Newark > Izakaya

The Most Delectable Izakaya in Newark

Itani Ramen

Itani Ramen

★★★★☆ 3.5 (627) • $$

Heather D. "I was spurred to get to Itani for Oakland Restaurant Week. Since we came for lunch we didn't try the cocktails, but they looked good - maybe next time. I also appreciate that they are open all day during the week because I never know when I will get a break to head to lunch. We did the Restaurant Week menu of 2 pieces of Hamachi Sashimi, which were cut well and super succulent and the Oxtail and Spicy Shrimp Ramens. Both were very flavorful in their own way, the spice on the shrimp was not too spicy and we loved the fresh bean sprouts giving a little crunch. The space consists of plenty of tables or seats at the long bar. Servers were very nice and attentive and checked back to make certain everything was good (a lost art). Would love to sneak in for the happy hour sometime."

Ramen
Vinum Japanese Fusion & Bar

Vinum Japanese Fusion & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (426) • $$

Malka Julie F. "We had an incredible dining experience at this hidden gem my boyfriend found on Yelp for our last minute "fri-date"! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was inviting. Our server, Jack, was attentive and knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu with great recommendations. Each dish was a delightful surprise and beautifully presented. This place exceeded all our expectations--highly recommend!! Jack even gave us these sparkling yuzu shots that were smooth and refreshing!! Hamachi Kama was my favorite dish and I was so excited I didn't even get to take a photo lol must try!!"

Wine Bars

Popular Izakaya Dishes

Mushroom Risotto

Mushroom Risotto

Arborio superfine Italian rice. Chef mis mushrooms. Truffle oil. Shaved Parmesan. Add chicken, shrimp, scallop for an additional charges.

$19.00

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Chicken Karaage

Chicken Karaage

Marinated Japanese style fried chicken served with curry sansho salt

$16.00

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Spicy Ramen

Spicy Ramen

Beef bone broth, roasted medium rare beef fillet, oyster mushrooms, onsen egg and red chilli.

$18.00

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Chicken Karaage

Chicken Karaage

Fried chicken

$14.99

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Corn Tempura

Corn Tempura

Vegan. Fried fresh sweet corn seasoned with sea salt.

$15.00

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Lion King Roll

Lion King Roll

California roll wrapped in seared salmon topped with mayo

$15.95

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Panna Cotta

Panna Cotta

Seasonal flavor.

$7.50

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Hamachi Kama

Hamachi Kama

Flamed grilled yellowtail collar.

$17.00

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Yuzu Ramen

Yuzu Ramen

Housemade signature niboshi broth, yuzu peel, shrimp tempura, pork chashu, bamboo shoot, daikon, pea shoot, tomato, lemon sliced, naruto (No Substitute).

$21.00

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Fried Cauliflower

Fried Cauliflower

Comes with cabbage and miso ranch dressing. Gluten free! Pick vegan ranch to make order vegan!

$12.50

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Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4 (415)

Sheila C. "The food was delicious. The service was great. We didn't have reservations but arrived there before the restaurant opened and we were able to be seated right away. The ambiance was so nice. We sat at a booth/bench. My favorite. The deluxe sashimi was amazing as well as the Wagyu. And the black cod collar was amazing too. Everything was delicious."

Tapas/Small Plates Seafood
Yuyake Dan Dan Japanese Tapas

Yuyake Dan Dan Japanese Tapas

★★★★☆ 4 (388)

Alejandra R. "Amazing service, top notch ingredients and all the food was delicious! Highly recommend."

Kaisen don

Kaisen don

★★★★☆ 4 (361) • $$

Iris Z. "A nice, cozy Japanese restaurant to get delicious Japanese food from!My friends and I stopped here for a dinner and we were able to make a reservation for here. For a Sunday at 5:00 PM, the restaurant was somewhat empty however more people came by throughout the night. We did family style so we ordered an array of dishes. My notable dishes of the night were the takowasa, kaisen don, and the estudillo roll. The takowasa has the perfect kick of wasabi and it was the perfect cleanser for in between meals; I've had some takowasa where it was not enough wasabi or it was too much wasabi to where I cannot enjoy it. The kaisen don was so yummy! From the plentiful ikura to the sushi rice, it was such a well balanced meal for all to enjoy, It also comes with a bowl of miso soup. The estudillo roll took me by surprise because I did not expect a lot of flavors from a sushi roll. All of our seafood tasted so fresh and for a reasonable price! Apparently, we also came during happy hour but there was no happy hour menu so we weren't aware of what we could've ordered."

Sushi Bars Ramen
Ichika Izakaya

Ichika Izakaya

★★★★★ 4.5 (203) • $$$

Guia Louise R. "Our first time in. Brought a friend and it did not disappoint. Food is really good. Ambiance is great."

Sushi Bars

Recent Reviews for Izakaya Restaurants

Careey H.

