When they first opened, the food and service was stellar. But after being open for some time now they have changed the quality in the food. Service is okay. The interior feels nice and cool. I just wouldnt go out of my way. The sister restaurants are slightly better in taste.
(2)
Philip L.
I decided to give this place a try tonight. My family and I usually drive past this way when we go home after shopping at Ikea, or Home Depot. Well, the decor isn't all that bad. We were greeted promptly and showed to our table. In the middle of the restaurant is the sushi prep bar. The sushi moves along on a conveyor belt, and there are a variety of items there. They have sushi, sashimi, and also cakes that are just travelling around on the conveyor belt. Well we decided to order off of the menu. My mom and brother had a bento box. I guess it wasn't that bad. My sister and I wanted to share the sashimi combination dinner for two. We also ordered some rolls and nigiri a-la-carte. Well to make a long story short, the server didn't read our order back to us. BIG MISTAKE!!! She ended up giving us the Combination Sashimi, which is totally different. That only feeds one person. I didn't realize this until it was too late. We had already finished the plate, and I thought to myself...umm...I hope this isn't 60 dollars worth...cause if it is, this is a rip-off! Well I asked for a menu just to check to make sure what was ordered. Low and behold, the server gave us the Combination Sashimi dinner. I understand that it is a simple mistake, but all of this could've been avoided if the server just took the time out to re-read our order. It really doesn't take that much time or effort. Repeating the order is Restaurant Server 101; it's really basic! Well let's just say that the restaurant lost out of more money, cause if she got the order right, then I may have ordered more. Because of her careless mistake, I just waited for my family to finish, paid for the bill, and just went home to make ramen. I don't think i will be coming back to this place anytime soon. Just a word of advice to the owners, have your servers just take the time out to repeat the order to the customers; this will show the customers that the servers are being attentitve to their order. It's THAT SIMPLE!
(2)
Alex C.
The rolls here are alright, nothing that stands out among all the other sushi restaurants in the Bay Area. The restaurant itself is quite big, and it has its own parking garage, which is pretty cool. I'd have to say that the consistency of service is lacking though. I've been here 3 times, and the first time, they forgot an order, and my friend ended up taking his order to go because we had already finished eating. The 2nd time, they spilled miso soup on my friend (although that was kind of funny, haha).
(3)
Joie G.
I like this place. Clean interiors, friendly staff and fresh food. It does costs a little more than an average lunch. I've had the chirashi sushi was enough to fill me up for lunch and I recommend the beef katsu.
(4)
J K L.
Meh. The sushi wasn't all that great. The place itself is really cute and the waiters are very attentive. But the sushi was boring.
(2)
Joanie H.
went there yesterday for dinner! i was super hungry!! i ordered cherry blossom roll and it was the first roll to come out! when i first saw it, i was pissed off because the tuna is not fresh it was pink and they just slapped a tiny piece of fish on it!! what a rip off!! small ass portions!! with 45 dollars i could've gotten me some more and better rolls at other sushi place!! i want my money back!!!
(1)
Christiane B.
A rather kid friendly sushi place. Ideal for the family. Not too long of a wait, and a very kid friendly waiting room with a sitting area and G- rated movies. The beef udon was absolutely tasty. The sushi was great, although I wouldn't say it was the best I have ever eaten but definitely well worth the money. The sushi combinations were interesting, especially the Shrek roll which had green roe as well as a wasabi ginger sauce on top. Service was reasonable, although I am still getting used to the idea of marking your selected sushi rolls with a pencil on a piece of paper, made me feel a little like having the kids coloring menu at a Dennys, but I guess this makes it easier to bypass any misunderstandings along with ordering. Would recommend, but suggest getting the udon as a main entre and sharing a roll or two of sushi with the group. Also other dishes like the usual teriyaki for those that don't care too much for sushi and fish, but would like to accompany the group to a Japanese restaurant (such as the old hubby). Parking is easy. Pricing ranged from reasonable to slightly high depending on the order. Would come back.
(4)
Matt P.
You're not supposed to know this place exists... Anyhows, I'd say avoid the belt and order fresh rolls off the menu - who knows how long some of those pieces have been circling around.
(4)
Maureen M.
i love Miyozen. i love the decor especially. check out the lime green paint in the womens wc. i've been to the sister restaurants ( koryo and drunken fish ) and this one is the most upscale one with downscale prices!! you like that?! anyways. it's the first motor operated sushi bar that i've seen in the bay and they put plastic covers to ensure freshess. totally casual dress. all the people that come through here are so diverse from pixar people to people rockin all black. the wine list is small. they do americanize it by putting chocolate cake and cheesecake on the bar. . . don't get dessert here unless it's the fruit or red bean balls. parking is really good too. and if you get there really late around 1030pm they might offer you anything on the sushi bar half off (because it's then end of the night and don't wanna waste food!)
(4)
M S.
had better sushi, but with their lunch time happy hour, $1.99 a dish from the belt, i cant complain
(3)
rumrum s.
This place started out great. Loved the food in the beginning, fresh sushi, nice atmosphere. About 5 months ago , we noticed a change. The quality of the sushi dropped, actually it became disappointing. Took a friend out and were embarrassed by how bad it was. Mentioned it to one of the server one other time, and the excuse we got was they have a new chef and perhaps he was still learning. Wouldn't go back as the last time we order California roll, it was so sweet as though they've added sugar or some strange ingredient. We look to find another Sushi place.
(1)
JeFF T.
My buddy was tellin' me about this cool sushi place that he went to after playing cards at Oaks. He said the place was decorated in a very modern and minimilistic way. He said they had sushi boats and the sushi was really good. I'm always up for trying something new, so I decided to take him up on his offer to try it out. Presentation-wise, the place is actually pretty cool. Staff was friendly and on top of things. We ordered some nigiri and sashimi. We didn't get to extravagant, but Toro, Uni, Sake, Hamachi, and Amaebi were ordered for the taste test. The sushi came out all at once on a large tray. The pieces were of generous proportions. So far so good. I started off with some of the sake/hamachi sashimi. The salmon was good. The yellowtail was just OK. It hadn't thawed out and there seem to be a sprinkle of lemon on top of it already, which I didn't care for. Next, the amaebi...it too was good, but the fried head, didn't look that appetizing. I decided to try the Uni. While it looked good, the taste was below par from what I'm used to having. Even the stuff that I get from Nijiya was better than this. I was only able to stomach one piece. I didn't want to chance anything else. Their last chance at redemption was their Toro. To my dismay, this was one of the worst slices of Toro that I had ever eaten. It didn't have that buttery flavor, nor did it melt in my mouth. Instead, it tasted somewhat stringy. It was too tough to eat that I ended up spitting out the rest of it. I asked my friend, why he came here and who told him to go here? He replied that a non-Asian playing at the card club had said that Miyozen was good. Rule #1, don't consult with a non-Asian card player for Asian food advice. Rule #2, don't let the decor fool you into thinking this place is good. Rule #3, if it's not a Japanese owned sushi restaurant, chances are they will have cut corners on the quality of their fish. Rule #4, skip Miyozen.
(2)
Michael A.
My first little Miyozen experience was great. I just stopped by for a couple of rolls at the bar up front and it was really fresh and delicious food, really good service also. 2 months later my wife and I went back and it was terrible. We ordered the archers roll for the ungai and avocado (our fav) and when it came out it did not have any avocado. We told the waiter and he said that sometimes the sushi chefs just don't put avacados on this particular roll.... (then change your dang picture of it!). The rolls were mediocre, poor service and we did not want to come back. However, seeing that we live in a rock throws away from this place we went again.... Big Mistake. The service was worse this time, we had to ask to get the edemame warmed up and the rolls were terrible. At least this time the roll did come with a sliver of browned avocado, and the Ungai tasted old. We ended up eating a total of 4 of our 12 or so pieces of sushi. The only reason they didn't get a 1 star is because this time when we said something about the bad roll the manager didn't charge us for it, so we only had to pay for the other nasty roll. We actually saved some money because we we felt so sick from the couple pieces old the old sushi that we did eat that we didn't have to go out and pay for different food.
(2)
David C.
Stopped to eat at this place on the way back from Bay St shopping. The atmosphere is cool, a moving sushi boat and decorations are pretty hip. The prices are pretty expensive (but normal i guess for sushi) but when we got the food it didn't matter. I had the 2 item bento box (teriyaki salmon and ribs) and it was awesome. Truly a feast fit for me. I devoured it but was still a little hungry so i had some of my gf's Dynamite roll. I usually like my sushi with sashimi, but the dynamite roll was amazing too.. The baked salmon was perfect and i almost screamed in pleasure. The bento box even came with free ice cream! Waiters and sushi chefs were friendly, good service. I recommend you go here if you're in the mood for sushi.
(4)
Chin C.
I think this is the best sushi place out there! You can't beat it! I have been to numerous as well. I do have to say that the service is maybe a little slow but again the sushi is amazing!
(5)
Alani F.
Not the best Japanese food ever, but still pretty good. My associate persuaded me to try raw oysters (delicious!) and this raw shrimp thing that came with its head cut off and deep-fried (also delicious!). I'd never eaten either of those things before, and they were both very good. We both went for bento boxes and were satisfied with our choices. I don't know why I chose the potato croquette as one of the two items for my bento box, but I liked the flavor and texture of it. (I still don't know what was in it, though.) Their gyoza tastes good by itself, let alone with the dipping sauce. After that, we were served complimentary lychee ice cream, which was also really good. I didn't try any of their rolls since I'm not really into sushi or sashimi, but they have a vast selection in their menu. Maybe next time I'll man up and try it. I should also note that their servers are very attentive and nice, and kept our mugs full of hot tea. I was satisfied with the meal overall, and I'd like to go back some day.
(4)
Ivana Y.
I've driven by this restaurant many times, and have always wanted to try it. Went there for the first time this Sunday for a family dinner, and enjoyed their sushi and chirashi bowl. No matter where I go, I determine the freshness of the fish by ordering the chirashi bowl - and they passed! I like that it included octopus as well. Rolls we enjoyed: spicy scallop, TNT, 49er. Nice ambiance, and abundant parking in the back of the restaurant on Adeline street. Will be back next time we're in there area!
(4)
Kim D.
Food: I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki bento with Tempura. Basic stuff. The shrimp tempura batter was not tempura batter. The use some gelatin based teriyaki sauce, how I know? There was an unmelted chunk. Serving size was skimpy compared to other places, but that's relative. Verdict: would not come back. I ordered very basic stuff, there's no reason for it to be below average. I only expected what I ordered to be average as well. It's more of a 2.5 stars for me.
(3)
Alex P.
Want diarrhea? Look no further than Miyozen. Have you ever wondered why this large establishment is constantly empty with no customers in sight? There is a simple reason why. I wanted so badly to like this place. I live in the apartment complex that surrounds it, and as a big sushi eater I would have loved the convenience of getting it so easily whenever I want. Since I moved here several months ago I have been afraid to try the place because of reviews that mentioned food poisoning and unfresh seafood. If a place serves unfresh fish even just once, you know it cannot be a good restaurant. Last weekend I finally decided to give it a try - I shouldn't have. I ordered takeout and the food was ready for pickup in 10 minutes. Why? Because I was the only customer. I ordered the Chirashi - and immediately noticed when eating it that there was a fishy taste to it. The food is NOT FRESH. The Daikon radish was old and wilted - I had to spit it out. It is completely obvious what the situation is. Customers show up so infrequently and inconsistently that their sushi goes old and bad. Because they want to use up their old and fishy sushi first, they sell this to whoever made the poor decision of giving Miyozen a try. This restaurant should be shut down for doing this. Sure enough, my stomach thanked me for it that same night and the following day - NEVER AGAIN. It cannot be long before they go under. I can only assume that people who gave this establishment a good review simply don't eat sushi often enough to know any better. Stay far away.
(1)
jeff b.
From a family of Sushi Resturants in the East Bay - a very decent sushi joint. Plcae is family-friendly, they have a room where you can eat with your kids - that shows movies - kinda reminds me of Shakey's Pizza with better food I really like the decor of the resturant - it is modern and fresh feeling. They do a good job with take-out, one of the reasons I like the place.
(4)
Mel G.
I love this place but they need to do something about how thick they make their sushi. There's so much rice and too little in the middle. I thought sushi should be bite size? When you eat the sushi here, it seems you have a golf ball in your mouth. Its so embarrassing when your chewing it because your mouth is just filled with food. Overall, the food is good and a lil over priced. So, I'll continue going here because it's walking distance..
(4)
Khang D.
I wish I could give it 1 more star but it isn't something that would send your pleasure center aflame. The food is good, you get what you paid for and services are not rude. It's how a restaurant should be, act like and all that good jazz. And, the surrounding is pleasing to the eyes. My favorite part about this restaurant is their 1.99 special around 6:30 till 8:30 (?). This could change because I've seen the time swapping around. You know how usually sushi bar have lil boats floating around with small portion of sushi and food? Well these guys have a belt carrying the food which are actually far more stable and doesn't fall over like said boats. Usually, there are a huge variety of things on that belt ranging from sashimi, nigiri, sushi rolls and everything in between. You could even ask the chef to serve you the sushi fillings if you really want it! Oh right, about the 1.99 part, it isn't like ur eating discount sushi left behind the fridge. It's all freshly made at a very cheap price. They also have a huge menu which I neglect to mention. Anything you could expect from the usual sushi restaurant such as bento boxes and a variety of rolls. Overall, this is a family place, it's well lit, clean and cheap. I don't know what are some of these reviewers are asking for but get back down to Earth. If I wanted Kobe Steak served on a naked model I'll go to Japan. Otherwise, it's a night out and I'm hungry for cheap NICE sushi then I'm going to Miyozen. Plus, if you're from the East Bay, it ISN'T THAT EASY to find such a place. Emphasis on cheap and good here folks. 4 Stars for the above mention, minus 1 because there are no naked models and kobe beef (or to be fair with other premium restaurants).
(4)
lisa k.
i have been a long time customer and i have to say, i used to love this place. it was close to home, they had takeout (i've never actually dined in, i've always ordered to go), and the fish was a decent quality, but... (and you knew there was a but), the last couple of times i have ordered from them, i have been sorely disappointed! the first time, placed my order on the phone, was told it would be 20 to 30 minutes and then hung up to wait the allotted time to go pick up the food. i walked into the restaurant, was greeted warmly, and when i went up to the counter to pay for and retrieve my order, i was told that they had no such order for me, and oh, they were very sorry, but it would take 30 more minutes to make everything. having already waited 30 minutes to come pick the order up, i was mildly irritated, to say the least, that it would be another 30 minutes for them to make up the order that they lost. nothing was offered in compensation for having to wait, not even a free beverage. the second time (just four days ago), i called, placed my order, went to pick it up (it was there waiting for me) and brought it home. i had ordered 2 orders of maguro sushi and one order of hirame sushi among other items. the hirame (halibut) was rubbery and completely inedible. i had to throw it away. and upon biting into one of the pieces of the maguro, i was most unpleasantly surprised to bite into a piece bone! it was pretty much horrible. you don't expect hard things when you bite into your sushi, let alone bone! i wound up spitting it out and then throwing away the rest of the order as i was sufficiently grossed out and could not finish it. i wound up throwing away $55 worth of sushi! i called the restaurant twice on two separate days asking to speak to a manager. both times, a message was taken (the first time, they said that there was no message there waiting for the manager and maybe they had already picked it up, but no one had called me back). i have still not received a call back. i can only hope that they read their yelp reviews and that someone contacts me. i will not eat there again and i will advise my friends and acquaintances not to eat there either. if i had the capability of giving them zero stars, i would!
(1)
Paige B.
Miyozen is closer to 3.5 stars but they get rounded up for the amount of food that is included in the all you can eat tuna deal-dinner. For two people they will let you do all you can eat sushi and all you can eat tuna and share everything. SO much food. The sushi selection isn't very diverse, but we were positively stuffed when we left. The unlimited sashimi was completely worth it. Everything tasted fresh and the staff was really nice, even chased us down outside when we left a cell phone and a hat!
(4)
Linh L.
It's definitely good for a big party, but if I want an intimate setting, I would go to Koryo (same owner) down the street. The rolls here are too big for my small mouth. The sashimi are sliced thinner than Koryo too. However, I like the sashimi salad here better than Koryo. Ah, there is also a pretty hot sushi chef there on one of the nights, can't remember when, I guess I have to go back every night to figure out when he's there.
(3)
Nobu K.
It's a FXXXin' KAI-TEN SUSHI, Shit! I don't do Kai-Ten. Kai-Ten turns me off so badly specially in U.S. ( there are Good Kai-Ten Sushi in Japan.) Kai-Ten is not fun anymore. Kai-Ten is like.... Old porn, got tired of it. I saw a cake, a chocolate cake on this Kai-Ten thing with Sushi. Cheese cake too. What the hell? And, of course, Jave Ass Rolls, and UGLY PICTURE Menu! But, why I gave 3? This place is in the 1st floor of new housing building. The building is modern UGLY designed, corner of 40th and San Pablo. I hate the building. Well, It is not good neighborhood but this 100% Korean Sushi restaurant is pretty clean and a large dinning area. I had a Sushi Salad, ! It's a Korean virsion of Tekka Don + Sake and Ika. Fresh Maguro, Sake and Ika over rice in a large bowl. The reason why they say "Salad" because Roman lettuce, thin sliced Daikon and carrot with red caviar and raw qail egg. Usually, you eat Tekka-Don with Wasabi-syoyu but this place has THE KICK ASS KOREAN RED HOT SAUCE! This sauce goes so well with the Tekka Don-Buri. I ate like a pig. This is totally against authentic sushi manner but What the hell? I enjoyed it. I still don't like Jave Ass Rolls but I want to be open mind and I shouldn't hesitate to try something new. The wait staff are good. They seems nice, smiley. (Hey, who said that Korans are Hot-Temper, are they? Well, Bryan K and I think Korean girls are hot! ) Decent price. Good fish but lack of selection. Not too bad. I can tell you that this place is a lot better than ISO BUNE, J-town. I think, this Sushi restaurant is making changes for this rough neighborhood. I gave 3 star for the effort even though Jave Ass Rolls and Kai-Ten. I admire the owner who had guts to open the Sushi restaurant in the bad area. They have parking lot in the same building. If this place get rid of the Kai-Ten ( belt conveyor thing), I'll be VERY HAPPY to give 4 star.
(3)
Frank H.
Good food, good prices can't wait to go back
(3)
cheryll t.
At first it was pannini's I was craving now it's sushi. Ok so I finally tried out this Sushi place about 2 weeks ago. We went during lunch hour on the weekend and at first the waitress sat us at a table until we told her we wanted to try the ALL YOU CAN EAT...so we were seated at the sushi bar. I was convinced that I would try at least one of every kind, cooked or not cooked sushi. But in the end I backed out. The service here was great! They asked us if there was any particular sushi we wanted and I didn't know they were already serving the drunken fish, but they made more...I have never been so full in my life and it was worth the $20. I had the eel, california roll, tempura, drunken fish, and other sushi rolls, and two kinds of desert. I never felt so full in my life!!!!
(4)
Benjamin K.
Good sushi, nice atmosphere and a full bar, what more need be said.
(4)
Geronimus P.
I've been coming to this restaurant so often I have my own chopsticks. When I first started going here for lunch, I used to just get a 2-item Bento box which is low priced and has big portions. The Beef Teriyaki tatstes like very tender strips of steak. Over rice its THEBOMBSON.COM! Then I started taking my homegirls here for lunch dates and started exploring everything else on the menu. Pretty much came up with our "USUAL" order: - Crunch Hamachi Roll - Spicy Crunch Roll - Titanic Roll - Tempura Ice Cream for dessert This can satisfy two people for around $30. On days when we are more hungry or want something hot, we add the Dynamite Roll, which is a baked salmon roll. Your total cost will still be less than $40. One thing I suggest people do at this restaurant is be exceptionally nice to the wait staff. Sometimes it might be the owner or his wife. I had my girlfriend's birthday party here at the long table in front of a projector screen where they played movies. We didn't have time to pick up a cake so the owner came out with a huge plate with chocolate mousse cake, tempura ice cream, & green tea ice cream for my girlfriend. Again, be very nice to the owner and he will hook it up. He even gave free drinks to our party while we waited for the table. FIVE STARS FOR SURE!
(5)
Trevor L.
Very modern interior and new building adds a great asset to the ghetto's of Emeryville/ Border of Oakland. They're a Korean owned business which explains why they're very generous with the size of their rolls compared to many other authentic Japanese restaurants that make small over priced rolls, but then again that's how you're suppose to eat sushi. Service isn't bad, but their English is very limited which could explain why they're not effecient enough with their service. I won't recommentd going there for lunch, but maybe dinner for the price they're charging.
(3)
Sheila A.
This was the first sushi place I came to after moving to California. Friends said it was their favorite, and I was excited to see what sushi on the coast would be like. Maybe we erred in coming on a Sunday? But for the prices we paid, the food should have been much better. Tuna and salmon were average. The mackerel was over-marinated and possibly frozen, which ruined both the texture and taste of the fish. The yellowtail, snapper, and other white fishes were indistinguishable from one another and unimpressive at that. We had a couple of good rolls, but nothing memorable. And their price for uni was outrageous. I haven't tried their "all you can eat" days, because I'm torn between the idea of saving money while filling my belly with sushi, and having disappointing sushi which is almost worse than no sushi at all.
(2)
Jessica L.
I am torn about this review...let me explain. This place is huge inside and has a sushi boat area - but it is really an odd conveyor belt thing and the dishes are bigger than normal boat plates and they have clear lids over them (keeping it fresher longer?!?). Ok somewhat odd atmosphere but overall Nice. Edamame was C- quality. Maguro nigiri was good - large pieces but nothing out of this world. Actually that is a theme here even the sushi rolls are very very large. I like! More bang for the buck NICE! Hard to fit in my mouth? ah ha! A challenge!! We also got the Spicy Volcano Roll - which is good but mainly because its spicy - it was baked with orange hot stuff all over it and a small baked scallop on top. Good but messy. Also the Fiona Roll was nice and light but very good. We were also served tea, water and miso with our meal.They had a lot of nice sounding rolls and other small plates o the menu. Wine selection SUCKED. Sake menu good. Overall the sushi was fine and I was very impressed with the portion sizes. I just wanted to be wowed more.
(3)
Grace T.
OK, I'm willing to give it another chance. I'd rather see effort than to completely write off a joint, so I'm amending my review. Returned to Miyozen hesitant and wary, but they have won me back over. The food was never an issue for me, nor the interior design, but the service. I'm relieved to see that service has improved and is now attentive and pleasant. I was taking a chance bringing a friend here for his first time, but am glad I gave them another shot. Kudos Miyozen.
(3)
Russell L.
Hey, a restaurant with dedicated parking! Definitely points for that. Three of us came here after spending the afternoon at Bay Street. We pass by the place all the time, and I at least was curious about it. I'd heard a few years ago from a friend that it simply wasn't worth going to, but somehow that just made me more curious. Service: the staff was very nice. It was late in the day (we were there for the last 45 minutes of open hours, plus more hangout time), but (and?) they were very accommodating. I did notice that they failed to provide us with soy sauce. None of us noticed at the time, though, probably because... Food: The sushi was smack dab in the middle of mediocre. We ordered the mega veggie roll, BBQ roll, and ahi poke rolls. Veggie roll: the tempura part was much harder than I expected, which made eating the already large roll awkward. BBQ roll: didn't try it, seemed OK. Poke roll: I like wakame, but it totally overpowers everything else, except for the very spicy ahi goop in the middle. Kind of a let-down. We also ordered the tempura appetizer, which was good. No broccoli, which should really never be in tempura form, as far as I'm concerned. Maybe the stems, but not the tops. Shrimp was more breaded than battered, which seemed odd. My entree, tofu teriyaki was extremely filling. Also: soggy and goopy. Maybe the extremely sticky sauce could be served on the side? Or would it be simply too disgusting to see it all in one place? Summary: not the worst Japanese food I'd had, but the food wasn't really worth the typical prices. Maybe if I ate the superlarge rolls that seem to be their specialty, it'd be more appealing. So, I probably won't be going back of my own accord, but I wouldn't object if in a group and someone else suggested it. Side note: all of the staff speak Korean. Kind of amusing, or something.
(3)
Robin C.
Modern, clean atmosphere with kind hostesses, waiters, and chefs. You will not receive the attention of a high end dinning establishment. That is to be expected. But they do serve complimentary hot tea, miso soup immediately upon your arrival. Rolls and fish are served on thin white platters and the sashimi is good. The Titanic and 49er (due to the thinly sliced lemon over the salmon) are my usuals. They mistook an order from another table to mine. My party began eating it unknowingly and when our last roll came, our waiter explained and put that extra roll on the house. An excellent place for its price.
(4)
S C.
This place is the real deal. I've always been a huge fan of Sushi House in Alameda, but this place may top it for sure. Miso soup is free when you order. My favorite roll his the "crazy monkey" and the "oh so sexy" roll. The crab that are in the rolls is the bomb.com .
(4)
Ben M.
I went here for a birthday dinner last night and we had a party of 14. The gave us a laminated menu and a sharpie to mark down our order. While the concept seemed cool, the menu was a bit small and I could see the chef easily mistaking one roll for another if we didn't mark it correctly. And quite frankly, I don't want to do the work for our waiter/waitress, isn't that their job? But I do say the service was good besides that little tidbit. All the food came out real fast which was extremely surprising considering how much stuff we ordered. We left with three boxes of sushi, usually I never leave with any sushi. Now in terms of the quality of the sushi, it was above par but nothing amazing. But the overall experience was good and the food was solid for the price, plus they give big portions. Their menu was also really comprehensive and covered a lot of Japanese cuisines besides sushi. They also cater well to big parties and our dinner came out to $41 per person and that's with treating the bday boy to a meal and drinks. Wow. You can't beat that. Too bad this place is in Emeryville otherwise I would come here more often.
(4)
Ken F.
Miyozen is your typical sushi house with a constantly revolving sushi-train. The sushi itself is competent but the roll selection focuses mostly on americanized, fancy, inside-out rolls (which most people enjoy, but I don't). The overall quality is good, but not outstanding or praiseworthy. There is an all you can eat sushi-buffet operating on Friday through Sunday, at $20 for lunch, with an expanded menu for $30 at dinner. Both of these options are far too expensive to be worth it unless you are a human vacuum cleaner. In typical fashion, prices go up for dinner, to the point where it isn't worth my patronage. The real draw is the affordable lunches, particularly the bento combinations. The portions are large, even for lunch, and at $8 for two items, and $10 for three, constitutes a pleasurable deal for pleasurable food.
(3)
Alyssa C.
Sushi is yummy here better than Happy Sashimi in Pinole. Great service. I'd come back!
(4)
Jason R.
Order off the belt...Not impressed. I'll give them another chance, but show me some fish.
(2)
Keith P.
I've been here twice with The Kid. The first time we were actually on our way to Koryo from his place in Berkeley, and as we took the left onto 40th it shown like a shiny beacon in the sushi-deprived night. We were each considering the sashimi and sushi dinners respectively, when I gamely suggested we pool our resources and get the Sushi Lover's for two platter. While we were presented with a platter of nigiri and sashimi, which also came with a delicious salad, we were disappointed with the portion. Our expectations for a sushi platter were drastically different from what arrived on our table. What we got was really a slightly overpriced "date night" platter. The spicy tuna that we ordered separately was drenched in ceracha (sp?), making it inedible, which didn't help our feeling that we were gonna leave hungry. To Miyozen's credit, Kai, the proprietor, had a new spicy tuna sent out that was very fresh and had the perfect amount of heat. He also had a Koryo Dragon sent out to fill out the platter's portion. If you've had the Koryo Dragon at Koryo Sushi you know that it was pretty generous of him, and you'll be glad to know that it's just as delicious when served at Miyozen. On our second visit we had a less dramatic meal, ordering the sushi and sashimi dinners like we originally intended. The sushi was fresh, the service attentive but not intrusive, and the atmosphere was relaxed. My conclusion is that while Miyozen exhibits the same qualities that make Koryo and Drunken Fish reliable choices for sushi in Oakland: consistent quality, good selection, and gracious service... the prices are a little high. Considering the neighborhood and the portions, Miyozen is not my favorite of the Koryo Oaktown Sushi Empire.
(3)
Christina T.
I really really want to like Miyozen because it is in my hood, but I'm super fussy about my maguro. It is how I decide if I like a sushi place or not. I don't like to see all the white connectors... I don't want my tuna chewy! Whole Foods on a good day will have better tuna than Miyozen. Just yummy and pink. So Miyozen is good for rolls, but for me, not the nigiri or sushi. The staff is always very friendly.
(3)
Holly B.
Wow. As far as my experience is concerned, ultra kid~friendly! They were all about my intrigued toddling waddler when a friend & I went in last minute a week ago, and I was a little surprised, having only seen the nice decor on the inside before & thought twice about habitually haunting this place~ I somehow missed the hooked~up kid corner at the entrance?! I can has decent din~din AND distract my daughter? {though wild horses couldn't tear her from this playroom movies, entrance to door would have me hesitant to stray from earshot}. Another biz by the owners of Koryo, I've heard. I believe it. This place is pretty spacious, I can't imagine how the staff I present saw could keep up if it were packed. Bar, 'sports' room w/ large plasma tv. Kitchy sushi~susan... rotating plates of food to amuse and distract while you are daydreaming about the unagi that isn't already awaiting your arrival at your table. Quick with the tea and appetizers. Overall price expectable for what you get; Where you are getting it {new business in developing edge~of~EmeryVile gentrification section of town, AHA}. Tasty rolls, giant tempura, sweet service, good ambiance... you know, you get what you put into it... it just pays to be humane to other humans ;') Mad parking availability in the form of creepy 'car~condo' garage. Take that for what it's worth.
(5)
Franklin W.
We used to be big fans of Miyozen, but the price hike of January '08 made us to look elsewhere for our sushi craving. We did give it another try last month, and it was okay. Instead of picking things solely from the sushi bar, we pick a sushi dish from the menu to 1) ensure some variety, and 2) smaller bill. The sushi is still good in most cases, but there are fewer choices from the sushi bar than before, and as pricey as it was. One quick note: I saw something from the sushi bar that I couldn't tell what it is, and asked the server and one of the sushi chefs. They keep on saying it's the chef's special of the day. I know, but what the heck was that?? Too special to be named? :)
(3)
Joshua R.
Great sushi! Great staff! It's my favorite place in the East Bay for sushi! Everything is fresh and beautifully done!
(5)
Ayrrion B.
Sushi was very good. The T.N.T. Roll was 'DYNO-MITE!!!" Very clean establishment and nice decor!
(3)
Andie J.
Yuck. We walked in on a Sunday night and it smelled too fishy. Right away I was concerned. We ordered edamame and a seaweed salad and both were taken off the conveyor belt and given to us. Quick - indeed - but also room temperature and kind of gross to think how long the dishes had been spinning around that sushi bar. We got Miso Soup but it had a strange aftertaste, which we thought may have been caused by the wooden bowls not having all the soap washed out? It was a bummer b/c I love soup. Especially miso soup but I couldn't even finish the tiny bowl. We ordered Spicy Scallop hand rolls and what we were given were sooo full of nasty looking mayo oozing out that neither myself or my dining companion (who is far less picky than I) could bare to even taste it. We also ordered a New York roll and it came soo poorly rolled and messy looking with little on the inside and a lot of rice that we were once again disappointed. My dining companion also got some Tempura. And somehow that managed to suck too. We couldn't even finish the broccoli tempura, the batter was too thick or something and quote oily too. Strange. The highlight of the meal was the sake. And they have delicious complimentary tea. My companion got the ribs and he said they were fine. Nothing to write home about but good enough. That brings them up from a 1 star to 2 star.
(2)
Kelli M.
I gave this place the good ole' college try, going on three different occasions (let's call it...sushi desperation). And all three times, neither the service or the food could save the other. The rolls leave something to be desired, as does the service. I don't ask much, just fresh, well-made sushi, and water on the table when I need it. Man! And they're so close to my house!
(1)
James L.
After shopping at IKEA, i found this place on my Yelp app on my phone. I saw the words ALL YOU CAN EAT...so we had to try it. We decided to sit at the sushi bar (sushi boat style). $29.99 per person...ALL YOU CAN EAT.....sounded great for the 10-12 plates or so, then all of a sudden....nothing else was coming around. I thought that they were closing soon...but at it turned out...they closed at 10pm or so.. It almost seemed like they stopped us at about $60 worth of sushi....I dunno....
(3)
Chiquita y.
Oh, poor Sushi Village! I'm sure they're wondering where we went. Once we patronized Sushi Village at least once a week (it's still there, over on Powell Street in Emeryville...if you go to Sushi Village, make sure to ask them for the Korean Chirashi...it's off the menu, and wicked good). We've moved our sushi tastes over the Miyozen, which has more sushi on its boats, a fresher decor, and has awarded us our very own chopsticks, which they've marked with our names. The eleven-year-old loves the kiddie room with videos. Over many visits to Miyozen, we've moved from eating our entire meal off the boats (it all looked so good and we were hungry, so we had zero self-control) to ordering sushi from the waiters. In this way we end up eating less of that nasty greasy crab filling stuff that the "off the boats" sushi tends to have. The wait staff appreciate that we like the more classic nigiri-style sushi. The prices are moderate, and the attached garage is really convenient in a rainstorm!
(4)
Zinna R.
It feels like a chain but the not Blowfish kind. You can sit next to the bar at a table or at the bar there's not much of a difference, either way there's gonna see some sushi rolling by on a conveyor belt. The MENU = Standard fare, tunas (spicy and not so much) and a bunch of variations of the california roll--unagi over california roll, baked scallop over california roll, deep-fried california roll, etc. I'm a fan of sashimi so we order the chef's choice because usually this means you'll get some cool fish you can't identify but here there was just standard stuff some salmon, some yellow tail, some tuna and some white fish that I've had many times before still don't know what it is. The pieces were a little skimpy but in the end we couldn't complain too much, with our belly's full. Too bad we ordered that extra spicy tuna roll, it was sloppily made AND it took so long to come out (our stomachs finally got around to letting our brains know we were at full capacity). The SERVICE = starts out strong. You are greeted with tea and miso soups and a prompt drink order though my boy ordered an beer and the guy assumed that it was for the both of us. Little did he know, I can drink one of those myself, but I digress. After the initial order came out, it was like we dropped off the face of the earth, no came to see about us or take any additional orders until we flagged someone down and it wasn't even that crowded in there! I probably won't go back. There are just too many good sushi restaurants in my neighborhood to be wasting time here.
(2)
Trixie J.
I tried some of the spicy rolls and burned all the taste buds off my tongue. Then all I could do was sit back and watch the food parade by on the dual conveyor belts: sushi. sushi. sushi. sushi. chocolate cake. sushi. sushi. sushi.
(3)
Meg A.
Order a la carte! All you can eat sushi is mostly California rolls with a sliver of salmon and an occasional tuna. The sushi rice and even the Ginger were sweeter than I prefer. The quality of fish was good.
(2)
Trigger F.
This and the disappointing Sushi Village are the only sushi houses that I know of in the emeryville area. It sucks that both are disappointing. I have to agree with alot of other reviewers who stated the rolls are too big and overall it's a bit overpriced for what you get. Once again, this is a perfect example that bigger does NOT mean better. If anyone wants to try amazing top quality sushi for insanely cheap prices they need to wait in line to get into Sushi Zone, but obviously the word is already out on that, hence the line. I think people have just gotten used to paying alot of money for subpar food, all in the name of eating out... anywhere. The staff are not very well trained at Mizoyen and the ambience is just strange and slightly impersonal. The food is just okay, definitley not exciting or memorable.
(2)
George H.
Best Sushi joint in Emeryville. Ok, that headline isn't saying much, since Emeryville is so tiny. But!, Miyozen is F'ing good. Their sashimi is incredibly fresh, spicy tuna is made to perfection and most of the items on their bento are fairly good. If you're feeling particularly hungry, I'd recommend you don't do the bento. A standard order of chicken teriyaki is 3 times bigger than the bento portion. My only gripe with this place is the consistency. On a few nights I felt they prepared the sushi slightly different. Maybe that's why some people are complaining about the level of spiciness of the spicy tuna roll. The decor is excellent. Everything there is brand new with a nice touch of classy-modern setting. There is also a moving sushi conveyor belt that goes across the center tables. It's pretty neat.
(5)
Kevin B.
Miyozen is great! We are Kotobuki transfers ourselves and we still go there alot but Miyozen is close to work and they have awesome parking! Our ankle biters LOVE the playroom and if you reserve the table near the playpen you can have a pseudo-romantic dinner while they play. What a relief! It's also nice that they play some japanimation on the wall opposite (Spirited Away RULES! even without sound...) The food is outstanding! The Nigiri is just so tasty, and we tried one of those BIG whopping rolls and were pleasantly surprised. The unagi is great too. Our kids loved the chicken teriyaki (but how could you go wrong with that one!) The conveyors are a nice novelty but we were unable to put that to good use. Looks like fun though! Staff was awesome and we will continue to eat there regularly.
(5)
Steve U.
I MISS YOU MORE, MAN!!! I don't know where to start with what I miss.. Lemme see, the beef teriyaki is most delicious!! The beef is awesome and the teriyaki sauce is the bestest!! The sushi is amazing, the selection of sushi can't be beat. I think I have made my point. Just go there!!
(5)
Kevin W.
Normally I have to admit, I'm sort of a sushi snob. I want to eat the ocean itself. I want to have the closest experience to being a dolphin possible. But sometimes the wallet or the clock get in the way. That's why Koryo has always been a good fallback. But eversince they expanded into the new place the atmosphere has really suffered; flourescent lights and eating just don't mix. EVER. So we decided to try Miyozen, same good times as Koryo, much better atmosphere. We went in expecting just to have fun, drink some nigori and eat rolls the size of mission burritos. So that's what we got, and I have to say, except for the spicy tuna roll being a bit TOO spicy, this place does a fine job of mixing it up. We rolled out stuffed to the gills and with that mild sake buzz that only sushi night can bring. Solid B.
(4)
Marie R.
Ok ok...I've been yelping for a while but haven't done any reviews and so...I've decided to start. I am starting with Miyozen because I am craving their Sashimi salad with the Korean salad dressing RIGHT NOW! They give you a lot in a huge bowl. It comes with a raw quail egg dropped right on top with greens, rice, seaweed, and slices of sashimi (tuna, salmon, white tuna?...) oh and it comes with tobiko. The dressing is yummmerzzzz! I usually order this for everyone at the table and ask for mini bowls. They also have a sushi conveyor belt that some tables have access to, which is good...it's funny how they have random desserts floating around though. The food overall is good...service may be slow even when there's not a lot of folks there but I'm not high maintenance ("can you get me a clean fork, can I get another glass of water, can I get more napkins, what is this made of, does this have..." you get what I mean)... I do like coming here with friends because we can get down with some *great sushi and drink 22 oz. of Sapporo, flavored shoju, and/or even some nigori sake. One time the flavored sake was just not shoju but more like sojuice so we asked the waitress if she can make it stronger (hahaha) and she did! The restaurant is nice and they have a bar with a flat screen and a separate room with a huge screen (great for a private dining area)...The owners also own Koryo Sushi in Temescal and Drunken Fish on Piedmont Avenue so I assume they know what they are doing. I'll definitely be back since I also have a couple of friends that live upstairs! Oh and they also have parking and that's always nice. *I am a Japanese food fan so I pretty much like it all UNLESS it's just really bad.
(4)
Chelsea V.
I dig this place, great sushi, open relatively late (who doesn't get those sushi cravings...). Haven't had a roll there I didn't like, and this was the first place I tried seaweed salad and tobiko with quail egg, good stuff haha. Oooh and they have this jalapeno business, I forget what they're called but they are delicious and a good find for people who enjoy a good kick in the mouth!
(4)
eric l.
i came her cause my friend had an oyter craving , i tried their muscles i think it was freaking amazing i loved their spicy sauce, i got the spicy tuna roll was really good and their rolls size are really big , me and my friend both shared a spicy ramen i think the ramen wasnt too speacial , i would forsure come here and jus eat tons of muscles next timetho !!!!
(5)
Mike C.
I've been looking for a sushi place in E'Ville since my usual went down the crapper. I've found it! Just came back from lunch with some work folks and was really impressed with the service. We had a table of 11 and they didn't miss a beat. Our table had pretty much everything on the menu and everyone liked what they got. I thought I would do a traditional Bento Box and wasn't let down with the tastiness. I'm a miso freak and can easily order more than one bowl. I've found a correlation between good miso soup and good sushi. You would think it wouldn't be too hard to prepare, but I've had some bad ones. Miyozen didn't let me down. Good miso. Good sushi. I like the atmosphere too. Best part is the sushi track. Gone are the days of sushi boats and skanky water. Now a sexy, two-way sushi track!
(4)
Lani B.
I am a huge fan of Miyozen. The restaurant is quite pleasant (great location and free parking), all of the servers are quick to seat and are attentive, and the wait for food is short. I haven't had anything off of their menu that I did not like. The prices are affordable, so if you're in the area please be sure to check it out!
(4)
Norma F.
I love this place, it's a gem. it's easy to get a seat, the sushi is really good, it's quick, and the servers are very attentive. Everything we get there, and we often try new things that go by on the "boats," is really good. okay, so it's not the best sushi possible in the SF area, but it's really good, the fish is fresh and soft, there are a lot of rolls to choose from, and it's affordable and easy to get into. We've now gone about 3 times and we love it.
(5)
Em S.
in the beginning the food was pretty decent. but lately the fish is not fresh it doesnt have its texture anymore. like the salmon and tuna, especially the hamachi... it just doesnt have a fresh taste to it!! the miso bowls needs to be changed. but the service is decent. i probably wont go back anytime soon.
(2)
KH G.
Nice decor, okay food. Came here for lunch on a weekday. We wanted Japanese food in Emeryville, so my co-worker suggested Miyozen since it was the closest. I was very impressed by the interior. The projector was showing anime, cute toys and furniture filled a colorful room in the corner of the restauraunt just for the kids, and then theres the double conveyor belt sushi boat. I like watching them go around the corners as the plates on each belt go in opposite directions. shh. =) Ordered the 2 item bento: California Roll + Gyoza. Presentation was very nice (see picture above). Avocado in the CA Roll was not very fresh. Although the gyoza had a nice mild spicy seasoning, I think it overpowered the filling. Service was okay, a bit on the slow side. I'll be back someday, beats Sushi Village any day.
(3)
Mori Y.
Had lunch here with co-workers and wasn't so impressed with the food or the service. The restaurant itself just doesn't seem to be all that inviting, given the large cavernous expanse of the rear room, and the winding two-tiered converyer belt of the center sushi island. Like everything else in Emeryville, Miyozen has a factory feel to it, in spite of the fact that it resides in a fairly new apartment complex. Service was pretty lax for such a huge place. Out of a group of eight, about 3 dishes arrived 15 minutes after everyone else's. The food was pretty flavorless as well - mushy edamame, and they use the same kind of sauce on everything, the teriyaki, the katsu, the unagi, the rolls... efficient, I'm sure, but not very interesting. The miso shiru... well, it made me feel sad! UPDATE: 4/14/07 Lunch time service here is SLOOOOW... Our order was messed up not twice, not thrice, but four times! And paying the tab? Took an extra 20 minutes to get change.
(2)
Jenifer S.
Ooooh, Yesssssss. Since moving from SF in 2004 back to my old hometown, I thought that could possibly be the end of having great sushi in my neighborhood....I'm soooo glad Miyozen came to my neck of the woods. I'd dodge stray West Oakland bullets to have a date at this place. Service can be spotty (they mean well, tho!), but the food is delish. Very fresh, generous portions, elegant but friendly surroundings, good sake. Oh, and prices ain't bad either! They even have this great kid's room filled with IKEA furniture, toys and a DVD player for when the wait is a tad long. And don't forget, there's free parking in the back. Turn onto 40th Street from San Pablo and take the next right. Follow the signs.
(4)
Lydia P.
i live in the same complex that Miyozen is located and i frequent the restaurant often. daily. same thing while miyozen is probably not your first go-to spot for the freshest raw fish, there are other items on the menu that i'd highly recommend. lunch prices for udon and bentos are reasonable and therefore the restaurant can get pretty packed during lunch hours on weekdays sashimi salad (korean style?), yakiniku beef, chicken curry udon, and beef udon are dishes that will not disappoint. titanic roll, spider roll, and drunken fish roll are my favorite also, GREAT staff here. :)
(4)
Bayarea K.
A place to eat when you want rolls or cooked food. Very kid friendly. Service can be slow at times.
(3)
Chadwick F.
Any place with a conveyor best gets at least four stars in my book. The sushi was beautiful. My favorite was the extra spicy Amigo roll. The martinis were so-so. I am absolutely, positively going back. Open until 10:30PM on a Saturday, making it perfect for an extra special treat post-movie. Biggest downside is that it makes for an expensive night - 22 bucks for two movie tickets plus a $50 tab with drinks. Not for the frugal diner, but then again how frugal can you manage be on a sushi dinner + movie date.
(4)
Hanson Z.
Everyone is super nice and you should come here if you are deciding where to eat. But the main purpose of this review is to say that instead of struggling to find parking, just drive a block over going west on 40th and turn right on Emery to park in the garage designated for Miyozen.
(4)
Alicia P.
Food is ok, and the place looks really nice and clean. However: The last 2 visits have been pretty disappointing. Visit #1, our food and server took VERY long, and this was early in the lunch hour, no later than 11:45, the place was so not busy. We were late getting back to work because our food was late, cold, and came at very different times for just 4 people. Visit #2, same thing again they were very slow in waiting on service in general and for our food. SO we tried to give this place another chance, but it just didn't work out.
(2)
Shantanu B.
My favorite Sushi place. Its always very quiet and peaceful in Miyozen I like that the staff is very friendly and the service is usually very fast. Their California rolls are great and the price is very affordable. I've heard that many people like that the plates on the belt are $1.99, but I've never tried them because I'm always ordering the ones I like from the menu. Though I don't live in the East Bay, I almost make a stop at this place every time I pass through the East Bay!
(5)
Stephan Vladimir B.
I used to love this place, when it first opened. Back then the sushi was fresh, and the staff was actively friendly (we got to be friendly with their original hostess, and were saddened when she was gone after we returned from a long vacation). As of the last time I went there (a little over a year ago now), the sushi is left on the belt way too long, and even some custom ordered sushi isn't very fresh. The staff wasn't unfriendly, but they weren't particularly attentive. I waited too long, too many times, for too many bad pieces of sushi. To top it off, myself and two friends got ill eating here, each on a separate occasion. Three strikes and you're out: I've never gone back after the third one of us got sick after eating here. It is very sad to me that this happened to this restaurant, because if I'd reviewed it within six months of its opening, I'd have given it four or five stars.
(1)
Tito Y.
My daughter needed some lunch, and like most vegetarian daughters, require the best from Dad. I am kind of glad that I can drop over to an Emeryville regular, and pretty much be happen that you can get sushi favorites. Avoiding the belt selection, I felt after a super white tuna, sea urchin, and lastly spider roll, I was pretty much full. Of course I then had to go for the salmon roe, mackerel, soy beans, sesame balls and a whole bunch of tea. I was also happy that after more than a year, they still had my chopsticks on file. Fresh, very nice.. i had a great lunch. OH. if you have a car and need to park, cruise inward from the behind the building and pull into their lot. Believe me.. .its plus- especially if its raining.
Ordered to pick up and they started the order when I got there, not when I called 15min earlier. It's the last straw, the service has divebombed. I won't be back.
(1)
BSC L.
My family came here for dad's birthday. Came and left disappointed. So my review is not based on the sashimi but rather the udon and the rolls. The sushi rolls were not very good. I tried the cooked salmon roll (sorry forgot the official name). The roll was basically over baked in an oven and the whole thing fell apart when we tried to pick it up. The udon was too salty. Even my 3 year old couldnt enjoy it because of the intense salt. I would not go here again.
(2)
Will T.
I go here once a month or so. I should say that I actually find reasons to go here... whether it be completed final, triathlon, midterm, half-marathon, or successfully putting my right foot into my right shoe and vice versa. I always head straight for the buffet, always with friends in tow. Let me start out by saying that I spent a month in Japan eating sushi and even had fresh sushi & sashimi at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo so I know where Miyozen stands in terms of quality. I usually come between 6pm-9pm. I haven't really noticed a drop-off in service and the fish is not noticeably smaller (although it is a bit smaller, but just remember that you can always eat more... hahaha). Our tea and water is always quickly refilled when we ask and our plates are quickly cleared without needing to ask. The chefs and servers are still superb and assist customers with a smile on their face and friendly welcomes / goodbyes. I took a friend here for her first time and it's now her favorite place in the Bay Area. I'll be back when I graduate in less than a month, with at least 5 friends to fill my table. Pro-tip: Drink tea with your sushi/sashimi to reduce mercury absorption: webcache.googleuserconte…
(5)
Kimberly S.
The place was nice inside, but if you look out the window from your seat, you can see the ugly-looking street with the typical run down liquor store and a bunch of losers waiting for their bus to come and staring right at you through the window! The waiters were nice, however, a bit inattentive. I prefer the waiters to leave us alone and not come by every few seconds, but to not come by at all, that's another thing. If my water glass is empty, I expect it to be refilled at a reasonable amount of time, not have me flag you guys down and you ignore me! The waiter made a mistake with my boyfriend's dish and totally forgot about his sushi order. They were apologetic though, and gave him the sushi on the house. The portions here are still way to small for the price you pay.
(3)
Christopher W.
I have to admit that I was skeptical about coming here since sushi places are usually hit or miss for me. Miyozen fell somewhere in the middle. I ordered the three item bento box (salmon sashimi, chicken teriyaki, and tempura)--$9.95 is a pretty reasonable lunch price. Amazingly the salmon sashimi was probably the best thing on here. Just three slices, but nonetheless, decent sizes. The chicken teriyaki meat seemed toooo white--not sure if it was the particular piece or what, but almost as if it were packaged. Lastly, the tempura breading was strange, caked on the shrimp and veggies rather than light and crisply battered. Overall not bad, but I wouldn't come here unless a group of co-workers wanted to go out for lunch.
(3)
d o.
I had lunch here twice already... Fish is fresh. They have a 3 item bento box for 9.99 (not bad). For those who are starvin like marvin, they have an all you can eat sushi for 19.99 for lunch (a little pricey for my taste). On to the bento box. The vegetable tempura is crispy, chicken teryaki is good, and the salmon is fresh. I was tempted to pick some other stuff but I didn't want to fall asleep. I'll be back soon. BTW they have a conveyor belt system for the sushi bar. And oh yeah forgot to mention this is on the border from tha town. I would be weary of coming here at night.
(4)
Tam F.
Came here for lunch with some of my old co-workers (long live CHIRON!). We were celebrating one of my girls' b-day and instead of going to one of our old hangouts, we came here. We were a party of 5-walked in with only one other table seated. 4 of us ordered bento boxes. The gyoza was delicious, teriaki good, tempura was fair-way too heavy on the one shrimp piece. Nice edamame, good miso (quite good actually). The tea was luke warm-the Saporo nice and cold-the sushi was fresh enough but not fantastic. Service was good and then spotty. Price FANTASTIC. I would go here again if I still worked in the area. It was fun to be with the ladies for sure..oh, yeah, and there is a parking lot behind the building off of Adeline... We are all different age groups-I am the youngest at an almost-gasp 36. 2 of my friends' didn't like the coldness of the interior. They also didn't like the music being as loud as it was or how loud it got with all the people there towards the end.
(3)
Colleen H.
I enjoy sushi boat places, but this one seems to be missing the boat. The sushi on the conveyor belt is half portion, and does not have enough turnover to make it work. I suspect the staff have figured this out, as the conveyor belt is never full nor stocked with "The good stuff." If you order things from the menu, they are fine. Definitely good sushi, just not spectacular. Prices fall somewhere above what they should be, but not offensive. I suggest you keep making the drive to somewhere like Kirala in Berkeley, or Isobune in San Francisco if you want better food... but if you are local MIyozen is good enough for some nights.
(2)
Jennifer J.
I use to be a long time customer here but I don't know what has happened??? I noticed in the last few months, the service has been lousy and the wait staff is a bit rude like they pretend/don't understand what you are saying. I don't like going to a restaurant where I have to constantly flag down the waiters to get a glass of water or refill my tea without feeling like I am troubling them. They act like they are new workers there, but they've been there for awhile! I tried the all you can eat lunch special for $19.99 and it is "only" good if you love eating nothing but California Rolls topped with something to make it look different. I love spicy, but their spicy tuna is way too hot and OVERKILL on the amount of the Sirachi they mix in with the tuna. Too hot to where you can't really taste the rest of the other sushi you're eating. The selection of sushi they offer on the conveyor belt is not good, the chicken teriyaki is cold like it came out of the fridge and the teriyaki salmon was also cold. Poor selection for all you can eat customers. You would think Fridays are good, but apparently it didn't matter. I gave the all you can eat 2 tries and both times I was not happy. I REALLY hate to write a negative comment, but they really need to get it together. This use to be my favorite sushi spot in Oakland and I would come here a lot with friends and family. But now it seems like it's gone downhill in service and quality. The sushi is good, but I would NOT recommend the all you can eat or dining there. I think getting take out is better so you don't have to deal with the wait staff there. They seem oblivious and disappear all at once when you're trying to get something from them which ruined my dining experience the last 3 times I was there. Get it together please!!!! I miss eating there when it was good and when the service was great. :(
(3)
Robert A.
This place has it all: great atmosphere and decor as-well-as good food. There is an all-you-can-eat lunch for $19.99 and the same deal on Saturdays. I believe they have a full bar but have never made use of it. I would recommend sitting by the conveyor belt. The offerings are not necessarily what one would find on the menu. I sense that depending upon who is doing the cooking, one can get various artistic interpretations. Thus, (as I have experienced) what one might get one day, can be diferent another. If one sits by the conveyor belt, the cooks are apt to see you and may make you a special dish just for you. Or take one you are liking and present you with a specially made interpretation of that dish. Eating here is fun. It is good for going on a date. Probably not a first date - not necessarly romantic atmosphere, but one that is stylish and yet relaxed.
(5)
Jessica S.
This is my first time eating here. I'm a huge sushi fanatic, when I lived in Tokyo for a short period, I had sushi for dinner everyday (sometimes for breakfast and lunch too). Since I moved to the Bay Area recently, I'm still trying to find a decent, fresh, authentic, and not too glitzy sushi place. My bf ordered a la carte and I had the conveyor belt buffet, and sadly, on a Saturday night at 8:30pm, their selection was poor. The same things kept going round and round, it seemed like the chefs were only making orders for the a la carte people. The salmon and crab roll with fresh lemon on top was good. The spicy crunchy roll was interesting, but that was the highlight of my meal. I was told that since I chose buffet, I couldn't order from the sushi menu. Imagine how frustrating it was staring at the same plates of sweet egg, floppy shrimp, and a lone piece of cheesecake all night. I may give this place a second chance because the reviews seemed promising, but definitely won't be having the buffet again. If anyone can recommend a really good, I mean Tokyo standard sushi joint, I'd really appreciate it.
(3)
Gabriel F.
We went there with a big group last night to celebrate a few family birthdays, and we just had a really positive experience. No reservation was needed, and the easily accommodated our group of 13 in an uncramped area. The food is good, but what set the place apart in my eyes was the super friendly and helpful service. My daughter (who was turning 2) saw the sushi Boat/Belt going around and is determined to go back! I'm sure we will! Thanks! PS. They also have a little "kid" area with toys, books and the freedom to be loud without disturbing the other diners. :)
(4)
Andrew M.
I live in the same building as this place and will not be coming back. I'm okay with conveyor belt quality sushi at an affordable price, however recently they removed their happy hour special which was basically all the time. Now it's paying regular quality sushi price for conveyor quality fish. I'll pass. I'd rather head to oakland or sf for sushi.
(2)
Anita W.
good rolls at a decent sushi price. theyre dishes are always well presented, waitresses are quick to take down your order, and i like how they have sushi trays that circulate around the sushi bar on a belt (like sushi boats, only with no water or boat) however, i have to agree with a few of the other yelpers. it used to be good as in delicious and fresh. and service is down a bit. i love tea, so i like to have tea in my cup at all times! the restaurant wasnt packed (not sure if its ever or i just always go at the right time) and my empty tea cups have been overlooked many times =[ they use smaller tea cups now too lol
(3)
JacQue S.
I love going here for their happy hour. The price is reasonable and the food taste good. Love the mango mojito. And service here is always great.
(4)
Will A.
Came here with a friend for lunch. I hand the bento lunch box and it was really good. I wasn't knocked over with their rolls. I had the spicy crunch roll which was great, but seemed like there should have been six pieces, not four. The other rolls just seem to be lacking, but maybe I was too stuffed from the bento.
(3)
KRYSTEL A.
This place has the BEST spicy tuna I've ever had in my life! I'm a fan of anything w/ spicy tuna and Miyozen's spicy tuna salad is the best! the spicy tuna is fresh and is really spicy! The only thing that sucks about this restaurant is that the service sucks. I went here w/ a party of 25 for my BF's bday and it took FOREVER for us just to get water from our lifeless Waiter. =/ I also thought it was interesting that they had a day care where kids can play, while parents can eat dinner? But has it ever occured to some parents that the kid's play area is right by the door? what if someone comes in and swoops their kid up? lol
(4)
Iggi P.
I really wanted to like Miyozen, really I did. I was so looking forward to the $20 all you can eat sushi for lunch. Well, I was very disappointed. The all you can eat sushi is only from the conveyor belt and as I sat there and watched the same few, sad looking rolls go round and round, I realized that if I wanted something tasty for lunch, I was going to have to order off the menu. This completely defeats the whole purpose of the lunch special! It was clear that they lure people in by advertising the special, but don't provide a decent, fresh, varied selection to force people to order off the menu. What I saw on the conveyor belt (for 45 minutes) was seaweed salad, two California rolls, which tasted oddly sweet, some fried disk non-seafood thing, a California roll topped with salmon, fried sesame balls, tempura shrimp that had a bizarre mustard sauce on top. That's it! This was at noon on a Wednesday, so prime time for the lunch crowd. One would think that a selection of nigiri would also be on the belt, or at least the offerings would be freshened up once in awhile. Nope, same few selections, despite 3 sushi chef's standing around looking bored. To be fair, the nigiri I did order off of the menu was delicious, fresh and generously sized. The items I saw other people order also looked delicious and the bento boxes were huge. So, if I go back (and this is a very big if), I'll skip the belt selections and just order off the menu. Pretty much their whole intention to begin with, which is probably why I won't be back. Oh..and what's up with the non stop Michael Jackson music??
(3)
Alex H.
Seriously!? I just got back to my desk and sitting in front of me is a Spicy Tuna roll so spicy that I can't eat it. I'm starving. Wtf. I can't even comment on anything else. Other than the fact that I will never be going back to this place unless my sushi cravings outweigh my pride, which is pretty likely, and only because this is the only sushi place within miles of my office. But still... Ugh! What an appropriate FML moment.
(1)
Peg S.
As much as I love paella and tapas, I came back from my Spain trip craving wonton soup and sushi. For the latter, I met up with my pseudo-dysfunctional family to try this place out. Albert W. heard via a review on its sister restaurant (Drunken Fish) that portions at Miyozen were "too big" and that the "good service people went to Miyozen." We were ready for that too big sushi & good service . . . Miyozen is across from the Subway on 40th & San Pablo. Circle round back and into the parking garage where they've got reserved spots for customers. The place itself is the Bellagio or Donald Trump of sushi places. Ridiculously large and massively huge in contrast to those teeny one table & chair sushi places. No expense was spared - very cool lighting, dark granite countertops/tables, and overall dark posh feel. The titanic-sized restaurant is divided up into 3 sections: a lobby (& little kiddie play area - por que?), bar/front seating area, and back seating. The conveyor belt sushi was more like Bay Area drivers (slow!) on a major freeway (not sure of the freshness of that stuff - we saw that slice of chocolate cake go around 50 times). We ordered the TNT, Spicy Volcano (similarly baked and sauced up as TNT), Dynamite (best of the bunch), Cherry Blossom (pretty, but where was that quail egg?) rolls and some sashimi (tuna, hamachi, ?). Each order came with at least 4 not-skimpy sushi pieces. Free miso soup. Dessert was the mango and green tea mochi - nice presentation over chocolate drizzling but needed to soften or melt up more before ingestion. Perhaps my dsyfunctional family (T W., Albert W., and Trinh T.) remembers what else we had (memory lapse from dinner interrogation to remember)? Service was super-friendly and attentive. We had a 10- person waitstaff team that patiently answered all our inane questions and filled our demands for more tea & ginger. Bill came to $25 bucks each. Reasonably priced and fully stuffed we were. 3.75!
(4)
dan c.
Gross. I'm a sushi snob. Lets establish that right off the bat. The muck they serve here is not sushi. Its sugared mayonaise packed rice goo. The fish is of very low quality, when fish is included. There is no creativity. Sushi should make you feel great. Like you've just eaten a bunch of vitamins. Miyozen makes you feel sick, like you've just eaten a rotten candy bar. Filling and cheap does not make this worth it. Its just nasty.
(1)
Miriam W.
I tried Miyozen thinking that it would be great since a few friends of mine love it, but my husband and I both hated it. The rolls were big alright...big chunks of flavorless fish, some still with bones and scales intact. The rice was hard, and the price was right, but still so wrong, considering for the same price you could pick up some great rolls at Get A on piedmont ave. The service was slow and and after watching some of the items go round and round the conveyor belt, sweating in their little plastic domes, we were ready to leave, and not come back.
(1)
Anna T.
Okay let me clear some things up for everyone. The $19.99 buffet is only for the conveyor belt. It sucks. I went during LUNCH and I saw the same stuff coming around the entire time. Also, who can even eat $20 worth of conveyor belt food to make it worth it? The $29.99 buffet is for sashimi and sushi. I don't know about you, but that's really pricey. It pisses me off that even though we called them about these buffets, the person who picked up the phone did not tell us the details about pricing. Their food was mediocre. I don't even remember what I ordered because it wasn't anything special. Why would you go to such an expensive place if there are cheaper better places elsewhere?! Go to Davis Sushi for unlimited sushi buffet.
(2)
Kristen D.
Hi, do you have a sushi boat? No, a sushi belt. My boyfriend and I dined here to introduce me to the world of sushi on-the-move. Along the sushi bar is a moving conveyor belt that carries various Japanese delights, like edamame and seaweed salad, and of course, your favorite sushi rolls around the restaurant. At a place like this you basically take what you want off the belt and voila, it's yours. No waitress necessary to fill your belly. Each plate is color coded so you can keep tabs on what you're spending. But take it from me, it's a lot more enjoyable if you just save your final tab for the end, kind of like a surprise. haha. On each circling plate you are offered two pieces of sushi. Now the size of each piece is bigger than a mouth full, so don't feel like you're getting gipped. We also both ordered a mango mojito. The drinks here are mixed with soju - delicious! But be warned, soju is dangerous. Why? Well, it masks any flavor of "alcohol" so you can keep ordering without ever feeling tipsy..and then BOOM it hits you. The restaurant is donned with modern furniture and you get a very "chill" vibe. It was a great way to celebrate the end to another work week. However, the sushi chefs may have been feeling this relaxing vibe as well because the sushi belt was hardly replenished! Several times my boyfriend and I saw the same items going around and around. This also made it difficult to satisfy our sushi cravings because we yearned for variety and we got was the complete opposite. With three sushi chefs, I'd expect a better selection. Bottom Line: The experience of taking desired sushi off of the conveyor belt is exciting, but do not expect a vast selection to satisfy your sushi needs.
(3)
James L.
I live in the complex of Miyozen and every time I take my friends there, they love it as I do. I been to a few Japanese restaurant in East Bay and this one is the most delicious. I tried the sushi to their bento and have not been disappointed. The service is always attentive and friendly. My friends all love the Fried Chicken appetizer - YUM YUM! Love to sit close to the sushi conveyor so you have a choice to have sushi or order hot food, or both. I am lucky to live in the complex of the Miyozen as if I ever have a craving, I can order to go. Or, if I decide to drink sake, I am just a steps away from home.
(5)
Jimmy J.
This place is so clean you can eat off the floor. Literally. I did anyway. Dropped a hunk of unagi on the tiles and didn't think twice about scooping it up and popping it down my sushi hole. That's how clean it is. Not the greatest sushi in the world, but not all that bad either. (It's probably better before it hits the deck.) The $19.99 all you can eat lunchtime special works for me, as I can easily eat way more than twenty bucks worth of sushi (or anything else for that matter) in one sitting. It may sound a little pricey, but it's actually quite cost effective for me, as I won't have to eat for a couple of days afterward, like some kinda reticulated python or sumthin'.
(3)
Reuben D.
Miyozen really is just "A-OK" Now, don't think too much into it. Miyozen isn't bad sushi. But when you consider how much you are paying for pretty average quality sushi, it becomes clear. I've been to Miyozen many times. I work not too far from it and our office usually orders lunch from them about once a week. The staff is friendly and atmosphere of the restaurant is modern but seems complicated. I say complicated because the tray sytstem in the main dining hall seems unnecessarily elaborate that you feel more like youre at a restaurant in the Disneyland theme park than at a cool or hip sushi place. The usual item ordered by my self is a two-item bento box which will cost about $9 during lunch (more during dinner). Again, overall, the food quality is average. I've had better sushi from places closer to my home in Berkeley like Tako, Party Sushi or Nanayiro or Kirala for around the same price if not cheaper (Kirala excluded). Overall, a threee star sushi place all around: Not bad sushi but i'm sure you have experienced better.
(3)
jon y.
Tbh I've only been here for their conveyor belt sushi buffet...so that's what this is based on. When we went, it was probably past 1, but they stilled served fresh rolls. Maybe I'm just biased, but I think they deliberately put them on the conveyor belt right in front of us. Yeah most of the time the rolls consists of a lot of rice, but for some reason one of the chefs gave us a plate of salmon nigiri! It may have been because the establishment is Korean (I think), and so is one of my friends (kind of), or maybe because it was empty that day (relatively). The meal also comes with tempura and miso soup. I think it's a great deal for $25/person including tax+tip. In summary, they gave us free nigiri and I love them for it. p.s. they have this thing that comes in a plate with a cover over it. Through the cover it's very intriguing and potentially-lobster-looking. But it's not. It's rice. With sauce over it. In this aluminum container thing. Don't get it.
(4)
H C.
Tempted by the rolls on the menu but I'm still holding out on raw fish until the baby comes... Til then, California rolls it is! Hubs and I each ordered a bento box and enjoyed the plentiful offering. Also, the bentos came super quick, which we appreciated since we were catching a movie afterward. I was tempted to try the all-you-can-eat but didn't know that they offered it seven days a week until after we had ordered... Next time!
(4)
Rene M.
Updating my review: Very good service and the staff is super friendly. The lunch menu is a great dea (2 or 3 item bento box)l: try their barbecue short ribs. You definitely need to try their salmon; probably one of the best in the Bay Area.
(4)
Tony N.
This place has awesome food! I go here like... once a month. They're food is excellent!@ But if i could ask for something more is better customer service.... they took forever to realize that i was done and wanted my dang check! Other than that... its a great place!
(4)
Dave L.
Never-ending double conveyor belt! Man. I think I have a sore neck from watching all that sushi go around in circles! But seriously, Miyozen has kick-ass sushi at decent prices. Classy decor too! The pieces are HUGE. They are so big, the ends of the fish are off the plate. They're non-sushi menu (teriyakis, donburis and sashimi salad) is also excellent. If you want to sample the rolls, you can pull them from the belt, which has them in smaller portions. Tips: Plate prices are color-coded. Hyper-active kids? Drop them off in the playroom.
(5)
Alicia D.
