“Ramen restaurants are popping up everywhere nowadays! Yummy house is good and the prices are competitive with other ramen restaurants. I had the vegetable ramen and it appears to be the only ramen dish that don't use pork broth. For $12.99 it was a tasty bowl of portions. I also had the salmon tuna poke and that was a very tasty treat that I took to go and ate it at home while watching Fubar on Netflix, lol. Sorry, i forgot to take a picture of the ramen bowl. ?“
“I came here for the first time about 1 month ago and loved it so much that I came back the very next day for lunch!I forget which rolls I had, but all 3 were delicious and fresh. The service was great and the staff is friendly. It's definitely the best sushi in the area.“
“i'm not vegan - my favorite sushi here were the rolls with lots of ingredients! the variance in flavor & texture helps give the same experience as you'd get eating fish sushi.the futo maki was a tiny texture party, and the flavor wasn't overshadowed by any kind of sauce. the leahi roll tasted like barbecue! pokai roll was by far the star of the evening.eggplant tataki was tasty but small, hard to grab, and simultaneously warm and cold. the miso soup was... not my favorite. i think miso just won't taste like it's supposed to without the dashi stock.it's probably best to make a reservation. our table was ready right on time!“
“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.“
“Love love love this place, our go to and our happy place Always leave so satisfied and feeling good! The chef has his own specials on the menu that you won't find in other places. Everything is always fresh and clean. Jackie puts so much heart into his food here. See you there“
“Delicious food. Amazing service. And great portions. We got the poke bowls; they were great!! We also got the 3 amigos special roll, green tea, miso soup, and salmon nigiri. All amazing!! Our server was nice, quick, and very attentive. Always making sure our tea was hot and we were well covered. A couple outdoor tables, and a good amount of indoor. Tons of take out action. They have cool purple rice as a signature. And the fish was very tasty! Highly recommend. There is a good sized parking lot next to the restaurant. Just be sure to park with caution; the neighboring Ace hardware brings a lot of turn over of large work trucks that have some challenges with the parking lot. This is a great spot!!Vegetarian options: Tons of veg optionsDietary restrictions: Tons of veg optionsParking: Street parking and a lot both free!Kid-friendliness: Yes!Wheelchair accessibility: A bit tight, but I believe it is Ada compliant“
“We had an amazing time at sushi ran, one of the best sushi places we have been to, great ambience and service, highly recommend it.Vegetarian options: Vegetarian Maki , edamame, seaweed salad, agedashi tofu veg , no miso soup add that had fish broth, lots of vegetables options.“
“Extraordinary quality of fish, attention to detail with service, and surprising value for money. The sake list was extensive and varied, this nigiri expertly seasoned, and some of the best sashimi I've had in California. Will be coming back (again and again).“
“I really like the sushi rolls and the calm atmosphere at Sumo. Hot tea and miso soup to start on a rainy evening. It was my first time having the GoGo roll, with shrimp, avocado, cucumber and DF asparagus... give it a try! The baked scallop roll is a warm savory treat as well.“
“The definition of a hole in the wall. Or maybe hole in the ground is more apt. Half-embedded in concrete, flush with the sidewalk, Sushi Cal might be mistaken as an abandoned lot-- nope, this humble restaurant is fully open and has been for the past 30+ years!After visiting both pre- and post-pandemic, I still think this is the best spot for budget sushi. Prices have somehow stayed low without undermining quality. Their cooked dishes tend to run a little bland; the sushi is what you should be coming here for. I've had a variety of rolls and nigiri here with no complaints-- Fish is good quality, veg is fresh, portions are good. And the service is excellent, their staff are always welcoming and highly attentive. Every so often, they have live musicians playing to add to the cozy atmosphere. Very pleased that this local favorite is still going strong.“
“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! “
“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“
“Great little sushi place. It's a hidden gem. Ever since I stumbled upon this place, it has been my go to sushi joint. I've eaten sushi all over the bay area. Only a handful of those I would rate it 5 stars. This is one of them in that area. If you are into just rolls like 95% of the people then everywhere is about the same. But if you enjoy nigiri, sashimi and traditional Japanese food then don't pass up on this place.“
“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 “
“Asaka is a delightful addition to the North Berkeley restaurant scene! The food is delicious, the service impeccable, and the owner generously donated a few platters of sushi ? to the Japanese American Experience event we held last month at St. Mary Magdalen Church. Come check it out!Vegetarian options: Honestly, I don't know if there are main dishes for vegetarians, but their edamame was delicious!Kid-friendliness: I think children would enjoy the food here.“
“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!“
“Our go-to place for sushi! A cozy, romantic spot. They make pictures with the sauces - fun for kids! Update: eating out less, kid grown, but still really love this place for a cozy self-date. Great service and the food is always exceptional. On street parking, which isn't too bad.“
“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.“
“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.“
