A semiconductor laser device includes: a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; a layered structure including at least a first cladding layer of the first conductivity type, an active layer, and a second cladding layer of a second conductivity type. The layered structure is provided on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor laser device also includes: a current blocking structure, having a striped concave portion therein, formed on the layered structure; and a third cladding layer of the second conductivity type provided so as to cover the striped concave portion and the current blocking structure. The current blocking structure includes at least a saturable absorbing layer having a forbidden band width which is substantially equal to a forbidden band width of the active layer.