Organic ingredients, time-honored techniques, and a philosophy that respects the ingredient more than the trend.
Each dish is a conversation between season and soil—crafted with produce sourced from local organic farms and imported Japanese staples.
We don't pretend every carrot is certified organic. But we do insist on something harder to achieve: honesty. Every ingredient we bring to your table is chosen for flavor first, provenance second, and we track both back to the people who grew or caught them.
Minako was born from a simple conviction—that Japanese cuisine, at its best, is an exercise in listening. The fish tells you how to cut it. The rice tells you how long to steam it. The season tells you what belongs on the plate.
Located on Peninsula Avenue in the heart of San Mateo, we've built a space where the ritual of Japanese dining meets the warmth of a neighborhood table. No pretense. Just good food, done carefully.
Every detail at Minako is intentional—from the ceramic bowl to the lighting, from the silence between courses to the warmth of the greeting at the door.
Our menu shifts with the seasons—spring's tender bamboo shoots, autumn's wild mushrooms, winter's rich stews. The calendar is our co-chef.
Broths simmer for days. Miso ferments for months. Rice is washed until the water runs clear. We do the work so your first bite feels effortless.
Forty seats, two mics, one kitchen. We keep the room small so every guest feels like the only one we've been waiting for.
A curated list of junmai daiginjo, organic wines, and craft cocktails designed to complement—not compete with—the food.
We're on Peninsula Avenue, just minutes from the San Mateo BART station. Street parking is available after 6 PM.
360 Peninsula Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401-1615
Tue – Thu: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Fri – Sat: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Sun: 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Mon: Closed
We'll confirm your reservation within 2 hours during business hours.
Thank you! We'll confirm your table within 2 hours. Check your email for details.
