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This location used to be Michelin starred sushi restaurant called Sieya. The new sushi restaurant is Takumi, really great sushi. The location is pretty cool as before, little sliver in the downtown area, dimly lit and dark decor. I've been wanting to try them for a while now. Finally, got a to-go order this evening and it did not disappoint! Fresh and clean, excellent quality. Super fresh hamachi (3) pieces, one of the better I've had in the area. So buttery and delicious. I also ordered the Lobster Roll. I loved this roll. The avocado inside was super creamy paired nicely with the lobster meat salad and cucumber slivers with crunchy bonito flakes sprinkled on top. Very satisfying. Everything was prepared perfectly and aesthetically pleasing, packaged nicely. I'm definitely returning to try other rolls and more hamachi!
I thought Sushi Takumi was quite underwhelming, especially compared to its predecessor Seiya. We had reservations and were seated on time. Staff were friendly enough and did their jobs, but nothing was exceptional. The sushi rolls were decent in terms of flavor, but I thought there was a bit too much rice in each bite. We got the beauty alaska roll ($16) which came with salmon and avo, as well as spicy salmon on top. I also requested a spicy scallop roll. However, I initially stated spicy salmon by mistake and quickly corrected myself. Our server repeated back the spicy scallop order...so not sure what happened. It was only $9 and I didn't feel like it was worth correcting them once the dish was served but it was disappointing having salmon upon salmon. We also ordered a few pieces of nigiri. While nothing was fishy, none of the fish stood out to me either. The agedashi tofu was the biggest let down of the night. While it was a HUGE portion, there was absolutely no flavor. There wasn't much dashi broth so that didn't help the dish. The agedashi tofu dish from Seiya on the other hand, had been amazing and came with mushrooms and a lot of broth. The texture of the tofu skin had also been chewy and mochi-esque. This was NOT the case with Takumi. I wouldn't plan on coming back. When they bring the bill, they also hover over you while you select the tip % (which starts at 18%). Although I wasn't the one footing the bill, I always feel like this is awkward because I personally feel rushed and will default to a standard setting - even if I don't think it's warranted.
I'd been to Takumi three times, but the third time was much different than the first two visits. The food has always been good with some dishes exceptional, but the service and atmosphere was much different than my earlier visits. I brought my friend here in early December the week after Thanksgiving and sat at the sushi bar as always. There were two others at the bar and maybe one table occupied. I didn't recognize the sushi chef to the one previously. He was quiet, kept to himself and wasn't looking to engage unlike my last two visits. The girl serving us had a similar demeanor. She was just there working but friendly. We ordered our bottle of sake to share, and I noticed she didn't pour it for us. No big deal, but it just "vibed" with the rest of the atmosphere. The music was some sort of unpopular pop music like from one of those albums "NOW Decade 2000's". Then, I looked to my right, and the far end of the bar was used for storage of dishware, piled high as the top counter on the sushi chef's side. As the food arrived and the sake was hitting, despite facing that direction, I forgot about the displeasing view behind my friend and focused on his company. Everything here is fresh and delicious, from the sushi to the sashimi. The salmon skin salad is one of my favorites. The crunchy skin, strips of cucumber and that tangy dressing is a perfect combo of flavors for the taste buds. I love the sashimi boxes that are popular now. It's a fun, creative way to put hints of different flavors with each fish. Then, the miso arrived lukewarm, but we were too chatty to bother our server. That got me looking at the stacks of dishes again. We were at the end of our "izakaya" session. So our minds were set on our next stop. The food is nicely done, but I need the total experience. The interiors have a high potential to be chic and swanky. The change of music would help greatly. Seiya's used to play "loungy, sexy music"- perfect for date nights. Maybe, the service last time was just off that night. Who knows? Perhaps, I'll give it another shot if I'm wandering around Laurel St. one evening.
