Sushi Kei in Millbrae

Review №1

2023-08-09 05:19:19

I really wanted to like this place because its next to my favorite souffle pancake place Uni Souffle (now that Sweethoney doesnt seem to serve it anymore), and my favorite area Yelper gave it 5 stars in 2013, though for price (which obviously has changed a lot in 10 years), not quality.I also had high hopes because the complaints on here were not about the food. Mainly cost. The worst review was for takeout so I figured maybe the car ride was the culprit.But much of the food including the shari (sushi rice) was just too sweet for my taste. Plus the fish quality was so uneven.Ambiance: Maybe it was because it was early or because it was a weeknight, but it was empty the entire time. Not even a to-go order. I felt a little awkward with staff outnumbering us 3:2. Some of my favorite places have been very unbusy so this isnt a dealbreaker, but it does make me question how fresh the fish can possibly be. I also am concerned, for their sake, about the health of the business.Decor: Theres a cute custom doormat with a picture that maybe one of their kids drew when they were little. That same drawing is on their front door. Inside is wall-to-wall mirrors, I guess to make the place feel larger but made me feel self-conscious being reflected all over from different angles like we were at a love hotel.Nigiri: The chuu toro (mid fatty tuna belly), hamachi (yellowtail), and hamachi toro (yellowtail belly) tasted fine. But the rest did not seem fresh: The hon maguro (akami) was pale for bluefin tuna, with bad texture; the salmon was mushy and fishy. Again the sushi rice was more sugary than vinegary. The pickled ginger was also more sweet than sour.The reviewer complaining about nigiri size obviously has never had real edomae sushi and has only had Americanized nigiri where a long piece of fish is draped over a tiny ball of rice and hangs off both ends like a wedding dress train, because the size was normal to me.Maki: Sabagari roll: way too sweet. Inevitable, as it started out using that too-sweet pickled ginger, plus the too-sweet shari. The sweetness was so overpowering I cant evaluate the mackerels quality.The Too Much Choleste-roll has an amusing name but the ankimo was wasted being an inside ingredient. The avocado was providing enough fat on its own already. If ankimo is just there for fat its kind of a waste of monkfish liver. And its bland without the usual ponzu and other traditional ankimo accoutrements.Now, I adore uni. I will eat an entire tray myself in one sitting with nothing else. This uni looked gross and slimy and tasted like rubber.Tai kabutoni was overcooked to the point of being both mushy and dry at the same time, and the broth was also way too sweet. A shame because we love fish heads (well even take them to a movie, if you get the reference). Steamed or simmered fish is better at Leichi or even Hachi Juu Hachi (another Japanese restaurant that unfortunately suffers from lack of traffic).The unsweetened iced green tea was just regular hot green tea with ice dumped into it, resulting in basically cloudy lukewarm water. Im not mad since they didnt charge us for it but my go-to sushi restaurant Sushi Gens unsweetened iced green tea is made with real matcha powder and comes with free unlimited refills for $3.50. Just sayin.I was so disappointed with the roller coaster of fish quality that I ended up not even ordering what I came for, kama toro/super fatty tuna.Im used to kama as in fish collar being grilled, and the syntax being x kama with kama last, as in hamachi kama (yellowtail collar), etc. Why isnt it toro kama? (Or I guess maguro kama, since toro is belly - but then collar belly doesnt make any more sense than belly collar...) And is collar really fattier than belly? Ive had tuna collar sushi at a Japanese restaurant in the East bay but they didnt call it collar belly.Also too scared to try: Soft-shell crab karaage, chicken karaage (fave: Yayoi), tonkatsu curry (faves: Curry House, Curry Life), ten zaru udon (fave: Leichi).

Review №2

2022-04-10 01:48:44

I placed an order to go. Staff was nice and everything I needed (such as soy sauce, wasabi and chopsticks) was included in the bag.Unfortunately the food was disappointing. Wasn’t a fan of the quality of fish nor the miso soup. The salad dressing was great for the side salad.

Review №3

2022-04-02 05:36:59

Good quality sushi. The place has good ingredients. However portion sizes are fairly small in order and not enough fish per sushi piece.

Review №4

2022-07-27 22:35:29

Great place. Lots of the dishes pairs really well with sake. Relaxed atmosphere. Friendly service.

Review №5

2022-06-28 01:40:10

Food was average at best, portions were definitely not up to par for the price. The Pork Cutlet Curry was $20…

Review №6

2022-11-16 16:56:48

One of the best sushi spots in the Bay, only place I know with wild fish and none of that farm raised BS. Fresh fish from Japan daily. Ryo-San is a Master at his craft. Highly recommend 👌

Review №7

2021-10-01 02:35:07

I personally found the waitresses to both be very pleasant. Tasty sushi indeed. Expensive for sure, and barely was full but the quality is there. Would definitely eat here again if Im back in the area

Review №8

2021-07-01 18:36:16

Good sushi/sashimi prepared by a nice expert Japanese sushi/sashimi chef. This place is authentic; I’m not picky;my sushi/Sashimi doesn’t have to be prepared by a Japanese chef(although some think that makes it more authentic).. As long as the sushi/sashimi is DELICIOUS/REASONABLYpriced;took off a star because Sushi Kei’s food is pricier than other 2 Japanese restaurants in downtown Millbrae. 3 item Bento with delicious California roll/mixed tempura/ teriyaki which comes with miso soup/salad and I’m good!If having a Japanese chef is important to U, then this is THE place to go in Millbrae and U pay more for it. It doesn’t matter to me as long as food is good/priced reasonably.Naked Fisharound corner doesn’t have a Japanese chef but their sushi/sashimi is more reasonable. All 3 downtown Millbrae Japanese restaurants have delicious 3 item bento boxes! Try all of em; all delicious!!Only took off star because it’s slightly higher priced than 2 other nearby Japanese restaurants.

Review №9

2020-10-25 01:23:03

Absolutely delish sushi. The rice is always cooked to perfection and seasoned so well. The seafood is always fresh. We usually go in for dine in but did takeout recently and it was packaged very well

Review №10

2020-07-14 02:59:48

Best sushi in the Bay Area in my opinion. Really fresh fish, awesome service and their fried crab and aghedashi todu are to die for!