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    Oni Kuma

    3.9 (114 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Oni Kuma Takeout or Delivery

    Oni Kuma Photos

    ONI KUMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Oni Kuma

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    Kyoto beer
    Grace C.

    We came on a weekend on our way up to Guerneville. Though we made reservations, no table was available and server had to reseat someone to make space for us. I guess these folks wanted to su5 outside and they forget they had reso for us outside. We ordered handrolls and appetizers (karaage and agedashi tofu). Food came pretty quickly and taste decent. Nothing wow but decent food for the price. The sets for hand rolls were reasonable. The waiter /seemed stress out, must be hard to be a single server for whole restaurant. The beer also came nice and cold. Will return on drive up again but nothing special to go out of the way to come.

    Fried enoki mushroom
    Kristine M.

    This place is hidden in a corner to the left of whole foods. I came in with my husband and daughter. I said hi two times but the chef or host didn't notice Us. When they did, We were seated right away. I wanted to sit my baby in the booth but the host insisted I use a high chair. I feel like the rules here are a little strict. We ordered iced green tea which tasted authentic but just a little watered down. I still drank it of course. the food came out really quickly after ordering. The spicy tuna don was delicious and had ikura on top. My husband was full off that. I ordered the hoseki bako which is a wooden tray with 9 different compartments. it had assorted fish, an oyster, tofu, and fried mushrooms. It was really beautiful to look at!!!! I recommend getting this just so you can get a little of everything. The fried enoki mushrooms are shockingly tasty! The mushroom flavor is not overpowering and is a unique snack. They sell a variety of handrolls here too. I would try that next time.

    Inside of the restaurant
    Allie N.

    On our way back to Sonoma County, my boyfriend and I were craving sushi and since our go-to spot Hana in Rohnert Park closed, we decided to try Oni Kuma since it was on the way and looked interesting. We walked in around 7:45 pm on a Tuesday night and they were closing around 9:30. We were delighted to see that the restaurant was empty and we had missed the evening rush so it felt intimate and like a private dining experience. Service was incredible even when they had takeout orders coming in and another party joining us in the dining area. We started off with an orange sake but didn't enjoy it but that was my fault for ordering it anyhow. For food, we ordered the amberjack nigiri, crispy enoki, negima skewers, the pork jowl skewers, pork katsu curry, o-toro sashimi, and the sea bass kama. The food came out so incredibly quickly and had a nice presentation. The nigiri and sashimi was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The only issue we had wa that the o-toro was still slightly frozen so it was like chewing through a sashimi popsicle but wasn't that big of a deal to us. The yakitori skewers were so incredible, cooked to perfection, and moist. My boyfriend had to stop me from ordering more of the pork jowl. The crispy enoki was battered lightly and had great texture. Everything else we got was great. The only thing we probably wouldn't order was the sea bass kama. I had asked our waitress what she would recommend between the two and said that hamachi was her personal favorite since it was leaner than the seabass. After trying the seabass, we ended up agreeing with her suggestion and will have to try the hamachi next time I return. Definitely would recommend. It's got a great location right next to whole foods which was my after-dinner stroll. Great food, wonderful service, and superb value!

    Kurobota pork Katsu curry
    Mikayla P.

    On a Friday evening, this place was super busy! We were sad to see the outside wooden booths are no longer available to use, but the inside area feels very cozy and intimate I got the chicken katsu curry, the chicken katsu was so well done I loved the breading and the chicken itself was super tender. The curry on the other hand was a lot sweeter than I remembered having the first time (tasted more like a Hawaiian style version of curry), so I was not as excited about that. The first time I had tried the curry, it had a few different vegetables and this time only had 2 pieces of carrot. While the curry would not be something that I would come back for, I would definitely come back for more delicious chicken katsu or try the other options!

    Set 1
    Maggie W.

    We enjoyed dining at Oni Kuma!! My friends and I were craving Asian food and the seafood in Marin County is so fresh, we opted for the natural choice of selecting a Japanese restaurant to have dinner at. I physically wasn't feeling too well, so I ordered a chicken udon. The broth is vegetarian and really delicious, I was sipping on it the entire time! It comes with kabocha, naruto, broccoli, and leafy greens. The chicken had a nice consistency considering it was boiled, but it had zero seasoning/taste to it. Very bland. My friends opted to order hand rolls (one set 1, one unagi don, and one hamachi hand roll) and they enjoyed it. Presentation at this location is really good and all our food looked incredibly appetizing. Overall decent experience, our food came out quickly and the setting is very cozy. Outdoor seating area is also really cute, but it was cold outside so we wanted to stay inside to keep warm.

    outdoor seating
    Emily P.

