Hakkai Nigiri Bar & Tapas — Restaurant in San Carlos

11/2/2025 update:

Came here again last night. This time we tried more tapas. Since I came with friends, I didn't know the name of the dishes they ordered.

The steak skewer and it was very well flavored. Black pepper flavored and the special sauce they made was excellent but very spicy. Only thing I would improve is the kind of meat they used. It's not the most tender and it'd be a bigger impression with more tender meat.

The salad was good, a little spicy.

Mussels was awesome. Go great with rice! The sauce was scrumptious!! Love they add beacons and heightened the flavor.

We had the duck breast again and it was so flavorful and tender.

This is my second time here and I was still impressed. Some of these tapas dishes are fusion. Some may came from French (the mussels), some may be western (beef on skillet), they put a lot of thought in creating there dishes and they are quite unique. And they tasted good.

Previous:

This place is legit. I most appreciate is the freshness of the fishes. The sashimi and the nigiri was excellent. We tried some special stuff they recommend and it was delicious!

The place also has a separate room that can host private party. With TVs which play sports. Pretty interesting set up.

The duck breast was a surprised. Didn't think of having a delectable dish to go with sake and beer. The flavor was excellent but it was so tender and was perfectly cooked.

If this place is in my neighborhood, it'll be my go to Japanese restaurant.

If you like beer, you definitely should come here. They have beer from Japan that I've never seen. And I don't like to drink beer and I actually enjoyed it! The only reason why I tried the beer was because Thursday night football, they have a promo of BOGO.

The salmon bowl I had was superb. I almost think that was salmon belly cause it was so fatty and flavorful. Definitely taste the freshness.

The only one thing didn't meet my expectation was the fried shrimp head of amaebe. It was not crunchy enough. Probably need to try it a little bit longer. I can tell because I usually are the whole thing but with this one, some shells were not crunchy.

Service wise, Gaslie the manager was very courteous and friendly, he recommended dishes that we weren't planning to order and turned out...

I recently visited the newly opened Hakkai Nigiri Bar & Tapas. To be honest, I didn't have high expectations, but the experience was ultimately satisfying—even better than I expected.

Nigiri and Sashimi Quality: A Welcome Surprise

The most impressive aspect was the quality of the sashimi and nigiri. Here, it's common to find places that serve fish sliced unreasonably thick, often ignoring the inherent flavor of the ingredients. However, Hakkai’s approach was different: the slices were an appropriate thickness that would pass muster even in Japan.

For the nigiri, they didn't rely on the common practice of drowning everything in the same sauce or mystery oil. Instead, they used delicate toppings and seasonings that genuinely enhanced the flavor of the fish, making for an enjoyable and thoughtful experience.

Surprisingly, they also featured a Beef Tartar on the menu. While unusual for this type of establishment, it was delicious.

Major Issues and Minor Quibbles

The Biggest Problem: Conger Eel (Anago) Tempura

The most serious issue was the Anago (Conger Eel) Tempura. It had sections that were extremely bitter, leading me to suspect the internal organs were not properly cleaned. I actually got sick afterwards, so this item needs serious attention and improvement.

Sweet Sauce: Additionally, the tempura came with a very sweet dipping sauce. While some might prefer it, I would have much preferred a standard tentsuyu (tempura dipping sauce) or simply salt to appreciate the eel's flavor.

Other Points for Improvement

Brussels Sprouts: The side of Brussels sprouts was unfortunately too oily.

Service and Conclusion

Aside from the issue with the conger eel, the sushi and sashimi level significantly exceeded my expectations, making this a worthwhile spot for those seeking a more authentic Japanese approach.

As for service, the waiter was excellent. Perhaps because the restaurant wasn't busy, they were very attentive, frequently refilling the water, which made for a pleasant dining environment.

If you value well-executed nigiri and sashimi, it's worth a visit—just be cautious about ordering the conger...

We have been keeping an eye on this spot since we used to come to the previous Japanese restaurant located here and it finally (soft) opened this week.

The menu is small plates and nigiri, which is different than the usual Japanese restaurant archetypes in the area. We tried several small plates and nigiri, and even though the small plates were pretty good, the nigiri stole the show. One standout small plate was the Japanese egg dish that I want to figure out how to make at home for breakfast. It was delicate and tasty and served in a little container which I also need in my life.

My only nit is I wish they would serve ramen (just one type would be fine) just so I could meet the needs of one my picky eaters. The sake and beer list are robust, if that's your thing.

Service was great and quick to point out items that were unavailable. Everything came out fast and given we had so many small plates, they did a good job periodically clearing the table and replacing our plates.

The ambience is modern and sparse, although I imagine it will fill in more as they settle in, but no issues with it.

Overall, I would definitely come back since we didn't get to try the donburi and I'd like to spend more time in the nigiri portion of the menu. Recommended, especially if you want a different Japanese option that is not sushi rolls or ramen (notwithstanding my...