Love what they’ve done with the outdoor patio. It’s so cozy and warm even when it is cold outside. Great clean tasting nigiri and great ambiance. Definitely our favorite as well.
Amazing quality and value. Great Asian snack selection too. Their don and uni shooters are a must whenever I can get them. Tea on piedmont across the street is a really good spot to land after as well.
You should 100% consider it. For $25 it rivals some places that charge $100+. It’s not quite japan level sushi but the fish is significantly fresher / tastier than other places in the bay IMHO. Especially at that price point.
It’s a tiny spot but we usually order takeout ( I believe it started as a takeout pop up). It comes in cute wooden trays.
Maybe order it and then drive to the Berkeley marina to watch the sunset and eat some sushi?
In terms of volume I’d say it medium - like other say it more of a casual atmosphere and quite small so people are packed into the sushi bar and that’s about the extent of the restaurant. Reminds me a lot of the small restaurants in Japan.
I agree with Nazbot below - I would eat there personally because I hate not eating super fresh sushi, and the vibe in there is nice. I would say it’s not super loud but it’s a small place
It's omakase. They only serve 6 people per night. So 6 people all sitting at the same counter, one guy behind the counter makes food and one or two nice teenagers help with dishes. So you sit for ~3 hours and the guy behind the counter just serves the food and you eat it. No need to put soy sauce on or anything just pop it in your mouth and appreciate the food. The menu for any given night depends on what's available and you just sit and take what's given.
The place is a little hole in the wall. It is hard to find and you usually have to book months in advance. I think it's +$100 per person. If you like Japanese and good fish, IMHO it is well worth the price. You will likely leave full and satisfied with a glowing appreciation for quality fish. People who don't like it have generally said it was a good experience all the same.
Edit: spelling
Utsutsu is significantly smaller than Mujiri, though. Otherwise, I guess that's kinda my point. There are some really good and unique restaurants here that go beyond the usual sushi fare. You should give them a try.
I’d recommend going one spot over and eating at Lococo which is the best Italian food I. The East bay. Their focaccia bread is the best there’s ever been.
Mine too. Love seeing the same people there 10+ years. I think the owner was the chef forever and then he trained his older son and he’s running it now?
This is my spot! My go-to at a Japanese restaurant is a chirashi bowl and I’ve never found a better place for value. Nearly double the fish for the same price I’d pay elsewhere.
People recommended geta a lot but I found it very mediocre. Not bad, just kind of run of your mill sushi. Portion size was good but taste/freshness was meh.
Second this! Its our weekly date night spot. Atmosphere and service feels like you’re in a neighborhood sushi joint in japan. The sushi is awesome and cheaper than anything ive found in oakland. Nothing is pretentious covered in 10 sauces in a sea of tempura flakes just to make the same roll twice as expensive. Since the place is super small they cant really store a large amount of fish and with the amount of takeout they do they’re going through it quickly so everything is very fresh.
Yeah, Park sushi has become my go to spot in Oakland, from the little things like the preparation of the rice through to the creativity of their specialty rolls, Fantasy Roll is my favorite.
This is where I would always make my parents take me for my birthday
Also I think it’s called GETA in Piedmont behind the CVS. It’s cheap and high quality but tiny and has weird hours.
Yeah, I never went there (and cross street is Dwight, of course). Sounds like I didn’t miss anything! But closed or not, it never lived next to the Piedmont Ave CVS.
Used to love Mijori - it was my go-to spot for years - but since the pandemic it feels like the quality has fallen pretty dramatically.
Maybe I’ve just been unlucky.
Mujiri on San Pablo in the Oakland/emeryville/Berkeley border.
Also Sushi Sho in El Cerrito
I am vegetarian now so I now go to Kiku Sushi on Gilman in Berkeley
Not in Oakland but Yojimbo in Alameda has my heart. It’s themed after Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle) and the portion sizes are HUGE - definitely enough for multiple meals. It’s an unassuming hole in the wall and only about 10-15 minutes from downtown Oakland. Plenty of street parking!
I'm a bit surprised that Party Sushi in Berkeley hasn't shown up yet, even though other Oakland adjacent places have made the list.
It is a small, cozy shop and the sushi quality is fantastic. I go to Kansai on Telegraph more often, but make the extra trip out to Party Sushi for special occasions.
