I was really looking forward to dining here since reservations were hard to make, and I had heard many good things about this intimate spot with only four tables. The interior was cozy and inviting, with just 12 seats max. and shelves lined with ume syrup and ume liquor on display. After making my reservation, I messaged them about my dietary restrictions due to pregnancy, and they were incredibly thoughtful and accommodating. The printed menu even reflected all the modifications they made. Everything felt well planned, and I didn't feel like I was missing out. I loved the Asian-inspired dishes. From the refreshing ume spritz to my favorites of the night - the egg custard tart and Taiwanese sausage brioche bun. Many dishes brought back childhood memories. Everything was delicious and complemented one another beautifully. You could tell the chef put a lot of care and thought into creating the menu. The last fries course and the take away olive cake were a nice touch to end the meal. Highly recommend if you're lucky enough to snag a reservation. read more

See all

Sun Moon Studio was such a special dinner. It is a tiny four-table restaurant in West Oakland, and from the moment we walked in, everything felt warm, personal, and very intentional. Chef-owners Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper have created something that feels refined without being stuffy. The menu reflected local ingredients, precise cooking, comforting flavors, and subtle Asian influences. I really enjoyed how the progression started with lighter coastal bites, then moved into cozier and more familiar moments. Some of my favorite bites were the egg custard tart with bonito and trout roe, the Taiwanese-style sausage on steamed brioche, the Half Moon Bay black cod, and the Liberty duck served two ways. The sausage was especially fun and memorable, almost like a tiny tasting menu hot dog, but with that familiar Taiwanese sweetness. The duck breast was beautifully cooked, the pasta with leg confit was so satisfying, and I loved the little pretzel croissant served on the side. Dessert kept things fruit-forward and refreshing, but one of the best surprises came after that: off-menu fries with ketchup. Such a simple idea, but honestly a surprisingly perfect savory send-off after a long dinner. Service was thoughtful and relaxed, and we loved getting to meet the chefs. Reservations are very limited and definitely require planning, but this is the kind of place that feels worth the effort. Small room, serious cooking, and a lot of heart. read more

See all

Sun Moon Studio absolutely delivered. Every detail--from service to ambiance was dialed in. Standouts: the Monterey spot prawns, razor clam with pomelo, egg custard tart with bonito & trout roe, and the Liberty duck pasta. The squab with morel & pretzel croissant was a showstopper. Desserts were clean and balanced (loved the cherimoya sorbet), and somehow we ended the night with house-made French fries (unexpected and perfect!). Thoughtful, seasonal, and seriously delicious. Will be back! read more

See all

Came here as a surprise dinner with the boo. I just have to say, my experience hands down was one of the best meal services I've had this year. It's an intimate setting, only 12 seats spread throughout to room. The chefs are so incredibly talented my stomach was bursting at the end, but they kept coming out with more! (I mean...I loved ending on a savory note with those French fries!) Bravo to the team for the exceptional food and service. We can't wait to come back for more! read more

See all

The food here was delicious! It was very difficult to get a reservation since they only have 4 tables. You basically need to look for a date exactly 6 weeks in advance and then keep refreshing at noon to snag a reservation as soon as they come out on OpenTable. We were lucky to get a 5:30pm time. Parking is free and ample right outside the restaurant. The menu is seasonal and has a lot of seafood items. They were all well-prepared. My favorites were the scallop and the pretzel croissant, which was so buttery. The cherimoya ice cream with passion fruit was also a great combination of flavors. The service was very attentive as well. The pricing was a bit expensive ($500 for 2 people after tax and tip) but good for a special occasion. read more

See all

I made reservations prior to their Michelin award and regardless of that designation the food was on point. The menu was amazingly varied and was a true culinary journey. The flavors were familiar and very elevated. Trying to describe each dish doesn't seem fitting. This is an experience for your senses and enjoying the craft of a skilled story teller whose medium is food. The vibe was professional without being pretentious. Simply a high quality experience without the snobbery. Wishing them nothing but success. read more

See all

Sun Moon Studio was such an incredible surprise and I am so forever grateful to have gotten a reservation to go. I didn't know what to expect because while the reviews were raving, the place had four tables, and the menu seemed eclectic so I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the experience. Boy, did I enjoy the experience. We loved all of the starters, and the flavors and combinations were just winners across the board. The attention to detail, the customized service because it's such a small spot, and the welcoming feel is like having a home dining experience but EXTREMELY elevated. No wonder they received their Michelin Star only a year after they opened. You may need quick fingers but Sun Moon Studio was a well worthy treat! Definitely one of my highlights were all the starters, particularly the egg custard with roe. You actually cannot go wrong here. I love Alan and Sarah's concept and Alan's fries are the best kick ass ending ever!!! read more

