50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Albany

“lovely place to sushi. The food is very delicious. The fish is very fresh and they have a great variety. Have many species sushi rolls, nigiri and appetizers you must to try. We sat at the bar. Chef Jackie made all our food and explained each fish to us. The potato toro tartar special recommended by the waiter, very delicious. The service and atmosphere were amazing. serves were fast and waiter was nice too.I had a wonderful experience and will definitely coming back. I recommend this place to everyone!“

“Had a great lunch. Bento 🍱 boxes and sushi 🍣“

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

“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.“

“I always get the vegetable tempura it comes with rice and we also get the California sushi rolls it’s always fresh and delicious best sushi and Japanese food I think it’s family run everyone there is very nice high quality ingredients and food you won’t be disappointed

Kid-friendliness: My son n had fun he’s 6 years old they have television and music very nice atmosphere“

“What a treat! Highly recommend“

“I went to KEN for my birthday and it was absolutely phenomenal. The fish was delicious; so many new flavors and combinations; the chef was superb - talented and entertaining, with great attention to detail. The service was impeccable. I cannot say enough good things!“

“Excellent Japanese cuisine, service and staff are wonderful and helpful“

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

“The exclusivity and attention to detail in this culinary haven were unparalleled. From the moment we walked in, it felt like an intimate gathering of food enthusiasts. The chef's omakase menu was a mesmerizing journey through sushi perfection, with rare ingredients and artistic presentations that left us in awe. The personalized service and wine pairings elevated the experience to new heights. The ambiance exuded sophistication and exclusivity. While it may be "Friends Only" in name, this is a destination worth befriending for an unforgettable dining experience.

Parking: Hard to find a street parking in the evening“

“3.5-ish. Came here with a reservation on a weeknight and the first thing we noticed was the very strong meat grilling smell and bright fluorescent lighting. Naturally the smell would be a given with this type of restaurant but it took away from the upscale ambience a bit. Our bill came out to over $500 for two people. The meat was good and our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, but we left wondering if we could have had a similar meal down the street at Gyu-Kaku for less than half the price.“

“We tried both Happy Hour and dinner in one visit—two very different experiences. Overall, the food was solid. The beer was nothing special, but the cocktails were great. Happy Hour is a better deal, while dinner prices are on the higher side.“

“ok this is one of the best izakayas i’ve ever been to… the hamachi was buttery soft and melted in your mouth & the sauces were sooo perfectly paired with the proteins! the chicken skewers were moist and juicy. it was pretty pricey with 4 appetizers coming out to ~$65 with tip. pretty small place with only seating for max like a party of 4.“

“If you want the freshest fish downtown has to offer.... go to Sanraku“

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

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

“Exceptional service. Delicious, artfully presented omakase at a reasonable price point.“

“My partner and I went here for dinner tonight for a belated celebration of our anniversary - I’ve been eyeing this place for a while, and it was easily worth the wait!

The service and ambiance was among the warmest & friendliest I’ve experience in SF (and I eat out a LOT). Lots of small details in the decor and presentation that really elevated the experience and transported us back to Japan - even to the presentation of the check.

Our favorite courses were the caprese-like tofu, uni toro ikura handroll, and tonkatau pork loin. The ume sour and dessert were also delicious!!

Highly recommend and I’m excited to be back soon :)“

“Doma Sushi is charming, competitively priced, and delicious. The couple running the place perfectly synchronized the omakase courses. Everything kicked off with a fresh cucumber and shrimp dish. It was wonderful. The sushi pieces were generously sized and mouth-watering. The wagyu beef was buttery and flavorful. The tofu skin soup was warming and tasty. The chef was so precise in his work, it was fun to watch. The dessert was a melange of great flavors. It felt like we were invited into their home and treated with the highest hospitality. I’m a big fan. (Also, loved the background music playlist!)“

“Fenikkusu serves some interesting dishes that you wouldn’t find at your typical Japanese restaurant. As the name says they serve tapas (ie small portion) dishes and specialize in sushi.

The mini kaisen don is the real star of the menu and is a well thought out balance of sashimi rice, aromatics and salmon roe for some brininess. The mentaiko pasta is also a really awesome dish. I would come back here for these two dishes. I also enjoyed the corn fritters and the mackerel.

I would stay away from the oxtail pot and is the main reason why I didn’t give a five star rating.“

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

“Delicious food and friendly staff“

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

“Be it the service, ambience or the quality and taste of the food, this restaurant is truly amazing. We went there for our last evening in San Francisco and were extremely impressed.
Besides that, our server was extremely nice and accommodating and made our stay there even better.“

“Itadakimasu! Boy oh boy was this place amazing. Cozy vibe with Japanese comfort food to set the mood. The lunch set had everything I could’ve asked for in a meal. Greens, proteins, and some carbs to round out the meal. Spoiled myself with the royal milk tea iced and it did not disappoint. After a night out like yesterday, this was a much needed part of the recovery. Light 9.“

“Jo's awesome. We had a great experience. Highly recommended for birthdays or just being together 👯‍♀️💯👍“

“This place is amazing. The ramen quality is very consistent here. But the curry rice plate is okay. This is a true gem amongst the many mediocre ramen shops in the bay area. This is a place I'm willing to drive to just for ramen even if it is in the city.“

