A long overdue review for my favorite coffee shop ever! I go here religiously (literally any time I have a day off!) and get the same iced matcha order every single time, and it's always such a comfort to see the same friendly, welcoming faces behind the counter. They have great indoor seating if you want to hang out for a bit too. The strawberry matcha specialty chocolate is hands down my absolute favorite treat, and I make sure to snag one every single time they have it in stock. Parking can definitely be tricky, and you might have to circle around a couple of times on busier days, especially over the weekend. But just know it's so worth it! read more

The lattes here are so good that we decided this would be our coffee shop for the rest of the trip. My husband ordered a miso caramel, I ordered the sesame latte, and my sister got a cold brew. The two lattes came in identical-looking containers, but you could taste the difference in each, which isn't always the case. The miso was salty and sweet with an earthy flavor. Nothing was too sweet, and everything was exquisite and unique. Very much worth going out of the way for. Even the baristas were friendly. My sister ended up talking to one of the guys behind the counter about the shop's cold brew process for quite a while. One of my favorite coffee shops I've ever been to, period. Not just the best in the area. Find a better place? Ya can't. read more

Stopped by on national coffee day for a Black Sesame Latte, and I love black sesame lattes. But theirs is not something I'd bother to get again: espresso/drink overall seemed sour & the sesame was pretty grainy. Oatmilk taste showed through while I was midway drinking, so whatever milk they use is good. This was my second coffee of the day so I could tell the beans were better than the first coffee I had but the overall flavor really was kind of sour, even when I drank water in between sips. I did get the lowest sweetness, but I also drink plenty of plain lattes and americanos, so I don't think sweetness should be needed to carry a coffee. I feel like with the hype I've heard about this place, the coffee wasn't that great. I picked up a Black Sesame Matcha for a friend too and they thought it was just okay. Though to be fair, I sat with their drink for about 15 minutes before making the 10 minute drive over to them. Very friendly staff that knew their regulars. Narrow shop with limited seating but by the time I got my drink, a table vacated & I was able to sit for a bit. Wifi was solid. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Black Sesame Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I got here at 7:30AM on a Saturday, thinking I could beat the crowd, and I just barely did! The line went out the door soon after I arrived. The folks here must be doing something right to have such a high demand for their offerings. When I first walked in, I could smell the light and fruity aroma of the beans that they use. They also have a variety of beans from different roasters that you could purchase. I got the Tahitian Vanilla Bean latte to try and it was very tasty! The baristas were also very friendly and genuine, despite being quite busy. If I lived closer, I would definitely be a regular here! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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There was a lot of customers but it's really nice to see cafes being well staffed and not under! You'd be surprised by how understaffed some cafes are despite being popular. It was my first visit while walking around the neighborhood, staff recommended me some drinks quite well and a reasonable wait time too. Clean and modern cafe environment I definitely see most people in there working on their laptops. Now comes the drink... we got Strawberry Matcha & Earl Grey Matcha. It's really good & i loved both of them, i'm quite picky with how the Earl Grey tastes like but this one was nice. Definitely coming back read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Waited 45min in a long ass line before 10:30AM, chugged my latte in 30sec. Incredibly smooth and balanced Miso Caramel latte made me feel less pissed about waiting too long in a line for the first time in years while accidentally stuck in older san mateo. Vibes: modern minimalist aesthetic space but packed like cattle. Instagram: TianTianEats read more

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It is always packed here but the line moves quickly. We got the vanilla bean and black sesame signature drinks. The sesame was definitely unique and worth a try. I also like their matcha. Good music and staff are friendly and upbeat. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

WHY I WENT HERE: - breakfast THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located on N El Camino Real, closest to 24th Ave - the line definitely pours out of the door onto the sidewalk to the neighboring establishments THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - packed; some seating available against the wall or in the front window; limit on how many people waiting to order can enter inside the establishment THE MENU: - signatures - espresso - coffee - matcha - kumo signatures - tea - toast WHAT I ORDERED: - strawberry matcha chocolate bar - black sesame matcha latte - pork floss croissant - open-faced egg sando THE TASTE: - strawberry matcha chocolate bar - didn't taste it but niece loved it - black sesame matcha latte - underwhelming; the oat milk was overpowering - pork floss croissant - great! - open-faced egg sando - good! just a tad too salty CUSTOMER SERVICE: - warm - welcoming - efficient read more

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Came here before my shift for a pick me up. I ordered an iced black sesame matcha latte with almond milk and the pb banana toast. Both were excellent and I'll definitely be making it part of my pre work routine. The latte was delicious and the pb toast was filling. The pb toast has chia seeds, cinnamon, and honey in addition to the peanut butter and banana in case anyone has an allergy be aware of that. Cafe itself is clean and is a good vibe to bring your laptop to do some work. read more

