Santo Market Inc

Santo Market Inc

245 E Taylor St, San Jose, CA 95112, United States

+1 408-295-5406

Asian grocery store, Hawaiian goods store, Japanese restaurant
(496)
Share Your Experience
About Full Menu Hours Map Contact Reviews

About This Place

Nestled conveniently in San Jose’s bustling 245 E Taylor Street, Santo Market Inc is a true gem for those craving an authentic taste of the Pacific. This unique spot effortlessly blends an Asian grocery store, a Hawaiian goods shop, and a Japanese restaurant—all under one roof, offering a vibrant cultural experience that’s hard to find elsewhere in the Bay Area.

When it comes to their restaurant offerings, Santo Market excels most notably with their fresh, flavorful poke bowls. Customers repeatedly rave about the quality of their poke, highlighting the bright, pristine fish that practically melts on the tongue. The Shoyu poke stands out for its delicate balance of soy sauce and a subtle hint of sesame oil, creating a harmonious depth of flavor that leaves a lasting impression. For those seeking a little heat, the Spicy Shoyu, enhanced by a creamy spicy mayo, delivers a well-rounded kick without overwhelming the freshness of the fish. The Octopus poke is another favorite, prized for its tender chew and bold, savory notes that bring a piece of the Big Island’s soul right to San Jose.

Beyond poke, Santo Market’s menu offers Hawaiian staples like loco moco, though some diners have found this dish to be more of a personal preference. However, the standout dessert that truly steals the show is the handmade strawberry mochi. Described as irresistibly soft, chewy, and perfectly balanced between sweetness and tartness, this treat is an absolute must-try and often sells out quickly—a testament to its popularity and quality.

The atmosphere here is friendly and inviting, punctuated by the warmth of the owner and staff who make each visitor feel welcome. Small gestures, like offering samples of their beef brisket, create a personalized dining experience that goes beyond the plate. While some minor critiques, such as slightly mushy rice when not eaten promptly, appear in reviews, the overall value and exceptional quality of the fish keep patrons coming back.

For those looking to bring a piece of Hawaii and Japan home, the grocery and Hawaiian goods section complements the dining experience beautifully, stocked with authentic products that enrich any culinary adventure. Whether you’re a poke fanatic or a curious newcomer, Santo Market Inc provides a rare and genuine island-flavored culinary journey in the heart of San Jose.

From the business
Small Business
Service options
On-site services
Highlights
Great produce
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
Food
Amenities
Toilet
Planning
Quick visit
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot On-site parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Thursday
    09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Friday
    09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Saturday
    09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Sunday
    Closed

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Dan Kim
    2 week ago

    Came here on a friend's recommendation for the poke. The poke indeed was fantastic. Fresh with good flavors, simple but fantastic. However other options like the loco moco was quite mid. Their macaroni salad was honestly the worst I've ever had. For poke 100% a great value and would recommend.

  • Google Alias
    1 month ago

    Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely the best poke in the Bay Area. As a poke addict and a half-Hawaiian at heart, I can confidently say their poke tastes almost exactly like what we have on the Big Island. Highly recommend the Spicy Shoyu and the Octopus — the combination of those two is the real soul of the bowl. If you order pickup online and arrive early, make sure to tell them at the window. Otherwise, they won’t start preparing your order until 30 minutes later. Overall, fantastic place. Highly, highly recommended.

  • Nhi Le
    2 month ago

    ($23/lb) Poke: 10/10, really fresh, has the right amount of chewiness, not mushy, seasoned just right. I prefer the shoyu flavor, which has a hint of sesame oil. The spicy flavor is almost equally good too but I think the fish doesn't shine as much as the shoyu flavor, because of the mayo. I got only the poke to have with rice at home. Previous reviews said the poke is too salty, but mine was perfectly seasoned, maybe they changed the recipe to be less salty. Will try the octopus next time! ($6/2pcs) Strawberry mochi: 8/10, good but not mindblowing enough to justify the wait, for me personally. Each mochi is pretty big, and the strawberry is fresh and juicy, red bean paste is still a bit too sweet for my liking as an asian, the mochi wrapping is perfectly thin and chewy. I got in line at 8:20 before they open at 9, but at 9:30 I was already the second last person to secure the mochi. I think the long queue on weekends is mostly due to people wanting to buy the mochi and not necessarily the poke (?), so if you only want poke, maybe come back later but before the lunch rush hour. Parking: limited in front of shop but plenty of street parking on 6th St and nearby streets. Overall: solid spot for poke in SJ, will be back!

  • Daniel Tran
    2 month ago

    Visit: September 2024 A line up right at opening, 9am. The poke had very fresh fish, and was really reminiscent of poke from Hawaii The star for me was the handmade strawberry mochi. It sells out quick, which is well deserved. The mochi was extremely soft and chewy, wasn't too sweet, and paired perfectly with the red bean filling and the sweet and slightly sour strawberries. It was absolutely delicious and a must-try. I couldn't stop eating them! They're also shaped like peaches which was really cute

  • Zoe L
    3 month ago

    Definitely one of the best poke places I've had! The owner was so nice, he even gave me a sample of their beef brisket ! The fish just melts in your mouth and the spicy mayo complements it so well! The rice was a bit mushy, but that might be because I waited a bit to eat it. But the quality of the fish and the portion makes it one of my top spots here in the bay

  • Josie
    4 month ago

    Santo’s poke has been consistently in my lunch rotation the past 5 years. It’s a quick takeout option (no seating) on weekdays- no need to pre order. Their poke is arguably the best I’ve had in the South Bay, but it’s different from others in the area, in that it’s simply poke and rice without any frills (no sides— just like how Hawaii shops serve poke). I’ll miss this lunch spot when I move.

  • Siya Takalkar
    4 month ago

    The mochi is delicious! Red bean paste is not too sweet and it tasted so good One person can buy 3 orders of mochi. Each order contains 2 and they're a decent size. If you decided to store in the refrigerator make sure it is covered in the cling wrap. Getting there: I reached on Saturday at 8.30 am to get in line for the mochi. It opens at 9 am. There were maybe 15-20 people in front of me. There's maybe a kiosk next to the counter where you can order as well? I wasn't sure. Line moved fast and I was out of there by 9.25 am. I parked on one of the parallel streets.

Share Your Experience

Your Rating

Discover What Travelers Love About This Place

Real experiences, honest impressions, and insights shared by the Wherevi community to help you explore with confidence.