Hana Izumi

My favorite Japanese restaurant in the Bay Area. Very authentic and unpretentious Kaiseki style food but a more casual atmosphere and won’t break the bank like all the other Kaiseki places in the US. They have new dishes every month so definitely worth multiple visits. 100% worth trying before they get super popular. Food: This is the real deal traditional Japanese food that you won’t find at most places in the Bay Area aside from super expensive Michelin restaurants. The chef trained at a famous Kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo and also cooked for the Japanese ambassador in DC. Taste of every dish is on point and very similar to places in Japan. Service: This is a hidden gem run by a Japanese couple. They are super friendly and treat everyone like family. Luna takes extra time to explain all of the elements on the plate and you can really see how much effort they put into everything. The atmosphere is cozy and not too loud, perfect for dates. Value: You get so much good stuff for the price during both lunch and dinner. Uni, sashimi, duck, filet mignon, large chunks of crab meat, toro, home made sesame tofu(like in culinary class wars), and beef tongue all for $150 after tax and tip?? Also the sashimi add on for lunch menu is super worth too.

A very enjoyable dining experience from beginning to end. Service, food quality, and taste were top notch. The pacing and portions were also perfect for me and my group. We booked a reservation on 5:30PM on a Saturday. Reservations are super easy; just text their number. I would give yourself 5-10 minutes to park and walk over. Street parking is tough but there's a public parking lot 2 blocks away from the restaurant. It's more important to be on time for your res because they start everyone's first course at the same time. The restaurant is warm and cozy, but there's plenty of space between tables so it's comfortable. Everyone who works here is super friendly as well, explaining the menu, drink order options, and any choices you have on the menu. Our waitress was very kind and patient as we deliberated over the options and asked for more details on each of the choices. For example, we had a choice between one of the apps and the main (chirashi vs. tempura yaki). They also accommodated food allergies very well. Each course was impressive and it's a good mix of seafood, meat, veggies, and even fruit. They used fresh wasabi and the slicing of the fish and veggies were very precise and thin. There wasn't a course that I didn't enjoy, though my favorites were the sashimi and the first dish with the uni on top of sesame tofu. We also had two options for dessert, and ordered the set with the chocolate cake and flan, which was just the right amount of dessert and sweetness. This restaurant has 4 $$$$ on yelp, so it's intimidating but it costs $150 per person including tax and tip. Desserts and drinks are extra. For the quality and amount of food they give, it's actually such value. They change their menus every month, and I can't wait to come back!

I’ve been here for both lunch and dinner now, and both times were a total 10/10. The food is incredible. The sashimi and the snow crab portions and quality were very good. Unlike some Kaiseki spots, you actually leave feeling very full. You get several options to choose from for your main course. We tried toro skewers and beef filet mignon and both were amazing! The duck dish in a wine glass with fruits was also fun to eat. Chef Koji is super creative and switches up the dinner menu every month, so we’ll definitely be back. The host Luna is so friendly and makes you feel right at home. The place is often full so it’s good to text and make a reservation in advance. I think the slots are 5:30pm and 7:30pm.

We passed by the restaurant quite a few times that we would come here for a special occasion. We finally did and were delighted with its set menu offering. Every dish looks beautiful, tastes delicious. I particularly like its use of radish and savory herb and the special decor , a few herb taste like mild wasabi which really enhance the flavor. Price wise, maybe at the high end of a regular lunch but certainly an affordable meal for special occasion. Reservation recommended.

Really enjoyed my visit here. Each course was delicious, beautifully plated, and just the right amount. The service is really good, and I appreciated the pacing of each course. Highly recommend.

Hana Izumi is a hidden gem of a restaurant in the Peninsula Bay specializing in the rare kaiseki style Japanese dining featuring multi course meals prepared in various methods from steaming, frying, boiling and utilizing the freshest of seasonal ingredients. Some standouts were the appetizers (zensai), the supreme freshness of the sashimi as well as the Hokkaido uni. Hana Izumi transported me to Japan and made me feel like I was having a kaiseki dinner at a ryokan (traditional inns). The warmth and omotenashi of the okami, Luna-san, completed the Japanese experience for me. Note that this is more of a casual kaiseki style than full kaiseki but it still checked all the boxes for me. I highly recommend Hana Izumi and will be back again in the near future!

We had an amazing dinner yesterday at Hana Izumi! We made same day reservations and the staff was so friendly and quick to accommodate us and our child. Honestly, each dish was unique and delicious. It reminded us of our trip in Japan. We hope to come back soon for a special occasion.

This is a real gem. We came here with friends and honestly we were really treated to a lovely dinner. Every course was so beautifully put together and the sake flights were a lovely accompaniment to the dinner. We will be coming back really soon.

My fiancé made reservations for us last night for our anniversary since we've been dying to try this spot. We pass by a lot when we're eating around the area. We were warmly welcomed with live music & the staff were very friendly and polite. The restaurant is a little smaller but had great ambience, the lights were dimmed but not too dim that you'd need to flash a light to see the menu. We started off the night with the amuse bouche which consisted of yuzu infused squid, sesame/miso(?) tofu, the signature Japanese omelet with grilled eel and a clam soup. I enjoyed the yuzu infused squid a lot but that also because I really enjoy yuzu flavored things lol. Next came the sashimi, which I felt like was pretty fresh. What really stood out to me was the nori sauce on top of the abalone and the yuzu infused wasabi/hot sauce(?) on the hamachi sashimi. You can really taste the nori in the sauce & I felt like this was a creative way to change up how seaweed is served. The yuzu in the wasabi/hot sauce was prevalent but not overpowering, great way to change up the regular wasabi/hot sauce. The next dish was the soba noodle soup with slow cooked duck. This was one of my favorite dishes of the night though it may seem simple. The broth was so incredibly flavorful, I wanted more!! The soba noodles weren't overcooked & still had some bounce in every bite. For the choice of dish, we chose from a list of 4 options: flounder cutlet, yellowtail collar, beef tongue, & shrimp tempura. We opted for flounder cutlet and yellowtail collar which we shared. The flounder cutlet was topped with egg tartar, the yellowtail collar was served with radish and some sort of soy sauce which my fiancé really enjoyed. Next was the yuzu nabe which unfortunately I wasn't too big of a fan of. I did feel like the yuzu was a little overpowering in this dish. And lastly was the entree which we chose between a chirashi bowl and a kani zousui which was described as a Dungeness crab risotto. Of course we got one of each! I didn't try the chirashi bowl because I was already feeling quite full but the Dungeness crab risotto was delicious! We were offered a dessert menu but by the time we finished our meal we were already so full. Overall, we enjoyed our experience and for $98 per person this was a great 6 course meal! We left with our hearts and bellies really happy. So happy to have found a kaiseki spot so close to us & cannot wait to come back. Oh also, they change their menus every month, so your visit might look slightly different from ours.