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Stumbled upon this cafe and enjoyed the pastries and coffee. I got the black sesame signature coffee, which was a bit bitter for my liking and could have been sweeter but still enjoyed it! 8/10 Ube Brioche was not too sweet and had ube crème in the inside which was a nice touch. 9/10 Red bean pain puissant was something I never had before and paired very well with the coffee! This pastry was crispy on the outside and the red bean gave it a nice texture! 10/10 Service was wonderful and I had a good experience read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Red bean pain puissant Ube brioche Black sesame coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

4.5 stars for Kaizen & Coffee. I met a friend here for a 9 AM coffee date on a Monday and was met with good vibes, happy baristas, and club like music. We came here for coffee but ended up with 2 toasts and a pastry. By the time we left, the line was out the door. Food: -Banana, peanut butter, cinnamon, chia toast was delicious -The egg toast topped with micro greens was great -The sausage custard pastry was nice, savory, and crispy Coffee: -Black Sesame Latte was good Overall, good coffee and pastries. read more

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I've driven by this place a hundred times and there's almost always a line of 20-30 people outside. This morning I decided to wait in that line. Super funny that the couple behind me commented that they go here all the time and there's never a line. After about a 40 minute wait, I got to the cashier at around 10:20am. Half the pastries like the ube brioche were already out so I opted for just the lattes. I played it safe and got the Tahitian vanilla latte. I will say that it's good quality coffee. Didn't need to add sugar. It didn't come super hot though so as I took it away, I downed it pretty fast! I got my mom and aunt the ice latte version of the black sesame and the brown sugar. Sounds like both were good as well. The black sesame wasn't sweet, which was to my aunt's liking. Inside, it's very clean and not crowded. What helped is that there is a sign that tells the people in line that only 6 people at a time should line up inside. If I have the time, I'd line back up. 4.5/5 stars, but I'll round up. read more

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Sorry for the bad picture! The salmon toast was amazing. There's a good amount of salmon, it's filling enough to be a meal. I added chili oil and I'd recommend it. The vanilla bean latte was not bad, it was solid. It was my first time ever having one and it wasn't too sweet, but it wasn't too bitter either. I think it was perfect. There was a line out the door on a Sunday morning when I went at 9:30 AM. Lots of bar seating. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Vanilla Bean - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Very busy coffee spot in San Mateo. I've visited twice and this is what I've ordered. Vanilla bean latte: I normally order some variation of vanilla lattes at cafes and thought Kaizen's wasn't my palette. Something off with the syrup or coffee itself? Took sips before tossing Miso caramel latte: tastes exactly how it sounds if you're curious. It was better than the vanilla bean latte Red bean pan suisse: never had anything like this and it was an amazing pastry. Would 100% get it again Black sesame kouign aman: I also haven't seen this at other cafes and thought it was good! If you like black sesame you'll definitely enjoy this Egg sando toast: filling and I appreciate the chili oil being complimentary Overall, bakery items 8.8/10; lattes 4/10 read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Miso caramel latte and egg Sando toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Stopped by here on a Tuesday morning around 10AM to get some coffee and grab a quick bite to eat. It was quite busy but easy find street parking and we didn't wait too long after ordering but the line built up pretty fast. It's a small coffee shop with very little seating but the aesthetic was super nice and employees were welcoming. We ordered 1 Ice Miso Caramel ($7), 1 Okinawa Brown Sugar ($7), and 1 Avocado Toast ($15 + soft boiled egg - $2.50). We unfortunately weren't much of a fan of the coffee. The miso caramel wasn't that great, the miso was too overpowering it just tasted like cold miso soup with no caramel and a hint of coffee. The okinawa brown sugar was much better but was mostly milky. I did enjoy the toast even though it was quite small for the price but it tasted great along with the egg and the tomatoes were very refreshing. Experience overall was good. I probably wouldn't come back for the coffee because there's better places in the area but definitely recommend the toast/other pastries if you're okay with the price. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Avocado Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Came here at 830am ish on a Friday. Not sure what all the hype is for this place, so had to check it out for myself! Since it was so early, street parking was pretty easy on el camino. There was a sign that said only 6 ppl could wait inside to order, but I already counted 8 so figured they weren't enforcing it yet. Unfortunately, right when it was my turn to order, they ran out of beans and had to dial in a new batch. That alone added at least 30-40 minutes between waiting to order, and waiting for the coffee to come out. We got the caramel miso latte and the black sesame latte with an ube brioche. Can't say I loved either latte, nor the brioche. Everything was just decent. I was more impressed with how many ppl came here! I did enjoy seeing the baristas at work though. I'd say if you got here at even 850am, be prepared for a long wait. Can be even longer depending on whether they need to dial in new beans. Definitely not a good place to get a quick coffee before work. read more

