On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Loading...
I found this place driving around with a friend, hoping to find a sushi restaurant. And i found KOBE SAKE.
The owner, or he seems to act like he is the owner, is Min the master. This guy is a legend. A story just to show you how much of a legend he is: I was having a dinner with my friends, complimented by unfiltered sake and beer, when Min came up and yelled, "new style!" and he then proceeded to poor sake in all our beer glasses and continued to drink with us. I dont know how the guy does this everyday. he must hate waking up but love going to work.
Anyways, the food is delicious, i love this place, you know what, half way through the survey, i changed my rating from four starts to five stars. I order the chef's choice roll and i always get some crazy combination like chocolate tuna or something, its great. just kidding about the chocolate tuna. These guys even have a bar next door that needs to get used more. so lets hit it hard!
Katie H. and I had a $25 http://restaurant.com gift certificate that we decided to use on this place tonight (minimum purchase of $50). We decided to splurge on the Kobe Sake Sushi Special- $59 for 12 pieces sashimi, 9 pieces nigiri, a crab roll, and assorted tempura. We should have thought that through a little more. Total bill (with a $7 large house sake) came to $60 with tax and tip (18% included) after the $25 off. I don't mind spending $85 on sushi but it better be really good and/or a whole lotta sushi. This was neither. It was OK, and it was not that much food. The nigiri was pretty good- 3 kinds of tuna, salmon, hamachi, two other kinds of fish, octopus, and tobiko. The sashimi was fine quality but the cuts were rather small (and the advertised "white tuna" was not white tuna, although it was very good, whatever it was). The tempura was fine, nothing special (and they gave us shrimp after we made it clear that Katie H. had a severe shrimp allergy- they substituted artificial crab after we brought this to our server's attention). The crab roll was pretty sad looking- like it had been pre-made and reheated. It was covered in a congealed brown sauce that made it look particularly unappetizing.
I probably would have given Kobe Sake 4 stars if the Special was, say $35. But it was $59. I'm used to much better prices and similar if not better quality at any number of places in SF- and this is San Friggin' Bruno. Definitely not worth a trip from SF, or anywhere else. Our go to local sushi spot- Sushi Raw, has a similar sampler for $32.95 (Sushi Boat- 12pcs Sashimi, 8pcs Sushi, 6pcs California Roll & 6pcs Spicy Tuna Roll). Much better value, nicer place, and better quality. No tempura included at Sushi Raw but heck, an extra $26 for mediocre tempura in San Bruno? No thanks.
Apparently there is now a Sushi Raw in San Bruno as well. I haven't been there but if it is anything like the one in the Excelsior, I would definitely recommend it over Kobe Sake.
Went to this place for the first time for lunch today with my bf. The dinning area is pretty small and this place doesn't get too much foot traffic. We order a bunch of rolls and some seaweed salad, which was ok.
CRUNCHY ROLL: This was a soy wrapped roll with salmon, tuna, and tempura shrimp. This was my favorite roll and it was very meaty and full of substance. On top, they have tempura bits to add just the right crunch. This roll is a must try!
SPICY TUNA ROLL and POKI ROLL: these two were smaller hand rolls, but were filled with flavorful tuna bits and they even top off the rolls with even more tuna!
CATERPILLAR ROLL: we could tell that the unagi was freshly fried when ordered b/c it came warm.
SPIDER ROLL: This roll was just ok to me, but i'm not a big fan of soft shelled crab. my bf enjoyed it though.
HAMACHI WITH PEAR: I would have only given this place 3 stars, but this place had something interesting that I've never seen in at a sushi place. This was a slice of pear on top of a thick slice of white tuna on top of a rice roll. it was wrapped with a thin strip of seaweed. It tasted amazing...the sweetness from the pear complimented the soft and tender tuna very well.
The only thing I didn't like about this place was that we used a http://restaurant.com certificate and had to spend $50 in order for our $25 off to work. then end up adding tip (from original $50 price) plus tax...totaling our bill to like $43 bucks....not that big a difference from spending $50. Kind of contradicted our trying to save money.
When you get a phallic roll called the "Lady Lover" you know it's not your typical sushi bar. This is sushi without the pretense. Sake abounds here and the sushi chefs have a tendency to get a little sidetracked which can be amusing or frustrating depending on your view. Sit at the bar so you can interact with the chefs and ask for special rolls. We usually get the Hamachi Kama (not to be missed) and some nigiri. Then we figure out what fish we want and ask the chef to surprise us (medium spice, please). Fish is fresh, rolls are fun and sitting at the counter is definitely an experience.
