Sushi Maruyama — Restaurant in San Mateo

If there was ever a time to gatekeep a restaurant, this would be both the time and place.

The biggest standouts are as follows: Incredible food. There’s clearly a significant focus on quality, consistency, and creativity. Beautiful space with an upscale, intimate atmosphere. It feels like a spot that locals undoubtedly frequent, but is also amazing for a date-night or special occasion. The waitress who booked our reservation made a point to personally greet us and remember our names. She constantly checked in on us and made us feel like family. She also noticed that my bag was on the table, since there were no purse hooks at any seats, so she brought over a gorgeous little basket for me to put my personal belongings in that she stowed tidily under my chair. An absolute doll. The sushi chefs were so much fun. Nonstop fist bumps and check ins to make sure we were doing fine. Encouraged us to order as we wanted directly from them. Despite a couple of the items we ordered being forgotten (it was a busy Saturday night, so no sweat there whatsoever), all of our waitresses were so apologetic for the delays and mishaps, offering us desserts and sending us complimentary edamame and miso soup for the wait between dishes. It wasn’t a bother at all though since we sat at the sushi bar and were having such a great time regardless, but I appreciate that they were so genuinely concerned about our experience and wanted us to get exactly what we wanted. Wonderful, expansive sake selection. Exciting and innovative specials menu that changes daily. They made me an uni-convert. Don’t ask me why I used to be opposed to it, just be glad I’m finally part of the cult of uni. They played nonstop 90s r&b and hip hop with special attention paid to Mariah Carey’s criminally underrated deep cuts (I’m talking “Thank God I Found You”, “Breakdown”, and the “Always Be My Baby” Da Brat/Xscape/JD remix). Instant brownie points in my book.

If I could list any cons, I would; but I truly don’t feel like anything about this establishment is worth a negative critique. It hits every point I want in a quality restaurant experience. Warm, inviting, respectful service. Delicious, complex, comforting food. Exciting, innovative, yet classic flavor profiles and combinations. Supreme attention to detail and focus on excellence. And most of all, they make you feel like you’re a part of their circle. They’re not afraid to get to know you and to make the few hours you have with them memorable and worth the reservation.

Whatever you do, come here. Make a reservation. Tip the staff generously. Enjoy the food and the music. And don’t be shy about ordering whatever sounds delicious to you because chances are, it’s going to be delicious beyond the limits of your...

I learned about this spot from a friend 🤓 and I’m glad I was able to quickly make a visit! A friend was able to make a Saturday evening reservation during the day of our dining experience. I’ve never actually dined the Omakase way before and I’m glad to have Sushi Maruyama take care of me (and my friends). Our group of 3 had a memorable experience that made us want to return in the near future. We decided on the 2 Course (2 separate plates of sushi) option and I was impressed by the quality of the items presented to us. Additionally, we ordered 3 other nigiri, tea, and sake (Shounn)! 🥂 All items were fresh, clean, and full of flavor! I wanted to eat more for sure! That unagi was like buttah and was my favorite item on my plates. The staff took their time to calmly and informatively explain each item on our plates as they arrived at our table. While it was a busy and almost completely packed front of house, the staff were attentive and made sure to check up on us more than 2 times! I was impressed! Even more so, they were able to bear with our questions and took the time to converse with us! I shared some Japanese (from my High School days) phrases with some of the staff and they were surprised and conversed back with me with their own words! During our conversations, there were at least 2 other members from the wait staff that actually asked for my friend’s and I’s names! How sweet of them. I’ve only read about how personal the Omakase experience can be. I am glad I was able to finally experience this firsthand. We ended our dining experience with a kawaii & chisai cheesecake! My friends and I did not expect this sweet treat to make a visit to our table. While it was small, the cheesecake packed amazing flavors. Even the corners had some char to it which added a nice caramelized texture & flavor to round out the main flavors of the cheesecake slice (which also had a drizzle of a red fruity sauce - I think raspberry 🤔). Also, before we left, I bought a bottle of the Ken sake. The staff were so happy and did not expect this to happen (“Oh, really?! 🥺). I’m glad I made this purchase. Needless to say, I’ll be returning to Sushi Maruyama again and I hope you make a visit as well! Just make sure to get that reservation in. The wait staff also informed us that the sushi bar experience is amazing as well! However, it was recommended that if you want to go with this route, you’ll have to make a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance! I learned that this place is approaching the big 5 years of operation. I wish the best for this place for the foreseeable future! Thank you Sushi...

Sushi Maruyama in San Mateo offers a delightful, albeit slightly rushed, sushi experience. This cozy restaurant boasts both bar seating and regular tables, but its popularity necessitates reservations - make sure to book ahead of time! We were running late, so we called the restaurant to let them know, and they said that it should be fine, but we will have to finish by a certain time. It seems like there is a 1.5-hour limit on the dining experience, so please keep that in mind.

The service was generally good, but the fast pace occasionally detracted from the experience. Our plates were whisked away a tad too quickly, sometimes even before we finished the last morsel.

Their ordering system is convenient - you're provided with a sheet and pen to mark your selections from the premium nigiri, a la carte sushi, and roll options. This allows you to tailor your meal to your preferences and add more later if needed.

I opted for the premium nigiri (8 pieces with egg castella for $54), while my friend chose a la carte selections. The premium nigiri offered a delectable array of fresh fish - Japanese Seabass, Horse Mackerel, Soy Marinated Bluefiu Tuna, Japanese Striped Jack, Minced Fancy Tuna, Wild Young YellowtaiI, Simmered Hokkaido Scallop, Japanese Fresh Water Eel, and Egg Castella. Each piece boasted a generous cut, but here's the thing - everything had a slightly sweet taste. It wasn't overpowering, but it was noticeable. On a positive note, my request for minimal wasabi on my nigiri was readily accommodated.

The sea urchin (uni) from Hokkaido was good, but the portion size left me wanting a bit more. Overall, the fish quality was excellent, and the cuts were impressive.

Sushi Maruyama offers a solid sushi experience. The quality of the fish is commendable, and the ordering system is user-friendly. However, the slightly rushed service and consistently sweet flavor profile across the nigiri prevent it from achieving a perfect score. If you're looking for a cozy sushi spot in San Mateo with fresh fish, Sushi Maruyama is worth a visit, but be prepared for the possibility of a quick turnaround and a touch of sweetness on your nigiri. Knowing this beforehand can help you manage your expectations and still enjoy a...