50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Pinole

“We came here for lunch right when they opened at 11 AM. There were no guests yet, so we were seated and served right away. The place was cozy, comfortable, and clean — even the bathroom was well maintained. They served water first, which was a nice touch.

We ordered the sake nigiri and were surprised by how big the salmon pieces were — definitely worth trying! The tempura appetizer was also great — light, not just all breading — and came with their own special sauce.

The katsu curry came with a generous serving of rice. It was good, though I found the katsu sauce a little bland for my taste. Still, the portion size was satisfying. It also came with miso soup and a salad on the side — both were delicious, especially the salad dressing!

My husband ordered ramen, and the meat was so tender and flavorful that I might try it next time. :)“

“Delicious, friendly, and peaceful since the first time we went here in the 90s, had 2 bday dinners, and had lunch with my childhood friend from Asia. But recently, the sushi, it's like I was playing Barbie meals with my date but at adult price. No other places I've been, served good sushi smaller than average.“

“Located where the old outback used to be, this is great for someone like myself who lives in the area and wants decent sushi. The rolls aren't huge but I like that so I can order/try a variety of rolls. Lunch is $25 and dinner is $40 if I'm not mistaken. The staff is so nice and attentive. Everyone helps out and the food comes very fast. Good quality sushi with fried options and good appetizers. The only thing I would skip next time is the ice cream. Other than that I will be back!“

“Fresh ingredients, friendly staff, and delicious food and veggie options!“

“LOVE this place—we’ll be back again for sure!

Top notch food, and
Service was super-fast & polite.

Really outstanding sushi rolls.
Beautiful presentation, fresh popping flavor,
High quality tender fish.

Miso soup was simple but tasty, not too salty.

The *cloudy sake* was nice, a more earthy version of the typical sake flavor i’m used to.“

“Super delicious 👍 I never eat Japan food super good like this before.“

“Outstanding personal service. Sushi Burrito (several to choose from) are my favorite, Miso Soup, and a Beer or Sake. I recommend that you come and get some 🌯“

“We are regulars here - absolutely delicious, always fresh, and decently priced to-go sushi options! Not to mention super friendly and kind service. Recently they threw in an extra toro nigiri (for free) with the cutest note written!! Can’t recommend Itani Sushi enough :)“

“During the week I spent visiting my daughter, a student at Berkeley, we went there twice: delicious, everything fresh, huge portions. After Europe, this is unreal quality for reasonable money. Thank you so much! I hope to visit you again, and more than once!“

“This is a great spot! The service was great and very fast. The person serving us was very nice and attentive. We had the karage and sushi combo which came with more fish than we were expecting! Everything was very fresh and nicely presented. They had a lot of different seating areas -- it was two of us this time but would be suitable for bigger groups too. I always love getting an Andes mint after dinner too:) Definitely recommend and will be coming back!“

“This a tucked away gem. The Salt and Pepper Shrimp. Its the best I tasted, and the hot pepper slices gives them the extra kick of you desire extra hot. 12 juicy peices, the perfect texture. If you haven't it's a must. But be mindful , you will have the need to have them often they are soo delicious.... Vallejo a large city with a small town ambiance...“

“service and quality are top notch“

“Came in this small but cozy restaurant for a quick lunch bite and was surprised by the ambiance. I got the pork chop over rice and was surprised on how authentic it tasted. Crispy and homey - good blend of veggies and meat. Definitely a spot for casual get-togethers or a quick lunch. I would come back to try the food they didn’t have in stock (certain foods weren’t available depending on the days of the week or month)“

“The best omakase around!!“

“Best Japanese Curry in town !“

“EDIT: I felt its necessary to make the amendment that, although walking in without a reservation was a thing previously, we've now had multiple visits where we've stood at the counter for 2 hours never to be seated.

You can still eat the whole menu there, but its generally very crowded.

Getting reservations seems to be catered towards friends, or some type of mysterious system, as we no longer have been able to get a reservation even weeks in advance. The food is still the same.

Original Review: I can’t believe that I haven’t left a review for Ippuku; this is as close as you can get to a Tokyo alley izakaya, from the sasami raw chicken special menu (to do for), to the epic yakitori, to the massive shochu selection.

