Name: Drunken Monk
Telephone: +1 650-384-6668
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.2

Drunken Monk

Japanese · Menlo Park, CA · $$

CocktailsGreat for groups

Drunken Monk is an izakaya offering a relaxed dining experience centered on sukiyaki nabe, yakitori grilled over binchotan charcoal, and sushi. Founded by two experienced partners, the restaurant combines their expertise in cooking, menu design, and operations to provide great food and seamless service. The Story Behind the Name The name "Drunken Monk" represents breaking free from societal expectations. Inspired by a monk’s experience that challenged traditional views, it reflects the restaurant’s belief in independent thinking while honoring tradition. This idea shapes the welcoming space, where guests can relax, explore, and enjoy their own path to inner peace. Each partner plays a crucial role—one leads the kitchen and menu development, while the other oversees customer service and operations. Together, they create a smooth, enjoyable dining experience. With a casual atmosphere and a diverse menu, Drunken Monk invites guests to enjoy great food without the formality. The team is thrilled to bring this unique dining experience to Menlo Park.

Bookable experiences

What diners say

“Sukiyaki and beef tongue are my go-to dishes. Love the pasteurized egg sauce! It’s so unique and tastes amazing! Overall on the pricey side but good for going once in a while.”

5.0 · Google — lalulu030

“Well run japanese izakaya with great food. Sushi was fresh and delicious, great charcoal grill. They use binchotan- the restaurant is neat and clean without strong smell. My only complaint: the source is a little too sweet in the don and on grill peppers.”

5.0 · Google — Jessica Gu

“Definitely super delicious and reminded me of japan! The uni was amazingly buttery and a must get. The sukiyaki broth is very umami, i really enjoy the cabbage ratio too. Definitely worth going to”

5.0 · Google — TK

“Really great skewers! Their sashimi tastes very fresh as well. It has a small izakaya vibe, nice presentation of food.”

5.0 · Google — Sijie Wang

“We had a 6:00pm reservation. I arrived around 5:55 and my friend arrived shortly after at 6:05. By 7:30pm — while we were still eating and considering ordering dessert — the staff began repeatedly attempting to clear our table. At one point, a server even reached for my friend’s chopsticks while she was still actively eating. At 8:00pm, we were informed that another reservation was waiting. However, at no time during booking or when we were seated were we told there was a dining time limit. We fully understand that restaurants need to manage reservations and turn tables, but the way this was handled felt rushed and uncomfortable. Clear communication about a time limit upfront would have set expectations and avoided the awkwardness. As for the food, it was decent but overall average for the price point (around $98 per person before tip). Unfortunately, the repeated pressure to leave significantly affected the overall experience.”

2.0 · Google — Lei