It's been awhile since I ventured into City Center Oakland and sad to see many of the spots I used to frequent no longer there. Since the pandemic many places closed, people working from home and crime that have deterred people from venturing to Downtown Oakland. Panda Express still seems to be thriving though the lines are no longer out the door...next door is Sushi Bae offering a few appetizers, sushi rolls and bowls in a modern, hip spot. Ordered rolls from a kiosk and name called which seem to take awhile (not busy) and told it was due to tempura shrimp being fried even though friend was chowing down on his 3 rolls with a 10 min head start. *shrugs* The rolls ordered were delicious and well made. The Dragon Rolls and The Town had a nice char and gave it a hint of smokiness. Table enjoyed the gyozas. Overall, no complaints other than not seeing the "A Japanese restaurant with influences from Latin America" (mentioned on their site) except maybe frescas which friend said was "really good" Pricing on the higher side for specialty rolls (avg: $19/roll) but fortunately, delicious and hit the spot. Minimal interaction except when your order is ready for pick up at the counter. Dine-in available. Hours limited: Monday-Friday 8am-3pm. We'll definitely return to try other rolls. read more

Sushi Bae - Dragon rolls for the table - Japanese Near Me - Oakland, California

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This place is decent. It's one of the few places to eat in the city center and maybe a hit or miss after my 4th visit. I've worked in the immediate area 20 years and many places have come and go. You order/pay at a kiosk instead of with a person at the register. This is the second time I've ordered and asked for a printed receipt only not to get one. It's cashless so you will need to pay by card. The first time I came I got 2 of The Town rolls and what I believe was a Melon drink and it was really good. I came back and got the Dragon roll and it was a little underwhelming with huge pieces of unagi on it. The pieces of Unagi were overpowering and created a weird texture and was more like eating unagi alone. I couldn't finish that one. They aren't inexpensive & the main rolls are $20+ with a few options for smaller rolls closer to $10. Today I returned as I craved sushi for lunch and decided to go with the Town Rolls again...The rolls today almost seem like they were already made instead of made to order...today they didn't taste the same & I can't pinpoint what was off or missing but it wasn't as good as before. Pretty underwhelming today. I treated a friend today & she ordered the Rainbow roll, it looked nothing like the photo and came without the caviar or any of the ornate things shown in the photo. I had to go back and ask for her caviar as she was nervous to do. She says there was no flavor to the roll. I also ordered the California rolls to try because generally you can't go wrong with those. I'm not sure if rice is scarce but the rolls weren't fully covered with rice the way I'm used to. The california roll also had huge pieces of avocado/cucumber and it's all you taste when you bite into it. Wasn't much crab with the California roll. The best part of the meal today was the Strawberry Fresca drink...which was "Deelish"!!! Today the sushi was made quickly, maybe too fast and maybe not with so much attention to flavor or ratio of things in the rolls. The inside of this place is pretty nicely decorated & the customer service is great. There are other sushi places around that are a little further walking wise, but they have good sushi. I can't say I won't be back, but if so it'll be awhile and I might be willing to walk a little further elsewhere. read more

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I have eaten at Sushi Bae several times. Each time I've ordered a Cirrachi bowl. Today I got there around 1:15pm. After a while I learned they were closing early because they had run out of rice. My cirrachi bowl was very light when I received it (takeout). When I got home I was disappointed to learn it was short on rice , there was no avocado, there was only salmon , no other fish and it was missing other ingredients. Going to the Oakland City Center is very inconvenient, parking is difficult to find and then to be shorted on your order is frustrating at best. I won't return. read more

Used to love this even though it was expensive it was worth it. Well Not Anymore. The Bae from Sushi Bae, is gone and it's evident She brought the flavor. Tried recently rice was super hard within the sushi, and upon return I was asked what was the hard pieces were as if I made it. I was astonished, then received the remake and it was super sloppy. I will not be returning as the food quality and service don't match the price read more

Stopped by here do a quick lunch. Area very clean, self service kiosk. Easy ordering. We ordered sunset @ the lake and the town rolls. We also ordered the spicy tuna rolls and the negihama. Wait was a bit long as there were only 2 people working but the rolls were delicious. My favorite hands down was the sunset @ the lake. Different combos gives you different flavors, loves that it had a kick to it due to the ailoli. They also had a buy one classic roll and get 50% off the second one. And the special pricing only available if you order at the counter and not at the kiosk. Wished it better explained but it was a good meal after all. read more