By far one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in the Bay Area, we’ve been here a good 30 times over the years and it has never once changed at all, thankfully!!! Never want it to change, it does everything so well.

Hokkaido squid, chicken oyster, chicken tartare, agadashi tofu, crab croquettes, these are some favorites.

Make a reservation if you can, but otherwise we often walk in and are seated within an hour. Fun to hang out at the bar and wait.“

“I've been a regular customer for 20 years. I've been going to Katana-ya with my parents since I was little, and even now, after getting married, I bring my wife back. Tokyo Feng is still as delicious as ever. Their sushi has been infused with innovative elements, and the flavor and texture have improved. The portions are generous, and the prices are affordable! Tokyo Feng, we hope you continue to do better and continue to do well for another 20 years!“

“Very beautiful!!!! Vale a pena conhecer“

“This is a quick serve onigiri restaurant in downtown Berkeley. It's awesome to be able to get fresh onigiri in the East Bay and they include edamame as well. We split a plate of 3 and got the short rib(x2) and the unagi. Very small inside the restaurant, very much a get your food and go type place, but there is some room to eat standing up. They were quick, well priced and delicious. The perfect quick bite.“

“Excellent take-out. Love their unagi, spicy crab salad, every roll that I’ve tried. And they are so nice!!“

“Chill space- the BEST Tonkotsu I’ve had in a LONG time. Service isn’t bad but nothing to rave about. They ask you enough questions to get you your food and leave you alone otherwise. If you’re having a day where you just want noodles and to chill- this is the spot. The Tonkotsu soothed my soul and the soft boil eggs were perfection.“

“This place is so worth it. My family has been going for 10+ years, almost since the beginning of the restaurant when it was in a different location. Aki-San will tell you when you’re eating something wrong, but it’s not mean-spirited. You should definitely ask him about his life and his journey to becoming a sushi chef. The sushi is the best you will ever have, even better than sushi I had when I visited Japan. It may be very expensive, but if you have the means it is extremely worth the price. Don’t ask for specific things, get what he recommends (but don’t be scared if you have diet restrictions to ask for something that works). Is is an amazing experience so if you go really enjoy it.“

“Cool sushi spot, atmosphere was very chill. I was pretty much the only one eating at the time. Sashimi was good, the 49er roll wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be but this pace was still great. Staff was very courteous and the food came really fast. They also give you large portions. You'll get full fast at this spot.“

“The food is great!!! Crew is awesome!!! Dine by the sea!!! Highly recommended!!!“

“I had the pleasure of trying the food from Darina Kiosk today and to say it was amazing does not even adequately describe it! I had the wagyu filed with rice and egg and the chicken katsu. It was some of the best food I've ever eaten! Highly recommend!“

“My Husband and I have been looking for a solid sushi place for us and our two teenagers. As you can imagine finding a place to suit everyone can be a challenge. After 2 misfires we landed here and though the other two might be nice for an array of other reasons, this fits all expectations across the board.

The environment is very cute and like being immersed in a sushi place in Japan(Gorgeous woodwork). The staff was friendly and there was a lovely live musician that really said the environment to the next level for a Friday night out with the family.

The food was incredible and since we went for happy hour, everything was priced better than just about any Restaurant we’ve been to recently. The rations in the rolls were proper nice chunks of avocado!!! GET THE SPIDER TACO!!!

Kk byeeeeee“

“Customer friendly & quick service. Food is great.😋“

“Amazing food and service. Ambiance on point as well“

“Very good quality of food 👍“

“Great food and quick service! A must try place if you’re in the area!“

“There was an important item left out of my order last night. But when I went back today, the Asst Manager Brandon went over the top. He really hooked me up. Their food is good, but their service and attitude is the best!“

“Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous. The decor takes you in, feels like a Japanese restaurant tucked away and cozy. Beautiful wood work and decorative. The service was 10/10. Prompt, great conversation, attentive and informative. Food was delicious, interesting and plenty to choose from. I particularly enjoyed their different ways to eat rolls and appetizers. The specials were fantastic and the soups brothy and delicious. Eat here as often as possible and twice on Sunday.“

“This sushi place is the best one I’ve been to. The friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere is amazing! They never rush me and even accommodate me if I’m running late for another event. Also the place is very clean, the lighting is inviting and the food is very delicious. I’ll be back next week, as they know😊🍣“

