Sushi Roku Palo Alto

Restaurant · Palo Alto

Sushi Roku Palo Alto

Restaurant · Palo Alto

2

180 El Camino Real Suite 700a, Palo Alto, CA 94304

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Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null
Sushi Roku Palo Alto by null

Highlights

Sushi Roku at Stanford Shopping Center serves sleek, contemporary Japanese fare with standout wagyu skewers, crispy Brussels sprouts, and fresh sushi, perfect for date nights.  

Featured in Eater
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180 El Camino Real Suite 700a, Palo Alto, CA 94304 Get directions

sushiroku.com
@sushirokupaloalto

$50–100

Information

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180 El Camino Real Suite 700a, Palo Alto, CA 94304 Get directions

+1 650 507 2100
sushiroku.com
@sushirokupaloalto

$50–100

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Aug 4, 2025

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@eater

LA-Based Sushi Roku Opens Its First Silicon Valley Restaurant in Palo Alto - Eater SF

"A glitzy new sushi restaurant arrives in the heart of Silicon Valley later this month. Sushi Roku, known for its menu of rolls, sashimi, and other upscale Japanese fare, will be located at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto and opens on Tuesday, April 30, marking the long-running restaurant’s first expansion into Northern California." - Lauren Saria

https://sf.eater.com/2024/4/19/24134993/sushi-roku-palo-alto-new-restuarant-open
View Postcard for Sushi Roku Palo Alto
@eater

LA-Based Restaurants Sushi Roku, Boa Steakhouse to Open in Silicon Valley - Eater SF

"The first will be a seventh location of Sushi Roku, the swanky Japanese restaurant with existing locations in Santa Monica, Pasadena, Newport Beach, Las Vegas, and Scottsdale. The restaurant, popular as a stylish destination for contemporary Japanese food (think bacon-wrapped jumbo robata skewers and truffle-dusted brussels sprout chips) and sushi, will take over space at the Stanford Shopping Center near Stanford University." - Lauren Saria

https://sf.eater.com/2022/9/27/23374942/sushi-roku-boa-steakhouse-palo-alto-new-restaurants
View Postcard for Sushi Roku Palo Alto

Combat Fisher

Google
sushi roku food isn’t bad but it isn’t a high end sushi restaurant either. the food isn’t bad but not a wow restaurant either service was a bit slow given the number of customer in the restaurant (not that many) overall would i eat there again ? um yeah if i am hungry but it isn’t a first choice. after looking at dessert menu we decided to go to Pinkberry for our dessert

Alvina Waseem

Google
I ordered from Uber eats. Got the deluxe Roku box. I really enjoyed the sushi samples and the fried tuna thing. I payed extra for crab but learned I don't really like crab, wouldn't do that next time. Food was a good portion and the box was enough to make me full. I also got the lamb chop but would skip next time. Highly recommend the spicy miso soup! Kind of overpriced though tbh

Wook Chung

Google
If it isn't date night or you trying to impress your special someone, don't go to Roku. Also, if you've already taken your special someone to Roku, don't take them there again. It is tough to find a decent sushi-bar-club vibe place in the Bay Area. Either you're at a run-down proper sushi place (probably run by a non-Japanese) or an extremely expensive omakase place (where you won't be able to get a reservation last minute). So now you are stuck with a few options. And this is where Sushi Roku at Stanford Shopping Center comes in. Roku took over another bar-style restaurant that had Asian fusion before (can't recall its name). But the location, despite being on a corner of a major walkway, seems to be cursed. Throughout my time as a long-time Bay Area resident, I constantly see that store opening and closing new restaurants. And each time I try, I have never given it more than 3 stars. The answer is simple. For the food and experience you get, every single time you feel like you're getting ripped off. I'm sure the owner has to pay hefty rent to the mall, and probably this jacks up the price beyond comfort. And the situation isn't that much better with Sushi Roku. The sushi is okay. But clearly they focused a lot more on the photo opportunity of the dishes. They are presented artistically but this does not enhance the flavor by any means. The yakidori and skewers were tasty but again, single stick each for ridiculously high price. The chef nigiri omakase was "only" $54 when you realize it only contains 7 pieces and a handroll. No miso soup. Nothing else. And $18 for a mini bowl of ramen that was super salty. Now the food is above average in many ways. But the price is Michelin-grade. I understand that the vibes are good, it's bustling and you can dress fancy without being stared at. However, the experience itself just isn't good. Once you've used it for your date night, you won't use it again unless your date changes.

Roxy Mathew Koll

Google
I visited the Sushi place a couple of times and generally was satisfied with the food. Best is the complimentary ginger and wasabi. The sushi is good, I felt the rice is a bit too dry but still great. The ramen could have been much better!

Harman K

Google
You can expect an upscale dining experience here. While the restaurant's ambiance was indeed upscale, the service and attention to detail certainly fell short. Upon arrival, we were seated at a broken, rickety table, which we promptly requested to be changed. The new table was an improvement, but the dirty menu card we received was unacceptable for an establishment of this caliber. We asked for a replacement. We ordered five signature rolls, a lunch special sashimi, and a lunch special miso soup. When I requested an additional miso soup, the server informed me that I'd need to purchase another item from the lunch special menu to qualify for the special pricing on the miso soup. I opted for the main menu miso soup instead, only to find that it came in the same-sized bowl as the lunch special version – underwhelming, to say the least. The portions were surprisingly small, leaving us hungry enough to order a fifth roll. Unfortunately, it took around 20 minutes to arrive, which was disappointing given the upscale atmosphere. Overall, while Sushi Roku's food was enjoyable, the lack of attention to detail and tiny portions left a lot to be desired. For an upscale restaurant, I expect a better ambiance-to-service ratio. As a result, I'll be exploring other options in the area.

Anna Dominique Santos (アンナドミニク)

Google
Fantastic first time experience in Sushi Roku. Josh (I think that was his name) in the front desk was such a gentleman. Very polite, and I would say the perfect person to greet customers. Very good first impression of this restaurant thanks to him! My server, Jake, is very attentive & efficient. I love his recommendation, popcorn shrimp tempura. I'm always craving it. The atmosphere is very pleasant & relaxing. Food is delicious, and more like a fusion rather than traditional japanese.

TheSuperajash

Google
Yesterday I went there with my wife and son for the lunch. The host was very polite, he made us sit behind the host stand which was a perfect place for me and my family. Then our server (Lucas, sorry if I mis pronounce your name), he came introduced himself and took our order. He was very nice, polite and attentive. He took care of us very nicely. We ordered almost everything at the same time but he brought them according the way it's supposed to come ( salad, appetizers, main dish), that was very brilliant of him. The food was very good and the service was exceptional. We will definitely come back again.

Josh

Google
Better than average taste. ginger and wasabi is way better than other japanese restaurants as side dish it's relatively not expensive. Will revisit soon.

Kylie B.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant. Staff were very outgoing and friendly. The service was very quick, and the food did not take long. It was delicious, and good quality. Definitely coming back to Sushi Roku!