This restaurant has a special place in my heart because on Monday nights, they let my boyfriend and me watch football on the big screen in the bar while we feast on dynamite rice and beer. I know it's a skeezy thing for us to do, but they enable us, and for that I'm thankful. Also, the sushi is pretty solid. Other pluses include a nice-looking kids area, and they're really amenable to families in general. Basically, Miyozen isn't going to give you the tastiest fish you've ever had, but it'll deliver enough to sate you and keep all of your party entertained at once. I wouldn't hit up the all-you-can-eat nights, but that just isn't my thing.
(4)
Laura Y.
My first time being here, I made a reservation for a large group of 34 for a birthday party. The area reserved for us was very private and I appreciated that very much. However, right when we got there, it took us about 30 minutes for the waiter to come around and finally take our orders. After ordering some hot sake for the birthday boy, that took about about another 20 minutes to get to us. The food came out for different people and because it was taking so long for everyone's food to come out, we just decided to start eating or else we would've starved waiting. The most disappointing part: Three people in my party ordered about six rolls together. Not one single roll came out until an hour later after the first people who started eating had got up to leave. It was like the simple rolls too, not that fancy dragon roll but more of like the seaweed, rice and raw fish. I was so angry that none of their food came out that I requested to speak with the manager. Their excuse? It was a really busy night and they were understaffed. I couldn't understand how not even one of their rolls had come out. So while 31 of my other party were done eating, these 3 gentleman had not taken a single bite. I've worked at a sushi restaurant before for over a year and I refuse to be treated like this. I politely asked what the manager could do for us and he said, what would you guys like, it's on the house. Well, I think at this point, the guys weren't hungry anymore so we just wanted a refund on some of the rolls. The manager was more kind that we agreed but only took off the cheap $5-6 rolls. I called this reservation well over a week before the actual dinner. If they knew they had a party of 34 on a Saturday night, I would have guessed that they would have at least asked some of their staff to work that night. I definitely need to try this place with a smaller group but I say no way jose for large parties. They basically knew they were getting the automatic gratuity and therefore neglected us the entire time. I've definitely experienced better. Oh yea, the food was moderate/good but nothing exceptional.
(2)
Gisele C.
It has been a few years since I went to this place because I was not initially impressed. However this visit has swayed my opinion. First of all we came at happy hour when all the plates on the sushi conveyor belt are only 1.99. The sushi tasted fresh and flavorful. I was feeling sick and craving a bowl of ramen. The monster ramen fit the bill. The broth was hearty and spicy which was so soothing.
(3)
Tatyana S.
I have stopped eating sushi for one reason only - raw fish freshness was frequently second grade. However as we all know there can't be a second grade freshness, there is only one grade - and that is FRESH. I was skeptical of this place at first. After all, what good can we find next to Pak n' Save? However, MiYozen turned out to be great. Great variety, great prices, great taste, and great service. I loved it the first time and I have gone there several times since. Yes to SUSHI!
(5)
Elyse P.
To hell with this place, seriously. Husband and I had lunch here about six months ago (the all you can eat), and it was really good. That surprised us, we had just gone because it's walking distance from his work, but it didn't look like it was going to be anything amazing. THEN. We went back a few months ago; I was leaving the country for a few weeks and we wanted to have a nice delicious dinner together before he dropped me off at the airport. We got there a few hours before they closed, and asked for the all you can eat dinner. They said sure, plopped us down, and disappeared. After about 5 minutes, we had eaten the few things that came around, but nothing new was being put out. We asked the waiter guy if they were going to put more food out, and he said they were done but they'd make some special rolls for us. What the fuck? We JUST got there, and are paying $30 each for all you can eat sushi, it's hours before closing, and you decide you're done making food? So the sushi chefs (there were about 3 or 4 of them, they had been standing around bullshitting for a while) put together two extra-gringo mayo laden rolls for us. They asked if we liked spicy, then didn't give us anything spicy. They then hung around and talked about us in Japanese (we could tell, because they were staring at us and talking). One asked my husband if he knew what his tattoo meant; my husband has a Japanese character that means anti-war. Yes, he knows what it means. They then kept talking about us and laughing. It was out of this world rude. We finally left, barely full, and had been charged $70 for it (we had to hunt someone down to even find out what our bill was; they had really never come back to see if we needed anything). I have never not left a tip. We did not leave a tip. We even half-heartedly talked about leaving without paying, since no one seemed interested in helping us in any way the entire time. The whole experience was dismal, and put us in a really bad mood when we were about to not see each other for a few weeks. We will never go back there, and we don't recommend anyone else does either.
(1)
jenna B.
I thought that this place was decent and reliable, a little place for the kids to play..and what not. Then I discovered the all you can eat sushi bar. Do not waste your time. Head straight to that. They constantly add new things to the circulating belt, but also, they will more than once and suddenly laden your table with plates of rolls that you did not order. We were only three, and yes, we were full. But it was terrific.
(5)
Marc F.
Service was friendly but spotty. After being seated I waited for 5 minutes. Then someone came to take my order without noticing I hadn't yet been provided a menu. My tempura and my gyoza were both way over fried. Just one prawn and it was small, dry and brown; kind of like what I might expect from reheating a frozen dinner. The salmon sashimi tasted like it was old, not fresh and the pieces were very small. Poor quality meal overall.
(2)
Burry B.
not really a fan of this place. dinner offered low grade sushi at a somewhat priced menu. you're kind of sort of paying for the location and atmosphere for dinner here. service was sub par, and slow. took 5-10 minutes for me to be able to grab someone to run my bill. i was sitting at the sushi bar which also makes it a bit ridiculous. i personally would not return here.
(1)
Michael T.
I've been here twice now in the span of 1 year. I'm mostly only going to write about the most recent visit since my experience has changed pretty drastically. My first time around I might have given this place a 4.5 if possible. The decor was nice and fancy, they had a unique sushi boat mechanism, and the service was friendly. The sushi rolls were expensive ranging from 8-17 dollars but were big, fresh and well made. The chicken Teriyaki was big and good. During my most recent visit the decor and service was still good. The chicken Teriyaki was beautifully presented with a bed of vegetables. But the Two rolls that I ordered were horrible. The 49er Roll- 10 dollars- came with 6 tiny pieces as if it were one of the cheap rolls. The salmon pieces on each sushi were thin and small and some were just a bunch of scraps stuck together to look like a full piece of salmon. "Lion King Roll" Don't remember if it was called this... but it is most commonly referred to as "Lion King Roll" in most sushi places. It's basically a roll with baked salmon on top lathered in house sauce. Not only did it take forever for it to be served (over 10 minutes after I had finished eating)... but it was on par with my first roll. It was small, deflated and overcooked. The pieces of baked salmon once again resembled SCRAPS of salmon. VERY disappointing. Everyone has their own opinions about rolls... but just to take it a step further in describing my reaction. When each roll was brought out I basically lost my breath and dropped my jaw in shock at how bad they were. Chicken Teriyaki + decor + nice waiters + price = 5 stars Sushi Rolls + Price of Sushi Rolls = 1 star That averages out to three stars. Sushi should have A LOT more weight than the chicken dish and decor since it IS a JAPANESE restaurant... but that's just my opinion. EDIT: Changing it to TWO stars because THREE stars suggests that I recommend this place... which is not the case.
(2)
Brian M.
Okay, I became a pescatarian because I have a humongous appetite that i cannot control for the most part and eating a hella a lot of meat was not good for me. I changed my diet but not my appetite, so.....SUSHI BUFFET!! Hehe. The only thing I have had here amongst the many times i've been to Miyozen is the lunchtime buffet. Taking things off the conveyor belts, anticipating something good coming but slowly taking its time, and taking everything good off the conveyor belt preventing the next table from getting anything are many of my favorite pastimes for sushi buffeting. The wait-service treats their customers very well and I have never had an issue. The sushi chefs are pretty social and I enjoy that they don't mind checking up on their customers every once and a while. The last time me and my friends were there, we told the chef that everything was pretty good and we were having a pretty good time. I think he liked us as customers, so he gave us some free salmon nigiri (not from the conveyor belt menu) to go with our buffet lunch. awesome!! In all honesty, the sushi is pretty good for a sushi buffet. Oh, and did i mention that the buffet comes with tempura. yay! They do try to stuff you with sushi rolls that has a lot of rice and a lot of things top with "crab meat", but hey, they're just trying to get their customers full. i know their strategies - they have to do it or else they lose money. anyways, the conveyor belt isnt just sushi, but there's desserts, salads, teriyaki, etc. depending upon what they feel like cooking that day. i like that there's new stuff every time i go, but i wish that more nigiri was on the conveyor belt. That's my only gripe. 4 stars!!!
(4)
Steven T.
Decided to get my grub on after working out. After all, this place is literally less than a quarter mile from the gym. Im kind of surprised about all the places I pass on a daily basis and have never tried, but somehow go out of my way to try certain others. So after deciding to come over we stroll in to find that we are the only customers... it was still early though ~1130ish. It wouldn't be so bad normally, but we figured the more crowded the fresher the plates would be on the conveyor belt. So there is basically two different all you can eat options you can choose for lunch and only one for dinner. During lunch you can either grab from just the conveyor belt for 19.99 or order sashimi for 29.99. The latter is the only options available for the dinner menu AND if one person gets all you can eat EEERRRYYYBODY has to do all you can eat. I dont see why you cant pay 29.99 and get sashimi and grab from the conveyor? Who knows, maybe it just makes sense in my head. Despite only three of us, they still pumped out new dishes with rolls, ngiri, and when I had enough they started putting out more ngiri and even sashimi, wtf? Surprisingly, the desserts were decent, at least the cakes were. The tiramisu and cheesecake were good, my buddy said the chocolate cake was pretty good (they ran out before I could try one), and there was a mystery cake we never tried. The more Asian desserts, sesame balls and egg custard tarts, were a bit disappointing. The sesame balls were a bit overdone and hard while the egg custard tarts were soggy and literally had some kind of liquid dripping from them. To recap what they usually have on the conveyor... Good selection of rolls, mostly salmon and tuna ngiri, lots of desserts, and a few baked dishes. I would suggest coming a little later as they seemed to put more variety into it as we were finishing up; bastards. The rolls were tasty, a bit too much rice as expected. Ngiri was portioned generously and not too bad. Was pretty good for what it was; ALL YOU CAN EAT. Buddy was a little irked as he asked for a fork for his chocolate cake. The waitress had grabbed it by the prongs and gave it to him vs. holding the handle. Kind of reminds me of that one time the waitress brought me water with her thumb already dipped into it; UGGG.
(4)
Keith P.
Me and my cousin were hungry late at night and found this place. We walked inside and there were not many people, only because it was half an hour from closing. I ordered there shrimp and vegetable tempora which was simply excellent! I also ordered a variety of different rolls, all of them were delicious! They only reason I am taking off one star is because of their rotating sushi bar. Some of the sushi looks like it has been sitting around a little bit to long. Much different when you order it though! The waiter was very friendly, defiantly a nice guy. Have and will vist again.
(4)
Hadley K.
I like this place. Tried one of their bento boxes with the mackarel and california rolls as well as a few other rolls like the Shrek one and their hamachi sashimi. All was fresh and tasty. Their miso soup is really salty though; can never finish it. Also wish there were more tofu pieces inside. Kid-friendly environment though, which has become an important aspect for me.
(4)
Sonia E.
I've been there a few times because it's walking distance from my place mainly. Food: the rolls are always good so i recommend to only get rolls. The miso soup is good too however with sashimi you're taking a risk, one out of two times it's still frozen so i don't know if they freeze i t and then serve it. I had a bento box, and the beef teriyaki was not good at all. the meat was dry and the seasoning not too good. However, I gave it a second try and the second time it was better..but you're still gambling! Finally, ice cream comes with the bento box, I usually don't like Green Tea ice cream but I like it at their restaurant. Basically, to play it safe, get the rolls! Service: a little slow. We waited a long time before the waitress came and took our order.
(3)
Caitlin L.
I was talking about Miyozen with a friend who has kids and she said they always sit in the area by the bar, which is right across the hall from the playroom. You still can't see your kids, but you can hear if something is going wrong, and the kids can run back and forth between the table and the playroom. So now I may go back and try this setup. When we went, that area was empty, so I assumed it was part of the bar. The kids would miss out on the fun of the conveyor belt, but that did wear off after a bit anyway.
(3)
Jesse S.
Not bad, not bad at all... I wasn't sure what to expect as my bredrens and I decided to scour Emeryville for a fresh seaweed savant able to conjure edible atonement to our then abrupt craving for sushi. Doubt was lingering even as I approached the front door, mainly due to the fact that I personally am not very fond of the condo units surrounding the Miyozen restaurant. But as you should never judge a woman's bedroom performance solely on her looks, you should not make assumptions on a restaurant based off the complex it's hosted in. Bottom line, I enjoyed my meal, completely. Cute hostess, friendly staff, an abundant menu and fairly decent portions/servings made for a satisfactory experience. The seared tuna sashimi is an absolute winner. I'm going to stop while they're ahead in this review, as the more I write the more I'm starting to suspect, the 3 star merit maybe heavily based off the fact that I was extremely ravenous at the time, I might have given a box of Trader Joe California rolls 3 stars for delicacy... I'm kidding, Miyozen is good in my book.
(3)
Fei C.
One of our favorite sushi place in Oaktown area. Convenient parking in structure but neighborhood is sketchy. What we like about Miyozen is that it is very kid friendly. Our sitting area had a big screen playing kids movies and also they have kids play area. Note: The play area is behind wall so can't keep eye on kids. Now for the food. The menu is extensive from raw sushi to noodles and rolls. The hamachi and salmon nigiri is fresh. We like the Shrek roll which is mix of raw fish rolled with sweet kiwi sauce. Also, the cha-soba with tempura is good as well as korean bbq ribs; owner is korean. The only reason its not 4stars is sushi rice could be seasoned a little more and little bland.
(3)
Jocelyn C.
Great place, but too expensive. Its probably because its in a main area in Emeryville. Also, because it looks nice from outside. Trying it once is fine, but after that, explore other sushi places.
(3)
Kris T.
Been here twice now for lunch. It's spacious, and the fish tasted fresh, which is important for a sushi restaurant lol. My wife got the ramen, and she enjoyed it. Over the past two meals I've had a lunch bento box and a few rolls, all of them were on par for a good Japanese restaurant. Hot sake is a nice touch too! Service was nice and courteous! If you are in the area and craving sushi, this a good spot to go!
(4)
Freddy R.
Staff was extremely nice enough to offer us water while we waited for our to go order. The sushi was really fresh and we enjoyed it :). The titles for the sushi were also very catchy. No examples since I can't Remember.
(4)
Victoria D.
Ordered to go. The sushi was very good. The service was nice, they even offered us water while we waited.
(4)
Paige B.
Best service and phenomenal food. I catch myself here once a week if not more. Can't get enough. Best sushi in town.
(5)
Emanuel O.
This place is pretty good, it's on the mid price range, I love the spicy tuna (cheap but good) there beer selection is pretty good. There sake selection is better. Overall it has gotten more expensive through the years. But I think it's worth it. The place looks amazing especially during the evenings where the place looks dark until you enter and start eating p. It emerges you into a nice ambient setting. I will defenetly come back
(4)
Laurens D.
124.00 that was our bill - a little pricey, but then again, for 3 people we each ordered two rolls each, 3 miso soups, and a small bottle of raspberry wine, divided by 3. We showed up 20 minutes before they were even open, so our hunger contributed to us ordering so much, but no complaints. We used to come here when they were still all you can eat, loved the sushi belt - Im amused by little things sometimes. Anyways to the food - sushi is good, prices are decent, services is good, at least, we had the privilege of having the owner be our server, and she was very engaged with us, so we felt very welcomed and taken care of. They had a couple special rolls they were trying out to see if they want to add it to the menu. We went with the Venus's Kiss roll - already forgot what was on it, but it was delicious and a little spicy, the flavors just all blended so well together. the tune poke salad was ok - when they first came out, they looked like 3 miniature meatballs, so it threw me off a bit when eating them. all in all - I like Miyozen (its also close by Ikea which is a plus for me) and definitely will come back until the day they close their doors.
(4)
Keashka T.
I was here last Saturday, for date night. We were one of just a small handful of tables, which was mildly concerning. My date had never had sushi before, so we got quite a few rolls to share. The fish tasted really fresh, contrary to many of the reviews here. The orange roll, spicy tuna roll, and Philly roll were all very good. We had a couple of other rolls that I can't remember the name of, but that tasted pretty good as well. My biggest problem is the crab salad, which is in many of their rolls, including the California roll for some reason. It is extremely extremely sweet, and the crab is the awful imitation kind. Unfortunately, it's in so many of the rolls that a huge percentage of the menu is inedible, in my opinion. The service was attentive, and the environment is welcoming. It's definitely not the best sushi I've ever had, but it's a serviceable date night spot. Just stay away from the crab salad. Seriously. Food: 2.5 stars Service: 4 stars
(3)
Dolene S.
My go-to place ! They are always so friendly and welcoming. I go here at least once a week. If I had the money I'd come everyday because I love Japanese food! And the prices are quite reasonable. My daughter loves the little kid area at the entrance too! :) My favorite roll is the Kissing Venus. Scallop and jalapeno? Um, yes please. Although, I do come here often just for their bento boxes. In the evening, the bentos come with ice cream and I can't say no to that. :)
(5)
sam p.
Came here earlier today with my parents who were visiting from out of town. Ordered a variety of food from the lunch menu. Food was delicious and the portions were great. Service was also amazing and the overall experience at this restaurant was great. Will definitely be back again in the near future.
(5)
Dawn H.
They ripped us off--double charged our visa, and never replied to our attempts to fix their mistake. We haven't been back since.
(1)
Jill T.
The ramen was powdered I suspect. Everything about this place was low medicore. There are much better places around.
(2)
Jenny T.
Back in the days when I lived in Eville, I used to frequently dine here. So much that I've taken boyfriends, family and friends here to which everyone loved as much as I did. It became a regular restaurant rotation because of the abundant of fresh sushi they served. So abundant that we'd end up with doggy bags of sushi to take home. But since I've moved, I stopped dining here. Five years later and on a very rare occasion, I came back. With big disappointment, the sushi rolls has been trimmed down to half the size. It looks like they took 3 pieces of sushi out of the roll and ate it themselves. The food was not as fresh and tasty anymore. And the most disappointing thing was their unagi nigiri tasted sour and their salmon sashimi had a fishy flavor to it! What happened?! The location of the restaurant is like a fish net itself! Right above are condo residents that can easily stroll in for a bite. San Pablo drivers would surely see their beautiful sign on the exterior of the building. The inside is decorated with modern flair and large parties can definitely be hosted there. But did the rent go sky-high where they would downgrade the size of their sushi rolls from 6 pieces to 4 pieces? And since wasting food is money lost, does that mean they keep their fish in the fridge longer to get rid of inventory before buying new supplies? Well, that's what I think at least. I'm no longer a local of this neighborhood, so, dining here will be even less frequent, if any. I just hope they get their act together and start pumping up the quality again. Who knows, I may come back to Eville to live again, after all, Eville is inside me.
(2)
Paul H.
RUN AWAY! DO NOT EAT HERE! My wife and I were walking by and decided to try this place. We had a couple of pieces of sushi that made us almost instantly throw up. For which we paid a ridiculous amount, plus $4 for a tiny bowl of plain rice. The place was empty at dinner time, which should have been a clue. Awful, horrible, gross and disgusting
(1)
Brittney B.
Love the food and the staff! Food always comes out fairly quickly and staff is prompt. Was new to the area and this was the first sushi place I tried; I am definitely regular now. Special rolls are a bit pricey but, that is expected of a sushi restaurant. Bento Box lunch special is a great bang-for-your-buck deal!
(4)
Marlon T.
This review and rating is based soley on a takeout order, my only experience at this place. My girlfriend was in the mood for Sushi, so we ordered a couple of rolls for takeout. They told me it would be 15-20 minutes, which is totally reasonable. I arrived to find a spacious nice restaurant with a cool bar area, where the hostess directed me to the takeout area to pay. The decor left me curious to want to return with a group of friends. The rolls we ordered were delicious, the 49ers roll was my favorite. The miso soup was good, my only knock was that the gyoza was too crispy. I look forward to coming back with a group.
(4)
Niah N.
The California roll is too creamy the crab mixture was a bit intense for me. Great raider roll it's nice and light. Tea is great miso is miso but the shashimi salad dressing is delicious (use it on gyoza). Definitely need to try it again maybe during happy hour so I can try a larger variety of items. P.S. the hours are wrong this place opens at 1130 :-)
(3)
Earl L.
Very disappointing sushi here and I'm hoping that I just caught them on a very off night. From the outside, the restaurant looks beautiful. Nice wood, layout, and Japanese accents. There is a conveyor belt to show off some of the offerings, but that was where the more disturbing elements of my experience started. I asked about getting an edamame appetizer and my server said I could just grab a dish from the conveyor. Ok, I'm game. However, it was neither cold nor hot - just room temperature and a bit squishy. It had obviously been circulating the belt for a while. Ordered two half rolls - a 49'ers roll and a rainbow roll. The rolls were pretty thin and composed mostly of rice (I'd say 60-70%). The fish, what little of it there was, was not quite fresh. Not spoiled or fishy yet, but certainly not from among that day's markets. One of the slices of avocado on the rainbow roll had a fairly sizable and noticeable brown spot on it (see photo). Additionally, found a (small) hair on the edge of the roll after eating most of it. Perhaps it was merciful that I didn't notice until I was done. Was planning to order more, but those extra touches dissuaded me and motivated me to move along to another sushi spot. A couple of other observations of concern: wasabi and ginger are not served with your dishes here. Rather, they are each kept in communal jars that sit outside (not refrigerated) every few chairs along the bar. The one nearest me had a few chunks of wasabi that had been picked through by chopsticks. Were all of the chopsticks that handled the contents of that bowl new and clean? One could only guess. Restroom was pretty neglected, which is usually a telltale sign of poor diligence to hygiene. Worrisome that the restroom looks like it does and the sushi chefs handle everything with bare hands, a bowl of water that sits at the end of the bar, and a couple of dish rags that seemed to be all alone (no visible new ones to change out every so often). In my opinion, this place may be a couple of attentive health inspections away from being closed. Dine here at your peril.
(1)
Aveli S.
Went there for lunch couple weeks ago and they are lucky I didn't have my account set then. Horrible quality and so expensive. I could eat 2 dinners for the price of lunch there.
(2)
Heather O.
My boyfriend and I have been coming here for years and it is our go to sushi spot. We have tried others but always come back to Miyozen because it is consistently great. The atmosphere is nothing special, but it is always clean and the staff is super friendly. They are also always trying new promotions such as happy hour with reduced prices, and adding items to the menu.
(4)
Aubrey E.
PROS: - decent sushi and sashimi - fun conveyer belt thingy with plates of food on it - nice servers CONS: - overpriced for what you get - not much food on the conveyer belt thingy :( - slow service--too many tables for too few servers
(3)
Jesse H.
Hi Miyozen, I just picked up an order of 2 veggie tempura rolls. No price was quoted at the time of order. When I went to pay I found it was 21.00. That seems a little expensive for 2 veggie rolls especially when you really don't specialize in that area. I would have been a little less taken back about the price if maybe you had packed a small green salad, miso soup or something. 21.00 wahoo!!! That seems way over priced.
(2)
Robby S.
Alright, I went here. I originally went to another sushi place but couldn't find a place to park, so I ended up here. They have a revolving track with plates of sushi on it, that go around the sushi bar, which is always suspect because you never want to be that guy that picks the salmon sushi that's been around the block so much that it could qualify for a Delta Frequent Flyer status! But there I was. I watched at least every dish pass by twice. I looked at the vast menu, looked at the moving sushi, back at the menu, ordered a Sapporo, looked back at the menu, then back at the track. I ended up grabbing a couple of dishes, which are all color-coded to designate their prices. The sushi was alright but definitely not fantastic. I ordered a few dishes direct from the chef which were much better than what was circling around the track. My suggestion is to order off the menu and leave the moving sushi to others.
(3)
Nereyda P.
Vegetarian Rolls are awesome.
(5)
Massawee T.
good fish !!! fresh and juicy!! ginger is not good but i also wanna come back for sake and hamachi. place is also nice, clean, good service and music
(5)
Edwin R.
Love this place. I live across the street so I am always coming in for lunch and dinner. The sushi is good and the service is excellent. They used to have a great weekend brunch but unfortunately they don't offer it anymore except for the bottomless mimosas which is a plus :) They are associated with Drunken Fish and since that place closed down the workers from there have started working here and now they offer ramen but I havent had a chance to try it out yet.
(4)
Taylor B.
I probably wont return to this place for a few questionable things i saw. I usually order cooked sushi so luckily I enjoyed my food and didn't suffer from any food illnesses. I can not say the same for others taking the food off the belt.
(3)
Susan H.
Very expensive.. Can't believe I paid 27bucks for two instant noodles.. Can't afford to come back :(
(2)
Rebekah T.
I used to live near Miyozen in Emeryville and this was my go-to spot for sushi and sashimi, so on our regular Wensdate, my mister and I decided to try a dinner and a movie. Pressed for time so we culd get there early, I picked Miyozen over the fast food restaurants at the Mall. We sat at the bar, my guy is a fan of sushi boats and here they have a conveyor belt. They have a nightly special of 1.99 per plate from 6:30-9:30, no matter what it is. We picked the following to split: *Shrek Roll: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… *Tuna Roll Covered in Seaweed: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… *Salmon Nigiri: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… *Albacore Nigiri: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… *Spicy Tuna Roll: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… and because I had to, I ordered the Cherry Blossom. An old favorite from when I first starting coming here. Still just as pretty and delicious as always. yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… We were great on time, in and out in 30 minutes. We got a great deal on dinner since more than half of our order was $1.99 each. My guy loved it, which means although nostaligic - we can finally sink the sushi boat place we frequent and upgrade to Miyozen.
(4)
Sonja K.
Terrible. First off, they don't put prices on their online menu, which would usually deter me, but their cherry blossom with quail egg looked so good, so i decided to order here. The price was atleast 30% over expected, but i went with it as a splurge for my boyfriend and myself, thinking the food would be worth it. God no. My cherry blossom had no quail egg?! -the sole purpose for me ordering here. And it was like $12-13, they could have atleast knocked down the price. I've had better for $10 that had salmon instead of crab inside. Next, our two baked rolls were burnt, dry and disgusting Last was the sashimi which did nothing to salvage the experience. All in all, rediculous service and product, $60 lost.
(1)
Anastasia G.
Nice place for lunch or dinner. We ordered Philadelphia roll, dragon roll, fried California roll, drunken fish roll and green tea. I like all of it. :) Drunken fish roll is big and I couldn't put it in my mouth :) One thing... I don't know why and how but people who looked like a homeless were there... Just walked in and asked "sushi? What's is it?" Emmmm... Not good for appetite :)
(4)
Bryan K.
Friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Very welcoming chefs behind the bar and all the servers are also nice. The sushi is cheap and fake but it still tastes good. Miyozen is a great place if you're on a budget. I stick to the $2.50 blue plates or $2.00 yellow plates.
(5)
Erica R.
Great sushi place with lots of variety. They have plenty of vegetarian options - the Mega Veggie is a must! They recently began serving ramen, which I have not yet tried but our server highly recommended. The service is friendly and we always feel welcome when we visit. :)
(4)
Steve D.
I mean who doesn't like a sushi boat. Over all I would gibe the food 4 star, and the prices are fair. What really put it over to 5 star is how sweet they are when we bring the kids. They are always sweet, and have kids plates. When the bring her miso they put in a ton of tofu and several ice cubes.
(5)
Renata W.
This place is great and I love coming here with the kids. The servers and the chef are all very friendly. The servers ask if you would like ice and extra tofu when you order miso for the kids, and who doesn't like watching the sushi going around.
(5)
Pari P.
We came to Miyozen Sushi and Roll specifically for the happy hour. All items on the conveyor belt were $1.99 each after 6:30pm. A great deal since the quality of the sushi and rice were spot on. Unfortunately, the items lacked much variety. You had your choice of edamame, California rolls, spicy tuna, rainbow rolls, shrimp tempura, and tamago. The spicy tuna rolls definitely had a kick of siracha sauce with little mayonnaise. If these are your favorite items, then this is your place because you'll be seeing them going around and around over and over again. If not, you might be a little disappointed with the choices.
(3)
Jennifer F.
Really solid food maybe a little too much pepper on the chicken teriyaki but that's it. Prices were really reasonable and the sashimi was extremely fresh. I'll be back to this place for sure
(5)
Melissa C.
I've been to this place a couple times due to how close we live to it. And that's pretty much the only reason why we've been here...not because the sushi is necessarily good...it's just convenient. The price is pretty cheap for their conveyer belt sushi but the quality leaves some to be desired. It just doesn't taste that fresh so in this sense, you get what you pay for. The service is friendly but they can be slow, even though the restaurant is hardly full. They do have a good happy hour special on alcohol, so if sake/beer is your main priority, you can probably drink a decent amount without hurting your wallet too much. It's a large space so it's set up is good for groups. But as far as their food goes, it's really not the best sushi and their terriyaki bento boxes and udon soup noodles are just ok, at best. Afterwards, we felt like we've definitely had better elsewhere. I'm noticing that some of the more recent reviews are pretty high. Perhaps they've improved since the last time I've visited. But based on my experience, I don't know if I'll be back.
(2)
Dominic C.
This place is a great place for sushi. There rolls are really fresh and made well. The service is amazingly freiendly.. and thoughtful. The space is really big, clean and well decorated. The portions in my opinion are pretty average. I would have to disagree that they skimp on the amount of pieces per roll. More people should give this place a chance.. don't get fooled by the initial 3 stars.
(4)
Natalie L.
Great sushi! Went for my birthday and they gave us free drinks! Definitely hit it up if your in the area!
(4)
Dania G.
This place sucks! Service is ok, but for the amount of food we got vs what we paid it was wayyy over priced. The selection is big but sushi is not up to my standards. I have yet to find decent sushi in North Cal! Help!!!
(2)
Kristen L.
I previously ordered only take out from here and would get the beef udon which I really have enjoyed on cold days. The reason why I only ordered cooked food before is because of reviews about their sushi. But tonight I went to dine in and ordered several sushi rolls which were made fresh. My friends and I ordered: Killer Roll: 4.5 Spicy Unagi: 3.5 OMG Roll: 4.5 Miso soup was good too. Service was friendly and the suggestions were great! I am excited that I finally tried their rolls. This restaurant specializes in rolls and those were quite tasty. The new management or new chef that previous yelpers have talked about should definitely improve their rating and people should give them a chance. I love sushi and Japanese food and though it is not your traditional melts in your mouth sushi, it definitely satisfies ones craving for creative sushi rolls. My other friend ate a spider roll and loved it as well as a few items from the conveyer belt and had no complaints! I definitely will start bringing friends here as it is right across the street from my house and has plenty of seating for big groups. They now offer a weekend brunch that people may want to check out now.
(4)
Francisco Z.
5 stars all the way the place is very nice and clean +1 They have a belt that parades fresh sushi and rolls +2 The food is really good I got a few rolls and sashimi try very very fresh yumm Servers are very attentive they keep your water glass full and your Saki also lol
(4)
Wtf D.
I've been meaning to write this review for a long, long time. I was so traumatized by the experience, however, that I just never got around to it. First, let me acknowledge that my husband got take out from here, and every restaurant's food can suffer slightly from the take out experience. However, we have gotten take out from many, many Japanese restaurants. But, in all fairness, the reason why this place isn't getting just the 1 star it deserves is because I am trying to reflect the take out factor. Nevertheless, probably the worst sushi I've had since I've moved to the Bay Area. Let me be clear that I think sushi from the fancier Safeway is better than this slop. Every single piece of sashimi-- salmon, tuna and mackerel-- was extremely, extremely fishy tasting. I mean really fishy. If you know *anything* about sushi, you know fishiness is a sign of a serious lack of freshness and poor storage conditions. Horrifying. We also ordered vegetable tempura and katsu for our sons. The katsu was devastatingly bad. Tough, very oily, over-fried. It seemed highly likely that it was pre-fried and then tossed in the fryer again to re-heat it. The tempura was really greasy and heavy. Honestly, we should have asked for our money back. Spare yourself significant disappointment. Do not go here.
(2)
Nkeiru U.
This place was amazing! It was my first time there for dinner and the service was awesome, the sushi was delicious,and the waitresses were so funny and friendly. I highly recommend this place if you're craving sushi and want some good food.
(5)
Joel M.
Sushi was so good. It was close to the hotel we stayed. We wanted seafood and this was a great choice. They had a huge list of sushi rolls. It took us some time to make a choice. Definitely would go back.
(4)
Kathy L.
THIS IS FOR HAPPY HOUR ONLY! Walked in and immediately noticed a nook of a playroom with lime-green walls that looked like it belonged in Android headquarters. Me gusta. Waitress plopped us in front of the rotating belt of sushi, and that, my friends, was the BEGINNING OF THE END. Every plate has only two bitty pieces. And if you are anything like me (that is, lacking in self-control), when there's sushi in front your face, it's going in your mouth/ already in your mouth. My bf and I racked up 8 plates within the first 15 mins and had to resort to playing thumb war to prevent further impulsive grabs from the conveyor belt. Overall damage? 15 plates in 40 mins. We also left with some lingering hunger and went to Trader Joe's afterwards to pick up snacks/ get free samples. Not my proudest moment. ADVISED STRATEGY: - Go for big-ticket plates like raw octopus or surf clam or salmon. Our gluttony got the better of us for the first few rounds before we realized that we ate 3 plates of glorified California rolls. Big bowl of edamame is a good filler during indecisive sushi-picking times. -Go during peak dinner hours. At 6:45pm, there was very little to go around but around 7, the chefs started putting out other things including a large variety of really fresh nigiri. SKIP: -Fried coconut shrimp. Weirdly sweet and kinda old tasting even we saw the chef prepare it and got the freshest one. -Spicy tuna. Why are you so small?! -California rolls. Nothing special. Finals words: Perfect for dates because everything is so shareable and the ambiance is modern and sleek. Watch those plates- they rack up fast! If you're lucky, your date is that girl who had one plate of California roll and one bowl of edamame and called it a night. If your date is me, God help you.
(3)
Linda F.
Miyozen has changed my view of sushi! Before i came here i couldn't have any sushi it would disgust me. But ever since i visited Miyozen i loveeeeee Sushi! They make the best Sushi!!!!
(5)
Honest O.
Came here with a group of 6 for a friends birthday. They served us quickly and the sushi was so good that we kept ordering more. The prices are reasonable for the quality in my opinion. The only thing that made me a little wierded out were the depressed looking fish in the tank at the entrence. Its as if they knew they were doomed to be in someone's roll. The staff was friendly and took several photos for birthday memories. She seemed happy to do it. I would come back based on the great sushi alone, but now that I know that they are open late I will definitely be back. Thank you Miyozen!
(5)
Maya D.
I recently found this place, and its amazing, I'm a big sushi fan and its hard to find good places. The food was delicious and the servers where very polite. Miyozen has a good variety that most other sushi restaurants don't have. Its definitely one of my new favorites and I plan on going back many times.
(4)
Eddie P.
The restaurant is very spacious, and you'll never wait to be seated. The staff is friendly. The food presentation is also good. Those are the greatest positives. I ordered a beef udon soup. The broth was good, but not outstanding. The noodles were chewy, and absorbed the broth well. However, they put crimini mushrooms in my udon, which is really weird. It also had zucchini. Unusual vegetables, basically. It did come with grilled beef briskets, which is great. My partner ordered a bento box, which was overall good. It just came with a salad that had too much of a heavy dressing. The chicken teriyaki was also loaded with cornstarch. I got an overall "American" feeling. Price-wise, it's not that inexpensive. You'll find better places in the L.A. county left and right for much less. Go there if you're just starving, and prefer not to go the Panera nearby.
(2)
Andrew B.
Helen was a great server, very attentive. Sushi was good and it came to our table in a timely manner. The OMG roll is amazing! Big dining room in back with a rotating sushi bar. Not the best sushi I've ever had but all in all a fun place with good food.
(4)
JC N.
I used to enjoy going to this place and eat. I personally like their happy hr but now they don't have it anymore on the convertible belt. food is ok. I think they have new chef too now? I don't care for it. their bake mussel use to be really good which I always get but now taste plane and whack. parking is ok. they have a parking lot in the back but really small. people be opening their car and hit yours. price went up which I don't like. the good ones are over $12 so ill pass. all the other one are so simple even I can make it. so...... im not going be go there anymore.
(2)
Angela L.
They don't do their dinner happy hour anymore! We went yesterday and decided to stay anyway, and were pretty disappointed by our meals. There was a serious lack of sushi/choices on the belt last night; mostly fried stuff, seaweed salad, and desserts. The sushi rice was a bit underdone and the service took forever. They are now offering a buy 10, get one plate free, but they only take off the cheapest plate so it's a measly $1.99 off your bill. With all the other sushi spots in the East Bay, i don't really have a reason to come here anymore.
(3)
Kendall S.
Sushi was good. It was a rather larger place than I anticipated. Price was ok. The service was a little spotty but they were very nice other than that.
(3)
Riva B.
I felt that the prices didn't match up with the quality of the food here. It was decent but nothing special, and the big open room atmosphere wasn't what I like in a restaurant. It was a bit like a cafeteria/bar mashup. Despite the fact that there were only a few people in the whole place, it was still pretty loud, and we could hear everyone else's conversations. The service was good, but I wonder if that's because there weren't many people there. I wouldn't want to go again.
(2)
Marti L.
Came here for dinner with 2 starving guys. Place was fairly busy. Good sign. Sat down. Opened up the menu, my heart stopped. Pictures of their rolls in generic almost square forms. Big warning sign. Our table was next to the sushi bar. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… ) From the sushi bar: 1) Edamame 2) Spicy tuna roll: super minced tuna with overly spicy sauce. No good. Our orders: 3) Shrek roll ( yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… ): ordered this against my best judgment because I was really craving for a roll. Tuna, yellowtail and black tobiko, topped with avocado, wasabi tobiko and avocado sauce. The rice, as I suspected, was mushy and packed in. Generous pieces of tuna and yellowtail. But overall, the roll was lacking. The avocado was not ripen enough. The "avocado" sauce was a strange sweet syrup-like liquid that unfortunately provided the only flavor in this roll. 4&5) Chicken teriyaki + sashimi & beef teriyaki+ sashimi bento dinners ( yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… ): the boys each got a bento to fill their hungry stomachs. Big pieces of sake sashimi, not the best quality. Small portion of teriyaki and rice. Plowed through the bento in record time, and said it was not enough food. They were still pretty hungry because they flagged down the server to order whatever is their biggest roll on the menu. 6) Titanic roll: tempura shrimp, cucumber, avocado, topped with tuna, salmon, crab salad and masago. Their biggest roll did not look big at all! But in comparison to my Shrek roll, this one looked 10 times more appealing. Bill was $60+. And sadly, Miyozen did not hit the spot at all.
(2)
Mark E.
What!? Why does Miyozen only have three stars? This place is amazing. I try to go here at least once a week with my wife. The sushi is delicious, the chefs and staff are super friendly, and the happy hour special is a steal. I saw something in other reviews about a management change. Maybe that's why it's so much better now? You should definitely give it a try. If you do and if you like it, make sure to write a review so that we can keep Miyozen in business. It's a great little neighborhood gem.
(5)
Jessica J.
Tried this sushi place in Emeryville. I LOVE sushi, so i had to try this place. they have specials depending on what time you come in. The best deal is probably for lunch and dinner with $1.99 plates from the Sushi Belt. on top of that its 50% off specific rolls such as, Spicy Tuna, and the California role. after going there several times, i noticed that their $1.99 Sushi plates of 2 pieces of nigiri sushi, is probably the best thing they offer on the belt. Not impressive... i have found that the best thing they offer on their menu is the Sashimi Salad. they give a good amount of fish with a good amount of tobiko, topped with a quail egg. the salad comes with rice which is placed on the bottom of the salad. i love this dish!
(4)
Paolo V.
Meh....just meh. This place is really just....meh. The sushi here is average at best. They do have a happy hour special, which is great. The location, parking, and no wait time for a table are other great things about this place. Just don't expect much from the food. The first time I came here, I ordered the hamachi sashimi. This was probably the worst sashimi I have ever ordered from a restaurant. The hamachi was definately not fresh, as it had a slight fish smell/taste. Disappointing. I will probably come back to this place every once in awhile since it's walking distance, and because of the happy hour. I'll stick with the belt items during happy hour, beer, and occasional bento boxes when I want a quick fix.
(2)
L P.
I have been coming here for about a year, not because it's good, because I live nearby. It's mediocre sushi at best. Dirty place. Dirty plastic lids cover old sushi that is revolving around a filthy conveyor belt. Wouldn't order anything raw from here if I were you. Just stick to cooked items and you probably will make it out the door without food poisoning. Unfortunately I didn't. Got sick from this place and never came back again. Until a week ago that is. I had made sushi and rolls for my gf and needed some wasabi. I went over to miyozen and asked to buy some wasabi. Unbelievably the lady working at the front said no. I then offered to give them 10 dollars for a teaspoon of wasabi. Still no. I then attempted to order a 1.99 roll just so I could get the wasabi. The lady asked me if I was going to eat the sushi, I realistically told her that I wasn't going to eat it, I just want the wasabi that comes on the side. She said they had a policy against it. Against what? Me giving your business money? Never coming back again in my life. I hope the health department comes to shut them down again soon. Never in my life has a business denied taking my money. I'm baffled
(1)
Richard L.
Went here not expecting much from the reviews. I totally agree with the three star rating for this place. From the outside, it doesn't look like much but once you are inside it is actually quite nicely decorated. There is a parking garage that is shared with parking for the apartments. They have a bar area with a giant TV to watch sports. In the dining area, there is sushi that comes around on a conveyor belt. Each order of sushi roll comes with two pieces (perfect for snacking on while on a date). The rolls were average tasting. I decided to order the fish katsu for my meal. It was red snapper fillet katsu style and served with some kind of sesame dipping sauce. It was pretty good, but the waitress suggested ordering the chicken katsu next time. In the end, this is just another Japanese restaurant. I've definitely had better Japanese food for cheaper.
(3)
Alice J.
They have a variety of rolls but for the price, they should have less rice and more toppings. I like their apps, but their noodle and rice plates need more flavor. There's a conveyor belt which showcases a range of small plates. It's fun to grab whatever you want, but it definitely adds up fast. It's not the best sushi joint, but the decor is nice and the staff is friendly. It's definitely not somewhere I go often but since there aren't a lot of places in Emeryville to get sushi, it at least satisfies a craving.
(2)
Ted R.
Good bento box deal, has value-seeker appeal. I enjoyed the salmon & tempura. But sashimi was really just OK. The cheesy, mall exterior is deceptive, Miyozen has a nicely designed interior. Quick service for lunch, which is probably why Miyozen is a Pixar employee fave.
(3)
Trav M.
UGH. As much as I want to support my local businesses, I must say that my first time dining here was last night and I'm pretty sure that I won't be returning. Our meal started off with a friend of mine finding a plastic in his salad, meaning that it was pre-packaged and probably bought from the Pak n Save across the street. Whatever. New salad comes out for my friend, so there's that. I ordered the Raiders Roll and my friend ordered a platter of Sashimi and the 49ers Roll. My Raiders Roll came out and after having the first of six pieces, my mouth was left with a sour taste. I honestly wanted to send it back, but our server pretty much dipped out after taking our order. She only came to check on us after I flagged her down 30 minutes into our meal. The unagi on the roll was super salty and had a really weird texture to it, Still hungry, I ordered sides of Edamame and Gyoza for the table. Thinking that these two dishes are pretty hard to screw up, I ordered them. The Edamame came out cold (I've NEVER had cold Edamame before) and the Gyoza dumplings were just downright bad. I was seriously upset that I had to pay for such a horrible dining experience. I will NOT be back here.
(1)
katrina c.
Yes, they do have a great happy hour deal ($1.99/plate), but the sushi on the belt has been sitting there for a while and not very fresh. The sushi chef was very polite, and told me that he could make me anything i'd like. Each plate generally had 2 rolls, so it's pretty much $1/each. You certainly get what you paid for... I ordered the chicken udon since I was feeling under the weather. How hard is it to made udon? The broth was bland, the chicken was way overcooked, and it was only slightly warm by the time it made it to my table. The service was slow, and I had to ask the waitress where my order was (i waited about 30 minutes, and the restaurant was not busy).
(2)
Eileen Z.
I actually had a good experience here. Came here on a friday night and the place was pretty empty. FOOD: I ordered the TNT roll and Tiger Eye Roll which was pretty good! The TNT was a bit spicy but I love spicy so it was perfect for me. We also ordered the tempura appetizer which comes with shrimp and veggies tempura and it was pretty good as well!! I loved the shrimp tempura the most! We ordered way too much. Just 1 roll and the tempura filled us up! SERVICE: everyone was super nice! Setting: Big area with a bar. clean and spacious.
(4)
Hannah M.
I came here for lunch yesterday and was a little worried based on some of the reviews but decided to decide for myself.. And thank goodness I did because I think I'm In love! I ordered Kama and it's been so long since I've had it! Then we had the OMG roll and our server requested a roll for me and my friend based on what we like and it was amazing! One of the best servers I've had at a sushi bar! I can't remember her name but she was on point taking her time with us awesome costumer service! Love the sushi! Ordered the green tea cheese cake! It just melted in your mouth! Loved it. I've definitely found my new sushi place :) oh and lemon soja is bomb btw if you like drinking
(5)
Brian Q.
5 stars us reserved for nothing short of amazing. This place isn't it but all the good stuff tells me there is potential. Friendly service. The decor is nice. Super clean and although the covers on the sushiboat rolls aren't attractive, it's a plus as far as being sanitary. Speaking of which, the bathroom is clean too. Lemon in my water is always a nice touch. The reason it's never full is probably because the place is huge. I've seen some restaurants smaller than their sushi bar. With good service and excellent decor, the rating should be 3 stars minimum if the food is only adequate. Worst rice ever. I considered that the crispiness and total dryness may be that my portion was from the bottom if the pot, but I doubt it. Something tells me that the rice is either old, they didn't put enough water or both. Come on guys. As good as you are with hiring the right people and caring about cleanliness, you can't mess up on rice. I haven't decided if that was a deal breaker, but it definitely needs to be addressed. 4 stars with high hopes that the rice will get better. It's also a reward for the stuff they did right. By the way, don't expect salad in the bento box. They give you the beans instead. 5 stars us reserved for nothing short of amazing. This place isn't it but all the good stuff tells me there is potential. Friendly service. The decor is nice. Super clean and although the covers on the sushiboat rolls aren't attractive, it's a plus as far as being sanitary. Speaking of which, the bathroom is clean too. Lemon in my water is always a nice touch. The reason it's never full is probably because the place is huge. I've seen some restaurants smaller than their sushi bar. With good service and excellent decor, the rating should be 3 stars minimum if the food is only adequate. Worst rice ever. I considered that the crispiness and total dryness may be that my portion was from the bottom if the pot, but I doubt it. Something tells me that the rice is either old, they didn't put enough water or both. Come on guys. As good as you are with hiring the right people and caring about cleanliness, you can't mess up on rice. I haven't decided if that was a deal breaker, but it definitely needs to be addressed. 4 stars with high hopes that the rice will get better. It's also a reward for the stuff they did right. By the way, don't expect salad in the bento box. They give you the beans instead.
(3)
Ellen S.
This is close to the place I was working at for the summer so we go here regularly for happy hour. It was quick, decent, and relatively cheap since not all of us have big appetites. Nothing to write a yelp review for. But today we went and was pleasantly surprised. New head chef and he really stepped up their game. Everything was really fresh and delicious. We all ate double what we usually get and even then wanted to get more. It was great. Suffice to say we'll be a lot more excited to go back next time.
(4)
Andy V.
If you enjoy average, overpriced sushi, this place is for you! Nothing against Miyozen, because the staff there is indeed friendly and courteous, but if I feel like blowing 13 bucks on a roll, then I better get 13 dollars worth of roll, not some pitiful excuse for a full one. Even then, if the quantity doesn't fit the price, then the taste surely will. Wrong! Even Sushi House makes tastier stuff than this, how sad! I really wanted to like this place. The decor is nice, the room is large, the atmosphere is good. I just couldn't get over the fact that I was paying quite a penny for something so sub par. I'm sorry Miyozen, but you have failed me!
(2)
Amanda N.
3.5 stars. Review is just for regular dinner (not the all you can eat / lunchtime special stuff). I like Miyozen. It's not the best sushi ever, but I enjoy the atmosphere, service, and food quality relative to price. I've had the sashimi combos and they are all pretty good considering the price you are paying. I don't really like to order anything fancy here; I usually just get a combination of basic sashimi (salmon, yellowtail, tuna, etc.) and some rolls to share with a friend. All of the rolls I've tried so far have been pretty good - most of them slightly above average I would say. Service has always been really nice and helpful. The chefs will sometimes give us a free dish or two off the conveyor belt, but the food is better when they prepare it for you on the spot. Overall, I go to Miyozen when I'm in the area, though it's not a place that I feel the need to go very far out of my way for. It's affordable, meaning I can actually frequent this place even when I'm paying for my own meal =P . I recommend trying out Miyozen if you are in the area and want a nice, medium-priced sushi spot.
(3)
Amy L.
I have taken my family here multiple times for family dinners. Their staff is very friendly and responsive. Decor is pretty nice, they have a sushi bar with a conveyor belt in the middle of the restaurant. Unfortunately, the bigger tables for (+10) are never close to the sushi bar so I never really had a chance to take a look at the items on the conveyor belt. Although you are free to get up and grab items...we just got too lazy. Ordering is pretty simple, especially for the rolls. They have a little paper with a mini permanent marker where you can mark off the rolls that you want. All other appetizer items are on the bigger menu and you'll just have to read it off to them. My dad likes to have their warm sake here, I'm not a fan of sake tho. They do have fruity Sake like lychee, apple etc. They are fruity but still has the sake flavor so not a big fan but fun to try. Apple is better than lychee in my opinion. For dinner after you place your orders they give you miso soup, not the greatest but its on the house, I think it's a bit too salty. Their spicy green mussel is really good, I always order that for appetizer. Their rolls are also pretty decent, that's why I keep coming back. Although I thought the last time we were here it was not as great as I had remembered...=/. Hope that's just an anomaly... Our usual favorites are the 49'er, Raider, Catapillar & Rainbow and the baked one's...and the sashimis are pretty good here. There is a parking lot, never too crowded, very clean. I like the bathroom decor. They have a little kid playing area, an alcohol bar, sushi bar and a cutoff room for more privacy for a bigger party. Price is reasonable for sushi.
(4)
Franziska C.
Update: It's two years later and the place has changed. The service is still great, but the food is only average. I still go there a lot because of the fast service and easy parking, but it is no longer my favorite.
(3)
Paul L.
This is an OK japanese restaurant. Nothing stood out, but nothing made me cringe. Fish is ok. Chirashi is ok. I usually get the sashimi salad.. because it's basically sashimi on rice and lettuce with the korean gochuchang (hot) sauce. Wish the shashimi pieces were bigger.. but hey it's a pretty good dish.
(2)
Kenson K.
I'm a real stickler to details when it comes to sushi. 1) The fish must be fresh, 2) They must have the good stuff (I'm talking real sashimi like hamachi, ikura, mirugai, uni, etc. None of this roll crap like California rolls an stuff), and 3) The sushi chef must be first rate, preferably he's Japanese because then I know he was probably trained in Japan, where the training for sushi chefs is miticulous. Miyozen is pretty OK. Its kaiten sushi (sushi on the conveyor belt) but you can put in orders to the sushi guy behind the counter. The sushi is decent, though I wish they had more of the exotic stuff. I guess there isn't much of a market for that in the area and buying the "good stuff" for a true sushi connoisseur, would cost the restaurant a lot if the clientele isn't familiar with the sashimi. Still, the pricing is reasonable and the service is good. Its Korean owned but they do a heck of a job cranking out Japanese food. Their regular non sushi menu items are pretty good too. If you come in for happy hour 6:30-8:30 pm , all sushi off the coveyor belt is $2 a tray.
(3)
Diva M.
Well I started ordering here about 6 months ago. The first 3-4 times the rolls were great! Very well presented, fresh fish served as presented on the menu. The time prior and tonight the BBQ roll had been one of my favorites. Well no longer because they are not prepared as the menu states no green leaf lettuce-none. Picky but I enjoyed it when it was prepared as the menu stated. Secondly it seems as though the Sushi chefs have lost interest in the presentation of the rolls, just roll them and get them out.... I had highly regarded Miyozen..but they are loosing me and my recommendation to my friends. When ever a customer calls the short comings to your attention take heed and make sure they won't have a bad experience twice....
(2)
Deb W.
This is a solid late night Emeryville outing. The food was a bit bland for vegetarians but the service was ultra excellent. The tomago was pretty good and that's hard to do right.
(3)
Jaime C.
went for happy hour last night!!..............beers, sake, and sushi non stop!!!..........for under 50bux!!!..........amazing!!
(5)
Rinne R.
Went here for the first time on Valentine's, and had a blast stuffing myself with fabulous sushi. We got the Valentine's special, and for under a hundred bucks, we got the following: [1.] 5 awesome appetizers including a monkfish (sp?) pate and awesome salmon. The fiance liked the kobe beef, but i prefer mine cooked, thank you very much! [2.] The main course consist of a HUGE platter of unagi, crab legs, sashimi, colorful veggies/garnish. My favorite was the unagi, it was the best I've tasted. The crab legs were fresh, although a tad salty for me. [3.] For the wine, I told the server I prefer a subtley-sweet white wine, and he brought over a winner from Germany..although I can't remember the name. He also had me try this sweet brownish wine that I swore tasted like chocolate-liquor for free!! [4.] And when I thought I couldn't fit in anything else in my expanding tummy...he brought over some devilish chocolate cake served with some green tea ice cream!! Definitely worth the price! We were treated like V.I.P's as we were the first to order that special for V night. It's a really good restaurant--check out my pics!!
(4)
Natalie G.
This is for the all-you-can-eat special. Meh. It's ok, I mean it's good if you love sashimi so that you can eat unlimited sashimi, but if you want sushi, don't go for the all you can eat because the choices are the ones only available on the belt, which aren't really good. Service is nice though but the sushi definitely needs work. It won't be worth it if you don't like sashimi. I don't recommend the all you can eat unless you're starving and maybe for lunch. Dinner is too expensive for my taste, and they don' t even give you free soda with it.
(3)
Andrew R.
Have you ever had a bone in your sushi? Well I did. Spicy Tuna Roll to be exact. Well it was really a horrible experience. When I mentioned they were shocked themselves. I was chomping away, then out of nowhere a sharp pain in the roof of my mouth! After finding the culprit I spit it all into a napkin and there it was a hefty piece of bone. Of course I called the waitress over and she was apologetic and told the chef. But what really made me give this place one star is that they charged me for my food anyway. I had to bring it to their attention that I was not going to eat any more of anything. And all they did was remove the charge for the Spicy Tuna roll from my bill. Well, NEVER again will I go to this place. But really when we go out to eat, never should safety be compromised. This place really left a bad taste in my mouth!!!
(1)
soy p.
you don't go to miyozen for super fine sushi. you go bc you're starving, you need decent ok sushi and you don't want to wait forever or pay a whole lot. there's never a line, there are tons of tables, the waitstaff isn't the best or most attentive but they are always very, very friendly and nice. the food is decent and you get good prices. that is all. the only real complaint i have is that there are often screaming children in there with families.
(3)
Jeenie M.
I went in there with a few friends, honestly not expecting much. We decided to go for the all you can eat. I was shocked by how good everything was. We went on a Monday night, so that could be why they were so attentive, but the sushi chef kept coming over and asking us what we liked and made us tons and tons of fresh sushi and sashimi! Also, especially for an all you can eat type thing, I was really surprised by the quality of the fish. The tuna was like butter. So yummy! The only reason I didn't give them five stars, is because we were a party of three with two of us wanting all you can eat sushi and one just wanting to order tempura from the menu. We mentioned that only two of us wanted the boat style when we were seated, but then they tried to make all three of us pay for it when they came to take our order saying that it would be too easy for us to share with our friend who was ordering a less expensive dish. We assured them that she had no interest in anything raw, and they said ok...probably fearing we'd walk out. I am very glad we stayed because it was very delicious.
(4)
Dani_sunshYne S.
The food is OMAZING (thats betr than amazing). i tried to order the whole menu but i ran out of money! hahahaha i have tried so many items its pointless to name them all but its def worth a try. They offer happy hr which is great if you are tryna save a buck or two. They have nice friendly decor (set up like a lounge) & they play a wide range of music.
(5)
Caitlin B.
Been here a few times. No complaints. I've found that the best time to go is at 6:30 when the "happy hour" deals start. Starting at 6:30, you get plates off the nifty sushi belt for $1.99 each. You also get complimentary miso soup. Hubby and I left sated (not overstuffed, like we would be if this were an all-you-can-eat place) and only ~$20 poorer. We got 5 plates each. :)
(4)
G E.
All-You-Can-Eat California Rolls... My husband and I have tried Miyozen a few times for dinner (not great, but not bad either) and thought, now is the time for All-You-Can-Eat conveyor belt sushi. Why not, it looks cool, we're hungry and it's Saturday? Here are a couple of reasons: * The fun part of this plan was to have a bunch of different rolls, nigiri, salads, etc., but pretty much all the fare was basic California roll plus something else (like sauce or shrimp on top). * While the place was crowded, there were apparently not a lot of takers for the AYCE deal, so most of the rolls that were there when we walked in were still there after we left. * Got there at 1pm but they seem to stop putting out new dishes at 1:30. So after watching the same few rolls go by for awhile and getting excited when three or four more dishes were put out, there was nothing else put out for the next 40 minutes. Nothing. So we took what we could get for a little while until we asked and were told that they stopped serving because they were about to close (at 2:30). So go early if you want to get much. To add to the feeling of being suckered out of our $19.99 per and over an hour of watching and waiting, when we asked the server if we could get something (anything) else, she asked us what we'd want she said she'd check with the sushi chef and then disappeared. She never came back, we never got our sushi. Twenty minutes later we asked another server for the check and left. It's OK for dinner but not as good a bunch of other sushi places. The All-You-Can-Eat deal is the Sham-Wow of sushi -- great pitch but not much payoff.
(2)
Craig M.
This place has definitely stepped their game up with their happy hour specials. Personally, I'm a fan of their $2 conveyor belt specials from 630 to 830pm. They've increased their selection in this area to include a lot more nigiri, some teriyakis and even dessert! They also have a 830 to closing special of half off beers and apps, which is perfect before heading out to the city for a light meal and a pre-drink.The quality of the fish is average, but not bad at all. I live right by the place, so whenever me or the wifey are lazy to cook and not feeling like eating junk, this place is one of the first places to pop up. I never really go here outside of happy hour and rarely look at their menu outside of what's on the conveyor belt, but I did have the Ankimo once and it was solid. Also it seems like they have a pretty complete menu. The layout is very nice and the staff is awesome and attentive. It's definitely worth a quick bite to eat.
(4)
jenny c.
This place is the worst ISOBUNE restaurant I've ever been to. If you're looking for a sushi restaurant with conveyor belt system (or sushi-go-around), this is not the place to go. Don't even waste your gas and time. On the conveyor belt, there was only 4 kinds of rolls and 2 types of cheesecake going around. NO sushi, NO sashimi, NO makis. Worst Worst Worst isobune restaurant!
(2)
Garett N.
Came here during their happy hour belt special. Oh man, what a deal. The sushi itself was okay, but for the prices, it's a good value. Recommended.
(4)
ThadDex M.
Stay away from their $30 all you can eat. I clarified before i ordered this what it encompasses. I was told unlimited sashimi and rolls on the menu. As i tried to order rolls from their menu i was told that it wasnt allowed. I said politely didn't i ask you twice and was told it was his mistake. Ok but now you leave the customer short changed because your staff wasn't properly trained. Gone are the days of taking care of your customers.
(1)
Leah M.
I did not love this place. The conveyer belt of sushi rolls left me fearful that I could possibly be eating sushi that had been sitting out all day. Also, one of the rolls we ordered tasted just like popcorn jelly bellies. Not ideal.
(2)
Leah W.
Yes it's overpriced and mediocre. I live nearby and doubt I'll be ordering again.
(1)
Gerald B.
Been there a few times since it opened. At first great service and food. Our last visit, December 2008, was a big expensive disappointment. The service and food quality had been going down, but the last visit was way below our standards. The spider hand roll almost didn't get to our table before the check came. The maki sushi and other items are obviously prepared ahead of time. The stuff on the conveyor belt looks and tastes tired. Lots of young wait staff running around, but not taking care of orders or making sure you have enough tea.
(2)
Julia W.
Excellent sushi. I mostly order their rolls. If you call in for pick-up, it is always ready fast. I wish they delivered.
(4)
Gigi T.
This review is for take-out serive only. The online menu prices are out of date. We ordered the Combination Sashimi Dinner ($19.95) and the BBQ Short-rib ($8.95). I called to order, the waitress asked if I want the BBQ short-rib dinner, I said, sure. I was expecting that to be maybe a couple bucks more. But when I went to pick up the order, the bill came out to be $42.xx. The Combination Sashimi turned out to be $21.95, and BBQ Short-rib turned out to be $17.95. I was shocked but I was hecka hungry that day so I just paid for it. The Combination Sashimi is highly not worth $21.95. 4 pieces of tuna, 4 pieces of salmon, and 4 pieces of mysterious white fish that didn't taste fresh at all. In fact it didn't taste like anything.... Absolutely not happy with it. The $17.95 BBQ shortrib is mighty delicious however, but the amount is not worth $17.95.... 2nd time I ordered take-out from them cuz we were being hecka lazy and needed food QUICK. So we decided to stick with cooked food instead of raw fish. We ordered two bento boxes dinner ($12.95 each per online menu), and the bento box got more food than the whatever dinner we had before! And once again, the bill came out to be more than $12.95, well... it said $14.95 each with two items. For the bento box cooked food --bbq short ribs, beef teriyaki, and potato croquette-- are very good. Since the bento box supposed to come with ice cream, they gave us gyoza instead for takeout, and the gyoza were very good too. Well, at least the 2nd time I ordered take out, I didn't feel like I got ripped off, but still... c'mon, update your menu prices please. It's highly misleading.
(2)
Lilly L.
[edit] Bento boxes are only $7.95 - $9.95 before 2PM! [/edit] The owners put on a Michael Jackson mix, so I got to listen to Thriller (Rest in Power, King of Pop) while enjoying the best California rolls I've ever had. Needless to say, I AM SOLD! Btw, trust me, I know my imitation crab meat. I'm allergic to fish so this is all I eat whenever I go to sushi restaurants :P. This restaurant is SO damn pretty. Mahogany walls, marbled tables, whoever was the interior designer deserves major kudos! Definitely a nice place to bring a date or have a dinner party. I noticed there were multiple areas of the restaurant that are semi-sectioned off, so it feels like you're in your own private area. Miso soup, gyoza, teriyaki chicken, everything was SUPER delish. I even liked the green tea ice cream that comes with bento boxes, and I HATE green tea! Service was great, nothing to complain about there. The only thing stopping me from giving this place 5 stars is how expensive it was ($28+ for a bento box and Dragon roll), but it's sushi and I'm just a cheap thrifty, wheeeeeee~! So if you don't mind paying for the KICK-ASS ambiance, totally go for it :).
(4)
Krystal C.
I came here on NYE with a party of 10. Even though we had reservations there was a 20-minute wait to be seated. Once we finally got settled the staff was pretty quick in taking our order. The Sake was great and the rolls were pretty good...the Godzilla was my favorite. The menu is pretty extensive and the prices were decent. Would definitely come here again.
(3)
Zulu Q.
So, 3.5 really. The place has grown on me a bit and it is certainly not as awful as I remember it. In fact, I think I am going to blame my new love for this place on the fact that my sushi boyfriend from Koryo got transferred here. Now, mind you, I hate sushi boat places. Solution? Don't eat the crap on the boats. Duh! However, I would like to play up the "bar aspect" of this place. For a sushi bar that is randomly located below condos and across from the Pac-n-Save that regularly serves "working women," it is a surprise to see how swank this place is. Red and black decor. A bar and a sushi bar. Ample seating. Beaded curtains and plants and, like, pretty sure I saw ottomans in here. It's kinda neat. So what if you aren't impressed for the sushi? Go to the bar, select something from their very impressive sake menu, and watch the Lakers-Celtics game on the TV like I did last night. And the sake is only half of it. Yeah, the service and be a bit pokey...so don't go if you're in a hurry. However, the bar hooks you up! I selected a moderately-priced sake and they were out. =( This would have been the FOURTH time this week that a place was out of something. Now, I was totally willing to just pick something else and shut up. However, cool bar guy was not gonna let that happen. He totally let me have a somewhat expensive bottle of sake for the same price as the sake I originally selected...we're talking $10 difference. That was super cool! Also too, this place is right along the bus route for the #57. So, uh, don't drink and drive. Hmmm....I may just have a new happy hour place!
(4)
Ted S.
I used to be a pretty good deal, with their lunch special for ~$19 considering the variety of sushi plates available on the belt. It NEVER was exceptional, however now with their new 'lunch special' - each plate for 1.99 + TAX with even less choice of plates it's a JOKE ! I will never go to Myozen back again, since it's not worth spending a single penny more. Congratulations, you've lost another customer!
(1)
Britney V.
This place is REALLY fancy,with GREAT sushi. Too bad the customer service was HORRIBLE! -___-
(3)
Jen R.
I'm generous with my four stars but not with this place. For a place that is overpriced and has a fancy interior, I thought it would have decent food and service. I unfortunately got neither. Maybe they were understaffed that night, but heck....it was a Friday freaking night. The servers were so unfriendly and their boss uptight. I had to get up and get my own water because my table was so neglected. I could have walked out of that place unnoticed since the servers weren't paying attention. Ugh...it was a bad night. Sushi had a funky taste. let's just say it's not the fresh kind. Maybe their bar is good. Needless to say, I wouldn't come here again.
(1)
Carlo M.
Wife calls and says: guess what.. all the food i was gonna cook with is moldy and need you get some takeout.. Driving home from the hospital, I see Miyozen on the corner.. I wasn't expecting to go there.. But hey.. I was so hungry.. From the outside the place looked like .99 cent sushi place but the inside was a different story.. Nice lighting and design.. It was cozy and comfy.. I only ordered takeout but the rolls were fresh, and tasty.. The rice was nicely cooked.. And the Udon was flavorful. and savory.. Looking forward to actually eating here...
(4)
Cali F.
Sushi, all you can eat lunch Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays! WOO HOO! For $19.99 I can get a big sushi fix in a new, clean, comfortably stylish place. Convenient free garage parking in the back, enter from Adeleine. A sushi habit can be an expensive one and normally to feel full, we'd have to shell out well over $60 for two at a regular sushi place. At $40 for two, we are stuffed, satiated and happy. Oh, luscious little plates circling us on a conveyor belt of joy. The quality and type of sushi varyings. On a GREAT day, there's a lot of salmon nigiri, unagi eel and spicy tuna rolls. On a ho hum day, there's way too much imitation crab roll combos swimming in mayonaise drowned in even more orange mayonaisy sauce. The more people participating in the all you can eat, the better the selection and freshness (so go closer to 12 rather than later) as they roll 'em right there to keep up with supply and demand. Freshly fried tempura is included and brought to you, as is green tea which is refilled quickly by the friendly, casual staff. I have to admit that it's hard to go to regular sushi restaurants and paying menu prices after finding this great deal.
(4)
Matt F.
Went here for about the fifth time tonight. This had been one of my favorite sushi places, but something has changed. I think it may be the All-You-Can-Eat menu which is new, but the service was slow, the food was not up to Miyozen standards (of the past), and when one of my friends asked if the Uni was fresh (we had just sent back a very fishy smelling Ama Ebi) the waiter said "I don't know, I guess so." When we had him ask the chef the dish never came back. I'll try this place once more to be certain, but I think they've really slipped.
(2)
Amy O.
Pretty good for lunch. Make sure you get in before noon. California rolls have a slight sweet taste to them. Sushi is super fresh, service is nice. And green tea is constant. Nice break away from the office.