See all

By far one of the greatest dining experiences I have ever had! My wife and I decided to celebrate our valentines day at Sun Moon Studio and it was the most memorable dinner we've ever had! The food was portioned perfectly and we were full by the end of the meal. We particularly loved the service and ambiance of this restaurant because it was such an intimate space. We were able to speak with majority of the workers and even the owners! The food was exceptional and by far some of the best food we've ever had! We loved the concept of the set menus because it helped push ourselves to try things we normally would not get at any other restaurant. Reservations were a bit hard to get, but understandable and just made the wait even more exciting! Everything from the service, down to the food had a special feeling of passion and we felt that from the Sun Moon Studio team. I'm glad this establishment has grown to be what it is today, everyone that is part of this team worked with so much thought and compassion into everything they did! We absolutely loved our dinner together! Thank you for such an intimate fine dining experience! Special shoutout to Koji!!! read more

See all

Amazing dinner. Fabulous service. Beautiful presentation. Delicious food. An overall wonderful experience.

We came to Sun Moon Studio to kick off our tenth wedding anniversary celebrations and it did not disappoint! Intimate 12-seater setting with attentive but not overbearing staff and a really beautiful elevated space off the beaten path in West Oakland. We really enjoyed our meal here - the standouts for me included the egg tart with ikura (such a genius flavor combo) and the quail main. Every dish was well executed and there wasn't a miss among them. The meal also ends with a special surprise that I didn't photograph to keep the suspense! :) We also appreciated how humble and kind the chef was - he came out to say goodbye and warmly said he hopes to cook for us again soon. We'd love that, if only it was easier to get a reservation. We can definitely see why this place is booked out for weeks on end! read more

See all

My 2 daughters treated me dinner at Sun Moon Studio on Mother's Day. We ordered the tasting menu. All ingredients were very fresh, food presentation was excellent, food was delicious and prepared with Asian ingredients. We had umeshu wine which is a fermented fruit wine served chill. The service was good and not rushed. Chef Alan and Sarah really put their hearts into the food and well deserve the Michelin star awarded in 2025. read more

See all

Tons of street parking right outside the restaurant. I was super excited to go since i booked this a few weeks before they got their michelin star. They have a focus on Asian (and specifically taiwanese?) food with a bit of a modern/fine dining twist. I recognize a ton of taiwanese food influences from my childhood and it was really cool to see it executed at this level. Highlights: Geoduck - geoduck had a nice flavor and soft texture, paired nicely with the sweet/refreshing tomato and cucumber ice Egg Custard Tart - nice flaky crust and smooth egg custard on the inside with trout roe on top to give it saltiness Maitake Mushroom - Really great amount of salt/seasoning, it's really easy to make this too salty but they had a perfect amount of salt. Really light tempura batter made for delicate, delicious bites Short rib - Tender, melt in your mouth short rib paired nicely with the burnt scallion and lemon paste Blueberry pie - Loved the texture of the pie and the blueberry flavor. The cream added a subtle sweetness and some lightness to each bite. Service was great, everyone was quite nice but still professional. Food was really good overall (but no standout dishes for me). Would definitely recommend, especially since it's a steal at this price point read more

See all

Sun Moon Studio is my favourite fine dining restaurant in the Bay Area for food, service, and value. Alan, Sarah, and Ubi provide such a welcoming vibe to the place. The food is some of, if not the best Asian inspired flavors I've had and the menu rotates seasonally so it's always a new experience whenever I go. All of their dishes feel very well thought out and balanced. Some of the dishes that have stuck with me through my visits have been the egg tart, the chestnut crepe sack, and the dungeness hodo soy tofu and every bread I've ever eaten here. I've never had a single bad or mediocre dish. They take reservations 42 days in advance but you'll want to keep an eye out because they book up extremely fast given their recent spotlight in the SF Chronicle. read more