Fearing I'd soon lose my ability to string together a sentence, smudge my shiny '09 Elite badge, or let down and lose more fans, I figure it's time to start writing reviews again.
So here we go:
By chance, I found myself having lunch here.
I've had dinner at Kobe Sake numerous times before but never imagine I would find such hidden delights here in the afternoon.
http://www.youtube.com...
Terrible reference - I implore you to please ignore it.
But if you're curious about it: kudos to you!
Anywho, a quick run through their lunch menu revealed an all-you-can-eat option. My wife's primary concern was my propensity to over indulge and then having to be rolled out of the restaurant. In the meantime, our friend and I were applying the classic economic principal of was it really worth it?
The lunch conundrum had a happy ending.
http://www.teesforall....
I didn't overeat, the price was right, and I finally found some ultra tasty poke. Seriously, their poke is Hawaii grade good.
I do have to admit it was strange being limited to an hour of eat-all-I-can but . . . that's all I need sometimes.
So there you go. My first review after a two month hiatus.
More to follow (hopefully soon).
If you're looking for innovative sushi in a Cheers kind of way - Kobe Sake is for you.
Min offers an intriguing array of rolls, soups, and appetizers. Plus, their entrees are top-drawer.
My faves so far are the spicy and smokey Jen's. I could pop 'em like Cheetos. The lady lover - delish. I've had avocado with tuna before - but here the ratio between tuna and avocado is much more equal and really accentuates the best of both flavors. I also dig the Raiders and 49-er rolls. Oh, and the fried soft shell crab is excellent with the mild sauce.
As others have mentioned - the staff is friendly - social - accommodating and helpful if you're lookin' for something special.
It's a clean space- decent portions fresh- and reasonable prices.
They make you feel like family. Recommend going with friends or just hanging out at the counter on your own.
I was kind of disappointed by this place. I would drive by often and liked the decorations on the outside. I went there for dinner with a friend and everything just tasted average. Nothing special at all. We tried several different rolls. Not much to say about them. eh.
I found a NEW sushi place to go to! Okay yes, it may be a little pricier than other sushi places, BUT the food really is that good. And it's definitely more fresh than other places I have been to. The items I've tried @ Kobe Sake and would definitely recommend are: SNOW WHITE ROLL (scallops/mayo), VOLCANO ROLL, 49ERS ROLL, OYSTERS. That staff is extremely friendly. The chefs are full of energy they are ready and willing to take sake bombs with customers.
The waitress was yapping away telling us what was what and something flew out of her mouth and landed on my arm. EW.
Anyway, Kobe Sake's rolls are around $10. I guess normally priced but thought it was going to be cheaper for a hole-in-the-wall joint. Don't get me wrong, they were good but I wasn't expecting to pay thaaat much.
Here is a list of the rolls we ordered, in order of delicious-ness.
VOLCANO ROLL - Crab, salmon, white fish, scallop, lobster and tobiko
CATERPILLAR ROLL - Unagi, tobiko, avocado
KOBE ROLL - Ebi, ahi, kanikama, avocado, wasabi, tobiko
SUMMER ROLL - Ahi, salmon, white tuna, avocado, mint leaves, rolled in cucumber
And we had one more I can't remember. I recommend the VOLCANO ROLL.
Happy eating and don't let the waitress spit on you!
Kobe Sake is a great little hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant--a rare find in San Bruno. The food is excellent, and always fresh. If you ask Min for his recommendations, he will usually serve you something special that isn't on the menu. The restaurant itself is a nice place to hang out and chit-chat with friends, although it can feel a bit cramped if there are a lot of other people there.
Min is always very friendly and truly enjoys his craft. Don't be surprised to see him start a spontaneous round of Sake Bombs with his trademark "ichi, ni, san!" And if you don't finish your bottle of sake in one sitting, they will hold it for you until you get back. It's a great place to enjoy yourself if you're looking for a laid-back, friendly atmosphere.
First off let me express how much I loathe San Bruno. I was unfortunate enough to grow up and have my precious teenage years wasted in that pitiful town. Every time I venture back I get this unpleasant nostalgic feeling.
That being said, there isn't a whole lot in San Bruno that's worthwhile. Sure they fixed up Tanforan, and last time I checked Roma's made an awesome sandwich, but aside from that San Bruno doesn't have much going for it, EXCEPT Kobe Sushi.
I love those 'hole in the wall' gem restaurants, where you walk in and are pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere, service, and food. Last night I discovered they have an entire BAR on the other side of the dining area. Sweeeeeet!