Got the caramel miso and mission mocha. Delicious not too sweet, slightly salty taste to each which makes the drink more flavorful. Would come again! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Mission mocha and caramel miso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

I will drive over 40 minutes just to get my coffee fixed. I don't think I've ever had a bad cup of coffee here. They measure everything that goes into your cup. Although the lines are kind of long it's always worth it. Waiting outside in the San Mateo sun and walking in to fresh AC air is truly the best. Not that it matters, but if you walk into the restroom. Ummm, hello bidet! Cus why is it such a nice bathroom, it screams luxury. They also have different types of milk, so if you're lactose don't be afraid. read more

Not only is their coffee amazing, but their variety of toasts as well! I recently had their Open Faced Egg Sando which was delicious. Highly recommend getting it with their chili oil. Rich, savory, with very soft toasted Japanese milk bread. There aren't a lot of seats, but most people seem to get to go, so if you wait a little you'll most likely be able to snag a seat. Very friendly staff too! read more

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Headed over in the afternoon on a Saturday around 2 pm for a little pick me up. It was busy the day we went with a line out the door and around a 20 minute wait before we ordered but the drinks came out pretty fast after. There is some seating on the sides as well as a bar area facing the baristas. Matcha Latte - I got regular sweetness and it was perfect for me. The matcha itself was pretty rich, not too overwhelming of a flavor but it gave me a good caffeine buzz. It was really smooth and lightly grassy which I enjoyed. From the balanced sweetness to the richness in flavor and color, I really enjoyed the drink and would go back again to try other ones they have. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

My friends and I stopped by Kaizen & Coffee on a Sunday morning and there was a long line out the door. I wish I could say the line moves quickly, but it does not: if there's a line out the door, you'll definitely be waiting for a while before you're able to even order. My wife ordered their miso caramel latte and I thought it was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The milk froth was very airy and the drink had an underlying burnt flavor to it that reminded me of the brûléed sugar on top of a creme brûlée. Definitely a drink I'd get again. I ordered a pork floss croissant and it was light and fluffy. There was a generous amount of pork floss both on the top and the inside of the croissant, and the layers were nicely laminated. My friend asked where they sourced their pastries from, and apparently today's batch came from Amour Bakery in Belmont. If you're around this part of San Mateo, I would not hesitate to recommend Kaizen & Coffee. Their Asian flavored lattes are delicious and there's a wide selection of Asian inspired French pastries to enjoy as well. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Miso caramel latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I was eager to try this place since I've heard good things about Kaizen and wanted see the hype around this place. First off, the line gets long and is known for that and I was quite surprised when I went it wasn't that long but the wait in line took longer than the service itself. It's sort of tiny inside so maybe that's why I'm not sure but my drink came out faster than expected. I got matcha strawberry and pandan matcha and it was both ok. I seen someone make a comment how the strawberry matcha tastes like strawberry milk and I totally agree. Not enough matcha and I didn't taste any matcha whatsoever. Also, the pandan matcha tastes like straight pandan milk not a hint of matcha. Nothing fancy about the drinks in my opinion and I don't get the hype or the high ratings of this place. It's not worth the line or wait I'd rather get Starbucks than this. Unfortunately I would not come back. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

4/5 Kaizen Coffee definitely lives up to the hype when it comes to their pour over. The space is clean, modern, and aesthetically nice, but it is pretty small and not really the type of café I would hang out at for hours. It reminded me more of a busy boba shop where you grab your drink and go. We came around 1 PM and waited about 10 minutes. They only allow around six people to queue inside, so there was a pretty steady line of people waiting outside. This place gets BUSY. We tried the black sesame iced latte and a single origin pour over. The pour over was easily a 10/10 for me. I love light roasts that are super fruit forward, bright, and almost tea like, and this was exactly that. The barista was also incredibly friendly and even shared his recipe with me, which I really appreciated. The black sesame latte was one of the drinks we kept seeing on social media, so obviously we had to try it. Unfortunately, it was not our favorite. The black sesame tasted pretty grainy and bitter, which clashed with the sweetness of the coffee rather than complementing it. I would probably give that drink a 3/5. One thing I really liked is their whole bean selection. They had a ton of freshly roasted coffee available, including beans from Hydrangea and Black & White. Overall, Kaizen gets a 4/5 from me. The pour over alone is enough to bring me back, but I was expecting a little more from their black sesame iced latte read more