Meghana B.

Yelp
The service was amazing. Chanelle was our server and she was super attentive and sweet 10/10 recommend. The food was delicious as well I got the brustle sprout chips and a few signature rolls.
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Jim P.

Yelp
Can I give this 6 stars??? I have been waiting to eat here with great anticipation and I was so pleased! Every member of the staff is super well trained ~ they know their stuff. They share details about their menu without being snobby - you can tell they have tried everything and they are excited to share. I sat at the bar and had a cocktail along with an eggplant appetizer a few pieces of sushi. There were so many dishes I want to try and their sushi selection is excellent and everything looked so fresh and elegant! In a time where good service can be in short supply, Roku's team puts in the effort - from managers to waitstaff to runners - they all really care. The room is spacious yet there is a comfy vibe. I'm looking forward to coming here with friends to share this beautiful experience.
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Lauren K.

Yelp
If you like Sushi Roku, I know you have bad taste in Japanese food. This place is overpriced, which could be fine, but the food is no where near the flavor of what you can buy for cheap from Nijiya's takeout. You are paying for ambiance and waiters who offer small-talk. Tempura and gyoza were strange, and the rolls lacked flavor. The waiter said his favorite nigiri was the albacore with truffle mayo. This was my least favorite. Who puts truffle on nigiri? I wish this place lived up to its social media hype. I'll stick with Nijiya and Kanpai.
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Alyson C.

Yelp
A cool, contemporary Japanese fusion spot with good drinks and vibes. We made a reservation for a birthday celebration, and the trendy, but tranquil atmosphere was great. Every dish was delicious, and are very shareable. The drinks were strong, and our food came fast. It's a nice "celebratory night out" type restaurant, or "upscale date" place, I approve.
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Shea H.

Yelp
Wow... this is the first time im writing a second review for a place, and it's totally worth it. Sushi Roku has now become my new favorite restaurant in Palo Alto, and dare I say they are better than Nobu. The staff are so friendly and super helpful ( shoutout Akira and Delaney at the bar ) and all of the food is phenomenal. I bring all my friends here because I want to share this amazing dining experience with everyone else :) Also, you absolutely have to get the brussel sprout chips, they are going to be on my death row meal haha.
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Nat P.

Yelp
What a great find! It's nice to see another new restaurant opening up in the area, especially one that I would come back to. First thing that caught my eye was the decor. Given that they opened about two months ago, it is such a clean and lovely place! Beautiful ambience all around! I love their menu because they keep it simple. I loved their Brussels sprout chips! So crispy and not that oily. I couldn't stop eating it that I wanted seconds! Also had their tuna crudo, which was delicious but not as delicious as that Brussels sprout chips! Next thing I got was their American wagyu beef skewers, which is a must ! So juicy and so flavorful in every bite. As for the sushi, I got the chefs choice which is pretty much your omakase style. Every piece of fish was a delight! Can't go wrong with whatever you order. I had a great experience! And cheers to the staff! Very attentive and friendly! Even their manager I assume approached and checked in on us. Definitely coming back!
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Katherine L.

Yelp
I dined here with friends during their 50% off soft opening, the restaurant was booked full. We had outdoor seating and enjoyed nigiri and toro carpaccio. Service was attentive despite being slightly understaffed for the amount of tables. Cons: 1) one of my friends had food poisoning afterwards 2) some regular menu dishes feel overpriced
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Nancy C.

Yelp
Amazing food and good service. We were a party of five, celebrating a friend's birthday. The weather was nice so they sat us outside. They even arranged umbrellas so the sun was not in our eyes. Our waiter was very helpful and gave us great suggestions. We liked everything we ordered. The Brussel sprout chips were one of the favorite appetizers in addition to the carpaccio dishes. The rolls were tasty too. All and all, you will not be disappointed as the menu has many options to satisfy all types of tastebuds. Will definitely go back to try other items.
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Berna G.

Yelp
This is definitely a spot to bring people you want to impress, the ambiance is super swanky for a sushi and yakitori spot. The Sushi Roku team did a great job of bringing a piece of fancy LA sushi to Palo Alto. Service is very good here. From the host to our servers and other staff, everyone was super attentive. One of the managers even made sure to check in on us towards the end of our meal to extend his appreciation for dining with them. Price-wise, I wouldn't frequent this place to get my sushi fix. You can easily spend $100 per person on drinks and starters. The drinks are really good here and perfect for catch up over. My friend and I shared the salmon and hamachi carpaccios. These were the favorites of the night. We also got a roll and some toro sashimi which were tasty but not anything to rave about.
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Ayush K.

Yelp
Ideally, I'd give this place a 3.5/5. Sushi Roku in the Stanford Shopping Center is a decent option for a contemporary Japanese dining experience, but with a few caveats. We visited on a busy weekend evening without a reservation. Confusingly, we were told there was only one table available, yet several tables remained empty throughout our meal. Thankfully, the service was excellent - attentive, friendly, and very fast. The restaurant itself boasts a modern Japanese aesthetic, with lots of natural light and both indoor and heated outdoor seating options. They cater to different seating preferences with bar stools, relaxed seating, and even high counter seating. My friend and I opted for the Wagyu Hanabi and the Deluxe Sushi Plate. We mentioned a shrimp allergy and were initially told that substitutions weren't possible. However, upon further inquiry, the chef kindly accommodated our request, which we appreciated. The Wagyu Hanabi was a winner. The wagyu beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender and juicy, and the rice lived up to its name - perfectly crispy. However, the provided soy sauce was a bit too salty and sour for our taste. The Deluxe Sushi Plate offered a good value considering Bay Area sushi prices. It was filling, with yellowtail, tuna, salmon, a substitute fish for the shrimp (hamachi in our case), albacore, sea bream, and scallop bringing the total sushi pieces to 7. While the sushi was fresh and decent overall, it wasn't particularly standout. The fish cuts were a bit thin, and none of the pieces truly wowed us in terms of flavor or presentation. The deluxe sushi plate also comes with the option to pick between baked crab and spicy tuna cut rolls. We tried both. Spicy tuna cut rolls was the clear winner. The baked crab was 50% imitation crab. Overall, Sushi Roku gets a 3.5-star rating. The service was fantastic, the ambiance was pleasant, and the prices were reasonable. However, the sushi itself was a bit average. If you're looking for a reliable, contemporary sushi experience with a focus on service, Sushi Roku is a decent choice.
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Tiffany N.

Yelp
We heard this was a popular sushi spot in Los Angeles that opened their newest location in the Bay Area and had to try it out on a date night! The interior of the restaurant was really chic and pretty, the taste + presentation of the food was super special, and we had a really great experience dining here with Thomas and Haynes! We got the: - Brussels sprout chips - our favorite dish from the night! It was crunchy and perfectly salty. There was a hint of truffle on it too! - Spicy tuna hanabi - really fresh fish and crunchy crispy rice - Akira special mocktail - super citrusy and refreshing! It was perfectly sweet and sour. Highly recommend if you're looking for a good mocktail! - Beef ribeye wrapped asparagus - another favorite from the night, you must try this! The sauce was soo good and a highlight of this dish. For his birthday, he got cotton candy on fire with cheese cake and lava cake for his birthday! Such a cool experience, shoutout to Thomas and Haynes for being super friendly + fun. Definitely come try Sushi Roku if you are looking to impress someone! This was a delicious dinner with great service and ambiance.
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Hang T.