Texted to make the reservation for dinner. It was a multi course meal and we had the option to pick a choice of the fourth entree and last entree. Dessert is not included , however they do have a dessert option for extra charge $18. The dinner kaiseki style meal is $98 and added on top is a 20% service charge and tax. The host/owner was dressed in a kimono and came to each table to explain the dishes and options available. She was very friendly and personable. They were accommodating to our baby, and provided us with a high chair. The meal itself was also delicious and felt comforting. I was craving a Japanese kaiseki meal reminiscent of what I had in Japan at the ryokans in Hakone and this delivered. For the food: Amuse Bouche - appetizers - clam soup , salmon cucumber salad, sesame tofu, egg omelet with eel. - a delicious start to the meal. Assorted sashimi and salmon ikura donburi- sashimi included steamed abalone, tuna , trout, yellow tail. - delicious and fresh and served with real wasabi Soba noodle soup with cooked duck - the soba and broth was tasty and the duck was very tender and flavorful. Very comforting For the fourth course, she presented several options which included of either yellow tail, beef tongue, shrimp tempura or flounder croquette. We opted for the beef tongue and yellowtail. The yellowtail was braised and served with a slightly sweet soy sauce. The beef tongue was served two ways: grilled and braised. I was really impressed with the grilled beef tongue. It was very tasty and tender. The flounder also sounded like a yummy option. Lastly was the final option, we could choose either a Negitoro chirashi bowl or a Dungeness crab mixed with rice. We both went with Negitoro chirashi but I saw the serving of Dungeness crab and they had served the dish inside of a crab shell and it looked amazing so I kind of wish we got to order that one too. Nonetheless, the chirashi itself was tasty and was also served with miso soup. We were full at the end of the meal. The dessert option looked good too but we had to leave to nap the baby and the hostess was kind to check with us and ensure that we could pay the bill promptly to nap the baby. Overall, a very enjoyable experience and would recommend to anyone craving a comforting multi course Japanese meal. They change the menu every month to keep things fresh. Reservations are required for lunch or dinner and can be done through text message to the restaurant. Parking is street parking so plan accordingly. We were lucky to get a spot nearby.

Just had the most amazing five course meal! Every single dish had multiple elements, carefully put together into a beautiful presentation. My favorites were the slow cooked duck appetizer, kobachi 3 ways and the sashimi add on. The host was super welcoming and friendly, and the service throughout the meal was outstanding!

I discovered Hana Izumi while searching for a nice restaurant to celebrate a birthday. After reading glowing reviews on Yelp and Google, I eagerly anticipated the dine-in experience. Unfortunately, the lunch left much to be desired. We opted for the $40 lunch set with a $35 sashimi supplement and the $65 lunch set. Given its upscale branding, I was surprised to find that they didn't serve real wasabi; all dishes featured instant wasabi, which undermined the overall quality. $40 Lunch Set - 2.5/5 Appetizers: Soba salad and slow-cooked duck. The soba noodles were soggy, though the duck provided some redeeming flavor. Amuse Bouche: Kobachi three ways--tempura vegetables, sweet pumpkin with meat purée, sliced roasted beef, and their special mochi. None were particularly memorable, except for the mochi, which stood out. Steamed Dish: Savory steamed egg custard. This was the highlight, boasting a silky texture. Entrée: BBQ eel and prawn tempura donburi bowl. While enjoyable, it didn't offer anything exceptional compared to more affordable izakayas nearby. Overall, the $40 set felt underwhelming and lacking sophistication. The $35 sashimi supplement featured decent cuts, but nothing extraordinary. $65 Lunch Set - 2/5 Appetizers: Seafood sunomono. A very ordinary salad typical of sushi spots, featuring octopus, pickled mackerel, and another seafood. Assorted Sashimi: Again, decent cuts, but the same octopus from the appetizer made a reappearance, which felt repetitive and disappointing. Steamed Dish: Identical to the $40 course. Entrée: Mini ikura donburi. This dish was decent, but the cheap wasabi and small portion of seafood left me unsatisfied. In total, I spent around $190, including a 20% gratuity, which felt reasonable given the courteous staff. While I appreciated the hospitality, the food quality and creativity did not justify the price. I'm left wondering how this restaurant maintains such high ratings--perhaps I just visited on an off day.

A very memorable experience!! A 6 course preset menu surprised me and left us very full. The fish was fresh and everything that was curated was delicious! A pretty small restaurant so reservations are preferred. The service was great and the owner of the restaurant is super sweet and lovely! I really loved everything but what stood out to me was the pork cutlet! I was shocked by how soft and perfectly crispy it was. The only thing to point out is the last dish I chose the wagyu and I did expect more from that dish, but the other option for the entree was delicious! Other than that, everything was perfect!

