Walking around Japantown in San Jose, we wanted to eat Japanese food. Surprisingly, there really aren't that many options. And don't forget, most restaurants do close for the afternoon. Kaita Restaurant was one of the few that was still open and had a large menu selection to choose from. We walked in around 1:30 pm and was able to grab the last available table as it was packed on this weekday. They pride themselves as being a family-owned restaurant offering comfort food. There is a simple 2-page menu and a specials board. Do take note of it as you enter though. They also offer complimentary hot tea, which is unheard of these days. * Tempura Soba $14.95 Both of my kids ordered this, and it was quite generous. However, the tempura batter was a bit heavy and the Little Gal struggled to eat hers. (In retrospect, she would have been satisfied with just the soba on its own.) The Little Guy ate his and said it was alright. 3/5 * Small Negitoro Don & Small Tanuki Udon $18.95 This also came with a side salad. I enjoyed the negitoro don more so than the udon. The udon wasn't anything special, but I guess it's not supposed to be. 4/5 The price point really is something that can't be ignored because I'm sure it contributes to their cult following and the mere fact that they have been around for over twenty years. Service is quick and efficient. The staff work quietly and quickly throughout this tight restaurant. read more

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I love Japantown, and I love Kaita! My group and I were wandering Japantown after a bit of shopping and stumbled upon Kaita. We got there around 6pm on a Friday and for a group of 3, we got seated within 5 minutes. Service was excellent! They were quick to take our orders and refill our waters. One of us accidentally spilled our water, but they kindly cleaned it up for us and reassured us it was okay. I ended up ordering the broiled salmon, which I thought was a perfect serving! They gave me the salad first separately, which I finished pretty quickly. Out came the rest of the meal in moritsuke style. The broiled salmon was cooked perfectly, with the nice charred taste while still maintaining its juiciness. They plated it with macaroni salad and sweet oranges. I was able to finish everything without feeling too overstuffed, and left the restaurant feeling satiated. I would love to come back again and try their kaisen don! Overall, I highly recommend if you want a cozy Japanense eatery in Japantown. read more

Kaita Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Came here for a early dinner. We wanted some sushi. I get the feeling from the menu that sushi isn't the main priority of the restaurant. That being said. The service was quick and the food came out quickly for a semi crowded restaurant. My sushi was kinda small considering the price. Both of the sushis had some really chewy seaweed. It was a kinda a turn off. I actually spit out one piece because it just wouldn't dissolve. I don't think I've ever had stale seaweed before. Next time I'll try something different to eat to give the restaurant a fair chance. read more

Kaita Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Authentic sushi restaurant in historic San Jose Japantown. Japantown has managed to keep its authentic local flavor in a robust constantly changing Silicon Valley. Well done everyone! My go to dish is a chirashi bowl. Here it is called 'Kaisen Don'. It was a perfect proportion for me. Not too big and tasty. It comes with Misi Soup. The ambience is simple and focused on providing an atmosphere to eat. I didn't feel like lingering after I finished my thoroughly satisfying dinner. read more

Kaita Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Recently revisited Kaita Restaurant in San Jose Japantown and added a nigiri assortment alongside their tonkatsu. The nigiri sushi was solid and technically sound. What stood out was the sushi rice. Each grain was distinct, properly hydrated, and lightly seasoned. On the bite, the rice separates cleanly instead of compressing into a paste - a clear indication of correct water absorption, starch gelatinization, and temperature control. This is rice handled with intention, not shortcuts. The tonkatsu was excellent. The breading was evenly fried and crisp without excess oil, pointing to stable frying temperature and moisture control. Inside, the pork remained juicy and tender, suggesting proper resting after frying so the protein fibers could retain their internal moisture. The baseline items I always order here continue to perform consistently well: Premium kaisendon Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet / egg sushi) Agedashi tofu This visit, I deliberately ordered both versions of the agedashi tofu - with and without mushrooms. The side-by-side comparison was precise and revealing. The standard agedashi tofu highlights clean dashi and texture control: a crisp exterior transitioning into a custardy interior. The mushroom-enhanced version, which is priced higher, introduces an additional aromatic layer. The mushrooms contribute natural glutamates, increasing perceived umami and extending the savory finish without masking the dashi. Importantly, the frying technique and tofu structure remain identical - the difference is compositional rather than technical. That kind of controlled comparison only works when a kitchen is confident in its fundamentals. A special mention goes to the chūtoro (medium fatty tuna) in the premium kaisendon. Its quality has remained remarkably consistent over the years - clean freshness, defined structure, and a refined, aromatic fat profile that melts cleanly on the palate rather than smearing. This level of stability reflects disciplined sourcing and the owner's insistence on serving fish only at its optimal state. Overall, this revisit reaffirmed why Kaita remains one of the more reliable Japanese restaurants in San Jose Japantown. What's happening here isn't trend-driven - it's physics, chemistry, and restraint applied quietly and consistently. That kind of consistency is engineered, not accidental. Dr. C Food, like engineering, is physics and chemistry under discipline. If it can't be repeated, it isn't quality. read more