(4)
w w.
Well...this place is ok. If I'm totally want cheap conveyor belt sushi for $1.99 a plate (not everything is $1.99, has to ask the sushi chef) I'll go. Other sushi items are pretty expensive. Good for groups and family because they have tables on the side of the conveyor belt.
(3)
Tina C.
Yuck! Sushi on a conveyer belt? Not fresh at ll. Horribly over priced. One of the things we ordered waas the Crunchy Hamachi Roll. Did they dry the fish first and then deep fry it? We sent it back after we each at one piecel (there's only 4 pieces per order on all the rolls). The chef yelled at us for not liking it. Wait staff disappear often. Then there's some dude who wears fake glasses, I guess to go along with the fake sushi. We had to send the chicken teriyaki back to warm-up, we never got it back. Edamame too salty. The beer was good!
(1)
Ny H.
Been to Miyozen a few times with and without the family. The sushi is solid here. I haven't ate anything that made my stomach turn upside down! Nice indoor ambience. Can get a bit loud with a crowd. They have a children dining area with a tv too. Staff is underwhelming - took 10 minutes just to get water! Sushi chefs are pretty quick with turnaround on the orders. Parking is tricky. There's outdoor street parking but you'd have to walk around the building to get inside. There's also free garage parking too - follow the signs. The prices are reasonable for the area and what you order. Not a bad sushi place, especially for it's location. I'd dine here again.
(4)
Nikki c.
I was torn between a 2 and a 3. The website seemed GREAT, so I went here with a friend that was visiting. However, the actual food was a let down. We tried some of their sake based cocktails. ICK. I would rather be sober. There were floating sushi dishes, and you could order off the menu. The stuff that was floating looked questionable. We never saw them add anything to the floating sushi the entire time we were there. Some of the food was good, some was not. I had one piece of fish that was just not edible. There are better places to get sushi in the Bay.
(2)
Brad S.
It is what it is.......cheap sushi. The service was decent but that's where it ends. I tried eating the sushi off the revolving serving system they have. It was 1.99 for nigiri. That is what it tasted like. The fish was warm. One I uncovered looked like the meat was shriveling up it was so old. I cut my losses and went somewhere else. I watched them prepping and cutting up the fish for tomorrows lunch service. Just not what I expected from the reviews. I don't regularly give poor reviews but I will not be going back here.
(1)
Kathleen M.
This place was good the first time I ate here, but ever since then, it's gotten worse. I liked the happy hours - great deals! But the last few visits, including tonight, was disappointing. Service was eh!, tempura was over battered and the sushi was OK. They're not worth what they cost during regular hours. I'm sorry to say, but I'm not coming back here.
(2)
Joseph K.
This place has an amazing happy hour where all sushi plates on the conveyor belts are only two dollars. Yes I said conveyor belt it's like a modern take on the sushi boat. They also offered several sake samplers which is a great way to find out what your favorite sake is.
(4)
Eli M.
Miyozen is a good sushi joint and the staff are pretty cool. I've had a better experience with sitting at the sushi bar at other places. To me the sushi chef's aren't super talkative or attentive. However the staff are very friendly and sitting at a table is great. I love the sushi belt and on mondays you can pay 20 dollars for all you can eat sushi (from the belt). Of course their most expensive sushi won't be up there, and there will be a lot of california roll hybrids such as the "49er roll" but it's fun to try different stuff. The belt will have unagi, rainbow roll etc, but for the all u can eat, it's gonna go quick. I've tried most of their rolls on the menu and have even special ordered some of my own creations. This is a main staple of my sushi outings since living in the Bay Area. I have to say I like this place, but miss Mikuni's in Sacramento where I lived before here.
(4)
Rosemarie d.
I really do wish that Yelp had half stars.... so please take this as a 3.5. I come here pretty often, mainly because of the close vicinity to my school and because the sushi is acceptable. I'm a fan of the 49er role. Nothing special about it really: it's just a CA roll with salmon and lemon on the top. But if a place can make a good CA roll (and trust me, I've tasted some BAD CA rolls), then it's A-okay with me. I wasn't a fan of the salmon skin hand roll, so try to steer clear of that. Pros: -The place is relatively clean and has a very nice interior. -Free parking (definitely can be plus for a place in the bay) -They can accommodate large parties (my group of 10 went and didn't have to make a reservation - though, it was on a Thursday night so maybe that's why) -They make the sushi fresh (at least the ones you order from the menu) -They have a wide variety of interesting things on the conveyor belt (it was a bit odd seeing a big chocolate cake on the belt) -Free miso soup and hot tea (always a plus in my book) -We got 50% off of the plates when it was 15 minutes to closing time Cons: -SLOWWWWWWW customer service (you basically have to grab their attention when you need anything) -Sometimes bad customer service - my friend nearly slipped on water that was spilled on the floor (probably unable to see it because the floors are a black marble material) and although the servers saw it, no one approached her to make sure she was okay. Instead, they continued to eat their food since their lunch breaks had started -Variety of rolls could be improved.... As a previous Yelper noted, most of what you are offered are CA rolls topped with something. It's a good place to go if you have some time and just need a quick sushi fix. The food is decent, the prices are fine. Nothing to oooh and ahhh about the place.
(3)
Tanisha C.
Love their sushi and tempura!!!
(4)
Insatiable Palate M.
Happy hour is the name of the game. Great ambience and friendly staff. They will usually make anything and put it on the $2 a plate belt. I love it!
(4)
Erin V.
A solid 3 stars. I've certainly had better food, but this was just fine. I went with about 10 friends for a mom's night out. Oddly, they were projecting Toy Story on the wall, which was the last movie we wanted to see on our one kid-free night. Later, it changed to basketball, so in pictures we took there's all these basketball players in the background. I got a bento box with 2 items, which comes with miso and ice cream for dessert (14.95). There were also 2 tasty little gyozas and plenty of pickled daikon with the bento, which was a pleasant surprise. I got tuna sashimi and saba (broiled mackeral). The tuna was really not so good---edible, but way too fishy and old tasting. The saba was delicious, however--pleasantly oily and flaky. I shared a bottle of nigori unfiltered cold sake ($10) with a friend. Very sweet, mild and milky white. Yummy stuff. Service was well-intentioned but kind of odd. We had to keep flagging down waitresses, but when they arrived they were very helpful. The Korean waitstaff didn't have great English skills. Overall a solid, not stellar, sushi choice.
(3)
Jennie K.
Reading the other reviews on here for Miyozen made me want to try it out, also because it's literally 2 minutes from where I live. I was disappointed. The sushi rolls were too big, too much rice and I hate when I have to shove a huge roll into my mouth and then all of the ingredients fall out. The chicken katsu was dry and really thin, therefore it didn't seem like I was eating chicken, it was like eating some fried bread crumbs. I can make a better chicken katsu with my eyes closed. I will definitely not be going here again.
(2)
Johnny C.
OK When you first walk into Miyozen you notice that this place looks pretty nice. Thats about as much of a wow factor as you'd get from here. I didn't find anything spectacular about this place. I've been here a few times with my co-workers because this is one of the closer less expensive sushi places in Emeryville. Their lunch specials are decent for the price, but their sushi isn't anything to rave about. I would avoid any sashimi that comes in a bento box order. I tried ordering the tuna sashimi with my bento once and it did not taste like sashimi grade tuna. At best it should have been used in a spicy tuna roll or something. I've had the sashimi that you get when you order a sashimi plate by itself and it is much better. Perhaps I had the sashimi bento on an off day, who knows. They have a revolving platform surrounding the sushi chefs, but I have yet to ever see anyone take anything from that thing during the times I've been there, so I'd avoid it since I'm not sure how fresh those things are. Perhaps when it's busy and they have their All-you-can-eat special, there is more turnover, but avoid during off hours. There is a nice kiddy play area for your kids, but it's next to the door and no one is really watching that area, so put your kids there at your own risk. All-in-all, Miyozen is a decent place for lunch time Japanese. It's nothing special, but it's not horrible.
(3)
Virginia L.
I think I might be a little biased because I'm a local but I honestly think this is a good roll spot. The space is spacious with plenty of options (standard bar, sushi bar, table, booth, kiddie play corner, even a table in front of a movie screen if you're so inclined). The rolls here are at the very least creative, if maybe a tad too big. For some people this is ideal but the sizing is a little too massive for my mouth. Crazy Monkey Roll, Titanic, Shrek, TNT and Double Tuna I'd recommend. Stick with the rolls as the traditional Japanese fare is just average. The staff is really young, friendly and unpretentious for a sushi restaurant. And they have sake flights here. Awesome.
(4)
Avrille B.
The decor was great and the rotating bar was adorable. I can't vouch for the food as we didn't stay to eat--we came in one night an hour before closing. They seated us at the sushi bar, and the chef commenced to clean the place. First, the garbage can was put on the counter where the food prep happens and beside all of the clean dishes. It was not a clean garbage can. Second, they began to mop the prep area floor and it stunk of bleach. Clearly, our business was unimportant, and the food was going to be rather questionable. We politely explained to the waitress that we needed to go and would not be eating after all. With so many good places to have sushi in the Bay Area why settle for something so questionable.
(1)
Maryneth K.
I wanted to like this place but maybe I came at the wrong time (around 9PM).
(2)
Andy Y.
This is probably the biggest sushi place I have ever been to. If the place is busy, there is a surprisingly large lounge area where you can wait and there is a place for kids to do stuff too (flatscreen with a DVD player and toys). Luckily it wasn't busy at all that night and my friends and I ate at the bar. Not the sushi bar, but the bar. This place is Korean owned and is really modern looking in a non-lame way. Their restrooms are clean. I have to bring it up again, but there is a lot of seating at this place. For their drinks, I had a small sake to myself and a complimentary Mango Mojito. I don't know what made me order sake, but I don't like sake. I wanted their Zipang Sparkling Sake because I had never heard of such a thing but they were all out. Shucks. Maybe next time. For my dinner entrees, I ordered the Spider Roll and Drunken Fish Roll. To be honest, I don't remember what was in the Drunken Fish but it was okay. When I had it, it just made me realize that most rolls taste the same regardless of what ingredients are in it. But it was still tasty. However, these rolls are the types of rolls that only come in four pieces (at least at this place it is). That was the only flaw of my dinner. Other than that, I ordered their Edamame and got like a whole bowl of it and it was freaking awesome. I will always love miso soup and their salad was in a bowl that was totally packed and coated in the dressing evenly. It was all good. By the end of my meal, I was pretty full. I was eating the edamame throughout my whole dinner and it was the last thing to eat. Since there weren't that many people there, the waitress was very attentive towards us. If you ever have Rachel as your waitress, be sure to give her a big tip. She deserves it.
(4)
ryan y.
The first thing I ask myself- If I didnt live upstairs, would I go out of my way to eat at miyozen? Naw. But since it's convenient, it's not bad. Like everyone has said, don't go there for the service. The staff seems to be working hard, just working hard for everyone elses table. Also, they seem sorta scared of this one server (see angry looking bossy asian dude) I dunno if he's the boss or what, haha. The food is decent, and I actually really enjoy their icewater. My water upstairs does NOT taste like this! No joke, the icewater is great, Im always reluctant to leave the table without slugging it back before I go. I'd prefer to give 3.5 stars, but def not a 4. Prices arent bad, lil stingy with the ginger/wasabi. I also noted the conveyor belt items don't undergo a high switch-out so buyer beware! ALSO: Don't sit near the bathroom- you know how you can taste what you smell? Ya....
(3)
maria z.
Okay, its far from the worst sushi spot in the world. here are my gripes with it: way too much food on the conveyor belt for the number of people in the restaurant - i'm sure it hadn't been there for four hours - at least I hope not - but it had that feeling. I don't understand places that still serve "pink" ginger. What is this? 1985? Also, why oh why do people insist on putting mayonaise in every freakin roll they make? Is it cheaper that way? Service was so-so, one young male waiter was pretty good and on it, but otherwise really difficult to order, get your check, and forget getting drinks. Now, in their defense, service at sushi is never good, so you can't really lose a star for that as long as they aren't rude, which they weren't. Atmosphere is nice, we sat at the bar. They get two stars for a good sized sushi bar that was very clean, pleasant waitstaff that consistently filled my tea - though it would have been nice had they asked us if we wanted something to drink - or were ever present in the beginning of our meal for us to order a drink - note to management: alcohol makes you money. Other star is for price - I'm not sure what others on yelp are used to - but this is very reasonably priced sushi - I mean there were a few things I thought didn't make sense on pricing - but for the most part I found it extremely reasonable - though I do think the price reflected the quality.
(2)
carrie c.
I frequent this joint a lot...probably because I'm right upstairs, but I like it. It's not the BEST sushi place I've eaten at (my fav: Mikuni in Sac), but it's definitely one of the better sushi places in the area. The restaurant is nice, clean, and big. The sushi rolls are decently sized for what you're paying, and there's plenty of variety. The service is...ehhh alright. Don't get me wrong, they're definitely not lazy by any means. They're always moving from table to table, but they move so fast that they sometimes look over your waving hand.
(3)
Joanne T.
Slow service, but the food was good. A good selection of tatakis, beautifully presented. Large sushi bar with COVERED dishes (I'm a germaphobe). Wide selection of tasty rolls. SLOW SLOW service though. There's really a limited selection of sushi in Emeryville, so I'm glad I went to try Miyozen. Will definitely return to stuff my face.
(4)
Kris A.
Sushi Happy Hour is lots of fun, and totally affordable. And the slices of fish were nice and thick, and tasted so fresh.
(4)
Kevin L.
Strange little place, though it could have been the time of day my friend and I strolled into the joint. We did the all-you-gobble sushi bar. Decent deal if you're into the imitation crab bonanza with all the different mayo & other squiggly sauces on top of rice. Everything was acceptably tasty (though we may have been starving), and it was amusing to see cheesecake and a huge slab of anonymous birthday cake floating down the runway. A nice bit the place does is that the chef will make you any roll you want. He'll also make you all kinds of stuff you might not want, like a weird sashimi/poke/fish cube spicy bowl thing that you kind of poke. He'll then look kinda hurt and ask you repeatedly why you didn't eat more of it. If you're a fan of unagi, you can keep asking for it (even though it's about to go extinct, you bad person you).
(3)
Victoria J.
I've been here several times with my husband and daughter, who is a sushi fanatic. We've been during happy hour to take advantage of the 1.99 plates, which my kid loves to pull off of the conveyor belt. The good: service is fine. Nice space inside and if you have really little ones, there's a play area to take them to when they tire of ruining your meal with their restlessness. Sometimes they project a Miyazaki movie on the wall, so that can be nice and distracting for children, too. The not-so-good: The fish. Even my nine year-old's palate sensed that something was off. We grabbed some spicy tuna rolls and underneath the hot spice it just tasted of old fish. $1.99 plates -- we got what we paid for.
(2)
Trung N.
It was a surprising visit to stop by here to get myself some sushi/sashimi here with a friend. For the most part, it wasn't bad. The pieces i got for my hamachi sashimi plate was fresh and delicious. Nothing fishy, and good texture. I saw the conveyor belt, but nothing on it really looked appetizing. The rolls seemed pretty small in portion relative to what other places i've gone to and for the prices i've paid. The hot sake that was during their happy menu also tasted pretty nice, though I couldn't imagine ever paying full price for it. Even for the smaller portion (with the happy hour price) being $2 seemed a bit ok. I've seen $1 sake at other places with better quality. Overall, nothing exciting, and thank goodness nothing disappointing,
(3)
Joanne L.
Nice location, spacious, and don't have to wait for a table. But the food here is very plain, and way too pricey for what you get. Service is mediocre, you really have to wave down someone to get attention. Don't be fooled by their $1.99 happy hour special. The rolls are tiny - two pieces per plate- so you're essentially paying a $1 a piece. Don't go for the deep fried food they also have going around the sushi bar belt, its cold, so it's probably been sitting there for a while.
(2)
Devon J.
Miyozen has a more modern look than most sushi restaurants, and even a play area where adults can drop off their kids haha (I guess sushi isn't for kids =P) This is one of those places where you can choose to sit by the conveyor belt and order directly from there/ the sushi chef, or you can even sit at a table bordering the conveyor belt where you can order both menu items, from the sushi chef and the conveyor belt. The first thing that caught my eye was how expensive the rolls were! Some rolls would scale up to even $14! Didn't feel high roller enough to try those ones, so my friend and I each settled for the $12 rolls. But then again, maybe I've been spoiled by the cheap sushi places in Berkeley/Oakland, see: Tako, Manpuku and Geta. She ordered the raider roll, I ordered the Koryo dragon roll (which is a dragon roll with shrimp tempura in the middle with also avocado and unagi on top, hers was pretty much the same but with eel in the middle) When the sushi came out, they were pretty little pieces of sushi, with 6-8 for each roll. They were yummy, but not particularly anything special. So I kinda think it's still a little expensive. But on the plus side, we came from 6:30-9:30pm which is happy hour for conveyor belt plates. All plates were $1.99! I thought this was pretty good because after awhile, they let us order from the sushi chef, with various selections of nigiri. Two pieces of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and all the other basic nigiri for two bucks each, not bad. The fish was not bad either, not the freshest ever, but fresh enough to enjoy it. Overall Miyozen is a pretty nice place, I would give it 3.5 stars because of the nice environment, friendly and young staff, and pretty good, though a little expensive for the rolls, sushi.
(3)
Keith T.
This is really an update on the "happy hour" dinner experience.... Its gone a little south since the last time I reviewed it. Most of the rolls on the conveyor belt are variations of rice & crab salad. Rolls ordered a la carte are still ok, not as good as I remembered. I think we're going to wait a bit before we return here, hopefully things get sorted out. Two stars for the food experience. Their Staff are still really nice and welcoming as always
(2)
Kevin R.
This is mainly a typical conveyor belt sushi place. Plates are about 2/dollars each most of the time, so it is definitely an affordable meal. Nice decor and overall seems like a good value. So although it may not be the highest quality sushi ever, it was certainly way better than average and a great deal for the money. Everything seemed fresh, although portion sizes on plate were a bit small. But what makes them really stand out is their "challenge roll". Whereby you eat a giant sushi roll and get it for free if you finish it in under a half hour. I am a competitive eater so finished it in 5 minutes flat, freaking out the chefs because I literally did something that seems like it should be impossible. But this would be a real battle for most normal humans to finish in under a half hour. But it is manageable size (maybe 4-5lbs), unlike some eating challenges which are like 6-8lbs. So I would recommend it for the average person with a big appetite if they want to try a "man vs. food" type thing. It was definitely one of the tastiest food challenges I've done, and I've done a lot.
(4)
Danny L.
This place is starting to grow on me. It's right in between 3 and 4 stars... Maybe next time, I'll bump them up to 4?! Maybe... the atmosphere doesn't seem interesting enough to thoroughly enjoy a sake bomb and company. The lunch specials are decently priced, well portioned, and quite tasty! I always get the Korean BBQ ribs and the gyoza combo. The gyozas are HELLA GOOD!!! The sushis are normally fresh and decent. Unless you pick them off the wierd conveyor belt. Those seemed a little old... I guess they don't replace those items as often. The service is pretty cool and the layout is pretty modern and tasteful inside. The curb appeal is not so pretty but the parking lot in the back is nice. No wierdos approaching you since you're in a secured place which is always a plus.
(3)
W. T.
Came through with ten guests after 9pm by request of the birthday girl. A number of sushi fans at the table and we laid down $170 on the check. A few things, the rolls were mediocre, there was only one sushi chef on duty and the instructions to the waitress was specifically, "no sauce." You know, sauce that is the dark colored sweet sauce that appears like thick soy sauce that is sprayed onto Western style sushi like sour cream is onto Western style burrito's. All the sushi came out with sauce on it. We took the first two mistakes out of pity, but the following, even after the warning, had to be remade due to continued mistakes. If the sushi was awesome, then those mistakes would be forgiven, but the quality and taste were no better than Safeway's take out sushi. The Cherry Blossom roll had the fake crab meat stuffed in the center - usually it's tuna and avocado! Ugh, I dislike sushi restaurants that false advertise their ingredients, make continual mistakes, and are slow on service. The two dishes that came out quickly were the fried veggie dumplings and the chicken teriyaki, two dishes that one doesn't rate a Japanese restaurant by. Either this place needs to drop the price by 1/3 or up the quality and speed. The fact that the restaurant had only two other tables to serve punctuated the poor experience. When we left, the discussion was unanimous, 3 out of 10 on sushi quality level.
(2)
Chris B.
Suuuuuuper slow. 45 min for 2 orders of seared tuna. And the restaurant wasnt even crowded. Fish was mediocre at best. Service was friendly. Do not recommend.
(2)
Beverly T.
Happy hour special 6:30-9:30PM: $1.99 everything on the conveyor belt. Wait until you see the sushi chef put the dish on the belt then snatch that shit. Otherwise you're getting super old fish that's had one too many spins around the old belt. They have nigiri (Basics like saba, sake, maguro, tai), and rolls (They're basically just variations on the old California rolls), mussels (Cold with a weird vinaigrette on it), baked mussels (They have that spicy mayo-ish sauce on it. I actually like these when they come out hot.) and sometimes they have raw oysters (Ponzu & green onions. These are pretty good.) They also have teriyaki chicken, edamame and a few other random cooked foods. Onto the menu items.... Bento box items (beef teriyaki, chicken katsu etc.) are typical. Nothing special and nothing terrible but they are overpriced. Steamed tofu: Good flavor, nice and delicate but the portion is small and I could make this at home for like $.50. Tuna tataki: Good mix of sesame oil and ponzu, fish was nicely seared but quality was poor and again, overpriced. Udon: Noodles are store bought but I love udon noodles so I still think they're pretty good. Broth is obviously from a concentrated mix they add water to. Again, I love udon so this is still good to me but nothing to write home about. Side note: One time at happy hour I found a hair in my nigiri. Mmmm... hair.... But hey, there's nothing else in Emeryville and sometimes I'm both desperate for sushi and too lazy to drive far so..... I'll be back... hungry for more hair.
(2)
Wendy H.
Ready to drop $50 for a mediocre dinner for two? Then head on over to Miyozen! Their rolls were alright, but the things floating around on the conveyor belt were not that great. -shrugs- not bad, but not great.
(2)
Emmett B.
I went during happy hour which is from 4-9:30PM which all plates on the conveyer belt were $1.99... sounds like a great deal huh?! Well, unfortunately the sushi tasted like it was a $1.99. I was highly disappointed w/ the the quality of the sushi. Maybe because we were there on a Wed night, the sushi didn't seem fresh, but then again the everything else wasn't that good. The baked mussels were cold, the shrimp tempura wasn't that good, and there were not alot of selections on the conveyer belt. We did order from the regular menu, and the food was alot better. I ordered the teriyaki beef which was grilled and pretty good. The cabbage salad that went with the beef was also pretty good. The service was alright, but nothing really stood out. This place is just an ok sushi place in Emeryville.
(3)
Jacqueline W.
I stopped by for lunch today with a few of my coworkers...Miyozen has a bento box lunch special: 2 items for $7.95 or three for $9.95. I had the gyoza and the tuna sashimi which came with miso soup, rice, edamame and a cute little sliced orange. Everything tasted fine. Normal fine. The wait time was short, as the crowd was minimal and the service was great. I will have to come in and try some of the rolls on the rotating sushi bar.
(3)
Mark K.
This place is awesome. No idea why it has such a low rating. I'll probably go here again tonight since it was so good. Got the titanic and rainbow roll yesterday and STILL can't stop thinking about it. Great sushi place!
(5)
Taylor S.
Sushi boat style restaurant. It's a Korean owned sushi restaurant so they have a decent amount of Korean-style sushi options on the menu. I've only been for the sushi happy hour (430-830 daily) and it is a good bang for your buck. After reading reviews here I was a little skeptical, saw a ton of people talking about the questionable sushi on the sushi conveyor belt. I somewhat agree with them, some of the stuff I pulled off the belt was on there a little too long, but can't complain too much when all plates are $1.99 during the happy hour (that is a ridiculous amount of time for a happy hour btw). My suggestion is to go on a weekend day or when they are busier to get the best variety on the belt. I've only gone on fridays so I have had a pretty good selection to chose from. Also, if you can you should pay attention to the chefs and see what they are making and putting down fresh. I usually just watch the sushi chefs and snatch up anything that they put down so it is nice and cold. I had the unfortunate experience of some scallop sashimi that was on the warmer side because it was sitting out so long. The place usually sets me back about 40 bucks for two people which isn't too bad. I usually grab a large beer so you can knock off about 5 bucks off the price if you don't drink.
(3)
Christine P.
From the outside this place doesn't look like much but when you walk in, it has a nice modern look and the back room is surprisingly big and open. I am a fan of Miyozen's sister restaurants but enjoy coming here for the conveyor belt sushi. Other than the taste, the best part of the dishes parading around on the belts is that each dish is covered with a plastic dome. The germaphobe / healthcare worker in me thinks that is the next best thing to sliced bread. The slices of sashimi are pretty thick (they used to be thicker), the rolls aren't skimpy in size and the overall quality of the food is good. Overall, 4 stars from me but I have to minus 1 star for the time I called to find out what time they stop serving dinner. Mind you, I didn't ask what time they close...there IS a difference. Anywho, they told me 10:30pm but when I got there a little after 10pm, they said they were closed. Oh ok, if you guys were closed, how the hell did I just walk into your establishment...osmosis? I spoke with a female on the phone but when I got there, the only female worker there denied getting a phone call. She must've started shaking in her boots when I gave started flashing my gang signs and mouthing "I'll see you outside". That pretty much ruined the start of my night because I had to search for somewhere else to eat, killing more time.
(3)
Al B.
A very friendly place to eat in the rough part of town.
(4)
Amie R.
The happy hour here seems ridiculously generous. 6:30-9:30? Yes please! To be fair, when you go at 6:30, all the sushi on the belt is fresh and there's lots of variety. The closer you get to 9:30, the sadder the selection and freshness. If you get there at 9, you can pretty much forget it, they've already stopped putting anything new on the belt, and if you're in the least bit picky, you'll end up ordering off the menu. It's definitely some of the cheapest sushi around, and the belt is great for my fiancee's ADD. If you need something outside of what's on the belt, it's sometimes hard to get the waiter's attention, and they seem somewhat inconsistent on whether they give you miso soup when you sit down or not. Overall, tasty and fun!
(4)
Varada G.
Yesterday I went shopping in Bay Street only to discover that Easter Sunday signified the early-closing of virtually everything. However, Miyozen sported a sprightly neon OPEN sign well after everything else had shut down; intrigued, I walked in (with the encouragement of a friend who'd been here several times before). The ambience was a little Zen, with dimmed lighting, the sounds of fountains (which actually are just tanks that hold live fish before their deaths), and I might have even seen a beaded curtain or two. We were led to the conveyor-belt seating area and much to my delight, discovered that the Happy Hour extends for an astounding five hours---4:30-9:30PM, every plate is $1.99. This didn't seem legitimate, so to the right there was another sign detailing the prices of individual plates. The individual sushi rolls looked tiny but were mad filling. The tempura was decent; I wasn't sure exactly what was in it because someone had knocked over the sign on the belt but it seemed alright. I also plucked off a bowl of edamame and a plate of California rolls, all of which were intensely satisfying. I was expecting my tab to approach $11 but the server informed us that it was, indeed, happy hour and I ended up paying $4 for a delightful meal. While the sushi isn't the best I've ever had, it was quite a deal and I felt that I'd gotten more than what I'd paid for. I've also heard the hot sake is a good complement to your meal, but I did not order it for myself. Next time. The lemon sake is delicious, though, very well made. Good for groups: the server will split your check individually (if you tell her when you're ordering) at no extra charge. They are very friendly despite the added inconvenience and were professional enough not to fumble orders. The service was also exceptional---three or four servers were intermittently popping from behind the kitchen and filling my glass with hot tea after I'd consumed a millimeter of it. They were a friendly bunch as well. I had nothing but a positive experience here and am looking forward to sharing my discovery with friends and family.
(4)
Herb L.
Food is typical for sushi in the SF Bay Area (this is a good thing, btw.) Service is excellent and very attentive. Get the flaming dragon roll--it's on fire. Literally. As in flambe. The prices are kinda steep but not cringe when you pay steep. They seem to handle the very large group I was in with ease.
(4)
Elaine Y.
great service and friendly, attentive staff. i give that 5 stars alone. the food is yummy. sashimi was not fishy even though it's fish. very tender and moist. had agedashi which i love~ huge pieces (came w/ 3 big yummy chunks). would definitely come back and try more things.
(4)
Camille K.
I raced into Miyozen Sushi & Roll after a harrowing bus ride on AC Transit's 31 line. I ditched whatever plans I had and decided to try this place. It was either this or continue to be battered on the bus. I arrived shortly after they'd opened for dinner and was the only diner for a while. The belt hadn't even started moving yet. I grabbed a half order of California Roll off the stationary belt and tore into the menu. I choose a 49ers Roll (salmon and lemon topped California Roll) and a Shrek Roll (avocado topped tuna roll withtiny green fish eggs and green sauce). The 49ers Roll had less salmon than the picture indicated, but was tasty nonetheless. The Shrek Roll came topped with generous amounts of avocado. I was too stuffed after eating these to even ask for anything a la carte. The waitress sensed this and offered me dessert: ginger ice cream. Mmm! I am withholding stars until I experience this restaurant with more ambiance. Also, it's a dead zone where mobile phones are concerned. It's close proximity to numerous bus lines is a plus!
(3)
Jason L.
Just went here for lunch with a buddy of mine. This was my first time here so I had to try their sashimi. Ended up getting the maguro, sake, escolar, and hamachi and tried a couple of their specialty rolls. Really nice decor, pretty modern set up, has a rotating sushi belt (which I'll get to in a few), lots of friendly staff, and even the sushi chefs checked up on us. Food quality and presentation: 4 stars because I've honestly have had better sashimi before. Don't get me wrong, the fish is still really fresh, and they were thick cuts, but a couple of the slices I had were too fibrous for me. The rolls were full of flavors and the amount of rice was perfect. What I didn't like was seeing the same items on the conveyor belt passing by every couple of minutes. I know there's places in socal with rotating sushi that have sensors on the bottom of the plate so its been sitting there longer than a certain amount of time, the chefs have to take it off and throw it out. I didn't see this happening at this spot....kinda made me iffy to do the all you can rotating sushi in the future. Besides that, I'm pretty sure I'll be coming back in the future if I'm in the area.
(4)
Sylvia b.
After eating at a revolving sushi place, down in Irvine, we just had to find one that was like it; on the belt and $2. Luckily, we came across this place. For parking, you can park on the streets or in their garage, which I think it's also for the apartments, too. You enter the restaurant, and to your left would be the kid's play area. Walk in some more, and there' s, what looks to be, a bar. We had to wait about 5-10 minutes. It's usually packed during happy hour, which is from 6:30-8:30, so be prepared to wait a while. We get seated and the food is already there for you to grab. Take as much as you want; It's $2/plate, during happy hour. I've been here twice, and the food seems to be the same. The only thing that changes are their special rolls, on different days. The rolls are pretty good. I can say that I can eat a whole lot, just by myself. Or maybe because I'm always hungry. For their mussels, they have ones with hot sauce, but it's more like salsa on top, and there's a baked one. The service is quite alright. They usually just seat you, get you water, and walk around, taking the tops from the plates from you. They stop by every now and then to ask if you're okay. The chefs are nice, as well. You get to see them in action, making the food. Not only that, but they also communicate with you, when they have a chance to. Overall, I'd definitely go back, because of happy hour and to just have some sushi.
(3)
Thea S.
this place was pretty awful. I love sushi, all kinds but this was like one step above pre-packaged Trader Joes rolls. I went for happy hour and everything was just a california roll with different stuff on top. Yeah it was cheap but it was really bland. The crab was all imitation and far too sweet. The prices were good but I got what I paid for. Boring sushi. I liked the free green tea and miso though and the service was good. 2 stars.
(2)
Ronald N.
A great place to dine and wine. Yummy sushi.
(5)
William K.
There is no more happy hour specials, even on weekends. Few things on menu not available anymore, Everything just looks worn out and not fresh. Even the edamame was old/funky tasting. I used to work at a sushi restaurant and this is run like a typical korean run sushi restaurant. Corners are cut and you can see it instantly in this restaurant. This place charges high prices for its sushi especially since the quality isnt there. This place would have been fine it was a little cheaper to serve their prepackaged frozen sushi. The staff was ok, could have been more knowledgeable. Overall I wouldnt come back unless it was cheap or if the quality of the sushi was better.
(2)
Don D.
Meh... This place offers some of the blandest tasting sushi for the price. I got the Jelly Fish Salad which was extremely small for $6 but it tasted ok. It tasted like any other jellyfish salad I've had but, due to the small serving, I felt ripped off. The Rainbow Tama roll (tuna, hamachi, tobiko, wasabi tobiko, black tobiko on top of a California roll) had a slight kick because of the wasabi but was bland enough that I had to pour soy sauce on it. I also had another roll, whose name escapes me, but it was also bland and tasteless enough that I had to add soy sauce. I guess you pay for the decorations of this place and not the food. Blehh...
(3)
JET T.
This place is HUGE. Much larger than I'd thought from looking at it from the outside. I'm mainly going to focus on the rolls that I ordered. They were kinda small, but that's fine if they were good. I guess they were good BUT they definately added MSG to it. I am somewhat alergic to MSG and my whole mouth would feel tingly when it's present in the food I eat. Cherry blossom rolls only had a sliver of tuna, the bento box was ok but for the price I would have expected more food (think Sushi House in Alameda), although the fried chicken appetizer was better than their other Oakland location Koryo Sushi. I don't think any place should put any MSG at all especially on Japanese sushi and rolls. It's unacceptable and thus the 2 star rating. Should be 1 but they open kind of late so the convenience factor kicks in...
(2)
Brittany L.
I honestly don't understand why this place has bad reviews. My boyfriend and I have been coming here for years. The sushi chefs are amazing and make sure to greet us every time. Waiters are friendly and give you the perfect amount of attention. The most important of all we come here for the amazing sushi they serve. Not once have we been unsatisfied and when we go to other sushi spots we compare it to this place. Hands down favorite spot.
(5)
Jane H.
This place is still great -don't get me wrong. But the happy hour special is gone and that makes it pretty expensive for my budget now. Before it was a no brainer if I was in the area I was going to Miyozen.
(4)
Jacob v.
I come here for a 49er roll every once in a while, otherwise it's just pretty average sushi. Service is good and the place is cool, and lounge like. Its a ok but not by any means the best sushi.
(3)
Kathy L.
This was our go-to place for birthdays when I lived in the East Bay because of the AYCE (what do you expect from a bunch of college boys?). You basically go to the conveyor belt and pick up as many plates of sushi you can hold and bring it back to your table to feast on, along with the endless sashimi (go for the white tuna but beware of eating too much...). I've always had a good experience and left happy and full. Comes out to about $40 so bring your appetite.
(4)
Shon G.
I hate to give Miyozen a negative review, since I have enjoyed their sushi on several occasions, mostly when I need lots of basic roles for a party or a picnic (I order for pick-up). They are quite perfect for that, their roles are satisfying and tasty, nothing special. However, last night I made the mistake of going to Miyozen with my husband for dinner. We were in the mood for good sushi, and thought we might give Miyozen a chance since it's walking distance from our home. Big mistake. With the exception of their unagi nigiri which I enjoyed, I did not enjoy anything I ate or drank there and it also wasn't cheap. I walked out of there somewhat depressed because of this experience. I just wanted some sushi pleasure and instead got a big disappointment. We ordered the dinner size salmon sashimi, red snapper sashimi, grabbed a couple unknown plates off the sushi track, and also had the unagi nigiri and one of their special roles called "So Sexy" (I may be getting the name slightly wrong). We also ordered cold sake, beer, and since both were not to my liking I ordered one of their cocktails with soju which was supposed to imitate a mojito (the menu said "fresh mint"!) and which was really just soju and soda and tasted sweet and bland. The worst part was the salmon sashimi, which is normally my FAVORITE item. It was grainy and slightly chewy, and had no flavor. Also the wasabi had very little flavor and I had to keep adding more and more of it to feel a tang. And all that pleasure cost us ~100$! Sorry Miyozen. I know you are good for many people who perhaps have low standards when it comes to sushi, and I will probably still order simple roles from you when I need a quick fix for a party. But I won't eat there again and I would not recommend it to any respectable shushi lover. Perhaps you should reconsider your source of fish and other ingredients since your location makes you an ideal spot and I would love to change my mind and give you a good review.
(2)
Mel B.
Finally got to try Miyozen Sushi & Roll this weekend after a fellow Yelper's suggestion. Like any of her suggestions Miyozen was spot on, it was great and I loved it. Thanks Christine P. Since my sister took my two boys to the movies, my wife, my two years old daughter and I went to Miyozen for dinner. I've been to a lot of Sushi Bars before, but this was one of the best ones I've been too. I definitely like their setting, the proper lighting and dark furniture just added more to their food presentation and made the food more appetizing. The taste, OOOHHH SO YUMMY! I've had great Sushi before, but from a conveyor belt (or floating boats), never. That's why my wife and I was surprise to see that some of their specialty rolls were actually on the conveyor belt. We also ordered a couple of specialty rolls, so here's what we got for dinner: From the Conveyor Belt ($2 a plate, usually comes w/ 2 pieces): 49ers Roll - Fresh Salmon and lemon on top of a California Roll. NOW THAT'S HOW YOU MAKE A 49ERS ROLL! (So many years I've been so disappointed that I always eat the Raiders Roll because the 49ers Roll always sucks in most Sushi joints. This particular 49ers Roll kicks A$$.) Baked Scallop - Baked Scallop on top of a California Roll. Loved it, best one of the night. I think the other customers were mad at us because we kept taking it as soon as the chef puts it down. Hay he kept putting it on our side. Godzilla Roll - Deep fried spicy Tuna with unagi sauce and hot sauce. All mine, my wife hates spicy stuff. Tiger Eye Roll - Deep Fried Salmon & green onion with a touch of Masago. Very tasty. From the menu: Penthouse Roll - Apparently on the Special Specialty Roll Menu (not on their regular menu). Sorry I don't remember exactly what it was. Just remember salmon, unagi and Philly Cheese. Very good, so look out for it if they have it in their Special Specialty Menu. Rock & Roll - Unagi, avocado, cucumber, masago, and unagi sauce. Good but the least most exciting of the night. The Mango Mojito - Loved it! (Yes I like fruity drinks.) The service was also very good and friendly. One of the chefs actually gave my daughter a free ice cream and kept talking to her. Apparently he also has a two years old daughter and two older boys. We were also seated immediately and the food came out quickly. Overall I really love this place and recommend it. I also definitely want to try their sister restaurants, Drunken Fish and Koryo Sushi, both located in Oakland.
(5)
Tara S.
great california roll! great saki! different flavors! feels fancy in there compared to other sushi joints i venture in my advice= change your name i always thought you were a frozen yogurt shop!!
What in the world. Came here at night for dinner. Ordered the Chirashi, received Salmon dinner? I don't know what assorted means anymore, but does two different types of fish count? Also I couldn't finish the plate either due to poor flavor, texture, and quality. I am a fish eater, it saddens me that all that fish went to waste. Maybe I should try their happy hour since it seems to be so much better.
(2)
Andrew L.
As you walk into this place, you think, "wow, this place has a good Asian clientele and lots of marble, that must mean it's gonna be good." It was *just* alright. What I liked: Tea: nice flavor, not too strong. Nice and hot. Nice, big tables; this is a big restaurant. The sushi boat plates looked pretty tasty, including the desserts. The hot sake was very very smooth with great flavor. I couldn't argue with the flavor of the miso soup, either! What I thought was so-so: The tuna nigiri: freshly prepared, but the fish isn't nearly as fresh as it is at Uzen or Kirala. Still better than many cheaper places, though. The size of the portions: too large. You have to eat the nigiri in two bites if you don't want to look like a pig, and the same is absolutely true of the specialty rolls. Everything, including the chopsticks, felt super-sized here. What I didn't like: The consistency of the fish and crab: The crab was too creamy and the Tuna a bit watery/soft. The service timing for the sushi versus hot plates. We had finished eating our sushi by the time my brother's chicken teriyaki came! We had to ask for our check. The nigiri plates were just about on the mark for price, so I can't say much bad about that. However, due to the quality, the value may be diminished a bit. I don't know whether I'll be taking my girlfriend here or not....
(3)
Debora L.
Three stars earned for: Acceptable sushi Large portions Accepting reservations for large parties (30+ people) Free parking 2 and 3-item bento boxes - a great deal! Two stars deducted for: EXTREMELY slow and poor service (for both small and large groups) Standard fare sushi and Japanese All you can eat sushi buffet for $20 - only eligible if everyone in your party orders it Botching up my order about 40% of the time
(3)
Joseph S.
Service was great, fast & friendly. Love both types of Dragon Rolls. Very spacious & cool kick back feel.
(4)
Holly F.
I would have given this a 3, however, upped it to a 4 due to going during happy hour and being impressed with the prices. I ate there on a Friday evening and sat at the sushi boat bar. The quality of sushi was not the best, which could have been due to eating at happy hour, but was not the worst. However, the happy hour prices were good, 50% off sake and $2 for each sushi boat plate (2-3 pieces of a roll on each place). Getting 2 pieces of octopus sashimi for $2 is always exciting to me. I would definitely recommend this for those wishing to get a good deal on a happy hour meal.
(4)
Fontane L.
Surprisingly good value! Went here for their happy hour ($1.99 for anything off the sushi belt). I usually automatically discount any kind of sushi place with a belt or boat involved, but came here to meet friends, so didn't want to diss their restaurant choice. Raw fish quality was pretty good, especially for the price - had tuna, escolar, mackerel, salmon. The belt had all sorts of goodies: - basic nigiri, such as those listed above - rolls, two pieces for basic rolls or 2 pieces for fancier ones - mussels (spicey ponzu or baked) - chicken teriyaki - croquette I was feeling hungry...probably ate about 10-12 plates...$20-24 is not bad for a sushi fix under extreme hunger, no? The place is also a good option for seafood-allergic friends....a good number of options available, even off the sushi belt! :)
(4)
Apple C.
Dinner time is the best time to go, when all the plates on the belt are $1.99. The food on the sushi boat isn't bad, but pay attention to what and when they put the food out to avoid getting old stuff. It takes 10 minutes for the belts to go completely around when the full thing is opened; I timed it. Otherwise, the menu items are good but really expensive. The best way to go is to order one or two items from the menu that you can't get off othe sushi belt.
(4)
Diana K.
Let me make this is clear as possible... DON'T GO HERE. Went in on a Sunday with some friends and after being seated & looking through the menu here's how things went down.. Me: I'll have a House Cocktail A (Sorry, don't remember the name) Waitress: Sorry, we're all out of that today. Friend A: I'll have a House Coctail B Waitress: Sorry, we're all out of that one too Friend B: I'll have House Cocktail C Waitress: Sorry... um.. actually we're out of soju so we can't make any cocktails. 5 min. later and we all get our Sapporos (The ONLY available drink).. Friend A: I'll have the Tonkatsu Plate Waitress: Sorry, we're all out of Tonkatsu Friend A: I'll have the Chicken Katsu then Waitress: Sorry, we can't make any katsu today. Friend B: I'll have the Curry Plate Waitress: Sorry, we can't make curry today either. Friend C: I'll have the Udon Waitress: Okay. (YAY) ...30 sec. later.. Waitress: Sorry, we don't have udon today. Friend C: WHY Waitress: It's Sunday.. Sorry. ....?! WHAT?! We ended up getting Sapporos all around, some edamame, and a miso soup. The miso soup only came because someone got lucky (or so we thought) and ordered something that was available and the waitress happened to brin git out before finding out it also wasn't available for order. Wish I could make this review based on food but I can't because nothing on the menu was available that day.
(1)
Tiffany H.
Not that authentic and not a place I'd go to get high quality sushi, but the fusion rolls and non-raw foods are fun! Fabulous service, a great place for family and kids, and a place where IMHO you get your money's worth (barring the AYCE buffet--don't come here for that). I can't even begin to go over *everything* they have on their menu so just check out my pics!
(4)
Mel K. D.
Miyozen was a decent sushi go to restaurant . My friend and I have had some great sushi and serivice there many times, especially when arriving at least a half hour before their closing time of 2:30pm. Well, on Wed, 2/13/13 we arrived much earlier than usual and we were surprised there were not many more people there, and much less sushi on the belt. The service seemed more less attentive than our previous visits. When we asked for a bottle of hot sake , the waiter seemed nonchalant and said it would be " a little while" . Fine. So we had a couple of the usual rolls, and nigiri off the conveyer belt, which seemed to have a lot more rice than fish than in the past. After about fifteen to twenty minutes , no sake.... We asked the waiter and he seemed oblivious, so we cancelled the sake order. We ordered the uni ( which was creamy and tasty), unagi ( not that tasty, too sweet, they changed the bbq sauce) . Our lunch meeting was much shorter than usual . LOL Our lunch date was okay. The staff seemed not there in mind. I recommended Miyozen to friends in the past. But this last experience ... I am not so positive. Mel
(2)
Sharee g.
It wasn't bad....wasn't that great either. I prefer it's sister restaurant the Drunken Fish. Would I be back?? probably not....unless I go with a group and that's what the majority decides. *shrugs*
(3)
Stacey C.
Super close to my house so I really want to give it 4 stars. Nothing spectacular though. Great when you want some fast, affordable sushi. Got there about 6:40 on a Saturday because we were tired and they were close. Conveyer belt is decent. $1.99 sushi on conveyer belt starting from 6:30 - 9:30 (I think 9:30). Place was dead, I think there was one other table. Huge space for a place around here. Got busier close to 7:30 but still a ton of room and the wait staff were helpful and decent. Total bill for 2 was $44 which included a large Asahi and a coke. Several things off the conveyer belt (maybe 5) including sesame balls (my favorite). 2 Special Rolls which were good, but $12 each. We will go back, too close to pass up and too easy to get into. Nothing really wrong, but nothing spectacular.
(3)
Bert T.
- Sushi conveyor- avoid - Bento box- blah - Service- Where did he go? Went here for dinner on a Thursday night. The place and decor was nice but it was quite empty when we entered. Sushi from the conveyor belt wasn't fresh at all. What do you expect? It's
(1)
Natalia S.
I'm baffled by the few bad reviews, I love this place! The ambiance is great, it's very spacious and would be the perfect place for a large event. Everything seems really clean, exactly how a restaurant that serves sushi should be. I came here for the happy hour, which is from 6 to 8, unlike other happy hours that are usually at totally inconvenient times. The conveyor belt sushi is delicious, especially considering how cheap it is. My friends got delicious raw oysters, salmon, and specialty rolls and we were all surprised at how reasonable the prices were. The staff was also very friendly and accommodating. I'm definitely coming back!
(5)
Mscee M.
$1.99 sushi who can pass that up! Quick and great service! They also have a menu for those who don't care for sushi. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Stephen S.
The sushi is not bad. It's fresh and the sashimi size is generous. The quality is one step above Sushi House in Alameda. I noticed Japanese Americans are picky about their sushi coming from authentic Japanese chefs but the difference is not noticeable to non-Japanese which the majority of customers here are. 3 stars for food +1 star for convenience. Spacious restaurant with it's own garage.
(4)
Paul S.
I like it. I've been here twice now and I've been thrilled and totally stuffed both times I left. The service is fine, nothing incredible but they always keep my water and tea filled and that's what's important to me. The sushi belt is what brings me in though. 2 bux a plate and the food is varied enough that I can have 10 plates and have something different every time. I had several kinds of nigiri, chicken teriyaki, a bunch of types of rolls, and gyoza, all at 2 bux a plate. I was stuffed. I'll keep coming here for lunch every chance I get that's for sure. As for the freshness of the food on the rotation? Everything seemed tasty and fresh and 4 hours later I feel just fine :)
(5)
Lorrayne L.
My family's been coming here every so often since this place opened, and it's the sister-ya (shop) to The Drunken Fish in Oaktown. I'll tell you why this place is good - Decor, I give 5 stars: The place is decorated in a high-end Japanese bistro fashion, though not over the top like some fancy places I've been to. They're split into 2 sections - the bar and the dining hall. The bar has this neat little seating area where they've got a big LCD screen playing movies or sports all the time. The dining hall is huge, and right in the middle are the sushi chefs with a long conveyor belt showcasing various dishes on it as they make their way around the island. Food, I give 5 stars: The meat they cook for the bentos is fairly tender, which is good for my dad cus he can't really chew. The maki (rolls) are HUGE, and their miso is pretty darn tasty. My fave to get for lunch take-out is the sashimi salad, which is uber yummy and light on the belly; and my faves to order dining in are the nigiri (2-piece sushi) - most specifically the shiro maguro (albacore tuna), hamachi (yellowtail) and sake (salmon) nigiri. The shiro maguro has this wonderful garlic paste and chives on the top that always makes my mouth water. Service, I give 5 stars: The staff are super friendly, and both male and female staffers are uber cute. I also love the T-shirts they wear while on duty. Patronage: I've seen all sorts of people in this establishment. You really can't go that wrong in here. Bonus points: Despite being in a weird location where there's zilch street parking, they've got dedicated parking slots in the garage at the back of the building on Adeline. Plus, you can do take-out service here.
(5)
J H.
Won't go back - the conveyor belt had only items, and two or three were same type of roll. Fake crab IS NOT SUSHI! They dropped their all-you-can-eat program, which (you would think) probably isn't a bad thing. I mean, seriously, with any AYCE, the business is over-charging some people, and under-charging others. They didn't lose the fake crab meat - you know what I'm talking about - it is in MANY (most?) of their sushi. I hate it. The last time we went was about 1:45 pm, Sunday, Feb. 13, after softball practice. No - we weren't dressed in our Sunday finest, but neither of the two of us were dirty, or wearing dirty or torn clothing. We asked to sit at the sushi bar/counter, and we were going to take items from the conveyor belt. The place closes at @;30 for lunch. There were at least 2 other parties seated after us. There were FIVE (yes, 5) items on the conveyor belt. One was the sweet rice ball dessert dish. Two or three were same items. Gentleman to our left a few seats was obviously a regular ... he was talking with one of the guys behind the counter, who said they he had been partying and went home at 5 AM (he kinda looked wrecked). The waiter told us to ask the sushi chef (prob not the technical term) for anything we would like. We couldn't get either of the guys to look us at us! After being there for more then 20 minutes, having eaten only 1 item off the conveyor belt, and the miso soup, we left. We had to wait for the check, we had to wait for them to pick up the check and the cash (the cashier was talking with the previously mentioned regular), and then we had to wait for the change. We won't be returning.
(1)
Vicky L.
I agree with most of the reviewers in saying that Miyozen is only okay. The layout of the restaurant is nice and spacious, and I really like the choose which sushi you want off the conveyor belt type of feel, but unfortunately, the sushi does not taste as good as it looks. The fish is decent, but the rolls are indistinguishable from one another. We ordered a philly roll, a shrimp tempura/avocado roll, a shrimp/tempura avocado roll with spicy tuna on top, and eel with avocado inside and out. They all tasted exactly the same. We also picked up a couple of things from the conveyor belt - a wakame salad, a lion king roll (which was decent, even though it was a little bit too creamy), and salmon nigiri. Nothing to really Yelp home about. There is one thing I would go back for though and that is the Escolar Tataki dish. It is served seared over ponzu sauce and some watercress. It was delicious and absolutely redeemed the whole experience for me. Also, don't order the Fuji Apple Sake. It comes in a wine bottle, is way too sweet, and honestly, I didn't feel anything after downing two horrible syrupy glassfuls... UGH....
(3)
Michael C.
Really wanted to like this place, after driving past it for years. Since moving to N. Oakland I've been looking for go to cheap-yet-quality sushi place. Sadly, Miyozen wasn't able to fill that void. While the decor is nice and the atmosphere is pretty sweet, the sushi leaves much to be desired. The missus and I arrived on a Friday night around 7 pm, thinking the place would be packed. Hardly so. Patrons were scant, although people did start trickling in slowly as the night went on. Service was average, not terrible but not super impressive either. In fact, the food took rather long to arrive, though not the fault of the server. Upon arriving we were delighted to learn that the "sushi conveyor belt" items were $2 a piece. Hungry and ravenous, we delved into anything that looked appetizing. I'm always sketched out by sushi "boat" places bc you don't know how long things have been out. My theory is that since we arrived before the rush, a bunch of the plates had been chilling for awhile. Meh. Hoping that ordered sushi would be better, we ordered a few rolls and some salmon sashimi. Both were better than the sushi "boat," and I would describe it as mediocre-yet-passable. The prices were fairly steep for what we got, and I could have gotten the same thing for a few bucks less some place else. All in all, it pains me a bit to say that I wouldn't recommend this to other people. I don't like giving negative reviews because all businesses need some love, but Miyozen didn't give me any reason to like them. My quest for a suitable sushi joint continues...
(3)
Kim-van T.
The bf and I decided to get some sushi at Miyozen before catching a movie at Bay Street. I had been here once before and the experience was decent enough so I decided to go back. Why was everything so sweet!?! EVERYTHING tasted like there was sugar in it. Even the wasabi, wtf?!?! The california roll tasted like I was eating dessert..... so NOT COOL. Will not be back.
(1)
John L.
Miyozen Sushi has a place in my stomach for being the (former) closest all-you-can-eat sushi to my home. The buffet is gone now, but the rest of the food remains the same-- Korean Style Japanese food in a very modern looking restaurant that accommodates kids, groups and small parties with equal aplomb. That ambiance doesn't come cheap though. Bottom line, Miyozen is a great place for a light meal and drinks, but falls short in a few areas. The biggest highlight at this place is the ambiance. The restaurant is split into two sections-- the front bar, and a large dining area where the chefs do their work. Either is fine, but for a quieter experience, sit at the bar. The full menu is served at both areas. Miyozen is decorated in a subdued, modern fashion, and even has an area for your kids to play. It's far enough from the dining area that patrons will be thankful for the separation. Service here is wonderful as well. In all my visits, I have never gone without anything for too long, and in particular, the chefs at the sushi bar are great at checking up on you to make sure you have everything you want. With the loss of the all-you-can-eat option, however, comes a significant loss in value. Food here is slightly higher-priced than other Japanese restaurants, but at least you are still getting quite tasty Japanese entrees as interpreted through Korean recipes. Particular highlights are the Hae Dup Bap and the Sashimi salad, both substantial amounts of fresh salad and cut sashimi for under $20. Either one will fill you up, but I prefer the Hae Dup Bap for the extra flavor and spice. Most entrees will run you at least $13, even the humble Chicken Teriyaki. You'll find the teriyaki sauce here to be slightly watery and sweet, but it is easily remedied by asking for it on the side. Chicken and beef are both good options, but I prefer to opt for the beef as the chicken tends to taste fried before 'grilling'. In place of the former buffet is a special where everything on the sushi belt is just $2. In theory this works out fine, as many of the items on the boat were available during the buffet, however, a little something is lost, as one does not see some of the grander creations when premium options were available. You can still order a full roll from the menu, but if you wanted just a couple of pieces of a premium roll, those days are gone. Ask the chefs, who are all warm and helpful, and they may be able to get you what you need. There are some complaints about the food, but what sticks out to me most, and this will certainly deter any sushi purist (myself included... I just put it aside because this is, as I mentioned, the closest sushi joint to my house), is that the sushi is made with Jasmine rice, instead of the usual Calrose (short grain). This gives all the sushi rolls and nigiri a firmer texture, not what one would expect from a sushi place. The fish is still fresh enough, and the entrees are not bad, but this certainly hurt the rating overall. In summation, Miyozen is best enjoyed for its bar and lounge and not as a true Japanese food experience. Wonderful service, good portion size, and impressive ambiance save Miyozen from the "Skip It" recommendation, but if you're after the real thing in terms of sushi and don't care too much for ambiance, you are probably better served by going to Manpuku in Berkeley, or Geta in the Piedmont District.
(3)
Jennifer M.
Best bargain sushi ever! My colleague and I were in Emeryville overnight and after a week of hard eating/drinking, decided we needed to detox with some sushi. I checked Yelp and decided, despite a few mixed reviews, that this was the place we needed to be. Conveyor belt sushi at $2 a plate (from 6:30 - 8:30 pm) didn't give me high expectations but we figured it would be easy, quick, AND cheap. We were pleasantly surprised... very fresh nigiri sushi, a wide range of maki rolls, and good seaweed salad were among our tries. Miso soup is complimentary as is green tea. $24 (plus tax and tip) later we were stuffed full of fresh fish and our wallets were none the lighter. This is definitely a place I'll return to when in the area and craving sushi!
(5)
JD C.
A warm friendly atmosphere with really delicious food. I would give it 4.5 stars but that is not an available option. Everything was really good but not outstanding. The service was excellent yet not quite outstanding, the food was served quickly and there was a variety of food rotating around the counter for 1.99 a entree. The prices were reasonable, the courtesy was great and the overall experience was wonderful. I will definitely return here in the future.
(4)
Dylan D.
Decent prices, friendly chef.
(4)
Rachel M.
If you don't like Miyozen, you hate dating- or you hate neverending two dollar plates of pretty good sushi parading in front of your face. Its perfect for sharing. Although the atmosphere is generic the sushi isn't bad.. Sometimes the selection on the belt is a little bland but all in all cheap sushi All over your shit anything you want service 2.00 for two pieces roll or nigiri all night Open till 1030 Sweet. I have to give it three stars because I love my fish so fresh its alive. Still, when i'm in the hood and I want a little bite it does the trick.
(3)
Ashley J.
I live super close by, so this place is a go-to for me. They have a happy hour special that is $2 for a plate and the variety is pretty impressive. I also am a fan of the $5 large saki special. Word of advice, go when it is busy, the food is the freshest then because it isn't sitting very long on the belt.
(3)
Jason E.
If I could give it less than a star I would... that's how bad the food is. I lived in Japan for 3+ years and travel there often, so I know my way around sushi. This place uses poor ingredients all around. Miso soup like dishwater. Sushi/sashimi doesn't taste fresh. Conveyor belt plates can be stale from too many trips around the bar. Chicken teriyaki tastes microwaved with canned sauce. Imitation wasabi. I've gone here three times hoping for a better outcome, but no more. I work in the area so all have been lunchtime visits.
(1)
C F.
Consistently good for lunch. Recommend the bento box for best value.
(4)
Bianca R.
Sushi chef is very friendly and willing to make anything you order.
(5)
Melissa P.
This place used to be a regular spot due to location and pricing - made it easy to come in when we didn't feel like cooking and needed something quick. Came here last night for the first time in 2 months or so and a lot has changed. The service was slow even though there were several servers and the restaurant wasn't packed. In addition, they no longer have the $1.99 conveyor belt deals. Instead, the pricing has doubled (it used to be $1.99 for nigiri items on the belt and now they're $4.99). How do you raise your prices that high within a 2 month time frame? Also, the selection was very poor and we were confused by the new ambiguous signs on the belt saying "Today's Special" or "Nigiri Sushi" but not saying or showing what types/ what it is. The only reason I still left 2 stars is because the main sushi chef's are really friendly - other than that, this place has lost its allure. We won't be going back anymore - now that the prices are higher and the full experience is lacking, there are far more japanese restaurants in the area that have more to offer.
(2)
Tiffany F.
The staff is super friendly and they have $2.00 sushi belt! What's not to like. They give you miso soup with your meal and you can still order off the menu if you're not into the belt thing. Needed to edit this. I left Oakland for a year and came back. They improved all their rolls and the sushi train!! Toot toot! Everyone is so nice and polite. My partner and I have been going once a week :p
(5)
Tatiana J.
So, I wouldn't exactly call myself a sushi connoisseur, but I do know that I really really loved Miyozen. Jane C. and I decided to go to IKEA first and eat dinner second. By the time we were in the warehouse searching through the monstrously tall aisles we were practically fatigued. We were planning on going to some other sushi restaurant whos name I cannot remember, but happened upon Miyozen on the way. We were both really happy we stopped here. The only strange thing about this place was that it was really empty. We were there on a Friday night at around 7pm. Where was everyone? Maybe Emeryville folks like to eat in on Friday nights? Who knows. Miyozen has a revolving sushi bar, but we didn't grab anything because nothing really appealed to us (until after we ordered from the menu, of course!). We split a tempura appetizer, the Dynamite Roll and the Crazy Monkey roll. It was exactly the perfect amount of food. The Dynamite roll was amazing, as was the Crazy Monkey roll. Emeryville is a bit of a trek for a gal who is car-less, but it is definitely worth the trip if you're so inclined, or if you're in the area.
(4)
Brittany G.
I KNOW this place doesn't have the freshest sushi in the world, like obviously it's not made like 30 seconds before you eat it, cause there's a convey belt. So I know, it's not like fine dining shit but the food is still good. I mean it's not terrible. I've been here 4 times already as I live just down the street and the service is always very friendly and quick and the food makes my tummy happy. I don't even like sushi, my boyfriend does, but I always get the teriyaki chicken dinner and man-- I've never had coleslaw so good in my LIFE, haha. I like this place, and will continue to go here.
(4)
Jocelyn J.
I hate to drive, but I will cross the bridge for this! I almost ate so much I felt like puking...but I still wanted more. That is good sushi! They have an extensive sake list and a long lovely list of sushi rolls. I would agree with others that this place is overpriced...hence the 4 stars. Its got a large comfortable space for a restaurant. What I thought was a great addition was the reading/play room for kids. A really good idea...obviously, a kid friendly spot. Place has it's own parking garage which is sweet. Really the only down side is the price. Apparently, they have a great deal for lunch, not dinner. The waiters were really sweet and attentive. I noticed the table behind us complained about one of their dishes...it happened to be the same order our table got (ours was great, I think it was the Dragon Roll). The waiter took that order off their bill and seemed very apologetic. My friend said she had eaten there many times and it was always good. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Brandon M.
I have been here a few times as it is close to my work and the sushi is a step up from the stuff you get at Public Market in E-ville. Not great, but typically ok. Since they ended the all you can eat lunch special I haven't bothered going back until the 23Feb12. 5 of us went, all but one of us got the $1.99 per plate conveyor belt, so almost no service was needed, which was good because they never bothered asking if we wanted drink refills. Stopping at our table long enough only to gather plate covers and then running off. The sushi and rolls were boring and flat. tasting. No interesting plates came across the conveyor during our entire visit. We had to ask several times for things that should have been put out automatically (they had signs for them, but no plates) The one person in our group that ordered off the menu asked for udon. At about 20 minutes after we ordered he asked when his food would arrive, and was told "a few minutes". At the ~30 minute mark he asked again and was told "soon". At about 40 minutes he asked to have his order canceled, which they refused and said it was coming right out., so he asked for it to be put into a to-go container. 45 minutes for soup. We wont be back.
(2)
Yvette C.
Great service.....................................Gross sushi. -They cut the fish very thin -Over use the fake crab -Mixed icky mayo with the over abundance of fake crab -Eel tasted old Restaurant was almost empty but they had plenty of staff to hover over you. The service was wonderful.........................they need to do better on their food. I will not be returning..........................
(2)
No B.
Had the Crazy Monkey Roll and the Shrek Roll. The food was tasty but the rice was a little under cooked. Oh... And I wasn't offer any dessert. I just didn't feel the love everyone else talked about.
(2)
Chris J.
I would not recommend eating here. My experience was not a pleasant one. Their food was not fresh and their fish had a strong odor. There is very little street parking as well. I would definitely not be back here. Poor food, poor service, and poor quality.
(2)
Janet D.
Ratings are always affected by the situation...and this one was desperate, so we were pretty easy to please. We'd been on the road for 8+ hours - coming from San Diego with San Francisco as our final destination. We were still a bit grumpy from LA traffic...it's perpetual and seemingly unavoidable even to the most season travelers...and we were approaching starvation. When we hit the I-80 going into the city, it was a parking lot. At that moment, I totally bonded with my new Droid...and the Yelp app. Seconds before the last exit, my husband veered off the freeway into Emeryville to a 4+ star restaurant. Within minutes we arrived, drove twice around the block, and confirmed that Wally's was gone or we were clueless. Miyozen's was to be our substitute savior... We were forced to take up two compact spaces in the parking structure, but manners were on the back burner in our current survival mode. We were seated immediately and handed a huge menu...with the added bonus of a revolving track filled with all variety of savory and sweet treats. A ton of choices. I love family-style eating and that's what we did...miso soup, tuna sashimi with ponzu sauce, udon soup, salmon sushi, teriyaki tofu, sesame red bean balls. Service was great...so was our bill, but the sanity it bought us was priceless. We got to our hotel in 15 minutes, rather than the 1+ hour the computerized sign had earlier predicted.
(4)
secretagent C.
I have been going here for a while, and I like the food. However, my last experience here has turned me off for good. We came in starving, and ordered immediately. My boyfriend watched the server cough into her hand, cough on the order pad at another table, and THEN, cough directly over our food. He is no germaphobe - he's a dude, I'm surprised he even noticed - but really? When he told her he'd just watched her cough all over our food, she looked at him like he was insane, and then grudgingly took it away. We watched her hand it back to the sushi chef, with a pained look on her face, as if we were being unreasonable. Then I remembered that when I went to wash my hands before sitting down, none of the 3 soap dispensers in the bathroom were working. I had given it the benefit of the doubt - maybe there was an employee bathroom? Maybe there was a sink in the kitchen they washed at? But given her attitude, and the fact that in the 15 minutes we were there she coughed like 6 times and didn't wash - maybe not. I don't begrudge a girl for going to work sick - we all need a paycheck - but when you're in food service - stay home. Or at least wash your 'effing hands and don't cough on my food. (!) Is this not basic sanitary procedure? Jeez. We got up and left. Thanks, 18 year old snot-dripping idiot, for ruining for me what was a great local joint. Ugh.
(1)
Nae N.
Love the atmosphere!! Food is great & the staff is amazing. Fun & friendly experience all around!
(4)
Nikki B.
This place is just OK for me... I've had better. With so many other amazing sushi spots in the Bay Area I don't think I would re-visit unless I just happened to be in the area. Sorry Miyozen.
(2)
Sarah G.
went for lunch. the bento box combo was a STEAL. sashimi tasted great, tempura was pretty good, too. LOVED the gyoza.
(3)
Rocco B.
UPDATE 4/22/07 I've been back about 4 or 5 times, and Miyozen is simply great every time! Bump up to 5 stars. I got a private message from someone who told me that the owners and staff are mostly Korean, so do a find and replace with the word Japanese below :-). ORIGINAL: I gotta hand it to the Japanese, they've mastered the fine art of the upsell. They have a conveyor belt with sushi plates circling the restaurant. I felt like Homer Simpson when I was here, grabbing plate after plate off the belt while waiting for my bento box. Yoink! The sushi was pretty good. I also got some type of Crazy Huge 12 Dollar roll with my bento box. You know how you're supposed to eat the sushi rolls in one bite? Not even possible with this bad boy. I wonder if it's just a joke that the Japanese are trying to play on us gluttonous Americans :-)! Good sushi; I'll go there again.
(5)
James E.
This restaurant was good enough to bring me out of my yelp slumber. It's my first review in a long time. Great sushi and rolls -- now the leader in my informal East Bay Sushi War (see my other reviews). I loved the seaweed and spicy poki tuna salad, though it was a bit too hot for even my taste. The service is friendly, the space is perhaps too Emeryville for my taste, but I love the conveyer belt with clear dome-covered dishes. A nice, hygeinic take on the Isobune boats. We had to help ourselves when that delicious-looking chocolate cake went by. And it was superb. Hooray for better food on the San Pablo cooridor!!
(4)
tear e.
My favorite place for sushi. Terrific service and excellent sushi. Get a spicey tuna roll and soak it in wasabi and chinese hot sauce.
(5)
aya i.
