Gombei

It's been quite a few years since we came here and we were really glad that the quality of the home cooked style dishes are still as outstanding as before. Stuffed tofu was an unique take on such homey food. Prices are still very reasonable. Definitely need to come back soon for all those specials also. Two thumbs up.

I visited here for the first time in almost a year. All the staff were friendly and made me feel really comfortable. The foods they serve are relatively authentic in the US but it's kinda a little fake if you ask me japanese. I think some people who haven't been to Japan might not realize that's not real Japanese food. For example , Fried shrimp was terrible. It had a strange layer between shrimp and fry and the texture was too tough not crispy. I thought I never tried to order again. My go to dish here is Broiled Mackerel because I don't have many chances to eat it living here. Coming with Tofu is attractive as well.

We visited for a lunch on a Friday. It was busy but they got us right in at the bar. I had the teriyaki chicken and fried shrimp lunch with rice miso soup and salad. The chicken was flavorful even without the teriyaki and the fried shrimp was tasty. My friend said her chicken cutlet was also very good. Even though they were busy, the wait staff was attentive enough. I visited their sister store in Sunnyvale when it was there and they had a nice bento box. I would have liked some tempura but they didn't have it on the menu.

If you are looking for a home style, Japanese food, then this is the place to go. They always have new chef specials on the wall, and just all around all of the food here is good. The staff are always friendly and smiling. I love this place!

Rounding up a bit for the generous portions and lunch specials. Food is good, service is okay. It's very popular and there's usually a wait at lunch, but for me, it's just okay. I'm not sure I'd return since there are so many option Japanese options in SJ.

This place has some amazing and authentic Japanese food. The interior is a little small with a bar side and regular seating. It was very busy (during peak lunch). Since it was busy it took a little longer for us to get our orders in and our waters, but the wait was definitely worth it. I ordered a Soba and Pork Cutlet combo #6 on the special menu. My cousin got the #2 special combo. Both of the dishes were great. The soup for the Soba was loaded with flavor and umami. I will be back to try a different dish! :)

Always consistently very good! I’ve been going to eat here for over 25 years and have never had a bad experience. The same server has been bringing me my food, since the first time. Usually busy, but that’s a good thing. It’s never too long of wait but always worth it.

Very cozy place. The chicken teriyaki tasted great. It has the smell of charcoal. Be sure to arrive early. The waiting line is about 15-30 mins. Also, they have daily specials menu.

I came to Gombei for lunch with some coworkers, and their lunch specials are unmatched. The portions are incredibly generous, and you definitely get your money's worth here. The poke was so fresh and full of flavor, while the chicken karaage was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I also enjoyed the little side salad they provided, the freshness and dressing added a nice balance to the meal. My colleague didn't like her curry too much. The rice wasn't the freshest, for both meals but it wasn't a big deal to me given how amazing everything else was.

This is my daughter's god father's fave joint to eat in SJ so whenever we link up, Gombei is usually his requested meal. I attempted to come here for dinner a few times and ended up leaving due to the long wait times. Standing in the cold with a young toddler was just not feasible. Come here fully prepared to be patient due to the large crowds, especially during dinner time. The establishment itself is on the small side so getting seated takes time. Food is great, hence the large following that religiously comes back for more. I've had the beef & chicken teriyaki, deep fried shrimp, as well as the shrimp udon noodle soup. Flavors are always on point- never bland, flavorfully balanced, and extremely tasty. 4 stars. I eagerly look forward to coming back so I can try the beef dofu.

Cozy Japanese food. Taste like homemade comfort food, especially after a long and cold day. Portion size can feed 2 people especially when you aren't super hungry. My friend and I shared this dish, but can easily feed 1 person but this was enough for both of us.

Rounding up a bit for the generous portions and lunch specials. Food is good, service is okay. It's very popular and there's usually a wait at lunch, but for me, it's just okay. I'm not sure I'd return since there are so many option Japanese options in SJ.

