Immaculate service! Chef Kenji and Coco provided us with an exquisite omakase experience of seventeen courses. Not your basic slice and serve sushi but each piece was took days to prepare. The curing process of the fish and incredible house made soya sauces, yes he made more than one. As well as a very tasty ponzu sauce. While Chef Kenji plated each dish they were served by his wife, Coco. She provided a description of each dish and well as the best way to enjoy the full flavors of each. She was very detailed as to which sauce to use, if any, and how you should place is in your mouth. I can't say enough good things about this humble and almost hidden away gem. We will be back! read more

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Wow this place is SO good and so authentic! This sushi omakase located in Orinda is one of the best experiences I've had, and such a hidden gem. It's owned by a wife and husband team, and they take a limited number of tables per night. They offer a unique range of fishes all flown in from Japan. We have had the dine-in and takeout options and both were delicious. They provide instruction and recommendations on how to best enjoy the sushi (such as dipping in soy sauce versus ponzu). It can be difficult to contact them, but I have always left a message in the past, and they have gotten back to me within a week. I would recommend ordering at least a week in advance for sushi platters. read more

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Being a big appreciator of Japanese cuisine, I was pleased to find a more traditional edomae style Japanese sushi restaurant and a fairly local one for me. Our group had an almost private dining experience with basically just the authentic Japanese chef and his wife providing service. While not inexpensive, I found the meal to be a good value and well-worth the time to enjoy the sumptuous sushi, many which required beautifully intricate and arduous work by the chef. These were omakase, so required no heavy thought on our part. We were just asked about any food allergies or preferences, just in case. And they came in wave after wave, with even some options for more/repeats at times. The wife dressed in traditional Japanese attire, and provided us with instructions at times, which were welcome. When we complimented the sake flight, she presented the bottles to us to help us learn more about sake selection (as none of us were experts). All in all, it wasn't a meal to take the kids to, but for adults who appreciate sushi beyond the standard fare, it's a wonderful stop for a happy stomach and fond memories. Call for reservations! read more

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Wow.. simply wow.. What a hidden gem! Run by husband and wife this small establishment only takes reservations and can accommodate small parties only. It is located right across from the Orinda Country Club's golf course. Not only was the fish fresh and most flown from Japan, but the experience was educational and fun. The wife educates you on the proper way to eat sushi.. never dip the rice but the fish in the sauce for example... and explains each piece of Nigiri - where the fish is from, what it looks like, etc. She also instructs you which pieces should be dipped in the sauce and which ones should not. The Chef makes all of his own salts and ponzu in house. From cherry blossom to kelp.. they truly are magical toppings that work in perfect harmony with the protein. The menu is constantly changing based on seasonality. You are offered 20 pieces of nigiri which is the basic menu and then have the option to either stop, revisit some favorites or continue with Chef's magic carpet ride... We added on 5 more and decided to continue with the flight.. and oh so glad we did! The total with the 5 add-ons came to $195 per person. The price tag was a bit hefty, but honestly it was worth every penny.. I definitely will be taking some other friends here for special occasions!! read more

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Very unique. The other reviews are well deserved. A husband and wife combo that serves, I believe, 8 customers a night. They have apparently been doing this for 20 years. This was a stand out experience for us, 18 pieces of sushi that were, to a piece, incredibly delicious. I have never had sushi like this in my life. Not your normal experience, we will be back! read more

I can't believe this place is in Orinda. It is an experience for sure, and be prepared to spend money if you go. Wonderful small sushi place owned by a husband and wife. It's traditional style and no chopsticks or rolls. The wife explains the sushi to you and it was so interesting. As others have said, you must make reservations as they only seat a couple of tables a night. We had the sake sampler and I highly recommend, especially if you're not familiar with sakes. The menu is fixed, no choosing and they bring you what's on their menu for the night. It started with the 18 piece and then you have the option to continue, we each had the 26 piece. The sauces, etc were all homemade and they tell you which ones you can use soy sauce with or not. Everything was delicious. It's definitely a hidden gem for special occasions. read more

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The 18 pc omakase here is incredible in taste and presentation. Super quiet and private. read more