Loved the food here! Someone in our party saw a review in the SF Chronicle and we took a chance to book it even though it's much further than I usually drive to eat, it was definitely well worth the trip. I had menu 048 at the end of December 2024 and they said they were just trying out some new dishes. Someone in our party had gluten and dairy allergies and they made sure to have a separate menu for them. All the dishes were incredible, especially a few of their more regular items "egg custard, bonito, salmon roe", "Taiwanese sausage on steamed brioche", and "salt and pepper river dog honey nut squash". That last one was so unique and maybe my favorite. There weren't any fancy expensive ingredients and just spectacular flavor and texture. read more

See all

Oh are you in for a treat if you go here! An unassuming industrial building turned 4 table fine dining restaurant. That's right, 4 tables, so you can imagine reservations are required and tough to get. You can test your luck with a last minute cancellation or make a reservation vis OpenTable at midnight 6 weeks before your desired date. If you wait until the morning it will be full. It requires some work but it's worth it. I mentioned this place is tiny right? Two chefs, both Michelin trained, and one server. You're right there with them and yet the restaurant is quiet and feels calm and intimate. They even made a little time to chat. Now for the most important part, the food! They put a lot of effort into their sourcing and it pays off. Everything was delicious but the uni, the egg custard tart, the crab noodles, and the bay leaf ice cream stood out most to me. The pork chop was also perfectly cooked. The nonalcoholic drinks are delicious! The salted grape drink was my favorite. And I love that they gave diner french fries at the end because who doesn't love french fries?! My only complaint was that they had two desserts going out the night I went and I had a little bit of FOMO from seeing the meringue going out without getting a bite! In all seriousness I highly recommend going here ASAP before they get more popular! read more

See all

San Francisco Chronicle reviewers love about this place and I can see why - only four tables available and I imagined a byzantine reservation system. Luckily my husband loves games and started checking OpenTable for last-minute cancellations to nab us a weekend dinner reservation! We booked a babysitter and were thrilled to parttake in the Sun Moon Studio experience. I knew we were in for a Michelin-quality treat and still found some surprises, like *phenomenal* bites of salt & pepper butterkin squash that I underestimated. The seafood was delicious, often elevated by the pairing or textures. The Taiwanese sausage in brioche arrived with added depth in flavor - I want to know all of your secrets (please publish some recipes, and/or a cookbook)! Dessert was surprisingly exciting with plenty of sweet treats to finish the meal. The pacing was perfect. I appreciate the variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options. Dinner is so fun. Everyone's so nice and pleasing. read more

Sun Moon Studio - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

This hidden gem in a dilapidated West Oakland industrial neighborhood is a shockingly good fine-dining experience. The restaurant offers a creative menu of Asian-inspired dishes that beautifully reflect the chefs' backgrounds at some of America's top restaurants. The opening dishes were nothing short of extraordinary--easily some of the best I've had this year. A standout was the crepe-wrapped mushrooms, which delivered an unforgettable blend of flavors and textures. The Benu training stood out; this dish actually improved on its namesake crepe. The space itself is intimate, with just four tables, creating an exclusive, almost secretive atmosphere. Service was prompt and efficient, perfectly complementing the dining experience. I highly recommend trying the non-alcoholic drinks--they're crafted with as much care and creativity as what you'd find at Michelin-starred establishments. If there's any room for improvement, it's in the main courses. While they were solid, I felt there's potential to refine ingredient sourcing and menu choices. Quail, for example, feels overdone in the fine-dining world. What truly stands out here isn't the familiar, but the unique and imaginative vision of the chefs. Give me more tofu and tomato, a scallop toast, or a divine squash. Skip the cod and quail... I've seen it everywhere. Overall, this restaurant is a bold and exciting culinary adventure that's well worth the visit. Will they get a Michelin star? Possibly... there's a hint of early-days-at-Nisei/Ssal to this place. This is - at least for now - one of the best value fine dining meals in the Bay Area. Reservations are a nightmare, but just set up the alarm, log on to OpenTable, and get in before everyone else discovers this. read more

See all

Oh my....where do I begin with my review? Menu #160 Yes...trying to make a reservation was quite difficult..lol. As someone else mentioned, it did take quite some dedication. A lot of refreshing every day and almost every hour...hahaha. I scored a reservation for my partner's 34th birthday last minute. It was such a relief. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the server/host (bummed I didn't get their names but they were lovely and so cheerful to serve us!). Every dish was presented beautifully and soooooo delicious!! Omg. I was dancing in my seat. Food was fresh and explained wonderfully. If I had any questions about it, the server was able to answer it. Towards the end of the dinner, while my partner stepped away to use the restroom, one of the chefs asked if we could surprise him with a little candle cake which I thought was sweet of them to do. This surely elevates the experience imo. My partner and I left FULL and the fries in the end was delicious!! We wanted to finished them but we couldn't due to how freaking full we were. This was such an incredible experience and I highly highly highly recommend this place who loves fine dining. I cannot wait to come back here again. read more

