5 japanese places in Oakland we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Oakland | Japanese across every city.
Japanese food in Oakland leans heavily toward ramen and casual counters rather than formal sushi temples. Ramen Shop on College Avenue in Rockridge, opened by former Chez Panisse cooks, is the marquee bowl, while Itani Ramen on Telegraph Avenue covers Uptown. Geta Sushi and Bento on 41st Street in the Piedmont Avenue district handles the everyday sushi-and-bento role.
Ramen Shop ★ 4.5
rockridge · 5812 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
Ramen Shop on Rockridge's College Avenue runs a daily-changing ramen lineup with a full bar and a private karaoke room. Open every night, dinner only.
Itani Ramen ★ 4.3
uptown · 1736 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Kyle Itani's izakaya and ramen kitchen on Telegraph Avenue runs a tonkotsu-forward menu with Japanese small plates. Bowls, beer and sake, daily.
Geta Sushi and Bento ★ 4.4
piedmont-avenue · 165 41st Street, Oakland, CA 94611
Geta is the small Piedmont Avenue sushi counter that quietly serves an omakase in ten or fifteen pieces. Lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday only.
Itani Ramen ★ 4.2
uptown · 1736 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Kyle Itani's ramen room and izakaya runs tonkotsu bowls plus Japanese small plates on Telegraph in Uptown Oakland. Beer and sake list to match.
Geta Sushi ★ 4.6
piedmont-avenue · 165 41st Street, Oakland, CA 94611
Geta on 41st Street is the small sushi counter that quietly runs a ten or fifteen-piece omakase, hidden behind Piedmont Avenue's higher-profile rooms.