since they opened over a decade ago. Been coming here both dine in and take out 1-2 times a month. The speciality rolls are still as big as ever. The prices have been going up since covid but you still get a solid large roll compared to other places with the same price but smaller rolls. I realized something on this last order. I normally order through YELP which takes me to some third party site or order direct through their website. Sometimes it would ask me to pay at checkout and sometimes I would pay at the restaurant when I pick up. I don't know why. I think depending on which site I go on. FACT: Do not order from through Door Dash. They will charge you an additional $1 per roll. Even Grub Hub is a little shady. Some rolls are $1 more also. Order direct from the Joy website and you will get the best value!

    Island roll; poki tuna roll-
    Ben L.

    The giant cruiser boat for four was really filling and fresh. We got a mix of fish and it hit the spot. Service is always good here. They have expanded their sushi rolls which are all pretty hearty and fresh.

    mixed tempura and katsu bento
    Maurine S.

    Came here with some gfs for a nice bento box lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. Got here around 11:30 and was surprised to find it so empty! We wanted to sit upstairs but i guess cuz it was so empty they wanted to keep everyone downstairs which is understandable. It was pretty mellow since most of the tables were empty. The staff was nice and the food wasn't bad. Especially for 14.95 for two items. Can't find a deal like that nowadays. I guess they stopped the $10 lunch deal which would have been a nice choice. I had a mixed tempura and chicken katsu. The tempura was crispy and I not too battery and there was even an onion! The katsu was nicely breaded and moist. Friends had salmon and sushi and they commented that the salmon was moist. The staff was accommodating as they were nice enough to give us small containers to bring the salad dressing (on the side) and tempura sauce to bring home with our leftovers. Will definitely come back for lunch when craving a bento in downtown San Mateo. It's give it a 3.5 star total for lunch.

    Paul Blossom Roll
    Allison W.

    Came here on a Tuesday evening and the restaurant was not super crowded. The menu is very large with a good variety of different types of rolls. The inside is not that loud so conversation is easy to hear. The waitstaff checked in with us and kept our water glasses full consistently. I got the Paul Blossom Roll, and wow are the rolls large at this restaurant! The roll was wrapped in so much salmon, and they do not overpack their rice. I was very satisfied just after the one roll. The quality was fine, nothing to write home about but it was tasty and plentiful. Pretty solid sushi spot without breaking the bank!

    Paolo B.

    Came to Joy Sushi for a quick lunch and saw they had a $10 lunch special being promoted on the window, so decided to give it a try. When I sat down and was given the menu, I didn't see the $10 special, and honestly was too lazy to go back out to look at it again, and decided to go with the two item bento box with my favorite combo, beef teriyaki and pork tonkatsu for $14.99. The food came out pretty quick, and when it arrived, I was amazed at how big the portions were. For my big appetite, this was plenty of food. It was enough for two small meals, but I ate it all in one sitting anyways. The beef teriyaki was tasty but a tad chewy. The pork tonkatsu was crunchy and the meat was still a little juicy. I think for the price point though, this a one of the better values for lunch in the area. Definitely wouldn't hesitate to come back

    Calamari
    Stephen W.

    Joy Sushi is tucked along a street that feels a bit quiet and worn, and from the outside, it doesn't scream excitement. Inside, the restaurant is modest and simple, offering two dining areas--one downstairs and another upstairs. We visited around 1 PM on a weekday, and the place was fairly quiet with just one other party seated. I believe I ordered the Negi Shiro Toro Roll, Spider Roll, and Foster City Hand Roll--all of which were flavorful and well-prepared. My mother had the Salmon Bento Box, which she found to be tasty and well-cooked. We also ordered calamari as an appetizer, but had to remind our server since it didn't arrive until we were nearly finished with our meal. Once it came, it was crispy and flavorful, though my mother had some doubts about its freshness. Service was friendly but a bit forgetful. Ambiance-wise, the restaurant has a darker, understated vibe that might not be immediately inviting, but it's quiet and comfortable enough for a casual meal. Overall, the food was great with some standout rolls and satisfying variety. Despite a few minor hiccups, I'd say this spot earns a solid 3.75 to 4 stars--definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and craving sushi.

    Yvonne Y.

    Joy is a safe bet for sushi in San Mateo. We used to go there quite often when the kids were younger as they love their sushi rolls and pricing is fair. Last Friday night, we went to Joy for dinner as the other two restaurants that we wanted to go have 10 - 15 tables in the waitlist ahead of us. We were too hungry to wait and decided to go to Joy. Kiddo had a poke bowl which he likes it, although it's surprisingly spicy even for me. The spicy tuna is indeed spicy!! I had a Tonkatsu which is alright. Hubby ordered two rolls and he likes both of them. All in all, it's a quick and decent dinner. The servers are nice and efficient. 4/5

    Jack R.