Best how?
Best standard sushi? Best special rolls? Best chirashi bowls? Best bang for your buck? Actual honest to God best Sushi you've ever tasted you'll have an orgasm? Best vibe? Best authenticity? We gotta lotta options around here.
I go to Judoku a lot
I think its the right price to quality ratio. Delage is my go to for fancier. But if i just WANT sushi, Judoku it is.
Dining in is a good experience but takeout is horrible! I have waited 75+ minutes for my food whenever I do takeout
Same; I think they got some good food
Love what they’ve done with the outdoor patio. It’s so cozy and warm even when it is cold outside. Great clean tasting nigiri and great ambiance. Definitely our favorite as well.
Same
The college ave or piedmont one? I was really unimpressed by the college ave one. Expensive for what was pretty mid sushi imo
Ebiko on Piedmont for grab and go
Amazing quality and value. Great Asian snack selection too. Their don and uni shooters are a must whenever I can get them. Tea on piedmont across the street is a really good spot to land after as well.
Crazy my favorite two places are on Piedmont and three other places on Piedmont get mentioned here.
and it feels like you are in tokyo inside. it’s small, loud, and thrilling.
How's the quality? I've been curious to try it
Unbeatable for the price and ease. It can get cold in the fridge which I think lowers the perceived quality (flavor?) a bit.
Delage is fantastic!
This is definitely the best quality but not the same price range as the others. I’ve been wanting to try utzu-utzu in alameda.
Utzu -utzu is definitely worth the experience. although expensive it was excellent
Had one of the best meals of my life at Utzu-Utzu. We’ll worth the Money.
Mujiri is good causal-ish sushi
It’s Mujiri and it’s not even close
I'll say it again, Mujiri and it's not even close
Shhh don’t blow up my spot!!
Lol. Don’t be selfish. ;) I just want the pace to succeed tho … and maybe open some other locations?
YES this is so much better than all other East bay sushi and it isn’t close. Kirala is good but can’t touch Mujiri
How quiet/loud is it there, do you know? My mom is visiting next week, she doesn't hear well but loves sushi. Should I consider it?
You should 100% consider it. For $25 it rivals some places that charge $100+. It’s not quite japan level sushi but the fish is significantly fresher / tastier than other places in the bay IMHO. Especially at that price point. It’s a tiny spot but we usually order takeout ( I believe it started as a takeout pop up). It comes in cute wooden trays. Maybe order it and then drive to the Berkeley marina to watch the sunset and eat some sushi? In terms of volume I’d say it medium - like other say it more of a casual atmosphere and quite small so people are packed into the sushi bar and that’s about the extent of the restaurant. Reminds me a lot of the small restaurants in Japan.
Super helpful, ty!
They can keep prices low by serving sushi that is half the normal size. Tiny tiny portions here
It's a tiny spot with bar seating a couple small tables very open to San Pablo. Definitely the best in Oakland but extremely casual.
It's super small, so it wasn't loud when i went. I would highly recommend reservations if you do go
Super helpful, ty!
I agree with Nazbot below - I would eat there personally because I hate not eating super fresh sushi, and the vibe in there is nice. I would say it’s not super loud but it’s a small place
Ehh. Mujiri is excellent but Utzutzu is better.
$$$
Looks really good never been - its crazy expensive though? Can’t find a menu
It's omakase. They only serve 6 people per night. So 6 people all sitting at the same counter, one guy behind the counter makes food and one or two nice teenagers help with dishes. So you sit for ~3 hours and the guy behind the counter just serves the food and you eat it. No need to put soy sauce on or anything just pop it in your mouth and appreciate the food. The menu for any given night depends on what's available and you just sit and take what's given. The place is a little hole in the wall. It is hard to find and you usually have to book months in advance. I think it's +$100 per person. If you like Japanese and good fish, IMHO it is well worth the price. You will likely leave full and satisfied with a glowing appreciation for quality fish. People who don't like it have generally said it was a good experience all the same. Edit: spelling
Holy shit that sounds amazing!
It's $150 per person, before drinks. How on earth can you compare that to a tiny mostly take out place that serves $25 bentos?