If you're looking for the best sushi in San Carlos, Takumi is the place to be. I sat at the bar and had a front-row seat to the artistry--the sashimi and rolls are incredibly fresh and skillfully prepared with obvious care. The quality of the fish is outstanding, and the presentation is pure art. The atmosphere is cozy and the service is top-notch. I can't recommend this gem enough!
I honestly cannot understand your explanation. Saying the tuna roll tasted strange because it "spicy tuna and is topped with jalapeño" makes no sense. If the flavor were truly that strong, it would have covered everything else -- yet I could still clearly taste dish soap. That is not a spice issue. That is a contamination issue. I told your staff from the beginning that I didn't even know which roll had the problem, because all 14 rolls were mixed together in 3 box. So I have no idea how you can now claim with certainty that it was specifically the tuna roll -- especially when the issue was the clear taste of dish soap, not spice. And let me be very clear: what if a child in my home had eaten those rolls? This isn't about "preferences." This is a serious food safety problem. Offering me a $20 credit is insulting, because no credit can fix the fact that something unsafe was served. I am writing this review not to seek compensation, but to provide an honest reference for future customers.
Service was good, server and manager frequently checked on us and bussed our table. They accommodated my request to substitute scallops as one of the items in our sashimi combo. In my opinion, food was okay. The sushi rice in our dragon roll was a tad chewy compared to side of sushi rice we ordered that was done well. The chicken Udon broth was lacking flavor and the Agedashi tofu sauce was a little bland. Since they are just getting started and are in soft opening mode there is still more room to improve.
Came here for a solo date & enjoyed every piece of nigiri I had! I ordered the hon maguro tasing to start and each piece of tuna was delicious and fatty. As for the nigiri omakase, it had 8 pieces and my fav pieces were the hirame, ocean trout, chu toro, kanpachi & scallop. I also ordered the sake toro, hamachi toro, engawa and Hokkaido uni -- each piece was very high quality and so buttery. The owner also recommended the ji kinmedai nigiri which is definitely worth trying. Service was quick and the host/owner was very attentive. Looking forward to my next visit!
Vibe: Cozy and modern spot with dim lighting. A few tables and a sushi bar in a long narrow arrangement. Not too loud so you can actually hear the person in front of you. Food: Ordered a hot sake, hotate yaki (baked Hokkaido scallop) and the omakase box. Sake came out fast and hot with cute little sake cups. Hotate Yaki tasted fresh and had a solid bounce to the bite. The scallop wasn't slimey or stringy. The uni and tobiko on top paired well with the scallop and the sauce. Omakase Box came with Ankimo, Fresh Scallops and Oysters, Amaebi (with fried head), along with large yellowtail and salmon belly sashimi and a selection of Nigiri. Overall, all of the fish were fresh and had a good bite to them, flavorful and melt in your mouth. The Ankimo (monkfish liver) was prepared well with the sauce so that it had a clean smooth flavor that isnt overly fishy or had an overwhelming liver taste. Service: Great service. Quick and attentive without overdoing the check ins or cleanup. We actually got Edamame on the house for waiting for our order (which came out hot). When we got the omakase box, the waitress went over all of the contents thoroughly without rushing through it. At the end of the meal, we did not wait long to pay either. Value: Pricing is relatively standard, with the omakase box being on the slightly more expensive side though the contents justify the price. Saw there was a happy hour sign in front though we missed it. Overall: Hidden gem of a sushi spot in San Carlos. Great spot for casual date night or catching up with friends. Would definitely return.
I've been enjoying this spot recently and it's become my go-to for very good sushi. The fish is consistently fresh, and you can tell Chef Alex knows his craft, everything I've tried was clean, well-prepared, and satisfying. Our waitress Allie made the evening even better. She was attentive, kind, and kept the experience relaxed and easy from start to finish. I didn't get any photos this time (too busy enjoying the food), but everything I had was solid and left me looking forward to coming back again soon. Thank you Chef Alex !!