Hana Izumi delivers a truly authentic homestyle kaiseki experience. Every bite was crafted with such care and intention, reflecting the chef's passion. The filet mignon was the highlight--unbelievably tender, reminiscent of the crisp, cozy feel of fall. The inclusion of chestnut in both the meal and the décor added a seasonal touch that made the experience even more special. What I appreciated most was the portion size--the kaiseki set was perfectly balanced. I can't handle too much food, but the portions were neither overwhelming nor too small, which made the meal feel satisfying without being excessive. The dessert was also a standout. It wasn't too sweet (which I tend to avoid), offering a unique savory element that left a lasting impression. On top of the excellent food, the owner was incredibly friendly. We even had a chance to chat, which added a personal and warm touch to the whole evening. I will definitely return to Hana Izumi--this place is a gem!

We had a wonderful dinner Friday night. The owner is a beautiful Japanese lady and super friendly. She had us sampled different sakes before making the decision. All dishes are delicious. Will be back.

Celebrated birthday dinner with family here. Fantastic kaiseki dinner with amazing host. Ambience was amazing as it happened to be jazz night with two local artists performing. Food was delicious and highlighted seasonal ingredients. Our table opted for the sake pairings which went well with dinner. Had a great time and would definitely return.

The best place for Kaiseki in Millbrae! There are some parking spots available in front of the restaurant or you can usually find street parking. Reservations are required, so make sure to make them in advance! The menu changes monthly and includes an amuse bouche, sashimi course, refresher, fried dish, steamed dish, and entree. Dessert is available for an additional cost. Service is lovely! The owners are very sweet, and one of the owners comes out to explain every course to each table personally! All of the dishes were creative and beautifully presented! The amuse bouche offered during my visit included a sesame pudding with wasabi and steamed uni, smoked duck breast with dijon mustard and chives, and fried octopus. I especially loved the octopus--super tender with a slight crispiness from the outer fried batter. The sashimi was so fresh! I really enjoyed the different presentations within this course. Along with simple cuts of sashimi (blue fin tuna, yellowtail, and sea trout, so good!), there was also a small dish of cut blue fin tuna with mountain yam, Japanese pickles, and wasabi stems. I didn't even know you could eat wasabi stems! There was also a scallop dish with Taiwanese dehydrated egg millet and a red snapper with rice dish. Loved the variety! The Hamachi Daikon Salad was another favorite from the menu. It was so refreshing with the ume plum ponzu sauce! I enjoyed the fried soba pieces on top too! The fish katsu was perfectly crispy and freshly fried. On the side, it also came with yummy dungeness crab, all deshelled, so I didn't even have to do any work! I love chawanmushi, so I was super excited that this was part of the kaiseki menu. This steamed savory egg custard was tasty and so smooth! For the entree, we had a choice of Negitoro Chirashi Bowl (a DIY presentation to make your own hand roll) or Tempura Chazuke (a kakiage tempura over rice that came with an ochazuke tea broth on the side that you pour over). Would definitely come again to explore another one of their kaiseki menus!

I was so happy that we were able to celebrate my wife's birthday with her and her friends for lunch. Everything was prepared really well and came with a reasonable price tag. On the day that we dined here for lunch, the appetizer was a duck salad with radish and soba noodles. I think the duck was cooked with a Sousvide. It was insanely tender and flavorful. The salad dressing was a yuzu vinaigrette which worked surprising well even with soba noodles. The next dish was a combination of savory appetizers. My favorite was this sesame tofu which had this really great chewy texture. Another memorable small bite was what tasted like a cured or dry aged ocean trout; the texture was quite unique. I opted for the sashimi addition which was good, not very unique. I may skip next time. There was tako, hamachi, chutoro and otoro. I got the unagi and tempura bowl while my wife got the chirashi bowl. I preferred the unagi and tempura bowl by far. The shrimp tempura was well fried and the sauces in the bowl worked really well. The egg told sauce really brought the dish together.

Saturday May 25th 5:30PM was my visit and it was during dinner time. They have two seatings, 5:30 and 7:30pm, for dinner. I HIGHLY recommend you call ahead of time to make reservations. They do accept walk-ins but it depends on if the restaurant is full. They only have about 9-10 tables, so I personally would call ahead to make sure you have a spot saved and you don't waste your time. Calling them and booking a time was a breeze. Great location in Millbrae where there's all the restaurants and close to 101 freeway entrance/exit. Parking is free after 6PM. 2hour parking otherwise everywhere, except Sundays free all day. It took me less than 1 minute to find parking. Food was excellent. For $98 per person for a kaiseki dinner menu is not too bad given Bay Area Prices. The chef changes up the menu from time to time, and sometimes it's different for lunch I've heard (cheaper too!). I would consider coming back to try their new menus. The creativity is pretty evident in the dishes and I adore the time the chef took to plate the intricacies of each dish. My absolute favorite was the Refresher Hotate Mizore-su. I don't know what's about it but the cucumber vinaigrette was amazing on top of the nori tempura boat. Service was great! Appreciate the waitress (wife of the chef), taking the time to come by every table to explain the dishes. It makes it personable. I'll have to visit once again in the future!

Made a reservation here for Mother's Day, and we all got the $65 sashimi menu. The inside is small but cozy, and the owner was very nice! We started off with a duck soba salad, the duck was cooked perfectly and refreshing. We then had some sashimi, and some homemade tofu with uni. The tofu was super soft and silky, and all the sashimi was very fresh. We then had a chawamushi and a chirashi bowl, all really great! I think that especially for the price, everything was great quality and delicious! We were all quite full at the end. Would come back to try their dinner menu!

There are two options of lunch menu: kaiseki vs sashimi I tried the kaiseki menu w/ sashimi add-on: Everything tastes so good and I love the varieties of small dishes. It's perfect for a person who likes to try little bit of everything. My top favorite is the soft cold tofu, eel w/ tempura bowl, the duck salad and chawanmushi. Service is very good as well. I love how the owner dress in traditional Japanese clothing and she's super sweet. *Apparently they change their menu monthly. I'll be sure to visit next time for their dinner menu too!