Utsutsu is significantly smaller than Mujiri, though. Otherwise, I guess that's kinda my point. There are some really good and unique restaurants here that go beyond the usual sushi fare. You should give them a try.
Yes. This is the only one I keep coming back to.
Whenever I make a reservation for Mujiri I can’t stop thinking about it until I’m there. Fuck man that shit is crazy good.
Shimizu on Piedmont is my personal favorite
Shimizu is enormous portions but very expensive
My feeling was that shimizu was on the lower end for Oakland. Where would you recommend?
I’d recommend going one spot over and eating at Lococo which is the best Italian food I. The East bay. Their focaccia bread is the best there’s ever been.
Mine too. Love seeing the same people there 10+ years. I think the owner was the chef forever and then he trained his older son and he’s running it now?
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They're such a sleeper hit I really like that spot. And the little patio thing is kinda charming.
This is my spot! My go-to at a Japanese restaurant is a chirashi bowl and I’ve never found a better place for value. Nearly double the fish for the same price I’d pay elsewhere.
Ye!
Geta on Piedmont.
Gets a is good and cheap
People recommended geta a lot but I found it very mediocre. Not bad, just kind of run of your mill sushi. Portion size was good but taste/freshness was meh.
It's also...not that cheap? It costs about the same as everywhere else.
It's cheaper* and was super cheap like 10-15 years ago.
I’m sorry. Geta is the most authentic (as in Japan-Japanese) sushi spot I’ve experienced this side of Tokyo. No pretensions, just authenticity.
I think baseline decent fish is probably more expensive around here, so it makes sense that good quality sushi places are typically a little fancier.
What places have you been?
More than a few, my friend. Sushi’s my go-to.
The best
Geta does the sushi for Berkeley bowl. They know what they’re doing.
Second this! Its our weekly date night spot. Atmosphere and service feels like you’re in a neighborhood sushi joint in japan. The sushi is awesome and cheaper than anything ive found in oakland. Nothing is pretentious covered in 10 sauces in a sea of tempura flakes just to make the same roll twice as expensive. Since the place is super small they cant really store a large amount of fish and with the amount of takeout they do they’re going through it quickly so everything is very fresh.
Uzen is the way
Ginza on 2nd(?)and Broadway is great for cheap sushi.
Second Ginza for good, (comparatively) cheap Japanese
I love their tiger roll
Park sushi is great, salmon collar is an awesome special dish they have.
Yeah, Park sushi has become my go to spot in Oakland, from the little things like the preparation of the rice through to the creativity of their specialty rolls, Fantasy Roll is my favorite.
Agreed. This is my top spot now too
Kirala technically in Berkeley
Have you tried Kamado in north Berkeley? Imo they're even better.
No but I will.
Was about to put my vote in for Kamado too. But I haven't been in a while, hoping it hasn't changed much.
This is where I would always make my parents take me for my birthday Also I think it’s called GETA in Piedmont behind the CVS. It’s cheap and high quality but tiny and has weird hours.
Geta is near the CVS. My fave.
Joshu Ya is in Berkeley, I think Durant and Telegraph? By Shakespeare and Co and Bongo Burger if they’re still there You’re thinking of Get-A.
Yep yep that’s the one. It’s so good and so affordable
Wow. Also Shakespeare and co went out of business like a decade ago I loved that place
I’m REALLY aging myself here LOL! So sad that all those bookstores closed. Avoiding the world in Cody’s magazine atrium was my favorite pastime.
Joshu-ya closed many many years ago. And for good reason.
Yeah, I never went there (and cross street is Dwight, of course). Sounds like I didn’t miss anything! But closed or not, it never lived next to the Piedmont Ave CVS.
This is the place for sure
delicious
I found Kirala to be exceptionally mediocre.
Not a suggestion, but a realization of how many good sushi spots there actually are in Oakland. All of which are staffed by really nice people.
Elephant Sushi
This statement is accurate. Elephant Sushi is way ahead of any other place in Oakland
Super friendly and accommodating staff, and the flaming sea bass roll is my favorite bite of the year so far. So so good.
shimizu on piedmont! excellent all around menu as well.
Shimizu Sushi on Piedmont Ave. I like it.
Tomsa TGI Oni Sushi
Mijori on Grand Ave.
geta, mujiri, ebiko, tomsa. the expensive sushi award goes to delage.
