44 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.“

“Absolutely loved this place! They start you off with free edamame, and it was so good I devoured the entire bowl in 4 minutes flat. For the main event, the Mango Secret Roll and the Secret Love Roll were incredibly tasty and fresh.

They have basketball playing on the TV in the corner, which gives the place a nice, casual vibe. Service can be a little on the slower side, but the food is absolutely worth the wait. Will definitely be back!“

“Enjoyed clean and fresh tasting sashimi with delicious sides. Had to try the vegetarian okonomiyaki with bonito flakes mayo and unagi sauce. Salmon and avocado sushi roll was yummy. Definitely would come back to visit this quaint and tasty Japanese restaurant in my neighborhood!“

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

“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!“

“This place is great, service is fast a food is so delicious. I had the big scallop, unagi and avacdo roll, volcano roll and the lobster roll.

The big scallop was my favorite, and I highly suggest if you enjoy baked rolls. Unagi and avacdo was my next favorite, just a great combination I've never had on its own.

This place has a variety of selection when it comes to rolls. It will be a few visits before I can try them all.“

“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!“

“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 am writing this review with great happiness because the service I received was beyond my expectations. I have known about this restaurant for a long time, but yesterday was my first time visiting, and I had a wonderful experience.

The food was very good, and the taste was excellent. We asked them to prepare the meat in a specific way, and they made it exactly as we requested. Their service was outstanding, especially Mr. Joe. He was very kind, respectful, and professional. He listened carefully to our instructions and made sure everything was served just the way we wanted.

I truly appreciate the great service and hospitality. Overall, the restaurant, the staff, and the food were all excellent. I would definitely recommend this place to others.“

“Had the Chicken Teriyaki Dinner. The Service was fast and Inviting. Started with the Miso Soup that was really good. The Chicken Teriyaki Came with White Rice and a Salad. The Portions were A Decent Size and Boy was it good. All of It..Every Single Bit..I asked for extra salad dressing and I got it.Very good Miso Dressing...The Service remained great throughout my meal. What a great hidden Spot in the Pelton Center. Can't wait to return. Can't wait to Try something new. Finished off the Night with a Great Iced Coffee Next Door...“

“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.“

“I wish I could give this place 10 stars, genuinely had the best night with my besties. All credit goes to the owner Z!!! This man is such a gem— he’s so kind, funny, humble, and made us feel so welcomed into the space. The food was 19/10, we will definitely be returning and bringing all our friends/family here! Thank you Z for such an unexpectedly special night <3“

“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!!“

“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 :)“

“We got there in time for Happy Hour. The service was outstanding. Our server named Lumbi was attentive, super nice and took care of my family (plus our dog) so well. She brought out our food quickly, drinks refills quickly and our food came out flawlessly.

The prices compared to Irvine (where we are from) is very affordable!! The fish was fresh and the avocado roll was to die for. Not traditional sushi, it’s quite westernized so if that’s your style you’ll be happy. Solid locals spot!“

“When sashimi comes out at the right temperature, you know they’re doing it right. They have a great menu and prices aren’t absurd. I love this place and it’s arguably the best casual dining sushi restaurant I’ve ever eaten at. Please never change, Kigawa!“

“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!“

“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。“

“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 😋“

“We ordered half and half Supream and Soy & Garlic fried chicken. It was v crispy and also juicy. We’ve also had the honey cheese one and that one is pretty good too. They were pretty understaffed tonight (2 servers on a Saturday night), so I hope they hire more people to work on a weekend night!“

“This is our go-to ramen sushi restaurant!! It has delicious ramen,and something I love about the sushi is that they but a very very
thin layer of wasabi between the fish and rice on nigiri (or seaweed and rice on rolls) and it really brings out the taste of the toppings! The atmosphere is really nice, they have anime wallpaper and food videos playing!“

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

“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.“

“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“

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

“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“

“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“

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

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

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

“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“

“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.“

“Just ate here for the first time, And all i can say is dont listen to the negative comments! This place has amazing sushi. Its alittle pricey but the Rolls are Huge and totally worth the money! Also a decent selection! Deffinantly would be a place to stop. Plus theres a beach right across the street to walk on!“

“Conveyer belt sushi but more fun because it comes on floating boats! Incredible, super festive and fun for kids and adults. Great for birthdays and weekdays. They send a variety of sushi out throughout your seating time, though I recommend arriving closer to 6-6:30 if you want to try things like gyosa or a cheesy scallop appetizer. Otherwise, the sashimi and roll portions are very generous and prices are very reasonable.“

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

“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.“

“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“