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.
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.Food: 5/5
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
A delightful artisan sushi experience. Prepared with passion. Utterly delicious. Very relaxing atmosphere.
Chef's choice omakase sushi. Rare and unusual fish. Great attention to detail in the preparation and service. My favorite sushi restaurant in the Bay Area.
