Washoku Guide
Cities/San Francisco/Donburi/Yutori
San Francisco · Donburi · casual

Yutori

JapaneseCaféMarketTonkatsuOmakaseKonbiniWagyu

Yutori is chef Jerome Ito's ambitious 5,000-square-foot Japanese multi-format space on Palo Alto's El Camino Real, opened in April 2026. Currently operating as a café, deli, and Japanese market, the full restaurant featuring tonkatsu, omakase, and Wagyu steak is set to open for brunch and dinner.

Price
¥¥
Area
Palo Alto
Since
2026
Chef
Jerome Ito
Yutori — authentic japanese restaurant in San Francisco, Palo Alto
Plate № 63
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About
Chef Jerome Ito — Japanese-born, former head sushi chef at Google, and founder of several successful Bay Area concepts — opened Yutori in April 2026 inspired by the konbini culture and all-day café spirit of modern Japan. The 5,000-square-foot space on El Camino Real combines a Japanese café (miso lattes, Japanese sandos), a deli with ready-made items, a curated market of Japanese ceramics and pantry goods, and a bar with sake and cocktails. The sit-down restaurant portion, focused on tonkatsu, omakase courses, and Wagyu steak, is expected to open within months for brunch and dinner service. The project is one of the most ambitious Japanese culinary investments on the Peninsula in years.
Neighborhood & visiting

Yutori sits in Palo Alto, one of San Francisco's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional donburi restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Yutori is a direct expression of Japan's konbini and all-day café culture, brought to Palo Alto by a Japanese chef with deep ties to both countries.
  • Chef Jerome Ito's track record — from Google's sushi program to Go Fish Poke Bar — guarantees quality across every format under this roof.
  • The upcoming omakase and Wagyu steak dinner program promises some of the most ambitious Japanese fine dining on El Camino Real.
  • A 5,000-square-foot Japanese market stocking ceramics and pantry staples makes Yutori a cultural destination as much as a restaurant.

The café and market are currently open daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m. The full restaurant (dinner and brunch) is set to open June 2026. Check @yutori_pa on Instagram for updates. — Format: Japanese café, market & bar. Authenticity: Chef-owner Jerome Ito is Japanese, a former head sushi chef at Google and founder of Go Fish Poke Bar and Taro San Noodle Bar; deeply immersed in Japanese culinary culture with a concept inspired by years of travel to Japan.

Links
Website →Map →Instagram →

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Frequently asked

About Yutori

Is Yutori an authentic japanese restaurant in San Francisco?
Yes — Yutori is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese in San Francisco: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused donburi format.
Where is Yutori located?
Yutori is located at 3375 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306, San Francisco, USA in the Palo Alto neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Yutori?
Yutori does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular donburi restaurants in San Francisco we recommend calling ahead.
What is the price range at Yutori?
Yutori sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in San Francisco.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in San Francisco →Donburi in San Francisco →Authentic donburi worldwide →All cities →