Hamon Washoku Restaurant Review, San Carlos

Hamon Washoku closed in May 2009.

San Carlos restaurants reviewed on this block: Piacere, Spasso, Speederia Pizza, Town. Nearby: Mack’s Smoked Barbecue

Hamon Washoku is a contemporary Japanese restaurant located in downtown San Carlos, along the Laurel street shopping district. Hamon means literature of the knife. Washoku means harmony in cooking. It has been open since October 2008. We were tipped off to this place by a reader. (Thanks!) They specialize in authentic Japanese food including Omakase. The menu changes all the time, with special menus popping up for different Japanese events like Saba, New years, 88 Nights, Doll Festival.

Decor, Vibe – Stylish, sleek, dimly lit, modern decor with a couple tables in front, a private room (customizable menu), and a long sushi bar. Small, only 20 seats. A place like this is more typical in San Francisco. Locals mostly in their 30′s and 40′s where dining. All servers and cooks had their heads shaved.

Menu Pictures

Website Menu

Picks:

Complimentary Grapefruit on Smoked salmon was an nice bite sized appetizer.

Tekka (Left – $5 for 6pcs) was fresh tuna sushi that was right on.

Hot sake ($10 for small) was a really nice high quality sake. They have a very good sake list.

Udon ($10) had home made noodles with tempura vegetables and two fish filets. Very different from normal restaurant udon by being very delicate. This was not on the menu, but they accommodated our request.

Wagyu Saikyo Dinner ($40) with thinly sliced grilled Wagyu beef, west kyoto miso, Mushrooms, asparagus, rice, and soup. The meat had a subtle flavor that required slow eating to savor. The mushrooms were very fresh, flavorful, and excellent. Quantities are not high with this dish, so order a sushi item or two to supplement it.

Omakase (Matsu $55)

Suimono – Daily Soup – Mushroom (Three types) soup in a tea pot was subtly flavored. Probably because the mushrooms were added to the tea pot after the broth was prepared. The mushrooms were like ‘tea’. Needed to let it ‘steep’ to get more flavor.

Sunomono – Vinagrette item – Sliced cucumber with octopus with a vinagrette and touch of nuts. Good but not amazing.

Tukuri – Sashimi – Four types of fish including Yellow tail, Maguro tuna, Octopus. All were fresh and cut with precision. Wasabi was freshly ground, so it had stronger wasabi taste and was not as nose clearing as normal wasabi is.

Mushimono – Steamed item – Chawanmushi or steamed egg custard had several kinds of tender thinly sliced mushrooms. Flavor was very delicate, not salty.

Yakimono – Grilled item – Miso and citrus marinated grilled salmon. Small piece, Great marinade, Very flavorful and very tasty. Pickled cucumber, daikon, and crunchy cabbage with a touch of pepper.

Complimentary Red Bean and Agar Jello dessert with Azuki beans was a nice dessert. Not too sweet, not too heavily flavored.

OK:
Syake ($15 for 6pcs) were Seasoned Salmon Boxed Sushi had a Japanese mint leaf in the middle of the rice and a clear glazed marianted sea weed making a complicated and weird combination. Not for the faint of heart.

Pans:
None

Hamon Washoku had strong service but hiccuped during service of our Omakase meal but delaying things far too long. The servers are knowledgeable, friendly, and excited about their food.
This Japanese restaurant is focused on authentic expensive Japanese Kaiseki meals and should not be compared with typical Japanese restaurants. Flavors are subtle, quantities are on the low side, and its all about quality. The menu is far more extensive than nearby competitors Wakuriya and Kaygetsu, or even Kiss or Kappa in the city. Judging from Yelp reviews, some diners do not understand the complexity.
While you could come here and get good sashimi, this place shines on more exotic dishes that may be an acquired taste to many. We would definitely come back to explore more of the every changing menu. Very short wine list from $7 glass, $21 a bottle.

Book Hamon Washoku Reservation

$25 Dining Certificate for $5

Hamon Washoku Overall Rating: (Excellent 3)

Come Back?

Food Rating:	(Excellent)
Service Rating:	(Good)
Atmosphere Rating:	(Excellent)
Value Rating:	(Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:	Beer, Wine, Sake
Attire:	Casual
Hours:	Tu - Sun 5 - 930pm
Parking:	Street
Reservations:	Yes
Prices:	$9 - $95