Edward’s guidebook
Food Scene
These are some of our favorite places to eat around here! Most are within a 20 minute driving distance, and tend to be popular among San Jose locals as well.
Many young locals enjoy gathering here with friends for all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ. It is in a plaza with other restaurants and Ranch 99 (Asian supermarket). You can also go to other stores in the plaza for a quick dessert (i.e. Teaspoon, Paris Baguette) if there is any space left in your stomach!
45 locals recommend
Gen Korean BBQ House
1628 Hostetter RdMany young locals enjoy gathering here with friends for all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ. It is in a plaza with other restaurants and Ranch 99 (Asian supermarket). You can also go to other stores in the plaza for a quick dessert (i.e. Teaspoon, Paris Baguette) if there is any space left in your stomach!
Pho restaurants can be find all throughout the Bay Area. Pho Kim Long is undeniably of the most popular and authentic places for pho in San Jose. It is around a 15 minute drive from our house. During peak lunch and dinner hours there may be a line, but you will not have to wait too long.
8 locals recommend
Pho Kim Long
2082 N Capitol AvePho restaurants can be find all throughout the Bay Area. Pho Kim Long is undeniably of the most popular and authentic places for pho in San Jose. It is around a 15 minute drive from our house. During peak lunch and dinner hours there may be a line, but you will not have to wait too long.
A trending all-you-can-eat Japanese style hotpot restaurant. You can pick your own soup base (spicy miso recommended for spice-lovers), create your own dipping sauce, order appetizers and meats from their menu selection, and choose from many hotpot toppings at the self-service area of the restaurant.
Shabuya
84 Ranch DrA trending all-you-can-eat Japanese style hotpot restaurant. You can pick your own soup base (spicy miso recommended for spice-lovers), create your own dipping sauce, order appetizers and meats from their menu selection, and choose from many hotpot toppings at the self-service area of the restaurant.
Create-Your-Own pizza with unlimited toppings and sauces adds up to around $11-12. The crusts are thinner than most, but we usually end up with a bit leftover. It is also in a plaza with other restaurants, and is near neighboring plazas.
24 locals recommend
MOD Pizza
3384 Village DrCreate-Your-Own pizza with unlimited toppings and sauces adds up to around $11-12. The crusts are thinner than most, but we usually end up with a bit leftover. It is also in a plaza with other restaurants, and is near neighboring plazas.
Japanese-style lunch (or dinner) that has been popular within the past few years. The dish is served with uncooked meat around rice or Japanese udon (thick noodles) on a sizzling plate, and you can cook the meat yourself! It's a fun experience for both families and young locals.
Pepper Lunch
408 Barber LnJapanese-style lunch (or dinner) that has been popular within the past few years. The dish is served with uncooked meat around rice or Japanese udon (thick noodles) on a sizzling plate, and you can cook the meat yourself! It's a fun experience for both families and young locals.
A long time favorite for Korean tofu soup and other classics. We would recommend going mild or medium spice on tofu soup for more flavor.
9 locals recommend
SGD Tofu House
3450 El Camino RealA long time favorite for Korean tofu soup and other classics. We would recommend going mild or medium spice on tofu soup for more flavor.
Popular Korean restaurant that serves both classic dishes (tofu soup, bibimbap, cold noodles) with Korean BBQ. Some meat dishes may be served after being made in the kitchen, while other meat dishes can be grilled yourself.
39 locals recommend
Jang Su Jang
3561 El Camino RealPopular Korean restaurant that serves both classic dishes (tofu soup, bibimbap, cold noodles) with Korean BBQ. Some meat dishes may be served after being made in the kitchen, while other meat dishes can be grilled yourself.
We have tried all different ramen places around the Bay Area, and Orenchi Ramen is our personal favorite! There can be a line or sign up sheet, so be sure to get there early (especially for the weekends)!
34 locals recommend
Orenchi Ramen
3540 Homestead RdWe have tried all different ramen places around the Bay Area, and Orenchi Ramen is our personal favorite! There can be a line or sign up sheet, so be sure to get there early (especially for the weekends)!
Our favorite sushi place in the Bay Area. Their seafood is always fresh, but has a nice and refined taste. Their sushi rolls are very tasty, and we recommend getting a hand roll as well!
8 locals recommend
Aniki's Sushi
3810 Mowry AveOur favorite sushi place in the Bay Area. Their seafood is always fresh, but has a nice and refined taste. Their sushi rolls are very tasty, and we recommend getting a hand roll as well!
A local favorite for Japanese food! This place is very popular and there is usually a line on the weekends. Some of our favorite dishes include the soft-shell crab (appetizer), baked scallop (appetizer), ACE roll, and baked salmon roll.
15 locals recommend
Sen Dai Sushi
224 N Abel StA local favorite for Japanese food! This place is very popular and there is usually a line on the weekends. Some of our favorite dishes include the soft-shell crab (appetizer), baked scallop (appetizer), ACE roll, and baked salmon roll.
We always order animal fries for sure! Additionally, hamburger, cheeseburger, and double-double are the classics, but you can also find secret menu items online.
12 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
43349 Pacific Commons BlvdWe always order animal fries for sure! Additionally, hamburger, cheeseburger, and double-double are the classics, but you can also find secret menu items online.
Our favorite Thai restaurant around San Jose/Milpitas! We usually order their curries, and have also ordered their noodle-based dishes in the past.
Thai Cafe Restaurant
692 Barber LnOur favorite Thai restaurant around San Jose/Milpitas! We usually order their curries, and have also ordered their noodle-based dishes in the past.
