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    Sumiya

    3.9 (1.5k reviews)
    PriceyJapanese
    Closed • 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Waitlist - Sumiya

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    Sumiya Reservations

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    Business Info

    SUMIYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Sumiya

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    Reviews With Photos

    Yakitori Bento B w/agedashi tofu
    Eric I.

    Sumiya Yakitori specializes in yakitori and they do a nice combo yakitori bento with chicken thigh, pork belly, and beef short rib. There's a poached egg on the rice and you can order your choice of appetizer - I got the agedashi tofu. The dressing on the salad (Ume miso) was very good and tasty, and the agedashi tofu seemed authentic and delicately prepared and subtly flavored. The yakitori itself was pretty good. The chicken was pretty standard and the beef and pork good without being exceptional. Flavor was good, just a little bit more chew on the beef and pork than ideal. Overall, satisfying meal, though not as filling as I would have liked. Service was fine and I'd come here again to try other options.

    B Skewers Bento with agedashi tofu and ume miso dressing
    Maria L.

    Came here for lunch with my husband on Friday. We arrived a little after 11:30am, and there're no lines. Interior decor was that of a typical yakitori, and you could see the chefs grilling skewers behind glasses. Service was friendly and very efficient. Hot tea was complimentary. We scanned a QR code at the table, made our selections, and placed our order after confirming our payment method. We closed the tab and paid online before we left. It's very convenient, and they provided quite a number of customizations/options for the various bentos and other dishes. I had an Oyako Don Set with grilled saba and shiitake dressing for the salad. My husband had a B Skewers Bento with agedashi tofu and ume miso dressing for the salad. The food came out pretty fast, and was hot and freshly cooked. My oyako don was cooked to perfection, the seasoning was on point. Portion was very generous with good chicken to rice ratio. There're a few pieces of shiitake mushroom in the bowl as well. My saba was grilled very nicely, and the best part was that there were barely any bones (just a tiny bone in the entire piece of saba!) The shiitake dressing was delicious with a little crunch. Hadn't had such an authentic and yummy Japanese lunch for a long time. My husband enjoyed his bento as well. Can't wait to come back to try other items on their menu.

    Hatsu
    Cynthia P.

    Sumiya was one of the top restaurant on our "want to try" list. We booked a reservation ahead of time for 8 pm on a Saturday. It was busy but not crazy when we arrived. They close at 9:30 so maybe the rush was earlier. It is located in a plaza, so there's plenty of parking. You order and pay through the QR code on your table. We ordered quite a few things. Our favorite was the gyutan and the hatsu. Both were cooked soooo deliciously and incredibly flavorful. We were not the biggest fan of the kimo. It was cooked medium rare; flavor and texture was just not to our liking. The knee cartilage was okay too, but there was more meat than cartilage. Chicken skin carried a lot of flavor from the sauce. Really tasty. Overall, the must order that I recommend if you are interested in visiting this restaurant are the gyutan and hatsu!! you won't regret!

    Pote-Mochi
    Phong T.

    My friend and I were craving yakitori, so we decided to check out Sumiya. I was excited because this place has been around since 2008! Plus, the Yelp ratings looked promising. WAITLIST Sumiya uses the Yelp waitlist, so I joined about 40-45 minutes early to be seated around 7:30 PM on a Saturday night. The check-in process went smoothly; I checked in with the host when I received their text, and I got a second message once the table was ready. ORDERING There's a QR code at the table for ordering, with options to keep the tab open via third-party ordering site. FOOD We ordered several items to share, including yakitori, appetizers, and other small plates. Honestly, the food didn't quite meet expectations, and nothing really stood out. Most of the yakitori grilled skewers tasted good and were of decent quality. However, I'd avoid anything "fried" because it was disappointing and lost its crispiness--probably due to the busy vibe and quick turnover. RECOMMEND - Salmon Tataki - Kalbi x2 skewers -- added a third for extra +$. - Butabara (pork belly) - Tsukune (meatballs) - Eringi (king oyster mushroom) - Pote Mochi (potato with yakitori sauce outside and melted mozzarella cheese inside) - Nagoya Style Calamari -- these were delicious. I appreciated the pepper and sweet dressing. Perhaps, better as a dipping sauce on the side because it did affect the crispiness. DO NOT RECOMMEND - Chicken Karaage -- large pieces that aren't crispy at all, with soggy parts and not much flavor. - Sumiya Potato Fries -- deep-fried potatoes that were undercooked. - Kawa (chicken skin) -- the outer parts were grilled to crispiness, but since the chicken skin was folded on the skewer, the inside wasn't grilled or crispy. This prevented the fat from rendering, resulting in a chewy, soft texture. I prefer my chicken skin crispy all the way through.

