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Would you rather....? I can't say mine otherwise I'll get flagged. But for sushi, would you rather pay $300 pp (pre-tip) for omakase at a quiet, high-end resto or pay $82 pp for the same quality fish... The caveat? It's chaotic and loud AF at the affordable omakase. Not much has changed with the new incarnation of Sushi Sam - it's still fast-paced, very loud, and swarming with eager diners...ready to get their affordable omakase on! Rezzies are an absolute must (people without one were being turned away at opening time)! Time-slots: 5 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8 pm. They don't use any 3rd party rezzie platform so it will require some effort calling them if you can't secure online rezzies. TIP: Allot an extra 15 minutes for parking because street parking is rough and there's no nearby lots. M E N U The extensive menu was quite confusing, as we received several paper menus featuring different dishes, along with a blackboard that we had to cross-reference with the paper menus BUT...there's something for everyone if you don't eat sushi including curry, teriyaki, and udon. F O O D * Chrysanthemum Greens & Duck Salad ($20): https://tinyurl.com/5yxbcpkb While it looked great in other pics, our duck breast was overdone and dry, while the greens needed dressing. * Chicken Karaage ($18): https://tinyurl.com/5ak2yavm You can't tell from the pic but these babies were HUGE! Fresh out of the fryer, the marinated chicken thigh was flavorful and juicy with a thin, crispy batter. Best karaage I've had to date. * Fried Green-eye (2 pc - $17): https://tinyurl.com/4cnuaxk8 A rec from our server, green-eye is a hard-to-find fish that's typically only served at high-end sushi bars when in season. It was tender, fatty, and naturally sweet. * OMAKASE w/ choice of dessert (8 pc- $82): https://tinyurl.com/mr47cvzk - Requested less shari (sushi rice) - Hirame: White halibut - Amaebi: Sweet shrimp - Katsuo: Bonito - Nama Hotate: Japanese raw scallop - Aji: Horse Mackerel - Tokishirazu: Summer catch salmon - Hokkaido Uni: Japanese sea urchin - [Chu?] Toro: Fatty tuna The fish/seafood quality was pristine and right up there with $$$$ high-end omakase restos. Each piece is seasoned with soy, yuzu salt, and/or torched. Wasabi is served on the side, it was very dry and not the best quality tho. Highlight: Hokkaido Uni - Rich, buttery, and sweet, with a pleasantly briny finish. Lowlight: Toro - Dry. I wasn't crazy about the sushi rice - it's on the plain side and fell apart easily but gotta keep the price point in mind. * Dessert (included in omakase): https://tinyurl.com/hj4abbwz -- Hōjicha Tiramisu: Creamy, roasty and light. No notes. -- Almond Tofu: Reminds me of Chinese almond jello. Meh, stick with the tiramisu. * NIGIRI A LA CARTE - Akamutsu: Rosy Seabass ($10 each): https://tinyurl.com/2e9yz439 Like a white toro, the akamutsu was rich and buttery....melt in yo mouff. - A5 Wagyu w/ black truffles ($14 each): https://tinyurl.com/5cpbbvmt Chewy A5 with the earthy black truffles overpowering it. I think a quick torch would have improved the flavor and texture. S E R V I C E Friendly, warm, and hella efficient...felt like organized chaos. There was no ipad or notepad yet one of the staff remembered all the rezzies by heart. A M B I A N C E Cozy, modern, and bright. Poor acoustics and high-paced so don't expect a relaxed meal. It was hard to maintain a convo at the sushi bar so IMO, not an ideal "date night" or "catch up" place. 12 seater sushi bar with an attached table to the side to seat four and five tables. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and thought it was a solid value given the quality of the fish. Just keep in mind that there's a trade-off when it comes to the "vibe", and you're good!
You bet we came back for that Copper River Salmon and it was everything I remembered. It's so buttery and just melts in your mouth. It's available only in the summer so you should definitely aim to be here around mid- to end of June to try this! Don't forget to book your reservations in advance for it. Walk in seems to be an option but not guaranteed. If you do walk in, I would recommend in the middle of the week but you might have a longer wait. We saw a couple walk in and got in maybe after 30-40 minutes of waiting. Service always amazing. Being there it's so lively.
Food: Outstanding as always. We ordered the bonito, bluefin tuna, Spanish mackerel, long-neck clam, marinated salmon roe, amberjack, baby sardine, aji (horse mackerel), uni, fresh oyster, and of course a draft Asahi served in a perfectly chilled glass. Every item was exceptionally fresh and expertly prepared, showcasing the quality and craftsmanship that have kept us coming back for years. Service: Just as amazing as it was 20 years ago. The same chef, the same servers, and the same commitment to excellence. It's rare to find a restaurant that maintains such consistency and dedication over two decades. Ambience: Lively, welcoming, and full of appreciation for both the food and the customers. The atmosphere remains warm and friendly, making every visit feel special. After 20 years, this place continues to deliver an unforgettable dining experience.
This might be my favorite sushi spot in the entire Bay, hands down. The service is amazing and I loved everything I was served here. I went here with my friend for her birthday and the crab meat, salmon belly, and sweet shrimp nigiri were all fantastic. Be prepared to open your wallet though, this place is not cheap! The sushi chefs and servers all have a sense of humor and are really kind. The raw oysters are so delicious, and the chicken karaage is crispy and plentiful. I enjoyed everything I was served here. It's easy to drive past this location since it's on a side road and off the strip of trendy downtown restaurants, but don't let that fool you.
