50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Castro Valley

“First time having omakase, it was definitely a very good experience despite not knowing what to expect. The chef was very friendly, told us all about the fishes we tried and answered all our questions.

Service was top-notch, never needed to ask for more drinks or anything else. It was all done very well. Overall, very satisfying experience at this location.

Don’t get fooled by its location in a strip mall, this is definitely something I’d want to experience again.“

“The food is awesome, the service is nice. The fish is very fresh and the rice blends in perfectly, very high quality. One thing they need to improve on is to be more careful with allergies. They need to ask to put rolls from the same order in the same container, especially those containing mayo. This is mainly because people are allergic to egg and mayo has egg so the mayo from one roll can easily contaminate another roll if put in the same box. Otherwise the food is awesome. From: Zee age 11“

“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.“

“Pretty good selection of bowls, onigiri, rolls, and sashimi platters to go. There's always a handful of rolls on sale for the day slightly cheaper. Drink selection is pretty good, snack selection isn't great but it's not a snack store and there's other places for that. If there's one change they could make, please stay open till 7.“

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

“Rico pero lo malo es que nunca tienen basil para la sopa pho“

“Love this place. The food is good. The complimentary edamame and ice cream are such a nice treat. Good for large parties. We had 12 people with lots of kids and there was plenty of space. The best part was they knew how to split the bill since we had 4 families without us asking.“

“Wow! Boyfriend and I just left and what a hidden gem. I am not exaggerating when I say we ate the best Dragon Roll I've ever had. Perfectly crispy tempura, fresh, and everything made by just one employee. From taking our order to providing us with amazing food he seriously went above and beyond. We will definitely be back!“

“The imitation crab tastes incredible!!

The chicken katsu was sadly overcooked.

But the simplicity of the bento boxes is quite striking.

The atmosphere though, the music was a bit too loud and only coming from one corner rather than the whole place.“

“Came for a late lunch. Greeted and sat down right away. Service was very good. Food was very good. Love this little spot, i will be back. Our table ordered, agedashi tofu, spicy miso ramen, tongkatsu ramen and hamachi Don. Everything was very tasty and fresh. Only small thing is the wasabi paste could have been stronger.“

“Kaisen Don is a true joy. Owned and led by a trained chef from Japan and served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. They have a wide selection of food, not just sushi. They have a very good selection of Sake and beer and offer three sample flights of Sake to let you learn more about the drink. You can always ask for recommendations to go with your meal. We've eaten in and taken out and have never had a bad meal from Kaisen Don. They are a regular stop for my family, and we take friends and family there from time to time as well.“

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

“Best and most underrated ramen in the Bay! The broth is so flavorful, the texture of the noodles is perfect, and the pork belly is so crispy. Good portions for the price and the owners/service are great. My personal fav is the TanTan! Can be a little salty so request less salt :)“

“The service was very good, but the restaurant is a little bit understaffed. The restaurant was very clean. Restaurant was mostly quiet.

I recommend the katsu curry, it was very savory and comforting! The sushi was good (forgot to take a picture of the sushi). Also had tempera and fried squid.
The price was reasonable.

Would come back here again for sure! 🥰“

“I travel the world frequently and this place is a staple anytime I’m in Oakland / San Francisco.

Portions are huge, staff is very kind and attentive, this place should be packed with as fresh and flavorful everything is. 10/10 would recommend!“

“We had such a great meal here. Pa’ Papas serves some of the most authentic Japanese food we’ve had in a while. We ordered the tempura, miso soup, and a few rolls, and honestly everything was amazing. The tempura was light and crispy, the miso soup hit the spot, and the rolls were super fresh.

The portions are generous too, so you really get your money’s worth. If you want Japanese food that actually tastes authentic, this is the place. We’ll definitely be back“

“We got there in time for Happy Hour. The service was outstanding. Our server named Lumbi was attentive, super nice and took care of my family (plus our dog) so well. She brought out our food quickly, drinks refills quickly and our food came out flawlessly.

The prices compared to Irvine (where we are from) is very affordable!! The fish was fresh and the avocado roll was to die for. Not traditional sushi, it’s quite westernized so if that’s your style you’ll be happy. Solid locals spot!“

“Went here with my wife and daughter and we got a table right away. It seemed like they had just opened and were still getting everything ready. The servers were young, and they were upfront with us that the food was going to take a little while.

It also seemed like they didn’t have a huge kitchen staff, but somehow they still managed to pull everything together and get the food out. Honestly, it was 100% worth the wait. The food was so good, it felt like Jesus himself came down and cooked for us 😂.

Prices were friendly, the food was tasty, and the overall experience was awesome. You could tell they were working hard, and they still delivered a great meal despite being a little short-staffed.

Definitely a place I’d come back to. And if you don’t like the food… just go home and boil some instant noodles 😂.

