We’ve sampled more sushi, ramen, and izakaya fare than we care to admit to bring you Oakland’s definitive Japanese dining guide. And there’s incredible depth here, despite what that smug San Franciscan food snob might tell you. This list celebrates everything from hidden gem noodle shops to omakase temples where chefs work magic.
Mujiri
$$ | (510) 879-6597 | WEBSITE
It’s perfectly reasonable to come here just for the cozy atmosphere—but if you did that you’d be missing out on the spectacular sashimi. Our favorite is the Salmon Shiso with its delicate balance of flavors. The scallops are also wonderfully fresh. Those are raw dishes, but there are also options like the Negitoro and Hotate that offer different textures. All of the above are plated so beautifully, someone in San Francisco might try to frame it as art.
This place is always busy (and worth it for so many of the same reasons). But that Salmon Shiso is the reason why you’ll want to come back.
Judoku Sushi
$$ | (510) 645-1912 | WEBSITE
Whether you’re a sushi veteran or trying it for the first time, you should head to Judoku Sushi. They’ve got an insane amount of options, but the sashimi and nigiri—a Japanese specialty—are our favorite. These dishes have a similar freshness and quality to top-tier sushi bars, but that’s where the similarities end. Judoku’s nigiri has rice perfectly formed with fish draped over it.
The atmosphere is a blanket of quiet peacefulness with one beautifully decorated interior sitting in the middle of the restaurant. It is a place for people who think freshness is the best part of Japanese food.
Sushi Salon
$$$$ | WEBSITE
Sushi Salon’s omakase experience is meticulously crafted yet approachable, featuring an astonishing 18-course journey prepared by Mr. Nonaka. If you’re a fan of premium Japanese ingredients, their selection of unique fish cuts and hand-grated wasabi is exceptional. It also comes with the chef’s personal stories about each dish choice. This place is perfect for a special occasion, and a wonderful alternative if the wait at other top Oakland spots is too long.
But Sushi Salon is destination dining in its own right. They also offer a half bottle of sake for $35, making it a tasty option despite the overall premium pricing.
Sakura Bistro Tapas & Sake Bar
$$ | (510) 891-1781 | WEBSITE
Sakura Bistro Tapas & Sake Bar is a restaurant with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in a cozy neighborhood spot, a place where the lighting is soft and the seating is comfortable enough for long conversations over drinks. But they also serve some of Oakland’s absolute best sushi and Japanese small plates, and you will indeed be celebrating when you discover their hamachi sashimi is incredibly fresh and their Titanic roll is phenomenal.
This is a fork-and-chopsticks kind of place—a true Japanese tapas and sake bar—so check this spot out next time you’re craving high-quality food during their praised weekday happy hour or for a late dinner.
Shimizu Cuisine
$$ | (510) 653-7622 | WEBSITE
You can tell the chef at Shimizu has a special relationship with his rice. It sticks where it ought to, is tender where it needs to be, and has a flavor encouraged by careful, patient preparation. There are three bento options to choose from, a classic box with gyoza and teriyaki. Or a sashimi selection with fresh, clean cuts. If you can only choose one, go for the flaming dragon roll, which ignites the same excitement that was sparked upon your very first taste of sushi.
Koryo Sushi
$$ | (510) 594-0661 | WEBSITE
Koryo Sushi is a straightforward Japanese spot in Oakland, and it’s where you should take a homesick (for sushi) Tokyoite. They use fresh fish, which gives the nigiri a great taste. The tuna tataki and hamachi Kama are excellent. Both are flavorful and satisfying, with perfect ratios of fish to rice, but the hamachi is the standout. This is a great late-night dining choice, and a good hangout option since it’s open until after midnight.
Mijori Japanese Restaurant
$$ | (510) 465-8854 | WEBSITE
Mijori is our go-to Japanese spot in Oakland, and it all comes down to their fish. It’s just the right level of fresh—somewhere between ocean-caught this morning and perfectly aged. The Oakland restaurant feels like it belongs in a friendly neighborhood. You can barely hear the background music over the chatter of happy families. Photos of regulars’ kids are tacked near the counter, where you can see them preparing sushi with glistening rice. We order ours with tuna.
It comes in thick slices and adds a richness that balances out the clean flavors.
Ebiko
$ | (510) 903-6506 | WEBSITE
This little sushi spot tucked into what looks like a convenience store makes California rolls you’ll crave even if you didn’t just finish a long workday. They have a diverse selection ranging from classic avocado rolls to an omakase roll with high-quality fish at a fair price. You can grab them by the roll or stock up on Japanese snacks if you’ve got a craving that needs immediate satisfaction. It’s a tremendous way to have dinner without sitting down at a table.