Gombei is the perfect spot for comforting Japanese food that hits all the right notes. After returning from a trip to Japan, I was craving udon and stumbled across this cozy gem. The restaurant has a charming, old-school vibe with a counter setup and vintage dining furniture. The walls are decorated with unique memorabilia, adding to the warm, nostalgic atmosphere. You can tell right away this mom-and-pop spot is something special. I visited with my parents on a Friday for lunch, and the service was quick and seamless--no complaints there. I ordered the Fried Shrimp Udon, which was exactly what I needed. The broth was a bit sweeter than what I had at Tsuru Ton Tan Noodles in Tokyo, but it was still flavorful and hit the spot. The shrimp's batter was distinct and delicious. My dad chose the #1 special: poke sashimi with fried chicken. The poke was fresh and tasty, and the fried chicken was perfectly crispy. My mom went with the pork cutlet curry, which was hearty and comforting, served in a very generous portion--just like the udon. I was thoroughly impressed with both the flavors and the pricing here. If I find myself in Japantown again, Gombei will definitely be on my list to revisit. I'm looking forward to trying their donburi or combo lunch plates next time!

A San Jose institution! Gombei always delivers classic comforting Japanese food, I love this place so much. I would recommend trying one of their specials. I most recently had the chicken kaarage with poké and it was so good!!! I felt such happiness to be eating this amazing meal. I love kaarage and I love poké it was so perfect. It also came with a super delicious cucumber salad. The portions were really generous and everything was amazing. It's a relatively small restaurant so there may be a wait depending on when you go.

I've heard great things about this place from my family and friends and checked it out with my fiancé. It did not disappoint! Sometime when I'm home, I find myself wondering if I should just order curry from here. It's becoming a go-to for lunch and dinner! Food: I ordered the Chicken Cutlet Curry and my fiancé got the Beef Teriyaki dinner plate. It was perfect. The meal is what you imagine before you eat it. Love! No complaints. The portion is perfect for one person. If you decide to share a plate, I recommend ordering an appetizer in case you're still hungry. They also have cool specials that I want to try when I'm back! Service: It was good. It's a small restaurant, so I believe there's only one or two people who are taking orders, refilling waters, and giving you your check. I would just be a little bit more patient with them. They are all nice people. Location: Located in Japantown, there's ample street parking, but this location does share with the rest of the restaurants. If you're coming during peak hours, you may have to circle a block or so to find parking, but it's not too bad. Overall a great restaurant in Japantown. A go-to for me if I'm craving curry. Does not disappoint.

Gombei continues to be one of my staple restaurants. Home style, Japanese, comfort food. This time I got the katsu and chicken combination which is probably the best deal on the menu. Comes with miso soup and salad plus croquettes and a bowl of white rice. Service is always quick and friendly. And it's cozy interior with a few tables outside when it's not cold.

I came here on a Saturday around 1230 and it was just a great experience. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side and it's busy. ALWAYS. There is almost always a wait, though it's usually 15-20 minutes depending on your party size. There's maybe less 60 seats in total, a tough tight, but there are seats outside as well, keeping it well lit. The service is great as well and the servers moved very quickly, even though every seat was taken. The menu is a single page and there are daily items so the options are limited - but the food is quite delicious. I had the Curry with Chicken Cutlet and the curry was pretty good (though it did NOT have potatoes or carrots in it). The salad was ok and the gyoza was pretty as well. That said, the portion size on the curry was REALLY big. You get two full cutlets, several scoops of rice and a generous helping of curry. It's tasty and enough to take home or split with someone else, so it's very worth the wait.

Gombei has been a mainstay in Japantown for over 4 decades! They serve traditional homestyle meals. I love the simplicity of their menu like Curry Rice, Katsu Curry, Bentos, or their daily specials which feature the freshest ingredients like oden, tofu dishes, grilled fishes, or Sashimi, usually only Ahi. They do not have sushi or any sushi rolls. Service has always been nice and friendly. The restaurant is on the smaller size, so it will not accommodate more than 1-2 parties of 10 people.

I ordered the Pork Cutlet Curry and it was super delicious and yummy! The flavor of the Curry complimented the Pork Cutlet so well and this is a great place to go to for lunch! We were seated immediately and got our food within 5 minutes. The vibe of this local San Jose spot was great as it felt very homey! I can't wait to try other items on the menu!

