Soba place located in what seems to be the industrial area of Oakland. (as of early 2026, it should…read morebe noted that a decorated fine dining establishment and a new food hall is also in the area as well - so this feels like an emerging food area, at least to someone who's visiting) We got here right around the time this place opened. You line up and order at a window before getting seated. We were able to get a seat inside. Folks here are very friendly. The menu is pretty streamlined - basically with appetizers and some hot and cold soba options. We ordered the tamagoyaki to share and each got the soba ebi ten seiro or the cold soba dipping noodles served with tempura. The serving size was pretty good and noodles were very chewy. I really enjoyed the dipping sauce where they gave us the items to season or prepare as we like it. I also ordered a shochu on ice to wash it all down. I've been wanting to go here for a while. I took my nephew here for dinner recently (rest of his fam was out of town looking at a school for his sister). It was such a good time and we enjoyed a great meal while making some core memories together lol.

I've wanted to try Soba Ichi for years and I finally had the chance to! I came in on a Saturday…read morewhen it was storming, and I expected it to be packed and sold out (they often sell out quickly). Thankfully, the storm drove customers away and I was able to dine in quickly. When you come to dine here, you are to order first at the window or at the bar, then find seating, and the staff will typically help you find a place to sit. The staff is extremely helpful and kind. Aaron and Kyle made a positive impact on my dining experience. They were extremely helpful in making recommendations for what I was craving and on what sakes I would like better. I tried the Kamo Nanban and a beef/pork cutlet. The Kamo Nanban was delicious. The noodles were cooked to perfection - neither overcooked nor undercooked. The duck melted in your mouth with every bite. I usually find duck to be more tough, but this was so much more tender. There was also a perfect portion for duck to noodles, so there was enough for each bite and to finish the meal. The beef/pork cutlet was really good too. I wasn't sure what to expect but the flavoring mixed with the sauce that it came with, and the crispiness of the breading made it such an interesting combination and I want 10 more! Definitely give Soba Ichi a try if you're craving a taste of authentic Japanese soba!

Delicious, fresh bouncy and velvety noodles! We got the eggplant and minced pork noodles, so silky,…read moresweet and savory, and the chongqing noodle soup, which had a nice Szechuan peppercorn kick to it. Easily going to be one of my new go-to spots!

The couple beef was great. The Chongqing noodle was a bit too spicy but still tasty. Will visit…read moreagain!

This place is great. Very friendly staff. Food tasted really good. Inside looked nice! Prices…read moreseem slightly above average, but if you're getting take out the containers were really good quality and prices are worth it for good food with nice flavors. 5 stars beef noodle soup. Everything about this soup was good. Broth had nice rich flavor. Beef was tender and tasted good. Noodles had a nice chew to it. Yum. 5 stars wonton in spicy chili oil. Good amount of spice. Kind of medium spice level. Good flavor and the wonton wrapper was good. Filling was very tasty. 5 stars salt and pepper chicken wings. Had a lot of flavor like the rest of the dishes. Skin was nice and crispy. Chicken meat was nice and juicy. 4.5 stars Zhajiang noodles. Plenty of noodles. Just the right amount of meet and sauce.

Cute little place in Chinatown. Friendly workers!…read more The broth for both noodles were so good and not too heavy. I really enjoyed the clear broth- very fresh tasting. Meat for both spicy and clear broths were tender. The S&S ribs were very good as well. 100% will get this again! The wontons in chili were ok! Parking - street parking or underground parking at the Pacific Renaissance Plaza~

I don't say this lightly -- this was the best food I've ever had in my entire life…read more Shan Dong completely ruined me (in the best way possible). I have thought about their noodles and dumplings every single day since eating there. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've been actively trying to come up with reasons to get back to Oakland just so I can have another meal here. It honestly feels like a crime to have tasted something this good and then have to go back to living in Southern California without it. The noodles? Unreal. Perfectly chewy, fresh, comforting, mind-blowing ... all at the same time. And the pork dumplings ... I genuinely don't have the words. Juicy, flavorful, delicate but still hearty -- A DREAM! We were in town for less than 24 hours, which somehow makes it worse. I couldn't even take leftovers with me, and I'm still not over it. I've literally had dreams about this food since. Actual dreams!!! If you're anywhere within driving distance, go. If you're not, figure it out anyway. This isn't just a meal -- it's an experience that will stick with you long after you leave. I know it has for me. Can't wait until I'm back in town so I can come back for more!

