Living Silicon Valley · Spencer Hsu Real Estate
The Best Businesses in the Bay Area
We explore Silicon Valley so you don't have to. Every spot on this list has been personally visited and featured on our Living Silicon Valley channel.
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A note from Spencer: As a 40-year Bay Area native, I've made it my mission to discover and share the best local businesses Silicon Valley has to offer. This isn't a paid list — every business here has been personally visited and featured on our Living Silicon Valley Instagram. We update this regularly as we discover new gems. Have a recommendation? Let us know.
🍜 Food & Dining
Lebanese · Mediterranean
Manakish Oven & Grill
📍 San Jose, CA
Forbes-rated top Mediterranean restaurant serving authentic Lebanese cuisine in San Jose — fresh flatbreads, incredible wraps, and flavors that feel like a trip to the Middle East without leaving the Bay.
Spencer's Picks
Chicken Wrap — seriously amazing, don't skip it
Salmon Platter — they're experimenting and it works
Calamari Platter — a solid order
Pita Bread with Hummus — simple, fresh, perfect
Japanese · Sushi
Sushi Boat
📍 Sunnyvale Food Hub, Sunnyvale
Takeout-only sushi inside the Sunnyvale Food Hub — no dining room, just incredible sushi packed up and ready to go. One side of the container has fresh sashimi, the other has everything you need to build your own poke bowl at home.
Spencer's Picks
Sashimi Box — fresh, beautiful cuts
DIY Poke Bowl — fun to make at home
Giant Sushi Bowl — go big
Japanese · Ramen
Kumako Ramen
📍 Saratoga Ave, West San Jose
Everything made completely from scratch — and you can taste the difference. The food is clean, not greasy, and way lighter than your typical Japanese spot. This is the kind of ramen that keeps you coming back.
Spencer's Picks
Tonkatsu Ramen
Curry Katsu
Crispy Karaage
Vietnamese · Pho
Pho John
📍 San Jose, CA
This isn't your typical pho restaurant. The space is HUGE — perfect for events, parties, and even karaoke nights. The food quality sets it apart from every other pho spot in the valley.
Spencer's Picks
Pho Meat Combo
Sizzling Steak with Secret Sauce
Avocado Smoothie (don't skip)
Smashed Avocado
Pizza · Italian
Slice House by Tony Gemignani
📍 San Antonio Center, Mountain View
Award-winning pizza brought to Mountain View by a 13-time world pizza champion. Multiple styles in one place — New York, Detroit, Sicilian, Grandma, and more. Made with fresh daily dough using artisan Type 00 flour.
What to Know
13-time world pizza champion founder
Multiple pizza styles under one roof
Fresh daily dough, artisan flour
Great for lunch or a quick slice
Indian · Seafood
Surmai
📍 17500 Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale
Authentic Maharashtrian Indian food — a seafood-focused spot serving traditional thali meals you don't usually find at your typical North Indian restaurant. Bold coastal flavors and perfectly spiced curries.
What to Order
Maharashtrian Thali
Fresh Seafood Specialties
Fresh Kebabs
Regional coastal curries
Asian · New Opening
Tai Er
📍 Westfield Valley Fair, San Jose
Modern Asian dining focused on bold flavors — not just spice. The experience is built around sharing: a vibrant atmosphere, open kitchen, and dishes meant to enjoy with friends and family. A Valley Fair exclusive menu item launches here.
Must-Try Dishes
Signature Sauerkraut Fish
Truffle Vegetarian Fried Rice (VF exclusive)
Lime-Glazed Sweet & Sour Shrimp
Wok-Seared Black Pepper Beef
💪 Fitness & Wellness
Fitness · Strength Training
Madabolic Santa Clara
📍 Santa Clara, CA
This isn't your typical gym. They've built out a full 52-week program so you're never guessing what to do next. Focused on building real strength and speed — not just burning calories. Every week is programmed for the entire year.
What Makes It Different
Full 52-week structured program
Strength + speed focus (not cardio)
Never guessing your next workout
Community-driven environment
Know a Great Bay Area Business?
We're always exploring Silicon Valley for hidden gems and standout local businesses. If you have a recommendation, we'd love to check it out and potentially feature it on Living Silicon Valley.
Tell Spencer About It →