Izakaya Ginji

It is a nice izakaya food place. The staff there are very kind and attentive. We were able to get a table and order easily. Came during happy hour so wasn’t too busy either. The ordering was quite quick as you can order the happy hour dishes through the online menu. The skewers you order through the paper. Once we ordered the food came quickly. The skewers were pretty tasty. I liked the chicken skewers and the sausage skewer. We also tried the carbonara udon, and it was nice. The curry fries though, it was really tasty. Almost taste like a poutine. Overall a lot of yummy stuff.

Skewers were juicy, well seasoned and overall yummy. The beef finger and lamb were my favorites. We ordered a lot of the tapa plates and enjoyed most of them, the pork cheeks were very crispy and reminiscent of chicharrones, the karaage chicken comes in very large chunks, and the eggplant(miso nasu dengaku) was nice and saucy. I enjoy pork belly but the buta bara miso glaze was okay. I wish it was more tender. The ika maruyaki or grilled squid is a go to for me, as well as the ankimo. The fried hotate or scallops were nice and crispy with yummy slightly chewy scallops inside. The chuhais were fruity and very easy to drink.

Went out with some coworkers while visiting the area and was blown away with the food. We wended up ordering a lot of dishes which all had their own amazing flavors. My favorite was the Ebbi Chile, but the chicken karaage was a close second. Very cheap beer plus mouth watering food made for a very memorable outing. Friendly staff as well! Thanks y'all!

One of the best place to get Japanese food. The restaurant’s inside is decorated in Japanese style culture. It’s very nice, and we instantly fell in love with the decor. The place is always busy, so sometimes the order is a little slow but they always try their beat to attend to the customers. One other things I like about this place is the effort they put in to serve the little customers. See that cute little tiger plate? My baby likes it very much. The yakitori, or skewers, is very tasty, and they have 2 different flavors for you to try. During peak hours, the yakitori might be served a little slow due to high demands of orders. Besides that, the udon also is good, but the don is just so so, but it’s not bad. The desserts are yummy, but it’s too sweet to my liking.

I really enjoyed the udon and the skewers! The udon is very basic but very flavorful, the seaweed taste very good! The beef skewer is a must try! The meat is so juicy and perfectly done. I also love the chicken thigh and the scallop. Just simple salt seasoning but very flavorful! The staffs were very helpful and kind. I am 100% coming back again. March-2024 I tried the miso katsu chicken! Very crispy on the outside and very tender chicken with flavorful sauce! I will try this again. April-2024 Beef tongue: must try! May-2024 Beef tongue and miso curry chicken katsu June-2024 Beef finger, sushi and shrimp! July-2024 Beef udon and oyster and lunch special beef bowel! Kaisen don and beef udon!

Terrible service On 10/29/2025 my girlfriend & I had dinner here. My girlfriend is considered a regular. She often comes with her friends & knows the Japanese waitresses. But I’m African American &! It was my 1st time. I attempted to order a Sapporo beer, but they where out.I asked can I try the other options beer because I wasn’t familiar & I was declined my girlfriend was shocked by the Japanese waiter response after spending lots time & money here. The Latin waitress working there were really nice…

Reserved a table here for our first visit. Ordered a combination of yakitori, udon and tempura along with beer. Food was quite underwhelming but service was good . The yakitori was almost too charred and I have had far better ones. The grilled shishito pepper were some of the driest vegetable yakitoris I have had. The tamago udon was better than yakitori but on the saltier side. The renkon/lotus chips were tasteless and the ebi/shrimp tempura was not truly Japanese style and had too much thick batter. They have a huge menu, so I am not sure if we ended up ordering the weaker items. i felt it was too pricey for the quality of the food but then this is the bay area. If I am in the area I may give them a second try but would definitely avoid their yakitori or tempura items.

Popular Japanese Izakaya with a variety of yakitori skewer options. This place is always crowded so advanced bookings are recommended. Food is of good quality and a bit high price. Expect $75 pp if ordering mainly skewers.

It's been a while since I've last visited and was happy to return. Arrived at around 5:30pm on Wednesday and was seated quickly. Usually order a bunch of skewers, but didn't this time. During this visit, we ordered: 1) Butakimchi carbonara - this is a must whenever I visit and still as good as I remember 2) Age Mochi Oroshi - the broth is yummy with the chewiness of the mochi 3) Chicken skin gyoza - perfect for those on keto and/or just tying to avoid the carbs 4) Chicken liver pate - always a good one, but prefer toasted bread slices rather than the crackers. It's a pretty generous portion of pate, too, so extra crackers (or bread slices) would be nice.

