Wakuriya

Been to Wakuriya second time (Feb 2025) already. The last condensed photo has my second visit dishes. Food tastes and materials are even much better than my first visit in July 2024. ———- Overall great Japanese restaurant experience so far. Love the traditional Kaiseki style and food quality. Overall it took about 3 hrs to finish. Ordered hot tea. I personally like mild flavors. Especially recommend the sesame ball, toro chirashi, lobster soup, truffle USD wagyu beef, the gohan and the white peach mochi ice cream(with the mint sprout). Definitely will come again!

I’ve been here four times and will definitely revisit in the future. The booking system is uneasy. However it’s worth every penny and worth the one hour drive.

Absolutely enjoyable dinner with set courses. Every dish is pleasing to both the eyes and the palates. I enjoy every dish , can highlight the urchin and crab rice , the oven baked cheese red trout and sea bass, the dessert 🎂. The atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable. The crew is a nice couple. We came here to celebrate a birthday and would highly recommend it on special occasions.

Great dining experience. The food is very delicious. Each dish is presented in beautiful plate. The service is nice and overall the tasting experience took more than 2.5h. They provided extra dessert at the end to celebrate our anniversary. The reservation process is very hard. You need to call in one month ahead at midnight and leave a message for researvation. But it's super hard to get your call in.

Really enjoyed our dinner here. I feel like it's not often you can come across really delicious Japanese food and I loved hoe intimate. The setting was . food was unique and yummy. Would recommend to try -reservations are difficult to get but possible if you call 30 days in advance and leave a voice message right at midnight. Their phone lines are usually busy at 12am. We finally got through on the third day. Dinner service starts at 6:30pm. 8 courses and our dinner lasted 2.5 hours. + Clean, fresh ingredients + Intimate setting + Efficient, courses come out fast - Few dishes might be bland(?) depending on your saltiness preference

Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at Wakuriya in San Mateo, and I must say, the experience was quite remarkable. From the moment I stepped in, the serene and welcoming ambiance set the stage for what was an exquisite culinary journey. The service at Wakuriya was impeccable. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience. Each course of the kaiseki menu was presented beautifully, showcasing a blend of traditional Japanese culinary artistry with subtle Californian influences. The highlights for me were the braised sea bass with its delicate yuzu gelee and the perfectly cooked Wagyu beef, which was both tender and flavorful. However, while the food and service were exceptional, I have some reservations about its Michelin star status. The quality and presentation were top-notch, but I felt that the overall experience, while delightful, did not fully align with other Michelin-starred restaurants I’ve visited in terms of creativity and culinary innovation. Additionally, considering the price point, I found Wakuriya to be slightly overpriced. While I understand and appreciate the quality of ingredients and the skill involved in preparing such dishes, the cost seemed a bit steep when weighed against the overall dining experience. In conclusion, Wakuriya is undoubtedly a great restaurant that I would recommend for those seeking high-quality Japanese cuisine in San Mateo. The serene atmosphere and meticulously prepared dishes make for a memorable dining experience. However, if you’re looking for a Michelin star-level experience, you might want to temper your expectations slightly, especially considering the price. Nonetheless, Wakuriya remains a gem in San Mateo’s culinary scene, and I am glad to have experienced its offerings.

So good. Love this little place. Everything carefully prepared and you could just taste the thoughtful execution that goes into each and every dish. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and we're recommended to anyone looking for a romantic evening out. Apparently it's also a favorite for birthdays. I really hope the five cups of green tea tonight doesn't keep me awake at night tonight!

Thanks to my friend who reserved the restaurant a month ago. The restaurant itself is like a hidden gem in an ordinary shopping plaza. There are four tables that can be seated with 4 people and some bar seats also. The tables were fully reserved the day I visited. Each table is separated with a screen so it's actually very private for each party. We ordered two sake flights to begin with: chef selected and primary. All of the sake in the flights are daiginjo. I bought one bottle from the chef's selected flight in the end. That one is Nabeshima from Kyushu. It is less sweet and has a stronger acid flavor, which matches more with my whiskey soul. Since it is kaiseki omakase, all we need to do is to wait for each dish to be presented. The first dish was Sakura salad. The Sakura was imported from Japan. The Sakura was presented along with tai sashimi. As an appetizer, it had just the right flavor: fresh and easygoing. The next dish was composed of four smaller dishes: uni with hotate, lobster, ikura, and fried small squid. There wasn't a specific order to take in. I like the fried squid the most because you can taste different textures in one bite: the crispy skin and the chewy inside. The hotate and the uni were also very fresh and full of umami. The only thing that I'm slightly unsatisfied with was that the uni was shredded. Next one is the blue shrimp soup with somen noodles. The shrimp was sweet but the soup was seasoned in a right way such that the sweetness from the shrimp wouldn't be taken over. The next dish was the chef's sashimi. I liked the way the sauce was presented. Unlike traditional sashimi plates, where wasabi is placed next to the sashimi, the chef made the wasabi a part of the sauce that was also used as a decoration. Next one was my favorite dish that day: chawanmushi with duck. I need to say this is really a bold but clever combination. If I remember correctly they also put soybean milk inside the chawanmushi, which made the eggs more fluid. The duck meat was really wonderful with the steamed egg and asparagus. The next dish, usually a vinegar dish, was replaced with yuzu sake sorbet. The acidity was provided by the crispy ginger candy instead, which was amazing. The next one was pure protein: usa wagyu and poached eggs. The dish was really warm, a distinct contrast to the previous dish. You can feel that your body was also warmed up. After the proteins were the starch dish. This time, it was rice mixed with mentaiko along with cod. The rice was a bit sticky to me but I still liked the flavor. Finally, the dessert was panna cotta with mochi. A very nice ending for the course. To sum up, although the full course did not use too many high-class ingredients such as A5 wagyu or premium ootoro, it still granted you an amazing taste journey. You can still taste the umami of each ingredient in the dish. Especially considering the price, I would say it is totally worth it. There are many omakase restaurants around the Bay area that are more expensive but with a worse dining experience. It definitely matches the one-star Michelin.