See all

Came by for dinner the other night and it was a world class experience! Sun Moon Studio is located in an industrial area in West Oakland. Parking is available on the street. Dining is available indoors exclusively and it appears that the previous tenant was a coffee shop. Sun Moon Studio is founded by Alan and Sarah, formerly Chefs from Pomet in Piedmont. I've had numerous tasty meals while Alan and Sarah were cooking at Pomet. Reservations were made via e-mail and our table was ready upon arrival. The vibe of the restaurant was modern and minimalistic. The only menu for the evening was a 13 course tasting menu at $135. Dinner started off with the sf bay black cod over an egg custard. This course was light and refreshing, highlighting a farm-to-table mentality. The razor clam course was very light. I loved the tart flavors that contrasted with the candew. The fully belly tomato tart was world class. The tart was fresh and crispy while the tomatoes were very ripe and full of flavor. The salt and pepper blue shrimp was a gigantic head-on shrimp lightly fried and served with pieces of garlic and green peppers. This was excellent! The scallop toast with mustard was also world class. The scallop was gigantic and I loved the contrasting textures from the grilling. The acorn begger's purse with chanterelles were fantastic! The chanterelles were super fragrant and I loved how the begger's purse was also lightly pan-fried. The solano king trumpet and mochi reminded me of an izakaya in Japan! The smoked mussel was served with potage at the table. This was a heavier course with the pork belly. The albacore course was gigantic. The albacore was lightly seared on the edges and the rest of the albacore was served raw, like sushi. There were 2 gigantic pieces! The 18 day dry aged liberty duck was extremely unique. I loved how there was Chinese sticky rice on the bottom with a couple of pieces of super meaty duck breast with a super crispy skin! The steamed brioche buns were light and heavenly! The den sake lees ice cream was world class. This was super fragrant, flavorful, and full-bodied. The fruit cocktail cake tasted fantastic! The cake was super light, not too sweet and served over some super tasty and light whipped cream and topped with some super fresh fruit! The meal ended off with a few slices of melon along with a baked good to take home for the next day! Service throughout the evening was world class by the server. Alan and Sarah came by the table numerous times to present courses as well. ~$175/head after tax and 20% service charge. Sun Moon Studio takes credit cards. read more

See all

Wow this place really lived up to all the hype! - The food was DELICIOUS, super filling, not pretentious and just tasty! The turning point of the meal for us was when the egg custard with roe came out. I did a pescatarian menu and their mushroom banh mi was to die for! But there wasn't a single miss, the food was - Service was thoughtful and attentive. We had a delicious Peay Pinot Noir that was a really nice addition to our meal. - It's a small spot and I would say our party of 4 was definitely on the louder side of this otherwise chill vibe Definitely want to come back - hopefully we can snag a reservation again! read more

Sun Moon Studio was one of the best meals that I have had all year! People say getting a reservation is impossible, but that's not true! The calendar opens up on Open Table at Noon PT one month prior and you need to be on it quickly, but I was able to snag a reservation after a couple of tries. And sure, the location is a little odd (a stray dog was stalking us as we made our way in), but once inside you are transported to a lovely, homey space that's not too loud and also not too stuffy. The service was fantastic and not rushed, with the chefs coming by our table near the end. Both Alan and Sarah are super nice and down to earth and clearly care a lot about their food and making it a great occasion for all. Our group had a number of dietary restrictions and they were incredibly helpful and accommodating ahead of time with each of us getting a personalized menu. As for the food itself, it was fantastic. Our favorite was probably the egg tart but nearly every dish was interesting and incredibly delicious. Would definitely recommend checking them out! read more

The tasting menu was incredible. Unique & varied ingredients. Service was very attentive. The ambiance is simple, understated. One is coming here for the freshest ingredients, most inspiring menu. Definitely a special evening. read more

