Shinmai

Our friend recommended this place and it was pretty good! Doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is aesthetically pleasing. I loved this red couch, and huge mirror! The cocktails were a little different, but in a good way! I was craving edamame so I was happy that I got some that tasted delicious. Ramen was good, but seemed a little lacking. Overall it was a nice evening, that wasnt too crowded, and they were able to seat 4 of us with no reservation!

This is a place of culture.. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure was playing as we walked in. Everything was good from noodle texture to individual ingredients. Also dig the layout and interior design of the restaurant. Their exterior design is pretty unassuming, which makes the interior design that much better. Side note: The website hasn't been updated so the prices were a bit higher than expected. Still reasonable considering how bad prices are in Bay Area.

I came here after a tech conference and I wanted some good food. The appetizers here were delicious fresh shishito peppers and smoked duck breast. However, the portions were a bit small for the price. My drink had good flavor, but could've used a stronger kick despite the tequila and mezcal. The black tonkotsu ramen was incredible! But the real surprise was watching the magic happen in the kitchen. Though this Japanese spot is clearly the owner's vision, the authentic flavors are brought to life by a skilled team of Mexican cooks. Overall: For unique Japanese dishes with a surprising twist, give this place a try. The real stars of the show are the talented kitchen staff!

Friendly and attentive staff. Plenty of drinks bar and kitchen bar seating. Can get a bit loud. Food came out quick. Gyoza and fries were a bit greasy, but acceptably so. Ramen was generous with a good selection of vegetables but a bit on the blander side. Drinks were strong and well balanced.

Went here because I was told it was better than another izakaya spot i love going to and i have to say i was impressed. The vibe and service is great and I had some of the best appetizers I've seen on a menu in a while. My only con is the veggie ramen which while not bad, it was pretty common only veggie and broth like I'm used to seeing at other places. I still prefer the veggie ramen at the other spot I go to but it's not a game breaker. If you eat meat you'll probably like the tonkotsu options but as vegetarian i wanted to say my opinion since it's hard to come by unique dishes. Overall great spot and great drinks! I'll be back with a party soon

Great vibe and service. Some dishes were under seasoned like the tempura mushroom, chicken karaage, and ribeye steak. They each had sauces on the side but they were just okay. The ribeye steak came out a bit too raw, even for medium rare.

The food here is great. The atmosphere is nice for a date, not too noisy, and the employees were super friendly. As of May 29 2021, they were taking temperatures for entry. I had the veggie ramen which was pretty good, though not the best vegetarian ramen around Oakland. The Sichuan spicy fries were so good.

Great atmosphere, though I agree better outdoor signage would be helpful. Got the black sesame ramen with shredded duck and it was VERY good both in noodle texture and the umami flavor of the broth. The pork belly buns were perfectly cooked. Pickled veggies also delish!

The ramen here is amazing. The last time I was here, had two bowls of the spicy tonkotsu ramen with black garlic oil. It was that good! The meat is super tender and the broth was not too heavy. Service was prompt and attentive. The restaurant is dim, dark, and you might get a rebellious Japan vibe. I make my own ramen bowls at home. Been to Japan for a few bowls in the past. This is by far the best bowl I have ever eaten and I think is definitely a must try.