Miyozen is an unlikely 4 star restaurant. It sits kitty corner to the 24-hour Oak's Card Club, across the street from the gritty but great Pak 'n Save and directly under some hip condos. Miyozen is shiny and new, like room full of recently assembled Ikea furniture or a handbag from Bay Street's coach store. All stereotypes aside, from someone who usually prefers a battle-scarred, time proven, hole-in-the-wall restaurant, I found Miyozen to be the perfect neighborhood grubbery. My hubby and I have gone back at least once a week since November. Miyozen has everything you need in a sushi restaurant: friendly staff (2-4 people will welcome you the second you get into the door), fresh oysters that pack a punch, a playroom for the kids if they start to get hyphy, easy off-street parking and yummy-yummy rolls. The Dynamite Roll is a California roll covered in salmon, drenched with a sweet sauce and then baked! The classic Rainbow Roll and Titanic Roll are huge, in a good way. Don't forget to try the Amigo Roll, spicy yum! Bring your friends, there's space. The choices are abundant. The fish is fresh. Help keep this restaurant going, because everyone needs a neighborhood sushi spot and I live a block away.
(4)
Jessica H.
After eating at miyozen for a birthday celebration 2 weeks ago, i decided to come back for the all you can eat option. The experience was amazing, and the fish was so fresh. First, the server allowed us to split half of our table for the sashimi buffet and the other half for the float buffet. As a result we were able to share all of it!! I went with 6 other girls and we were able to finish 14 boats of sashimi. Each boat had a combination of tuna, white tuna, super white tuna and salmon. The super white tuna was AMAZINGGGG, the server allowed us to get a couple boats with only the super white tuna by request. DEFINITELY a smart choice :) The rolls on float buffet were decent, nothing spectacular, my experience with the menu rolls was way better. The server also brought us grilled salmon, dynamite rice, tempura and miso soup. For 30 dollars it was definitely a great deal for what we ate! the ONLY drawback was that some of my friends understood korean and overheard the sushi chefs and servers laughing at us, commenting on how much were were able to eat. I guess it was just unexpected when they saw 7 little asian girls walking in. At the end we convinced the server to give us mochi ice cream and desserts off the menu as part of the deal. However, this could have been because there wasn't the cake that normally comes on the conveyor belt. PROs: GREAT food.. AMAZING super white tuna, dynamite rice was good, mochi ice cream was a great end to the meal. Bring a friend and split the 2 buffets and get the best of both worlds! CONs: servers and chefs made fun of us.. almost in a stingy manner.
(4)
Lise L.
I was very impressed! The Pink Lady roll was delicious and the tuna poke was sooo spicy - it rocked! We ordered tons of food and I liked all of it, which is rarely the case with finicky me. We even finished with great chocolate cake. Whodathought that you can get cake, let alone good cake in a sushi place?! I do agree about the rolls being too big - the presentation was lovely but this is supposed to be finger food - shoved all in on one go. That just aint happening here. Service was friendly and attentive - we didnt have to wait between rounds of saki at all. When we were leaving, a busser ran after us to make sure we knew where the free parking was for next time. The atmosphere was clean and well decorated, but it felt really cavernous. I think I might get overwhelmed if it was full. However, the sushi conveyer was very cool.
(4)
.elin f.
After what seems like a year of prepping, Miyozen is finally open. I checked out the other reviews on Yelp and despite the rocky ratings it's received thus far, we stopped by last night for dinner. As I wanted to order real food, we opted for a table. They sat us at a table right next to the sushi which was cool to check out. Unlike Isobune, there were no floating boats and each plate had a sanitary cover protecting it from coughers or heavy breathers. We ordered 3 rolls and a tempura udon --- my standard fare. I have to say the spicy unagi roll was super delicious. The pricing was pretty reasonable as well. Rolls ranged from $6 to $10. The two of us left with a $40 bill. Most of the other reviewers noted shoddy service as the pitfall of this restaurant. I'd have to somewhat agree with them as I had to remind them about our drinks. But to their credit, they also comped the drinks due to the oversight. The staff was extremely friendly and I'll definitely be back to check out the other rolls as well as the sushi bar. P.S. For parking, go around the block to the back of the of the building. There are reserved spaces for customers in the garage and a path that leads directly to the restaurant.
(4)
L Z.
I went here for the all you can eat sushi. We got 3 of the sashimi all you can eat (30 per person) and 2 of the revolving sushi bar all you can eat(20 per person). The fish quality was pretty good. However, it wasn't worth the price at all! We could only have a few types of fish for sashimi, and most of them were tuna. The super white tuna was good, as well as the salmon. However, the regular albacore wasn't as delicious as the other fish, neither was the regular tuna. The items on the revolving sushi bar were mostly kind of gross. Most of them were covered in these unnatural pastel sweet sauces, and the rolls had way too much rice on them. They only had a couple things (as in only a couple of the good things came around and mostly it was colorful sauce covered things) come around on it that were good..They also allowed the dished that were to be eaten hot, like chicken teriyaki to become stone cold.. We received a seared tuna dish that others at my table really liked with the all you can eat sashimi, but they wouldn't give us any more! I think if you order 3 all you can eat sashimi you should be able to get at least that many of the dishes they won't refill. Also the tempura was strange..as someone else described it here on yelp, cakey and not light and crispy..it also had no dipping sauce! As far as the decor goes, it wasn't bad looking, but it is an extremely commercial looking place with fluorescent lighting. Basically, decent quality fish, but not worth the money. I would have much rather gone to Uzen and chosen what I wanted to eat while still paying less per person, I could have had more variety and way better quality fish at Uzen.for less money.
(3)
Scott A.
Just like it says, I have had better and for less money. Weak miso soup. Just about as average as you get. Service was decent but otherwise the only positive thing about my meal here was that I got a package of chopsticks with only one stick in it. That's got to be some kind of good luck doesn't it?
(2)
Aaron B.
The sushi there is ok, average at best. The restaurant is clean, and service is ok, it was better in the past. They changed chefs, and also some of the waitstaff. What I noticed, is that if you inquire with the owner about anything regarding the food, he gives the cold shoulder, but at least its with a smile. Also, the first few times you go, everything looks ok, but the more times you go, the same old rolls, and items are on the conveyor belt. Change it up a little, could ya? Never had a problem with getting seated, so that is a plus. If I was to compare, I would say this is a sushi house knock-off, with better interior design, although in the spring / summer time sushi house in alameda would definitely win with the patio seating.
(3)
Tony S.
I have been to Miyozen a few times since its close to where I live. I enjoy the variety of sushi rolls and other suhi items on their menu. However, my last visit the sushi didn't seem as fresh as it usually is when I crave sushi. Hopefully the restaurant will do their best to maintain the quality and always serve the freshest sushi possible. Overall, I enjoy the atmosphere and the service is decent. I would also recommend that the restaurant have more happy hour promotions and dinner specials to increase their business.
(4)
Ella B.
Miyozen is pretty good. They are not going for authentic Japanese deco but more of the upscale, modern feel. There is a large sushi boat in the middle of the restaurant. Service is quick and courteous. The restaurant is large and good for groups. Haven't been there in a while so i can't remember which rolls we ordered but i remember thinking it was good and fresh. Definitely a good sushi spot in Emeryville.
(4)
Peggy W.
Miyozen is a decent Japanese restaurant in Emeryville. When you are stuck with nothing to eat at home and need somewhere close to grab a bite, you could come here. It's good for rolls and has decent fish. Very clean, very nice presentation. But it's by no means "authentic" so come here for what it's good for: big specialty rolls. It'll satisfy almost everyone in your party. For fresh fish and omakase choices, head for other better-quality Japanese owned restaurants like sushi sam's or sakae's in san mateo. ~$20/person
(3)
Becky S.
Without repeating (too much) what others have already said, here's my take on Miyozen after having been once: --best white tuna nigiri EVERRRRR!!! It literally melted on my tongue and down my throat after giving it an obligatory, albeit unecessary nosh --I concur that the rolls are just too damn big. --DO NOT get the Shrek roll (ick). The sickly sweet avo/fake apple-smelling sauce smothering the roll was a HUGE turn-off, but I guess that's what I get for ordering a roll with that name. --Spicy tuna roll was pretty spicy. A little hotter and it would have been too hot. --Thumbs up on the nigori sake. I will definitely go again and give more items a try. UPDATE 7/21/07 After finding Ta-ke Sushi, I can't see making the trip to Miyozen. Ta-ke is closer to me, better, and my new fav sushi place. Miyozen is decorated nicer...more hip...so I'm sure I'll go back at some point, but I reduced my original rating after finding Ta-ke Sushi.
(3)
Damian S.
Good is pretty good, the service is friendly though sometimes flighty, but for me the real selling point is that I can eat decent sushi at a place that has convenient, free parking and is EXTREMELY Kid Friendly. If the food wasn't decent, none of the other things would matter, but the sushi, the udon, the other stuff is solid. If I were on a date or wanted top end sushi, I'd probably skip this place, but for a weekday dinner with the family or an all-you-can-eat bonanza with the guys, it's great. Also, they have some TV's to either watch sports or kids movies, depending on who you're with. Been here about 10 times and the fish seems reliably fresh and the rolls well prepared. Nothing's been amazing, but everything's been better than okay. Prices are reasonable also. At the end of the day, I'm giving Miyozen 4 Stars because it's a great place to go with kids or for a casual Japanese meal. The food alone, I'd probably give 3 Stars.
(4)
Dan E.
Good sushi. Always nice and fresh.
(4)
Jen G.
Definitely just average.
(2)
Nick K.
Good fresh fish, very nice presentation, a well-stocked sushi belt, a clean upscale facility, and friendly team wait service make this an excellent choice for a good sushi lunch. Some of my favorites are the salmon skins, saba sashimi (generous portion, well cut and presented nicely), excellent beef udon, and solid quality on all the regular stuff (like edamame, various standard rolls, miso soup, etc.) The quality is high and, though Miyozen has stiff competition from some of the better places in Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, etc., if you're a worker bee in Emeryville, it's probably your best nearby option. One nice thing is that if you become a regular there, they will recognize you and take extra-good care of you. So I got that goin' for me ... which is nice.
(4)
Sherrie D.
It's been hit or miss of late, I've been worried about quality falling off with the economy going down the tubes and all. I'm glad to say that my last visit has restored my hope in miyozen. Had dinner here recently with friends and really enjoyed the rolls that came out.
(4)
Darrel D.
Yes, Im a fan. Why? Well...the "Volcano roll" is awesome, so is the "Lion King roll". To date, everything tasted fresh to me, and I have yet to have any issues with their menu. They have good sake (keep an eye out for the moonlight sake), their bento boxes will fill you up quick, and their chocolate cake is excellent (quite moist and satisfying).
(4)
YaYa K.
Did someone say, all you can eat sushi! Cuz I'm there! Don't stop me. $20 for all you can eat sushi on their conveyor belt, is a hell yeah, but that's the price at lunch time. The best part is, its a variety when you go during prime time. They basically take rolls ordered at tables and make extra, so you get to sample some of them and not have to pay the full price. Its so fun and always great. Then you get dessert samples, appetizers and salads to sample too off the belt. I mean, that's luxury to me with how much you pay. Definitely check it out and make sure to skip breakfast.
(4)
Serena B.
I love that there is such a great restaurant only a few steps away from home.I live in the same complex as Miyozen and always convince my friends to meet there when we go out for dinner. No one has ever been disappointed. The food is great. The dining rooms is clean. The wait staff was much better when they first opened. They are fine now, but they were exceptional before. There is no reason to search for parking and wait in line for over an hour (like other unnamed sushi restaurants) when you have Miyozen downstairs. :)
(4)
Joyce B.
came here for lunch and it wasn't very crowded. the food her was definitely very good! i got the chirashi bowl and i think you definitely get what you pay for. i recently went to kirala japanese restaurant, which is a bit overrated and pricy. i definitely think this place is comparable to Kirala, if not better.
(4)
Nori S.
This is my first time here but it's safe to say I probably will not be back unless someone really really reallllllllly wants to go here. The Pros: The decor is really nice. Very modern design with Black Granite floors and counters. Bar is in the front blocked off from the restaurants. They also have a kid's play/rest area so it's definitly family friendy. Overall looks clean inside and out. ( but with everything black inside I can't really say for certain) The wait staff was great and attentative but it may be because I was the only one there. The Cons: Fish is not fresh it's mostly frozen. Ordered the "Special" Nigiri Sushi. Cost is $29.95. Got about 8 pcs. Included Uni (Sea Urchin, Chu Toro (or semi fatty tuna), Albacore, Smoked Salmon, Ama Ebi, Ankimo (Monk Fish Liver), Mirugai (Geoduck Clam), Halibut and Engawa (Halibut fin muscle). Must admit that the portions were huge. May be too huge in some cases. Most of my nigiri didn't have enough Sushi rice so I couldn't enjoy the combined harmony of Sushi Rice with the Fish. Most of the fish had either a grated ginger or garlic garnish on top which took away from the flavor of the fish. Which was probably a good thing because as soon as I popped it in my mouth I just wanted to spit most of it out. The Ama Ebi had a garnish of Kaiware Sprouts which took away the sweetness of the shrimp. The Monkfish liver was still frozen when served to me because as I bit in to it still had bits of unfrozen parts in it. Uni was bitter as hell so didn't enjoy at all. Some of the rolls were not wrapped properly because as they circled the conveyer belt the Nori started to seperate and the inside spilled out. Other facts to consider: Lunch Buffet available for 19.99 It also said on the board for dinner at $29.99. Rolls available are pretty standard but you really can't go wrong there. Parking is limited but free in the back. Of course it could have been an off night because I did come in on Wednesday around 5 PM. But again it's safe to say I probably won't go here again especially since I can tell my breath smells very fishy 2 hours after my meal.
(2)
Matt M.
Im not a big sushi fan so it's hard for me to give an educated review on the consistency of the fish; but I can tell you that it's hard to impress your customer when the restaurant forgets to bring you your lunch! Few of my co-workers and I met for lunch earlier today and they all went for the sushi that floated on the little river. I ordered a 3 item bento box combo before my co-workers started on their floating lunch and waited for nearly 25 minutes before I asked our waiter for an update and instantly got the "ohh crap" face. They brought out my food in a about 5 minutes; but it still doesn't excuse what happened. For the bento box, the other reviewers were right; the portions are a little big here to make up for the fact the food wasn't that good. Everything I had, the teryaki stake, tempura and california rolls were just ok; and I've had much better other places. The food quality was probably the result of the fact they had to cook my food in world record time
This used to be my favorite place. I love the food. the service used to be outstanding. Now its pretty impersonal. Do they have a high turnover rate or what?? I never see the same people twice. I used to go weekly (I live a couple blocks away) and knew the staff and they knew me on a first name basis. I don't know anyone in there anymore and always new faces, so I just drop in every month or two. The food is still excellent, just don't expect too much out of the service. A pet peeve: my boyfriend tipped the bottle of sake over while fetching a boat off the go-round - no problem, no asking, they bring us a new one, without asking. how friendly! til we get our bill and find they charged us for it! The place has come a long way from where it started a couple years ago - used to have amazing super friendly service and that's why I went there so much.
(3)
Dan P.
I've been to this place many times, mostly dinners during the week, and I love this place! It's the best local sushi I've found in the Emeryville area. The sushi is great, the prices are decent, and the service is excellent (much better than Sushi House)! We are always seated right away with a choice of the bar or a table. The sushi comes out quickly and has always been very fresh. It is definitely the first place that comes to mind when we are craving sushi.
(5)
Albertino M.
Wow my fellow yelpers this place is a rip-off. Ok its like this $19.95 for all you can eat right. Think again people the plan is for them to sit you down in front of the chefs. So your comfy by now thinking that your about to have the best experience. Hah I discovered the trick make you sit there waiting for new items to roll out. They know your press for time that you gota head back to work. After your second roll or so they simply stop producing items and the same stuff is going clockwise with same item on it. Im gona forget about this place and head back to Anasaka in berkeley there at least they tends your table and lets you ask for what ever you want. Thanks but, never again.
(2)
Hiep C.
The conveyor belt was fun, and the sushi is good for the price when you come during happy hour.
(3)
Adam M.
This place has improved a lot recently. Definitely not a great ambiance (place is huge and feels like a cafeteria to some degree), but VERY good sushi for a VERY good price. The happy hour is an awesome deal and lasts for pretty much all normal hours; $2 for anything off the belt. The cuts of fish are actually very good, as much as I want to be suspicious because of the great price. Service is good but not amazing. I come here often and always leave satisfied.
(4)
Tim H.
Not bad...it does the trick...although i like Kirala a lot more, but there is no wait here
(3)
Marck N.
I was impressed with this place, as I didn't expect the sushi to be good. What really impressed me was how large the cut of the fish was. It was hanging over the sushi rice, as sushi should be. It must have been at least 2 1/2 inches or so. The food here is so much better than Kirala. Yup, you heard it from me. And I will be coming back here again.
(4)
D W.
I like Miozen and have been going there pretty much since they opened. I understand that they are owned by the same people who own Drunken Fish. Rolls are always fresh and nice. The rolls on the conveyor belt are fun to watch go around, but honestly, sometimes I wonder if they are remaining at a safe temperature or if kids have been grabbing them. Food should never be sent around the conveyor belt uncovered. We always order the sesame balls and are normally really impressed with them, however, last time it seemed as though they were re-heated in a microwave (Rather than fresh fried), and one of the balls was even cold. That was not very cool. We did tell the waiter, and he did, however, bring us a new, fresh dish. My abosolute favorite roll here (And the same with Drunken Fish) is the AMIGO roll. Sit down awesome. Love the Pink Lady, and of course there are many other fun/interesting rolls to choose from. I also have to say, that the service here is always with a smile. Nice folks. If you are looking for a pretty reasonable place for nice quality/fresh sushi, this is a good bet. Check em out!
(4)
Irene W.
Meh, it's ok. Great spot for a bento box lunch, but go elsewhere for sushi. Miyozen's got a great lunch deal for 2 or 3 item bentos, and the food is pretty tasty. I did try the sushi one time and was less than impressed. For a sushi joint in the bay area, the fish was surprisingly NOT fresh. Although that shouldn't have been a shock considering sometimes you walk in and there's this funky smell in the dining room. Also, the huge conveyor belt of revolving sushi is a little sketch seeing as the place is never busy enough to actually make good use of it.
(3)
d n.
Use to eat sushi here all the time.. Its a bit pricey but it was worth it. until they didnt pay any attention to what they were doing. service was really horrible. Our food was ready and they let it sit there for 10 minutes until we told them to serve us our food. Another time was when our sushi tasted like gas because it was a baked roll.. they gave us attitude and we just stopped dining in. we're paying alot of money to get attitude which was not worth it.
(2)
Thien C.
I love coming here. It's close by work, the food is pretty good, nice environment, decent prices. they actually have an all you can eat for lunch (any day of the week, you just have to ask them) for $20. Not a bad deal. The salmon sashimi is GREAT. However the Tuna sashami is pretty bad, I don't recommend anyone to eat it. 49er roll here is really good too. Service is usually great, you rarely run out of tea, they ask if you need anything, when you ask for the check, you get it and you're out pretty quickly.
(4)
Stel D.
Was informed by my sister-in-law that this is the sister restaurant to Drunken Fish (near Pill Hill off Piedmont). ** Prices are okay ** Great service and friendly staff ** Large sushi and sashimi sizes ** Clean and pretty large establishment (they also have a kiddy playing area) ** Big sushi bar boat area w/ glass covered plates along the conveyor belt ** ample garage parking ** Somewhat fast service (after we paid the bill, a forgotten last dish came out, minus one star for that) Overall: I overate that night, had a really really strange dream, meaning I would return to chow down when I'm in these neck of the woods.
(4)
Laurie K.
Wish I could give 2.5 stars, because this place seriously defines middle of the road. I would go here if in the area, but the service can be spotty and there's nothing more depressing than watching the little dishes go round and round while no one picks them up. I always order off of the regular menu anyway, can't say the sashimi is super ultra mega fresh, but it's certainly serviceable. I think the Drunken Fish is better, same owners I believe but probably different management?
(3)
jessica t.
We just went today. It was good. Very nice place, they have parking around the back in the garage. Had a full menu and then had the little trays that drove by you for the upsell Plates of edamame and salads and 4 piece platters starting at 2.95 going up to 6.95 Rolls start at the 4.50 for the basic tuna roll and californa rolls. And then climb up to 13.95 at the top end. As per usual these days the fancy rolls are all way to big to be able to eat. But that just seems to be the way its done these days. They have bento boxes for lunch as well. And there is a kids play corner at the front for any of those with the little ones. So I thought that was nice. The place definately goes for the upscale look. My only complaint was I got Edamame from the conveyor belt and it was cold. And I like mine hot. Oh and the place smelled a little fishy, which you kinda expect, but I dont usualy notice it. All and all it was a good experience. Not a lot of places around here in emeryville to get quality fish.
(4)
Riza A.
I'm pretty picky about my sushi. The rolls have to taste good, be fresh, and not taste like a california roll if it's meant to be something else. Also, the wasabi better be sinus clearing. Miyozen fits the bill on all kinds of levels. Service is great, atmosphere is clean and zen-like, and the food is on hit! Some of their rolls are humongoid too, so that's just a better bang for your buck.
(4)
Erich B.
I live just a few blocks away from here and have eaten here since the place was just opened. My rating is a reflection of the good, high quality food, pleasant environment and friendly service. For some time I and a few friends would come in every Friday night. Those that become regulars will get their own chopsticks stored onsite. What a great place and great staff. Highly recommend.
(5)
bruk d.
I don't know where all these haters are coming from but Miyozen has been my favorite sushi spot for some time. I order the 49ers roll and am in immediate heaven. They have been great and accommodating when I've been with large groups of people and equally attentive when I am only there for the happy hour. Also, it's easy to park and there is never a wait for a table even when it is super packed which sounds counter intuitive but the place is huge!
(5)
Kat S.
It's all right. Based on my first visit there was nothing special. Food selection is quite plenty, but unfortunately, nothing that is really wow-ing or stand out. Oh, the Miso soup was a bit too salty. The place is nice, modern decor & clean, but lack of the ambient that makes you want to hang out and relax. I read the review about this place having good sake selection and shoju, but, to enjoy those, I want to feel comfortable as well. This place is just ... hm... too bland. Although if you are in the area, it is a perfect place to grab a work-lunch. You won't spend more than 1 hour in there. I may give this place another go. And see if my impression change. :)
(3)
Sharon M.
Aw, man... only four reviews so far and pretty much everything I have to say about Miyozen has been said. I'll summarize anyway, if only for the purpose of my own little restaurant memory-bank on yelp. Service: a bit shoddy. I think our waiter must have been somebody's nephew or something; he couldn't answer our questions about the food on the track, came by too soon for our food order, then too late after we asked for more time, and generally seemed waaaay nervous for such a non-rush-time crowd (it was like 5:30, and only 3 or 4 other tables were seated). Food: Lovely, all around. Beautifully presented rolls, big hunks of Nigiri, mouth-watering and colorful salads skidding down the track. Even the rice tasted different and better than usual. I've eaten at the sister restaurants of this place (if I am remembering correctly), and wasn't nearly so impressed with the presentation or the taste. Atmosphere: Bland. Overly-sterile tables and unmemorable architecture made me feel like I was in a chain restaurant (until I ate the un-chainlike food -- see above). The tables are nice and big, though. It'd be a great place to bring a big party and make them pay for your meal because you organized the whole thing, damnit :)
(4)
Cary L.
the ambience is nice and parking easy. so that's an easy plus for starters. the food off the conveyor belt is...eh...ok. can be kinda old as it rolls around minute after minute with no one taking interest until you do. but if you order your own stuff then it's not bad. i've been for the all you can sashimi of mondays. it's basically a lot of smaller fill you up dishes 1st before you get to the sashimi. the precursor dishes are actually pretty tasty. but by the time you do get to the actual sashimi, you're pretty full. but i forced myself to eat more. never did get to order more sashimi though. i'd explode. so for the price it's not half bad if you're in the mood for some decent japanese food with beer.
(3)
Nathan W.
We're fans. They treated my son wonderfully, and they also took the time to explain to my pregnant wife which rolls had cooked items, as opposed to raw ones. The look inside is sleek, and the service is good. What goes around on the belt actually looks appealing, as opposed to some other sushi boats I've been to. Oh yeah, the food is good, too.
(4)
Paul P.
Their tempura is the best in the East Bay for me so far, and the advance sushi has some unusual bits like monkfish liver that you wont get at your more pedestrian spots.
(4)
Y K.
hard to find a good place in this area so i was impressed with this restaurant. the fish is fresh and good roll selection. my coworkers and i come here all the time.
(4)
masa s.
I think I'm only slightly pickier than most when it comes to Japanese food. But, the stuff I got was bland, and what wasn't bland was just average. The staff was nice, which was an attempt to make up for them bringing one person's food out about 20 minutes after everyone else's. I may go here again if I am dragged by my coworkers.
(2)
Bella B.
Last week we went here for a work lunch -- party of 10. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly. I'll add my favorite rolls as soon as I can.
(3)
Kym P.
Touch and go. It's never been bad and never been awesome. It's local and always got seats so I'll keep going here.
(3)
Nick C.
We visited Miyozen one quite Sunday evening. The place is off the beaten path in Emeryville and has nice secured parking in the lot behind it. It's a sushi place and you can sit at the counter or get a table. Regardless, the plates of sushi come buy on a conveyor belt which is really cool if you get a table next to the belt. The sushi rolls and two piece plates are very reasonable from $1.99- $4.00 with most going for $3. We went before 5PM which was between lunch and dinner. I noted signs throughout the restaurant which proclaimed sushi happy hours and I think that we were in the midst of one. My friend and I also each ordered a Bento box. I had the chicken and she went with the salmon. Each were delicious and the tempura that accompanied it was sensational. The batter in particular was different than your usual panko flakes. The Bento boxes each came with a desert which on the night we were there was the ginger ice cream. Fenton's is wasn't, but it was still a remarkable deal as the check came in at $45.00 for two and we had 5 plates of sushi. I don't find myself in that neighborhood all that much but I do have to say that Miyozen is just the kind of place that will have me returning.
(4)
john l.
Average sushi. With below average service. Illl never return
(1)
C L.
This is the first sushi restaurant that i actually got full at. They roll some mammoth sized sushi rolls, and i'm pretty fat so that's saying something!!!
(4)
Mitsuko H.
I love the service and atmosphere here! The food's fine; the guy who hand-makes the rolls, etc. is nice beyond words. The price is also really commendable during the late evenings. It's a neat, classy place. Parking's nice too, with a convenient lot to the back of the restaurant.
(4)
H C.
My wife and I were going to try the sushi buffet, but we were thrown a curve ball when we got there. We brought our 18 month old daughter and were told she was going to be charge 1/2 price if we did the buffet. I was like, are you kidding me? She barely eat and you're going to charge me $10 for her. Oh well, we changed our plans and ordered from the regular menu. I guess that's the store policy. This places has cheap bento boxes. 3 items for 9.95 or 2 items for 7.95. Very decent price, but not the biggest bento box as others have mentioned. We ordered a sashimi salad, rock n' roll, and 3 item bento box. The Sashimi salad was good. A bit too much of sesame oil for my taste. The rock n' roll was tiny. The bento box had beef short ribs, chicken teriyaki, and tempura. The short ribs and chicken teriyaki was both drenched with sauce . The best part of the bento box was the tempura, at least the veggie part of the tempura as the shrimp tempura was mostly batter. Overall i would give this place 3 stars. The servers were really nice. Maybe they were not that busy today, but they came around a lot to refill the tea and kept asking if the food was good. The food itself was good, not great.
(3)
cary s.
I ate here for the first time with some buddies for lunch. I get my usual Chirashi (mixed sashimi over rice) just to get a feel for how fresh and good their sushi is. It was really good - the fish was really fresh and presentation was done well. I can't really write a thorough review yet since I haven't tried much else, but so far I like this place. The service, location, and ambiance was really nice. I can't wait to come back and give all their rolls and appetizers a shot
(4)
Chia C.
Very yummy food, and I love the look of the place, but it's hard for them to actually beat their other establishment - Drunken Fish. This place is definetly geared towards the mall and PIxar crowd. Not that they won't be getting my business, but only if Drunken Fish has a longer wait for seating.
(3)
chrissie s.
Hmm. I think miyozen is hit or miss these days. I've had both positive and negative experiences here, but I think the positive outweigh the negative. I think when I first went here 2 years ago, I loved it. It was not too crowded, the service was excellent and the sushi was fresh. I thought it was comparable if not better to sushi house in alameda. Now, I'm not too sure where it stands. It has gotten more crowded and the service has gone down. I think their sushi is still good, but somehow it seems less fresh than it used to be. All things considered, I think the place is still good and would not hesitate to go eat here hence the 4 stars. However, i would think twice about going during peak hours (like sat night)--- when it gets crowded, everything seems a little worse.
(4)
Melissa M.
My coworkers and I go here for lunch when we feel like having fast Japanese food. I usually order the bento box with beef teriyaki, gyoza, and california rolls. I've also had some other rolls and those were really good.
(4)
Kai T.
It's ok...not many good options in Emeryville for lunch so i will probably go back. Have yet to LOVE something.
(2)
Elizabeth B.
Very spacious and nice decor! When I arrived there I was with my 3 year old niece and she loved the little kids play room in the restaurant. When we got there the food that was going to be put on the conveyor belt was just being made so it was literally put on the conveyor belt 5 minutes after we got there which means that it hasn't been rotating for hours. The sushi was a little big but it was pretty tasty. Chicken teryaki was good and so was the ginger ice cream which i have never encountered before! I am planning on returning...SOON!=)
(5)
Irene S.
Update: After being here a few more times, I reduced my review to one star because of the inconsistency. I was not so impressed with the shrimp tempura on one return trip -- you can totally tell that the shrimp tempura was frozen and the batter was gross. My last visit was today (8/15/2007). I went there to eat lunch with my husband and we waited 40 mins for our order. The service is pretty sad because they are not even at capacity and still there are orders sitting out there and a group of waiters literally took 15 mins to figure out what to do with the 5-6 bento boxes near the sushi bar. We couldn't get their attention even though they were 3 feet away so we asked the hostess for our check and was then ignored for another 6 min before we left. I did not appreciate having my lunch hour wasted with their disregard and incompetence. We left $5 to cover the one thing we got from the sushi bar. If you still want to eat there, just know the staff can be hard to flag down after the first greeting. Definitely DO NOT sit at the sushi bar unless you are just taking things off the carousel. First visit (on 6/15/07) impressions: 1. The space is larger than expected, with plenty of tables, and a large area around the serving bar, which had an interesting conveyor belt with snack plates instead of the water-powered canal-styled sushi boat that you usually see. 2. Nicely decorated, and it even has a couple of tables for 4 people next to the bar... so you can eat at a table AND grab the snacks off the conveyor belt. 3. Service was quick and friendly. We had no trouble getting seated and hot tea and miso soup were served immediately. They also didn't take forever to take our order. 4. I ordered Chirashi Sushi -- which came with a good assortment of fish (white tuna, tuna, salmon, red snapper, halibut) for $10.95. I think it is a better value than their Sashimi lunch, which only gives you one kind of fish of your choice for $14.95. The Sashimi Combo (which comes with an assortment of fish is for $17.95, which is a bit expensive for lunch. 5. My husband ordered the bento combo lunch ($7.95) and the portions were pretty good. They also included plenty of edamame with that, which I took a few nibble of. The bento lunch seems like a good value.
(1)
Alex R.
I was very excited for this to open next to my house- I have been a Drunken Fish addict for a long time! However, when they first opened, their fish was not good- not sure why. About 6 months after they opened, I went back- it was Drunken Fish quality! I love it- I go their at least once a week- the best roll is the Crazy Monkey roll- VERY GOOD!!!!
(5)
Jorge H.
It's over priced, but the food is decent. My Sapporo was warm.
(3)
Albion R.
this place is alright. I hear that it's related to Koryo Sushi, which I like a lot. this is the conveyor belt alternative to that. I love sushi and I know what I like but I'm not opposed to trying this method. there are a ton of sushi chefs on hand. the rolls they put out seem very fresh and the variety is encouraging. they even have odd things like slices of cake... weird. we've also tried their bento box. which was perfectly fine. the only thing that I can really take to task is their music. which, in my opinion, is HORRENDOUS. I don't usually care or mind. whatever. but, what the? christmas carols at volume 10 in october? celine dion belting out this blood churning drivel at glass breaking decibels? I've seriously almost left because of the god awful music. and did I say anything to the waitresses? no. because I didn't want to be rude. I'd rather not go back to a place than cause a scene and then be known (because I remember the one's who make themselves known by things like this) as being THAT one. phooey.
(3)
Osiris M.
Went here on a saturday night, had to wait a few to sit so we sat at the bar where we would have been quite content to sit and have our meal. Nice moody lighting and a clean crisp look. We were ushered sooner than expected so we tumbled into the the main dining room which is quite large and angular. Nice colors on the walls, a good look. What really bothered both me and my companion was the lighting. It was far too bright with two tiny (but bright!) recessed lights in the ceiling beaming straight down at our table. It felt like high noon. The conveyor belt traveling round the sushi chef station was fun and some of their creations looked and tasted good. The two rolls we tried were okay, they were very large and a bit harried looking but satisfying in a juicy hamburger kind of way. The shrimp soba was good with a full bodied well balanced broth and healthy shrimp chunks. A tangle of fat, juicy, and luscious noodles drifted nicely next to triangles of onion and zucchini. A nice addition to the San P. 40th St. zone.
(3)
A D.
Place is huge............also they have a kids room if you happen to have kids and have workers babysit for you.......Sushi Rolls are great, the sashimi is fresh, the beef in the bento box is excellent...They happen to use Steak, not the dinky slices like everywhere else, these are thick ass slices of beef and cooked just perfectly. Pricing is exceptional the only thing they could work on is cutting the fatty pieces off the steak....but other than that I recommend this place.
(4)
Tony ..
I love sushi boats and found this circuit to be good although lacking wow. I wasn't too impressed with the assortment the first time I visited. The only think I remember was a pineapple that's cut up to look like a swan. But I appreciate that they have plastic covers on the plates. After seeing the same plates swim by, I got some sashimi which wasn't more special than other places. I've had their nigiri, fried oysters, etc which are actually pretty good. They slice the fish broad but thin for their nigiri. The last time we spent $145 stuffing ourselves with good eats like cherry blossom rolls, TNT, and pretty much every other nigiri that swam by. Inside looks kinda like Buddha Bar with its minimalistic black laquered look. Service was alright and overall not too expensive.
(3)
Gerald C.
So I was cruising around on the free Emery-Go-Round shuttle bus because I'm a cheap bastard like that, trying to figure out what to eat for lunch. I had a yen for some sashimi, and we passed by Sushi Village, but I didn't feel like chancing it. Then I remembered Miyozen, which wasn't too far off the shuttle's route. So, I resolved to finally give it a shot. I got off by the Baskin Robbins on Emery and 40th and walked the block to restaurant. Such a change of scenery it is to go from the heart of gentrified Emeryville to essentially, the edge of Oakland. Which makes Miyozen seem like even more of an oasis. When you enter, you notice the place is really clean (granted, it is pretty new). The interior is fairly modern with sleek black lines. It's actually quite large; the front area has several long tables, one VIP area even has a projector (power luncheon meeting anyone?); there's also a little childcare room. The main dining area has a central sushi station for chefs to prepare the sushi. It's surrounded by a very cute conveyor belt system that circulates all the sushi plates around - much like the sushi boat system, without the water mess. I didn't bother with it though, because it probably wasn't as fresh - the customer base was scant at 2pm. If I bring a date next time, it could be a lot of fun. Prices are according to the color of the dish - yellow is $2.95 (usually 2 pieces of sushi, or a dessert, or some peas) up to gold dishes for $6.95. I thought it was cool (in a geeky way) that you could grab dishes of different colors together, such as say, red and blue dishes, to form special pricing combos (to get a $1 discount). Anyhow, at first, I was afraid this would be outside of my single-male-lunch budget, but it wasn't too bad. You can order from the dinner menu, but the bento box lunches are priced just right at $7.95 for 2 items, $9.95 for 3. You can pick amongst your standards like teriyaki chicken, marinated beef, short ribs, tempura, sashimi, california rolls, and they come with miso soup and rice. Myself, I had the akiniku (marinated beef), tempura (4 vegetable + 1 shrimp), and tuna sashimi (3 pieces). I have to say, I enjoyed them all. The sashimi was just chilled and smooth (didn't taste like it was frozen), served over a bed of fine strings of lettuce. The tempura was very light, and wasn't overly breaded or oily. The tempura sauce was also interesting, with a hint of ginger. The beef topped it for me, it was slightly sweet, tender and juicy, and a decent sized helping of it to boot. Even the rice had a sprinkle of seasoning and dried seaweed, a nice touch. I thought all this food might be in over my head, and but I was just barely able to stuff it all in mah belly. ah, food coma. I'll definitely come again.
(4)
Diane M.
I've been here a couple of times and they have some interesting sushi choices. I think it's the dynamite roll that we really like and always order. The atmosphere is really nice. The place looks pretty new/clean. I like that you can get up from your table and pick other stuff from the conveyor belt. The prices are not too bad. Minus one star cause I've have better sushi.
(4)
Paul G.
Wanted to try some Korean style sushi ( Korean sushi chefs ) and ran across Miyozen, My family and I eat sushi at least twice a month and this is one place we comeback to time and time again.
(4)
Linus R.
We read all the reviews and felt like we knew what to expect....But I can honestly say it was bizarre experience. We decided to avoid the sushi all together... We wanted something yummy and freshly made. We ordered the chicken teriyaki dinner and the soba noodle with tempura. The server promptly brought drinks, soup and some edamame for us...good start. My husbands chicken teriyaki was delivered and the server looked at me and said "sorry we are out of the soba noodles" and then she turned and walked away. I was stunned. I flagged someone down and asked if a manager was available and he said "no manager." I asked if the kitchen was closed as it was 9:30 but was told it was still open. I asked if I could at least order something else as I was hungry. The original server was sent back to my table and asked if I wanted something to eat. By this time my husband was almost finished with his meal....what a disaster. It was so bizarre I just had to write a review. I have waited tables for years and dined out for 20 or more years and this was a first. Just so you know....we were one of the two tables in the entire restaurant so I know they were not slammed.. I am 100% sure we will not be back...ever! Oh.....the chicken teriyaki was good.
(1)
Jeremy S.
My friends begged me to come back to try the restaurant again, and I agreed. They wanted the $30 all you can eat dinner special. Each person pays $30, and the whole group eats as much sushi as possible. The only problem is that I wasn't in the mood to stuff my face, I just wanted a roll or two. When we told the waitress that everybody but me wanted to do the all you can eat special, she gave us two options. Either I could sit at another table and eat my sushi away from my friends, or I could sit with my friends and not eat anything, not even my own rolls on a separate check. If I sat with my friends and even ate one piece of sushi, they would charge me $30. The only reason they gave was "it's the policy." I decided to socialize and starve, and when I sat with my friends, the waitress pointed to a camera on the ceiling told me "the owners watch you on webcam and they will call us if you eat anything." Creepy! It seems like they hate their customers at Miyozen, and I will not be back.
(1)
JF U.
Experienced Miyozen twice. One during the regular days when all we did was order from the menu. The other was during their weekend all you can eat lunch specials. First off, they have a good selection on their menu of various sushi - including the more elaborate rolls that have become the trend of late (rainbow, spider, etc.). I could definitely taste that the fish was fresh - more so that other sushi places that I've been to. I thought the quality would drop down a bit when I went in for their all you can eat lunches, but to my surprise, the quality was still up to par. I give them a rating of 3 stars (A-OK) because of two reasons - although they have a good selections of rolls, most of the rolls tasted the same, even though they had different kinds of fish. It tasted the same because they put a lot of the sauce that these rolls share, to the point that the taste of the fish gets drowned - thus making all the rolls taste the same.
(3)
Karen P.
Miyozen is close to work and home, in fact it is right in between both. The midpoint, if you will. They have a good lunch deal, and I swear by the Amigo roll. It's not especially traditional, but it is delicious- shrimp tempura and spicy tuna wrapped with soybean paper and topped with an avocado sauce. My one grip is that sometimes it is too slow for lunch.
(3)
Stephanie C.
I work nearby the Pixar area and make sure to eat at Miyozen about once week since they're closeby. I normally get the 2 item bento box with the salmon teriyaki and ca roll... the portions are really large so it's worth the $$ and the salmon is yummy. since i'm always there, i can walk in and they already know what i'm ordering - but prior to that, service can be quite slow, even when there's not a lot of people around... so make sure you have some time. the decor is nice, the place is always clean. can't complain about that...
(4)
Bj S.
This place is deelish...We eat here once a week. The staff is very friendly and personable..My 3 year old is popular here..They know his order by heart....See my profile for my fave food...I order it everytime....YUM!
(5)
craig m.
surprisingly good! don't expect much from a conveyor belt sushi joint but they surpassed my expectations. good quality nigiri sushi...the fish is GInormous and fresh. the rolls are so so....i'd stay with just the nigiri next time.
(4)
Sandi Q.
I just went here for lunch today. They should update their website. It doesn't say they are open for lunch on Sundays, when in fact, they are. I had a 3-pick bento box - teriyaki beef, potato croquette and gyoza. When I come back, I will ask for no spicy sauce on the gyoza. The spicy sauce is my only complaint. I like the details - wooden miso soup bowls and the little sesame seed/ground seaweed/salt garnish on the top of the rice. They were friendly, accomodating, not that busy, and the restaurant was clean and the music playing wasn't obnoxious.
(4)
Logan P.
miyozen has great customer service and all the waitresses are very nice. the food is great and the place is easy to find. i've been there for 2 birthdays and they are always willing to accommodate to your needs.
(5)
B.J. K.
Pretty good sushi, but nothing really special. The sushi on the conveyor belt was unique. Large dining area is good for big parties. My friends and I went there and ordered a bunch of sake and food and they hooked us up with a couple of free bottles of warm sake. I think this place has the same owners as Angelfish in Oakland, but it seemed to me that Angelfish had better sushi.
(3)
Sara H.
Worse service ever. We had a question, asked the waiter...she blew us off answering us with some half-assed answer. She told us she would be right back with the answer and didn't return to our table for a long time. We got up and left.
(1)
Niko N.
This place had very fresh and great tasting sushi. However the service could be a little better. They sometimes forget to bring me the salad I asked for. Great place and well decorated.
(5)
Mel H.
I have sushi fanatic friends that live in Emeryville and practically call Miyozen their kitchen. I've been a handful of times and have been happy with the food and the service each time. Sometimes the white tuna and some of the fancier rolls aren't as up to par as other days but overall a great experience. Go for the menu if you have to but the drive-by sushi is always very freshly made.
(4)
Bill Z.
I'd give this place 3.5 stars if I could. 3 would be a bit harsh but they're not quite 4 yet. I've been to this place for lunch about a dozen times. They have a nice and clean atmosphere. Service is good, not great. The food is mostly pretty good. Good size rolls and sushi. Their lunch boxes are generally pretty good for the price. Lunch time can get pretty crowded quickly. Try to get seated in the main dining area instead of the overspill area. You tend to get less attention in the overspill , even though it's right next to the front door. They also have a nice little area for kids to play.
(3)
Stephene F.
Update from 12/07: March 1, 2008 I'm not sure of why there are so many mixed reviews for this place, except that I have only gone with one other person - maybe they have a harder time with groups. Anyway, we went there again on 3/2/08 and I still really like Miyozen! We had the TNT Roll and the Crazy Monkey Roll. They are huge, spicy and tasty. The TNT Roll is served warmed in foil so it's still delicious when you take it home and want to eat it an hour later. But it's hot. The Crazy Monkey is a bunch of stuff in a roll, like an unagi and avocado roll topped with crab and tobiko. I like how the little bursts of salt from the tobiko flavor the bite. Oh, but it's difficult to fit the entire think in your mouth and I found I experience more joy when I ate it piece by piece. The people are nice there, they don't rush you and they follow up on what you order, unlike Drunken Fish (same owners - lame staff). Four huge rolls that filled both of us, a large seaweed salad and a large beer came to $40 with tip. It's a pretty good deal. ________________________________________________ From 12/07: I really liked this place. It's a little bright for me, but I guess all sushi places are...anyway, it's decorated very nicely and quite stylish for a cheap sushi place. I can't remember what I ordered now, but there was a lot of it and I was stuffed when we left. It's a little noisy, but it's also really large and spread out, so you don't feel like you're squashed together like a lot of sushi places. The service was good, ok - not great or terrible. I kinda thought it would be a cool place to have a party. ________________________________________
(4)
Jenny H.
Somewhat odd location but there's parking and it's safe! Very contemporary and somewhat posh inside but surprisingly the prices on the menu are quite reasonable especially the bento box items. Had the salmon teriyaki/gyoza bento which came with edamame and miso soup--very good!
(4)
Eric G.
i like the sushi here slightly better than their sister restaurant, kor-yo, but miyozen doesn't have the late night hours. miyozen DOES have boats, and frequently has good deals and cheap stuff. and the boats are pretty good... for boats.
(4)
Leah L.
Bad service, expensive for very small portions and lousy service. The waiters were hanging out together, didn't even bother asking if we needed anything else. The sushi was like something out of a package from Safeway. I would ever return again. By the way, parking is ridiculous. Its way on the other side of the building. I didn't see an exact entrance from the restaurant to the parking lot, had to walk around the entire block.
(1)
Pikachu P.
Nice place but the food was not good. The sushi rolls were too huge. Definitely will not come back.
(2)
Eazflo Z.
I was so excited for this place but I found it a bit doubty. The whole "assembly line" thing was very costly compared to what you got. I can eat more and feel more full at other things. I also didn't feel that the sushi was all that good.
(3)
Brian G.
Considering Miyozen is a sister of Koryo Sushi, I expected much better. However, the quality lacks in comparison and my two attempts at the "all you can eat" didn't work out the way I thought it would (I wound up getting charged per plate, which was fine because there wasn't much of an appetizing selection). Moreover, at one point while looking at the conveyor with a bored expression, one of the sushi chefs asked me if I wanted him to make something specific for me. I said that if he could drop some unagi roll on the conveyor that would be great (I like it as a closer). However, he made me a Rock n' Roll which was then added to my bill. Obviously there was a breakdown in communication, but still it was annoying. On two attempts it was underwhelming and though relatively cheap, I'd rather pay more and get better. I will say that the support service was good and the ambiance was nice. Conclusion: ask up front about pricing and "how it works" and unless you're looking for lunch, go to Koryo.
(2)
Lindsey M.
This is a wonderful place for a dinner with a friend or any group. The interior is well appointed, but not too dimly lit. The colors and ambience are clean, but not stark. The wait staff are all attentive, efficient, and friendly- as well as the sushi chefs. There is a kid's play room, a bar area, banquet area, and main dining area of which the sushi bar is the focal point. The sushi conveyers contain enough variety to satisfy the novice to sushi fan, but if you want anything really fun you'll have to order. Luckily, the chefs are eager for this kind of assignment, and respond with speed and enthusiasm. The sake list is varied, and the food quality is good but not GREAT. It's a fun place for a dinner out with friends or family.
(4)
Melanie C.
their sushi is delicious. it's so nice inside. service is fast. i love how they asked if we needed water all the time. good service! would love to go here again.
(4)
Kione E.
Miyozen is the 3rd restaurant (as I'm aware of) that it owned by the people of Koryo (4390 Telegraph) and Drunken Fish (3314 Piedmont Ave). I've been watching the progress of construction of Miyozen for the last 3 months, and have been anticipating their opening. They opened up earlier this week, so I made plans with some friends to have dinner there over the weekend. It was cool that they had brought a few people over from Koryo Sushi to work there, because one of the servers recognized me right away. "You don't go to Koryo no more?" (I haven't been there for a couple months.) "Nah, I'll be coming here instead. " I replied. It was nice that she remembered me. I always used to bring friends to Koryo and a few time to Drunken Fish Sushi. Miyozen is a large compared to most sushi places that I've ever been, which is nice because sometimes I find myself in fairly large groups wanting to have dinner some where and no place to have it. Especially where sushi is involved. The sushi bar is very spacious as well. Last night they had 3 chefs working, but I can see them easily putting another 3 chefs and a few assistants. They even have tables right next to the sushi bar. It's that roomy there. The atmospere is very modern, black stone every where with warm dark tone of red and browns. Definitely much more sophisticated than the first 2 restaurants. I was surprised to see a sushi boat track (which made me a bit fearful, because of past experiences), but after some quiet observation I was comforted by the quality and control in which they kept the items fresh. When I finally opened the menu, what I did see to no surprise was a list of the items that I'm so fond of at Koryo. Cool, I thought. Though they also expanded on the menu as well. They added more grilled items, and appetizers from the kitchen, a lot more dinner items for those who want a full meal. They also have a pretty good size sake and soju menu with a few Japanese beers. The soju being served in various fruity flavors,mmm........ We were tempted to get a pitcher but opted for a large bottle of Asahi. Our order was taken in a timely manner and our drinks brought in good time, and as always the server was really nice. My friends and I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the sushi boats, it was mostly because of hunger. We finally figured out the whole pricing and color codes with the plates, which isn't to bad as price goes, but I had to remind my friends that we did just order about 6 rolls and a couple of grilled appetizers. It took a while before we got what we ordered, and when our food came, we were responded like a horde of locust. First came the Spicy Unagi Crunch, The T.N.T, and the Dynamite rolls along with out grilled appetizers. They were decimated all under 5 minutes. Then our Dragon, Spicy Poke, and the new B.B.Q roll. The BBQ roll is all Korean. Kalbi, wrapped in sesame leaf and lettuce and rice and nori. Pretty cool and tasty too. These items we took our time with savoring each bite. This is when I started to realize the difference in the flavors apart from Koryo and Drunken Fish. The TNT and the Dynamite wasn't as spicy as I was used to having, but the creamy sweetness was much nicer. Just as it was with the Spicy Unagi. Their Dragon roll was standard, it's items like these I get carried away with the wasabi. The Spicy Poke was very good, and my favorite being the BBQ roll. Chocolate cake anyone? Yes, they have this item. We didn't check to see if they had any other deserts being as stuffed as we were, I myself lost interest in food. Over all, Miyozen is very spacious, the servers are friendly, attentive and hardworking, the food is very good, the prices are decent for the area this is located in and the type of atmosphere that they are trying to capture.
(4)
Jenny K.
Pretty good sushi but not spectacular. There is a conveyer belt carrying sushi, as well as a full menu of rolls, nigiri, etc. I split a deluxe sushi sampler and a few nigiri with my mom which were okay. New and clean decor. I think I need to try some rolls or the hwe dup bap (variety of sashimi and vegetables over rice with Korean red chili paste to season) to get a more complete picture of this restaurant.
(3)
Sharif E.
I would give the sushi bar a 4, if there was more on the conveyor belt; one prawn going around... and around... and around... My sister ordered a glass of wine, which took literally 30 minutes to arrive. The girls got unhappy. Saki bombs ensued. So much of it was avoidable if only the waitress had written things down and then done them. But they did have a cool kids' room. Maybe it's easier to get drinks there. Food's all good. If you can get it.
(3)
brainflower A.
the service was really bad here. We went on a Driday night around 8:00. Our veggie tempura didn't even come until 20 minutes after we finished our meals and it was ice cold (obviously had been sitting somewhere else the whole time). No one ever asked us if we wanted more drinks. We sat with our menus for a long long time before we were able to flag someone down to take our order. Our waiter was basicly nowhere in sight the whole time. Not good. The food was okay. Seaweed salad: good, standard. Sashimi: fresh but pricey. Sushi roll: way way too sweet, the rice was very sweet. Tempura: inedible because it was cold, but I did take a bite and the oil did not taste good, too much breading, a very small portion for $8. On a good note, the bus boy was very attentive and friendly, he brought us our beers right away..I think he needs a promotion.
(2)
Amy M.
It's about time they opened up a decent sushi house walking distance from my work. YES!!! If you haven't been here and you work in Emeryville, I would seriously recommend it. The food was awesome, service, good! and the prices were very reasonable. Definitely the best I've had in the area. Plus, their lunchtime bento boxes are SUCH a good deal. Yummy. Give this place a whirl.
(4)
Chloe K.
Decent sushi, yummy mexican roll, and overall good service.
(3)
dana p.
the fact that this place is open on mondays and that it is right around the corner from my house has forced me to try miyozen on many occasions. usually i think the floating food thing is gross but this restaurant is so damn cold the floating food seems to stay fresh while at the same time you constantly see people taking things off and sushi chefs replacing them. the prices can be a bit exuberant yet the kids play room furnished with tv, books, and STUFF makes up for it; take the kids but enjoy your meal as they play, what more can you ask for? for this reason alone (okay and the service is so prompt almost to the point of annoyance) i give five stars.
(5)
M S.
We ate lunch here today. It was Great! Service was excellent, food was fresh, prices reasonable. The room was spacious & hip. You can choose to sit at the sushi bar and get instant food delivered by conveyor belts . Free & convenient parking if you circle around the block. I will be a regular at this location instead of driving to Koryo!
(5)
Jeanne F.
ah, im glad i finally discovered this place. ive read the yelp on this before and because it was 3 stars, i never bothered to venture there. but i came here the other day and it really wasnt that bad! the decor is pretty immaculate, granite everything & very hip. the fish was fresh, and i can usually tell by how well they make their sunomono salad. most importantly, the service was great! the only thing that was a little hard to swallow (literally) were the large sushi rolls. even though the rolls were delicious, they were so large that it was difficult to take in at once. other than that, yummy!
(4)
s m.
I used to be in the Air Force and traveled the world, including Japan. The kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi bars were some of my favorite restaurants in that country. So, when a Japanese friend in Berkeley wanted to find a kaiten sushi bar, we checked the internet. Mixed reviews had us worried about the possible choices, but eventually we settled on Miyozen. We had dinner there this evening, and we really enjoyed it. I was immediately impressed upon seeing that all the plates were under plastic domes to ensure freshness. Traditional Japanese kaiten has nigiri sushi for the most part, around $1-2 per plate. Miyozen's selection was much more ecclectic, with multiple flavors of rolls of all types rolling by in addition to traditional nigiri. My personal favorite was the Fiona Roll, out of 6 different rolls that we sampled. The prices are of course higher (we are in the states, after all), but they had reasonable per plate prices of $2.95 to 3.95 for the regular dishes, and higher for the specialty stuff. The two of us ate $40 total of sushi and were quite content. We were tempted by the chocolate cake and tiramisu that rolled by as well, but we just couldn't fit it this time. Overall, the ambiance and atmosphere were excellent. The staff during our stay was also VERY attentive. I wonder if they knew I was planning on writing a review after our meal?? In any case, we enjoyed sampling the huge selection of rolls, sushi, and other delights and highly recommend this place to anyone looking for this type of restaurant. We plan on going back for the "all you can eat kaiten" during lunch on Sat, Sun, or Mon for $19.95. If you're not into the kaiten experience, their menu was HUGE and full of very creative sushi rolls, sushi and sashimi plates, and all kinds of combinations of things. It's not exactly Japan kaiten, but it is great food and a wonderful dining experience, and definitely sinks the boats at those other places. Enjoy!
(5)
Adrian D.
This place just opened up and I just have to say its the bomb!!! Miyozen is owned by the same people that own Drunken Fish and Koryo Sushi. Miyozen is located on the corner of 40th St. and San Pablo. I liked it so much I came here 3 days in a row the first week they opened and took my girlfriend, friends and family there w/ in those three days! The fish here tastes really fresh and is very good. Upon coming into the restaurant everything is very new and contemporary. I recommend sitting near the sushi bar and getting whatever the sushi chef recommends. Man they are the best!!! The menu has a lot to choose from and there is also a a lot of specialty rolls to taste. If you don't see anything to your taste tell them what kind of fish you like and they can make a custom made maki just for you! Kai, Susan, and Mina and the rest of the staff are awesome and very helpful. Rolls i like...Crazy Monkey (Yellow tail and salmon roll w/ avocado, unagi, crab salad, and salmon roe on top), Pink Lady (Shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado roll top w/ spicy tuna, masago,, and green onion)and the Drunken Fish roll (Shrimp tempura, unagi, crab salad, avocado, w/ some masago and unagi sauce)...Damn this review is making me want more!!! The best thing about Miyozen...I live in the same building!!! So if the Sake gets the best of me I'm just a stones throw away from my place. Yow!!!
(5)
A K.
update: update: I'd call it 3.5 stars. Over time I've learned to ask the sushi chefs which fish to order and I don't think I've been unhappy with the quality of fish since. I also only go/order from them later in the week. I think the don't order fish on monday adage holds true here, oddly. The service staff is usually nice, if a bit out of it and under-informed. It's inconsistent. I've had a couple of great servers, but also some indifferent ones as well as a couple of apathetic and inexperienced to go girls. nice atmosphere if a little too glossy, corporate for my taste. pleasant, generally attentive service. I like the tables surrounding the sushi chefs. they'll usually just hand your food over the conveyor belt to you. some good apps. miso and wakame salad are good. what they call poki roll is a decent spicy tuna roll, but it's a bit too spicy, but thankfully it's one of the few rolls they make without mayonnaise. which brings me to the california roll problem. 75% of their special rolls are some type of fish on top of a cali roll. I don't like california rolls because I prefer to avoid mayo in my sushi (not to mention imitation krab). their 49'er roll is half great - salmon with ultra thin slices of lemon - yum, but then it's plopped on top of a california roll - bummer. so I'd stick with ordering nigiri and sashimi instead, but the quality is inconsistent. sometimes great and sometimes chewy and unsatisfying. very close to my home, so I'll walk over occasionally, but only when I'm jonesing sushi and don't feel like venturing further afield or if it's late - maybe the best part about miyozen is that they're open until 10:30. since these people own 3 sushi restaurants in the area, I'd expect the fish to be stellar and it just isn't, at least not all the time. I recently ordered a TNT roll which the menu said was salmon over a spicy tuna roll. when i got home with it, i discovered grilled salmon on top of a roll of mayo with a little spice to it, but damned if I could tell whether there was any tuna in there and pardon the TMI, but I was burping that mayo salmon flavor for hours after. not to be completely negative - they do have a double tuna roll that I like a lot (but I have them leave the ?apple sauce?! off of the top).
(3)
C C.
I actually would put 3 stars but I am taking into account the fact that: *I am wary of sushi boat places *I am a sushi snob *Most people aren't like me So, I put 4, but I'll put a lot of details into my review. You should know that we decided to go with the boats instead of ordering because we were starving and couldn't wait. + good, central location that is easy to find because it is on the corner of a big intersection + lots of AC Transit buses will get you there + BART to MacArthur and take free Emery-Go-Round + easy parking on San Pablo or in parking lot near the Pak N Save + open until 10:30 p.m. on all days except Sunday (10:00) + nice decor, open spaces, pretty colors + attentive staff + at least 3 bars with 3 chefs working at the same time, so it looks like you'd get your food quickly even if you weren't picking boats + free miso soup but I don't know if this was for the sailors or for the land lubbers (those picking boats or those ordering off the menu) + good presentation, the sushi boat plates were pretty + generous cuts on the nigiri + except for one roll, good proportion of rice-to-stuff + clear plastic covers on the boats so the sushi doesn't get dessicated + instant gratification with boats, lots of people love the novelty + each plate is the equivalent of 2 nigiri or 3-4 maki (rolls) pieces + the portions are such that you could get more variety by picking boats instead of ordering off the menu and committing to 6 pieces in a roll -/+ plates start at $2.95 and go up, though most are from $2.95 to $4.95 -/+ many non-traditional, inventive rolls -/+ a large number of these rolls had the California roll as the base, as is often the case with sushi restaurants around here -/+ huge menu (good for some, but not for indecisive people) -/+ ankimo was actually on the menu, which is rare in Japanese restaurants, but it is seasonal so I don't know if it will always be good/there (I didn't get it) - not many vegetarian options in boats but more in menu - sometimes you couldn't tell what was in the roll as it went by which is, again, not a problem for some - the raw fish itself was fine--good cuts with nothing stringy, but not very flavorful - miso was too salty, though some people like that - I would like to spend less (like a dollar to 50 cents less per plate) for this quality, but most people won't mind - $28 (before tip) for 2 hungry people Other observations: *I always price the chirashi as a gauge for the price. This place was $14.95 (most are $11 or $12 but I've seen them as low as $8) *they have a kids' play room... so they can play while you eat? *this is a chain based in Korea? *the subtitle "sushi and roll" may seem redundant to some, but I think Americans consider all sushi sushi, whereas they distinguish between nigiri (rice with fish on top) and maki (rolls) *they'll probably do well based on location alone because of high visibility and there aren't any other Japanese restaurants around (the next closest sushi restaurant is on Broadway and 40th) *they just opened 3 days ago so I don't know if they'll eventually start slacking off because they'll do well regardless or if they'll maintain the standards I described above because they're a chain *for people who are new to the concept of sushi boats, general advice (not specific to this restaurant) is that you pick from boats only when there are many other customers picking from boats so you know there will be a high turnover, instead of the same plates circling the bar, otherwise pick from the menu
(4)
HyoungKyun K.
nice interior. service was ok. food... not so impressive... maguro looks like cheap frozen ones.. I want either excellent food with a little bit high price or lower price with affordable meal.. I guess they are lost in the middle.
(3)
Erin D.
just spent 900+ dollars on a new flat screen tv at best buy down the road, so i was less than pleased when we saw the prices on the dishes at miyozen. however... we found the page with the bento box combos. $12.95 for two items, gyoza, rice, miso soup, and ice cream! good deal i think. especially since they throw in the ice cream. anyway, we sat down at the sushi bar/boats. we grabbed a bowl of edamame and started chowing down as we looked at the menu. that's great... being able to eat before you actually order. awesome! the food that was parading in front of us all night was gorgeous. the plating was pretty and the presentation of the sushi rolls were great. i admired a couple of plates, but since i hate sushi... i stayed admiring. anyway, the food we got was pretty tasty. chicken teriyaki had been seasoned with pepper, which was a little weird, but their beef was really good. there was a lot of food and was stuffed before i could finish. ooh another plus, we were accidentally given two bowls of miso. mm i love miso. the service was pretty good. there was always someone around to take an order, get some water, refill water/tea, etc. everyone was extremely friendly. the restaurant is huge, pretty and super clean. all in all this place is great. probably some of the better japanese food i've had. kinda pricey... can't rate the sushi (since i don't eat it) but it looked good and were in big pieces.
(4)
HR L.
The decor is nice and the restaurant is spacious. However, the service is TERRIBLE. I had to chase someone down to get water and to get my bill. When I finally found someone, it took awhile for them to get back to me. I had to ask two different servers to have somone get me water and we waited forever for our check. The BOTH times I've been there. The food is ok but the service is horrible.
(1)
Sarita C.
i have hit the sushi gold mine! i have visited this place twice and had a great experience both times. my first visit was on a date. we were seated in the bar area because the restaurant was packed! however, i didn't mind sitting in the bar area. it was nicely lit and romatically set up. we were given attention immediately. i ordered the bento box. my first visit here, i didn't want to try anything new just in case it didn't work out. with my bento box order, i asked for the escolar sashimi on the side. now, even though this request isn't a part of the box menu, i was given what i asked for and not charged for the extra attention. the box also comes with ice cream for dessert. you must try the green tea ice cream. mmmm yummy. the miso soup was fresh and flavourful with a decent amount of miso added. the bentos also come with gyoza which is an added plus from a sushi restaurant. the gyoza is filled with beef and veggie which was ideal considering i am not a pork eater. oh, and that escolar sashimi? it was to die for! it absolutely melted in my mouth with each and every bite. the fish was so white and fresh. it is what took me back a second time. my next visit, was a casual dine with friends from vallejo. again, we were seated in the bar area. service was slow, yet the staff was attentive and considerate. we ordered a variety of california rolls and sushi. this time i tried the unagi roll and the spicy volcano roll for the first time. i was not disappointed. now for personal reasons, i would not try the unagi roll again. my friends who are experts on unagi says it was delicious. i feel it is an acquired taste, and my palette isn't acquired to it. the spicy volcano roll was excellent. it wasn't too spicy or overwhelming...it was perfect. i only give miyozen four stars because of the service. it is not their fault they are so damn good. however, they need to beef up their staff! because business is booming! but i understand it must be a difficult task finding koreans who know how to do sushi so damn good! enjoy!
(4)
harley g.
Fair sushi in a big place. The two level conveyor is kinda neat.
(3)
t l a.
We somehow ended up with two little kids who love sushi. But we've always been skeptical of "all you can eat" sushi spots. You really don't want to eat something on it's fourth trip around the room, do you? BUT, we've had three excellent experiences at Miyozen--twice for dinner, once for Sunday brunch. The fish was so fresh, you couldn't smell it, only taste its yummy toothsome texture. There was a better assortment of items for dinner (not really a surprise), and since our family doesn't eat shellfish, our waitress (who remembered us after the first time--probably because of the sushi devouring children)--helped us find things we could eat, and made sure the sushi chef added extra items to the conveyor belt that we could enjoy. Some shellfish eating friends who came with us assure us that the other items are also delicious. Dinner comes with tea and tempurah. The conveyor belt had not only sushi and rolls (why do so many rolls have fake crab and mayo??), but also seawead salad and fresh pineapple. The waitstaff was quite attentive, though we've not been there when the place is crowded. There's a playspace for children so you can stay on and stuff your face while the kids are amused elsewhere, if you like. Oh, and the bean paste in sesame balls for desert are a truly tasty vice---but you really, really want to make sure those are fresh.
(4)
Joyce H.
I've been passing this place forever whenever I go to my BF's work or going home from his work. I always wanted to try the place out and my BF had tried it and liked it but I've never gotten to go with him. I finally got my chance last Monday when I was off recuperating from the Nike Women's Marathon. We walk in and immediately I get excited because there is this conveyor belt in the bar area with yummy sushi goodies. We sit at the bar so I can watch the yummy sushi pass by and decide which I liked the best. We decide to order two rolls from the menu and get the rest from the conveyor belt. I wasn't sure what the rolls were called but the waiters/waitresses tried their best to explain what was in them. The spicy tuna with seaweed salad on top was to die for! I love spicy tuna and I love seaweed salad so the two combined are just delicious. There was also this unagi roll with crab salad and some kind of greens sticking out from the conveyor belt that was very good. My BF loved the baked dynamite roll. They put real unagi sauce on top before baking and it makes all the difference. We also noticed that on Saturday, Sunday and Mondays they have an all you can eat lunch. You can eat as much as you want from the conveyor belt but everyone in your party must do it for $19.99 per person. They also have a dinner for $29.99 but I'm not so sure I want to be on San Pablo Avenue in the evening...I strongly recommend this place and ever since I went on Monday, I've been contemplating going again to try more stuff. I'll have to save up my lunch money to go though since times are rough!
(4)
Kitty L.
i USED TO love this place. i used to visit a few times a month. but the restaurant had a major PRICE HIKE in Jan 2008. now most of the dishes are $3.5 or $4 for only 2 pieces (used to have three pieces). I can't help but think---now I'm putting 2 dollar bills into my mouth. plus the selection on the sushi belt is rather limited (all expensive items). TOO pricey!!!! probably won't go again. not worth the money!!
(2)
e g.
This place is great for kids!!! There's a clean, bright play room by the entrance all decked out with books, toys and a table in case you have to wait or there's a meltdown during dinner. Across from the play room, there's a dining room with a kids movie projected on the wall. The night we went, they were playing Monsters, Inc. (sound off, subtitles on). We sat in yet another dining room at one of the many tables next to the sushi conveyor belt so we were able to grab an edamame immediately and she could watch the plates go by (again great for distracting the wee one). The wait staff was super friendly to our 13 month old who insisted on waving EVERY time someone walked by and even put extra tofu in a soup for her to nibble on. Honestly, I don't really remember the sushi as being outstanding, but sitting across from a toddler- who really cares? It was yummy, we had tea and sake, there was no screaming, we left happy and filled. We usually go to the Drunken Fish (Miyozen's sister location on Broadway). It's cozy, warm and friendly, good for kids, too. But, this place just makes it really easy to enjoy our dinner. I'm sure it's even better for older kids. I gave it four stars because the food is good, but not super amazing, a 3.5. I'd give it 5 stars for kid-friendliness. So, make it a 4.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
J L.
