Jocelyn Tobias

Warm and welcoming service. Food was fresh and delicious. Easy and limited menu- which I like and appreciate. Loved the decor, especially the tiled mirrors. Reminded me of my grandparents living room. Easy and plentiful street parking.

Kok-Kiong Yap

Food is great and combination meals serving size is quite large.

Ramys Criado

The food was great and very tasty. Service was top notch and the atmosphere was very nice. I will definitely go back.

Michael Lee

Came in for lunch with a friend just after flying in from my home is Las Vegas. Very fresh fish. Had a combo box with teriyaki chicken, shrimp and veggie tempura, and sashimi. Also ordered an additional sashimi appetizer. Lunch for two was $48 before tip. Good service, by the book. Strange rules were amusing. Would return.

Dasha Elgart

Minato is a small and very cute family owned restaurant. The staff members are very nice and caring, and they come across as genuinely enjoying what they do. The food is delicious and very fresh. Very affordable prices and generous portions.

Pat Wong

The steamer baskets are super! Also great nabe options, especially on stormy days. Service is friendly and fast. Dishes served in correct order. The agedashi is tasty. The staff checks often if anything else is wanted. The plain rice 🍚 is good! The combination meals are great!

+5

Shingo S. Ishida

Came here for a Saturday lunch as a party of two as we strolled through Nihon Machi on Sixth avenue. Was pleasantly surprised by good portions of food and good menu prices. We ordered chicken teriyaki, California roll, and a side order of gyoza, all very good. It took about 15 minutes to get seated, and the service was friendly and attentive. Casual, family-friendly vibe and atmosphere all around. Restaurant is open for a few hours at lunch, then closes, then re-opens for dinner. Recommended!

+13

Marc R

Solid place. Loved the dinner box. Great family restaurant vibe. Friendly servers.

G Lee

How have I eaten in Japan town all these years and not know about Minato?? It’s quite a popular place and I understand why. Most meals are around $20 and they have a variety of combo plates. The portions are decently sized and with rice, salad, and soup, you’re good to go. The meat popular meal apparently Is the Dinner Box in the back of the menu. My choices were California roll, teriyaki chicken, and tankatsu breaded pork cutlet. Off and three pieces gyoza. Loved it. I also really enjoyed the sesame dressing; seemed tastier than Mia’s other places. Tempura and hamachi sashimi combination was also delectable mess. Also ate here for lunch one time. Menu is pretty good; similar to dinner but less. Very busy in Fridays. You’ll get out of here for $20 for lunch.

+6

Andy Ng

A classic Japanese restaurant here in San Jose's Japantown! I have to say I was impressed with their solid lunch offerings at some great pricing too. A lot of their lunch sets were in the $14 - $17 which is really unheard of, so kudos to Minato for keeping prices great. I'm plant based so while the menu doesn't directly mark any items as vegan, they do have a Tofu & Vegetable Steamer Basket ($14). It includes a small side salad (no dressing or substitute for ponzu), two dipping sauces, and rice (which you can order more of!) The steam basket was surprisingly filling. I appreciate the added tofu and veggies and my ability to use as much or little sauce as I like with my food. They were quick to come out and the servers were very friendly and helpful. I'd definitely come back for that tofu set again if we're eating out here again in the area.

Joel Zaidspiner

Suggested as one of the best sushi in the area on Yelp and by a suggestion from the hotel we stayed at in the area. We ordered sushi apps as the staff suggested it. plus tempura plates, eggplant, and gyoza steamed. For my main course, I had the world famous (not) Ribs. Let's start with the staff. Staff was AMAZING! Kelly was one of the best servers in a long time. the food was good and fresh, the ribs were just ok. I have had much better. the apps were excellent! Atmosphere was to be desired. needed a clean up and fix up as there were piles of stuff in corner tables. photos of different food on the table we ordered everything from tempura meals to udon meals. Katsu seemed to be a big hit. but what made this place get 4 stars was the service.

+7

Sohrob H

🍱 A San Jose Staple with Rich Local History Minato Japanese Restaurant is a deeply established part of the San Jose community, known for its long history and no-frills, traditional atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that many locals have frequented for years, and you can feel that sense of heritage as soon as you walk in. The menu features a wide array of Japanese staples like sushi, udon, and katsu, served in a classic booth-seating environment that feels like a step back in time. While the overall experience was a bit of a mixed bag for me, the food quality was decent, and it’s easy to see why it has maintained its presence in the neighborhood for so long. It represents a piece of Japantown that many hold dear. 🥢 Decent Food with Quick Turnaround One aspect where the restaurant performed well was the speed of the kitchen. Despite the steady flow of customers, the food came out relatively quick, which is great if you are looking for a meal that doesn't drag on. The dishes provide a straightforward, comforting taste of Japanese home-style cooking. While the flavors didn't necessarily stand out as exceptional or innovative compared to other spots in the area, the execution was competent and satisfying. It serves as a reliable option for those who want familiar, classic dishes served without much of a wait or any modern fusion distractions. 🚩 Surprising Interactions and Service Gaps Unfortunately, the visit was marred by some rather interesting service. When I asked a simple, standard question about whether they had draft beer, the server actually scoffed at me, which felt completely unnecessary and a bit rude. It wasn't the kind of question that usually merits that kind of reaction, and it left a bit of a sour note on the evening. While the staff was efficient in getting the food to the table and keeping the line moving, that lack of basic politeness made the environment feel less welcoming than I had hoped for. It’s a bit disappointing when a historic spot lacks the hospitality to match its reputation. Efficient Kitchen: You won't be sitting around hungry; the transition from ordering to eating is very fast. Traditional Vibe: The restaurant has a very specific, old-school feel that many regular patrons find charming and nostalgic. Menu Variety: They offer a large selection of cooked items and sushi, providing plenty of choices for different tastes and dietary preferences. Historical Context: Being a part of Japantown's history since the 1960s adds a layer of character that you don't get at newer establishments. 👍 Final Verdict: Form Your Own Opinion I am rating Minato Japanese Restaurant 3 stars on Google. While the history is impressive and the food is perfectly fine, the service interaction I had was a major drawback for me. Personally, it wasn't my kind of place and I won't be returning, but given its popularity and long-standing reputation, I’d still suggest that others try it out for themselves. It seems to be a polarizing spot where your enjoyment might depend heavily on your expectations for service and your appreciation for "old-school" vibes.

Loki Nüwa

Was not at all that great. Went to sit down, was told to sign in on sheet, not really a problem. Some girl with a round face sat us and the old man we walked by said for us to have a good dinner. As soon as we were gonna sit down, the hostess snatched the extra silverware off the table and threw it onto another table, before saying "have a good dinner" in a very dry unhappy tone which was like an "ooook" moment. The salmon dish was good, miso soup was good. But i wanted sushi, and this place had VERY POOR selection on any option (just tuna and yellowtail no raw salmon rolls or sashimi). The atmosphere here was very poor. Went to sushi Maru the next day and had such a better experience with WAY more choices and could have rolls specially made. Plus very helpful and happy staff. Very happy and energetic atmosphere

Yuebing Wu

The rolls are bad. I went there Saturday and kids ordered California rolls and spicy tuna. They are no good. I could roll batter rolls and put them decent in the plate.