SUBLIME this is the best meal I've had. Each bite was so heavenly that my date questioned if I was even on earth anymore. Each savored bite was like a massage to the brain. I'm usually a fast eater but here, I definitely took my time savoring each bite or my brain could just not handle it. My boy found this place on Instagram, read that the chef owner worked at Japanese embassy, and made a reservation via text. We celebrated early Valentines lunch here. And woow we were both so impressed with the food!! Automatically, Hana Izumi became our favorite restaurant in the bay. Ok, on to the food!! We both had the Sashimi Menu ($65) which had: SEAFOOD SALAD It started off of an incredible high-note. I took a bite of the octopus and omg this is the best thing I've ever tasted? So crispy, flavored extremely deliciously, and so tender. The seared shrimp was also a standout - like just so plump and perfectly cooked. The veggies were crisp and refreshing with a hint or sweetness. ASSORTED SASHIMI Omg first of all, it comes with homemade sesame tofu which is silky soft with a lingering slightly chewy bite. So good and wonderfully flavored. The seared pressed sushi was so unique. Had another heavenly moment of peace while eating the salmon and toro sashimi. The salmon tasted like it was slightly cured - I mean how did they know, that is my favorite way of eating salmon. I melted too when the toro melted in my mouth. CHAWANMUSHI By this point I'm not even surprised this is the best chawanmushi I've had either. It came with crab and scallop - so incredibly tender with sweet ocean taste. IKURA DONBURI + MISO SOUP This looked simple but also once again, exceeded expectations and surprised me in the most delightful way. The salmon that was in the sashimi is now seared!! So good! The radish was slightly pickled in tororo I think so it was slightly slimy which it made the dish super unique and just added a new layer of texture. Food is absolutely divine, the restaurant is cute and clean with peaceful soft music. The service was polite and the owner lady was so kind! It's just pure bliss. I could not stop smiling after the meal. Absolutely rejuvenated. This meal was so good for your physical and mental health, seriously. I've never experienced something like this, but I'm definitely coming back for sure. note: 20% auto tip

I found out about Hana Izumi from a food influencer and had to make a reservation because they had raving reviews about it. Now that I've tried it, I completely understand why!! I was transported back to Japan with the decor and the place settings. We were here for their famous $99 kaiseki set meal. It is a combination of 6-7 dishes that is presented beautifully, with each dish encompassing a different food style / flavor. They started us off with an appetizer plate with a tofu that had the most interesting and soft bite. Loved it. Reminded me of a custard consistency. The sliced semi raw beef was my favorite on the plate. It had great flavor and wasn't chewy at all! We then were served a plethora of more dishes- including miso soup, a plate with different sashimi and rice balls, the most tasty fish and eggplant (my favorite of the night), crab and tofu, then the choice of a deconstructed tuna handroll or wagyu beef bowl. We also ordered the sweeter sake flight that included an amazingggg yuzu flavored sake. I want to go back and purchase a bottle to go. $99 for a kaiseki set was more than worth it. The experience was spectacular! I also thought the service was outstanding, where they would bring the next dish as we're finishing up the previous one. My party was slow at finishing each dish but they didn't rush us at all. I would recommend this place to anyone for a nice dinner. You have to book a reservation in advance, and it's through simple texting. I can imagine this place getting discovered and harder to get a reservation over the next upcoming months!

It's a great place for a date night/ celebration of some sort. Inside space was pretty tight w/ live music during dinner (not sure if I'm a huge fan) but the food is delicious. They have a fix menu but it does change every month. For a quick breakdown of what we ate: amuse bouche, sashimi, refresher, braised dish, steamed dish, and an entree. One server, who is very kind and friendly goes to one table at a time to explain their menu and dish. If I'm not mistaken, she's the main person for front of the house. Energy, attitude, and service - she nailed it all. I have nothing negative to mention about the food because from start to finish, it was so tasty! Presentation was absolutely beautiful! Don't expect a huge portion but you'll definitely be satisfied at the end. We were lucky to be seated at a table right by the main door (as it is further away from all the other tables) which gave us a little bit more privacy. However, I do wish that the second group of people of reservation would wait outside as opposed to cluttering and hovering inside. W/ such a small and tight space already, it's just not ideal to have people hold conversations right over your shoulder and try to talk over the live music, on top of watching you eat. Some common courtesy pls!!

I give 5+ stars for service. The lady that runs the place is so very sweet. It's a small little spot with limited seating. Come to find out that they have 2 time slots for dinner. Our friends have been here before and they took us here for couples dinner. The presentation of the food was beautiful, as you can see in the pictures. This is not the spot to go to if you're hungry... Just be aware of the bill as it's more than I expected . But overall, we did enjoy the meal and company.

Highly recommend trying this place, the food was extremely tasty. It's a fixed menu with fixed price that changes monthly so check to see what's being served. You always get the choice of one of two entrees and there's usually a wagyu dish. The balance of price and taste was great compared to omakase, and we felt full after the experience. I recommend trying the sake sampler and/or the dessert as those were nice add ins we enjoyed! The ambiance has a very traditional Japanese style and the hosts are very knowledgeable and kind.

Kaiseki style type Japanese served here. You are greeted by a woman dressed in traditional Japanese kimono. The ambiance is light jazz music with simple clean oak tables with Asian accents. They have sashimi too. It's a set menu comprising from 4-8 courses depending on what you select. This is more of Japanese Tapas to put in another way. The experience was great as they served each dish and told you about it. The flavors were blended nicely and satisfying the palate and appetite. The service was great and enjoy!

When I heard Hana Izumi served a reasonably priced kaiseki lunch, I knew I had to try it. So I convinced a friend to cross a bridge, pick me up in the City then drive us down the peninsula. And were we amazed. Absolutely beautiful presentations. Phenomenal tastes and textures (the deep fried sesame tofu was soooooo smooth). And I'd definitely suggest adding on the sashimi (which included pressed sushi, a Kansai region specialty). The quality will blow you away. The meal brought back wonderful food memories of Kyoto. Now I have to figure out how to get back down there to try their dinner.