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I love these small businesses like Kaita (and Ginza beforehand). Specializing in fresh ingredients & the ever-changing/rotating menu items to serve their customers with the choicest ingredients and meals. Again, the restaurant is simple and cozy, maybe only accommodating a party of 6 or 8 at most. They are gear for parties of 1-4 people. read more

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Came here with friends and we enjoyed delicious food, excellent service! This place is intimate so it can only accommodate a few people at a time but we were never rushed. I'll be back for sure! read more

Kaita Restaurant - Katsu Curry - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

I will always stop by when I'm in J-Town. Their lunch specials are always delicious and filling. The space is cozy and the service is always polite and attentive to refilling my tea. This time around, I am also grateful that they tucked away my wallet when I accidentally left it there. Panic averted! read more

Kaita Restaurant - Lunch special - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Came here a couple of times, both on weekday evenings. First time, we came on a Friday later in the evening as a group of 3. We had to wait about 10-15 minutes for a table. Since the interior of the restaurant is quite small, we had to wait outside. The second time, we were seated right away. I would suggest coming earlier in the evening for no wait. I've tried their Alaska Roll and the Mizutaki hotpot. The roll was pretty standard, the fish was fresh and the ratio of ingredients to rice was decent. I really enjoyed their mizutaki hotpot. The broth was on the milder side, but there were a lot of ingredients! I kept fishing for more items even when I thought I was done. Their other hotpot broths are more flavorful, but sometimes you just want something simpler. It did take a bit longer for the hotpot to come out than the other meals, but that might be because it's in the middle of summer right now (so not hotpot season). I also got their oolong tea, which is refillable! The staff is pretty responsive and came often to refill our waters/drinks. The interior is not very decorated, but makes it feel more homey. I definitely recommend coming here! read more

Kaita Restaurant - mizutaki hotpot - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

Very authentic and cozy spot. Dinner was great and dishes were fresh. Lunch Combination bento box was tasty -- the sashimi was fresh and the grilled salmon was great. Salads were not the best. The negitoro don was decent but the soup broth + udon was so flavorful that it made up for it! Would recommend. Cold Soba was pretty standard. read more

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Came here for lunch and had a great experience! Full disclaimer: I've been here before and the dinner service was pretty bad, though wanted to try out the lunch service. This visit I got the Yakiniku beef lunch special and it came with salad, rice, and miso soup; and everything was deeeelicious. If anything, the beef was slightly overcooked, but still super tender and delicious. The sides were pretty standard, and the service was considerably better than the last time. There was only one server for the restaurant, but she moved VERY quickly, checked on you constantly and just did a great job overall. read more

Kaita Restaurant - Yakiniku Beef - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

Maybe I had low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. Humble and unassuming, I had the chefs choice, and nearly everything was very good. The toro was properly prepared and good quality, along with uni and scallops. If you can hit those three, you're already better than most sushi places. This place delivers read more

Food is EXCELLLENNTTT!!!! The staff is serious - they hardly smile. But they are very patient, accommodating and service is on point. Fast, prompt and good. Their curries are good (afternoon only), the tempura is really good. The Miso soup is the BEST I've had as far as I can remember. Sushi is also very good. Almost everything is amazing here. They do not take Tap to Pay. read more