I heard a lot of positive things about Sushi Edomata (formerly Sushi Sam's) so I was excited when we planned on having it for dinner. My group and I ended up going with the omakase experience. Since we were seated at a table, everything came out in 5s one-by-one which was nice and convenient. The fish quality here was great and the rice-to-fish ratio was perfect too. My favorite fish were the tuna and uni! Overall, the omakase here is great if you want high-quality fish without a super expensive price point. The omakase experience also comes with a dessert - I got the matcha panna cotta and it was a nice way to end the meal. Pro tip: make sure you reserve a seat ahead of time if you plan on coming for dinner. It gets BUSY! We came in for a Wednesday dinner (at opening) and the line was out the door by the time we left.
Located in an unassuming location, I was surprised to see how crowded it was on a Thursday evening. It seems that there are many regulars that come. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time as we saw a few people be turned away. Sushi Edomata fits in for those who want a slightly higher quality sushi experience ($100/pp), but not Michelin */Omakase ($200-300/pp). The sushi was solid, but aside from the sweet shrimp (love the fried head), amberjack and hot ate, some of the pieces fell flat or were unmemorable. Part of going to a sushi experience for me is the ambiance and the interactions with the sushi chef, and unfortunately, I felt Sushi Edomata fell short on this front. The 4 sushi chefs were so busy that they never interacted with us. They were also so busy that they were putting pieces of sushi before I even finished a piece. I hate feeling rushed eating sushi especially when the prices are $10 per piece. I love savoring each piece and I felt like I couldn't do that here. I actually think I would try prefer sitting at a table rather than the counter at this restaurant so I can eat my sushi in piece. Service was also lacking as not one staff came by to check on us or refill our waters unless we flagged someone down. Also, when asking for sushi recommendations, our waitress only stated the most expensive pieces. Unfortunately, because of the experience with the service, I don't think I'll be one of the regulars. For those looking for a quick pace popular sushi spot, this is your restaurant.
So excited to finally try Sushi Edomata. It had been too long since going to Sushi Sam's. The sashimi was buttery and delicious. The rolls were all yummy. Just wish there was a little more offering but the quality is always better than quantity. The staff is very friendly and quick to refill drinks. It's pretty small and you must have a reservation to eat there.
Did not know this place existed, but it's probably one of the most fresh sushi I've had in the Bay Area that isn't just an Omakase. Crazy good nigiri pieces with super fresh fish - lots of melt in your mouth slices that don't taste frozen or fishy I'd love to return! Recommend making a reservation ahead though - super busy even on a Tuesday
It took us awhile to get here but we finally made it. Sushi Edomata is the spinoff from Sushi Sam's. The location is still in San Mateo about 20 blocks or so from the original location on 3rd. The place is still fairly small, but aesthetically pleasing and warm. It was wonderful to see many familiar faces still running the restaurant. They only take reservations for dinner now. We had one for 8 p.m. but weren't seated until closer to 8:20 p.m. This was the same issue they had at Sushi Sam's, but not as bad. Hopefully this will improve over time. The special fish is now only one nigiri per order, but I was super happy that they had rosey seabass on the menu and they weren't out of it. It was $10 per piece. The toro is now $13 a piece. Prices have gone up quite a bit. Six of us, including a bottle of sake and a couple of beers, came to $840 with tip. Steep pricing for a Friday night meal. I really enjoyed my experience and was delighted to eat my favorites again.
Previously I was only able to get a table by lining up 15 minutes before their lunch opening but was pleasantly happy that they updated their reservations to the online system. I, most recently, was able to call same day and get a 8 PM dinner reservation. Kelvin was super friendly and very accommodating and I appreciated that he was able to check with the other reservations and call me back prior to confirming any availability. Lunch time is great since it's easier to get a seat but just be aware most of special fishes aren't available at that time. My go to fish here is Akamutsu but they always run out which is a bummer. Their California rolls are the best! Don't sleep on it. Their Kani salad is fresh and creamy just like their California rolls. Hokkaido uni is rich and has no metallic aftertaste taste. Monkfish liver is buttery and the umami sauce they added to it was delightful. Baby lobster was cooked to perfection and had no chewiness. All the wait staff are fun and really accommodating and I highly recommend coming here for dinner with friends, family or significant others.
I was a big fan of Sushi Sam's back in the day and was delighted when a good friend invited me to come to Sushi Edomata to have dinner. When you enter it is a bright space and like the old place it is cheery and a party - lots of Happy Birthday yells - and the waiters speak Cantonese like the old place! My friend booked a table online and we were seated within 10 minutes of our time. The service is exceptional. Our waiter was super friendly, gave us excellent recommendations, order to eat the sushi in, and paid attention to every detail. As for the sushi - top notch. The bluefin was the reddest boldest one I've ever had. The black cod is transcendent. The kiwi on top and the sauce pairs perfectly. Rosy seabass very good. Even standard salmon is very good. Generous with their cuts, much more fish than rice. Oh and the eel. Not your standard super sweetened unagi, this has much more subtle and nice flavour. Almond tofu is soo smooth. You won't regret coming here.
