Dora is an amazing chef with an equally amazing attitude. Was kind and fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike C.
This place tries to be too many things: it's a restaurant, gallery, and venue but it's not enough of any. The food is ok: I had the curry chicken and it was a bit too salty and expensive for the portion size and lack of creativity, and one piece of chicken was raw. The gallery is small and without enough explanations for what they are showing. The venue is also small. Ambiance and idea overall is pretty interesting but it lacks a welcoming feel. Go for the hangout space, which is nice especially if there are small shows and you want a small space, but I would not purposefully go for the food again.
Abby R.
Walked in on a Friday night wanting to check out the upstairs gallery... followed a neon sign vaguely pointing upstairs next to a sign that said employees only, unsure if we were about to walk into something we shouldn't, and ascended the stairs. Turned the corner and saw a whole group of friends singing karaoke filling the small upstairs room. Still weren't sure if we were supposed to be there but the owner quickly greeted us warmly and welcomed us to the space! It's gorgeous! Full of neon and moody lights, there's a mahjong room, art on the walls, and a huge variety of unique Asian snacks and candy and BEER!!! The drink selection was incredible. I can't wait to go back and try way too many. Really does feel like a happy welcoming loving room stocked with snacks. Snagged one of the BKriskies on the way out as well and it was divine- kind of a brown buttery sweet but still savory treat. So good. I'll be back soon! 3rd Saturday is mahjong night and apparently they'll teach you! Also karaoke is anytime you request haha. Follow them on insta for events. Thank you for the hospitality!!!
J.
Cool place with community events. Downstairs is a somewhat non-descript, small eatery, but upstairs is a shop and events area that is a lot of fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Justin I.
Nice like place I found. Snacks are unique and yummy. Great creative space. Staff super friendly
Andrew “Drew” M
Cool staff and even better goods. So hard to leave without some unique treats and snacks! Thanks for the vibes yall!
Kevin Hsiung
Came twice when they were supposed to be open. They were very closed both times.
Tiffany Cheng
Poor business ethics. I went out of my way to come here, drove for 35 minutes, just to see a "We're Closed" sign hanging on the door. I don't know how this is possible if they literally just opened. As a new comer to a land of abundant food competition, I would think that they would abide by their listed store hours more carefully.
Josephine T.
This review is LONG overdue but I am so happy to be able to give Baba's the love it deserves. First of all, I am obsessed with the concept of Baba's house. First story is Baba's House Kitchen (BHK), a casual rice bowl eatery. Second story is the rest of the 'house', where there is a snack shop + "living room" where you can play games or sing karaoke, a bad-ass mahjong den that looks like it belongs to a chinese mafia, and a smaller room to the side where you can buy some merch. Follow their IG to know which events are happening on which nights! Second, I'm devastated I only found out about this place right before I moved out of Oakland (and only a few blocks away) I literally love this place so much and can't wait to eat here for the rest of my life. So one day, I'll be back. Third, I am obsessed with the lucky cat mascot the the amazing mural done by the Illuminaries that will greet you on the first floor. BHK: You come in, order on the iPad, and food gets cooked, placed on the counter for you to grab and take to your table. There are options to sit indoors or outdoors in a cutely decorated covered area. The food is not pretentious - casual but also with a fun and unique flair to some of the asian flavors you already know, but with a twist. For example, pickled mushrooms? I have never had that before but it is wild and tangy and tasty alongside your gyudon. But what really surprised me with how good it was? The vegan heart & soul rice. It is kind of like a fried rice with a bunch of mixed bits in there but it just tastes so cozy, like something you'd curl up with in a corner or with family on a cold winter day. Also notable - the turtle kwispie treat? WTF SO GOOD. I need to figure out how to order an entire platter of this. Popup: Also came in to visit during a That Smax pop-up. Cant deny that I got lured by the IG pics of the thiccc pork belly slices tucked inbetween a fluffy pineapple bun. In addition to the Char Siu Sando, we got the pastrami fried rice and oko scallion pancake. Sando was freaking delish, with super tender pork belly - although very saucy, and savory/salty. A messy eat and I didn't taste the pineapple bun as much. The pastrami fried rice was also super good - pastrami not being a traditional flavor I find in fried rice but the smokiness was welcome plus the nuts added a delightful textural element. I wasn't as big a fan of the oko scallion pancake, but probably because my tastebuds were already being rocked to pieces from the sando lol. Snack Shop: Lot of asian goodies that you may be able to find at your classic asian grocery stores but also some that you may not. For example, I found a bag of Lays basil chips and I am currently obsessed. In addition to the snacks, they have cute posters or buttons for sale. I got a t-shirt for fun :) The snack shop kind of folds in with the game room/karaoke room, which was a little confusing at first bc some ppl were gaming upstairs and I felt bad walking around looking at snacks but interrupting the game. The ppl were super nice and understanding about it tho! Super excited to come back to Oakland and become a regular :)
Anna T.
This is a great place if you're looking for a spunky activity to do on a weeknight. We came here for karaoke on a Wednesday and I loved the ambience. It's a very hip-lofi type of vibe. They have fun snacks and refreshing drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic. If you're into artsy-chill stuff, this is the place for you!
Mother's Day special. Set Menu. Food was absolutely amazing!!! I recommend reservations. Such a small venu with amazing grindz!
Tony B.
Baba house is the ish. They have so many good snacks that swap out from time to time. Staff is always super helpful. They are located in the downtown Oakland area. On the first for you have the restaurant area.upstairs you have the snacks and drinks.Parking can be a little sucky at times but they are worth the trip.
Rohan Harrison
Beef bowl is really good!!
Jim A.