And let me say that the staff here kicks ass. Yes, they do sake bombs with you, and last night the bartender made me this amazing nigori, mango, orange juice concoction. Four of those, and a couple sake bombs later I was feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
:-)
Kobe Sake is definitely an asset to the neighborhood and well worth checking out if you ever find yourself around my favorite place on Earth- San Bruno.
Yum yum...and love Min ! Monk Fish liver........lord help me so succulent.
The ONLY thing I wish was better mood lighting. I am nuts for lighting.
Sexy, beautiful decorated plates, great Sake selection, fun people.
Cramped, smelly and loud sums up my experience. I wouldn't know about the food, because there was no way I was going to pay to eat in the stench of cleaning fluids and the ear-shattering blast of their TV. We walked out before ordering.
I came here once three years ago when I moved to the bay area and the service was good and sushi wasn't too bad.
Went again recently and stuck with the simple stuff: tuna, yellowtail, mackeral, eel, etc. The sushi seriously reminded me of the stuff you'd get at Safeway. The waitress was really attentive at first but was preoccupied with a group in the larger area. The chefs were lagging on our food. They were tending to the bar patrons before us. Took like 15 mins just for a tuna roll while the same two guys at the bar were getting theirs like 2 mins after requesting it. The waitress kept reminding the sushi chefs about my order. I'd say more like 2.5 stars.
We love quirky unique places and are glad we stumbled into this place. Not the cheapest, but then again, I don't mind paying for good food. They have all kinds of exotic rolls you've never thought of.
If you love avocado, you have to order the "LADY LOVER". It is raw ahi tuna with seasame oil and soy sauce, with a whole avocado and a tempura garnish. Super yummy and you'll definitely be suprised. ;)
Very fresh fish and even fresher staff. They talk to you and make you laugh and ask you what you like so they can make you a special roll. Sit at the sushi bar and ask the chef for recommendations!
I only tried their Kobe beef. Went with a group of 11 and Chef Min specially arranged to cook Kobe beef four ways: raw with ginger sauce, hot pot style, sizzling plate and a roast beef style with deep fried sides. See the photos I uploaded. The raw beef is the best I have ever eaten: tender with a hint of natural sweetness without any condiment on it and nothing beefy at all! The hot pot was very flavorful and spicy and go very well with rice. The sizzling and roast style were above average. It was expensive too as I was told the Kobe beef was shipped all the way from Japan. I paid $103, which includes the beef cooked four ways, a small salad, miso soup, a couple side dishes (soy beans and sprouts), sake and shared ice cream dessert (3 flavors with fried banana). The fried banana was a little too hard.
I would go back to try their sushi.
The first time I went to Kobe Sake was for a friend's bday partay. I only got to experience the club portion of the restaurant that night, so I was curious about their restaurant half. Cause, when I get way buzzed, I want to get down to some grubbing!
The club portion was awesome that night... reverse sake bomb... shot of beer in a glass of sake! That's pure evil!! More drinks and booze and drinks and booze... mix it with some hip hop music.. shake it up... shake it up.
Fast forward a year... and I'm back... trying out the sushi portion of the restaurant... with last years bday girl. Man, one year is a long time so we went right at it...
Sashimi!! Hamachi (good!)... Albacore (good!)... Saba (okay)... The summer roll (a Lily D semi-favorite) was fresh, crunchy and had a combination of fish. You gotta handle that roll with care cause that Frankenstien roll will fall apart on you.
Of course... a new taste of mine is the Uni (a lot better than my virgin encounter).
What stands out from the night was the friendly atmosphere of the restaurant. We got to try out a couple of the chef's recomendations (I don't remember what it was... future update.. like the Toro). But it was good! Also, another chef made us steamed salmon with black bean paste, on the house. And a future must try is the all you can eat sushi on Sundays!!
I agree with Jes S on her review since I was there too when she experienced Kobe Sake & Raw Sake Bar.
Great staff and owner but food is so-so for me. In all fairness, I like the volcano roll, the fish head, and grilled squid.
I won't go back to eat there though since I could spend the same $$$ in the city with better ambience and nice staff as well.
OK. So this is my first time writing a review on yelp and it sucks that it has to be a bad one. I use yelp a lot to search for new & interesting restaurants.
My boyfriend and i are HUGE sushi fanatics and I'm sorry to say that this place was pretty bad.
Let's start off with the place which is literally a hole in the wall and limited in parking. The ambiance was not Japanese. There were so many ideas that didn't jive, like African pieces and artwork, Budweiser glasses for water.
The staff were first friendly as we entered, they did the "Hey, Hello, Hi!" like any other sushi place. The waitress did tend to us from time to time.