“The sever handled a busy store opening by themselves serving very well. At least 10 tables. He would constantly check in on us. Give us descriptions of each item he served. The skewers were amazing like always and loved the ginger hot sake! Definitely will be back“

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

“We have had a few amazing dining experiences here! The sushi is so fresh, the sake sommelier Stewart is really knowledgeable and has some great recommendations!!“

“Best authentic Japanese restaurant in town.“

“Not that easy to find parking around here but just try for some metered parking. It's not too big inside, only a few small tables inside and outside. You order at the entrance. I showed up at 11:50am on a Friday and there was no line but a few groups eating inside already but right at noon or even a few minutes before, there was a longer line out the door.
They were really quick with getting us our food! The katsu was so yummy and curry was great and quite filling.
Overall big fan, definitely good to come if you can make it before noon!“

“It has a very interesting menu, I really enjoy the food.“

“This place offers delicious food coming out of an adorable (and clean) sushi spot, and has a positive, communicative staff.

I purchased the Half-Baked roll (to-go), which I suppose is their version of a Lion King roll, except that it doesn’t have the cucumber. It has avacado.

Notes: There was more than an adequate amount of wasabi and ginger with my order, which I appreciate. Their to-go presentation and takeout packaging overall is one the cleanest, and best, I’ve ever seen.

Thank you,

C Mars

10/30/24 update: i ordered a roughly $12 with tax salmon avocado roll after hitting the gym at 24hr van ness and it was delicious and refreshing, a bit lighter when I don’t want the spicy mayo sauce on the half-baked. ?“

“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.“

“Incredibly fresh fish and superb attention to detail. Great experience overall.

Dietary restrictions: Waitress asked if we had any allergies or food restrictions when we placed the order.

Kid-friendliness: Our 5 and 6 year old kids were welcomed. They dropped a ton of stuff on floor but waitress was kind and gave us new utensils.“

“I have experienced many different types of sushi hand roll bars and this is one of my new favorites. The location is perfect , right in the heart of Jack London Square and the food was amazing. They have some really cool drinks if you’re into content creation and overall it’s just a cool place to catch up or go for date night !!!“

“Wanted to grab some grub after work and this bento spot has been on my bucket list for a minute. It was also on the way home and I was hungry so here I am.

I ordered the chicken katsu bento and the salmon in truffle soy bento. I also ordered an iced matcha latte. The bentos were soo good! I also really liked how well they were plated. I took my bentos and ate it at home. There is very little seating inside however there is a park nearby where you can sit and enjoy your bentos. As for the matcha drink, it was solid

The service here was good too. The staff is really nice and very open to answering any questions about the menu. You can call in and order or you can order inside on their iPad.

This is definitely a spot I recommend checking out if you're looking for high quality bentos. Try it out if you like. :)“

“This place is amazing. Some of the best Japanese food around. Favorite dishes: karage, blue Hawaii, and the caterpillar rolll. I'm definitely interested in trying their vegetable tempura. I kept seeing people order it, and it looks special.“

“We’ve been eating here for years, and the fish is always fresh and expertly prepared. We especially love the Fire Cracker Ball, Joy Roll, and Spicy Geisha Roll. Additionally, the staff is exceedingly kind. A great place to dine in or take out.“

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

“Love this place, I feel safe and the food is incredible“

“Always great service and family has gone back here for years. High quality sushi, ramen, and other Japanese entrees. Chiraishi is great and they put great care into the quality of their menu. Highly recommend. Quaint quiet little spot and good for dates too.“

“We shared a saki roll and an Orinda roll. Both were excellent. The tuna on the saki roll was fresh and flavorful. The Orinda roll had a big serving of crab and shrimp on top. So good. Staff were friendly and service was prompt. We'll be back.“

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

“Best Katsu in San Francisco!! I had Ganji Katsu. Very generous portion. Very tender meat inside with Crispy coating outside. Will be back to try other stuff on the menu soon!!

Parking: Japan Center parking garage available on Post street“

“9 items 🍱 bento & udon are awesome 👏“

“Tempura, so crispy. Miso cod, sake toro. I also would like to to recommend the different tastings like the nigiri tasting, the sashimi tasting and also the salmon tasting. They also have raw oysters presented in Japanese style, so good.“

“Kibatsu is a really special place, one of SF’s best sushi restaurants. We’ve come here multiple times now and the food is always spectacular with overflowing pieces of fresh fish. Some of their dishes are super creative - most recently we had a skewer with tempura lion’s mane mushroom that tasted like steak! Chanel (the owner) is SO kind. We can’t wait to come back!“

“Had an excellent experience for dinner, 5pm Friday night. The staff operates seamlessly, & efficiently. I had the 4 roll set, the nori was perfectly crisp, the sushi rice was also noticeably precise. The real wasabi is also worth the small up-charge, in my opinion.
The restaurant was quite full with customers and parties waiting by 6pm. But the seats seemed to turn over quickly. It’s worth the slight wait!

Parking: Super accessible by public transit

Kid-friendliness: Saw a few kids there, not sure if the kids were friendly.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes there was an accessible table available & ample room in the restroom.“