Hanazen

HH

Authentic, Edo style? Only 8 per night. Small but good quality. For the amount of sushi you get, the price is affordable.

Justin Lee

One of the top quality sushi places in the US. It serves Edomae sushi which is more traditional sushi than that served in the usual Japanese restaurants. Fish is seasonal and is chosen by chef Kenji. The seafood is very fresh. He seasons it to perfection to highlight the uniqueness of each sushi. There is no need for any additional soy sauce or wasabi. The typical 12-piece sushi is heavenly. If you have that with drink, you should budget about $110 per person (including tax and gratuity) for a sushi quality that is rare to find elsewhere. It is a small family restaurant run by a Japanese couple. They have been serving top-notch sushi in Orinda for 15 years. There is no walk-in. Reservation by phone well in advance is a must. I had to book my place about 4 weeks ahead. It you come on a weekday, you still should book at least 2 weeks ahead. I can tell from their expression that they are serious about making world class sushi and providing a dining experience that you can’t find elsewhere.

Cecilia Knapp

Best sushi ever! Such a hidden gem in Orinda. Since we moved to the area last year we've been searching for our go-to sushi place. We tried walking in once and were told to make a reservation. A year later we finally made a reservation and did the omikase, chef's choice tasting menu. OMG, was it delicious. It's a small two-person operation - literally just the sushi chef and the hostess. It's too pricey to come weekly, so I used my friends' birthdays to come back and they both loved it as well. All the fish is so fresh, delicious, and imported from Japan. You will not be getting California rolls and unagi here! All types of nigiri of fish I've never had before and not a single one that any of us disliked. Even the sushi rice is extra delicious.

Olivia

Hanazen oferred some of the most delicious fish and housemade seasonings I have ever tasted. The service was incredible and the food was beyond memorable. Be sure to call and make a reservation for a meal you won't soon forget.

Yeonhwa Seo

If you want truly authentic Sushi, this is the place to go! I am so happy Hanazen is so close to us. This restaurant is truly a gem of Orinda. I hope they stay in business for a long long time haha We went recently for my husband's birthday and we had a blast. Each sushi was delicate and delicious, and the chef and his wife made sure to explain all the dishes to us in detail (what kind of fish it is, what kind of sauce/salt is used, etc.) It was quite a pleasant experience overall and we will definitely going back often. They are a bit pricey but I feel like that's expected with high quality Omakazes. There is a parking lot in the plaza but also a lot of street parking. It's walking distance from Safeway too so parking shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure to MAKE RESERVATIONS. It is a very small shop, run by the chef and his wife only. They only accept people under reservations.

Patrick Heim

A delightful artisan sushi experience. Prepared with passion. Utterly delicious. Very relaxing atmosphere.

One of the best quiet places to have edo mae sushi. This is not an Americanize sushi restaurant and most people will be confused when they come here if they have not experienced sushi in this traditional form. It is art. You watch the chef prepare pieces that will delight your taste buds. It is a beautiful dance bouncing from taste bud to taste bud. Sit at the bar if you can, don't sit at the table. You're going to be paying this much money, get the full experience.

One of the most unique and personalized experiences in my lifetime. Phenomenal sushi (nothing more and nothing less). Singular focus which pays off for those experiencing the fish. Can't recommend it more highly.