So excited to find a kaiseki offer in Millbrae! We tried the lunch offer and thoroughly enjoyed Chef Koji's October menu. I was worried when I first arrived because we noticed the printed menu offered didn't reflect their online October menu and there were some items I don't enjoy eating like shrimp and roe. I wasn't sure if I should stay as I hate asking for substitutions, especially for menus as thoughtful as kaiseki but the host was very kind and offered different options to make some substitutions for us. I really appreciated the gesture as i know it's hard for a small restaurant to make last minute changes. She shared they can make accommodations to planned menu and to simply call ahead next time. I can't wait to go back and try to dinner menu! Seafood items were very fresh. My favorite item was actually the beef and tofu from the Kobachi 3 ways amuse bouche but all the items were fresh and well balanced. I love the small, beautifully presented dishes! Parking is a challenge in the area - there is street parking and public lots - but it's fairly busy so plan ahead. Reservations suggested given the small size of the restaurant. We called ahead and got a same day lunch reservation but was advised dinner was fully booked. Prices very reasonable for high quality and attention to detail from food to service. Don't be fooled bu the small plates, we were so full and satiated! Looking forward to returning regularly!

Love the concept and that it's right off of El Camino. I have never been to Japan or had kaiseki, but I've had omakase and raw fish before. Overall, I thought the food was beautifully presented and tasted fresh, and there were some nice notes, but overall I was not blown away given the price point. You do get a lot of variety. You can tell they put a lot of energy into the preparation. Perhaps that's the style (and limitation?) of a kaiseki meal? We came for a weekday lunch, so maybe dinner is more polished and refined. All of the food came out cold or lukewarm, so maybe a good place for summer time. I would consider coming back for dinner to give it another go. The main server, wife of the chef(?), was very friendly and attentive. The other servers were so timid and green that it felt like I was attending a meal at culinary school rather than a $$$$ restaurant. Something confusing was that the menu said crab, but then nobodies dishes came with crab. Maybe there had been an edit to the menu that wasn't mentioned or I didn't catch it? The setting is very small and it can get kind of loud with everyone talking.

HIDDEN GEM IN MILLBRAE Hana Izumi is an amazing authentic Japanese restaurant! Here is a bit of information about the restaurant and the owners! The restaurant is owned by a lovely couple named Koji and Luna. Koji is the one who creates the whole menu at Hana Izumi. Here is his culinary background for reference: Formally trained at Tsuji Culinary Academy in Osaka, Chef Koji's creations are influenced from his time at the world-renown Kaiseki restaurant Kitcho, in Tokyo, as private chef to Japan's ambassador in Washington DC, and as an executive and general manager at Sanraku in the Bay Area. His wife, Luna is the one who manages the restaurant, and is an amazing person and I really love how she supports the arts like music! I got to try their 6 course dinner menu and omg, this is the place to go! I love the salty, umami and light flavors of each of the dishes! Not too rich but you still get that nice authentic Japanese flavors! I give this restaurant a clear 5/5 and would definitely come back super soon! They also have a 4 course lunch menu and change the 6 course menu every month! Book a reservation today!!!!

Nice Kaiseki style restaurant. Small but pleasant. Price on the high side for lunch but worth the spend. I would recommend this place for dating and special occasions too. Food was refreshing, delicious, and nicely displayed. Hana Izumi reminded me of those Kaiseki dinners I had in Japan.

The best of the best Goma tofu I have ever tried!!! First time to try Hana, but I really highly Recommended this!! I know Goma tofu is hard to make, also it takes time to make it!!! looks easy to make but it is hard!!! Definitely highly recommended this!! Must TRY!!!

I'm considering moving to Millbrae just to be closer to Hana Izumi! Each bite of food was truly amazing. The hospitality from the owner's wife was spectacular. The store itself is clean, simple, and charming. My love for Japanese culture was only deepened by this experience, and I'll definitely be back whenever I'm in the area!

I took my mom here to celebrate Mother's Day, and loved every course of the 4-course kaiseki lunch menu for $40 a person. Starter was the duck salad which came with shredded daikon radish and cold soba noodles. The kobachi 3-way is basically 3 different small dishes of intricate items such as sesame tofu etc. I added $35 to get a deluxe sashimi added to my kaiseki lunch and did not regret my choice as the fish pieces were so fresh and tasty that they just melted in your mouth! Chawanmushi was the next course and I enjoyed the shrimp and whole scallop that came with it. The rice bowl was the last course and I had the bara chirashi while my husband opted for the BBQ eel and shrimp tempura. Dessert is extra and we tried their sampler dessert plate which was excellent. The owner lady Luna was great and attentive, so II will definitely go back to try their dinner kaiseki one day!

My family came back here tonight to celebrate a special occasion and I really wanted to share this place with my family. They loved it as much as I do and they loved the FRESHNESS and HIGH QUALITY of all the food! The service was very attentive and friendly! The ambiance of this restaurant is very Japanese and even down to the bathroom! It has a cozy and welcoming feeling! **the menu does change **highly recommend reservations **two dinner services: 5:30 & 7:30pm

