50 Best Japanese Restaurants near El Cerrito

“This is a little hole in the wall that is probably overlooked by many when looking at the strip mall it sits in just as I did but definitely don't be fooled. This place has such good sushi and the prices are worth the size which is big plus for me. There's nowhere to sit inside (guessing because of COVID like a lot of places) but the staff is as friendly as they can be for a pickup order. This is my second time coming here. This time I got a crunchy and dragon roll and the flavor was great, portions were just as great. I can't remember what I got for my first order but it was also really good and enough for me to want to go back. I will definitely be going back for a third time and highly recommend it to anyone who needs a sushi fix.“

“Yammy Sushi is Yummmmmmy sushi We had to get 2 orders of the Veggie Kimbap. The veggies, tofu, and rice all come together in an incredibly tasty way. The key to the "yummyness" stems mainly from the specific family recipe they use in preparing all the ingredients. 10/10 would recommend to a friend. Our household has always been bullish on Yammy Sushi for lunch but now it's on our go-to dinner rotation too!“

“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.“

“While I didn't like the music, and my seafood sukiyaki had very little seafood: a crab, a few small pieces of squid, a small scallop, and a few small clams, the sukiyaki broth was beautiful and my other dishes were delicious. . . The best were: The mixed tempura was well prepared and the salmon teriyaki with house sauce was very tasty, so it gets four stars. And yes, I will be back.“

“I cannot say I had a bad experience. Everything was my favorite“

“The star of the show at Akiko's was unquestionably the food, as would be expected at an omakase restaurant. And the food did not disappoint - it was absolutely superb. Every bite was delicious and layered with flavor. The toro nigiri and the lobster at the start were true standouts. The food is reason enough to go to Akiko's but we were also blown away by the warm, welcoming service from literally every staff member! Everyone was friendly and attentive, and this made the evening a really special experience. I highly recommend Akiko's and we cannot wait to go back!“

“One of the Best Omakase Experience we had!“

“Wow. That's the exact word to describe the entire tasting experience from start to finish. There's not much else to say lol My wife and I are addicted to sushi, especially when it comes to an omakase option. Without giving too much away, the price is incredibly reasonable for the quality and amount that you get. A great bonus is their unique selection of sake (the drink, not the fish) which paired quite nicely with everything we ate. We will definitely be back for another visit!“

“My first omikase was truly a memorable experience. We sat at the bar and witnessed how chef Kayo masterfully prepared every creation. I loved how he made his sashimi, that artistic, flowy like movement that only chefs can do. The food is so good and fresh. I love everything I had. The appetizer is well curated and i ate all of it. I had the sake flight which was a good selection. The milk tea ice cream with sprinkles of chopped pistachios the bomb for me. I will go back for sure“

“Robin presents itself as a contemporary omakase. The place in Hayes Valley has a trendy vibe with modern background music. If you're expecting a traditional Japanese omakase, you might be surprised. It's a Japanese-Californian fusion cuisine. Some fish are from Japan, but many are from Canada, New Zealand, or California. I chose the $160 menu. 20 dishes were served. The person next to me chose the $109 menu, and for $50 more, I got the same menu with 3 additional nigiri. Menu (end-April 2024): 1. hirame (halibut) crudo with pineapple // 2. shima-aji // 3. nijimasu (steelhead trout) with apricot // 4. ume madai // 5. canadian gindara // 6. nori chip wagyu and Santa Barbara uni // 7. sawara (spanish mackerel) // 8. New Zealand king salmon // 9. akami bluefin tuna with a5 wagyu beef sauce // 10. potato chip with caviar // 11. canadian albacore salad with papaya // 12. black sea bream // 13. kinmedai // 14. toro // 15. kanpachi // 16. honzuke (bluefin tuna) // 17. noodle with sesame, shaved truffle and japanese chimichurri // 18. kabocha soup, pumpkin seeds // 19. a5 wagyu with foie gras // 20. coconut ice cream with caramel banana puree and chocolate chips Halibut crudo in a Japanese restaurant is a bit unexpected. The same goes for the Canadian albacore salad. I actually don't see the point of serving albacore in a high-end omakase. In the nigiri, several toppings overpower the taste of the sushi, like the kumquat and apricot toppings. They should use much smaller amounts of topping. The nori with uni was disappointing; the wagyu flavor was completely missing. I also don't see the point of the potato nigiri with caviar. There was a nice selection of nigiri, and many were very good, like the shima-aji, gindara, kinmedai and the wagyu with foie gras nigiri. The Spanish mackerel dish was also very good. The kabocha soup didn't fit with the rest of the meal and the portion was too large. The chef himself said it was to make sure customers are filled by the end of the meal. The final dessert was good, but it was a bit disappointing to have a typically Californian dessert at the end of the meal. The service was very good and it was nice to talk with the sushi chef.“

