First time doing an Omakase. It was a great experience. I love hearing the explanation of every dish, not only do you eat great food, you walk out with a lot of knowledge. The whole staff is very friendly and attentive.Lots of Sake choices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase Plate
Caitlan Koontz
My husband and I lived in Davis for a few years and when this intimate, niche omakse sushi restaurant opened, our lives changed. As fairly seasoned foodies and harsh critiques of sushi, this is (and I mean it) the best sushi in California that we have had. And we now live in San Francisco. The chef, his wife and his entire team are incredible. They source only the best fish from Japan, but also prioritize local businesses and regional sustainable ingredients. We are awed and floored every time we visit by their ingenuity and creativity, while paying respect to the fish and honoring the proper aging process. If you think you’ve had sushi, you haven’t. Hats off.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
DDavis
It was an excellent experience, and the service was truly outstanding and appreciated. Even to the point of noting that my wife is left-handed, and serving everything from then on in the appropriate orientation. The only negative impression that sticks with me is the fees that are added on top of the expense of the main event. For example, a "mandatory" gratuity is tacked on. And of course there is no such thing as a gratuity that is mandatory, so this becomes an additional tax. I understand that this is an expensive experience, and that the skilled chefs and servers need to be paid appropriately. And I WANT to pay them appropriately. So please just charge for the experience what it takes to pay everybody fairly. There is no reason to pretend that this is a "gratuity."
Dunder27
Although my wife and I have always enjoyed Japanese food and sushi in particular, we have never had a true omakase experience. The husband and wife team who host, plus their team of chefs and servers, made our first time trying omakase incredible. The sushi is top tier, prepared with skill right in front of you. The two hours goes by fast with Sithu and his team explaining the significance behind each dish, the origins of key ingredients and how they prepare it all while you watch! Questions are encouraged and the dinner becomes a conversation; an intimate and special experience where you feel connected to the food you are eating and the people who are making it. Things start light (west side of Japan) and end a bit heavier (east side) with a very special waygu treat! This is NOT an inexpensive night out but, for us, was an experience worth saving for, if even only tried once.
FrancieN
Wonderful experience. High quality ingredients. Chef researched his ingredients very well. I loved the local fresh wasabi. Attention to detail in food and service set them apart. Professional and friendly. Chef educated and pleased the palate. The simplicity of the nigiri was on point. Flavors were balanced and complimented the fish. I enjoyed the waygu in rich and complex broth. I would have prefer the waygu slightly seared. Not a negative, just a preference.
Me and my wife recently tried the omakase dinner this past weekend. It was great from start to finish. The food was amazing but the engagement from the chefs made the experience. First time I've ever been to omakase where the chef walks you through the importance of their ingredient sourcing. Learned some new things about the sustainability of tuna and other fish. Really fun to learn and eat at the same time.
Rebecca Hager
Honestly the best sushi I've ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ChaseK
Truly one of the most memorable nights of my life! The attention to detail, knowledge and perfection of techniques was on full display! If you want to have the best food made by the best people in the most charming spot in Davis... book the Omikase experience. You will never forget your meal here!
My husband and I celebrated a post birthday dinner here last week. It was my husband's first time having omakasé. I tried Hikari's mini omakasé as few weeks prior and it was SO good that I told my husband I wanted to have my birthday dinner here. EVERYTHING about the full (AND mini) omakasé was wonderful. From the on-point customer service, their attention to detail to the time the chefs spend explaining how the fish they're serving is aged and prepared. I especially LOVE the intimacy of the restaurant. It's not big at all but IMO, the perfect size to enjoy a nice memorable dinner with girlfriends and your spouse. My husband is super picky and he LOVED it. We will definitely be back Hikari. Im looking forward to my next omakasé dining experience at your establishment!
LisaF
Unique Omakase experience! Chef and staff make sure you are enjoying every aspect of your meal. Explanation of where ingredients are sourced is provided. You don't go home hungry, that's for sure!
I just cannot get enough of this family owned & operated restaurant. You are first greeted by such a warm, very knowledgeable & welcoming team. It's an enriching experience on sustainability as well as what you are actually eating. You can taste the high quality of ingredients and feel the love and care that goes into this Omakase. You leave feeling a little more educated on the importance of sustainability and different grades of ingredients and fish, as well as healthy from the benefits of eating high quality clean food. I'll be dining here as often as I can.
JohnS
The Hikari team is amazing! They truly care about people and food. They deserve all the success and praise for everything the do. Their family has been providing delicious, quality, sustainable sushi in Davis for ages, and we hope they stay forever!
AnnieN
An incredible, unforgettable experience. My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect and every dish. I loved learning about the food I was enjoying and the chef was clearly passionate about sharing it as well. I enjoy restaurant that care about sustainability and where our food is coming from. Every dish was thoughtful and incredibly delicious. We will be coming back soon!
MariaW
This meal was UNBELIEVABLE. We celebrated our anniversary by partaking in the Omakase and we were blown away. The food, service, and the timing were impecable. Best of all I walked away having learned about the food I ate and feeling good about the sourcing of our food. The chefs are humble, knowledgeable, and fascinating to watch. The intimate setting was the cherry on top because it allowed every detail to shine and be enjoyed in what felt like a family setting. Experiences like this are few and far between. This is a must try for any special occasion!
DanielleJ
One of the top omakases we have ever been to. My fiancé and I were blown away by the food, the amazing service, and how much we learned! We will definitely be back! If you're on the fence, book it! It's an incredible experience with some of the best sushi you'll taste in the NorCal area!
