House of Genji

House of Genji, located at 1335 N First St, San Jose, CA 95112, is a long-standing and highly cherished Japanese restaurant that has been a cornerstone of the local dining scene since 1971. Within the context of the "Doctor Near Me" platform category, which aims to help local users discover essential services and goods in their immediate vicinity, House of Genji provides a unique and significant culinary offering. It serves as a go-to destination for celebratory occasions and engaging dining experiences, contributing to the community's social fabric and overall well-being by offering a memorable and entertaining meal that brings people together.

The restaurant can be contacted at (408) 453-8127 or via mobile at +1 408-453-8127. House of Genji is particularly renowned for its teppanyaki-style dining, where skilled chefs prepare meals with flair right at the table, providing both delicious food and captivating entertainment.

House of Genji offers a lively and engaging dining environment, primarily centered around its teppanyaki grill tables. The atmosphere is consistently described as fun, exciting, and perfect for special occasions. It's a place where "chefs cook your meal right at the table," providing a "show" with their knife skills and "food stunts," which patrons, especially children, find highly entertaining. The "bright, elegant atmosphere" is designed to enhance the dining experience, contributing to a "thrilling place to grab dinner or even a few appetizers." While the experience is interactive and energetic, the setting is also considered classy, with a recommended "dressy-casual attire." The restaurant features a full bar, adding to the social aspect of the dining experience, allowing guests to "grab a cocktail at the bar and marvel at the chef's knife skills." The communal seating around the teppanyaki grills fosters a sense of camaraderie, making it an "ideal venue for social gatherings" and a "great family place." The long-standing presence of the restaurant (since 1971) also imbues it with a sense of tradition and familiarity for many long-time San Jose residents. While some older reviews might touch upon general cleanliness, recent feedback continues to highlight a "clean" environment and an overall positive atmosphere for a memorable dining experience.

House of Genji provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to offer a distinctive Japanese teppanyaki experience. The primary service is dine-in, where the highlight is the interactive tableside cooking by skilled teppanyaki chefs. These chefs not only prepare a variety of proteins and vegetables but also provide entertainment through their culinary showmanship. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, though it is noted that they are "Closed for Lunch" on some weekdays, typically opening for dinner in the late afternoon. Reservations are "ONLY TAKEN BY PHONE DURING BUSINESS HOURS," indicating a structured approach to managing seating. The staff are consistently praised for being "friendly," "warm," and "very attentive," from the bar staff to the waiters and the chefs, ensuring "incredible dining experience." This high level of service is a recurring theme in customer reviews. House of Genji also offers a full bar service, with a wide array of drinks, including beer, wine, and spirits, to complement the meal. While primarily a dine-in establishment, they may offer takeout for some items, but the true experience is designed to be on-site. The restaurant is particularly well-suited for celebrations, with staff actively participating in events like birthdays, often singing "Happy Birthday" and providing complimentary items. For larger parties, a 15% gratuity is automatically added for groups of seven or more. The menu includes various combination dinners (e.g., Chicken & Prawns, Steak & Lobster), individual entrees, and a selection of sushi rolls and sashimi, catering to diverse preferences.

House of Genji distinguishes itself through several key features that contribute to its enduring popularity. The most prominent feature is its teppanyaki-style dining, where "cooked-to-order Japanese teppanyaki" is "prepared tableside." This interactive cooking show is a major draw, providing both a meal and entertainment. Chefs are known for their "knife skills, flipping finesse, and bold disregard of your mother's threats to ground him as he playfully executes table tricks and nimbly tosses each succulent morsel onto your plate." This makes it an "exciting place" that keeps "the kids entertained." Another significant feature is the freshness of the food. Customers consistently describe the food as "always delicious," "always fresh," and "awesome," with "lean cuts, cooked perfect!" The restaurant offers a diverse menu that includes not only a variety of teppanyaki options (chicken, steak, prawns, scallops, lobster) but also "artfully rolled sushi" and sashimi. Specific menu items like "Genji Fried Rice," "Appetizer Shrimp," and their unique "mustard sauce" are frequently highlighted as favorites. The restaurant caters to various dietary needs, with options like "Vegetable Platter" and the ability to cook meats to preference. Furthermore, House of Genji has cultivated a long-standing tradition as a celebratory venue, especially for birthdays. This is reinforced by their renowned "free birthday dinner" offer. The staff's "incredible dining experience" and warm demeanor, from the chefs to the waiters, are also integral features, creating a memorable and welcoming atmosphere for all guests. The combination of engaging entertainment, fresh ingredients, and a celebratory ambiance makes House of Genji a unique and highly recommended dining destination.

House of Genji is well-known for its prominent and highly attractive promotional offer: the free birthday dinner. This offer is a significant draw for customers celebrating their special day. The terms typically involve the birthday person receiving a complimentary New York Steak Dinner (or a substitution of equal or lesser value, with a maximum deduction of $19.95) when dining with "3 or more additional full-priced adult dinners." Verification of the birthday, such as a valid ID (Driver's license, Passport, Birth Certificate), is required, and the offer is usually honored within 7 days of the birthday. It's important to note that certain blackout dates apply, including Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and New Year's Eve. This promotion not only provides a direct discount but also positions House of Genji as a prime location for birthday celebrations, contributing to its family-friendly image and attracting larger groups. Beyond this flagship birthday offer, while explicit, ongoing daily discounts like happy hour specials are not extensively detailed, the overall value is often perceived through the generous portions, the entertainment provided by the teppanyaki chefs, and the comprehensive nature of the meals (which often include soup, salad, appetizer shrimp, rice, and vegetables). For the most current and precise details on their birthday offer or any other potential promotions, it is always recommended to check their official website or contact House of Genji directly via phone.

House of Genji consistently delivers an outstanding customer experience, particularly noted for its interactive teppanyaki dining. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with customers frequently describing it as "an amazing restaurant" and offering "the best food experience of my life!" The interactive cooking by the chefs is a major highlight, providing not just a meal but a captivating "show" that keeps guests entertained and smiling. The freshness and quality of the food are consistently praised, with specific mentions of "delicious" and "fresh" ingredients, including "lean cuts" cooked to perfection. The service is lauded as "incredible," with staff from the bar to the waiters and chefs being "the friendliest" and "very attentive." This high level of service significantly enhances the overall dining pleasure. The free birthday dinner promotion is a huge draw, bringing in families and groups to celebrate special occasions and fostering a sense of loyalty among patrons. While the pricing might be considered "a little pricey" by some, the consensus is that it is "well worth it" given the quality of the food, the entertainment, and the overall experience. The consistent positive feedback over many years, with some customers having visited for "over 28 years" or "20 years," speaks volumes about the restaurant's enduring appeal and commitment to excellence. House of Genji is firmly established as a beloved and highly recommended destination in San Jose for those seeking a fun, delicious, and memorable Japanese teppanyaki dining experience, especially for celebrations.

House of Genji

1335 N First St, San Jose, CA 95112, USA