Hanazen is a true hidden gem. I didn't discover this place until 5 years into living in the Bay Area, and I make it my mission to find the best high-end sushi places. Tucked away in Orinda, the last place you'd expect authentic edomae sushi, Hanazen is run by a husband-wife duo. The restaurant is reservation only, and is never packed. What impresses me about Hanazen is the attention to detail and education of the customer. Japanese people have a certain "kodawari" (commitment to a special way of doing something) with everything, so it's no different with sushi. You have to read a placard that explains how much soy sauce to put in your dish, how to hold the sushi and dip into the soy sauce, etc. There is a certain way to enjoy sushi in an optimal way. And if you're paying your hard earned money to eat luxuriously, why not do it the right way? The omakase is top notch, and also reasonably priced. For 20 pieces, it ended up being around $100 per person. You'll be asked around 12 pieces whether you want to continue. There is no rush, of course. You can just keep enjoying each unique piece until you want to stop eating, which admittedly, is truly difficult. My favorite pieces at Hanazen, now that I've been 3 times are: - Smoked salmon with yuzu gelee: The acidity of the yuzu keeps it light but accentuates the savoriness and umami of the smoked salmon. - Baby sea bream: I've had sea bream but not baby sea bream. And the slight char over the skin side really brings out the surprisingly rich flavor of this white fish. - Mackerel (saba) with marinated kelp: Usually saba is served with a vinegar brine. But the marinated kelp has a slight sweetness to it, in addition to the rice vinegar. It's a different play to an otherwise typical piece. - Albacore tuna with garlic and red chili pepper: I don't particularly like albacore tuna typically, but this piece was amazing, because of the toppings. I'm not joking, but it tasted like Korean barbecue! - Anago with sansho pepper: I love anago. But this is a twist on an already delicious fish. The sauce is made from the anago bones after it has been chargrilled and made into the sauce, which is lighter than the typical sweet sauce you get. Additionally, the sansho was a bomb of a topping - it's not spicy so much as numbing. Really jolts you when you eat it. If you love sushi and love exploring what's not typically available, Hanazen is a treasure. Just don't tell too many people about it!

Very unique. The other reviews are well deserved. A husband and wife combo that serves, I believe, 8 customers a night. They have apparently been doing this for 20 years. This was a stand out experience for us, 18 pieces of sushi that were, to a piece, incredibly delicious. I have never had sushi like this in my life. Not your normal experience, we will be back!

This restaurant is an absolute gem—a true slice of Japan right here at home. As someone who constantly craves the authentic flavors of Japan, I was thrilled to find a place that captures the essence of its cuisine so beautifully. The sushi was nothing short of exceptional—fresh, expertly crafted, and bursting with flavor; especially the Sakura salt! Beyond the incredible food, the owners made the experience even more special with their warm hospitality and genuine passion for what they do. Every moment spent here felt welcoming and wholesome, making it more than just a meal—it was an experience to remember. I appreciate them for making my birthday a memorable one and I can't wait to return!

My wife and I had a wonderful experience for our dinner. It's a very quiet and cozy place where you can enjoy the food. We did the chefs choice 18 pieces. I liked all of them, and loved quite a few of them. It was obvious that the chef knows what he is doing and how much seasoning to apply to each piece. It was great trying several fish I haven't had before. Thank you Hanazen for a very nice evening.

Kenji and Koko are sole owners of this sushi restaurant and serve fish flown in from Japan, served in traditional Edomae style. All of the fish were delicious and they're so sweet. Kenji works the sushi bar while Koko is a sake sommelier and can recommend you the right bottle based on your taste. We had an amazing meal and they were so generous and served us extra sake. Please support this small business and go when you can!

We went there for dinner tonight because I wanted high class sushi for my Christmas gift. Made the reservation a week ago and were there on time. I didn't notice there was an authentic Japanese sushi restaurant in Orinda even I passed by there many times. From my experience, good restaurants are always hidden somewhere. The restaurant was incredibly clean, neat and cozy, it makes you comfortable. The chef greeted us and then started to prepare the 12-piece sushi omasake menu. The sushis were all fresh, delicious, authentic and devine! After the 12 piece sushi from the omasake menu, we ordered 8 more pieces. Each of us had altogether 3 pieces of uni sushis, 3 pieces of fluke fish sushi and 2 pieces of pike fish sushi. As someone who have been to Japan 7 times and have always had the finest sushi in Hongkong, I can tell Hanazen is one of the best in the East Bay. My taste buds were pampered and satisfied. Last but not least, I will recommend the sampler sake meun which comes with 3 different types of Japanese sake. The sake was presented nicely in 3 delicate glasses. I'm looking forward to dine at Hanazen once again! *Won't leave this review on Yelp because Yelp is extorting business owners who do not buy for an ad space. Yelp does not deserve a review from me.*

The best sushi you can find in the Bay Area. Great place for special occasions. We usually order extra when our reservation is confirmed and add on a couple of extra pieces for a larger meal.

Jimmy Hooker

Very unique. The other reviews are well deserved. A husband and wife combo that serves, I believe, 8 customers a night. They have apparently been doing this for 20 years. This was a stand out experience for us, 18 pieces of sushi that were, to a piece, incredibly delicious. I have never had sushi like this in my life. Not your normal experience, we will be back!

