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Wakuriya San Mateo Reviews
The food is fantastic, and the service is outstanding.
Each course of the nine they served us was tasty, delicately crafted with good-quality ingredients, and both put together and presented with expert care. The three hours of our dinner was made a very comfortable and enjoyable experience.
I don't know if I can fully describe each plate and do it
I don't know if I can fully describe each plate and do it justice. The combination of flavors were just perfection! And it was a perfect balance and ratio in every bite. It was a good mix of textures too- from cold dishes to warm, to soups and fried fish. Even a palate cleanser in between- a cold berry sorbet. The pictures are beautiful, but the food even better. Bar seating is fun to see all the work that goes into preparing each plate. Only 4 seats at the bar, the rest are table seating- which is only about 8 more seats. It's very small inside which is why it's so difficult to get a reservation. We were welcomed with a seasonal peach sake drink, very refreshing. And then taken on a journey of flavors! From A5 Wagyu stew to a tomato based Chawanmushi to perfect fresh fish sushi in one bite. The service was impeccable! Very nice lady serving and explaining each dish. Amazing experience!
Fantastic kaiseki dinner and wonderful service from a small
Fantastic kaiseki dinner and wonderful service from a small business. Have been here several times and have never been disappointed. Food is high quality and always delicious. Definitely won't leave hungry either with the number of dishes being served!
The food is good but the ambiance is subpar.
The worst thing though is how they handle reservation requests. It's like some demented lottery. You leave a message and hope they have the courtesy to call you back. And good luck trying to get any meaningful information off their website.
It's difficult to book an appointment but it's
It's difficult to book an appointment but it's understandable because they are a Michelin star restaurant. I had a great experience here. Their dishes have quite creative decorations and equally unique flavors.
We finally were able to reserve a spot for dinner! It's a
We finally were able to reserve a spot for dinner! It's a very small place with 12 diners per night. The chef makes all the item by himself while his wife serves it- they are both from Japan and very nice and humble people. I recommend the sake pairing. Food is fresh and beautifully prepared, most of the fish is from Japan or Alaska.
I feel sad writing this because I really had such high
I feel sad writing this because I really had such high expectations. I've been dying to go here for years but the near impossible way you have to make reservations prevented me from trying it. My angel of a husband finally got a reservation after calling numerous times. Finally get to eat and I was so underwhelmed by the food. It was probably the worst Michelin experience I've had. It was too much of the same boring flavors. The trout sashimi was absolutely amazing but other dishes left me wanting more.
Food was outstanding.
Incredibly creative dishes with a classic, traditional Japanese flair. The server was top notch, giving a nice presentation for every dish that was served. Save some room for the dessert as it was exquisite! Yes, the reservation process is a bit of a hassle, but I didn't think it was nearly as bad as everyone writes about. Just call at midnight one month in advance and keep dialing if the line is busy.
Came by for dinner the other night and it was a world class
Came by for dinner the other night and it was a world class experience. Wakuriya is a Japanese kaiseki restaurant with a Michelin 1 star located inside a casual strip mall in San Mateo, next to the freeway. Parking is plentiful in the private lot or on the residential street. There is a Tesla charger in the parking lot. Reservations start 30 days in advance with a first come first served message left on their answering machine at 12 am. An executive assistant, butler and/or concierge would be perfect for handling reservations for executives. Received a call from Mayoumi 30 days in advance during the late afternoon confirming my particulars including credit card information, dining preference along with food allergies. The dining room can seat ~16 people and features counter or table dining. The counter offers an open view of the kitchen with a request not to take photos of people inside the kitchen. The loo is high end with an option for Japanese or Charmin toilet paper along with a request to sit on their toilet. Despite the rather casual outside, the interior was intimate and high end with a few notable IKEA furnishing inside the kitchen, including their ALEX drawer set along with drawer liner. Meal started off with the Japanese tai snapper served with a salad. This was a light and refreshing way to start off the meal. Moved on to the appetizer course which consisted of trout with caviar, crab and salmon sushi along with duck breast with Italian black truffle. Each of the tiny morsels were well thought out although I found the duck breast over cooked..bummer. The sashimi course featured some type of sauce which was somewhat different than Japanese kaiseki's were they would serve this with fresh wasabi. The miso gratin may have been the weakest part of the meal featuring an overcooked lobster tail although the cauliflower and mushrooms were tasty. The sorbet was a light and refreshing palate cleanser. The main course featuring domestic wagyu beef, and egg and turnip was a pretty filing course although I felt that a Japanese wagyu would have been an even better option. The last savory course was a somen noodle soup with scallop and shrimp, including the head. This was a light and filing way to finish off the savory dishes. Meal ended off with a fuji apple with tofu-caramel sauce along with some baked cookies. Service throughout the meal was very attentive by the owner Mayoumi. Diners were mostly Chinese with the Mandarin ones being the only ones speaking in outdoor voices... ~$210/head after tax and gratuity for a 3 hour kaiseki dinner.