When they first opened, the food and service was stellar. But after being open for some time now they have changed the quality in the food. Service is okay. The interior feels nice and cool. I just wouldnt go out of my way. The sister restaurants are slightly better in taste.
(2)Philip L.
I decided to give this place a try tonight. My family and I usually drive past this way when we go home after shopping at Ikea, or Home Depot. Well, the decor isn't all that bad. We were greeted promptly and showed to our table. In the middle of the restaurant is the sushi prep bar. The sushi moves along on a conveyor belt, and there are a variety of items there. They have sushi, sashimi, and also cakes that are just travelling around on the conveyor belt. Well we decided to order off of the menu. My mom and brother had a bento box. I guess it wasn't that bad. My sister and I wanted to share the sashimi combination dinner for two. We also ordered some rolls and nigiri a-la-carte. Well to make a long story short, the server didn't read our order back to us. BIG MISTAKE!!! She ended up giving us the Combination Sashimi, which is totally different. That only feeds one person. I didn't realize this until it was too late. We had already finished the plate, and I thought to myself...umm...I hope this isn't 60 dollars worth...cause if it is, this is a rip-off! Well I asked for a menu just to check to make sure what was ordered. Low and behold, the server gave us the Combination Sashimi dinner. I understand that it is a simple mistake, but all of this could've been avoided if the server just took the time out to re-read our order. It really doesn't take that much time or effort. Repeating the order is Restaurant Server 101; it's really basic! Well let's just say that the restaurant lost out of more money, cause if she got the order right, then I may have ordered more. Because of her careless mistake, I just waited for my family to finish, paid for the bill, and just went home to make ramen. I don't think i will be coming back to this place anytime soon. Just a word of advice to the owners, have your servers just take the time out to repeat the order to the customers; this will show the customers that the servers are being attentitve to their order. It's THAT SIMPLE!
(2)Alex C.
The rolls here are alright, nothing that stands out among all the other sushi restaurants in the Bay Area. The restaurant itself is quite big, and it has its own parking garage, which is pretty cool. I'd have to say that the consistency of service is lacking though. I've been here 3 times, and the first time, they forgot an order, and my friend ended up taking his order to go because we had already finished eating. The 2nd time, they spilled miso soup on my friend (although that was kind of funny, haha).
(3)Joie G.
I like this place. Clean interiors, friendly staff and fresh food. It does costs a little more than an average lunch. I've had the chirashi sushi was enough to fill me up for lunch and I recommend the beef katsu.
(4)J K L.
Meh. The sushi wasn't all that great. The place itself is really cute and the waiters are very attentive. But the sushi was boring.
(2)Joanie H.
went there yesterday for dinner! i was super hungry!! i ordered cherry blossom roll and it was the first roll to come out! when i first saw it, i was pissed off because the tuna is not fresh it was pink and they just slapped a tiny piece of fish on it!! what a rip off!! small ass portions!! with 45 dollars i could've gotten me some more and better rolls at other sushi place!! i want my money back!!!
(1)Christiane B.
A rather kid friendly sushi place. Ideal for the family. Not too long of a wait, and a very kid friendly waiting room with a sitting area and G- rated movies. The beef udon was absolutely tasty. The sushi was great, although I wouldn't say it was the best I have ever eaten but definitely well worth the money. The sushi combinations were interesting, especially the Shrek roll which had green roe as well as a wasabi ginger sauce on top. Service was reasonable, although I am still getting used to the idea of marking your selected sushi rolls with a pencil on a piece of paper, made me feel a little like having the kids coloring menu at a Dennys, but I guess this makes it easier to bypass any misunderstandings along with ordering. Would recommend, but suggest getting the udon as a main entre and sharing a roll or two of sushi with the group. Also other dishes like the usual teriyaki for those that don't care too much for sushi and fish, but would like to accompany the group to a Japanese restaurant (such as the old hubby). Parking is easy. Pricing ranged from reasonable to slightly high depending on the order. Would come back.
(4)Matt P.
You're not supposed to know this place exists... Anyhows, I'd say avoid the belt and order fresh rolls off the menu - who knows how long some of those pieces have been circling around.
(4)Maureen M.
i love Miyozen. i love the decor especially. check out the lime green paint in the womens wc. i've been to the sister restaurants ( koryo and drunken fish ) and this one is the most upscale one with downscale prices!! you like that?! anyways. it's the first motor operated sushi bar that i've seen in the bay and they put plastic covers to ensure freshess. totally casual dress. all the people that come through here are so diverse from pixar people to people rockin all black. the wine list is small. they do americanize it by putting chocolate cake and cheesecake on the bar. . . don't get dessert here unless it's the fruit or red bean balls. parking is really good too. and if you get there really late around 1030pm they might offer you anything on the sushi bar half off (because it's then end of the night and don't wanna waste food!)
(4)M S.
had better sushi, but with their lunch time happy hour, $1.99 a dish from the belt, i cant complain
(3)rumrum s.
This place started out great. Loved the food in the beginning, fresh sushi, nice atmosphere. About 5 months ago , we noticed a change. The quality of the sushi dropped, actually it became disappointing. Took a friend out and were embarrassed by how bad it was. Mentioned it to one of the server one other time, and the excuse we got was they have a new chef and perhaps he was still learning. Wouldn't go back as the last time we order California roll, it was so sweet as though they've added sugar or some strange ingredient. We look to find another Sushi place.
(1)JeFF T.
My buddy was tellin' me about this cool sushi place that he went to after playing cards at Oaks. He said the place was decorated in a very modern and minimilistic way. He said they had sushi boats and the sushi was really good. I'm always up for trying something new, so I decided to take him up on his offer to try it out. Presentation-wise, the place is actually pretty cool. Staff was friendly and on top of things. We ordered some nigiri and sashimi. We didn't get to extravagant, but Toro, Uni, Sake, Hamachi, and Amaebi were ordered for the taste test. The sushi came out all at once on a large tray. The pieces were of generous proportions. So far so good. I started off with some of the sake/hamachi sashimi. The salmon was good. The yellowtail was just OK. It hadn't thawed out and there seem to be a sprinkle of lemon on top of it already, which I didn't care for. Next, the amaebi...it too was good, but the fried head, didn't look that appetizing. I decided to try the Uni. While it looked good, the taste was below par from what I'm used to having. Even the stuff that I get from Nijiya was better than this. I was only able to stomach one piece. I didn't want to chance anything else. Their last chance at redemption was their Toro. To my dismay, this was one of the worst slices of Toro that I had ever eaten. It didn't have that buttery flavor, nor did it melt in my mouth. Instead, it tasted somewhat stringy. It was too tough to eat that I ended up spitting out the rest of it. I asked my friend, why he came here and who told him to go here? He replied that a non-Asian playing at the card club had said that Miyozen was good. Rule #1, don't consult with a non-Asian card player for Asian food advice. Rule #2, don't let the decor fool you into thinking this place is good. Rule #3, if it's not a Japanese owned sushi restaurant, chances are they will have cut corners on the quality of their fish. Rule #4, skip Miyozen.
(2)Michael A.
My first little Miyozen experience was great. I just stopped by for a couple of rolls at the bar up front and it was really fresh and delicious food, really good service also. 2 months later my wife and I went back and it was terrible. We ordered the archers roll for the ungai and avocado (our fav) and when it came out it did not have any avocado. We told the waiter and he said that sometimes the sushi chefs just don't put avacados on this particular roll.... (then change your dang picture of it!). The rolls were mediocre, poor service and we did not want to come back. However, seeing that we live in a rock throws away from this place we went again.... Big Mistake. The service was worse this time, we had to ask to get the edemame warmed up and the rolls were terrible. At least this time the roll did come with a sliver of browned avocado, and the Ungai tasted old. We ended up eating a total of 4 of our 12 or so pieces of sushi. The only reason they didn't get a 1 star is because this time when we said something about the bad roll the manager didn't charge us for it, so we only had to pay for the other nasty roll. We actually saved some money because we we felt so sick from the couple pieces old the old sushi that we did eat that we didn't have to go out and pay for different food.
(2)David C.
Stopped to eat at this place on the way back from Bay St shopping. The atmosphere is cool, a moving sushi boat and decorations are pretty hip. The prices are pretty expensive (but normal i guess for sushi) but when we got the food it didn't matter. I had the 2 item bento box (teriyaki salmon and ribs) and it was awesome. Truly a feast fit for me. I devoured it but was still a little hungry so i had some of my gf's Dynamite roll. I usually like my sushi with sashimi, but the dynamite roll was amazing too.. The baked salmon was perfect and i almost screamed in pleasure. The bento box even came with free ice cream! Waiters and sushi chefs were friendly, good service. I recommend you go here if you're in the mood for sushi.
(4)Chin C.
I think this is the best sushi place out there! You can't beat it! I have been to numerous as well. I do have to say that the service is maybe a little slow but again the sushi is amazing!
(5)Alani F.
Not the best Japanese food ever, but still pretty good. My associate persuaded me to try raw oysters (delicious!) and this raw shrimp thing that came with its head cut off and deep-fried (also delicious!). I'd never eaten either of those things before, and they were both very good. We both went for bento boxes and were satisfied with our choices. I don't know why I chose the potato croquette as one of the two items for my bento box, but I liked the flavor and texture of it. (I still don't know what was in it, though.) Their gyoza tastes good by itself, let alone with the dipping sauce. After that, we were served complimentary lychee ice cream, which was also really good. I didn't try any of their rolls since I'm not really into sushi or sashimi, but they have a vast selection in their menu. Maybe next time I'll man up and try it. I should also note that their servers are very attentive and nice, and kept our mugs full of hot tea. I was satisfied with the meal overall, and I'd like to go back some day.
(4)Ivana Y.
I've driven by this restaurant many times, and have always wanted to try it. Went there for the first time this Sunday for a family dinner, and enjoyed their sushi and chirashi bowl. No matter where I go, I determine the freshness of the fish by ordering the chirashi bowl - and they passed! I like that it included octopus as well. Rolls we enjoyed: spicy scallop, TNT, 49er. Nice ambiance, and abundant parking in the back of the restaurant on Adeline street. Will be back next time we're in there area!
(4)Kim D.
Food: I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki bento with Tempura. Basic stuff. The shrimp tempura batter was not tempura batter. The use some gelatin based teriyaki sauce, how I know? There was an unmelted chunk. Serving size was skimpy compared to other places, but that's relative. Verdict: would not come back. I ordered very basic stuff, there's no reason for it to be below average. I only expected what I ordered to be average as well. It's more of a 2.5 stars for me.
(3)Alex P.
Want diarrhea? Look no further than Miyozen. Have you ever wondered why this large establishment is constantly empty with no customers in sight? There is a simple reason why. I wanted so badly to like this place. I live in the apartment complex that surrounds it, and as a big sushi eater I would have loved the convenience of getting it so easily whenever I want. Since I moved here several months ago I have been afraid to try the place because of reviews that mentioned food poisoning and unfresh seafood. If a place serves unfresh fish even just once, you know it cannot be a good restaurant. Last weekend I finally decided to give it a try - I shouldn't have. I ordered takeout and the food was ready for pickup in 10 minutes. Why? Because I was the only customer. I ordered the Chirashi - and immediately noticed when eating it that there was a fishy taste to it. The food is NOT FRESH. The Daikon radish was old and wilted - I had to spit it out. It is completely obvious what the situation is. Customers show up so infrequently and inconsistently that their sushi goes old and bad. Because they want to use up their old and fishy sushi first, they sell this to whoever made the poor decision of giving Miyozen a try. This restaurant should be shut down for doing this. Sure enough, my stomach thanked me for it that same night and the following day - NEVER AGAIN. It cannot be long before they go under. I can only assume that people who gave this establishment a good review simply don't eat sushi often enough to know any better. Stay far away.
(1)jeff b.
From a family of Sushi Resturants in the East Bay - a very decent sushi joint. Plcae is family-friendly, they have a room where you can eat with your kids - that shows movies - kinda reminds me of Shakey's Pizza with better food I really like the decor of the resturant - it is modern and fresh feeling. They do a good job with take-out, one of the reasons I like the place.
(4)Mel G.
I love this place but they need to do something about how thick they make their sushi. There's so much rice and too little in the middle. I thought sushi should be bite size? When you eat the sushi here, it seems you have a golf ball in your mouth. Its so embarrassing when your chewing it because your mouth is just filled with food. Overall, the food is good and a lil over priced. So, I'll continue going here because it's walking distance..
(4)Khang D.
I wish I could give it 1 more star but it isn't something that would send your pleasure center aflame. The food is good, you get what you paid for and services are not rude. It's how a restaurant should be, act like and all that good jazz. And, the surrounding is pleasing to the eyes. My favorite part about this restaurant is their 1.99 special around 6:30 till 8:30 (?). This could change because I've seen the time swapping around. You know how usually sushi bar have lil boats floating around with small portion of sushi and food? Well these guys have a belt carrying the food which are actually far more stable and doesn't fall over like said boats. Usually, there are a huge variety of things on that belt ranging from sashimi, nigiri, sushi rolls and everything in between. You could even ask the chef to serve you the sushi fillings if you really want it! Oh right, about the 1.99 part, it isn't like ur eating discount sushi left behind the fridge. It's all freshly made at a very cheap price. They also have a huge menu which I neglect to mention. Anything you could expect from the usual sushi restaurant such as bento boxes and a variety of rolls. Overall, this is a family place, it's well lit, clean and cheap. I don't know what are some of these reviewers are asking for but get back down to Earth. If I wanted Kobe Steak served on a naked model I'll go to Japan. Otherwise, it's a night out and I'm hungry for cheap NICE sushi then I'm going to Miyozen. Plus, if you're from the East Bay, it ISN'T THAT EASY to find such a place. Emphasis on cheap and good here folks. 4 Stars for the above mention, minus 1 because there are no naked models and kobe beef (or to be fair with other premium restaurants).
(4)lisa k.
i have been a long time customer and i have to say, i used to love this place. it was close to home, they had takeout (i've never actually dined in, i've always ordered to go), and the fish was a decent quality, but... (and you knew there was a but), the last couple of times i have ordered from them, i have been sorely disappointed! the first time, placed my order on the phone, was told it would be 20 to 30 minutes and then hung up to wait the allotted time to go pick up the food. i walked into the restaurant, was greeted warmly, and when i went up to the counter to pay for and retrieve my order, i was told that they had no such order for me, and oh, they were very sorry, but it would take 30 more minutes to make everything. having already waited 30 minutes to come pick the order up, i was mildly irritated, to say the least, that it would be another 30 minutes for them to make up the order that they lost. nothing was offered in compensation for having to wait, not even a free beverage. the second time (just four days ago), i called, placed my order, went to pick it up (it was there waiting for me) and brought it home. i had ordered 2 orders of maguro sushi and one order of hirame sushi among other items. the hirame (halibut) was rubbery and completely inedible. i had to throw it away. and upon biting into one of the pieces of the maguro, i was most unpleasantly surprised to bite into a piece bone! it was pretty much horrible. you don't expect hard things when you bite into your sushi, let alone bone! i wound up spitting it out and then throwing away the rest of the order as i was sufficiently grossed out and could not finish it. i wound up throwing away $55 worth of sushi! i called the restaurant twice on two separate days asking to speak to a manager. both times, a message was taken (the first time, they said that there was no message there waiting for the manager and maybe they had already picked it up, but no one had called me back). i have still not received a call back. i can only hope that they read their yelp reviews and that someone contacts me. i will not eat there again and i will advise my friends and acquaintances not to eat there either. if i had the capability of giving them zero stars, i would!
(1)Paige B.
Miyozen is closer to 3.5 stars but they get rounded up for the amount of food that is included in the all you can eat tuna deal-dinner. For two people they will let you do all you can eat sushi and all you can eat tuna and share everything. SO much food. The sushi selection isn't very diverse, but we were positively stuffed when we left. The unlimited sashimi was completely worth it. Everything tasted fresh and the staff was really nice, even chased us down outside when we left a cell phone and a hat!
(4)Linh L.
It's definitely good for a big party, but if I want an intimate setting, I would go to Koryo (same owner) down the street. The rolls here are too big for my small mouth. The sashimi are sliced thinner than Koryo too. However, I like the sashimi salad here better than Koryo. Ah, there is also a pretty hot sushi chef there on one of the nights, can't remember when, I guess I have to go back every night to figure out when he's there.
(3)Nobu K.
It's a FXXXin' KAI-TEN SUSHI, Shit! I don't do Kai-Ten. Kai-Ten turns me off so badly specially in U.S. ( there are Good Kai-Ten Sushi in Japan.) Kai-Ten is not fun anymore. Kai-Ten is like.... Old porn, got tired of it. I saw a cake, a chocolate cake on this Kai-Ten thing with Sushi. Cheese cake too. What the hell? And, of course, Jave Ass Rolls, and UGLY PICTURE Menu! But, why I gave 3? This place is in the 1st floor of new housing building. The building is modern UGLY designed, corner of 40th and San Pablo. I hate the building. Well, It is not good neighborhood but this 100% Korean Sushi restaurant is pretty clean and a large dinning area. I had a Sushi Salad, ! It's a Korean virsion of Tekka Don + Sake and Ika. Fresh Maguro, Sake and Ika over rice in a large bowl. The reason why they say "Salad" because Roman lettuce, thin sliced Daikon and carrot with red caviar and raw qail egg. Usually, you eat Tekka-Don with Wasabi-syoyu but this place has THE KICK ASS KOREAN RED HOT SAUCE! This sauce goes so well with the Tekka Don-Buri. I ate like a pig. This is totally against authentic sushi manner but What the hell? I enjoyed it. I still don't like Jave Ass Rolls but I want to be open mind and I shouldn't hesitate to try something new. The wait staff are good. They seems nice, smiley. (Hey, who said that Korans are Hot-Temper, are they? Well, Bryan K and I think Korean girls are hot! ) Decent price. Good fish but lack of selection. Not too bad. I can tell you that this place is a lot better than ISO BUNE, J-town. I think, this Sushi restaurant is making changes for this rough neighborhood. I gave 3 star for the effort even though Jave Ass Rolls and Kai-Ten. I admire the owner who had guts to open the Sushi restaurant in the bad area. They have parking lot in the same building. If this place get rid of the Kai-Ten ( belt conveyor thing), I'll be VERY HAPPY to give 4 star.
(3)Frank H.
Good food, good prices can't wait to go back
(3)cheryll t.
At first it was pannini's I was craving now it's sushi. Ok so I finally tried out this Sushi place about 2 weeks ago. We went during lunch hour on the weekend and at first the waitress sat us at a table until we told her we wanted to try the ALL YOU CAN EAT...so we were seated at the sushi bar. I was convinced that I would try at least one of every kind, cooked or not cooked sushi. But in the end I backed out. The service here was great! They asked us if there was any particular sushi we wanted and I didn't know they were already serving the drunken fish, but they made more...I have never been so full in my life and it was worth the $20. I had the eel, california roll, tempura, drunken fish, and other sushi rolls, and two kinds of desert. I never felt so full in my life!!!!
(4)Benjamin K.
Good sushi, nice atmosphere and a full bar, what more need be said.
(4)Geronimus P.
I've been coming to this restaurant so often I have my own chopsticks. When I first started going here for lunch, I used to just get a 2-item Bento box which is low priced and has big portions. The Beef Teriyaki tatstes like very tender strips of steak. Over rice its THEBOMBSON.COM! Then I started taking my homegirls here for lunch dates and started exploring everything else on the menu. Pretty much came up with our "USUAL" order: - Crunch Hamachi Roll - Spicy Crunch Roll - Titanic Roll - Tempura Ice Cream for dessert This can satisfy two people for around $30. On days when we are more hungry or want something hot, we add the Dynamite Roll, which is a baked salmon roll. Your total cost will still be less than $40. One thing I suggest people do at this restaurant is be exceptionally nice to the wait staff. Sometimes it might be the owner or his wife. I had my girlfriend's birthday party here at the long table in front of a projector screen where they played movies. We didn't have time to pick up a cake so the owner came out with a huge plate with chocolate mousse cake, tempura ice cream, & green tea ice cream for my girlfriend. Again, be very nice to the owner and he will hook it up. He even gave free drinks to our party while we waited for the table. FIVE STARS FOR SURE!
(5)Trevor L.
Very modern interior and new building adds a great asset to the ghetto's of Emeryville/ Border of Oakland. They're a Korean owned business which explains why they're very generous with the size of their rolls compared to many other authentic Japanese restaurants that make small over priced rolls, but then again that's how you're suppose to eat sushi. Service isn't bad, but their English is very limited which could explain why they're not effecient enough with their service. I won't recommentd going there for lunch, but maybe dinner for the price they're charging.
(3)Sheila A.
This was the first sushi place I came to after moving to California. Friends said it was their favorite, and I was excited to see what sushi on the coast would be like. Maybe we erred in coming on a Sunday? But for the prices we paid, the food should have been much better. Tuna and salmon were average. The mackerel was over-marinated and possibly frozen, which ruined both the texture and taste of the fish. The yellowtail, snapper, and other white fishes were indistinguishable from one another and unimpressive at that. We had a couple of good rolls, but nothing memorable. And their price for uni was outrageous. I haven't tried their "all you can eat" days, because I'm torn between the idea of saving money while filling my belly with sushi, and having disappointing sushi which is almost worse than no sushi at all.
(2)Jessica L.
I am torn about this review...let me explain. This place is huge inside and has a sushi boat area - but it is really an odd conveyor belt thing and the dishes are bigger than normal boat plates and they have clear lids over them (keeping it fresher longer?!?). Ok somewhat odd atmosphere but overall Nice. Edamame was C- quality. Maguro nigiri was good - large pieces but nothing out of this world. Actually that is a theme here even the sushi rolls are very very large. I like! More bang for the buck NICE! Hard to fit in my mouth? ah ha! A challenge!! We also got the Spicy Volcano Roll - which is good but mainly because its spicy - it was baked with orange hot stuff all over it and a small baked scallop on top. Good but messy. Also the Fiona Roll was nice and light but very good. We were also served tea, water and miso with our meal.They had a lot of nice sounding rolls and other small plates o the menu. Wine selection SUCKED. Sake menu good. Overall the sushi was fine and I was very impressed with the portion sizes. I just wanted to be wowed more.
(3)Grace T.
OK, I'm willing to give it another chance. I'd rather see effort than to completely write off a joint, so I'm amending my review. Returned to Miyozen hesitant and wary, but they have won me back over. The food was never an issue for me, nor the interior design, but the service. I'm relieved to see that service has improved and is now attentive and pleasant. I was taking a chance bringing a friend here for his first time, but am glad I gave them another shot. Kudos Miyozen.
(3)Russell L.
Hey, a restaurant with dedicated parking! Definitely points for that. Three of us came here after spending the afternoon at Bay Street. We pass by the place all the time, and I at least was curious about it. I'd heard a few years ago from a friend that it simply wasn't worth going to, but somehow that just made me more curious. Service: the staff was very nice. It was late in the day (we were there for the last 45 minutes of open hours, plus more hangout time), but (and?) they were very accommodating. I did notice that they failed to provide us with soy sauce. None of us noticed at the time, though, probably because... Food: The sushi was smack dab in the middle of mediocre. We ordered the mega veggie roll, BBQ roll, and ahi poke rolls. Veggie roll: the tempura part was much harder than I expected, which made eating the already large roll awkward. BBQ roll: didn't try it, seemed OK. Poke roll: I like wakame, but it totally overpowers everything else, except for the very spicy ahi goop in the middle. Kind of a let-down. We also ordered the tempura appetizer, which was good. No broccoli, which should really never be in tempura form, as far as I'm concerned. Maybe the stems, but not the tops. Shrimp was more breaded than battered, which seemed odd. My entree, tofu teriyaki was extremely filling. Also: soggy and goopy. Maybe the extremely sticky sauce could be served on the side? Or would it be simply too disgusting to see it all in one place? Summary: not the worst Japanese food I'd had, but the food wasn't really worth the typical prices. Maybe if I ate the superlarge rolls that seem to be their specialty, it'd be more appealing. So, I probably won't be going back of my own accord, but I wouldn't object if in a group and someone else suggested it. Side note: all of the staff speak Korean. Kind of amusing, or something.
(3)Robin C.
Modern, clean atmosphere with kind hostesses, waiters, and chefs. You will not receive the attention of a high end dinning establishment. That is to be expected. But they do serve complimentary hot tea, miso soup immediately upon your arrival. Rolls and fish are served on thin white platters and the sashimi is good. The Titanic and 49er (due to the thinly sliced lemon over the salmon) are my usuals. They mistook an order from another table to mine. My party began eating it unknowingly and when our last roll came, our waiter explained and put that extra roll on the house. An excellent place for its price.
(4)S C.
This place is the real deal. I've always been a huge fan of Sushi House in Alameda, but this place may top it for sure. Miso soup is free when you order. My favorite roll his the "crazy monkey" and the "oh so sexy" roll. The crab that are in the rolls is the bomb.com .
(4)Ben M.
I went here for a birthday dinner last night and we had a party of 14. The gave us a laminated menu and a sharpie to mark down our order. While the concept seemed cool, the menu was a bit small and I could see the chef easily mistaking one roll for another if we didn't mark it correctly. And quite frankly, I don't want to do the work for our waiter/waitress, isn't that their job? But I do say the service was good besides that little tidbit. All the food came out real fast which was extremely surprising considering how much stuff we ordered. We left with three boxes of sushi, usually I never leave with any sushi. Now in terms of the quality of the sushi, it was above par but nothing amazing. But the overall experience was good and the food was solid for the price, plus they give big portions. Their menu was also really comprehensive and covered a lot of Japanese cuisines besides sushi. They also cater well to big parties and our dinner came out to $41 per person and that's with treating the bday boy to a meal and drinks. Wow. You can't beat that. Too bad this place is in Emeryville otherwise I would come here more often.
(4)Ken F.
Miyozen is your typical sushi house with a constantly revolving sushi-train. The sushi itself is competent but the roll selection focuses mostly on americanized, fancy, inside-out rolls (which most people enjoy, but I don't). The overall quality is good, but not outstanding or praiseworthy. There is an all you can eat sushi-buffet operating on Friday through Sunday, at $20 for lunch, with an expanded menu for $30 at dinner. Both of these options are far too expensive to be worth it unless you are a human vacuum cleaner. In typical fashion, prices go up for dinner, to the point where it isn't worth my patronage. The real draw is the affordable lunches, particularly the bento combinations. The portions are large, even for lunch, and at $8 for two items, and $10 for three, constitutes a pleasurable deal for pleasurable food.
(3)Alyssa C.
Sushi is yummy here better than Happy Sashimi in Pinole. Great service. I'd come back!
(4)Jason R.
Order off the belt...Not impressed. I'll give them another chance, but show me some fish.
(2)Keith P.
I've been here twice with The Kid. The first time we were actually on our way to Koryo from his place in Berkeley, and as we took the left onto 40th it shown like a shiny beacon in the sushi-deprived night. We were each considering the sashimi and sushi dinners respectively, when I gamely suggested we pool our resources and get the Sushi Lover's for two platter. While we were presented with a platter of nigiri and sashimi, which also came with a delicious salad, we were disappointed with the portion. Our expectations for a sushi platter were drastically different from what arrived on our table. What we got was really a slightly overpriced "date night" platter. The spicy tuna that we ordered separately was drenched in ceracha (sp?), making it inedible, which didn't help our feeling that we were gonna leave hungry. To Miyozen's credit, Kai, the proprietor, had a new spicy tuna sent out that was very fresh and had the perfect amount of heat. He also had a Koryo Dragon sent out to fill out the platter's portion. If you've had the Koryo Dragon at Koryo Sushi you know that it was pretty generous of him, and you'll be glad to know that it's just as delicious when served at Miyozen. On our second visit we had a less dramatic meal, ordering the sushi and sashimi dinners like we originally intended. The sushi was fresh, the service attentive but not intrusive, and the atmosphere was relaxed. My conclusion is that while Miyozen exhibits the same qualities that make Koryo and Drunken Fish reliable choices for sushi in Oakland: consistent quality, good selection, and gracious service... the prices are a little high. Considering the neighborhood and the portions, Miyozen is not my favorite of the Koryo Oaktown Sushi Empire.
(3)Christina T.
I really really want to like Miyozen because it is in my hood, but I'm super fussy about my maguro. It is how I decide if I like a sushi place or not. I don't like to see all the white connectors... I don't want my tuna chewy! Whole Foods on a good day will have better tuna than Miyozen. Just yummy and pink. So Miyozen is good for rolls, but for me, not the nigiri or sushi. The staff is always very friendly.
(3)Holly B.
Wow. As far as my experience is concerned, ultra kid~friendly! They were all about my intrigued toddling waddler when a friend & I went in last minute a week ago, and I was a little surprised, having only seen the nice decor on the inside before & thought twice about habitually haunting this place~ I somehow missed the hooked~up kid corner at the entrance?! I can has decent din~din AND distract my daughter? {though wild horses couldn't tear her from this playroom movies, entrance to door would have me hesitant to stray from earshot}. Another biz by the owners of Koryo, I've heard. I believe it. This place is pretty spacious, I can't imagine how the staff I present saw could keep up if it were packed. Bar, 'sports' room w/ large plasma tv. Kitchy sushi~susan... rotating plates of food to amuse and distract while you are daydreaming about the unagi that isn't already awaiting your arrival at your table. Quick with the tea and appetizers. Overall price expectable for what you get; Where you are getting it {new business in developing edge~of~EmeryVile gentrification section of town, AHA}. Tasty rolls, giant tempura, sweet service, good ambiance... you know, you get what you put into it... it just pays to be humane to other humans ;') Mad parking availability in the form of creepy 'car~condo' garage. Take that for what it's worth.
(5)Franklin W.
We used to be big fans of Miyozen, but the price hike of January '08 made us to look elsewhere for our sushi craving. We did give it another try last month, and it was okay. Instead of picking things solely from the sushi bar, we pick a sushi dish from the menu to 1) ensure some variety, and 2) smaller bill. The sushi is still good in most cases, but there are fewer choices from the sushi bar than before, and as pricey as it was. One quick note: I saw something from the sushi bar that I couldn't tell what it is, and asked the server and one of the sushi chefs. They keep on saying it's the chef's special of the day. I know, but what the heck was that?? Too special to be named? :)
(3)Joshua R.
Great sushi! Great staff! It's my favorite place in the East Bay for sushi! Everything is fresh and beautifully done!
(5)Ayrrion B.
Sushi was very good. The T.N.T. Roll was 'DYNO-MITE!!!" Very clean establishment and nice decor!
(3)Andie J.
Yuck. We walked in on a Sunday night and it smelled too fishy. Right away I was concerned. We ordered edamame and a seaweed salad and both were taken off the conveyor belt and given to us. Quick - indeed - but also room temperature and kind of gross to think how long the dishes had been spinning around that sushi bar. We got Miso Soup but it had a strange aftertaste, which we thought may have been caused by the wooden bowls not having all the soap washed out? It was a bummer b/c I love soup. Especially miso soup but I couldn't even finish the tiny bowl. We ordered Spicy Scallop hand rolls and what we were given were sooo full of nasty looking mayo oozing out that neither myself or my dining companion (who is far less picky than I) could bare to even taste it. We also ordered a New York roll and it came soo poorly rolled and messy looking with little on the inside and a lot of rice that we were once again disappointed. My dining companion also got some Tempura. And somehow that managed to suck too. We couldn't even finish the broccoli tempura, the batter was too thick or something and quote oily too. Strange. The highlight of the meal was the sake. And they have delicious complimentary tea. My companion got the ribs and he said they were fine. Nothing to write home about but good enough. That brings them up from a 1 star to 2 star.
(2)Kelli M.
I gave this place the good ole' college try, going on three different occasions (let's call it...sushi desperation). And all three times, neither the service or the food could save the other. The rolls leave something to be desired, as does the service. I don't ask much, just fresh, well-made sushi, and water on the table when I need it. Man! And they're so close to my house!
(1)James L.
After shopping at IKEA, i found this place on my Yelp app on my phone. I saw the words ALL YOU CAN EAT...so we had to try it. We decided to sit at the sushi bar (sushi boat style). $29.99 per person...ALL YOU CAN EAT.....sounded great for the 10-12 plates or so, then all of a sudden....nothing else was coming around. I thought that they were closing soon...but at it turned out...they closed at 10pm or so.. It almost seemed like they stopped us at about $60 worth of sushi....I dunno....
(3)Chiquita y.
Oh, poor Sushi Village! I'm sure they're wondering where we went. Once we patronized Sushi Village at least once a week (it's still there, over on Powell Street in Emeryville...if you go to Sushi Village, make sure to ask them for the Korean Chirashi...it's off the menu, and wicked good). We've moved our sushi tastes over the Miyozen, which has more sushi on its boats, a fresher decor, and has awarded us our very own chopsticks, which they've marked with our names. The eleven-year-old loves the kiddie room with videos. Over many visits to Miyozen, we've moved from eating our entire meal off the boats (it all looked so good and we were hungry, so we had zero self-control) to ordering sushi from the waiters. In this way we end up eating less of that nasty greasy crab filling stuff that the "off the boats" sushi tends to have. The wait staff appreciate that we like the more classic nigiri-style sushi. The prices are moderate, and the attached garage is really convenient in a rainstorm!
(4)Zinna R.
It feels like a chain but the not Blowfish kind. You can sit next to the bar at a table or at the bar there's not much of a difference, either way there's gonna see some sushi rolling by on a conveyor belt. The MENU = Standard fare, tunas (spicy and not so much) and a bunch of variations of the california roll--unagi over california roll, baked scallop over california roll, deep-fried california roll, etc. I'm a fan of sashimi so we order the chef's choice because usually this means you'll get some cool fish you can't identify but here there was just standard stuff some salmon, some yellow tail, some tuna and some white fish that I've had many times before still don't know what it is. The pieces were a little skimpy but in the end we couldn't complain too much, with our belly's full. Too bad we ordered that extra spicy tuna roll, it was sloppily made AND it took so long to come out (our stomachs finally got around to letting our brains know we were at full capacity). The SERVICE = starts out strong. You are greeted with tea and miso soups and a prompt drink order though my boy ordered an beer and the guy assumed that it was for the both of us. Little did he know, I can drink one of those myself, but I digress. After the initial order came out, it was like we dropped off the face of the earth, no came to see about us or take any additional orders until we flagged someone down and it wasn't even that crowded in there! I probably won't go back. There are just too many good sushi restaurants in my neighborhood to be wasting time here.
(2)Trixie J.
I tried some of the spicy rolls and burned all the taste buds off my tongue. Then all I could do was sit back and watch the food parade by on the dual conveyor belts: sushi. sushi. sushi. sushi. chocolate cake. sushi. sushi. sushi.
(3)Meg A.
Order a la carte! All you can eat sushi is mostly California rolls with a sliver of salmon and an occasional tuna. The sushi rice and even the Ginger were sweeter than I prefer. The quality of fish was good.
(2)Trigger F.
This and the disappointing Sushi Village are the only sushi houses that I know of in the emeryville area. It sucks that both are disappointing. I have to agree with alot of other reviewers who stated the rolls are too big and overall it's a bit overpriced for what you get. Once again, this is a perfect example that bigger does NOT mean better. If anyone wants to try amazing top quality sushi for insanely cheap prices they need to wait in line to get into Sushi Zone, but obviously the word is already out on that, hence the line. I think people have just gotten used to paying alot of money for subpar food, all in the name of eating out... anywhere. The staff are not very well trained at Mizoyen and the ambience is just strange and slightly impersonal. The food is just okay, definitley not exciting or memorable.
(2)George H.
Best Sushi joint in Emeryville. Ok, that headline isn't saying much, since Emeryville is so tiny. But!, Miyozen is F'ing good. Their sashimi is incredibly fresh, spicy tuna is made to perfection and most of the items on their bento are fairly good. If you're feeling particularly hungry, I'd recommend you don't do the bento. A standard order of chicken teriyaki is 3 times bigger than the bento portion. My only gripe with this place is the consistency. On a few nights I felt they prepared the sushi slightly different. Maybe that's why some people are complaining about the level of spiciness of the spicy tuna roll. The decor is excellent. Everything there is brand new with a nice touch of classy-modern setting. There is also a moving sushi conveyor belt that goes across the center tables. It's pretty neat.
(5)Kevin B.
Miyozen is great! We are Kotobuki transfers ourselves and we still go there alot but Miyozen is close to work and they have awesome parking! Our ankle biters LOVE the playroom and if you reserve the table near the playpen you can have a pseudo-romantic dinner while they play. What a relief! It's also nice that they play some japanimation on the wall opposite (Spirited Away RULES! even without sound...) The food is outstanding! The Nigiri is just so tasty, and we tried one of those BIG whopping rolls and were pleasantly surprised. The unagi is great too. Our kids loved the chicken teriyaki (but how could you go wrong with that one!) The conveyors are a nice novelty but we were unable to put that to good use. Looks like fun though! Staff was awesome and we will continue to eat there regularly.
(5)Steve U.
I MISS YOU MORE, MAN!!! I don't know where to start with what I miss.. Lemme see, the beef teriyaki is most delicious!! The beef is awesome and the teriyaki sauce is the bestest!! The sushi is amazing, the selection of sushi can't be beat. I think I have made my point. Just go there!!
(5)Kevin W.
Normally I have to admit, I'm sort of a sushi snob. I want to eat the ocean itself. I want to have the closest experience to being a dolphin possible. But sometimes the wallet or the clock get in the way. That's why Koryo has always been a good fallback. But eversince they expanded into the new place the atmosphere has really suffered; flourescent lights and eating just don't mix. EVER. So we decided to try Miyozen, same good times as Koryo, much better atmosphere. We went in expecting just to have fun, drink some nigori and eat rolls the size of mission burritos. So that's what we got, and I have to say, except for the spicy tuna roll being a bit TOO spicy, this place does a fine job of mixing it up. We rolled out stuffed to the gills and with that mild sake buzz that only sushi night can bring. Solid B.
(4)Marie R.
Ok ok...I've been yelping for a while but haven't done any reviews and so...I've decided to start. I am starting with Miyozen because I am craving their Sashimi salad with the Korean salad dressing RIGHT NOW! They give you a lot in a huge bowl. It comes with a raw quail egg dropped right on top with greens, rice, seaweed, and slices of sashimi (tuna, salmon, white tuna?...) oh and it comes with tobiko. The dressing is yummmerzzzz! I usually order this for everyone at the table and ask for mini bowls. They also have a sushi conveyor belt that some tables have access to, which is good...it's funny how they have random desserts floating around though. The food overall is good...service may be slow even when there's not a lot of folks there but I'm not high maintenance ("can you get me a clean fork, can I get another glass of water, can I get more napkins, what is this made of, does this have..." you get what I mean)... I do like coming here with friends because we can get down with some *great sushi and drink 22 oz. of Sapporo, flavored shoju, and/or even some nigori sake. One time the flavored sake was just not shoju but more like sojuice so we asked the waitress if she can make it stronger (hahaha) and she did! The restaurant is nice and they have a bar with a flat screen and a separate room with a huge screen (great for a private dining area)...The owners also own Koryo Sushi in Temescal and Drunken Fish on Piedmont Avenue so I assume they know what they are doing. I'll definitely be back since I also have a couple of friends that live upstairs! Oh and they also have parking and that's always nice. *I am a Japanese food fan so I pretty much like it all UNLESS it's just really bad.
(4)Chelsea V.
I dig this place, great sushi, open relatively late (who doesn't get those sushi cravings...). Haven't had a roll there I didn't like, and this was the first place I tried seaweed salad and tobiko with quail egg, good stuff haha. Oooh and they have this jalapeno business, I forget what they're called but they are delicious and a good find for people who enjoy a good kick in the mouth!
(4)eric l.
i came her cause my friend had an oyter craving , i tried their muscles i think it was freaking amazing i loved their spicy sauce, i got the spicy tuna roll was really good and their rolls size are really big , me and my friend both shared a spicy ramen i think the ramen wasnt too speacial , i would forsure come here and jus eat tons of muscles next timetho !!!!
(5)Mike C.
I've been looking for a sushi place in E'Ville since my usual went down the crapper. I've found it! Just came back from lunch with some work folks and was really impressed with the service. We had a table of 11 and they didn't miss a beat. Our table had pretty much everything on the menu and everyone liked what they got. I thought I would do a traditional Bento Box and wasn't let down with the tastiness. I'm a miso freak and can easily order more than one bowl. I've found a correlation between good miso soup and good sushi. You would think it wouldn't be too hard to prepare, but I've had some bad ones. Miyozen didn't let me down. Good miso. Good sushi. I like the atmosphere too. Best part is the sushi track. Gone are the days of sushi boats and skanky water. Now a sexy, two-way sushi track!
(4)Lani B.
I am a huge fan of Miyozen. The restaurant is quite pleasant (great location and free parking), all of the servers are quick to seat and are attentive, and the wait for food is short. I haven't had anything off of their menu that I did not like. The prices are affordable, so if you're in the area please be sure to check it out!
(4)Norma F.
I love this place, it's a gem. it's easy to get a seat, the sushi is really good, it's quick, and the servers are very attentive. Everything we get there, and we often try new things that go by on the "boats," is really good. okay, so it's not the best sushi possible in the SF area, but it's really good, the fish is fresh and soft, there are a lot of rolls to choose from, and it's affordable and easy to get into. We've now gone about 3 times and we love it.
(5)Em S.
in the beginning the food was pretty decent. but lately the fish is not fresh it doesnt have its texture anymore. like the salmon and tuna, especially the hamachi... it just doesnt have a fresh taste to it!! the miso bowls needs to be changed. but the service is decent. i probably wont go back anytime soon.
(2)KH G.
Nice decor, okay food. Came here for lunch on a weekday. We wanted Japanese food in Emeryville, so my co-worker suggested Miyozen since it was the closest. I was very impressed by the interior. The projector was showing anime, cute toys and furniture filled a colorful room in the corner of the restauraunt just for the kids, and then theres the double conveyor belt sushi boat. I like watching them go around the corners as the plates on each belt go in opposite directions. shh. =) Ordered the 2 item bento: California Roll + Gyoza. Presentation was very nice (see picture above). Avocado in the CA Roll was not very fresh. Although the gyoza had a nice mild spicy seasoning, I think it overpowered the filling. Service was okay, a bit on the slow side. I'll be back someday, beats Sushi Village any day.
(3)Mori Y.
Had lunch here with co-workers and wasn't so impressed with the food or the service. The restaurant itself just doesn't seem to be all that inviting, given the large cavernous expanse of the rear room, and the winding two-tiered converyer belt of the center sushi island. Like everything else in Emeryville, Miyozen has a factory feel to it, in spite of the fact that it resides in a fairly new apartment complex. Service was pretty lax for such a huge place. Out of a group of eight, about 3 dishes arrived 15 minutes after everyone else's. The food was pretty flavorless as well - mushy edamame, and they use the same kind of sauce on everything, the teriyaki, the katsu, the unagi, the rolls... efficient, I'm sure, but not very interesting. The miso shiru... well, it made me feel sad! UPDATE: 4/14/07 Lunch time service here is SLOOOOW... Our order was messed up not twice, not thrice, but four times! And paying the tab? Took an extra 20 minutes to get change.
(2)Jenifer S.
Ooooh, Yesssssss. Since moving from SF in 2004 back to my old hometown, I thought that could possibly be the end of having great sushi in my neighborhood....I'm soooo glad Miyozen came to my neck of the woods. I'd dodge stray West Oakland bullets to have a date at this place. Service can be spotty (they mean well, tho!), but the food is delish. Very fresh, generous portions, elegant but friendly surroundings, good sake. Oh, and prices ain't bad either! They even have this great kid's room filled with IKEA furniture, toys and a DVD player for when the wait is a tad long. And don't forget, there's free parking in the back. Turn onto 40th Street from San Pablo and take the next right. Follow the signs.
(4)Lydia P.
i live in the same complex that Miyozen is located and i frequent the restaurant often. daily. same thing while miyozen is probably not your first go-to spot for the freshest raw fish, there are other items on the menu that i'd highly recommend. lunch prices for udon and bentos are reasonable and therefore the restaurant can get pretty packed during lunch hours on weekdays sashimi salad (korean style?), yakiniku beef, chicken curry udon, and beef udon are dishes that will not disappoint. titanic roll, spider roll, and drunken fish roll are my favorite also, GREAT staff here. :)
(4)Bayarea K.
A place to eat when you want rolls or cooked food. Very kid friendly. Service can be slow at times.
(3)Chadwick F.
Any place with a conveyor best gets at least four stars in my book. The sushi was beautiful. My favorite was the extra spicy Amigo roll. The martinis were so-so. I am absolutely, positively going back. Open until 10:30PM on a Saturday, making it perfect for an extra special treat post-movie. Biggest downside is that it makes for an expensive night - 22 bucks for two movie tickets plus a $50 tab with drinks. Not for the frugal diner, but then again how frugal can you manage be on a sushi dinner + movie date.
(4)Hanson Z.
Everyone is super nice and you should come here if you are deciding where to eat. But the main purpose of this review is to say that instead of struggling to find parking, just drive a block over going west on 40th and turn right on Emery to park in the garage designated for Miyozen.
(4)Alicia P.
Food is ok, and the place looks really nice and clean. However: The last 2 visits have been pretty disappointing. Visit #1, our food and server took VERY long, and this was early in the lunch hour, no later than 11:45, the place was so not busy. We were late getting back to work because our food was late, cold, and came at very different times for just 4 people. Visit #2, same thing again they were very slow in waiting on service in general and for our food. SO we tried to give this place another chance, but it just didn't work out.
(2)Shantanu B.
My favorite Sushi place. Its always very quiet and peaceful in Miyozen I like that the staff is very friendly and the service is usually very fast. Their California rolls are great and the price is very affordable. I've heard that many people like that the plates on the belt are $1.99, but I've never tried them because I'm always ordering the ones I like from the menu. Though I don't live in the East Bay, I almost make a stop at this place every time I pass through the East Bay!
(5)Stephan Vladimir B.
I used to love this place, when it first opened. Back then the sushi was fresh, and the staff was actively friendly (we got to be friendly with their original hostess, and were saddened when she was gone after we returned from a long vacation). As of the last time I went there (a little over a year ago now), the sushi is left on the belt way too long, and even some custom ordered sushi isn't very fresh. The staff wasn't unfriendly, but they weren't particularly attentive. I waited too long, too many times, for too many bad pieces of sushi. To top it off, myself and two friends got ill eating here, each on a separate occasion. Three strikes and you're out: I've never gone back after the third one of us got sick after eating here. It is very sad to me that this happened to this restaurant, because if I'd reviewed it within six months of its opening, I'd have given it four or five stars.
(1)Tito Y.
My daughter needed some lunch, and like most vegetarian daughters, require the best from Dad. I am kind of glad that I can drop over to an Emeryville regular, and pretty much be happen that you can get sushi favorites. Avoiding the belt selection, I felt after a super white tuna, sea urchin, and lastly spider roll, I was pretty much full. Of course I then had to go for the salmon roe, mackerel, soy beans, sesame balls and a whole bunch of tea. I was also happy that after more than a year, they still had my chopsticks on file. Fresh, very nice.. i had a great lunch. OH. if you have a car and need to park, cruise inward from the behind the building and pull into their lot. Believe me.. .its plus- especially if its raining.
(4)Lupe M.
Upon entering Miyozen, I was impressed with the welcoming modern style décor of the restaurant and its relaxed ambiance. It was also hard to ignore the fresh sushi, sashimi, udon, teriyaki, and tempura gliding along on a conveyor belt. Indeed this sushi restaurant offers a great menu selection. Considering all my options, I ended up ordering the chicken katsu served with steamed rice, miso soup and cabbage salad. The miso soup was flavorful and just the right portion size so as not to get too full. Next, the chicken katsu was delicious - incredibly tender and juicy. For approximately $15, the portion size for this dish was certainly generous. I ended my meal by trying the green tea ice cream. To my surprise, it was refreshing, creamy and not too sweet. Overall, a very satisfying dining experience!
(4)Chris H.
Ordered to pick up and they started the order when I got there, not when I called 15min earlier. It's the last straw, the service has divebombed. I won't be back.
(1)BSC L.
My family came here for dad's birthday. Came and left disappointed. So my review is not based on the sashimi but rather the udon and the rolls. The sushi rolls were not very good. I tried the cooked salmon roll (sorry forgot the official name). The roll was basically over baked in an oven and the whole thing fell apart when we tried to pick it up. The udon was too salty. Even my 3 year old couldnt enjoy it because of the intense salt. I would not go here again.
(2)Will T.
I go here once a month or so. I should say that I actually find reasons to go here... whether it be completed final, triathlon, midterm, half-marathon, or successfully putting my right foot into my right shoe and vice versa. I always head straight for the buffet, always with friends in tow. Let me start out by saying that I spent a month in Japan eating sushi and even had fresh sushi & sashimi at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo so I know where Miyozen stands in terms of quality. I usually come between 6pm-9pm. I haven't really noticed a drop-off in service and the fish is not noticeably smaller (although it is a bit smaller, but just remember that you can always eat more... hahaha). Our tea and water is always quickly refilled when we ask and our plates are quickly cleared without needing to ask. The chefs and servers are still superb and assist customers with a smile on their face and friendly welcomes / goodbyes. I took a friend here for her first time and it's now her favorite place in the Bay Area. I'll be back when I graduate in less than a month, with at least 5 friends to fill my table. Pro-tip: Drink tea with your sushi/sashimi to reduce mercury absorption: webcache.googleuserconte…
(5)Kimberly S.
The place was nice inside, but if you look out the window from your seat, you can see the ugly-looking street with the typical run down liquor store and a bunch of losers waiting for their bus to come and staring right at you through the window! The waiters were nice, however, a bit inattentive. I prefer the waiters to leave us alone and not come by every few seconds, but to not come by at all, that's another thing. If my water glass is empty, I expect it to be refilled at a reasonable amount of time, not have me flag you guys down and you ignore me! The waiter made a mistake with my boyfriend's dish and totally forgot about his sushi order. They were apologetic though, and gave him the sushi on the house. The portions here are still way to small for the price you pay.
(3)Christopher W.
I have to admit that I was skeptical about coming here since sushi places are usually hit or miss for me. Miyozen fell somewhere in the middle. I ordered the three item bento box (salmon sashimi, chicken teriyaki, and tempura)--$9.95 is a pretty reasonable lunch price. Amazingly the salmon sashimi was probably the best thing on here. Just three slices, but nonetheless, decent sizes. The chicken teriyaki meat seemed toooo white--not sure if it was the particular piece or what, but almost as if it were packaged. Lastly, the tempura breading was strange, caked on the shrimp and veggies rather than light and crisply battered. Overall not bad, but I wouldn't come here unless a group of co-workers wanted to go out for lunch.
(3)d o.
I had lunch here twice already... Fish is fresh. They have a 3 item bento box for 9.99 (not bad). For those who are starvin like marvin, they have an all you can eat sushi for 19.99 for lunch (a little pricey for my taste). On to the bento box. The vegetable tempura is crispy, chicken teryaki is good, and the salmon is fresh. I was tempted to pick some other stuff but I didn't want to fall asleep. I'll be back soon. BTW they have a conveyor belt system for the sushi bar. And oh yeah forgot to mention this is on the border from tha town. I would be weary of coming here at night.
(4)Tam F.
Came here for lunch with some of my old co-workers (long live CHIRON!). We were celebrating one of my girls' b-day and instead of going to one of our old hangouts, we came here. We were a party of 5-walked in with only one other table seated. 4 of us ordered bento boxes. The gyoza was delicious, teriaki good, tempura was fair-way too heavy on the one shrimp piece. Nice edamame, good miso (quite good actually). The tea was luke warm-the Saporo nice and cold-the sushi was fresh enough but not fantastic. Service was good and then spotty. Price FANTASTIC. I would go here again if I still worked in the area. It was fun to be with the ladies for sure..oh, yeah, and there is a parking lot behind the building off of Adeline... We are all different age groups-I am the youngest at an almost-gasp 36. 2 of my friends' didn't like the coldness of the interior. They also didn't like the music being as loud as it was or how loud it got with all the people there towards the end.
(3)Colleen H.
I enjoy sushi boat places, but this one seems to be missing the boat. The sushi on the conveyor belt is half portion, and does not have enough turnover to make it work. I suspect the staff have figured this out, as the conveyor belt is never full nor stocked with "The good stuff." If you order things from the menu, they are fine. Definitely good sushi, just not spectacular. Prices fall somewhere above what they should be, but not offensive. I suggest you keep making the drive to somewhere like Kirala in Berkeley, or Isobune in San Francisco if you want better food... but if you are local MIyozen is good enough for some nights.
(2)Jennifer J.
I use to be a long time customer here but I don't know what has happened??? I noticed in the last few months, the service has been lousy and the wait staff is a bit rude like they pretend/don't understand what you are saying. I don't like going to a restaurant where I have to constantly flag down the waiters to get a glass of water or refill my tea without feeling like I am troubling them. They act like they are new workers there, but they've been there for awhile! I tried the all you can eat lunch special for $19.99 and it is "only" good if you love eating nothing but California Rolls topped with something to make it look different. I love spicy, but their spicy tuna is way too hot and OVERKILL on the amount of the Sirachi they mix in with the tuna. Too hot to where you can't really taste the rest of the other sushi you're eating. The selection of sushi they offer on the conveyor belt is not good, the chicken teriyaki is cold like it came out of the fridge and the teriyaki salmon was also cold. Poor selection for all you can eat customers. You would think Fridays are good, but apparently it didn't matter. I gave the all you can eat 2 tries and both times I was not happy. I REALLY hate to write a negative comment, but they really need to get it together. This use to be my favorite sushi spot in Oakland and I would come here a lot with friends and family. But now it seems like it's gone downhill in service and quality. The sushi is good, but I would NOT recommend the all you can eat or dining there. I think getting take out is better so you don't have to deal with the wait staff there. They seem oblivious and disappear all at once when you're trying to get something from them which ruined my dining experience the last 3 times I was there. Get it together please!!!! I miss eating there when it was good and when the service was great. :(
(3)Robert A.
This place has it all: great atmosphere and decor as-well-as good food. There is an all-you-can-eat lunch for $19.99 and the same deal on Saturdays. I believe they have a full bar but have never made use of it. I would recommend sitting by the conveyor belt. The offerings are not necessarily what one would find on the menu. I sense that depending upon who is doing the cooking, one can get various artistic interpretations. Thus, (as I have experienced) what one might get one day, can be diferent another. If one sits by the conveyor belt, the cooks are apt to see you and may make you a special dish just for you. Or take one you are liking and present you with a specially made interpretation of that dish. Eating here is fun. It is good for going on a date. Probably not a first date - not necessarly romantic atmosphere, but one that is stylish and yet relaxed.
(5)Jessica S.
This is my first time eating here. I'm a huge sushi fanatic, when I lived in Tokyo for a short period, I had sushi for dinner everyday (sometimes for breakfast and lunch too). Since I moved to the Bay Area recently, I'm still trying to find a decent, fresh, authentic, and not too glitzy sushi place. My bf ordered a la carte and I had the conveyor belt buffet, and sadly, on a Saturday night at 8:30pm, their selection was poor. The same things kept going round and round, it seemed like the chefs were only making orders for the a la carte people. The salmon and crab roll with fresh lemon on top was good. The spicy crunchy roll was interesting, but that was the highlight of my meal. I was told that since I chose buffet, I couldn't order from the sushi menu. Imagine how frustrating it was staring at the same plates of sweet egg, floppy shrimp, and a lone piece of cheesecake all night. I may give this place a second chance because the reviews seemed promising, but definitely won't be having the buffet again. If anyone can recommend a really good, I mean Tokyo standard sushi joint, I'd really appreciate it.
(3)Gabriel F.
We went there with a big group last night to celebrate a few family birthdays, and we just had a really positive experience. No reservation was needed, and the easily accommodated our group of 13 in an uncramped area. The food is good, but what set the place apart in my eyes was the super friendly and helpful service. My daughter (who was turning 2) saw the sushi Boat/Belt going around and is determined to go back! I'm sure we will! Thanks! PS. They also have a little "kid" area with toys, books and the freedom to be loud without disturbing the other diners. :)
(4)Andrew M.
I live in the same building as this place and will not be coming back. I'm okay with conveyor belt quality sushi at an affordable price, however recently they removed their happy hour special which was basically all the time. Now it's paying regular quality sushi price for conveyor quality fish. I'll pass. I'd rather head to oakland or sf for sushi.
(2)Anita W.
good rolls at a decent sushi price. theyre dishes are always well presented, waitresses are quick to take down your order, and i like how they have sushi trays that circulate around the sushi bar on a belt (like sushi boats, only with no water or boat) however, i have to agree with a few of the other yelpers. it used to be good as in delicious and fresh. and service is down a bit. i love tea, so i like to have tea in my cup at all times! the restaurant wasnt packed (not sure if its ever or i just always go at the right time) and my empty tea cups have been overlooked many times =[ they use smaller tea cups now too lol
(3)JacQue S.
I love going here for their happy hour. The price is reasonable and the food taste good. Love the mango mojito. And service here is always great.
(4)Will A.
Came here with a friend for lunch. I hand the bento lunch box and it was really good. I wasn't knocked over with their rolls. I had the spicy crunch roll which was great, but seemed like there should have been six pieces, not four. The other rolls just seem to be lacking, but maybe I was too stuffed from the bento.
(3)KRYSTEL A.
This place has the BEST spicy tuna I've ever had in my life! I'm a fan of anything w/ spicy tuna and Miyozen's spicy tuna salad is the best! the spicy tuna is fresh and is really spicy! The only thing that sucks about this restaurant is that the service sucks. I went here w/ a party of 25 for my BF's bday and it took FOREVER for us just to get water from our lifeless Waiter. =/ I also thought it was interesting that they had a day care where kids can play, while parents can eat dinner? But has it ever occured to some parents that the kid's play area is right by the door? what if someone comes in and swoops their kid up? lol
(4)Iggi P.
I really wanted to like Miyozen, really I did. I was so looking forward to the $20 all you can eat sushi for lunch. Well, I was very disappointed. The all you can eat sushi is only from the conveyor belt and as I sat there and watched the same few, sad looking rolls go round and round, I realized that if I wanted something tasty for lunch, I was going to have to order off the menu. This completely defeats the whole purpose of the lunch special! It was clear that they lure people in by advertising the special, but don't provide a decent, fresh, varied selection to force people to order off the menu. What I saw on the conveyor belt (for 45 minutes) was seaweed salad, two California rolls, which tasted oddly sweet, some fried disk non-seafood thing, a California roll topped with salmon, fried sesame balls, tempura shrimp that had a bizarre mustard sauce on top. That's it! This was at noon on a Wednesday, so prime time for the lunch crowd. One would think that a selection of nigiri would also be on the belt, or at least the offerings would be freshened up once in awhile. Nope, same few selections, despite 3 sushi chef's standing around looking bored. To be fair, the nigiri I did order off of the menu was delicious, fresh and generously sized. The items I saw other people order also looked delicious and the bento boxes were huge. So, if I go back (and this is a very big if), I'll skip the belt selections and just order off the menu. Pretty much their whole intention to begin with, which is probably why I won't be back. Oh..and what's up with the non stop Michael Jackson music??
(3)Alex H.
Seriously!? I just got back to my desk and sitting in front of me is a Spicy Tuna roll so spicy that I can't eat it. I'm starving. Wtf. I can't even comment on anything else. Other than the fact that I will never be going back to this place unless my sushi cravings outweigh my pride, which is pretty likely, and only because this is the only sushi place within miles of my office. But still... Ugh! What an appropriate FML moment.
(1)Peg S.
As much as I love paella and tapas, I came back from my Spain trip craving wonton soup and sushi. For the latter, I met up with my pseudo-dysfunctional family to try this place out. Albert W. heard via a review on its sister restaurant (Drunken Fish) that portions at Miyozen were "too big" and that the "good service people went to Miyozen." We were ready for that too big sushi & good service . . . Miyozen is across from the Subway on 40th & San Pablo. Circle round back and into the parking garage where they've got reserved spots for customers. The place itself is the Bellagio or Donald Trump of sushi places. Ridiculously large and massively huge in contrast to those teeny one table & chair sushi places. No expense was spared - very cool lighting, dark granite countertops/tables, and overall dark posh feel. The titanic-sized restaurant is divided up into 3 sections: a lobby (& little kiddie play area - por que?), bar/front seating area, and back seating. The conveyor belt sushi was more like Bay Area drivers (slow!) on a major freeway (not sure of the freshness of that stuff - we saw that slice of chocolate cake go around 50 times). We ordered the TNT, Spicy Volcano (similarly baked and sauced up as TNT), Dynamite (best of the bunch), Cherry Blossom (pretty, but where was that quail egg?) rolls and some sashimi (tuna, hamachi, ?). Each order came with at least 4 not-skimpy sushi pieces. Free miso soup. Dessert was the mango and green tea mochi - nice presentation over chocolate drizzling but needed to soften or melt up more before ingestion. Perhaps my dsyfunctional family (T W., Albert W., and Trinh T.) remembers what else we had (memory lapse from dinner interrogation to remember)? Service was super-friendly and attentive. We had a 10- person waitstaff team that patiently answered all our inane questions and filled our demands for more tea & ginger. Bill came to $25 bucks each. Reasonably priced and fully stuffed we were. 3.75!
(4)dan c.
Gross. I'm a sushi snob. Lets establish that right off the bat. The muck they serve here is not sushi. Its sugared mayonaise packed rice goo. The fish is of very low quality, when fish is included. There is no creativity. Sushi should make you feel great. Like you've just eaten a bunch of vitamins. Miyozen makes you feel sick, like you've just eaten a rotten candy bar. Filling and cheap does not make this worth it. Its just nasty.
(1)Miriam W.
I tried Miyozen thinking that it would be great since a few friends of mine love it, but my husband and I both hated it. The rolls were big alright...big chunks of flavorless fish, some still with bones and scales intact. The rice was hard, and the price was right, but still so wrong, considering for the same price you could pick up some great rolls at Get A on piedmont ave. The service was slow and and after watching some of the items go round and round the conveyor belt, sweating in their little plastic domes, we were ready to leave, and not come back.
(1)Anna T.
Okay let me clear some things up for everyone. The $19.99 buffet is only for the conveyor belt. It sucks. I went during LUNCH and I saw the same stuff coming around the entire time. Also, who can even eat $20 worth of conveyor belt food to make it worth it? The $29.99 buffet is for sashimi and sushi. I don't know about you, but that's really pricey. It pisses me off that even though we called them about these buffets, the person who picked up the phone did not tell us the details about pricing. Their food was mediocre. I don't even remember what I ordered because it wasn't anything special. Why would you go to such an expensive place if there are cheaper better places elsewhere?! Go to Davis Sushi for unlimited sushi buffet.
(2)Kristen D.
Hi, do you have a sushi boat? No, a sushi belt. My boyfriend and I dined here to introduce me to the world of sushi on-the-move. Along the sushi bar is a moving conveyor belt that carries various Japanese delights, like edamame and seaweed salad, and of course, your favorite sushi rolls around the restaurant. At a place like this you basically take what you want off the belt and voila, it's yours. No waitress necessary to fill your belly. Each plate is color coded so you can keep tabs on what you're spending. But take it from me, it's a lot more enjoyable if you just save your final tab for the end, kind of like a surprise. haha. On each circling plate you are offered two pieces of sushi. Now the size of each piece is bigger than a mouth full, so don't feel like you're getting gipped. We also both ordered a mango mojito. The drinks here are mixed with soju - delicious! But be warned, soju is dangerous. Why? Well, it masks any flavor of "alcohol" so you can keep ordering without ever feeling tipsy..and then BOOM it hits you. The restaurant is donned with modern furniture and you get a very "chill" vibe. It was a great way to celebrate the end to another work week. However, the sushi chefs may have been feeling this relaxing vibe as well because the sushi belt was hardly replenished! Several times my boyfriend and I saw the same items going around and around. This also made it difficult to satisfy our sushi cravings because we yearned for variety and we got was the complete opposite. With three sushi chefs, I'd expect a better selection. Bottom Line: The experience of taking desired sushi off of the conveyor belt is exciting, but do not expect a vast selection to satisfy your sushi needs.
(3)James L.
I live in the complex of Miyozen and every time I take my friends there, they love it as I do. I been to a few Japanese restaurant in East Bay and this one is the most delicious. I tried the sushi to their bento and have not been disappointed. The service is always attentive and friendly. My friends all love the Fried Chicken appetizer - YUM YUM! Love to sit close to the sushi conveyor so you have a choice to have sushi or order hot food, or both. I am lucky to live in the complex of the Miyozen as if I ever have a craving, I can order to go. Or, if I decide to drink sake, I am just a steps away from home.
(5)Jimmy J.
This place is so clean you can eat off the floor. Literally. I did anyway. Dropped a hunk of unagi on the tiles and didn't think twice about scooping it up and popping it down my sushi hole. That's how clean it is. Not the greatest sushi in the world, but not all that bad either. (It's probably better before it hits the deck.) The $19.99 all you can eat lunchtime special works for me, as I can easily eat way more than twenty bucks worth of sushi (or anything else for that matter) in one sitting. It may sound a little pricey, but it's actually quite cost effective for me, as I won't have to eat for a couple of days afterward, like some kinda reticulated python or sumthin'.
(3)Reuben D.
Miyozen really is just "A-OK" Now, don't think too much into it. Miyozen isn't bad sushi. But when you consider how much you are paying for pretty average quality sushi, it becomes clear. I've been to Miyozen many times. I work not too far from it and our office usually orders lunch from them about once a week. The staff is friendly and atmosphere of the restaurant is modern but seems complicated. I say complicated because the tray sytstem in the main dining hall seems unnecessarily elaborate that you feel more like youre at a restaurant in the Disneyland theme park than at a cool or hip sushi place. The usual item ordered by my self is a two-item bento box which will cost about $9 during lunch (more during dinner). Again, overall, the food quality is average. I've had better sushi from places closer to my home in Berkeley like Tako, Party Sushi or Nanayiro or Kirala for around the same price if not cheaper (Kirala excluded). Overall, a threee star sushi place all around: Not bad sushi but i'm sure you have experienced better.
(3)jon y.
Tbh I've only been here for their conveyor belt sushi buffet...so that's what this is based on. When we went, it was probably past 1, but they stilled served fresh rolls. Maybe I'm just biased, but I think they deliberately put them on the conveyor belt right in front of us. Yeah most of the time the rolls consists of a lot of rice, but for some reason one of the chefs gave us a plate of salmon nigiri! It may have been because the establishment is Korean (I think), and so is one of my friends (kind of), or maybe because it was empty that day (relatively). The meal also comes with tempura and miso soup. I think it's a great deal for $25/person including tax+tip. In summary, they gave us free nigiri and I love them for it. p.s. they have this thing that comes in a plate with a cover over it. Through the cover it's very intriguing and potentially-lobster-looking. But it's not. It's rice. With sauce over it. In this aluminum container thing. Don't get it.
(4)H C.
Tempted by the rolls on the menu but I'm still holding out on raw fish until the baby comes... Til then, California rolls it is! Hubs and I each ordered a bento box and enjoyed the plentiful offering. Also, the bentos came super quick, which we appreciated since we were catching a movie afterward. I was tempted to try the all-you-can-eat but didn't know that they offered it seven days a week until after we had ordered... Next time!
(4)Rene M.
Updating my review: Very good service and the staff is super friendly. The lunch menu is a great dea (2 or 3 item bento box)l: try their barbecue short ribs. You definitely need to try their salmon; probably one of the best in the Bay Area.
(4)Tony N.
This place has awesome food! I go here like... once a month. They're food is excellent!@ But if i could ask for something more is better customer service.... they took forever to realize that i was done and wanted my dang check! Other than that... its a great place!
(4)Dave L.