    We found little Joy in these $10 specials. You get what you pay for sometimes at these family outings. 1. Ramen-Tasted like it's from the package. Nothing but a few greens and very salty broth. 2. Chicken Bento was super dry and hard to eat. The California roll was fake crab and the rice was gummy and cold. 3. My unagi roll with soft shell crab and an additional charge for real crabmeat was also a dissapointment. Cold softshell crab, cold eel, weird tasting cheap canned crab. Not worth the $20. 4. DIY poke bowl. Probably the best out of the four. Decent size with okay fish. I will say the waiter was amazing in the sense that he didn't write anything down and got all our orders right. Slow service though and a charge for a to go box. Can't say we'll be back.

    Mango Mania (left) & #1st Roll (right)
    Christian A.

    This is a usual spot for my family and I, you can never go wrong with Joy Sushi! We came an hour before closing, service was quick but not pushy considering they were closing soon. We ordered a good amount of food, I recommend getting the Sashimi Deluxe, you really get to taste the freshness of the fish. Also ordered 3 rolls, the rolls are bigger than most places so keep that in mind when ordering. The interior is roughly updated but that doesn't diminish their quality of food. We're typically seated upstairs where there is a bigger seating area. Enough from for our toddlers to explore when they're done eating and their parents are still eating.

    Bento Box
    Julien H.

    Fire bento box ... beef and chicken and the assortment of tempura good food reasonable dinner price

    Katsu not battered correctly (see review)

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    2 months ago

    Food is NOT fresh. You can taste sourness. We both got diarrhea later. Also we didn't order raw fish. Can't imagine the quality of raw food

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    Page 1 of 36

    Joy Sushi Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Joy Sushi

    Are you open on thanksgiving day. ? Thursday. November 24.

    Sorry closed

    Is this all you can eat?

    No, it's not.

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    Kajiken - Homura Aburasoba

    Kajiken

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    I've come 4 times now and it still hits every single time. Almost always a line, but it moves…read moreextremely quickly. Service is good, interior is well-lit and clean, and the food is just amazing. Make sure you get the hot tea as well! Noodles are so fresh and perfectly cooked. FOOD: Wagyu Roast Beef Aburasoba (9/10) - My personal favorite! The roast beef is extremely tender, and the yogurt sauce pairs perfectly with her. Pro-tip, add a little bit of vinegar - tastes even better Nikumori Aburasoba (9/10) - Slightly spicy with a ton of pork inside. The sauce coats the noodles perfectly - amazing!

    I was in San Mateo, and I was hungry. I checked Yelp and Google, and there were so many places to…read morechoose from, I didn't know what to pick. I checked Michelin, and it help me narrow it down to Kajiken. As I walked to Kajiken, I knew I was getting close because it was the only place that had a line-up outside. There were probably 12-14 people waiting, and I wondering if I should find another place because I didn't want to wait. Fortunately, as a single diner, they sat me right away. I ended up ordering the Original Aburasoba and it came in about 5 minutes. It was good. Great texture, good flavours, and a reasonable serving size. Service was fine but minimal. Dining area is typical of modern ramen places. Overall, a nice quick meal. Maybe closer to a 3.5 or 3.75 as it was good, but I was also very hungry. I would consider returning.

    Photos
    Kajiken - Inside

    Inside

    Kajiken - Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)

    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)

    Kajiken - Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

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    Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

    Taishoken - San Mateo - Tokusei Tsukemen, the house special

    Taishoken - San Mateo

    4.3(2.1k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Wheelchair accessible

    Taishoken has been the trailblazer for tsukemen in the bay area and for good reason. The attention…read moreto detail and consistency is always apparent and shines through every order. My go-to here is, of course, the tsukemen. As a self-proclaimed ramen purists - keep the onsen egg and medium rare pork. All I need is a dank broth with some perfectly (maybe slightly tooth) al dente noodles. While the tsukemen here might not be for everyone , it totally hits the spot for me. The unique taste of the dipping broth is one which can only be found here, as well as their noodles which have their own size and consistency. Don't get me wrong, all their other offerings are pretty good too. In particular I like the mazesoba. Recently they also hatched a new limited duck tsukemen. As tough as it was to pry me away from the original or the soupless ramen, I was convinced by staff this would be enjoyable - and it was. Super light but complex. This had a rich and earthy flavor whole also being light and, fragrant with yuzu. Service here is exceptionally friendly but also rigid. Items tend to come as they are with little to no flexibility for adjustments, but they'll let you know very nicely. Overall taishoken makes the short list of bay area ramen spots for me, in particular when craving their rich & hearty tsukemen that'll be sure to satisfy any ramen craving, but even in hot weather. Besides that, taishoken has a particular spirit it carries, one that I recognized even from spotting their original location on Tony Bourdain's earlier "no reservations" episodes. It's a subtle but confident attitude - one that says I understand you like things a certain way, but trust us. For any diners willing to accept those terms, they will be greatly rewarded.