Very relieved that the OG Sushi Sam Edomata didn't really close and instead just reincarnated with a slightly different name with a lot of the fun friendly original staff and service, and delicious menu offering. They retained some of my favorites, the omakase (still includes dessert!), and the Sam Special hand roll. They brought in a Japanese chef to handle the relatively revamped appetizer menu. Tempura corn - worth a try for corn lovers, comes shaved in flats off the cob, so it's easy to eat and lightly salted to taste. Firefly squid with miso dressing was a novel treat. First time trying these miniature squid, let alone raw. Recommend for adventurous eaters, the texture and ocean taste were enjoyable and enhanced by the miso dressing. Be sure to enjoy it wrapped in the shiso leaf. The environment in the restaurant is lively, nicely furnished and decorated. Though the noise can get loud, but thats part of the fun.
I'm glad Sushi Sam revitalized into Sushi Edomata. The infamous Sam Special temaki still tastes divine as ever, with a side of nostalgia. This was our first time dining at the restaurant as well as ordering the omakase menu, which entails of 9 nigiri and your choice of dessert. Additionally, we ordered 3 of their handrolls per person (Sam Special, Chili Dog, California Special). Unsurprisingly, the last course of the nigiri, which was the fatty tuna, was the most memorable. The fried shrimp was a great contrast in textures as well. I do like that they don't apply too much wasabi. I wasn't 100% impressed with all of the fish though; one or two had that refrigerated/cold texture that you wouldn't expect from high-end fish preparation. The bill totaled to over $200, yet we left not quite full. I'd still come back for the iconic temaki, but may stick to getting sushi rolls and/or select nigiri. I'd recommend reserving chef's counter seating over the closely arranged tables. Do expect a bit of a wait though even if you have a reservation.
Ambiance: Casual Service: friendly They are opened for lunch, they have bento boxes, sushi rolls, nigiris, and chef choices! Everything was pretty fresh but my favorites were: amaebi long neck clam spicy scallop hand roll read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
Would you rather....? I can't say mine otherwise I'll get flagged. But for sushi, would you rather pay $300 pp (pre-tip) for omakase at a quiet, high-end resto or pay $82 pp for the same quality fish... The caveat? It's chaotic and loud AF at the affordable omakase. Not much has changed with the new incarnation of Sushi Sam - it's still fast-paced, very loud, and swarming with eager diners...ready to get their affordable omakase on! Rezzies are an absolute must (people without one were being turned away at opening time)! Time-slots: 5 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8 pm. They don't use any 3rd party rezzie platform so it will require some effort calling them if you can't secure online rezzies. TIP: Allot an extra 15 minutes for parking because street parking is rough and there's no nearby lots. M E N U The extensive menu was quite confusing, as we received several paper menus featuring different dishes, along with a blackboard that we had to cross-reference with the paper menus BUT...there's something for everyone if you don't eat sushi including curry, teriyaki, and udon. F O O D * Chrysanthemum Greens & Duck Salad ($20): https://tinyurl.com/5yxbcpkb While it looked great in other pics, our duck breast was overdone and dry, while the greens needed dressing. * Chicken Karaage ($18): https://tinyurl.com/5ak2yavm You can't tell from the pic but these babies were HUGE! Fresh out of the fryer, the marinated chicken thigh was flavorful and juicy with a thin, crispy batter. Best karaage I've had to date. * Fried Green-eye (2 pc - $17): https://tinyurl.com/4cnuaxk8 A rec from our server, green-eye is a hard-to-find fish that's typically only served at high-end sushi bars when in season. It was tender, fatty, and naturally sweet. * OMAKASE w/ choice of dessert (8 pc- $82): https://tinyurl.com/mr47cvzk - Requested less shari (sushi rice) - Hirame: White halibut - Amaebi: Sweet shrimp - Katsuo: Bonito - Nama Hotate: Japanese raw scallop - Aji: Horse Mackerel - Tokishirazu: Summer catch salmon - Hokkaido Uni: Japanese sea urchin - [Chu?] Toro: Fatty tuna The fish/seafood quality was pristine and right up there with $$$$ high-end omakase restos. Each piece is seasoned with soy, yuzu salt, and/or torched. Wasabi is served on the side, it was very dry and not the best quality tho. Highlight: Hokkaido Uni - Rich, buttery, and sweet, with a pleasantly briny finish. Lowlight: Toro - Dry. I wasn't crazy about the sushi rice - it's on the plain side and fell apart easily but gotta keep the price point in mind. * Dessert (included in omakase): https://tinyurl.com/hj4abbwz -- Hōjicha Tiramisu: Creamy, roasty and light. No notes. -- Almond Tofu: Reminds me of Chinese almond jello. Meh, stick with the tiramisu. * NIGIRI A LA CARTE - Akamutsu: Rosy Seabass ($10 each): https://tinyurl.com/2e9yz439 Like a white toro, the akamutsu was rich and buttery....melt in yo mouff. - A5 Wagyu w/ black truffles ($14 each): https://tinyurl.com/5cpbbvmt Chewy A5 with the earthy black truffles overpowering it. I think a quick torch would have improved the flavor and texture. S E R V I C E Friendly, warm, and hella efficient...felt like organized chaos. There was no ipad or notepad yet one of the staff remembered all the rezzies by heart. A M B I A N C E Cozy, modern, and bright. Poor acoustics and high-paced so don't expect a relaxed meal. It was hard to maintain a convo at the sushi bar so IMO, not an ideal "date night" or "catch up" place. 12 seater sushi bar with an attached table to the side to seat four and five tables. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and thought it was a solid value given the quality of the fish. Just keep in mind that there's a trade-off when it comes to the "vibe", and you're good! read more
4 months ago
