We loved Hana Izumi! The hostess is so nice and explains all the courses and the saki pairing which we enjoyed as well. The chef's creations were brilliant and every course was lovingly prepared and presented. All the fish was wonderfully fresh. The menu changes monthly and it is a very pleasant atmosphere.We particularly liked the variety or sashimi, the Dungeness crab Katsu and the chawanmushi. This is the best Japanese food we've had in the Bay Area!
Ideally, this place deserves a 4.5/5.Nestled in the heart of Millbrae, Hana Izumi is a hidden gem that offers an experience that transcends mere dining.They have a prix fixe menu that changes every month. My friends and I went there in February. Our prix fixe menu was $98/person plus taxes. For our prix fixe menu, we had the option to pick one from the 2 entrees. You will definitely be full by the end of your meal.Note- We were a party of 3, and our bill included a 20% tip by default.Service:The service at Hana Izumi was good. The staff was attentive (except for the 2 times when we had to ask them to refill our hot tea) yet unobtrusive. Our host was knowledgeable and passionate, guiding us through the intricate kaiseki menu with genuine enthusiasm.Ambiance:Restaurant's soft lighting bathes the small space, adorned with minimalist décor and natural elements, creating a tranquil atmosphere.Food:Kobachi 3 Ways amuse bouche was a delightful prelude, showcasing the chef's artistry and precision with 3 miniature bites brimming with diverse flavors and textures. It included goma tofu, duck, and octopus. Goma tofu topped with uni was delectable. The octopus was surprisingly not as chewy as you'd usually expect. The duck was pretty good as well.The assorted sashimi included bluefin tuna, yellowtail, and ocean trout. It was impeccably fresh, and each piece just melted in our mouths.Hirame Nanban was a revelation. The perfectly crisp halibut paired beautifully with the sweet onion vinaigrette, creating a delightful contrast.The Maezawa Wagyu Soba was a fancy indulgence. The tender Wagyu beef, simmered in a savory sukiyaki broth, melted on the tongue, while the slightly firm soba noodles provided a satisfying textural contrast.The tara shirako chawanmushi was also really good, offering a unique and delicate flavor profile with its creamy egg custard and hint of sake.For the entree, I opted for the Negitoro Chirashi Bowl, a visual masterpiece with its vibrant colors and generous portion of chopped fatty bluefin tuna. Each bite was a burst of umami, perfectly complemented by the seasoned sushi rice. My friends tried their Dungeness crab zo-sui and loved it.This place is definitely worth a visit. The parking in the area can be hard to find, so please plan to arrive a little early. I looked for parking for 15 minutes and eventually ended up parking in the residential area up the hill.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ayush K.
Ideally, this place deserves a 4.5/5. Nestled in the heart of Millbrae, Hana Izumi is a hidden gem that offers an experience that transcends mere dining. They have a prix fixe menu that changes every month. My friends and I went there in February. Our prix fixe menu was $98/person plus taxes. For our prix fixe menu, we had the option to pick one from the 2 entrees. You will definitely be full by the end of your meal. Note- We were a party of 3, and our bill included a 20% tip by default. Service: The service at Hana Izumi was good. The staff was attentive (except for the 2 times when we had to ask them to refill our hot tea) yet unobtrusive. Our host was knowledgeable and passionate, guiding us through the intricate kaiseki menu with genuine enthusiasm. Ambiance: Restaurant's soft lighting bathes the small space, adorned with minimalist décor and natural elements, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Food: Kobachi 3 Ways amuse bouche was a delightful prelude, showcasing the chef's artistry and precision with 3 miniature bites brimming with diverse flavors and textures. It included goma tofu, duck, and octopus. Goma tofu topped with uni was delectable. The octopus was surprisingly not as chewy as you'd usually expect. The duck was pretty good as well. The assorted sashimi included bluefin tuna, yellowtail, and ocean trout. It was impeccably fresh, and each piece just melted in our mouths. Hirame Nanban was a revelation. The perfectly crisp halibut paired beautifully with the sweet onion vinaigrette, creating a delightful contrast. The Maezawa Wagyu Soba was a fancy indulgence. The tender Wagyu beef, simmered in a savory sukiyaki broth, melted on the tongue, while the slightly firm soba noodles provided a satisfying textural contrast. The tara shirako chawanmushi was also really good, offering a unique and delicate flavor profile with its creamy egg custard and hint of sake. For the entree, I opted for the Negitoro Chirashi Bowl, a visual masterpiece with its vibrant colors and generous portion of chopped fatty bluefin tuna. Each bite was a burst of umami, perfectly complemented by the seasoned sushi rice. My friends tried their Dungeness crab zo-sui and loved it. This place is definitely worth a visit. The parking in the area can be hard to find, so please plan to arrive a little early. I looked for parking for 15 minutes and eventually ended up parking in the residential area up the hill.
