Kani Kosen

This is real authentic Japanese cuisine. Their miso is to die for, their sushi so fresh down to each ingredient. Customer service amazing . Family owned and operated for many years. They are surviving this time of pandemic with stride. And it's no wonder of course several generations of costumers will continue giving great word of mouth recommendations to their own family and friends. You want authentic you go see Kani Kosen.

Been here a few times and the dishes are delicious and authentic. Excellent service. Family owned business. Gets really busy on weekends.

Best sushi in Pacifica, if you like traditional sushi. There are more tables than they have kitchen capacity; don't expect to get seated just because there are tables. If the fish isn't fresh enough for the sushi chef's standards, then there might not be that kind of sushi, even if it's on the menu.

Very clean, nice ambiance. Attentive table service . Generous portions for dinner sets. High quality sushi nigiri. Will definitely visit whenever I come in town.

Amazing atmosphere, incredible fresh food. Family owned, the grandparents keep the food as traditional as possible - and you can taste it! Hands down the best Japanese food I have ever had. Definitely get a reservation!

Maybe the BEST sushi I've ever had! And fantastic service. Small, family-owned place with amazing food. The lady who owns it is super friendly and we had an amazing time.

You feel like family! Our first time and we will return as much as possible! Everything homemade and authentic. I am Italian and felt very similar to being in an Italian restaurant- they want you to leave full and happy- they want you to feel like you are home- I am sending eveyone I know! Must try the broccali dip sauce and homemade terriaki!

Fantastic place. Staff was super friendly and food was delicious. Best Miso soup I've ever had!!

Always incredible. A locals favorite, you'll always find something tasty. The fish is fresh and there are amazing dinner specials. The home style Japanese food will have you coming back. Don't forget to try the crab pot (they're known for it!)

The (best) of the four Japanese restaurants in Pacifica! The gyoza (pot-stickers) were delicious and are homemade (not frozen), so they often run out later in the evening. I had the two item combination (chicken yakitori & tempura). The tempura was light (not soaked in old oil) and tasty. The chicken yakitori was a little overcooked, but that's an extremely common failing among all restaurants. They all would rather overcook chicken than take the chance of undercooking it and you getting sick. This place is a little more expensive than the other three places, but I understand why. The miso salad dressing is also homemade - not out of a bottle or can. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming and really treat you like you're family. Sadly, the owners are retiring when their lease is up in November. Isn't that the way it always goes? You find a great restaurant and then they close. So, you only have a few more months before they're gone forever. I would definitely recommend Kani Kosen over the other three Japanese restaurants in Pacifica!

Authentic Japanese food from an authentic Japanese couple. Hole in the wall, but a cozy and fun dining experience. Super sweet lady/owner and her sweet husband/chef. My favorite Japanese restaurant in the bay area.

Honestly great food and great service. Don’t listen to the “out of towners.” Come and take your time and do try to make a reservation ahead of time. You can try to do takeout too on weekdays, call early. Open since 1993! Support local!!

Excellent Japanese food! The miso soup rich, the salad fresh and crunchy, my teriyaki salmon melted in my mouth. Service was impeccable. Free parking I'm the adjacent lot. Prices for the entrees are higher than most Japanese restaurants in this town, but worth it.

Service was exceptional! Owners were extremely accommodating and made fresh dipping sauces, which were fantastic! We slipped in before the dinner rush and the ambiance was very enjoyable even as the tables filled up, never feeling rushed. Staff made wonderful recommendations and food was great. The Ika Fry was wonderful!

Absolutely top notch Japanese food by authentic and warm family. The fresh nigiri and sashimi were incredible - including the standout bluefin toro. Excellent sake selection as well. Can’t recommend highly enough. Just go!

Helped us celebrate a family birthday with excellent service and delicious sushi, sashimi, salads and appetizers. Generous servings. So fresh! Charming owners. Had a special toy car for my grandson, and very accommodating to our 12 and 6 year olds, too. A family treasure all around.

Friendly attentive service makes you feel like family. Very good quality and nuanced flavour.

A hidden gem in Pacifica. The food is as good as any expensive restaurant in the city. Get the dungeness crab, if possible and thank you guys for a warm welcome as always.

Luna Salaver

Excellent Japanese food! The miso soup rich, the salad fresh and crunchy, my teriyaki salmon melted in my mouth. Service was impeccable. Free parking I'm the adjacent lot. Prices for the entrees are higher than most Japanese restaurants in this town, but worth it.

Kimberly Price

Service was exceptional! Owners were extremely accommodating and made fresh dipping sauces, which were fantastic! We slipped in before the dinner rush and the ambiance was very enjoyable even as the tables filled up, never feeling rushed. Staff made wonderful recommendations and food was great. The Ika Fry was wonderful!