Fun sushi place with some rolls I've never had before. Very yummy and service was nice. We ate on the patio though inside is dark and aesthetic.
We made a reservation for a Friday night. The restaurant is small inside so I would recommend making a reservation, they also have patio seating. We started off with the house saki which we enjoyed. The gyoza came with 6 pieces & were flavorful. We tried a variety of rolls which were all good, but my favorite was the golden scallop roll. I was disappointed in the lion king roll (which is usually one of my favorites) because the salmon was a bit dry. The unagi nigiri was delicious, melt in your mouth good & not full of bones. The service was great, they were attentive and quick. I definitely would come back & maybe do the omakase tasting!
Good fresh sushi and friendly service. Price point skews a bit high but I suppose everything is nowadays. Age dash tofu is prepared well, just wish there were more of the sauce. Premium chirashi was satisfying and friends' salmon don and Takumi combo also looked good. Dinner on a Friday night was busy inside so best to make a reservation.
Sushi was top tier! Freshness and quality is prioritized! Nigiri pieces were thick, buttery, and elegantly crafted. Ambiance was calm and felt authentic. Every bite was perfect! I recommend the hotate (scallop) nigiri-something I don't see a lot at other sushi places. I have a very pleasant experience! Compliments to the chef and staff!
2 months ago
One of our favorite sushi spots in the Bay Area. Super fresh fish, and their omakase options are a good deal compared to other comparable places. Great service (almost too good, asking frequently if we like the food). A+ would again. read more
Business owner information
Jin L.
Love hearing we’re one of your favorite sushi spots. Super glad the…
19 days ago
Pretty solid sushi place in downtown San Carlos. Cost is fair for the fish quality. Inside is pretty nice and has darker sushi restaurant vibes. Service was very attentive and friendly, but the food came out slow unfortunately. We waited at least 40 mins for our food :( And there was one guy fulfilling all the sushi orders (in-restaurant AND takeout orders).... The takumi roll was yummy and all the nigiri was great though! O toro was fresh and fatty, red snapper had good bite, and eel was cooked well (I wish it was warmer though!). My only food complaint was the soft shell crab. No flavor and so small...! And the teriyaki sauce was a weird combo choice and tasted a bit cheap.... read more
What a great surprise to find a great sushi spot in San Carlos. The quality of the sushi at Takumi really surprised me and my fiancé. The sashimi combo really was the superstar of our meal. Eat fish tasted incredibly fresh and tender. Of course we had to save the salmon for the last and it didn't disappoint. The San Carlos roll sounded like a lot when looking at the menu and I wasn't too sure about it. I'm glad we ordered it. It was sweet, salty and buttery from the avocado. The $10 hot sake was also delicious! Inside there's only a few tables that could sit roughly 4 people. Perfectly romantic for a date night or catching up with some friends. read more
10 months ago
This location used to be Michelin starred sushi restaurant called Sieya. The new sushi restaurant is Takumi, really great sushi. The location is pretty cool as before, little sliver in the downtown area, dimly lit and dark decor. I've been wanting to try them for a while now. Finally, got a to-go order this evening and it did not disappoint! Fresh and clean, excellent quality. Super fresh hamachi (3) pieces, one of the better I've had in the area. So buttery and delicious. I also ordered the Lobster Roll. I loved this roll. The avocado inside was super creamy paired nicely with the lobster meat salad and cucumber slivers with crunchy bonito flakes sprinkled on top. Very satisfying. Everything was prepared perfectly and aesthetically pleasing, packaged nicely. I'm definitely returning to try other rolls and more hamachi! read more
Business owner information
Jin L.
