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The San Francisco Bay Area is awash in sushi spots, from swanky, high-end restaurants to tiny sushi bars. Here are five of our favorite East and South Bay sushi restaurants from San Jose to Lafayette. Take a look, then tell us what we missed in the “comments” section.
Gintei, San Bruno
Impeccably fresh sashimi, sushi and well-executed small plates? Yes, please. Owner and exec chef Masa Yamasaki brings in fresh fish sourced locally or flown in from Japan’s famed Tsukiji fish market where Yamasaki first learned about sushi three decades ago. Don’t miss the omakase, a sushi assortment selected by the chef. Take a peek at what our restaurant critic thought of Gentei. (Psst, if you’re not a sushi fan, they have plenty of other options to choose from, including chicken karaage and truffled wagyu beef.)
Details: 235 El Camino Real, San Bruno; Gintei.co
EMC Seafood & Raw Bar, San Jose
You’ll find delicious sushi, perfectly grilled fish and all the Asian influences you crave at EMC. Try the hamachi onion carpaccio, the Santana Roll or the addictive uni pasta. EMC also offers freshly shucked oysters, chowder, fish tacos and crab sliders. Here’s what our critic said about EMC.
Details: 378 Santana Row, Suite 1100, San Jose and a second location at 2015 Diamond Blvd., Concord; www.emcseafood.com
Blue Gingko, Lafayette
Blue Gingko offers a fun, laid-back environment for sushi, plus seasonal menus that showcase local farms and sustainable fish and meats. Both the Lafayette and Danville locations serve nigiri, sashimi and a variety of rolls. Order a glass of sake and get your roll on!
Details: 3496 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville; 3518 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette; bluegingko.com
Ozumo, San Jose
Get your drink on and enjoy izakaya-style food at Ozumo, which has a comprehensive menu of Japanese whiskey, top-flight sake, beer, wine and cocktails. The sushi menu includes 15 nigiri and sashimi options plus nine makimono rolls to choose from. (Here’s our critic’s take.
Details: 355 Santana Row, Suite 1010, San Jose. www.ozumosantanarow.com (There’s a San Francisco location, as well, at 161 Steuart St.)
Amakara, Dublin
This contemporary Japanese restaurant is a hidden gem, tucked away in a small strip mall in Dublin. Amakara means “sweet and spicy” — and the extensive menu of sushi rolls pays homage to the name. The Chili Spider Salmon roll ($17) is spicy and fresh, and the oyster shooters ($8) are terrific. Definitely worth the trip.
Details: 7222 Regional St., Dublin; www.eatamakara.com
