About
Welcome to Sapporo Rock-N-Roll Sushi Restaurant, nestled in the heart of San Mateo, CA. This Japanese gem is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience that promises to tantalize your taste buds while offering a vibrant atmosphere. The moment you step through the door, you’re greeted with the lively sounds of conversations and the subtle clinking of sake glasses, instantly inviting you to unwind and savor your surroundings.
At Sapporo Rock-N-Roll, the menu is a masterclass in sushi craftsmanship. Must-try highlights include the All Day Sashimi Special, featuring exquisite slices of mixed sashimi like tuna, yellowtail, and salmon at an incredible 50% off. For sushi enthusiasts, the Omakase Nigiri showcases the chef’s finest choices, delighting with flavors that celebrate the ocean’s bounty. Other standout offerings include the rich Otoro Nigiri and the unforgettable salmon aburi sushi that a satisfied diner, Lorenzo, raved about, ensuring you won’t leave without sampling it.
The ambiance is no less remarkable. The restaurant exudes a casual, trendy vibe, ideal for gatherings with friends or intimate dinners alike. Although it can get lively, especially during happy hour (5-6 PM), the atmosphere remains welcoming. Outdoor seating options, including heated areas, allow you to enjoy your meal in comfort regardless of the weather.
Join in the fun of happy hour specials featuring exceptional deals on quality sushi, craft beers, and select wines. It’s an enticing way to unwind after a long day, as noted by regulars who have fallen in love with the affordability paired with the freshness of every dish.
Crafter of some of the most delicious sushi you’ll encounter, Sapporo Rock-N-Roll is not just about food; it’s about creating memories around the table. Whether you’re a die-hard sushi lover or just dipping your toe into the world of Japanese cuisine, this restaurant is sure to impress. With top-notch service, mouth-watering dishes, and a vibrant atmosphere, a visit here is bound to become one of your go-to culinary adventures.
“ Sat at the bar again. This place knows how to take care of people! Get the Beatles roll and you won't regret it. Also the salmon aburi sushi. In addition the happy hour is tremendously worth. Grab a beer and relax, This is something special ”
“ It's street parking for this place. More of a small restaurant with not too many tables inside but enough. They were definitely understaffed the day we came but servers were sweet. The rolls sounded interesting on the menu but once eaten, there wasn't anything too special about it. ”
“ Came here on Valentine's Day and it was PACKED! The waiter (Anna) not only had two lists to attend to at the front but also helped served dishes to their tables. One of the lists had names with reservations and the other list had names without reservations. There were a lot of people standing and waiting when I came here at 7pm without a reservation. Anna was diligently trying to serve the people with reservations first before she got to the list without reservations. There was a couple in front of me who got really upset at Anna for sitting down the people with reservations first, stating they were waiting since 6:50 (10 mins ago). Anna tried to kindly explain her process but the couple was having none of it. They started yelling at her for not being able to accurately call out how long the wait was and left angry, also snapping a pic of Anna. I normally don't write reviews but I thought it was extremely unfair with how they acted and how a bad review could harm her so I'm doing this for you Anna!! Thank you for your wonderful service and strong work ethic! P.S the food was amazingly delicious too! Extremely fresh and high quality! Definitely recommend the oyster shooter with quail egg! ”
“ Happy hour is really great! The sushi is high quality, and it doesn't break the bank, especially if you go during happy hour (5-6 every day) ”
“ The best atmosphere and most delicious sushi and rolls. Our wonderful server had the best recommendations and paired our choices with an amazing sake too. Highly recommend!! ”
“ Came in for dinner on a Friday date night. The wife recommended it after she and her bestie went for their happy hour a few months back and thought the food was good. Got a table instantly an hour before closing time. A bit rowdy at first with some friendly customers who knew the chef and were taking shots with the staff (guess it's that type of vibe but we didn't really mind). Music in the background was a nice mix of throwbacks and today's hits. We ordered the chicken karaage and poke tostadas for appetizers. Chicken was bomb with a light fried crisp but we thought the tostadas was a bit too saucy. Oh and fyi the tostadas has a kick! Ordered the Mt. Fuji and Snoopy rolls and both were delicious. After our meal, we were surprised to receive a complimentary dessert from the chef (cold tofu pudding with coconut shavings on top). Overall we enjoyed our meal and thought the staff were very friendly. ”
“ Come for happy hour everyday 5pm-6pm! There's an amazing deal on mixed sashimi (50% off!), various rolls, Hamachi Kama, and other delicious dishes that you can't miss. The vibe even at 5pm is bustling. There seem to be regulars that are familiar with the staff and everytime I've gone I've seen people chatting it up with the chefs at the sushi bar. The restaurant is dimly lit and perfect for a date night. The restaurant is on a busy street and there is only street parking, but I usually don't have a problem finding parking around the corner on the cross street. Definitely a great sushi option in San Mateo! ”
“ My family and I were in the area and saw that this place had great reviews so decided to give it a try. First impression when walking in was that it must be good to the locals because people were in waiting out the door. We put our name down and hung out in the area for about an hour before we were called in. We were sat with no issue but were not greeted by our server for about 10 minutes, and even then we had to stop someone to get service. Normally we would be patient but we noticed that another table that was sat not too long after us was already getting their order taken so we started to feel slighted. It seemed as though the family at the table were regulars since they were greeted so warmly by the staff, but when it comes to guest service that treatment should be felt by all guests. The prices of the rolls didn't seem too bad, and when the food started to come out we started to see where the great reviews came from. On top of how fresh the ingredients were, the fish portions were some of the biggest I've ever seen on rolls. The rolls also weren't smothered in sauces, which really helped highlight the flavors from the fish and garnishes. Overall the experience started rough but once we got going it was pretty enjoyable. I'd definitely come back if I'm ever in the area again, but I hope to get a decent greeting next time. ”
“ Went to Sapporo on a Wednesday night and got seated right away, the place is small so I bet the wait is long during a busy night. We loved all the things we ordered but the star of the night has to be the aburi ngiri with scallop on top, omg that was so delicious, it just melts in your mouth, I need to get like 6 of those. The Truffle edamame was also really good, the truffle is such a good pair with it. Our server was attentive and nice, and the whole staff seems really nice, love that they interact with their customers. I can't wait to go back and try some more items! ”
“ Food: 4.5/5 the sushi rolls were really tasty, had unique flavour combinations and were made very well. Vibe: 4/5 On a saturday night, it's definitely a party; if that's what you're looking for. You can order shots of sake for the staff and it seemed like someone was doing it every 10minutes. The music is really loud though, so keep that in mind. Service: 2/5 our waitress was definitely buzzed, caveat of the party vibes I guess. Not really an issue until she forgot to enter our order into the register. We found out about 30minutes after we ordered - it was an honest mistake, but my gripe was that the waitress didn't do anything to ensure our order be prioritized, she just said "oops" and put in the order (ie to the back of the queue), which took another 30-40 minutes to arrive. The same waitress also forgot to bring us the bill and another waitress swooped in to help us out. All in all, still giving the spot a 4/5 because I think it was an honest mistake and an exceptionally rowdy night; I would go back again. But if it turns out service is the bottleneck again the next time I go, i'll consider updating lowering my rating ”