    Pote-Mochi
    Christy K.

    This place always has a wait, even on weekdays but honestly, it's for good reason. One of the best izakayas I've been to in the States. Most of the staff are Japanese and it feels really authentic. The meat is smoked perfectly!! so flavorful and tender. Great spot to come with friends, grab drinks, and just hang out. I especially love the heart, tsukune (meatballs), and gobo fries. Bonus points for lots of parking, which is rare and appreciated. Definitely worth the wait.

    Joanne Y.

    Came here for lunch, Skewer A is always good and you can customize it, such as egg well done, no rice more salads, which is perfect for me. The portion is good for a hungry person. Their sake collections are good. You can order your own food and pay separately by ordering online which is great for office lunch. Dinner time, this place has different vibe, good for hanging out with friends or dating.

    Combination Skewer Bento  with side order of chicken soft bone . Combination Skewer Bento
    Dianna W.

    Excellent food and relaxing ambiance . Excellent service. We made a reservation and also came early ( before 7 pm ) .This restaurant is always busy . Three of us ordered 3 different combinations with skewers . The skewers we have beef tongue , chicken thigh , chicken soft bone , beef short ribs , etc . Side dishes we got chicken karaage , agedashi tofu. The combination bento has salad with dressing , rice with raw eggs , toasted seaweed and rice . Good place to eat skewers and have a beer .

    Thanh T.

    We were able to make a res for dinner and our table was ready to go when we got there. They have great combos to choose from and a la carte. The skewers were delicious. Loved the fried potato ball appetizer, forgot what it was called. The other fried appetizers were also nicely fried, crunchy and delicious! The yuzu sake we had was amazing!! I need to find where to buy it. Ordering was easy through qr code. Service was friendly and quick. Definitely a good spot for dinner. It can get busy and is smaller so for sure make a res if you can or get on the wait list on your way there!

    Bento with katsu
    Han-Nha T.

    Bento skewer is a good combo you will leave full and satisfied with quality food for $20. We also ordered a larger carte beef tongue, chicken gizzard, and chicken heart. I really like beef tongue and gizzard so I am glad we did. Udon isn't anything special. Nice place, doesn't take too long. I have and would come back.

    Salmon ikura don (part of lunch set)
    Linda M.

    Located in the same plaza as Stan's donuts and Safeway, you won't have issues finding parking. We came for lunch on a weekday so there was no wait. You order with the QR code. We sat near the door, ambiance was fine. We were seated right away and given water. I decided to get the salmon ikura don lunch set and my partner had the soboro don lunch set with tonkatsu. He enjoyed his meal and had no complaints. I think it's nice that you get an appetizer and salad, good value. The karaage was very nice, a little greasy but it's fried food, so that's expected. Flavors were good. Salad was nice, I asked for dressing on the side so I only added a little. I wasn't a fan of the salmon, that's not on the restaurant, I just learned that I don't like seared salmon. I think I prefer raw or fully cooked, not something in the middle. The middle of the salmon was warm and raw and I guess that texture and temperature didn't vibe with me. In the future, I'll try something else! The ikura was good! The portions are generous, I wound up taking half of it home for later. Would come back and try something else in the future! The skewers look interesting!

    Kristine V.

    Came here on a Friday evening after work, came just in time before they got super packed. It is a little cramped, they do have seating that goes all the way in the back. The workers were really friendly, I got this combo meal, and I thought that it was perfect for the price you pay. I was stuffed. The food had good flavor, everything was fresh from what I could tell. We ended up getting dessert and would recommend getting the creme brulee.

