“tasty sushi burrito, interesting concept, no high end ingredients but still pretty good! ran in with my buddy to the commissary kitchen that has a lot of different restaurants as part of the group. Nice guys running the place, fun to talk to, decent semi-healthy lunch to grab and go!“
“The sushi is by far the best in the East Bay. Most importantly I trust the freshness of all the fish. Over several years we have ordered almost every sushi roll on the menu. I have loved each. One of my favorites is Dragon roll and theirs is the best I have had. I have ordered take out and it is just as good as eating in. All the vegetables used are fresh and the broccoli tempura gives broccoli a good name. All the tempura vegetables are fresh. My husband loves the bento box too. The staff people are kind, efficient and attentive. The bill may be a little high but the end product makes it reasonable. The bottom line is freshness and care. Blue Ginko, Lafayette does the very their very best.“
“I can't believe I have lived in Lafayette for over three years and just discovered this place. In summary one of the very best Japanese restaurants I have eaten in, as good as anything I have had in Japan.Went for lunch. Started the meal with hot saki and toro sushi; outstanding, even the ginger and wasabi served with the sushi was outstanding. My wife had the sushi sampler with salad, I had the grilled miso sea bass with miso soup and rice. Everything was beautifully cooked, presented and tasted fantastic. As an added bonus, the food was served on what looked like a Japanese version of Heath pottery, nice touch.The restaurant decor is bright and tasteful. Staff were very pleasant and helpful. Total cost for this amazing lunch was only $70, plus tip. Like Arnold said; "I will be back"!You may have noticed all my reviews to date on Google have been 5 star, this is deliberate. Life is too short to focus on that which does not make us happy. This is why I restrict my reviews to those things/places/services that make me happy and appreciate life. Sure, I have been to some really dreadful shops, hotels and restaurants etc., but, like I said, life is too short to spend time thinking and writing about them.“
“Best hidden secret. I have a hard time not visiting this place daily. There are so many options of rolls, rice bowls, and side dishes to-go. I believe most items are raw. Small amount of bon fish options rolls. Kids favorites are the avocado roll and California rolls There are a ton of Japanese snacks like pocky, shrimp chips, chocolate covered almonds, hi chews, wasabi peas a number of drinks. The staff are great, always friendly and have good recommendations . I've been visiting this place since they opened and every time I go they've got something new. Prices are right.“
“Well hidden gem in the heart of Alameda, Utzutzu offers a culinary journey like no other with its exquisite 8-course Japanese dining experience. Each dish is a masterpiece, blending the freshest ingredients with skilled craftsmanship. From delicate sashimi to innovative rolls, the flavors harmonize in a symphony of taste. Impeccable presentation and attentive service elevate the dining experience, making this a haven for sushi enthusiasts seeking a refined gastronomic adventure.“
“Instant favorite! Outstanding hole-in-the-wall establishment. Got 3 Uni as part of the generous sashimi lunch special. Fantastic fish protein quality, strongly competitive prices, lovely family-owned environment. Will go here again as soon as I'm nearby.“
“Visited this local Lao spot on a friend’s recommendation and wow, it didn’t disappoint! From the moment we walked in, the vibe was cozy and welcoming - exactly what you’d want from a neighborhood gem. The service was on point too; our server was super friendly, gave us great recommendations, and really knew their stuff.Now, let’s talk food because that’s the real star here. I went for the Pad Kee Mao, and it was absolutely delicious - spicy, flavorful, and just packed with all the good stuff. But the unexpected highlight? Their oysters! Affordable, fresh, and just so tasty, they were a total game-changer for me. It’s not often you find such quality at those prices.Overall, this place is a must-visit if you’re in the mood for some authentic Lao cuisine or just in search of a solid dining experience. Great food, great prices, and great service. I’ll definitely be back!“
“Ate here for the first time thanks to the great Yelp reviews! There's not that many spots in the mall that have decent food honestly, so I was looking forward to trying a different spot. It wasn't busy at all (lunch on a Thursday though) but the place was clean and efficient. I ordered a 49er roll and a spider roll, came out to just over 20 bucks with tax which is a pretty good deal for sushi. The rolls were excellent and a decent size. The soft shell crab was fried to order so it was crunchy which I love. No complaints here, I would go back again for yummy sushi at a decent price.“
