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Niko Japanese Restaurant - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
1035 S Winchester BlvdSan Jose, CA 95128
(408) 260-0255
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
26 reviews for Niko Japanese Restaurant
26 reviews in English
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Review from Kelvin Y.
Los Gatos, CA
5/17/2009
For the price and it being a sushi buffet, I think thie place is decent.
I believe this place is closed now though -
Review from Chris T.
Santa Clara, CA
2/15/2008
OK folks, it took eating today at Niko's lunch buffet for me to
register at Yelp.
I read all of the reviews and was a little leery myself but I am such
a fishmonger that I decided to give them a shot. Perhaps I would have been better served jumping in the Delta.
I arrived there slightly before 2 pm (a little late, I know), the hostess was friendly and I had my beverage ordered. I walked over to the sushi bar & some of the product looked a little worn, again probably understandable for my late arrival. I managed to find enough sushi I would touch to have a plate. The chicken and tempura was cold and
substandard as mentioned in other reviews while the spicy tofu was decent.
Here's the part that really compelled me to write this review.
When I finished with my plate, I tried to get another plate with whatever
edible sushi I could find (not much) and some salad. Not a moment
after I had sat down again, another hostess came up to my table and showed me the rice I didn't eat from the nigiri sushi from my first plate.
She proceeded to tell me that I would have to eat the rice next time.
Can you believe that?
Since I am diabetic, I need to control my rice intake. Gotta admit I was pretty shocked and a little more pissed off. I let her know that I was diabetic and finished up by telling her I was never coming in here again. If I am ever unfortunate to think of this place it will be accompanied by that hostess holding up that plate and pointing to the pieces of rice.
I am seconding AVOIDING THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE. -
Review from Jenny L.
San Jose, CA
9/26/2007
So, I went to dinner at Niko last night. Why? Because I wanted cheap sushi and my daughter was at her peak of destruction! (She's 3 1/2 and someone decided to feed her chocolate before I picked her up. LOL) I knew they had the train so it would keep my daughter entertained and happy.
Anyways, I have been here a couple times before in the last few years. Once for lunch and once on a Saturday. I also knew they are fairly empty in the evenings. I've never thought it was off-the-hook sushi. But, I do love their spicy tuna and spicy hamachi roll. One of the few places that don't use just sriracha to make it spicy. They actually put in sesame oil, chili flakes and sriracha. On top of that, it's cheap. :) I don't usually like fried rolls but I figured it was worth a shot since it was so cheap. So, I gave in and ordered one roll off their special crunch list...salmon, green onions, cream cheese and jalapenos, mmm, it was delicious! Their miso soup is nothing to rave about..it's a bit on the salty side.
The train was just sitting there looking bored and my daughter kept asking about it. I remember the last couple times I was there it ran every so often. So I asked the waitress and she turned it on for us. My daughter had fun following it around the tracks and I got to enjoy my rolls. PERFECT! -
Review from Shay S.
San Jose, CA
4/9/2007 2 photos
This is a really bad sushi place. Really bad. Contrary to what other reviews have said, their lunch time buffet is atrocious - if the dinner is worse, I don't want to know.
The tempura was cold, pale and greasy. Their Chicken terriyaki is a bad excuse for dead chicken macerated in sugar and soy sauce. And the nigiri sushi is almost 100% plain rice. Look at my photos. They take the skill of slicing wafer thin fish to the next level.
The waiter had no pride in the restaurant. I asked for the ala carte menu, and she actually pushed me to take the sushi buffet. Almost like she was too lazy to take an order.
This place is crap. Avoid it like the plague. -
Review from Muy C.
San Jose, CA
7/22/2007
I've always drove by this place and heard that they had a lunch buffet but I never stopped by. So finally one night we decided to check it out while looking for a place to eat. It was Wednesday night around 9:00pm.
There was only two other customers besides us so it was fairly quiet. We were pretty famished so after looking over the menu, we decided to ordered the Love Boat which feeds 2-3 people. It also came with miso soup. After 15-20 minutes of waiting around, the food finally arrived. I was delightfully suprised at the portions. They gave various assortments of 16-17 pieces of sashimis, 6-8 nigiri and one 8 piece caterpillar roll all on this large wooden boat. The sashimi was pretty fresh and largely sliced. Everything was pretty good. The totally price of the Love Boat came to $55.00 tax included.
The only drawback was I thought the service was a little bit slow. But looking around, there was only one chef that was serving two other male customers at the bar. If the food came too fast, I would of been very suspicious. It's sushi, an art that is skillfully made by hand, not some dish that can be whipped up in seconds.
Overall, we were very pleased with our food. We'll just expect a tiny wait with the following visit. =0) -
Review from Xian Pao T.
San Jose, CA
2/14/2008
***UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT***
We're both Filipino and in our mid-20s and we couldn't celebrate Valentine's on the day of, so we went in on the 13th (Wed.) @ around 9pm. This was my first time going to that place.