Hanazen - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

Picture yourself in a serene Japanese interior, quietly punctuated by the upright figures of Chef Kenji Horikawa and his wife and co-owner Coco, who on our last visit was exquisite in her native Tokyo's traditional attire. There is no other staff. There are only several tables and a small bar, providing an intimate experience for the duration of the meal. Drinks include premium sake as well as premium shochu (both barley and sweet potato varietals). If it is summer and there is a bottle of the chilled Sasaori, Hokkaido Otokoyama's limited-edition seasonal sake, then snag it! It's an exquisite accompaniment to sushi, unparalleled in my experience! Coco maintains a well-considered cellar and is an expert on the options. The daughter of a highly regarded author of a book on sake, she is a licensed sake sommelier in her own right. Once you've ordered drinks, you can fully relax, for the food itself is Omakase, meaning Chef's choice. This will be a masterfully curated meal of gourmet sushi, called Edomae sushi (primarily Nigiri) which involves techniques that hearken back to Japan's Edo period. You need to call for a reservation at least three days in advance and dress thoughtfully, foregoing perfume or cologne. Heavy scents obscure the unique flavors of the different fish, the enhancement of which is one of the original aims of Edomae sushi. Entering this space with a sense of adventure, you'll notice the absence of chopsticks and the presence of a laminated card which advises how best to eat sushi. You'll use your fingers because they give you the best control. You'll dip the sushi in its sauce fish-side down to preclude the greedy rice from absorbing too much and overwhelming the fish. You'll also place the sushi on your taste buds fish-side down to intensify the impact. The types of fish served depend on what is available to be flown in fresh from Japan or in some cases Canada or Scotland. In late February you might get to eat firefly squid, the bioluminescent creature that heralds spring in Japan. At any given season, the variety will be astounding. Even during Covid, when Coco regretted to inform us that fish options were limited, Kenji still presented 23 distinct fish for one take-out order! For all that the fish might've arrived this very day, some fish will have come ahead of time to be treated to the slowest of the techniques of which Kenji is a master. A fish will be wrapped in kelp for days, its bones roasted to yield a special sauce or salt. An octopus will be massaged by hand to the point of astounding tenderness. Kenji will meticulously remove the liver of a fish and create a marvel that appears as a tiny dollop on top of its flesh. Other dollops might be derived from red or green chili or an herb such as shiso. (The sushi is beautiful to the eye as well as delicious on the palette!) Kenji makes choices all the time that set his food apart. Monkfish pâté, for example, is typically sent to restaurants pre-made and wrapped in plastic, ready to be sliced. To Kenji and Coco it tastes like plastic, therefore they eschew it in favor of fresh monkfish from which Kenji himself creates the pâté. You might see a piece of sushi topped by red flesh and think you have spotted the ubiquitous salmon (often farmed), but very likely it is ocean trout, which Kenji and Coco prefer for its red color that is natural, not dyed, and for its naturally lean meat. You will learn such details because every platter of sushi comes with introductions. Coco tells you the Japanese and English names of the fish as well as their origins and how they were prepared. Like her husband, she is passionate about the details. Her smile radiates genuinely from behind her mask as she speaks. She'll advise you with regard to sauces as well. If a piece of sushi is sprinkled with one of Kenji's hand-crafted salts (perhaps black kelp or cherry blossom) you will want to savor it as is, "No sauce!" Other pieces will benefit from a dip in one of Kenji's specially prepared sauces--house-made soy, ponzu, miso, and more--or if it is the amazing sea urchin from Hokkaido, too delicate to invert, then you may lightly brush it with a piece of pickled ginger that has itself been dipped in soy sauce (hide the evidence though and don't do this for any other sushi, Coco warns playfully!) This is a phenomenal fine dining experience and the price is reflective of that but absolutely worth it. In 2024 Hanazen marked 20 years. Based on photos and details from older reviews, they've evolved since the early days, honing their vision and streamlining what is offered. We stumbled onto them eight years ago and have been regulars ever since, always leaving in a state of bliss. Highly recommend! read more

Hanazen - Chef Kenji behind the counter, focused on his work. - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

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Every piece of sushi was amazing and it was great to hear all the details about how it was prepared.