★★★★☆

Jun 27, 2024


We popped into Itani Ramen just before a show at the Fox. The location is perfectly suited to the area ahead of the show. We did not have reservations, and the place was packed. However we were told a 30-40 min wait time. We ordered a drink and stood inside waiting. We were seated for 25 mins. The staff was hustling to get folks in, seated, and served. Even though it was extremely busy, the staff was attentive, making eye contact and not rushing us. They kept our water cups full and checked in on our drinks and food. We tried several items on the menu and enjoyed them all. We will be back as we had a ton of fun making our hand rolls, and it was a last-minute find ahead of a show.

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Robert H.

★★★★★

Oct 6, 2024


We had a date night (afternoon) that included a movie at nearby AMC and something to eat. We had initially thought we'd visit the Newpark Mall food court, but happened upon Vinum. It's a super clean restaurant with a fantastic server, beautifully decorated restaurant with a very chill soundtrack of cool cover songs. I ordered chicken and waffles and my wife ordered smoked salmon sandwich. The food was FANTASTIC!! Fresh, Great Presentation and it was just the right amount. The prices are unbelievable and it's the type of upscale restaurant that it's a shame to be at a mall. Easily could have been in SF, Danville, Vegas, that good. I've spent more at IHop for brunch and this place is 1000 times better. A+ Highly Rated and we will definitely be back!

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Angela Y.

★★★★☆

Sep 15, 2024


We were in the area looking online for where to eat. My friend was really craving Japanese food at that time so we decided to come here. The interiors had an upscale vibe - tall ceilings, open kitchen, and sleek decor. Staff were super nice too. I got the Chicken Katsu and it was really good! Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The ratio of breading to chicken was also just perfect. Portions are on the smaller side but izakaya food typically comes in small plates anyways.

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Theresa M.

★★★★☆

Jan 26, 2025


Amakara was closed unexpectedly and we had to find somewhere closeby. This was the first one that came up so my daughter chose this as they really look good. 1st time here and we treated our brother for his birthday. We got the fresh oyster shots. Ramen w bonemarrow. Shishito peppers. Grilled squid. Yummm Oh and also. Bento w salmon and chicken teriyaki, mixed tempura and their omakase special something. Everything is good and perfect!. Its clean and the staff are very pleasant. The place is okay too since its already at the mall. We can come back to try one more time so we can taste more from their menu

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Mila J.

★★★★★

Feb 14, 2025


I'm so glad there's a sushi spot that is open late, has delicious food, and really great service. My flight into Oakland was delayed and I was worried I wouldn't find a place that was still going to be serving food after 10 pm. Thankfully Kaisen don is open until midnight, they even offer happy hour specials where certain items are priced a little bit less if you are there at a later time. We ordered a lion king roll, spicy tuna rolland one pork belly skewer. The skewer comes with a spicy seasoning you can add on top which was really tasty, and my favorite dish was the simple spicy tuna roll. I would also recommend getting hot tea while you're there, our waitress says they only use the good stuff- green tea and roasted rice.

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Phebe T.

★★★★★

Dec 1, 2024


Amazing. And they have a Milpitas location too, and maybe another, I forgot. Great service and ambiance. Ordered the Giants roll, toro roll with mango, oyster specials (don't squeeze too much lemon juice onto it, it overpowers a little!), 4 skewers (which were good but not amazing, but solid), geso fry, and creamy udon. Creamy udon is big btw! Plan your stomach accordingly if you get the creamy udon.Absolutely will be back, prob to try their Milpitas location as it's closer to me.

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Dylan S.

★★★★★

Sep 4, 2023


Ijo Izakaya is definitely a place you shouldn't underestimate. TONS of menu items and wide variety of options. Izakaya's are my favorite spots for getting many different Japanese bites.I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon and was sat immediately. Smaller restaurant but their food is large in flavor/quality. Staff was welcoming and always checking in on me. I ordered:Yellowtail Carpaccio Ikura (salmon roe)EelSalmon SashimiDynamite RollEverything was very fresh and good size portions. Ikura (salmon roe) can be very fishy but it was not fishy at all and I loved it. The eel was almost butter like and melted in my mouth. Really great quality all around and would highly recommend stopping by.

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Vy T.

