48 Best Japanese Restaurants near San Lorenzo

“I had the chicken beef and ribs bento box. The ribs were so good I went back and ordered another set of ribs for later. The customer service was awesome I had never been there before and they were quick to point out their favorite recommendations so thumbs up. Sorry I didn't take any pictures cuz I ate it too fast.“

“The sushi portions are generous and satisfying, and the atmosphere is great—comfortable and inviting. However, the service is lacking and could be more attentive. Overall, good food and ambiance, but the service could be better. Only reason not giving a 5 ⭐“

“My friend and I came for lunch, and we had a lovely afternoon. I got a poke bowl that was fresh, filling, and flavorful. My friend had a gorgeous sushi roll and miso soup. I ordered the house sale hot, and she got hot tea. The service was prompt and friendly without being overbearing. The overall vibe was popping over to a friend’s house and they just happen to have banging Japanese food. It was also a great value. I plan to come here again for sure.“

“I have been coming to this restaurant since they opened 16+ years ago. The food is always fresh and delicious. My whole family loves it! Abi and Andy are great hosts and the whole crew of peole working there are friendly. I wish they were open for lunch time during the week as it used to be. Still my favorite sushi place!“

“one of my favorite places in the country to eat. whenever I'm in the Bay area, in here“

“Every roll was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. The staff were welcoming and attentive.
In the end they offered me plum wine but I asked for ice cream and they accommodated.
I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“This sushi restaurant its so good! The deluxe uni handball is SUPER tasty. I could have eaten 50 of them.

We ordered soft shell crab, which was a smaller crab than I am typically used to at ither places, but it still tasted good and had a nice crunchy texture.

The mix tempura was probably the best tempura I've had ever. The texture was light and crispy and not soggy at all (which is very easy for it to get).

Then we ordered chicken udon for our 3 year old, who lodged the noodles and broth.

We ordered the Deluxe sashimi as our main dish and it was absolutely delicious! I loved the ice underneath the radish to keep the sashimi cold (my daughter loved it too and kept eating it).

They gave us edaname beans and green tea ice cream complementary which was nice before abd after the meal.

I highly recommend!“

“Very good meal, service was great, I'll definitely be back.“

“First time here and probably last time too. I hella liked how the inside was decorated reminded me of a restaurant in Japan. Kinda disappointed though. I hella love sushi. But the sushi selection was small. Nothing caught my eye. The only thing I did enjoy with my meal was the ikura. The waitress’s don’t even check up on you to see how your doing. We we’re seated all the way in the back. I asked for more water and it never came. And for those 2 reasons I won’t come back.“

“I’ve been eyeing this place for months and finally was in the mood for sushi. The bento box was very fresh and delicious. I got the salmon teriyaki and spicy tuna. I also got the uji time ice cream. They offer a variety hand make ice cream that changes every week. This week I got the purple potato one. It was a perfect meal for an early dinner and the staff was very nice.“

“I was so happy to find this place! It’s a casual Japanese restaurant. This place seems to specialize in takeout, but there’s tables and seating if you want to dine in.

I tried their chicken katsu bento and I was blown away with the quality and portion size. A bento can easily feed 2 if you don’t eat large amounts. Food is definitely on the heavier side.

They also serve sushi. Would definitely come back to try them.“

“Best and most underrated ramen in the Bay! The broth is so flavorful, the texture of the noodles is perfect, and the pork belly is so crispy. Good portions for the price and the owners/service are great. My personal fav is the TanTan! Can be a little salty so request less salt :)“

“I have been coming here for almost 14 years. And I would not change this japanese restaurant for another. Ambiance, food price, friendliness the taste of the food is wonderful. Like my mom always says : bueno, bonito y barata. Good, wonderful, comfortable prices. You won’t be disappointed!!“

“A great Japanese restuarant offering halal hibachi and sushi rolls. Small but cosy ambiance.
Personally love their dinner hibachi (Steak & chicken , steak & beef both). They serve hibachi with a soup and some salad which is great stuff. The spicy tuna rolls and the Californian rolls are worth the treat. I personally feel the hibachi serving should be slightly more but I don’t mind the current serving as well.
What I did not like was yakisoba, it had very less veges. Service overall is great. Must try if you’re looking for halal Japanese good food. However, it’s a bit pricy comparatively.“

“Low key, family-run sushi spot out in the burbs. I usually get sashimi or one of the rolls. Now if you want to throw caution to the wind, get the roll called "I don't know". It's chef's choice, and it depends on the ingredients on hand that day. Sometimes it's great, sometimes less so. Regardless, the portion is always generous, and it's always a surprise.“