Down-home cooking, just like Ma used to make! A family favorite is the Tonkatsu Curry (Pork Cutlet with Rice,) but the Hot Pot dishes are incredible, too. The Sashimi appetizer is okay. Better quality and larger slices can be found elsewhere. Service is always attentive. Parking can be a challenge during peak hours -- lunch and dinner.

My fiance and I came here for the second time on a Friday around 5. The restaurant was over halfway full by 5:10 so definitely come here early or be prepared to wait. I ordered the chicken nan ban from the regular menu. It comes with some sort of tartar sauce, salad, rice, cucumbers, and soup. My fiance ordered from the special's menu and got the fried chicken (which is the same as the nan ban chicken) with poke. The chicken is cooked perfectly and the sauce compliments it well. The salad has like a miso or sesame dressing on it which we both loved. The poke is well flavored and it's a pretty generous portion. The cucumbers are also a nice touch to eat with the fried chicken. They taste salty, sweet, and a little vinegary. We also ordered the croquettes which were just okay. We put some bulldog sauce on it and thought they were decent. We probably won't order them again. The service is fast and efficient. It seems like the waitresses try and make you order fast so they can turn the tables quicker. It can be a little intimidating but I guess it's because they are just so busy! The restaurant itself is comfortable and clean. Overall, I would recommend this place!

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This is a small quiet japanese restaurant with a small option menu. Although their menu is small, their food is pretty good. Everytime I come here I will order the beef udon and the pork cutlet curry. Their appetizers are also pretty good. Their service is fast, the food arrived pretty shortly after ordering, waited around 5-10 minutes. The parking outside is a little bit hard to find depending on times. It is also paid parking.

Cash only. Usually all the tables are full but it's worth the wait. Portions are on the hefty side. Japanese comfort food.

After standing around waiting for a long while at a different nearby restaurant without being greeted, approached, or in any way acknowledged by the wait staff, we (and a couple of other parties) walked out and decided to try some of the other nearby restaurants. My party of four decided to check out Gombei, which still had a wait about an hour prior to closing. This place is incredibly popular -- plan accordingly. When we were finally seated less than an hour to closing, we quickly made up our minds on what to order but eventually had to flag down a waiter because we hadn't even received any water, let alone any service beyond being handed menus. He seemed a bit overwhelmed and stressed, but was very nice. There was only one waitress helping with guests. The menu is focused on Japanese comfort food dishes (think curry, donburi, bentos, udon, etc.). I went with the pork cutlet don and was not disappointed. Not only was it a generous serving of food, but it was absolutely delicious. Nothing fancy or unique, just downright good, satisfying, flavorful food that leaves you full and happy. Gombei has specials that change out regularly, so we decided to try their fried chicken with vinegar with tartar sauce. The pieces of chicken were bigger than I was expecting, juicy, and very hot and fresh. Everyone else was really pleased with their dishes, which included the shrimp udon and couple different combination bentos. We got a lot of food for the money, and even though service was rocky at the start, it smoothed out in the end and our waiter was nice throughout the meal. Food came out fast after ordering, too. I'd love to come back here again and order a number of other dishes on the menu. A simple, unpretentious meal.

Gombei is just the best. Such a unique restaurant with a homey retro feel you can't get anywhere else. They've been here since 1980! I will say I think Gombei was more popular pre-pandemmy when I always had to wait a little bit. I recently came here for weekend lunch with no wait, though it was mostly full inside. I always get one of the specials here, you can't go wrong with any of them. They also have a menu with entrees like udon and curry. The portions are actually huge and I always can only finish half and I keep the rest for dinner. I believe all the specials come with salad, and they have this incredible creamy light dressing. All the specials are super balanced and clean-tasting, as in they don't leave you feeling gross after at all. Tastes like Japanese grandma's home cooking. Service is super quick. There's both bar and table seating, and at the bar you can see their whole kitchen workflow.

The tofu soup was super flavorful! I sat at the bar and everyone is really friendly there. They were attentive. This place is casual. There's no need to dress up. I would definitely like to try the curry next time!

This place is such a gem! I love how authentic and consistent it is from the workers to the food and service. This is also on a San Jose map guide, and I understand why.