Ideally, this place deserves a 4.5/5. Nestled in the heart of Millbrae, Hana Izumi is a hidden gem that offers an experience that transcends mere dining. They have a prix fixe menu that changes every month. My friends and I went there in February. Our prix fixe menu was $98/person plus taxes. For our prix fixe menu, we had the option to pick one from the 2 entrees. You will definitely be full by the end of your meal. Note- We were a party of 3, and our bill included a 20% tip by default. Service: The service at Hana Izumi was good. The staff was attentive (except for the 2 times when we had to ask them to refill our hot tea) yet unobtrusive. Our host was knowledgeable and passionate, guiding us through the intricate kaiseki menu with genuine enthusiasm. Ambiance: Restaurant's soft lighting bathes the small space, adorned with minimalist décor and natural elements, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Food: Kobachi 3 Ways amuse bouche was a delightful prelude, showcasing the chef's artistry and precision with 3 miniature bites brimming with diverse flavors and textures. It included goma tofu, duck, and octopus. Goma tofu topped with uni was delectable. The octopus was surprisingly not as chewy as you'd usually expect. The duck was pretty good as well. The assorted sashimi included bluefin tuna, yellowtail, and ocean trout. It was impeccably fresh, and each piece just melted in our mouths. Hirame Nanban was a revelation. The perfectly crisp halibut paired beautifully with the sweet onion vinaigrette, creating a delightful contrast. The Maezawa Wagyu Soba was a fancy indulgence. The tender Wagyu beef, simmered in a savory sukiyaki broth, melted on the tongue, while the slightly firm soba noodles provided a satisfying textural contrast. The tara shirako chawanmushi was also really good, offering a unique and delicate flavor profile with its creamy egg custard and hint of sake. For the entree, I opted for the Negitoro Chirashi Bowl, a visual masterpiece with its vibrant colors and generous portion of chopped fatty bluefin tuna. Each bite was a burst of umami, perfectly complemented by the seasoned sushi rice. My friends tried their Dungeness crab zo-sui and loved it. This place is definitely worth a visit. The parking in the area can be hard to find, so please plan to arrive a little early. I looked for parking for 15 minutes and eventually ended up parking in the residential area up the hill.

Wonderful service It is a set menu Call for reservations The servers were leaving so it was cute. Overall cute concept. We'll come again.

nice service (couple run) and classic menu at a reasonable price. kaiseki without any adventurous or unique flavors, traditional and conservative menu. kobachi small dishes had tamago, clam soup, duck, tofu. but nice sashimi pieces, yuzu kosho. dengaku was a bit sweet, and choice dish of pork cutlet was good. chawanmushi with a lot of mushrooms. the wagyu shirugeni gohan was disappointing. stringy beef not that nice. better to have gone with the negitori chirashi bowl

Went here on a Sunday at the end of January and had a reservation at 12pm for a party of 3. We got seated right away and the server was really nice and sweet, I can't remember her name but she's a little but older and was wearing a kimono or yukata! We all ordered the same 5 course meal which came with the items below: 1. Duck Salad with Soba Noodles: This was probably my favorite dish! The duck was so tender and flavorful and complimented the soba noodles really well. 2. Assorted Sashimi: probably my 2nd favorite dish lol. Came with 3 large pieces of sashimi, 2 pieces of sushi, and some sort of shellfish with what seemed to be a seaweed paste or garnish. The sashimi pieces literally melted in my mouth, the salmon was the the best piece! The other pieces were good too but I wish it came with more pieces of sashimi instead of the shellfish and 2 sushi pieces though. 3. Kobachi: These are like mini appetizers and is chef's choice. This one came with a chicken meatball, octopus slice, bamboo tempura, and soft tofu in sauce. This was probably my least favorite dish. The meatball tasted exactly like a meatball and nothing different about it. I wasn't really a fan of the octopus texture or flavor and I usually like octopus. Bamboo tempura was interesting but a bit tough to bite apart so I kinda just had to eat the whole thing in 1 bite lol. Then the tofu was too soft and I wasn't a fan of the flavor because of the wasabi that was on top. Tbh I didn't really understand the selection and flavors didn't really mesh well with each other but that's always the risk of chef's choice. 4. Crab Chawanmushi: this was almost like a steamed egg pudding with some dungeness crab and scallop and green onions! It was good overall and the seafood was the best part of this dash though I think it needed more seasoning and flavor and I wish they had cut the green onions more. 5. Bara Chirashi Bowl with Miso Soup: This was my 3rd favorite dish that was served! Seafood was really fresh and had a lot of umami. I never had ikura that large before and it was def an interesting experience, kinda felt like popping boba lol. It also came with 2 nice-sized pieces of seaweed so you can also make hand rolls which is what I did. Miso tasted like typical miso but I wish it had the little seaweed pieces in it. Lastly for dessert, we got the sesame roll cake with hojicha ice cream since it was for my wife's belated bday celebration! The server put a candle on top and lit it and she and the rest of the staff sang happy birthday which was so nice! Overall a really great dessert and all the flavors on the dish paired well together. It tasted like they make the hojicha ice cream fresh there. Cake was soft and I think had a red bean filling it. Fruits also tasted really fresh! Keep in mind dining experiences like this are always pricey but I was pretty surprised that they automatically put 20% gratuity for a party of 3 onto the bill. It would be nice to pick how much we get to tip and I don't think we should be charged 20% automatically but that's a different topic that I can go on and on about lol. Overall a really nice experience and really nice staff. Will have to come back sometime! (P.s. follow their Instagram because their menu changes monthly)

Came here for my first Kaiseki experience. Pre-dinner: need to text/call to make a reservation but it was seamless. Went in not knowing if it'd be worth it because of the $98pp price tag but spoilers it was worth it. For the actual dinner, the courses were very well thought out and creative. Our faves of the April 2024 menu was the Assorted sashimi and wagyu beef shabu shabu with wakame salad. The host was very sweet and explained each dish as it came out. As we were celebrating a couple of birthdays, they went out of their way to dim the lights and gave us a complimentary dessert and sang Happy Birthday with us! I can't explain how great the customer service was here. Thank you for making our birthday celebrations such a great experience! Will definitely be back to try out the lunch options! Ambiance was also good - liked how it's a casual feeling kaiseki.

Always wanted to try this restaurant and I finally visited it today. It definitely exceeds my expectation. $95 is a great deal for the dinner. The whole set is towards more traditional Kaiseki. The fishes are fresh and both entrees are really delicious. The service overall is also pretty good. In general, I would recommend diners who love traditional kaiseki style food to give it a try!

