San Mateo mall adds Kuro-Obi ramen, Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese cheesecake

Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo has unveiled its newly renovated dining terrace, with 10 new dining or snacking options that are open now or will start serving in December.

Among the eateries is the first Kuro-Obi ramen shop in the United States outside New York City and two that are brand new to Northern California, Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake and MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza Company.

Here are the details:

Kuro-Obi: This ramen stand is the casual offshoot of Japan’s famed Ippudo restaurant, which expanded to Berkeley and San Francisco in the last year. The bowls here are made with “tori paitan,” a chicken-based broth. There are Kuro-Obi shops in New York and Singapore, but this is the first outside of those locations. www.kuroobi.nyc

Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake: It’s a cult-favorite dessert that’s described as a cross between American-style cheesecake and a French souffle. According to Eater Montreal, that means less sugar, less dairy, no crust — and a fluffier cheesecake. Desserts are served warm from the oven. Founded in Fukuoka, Japan, the global chain has just three U.S. locations — in Hawaii, Los Angeles and now San Mateo. www.uncletetsu-us.com

MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza Company: This eatery custom-bakes Neapolitan-style pies with imported double-zero flour and other non-GMO ingredients in an open-hearth kitchen. The San Mateo location, which will open in December, will be the first for NorCal. (A MidiCi is also coming soon to Concord’s Willows Shopping Center.) www.mymidici.com

Blue Whale Poke Bar and Grill: Look for customizable poke bowls, sushi rolls and hot dishes (yuzu-baked salmon, chicken katsu) at this restaurant stand. Top poke choices include the S-A-Y Hey combo of salmon-ahi-yellowtail and the Dressed to Impress with lemon aioli shrimp. www.bluewhalepoke.com

Sarku Japan: The teriyaki combos, bento boxes and tempura popular at the Bay Area’s Valley Fair, Oakridge and Tanforan malls now are available at Hillsdale. (Next to open: A location at the Great Mall in Milpitas.) www.sarkujapan.com

Tacos El Grullense: The family-owned Bay Area taqueria chain that sunk roots in Redwood City about 30 years ago finally expands to neighboring San Mateo. www.elgrullense1.com

Related Articles Japan’s renowned Ippudo ramen coming to Berkeley, San Francisco

Review: Long lines, great ramen at Berkeley’s Ippudo Other vendors new to the Hillsdale dining terrace are ShareTea Bubblicious, Haagen-Dazs, Mr. PIckles and Panda Express.

The renovation is part of the San Mateo mall’s North Block addition, which will be completed by mid-2019.

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