Our favorite restaurant in the bay area but getting a reservation is incredibly difficult. The steps are - 1) At midnight (12am PT) exactly 30 days before your desired dining date, call Wakuriya. 2) If you are to get through to voice mail, leave your name, desired date, number of people and callback number 3) If you get line busy, try again until you are able to get through 4) If you successfully leave a voicemail and get a call back the following day, you will get confirmation of the reservation. The food and experience itself is truly one-of-a-kind.

Trying to make reservation for months/years and finally able to get one. (No complaint. It is what it is to get the greatest personal attention for this kaiseki dining experience) The chef/manager/staff has made this a unique experience for all their customers in that single round of dinner schedule/slot per night with very limited seating. You'll only realize the reason for such uniquely limited reservation system for a reason: The service was indeed exceptional and attentive for limiting the capacity every night with just one time slot for just few tables. I've been roaming the Michelin eateries for 2 decades, and this is one of the most coziest dining atmosphere I could remember. The vibe was calm, with minimalist decor and touches that immediately set the tone for an home kitchen coziness kaiseki experience. We were welcomed with warm hospitality, and every detail was thoughtfully arranged, the open kitchen was exceptionally sparkling clean! Each course was introduced with care and beautifully arranged. As the meal progressed, the chef's precision and dedication became increasingly evident. As the meal drew to a close, I was served a mochi dessert that was so airy and fluffy that a non mochi person myself would love to have an encore of it.

We called at midnight on 8/2/24. We received a call back later that day and got a reservation for 9/2/24 for two people. I called around 20 times before I got their voicemail. They do ask for a credit card when you make the reservation. We got a call two days before our reservation as a reminder and we were asked if we wanted to sit at a table or the counter. We chose the counter. This was an incredible experience! They started us off with complementary plum sake. We ordered the premium sake flight and there were three sakes. We had about 12 courses. I can't remember the names of all the dishes but there was sashimi, cured salmon, wagyu beef, egg custard, and so much more. The dinner was 2 hours long. The dinner was so amazing that we made another reservation for October. We thought the prices were very reasonable for the quality of the service and food.

Amazing experience and definitely my favorite kaiseki experience. Only difficulty was getting a reservation having to call at midnight like many stated previously. But received a call the next morning to confirm with a credit card to hold reservation. I received a call a few days before as a reminder of the reservation. The experience is great for celebrating special occasions and very personal as they serve ~14 people a night. Service and explanation of everything was amazing and constant check ins to see how we liked the food and which ones were our favorite dishes.

Came by for dinner the other night and it was a world class experience. Wakuriya is a Japanese kaiseki restaurant with a Michelin 1 star located inside a casual strip mall in San Mateo, next to the freeway. Parking is plentiful in the private lot or on the residential street. There is a Tesla charger in the parking lot. Reservations start 30 days in advance with a first come first served message left on their answering machine at 12 am. An executive assistant, butler and/or concierge would be perfect for handling reservations for executives. Received a call from Mayoumi 30 days in advance during the late afternoon confirming my particulars including credit card information, dining preference along with food allergies. The dining room can seat ~16 people and features counter or table dining. The counter offers an open view of the kitchen with a request not to take photos of people inside the kitchen. The loo is high end with an option for Japanese or Charmin toilet paper along with a request to sit on their toilet. Despite the rather casual outside, the interior was intimate and high end with a few notable IKEA furnishing inside the kitchen, including their ALEX drawer set along with drawer liner. Meal started off with the Japanese tai snapper served with a salad. This was a light and refreshing way to start off the meal. Moved on to the appetizer course which consisted of trout with caviar, crab and salmon sushi along with duck breast with Italian black truffle. Each of the tiny morsels were well thought out although I found the duck breast over cooked..bummer. The sashimi course featured some type of sauce which was somewhat different than Japanese kaiseki's were they would serve this with fresh wasabi. The miso gratin may have been the weakest part of the meal featuring an overcooked lobster tail although the cauliflower and mushrooms were tasty. The sorbet was a light and refreshing palate cleanser. The main course featuring domestic wagyu beef, and egg and turnip was a pretty filing course although I felt that a Japanese wagyu would have been an even better option. The last savory course was a somen noodle soup with scallop and shrimp, including the head. This was a light and filing way to finish off the savory dishes. Meal ended off with a fuji apple with tofu-caramel sauce along with some baked cookies. Service throughout the meal was very attentive by the owner Mayoumi. Diners were mostly Chinese with the Mandarin ones being the only ones speaking in outdoor voices... ~$210/head after tax and gratuity for a 3 hour kaiseki dinner.

