One has to learn to appreciate how Coco and Kenji choose to run their business and their individual personalities. They take a lot of pride in the quality of their food and sake, and they do not cut corners! Once they get to know you, you can expect a sushi experience that is consistent time after time and with what you would expect in Japan. It is small restaurant, casual, and it is memorable.
A few things come to mind....
1. Hands down the best sushi rice I have ever tasted. Light, clean, not mushy. The seaweed is also roasted and crispy and not moist when you bite into it.
2. Eye opening sake experience and proper pairing with food. Coco does not mess around with sake/food pairing. You will appreciate the free education, so do not be afraid to ask her for recommendations.
3. Monthly sake dinners are extremely fun time! Reward yourself once in awhile and appreciate the seasonal sakes with seasonal Japanese food.
4. Getting to know the regular customers. Have met really interesting people here.
5. Special menu items I have never seen anywhere. I am not talking about all the goofy rolls (tuna and peanut butter roll, etc) you see elsewhere. Rather original items such as tender cooked octopus, smoked mackerel, etc.
6. Kenji is probably the most authentic sushi chef I have ever met. He apprenticed in Japan and it shows he work under the eyes of a Master.
Do not fall for the sour grapes review I read below. If any sushi bar has declined over the years, its Kirala. I have been a loyal Hanazen customer for a number of years, and will remain so long into the future. Don't expect them to kiss your ass, they don't have too. They food and drink stand on their own.
Remember this is just Coco and Kenji doing everything....give them credit for their passion and commitment to keeping this running. I would be lost without them!
Hanazen has been in business for eight years.  I don't know why I never ventured out to this small intimate Japanese restaurant in Orinda so close to home after all these years. I've been to Serika  at Theatre Square in Orinda  plus many others and to Jo's Sushi Bar in PH for the past 10+ years.  Maybe it was due to the fact that Hanazen only serves dinner.
I like their concept of making reservations.  We usually dine on a Friday which is usually a busy night with most restaurants.  However, Hanazen  is great for us to enjoy a quiet and unrushed meal without feeling that they need to turn tables.
I've been wanting to try Yume in Alameda, but they do not take reservations. Â You have a chance of waiting in excess of 4 hours if you happen to get their 3rd seating after waiting in line at 4:00 p.m. Â
We tried Kappa in SF and we also liked it, but parking and the drive into the city on a weekend can be an issue.
I've only done the omakase plus a few appetizers at Hanazen and it has been one of the most enjoyable experiences for someone like me who loves nigiri sushi.
Many thanks to the couple who run this place and we intend to visit as often as we can when we have that sushi craving!I
Just terrible! Â I am a complete sushi-a-holic, and let me qualify that I know the difference between good sushi and mediocre.. Â Hanazen is bad, it's always going to be bad...this wasn't an off night. Â We ate on a Friday night in prime time and there was only one other couple in the restaurant...not a good sign. Â
The fish wasn't fresh, the staff was surly, the ingredients like the wasabi and the gari were pathetic, and we had to sit in specific seats despite being just about the only ones in the restaurant. Â When I ordered a cooked miso Seabass, the "chef" went in the back and I could hear the the microwave buttons being pressed...not exactly a robata grille! Â Note to owners: Â "If you're a Sushi restaurant and you cook with a microwave, it's time to hang it up!"
Next time we'll keep driving through the tunnel and head to Kirala in Berkeley.
I went again and took a friend from work.  Coco and Ken never disappoint.  If you are looking for quantity over quality, this is NOT a good choice for you.  This is refined sushi, paired with excellent sake.  We left the entire evening up to the chef and were treated to incredible anago, very tender octopus (my favorite),  the best uni I have ever had, (and much much more).  Yes, it was pricey, but I am still dreaming about the flavors.  This is not Asian fusion sushi, but truly traditional sushi.  Haute Cuisine Classic!  We had Coco and Ken all to ourselves and had the best time discussing sushi cuisine and techniques.  For me, it's along the lines of Chez Panisse in terms of quality of ingredients and technique along with every little detail of service, plating, and perfect quantities.  The best sushi is not the largest or the thickest.  It has to be sized just so.  If I were a Sushi-Goldilocks, I would  be very satisfied here.