You bet we came back for that Copper River Salmon and it was everything I remembered. It's so buttery and just melts in your mouth. It's available only in the summer so you should definitely aim to be here around mid- to end of June to try this! Don't forget to book your reservations in advance for it. Walk in seems to be an option but not guaranteed. If you do walk in, I would recommend in the middle of the week but you might have a longer wait. We saw a couple walk in and got in maybe after 30-40 minutes of waiting. Service always amazing. Being there it's so lively. read more
Food: Outstanding as always. We ordered the bonito, bluefin tuna, Spanish mackerel, long-neck clam, marinated salmon roe, amberjack, baby sardine, aji (horse mackerel), uni, fresh oyster, and of course a draft Asahi served in a perfectly chilled glass. Every item was exceptionally fresh and expertly prepared, showcasing the quality and craftsmanship that have kept us coming back for years. Service: Just as amazing as it was 20 years ago. The same chef, the same servers, and the same commitment to excellence. It's rare to find a restaurant that maintains such consistency and dedication over two decades. Ambience: Lively, welcoming, and full of appreciation for both the food and the customers. The atmosphere remains warm and friendly, making every visit feel special. After 20 years, this place continues to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. read more
This might be my favorite sushi spot in the entire Bay, hands down. The service is amazing and I loved everything I was served here. I went here with my friend for her birthday and the crab meat, salmon belly, and sweet shrimp nigiri were all fantastic. Be prepared to open your wallet though, this place is not cheap! The sushi chefs and servers all have a sense of humor and are really kind. The raw oysters are so delicious, and the chicken karaage is crispy and plentiful. I enjoyed everything I was served here. It's easy to drive past this location since it's on a side road and off the strip of trendy downtown restaurants, but don't let that fool you. read more
I heard a lot of positive things about Sushi Edomata (formerly Sushi Sam's) so I was excited when we planned on having it for dinner. My group and I ended up going with the omakase experience. Since we were seated at a table, everything came out in 5s one-by-one which was nice and convenient. The fish quality here was great and the rice-to-fish ratio was perfect too. My favorite fish were the tuna and uni! Overall, the omakase here is great if you want high-quality fish without a super expensive price point. The omakase experience also comes with a dessert - I got the matcha panna cotta and it was a nice way to end the meal. Pro tip: make sure you reserve a seat ahead of time if you plan on coming for dinner. It gets BUSY! We came in for a Wednesday dinner (at opening) and the line was out the door by the time we left. read more
5 months ago
Located in an unassuming location, I was surprised to see how crowded it was on a Thursday evening. It seems that there are many regulars that come. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time as we saw a few people be turned away. Sushi Edomata fits in for those who want a slightly higher quality sushi experience ($100/pp), but not Michelin */Omakase ($200-300/pp). The sushi was solid, but aside from the sweet shrimp (love the fried head), amberjack and hot ate, some of the pieces fell flat or were unmemorable. Part of going to a sushi experience for me is the ambiance and the interactions with the sushi chef, and unfortunately, I felt Sushi Edomata fell short on this front. The 4 sushi chefs were so busy that they never interacted with us. They were also so busy that they were putting pieces of sushi before I even finished a piece. I hate feeling rushed eating sushi especially when the prices are $10 per piece. I love savoring each piece and I felt like I couldn't do that here. I actually think I would try prefer sitting at a table rather than the counter at this restaurant so I can eat my sushi in piece. Service was also lacking as not one staff came by to check on us or refill our waters unless we flagged someone down. Also, when asking for sushi recommendations, our waitress only stated the most expensive pieces. Unfortunately, because of the experience with the service, I don't think I'll be one of the regulars. For those looking for a quick pace popular sushi spot, this is your restaurant. read more
So excited to finally try Sushi Edomata. It had been too long since going to Sushi Sam's. The sashimi was buttery and delicious. The rolls were all yummy. Just wish there was a little more offering but the quality is always better than quantity. The staff is very friendly and quick to refill drinks. It's pretty small and you must have a reservation to eat there. read more
6 months ago
Did not know this place existed, but it's probably one of the most fresh sushi I've had in the Bay Area that isn't just an Omakase. Crazy good nigiri pieces with super fresh fish - lots of melt in your mouth slices that don't taste frozen or fishy I'd love to return! Recommend making a reservation ahead though - super busy even on a Tuesday read more
It took us awhile to get here but we finally made it. Sushi Edomata is the spinoff from Sushi Sam's. The location is still in San Mateo about 20 blocks or so from the original location on 3rd. The place is still fairly small, but aesthetically pleasing and warm. It was wonderful to see many familiar faces still running the restaurant. They only take reservations for dinner now. We had one for 8 p.m. but weren't seated until closer to 8:20 p.m. This was the same issue they had at Sushi Sam's, but not as bad. Hopefully this will improve over time. The special fish is now only one nigiri per order, but I was super happy that they had rosey seabass on the menu and they weren't out of it. It was $10 per piece. The toro is now $13 a piece. Prices have gone up quite a bit. Six of us, including a bottle of sake and a couple of beers, came to $840 with tip. Steep pricing for a Friday night meal. I really enjoyed my experience and was delighted to eat my favorites again. read more