“We have been going to Kotobuki for the last eight years. This place is not only delicious, but all staff goes above and beyond to take care of everyone. Outstanding service! Delicious food! We are always looking forward to going. Recommending it to all our friends! Please stop by and support this wonderful business!“
“Great spot!They don't have the variety a fancy place might, but they put out good food and are always very friendly.Shima Aji is my absolute favorite and I almost never see it anywhere, but it was on their special board recently! Ordered 3, no regrets =P“
“Honestly some of the best Japanese food I've had in the Bay Area. Everything is fairly priced and portions are large, sushi was very tasty and super diverse menu. Great service and clean place. Nothing to complain about, if you're craving Japanese food in the San Ramon area, this is the spot.“
“This is the finest sushi restaurant I have ever been to. Their food is fresh and delicious. I’ve been coming here since 2008 and since my 1st visit have never been anywhere else. They are friendly and make you feel like family. I live in Vallejo CA and still travel to Pleasant Hill, CA for their food. Each time I have dined there I come out totally satisfied.“
“honestly great spot for what it is. if you're expecting really bourgeois top of the line stuff, nah. the inside feels very corner sushi spot with lots of tables, a sushi bar, and the wait staff is super nice. there's also a small parking spot nearby that is great if you're driving since it's on piedmont which is a bit difficult to find parking and is a bustling street. we got the flaming dragon roll and a spicy scallop roll. both were honestly great, and the waiter was super helpful and quick. the prices were a bit more expensive than what I was used to but great nevertheless“
“YOU HAVE TO COME VISIT IF YOU ARE A PICKY SUSHI EATER. It's a simple spot that looks like it's family owned, very unassuming but has the best sushi I had in the Bay Area for a while. Very fresh fish, reasonably priced, service is excellent. It's simply outstanding, please give them a try and you won't be disappointed! The sushi literally melts in your month IM NOT LYING TO YOU go“
“Pleasantly surprised! For whatever reason I had never tried Akira before. I'm so glad I finally have. I met up with a couple of friends and we enjoyed drinks and shared a bunch of sushi. There are lots of options on the menu and everything we tried was tasty and super fresh! We were chatting so much that we closed the place down. This might seem random, but I was so impressed by the extensive cleaning they did at the end of the night. This alone will have me frequenting Akira from now on.“
“Beautiful decor of clean modern lines with a Corporate kind of feel. Cloth napkins though & friendly informed staff. We started with a firecracker salmon roll & then enjoyed our mains . The roll was ok but the bowls were truly tasty. I had the Latin chimichurri bowl with a grilled yellowtail cooked perfectly. Topped with a delicious chimichurri sauce. It was served on a salad dressed nicely. I enjoyed everything in my bowl ,Hubby got the Japanese Wasabi bowl. Very good. We both opted for the regular Size which was a little large but we finished most of it. In hindsight we would share a regular size but double the protein which they will add more or different kinds to the bowl for extra. The coffee was served French press style which was a wonderful surprise & quite tasty. All in all would we go back yes. The service was attentive & friendly. All the food was fresh clean and yummy. 5 stars“
“Kid-friendliness: Very kid-friendly in that the staff is so sweet to the kids and thoughtful. Like one employee helped show us where the bathroom was just because he headers me trying to get my 5yo to go, and of course he went faster with the ushering… They have the kid chopstick helpers AND provide warm/cool hand towels upon seating!!!“
“I called and ordered a roll to go-the Storm roll. It was delicious, and the finest quality and freshness! The owners were there, and the place looks extremely cute inside and also has outside seating. I had never been here before, but will be coming back soon. Very good sushi!“
“I can't believe this place is in Orinda. It is an experience for sure, and be prepared to spend money if you go. Wonderful small sushi place owned by a husband and wife. It's traditional style and no chopsticks or rolls. The wife explains the sushi to you and it was so interesting. As others have said, you must make reservations as they only seat a couple of tables a night. We had the sake sampler and I highly recommend, especially if you're not familiar with sakes. The menu is fixed, no choosing and they bring you what's on their menu for the night. It started with the 18 piece and then you have the option to continue, we each had the 26 piece. The sauces, etc were all homemade and they tell you which ones you can use soy sauce with or not. Everything was delicious. It's definitely a hidden gem for special occasions.“