    Takumi A.

    Sumiya - Direct Fire, Discipline, and a Taste of Old Tokyo Sumiya isn't a binchotan temple. It's something rarer in the Bay Area: a shop that actually understands direct-fire grilling, salt seasoning, and timing. The world doesn't need more "cute" yakitori places. It needs places where cooks watch the fire, listen to the fat, and pull a skewer at the exact second before the flavor collapses. Sumiya is one of those places. THE GRILL - WHERE DIRECT FIRE BECOMES A LANGUAGE People romanticize binchotan because it's forgiving. It heats evenly, bathes meat in infrared, keeps moisture, and gives a fragrant edge. Direct flame is much harder: * heat spikes * mistakes multiply * bitterness appears instantly * dryness comes fast * surface color lies to you Which is why what Sumiya does is so rare. The meat tells the truth: * Pork belly came off the grill exactly when the fat turned glassy - not burnt, not rubbery, just aromatic and clean. * Chicken (tori-kushi) avoided the one fatal flaw: bitterness. With chicken, overcook it by 10 seconds and a thin oxidized "bitter line" appears. Here, it never showed up. Surface amber, inside juicy. * Beef tongue was the real test. GYUTAN - THE JAPANESE BENCHMARK In Japan, regardless of method - direct fire or binchotan - beef tongue is the exam. Gyutan is expensive. You overcook it you lose money. You serve it badly the customer disappears. Every yakitori shop in Sendai, Osaka, and Tokyo knows this. Sumiya's tongue passes the test: * edge char for aroma * center snap intact * heat stop precise * no dryness, no powdery protein breakdown This is not luck. This is direct-fire mastery. THE SALT WORK - PART OF THE ARCHITECTURE Sumiya is a salt shop, not a sauce shop. Salt-forward grilling only works when the cook controls fire at the micro level. That small ring of char you see on the skewers? It's intentional - the third note after: 1. meat flavor 2. salt bloom 3. char aroma Any more than that and it becomes bitterness. Any less and it becomes flat. Here, it's calibrated. THE RICE - A SURPRISING DISPLAY OF DISCIPLINE Most yakitori places treat rice like background noise. Sumiya doesn't. * grains stay separate * surface gloss intact * portioning is intentional * rice + fat + tare + topping ratio is considered, not random When a yakitori shop respects rice, it tells you the chef isn't just grilling meat. He's building bowls. SQUID LEGS - A FLAW THAT STILL WORKED The only technical miss of the night was the fried squid legs. Thin batter, lightly coated - good. Uneven in spots, part of it broken off - less good. But the ingredient quality was undeniable: Thick-cut. Shockingly sweet. Zero frozen odor. Seafood has one unforgivable flaw: freezer smell. Once that odor appears, the dish is dead on arrival. Here, the squid was so fresh, the imperfect batter barely mattered. A flawed exterior with a great ingredient inside. Honest food beats polished food every time. IKURA DON - MOTHER & CHILD DONE RIGHT The ikura here was impressive: * large pearls * translucent * clean pop * minimal curing * no salt-burn * no oxidation Paired with thick-cut salmon, it becomes the seafood version of a 親子丼 (oyako-don): mother (salmon) + child (ikura) A level of ingredient harmony rare in yakitori shops. And the rice beneath stayed perfectly separate - the sign of a kitchen that cares. THE SAKE WALL - MORE SERIOUS THAN EXPECTED Most yakitori places in the U.S. push sweet, entry-level sake. Sumiya didn't take the easy route. From the bottle wall: * Hakkaisan (including higher polishing ratios) * Kubota * Dassai * Kokuryu * real shochu, not novelty drinks In Japan, strong binchotan aroma limits sake pairing. But in the U.S., with Sumiya's clean direct-fire profile, their sake selection actually makes sense - a rare advantage over traditional shops. THE ROOM - NOT CURATED, BUT REAL The place is loud. A little cramped. A little chaotic. A lot alive. Smoke, salt, laughter, skewers moving down the line - It feels more like a Tokyo side-alley than a Silicon Valley concept restaurant. No theatrics. No neon. Just cooks working. Sumiya isn't perfect. The squid batter proved that. But if you want: * real direct-fire grilling * proper salt technique * gyutan cooked with respect * chicken pulled at the exact second before bitterness forms * rice that matters * ikura that's actually fresh * a sake list someone clearly drinks * and an atmosphere that feels earned, not staged Then Sumiya is absolutely worth coming for. 4 stars -- earned through fire, timing, and an honest understanding of the craft. - Dr. C Only writing for what truly earns the stars.

