Pleasantly surprised by this authentic Japanese izakaya! Intimate setting. Beers came with cold glasses! We ordered a lot of things: Ochazuke salmon Karaage Salmon poke Salmon carpaccio Fried oysters Tempura Agedashi tofu Pork belly, chicken thigh skewers Age roll Everything was delicious and homey, our standouts were the fried oysters and salmon poke! read more

4 stars for the food, a solid 1 on the wait time, but not reflecting that here. Small-ish spot with a bar seating area. We (4 of us) got seated right away for dinner at 6:35pm or so, but it took around 20 mins to be given water and to order our food. It seemed there were a lot of takeout orders and they were possibly short staffed since there was just one person packing the takeout orders and seating us / taking orders and bringing the food. After we ordered, we got our waters and it took another 30+ mins for the first couple dishes and even longer for the others. We were there for 2 hours! Ugh!!!! The food itself was good and portions were satisfactory as they were above average. A lot of izakaya a was above average, especially the wait time haha. We tried the following- Gobo chips- more of gobo tempura. It came with a mentaiko sauce which I really enjoyed. Pretty greasy and a lot more batter than I prefer with gobo chips. Gyoza- pretty standard, but good. A Special Roll- soft shell crab inside with avocado and salmon outside were the highlights. Few pieces, but decently sized. Pretty good roll overall. Ocha-zuke- Love these tea / dashi rice with pack of flavor and wasabi. Got both the salmon one and the spicy cod roe ones. Both were good. Love chazuke. Chicken karaage- says 5 pieces, and they were humongous! Tonkotsu ramen- didn't look so appealing, but was alright Bento box with chicken, mix tempura, California roll- he liked the box. I didn't try anything here. I'd come back if it was guaranteed that the food wouldn't take sooooo long. The person serving was nice and had great attitude. They def checked on regulars more often. read more

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One of my favorite places. The tamago dashi maki is 6 slices of warm egg omelette. I have perfected it by requesting a slice of cream cheese! Grilled miso cod is spectacular with a hot bowl of rice. Great service! Many repeat costumers! read more

I am new to the area and wanted to find some local gems. This place will be one of my go-to spots to eat! Staff is great and so kind. Food is flavorful and well-priced for how much you get! read more

We miss going to izakayas so much, so we were excited to stop by and get some skewers. It was honestly some of the worst food I've ever had. The skewers were so gross and the meats tasted off honestly, no seasonings at all and what they did give wasn't what you'd expect on "salt" flavored yakitori skewers. Sushi was the best thing on the table, but very poorly rolled so it was coming apart and you could tell not sliced cleanly. The cod was decent in our meal set, but all of the side dishes tasted like it came from a bag. Inside was clean, service was nice. We were the only table around 4pm on Valentine's day. If it wasn't for the nice service, I would give them 1-2 stars for food. I wouldn't return. read more

Sorry, it's in my neighborhood. We just went for off-peak quick sushi, close the house because we're starving, but it's never as good as people say. A quick bite cost $185 including tip for two people. These prices have to stop! We paid $10 for draft run of the mill Japanese beer that wasn't even a pint. You can't vote and not consider the real life everyday consequences. This is crazy..... read more

Staffs are supremely good and friendly food was bomb and we always had a great time like go have fun dindin at your family and friends! read more

Izakaya An - Salmon sashimi - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Concord, California

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idk who was working but they packed my doordash order so horribly i included the first time i doordashed a roll to the second time and it's SO TERRIBLE. idk who was working this day, but they did a poor job the sushi didn't even taste right, the ginger/wasabi was spilled all over and the lid was pressed down even tho there was food. although i really enjoyed my first time eating here, i can't eat at a place that handles food so carelessly. dasher said the bag was sealed shut and since the food was already closed on the lid, i suspect it's the restaurant! read more

Izakaya An - Lion King - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Concord, California

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Fresh food and delicious food. Good service and very nice presentation. Friendly staff, great service and beautiful plated sushi.

