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    Samurai

    3.9 (310 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Japanese
    Closed Closed

    Samurai Photos

    Business Info

    SAMURAI ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Samurai

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    Reviews With Photos

    Hamachi collar
    Richard W.

    We were glad that Samurai stayed open until 9:30 during the week - later than most other places in Mill Valley. Pretty massive list of menu items. I whittled it down to the following: Tahini Tofu Salad Tofu, avocado, organic green, tomato, and radish sprout with tahini red miso dressing. Great mix of ingredients with the kind of dressing that can be the star of the show, but I'm not sure how serving the dish untossed helps - the presentation is rather drab. Hamachi Nigiri - 2pc Yes, not being super creative here, but I wanted to get a baseline on quality and portions and it did not disappoint. Melts like butter. Nice portion size. Hamachi Crunch Seared Hamachi and steamed spinach with rice, cracker and creamy Ponzi dressing. What a unique dish! It looks like couscous but it's better - little crunchy bits in a heavier nutty sauce. They probably had too much sauce to balance the fish slices - which come seared but hard to tell behind the tan colored sauce. The flavors jump out, and this is a must order for newbies. Sakekawa hand roll Salmon, skin with cucumber, radish, sprout, scallion, and burdock root. I think it was the root that gives a hint of off-putting nutmeg that distracts from the salmon. The presentation is gorgeous, however. Hamachi Collar Yes, we did end up eating hamachi three ways! This one was a clear winner - the grilled collar, thinly seared to a light crunch and juicy supple in the middle. You don't really need the light ponzu sauce imho. Portion size impressive. For $13.5, simply a steak. Overall service was courteous and responsive. Any request was met with a quick return. For food quality and menu originality, this one is a tough call between 4-5 stars. That's all...

    Pickled cucumber
    Joyce S.

    Restaurant was a bit crowded but also cozy for a rainy day. We had about a ten minute wait before being seated. Staff were responsive and hospitable, prompt with service but also polite to give us time to look over the menu and to decide what we want to order. They checked in with us a few times during our meal to make sure we have everything we need. We ordered the seafood yosenabe and the beef sukiyaki. The beef sukiyaki can also come as a set, with added miso soup and tempura. I loved the yosenabe broth, had a good balance of flavor. Seafood was cooked and noodles were al dente. No shrimp in my dish but I got a large piece of scallop, some clams, fish and veggies. The sukiyaki broth was overly sweet for me, but had a good amount of beef and veggies with both clear noodles and udon. Both dishes came with a generous serving of pickled cucumbers and a bowl of rice. Portions were also generous. I brought home a little less than half of my portion and was happy to reheat it for lunch the next day.

    Gohar K.

    Saturday night with family while on a weekend trip to Mill Valley we ended up here for dinner. We enjoyed our food very much, the service was great. The rolls were delicious and the fish fresh. A lot of options for rolls and sashimi. I loved the jimbo maki roll. Ordered a second Jen. Overall a great place to dine at, a bit small and gets really crowded but a great ambiance.

    One of the best sushi places in the bay! The sushi taste so fresh! The rice is always perfectly cooked! The roles are nice and packed and stable they don't fall apart! The owner and workers are always so kind & ready to help or get anything you need! It is a small place so it does feel a bit crowded and on weekends there usually a 20-30 minute wait but it's all worth it!

    Stinson roll, Dragon roll and spicy tuna roll
    Emily G.

    One of the best sushi restaurants in the bay! Seriously stumbled upon this restaurant after a trek to Muir Woods and I was met with great service and fresh sushi rolls. This easily became one of my regular spots. I'm leaving CA and had to celebrate one of our last meals here. The Stinson maki is 10/10 and love the eel and avocado roll in the dragon roll. I always love spicy tuna and they have a tasty one with fresh tuna and a nice sesame oil flavor.

    suppose 2b ton katsu , taste as if it's DRY pork chops . sauce suppose 2b katsu sauce pic salty teriyaki sauce ,

    Suppose 2b ton katsu , taste looks as if it's DRY PORK CHOPS , was given salty teriyaki sauce in place for the katsu sauce . Very disappointing

    Uni nigiri
    Stacie V.

    My new fav sushi spot in Marin! I snagged a seat immediately at the sushi bar on a Friday evening. The staff is extremely attentive. Prices are reasonable considering the quality which is a rarity nowadays. The place was loud and very family friendly. Lots of crying kids... I'd recommend getting takeout if the wait is too long and eating at a neighboring picnic table near the parking lot.

    a close up of a menu on a table
    Kiyomi W.

    Came in on a Saturday night around 5:15. It wasn't too busy then around 6 it was packed and super loud. This place is really cold so bring a jacket. It made the dinner a lot less enjoyable and I heard a couple ask if they could turn on a heater and the waitress didn't even let the dude finish and she said no. Got the crazy horse roll and negihama roll. My friend got the 15 piece sashimi, cherry blossom roll, and 49er roll. The food is pretty good and the fish is fresh! The sashimi came out kind of fast and then we waited another 20 minutes for the rolls. I'd rate the food 5/5 but the experience as a whole wasn't a 5/5. So getting togo is probably the better option.

    Beef sukiyaki
    Ken D.

    Average food, but good enough to eat at since it's the only Japanese restaurant in town. I had the beef sukiyaki. It was served In a regular porcelain bowl. The broth was decent but it was super simple. Lacking in cabbage and only came with a little bit of clear noodles. Sukiyaki is traditionally served in a shallow clay pot, not giant soup bowl. My friend ordered 2 rolls and the pork gyōza. I tried a piece of gyōza just 5 minutes after it came out and they were already cold. Would not be a first choice of restaurant to visit, but if I were in the area and really craving Japanese food, I could give it another try.