Now to the sushi. Wow, it was so poorly wrapped and fell apart every time i picked it up. I was afraid to dip it in my soy sauce because it would just crumble and it would be more of a waste to eat soy sauce soaked rice! There was nothing special about their "specialty rolls." They all tasted the same. The fish was also not good. It had that, "not stored in the right temperature" taste where it was rubbery and not fresh.
And to make matters worse. Both my stomach and my boyfriends began hurting towards the end of dinner. I thought I was full and I didn't want to mention the pain because I was the one who chose to eat at Kobe Sake because of the "great" reviews on yelp and it would make me look bad since I emphasized strongly to eat here.
We brought home the left overs we couldn't eat because we didn't feel well. I gave it to my brother, another sushi connoisseur and he described it as "mall sushi" which sums it in a nutshell.
I think the only thing I liked was the warm, clean hand towel served prior to dinner. I do also appreciate the Chef coming out and refilling my tea. I got a kick out of the white seaweed wrapping as well so for that I give 2 stars.
If anybody knows a real sushi place with fresh ingredients, good prices, different unique specialty rolls, great staff.......please let me know.
I'm so glad this place is open down the street from my house. THE BEST SUSHI EVER! It opened up about 9 years ago when I was 18 years old. Back then Nine wasn't there yet so it was just Min and some other guy. I always loved the quality of fish there, as you know Min (the owner) also sells fish in the [wee] early mornings so he really knows how to pick em :)
Fast fowward this year; I had the opportunity of working for Min during lunch time ove the summer. Lunch time is the best time to go when its the least crowded and you can get some good undivided attention from one of the sushi chefs (usually Nine is there at lunch) Dinner time is always busy, it might take a little while to get your order, but like Min says "Its sooooo gooood!!!"
Also; Fri / Sat nights are fun to bring a group of people as they have a DJ who spins Freestyle mixes in the adjacent bar. Good selection of cocktails too - saki style :)
I can't wait to get my next paycheck so I can spend it all at Kobe Saki! lol
Oh man, this place is freakin awesome!
I went here for the first time on Saturday and was astonished at the quality of the fish in their rolls. What I found later was that the owner of Kobe Sake also owns a fish company and supplies his own stuff which is excellent because I could literally taste it in the fish. Literally just melts in your mouth. I used to go alot to Hiro Japanese restaurant which is down the street from Kobe Sake but will now walk the extra 10 minutes to dine at kobe sake. Come see for yourself! Wonderful place!
FINALLY got to eat at Kobe Sake, so happy =) haha.
This place is located right across the street from where my bf lives, we've been trying to go here since his sister came and it's always been closed! I figured out they have very odd hours, mostly opened during the evening so you can't usually catch lunch here on the weekends.
Anyways to the good stuff - SUSHI was GREAT! I ordered the Princess Karen (tempura, unagi, crab all in one with niguri and fish eggs on top) and it was like 'disneyland fireworks excitement in my mouth' good. I feel like every time I come here I'll be ordering this. I also got the rainbow roll, similar to what you'd get at most sushi restaurants, but still good. My bf got the Steak Teriyaki, not served bento box style like you'd expect but sliced on a plate in a teriyaki puddle - good. The presentation of all the dishes was appreciated.
Since it was my first time I marvelled at the murals and goodies hung on their walls, it was cute and you could tell the place was loved my its customers. From the outside I wouldn't have expected a bar but there was a full bar, it looked like it would be nice had it been open; I'll try it out some other day.
One thing that was great about this place, was that the staff seems super friendly. You get a warm welcome when you first walk in and it seems that once you're a customer you become basically a friend to the restaurant, since everyone was chatting like they all knew each other.
ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI! Who knew? I never knew this would exist, but apparently Kobe Sake offers all you can eat for $28. You get a page of stuff to choose from, I hear this guy order 8 salmon skin rolls right off the bat. While I don't think I could eat my moneys worth maybe you can. Could be a deal if you know how to pack it in.
I'll definitely be back, I told my bf I'll be asking to come here A LOT!
OK first of all let me say that Kobe Sake is not your everyday Japanese Sushi restaurant. A lot of people have given this place a bad review simply because it takes a bit to get your food or because they have budweiser glasses at a Sushi place. WTF? Going to Kobe is like going to a friend's house. You go there relax and enjoy the enviroment. The food is good, the sake bombs flow, and the staff is more than accomodating. I've been going to Kobe since they opened and although I've eaten at other sushi places in the bay and in my travels, I always come back to Kobe. It's my sushi home.