Incredible. Basically had a private omakase experience at the counter. Quality was the best I've ever had, with explanations for each piece. I also tried many new ones I've never had before. Will go back as soon as I can. read more

If you want truly authentic Sushi, this is the place to go! I am so happy Hanazen is so close to us. This restaurant is truly a gem of Orinda. I hope they stay in business for a long long time haha We went recently for my husband's birthday and we had a blast. Each sushi was delicate and delicious, and the chef and his wife made sure to explain all the dishes to us in detail (what kind of fish it is, what kind of sauce/salt is used, etc.) It was quite a pleasant experience overall and we will definitely going back often. They are a bit pricey but I feel like that's expected with high quality Omakazes. There is a parking lot in the plaza but also a lot of street parking. It's walking distance from Safeway too so parking shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure to MAKE RESERVATIONS. It is a very small shop, run by the chef and his wife only. They only accept people under reservations. read more

Hanazen - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

Delicious sushi. We did the 18 course and honestly were stuffed. Very small restaurant owned by a husband and wife team (both of whom are lovely). The fish was incredibly fresh, and in addition to fish flown in from Japan the chef had some wonderful trout from Scotland. The sauces were obviously homemade and incredible. There was only one piece I did not enjoy (bonito), but I tend to not like bonito in general. My favorite piece was the firefly squid - never tried it before but it was a very interesting texture and taste. Very nice sake selection and Coco was very helpful to pick out one similar to the ones my husband previously had tried and liked. We felt it was well worth the cost and enjoyed chatting with both chef Kenji and Coco. Would definitely return. read more

Hanazen - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

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Wow. What a hidden gem. We live locally and we had no idea this place existed until friends told us about it a few weeks ago. If you're looking for a more authentic experience, this place is for you. We made a reservation in advance, as they do not accept walk-ins. We really appreciated how Coco would explain each piece to us (what kind of fish it is, where it came from, how to eat it, etc.). Kenji, the chef, is immensely talented. The husband and wife team that own and run this place are terrific and put a lot of care and intent into providing an exceptional experience for their customers. We'll definitely go back again for the next season. read more

I love this place. Everyone should give this place a try at least one. The ambiance is very private and personable. You have to make reservations before hand and the doors are closed for any walk ins. The couple that served and owned the place was very sweet. We have the omikase dinner and everything was super. There were many fishes I've never had before. The personalize salts, chilis, red vinegar in the rice, and brush of soy sauce were all spectacular dishes. I was really surprise I was full from the pieces of the sushi we had. The pace allows use to take in the flavor and enjoy the fishes. I recommend sitting at the bar!! I love this place! read more

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Kenji and Coco, the owners of the restaurant, are so sweet and they were so generous and kind throughout our dining experience. Kenji works behind the sushi bar and serves some masterful pieces of sushi, with fish flown from Japan. The way he seasoned the rice was delicious and you could tell the effort he put into it. Koko is a sake sommelier and can recommend you the right bottle based on your particular tastes. The sushi was delicious and served in traditional Edomae style. They've had to reduce their capacity during the pandemic and are serving at limited capacity. So please, support them and help them continue serving delicious sushi. Orinda is better for it! read more

Hanazen - Hirame with cherry blossom salt - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

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My wife and I have lived in Orinda for 4 years and never knew this place existed. We had such a great experience at Hazan. Intimate, knowledgeable, and top shelf fish. Fixed menu, tons of unique fish. The chef is amazing and has his taste on everything. The host was informative and funny. My wife and I had a great time here. Highly recommend. I eat my share of fish and this was a whole different beast. This does come with a price as most good things do. read more

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Such a cute little mom and pop restaurant in Orinda! They only take reservations so make sure to make one or else they will NOT seat you. It's run by a husband and wife I think, the husband being the sushi chef and the wife being the waitress. The inside is super quaint and small but never crowded given its reservation only! They were nice and educated us on the type of fish we were eating, where it's from and they also had little signs to show you the proper way of eating the fish! The 18 piece omakase was very very filling but they do offer more pieces upon request! Definitely a cute spot to celebrate life events and would recommend for anyone in the area! read more