“Think of the part last time you ate teriyaki...dried chicken with a bunch of gross sauce. This place perplexed me... the chicken and shrimp are perfectly cooked, with just enough sauce. The care in the prep is beyond anything you'd expect for what you'd think is a simple dish. I honestly can't think of another place that makes food this juicy, and with care. It's been on my weekly lunch rotation for a reason. Shame it's in a dead city bc you can tell they care when restaurants around them only care to make a buck.“

“We had a Lion King Roll (this was baked so was a bit surprised but it was good), tonkatsu donburi, and a 2-item bento (beef teriyaki and tempura). Good value bento box…good sized portions and tasty (really enjoyed the salad which had a delicious creamy sesame dressing). My wife enjoyed the donburi which I had a bite of and thought it was delicious. We will be back to try other things on the menu.“

“I am tourist here and this was the nearest sushi place near my Airbnb.
Food as good, the girl who served me was not warm at all. The moment I walked in she looked confused if she should serve me or not maybe because I was alone.
I loved the food. Green tea ice cream not so much. I wanted a bottle of water to take back to my Airbnb but they didn’t have any which is fine. I asked the girl where can I find a bottle of water near by “she said I don’t know” I paid my tab and walked out and saw hundreds of stores who sell bottle of water . Being a tourist I would have appreciated a little courtesy of just saying “ hey you can get water down the street” I wasn’t asking for much. But anyways I am glad I tipped her only $3.“

“Ever since the Marugame Alameda location opened, it’s been a main staple for my routine! The staff are kind and attentive, and the food is delicious. Compared to other locations, I’d say the Alameda location is among the better ones I have visited over the years. Even though the location is fairly new, opening this past year, it’s helped heightened my expectations of Marugame locations. I highly recommend coming here and ordering the Gyudon!“

“Price is good and food is good.“

“It's small, so the wait for a dine in table can take a bit, but the food quality is worth the wait. Our family has loved everything we have tried. this is one of a handful of local restaurants my 10 year old some will never complain about!“

“Hard to reserve seats at this 8 seat only Omakase behind an unmarked door in Alameda. Led by a quality, experience, and diner education obsessed chef who personally selects and imports most of the seafood from Japan.

It is a personally catered omakase bar service of very high quality. They also have a lovely sake selection.

Pricey, but worth it.“

“ラーメンと言っているが、そばや焼き鳥など日本のメニューが複数ある。 日本で食べるような美味しさは無いが困った時やどうしても日本の味が恋しい時などは行ける。 まあ、悪くはないとおもいます。“

“Mijori – A Classic at Lake Merritt!

This little gem has been a mom-and-pop staple in Oakland for over 30 years, and they’re still going strong. The service is consistently friendly, and the food never misses. It’s a must-stop if you’re in the Lake Merritt area.

They offer a variety of weekly specials depending on the fresh fish they receive, so there’s always something new to try. Don’t skip the tuna salad—it’s topped with their house-made spicy Korean sauce, and it’s absolutely delicious.

The sushi we ordered tonight was fresh, sweet, well-seasoned, and simply satisfying. Pair it with a cold beer or a glass of sake, and you’re in for a great evening. Come check them out—you won’t be disappointed!

Don’t forget to follow for more Great foodie stops @Only1christinelu“

“I have been going here for years. They have some of the best rolls in town. I always get the dragon roll, E14th roll, and the crunchy roll. So very yummy 😋“

“One of the best hidden treasures sushi restaurants on the island of Alameda.
At this posting, Omakase nigiri (10 pieces nigiri) for $52 or Sashimi omakase (10 pieces) for $48.
Good wine and sake menu. High quality sushi, unlike other sushi restaurants in Alameda.
Professional service with details.
Price value!“

“Wadaya hasn't left my mind yet. I love that the noodles are thicker than Kajiken. It makes for a chewier bite which I prefer. I'd say the taste is similar to Kajiken but maybe the flavor at Kajiken is a bit better. I definitely like the noodles here more. The absolute star of the show is the tiny scoop of rice they give you at the end to mix in with your extra sauce. I wasn't a believer at first until I actually tried it. Best bite ever. Holy.“

“best egg rolls and gyoza! I wish we could find teriyaki this good in WA“

“Great atmosphere, great food, great service. Highly recommend Yokohama Sushi! 👍“

“Definitely going to go back here again sushi’s are fresh and taste so good! My wife and my daughter enjoyed it the last time we went there for lunch. They have variety of sushi on their menu and the staff are really friendly. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ -donpinoytv“

“Had a great experience! As a vegetarian, I’m always a bit cautious when trying Korean restaurants, but this place pleasantly surprised me with several delicious options.

The vegetarian-friendly Bibimbap was flavorful and satisfying, packed with fresh vegetables and perfectly seasoned. I also tried the Japchae, and the sweet potato glass noodles were cooked just right — slightly chewy, lightly sweet, and full of vegetable flavor. I also enjoyed the crispy fried seaweed rolls, which made for a perfect appetizer.