Kenny Yuan
Food was incredible! The best Japanese food we’ve had in the Bay Area, I particularly loved the chawanmushi. Our hostess was the nicest, and even gave us some extra flowers to take home! We will definitely be back!The menu here is actually their dinner menu, which changes every month. We came for lunch, which had a separate but similar menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matthew M.
Went here on a Sunday at the end of January and had a reservation at 12pm for a party of 3. We got seated right away and the server was really nice and sweet, I can't remember her name but she's a little but older and was wearing a kimono or yukata! We all ordered the same 5 course meal which came with the items below: 1. Duck Salad with Soba Noodles: This was probably my favorite dish! The duck was so tender and flavorful and complimented the soba noodles really well. 2. Assorted Sashimi: probably my 2nd favorite dish lol. Came with 3 large pieces of sashimi, 2 pieces of sushi, and some sort of shellfish with what seemed to be a seaweed paste or garnish. The sashimi pieces literally melted in my mouth, the salmon was the the best piece! The other pieces were good too but I wish it came with more pieces of sashimi instead of the shellfish and 2 sushi pieces though. 3. Kobachi: These are like mini appetizers and is chef's choice. This one came with a chicken meatball, octopus slice, bamboo tempura, and soft tofu in sauce. This was probably my least favorite dish. The meatball tasted exactly like a meatball and nothing different about it. I wasn't really a fan of the octopus texture or flavor and I usually like octopus. Bamboo tempura was interesting but a bit tough to bite apart so I kinda just had to eat the whole thing in 1 bite lol. Then the tofu was too soft and I wasn't a fan of the flavor because of the wasabi that was on top. Tbh I didn't really understand the selection and flavors didn't really mesh well with each other but that's always the risk of chef's choice. 4. Crab Chawanmushi: this was almost like a steamed egg pudding with some dungeness crab and scallop and green onions! It was good overall and the seafood was the best part of this dash though I think it needed more seasoning and flavor and I wish they had cut the green onions more. 5. Bara Chirashi Bowl with Miso Soup: This was my 3rd favorite dish that was served! Seafood was really fresh and had a lot of umami. I never had ikura that large before and it was def an interesting experience, kinda felt like popping boba lol. It also came with 2 nice-sized pieces of seaweed so you can also make hand rolls which is what I did. Miso tasted like typical miso but I wish it had the little seaweed pieces in it. Lastly for dessert, we got the sesame roll cake with hojicha ice cream since it was for my wife's belated bday celebration! The server put a candle on top and lit it and she and the rest of the staff sang happy birthday which was so nice! Overall a really great dessert and all the flavors on the dish paired well together. It tasted like they make the hojicha ice cream fresh there. Cake was soft and I think had a red bean filling it. Fruits also tasted really fresh! Keep in mind dining experiences like this are always pricey but I was pretty surprised that they automatically put 20% gratuity for a party of 3 onto the bill. It would be nice to pick how much we get to tip and I don't think we should be charged 20% automatically but that's a different topic that I can go on and on about lol. Overall a really nice experience and really nice staff. Will have to come back sometime! (P.s. follow their Instagram because their menu changes monthly)
Yoojin S.