My teenage son was craving red meat last Friday, and I wanted a bit of sushi. So Izakaya Ginji was a perfect spot for us to both get the best of what we wanted in Downtown San Mateo. We walked in without a reservation at 5pm, and had our pick of bar or table. The staff greeted us with a warm, efficient welcome like we experience in Tokyo. Ordering is a mix of new and traditional: hot kitchen and sushi items go through a QR code on your phone, while the yakitori and kushiyaki still use the old-school paper slip. It's a thoughtful setup that keeps things moving smoothly while preserving that hands-on izakaya rhythm. The salmon sashimi came in thick, fresh slices that needed nothing but a dab of wasabi, and the Seiichi Roll (with salmon and tobiko) was simple, colorful, and balanced. We ordered the skewers all in one shot. Of the skewers, the Wagyu arrived first, beautifully charred and buttery, which set the bar high enough to make the leaner cuts that followed--lamb, sirloin, chicken--feel anti-climactic. Next time, I'll stagger the order and save the Wagyu for the closer. That said, every skewer was spot on: chicken thigh juicy and lightly smoky; tsukune loose-packed and tender; lamb perfectly medium with a clean, savory finish. The sausages had a snappy casing and hint of sweetness. Popcorn shrimp arrived crisp and greaseless, while chilled hiyayakko tofu offered a refreshing break between grilled bites. Service kept an easy rhythm; skewers arrived steadily, always hot off the grill, and the table stayed clear between rounds. The room has that cozy hum of conversation you expect from a neighborhood izakaya. If my son wasn't there, I definitely would have enjoyed a beer and/or sake, which would have perfected the meal. At about $80 per person for our spread, Ginji sits in the mid-to-upper tier for San Mateo but feels justified by the quality and craft. Authentic, comfortable ... great food without drama.

We've been here a couple of times since trying the first time because it is so good. The phone ordering while at the table is super convenient. The staff is super friendly. The last time we were there, I put in the reservation notes that it was my daughter's 5th birthday (and it was her choice to dine here) and we were greeted by the kindest greeting when we checked in. My daughter had no idea how the employee knew it was her birthday but she was so excited. Thank you to the employee who did that, she still talks about it. The food is really good! I especially love the wagyu and chicken thigh skewers and the miso chicken donburi is so good. We love the decor as well. We can't wait to come back.

I was in the area and came here for Japanese food because, honestly, the pictures looked really good! We arrived and sat down at the bar are right away and those were the only open seats; this spot is popular and not that big so we got lucky! We sat down right next to the grill where the yakitori orders were prepared and the aroma in the air was so nice. I ordered a bowl of ramen and my friend got a set combo dinner. The portion was big and presentation looked appealing; and the taste? It was very delicious too! Too bad we weren't that hungry and didn't order any other dishes to try, but will do so next time!

I've walked by Izakaya Ginji many times in the past but finally had the opportunity to dine here recently with some friends. Right when you walk in you can see the chefs grilling yakitori on the Binchotan charcoal grills. The of meats grilled over the charcoal We started out with a cold Sapporo beer which is always refreshing and complements Japanese food well. They also serve the Sapporo Premium Black here. We ordered the yakitori quail eggs, chicken wings salt tare style, and chicken thighs. Though it was tasty, $5.75 was a bit pricey for one wing. The grilled octopus was excellent! For sushi, we shared the Tosaka and Ginji Lion King rolls. Both were 8 pieces with a generous amount of fish and were fresh. The restaurant was clean and the service was friendly attentive service.

My friends and I really enjoyed our time here! The vibe and service were top tier and recommend coming here for a date night or a dinner with a few friends. The restaurant is decorated so thoughtfully. It felt cozy and trendy at the same time. I would recommend coming here with enough friends to try and sample lot of times. We ordered A LOT and liked pretty much everything (some more than others.) The stand outs were carbonara, mussels, chicken skin skewers and takoyaki. I liked how the cook grilling can be seen right when you walk in. It's interesting to watch!

My siblings and I came in on Wednesday night with no wait. Some of our favorites were the chicken heart, liver, carpaccio, mentaiko udon, and and chicken skin. I would definitely come back. Service was great and they were attentive and kind.

I've been to Ginji a few times and it solid and dun every time! My absolute favorite are the pork cheeks! Others include the grilled squid and beef rib finger meat. All their yakitori is nice and smoky and they serve their beer in chilled glasses. Service is quick and attentive. And the atmosphere is fun and lively! It's a great time.