Fabulous new Asian fusion/Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Oakland. I fell in love with their food. My foodie home girl did too
Dora is an amazing chef with an equally amazing attitude. Was kind and fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place tries to be too many things: it's a restaurant, gallery, and venue but it's not enough of any. The food is ok: I had the curry chicken and it was a bit too salty and expensive for the portion size and lack of creativity, and one piece of chicken was raw. The gallery is small and without enough explanations for what they are showing. The venue is also small. Ambiance and idea overall is pretty interesting but it lacks a welcoming feel. Go for the hangout space, which is nice especially if there are small shows and you want a small space, but I would not purposefully go for the food again.
Walked in on a Friday night wanting to check out the upstairs gallery... followed a neon sign vaguely pointing upstairs next to a sign that said employees only, unsure if we were about to walk into something we shouldn't, and ascended the stairs. Turned the corner and saw a whole group of friends singing karaoke filling the small upstairs room. Still weren't sure if we were supposed to be there but the owner quickly greeted us warmly and welcomed us to the space! It's gorgeous! Full of neon and moody lights, there's a mahjong room, art on the walls, and a huge variety of unique Asian snacks and candy and BEER!!! The drink selection was incredible. I can't wait to go back and try way too many. Really does feel like a happy welcoming loving room stocked with snacks. Snagged one of the BKriskies on the way out as well and it was divine- kind of a brown buttery sweet but still savory treat. So good. I'll be back soon! 3rd Saturday is mahjong night and apparently they'll teach you! Also karaoke is anytime you request haha. Follow them on insta for events. Thank you for the hospitality!!!
Cool place with community events. Downstairs is a somewhat non-descript, small eatery, but upstairs is a shop and events area that is a lot of fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Nice like place I found. Snacks are unique and yummy. Great creative space. Staff super friendly
Cool staff and even better goods. So hard to leave without some unique treats and snacks! Thanks for the vibes yall!
Came twice when they were supposed to be open. They were very closed both times.
Poor business ethics. I went out of my way to come here, drove for 35 minutes, just to see a "We're Closed" sign hanging on the door. I don't know how this is possible if they literally just opened. As a new comer to a land of abundant food competition, I would think that they would abide by their listed store hours more carefully.
This review is LONG overdue but I am so happy to be able to give Baba's the love it deserves. First of all, I am obsessed with the concept of Baba's house. First story is Baba's House Kitchen (BHK), a casual rice bowl eatery. Second story is the rest of the 'house', where there is a snack shop + "living room" where you can play games or sing karaoke, a bad-ass mahjong den that looks like it belongs to a chinese mafia, and a smaller room to the side where you can buy some merch. Follow their IG to know which events are happening on which nights! Second, I'm devastated I only found out about this place right before I moved out of Oakland (and only a few blocks away) I literally love this place so much and can't wait to eat here for the rest of my life. So one day, I'll be back. Third, I am obsessed with the lucky cat mascot the the amazing mural done by the Illuminaries that will greet you on the first floor. BHK: You come in, order on the iPad, and food gets cooked, placed on the counter for you to grab and take to your table. There are options to sit indoors or outdoors in a cutely decorated covered area. The food is not pretentious - casual but also with a fun and unique flair to some of the asian flavors you already know, but with a twist. For example, pickled mushrooms? I have never had that before but it is wild and tangy and tasty alongside your gyudon. But what really surprised me with how good it was? The vegan heart & soul rice. It is kind of like a fried rice with a bunch of mixed bits in there but it just tastes so cozy, like something you'd curl up with in a corner or with family on a cold winter day. Also notable - the turtle kwispie treat? WTF SO GOOD. I need to figure out how to order an entire platter of this. Popup: Also came in to visit during a That Smax pop-up. Cant deny that I got lured by the IG pics of the thiccc pork belly slices tucked inbetween a fluffy pineapple bun. In addition to the Char Siu Sando, we got the pastrami fried rice and oko scallion pancake. Sando was freaking delish, with super tender pork belly - although very saucy, and savory/salty. A messy eat and I didn't taste the pineapple bun as much. The pastrami fried rice was also super good - pastrami not being a traditional flavor I find in fried rice but the smokiness was welcome plus the nuts added a delightful textural element. I wasn't as big a fan of the oko scallion pancake, but probably because my tastebuds were already being rocked to pieces from the sando lol. Snack Shop: Lot of asian goodies that you may be able to find at your classic asian grocery stores but also some that you may not. For example, I found a bag of Lays basil chips and I am currently obsessed. In addition to the snacks, they have cute posters or buttons for sale. I got a t-shirt for fun :) The snack shop kind of folds in with the game room/karaoke room, which was a little confusing at first bc some ppl were gaming upstairs and I felt bad walking around looking at snacks but interrupting the game. The ppl were super nice and understanding about it tho! Super excited to come back to Oakland and become a regular :)
This is a great place if you're looking for a spunky activity to do on a weeknight. We came here for karaoke on a Wednesday and I loved the ambience. It's a very hip-lofi type of vibe. They have fun snacks and refreshing drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic. If you're into artsy-chill stuff, this is the place for you!
Restaurantji Recommends
Mother's Day special. Set Menu. Food was absolutely amazing!!! I recommend reservations. Such a small venu with amazing grindz!
Baba house is the ish. They have so many good snacks that swap out from time to time. Staff is always super helpful. They are located in the downtown Oakland area. On the first for you have the restaurant area.upstairs you have the snacks and drinks.Parking can be a little sucky at times but they are worth the trip.
Beef bowl is really good!!
Fabulous new Asian fusion/Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Oakland. I fell in love with their food. My foodie home girl did too
Food is good but real highlight is 2nd floor!