I'd say this to those that have complained, if you are crying because those at the bar get more attention than you then SIT AT THE BAR! Partake in the experience and you will see why those of us "regulars" do so and NEVER sit at the tables. Also, if you are surprised to find beer glasses that say budweiser or chillis...so what!????? it's the beer that matters! If you went to Japan and drank from a glass that said Ford you would be all excited about it. Come on people this place is cool and as I said before, the staff are happy to serve you and try very hard to put a smile on your face. Mhin, the owner, frequently goes around the restaurant handing out sake or beer or sake bombs to the entire place ON THE HOUSE! Just because. They will allow you to come up with your own roll and then you name it. I'd recommend the mama san hand roll....it's delicious. Come more than once and you'd probably be greeted with a hug. Sushi Love to you guys at Kobe!!! Staff and regulars alike! Try it and you wond regret it.
Bottom line? Is there better sushi out there? probably
Is there a more Japanese enviroment elsewhere? Most likely
Is there another Kobe Sake? NEVER!
It's been described as a "Japanese Cheers"
Went there for lunch...
Smelled like pine-sol or some other cleaner...probably not best to clean with it right before the lunch crowd.
I wonder what a pine-sol roll tastes like. I bet the aromatics would really bring out the flavor in the hamachi.
Hamachi and Ikura are very good here. Almost...buttery....
You know, I'm really kind of bummed to give this place such a middling review, and while the staff was very very nice, I have absolutely no intentions of ever coming back, for a variety of reasons.
My friend Donald has his 27th (you old man) birthday party here, as he frequents this place a lot for lunch. I come in, look at the menu, and everybody tells me "Don't bother looking at the menu, Donald has taken care of it". Birthday boy strolls in and says that dinner will be served, and that most of the food's been figured out. Fine, whatever, bring it on bishes. I may not be of the Asian descent, but I can wield chopsticks like a mutha. Nice long table set out for us as the birthday team was going to be rowdy. Our side was somewhat dim, with a long bar behind us for some of the regular patrons to have a beer or a mixed sake drink.
Dish after dish starts coming out from the kitchen, and it was a mix of hot and cold dishes, most of them nigiri sushi style, with enough for everybody to try one mouthful of each item that came out. There was shrimp things, there was Kobe beef, there was all kinds of fish wrapped many many different ways, and there was clam (meh) and snail (don't even bother, it was chewy and unimpressive). Please also note that the sushi rice was borderline terrible. I don't know if it was because they were making it in such copious quantities, but it had no flavor whatsoever, and it was all mushy, which I find to be a serious insult to sushi.
We eat, and eat, and eat some more. Food keeps coming, and we are getting to the point where we wonder when this is going to end. Many a drink is poured and toasted, and the owner sends out sake bombs for the entire team of 13 of us there. I was impressed, and thought that this was a very nice gesture for him.
Apparently, on Friday and Saturday nights, this becomes the hip spot for the kids who don't actually want to go clubbing, but want to get their drank on for no cover, with an awkward DJ spinning top 40 with no room to dance. This, of course, makes it hard for the birthday team to actually be our rowdy selves, so we hustle up the check, and when it comes, my eyes almost popped out of my head.
$1262 and change. For 12(ish) people to eat sushi for 2.5 hours in San Bruno? Seriously!? Of course, because so much food was brought to the table, there is no way to account for what exactly was served to us, or how much each roll should have cost per order. That REALLY ticked me off, because my friend knows the owner pretty well, and we really felt somewhat hosed by the bill. Be reasonable man, and don't just expect that the well wishers can afford to be throwing down $100/pp in this economic climate. One guy was nervous that his credit card would be rejected, because he might not have enough money in that checking account. $40/pp for sushi I can excuse, and MAYBE $80/pp in the city at some swank place. And I'm sure I could eat $100 worth of sushi at the right time and place, given the right amount of o-toro and other wonderful buttery things. While I understand that the chef/owner Min was really trying to show us all the wonderful things that sushi could offer, I think everyone was so sticker shocked that we just paid and got out of there.
