Hotaru Japanese Restaurant
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Hours
Sun
11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Mon
11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Tue
11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Sat
11:30 am - 10:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
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CUISINES
Japanese, Sushi, Asian
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service
Menu
Is this a sushi restaurant?
Details
CUISINES
Japanese, Sushi, Asian
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
59 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
27
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Elwyn
Daly City1170 contributions
May 2020 • none
Hotaru Restaurant’s take out food tastes just as good as their dine in version. The quality did not go down and we were glad we went back. We patronize our favorite restaurants during the lockdown period as our small humble contribution to them so that hopefully they will still be around when hopefully things are back to normal, or whatever that “normal” will be in the future.
We ordered shrimps roll, unagi roll and spider roll and all three are absolutely delicious. I also ordered my favorite lunch combo of pork cutlets, California rolls and hot udon soup. This is my comfort food whenever I go to Hotary Restaurant. Let’s eat!
Written 11 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony
Cork15 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
Great visit here, stopped in for a quick dinner shortly after they reopened at 5:30. Has option #1 in dinner menu. The food came promptly, was a good sized portion and the service was good.
Written 2 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry-Calif
San Francisco360 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
TASTY MEAL & COZY PLACE
It was lunch time in San Mateo downtown and I wanted some different for lunch.
The ambience was friendly, comfortable, and inviting.
At lunch time, there were both the Lunch Menu with many Lunch Plates, multiple Lunch Combos, several Beef Curry bowls, various Donburi bowls, numerous Noodles dishes, and quite a few Nabe pots; and the Lunch Special with 8 different sets which includes soup, salad, and entree.
My Curry Soba was delicious and the soba noodles were swimming in the curry sauce. Wow! Lots of sauce. It was heavenly delightful. Lunch Special #2 Bento Box - chicken teriyaki was tender, the tempera had a light batter, and the California roll added a nice touch along with soup, salad, and rice. There was so much food my wife couldn’t finish her meal
The service was excellent. We were served with green tea within minutes of seating. The wait staff explained the daily special. The wait staff made the entire experience enjoyable.
We had a TASTY MEAL at a COZY PLACE … at Hotaru Japanese Restaurant, San Mateo downtown.
Written 25 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chin
2 contributions
Mar 2020 • friends
If you miss Asian food during your trip, it’s a choice you can come. The miso soup is very delicious.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elwyn
Daly City1170 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in San Mateo County. I ordered the “Number 1” as this is my favorite on their menu. There are several choices from the “Number 1” order. I always choose the hot soba soup. I also chose the pork cutlet and the California rolls to complete my order.
The hot soba soup was so comforting! The thin broth is slightly salty and delicious and the soba noodles were perfectly cooked. I will order this over and over again. The California rolls and the appetizer rolls met our expectations. However the pork cutlet was a little overdone this time. The pork came out dry and a little tough. (The ‘to go’ order of Chicken wings was surprisingly very aromatic. And it was quite good)
When we arrived at around 4pm the restaurant was almost empty but by 4:30pm this small restaurant became quite busy. Our waiter did not come back to our table until he gave us our check. We experienced better services from the lunchtime crew from our past visits to this restaurant. We will still be going back to this restaurant for sure.
Written 15 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon L
Palo Alto922 contributions
Nov 2019 • friends
Traditional Japanese with no fancy fusion items. Great portions and delicious yosenabe, with a wonderful broth and plenty of seafood! Enter the door, sign in and wait. A great experience!
Written 10 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rocky b
1788 contributions
Apr 2019 • none
3* Hotaru
Japanese
San Mateo
Have bento box lunch specials and sushi
The price is inexpensive
The food is okay
The fish seemed a little old
Probably won’t go back
Written 17 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynx123
San Francisco189 contributions
Jun 2019 • friends
We have been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years. It has maintained its quality though they did raise their prices. But still the prices are not unreasonable for the area.
The Don Katsu is one of the best that I have ever had. Sukiyaki is good too. Service is a bit spotty . Sometimes, they would forget to bring the soup or salad that comes with the meal .
They offer brown rice but they do charge extra for it. But at least to those who are health conscious, they have this option. did not see any brown rice sushi though.