The restaurant located in a plaza with cvs and Safeway in
The restaurant located in a plaza with cvs and Safeway in it. Lots of parking , at least when we got there Saturday 6pm. Definitely convenient location , there is clear sign outdoor and looks very cozy inside. There are only four tables inside( probably it answers why it is hard to score a reservation.) Inside, the decoration is cozy and light dimmed inside. Feels romantic and warm. We got seated near the front door, and the considerate waitress explained the heater behind me which definitely helps during the windy night. I only saw two waitress and one chef. Everything is very well managed. Attached the menu for my night, also we ordered couple sake flights-- one classic and one fruity, both are great, and went well with our dishes and the night. There are in house welcome fruit sake, hmmm .... So good. I like every dish the chef produced, each dish with its unique taste and special bowl/ plate. It is not just food, it is an art piece. This is a great place to celebrate a special occasion or spend some quality time with someone special. But not for little kids or loud kids. Definitely this is a place worth coming once , twice and more ( if wallet is full :) !
What an amazing meal! Went here with the wifey for an early
What an amazing meal! Went here with the wifey for an early Valentine's. From the outside, it doesn't feel like you're stepping into a Michelin Star restaurant. It's located in a shopping plaza with a CVS and Safeway. But really who cares it's the food that counts... and Wakuriya delivered an exceptional meal. My wife and I agreed - this is the first Michelin Star restaurant where we walked away thinking, we should come back again when they have updated their menu. I attached the menu and a photo of each dish so won't cover them one by one, but will call out the highlights for me. * Japanese tai snapper sashimi salad with aosa seaweed gelΓ©e. The fish was so fresh and delicious. The seaweed gelΓ©e was such a nice accompaniment. * Today's sashimi, which was mackerel. Again, so fresh and delicious. * Sake-kasu miso gratin (lobster). The poached lobster was perfectly cooked and the miso gratin gave it a warm savory flavor. * Nyumen, Japanese "somen" noodles in warm dashi soup, Hokkaido hotate scallop, New Caledonian blue shrimp. The scallop and shrimp in here were just extraordinary. Maybe the best scallop I have ever had. * Fuji apple with tofu-caramel sauce. Dessert! Not typically my favorite course actually. This was such an interesting and atypical dessert for me though. The apple and tofu mixed surprisingly really really well. Service was exceptional as well. I forgot to get her name but she was so welcoming and friendly. You can also see the chef preparing the dishes. The atmosphere feels cozy like you're at a friend's house but your friend happens to be an amazing chef with unbelievable ingredients. Highly recommend! Looking forward to going again!!
Michelin star worthy for sure.
Every dish was scrumptious. Well worth the visit and planning ahead for the reservation.
All I can say is.
Go and you'll be happy you did. I'm so happy my wife can get the reservation for our family meal of 5. I wish I can get the reservations there every month even though it's a hour trip from East Bay. Worth every penny.
Excellent Restaurant and a must try for an authentic
Excellent Restaurant and a must try for an authentic Japanese Kaiseki meal. Wakuriya is authentic and true to the Japanese culture in every way, from the excellent food, dishes, serving style, and even the (painful) reservation making process... lol. But it's totally worth it once you come... you will be immersed and transformed to a Kaiseki Restaurant, where each dish is a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colors of the food. Only fresh, seasonal, and mostly local ingredients are used and are prepared in ways that aim to enhance their flavor. After winning a reservation here, we came enthusiastically and Wakuriya delivered AN EXCELLENT MEAL again! Very Happy!