While I am so glad that my friend had a good time, I really think we could have done better elsewhere, and I hope that Min thinks twice the next time a birthday party comes, and is reasonable about the bill. All I could think about the next day was the $10 sushi lunch I had in Ginza back in Japan in 2007, and how it was so much better overall.
el camino real strip...humble small sushi bar and restaurant establishment...enter through shabby facade...inside just as expected...non-fancy and modest, but homely interior...good friendly vibes and warmth felt...mix match of clutter decorations....stray from traditionalism...at first worried with thoughts of hardpacked california rolls and drowning teriyaki....a look at sushi chef and know this is not your "authentic" japanese sushi bar....neo-sushi fusion with personalized touch to best describe....
modest priced american-japanese combination bento....under $ten lunch...cheaper bento box lunch in area...mention teriyaki is drowning and poor....but, bento worthy for price....options of $ten rolls and handrolls.....moving on to items of importance...sushi and rolls...finding sashimi skills fine...perfect sliver after sliver...each piece of fish a treat...finding rolls perfectly light...fast and skillful roll...gentle tap with roller and slicing...so delicate, only fingers will do...reminisce of artful works of some of the finer sushi chefs....delicate flavorful handrolls...no fear on going "outside the box"....custom rolls to your desire...your wildest dreams of taboo sushi made here at kobe sake....mix and match saucing, sashimi, roe and rice....personalized custom roll creations...sinfully masterfully delicious....
Ate there 4 or 5 years ago and I thought the food sucks! It appears a "rookie" had prepared the meal and it was bland. Never going there again, even if it's free.
Damn Felicia glad to meet you... what a bomb roll! The Felicia Roll was soooo yummers we had to order two ( Shrimp tempura, spicy tuna topped with avocado).
Before that we had this outrageously phallic sushi called the Lady Lover which had tuna covered in avocado for the two balls and some erect spicy tuna action. Hate to admit it, but this thing was tasty too.
The Princess Karin Roll (Shrimp tempura, unagi, kanikama, hamachi) was ok. It had fake crab in it, but the rest was great. Order it minus the fake crab and I have a feeling you will be much happier.
While simple and all white, the snow white roll with scallop and mayo was another solid roll.
Can you believe another good sushi place off of the endless El Camino Real? - Fuki and Akasaka already on that list
Just to clarify Kobe is not on the level of Fuki, but def a solid cute little place I want to come back to.
Good to come here if you are one or two people. Not a lot of tables for 3+ and you will find yourself waiting some time.
Ohhhhhh.....they also have some killer fire sushi hand rolls. If you like a little heat you gotta order one of these puppies.
I loved my bento box. The tiger shrimp (3 big ones) was marvelous. It wasn't this scratchy, deep fried, bland thing, that got mushy when you dipped it into the sauce.
The pieces of sashimi were good-sized. Usually when I order bento's, I get mysterious fish for the sashimi--never anything good like the hamachi and red tuna here!
Getting six pieces (not four) regular sized California maki surprised me too.
My husband said he really can't imagine what their "big-assed bento box " (4 items) was like. I had the $16 bento box (3 items -- 6 pieces white and red tuna, tiger shrimp tempura, and California roll) and a spider roll. My husband had the assorted tempura, tiger shrimp tempura, chicken teriyaki.
The staff was ultra nice. They're very attentive and check up on you a lot to see if there's anything else you may need. People are comfortable here, which is a plus with me. I like familiarity but I don't want people talking too much to me either. Kobe had the right mix of atmosphere--intimate and social.
I was so excited by the restaurant, I went to http://www.restaurant.... and ordered a coupon for my sister. (You could also have a look at their menu up on http://restaurant.com and make reservations too.)
I got her a $25 off certificate (minimum purchase of $45, but she has family and friends to have a sushi-fest with). She should be happy. I didn't get $25 off my meal, and I happily went there twice at full price.
I never wanted to come here the many times it was suggested for dinner, but finally I gave in, and I'm so glad I did. Kobe Sake is such a great place. The owner Min and his staff are the nicest people, hands down. The service is what really makes this restaurant great because they always remember you and make you feel so comfortable. It's always fun when you walk in and they say "Hi!! We haven't seen you guys for a while!"
The prices aren't as cheap as Sushi House, but I think the prices are worth the service. My favorite item on the menu is the new york handroll with no mint! They have a huge variety of rolls and fresh fish. They also have what they call a "big ass bento" which is a bento with four items, I think. The price is kind of steep but they have a two item bento or three item bento too. Kobe is all about their sake bombs. You always see the staff doing sake bombs with the customers and it makes for a fun atmosphere. I love coming to Kobe!
====================================
(UPDATE 02/03/2008) FIVE STARS!!
====================================
As part of a One-Year Anniversary for Kobe Sake's expansion/addition of the bar-side of the restaurant, four friends and I took part in a $50 all-you-can-eat/all-you-can-drink party Min hosted.
FANTASTIC EVENING!!
The spread of food was impressive!!
A steamy mushroom miso that vanquished any chill from rain outside!
Trays and trays of sashimi and rolls prep'd throughout the night!
Hearty servings of aromatic beef Curry udon that was guiltily delicious!