Previously I was only able to get a table by lining up 15 minutes before their lunch opening but was pleasantly happy that they updated their reservations to the online system. I, most recently, was able to call same day and get a 8 PM dinner reservation. Kelvin was super friendly and very accommodating and I appreciated that he was able to check with the other reservations and call me back prior to confirming any availability. Lunch time is great since it's easier to get a seat but just be aware most of special fishes aren't available at that time. My go to fish here is Akamutsu but they always run out which is a bummer. Their California rolls are the best! Don't sleep on it. Their Kani salad is fresh and creamy just like their California rolls. Hokkaido uni is rich and has no metallic aftertaste taste. Monkfish liver is buttery and the umami sauce they added to it was delightful. Baby lobster was cooked to perfection and had no chewiness. All the wait staff are fun and really accommodating and I highly recommend coming here for dinner with friends, family or significant others. read more
I was a big fan of Sushi Sam's back in the day and was delighted when a good friend invited me to come to Sushi Edomata to have dinner. When you enter it is a bright space and like the old place it is cheery and a party - lots of Happy Birthday yells - and the waiters speak Cantonese like the old place! My friend booked a table online and we were seated within 10 minutes of our time. The service is exceptional. Our waiter was super friendly, gave us excellent recommendations, order to eat the sushi in, and paid attention to every detail. As for the sushi - top notch. The bluefin was the reddest boldest one I've ever had. The black cod is transcendent. The kiwi on top and the sauce pairs perfectly. Rosy seabass very good. Even standard salmon is very good. Generous with their cuts, much more fish than rice. Oh and the eel. Not your standard super sweetened unagi, this has much more subtle and nice flavour. Almond tofu is soo smooth. You won't regret coming here. read more
Very relieved that the OG Sushi Sam Edomata didn't really close and instead just reincarnated with a slightly different name with a lot of the fun friendly original staff and service, and delicious menu offering. They retained some of my favorites, the omakase (still includes dessert!), and the Sam Special hand roll. They brought in a Japanese chef to handle the relatively revamped appetizer menu. Tempura corn - worth a try for corn lovers, comes shaved in flats off the cob, so it's easy to eat and lightly salted to taste. Firefly squid with miso dressing was a novel treat. First time trying these miniature squid, let alone raw. Recommend for adventurous eaters, the texture and ocean taste were enjoyable and enhanced by the miso dressing. Be sure to enjoy it wrapped in the shiso leaf. The environment in the restaurant is lively, nicely furnished and decorated. Though the noise can get loud, but thats part of the fun. read more
I'm glad Sushi Sam revitalized into Sushi Edomata. The infamous Sam Special temaki still tastes divine as ever, with a side of nostalgia. This was our first time dining at the restaurant as well as ordering the omakase menu, which entails of 9 nigiri and your choice of dessert. Additionally, we ordered 3 of their handrolls per person (Sam Special, Chili Dog, California Special). Unsurprisingly, the last course of the nigiri, which was the fatty tuna, was the most memorable. The fried shrimp was a great contrast in textures as well. I do like that they don't apply too much wasabi. I wasn't 100% impressed with all of the fish though; one or two had that refrigerated/cold texture that you wouldn't expect from high-end fish preparation. The bill totaled to over $200, yet we left not quite full. I'd still come back for the iconic temaki, but may stick to getting sushi rolls and/or select nigiri. I'd recommend reserving chef's counter seating over the closely arranged tables. Do expect a bit of a wait though even if you have a reservation. read more
Made a last minute reservation for 8pm and was seated right in front of the sushi chefs. We ordered the omakase and enjoyed every piece. Everything tasted fresh and the fish to rice ratio was perfect. My fave pieces were the uni, toro and rosy sea bass! Cant wait to come back and try more! read more
Although we miss the original staple in San Mateo, Sushi Sam's, were happy to have visited his team that are continuing in his tradition of servicing fine Japanese cuisine! I still remember the faces of his original team and their ever so delightful greeting when you enter the establishment. We went with our favorite dishes as well as tried some dishes for the first time. They all hit their mark and brought me back to my first wow experience. Even after we visited Japan and having dined at some of their sought after restaurants, the team at Sushi Edomata are one of the best to bring that taste and experience of Japan stateside. If your looking for authentic Japanese food served by true Japanese chefs who were trained by one of the greatest Japanese chefs I've had the chance to personally know for almost his entirety in San Mateo, I highly suggest to visit his team here at Sushi Edomata, they will not disappoint! Edomata team, please send Sam my warm greetings and continued Blessings during his retirement!! read more
8 months ago
Sushi Edomata has even more delicious food - plus the same excellent service and staff from Sushi Sam's! The restaurant itself is cheerful, vibrant, and spacious. You could feel the joy radiating from every table tonight. At Sushi Sam's, the quality of crab meat stood out as supreme. I ALWAYS ordered several of the temaki (SSS, California) and rainbow roll. Happy to say that, tonight, the temaki tasted better than ever. I love the crunch of the dried seaweed too. Chili dog - spicy tuna - features a nice mix of seaweed salad. The chili dog is my absolute favorite spicy tuna ever. The fresh fish on the rainbow roll was fantastic. We were pleasantly surprised by the baby mushrooms in our agedashi tofu. So good. Everything here is 10/10, even the tiny mushroom. Overall, our food was as expected - fresh, delicious, and photo-worthy. I really wish I could have kept eating! We really enjoyed our first visit and hope to be able to return regularly just like we did before at Sushi Sam's. read more
