Hanazen oferred some of the most delicious fish and housemade seasonings I have ever tasted. The service was incredible and the food was beyond memorable. Be sure to call and make a reservation for a meal you won't soon forget.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily F.
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.
Whitney D.
Have lived in Orinda almost my entire life and ate here for the first time tonight. It won't be the last. Best Omakase experience I've ever had (including compared to some Michelin starred restaurants).
J W.
This is a sushi EXPERIENCE. If you want to go out for a sushi meal -- dinner, date or otherwise, this might not be your best choice. But if you want to learn about sushi the way the Japanese intended it, then this is quite an education. As per previous reviews, this is a mom-n-pop, reservation only restaurant. Mom greets you, seats you, serves you, and educates you and your guest(s) on the proper way to dine on sushi. She is cheerful, knowledgeable, articulate, and informative. "Pop" is the chef. He makes the nigiri and all of the special prep that goes into each piece.It's nigiri only, and each piece is a special prep, whether it's the fish, the salt, the spicing... it's all special. And so is the sake. A lot of thought goes into both the sushi and sake the menus.Again, if you're looking to dine on"your favorite pieces", or sashimi, hand rolls, etc, then you will be disappointed. On the other hand, once you have dined at Hanazen, your knowledge and taste will have been elevated.So, there's a price that comes with this exclusive and exceptional experience, and you need to be prepared. The chef sets the menu based on what is seasonal, fresh, and available. This sushi/ dining experience is not comparable to what is generally offered locally, and I'd have to say that this restaurant would be priced at a $$$ or $$$$ level. Again, comparatively.I would say that it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience... unless you can afford it more frequently. Thumbs up, but conditionally.
Julia S.
Such a cute little mom and pop restaurant in Orinda! They only take reservations so make sure to make one or else they will NOT seat you. It's run by a husband and wife I think, the husband being the sushi chef and the wife being the waitress. The inside is super quaint and small but never crowded given its reservation only! They were nice and educated us on the type of fish we were eating, where it's from and they also had little signs to show you the proper way of eating the fish! The 18 piece omakase was very very filling but they do offer more pieces upon request! Definitely a cute spot to celebrate life events and would recommend for anyone in the area!
Yeonhwa Seo
If you want truly authentic Sushi, this is the place to go!I am so happy Hanazen is so close to us. This restaurant is truly a gem of Orinda. I hope they stay in business for a long long time hahaWe went recently for my husband's birthday and we had a blast. Each sushi was delicate and delicious, and the chef and his wife made sure to explain all the dishes to us in detail (what kind of fish it is, what kind of sauce/salt is used, etc.)It was quite a pleasant experience overall and we will definitely going back often. They are a bit pricey but I feel like that's expected with high quality Omakazes.There is a parking lot in the plaza but also a lot of street parking. It's walking distance from Safeway too so parking shouldn't be a problem.Just make sure to MAKE RESERVATIONS. It is a very small shop, run by the chef and his wife only. They only accept people under reservations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kartik K.
Longtime customer, first-time reviewer. One of my favorite things about living in Lamorinda is our proximity to Hanazen. It's an amazing omakase experience, particularly given the unexpected location in Orinda Village. Kenji and Coco take extreme pride in serving expertly prepared, beautiful, delicious nigiri. They love the food they serve and love to share it with customers who appreciate it. Not the place if you're in the mood for sushi rolls etc. But for omakase nigiri - so very worth it!
Kitling Sit
Delicious. Excellent service. Will definitely go again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Roe, Sashimi, Special Omakase Take Away, Oreo, Mackerel, Sushi
Sean Murphy
One of the most unique and personalized experiences in my lifetime. Phenomenal sushi (nothing more and nothing less). Singular focus which pays off for those experiencing the fish. Can't recommend it more highly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
Michael Chang
Cozy and relaxed restaurant where the food takes center stage. We enjoyed our 18-piece omakase experience. The variety was very diverse. Aji, Tai, Tako, Ikura, Bonito, White Tuna, Amberjack, Scallop, and Uni to name a few.The quality of the ingredients really shined. My wife and I used very little soy sauce. In fact, we only used a small amount when instructed by our wonderful hostess, Coco. The flavors were clean and subtle. Not overpowering at all.Also, the service was outstanding. Coco walked us through each piece and told us how Chef Kenji prepared the dish.I highly recommend giving Hanazen a try if you enjoy omakase. However, this is not the place for you if you're looking for rolls, anything seared, or sushi covered in heavy sauce.