    Came here during lunch time and it wasn't busy. Service was pretty fast. Miso soup was delicious. The fish was fresh. The Wagyu nigiri pricing is wrong, we got charged $12 and not $10 like the menu said. The Wagyu nigiri wasn't that good. It was very thin and not a lot compared to its pricing and other places. The 10pc nigiri set was good! The assorted fish was amazing and the ratio of rice to fish was perfect. Our hand rolls were tasty, the seaweed was soggy and hard yo chew apart which cause everything to fall apart

    Rosie B.

    Ordered take out a couple of nights ago while on vacation. I order a spicy tuna roll and the soft shell crab roll. I called in my order 30 minutes before closing. I didn't want to go in and sit down when they are so closing soon and make them work extra. The lady that picked up was very nice. The rolls were good. The spicy tuna better than the soft shell one but still OK. I would come back when I'm visiting and try out dine in.

    Marie B.

    First time here, and thought it was just OK. Certainly not worth the price point. I ordered the pork cutlet curry rice dish for $25. ($33 after tax and tip). I could have cooked the meal a lot better using a golden curry cube, for a lot less money. Ambiance and service were fine.

    Uni and crab hand rolls
    Sharon S.

    After a day of wine tasting in Napa and a stop in Corte Madera to return some stuff at the mall, we decided to try Oni Kuma for hand rolls after finding this place on Yelp. I was able to call the day before to make a reservation for two at 6:00 p.m. Due to hitting some traffic and running behind, I called the restaurant to see if we could push our reservation to 7:00 p.m. They were really accommodating and told me not an issue but we may have to sit at the sushi bar if it's too busy. Upon arrival, we were surprised to see only one outdoor table and a couple of indoor tables were occupied. We both ordered set A (three hand rolls - spicy tuna, salmon and hamachi) and also a Maine lobster hand roll and uni and crab hand roll. We also got a dynamite roll to share. The roll was the best item we had. The hand rolls came out pretty fast but sadly missed the mark. Although they were beautifully presented, the seaweed was not toasted and was soggy. The ingredients were fresh but not high quality fresh. Overall it was an average experience. The restaurant itself was clean and nice. I really like the outdoor booths they had but it was too cold to eat outside. Parking was easy since there is plenty of parking in the shopping center this restaurant is located in. Dining here makes me crave a hand roll with crispy seaweed so will need to try again soon.

    Some delicious edamame!
    Lizbeth H.

    The food was amazing definitely coming back for the chicken curry again!! The place is small but cozy and the server was very sweet and fast!

    Oni Kuma Roll  Lion king

    I enjoyed my dinner here. Everything was so fresh and not heavy. Not too much sauce so you can taste everything. The service is great and everything came out quick. Overall a cute place with quiet vibes. Definitely coming back

    Hamachi Jalapeño appetizer is so good
    Bunny C.

    I'm so excited to have Oni Kuma in mill valley. It's the same management as Shiro Kuma in San Rafael where I would drive to get our sushi fix and now I don't have to go as far. We are obsessed with the hamachi jalapeño appetizer and I have to order 3 because my husband will eat it all otherwise. The chicken gyoza are delicious. The nigiri, hamachi Kama, veggie tempura as well. Basically everything I've tried has been really good. Restaurant staff is super nice and I recognize some of the folks from the other location as well. The restaurant space here is larger than the other location with an outdoor area that I'm hoping to try out with the doggos once the weather gets nicer. Parking is also easier as the other location is street parking.

    Chicken katsu curry, combo c, dynamite roll
    Gabe Y.

    Friendly service and such a cool vibe. I loved both their outdoor and indoor seating. All the ambiance was great with the posters and the booth. The sauce dishes were so cute too. We got the chicken katsu curry, the combo c, and the dynamite roll. I thought the dynamite roll was such a refresher: it was hamachi, avocado, green tobiko and this chipotle mayo sauce. I think this was a great combination and the amount of sauce wasn't overwhelming the dish. The katsu curry was great and tasted like a lot of spices. Lots of curry leaf flavor with a bit of a spicier kick than normal. Perfect on a cloudy day or in the winter. The chicken itself had a crispy coating. Combo C had a variety of fish and flavor combinations. My favorite was the tuna, watercress, ikura, and yuzu peel. Overall, nice place that's tucked away. Attentive and friendly staff.