10 months ago
Parking was very difficult to find. Had to park a few blocks down. The ambiance here is cute and cozy. However, I do think the tables were a bit too close to each other. I would have loved more space next to the other people eating. The food was amazing! All the fish was nice and big and fresh. The dishes were full of flavor. You can tell the chefs care about quality and detail. The staff were friendly, but I think they were a bit busy. It was sometimes hard to find our waiter to refill our waters. I want to come back and do the omakase one. The person I went with is a bit picky with his fish, so he did not want chef's choice. It was okay though because each dish he ordered was great! Also, I loved the bathroom. So spacious and clean. Also the wall decor was lovely. read more
Wow! What a great place to get some amazing sushi! Although small and very hard to get a reservation, you will not be disappointed! We were a party four and everything we ordered tasted great! We missed the opportunity to try the Matcha Tiramasu, which I've heard is amazing. We will have to try again next time. Highly recommend if you want really good service and great tasting food! read more
As a huge fan of Sushi Sam's, I was ecstatic about this new location. I made a reservation through their website. It feels a lot more spacious than the previous location, and everyone can see the chefs from their table so that's nice. All of my favorites from Sam's were still so good. Even the workers are the same right after I went, I tried to book another reservation Amazing service, as usual. read more
10 months ago
Finally visited after they moved to this new location! I didn't realize they were around Kaizen (another fav) so parking can be pretty tricky - try your luck with street parking on El Camino. This new location is equally popping. We made a reservation a few weeks ahead of time and got an 8pm slot. The interior is modern. Food wise, everything was delicious. I tried the omakase - standard 8 pieces + 4 add on. Fish was fresh and seasoned perfectly. A few other things I tried: some eggplant tofu dish which was pretty unique, gomaae spinach, veg in dashi broth (nothing special) and the white king salmon fish collar. The fish collar was another standout. The omakase ends with a dessert of your choice. I tried the Hojicha tiramisu since I love tiramisu. It was not bad but the cake part was on the drier side. Our servers were also very friendly and attentive. Can't wait to be back! read more
1 year ago
I ATE SO GOOD I FORGOT TO TAKE PICS! Came for boyfriends brothers birthday and oh my goodness... We ordered 4 omakase sets, chicken karaage, curry, many rolls (spider & ca off top of my head), miso soups, kanpachi kama, kisu tempura, spicy scallop temaki, and chawanmushi! Wahhhhh everything was so yummy and fresh and flavorful! I loved the flavors in the omakase, ranging from smoked pickle on smoked sawara to green onion paste-like mixture on bonito! Such a fun mix of bites! The atmosphere inside was so lively and it felt like everybody knew each other and was there to enjoy the evening together! Getting reservations here is definitely a mission and a half though, and it for sure helps to know people! Can't wait to go back in a few weeks! And hopefully take more pictures! read more
Having been a regular customer of Sushi Sam's for 30 years, I am happy that Sushi Edomata has continued with Sam's legacy. The new restaurant has a beautiful interior, bright and simple. Like the original, there is limited seating and reservations are harder to come by. The sushi is unmatched. Whatever you order, it will be fresh and beautifully prepared. On a recent visit, we sat at the counter and watched the talented sushi chefs prepare the rolls, nigiri, and carefully slice the sashimi. Everything is great there so I will say I have a few favorites like the chili dog, Sam's special, and the spicy scallop hand roll. Their version of a rainbow roll features their crab. Yum. One of my ATF's. read more
Walked in by myself on a weeknight and it was packed! They were super friendly and actually accommodated me at the sushi counter. Menu is both on paper and online, which was a bit unclear so I only ordered from the paper version initially. The wait staff were quite busy but still checked in, replenished tea, etc. Highly efficient and spacious restaurant. The bathroom is so pretty, worthy of special mention! Food was good - all the sushi was nicely portioned and flavored. I enjoyed the corn tempura. It is Bay Area prices here - not overpriced but it did cost $80 for nigiri and tempura with only tea as beverage so felt like a splurge. Note: It is kinda hard to find street parking and it's quite dimly lit in the area so plan accordingly. Highly recommend reservations as they were full full full nearly closing on a weeknight! read more
At long last, I've finally found a sushi restaurant in the U.S. that serves authentic Edomae-style omakase reminiscent of what I had in Tokyo for a reasonable price! The variety of fish and chefs' preparation of it is superb. I never had a chance to visit Sushi Sam's, the predecessor of Edomata but heard for years it was one the best sushi restaurants in the Bay Area. Sushi Sam's closed in December of 2024 when Chef Sam Sugiyama retired. The hype is real; it was the first time I felt that sushi chefs could have been transported to the U.S. straight from Tokyo. There are about ten seats at the counter including a side table at the end and about ten tables across the counter along the wall. Working side by side behind the counter are four sushi chefs including Sam's nephew, head chef Koichi Ito. The fourth chef furthest from the front door only makes rolls, so having omakase nigiri course at the counter in front of the other three chefs is preferable so they don't have to walk every course over to you from their stations. Their "Chef's Choice" omakase course took awhile to start but once I got the first nigiri, the sushi chefs started bringing pieces every couple minutes. The omakase includes 8 different courses and a dessert at the end. I got an addition of Aji and Ikura. There is also an interesting battered and fried shrimp head tempura prepared similarly to soft shell crab but a bit rougher to chew. The highlights were the Bonito and the finale of Uni and Toro. The toro was incredible...both thick and full of rich fatty tuna flavor. The uni had several types of uni layered next to each other. The temperature and cuts of the nigiri was perfect. The chefs season most nigiri with a lightly brushed glaze, dab of wasabi and garnish with slivers of green onion and before serving it so I barely used any soy sauce. At a price of between $70 to $80 (unlisted due to fluctuating market prices), the cost of omakase at Edomata is significantly less expensive than the Chinese sushi restaurants in Palo Alto and Redwood City and overrated restaurants like Kusakabe in SF. For their authentic quality and value, I would choose Edomata any time I want to go out for sushi. read more