SUBLIME this is the best meal I've had. Each bite was so heavenly that my date questioned if I was even on earth anymore. Each savored bite was like a massage to the brain. I'm usually a fast eater but here, I definitely took my time savoring each bite or my brain could just not handle it. My boy found this place on Instagram, read that the chef owner worked at Japanese embassy, and made a reservation via text. We celebrated early Valentines lunch here. And woow we were both so impressed with the food!! Automatically, Hana Izumi became our favorite restaurant in the bay. Ok, on to the food!! We both had the Sashimi Menu ($65) which had: SEAFOOD SALAD It started off of an incredible high-note. I took a bite of the octopus and omg this is the best thing I've ever tasted? So crispy, flavored extremely deliciously, and so tender. The seared shrimp was also a standout - like just so plump and perfectly cooked. The veggies were crisp and refreshing with a hint or sweetness. ASSORTED SASHIMI Omg first of all, it comes with homemade sesame tofu which is silky soft with a lingering slightly chewy bite. So good and wonderfully flavored. The seared pressed sushi was so unique. Had another heavenly moment of peace while eating the salmon and toro sashimi. The salmon tasted like it was slightly cured - I mean how did they know, that is my favorite way of eating salmon. I melted too when the toro melted in my mouth. CHAWANMUSHI By this point I'm not even surprised this is the best chawanmushi I've had either. It came with crab and scallop - so incredibly tender with sweet ocean taste. IKURA DONBURI + MISO SOUP This looked simple but also once again, exceeded expectations and surprised me in the most delightful way. The salmon that was in the sashimi is now seared!! So good! The radish was slightly pickled in tororo I think so it was slightly slimy which it made the dish super unique and just added a new layer of texture. Food is absolutely divine, the restaurant is cute and clean with peaceful soft music. The service was polite and the owner lady was so kind! It's just pure bliss. I could not stop smiling after the meal. Absolutely rejuvenated. This meal was so good for your physical and mental health, seriously. I've never experienced something like this, but I'm definitely coming back for sure. note: 20% auto tip
Bup N.
It's a great place for a date night/ celebration of some sort. Inside space was pretty tight w/ live music during dinner (not sure if I'm a huge fan) but the food is delicious. They have a fix menu but it does change every month. For a quick breakdown of what we ate: amuse bouche, sashimi, refresher, braised dish, steamed dish, and an entree. One server, who is very kind and friendly goes to one table at a time to explain their menu and dish. If I'm not mistaken, she's the main person for front of the house. Energy, attitude, and service - she nailed it all. I have nothing negative to mention about the food because from start to finish, it was so tasty! Presentation was absolutely beautiful! Don't expect a huge portion but you'll definitely be satisfied at the end. We were lucky to be seated at a table right by the main door (as it is further away from all the other tables) which gave us a little bit more privacy. However, I do wish that the second group of people of reservation would wait outside as opposed to cluttering and hovering inside. W/ such a small and tight space already, it's just not ideal to have people hold conversations right over your shoulder and try to talk over the live music, on top of watching you eat. Some common courtesy pls!!
Trugoy C.
Hana Izumi is a diamond in the rough. In the quaint town of Millbrae lyes a humble affair with a prefixed menu. The courses have been curated to make you feel perfectly satisfied at its conclusion. My personal favorite was the cold duck and soba salad. Light flavors of savory and umami come to mind at merely its thought. If theres a restaurant in Millbrae that deserves "5 stars" this ought to be it.
Ranjan P.