    Oysters, smaller in real life

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    1 month ago

    the service was poor, appetizer came out last, vegetable tempura and was still frozen

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    Impressive food. Unassuming location delivered excellent sashimi, gyoza, a fresh salad, and oyster special.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Oni Kuma

    Is this restaurant closed?

    was there 10 days ago.

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yes, we have a gluten free soy sauce and also the vegan tuna(plant based ) . You can asked server for gluten free roll

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Izakaya

    Izakaya

    4.0
    (107 reviews)
    22.6 mi
    $$

    Cute Japanese spot in downtown Benicia!…read more Been getting takeout here for years and haven't dined in until recently. My bestie and our kids had a solid yummy lunch. Pulled out all the stops and got the agedashi tofu, salmon kama, unasake/eagle rolls, combo sashimi, and sake maki for the kiddos. Service was friendly, food was pretty good, and the ambiance was clean and welcoming. Recommend lunch here and then some dessert at One House bakery or the ice cream spot down the street!

    This is one of those restaurants where I have discovered my favorite dishes on the menu, and I tend…read moreto order the same things every visit. Maki, miso, and hot tea or Saki. I get different maki each time, but my favorite is the basic spicy crunch. No matter what else I get, I add a spicy crunch. I've had the yakitori a couple times. Excellent. will confess that even though I have been here thirty times I haven't really experienced the entire menu, mostly because I'm fairly ignorant when it comes to Japanese dishes and I don't order what I don't understand. You can navigate the Japanese menu. You will fall in love with this place Someday I will go ahead and be brave. Of course I love their sushi as well. It's just a comfortable eating experience. It's a place I can pop in without a moment notice and have a wonderful meal. I love the atmosphere and the friendly chefs and waitresses.

    Photos
    Cute dining area
    Cute dining area
    Salmon Skin HR
    Salmon Skin HR
    Seared Scallop roll- so good!

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    Seared Scallop roll- so good!
    The Public Izakaya

    The Public Izakaya

    4.2
    (732 reviews)
    10.0 mi
    $$

    There was a short wait when we went on Monday Night around 10 pm and the resaurant is a tight fit…read morehowever we were sat in the back of the restaurant where they is a bit more room. The waygu ramen melted in my mouth and had be day dreaming about it for days after. I was hesitant it get it but thank God my boyfriend ordered it so I just ate his. JUST ORDER IT! You will not regret it. The tables are kind of wobbly so that was the only annoying thing about dinner. However the food and vibes, I cannot complain about.

    I don't know how this place has so many raving reviews. It doesn't deserve the stars it has…read more First, we came in around opening which was at 4:30. We stood in the front with multiple workers seeing us, but wasn't acknowledged for a full five minutes (it's completely empty). We're seated and figured they would allow us to start happy hour because it was from 5-6pm (which, what a short HH!) and we ordered around 4:50pm. Nope. Waitress took out her phone and denied it. Okay.... Waited an extra ten AND THEN ordered food. Got the nigiri sampler and added the uni and toro. That was a mistake, because for a whole $20 addtl., the sampler was so lackluster. The tamago was oddly colored and the rice was... chewy? We left the crab one because... unsure what kind of frozen crab that was. Meanwhile, this whole time we're waiting for our HH drinks while other people are receiving theres. Mind you, we ordered first. Also, I ordered a Sapporo which was a CAN. Had to bother multiple staff to get my can. Also... $5 HH special from regular $7 price? Idk... We also ordered the HH karaage and gyoza which came with a curry sauce that wasn't too bad, and some agadashi tofu that I actually liked. Ordered the chicken skins or Tori Kawa, and those were mediocre. Tried to order more HH items but the wait staff almost completely ignored us. Soon enough, HH is over! Worst happy hour experience ever. Never coming back to this place and recommend others to find another spot for sushi since there's waaayyyyy better spots in the city than this.

