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Stylish, diminutive destination that offers highbrow sushi & Japanese fare at cozy counter seats.
Hours
| Friday | 5:30–10:30 PM |
| Saturday | 5:30–10:30 PM |
| Sunday | 5:30–10:30 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 5:30–10:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–10:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1428 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: (510) 263-8122
Website: https://m.facebook.com/pages/Utzutzu/2140116899608899
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
Photo Gallery
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Utzutzu – Alameda – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
1fc41526dd1b4c41902abcae92dab35d. Utzutzu. 1428 Park St., Alameda, CA, 94501, USA. $$$$ · Japanese, Sushi. Notes. Visited. Save. Favorite. Reserve a table. Book …
Utzutzu – Alameda, California – Menu, prices, restaurant reviews
Utzutzu, Alameda, CA. 71 likes · 5 were here. Japanese Restaurant.
Book Your Utzutzu Reservation Now on Resy
Utzutzu offers a prix fixe omakase-style “Chef’s … Utzutzu is a hidden gem, located upst… Read more. Utzutzu. 1428 Park St. Ste. B. Alameda, CA 94501.
Reviews
Olivia
This omakase spot is tucked upstairs in a small sushi bar with around 8 seats. The chef is Japanese, so the style feels more traditional, and the fish was fresh. But overall, the flavors were flat and leaned overly salty, especially the soy sauce, which masked a lot of the natural taste.
The chef was working alone for the entire room, which made the pacing feel rushed, and the plating lacked detail. The side dishes were honestly forgettable. The service felt uneven. The hostess was friendly, but the guy at the front seemed untrained and didn’t leave the best impression.
The chef also gave off a bit of a tense vibe. He kept smiling and talking, but it felt like he was quietly venting or muttering under his breath. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but I later noticed other reviewers mentioned the same thing, so it might be a recurring issue.
We paid about $450 for two people, with one drink each and a small add-on. For that price, I expected a more polished and balanced experience. If you’re new to omakase, it might be a decent intro but if you’ve had more refined ones, this may fall short.
… moreThe chef was working alone for the entire room, which made the pacing feel rushed, and the plating lacked detail. The side dishes were honestly forgettable. The service felt uneven. The hostess was friendly, but the guy at the front seemed untrained and didn’t leave the best impression.
The chef also gave off a bit of a tense vibe. He kept smiling and talking, but it felt like he was quietly venting or muttering under his breath. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but I later noticed other reviewers mentioned the same thing, so it might be a recurring issue.
We paid about $450 for two people, with one drink each and a small add-on. For that price, I expected a more polished and balanced experience. If you’re new to omakase, it might be a decent intro but if you’ve had more refined ones, this may fall short.
Gabby Paige
Wonderful experience, personal, traditional, and so flavorful! Amazing attentive service! It’s a special find! ❤️
… moreYan Kuang
The Food
I have only visited a handful of omakase places. But a friend was able to get a reservation at Utzutzu, so I wanted to give this place a try. Once we settled in our seats, the chef presented us with the fish that he will be preparing for the night. Few friends and I decided to try out their Sake of the day, which was the Nagurayama “Gekkyu”. They presented the Sake in an aesthetic glass, it was not bad, though I prefer some of the sweeter sake. As the courses began, they were as follows…
– Kinpira Gobo (braised burdock root), with asparagus topped with saffron
– Nanbanzuke (marinated fish, with a slight citrus taste)
Nigiri
– Isaki (伊佐木 / Chicken Grunt, soft and have a slight crunch)
– Shima-aji (縞鯵 / Striped Jack, hint of lime zest)
– Ishigakidai (Knifejaw, smooth with a slight chew)
– Horse Snake Mackerel
– Golden Eye (Deep Sea) Snapper (hint of roast flavor, not overdone)
– Black Seabream (almost melt in mouth)
– Maguro (leaner cut but still fresh)
– Amberjack (balanced with yuzu kosho)
– Saba (topped with sweet kelp)
– Ocean Trout
– Sumiso-ae (miso and vinegar dressed with cucumber and octopus, sweet and refreshing, octopus have a slight chew, but not tough)
– Uni Chawanmushi (steamed egg custard, topped with Hokkaido uni, along with shitake, spinach, and ginkgo nut)
Nigiri
– Scallop, Torched (slight burnt bitterness)
– Shrimp From Canada (fresh, almost melt in mouth)
– Otoro (delicious)
– Toro Hand Roll
– Tamagoyaki (the right sweetness)
– Akadashi (miso soup with zucchini, mushroom, and tofu skin)
– Peach Jelly (slight sweetness, not overpowering)
The Miscellaneous
The Utzutzu restaurant is a bit tucked away. There is no sign other than a door number, and you will know you are in the right place once you go up the stairs. The inside greets the guests with a small lounge area while they wait for their reservation. They have a sushi bar that just seats 7 people. It gives a more personal experience with the chef I believe. The service and staff were good. You know they put attention to detail when they fold the clean wipe so it is easy to use. The menu has a good variety of dishes to keep it interesting. Reservations open around 1 month in advance, it’s still hard to get seating, so reserve early. All in all, the food was delicious, and quite the array of selections. Would recommend and would also want to return again.