My family and i came with friends last week and it was my first time trying Kaita. It was recommended by our friends. The restaurant is not to large inside but is cozy and has comfortable seating. We had a party of 6 including 2 toddlers. It was very inviting and welcoming and the kids did great throughout the dinner. They sat in between me and the other mom on their bench seating. Waiters were nice but a bit awkward but no complaints with the service. They got us everything we needed and were very accommodating. I ordered the sushi and sashimi combo for $27. the sashimi was so fresh and deliciousz. It came with Tuna and Yellowtail sashimi slices and 4 additional nigiri which included shrimp, salmon, albacore and yellowtail. There were also a few pieces of california roll on the side. I enjoyed the set and it definitely satisfied my sashimi craving. My husband got the black cod and sashimi combo for $32. I really enjoyed his combo and thought it was a steal. It also came with 7 slices of sashimi on the side in addition to a seared miso black cod, potato salad and a croquette. The miso black cod was cooked to perfection. It was cooked exactly to the right amount so that it was not raw but retained the really soft and tenderness is a sashimi. It was well seasoned with the miso paste. Potato salad was delicious as was the croquette. The meal came with a mushroom soup which had amazing umami. Overall great deal and amazing food. The food is delicious and it's so authentic. I really can't wait to come back. I just wished i lived closer so I can come more often but it'll be a treat every time for me. read more

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This is a great place for a casual business lunch or a simple, but authentic Japanese lunch with the family. We went there on a Wednesday around 12:45pm. It was quiet and calm. We were seated quickly, without a reservation. The fish was fresh. I had the Kaisen Don, $29.95, which included several types of fish, scallops, shrimp, tamago and masago over bowl of rice. It also comes with salad with a peanut/vinegar dressing and miso soup. The miso was a little bit salty, but still good. They did a good job with the rice. It wasn't overcooked or undercooked. Total was around $60 for two people. Not super fancy. Just a very simple dining experience. read more

OK, if you're looking for a Japanese restaurant where they put on a show, or the decor is the latest and the tatami mats are new, don't come here. To me, this is the real thing, a restaurant where the focus is the food and service, where taste and tradition is more important than the most complex sushi roll or latest anime. What we ate was more traditional faire, basic but so well done! Tonkatsu, tempura, curry, teriyaki, soup and the rice! What Mom would have cooked on a good day. If you want to know what Japanese food is about, eat here. If you want a show, go to Benihana or whatever, but you're missing out if you haven't eaten here. read more

Cutest little restaurant in Japantown! Came here for lunch on a Friday and was seated immediately. Forgot what exactly I ordered but we ate tempura, kaarage, sashimi and it came with miso soup and salad. Everything was super tasty! Tempura definitely hit the spot and kaarage was super juicy. Place feels super homey and cute and service was kind! Can't wait to come back! read more

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LOVED this place! Food was so good, hidden between other restaurants and shops, Kaita was a nice little surprise for us. My husband and I went for date night and we loved the food we got. A little tiny restaurant so don't expect apt of space, but what the lack in space they make up for it in flavor! The people are nice and friendly and are attentive to their customers. read more

Kaita Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

This was our first time visiting this restaurant. We enjoyed the hot pot pork and Kim chi with the daikon salad which was exactly what we needed, fresh vegetables, a mix of flavors with some shi so and plenty of daikon and a yummy dressing. They had a refreshing iced tea as well as hot tea, we are kind of picky about the iced tea and it was just right. The service was excellent and we plan to be back read more

Kaita Restaurant - Daikon salad - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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I loved Kaita! I was walking thru Japan Town and decided to walk in for a bite. The place is typical Japanese, clean and bright with lots of wood furnishings and wall coverings. Service was prompt. I ordered the sushi appetizer. I think it was 1 roll and a few pieces of nigiri. The roll was very small, but delicious. The fish and rice were fresh. Next I had curry with chicken katsu. This was also delicious. Crispy breaded chicken with a hearty curry sauce over rice. Delicious! I took my time, enjoying my meal, not paying attention to the time. When I left the restaurant, I looked at the hours on the sign outside and realized I walked in about 10 mins before they were closing for the afternoon and stayed about a half hour past their closing time! I had no idea. The staff was so nice and never made me aware that I was being absolutely rude. I'm sorry Kaita for not paying more attention to your hours and overstaying my welcome read more

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Food is mid, service is mid, the air conditioning is worse for a restaurant, you wouldn't able to eat hot food.