My favorite local and authentic Japanese go to spot. Food is always consistent, portions are generous and the ambiance is cozy. A must try spot that always has regulars eating everyone we go. read more

Very yummy and traditional, you can tell that they make everything fresh to order. We came on a Thursday so it did get a little busy during dinner time, there was only one server but she did a tremendous job! Lovely cute spot with amazing authentic Japanese tapas. read more

Amazing! Crazy good food and fresh fish. Do yourself a favor and eat here! The quality of food and service is amazing and a bit surprising for the location. read more

Comfortable small space. Very nice staff But just ok sushi by my standards. Way too much use of fake crab. Expensive drinks. I would not try again. read more

I love it here! The food is great and the service is genuine and caring ! I love the bento boxes and the udon. Although I'm a creature of habit, I don't mind trying different things here! read more

I came here on family's recommendation - it's their favorite spot for sushi. I wasn't as convinced but they like it for its authenticity (small business, and you can see who's making the food). The service is really friendly and polite, which I appreciated so much. We got a bunch of food. The natsu bate was basically like the dragon roll except eel inside instead of shrimp. I liked it a lot. I also got the lion king roll. It wasn't as good as Ozora's. The salmon on top was like mush, and not flakey. What's nice about this place is that they have a vegan box! The place itself is a little dated, but because of that, it feels homey. Not much seating, so might not be able to accommodate large groups. Bonus: their toilet seat is heated. read more

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Another Friday night and there was only one other table of 2 who already had their food. We went with grilled wings with house sauce and the Chirashi. It took quite a while for our food to arrive but all the food was great. The wings were juicy and tasty and the Chirashi had really fresh fish. The food here is amazing but be prepared for a wait. read more

Izakaya An - Chirashi - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Concord, California

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This place is so cute! Sushi was great. Everyone is very friendly also good selection of sake!

Excellent service great food super fresh lovely !! Will definitely be coming back! Bless this place !

This place is AWESOME. A hidden gem of the Bay Area with some of the best Japanese food we've had. We went on a double date with local friends and had the best time over sake and food and good conversation. We never felt rushed or overcrowded, they paced things really well. I loved the sake flight and the grilled squid was a standout dish (I don't even like squid usually but could've eaten the whole thing myself). We'll be back! read more

Ordered through uber eats! Had the lion king and gyoza. Both were yummy but it took over an hour to get delivered to Benicia.

I think they have a new ownership and different cook now. Tempura used to be cooked perfectly just like in Japan, but now it is just one of the mediocre Japanese restaurants in the states, heavy butter, and very greasy. Steamed clam is flavorless and just so watery ( I think they are cutting on sake to cook...) , soba noodle used to be surprising good and now is just like those soba you can buy from near by grocery store like safeway, not good at all but priced the same as before. They increased the menu, more sushi items, but nothing stands out. The service has been always very slow, but good food was the reason for us to go back there always in the past even though we do not live in the area. But with all these changes, we do not find any reason that we need to go there any longer. read more

Their little place is comfortable and tucked in an ugly plaza between Mountain Mike's and a new halal store. The chef and his staff are always kind and happy to see you. The food...is excellent. There are things I will try when I dine in, better right off the grill. Do try the grilled sweet potato! The sashimi, and. Sushi rolls have always been really good. Salad dressing on their house salad is excellent, gingery, salty and sweet, not mayonnaisey. Love their tiny little oshinko, kanpyo, and ume-q rolls as sides. read more

Good food and service! Must come back for more udon and fresh sashimi! I want to try the a rice bowl next time.

Izakaya An is a true gem! From start to finish, the experience was outstanding. The food was exceptional -- fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care. Every dish we tried had its own unique touch, and the presentation made it even more enjoyable. The sake flight was a highlight, and the grilled dishes stood out as some of the best we've had anywhere.The service was just as impressive. The staff was attentive, professional, and welcoming, striking the perfect balance of checking in without ever making us feel rushed. Everything was paced really well, which made the whole evening relaxing and enjoyable.The ambiance is warm and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a date night, dinner with friends, or even a special occasion. It's rare to find a place that combines amazing food, excellent service, and such a comfortable atmosphere all in one. Highly recommend Izakaya A this will definitely be a regular spot for us! read more

Great food and great service - a local gem! Mellow scene with an authentic selection. Bonus Japanese style toilet in three spotless bathroom. A new favorite. read more