See all

Reservations only through email. $135 currently for the menu but raising to $150 soon. Memorable dishes: Mendocino Uni, Hodo Soy Tofu - love this starter. It made me look forward to the meal even more. Acorn Crepe / Beggar's purse - mushrooms were so flavorful. Taiwan sausage on steamed brioche - like a gua bao. Nice Taiwanese sausage made by Allen. Smoked mussel with potage - really good bowl of soup. it's really warming. Duck - you can smell the shaoxing wine in the sauce. Nicely cooked. Overall, I recommend Sun Moon Studio. Currently, the restaurant is very cozy with 2 larger tables ( seats 4-6) and 2 smaller tables (seats 2). I love how the food is more focused on local produce. It feels cozy like you are eating at a friend's dinner party. Wishes: maybe a story with the dish. I think some dishes were announced with the producer but for me, personally, I want to know why the dish is on the menu. The tofu is similar to chawanmushi but I want more insight into the inspiration. Alan and Sarah has so much experience and I wish it was shared more on their thought process. Like I know persimmon is in season and it was from Rojas family farm and the persimmon should be really sweet.. but I want to know why thomchord grape was paired with sake ice cream or if there's something like a grape cheese foam drink that was used as inspiration. Edit: They have the menu on the side of the table, and I can see the ingredients there so I wish I knew more about the dish. Sun Moon Studio puts care into the menu, which is a thoughtful touch. If a guest at the party has a substitute, the menu in front would show the difference. EX; my gua bao had taiwan sausage. My guest had a substitute due to dietary restriction so they listed duck in her ingredient list instead of taiwan sausage like mine. Looking forward to Sun Moon Studio's future. read more

See all

Truly stunning, phenomenal meal. One of the best meals of my life, it felt like a true privilege to be able to taste this food. I had to set my alarm at 11:57am for a couple of weeks before I was able to snag a reservation when they are released at 12pm 6 wks in advance. But the wait was well worth it. Every dish was truly special and delicious! The restaurant is simple yet beautifully designed with only 4 tables, but because of the high ceilings it felt airy and open. There were two servers and the two head chefs also made a point of delivering food and visiting each table at least once which felt very intimate and personal. Each course was a lesson in texture and flavor, with each dish being perfectly balanced and seasoned. The menu was fairly seafood forward with some meat and veg sprinkled in. It's hard to even say which course was my favorite but some of the standout dishes for me were the first course of silken tofu topped with uni, the savory dashi egg tart topped with trout roe, the Taiwanese sausage served on a soft steamed bun, the crunchy lightly fried salt and pepper sweet potato topped with garlic confit and the final desert, aka the most amazing French fries I've ever eaten served at the end, I loved the fun personal touch of it. Truly an overall amazing experience. read more

My wife and I followed Chefs Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu since their time at Pomet (Piedmont Ave, Oakland). Upon our arrival at the venue, we were greeted by name and made comfortable and sat at a table by the door. We initially thought that it would be drafty, but since the dining room seats 12 and we were the last table to be seated, there were absolutely no issues whatsoever. The 13 course prix fixe tasting menu did not disappoint (see attached). Go in with an open mind and be prepared to enjoy an array of artistic presentations. The creativity is not over the top, but the flavor combinations will capture your attention. We enjoyed light cocktails at the beginning of our meal. Honestly, we enjoyed each dish and shared our feedback with our courteous/patient server each time, however the uniqueness of the first dish was especially noteworthy...the Pacific Dungeness crab with Hodo soy tofu and fermented tomatoes. A wonderful kickoff to the entire lineup. Our particular visit was capped with a small basket of piping hot hand cut potato French fries. Sounds weird, right? But the fact that there were only 6-7 perfect fries with a dish of ketchup made the whole experience a nice surprise. And lastly, we were each gifted individually wrapped, homemade persimmon hoshigaki as we departed home. We will definitely be going back to Sun Moon Studio. read more

Sun Moon Studio - Egg custard tart, bonito, salmon roe - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Coming from an Asian background, I always love seeing how chefs put a creative spin on traditional dishes, and Sun Moon Studio totally nailed it! Every plate was beautifully presented and super tasty, with just the right twist that made each one feel special. The place itself is small but really cozy and nicely decorated and it instantly makes you feel at home. read more

See all

We had an amazing time at Sun Moon Studio! We went in with very high expectations and it totally lived up to the hype! The food was incredible, and they were very sensitive to the multiple food allergies/dietary restrictions in our party. The ambiance was lovely too! We would definitely go back -- if we can get a reservation again! read more

