The Most Flavorful Tapas/Small Plates in Newark

Leichi

★★★★☆ 4.1 (862) • $$$

"Grilled salt salmon is the best lunch option in town!I am surprised there is such an authentic Japanese restaurant nearby the area. Their lunch menu definitely features some of my favorite item including grilled fishes.I have tried grilled Hokke and salmon, however, salmon is my favorite. It comes with three different side dishes. Best of all, the soup that it came with was NOT miso soup! Finally a refreshing change.At night time its a traditional Japanese izakaya."

District - Oakland

★★★★☆ 3.8 (913) • $$

"We were extremely disappointed this time around.. we came for happy hour, who isn't a sucker for happy hour right? We started off with 1/2 dozen oysters at $1.5/each, it was good so we ordered another 1/2 dozen. The fact that they had just opened, and they ran out, tells me they don't order on a daily basis.. they did offer to give us an appetizer on the house. The options were limited so we opted for another Brussel sprouts. The Brussels weren't bad but it was just a tad too sweet. Very little bacon, but i guess good enough to order again? We had already ordered a basket of fries and that was mid. It was stale, not hot out the fryer. Wasn't a fan. We also ordered the beef sliders, and immediately when it got to the table, it smelled fishy. And it hit me, it smelled like raw beef that had been sitting for a few days in its own blood for 3-4 days, and once it hits hot oil in a pan, that burnt beef edges immediately start to smell salty/fishy. I went home and it just didn't sit well with me so i did a quick google search and i was right.. it's disappointing overall at this point.. drinks: i ordered an espresso martini, and that signature look of the foam on top with the espresso beans and taste of fresh espresso? None of that. I ordered another drink after but.. that never came.. these were all items we got from the happy hour, bc that's the whole point of a happy hour our bill came, and to our surprise... my drink i never got was on there.. and the white wine my friend ordered from the happy hour... was actually not from the happy hour.. he didn't mention that, we went from a wine that's maybe $7 to paying $18 for a glass.. needless to say... it was not a happy hour lol it's disappointing because we have come here before several times and it's hard to find a place with happy hour on a Monday.. it just wasn't satisfying for what we paid."

Izakaya

★★★★☆ 3.9 (834) • $$

"Really cute and cozy Japanese izakaya. Food was all tasty and authentic. Ordered the negitoro roll, chicken nanban, salmon ochazuke, and the salmon sashimi bento. Fish tasted high quality and chicken was juicy. The California roll was also surprisingly good, I'll definitely be back to try more of the dishes."

Dohatsuten

★★★★☆ 3.6 (900) • $$

"This is my go-to ramen spot in the area. I recently took my team here for lunch, including a couple of co-workers who haven't had ramen before. It was no surprise that they loved it! Everyone ordered a different one, but I always go for the pork w/ tonkutsu (sp?). The flavors are great, and work so well together. The broth... We also ordered some apps to share. The karage is crispy and light, and the chicken is perfectly cooked. The spicy edamame hit the spot, and the calamari is a favorite of a few folx on the team. We chose to sit outside on the picnic benches, where folx could grab some shade or sun, depending on their mood. The road is right there, but you don't even notice it while you're eating.The service is good, not great. They tend to run a bit more than they need to when they are busy and probably could learn something about treating the whole party as one table, and even treating their section as one table so they don't run back and forth for separate asks."

District

★★★★☆ 3.9 (523) • $$

"District has an excellent selection of appetizers. I had Brussels sprouts and ahi poke. Brussels sprouts were crispy, nicely seasoned, and mixed with pork belly. The tuna was beautifully presented over crispy rice but it was cut so small that I couldn't really taste it. The pizza was decent and arrived super hot so that was nice. Our servers were also friendly and very attentive at the bar seating. However, the 6% surcharge should have been printed on the dining menu as well, not just the drinks menu. I didn't order any drinks, so it came as a surprise. Overall I probably wouldn't return for a full meal but maybe for happy hour and appetizers."

Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4 (415)

"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."

Mayan Kitchen Food

★★★★☆ 4.4 (323) • $$

"Sitting in the center of historic Murphy Avenue, Mayan Kitchen has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating (perfect on a summer evening). Empanadas 9/10: We tried the vegan and beef empanadas and loved them both. Crisp exteriors paired with flavorful, juicy filling made these a great appetizer, though I wouldn't have minded eating a bunch as a meal. Cochinita Pibil 8/10: This slow-cooked pork dish is good and borders on a 9/10 with its appealing presentation, fall-apart pork, and cilantro rice. I wish the pork had been a little less greasy as the fat congealed on the bottom, but I really enjoyed it regardless. The pickled onions give a nice hit of acid. Served with Tajin dusted jicama and beans. Potato Croquettes 7/10: I really enjoyed these but the cranberries were wholly unnecessary. I love croquettes and cranberries, but not together. They added a sweetness that clashed with the wonderfully savory croquettes. It's plated with tomatoes that are dressed in a cheesy, almost mozzarella or burrata flavor profile. Easily a 8.5/10 if it weren't for the cranberries. Aqua Fresca (seasonal Dragonfruit) 8/10: On the sweeter side, but still a really tasty drink. Their agua Fresca flavor changes throughout the year. Vegan Cheesecake and churro were good. Our server heard that we were hoping for a churro with no cream and was able to get one for us (they are cream-filled by default). Overall, the service was attentive and this spot caters really well to vegan diners and non-vegans alike!! They did forget one item on our order, but I won't dock any points for that :)"