What I really appreciated was how accommodating the staff was when I asked about the ingredients and vegetarian modifications.

Overall, it’s a wonderful spot for vegetarians who want to enjoy authentic Korean flavors without feeling limited in choices. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“It was the best sushi! We will be back!“

“Great people, fresh ingridients, authentic taste. Love it!!“

“Delicious food for a great price

Vegetarian options: Seaweed salad, rolls can be made as vegetarian, and soup is vegan

Parking: Lots of parking, always.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes there are wheelchair ramps and parking for those with disability“

“This is a great Japanese restaurant. We had a great time. The food was excellent. The atmosphere is quaint and romantic. You can sit at wooden tables with chairs or sit on a mat at authentic Japanese style tables. I highly recommend this restaurant for fun casual dining or for a romantic date night.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – A Hidden Gem Worth Every Bite!

We had an incredible Omakase experience at this unassuming gem in Castro Valley, and it truly exceeded all expectations. The service was a perfect 10/10 — the host was extremely attentive, warm, and made us feel genuinely taken care of throughout the evening.

The food was exceptional — fresh, beautifully composed, and full of thoughtful flavors that worked harmoniously together. Each course felt intentional and elevated, showcasing top-notch quality without the pretentiousness.

And the dessert? Unforgettable. The Hojicha panna cotta was an absolute standout — silky, flavorful, and the perfect ending to a phenomenal meal.

Overall, this place easily gets 100 out of 100 from us. If you’re looking for amazing food, impeccable service, and a truly memorable dining experience, this is the spot. A must-visit in Castro Valley! 🍣✨“

“the.staff.is friendly. Food is fresh and tasty!!“

“The food, music, customer service, and ambiance is TOP TIER!! My go to is the sunshine and poki me roll! Tried the mystery box and it was a pleasant surprise! Whoever was on aux 9/20/25 plz send me your playlist lol. As always, Angryfish is *chef's kiss*“

“The only legitimate and actually JAPANESE sushi restaurant in Hayward.

How do I know?

The sushi chefs are actually Japanese.

Which of course makes a difference to us who are Japanese, married to a Japanese person for 30+ years, have traveled to Japan, actually prepare Japanese food in our homes...

IYKYK“

“I was out walking my dog, and I got this craving for sushi. I had picked up delivery from here before doing Doordash, but never tried it myself. They were sort staffed so I did have to wait a bit. But it was 1000% worth the wait. I got the Lion Princess and the White Dragon. Both delicious. And the sauces on the side took it to another level.“

“The service was quite good, and the food was decent overall. However, if you’re looking for a truly authentic Japanese dining experience, this may not be the place. I ordered a $30 bento dinner, which came with tempura, soup, salad, and rice, along with a choice of two main items. I chose tuna sashimi and yakiniku, and the portions were very generous. That said, the flavors didn’t quite feel traditionally Japanese.

The restaurant itself is fairly large, with plenty of seating and a pleasant atmosphere. We also ordered three different rolls, though I don’t remember their names. The rolls were enjoyable and tasted good, but the overall flavor profile leaned more toward a Japanese-American fusion rather than classic Japanese cuisine.

Overall, it’s a comfortable place with good service and generous portions—nice for a casual meal, just not ideal if authenticity is what you’re seeking.“

“Found this place from a post on Instagram, and it was definitely worth the visit! The service was great and made us feel very welcome. Loved the boats, and the food was high quality. We were seated right away as well. It’s a great spot for a date night and an awesome place to support a local business, especially with its great location near the Grand Lake Theater.“

“I couldn't find it inside marketplace, so I called them and got precise direction.
It is winter time, no tables outside, so I took a table between them and a butchery.
Chef's truffle tuna rolls are to die for.
They also have good selection of japanese sake in bottles.“

“We come here about once a month. We enjoy mostly the combination dinners with entree (we get Salmon Teriyaki or mackerel), mixed tempura, California rolls, salad, and miso soup. I tried the deluxe combo with entree, sashimi, mixed tempura, and nigiri sushi selection. Everything was very good. Quite a lot of food as a good value for Japanese food.“

“Great food. Good portions. Our server is very nice, friendly, polite and professional.“

“The food was great and the staff was really nice“

“The restaurant only for the reason of speaking another language within it the employees take Gonchi out of you is Can by the hair also they steal your belongings we made a case for the police“

“Went on a date and got some absolutely delicious sushi 🍣 the prices are much better than almost all the sushi restaurants in the area while still maintaining quality. It does depend on what you get, but if you find the good rolls then this will become your favorite spot in downtown Hayward for sushi!!“