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Randomly, you'll get luck on your side and you won't have to wait in a line that trails down the block for this place. But only randomly!! My husband hates coming here to get me my strawberry matcha with oat milk because the line takes long but there really are far and few good matcha places in San Mateo. My sister's bf also refuses to get matcha from any place else if he's in San Mateo. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Friends hired them for their baby shower - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Excellent coffee and friendly service! The line is long, and this place is packed for a reason. Their coffee is great. I enjoyed a Miso Caramel Latte ($7), and it was the perfect blend of salty and sweet. I saw that the barista who took my order was friendly to everyone whose purchase she rung up, greeting everyone with a smile and thanking folks for being patient. I also love that they have solid cups for hot and cold drinks. Sustainability is important to me, and I like when a reusable cup us the default option. There is free wi-fi, password is coffeebeans, and plenty of outlets! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Miso Caramel Latte ($7) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I stopped by for a quick coffee on a Saturday. There was a short line. I went for a Black sesame latte. It had good flavor. A bit more strength would have been nicer. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Black sesame latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

No shame in declaring Kaizen as my favorite coffee shop in the Bay Area! Kaizen is a coffee shop located blocks away from the Hillsdale shopping center. It does not have a dedicated parking lot, so be sure to grab the first street parking slot you see! It's a modern, small shop with some seating options (if you come early enough, you will be able to get something!) My usual here is typically a black sesame latte and I will say, probably the best one you can get in the Bay Area. It's toasty, nutty, but not over powering. I have been having a hard time finding a comparable contender. Besides that their vanilla latte is delicious and bright. For me their miso is a bit salty but that might be a preference. They also have some amazing selections of pastries you can get. I always get something new while I'm here, most recently, I got a pork floss croissant but I did enjoy the ube croissant when they still carried it. Their baristas are always very kind, and are willing to help. Despite coming in some busy times, I always get my drink in a reasonable time. I will continue to rave about this spot to my friends! It's a gem. :) read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Pork floss croissant and a black sesame latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Coffee as a craft. The baristas move efficiently considering the precision, technique, and complexity of their drinks. My first time here and it lives up to its reputation. Okinawan brown sugar latte was a tiny bit sweet for me, but I'm a purist who's not a fan of over-flavored lattes that mask the coffee. All considered, this was still very good. Egg toast was satisfying. It is enhanced with the crunchy chile oil - which adds more flavor than does spice for those who are spice wimps like me. This is a nit, but I prefer milk bread with soft crust. The milk bread served with the toast has a harder crust. The space is brightly lit, yet comfortable environment. Some 2-person tables along the wall and bar seating. Better for singles or pairs than groups. read more

Miso caramel never had anything like it, i'm shocked and impressed and very down to get this again or try other things on the menu also the Miso caramel didn't overpower the coffee taste at All which is imo rare? Pandan Matcha! this is the strongest pandan flavor i've had in a while and it was really good!! it did overpower the matcha flavor but I didn't mind because I like pandan and this was really good and not superrrrr artificial or sweet like other places. If you are looking for a strong matcha taste, this drink might not be for you tho service was great and speedy considering how long the line was (30min before closing too wow) I also loved the decor and I think this would be a great place to work: there's wifi, some seating and power sockets read more

Kaizen & Coffee - pandan matcha miso caramel latte (we've all already drank from these cups, that's why they don't look full) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Pretty darn good. I have been trying different Hojicha Lattes around town. I can taste the quality. I added Oatmilk and the flavor of the roasted tea is delicious. Packed little matcha shop and the good jams were pumping. Small space and lots of employees working. Parking is a little hard since it's right on El Camino but worth it. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Menu. They also have strawberry matcha chocolate bars! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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It was busy when we got here but the line moved quickly. The line was even longer by the time we ordered though. We got lucky and we're able to grab a small table. There are a few but not too many dine in spaces. This place has a lot of great options for coffee lovers and tea options for non coffee drinkers! They have some simple classics and some fun flavors as well. The Mission Mocha was a favorite in our group. It had a nice slight spicy tingle too. The Earl Grey Matcha was also super good. Will be back to try the rest of the menu, the fusion drinks all really peaked my interest. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Came on Friday afternoon and the cafe had a fair amount of people. Love the vibes and has lots of counter seating. I tried the Jasmine Tea with Matcha Foam, and it was a great balance with the jasmine and matcha. The first half of the drink u taste the light jasmine then you later get a little more of the matcha. Not too sweet or heavy, and perfectly refreshing. I definitely recommend trying it while it's on their menu! They make the drinks pretty quick and I heard their lattes are amazing so will need to come back for those. Highly recommend this cafe! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Jasmine Tea with Matcha Foam - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