“Food is always fresh and is Always made to order. Never disappointed me.“

“Island Special Rolls are amazing!!! Phoenix, Pearl, Orinda and Super Star are a few of our favorites!!! #sushigood“

“This is our fourth time coming here and we're always so impressed with the delicious, fresh, creative,unique dishes that are beautifully presented. It's an unpretentious atmosphere and a great value as well. A true Berkeley institution!“

“经常更新季节性的鱼类…😋新鲜…主要的是老板很帅☺️…😜“

“Loved the food, I got the prime rib steak teriyaki and the mango ice cream. Service was great and waitresses were very friendly. Atmosphere was great, I love the light fixtures. Music was a little loud, though. I’d prefer jazz or an instrumental track over lyrical music.“

“Small shop with warm food and an open fridge section of sushi. There was also a wall of snacks. Prices are very reasonable. No verbal communication which I think is fine but the woman dropped my packed sushi upside down and then tossed it into a bag. Sushi rice was a bit too hard for my liking.“

“Came here for sushi and was honestly impressed. The fish was very fresh, and you can tell they care about quality. Every piece was clean, well-cut, and nicely balanced — nothing was overloaded with sauce, which I really appreciate. The sushi tasted simple and authentic, letting the ingredients speak for themselves.

The atmosphere was another big plus. The space is clean, calm, and comfortable, making it easy to relax and enjoy the meal. It’s not too loud or crowded, and the overall vibe feels welcoming and unpretentious. A great place to sit down, take your time, and actually enjoy good sushi.

Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Overall, this is a solid sushi spot with great food and a really pleasant atmosphere. I’d definitely come back and recommend it if you’re looking for quality sushi in a comfortable setting.“

“Excellent foods, friendly staffs! We really love to have dinner here~ Absolutely, I will visit again when I come back to Berkeley!“

“One of the first places I had dinner here after moving to Berkeley! The owners/staff are so quick and friendly. The sushi is always as ordered and fresh/delicious. Not only one of the best places on Durant to get sushi, but food in general! Fairly priced for the fresh food as well.“

“Many vegetarian and vegan options. Really good appetizers. The miso eggplant and the green beans were popular. Also the soba salad was really good. Service was nice. 9/10 people enjoyed their food. The only item not liked was the veggie curry udon soup.“

“A good place to taste Korean and Japanese cuisine with a twist.“

“This sushi spot is pretty great! I'm a big sushi lover and had never been here before. The restaurant itself is small inside but the sushi is well made and you can tell they put effort into it. All the sushi and sashimi was fresh and tasted great. I would definitely recommend this place and I will definitely be back. Thank you!“

“I come twice a month. This place is my go to for Japanese comfort food. I love the gyudon just the way they prepped it. Saucy, sweet and savory just like I remember from childhood in Asia. Sushi and sashimi are fresh (enough). Bento is reasonably priced. Atmosphere is good. Not pretentious like some of the Japanese restaurants in this area. They actually play Japanese tunes.“

“Pretty solid. Only got the basic tonkatsu and jasmine drink. Thought it’d be expensive due to being so close to campus, but the portion was large enough to fill me up. Prices are slightly cheaper than if I got it in SF for the same food. Service was quick. Nice staff.“

“So glad to find out they reopened after being closed a while during the pandemic. Currently you have to pre-order a day in advance for pickup so it takes a little planning but so worth it.Their fried chicken is so crispy. I ordered it with waffle fries and they say they only fire up the fries just before your pickup time so that they're fresh. When I went to pick up my order, they let me know it would just be a few minutes because the fries were finishing and when he came out with my order, he said he accidentally made the salad but included both the fries and salad and threw in a vanilla pudding. Everything was so delicious. Even the bonus pudding had flecks of vanilla bean and tasted so much better than the instant stuff. The chicken and fries were enough for 2 meals.“

“Excellent service and very friendly staff. The bento box was absolutely delicious and the portion was very generous. My son greatly enjoyed the fresh salmon. The complimentary ice cream provided for him was a thoughtful and impressive gesture. Highly recommended!“

“A sushirito -like place with cheaper prices. $8 instead of $13. Try the B8, which has both salmon and tuna sashimi inside. Added bonus points for carrying takoyaki.“