I had a hankering for yakitori, so I looked on Yelp and found Izakaya Ginji. Located in Downtown San Mateo, there are nearby parking lots and street parking if you're lucky enough to nab a space. The restaurant is on the corner of East 4th Avenue & South B Street. Once inside, there is a combination sushi counter / yakitori grill that wraps around the corner and all seating is arranged along each side. It has a very cozy izakaya feel: Dark woods and lots of signs advertising what's available to eat & drink. On my visit, I was seated very quickly and got to perusing the menu. Lots of Japanese favorites on there for sure! I ordered a beer to start, then Seaweed Salad, Unagi Don, Chicken Skin, and Chicken Liver. Everything was delish! :-) And the Chicken Skin & Liver yakitori? Easily one of the best I ever ate. Though it took a little while to make, it was definitely worth it. I'm going to have to put this place in my rotation now!

Pricy but very high quality Japanese Izakaya. Our favorite here is the bbq wagyu and black cod. The service is very friendly and is a great location for dates and night out. Good collection of alcohol as well.

I've been frequenting this restaurant for a few years now and it's consistently solid. The food has always been good, and I can't say I've had a had a bad dish here. As others have mentioned, the prices may be a bit on the higher side, but honestly, it makes sense when you consider how much effort goes into preparing yakitori properly. The skewers are always seasoned well and grilled nicely. Personal favorites include the beef tongue (when it's not sold out), chicken heart, and gizzard. Also, the kimchi udon carbonara is a fav. Definitely a place I keep coming back to.

before I get into the food, I have to call out the amazing interior decor and ambiance -- it truly feels like an authentic izakaya with the vintage artwork on the walls, japanese music, and binchotan grill with the open-kitchen layout. seriously, immaculate vibes. food is ordered via QR code (which I love) but skewers are ordered via paper/pencil. just be sure to flag down a waiter and give them the skewer order form once you're ready! what we would get again: - spicy karaage -- crispy, thin breaded chicken thigh; super juicy chicken and the spicy sauce added even more flavor - sushi roll with salmon and cucumber in the middle and topped with salmon, lemon slices, and tobiko servers here are all very nice, attentive, and helpful!

Solid. Definitely good, but not incredible. We arrived with a group of 6 on a Monday night. Service was consistently quick and warm. Let's talk food. The skewers were okay. The chicken was dry and it was pretty hard to swallow despite being a regular swallower. The peppers were supposedly sweet but my goodness my body was clinging on for dear life. The highlights were easily the two mentaiko noodle dishes as each was savory, creamy, and had us lookin for more. All in all, Good

We have been eating here for the last 4 years, but this was our first time eating there in probably a year. We noticed that the food quality seemed a bit different. Overall, still a good meal but the freshness of the sashimi and food seasoning seemed just a bit below what we remembered. Ordered 1) hamachi appetizer, which didn't have the previously remembered light fresh flavor. 2) salmon avocado roll that was good but same issue with the freshness 3) mentaiko carbonara- still very savory and good, always a favorite 4) agedashi tofu- batter was not quite as crispy Yakitori was overall still good but probably a little salty. We got the wagyu, lamb, and chicken thighs.

We love good izakaya so this place has been on our to check out for a while. We came at 5:40 on a Saturday. They inside was already 90% full and they said only availability is outside, with heaters. So, take heed! We were the first outside table. But service was friendly and prompt which made it not a hardship to be outside. They don't have a BIG skewers selection, but they have an overall diverse and tasty offering! 5* * Skewer: beef rib finger -- these are juicy, tasty, tender and just wonderful bites of beef! * Mentaiko Carbonara -- creamy, great chewy texture to the udon. Very satisfying! * Pork cheeks (Tontoro shio yaki)-- thanks to all the Yelp reviews for recommending this. Unique and satisfyingly porky, salty, crisp and juicy! 4.5* * Skewer: shiitake-- I just love shiitakes and these are fresh, lightly salted and grilled in a light toast kind of way. Very satisfying * Skewer: sausage -- these are juicy and smoky. Very satisfying ... I enjoyed these as much as the 5* items but might not feel like I have to order them everytime since they're not AS unique to Izakaya Ginji 4* Takoyaki -- very satisfying: crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside with great sauces Karaage -- very generously portioned 2.5 - 3* * Soft shell shrimp -- which comes on a skewer, but is fried. This is satisfying fried food with beer. 3* because the flesh of the shrimp ends up being a bit dry, vs other fried shrimp I've had where it's crunchy on the outside and plump and juicy on the inside * Skewer: chicken meatball -- this was the most lackluster item on the menu. The meatballs weren't tender vs other tsukune we've had. Edible, but felt like it was taking up precious stomach real estate vs all the other amazing things above. All of this accompanied Asahi super well. Overall, a really tasty, and satisfying meal with friendly and prompt service. The tables around us filled up throughout our meal, though they also seemed to have a fairly steady turnover. Recommend reservation or coming early to be on the safe side.

