Sawa Sushi

Elsie Mak

The whole experience is spectacular. The food is excellent from Hokkaido. Chef is knowledgeable and he surely knows what he is doing. Enjoyed this Omakase experience. Highly recommended.

David Thomson

Very unique experience with top-shelf ingredients. Best Wagyu I've had!

Truly one of my favorite sushi experiences anywhere. I'm going to miss meals with Steve. They were far and few between for me in recent years, but each of them will be treasured in my memories. Especially this most recent one! We 🩷 you Sawa Steve!

Don't go unless you have called and arranged in advance. For the best experience, let Steve know your budget and let him feed you. Amazing! And be sure to ask about what you're eating. I enjoyed learning about the different fish we were eating and what they were served with. Mostly very light sauces. No rice. Perfect compliments. It's truly a treat, and Steve's sake selections are wonderful too. The yuzu sake with dessert is really good.

Really enjoyed the dinning experience here, the environment is quiet, the food is great, and I had quite a pleasant chat with the owner Steve. The quality of the food is top notch, especially the uni which is the best kind on the Japanese market. And Steve's special sauces, fresh veggies and real wasabi really brought out an unique and surprising taste to the fish, which could be a bit bland just by itself. The caviar is great on its own, but together with uni, it really gives you that WOW factor. Also the wagyu is just amazing, it really just melts in your mouth! And the most important thing, you have to try the mochi there, the freshness and sweetness really help you wake right up after the protein feast earlier lol. The owner really knows his stuff, from food to Bay Area life, he knows it all after having the restaurant here for almost 30 years. If you want, you can have conversations with him the whole time, it never gets boring. Overall 10/10 place, would recommend to anyone wanting something new from just the usual soy sauce and 'fake' wasabi Japanese restaurants.

Chef Steve is an unbelievable sushi chef and truly caring individual. His omakase dinner knocked my socks off. The feeling of sitting and talking to the chef throughout the meal is unique and joyful.

We're to eat here as it was one of my favorite sashimi restaurants and found they still make great sushi but changed the restaurant to reservations only and it's a 6 course dinner for 160.00 per person. I imagine it's probably worth it if you remember to make the reservation. Sorry you couldn't serve me tonight.

An unexpected gem in Sunnyvale. They're a reservations-only omakase restaurant. My friend called an hour ahead and managed to snag spots for 2 for my birthday dinner. Parking was no problem since they're located in a large plaza with tons of open parking. It was dead quiet when we walked in. The chef was already serving other guests at the bar, so we quickly took our places at the bar. He asked us about dietary preferences and then, immediately started serving us. There were about 8-9 courses (I lost count). Each one was extremely fresh and so unique! I loved the combinations of textures and flavors! The dishes look simple, but I was surprised again and again by how complex the flavors were. Throughout the dinner, there were hushed conversations between the other guests and some funny exchanges with the chef. I found the atmosphere very still, but in a relaxing sense. I felt like everything around me completely slowed down and I was able to focus only on the moment. Despite the silence, I had no problems chatting with my friend throughout the dinner, but I can also see how other folks used to lively dinners feeling a little uncomfortable at the quiet dining experience is. My favorite part about dinner was the unlimited mochi ice cream at the end of the meal. He'll give you a few random flavors to start with, and once you finish, he'll ask if you want more. Yes, please! Recommended for romantic special occasions!

It was a quiet night at Sawa Sushi and the chef treated us to a really wonderful evening. Each of his courses was prepared with care and had unusual and complex flavours. The scallops and salmon each with his secret, special sauces were particularly delicious. He even had special high-quality sea urchin behind the counter that was a real treat.

Seneca Spurling

Truly one of my favorite sushi experiences anywhere. I'm going to miss meals with Steve. They were far and few between for me in recent years, but each of them will be treasured in my memories. Especially this most recent one! We 🩷 you Sawa Steve!

Tom Fitch

Chef Steve is an unbelievable sushi chef and truly caring individual. His omakase dinner knocked my socks off. The feeling of sitting and talking to the chef throughout the meal is unique and joyful.

Mike Chan

Really enjoyed the dinning experience here, the environment is quiet, the food is great, and I had quite a pleasant chat with the owner Steve. The quality of the food is top notch, especially the uni which is the best kind on the Japanese market. And Steve's special sauces, fresh veggies and real wasabi really brought out an unique and surprising taste to the fish, which could be a bit bland just by itself. The caviar is great on its own, but together with uni, it really gives you that WOW factor. Also the wagyu is just amazing, it really just melts in your mouth! And the most important thing, you have to try the mochi there, the freshness and sweetness really help you wake right up after the protein feast earlier lol. The owner really knows his stuff, from food to Bay Area life, he knows it all after having the restaurant here for almost 30 years. If you want, you can have conversations with him the whole time, it never gets boring. Overall 10/10 place, would recommend to anyone wanting something new from just the usual soy sauce and 'fake' wasabi Japanese restaurants.

William Miller

We're to eat here as it was one of my favorite sashimi restaurants and found they still make great sushi but changed the restaurant to reservations only and it's a 6 course dinner for 160.00 per person. I imagine it's probably worth it if you remember to make the reservation. Sorry you couldn't serve me tonight.

Seneca Spurling

Don't go unless you have called and arranged in advance. For the best experience, let Steve know your budget and let him feed you. Amazing! And be sure to ask about what you're eating. I enjoyed learning about the different fish we were eating and what they were served with. Mostly very light sauces. No rice. Perfect compliments. It's truly a treat, and Steve's sake selections are wonderful too. The yuzu sake with dessert is really good.