You know, as much as I'd like to blame it on COVID, I have to admit - before my handful of adventures over the last six months, it'd been years since I made my way through some of my Oakland bookmarks. And when I say "years", I mean YEARS. No particular reason why, I suppose; my friends and I don't hang out as much in the East Bay as we used to. However, based on all of the new places that have been sprouting up, perhaps we should! Neighborhoods like Temescal, Rockridge, and Piedmont have always been favorites, but Uptown, with great looking places like Shinmai, has changed so much! Given all of their glow reviews on Yelp, I was pretty surprised when we walked into a mostly empty restaurant for dinner on a Friday. Not that I minded, as it meant getting our food that much faster before the place started to fill up (and it did shortly after we arrived). While the menu isn't the most extensive I've seen for an izakaya, nearly everything listed sounded so good! In addition to their handful of ramen options that most folks seem to get, their offerings span from the usual staples, like Ika Yaki and Gyoza, to the more unique, like their Mochi Oyster and Scallop Carpaccio. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the menu does change regularly, so while some favorites are pretty consistent, others may be tweaked from time to time and/or rotated in and out over time. -- HARAJUKU SOUR - Suntory Toki Whisky, Cocchi Rosa, Ginger, Egg White, Lime, Plum Powder...$15 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shinmai-oakland?select=ZBaPoxsIWmo6G0ijxIPStA) I'm partial to any cocktail with egg whites, but this was legitimately good. Really, this is dangerously easy to drink - its profile is slightly fruity, has a nice body from the egg whites, and has just a touch of tartness from the lime and plum powder. -- HOKKAIDO SCALLOP CARPACCIO - Orange, Lemon Yuzu, Fennel, Yuzu Salt, EVOO, and Shiso...$19 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shinmai-oakland?select=DzgzBOEnCZ3cBO54AkrXqw) I don't typically see scallop carpaccio offered, so I was super curious about this one. Not bad overall, and I liked how fresh and sweet the scallops were, but I think I prefer the more assertive flavors (and texture) of hamachi carpaccio more. -- MOCHI OYSTER - Deep Fried Oysters, Mochi, Nori, Bonito Flakes, Green Onions, Tempura Sauce...$19 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shinmai-oakland?select=1BLNTRRx1Kc7tL7KfMwMKA) Of everything we tried, this was probably the most interesting. The mochi was chewy (in a good way), the oysters were flavorful, and every piece was fried to the perfect crispiness. I just wish there were more bonito flakes - there's never enough! -- IKA YAKI - Grilled Japanese Jumbo Squid, Spicy Miso, Bonito Flakes, Scallions, Nori, and Yuzu Aioli...$22 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shinmai-oakland?select=-aRi3X2kDgbrvVdHIsU7VA) I've had mixed experiences with this elsewhere, but this one was solid. Not only was the portion huge, but the squid had a nice chew (and char) to it. What's more, this actually had some kick to it too (more complementary than overpowering). -- MISO MUSSELS - Pan Roasted Bouchot Mussels, Dry Sake, Garlic, Sherry Vinegar, White Miso, and Green Onions...$16 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shinmai-oakland?select=eC4b10inObg938j8P8Po1g) Conceptually great, but my friend and I both felt like this needed to be cooked longer. While most of the mussels were fine, a few had a "softer" texture and it felt like more of the sake could've been cooked off. Still, I wouldn't be opposed to getting this again, as the flavors were there. -- MIXED MUSHROOM TAKIKOMI GOHAN - Claypot Cooked Rice, Mixed Mushrooms, Jidori Eggs, Dashi, and Sesame Oil...$20 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shinmai-oakland?select=kl2pPmy6ijkTHmgfJQMPDw) We opted to get this over their ramen and boy am I glad it didn't disappoint! The dish, as whole, was quite delicious - the rice was cooked well and I loved how it was loaded with mushrooms. That said, I do wish the egg was runnier so that it could've mixed in better with the rice. Now, since we willfully bypassed trying one of Shinmai's varieties of ramen that everyone seems to get, it's fair to ask why. The answer? Quite simply, it was all of the izakaya options that really drew us here and we didn't want to give up checking out any of the dishes we ended up trying. I have little doubt that the ramen here is as good as what most folks have said, though - the photos and reviews for them all look so good! I guess, if anything, it just means that I have that much more of a reason to come back to Shinmai. Not that I needed any more motivation to come back to explore more of their menu!

Ambiance is nice; I really liked the interior. The outside, however, had no obvious sign, so it is easy to miss it. I got the black tonkotsu, and it was decent. I feel like it's your typical ramen that you can't go wrong with, but nothing outstanding to me. The appetizers were more yummy to me. Service was fine! Overall, this place is worth a try, but nothing crazy where I am dying to go back.

Food: Black Tonkotsu Ramen is fantastic, rich, and complex. Veggie ramen is also tasty, but felt a little unexciting and less thought out compared to meat options. Noodles were cooked absolutely perfectly, though. Wouldn't be my top pick for vegetarians, but still tasty! Service: Staff was friendly and fun! We enjoyed chatting. Ambiance: the vibes are impeccable--moody but still enough light, glass around the kitchen so you can watch chefs at work, and back-lit bottles at the bar.

Food service ambiance. Always on point, love it here. It's the closest I can get to Tokyo ramen without a plane ticket Make a reservation online, saves you time and a seat!

Great food with unique twists. We did shared plates which opened up so many options for us all to partake in. There were some absolute gems and a couple that missed the mark for us. It culminated in something less than five stars. The service was outstanding. Really nice open space that still maintained room noise at less than chaotic. Can't wait to get back soon. So close to the fox theater which is a huge positive.

Shinmai has no signage on its entrance, so you have to pay attention to find it. It's worth looking for! The shoyu and the red tonkotsu ramen are both scrumptious. The appetizers, the Hamachi and the fried mushrooms were outstanding. The mocktails were also very cute - I mean look at the little yellow duck in the knuckle juice! The service was fantastic because our server remembered and paid attention to every detail. The ambiance is awesome. My friends were visiting, one from LA and one from San Jose. One of them has lived in Japan for a year, and the other is a foodie. Both of them were so delighted with the restaurant and immediately said they wanted to come back.