Why I should leave a review for a restaurant that earned a Michelin star in their freshman year is beyond me except to say how grateful I was to be on the receiving end of their genius and hospitality. I couldn't believe me eyes when I looked at their reservations calendar early one morning, just for fun. and saw one bolded date in a sea of grayed out dates as far as the eye could see, just weeks away. Someone must've just canceled. 5:00 on a Saturday. It was a gift! I have ridiculous, infuriating food sensitivities and they ask up front to know about them as they are genuinely interested in making food everyone can eat and enjoy. They were so kind and accommodating, I could hardly believe it. Took my husband there for his birthday, and when he asked if he just gets to choose three things from the prix fixe menu, he was stunned when I told him, no, you get everything on it! The servings are small and precious, but like killing a frog slowly in gradually boiling water, we were so full by the end of the meal, we had to roll out of there--take home treats in hand. Each of the eleven dishes was gorgeous, elegant and exquisite in its simplicity, and made my tastebuds do a happy dance all the way through. Asian influences on local ingredients made me hyper aware of how fortunate we are to live in the Bay Area on the Best Coast. The staff made us feel like royalty. This restaurant is a gift to our region, a shining supernova in a slightly sketchy industrial neighborhood. We are as deserving as anyone of amazing food, and this magical couple makes sure we get it, in spades. And they personally send you on your way as you sadly leave their fairy house of Good Things to Eat. You should go here! read more

See all

Absolutely loved our food at Sun Moon Studio! It was worth our 1-hour drive for this amazing dining experience. My husband and I both grew up in Taiwan, so we felt very nostalgic with the different courses in our tasting menu. The flavor combinations of the food blew us away and showed the tremendous amount of love and effort put into each dish. Our favorite dishes were the crispy tempura with squash blossom and the uni paired with hodo tofu. We also want to commend the chefs, Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper, for sourcing from local producers. The staff provided excellent service and gave us a nice treat to take home. We cannot wait to come back again! read more

An intimate experience, an exciting menu, and a defined point of view on how cuisine should make you feel. Have you ever left a restaurant, craving to continue the meal with fries? You won't after dining at Sun Moon Studio. read more

Most amazing dinner experience! Simply couldn't recommend highly enough. Each dish was divine, and the staff were so welcoming and lovely. read more

See all

Spectacular ! Standouts for me Taiwanese sausage in a bao like brioche bun Den sake Trout with crisp skin Savory custard tart with salmon roe Bay Leaf Ice Cream! Very friendly service , well paced Like in a secret supper club read more

See all

A hidden gem with soul. My wife and daughter took me to Sun Moon for a belated Father's Day dinner. And what I thought would be just another nice evening out quickly turned into one of the most unexpectedly beautiful and memorable dining experiences I've had in years. The setting: The neighborhood. Quiet, industrial, almost like a place where warehouses could go to retire. The exterior? Unmarked. Blink and you might miss it. The inside? A revelation. You walk in, and the next surprise is, it seats just twelve people. That's it. Intimate, quiet, calm. The kind of space where the conversation flows easily and you're not battling ambient noise to be heard. Gentle music. Minimalist, thoughtful decor. It felt like being welcomed into someone's carefully curated world. The menu changes with the seasons. On our night, 11 small dishes came out, each one as artful and delicious as the last. Not a single dud in the bunch. And while it's easy to rave about presentation and flavor (which were both stellar), what struck me most was the intention behind it all. This is not just a restaurant. It's a statement. A labor of love. You can feel the alignment between values, vision, and execution. It's in every detail. The experience is enveloping: "We believe in what we're trying to create here. And we care." As someone who deeply admires people who have the courage to go all in on what they love, this meal inspired me beyond the food. Too many folks settle for a life that feels like a compromise. But the creators of Sun Moon have clearly said yes to something deeply personal--and as a diner, you get to taste that clarity. The result isn't just a great dinner. It's a memorable night that stays with you. It's a kind of quiet excellence that lingers long after the last bite. If you go, and I hope you do, even if your experience is just half as good as mine, it will be well worth your time, energy, and every dollar. (And speaking of dollars--the price is surprisingly low for the care and quality delivered.) Sun Moon is not just a restaurant. It's an example of what happens when love, purpose, and mastery come together. read more