Literally the stupidest shit ever Having to make a call at midnight ruins some people's sleep schedule and is SO anxiety inducing And then the system most of the time is blocked by other callers all trying to call the restaurant so it's literally just luck A lottery system would work so much better imo It even connected for me once but the voicemail system didn't work so it just hung up on me Don't know if the experience will be worth going through all of this stupid booking experience. There might be a reason behind this but it is really frustrating

I don't know if I can fully describe each plate and do it justice. The combination of flavors were just perfection! And it was a perfect balance and ratio in every bite. It was a good mix of textures too- from cold dishes to warm, to soups and fried fish. Even a palate cleanser in between- a cold berry sorbet. The pictures are beautiful, but the food even better. Bar seating is fun to see all the work that goes into preparing each plate. Only 4 seats at the bar, the rest are table seating- which is only about 8 more seats. It's very small inside which is why it's so difficult to get a reservation. We were welcomed with a seasonal peach sake drink, very refreshing. And then taken on a journey of flavors! From A5 Wagyu stew to a tomato based Chawanmushi to perfect fresh fish sushi in one bite. The service was impeccable! Very nice lady serving and explaining each dish. Amazing experience!

Excellent Restaurant and a must try for an authentic Japanese Kaiseki meal. Wakuriya is authentic and true to the Japanese culture in every way, from the excellent food, dishes, serving style, and even the (painful) reservation making process... lol. But it's totally worth it once you come... you will be immersed and transformed to a Kaiseki Restaurant, where each dish is a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colors of the food. Only fresh, seasonal, and mostly local ingredients are used and are prepared in ways that aim to enhance their flavor. After winning a reservation here, we came enthusiastically and Wakuriya delivered AN EXCELLENT MEAL again! Very Happy!

The restaurant located in a plaza with cvs and Safeway in it. Lots of parking , at least when we got there Saturday 6pm. Definitely convenient location , there is clear sign outdoor and looks very cozy inside. There are only four tables inside( probably it answers why it is hard to score a reservation.) Inside, the decoration is cozy and light dimmed inside. Feels romantic and warm. We got seated near the front door, and the considerate waitress explained the heater behind me which definitely helps during the windy night. I only saw two waitress and one chef. Everything is very well managed. Attached the menu for my night, also we ordered couple sake flights-- one classic and one fruity, both are great, and went well with our dishes and the night. There are in house welcome fruit sake, hmmm .... So good. I like every dish the chef produced, each dish with its unique taste and special bowl/ plate. It is not just food, it is an art piece. This is a great place to celebrate a special occasion or spend some quality time with someone special. But not for little kids or loud kids. Definitely this is a place worth coming once , twice and more ( if wallet is full :) !

What an amazing meal! Went here with the wifey for an early Valentine's. From the outside, it doesn't feel like you're stepping into a Michelin Star restaurant. It's located in a shopping plaza with a CVS and Safeway. But really who cares it's the food that counts... and Wakuriya delivered an exceptional meal. My wife and I agreed - this is the first Michelin Star restaurant where we walked away thinking, we should come back again when they have updated their menu. I attached the menu and a photo of each dish so won't cover them one by one, but will call out the highlights for me. * Japanese tai snapper sashimi salad with aosa seaweed gelée. The fish was so fresh and delicious. The seaweed gelée was such a nice accompaniment. * Today's sashimi, which was mackerel. Again, so fresh and delicious. * Sake-kasu miso gratin (lobster). The poached lobster was perfectly cooked and the miso gratin gave it a warm savory flavor. * Nyumen, Japanese "somen" noodles in warm dashi soup, Hokkaido hotate scallop, New Caledonian blue shrimp. The scallop and shrimp in here were just extraordinary. Maybe the best scallop I have ever had. * Fuji apple with tofu-caramel sauce. Dessert! Not typically my favorite course actually. This was such an interesting and atypical dessert for me though. The apple and tofu mixed surprisingly really really well. Service was exceptional as well. I forgot to get her name but she was so welcoming and friendly. You can also see the chef preparing the dishes. The atmosphere feels cozy like you're at a friend's house but your friend happens to be an amazing chef with unbelievable ingredients. Highly recommend! Looking forward to going again!!

Michelin star worthy for sure. Every dish was scrumptious. Well worth the visit and planning ahead for the reservation.

One of the best in the Bay Area! Came here with reservations made by my friend which they say should be reserved at least a month ahead. It's a small place so I can see why reservations are so limited. First off, plenty of parking around so you won't have any trouble finding parking. Moment when you walk in, it's dimly lit and inviting. Once you get seated, there is a QR code on the table that tells you the fixed menu for tonight. The dinner was I believe a 9 dish course for $158/person. It sounds expensive because it is given its type of restaurant. But it was well worth it. The service was wonderful. I forgot her name, but she was very attentive and very nice to us. I just wanted her to join us! The service overall was exquisite. In terms of the course, it was very delicious from start to finish! Every dish was its own star because it was all different in its own way. I was oooing and wowing the whole time as I was eating and I meant it! Everything complimented each other in a way you didn't think would work but worked! They had a edamame sorbet in the middle as a palate cleanser and oh my goodness even that was delicious! The way I'm describing is not nearly as how it really tasted. It was impeccable! I was so happy I got to try this place and I highly recommend to anyone else to go!