    Edamame, Nigiri - Hamachi, Maguro, Bincho Maguro, 49er roll, Crazy Horse roll, and Spicy Scallop roll.

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    2 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great food. Reasonable prices. I really recommend this place. I would like to go back again.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Best sushi in / around mill valley for sure! We regularly order take out from here and are always happy with the quality and service!

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    2 years ago

    The best sushi place in Marin- the service may be too good because I am usually done being served quickly. Recommend the Stinson roll.

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The best sushi in Bay Area!!! Definitely worth waiting in line for The service is also good!!

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great sushi spot. Fish was fresh, price is very reasonable, ambiance is casual and relaxed and servers are nice. 5 stars!

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    10 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Best sushi place I have found in Marin that doesn't break the bank- fresh fish and delicious rolls. I like the Stinson beach roll.

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    3 years ago

    Food was not great but service was friendly. Pretty low grade fish but not unsafe. Ordered rolls, seaweed and edamame

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Really great sushi. They are always busy so be prepared to wait. Fun atmosphere, so many great choices to choose from and easy parking.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Love this hidden gem. The have amazing hand rolled sushi. Their tempura is great too.

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    4 years ago

    The food is excellent and nicely priced! Always busy! Call for reservations before 4:00.

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Solid sushi, but not amazing. I've had day old or under cooked rice in my maki rolls more than once so I took off a star for consistency.

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    Page 2 of 8

    Samurai Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Samurai

    Do we need to make a reservation for 3 people tonight at 6pm 03/22/24?

    They do not take reservations for less than parties of four.

    Do they still use that amazing sesame mayo in their rolls?

    Yes

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    First time at Buckeye Roadhouse and I honestly can't believe I hadn't been sooner. The service was…read moreexcellent from start to finish ~ attentive without hovering, genuinely welcoming, and on top of everything. Funny fact ~ we arrived without reservation and were asked if we would mind if we could please finish our dinner within 2 hours as our table had a booked reservation...we of course agreed and thought it was very professional to let us know instead of turning us away. The food came out hot, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Every dish felt thoughtful and well executed. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance: classy and cozy, but still lively and fun. It feels special without feeling stuffy. I want to sit in bar area next time. Such a great overall experience. We'll absolutely be back.

    Buckeye Roadhouse is one of those classic Mill Valley spots that's perfect for a drink and a little…read moreless perfect for a quiet dinner. The bar is tiny but mighty -- great martinis, great energy, and absolutely worth getting there early if you want to snag a seat. It's easily the best part of the experience. Dinner in the main dining room is where things shift. It's loud, full of big party tables, and conversation can get tough. Still, the food has its highlights. The onion rings (really more like a mountain of crispy onion strings with a homemade dipping sauce) are a must‑start. The scallops over risotto -- a special that night -- were fantastic, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The ribs had great seasoning but were unfortunately more fat and bone than actual meat, which was disappointing for a dish that should be a crowd‑pleaser. Dessert is where Buckeye wins you back. The s'mores pie is the indulgent treat you didn't know you needed, and the baked lemon pudding leans more toward a lemon cake layered with custard and huckleberry jam -- bright, comforting, and memorable. A special shoutout to our waitress, who was an absolute gem. You could tell she was dealing with some less‑than‑kind patrons, yet she stayed warm, patient, and genuinely lovely throughout.

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    Lots of empty seating but packed bar

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    Pacific Catch

    Pacific Catch

    3.6(828 reviews)
    2.4 mi
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    LOVED the Red Curry Noodle Bowl with Sea Bass- delicious!…read more Wonderful SERVICE provided by Josue V. In Corte Madera. Fun evening - thank you Josie!

    This is one of few places nearby with a menu that isn't all about carbs in one form or another, not…read moreas healthy as it might be but if you're trying to lose some travel weight the salads are tasty, filling and low nutrient density. Otherwise the food here isn't particularly interesting, and wouldn't have been worth writing about except that on a recent and particularly cold, wet evening I ordered a bowl of my ultimate comfort food, clam chowder. What arrived was such a major departure from the expected I had nowhere else to air the case, so now here we are. What arrived at the table was essentially a kind of thickened clam broth. Not flour & water library paste thick. but with the right pasta would have been an ersatz linguine alle vongole (less actual clams). Or adding potatoes would make it the soup of the day which I've been noticing more often on menus is termed "potato chowder". (about this last I'd like to take issue: how can a thickened potato soup rightly be called a chowder given that in traditional chowder recipes the essential ingredient is in fact potatoes (no? ask google). I figure to a marketing kind of mind calling this bland goo a chowder lends a certain cachet that mere "soup" lacks, for whatever that'$ worth) Where was I? oh yeah, i should add that neither potatoes nor pasta were in this clam soup, but to avoid a claim that the order didn't meet the "clam" description, it did include clams. However the clams were all in shell, half-open and floating or submerged in the broth. Not what I expected and definitely messy to fish them out. And of course, it's a chowder so where were the potatoes? But the clams were fresh and with enough sourdough to add the necessary carb load I decided on this cold wet night not to make an issue of this. So if you didn't complain, well you must have had no complaint... except I did. The bowl of clam chowder I was served looked nothing like the customer photo posted somewhere on your yelp page. I'll just stay with salads.

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    Pacific Catch
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    Samurai - sushi - Updated May 2026

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