Yelp
Amazing. Everything was amazing from the food to the service to the ambiance. I highly recommend this new sushi restaurant. It's a branch from SoCal. First off, service was impeccable. I wish I remembered the name of our service. He was Asian and had glasses on. Served us last night. Explained everything thoroughly and was prompt with our needs. I would say the same to all the staff. The man in the suit who led me to the bathroom, and the other man in a suit who took the time to take a photo for me and my friends. The drinks. Dangerous. I felt them, but didn't taste the alcohol as they tasted really REALLY good. Oh so bad for me who was the DD. The food. The baked cod (perfect crust and fell apart as it should), the fluke kumquat (citrus flavors), the toro carpaccio (smooth like butter with a soy sauce flavor), and the white lotus (white truffle pesto sauce, yum). I highly recommend. For my gfs' birthdays, they brought out a sizzling candle and lit some cotton candy on fire. Amazing. I would definitely come back. Too bad I live in San Jose or this would be a more regular dinner spot for me.
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Allister D.

Yelp
Great sushi lounge & restaurant. This is a fantastic addition to the mall. This place is already gaining lots of attraction. I came here for an early dinner with my friend yesterday and we had an awesome experience. First off, huge thank you to the general manager, Mark Mills, for showing us excellent hospitality and going over the menu while answering our questions. The food is delicious with lots of flavor. I should remind you, the portions are pretty small (2 sushi rolls are almost equivalent to just 1 regular sized roll). The prices range from $13-30 depending. We loved their crunch spicy tuna roll, salmon truffle carpaccio, Tuna jalapeño, and Gensai roll. The ingredients are so fresh and don't have that fishy smell or sticky texture. The quality is amazing. We paired our food with ice cold Ichibans which was really good. We spent about $130+ which is pricey but definitely worth it because the sushi is perfect. I'd love to come back again! I' ll make sure to bring my wife here. The ambiance and vibes were on point. V
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Kristine F.

Yelp
Friday night & I got to check out the hottest spot in town with a friend I haven't seen in a while. Staff were so nice and accommodating. I spoke with Janeel(?) over the phone to move my reservation and she was so pleasant to talk to. Josh greeted me promptly at the host stand with a warm smile and picked the best spot for my first visit. I couldn't decide on indoor or outdoor. We sat front and center with all the action at the sushi bar. Head sushi chef Jason graced us with his presence as he & other chefs prepared fresh cuts of melt-in-your-mouth nigiri. It's so cool watching the staff work their magic and solve issues at the drop of a hat. Kinda like watching a behind the scenes Gordon Ramsey restaurant show! Chanelle was our waitress for the night. She was so informative and patient while pointing out recommendations and her favorite dishes. Eats: *Katana roll *Tokubetsu roll *Yellowtail Chopped Chiles *Salmon Truffle Carpaccio *Spicy Tuna Hanabi (crispy rice) *Roku's Fusion Cocktail (vodka + pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew) Stars of the night were the yellowtail diced chiles and Katana roll! Oh. Em. Gee! The yellowtail was AMAZING! So much flavor and umami! The olive oil, ginger, and ponzu just did its thing. It wasn't even spicy. Katana roll had fresh tuna & yellowtail with the crispiest crunch of shrimp tempura inside. I am going back for these! I'll probably get a different topping for the crispy rice, maybe wagyu or yellowtail. Their spicy tuna isn't spicy, bland like other Yelpers mentioned. Make sure to dip it in a wasabi/soy sauce mix. The salmon truffle carpaccio was fresh but kind of a let down when compared to the yellowtail diced chiles in terms of flavor. It was also served as a circle so we weren't sure how to eat it at first. I was hoping for more truffle oil but I mainly got light truffle flavor from the shavings. Tokubetsu roll sounded so promising with crab, toro, and white truffle pesto. The Katana stood out much more. Definitely want to try out the Gensai roll next time. Awesome vibes & fresh, vibrant ingredients. Family friendly establishment too. I saw many tables celebrating birthdays or anniversaries with the cotton candy engulfed Carnival Cheesecake dessert complete with sparkly flare. Roku's Fusion was just right for a girls catch up, fruity and not strong. I'll have to hunt for a cocktail with ice next time. I like me some ice in my drinks.
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Nancy P.

Yelp
Came here for a date night this week and thought it was ok. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, but the tables were very close together. We were sat next to a louder group of ladies and my bf and I could not hear each other speak so we requested to be sat outside LOL. The service honestly was kinda lacking. Our server disappeared once we ordered and we had asked them to turn on a heat lamp outside. It didn't happen until we were about to leave. On to the food.. we ordered: Hamachi Serrano: (2/5) the presentation was disappointing. Nothing particularly unique about the flavor, the ponzu was so strong I couldn't taste anything else. Spicy tuna crispy rice: (5/5) one of my favorites of the night. loved the portion size of the tuna as well :) and the crispy rice had the perfect texture and flavor! the combo of flavors here was soo good. Baked cod: (5/5) 1000/10 would recommend. This is a must-order. The cod was so flavorful, juicy, and tender. They nailed this one with the pickled cucumber on the side to cut through the richness of the fish. Gensai & white lotus rolls: (3/5) they were okay. the construction of the rolls was not great; they were falling apart when we picked them up to eat. portion wise they are quite small but I really liked the freshness of the fish on both rolls. Overall, I don't think this would be my first choice especially with Nobu close by, but I'm happy we got to try Sushi Roku. It's still a relatively new spot and seems like they're still working out the kinks. But my current verdict: mid.
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Carla I.

Yelp
The place is nicely decorated and the service was good. The food was on the pricy side, $24 for 2 very small pieces of toro is a lot, and it wasn't as fatty as i would have hoped. Overall decent food but it will cost you.
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Brandi T.

Yelp
Made reservations a week ago for a Friday dinner and there were none available between 5-8:30, so I ended up having an early dinner at 4:30. We had the brussel sprout chips, spicy tuna hanabi, and salmon carpaccio to start. All of these dishes were delicious and packed with flavor. The tuna hanabi had to be my fav. The rice was perfectly crispy. We then had the fluke, sea bream and scallop nigiri after. They were alright - not the best nigiri I've had but still overall good. The drinks were also a highlight of the dinner. I had the tropical hibiscus and my friend had the Empress Kiss. Loved the tropical hibiscus. It was a light, fresh drink and perfect for a summer day. Service was also 10/10. Can't wait to go back!
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George C.