FOOD: 5 SERVICE: 5 AMBIANCE: 5 VALUE: 5 A family run Kaiseki Japanese restaurant in an unassuming strip mall in the San Mateo hills. Under chef Katsuhiro Yamasaki who gained a Michelin star several years ago and has maintained a very high standard of cooking. Their menu changes monthly according to what fresh local and imported ingredients are in season. Chef Yamasaki continues to innovate and refine his skills, bring more in depth taste and an ever changing presentation. Congratulations on your 2023 Michelin Star!

Top overall Japanese restaurant experience so far. Love the traditional Kaiseki style and food quality. Overall it took about 3 hrs to finish. Ordered hot tea. I personally like mild flavors. Especially recommend the sesame ball, toro chirashi, lobster soup, truffle USD wagyu beef, the gohan and the white peach mochi ice cream(with the mint sprout). Definitely will come again!

Super excited to get a reservation here after reading lots of good reviews. Called at midnight 1 month in advance for the end of March. Located in a plaza with ample parking spaces. Seems to be about 3 people working here: husband the Chef, wife the server, and another lady but no interaction. Ambiance is quite intimate and cozy. The lady owner is very friendly and warm. Our reservation was at 6:30pm and we arrived on time. It took quite some time for the lady owner to bring out our drinks after seating. Within 1 hour of being there, we were only served with one out of the 9 courses. The entire experience was 3 hours long, we didn't leave until 9:15pm but that was because we rushed them to give us the check. The other parties were still finishing up upon our departure. My favorites from the menu: - Steamed egg custard: so delicious! Have had this at other Omakase places, but this is by far the best! I love that they added pepper corn (not sure if it was or something else), definitely brings out the whole custard egg flavor - Sakura Gohan: Japanese rice was prepared slightly plain with cherry blossom, but it goes so well with the flavored sauce and scallops! The dish tastes better as you take each bite. Dessert was probably prepared beforehand, but it did take them a while to bring that out too. Honest opinion, I do not feel it's worth the whole 3 hours and wish for the pace to go a bit quicker. Not sure if each dining experience is similar to mines, but waiting for literally 1 hour to get the 2nd course is quite a wait. The dishes are great but not extraordinary for a 3 hours dine in experience. Dine here with patience, about 3 hours to spare, stay up till midnight to call and wait for a call back to make a reservation :)

Fantastic kaiseki dinner and wonderful service from a small business. Have been here several times and have never been disappointed. Food is high quality and always delicious. Definitely won't leave hungry either with the number of dishes being served!

300 phone calls later... was able to leave a message and get a reservation for later in the month on a weekend. The phone reservation system was a little stressful for me personally, but did leave me feeling accomplished. Had a very nice experience celebrating our friends' birthdays. The dinner lasted around 3 hours. Told my friend in Japan about this experience and he explained that's normal. Some of the notable items: -Hokkaido hotate scallop and lobster, self cook on hot stone -New Caledonian blue shrimp grilled with uni -chawanmushi -Fuji apple in rice vinegar caramel blancmange -hot tea at the end of the meal Had kumoko. Eeek. The thought of knowing what that was made it tough for me to enjoy, but finished it anyways. Service was really good. Everything was very proper and orderly. Loved the coat hangers and baskets on the floor for our purses.

Wahhh this Michelin star Japanese Kaiseki restaurant was definitely an experience to remember. The attention to detail on these 9 courses were beautifully executed. The small dishes, utensils and presentation made the dining experience elegant and fancy. Mayumi's hospitality in managing the dining area of the restaurant was exceptional. The way she gracefully brings out each dish and explains thoroughly on what we were about to indulge was a level of service beyond my expectations. Just by having the slightest conversations with her in between several courses, I could tell she was passionate about what her and her husband can showcase here at Wakuriya. Everything on the menu was delicious. One particular item I wished I was able to a la carte another was the New Caledonian blue shrimp grilled with uni. This grilled shrimp with uni was so sweet and buttery it left a sensational taste to my palate. Highly recommend dining here for the worthy Michelin star experience, great for special occasions. The only downside was calling to make the reservation at midnight.. Between the two of us, we called over 400 times in 3 nights to finally get the reservation but it'll show you put in the time and effort to make this night special.

This place would warrant a 5 star rating if they had a better reservation system. Other than that, everything was perfect. The service was wonderful and every dish was prepared to perfection. Not only was Wakuriya meticulous about the presentation of their food, the chef also paired the dishes with ingredients that harmonized all of the flavors. The dining experience was very intimate. There were a total of 14 people dining and the entire experience was very romantic. I've been to restaurants which offered the same type dining experience, yet none of them are in the Bay Area. Sending you good thoughts on receiving a reservation as it has taken us multiple tries over the last 12 years.

One of the best kaiseki restaurants in the Bay Area. Food and service are excellent. The owners are very nice and friendly. Nice, quiet and cozy ambiance.

