Tancho Japanese Restaurant

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 😊

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

So pathetic. We drove 45 mins to reach here based on the Google reviews but it turned out they have only two tables inside and only accept reservations. Don’t even bother to come here, much better find a better place.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Excellent. Couldn't ask for a better first omakase experience. 5/5 stars.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Perfect expensive dinner. It's all worth it.. still is today.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Tancho is an intimate and cozy dining experience in a discreet location with excellent food and service. Chef Jason did an amazing job for our party seated at the bar. There is an extensive drink and sake menu with great non-alcoholic options as well.

This is a reservation only restaurant which helps keep the seating number small. The atmosphere was great with very pretty interior design and the light jazz adds to the ambience.

Out of the entire omakase menu my favorite items were the kegami uni don (hairy crab mixed with uni over rice topped with ikura and shiso blooms), akami zuki (lean bluefin tuna), and anago (conger eel). The fish were all extremely fresh with no fishy smell or taste. Some items are specified if they have just arrived that day, and the aoyagi (surf clam) was still moving when it was brought out to the chef. The premium Hokkaido uni was also delicious.

A surprisingly delicious aspect of the meal was the rice, which was preseasoned for every course. It was constantly freshly made and hot which made each piece of nigiri perfect. As an FYI, at Tancho the nigiri is encouraged to be held with your hands rather than with chopsticks.

Overall Tancho is a hidden gem in Castro Valley and a great place to go for special occasions. They served our party very well for my mother's birthday and were kind enough to include a special dessert and card for her. We will be going back again soon!

Dietary restrictions: Before the meal begins you will be asked about dietary restrictions. The rice is pre seasoned with soy sauce (I think) for those with gluten allergy.

For those with kids or people who cannot eat raw fish, they will torch the fish ahead of time for you if you write it on the reservation, but it will not be fully cooked.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent omakase! 10-11 course sushi meal costs about $230 per person including tips. Intimate setting especially if you get a seat at the counter. The chef does a good performance five feet in front of you while you await your next dish. The servers are attentive and friendly. And it’s always a treat to come here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is an exceptional exquisite Japanese Restaurant with top quality seafood. Every plate put forth by Chef Jason is an explosion of flavors. Appointment required but Chef Jason at Tancho"s and his service team is on point. They make dinning experience over the top. A must and a hot spot when you visit Hayward.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Made a May appointment about two weeks in advance. Everything was great except the 20% surcharge and super bitter miso soup at the end.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chawanmushi, Akami Bluefin Tuna, Hotate Scallop

One of the best omakase experiences I have ever had in the Bay Area! 16 courses, very fresh seafood, couldn’t find anything I dislike. Will be back again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wonderful evening at 1st seating , 5:45. Chef Jason created works of art that melted in your mouth. Other guests were conversational and fun at the sushi bar. Go for a special occasion, you won't regret.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chawanmushi

Food and service was amazing, Even though I was awkward talking to the waiter. Ordered the Otoro, and it was extremely soft and tasty. For my graduation, they gave a complementary mochi dish and a card congratulating me for graduating. I do recommend, if you can go. Really, the only complaint I had was that the Monk Fish Liver was super mushy and it caught me off guard.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Akami Bluefin Tuna

I highly recommend the nigiri here. They are made of fresh and top quality ingredients. The chef had a delicate taste and made the nigiri a few layers of tastes such as salt, soy sauce, the fish itself, grilled flavor, yuzu, and wasabi. It was pleasant watching him and eating the food at the same time. Other parts of the courses were bad especially the miso soup was really salty and desserts were no better than a normal ice cream, unfortunately.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Sushi

Amazing Omakase dinner and fantastic service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I like it☺️

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My wife and I had a wonderful experience at Tancho. The food was beautifully prepared by Sushi chef Jason. The taste of eat course selection was refreshing with excellent pairings. We look forward coming back again and will recommend to friends.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5