I never knew I could cry tears of joy over a bowl of noodles but here I am. It is absolutely…read moredangerous that Shan Dong is near my place in Oakland because I definitely will be a frequent visitor. Arrived at 1:30pm on a Sunday and the place was packed on that rainy day. I knew I was in for a treat when there is a busy spot close to closing time (3pm on Sunday), cozy vibes, and little ladies in the front making noodles. After about a 10 min wait (thank goodness for yelp waitlist), we were seated and greeted to warm barley tea at the table (nice touch). We definitely over ordered which is never the worst idea. It was definitely appreciated later that evening for dinner: Sesame Paste Noodles w/ beef - Ok, so lets get this out of the way, these were the clear winner. Hands down! Delicious and creamy noodles in the best sauce ever! Future me will be sitting in this restaurant, fat as heck, slurping up these noddles, with a big bottle os Tsingtao. Spicy Won Tons - These were the 2nd favorite, Yummy wontons dancing in chili oil. A classic. So good! Sizzling Shrimp w/ Rice - This was definitely the coolest dish out of the bunch. Shrimp and veg in a tasty sauce over a bed of rice crispies -esque rice. The best part was the snap, crackle, and pop of the rice when the shrimp was poured over. I loved how the veggies were sauteed but remained a little crunchy. I love when my veggies aren't completely cooked to death. Scallion Lamb - Like the name suggests, tons of thinly sliced lamb, cooked up with every scallion ever! This was really yummy when we first had it, but this was excellent after a few hours when the flavors married together. We had all of this and some beers! Such a perfect meal for a perfect rainy day.

Consistent, amazing food. I get the chicken or pork katsu delivered to me and the food stays hot…read moreand crispy. The best Katsu restaurant in the Bay Area!

I barely give reviews, but i will give this place a 5 stars …read more Food was good the breading was so good. Deep fried food that is not oily at all . Nice and clean restaurant and the service was awesome

The food was so good! The ramen broth, amazing. We continue to come back for more!…read more My husband loves the garlic Ramen and I always get the signature. Raman never fails. It's amazing.

So glad I found this hidden gem in Piedmont. I came with two friends on a Friday night around 7pm,…read moreand as expected for a small spot, there was a long wait. We were seated about an hour later, but once we got in, the service was quick and efficient. We ordered a mix of items to share: * Enoki chips - absolutely addicting. Perfectly crispy with a great crunch, and the umami spice on the side took them to another level. * Chicken karaage - tasty overall, but the glaze was poured over everything. I would've preferred it on the side to keep the texture crisp. * Kani hand roll - super fresh and flavorful; didn't even need soy sauce. * Ikura & hotate hand roll - generous portion and very fresh, again no soy needed. * Garlic Knockout ramen - lives up to the name. Rich, deeply garlicky broth that was bold and delicious. * Signature smoked toripaitan ramen - flavorful without being overly heavy (which I prefer). The chashu was tender and the noodles tasted fresh. I was blown away by the food, I haven't had ramen this good in a long time. The restaurant clearly runs efficiently, turning tables quickly despite the wait. I'll definitely be back

Located not too far from Paramount Theatre, there's very little seating. The place is also small…read more Ordering can be done on the self serve kiosk or at the front with a staff member. Food takes quite a while. Thai basil (4/5): flavor was good. Chicken was tender. Good amount of basil without it being too overpowering. Tap to pay is accepted. Overall GaiNoi is a small bustling place. Food take a while but they got quite a bit of customers and a small working staff.

Amazing Thai eatery. I came here two times already for an affordable dinner and it has got me…read morewanting to come back. It is an order at counter get served later kind of restaurant, but the quality of food is really good. The portion wasn't too heavy and flavor profiles were on point. My favorite was the veggie and chicken rice bowl, as it had the perfect amount of garlic and savory notes. The ambiance is very casual so this is meant for a low stakes meal. Self serve water is available as well.

I LOVE Guilin noodles and this place was a gem! Luckily, I found parking right in front of the…read moreentrance. We were quickly served and enjoyed the tasty Noods and all the tasty spicy toppings! Will be back soo soon!

