Uzen Japanese Cuisine in Oakland

Good food, strange interactions with staff and a rather ascetic atmosphere. Food is fine, but didn't enjoy actually being there that much, so have opted for other similar restaurants.

I have been to Uzen for more than 20 years. The best sushi in the Bay Area, bar none. Must have their saba which they marinade in house.

I have been coming here with my wife for years and never had anything but excellent fresh tasting sushi. Come here if you are interested in simple higher grade sushi. The sushi salad with scallops and salmons is also excellent.

The salmon nigiri tho... so good and very nice local owner. Really love this place.

Blue Fin Tuna

go there for the udon and the sushi and you will be rewarded. tiny restaurant with good food.

Classic & fabulous.

Very good for lunch!

Very rare to kind a sushi joint with actual Japanese sushi chefs, but Uzen sure does and the quality shows.

Good sushi, though I personally think Kirala in Berkeley is better. However the atmosphere at Uzen is much cozier since it's smaller - great casual date spot. Service is more attentive than Kirala and if you chat up the chef at the counter he'll take good care of you.

Good food, drink selection mostly sake varieties.

Wait staff was so wonderful, walking our large group through the different menu items and what to expect. The rolls weren't insanely large, instead wonderfully flavorful, and very high quality. Splitting the bill was a snap as we let them know ahead of time and there was no rush because we kept ordering more fish and Saki. This place is the best! Will definitely be back!!

My favorite place for sushi!

I love everything I ordered! Sweet Shrimp/amaebi: so good! Squid: my favorite, love the flavor of the herb insideUni: good! But it will be better if uni is from JapanEgg: pretty good!Unagi: so soft, totally different from what you get from supermarketSalmon: this is okay, not that special

Wonderful people and amazing food.

It was my all-time favorite Japanese restaurant. The Udon soup is a classic, but the portions have become smaller, and some sushi prices have gone up a lot (avocado-Unagi roll $12?). Service is inconsistent, and the place seems to be in decline.

Top-quality sushi, and a simple, minimalist setting. They do take reservations is you need, but usually you can get a table quickly except at peak times. Everything is delicious, and they will custom-make items for you as well. Specials are well worth exploring. Our go-to sushi solution.

Awesome place to eat, so comfortable and cozy and they have a great variety of sake

Good Sushi. Fresh. Good Service. Definitely try it if in the neighborhood, you will not be disappointed.

Really good but a tad too expensive

Authentic Japanese style of Sushi. No gimmick. Simple and elegant.

The food and decoration is good but they need to work on the service management during busy hours…because ppl who arrived later than us got food and seat first.

Decent soba and tempura, but the kitchen needs to improve its sad, soggy chicken karaage. The order came very late, after we had finished everything else. My husband and I each had a bite and then sent it back and asked our server to remove the almost $9.00 charge for this order from the bill. It was a bad way to end a meal.

Don't skip the Hamachi!

Best place in the Rockridge.

top

I had been going there for a number of years, and the food has always been pretty good, but the last two times I was there the service was spotty; forgetting to bring what I ordered and the main Sushi chef does not seem to be the friendliest of guys. One week ago I inadvertentlyleft $5 for the tip instead of the $20 that I thought I left. The main sushi chef and possibly the owner, to my surprise, came over and angrily protested causing me to feel humiliated in front of everyone. It was an honest mistake on my part. But, he had no business embarrassing me the way he did. After that encounter I reluctantly left the proper tip, thinking of the servers who were polite but the owner acted very rude with me. I did not appreciate the way he brought that to my attention. I will never go back there again. He can kiss my you know what!!!

Loved it! Great food and service.

Mixed crowd. Decent food, but overpriced. Service was ok. Cramped space makes it less than ideal.

Horrible wait staff, confusing menu, slow service, wouldn't tell us prices, and made splitting the bill between 5 people the most inconvenient and confusing process ever because they wouldn't breakdown the items. Just had things in categories and expected us to just magically figure ot for ourselves. Also practically cleared our table and pushed us out before we were leaving, even though they didn't close for another 40 minutes. Also sushi was sub par and rolls were tiny and over priced. Couldn't even make a decent california roll.

Great food, service and atmosphere. I haven't been during peak hours more than once, but space can be limited.

Excellent as usual. Very fresh fish for sushi. Small neighborhood restaurant with a relaxed and intimate feel. Also love the little details such as the pretty individuality designed sake glasses.

I honestly loved their food and service, great area nearby to my home. The employees are always very kind. Would recommend to others.

Poor quality sushi. Poor attitude from chef.

Good quality sushi and reasonably priced. Friendly service as well.