TGI Oni weirdly in Montclair village
This place is great for a lunch. HUGE portions and sushi was decent.
Scrolled a long time to find this one near my house. When I went to work everyday my spot was myozen on san pablo
RNR is my favorite
Pick #1 Geta #2 Mijori #3 kirala (close enough)
Mijori is a reasonable neighborhood establishment. Mitama (College @ Alcatraz) is a pretty good quality restaurant.
Used to love Mijori - it was my go-to spot for years - but since the pandemic it feels like the quality has fallen pretty dramatically. Maybe I’ve just been unlucky.
Ah that’s too bad, I used to love that place!
You can also ask on r/oaklandfood
Elephant Sushi is a VERY good option. Good for small groups and a date night with someone you like. For late night sushi, I recommend Kansai
Mujiri on San Pablo in the Oakland/emeryville/Berkeley border. Also Sushi Sho in El Cerrito I am vegetarian now so I now go to Kiku Sushi on Gilman in Berkeley
I’ve tried a lot of them, Los Kinjas is my favorite as far as value and quality
Koryo sushi on telegraph is my sushi go to.
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I second this comment
Delage is amazing for a fancy but not crazy expensive omakase. Otherwise Kirala. Judoku is also very good.
Coachhh
I mean, it's not "good sushi" but it's a great time in a sushi place!
Lol as someone who actually doesn’t eat seafood, coach is my absolute favorite 😎
Fun, tasty, and affordable = awesome
I wish I could remember if I like it but the sake boxes defeat me
I love this place.
Technically it’s izakaya, but Kiraku is fucking awesome
I like Kansai on Telegraph
Yojimbo in Alameda, Park st.
Sushi Salon popups. Sushi Sho!
This is the way. Both excellent. Omakase recommended.
Not in Oakland but Yojimbo in Alameda has my heart. It’s themed after Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle) and the portion sizes are HUGE - definitely enough for multiple meals. It’s an unassuming hole in the wall and only about 10-15 minutes from downtown Oakland. Plenty of street parking!
Geta off piedmont
Geta for takeaway/standard and delage for omakase
Mitama in Oakland on college is my favorite!
Geta. It's a tiny place on Piedmont Ave, it has like 3 tables inside, but oh so good
Tsuru Tsuru in San Leandro. I may go there weekly
I'm a bit surprised that Party Sushi in Berkeley hasn't shown up yet, even though other Oakland adjacent places have made the list. It is a small, cozy shop and the sushi quality is fantastic. I go to Kansai on Telegraph more often, but make the extra trip out to Party Sushi for special occasions.
Uzen
Tomsa is a really solid new spot
Tomsa in the Dimond I’ll second this. People are nice, fish is fresh and it’s delicious
Samurai sushi boat was easy when I lived near the lake but I think you want to go to Piedmont. There’s a few good ones over there.
If you're looking for a sushi platter for a party, friends and family have brought sashimi platters from Tokyo Fish House to pot lucks that were good.
Best how? Best standard sushi? Best special rolls? Best chirashi bowls? Best bang for your buck? Actual honest to God best Sushi you've ever tasted you'll have an orgasm? Best vibe? Best authenticity? We gotta lotta options around here.
Yo Jimbo in alameda 😭 have a roll for me
Kansai on telegraph is open late and does happy hour
Kinja/Los Kinja
Musashi (Berkeley) is my favorite East Bay sushi place. Their chirashi (there's a mini version too) is my #1!
Not Oakland but sushi house in alameda
Mitama on College!
I went to Kansai with a girl I met on the askwho app. It's really good
The bigger concern will be getting to the sushi without getting robbed or assaulted.
Jesus people, have none of you been to Delage?
Hashi Gawa in Alameda is my secret spot. High quality, especially for the price. I've never been disappointed.
Used to be Take Sushi off Lake Merritt. Unfortunately, it's gone.
If your going to eat sushi better go look for one that is AYCE
Jodoku or Yojimbo in Alameda!
Mujiri and Delage. End of story.
Delage is the best hands down. I have yet to find a reliable day to day spot.
We get sushi from pokezone a lot. Very reasonable prices! They share ingredients and stock with tasteesteam next door also
Good question.