    Photos
    Halloween celebration
    Halloween celebration
    Blistered Shishito
    Blistered Shishito
    Salmon, tuna, and hamachi roll

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    Salmon, tuna, and hamachi roll
    Nono Baru

    Nono Baru

    4.1
    (84 reviews)
    9.5 mi

    My friend was visiting from out of town and we decided to grab a quick bite around 6PM at Nono…read moreBaru. We were confused looking on the maps at first because it showed separate restaurants but after speaking with an employee, he clarified that the two had combined. SERVICE Friendly and attentive! Really, everyone we chatted with was great. SEATING We were seated quickly at the bar/sushi station. The dinner rush did occur during our dine-in so the tables filled up quickly. Most seating are inside but there are a few tables out front of the restaurant. FOOD We ordered quite a few items to share and everything was delicious! Listing them below. -Yuzu Lemonade drink -Spicy Tuna Tostada -Nono Crispy Balls (they can with in squares) -Spicy Hamachi -Salmon Avocado -Nego-toro -Salmon Skin The last 4 are simple rolls, and you can request them to be hand-rolled, but we completely forgot because of our interesting conversation and excitement about trying this place. The salmon skin hands down was absolutely DELICIOUS. The Nono crispy balls we're really good too. I don't remember the exact name but I'm sure the server could identify if the photo is shown. Overall, we had a wonderful experience! The food was absolutely delicious, and the generous portions made every bite even better.

    Think this is my 4th time here, I believe Bubu and Nono Baru have combined into one restaurant…read more Today I ordered only from the happy hour menu (4:30-6pm) since the non-HH options weren't too impressive last time. Basic hand rolls and apps are $3, with more premium options at $6-8. We noticed the happy hour menu had different options, and staff confirmed that it changes frequently (last time they did not have uni handrolls!). I really like the hot hand towel they give out at the start to wipe your hands, very warm and refreshing. One uni handroll did not arrive as ordered and was almost charged for it, but was fine when I asked them to take it off the bill. Note that the tip percentages/suggestions are calculated on the total after tax & surcharge, not the food order subtotal. The salmon sashimi is my favorite base sushi fix. The tostadas are better than expected. The baby lobster roll mustve had a whole teaspoon of wasabi in there or something. The uni was a little fishy, and the uni/ikura was funky--I'd skip this next time but would reorder the uni wagyu. Overall today the taste was a bit less fresh than last time but still not bad. Staff are generally nice, attentive, help out as needed, and willing to call others when there are questions they may not initially know the answers to.

    Photos
    Nono Baru
    Akami Skewer
    Akami Skewer
    Toast

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    Toast
    Izakaya Sozai

    Izakaya Sozai

    3.8
    (2.2k reviews)
    10.0 mi
    $$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Happy hour specials

    It's been a million years since I've been back!…read more We had a girls night and decided to do izakaya. It used to be really hard to get a table and the waits were crazy! But now, it's much easier and not as crowded. Yay for us but sad for them. Also the clientele has vastly changed. They have more families coming in with kids. Guess that just means I can bring mine next time! All the things we ordered were just as I remembered! Tasty and hit the spot! Tuna tartare and the hamachi carpaccio were very tasty. We had a couple skewers, tried the uni scallop udon which was good. The pork belly curry special was fun to eat! A deconstructed banh mi. The pickled veggies were a nice touch. Service was wonderful and food came out quick. We did get a bowl of ramen to share at the end of the meal. Broth was a tad bit too salty but I like their springy noodles. Get the kikusui sake if you go! Easy and smooth to go with the food. I'll be back with the kids! Satisfied!

    Been years many years ago before our visit last week. The place was dead on a Saturday evening but…read morethat's okay. Ordered several yakitori dishes and a daikon salad. A few Japanese bottled beers too. Chicken skin is my favorite with beer but not here. The chicken skin was crispy on the outside but chewy and rubbery on the middle. Bacon wrapped Enoki and bacon wrapped mochi were tasty. Pork jowl good. Daikon salad was tasty. Overall not bad. The price was a bit too steep honestly and didn't feel any atmosphere

    Photos
    Beef tendon stew
    Beef tendon stew
    Miso Eggplant
    Miso Eggplant
    Kinako Mochi with Red Bean

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    Kinako Mochi with Red Bean
    Kinda Izakaya