I love this place. Everyone should give this place a try at least one. The ambiance is very private and personable. You have to make reservations before hand and the doors are closed for any walk ins. The couple that served and owned the place was very sweet. We have the omikase dinner and everything was super. There were many fishes I've never had before. The personalize salts, chilis, red vinegar in the rice, and brush of soy sauce were all spectacular dishes. I was really surprise I was full from the pieces of the sushi we had. The pace allows use to take in the flavor and enjoy the fishes.I recommend sitting at the bar!! I love this place!
Pablo N.
My wife and I have lived in Orinda for 4 years and never knew this place existed. We had such a great experience at Hazan. Intimate, knowledgeable, and top shelf fish. Fixed menu, tons of unique fish. The chef is amazing and has his taste on everything. The host was informative and funny. My wife and I had a great time here. Highly recommend. I eat my share of fish and this was a whole different beast. This does come with a price as most good things do.
Kevin Crawford
My wife and I had a wonderful experience for our dinner. It's a very quiet and cozy place where you can enjoy the food. We did the chefs choice 18 pieces. I liked all of them, and loved quite a few of them. It was obvious that the chef knows what he is doing and how much seasoning to apply to each piece. It was great trying several fish I haven't had before. Thank you Hanazen for a very nice evening.
Jan F.
I found this spot on Yelp and was very excited about eating here. I loved the fact they have a dress code and don't allow people to wear fragrances. I went to their website and read all the rules, so I was prepared. What I didn't know is that you don't order. The chef told us the tasting was 18 pieces and we could add more if we chose to. Every piece of fish was delicious and 18 pieces ended up being enough for us. We got one sake sampler and then both ordered a glass. This restaurant represents traditional sushi restaurants. No chopsticks, no soy sauce and no wasabi. If you love sushi, put Hanazen on your list.
Yeonhwa S.
If you want truly authentic Sushi, this is the place to go! I am so happy Hanazen is so close to us. This restaurant is truly a gem of Orinda. I hope they stay in business for a long long time haha We went recently for my husband's birthday and we had a blast. Each sushi was delicate and delicious, and the chef and his wife made sure to explain all the dishes to us in detail (what kind of fish it is, what kind of sauce/salt is used, etc.) It was quite a pleasant experience overall and we will definitely going back often. They are a bit pricey but I feel like that's expected with high quality Omakazes. There is a parking lot in the plaza but also a lot of street parking. It's walking distance from Safeway too so parking shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure to MAKE RESERVATIONS. It is a very small shop, run by the chef and his wife only. They only accept people under reservations.
Hanazen oferred some of the most delicious fish and housemade seasonings I have ever tasted. The service was incredible and the food was beyond memorable. Be sure to call and make a reservation for a meal you won't soon forget.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Have lived in Orinda almost my entire life and ate here for the first time tonight. It won't be the last. Best Omakase experience I've ever had (including compared to some Michelin starred restaurants).
This is a sushi EXPERIENCE. If you want to go out for a sushi meal -- dinner, date or otherwise, this might not be your best choice. But if you want to learn about sushi the way the Japanese intended it, then this is quite an education. As per previous reviews, this is a mom-n-pop, reservation only restaurant. Mom greets you, seats you, serves you, and educates you and your guest(s) on the proper way to dine on sushi. She is cheerful, knowledgeable, articulate, and informative. "Pop" is the chef. He makes the nigiri and all of the special prep that goes into each piece.It's nigiri only, and each piece is a special prep, whether it's the fish, the salt, the spicing... it's all special. And so is the sake. A lot of thought goes into both the sushi and sake the menus.Again, if you're looking to dine on"your favorite pieces", or sashimi, hand rolls, etc, then you will be disappointed. On the other hand, once you have dined at Hanazen, your knowledge and taste will have been elevated.So, there's a price that comes with this exclusive and exceptional experience, and you need to be prepared. The chef sets the menu based on what is seasonal, fresh, and available. This sushi/ dining experience is not comparable to what is generally offered locally, and I'd have to say that this restaurant would be priced at a $$$ or $$$$ level. Again, comparatively.I would say that it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience... unless you can afford it more frequently. Thumbs up, but conditionally.
Such a cute little mom and pop restaurant in Orinda! They only take reservations so make sure to make one or else they will NOT seat you. It's run by a husband and wife I think, the husband being the sushi chef and the wife being the waitress. The inside is super quaint and small but never crowded given its reservation only! They were nice and educated us on the type of fish we were eating, where it's from and they also had little signs to show you the proper way of eating the fish! The 18 piece omakase was very very filling but they do offer more pieces upon request! Definitely a cute spot to celebrate life events and would recommend for anyone in the area!