Damn. Best sushi of my life. And sashimi and savory chawanmushi, with crab, prawn and kale. My husband and I ordered a mix and match of their kaiseki and sashimi pre fixe lunch. The chirashi bowl with daikon radish and perfectly seasoned rice with salmon and roe perfection. The snow crab salad as well as duck breast superbly on mark. The presentation could pass for art, almost too beautiful too eat. The green tea has the toasted rice you'd think was genmaicha. Duck has to have the highest level of execution for me to love it--this was bomb, slow cooked and then some, absolutely tender. The vinegar based dressings everywhere light and flavorful, juicy and redolent of fruit. This was worth taking an extra hour off for lunch (it's nearly impossible to snag a weekend reservation here). If it's possible to get fresher seafood with exacting precision point technique, I'm not sure where to go, other than maybe a world class place in Japan? This place is literally in my back yard, in my town, no less, lucked out didn't I, lol? The front of the house hostess is a complete doll--gracious and ever on the ball, unfailingly sweet and attentive. Our server gamely answering our questions and though we didn't get to see the chef, he takes his craft next level up to an art. Pristine and stunning array of sushi and sashimi here. The little mounds of red bean rice and the white seasoned rice had some other umami thing going on, along the likes of which never have I had. Love love love and then some. It a helluva an experience. Parking is tough, both street and lots get full, especially at peak times, so allow extra time to find parking. The cost of their lunches are more than reasonable, and even if it's a one time thing, it's worth it just to see what such an experience is like.
I found out about Hana Izumi from a food influencer and had to make a reservation because they had raving reviews about it. Now that I've tried it, I completely understand why!! I was transported back to Japan with the decor and the place settings. We were here for their famous $99 kaiseki set meal. It is a combination of 6-7 dishes that is presented beautifully, with each dish encompassing a different food style / flavor. They started us off with an appetizer plate with a tofu that had the most interesting and soft bite. Loved it. Reminded me of a custard consistency. The sliced semi raw beef was my favorite on the plate. It had great flavor and wasn't chewy at all! We then were served a plethora of more dishes- including miso soup, a plate with different sashimi and rice balls, the most tasty fish and eggplant (my favorite of the night), crab and tofu, then the choice of a deconstructed tuna handroll or wagyu beef bowl. We also ordered the sweeter sake flight that included an amazingggg yuzu flavored sake. I want to go back and purchase a bottle to go. $99 for a kaiseki set was more than worth it. The experience was spectacular! I also thought the service was outstanding, where they would bring the next dish as we're finishing up the previous one. My party was slow at finishing each dish but they didn't rush us at all. I would recommend this place to anyone for a nice dinner. You have to book a reservation in advance, and it's through simple texting. I can imagine this place getting discovered and harder to get a reservation over the next upcoming months!
Ashley D.
My friend and I came here for lunch and we were blown away by the exemplary service, affordable price, and high quality food. ~Service~ After each course was brought out, the owner would give us her undivided attention to explain what we were eating and how to eat it ~Price~ For lunch, if you get the kaiseki, it's around $40, while the sashimi lunch menu was around $65. Pretty cheap imo when a lot of omakase prices tend to be $100+ ~Quality~ The food tasted super fresh and there were much bigger portions compared to other omakase courses my friend and I have had Definitely will be coming here again to try to the different monthly menus!!!
Joe H.
I went to Hana Izumi for the first time last week with my wife. It was fantastic and expected our expectations on many fronts. The service was excellent. The food was amazing, from starter course to the sashimi to the halibut and the tuna hand rolls. We couldn't save room for dessert. We also did the saki tasting and it was a wonderful pairing. The chef and the servers were very kind. We will be back.
Judy F.
When I heard Hana Izumi served a reasonably priced kaiseki lunch, I knew I had to try it. So I convinced a friend to cross a bridge, pick me up in the City then drive us down the peninsula. And were we amazed. Absolutely beautiful presentations. Phenomenal tastes and textures (the deep fried sesame tofu was soooooo smooth). And I'd definitely suggest adding on the sashimi (which included pressed sushi, a Kansai region specialty). The quality will blow you away. The meal brought back wonderful food memories of Kyoto. Now I have to figure out how to get back down there to try their dinner.
Anne N
Exquisitely authentic food, personal service and welcoming space.