Food: Intricate Service: Homely Ambiance: Intimate My partner took me here for my birthday in January 2023, but he got the reservation for it in December. When he explained to me the reservation process I genuinely thought he was joking with me. But no, you must call precisely 1 month in advance of the date you want to go at exactly 12am (midnight), leave a message requesting a reservation, and cross your fingers for a call the next day confirming it. He ended up having to call 3 nights in a row over 100 times each because the line was so busy, before he was able to score a dinner reservation. Upon arrival we were greeted by Mayumi who seated us at our very intimate table as the restaurant was very small (maybe a max seating of 12 or so). The tables were separated by dividers which gave us privacy. Mayumi served us our 9 course pre-fixed meal along with drinks and other palate cleansers. The way she described every course along with every interaction we had with her the entire time made us feel like we were in her home. Every course was well thought out. We started with an interactive scallop and lobster dish that we were able to bbq ourselves on a hot stone. My favorite was the second course of grilled blue shrimp with uni and my partner's was the wagyu beef paired with a deep-fried mochi. But to no surprise, everything was very yummy. Every piece on the plate added to the overall taste of each dish down to the garnish. Even though there were so many textures and each bite was busting in flavor, it all harmonized extremely well. If getting a reservation wasn't so darn hard, I'd be here more often!

It's difficult to book an appointment but it's understandable because they are a Michelin star restaurant. I had a great experience here. Their dishes have quite creative decorations and equally unique flavors.

Would give zero starts if I could. Why run a business if there is no way for regular customers to make a reasonable reservation? They should be stripped of their Michelin star because they don't offer a straightforward way to make reservations. It's worse than TFL. Have some equitable way of making reservations that is not leaving stupid voicemails. You should be a bit mindful of basic communication. Who even calls on this age? Food was okay- there are a few other comparable places nearby. The food tastes better if I don't have to subject to this idiotic reservation policy. Or I'll just go to Hawaii or SoCal to ear better sushi than this. Why not make it first come first serve at door?

We finally were able to reserve a spot for dinner! It's a very small place with 12 diners per night. The chef makes all the item by himself while his wife serves it- they are both from Japan and very nice and humble people. I recommend the sake pairing. Food is fresh and beautifully prepared, most of the fish is from Japan or Alaska.

Michelin Longevity . Wakuriya, an unassuming restaurant in a non-descript strip mall, will soon be celebrating their 15th year anniversary . I was fortunate to make a return visit after almost 15 years and reservations are still as coveted as when they first opened and their status as a Michelin 1 star just as consistent . The kaiseki cuisine is neither as well known or as popular as sushi omakase but one could argue that the number of dishes and flavors is just as diverse and enjoyable . With only a chef and one server team, the interior is serene as you savor each dish and appreciate the presentation . I'm a fan of this cuisine and I'm happy to see Wakuriya still thriving as fellow newcomers Ranzan and Kaiseki Saryo Hachi join the scene . Wakuriya set menu $158 ~ toro tartare on monaka shell / New Caledonia blue shrimp and asparagus deep-fried crab cake wrapped with Sakura leaf, maple leaf farms duck / chawan-mushi with black cod and lobster / today's sashimi / tai snapper poêlé / hashi-yasume palette cleanser / Snake River Farms USA Wagyu beef, eringi mushroom, goma sauce / Sakura gohan with miso-sautéed Hokkaido scallop / kokuto and matcha crème brûlée, mochi trio Wakuriya (San Mateo, CA) Reservations are by phone only and seating is indoor only. Credit cards including AmEx are accepted.

My favorite restaurant in Bay Area. Have visited here 7 times this year and I could never get tired of it. The menu changes monthly except December since they are now on vacation and will be back on January. Menu provides classic kaseiki with a modern twist. I have to say chef is really genius as he can come up with totally different menu every month with the freshest ingredient. The service is also great! Always ask for sake recommendation! Environment is quiet and tables are well separated. Great for dating. Will come back next February !

The food is fantastic, and the service is outstanding. Each course of the nine they served us was tasty, delicately crafted with good-quality ingredients, and both put together and presented with expert care. The three hours of our dinner was made a very comfortable and enjoyable experience.

One of my favorite Michelin-starred dining experiences to date! It's definitely tricky to get a reservation (we tried on several different days!), but once you secure the reservation, it's worth it! Wakuriya offers a multi-course kaiseki menu that combines authentic Japanese cuisine with modern techniques and presentation--the best of both worlds! The restaurant is run by a very nice couple who basically runs the whole show--reservations, host, server, and cook! The space itself is an intimate setting. At the time of my dine, there were only three other parties present (1 party of 6, a party of 2, and another party of 2 seated at the counter). The menu changes frequently, but the following was on my Kaiseki Menu for the night: - New Caledonian blue shrimp and Hokkaido scallop "ishi-yaki": This was such a fun way to start off the menu! They bring you a small heated stone that you grill your seafood on (or you can eat the items raw, since they are all sushi grade!)and then dip it in a refreshing pear-ponzu sauce. The scallops were so fresh and had the perfect texture. - These dishes came out as a trio: Tai snapper sashimi and white grape chestnut, Uni and toro on Japanese toast, Maple Leaf Farms duck with kabocha sauce: The uni and toro toast blew my mind...such an amazing bite! I also really enjoyed the thinly sliced duck--cooked to perfection! - Gindara to kani no jicama-mushi: One of my favorite dishes of the night! The black cod and crab were steamed with grated jicama. I can't even put into words how good this one was! - Chef's choice sashimi: I can't remember the name of the fish, but it melted in my mouth! I also really enjoyed their wasabi, and I'm not usually a fan of wasabi! - Saikyo miso gratin: King salmon grilled with Kyoto miso in the cutest little Dutch oven! I've never had anything like this before, and I loved it! So flavorful and not heavy at all for being a gratin! - Hashi-yasume (palate cleanser): The cutest palate cleaner! The Fuyu persimmon sorbet was so light and refreshing. It was topped with a dainty sesame ball on the prettiest ceramic spoon. - Snake River Farms USA wagyu beef with sake-"kasu" (lees) sauce: So tender! - Gohan and maitake mushroom and organic chicken served with "age-dashi" (deep fried) tofu and lobster - Green tea is served in between to help you digest. So soothing and perfect after eating such a big meal! - Dessert: "Satsuma-imo" (Japanese sweet potato) mochi cake was so nicely presented, and the mochi had the perfect springiness! They also served "matcha" (green tea) boules de neige for the perfect last bite. Overall, I really enjoyed this meal and would love to come back in the future!