It looked a little corny inside and out. There was like 2 groups that was there @ the time so atmosphere was good. The lady let us sit where ever we wanted, which was great. The employees were speaking Japanese, which was cool, seeing as how all these chain sushi joints around here are run by non-Japanese.
I ordered a bento-box and the Hawaiian Poki, the Bento box was cool typical stuff tempura, teriyaki. The poki wasn't that bad. My family is from Hawaii, so we take our poki seriously. My girl had the fried calamari and some stuff that looked and tasted like korean bbq short ribs. It was good. We wrapped things up with the tempura fried ice cream. It was green tea ice cream battered in a cakey tempura like mixture. I thought it was so-so, my girl liked it.
Thumbs up in my book. -
Review from Monique D.
Grass Valley, CA
5/10/2007
Okay, the only reason to go here is if you live nearby. And if you need another reason, go to see the choo-choo train pull along the tracks a selection of cheap sushi. Nothing creative, nothing fun. Just simple fare to fill you up when you have a hankering for sushi and don't want to be seen by anyone (there is NEVER more than one other person in the joint at night and that's your server). Can't say much about the food because it's grocery store quality and even when you're the only one there, it can take hours for a server to get around to your table and keep your cup filled with green tea. If you must try this place, take it to go.
Listed in: Desperately Seeking Sushi
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Review from vicky t.
12/21/2006
I HAVE MAJOR ISSUES WITH BUFFET STYLE SUSHI for a variety of reasons-- HOWEVER... I will make an exception in this case. The trick is not to go for dinner--- go for the all you can eat buffet lunch-- for about ten bucks it is totally worth it. In addition-- their buffet is Monday through Saturday... oh yes it is on!! Their Tempura is crispy outside soft veggies in side-- their miso soup is decent.... they have a pretty good "trendy" sushi selection (if you like cheap unagi sushi you are in luck) and their chili'd tofu is pretty darn tasty. Chicken teri isn't fantastic-- but I like the sweetness... Dinner is a whole different demon-- would not recommend!
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Review from Burnette N.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/11/2006
Even though I've only gone here once, I want to go there again soon. I tried their lunch buffet, and it's just heavenly. The idea of eating all the sushi you want at a pretty low price is just awesome. Even though the sushi isn't "authentic", they put their own twist on it that tastes good. They also have some pretty good salads and a pot of steaming miso soup. This is just the place to go if you enjoy pigging out on sushi.
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Review from Andrew P.
Hollister, CA
9/14/2006
Niko Sushi's gimmick is it's elaborate model train menagerie that delivers sushi to you as you sit at the bar. While the model train and landscape scene make a very unique centerpiece, it wasn't running when we visited, presumably because there were only 3-4 patrons in the entire place that particular Thursday evening. I have to say that the food at Niko was more like a train wreck! I will say that the hostess was a very friendly and petite young Japanese woman who wore a traditional kimono outfit and definitely looked the part as she spoke to us in broken English.
The gree tea, served by the glass rather than a pot, could possibly be the worst I've ever had. It smelled and tasted like boiled chlorine and did not resemble real green tea except for a slight pale green tint with a few scattered tea leaves on the bottom. Yuck! The miso soup was surprsingly okay, although a bit stale tasting. The caterpillar roll (about $10) was tasty, but had a fishy aftertaste that seemed to linger. The Philadelphia roll was boringly plain with too much sticky rice rolled around the seaweed wrapper beneath. The spicy tuna was one of the worst I've had...being much too hot and not at all tasty. The poke was decent, but again, served a bit too spicy to enjoy. If all that wasn't bad enough, the music they play at this place is enough to kill your appetite. It's like Neil Diamond singing Japanese pop tunes!!! I remember eating here a few years ago with a friend and not enjoying the experience. Nothing has changed. Just say no to this place and spend your $$ some place more worthy. -
Review from Jessica N.
Campbell, CA
9/2/2008
The rice was dry, the water tasted weird, the food was lukewarm at best and the tempura was terrible. The restaurant was almost empty during dinner hour. I should have known!
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Review from angela p.
Westminster, CO
9/1/2006
Did not enjoy this restaurant!! Ate there for dinner...bento boxes were big and pricey...2 item $15, 3 item $17...my friend ordered tonkatsu in her box and they gave her BBQ sauce instead of tonkatsu sauce and when she asked for tonkatsu sauce they said they didn't have any!! They should have said something before we ordered...the sauce makes it for that dish...too disappointing!! If you are desperate for japanese food...go somewhere else!!
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Review from Jessica E.
San Jose, CA
9/11/2007
I love this place. My family is considered "regulars," and we often get free miso soup or edemame with dinner. It's not ritsy by any means, but 9 times out of 10, their sushi is quite good and they offer some rolls than no one else does (my husband is particularly fond of the "Koko Roll"). I love their California rolls.