I wish I took photos of the food but I wanted to be present for the experience, so I only snapped a photo of the dining room. This was hands down the most unique and enjoyable dining experience we've ever had and the food was impeccable. The owners are so knowledgeable, talented, and are absolute masters of their craft. We learned so much about the art of sushi and each fish/dish. Lastly, the restaurant is intimate, incredibly clean, and very comfortable. I cannot recommend Hanazen enough if you love sushi / omakase / a curated experience. We can't wait to come back and we will also most definitely be ordering off of their to-go menu in the near future. read more

Hanazen - the interior of a restaurant with tables and chairs - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

Great omakase experience with exceptional value. It has 18pcs to start with and you can add more pieces after the initial serve. Many nigiris have unique and inventive flavors. I would recommend adding extra hand rolls, they are amazing! read more

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I found this spot on Yelp and was very excited about eating here. I loved the fact they have a dress code and don't allow people to wear fragrances. I went to their website and read all the rules, so I was prepared. What I didn't know is that you don't order. The chef told us the tasting was 18 pieces and we could add more if we chose to. Every piece of fish was delicious and 18 pieces ended up being enough for us. We got one sake sampler and then both ordered a glass. This restaurant represents traditional sushi restaurants. No chopsticks, no soy sauce and no wasabi. If you love sushi, put Hanazen on your list. read more

Hanazen - Sake - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

Oh Hanazen, it's been too long! Great sushi with no frills. Edomae style. This is truly one of Orinda's hidden gems. The place is so quaint and very low key. Coco and Kenji do a great job at creating a relaxing environment that's not too busy. Yes, reservations aren't the easiest to come by and the process of getting one is more old school but that's exactly why I adore them. They go by the beat of their own drum and comfort levels. Their current capacity is 4 people max and before the pandemic the volume wasn't high either. That's to be appreciated imo. The omakase consisted of 18 pieces with the choice to add more after. Several highlights but I drank a lot of sake and forgot the names (oops). Also the sake was very balanced and paired well with each fish. Kenji makes these delicious salts (cherry blossom and kelp for instance) and they were quite memorable. If you live in the East Bay or Lamorinda area, Hanazen is a MUST. read more

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Still love Hanazen. The food is consistently excellent, with each piece of nigiri perfectly paired with ponzu, yuzu jelly, miso sauce, cherry blossom salt, wasabi, soy, etc. Kenji and Coco enthusiastically offer the best fish of the season, mostly from Japan but a few from BC and Scotland during our latest meal. Just wanted to add some more pics. read more

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Definitely the best sushi in the East Bay! Since leaving SF, and because of the pandemic, have had a little trouble finding quality Omekase... this place is it! Amazing quality and variety of fish beyond the normal sushi fish (I'm always looking for Toro, Uni and Sea Bream!) And fresh from the markets daily. Its worth the price and please tip generously during this time for takeout, they put so much care into it (including a little pamphlet on how to eat all if your Omekase included) read more

Hanazen - a variety of sushi on a black plate - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

This is easily my favorite omakase. If you like to savor the unique texture and flavor of sushi, this place cannot be beat. The specialty salted pieces were truly sublime. read more

A local treasure. Kenji prepares an amazing omakase experience. Koko is not just the waitress, she is a font of knowledge on both the food and the sake. (Apparently her father wrote the definitive reference book on sake.) Lovely place to celebrate a special occasion. A bit of a splurge, but worth every penny. Reservations only, so call ahead. read more