Sushi Bae - Sunset @Thelake left hand side. The Town on the right side for specialty rolls. - Japanese Near Me - Oakland, California

This place is horrible, customer service sucks. I ordered the town roll and it was terrible missing all the ingredients that they said would be on there. If you do not have the ingredients to make the dish just say you don't have it. You just don't give people anything, this is unacceptable. The lady gives me my food and the container was not closed properly and spilled in the bag. She pretended not to see it until I bought it to her attention. This is very fustrating as I spent $30.00 for lunch and could not even eat it. I am so disappointed and will never go to this place again. read more

Thank you grubwitmike for recommending this spot! He tried four different rolls, and they all looked extremely delicious, so I decided to stop by on a Tuesday afternoon (an hour before closing). The place was nearly empty, but I did have to wait awhile for my order to be ready. It was nice to be able to order from the kiosk. They are only open on the weekday (11am-3pm), which would make it extremely difficult for me to stop by after work since I work in the city. I had a hard turn choosing what I wanted but ultimately decided on Sunset @ The Lake and The Town. Each roll costs about $19, which is quite expensive given the roll itself is not that big. Presentation was 10/10 and so was each roll! They were extremely fresh and the sauces paired so well. I mean I haven't had such great rolls in a while, so I understand the high cost. I would love to stop by again to try their other rolls, but the hours of operation makes it a bit difficult unless I take the day off work. I can't believe I never knew this place existed in Oakland. This might be my new favorite roll spot in the bay. read more

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Had Togo from sushi bae really liked the creative flavors! The cashier was very friendly and had great suggestions. I got the sunset at the lake, citrus haze, the town, and green garden roll. My favorite was the town and sunset at the lake. Rolls are massive and flavorful! read more

Sushi Bae - Japanese Near Me - Oakland, California

Blink and you'll miss it, this sushi spot tucked away in a corner of an Oakland shopping center has some of the best sushi I've honestly had in a hot min. The owners put a lot of thought and care into their menu and you can tell by the flavors and presentation. The chef who helped curate the menu knows how to balance the latin and japanese flavors perfectly. The decor is very soft elegant and welcoming made for a perfect lunch break by yourself or with friends. They also have quality matcha if you're looking for a simple quick pick me up on your way to the office. read more

Sushi Bae - Japanese Near Me - Oakland, California

3.5- Sushi rolls are tasty, but a bit small for that price tag. I get it, with inflation and rising costs, but the final totals on that receipt feel like you splurged. The Town is a hit- not spicy at all so leave that spicy aioli on there. You can pass on the gyoza and opt for a classic roll- tekka tuna or sake salmon. What's really good was the honey-dew drink. I think it was a special. A little on the sweet side, but delicious! I don't know if this would be a go to spot. It is near the office and I might want to check them out again if I wanted to spend a few more dollars on lunch. Service was excellent and friendly. But I did notice only one person working and making the rolls, so there could be a wait. An option is to order online. read more

Well well well! There's a sushi spot in the plaza and I had no idea but was pleasantly surprised!! The space is super clean, sushi was fantastic and fresh! I got the town roll and a honeydew Fresca. Both were delish! Service was amazing.. staff were really knowledgeable and able to provide variations of rolls for my allergies and dietary restrictions. I highly recommend visiting! read more

Sushi Bae - Seating area - Japanese Near Me - Oakland, California

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This sushi was absolutely...WRETCHED ! The horror I just can't believe I paid a whole $6.99 for this bogus. This tomfoolery! I want the last two hours of my life back, I was waiting in the "seats" for about two hours before I even SPOKE to the so-called "waiters". And why don't y'all have a drive through? I have a car for a reason aHEM folks at Sushie Bae Downtown Oakland. Even the name, "Sushi Bae", has certain implications that are not appropiate for adolescents roaming the streets. The ambiance made my ears cry and my eyes close in sadness. And don't mistake these roars from me for roars of joy, no. Don't. I'm disappointed, 5/5. read more