“For convenient ready made sushi, this place blew my mind. Didn't know what to expect going in and was met with melt-in-your mouth soft af salmon in their salmon roll. The rolls are a good size too. Perfect spot for someone on the go but also craving sushi. They give you chopsticks, soy sauce, and a napkin too. Thank you for the meal!“
“Aki San is a culinary artist. He has been a chef for more than 40 years (47years according to him). $150 omakase is such a good deal for the sushi he made (and his knowledge). I can not say this restaurant has the best omakase in the whole Bay Area, but at least it’s the best in east bay. Please come in and have a try before he retires.“
“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’ve been here a few times and the food and service never disappoints. They have a pretty good size menu with not only rolls but also other options such as bowls and salads. We ordered the Bay Area roll and double spicy ca this time around along with gyoza and tuna nachos all super delicious!Parking: It’s in a the plaza so there’s is always plenty of parking“
“What a great find! Excellent menu with lots of delicious options, especially for vegetarians. Tofu rocked! Endless side dishes!Service was friendly, quick and excellent! Only complaint was the volume of the TV monitor. There was nice singing, it was just too loud. Otherwise, a wonderful place! We will return!“
“My friend introduced me to Kansai and I am definitely going back. Although I’ve been living near the area, I had no idea about Kansai. They’ve got a variety to choose from, with endless amount of sushi rolls to drinks. The best thing about the place is their sushi rolls are big. I was also very surprised at how fresh their fish were. The ambience is very nice as well and the staff is very friendly and you can definitely notice that in their service.“
“I ordered food from here on New Years and it was absolutely delicious. I came back tonight and was super satisfied with the service. The new owners are really nice and make great sushi. I definitely recommend coming here and trying the dragon role. It was amazing!“
“I have been here several times with the whole family. Highly recommended this place to anyone interested in tasty and fair priced Sushi. Try their bento box!Stopped in most recently for Valentine’s Day (also my mothers birthday)! Despite the pressure of being full with customers, the polite servers brought out every dish, giving my mom an amazing birthday dinner! We will be DEFINITELY be back. :)Thank you to our waiter who took the photo, you were very kind and helped make a very special birthday!“
“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!“
“Not kidding when I say it’s the best sushi I’ve had in recent memory. The Bansho House Roll with shrimp and tempura salmon literally melted in my house. I normally like sushi, but I don’t love it. I LOVED their sushi. My family also absolutely loved their ramen. Don’t walk here, RUN. Cherry on the cake was that it’s a cute little place.“
“Used to be a small mom and pop grocery and was so good they became a restaurant. The sushi is super fresh and made to order and they also have delicious Ramen, katsu, danburry (not sure how that's spelled lol). The tempura soft shell crab is amazing! Also had the steak, shitake and fresh tofu and wow! The tofu was like a cloud or a pillow. So good.Vegetarian options: Lots of clearly labeled vegetarian and vegan sushi. Tons of varieties. Lots of things like natto and pickled plum that you cannot find at other sushi places. This is an old Berkeley buisness and with vegetarian sushi they know what they're doing!Dietary restrictions: Gluten free soy sauce can be requested and then about 75% of the menu is gluten free. Sushi chef is in another section from where the hot food is cooked so no cross contamination.“
“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.“
“Update: if you love Udon cooked in its own broth, then you have to try it here! The rich flavor of the broth made this simple dish quite tasty along with it topped with various vegetable tempura. It only took them less than 10 minutes to make and made for a very quick treat for dinner!!!“
“Usually we have a go to spot for sushi, (JUDOKU) but this is another! Fuji summer is really really great! We usually get the special rolls and special is an understatement they are wonderful. We had ordered a bit too much food at this time but it was ok my husband nearly ate all of it without any complaints. The octopus balls are his favorite appetizer. I really enjoyed the dragon roll, unagi rolls are my fav! The pink lady roll is incredible and we accidentally ordered the teriyaki chicken skewers but by far an incredible mistake so yummy! This lunch was by far an excellent experience and fuji summer is a great restaurant to visit no matter what season lol. On our next trip we will try the ramen and bento bowls. And definitely eat the octopus balls. The service was great our waiter was super nice even when we We ate faster than we took pictures. Great local spot in Oakland highly recommend if you in piedmont area!“
“Hubby and I had an appointment nearby so we decided to have lunch here afterwards. The atmosphere here is relaxing and spacious and we both ordered the two item bento box and beef gyoza. The gyoza came out tasty and crispy and I never had beef gyoza before. Hubby ordered the chicken teriyaki and tempura and I ordered the salmon teriyaki and tempura. Salmon was nice and tender, chicken was alittle dry and tempura was a-ok. Service was attentive. If we come here again when we're in the area, I will try the sashimi and/or sushi rolls.“
“Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 4/5 VIBE: - service is so kind and welcoming, they were understanding when I had lots of questions over their large roll menu - large sushi bar in the middle where the sushi is made - the tvs were all playing something different and I think that's cool FOOD: - best sushi in Emeryville! (5/5) - rainbow roll is a CA roll with different fish as toppings - caterpillar roll is a CA roll with avocado as toppings (I will keep trying their menu and venture outside CA rolls haha) - their large beer deal is worth it!“
