Sanraku Japanese Cuisine (Oakridge)

Sanraku is a legendary name in the San Francisco Bay Area’s Japanese food scene, and their San Jose branch tucked inside Westfield Oakridge is a total gem. The whole experience centers around an open sushi bar where you can watch the chefs expertly hand-press nigiri and craft Edomae-style dishes (a traditional Tokyo-style preparation) right before your eyes. If you’re looking for a legit spot for fresh sashimi and authentic Japanese flavors while out shopping, this is your place. The nigiri lineup is honestly stunning: the Otoro (fatty tuna) has that perfect, delicate marbling, the seared salmon belly literally melts in your mouth, and the amberjack and white tuna are incredibly clean and fresh. They even serve the sweet shrimp with crispy fried shrimp heads so you get two textures in one go, plus some lovely sweet-and-savory Inari (sushi rice tucked into fried tofu skins). For small plates, the charcoal-grilled whole squid is packed with savory sauce, and the crispy calamari legs karaage (Japanese-style deep fry) paired with mayo is a crowd-pleaser. You can also grab a refreshing sashimi salad topped with roe and shredded daikon. If you want something heartier, they’ve got Donburi (rice bowls) like Salmon & Ikura or Eel Tempura, and the Tempura Udon is served with a basket of crispy shrimp and veggies perched right over the steaming noodles. Perfect for a mid-shopping break, casual catch-ups, and anyone craving fresh sushi or authentic Japanese cuisine for lunch or dinner.