Be sure to make a reservation because the seats fill up instantly. The servers were so attentive that my tea cup was never empty - they must have filled it over 10 times. The menu had many items that I've never seen before. Most everything we ordered was tasty and I could see myself coming back. And if it's your birthday, the entire staff stops and sings for you! Special Toro Maki ($25) - I think the server recommended this as it's the most expensive roll on the menu. I thought it was ok. My bf liked it. Chicken Karaage ($18) - 6 BIG pieces. Needs some kind of sauce though. Tempura ($16) - Includes shrimp, cauliflower, mushroom, zucchini, daikon, etc. Nothing to bark about, in my opinion Tamago Nigiri ($5) - Actually really good compared to many others that I've tried. Omakase ($80) - Comes with 8 pieces of incredible nigiri. For the dessert I highly recommend the Fig Walnut Goat Cheesecake if it is still on the menu. I normally hate cheesecake but still enjoyed it. read more
Was a fan of Sushi Sam's! Glad to know this came up. We ordered the omakase which was great! Every piece was fresh and light. Not too much wasabi or soy sauce which was good. There was one piece that was a bit too chewy for my taste but everything else was delicious. We had good service here! The lady who served us was friendly and accommodating! Kept checking in to see how we were doing! I did wish that the tables weren't so close together. It was pretty tight. We could hear other people's conversations and so we felt like we had to talk over them. read more
Finally got in line 15 minutes before opening and managed to snag a counter seat to watch the chefs at work. Honestly, I was expecting a quieter atmosphere, but it was surprisingly loud for a Friday lunch. Regulars knew exactly what to do--ordered immediately and were served quickly. As a first-timer, however, no one explained the process, and it took over 15 minutes before any of the four servers acknowledged us. That lack of attentiveness instantly reminded me of why we stopped going to Sushi Sam's decades ago--the same feeling of being overlooked and unwelcome, which was a huge disappointment. We ordered from the Okimari section: * Bara Chirashi ($35) - Nothing special, and comparable dishes down the street are closer to $21. The fish (Hamachi, Maguro, Tamago, Ebi, Tako) did not taste particularly fresh. * Nigiri Special ($55) - Not worth the price. Presentation lacked creativity, the toro was fibrous instead of buttery, and the blue shrimp looked old. Oddly, the fried shrimp head and Unakyu roll came separately and out of sync. Food also came out much later than those seated around us, even though we ordered earlier. Watching the chefs, it felt more like rushed assembly than refined craft. They clearly had a system, but it came across as mechanical and impersonal--no interaction, which was disappointing given we sat at the counter for that experience. Service leaned heavily toward their regulars. My tea was only refilled once, and I eventually had to get up to ask for the check. While the staff were polite, the overall lack of organization and care made the visit underwhelming, especially at this price point. read more
Sushi Edomata still has the fresh and robust selection of sushi that Sushi Sam's known for. In fact, Sam and his wife still check in from time to time as I saw them walking around the restaurant earlier this week. I ordered the Omakase 8-piece, and had a bite from one of the extras in the 10-piece, I didn't feel I missed out on ordering the 10-piece. Omakase came with a tasty dessert, which I opted for the chocolate fig cake, so delicious/not too sweet. I had a few bites of the almond pudding and it was just ok. I liked the chocolate fig cake a lot more. The previous location offered miso soup in the set, but this is no longer the case. So why 4 stars instead of 5? Everything is shiny and new, but the tables are very close to each other that I heard all the conversations around me. I also had trouble having a conversation at my own table because I couldn't hear. Perhaps if this new location can include some type of insulation to absorb the sound, then sound wouldn't bounce off everywhere? I also felt that in their limited space, there's an undertone to get you in, get you out. Regardless of these new characteristics that I don't prefer, I'll be back again. Just can't beat the quality of their sushi! #21/2025 read more
1 year ago
I don't mean to sound dramatic but this has got to be one of the best meals of my life!! Sushi Edomata is keeping the legacy of Sushi Sam alive, if you know then you know. It was my first time here and I was able to snag a seat with no wait. I called in 15 minutes ahead of time and right when I walked it, I was seated. The service was fast and every server was super accommodating. There's a lot of seating at the bar and many open tables as well. I ordered a variety of things and everything was fresh and delicious. Here's everything that I ordered: - Chili dog hand roll (must try - spicy tuna w/ seaweed salad) - Salmon skin hand roll - Sam special hand roll - Hot dog maki roll (deep fried fish, green onion, ponzu) - Uni nigiri - Iwana nigiri - white king salmon nigiri - Tai nigiri - Snow crab nigiri (must try) - Raw oysters - Amberjack nigiri (must try) - Green tea tiramisu - Almond pudding - Asahi on draft 10/10 would come again and would recommend this restaurant to everyone read more