    Cameron B.

    3.8 stars. I LOVE skewers and was so excited to see this trend increasing in the Bay. Fast and friendly you can use Yelp to get on the wait list. A good sake collection I'll have to come back and try. And they have both hearts and cartilage skewers so it was a must try. We came in for lunch and when I say this place is fast, we were seated, fed and paid in 50 min. I have to say this raised a bit of an eyebrow because to get the slow roasted and charcoal infused meaty flavor of a skewer you kinda need time. For them to pump it out this fast means there's some pre-cooking being done. Skewer come hot very warm but not that nuclear hot that comes from spending several minutes rotating over the grill. The meatball was good, the right texture but could have been more crispy on the outside (sauce dunk followed by more grilling would have got it there). The thigh needed more pre salting, the hearts were good but also needed more salt. All of the elements are there and I'll be back for dinner service and sake to see if the night vibe changes the technique and time/attention.

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    Page 1 of 39

    Sumiya Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sumiya

    What is the corkage fee?

    $25 for regular bottles (720ml or 750ml) and $50 for large bottles (1800ml)

    Tried to make a reservation by calling but no one picks up, don't see an option to reserve thru Yelp or website either, how can I make a reservation?

    There is waitlist option which you can use in Yelp. Only available when restaurant is open though.

    Do you offer seating for party of 14?

    I believe so

    Do you only offer take out option after 8?

    Thank you for the inquiry. You can order through our website, www.sumiyakitori.com, using ChowNow. You can order for pick up usually from 5:30 or so. Once the restaurant gets too busy, however, we close the takeout portal to concentrate on in-house… 

    Do you serve sushi?

    No sushi but they serve white tuna tataki, yellowtail carpaccio, and salmon carpaccio. Highly recommend white tuna tataki or yellowtail carpaccio!

    Is there currently outdoor seating?

    Yes

    Does Sumiya still offer happy hour?

    Does Sumiya have lunch special?

    At this moment, we don’t offer lunch specials. Thanks!

    Is yakitori served during lunch time?

    Yes

    Are dogs allowed for outdoor seating?

    No unless it's changed since I was there July 5

    Are you guys back open for dining on weekdays?

    Yes, but with a smaller menu. You can put your name down online through Yelp Waitlist from 5:30 pm. Sometimes the Waitlist closes before 6:30 pm when there are too many groups waiting already. Thanks!

    Do they offer outdoor dinning yet? It's 2/22/2021 everywhere is doing outdoor dinning again, but Yelp page says no.

    We’re starting Outdoor dining tomorrow on 2/26 (Fri). Outdoor dining hours will be Fri, Sat and Sun only lunch (11:30-1:30pm) and dinner (5:00-8:30pm). Thank you!

    Are you currently offering outdoor dining?

    Not yet. Most likely from 2/26 (Fri). Only for Fri, Sat and Sun lunch & dinner. Thank you for your patience.

    Do you serve still beef tongue and raw octopus in outdoor dining?

    Yes we do!

    Is there outdoor seating now? or only takeout/delivery

    SUMIYA only has take out and delivery. However, Gaku is open Tue - Sat 4:30 - 9:00 pm for outdoor dining. www.gakurestaurant.com

    Can I make a reservation for three adults at 6pm tomorrow?

    We made a reservation for a party of 7 when we visited.

    Edit: Got my reservation:))) Are they open during lunch on friday? Currently it is Friday 12:57 PM and no one answered the phone. I wanted to make a reservation for saturday night :(

    Sorry about not being able to answer the phone. Can you call now and I can answer the phone. Or you can leave your number for me to call you back. Thanks!

    Do they still serve lunch bento with selection skewers like it used to be?