3.5 bumped up to 4 for nostalgia's sake. This used to be a 5 star place for me with perfectly cooked food at reasonable prices. I always loved getting their specials whenever their items caught my eye. They usually have a poke special, fried chicken or oyster special, broiled fish special, etc. Just depends on the day you go. Now I think recently, the food has gone downhill. Whoever mans the grill isn't the same guy as before and the food no longer comes out piping hot, nor is the meat grilled to the right temperature. The beef teriyaki used to be my favorite thing and you could ask for it medium rare. Now, it always comes out overcooked and you can barely taste the teriyaki sauce. Chicken is also a similar story - can't really taste the teriyaki sauce anymore. I also noticed they got rid of plain udon from the menu - it was one of my favorite items as a kid and sure to be a crowd pleasure for current kids, so it's a surprise that is no longer there. They take card now and the wait staff is still friendly as ever. Overall, wish they would improve their grilled meats but still this is one of the best deals in Japantown San Jose. I'll be back especially for their panko-fried shrimp.

My favorite spot, been coming here since the early 2000s growing up in Berryessa and we keep coming back. A Local spot with daily specials on the whiteboard and delicious food. There's usually a line but their fried tofu, sashimi and beef teriyaki and udon are our staples. Quick service and no frills with counter and table seating. Street parking in Japantown. Love it here

We visited for a lunch on a Friday. It was busy but they got us right in at the bar. I had the teriyaki chicken and fried shrimp lunch with rice miso soup and salad. The chicken was flavorful even without the teriyaki and the fried shrimp was tasty. My friend said her chicken cutlet was also very good. Even though they were busy, the wait staff was attentive enough. I visited their sister store in Sunnyvale when it was there and they had a nice bento box. I would have liked some tempura but they didn't have it on the menu.

Located in SJ Japantown, this spot offers affordable Japanese dishes, nothing fancy. We came in on a Saturday before noon and got seated right away. Was super excited to try this spot as it's been in my list since forever. I gave it a 3 stars because I ordered a curry dish with croquette, and didn't know it had meat in it. They probably made the curry with beef broth too. Wasn't very satisfied with what I had. My husband on the other hand, thought the food tasted pretty average and good for its price.

We came here tonight on a whim. It was so so good the broth in my udon was unbelievably rich and tasteful. My better half had a pork cutlet bowl which was giant. She only ate like maybe a quarter of it and was full. She brought it home eat some today and I ate the rest of it for my lunch and it was so good. We will be back again and again and again

Well... Gombei has been serving me excellent comfort foods for the past two decades. Always my go-to restaurant for a nice warm Japanese simple dishes/meals. :-)

The service was excellent and the food plentiful. I ordered a dinner special Teriyaki Chicken which was a large and flavor was acceptable. Also a large bowl of rice balanced by a bowl of miso soup and a good size portion of salad. All in all, I will return for sure because the price was very fair, and we left feeling full and satisfied. Will try the beef next time!

Gombei is still amazing but the prices have risen so much since visiting and have increased each time I went. The food is still great especially the beef teriyaki and the calamari with the sauce, with the salad, however, the tuna sashimi was not as good as I remembered. The beef teriyaki is still cooked to a beautiful medium rare and the calamari is as crunchy as ever. My tuna sashimi came out really pink and tasted thawed. The fried oysters were slightly over cooked and the karaage was a bit over-fried. Overall, I'd recommend Gombei for a once a 4 month meal due to the price hike with the quality staying relatively the same now, but as always, a great spot for lunch or dinner to talk with your personal stakeholders.

There's an option to sit inside or outside. Given that it was so hot, we preferred to sit inside but we also had to wait long for two tables to accommodate all of us. The lunch special was so worth it. The food tasted so good and this place came highly recommended.

TLDR: Gombei never misses. Bangers only. I've been coming here since I was a little kid and it's definitely a South Bay staple. They always have quality ingredients, authentic flavors and prompt service. I can't stress this enough: if you live in the bay and you haven't been you're missing out!! They have a set menu which is fantastic but I always recommend getting one of the daily specials they have on the white board (you never know when they might be back again, it's always a better deal than the menu in my opinion and they balance the flavors so well). I've literally never been disappointed and I've ordered so many different specials. It's a small restaurant but they turn tables quickly and get people in and out so you're never waiting long. If you're curious about the food in the photos, the salmon teriyaki is from the set menu (allergy reasons for my friend) and compares to home made. The soba was perfect for the summer weather we're having right now, the noodles were definitely homemade and the katsu was beautifully fried. The stuffed tofu was hearty and flavorful which balanced the Cod Kama perfectly.