Yelp
Came here to celebrate our anniversary as it had just opened within the last 2 weeks and we saw some stories on Instagram that made it look very good! Ambiance is nice and it's a good edition to the Stanford shopping center as another upscale Japanese restaurant. I did like Sushi Roku more than Nobu. Service was mediocre, our server disappeared in the middle of our meal for 20-25 minutes and then when we put our order for the sizzling beef in, that took another 20-25 minutes before the beef came out. The brussel sprout chips were very good and my favorite appetizer that we got. Wagyu skewers were just okay and I wouldn't recommend it. Brussel sprout chips - 5/5 good flavor and crispy Miso cod - 4.5/5 cooked well and good flavor, who doesn't love a miso glaze with a fatty fish Wagyu skewer - 3.5/5, not very tender Sizzling beef 1/2 size - 4/5 - pretty solid flavor but it took 20-25 minutes to come out Dessert carnival cheesecake - 2.5/5 - fancy presentation but the cheesecake itself is not very good. I would only get this for the gram Wouldn't be my first choice if my friends wanted Japanese food but I wouldn't mind coming back if some friends really wanted to try it.
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Cherylynn N.

Yelp
The semi-broque wo[man]'s Nobu. Sushi Roku is still $$$ but sushi is never cheap. Opening in the former Yucca De Lac is Sushi Roku's first Bay Area location at Stanford Shopping Center. They're a chain from LA-based, IDG Restaurant Group: BOA Steakhouse, Katana, Robata Grill, Pacific Grill, etc. Sushi Roku made it more affordable offering 50% off during their soft opening! A generous offering to customers while the staff is training. Open for indoor and outdoor dining (dog-friendly). Rezzies via SevenRooms. I received a text reminder: "Proper attire is required". There was no specificity. Some guests were in t-shirts, shorts, and flip flops so I'm not sure if there's a dress code. We arrived early for our rezzies and they kindly seated us. M E N U Contemporary Japanese Cuisine - Apps (cold/hot), robata skewers, sashimi, sushi, rolls, noodles + rice, and entrees. Izakaya feast: $78 pp. Full bar. ** Soft opening discount: 50% off entire bill excluding cocktails more than $20 + wine/sake bottles more than $50. Dinner for two with two cocktails + soda: $240 after the discount, tax, and 22% tip (default). Otherwise, it would have been $412. D R I N K S * Patron Silver & Club Soda ($19 x2): https://tinyurl.com/3rynfar7 Stiff with good carbonation. * Diet Coke ($4, free refills) F O O D CARPACCIO * Hamachi Serrano w/ garlic, yuzu ponzu (6 pc - $24) // 4 stars Soft cuts of hamachi with a kick of heat from the serrano. Didn't taste much garlic or yuzu. * Toro w/ oscietra caviar, kizami wasabi, truffle soy (6 pc - $49) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/mswhu9kc I remember otoro was used for this dish but I guess with the generous discount, it was subbed for chutoro. The buttery chutoro was complemented by the ocean-y pops of caviar and zesty kizami wasabi. Truffle flavor in the soy was subtle to not overpower the fish. * Spicy Tuna Hanabi (4 pc - $20) // 3.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/p9vubfsd The freshly fried crispy rice vessel was delicious and seasoned, but the spicy tuna was bland, not spicy at all. SKEWERS: * Bacon Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp w/ garlic chili sauce (3 pc-$13 x2) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/m62eur53 Can never go wrong with smoky bacon wrapped anything. The shrimp had a nice snap to it but the sauce didn't complement it. * Lamb Chop ($9 x2) // 3 stars: https://tinyurl.com/5ftc9wdd --Medium (only temp they can do) Dry, well-done, and underseasoned. * Chilean Seabass w/ yakitori sauce ($12) // 2 stars: https://tinyurl.com/3k3vnw22 Overcooked, very dry, and plain. NIGIRI (2 PC) * Kanpachi ($12) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/4abaj74j * Sake w/ lemon zest, yuzu salt, nikiri shoyu ($10) // 3.5 stars * Hotate w/ shiso paste, sea salt, lemon ($13) // 4 stars * [Chu]Toro w/ kizami wasabi, tosa shoyu (MP - $24) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/2v36sh5t * Unagi ($11) // 3 stars The shari (sushi rice) had the proper room temperature and texture, slightly sticky that held its shape well but no flavor. The neta (fish) was decent quality but most needed more of the stated sauce/seasoning for moisture + flavor (if you didn't want to use soy). The nigiri run small. ROLL * Katana w/ spicy tuna, shrimp tempura topped with tuna & yellowtail, spicy mayo ($24) // 2.5 stars Ordered this as a filler. I like that the roll is not rice heavy and the shrimp tempura was warm with a crunch. However, the spicy tuna filling was bland and the thin slices of tuna and yellowtail were dry and dull with some tears. Poor quality and fishy tasting. SEA * Baked Cod w/ sweet miso ($36) // 4.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/uhf4ap6z Best thing of the night! Sweet and savory with delicate, flaky layers that melt-in-your mouth. The side of sunomono (pickled cucumbers) was a good palate cleanser. One of the better valued items - get this! S E R V I C E Cordial and fast! Once we placed our order, we received the first two dishes within minutes and were in/out in about hour. I know it's the soft opening but I observed some things that could have been handled better. For ex: Customers who arrived early to wait in line, were turned away for not having rezzies (only accepted the first 6 or so walk-in customers) but done so curtly with no apologies. A M B I A N C E Sophisticated and trendy yet comfortable with table, booth, and bar seating. Front patio is not shaded, side patio is. Heat lamps available. P A R K I N G Plentiful lot and garage parking. Final thoughts: I've been to Sushi Roku in LV twice (years ago) and after visiting this location, unfortunately...I still feel the same. You're paying premium prices for mid quality fish because of the prime location and vibey atmosphere. NGL, if it weren't for the discount, I would have given 3.5 stars rounded down. Regardless, Sushi Roku may be a decent option in the Stanford Shopping Center if you're craving sushi and have no budgetary constraints.
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Elizabeth L.

Yelp
High quality fish and beautiful interior! We had a great dinner sitting at the bar. The food came out quickly which was nice as we were just grabbing a bite. It was all delicious and fresh. The cocktail was so good! Still thinking about it. Can't wait to keep coming back here and such a great addition to the mall. Make a reservation if you can, it was busy! We grabbed a seat at the bar no problem with full menu
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Clarizza A.

Yelp
Came in during their soft opening and as expected they were very busy! I sat at the bar since it was open seating. The service from the bar was great, which explains the 4 stars. The food overall was okay. I got the popcorn shrimp appetizer (4.5/5), not to be confused with the popcorn shrimp roll! This was really good, almost reminded me of walnut shrimp. The asparagus was a good addition to this :) The California eel (3/5) was all right. The sauce is good, eel tasted good. For the 50% special pricing it's not bad, but I wouldn't recommend this for full price. The popcorn shrimp roll (2.5/5) was honestly not that good. It had cream cheese which I didn't expect since it didn't say it on the menu. And for the price it seemed plain. The popcorn shrimp appetizer is way better imo. The wagyu beef skewers (4/5) were great! Great flavor, nice and chewy, def recommend. The roku's fusion (5/5) was also really good! Tasted great and had a good amount of alcohol :) Overall glad I tried this place and the service is what's worth coming back to.
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Klaudeen S.