    Kinda Izakaya

    4.2
    (181 reviews)
    14.0 mi

    We discovered this fun little Izakaya (Japanese social eatery) when coming into town for the…read moreLadytron show at the UC Theater on busy Saturday night on University Avenue and we are glad that we decided to give it a try. It was conveniently located across the street from the venue, and the unassuming outside of the restaurant did not hint at the amount of fun, ambiance, good food, and warm hospitality contained inside. First, there is the name. Not sure if it's some sort of play on words, secret joke, or if it's someone's actual name, but it works, kinda. It's kinda a restaurant, kinda a bar, kinda of a hangout, and kinda fun. The tiny entrance and plain facade reveals a bustling world of delicious food, tasty beverage, and lots of decorative eye candy to keep you looking around the space while you are hanging out with friends, on a date, or just relaxing after a long day. The decorations there are very upbeat, eclectic, fun, and distinctly Japanese pop culture. Posters, banners, flags, lanterns, toys, and trinkets can be found all over the restaurant, and made it fun to keep looking around and discover new novel things to look at. I did feel like I was in an authentic Izakaya somewhere in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ebisu in Tokyo. The place had a lot of personality & personal flair in an otherwise, tiny & industrial small warehouse type space. Service was excellent. The host was the cute & personable Mina, who couldn't have been more accommodating, patient, friendly, and engaging. It was very busy, and even though it was our first time there, Mina made us feel welcome into their home and was also very helpful to guide us around their experience. The other staff were less engaging, but still professional, efficient, and polite. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly on all accounts, and they as a team, managed to serve an entire full house of hungry & happy patrons during the entire Saturday night dinner rush. Fun place with a good staff. We opted for Izakaya-type, shared small plates to satisfy our hunger cravings without getting too full and weighed down on big portions of heavy, rich foods. Everything on the long & expansive menu looked great, but we mostly stuck with small appetizers to sample & savor. It was nice that there were plenty of lighter, fresh vegetarian options as neither of us were really in the mood for seafood, fried food, or big heavy entrees. We ordered the Kinda Tofu, Kyuri sliced fresh cucumber salad, and Kinoko butter-grilled mushroom hot platter and washed it down with some green grape Jinro soju. Everything was pretty good! Not overly fried, greasy, salty, or seasoned. Lightly cooked, delicately glazed, with just enough seasoning & oil/sauce to make it taste good, but not end up too complicated or messy. The taste really came through using these minimal cooking & seasoning techniques. The taste of the original vegetables & tofu came through perfectly, and were only complimented by their light hints of adding flavor. Portion sizes were ample for two people, and presentation was appetizing and organized. The bill for 3 apps + 1 bottle of Soju was less than $50, so it was a good value for the fun experience & good food. Wait times during the dinner rush are long, and there isn't really anywhere to sit or stand, so reservations are recommended. You can also enter and go straight to the 10-seat bar if there are openings, but we got a table for two after around a 20-30 minute wait. After that, everything moves pretty quickly, from ordering, getting food & drinks, to wrapping up and getting your check. Perfect system if you're trying to get to a concert, movie, or appointment with a specific start time. I really liked this place, not Kinda, not Sorta, but Definitely, or Absolutely! Kinda Izakaya will always be our destination to eat & hang out next time we come back to Berkeley, it is a true gem of a Japanese Izakaya/light meal fare right in the heart of downtown Berkeley. It's fun, tasty, busy, and friendly. Small & cozy, yet also airy & comfortable.

    2nd Visit. I'm smitten with the menu and vibes. $6 Kyuri:…read morerefreshing vinegary counter to the fried and grilled items. $12 Crispy Chicken Knees: very karage like. Excellent. $6 Bacon+Oyster: Least surprising. Tasty at least. $4.50 Chkn Skin: kinda sweet! In a good way, charred, and fatty. Delicious. $31 Ika Yaki: delicious

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Kaki Fried
    Kaki Fried
    Chicken Kneecaps

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    Chicken Kneecaps
    Taniku Izakaya