I heard from a close friend that this is her go to coffee shop. I traveled from SF to try a couple drinks and none of them were disappointing. Extra points from my boyfriend because it's jujutsu kaizen themed. I had the miso caramel which was nicely balanced with sweet and savory. I accidentally was given the mission mocha at first, and then followed up with the correct drink. The mocha has hints of gochugaru providing a nice spicy kick. This would not be my go to drink, but cool concept. Lastly, we had the yuzu tonic. The drink is refreshing! Sometimes because of the espresso color and yuzu flavor, I think I'm drinking ponzu sauce. I would return next time and purchase some of their coffee beans to brew at home. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

I've seen Kaizen & Coffee recommended on a few Bay Area matcha lists, and I was impressed! The cafe is located on a busy road so street parking is a must, but it's conveniently located between downtown San Mateo and Hillsdale mall. There was a line out the door when we arrived on a Saturday afternoon, but it moved quickly. Interior space was small with limited seating, but had a nice minimalist and modern feel to it. Menu had some interesting drink choices and they all sounded so good! Will have to come back to try others. Earl grey matcha latte: I've never had an Earl grey + matcha drink before and I think Kaizen hit the spot with this one! The flavor profiles of the tea and matcha matched well together and I could taste both at the same time. The menu warns that this drink has an increased caffeine content, but honestly I didn't notice, and would even try an extra shot of matcha next time to get even more of that matcha flavor. Ube coffee latte: The base of the drink is Vietnamese coffee so it's strong, but good! The ube flavor + condensed milk from the Viet coffee made the drink a little on the sweeter side, but overall a good drink. *Note: If you order your drink with less ice, the drink level in the cup is noticeably lower, so if you want an aesthetic picture get normal ice. read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Earl grey matcha and ube coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

Really good coffee, toasts, and service. Couldn't help but be turned off by the Jeff Bezos inspirational quote. Like Jeff Bezos of all people lol read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

This place is good. Their coffee, pastries and toast are all so delicious. It's definitely a trendier type of vibe which i think is fun and different. Especially when their coffee and their vibe compliment each other. The staff is super friendly. We ate at the counter and got to watch them all craft delicious coffees, they were super attentive and checked on us frequently to make sure we didn't need anything. Be prepared to wait as people know this place is good! The line can be a little long and since the place is a little on the smaller side it gets packed. read more

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One of the best spots for really flavorful coffee and matcha in the Peninsula. Definitely a must visit if you're into either! Everything is nicely balanced, just sweet enough with a solid caffeine kick to get you through the day. The baristas are super friendly, and even though the space is small, it feels cozy and welcoming. They also have a great selection of coffee beans. Every drink I've had so far has been a hit. There's no parking lot, but street parking is easy to find right out front or nearby. It does get busy though, both times I went all the seats were taken. read more

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I've been here many more times since my last review, and every time has been great! Depending on my mood, my favorites have been the iced ube latte, iced strawberry matcha, hot matcha, or hot black sesame latte. The Okinawa brown sugar latte is good as well. My friend visited us and loved the iced miso caramel latte. My husband likes their espresso tonic. Their frens chocolate collab is also tasty. I've only tried the strawberry matcha chocolate so far and loved the bar! They have strawberry pieces throughout. I gave them as gifts recently and my cousin loves the spice in the Mission Mocha bar. The place has limited seating and the line can be out the door on some days. Service is fast so you shouldn't be in line for too long. It's our favorite coffee shop in the area! read more

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I've returned several times since my first visit and tried both coffee & tea options from their everchanging menu. +Black Sesame Latte +Black Sesame Matcha Latte +Earl Grey Matcha +Latte +Miso Caramel Latte -Earl Grey Supreme -Ube Latte Some drinks have been a miss, but the beautiful latte art, creativity, and friendly service are always there! Side notes: 1.) Restroom available for customers 2.) Walking distance from Hillsdale Caltrain station and Hillsdale mall 3.) Limited street parking (1 hour cap Mon-Sat 8:00am-6:00pm): I'd recommend having someone wait in line while the driver looks for parking. *Verdict: If you're in San Mateo, I'd recommend stopping by! read more

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I love this place. It's very Japanese with anime playing 24/7 with Japanese-esque food and drinks. The staff is really friendly! They have really quality drinks. Only bummer is the size of the place, it's always packed (bc it's so good) and I wish I could bank on getting a seat but it's rare. Love this gem though! read more

Kaizen & Coffee - Sausage danish - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California