First time doing an Omakase. It was a great experience. I love hearing the explanation of every dish, not only do you eat great food, you walk out with a lot of knowledge. The whole staff is very friendly and attentive.Lots of Sake choices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase Plate
My husband and I lived in Davis for a few years and when this intimate, niche omakse sushi restaurant opened, our lives changed. As fairly seasoned foodies and harsh critiques of sushi, this is (and I mean it) the best sushi in California that we have had. And we now live in San Francisco. The chef, his wife and his entire team are incredible. They source only the best fish from Japan, but also prioritize local businesses and regional sustainable ingredients. We are awed and floored every time we visit by their ingenuity and creativity, while paying respect to the fish and honoring the proper aging process. If you think you’ve had sushi, you haven’t. Hats off.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was an excellent experience, and the service was truly outstanding and appreciated. Even to the point of noting that my wife is left-handed, and serving everything from then on in the appropriate orientation. The only negative impression that sticks with me is the fees that are added on top of the expense of the main event. For example, a "mandatory" gratuity is tacked on. And of course there is no such thing as a gratuity that is mandatory, so this becomes an additional tax. I understand that this is an expensive experience, and that the skilled chefs and servers need to be paid appropriately. And I WANT to pay them appropriately. So please just charge for the experience what it takes to pay everybody fairly. There is no reason to pretend that this is a "gratuity."
Although my wife and I have always enjoyed Japanese food and sushi in particular, we have never had a true omakase experience. The husband and wife team who host, plus their team of chefs and servers, made our first time trying omakase incredible. The sushi is top tier, prepared with skill right in front of you. The two hours goes by fast with Sithu and his team explaining the significance behind each dish, the origins of key ingredients and how they prepare it all while you watch! Questions are encouraged and the dinner becomes a conversation; an intimate and special experience where you feel connected to the food you are eating and the people who are making it. Things start light (west side of Japan) and end a bit heavier (east side) with a very special waygu treat! This is NOT an inexpensive night out but, for us, was an experience worth saving for, if even only tried once.
Wonderful experience. High quality ingredients. Chef researched his ingredients very well. I loved the local fresh wasabi. Attention to detail in food and service set them apart. Professional and friendly. Chef educated and pleased the palate. The simplicity of the nigiri was on point. Flavors were balanced and complimented the fish. I enjoyed the waygu in rich and complex broth. I would have prefer the waygu slightly seared. Not a negative, just a preference.
Me and my wife recently tried the omakase dinner this past weekend. It was great from start to finish. The food was amazing but the engagement from the chefs made the experience. First time I've ever been to omakase where the chef walks you through the importance of their ingredient sourcing. Learned some new things about the sustainability of tuna and other fish. Really fun to learn and eat at the same time.
Honestly the best sushi I've ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Truly one of the most memorable nights of my life! The attention to detail, knowledge and perfection of techniques was on full display! If you want to have the best food made by the best people in the most charming spot in Davis... book the Omikase experience. You will never forget your meal here!
My husband and I celebrated a post birthday dinner here last week. It was my husband's first time having omakasé. I tried Hikari's mini omakasé as few weeks prior and it was SO good that I told my husband I wanted to have my birthday dinner here. EVERYTHING about the full (AND mini) omakasé was wonderful. From the on-point customer service, their attention to detail to the time the chefs spend explaining how the fish they're serving is aged and prepared. I especially LOVE the intimacy of the restaurant. It's not big at all but IMO, the perfect size to enjoy a nice memorable dinner with girlfriends and your spouse. My husband is super picky and he LOVED it. We will definitely be back Hikari. Im looking forward to my next omakasé dining experience at your establishment!
Unique Omakase experience! Chef and staff make sure you are enjoying every aspect of your meal. Explanation of where ingredients are sourced is provided. You don't go home hungry, that's for sure!
Restaurantji Recommends
I just cannot get enough of this family owned & operated restaurant. You are first greeted by such a warm, very knowledgeable & welcoming team. It's an enriching experience on sustainability as well as what you are actually eating. You can taste the high quality of ingredients and feel the love and care that goes into this Omakase. You leave feeling a little more educated on the importance of sustainability and different grades of ingredients and fish, as well as healthy from the benefits of eating high quality clean food. I'll be dining here as often as I can.
The Hikari team is amazing! They truly care about people and food. They deserve all the success and praise for everything the do. Their family has been providing delicious, quality, sustainable sushi in Davis for ages, and we hope they stay forever!
An incredible, unforgettable experience. My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect and every dish. I loved learning about the food I was enjoying and the chef was clearly passionate about sharing it as well. I enjoy restaurant that care about sustainability and where our food is coming from. Every dish was thoughtful and incredibly delicious. We will be coming back soon!
This meal was UNBELIEVABLE. We celebrated our anniversary by partaking in the Omakase and we were blown away. The food, service, and the timing were impecable. Best of all I walked away having learned about the food I ate and feeling good about the sourcing of our food. The chefs are humble, knowledgeable, and fascinating to watch. The intimate setting was the cherry on top because it allowed every detail to shine and be enjoyed in what felt like a family setting. Experiences like this are few and far between. This is a must try for any special occasion!
One of the top omakases we have ever been to. My fiancé and I were blown away by the food, the amazing service, and how much we learned! We will definitely be back! If you're on the fence, book it! It's an incredible experience with some of the best sushi you'll taste in the NorCal area!