Joe Vorih

Absolutely top notch Japanese food by authentic and warm family. The fresh nigiri and sashimi were incredible - including the standout bluefin toro. Excellent sake selection as well. Can’t recommend highly enough. Just go!

Venette Cook

Helped us celebrate a family birthday with excellent service and delicious sushi, sashimi, salads and appetizers. Generous servings. So fresh! Charming owners. Had a special toy car for my grandson, and very accommodating to our 12 and 6 year olds, too. A family treasure all around.

Trevor Michalchuk

Friendly attentive service makes you feel like family. Very good quality and nuanced flavour.

Jom Sirimongkolkasem

A hidden gem in Pacifica. The food is as good as any expensive restaurant in the city. Get the dungeness crab, if possible and thank you guys for a warm welcome as always.

Daniel Thurman

Maybe the BEST sushi I've ever had! And fantastic service. Small, family-owned place with amazing food. The lady who owns it is super friendly and we had an amazing time.

Family owned sushi spot worth visiting! The food took a bit but that's because the food is prepared by the grandfather. He puts alot into his food and it shows. It's small place that could be easily missed. Great sushi and we would love to come again when in the area.

Amazing food, expertly prepared, in a casual but quite friendly... family... setting. Possibly Pacifica's finest restaurant. You will not be disappointed.

Oh my god! Absolutely love this place!! The food was amazing, the miso soup hit, and the service was just the cherry on top. We had the lovely old woman who served us with amazing humor and sass, it was just lovely interacting with her. The food was so good, we had the vegetable tempura dinner (amazing), the Charlie Brown roll (real crab!!!), the Kani Kosen (bomb), and the spicy tuna roll (I’m not a huge raw fish fan but the flavor was great)!

Wonderful family-run spot! You can really feel the love in this place — the hostess is so welcoming and genuinely involved, and our waiter was absolutely fantastic. Great service, great vibe. We’ll definitely be back!

Miso soup was the BEST I've ever had. Staff was super friendly, all the food was so delicious. I had the Ika Fry and Philly Roll. Highly recommend this place. If I'm ever back in the area I'll definitely be coming back!

Best dining experience, food and service, we've had in a long time. Really special to see three generations of the same family working at a place that's been in business over 30 years. The Kani Kosen appetizer is amazing.

This place makes the best Teriyaki chicken. Not SF not LA not NY this is the best hands down! I don’t really order the fish but been coming here for over 20 yrs and look forward to it every time I come. I will miss them dearly when they close for good soon!

My personal Michelin guide must visit! Unforgettable experience Best food I’ve ever tried outside of Japan. Highly recommend for all lovers of traditional cuisine and family-like service. Beautiful Japanese couple owns and operates this restaurant for 30 years.

This was my family and I's second visit at Kani Kosen. We love the freshness, the quality of the food, and the friendly service. Everything we have ordered so far has been a hit. Thanks again for a wonderful experience.

This was a great meal! The side salad/soup/apps/entrees came out of the kitchen fairly spaced out so it felt almost like a fine dining experience. Did take a while so know that it is a whole dining experience - not just a quick meal out to eat. I got the Saba no Shioyaki grilled and liked that better than the sushi my partner got. The tempura was amazing and so was the Age Dashi Tofu appetizer!

Not sure where they get their fish/ seafood from , but it’s some of the freshest , melt in your mouth deliciousness around . Great service and interaction

Louisa Kishton

This was a great meal! The side salad/soup/apps/entrees came out of the kitchen fairly spaced out so it felt almost like a fine dining experience. Did take a while so know that it is a whole dining experience - not just a quick meal out to eat. I got the Saba no Shioyaki grilled and liked that better than the sushi my partner got. The tempura was amazing and so was the Age Dashi Tofu appetizer!

Christoffer Anthony

Amazing food, expertly prepared, in a casual but quite friendly... family... setting. Possibly Pacifica's finest restaurant. You will not be disappointed.

Robert Biziarek

Family owned sushi spot worth visiting! The food took a bit but that's because the food is prepared by the grandfather. He puts alot into his food and it shows. It's small place that could be easily missed. Great sushi and we would love to come again when in the area.

Maksym Kuzenko

Wonderful family-run spot! You can really feel the love in this place — the hostess is so welcoming and genuinely involved, and our waiter was absolutely fantastic. Great service, great vibe. We’ll definitely be back!

A R

Miso soup was the BEST I've ever had. Staff was super friendly, all the food was so delicious. I had the Ika Fry and Philly Roll. Highly recommend this place. If I'm ever back in the area I'll definitely be coming back!