Had a good friend visiting town so we came for dinner on a Monday night. Place wasn't too packed or busy which was nice. We mostly just ordered their skewers. Friend orders the chicken soup which was surprisingly good. A good chunk of their skewers were over salted. I probably drank at least 6 cups of water that night.. for some pricey skewers I was disappointed.

Hmm, I personally was not a fan. I made reservations for 3 at 7:00pm and we ended but being a bit early and got there around 6:20pm to check in and see if there was any open spots. As figured, there was no tables so we waited and got seated around 6:55pm, although I will say the hostess said she can sit us initially around 6:40pm but that never happened, which is fine but I noticed her seating people who were walking in. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt since we were early which was our fault. We were finally seated and we ordered via the QR code. Our beer came out in 5 minutes but when I tell you this was the slowest service I had in a while, I meant it. Each of our food item came by one by one and it literally took forever, about 45 minutes. For example, our sushi roll came out and then once we were done we waited another 10 minutes and our karage came out, then we finished and waited another 10 minute and our udon came out. On top of that, the servers were all busy and running around so they didn't even realize we are sitting there waiting for long because we also ordered through the QR code. The whole service was not good in my opinion. Was everyone nice, yes, but was the service good, no... The food was okay, especially after waiting so long you get high expectations but I felt like everything was okay, again not amazing nor bad, just neutrally good. The price was decent and not too crazy so I guess overall it's fine. I personally would not be back unless there was no wait. It was not worth making a reservation and the wait for the food. It was a Friday evening so I understand it was busy, but I felt the service was too bad so I can't imagine coming with a bigger group as all of our food would come out in different times. Luckily I had it family style.

Came here last week because we were craving yakitori. The yakitori was good, but the ones we got with salt were a tad too salty that day. We always get the chicken skin, chicken w/ negi, gizzard, and kimchi carbonara. We tried the chicken neck and chicken harami (skirt) this time. Both delicious cuts of meat and very tender!

Date of Visit: 7/12/2024 Japanese izakaya is one of our favorite types of cuisine. Izakaya Ginji located in San Mateo has had great reviews since it was opened back in 2010. It is a family restaurant operated by two brothers. Daisuke Nishimoto works at the back side of the kitchen and curates the extensive sake menu, and Shingo manages the binchotan grill in the front. We made a reservation about 1.5 week prior to our visit, and sat right away. The skewer menu is a physical menu on the table that can place the order of all different kinds of skewers. And we need to scan the QR code to place an order for all others, including sashimi, appetizers, donburi, udon, dessert, and drinks. Sapporo $5 Asahi $6 We got two types of Japanese beer to pair with our foods. We ordered the following skewers: Shishito Pepper $3.8 Shishito pepper was very yummy, but some of them were spicy and some were sweet. Gizzard $4.75 My favorite! Love the crispy and chewy taste of the gizzard. Heart $4.75 Chicken heart skewers were juicy and delicious! Skin $5 Chicken skin was grilled right on point! Cartilage $5.75 Cartilage was great too! Fatty Salmon Sashimi $14 We got the fatty salmon sashimi with daikon and shiso, and wasabi on the side. Grilled Salmon Collar and Belly $19 The grilled salmon collar and belly were big portions. Chicken Knee Karaage $9.5 This one paired great with iced cold beer! Mentaiko Carbonara $18 One of the most popular dishes, the Mentaiko Carbonara was made with cream and cod roe, on top was decorated with seaweed and green onion. It was very creamy but not too thick. Gyu Don $16 And we also got the gyu don. This one is just okay, also with miso soup on the side.

It's rare that an izakaya spot is open for lunch, but luckily Ginji was. We got a bunch of dishes to share but I forgot to take photos of most of them, oops. The food is pretty good and authentic. Portions are large so because when you order. The torched aji was amazing, definitely get that. Friendly service. They gave us free miso soup because we ordered so much.

Made a reservation for three at 6:30pm on a Saturday and when we got there we were seated right away! The interior is super cute with lots of decorations to make it feel like you're getting izakaya in Japan. We came here mainly to try their yakitori. We ordered many and they did not disappoint. My favorites were the bacon scallop, chicken thighs, and chicken gizzard. The scallop was cooked perfectly! It wasn't overcooked and the bacon gave it so much flavor. The chicken thighs were so so juicy and yummy. The chicken gizzards had a good texture to it. My least favorite was the cartilage, it was just a bit tough for my taste. We also ordered a rainbow roll that was good, pretty standard, the fish didn't stand out too much to me. And also soft shrimp skewers which were super delicious! I would come here for good vibes with a group of friends.