    As everyone said in their reviews - this place is known for their tsukemen or dipping noodles. We…read morecame here because their dipping noodles is one of the family favorites and it was enjoyed. We also ordered a bowl of pork over rice which was shared by everyone in our party of 6 and enjoyed. They have a happy hour where several appetizers are discounted a few bucks so we ordered the gyoza (potsickers 3 for $4). The key to eating here for dinner without waiting is to get there before the crowd which is before 6pm. After that there's most likely a wait outside the restaurant. There are plenty of shops for you to window shop while you wait. Note they do charge 20% automatically with 6 or more in your group.

    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

    The Backhouse

    The Backhouse

    4.3(66 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    I ordered a custom tray for a large group celebration and we were pleased with the quality and…read morenovelty. The fish were fresh, the rice was seasoned, and the garnishes were interesting. The owner was communicative via text and E-mail. Pick up was from a ghost kitchen. Menu was difficult to find online, but here is the link: https://twodotsco.typeform.com/to/eUm9sISf?typeform-source=linktr.ee The tray was beautifully decorated. At $6.25 per piece of sushi, the price was similar to nice sushi restaurants. I probably would not order from here frequently, but only as a special treat.

    The Backhouse was first on my radar two years ago on Valentine's Day when my husband surprised me…read morewith one of their beautifully curated omakase boxes for a cozy night in with sake. Everything was really good and thoughtfully prepared, and it made for such a fun and elevated at-home date night. This past week for my mom's 60th birthday, I decided their party platter would be perfect for celebrating. They were very responsive and easy to coordinate with, which made planning simple. You do have to pick up from a ghost kitchen in San Mateo, but the process was efficient and smooth. The platter itself was beautiful and the quality was just as good as we remembered. Fresh, flavorful, and nicely presented. Definitely a great option for special occasions or when you want something a little elevated at home.

    Photos
    The Backhouse
    The Backhouse - Omakase box @whaevaeats

    Omakase box @whaevaeats

    The Backhouse - Omakase and Chirashi  box @whaevaeats

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    Omakase and Chirashi box @whaevaeats

    Noma Sushi - Best Seasonal Daily Specials

    Noma Sushi

    4.3(343 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$
    Free parking
    Sports on TV

    We visited Noma Sushi on a Thursday evening and got seated right away with no reservation. This…read morespot was tricky to find, since it was tucked away and quite small. The vibe was very casual with no frills. I started with a Miso Soup, which was expectedly good. We also got the Spicy Tuna Tartare Tacos to share between the 3 of us, which was perfect because it came in 3 pieces. My friend and I then ordered the Bluefin Lover's roll and Double Hamachi roll to share. Both of these were awesome! The fish was so tasty and fresh and the flavors went together really well. It was hard to pick a favorite between the two! I also tried a bit of my other friend's Geisha roll, which was nice but less memorable. Service was friendly and quick, and pricing was pretty standard.

    No wait for my party of 4 on a Sunday lunch. Pretty small restaurant but cozy. Service is good,…read morefood came out fairly quickly. We shared the salmon sampler appetizer and 4 rolls: spicy crunch, mango spider, noma roll, and bluefin lovers. Salmon sampler was pretty good. I wasn't a huge fan of the smoked salmon but I loved the regular salmon and salmon belly sashimi. My favorite roll was hands down the mango spider. I usually love rolls with mango, and this one was so fresh with a LOT of crab on top. I also liked the spicy crunch roll and noma roll as well. The bluefin lovers roll was surprisingly my least favorite - I had the highest expectations for this roll due to the seared bluefin tuna and the black truffle, but we felt like it ended up being too heavy and too much. I think it would've been better if it were just the bluefin tuna with truffle on top as sashimi, without the rice/roll part, but just my opinion. Portions were very generous with thick cuts of fish and prices were reasonable. Overall I'd recommend this restaurant for solid sushi!

    Photos
    Noma Sushi - Seasonal Beer&Sake&Wine Menu

    Seasonal Beer&Sake&Wine Menu

    Noma Sushi - Smoked  Salmon Crush

    Smoked Salmon Crush

    Noma Sushi - Mini Negitoro  Donburi (small bowl)

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    Mini Negitoro Donburi (small bowl)

    Prime BBQ - Yakitori

    Prime BBQ

    4.7(919 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Kitchen open late

    Loved it. We ordered a whole bunch of items and almost most of them were really good. Highly…read morerecommend the duck breast, and beef tongue (both styles). Oyster is also pretty good. The clam with vermicelli is not recommended (tiny clam). Service was awesome. We got water refills and napkin refills very often. Waiters and waitresses are nice and friendly, especially with our little one.