This is a sushi EXPERIENCE. If you want to go out for a sushi meal -- dinner, date or otherwise, this might not be your best choice. But if you want to learn about sushi the way the Japanese intended it, then this is quite an education. As per previous reviews, this is a mom-n-pop, reservation only restaurant. Mom greets you, seats you, serves you, and educates you and your guest(s) on the proper way to dine on sushi. She is cheerful, knowledgeable, articulate, and informative. "Pop" is the chef. He makes the nigiri and all of the special prep that goes into each piece. It's nigiri only, and each piece is a special prep, whether it's the fish, the salt, the spicing... it's all special. And so is the sake. A lot of thought goes into both the sushi and sake the menus. Again, if you're looking to dine on"your favorite pieces", or sashimi, hand rolls, etc, then you will be disappointed. On the other hand, once you have dined at Hanazen, your knowledge and taste will have been elevated. So, there's a price that comes with this exclusive and exceptional experience, and you need to be prepared. The chef sets the menu based on what is seasonal, fresh, and available. This sushi/ dining experience is not comparable to what is generally offered locally, and I'd have to say that this restaurant would be priced at a $$$ or $$$$ level. Again, comparatively. I would say that it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience... unless you can afford it more frequently. Thumbs up, but conditionally. read more

What an amazing experience. We had a 23 piece omakase, the food was wonderful, but even better was the company. There's something about the place that feeds so welcoming and got the entire restaurant (seated at the bar) talking to each other. The sushi is traditionally prepared, don't expect rolls or fried rolls. The point is to be able to taste the preparation of the fish (sourced from Japan). All the salts and sauces are hand made by the master chef. Some of the standouts were the uni, taro and everything with kelp and sakura salt. read more

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Off The Chain !!! Awesome Dining Experience !!! I was going to go to Hanazen a few days ago . Luckily I called ahead and found out its a RESERVATION ONLY PLACE !!! NO WALK INS !!! So I made a RESERVATION for Thursday 8 PM. Hanazen ISNT YOUR RUN OF THE MILL MALL SUSHI ROLL PLACE !!! Its a Japanese Owned and Run Place . The Owners Kenji and Coco take Sushi VERY SERIOUSLY !!! They have Owned and Operated Hanazen for 12 Years and are Closed on Sundays and Mondays. I'm not Going to lie , I was a little Skeptical about finding a Good Sushi Joint in Orinda of all places. But Hanazen is Truly an Educational , Fun and Yummy Culinary Experience . So at the appointed time . I jumped into my Urban Assault Whip and rolled to Orinda . I was able to Park my Whip right in Front . I then rolled in . I was greeted by Coco . I promptly told her I had a Reservation and was seated at the Sushi Bar . Hanazen is RESERVATION ONLY because Kenji and Coco are the Only Employees and Its a Family run place . They want to keep Service and the Dining Experience at a High Level . My Meal Choice was the Chefs Choice Omakase. Coco set me up with a Wet Nap , Soy Sauce , Ponzu Sauce and Ginger . Coco then Instructed me to eat the Sushi with my Fingers , Kenji the Sushi Chef / Owner -Would tell me what Sauce to Dip the Sushi in and some pieces would not need sauce at all . The Most important was to Dip the Nigri Fish only in the Sauce . Kenji then Appeared Behind The Sushi Bar . His Sushi Knife Of Choice Is a Global that he Reprofiled into a Razor Sharp Zero Grind . Kenji has over 42 Years of Experience being a Sushi Chef . Kenji is a very Humble and Entertaining Sushi Chef . He would Craft up a piece of Nigri and set it on a plate in front of me and tell me ,what Sauce or Not to Dip it into to eat it . When I was done , He would Craft up another piece and so on. Eating Omakase Nigri is a Yummy , Entertaining and Educational Experience. Kenji was my Tour Guide Of Omakase !!! Fun Fact- Kenji Uses Japanese Rice and Seasons it Himself . I then asked Kenji if they offered Cooked Items . They Do on a Limited Basis. Coco brought me a Menu Sheet to Peruse . I Spotted 2 of my Favorites Pork Belly in a Miso Broth and Miso Glazed Lamb !!! I ordered those right away !!! To my Joy , Kenji left the Sushi Bar to go Prepare these 2 Dishes. Kenji presented the Pork Belly in Miso Broth first . IT LOOKED ,SMELLED AND TASTED DEVINE !!! Next Out was the 2 Lamb Lollipops the ends were wrapped in Aluminum Foil to protect your fingers from getting dirty . These 2 Dishs were HEAVENLY !!! Hanazen is a pretty Intimate place . Great Place to take a Date or Significant other. At the End of my meal . Coco brought my Check in a Piece Of Bamboo , A Orange Slice and a Hersey Kiss. I paid by Charge Card and Rolled Out . Hanazen is one of the Best Omakase Experiences I've Ever Had. Truly a Hidden Treasure !!! Hanazen is a Baller On a Budget Approved Establishment !!! read more

