14. Best Japanese Restaurant

Mike Kim and his Sushi Mamoru restaurant, inside a non-descript space on South Main Street, retained its claim to the Best of Milpitas for 2008. What it lacks outside, it makes up for inside, with its delicate cuisine, sublime sushi and vast sake selection. Fuji San Sushi was a close runner-up for its freshness and quick in-and-out service at the GreatMall site. Bento Xpress is also popular for its quick Japanese cuisine with Hawaiian influences, trademark Spam sushi, and reasonably priced daily specials. Intimate Sen Dai rallied votes for its cheap Bento box lunches and quick service, as did Happi House. The 2006 winner, Sushi Kai, does a booming lunch business, indicative of the quality. A second time Honor Award winner is Sushi Maru (formerly Sushi Lovers, a longtime winner).