Dave Fujita-Militante

This restaurant is an absolute gem—a true slice of Japan right here at home. As someone who constantly craves the authentic flavors of Japan, I was thrilled to find a place that captures the essence of its cuisine so beautifully. The sushi was nothing short of exceptional—fresh, expertly crafted, and bursting with flavor; especially the Sakura salt! Beyond the incredible food, the owners made the experience even more special with their warm hospitality and genuine passion for what they do. Every moment spent here felt welcoming and wholesome, making it more than just a meal—it was an experience to remember. I appreciate them for making my birthday a memorable one and I can't wait to return!

Mike Z

The best sushi you can find in the Bay Area. Great place for special occasions. We usually order extra when our reservation is confirmed and add on a couple of extra pieces for a larger meal.

Sean Murphy

One of the most unique and personalized experiences in my lifetime. Phenomenal sushi (nothing more and nothing less). Singular focus which pays off for those experiencing the fish. Can't recommend it more highly.

Kevin Crawford

My wife and I had a wonderful experience for our dinner. It's a very quiet and cozy place where you can enjoy the food. We did the chefs choice 18 pieces. I liked all of them, and loved quite a few of them. It was obvious that the chef knows what he is doing and how much seasoning to apply to each piece. It was great trying several fish I haven't had before. Thank you Hanazen for a very nice evening.

Kai Lo

Kenji and Koko are sole owners of this sushi restaurant and serve fish flown in from Japan, served in traditional Edomae style. All of the fish were delicious and they're so sweet. Kenji works the sushi bar while Koko is a sake sommelier and can recommend you the right bottle based on your taste. We had an amazing meal and they were so generous and served us extra sake. Please support this small business and go when you can!

Jack Lau

One of the best quiet places to have edo mae sushi. This is not an Americanize sushi restaurant and most people will be confused when they come here if they have not experienced sushi in this traditional form. It is art. You watch the chef prepare pieces that will delight your taste buds. It is a beautiful dance bouncing from taste bud to taste bud. Sit at the bar if you can, don't sit at the table. You're going to be paying this much money, get the full experience.

C S

We went there for dinner tonight because I wanted high class sushi for my Christmas gift. Made the reservation a week ago and were there on time. I didn't notice there was an authentic Japanese sushi restaurant in Orinda even I passed by there many times. From my experience, good restaurants are always hidden somewhere. The restaurant was incredibly clean, neat and cozy, it makes you comfortable. The chef greeted us and then started to prepare the 12-piece sushi omasake menu. The sushis were all fresh, delicious, authentic and devine! After the 12 piece sushi from the omasake menu, we ordered 8 more pieces. Each of us had altogether 3 pieces of uni sushis, 3 pieces of fluke fish sushi and 2 pieces of pike fish sushi. As someone who have been to Japan 7 times and have always had the finest sushi in Hongkong, I can tell Hanazen is one of the best in the East Bay. My taste buds were pampered and satisfied. Last but not least, I will recommend the sampler sake meun which comes with 3 different types of Japanese sake. The sake was presented nicely in 3 delicate glasses. I'm looking forward to dine at Hanazen once again! *Won't leave this review on Yelp because Yelp is extorting business owners who do not buy for an ad space. Yelp does not deserve a review from me.*

Sherry Li

Hanazen is a true hidden gem. I didn't discover this place until 5 years into living in the Bay Area, and I make it my mission to find the best high-end sushi places. Tucked away in Orinda, the last place you'd expect authentic edomae sushi, Hanazen is run by a husband-wife duo. The restaurant is reservation only, and is never packed. What impresses me about Hanazen is the attention to detail and education of the customer. Japanese people have a certain "kodawari" (commitment to a special way of doing something) with everything, so it's no different with sushi. You have to read a placard that explains how much soy sauce to put in your dish, how to hold the sushi and dip into the soy sauce, etc. There is a certain way to enjoy sushi in an optimal way. And if you're paying your hard earned money to eat luxuriously, why not do it the right way? The omakase is top notch, and also reasonably priced. For 20 pieces, it ended up being around $100 per person. You'll be asked around 12 pieces whether you want to continue. There is no rush, of course. You can just keep enjoying each unique piece until you want to stop eating, which admittedly, is truly difficult. My favorite pieces at Hanazen, now that I've been 3 times are: - Smoked salmon with yuzu gelee: The acidity of the yuzu keeps it light but accentuates the savoriness and umami of the smoked salmon. - Baby sea bream: I've had sea bream but not baby sea bream. And the slight char over the skin side really brings out the surprisingly rich flavor of this white fish. - Mackerel (saba) with marinated kelp: Usually saba is served with a vinegar brine. But the marinated kelp has a slight sweetness to it, in addition to the rice vinegar. It's a different play to an otherwise typical piece. - Albacore tuna with garlic and red chili pepper: I don't particularly like albacore tuna typically, but this piece was amazing, because of the toppings. I'm not joking, but it tasted like Korean barbecue! - Anago with sansho pepper: I love anago. But this is a twist on an already delicious fish. The sauce is made from the anago bones after it has been chargrilled and made into the sauce, which is lighter than the typical sweet sauce you get. Additionally, the sansho was a bomb of a topping - it's not spicy so much as numbing. Really jolts you when you eat it. If you love sushi and love exploring what's not typically available, Hanazen is a treasure. Just don't tell too many people about it!