… moreI have only visited a handful of omakase places. But a friend was able to get a reservation at Utzutzu, so I wanted to give this place a try. Once we settled in our seats, the chef presented us with the fish that he will be preparing for the night. Few friends and I decided to try out their Sake of the day, which was the Nagurayama “Gekkyu”. They presented the Sake in an aesthetic glass, it was not bad, though I prefer some of the sweeter sake. As the courses began, they were as follows…
– Kinpira Gobo (braised burdock root), with asparagus topped with saffron
– Nanbanzuke (marinated fish, with a slight citrus taste)
Nigiri
– Isaki (伊佐木 / Chicken Grunt, soft and have a slight crunch)
– Shima-aji (縞鯵 / Striped Jack, hint of lime zest)
– Ishigakidai (Knifejaw, smooth with a slight chew)
– Horse Snake Mackerel
– Golden Eye (Deep Sea) Snapper (hint of roast flavor, not overdone)
– Black Seabream (almost melt in mouth)
– Maguro (leaner cut but still fresh)
– Amberjack (balanced with yuzu kosho)
– Saba (topped with sweet kelp)
– Ocean Trout
– Sumiso-ae (miso and vinegar dressed with cucumber and octopus, sweet and refreshing, octopus have a slight chew, but not tough)
– Uni Chawanmushi (steamed egg custard, topped with Hokkaido uni, along with shitake, spinach, and ginkgo nut)
Nigiri
– Scallop, Torched (slight burnt bitterness)
– Shrimp From Canada (fresh, almost melt in mouth)
– Otoro (delicious)
– Toro Hand Roll
– Tamagoyaki (the right sweetness)
– Akadashi (miso soup with zucchini, mushroom, and tofu skin)
– Peach Jelly (slight sweetness, not overpowering)
The Miscellaneous
The Utzutzu restaurant is a bit tucked away. There is no sign other than a door number, and you will know you are in the right place once you go up the stairs. The inside greets the guests with a small lounge area while they wait for their reservation. They have a sushi bar that just seats 7 people. It gives a more personal experience with the chef I believe. The service and staff were good. You know they put attention to detail when they fold the clean wipe so it is easy to use. The menu has a good variety of dishes to keep it interesting. Reservations open around 1 month in advance, it’s still hard to get seating, so reserve early. All in all, the food was delicious, and quite the array of selections. Would recommend and would also want to return again.
Erica Borowski
Wow – what a special place! The ambiance, atmosphere, service, and attention to detail crafted in each course is perfection. The sushi chef is so talented and does an excellent job at pacing each course / nigiri bites. The fish is mostly imported from Japan with a few pieces from the PNW. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun elevated sushi experience. Definitely worth the splurge in my opinion! Can’t wait to go back again soon.
… moreArjun C
The omakase itself was a nice experience, I really enjoy hearing about the meals and watching the skilled preparation. I feel like the presentation of the food and the preparation were amazing, very relaxing and full of a refined art. The nigiri was really good and I also enjoyed the fish soup, uni, squid, miso soup and the pudding.
The chef responds really well to basic respect and makes it known. He is skilled in his craft and has years of experience. At one point he was pretty angry at another loud couple who had shown up late and were talking loudly as he introduced the meals, only to ask him to repeat himself. He seemed to have a lot on his mind.