Never-ending double conveyor belt! Man. I think I have a sore neck from watching all that sushi go around in circles! But seriously, Miyozen has kick-ass sushi at decent prices. Classy decor too! The pieces are HUGE. They are so big, the ends of the fish are off the plate. They're non-sushi menu (teriyakis, donburis and sashimi salad) is also excellent. If you want to sample the rolls, you can pull them from the belt, which has them in smaller portions. Tips: Plate prices are color-coded. Hyper-active kids? Drop them off in the playroom.
(5)Alicia D.
This restaurant has a special place in my heart because on Monday nights, they let my boyfriend and me watch football on the big screen in the bar while we feast on dynamite rice and beer. I know it's a skeezy thing for us to do, but they enable us, and for that I'm thankful. Also, the sushi is pretty solid. Other pluses include a nice-looking kids area, and they're really amenable to families in general. Basically, Miyozen isn't going to give you the tastiest fish you've ever had, but it'll deliver enough to sate you and keep all of your party entertained at once. I wouldn't hit up the all-you-can-eat nights, but that just isn't my thing.
(4)Laura Y.
My first time being here, I made a reservation for a large group of 34 for a birthday party. The area reserved for us was very private and I appreciated that very much. However, right when we got there, it took us about 30 minutes for the waiter to come around and finally take our orders. After ordering some hot sake for the birthday boy, that took about about another 20 minutes to get to us. The food came out for different people and because it was taking so long for everyone's food to come out, we just decided to start eating or else we would've starved waiting. The most disappointing part: Three people in my party ordered about six rolls together. Not one single roll came out until an hour later after the first people who started eating had got up to leave. It was like the simple rolls too, not that fancy dragon roll but more of like the seaweed, rice and raw fish. I was so angry that none of their food came out that I requested to speak with the manager. Their excuse? It was a really busy night and they were understaffed. I couldn't understand how not even one of their rolls had come out. So while 31 of my other party were done eating, these 3 gentleman had not taken a single bite. I've worked at a sushi restaurant before for over a year and I refuse to be treated like this. I politely asked what the manager could do for us and he said, what would you guys like, it's on the house. Well, I think at this point, the guys weren't hungry anymore so we just wanted a refund on some of the rolls. The manager was more kind that we agreed but only took off the cheap $5-6 rolls. I called this reservation well over a week before the actual dinner. If they knew they had a party of 34 on a Saturday night, I would have guessed that they would have at least asked some of their staff to work that night. I definitely need to try this place with a smaller group but I say no way jose for large parties. They basically knew they were getting the automatic gratuity and therefore neglected us the entire time. I've definitely experienced better. Oh yea, the food was moderate/good but nothing exceptional.
(2)Gisele C.
It has been a few years since I went to this place because I was not initially impressed. However this visit has swayed my opinion. First of all we came at happy hour when all the plates on the sushi conveyor belt are only 1.99. The sushi tasted fresh and flavorful. I was feeling sick and craving a bowl of ramen. The monster ramen fit the bill. The broth was hearty and spicy which was so soothing.
(3)Tatyana S.
I have stopped eating sushi for one reason only - raw fish freshness was frequently second grade. However as we all know there can't be a second grade freshness, there is only one grade - and that is FRESH. I was skeptical of this place at first. After all, what good can we find next to Pak n' Save? However, MiYozen turned out to be great. Great variety, great prices, great taste, and great service. I loved it the first time and I have gone there several times since. Yes to SUSHI!
(5)Elyse P.
To hell with this place, seriously. Husband and I had lunch here about six months ago (the all you can eat), and it was really good. That surprised us, we had just gone because it's walking distance from his work, but it didn't look like it was going to be anything amazing. THEN. We went back a few months ago; I was leaving the country for a few weeks and we wanted to have a nice delicious dinner together before he dropped me off at the airport. We got there a few hours before they closed, and asked for the all you can eat dinner. They said sure, plopped us down, and disappeared. After about 5 minutes, we had eaten the few things that came around, but nothing new was being put out. We asked the waiter guy if they were going to put more food out, and he said they were done but they'd make some special rolls for us. What the fuck? We JUST got there, and are paying $30 each for all you can eat sushi, it's hours before closing, and you decide you're done making food? So the sushi chefs (there were about 3 or 4 of them, they had been standing around bullshitting for a while) put together two extra-gringo mayo laden rolls for us. They asked if we liked spicy, then didn't give us anything spicy. They then hung around and talked about us in Japanese (we could tell, because they were staring at us and talking). One asked my husband if he knew what his tattoo meant; my husband has a Japanese character that means anti-war. Yes, he knows what it means. They then kept talking about us and laughing. It was out of this world rude. We finally left, barely full, and had been charged $70 for it (we had to hunt someone down to even find out what our bill was; they had really never come back to see if we needed anything). I have never not left a tip. We did not leave a tip. We even half-heartedly talked about leaving without paying, since no one seemed interested in helping us in any way the entire time. The whole experience was dismal, and put us in a really bad mood when we were about to not see each other for a few weeks. We will never go back there, and we don't recommend anyone else does either.
(1)jenna B.
I thought that this place was decent and reliable, a little place for the kids to play..and what not. Then I discovered the all you can eat sushi bar. Do not waste your time. Head straight to that. They constantly add new things to the circulating belt, but also, they will more than once and suddenly laden your table with plates of rolls that you did not order. We were only three, and yes, we were full. But it was terrific.
(5)Marc F.
Service was friendly but spotty. After being seated I waited for 5 minutes. Then someone came to take my order without noticing I hadn't yet been provided a menu. My tempura and my gyoza were both way over fried. Just one prawn and it was small, dry and brown; kind of like what I might expect from reheating a frozen dinner. The salmon sashimi tasted like it was old, not fresh and the pieces were very small. Poor quality meal overall.
(2)Burry B.
not really a fan of this place. dinner offered low grade sushi at a somewhat priced menu. you're kind of sort of paying for the location and atmosphere for dinner here. service was sub par, and slow. took 5-10 minutes for me to be able to grab someone to run my bill. i was sitting at the sushi bar which also makes it a bit ridiculous. i personally would not return here.
(1)Michael T.
I've been here twice now in the span of 1 year. I'm mostly only going to write about the most recent visit since my experience has changed pretty drastically. My first time around I might have given this place a 4.5 if possible. The decor was nice and fancy, they had a unique sushi boat mechanism, and the service was friendly. The sushi rolls were expensive ranging from 8-17 dollars but were big, fresh and well made. The chicken Teriyaki was big and good. During my most recent visit the decor and service was still good. The chicken Teriyaki was beautifully presented with a bed of vegetables. But the Two rolls that I ordered were horrible. The 49er Roll- 10 dollars- came with 6 tiny pieces as if it were one of the cheap rolls. The salmon pieces on each sushi were thin and small and some were just a bunch of scraps stuck together to look like a full piece of salmon. "Lion King Roll" Don't remember if it was called this... but it is most commonly referred to as "Lion King Roll" in most sushi places. It's basically a roll with baked salmon on top lathered in house sauce. Not only did it take forever for it to be served (over 10 minutes after I had finished eating)... but it was on par with my first roll. It was small, deflated and overcooked. The pieces of baked salmon once again resembled SCRAPS of salmon. VERY disappointing. Everyone has their own opinions about rolls... but just to take it a step further in describing my reaction. When each roll was brought out I basically lost my breath and dropped my jaw in shock at how bad they were. Chicken Teriyaki + decor + nice waiters + price = 5 stars Sushi Rolls + Price of Sushi Rolls = 1 star That averages out to three stars. Sushi should have A LOT more weight than the chicken dish and decor since it IS a JAPANESE restaurant... but that's just my opinion. EDIT: Changing it to TWO stars because THREE stars suggests that I recommend this place... which is not the case.
(2)Brian M.
Okay, I became a pescatarian because I have a humongous appetite that i cannot control for the most part and eating a hella a lot of meat was not good for me. I changed my diet but not my appetite, so.....SUSHI BUFFET!! Hehe. The only thing I have had here amongst the many times i've been to Miyozen is the lunchtime buffet. Taking things off the conveyor belts, anticipating something good coming but slowly taking its time, and taking everything good off the conveyor belt preventing the next table from getting anything are many of my favorite pastimes for sushi buffeting. The wait-service treats their customers very well and I have never had an issue. The sushi chefs are pretty social and I enjoy that they don't mind checking up on their customers every once and a while. The last time me and my friends were there, we told the chef that everything was pretty good and we were having a pretty good time. I think he liked us as customers, so he gave us some free salmon nigiri (not from the conveyor belt menu) to go with our buffet lunch. awesome!! In all honesty, the sushi is pretty good for a sushi buffet. Oh, and did i mention that the buffet comes with tempura. yay! They do try to stuff you with sushi rolls that has a lot of rice and a lot of things top with "crab meat", but hey, they're just trying to get their customers full. i know their strategies - they have to do it or else they lose money. anyways, the conveyor belt isnt just sushi, but there's desserts, salads, teriyaki, etc. depending upon what they feel like cooking that day. i like that there's new stuff every time i go, but i wish that more nigiri was on the conveyor belt. That's my only gripe. 4 stars!!!
(4)Steven T.
Decided to get my grub on after working out. After all, this place is literally less than a quarter mile from the gym. Im kind of surprised about all the places I pass on a daily basis and have never tried, but somehow go out of my way to try certain others. So after deciding to come over we stroll in to find that we are the only customers... it was still early though ~1130ish. It wouldn't be so bad normally, but we figured the more crowded the fresher the plates would be on the conveyor belt. So there is basically two different all you can eat options you can choose for lunch and only one for dinner. During lunch you can either grab from just the conveyor belt for 19.99 or order sashimi for 29.99. The latter is the only options available for the dinner menu AND if one person gets all you can eat EEERRRYYYBODY has to do all you can eat. I dont see why you cant pay 29.99 and get sashimi and grab from the conveyor? Who knows, maybe it just makes sense in my head. Despite only three of us, they still pumped out new dishes with rolls, ngiri, and when I had enough they started putting out more ngiri and even sashimi, wtf? Surprisingly, the desserts were decent, at least the cakes were. The tiramisu and cheesecake were good, my buddy said the chocolate cake was pretty good (they ran out before I could try one), and there was a mystery cake we never tried. The more Asian desserts, sesame balls and egg custard tarts, were a bit disappointing. The sesame balls were a bit overdone and hard while the egg custard tarts were soggy and literally had some kind of liquid dripping from them. To recap what they usually have on the conveyor... Good selection of rolls, mostly salmon and tuna ngiri, lots of desserts, and a few baked dishes. I would suggest coming a little later as they seemed to put more variety into it as we were finishing up; bastards. The rolls were tasty, a bit too much rice as expected. Ngiri was portioned generously and not too bad. Was pretty good for what it was; ALL YOU CAN EAT. Buddy was a little irked as he asked for a fork for his chocolate cake. The waitress had grabbed it by the prongs and gave it to him vs. holding the handle. Kind of reminds me of that one time the waitress brought me water with her thumb already dipped into it; UGGG.
(4)Keith P.
Me and my cousin were hungry late at night and found this place. We walked inside and there were not many people, only because it was half an hour from closing. I ordered there shrimp and vegetable tempora which was simply excellent! I also ordered a variety of different rolls, all of them were delicious! They only reason I am taking off one star is because of their rotating sushi bar. Some of the sushi looks like it has been sitting around a little bit to long. Much different when you order it though! The waiter was very friendly, defiantly a nice guy. Have and will vist again.
(4)Hadley K.
I like this place. Tried one of their bento boxes with the mackarel and california rolls as well as a few other rolls like the Shrek one and their hamachi sashimi. All was fresh and tasty. Their miso soup is really salty though; can never finish it. Also wish there were more tofu pieces inside. Kid-friendly environment though, which has become an important aspect for me.
(4)Sonia E.
I've been there a few times because it's walking distance from my place mainly. Food: the rolls are always good so i recommend to only get rolls. The miso soup is good too however with sashimi you're taking a risk, one out of two times it's still frozen so i don't know if they freeze i t and then serve it. I had a bento box, and the beef teriyaki was not good at all. the meat was dry and the seasoning not too good. However, I gave it a second try and the second time it was better..but you're still gambling! Finally, ice cream comes with the bento box, I usually don't like Green Tea ice cream but I like it at their restaurant. Basically, to play it safe, get the rolls! Service: a little slow. We waited a long time before the waitress came and took our order.
(3)Caitlin L.
I was talking about Miyozen with a friend who has kids and she said they always sit in the area by the bar, which is right across the hall from the playroom. You still can't see your kids, but you can hear if something is going wrong, and the kids can run back and forth between the table and the playroom. So now I may go back and try this setup. When we went, that area was empty, so I assumed it was part of the bar. The kids would miss out on the fun of the conveyor belt, but that did wear off after a bit anyway.
(3)Jesse S.
Not bad, not bad at all... I wasn't sure what to expect as my bredrens and I decided to scour Emeryville for a fresh seaweed savant able to conjure edible atonement to our then abrupt craving for sushi. Doubt was lingering even as I approached the front door, mainly due to the fact that I personally am not very fond of the condo units surrounding the Miyozen restaurant. But as you should never judge a woman's bedroom performance solely on her looks, you should not make assumptions on a restaurant based off the complex it's hosted in. Bottom line, I enjoyed my meal, completely. Cute hostess, friendly staff, an abundant menu and fairly decent portions/servings made for a satisfactory experience. The seared tuna sashimi is an absolute winner. I'm going to stop while they're ahead in this review, as the more I write the more I'm starting to suspect, the 3 star merit maybe heavily based off the fact that I was extremely ravenous at the time, I might have given a box of Trader Joe California rolls 3 stars for delicacy... I'm kidding, Miyozen is good in my book.
(3)Fei C.
One of our favorite sushi place in Oaktown area. Convenient parking in structure but neighborhood is sketchy. What we like about Miyozen is that it is very kid friendly. Our sitting area had a big screen playing kids movies and also they have kids play area. Note: The play area is behind wall so can't keep eye on kids. Now for the food. The menu is extensive from raw sushi to noodles and rolls. The hamachi and salmon nigiri is fresh. We like the Shrek roll which is mix of raw fish rolled with sweet kiwi sauce. Also, the cha-soba with tempura is good as well as korean bbq ribs; owner is korean. The only reason its not 4stars is sushi rice could be seasoned a little more and little bland.
(3)Jocelyn C.
Great place, but too expensive. Its probably because its in a main area in Emeryville. Also, because it looks nice from outside. Trying it once is fine, but after that, explore other sushi places.
(3)Kris T.
Been here twice now for lunch. It's spacious, and the fish tasted fresh, which is important for a sushi restaurant lol. My wife got the ramen, and she enjoyed it. Over the past two meals I've had a lunch bento box and a few rolls, all of them were on par for a good Japanese restaurant. Hot sake is a nice touch too! Service was nice and courteous! If you are in the area and craving sushi, this a good spot to go!
(4)Freddy R.
Staff was extremely nice enough to offer us water while we waited for our to go order. The sushi was really fresh and we enjoyed it :). The titles for the sushi were also very catchy. No examples since I can't Remember.
(4)Victoria D.
Ordered to go. The sushi was very good. The service was nice, they even offered us water while we waited.
(4)Paige B.
Best service and phenomenal food. I catch myself here once a week if not more. Can't get enough. Best sushi in town.
(5)Emanuel O.
This place is pretty good, it's on the mid price range, I love the spicy tuna (cheap but good) there beer selection is pretty good. There sake selection is better. Overall it has gotten more expensive through the years. But I think it's worth it. The place looks amazing especially during the evenings where the place looks dark until you enter and start eating p. It emerges you into a nice ambient setting. I will defenetly come back
(4)Laurens D.
124.00 that was our bill - a little pricey, but then again, for 3 people we each ordered two rolls each, 3 miso soups, and a small bottle of raspberry wine, divided by 3. We showed up 20 minutes before they were even open, so our hunger contributed to us ordering so much, but no complaints. We used to come here when they were still all you can eat, loved the sushi belt - Im amused by little things sometimes. Anyways to the food - sushi is good, prices are decent, services is good, at least, we had the privilege of having the owner be our server, and she was very engaged with us, so we felt very welcomed and taken care of. They had a couple special rolls they were trying out to see if they want to add it to the menu. We went with the Venus's Kiss roll - already forgot what was on it, but it was delicious and a little spicy, the flavors just all blended so well together. the tune poke salad was ok - when they first came out, they looked like 3 miniature meatballs, so it threw me off a bit when eating them. all in all - I like Miyozen (its also close by Ikea which is a plus for me) and definitely will come back until the day they close their doors.
(4)Keashka T.
I was here last Saturday, for date night. We were one of just a small handful of tables, which was mildly concerning. My date had never had sushi before, so we got quite a few rolls to share. The fish tasted really fresh, contrary to many of the reviews here. The orange roll, spicy tuna roll, and Philly roll were all very good. We had a couple of other rolls that I can't remember the name of, but that tasted pretty good as well. My biggest problem is the crab salad, which is in many of their rolls, including the California roll for some reason. It is extremely extremely sweet, and the crab is the awful imitation kind. Unfortunately, it's in so many of the rolls that a huge percentage of the menu is inedible, in my opinion. The service was attentive, and the environment is welcoming. It's definitely not the best sushi I've ever had, but it's a serviceable date night spot. Just stay away from the crab salad. Seriously. Food: 2.5 stars Service: 4 stars
(3)Dolene S.
My go-to place ! They are always so friendly and welcoming. I go here at least once a week. If I had the money I'd come everyday because I love Japanese food! And the prices are quite reasonable. My daughter loves the little kid area at the entrance too! :) My favorite roll is the Kissing Venus. Scallop and jalapeno? Um, yes please. Although, I do come here often just for their bento boxes. In the evening, the bentos come with ice cream and I can't say no to that. :)
(5)sam p.
Came here earlier today with my parents who were visiting from out of town. Ordered a variety of food from the lunch menu. Food was delicious and the portions were great. Service was also amazing and the overall experience at this restaurant was great. Will definitely be back again in the near future.
(5)Dawn H.
They ripped us off--double charged our visa, and never replied to our attempts to fix their mistake. We haven't been back since.
(1)Jill T.
The ramen was powdered I suspect. Everything about this place was low medicore. There are much better places around.
(2)Jenny T.
Back in the days when I lived in Eville, I used to frequently dine here. So much that I've taken boyfriends, family and friends here to which everyone loved as much as I did. It became a regular restaurant rotation because of the abundant of fresh sushi they served. So abundant that we'd end up with doggy bags of sushi to take home. But since I've moved, I stopped dining here. Five years later and on a very rare occasion, I came back. With big disappointment, the sushi rolls has been trimmed down to half the size. It looks like they took 3 pieces of sushi out of the roll and ate it themselves. The food was not as fresh and tasty anymore. And the most disappointing thing was their unagi nigiri tasted sour and their salmon sashimi had a fishy flavor to it! What happened?! The location of the restaurant is like a fish net itself! Right above are condo residents that can easily stroll in for a bite. San Pablo drivers would surely see their beautiful sign on the exterior of the building. The inside is decorated with modern flair and large parties can definitely be hosted there. But did the rent go sky-high where they would downgrade the size of their sushi rolls from 6 pieces to 4 pieces? And since wasting food is money lost, does that mean they keep their fish in the fridge longer to get rid of inventory before buying new supplies? Well, that's what I think at least. I'm no longer a local of this neighborhood, so, dining here will be even less frequent, if any. I just hope they get their act together and start pumping up the quality again. Who knows, I may come back to Eville to live again, after all, Eville is inside me.
(2)Paul H.
RUN AWAY! DO NOT EAT HERE! My wife and I were walking by and decided to try this place. We had a couple of pieces of sushi that made us almost instantly throw up. For which we paid a ridiculous amount, plus $4 for a tiny bowl of plain rice. The place was empty at dinner time, which should have been a clue. Awful, horrible, gross and disgusting
(1)Brittney B.
Love the food and the staff! Food always comes out fairly quickly and staff is prompt. Was new to the area and this was the first sushi place I tried; I am definitely regular now. Special rolls are a bit pricey but, that is expected of a sushi restaurant. Bento Box lunch special is a great bang-for-your-buck deal!
(4)Marlon T.
This review and rating is based soley on a takeout order, my only experience at this place. My girlfriend was in the mood for Sushi, so we ordered a couple of rolls for takeout. They told me it would be 15-20 minutes, which is totally reasonable. I arrived to find a spacious nice restaurant with a cool bar area, where the hostess directed me to the takeout area to pay. The decor left me curious to want to return with a group of friends. The rolls we ordered were delicious, the 49ers roll was my favorite. The miso soup was good, my only knock was that the gyoza was too crispy. I look forward to coming back with a group.
(4)Niah N.
The California roll is too creamy the crab mixture was a bit intense for me. Great raider roll it's nice and light. Tea is great miso is miso but the shashimi salad dressing is delicious (use it on gyoza). Definitely need to try it again maybe during happy hour so I can try a larger variety of items. P.S. the hours are wrong this place opens at 1130 :-)
(3)Earl L.
Very disappointing sushi here and I'm hoping that I just caught them on a very off night. From the outside, the restaurant looks beautiful. Nice wood, layout, and Japanese accents. There is a conveyor belt to show off some of the offerings, but that was where the more disturbing elements of my experience started. I asked about getting an edamame appetizer and my server said I could just grab a dish from the conveyor. Ok, I'm game. However, it was neither cold nor hot - just room temperature and a bit squishy. It had obviously been circulating the belt for a while. Ordered two half rolls - a 49'ers roll and a rainbow roll. The rolls were pretty thin and composed mostly of rice (I'd say 60-70%). The fish, what little of it there was, was not quite fresh. Not spoiled or fishy yet, but certainly not from among that day's markets. One of the slices of avocado on the rainbow roll had a fairly sizable and noticeable brown spot on it (see photo). Additionally, found a (small) hair on the edge of the roll after eating most of it. Perhaps it was merciful that I didn't notice until I was done. Was planning to order more, but those extra touches dissuaded me and motivated me to move along to another sushi spot. A couple of other observations of concern: wasabi and ginger are not served with your dishes here. Rather, they are each kept in communal jars that sit outside (not refrigerated) every few chairs along the bar. The one nearest me had a few chunks of wasabi that had been picked through by chopsticks. Were all of the chopsticks that handled the contents of that bowl new and clean? One could only guess. Restroom was pretty neglected, which is usually a telltale sign of poor diligence to hygiene. Worrisome that the restroom looks like it does and the sushi chefs handle everything with bare hands, a bowl of water that sits at the end of the bar, and a couple of dish rags that seemed to be all alone (no visible new ones to change out every so often). In my opinion, this place may be a couple of attentive health inspections away from being closed. Dine here at your peril.
(1)Aveli S.
Went there for lunch couple weeks ago and they are lucky I didn't have my account set then. Horrible quality and so expensive. I could eat 2 dinners for the price of lunch there.
(2)Heather O.
My boyfriend and I have been coming here for years and it is our go to sushi spot. We have tried others but always come back to Miyozen because it is consistently great. The atmosphere is nothing special, but it is always clean and the staff is super friendly. They are also always trying new promotions such as happy hour with reduced prices, and adding items to the menu.
(4)Aubrey E.
PROS: - decent sushi and sashimi - fun conveyer belt thingy with plates of food on it - nice servers CONS: - overpriced for what you get - not much food on the conveyer belt thingy :( - slow service--too many tables for too few servers
(3)Jesse H.
Hi Miyozen, I just picked up an order of 2 veggie tempura rolls. No price was quoted at the time of order. When I went to pay I found it was 21.00. That seems a little expensive for 2 veggie rolls especially when you really don't specialize in that area. I would have been a little less taken back about the price if maybe you had packed a small green salad, miso soup or something. 21.00 wahoo!!! That seems way over priced.
(2)Robby S.
Alright, I went here. I originally went to another sushi place but couldn't find a place to park, so I ended up here. They have a revolving track with plates of sushi on it, that go around the sushi bar, which is always suspect because you never want to be that guy that picks the salmon sushi that's been around the block so much that it could qualify for a Delta Frequent Flyer status! But there I was. I watched at least every dish pass by twice. I looked at the vast menu, looked at the moving sushi, back at the menu, ordered a Sapporo, looked back at the menu, then back at the track. I ended up grabbing a couple of dishes, which are all color-coded to designate their prices. The sushi was alright but definitely not fantastic. I ordered a few dishes direct from the chef which were much better than what was circling around the track. My suggestion is to order off the menu and leave the moving sushi to others.
(3)Nereyda P.
Vegetarian Rolls are awesome.
(5)Massawee T.
good fish !!! fresh and juicy!! ginger is not good but i also wanna come back for sake and hamachi. place is also nice, clean, good service and music
(5)Edwin R.
Love this place. I live across the street so I am always coming in for lunch and dinner. The sushi is good and the service is excellent. They used to have a great weekend brunch but unfortunately they don't offer it anymore except for the bottomless mimosas which is a plus :) They are associated with Drunken Fish and since that place closed down the workers from there have started working here and now they offer ramen but I havent had a chance to try it out yet.
(4)Taylor B.
I probably wont return to this place for a few questionable things i saw. I usually order cooked sushi so luckily I enjoyed my food and didn't suffer from any food illnesses. I can not say the same for others taking the food off the belt.
(3)Susan H.
Very expensive.. Can't believe I paid 27bucks for two instant noodles.. Can't afford to come back :(
(2)Rebekah T.
I used to live near Miyozen in Emeryville and this was my go-to spot for sushi and sashimi, so on our regular Wensdate, my mister and I decided to try a dinner and a movie. Pressed for time so we culd get there early, I picked Miyozen over the fast food restaurants at the Mall. We sat at the bar, my guy is a fan of sushi boats and here they have a conveyor belt. They have a nightly special of 1.99 per plate from 6:30-9:30, no matter what it is. We picked the following to split: *Shrek Roll: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… *Tuna Roll Covered in Seaweed: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… *Salmon Nigiri: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… *Albacore Nigiri: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… *Spicy Tuna Roll: yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… and because I had to, I ordered the Cherry Blossom. An old favorite from when I first starting coming here. Still just as pretty and delicious as always. yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… We were great on time, in and out in 30 minutes. We got a great deal on dinner since more than half of our order was $1.99 each. My guy loved it, which means although nostaligic - we can finally sink the sushi boat place we frequent and upgrade to Miyozen.
(4)Sonja K.
Terrible. First off, they don't put prices on their online menu, which would usually deter me, but their cherry blossom with quail egg looked so good, so i decided to order here. The price was atleast 30% over expected, but i went with it as a splurge for my boyfriend and myself, thinking the food would be worth it. God no. My cherry blossom had no quail egg?! -the sole purpose for me ordering here. And it was like $12-13, they could have atleast knocked down the price. I've had better for $10 that had salmon instead of crab inside. Next, our two baked rolls were burnt, dry and disgusting Last was the sashimi which did nothing to salvage the experience. All in all, rediculous service and product, $60 lost.
(1)Anastasia G.
Nice place for lunch or dinner. We ordered Philadelphia roll, dragon roll, fried California roll, drunken fish roll and green tea. I like all of it. :) Drunken fish roll is big and I couldn't put it in my mouth :) One thing... I don't know why and how but people who looked like a homeless were there... Just walked in and asked "sushi? What's is it?" Emmmm... Not good for appetite :)
(4)Bryan K.
Friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Very welcoming chefs behind the bar and all the servers are also nice. The sushi is cheap and fake but it still tastes good. Miyozen is a great place if you're on a budget. I stick to the $2.50 blue plates or $2.00 yellow plates.
(5)Erica R.
Great sushi place with lots of variety. They have plenty of vegetarian options - the Mega Veggie is a must! They recently began serving ramen, which I have not yet tried but our server highly recommended. The service is friendly and we always feel welcome when we visit. :)
(4)Steve D.
I mean who doesn't like a sushi boat. Over all I would gibe the food 4 star, and the prices are fair. What really put it over to 5 star is how sweet they are when we bring the kids. They are always sweet, and have kids plates. When the bring her miso they put in a ton of tofu and several ice cubes.
(5)Renata W.
This place is great and I love coming here with the kids. The servers and the chef are all very friendly. The servers ask if you would like ice and extra tofu when you order miso for the kids, and who doesn't like watching the sushi going around.
(5)Pari P.
We came to Miyozen Sushi and Roll specifically for the happy hour. All items on the conveyor belt were $1.99 each after 6:30pm. A great deal since the quality of the sushi and rice were spot on. Unfortunately, the items lacked much variety. You had your choice of edamame, California rolls, spicy tuna, rainbow rolls, shrimp tempura, and tamago. The spicy tuna rolls definitely had a kick of siracha sauce with little mayonnaise. If these are your favorite items, then this is your place because you'll be seeing them going around and around over and over again. If not, you might be a little disappointed with the choices.
(3)Jennifer F.
Really solid food maybe a little too much pepper on the chicken teriyaki but that's it. Prices were really reasonable and the sashimi was extremely fresh. I'll be back to this place for sure
(5)Melissa C.
I've been to this place a couple times due to how close we live to it. And that's pretty much the only reason why we've been here...not because the sushi is necessarily good...it's just convenient. The price is pretty cheap for their conveyer belt sushi but the quality leaves some to be desired. It just doesn't taste that fresh so in this sense, you get what you pay for. The service is friendly but they can be slow, even though the restaurant is hardly full. They do have a good happy hour special on alcohol, so if sake/beer is your main priority, you can probably drink a decent amount without hurting your wallet too much. It's a large space so it's set up is good for groups. But as far as their food goes, it's really not the best sushi and their terriyaki bento boxes and udon soup noodles are just ok, at best. Afterwards, we felt like we've definitely had better elsewhere. I'm noticing that some of the more recent reviews are pretty high. Perhaps they've improved since the last time I've visited. But based on my experience, I don't know if I'll be back.
(2)Dominic C.
This place is a great place for sushi. There rolls are really fresh and made well. The service is amazingly freiendly.. and thoughtful. The space is really big, clean and well decorated. The portions in my opinion are pretty average. I would have to disagree that they skimp on the amount of pieces per roll. More people should give this place a chance.. don't get fooled by the initial 3 stars.
(4)Natalie L.
Great sushi! Went for my birthday and they gave us free drinks! Definitely hit it up if your in the area!
(4)Dania G.
This place sucks! Service is ok, but for the amount of food we got vs what we paid it was wayyy over priced. The selection is big but sushi is not up to my standards. I have yet to find decent sushi in North Cal! Help!!!
(2)Kristen L.
I previously ordered only take out from here and would get the beef udon which I really have enjoyed on cold days. The reason why I only ordered cooked food before is because of reviews about their sushi. But tonight I went to dine in and ordered several sushi rolls which were made fresh. My friends and I ordered: Killer Roll: 4.5 Spicy Unagi: 3.5 OMG Roll: 4.5 Miso soup was good too. Service was friendly and the suggestions were great! I am excited that I finally tried their rolls. This restaurant specializes in rolls and those were quite tasty. The new management or new chef that previous yelpers have talked about should definitely improve their rating and people should give them a chance. I love sushi and Japanese food and though it is not your traditional melts in your mouth sushi, it definitely satisfies ones craving for creative sushi rolls. My other friend ate a spider roll and loved it as well as a few items from the conveyer belt and had no complaints! I definitely will start bringing friends here as it is right across the street from my house and has plenty of seating for big groups. They now offer a weekend brunch that people may want to check out now.
(4)Francisco Z.
5 stars all the way the place is very nice and clean +1 They have a belt that parades fresh sushi and rolls +2 The food is really good I got a few rolls and sashimi try very very fresh yumm Servers are very attentive they keep your water glass full and your Saki also lol
(4)Wtf D.
I've been meaning to write this review for a long, long time. I was so traumatized by the experience, however, that I just never got around to it. First, let me acknowledge that my husband got take out from here, and every restaurant's food can suffer slightly from the take out experience. However, we have gotten take out from many, many Japanese restaurants. But, in all fairness, the reason why this place isn't getting just the 1 star it deserves is because I am trying to reflect the take out factor. Nevertheless, probably the worst sushi I've had since I've moved to the Bay Area. Let me be clear that I think sushi from the fancier Safeway is better than this slop. Every single piece of sashimi-- salmon, tuna and mackerel-- was extremely, extremely fishy tasting. I mean really fishy. If you know *anything* about sushi, you know fishiness is a sign of a serious lack of freshness and poor storage conditions. Horrifying. We also ordered vegetable tempura and katsu for our sons. The katsu was devastatingly bad. Tough, very oily, over-fried. It seemed highly likely that it was pre-fried and then tossed in the fryer again to re-heat it. The tempura was really greasy and heavy. Honestly, we should have asked for our money back. Spare yourself significant disappointment. Do not go here.
(2)Nkeiru U.
This place was amazing! It was my first time there for dinner and the service was awesome, the sushi was delicious,and the waitresses were so funny and friendly. I highly recommend this place if you're craving sushi and want some good food.
(5)Joel M.
Sushi was so good. It was close to the hotel we stayed. We wanted seafood and this was a great choice. They had a huge list of sushi rolls. It took us some time to make a choice. Definitely would go back.
(4)Kathy L.
THIS IS FOR HAPPY HOUR ONLY! Walked in and immediately noticed a nook of a playroom with lime-green walls that looked like it belonged in Android headquarters. Me gusta. Waitress plopped us in front of the rotating belt of sushi, and that, my friends, was the BEGINNING OF THE END. Every plate has only two bitty pieces. And if you are anything like me (that is, lacking in self-control), when there's sushi in front your face, it's going in your mouth/ already in your mouth. My bf and I racked up 8 plates within the first 15 mins and had to resort to playing thumb war to prevent further impulsive grabs from the conveyor belt. Overall damage? 15 plates in 40 mins. We also left with some lingering hunger and went to Trader Joe's afterwards to pick up snacks/ get free samples. Not my proudest moment. ADVISED STRATEGY: - Go for big-ticket plates like raw octopus or surf clam or salmon. Our gluttony got the better of us for the first few rounds before we realized that we ate 3 plates of glorified California rolls. Big bowl of edamame is a good filler during indecisive sushi-picking times. -Go during peak dinner hours. At 6:45pm, there was very little to go around but around 7, the chefs started putting out other things including a large variety of really fresh nigiri. SKIP: -Fried coconut shrimp. Weirdly sweet and kinda old tasting even we saw the chef prepare it and got the freshest one. -Spicy tuna. Why are you so small?! -California rolls. Nothing special. Finals words: Perfect for dates because everything is so shareable and the ambiance is modern and sleek. Watch those plates- they rack up fast! If you're lucky, your date is that girl who had one plate of California roll and one bowl of edamame and called it a night. If your date is me, God help you.
(3)Linda F.
Miyozen has changed my view of sushi! Before i came here i couldn't have any sushi it would disgust me. But ever since i visited Miyozen i loveeeeee Sushi! They make the best Sushi!!!!
(5)Honest O.
Came here with a group of 6 for a friends birthday. They served us quickly and the sushi was so good that we kept ordering more. The prices are reasonable for the quality in my opinion. The only thing that made me a little wierded out were the depressed looking fish in the tank at the entrence. Its as if they knew they were doomed to be in someone's roll. The staff was friendly and took several photos for birthday memories. She seemed happy to do it. I would come back based on the great sushi alone, but now that I know that they are open late I will definitely be back. Thank you Miyozen!
(5)Maya D.
I recently found this place, and its amazing, I'm a big sushi fan and its hard to find good places. The food was delicious and the servers where very polite. Miyozen has a good variety that most other sushi restaurants don't have. Its definitely one of my new favorites and I plan on going back many times.
(4)Eddie P.
The restaurant is very spacious, and you'll never wait to be seated. The staff is friendly. The food presentation is also good. Those are the greatest positives. I ordered a beef udon soup. The broth was good, but not outstanding. The noodles were chewy, and absorbed the broth well. However, they put crimini mushrooms in my udon, which is really weird. It also had zucchini. Unusual vegetables, basically. It did come with grilled beef briskets, which is great. My partner ordered a bento box, which was overall good. It just came with a salad that had too much of a heavy dressing. The chicken teriyaki was also loaded with cornstarch. I got an overall "American" feeling. Price-wise, it's not that inexpensive. You'll find better places in the L.A. county left and right for much less. Go there if you're just starving, and prefer not to go the Panera nearby.
(2)Andrew B.
Helen was a great server, very attentive. Sushi was good and it came to our table in a timely manner. The OMG roll is amazing! Big dining room in back with a rotating sushi bar. Not the best sushi I've ever had but all in all a fun place with good food.
(4)JC N.
I used to enjoy going to this place and eat. I personally like their happy hr but now they don't have it anymore on the convertible belt. food is ok. I think they have new chef too now? I don't care for it. their bake mussel use to be really good which I always get but now taste plane and whack. parking is ok. they have a parking lot in the back but really small. people be opening their car and hit yours. price went up which I don't like. the good ones are over $12 so ill pass. all the other one are so simple even I can make it. so...... im not going be go there anymore.
(2)Angela L.
They don't do their dinner happy hour anymore! We went yesterday and decided to stay anyway, and were pretty disappointed by our meals. There was a serious lack of sushi/choices on the belt last night; mostly fried stuff, seaweed salad, and desserts. The sushi rice was a bit underdone and the service took forever. They are now offering a buy 10, get one plate free, but they only take off the cheapest plate so it's a measly $1.99 off your bill. With all the other sushi spots in the East Bay, i don't really have a reason to come here anymore.
(3)Kendall S.
Sushi was good. It was a rather larger place than I anticipated. Price was ok. The service was a little spotty but they were very nice other than that.
(3)Riva B.
I felt that the prices didn't match up with the quality of the food here. It was decent but nothing special, and the big open room atmosphere wasn't what I like in a restaurant. It was a bit like a cafeteria/bar mashup. Despite the fact that there were only a few people in the whole place, it was still pretty loud, and we could hear everyone else's conversations. The service was good, but I wonder if that's because there weren't many people there. I wouldn't want to go again.
(2)Marti L.
Came here for dinner with 2 starving guys. Place was fairly busy. Good sign. Sat down. Opened up the menu, my heart stopped. Pictures of their rolls in generic almost square forms. Big warning sign. Our table was next to the sushi bar. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… ) From the sushi bar: 1) Edamame 2) Spicy tuna roll: super minced tuna with overly spicy sauce. No good. Our orders: 3) Shrek roll ( yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… ): ordered this against my best judgment because I was really craving for a roll. Tuna, yellowtail and black tobiko, topped with avocado, wasabi tobiko and avocado sauce. The rice, as I suspected, was mushy and packed in. Generous pieces of tuna and yellowtail. But overall, the roll was lacking. The avocado was not ripen enough. The "avocado" sauce was a strange sweet syrup-like liquid that unfortunately provided the only flavor in this roll. 4&5) Chicken teriyaki + sashimi & beef teriyaki+ sashimi bento dinners ( yelp.com/biz_photos/9MFL… ): the boys each got a bento to fill their hungry stomachs. Big pieces of sake sashimi, not the best quality. Small portion of teriyaki and rice. Plowed through the bento in record time, and said it was not enough food. They were still pretty hungry because they flagged down the server to order whatever is their biggest roll on the menu. 6) Titanic roll: tempura shrimp, cucumber, avocado, topped with tuna, salmon, crab salad and masago. Their biggest roll did not look big at all! But in comparison to my Shrek roll, this one looked 10 times more appealing. Bill was $60+. And sadly, Miyozen did not hit the spot at all.
(2)Mark E.
What!? Why does Miyozen only have three stars? This place is amazing. I try to go here at least once a week with my wife. The sushi is delicious, the chefs and staff are super friendly, and the happy hour special is a steal. I saw something in other reviews about a management change. Maybe that's why it's so much better now? You should definitely give it a try. If you do and if you like it, make sure to write a review so that we can keep Miyozen in business. It's a great little neighborhood gem.
(5)Jessica J.
Tried this sushi place in Emeryville. I LOVE sushi, so i had to try this place. they have specials depending on what time you come in. The best deal is probably for lunch and dinner with $1.99 plates from the Sushi Belt. on top of that its 50% off specific rolls such as, Spicy Tuna, and the California role. after going there several times, i noticed that their $1.99 Sushi plates of 2 pieces of nigiri sushi, is probably the best thing they offer on the belt. Not impressive... i have found that the best thing they offer on their menu is the Sashimi Salad. they give a good amount of fish with a good amount of tobiko, topped with a quail egg. the salad comes with rice which is placed on the bottom of the salad. i love this dish!
(4)Paolo V.
Meh....just meh. This place is really just....meh. The sushi here is average at best. They do have a happy hour special, which is great. The location, parking, and no wait time for a table are other great things about this place. Just don't expect much from the food. The first time I came here, I ordered the hamachi sashimi. This was probably the worst sashimi I have ever ordered from a restaurant. The hamachi was definately not fresh, as it had a slight fish smell/taste. Disappointing. I will probably come back to this place every once in awhile since it's walking distance, and because of the happy hour. I'll stick with the belt items during happy hour, beer, and occasional bento boxes when I want a quick fix.
(2)L P.
I have been coming here for about a year, not because it's good, because I live nearby. It's mediocre sushi at best. Dirty place. Dirty plastic lids cover old sushi that is revolving around a filthy conveyor belt. Wouldn't order anything raw from here if I were you. Just stick to cooked items and you probably will make it out the door without food poisoning. Unfortunately I didn't. Got sick from this place and never came back again. Until a week ago that is. I had made sushi and rolls for my gf and needed some wasabi. I went over to miyozen and asked to buy some wasabi. Unbelievably the lady working at the front said no. I then offered to give them 10 dollars for a teaspoon of wasabi. Still no. I then attempted to order a 1.99 roll just so I could get the wasabi. The lady asked me if I was going to eat the sushi, I realistically told her that I wasn't going to eat it, I just want the wasabi that comes on the side. She said they had a policy against it. Against what? Me giving your business money? Never coming back again in my life. I hope the health department comes to shut them down again soon. Never in my life has a business denied taking my money. I'm baffled
(1)Richard L.
Went here not expecting much from the reviews. I totally agree with the three star rating for this place. From the outside, it doesn't look like much but once you are inside it is actually quite nicely decorated. There is a parking garage that is shared with parking for the apartments. They have a bar area with a giant TV to watch sports. In the dining area, there is sushi that comes around on a conveyor belt. Each order of sushi roll comes with two pieces (perfect for snacking on while on a date). The rolls were average tasting. I decided to order the fish katsu for my meal. It was red snapper fillet katsu style and served with some kind of sesame dipping sauce. It was pretty good, but the waitress suggested ordering the chicken katsu next time. In the end, this is just another Japanese restaurant. I've definitely had better Japanese food for cheaper.
(3)Alice J.
They have a variety of rolls but for the price, they should have less rice and more toppings. I like their apps, but their noodle and rice plates need more flavor. There's a conveyor belt which showcases a range of small plates. It's fun to grab whatever you want, but it definitely adds up fast. It's not the best sushi joint, but the decor is nice and the staff is friendly. It's definitely not somewhere I go often but since there aren't a lot of places in Emeryville to get sushi, it at least satisfies a craving.
(2)Ted R.
Good bento box deal, has value-seeker appeal. I enjoyed the salmon & tempura. But sashimi was really just OK. The cheesy, mall exterior is deceptive, Miyozen has a nicely designed interior. Quick service for lunch, which is probably why Miyozen is a Pixar employee fave.
(3)Trav M.
UGH. As much as I want to support my local businesses, I must say that my first time dining here was last night and I'm pretty sure that I won't be returning. Our meal started off with a friend of mine finding a plastic in his salad, meaning that it was pre-packaged and probably bought from the Pak n Save across the street. Whatever. New salad comes out for my friend, so there's that. I ordered the Raiders Roll and my friend ordered a platter of Sashimi and the 49ers Roll. My Raiders Roll came out and after having the first of six pieces, my mouth was left with a sour taste. I honestly wanted to send it back, but our server pretty much dipped out after taking our order. She only came to check on us after I flagged her down 30 minutes into our meal. The unagi on the roll was super salty and had a really weird texture to it, Still hungry, I ordered sides of Edamame and Gyoza for the table. Thinking that these two dishes are pretty hard to screw up, I ordered them. The Edamame came out cold (I've NEVER had cold Edamame before) and the Gyoza dumplings were just downright bad. I was seriously upset that I had to pay for such a horrible dining experience. I will NOT be back here.
(1)katrina c.
Yes, they do have a great happy hour deal ($1.99/plate), but the sushi on the belt has been sitting there for a while and not very fresh. The sushi chef was very polite, and told me that he could make me anything i'd like. Each plate generally had 2 rolls, so it's pretty much $1/each. You certainly get what you paid for... I ordered the chicken udon since I was feeling under the weather. How hard is it to made udon? The broth was bland, the chicken was way overcooked, and it was only slightly warm by the time it made it to my table. The service was slow, and I had to ask the waitress where my order was (i waited about 30 minutes, and the restaurant was not busy).
(2)Eileen Z.
I actually had a good experience here. Came here on a friday night and the place was pretty empty. FOOD: I ordered the TNT roll and Tiger Eye Roll which was pretty good! The TNT was a bit spicy but I love spicy so it was perfect for me. We also ordered the tempura appetizer which comes with shrimp and veggies tempura and it was pretty good as well!! I loved the shrimp tempura the most! We ordered way too much. Just 1 roll and the tempura filled us up! SERVICE: everyone was super nice! Setting: Big area with a bar. clean and spacious.
(4)Hannah M.
I came here for lunch yesterday and was a little worried based on some of the reviews but decided to decide for myself.. And thank goodness I did because I think I'm In love! I ordered Kama and it's been so long since I've had it! Then we had the OMG roll and our server requested a roll for me and my friend based on what we like and it was amazing! One of the best servers I've had at a sushi bar! I can't remember her name but she was on point taking her time with us awesome costumer service! Love the sushi! Ordered the green tea cheese cake! It just melted in your mouth! Loved it. I've definitely found my new sushi place :) oh and lemon soja is bomb btw if you like drinking
(5)Brian Q.
5 stars us reserved for nothing short of amazing. This place isn't it but all the good stuff tells me there is potential. Friendly service. The decor is nice. Super clean and although the covers on the sushiboat rolls aren't attractive, it's a plus as far as being sanitary. Speaking of which, the bathroom is clean too. Lemon in my water is always a nice touch. The reason it's never full is probably because the place is huge. I've seen some restaurants smaller than their sushi bar. With good service and excellent decor, the rating should be 3 stars minimum if the food is only adequate. Worst rice ever. I considered that the crispiness and total dryness may be that my portion was from the bottom if the pot, but I doubt it. Something tells me that the rice is either old, they didn't put enough water or both. Come on guys. As good as you are with hiring the right people and caring about cleanliness, you can't mess up on rice. I haven't decided if that was a deal breaker, but it definitely needs to be addressed. 4 stars with high hopes that the rice will get better. It's also a reward for the stuff they did right. By the way, don't expect salad in the bento box. They give you the beans instead. 5 stars us reserved for nothing short of amazing. This place isn't it but all the good stuff tells me there is potential. Friendly service. The decor is nice. Super clean and although the covers on the sushiboat rolls aren't attractive, it's a plus as far as being sanitary. Speaking of which, the bathroom is clean too. Lemon in my water is always a nice touch. The reason it's never full is probably because the place is huge. I've seen some restaurants smaller than their sushi bar. With good service and excellent decor, the rating should be 3 stars minimum if the food is only adequate. Worst rice ever. I considered that the crispiness and total dryness may be that my portion was from the bottom if the pot, but I doubt it. Something tells me that the rice is either old, they didn't put enough water or both. Come on guys. As good as you are with hiring the right people and caring about cleanliness, you can't mess up on rice. I haven't decided if that was a deal breaker, but it definitely needs to be addressed. 4 stars with high hopes that the rice will get better. It's also a reward for the stuff they did right. By the way, don't expect salad in the bento box. They give you the beans instead.
(3)Ellen S.
This is close to the place I was working at for the summer so we go here regularly for happy hour. It was quick, decent, and relatively cheap since not all of us have big appetites. Nothing to write a yelp review for. But today we went and was pleasantly surprised. New head chef and he really stepped up their game. Everything was really fresh and delicious. We all ate double what we usually get and even then wanted to get more. It was great. Suffice to say we'll be a lot more excited to go back next time.
(4)Andy V.
If you enjoy average, overpriced sushi, this place is for you! Nothing against Miyozen, because the staff there is indeed friendly and courteous, but if I feel like blowing 13 bucks on a roll, then I better get 13 dollars worth of roll, not some pitiful excuse for a full one. Even then, if the quantity doesn't fit the price, then the taste surely will. Wrong! Even Sushi House makes tastier stuff than this, how sad! I really wanted to like this place. The decor is nice, the room is large, the atmosphere is good. I just couldn't get over the fact that I was paying quite a penny for something so sub par. I'm sorry Miyozen, but you have failed me!
(2)Amanda N.
3.5 stars. Review is just for regular dinner (not the all you can eat / lunchtime special stuff). I like Miyozen. It's not the best sushi ever, but I enjoy the atmosphere, service, and food quality relative to price. I've had the sashimi combos and they are all pretty good considering the price you are paying. I don't really like to order anything fancy here; I usually just get a combination of basic sashimi (salmon, yellowtail, tuna, etc.) and some rolls to share with a friend. All of the rolls I've tried so far have been pretty good - most of them slightly above average I would say. Service has always been really nice and helpful. The chefs will sometimes give us a free dish or two off the conveyor belt, but the food is better when they prepare it for you on the spot. Overall, I go to Miyozen when I'm in the area, though it's not a place that I feel the need to go very far out of my way for. It's affordable, meaning I can actually frequent this place even when I'm paying for my own meal =P . I recommend trying out Miyozen if you are in the area and want a nice, medium-priced sushi spot.
(3)Amy L.
I have taken my family here multiple times for family dinners. Their staff is very friendly and responsive. Decor is pretty nice, they have a sushi bar with a conveyor belt in the middle of the restaurant. Unfortunately, the bigger tables for (+10) are never close to the sushi bar so I never really had a chance to take a look at the items on the conveyor belt. Although you are free to get up and grab items...we just got too lazy. Ordering is pretty simple, especially for the rolls. They have a little paper with a mini permanent marker where you can mark off the rolls that you want. All other appetizer items are on the bigger menu and you'll just have to read it off to them. My dad likes to have their warm sake here, I'm not a fan of sake tho. They do have fruity Sake like lychee, apple etc. They are fruity but still has the sake flavor so not a big fan but fun to try. Apple is better than lychee in my opinion. For dinner after you place your orders they give you miso soup, not the greatest but its on the house, I think it's a bit too salty. Their spicy green mussel is really good, I always order that for appetizer. Their rolls are also pretty decent, that's why I keep coming back. Although I thought the last time we were here it was not as great as I had remembered...=/. Hope that's just an anomaly... Our usual favorites are the 49'er, Raider, Catapillar & Rainbow and the baked one's...and the sashimis are pretty good here. There is a parking lot, never too crowded, very clean. I like the bathroom decor. They have a little kid playing area, an alcohol bar, sushi bar and a cutoff room for more privacy for a bigger party. Price is reasonable for sushi.
(4)Franziska C.
Update: It's two years later and the place has changed. The service is still great, but the food is only average. I still go there a lot because of the fast service and easy parking, but it is no longer my favorite.
(3)Paul L.
This is an OK japanese restaurant. Nothing stood out, but nothing made me cringe. Fish is ok. Chirashi is ok. I usually get the sashimi salad.. because it's basically sashimi on rice and lettuce with the korean gochuchang (hot) sauce. Wish the shashimi pieces were bigger.. but hey it's a pretty good dish.
(2)Kenson K.
I'm a real stickler to details when it comes to sushi. 1) The fish must be fresh, 2) They must have the good stuff (I'm talking real sashimi like hamachi, ikura, mirugai, uni, etc. None of this roll crap like California rolls an stuff), and 3) The sushi chef must be first rate, preferably he's Japanese because then I know he was probably trained in Japan, where the training for sushi chefs is miticulous. Miyozen is pretty OK. Its kaiten sushi (sushi on the conveyor belt) but you can put in orders to the sushi guy behind the counter. The sushi is decent, though I wish they had more of the exotic stuff. I guess there isn't much of a market for that in the area and buying the "good stuff" for a true sushi connoisseur, would cost the restaurant a lot if the clientele isn't familiar with the sashimi. Still, the pricing is reasonable and the service is good. Its Korean owned but they do a heck of a job cranking out Japanese food. Their regular non sushi menu items are pretty good too. If you come in for happy hour 6:30-8:30 pm , all sushi off the coveyor belt is $2 a tray.
(3)Diva M.
Well I started ordering here about 6 months ago. The first 3-4 times the rolls were great! Very well presented, fresh fish served as presented on the menu. The time prior and tonight the BBQ roll had been one of my favorites. Well no longer because they are not prepared as the menu states no green leaf lettuce-none. Picky but I enjoyed it when it was prepared as the menu stated. Secondly it seems as though the Sushi chefs have lost interest in the presentation of the rolls, just roll them and get them out.... I had highly regarded Miyozen..but they are loosing me and my recommendation to my friends. When ever a customer calls the short comings to your attention take heed and make sure they won't have a bad experience twice....
(2)Deb W.
This is a solid late night Emeryville outing. The food was a bit bland for vegetarians but the service was ultra excellent. The tomago was pretty good and that's hard to do right.
(3)Jaime C.
went for happy hour last night!!..............beers, sake, and sushi non stop!!!..........for under 50bux!!!..........amazing!!
(5)Rinne R.
Went here for the first time on Valentine's, and had a blast stuffing myself with fabulous sushi. We got the Valentine's special, and for under a hundred bucks, we got the following: [1.] 5 awesome appetizers including a monkfish (sp?) pate and awesome salmon. The fiance liked the kobe beef, but i prefer mine cooked, thank you very much! [2.] The main course consist of a HUGE platter of unagi, crab legs, sashimi, colorful veggies/garnish. My favorite was the unagi, it was the best I've tasted. The crab legs were fresh, although a tad salty for me. [3.] For the wine, I told the server I prefer a subtley-sweet white wine, and he brought over a winner from Germany..although I can't remember the name. He also had me try this sweet brownish wine that I swore tasted like chocolate-liquor for free!! [4.] And when I thought I couldn't fit in anything else in my expanding tummy...he brought over some devilish chocolate cake served with some green tea ice cream!! Definitely worth the price! We were treated like V.I.P's as we were the first to order that special for V night. It's a really good restaurant--check out my pics!!
(4)Natalie G.
This is for the all-you-can-eat special. Meh. It's ok, I mean it's good if you love sashimi so that you can eat unlimited sashimi, but if you want sushi, don't go for the all you can eat because the choices are the ones only available on the belt, which aren't really good. Service is nice though but the sushi definitely needs work. It won't be worth it if you don't like sashimi. I don't recommend the all you can eat unless you're starving and maybe for lunch. Dinner is too expensive for my taste, and they don' t even give you free soda with it.
(3)Andrew R.
Have you ever had a bone in your sushi? Well I did. Spicy Tuna Roll to be exact. Well it was really a horrible experience. When I mentioned they were shocked themselves. I was chomping away, then out of nowhere a sharp pain in the roof of my mouth! After finding the culprit I spit it all into a napkin and there it was a hefty piece of bone. Of course I called the waitress over and she was apologetic and told the chef. But what really made me give this place one star is that they charged me for my food anyway. I had to bring it to their attention that I was not going to eat any more of anything. And all they did was remove the charge for the Spicy Tuna roll from my bill. Well, NEVER again will I go to this place. But really when we go out to eat, never should safety be compromised. This place really left a bad taste in my mouth!!!
(1)soy p.
you don't go to miyozen for super fine sushi. you go bc you're starving, you need decent ok sushi and you don't want to wait forever or pay a whole lot. there's never a line, there are tons of tables, the waitstaff isn't the best or most attentive but they are always very, very friendly and nice. the food is decent and you get good prices. that is all. the only real complaint i have is that there are often screaming children in there with families.
(3)Jeenie M.
I went in there with a few friends, honestly not expecting much. We decided to go for the all you can eat. I was shocked by how good everything was. We went on a Monday night, so that could be why they were so attentive, but the sushi chef kept coming over and asking us what we liked and made us tons and tons of fresh sushi and sashimi! Also, especially for an all you can eat type thing, I was really surprised by the quality of the fish. The tuna was like butter. So yummy! The only reason I didn't give them five stars, is because we were a party of three with two of us wanting all you can eat sushi and one just wanting to order tempura from the menu. We mentioned that only two of us wanted the boat style when we were seated, but then they tried to make all three of us pay for it when they came to take our order saying that it would be too easy for us to share with our friend who was ordering a less expensive dish. We assured them that she had no interest in anything raw, and they said ok...probably fearing we'd walk out. I am very glad we stayed because it was very delicious.
(4)Dani_sunshYne S.
The food is OMAZING (thats betr than amazing). i tried to order the whole menu but i ran out of money! hahahaha i have tried so many items its pointless to name them all but its def worth a try. They offer happy hr which is great if you are tryna save a buck or two. They have nice friendly decor (set up like a lounge) & they play a wide range of music.
(5)Caitlin B.
Been here a few times. No complaints. I've found that the best time to go is at 6:30 when the "happy hour" deals start. Starting at 6:30, you get plates off the nifty sushi belt for $1.99 each. You also get complimentary miso soup. Hubby and I left sated (not overstuffed, like we would be if this were an all-you-can-eat place) and only ~$20 poorer. We got 5 plates each. :)
(4)G E.
All-You-Can-Eat California Rolls... My husband and I have tried Miyozen a few times for dinner (not great, but not bad either) and thought, now is the time for All-You-Can-Eat conveyor belt sushi. Why not, it looks cool, we're hungry and it's Saturday? Here are a couple of reasons: * The fun part of this plan was to have a bunch of different rolls, nigiri, salads, etc., but pretty much all the fare was basic California roll plus something else (like sauce or shrimp on top). * While the place was crowded, there were apparently not a lot of takers for the AYCE deal, so most of the rolls that were there when we walked in were still there after we left. * Got there at 1pm but they seem to stop putting out new dishes at 1:30. So after watching the same few rolls go by for awhile and getting excited when three or four more dishes were put out, there was nothing else put out for the next 40 minutes. Nothing. So we took what we could get for a little while until we asked and were told that they stopped serving because they were about to close (at 2:30). So go early if you want to get much. To add to the feeling of being suckered out of our $19.99 per and over an hour of watching and waiting, when we asked the server if we could get something (anything) else, she asked us what we'd want she said she'd check with the sushi chef and then disappeared. She never came back, we never got our sushi. Twenty minutes later we asked another server for the check and left. It's OK for dinner but not as good a bunch of other sushi places. The All-You-Can-Eat deal is the Sham-Wow of sushi -- great pitch but not much payoff.
(2)Craig M.
This place has definitely stepped their game up with their happy hour specials. Personally, I'm a fan of their $2 conveyor belt specials from 630 to 830pm. They've increased their selection in this area to include a lot more nigiri, some teriyakis and even dessert! They also have a 830 to closing special of half off beers and apps, which is perfect before heading out to the city for a light meal and a pre-drink.The quality of the fish is average, but not bad at all. I live right by the place, so whenever me or the wifey are lazy to cook and not feeling like eating junk, this place is one of the first places to pop up. I never really go here outside of happy hour and rarely look at their menu outside of what's on the conveyor belt, but I did have the Ankimo once and it was solid. Also it seems like they have a pretty complete menu. The layout is very nice and the staff is awesome and attentive. It's definitely worth a quick bite to eat.
(4)jenny c.
This place is the worst ISOBUNE restaurant I've ever been to. If you're looking for a sushi restaurant with conveyor belt system (or sushi-go-around), this is not the place to go. Don't even waste your gas and time. On the conveyor belt, there was only 4 kinds of rolls and 2 types of cheesecake going around. NO sushi, NO sashimi, NO makis. Worst Worst Worst isobune restaurant!
(2)Garett N.
Came here during their happy hour belt special. Oh man, what a deal. The sushi itself was okay, but for the prices, it's a good value. Recommended.
(4)ThadDex M.
Stay away from their $30 all you can eat. I clarified before i ordered this what it encompasses. I was told unlimited sashimi and rolls on the menu. As i tried to order rolls from their menu i was told that it wasnt allowed. I said politely didn't i ask you twice and was told it was his mistake. Ok but now you leave the customer short changed because your staff wasn't properly trained. Gone are the days of taking care of your customers.
(1)Leah M.
I did not love this place. The conveyer belt of sushi rolls left me fearful that I could possibly be eating sushi that had been sitting out all day. Also, one of the rolls we ordered tasted just like popcorn jelly bellies. Not ideal.
(2)Leah W.
Yes it's overpriced and mediocre. I live nearby and doubt I'll be ordering again.
(1)Gerald B.
Been there a few times since it opened. At first great service and food. Our last visit, December 2008, was a big expensive disappointment. The service and food quality had been going down, but the last visit was way below our standards. The spider hand roll almost didn't get to our table before the check came. The maki sushi and other items are obviously prepared ahead of time. The stuff on the conveyor belt looks and tastes tired. Lots of young wait staff running around, but not taking care of orders or making sure you have enough tea.
(2)Julia W.
Excellent sushi. I mostly order their rolls. If you call in for pick-up, it is always ready fast. I wish they delivered.
(4)Gigi T.
This review is for take-out serive only. The online menu prices are out of date. We ordered the Combination Sashimi Dinner ($19.95) and the BBQ Short-rib ($8.95). I called to order, the waitress asked if I want the BBQ short-rib dinner, I said, sure. I was expecting that to be maybe a couple bucks more. But when I went to pick up the order, the bill came out to be $42.xx. The Combination Sashimi turned out to be $21.95, and BBQ Short-rib turned out to be $17.95. I was shocked but I was hecka hungry that day so I just paid for it. The Combination Sashimi is highly not worth $21.95. 4 pieces of tuna, 4 pieces of salmon, and 4 pieces of mysterious white fish that didn't taste fresh at all. In fact it didn't taste like anything.... Absolutely not happy with it. The $17.95 BBQ shortrib is mighty delicious however, but the amount is not worth $17.95.... 2nd time I ordered take-out from them cuz we were being hecka lazy and needed food QUICK. So we decided to stick with cooked food instead of raw fish. We ordered two bento boxes dinner ($12.95 each per online menu), and the bento box got more food than the whatever dinner we had before! And once again, the bill came out to be more than $12.95, well... it said $14.95 each with two items. For the bento box cooked food --bbq short ribs, beef teriyaki, and potato croquette-- are very good. Since the bento box supposed to come with ice cream, they gave us gyoza instead for takeout, and the gyoza were very good too. Well, at least the 2nd time I ordered take out, I didn't feel like I got ripped off, but still... c'mon, update your menu prices please. It's highly misleading.
(2)Lilly L.
[edit] Bento boxes are only $7.95 - $9.95 before 2PM! [/edit] The owners put on a Michael Jackson mix, so I got to listen to Thriller (Rest in Power, King of Pop) while enjoying the best California rolls I've ever had. Needless to say, I AM SOLD! Btw, trust me, I know my imitation crab meat. I'm allergic to fish so this is all I eat whenever I go to sushi restaurants :P. This restaurant is SO damn pretty. Mahogany walls, marbled tables, whoever was the interior designer deserves major kudos! Definitely a nice place to bring a date or have a dinner party. I noticed there were multiple areas of the restaurant that are semi-sectioned off, so it feels like you're in your own private area. Miso soup, gyoza, teriyaki chicken, everything was SUPER delish. I even liked the green tea ice cream that comes with bento boxes, and I HATE green tea! Service was great, nothing to complain about there. The only thing stopping me from giving this place 5 stars is how expensive it was ($28+ for a bento box and Dragon roll), but it's sushi and I'm just a cheap thrifty, wheeeeeee~! So if you don't mind paying for the KICK-ASS ambiance, totally go for it :).
(4)Krystal C.
I came here on NYE with a party of 10. Even though we had reservations there was a 20-minute wait to be seated. Once we finally got settled the staff was pretty quick in taking our order. The Sake was great and the rolls were pretty good...the Godzilla was my favorite. The menu is pretty extensive and the prices were decent. Would definitely come here again.
(3)Zulu Q.
So, 3.5 really. The place has grown on me a bit and it is certainly not as awful as I remember it. In fact, I think I am going to blame my new love for this place on the fact that my sushi boyfriend from Koryo got transferred here. Now, mind you, I hate sushi boat places. Solution? Don't eat the crap on the boats. Duh! However, I would like to play up the "bar aspect" of this place. For a sushi bar that is randomly located below condos and across from the Pac-n-Save that regularly serves "working women," it is a surprise to see how swank this place is. Red and black decor. A bar and a sushi bar. Ample seating. Beaded curtains and plants and, like, pretty sure I saw ottomans in here. It's kinda neat. So what if you aren't impressed for the sushi? Go to the bar, select something from their very impressive sake menu, and watch the Lakers-Celtics game on the TV like I did last night. And the sake is only half of it. Yeah, the service and be a bit pokey...so don't go if you're in a hurry. However, the bar hooks you up! I selected a moderately-priced sake and they were out. =( This would have been the FOURTH time this week that a place was out of something. Now, I was totally willing to just pick something else and shut up. However, cool bar guy was not gonna let that happen. He totally let me have a somewhat expensive bottle of sake for the same price as the sake I originally selected...we're talking $10 difference. That was super cool! Also too, this place is right along the bus route for the #57. So, uh, don't drink and drive. Hmmm....I may just have a new happy hour place!
(4)Ted S.
I used to be a pretty good deal, with their lunch special for ~$19 considering the variety of sushi plates available on the belt. It NEVER was exceptional, however now with their new 'lunch special' - each plate for 1.99 + TAX with even less choice of plates it's a JOKE ! I will never go to Myozen back again, since it's not worth spending a single penny more. Congratulations, you've lost another customer!
(1)Britney V.
This place is REALLY fancy,with GREAT sushi. Too bad the customer service was HORRIBLE! -___-
(3)Jen R.
I'm generous with my four stars but not with this place. For a place that is overpriced and has a fancy interior, I thought it would have decent food and service. I unfortunately got neither. Maybe they were understaffed that night, but heck....it was a Friday freaking night. The servers were so unfriendly and their boss uptight. I had to get up and get my own water because my table was so neglected. I could have walked out of that place unnoticed since the servers weren't paying attention. Ugh...it was a bad night. Sushi had a funky taste. let's just say it's not the fresh kind. Maybe their bar is good. Needless to say, I wouldn't come here again.
(1)Carlo M.
Wife calls and says: guess what.. all the food i was gonna cook with is moldy and need you get some takeout.. Driving home from the hospital, I see Miyozen on the corner.. I wasn't expecting to go there.. But hey.. I was so hungry.. From the outside the place looked like .99 cent sushi place but the inside was a different story.. Nice lighting and design.. It was cozy and comfy.. I only ordered takeout but the rolls were fresh, and tasty.. The rice was nicely cooked.. And the Udon was flavorful. and savory.. Looking forward to actually eating here...
(4)Cali F.
Sushi, all you can eat lunch Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays! WOO HOO! For $19.99 I can get a big sushi fix in a new, clean, comfortably stylish place. Convenient free garage parking in the back, enter from Adeleine. A sushi habit can be an expensive one and normally to feel full, we'd have to shell out well over $60 for two at a regular sushi place. At $40 for two, we are stuffed, satiated and happy. Oh, luscious little plates circling us on a conveyor belt of joy. The quality and type of sushi varyings. On a GREAT day, there's a lot of salmon nigiri, unagi eel and spicy tuna rolls. On a ho hum day, there's way too much imitation crab roll combos swimming in mayonaise drowned in even more orange mayonaisy sauce. The more people participating in the all you can eat, the better the selection and freshness (so go closer to 12 rather than later) as they roll 'em right there to keep up with supply and demand. Freshly fried tempura is included and brought to you, as is green tea which is refilled quickly by the friendly, casual staff. I have to admit that it's hard to go to regular sushi restaurants and paying menu prices after finding this great deal.
(4)Matt F.
Went here for about the fifth time tonight. This had been one of my favorite sushi places, but something has changed. I think it may be the All-You-Can-Eat menu which is new, but the service was slow, the food was not up to Miyozen standards (of the past), and when one of my friends asked if the Uni was fresh (we had just sent back a very fishy smelling Ama Ebi) the waiter said "I don't know, I guess so." When we had him ask the chef the dish never came back. I'll try this place once more to be certain, but I think they've really slipped.