Cozy and relaxed restaurant where the food takes center stage. We enjoyed our 18-piece omakase experience. The variety was very diverse. Aji, Tai, Tako, Ikura, Bonito, White Tuna, Amberjack, Scallop, and Uni to name a few. The quality of the ingredients really shined. My wife and I used very little soy sauce. In fact, we only used a small amount when instructed by our wonderful hostess, Coco. The flavors were clean and subtle. Not overpowering at all. Also, the service was outstanding. Coco walked us through each piece and told us how Chef Kenji prepared the dish. I highly recommend giving Hanazen a try if you enjoy omakase. However, this is not the place for you if you're looking for rolls, anything seared, or sushi covered in heavy sauce.

A small restaurant but good quality sushi. Very authentic Japanese Nigiri with fresh fish shipped from Japan everyday. The price was about 70-80 dollars for the 12 piece Omakase. Very quiet and nice environment. Also make sure you arrive on time and they only accept reservation through call. I would say compared to the Michelin restaurants in SF they are not so outstanding, but the price makes sense.

Michael Chang

Cozy and relaxed restaurant where the food takes center stage. We enjoyed our 18-piece omakase experience. The variety was very diverse. Aji, Tai, Tako, Ikura, Bonito, White Tuna, Amberjack, Scallop, and Uni to name a few. The quality of the ingredients really shined. My wife and I used very little soy sauce. In fact, we only used a small amount when instructed by our wonderful hostess, Coco. The flavors were clean and subtle. Not overpowering at all. Also, the service was outstanding. Coco walked us through each piece and told us how Chef Kenji prepared the dish. I highly recommend giving Hanazen a try if you enjoy omakase. However, this is not the place for you if you're looking for rolls, anything seared, or sushi covered in heavy sauce.

Lixing Fu

A small restaurant but good quality sushi. Very authentic Japanese Nigiri with fresh fish shipped from Japan everyday. The price was about 70-80 dollars for the 12 piece Omakase. Very quiet and nice environment. Also make sure you arrive on time and they only accept reservation through call. I would say compared to the Michelin restaurants in SF they are not so outstanding, but the price makes sense.

The food is good. However, the hostess has NO people skills. We've been there three times. First time: Hostess seated us and complained, unprompted, about no-show customers who'd flaked on reservations. Her rant was as relentless as it was inappropriate. Second time: Hostess remarked that I used too much soy sauce. (?) I laughed it off, but she seemed genuinely offended. OK, whatever. Third time: After seating us, and before our food arrived, hostess abruptly began pulling a table away that had been pushed against ours, with no warning or explanation. It was beyond inappropriate. We had to grab our water and dishes to keep them from hitting the floor. I don't care how good the food is. The person waiting on tables ruined our experience each time.

Luap D

The food is good. However, the hostess has NO people skills. We've been there three times. First time: Hostess seated us and complained, unprompted, about no-show customers who'd flaked on reservations. Her rant was as relentless as it was inappropriate. Second time: Hostess remarked that I used too much soy sauce. (?) I laughed it off, but she seemed genuinely offended. OK, whatever. Third time: After seating us, and before our food arrived, hostess abruptly began pulling a table away that had been pushed against ours, with no warning or explanation. It was beyond inappropriate. We had to grab our water and dishes to keep them from hitting the floor. I don't care how good the food is. The person waiting on tables ruined our experience each time.