Very delicious, deserve the price.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We loved Hana Izumi! The hostess is so nice and explains all the courses and the saki pairing which we enjoyed as well. The chef's creations were brilliant and every course was lovingly prepared and presented. All the fish was wonderfully fresh. The menu changes monthly and it is a very pleasant atmosphere.We particularly liked the variety or sashimi, the Dungeness crab Katsu and the chawanmushi. This is the best Japanese food we've had in the Bay Area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Assorted Sashimi Chef's Choice, Sake Sampler, Snow Crab Sunomono Salad, Sweet & Sour Fish Karaage, Flan and Chocolate Cake, Miso Soup, Kobachi 3 Ways
Ideally, this place deserves a 4.5/5.Nestled in the heart of Millbrae, Hana Izumi is a hidden gem that offers an experience that transcends mere dining.They have a prix fixe menu that changes every month. My friends and I went there in February. Our prix fixe menu was $98/person plus taxes. For our prix fixe menu, we had the option to pick one from the 2 entrees. You will definitely be full by the end of your meal.Note- We were a party of 3, and our bill included a 20% tip by default.Service:The service at Hana Izumi was good. The staff was attentive (except for the 2 times when we had to ask them to refill our hot tea) yet unobtrusive. Our host was knowledgeable and passionate, guiding us through the intricate kaiseki menu with genuine enthusiasm.Ambiance:Restaurant's soft lighting bathes the small space, adorned with minimalist décor and natural elements, creating a tranquil atmosphere.Food:Kobachi 3 Ways amuse bouche was a delightful prelude, showcasing the chef's artistry and precision with 3 miniature bites brimming with diverse flavors and textures. It included goma tofu, duck, and octopus. Goma tofu topped with uni was delectable. The octopus was surprisingly not as chewy as you'd usually expect. The duck was pretty good as well.The assorted sashimi included bluefin tuna, yellowtail, and ocean trout. It was impeccably fresh, and each piece just melted in our mouths.Hirame Nanban was a revelation. The perfectly crisp halibut paired beautifully with the sweet onion vinaigrette, creating a delightful contrast.The Maezawa Wagyu Soba was a fancy indulgence. The tender Wagyu beef, simmered in a savory sukiyaki broth, melted on the tongue, while the slightly firm soba noodles provided a satisfying textural contrast.The tara shirako chawanmushi was also really good, offering a unique and delicate flavor profile with its creamy egg custard and hint of sake.For the entree, I opted for the Negitoro Chirashi Bowl, a visual masterpiece with its vibrant colors and generous portion of chopped fatty bluefin tuna. Each bite was a burst of umami, perfectly complemented by the seasoned sushi rice. My friends tried their Dungeness crab zo-sui and loved it.This place is definitely worth a visit. The parking in the area can be hard to find, so please plan to arrive a little early. I looked for parking for 15 minutes and eventually ended up parking in the residential area up the hill.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ideally, this place deserves a 4.5/5. Nestled in the heart of Millbrae, Hana Izumi is a hidden gem that offers an experience that transcends mere dining. They have a prix fixe menu that changes every month. My friends and I went there in February. Our prix fixe menu was $98/person plus taxes. For our prix fixe menu, we had the option to pick one from the 2 entrees. You will definitely be full by the end of your meal. Note- We were a party of 3, and our bill included a 20% tip by default. Service: The service at Hana Izumi was good. The staff was attentive (except for the 2 times when we had to ask them to refill our hot tea) yet unobtrusive. Our host was knowledgeable and passionate, guiding us through the intricate kaiseki menu with genuine enthusiasm. Ambiance: Restaurant's soft lighting bathes the small space, adorned with minimalist décor and natural elements, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Food: Kobachi 3 Ways amuse bouche was a delightful prelude, showcasing the chef's artistry and precision with 3 miniature bites brimming with diverse flavors and textures. It included goma tofu, duck, and octopus. Goma tofu topped with uni was delectable. The octopus was surprisingly not as chewy as you'd usually expect. The duck was pretty good as well. The assorted sashimi included bluefin tuna, yellowtail, and ocean trout. It was impeccably fresh, and each piece just melted in our mouths. Hirame Nanban was a revelation. The perfectly crisp halibut paired beautifully with the sweet onion vinaigrette, creating a delightful contrast. The Maezawa Wagyu Soba was a fancy indulgence. The tender Wagyu beef, simmered in a savory sukiyaki broth, melted on the tongue, while the slightly firm soba noodles provided a satisfying textural contrast. The tara shirako chawanmushi was also really good, offering a unique and delicate flavor profile with its creamy egg custard and hint of sake. For the entree, I opted for the Negitoro Chirashi Bowl, a visual masterpiece with its vibrant colors and generous portion of chopped fatty bluefin tuna. Each bite was a burst of umami, perfectly complemented by the seasoned sushi rice. My friends tried their Dungeness crab zo-sui and loved it. This place is definitely worth a visit. The parking in the area can be hard to find, so please plan to arrive a little early. I looked for parking for 15 minutes and eventually ended up parking in the residential area up the hill.
