Hangetsu Sushi — Restaurant in Half Moon Bay

Who would've thought that out of all places in the Bay Area, Hangetsu in Half Moon Bay would be one of my favorite Japanese restaurants that I've ate at (I'm picky about my taste in Japanese food). Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted with a smile by Derek who showed the best service and hospitality that a customer could ever ask for. He was kind, outgoing, and basically set the vibe for the rest of the time I was there for dinner. I couldn't have asked for a better server!

As for the food that I ordered with one of my closest friends:

Garlic edamame: Can't beat simplicity. Cooked with butter and garlic. Delicious!

Agedashi tofu: Fried too perfection. Refreshing and flavors were perfectly balanced

Toro tartar: Melt in your mouth good!

Crunchy lobster roll: What can I say? Anything with a good amount of lobster that you can taste while being at a reasonable price, can't beat it!

Lion King roll: This literally must be the KING of all sushi rolls. I always have to order this roll if I see it on a menu. Salmon that was baked too perfection with the spicy mayo? Perfect combination.

Hamachi Kama: Need I say more? One of the best parts of a fish (if you are able to get it locally yourself) is the collar! Fatty and melts in your mouth. It's the perfect sensation and stimulation for your taste buds!

I wish I could've showed the pictures before it was devoured but it's impossible to do when the food looks delicious once placed upon...

April 2024 update: Second visit and the sushi was fantastic. Fish is very fresh (the salmon was AMAZING) and the tempura is lightly battered and perfectly fried. All dishes were beautifully presented. Service was incredibly fast and staff was very friendly. Large selection of beer now. For two people, we paid about $150 including tip for one beer, one tempura appetizer, miso soup, one roll, a 21 piece sashimi platter and one green tea cheesecake for dessert (it was much creamier and tasty this time). Would definitely recommend.

First visit and will say the sashimi was very fresh and excellent, the salmon especially! Roll and tempura were also very good. Not as fond of the green tea cheesecake - good idea, but small piece and not very flavorful. Service slowed quite a bit as it got busier and we had to wait to order dessert quite a while, but hopefully this is a temporary thing and they hire more servers. Can easily spend $100 for two people and that's without alcohol (they are still awaiting their liquor license). Good enough that we'll return for the occasional...

After our uneventful brunch down the road, our stomachs were still yearning for some tasty food and decided to try this sushi restaurant. The A5 wagyu nigiri looked appetizing on the Google pictures and recommended by waitress. The preparation appeared very promising. It was delicious and sauce was tasty. However, the wagyu didn't melt in the mouth as an A5 wagyu should. Still more tender than ribeye and filet mignon though...4.5*. -Oysters were fresh and tasty: 4.5* -sake Toro sashimi delicious but was hoping it would look better: 4.5* The food was awesome so we decided togo a couple items due to being full by now. Service: since it just opened for lunch, there were only 3 other tables so Service was 5*. I imagine our friendly and energetic waitress would have delivered the same level if it was packed. Togo: -hamachi carpaccio, 5*, was fantastic and delicious, surprisingly excellent for togo too -the Fuji yama just as tasty, 4.5*. Imagine if it wasn't togo. Definitely would return here next time...