Dan Izakaya Restaurant

Stephen Huang

Food here is great and amazing for its value, like unbelievably good value. Menu had great options and came out quick. The seating, if your party is big enough, you get the tatami seating booth which is a fun little add on. Food is refreshing and colourful, udon was creamy and smooth. Service was quick and atmosphere was fun.

Justine

I've been here maybe 10 times now and it never disappoints. I love taking friends and family here and everyone loves it! The food is amazing - I have my go to dishes, but I also like to try new things. Each time, I am impressed with the dishes. Never had a bad dish here, so be adventurous! Also, the service is always top notch. Friendly wait staff and they are always circling to take plates, refill drinks, and ask how you're doing. The food comes out pretty fast. Always coming back to this spot.

Mandy Fu

Reasonably priced with excellent Japanese food. The deluxe meshi is outstanding, and the potato salad is smooth and authentically flavored. Other dishes are decent as well. We arrived at 5 PM on Sunday and were seated immediately after the restaurant opened. Most seats were reserved, so I recommend making a reservation in advance. The service was attentive. Although they initially forgot my takoyaki order, it arrived promptly after I mentioned it again.

Nina V

Cozy corner izakaya in an unassuming strip mall. The clay pot meshi special and sake clams were great. We walked away very full. Great value for money spent here. I want to come back and try the other dishes. There were lots of interesting offerings on the menu. There seems to be a following because it was pretty packed for weekday lunch hour. We were lucky to score a table. They appear to strictly observe the hours of business

Sophia Liao

Have had a team lunch here on weekday afternoon. We have made a reservation by phone several days ago, and table was perfectly set for 12 people when we got there. Meshi (rice) is the most special and most recommended meal. I have had unagi mesh, and other people tried salmon mesh and delexe meshi. All of them looks really nice. For unagi mesh, it is rich in flavor and texture. Be careful it may be hot and it is sizzling when served. For appetizers, both sashimi and beef tongue are good.

Daze

We were supposed to try sweethome next door but ended up here for lunch, what a pleasant surprise as both food and service were great! Came in probably a bit late around 1245 ish without realizing they close at 145pm, but they welcomed us with warmth and grace. They also gave us the tatami table in the back and I appreciated its privacy and quiet environment. Their interior decor was simple. The vibe of chaotic organization made me feel vibrant. The food came quickly and it was stellar! My deluxe meshi with seared salmon tasted tender and delicious with all contrasting elements. Loved the spoonful combination of sour crunchy cucumber pickle, soft fish roe and salmon and hard rice. This dish is to die for! My kids enjoyed their meal and like the food. Husband's large bowl had tender grilled beef and tongue, all good. The only thing he complained was the pork being somewhat dry. Overall everything tasted excellent. Service was friendly, patient and polite. They didn't rush us, even brought water jar in case we need it. Tip: They open for lunch at 11:15am and close at 1:45pm, check schedule on website.

Irene Lu

Even though we didn't have a reservation, we were able to be seated at opening as long as we finished before the next reservation came through. Easy peasy. 😈 We ordered: - Grilled beef tongue: pretty good flavor, but little sear or char flavor. 4/5 - Niku tofu: this was really great, with a generous amount of meat. This would go greater with some rice or noodles, but the soup isn't overly salty without it. 5/5 - Yakionigiri: I don't think I like cooked salmon in my onigiri, but the toast and flavor of the outside was amazing! 4.5/5 - Matcha karaage: the matcha salt didn't stand out for me here. Tasted like regular karaage. 3/5 - Unagi Meshi: I was too full to enjoy this a lot, but if you like crispy rice, this dish has it! Soft chunks of unagi, savory sauce, and crispy, crispy rice. 5/5 FYI- They don't serve tap water here and it's currently a dollar a bottle.The service was lightning fast! Parking was pretty easy during the early evening.

Tee Ponsukcharoen

Update 2014/11/28: The place is still amazing and packed! New itesm I tried are the umeshu and the yuzu ice cream. They are heavenly refreshing! This is my most favorite izakaya in the Bay Area. Why? The food is reasonably priced and the food tastes awesome. It is not a fancy taste but it is such a taste that you can come back again and again. There used to be "three eggs stone pot" featuring crackling rice with ikura, uni, and poached eggs. As of May 2023, they no longer served those. Still, we have good stone pot like mixed fish and you can add uni on top. The stamina bowl (I'm not sure if I remember the name correctly) amazes me with a large portion and variety of meat like beef tongue, grilled beef, and braised pork. Don't underestimate simple dish like chicken karaage. It is crunchy outside, juicy inside, alongside with fried peppers. I didn't order the clam udon this time but that always sooth and complete your meal. Highly recommended this place!

Scarlett Chang

I had an amazing dining experience at this restaurant! The food quality was exceptional. The Yakiniku was a highlight — so juicy and tender. Highly recommend this spot for delicious Japanese cuisine!