Food was incredible! The best Japanese food we’ve had in the Bay Area, I particularly loved the chawanmushi. Our hostess was the nicest, and even gave us some extra flowers to take home! We will definitely be back!The menu here is actually their dinner menu, which changes every month. We came for lunch, which had a separate but similar menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went here on a Sunday at the end of January and had a reservation at 12pm for a party of 3. We got seated right away and the server was really nice and sweet, I can't remember her name but she's a little but older and was wearing a kimono or yukata! We all ordered the same 5 course meal which came with the items below: 1. Duck Salad with Soba Noodles: This was probably my favorite dish! The duck was so tender and flavorful and complimented the soba noodles really well. 2. Assorted Sashimi: probably my 2nd favorite dish lol. Came with 3 large pieces of sashimi, 2 pieces of sushi, and some sort of shellfish with what seemed to be a seaweed paste or garnish. The sashimi pieces literally melted in my mouth, the salmon was the the best piece! The other pieces were good too but I wish it came with more pieces of sashimi instead of the shellfish and 2 sushi pieces though. 3. Kobachi: These are like mini appetizers and is chef's choice. This one came with a chicken meatball, octopus slice, bamboo tempura, and soft tofu in sauce. This was probably my least favorite dish. The meatball tasted exactly like a meatball and nothing different about it. I wasn't really a fan of the octopus texture or flavor and I usually like octopus. Bamboo tempura was interesting but a bit tough to bite apart so I kinda just had to eat the whole thing in 1 bite lol. Then the tofu was too soft and I wasn't a fan of the flavor because of the wasabi that was on top. Tbh I didn't really understand the selection and flavors didn't really mesh well with each other but that's always the risk of chef's choice. 4. Crab Chawanmushi: this was almost like a steamed egg pudding with some dungeness crab and scallop and green onions! It was good overall and the seafood was the best part of this dash though I think it needed more seasoning and flavor and I wish they had cut the green onions more. 5. Bara Chirashi Bowl with Miso Soup: This was my 3rd favorite dish that was served! Seafood was really fresh and had a lot of umami. I never had ikura that large before and it was def an interesting experience, kinda felt like popping boba lol. It also came with 2 nice-sized pieces of seaweed so you can also make hand rolls which is what I did. Miso tasted like typical miso but I wish it had the little seaweed pieces in it. Lastly for dessert, we got the sesame roll cake with hojicha ice cream since it was for my wife's belated bday celebration! The server put a candle on top and lit it and she and the rest of the staff sang happy birthday which was so nice! Overall a really great dessert and all the flavors on the dish paired well together. It tasted like they make the hojicha ice cream fresh there. Cake was soft and I think had a red bean filling it. Fruits also tasted really fresh! Keep in mind dining experiences like this are always pricey but I was pretty surprised that they automatically put 20% gratuity for a party of 3 onto the bill. It would be nice to pick how much we get to tip and I don't think we should be charged 20% automatically but that's a different topic that I can go on and on about lol. Overall a really nice experience and really nice staff. Will have to come back sometime! (P.s. follow their Instagram because their menu changes monthly)
