Brentwood might just be the most deliciously interesting neighborhood in Northern California. This East Bay enclave has some of the best Japanese food in the region—but it’s also home to sushi bars, ramen shops, izakayas, and some great Japanese markets too. The best part: you can walk in a straight line and get your culinary passport stamped a dozen times in the span of a few blocks.
Misaka Sushi
$$ | (925) 679-4890 | WEBSITE
Misaka Sushi is ideal for spontaneous family dinners with sushi-loving friends. The Japanese restaurant’s menu, about the length of a graphic novel, is extensive. But the real treasure lies in the section marked “signature dishes.” That’s where you’ll find sea steak that arrives with a beautiful arrangement of accompaniments: fresh sashimi, avocado cucumber rolls, and salt and pepper tofu. The rolls come in six-piece portions for one and twelve-piece portions for two.
There are several large booths that surround the central bar area, which makes it a fun spot to watch the lively atmosphere and sip on refreshing drinks. Dining solo works well during lunch hours when they offer individual bowls like the popular Chicken Rice Bowl.
Kabuki Sushi
$$ | (925) 753-0801 | WEBSITE
This Japanese restaurant serves excellent traditional sushi rolls like the California and Antioch, but it’s the more innovative baked options that are the real draw here. The Lion King Roll with creamy baked salmon is something you’ll rarely find outside of high-end sushi bars. There is even a bento box with teriyaki chicken and tempura mix that really works. The menu also features many popular katsu and beef teriyaki dishes.
Sun Kitchen Asian Bistro
$ | (925) 308-7108 | WEBSITE
Japanese food might be one of the most underrepresented cuisines in Brentwood. In fact, we can only think of one place doing classic Japanese dishes justice, and it’s Sun Kitchen Asian Bistro. The Brentwood spot makes a proper ‘Forget-Me-Not’ sushi that’s fresh and flavorful, some of our favorite Singapore Stir Fried Rice Noodles in town, outstanding Salt & Pepper Shrimp, and massive rolls perfect for a special occasion.
There are lots more dishes you won’t find done this well anywhere else in the area on their Chinese and Japanese menus. And both the cozy dining room and welcoming atmosphere are ideal spots to get very full with a few friends and a couple bottles of sake during late-night service.
Shirasoni
$$ | (925) 240-7808 | WEBSITE
Once you step into Brentwood’s dining scene, the options become more diverse and authentic, including this excellent Japanese spot. Shirasoni is named to evoke the skilled craftsmanship found throughout Japan where chefs prepare meals with precision and care. And the atmosphere reflects that. The traditional Japanese dishes include perfectly prepared hibachi, with generous portions that often leave you with satisfying leftovers.
The rest of the experience is a mix of comfortable seating, a relaxing environment for conversation, and consistently great food. The bar service is excellent, and the friendly staff adds to the enjoyable experience, though consistency can still improve. The chef’s pleasant personality makes dining fun, especially for celebrations and family gatherings.
Kyuzou
$$ | (925) 666-8119 | WEBSITE
Kyuzou serves some of the best Japanese food in Brentwood. The menu mostly focuses on sushi and sashimi, including fresh oysters and rolls like the Brentwood PD and Warriors. The bento boxes, however, are where you should focus. You can make a whole meal out of the appetizers and entrees, but on top of classics like crispy tempura and gyoza (both of which are excellent), there are also vegan tofu with basil eggplant, teriyaki, and a variety of Japanese staples like mixed tempura.
Make sure to order the house red wine too, a surprisingly good pour for the price.
Matsuyama Restaurant
$$ | (925) 516-6298 | WEBSITE
When the craving for quality sushi hits, Matsuyama is our go-to spot. They serve fresh sushi daily—not just on special occasions—and it’s consistently good. The menu features classic rolls and sashimi options, with the super rainbow roll often being a standout. The tables are cozy enough for intimate meals but can handle the extra couple of rolls you probably didn’t need to order. Just be sure to try the salmon sashimi—each piece melts in your mouth with buttery tenderness.
While the chicken katsu is just alright, the overall experience keeps us coming back for more.
Samurai Japanese Restaurant
$$ | (925) 206-4644 | WEBSITE
On any given night at Samurai Japanese Restaurant, you’re bound to find families and friends gathered around tables watching the chef’s entertaining table-side food prep, which is a real hit with kids. This is definitely the place to get great chicken wings and the fist bowl, along with fresh sushi and green mussels. However, if you’re looking for more than just the usual suspects, the fresh sushi is an ideal way to start the meal.
The chicken wings and green mussels are also two excellent things to order alongside your Japanese feast.
Chelsea Fusion
$$ | (925) 392-8868 | WEBSITE
You can get a whole bunch of very solid sushi for about $15 at Chelsea Fusion. They have other stuff on the menu, but the reason you’re going here is in the name. Plus, you won’t have to worry about still being hungry afterward—the sushi rolls are huge and stuffed generously with fresh fish, vegetables, or crab. We like the sashimi a lot too, which is the size of small coasters and filled with melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.
It’s casual and works for easy weeknight takeout or a dine-in sushi feast.
Enishi Kitchen
$ | (925) 240-1358 | WEBSITE
This Japanese-Chinese spot serves hot food that stays hot enough to warm the hands of an entire Little League team (and their coach) who’ve just finished a chilly evening game. For evidence of this fact, try the wonderful eggplant tofu or one of the tempura dinner specials covered in a cascade of crispy batter. Even if you’re not craving something fried, there are still dishes here for you, like the hot and sour soup floating with little islands of tofu and mushroom.
The customizable entrees and kid-friendly atmosphere make this place perfect for a family meal, so come with relatives you’re comfortable sharing chow mein with.