There are moments in life that make you feel like you've stumbled upon something rare, like finding a secret door. Sun Moon Studio is one of those moments. Very conspicuous in West Oakland warehouses is this mini-world contained within four walls. Run by two chefs whose harwork and passion is seeps into the plates they serve, this place is a reminder that food isn't just sustenance, it's a language--one that's spoken extremely fluently here. They don't just cook for you; they share their world with you (ex: the ice cream tastes like a hike through Tilden park). Every dish feels like a conversation, a moment of connection. There's no need to list the courses; I could try, but it wouldn't capture the alchemy of flavors and love that you experience here. It's the kind of place that leaves you feeling grateful, deeply, existentially grateful, that you were lucky enough to be there, at this time, in this universe. If you're ever given the chance to dine here, don't hesitate. It's not just a meal, it's an encounter with something rare and beautiful. It leaves you wondering, "How did I get so lucky? read more

Sun Moon Studio - The best bread and butter you will have in the Bay Area - Seafood Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

I haven't yelped in years, but I wanted to do my part to ensure this restaurant stays open so I can go back and try it again. The space is small but cute. Both the server and chefs were warm and welcoming and the chefs have done a really great job with the food here. I'd say their menu beats out the last two one-Michelin star San Francisco restaurants I've been to in the past year. The nonalcholic drink options were great as well (highly recommend the fermented cherry tomato spritz if you like something a little different from the norm - I wish I could take it to go). Favorites that I hope continue to stay on the menu: full belly tomato tart; smoked mussels, sweet potato, green garlic & potage (I want a whole big bowl of this); and 16 day dry aged liberty duck crepinette and chanterelles. Tasty and wouldn't mind some more: corn custard with salmon roe (a little extra fishy at the beginning but the last few bites were more balanced for some reason - could've been a favorite; salt and pepper gulf shrimp; black cod, eggplant puree, charred lemon vinaigrette; mango and passion fruit cream puff; and den sake lees ice cream and thomcord grapes (there was a saltiness to the grapes that hit just the right note). Also loved the basket of huge fries that came at the end of the meal - they were fried and salted nicely. Even though we were stuffed from the meal (it really is quite a bit of food), we still ate the fries like the heifers we are. read more

We do tasting menu restaurants regularly. Oftentimes, I find myself eating the final meat course with less enthusiasm, but here, they finished with a duck that was ethereal in texture and taste, and it was my favorite dish. The rest of our 11 courses were fantastic too, and a pretty good value at their current pricing, relatively speaking. Service was professional, not overly friendly perhaps, but warm nonetheless. Their 4 tables are well spaced. The two 4-tops and two 2-tops are a good size, with plenty of space for everyone. The wine pairing was ok, some interesting choices. They also have a selection of non alcoholic drinks by the glass. They get booked up fast, 6 weeks in advance. Need fast clicking, and we'll attempt to get another rez before too long. read more

So lucky to experience Sun Moon Studio for the second time- it is just SO good. The sauces, the flavors, the breads, the pork chop, the desserts. My mouth was so happy and my tummy full. Generous tasting menu where you get more than 1 bite of everything. read more

See all

Incredible meal, fantastic service, and great ambiance. Each course was phenomenal, and the plates were just works of art. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Far and away best restaurant experience in East bay right now. 10/10 across food, ambience and service. Will def come back. Shout out to Marleigh who was great front of house. read more

Great location, great ambiance. Food? pretty good. not the best I've had but the combination of ingredients were very interesting. when we got there, I was very excited to see the menu, only to realize that it's pretty similar to what was posted on several pictures on Yelp. All looked interesting except the squab which has NEVER been on my "I've got to try this some day" list of foods. I went in with an open mind. We opted for the wine pairing which, in retrospect, I wish I would have skipped. The pours were TINY. Suggestion would be to order a glass or two of wine and have more wine for less money. Aside from the meager pours, dinner was going well. When it came time for the squab, the waiter came with a contraption to pour our wine (? some type of aerator? ) that gave maybe 2-oz of wine. Then came the squab. My dinner partners and I looked at the plate and each other. in front of us was a tiny thigh attached to a long thin leg ending in a gnarled claw. SO unappetizing. Already reluctant to try it, I now had NO interest. It reminded me of one of those pigeons you always see limping around on a club foot and now this club foot was on my plate. I forced myself to try it. Everything about it was so unappealing. I wish there was more wine to wash down the memory of that dish. It truly ruined my experience. It's all I think about when I look back on the experience. When the waiter asked if we had any food allergies just before we started, I wish I had the forethought to say "squab." Go ahead, give it a shot. If squab is your thing, this may be your place. If not, skip the wine pairing and treat yourself to 2-3 good pours of wine. read more