Yelp
My best friend and I had the most surprising and delicious experience, elegant ambiance and attentive service when we went to Sushi Roku for my birthday! We were so cared for by Akira and Terrence (GM). Every entree we ordered was divinely mouthwatering, and presented so artfully! Wish we took more photos but we were so immersed with our experience! Our cocktails were gorgeously unique, fun and delicious to perfection! We also had THE MOST spectacular and DELICIOUS cotton candy lava cake dessert ever, ever--with firework sparkles!!! Truly, an unforgettable experience. Can't stop thinking about it, talking about it, and can't wait to go back! Thank you Akira & Terrence and Chefs for our epic experience! Klaudeen & Noëlle
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Reina L.

Yelp
Highly recommend this place for a special occasion! The food is expensive but the experience, quality, and flavor make it worth it. Everything we got was really good, but there were a couple things that were amazing. - Hamachi Serrano: Everyone at the table was a fan of this one. The fish tastes fresh and I think the ponzu really added to the flavor. We ordered some hamachi sashimi but enjoyed this much more. - Salmon Sashimi: This is basic, but the salmon tasted so good. - Rib-Eye: This comes out sizzling on the hot plate and is so yummy. The rib-eye was juicy, and I didn't think I'd like the sauce that came out with it but it's definitely worth a try!! - Spicy Tuna Hanabi: Everything about this was perfect. The spicy tuna wasn't too spicy which was good for us. The crispy rice at the bottom was such a good texture. - Chilean Seabass: This was truly melting in our mouths when we were eating it. I'm drooling thinking about it again. Service is also great - the servers were constantly checking to make sure everything was good and were quick at cleaning out old plates so we could make room for more food. They also walked us through what they were serving us every time they brought something new over. Overall a fantastic experience!
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Win L.

Yelp
Eagerly anticipated and finally here! Excited Sushi Roku expanded to the Bay Area and made itself a home at Stanford Shopping Center. It's located next to the CPK and Melt, with easy parking access. Beautifully decorated with a giant pet friendly patio! It's soft opening week and despite only three days in operation, the service, food and ambience are on point! During soft opening week, ending April 29, dinner is 50% off! So of course I had to try as many menu items as possible! We started with the fluke kumquat carpaccio, vegetable tempura, bluefin tuna carpaccio, baked cod with miso, miso soup, cauliflower with dates, various sushi items and steak entree. All were beautifully presented and quite delicious! The portions were sometimes a pleasant surprise (ie the baked cod was double normal size!) while others were fairly small for the cost (looking at you, fluke kumquat!). Value and prices are in Bay Area standard range for a nice restaurant. The hostess and our server, Issac, were really friendly. The managers greeted patrons and checked in on our experience despite it being busy and short staffed so they were certainly paying attention to the customer experience. Isaac was prompt, checked often and our dishes were nicely coursed to avoid table overload. Orders arrived fairly quickly. There is a range of seating options including large U shaped couches, quaint tables, high tops, bar seating and sushi counter seating - plus the large amount of outdoor seating (with heaters!). Lots of comfy spots perfect for date night or larger gathering. No private rooms, as this location is smaller than its SoCal siblings, but decorated nicely and the space is well optimized. The restaurant was packed full but didn't feel too busy or loud.
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Sylvia D.

Yelp
This place recently open at the Stanford Shopping Center. I came here twice and both time the service, food, and ambiance is amazing. The servers are great at providing recommendations and pairing drinks with food. I would suggest making reservations online prior to coming as it can get busy. My favorites were fresh nigiri and sashimi. This place can be a bit pricy so just keep that in mind, but the quality is amazing.
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Tiffany L.

Yelp
I came here with my friend during their grand opening week. I accidentally made a reservation for the wrong day but we were able to do walk in seating at the bar. The interior is classy, and the bartenders were really sweet and attentive the entire time asking if we needed anything and promptly topping off our drinks. My friend and I ordered their feast which is a set with all of their favorites. It came with tuna crudo, crispy rice nigiri (2 per person), Brussels sprouts chips, 3 nigiri (salmon, tuna, sea bream) per person , 2 rolls (white lotus and katana roll), and a chocolate lava cake!(one to share). Tuna crudo- 5/5 fish was super fresh and was well plated. Personally the yellow sauce didn't add much to the dish for me but it was nice Crispy rice with spicy tuna: 5/5 the spicy tuna could be a bit more seasoned but the rice was definitely the star of the show. It was seasoned in a sauce and super crispy. This was my favorite out of everything Brussels sprouts (3.5/5): leaves of Brussels sprouts lightly coated in tempura and fried. It had some truffle oil seasoning which made it a bit more oily than I like, also not the biggest fan of truffle, but my friend loved it. Nigiri (4/5): fish was fresh, my favorite was the salmon. Tuna was a bit too salty for me and the sea bream was more plain. Rolls (3/5): The rolls look pretty but I felt like they were both a bit dry. I would have liked more sauce inside the katana roll and then the white lotus had a bit more fried stuff than I would've liked. Dessert (5/5): chocolate lava cake was surprisingly good! Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. I love that it came with fresh fruits and ice cream.
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Verna K.

Yelp
Warm day calls for sushi! Spent some quality time with my daughter and we shared some nigiri sushi and a miso sea bass skewer, it was tasty but a bit over cooked, it had a bit of a strong fish taste. All of the nigiri sushi were tasty, fresh, but nothing outstanding. Service was outstanding and I feel horrible not remembering her name. We sat outside, since it was warm. The mochi ice cream were great but they melted super fast! Would come back to try other things but it's a bit on the high side in price, it is Stanford, after all.
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Brandon W.

Yelp
Order: * Nineteen different items including sushi, appetizers, and entrees. Pros: * Higher end food, preparation, and quality. * Our server, Chanelle, was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. * Ambiance is contemporary and lively with a bar counter and comfortable looking outdoor seating. Cons: * Value. The food is unquestionably good, but the cost is a bit high for what you get. Comments: * This basically feels like the Hakkasan of Japanese restaurants. You'll undoubtedly enjoy the food service and ambiance, but for someone like me, I would mainly go if I feel like being fancy or want a specific vibe.
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Joshua V.