Food: Intricate Service: Homely Ambiance: Intimate My
Food: Intricate Service: Homely Ambiance: Intimate My partner took me here for my birthday in January 2023, but he got the reservation for it in December. When he explained to me the reservation process I genuinely thought he was joking with me. But no, you must call precisely 1 month in advance of the date you want to go at exactly 12am (midnight), leave a message requesting a reservation, and cross your fingers for a call the next day confirming it. He ended up having to call 3 nights in a row over 100 times each because the line was so busy, before he was able to score a dinner reservation. Upon arrival we were greeted by Mayumi who seated us at our very intimate table as the restaurant was very small (maybe a max seating of 12 or so). The tables were separated by dividers which gave us privacy. Mayumi served us our 9 course pre-fixed meal along with drinks and other palate cleansers. The way she described every course along with every interaction we had with her the entire time made us feel like we were in her home. Every course was well thought out. We started with an interactive scallop and lobster dish that we were able to bbq ourselves on a hot stone. My favorite was the second course of grilled blue shrimp with uni and my partner's was the wagyu beef paired with a deep-fried mochi. But to no surprise, everything was very yummy. Every piece on the plate added to the overall taste of each dish down to the garnish. Even though there were so many textures and each bite was busting in flavor, it all harmonized extremely well. If getting a reservation wasn't so darn hard, I'd be here more often!
Michelin Longevity.
Wakuriya, an unassuming restaurant in a non-descript strip mall, will soon be celebrating their 15th year anniversary.I was fortunate to make a return visit after almost 15 years and reservations are still as coveted as when they first opened and their status as a Michelin 1 star just as consistent.The kaiseki cuisine is neither as well known or as popular as sushi omakase but one could argue that the number of dishes and flavors is just as diverse and enjoyable.With only a chef and one server team, the interior is serene as you savor each dish and appreciate the presentation.I'm a fan of this cuisine and I'm happy to see Wakuriya still thriving as fellow newcomers Ranzan and Kaiseki Saryo Hachi join the scene. Wakuriya set menu $158 ~ toro tartare on monaka shell / New Caledonia blue shrimp and asparagus deep-fried crab cake wrapped with Sakura leaf, maple leaf farms duck / chawan-mushi with black cod and lobster / today's sashimi / tai snapper poΓͺlΓ© / hashi-yasume palette cleanser / Snake River Farms USA Wagyu beef, eringi mushroom, goma sauce / Sakura gohan with miso-sautΓ©ed Hokkaido scallop / kokuto and matcha crΓ¨me brΓ»lΓ©e, mochi trio Wakuriya (San Mateo, CA)Reservations are by phone only and seating is indoor only. Credit cards including AmEx are accepted.
I have been to Wakuriya multiple times (as in multiples of
I have been to Wakuriya multiple times (as in multiples of 10) over the past ~10 years. It is, hands down, the best Japanese restaurant in the Bay Area. It is in fact one of the best restaurant in any gastronomic style. Both Katsuhiro and Mayumi (owners and restaurateurs) are very focused, attentive and creative. They source top sake to match their absolutely succulent Kaiseki-style dishes. The restaurant is small, thus not noisy, and the music is well chosen (think low volume jazz). This is a great place for enjoying a long dinner and long conversations. You are transported to KyotΕ without leaving the Bay Area.
Wahhh this Michelin star Japanese Kaiseki restaurant was
Wahhh this Michelin star Japanese Kaiseki restaurant was definitely an experience to remember. The attention to detail on these 9 courses were beautifully executed. The small dishes, utensils and presentation made the dining experience elegant and fancy. Mayumi's hospitality in managing the dining area of the restaurant was exceptional. The way she gracefully brings out each dish and explains thoroughly on what we were about to indulge was a level of service beyond my expectations. Just by having the slightest conversations with her in between several courses, I could tell she was passionate about what her and her husband can showcase here at Wakuriya.Everything on the menu was delicious. One particular item I wished I was able to a la carte another was the New Caledonian blue shrimp grilled with uni. This grilled shrimp with uni was so sweet and buttery it left a sensational taste to my palate.Highly recommend dining here for the worthy Michelin star experience, great for special occasions. The only downside was calling to make the reservation at midnight.. Between the two of us, we called over 400 times in 3 nights to finally get the reservation but it'll show you put in the time and effort to make this night special.