Whenever I get the chance, I like to come and get the lunch special. Even on weekdays, it can get busy but the service is still good.

I thought I had been here before. But maybe not. The place didn't look super familiar and no previous reviews. But I met some friends there. Apparently there was a Gombei location in Menlo Park, but it closed and it used to be one of my friend's fav Japanese places. Came on a busy weekend for lunch. I had to drive around a bit to find parking. It's mostly metered parking...which is kinda a bummer. I would def frequent Japantown a lot more if parking was free. Anyways the menu is pretty simple and the price point is not too bad, for Japanese food. I ended up with beef don, which is beef and egg over rice. I think you can get the eggs two different ways and I opted for Japanese style. Food came out relatively quickly. My other dining companions got a bento box, an udon dish and another don/rice dish. I really liked my rice dish. It's simple but well cooked and seasoned. The egg was slightly runny and went well when mixed with the rice and beef. I was pretty hungry so I finished the whole thing and was satisfied. My friend loves their udon so I might have to get that next time. I will be back.

Domo arigato Gombei! How I have missed you! Made it for lunch after I arrived and had to endure a hellish experience at the car rental building. Ordered my favorite, chicken teriyaki and green tea. The chicken was grilled perfectly and had just the right about of sauce that isn't overly sweet like some. I had just missed the lunch rush so it was a relaxing 20 minutes because I needed to be somewhere. Oh and get this...they accept credit cards now! Since my last review in 2019, and the pandemic, they had to adapt. Still the same great friendly vibe! I feel like I am home when I'm here!

Love Gombei, my go to place in Japantown for over 40 years. The staff remembers you, which I appreciate. Even though I don't live in San Jose any more, whenever I am in the vicinity, I always try to come by for lunch or dinner.

Gombei is our go-to restaurant in SJ Japantown! We always get the tofu curry rice and vegetable udon. Pros: - great price for quantity and quality of food - attentive service - kid and dog friendly if you sit outside (they also have high chairs) - our toddler LOVES the udon and will actually sit and eat here! Personally, the food has never disappointed, although to be fair we always get the same things. Ambiance isn't super fancy or anything but they have tables and a bar and some limited outdoor seating. Honestly, I'm shocked they haven't raised prices more. I find this place to be great bang for buck!

If you want a quick curry tonkatsu place in the area, this is the spot! There's a bar area and some tables, not very big inside so it's small and can be a wait debating when you arrive. I usually come here during lunch before the rush so it's not that bad. I usually share the curry tonkatsu and curry croquette with my bf and they're super filling!

Delicious food and great service. We had a great experience here and plan to go back. Would recommend to anyone who likes home cooked style Japanese food in a clean, well-run establishment.

Came by on a weekend. Parking can be kinda hard to find. Arrived around 1130 am and it was packed. Waited little bit and Seated outside. They have specials and items on menu. Food tasted okay. I may come back.

Amazing food, absolutely delicious Every single dish was delicious I ordered the Oyakodon, the chicken was tender, they asked how I wanted my eggs, I said soft, loads of rice, this one dish could feed an army Mom ordered chicken teriyaki, me and dad noticed how burnt the chicken was. Of course it was grilled so only burnt in those striped pattern. Burnt spots super bitter hard to over look. But the sauce is amazing and the chicken is super tender still. Dad ordered the katsu curry. They asked what meat for the katsu I forgot what dad chose but it was between chicken and pork. Also delicious and flavorful. Sister ordered the beef don. A mini hotpot, she said the soup was really good like she kept talking about it, I tried the meat and soup I liked it. One qualm, idk why oyakodan didnt get a spoon, was hard to pick up rice with chopsticks The sides that you see in the photo, they came with them. I really love how they cooked the meat, really tender, I'm a sucker for that soft chew. Rip the burnt teriyaki tho. Some people might like it.