Thank you so much, Tiffany, for the wonderful review and for giving…
1 year ago
I thought Sushi Takumi was quite underwhelming, especially compared to its predecessor Seiya. We had reservations and were seated on time. Staff were friendly enough and did their jobs, but nothing was exceptional. The sushi rolls were decent in terms of flavor, but I thought there was a bit too much rice in each bite. We got the beauty alaska roll ($16) which came with salmon and avo, as well as spicy salmon on top. I also requested a spicy scallop roll. However, I initially stated spicy salmon by mistake and quickly corrected myself. Our server repeated back the spicy scallop order...so not sure what happened. It was only $9 and I didn't feel like it was worth correcting them once the dish was served but it was disappointing having salmon upon salmon. We also ordered a few pieces of nigiri. While nothing was fishy, none of the fish stood out to me either. The agedashi tofu was the biggest let down of the night. While it was a HUGE portion, there was absolutely no flavor. There wasn't much dashi broth so that didn't help the dish. The agedashi tofu dish from Seiya on the other hand, had been amazing and came with mushrooms and a lot of broth. The texture of the tofu skin had also been chewy and mochi-esque. This was NOT the case with Takumi. I wouldn't plan on coming back. When they bring the bill, they also hover over you while you select the tip % (which starts at 18%). Although I wasn't the one footing the bill, I always feel like this is awkward because I personally feel rushed and will default to a standard setting - even if I don't think it's warranted. read more
9 months ago
I'd been to Takumi three times, but the third time was much different than the first two visits. The food has always been good with some dishes exceptional, but the service and atmosphere was much different than my earlier visits. I brought my friend here in early December the week after Thanksgiving and sat at the sushi bar as always. There were two others at the bar and maybe one table occupied. I didn't recognize the sushi chef to the one previously. He was quiet, kept to himself and wasn't looking to engage unlike my last two visits. The girl serving us had a similar demeanor. She was just there working but friendly. We ordered our bottle of sake to share, and I noticed she didn't pour it for us. No big deal, but it just "vibed" with the rest of the atmosphere. The music was some sort of unpopular pop music like from one of those albums "NOW Decade 2000's". Then, I looked to my right, and the far end of the bar was used for storage of dishware, piled high as the top counter on the sushi chef's side. As the food arrived and the sake was hitting, despite facing that direction, I forgot about the displeasing view behind my friend and focused on his company. Everything here is fresh and delicious, from the sushi to the sashimi. The salmon skin salad is one of my favorites. The crunchy skin, strips of cucumber and that tangy dressing is a perfect combo of flavors for the taste buds. I love the sashimi boxes that are popular now. It's a fun, creative way to put hints of different flavors with each fish. Then, the miso arrived lukewarm, but we were too chatty to bother our server. That got me looking at the stacks of dishes again. We were at the end of our "izakaya" session. So our minds were set on our next stop. The food is nicely done, but I need the total experience. The interiors have a high potential to be chic and swanky. The change of music would help greatly. Seiya's used to play "loungy, sexy music"- perfect for date nights. Maybe, the service last time was just off that night. Who knows? Perhaps, I'll give it another shot if I'm wandering around Laurel St. one evening. read more
2 months ago
Business owner information
Jin L.
Thank you so much for celebrating your husband’s birthday with us!…
27 days ago
Business owner information
Jin L.