“We stumbled in here on a whim and it's become one of our favorite spots. It's very relaxing, calm inside and cozy little parklet outside. The service is really good, the servers are all really sweet and attentive. Now for the food, definitely worth the 5 stars! They have a lot of veggie options which is really nice, the avo-kyo roll is my favorite! The hand rolls and classics are all really good, lots of great flavor combos. The fish is very fresh and so flavorful! Definitely worth a stop in if you're looking for a chill night with great food!“
“Stopped in for lunch at noon on a Tuesday. I was surprised I was the only one in the restaurant. I sat at the sushi bar. Kenny my waiter was very friendly. He brought the menus and a large bottle of iced water. He told me to take my time and let him know when I was ready to order.They had both their regular menu and a lunch special menu. I chose the Warrior Roll which Kenny stated that was his favorite. I watched the Chef carefully make my roll and torch the Salmon. The roll was large and very tasty. I would recommend this roll.Menu pricing was a little high on the entrees and bento boxes compared to other high quality sushi establishments. Pricing on the rolls were comparable to other establishments..“
“Really yummy stuff that is different than other sushi places. They have real seaweed salad, nit the dyed stuff. They have actually spicy sauce! They have so many vegetarian rolls! My fav is the sunshine roll with mango, avocado, fresh jalapeño, and tempura sweet potato!The fish is all super fresh and the staff is super kind and accommodating. Love this place!Vegetarian options: Both vegan and vegetarian options“
“I'm so happy this place opened up in my neighborhood! I'm pretty sure I've been to the previous restaurant back in the day too and they've done such a good job redecorating the place! It looks so bright and fresh and cute. I love the ambiance! Service is super nice. Came on a Monday night and ordered almost everything from their happy hour menu. It's 5-8pm which is pretty late for a happy hour! We also ordered the hamachi kama and my all time fave - wasabi tako. It's so hard to find wasabi tako! It did come way last which I feel like it usually comes first? Definitely going to become regulars here. It's so convenient and yummy and affordable. Everything was so tasty. Loved the takoyaki and the hand rolls. Def going to order more of the rolls next time!!“
“It had been a while since while since I came to Akemi and some friends were feeling like a sushi night so I suggested this place. I’m so glad their food is still good as I remembered it and my favorite roll will always be their Evil Roll! So delicious we tried a variety of different and were happy with our choices.Parking: Be ready to drive around to look for parking specially on a Friday or Saturday night.“
“Probably one of the best sushi places I have ever visited in the Bay. I'm taking out a star because the wait was way TOO long. We ordered 2 miso soups, 2 rolls, and some nigiris. It took more than 40 minutes to arrive, and everything came at different times, which is disappointing if you want to enjoy the dishes together. I will come back, but definitely not on weekends.“
“This is such an awesome little gem of a sushi restaurant. They have an amazing 10-piece sashimi deal for $19 And their ginger is quite possibly the best I've ever had. Next on my list to try at their restaurant is their salmon kama and hamachi kama.“
“I value consistency and get the same thing everytime: miso soup and double order of shrimp tempura rolls. Always freshly prepared and easily best of the bay worthy. Sometimes I forget to request chopsticks but the staff is always nice about it when I call. The amount of food for the price/quality is also great.“
“Food is competitive to other spots in the area, but what I do like about katana-ya is that it has wonderful variety of Japanese food. It may not have superior sushi or ramen but i go here for dishes that I can’t get anywhere else in this area.“
“Most of the food is good , some are misses. To start: take wasabi - yes, yes, yes! Really good and the portions are generous. Fried octopus was fresh and nice. We didn't like hotate scallop , because they just poured mayo all over it.Ugh, who does it to the Hokkaido ones!! But then they fixed it with Hamachi Kama, the cheek was perfectly cooked, fresh and the sauce was amazing. All in all - an amazing neighborhood izakaya. Maybe not worth a drive from SF, but if you're here - it's a good place to visit.“
“This hole in the wall sushi spot is over the top. Don't come if you are on a tight budget. You will just be torturing yourself. Ankimo is sometimes on the menu. The fish selection is lovely. The Chirashi at $38 is worth every cent. There are only 6 tables and 5 bar seats. Don't be surprised if there is a wait. Take out won't disappoint but if you can stay for service the staff is very attentive.“
“This place is the comfort food place of all comfort food places. Whenever I'm feeling sad or need a pick-me-up, I know that Katsumi will never disappoint. I always order either the California Roll or the Crunch California (fried CR with unagi sauce) and it's always delicious. It comes with ginger and wasabi, and the uncle working there is so nice. He's always friendly, smiles, and had the food out in a heartbeat. While you can't eat inside (it's in Asian Ghetto), there's ample space outside. If you go to Berkeley and haven't been here you have to becuase it's by far the BEST sushi spot at Berkeley :)“
“Really really really good sushi! Very fresh and well packaged for take-out. Staff was friendly and attentive to both take out and seated customers. The place is small and nicely decorated, but a little too cramped for my liking just yet (post - pandemic).“