Dinner at Wakuriya was phenomenal. Wakuriya only has one seating each night, total of 12 people, which makes the dining experience more special. How to get a reservation: Reservation opens a month in advance. A month prior to our reservation date, we started calling at midnight [ADVICE - Don't stop calling until you reach Wakuriya's voicemail]. We were able to leave a message after calling 10-15 min nonstop. We received a call back the next day. Definitely felt accomplished for getting a reservation at Wakuriya. If you have any special request, like birthday celebration, you can always leave a voicemail and Wakuriya will call back to confirm. Once seated, the server welcomed us with a complimentary off-menu strawberry rice wine. Wow, the drink was delicious. Sadly, they don't sell it :( Instead, we ordered a fruit flight and it did not disappoint. Yuzu was our favorite! $158 tasting menu per person - menu changes on a monthly basis. Our tasting menu was outstanding. Every dish was prepared and cooked with high quality ingredients and well crafted together. Flavor was delightful and perfectly balanced. Presentation was beautifully plated. Please be patience with them as Wakuriya has two workers only, chef and server. Although there was only one server, service was exceptional. She was very friendly and took her time to explain each dish. Our dining experience lasted around 2.5 hours. Toward the last two course of the tasting menu, I was getting a little sleepy. Once dessert arrived, I was fully awake again. haha! Wakuriya was extremely thoughtful. They wrote a hand-written card for my fiance's birthday and surprised him with a mini birthday dessert. It will definitely not be our last time here. We can't wait to come back again :)

This is an excellent Kaiseki Japanese experience. We have been several times over the years but most recently yesterday. We have eaten Japanese food at every price point all over Japan, the Bay Area, NYC, and elsewhere in the world Service is exceptional. This is a married couple and the wife serves and husband cooks. Service is friendly yet formal, attentive, and very Japanese meaning there is care in small and large details: refilling tea, how food is placed in front of you. Special needs are quickly acknowledged and acted upon. When she saw we were celebrating a 20th birthday, she not only said nice things but then adjusted 3 dishes so they did not contain alcohol , and wrote a happy birthday note with the birthday celebrant's name in Japanese, served with an extra dessert and candle Kaiseki has prescribed course types. For example, there will be something steamed, something raw, etc. so if you are not into a total raw fish experience but want a special Japanese dinner, this is a good option. The pictures and menus will give you an idea of what to expect but part of the fun of Kaiseki is being surprised with the best fresh foods of the season. If you don't like surprises, read up on the Kaiseki courses in general and know that the evening's menu will be available for you to follow along The many dishes were all excellent or very good. We liked the wagyu beef and lobster the least ( imagine!). Favorites on this visit were inari sushi, one with uni and one with crab, served alongside a maitaki mushroom sauce with Hokkaido scallop. The slightly warm and sweet tofu wrap was a nice counterpoint to the vinegar rice and buttery seafood. The mushroom + scallop was sweet + umami. Other favorites included lightly seared shrimp with a lovely sauce, and the mochi dessert, but there was no dish that disappointed. I notified them of a dairy sensitivity in advance. In both cases I liked my non- dairy version better. One of these was the mochi dessert. Mine had a fabulous soft sweet potato center. The regulars hat a chocolate pudding center which was fine but not super chocolatey. Bathroom grade: A. 1 gender neutral, ADA accessible single- serve room. Very clean and nicely appointed. Decorated for the season. This restaurant could easily accommodate ADA needs at the table and entry. View of the kitchen is available from all tables. Single patron was seated at the counter which seemed pleasant for 1.

Wakuriya is a Mom and Pop Japanese restaurant offers an authentic Kaiseki dining experience that is truly remarkable. Securing a reservation may be a challenge, but it's well worth the effort. What sets them apart is their ever-changing monthly menu, which keeps the experience fresh and exciting. Each dish is a masterpiece, and the attention to detail is exceptional. If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine, this hidden gem is a must-visit.

I feel sad writing this because I really had such high expectations. I've been dying to go here for years but the near impossible way you have to make reservations prevented me from trying it. My angel of a husband finally got a reservation after calling numerous times. Finally get to eat and I was so underwhelmed by the food. It was probably the worst Michelin experience I've had. It was too much of the same boring flavors. The trout sashimi was absolutely amazing but other dishes left me wanting more.

There's a reason why it's so hard to get a reservation of this place - this Kaiseki restaurant is amazing. Their attention to detail make your experience great once you step into the restaurant. All the dishes are executed to perfection and their seasonal menu makes it always fun to be here. We really enjoyed their sakura rice last time we visited - hope they will bring it back when it's season again. Can't wait to be back again soon!

