38 Best Japanese Restaurants near Castro Valley

“We will always go for their Bluefin Truffle roll (see pic) and their Lion King Roll.

Sometime it would take a while for orders to be ready but knowing it's freshly made and they have a small operating kitchen, it's understandable. We are willing to wait cuz it's worth it.

I hope they will be expanding their business soon. 😉“

“This is my 3rd omakase experience (once in Japan) and each has been different but all wonderful. Tancho is a small restaurant hidden in a shopping plaza in Castro Valley where there’s plenty of parking in the evenings. The Maple Bar seats seven and worth the extra money as you get to see Chef Jason prepare each delicacy and you get a couple extra courses that you don’t get sitting at the table (behind the bar). A party of four with a bottle of Dessai 23 ran us a little over $1k. It’s a great place to go for an anniversary or birthday. We’ll be back soon 😊“

“One of our go-to places with super friendly staff which always goes the extra mile to make us feel welcomed, seen and appreciated.

The Food - especially their Dinner Special - is great, portion sizes just right, different options and still assembled and delivered to the table within minutes of ordering. And both Nigiri and Sashimi have sizable chunks of Fish and well prepared!

Kid-friendliness: Servers interact wonderfully with the kids, recommending suitable food and engaging with them in conversations. There are often families with Kids here, a testament to their appeal.“

“Great service. The Staff is always friendly and polite. Best sushi in Town.“

“🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Consistently Amazing Sushi & Warm Hospitality!

I’ve been to Sushi Ken in Fremont several times now, and every visit has been absolutely fantastic. This place truly never disappoints. The staff—both the servers and the chefs—are always so welcoming and kind, which makes the dining experience feel extra special every time.

One of the first things I love is the free appetizer they serve right away—usually edamame, fries, or sometimes both! It’s such a fun and tasty surprise to start your meal. The sushi itself is delicious and always priced at a great value, which means I usually end up ordering several rolls (no regrets!). The best part? The service is fast—my food always comes out quickly, with hardly any wait time at all.

To top it all off, they bring you a free scoop of ice cream for dessert, which is such a thoughtful and sweet way to end the meal. It’s those little touches that make this spot stand out.
The atmosphere is also really nice—spacious, clean, and with plenty of seating. It never feels cramped or rushed. Plus, it’s located in an outdoor shopping center with plenty of parking, which makes it super convenient.

If you're in Fremont and craving sushi, Sushi Ken is a must-try. Delicious food, unbeatable value, kind service, and a welcoming space—it checks all the boxes. Highly recommend!“

“Place is clean, staff is helpful and had pleasant, smiling faces. Sushi was amazing. They have good vegetarian options. At the end of our meal they gave us green tea ice cream. It was on the house and it was delicious.

I'll definitely go back.“

“Ordered the Lion King sushi as an appetizer along with two soups to share 🍣🥢. One soup size was larger than the other. The sushi was tasty, and the soups were great for sharing 🍲. It also came
With white rice and small portions of pickled veggies. My favorite was the pickled zucchini. I really enjoyed the cozy booth seating, plus the background music and concert videos playing in the background 🎶🎥. A great touch. Service was attentive and there was plenty of parking.“

“Truly excellent place that has been here in the neighborhood forever. We've been coming here or getting orders togo for a decade and it's been the same folks running it the whole time and they are superb.
2025 update - still going strong. great food and great service!“

“Just wrapped up an early dinner at Taro Sushi and couldn’t be happier with the experience. We ordered the eight-piece sashimi, the Prospect Roll, and the Katsu—and every single dish was excellent. The sashimi was incredibly fresh and beautifully plated, the Prospect Roll had the perfect balance of texture and flavor, and the Katsu was crispy, juicy, and comforting.

Service was warm and attentive, and the whole vibe of the restaurant felt relaxed and family-friendly—perfect for an early evening out.
Taro is a gem in Danville. We’ll definitely be back!“

“As soon as you walk in you notice the cute interior. I love the aesthetic of the tables and vibe feels similar to mom and pop places I've been to in Japan except the lighting is nicer here.