It's been awhile since I've last eaten here. The quality and taste are still what I remember. Dining here on weeknight, the place wasn't too busy. I made reservations on OpenTable so we were seated right away. We ordered the following and were stuffed by the time we finished our meal. Corn butter - nothing special, just corn and onions, seemed like more onion than corn Shishito peppers Mentaiko carbonara (cod roe, cream and egg yolk) - my favorite dish, this was so rich and flavorful, a definite order again Karaage - this dish was more like chicken strips than karaage Lollipop chicken Mushrooms Beef rib finger Pork rib finger Chicken skin Spicy tuna roll Service started quick, but got slower as the night progressed. Noise level and busyness weren't too bad so made for a pleasant evening to catch-up with a friend. Parking in that area is hit or miss depending on night of week, but plenty of street parking and parking lots available.

First time here we got seated immediately. I got the tosaka roll and the salmon. I really liked the salmon one the jalapeños on top really made it the perfect touch. I would come back here.

We only gone for lunch but already were quite happy with the food and variety, they have much better varieties for dinner. Sushi rolls were average, typical like dragon roll, salmon lover etc. Our group liked the appetizers the most, and the shoju was fun. The only thing to pick on was the ambiance, it was pretty old and dark in the cube.

I have almost never given a 5-star rating for a yakitori place, but this restaurant definitely deserves it. Ayumi, our host, was incredibly welcoming and accommodating, even when we arrived earlier than expected. The service was excellent--attentive and efficient--and the food was absolutely a 10/10! Every binchotan charcoal BBQ skewer was perfectly grilled, delivering incredible flavor and texture. We'll definitely be returning!

Lunch visit with my parents after several years of not dining here. I might add this back into my rotation. The staff was very nice and efficient. There are plexiglass partitions separating every other table so it affords a bit of privacy. Food was hit or miss, prices are mostly reasonable, and portion sizes were healthy. We got 6 items for 3 people and walked away stuffed and with leftovers. Tontoro shio yaki/grilled pork cheeks - pork was juicy, fatty but in a good way, a little crisp on the outside, and the side of cabbage was a nice way to cut the fattiness Buta kimchi okonomiyaki (weekday lunch item) - this was ok. There was maybe a couple small pieces of pork in it and the texture was too dense and doughy. The reheated leftovers tasted better though so maybe it just needed to be on the grill longer. Niku tofu - I really liked this dish. The beef tongue is so tender and the dish flavorful. Soft shell shrimp - this was the unanimous favorite at our table. Mentaiko carbonara - we all liked this dish but it was very creamy and I wished there was more mentaiko. Steamed sake mussels - pass on this dish next time. The mussels did not have the best texture and the broth was way too salty.

3.5 stars Came here for the Yakitori. Skewers were lacking in flavor and needs more salt and pepper while cooking rather than a finish. The one with the sauce is better. I do like the gizzard, liver, and heart. I didn't care for the cartilage, it was a bit dry with the meat. All could use a bit more salt and I'm sensitive to salty flavors. The rainbow sushi roll was good. The flavor in it was tasty. Beer was reasonable too. Service was good. Friendly staff.

Day/Time: Wednesday around 7pm Group: 2 Traffic: Pretty crowded, but we were sat immediately on arrival Parking: street / downtown structures Chicken liver + salted chicken heart yakitori - Fantastic! Smoky, aromatic, with great texture. These go down super quick, so if you're hungry I recommend supplementing with something else on the menu so you don't spend all your money trying to get full. Scallop bacon - Very good, the scallop flavor was strong against the bacon. You only get one per order on the skewer. It's a fun variety item. Bento Box A (chicken teriyaki) - Nice standard bento, well-executed and nothing to complain about. This will help fill you up while you have a taste tour of your yakitoris I also wanted some tempura, but unfortunately I wasn't a big fan of the tempura offering here. There's only 4 tempura options (shishito, ebi, cheese, or squid). I wish some veggie variety tempura option was offered (e.g. with pumpkin, broccoli, etc), but it's okay. For newcomers, I recommend picking 2-3 (or more!) fun yakitoris to try (get 1 serving per person, they go down quick!) and picking an entree with some variety of ingredients to fill you up (e.g. a bento or a sushi roll).