21 days ago
3 months ago
This is the new Sushi Sam in another part of San Mateo. Note parking is hard to find. The restaurant is a decent size with tables and bar. A bit noisy and hard to talk as the ceiling is low. Service is great as someone greets you at the door. The servers are very tentative I sat down and they offered tea as I was waiting for a friend. Now to the food it's amazing how good the sushi is. The flavors have such a wow factor and we went with the omakase and it did not disappoint. Sushi Edomata definitely has awesome sushi and selection. Definitely coming back for different dishes. read more
1 year ago
I enjoyed my dinner with friends at Sushi Edomata. The restaurant is smaller, but much more modern than its predecessor, Sushi Sam's. As of June 2025, there is no outside signage with the restaurant name, but it is coming soon! We each ordered a 10-piece omakase and some other dishes to round out the meal, including fried green-eyed fish, chilled and hot chawanmushi (I preferred hot), chrysanthemum leaf salad with duck, and hand rolls (hamachi with green onion). Can't forget a chilled bottle of sake (I believe this was around $70). Overall, I enjoyed every single bite. You really can't go wrong with anything you order here. Service was attentive and the bill came out to about $400 after tip for a group of 4. Some things to note: -- The wait can be long, even with a reservation. We checked in at 6:25 for our 6:30 reservation and were told it'll just be a few minutes. Didn't get seated until 7. -- Parking is bad. This is just a well-known fact for the area. It's worse than downtown. -- The acoustics are LOUD. Felt like we had to practically shout in order to have a conversation. read more
So glad sushi Sam lives on in San Mateo Came here as a celebratory dinner and wanted to try a few things - both off the daily special and regular menu. We ordered a few rolls and nigiri - I was a little surprised that the nigiri off the daily special was $10 per piece, but everything came out delicious and fresh. The chicken karaage pieces were also huge and juicy, but I'll probably skip it next time to focus more on sushi haha The service was great when it was there but as the restaurant became more packed it definitely reflected as they forgot some of our order- but given their recent opening it could be forgiven and they were apologetic/offered to make it up asap. The restaurant felt modern and clean with a decent sized sushi bar to watch the chefs work. Definitely come here early as every other review mentioned, the street parking can be a pain. I'll probably be back once they've settled in a bit more. read more
My kids and I came here for our traditional birthday celebration. We missed it last year because sushi Sam's was closed. We were curious if the quality and selection has changed. We were pleasantly surprised that everything was as amazing as we remembered! We ordered the omakase and added chili dog, ocean trout, and rosy sea bass. OMG each piece is slightly dressed to enhanced the flavor and simply melts in your mouth. They definitely continued the sushi Sam's tradition! read more
1 year ago
I was so sad when Sushi Sam's closed since I had been dining there for over two decades! It was definitely an end of an era, or so I thought...Sushi Edomata is basically the reincarnation of Sushi Sam's, but much more aesthetic, spacious and modern. Sam's nephew, niece and her husband, who were all previous employees of Sushi Sam's, now co-own Sushi Edomata. Even their menu offerings are similar! My friends and I each ordered the 10 piece omakase, but we added some specials from the kitchen as well. We started off with fresh oysters and deep fried greeneye fish. The oysters were fresh and I loved the combination of the brininess of the oysters with the acidity of the ponzu. As for the greeneye, the fish were small and delicately fried with a sprinkle of salt. A great way to start off the meal! As for the omakase, the offerings that evening were red snapper, amberjack, bonito, baby lobster, Spanish mackerel, salmon, uni, chutoro, snow crab with crab butter and wagyu beef. Each piece of nigiri was already seasoned, so I liked that the server told us not to dip the nigiri in soy sauce. They provided us with fresh wasabi to, which was a nice touch. Every course we tased was so fresh and it just got better and better! The baby lobster was a new dish that I had never had before. It was served with sliced almonds, which provided crunch and was a unique combination. I really liked the bonito and you can never go wrong with chutoro! Since there were so many of us, we sampled one of each of their desserts. We ordered a blueberry cheesecake, matcha tiramisu, hojicha tiramisu, custard pudding and a fifth dessert that had some sort of jelly with it, but not sure exactly what it was. I tried a bite of each and I must say that I enjoyed them all. They were all light and not too sweet! It was a great way to end the meal! The meal was fantastic and the service was great! I'm so happy to see Sushi Edomata thriving! read more
1 month ago
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More info about Sushi Edomata
Ask the Community - Sushi Edomata
Is this place good for a large party of 10?
It's hard to accommodate that size online, you need to speak with the staff directly and book at least a week or two ahead
Do a lot people wait at opening hour at lunch on a Saturday?
Yes, it's fairly popular and busy on weekends.
Does lunch require reservations?
I would recommend reservations as this place fills up fast even if you are a walk-in.
Do they take reservations for omakase?
Yes, call during the afternoon hours (when they are less busy) or later in the evening to make a reservation. :)
Do they serve Sake now?
If you look at the photos, under "menu," there is a recent post of a receipt showing beer purchase, and if you look at "drinks," there are photos of sake bottles. But, we'll be going soon and I will check back in with a definitive answer!
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7 reviews that are not currently recommended
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