Pretty orderly service, s/o to the one person waitress running the counter and tables and one person in the kitchen.

Foodwise, place smacks. Been here 2 times in the last 2 years. The quality of dishes I got are on par with overseas both times. Got the kaarage uson set and tofu soba. Mild flavors, but I love that nothing is over-seasoned it's just right imo.“

“BEST TERIYAKI CHICKEN!! Great food! Great service!“

“I have been coming here for almost 14 years. And I would not change this japanese restaurant for another. Ambiance, food price, friendliness the taste of the food is wonderful. Like my mom always says : bueno, bonito y barata. Good, wonderful, comfortable prices. You won’t be disappointed!!“

“Price is good and food is good.“

“Excellent quality healthy and authentic Japanese food at affordable prices. Service is fast (usually 10-15 minutes wait, but sometimes only 5!) And the place is very clean.

Very good spot for a date, or lunch/dinner with your parents. Also a great everyday lunch spot. I try to eat here once a week at least - when I need a healthy meal Asian style.

My favorite is the miso soup and side salad, add a rice and it's under $10. There are many food options in the $10-15 range for a full meal. My favorite soup is the vegetable udon noodle soup. I also like that they have soda pop available with no artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup, so I can enjoy a soda sometimes without feeling too guilty about it.

The sushi is also great, and the teriyaki dishes yummy.

Best overall restaurant for healthy Asian food that isn't expensive and you can eat here any day, their open for business hours are consistent.“

“Very good first experience! Sashimi set for two was of excellent quality and variety, add-ons like amaebi took the dinner to another level. Rice accompanying the sashimi was regular medium grain rather than seasoned sushi rice, but a relatively small miss when the seafood is the star!“

“It's small, so the wait for a dine in table can take a bit, but the food quality is worth the wait. Our family has loved everything we have tried. this is one of a handful of local restaurants my 10 year old some will never complain about!“

“This is a local authentic sushi place. Chef is friendly and good listener if you have special inquiries. Sushi are freshly made to order with generous portions.
Good varieties of sushi, nigiri and sashimi plus non-sushi items. Ask staff for veggie options but some are clear through menu.
Place is clean and organized with responsive waiter.
Atmosphere is good for groups, meetup, seniors (flat floor) and small parties. Will return for orange spicy salmon (Netscreen) roll.

Vegetarian options: Veggie options available. Check with staff.

Parking: Free and paid street parkings“

“We had a great experience the food is fresh and the steak is tender the salmon was just right. Your recommendation is forwarded to Facebook“

“Great atmosphere, great food, great service. Highly recommend Yokohama Sushi! 👍“

“I have been going here for years. They have some of the best rolls in town. I always get the dragon roll, E14th roll, and the crunchy roll. So very yummy 😋“

“This is one of the best restaurants around!! It is so awesome, we drove all the way from Tracy. The minute we walked in we were greeted with a beautiful genuine smile and a welcoming hello. Customer service is dead, but NOT here! The food is fresh, fast and DELICIOUS!!! I am sitting here full and STILL eating! I ordered the teriyaki chicken and beef bento box. Perfect amount of sauce and comes with FRESH SOFT white rice, soup, salad and two pot stickers. My amazing spectacular husband ordered sushi. Tfe presentation was fab and the fish was flavorful and fresh. If you have not stopped in for a very pleasant and delicious meal, you MUST! Oh yes, the prices are just right and you receive a filling portion!; Take it from me, an actual doctor, this is fresh and healthy at an affordable price!; sorry about the pictures.. . We are it too quickly!!😀“

“Low key, family-run sushi spot out in the burbs. I usually get sashimi or one of the rolls. Now if you want to throw caution to the wind, get the roll called "I don't know". It's chef's choice, and it depends on the ingredients on hand that day. Sometimes it's great, sometimes less so. Regardless, the portion is always generous, and it's always a surprise.“

“Chose to come here on a spontaneous Wednesday night and ordered the nigiri and sashimi boat for our table of 3. We could see the chefs carefully crafting the boat while we enjoyed some of their appetizers. Food and service was amazing!! One of the servers saw us playing a game on our phones and striked up a conversation with us, he was so incredible friendly. Will definitely come back again!!“

“Simply the best in Fremont“

“One of the tastiest ramen I have had in my life!