Very busy place in downtown San Mateo. Me & my bestie came on a Friday night (7-8pm) & we got seated quickly but this place fills up because it's small (Japanese style). Affordable Japanese restaurant compared to other spots in the Bay. I really loved their chicken skin yakitori, takoyaki, & salmon nigiri. I'm used to agedashi tofu having more flavor so I'll prob skip on that next time. My bestie got a rice bowl & it was super delicious! You order through your phone & they bring it quickly. Next time, I want to order more skewers :) thanks for a nice dinner.

The service and the food was great. The place has a cozy atmosphere in general. The only thing I wish was that they didn't have super concentrated lighting in certain parts that would shine too brightly in certain seats. It made the ambiance less comfortable when I have a bright beam of light on me.

I used to eat here pretty often about 6-7 years ago and it was one of my favorite restaurants. The servers were notably stand out and they had the best yakitori in town. Last night I came back for a 6pm reservation on a Wednesday night. It was ...sad. The service was fine. But the food was unrecognizable. For skewers we ordered shishito peppers, shiitake mushroom, chicken thigh, heart, tail, neck, lamb, sake muscles and tofu okonomiyaki. Almost $6 per order and only 1 skewer per order. The veggies came out hot but the meat all came out just warm. The tail was a bit undercooked so the fat was not rendered enough for the flavor to develop. However the chicken thigh was overcooked that it dry like chicken breast. But the one thing that I could not forgive was that all the chicken was ordered with tare but none came with tare - everything was served with soy sauce straight out of the bottle. This was criminal. I've always been skeptical of these elite yelpers giving 5 stars to every restaurant..

The skewers are really good. - The chicken heart was crispy and fresh. - Liver was wonderful, the middle was super soft while the outside was perfectly crispy. - Beef rib finger: crunchy with a burst of juice upon the bite - squid: so crisp and an excellent and not fishy seafood flavor - lamb: quite tough, and not well seasoned - Scallop wrapped in bacon: nothing special. The bacon makes it taste and feel cheap Not a wallet friendly place, and don't expect to leave satisfied. We had to order the sushi rolls after finishing our skewers because we were still hungry. Be prepared to stop at McDonald's on the way home. Service was very friendly, and the place reminds me of being at a charcoal place in Japan.

I finally tried this place in San Mateo and we were not disappointed . Great atmosphere and staff is very friendly. Since it was our first time, she walked us thru ordering via our mobile and send it. Our order was brought to our table as expected. Everything was delicious!

Been a loyal customer before and throughout Covid years, but most recent visit the pricing increased, however, the portion and quality of ingredients dropped. The yakitori seasoning and flavor were not consistent between same cuts on different skewers. Some are too sweet, some not enough salt. I even asked the owner (server) about whether the chef (husband) changed the broth flavor on the chicken ramen since my other party made the same comment to me too. But she said the same and no chef change, maybe different parts of chicken different flavor is the response. They definitely had less chicken broth flavor now and with more miso. Also the sliced chicken in the ramen is usually not dry and smooth replaced with chewy dry chicken instead. I hope they took my feedback and revert back to the consistent flavor customers are used to or acknowledged that their chef changed the flavor profile.

Went here with my family and had to wait a bit for a table (there were six people in our party). My aunt had been here before and liked it a lot, so ordered for the table. We ordered A LOT, and it added up to a lot per person. Overall the food was very good. The service was very quick, and they brought food as quickly as they cleared plates from our table. I'll go over some of the highlight dishes: Yakitori: We ordered four types: Beef finger, chicken and scallions, salt and pepper chicken, and chicken skin. My favorite was the chicken skin, mainly because the outside was very crispy and the skin itself soaked up much of the sauce's flavor. I liked the two chicken ones, though I found the salt and pepper one a bit bland. The beef was good, simple, hearty. Rice plates: Came with miso soup. We ordered a miso tonkatsu one and a grilled hamachi one. Both were delicious. The miso sauce was so flavorful, so rich, and the miso was very deep. It was a bit heavier, but very satisfying. I liked the hamachi just a bit more. The squeeze of lemon on top adds another element to the grilled flavor of the fish. It was soft and very easy to eat. The fish skin was so crispy. Sushi rolls: Nothing that special, ordered one that was a California roll with spicy tuna on top. Another was a baked roll. It was still very delicious, but the other dishes were more memorable. Udon: We ordered two bowls of the niku udon. I liked it. It had a much lighter flavor than I was expecting, but they were very generous with portions (especially the meat), as well as tons of seaweed and udon noodles. Very chewy and delicious, also very refreshing. Appetizers: Agedashi tofu was alright, there was something about it being not crispy enough and the dashi stock was too light for it to really taste like anything. Takoyaki was good, very classic. They didn't put a lot of octopus, however. My aunt also ordered some kind of sashimi sampler with salmon roe on top. It was very clean tasting. There was a bit of sourness, vinegary taste. The roe added lovely texture. She also ordered fried pork cubes coated with some kind of sweet teriyaki-like sauce. No idea what it was called, but it was very good. The meat was very lean, but the crispiness of the outside was very nice. If there was more food we ordered, I must have forgotten because it wasn't too memorable. Overall food is great, a bit expensive but that's how it is in most izakayas. Service is quick and very attentive. Seems like parties of 6+ have an automatic service fee charge.