I think this is the best fish i've had in awhile. Located in Japantown right next to the mochi place, wasn't packed and came here for the first time on Wed evening. We were seated right away and our server was very attentive, brought us waters and refills were always there. I ordered the Special Kaisen Don and my bf ordered the Amerjack 3 ways special. For $37.95 the special kaisen don came with toro and uni. I have to say the fish was sooo fresh, the uni was sooo good, i think it tasted like Santa Barbara- has a bite and tastes like the ocean. The toro was very good too! Comes with plenty of rice and miso and salad. My bf really enjoyed his Amberjack fish, it was cooked crispy and very delighful in the crunch and taste. The fried pieces were nice and i also loved the japanese potato salad it came with. Was pretty blown away by this place and it might be my fav sushi place now. read more

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Ambiance - Small and cozy. - Feels just like eating in one of those small family run restaurants in Japan. - Write your name on the list to get a table Food - Sushi is excellent. Not fishy. No sinews. - Soup a little too salty - Compliment hot tea read more

Always saw this place as another diner in J-Town. Words can't really say much, everything was amazing. I was blown away by the quality of the dishes. Can't forget the drinks, they were amazing as well. The staff were pretty cool and the place was cozy. Definitely coming again. read more

pros: -best japanese food in japantown -great variety of super authentic food on their menu; affordable prices -fast service cons: -none read more

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Okay.... How have I not have Kaita before?!? Definitely one of the most authentic Japanese places in the bay. The kakuni pork belly was a big favorite, followed by their nabeyaki udon. Service is prompt and the ambiance reminds me of taiteishi / old world/traditional Japanese; this restaurant will be on rotation for us now! read more

Dined in 12/2/24 around 1:24 PM: Definitely check the sushi prices prior to ordering! We were a tad bit bamboozled upon seeing the bill since we ordered 6 pieces of nigiri total but that was almost half the bill. The karaage curry was delicious, nothing super amazing about the flavor profile for the curry but it was a very homey dish and the chicken was hot, juicy and crispy. Service was friendly and food came out quickly, ambiance is very warm (not sure the AC was on that day), so I can see this being a cozy place to come to during the winter. Bathroom was clean and parking is doable in the neighborhood, just a short walk away. read more

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Super authentic Japanese bistro. Everything coming out of both the kitchen and the sushi bar is of high quality. They offer some very authentic dishes you won't find at most Japanese American restaurants. This is a tiny cafe and they don't take reservations, so get there and put your name on the board. Worth the wait! They also don't take mobile payments of any kind and don't split checks. Again, totally worth it! I'm of Japanese heritage, born in Japan, and this place is my favorite in San Jose. read more

The lunch specials here have massive portions for a good price! I stopped by on a Saturday around lunchtime and only had to wait about 20-30 minutes to get seated at the bar. I was eyeing some of their entrees because the prices were so cheap (many in $14-15 range) but ended up getting the fish bento ($17.75) since the sashimi at the sushi bar looked so fresh. I had no regrets! Every piece of sashimi I got was so buttery. The other items in the bento were fresh and tasty as well. At first the bento looked kind of small but after eating the salad and miso soup I realized that the portion was very filling. The service here is very quick. They are quick to come around and refill your hot tea. read more

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10 years later: Still one of my favorite sushi places, and my wife's most favorite Japanese restaurant! Sushi and other dishes are always top quality! It's special for a restaurant to keep quality so good year after year. The family that runs the restaurant makes it great food every time. Just thinking about all the different dishes we have tried, makes my mouth water, and ready to go there for dinner tomorrow! read more

The staff are awesome, the food is great, not that expensive, never had a super long wait to sit down. Not really much reason not to go here lol. read more

Kaita has been around for decades and it has not changed a bit. The restaurant itself looks clean but needs some fresh remodeling. The service is just ok. They're efficient but not friendly. We asked for water, they gave us tea. The sashimi donburi was just ok. Some of the fish was great but some had a metallic fishy flavor. The rice was just ok. The salmon belly was actually excellent with fresh fish and wonderful texture and flavor. The croquette was actually as good as you would find in Japan. But again the sashimi was just mediocre. read more

Kaita Restaurant - Salmon and Sashimi special - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Kaita is my favorite restaurant in the Bay Area. I come here weekly because it feels like a true hidden gem. The food is consistently delicious: authentic, home-style Japanese dishes that are both comforting and clearly made with care and quality ingredients. Prices are very reasonable for the generous portions (I almost always take half my meal to go!) and the cozy, simple ambiance makes it a place I always feel comfortable in. Service is fast, friendly, and attentive, run with the kind of efficiency and values you'd expect from a family-owned Japanese restaurant. I think it's pretty rare to find a spot that combines authenticity, warmth, and affordability so well. Definitely worth checking out! read more

