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Can’t decide between kung pao chicken and dumplings? There’s a new spot in Burlingame serving dumplings filled with kung pao chicken. Want Hong Kong-style barbecue but also spicy Sichuan dishes? A San Bruno restaurant recently opened offering both styles of cuisine.
They’re among several Asian eateries that have opened recently along the Peninsula, featuring cuisines from China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Here are 10 new spots to check out around the region.
Danbi, Los Gatos
Los Gatos finally has a Korean restaurant. Danbi, which has two locations in San Jose, has expanded into the former Montebello Market space. Danbi offers a wide variety of Korean cuisine, including bibimbap ($19.95), bulgogi ($29.95), Korean fried chicken ($21.95-$23.95) and six varieties of soft tofu soup ($21.95-$23.95). All entrees come with six banchan: marinated beansprouts, Napa cabbage kimchi, pickled daikon radish, spicy fish cake and pickled jalapenos and carrots. Danbi Los Gatos does not currently have a beer and wine license.
Danbi, 9 Montebello Way, Los Gatos; 669-240-4135, Instagram: @danbikoreanrestaurant. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.
Dumpling Kitchen & Bar, Burlingame
A new dumpling restaurant has replaced Burlingame’s former I Privé. At Dumpling Kitchen & Bar, all dumplings ($12-$16 for eight), xiao long bao ($12-$20 for six) and pork buns ($10 for three) are handmade, according to its Yelp page. Unique dumpling flavors include kung pao chicken dumplings and mapo tofu dumplings, as well as Thai tom yum xiao long bao. Vegetable dishes ($8-$16), fried chicken ($8) and noodle dishes ($15-$18) are also available.
Dumpling Kitchen & Bar, 1125 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame; 650-389-7296. Open Monday to Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m., Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Jin Gege & Yao Yao, San Bruno
The interior of Jin Gege and Yao Yao in San Bruno. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
San Leandro sister restaurants Jin Gege and Yao Yao have expanded into a merged San Bruno restaurant. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Jin Gege & Yao Yao in San Bruno offers Hong Kong barbecue and Sichuan dishes. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.
San Leandro sister restaurants Jin Gege and Yao Yao have expanded into a merged San Bruno restaurant offering both Jin Gege’s Hong Kong barbecue and Yao Yao’s Sichuan dishes. The menu includes items like crispy roasted pork belly, Hong Kong-style char siu, soy sauce chicken, Szechuan-style fish and sour cabbage and Sichuan-style spicy beef soup.
Jin Gege & Yao Yao, 1212 El Camino Real, Suite C&D, San Bruno; 650-636-4380. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Mala Town Express, San Mateo
Mala Town Express, a malatang chain with locations in California, Boston, New York City, New Jersey and Las Vegas, opened its first Peninsula location April 14 in San Mateo. Malatang is a popular Chinese street food where customers choose their ingredients to be cooked in a spicy and numbing broth. At this fast-casual spot, build your own bowl and pay by weight, priced at $9.99 a pound. Upgrade to its signature broth for $1.99.
Mala Town Express, 77 E. 3rd Ave., San Mateo; 650-541-6666, Instagram: @malatown_usa. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
MiPot, Sunnyvale
Northeastern-style malatang restaurant MiPot held its grand opening March 20 in Sunnyvale. MiPot allows customers to customize bowls with a variety of noodles, meats and vegetables and select from one of six broth options, including spicy and non-spicy broths. Price varies depending on weight.
MiPot, 150 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408-685-2197, Instagram: @mipot.ca. Open Monday and Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m.
Mr. Bao Kitchen, Mountain View
A restaurant specializing in handmade xiao long bao has replaced Rumble Fish in downtown Mountain View. Mr. Bao Kitchen offers both pork xiao long bao ($12 for six pieces) and a crab and pork variety ($16 for six), as well as Shanghai-style, pan-fried juicy pork buns ($12 for six), steamed dumplings ($12 for eight), potstickers ($10 for six) and noodle soups ($14.99-$16.99).
Mr. Bao Kitchen, 357 Castro St. Unit 3A, Mountain View; 650-282-5026. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m.
Pho Anh, Mountain View
Replacing Teacub Boba & Snack in Mountain View Shopping Center, Pho Anh is a woman-owned Vietnamese restaurant specializing in pho beef noodle soup ($17.95-$21.95). It offers 12 varieties of the dish, including its house special with steak, flank, brisket, tendon meatball, tripe and beef rib. Pho Anh also offers four kids’ portions of pho ($8.95-$10.95). In addition to pho, the restaurant serves noodle soups ($14.95-$17.95), rice plates ($18.95-$19.95) and vermicilli dishes ($17.95-$18.95).
Pho Anh, 175 E. El Camino Real, Suite C, Mountain View; 650-305-3500, Instagram: @pho.anh175. Open Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Soko Soko Japanese Cuisine, San Carlos
Wagyu & Sea signature roll with seared Kobe beef, shrimp tempura, cream cheese, avocado and soy sauce ($19) at Soko Soko Japanese Cuisine in San Carlos. Photo by Adrienne Mitchel. 
The interior of Soko Soko Japanese Cuisine in San Carlos. Photo by Adrienne Mitchel. 
A spicy scallop hand roll ($7) at Soko Soko Japanese Cuisine in San Carlos. Photo by Adrienne Mitchel. 
The exterior of Soko Soko Japanese Cuisine in San Carlos. Photo by Adrienne Mitchel.
Soko Soko Japanese Cuisine opened Feb. 1 in San Carlos, replacing Hot Wok Bistro Too. The new restaurant combines “the best of traditional Japanese flavors with a modern twist,” according to its Yelp page. The menu features robata skewers ($4-$9), 17 signature sushi rolls ($15-$19), nine vegetarian sushi rolls ($6-$16) and entrees like tempura udon or seared Kobe beef with salt and scallion sauce over rice ($13-$30). The dessert menu has four options: deep-fried ice cream, green tea cheesecake, mochi ice cream and matcha ice cream ($6-$10).
Soko Soko Japanese Cuisine, 1541 Laurel St., San Carlos; 650-674-6019. Open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.
Sushi Edomata, San Mateo
San Mateo institution Sushi Sam’s Edomata has reopened in a new San Mateo location as Sushi Edomata. The new Japanese restaurant soft opened April 9 in the former Stinger Lounge location with a limited food and beverage menu (currently there are no alcoholic beverages). It aims to carry on the legacy of Sushi Sam’s, which closed in December. The menu includes a variety of cooked appetizers, sashimi, temaki, maki sushi and nigiri.
Sushi Edomata, 38 E. 25th Ave., San Mateo; 650-344-0888, Instagram: @sushi.edomata. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 5-9 p.m.
Sushi Takumi, San Carlos
Downtown San Carlos’ newest Japanese restaurant, Sushi Takumi, opened March 3 in the former Seiya Japanese Restaurant space. The restaurant offers hot and cold appetizers, nigiri, sashimi, donburi ($24-$58), noodle soups ($13-$18), maki sushi, temaki and 20 chef special sushi rolls ($15-$19). From 4:30-6 p.m. daily, Sushi Takumi offers half off sashimi combos and beer, according to its Yelp page.
Takumi, 741 Laurel St., San Carlos; 650-508-8888. Open Monday to Thursday from 4:30-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4:30-9:30 p.m.
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