“Some really good Sushi here. I enjoyed the presentation and flavor on pretty much all of our rolls. There were a few I wasn't a fan of, but that's a preference thing, I could still appreciate them and they were fresh and flavorful. We did end up ordering pretty much 1 of every roll, so it wasn't cheap, but it was a great night out. Standout for us was the Black Cod and the Snow Crab. Drink menu was decent, my wife liked both her cocktails and I was happy with the Fieldwork IPA on draft.“

“Hands down, this is my favorite sushi spot! The fish is always fresh, and the service is always friendly and on point (I love these guys!). Recently tried the new HaRa roll from the changing list of featured rolls. I used to always get the Ox and Tiger from that list when it was offered, but I think I actually prefer the HaRa now. And if you’re not feeling like having rolls, highly recommend the uni, hotate, maguro, ikura (I always add shizo), or basically anything else haha. I can’t get enough of this place… I’m a little crazy for it.“

“Eating is a kind of happiness, taste is a kind of interest“

“The $158 tasting menu is soooooo worth it, even just solely in the ingredients that were used. The chef literally took a whole truffle and shaved it onto our fried rice. This was a first Kappo experience, and we really enjoyed how balanced it was. There was a mix of sashimi and cooked foods. Some of the dishes were quite creative such as the abalone shabu shabu with liver sauce where the sauce was later reused with an uni nigiri. I also loved the personal touch and story of how the head chef incorporated snow crab from a friend from his hometown. Ingredients were alllllllllll very fresh.Atmosphere-wise, it is a 9-seater counter - quite typical of omakase. It is small so you do end up sitting quite close to other people, and there is not much space for intimate conversations but it didn’t bother us.By the way, the restaurant doesn’t have a sign. Think it adds another cool factor to it!!WOULD I COME BACK AGAIN? Yes. The tasting menu is worth it and has a lot of charm to it!! And it’s worth it based on the ingredients that were used. We will be back :D“

“A hidden gem of a yakiniku restaurant in SF! Just so you know you're getting the real deal, the chefs/owner formerly worked at a 1 star Michelin yakiniku restaurant in Asia. Food: There are two set menu options, a tasting menu and a "full version" of the tasting menu. We opted for the full version because we came in hungry and really wanted to try the additional cuts of Japanese wagyu that's included with the full set. The set came with some complimentary sides and a soup. The wagyu was all delicious! There were multiple cuts of Australian, Japanese, and American wagyu. Our favorite was the oyster blade of the Japanese wagyu and the beef tongue. We also ordered two cups of sake recommended by the chef and a Suntory - it all paired pretty well with the meal. We were pretty stuffed by the end of the meal. Service: The service was fantastic. Everyone was very friendly. Our chef Chris in particular was very sociable and told us a bit about his background and how the restaurant opened. He even offered to give us some recommendations for yakiniku restaurants in Asia! Ambiance: Modern decor inside, nice ambiance. Most of the seating is counter seating where the chef will cook on a grill in front of you. Parking: If you're taking public transit, the F line or BART will get you pretty close to the restaurant, which is on market street. We parked less than a block away on a Friday night and it was easy to find parking. There are also several parking garages nearby. Overall, very enjoyable meal and would highly recommend if you want to eat high quality wagyu.“

“The food smacks and the music they play always slaps.“

“I've been ;dining at Roka Akor since moving to SF in 2016. After a hiatus due to the pandemic I noted the food was not as savory as it was. It may be attributed to change in Chef or management. Please put the Chilean seabass and lobster roll back on the menu. Those items were huge wins.“