My all time favorite Japanese restaurant when I want some good comfort food. I've been going here since I was basically born because my Dad used to go here in high school. The service is always amazing. They're attentive and kind and always recognize us / welcome us whenever we come in! The inside is a little smaller and usually you can get seated pretty easily except on busy evenings like Friday & Saturday. They are closed on Sunday! The food is amazing and I've tried almost every combination. My favorite is probably the Gombei special since it has a little bit of everything! The tonkatsu & croquettes are always fried perfectly. The chicken & beef teriyaki are always tender and so flavorful. The seafood mix is also FIRE if you want a little bit of everything. For apps, definitely order the fried tofu or the pickled cucumbers (aren't on the menu). The food has always been consistent and I hope to take my kids here someday! This place is truly a gem and a must-try if you're in the area!!!

My bf and I went here for a Saturday lunch after he found recommendations on Yelp. This place is decent and good value for sure. The place was packed when we went, and we had to wait around 20 minutes. My bf ordered the poki sashimi and fried chicken special (#1), and I got the broiled mackerel. We also ordered the fried stuffed tofu based on it's popularity in Yelp reviews. The food was more than enough for us, and we ended up only finishing the equivalent of one menu item. In regards to the actual food, it was decent. I was honestly a little disappointed that my broiled mackerel had so many needlepoint bones in it. It is a literal choking hazard. It was just really hard to enjoy when I had to chew countless times and pick out tiny bones in my mouth with every bite. The tofu that came with it was pretty bland and flavorless, but I kind of liked the refreshment of it. I much preferred the poki sashimi my bf got. It was pretty darn good, and I'm a sucker for raw fish. I didn't get the chance to try the fried chicken, but my bf said that it wasn't really that crispy. The fried stuffed tofu wasn't all that as well. It was good, but we weren't THAT crazy about it. Overall, the food is average, but the prices are relatively low for amount you get so I'll give them that. Workers are also really nice and friendly. If someone invited me here, I wouldn't mind coming back.

Pretty underwhelming, especially given its location in the heart of Japantown. One would assume that the plentiful nearby competition of other Japanese restaurants would ensure that only the best survive, but Gombei seems to have slipped through the cracks. For a menu built so heavily around deep-fried and grilled foods, I was unimpressed by what I received as part of my combination dinner. It was reminiscent of what you would find at a sushi restaurant that also happened to have a few fried or grilled options on their menu to appease those averse to raw fish - serviceable but definitely not excellent. Gombei doesn't have any excuses though as they have almost no sushi options, just a few pieces of sashimi that come with certain combination dinners, so I would have hoped for far better. My wife had the Mix Nabe and she was left equally unimpressed meaning the mediocre quality extends beyond the fried & grilled foods alone. One final comment that I honestly hope the restaurant reads and takes to heart; why do you serve the curry OVER the katsu for the Curry Sauce w/ Pork Cutlet? It's like Katsu Curry 101 that the katsu needs to be on top, or to the side of the curry to prevent it from getting soggy. Katsu is best when it is fresh and crispy, so immediately drowning it in sauce is like setting a completely unnecessary timer on the enjoyability of your meal. Do yourself a favor and just move the katsu on top!

Yeah this place is a comfy Japanese restaurant that serves mid comfort food. There's truly nothing special about the taste or quality of the food here, but it certainly hits the spot. I was looking for a good Japanese curry spot in San Jose and my boy plumbst recommended me this spot. The curry is just OK, nothing special. It's a bit better than box curry, but not quite restaurant level imo. I really miss the curry in Japan, or even spots like Muracci's and Champ's Curry. Nothing I've had in the south bay so far has truly scratched my itch for Japanese curry (Not you Curry Hyuga). The croquette that I got was nice and crispy, and the chicken teriyaki was good but nothing special. It's around the same quality as something you'd get from a sushi restaurant's bento box, or even food court chicken like Sarku/Sansei Japan. They give you some miso soup, salad, and rice to go with your meal. The soup and rice were good, but the salad was not the best. They give you a LOT of salad, and the leaves were somewhat stale and not really crispy. Wish the salad was fresher. It does get pretty busy here; me and my boy Bphan had to wait a while for our table. Looking back, Gombei is a decent spot to get Japanese comfort food in SJ's Japantown. However, nothing I tried here really wowed me. If I want Japanese food in Japantown, I think I'd rather go to Kumako Ramen.