Hayden Salfen

Oh my god! Absolutely love this place!! The food was amazing, the miso soup hit, and the service was just the cherry on top. We had the lovely old woman who served us with amazing humor and sass, it was just lovely interacting with her. The food was so good, we had the vegetable tempura dinner (amazing), the Charlie Brown roll (real crab!!!), the Kani Kosen (bomb), and the spicy tuna roll (I’m not a huge raw fish fan but the flavor was great)!

Denise G

This was my family and I's second visit at Kani Kosen. We love the freshness, the quality of the food, and the friendly service. Everything we have ordered so far has been a hit. Thanks again for a wonderful experience.

ADLA AZZGHAYER

This place makes the best Teriyaki chicken. Not SF not LA not NY this is the best hands down! I don’t really order the fish but been coming here for over 20 yrs and look forward to it every time I come. I will miss them dearly when they close for good soon!

Rick Rice

Best dining experience, food and service, we've had in a long time. Really special to see three generations of the same family working at a place that's been in business over 30 years. The Kani Kosen appetizer is amazing.

Dima Ruden

My personal Michelin guide must visit! Unforgettable experience Best food I’ve ever tried outside of Japan. Highly recommend for all lovers of traditional cuisine and family-like service. Beautiful Japanese couple owns and operates this restaurant for 30 years.

Not consistent and a little pricey, but I will be damned if I will stop going there. Today they had live Uni, I can't think of any other restaurant that serves it live like that in the area. The tempura is perfect, on occasion the sashimi is just as good, and the service is great. I would give it a 5 star if it was consistent, ate there all week this week, but for some reason today my sashimi was cut a little weird and the fish wasn't the freshest. I would have loved it if it was just like every other day I've eaten there this week, and that would have made it 5 star no problem. I would call ahead and ask when they get their fresh fish just to make sure your experience is a 5 star.

Great sushi at decent prices. Customer service was good, even though food was a bit longer than we expected, we were reminded constantly about the wait time and were apologized to frequently. Friendly waiters and staff.

Okay sushi for the price. Dinner was good, but I wasn't really over the moon. Service was friendly. Our server was really good with helping us find a good menu item for our son. Atmosphere went a bit downhill when a friend of the server (there was only one on at the time) came in and started having a conversation - which is absolutely fine in a small town sushi restaurant - except for when that conversation includes some choice words and phrases that I didn't necessarily want my 5 year old son to pick up on. Eventually they took their conversation outside, but a little discretion would have been nice.

We were really disappointed in last night's experience. We made reservations for 2. To start, we ordered an appetizer, 2 rolls & a large saki. The elderly female owner then proceeded to aggitatedly tell us that we didn't order enough, that we were taking up a table that could have gone to others that ordered more, that they were going to give us a fee, that it costs money to wash the table cloth in between customers. Honestly, we were totally confused. We were planning on ordering more food (the rolls were amazing), but lost our appetites after she scolded us for 'not ordering enough'.

The food was good but BEWARE they add 3.9% additional charge if you pay with credit card. Food is extremely slow so expect to wait at least 1hr to receive your food. Won’t be returning.

Jason Kim

The food was good but BEWARE they add 3.9% additional charge if you pay with credit card. Food is extremely slow so expect to wait at least 1hr to receive your food. Won’t be returning.

My wife and I went in for the first time and were seated and waited and waited and waited and waited and after 45 min of being ignored and seeing other people that came after us ordered and get food we just left. I would give a rating for food but we never ate. We just saw other people’s food and were sad that they ignored us. Total bummer

We got kicked out of the restaurant because we didn’t order a lot. We were not notified that there is a minimum order amount or we have to order drinks. I am very offended by the owner’s attitude and cannot understand why she’s so rude to us.

I waited about 45 minutes for them to make 2 sushi rolls. The food I received was very sub par and did not taste fresh

We waited at the front door to be seated for 10 minutes. There were tables open, and the waiter bowed to us but we did not get seated, nor did we have a quick conversation to explain why we needed to wait. We decided we would rather spend our time at a place that wanted us to be there, so we went to Go Sushi in Oceana Market, where we were seated right away and had a great meal!