Written 28 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elwyn
Daly City1170 contributions
Jul 2019 • couples
Hotaru is one of our favorite Japanese restaurants in San Mateo, Ca. We arrived after the lunch rush period and finding a place to park was quick and easy. For lunch, I ordered my favorite, the Udon Special that had pork cutlets, small green salad, California rolls and a medium-sized bowl of hot soba. Always delicious! My wife ordered a bento box, and also a Dragon Roll and Tsunami Roll that we shared. I also had a glass of very refreshing cold Asahi beer. Everything was delicious all for $57.93 before the tip. Considering we had so much leftover food that we gladly brought home, the price was fairly reasonable. We will surely go back again.
Written 16 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elwyn
Daly City1170 contributions
Mar 2019 • couples
My wife and I have been coming pretty irregularly to Hotaru Japanese Restaurant for several years and it has been over a year since we’ve last eaten at this restaurant. We came back for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon and gladly there was no usual long lunchtime wait to get seated. We did not have to wait long to get our order of delicious Dragon Roll which was freshly made by the chef. The sauce on top was salty and sweet that made the roll with avocado, shrimps and other goodness so delicious. It was gone in no time! I also ordered a lunch spacial with a small salad, slices of breaded pork cutlets, hot soba soup and California Roll. My wife ordered the Bento Box.
The breaded pork cutlets were served hot. They were crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside and were very flavorful. There was no need to dip them in soy sauce as far as I’m concerened. Although my favorite soup is hot Udon but I mistakenly ordered Soba Soup instead. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the Soba Soup with its thin broth that is full of flavors. My wife said she enjoyed her Bento Box of Teriyaki Chicken, Mackerel, Vegetable tempura, California Roll, Miso Soup and steamed rice. The table service was polite and the food service was quick, however they never offered to refill our hot tea cups nor asked us if everything was o.k. The restaurant was not busy at the time were were having our late lunch and I had to ask for our hot tea refills. We gladly brought home our leftover food plus we also ordered Tempura-flavored Chicken wings and another order of Dragon Rolls to go for our meal tonight or tomorrow. Honestly, I don’t think I will be hungry enough again tonight to want to eat a full meal. Yep, after eating this delicious meal, I was stuffed...and happy! We will be going back for sure.
Written 23 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris C
San Francisco17 contributions
Dec 2018 • family
Bring your own pearl chopsticks, then sit back and enjoy the quality of fresh fish, complimentary hot tea, edamame, in a local feeling establishment. Hotaru gets an 9 out of 10 on my sushi scale for families (considering cost, quality, portion size, ambiance). The lunch menu is the best value, and is different than most sushi places. Plan on sacrificing some service during lunch, and waiting up to 15-45 minutes to be seated for dinner.
About me: As my favorite food, I eat everything, order unique sushi, off-menu items. I routinely eat sushi for both lunch and dinner in multiple places in this area.
Written 25 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fabfurryfreakbrother
53 contributions
Aug 2018 • none
Yowzers! Stopped in after a business meeting with the Library and we were blown away by the wonderful treats that were brought to our table. The Sushi rolls were delectable, the Sashimimi was pretty and durn good. There was not a mistep on the menu. Left full and feeling fantastic!
Written 13 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip S
58 contributions
Aug 2018 • family
Hotaru is a good restaurant with ok service.
The specials offer great value and the sushi is good.
The portions are large.
Written 8 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michaelkT1957ZO
Laguna Woods129 contributions
Aug 2018 • family
My wife & I have been coming to Hotaru for about 10 years now & we have always enjoyed ourselves. The food is always good, the service is excellent and the prices are very reasonable. Depending on when you arrive, there could be a wait. Be patient because the wait will be worth it.
One of my favorite dishes is the Bento Box. A lot of different items, which is always nice. My wife likes to order the Udon. Bonito broth with wide Japanese noodles. The sushi is always fresh and well prepared, always delicious.
I highly recommend Hotaru for Lunch or Dinner. I can't wait to go back.
Written 6 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GiantsFanLosAngeles
West Covina289 contributions
Jul 2018 • family
Arrived on a Sunday afternoon before 1pm, Slight wait.
Ordered the pork cutlet rice bowl. There was a lot of rice. Also came with salad. Good portion of meat for my bowl.
My parents had Bento boxes which included chicken teriyaki , pork cutlet, and California rolls. We also had hot udon and cold soba noodles. The taste was average to good for everything. Service is OK. Will be going back again.
Written 18 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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