Yelp hours "close at 9:30" Arrived at 8:58- "sorry we're closed" Please update your hours on Yelp often

Found out about this place on instagram and went for a special date night. Would recommend making a reservation because it's a pretty small spot. Everything was super delicious and the staff were very kind and attentive. They change their menu every month so I'll probably go back again another time to see what they've got.

Luna and Chef Koji were a wonderful team running Hana Izumi which is a kaiseki style Japanese restaurant that has become super popular in the Bay Area as of late. I think while the food was good, the presentation was wonderful and the staff were incredibly accommodating, in the end kaiseki is just not my thing. So then paying almost $140 per person for a few morsels of not my thing was ... also not really my thing. I think I respect that kaiseki is expensive for a reason, because each course and each dish is carefully crafted, curated, sliced, seasoned, plated, etc. but also it does make you feel less like you're eating, and more like you're visiting a museum and getting samplers. I would encourage this for your first experience, but just be aware you will have to shell out for it!

Omotenashi!!! I have had my fair share of omakase experiences, so I was quite delighted to try my first Kaiseki here. The price was $95 for dinner and a reservation is required via text message. They give a 6-course set menu that consists of traditional Japanese dishes and you can choose between two final entree options. Of the 6 courses, my favorites were the chawanmushi and the chef's selection of sashimi. I wasn't particularly impressed with the chazuke somen or the chirashi... However, the quality and care definitely shows through with each course. Hands down the BEST chawanmushi I have ever eaten! The silky egg custard paired with the generous amount of Dungeness Crab was decadent and beautifully prepared. I could eat this every single day! The sashimi course was incredible! Each piece of fish simply melted. The torched salmon toro and the bluefin tuna variety were very memorable. Their soy sauce was surprisingly really well made too. I found myself wanted to put it on everything! Unfortunately the sea urchin (uni) and the scallop fell short for me. They were not as fresh as the other cuts of seafood.

5-star authentic and wonderful Japanese dining experience. Highly recommend this Japanese restaurant. Great food at a very reasonable price. The food was prepared with freshest ingredients from Japan and Asia, presented with attentive service. Kobachi 3 ways - duck, fatty tuna, and homemade sesame tofu. Duck was tender and juicy. Fatty tuna in sesame paste melt in the mouth, and tofu was flavorful with a hint of sesame. Sashimi - freshest sashimi. Honorable mention of the abalone slice. Super tender and fresh. Kani Matsutake Ae- crab and mushroom from Japan in ponzu jelly. Beef Filet Mignon steak - soft, tender, juicy Uni Chawanmushi - sea urchin and steamed egg custard cooked to perfection! The timing and texture was perfect in this steamed egg! Negitoro chirashi bowl - fatty tuna over sushi rice. The fatty tuna melt in the mouth! In addition to the set dinner menu, we also ordered the wild king salmon. Extremely fresh and tasty. Overall, an excellent gastronomic delight and a must try!

A really lovely lunch experience! We came after making a reservation through text for lunch and were happy to be greeted with the warm ambiance on a rainy day. For lunch there is a Kaiseki lunch and a Sashimi lunch option. My friend and I opted to get one of each set lunch to try as a much as possible. For the Kaiseki lunch (Feb menu), it started with slow cooked duck with soba noodles which was fantastic and then a trio of small appetizers which had scallop, octopus and tuna. The chawanmushi was good and comforting but pretty plain in the flavoring. Our favorite course was the entree which we got the BBQ Eeel and Shrimp tempura bowl. It was the perfect way to finish off the meal with a more substantial course and everything from the eel to the shrimp tempura to the rice was perfect. I got the Sashimi lunch which started with a snow crab salad - really nice and perfect to get your appetite going. The sashimi platter was brought out next with an array of fish including amberjack, uni and abalone, lean and fatty tuna, and fatty seared salmon. Everything was super fresh and tasty but my favorite would be the seared salmon and the uni which was smoked and had a really unique flavor and texture. Both lunch sets end with rice and miso soup which really rounded up the meal well. We also had one order of the dessert to share which consisted of a duo of chocolate cake (pretty standard and was too dense for our liking) and custard pudding (felt similar to a flan) which were good but in general pretty standard desserts you'll find elsewhere. Definitely check this spot out if you're looking for something special!

Hana izumi is a small japanese restaurant ran by a couple. Food was pretty good, reasonably priced, service was nice and adequate same selection. Though nothing wow'ed, it is solid for a multi course meal for the price. Reservations are done via text message, very easy. Will return.

This is a great kaiseki type spot, especially for the money. It's not cheap but the portion is generous and everything was notably quite great. I especially liked the tempura chazuke entree and some of the appetizers.

While most restaurants serve to fill you up mindlessly, there are a select few that you go to for the experience. Hana Izumi is one of those. I came here completely new to "kaiseki" meals. I'd heard of places in the Bay Area that had these high-end Japanese tasting menus, and even had friends tell me about them. But Hana Izumi was my first. It didn't disappoint. Even for someone like me - with little knowledge of what good sashimi actually tastes like - the meal was delightful. The journey that Chef Koji takes you on is 6 courses long. No course is too large, so you can always appreciate the flavor and quality of each. Considering Chef Koji used to be the personal chef for the Japanese ambassador in DC, it almost makes you feel important that this renowned chef is making food just for you. I don't want to spoil it, so I won't break down each course. But among my favorites is the sashimi. Again, even as someone who doesn't usually like raw fish, even I can appreciate fatty pieces of fish that melt in your mouth. With each course bringing its own unique flavor and presentation, it almost feels like Chef Koji is crafting a narrative for you. And when you finish with the journey, you don't feel overly full - which is not a bad thing. You can still appreciate how good each course was. You're still left wanting more. It was a unique experience, and one I won't soon forget. And when I look back at this place, I won't think "restaurant." Rather, it was a journey. A story. An experience.