Please make sure you make a reservation. Â And do NOT be late because they will not seat you if you will run into the next guests' allotted time. Â Try this place at least once so that you will know whether you like the newer style of sushi or the traditional style of sushi. Â It's good to be educated. Â We ended up paying about $100 per head (we had a lot of sake and sushi). Â It was well worth it, but not something I can manage frequently. Â It's worth the wait. Â Save up and go!
This is my first, and maybe only, Yelp review.
The fish in this restaurant is simply mind blowing. In taste, in preparation, in presentation. Â The specials board is a mysterious, varied map to culinary heaven. Â The food actually makes you feel better about the world. Â I think it changes my brain chemistry, if only for a bit.
Things to know before going:
-make reservations- this is a small restaurant with a 2 person staff who do not over seat. Â They make amazing food for a small amount of people and are brave/honest enough not to just fill the place up because they can.
-concentrate on the specials- the menu is fine and i cannot ever pass up on good miso soup- but the specials is wherein lies all the craft and talent of a primo sushi chef
-if you want yakitori, tempura, terriyaki, dragon rolls- go to the other japanese restaurants in orinda. Â this is a place that showcases and excels in their special sushi and grill menu. Â this is why you make to trip to orinda.
- ask questions and take suggestions. Â Coco- the server/owner is full of passion and information. Â And the chef (i assume her husband and also an owner, and i am sorry that i do not know his name) will apparently make you a chef's choice sushi feast- i am trying that next
We are blessed with so many amazing restaurants in the bay area- it literally is a food mecca. Â We expect, and, more than often, receive really good meals. Â So what would make a Rockridge resident whose favorite rest. growing up was Kirala drive to Orinda for sushi?
Hanazen is a special place. Â If you like fish make a reservation, skip the menu, and enjoy.
I took my family to Hanazen for a Christmas eve dinner. Should have taken the warnings. When we mentioned there was 4 of us, they told us we would only be allowed to stay for one hour. Ok, so its busy, good. NOT THE CASE! We got there, and only one other table. Upon noticing that we brought our kids (not that young, 12&14 at the time) we were told the kids must not disturb other guests. For one, my kids are extremely well behaved, and being Japanese, they greeted her with a formal Japanese greeting. Then, we were reminded that our time was ticking, so please be prepared to swiftly order and leave at the time limit. Under the gun, we prepared ourselves to rush, although only one other table came in later. I wanted Sake, hoping to get the basic industry standard Sho Chiku Bai, which was not available, I was recommended an alternative to that. It was undrinkable. It tasted like perfume. I asked for a different brand, simple, dry and average, and was given another horrible designer Sake. Surprise surprise, both were extremely expensive, and just sat semi full. After seeing that our kids were quiet, polite, and well mannered, we were told if we needed a few extra minutes, it would be acceptable. HAH! Good bye, and good riddance! I have never felt so uncomfortable in a restaurant. I did not go to please them! I went to enjoy a relaxing Christmas eve dinner with my family. They succeeded in ruining it for us. If you like pleasing the restaurant owners, and being at the edge of your seat with small portions (Id be ok with the portions as the food was pretty good, but expensive) but this is not for my hard earned money. In fact, I would not go for free. Not at all recommended. Too bad.
Review Source:By far the best fish in the East Bay. Â A little pricey but entirely worth it. Â High level of attention to detail with the sushi, and interesting variety of fish. Â Fantastic sake selection and knowledgable sake expert. Â Very small (necessary for this kind of meticulous approach), be sure to make reservations in advance.