Yelp
This is the most amazing sushi restaurant in Palo Alto that I've ever been to and I honestly amazed coming to this place for the first time! Food - 9/10 We had several dishes, and each one came out with an amazing presentation, and the quality of the food was just equal of that! The price and food taste matched perfectly, but not a fan of the cheesecake, but the visual reference was astounding! Cocktails - 10/10 the drinks were not too strong or weak, so it taste just right! The level of craftsmanship and presentation is a crazy nice! Service - 11/10 We had the servers Rebecca and Channelle serve my table of 2 and they both did such amazing jobs! They gave use their recommendations that were surprisingly good! I'm happy their gave our drinks first, then came with the appetizers, then came with our entrees after! I love when sushi restaurants treat it like a real restaurant and don't have everything come all at once! They noticed we mentioned we were cold, and asked if they could turn the heater on and that was so lovely of them! Super sweet and caring staff! Alvin another server checked in on us did such a wonderful job! Thank you team! Cleanliness - 10/10 The bathrooms are very clean, and that says something about the kitchen. If the bathrooms are clean so is the cooking staff and cleaning staff within the kitchen! Atmosphere - 9/10 The vibes were very Much on casual and the scenery was quite nice, I only wished they had a more interesting set of interior design, but overall it wasn't too loud or overly crowded for a Friday evening!
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Randy F.

Yelp
Japanese Delights Sushi Roku is a welcome addition to Stanford Shopping Center and replaces long time, but ummemorable, Yucca de Lac Sushi Roku brings bona-fide street cred with their locations in SoCal (25 years), Las Vegas (23 years), and Austin The cuisine is very modern with a variety of hot and cold dishes as well as an extensive nigiri and sashimi selection (priced by the pair) Service is excellent with both our server and management staff, including general managers and the owner, overseeing their much awaited launch in the Northern California market There is a large bar area and ample indoor and outdoor seating that should be a hit with the Sand Hill crowd I've been to many Japanese-inspired restaurants so it was nice to see novelty takes and flavors on several dishes Hits for the night included fluke kumquat, Brussel sprouts and the yellowtail hanabi. Nigiri is solid though I'd opt for the a la carte selection Fluke Kumquat $25 / Yellowtail Hanabi $20 / Brussel Sprouts / Chef's Choice Roku Style Sushi $95 / Empress' Kiss $19 / Shoman Glory $19 Sushi Roku (Palo Alto, CA) Reservations are available on SevenRooms and seating is available both indoor and outdoor. Credit cards are accepted including AmEx.
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Edzy C.

Yelp
Had a great time at Sushi Roku last Sunday for dinner. The food came out tasting fresh and the presentation of each dish was on point! The service was also fantastic. Our servers were all very attentive and made sure all drinks were topped off and our plates & chopsticks refreshed every so often. We started with Brussels Sprout chips with truffle - unexpectedly delicious and addicting. The Popcorn Shrimp tempura was also very delicious- eat it while hot! We also had the Toro Carpaccio - so delicate, melts in your mouth, tastes like the sea but NOT fishy at all. We had to try the Wagyu Hanabi and the Spicy Tuna Hanabi - do not skip trying this if it's your first time- very filling and absolutely delicious. The A-5 Wagyu was another melt-in-your-mouth and oozing with flavor! So tender! The portion is just right since it's quite fatty and decadent, you won't need a lot to be satisfied. Now moving on to the sushi/sashimi part of our meal. We had the Hotate (Scallops) sashimi, tastes amazing with or without shoyu.The Katana Roll, reason being is that it had the most fish to rice ratio, also delicious. Finally we had a plate of 3 kinds of nigiri: Hirame (Halibut), Tai (Sea Bream) topped with Hotate and Ikura (salmon roe), - both very delicious- and Uni (Sea Urchin) wrapped in Shiso leaf. I've only ever tasted Uni once in my entire life and I did not like it. Had to give it a chance considering everything else we've had so far. It was not bad at all! It tasted like the sea but again NOT fishy at all. It was just clean tasting and refreshing with the help of the Shiso leaf. Overall a delightful experience of well prepared high quality food and good service! Highly recommend and will definitely come back soon! (Some items were not captured in photos as I was busy enjoying the meal.)
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MauiGirl F.

Yelp
Everything was AMAZING and SOPHISTICATED!!! Food was exceptionally flavorful, high quality, clean tasting and kept wanting more! When they bring each dish, they highlight each ingredient to enjoy the experience. We were 3 adults and ate: Hanabi/spicy tuna: 10/10 Hanabi/yellow tail: 10/10 Brussels Sprout Chips: 20/10! Mixed veg tempura: 9/10 Japanese Fried Chicken Tatsuta-Age: 9/10 Robata Skewer, chilean sea bass: 9/10 Robata Skewer, wagyu beef: 20/10! Katana, signature roll: 10/10 Gensai, signature roll: 10/10 Tuna Jalapeno, signature roll: 10/10 Celebration cake, cotton candy dome dessert: 8/10 Kudos to the chef and entire team! The stunning interior is meticulously well designed (i'm a professional commercial interior designer) from the furniture, fixtures, layout, lighting, all of it! Thank you for adding ceiling acoustic treatments in this space :-) Service was SUPER! Our server was very professional, communicative and on top of everything! Thank you for a great dining experience....this place has moved to our top sushi restaurants in the bay area! There were families as well as couples dining inside and outside on the patio. I wouldn't bring babies/toddlers as everyone is paying more $$$ for a great experience
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Jessica H.

Yelp
This is definitely the place to be if you're looking for aesthetics, ambiance, service, and don't mind the high price tag. However, the food itself was very mid imo. The only thing that my friend and I really liked was the baked cod with sweet miso. If you're gonna order one thing on the menu, it has to be that. Also, if you like nigiri I'd recommend ordering each piece separately rather than getting the sushi plate; that way you'll get exactly what you like and it ends up being around the same price anyway since the sushi plate only comes with one piece of each fish. The Hanabi felt like it was premade and left out so it got cold and hard; I probably would not order that again. For drinks, we ordered the Kyoto Dragon and Tea & Harmony. Both were good but you definitely have to mix the Tea & Harmony drink first otherwise it'll taste like straight up alcohol. Our server did offer to make me another drink if I didn't like mine which I thought was really nice. The bill came out to be $210 before tip for two people which I definitely do not think is worth for the quality of food that you get. I'd rather go to San Mateo for better sushi at a cheaper price tag or get omakase if I'm gonna pay that much tbh. If I do come back, it would be for the drinks, baked cod, and aesthetics.
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Emily H.

Yelp
I loved my eating experience here! My friend and I came on a Saturday around 1pm without a reservation. To my surprise, there was no wait and we got sat immediately at one of the high tables. The staff were super welcoming, accommodating, and helpful! We ate pretty slow and stayed for a couple hours chatting but our server in particular kept checking in on us the whole time! The presentation and food itself was also amazing. The fish in each dish was so fresh and the flavors complimented everything super well. My favorites were probably the yellowtail crispy rice and spicy tuna roll. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for a special night out!
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Natalia S.