    We serve Bento A with chicken skewers (Mi, Sasami, Teba & Tsukune) and Bento B with combination skewers (Mi, Butabara, Kalbi & Tsukune).

    Is reservation an option there?

    You must call to make a reservation and you only get 90 minutes per seating.

    Do they still serve chicken skin skewers? Don't see it in their menu on their website.

    Yes they do. Just order it with the server.

    View All 30 Questions

    Fugetsu - San Jose

    Fugetsu - San Jose

    4.3(426 reviews)
    1.6 mi•West San Jose
    •$$

    A small cozy space that makes you feel like you're transported into a marketplace in Japan after…read moreyou step in! Upon entering, you're met with a variety of hot food combinations from bento boxes to rice bowls and yakisoba. Then it transitions into the refrigerated section on the right with fresh sushi and sashimi, and then onigiri, kimbap, and rolls on the left. The path then leads towards the drinks and trinkets at the end -where they have so many cute blindboxes and ceramics I haven't seen before! The staff are also quick and nice too! I will definitely be back to this cute spot to try their hot foods next time.

    Whenever I'm in the area I love stopping by Fugetsu. It's located to the far right of Mitsuwa…read moreJapanese Market and shares the parking lot. Parking can be quite challenging on the weekends given the number of restaurants and the grocery store in this strip mall. As a quick snack or even a small meal, I always grab a few of their spam, egg, rice "musubi" and a couple unagi and salmon onigiris. These are freshly made and not refrigerated. When you enter, you snake through the aisle counter-clockwise and walk by a ton of prepared foods and meals. When busy it can feel really crowded given the narrow "one way" aisle. With the warming lights for the food, it can also feel a bit warm and stuffy in there. In the back you'll see a ton of blind boxes or viral toys like the squeezable sticks of butter or cubes. They have a large selection of Japanese Pokemon cards near the front cash register. The prices of the cards are quite expensive but can still be fun for the kids to rip open a pack or two.

    Photos
    Fugetsu - San Jose - Pingu 3

    Pingu 3

    Fugetsu - San Jose - Beef kimbap

    Beef kimbap

    Fugetsu - San Jose

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    Tomi Sushi

    Tomi Sushi

    3.9(1.5k reviews)
    1.6 mi•West San Jose
    •$$

    This restaurant has been on my list for ages, I finally convinced my partner to come for a date…read morenight recently. There's always a line for this place, sometimes forming right before they open. Located in the Mistuwa plaza, parking can be pretty hit or miss. We were seated at the bar, we didn't have a preference and waited maybe 20 minutes to be seated. I had the tomi special roll, while my partner ordered the chicken teriyaki and california roll bento. Wow, the fish was incredibly fresh and nicely prepared. The fish on top was seared but didn't taste heavily of gas as many other seared fish I have had. Staff was very nice and attentive. I did enjoy being at the bar because you get to see the sushi chefs making your dinner. Very nicely designed interior. My partner's bento was good too. Chicken teriyaki was delicious. Looking forward to my next visit. It might be my favorite restaurant in the plaza.

    I came here for dinner one weekend evening around 6pm, the wait wasn't too long. Tomi Sushi has a…read morevariety of specials each day that change on their menu, when I went they had the awabi (abalone) sushi and kinmedai (golden eye snapper) sushi and ordered those items in addition to the sushi dinner, and seafood yosenabe. The awabi sushi was a bit chewy, and crunchy - with a similar texture to squid but tougher. This was okay - but was happy to try it. The kinmedai sushi had a soft fish texture with some subtle sweetness. This was fine. The sushi dinner, this is one of the items I got here previously and it was okay - nothing too special, good fish variety. It also comes with a miso soup, and a side salad. The seafood yosenabe was pretty good, it had a mix of pieces of salmon, a white fish, fish cake, tofu, shrimp, napa cabbage and carrots in a dashi broth with fish flavor. This also came with a bowl of rice, miso soup and a salad. Decent portion and great for a cold day. Overall - this time the food was okay for me.

