Chef Teriyaki — Restaurant in Hayward

Absolutely tremendous! 10s across the board.

The entire staff was incredibly kind, engaging, attentive, and helpful. As an American, I always appreciate a helping hand when it comes to how to best enjoy a restaurant and cuisine and they were kind enough to help me out with that. I will usually opt for a little bit of everything but tend towards things that feel comfortable and approachable to me. But, I saw their wonderfully curated chef recommendations and was happy to turn over the decision making to the waiter and chef.

I had the 10pc Omakase Nigiri with Japanese Uni, O-Toro (fatty blue fin tuna), A5 Wagyu and a smattering of other incredibly fresh fish. Everything was so spectacular but I have to shout out the Uni, O-Toro, Salmon Belly, Ikura (Salmon Roe), Maguro (Blue fin Tuna), and Wagyu. Mind you I have never had Uni before and I am glad I waited until I found sushi chef! I was not nearly as adventurous when in Tokyo but I am glad I am now! Also the wasabi was slightly different from your typical American wasabi and I found it much to have a much more balanced flavor profile and the perfect amount of spice where it did not ruin the soy sauce or the fish. And I typically steer clear of ginger but their ginger was so fresh and not slimy or mushy; it was incredibly fresh and had good bite and texture to it. I also enjoyed their unfiltered sake, which to many Americans might be reserved for more refined or adventurous palates but nevertheless was a nice to try. I really appreciated all the suggestions and guidance the staff gave me; especially when it comes to the best order to have the omakase.

I also came alone and everyone was kind enough to chat with me and make me feel very welcome. The beautiful and calm piano music in the background was the cherry on top. I highly recommend eating at the sushi bar and chatting with the kind and funny gentlemen behind the bar. The place settings and everything was very tidy and clean. I really liked their blue and white dinnerware. Everyone working tonight was really tremendous and a pleasure to be in the company of.

I will absolutely be coming back and will make sure to...

This is a great place if you want some fast teriyaki foods or rolls. It's kind of a fast food place for Japanese food. Taste-wise, the kids like most of the stuff, however they eat a lot of Japanese foods and still like the traditional sit down restaurants and would rather wait a bit for better tasting dishes. They said the rice in rolls was on the hard side a d did not have enough vinegar. For the tempura items, the oil seemed a bit old and in need of change.

Pros: free parking; fast service; ample tables to sit at, but most people buy and go, store is pretty clean, and well lit; servers are friendly, and helpful (even making a special roll that was not on their menu; fish and meats are fresh; portions for the numbered combo are very big and one order can feed two; they also have a rewards program (ask about it, i.e. buy ten lion king rolls and get one free)

Cons: very limited open spaces, especially when the other stores next door are open; smoke fills up the restaurant; rolls don't have an authentic taste (fills the stomach and good, but flavor, size, and taste a little different); rice was a little harder than we liked it

We come here a few times a year, and it's best to keep it that way. It's good when we need...

One of my top three favorite places to order sushi . I like the California crunch roll I like The Lion King and the salmon roll and many others period but the California crunch roll is the best and I've also had the bento boxes with teriyaki chicken. Those are fabulous also. Make sure you ask for extra ginger and make sure they don't combine the rules into one container because then they'll only put one serving of Ginger for all the rolls . Not cool you have to check the order before you leave. I have to have extra ginger because I don't like the wasabi and I can't do the soy sauce because I have to watch my sodium levels being that I have two mechanical heart valves and I retain water easily from the sodium levels period so I got to be careful. I like soy sauce too especially the low sodium but can't do it anymore. The male staff are friendly the females aren't as friendly they have never made me feel welcome and they're a I'll look rude, but the food is so SO satisfying and reasonably priced, the rudeness I can tolerate. It's hard to find delicious, reasonably affordable food, that's worthy of reviewing or recommending to others that are...