“One of the few all you can eat sushi places in the area. Right at about 30 bucks puts it at quite the deal. They have a ton of rolls, I think around 40 to choose from. A good portion is spicy but most of them have salmon and tuna not just imitation crab meat. No nigiri or sashimi but everything I had, had a good portion of fish. All in all a great place to go, just kinda of the beaten path though.“
“the shared plates and appetizers here are amazing. it's actually very reasonable to have a family style meal here and I would definitely recommend doing so over getting the sushi individually. the eggplant, brussels sprouts, tofu mushroom pockets, and katsu are my go-to.“
“Came here tonight for the restaurant week menu (the set dinner with 5 rolls and chocolate mousse dessert for ~$35 pre tax and tip) for the first time with a party of 2, and boy was it tasty!!! It did not disappoint. I also got a Hana G+T cocktail. The set menu included the cucumber sunomono starter, and the following 5 omaka-set (the OG): zuke maguro (tuna), negihama, salmon, black cod, and snow crab. Our total cost after tax and tip was $60 ish (cocktails are ~$12-15 each) Pros: - SUPER fast service. They had reservations for ~1 hour after we arrived but said if we ate quick we could sit and eat at a window table. The girl who served us also had very corny jokes which we enjoyed haha. - YUMMY HANDROLLS which are very worth it, the pieces of fish are pretty big. My ultimate favorite was the black cod with truffle oil, it was so unique and delicious! Each one was perfect, no cons. - I LOVE the pipet-able soy sauce!! It makes it very easy to get some soy sauce in your hand roll without having the whole thing fall apart when you try to dip it in a soy sauce dish - The Hana Gin and tonic had the perfect amount of alcohol in it (where you can taste it but it's not too strong), and it was such a beautiful looking purple drink too. Definitely a pleasant surprise - Great for parties of 2 since there's multiple tables that can seat 2, but if you have a bigger party it could be a longer wait - I thought the price was very appropriate, and the menu wasn't too overwhelming, very straightforward. Good bang for your buck - they give you way more fish than Kazu Nori in SoCal. - Decent amount of food in the set menu - I didn't feel stuffed, but I wasn't hungry after either. Honestly, no cons other than the fact that it may be hard to find parking nearby and you might have to walk a bit (but also very walkable from 19th st. BART). 10/10 will be back, what a great restaurant week intro! Everything was so beautifully presented too. I can't wait to come back and try the other omaka-sets.“
“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.“
“Greeted with amazing service from beginning to end. We brought a little baby and forgot to bring our scissor to cut the food into tiny bits. The kind waiter gave us one to use, and without asking gave us extra napkins, a cup with a straw, and a baby bowl. Is the waiter a parent too? Because he gets it! We appreciate the gesture! Food is delicious too, of course. We went back several times. :)“
“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.“
“A gem of a restaurant tucked away in Castro Valley. Took my mom here to celebrate her birthday and had a lovely experience. The chef and the staff were all super attentive and kind, and even provided some complimentary sips which were like nothing I’ve ever tasted. This was our first proper omakase together, but it won’t be our last. Everything was prepared masterfully, super fresh, and very tasty. We even opted for a couple of extra bites which were well worth it. Dining like this is a nice treat once in a great while.“
“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!“
“AMAZING vegetarian & vegan restaurant!!(⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎)❤️?I’ve been wanting to visit this place since my second year in Berkeley, and I’m glad I finally did!You can tell they made their food with great care and the ingredients are yummy and fresh!The staff are very nice; the vibe inside is clean and chill. This is a great place for you to hang out with a small group of friends or come alone to recharge your mental health (I mean seriously, their food is tasty, healthy, and pretty!)I’d definitely come back very often to try out all other creative cuisines! “
“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“
“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.“
“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.“
“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“
“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.“
“It was better before they changed their menu :( something about their sushi burritos is off and they're not as good as it used to be2023 edit: they're back to what they were before! Plus they have poke bowls now. Definitely recommend the sushi burritos now, they're so good!“
“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.“
“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.“
“This is a wonderful Japanese restaurant. There is often a wait for a table, but the waits are usually short. The rolls are wonderful. My favorite is the Dragon roll. There is a large menu with Japanese salads, sushi, bento boxes, sashimi, noodles and tempura.“
“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“
“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“
“Some of the best sushi I’ve had, especially the salmon nigiri and lion king roll. Such big portions of fish. Not to mention the bowl was also a screaming deal for the amount of food you get and it’s so custom! Also came with some gluten free people and they were very “
“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“
“I just discovered this amazing place and I am in love with it. The food is delicious and satisfying. The restaurant itself is amazing with lots of indoor and outdoor seating, a full cocktail bar, and a very large sushi bar. Please go check it out cuz it is cool and a great find in Castro valley, California.“
“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.“
“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.“
“This is one of those whole in the wall. The food is good! Ingredients are fresh. It’s the fresh ginger that did it for me. I’ve ordered take out, dine in multiple times. Just know that if you dine in, they’ll serve the food in paper plates. Which is fine, I guess. So don’t expect an aesthetic look. Not this place. It’s simply a good place to eat. Period.I like that they have Poke and a good selection of sushi.The spicy edamame isn’t very spicy, but it’s yummy! ?We ordered the dragon roll, the Lion king roll, and fried California roll.“
“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.“
“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!“
“Really good sushi and a surprisingly broad assortment of other foods, amazing service, and open until a ridiculously late time in the evenings. If you're not sure what's still open and you're hungry near Temescal, this is your place, right here. No need to settle for "whatever's open" when you can have amazing sushi and bento until after midnight!Their space is a little weird, they have two storefronts that are kinda joined at the hip. They make it work really well, though! there are TVs, but they usually have something chill on, like a Miyazaki film, and not filled with commercials and blaring. Very chill atmosphere, good place to hang out with friends, be human, and enjoy life.Their tuna tataki and spicy edamame are especially awesome.“
“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.“
“Food: Top notch sushi. If you want the luxury sushi experience, look no further. The chef himself studied and worked in Japan. Super intelligent man with a lot of knowledge about Japanese sushi. I highly recommend getting the fish of the day. It will blow your mind by how the fish melts in your mouth. If not, get any black cod dish. I get it every time I come here.Service: Awesome staff who hustles to please all customers. Cant thank them enough!“
“Went here for my birthday recently. Couldn't get over how good that food was. I think i might've had a dream about it after. This could be one of the best sushi restaurants in the east bay, especially after so many places closed since covid or went under new management. The service was excellent, i loved the traditional decor, but the food. THE FOOD! So fresh and beautiful, perfect smell and color. I'll definitely come back.“
“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.“
“The Dream Gina roll is so tasty I always have to get it and if sushi isn't the vibe for the day then I go with the Beef Teriyaki plate ! Always fresh and super delicious. Also had a great experience when I dined in and ordered the Katie 2 and Udon. The best sushi in Oakland imo (:“
“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.“
“This place was great and had good food but not enough for five stars tbh. Some of the food items are great and some are okay and need a bit more seasoning. Sometimes it's hard to get the attention of the staff. Some of the items are a bit pricy.“
“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.“
“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!“