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Review from Gina H.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/12/2008
Went to Niko's for lunch yesterday.. I was a little sceptical to check it out due to the mixed reviews...however upon entering... the atmosphere was alot better then I expected. We of course had the "Lunch Buffet" the sushi selection was O.K. I mean Im a hardcore sushi eater.. sashimi type of person. The sushi mainly consists of various rolls. But hey.. it was only like 9 bucks for all you can eat sushi so.. it was well worth 9 dollars =) THE SERVICE WAS NOT VERY GOOD. we had to ask for water 3 times.. the server went around to give water to everyone else but us.
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Review from adam f.
Campbell, CA
10/3/2008
sushi is pretty good, however the other Japanese dishes really shine- especially the fried calamari- comes as a large steak- very tasty. Great meal for the price. I've found to find great sushi...it is typically $$$$$$
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Review from Danster L.
San Jose, CA
4/3/2007
Very cheap prices here at lunch and it's a buffet! I love me some chicken katsu, miso soup, California rolls, and more! I get to eat, exercise as I walk to the buffet and back to my seat, yay!
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Review from Anya B.
San Francisco, CA
2/16/2007
Very nice ambiance. The chef is skillful and friendly, singing "Don't worry, Be happy" in between long conversations in Japanese. Service is very considerate and waiters are very nice. Cherry Blossom and Dinner plate sushi are quite good. Even the Christmas lights and the toy train circling in the middle of the restaurant add to the quirkiness and friendliness of the place.
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Review from Alvin G.
Mountain View, CA
6/18/2007
Quantity over quality but not a bad deal for the price.
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Review from dan w.
San Jose, CA
3/27/2008
OK, are you a BIG sushi eater? Do you like rolls, lots of them, and don't want to wait? Do you go to those oriental buffet places in hopes of actually finding some decent "all you can eat" sushi?
Look no more, this is the place. Only for weekday lunch (maybe weekends too?). Anyway, over a dozen rolls are made available at a very reasonable price for a buffet.
There's also a little Tempura and some "dessert rolls", plus some salad and other stuff- who cares?
But the whole idea here is- you can come and eat WAY too much decent quality sushi without paying an arm and a leg.
The sushi is better than the "sushi boat" places, and the price is fantastic. -
Review from George R.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/7/2007
I've been here about five times already, and I must say that I enjoyed it each time I went. For $8.95, I go here for the buffet, which is from 11:30 am - 4 pm. They have about 10 - 15 different kinds of sushi, but I'm mainly there for the unagi. I think they get mad at me because I would eat at least 20+ unagi rolls. Other than the sushi, they have chicken teriyaki, tempura, salad, miso soup, etc. Don't expect it to be like Crazy Buffet, and have about 60+ items, because Niko Sushi is a fairly small place. Good call!
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Review from Michael J.
San Jose, CA
2/8/2007
Buffet! If I could eat buffet's for breakfast, I'd eat here. But lunch? Sushi, all you can eat, and relatively cheap? Why not? Sure it's not the greatest sushi ever. It is rather dry and mostly rice, but still. It's worth it every once in a while.
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Review from A K.
San Jose, CA
11/25/2007
When this place first opened, I took a group there and it was one of the worst Japanese food I ever had.
The sushi was horrible and the chicken teriyaki so watered down we left. I don't know if it has gotten any better but after the first experience, I hesitate to go. When you see a japanese restraunt being run by Koreans, run away! (nothing against Koreans but you don't see Japanese running Mexican restaraunts do you?) -
Review from Scoey W.
Granite Bay, CA
1/16/2008
Like many Japanese sushi restaurants this place is own and run by Koreans. Food is tasty and the lunch buffet is in my opinion the best bang for the buck in Silicon Valley. The decorations/atmosphere is a little unusual trains, Xmas lights, polaroid photos of happy customers litter the place.
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Review from kim p.
San Jose, CA
2/22/2008
food here is good, but service takes for freakin eternity. my boyfriend and i came here on our 1 hour lunch break and we waited for 5mins to order drinks and food. 5 mins i guess isnt that long, but c'mon we were the only ones there!! so we ordered the food and it took almost half an hr to get the food. you would think that if we were the only 2 ppl in the entire restaurant, the food would come out faster? so i guess from now on, id only want to come here when i have all day to chill.
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Review from ali c.
San Jose, CA
11/3/2007
i am still full!! my friend told me this place was good and that her bro and his wife are regulars so i wanted to try it with her. we got the volcano roll, dynamite roll and cherry blossom roll. while you do get like 10 pieces, they are small pieces but are pretty good! the miso soup was too bland and i won't order it again. the edamame was hot, salty and delicious!! we also shared an order of vegetable tempura which was good but nothing special. mr. lee drank a shot of sake with us on the house! we also got this fried salmon and jalapeno thing for free. and tempura green tea ice cream!! yum! it was so good! the sushi is just ok but the freebies and the service make this place even better. the prices are a bit high but i would come back here. i think i like tgis better than niko..
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Review from D.J. T.
San Jose, CA
2/28/2008
you really can't bash too much on the lunch buffet. i mean its $9, and all you can eat sushi. granted that the sushi is only average, i think for being "buffet sushi" its pretty good.