    Taniku Izakaya

    4.7
    (343 reviews)
    9.9 mi
    $$

    We've been here maybe a handful of times at this point - the food is really good, cute cozy spot…read more However now that there is a soy allergy to account for - I can't easily neccessarily revisit my favorite spots. I've been to plenty of Japanese/Ramen spots and I've been running into the issue where I say I have a soy allegry and there is an assumption that I have a gluten issue (I do not have a gluten issue). I noticed yelp said they have soy-free options and thus called on Friday thinking it might be a bad idea as they're usually busy.. It was defintely hard for the person to hear a bit when they picked up. The staff did relay something about gluten free noodles.. Anyways, they said they could swap out any of the soy soups for salt (but soy can encompass a lot of things so I still wasn't feeling super confident but we're going to give it a go). We go and I asked which 4 of the soups I was eyeballing don't have soy - the staff said they can accomodate and replace any of the soy soups with a salt broth. After we ordered, the staff came back and checked in to make sure that my partner also didn't have an allergy. And my dish came out, they told me there was no egg as its marinated in soy - perfect to me. I'm glad that was caught as not every establishments can account for everything. - Now I have a spot to (more safely) eat ramen! - I advise that if you do have an food allergy, do talk to the staff, and address your concerns such as cross contamination etc. I had a great experience, but I do find that because its not so regulated or understood and there is lack of education amongst the food/resturant industry - you always need to advocate for yourself and there is always a risk. I'm very apperciative of the staff here.

    Came here at around 6 PM on a Tuesday and got seated immediately! It got busier about 10 mins…read moreafter. Super cute & decorated inside, and staff was so nice! Okonomoyaki tater tots - 8.5/10 from a potato lover!! This does have some sort of cheese on it so beware if you don't eat it Hamachi Hand Roll - 9/10 SO GOOD. I think the rice is mixed in with soy sauce. It was super flavorful which I wasn't expecting Scallop Hand Roll - 8/10, the yuzu on top was absolutely delicious & scallop was very soft. Kobe Skewer - 7/10, it was good but nothing extraordinary. It'll hit the spot if you like meat skewers Yuzu Tori Skewer - 7/10, same as the kobe skewer, but the yuzu on top was delicious Niku Ramen - 8/10, good portion & very very flavorful. I'm glad that they gave a lot of meat in this. I shared this & they provided an extra bowl without me asking :) It's also not super spicy. Hokkaido Milk Pudding - 8/10, the pudding itself was so good but the sauce was a little too sweet for me. However, my partner has a sweet tooth and loved it :) Will totally come again, everything was so yummy and so glad to have tried it!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !
    Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !
    Calamari

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    Calamari
    Mokutanya

    Mokutanya

    3.9
    (2.5k reviews)
    23.5 mi
    $$

    What a cool find! We were in town visiting, and needed a quick late night bite. This popped up and…read moreso we went. At first, it was a little disconcerting... the parking lot was largely empty, but then we realized it was late Sunday night (around 845pm). Upon entering, it was really dark. Then you enter the restaurant and turn that corner, and whoa... it's all chabudai-like seating! Basically all private rooms with glass walls, making it open and private at the same time! We reviewed the menu, and very quickly ordered the ankimo to start. As it is a yakitori place, we also ordered some skewers: Akaushi beef (salt/pepper and spicy), the pork belly, the beef tongue, chicken thigh and saba. Kiddo had his usual Tonkatsu ramen. Everything was delicious! I really enjoyed the charcoal taste to everything! And the kiddo gave two thumbs up for his ramen... and as we looked around the other rooms, we noted everyone had a ramen bowl, so that was definitely a big win. Service was attentive. We did not want for anything! It is on the pricier side for skewers, but with the economy the way that it is, it's to be expected.

    Came here for a celebration between my partner and I on a Sunday afternoon. We got sat at one of…read morethe tables where you remove your shoes and the table's on a lower level that will require a bit of maneuvering. We ordered quite a bit of food: french fries, seaweed salad, takoyaki, 12 pieces of skewers, and a tonkatsu ramen. All the food was delicious, my favorite was the wagyu beef skewer, bacon wrapped enoki, and king mushroom. I especially love that you can taste the charcoal from the skewers. The items do come out as they are prepared, so the meal can be a staggered wait on times/items, which I don't mind. I only give 4/5 stars because while the service was attentive when it came to removing plates, nobody bothered to come check on us or instructed which skewers would pair best with the condiments on the table - even if it was just spicy, salt, and pepper. I also marked down on our OpenTable reservation that we were celebrating an achievement and it wasn't mentioned.