KoKoLo Donburi - Milpitas

★★★★☆ 4 (373) • $$

"My cousin & I had dinner at Kokolo Donburi on a Sunday night after watching the 49ers in nearby Santa Clara. We were starved so something with rice was definitely what we needed and were looking to have.I went with the gyudon ($15) and my cousin got the katsu don with egg ($15). We also ordered ika karaage ($9) and jidori karaage ($10) for appetizers. I like the gyudon i ordered but would have preferred no ginger on mine. The photo on the menu doesnt show or allude to any ginger in the description otherwise I would have opted to not have it. The meat was good, added soy sauce and mixed it all up with the rice and onions. Just what I needed after a long day at the stadium. My cousin liked his katsu don. He hadnt had one like that with the egg and it hit the spot for him. The chicken karaage was good and so was the squid. I liked both of them but enjoyed the squid more. Squeezed some lemon on them and used their provided dipping sauce. Good stuff. The chicken karaage was good. Moist not dry. Dipping sauce was the same as the one for the squid. We ordered a good amount and still had leftovers.Service was friendly. I think the gentleman that took our order was the owner. A young lady that was there and helping clean up looked to be a family member but I'm not certain. They were both nice & friendly. They both checked in on us and thanked us on our way out. The one thing I noticed that evening was some of the tables needed to be cleared. The man taking the orders was also the one clearing the tables when he had a chance... Nice people, we would for sure go back. I would try a sukiyaki don or katsu don next time. Plenty of parking in their shared lot. @ entrances on either side of the establishment. Located off the 237 near the 880. They provide water. My cousin was ecstatic that they had Coke Zero. Ha!"

Juban Ramen & Tapas

★★★★☆ 4.1 (280) • $$

"Ramen is good any time of year but I especially enjoy eating ramen in colder weather. I consider Juban ramen to be a hole in the wall and undiscoverable unless through word of mouth or Yelp! Juban is consistent and I recommend their tonkotsu ramen with the deep pork bone broth - it's so soothing! Two thin slices of chashu, some bamboo, bean sprouts, half soft boiled egg, green onions and chewy noodles for $16. Max capacity I'd say is about 25 people with 10 tables so service is quick. The chicken karage uses tender and juicy thigh meat but I do prefer the batter to be more crispy. All in all solid ramen place; give it a try in you're in the area."

One Fish Raw Bar

★★★★★ 4.7 (212) • $$$$

"WOW! That is the only word that was coming out of my mouth as we had dinner here last night. No joke one of the best dinners I've had in a VERY long time. Not only the food but the service was spectacular. Open kitchen, clean and precise. Spare but effective dining room. Do yourself a favor and sit at the bar, so much more interactive. (If you like that sort of thing). My date and I will be back (he's a regular, and now I will be too). Honestly, if they don't get a Michelin Star, no one else should either. Worthy of all the accolades. James Beard, 100%! Michelin, 100%! Yum yum."

Special Hainan Chicken

★★★★☆ 3.7 (189) • $$

"Great place for Hainanese chicken meals, you cannot go wring with the signature hainan chicken plate -- my go to.Great tasting chicken, chicken rice, peanuts, scallion tapenade, ginger, woodear mushrooms, and cucumbers sum up the plate. I tried the pork knuckles and duck on a previous meal. Both highly recommended.Service is amazing and the place keeps its fast convenient charm. To-go orders also happen all the time--get a whole bird on the go."

Kinda Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4.2 (143)

"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."

El Cerrito Taquería and Cenaduría

★★★★☆ 4 (84) • $$

"It took 25 minutes but I guess it was worth the wait, a chorizo con papas burrito on a Saturday morning in east San Jose.."

W XYZ Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (33) • $$

"Sorry to say, this place had gone way downhill on my last visit. Since Marriott took over, the W XYZ branding is gone and it's just "Aloft." The soggy fries were more like any other restaurant, and the soda was noticeably watered down. The steak cut has been downgraded to ribeye.I'm glad I was able to enjoy it when Starwood was striving to bring a premium experience to budget-conscious consumers. Now the budget part is more painfully obvious, and where I had gone out of my way to visit before, it now feels like an overpriced Denny's. Bye, Felicia."

Slurp Shop

★★★★☆ 3.5 (13)

"Slurp Shop is a menu option inside SAGA Kitchen in Alameda, CA. Menu offerings include: Ramen noodle bowls, and appetizers (chicken karaage and gyoza). On a Sunday, I pre-ordered using the SAGA app: -House Tonkotsu, ramen bowl-Chicken Karaage-Pan Fried Pork GyozaHouse Tonkotsu, Grade (5/5), delicious ramen soup with lots of noodles! Served in a pork broth, topped with pork belly chashu (slices), green onions, mushrooms, and soft boiled eggs. The menu says it's a little spicy, but I didn't really taste it. This dish has lots of fresh noodles! And the pork broth blends well with the other ingredients to create a great meal. The takeout container is a little hard to open. The broth is in the bottom section, and the ingredients are in the top section. The ramen travels better when the broth is separate, and you mix it at home. Chicken Karaage, Grade (5/5), Japanese Fried Chicken, 7-8 small pieces of chicken. They were juicy on the inside and the crispy on the outside. Pan Fried Pork Gyoza, Grade (4/5). Japanese Pork Potstickers. Juicy and tasty filling, and lightly crispy skin. My problem is, when you're used to Chinese potstickers, it's not quite the same. Gyoza are smaller dumplings, and have less filling. So in general the Slurp Shop menu items I ordered were good. I used the SAGA app to order, used the 20% Discount, left a tip, and picked up my order myself. Had a nice chat with Gilbert about the new menu, and he answered all my questions. SAGA Kitchen is located at Lincoln Ave x Grand Street in Alameda, CA.Indoor & outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery. ------------------------------------------------Support Local business!"

Tanto Japanese Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"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!"

Kiraku

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"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."