Review Source:I think I'm always going to hold a special place in my heart for Hanazen. I discovered this hidden gem with the ex-boyfriend, and my mind has forever changed about fish. We went here as our Christmas dinner and it was one of the last great meals we had together. (I'm talking about him like he died, jeez I'm dramatic.)
I came back a couple months later with my brother and he was equally as blown away as I was. It's been a while so I can't remember much of the types of fish we had but I know we had some sweet shrimp, kanpachi, ocean trout, the most delicious and buttery uni anyone could ever have, monkfish liver, the most TENDER octopus I have ever put in my mouth... and a whole bunch of other fish that I can't remember at the moment. My brother and I also had the pork belly and it inspired me to make my own version of buta no kakuni (I like to put a perfect 6 minute boiled egg in the dish when I make it at home). We ate really well and got out of there for 70 dollars. But again, if you want to have a full fish experience be ready to throw down 100 dollars. Maybe I'm disillusioned. Maybe I think it's worth paying that much for quality food... maybe I'm crazy.
But it is seriously the best sushi I have ever had in my life, thus far.
See you for my birthday. :D
If I could give this place another 5 stars, I would! Hanazen has given me the best tasting sushi and pork belly I've EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!! The sea urchin nigiri was absolutely delectable. So buttery and ocean-y... I vow to come here every now and then because after having a meal here, eating at any other sushi house just won't cut it.
Review Source:This is real sushi. Â Order off the board and enjoy. Â Ask Coco for sake recommendations and you will be happier yet.
For those whose idea of sushi is rolls with mayonnaise, or who make a ginger-wasabi-soy sauce salad, this is probably not the right place to go.
Reservations are mandatory!
we were in orinda because we were coming back from vacaville and wanted to eat before coming home. Â on a small tree lined street sits hanazen, unassuming and small.
it is run by a couple and they are the only ones there. Â they seem pretty strict on reservations. Â most tables and even the sushi bar has reserved signs on them. Â if the party doesnt show up, they take the signs off. Â
the service is not that slow. Â i think they do try to get you in and out of there as quickly as possible. Â when we ordered more after our first round, i noticed that the sushi chef made ours first before the other tables food. Â i thought the lady was super nice. Â she thought it was funny that my bf ate so much.
we had an assortment of sushi and all of them were excellent. Â very fresh and yummy. Â the hot food i think they prepare it ahead of time and then heat it up for you when you come in. Â it is what they have to do to keep times and costs down. Â i dont mind it since the sushi here is delicious.
I have eaten sushi in Japan, in New York, San Francisco Bay Area and a few places in between but the first time I walked in to Hanazen I was truly blown away! I have walked thru and around Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo in awe but we in the bay area are denied so much of what the ocean has to offer. I have to say that Coco and Kenji have put a little gem in Orinda that just takes me back to a country that is so close to my heart. My first choice of dish to try there was Chirashi and I was thoroughly blown away...the fish were so fresh and Kenji's presentation was unlike anything I had ever had in the states till now. Coco is a sake sommelier and provided some amazing parings and if you can get on the email list you will get invitations to special dinner and sake tasting events that are truly fun to be a part of. I can't imagine anyone who is familiar with the culinary treats of Japan not being impressed with the impeccable meals to be had at Hanazen. I highly recommend anyone that has the urge for some of the very best in Japanese cusine to make the trip to Orinda and seek some of what you are and will be missing once you've tried it. I can hardly wait to get back there!
Review Source:This is simply the best place in the Bay Area for authentic sushi and sashimi. Â It also has the very best sake selection of any place in the Bay Area.
Please note that it is the best for AUTHENTIC sushi and sashimi. Â If you want some Americanized roll concoction (like a Caterpillar Roll or a Lion King Roll), then go somewhere else. Â You might even want to go somewhere else if you want teriyaki, yakitori, or tempura. Â They do a very good job of those items, but you should come to Hanazen for 3 things: Â sushi, sashimi, and sake.
