Sumika

Came here for Valentines dinner! And it was a great experience!Pretty relaxed izakaya vibe, and the staff were so friendly.We got the Oyakodon, a variety of skewers (favorite being the momo with green onion), and the sesame panna cota dessert which was amazing! Looking forward to coming back.

I was excited to come here to try yakitori for the first time! We came on a Saturday evening and were seated after five minutes. The place is relatively small and dimly lit, but it had a nice wooden homey feel. We placed our order and items started to come out one by one about fifteen minutes after. The Sumika Salad was decent, with lots of cabbage and chicken. The dressing was not too heavy, but also not light. The Se-nankotsu karaage was also good. I liked the crunch and the coating was not too oily either. However, it was a more heavy appetizer. The clam miso soup was super rich and flavorful, probably one of the better items we had. As for the skewers, they were alright. We liked the Momo with Spicy Sauce, American Wagyu Beef, and Hiza Nankotsu. Those were super flavorful and tender! But the rest we tried were not as great. All the Mune skewers were so dry. I was expecting a lot more, and we left still pretty hungry. For a pretty hefty bill, I do not think it was worth it. Although service was great, I did not enjoy the food as much. Regardless, I am glad I gave it a try!

Can't believe it's been almost 10 years since I last visited! Had a much better experience this time - perhaps because I had more muted expectations (and wasn't paying, so no sticker shot). It's not going to be the best Japanese restaurant you've been to (and imo not worth going out of your way for), but it's a good option for people in the area. And I love the vibe at dinner - it really feels like you're transported to an izakaya in Japan. Among the apps, the fried squid on the specials menu was probably my favorite. And if that's not available, the grilled squid was solid too. Others really liked the spicy karaage, but it was too spicy for me. The sumika salad was a refreshing vegetable dish, but I didn't love the wasabi flavored dressing. Agedashi tofu was very well done. Grilled eggplant with miso was popular with our group, but I found the miso paste a bit too sweet and overwhelming relative to the eggplant. Tamago with mentaiko and cheese was interesting, but I didn't love the flavor combo.For skewers, I only tried the scallop skewer (scallop was good, but didn't wow me as much as the version I had at Yakitori Edomasa) and the wagyu (this was really good, although tbh didn't have the full butteriness I've come to expect from wagyu). Dessert-wise, the frozen custard pudding was interesting but not really my cup of tea (it was too dense for me). The black sesame panna cotta was pretty standard, nothing to write home about.

I have been to Sumika several times, for lunch and dinner. I love going for dinner because the vibe is just like an izakaya in Japan -- everyone minds their own business and enjoys drinks and good food. They were awarded a Michelin bib gourmand previously and it's one of my favorite places in the Bay Area. They have been around nearly 20 years and quite popular, so it's best to reserve. I have tried doing walk-ins on a Friday night, and it was quite packed. Recently, I celebrated my bday dinner at Sumika. Sumika is family owned and one of the first authentic yakitori places with a izakaya vibe to open in the Bay Area. They have a large menu that has so many of the classic, delicious flavors and well as inventive dishes. This is one of my favorite places I go to in the Bay Area, as it's perfect for celebrations and hanging out. They use charcoal grill for their skewers and the kitchen is open so you can watch everything being prepared.I recommend any of the skewers, especially the yakitori (chicken). The flavors are authentic and the charcoal grill flavors bring out the best flavors. The team is incredible here, from service to the chefs. I like seeing the grill smoke, which makes this a lively experience.

This was our first time here and the food is magnificent. Talk about authentic Japanese cuisine with excellent service and ambiance. We all felt like we were in Japan. If you want really great Japanese cuisine, this is a must try.

Went here to try their skewers and it did not disappoint. The skewers have the charred taste but aren't burned. It tasted clean. Tried five of them and would recommend the Kobe beef and Momo (chicken). Bummer that they have more options during dinner menu. But those I tried for lunch menu is already satisfying. Also ordered the Sumika Salad and Agedashi Tofu and they were both appetizing indeed.The restaurant is located behind the main street of Downtown Los Altos. It felt a little cramped inside and a bit dark like most authentic small Japanese restaurants I've been to. Service was fast and the prices are decent.

Best oyakodon that I've ever had! It's runny, rich, and chicken has a smokiness to it that's so good with the sauce they put on top.This place is so warm and inviting - it's my favorite spot for date night. The food always hits, you can tell they really care about quality here. The service is nice and are always down to give recommendations.

Dry skewers.. flavorless. Ambience is old, outdated, not well taken care of. Was super excited. Won't return.

We came here to celebrate my friend's baby shower and the food was delectable! I especially enjoyed my Osaka don, the soft agedash tofu, and the desserts we ordered like the black sesame panna cotta.

Food is fresh. They have standard, limited options but they make it really well. The dessert was great! Quantity is reasonable.