FOOD: 4 SERVICE: 4 AMBIANCE: 3 VALUE: 3 After a recent article and checking the Yelp reviews, we decided to give this newly opened Kaiseki restaurant a try. They have some tough competition around the San Mateo area. They serve a six course prix fixe menu nightly. Tonight's menu (Feb 2023) consisted of: Amuse Bouche: Kobachi 3 way, pulled grilled salmon w/grated radish, grilled miso marinated black cod and slow cooked duck breast. All three appetizers were very tasty. All had very distinctive tastes and a great start to the meal! Soup: Asari So-men, Manila clams steamed in sake and butter, serve red with so-men (thin rice) noodles. Tasted just like regular steamed clams in other Japanese restaurants. Just served with al dente noodles. Sashimi: tonight was tuna, salmon, amberjack and smoked Uni. With exception of the Uni, the other fishes were just fine, not special. The Uni however did have a very unique taste. Steamed dish: chawanmushi, steamed egg with Dungeness crab. A couple of fresh sweet tasting spoonful of crab served over steamed egg. A little different from what I am used to, egg seemed a little plain, but had good flavor. Fried dish: tonight it consisted of one tempura shrimp. Light and crispy, but only one one. Entree: roast beef donburi, tender roast beef served over rice with crunchy cauliflower bits and caramelized onions. Smallish portion of rice with a few slices of roast beef arranged like a rose bud. Good, but nothing outstanding. Dessert: custard pudding or fruit jelly. We had both. The pudding was really like a flan. The fruit jelly was really like jello with fruit inside. Nothing special and each dessert was an extra $7.00. Overall, I say Hana Izumi is a good Japanese restaurant, but a little on the expensive side. But, I came away not full, but still craving for more.

Hana Izumi's food and customer service was 10/10! We made reservations for 5 people for the 5:30 seating with Chef Koji's wife, Luna-san. Reservations were very easy to make and Luna-san was super friendly. When I mentioned that we wanted to do something special to thank my parents and brother for their endless support of upcoming wedding, they handmade special desserts for us. The interior was very cozy with beautiful decor and all servers were very attentive to our table. Overall, it was a fantastic experience with a very delicious menu. We highly recommend this place!

A really nice experience! Food was delicious, thoughtful, and well paced. Quality of the ingredients was excellent, and the sashimi course stands out as hitting above its price point. Unique highlights include seared shrimp with crab butter, smoked uni flavored with dashi, and bamboo shoot tempura with shiso salt. The main host/waitress was truly the star of the meal. Her presence and care highlights each course, adding an aura of Japanese precision and experience-honed attention to detail. They are currently reservation only, and have seatings at 5:30 and 7:30.

Our first kaiseki meal! We got in during their soft opening on Sunday evening (grand opening Jan 17). The meal started off strong with the Kobachi 3 ways. We enjoyed every element of this amuse bouche. From there, the dishes were hit or miss. Highlights for me were the bluefin tuna sashimi (although there was quite a bit of stringiness in there), the sweet and sour red snapper and the custard pudding for dessert. Nice presentation and very good service! $95/pp set menu plus the additions. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

I recently revisited Hana Izumi after having lunch there a few months ago, and I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with the additional menu items added for dinner service. Our meal started with a series of small, beautifully presented dishes, including salmon and grated daikon radish topped with ikura, slow-roasted duck with mustard seeds on a bed of sesame spinach (delicious!), and a small serving of miso cod with a shishito pepper (very juicy!) on top. Each dish was a work of art, with perfectly balanced and delicate flavors. The sashimi course was particularly impressive, with fresh and fatty fish, including half the items on the dish all toro (hamachi toro, chutoro, and salmon toro). The aburi salmon belly and uni, as well as the shiso/chutoro/shredded daikon were some of my favorites. One of my favorites was the really delicious shrimp tempura over the pureed cucumber vinaigrette. I never thought of the two working so well together, however the deep fried comfort paired very well with the tangy vinaigrette, balancing perfectly together. As the meal progressed, we were served a variety of equally impressive cooked dishes. The roast beef was perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the miso soup was rich and flavorful. Even the rice, often overlooked in Japanese cuisine, was cooked to perfection and had a subtle sushi rice vinegar flavor that added to the overall experience. Throughout the meal, the service was attentive and professional without being intrusive. Our servers were knowledgeable about the menu and provided detailed explanations of each dish and its ingredients. The pacing of the meal was also perfect, with each course arriving at just the right time to ensure we didn't feel rushed or overwhelmed. Overall, I highly recommend Hana Izumi for an exceptional dining experience. Unlike many kaiseki restaurants, Hana Izumi's dinner and lunch menus maintain their charm, and the lunchtime prices are well worth it.

I was super excited for Hana Izumi 's opening, and lunch today did not disappoint. Service was warm, comfortable, and at a good pace. The food was amazing and just the right portions, leaving us both full and wanting more given how delicious everything was. In fact, it looked so good I forgot to take photos for two of the four dishes. The kaiseki lunch came with four courses: 1) Duck salad 2) Trio of Amuse Bouche 3) Seafood chawanmushi 4) Choice of shrimp ikura chirarshi or unagi tempura don The duck was so well flavored and worked well in the salad. Every dish in the Amuse Bouche course was amazing, leaving me wanting more. I was also impressed with the chirarshi! All the ingredients were fresh and balanced in their seasoning; the mini diced nagaimo and yellow pickled radish added another layer to the dish. The dish came with two pieces of seaweed for you to either tear into pieces to top the rice, or to make your own handroll. I do appreciate a good quality seaweed - it was tasty and crispy. The menu does not come with dessert; it's available for an additional charge. We were fine with that, as we were both full and less sugar in the diet isn't bad. In all, our lunch took ~70 mins which is on the short end for kaiseki and we were happy for that given my friend needed to get back for work so it all worked out. Given the positive experience, we said we'd put Hana Izumi into our rotation when we meet for lunch! I'll be back in a couple of weeks for dinner for our sister's birthday. Can't wait!