★★★★★

Dec 15, 2024


Hidden gem alert!! First of all, they have happy hour from Saturday-Monday starting at 7pm! My partner and I stumbled upon Enka while looking for a dinner spot and we were pleasantly pleased. They're located in a plaza with lots of parking and, surprisingly, it wasn't busy on Saturday night. We were seated immediately and service was prompt and friendly. The Japanese interior decor made the place lively and comfortable. There were decorative folding room divider screens that were used to give each table some privacy. Food: - Kaisen Don: The assortment of Ikura, seaweed, scallops, uni, and crab meat on top of rice was delicious. Each scoop was flavorful and the seafood tasted very fresh. 9/10- Hot udon: The broth was extremely flavorful. The citrus helped balance out the saltiness of the broth. The grilled pork pieces left charred aromatics that lingered on every sip of the broth. The udon noodles were bouncy and the right amount of chewiness. 10/10- Kaki fry (fried oysters): I'm a big fan of raw oysters, but the fried ones usually puts me off. The fried oysters from here weren't bad, but for me it was the creaminess from the oysters plus the fried grease; was too much for me. Very crunchy 7/10- Tempura: Perfectly fried. Super crispy and light. The vegetables still had some crunch left to them and the mushroom was flavorful. 8/10- Grilled Mochi: Hands down my favorite. Someone wrote a review saying their gf would come back just for this and now I fully understand what they mean. The mochi was gooey on the inside and slightly charred crispy parts on the outside. Definitely an umami explosion from the seaweed wrap and the sauce glaze on the mochi. 100/10- Kurobuta sausage (not pictured): 10/10 delicious. Sweet and savory. - Wagyu skewer: Tender and juicy. Downside is you only get one skewer for the big price you pay. 9/10- Grilled Squid: Another favorite as well. You can taste the charcoal. Very umami. The squid itself was tender and not rubbery. A slight squeeze of lemon balanced out the saltiness alongside the creamy sauce. 10/10- Asahi: 10/10 went well with everything. Will be coming back soon.

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Ijo Izakaya

Ijo Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4.1 (178) • $$

Cheryl D. "I had lunch there recently and the food is really good! They have a good bento box that they serve all day! I love the pot stickers but they run out the last time I was there! This made me disappointed but I still gave you five stars what brand of pot stickers do you carry it will be nice to know! Thanks, Cheryl Davis"

Sushi Bars Seafood
Enka Japanese Izakaya

Enka Japanese Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4 (160) • $$

Erika C. "3.75? I think slightly different offerings than the usual Izakaya. The noodles and bottarga were really good. The shark dish (didn't like plum flavor) and fried fish (skinniest I've seen) were not great. It's a somewhat small menu. Service was fine."

Kinda Izakaya

Kinda Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4.2 (143)

Max K. "It's authentic Japanese Izakaya (skewers) place with variety of foods. Good thing they serve all sort of Japanese cuisines from sashimi, sushi, ramen noodles, Izakaya and desserts. Food is delicious and fresh.Waiters are attentive but could be a bit slow in rush hours.Nice interior with lots of anime!Indoor seating with Japanese touches, not easily accessible, narrow entry and pathways with uncomfortable seating.Great for couples and small gathering only.Parking options are close by public parking and street parking."

Tapas/Small Plates Ramen
Tada Ramen & Yakitori

Tada Ramen & Yakitori

★★★★★ 4.5 (71)

Daniel S. "Located on grand , it can be crappy finding parking on a weekend so I recommend going by the Safeway and just walking down . But if you are coming in the week days you should be fine . Enoki chips were fried mushrooms. I've never had them before and they were flavorful, they have a lemon wedge and some extra optional seasoning which I loved . I got the Tada Men . Tada Men Spicy Ramen at Tada inis outstanding! The rich, spicy broth pairs perfectly with chewy noodles, tender chashu, and fresh toppings. Every bite is flavorful and satisfying, with just the right amount of heat. Great portions, quality ingredients, and a welcoming vibe make it a must-visit for ramen lovers.Service was super quick , and we were able to be seated hella fast ."

Ramen Noodles
Tanto Japanese Restaurant

Tanto Japanese Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

Lin S. "Came here for weekday dinner and fell in love with this place! Expansive menu with some items not commonly seen elsewhere. We ordered four dishes for the two of us and loved every single one. Special mentions are the Sashimi Salad, which had larger portion than we thought and the ingredients were all fresh and high quality. The monkfish liver was soft, rich and well-balanced by the ponzu-based sauce so that it's not overly gamy. We arrived ~6pm on a Wednesday and there was no wait. Good flavor, fresh ingredients, nice service, great bang for the buck. This place has made to our go-to weekday dinner list. Love!"

Tapas/Small Plates Sushi Bars
Aburaya

Aburaya

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

Caes F. "All the rumors are true! These place is so good!!!! I loved the Oyakodon. The chicken was the best chicken I had in the area.For the price, I was impressed with the quality and taste."

Gluten-Free
Kiraku

Kiraku

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

Ivan Z. "dinging a star because they do a $50 minimum per person on reservation which is kind of annoying but it's not that hard to hit that...We got a reservation at 7:30 which I highly recommend you do because it's a bit hard to seat otherwise / the space is kind of small. we were sitting next to two tables that were unfortunately really loud.the menu is extensive, long, and delicious. I will say the vibes are sort of hectic / they're serving a lot (but it does come quickly!!) so it's not like a casual sort of hang out with friends / drink izakaya but like you are coming for a MEAL sort of deal.everything is great, no notes."

Tapas/Small Plates