(2)Amy O.
Pretty good for lunch. Make sure you get in before noon. California rolls have a slight sweet taste to them. Sushi is super fresh, service is nice. And green tea is constant. Nice break away from the office.
(4)w w.
Well...this place is ok. If I'm totally want cheap conveyor belt sushi for $1.99 a plate (not everything is $1.99, has to ask the sushi chef) I'll go. Other sushi items are pretty expensive. Good for groups and family because they have tables on the side of the conveyor belt.
(3)Tina C.
Yuck! Sushi on a conveyer belt? Not fresh at ll. Horribly over priced. One of the things we ordered waas the Crunchy Hamachi Roll. Did they dry the fish first and then deep fry it? We sent it back after we each at one piecel (there's only 4 pieces per order on all the rolls). The chef yelled at us for not liking it. Wait staff disappear often. Then there's some dude who wears fake glasses, I guess to go along with the fake sushi. We had to send the chicken teriyaki back to warm-up, we never got it back. Edamame too salty. The beer was good!
(1)Ny H.
Been to Miyozen a few times with and without the family. The sushi is solid here. I haven't ate anything that made my stomach turn upside down! Nice indoor ambience. Can get a bit loud with a crowd. They have a children dining area with a tv too. Staff is underwhelming - took 10 minutes just to get water! Sushi chefs are pretty quick with turnaround on the orders. Parking is tricky. There's outdoor street parking but you'd have to walk around the building to get inside. There's also free garage parking too - follow the signs. The prices are reasonable for the area and what you order. Not a bad sushi place, especially for it's location. I'd dine here again.
(4)Nikki c.
I was torn between a 2 and a 3. The website seemed GREAT, so I went here with a friend that was visiting. However, the actual food was a let down. We tried some of their sake based cocktails. ICK. I would rather be sober. There were floating sushi dishes, and you could order off the menu. The stuff that was floating looked questionable. We never saw them add anything to the floating sushi the entire time we were there. Some of the food was good, some was not. I had one piece of fish that was just not edible. There are better places to get sushi in the Bay.
(2)Brad S.
It is what it is.......cheap sushi. The service was decent but that's where it ends. I tried eating the sushi off the revolving serving system they have. It was 1.99 for nigiri. That is what it tasted like. The fish was warm. One I uncovered looked like the meat was shriveling up it was so old. I cut my losses and went somewhere else. I watched them prepping and cutting up the fish for tomorrows lunch service. Just not what I expected from the reviews. I don't regularly give poor reviews but I will not be going back here.
(1)Kathleen M.
This place was good the first time I ate here, but ever since then, it's gotten worse. I liked the happy hours - great deals! But the last few visits, including tonight, was disappointing. Service was eh!, tempura was over battered and the sushi was OK. They're not worth what they cost during regular hours. I'm sorry to say, but I'm not coming back here.
(2)Joseph K.
This place has an amazing happy hour where all sushi plates on the conveyor belts are only two dollars. Yes I said conveyor belt it's like a modern take on the sushi boat. They also offered several sake samplers which is a great way to find out what your favorite sake is.
(4)Eli M.
Miyozen is a good sushi joint and the staff are pretty cool. I've had a better experience with sitting at the sushi bar at other places. To me the sushi chef's aren't super talkative or attentive. However the staff are very friendly and sitting at a table is great. I love the sushi belt and on mondays you can pay 20 dollars for all you can eat sushi (from the belt). Of course their most expensive sushi won't be up there, and there will be a lot of california roll hybrids such as the "49er roll" but it's fun to try different stuff. The belt will have unagi, rainbow roll etc, but for the all u can eat, it's gonna go quick. I've tried most of their rolls on the menu and have even special ordered some of my own creations. This is a main staple of my sushi outings since living in the Bay Area. I have to say I like this place, but miss Mikuni's in Sacramento where I lived before here.
(4)Rosemarie d.
I really do wish that Yelp had half stars.... so please take this as a 3.5. I come here pretty often, mainly because of the close vicinity to my school and because the sushi is acceptable. I'm a fan of the 49er role. Nothing special about it really: it's just a CA roll with salmon and lemon on the top. But if a place can make a good CA roll (and trust me, I've tasted some BAD CA rolls), then it's A-okay with me. I wasn't a fan of the salmon skin hand roll, so try to steer clear of that. Pros: -The place is relatively clean and has a very nice interior. -Free parking (definitely can be plus for a place in the bay) -They can accommodate large parties (my group of 10 went and didn't have to make a reservation - though, it was on a Thursday night so maybe that's why) -They make the sushi fresh (at least the ones you order from the menu) -They have a wide variety of interesting things on the conveyor belt (it was a bit odd seeing a big chocolate cake on the belt) -Free miso soup and hot tea (always a plus in my book) -We got 50% off of the plates when it was 15 minutes to closing time Cons: -SLOWWWWWWW customer service (you basically have to grab their attention when you need anything) -Sometimes bad customer service - my friend nearly slipped on water that was spilled on the floor (probably unable to see it because the floors are a black marble material) and although the servers saw it, no one approached her to make sure she was okay. Instead, they continued to eat their food since their lunch breaks had started -Variety of rolls could be improved.... As a previous Yelper noted, most of what you are offered are CA rolls topped with something. It's a good place to go if you have some time and just need a quick sushi fix. The food is decent, the prices are fine. Nothing to oooh and ahhh about the place.
(3)Tanisha C.
Love their sushi and tempura!!!
(4)Insatiable Palate M.
Happy hour is the name of the game. Great ambience and friendly staff. They will usually make anything and put it on the $2 a plate belt. I love it!
(4)Erin V.
A solid 3 stars. I've certainly had better food, but this was just fine. I went with about 10 friends for a mom's night out. Oddly, they were projecting Toy Story on the wall, which was the last movie we wanted to see on our one kid-free night. Later, it changed to basketball, so in pictures we took there's all these basketball players in the background. I got a bento box with 2 items, which comes with miso and ice cream for dessert (14.95). There were also 2 tasty little gyozas and plenty of pickled daikon with the bento, which was a pleasant surprise. I got tuna sashimi and saba (broiled mackeral). The tuna was really not so good---edible, but way too fishy and old tasting. The saba was delicious, however--pleasantly oily and flaky. I shared a bottle of nigori unfiltered cold sake ($10) with a friend. Very sweet, mild and milky white. Yummy stuff. Service was well-intentioned but kind of odd. We had to keep flagging down waitresses, but when they arrived they were very helpful. The Korean waitstaff didn't have great English skills. Overall a solid, not stellar, sushi choice.
(3)Jennie K.
Reading the other reviews on here for Miyozen made me want to try it out, also because it's literally 2 minutes from where I live. I was disappointed. The sushi rolls were too big, too much rice and I hate when I have to shove a huge roll into my mouth and then all of the ingredients fall out. The chicken katsu was dry and really thin, therefore it didn't seem like I was eating chicken, it was like eating some fried bread crumbs. I can make a better chicken katsu with my eyes closed. I will definitely not be going here again.
(2)Johnny C.
OK When you first walk into Miyozen you notice that this place looks pretty nice. Thats about as much of a wow factor as you'd get from here. I didn't find anything spectacular about this place. I've been here a few times with my co-workers because this is one of the closer less expensive sushi places in Emeryville. Their lunch specials are decent for the price, but their sushi isn't anything to rave about. I would avoid any sashimi that comes in a bento box order. I tried ordering the tuna sashimi with my bento once and it did not taste like sashimi grade tuna. At best it should have been used in a spicy tuna roll or something. I've had the sashimi that you get when you order a sashimi plate by itself and it is much better. Perhaps I had the sashimi bento on an off day, who knows. They have a revolving platform surrounding the sushi chefs, but I have yet to ever see anyone take anything from that thing during the times I've been there, so I'd avoid it since I'm not sure how fresh those things are. Perhaps when it's busy and they have their All-you-can-eat special, there is more turnover, but avoid during off hours. There is a nice kiddy play area for your kids, but it's next to the door and no one is really watching that area, so put your kids there at your own risk. All-in-all, Miyozen is a decent place for lunch time Japanese. It's nothing special, but it's not horrible.
(3)Virginia L.
I think I might be a little biased because I'm a local but I honestly think this is a good roll spot. The space is spacious with plenty of options (standard bar, sushi bar, table, booth, kiddie play corner, even a table in front of a movie screen if you're so inclined). The rolls here are at the very least creative, if maybe a tad too big. For some people this is ideal but the sizing is a little too massive for my mouth. Crazy Monkey Roll, Titanic, Shrek, TNT and Double Tuna I'd recommend. Stick with the rolls as the traditional Japanese fare is just average. The staff is really young, friendly and unpretentious for a sushi restaurant. And they have sake flights here. Awesome.
(4)Avrille B.
The decor was great and the rotating bar was adorable. I can't vouch for the food as we didn't stay to eat--we came in one night an hour before closing. They seated us at the sushi bar, and the chef commenced to clean the place. First, the garbage can was put on the counter where the food prep happens and beside all of the clean dishes. It was not a clean garbage can. Second, they began to mop the prep area floor and it stunk of bleach. Clearly, our business was unimportant, and the food was going to be rather questionable. We politely explained to the waitress that we needed to go and would not be eating after all. With so many good places to have sushi in the Bay Area why settle for something so questionable.
(1)Maryneth K.
I wanted to like this place but maybe I came at the wrong time (around 9PM).
(2)Andy Y.
This is probably the biggest sushi place I have ever been to. If the place is busy, there is a surprisingly large lounge area where you can wait and there is a place for kids to do stuff too (flatscreen with a DVD player and toys). Luckily it wasn't busy at all that night and my friends and I ate at the bar. Not the sushi bar, but the bar. This place is Korean owned and is really modern looking in a non-lame way. Their restrooms are clean. I have to bring it up again, but there is a lot of seating at this place. For their drinks, I had a small sake to myself and a complimentary Mango Mojito. I don't know what made me order sake, but I don't like sake. I wanted their Zipang Sparkling Sake because I had never heard of such a thing but they were all out. Shucks. Maybe next time. For my dinner entrees, I ordered the Spider Roll and Drunken Fish Roll. To be honest, I don't remember what was in the Drunken Fish but it was okay. When I had it, it just made me realize that most rolls taste the same regardless of what ingredients are in it. But it was still tasty. However, these rolls are the types of rolls that only come in four pieces (at least at this place it is). That was the only flaw of my dinner. Other than that, I ordered their Edamame and got like a whole bowl of it and it was freaking awesome. I will always love miso soup and their salad was in a bowl that was totally packed and coated in the dressing evenly. It was all good. By the end of my meal, I was pretty full. I was eating the edamame throughout my whole dinner and it was the last thing to eat. Since there weren't that many people there, the waitress was very attentive towards us. If you ever have Rachel as your waitress, be sure to give her a big tip. She deserves it.
(4)ryan y.
The first thing I ask myself- If I didnt live upstairs, would I go out of my way to eat at miyozen? Naw. But since it's convenient, it's not bad. Like everyone has said, don't go there for the service. The staff seems to be working hard, just working hard for everyone elses table. Also, they seem sorta scared of this one server (see angry looking bossy asian dude) I dunno if he's the boss or what, haha. The food is decent, and I actually really enjoy their icewater. My water upstairs does NOT taste like this! No joke, the icewater is great, Im always reluctant to leave the table without slugging it back before I go. I'd prefer to give 3.5 stars, but def not a 4. Prices arent bad, lil stingy with the ginger/wasabi. I also noted the conveyor belt items don't undergo a high switch-out so buyer beware! ALSO: Don't sit near the bathroom- you know how you can taste what you smell? Ya....
(3)maria z.
Okay, its far from the worst sushi spot in the world. here are my gripes with it: way too much food on the conveyor belt for the number of people in the restaurant - i'm sure it hadn't been there for four hours - at least I hope not - but it had that feeling. I don't understand places that still serve "pink" ginger. What is this? 1985? Also, why oh why do people insist on putting mayonaise in every freakin roll they make? Is it cheaper that way? Service was so-so, one young male waiter was pretty good and on it, but otherwise really difficult to order, get your check, and forget getting drinks. Now, in their defense, service at sushi is never good, so you can't really lose a star for that as long as they aren't rude, which they weren't. Atmosphere is nice, we sat at the bar. They get two stars for a good sized sushi bar that was very clean, pleasant waitstaff that consistently filled my tea - though it would have been nice had they asked us if we wanted something to drink - or were ever present in the beginning of our meal for us to order a drink - note to management: alcohol makes you money. Other star is for price - I'm not sure what others on yelp are used to - but this is very reasonably priced sushi - I mean there were a few things I thought didn't make sense on pricing - but for the most part I found it extremely reasonable - though I do think the price reflected the quality.
(2)carrie c.
I frequent this joint a lot...probably because I'm right upstairs, but I like it. It's not the BEST sushi place I've eaten at (my fav: Mikuni in Sac), but it's definitely one of the better sushi places in the area. The restaurant is nice, clean, and big. The sushi rolls are decently sized for what you're paying, and there's plenty of variety. The service is...ehhh alright. Don't get me wrong, they're definitely not lazy by any means. They're always moving from table to table, but they move so fast that they sometimes look over your waving hand.
(3)Joanne T.
Slow service, but the food was good. A good selection of tatakis, beautifully presented. Large sushi bar with COVERED dishes (I'm a germaphobe). Wide selection of tasty rolls. SLOW SLOW service though. There's really a limited selection of sushi in Emeryville, so I'm glad I went to try Miyozen. Will definitely return to stuff my face.
(4)Kris A.
Sushi Happy Hour is lots of fun, and totally affordable. And the slices of fish were nice and thick, and tasted so fresh.
(4)Kevin L.
Strange little place, though it could have been the time of day my friend and I strolled into the joint. We did the all-you-gobble sushi bar. Decent deal if you're into the imitation crab bonanza with all the different mayo & other squiggly sauces on top of rice. Everything was acceptably tasty (though we may have been starving), and it was amusing to see cheesecake and a huge slab of anonymous birthday cake floating down the runway. A nice bit the place does is that the chef will make you any roll you want. He'll also make you all kinds of stuff you might not want, like a weird sashimi/poke/fish cube spicy bowl thing that you kind of poke. He'll then look kinda hurt and ask you repeatedly why you didn't eat more of it. If you're a fan of unagi, you can keep asking for it (even though it's about to go extinct, you bad person you).
(3)Victoria J.
I've been here several times with my husband and daughter, who is a sushi fanatic. We've been during happy hour to take advantage of the 1.99 plates, which my kid loves to pull off of the conveyor belt. The good: service is fine. Nice space inside and if you have really little ones, there's a play area to take them to when they tire of ruining your meal with their restlessness. Sometimes they project a Miyazaki movie on the wall, so that can be nice and distracting for children, too. The not-so-good: The fish. Even my nine year-old's palate sensed that something was off. We grabbed some spicy tuna rolls and underneath the hot spice it just tasted of old fish. $1.99 plates -- we got what we paid for.
(2)Trung N.
It was a surprising visit to stop by here to get myself some sushi/sashimi here with a friend. For the most part, it wasn't bad. The pieces i got for my hamachi sashimi plate was fresh and delicious. Nothing fishy, and good texture. I saw the conveyor belt, but nothing on it really looked appetizing. The rolls seemed pretty small in portion relative to what other places i've gone to and for the prices i've paid. The hot sake that was during their happy menu also tasted pretty nice, though I couldn't imagine ever paying full price for it. Even for the smaller portion (with the happy hour price) being $2 seemed a bit ok. I've seen $1 sake at other places with better quality. Overall, nothing exciting, and thank goodness nothing disappointing,
(3)Joanne L.
Nice location, spacious, and don't have to wait for a table. But the food here is very plain, and way too pricey for what you get. Service is mediocre, you really have to wave down someone to get attention. Don't be fooled by their $1.99 happy hour special. The rolls are tiny - two pieces per plate- so you're essentially paying a $1 a piece. Don't go for the deep fried food they also have going around the sushi bar belt, its cold, so it's probably been sitting there for a while.
(2)Devon J.
Miyozen has a more modern look than most sushi restaurants, and even a play area where adults can drop off their kids haha (I guess sushi isn't for kids =P) This is one of those places where you can choose to sit by the conveyor belt and order directly from there/ the sushi chef, or you can even sit at a table bordering the conveyor belt where you can order both menu items, from the sushi chef and the conveyor belt. The first thing that caught my eye was how expensive the rolls were! Some rolls would scale up to even $14! Didn't feel high roller enough to try those ones, so my friend and I each settled for the $12 rolls. But then again, maybe I've been spoiled by the cheap sushi places in Berkeley/Oakland, see: Tako, Manpuku and Geta. She ordered the raider roll, I ordered the Koryo dragon roll (which is a dragon roll with shrimp tempura in the middle with also avocado and unagi on top, hers was pretty much the same but with eel in the middle) When the sushi came out, they were pretty little pieces of sushi, with 6-8 for each roll. They were yummy, but not particularly anything special. So I kinda think it's still a little expensive. But on the plus side, we came from 6:30-9:30pm which is happy hour for conveyor belt plates. All plates were $1.99! I thought this was pretty good because after awhile, they let us order from the sushi chef, with various selections of nigiri. Two pieces of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and all the other basic nigiri for two bucks each, not bad. The fish was not bad either, not the freshest ever, but fresh enough to enjoy it. Overall Miyozen is a pretty nice place, I would give it 3.5 stars because of the nice environment, friendly and young staff, and pretty good, though a little expensive for the rolls, sushi.
(3)Keith T.
This is really an update on the "happy hour" dinner experience.... Its gone a little south since the last time I reviewed it. Most of the rolls on the conveyor belt are variations of rice & crab salad. Rolls ordered a la carte are still ok, not as good as I remembered. I think we're going to wait a bit before we return here, hopefully things get sorted out. Two stars for the food experience. Their Staff are still really nice and welcoming as always
(2)Kevin R.
This is mainly a typical conveyor belt sushi place. Plates are about 2/dollars each most of the time, so it is definitely an affordable meal. Nice decor and overall seems like a good value. So although it may not be the highest quality sushi ever, it was certainly way better than average and a great deal for the money. Everything seemed fresh, although portion sizes on plate were a bit small. But what makes them really stand out is their "challenge roll". Whereby you eat a giant sushi roll and get it for free if you finish it in under a half hour. I am a competitive eater so finished it in 5 minutes flat, freaking out the chefs because I literally did something that seems like it should be impossible. But this would be a real battle for most normal humans to finish in under a half hour. But it is manageable size (maybe 4-5lbs), unlike some eating challenges which are like 6-8lbs. So I would recommend it for the average person with a big appetite if they want to try a "man vs. food" type thing. It was definitely one of the tastiest food challenges I've done, and I've done a lot.
(4)Danny L.
This place is starting to grow on me. It's right in between 3 and 4 stars... Maybe next time, I'll bump them up to 4?! Maybe... the atmosphere doesn't seem interesting enough to thoroughly enjoy a sake bomb and company. The lunch specials are decently priced, well portioned, and quite tasty! I always get the Korean BBQ ribs and the gyoza combo. The gyozas are HELLA GOOD!!! The sushis are normally fresh and decent. Unless you pick them off the wierd conveyor belt. Those seemed a little old... I guess they don't replace those items as often. The service is pretty cool and the layout is pretty modern and tasteful inside. The curb appeal is not so pretty but the parking lot in the back is nice. No wierdos approaching you since you're in a secured place which is always a plus.
(3)W. T.
Came through with ten guests after 9pm by request of the birthday girl. A number of sushi fans at the table and we laid down $170 on the check. A few things, the rolls were mediocre, there was only one sushi chef on duty and the instructions to the waitress was specifically, "no sauce." You know, sauce that is the dark colored sweet sauce that appears like thick soy sauce that is sprayed onto Western style sushi like sour cream is onto Western style burrito's. All the sushi came out with sauce on it. We took the first two mistakes out of pity, but the following, even after the warning, had to be remade due to continued mistakes. If the sushi was awesome, then those mistakes would be forgiven, but the quality and taste were no better than Safeway's take out sushi. The Cherry Blossom roll had the fake crab meat stuffed in the center - usually it's tuna and avocado! Ugh, I dislike sushi restaurants that false advertise their ingredients, make continual mistakes, and are slow on service. The two dishes that came out quickly were the fried veggie dumplings and the chicken teriyaki, two dishes that one doesn't rate a Japanese restaurant by. Either this place needs to drop the price by 1/3 or up the quality and speed. The fact that the restaurant had only two other tables to serve punctuated the poor experience. When we left, the discussion was unanimous, 3 out of 10 on sushi quality level.
(2)Chris B.
Suuuuuuper slow. 45 min for 2 orders of seared tuna. And the restaurant wasnt even crowded. Fish was mediocre at best. Service was friendly. Do not recommend.
(2)Beverly T.
Happy hour special 6:30-9:30PM: $1.99 everything on the conveyor belt. Wait until you see the sushi chef put the dish on the belt then snatch that shit. Otherwise you're getting super old fish that's had one too many spins around the old belt. They have nigiri (Basics like saba, sake, maguro, tai), and rolls (They're basically just variations on the old California rolls), mussels (Cold with a weird vinaigrette on it), baked mussels (They have that spicy mayo-ish sauce on it. I actually like these when they come out hot.) and sometimes they have raw oysters (Ponzu & green onions. These are pretty good.) They also have teriyaki chicken, edamame and a few other random cooked foods. Onto the menu items.... Bento box items (beef teriyaki, chicken katsu etc.) are typical. Nothing special and nothing terrible but they are overpriced. Steamed tofu: Good flavor, nice and delicate but the portion is small and I could make this at home for like $.50. Tuna tataki: Good mix of sesame oil and ponzu, fish was nicely seared but quality was poor and again, overpriced. Udon: Noodles are store bought but I love udon noodles so I still think they're pretty good. Broth is obviously from a concentrated mix they add water to. Again, I love udon so this is still good to me but nothing to write home about. Side note: One time at happy hour I found a hair in my nigiri. Mmmm... hair.... But hey, there's nothing else in Emeryville and sometimes I'm both desperate for sushi and too lazy to drive far so..... I'll be back... hungry for more hair.
(2)Wendy H.
Ready to drop $50 for a mediocre dinner for two? Then head on over to Miyozen! Their rolls were alright, but the things floating around on the conveyor belt were not that great. -shrugs- not bad, but not great.
(2)Emmett B.
I went during happy hour which is from 4-9:30PM which all plates on the conveyer belt were $1.99... sounds like a great deal huh?! Well, unfortunately the sushi tasted like it was a $1.99. I was highly disappointed w/ the the quality of the sushi. Maybe because we were there on a Wed night, the sushi didn't seem fresh, but then again the everything else wasn't that good. The baked mussels were cold, the shrimp tempura wasn't that good, and there were not alot of selections on the conveyer belt. We did order from the regular menu, and the food was alot better. I ordered the teriyaki beef which was grilled and pretty good. The cabbage salad that went with the beef was also pretty good. The service was alright, but nothing really stood out. This place is just an ok sushi place in Emeryville.
(3)Jacqueline W.
I stopped by for lunch today with a few of my coworkers...Miyozen has a bento box lunch special: 2 items for $7.95 or three for $9.95. I had the gyoza and the tuna sashimi which came with miso soup, rice, edamame and a cute little sliced orange. Everything tasted fine. Normal fine. The wait time was short, as the crowd was minimal and the service was great. I will have to come in and try some of the rolls on the rotating sushi bar.
(3)Mark K.
This place is awesome. No idea why it has such a low rating. I'll probably go here again tonight since it was so good. Got the titanic and rainbow roll yesterday and STILL can't stop thinking about it. Great sushi place!
(5)Taylor S.
Sushi boat style restaurant. It's a Korean owned sushi restaurant so they have a decent amount of Korean-style sushi options on the menu. I've only been for the sushi happy hour (430-830 daily) and it is a good bang for your buck. After reading reviews here I was a little skeptical, saw a ton of people talking about the questionable sushi on the sushi conveyor belt. I somewhat agree with them, some of the stuff I pulled off the belt was on there a little too long, but can't complain too much when all plates are $1.99 during the happy hour (that is a ridiculous amount of time for a happy hour btw). My suggestion is to go on a weekend day or when they are busier to get the best variety on the belt. I've only gone on fridays so I have had a pretty good selection to chose from. Also, if you can you should pay attention to the chefs and see what they are making and putting down fresh. I usually just watch the sushi chefs and snatch up anything that they put down so it is nice and cold. I had the unfortunate experience of some scallop sashimi that was on the warmer side because it was sitting out so long. The place usually sets me back about 40 bucks for two people which isn't too bad. I usually grab a large beer so you can knock off about 5 bucks off the price if you don't drink.
(3)Christine P.
From the outside this place doesn't look like much but when you walk in, it has a nice modern look and the back room is surprisingly big and open. I am a fan of Miyozen's sister restaurants but enjoy coming here for the conveyor belt sushi. Other than the taste, the best part of the dishes parading around on the belts is that each dish is covered with a plastic dome. The germaphobe / healthcare worker in me thinks that is the next best thing to sliced bread. The slices of sashimi are pretty thick (they used to be thicker), the rolls aren't skimpy in size and the overall quality of the food is good. Overall, 4 stars from me but I have to minus 1 star for the time I called to find out what time they stop serving dinner. Mind you, I didn't ask what time they close...there IS a difference. Anywho, they told me 10:30pm but when I got there a little after 10pm, they said they were closed. Oh ok, if you guys were closed, how the hell did I just walk into your establishment...osmosis? I spoke with a female on the phone but when I got there, the only female worker there denied getting a phone call. She must've started shaking in her boots when I gave started flashing my gang signs and mouthing "I'll see you outside". That pretty much ruined the start of my night because I had to search for somewhere else to eat, killing more time.
(3)Al B.
A very friendly place to eat in the rough part of town.
(4)Amie R.
The happy hour here seems ridiculously generous. 6:30-9:30? Yes please! To be fair, when you go at 6:30, all the sushi on the belt is fresh and there's lots of variety. The closer you get to 9:30, the sadder the selection and freshness. If you get there at 9, you can pretty much forget it, they've already stopped putting anything new on the belt, and if you're in the least bit picky, you'll end up ordering off the menu. It's definitely some of the cheapest sushi around, and the belt is great for my fiancee's ADD. If you need something outside of what's on the belt, it's sometimes hard to get the waiter's attention, and they seem somewhat inconsistent on whether they give you miso soup when you sit down or not. Overall, tasty and fun!
(4)Varada G.
Yesterday I went shopping in Bay Street only to discover that Easter Sunday signified the early-closing of virtually everything. However, Miyozen sported a sprightly neon OPEN sign well after everything else had shut down; intrigued, I walked in (with the encouragement of a friend who'd been here several times before). The ambience was a little Zen, with dimmed lighting, the sounds of fountains (which actually are just tanks that hold live fish before their deaths), and I might have even seen a beaded curtain or two. We were led to the conveyor-belt seating area and much to my delight, discovered that the Happy Hour extends for an astounding five hours---4:30-9:30PM, every plate is $1.99. This didn't seem legitimate, so to the right there was another sign detailing the prices of individual plates. The individual sushi rolls looked tiny but were mad filling. The tempura was decent; I wasn't sure exactly what was in it because someone had knocked over the sign on the belt but it seemed alright. I also plucked off a bowl of edamame and a plate of California rolls, all of which were intensely satisfying. I was expecting my tab to approach $11 but the server informed us that it was, indeed, happy hour and I ended up paying $4 for a delightful meal. While the sushi isn't the best I've ever had, it was quite a deal and I felt that I'd gotten more than what I'd paid for. I've also heard the hot sake is a good complement to your meal, but I did not order it for myself. Next time. The lemon sake is delicious, though, very well made. Good for groups: the server will split your check individually (if you tell her when you're ordering) at no extra charge. They are very friendly despite the added inconvenience and were professional enough not to fumble orders. The service was also exceptional---three or four servers were intermittently popping from behind the kitchen and filling my glass with hot tea after I'd consumed a millimeter of it. They were a friendly bunch as well. I had nothing but a positive experience here and am looking forward to sharing my discovery with friends and family.
(4)Herb L.
Food is typical for sushi in the SF Bay Area (this is a good thing, btw.) Service is excellent and very attentive. Get the flaming dragon roll--it's on fire. Literally. As in flambe. The prices are kinda steep but not cringe when you pay steep. They seem to handle the very large group I was in with ease.
(4)Elaine Y.
great service and friendly, attentive staff. i give that 5 stars alone. the food is yummy. sashimi was not fishy even though it's fish. very tender and moist. had agedashi which i love~ huge pieces (came w/ 3 big yummy chunks). would definitely come back and try more things.
(4)Camille K.
I raced into Miyozen Sushi & Roll after a harrowing bus ride on AC Transit's 31 line. I ditched whatever plans I had and decided to try this place. It was either this or continue to be battered on the bus. I arrived shortly after they'd opened for dinner and was the only diner for a while. The belt hadn't even started moving yet. I grabbed a half order of California Roll off the stationary belt and tore into the menu. I choose a 49ers Roll (salmon and lemon topped California Roll) and a Shrek Roll (avocado topped tuna roll withtiny green fish eggs and green sauce). The 49ers Roll had less salmon than the picture indicated, but was tasty nonetheless. The Shrek Roll came topped with generous amounts of avocado. I was too stuffed after eating these to even ask for anything a la carte. The waitress sensed this and offered me dessert: ginger ice cream. Mmm! I am withholding stars until I experience this restaurant with more ambiance. Also, it's a dead zone where mobile phones are concerned. It's close proximity to numerous bus lines is a plus!
(3)Jason L.
Just went here for lunch with a buddy of mine. This was my first time here so I had to try their sashimi. Ended up getting the maguro, sake, escolar, and hamachi and tried a couple of their specialty rolls. Really nice decor, pretty modern set up, has a rotating sushi belt (which I'll get to in a few), lots of friendly staff, and even the sushi chefs checked up on us. Food quality and presentation: 4 stars because I've honestly have had better sashimi before. Don't get me wrong, the fish is still really fresh, and they were thick cuts, but a couple of the slices I had were too fibrous for me. The rolls were full of flavors and the amount of rice was perfect. What I didn't like was seeing the same items on the conveyor belt passing by every couple of minutes. I know there's places in socal with rotating sushi that have sensors on the bottom of the plate so its been sitting there longer than a certain amount of time, the chefs have to take it off and throw it out. I didn't see this happening at this spot....kinda made me iffy to do the all you can rotating sushi in the future. Besides that, I'm pretty sure I'll be coming back in the future if I'm in the area.
(4)Sylvia b.
After eating at a revolving sushi place, down in Irvine, we just had to find one that was like it; on the belt and $2. Luckily, we came across this place. For parking, you can park on the streets or in their garage, which I think it's also for the apartments, too. You enter the restaurant, and to your left would be the kid's play area. Walk in some more, and there' s, what looks to be, a bar. We had to wait about 5-10 minutes. It's usually packed during happy hour, which is from 6:30-8:30, so be prepared to wait a while. We get seated and the food is already there for you to grab. Take as much as you want; It's $2/plate, during happy hour. I've been here twice, and the food seems to be the same. The only thing that changes are their special rolls, on different days. The rolls are pretty good. I can say that I can eat a whole lot, just by myself. Or maybe because I'm always hungry. For their mussels, they have ones with hot sauce, but it's more like salsa on top, and there's a baked one. The service is quite alright. They usually just seat you, get you water, and walk around, taking the tops from the plates from you. They stop by every now and then to ask if you're okay. The chefs are nice, as well. You get to see them in action, making the food. Not only that, but they also communicate with you, when they have a chance to. Overall, I'd definitely go back, because of happy hour and to just have some sushi.
(3)Thea S.
this place was pretty awful. I love sushi, all kinds but this was like one step above pre-packaged Trader Joes rolls. I went for happy hour and everything was just a california roll with different stuff on top. Yeah it was cheap but it was really bland. The crab was all imitation and far too sweet. The prices were good but I got what I paid for. Boring sushi. I liked the free green tea and miso though and the service was good. 2 stars.
(2)Ronald N.
A great place to dine and wine. Yummy sushi.
(5)William K.
There is no more happy hour specials, even on weekends. Few things on menu not available anymore, Everything just looks worn out and not fresh. Even the edamame was old/funky tasting. I used to work at a sushi restaurant and this is run like a typical korean run sushi restaurant. Corners are cut and you can see it instantly in this restaurant. This place charges high prices for its sushi especially since the quality isnt there. This place would have been fine it was a little cheaper to serve their prepackaged frozen sushi. The staff was ok, could have been more knowledgeable. Overall I wouldnt come back unless it was cheap or if the quality of the sushi was better.
(2)Don D.
Meh... This place offers some of the blandest tasting sushi for the price. I got the Jelly Fish Salad which was extremely small for $6 but it tasted ok. It tasted like any other jellyfish salad I've had but, due to the small serving, I felt ripped off. The Rainbow Tama roll (tuna, hamachi, tobiko, wasabi tobiko, black tobiko on top of a California roll) had a slight kick because of the wasabi but was bland enough that I had to pour soy sauce on it. I also had another roll, whose name escapes me, but it was also bland and tasteless enough that I had to add soy sauce. I guess you pay for the decorations of this place and not the food. Blehh...
(3)JET T.
This place is HUGE. Much larger than I'd thought from looking at it from the outside. I'm mainly going to focus on the rolls that I ordered. They were kinda small, but that's fine if they were good. I guess they were good BUT they definately added MSG to it. I am somewhat alergic to MSG and my whole mouth would feel tingly when it's present in the food I eat. Cherry blossom rolls only had a sliver of tuna, the bento box was ok but for the price I would have expected more food (think Sushi House in Alameda), although the fried chicken appetizer was better than their other Oakland location Koryo Sushi. I don't think any place should put any MSG at all especially on Japanese sushi and rolls. It's unacceptable and thus the 2 star rating. Should be 1 but they open kind of late so the convenience factor kicks in...
(2)Brittany L.
I honestly don't understand why this place has bad reviews. My boyfriend and I have been coming here for years. The sushi chefs are amazing and make sure to greet us every time. Waiters are friendly and give you the perfect amount of attention. The most important of all we come here for the amazing sushi they serve. Not once have we been unsatisfied and when we go to other sushi spots we compare it to this place. Hands down favorite spot.
(5)Jane H.
This place is still great -don't get me wrong. But the happy hour special is gone and that makes it pretty expensive for my budget now. Before it was a no brainer if I was in the area I was going to Miyozen.
(4)Jacob v.
I come here for a 49er roll every once in a while, otherwise it's just pretty average sushi. Service is good and the place is cool, and lounge like. Its a ok but not by any means the best sushi.
(3)Kathy L.
This was our go-to place for birthdays when I lived in the East Bay because of the AYCE (what do you expect from a bunch of college boys?). You basically go to the conveyor belt and pick up as many plates of sushi you can hold and bring it back to your table to feast on, along with the endless sashimi (go for the white tuna but beware of eating too much...). I've always had a good experience and left happy and full. Comes out to about $40 so bring your appetite.
(4)Shon G.
I hate to give Miyozen a negative review, since I have enjoyed their sushi on several occasions, mostly when I need lots of basic roles for a party or a picnic (I order for pick-up). They are quite perfect for that, their roles are satisfying and tasty, nothing special. However, last night I made the mistake of going to Miyozen with my husband for dinner. We were in the mood for good sushi, and thought we might give Miyozen a chance since it's walking distance from our home. Big mistake. With the exception of their unagi nigiri which I enjoyed, I did not enjoy anything I ate or drank there and it also wasn't cheap. I walked out of there somewhat depressed because of this experience. I just wanted some sushi pleasure and instead got a big disappointment. We ordered the dinner size salmon sashimi, red snapper sashimi, grabbed a couple unknown plates off the sushi track, and also had the unagi nigiri and one of their special roles called "So Sexy" (I may be getting the name slightly wrong). We also ordered cold sake, beer, and since both were not to my liking I ordered one of their cocktails with soju which was supposed to imitate a mojito (the menu said "fresh mint"!) and which was really just soju and soda and tasted sweet and bland. The worst part was the salmon sashimi, which is normally my FAVORITE item. It was grainy and slightly chewy, and had no flavor. Also the wasabi had very little flavor and I had to keep adding more and more of it to feel a tang. And all that pleasure cost us ~100$! Sorry Miyozen. I know you are good for many people who perhaps have low standards when it comes to sushi, and I will probably still order simple roles from you when I need a quick fix for a party. But I won't eat there again and I would not recommend it to any respectable shushi lover. Perhaps you should reconsider your source of fish and other ingredients since your location makes you an ideal spot and I would love to change my mind and give you a good review.
(2)Mel B.
Finally got to try Miyozen Sushi & Roll this weekend after a fellow Yelper's suggestion. Like any of her suggestions Miyozen was spot on, it was great and I loved it. Thanks Christine P. Since my sister took my two boys to the movies, my wife, my two years old daughter and I went to Miyozen for dinner. I've been to a lot of Sushi Bars before, but this was one of the best ones I've been too. I definitely like their setting, the proper lighting and dark furniture just added more to their food presentation and made the food more appetizing. The taste, OOOHHH SO YUMMY! I've had great Sushi before, but from a conveyor belt (or floating boats), never. That's why my wife and I was surprise to see that some of their specialty rolls were actually on the conveyor belt. We also ordered a couple of specialty rolls, so here's what we got for dinner: From the Conveyor Belt ($2 a plate, usually comes w/ 2 pieces): 49ers Roll - Fresh Salmon and lemon on top of a California Roll. NOW THAT'S HOW YOU MAKE A 49ERS ROLL! (So many years I've been so disappointed that I always eat the Raiders Roll because the 49ers Roll always sucks in most Sushi joints. This particular 49ers Roll kicks A$$.) Baked Scallop - Baked Scallop on top of a California Roll. Loved it, best one of the night. I think the other customers were mad at us because we kept taking it as soon as the chef puts it down. Hay he kept putting it on our side. Godzilla Roll - Deep fried spicy Tuna with unagi sauce and hot sauce. All mine, my wife hates spicy stuff. Tiger Eye Roll - Deep Fried Salmon & green onion with a touch of Masago. Very tasty. From the menu: Penthouse Roll - Apparently on the Special Specialty Roll Menu (not on their regular menu). Sorry I don't remember exactly what it was. Just remember salmon, unagi and Philly Cheese. Very good, so look out for it if they have it in their Special Specialty Menu. Rock & Roll - Unagi, avocado, cucumber, masago, and unagi sauce. Good but the least most exciting of the night. The Mango Mojito - Loved it! (Yes I like fruity drinks.) The service was also very good and friendly. One of the chefs actually gave my daughter a free ice cream and kept talking to her. Apparently he also has a two years old daughter and two older boys. We were also seated immediately and the food came out quickly. Overall I really love this place and recommend it. I also definitely want to try their sister restaurants, Drunken Fish and Koryo Sushi, both located in Oakland.
(5)Tara S.
great california roll! great saki! different flavors! feels fancy in there compared to other sushi joints i venture in my advice= change your name i always thought you were a frozen yogurt shop!!
(4)Winé C.
What in the world. Came here at night for dinner. Ordered the Chirashi, received Salmon dinner? I don't know what assorted means anymore, but does two different types of fish count? Also I couldn't finish the plate either due to poor flavor, texture, and quality. I am a fish eater, it saddens me that all that fish went to waste. Maybe I should try their happy hour since it seems to be so much better.
(2)Andrew L.
As you walk into this place, you think, "wow, this place has a good Asian clientele and lots of marble, that must mean it's gonna be good." It was *just* alright. What I liked: Tea: nice flavor, not too strong. Nice and hot. Nice, big tables; this is a big restaurant. The sushi boat plates looked pretty tasty, including the desserts. The hot sake was very very smooth with great flavor. I couldn't argue with the flavor of the miso soup, either! What I thought was so-so: The tuna nigiri: freshly prepared, but the fish isn't nearly as fresh as it is at Uzen or Kirala. Still better than many cheaper places, though. The size of the portions: too large. You have to eat the nigiri in two bites if you don't want to look like a pig, and the same is absolutely true of the specialty rolls. Everything, including the chopsticks, felt super-sized here. What I didn't like: The consistency of the fish and crab: The crab was too creamy and the Tuna a bit watery/soft. The service timing for the sushi versus hot plates. We had finished eating our sushi by the time my brother's chicken teriyaki came! We had to ask for our check. The nigiri plates were just about on the mark for price, so I can't say much bad about that. However, due to the quality, the value may be diminished a bit. I don't know whether I'll be taking my girlfriend here or not....
(3)Debora L.
Three stars earned for: Acceptable sushi Large portions Accepting reservations for large parties (30+ people) Free parking 2 and 3-item bento boxes - a great deal! Two stars deducted for: EXTREMELY slow and poor service (for both small and large groups) Standard fare sushi and Japanese All you can eat sushi buffet for $20 - only eligible if everyone in your party orders it Botching up my order about 40% of the time
(3)Joseph S.
Service was great, fast & friendly. Love both types of Dragon Rolls. Very spacious & cool kick back feel.
(4)Holly F.
I would have given this a 3, however, upped it to a 4 due to going during happy hour and being impressed with the prices. I ate there on a Friday evening and sat at the sushi boat bar. The quality of sushi was not the best, which could have been due to eating at happy hour, but was not the worst. However, the happy hour prices were good, 50% off sake and $2 for each sushi boat plate (2-3 pieces of a roll on each place). Getting 2 pieces of octopus sashimi for $2 is always exciting to me. I would definitely recommend this for those wishing to get a good deal on a happy hour meal.
(4)Fontane L.
Surprisingly good value! Went here for their happy hour ($1.99 for anything off the sushi belt). I usually automatically discount any kind of sushi place with a belt or boat involved, but came here to meet friends, so didn't want to diss their restaurant choice. Raw fish quality was pretty good, especially for the price - had tuna, escolar, mackerel, salmon. The belt had all sorts of goodies: - basic nigiri, such as those listed above - rolls, two pieces for basic rolls or 2 pieces for fancier ones - mussels (spicey ponzu or baked) - chicken teriyaki - croquette I was feeling hungry...probably ate about 10-12 plates...$20-24 is not bad for a sushi fix under extreme hunger, no? The place is also a good option for seafood-allergic friends....a good number of options available, even off the sushi belt! :)
(4)Apple C.
Dinner time is the best time to go, when all the plates on the belt are $1.99. The food on the sushi boat isn't bad, but pay attention to what and when they put the food out to avoid getting old stuff. It takes 10 minutes for the belts to go completely around when the full thing is opened; I timed it. Otherwise, the menu items are good but really expensive. The best way to go is to order one or two items from the menu that you can't get off othe sushi belt.
(4)Diana K.
Let me make this is clear as possible... DON'T GO HERE. Went in on a Sunday with some friends and after being seated & looking through the menu here's how things went down.. Me: I'll have a House Cocktail A (Sorry, don't remember the name) Waitress: Sorry, we're all out of that today. Friend A: I'll have a House Coctail B Waitress: Sorry, we're all out of that one too Friend B: I'll have House Cocktail C Waitress: Sorry... um.. actually we're out of soju so we can't make any cocktails. 5 min. later and we all get our Sapporos (The ONLY available drink).. Friend A: I'll have the Tonkatsu Plate Waitress: Sorry, we're all out of Tonkatsu Friend A: I'll have the Chicken Katsu then Waitress: Sorry, we can't make any katsu today. Friend B: I'll have the Curry Plate Waitress: Sorry, we can't make curry today either. Friend C: I'll have the Udon Waitress: Okay. (YAY) ...30 sec. later.. Waitress: Sorry, we don't have udon today. Friend C: WHY Waitress: It's Sunday.. Sorry. ....?! WHAT?! We ended up getting Sapporos all around, some edamame, and a miso soup. The miso soup only came because someone got lucky (or so we thought) and ordered something that was available and the waitress happened to brin git out before finding out it also wasn't available for order. Wish I could make this review based on food but I can't because nothing on the menu was available that day.
(1)Tiffany H.
Not that authentic and not a place I'd go to get high quality sushi, but the fusion rolls and non-raw foods are fun! Fabulous service, a great place for family and kids, and a place where IMHO you get your money's worth (barring the AYCE buffet--don't come here for that). I can't even begin to go over *everything* they have on their menu so just check out my pics!
(4)Mel K. D.
Miyozen was a decent sushi go to restaurant . My friend and I have had some great sushi and serivice there many times, especially when arriving at least a half hour before their closing time of 2:30pm. Well, on Wed, 2/13/13 we arrived much earlier than usual and we were surprised there were not many more people there, and much less sushi on the belt. The service seemed more less attentive than our previous visits. When we asked for a bottle of hot sake , the waiter seemed nonchalant and said it would be " a little while" . Fine. So we had a couple of the usual rolls, and nigiri off the conveyer belt, which seemed to have a lot more rice than fish than in the past. After about fifteen to twenty minutes , no sake.... We asked the waiter and he seemed oblivious, so we cancelled the sake order. We ordered the uni ( which was creamy and tasty), unagi ( not that tasty, too sweet, they changed the bbq sauce) . Our lunch meeting was much shorter than usual . LOL Our lunch date was okay. The staff seemed not there in mind. I recommended Miyozen to friends in the past. But this last experience ... I am not so positive. Mel
(2)Sharee g.
It wasn't bad....wasn't that great either. I prefer it's sister restaurant the Drunken Fish. Would I be back?? probably not....unless I go with a group and that's what the majority decides. *shrugs*
(3)Stacey C.
Super close to my house so I really want to give it 4 stars. Nothing spectacular though. Great when you want some fast, affordable sushi. Got there about 6:40 on a Saturday because we were tired and they were close. Conveyer belt is decent. $1.99 sushi on conveyer belt starting from 6:30 - 9:30 (I think 9:30). Place was dead, I think there was one other table. Huge space for a place around here. Got busier close to 7:30 but still a ton of room and the wait staff were helpful and decent. Total bill for 2 was $44 which included a large Asahi and a coke. Several things off the conveyer belt (maybe 5) including sesame balls (my favorite). 2 Special Rolls which were good, but $12 each. We will go back, too close to pass up and too easy to get into. Nothing really wrong, but nothing spectacular.
(3)Bert T.
- Sushi conveyor- avoid - Bento box- blah - Service- Where did he go? Went here for dinner on a Thursday night. The place and decor was nice but it was quite empty when we entered. Sushi from the conveyor belt wasn't fresh at all. What do you expect? It's
(1)Natalia S.
I'm baffled by the few bad reviews, I love this place! The ambiance is great, it's very spacious and would be the perfect place for a large event. Everything seems really clean, exactly how a restaurant that serves sushi should be. I came here for the happy hour, which is from 6 to 8, unlike other happy hours that are usually at totally inconvenient times. The conveyor belt sushi is delicious, especially considering how cheap it is. My friends got delicious raw oysters, salmon, and specialty rolls and we were all surprised at how reasonable the prices were. The staff was also very friendly and accommodating. I'm definitely coming back!
(5)Mscee M.
$1.99 sushi who can pass that up! Quick and great service! They also have a menu for those who don't care for sushi. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Stephen S.
The sushi is not bad. It's fresh and the sashimi size is generous. The quality is one step above Sushi House in Alameda. I noticed Japanese Americans are picky about their sushi coming from authentic Japanese chefs but the difference is not noticeable to non-Japanese which the majority of customers here are. 3 stars for food +1 star for convenience. Spacious restaurant with it's own garage.
(4)Paul S.
I like it. I've been here twice now and I've been thrilled and totally stuffed both times I left. The service is fine, nothing incredible but they always keep my water and tea filled and that's what's important to me. The sushi belt is what brings me in though. 2 bux a plate and the food is varied enough that I can have 10 plates and have something different every time. I had several kinds of nigiri, chicken teriyaki, a bunch of types of rolls, and gyoza, all at 2 bux a plate. I was stuffed. I'll keep coming here for lunch every chance I get that's for sure. As for the freshness of the food on the rotation? Everything seemed tasty and fresh and 4 hours later I feel just fine :)
(5)Lorrayne L.
My family's been coming here every so often since this place opened, and it's the sister-ya (shop) to The Drunken Fish in Oaktown. I'll tell you why this place is good - Decor, I give 5 stars: The place is decorated in a high-end Japanese bistro fashion, though not over the top like some fancy places I've been to. They're split into 2 sections - the bar and the dining hall. The bar has this neat little seating area where they've got a big LCD screen playing movies or sports all the time. The dining hall is huge, and right in the middle are the sushi chefs with a long conveyor belt showcasing various dishes on it as they make their way around the island. Food, I give 5 stars: The meat they cook for the bentos is fairly tender, which is good for my dad cus he can't really chew. The maki (rolls) are HUGE, and their miso is pretty darn tasty. My fave to get for lunch take-out is the sashimi salad, which is uber yummy and light on the belly; and my faves to order dining in are the nigiri (2-piece sushi) - most specifically the shiro maguro (albacore tuna), hamachi (yellowtail) and sake (salmon) nigiri. The shiro maguro has this wonderful garlic paste and chives on the top that always makes my mouth water. Service, I give 5 stars: The staff are super friendly, and both male and female staffers are uber cute. I also love the T-shirts they wear while on duty. Patronage: I've seen all sorts of people in this establishment. You really can't go that wrong in here. Bonus points: Despite being in a weird location where there's zilch street parking, they've got dedicated parking slots in the garage at the back of the building on Adeline. Plus, you can do take-out service here.
(5)J H.
Won't go back - the conveyor belt had only items, and two or three were same type of roll. Fake crab IS NOT SUSHI! They dropped their all-you-can-eat program, which (you would think) probably isn't a bad thing. I mean, seriously, with any AYCE, the business is over-charging some people, and under-charging others. They didn't lose the fake crab meat - you know what I'm talking about - it is in MANY (most?) of their sushi. I hate it. The last time we went was about 1:45 pm, Sunday, Feb. 13, after softball practice. No - we weren't dressed in our Sunday finest, but neither of the two of us were dirty, or wearing dirty or torn clothing. We asked to sit at the sushi bar/counter, and we were going to take items from the conveyor belt. The place closes at @;30 for lunch. There were at least 2 other parties seated after us. There were FIVE (yes, 5) items on the conveyor belt. One was the sweet rice ball dessert dish. Two or three were same items. Gentleman to our left a few seats was obviously a regular ... he was talking with one of the guys behind the counter, who said they he had been partying and went home at 5 AM (he kinda looked wrecked). The waiter told us to ask the sushi chef (prob not the technical term) for anything we would like. We couldn't get either of the guys to look us at us! After being there for more then 20 minutes, having eaten only 1 item off the conveyor belt, and the miso soup, we left. We had to wait for the check, we had to wait for them to pick up the check and the cash (the cashier was talking with the previously mentioned regular), and then we had to wait for the change. We won't be returning.
(1)Vicky L.
I agree with most of the reviewers in saying that Miyozen is only okay. The layout of the restaurant is nice and spacious, and I really like the choose which sushi you want off the conveyor belt type of feel, but unfortunately, the sushi does not taste as good as it looks. The fish is decent, but the rolls are indistinguishable from one another. We ordered a philly roll, a shrimp tempura/avocado roll, a shrimp/tempura avocado roll with spicy tuna on top, and eel with avocado inside and out. They all tasted exactly the same. We also picked up a couple of things from the conveyor belt - a wakame salad, a lion king roll (which was decent, even though it was a little bit too creamy), and salmon nigiri. Nothing to really Yelp home about. There is one thing I would go back for though and that is the Escolar Tataki dish. It is served seared over ponzu sauce and some watercress. It was delicious and absolutely redeemed the whole experience for me. Also, don't order the Fuji Apple Sake. It comes in a wine bottle, is way too sweet, and honestly, I didn't feel anything after downing two horrible syrupy glassfuls... UGH....
(3)Michael C.
Really wanted to like this place, after driving past it for years. Since moving to N. Oakland I've been looking for go to cheap-yet-quality sushi place. Sadly, Miyozen wasn't able to fill that void. While the decor is nice and the atmosphere is pretty sweet, the sushi leaves much to be desired. The missus and I arrived on a Friday night around 7 pm, thinking the place would be packed. Hardly so. Patrons were scant, although people did start trickling in slowly as the night went on. Service was average, not terrible but not super impressive either. In fact, the food took rather long to arrive, though not the fault of the server. Upon arriving we were delighted to learn that the "sushi conveyor belt" items were $2 a piece. Hungry and ravenous, we delved into anything that looked appetizing. I'm always sketched out by sushi "boat" places bc you don't know how long things have been out. My theory is that since we arrived before the rush, a bunch of the plates had been chilling for awhile. Meh. Hoping that ordered sushi would be better, we ordered a few rolls and some salmon sashimi. Both were better than the sushi "boat," and I would describe it as mediocre-yet-passable. The prices were fairly steep for what we got, and I could have gotten the same thing for a few bucks less some place else. All in all, it pains me a bit to say that I wouldn't recommend this to other people. I don't like giving negative reviews because all businesses need some love, but Miyozen didn't give me any reason to like them. My quest for a suitable sushi joint continues...
(3)Kim-van T.
The bf and I decided to get some sushi at Miyozen before catching a movie at Bay Street. I had been here once before and the experience was decent enough so I decided to go back. Why was everything so sweet!?! EVERYTHING tasted like there was sugar in it. Even the wasabi, wtf?!?! The california roll tasted like I was eating dessert..... so NOT COOL. Will not be back.
(1)John L.
Miyozen Sushi has a place in my stomach for being the (former) closest all-you-can-eat sushi to my home. The buffet is gone now, but the rest of the food remains the same-- Korean Style Japanese food in a very modern looking restaurant that accommodates kids, groups and small parties with equal aplomb. That ambiance doesn't come cheap though. Bottom line, Miyozen is a great place for a light meal and drinks, but falls short in a few areas. The biggest highlight at this place is the ambiance. The restaurant is split into two sections-- the front bar, and a large dining area where the chefs do their work. Either is fine, but for a quieter experience, sit at the bar. The full menu is served at both areas. Miyozen is decorated in a subdued, modern fashion, and even has an area for your kids to play. It's far enough from the dining area that patrons will be thankful for the separation. Service here is wonderful as well. In all my visits, I have never gone without anything for too long, and in particular, the chefs at the sushi bar are great at checking up on you to make sure you have everything you want. With the loss of the all-you-can-eat option, however, comes a significant loss in value. Food here is slightly higher-priced than other Japanese restaurants, but at least you are still getting quite tasty Japanese entrees as interpreted through Korean recipes. Particular highlights are the Hae Dup Bap and the Sashimi salad, both substantial amounts of fresh salad and cut sashimi for under $20. Either one will fill you up, but I prefer the Hae Dup Bap for the extra flavor and spice. Most entrees will run you at least $13, even the humble Chicken Teriyaki. You'll find the teriyaki sauce here to be slightly watery and sweet, but it is easily remedied by asking for it on the side. Chicken and beef are both good options, but I prefer to opt for the beef as the chicken tends to taste fried before 'grilling'. In place of the former buffet is a special where everything on the sushi belt is just $2. In theory this works out fine, as many of the items on the boat were available during the buffet, however, a little something is lost, as one does not see some of the grander creations when premium options were available. You can still order a full roll from the menu, but if you wanted just a couple of pieces of a premium roll, those days are gone. Ask the chefs, who are all warm and helpful, and they may be able to get you what you need. There are some complaints about the food, but what sticks out to me most, and this will certainly deter any sushi purist (myself included... I just put it aside because this is, as I mentioned, the closest sushi joint to my house), is that the sushi is made with Jasmine rice, instead of the usual Calrose (short grain). This gives all the sushi rolls and nigiri a firmer texture, not what one would expect from a sushi place. The fish is still fresh enough, and the entrees are not bad, but this certainly hurt the rating overall. In summation, Miyozen is best enjoyed for its bar and lounge and not as a true Japanese food experience. Wonderful service, good portion size, and impressive ambiance save Miyozen from the "Skip It" recommendation, but if you're after the real thing in terms of sushi and don't care too much for ambiance, you are probably better served by going to Manpuku in Berkeley, or Geta in the Piedmont District.
(3)Jennifer M.
Best bargain sushi ever! My colleague and I were in Emeryville overnight and after a week of hard eating/drinking, decided we needed to detox with some sushi. I checked Yelp and decided, despite a few mixed reviews, that this was the place we needed to be. Conveyor belt sushi at $2 a plate (from 6:30 - 8:30 pm) didn't give me high expectations but we figured it would be easy, quick, AND cheap. We were pleasantly surprised... very fresh nigiri sushi, a wide range of maki rolls, and good seaweed salad were among our tries. Miso soup is complimentary as is green tea. $24 (plus tax and tip) later we were stuffed full of fresh fish and our wallets were none the lighter. This is definitely a place I'll return to when in the area and craving sushi!
(5)JD C.
A warm friendly atmosphere with really delicious food. I would give it 4.5 stars but that is not an available option. Everything was really good but not outstanding. The service was excellent yet not quite outstanding, the food was served quickly and there was a variety of food rotating around the counter for 1.99 a entree. The prices were reasonable, the courtesy was great and the overall experience was wonderful. I will definitely return here in the future.
(4)Dylan D.
Decent prices, friendly chef.
(4)Rachel M.
If you don't like Miyozen, you hate dating- or you hate neverending two dollar plates of pretty good sushi parading in front of your face. Its perfect for sharing. Although the atmosphere is generic the sushi isn't bad.. Sometimes the selection on the belt is a little bland but all in all cheap sushi All over your shit anything you want service 2.00 for two pieces roll or nigiri all night Open till 1030 Sweet. I have to give it three stars because I love my fish so fresh its alive. Still, when i'm in the hood and I want a little bite it does the trick.
(3)Ashley J.
I live super close by, so this place is a go-to for me. They have a happy hour special that is $2 for a plate and the variety is pretty impressive. I also am a fan of the $5 large saki special. Word of advice, go when it is busy, the food is the freshest then because it isn't sitting very long on the belt.
(3)Jason E.
If I could give it less than a star I would... that's how bad the food is. I lived in Japan for 3+ years and travel there often, so I know my way around sushi. This place uses poor ingredients all around. Miso soup like dishwater. Sushi/sashimi doesn't taste fresh. Conveyor belt plates can be stale from too many trips around the bar. Chicken teriyaki tastes microwaved with canned sauce. Imitation wasabi. I've gone here three times hoping for a better outcome, but no more. I work in the area so all have been lunchtime visits.
(1)C F.
Consistently good for lunch. Recommend the bento box for best value.
(4)Bianca R.
Sushi chef is very friendly and willing to make anything you order.
(5)Melissa P.
This place used to be a regular spot due to location and pricing - made it easy to come in when we didn't feel like cooking and needed something quick. Came here last night for the first time in 2 months or so and a lot has changed. The service was slow even though there were several servers and the restaurant wasn't packed. In addition, they no longer have the $1.99 conveyor belt deals. Instead, the pricing has doubled (it used to be $1.99 for nigiri items on the belt and now they're $4.99). How do you raise your prices that high within a 2 month time frame? Also, the selection was very poor and we were confused by the new ambiguous signs on the belt saying "Today's Special" or "Nigiri Sushi" but not saying or showing what types/ what it is. The only reason I still left 2 stars is because the main sushi chef's are really friendly - other than that, this place has lost its allure. We won't be going back anymore - now that the prices are higher and the full experience is lacking, there are far more japanese restaurants in the area that have more to offer.
(2)Tiffany F.
The staff is super friendly and they have $2.00 sushi belt! What's not to like. They give you miso soup with your meal and you can still order off the menu if you're not into the belt thing. Needed to edit this. I left Oakland for a year and came back. They improved all their rolls and the sushi train!! Toot toot! Everyone is so nice and polite. My partner and I have been going once a week :p
(5)Tatiana J.
So, I wouldn't exactly call myself a sushi connoisseur, but I do know that I really really loved Miyozen. Jane C. and I decided to go to IKEA first and eat dinner second. By the time we were in the warehouse searching through the monstrously tall aisles we were practically fatigued. We were planning on going to some other sushi restaurant whos name I cannot remember, but happened upon Miyozen on the way. We were both really happy we stopped here. The only strange thing about this place was that it was really empty. We were there on a Friday night at around 7pm. Where was everyone? Maybe Emeryville folks like to eat in on Friday nights? Who knows. Miyozen has a revolving sushi bar, but we didn't grab anything because nothing really appealed to us (until after we ordered from the menu, of course!). We split a tempura appetizer, the Dynamite Roll and the Crazy Monkey roll. It was exactly the perfect amount of food. The Dynamite roll was amazing, as was the Crazy Monkey roll. Emeryville is a bit of a trek for a gal who is car-less, but it is definitely worth the trip if you're so inclined, or if you're in the area.
(4)Brittany G.
I KNOW this place doesn't have the freshest sushi in the world, like obviously it's not made like 30 seconds before you eat it, cause there's a convey belt. So I know, it's not like fine dining shit but the food is still good. I mean it's not terrible. I've been here 4 times already as I live just down the street and the service is always very friendly and quick and the food makes my tummy happy. I don't even like sushi, my boyfriend does, but I always get the teriyaki chicken dinner and man-- I've never had coleslaw so good in my LIFE, haha. I like this place, and will continue to go here.
(4)Jocelyn J.
I hate to drive, but I will cross the bridge for this! I almost ate so much I felt like puking...but I still wanted more. That is good sushi! They have an extensive sake list and a long lovely list of sushi rolls. I would agree with others that this place is overpriced...hence the 4 stars. Its got a large comfortable space for a restaurant. What I thought was a great addition was the reading/play room for kids. A really good idea...obviously, a kid friendly spot. Place has it's own parking garage which is sweet. Really the only down side is the price. Apparently, they have a great deal for lunch, not dinner. The waiters were really sweet and attentive. I noticed the table behind us complained about one of their dishes...it happened to be the same order our table got (ours was great, I think it was the Dragon Roll). The waiter took that order off their bill and seemed very apologetic. My friend said she had eaten there many times and it was always good. I would definitely go back.
(4)Brandon M.
I have been here a few times as it is close to my work and the sushi is a step up from the stuff you get at Public Market in E-ville. Not great, but typically ok. Since they ended the all you can eat lunch special I haven't bothered going back until the 23Feb12. 5 of us went, all but one of us got the $1.99 per plate conveyor belt, so almost no service was needed, which was good because they never bothered asking if we wanted drink refills. Stopping at our table long enough only to gather plate covers and then running off. The sushi and rolls were boring and flat. tasting. No interesting plates came across the conveyor during our entire visit. We had to ask several times for things that should have been put out automatically (they had signs for them, but no plates) The one person in our group that ordered off the menu asked for udon. At about 20 minutes after we ordered he asked when his food would arrive, and was told "a few minutes". At the ~30 minute mark he asked again and was told "soon". At about 40 minutes he asked to have his order canceled, which they refused and said it was coming right out., so he asked for it to be put into a to-go container. 45 minutes for soup. We wont be back.
(2)Yvette C.
Great service.....................................Gross sushi. -They cut the fish very thin -Over use the fake crab -Mixed icky mayo with the over abundance of fake crab -Eel tasted old Restaurant was almost empty but they had plenty of staff to hover over you. The service was wonderful.........................they need to do better on their food. I will not be returning..........................
(2)No B.
Had the Crazy Monkey Roll and the Shrek Roll. The food was tasty but the rice was a little under cooked. Oh... And I wasn't offer any dessert. I just didn't feel the love everyone else talked about.
(2)Chris J.
I would not recommend eating here. My experience was not a pleasant one. Their food was not fresh and their fish had a strong odor. There is very little street parking as well. I would definitely not be back here. Poor food, poor service, and poor quality.
(2)Janet D.
Ratings are always affected by the situation...and this one was desperate, so we were pretty easy to please. We'd been on the road for 8+ hours - coming from San Diego with San Francisco as our final destination. We were still a bit grumpy from LA traffic...it's perpetual and seemingly unavoidable even to the most season travelers...and we were approaching starvation. When we hit the I-80 going into the city, it was a parking lot. At that moment, I totally bonded with my new Droid...and the Yelp app. Seconds before the last exit, my husband veered off the freeway into Emeryville to a 4+ star restaurant. Within minutes we arrived, drove twice around the block, and confirmed that Wally's was gone or we were clueless. Miyozen's was to be our substitute savior... We were forced to take up two compact spaces in the parking structure, but manners were on the back burner in our current survival mode. We were seated immediately and handed a huge menu...with the added bonus of a revolving track filled with all variety of savory and sweet treats. A ton of choices. I love family-style eating and that's what we did...miso soup, tuna sashimi with ponzu sauce, udon soup, salmon sushi, teriyaki tofu, sesame red bean balls. Service was great...so was our bill, but the sanity it bought us was priceless. We got to our hotel in 15 minutes, rather than the 1+ hour the computerized sign had earlier predicted.
(4)secretagent C.
I have been going here for a while, and I like the food. However, my last experience here has turned me off for good. We came in starving, and ordered immediately. My boyfriend watched the server cough into her hand, cough on the order pad at another table, and THEN, cough directly over our food. He is no germaphobe - he's a dude, I'm surprised he even noticed - but really? When he told her he'd just watched her cough all over our food, she looked at him like he was insane, and then grudgingly took it away. We watched her hand it back to the sushi chef, with a pained look on her face, as if we were being unreasonable. Then I remembered that when I went to wash my hands before sitting down, none of the 3 soap dispensers in the bathroom were working. I had given it the benefit of the doubt - maybe there was an employee bathroom? Maybe there was a sink in the kitchen they washed at? But given her attitude, and the fact that in the 15 minutes we were there she coughed like 6 times and didn't wash - maybe not. I don't begrudge a girl for going to work sick - we all need a paycheck - but when you're in food service - stay home. Or at least wash your 'effing hands and don't cough on my food. (!) Is this not basic sanitary procedure? Jeez. We got up and left. Thanks, 18 year old snot-dripping idiot, for ruining for me what was a great local joint. Ugh.
(1)Nae N.
Love the atmosphere!! Food is great & the staff is amazing. Fun & friendly experience all around!
(4)Nikki B.
This place is just OK for me... I've had better. With so many other amazing sushi spots in the Bay Area I don't think I would re-visit unless I just happened to be in the area. Sorry Miyozen.
(2)Sarah G.
went for lunch. the bento box combo was a STEAL. sashimi tasted great, tempura was pretty good, too. LOVED the gyoza.
(3)Rocco B.
UPDATE 4/22/07 I've been back about 4 or 5 times, and Miyozen is simply great every time! Bump up to 5 stars. I got a private message from someone who told me that the owners and staff are mostly Korean, so do a find and replace with the word Japanese below :-). ORIGINAL: I gotta hand it to the Japanese, they've mastered the fine art of the upsell. They have a conveyor belt with sushi plates circling the restaurant. I felt like Homer Simpson when I was here, grabbing plate after plate off the belt while waiting for my bento box. Yoink! The sushi was pretty good. I also got some type of Crazy Huge 12 Dollar roll with my bento box. You know how you're supposed to eat the sushi rolls in one bite? Not even possible with this bad boy. I wonder if it's just a joke that the Japanese are trying to play on us gluttonous Americans :-)! Good sushi; I'll go there again.
(5)James E.
This restaurant was good enough to bring me out of my yelp slumber. It's my first review in a long time. Great sushi and rolls -- now the leader in my informal East Bay Sushi War (see my other reviews). I loved the seaweed and spicy poki tuna salad, though it was a bit too hot for even my taste. The service is friendly, the space is perhaps too Emeryville for my taste, but I love the conveyer belt with clear dome-covered dishes. A nice, hygeinic take on the Isobune boats. We had to help ourselves when that delicious-looking chocolate cake went by. And it was superb. Hooray for better food on the San Pablo cooridor!!
(4)tear e.
My favorite place for sushi. Terrific service and excellent sushi. Get a spicey tuna roll and soak it in wasabi and chinese hot sauce.
(5)aya i.
