Tancho Japanese Restaurant in Castro Valley

Extraordinary. Delicious. Melts in your mouth Perfect. First time going to this absolute hidden gem. Reservations are required. There is a set menu where we were served several courses specially designed for the best catches in season, flown in from across the globe. It’s a small intimate place where you are treated as good as the sushi is!! Definitely my new special place.

Tancho is a culinary gem tucked away in the East Bay, offering an exceptional omakase experience. Across multiple visits, I’ve consistently savored outstanding service, delectable food, and delightful drinks. Remarkably, the pricing remains extremely reasonable, providing a refreshing alternative to comparable options in San Francisco or the Peninsula.

The quality of the food at Tancho is exceptional, yet the price wont break the bank. The restaurant itself is elegant and intimate, with a traditional Japanese decor and a peaceful ambiance. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive, and they strive to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for their guests.Price $125 per person.Sake selection: Top notch.Location: so convenient, we take the Bart to Castro Valley Bart station and walked 7 mins only to get to the restaurant.Something you should know: it looks closed but its actually opened following business hour. Just push the door in and immerse yourself in another nation for 2 hours.Parking: Lots of Parking space.Reservation: better make sure reserve a seat, when we were there, its packed.Our friends brought us here to celebrate my husbands 50 years old birthday, and its the best birthday experience we ever had. We over heard a guest praise the chef raise the bar for bay area which is totally true, and we came all the way from San Francisco, and after 12 hours leaving the restaurant with a happy mood we already plan to go back.

Great service! I like everything we had here, but tbh most of the nigiris are just average among Bay Area.

What a wonderful experience it was to have dined here! Service was excellent, the food was delicious and fresh, and the atmosphere was great. One of my favorite omakase restaurants that Ive tried. And the price is reasonable compared to others in the Bay Area.

The FoodTancho is an omakase restaurant mentioned by my friends many times, and has been meaning to try for a while. I was fortunate enough to get invited for a visit for their holiday menu. It starts off with appetizers, followed by sashimi, main of edomae sushi, then owan, and dessert.+ Appetizer- Shirako Ponzu (Cod Milt): interesting texture, smooth but soft, like some internal organ- Steamed Awabi (Abalone): tender meat with very good flavor+ Sashimi- Kamasu (Barracuda): refreshing shiso went nice with the fish- Seiko Gani (Snow Crab): decorative topped with uni and truffle, many flavors- Madai Shabu Shabu (Red Sea Bream): tender with very good umami flavor+ Edomae Sushi- Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper): nice tender fish- Akami-zuke (Bluefin Tuna, Lean Flesh): even though its a lean cut, once of the nicest lean cut Ive tasted- Chu Toro (Bluefin Tuna, Medium Fat): I can quite taste the fattiness- Aji (Horse Mackerel): glisten fish with a bit of crunch topped with shiso chive- Shime Saba (Cured Mackerel): tender fish topped with thin seaweed and sweet sauce- Ikura (King Salmon Roe): good roe, not as salty as I thought- Uni (Superior Grade Hokkaido Uni): very fresh and uni- Anago (Salt-water Eel): moist with a very nice sauce- Kohada (Gizzard Shad): marinated and cured, have a bit of a chew to it+ Owan- Akadashi (Red miso soup): more stewy, with variety of ingredients like small shrimp, a bit salty- Castella Style Tamagoyaki (House Made Japanese Cake): good egg flavor, more of a castella+ Dessert- Hojicha Ice Cream and Macaron: ice cream was creamy, strong hojicha flavor, good macaronAll the courses were very good! But the one thing that stood out to me the most was the rice, I quite enjoyed the rice. Would definitely return to try their other selection and menu item.The MiscellaneousThe restaurant is within a decent sized plaza, there was ample parking. The interior is simple but clean, few tables, and a bar area that seats 7 people. The decor and ambiance is also very nice. The staff and service was excellent. We had good interaction with the chef, and the waiter cleared our plate very timely as we finished eating. They also wipe the sushi serving plate, providing nice photos :) I got a chance to try their holiday menu this time, but want to return sometime to try their normal menu.

A super traditional omakase experience. Only 3 tables and the bar. The only decisions you’ll make are what you drink. Exquisite execution. A special occasion place. Best sushi in the East Bay?

Tancho is a hidden gem that serves the best edomae style omakase in the East Bay. On multiple visits weve always enjoyed excellent service, food, and drinks. For the quality, pricing is reasonable relative to what youll find in SF or the Peninsula.

Great option for omakase. Everything was prepared with a high degree of care. Some aspect of this dining experience is in the presentation and viewing experience and their counter provides that well. The servers are really friendly and if you get a pairing, get a lot of background on the drinks accompanying your meal. I loved the dining experience and at a great price too.

I would say it the it worth the price. The quality of the food is good. Uni is sweet and creamy. Blue fin tuna is tender and fresh and it melts in the mouth. The fish is fresh. Considering the price and the quality, Tancho is the best. I would like to revisit the restaurant again.