Kaita Restaurant - Beef Teriyaki - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Went to Japantown to check out the area- chose Kaita as our lunch spot. Family ordered a variety of dishes- I had the sashimi sampler, kids had dragon rolls and shrimp tempura and husband had the katsu curry. Sashimi fresh, tempura was light and crispy, rolls beautiful and delicious. Service was friendly, helpful, and not overbearing. It's a small spot that filled up pretty fast around noon. We would definitely go again. It's a little in the pricier side but the quality makes up for it. read more

Randomly found this spot and I was glad that I did. I was so excited to show my partner that I took her there the following week. Food: ok, this is a bit hard cause 2 very different experiences. The first time I went for lunch, the food was incredible. I got their special curry with chicken and it was the best Japanese curry I've had in my life. There, I said it. I make J curries at home, I'm a decent cook. This was just light years away. So damn good that despite the fact that my second meal (hamburger patty with cabbage on top) was bad (imo), I still give this place 5/5 for food. I can't sell this curry enough. Only available for lunch tho so keep that in mind. Also tried their gyoza and chicken katsu. Above average but can't touch the curry. Service: great service overall. Staff has been nice both times. No notes from me. First time, server came out and shared a little tidy bit on how they make the broth so much appreciated. Ambiance: small, but great. Both times didn't feel rushed despite them being busy with people waiting. Feels like a mom and pop shop and that's always such a great vibe. Overall, 100% recommend. It would take a few bad experiences for me to change my mind about this place with just how good that curry is. Make it available for dinner! I can't always do lunch :) read more

Kaita Restaurant - Chicken Karage Curry - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

Yummy, I started coming here about 20 years ago, same owner and same good food. I'm not from the area, so I only come here when I'm in the San Jose area for work. read more

Kaita Restaurant - Salmon, yellowtail, and agedashi tofu - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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I came here for a weekend dinner and the place was pretty busy. Parking can be tough so I suggest heading to the restaurant earlier. Everything was generally pretty good, but I don't think it's the best in terms of portions or pricing. I got the nigiri combo which was fresh, but just a tad small. Coming here after going to an AYCE place in Chicago for the same price (with more variety + better taste) raised my standards :') The waiter was super sweet though. read more

Kaita Restaurant - Nigiri Roll Combo - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

Came to Kaita on a Tuesday night at 6pm and we were seated right away (2 people). The restaurant is small, so recommend putting your name down early if you're with a group. The space is cozy and pretty comfortable. It's hard to hear, especially when the restaurant is full and has groups seated. But staff were warm and attentive, refilling tea and water often, and the food came quickly. We ordered the broiled mackerel and tuna sashimi dinners. The mackerel was really flavorful, and I enjoyed the sides that came with it. For two entrees, we paid about 55$ including tip. Would definitely come back again to try more of the menu items. read more

Located in downtown SJ in Japantown, this small shop has a range of cozy Japanese food and daily specials. It's a mom and pop shop that gets busy even on weekdays with customers of all backgrounds. My friend and I came here around 6:15 PM; it was empty when we entered, but soon it filled up with a waiting list. There were mostly tables for pairs. You can see the kitchen and sushi bar from the front of the restaurant. We got the special and regular kaisen dons (charashi bowls). The special kaisen don differs from the regular one by having uni, fatty tuna, and different roe. They both came with soup and salad. The amount of food wasn't too much nor too little. The rice settled in my stomach towards the end of the meal. The fish had good variety and texture. It was difficult to flag down help for a water refill once things got busy, but I have no other comment besides that. All in all, a worthwhile place to check out for Japanese food! read more

Kaita Restaurant - kaisen don (chirashi bowl) - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Extremely inflexible restaurant with terrible service. I went to this restaurant quite often, and I did not know they don't accept mobile payment. The owner was very rude even I offer to use Venmo and Zelle to pay, and in the end I found someone in the restaurant to help me and I venmo her. When I tried to tell the owner I found a solution to pay him, he told me I am serving other customers. Extremely rude service. Never coming back again. This is not the way you treat customer read more