Kodawari Japanese Cuisine

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Japanese · San Mateo · $$$ · Yelp · Ours

With our size of group we were able to get a cozy privat booth. One person noted they didn’t know what half the food in front of them was, and loved it anyway. The presentation was another highlight before anyone even picked up their chopsticks.

A couple of us ordered the Otsumami Box as our main, oyster included, and it delivered. One tip for next time: ask what’s actually in it and get your order queued up early, since service slows down once the box is in the mix. The monkfish and bacon mochi made the rounds, and the chicken katsu came with a sauce someone called unlike anything they’d had before. The Dragon Veggie and Tempura Veggie rolls were a standout too, real effort clearly went into the vegetarian options.

Favorite dish of the night went to the chirashi don: big pieces of fish, well-seasoned rice, a little sesame, and a soy sauce lighter and more subtle than the usual pour. Close second was the katsudon, crispy grilled onions and a dashi that carried a ton of flavor.

One thing to know before you go: shoes come off once you’re seated in the private room so plan accordingly!

HIGHLIGHTS

  • I didn't know what half of what I was eating was but it was good!
  • The presentation of the food
  • The atmosphere! Loved the cozy seating and the kind, attentive waiters.
  • The oyster as part of the box was amazing
  • Loved the private booths

STANDOUT DISHES

  • Monkfish and Bacon Mochi
  • Chicken Katsu: the sauce was next level, unlike anything I've ever had
  • Dragon Veggie & Tempura Veggie Rolls: vegetarian options clearly made with time and effort, delicious!
  • Otsumami Box: got the box, it was great!
  • Chirashi Don: big pieces of fish, really well seasoned rice, a little sesame, and real light soy sauce that's more subtle
  • Katsudon: crispy grilled onions, dashi added so much flavor

PRO TIPS

  • Do the Otsumami Box!
  • Wear slip-on shoes!
  • If you don't wear socks, you'll be barefoot at your table. Shoes come off, and you'll need to put your shoes back on to use the restroom.
  • If you get the box, ask what you're getting and queue your order early, since service can be a bit slower.

PHOTOS