    Photos
    Tomi Sushi - Inside

    Inside

    Tomi Sushi - Shrimp tempura

    Shrimp tempura

    Tomi Sushi - Sushi lunch box

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    Sushi lunch box

    Tsujita Artisan Noodle - Spicy Negi Ramen

    Tsujita Artisan Noodle

    4.1(345 reviews)
    1.6 mi•West San Jose
    •$$

    First timer at this establishment. Took my mother here after a recommendation of a coworker,…read morealthough my family and I have wanted to try for some time. We accidentally showed when they were closed (our fault, didn't properly research), took some time to shop around, came back around 5PM by happenstance (no line at the moment) and were seated quickly with excellent service. A nice waitress took our orders, ice-cold water was given by a nice waiter (a pitcher of water sat beside us with chopsticks, spoons, and a napkin dispenser for convenience), then our food was promptly brought out by the waitress and waiter. Even faster than fast food service. Staff was incredibly polite and informational to my mother who had questions. They were very observant and aware of everything not just at our table but others and got us the check and a container for leftovers. Excellent customer service. Drinks and glasses served cold were a nice touch, water as well. The karaage (four pieces) was served first. Juicy and hot chicken thighs, nicely crisped up. Came with an excellent sweet sauce and lime to pair. Shortly after, my spicy tuna bowl. The spice and the taste were seemingly mild for my preference (however as I ate it with my spicy tonkotsu ramen broth, it became the perfect match), rice was perfect and the portion was heavier than I assumed which was a happy plus as a ricer lover. Personally love the seaweed bits. Whilst we began to eat the karaage, the waiter came and set our bowls of spicy tonkotsu ramens onto the table. We were able to take our time to eat our chicken, since as we eventually began to eat our noodles, they were still firm and the soup base was hot but not too hot to eat and enjoy right away. The egg is prepared absolutely perfect, the best I've had yet. It's the type of egg made for ramen. Broth was milky and delicious. I asked for extra woodear mushroom and menma on the side, as I do at every ramen spot I encounter, however I shouldn't have here because the topping portions were generous in-standing. However, I did still spoil myself to the extra toppings, so not a total loss since I really love menma and mushroom. I was also impressed by the spicy paste on top, actually felt a kick as someone who enjoys extremely spicy food. I overheard customers ask for "extra firm" noodles, so I might do so but the noodles were still wonderfully firm. Our order altogether came out to $89.98, not including tip. Overall, a wonderful space to frequent if you enjoy ramen and fast service. I'll have to come back with my brother :D

    I came on Saturday for a weekend lunch. It was a later lunch than I preferred. We arrived around…read more1:30PM, and there was no line. Parking was a little difficult. Although it is a parking lot, it was very busy -- lots of businesses nearby and had to loop/drive around to find parking. Even entering the parking lot felt like it took awhile. This is a small ramsn shop inside, not too many seatings and may be difficult for large parties. There's table seating and bar seating. If i would to guess, it might fit 30-50 people tops or maybe less. We ordered the food and felt the food came out very quickly. We ordered both the chashu ramen and tonkotsu ramen. The portions felt small, broth isn't bad though. I enjoyed it. However, this place is very different than the tsujita annex in socal. I thought the portions were bigger at the annex. So in comparison, I prefer the tsujita annex over this location. This place overall isn't bad but not sure if I would return.

    Photos
    Tsujita Artisan Noodle
    Tsujita Artisan Noodle - Chashu Tsukemen ($22.50)

    Chashu Tsukemen ($22.50)

    Tsujita Artisan Noodle - Diet Coke ($3)

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    Diet Coke ($3)

    Dan Izakaya - Unagi bento box... 4/5

    Dan Izakaya

    3.8(1.5k reviews)
    2.7 mi•Hathaway, West San Jose
    •$$$

    Very popular place! We came for lunch on Sunday and there was a wait. They don't seat you until…read moreyour whole party is there, even if it's just one person finding parking. The main room has a lot of 4- and 2- person tables, but we somehow lucked out and got a tatami room to ourselves. Unluckily, the AC was broken and it was a 90 degree day, but they did their best with box fans. We had the pork and salmon donburis and they arrived quickly and were amazing! No complaints.