Let me just say, the food is pretty good we enjoyed our dishes; however, there were some issues. One we waited almost an hour for some of our food to come out and we were dining in and maybe 3-5 groups of people inside. When they brought the sashimi out there was a piece of hair on it and honestly I was hungry at that point and picked it out. The rest of our order came out 30 mins after that. They were trying very hard to keep up with their Doordash orders that they weren't providing the best service for their diners. This being our first time, we felt bad because there was maybe 3 people in the kitchen and ONE server who was also a host. They did not have a good system at all. We saw one man come in to order and went to the bar near by to wait for his order. I would love to try again on a different day. I think they would do so much better if they didn't accept so many DoorDash orders. Otherwise my husband and I enjoyed the atmosphere and delicious food. read more

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I ordered two Lion King bakes yesterday, and right away I noticed the smell was a little off, but I didn't think too much of it at the time. About 20 minutes after I finished eating, I ended up throwing up. I'm pretty sure the salmon was bad because I got sick again twice last night and once more this morning. I haven't been able to keep any food down since. read more

Sushi has heen my favorite food for 20 years and I can not recommend this place enough! My boyfriend and I come here at least 1 a week and the staff are always welcoming and amazing. We always get the nigiri and its by far some of the freshest around, even taking certain items off menu temporarily (never long) in order to ensure they can have the freshest fish available which is exactly what I look for in a sushi spot. We also like to get the veggie tempura (always hot, crispy, and not greasy) and its one of my favorite appetizers behind the salmon carpaccio. The inside has limited seating and there are always tables reserved so make sure to get there when they open. They close late on weekends so its a great place for late night sushi and sake. Very reasonably priced compared to a lot of sushi spots around, still affordable enough to put into dinner rotation. Once again I love this restaurant and if your looking for a really good well priced hole in the wall sushi spot with great staff then definitely come here. read more

Let me tell you, the food is worth the wait! Besides the long wait times for dishes to arrive. Everything that was ordered went above and beyond expectations. The yakitori is a must here! Food is so good that you kinda feel transported to japan. I wanted to give the spot 4 stars because I feel they need to cut the wait time. but the food is to good. But my tip is come Early and expect to wait a bit. read more

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A hidden gem in the city of Concord. The raving accolades highlighted in the SF Chronicle are true per my friend Carlo (20 years of friendship!!!). Photos are sampling of the delicious authentic Japanese comfort foods and drinks we had. It got his cultural and foodie seal of approval. He said it brought fond memories of his tenure in Japan and the province he lived in. I ordered a rainbow roll to go for my mom & it got her seal of approval for quality and taste. Make a reservation ahead of time to ensure you get a table at this lovely establishment. #bayareafoodieadventures read more

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Bento Box (3.5/5). Good standard food. But nothing special. Kobachi Set - (3.5/5). Kinda there. Same as above, nothing special. Agedashi Tofu - 4/5. Great dashi flavor. Gobo Chips (4/5). Very tasty and good for your health. Service was super friendly, though, a bit on the slow side. Just know this in advance. read more

Izakaya An - 3 item Bento - Karaage Chicken, Combination Tempura, & California Roll Kobachi Set - Grilled Beef - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Concord, California

Was Bar hopping and came across this place. lovely and quiet interior, the drinks and service were fantastic as i was quickly attended to and had some delicious shochu. the special of the day was ika and kisu which are treats i don't often get. i will be coming back here frequently no doubt read more

Nothing like ordering 10 rolls for $110 and 3 people but dang, was it good. Very delicious. All the rolls were tasty and the fish was fresh. Ordered online and picked up the order about 45 minutes later. Timing was as noted in the online order so we timed it perfectly. We'll be back! read more

Izakaya An - Fire Roll, Hot Hot Roll and a Negihama Roll. All delicious! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Concord, California

This local spot keeps providing great service during COVID. On recent visits we've ordered the tonkatsu ramen, beef udon, karage chicken and salmon roll. The standouts have been the udon and karage chicken. The udon broth was flavorful, while the beef was well seasoned and tender, and the noodles were perfectly cooked with just the right amount of chewiness. The karage chicken has a light dusting of batter which provides the perfect crunch while the meat is juicy and delicious. This is accomplished without any overwhelming greasiness. The food is always served piping hot and still tastes super fresh after the short drive back home. You should definitely check this spot out if you haven't already! Bonus: - plenty of free parking available in lot - credit cards accepted read more