I went to Japantown last Friday and noticed some delicious food being served at a table. I decided to return the next day for lunch, and it was definitely worth it! The staff was amiable and attentive to our needs, and the location was impeccably clean. I had curry sauce with tofu, which came with rice and salad, while my friend ordered GOMBEI, which included deep-fried shrimp and croquette with broth, served with soup, salad, and rice. The food was delicious, and the portions were generous, so I didn't need an appetizer. If you're in Japantown or nearby, this restaurant is an excellent lunch or dinner choice!

Classic Japanese comfort food. Quite popular restaurant but we were seated and served quickly. I got the chicken udon and it was delicious.

My fiancé and I stopped by Gombei for an early dinner on a Saturday. The place was busy but not packed, so we were able to get a seat right away inside. The restaurant was small, quaint, and comforting. Customer service was fine. There were a few servers, so we were able to flag someone whenever we needed support. Food came out considerably fast. I ordered the beef yakiniku and fried mackerel combo. It would normally come with sides of salad, rice and miso soup, but there was a sign at our table suggesting to swap or cancel sides in an effort to save food you don't want. Gombei was able to accommodate my request of doubling the order of salad, because I'm not a fan of miso soup and am trying to minimize carbs. The proteins were alright. Nothing special about them. The grilled beef had teriyaki sauce. I didn't care much for the charred streaks from the grill. Tasted too charcoal-y for my liking. The fish was fried in a panko breading and came with a side of tartar sauce. I really enjoy the unique taste of mackerel, but I felt that the fry took away from the flavor and made it taste like any white fish. My fiancé got the chicken teri and fried shrimp. The chicken teri tasted very similar to the grilled beef and even had the heavy charred flavor. The fried shrimp and fried mackerel must be from the same distributor, because they were basically identical. Even texturally. It was bizarre.

Gombei is fast and delicious stop for a reasonable price. I've literally had 100 Gombei meals go into my mouth and out my butt. AVOID busy hours. Around 12:30pm. Around 7:00pm. Avoid them. You'll be waiting in line that has no list. Sometimes, you get the rude customers that just walk into the front and get seated. Then you finally get seated only for the workers to forget to take your order. If you can avoid those hours, this place will be a very pleasant experience. Cash Only Go to the back area to see what's on the special menu. They always have 5 menu items that are special for the day. Avoid Poke Mackerel. It's too difficult to eat. You'll be picking bones and sometimes get some bitter parts of the fish in your mouth Closed on Sundays. You'll end up going to Sushi Maru and then realize everyone did the same thing and you'll be waiting for a long time. Don't know what to get? Just get the Beef + Tonkatsu combo. How do you want the beef cooked? Medium Rare. This place is very welcoming even if you are alone. Have a seat at the counter and you can watch the chefs cooking while you wait. Other Notes The workers are generally very friendly except for their oldest waitress. They all do good work though. The guys in the back cooking are very sharp and get the food done quick! Beef, Chicken, Pork, anything fried - they do it the best. Nice perfect rice, miso soup, crunchy fried katsu. Salad - Salad always comes drenched in dressing so ask for the dressing on the side. Soup - Stay away from udon, yakiniku or their tofu soups (only served during dinner). It's just not that great. The udon noodles are too soft.

We recently discovered this sweet Japantown spot when we were looking to support a local business and try a new place in San Jose. It reminds me of a Japanese diner. Cute and cozy decor and we were so warmly welcomed when we walked in. The menu is not huge but hits all the Japanese comfort food items you can imagine. We tried the teriyaki chicken bowl and the udon bowl with egg. Both were so delicious. The udon broth was layered and flavorful and recommend adding the spicy spice they offer on the side. The food came quickly and was fresh and delicious. Truly one of our favorites!

Very homey, comfortable Japanese interior. Food is average.. we ordered fried shrimp udon, Gombei lunch special, and stuffed tofu. Nothing special or particularly good (or bad!). Service was prompt and friendly. Would come back if I'm in the area, but wouldn't go out of my way.