Came here on a Tuesday night with reservation. We were seated as soon as we got there. Service was great! Our server was very sweet and friendly, she always check back on us to see if we need anything. The restaurant itself was very casual and relaxed, it is perfect for friends gathering. I'd say this place is more of a 3.5 star instead of 4. They have a big menu with different selections, we ordered a bunch of different stuff: Takoyaki, grilled octopus, grilled meatballs, Hiyayakko, chicken Liver etc. Everything we've ordered was pretty decent, Most of the yakitoris were well seasoned, and perfectly grilled. There were a few dishes that were just OK. Overall we enjoyed dining here and would come back to try more.

Izakaya Ginji was such a great place to dine! I was able to find street parking nearby and walked over. The inside was full so I was able to grab a spot outside. They have heaters in case you get cold. The service was very good! They constantly checked on us and the food came out pretty quickly. It didn't come out all at once though. We got the skewers - chicken heart, gizzard and shiitake mushrooms. I thought the gizzard was the best. We also got the pork cheek and that was one of my FAVS!! The flavor was so rich and the texture of everything was just right. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures but I mainly came to try their kimchi carbonara and it definitely didn't disappoint. I would come back here again for it! The portions are decent sized but the pricing as great! Very affordable. I would come back again!

Great atmosphere for a casual party with friends. Charcoal grilled Japanese foods, lots of varieties. Service is good. Recommended!

- Seaweed Salad 3 normal - Hamachi Carpaccio 4 thick slices, not fishy, garlic crunch on top, ponzu sauce, flavorful - Ebi Chili Mayo 4 deep fried tiger shrimp, sweet chili glaze, not spicy, crispy - Buta Bara Miso Glaze 2 deep fried slow cooked pork belly, sweet glaze, too fatty, crispy - Tofu Okonomiyaki 5 great flavor, corn - Agedashi tofu 3 - Soft shell shrimps 4 - Ginji Lion King Roll 5 seared salmon, ask for no jalapeño, spicy, flavorful - Mentaiko Carbonara 4 creamy, fishy cod roe flavor, flavorful - Salmon Carbonara 3 creamy, too little salmon, not flavorful - Chicken katsu curry 4 - Miso soup 3 normal - Salmon Belly Sashimi 5 rich, fatty, fresh - Houji Tea Panna Cotta 5 tea flavor super strong - Mango Pudding 5 real mango (can be a little sour), better than dimsum version Skewers: - Chicken Skin 4 crispy, slightly greasy - Chicken Cartilage 3 no meat, only bone - Chicken Gizzard 4 crispy chewy, soy flavor - Chicken Heart 3 soft chewy, soy flavor - Chicken Meatball 3 soft, ginger taste, medium flavorful - Chicken Scallion 3 medium tender, ponzu sauce - Japanese Waygu 5 rich, juicy - Beef tongue 4 crispy chewy, juicy - Beef ribs fingers 4 very chewy, well seasoned w/ salt - Scallop & Bacon 3 juicy, not flavorful - Eggplant 3 not soft or flavorful

Food came quick and everything was great! Highly recommend the pork cheek and salmon sashimi. Friendly staff and quick service along with beautiful decor.

My co workers and I came here for a farewell party for one of the workers Food n service was very good drinks were good as well I recommend this place because food is good n service was very good

Great spot for Japanese food and izakaya as it's run by Japanese people. Service is slow so much sure you account for that if you plan on dining in. Shishito peppers - nice char and some of the peppers had a nice kick to it. Chicken Thigh - juicy and tender with a lot of flavorful. Takoyaki - crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. One of the better takoyaki I've had. Buta Kimchi Carbonara - super creamy. The kimchi added a nice tartness to the cream. The udon had a nice chew and bounce to it. Sashimi don & Udon - the sashimi was so fresh. The tuna melts in your mouth. I'm normally not a huge fan of salmon sashimi but this one was high quality and good. The udon had a lot of seaweed and a solid bowl of udon.