SUBLIME this is the best meal I've had. Each bite was so heavenly that my date questioned if I was even on earth anymore. Each savored bite was like a massage to the brain. I'm usually a fast eater but here, I definitely took my time savoring each bite or my brain could just not handle it. My boy found this place on Instagram, read that the chef owner worked at Japanese embassy, and made a reservation via text. We celebrated early Valentines lunch here. And woow we were both so impressed with the food!! Automatically, Hana Izumi became our favorite restaurant in the bay. Ok, on to the food!! We both had the Sashimi Menu ($65) which had: SEAFOOD SALAD It started off of an incredible high-note. I took a bite of the octopus and omg this is the best thing I've ever tasted? So crispy, flavored extremely deliciously, and so tender. The seared shrimp was also a standout - like just so plump and perfectly cooked. The veggies were crisp and refreshing with a hint or sweetness. ASSORTED SASHIMI Omg first of all, it comes with homemade sesame tofu which is silky soft with a lingering slightly chewy bite. So good and wonderfully flavored. The seared pressed sushi was so unique. Had another heavenly moment of peace while eating the salmon and toro sashimi. The salmon tasted like it was slightly cured - I mean how did they know, that is my favorite way of eating salmon. I melted too when the toro melted in my mouth. CHAWANMUSHI By this point I'm not even surprised this is the best chawanmushi I've had either. It came with crab and scallop - so incredibly tender with sweet ocean taste. IKURA DONBURI + MISO SOUP This looked simple but also once again, exceeded expectations and surprised me in the most delightful way. The salmon that was in the sashimi is now seared!! So good! The radish was slightly pickled in tororo I think so it was slightly slimy which it made the dish super unique and just added a new layer of texture. Food is absolutely divine, the restaurant is cute and clean with peaceful soft music. The service was polite and the owner lady was so kind! It's just pure bliss. I could not stop smiling after the meal. Absolutely rejuvenated. This meal was so good for your physical and mental health, seriously. I've never experienced something like this, but I'm definitely coming back for sure. note: 20% auto tip
It's a great place for a date night/ celebration of some sort. Inside space was pretty tight w/ live music during dinner (not sure if I'm a huge fan) but the food is delicious. They have a fix menu but it does change every month. For a quick breakdown of what we ate: amuse bouche, sashimi, refresher, braised dish, steamed dish, and an entree. One server, who is very kind and friendly goes to one table at a time to explain their menu and dish. If I'm not mistaken, she's the main person for front of the house. Energy, attitude, and service - she nailed it all. I have nothing negative to mention about the food because from start to finish, it was so tasty! Presentation was absolutely beautiful! Don't expect a huge portion but you'll definitely be satisfied at the end. We were lucky to be seated at a table right by the main door (as it is further away from all the other tables) which gave us a little bit more privacy. However, I do wish that the second group of people of reservation would wait outside as opposed to cluttering and hovering inside. W/ such a small and tight space already, it's just not ideal to have people hold conversations right over your shoulder and try to talk over the live music, on top of watching you eat. Some common courtesy pls!!
Hana Izumi is a diamond in the rough. In the quaint town of Millbrae lyes a humble affair with a prefixed menu. The courses have been curated to make you feel perfectly satisfied at its conclusion. My personal favorite was the cold duck and soba salad. Light flavors of savory and umami come to mind at merely its thought. If theres a restaurant in Millbrae that deserves "5 stars" this ought to be it.