Boiling Point
1698 Hostetter RdTaiwanese-style hotpot in individual servings.
Poke bowls - raw fish (or cooked octopus, scallops, tofu) and vegetable toppings over rice. Recent trend among local students.
11 locals recommend
Poke House
1698 Hostetter RdPoke bowls - raw fish (or cooked octopus, scallops, tofu) and vegetable toppings over rice. Recent trend among local students.
Sightseeing and Nature
These are some of the beautiful sights to see around the Bay Area! These are a little farther away, and we recommend driving or taking the local transportation such as BART.
Fisherman's Wharf, Boudin (local clam chowder restaurant and factory), sea lion docks, street performers, and many small shops! This is a tourist favorite for anyone traveling to the Bay Area.
44 locals recommend
PIER 39
The EmbarcaderoFisherman's Wharf, Boudin (local clam chowder restaurant and factory), sea lion docks, street performers, and many small shops! This is a tourist favorite for anyone traveling to the Bay Area.
Great place for viewing the Golden Gate Bridge! It is quiet and usually not crowded.
349 locals recommend
Baker Beach
Great place for viewing the Golden Gate Bridge! It is quiet and usually not crowded.
Popular beach and boardwalk filled with restaurants and roller coaster rides.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StPopular beach and boardwalk filled with restaurants and roller coaster rides.
A quiet and serene oceanside city, great for one-day trips. Be sure to bring a jacket, as it can get a bit windy.
354 locals recommend
Carmel by the sea
San Antonio AvenueA quiet and serene oceanside city, great for one-day trips. Be sure to bring a jacket, as it can get a bit windy.
Beachside city where you can see elephant seals between October to March! Be sure to reserve your tickets ahead of time!
88 locals recommend
Ano Nuevo State Park
Beachside city where you can see elephant seals between October to March! Be sure to reserve your tickets ahead of time!
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayFor those who enjoy hiking in the woods!
Great for kids and young couples! This is a relatively large museum with many different sea creatures. Some of our favorites include the sea otters, hammerhead shark, and jellyfish!
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowGreat for kids and young couples! This is a relatively large museum with many different sea creatures. Some of our favorites include the sea otters, hammerhead shark, and jellyfish!
Local Attractions
Upscale shopping and restaurants among decorated streets. Very popular on weekends, and across the street from Valley Fair Mall. CineArts, Santana Row's movie theater, can be found toward the backside; this is our favorite movie theater because the recliner seats are so comfy!
818 locals recommend
Santana Row
Santana RowUpscale shopping and restaurants among decorated streets. Very popular on weekends, and across the street from Valley Fair Mall. CineArts, Santana Row's movie theater, can be found toward the backside; this is our favorite movie theater because the recliner seats are so comfy!
Many restaurants and local events held downtown. There is also Christmas in the Park if you are here in the winter, featuring the city's best Christmas lights, rides for kids, and an ice skating rink!
111 locals recommend
Downtown San Jose
Many restaurants and local events held downtown. There is also Christmas in the Park if you are here in the winter, featuring the city's best Christmas lights, rides for kids, and an ice skating rink!
Great Mall
447 Great Mall DrLarge shopping mall and local cinema featuring all the latest movies!
Mission Peaks
1401 Red Hawk CirA popular hiking destination for locals!
California's oldest municipal park. Great for hiking and strolls among trees and grass.
95 locals recommend
Alum Rock Park
15350 Penitencia Creek RdCalifornia's oldest municipal park. Great for hiking and strolls among trees and grass.
Great for strolls and exploring the nearby area. We recommend visiting Downtown Palo Alto for lunch or dinner, as there are many upscale restaurants there.
45 minute drive from our place
537 locals recommend
Stanford University
450 Serra MallGreat for strolls and exploring the nearby area. We recommend visiting Downtown Palo Alto for lunch or dinner, as there are many upscale restaurants there.
45 minute drive from our place
Intel Museum
2200 Mission College BlvdA look inside Intel’s works. Free admission.
All the newest Apple products and virtual reality/3D model of the surrounding headquarters. Very modern building, with plenty of underground parking.
71 locals recommend
Apple Park Visitor Center
10600 N Tantau AveAll the newest Apple products and virtual reality/3D model of the surrounding headquarters. Very modern building, with plenty of underground parking.
Essentials
Shopping for pre-made meals, snacks, and everyday appliances; would recommend for longer stays
140 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
150 Lawrence Station RdShopping for pre-made meals, snacks, and everyday appliances; would recommend for longer stays
Pacific Rim Plaza
8 Murphy Ave99 Ranch (Asian supermarket) and many restaurants
Hmart San Jose Oakland
1710 Oakland RdKorean supermarket and 2 small food shops inside
Japanese supermarket with a ramen restaurant inside, and another ramen restaurant in the same plaza
35 locals recommend
Mitsuwa Marketplace - San Jose
675 Saratoga AveJapanese supermarket with a ramen restaurant inside, and another ramen restaurant in the same plaza
Large Target with ready-made foods, groceries, and everyday appliances and and essentials
67 locals recommend
Target
2155 Morrill AveLarge Target with ready-made foods, groceries, and everyday appliances and and essentials
Everyday goods and appliances, as well as a small pharmacy and eye-care center
17 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
301 Ranch DrEveryday goods and appliances, as well as a small pharmacy and eye-care center
Non-prescription medicine and everyday items can be bought here. There is also a pharmacy.
Open until 10pm every night (pharmacy may close earlier)
Walgreens
2105 Morrill AveNon-prescription medicine and everyday items can be bought here. There is also a pharmacy.
Open until 10pm every night (pharmacy may close earlier)