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Best sushi in the East Bay - we get the to-go omakase, pickup is on the dot and we immediately dig into it 15 minutes later at home. I don't believe there is any other (or I haven't found another) establishment east of the Caldecott serving authentic, delicious Edomae. ご馳走さまでした！ read more

Indeed one of the best in the Bay Area. Sushi served with pride, selective ingredients, and tradition. Trust the chef by opting for omakase. Don't pass up on their sake collection as well. There must have been no more than 3 parties dining other than ourselves at a single time. I was able to enjoy a great conversation. Very ideal for catching up or even provide your undivided attention to that special someone. If you appreciate authentic Japanese cuisine bookmark and make a reservation. Not many exist at this caliber in the Bay area. A great find! read more

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Somehow, Hanazen has been around for 12 years. I don't know how I had not heard of them sooner! The omakase was great - they bring you a platter of assorted nigiri. The two-person team who runs this restaurant (and are the only employees) are proud of their product and are happy to share information on the food they are serving. They will create more nigiri for you based on your level of hunger. It is unclear if the pricing goes up after that. We had three more rolls each after our initial platter, which included ankimo (monkfish liver). The presentation is beautiful and the rice is wonderfully flavored and textured - it's not sopping in soy sauce as some places do. The chef is very liberal with wasabi, so if you want less, ask for it and they will happily oblige. They also have a great but limited sake selection. Some notes on making your reservation: Call way in advance; they serve a limited number of people a night. They are very strict and will call you the day before the reservation and insist on a verbal confirmation. They also tell you that they do not make California rolls or the like. Some of this was a little insulting as a regular diner of "weird" omakase type fish, and someone who is used to confirming reservations at restaurants, but I understand they want to be sure the seats are filled. They will also call if you are late for your reservation. read more

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approval rate. I'm so glad I selected Hanazen for dinner. I am pleasantly please with the traditional way of REAL sushi. I learned to eat only with my hand, certain nigiri could already be seasoned, and certain one used ponzu sauce, others use soy sauce. You are to dip the fish part in and not the rice part it. When eating... the fish part goes in your mouth first. The ginger is use to cleanse pallet before trying different fish. I love this mom and pop shop. I will definitely be returning. By reservation ONLY. Chef specials only. The dining experience was epic :) They serve a mean (delish) plum ! read more

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Food is excellent. Space is extremely limited so call well in advance. Not inexpensive but worth it for the quality of the fish and the preparation. read more

What an experience!! I'm completely blown away. Certainly a hidden gem in the East Bay and all of the Bay Area. The chef's preparation of omakase was done with such preciseness and care, with just the right amount of each element. His wife takes her time with each table to describe the each piece's fish, preparation, and how to eat it. Every small detail with these two is done with a purpose, and it made for the perfect dinner. It maybe cliche to say the food is prepared with love, but you can absolutely see it with this wonderful couple. We'll definitely be back every season to try their new omakase. read more

Came by for dinner the other night and was skeptical about a Japanese-restaurant in Orinda. So it turns out that this restaurant prefers reservations, and prefers to be known as a reservation only restaurant... We were able to make a same day reservation to this quaint Japanese-owned restaurant. Started off with the Chicken Karaage and it was excellent. Chicken was super juicy and flavorful. Oil quality was excellent. Moved on to the tempura and it was very good. I've had better. The fried squid was also very good. It was good, but I've had even fresher squid. The fried eggplant was tasty and came with soy sauce to dip in. Felt that the soy sauce was a little too salty. The dish itself was excellent! The sashimi was on the pricier side at $39. The quality and freshness of the fish was excellent. It was very precise and high quality. The dragon roll was also very good. Once again, very fresh and tasty. Miso Soup was made to order. It was very good with Gombei in Japantown San Jose being the gold standard. The meal ended off with complimentary slices of Oranges. Net net, this was an excellent meal with excellent service by Coco. $55 for dinner after tax and tip. read more