Damn. Best sushi of my life. And sashimi and savory chawanmushi, with crab, prawn and kale. My husband and I ordered a mix and match of their kaiseki and sashimi pre fixe lunch. The chirashi bowl with daikon radish and perfectly seasoned rice with salmon and roe perfection. The snow crab salad as well as duck breast superbly on mark. The presentation could pass for art, almost too beautiful too eat. The green tea has the toasted rice you'd think was genmaicha. Duck has to have the highest level of execution for me to love it--this was bomb, slow cooked and then some, absolutely tender. The vinegar based dressings everywhere light and flavorful, juicy and redolent of fruit. This was worth taking an extra hour off for lunch (it's nearly impossible to snag a weekend reservation here). If it's possible to get fresher seafood with exacting precision point technique, I'm not sure where to go, other than maybe a world class place in Japan? This place is literally in my back yard, in my town, no less, lucked out didn't I, lol? The front of the house hostess is a complete doll--gracious and ever on the ball, unfailingly sweet and attentive. Our server gamely answering our questions and though we didn't get to see the chef, he takes his craft next level up to an art. Pristine and stunning array of sushi and sashimi here. The little mounds of red bean rice and the white seasoned rice had some other umami thing going on, along the likes of which never have I had. Love love love and then some. It a helluva an experience. Parking is tough, both street and lots get full, especially at peak times, so allow extra time to find parking. The cost of their lunches are more than reasonable, and even if it's a one time thing, it's worth it just to see what such an experience is like.
Restaurantji Recommends
I found out about Hana Izumi from a food influencer and had to make a reservation because they had raving reviews about it. Now that I've tried it, I completely understand why!! I was transported back to Japan with the decor and the place settings. We were here for their famous $99 kaiseki set meal. It is a combination of 6-7 dishes that is presented beautifully, with each dish encompassing a different food style / flavor. They started us off with an appetizer plate with a tofu that had the most interesting and soft bite. Loved it. Reminded me of a custard consistency. The sliced semi raw beef was my favorite on the plate. It had great flavor and wasn't chewy at all! We then were served a plethora of more dishes- including miso soup, a plate with different sashimi and rice balls, the most tasty fish and eggplant (my favorite of the night), crab and tofu, then the choice of a deconstructed tuna handroll or wagyu beef bowl. We also ordered the sweeter sake flight that included an amazingggg yuzu flavored sake. I want to go back and purchase a bottle to go. $99 for a kaiseki set was more than worth it. The experience was spectacular! I also thought the service was outstanding, where they would bring the next dish as we're finishing up the previous one. My party was slow at finishing each dish but they didn't rush us at all. I would recommend this place to anyone for a nice dinner. You have to book a reservation in advance, and it's through simple texting. I can imagine this place getting discovered and harder to get a reservation over the next upcoming months!
My friend and I came here for lunch and we were blown away by the exemplary service, affordable price, and high quality food. ~Service~ After each course was brought out, the owner would give us her undivided attention to explain what we were eating and how to eat it ~Price~ For lunch, if you get the kaiseki, it's around $40, while the sashimi lunch menu was around $65. Pretty cheap imo when a lot of omakase prices tend to be $100+ ~Quality~ The food tasted super fresh and there were much bigger portions compared to other omakase courses my friend and I have had Definitely will be coming here again to try to the different monthly menus!!!
I went to Hana Izumi for the first time last week with my wife. It was fantastic and expected our expectations on many fronts. The service was excellent. The food was amazing, from starter course to the sashimi to the halibut and the tuna hand rolls. We couldn't save room for dessert. We also did the saki tasting and it was a wonderful pairing. The chef and the servers were very kind. We will be back.
When I heard Hana Izumi served a reasonably priced kaiseki lunch, I knew I had to try it. So I convinced a friend to cross a bridge, pick me up in the City then drive us down the peninsula. And were we amazed. Absolutely beautiful presentations. Phenomenal tastes and textures (the deep fried sesame tofu was soooooo smooth). And I'd definitely suggest adding on the sashimi (which included pressed sushi, a Kansai region specialty). The quality will blow you away. The meal brought back wonderful food memories of Kyoto. Now I have to figure out how to get back down there to try their dinner.
Exquisitely authentic food, personal service and welcoming space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5