Kokko in San Mateo

We’ve been wanting to try this place since moving to the area and we only wish we came sooner! We could have ordered one of everything on the menu. They’re known for their wide range of skewers - our personal favorite was the wagyu, it was like butter in your mouth. It is a low light, intimate seating restaurant with modern music playing and runners all over to hand off food and pick up plates. Will definitely be bringing friends and family when they come visit! Oh, and they have rotating specials to top it off.

Great place for authentic Japanese food and drinks. Wide selection of Japanese tapas and yakitori, all expertly prepared. Food came out fast and fresh, and all the ingredients were high quality. Ive been here multiple times, and the food and service never disappoint. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an authentic izakaya experience.There are so many dishes that I love, but Id highly recommend their gyutan skewers, eggplant dengaku, tsukune meatballs, nankotsu karaage, and wagyu skewers.

The moment I took a bite of their perfectly grilled skewers, I knew I had discovered something extraordinary. The flavors were exceptional, and each skewer was a testament to their expertise. But what truly stole the show was the quail eggs with bacon—it was an explosion of flavors that left me craving for more. The combination was absolutely brilliant. The ambiance and attentive service further elevated the dining experience. Kokko is a gem for lovers of authentic Japanese cuisine, and I wholeheartedly award them a well-deserved 5-star rating. Indulge in their delightful skewers and savor the delectable creations that await you! Remember to make your reservation before your visit.

Amidst the citys hustle and bustle,A Japanese barbecue gem did hustle.With skewers galore, grilled to perfection,Its no surprise its a crowds selection.The aroma of smoke, the sizzle of meat,A tantalizing experience hard to beat.From chicken to beef, and seafood too,The skewers here are a delight, its true.The ambiance is lively, the mood upbeat,A perfect spot to enjoy some tasty meat.The staff are friendly, and service is quick,Making this spot a perfect pick.So if youre craving some Japanese barbecue,This bustling spot wont disappoint you.With good skewers and a lively vibe,Youre in for a treat, so dont be shy to subscribe.

Overall solid skewer place. Portions are small for the price but thats somewhat expected of a skewers place. Everything was tasty and well made. Personally, highlights were the gizzard, beef tongue, and oyster mushroom skewers. Also really enjoyed the cartilage karage and takoyaki for appetizers. Regretted getting the rice ball, its literally just rice lol.

Wasn’t sure what to eat in this town so I randomly decided to come here and I’m sooo happy I did! This place had very nice ppl working there who helped me with the menu. If you are wondering what to get let me help you out!!! Get the lamb chops, get the fried calamari and get the beef kabobs with salt and with sauce!! Only thing I didn’t like was the crab cream cakes. Tasted weird. But the fried chicken was good and also the mushrooms were decent nothing special. Music was good as well. I will be coming back here and recommend this place to all of you!!

Pretty good but also pretty expensive.Wish there were a larger selection of skewers, but the ones they do have taste great. Service is quick and there is tons of seating (since they have outdoor seating). Quite a unique spot around here and I cant think of anything similar. Good spot to go for a more special occasion since the price for the skewers can really rack up!

I loved the food!Came here on a weekday night for a late dinner. Everything I tried was very satisfying.They had a special that day— duck breast that was amazingly tender and flavorful. Their chicken karaage was fried well with large pieces of chicken.I’ve rarely eaten raw egg with my meals so I really wanted to try the tori soboro don— ground chicken with raw egg over rice. It was garnished with green onions and I believe either something pickled and/or marinated. Was rich and delicious, would definitely order this again.

A great spot for skewers! Worth going even though it gets busy and is slightly pricey. The scallops and chicken skin are divine! Expect to pay up to 50 to eat well.

A cozy hole-in-the-wall yakitori restaurant that I wasnt expecting to stumble upon. Its not a big place and it sure is popular, so reservations are definitely recommended. Its on the other side of the Caltrain tracks, away from the general hubbub of downtown San Mateo, but well worth the quick walk there.The staff is friendly and the service is quick. The menu consists largely of typical Japanese skewers offerings, plus an assortment of izakaya-style small plates. I ordered two rounds of various dishes and each item was brought out when it was ready... literally hot and fresh off the charcoal grill in the back. And nothing like a chazuke (rice in tea) to finish off a yakitori/izakaya meal. Oh, and a dessert too, of which they have a few options.