Miyozen is an unlikely 4 star restaurant. It sits kitty corner to the 24-hour Oak's Card Club, across the street from the gritty but great Pak 'n Save and directly under some hip condos. Miyozen is shiny and new, like room full of recently assembled Ikea furniture or a handbag from Bay Street's coach store. All stereotypes aside, from someone who usually prefers a battle-scarred, time proven, hole-in-the-wall restaurant, I found Miyozen to be the perfect neighborhood grubbery. My hubby and I have gone back at least once a week since November. Miyozen has everything you need in a sushi restaurant: friendly staff (2-4 people will welcome you the second you get into the door), fresh oysters that pack a punch, a playroom for the kids if they start to get hyphy, easy off-street parking and yummy-yummy rolls. The Dynamite Roll is a California roll covered in salmon, drenched with a sweet sauce and then baked! The classic Rainbow Roll and Titanic Roll are huge, in a good way. Don't forget to try the Amigo Roll, spicy yum! Bring your friends, there's space. The choices are abundant. The fish is fresh. Help keep this restaurant going, because everyone needs a neighborhood sushi spot and I live a block away.
(4)Jessica H.
After eating at miyozen for a birthday celebration 2 weeks ago, i decided to come back for the all you can eat option. The experience was amazing, and the fish was so fresh. First, the server allowed us to split half of our table for the sashimi buffet and the other half for the float buffet. As a result we were able to share all of it!! I went with 6 other girls and we were able to finish 14 boats of sashimi. Each boat had a combination of tuna, white tuna, super white tuna and salmon. The super white tuna was AMAZINGGGG, the server allowed us to get a couple boats with only the super white tuna by request. DEFINITELY a smart choice :) The rolls on float buffet were decent, nothing spectacular, my experience with the menu rolls was way better. The server also brought us grilled salmon, dynamite rice, tempura and miso soup. For 30 dollars it was definitely a great deal for what we ate! the ONLY drawback was that some of my friends understood korean and overheard the sushi chefs and servers laughing at us, commenting on how much were were able to eat. I guess it was just unexpected when they saw 7 little asian girls walking in. At the end we convinced the server to give us mochi ice cream and desserts off the menu as part of the deal. However, this could have been because there wasn't the cake that normally comes on the conveyor belt. PROs: GREAT food.. AMAZING super white tuna, dynamite rice was good, mochi ice cream was a great end to the meal. Bring a friend and split the 2 buffets and get the best of both worlds! CONs: servers and chefs made fun of us.. almost in a stingy manner.
(4)Lise L.
I was very impressed! The Pink Lady roll was delicious and the tuna poke was sooo spicy - it rocked! We ordered tons of food and I liked all of it, which is rarely the case with finicky me. We even finished with great chocolate cake. Whodathought that you can get cake, let alone good cake in a sushi place?! I do agree about the rolls being too big - the presentation was lovely but this is supposed to be finger food - shoved all in on one go. That just aint happening here. Service was friendly and attentive - we didnt have to wait between rounds of saki at all. When we were leaving, a busser ran after us to make sure we knew where the free parking was for next time. The atmosphere was clean and well decorated, but it felt really cavernous. I think I might get overwhelmed if it was full. However, the sushi conveyer was very cool.
(4).elin f.
After what seems like a year of prepping, Miyozen is finally open. I checked out the other reviews on Yelp and despite the rocky ratings it's received thus far, we stopped by last night for dinner. As I wanted to order real food, we opted for a table. They sat us at a table right next to the sushi which was cool to check out. Unlike Isobune, there were no floating boats and each plate had a sanitary cover protecting it from coughers or heavy breathers. We ordered 3 rolls and a tempura udon --- my standard fare. I have to say the spicy unagi roll was super delicious. The pricing was pretty reasonable as well. Rolls ranged from $6 to $10. The two of us left with a $40 bill. Most of the other reviewers noted shoddy service as the pitfall of this restaurant. I'd have to somewhat agree with them as I had to remind them about our drinks. But to their credit, they also comped the drinks due to the oversight. The staff was extremely friendly and I'll definitely be back to check out the other rolls as well as the sushi bar. P.S. For parking, go around the block to the back of the of the building. There are reserved spaces for customers in the garage and a path that leads directly to the restaurant.
(4)L Z.
I went here for the all you can eat sushi. We got 3 of the sashimi all you can eat (30 per person) and 2 of the revolving sushi bar all you can eat(20 per person). The fish quality was pretty good. However, it wasn't worth the price at all! We could only have a few types of fish for sashimi, and most of them were tuna. The super white tuna was good, as well as the salmon. However, the regular albacore wasn't as delicious as the other fish, neither was the regular tuna. The items on the revolving sushi bar were mostly kind of gross. Most of them were covered in these unnatural pastel sweet sauces, and the rolls had way too much rice on them. They only had a couple things (as in only a couple of the good things came around and mostly it was colorful sauce covered things) come around on it that were good..They also allowed the dished that were to be eaten hot, like chicken teriyaki to become stone cold.. We received a seared tuna dish that others at my table really liked with the all you can eat sashimi, but they wouldn't give us any more! I think if you order 3 all you can eat sashimi you should be able to get at least that many of the dishes they won't refill. Also the tempura was strange..as someone else described it here on yelp, cakey and not light and crispy..it also had no dipping sauce! As far as the decor goes, it wasn't bad looking, but it is an extremely commercial looking place with fluorescent lighting. Basically, decent quality fish, but not worth the money. I would have much rather gone to Uzen and chosen what I wanted to eat while still paying less per person, I could have had more variety and way better quality fish at Uzen.for less money.
(3)Scott A.
Just like it says, I have had better and for less money. Weak miso soup. Just about as average as you get. Service was decent but otherwise the only positive thing about my meal here was that I got a package of chopsticks with only one stick in it. That's got to be some kind of good luck doesn't it?
(2)Aaron B.
The sushi there is ok, average at best. The restaurant is clean, and service is ok, it was better in the past. They changed chefs, and also some of the waitstaff. What I noticed, is that if you inquire with the owner about anything regarding the food, he gives the cold shoulder, but at least its with a smile. Also, the first few times you go, everything looks ok, but the more times you go, the same old rolls, and items are on the conveyor belt. Change it up a little, could ya? Never had a problem with getting seated, so that is a plus. If I was to compare, I would say this is a sushi house knock-off, with better interior design, although in the spring / summer time sushi house in alameda would definitely win with the patio seating.
(3)Tony S.
I have been to Miyozen a few times since its close to where I live. I enjoy the variety of sushi rolls and other suhi items on their menu. However, my last visit the sushi didn't seem as fresh as it usually is when I crave sushi. Hopefully the restaurant will do their best to maintain the quality and always serve the freshest sushi possible. Overall, I enjoy the atmosphere and the service is decent. I would also recommend that the restaurant have more happy hour promotions and dinner specials to increase their business.
(4)Ella B.
Miyozen is pretty good. They are not going for authentic Japanese deco but more of the upscale, modern feel. There is a large sushi boat in the middle of the restaurant. Service is quick and courteous. The restaurant is large and good for groups. Haven't been there in a while so i can't remember which rolls we ordered but i remember thinking it was good and fresh. Definitely a good sushi spot in Emeryville.
(4)Peggy W.
Miyozen is a decent Japanese restaurant in Emeryville. When you are stuck with nothing to eat at home and need somewhere close to grab a bite, you could come here. It's good for rolls and has decent fish. Very clean, very nice presentation. But it's by no means "authentic" so come here for what it's good for: big specialty rolls. It'll satisfy almost everyone in your party. For fresh fish and omakase choices, head for other better-quality Japanese owned restaurants like sushi sam's or sakae's in san mateo. ~$20/person
(3)Becky S.
Without repeating (too much) what others have already said, here's my take on Miyozen after having been once: --best white tuna nigiri EVERRRRR!!! It literally melted on my tongue and down my throat after giving it an obligatory, albeit unecessary nosh --I concur that the rolls are just too damn big. --DO NOT get the Shrek roll (ick). The sickly sweet avo/fake apple-smelling sauce smothering the roll was a HUGE turn-off, but I guess that's what I get for ordering a roll with that name. --Spicy tuna roll was pretty spicy. A little hotter and it would have been too hot. --Thumbs up on the nigori sake. I will definitely go again and give more items a try. UPDATE 7/21/07 After finding Ta-ke Sushi, I can't see making the trip to Miyozen. Ta-ke is closer to me, better, and my new fav sushi place. Miyozen is decorated nicer...more hip...so I'm sure I'll go back at some point, but I reduced my original rating after finding Ta-ke Sushi.
(3)Damian S.
Good is pretty good, the service is friendly though sometimes flighty, but for me the real selling point is that I can eat decent sushi at a place that has convenient, free parking and is EXTREMELY Kid Friendly. If the food wasn't decent, none of the other things would matter, but the sushi, the udon, the other stuff is solid. If I were on a date or wanted top end sushi, I'd probably skip this place, but for a weekday dinner with the family or an all-you-can-eat bonanza with the guys, it's great. Also, they have some TV's to either watch sports or kids movies, depending on who you're with. Been here about 10 times and the fish seems reliably fresh and the rolls well prepared. Nothing's been amazing, but everything's been better than okay. Prices are reasonable also. At the end of the day, I'm giving Miyozen 4 Stars because it's a great place to go with kids or for a casual Japanese meal. The food alone, I'd probably give 3 Stars.
(4)Dan E.
Good sushi. Always nice and fresh.
(4)Jen G.
Definitely just average.
(2)Nick K.
Good fresh fish, very nice presentation, a well-stocked sushi belt, a clean upscale facility, and friendly team wait service make this an excellent choice for a good sushi lunch. Some of my favorites are the salmon skins, saba sashimi (generous portion, well cut and presented nicely), excellent beef udon, and solid quality on all the regular stuff (like edamame, various standard rolls, miso soup, etc.) The quality is high and, though Miyozen has stiff competition from some of the better places in Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, etc., if you're a worker bee in Emeryville, it's probably your best nearby option. One nice thing is that if you become a regular there, they will recognize you and take extra-good care of you. So I got that goin' for me ... which is nice.
(4)Sherrie D.
It's been hit or miss of late, I've been worried about quality falling off with the economy going down the tubes and all. I'm glad to say that my last visit has restored my hope in miyozen. Had dinner here recently with friends and really enjoyed the rolls that came out.
(4)Darrel D.
Yes, Im a fan. Why? Well...the "Volcano roll" is awesome, so is the "Lion King roll". To date, everything tasted fresh to me, and I have yet to have any issues with their menu. They have good sake (keep an eye out for the moonlight sake), their bento boxes will fill you up quick, and their chocolate cake is excellent (quite moist and satisfying).
(4)YaYa K.
Did someone say, all you can eat sushi! Cuz I'm there! Don't stop me. $20 for all you can eat sushi on their conveyor belt, is a hell yeah, but that's the price at lunch time. The best part is, its a variety when you go during prime time. They basically take rolls ordered at tables and make extra, so you get to sample some of them and not have to pay the full price. Its so fun and always great. Then you get dessert samples, appetizers and salads to sample too off the belt. I mean, that's luxury to me with how much you pay. Definitely check it out and make sure to skip breakfast.
(4)Serena B.
I love that there is such a great restaurant only a few steps away from home.I live in the same complex as Miyozen and always convince my friends to meet there when we go out for dinner. No one has ever been disappointed. The food is great. The dining rooms is clean. The wait staff was much better when they first opened. They are fine now, but they were exceptional before. There is no reason to search for parking and wait in line for over an hour (like other unnamed sushi restaurants) when you have Miyozen downstairs. :)
(4)Joyce B.
came here for lunch and it wasn't very crowded. the food her was definitely very good! i got the chirashi bowl and i think you definitely get what you pay for. i recently went to kirala japanese restaurant, which is a bit overrated and pricy. i definitely think this place is comparable to Kirala, if not better.
(4)Nori S.
This is my first time here but it's safe to say I probably will not be back unless someone really really reallllllllly wants to go here. The Pros: The decor is really nice. Very modern design with Black Granite floors and counters. Bar is in the front blocked off from the restaurants. They also have a kid's play/rest area so it's definitly family friendy. Overall looks clean inside and out. ( but with everything black inside I can't really say for certain) The wait staff was great and attentative but it may be because I was the only one there. The Cons: Fish is not fresh it's mostly frozen. Ordered the "Special" Nigiri Sushi. Cost is $29.95. Got about 8 pcs. Included Uni (Sea Urchin, Chu Toro (or semi fatty tuna), Albacore, Smoked Salmon, Ama Ebi, Ankimo (Monk Fish Liver), Mirugai (Geoduck Clam), Halibut and Engawa (Halibut fin muscle). Must admit that the portions were huge. May be too huge in some cases. Most of my nigiri didn't have enough Sushi rice so I couldn't enjoy the combined harmony of Sushi Rice with the Fish. Most of the fish had either a grated ginger or garlic garnish on top which took away from the flavor of the fish. Which was probably a good thing because as soon as I popped it in my mouth I just wanted to spit most of it out. The Ama Ebi had a garnish of Kaiware Sprouts which took away the sweetness of the shrimp. The Monkfish liver was still frozen when served to me because as I bit in to it still had bits of unfrozen parts in it. Uni was bitter as hell so didn't enjoy at all. Some of the rolls were not wrapped properly because as they circled the conveyer belt the Nori started to seperate and the inside spilled out. Other facts to consider: Lunch Buffet available for 19.99 It also said on the board for dinner at $29.99. Rolls available are pretty standard but you really can't go wrong there. Parking is limited but free in the back. Of course it could have been an off night because I did come in on Wednesday around 5 PM. But again it's safe to say I probably won't go here again especially since I can tell my breath smells very fishy 2 hours after my meal.
(2)Matt M.
Im not a big sushi fan so it's hard for me to give an educated review on the consistency of the fish; but I can tell you that it's hard to impress your customer when the restaurant forgets to bring you your lunch! Few of my co-workers and I met for lunch earlier today and they all went for the sushi that floated on the little river. I ordered a 3 item bento box combo before my co-workers started on their floating lunch and waited for nearly 25 minutes before I asked our waiter for an update and instantly got the "ohh crap" face. They brought out my food in a about 5 minutes; but it still doesn't excuse what happened. For the bento box, the other reviewers were right; the portions are a little big here to make up for the fact the food wasn't that good. Everything I had, the teryaki stake, tempura and california rolls were just ok; and I've had much better other places. The food quality was probably the result of the fact they had to cook my food in world record time
(2)Fabio R.
Tasty rolls for price, prompt service, nice atmosphere. Simple 4 stars.
(4)Mahadevi S.
This used to be my favorite place. I love the food. the service used to be outstanding. Now its pretty impersonal. Do they have a high turnover rate or what?? I never see the same people twice. I used to go weekly (I live a couple blocks away) and knew the staff and they knew me on a first name basis. I don't know anyone in there anymore and always new faces, so I just drop in every month or two. The food is still excellent, just don't expect too much out of the service. A pet peeve: my boyfriend tipped the bottle of sake over while fetching a boat off the go-round - no problem, no asking, they bring us a new one, without asking. how friendly! til we get our bill and find they charged us for it! The place has come a long way from where it started a couple years ago - used to have amazing super friendly service and that's why I went there so much.
(3)Dan P.
I've been to this place many times, mostly dinners during the week, and I love this place! It's the best local sushi I've found in the Emeryville area. The sushi is great, the prices are decent, and the service is excellent (much better than Sushi House)! We are always seated right away with a choice of the bar or a table. The sushi comes out quickly and has always been very fresh. It is definitely the first place that comes to mind when we are craving sushi.
(5)Albertino M.
Wow my fellow yelpers this place is a rip-off. Ok its like this $19.95 for all you can eat right. Think again people the plan is for them to sit you down in front of the chefs. So your comfy by now thinking that your about to have the best experience. Hah I discovered the trick make you sit there waiting for new items to roll out. They know your press for time that you gota head back to work. After your second roll or so they simply stop producing items and the same stuff is going clockwise with same item on it. Im gona forget about this place and head back to Anasaka in berkeley there at least they tends your table and lets you ask for what ever you want. Thanks but, never again.
(2)Hiep C.
The conveyor belt was fun, and the sushi is good for the price when you come during happy hour.
(3)Adam M.
This place has improved a lot recently. Definitely not a great ambiance (place is huge and feels like a cafeteria to some degree), but VERY good sushi for a VERY good price. The happy hour is an awesome deal and lasts for pretty much all normal hours; $2 for anything off the belt. The cuts of fish are actually very good, as much as I want to be suspicious because of the great price. Service is good but not amazing. I come here often and always leave satisfied.
(4)Tim H.
Not bad...it does the trick...although i like Kirala a lot more, but there is no wait here
(3)Marck N.
I was impressed with this place, as I didn't expect the sushi to be good. What really impressed me was how large the cut of the fish was. It was hanging over the sushi rice, as sushi should be. It must have been at least 2 1/2 inches or so. The food here is so much better than Kirala. Yup, you heard it from me. And I will be coming back here again.
(4)D W.
I like Miozen and have been going there pretty much since they opened. I understand that they are owned by the same people who own Drunken Fish. Rolls are always fresh and nice. The rolls on the conveyor belt are fun to watch go around, but honestly, sometimes I wonder if they are remaining at a safe temperature or if kids have been grabbing them. Food should never be sent around the conveyor belt uncovered. We always order the sesame balls and are normally really impressed with them, however, last time it seemed as though they were re-heated in a microwave (Rather than fresh fried), and one of the balls was even cold. That was not very cool. We did tell the waiter, and he did, however, bring us a new, fresh dish. My abosolute favorite roll here (And the same with Drunken Fish) is the AMIGO roll. Sit down awesome. Love the Pink Lady, and of course there are many other fun/interesting rolls to choose from. I also have to say, that the service here is always with a smile. Nice folks. If you are looking for a pretty reasonable place for nice quality/fresh sushi, this is a good bet. Check em out!
(4)Irene W.
Meh, it's ok. Great spot for a bento box lunch, but go elsewhere for sushi. Miyozen's got a great lunch deal for 2 or 3 item bentos, and the food is pretty tasty. I did try the sushi one time and was less than impressed. For a sushi joint in the bay area, the fish was surprisingly NOT fresh. Although that shouldn't have been a shock considering sometimes you walk in and there's this funky smell in the dining room. Also, the huge conveyor belt of revolving sushi is a little sketch seeing as the place is never busy enough to actually make good use of it.
(3)d n.
Use to eat sushi here all the time.. Its a bit pricey but it was worth it. until they didnt pay any attention to what they were doing. service was really horrible. Our food was ready and they let it sit there for 10 minutes until we told them to serve us our food. Another time was when our sushi tasted like gas because it was a baked roll.. they gave us attitude and we just stopped dining in. we're paying alot of money to get attitude which was not worth it.
(2)Thien C.
I love coming here. It's close by work, the food is pretty good, nice environment, decent prices. they actually have an all you can eat for lunch (any day of the week, you just have to ask them) for $20. Not a bad deal. The salmon sashimi is GREAT. However the Tuna sashami is pretty bad, I don't recommend anyone to eat it. 49er roll here is really good too. Service is usually great, you rarely run out of tea, they ask if you need anything, when you ask for the check, you get it and you're out pretty quickly.
(4)Stel D.
Was informed by my sister-in-law that this is the sister restaurant to Drunken Fish (near Pill Hill off Piedmont). ** Prices are okay ** Great service and friendly staff ** Large sushi and sashimi sizes ** Clean and pretty large establishment (they also have a kiddy playing area) ** Big sushi bar boat area w/ glass covered plates along the conveyor belt ** ample garage parking ** Somewhat fast service (after we paid the bill, a forgotten last dish came out, minus one star for that) Overall: I overate that night, had a really really strange dream, meaning I would return to chow down when I'm in these neck of the woods.
(4)Laurie K.
Wish I could give 2.5 stars, because this place seriously defines middle of the road. I would go here if in the area, but the service can be spotty and there's nothing more depressing than watching the little dishes go round and round while no one picks them up. I always order off of the regular menu anyway, can't say the sashimi is super ultra mega fresh, but it's certainly serviceable. I think the Drunken Fish is better, same owners I believe but probably different management?
(3)jessica t.
We just went today. It was good. Very nice place, they have parking around the back in the garage. Had a full menu and then had the little trays that drove by you for the upsell Plates of edamame and salads and 4 piece platters starting at 2.95 going up to 6.95 Rolls start at the 4.50 for the basic tuna roll and californa rolls. And then climb up to 13.95 at the top end. As per usual these days the fancy rolls are all way to big to be able to eat. But that just seems to be the way its done these days. They have bento boxes for lunch as well. And there is a kids play corner at the front for any of those with the little ones. So I thought that was nice. The place definately goes for the upscale look. My only complaint was I got Edamame from the conveyor belt and it was cold. And I like mine hot. Oh and the place smelled a little fishy, which you kinda expect, but I dont usualy notice it. All and all it was a good experience. Not a lot of places around here in emeryville to get quality fish.
(4)Riza A.
I'm pretty picky about my sushi. The rolls have to taste good, be fresh, and not taste like a california roll if it's meant to be something else. Also, the wasabi better be sinus clearing. Miyozen fits the bill on all kinds of levels. Service is great, atmosphere is clean and zen-like, and the food is on hit! Some of their rolls are humongoid too, so that's just a better bang for your buck.
(4)Erich B.
I live just a few blocks away from here and have eaten here since the place was just opened. My rating is a reflection of the good, high quality food, pleasant environment and friendly service. For some time I and a few friends would come in every Friday night. Those that become regulars will get their own chopsticks stored onsite. What a great place and great staff. Highly recommend.
(5)bruk d.
I don't know where all these haters are coming from but Miyozen has been my favorite sushi spot for some time. I order the 49ers roll and am in immediate heaven. They have been great and accommodating when I've been with large groups of people and equally attentive when I am only there for the happy hour. Also, it's easy to park and there is never a wait for a table even when it is super packed which sounds counter intuitive but the place is huge!
(5)Kat S.
It's all right. Based on my first visit there was nothing special. Food selection is quite plenty, but unfortunately, nothing that is really wow-ing or stand out. Oh, the Miso soup was a bit too salty. The place is nice, modern decor & clean, but lack of the ambient that makes you want to hang out and relax. I read the review about this place having good sake selection and shoju, but, to enjoy those, I want to feel comfortable as well. This place is just ... hm... too bland. Although if you are in the area, it is a perfect place to grab a work-lunch. You won't spend more than 1 hour in there. I may give this place another go. And see if my impression change. :)
(3)Sharon M.
Aw, man... only four reviews so far and pretty much everything I have to say about Miyozen has been said. I'll summarize anyway, if only for the purpose of my own little restaurant memory-bank on yelp. Service: a bit shoddy. I think our waiter must have been somebody's nephew or something; he couldn't answer our questions about the food on the track, came by too soon for our food order, then too late after we asked for more time, and generally seemed waaaay nervous for such a non-rush-time crowd (it was like 5:30, and only 3 or 4 other tables were seated). Food: Lovely, all around. Beautifully presented rolls, big hunks of Nigiri, mouth-watering and colorful salads skidding down the track. Even the rice tasted different and better than usual. I've eaten at the sister restaurants of this place (if I am remembering correctly), and wasn't nearly so impressed with the presentation or the taste. Atmosphere: Bland. Overly-sterile tables and unmemorable architecture made me feel like I was in a chain restaurant (until I ate the un-chainlike food -- see above). The tables are nice and big, though. It'd be a great place to bring a big party and make them pay for your meal because you organized the whole thing, damnit :)
(4)Cary L.
the ambience is nice and parking easy. so that's an easy plus for starters. the food off the conveyor belt is...eh...ok. can be kinda old as it rolls around minute after minute with no one taking interest until you do. but if you order your own stuff then it's not bad. i've been for the all you can sashimi of mondays. it's basically a lot of smaller fill you up dishes 1st before you get to the sashimi. the precursor dishes are actually pretty tasty. but by the time you do get to the actual sashimi, you're pretty full. but i forced myself to eat more. never did get to order more sashimi though. i'd explode. so for the price it's not half bad if you're in the mood for some decent japanese food with beer.
(3)Nathan W.
We're fans. They treated my son wonderfully, and they also took the time to explain to my pregnant wife which rolls had cooked items, as opposed to raw ones. The look inside is sleek, and the service is good. What goes around on the belt actually looks appealing, as opposed to some other sushi boats I've been to. Oh yeah, the food is good, too.
(4)Paul P.
Their tempura is the best in the East Bay for me so far, and the advance sushi has some unusual bits like monkfish liver that you wont get at your more pedestrian spots.
(4)Y K.
hard to find a good place in this area so i was impressed with this restaurant. the fish is fresh and good roll selection. my coworkers and i come here all the time.
(4)masa s.
I think I'm only slightly pickier than most when it comes to Japanese food. But, the stuff I got was bland, and what wasn't bland was just average. The staff was nice, which was an attempt to make up for them bringing one person's food out about 20 minutes after everyone else's. I may go here again if I am dragged by my coworkers.
(2)Bella B.
Last week we went here for a work lunch -- party of 10. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly. I'll add my favorite rolls as soon as I can.
(3)Kym P.
Touch and go. It's never been bad and never been awesome. It's local and always got seats so I'll keep going here.
(3)Nick C.
We visited Miyozen one quite Sunday evening. The place is off the beaten path in Emeryville and has nice secured parking in the lot behind it. It's a sushi place and you can sit at the counter or get a table. Regardless, the plates of sushi come buy on a conveyor belt which is really cool if you get a table next to the belt. The sushi rolls and two piece plates are very reasonable from $1.99- $4.00 with most going for $3. We went before 5PM which was between lunch and dinner. I noted signs throughout the restaurant which proclaimed sushi happy hours and I think that we were in the midst of one. My friend and I also each ordered a Bento box. I had the chicken and she went with the salmon. Each were delicious and the tempura that accompanied it was sensational. The batter in particular was different than your usual panko flakes. The Bento boxes each came with a desert which on the night we were there was the ginger ice cream. Fenton's is wasn't, but it was still a remarkable deal as the check came in at $45.00 for two and we had 5 plates of sushi. I don't find myself in that neighborhood all that much but I do have to say that Miyozen is just the kind of place that will have me returning.
(4)john l.
Average sushi. With below average service. Illl never return
(1)C L.
This is the first sushi restaurant that i actually got full at. They roll some mammoth sized sushi rolls, and i'm pretty fat so that's saying something!!!
(4)Mitsuko H.
I love the service and atmosphere here! The food's fine; the guy who hand-makes the rolls, etc. is nice beyond words. The price is also really commendable during the late evenings. It's a neat, classy place. Parking's nice too, with a convenient lot to the back of the restaurant.
(4)H C.
My wife and I were going to try the sushi buffet, but we were thrown a curve ball when we got there. We brought our 18 month old daughter and were told she was going to be charge 1/2 price if we did the buffet. I was like, are you kidding me? She barely eat and you're going to charge me $10 for her. Oh well, we changed our plans and ordered from the regular menu. I guess that's the store policy. This places has cheap bento boxes. 3 items for 9.95 or 2 items for 7.95. Very decent price, but not the biggest bento box as others have mentioned. We ordered a sashimi salad, rock n' roll, and 3 item bento box. The Sashimi salad was good. A bit too much of sesame oil for my taste. The rock n' roll was tiny. The bento box had beef short ribs, chicken teriyaki, and tempura. The short ribs and chicken teriyaki was both drenched with sauce . The best part of the bento box was the tempura, at least the veggie part of the tempura as the shrimp tempura was mostly batter. Overall i would give this place 3 stars. The servers were really nice. Maybe they were not that busy today, but they came around a lot to refill the tea and kept asking if the food was good. The food itself was good, not great.
(3)cary s.
I ate here for the first time with some buddies for lunch. I get my usual Chirashi (mixed sashimi over rice) just to get a feel for how fresh and good their sushi is. It was really good - the fish was really fresh and presentation was done well. I can't really write a thorough review yet since I haven't tried much else, but so far I like this place. The service, location, and ambiance was really nice. I can't wait to come back and give all their rolls and appetizers a shot
(4)Chia C.
Very yummy food, and I love the look of the place, but it's hard for them to actually beat their other establishment - Drunken Fish. This place is definetly geared towards the mall and PIxar crowd. Not that they won't be getting my business, but only if Drunken Fish has a longer wait for seating.
(3)chrissie s.
Hmm. I think miyozen is hit or miss these days. I've had both positive and negative experiences here, but I think the positive outweigh the negative. I think when I first went here 2 years ago, I loved it. It was not too crowded, the service was excellent and the sushi was fresh. I thought it was comparable if not better to sushi house in alameda. Now, I'm not too sure where it stands. It has gotten more crowded and the service has gone down. I think their sushi is still good, but somehow it seems less fresh than it used to be. All things considered, I think the place is still good and would not hesitate to go eat here hence the 4 stars. However, i would think twice about going during peak hours (like sat night)--- when it gets crowded, everything seems a little worse.
(4)Melissa M.
My coworkers and I go here for lunch when we feel like having fast Japanese food. I usually order the bento box with beef teriyaki, gyoza, and california rolls. I've also had some other rolls and those were really good.
(4)Kai T.
It's ok...not many good options in Emeryville for lunch so i will probably go back. Have yet to LOVE something.
(2)Elizabeth B.
Very spacious and nice decor! When I arrived there I was with my 3 year old niece and she loved the little kids play room in the restaurant. When we got there the food that was going to be put on the conveyor belt was just being made so it was literally put on the conveyor belt 5 minutes after we got there which means that it hasn't been rotating for hours. The sushi was a little big but it was pretty tasty. Chicken teryaki was good and so was the ginger ice cream which i have never encountered before! I am planning on returning...SOON!=)
(5)Irene S.
Update: After being here a few more times, I reduced my review to one star because of the inconsistency. I was not so impressed with the shrimp tempura on one return trip -- you can totally tell that the shrimp tempura was frozen and the batter was gross. My last visit was today (8/15/2007). I went there to eat lunch with my husband and we waited 40 mins for our order. The service is pretty sad because they are not even at capacity and still there are orders sitting out there and a group of waiters literally took 15 mins to figure out what to do with the 5-6 bento boxes near the sushi bar. We couldn't get their attention even though they were 3 feet away so we asked the hostess for our check and was then ignored for another 6 min before we left. I did not appreciate having my lunch hour wasted with their disregard and incompetence. We left $5 to cover the one thing we got from the sushi bar. If you still want to eat there, just know the staff can be hard to flag down after the first greeting. Definitely DO NOT sit at the sushi bar unless you are just taking things off the carousel. First visit (on 6/15/07) impressions: 1. The space is larger than expected, with plenty of tables, and a large area around the serving bar, which had an interesting conveyor belt with snack plates instead of the water-powered canal-styled sushi boat that you usually see. 2. Nicely decorated, and it even has a couple of tables for 4 people next to the bar... so you can eat at a table AND grab the snacks off the conveyor belt. 3. Service was quick and friendly. We had no trouble getting seated and hot tea and miso soup were served immediately. They also didn't take forever to take our order. 4. I ordered Chirashi Sushi -- which came with a good assortment of fish (white tuna, tuna, salmon, red snapper, halibut) for $10.95. I think it is a better value than their Sashimi lunch, which only gives you one kind of fish of your choice for $14.95. The Sashimi Combo (which comes with an assortment of fish is for $17.95, which is a bit expensive for lunch. 5. My husband ordered the bento combo lunch ($7.95) and the portions were pretty good. They also included plenty of edamame with that, which I took a few nibble of. The bento lunch seems like a good value.
(1)Alex R.
I was very excited for this to open next to my house- I have been a Drunken Fish addict for a long time! However, when they first opened, their fish was not good- not sure why. About 6 months after they opened, I went back- it was Drunken Fish quality! I love it- I go their at least once a week- the best roll is the Crazy Monkey roll- VERY GOOD!!!!
(5)Jorge H.
It's over priced, but the food is decent. My Sapporo was warm.
(3)Albion R.
this place is alright. I hear that it's related to Koryo Sushi, which I like a lot. this is the conveyor belt alternative to that. I love sushi and I know what I like but I'm not opposed to trying this method. there are a ton of sushi chefs on hand. the rolls they put out seem very fresh and the variety is encouraging. they even have odd things like slices of cake... weird. we've also tried their bento box. which was perfectly fine. the only thing that I can really take to task is their music. which, in my opinion, is HORRENDOUS. I don't usually care or mind. whatever. but, what the? christmas carols at volume 10 in october? celine dion belting out this blood churning drivel at glass breaking decibels? I've seriously almost left because of the god awful music. and did I say anything to the waitresses? no. because I didn't want to be rude. I'd rather not go back to a place than cause a scene and then be known (because I remember the one's who make themselves known by things like this) as being THAT one. phooey.
(3)Osiris M.
Went here on a saturday night, had to wait a few to sit so we sat at the bar where we would have been quite content to sit and have our meal. Nice moody lighting and a clean crisp look. We were ushered sooner than expected so we tumbled into the the main dining room which is quite large and angular. Nice colors on the walls, a good look. What really bothered both me and my companion was the lighting. It was far too bright with two tiny (but bright!) recessed lights in the ceiling beaming straight down at our table. It felt like high noon. The conveyor belt traveling round the sushi chef station was fun and some of their creations looked and tasted good. The two rolls we tried were okay, they were very large and a bit harried looking but satisfying in a juicy hamburger kind of way. The shrimp soba was good with a full bodied well balanced broth and healthy shrimp chunks. A tangle of fat, juicy, and luscious noodles drifted nicely next to triangles of onion and zucchini. A nice addition to the San P. 40th St. zone.
(3)A D.
Place is huge............also they have a kids room if you happen to have kids and have workers babysit for you.......Sushi Rolls are great, the sashimi is fresh, the beef in the bento box is excellent...They happen to use Steak, not the dinky slices like everywhere else, these are thick ass slices of beef and cooked just perfectly. Pricing is exceptional the only thing they could work on is cutting the fatty pieces off the steak....but other than that I recommend this place.
(4)Tony ..
I love sushi boats and found this circuit to be good although lacking wow. I wasn't too impressed with the assortment the first time I visited. The only think I remember was a pineapple that's cut up to look like a swan. But I appreciate that they have plastic covers on the plates. After seeing the same plates swim by, I got some sashimi which wasn't more special than other places. I've had their nigiri, fried oysters, etc which are actually pretty good. They slice the fish broad but thin for their nigiri. The last time we spent $145 stuffing ourselves with good eats like cherry blossom rolls, TNT, and pretty much every other nigiri that swam by. Inside looks kinda like Buddha Bar with its minimalistic black laquered look. Service was alright and overall not too expensive.
(3)Gerald C.
So I was cruising around on the free Emery-Go-Round shuttle bus because I'm a cheap bastard like that, trying to figure out what to eat for lunch. I had a yen for some sashimi, and we passed by Sushi Village, but I didn't feel like chancing it. Then I remembered Miyozen, which wasn't too far off the shuttle's route. So, I resolved to finally give it a shot. I got off by the Baskin Robbins on Emery and 40th and walked the block to restaurant. Such a change of scenery it is to go from the heart of gentrified Emeryville to essentially, the edge of Oakland. Which makes Miyozen seem like even more of an oasis. When you enter, you notice the place is really clean (granted, it is pretty new). The interior is fairly modern with sleek black lines. It's actually quite large; the front area has several long tables, one VIP area even has a projector (power luncheon meeting anyone?); there's also a little childcare room. The main dining area has a central sushi station for chefs to prepare the sushi. It's surrounded by a very cute conveyor belt system that circulates all the sushi plates around - much like the sushi boat system, without the water mess. I didn't bother with it though, because it probably wasn't as fresh - the customer base was scant at 2pm. If I bring a date next time, it could be a lot of fun. Prices are according to the color of the dish - yellow is $2.95 (usually 2 pieces of sushi, or a dessert, or some peas) up to gold dishes for $6.95. I thought it was cool (in a geeky way) that you could grab dishes of different colors together, such as say, red and blue dishes, to form special pricing combos (to get a $1 discount). Anyhow, at first, I was afraid this would be outside of my single-male-lunch budget, but it wasn't too bad. You can order from the dinner menu, but the bento box lunches are priced just right at $7.95 for 2 items, $9.95 for 3. You can pick amongst your standards like teriyaki chicken, marinated beef, short ribs, tempura, sashimi, california rolls, and they come with miso soup and rice. Myself, I had the akiniku (marinated beef), tempura (4 vegetable + 1 shrimp), and tuna sashimi (3 pieces). I have to say, I enjoyed them all. The sashimi was just chilled and smooth (didn't taste like it was frozen), served over a bed of fine strings of lettuce. The tempura was very light, and wasn't overly breaded or oily. The tempura sauce was also interesting, with a hint of ginger. The beef topped it for me, it was slightly sweet, tender and juicy, and a decent sized helping of it to boot. Even the rice had a sprinkle of seasoning and dried seaweed, a nice touch. I thought all this food might be in over my head, and but I was just barely able to stuff it all in mah belly. ah, food coma. I'll definitely come again.
(4)Diane M.
I've been here a couple of times and they have some interesting sushi choices. I think it's the dynamite roll that we really like and always order. The atmosphere is really nice. The place looks pretty new/clean. I like that you can get up from your table and pick other stuff from the conveyor belt. The prices are not too bad. Minus one star cause I've have better sushi.
(4)Paul G.
Wanted to try some Korean style sushi ( Korean sushi chefs ) and ran across Miyozen, My family and I eat sushi at least twice a month and this is one place we comeback to time and time again.
(4)Linus R.
We read all the reviews and felt like we knew what to expect....But I can honestly say it was bizarre experience. We decided to avoid the sushi all together... We wanted something yummy and freshly made. We ordered the chicken teriyaki dinner and the soba noodle with tempura. The server promptly brought drinks, soup and some edamame for us...good start. My husbands chicken teriyaki was delivered and the server looked at me and said "sorry we are out of the soba noodles" and then she turned and walked away. I was stunned. I flagged someone down and asked if a manager was available and he said "no manager." I asked if the kitchen was closed as it was 9:30 but was told it was still open. I asked if I could at least order something else as I was hungry. The original server was sent back to my table and asked if I wanted something to eat. By this time my husband was almost finished with his meal....what a disaster. It was so bizarre I just had to write a review. I have waited tables for years and dined out for 20 or more years and this was a first. Just so you know....we were one of the two tables in the entire restaurant so I know they were not slammed.. I am 100% sure we will not be back...ever! Oh.....the chicken teriyaki was good.
(1)Jeremy S.
My friends begged me to come back to try the restaurant again, and I agreed. They wanted the $30 all you can eat dinner special. Each person pays $30, and the whole group eats as much sushi as possible. The only problem is that I wasn't in the mood to stuff my face, I just wanted a roll or two. When we told the waitress that everybody but me wanted to do the all you can eat special, she gave us two options. Either I could sit at another table and eat my sushi away from my friends, or I could sit with my friends and not eat anything, not even my own rolls on a separate check. If I sat with my friends and even ate one piece of sushi, they would charge me $30. The only reason they gave was "it's the policy." I decided to socialize and starve, and when I sat with my friends, the waitress pointed to a camera on the ceiling told me "the owners watch you on webcam and they will call us if you eat anything." Creepy! It seems like they hate their customers at Miyozen, and I will not be back.
(1)JF U.
Experienced Miyozen twice. One during the regular days when all we did was order from the menu. The other was during their weekend all you can eat lunch specials. First off, they have a good selection on their menu of various sushi - including the more elaborate rolls that have become the trend of late (rainbow, spider, etc.). I could definitely taste that the fish was fresh - more so that other sushi places that I've been to. I thought the quality would drop down a bit when I went in for their all you can eat lunches, but to my surprise, the quality was still up to par. I give them a rating of 3 stars (A-OK) because of two reasons - although they have a good selections of rolls, most of the rolls tasted the same, even though they had different kinds of fish. It tasted the same because they put a lot of the sauce that these rolls share, to the point that the taste of the fish gets drowned - thus making all the rolls taste the same.
(3)Karen P.
Miyozen is close to work and home, in fact it is right in between both. The midpoint, if you will. They have a good lunch deal, and I swear by the Amigo roll. It's not especially traditional, but it is delicious- shrimp tempura and spicy tuna wrapped with soybean paper and topped with an avocado sauce. My one grip is that sometimes it is too slow for lunch.
(3)Stephanie C.
I work nearby the Pixar area and make sure to eat at Miyozen about once week since they're closeby. I normally get the 2 item bento box with the salmon teriyaki and ca roll... the portions are really large so it's worth the $$ and the salmon is yummy. since i'm always there, i can walk in and they already know what i'm ordering - but prior to that, service can be quite slow, even when there's not a lot of people around... so make sure you have some time. the decor is nice, the place is always clean. can't complain about that...
(4)Bj S.
This place is deelish...We eat here once a week. The staff is very friendly and personable..My 3 year old is popular here..They know his order by heart....See my profile for my fave food...I order it everytime....YUM!
(5)craig m.
surprisingly good! don't expect much from a conveyor belt sushi joint but they surpassed my expectations. good quality nigiri sushi...the fish is GInormous and fresh. the rolls are so so....i'd stay with just the nigiri next time.
(4)Sandi Q.
I just went here for lunch today. They should update their website. It doesn't say they are open for lunch on Sundays, when in fact, they are. I had a 3-pick bento box - teriyaki beef, potato croquette and gyoza. When I come back, I will ask for no spicy sauce on the gyoza. The spicy sauce is my only complaint. I like the details - wooden miso soup bowls and the little sesame seed/ground seaweed/salt garnish on the top of the rice. They were friendly, accomodating, not that busy, and the restaurant was clean and the music playing wasn't obnoxious.
(4)Logan P.
miyozen has great customer service and all the waitresses are very nice. the food is great and the place is easy to find. i've been there for 2 birthdays and they are always willing to accommodate to your needs.
(5)B.J. K.
Pretty good sushi, but nothing really special. The sushi on the conveyor belt was unique. Large dining area is good for big parties. My friends and I went there and ordered a bunch of sake and food and they hooked us up with a couple of free bottles of warm sake. I think this place has the same owners as Angelfish in Oakland, but it seemed to me that Angelfish had better sushi.
(3)Sara H.
Worse service ever. We had a question, asked the waiter...she blew us off answering us with some half-assed answer. She told us she would be right back with the answer and didn't return to our table for a long time. We got up and left.
(1)Niko N.
This place had very fresh and great tasting sushi. However the service could be a little better. They sometimes forget to bring me the salad I asked for. Great place and well decorated.
(5)Mel H.
I have sushi fanatic friends that live in Emeryville and practically call Miyozen their kitchen. I've been a handful of times and have been happy with the food and the service each time. Sometimes the white tuna and some of the fancier rolls aren't as up to par as other days but overall a great experience. Go for the menu if you have to but the drive-by sushi is always very freshly made.
(4)Bill Z.
I'd give this place 3.5 stars if I could. 3 would be a bit harsh but they're not quite 4 yet. I've been to this place for lunch about a dozen times. They have a nice and clean atmosphere. Service is good, not great. The food is mostly pretty good. Good size rolls and sushi. Their lunch boxes are generally pretty good for the price. Lunch time can get pretty crowded quickly. Try to get seated in the main dining area instead of the overspill area. You tend to get less attention in the overspill , even though it's right next to the front door. They also have a nice little area for kids to play.
(3)Stephene F.
Update from 12/07: March 1, 2008 I'm not sure of why there are so many mixed reviews for this place, except that I have only gone with one other person - maybe they have a harder time with groups. Anyway, we went there again on 3/2/08 and I still really like Miyozen! We had the TNT Roll and the Crazy Monkey Roll. They are huge, spicy and tasty. The TNT Roll is served warmed in foil so it's still delicious when you take it home and want to eat it an hour later. But it's hot. The Crazy Monkey is a bunch of stuff in a roll, like an unagi and avocado roll topped with crab and tobiko. I like how the little bursts of salt from the tobiko flavor the bite. Oh, but it's difficult to fit the entire think in your mouth and I found I experience more joy when I ate it piece by piece. The people are nice there, they don't rush you and they follow up on what you order, unlike Drunken Fish (same owners - lame staff). Four huge rolls that filled both of us, a large seaweed salad and a large beer came to $40 with tip. It's a pretty good deal. ________________________________________________ From 12/07: I really liked this place. It's a little bright for me, but I guess all sushi places are...anyway, it's decorated very nicely and quite stylish for a cheap sushi place. I can't remember what I ordered now, but there was a lot of it and I was stuffed when we left. It's a little noisy, but it's also really large and spread out, so you don't feel like you're squashed together like a lot of sushi places. The service was good, ok - not great or terrible. I kinda thought it would be a cool place to have a party. ________________________________________
(4)Jenny H.
Somewhat odd location but there's parking and it's safe! Very contemporary and somewhat posh inside but surprisingly the prices on the menu are quite reasonable especially the bento box items. Had the salmon teriyaki/gyoza bento which came with edamame and miso soup--very good!
(4)Eric G.
i like the sushi here slightly better than their sister restaurant, kor-yo, but miyozen doesn't have the late night hours. miyozen DOES have boats, and frequently has good deals and cheap stuff. and the boats are pretty good... for boats.
(4)Leah L.
Bad service, expensive for very small portions and lousy service. The waiters were hanging out together, didn't even bother asking if we needed anything else. The sushi was like something out of a package from Safeway. I would ever return again. By the way, parking is ridiculous. Its way on the other side of the building. I didn't see an exact entrance from the restaurant to the parking lot, had to walk around the entire block.
(1)Pikachu P.
Nice place but the food was not good. The sushi rolls were too huge. Definitely will not come back.
(2)Eazflo Z.
I was so excited for this place but I found it a bit doubty. The whole "assembly line" thing was very costly compared to what you got. I can eat more and feel more full at other things. I also didn't feel that the sushi was all that good.
(3)Brian G.
Considering Miyozen is a sister of Koryo Sushi, I expected much better. However, the quality lacks in comparison and my two attempts at the "all you can eat" didn't work out the way I thought it would (I wound up getting charged per plate, which was fine because there wasn't much of an appetizing selection). Moreover, at one point while looking at the conveyor with a bored expression, one of the sushi chefs asked me if I wanted him to make something specific for me. I said that if he could drop some unagi roll on the conveyor that would be great (I like it as a closer). However, he made me a Rock n' Roll which was then added to my bill. Obviously there was a breakdown in communication, but still it was annoying. On two attempts it was underwhelming and though relatively cheap, I'd rather pay more and get better. I will say that the support service was good and the ambiance was nice. Conclusion: ask up front about pricing and "how it works" and unless you're looking for lunch, go to Koryo.
(2)Lindsey M.
This is a wonderful place for a dinner with a friend or any group. The interior is well appointed, but not too dimly lit. The colors and ambience are clean, but not stark. The wait staff are all attentive, efficient, and friendly- as well as the sushi chefs. There is a kid's play room, a bar area, banquet area, and main dining area of which the sushi bar is the focal point. The sushi conveyers contain enough variety to satisfy the novice to sushi fan, but if you want anything really fun you'll have to order. Luckily, the chefs are eager for this kind of assignment, and respond with speed and enthusiasm. The sake list is varied, and the food quality is good but not GREAT. It's a fun place for a dinner out with friends or family.
(4)Melanie C.
their sushi is delicious. it's so nice inside. service is fast. i love how they asked if we needed water all the time. good service! would love to go here again.
(4)Kione E.
Miyozen is the 3rd restaurant (as I'm aware of) that it owned by the people of Koryo (4390 Telegraph) and Drunken Fish (3314 Piedmont Ave). I've been watching the progress of construction of Miyozen for the last 3 months, and have been anticipating their opening. They opened up earlier this week, so I made plans with some friends to have dinner there over the weekend. It was cool that they had brought a few people over from Koryo Sushi to work there, because one of the servers recognized me right away. "You don't go to Koryo no more?" (I haven't been there for a couple months.) "Nah, I'll be coming here instead. " I replied. It was nice that she remembered me. I always used to bring friends to Koryo and a few time to Drunken Fish Sushi. Miyozen is a large compared to most sushi places that I've ever been, which is nice because sometimes I find myself in fairly large groups wanting to have dinner some where and no place to have it. Especially where sushi is involved. The sushi bar is very spacious as well. Last night they had 3 chefs working, but I can see them easily putting another 3 chefs and a few assistants. They even have tables right next to the sushi bar. It's that roomy there. The atmospere is very modern, black stone every where with warm dark tone of red and browns. Definitely much more sophisticated than the first 2 restaurants. I was surprised to see a sushi boat track (which made me a bit fearful, because of past experiences), but after some quiet observation I was comforted by the quality and control in which they kept the items fresh. When I finally opened the menu, what I did see to no surprise was a list of the items that I'm so fond of at Koryo. Cool, I thought. Though they also expanded on the menu as well. They added more grilled items, and appetizers from the kitchen, a lot more dinner items for those who want a full meal. They also have a pretty good size sake and soju menu with a few Japanese beers. The soju being served in various fruity flavors,mmm........ We were tempted to get a pitcher but opted for a large bottle of Asahi. Our order was taken in a timely manner and our drinks brought in good time, and as always the server was really nice. My friends and I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the sushi boats, it was mostly because of hunger. We finally figured out the whole pricing and color codes with the plates, which isn't to bad as price goes, but I had to remind my friends that we did just order about 6 rolls and a couple of grilled appetizers. It took a while before we got what we ordered, and when our food came, we were responded like a horde of locust. First came the Spicy Unagi Crunch, The T.N.T, and the Dynamite rolls along with out grilled appetizers. They were decimated all under 5 minutes. Then our Dragon, Spicy Poke, and the new B.B.Q roll. The BBQ roll is all Korean. Kalbi, wrapped in sesame leaf and lettuce and rice and nori. Pretty cool and tasty too. These items we took our time with savoring each bite. This is when I started to realize the difference in the flavors apart from Koryo and Drunken Fish. The TNT and the Dynamite wasn't as spicy as I was used to having, but the creamy sweetness was much nicer. Just as it was with the Spicy Unagi. Their Dragon roll was standard, it's items like these I get carried away with the wasabi. The Spicy Poke was very good, and my favorite being the BBQ roll. Chocolate cake anyone? Yes, they have this item. We didn't check to see if they had any other deserts being as stuffed as we were, I myself lost interest in food. Over all, Miyozen is very spacious, the servers are friendly, attentive and hardworking, the food is very good, the prices are decent for the area this is located in and the type of atmosphere that they are trying to capture.
(4)Jenny K.
Pretty good sushi but not spectacular. There is a conveyer belt carrying sushi, as well as a full menu of rolls, nigiri, etc. I split a deluxe sushi sampler and a few nigiri with my mom which were okay. New and clean decor. I think I need to try some rolls or the hwe dup bap (variety of sashimi and vegetables over rice with Korean red chili paste to season) to get a more complete picture of this restaurant.
(3)Sharif E.
I would give the sushi bar a 4, if there was more on the conveyor belt; one prawn going around... and around... and around... My sister ordered a glass of wine, which took literally 30 minutes to arrive. The girls got unhappy. Saki bombs ensued. So much of it was avoidable if only the waitress had written things down and then done them. But they did have a cool kids' room. Maybe it's easier to get drinks there. Food's all good. If you can get it.
(3)brainflower A.
the service was really bad here. We went on a Driday night around 8:00. Our veggie tempura didn't even come until 20 minutes after we finished our meals and it was ice cold (obviously had been sitting somewhere else the whole time). No one ever asked us if we wanted more drinks. We sat with our menus for a long long time before we were able to flag someone down to take our order. Our waiter was basicly nowhere in sight the whole time. Not good. The food was okay. Seaweed salad: good, standard. Sashimi: fresh but pricey. Sushi roll: way way too sweet, the rice was very sweet. Tempura: inedible because it was cold, but I did take a bite and the oil did not taste good, too much breading, a very small portion for $8. On a good note, the bus boy was very attentive and friendly, he brought us our beers right away..I think he needs a promotion.
(2)Amy M.
It's about time they opened up a decent sushi house walking distance from my work. YES!!! If you haven't been here and you work in Emeryville, I would seriously recommend it. The food was awesome, service, good! and the prices were very reasonable. Definitely the best I've had in the area. Plus, their lunchtime bento boxes are SUCH a good deal. Yummy. Give this place a whirl.
(4)Chloe K.
Decent sushi, yummy mexican roll, and overall good service.
(3)dana p.
the fact that this place is open on mondays and that it is right around the corner from my house has forced me to try miyozen on many occasions. usually i think the floating food thing is gross but this restaurant is so damn cold the floating food seems to stay fresh while at the same time you constantly see people taking things off and sushi chefs replacing them. the prices can be a bit exuberant yet the kids play room furnished with tv, books, and STUFF makes up for it; take the kids but enjoy your meal as they play, what more can you ask for? for this reason alone (okay and the service is so prompt almost to the point of annoyance) i give five stars.
(5)M S.
We ate lunch here today. It was Great! Service was excellent, food was fresh, prices reasonable. The room was spacious & hip. You can choose to sit at the sushi bar and get instant food delivered by conveyor belts . Free & convenient parking if you circle around the block. I will be a regular at this location instead of driving to Koryo!
(5)Jeanne F.
ah, im glad i finally discovered this place. ive read the yelp on this before and because it was 3 stars, i never bothered to venture there. but i came here the other day and it really wasnt that bad! the decor is pretty immaculate, granite everything & very hip. the fish was fresh, and i can usually tell by how well they make their sunomono salad. most importantly, the service was great! the only thing that was a little hard to swallow (literally) were the large sushi rolls. even though the rolls were delicious, they were so large that it was difficult to take in at once. other than that, yummy!
(4)s m.
I used to be in the Air Force and traveled the world, including Japan. The kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi bars were some of my favorite restaurants in that country. So, when a Japanese friend in Berkeley wanted to find a kaiten sushi bar, we checked the internet. Mixed reviews had us worried about the possible choices, but eventually we settled on Miyozen. We had dinner there this evening, and we really enjoyed it. I was immediately impressed upon seeing that all the plates were under plastic domes to ensure freshness. Traditional Japanese kaiten has nigiri sushi for the most part, around $1-2 per plate. Miyozen's selection was much more ecclectic, with multiple flavors of rolls of all types rolling by in addition to traditional nigiri. My personal favorite was the Fiona Roll, out of 6 different rolls that we sampled. The prices are of course higher (we are in the states, after all), but they had reasonable per plate prices of $2.95 to 3.95 for the regular dishes, and higher for the specialty stuff. The two of us ate $40 total of sushi and were quite content. We were tempted by the chocolate cake and tiramisu that rolled by as well, but we just couldn't fit it this time. Overall, the ambiance and atmosphere were excellent. The staff during our stay was also VERY attentive. I wonder if they knew I was planning on writing a review after our meal?? In any case, we enjoyed sampling the huge selection of rolls, sushi, and other delights and highly recommend this place to anyone looking for this type of restaurant. We plan on going back for the "all you can eat kaiten" during lunch on Sat, Sun, or Mon for $19.95. If you're not into the kaiten experience, their menu was HUGE and full of very creative sushi rolls, sushi and sashimi plates, and all kinds of combinations of things. It's not exactly Japan kaiten, but it is great food and a wonderful dining experience, and definitely sinks the boats at those other places. Enjoy!
(5)Adrian D.
This place just opened up and I just have to say its the bomb!!! Miyozen is owned by the same people that own Drunken Fish and Koryo Sushi. Miyozen is located on the corner of 40th St. and San Pablo. I liked it so much I came here 3 days in a row the first week they opened and took my girlfriend, friends and family there w/ in those three days! The fish here tastes really fresh and is very good. Upon coming into the restaurant everything is very new and contemporary. I recommend sitting near the sushi bar and getting whatever the sushi chef recommends. Man they are the best!!! The menu has a lot to choose from and there is also a a lot of specialty rolls to taste. If you don't see anything to your taste tell them what kind of fish you like and they can make a custom made maki just for you! Kai, Susan, and Mina and the rest of the staff are awesome and very helpful. Rolls i like...Crazy Monkey (Yellow tail and salmon roll w/ avocado, unagi, crab salad, and salmon roe on top), Pink Lady (Shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado roll top w/ spicy tuna, masago,, and green onion)and the Drunken Fish roll (Shrimp tempura, unagi, crab salad, avocado, w/ some masago and unagi sauce)...Damn this review is making me want more!!! The best thing about Miyozen...I live in the same building!!! So if the Sake gets the best of me I'm just a stones throw away from my place. Yow!!!
(5)A K.
update: update: I'd call it 3.5 stars. Over time I've learned to ask the sushi chefs which fish to order and I don't think I've been unhappy with the quality of fish since. I also only go/order from them later in the week. I think the don't order fish on monday adage holds true here, oddly. The service staff is usually nice, if a bit out of it and under-informed. It's inconsistent. I've had a couple of great servers, but also some indifferent ones as well as a couple of apathetic and inexperienced to go girls. nice atmosphere if a little too glossy, corporate for my taste. pleasant, generally attentive service. I like the tables surrounding the sushi chefs. they'll usually just hand your food over the conveyor belt to you. some good apps. miso and wakame salad are good. what they call poki roll is a decent spicy tuna roll, but it's a bit too spicy, but thankfully it's one of the few rolls they make without mayonnaise. which brings me to the california roll problem. 75% of their special rolls are some type of fish on top of a cali roll. I don't like california rolls because I prefer to avoid mayo in my sushi (not to mention imitation krab). their 49'er roll is half great - salmon with ultra thin slices of lemon - yum, but then it's plopped on top of a california roll - bummer. so I'd stick with ordering nigiri and sashimi instead, but the quality is inconsistent. sometimes great and sometimes chewy and unsatisfying. very close to my home, so I'll walk over occasionally, but only when I'm jonesing sushi and don't feel like venturing further afield or if it's late - maybe the best part about miyozen is that they're open until 10:30. since these people own 3 sushi restaurants in the area, I'd expect the fish to be stellar and it just isn't, at least not all the time. I recently ordered a TNT roll which the menu said was salmon over a spicy tuna roll. when i got home with it, i discovered grilled salmon on top of a roll of mayo with a little spice to it, but damned if I could tell whether there was any tuna in there and pardon the TMI, but I was burping that mayo salmon flavor for hours after. not to be completely negative - they do have a double tuna roll that I like a lot (but I have them leave the ?apple sauce?! off of the top).
(3)C C.
I actually would put 3 stars but I am taking into account the fact that: *I am wary of sushi boat places *I am a sushi snob *Most people aren't like me So, I put 4, but I'll put a lot of details into my review. You should know that we decided to go with the boats instead of ordering because we were starving and couldn't wait. + good, central location that is easy to find because it is on the corner of a big intersection + lots of AC Transit buses will get you there + BART to MacArthur and take free Emery-Go-Round + easy parking on San Pablo or in parking lot near the Pak N Save + open until 10:30 p.m. on all days except Sunday (10:00) + nice decor, open spaces, pretty colors + attentive staff + at least 3 bars with 3 chefs working at the same time, so it looks like you'd get your food quickly even if you weren't picking boats + free miso soup but I don't know if this was for the sailors or for the land lubbers (those picking boats or those ordering off the menu) + good presentation, the sushi boat plates were pretty + generous cuts on the nigiri + except for one roll, good proportion of rice-to-stuff + clear plastic covers on the boats so the sushi doesn't get dessicated + instant gratification with boats, lots of people love the novelty + each plate is the equivalent of 2 nigiri or 3-4 maki (rolls) pieces + the portions are such that you could get more variety by picking boats instead of ordering off the menu and committing to 6 pieces in a roll -/+ plates start at $2.95 and go up, though most are from $2.95 to $4.95 -/+ many non-traditional, inventive rolls -/+ a large number of these rolls had the California roll as the base, as is often the case with sushi restaurants around here -/+ huge menu (good for some, but not for indecisive people) -/+ ankimo was actually on the menu, which is rare in Japanese restaurants, but it is seasonal so I don't know if it will always be good/there (I didn't get it) - not many vegetarian options in boats but more in menu - sometimes you couldn't tell what was in the roll as it went by which is, again, not a problem for some - the raw fish itself was fine--good cuts with nothing stringy, but not very flavorful - miso was too salty, though some people like that - I would like to spend less (like a dollar to 50 cents less per plate) for this quality, but most people won't mind - $28 (before tip) for 2 hungry people Other observations: *I always price the chirashi as a gauge for the price. This place was $14.95 (most are $11 or $12 but I've seen them as low as $8) *they have a kids' play room... so they can play while you eat? *this is a chain based in Korea? *the subtitle "sushi and roll" may seem redundant to some, but I think Americans consider all sushi sushi, whereas they distinguish between nigiri (rice with fish on top) and maki (rolls) *they'll probably do well based on location alone because of high visibility and there aren't any other Japanese restaurants around (the next closest sushi restaurant is on Broadway and 40th) *they just opened 3 days ago so I don't know if they'll eventually start slacking off because they'll do well regardless or if they'll maintain the standards I described above because they're a chain *for people who are new to the concept of sushi boats, general advice (not specific to this restaurant) is that you pick from boats only when there are many other customers picking from boats so you know there will be a high turnover, instead of the same plates circling the bar, otherwise pick from the menu
(4)HyoungKyun K.
nice interior. service was ok. food... not so impressive... maguro looks like cheap frozen ones.. I want either excellent food with a little bit high price or lower price with affordable meal.. I guess they are lost in the middle.
(3)Erin D.
just spent 900+ dollars on a new flat screen tv at best buy down the road, so i was less than pleased when we saw the prices on the dishes at miyozen. however... we found the page with the bento box combos. $12.95 for two items, gyoza, rice, miso soup, and ice cream! good deal i think. especially since they throw in the ice cream. anyway, we sat down at the sushi bar/boats. we grabbed a bowl of edamame and started chowing down as we looked at the menu. that's great... being able to eat before you actually order. awesome! the food that was parading in front of us all night was gorgeous. the plating was pretty and the presentation of the sushi rolls were great. i admired a couple of plates, but since i hate sushi... i stayed admiring. anyway, the food we got was pretty tasty. chicken teriyaki had been seasoned with pepper, which was a little weird, but their beef was really good. there was a lot of food and was stuffed before i could finish. ooh another plus, we were accidentally given two bowls of miso. mm i love miso. the service was pretty good. there was always someone around to take an order, get some water, refill water/tea, etc. everyone was extremely friendly. the restaurant is huge, pretty and super clean. all in all this place is great. probably some of the better japanese food i've had. kinda pricey... can't rate the sushi (since i don't eat it) but it looked good and were in big pieces.
(4)HR L.
The decor is nice and the restaurant is spacious. However, the service is TERRIBLE. I had to chase someone down to get water and to get my bill. When I finally found someone, it took awhile for them to get back to me. I had to ask two different servers to have somone get me water and we waited forever for our check. The BOTH times I've been there. The food is ok but the service is horrible.
(1)Sarita C.
i have hit the sushi gold mine! i have visited this place twice and had a great experience both times. my first visit was on a date. we were seated in the bar area because the restaurant was packed! however, i didn't mind sitting in the bar area. it was nicely lit and romatically set up. we were given attention immediately. i ordered the bento box. my first visit here, i didn't want to try anything new just in case it didn't work out. with my bento box order, i asked for the escolar sashimi on the side. now, even though this request isn't a part of the box menu, i was given what i asked for and not charged for the extra attention. the box also comes with ice cream for dessert. you must try the green tea ice cream. mmmm yummy. the miso soup was fresh and flavourful with a decent amount of miso added. the bentos also come with gyoza which is an added plus from a sushi restaurant. the gyoza is filled with beef and veggie which was ideal considering i am not a pork eater. oh, and that escolar sashimi? it was to die for! it absolutely melted in my mouth with each and every bite. the fish was so white and fresh. it is what took me back a second time. my next visit, was a casual dine with friends from vallejo. again, we were seated in the bar area. service was slow, yet the staff was attentive and considerate. we ordered a variety of california rolls and sushi. this time i tried the unagi roll and the spicy volcano roll for the first time. i was not disappointed. now for personal reasons, i would not try the unagi roll again. my friends who are experts on unagi says it was delicious. i feel it is an acquired taste, and my palette isn't acquired to it. the spicy volcano roll was excellent. it wasn't too spicy or overwhelming...it was perfect. i only give miyozen four stars because of the service. it is not their fault they are so damn good. however, they need to beef up their staff! because business is booming! but i understand it must be a difficult task finding koreans who know how to do sushi so damn good! enjoy!
(4)harley g.
Fair sushi in a big place. The two level conveyor is kinda neat.
(3)t l a.
We somehow ended up with two little kids who love sushi. But we've always been skeptical of "all you can eat" sushi spots. You really don't want to eat something on it's fourth trip around the room, do you? BUT, we've had three excellent experiences at Miyozen--twice for dinner, once for Sunday brunch. The fish was so fresh, you couldn't smell it, only taste its yummy toothsome texture. There was a better assortment of items for dinner (not really a surprise), and since our family doesn't eat shellfish, our waitress (who remembered us after the first time--probably because of the sushi devouring children)--helped us find things we could eat, and made sure the sushi chef added extra items to the conveyor belt that we could enjoy. Some shellfish eating friends who came with us assure us that the other items are also delicious. Dinner comes with tea and tempurah. The conveyor belt had not only sushi and rolls (why do so many rolls have fake crab and mayo??), but also seawead salad and fresh pineapple. The waitstaff was quite attentive, though we've not been there when the place is crowded. There's a playspace for children so you can stay on and stuff your face while the kids are amused elsewhere, if you like. Oh, and the bean paste in sesame balls for desert are a truly tasty vice---but you really, really want to make sure those are fresh.
(4)Joyce H.
I've been passing this place forever whenever I go to my BF's work or going home from his work. I always wanted to try the place out and my BF had tried it and liked it but I've never gotten to go with him. I finally got my chance last Monday when I was off recuperating from the Nike Women's Marathon. We walk in and immediately I get excited because there is this conveyor belt in the bar area with yummy sushi goodies. We sit at the bar so I can watch the yummy sushi pass by and decide which I liked the best. We decide to order two rolls from the menu and get the rest from the conveyor belt. I wasn't sure what the rolls were called but the waiters/waitresses tried their best to explain what was in them. The spicy tuna with seaweed salad on top was to die for! I love spicy tuna and I love seaweed salad so the two combined are just delicious. There was also this unagi roll with crab salad and some kind of greens sticking out from the conveyor belt that was very good. My BF loved the baked dynamite roll. They put real unagi sauce on top before baking and it makes all the difference. We also noticed that on Saturday, Sunday and Mondays they have an all you can eat lunch. You can eat as much as you want from the conveyor belt but everyone in your party must do it for $19.99 per person. They also have a dinner for $29.99 but I'm not so sure I want to be on San Pablo Avenue in the evening...I strongly recommend this place and ever since I went on Monday, I've been contemplating going again to try more stuff. I'll have to save up my lunch money to go though since times are rough!
(4)Kitty L.
i USED TO love this place. i used to visit a few times a month. but the restaurant had a major PRICE HIKE in Jan 2008. now most of the dishes are $3.5 or $4 for only 2 pieces (used to have three pieces). I can't help but think---now I'm putting 2 dollar bills into my mouth. plus the selection on the sushi belt is rather limited (all expensive items). TOO pricey!!!! probably won't go again. not worth the money!!
(2)e g.
This place is great for kids!!! There's a clean, bright play room by the entrance all decked out with books, toys and a table in case you have to wait or there's a meltdown during dinner. Across from the play room, there's a dining room with a kids movie projected on the wall. The night we went, they were playing Monsters, Inc. (sound off, subtitles on). We sat in yet another dining room at one of the many tables next to the sushi conveyor belt so we were able to grab an edamame immediately and she could watch the plates go by (again great for distracting the wee one). The wait staff was super friendly to our 13 month old who insisted on waving EVERY time someone walked by and even put extra tofu in a soup for her to nibble on. Honestly, I don't really remember the sushi as being outstanding, but sitting across from a toddler- who really cares? It was yummy, we had tea and sake, there was no screaming, we left happy and filled. We usually go to the Drunken Fish (Miyozen's sister location on Broadway). It's cozy, warm and friendly, good for kids, too. But, this place just makes it really easy to enjoy our dinner. I'm sure it's even better for older kids. I gave it four stars because the food is good, but not super amazing, a 3.5. I'd give it 5 stars for kid-friendliness. So, make it a 4.
(4)