Thank you so much, Mia! We’re so happy you enjoyed the sushi,…
9 months ago
If you're looking for the best sushi in San Carlos, Takumi is the place to be. I sat at the bar and had a front-row seat to the artistry--the sashimi and rolls are incredibly fresh and skillfully prepared with obvious care. The quality of the fish is outstanding, and the presentation is pure art. The atmosphere is cozy and the service is top-notch. I can't recommend this gem enough! read more
10 months ago
I honestly cannot understand your explanation. Saying the tuna roll tasted strange because it "spicy tuna and is topped with jalapeño" makes no sense. If the flavor were truly that strong, it would have covered everything else -- yet I could still clearly taste dish soap. That is not a spice issue. That is a contamination issue. I told your staff from the beginning that I didn't even know which roll had the problem, because all 14 rolls were mixed together in 3 box. So I have no idea how you can now claim with certainty that it was specifically the tuna roll -- especially when the issue was the clear taste of dish soap, not spice. And let me be very clear: what if a child in my home had eaten those rolls? This isn't about "preferences." This is a serious food safety problem. Offering me a $20 credit is insulting, because no credit can fix the fact that something unsafe was served. I am writing this review not to seek compensation, but to provide an honest reference for future customers. read more
2 years ago
Service was good, server and manager frequently checked on us and bussed our table. They accommodated my request to substitute scallops as one of the items in our sashimi combo. In my opinion, food was okay. The sushi rice in our dragon roll was a tad chewy compared to side of sushi rice we ordered that was done well. The chicken Udon broth was lacking flavor and the Agedashi tofu sauce was a little bland. Since they are just getting started and are in soft opening mode there is still more room to improve. read more
Came here for a solo date & enjoyed every piece of nigiri I had! I ordered the hon maguro tasing to start and each piece of tuna was delicious and fatty. As for the nigiri omakase, it had 8 pieces and my fav pieces were the hirame, ocean trout, chu toro, kanpachi & scallop. I also ordered the sake toro, hamachi toro, engawa and Hokkaido uni -- each piece was very high quality and so buttery. The owner also recommended the ji kinmedai nigiri which is definitely worth trying. Service was quick and the host/owner was very attentive. Looking forward to my next visit! read more
11 months ago
Vibe: Cozy and modern spot with dim lighting. A few tables and a sushi bar in a long narrow arrangement. Not too loud so you can actually hear the person in front of you. Food: Ordered a hot sake, hotate yaki (baked Hokkaido scallop) and the omakase box. Sake came out fast and hot with cute little sake cups. Hotate Yaki tasted fresh and had a solid bounce to the bite. The scallop wasn't slimey or stringy. The uni and tobiko on top paired well with the scallop and the sauce. Omakase Box came with Ankimo, Fresh Scallops and Oysters, Amaebi (with fried head), along with large yellowtail and salmon belly sashimi and a selection of Nigiri. Overall, all of the fish were fresh and had a good bite to them, flavorful and melt in your mouth. The Ankimo (monkfish liver) was prepared well with the sauce so that it had a clean smooth flavor that isnt overly fishy or had an overwhelming liver taste. Service: Great service. Quick and attentive without overdoing the check ins or cleanup. We actually got Edamame on the house for waiting for our order (which came out hot). When we got the omakase box, the waitress went over all of the contents thoroughly without rushing through it. At the end of the meal, we did not wait long to pay either. Value: Pricing is relatively standard, with the omakase box being on the slightly more expensive side though the contents justify the price. Saw there was a happy hour sign in front though we missed it. Overall: Hidden gem of a sushi spot in San Carlos. Great spot for casual date night or catching up with friends. Would definitely return. read more
1 year ago
I've been enjoying this spot recently and it's become my go-to for very good sushi. The fish is consistently fresh, and you can tell Chef Alex knows his craft, everything I've tried was clean, well-prepared, and satisfying. Our waitress Allie made the evening even better. She was attentive, kind, and kept the experience relaxed and easy from start to finish. I didn't get any photos this time (too busy enjoying the food), but everything I had was solid and left me looking forward to coming back again soon. Thank you Chef Alex !! read more
We made a reservation for a Friday night. The restaurant is small inside so I would recommend making a reservation, they also have patio seating. We started off with the house saki which we enjoyed. The gyoza came with 6 pieces & were flavorful. We tried a variety of rolls which were all good, but my favorite was the golden scallop roll. I was disappointed in the lion king roll (which is usually one of my favorites) because the salmon was a bit dry. The unagi nigiri was delicious, melt in your mouth good & not full of bones. The service was great, they were attentive and quick. I definitely would come back & maybe do the omakase tasting! read more
1 year ago
Good fresh sushi and friendly service. Price point skews a bit high but I suppose everything is nowadays. Age dash tofu is prepared well, just wish there were more of the sauce. Premium chirashi was satisfying and friends' salmon don and Takumi combo also looked good. Dinner on a Friday night was busy inside so best to make a reservation. read more
10 months ago
Sushi was top tier! Freshness and quality is prioritized! Nigiri pieces were thick, buttery, and elegantly crafted. Ambiance was calm and felt authentic. Every bite was perfect! I recommend the hotate (scallop) nigiri-something I don't see a lot at other sushi places. I have a very pleasant experience! Compliments to the chef and staff! read more
Business owner information
Jin L.
