Tomo's Japanese in Berkeley

Tomo's Japanese Restaurant
2026 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
Phone: (510) 981-8225
Web: tomosjapanesecuisine.com
Status: Open

Tomo's Japanese Cuisine, a new Japanese spot owned by former Yoshi's and Takara chef Tomo Owada, is opening its doors today. Owada, who's worked as a sushi chef for more than two decades, has kept it simple with his debut project: lunch features a daily rotating bento box and an abbreviated menu of rice bowls (including beef, spicy tuna, and omelet don), while dinner features housemade tofu, soba or udon with dipping sauce, and the house specialty, ohitashi (cabbage rolls stuffed with spinach and soaked in stock, then topped with lemon zest). Sushi is mostly nigiri, with a fairly standard lineup of fish, and a handful of basic rolls. See the full menu here.

On the drinks side, a beer and wine license is forthcoming, and sake and Japanese brews will eventually be served; in the meantime, there's green, brown-rice, or cherry-blossom tea. Owada also plans to offer daily specials featuring "the highest quality ingredients that he can find from local farmers and markets...Because he may not be able to pass up something bright and fresh from the market but not necessarily traditional, Tomo will add a California twist to some of his items that will reflect local and sustainable produce. His menu will be ever-changing to reflect the season's best." The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 am-2:30 pm for lunch and 5-10 pm for dinner. Takeout's available, too.

· Shop Talk: Tomo's Japanese Opening [Berkeleyside Nosh]
· Tomo's Japanese Cuisine [Facebook]