Food was good with a hefty portion especially for the price, the menu is focused and trimmed down compared to before but the quality remains! The atmosphere is really nice, the space is cozy with classic kneeling tables at the back which are hard to get but give a wonderful vibe if you can manage it. The service is quick and friendly and very attentive!

Good selection of traditional Japanese dishes that aren't sushi (though there is some sashimi of course). Try the rice bowls (Donburi) or the stone pot rice combinations (Meshi) for a fulfilling, crackling delicious meal. Yes there can be a little wait on a busy weekend evening, just know that.

Total Score: 8.35 Bathroom: 2/5 Eek I did not wear my shoes into this bathroom and that was a mistake. Wet floor and cramped :(( Customer Service: 4.5/5 Frequently refilled waters and had classic Japanese customer service Ambiance: 4.5/5 True Japanese seating is if they made is kneel or crisscross apple sauce by the table, but that would hurt lol so glad they didn’t. But classic Japanese bar vibes, good lighting and decor. Food: 4.75/5 Ugh the food was soooo good. All the meats were just extra juicy and popping umami in the sushi. Only complaint was the chicken in the new stamina bowl was dry Wow: 0.5/1 Never had meat this juicyyyyyy Total Score = BR + CS + 2*AM + 5*FOOD + WOW

Quick service, not very typical Japanese taste but still delicious. Expect a wait for walk-ins during weekend dinner without reservation. The entrance is tight, leading to some confusion in the line which is annoying, especially the staff appeared quite busy and didn’t even come up for hosting. However, once inside, you’ll find spacious seating.

Michael Saucedo

Food was good with a hefty portion especially for the price, the menu is focused and trimmed down compared to before but the quality remains! The atmosphere is really nice, the space is cozy with classic kneeling tables at the back which are hard to get but give a wonderful vibe if you can manage it. The service is quick and friendly and very attentive!

Kien Lam

Good selection of traditional Japanese dishes that aren't sushi (though there is some sashimi of course). Try the rice bowls (Donburi) or the stone pot rice combinations (Meshi) for a fulfilling, crackling delicious meal. Yes there can be a little wait on a busy weekend evening, just know that.

M M

Food was absolutely amazing. Great quality, flavor and portions. Some have great value and some seemed a tad overpriced, but I'm sure that's a necessity due to current financial climates. Staff offered great assistance in choosing meal options and weren't hovering or overbearing. Professional and swift. Had an amazing date night.

George Z

Total Score: 8.35 Bathroom: 2/5 Eek I did not wear my shoes into this bathroom and that was a mistake. Wet floor and cramped :(( Customer Service: 4.5/5 Frequently refilled waters and had classic Japanese customer service Ambiance: 4.5/5 True Japanese seating is if they made is kneel or crisscross apple sauce by the table, but that would hurt lol so glad they didn’t. But classic Japanese bar vibes, good lighting and decor. Food: 4.75/5 Ugh the food was soooo good. All the meats were just extra juicy and popping umami in the sushi. Only complaint was the chicken in the new stamina bowl was dry Wow: 0.5/1 Never had meat this juicyyyyyy Total Score = BR + CS + 2*AM + 5*FOOD + WOW

Grace Lee

Quick service, not very typical Japanese taste but still delicious. Expect a wait for walk-ins during weekend dinner without reservation. The entrance is tight, leading to some confusion in the line which is annoying, especially the staff appeared quite busy and didn’t even come up for hosting. However, once inside, you’ll find spacious seating.

Food was decent but nothing too memorable. Average quality but Bay Area price. Ordered two appetizers and one rice bowl and spent $65 here with tax and tips. Sitting down at the bar wasn’t a pleasant experience either. Three seats were cramped into this one little bar with to go boxes toweling over you.

Small restaurant , no same day reservation. Ordered Aburi salmon carpaccio, deluxe meshi ( crispy rice pot ), garlic steak don, chicken Karaage . Each dish is good except the garlic steak don , I think inside has butter and too over . But sashimi is sashimi , no skill at all , what you need to do just order the great grade fish ….. Table is very small and we sat near the front door , being disturbed when someone walks in. Server only take orders and Serve dishes. 4 dishes total :$87

Great price for the quality. Update (June 2025): Unfortunately, the service has declined significantly. The Japanese waitress wearing glasses (possibly the owner?) was noticeably unfriendly, speaking in a dismissive tone and even spitting slightly while talking. When I tried to order tamagoyaki, she insisted they only served “sushi tamagoyaki.” I asked if it was possible to have it without the sushi rice, but she seemed confused and said they didn’t offer that. I eventually showed her a photo of the tamagoyaki I had previously ordered at Dan, and she claimed that was sushi tamagoyaki too—implying that I wasn’t being clear. Although I did end up receiving the tamagoyaki, her attitude was borderline rude. She also forgot to bring the tea I ordered.