“It’s a contemporary Japanese restaurant with an extensive menu. Decor is bright and cheery. Bonus points for big screens showing a winning Warriors game on the night we dined there! ? Personally I had the cheesy katsu on a sizzling hot plate which was quite a sight and tastes pretty good. My party had sushi and ramen which are ok but the broth is not complex flavor-wise. The draft beer in frosted mugs is refreshing and goes very well with the katsu. Service is friendly and lots of drink options from sake to soju to ramunes. Definitely something for everyone.Vegetarian options: There are options even for plant-based diets.Parking: Saw a couple of pay-per-use EV charging spots in the parking lot too. Probably J1772s.Kid-friendliness: Good menu options for kids and they provide little chopstick training widgets for a fun experience“
“My friend and I wanted ramen and this place has excellent vegetarian ramen. It's as good as Marufuku, without the lines and the noise. One portion is big enough to share, but since a serving has one egg, it's easier to get two portions and take home what you can't eat.“
“Very friendly service, good food, reasonable prices and a nice atmosphere. They do both Thai and Japanese menus including sushi and sashimi. Excellent value lunch deals during the week. I particularly like the yellow curry and orange peel chicken. My kids love the poke bowl.Vegetarian options: Most dishes are available with tofu in place of meat protein.“
“Actually delicious. We’ve had a lot of sushi in the east bay and this was easily the best takeout - fish was fresh, cuts were generous, and seasoning was interesting and delicious. A little expensive for normal sushi takeout in my opinion but a nice monthly treat! We’ll be back to dine in!Dietary restrictions: Gluten, dairy, egg free“
“Our party of 19 ate here the night after Christmas. Yo's on Hartz is such a nice and intimate place to eat. The manager, Evelyn, made sure our large party was well taken care of and gave excellent meal recommendations. Everyone enjoyed their food and cocktails. We look forward to dining here again!“
“Look at that fresh, PACKED & beautiful rainbow Chirashi plate . This new addition to Alameda is a must try. There’s Ramen, sushi, bento and boba here, something for everyone! The fish was fresh, they do not skimp on portions. The prices are stellar too. The ambiance is modern with beautiful Japanese touches and a tasteful art piece of the Golden Gate Bridge that somehow all fit together perfectly. Happy to see large parties, couples on a date (seemingly) and then a family came in with a small toddler, the waitress doesn’t skip a beat and brought out a night chair for the little (whom happily ate everything the parents fed her. They shared the same Donburi plate I did plus another roll.) What a great restaurant, I can’t wait to go back. There were so many other sushi choices on Park street, I’m glad I tried this one today. Please come support local and give this place a try next time you are in the area.Kid-friendliness: Has highchairs for the littles“
“I've been coming here for at least 25 years. The staff knows me and my family. The sushi is always fresh and not too much rice, which fills you up, so you can order more rolls! They have all the standard rolls and will customize them if you don't like certain fish. I like the sashimi combination, rose roll, black and white roll, and rainbow roll. They give you some cucumber and crab salad at the beginning of your meal for free. They have a few flavors of Mochi for dessert. They serve very quickly. It may take an hour or less most times we go.“
“This place is great. Dine-in is quick, but we’ve been doing takeout for most of the pandemic. Their food is AWESOME for takeout, and you can tell they take their time to make the food *look* good as well (no smushed sushi or stuff just thrown into a container.) 10/10“
“Exceptional service, polite staff, clean & organized with the best prices around. The Lion king roll was the highlight of my day with the fried bananas for dessert. The spicy seared salmon was gloriously refreshing & the tamago was cut in a heart shape when a chef noticed my husband & I we're sharing every plate New favorite spot & I will be certain to tell everyone I know about this gem of a dining experience.P.S. TIP the staff more than a dollar, they're hard workers & truly deserve it since tips are split between so many efficient individuals.“
“The folks who run the place are absolute gems, and the food is bomb! The auntie is so kind and often gives food to houseless people. The boats are fun of course! Best time to go for boats is 5-630. There are vegan options too. It is my go-to sushi spot in oakland.“
“Every time my girlfriend and I come here we get the absolute best service, the food is just spectacular and so authentic and always fresh. Literally the best salmon sashimi I have ever had. Aside from that, it's just so cozy and inviting and everybody is so friendly, oh and the portions are monstrous! You will love this place if you love authentic Japanese and Chinese food!“
“Ordered the sashimi appetizer over the phone for takeout on a late Saturday afternoon.Very efficient and friendly service.Given the location in a upscale area, I was surprised at the reasonableness of the price and the quality. Also, even though I didn't eat at site, it is a very pleasant intimate environment. If I'm ever in the area I would definitely come here again.“