Food was outstanding. Incredibly creative dishes with a classic, traditional Japanese flair. The server was top notch, giving a nice presentation for every dish that was served. Save some room for the dessert as it was exquisite! Yes, the reservation process is a bit of a hassle, but I didn't think it was nearly as bad as everyone writes about. Just call at midnight one month in advance and keep dialing if the line is busy.

Have been visiting for an entire year, total 13 times dining here! We came in May 2022 for the first time and ever since that start reserving on a regular monthly basis lol. Definitely my favorite restaurant at Bay, highly recommended Food is amazing and service is greatLove the cooperation between the chef/husband and server/wifeGreat place for dating!

From start to finish, dining at this restaurant is a whole experience. It is hard to get a reservation but it is well worth the effort. The hostess was very attentive and provided amazing service to all of the guests. Each dish was introduced and the hostess checked in frequently. The dishes were all amazing and I left the restaurant feeling full which is rare for a Michelin experience. Each course was well thought out and I enjoyed the variety in flavor and texture. The whole dining experience takes 3 hours but I enjoyed seeing the process of my food being made and the attention the chef puts on each dish. It is a season menu which means that I would visit this restaurants again in to try their fall menu.

Wow. The Bay Area is spoiled to have amazing Japanese dining experiences and Wakuriya is one of the tops for me. The exclusivity of getting a reservation may perhaps turn people away but I can guarantee it's worth it. Short and simple: 30 days prior to the exact day you'd like to reserve, call the restaurant at midnight. You'll leave a voicemail noting the day you'd like to reserve a table, your party size, and your phone number. The next day, watch your phone all day because you'll get a call to confirm the reservations and you don't want to miss it! The food, the service, the details of their dainty silverware and utensils all truly encompass a Michelin star worthy experience. Highly recommend Wakuriya if you're looking to experience a traditional kaiseki meal.

The food is good but the ambiance is subpar. The worst thing though is how they handle reservation requests. It's like some demented lottery. You leave a message and hope they have the courtesy to call you back. And good luck trying to get any meaningful information off their website.

Worst experience ever. Trying being one minute late and you'll be treated like a stray dog from the street. The owner was extremely rude and arrogant.

My review is for their takeout! It is a 3-course meal that they've created in response to COVID. The dinner is $60 for three takeout containers and a small dessert. Everything was delicious and I can taste the love that went into all three dishes. The attention to detail is really great - there were so many different components in each takeout container. The menu changes every month, this was my experience for September 23, 2020: Appetizer: -- the day's sashimi (we got Kanpachi) -- Hokkaido hotate scallops -- New Caledonian blue shrimp (super fresh!) It also came with greens and a salty dipping sauce that paired well with the seafood First entree -- Snake River farms USA Wagyu Beef -- Maple Leaf farms roasted Duck (beautifully sliced and presented) -- chawanmushi, steamed egg custard, with truffle (my favorite of this dish! Though, the truffle was somewhat overpowering because of its generous slices) -- kabocha, Japanese pumpkin, with tofu and nuts There are so many components on this dish that I ended up eating it alongside the rice dish! My favorite was the steamed egg custard and the duck. Second entree -- rice with pancetta (very flavorful and filling!) -- pan seared white tuna The dessert was a small cup of matcha red bean! It was a small portion but I was so full from the meal that I was glad there was no real dessert In order to reserve a dinner, you have to call in advance and wait for the owner to call you back. I recommend booking 2-3 weeks in advance but sometimes you may get lucky for less popular weekdays. We were fortunate to book on Monday for a Wednesday meal.

This is my absolutely favorite Kaiseki in the Bay Area, also the only Michelin Star restaurant that I keep coming back to. My review is a little bit overdue (the last time I dined in the restaurant was 2019 but I did order takeout dinner during 2020), but I really want to share my experience. This restaurant is hard to get a reservation, the process is to call at midnight and leave a message on reservation detail. If you're able to secure a reservation, the restaurant will call back the next day to confirm. For all the times I have been here, I have never been disappointed by the food. I could really tell that the chef puts a lot of thoughts into each dish. Each dish was so intricate and so fresh. Their service was also exceptional. Their menus refresh from time to time, but I always get their Sake Flight! My favorite is their fruity Sake Flight. I can't wait to come back and dine at this restaurant soon!

Yum!! Kaiseki done right. I can't believe my first time experiencing Wakuriya is through to-go, I was not disappointed at all. It's hard these days to really visualize what your food will look like to-go. If the quality will be consistent, if the portions are fair. Then I looked up Wakuriya because I felt like being fancy on a Friday, and I was so delighted to see such helpful reviews on the to-go experience here. Everything was amazing! It tasted home cooked, the fish was super fresh, and I was stuffed by the end. It's hard to think that all this food was consumed by two people... My favorite was the appetizer. The fresh fish (toro, salmon and I think aji) was super buttery. The grapes complemented everything. The Waygu was ok. The duck chawanmushi was good, and I wish there was more. The shrimp tamago was flavored well. They even packed a small dessert. It tasted like a creme brûlée without the burnt sugar on top. Would be back again!