“Our favorite bar in the Bay Area by far, and our go-to spot for celebrating special occasions and bringing out of town friends! With Michelin level drinks, food, ambience, and service - all of which have impeccable attention to detail - it's no wonder they're always packed. Drinks - Great selection of cocktails and sake. Cocktails uniquely showcase asian ingredients (e.g. japanese yam, calamansi, yuzu), and they change the cocktail menu from time to time so there's always something new to try. They have a wide variety of sakes, including a number of rare sakes that you can't find anywhere else. Timofei, the bar manager, is an encyclopedia of knowledge, and if you ever get the chance to talk to him, you'll learn a ton about each and every drink! Food - Standouts include the Kaisen-don (w/ uni, roe, hamachi, and squid) - so good I'm still dreaming about it a week later - and the Mochi-age (vegetarian fried mochi). We love what they've done with the interiors since their recent remodel. Service is always so attentive, accommodating, and timely. I'm already looking for excuses to visit again soon - always such a treat!“

“What a treat! Highly recommend“

“What a little gem tucked in the heart of the city! After seeing two Japanese artists exhibits, we wanted to wrap up the day with some yakitori and thankfully we found this place. Really good selection of yakitori but my favorite was the pork belly one. The hubs liked the chicken. I would go back for the crème brûlée any day ?Would love to go here again to try their ramen which are promising based on the reviews as well.“

“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.“

“Truly for "Friends Only!" Ten seats at an "L"-shaped raw bar. Got to chat and share experiences with all the guests AND the staff. Made a lot of "Friends" tonight and got to share dining at its finest and food of superior quality and taste!“

“Delicious food and friendly staff“

“Probably the best meal I’ve ever had, super fun, exciting, every bite was perfect. Intimate and fast process“

“I have been here many times, and each time is superb. And everyone I’ve brought here agrees, even my fussiest friends. The 49er roll uses fresh crab and is by far the best 49er roll I’ve ever had. The dragon roll is similarly spectacular. The miso soup is truly excellent as well. I look forward to every time I come here and am never disappointed. Bravo!“

“Great sushi, friendly staff, fun environment.“

“awesome a must try, this is a hidden gem“

“You don’t have to break the bank on their amazing sushi, you can also get udon at neighborhood prices. And nobody beats Jimmy as a host!“

“The atmosphere and presentation of the food was extremely chic! The meal was delicious!!“

“Great sushi, perfectly prepared and presented. So glad I walked a few more blocks to go there. Small with a very friendly staff (my 2 Buddhi’s) made for enjoyable experience. Come to town at least once a year; plan to be back.“

“Quality is key with any meal. Roger-San is all about quality. Sit at the bar if you can!“

“My girlfriend and I have explored numerous Japanese restaurants worldwide, and we're delighted to recommend Akari as one of San Francisco's most authentic gems. Not only does Akari excel in authenticity, but its dishes also boast consistently high quality and irresistible flavors. From savory entrees to delectable desserts, every bite is a testament to their culinary mastery. If you're in search of exceptional Japanese cuisine and aiming to avoid disappointment, Akari is a must-visit. Indulge in an unforgettable dining experience that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.“

“Came here on a Tuesday night with my coworkers without a reservation. Great for large groups and it was walking distance from the grand Hyatt on Stockton. Very walkable and didn't feel dangerous at night. We had 12 people total. Food was good. Overall less than 800 for 12 people which is not bad. They had no issues with separating the alcohol bill for each person.“

“I hosted a private party here, and the chef was so kind to create a special menu for my event. Everything is very fresh, and my guests were amazed by the great taste of their food. We especially loved the uni, o-toro, and oyster. The smooth texture and sweetness of the fresh sashimi were all so amazing.“