One of my favorite Michelin-starred dining experiences to
One of my favorite Michelin-starred dining experiences to date! It's definitely tricky to get a reservation (we tried on several different days!), but once you secure the reservation, it's worth it! Wakuriya offers a multi-course kaiseki menu that combines authentic Japanese cuisine with modern techniques and presentation--the best of both worlds! The restaurant is run by a very nice couple who basically runs the whole show--reservations, host, server, and cook! The space itself is an intimate setting. At the time of my dine, there were only three other parties present (1 party of 6, a party of 2, and another party of 2 seated at the counter).The menu changes frequently, but the following was on my Kaiseki Menu for the night:- New Caledonian blue shrimp and Hokkaido scallop "ishi-yaki": This was such a fun way to start off the menu! They bring you a small heated stone that you grill your seafood on (or you can eat the items raw, since they are all sushi grade!)and then dip it in a refreshing pear-ponzu sauce. The scallops were so fresh and had the perfect texture.- These dishes came out as a trio: Tai snapper sashimi and white grape chestnut, Uni and toro on Japanese toast, Maple Leaf Farms duck with kabocha sauce: The uni and toro toast blew my mind...such an amazing bite! I also really enjoyed the thinly sliced duck--cooked to perfection!- Gindara to kani no jicama-mushi: One of my favorite dishes of the night! The black cod and crab were steamed with grated jicama. I can't even put into words how good this one was!- Chef's choice sashimi: I can't remember the name of the fish, but it melted in my mouth! I also really enjoyed their wasabi, and I'm not usually a fan of wasabi!- Saikyo miso gratin: King salmon grilled with Kyoto miso in the cutest little Dutch oven! I've never had anything like this before, and I loved it! So flavorful and not heavy at all for being a gratin!- Hashi-yasume (palate cleanser): The cutest palate cleaner! The Fuyu persimmon sorbet was so light and refreshing. It was topped with a dainty sesame ball on the prettiest ceramic spoon.- Snake River Farms USA wagyu beef with sake-"kasu" (lees) sauce: So tender!- Gohan and maitake mushroom and organic chicken served with "age-dashi" (deep fried) tofu and lobster- Green tea is served in between to help you digest. So soothing and perfect after eating such a big meal!- Dessert: "Satsuma-imo" (Japanese sweet potato) mochi cake was so nicely presented, and the mochi had the perfect springiness! They also served "matcha" (green tea) boules de neige for the perfect last bite.Overall, I really enjoyed this meal and would love to come back in the future!
There's a reason why it's so hard to get a reservation of
There's a reason why it's so hard to get a reservation of this place - this Kaiseki restaurant is amazing.Their attention to detail make your experience great once you step into the restaurant. All the dishes are executed to perfection and their seasonal menu makes it always fun to be here. We really enjoyed their sakura rice last time we visited - hope they will bring it back when it's season again. Can't wait to be back again soon!
My favorite restaurant in Bay Area.
Have visited here 7 times this year and I could never get tired of it. The menu changes monthly except December since they are now on vacation and will be back on January.Menu provides classic kaseiki with a modern twist. I have to say chef is really genius as he can come up with totally different menu every month with the freshest ingredient.The service is also great! Always ask for sake recommendation!Environment is quiet and tables are well separated. Great for dating.Will come back next February !
Of all the Japanese restaurants I've been to in the Bay
Of all the Japanese restaurants I've been to in the Bay Area that specialize in kaiseki, this one is my favorite. It's not easy to book a reservation here. The restaurant is small and it's always fully booked a month in advance. I don't particularly enjoy calling at midnight one month ahead, but this place is so good and so popular, I don't really have a choice. Obviously being a fine dining restaurant, service will be top notch but what about the food? Every dish is so well-thought out, so delicate, so delicious. Presentation is beautiful. Much time and attention is put into each course. The best tasting kaiseki dinner I've had. I wish the restaurant was closer and offered more reservation availability. I would eat here everyday if I win the lottery.
Not everything is a smash hit here but it's so cool to have
Not everything is a smash hit here but it's so cool to have a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant in a strip mall next to a CVS and a pediatric dentist.
Wow. The Bay Area is spoiled to have amazing Japanese
Wow. The Bay Area is spoiled to have amazing Japanese dining experiences and Wakuriya is one of the tops for me. The exclusivity of getting a reservation may perhaps turn people away but I can guarantee it's worth it. Short and simple: 30 days prior to the exact day you'd like to reserve, call the restaurant at midnight. You'll leave a voicemail noting the day you'd like to reserve a table, your party size, and your phone number. The next day, watch your phone all day because you'll get a call to confirm the reservations and you don't want to miss it! The food, the service, the details of their dainty silverware and utensils all truly encompass a Michelin star worthy experience. Highly recommend Wakuriya if you're looking to experience a traditional kaiseki meal.
Getting a reservation here is a pain but definitely worth
Getting a reservation here is a pain but definitely worth it. Best Japanese restaurant I've been to, located in a place you wouldn't expect.
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If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Wakuriya San Mateo at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Wakuriya San Mateo page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* MaternalRecord73, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* MaternalRecord73 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to MaternalRecord73 for any questions Peter may have as MaternalRecord73 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* MaternalRecord73 now uses their connections at Wakuriya San Mateo to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If MaternalRecord73 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, MaternalRecord73 receives the $200 reward which is credited to MaternalRecord73's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Wakuriya San Mateo!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