A Unique Fusion Sushi Spot in Oakland Sushi Bae is a fusion sushi restaurant in Oakland, and while my experience was based on takeout, I noticed they have both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a good spot to enjoy a casual lunch if you dine in. This isn't your traditional sushi place--what sets Sushi Bae apart is their creative roll combinations. Some options are truly unique, like a roll topped with Flaming Hot Cheetos! All the rolls we tried were enjoyable; they weren't mind-blowing, but they offered a fun and distinct sushi experience. One thing to note is the price. Rolls are around $16-18 each, and you'll likely want a bit more to feel satisfied. I'd recommend either a roll and an appetizer or three rolls for two people, which brings the cost to about $25-28 per person. All in all, if you're in the mood for a unique sushi experience with some creative twists, Sushi Bae is a solid choice. My Criteria: 5 stars: The best food I have ever had, or an excellent option given the price. 4 stars: Good food, a restaurant I look forward to trying again. 3 stars: Good food, a restaurant that I am indifferent to. 2 stars: Below average experience, will not go again. 1 star: This restaurant should be closed. read more

Since being back at the office I have been venturing out to try new places and support as much as I can. After seeing the great reviews for Sushi Bae I went ahead and an order online. When I got there my order wasn't yet but that was okay. Interior was cute and welcoming with great music and staff was friendly. I ordered a bento with chicken teriyaki with California rolls and a salmon avocado roll which came to about $27. I really hate giving any place leas than 3 stars unless there was something very wrong. The teriyaki chicken was questionable. It smelled and looked like boiled, yes boiled chicken with teriyaki sauce drizzled on top. I didn't want to judge so I took a bite. It was tough to chew, tasteless and definitely boiled. The next piece was mushy and fell apart when I picked it up so back down it went. I was so sad and disappointed I cannot even tell you. Maybe it was an off day?! The absolute worst chicken I have ever been served so in the trash it went. $16.50 for 4 piece California roll was the only thing I could eat plus the salmon avocado roll. Both seemed to lack any flavor and needed something more. The rice needed some flavor as well. At any rate it was a very bad experience for me and I will not return. Place is cute and staff is friendly but food was terrible. read more

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We came almost right when they opened for the day during their soft opening. There was only one employee but they were able to handle everything for our group. The food was good and the inside was cute. read more

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For those who love sushi should try the restaurant to see what the menu has has through a kiosk machine.

Dropped by yesterday for the soft opening. Taking into account this is the soft opening as well as this being a fusion Japanese Latin spot (sushi & ceviche & fresca) I am giving them the benefit of the doubt in assigning 3 stars... I will be back after a few weeks to give them a chance to up their game. I ordered the "civeche" (that's how it's spelled on the menu) & a tekka tuna roll along with the mandarin cardamon fresca - my bill came out to just under $23. The other Yelp review sums up portion size nicely... This is not going to fill you up - but the same can be said of many other sushi places. The portion of "civeche" seemed to me like it was half a typical appetizer portion, or a few amuse bouche cobbled together. The leche de tigre could use some more excitement... Barely any hint of flavor. Unless they were NOT aiming for ceviche & this is a whole other thing. And packing it in a cardboard container, it was soaking through almost leaking by the time I got it back to the office - they should consider alternative packaging. The tekka tuna was also small & slender. But I prefer less rice to filling ratio so actually on that point they hit the mark. I was missing the wasabi although I did get the soy sauce packet - not sure if the lack of wasabi was intentional. Since this is a fusion spot I didn't consider the choice of rice grain in my awarding of stars, but I feel I should point out this is not the typical or usual sushi rice - both in terms of the grain as well as seasoning. But it wasn't bad - I've had cold regular steamed rice in place of the usual sushi rice and those experiences I will never forget (Bhugay's Sushi & buffet sushi) The fresca was quite light in sugar; if you are like me looking for low sugar options this is a refreshing option. Bottom line, 3 stars cuz their fish is fresh. But I will be back after they've got some time to adjust to feedback. read more