I searched on google for best food near me and this place showed up. I love Japanese food, lived in Japan for 3 yrs, and was excited to find an “authentic” Japanese place after a King Low Tide hike. It was difficult to find, in a small complex, no street signage. When I arrived the Mama-San approached me stressed, unpleasant, scowling saying “did you make a reservation, we can’t serve you, we are understaffed”. I was still believing this would be the 4.6 rated food experience. The room was 1/2 empty. I was just one person, who would order quickly. She scowled, walked away and the sweet young man approached me, apologized and I thought we were now off to a good start. The place has the “old world Japanese small restaurant” vibe, with lots of old articles about the place on the wall. I thought I’d found a hidden gem. Everything looked pretty unkempt, dusty and forgotten—but, still optimistic that the food was going to be special, I pursued. I ordered the sushi sampler, unagi, pickles and miso soup. The last 2 items were solid. When I flagged Mama-San over to hear about the pickles I got more barking and scowls. “We use shiso!” Was all she could say. I told her how delicious they were, but she had decided to be rude/mean/unfriendly to me, although she was fawning all over her regulars. The sushi sampler was the worst dish I’ve ever seen or tasted. I should have walked out. It had really old, freezer burned, terrible octopus, avocado rolls, all brown, past it’s prime (no good chef puts a vegetarian item on a sushi sampler, this was a cheap move, in addition to the shock that any sushi chef worth his nori would let spoiled food be served to a guest). There was farmed salmon and something white, maybe tuna. It was so bad I felt sorry for the place, and the exceptionally nice and kind server trying to provide a better experience for me. The unagi was good, altho the teriyaki glaze was too sweet. I saw the older man come to the kitchen in his street clothes, but he wasn’t overseeing the quality that night. I spent $76 and left feeling confused that the art of Japanese hospitality was abducted by an inexplicably rude owner who, from the moment I arrived, was mean, cold and out of line. I can forgive most missteps, but the sushi sampler quality was beyond horrible. The sweet young man brought me lemon sorbet, a kind gesture after a weird and unpleasant experience. Thank you to him. I hope this was just one bad night, but serving such poor quality fish, and the mean owner left a bad taste.

amy murray

I searched on google for best food near me and this place showed up. I love Japanese food, lived in Japan for 3 yrs, and was excited to find an “authentic” Japanese place after a King Low Tide hike. It was difficult to find, in a small complex, no street signage. When I arrived the Mama-San approached me stressed, unpleasant, scowling saying “did you make a reservation, we can’t serve you, we are understaffed”. I was still believing this would be the 4.6 rated food experience. The room was 1/2 empty. I was just one person, who would order quickly. She scowled, walked away and the sweet young man approached me, apologized and I thought we were now off to a good start. The place has the “old world Japanese small restaurant” vibe, with lots of old articles about the place on the wall. I thought I’d found a hidden gem. Everything looked pretty unkempt, dusty and forgotten—but, still optimistic that the food was going to be special, I pursued. I ordered the sushi sampler, unagi, pickles and miso soup. The last 2 items were solid. When I flagged Mama-San over to hear about the pickles I got more barking and scowls. “We use shiso!” Was all she could say. I told her how delicious they were, but she had decided to be rude/mean/unfriendly to me, although she was fawning all over her regulars. The sushi sampler was the worst dish I’ve ever seen or tasted. I should have walked out. It had really old, freezer burned, terrible octopus, avocado rolls, all brown, past it’s prime (no good chef puts a vegetarian item on a sushi sampler, this was a cheap move, in addition to the shock that any sushi chef worth his nori would let spoiled food be served to a guest). There was farmed salmon and something white, maybe tuna. It was so bad I felt sorry for the place, and the exceptionally nice and kind server trying to provide a better experience for me. The unagi was good, altho the teriyaki glaze was too sweet. I saw the older man come to the kitchen in his street clothes, but he wasn’t overseeing the quality that night. I spent $76 and left feeling confused that the art of Japanese hospitality was abducted by an inexplicably rude owner who, from the moment I arrived, was mean, cold and out of line. I can forgive most missteps, but the sushi sampler quality was beyond horrible. The sweet young man brought me lemon sorbet, a kind gesture after a weird and unpleasant experience. Thank you to him. I hope this was just one bad night, but serving such poor quality fish, and the mean owner left a bad taste.

Very weird place. They sat us without a reservation, which we thought was nice. Service was good, but it took an hour to get half of our order. After an hour plus, still waiting on half of our order, the owner(?)-who has been yelling at the chef for 20 minutes- tells us that the chef is an alcoholic and drunk and going slow. At this point I’m not really sure I want to eat sushi from a drunk chef. After another 10 minutes she comes to our table and asks me if I want to go home?! I reply, “what I want is to eat, will I ever get my food?”She then tells us that all of the food we had is on the house-kindly kicking us out. So weird. Nothing else was open in the area by this point.

Kim Falter

Very weird place. They sat us without a reservation, which we thought was nice. Service was good, but it took an hour to get half of our order. After an hour plus, still waiting on half of our order, the owner(?)-who has been yelling at the chef for 20 minutes- tells us that the chef is an alcoholic and drunk and going slow. At this point I’m not really sure I want to eat sushi from a drunk chef. After another 10 minutes she comes to our table and asks me if I want to go home?! I reply, “what I want is to eat, will I ever get my food?”She then tells us that all of the food we had is on the house-kindly kicking us out. So weird. Nothing else was open in the area by this point.