If you are a true gourmet, then ask to be put on their e-mail list and try to come to one of their once-a-month sake pairing dinners. Â Kenji-San cooks 5 authentic gourmet Japanese courses and Coco (a trained and gifted sake sommelier) picks the perfect sake for each course. Â It is an amazing meal and a great experience. Â Even if you are there on a regular night and not for the sake pairing, ask Coco for a sake recommendation that goes well with your food.
I have seen earlier reviews that complain about the service. Â Well this is the deal: Â Kenji-San and Coco run the restaurant by themselves -- just the two of them. Â In order to find a cook who is old-school and can do things as well as Kenji-San, the cook would have to be an apprentice of Kenji-San and learn how to do things right. Â If the service is slow or is not with the best mood or a smile, it is because they sometimes get very tired.
The freshest items are listed on their whiteboard and you can always ask Kenji-San for what he recommends on any given day and he will choose the best items for you. Â Although I like the fresh fish, shellfish, and seafood the best, Kenji-San makes his own tamago (sweet egg omelette) and it is fantastic.
Focus on the food: Â the sushi, sashimi, and sake selection is unsurpassed.
My wife and I went to Hanazen for the first time. Â There was only one other party, seated at a table, and nobody was at the sushi bar. Â We were told the sushi bar was "reserved." Â So we were seated at a table. Â Service was slow. Â Prices were high.
I ordered sushi, which was OK but nothing exceptional. Â My wife ordered tempura. Â From our table we could see into the kitchen, and we saw that something was being MICROWAVED. Â Turned out it was her tempura! Â What Japanese restaurant can stay in business serving frozen tempura heated in a microwave oven?
While we were waiting for our mediocre dinner to be served, some others came in. Â Judging from the conversation they were regulars but without reservations. Â They were warmly greeted and immediately seated at the sushi bar.
I had to ask for our check, which came slowly, followed by slow processing, Â From start to finish we were there nearly an hour and a half. Â Most of this time was waiting and watching the staff fawn over the patrons at the sushi bar.
What a joke of a restaurant.
I went to Hanazen about 10 minutes before they closed and they were very gracious and let me and my boyfriend have dinner.
We ate at the nicely decorated sushi bar where the sushi chef chatted with us and made us fresh rolls.
I wasn't very hungry but I had a Spider roll, which is comprised of fried soft shell crab and avocado. It was one of the best Spider rolls I ever had. I also had the spicy tuna roll. They made the spicy tuna for me at the table with freshly cut tuna and spicy red sauce.
The two rolls were delicious and the owners were very nice. I like that they both speak Japanesse and care alot about their business.
I can't tell you if all the food is good but the two items I ate were great.
Tip: They are only open for dinner and they suggested in the future to make reservations because they are usually very busy. They said their busiest time are the weekends for dinner so you might want to check them out on a weekday.
I was craving yakitori and didn't want to go to J-town so we opted for Hana Zen.
First, this may be a Japanese restaurant but the service was more like Chinatown(rough, aggresive, dismissive and no "how are you?). Not authentic Japanese if your looking for that.
Second, the yakitori is very good but extremely pricey. The shochu list is decent but again the prices are way too high for what's being offered and I know my shochu. $13 is the cheapest by the glass? I guess they rely on tourist for a majority of their business because I don't see regulars coming for these prices/portions/.
Okay-food. Shishito yakitori-decent, Bacon wrapped salmon yakitori-great, shitake yakitori-okay, butaniku&ninniku yakitori-good, negima yakitori-good.
The place has potential but don't think it's FOH staff, service and ambiance matches the prices they offer.
Case Closed! "The Arbitrator"
This place would be either a 1* or 4* depending on whether you are a regular or not. Â And that's the problem. Â How a patron is treated should NOT depend on whether the restaurant can hope to gouge you in the future. Â I've been here once and that's enough for me. Â The fish is good, but, really, Â fresh fish isn't rare in the Bay area. Â And neither is polite service although it is here. Â Again, this was my first time and I do not like being ignored and treated like leftovers. Â Fawn over your regulars all you want, but realize that newbies who are abused will never give you a second chance. Â I'd sooner eat at McDs than go back.