Thank you so much, Marcella, for the amazing review!…
9 months ago
9 months ago
Got the 15-piece sashimi omakase and it was really good. The fish was super fresh and everything tasted clean. Service was nice and friendly, and the place has a chill, comfortable vibe. Solid spot for sashimi -- I'd definitely come back. read more
2 years ago
I'm so happy this place is here! Amazing dishes and really fresh sushi. The servers were incredibly knowledgeable about the origin of the seafood and good sake pairings. The space is romantic and classy without being pretentious. We also got lucky enough to order their bluefin kama which was absolutely delicious and a bucket list item for us. A must try!! read more
1 year ago
Had an amazing dinner at this Japanese spot in San Carlos! Everything was super fresh and flavorful the sashimi was melt-in-your-mouth good, the wakame salad perfectly light and refreshing, and the takoyaki came out crispy on the outside and gooey inside. Cozy vibe, friendly service, and great quality all around definitely coming back! read more
1 year ago
Ordered two Toro Lover rolls, and honestly, it was pretty underwhelming. For $44, the portion size was tiny -- definitely not enough to fill up even one person. The taste was fine, nothing bad, but for that price point I was expecting a lot more substance. Kind of disappointing overall. read more
1 year ago
Fresh fish and delicious appetizers. Their combos are reasonably priced for the quality of fish you will get. Enjoyed the mushroom tempura as well. Service was great. We sat at the sushi bar and enjoyed watching Alex make our sushi. Great vibe and great food! read more
1 year ago
I was looking for a Japanese restaurant and came across Takumi. We ordered many types of sashimi selections; hotate yaki, ika geso, maitake tempura, tuna tataki and salmon skin salads, San Carlos Roll, Christmas Roll, Flying Dragon Roll, Lobster Roll, and other sushi. The sashimi was absolutely fresh and everything was spot on! The six of us were seated in a very quiet area so we could talk and hear each other. The waitress was very alert and attentive. She said they've been open for three months. I got lucky in choosing this place. We'll be back‼ read more
9 months ago
8 months ago
9 months ago
9 months ago
Absolutely stunning omakase box--nine compartments of pure sushi bliss! Everything was ultra-fresh and beautifully presented, from buttery hamachi and sweet scallops to creamy uni with ikura. The oysters with quail egg were unforgettable. A must-try for anyone who loves sushi done with true artistry. read more
Business owner information
Jin L.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Karena!…
1 year ago
4 months ago
4 months ago
9 months ago
11 months ago
Takumi is our go-to spot in the area! The sushi rolls are always fresh, flavorful, and beautifully made. read more
1 year ago
Very nice addition to Laurel Street! I arrived a little bit before closing and needed to sit outdoors in their park lot due to having my two large dogs with me, but they immediately served me and made suggestions about where to put the dogs. Even brought water for them. I ordered the Omakase nigiri, along with a dragon roll, salad and sake. Service was prompt and courteous, and I had some nice conversation along the way. Very nice food well presented! read more
7 months ago
9 months ago
We came here to eat on New Year's Eve and we were pleasantly surprised. Everything we ate was super fresh and delicious, would definitely come back here, thanks Apple great service! read more
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741 Laurel St
San Carlos, CA 94070
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(650) 508-8888
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https://www.takumisancarlos.com
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