    Photos
    Mokutanya
    Momo w/ Wasabi Wagyu Beef (Salt & Pepper) Wagyu Beef (Sweet) Momo w/ Yuzu Honey Glaze
    Momo w/ Wasabi Wagyu Beef (Salt & Pepper) Wagyu Beef (Sweet) Momo w/ Yuzu Honey Glaze
    Shochu

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    Shochu
    Izakaya

    Izakaya

    3.9
    (865 reviews)
    50.4 mi
    $$

    The small plates are great for sharing, especially the yakitori and appetizers, which are flavorful…read moreand well-prepared. Food comes out fresh and pairs well with their drink selection. Service is generally friendly, though it can slow down a bit when it's busy. Overall, a nice spot for a laid-back meal with good comfort-style Japanese food.

    My friend and I decided to venture out of favorite sushi places and decided to try something new…read more We decided on Izakaya and while it was hard to get a reservation beforehand you literally call a few minutes when they open (which is pointless), but, I still got it because this place gets packed for dinner. The restaurant is small and somehow they are able to pack a few tables in for guests. Luckily, I did make that reservation and we both got there before opening (5:30pm) so we beat the rush hour dinner time. We were promptly seated and they took our drink and asked if we were ready. We were busy catching up and weren't ready and they came twice and so we just decided the bento box because we were both hungry. While the bento looked smaller than others I've been to. The quality was there and the food was just perfect. I really enjoyed the food at Izakaya. The sashimi cuts of ahi tuna is amazing, while not as big as others that are non-traditional Japanese restaurants. I love the quality and the food they offer. My friend and I both got a bento box and everything was delicious. The servers do come in and check on you regularly which I appreciated and they are really quick to get the food to you. Overall, I enjoyed the food and service and I would definitely come here and make sure I'm first in line!

    Photos
    First thing when you enter Genji, this is on the left.
    First thing when you enter Genji, this is on the left.
    Sashimi set
    Sashimi set
    Okako chazuke (salmon roe and flakes rice soup)

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    Okako chazuke (salmon roe and flakes rice soup)
    Village Sake

    Village Sake

    4.3
    (277 reviews)
    6.8 mi
    $$$

    Recently re-visited this established and well regarded spot in Fairfax. For those not "in the…read moreknow" -- this a true go-to spot for a fantastic sushi experience. It is very true that it is difficult to get in this spot during peak hours. A waitlist will have you on point, but you will still have to wait a little bit to get in. Trust me - it's all worth it. The team of hosts and wait staff treats you kindly, even though there's the "stress" of a wait. Once seated in the dimly lit space, everything happens more quickly. Your order is taken and it's not long before you get some plates coming your way. The food. Amazing. Simply delicious. Well thought out, fresh and well presented. I had the black sesame asparagus - the sauce so incredible. Then the sake sashimi was melt in your mouth quality. And a couple well equipped rolls satisfied every desire. Wine by the glass on the list, besides beers and sake. A must-go sushi place for the Bay Area. Along with Sake 107 in Petaluma, Kirala in Berkeley and Ebisu in SF -- this is a place you need to visit.

    What a great little gem of a Sushi restaurant. The food is wonderful and the service is great. But…read morebeware, if you are trying to go there when they open, you'll be standing in a line that usually wraps around the block. Yes, they are that popular! Unfortunately, they don't take reservations, but if you try eating a little later in the evening to miss the 5-6 pm surge, you'll likely to encounter a shorter wait time for a table. One night we arrived at about 7:30 and were seated right away. A different night we arrived about the same time and had a 20 minute wait which was just enough time to walk around the corner and have a glass of wine at Fradelizio's. We ordered the wagyu beef tataki and the hanger steak skewers and they were both delicious! We followed that up with some Hamachi and Hon Maguro nigiri which melted in our mouths. We finished the evening with a Village roll which burst with flavor! We asked if they could add a shiso leaf to the roll and they happily complied. Ying, one of the owners who fills in when they are shorthand, was our server and she was fabulous! Obviously she is very knowledgeable, but is also very engaging and funny! I can't think of a better place in Marin to grab sushi, and judging by the lines at 5pm when they open, I'm not alone...

    Photos
    Village Sake
    Scallop and Chive Dumplings
    Scallop and Chive Dumplings
    Smoked Ahi Tataki

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    Smoked Ahi Tataki

    Oni Kuma - izakaya - Updated June 2026

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