Judy Zhao

An unexpected gem in Sunnyvale. They're a reservations-only omakase restaurant. My friend called an hour ahead and managed to snag spots for 2 for my birthday dinner. Parking was no problem since they're located in a large plaza with tons of open parking. It was dead quiet when we walked in. The chef was already serving other guests at the bar, so we quickly took our places at the bar. He asked us about dietary preferences and then, immediately started serving us. There were about 8-9 courses (I lost count). Each one was extremely fresh and so unique! I loved the combinations of textures and flavors! The dishes look simple, but I was surprised again and again by how complex the flavors were. Throughout the dinner, there were hushed conversations between the other guests and some funny exchanges with the chef. I found the atmosphere very still, but in a relaxing sense. I felt like everything around me completely slowed down and I was able to focus only on the moment. Despite the silence, I had no problems chatting with my friend throughout the dinner, but I can also see how other folks used to lively dinners feeling a little uncomfortable at the quiet dining experience is. My favorite part about dinner was the unlimited mochi ice cream at the end of the meal. He'll give you a few random flavors to start with, and once you finish, he'll ask if you want more. Yes, please! Recommended for romantic special occasions!

Fiona Herring

It was a quiet night at Sawa Sushi and the chef treated us to a really wonderful evening. Each of his courses was prepared with care and had unusual and complex flavours. The scallops and salmon each with his secret, special sauces were particularly delicious. He even had special high-quality sea urchin behind the counter that was a real treat.

This is will not be a typical restaurant or experience for you. Go to the website and read it before making a reservation. We were the only ones in the restaurant, and Steve Sawa (Chef) was the only other person present. He served us extremely well, with top quality conversation and banter. Even the "cheaper" sake was outstanding, and the sushi portions were large and very high quality. My only exception and reason for 4 stars is that some dishes had too much sauce/toppings, so I couldn't taste the fish very well. Otherwise an awesome experience!

Chef Steve is a master at combining highest quality sashimi with homemade sauces. He has a way of combining flavors and bringing new sensations to life on your palate! He has an eccentric personality that made for wonderful entertainment. The decor is simplistic and as unassuming as the chef. Sit at the sushi bar if you can!

We had an amazing anniversary dinner here last night. It's very underground - you think you got to the wrong place as its in the middle of a strip mall and the decor is underwhelming. But once you sit down Chef Steve showers you with an amazing sashimi dinner. He noticed what I was eating more of and made more dishes of that. Great if you're adventurous and love sashimi, not great if you're looking for something specific like rolls or spicy tuna.

Isaac S

This is will not be a typical restaurant or experience for you. Go to the website and read it before making a reservation. We were the only ones in the restaurant, and Steve Sawa (Chef) was the only other person present. He served us extremely well, with top quality conversation and banter. Even the "cheaper" sake was outstanding, and the sushi portions were large and very high quality. My only exception and reason for 4 stars is that some dishes had too much sauce/toppings, so I couldn't taste the fish very well. Otherwise an awesome experience!

Shimrit Ben-Yair

We had an amazing anniversary dinner here last night. It's very underground - you think you got to the wrong place as its in the middle of a strip mall and the decor is underwhelming. But once you sit down Chef Steve showers you with an amazing sashimi dinner. He noticed what I was eating more of and made more dishes of that. Great if you're adventurous and love sashimi, not great if you're looking for something specific like rolls or spicy tuna.

Amy Ho

Chef Steve is a master at combining highest quality sashimi with homemade sauces. He has a way of combining flavors and bringing new sensations to life on your palate! He has an eccentric personality that made for wonderful entertainment. The decor is simplistic and as unassuming as the chef. Sit at the sushi bar if you can!

5 stars for good sushi but 2 stars for price-performance. This place is very overpriced.

Gokhan OZER

5 stars for good sushi but 2 stars for price-performance. This place is very overpriced.

The food presentation was attractive, but the experience was just OK. One sashimi was not fully de-thawed and some of the courses felt too salty to us. The chef isn’t quite friendly but still added 18% tip by himself. Definitely not worth $460 for two persons.

Henry Wang

The food presentation was attractive, but the experience was just OK. One sashimi was not fully de-thawed and some of the courses felt too salty to us. The chef isn’t quite friendly but still added 18% tip by himself. Definitely not worth $460 for two persons.

Ingredients are good but not worth it for $1600 for 4 people. You’d better go to the omakase restaurants in SF. When we asked sake list, the chef didn’t provide it but only asked us what’s our budget. That’s rude. I still don’t get it why people go this place with that service. With that budget, you would get much better service, pleasant experiences out there.

Charlotte Nam

Ingredients are good but not worth it for $1600 for 4 people. You’d better go to the omakase restaurants in SF. When we asked sake list, the chef didn’t provide it but only asked us what’s our budget. That’s rude. I still don’t get it why people go this place with that service. With that budget, you would get much better service, pleasant experiences out there.

We walked in from great ratings online. Unfortunately we didn’t realize the place was reservation only. The man who was serving food to a group pointed at his shirt which says “no reservation, there’s the door” it was awkward and showed a distinct lack of respect to us and the party for letting us walk into the private event. Perhaps the chef / owner should invest in a host and atrium to avoid such ridiculous interactions. We will not be back.

Despina Patronas

We walked in from great ratings online. Unfortunately we didn’t realize the place was reservation only. The man who was serving food to a group pointed at his shirt which says “no reservation, there’s the door” it was awkward and showed a distinct lack of respect to us and the party for letting us walk into the private event. Perhaps the chef / owner should invest in a host and atrium to avoid such ridiculous interactions. We will not be back.