Executive chef Hide Nagano attributes the success of this North Berkeley Japanese and sushi restaurant to his training in Japan and dedication to traditional Japanese culinary methods. No cream cheese or mayonnaise here – just simple, freshly prepared dishes that have garnered a loyal following over the years. Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekend nights.
Hana Japan Steakhouse is a Teppan table restaurant where diners can watch the culinary juggling and artistic knifework of the hibachi grill chefs. Teppan tables typically seat groups of people around a large hibachi grill where each meal is prepared according to taste. In addition to the Teppan tables, there is also a separate banquet room overlooking the Berkeley Marina. The restaurant is decocrated with Japanese style wooden arbors under which all the Teppan tables are arranged, giving it a distinctive Asian flair.
This restaurant is located amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Berkeley, on Center Street and directly across from the UC Berkeley campus. Specializing in Japanese dishes, from sushi to udon noodle bowls, this is a spot to grab a bite whether you are on the go or not. The area is ripe for people watching, and seats are available outside of the restaurant for your convenience.
Sushi California has a wide selection of specialty rolls, hand rolls and nigiri options. It also has lunch specials and vegetarian rolls. A house favorite is the Dracula Roll, which includes tuna, cream cheese, cucumbers and tobiko. Beer, wine, sake, soda and tea round out the beverage selections.
Located in the Hearst Food Court near the corner of Hearst and Euclid Avenues, Aki Japanese Restaurant is an inexpensive lunch option close to the north campus of UC Berkeley. Inside, Aki is small and cozy, but also offers shared outdoor seating.
A traditional Japanese-style sushi bistro located in downtown Berkeley, Sushi Ko offers formal tables and a sushi counter for the visiting diner. Menu items range from dinner plates to rolls and sashimi. Each table has chopsticks and soy sauce.
Berkeley Sushi House, located on Durant Avenue, serves up more than 20 sushi rolls at a speedy pace, making it a quick pop-in and pop-out for the sushi lover on the go. There's an outdoor area just right for sitting outside and enjoying some spicy tuna in the sun.