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Hanazen is a true hidden gem. I didn't discover this place until 5 years into living in the Bay Area, and I make it my mission to find the best high-end sushi places. Tucked away in Orinda, the last place you'd expect authentic edomae sushi, Hanazen is run by a husband-wife duo. The restaurant is reservation only, and is never packed. What impresses me about Hanazen is the attention to detail and education of the customer. Japanese people have a certain "kodawari" (commitment to a special way of doing something) with everything, so it's no different with sushi. You have to read a placard that explains how much soy sauce to put in your dish, how to hold the sushi and dip into the soy sauce, etc. There is a certain way to enjoy sushi in an optimal way. And if you're paying your hard earned money to eat luxuriously, why not do it the right way? The omakase is top notch, and also reasonably priced. For 20 pieces, it ended up being around $100 per person. You'll be asked around 12 pieces whether you want to continue. There is no rush, of course. You can just keep enjoying each unique piece until you want to stop eating, which admittedly, is truly difficult. My favorite pieces at Hanazen, now that I've been 3 times are: - Smoked salmon with yuzu gelee: The acidity of the yuzu keeps it light but accentuates the savoriness and umami of the smoked salmon. - Baby sea bream: I've had sea bream but not baby sea bream. And the slight char over the skin side really brings out the surprisingly rich flavor of this white fish. - Mackerel (saba) with marinated kelp: Usually saba is served with a vinegar brine. But the marinated kelp has a slight sweetness to it, in addition to the rice vinegar. It's a different play to an otherwise typical piece. - Albacore tuna with garlic and red chili pepper: I don't particularly like albacore tuna typically, but this piece was amazing, because of the toppings. I'm not joking, but it tasted like Korean barbecue! - Anago with sansho pepper: I love anago. But this is a twist on an already delicious fish. The sauce is made from the anago bones after it has been chargrilled and made into the sauce, which is lighter than the typical sweet sauce you get. Additionally, the sansho was a bomb of a topping - it's not spicy so much as numbing. Really jolts you when you eat it. If you love sushi and love exploring what's not typically available, Hanazen is a treasure. Just don't tell too many people about it! read more

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We eat or takeout from Hanazen about ten times per year and their sushi is always such a treat. There is nothing in the Bay Area that comes close. The sushi chef Kenji sources unique and hard to find fish and creates traditional Edomae sushi. In addition to the delicious fresh sushi you would expect, we have had firefly squid, needle fish , rose sea bass, and hard to find cuts of toro, and a number of other special fish. It is fresh and hand prepared in a way that is completely unique and delicious. read more

We ordered take out for 4 people. It was delicious and carefully packaged with instructions, such as which pieces were what and which fish should be eaten without soy sauce. We were asked ahead of time if we had any allergies and were assigned a designated time slot for pickup to ensure safety, which I appreciate. This is the second time we have eaten at Hanazen and it's really a Lamorinda gem, such care and craft goes into each order. read more

Hanazen - Sushi for 4 - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

Best sushi place in the east bay. Highest quality ingredients and incredibly fresh fish. The sake flights are wonderful. Won't repeat what everyone else said but you NEED a reservation. Small place run by husband and wife so call if you're going to cancel. If you appreciate the art of sushi, you will love this place. read more

Hanazen - Deluxe combo - Japanese Near Me - Orinda, California

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I was so excited to get my to go order of sushi. After a couple of weeks of social distancing and avoiding the grocery store I was in need of some Truly delicious food. The takeout experience was awesome. I had a time given to me when no other people would be in the restaurant. The food was delivered to me with the proprietor wearing gloves and a mask. I have never had such delicious sushi. Each piece was notated. Some pieces were to be eaten without soy sauce, others with soy sauce and others with Yozu. Although I was completely satisfied at the end, I was definitely sorry there was not more to eat. Because of the quarantine I am back to canned chili for another week. read more