    A bit fusiony for a typical Chinese bbq place with some Japanese yakitori options. My personal…read morefavorites were the beef tongue (JP), chicken hearts (JP), Gizzard (CH), Lamb (CH), Beef (CH), Achoy, and Green chives. Semi sweet glaze over complimented well with some of the bitterness of the veggies. Spice powder on the side was also a nice addition! Barely spicy but good to add with the meat. Honestly everything was not bad. My biggest gripe though was that these hot plates were heated by two tea lights and basically did little to nothing. You can hold your finger there and it will feel barely warm at all. The food is already cooked so it's not like it did anything other than to "warm." There were other tea light candles underneath and if the other ones lit up, it might've actually did something. If I could, I would've lit them all up since I prefer my food hot. Otherwise, these hot plates are pure aesthetic, near zero function.

    Photos
    Prime BBQ - Interior

    Interior

    Prime BBQ - Yakitori Combo

    Yakitori Combo

    Prime BBQ - Yakitori Combo (All Chicken)

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    Yakitori Combo (All Chicken)

    Kiroro Sushi - Kiroro Chef Box

    Kiroro Sushi

    4.3(724 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$
    Takes reservations
    Free parking

    Vibe: 3/5 Service: 4/5…read moreDrink: N/A Food: 5/5 Value: 4.5/5 Downing sake flights on a Sunday at noon with your young teenagers present... Not us. But the table next to us was sure having a fun lunch. We came here after looking for a lunch spot post-shopping and were pleasantly surprised. From the complimentary (!) edamame and the delicious El Camino Roll to the phenomenal, super fresh omakase and the uni served on a deep-fried shiso leaf, the quality of the food blew us away. Definitely worth every penny. It was so good, we're already talking about going back for the upgraded omakase and super Sugoi box.

    KIRORO! i need you in san diego. if you're looking for a go-to sushi spot, this is it. this is…read morealways on my list to hit up when i'm back home. the quality is insaneee and the prices are incredibly reasonable. for some reason, i've only ever gotten take out here but it always hit nonetheless. the deluxe chirashi is a non-negotiable. easily feeds two people. the quality of every slice of fish is comparable to japan. they also pair some of the fish with different sauces like ponzu. the presentation is top notch and they add kizami wasabi on top of the fish. their rice is so good and they provide so much of it. my favorite pieces from the chirashi are the toro and uni of course. (tbh i love them all). you'd think this bowl would be $80, but it's only $55. a steallllll! my favorite roll to order is the double toro roll. the toro on top, salmon belly and mango in the middle.. they just compliment each other so well the mango cuts into the fattiness of both fish to create a great balance. two excellent cuts of fish for $18 is such a great deal too.

    Photos
    Kiroro Sushi - Big Lotus Roll

    Big Lotus Roll

    Kiroro Sushi - Deluxe Chirashi Bowl

    Deluxe Chirashi Bowl

    Kiroro Sushi - Crazy Nut Roll

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    Crazy Nut Roll

    Tokie's - Spicy Hamachi Roll

    Tokie's

    3.9(778 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Tokie's Japanese Cuisine has been one of my go-to spots for years, even back when they were in…read moreFoster City. No matter what you order, you really can't go wrong--everything on the menu is consistently amazing. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, which makes every visit feel like you're coming back home. Diane and Victor are incredible hosts and truly make the experience special. I've known them for a long time, and Victor never fails to greet me with a shot of sake--something I always look forward to every time I walk in. Their rolls are absolutely to die for, but as someone who appreciates traditional Japanese flavors, I always find myself going back to the sashimi. It's fresh, clean, and really lets the natural flavors shine. If you're looking for great food, great vibes, and even better people, this place is it.

    Tokie, what happened?? Thursday night, around 6 pm. No line got a table quick. In front of…read morerestaurant, only thing is when new people came in the rush of cold air , forcing us to keep the jackets on. They did move us to a table closer in , without asking to be changed. Ordered the deep fried oysters, $11. Got three small oysters and tartare sauce. Not worth getting, my kids food came out because they ordered cooked food, katsu and grilled salmon. The problem was the restaurant was not that busy . Two sushi people. My kids had finished eating and my food or my wife's dinner had not come out . Not that it was complicated. A tokie special roll and another basic roll off the menu. They didn't even have to cook it! I am so disappointed. Overall probably stick to cooked food if you Don't want to eat after everyone is done eating. ‍. Bang for the buck not so much anymore.

    Photos
    Tokie's - Interior

    Interior

    Tokie's - Shishito peppers | @whaevaeats

    Shishito peppers | @whaevaeats

    Tokie's - Chawanmushi | @whaevaeats

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    Chawanmushi | @whaevaeats

    Joy Sushi - sushi - Updated May 2026

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