A sizzling platter of what i believe was unagi collar with a sweet glaze!
There was so much food to choose from, I had to cheat the diet a little...
And, of course, it wouldn't have been a night at Kobe Sake without SAKE BOMBS!
For 4 hours, we pounded away on pitchers of cider/Kirin and countless shots of sake! Every couple of minutes, "ICHI! NI! SAN! SAKE BOMB!!" would be chanted around the bar followed by the clinkitty-clink of quickly emptied glasses and cups.
I tell you, its a mystery to me how Min maintains so well after drinking so much...
The next event Min hosts at Kobe Sake, you can count on me being there...!!
ICHI! NI! SAN! SAKE BOMB!!!
*splash*glug-glug-glug*clink*
YEAHHHHHH!
=============================
(Original review: 4-stars, 01/22/2008)
(note: the two times I've been here, I've been drinking... heavily..., so though I really enjoyed what I did have 01/20/07, I'm not going to write much, if at all, about it... s'only fair, yes?)
"I say 'sake'... you say 'bomb'!"
"SAKE...?" "... BOMB!"
"SAKE...?" "... BOMB!"
"SAKE...?" "... BOMB!"
And that's how my first visit here started and ended, last July for my good friend KT's big birthday bash! Oh oh oh, and what a blurry montage of sexy memories that night was...
So when she suggested we go there for dinner again - half jokingly because it was "the best birthday party [she] doesn't remember" - I was excited!
Walking up to the small two room restaurant, one of the first things you might notice is the YELP sticker on the door. Ah, that brought a giggle from the girls, them knowing (and being a little concerned) about my current compulsion towards e'rything Yelp...
The restaurant-side of the business (though food is served on both sides) is small. 24-30 customers would constitute "packed" in this room, but it was cozy, especially for a Sunday night. The "sake bar" side is very simply a bar with a single row of tables down the center opposite the bar that runs the length of the room; definitely a drink-serving, purpose-driven design. No pretense here, this is a neighborhood place...
The dcor on both sides is kitschy - in a "J-pop is juvenile but meant for adults" kind of way - with oversized prints and murals of undemanding simple art (bold 2-dimensional paintings of fish and underwater scenes), but the atmosphere from restaurant side to bar side are as different as night an day. While the restaurant side is accented in bright lighting, warm(er) colors, and wood/bamboo tones, the sake bar side is awash in cool blues and aqua hues, spot lighting over the bar, and the thud-thud-thud of music (usually hip-hop! Yea-YAY!). And the last I checked, there is a DJ on Friday/Saturday nights...
Food. I liked everything we had ordered this night; the Princess Karen roll, the Volcano roll(?), and the San Bruno roll. But I was particularly taken with the Curry Katsu Don rice bowl!! I only had a taste, but Ah, I might have to cheat the diet for that next time...
Drinks. Kobe Sake serves 2 things; sake & [Japanese] beer.... And... drinks made with sake & [Japanese] beer. Did you get all that? Hot sake. Chilled sake. Beer. Sake bombs. Sake cocktails. And try cider bombs instead, if your not into beer.
Now, the most characteristic draw to of Kobe Sake is the staff. Our (so-cute-I-was-distracted-everytime-she-walked-by) waitress was excellently attentive and friendly. And then there's Min(?)...
AWESOME Min, who I believe is the owner and executive chef, is an unforgettable personality! He exuberantly mingles with his customers, making dining (but particularly, drinking) here a personal experience; its not uncommon for Min to personally come to your table, chat it up, see how you like the food, and then treat your party (and himself) to a round of sake bombs. How, at the end of the night, he can remember everyone's names (and he does!) and still be functional after drinking that many sake bombs (and he does!) is beyond me... but it makes for a fun night out!
Southbay'rs: Min is entertaining the idea of opening up a store somewhere thisaway. When/if he does... you'll know where to find me...! BOMBS AWAY!!
This place is kind of a hole in the wall. It totally reminds me of a couple sushi places I've frequented in Hawaii -- which is a good thing.
The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The food is quite yummy and the prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend the Lobster Roll, DUI roll (lobster roll w/ bass on top), and Spicy Jenn (crispy and spicy hand roll of deliciousness). Top it all off with some sake and a large glass of Kirin and you're good to go.
Raw Sake Bar is actually in the back/side room of Kobe Sake Sushi. While drinking in the bar you can order food from Kobe Sake. Or if you are eating in Kobe Sake, you can walk back and order a drink from Raw. But, I like to think of them as different entities. After all, if they were to be one and the same, wouldn't Min, the owner, put the same name on the bar menu and food menu?
