39 Best Japanese Restaurants near Castro Valley

“Simply the best sushi around. Incredibly fresh fish, gorgeously prepared nigiri and if preferred, there are specialty rolls that hit just right. We’ve been coming here for years and are so so thankful we have a high end, quality sushi spot here in CV!“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“Hello! Today I was at Hayward, and decided to stop by this restaurant. I'm from Oakland. I am glad I stopped by here! It's a location now that is only for take out and they have 1 bento for the the day, and it changes every day(?) And they will run out, so make sure to call ahead to have them save one for you. I look forward to being back. Thank you! :)“

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

“My buddy and I tried this Korean place after work on a week night and it wasn't too busy. It's a cozy little place that's clean and accessible. The servers/hosts were really friendly and welcoming. There's a mini karaoke section that opens at 5pm if you want to sing! :)

We ordered some sushi, Korean fried chicken and the pork bibimbbap, which Ilwas my favorite.“

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

“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!“

“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“

“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!“

“Price is good and food is good.“

“Taru Japanese Cuisine is a hidden gem and our go-to place for a celebratory family dinner.
The quality of fish and seafood and the generous size of sashimi are unmatched.
Always friendly stuff.
Try their hotate and hamachi nigiri.“

“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“

“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 😋“

“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!!“

“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!!“

“The sushi is really good, all ingredients taste high quality and fresh. The plate situation is odd though, as they are stored on top of the wooden separator between every table, so they are sometimes a bit dusty. Other than that the restaurant is amazing, with really nice staff.

Vegetarian options: A lot of vegetarian roll options, which my friend really appreciated“

“Stopped in today, 5/18/25 @ 6 PM and have been meaning to for some time cuz I'm in the area a lot. Food was cool and inexpensive. It wasn't busy when I came in but a few minutes later, single diners started rolling in. There was one server. He was very pleasant. I had to ask for napkins and utensils well after my food after my food arrives. He was busy doing everything so, I get it. I had hot sake, gyoza, yakitori and tempura. It was good. I would recommend and I plan on returning when I'm around.“

“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!“

“Simply the best in Fremont“

“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.“

“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!“

“I had an incredible dining experience at Tadamasa! The ramen was absolutely amazing — the broth was rich and full of depth, and the noodles were cooked to perfection. Every bite was comforting and packed with flavor.
The appetizers were equally impressive. The fried calamari was crispy and tender, with just the right amount of seasoning, and the edamame was perfectly seasoned, making for a delightful start to the meal.What truly made the experience stand out, though, was the hospitality. The owners were so welcoming and kind, making us feel like we were part of their family. It’s clear they put a lot of love and care into their restaurant, and it really shows in the food and service.If you’re craving delicious ramen and fantastic appetizers with warm, welcoming service, Tadamasa is the place to go. I can’t wait to return!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“This place offers a winning combination of affordability, health-conscious options, and a warm, friendly service.

I ordered the Spicy Chicken Bowl, and it exceeded my expectations. The flavors were on point, and the portion size was satisfying. I appreciate the option to customize my meal to my liking, which is a big plus.
Overall, Teriyaki City in San Lorenzo is a great choice if you're looking for tasty, budget-friendly, and healthy Asian cuisine with a side of great customer service.

I'll definitely consider returning for more of their delicious offerings.
Great for lunch or takeout!“

“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.“

“the.staff.is friendly. Food is fresh and tasty!!“