This place was clean and great service. Noodles were tasty and hits a Guilin noodle craving. Beef…read morewas well marinated and pork was crispy. Would definitely come back!

Yum yum yum! Saw the photos and thought this place looked good, so decided to come on a Saturday…read moreafternoon. The food did not disappoint! When we got to the restaurant it was busy! They are a mom and daughter restaurant so family owned; everything is made to order so don't expect quick service especially if it's busy! We ordered the Banh Khot as an appetizer and it was so yummy. Crispy yet soft, hot, and full of flavor, it's accompanied with lettuce and mint. I ordered the spicy pork belly and yes it's very spicy but full of flavor. The portion had 5-6 large pieces of pork with 2 eggs as well, and with a side of rice. This place is lowkey on the outside but inside is clean, tables are well spaced out, and they play light music so you don't have to yell at each other. Would definitely come back here again!

We were in the area figuring out where to eat when a lady eating Bánh Khọt in the her freakin' car…read morecame up on my feed. Eating anything with nước chấm in the car is diabolical. With my luck, my car would smell like hello kitty for weeks. Anyhow, I found Mẹ Và Con on yelp, a mother-daughter owned resto that opened in 2024. They serve bánh khọt and have outdoor seating so we headed over. Thankfully, we arrived before the Sunday dinner rush (~5:45 pm) and before the parking lot was filled. Rezzies are accepted (via phone). M E N U Viet Cuisine with some elevated, modern twists (no specific regional specialty). Smaller menu than your typical hole-in-the-wall with 25-30 items including AZN fusion items like shrimp ceviche, kimchi pasta and tom yum pasta. Beer, wine, and soju cocktails available. F O O D * Bò Tái Chanh: Beef Carpaccio w/ Thai basil, fried shallot, house tangerine sauce ($18): https://tinyurl.com/nhcn9kxw - Served at dinner only Fresh, tender slices of beef carpaccio with a sweetness from the tangerine sauce and white onions. I appreciate their twist (tangerine sauce instead of nước chấm) but it was too one note for me...IMO, it needed acid and herbs. Plus, I miss the texture of peanuts. * Bánh Khọt: Viet Mini Pancakes w/ shrimp, coconut milk batter, herbs, pickles ($24): https://tinyurl.com/34nx7sat - Served at dinner only Fav dish of the night, the savory bánh khọt was delicately crispy and slightly custardy in the center with a snappy shrimp drizzled with fragrant scallion oil. It came with romaine, mint, and perilla leaves neatly layered for easy wrapping. The lettuce was a bit soft and soggy tho, and I think they forgot the pickled veggies. Served with a tiny portion of tangy sweet nước chấm. * Bò Lúc Lắc: Shaking Beef w/ soy, garlic, onion, cherry tomato, arugula ($26): https://tinyurl.com/3rkpukct Meltingly tender cubes of filet mignon but light on the seasoning and aromatics so it was bland. Also, was hoping for more smoky wok hei flavor. * Thịt Kho Tàu: Braised Pork Belly w/ hard boiled eggs, rice ($21): https://tinyurl.com/mr2evryw - Includes bowl of rice A traditional dish served during Lunar New Year, it symbolizes prosperity, warmth, and stability. Chunks of pork belly are caramelized in sugar and braised in coconut soda and fish sauce - rich, savory with a good ratio of lean meat to fat (4 pieces). Wish they used more braising liquid when warming up, as some pieces were a bit dry. S E R V I C E Warm, friendly hospitality. Food does take awhile tho...our first dish took about 30 minutes to arrive. A M B I A N C E Casual, no-frills indoor area with about 10-12 tables. Cute covered patio in the parking lot with 5 tables and fairy lights. Overall, Mẹ Và Con is a great place to introduce people that are new to Viet cuisine and/or you're looking for Viet dishes with different twist.

Solid, consistently satisfying jajangmyeon. On a previous visit, we tried the jangban…read morejajang--pre-mixed, generously portioned, and loaded with seafood--which the whole table really enjoyed (our first time having it, too). We paired everything with tang soo yuk, which was equally solid and a great complement to the meal.

This place is really good for jajang myeon!! Nice atmosphere in oakland too. Went here with my…read morefriends and would come back to try other items on the menu.