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We ordered three rolls: the citrus haze, twin flames, and the dragon roll. All of them did not disappoint. The special standout was definitely the citrus haze, the juicy mango with the pickled onions were the perfect balance. I didn't expect to like the Twin Flames as much as I did, hot cheetos def belong on sushi. The inside was clean and had a comfy seating space with some magazines. read more

while this business is still in its early stages i absolutely love the space, the employees & the sushi! high quality sushi is hard to come by & always worth the price. lei did such a fantastic job allowing my eyes to eat first. if you want some good quality sushi, a relaxing spot to enjoy lunch & some good company make sure you check out sushi bae! i can't wait to see what comes next for these guys read more

If I could more than 5 stars, I definitely would! Some of the freshest sushi I have had, first time even trying a few different fresh fish rolls, and they were all ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. The owners are the sweetest and they made sure my kids and I had a great experience. Even the chef was the kindest and watching her roll and plate them was so mesmerizing. The environment and aesthetic is everything and right up my alley too. 10/10, 5+ stars, and one heck of a great lunch! This is a new favorite and I can't wait for them to have their grand opening. (I would totally have pictures but I got so excited to eat I didn't snap any!) read more

Good food but TINY PORTIONS! The roll was damn near $21 and I was still starving after. read more

Sushi Bae - 510 roll - Japanese Near Me - Oakland, California

Update to my previous review: portion sizes have improved and the containers have changed. This time I tried the Dragon roll and it was amazing! read more

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I've been waiting to try this new sushi spot for awhile and now that it's soft opened I was able to check it out! The decor has a nice minimal aesthetic, and the menu looks pretty solid. I do think some background music would help with the ambience just a little more. The cashier there has great hospitality and was very welcoming when they took my order. Despite not ordering any of their specialty rolls this time, the classic rolls like The Philly Roll, Tekka Maki, & Sake Maki are reasonably priced, and tasted good. I'm very interested on my next visit in the unique ingredients selected that I normally don't see in specialty rolls like chili oil, cilantro, or even pineapple. Packaging is nice- but I definitely could've used more wasabi that was put into my to go container. Overall, It's a pleasant spot that breaks away from the more heavier meal options at city center. read more

FRESH. Good sushi, in my opinion must be super fresh. This is the spot. The flavors and incredible. The combination of heat, citrus, the greens, the fresh veggies and of course the fish. Basically, a whole party for your pallet. I must mention presentation as well, which was spot on. The bright colors and attention to detail really make them that much better. The decor is so inviting, there's a little lounge area with the cutest cloud lights, and comfy chairs to relax and enjoy lunch. The staff is amazing, very friendly and welcoming. Overall, 100% yes for me! Thanks for the love @SushiBae read more

Sushi Bae - Citrus Haze x2 & Sunset @ the Lake - Japanese Near Me - Oakland, California

We went by today for lunch and the food and vibe are excellent! I can't wait to go back. The service is top tier and very friendly as well.

Was looking for a new sushi spot and I stumbled upon Sushi Bae. Really great service, the sushi is fresh and the restaurant is very clean. Def will be back! read more

Sushi Bae - Rainbow Roll - Japanese Near Me - Oakland, California

Went on 09/20/24 at 1:45pm to avoid the lunch crowd. Ordered the Chirashi Bowel on the kiosk and received the food within 10 minutes. The fish tasted fresh and overall it was a very good healthy lunch, Great value! Recommend and will repeat. read more

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Ok but Sushi Bae has got it!!! I tried multiple rolls but let me tell you I was blown away with the green garden but ALL were hands down spectacular. I also tried a few other items and most importantly, the Gyoza because I can't resist I have to have them. Chef Lei really knows what she's doing and the cute cloud lights just makes you feel like you are on cloud 9 I mean who's not when they are eating the freshest sushi, portion size was perfect. I will most definitely be back. read more

Dropped in at Sushi Bae, we had the most refreshing Pressed watermelon salad, we had the citrus haze, sunset at the lake, sushi bae,and green garden. All were different, delicious and fresh. The pork gyoza were tender with crisp edges and a ponzu sauce atop all.....loved them ! Last but not least was the ceviche which was also super refreshing, perfect on a hot summer day. Quite satisfied with the portions prepared by Chef Lei....her fusion flavors were spot on. Service was not an issue and the ambiance was very relaxed with neutral tones and monsteras on all the tables....the hanging fluffy cloud lights were super cute . read more