“First time eating here. Sunday night for dinner. Restaurant was full and as they called our name, they asked if we were ok to be seated at the bar area instead of a table or else we would have to wait more. We opted to be seated at the bar. My partner got the chicken teriyaki entree (salad and miso soup were given prior); large portion of chicken. I ordered sushi. Super fresh and tasty. Looking forward to coming back for more!“
“Honestly, the food here is amazing! I've ordered multiple things from the menu and yet I have not been disappointed. My favorite rolls so far are the Kibo, Hartz, Salmon Skin hand roll and Isabel!! Isabel, Hartz & Salmon skin hand-roll are my top 3 favorites. For the appetizer, I really enjoy the garlic edamame!! If you're a garlic girl like I am, you should definitely give it a try. The gyozas and mixed tempura are a hit as well!! For rice plates, I really enjoy the chicken teriyaki. I usually never order chicken teriyaki at restaurants but oh man this one is soooo good. I really like the salad and pickled vegetables that come with it.“
“Stopped by on a Friday evening around 7:00 p.m. and the place was pretty empty. My party of five ordered three specialty rolls, two California rolls, some nigiri, along with a few appetizers to share, including mixed tempura, karaage, and hamachi kama. The food came out quickly. I enjoyed the freshness of the rolls and this ended up being the perfect amount of food. The karaage was a bit dry and the hamachi kama was slightly overcooked but otherwise, everything else was not bad. My friends and I noticed our waiter did a bit too much upselling for our liking, but I can't fault him to much for his hussle. If you're looking for a casual sushi spot, Tomsa delivers. Last things to note: there's plenty of off street parking in the shopping center and 20% auto gratuity was applied to our party of five.“
“The food is tasty and spicy, which I like, I ordered the Mongolian beef. It wasn't clear or stated on the order platform that this was just the Mongolian Beef. Apparently it does not come with rice which is very disappointing. It should be clear on the order app that this doesn't come with rice. This is first time I didn't get rice with my Chinese meal.“
“Wonderful little hole in the wall restaurant. I will definitely eat there when I'm in town. The spicy miso base was everything you would want in a bowl of ramen. In-house made sushi was great. I would certainly recommend this place if you in the mood for a great bowl of ramen.“
“Food was delicious. The service was excellent. The ambiance is perfect. The owner and sushi chef, Ricky, and his staff are my favorite part. We had the VIP treatment. Guess it didn't hurt that RJ's favorite customer was in our group. I highly recommend RJ's.“
“Under new management! Amazing service, felt so welcome. Some of the freshest sashimi I've ever had. Also they make home made ice cream in house you can take to go. The best I've ever had try the miso caramel! Can't wait to come back“
“Enjoyed appetizer of their Special of the day- crab, jalapeno, cream cheese, fried and with crunch topping. Was good but jalapeño was raw, would have been great if jalapeño was par cooked in this deep dried roll. Raw was clunky.Great vegetarian options that were unique, especially the yummy yummy roll, vegetarian roll, Japanese pickles and side salad.Guest had bento box chicken teriyaki, chicken was dry, not great. California roll standard. The rolls were great but bento was not my cup of tea. You may like it.“
“Not kidding when I say it’s the best sushi I’ve had in recent memory. The Bansho House Roll with shrimp and tempura salmon literally melted in my house. I normally like sushi, but I don’t love it. I LOVED their sushi. My family also absolutely loved their ramen. Don’t walk here, RUN. Cherry on the cake was that it’s a cute little place.“
“I usually don't leave a review unless I truly believe there was something exceptional (good or bad) about the place. This little, unassuming, sushiya is simply amazing. The service was so attentive and went above and beyond what you'd usually expect (thank you for the plum wine for us and ice cream for the kids!) and the sushi itself was really good and very well prepared. I honestly didn't expect much when we walked in (I was hungry, that I can readily admit) but the place was such a gem and I'm so happy we stopped by. Looking forward to doing it again soon!“
“2 of us dined there Valentine’s Day without reservations. The restaurant had many seats left, but the service was very slow. We waited a long time to order and get our food. It took over an hour to get our food. And the booth benches were very hard after waiting so long. The food was good though.“
“I ordered the Mushroom roll and as well as the vegetable gyozas and they were both amazing. It paired nicely with the green tea ? which was topped off periodically. I will definitely be coming back.Vegetarian options: Vegan sushi available“