Yelp
Sandly another mid restaurant for Stanford Honestly I am not too sure where the hype is coming from - I think I came to this restaurant with expectations that match their pricing, and I am glad I was able to secure a spot for 50% off dinner. We ordered about $300 worth of items that would be justified if the quality was more consistent, but we only saw quality in 30% of the items we ordered. There is also no reason for proper attire requirement. This is not anywhere near NOBU's quality. Here is a rundown: The Good: -Chilean seabass skewer - yummy and a nice quick bite -Yellowtail Hanabi - we love the crispy rice addition to the menu -Toro Carpaccio - the wasabi is not spicy but this toro quality was good. -Baked cod w/ sweet miso app - this was our favorite- best flavored menu item. -Sizzling ribeye - yummy and good quality and we love the half portion option. -Staff friendliness -Ambiance -cleanliness The Bad: -baked crab hand roll (not baked, not real crab... one is $15?!) -Chicken fried rice (cubed chicken, not fried. this is steamed rice with some soy sauce and scallions.. it's also not Japanese and maybe shouldn't be on the menu) -Rolls - low quality fish, no flavor -tempura - this will get better in time but our batter was not fried through and was a bit doughey. - service speed/timing - this will also get better in time. It pains me to write bad reviews, and I hope this restaurant fixes the bumps and reviews each review for some feedback. It might take me a few months to return and try again, but for now I think there are much better options for comparable prices.
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Genica O.

Yelp
Came here on a whim, and the sushi quality, appetizers, and service was top notch! Bonus we came during their soft opening with everything 50% off! Ambiance is beautiful, perfect for date night! Loved: -all cocktails we ordered (strong and delicious) -miso eggplant and brussel sprout chips (amazing!) -feast for 2 was so worth it! -white lotus roll Ribeye was okay. Loved the sauce. Dessert was beautiful, cheesecake had a bit of an alcohol taste from torching the cotton candy, but still such a fun dessert! Delene and Akira provided exceptional service! Big shout out to them!
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Yogi U.

Yelp
Sushi Roku is a new Japanese restaurant that has recently opened in the Stanford mall in Palo Alto. The menu offered a variety of traditional and modern Japanese dishes, with an emphasis on fresh and high-quality ingredients. The ambience is elegant and inviting, making it a great spot for a date night or a casual dinner with friends. The service is top-notch, with attentive and knowledgeable staff.
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Mathew D.

Yelp
Absolutely garbage service, staff is stuck up and rude. Yes sushi roku is a nice restaurant but they're forgetting this is a mall location. Our waitress disappeared the entire time had to ask the runners for everything. This place is not understaffed they just have the wrong waitstaff, they are too busy talking to each other or passing off bad attitude. One example was when my group tried to order two extra spicy tuna rolls after we had put our main order in and our waitress responded with so you want four spicy tuna rolls, we were a little confused because we mentioned we wanted to add to so we said no to and she snapped back at us saying 2+2 = 4.... The whole table fell silent because of her buzz kill. No idea why she's speaking so roughly to us. We were just confused and didn't need her to snap back at us like that. Also, the hostesses were rude to my friend during check in even though we made a reservation and were okay with waiting 10 minutes for them to set up our table. Food was lacking too, i will say the quality is very good but the lack of flavor and service should make you stay away.
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Tami S.

Yelp
Great service, beautiful ambience, and wonderful food! Glad I tried out this still-new restaurant in Stanford Shopping Center. It was under construction for what felt like forever. But now it's here and definitely worth a visit. It isn't your "standard" sushi restaurant. Sure you will find recognizable rolls. But it's much more than that. Delicious appetizers (we enjoyed the salmon carpaccio and brussels sprouts), gorgeous (and refreshing) mocktails and cocktails, and substantial, artfully prepared sushi rolls. It's on the pricier side (more expensive than my local spot for sure), but not out of line for the location and level of service. As someone with a food allergy I felt very taken csre of and I am thankful to our server for seeing to our needs. He also made some great recommendations that our party loved! Thanks for the great experience, Sushi Roku. If your level of busy-ness on a Tuesday evening is any indication, I think you'll continue to be a great enhancement to Stanford for quite some time.
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Tommy N.

Yelp
Service: Service was great and attentive, however we were at the tail end of service so I'd like to come back at a busier time to see how they are. With that said, our server provided recommendations and checked on us regularly to make sure we were doing alright. On top of this they took our plates as we finished our food which is personally a major plus. 5/5 service for us Food: Spicy tuna hanabi was great, although the star of the plate was definitely the crispy rice. The tuna felt out of place as it didn't hold on its own but the crispy rice was packed with flavor. 4.5/5 for this as the fish could use some love Baked miso cod was good but could use a little bit of extra glaze as the filet was a bit larger. It's a bit pricey but the portion made up for the price so I'd say it's fair. The side of sunomono was a nice addition of acidity as well. Strong 3.5/5 for this as the glaze was a bit too light imo Hamachi Serrano was a 4/5 for me. Yuzu ponzu was balanced and the hamachi itself was good quality. The only gripe was that the knife work as 2 slices out of 6 were inconsistent. Skewers were 5/5. Both the lamb and the wagyu were tender and flavorful. The lamb was not gamey at all and they wagyu had a nice smokiness from the pepper sauce which was a nice. They frenched the lamb so it was a nice presentation to just have a cleaned bone to pick up from Sushi was as expected for the most part. Good quality fish without too much to call out for although I would mention a few things from the selection we picked from. The seaweed for the uni was a little bit of a letdown. The texture was wet and soggy which lead to a lack of the small crunch I look for when ordering uni nigiri. The albacore was very nice though. Not a fan of mayo with fish but the garlic aioli was a great pairing with the truffle wasabi soy. Sushi was a solid 3.5/4 as I felt there could be some improvement with the rice they've used. It really lacked any sense of vinegar which is nit picky but seasoning the rice is a big part of nigiri. Ambiance: 4.5/5 for being a sushi spot in a mall. Although Stanford mall isn't your average mall I won't knock it too much. Really appreciated the lighting as I personally dislike very bright restaurants in general so this is a major plus for me. There are very large windows so the place must feel very different during the day but I would personally go at night. The decor was also tasteful in my opinion and not overdone. Excellent black and wood interior with pretty comfortable seats (we were seated against the couch). Last bit of feedback would be to improve the music program a bit but that's highly subjective. For a place like this I'd expect some timeless classics or some modern r&b. Overall: I would come back and explore the menu a bit more but maybe not get the more vanilla nigiri as the rice seasoning was simply not there. Great little date spot with a nice casual vibe.
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Alyssa H.

Yelp
So excited that this restaurant has made their way to the Bay Area (I've been to their SoCal locations in the past so I had a feeling I'd leave happy) Service was great, everyone that helped us was knowledgeable and friendly. They pay attention to detail here, never was a water glass half empty or a question unanswered. If you happen to leave to the restroom and leave your napkin behind, you'll return to your seat with it neatly folded. As far as ambiance goes, I'm always a fan of a dimly lit room and the lighting situation fit perfectly. Okay, now on to the most important topic, the food. While the Bay has a handful of Japanese restaurants with high quality fish, I'm always slightly let down by the cooked dishes. The appetizers and entrees are never as good as the dishes coming from the sushi bar. What stands out at Sushi Roku is that their cooked dishes and appetizers match the high end quality as the sushi bar. Do not skip the Brussels Sprout Chips, the truffle in that is addicting. I could easily scarf two bowls of those down to myself. We got a bunch of Nigiri which was all super fresh. The Toro Carpaccio is a no brainer, was pleased about the portion size too. I'm a huge fan of skewers so naturally had to try all of the options but the one that stood out was the Chilean Sea Bass. I can't wait to come back and try everything else I missed. Ps Save room for desert, it's worth it. Get the cheesecake.
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Victor W.