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Even though the food took a while to come out, it tasted great, the decorations were beautiful, and ambience was very peaceful but lively :). This spot is small and quaint, a nice place to eat and chat, and service was warm as well. read more

Authentic Japanese food! Reminds me of my parents and grandparents home cooked meals! The gobo chips are my favorite snack! Seriously, this is THE SPOT if you're looking for authentic Japanese food! read more

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Everything I've had here has been amazing and I love the ladies who work here. They are so kind and welcoming every time I've come here. The sashimi is high quality and I'm shocked at the price being as low as it is. I recommended this place to my mom, who is hard to impress and she absolutely loves it. Please come here, you won't be disappointed read more

[ During Covid Review ] I came here to get together with some friends and was really excited to try this place out since everything on yelp looked delicious. My friend ended up calling ahead to reserve a table outside for us for 5pm. This place has a good amount of parking which is good and they are easy to locate. This restaurant does follow covid guidelines as of right now, they aren't allowing indoor seating, limited outside seating, they sanitize the tables beforehand (we witnessed it), ensure 6 ft distance between each table and have all customers wear masks. Now for the delicious part of this review: - Lion king ($12.95) :: The sauce they put on top of the salmon and california roll was a bit sweet for me compared to other lion kings I have had before. The dish itself did not wow me as much compared to the other dishes and it lacked some sort of flavor to be honest. [ 2/5 ] - Udon noodles with seafood ($13) :: This udon was packed with so much flavor that I ended up drinking the broth. The udon noodles weren't over cooked and they do give you quite a lot of seafood in the dish. The variety of vegetables in this dish was also a nice compliment to the seafood too. [ 5/5 ] - Spicy Cod Roe Ocha Zuke ($7.50) :: My fiance said that he had this dish in japan so he was comparing it to when he ate in Japan. He said that it was a subtle flavor which was nice because it wasn't over powering and the Cod was cooked really well. The presentation was beautiful and was nothing like I have ever seen before. [ 4/5 ] - Tonkotsu Ramen ($12.50) :: My friend ordered this dish and afterwards, she was telling me that she thinks the udon is better than the ramen. She said that the broth in the dish wasn't as flavorful and that if she had to order again, she would have ordered the udon. She also mentioned that the ramen was a little overcooked for her . [ 3/5 ] - Grilled Mackerel ($9.50) :: A friend of mine ordered this before and so he ordered it again. He said that the mackerel was cooked really well compared to other locations he has gone to, the flavor was packed perfectly and that the fish itself was perfect. He would highly recommend this if anyone ever came here . [ 5/5 ] Everything on the menu looked so good so it was hard to choose. We ended up ordering quite a few things to just try out and we also ordered green tea. Their green tea was really good and it wasn't bitter. I would say though that the service was a-okay because when we ordered our food, she forgot the spoon to the ramen/udon and some dishes that we had to remind her of. Overall, would definitely come back here to try out other dishes though. read more

We ordered delivery from here, which can always be hit or miss with the way food travels. The way the food packed up was fine, but I was disappointed in the food overall. The tonkatsu broth was just ok but the portion of meat that came with it was tiny (not to mention very overcooked and charred) and there were so many noodles it seemed like they were trying to make up for the meat situation. My partner and I agree that the portion sizes were overall pretty small for the price and the food quality was just ok. I don't think I would come back. read more

Izakaya An - Tonkotsu Ramen - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Concord, California

Who would have thought, authentic Japanese yakatori in a strip mall in Concord of all placers. The restaurant was quite small, only seats for about 30 people or so. Nicely decorated, quite quiet. If you are looking for a place for a bigger crowd, probably not the place to be. A quiet place to talk and enjoy a great dinner and excellent service, . Tip: order the whole squid, it was fantastic. Not soaked in teriyaki sauce, just enough to taste the squid and a touch of sauce. Even my kid, the most unadventurous eater, loved it. I had a couple of the yakitori, a chicken, pork belly , and Japanese mountain yams, all of it were excellent. The wife and kids all had ramen or udon. The soup was creamy, porky, and soooooo flavorful, Overall, it was 5 thumbs up, go try it and be sure to get the squid. read more

Izakaya An - Whole squid - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Concord, California