Washoku Guide
Cities/San Francisco/Sushi/Kamado Sushi
San Francisco · Sushi · counter

Kamado Sushi

JapaneseSushiOmakaseEdomaeOsaka-style Oshi-zushiTraditional Nigiri

Kamado Sushi is a North Berkeley sushi counter run by Japan-born, Tokyo-trained chef Jin Joo, a committed traditionalist who sources fish from Tsukiji, Kyushu, and Hokkaido to serve pure omakase nigiri and Osaka-style pressed sushi in the heart of the Gourmet Ghetto.

Price
¥¥¥
Area
Berkeley
Since
2014
Chef
Jin Joo
Kamado Sushi — authentic japanese restaurant in San Francisco, Berkeley
Plate № 15
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About
Chef Jin Joo was born in Japan and raised in a mixed Korean-Japanese household, beginning a culinary journey that took him from Japanese culinary school to restaurants in Korea, Texas, Vermont, and San Francisco's Nikko Hotel before opening Kamado Sushi in North Berkeley in 2014. His conviction that great sushi needs no embellishment — no oversized rolls covered in mayonnaise, no theatrical presentation — has produced one of the Bay Area's most respected traditional sushi counters. Fish arrives from Tsukiji Market three times weekly and from Kyushu and Hokkaido, with the seasonal specials displayed on a TV screen beside the counter. Omakase courses typically run 14 pieces of pristinely sliced nigiri, with real grated wasabi and minimal accents; the Osaka-style oshi-zushi (pressed box sushi) uses bold vinegar-seasoned rice in tribute to Kansai tradition. The Gourmet Ghetto location has made Kamado a favorite among Berkeley's food-forward community, with regulars who become loyal to Joo personally rather than to the restaurant as an institution.
Neighborhood & visiting

Kamado Sushi sits in Berkeley, one of San Francisco's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Chef Jin Joo apprenticed under multiple master sushi chefs and sources fish from Tsukiji, Kyushu, and Hokkaido — the same supply chain used by elite sushi restaurants in Japan.
  • Real grated wasabi is served with omakase and sashimi — a mark of authenticity that few Bay Area sushi restaurants outside premium omakase counters can claim.
  • The 14-piece omakase counter experience at roughly $80-90 per person represents exceptional value for fish quality and chef skill at this level.
  • Both Edomae-style nigiri and rare Osaka-style oshi-zushi (pressed box sushi) appear on the menu — making this one of the few places in Northern California to experience both major sushi traditions side by side.

Reservations recommended; book ahead for the counter omakase experience. The omakase is not on the printed menu — ask the chef. Cash and all major credit cards accepted. — Format: Sushi counter. Authenticity: Chef-owner Jin Joo was born and raised in Japan (ethnically Korean-Japanese), trained at Japanese culinary school, apprenticed under master sushi chefs in the Bay Area and Japan, and sources fish from Tsukiji, Kyushu, and Hokkaido; he rejects Americanized rolls in favor of pure traditional nigiri and Osaka-style pressed sushi.

Links
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Frequently asked

About Kamado Sushi

Is Kamado Sushi an authentic japanese restaurant in San Francisco?
Yes — Kamado Sushi is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese in San Francisco: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
Where is Kamado Sushi located?
Kamado Sushi is located at 1400 Shattuck Ave Ste 1A, Berkeley, CA 94709, San Francisco, USA in the Berkeley neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Kamado Sushi?
Kamado Sushi does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular sushi restaurants in San Francisco we recommend calling ahead.
What is the price range at Kamado Sushi?
Kamado Sushi sits in the ¥¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in San Francisco.
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