5 year update: I am a vegetarian, and I still maintain my original rating. There are only two vegetarian selections, but it's enough. It's quality over quantity, which matters.
I am a regular here, I go there once a week, of I can manage it.“

“This staple of the San Ramon food culture is still incredible. The service is fast, friendly, and accurate. The food (appetizers, rolls, and nigiri/sashimi) are fresh, delicious and prepared with care. The location is convenient and there’s plenty of parking. I will continue to happily give this place my business, and if you’re looking for the best sushi place in the whole area, you’ve found it. 10/10 will definitely go again.“

“From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and fantastic service. The sushi was incredibly fresh, with every roll expertly crafted. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the presentation was stunning. The ambiance was relaxed yet chic, offering a comfortable space to enjoy a great meal. I'll definitely be back for more!“

“The service provided by Michael, Vincent, and Jacqy is a shining exemplar of excellence that motivates and captivates. Their warm, efficient, and delightful demeanor elevates the dining experience, rendering every bite a sublime masterpiece. I am ecstatic to bestow upon them and this restaurant a well-deserved Five-Star rating for their outstanding hospitality and cuisine. Thank you again, gentlemen! PS. My hope is for the establishment owner to acknowledge the exceptional caliber of his team, from the kitchen to the dining, as they are truly the linchpin behind this restaurant's success and reputation.“

“It was the best sushi! We will be back!“

“My favorite sushi restaurant! I used to drive out to Emeryville to get their sushi. It's delicious and you can taste the freshness. So glad they opened a place closer to home. I ordered the nigiri combo to go and they had it ready when I got there. Wait staff are always friendly and helpful. I highly recommend them!“

“Definitely going to go back here again sushi’s are fresh and taste so good! My wife and my daughter enjoyed it the last time we went there for lunch. They have variety of sushi on their menu and the staff are really friendly. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ -donpinoytv“

“Delicious food for a great price

Vegetarian options: Seaweed salad, rolls can be made as vegetarian, and soup is vegan

Parking: Lots of parking, always.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes there are wheelchair ramps and parking for those with disability“

“My partner and I live closeby, been to a lot of sushi restaurants but this has got to be one of the best ones. Don’t let the slow traffic fool you, this place is a hidden gem for us. As much as we want to tell our friends about it, we don’t want them to discover this place and make it busy.

We usually order the polo bowl, karaage, veggie caterpillar roll, chicken bento, and ocean roll.

Great date place, great pickup for eating at home. Highly recommend. Also Jeanette is really nice :)“

“We come here about once a month. We enjoy mostly the combination dinners with entree (we get Salmon Teriyaki or mackerel), mixed tempura, California rolls, salad, and miso soup. I tried the deluxe combo with entree, sashimi, mixed tempura, and nigiri sushi selection. Everything was very good. Quite a lot of food as a good value for Japanese food.“

“Friendly staff, pleasant ambiance, fresh seafood“

“I really have no complaints here! The food tastes great, the prices are comparable with most restaurants; we paid roughly $15/person.

I got the steak and chicken, my wife got the lion king box. We both loved the food! Music is pleasant and the bathroom is clean. We’ll definitely be coming back.“

“It was our first time there. We wanted to go because we always saw a long line. It was the best!!! It will become our regular place. Very friendly staff.“

“Very expensive but good food. For context, I brought my son for his 25th birthday. We had 9 people, all 17+ years old and _no_ alcohol was ordered. The bill for 9 people with automatic tip came out to be $390 or $44/person.

With that out of the way, we had a good experience. The waitress was very gentle and patient. The place has nice decoration and Japanese architecture.. at least it reminds me of one which is a nice plus on the ambience. We sat at the upper platform so that part is not wheelchair accessible.

They have both menu book and also QR code so you can see what the food looks like. The raw stuff were fresh. Photos shows the things we ordered and everyone loved it. Since it's very expensive, we only come here on very special occasion and this is my 3rd visit in 2 years.

Yes I would go back again.“