Also, I found them while scrolling thru IG shorts.“

“Stopped by on a work trip. Ordered two sushi roles, a bowl of miso soup, and a large Sapporo beer. The food was excellent, service was very friendly, and I walked away happy. If you enjoy sushi in a relaxed atmosphere, this is the place to go.“

“Kotobuki is our go to sushi spot. We eat there regularly, eat in and take away. The sushi is always fresh and very good -- sashimi & rolls. My kids like the generous combo boxes. They have a great variety of rolls, Ramen, and plated meals. The staff is friendly and service is excellent! A plus, we can watch a sporting event there. ;)“

“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!“

“Came here for lunch. We had a reservation and we were seated quickly.
We ordered the premium nigiri combo, fried oysters, spicy salmon roll and a side of squid nigiri.
The fish tasted fresh and the overall taste was really delicate and well balanced. The toro nigiri was outstanding.
I'm no sushi connoisseur by any means but really loved the food. Will be back at some point.“

“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 😋“

“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“

“If you're craving for Japanese in San Leandro or anywhere in the East Bay, this is the spot. Open late night is a fantastic bonus! The quality of food for a place open past 10pm was a great surprise.
The huge menu has something for everyone. Sashimi, specialty sushi rolls, nigiri, ramen, tempura, bento combos, and yakatori! And plenty of beer and sake to wash it all down.“

“Really nice hole in the wall, the california rolls actually had real flavor in them, which is rare. My server was david, he was very nice and fast, i witnessed a doordasher be unkind and he still didnt skip a beat and kept his attitude kind. If youre in the area give it a try“

“First time and it was very good light on the stomach n refreshing. I will be back and recommend it . Yum I'll be back“

“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 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!!“

“Another last minute dinner at one of the local restaurant in San Ramon. Senri Sushi has that cozy, neighborhood spot vibe that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. It’s not flashy, but that’s part of the charm, simple, welcoming, and focused on good food.

We ordered the crispy assorted tempura, which came out light, golden, and not greasy at all. Each piece had a nice crunch without overpowering the ingredients. The highlight, though, was the large sushi boat loaded with a variety of fresh fish. Everything looked beautifully presented and tasted just as good, clean flavors, soft texture, and high-quality cuts.

The soft shell crab was another standout—crispy on the outside, tender inside, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of dish you keep reaching for until it’s gone.

We also tried the crispy salmon. The flavor was there, but it could’ve used a bit more crispiness, as the texture leaned slightly chewy instead of having that satisfying crunch you’d expect.

Overall, Senro Sushi delivers a satisfying experience with fresh seafood, generous portions, and a relaxed, homey atmosphere. A solid go-to spot if you’re in the area and craving dependable, well-made sushi.“

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

“My friend and I got the Mentaiko soupless ramen, shishito peppers, takowasa, squid legs tempura and the hokkaido crepe. Everything was delicious. Ramen was rich and creamy with a hint of spiciness. Our appetizers were all delicious, flavorful and the squid legs were so crispy. I love the texture from the takowasa, crunchy and had a chew to it. Our servers were very sweet and helpful. I will definitely come back here if I visit again.“

“Simply the best in Fremont“

“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“

“The food was great and the staff was really nice“

“Angry Fish has become our go to sushi spot. The value to food ratio is immense and the fish quality is a step above most other sushi places at a similar price point. Also their happy hour and rolls are quite a bit more creative than your standard fare. Highly recommend. Staff is also great“

“Price is good and food is good.“

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

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

“I had a great time over there. Delicious food 🥘“

“Friendly staff, pleasant ambiance, fresh seafood“

“first time here. loved it most definitely coming back. 🥰“

“Went on a date and got some absolutely delicious sushi 🍣 the prices are much better than almost all the sushi restaurants in the area while still maintaining quality. It does depend on what you get, but if you find the good rolls then this will become your favorite spot in downtown Hayward for sushi!!“

“Really tasty and affordable food! I've ordered the lunch and dinner bento special a few times. Their website and hours are a little confusing though. I wanted to order food on a Monday afternoon and all the delivery apps say they're closed.“

“I don't get the low average score. Sushi was good and the price was right. Only thing that could have been a little better is the bathroom could have been a little cleaner. Super sticky floor and kind of dirty features. Service was fast and friendly. I'll probably be back if I'm in the neighborhood.“

“I adore this spot! They give tasty dishes, their menu is decent, The cook in that restaurant is a professional, I love a lot tasting all their food. The food is consistently fresh, the attitude towards the guests is nice. I visit often this place and I not even once was unhappy. Highly recommended.“

“Apparently I've been driving right by this place for a while, but it happened to catch my eye today. I stopped in and ended up getting the sashimi donburi. It was excellent! The fish was fresh and very good quality, the rice was well seasoned as well. Though slightly more expensive than some other to-go sushi options, the quality of ingredients made the donburi well worth it for the price paid and is overall a very good value.“

“I had the chicken beef and ribs bento box. The ribs were so good I went back and ordered another set of ribs for later. The customer service was awesome I had never been there before and they were quick to point out their favorite recommendations so thumbs up. Sorry I didn't take any pictures cuz I ate it too fast.“

“Excellent service and good fresh food clean environment!“

“The seafood salad here was delicious, and the salmon skin was baked to a perfect crisp – it was fantastic!

The bento box took a little longer to arrive, but the salmon was grilled perfectly, although the tempura was cold .

Service is friendly and fast !“