The menu looked so good, but none of the items lived up to the hype. The takoyaki had too much mayo, and it wasn’t hot inside. I got the deluxe meshi, and it looked really good, but it lacks a lot of seasoning. After a while, it felt like I was just eating soft rice. I’d say to bring back the ikura to have more saltiness

Lazy drummer

Food was decent but nothing too memorable. Average quality but Bay Area price. Ordered two appetizers and one rice bowl and spent $65 here with tax and tips. Sitting down at the bar wasn’t a pleasant experience either. Three seats were cramped into this one little bar with to go boxes toweling over you.

Frank Chen

Great price for the quality. Update (June 2025): Unfortunately, the service has declined significantly. The Japanese waitress wearing glasses (possibly the owner?) was noticeably unfriendly, speaking in a dismissive tone and even spitting slightly while talking. When I tried to order tamagoyaki, she insisted they only served “sushi tamagoyaki.” I asked if it was possible to have it without the sushi rice, but she seemed confused and said they didn’t offer that. I eventually showed her a photo of the tamagoyaki I had previously ordered at Dan, and she claimed that was sushi tamagoyaki too—implying that I wasn’t being clear. Although I did end up receiving the tamagoyaki, her attitude was borderline rude. She also forgot to bring the tea I ordered.

Kimberly Iwamoto

Small restaurant , no same day reservation. Ordered Aburi salmon carpaccio, deluxe meshi ( crispy rice pot ), garlic steak don, chicken Karaage . Each dish is good except the garlic steak don , I think inside has butter and too over . But sashimi is sashimi , no skill at all , what you need to do just order the great grade fish ….. Table is very small and we sat near the front door , being disturbed when someone walks in. Server only take orders and Serve dishes. 4 dishes total :$87

Laura Dang

The menu looked so good, but none of the items lived up to the hype. The takoyaki had too much mayo, and it wasn’t hot inside. I got the deluxe meshi, and it looked really good, but it lacks a lot of seasoning. After a while, it felt like I was just eating soft rice. I’d say to bring back the ikura to have more saltiness

Ted Wang

I had a less-than-ideal experience at Dan Izakaya this past Friday. I’d made a reservation on Tuesday for 6:30 pm, and when I booked, they asked if I could be done by 8:00. I agreed—no problem. When I arrived, they couldn’t find my reservation at first, so I waited about ten minutes before being seated. Not a big deal. The food came out quickly, though the yaki onigiri wasn’t as good as I remembered from years ago. We finished eating around 7:30 but lingered to catch up over tea. At 7:50, a server came by and told us we needed to leave because other parties were waiting for the table. I wish this would have been handled differently, since I valued the time of catching up with my cousins. I'll probably just go back to Gochi next time.

We stopped by on a chilly evening, thinking about the ochazuke we had a long time ago, but we waited for over 40 minutes. The strange thing was that many customers were leaving after finishing their meals, and there were many empty seats, but they didn't let the waiting customers in. After a couple who were in waiting group went in, my husband checked again, and the male staff member said that the only tables left were bar tables and guided us to them. There were a few groups of people who arrived just before we went in, and it was unpleasant to see them all being guided to their tables. The meal wasn't bad, but among them, the green tea chicken was the worst. I don't think I'll visit again.

I have mixed feeling about this restaurant. My husband and I came for lunch because of the high review of this restaurant. They used digital menu but the signal there was a bit hard to connect. You could ask for help if you have trouble with opening the menu. We ordered Sashimi salad and Seafood Raman. The food came fast and they looked great on their presentation. I loved how they have sashimi salad choice. For someone like me that didn’t want to have too much rice. It was a perfect choice. Seafood Raman came first and it was absolutely amazing. We loved the soup and seafood tasted very fresh. The presentation on Sashimi salad was very nice. Everything tasted great except the tuna we had that day. It just tasted really fishy and not fresh. We decided to tell the staff, so the next customer wouldn’t feel the same thing and here was our conversation. Me: The tuna doesn’t tasted fresh Staff: The tuna is fresh! Me: But it doesn’t taste like that Staff: A lot of customer said tuna tasted fishy because we changed our supplier recently. But if you are worried, don’t worry the tuna is fresh. ——- Well this threw me off a little bit because I loved sashimi and the quality of the tuna was way off. Maybe they were not using sashimi grade of fish or any reason. For $19.5, I was super disappointed with the food and the service. I am not sure if I would come back again, but their Seafood Raman was really good, so maybe I would give it another try sometime.

M Pak

We stopped by on a chilly evening, thinking about the ochazuke we had a long time ago, but we waited for over 40 minutes. The strange thing was that many customers were leaving after finishing their meals, and there were many empty seats, but they didn't let the waiting customers in. After a couple who were in waiting group went in, my husband checked again, and the male staff member said that the only tables left were bar tables and guided us to them. There were a few groups of people who arrived just before we went in, and it was unpleasant to see them all being guided to their tables. The meal wasn't bad, but among them, the green tea chicken was the worst. I don't think I'll visit again.