I want to start this complaint by saying that they apologized immediately when I brought it up, but it seems like I should mention it. In the reservation, I clearly stated that I had a minor mint allergy and my guest had a strong allergy to pine nuts. Again in the lounge (we showed up early), I was asked my allergies and I stated I have an allergy to mint. At the bar again the chef asked me what I was allergic to and I said mint. The preparation of one of the nigiri had a mint leaf in it, which gave me a very mild reaction compared to normal, just a buzzing of the inside of my mouth followed by a light itching of the inner mouth and throat and then an hour or so later a light gut paint/irritation, so nothing crazy. It was a Japanese mint leaf as well, so I got lucky.
The only other thing to me that was a bit strange was that the sake is served in plastic glasses. The sake itself was delicious.
… moreThe chef responds really well to basic respect and makes it known. He is skilled in his craft and has years of experience. At one point he was pretty angry at another loud couple who had shown up late and were talking loudly as he introduced the meals, only to ask him to repeat himself. He seemed to have a lot on his mind.
I want to start this complaint by saying that they apologized immediately when I brought it up, but it seems like I should mention it. In the reservation, I clearly stated that I had a minor mint allergy and my guest had a strong allergy to pine nuts. Again in the lounge (we showed up early), I was asked my allergies and I stated I have an allergy to mint. At the bar again the chef asked me what I was allergic to and I said mint. The preparation of one of the nigiri had a mint leaf in it, which gave me a very mild reaction compared to normal, just a buzzing of the inside of my mouth followed by a light itching of the inner mouth and throat and then an hour or so later a light gut paint/irritation, so nothing crazy. It was a Japanese mint leaf as well, so I got lucky.
The only other thing to me that was a bit strange was that the sake is served in plastic glasses. The sake itself was delicious.
Cool Being
A very niched omakase place in alameda. Small but very nice atmosphere with quality plates. The Japanese chef was very friendly and humorous, and we were glad to try this place.
… moreZac Bowling
Probably the best fine dining experience in Alameda. Hidden away with no signs in a small space that only serves 8 people at a time with only two sittings a day. Ridiculously amazing sushi, most of it directly from Japan. The hand rolls are probably the best I’ve had state side. Highly recommend. Try to keep it a secret but it’s too good. Book far in advance. Spots go quickly. $110 fixed price excluding drinks and extra rounds.
… moreShelley
best omakase in the bay! Chef was awesome and explained the origin of everything, and the sauces. Super small seatings – only 7 people per seating – so get on resy and reserve a month in advance!
You can expect to pay ~$150/person, take about 2-2.5hrs, 15+ dishes, and they have an extensive sake menu too!
Be prepared to taste amazing things you have never tasted before!!!
Btw – Reservations open 30 days before at midnight! don’t make the mistake I did and fall asleep lol… the person answering the phone is super nice and directs you to resy anyways
… moreYou can expect to pay ~$150/person, take about 2-2.5hrs, 15+ dishes, and they have an extensive sake menu too!
Be prepared to taste amazing things you have never tasted before!!!
Btw – Reservations open 30 days before at midnight! don’t make the mistake I did and fall asleep lol… the person answering the phone is super nice and directs you to resy anyways
Juniper Moon
Had a great Omakase dining experience with Chef Joji. I was surprised this little hidden gem is in Alameda bc we always drive past it but never noticed it.
PROS
-Incredibly fresh & melt in your mouth sushi
-simple but beautiful presentation
-enjoyed the menu and chef’s selection of fish
-This is probably one of my favorite spots for Omakase
-I liked the limited seating arrangement
-great location
-everything was perfectly balanced and didn’t feel heavy/rich tasting. It was just the right amount of food and I was content. 🙂
… morePROS
-Incredibly fresh & melt in your mouth sushi
-simple but beautiful presentation
-enjoyed the menu and chef’s selection of fish
-This is probably one of my favorite spots for Omakase
-I liked the limited seating arrangement
-great location
-everything was perfectly balanced and didn’t feel heavy/rich tasting. It was just the right amount of food and I was content. 🙂
Vicky Pan
Food was just average and definitely not worth the $145. The chef’s hand was injured and I could actually see blood, but he continued preparing the food. It made the experience very uncomfortable.
… more