We live in the area and had been looking forward to trying this place due to its good reviews and appealing food. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. Upon arriving for our reservation, we weren't greeted by the host for 15 minutes, which immediately made it clear they were short-staffed. Once seated, it took another 15-20 minutes for our server to take our order. After ordering, we waited an additional 40 minutes while noticing that other tables around us were being served and even leaving. Our server didn't check on us once and seemed distracted throughout our visit. When we finally flagged her down to inquire about our food and my friend's mocktail--which she hadn't received--the server mentioned her tablet had stopped working, and our order hadn't been sent to the kitchen. I understand technical issues happen, but it was frustrating that it took us asking for an update to get any response. While the person delivering our food was apologetic and rushed it out, the waitress didn't seem concerned about the delay. The food itself was good, but certainly not worth the nearly two-hour wait. I did appreciate the ambiance and think it would be a nice spot for cocktails on a date. However, given this experience, I don't think I'll be returning. I've worked in service for years, as have most of my group, so we understand the challenges of being understaffed, but it didn't seem busy enough to justify such poor service.

Such a great place is this hidden gem. Seriously, hard to find it is so indiscreet. Once inside you know you have arrived somewhere special. Cool ambiance. Menu is Japanese chic. Try the fried olives and spicy edamame. Right? Salads are a must, as are the spicy fries and ribeye. In fact try one of everything by sharing family style. This place is a must try. My only suggestion is hire more staff. Those that are there could benefit and be a bit more welcoming. Enjoy.

Don't let the nondescript exterior fool you, because the food is great and the ambiance inside is so cool and intimate. However, most importantly the food was great! The Tonkatsu Ramen here was delicious and I can't wait to come back and try the Black Tonkatsu as well. I thought the broth was nicely balanced, not too salty or heavy. It was so good that I almost finished the broth all together. The noodles were cooked perfectly as it had great chew it. We also got the Chicken Karage and Spicy Fries which were both really good!

4.5 stars: Convenient to walk to from the downtown Oakland Bart station. Large space with a nice ambience (although the music was a bit loud at times), service was attentive. Did not get their ramen, but got lots of appetizers/small plates to share. We got 6 between 2 of us, but 5 would have been more than enough. Cocktails are creative with Asian spins on classic drinks. Favorites were: Miso mussels - seems like this is not always on the menu, but the sauce that the mussels were in was delicious. Wish there was bread to mop up the sauce! Piedmontese ribeye steak - probably my favorite dish of the night, meat was flavorful and tender and comes with a great sauce Ika leg karaage - fried squid legs, came with 4 skewers. Perfectly fried with a yuzu aioli to dip Pork belly bao - comes with 2, the chashu inside is very soft

Food was delicious 9/10. Favorite was the ramen. Service was friendly and good 9/10. Ambiance was surprisingly very hip. Dimly lit lending to very nice conversations 10/10. Parking was easy on a Sunday evening - parked on street right in front of nondescript building where the restaurant was located. Felt like a speak easy bar entrance. Definitely would go back!!

Japanese restaurant with delicious cocktails & even better ramen. The dimmed lights gives this place a very intimate ambiance, sort of like a speakeasy vibe . We have been here countless times & service is always prompt.

Shinmai, where were you when I needed you the most? I am largely disheartened by the ramen selection in the bay area but when I had my first sip of the original tonkatsu here, I knew I was in for a treat. I finished my bowl to the last drop. The broth was creamy, well-balanced, not overly salty at all. The noodles are thin and pair well. Misses would be the chashu which were quite dry, and the quality of the menma. The portions are on the smaller side. The appetizers pulled their weight- we got the salmon carpaccio, which to my surprise was less carpaccio, and more salmon, which I loved - though some may find the lack of flavor for a carpaccio disconcerting. Brussel sprouts were done perfectly. Skip the clay pot rice- way too salty. The ambiance is modern/hip with a traditional/classy Japanese twist. I'll make the drive over the bridge for this delectable bowl of ramen time and time again.

Here for my besties birthday!!! What a cute hole in the wall. Extremely fancy and welcoming to our chaotic party of 8. Perfect place for a birthday or date. The drinks go absolutely insane. I love my paradise pop cocktail. She came with a strange looking air dried balls sack looking fruit on the rim and literally *chefs kiss* so tasteful. (Rim) Job well done! The boa was exquisite, this restaurant has all that one human might wish for and more ;) Photos were taken a little late and each has a bite or a sip because we were so impatient. Order the takoyaki roulette and and dont say a word. Watch the do its magic as you salivate profusely. Like I was saying, great spot for a date night. (Review in collaboration with ig @dadadooles.)