I've been itching to eat at Wakuriya for the longest time and finally had a chance to order take out! First, the ordering system is via phone. There's no online reservations. You call Wakuriya and leave a message. They will call you back for you to pick a day and pick up time. This takeout is a pre-fixed 3 course meal. 1) Appetizers - Great variety of sashimi highlighting Hokkaido scallops and blue shrimp! It was so fresh and juicy! This was the perfect way to start your meal! 2) Plate with Wagyu beef, maple leaf farm duck, steamed egg with truffle. The Wagyu and duck was really savory and great quality. However, the steamed egg was the best part. The amount of truffle topped on the egg added really great flavor. 3) Rice with white tuna and pancetta - if you weren't full from the first two courses, this will definitely fill you up! The white tuna did not disappoint! In addition, the rice was cooked perfectly. The pancetta added some salt to the rice, which paired very nicely with the tuna. This is definitely a great meal, but perhaps, my favorite part is the little note included! I thought this was a really nice touch from the owners/chef. Highly recommend this takeout! It will not disappoint! I'm excited to try the next menu! Also, when we can finally dine in, Wakuriya is on my list!

With the restaurant's Michelin star and sterling reviews, we came there with very high expectations. We're happy to say that those expectations were not only met, but were exceeded! From start to finish, with a combination of great food and artistic presentation, every thing was sublime! The only down side is the reservation system, which requires patience. You have to keep leaving phone messages 30 days out and only get a call back if they have a table for you. That might take awhile because the restaurant is quite small, accommodating only about 12 people.

Was nice to have this as a treat for a stay at home anniversary dinner during covid Was wondering how good a fine dining experience would be as takeout but looks like they did their best to make the packaging and appearance pleasant while preserving the quality and taste of the dishes You can see the Attention paid to detail, a little chopped herb on the egg, the zucchini scored to be easier to bite through Dashi gelee with shiso had wonderful flavor The rice at first looks pedestrian but the amount of aroma from the shiso is so delicious Nice avisar from the Mustard sauce complements the butteriness of the beef well Does seem like this husband wife couple working hard to make ends meet, very sweet message they print with the menu

It was a superb and exceptional dinner. I sat at the counter watched the chef prepared every dish with the utmost focus and attention to detail. The hostess Mayumi-san gave a good intro to each dish served. She also was able to have short chat with us despite being very busy with serving the food. The restaurant has nice lighting and smooth table that made us focus and enjoy on each dish. I feel Chef Hiro's efforts in every dish that he prepared and was surprised by the flavors of some dishes. The freshness and origin of the ingredients all have their purpose well-served. The exquisite flavors and texture were accentuate by the Chef's skills. It was a very memorable dining experience as the chef's food was exceptional and the hostess was hospitable. The meal was $158 per person and it was very well worth. I'm grateful for the existence of such amazing restaurant.

For COVID-19, Wakuriya is offering a three course ~$60 (give or take, depending on the weekly menu) pickup dinner. This must be pre-ordered by calling the number listed on their website. Most likely, you'll have to leave a voicemail stating your name, how many meals, and what day you prefer to pick up (windows are 5-6pm Wednesdays to Sundays). You'll be given a call back later (I was given a call two hours after I left the voice message) confirming the information and letting you know the next available dates. The waitlist is almost a month long, and it's well worth the wait! The mid-July menu started off with "today's sashimi", which used summer vegetables with various cuts of ultra fresh sashimi and a subtle soy-based sauce. Very fun, colorful, and did I say fresh? The meat dish was summer truffle topped Snake River farms USA wagyu beef. It came with a tomato-ponzu sauce, steamed jidori chicken egg, and chili-miso shrimp. I haven't actually eaten pieces of truffle before, and it tasted like very thin slices of potato! The wagyu was delicious, pink, and right. I was afraid the sauce would overwhelm it, but the tomato-ponzu was actually a delicate and light sauce that added a savory sweetness. The poached egg was very gooey with rich yolk, and the chili-miso shrimp had a lightly fried, sweet chili coating. The third dish was "matcha gohan" which was paired with sauteed chicken and maitake mushroom. The rice was premium quality, nicely soft and plump, but otherwise tasted pretty normal (the matcha seemed to be there for the color more than taste). There weren't many flavors coming from the chicken or mushroom, but I think it's supposed to be reminiscent of a healthier, homecooked style with less sodium. A small dessert and cold pack was included complimentary with the meal. It came in a small sauce container, but was still so pretty and yummy! I got a fruity mango pudding - a very refreshingly sweet bite to wrap up dinner. This Michelin-starred meal was a superb deal! I can only imagine what this kaiseki tastes like in person. Due to the nature of these meals, the food does come ready to be eaten at room temperature. It somewhat tastes like a fancy bento meal, though the freshness of the ingredients plus the care and precision in the preparation and cooking shine. Husband and wife kitchen duos often make magic happen, and Katsuhiro and Mayumi are no exception.

My friend and I decided to try Wakuriya's covid takeout dinner for $60! It was pretty good and worth a try since their menu changes monthly. 1st course: sashimi The sashimi plate was probably my favorite one the salmon, maguro, snapper and tofu skin w/ scallop + ikura all had great fish quality! The dressing for the salad was interesting, although I wasn't particularly fond of it. 2nd course: wagyu + duck chawan-mushi The wagyu in this one was good and they give you a good amount! The other items in this plate were kind of just okay though. I think I would have enjoyed the duck chawan-mushi more if it was warm, so maybe if I get something like this again I'll heat it up? 3rd course: eel + rice The eel on this was great! It was soft, tender, and flavorful.

Come on! Need we rate? This is a Michelin star destination location. I'm proud that it's in San Mateo. Everything is PERFECT!