Speaking of Min, he's the nicest, friendliest guy you will ever meet. He remembers his repeat customers. He's always down to take a shot or sake bomb with you. With as much as he drinks with customers, I'm surprised at how well he maintains. All of the staff is super friendly. Raw has such a laid back, neighborhood bar feel. On Friday nights, you can listen to my buddy, DJ 8-Ball, spin hip hop.
But trust me, their drink list can compete with some of the fancy schmancy bars, but without the pretentious environment. With a handful of beers on tap and a ton more available by the bottle, most beer drinkers will be satisfied. But their mixed drink list is what I like the most. They have a LONG list of creative drinks mixed with filtered sake or plum sake, some of them originals thought up by Min. A few of my faves are the Pikachu, Mini-minito, and the Ahi Bros. Pineapple Juice.
Okay, so I'm a big fan of names. Ideally ones that people say to your face and not your back.
Growing up, my mother's best friend was named Gaye Barr. She married into that name and wore it like a champ.
So, why do I like the name Kobe Sake? Well, let's break it down:
Kobe: As in, cutest bball star HANDS DOWN. Even though he cheated on his wife, he did say he was sorry and bought her a pink diamond. Oh, plus he was born on 8/23, which is my twin sister's birthday.
Sake: Self-explanatory. Means "truth serum" in Japanese. Actually, I made that up..but it has that effect.
The chefs will take multiple sake bombs with you and the fish tastes very fresh. Sit at the bar and you'll have the most fun.
If you go here, you'll probably see me passed out on the bathroom floor. Just step over me and pretend that I'm not even there. I get a little competive when chugging drinks is involved.
****** FIRST DINNER*****
This was my first time at Kobe Sake....I found it rather cold inside, and I store up for the winter months by consuming large quantities of beer and pizza. Well other than the place being cold and the waitress being very very attentive to my empty beer glass, she was trying to get me drunk I guess I must look better when I am drunk..no wait a minute..never mind, anyways the food was good and service was good. They have a big back area bar for sake bombing and eating it would be a great location for a party! I liked the place and recommend it to you my fellow Yelpers!
Not the best for food or ambiance. The only reason I have been here more than once is that some friends really like the place and are some sort of regulars, meaning the bartender will whip up some awful nastiness in a glass and not charge them an arm and a leg for it. After a couple of seriously disappointing sushi experiences, I now leave the fish alone and just order gyoza and tempura vegetables, which are tasty. The sake and beer selection are ok, but stay away from some of the booze concoctions on the menu.
Okay, so San Bruno does have ONE redeeming quality about it... Kobe Sake!!!
Wanted some great sushi but didn't want to go into the City... So I hit Yelp.. From Janney B's review, I figured I'd give it a try...
It's now my new, favorite Japanese restaurant! Best Phili roll I've ever had. The banana tempura/ice cream was something I've never tried, which was absolutely delicious.. Heck, even the miso soup was the best I've ever had! Best of all: 10 minutes from my home. YEAH!
Min and the rest of the staff was so incredibly generous and it's so cozy in there. Definitely a great place to go.
Bad service and the food was the worst Japanese food I've ever had.
I had the Chicken Teriyake and it wasn't even grilled, or cooked right.. It tasted like it was boiled chicken and just sauce added on top.
Good quality fish and service. Has that hole in the wall feel, but everyone is very friendly. Sushi is just as expensive as any other establishment, but at least you won't gripe about the food or the service.
Ok....so the lobster roll was basically a california roll without all the goods and put with pieces of cold mayo'd lobster.....all for $8?! who convinced me to get it....
not only that...we were denied sake bomb! I think the chef would have wanted to bomb with us, he was jolly the whole night trying to hint he was ready for a drink. but I guess we weren't good enough for the waitress.
food took 30 minutes to arrive.
My sashimi boat (which has 24 pieces of sashimi) was $24, and the slices are tiny bite sized pieces, not big juicy slices. It was fresh though, I have to give it that, but I think that some of the 24 pieces could have been 12 normal sized pieces.
everything was in small portions and not worth it.
i came out of this restaurant flaming angry and hungry. Something that a restaurant should never allow me to feel while leaving!
Kids Birthday Party Offer
Pacifica, CA
Happy Hour
Millbrae, CA
San Bruno, CA
Category: Japanese
San Bruno, CA
Category: Japanese
San Bruno, CA
Category: Japanese
San Bruno, CA
Category: Sushi Bars
South San Francisco, CA
Category: Sushi Bars
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
So I decided to have a mission, to search for my…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in San…
Avoid those places if you want to save your…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