Review Source:One of my favorite restaurants of all time!
My husband and I dined here for our anniversary for the 2nd year in a row the other day, and we have dinner here occasionally when we want to treat ourselves to a special evening.
THE FOOD IS FABULOUS. The fish is super fresh, and the miso marinated cod (not always on the daily specials) is amazing. I ordered the sake-steamed clams and they were perfect.
In addition, the atmosphere is lovely. Intimate, cozy, quiet...Just be sure you make a reservation as they are booked solid many nights at dinner time and you can't walk in and expect a table, as the place is tiny.
Coco and Kenji must take great pride in their work, as everything we've ever had here has been terrific.
It is a little expensive, but that's because they take the time to make everything with great care and the ingredients are top notch. Â I think it is hands down the best Japanese food in the Bay Area.
I had a similar experience as explained by Bill M. My brother and I went to Hanazen mid-week around 6:30PM and there were only a few folks dining. We wanted to sit at the EMPTY bar but we couldn't because it was "reserved". We were seated at a table and received horrible service. The staff went out of it's way to treat us like "outsiders". The sushi was ok, nothing to brag about. Oh, and by the way, the "reserved" bar was still empty when we left. Did I mention the horrible service?
If you're looking for quality food and a friendly staff try Yu Sushi in Orinda.
Great sushi. Â I loved Ikura, which was de-salted and marinated by the Kenji-san. Â Not too salty, and nicely flavored. Â It has an atmosphere authentic to sushi restaurants in Japan, especially if you sit on the counter. Â Ankimo (monk-fish's liver) was great too. Â My favorite. Â The only thing I wished it were different was rice (shari) for the sushi. Â It was a little drier than I wished it would be, so it fell apart a bit too easily. Â I did not try, but Chirashi (variety of fish (sashimi) over sushi rice) looked great. Â That would be something I will try next.
I was told that it gets very crowded from Thursdays until Saturday, and also ordering take out can take a long time. Â We went there on Tuesday night, and it was hardly crowded at all. Â I would go there between Mondays and Wednesday to enjoy their food better.
So great. Â Hanazen and Yume in Alameda are our favorite sushi spots. Â The husband-wife owners are great -- attentive service, very fresh fish, cozy atmosphere. Â I love that this place caters to their regulars -- they're afraid of growing too big... they are all about quality. Â I just wish that they accepted Amex. Â :)
Review Source:this place was recommended to us by a friend whose opinion I trust. Â what a gift: hanazen is probably one of the top sushi places in the bay area. Â we ate omikase, and every piece by sushi chef Kenji (if you define sushi restaurants by their "rolls"--this isn't the place for you) was top notch. Â they had quite a few unique fish (ocean trout, toki sake, buri, and kelp mackerel for starters) and we've vowed to become regulars.
we don't even live in orinda (we live in berkeley)--but this is well worth the drive through the tunnel--and even over a bridge. Â very quiet on a weeknight, but i hear it gets crowded on weekends. Â
also the sake here is amazing. Coco is an amazing sake sommelier.
We've been going to Hanazen since Coco and Kenji opened their business. Â If you're in the mood for high-quality, authentic sushi and great Sake in the East Bay, this is the place. Â Especially good for the harder to find, off-the-menu items like Kohada and Aji.
The Sake is very good and the selection can be overwhelming but worry not...Coco really knows her stuff and she gets to know you and your taste over time which is a real bonus.
The place is very small (part of its charm) and it can be difficult to find a spot on some nights.