Kuidaore Handroll Bar
$$ | (510) 392-2288 | WEBSITE
Kuidaore Handroll Bar does not consider itself a fine dining establishment (it even says so on their website, business cards, and matchbooks). But you should order at least one hand roll. Options rotate, but the uni hand roll is usually on the menu and a favorite. The real wasabi on the side is more earthy than spicy. It’s interspersed between creamy toro and hidden under a delicate sprinkle of caviar. The hand roll is brushed with soy glaze.
The resulting bite pops with fresh uni and ends with a slightly sweet nori.
The Bento House
$ | (510) 251-1300 | WEBSITE
The Bento House is an Oakland bento institution, and what our friends over in the Bay Area have called ‘budget-friendly royalty.’ Like so many Oakland spots, they now have a second home in downtown. The Bento House is located in downtown Oakland, and its reputation is deserved. They make a deliciously uncomplicated bento box. It sits on a plastic tray like a meal that outgrew its container. The Bento House is also efficient.
You can stop in and, even if they’re busy, have a hot meal in a matter of minutes.
Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant
$$ | (510) 658-3119 | WEBSITE
If you haven’t experienced Kotobuki’s exceptional sushi during its eight-year run, here’s your chance: it’s a must-visit destination now. There’s no other Japanese spot in Oakland like Kotobuki’s fresh, artfully presented dishes. They are perfect for quality-seekers. The sashimi set for two offers virtually no disappointment thanks to its excellent variety and add-ons like amaebi. If you like rolls, consider ordering the dragon roll with its rich flavors and perfect texture.
The Alaska roll—its equally delicious counterpart featuring fresh salmon and avocado—is also outstanding (you can mix them with other options, too).
Uzen
$$ | (510) 654-7753 | WEBSITE
There are sushi spots all across Oakland now. But these classic yet exceptional dishes started here, inside a small restaurant just off College Avenue. It’s that perfect balance of tradition and quality that makes us love Uzen so much. The gindara has miso black cod, grilled eggplant, and a sweet glaze—and it sent us into a temporary state of bliss before winning us over.
The rest of the dishes under the ‘nigiri and tempura’ section of the menu are what you should stick to, even if they seem a little straightforward.
Yonsei Handrolls
$$$ | (510) 588-6924 | WEBSITE
Yonsei Handrolls is in a part of Oakland where your Japanese food options are severely limited, but this place is not like the touristy spots you’ll find across the bay. It’s actually good—especially their inventive handrolls. The nori is crispy, the fish-to-rice ratio is on point, and we never expected to have such a pleasant meal so close to the ramen restaurant. They go a little too wild with some flavors, so stick to your basic black cod.
Oori Triangles – College Ave
$ | (510) 250-9833 | WEBSITE
The perfectly formed rice triangles come out fresh throughout the day at this Japanese Oakland spot (but they’ll make them to order if you arrive during a lull). This is the kind of simple, minimal food that really lets the ingredients shine. And what ingredients they are: fluffy and tender rice, but with enough structure and crispness to hold together when you pick it up with one hand.
Fillings are usually pretty straightforward—some juicy chicken teriyaki, flakes of spicy ahi tuna, and maybe a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Tomsa Sushi
$$ | (510) 530-8564 | WEBSITE
We have never had a more perfect Japanese meal than the one served at Tomsa Sushi, a casual spot in Oakland. This is why there’s often a wait to eat at the popular sushi restaurant (and probably a full house on weekends too). The variety of options on the menu have fish that’s fresh from edge-to-edge, yet still flavorful and delicate when you taste it. The highlight of the menu is the Tomsa combo with generous portions that made us briefly lose consciousness.
If you’re allergic to slow service, go right at 5pm on a Tuesday.
Kakui Sushi
$$ | (510) 338-1188 | WEBSITE
Oakland is known for its vibrant food scene, excellent Asian cuisine, and now (thanks to Kakui Sushi) some of the city’s best Japanese dining. During prime dinner hours, there’s usually a wait because these creative small plates are magnificent. The sashimi tastes like a delicious work of art—fresh, delicate, buttery, and vibrant.
All of Kakui’s dishes have clean flavors that complement said sashimi and shine through, creating a little harmony on the plate that showcases a variety of creative appetizers like the chef’s choice selection (please get that if it’s available).