Yelp
Meh. Nice ambiance with great outdoor seating but food is fairly standard for most part and service still being worked out. Deluxe sushi set (2/5) - salmon was surprisingly good but everything else was just okay. The jalapeño tuna roll was just the sum of its parts. They couldn't do the chef choice that night for whatever reason and the sushi arrived really late so presumably they are still figuring out operationalizing sushi making. Basically premium price for standard sushi (also less traditional style) Cod (4.5/5) - very well done. Don't think it was black cod but still very buttery Ramen (3/5) - better than expected noodles. Broth is a tad spicy. Egg not very impressive Tempura vegetable (3/5) - very mid. Batter is a tad heavy Service was friendly but slow in getting requested utensils. They did make a custom strawberry lemonade that was good
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Crystal T.

Yelp
This is a perfect place for a date night or they can also accommodate larger groups! It's located in Stanford mall so a huge plus is that there is free parking. I recommend making reservations as sometimes the wait can be long. The menu has a good variety of hot plates and cold dishes which we found to be good sharing portions. The servers are very attentive and we got a chance to meet the general manager, Mark - we loved that he took the time to greet our table and ensure we were getting the best service. We enjoyed everything we ordered. There were a few food items we were really impressed with: - Toro carpaccio - sizzling rib eye - tokubetsu & gensai roll.
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Kaitlyn L.

Yelp
Roku was amazing! The interior was very classy-- a modern yet artistic design. Not too loud, so you can hold a conversation with others without having to yell. They also have an outside seating area, which seems super pleasant on sunny days. Our server, Adrian, was extremely attentive and helpful. Whenever the food came out, he would thoroughly explain what each item was so there was no confusion as to what we were eating. Adrian definitely helped make our experience so much better! The food was delicious, you definitely need to try the Toro Carpaccio!!! Sooo delicious. I also really enjoyed their drinks-- Our bartender, Daniel, made the best drinks for us. We did the Zen Garden mocktail and were able to add alcohol to it, and honestly it was really good (I hate the taste of alcohol in my drinks and I didn't taste the alcohol at all!) Overall, this was a great experience, I will definitely say our servers put our experience over the top and made it 110% a great time. (also dessert was delicious!!!! got the carnival cake, which is cheesecake and cookies&cream ice cream covered in cotton candy. they light cotton candy on fire and its a cool show!!)
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Erica M.

Yelp
Everything was delicious. Our server was Ieziac and he was amazing. He made sure to recommend all the best dishes and not one disappointed. I'm so glad I came here to celebrate my birthday. Highly recommend.
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Samantha L.

Yelp
3.5/5 overall for the food and price nice spot for a celebration but not a casual dinner spot (pricey). we were celebrating our anniversary and was treated to a free dessert at the end - wagyu skewers: sort of tough, price is per skewer - sushis: overall solid, can't go wrong with unagi but i've had better. toro ($23) was super melty very good. hamachi w jalapeño was also very yummy - crispy brussels sprout chips: favorite item, really nice! - miso cod: also delicious, really enjoyed the pickled cucumbers on the side as well - sizzling steak: definitely better than the skewers, overall tender and nice flavor - cotton candy cheesecake dessert: fun presentation but the cheesecake wasn't very good. ice cream melted quickly but was a nice touch service was good initially but we ended up waiting 20m for some of the items, not sure if they forgot about us... all in all likely won't be coming back but it was a nice experience.
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Jennifer C.

Yelp
I'm Mexican with a love for Japanese cuisine, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my sister at Sushi Roku last night. On our first time at the restaurant, we tried Edamame Hummus, Tuna Crudo, Brussel Sprout Chips, American Wagyu Potsticker, Bacon Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp, American Wagyu Beef and Katana Sushi Roll (pictured below). While all food we tried was delicious, I 100% recommend the Tuna Crudo, Brussel Sprout Chips, and Bacon Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp as my favorite and to all trying this restaurant for the first time. As for drinks, I loved Heat of the Dragon, Topical Hibiscus and Shoman Glory (all tequila drinks) to compliment our food pairings- I was honestly relieved that this restaurant has a full bar, as I was able to have Japanese dinner with Tequila, which is a definite plus for me. Thank you to William (our server) and his helpful teammates (Angel, Bruno, and Misael), bar staff (Delene and Akira), and manager (Terrance) for an incredible night out with my sister. Highly recommend Sushi Roku as a must try new restaurant in Palo Alto.
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Marilyn T.

Yelp
After having kids, I'm rarely able to make it to a new place shortly after they open, but we had a rare moms' night out and decided to try the new Sushi Roku. I had my expectations fairly low since it's a trendy sushi chain from So Cal now located in Stanford mall, but the experience was actually pretty good despite just opening a few weeks ago. Too bad we missed the soft opening discount! We were seated outside on the covered patio, which was perfect for a warm May night. Servers were all fairly new but very gracious. Drinks: Sadly, they were sold out of ALL beers on a Tuesday night (carryover from a busy weekend). - Tea & Harmony: tea infused grey goose, orgeat, yuzu - nice presentation with the teacup pouring the final part of the drink in. Definitely mix before consuming - Smokin Yuzu: cool presentation with the cover that they light the wood chips on top of to infuse the smoke. Mezcal based with yzu and other citrus - Toki Tamashii: Japanese whisky cucumber, serrano. The cucumber was a bit strong for me on this one Food: We wanted the Roku Izakaya Feast (house favorites) but were told they weren't offering it yet because they didn't yet have a sense of what were the favorite dishes since they just opened. We ultimately decided to each get a deluxe sushi platter because it was actually a pretty good deal! For $49, we had sea bream (with shiso, lemon, sea salt), maguro, albacore (with garlic aioli and a wasabi soy truffle), salmon (with lemon zest and yuzu salt), yellowtail (with serrano, garlic, ponzu), shrimp, and hotate (with shiso paste). There were also the spicy tuna cut roll and toro jalapeno cut roll (6 pieces each, generous filling, not too much rice). The shari was just ok, but the sushi quality and cuts were great, and I like that everything was seasoned/dressed thoughtfully for you ahead of time. As noted above, I was expecting things to be very overrated and overpriced, but I was pleasantly surprised by the deluxe sushi platter and the cocktails. I'll be getting more sushi from here!
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Eve G.

Yelp
Tried this restaurant a few weeks ago and it filled up with people quickly on the day we went. New and very trendy. Service was excellent despite it being very busy. The nigiri and carpaccio were very fresh but portions do run small so plan to have a snack before going if you are a big eater. Baked cod was also delicious, like butter.