If you want truly authentic Sushi, this is the place to go!I am so happy Hanazen is so close to us. This restaurant is truly a gem of Orinda. I hope they stay in business for a long long time hahaWe went recently for my husband's birthday and we had a blast. Each sushi was delicate and delicious, and the chef and his wife made sure to explain all the dishes to us in detail (what kind of fish it is, what kind of sauce/salt is used, etc.)It was quite a pleasant experience overall and we will definitely going back often. They are a bit pricey but I feel like that's expected with high quality Omakazes.There is a parking lot in the plaza but also a lot of street parking. It's walking distance from Safeway too so parking shouldn't be a problem.Just make sure to MAKE RESERVATIONS. It is a very small shop, run by the chef and his wife only. They only accept people under reservations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Longtime customer, first-time reviewer. One of my favorite things about living in Lamorinda is our proximity to Hanazen. It's an amazing omakase experience, particularly given the unexpected location in Orinda Village. Kenji and Coco take extreme pride in serving expertly prepared, beautiful, delicious nigiri. They love the food they serve and love to share it with customers who appreciate it. Not the place if you're in the mood for sushi rolls etc. But for omakase nigiri - so very worth it!
Delicious. Excellent service. Will definitely go again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Roe, Sashimi, Special Omakase Take Away, Oreo, Mackerel, Sushi
One of the most unique and personalized experiences in my lifetime. Phenomenal sushi (nothing more and nothing less). Singular focus which pays off for those experiencing the fish. Can't recommend it more highly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
Cozy and relaxed restaurant where the food takes center stage. We enjoyed our 18-piece omakase experience. The variety was very diverse. Aji, Tai, Tako, Ikura, Bonito, White Tuna, Amberjack, Scallop, and Uni to name a few.The quality of the ingredients really shined. My wife and I used very little soy sauce. In fact, we only used a small amount when instructed by our wonderful hostess, Coco. The flavors were clean and subtle. Not overpowering at all.Also, the service was outstanding. Coco walked us through each piece and told us how Chef Kenji prepared the dish.I highly recommend giving Hanazen a try if you enjoy omakase. However, this is not the place for you if you're looking for rolls, anything seared, or sushi covered in heavy sauce.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I love this place. Everyone should give this place a try at least one. The ambiance is very private and personable. You have to make reservations before hand and the doors are closed for any walk ins. The couple that served and owned the place was very sweet. We have the omikase dinner and everything was super. There were many fishes I've never had before. The personalize salts, chilis, red vinegar in the rice, and brush of soy sauce were all spectacular dishes. I was really surprise I was full from the pieces of the sushi we had. The pace allows use to take in the flavor and enjoy the fishes.I recommend sitting at the bar!! I love this place!
My wife and I have lived in Orinda for 4 years and never knew this place existed. We had such a great experience at Hazan. Intimate, knowledgeable, and top shelf fish. Fixed menu, tons of unique fish. The chef is amazing and has his taste on everything. The host was informative and funny. My wife and I had a great time here. Highly recommend. I eat my share of fish and this was a whole different beast. This does come with a price as most good things do.
My wife and I had a wonderful experience for our dinner. It's a very quiet and cozy place where you can enjoy the food. We did the chefs choice 18 pieces. I liked all of them, and loved quite a few of them. It was obvious that the chef knows what he is doing and how much seasoning to apply to each piece. It was great trying several fish I haven't had before. Thank you Hanazen for a very nice evening.
I found this spot on Yelp and was very excited about eating here. I loved the fact they have a dress code and don't allow people to wear fragrances. I went to their website and read all the rules, so I was prepared. What I didn't know is that you don't order. The chef told us the tasting was 18 pieces and we could add more if we chose to. Every piece of fish was delicious and 18 pieces ended up being enough for us. We got one sake sampler and then both ordered a glass. This restaurant represents traditional sushi restaurants. No chopsticks, no soy sauce and no wasabi. If you love sushi, put Hanazen on your list.
If you want truly authentic Sushi, this is the place to go! I am so happy Hanazen is so close to us. This restaurant is truly a gem of Orinda. I hope they stay in business for a long long time haha We went recently for my husband's birthday and we had a blast. Each sushi was delicate and delicious, and the chef and his wife made sure to explain all the dishes to us in detail (what kind of fish it is, what kind of sauce/salt is used, etc.) It was quite a pleasant experience overall and we will definitely going back often. They are a bit pricey but I feel like that's expected with high quality Omakazes. There is a parking lot in the plaza but also a lot of street parking. It's walking distance from Safeway too so parking shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure to MAKE RESERVATIONS. It is a very small shop, run by the chef and his wife only. They only accept people under reservations.