“Joodang is quite possibly my favorite restaurant right now. The food is to die for and the service is phenomenal. My friend n I decided to try their Te Mari handroll tasting menu which is only offered on Sunday and Monday w/ two time slots of 5:30 and 8PM (you hav to make a reservation). I rec coming at 8PM, show up a bit early so you get first pick at seats, and you HAVE TO sit at the bar. Chef andy and Jeffrey are a hilarious duo, and the staff are all super nice and will not hesitate in pouring you drinks. Must try's are their truffle toro parfait, cajun albacore tuna roll, hokkaido scallop roll, salmon belly w unagi roll, and the korean raw beef perilla wrap. Even the unassuming dishes like inari shiitake and snapper bone soup were amazing (we were even offered seconds for it). I did not dislike a single thing and the chef even made me a toro roll (i think?) cause I’m allergic to bean sprouts. Typically i don’t write reviews (i actually have four exams to study for right now) but this place is so good i have to share my experience.“

“Arrived before our showing to the ballet, the staff was extremely thoughtful with our time, asking for our curtain time in order to bring out the Omakase without delay. We had a delightful series of courses but unfortunately had to run to our show before dessert. Shout-out to Ben who went above and beyond in hosting us after closing, insisting we come back so that we could enjoy our desserts and sake on the house. It really was a warm and amicable end to our night.“

“Everything about Gozusf is unique. From the furnishings to the restrooms... yes the restrooms are next level. Every dish is presented as a work of art, and is filled with so much flavor it's hard to describe. You simply need to try EVERYTHING. The service is impeccable and this is an experience that should not be missed!“

“Both the main dish and the side dish are a sure-fire meal every time. I was surprised that the restaurant was empty this time, even though it is difficult to make a reservation. This is the extent of the impact of people not coming to downtown SF. I have to support you!“

“I cannot say enough about this restaurant. We went after probably 1.5 years and we were not disappointed. Above par food! They aim to please! And you will not come out of this experience disappointed. Had a lovely birthday dinner here.“

“Sushi was great and Ti the owner was very generous.“

“awesome service and amazingly fresh sushi! open from 4:30 to 9:30. on Geary near masonic“

“I would definitely come back for that texture- and flavor-filled Egg Salad Sando, but that rice plate I got was all right. The sando was not worth $12 ($13 if you order through a food delivery app).Employees were definitely pretty friendly and got me my food way earlier than GrubHub anticipated. The employee who gave me my food was accommodating on whether I was going to eat inside or not, so I like the consideration.As for the ambience, one thing that jarred me was that I thought this restaurant was going to have Japanese people running the restaurant from the cooks to the register people, but it wasn't. Not that that's a bad thing. With a name like Cafe Okawari, I was thinking it would be more authentic. They just serve nice, trendy Japanese food. It looked clean and quaint, though!“

“Came here for a quick bite for my kid before camp and after the eclipse! What a hidden little gem!!! Not a place to come and sit and eat. It is a TO GO place but there is one little table with two chairs. The couple are so amazing, welcoming, and caring!!! The food is delish and ready to go in just seconds! My daughter got the half teriyaki chicken and we got two orders of gyoza. The total was $12!!!! Then because they are so sweet they gave me a small sample of their beef curry. It has a little to good kick depending on your threshold for spice but the flavor is really good and the beef is super tender!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you stop by!!!“

“Update - 5/5 stars. Owner reached out and went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed the meals this time - the level of care and service was unprecedented. This time we got the deluxe box with fish in the box yuzu truffle version. The quality of the fish was even better than last time - all of the pieces tasted fresh. Rice was perfectly seasoned and we very much enjoyed the mix of elements in the yuzu truffle box. Thank you Jerry, we will definitely be recommending to friends!“

“The best sushi place in the city!! Quality of food is 10 out of 5......“

“this place was AMAZING!!! The food was great, the drinks were good. the service was great (it was just us there). the vibe is pretty chill the music was good. the bathroom was really nice, but it was a little dark inside, but overall it was very nice with great food!“

“Awesome salmon and tuna nigiri.“

“Great food and great service“

“Nigiri combo is excellent! I can’t wait to try the sashimi combo next. I came just before they were closing for lunch and people were steadily coming either to pick up or eat-in up until their closing time. It seemed they were regular customers who are keeping this place a secret and happy to say, I am on it already. Can’t wait to go back.“

“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.“