Best udon in town! We had the beef variety -- Niku Udon exceeded expectations -- the broth was clean, deep, flavorful and the udon noodles itself are so chewy! The seaweed was a great touch. I'm not a big beef eater, but their thinly sliced beef was really good. The beef had too much fat though. Honestly we didn't expect much for udon (usually at non-udon-specialty restaurants, they've been pretty plain) but this place went beyond expectations. Lion King roll was yummy too! Big portion, good amount of salmon and torch! Some things that could be improved was that the music was too loud indoors and there were some annoying fruit flies or mosquitos(?) around us. Ah also they don't serve yakitori for lunch! Only dinner. But saturday lunch did not have any wait.

Came by for lunch the other day and it was a tasty experience. Street parking is available for $1/hour for up to 3 hours. Both indoor along with outdoor sidewalk dining were available. Ordering is done via a QR code provided by the wait staff. The menu is also via the QR code. Started off with the Tosaka Roll which was tasty. It was a California roll topped with spicy tuna along with some unagi sauce and green onions. The rice was thin, flavorful, and fragrant. Moved on to the chicken karaage which had numerous gigantic pieces of lightly fried chicken thighs that were very juicy. This also came with a side of Japanese mayo too! The seared mackerel was also tasty. The mackerel was seared and was very juicy. Service was attentive and courteous by the staff wearing a mask covering their mouth and nose. $35/head after tax and gratuity for lunch with plenty of leftovers.

Super friendly staff, prompt service and good food! My sister and I came here after looking at reviews, wanted to try a lychee martini although reviews were a bit misleading. They have a good selection of beers, sake and soju but no cocktails. Will come back again and explore more of the menu

Lovely izakaya with amazing food. Seriously 5/5 for their skewers, appetizers, and entrees. Buta Kimchi Carbonara (5/5) so so yummy & creamy. Really big portion and just absolutely delicious that you'll tear into the whole thing. Lollipop Chicken (4/5) It's very sweet and the presentation was nice. Soft & chewy with great crunchy texture. Tofu Okonomiyaki (AMAZE DAZE) I highly would recommend getting this as it's just a flavor bomb and so soft & piping hot when it comes out. Be careful when you take your first bite because it'll wow your tastebuds instantly and also burn your tongue haha. American Wagyu Beef Finger (5/5) so bomb also another recommendation to get for the texture, chewiness, and flavor. Chicken Heart (4.5/5) Good but not anything that is different than other izakayas. Chicken Neck 5/5) I'd definitely come here again for everything that they sell and would always recommend dinner time for the skewers since they only offer it from 5:30pm to closing.

Izakaya joint with flame-grilled Yakitori and a pretty big selection of food. Overall, not the best I've been to but pretty legit, good, and homey. Servings were generous. Staff was efficient. Food was good. What we got: 1. Niku udon: I'm a sucker for udon and theirs came loaded with beef. Pretty good. Wish there was more soup. 2. Karaage: huge chunks of fried chicken. Nuff said. 3. Soft shell shrimp: not the biggest fan since I prefer my seafood grilled 4. Grilled ika: good! Grilled squid with the crunchy burnt ends. 5. Agedashi tofu: standard - I'm not the biggest fan of this dish though. Could use more acidity. 6. Thigh: this was alright Not pictured but also got: 7. Cartilage 8. Wing: good, shio (salt) is always the way to go for yakitori imo - could be better if they do the cut thing that they do in Japan that makes it super easy to eat the wing, but this was great Overall, pretty good yakitori and Izakaya. They use a flame and real charcoal for grilling which is great since a lot of places just use an electric one and it's not the same. Come if you're craving yakitori and homey hits

Easy to make reservations online. They have a variety of izakaya options. For most options you can either have it dried or with a sweet sauce. They also have a standard Japanese menu. We tried the chicken thigh, heart and liver. The thigh was nice and tender, and the heart had a good texture. The liver was a bit too gamey for my taste, so be warned for those not accustomed to the flavors. They were well grilled, but a bit pricey IMO at around $4-5 for a skewer. We also tried their Kibinago karaage. The fish were well fried, but was a bit too salty. The lemon definitely helped. Age mochi oroshi was fine, but the mochi was bit too chewy. The Gyu Toji Don was a surprise of the night. Portion is large and onions and egg were super sweet. A pleasant delight that I would get again. Overall, a solid no-frills Japanese restaurant in downtoSan Mateo area

The food was good, but man is it expensive. There are other Yakitori places in San Mateo I would go to before choosing this one.