We have been going to Hanazen as a family since they opened. Â We go on a average of once a month, and always call for reservations first, as the space is very small. Â Coco has always warmly welcomed us, including our 3 children, and gives great service. Â She always has a sake recommendation for my husband, and knows that my youngest will eat only their Chicken Teriyaki, so she starts to cook it before we even arrive. Â She has great attention to detail, and always is there to refill our waters or bring us what we need. Â The sushi is expertly prepared by her husband, and is very fresh and delicious. Â They are happy to give us tips on what to order. We often order a Tempura appetizer, and it is always light and delicious. Â They make my daughters "unique" shrimp rolls (the only kind of sushi she likes, and she LOVES these) even though they are not on the menu. Â This is a lovely, clean, quiet restaurant with superior sushi and a great sake menu! Â Highly recommended!
Review Source:Great sushi, not the best of my life but still quite good.
I love the smallness of the restaurant and the personality of the place. Â The folks I went with are regulars and treated as such.
Good miso soup.
Nice sake menu (ask for recommendations if you're not sure).
We ordered waaaay too many rolls but finished them all they were so good.
7/26/08 Another well-prepared meal. We made reservations and brought our friends who also enjoyed it. Among other things, we tried the spotted sardine special for the first time and it was tastey, with a rich well balanced marinade. Our friends usually do not go to Orinda to dine and called it a nice find. They enjoyed Coco's knowledgable sake selections. the only Con during this visit would be the elevator music, which detracted from the ambiance. Cool jazz was playing on our last visit! Â Note: For those looking for cheap sushi, it's best to go elsewhere.
Review Source:We usually go to Niwa around the corner for Sushi. We thought we would try Hanazen  for a change  We went early ....5:15 thinking we could sit at the Sushi Bar but we couldn't .  It was reserved.  We had to sit at a table.  We ordered Tempura appetizer and a selection of Sushi.  The Tempura was good and the sushi presentation was nice but the taste and freshness was very dissapointing.......and it was much more expensive than Niwa. Â
When we left 45 minutes later the place was still empty...... including the Sushi Bar.
Niwa is still the best and most afforadable sushi in CC County.
Hanazen is fantastic!
The nigiri is always flavorful, the rice always has a superb texture, and they have a very good variety with daily specials. Kenji and Coco are passionate about sushi and it shows in every bite. The first time I visited was a Tuesday and we were the only couple in the restaurant, so we got coco's full attention; she loves to find out the perfect sushi for you, what you look for in flavor and texture and she gives very good recommendations.
The ambiance is great,the service is great, and most importantly the sushi is made with respect and skill and it really shows in the taste.
I don't eat sushi, so I can't comment on it. I had various vegetable rolls, inari, agedashi tofu, miso soup, salad, grilled asaparagus, green beans and some salmon teriyaki. The agedashi preparation was good, but not great - but who cares? Everything else was stellar. When our meal was finished, the husband and wife who run Hanazen took advantage of an unusual slow period to talk with us a bit.
I really enjoyed the small scale of the restaurant and the personal attention. Not just a great meal, but a memorable experience.
Our family has come here for a number of special occasions. I've found Hanazen to be  one of the few truly great restaurants in the Lamorinda area (especially Orinda and Moraga)  The sushi and sashimi here are impeccably fresh and tasty.  This is a very cozy place with very friendly staff, who really know their business.  Eating here is a real pleasure.  A bonus is the great selection of sake, which you don't find at many Japanese restaurants.  I only wish I could afford to eat here more often.
Review Source:Japanese cuisine, particularly sushi, is my favorite. When I moved to this area, I knew there would be a great deal of very good Japanese/sushi restaurants from which to choose. I tried Hanazen based on a great review I read in Diable Magazine.
Hanazen is small - not many tables or seats at the sushi bar, so I'd recommend calling for reservations. Overall, the food was excellent. I had a number of pieces of sushi and a couple of appetizers from their specials menu - items not typically seen at most Japanese restaurants I've been to.
The service at Hanazen is also excellent. Owner Coco acted as my server. If you enjoy drinking sake, be sure to take advantage of the deep knowledge that she has of sake.
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