    I came here one weekend afternoon for lunch right when they opened. It definitely gets busy and…read morethere's a wait if you come later. This restaurant has lots of variety and items to try. Anywho, we ordered a variety of items to try: new stamina don, clam chowder croquette, kani chirashi bento, and a salmon kama bento. Regarding the food: New stamina don came with slice beef, sliced beef tongue, braised pork, poached egg, and kimchi over rice. The sliced beef was cooked to rare, and the braised pork was very tender. The rice also came with the poached egg, kewpie mayo and a lemon, mixing it all together with the rice made it have a nice creamy flavor. Clam chowder croquette was something I have never heard of before, so I definitely wanted to try it. This was delicious, would definitely get it again. A fried crispy croquette with clam chowder in it but also some mashed potatoes and tonkotsu sauce on top. Kani chirashi bento had snow crab, fish roe over rice, rolled egg omelette, sashimi, fried boneless chicken, and edamame, blistered tomatoes and shisito peppers with pickles. The sashimi came with 4 pieces, 2 tuna and 2 salmon. the tuna was a little fishy but the soy sauce helped. The salmon was actually pretty good - good fattiness. The fried chicken was fine, a few pieces were dry. Overall this bento was good. Salmon Kama bento is salmon collar over rice, fried boneless chicken, takoyaki and edamame, blistered tomatoes and shisito peppers with pickles. The salmon collar needed some salt in my opinion. For the food overall, it was a little bit under seasoned for me but for portion, price and quality are good.

    Photos
    Dan Izakaya - Inside

    Inside

    Dan Izakaya - Gyu Tongue

    Gyu Tongue

    Dan Izakaya - Niku Tofu

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    Niku Tofu

    Enka Japanese Izakaya

    Enka Japanese Izakaya

    4.3(370 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    •$$
    Happy hour specials
    Takes reservations

    Came here Saturday evening with a group of 5. You can add your name to the waitlist, but also make…read morea reservation as we did. The restaurant was pretty full so not sure how long it would take if we waited. The restaurant is inside a plaza with some other stores and restaurants but there was plenty of space even in the evening. They have a happy hour menu from 7 to 10 pm on Saturdays, but they differ depending on the day. They have some appetizers and drinks on the happy hour menu, so we tried the gyoza, mochi and side tempura. The mochi had a house made sauce glaze that was sweet and salty, and came with nori as a wrap. The texture of the mochi was really soft and chewy. The gyoza were really crispy with a soft interior. We ended up ordering a second round of them. The tempura was nicely fried with not too much batter. The shrimp was really succulent and I liked that they have mushroom tempura too. From their regular menu, we ordered a bunch of food. I tried the yaki-onigiri ochazuke with salmon, fried chicken skin, the eggplant and various skewers. The fried chicken skin was really nice and crispy, and came with a ponzu sauce and mayo to dip in. The yaki onigiri was nicely grilled and still had crispy bits when submerged in the soup. I was really excited that they have shishamo/smelt. It was nicely roasted and didn't have any overtly fishy flavor. Everyone at my table really enjoyed their food. I'd definitely come back here to try their other dishes!

    Enka is a small, warm izakaya serving the kind of Japanese food that goes well beyond sushi and…read moreramen. The menu is built around yakitori, grilled seafood, fried dishes, and other small plates meant to be shared over drinks. We had the kurobuta pork sausages, grilled whole squid, chicken thigh skewer, shishito peppers with bonito flakes, grilled corn, and crispy panko-fried shrimp. Everything was simply prepared, properly cooked, and excellent. The squid was beautifully charred, the sausages were plump and blistered, and the shrimp were exceptionally crisp. We washed it all down with a bottle of chilled junmai sake. A nice touch: they bring over a basket filled with mismatched ceramic and glass sake cups so everyone can choose their own. Excellent food, comfortable atmosphere, and a welcome reminder that Japanese cuisine offers much more than sushi and ramen.

    Photos
    Enka Japanese Izakaya - Uni poached egg shooter

    Uni poached egg shooter

    Enka Japanese Izakaya - Grilled Squid

    Grilled Squid

    Enka Japanese Izakaya - Yuba Shot

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    Yuba Shot

    Sumiya - japanese - Updated October 2026

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