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah Shinmai is very ok LOL. The setting confuses me. Contemporary design with ukiyo-e prints, candlelit tables, but blasting late 2010 rap? More awkward than chic. Table spacing feels very vacant yet claustrophobic when dining. I don't get it. Food did not make up for the atmosphere. For COVID safety purposes, masks are required, tables are sanitized thoroughly, and hand sanitizer is available throughout the restaurant. Shinmai is in a crossroads between gentrified Oakland and... "Not-gentrified" Oakland in Uptown. We found side street parking with no issue. Service is slow but servers are very cheery and attentive. OOLONG ISLAND: I can appreciate that they have creative Asian twists to their bev. But they didn't taste great LOL. Too strong and mixed poorly, but maybe it's good if you're into that. IKA YAKI: Loaded with toppings and very crispy. I usually like my squid with fewer accoutrements; IMO this added a lot of unnecessary bells and whistles. Comes with lemon and a swipe of mayo. AGE MOCHI OYSTERS: I thought this was creative! Combining savory mochi with fried oysters is so fun and tasty. Combined with the bonito flakes, the umami of the mochi overpowers any brininess. MUSHROOM TEMPURA: Bland. Tempura is crispy but whatever flavoring on top wasn't particularly memorable. TAKOYAKI ROULETTE: These were fun to play around with-- tbh, I think we had two spicy balls rather than one (somehow I, the spice-adverse between us two, ended up with both...). The takoyakis themselves were tasty, and the ghost pepper-laced ones added enough of a kick. BLACK TONKOTSU RAMEN: $18!! For an average bowl of ramen!!! And the ajitsuke egg was too sweet. Maaaaan I was bummed. My bf had made a reservation for a lazy Valentine's Day date; both of us left unimpressed. Now we know better!

Popped by here on an impromptu night! Very cool and inconspicuous spot. The dim lighting and chill music made the ambiance super relaxing and comfortable. Uncle Max (the bartender) was super fun & knowledgeable of all the drinks and his recommendation was on point! When dinner came around we ordered the following: Garlic Edamame Pork Gyoza Hamachi Carpaccio Pork Belly Bao Mushroom Claypot Everything was sooooo delicious, and came out super quickly. (Almost too quickly) We went on a Thursday evening, and wasn't super packed surprisingly. This is a wonderful spot for a date night, group dinner or even renting the whole place. It's just the right size! Can't wait to go back and visit.

We came for a little birthday celebration and it was the perfect setting - a hybrid of classy (mainly lighting) and intimate (general interior). We had a bunch of goodies: 1. TAKOYAKI ROULETTE - standard takoyaki! it's a roulette bc they put a ghost pepper in one. You can request them to not put the ghost pepper though! 2. IKA LEG KARAAGE - basically fried calarmi. was tasty! 3. SPICY FRIES - was in the mood for fries and this had a nice kick. would get again but you can tell the fries are not hand cut 4. Tonkotsu Ramen - very nice milky pork broth! the noodles in this were more like somen noodles (very thin) 5. Shoyu Tonkotsu - definitely seafood based! the noodles are thicker and the broth has a soy after taste 6. IKA YAKI - really liked this ika dish! It's little fried fishes and very yummy 7. MIXED MUSHROOM GOHAN - basically claypot rice! we enjoyed this too Overall, this was a pleasant experience. I always pass by this street but never noticed this restaurant bc of it's completely covered windows & large door that blends in with the wall. The staff were very friendly and getting seating on a Tuesday night was not hard at all!

Came here on a Sunday evening and got seated right away. Tried the takoyaki roulette, where one of the takoyaki has a ghost pepper inside of it instead of octopus. It made the experience fun to eat since you don't know who will get a spicy pepper. The inside of the takoyaki was a bit cold for my liking but the flavor was good. Also got the hamachi crudo, which I really enjoyed. Lastly, tried the black tonkatsu ramen. The broth was super flavorful, black garlic oil was fragrant, pork was tender, and noodles cooked well. Highly recommend to try if you're craving ramen!

Great Ramen and it's affordable. Both the black and red ramen are good. I always get a few appetizers too. I recommend the Let that Mango cocktail

Shinmai NEEDS to fix their chashu pork situation. I don't know what it was, but the cut was not pork belly. It was DRY and did not come with a normal strip of fat like pork belly does. The egg was also a bit overcooked. I got the black tonkatsu and the broth was great, probably my favorite in the area. Super flavorful, but this is more expensive than the average ramen spot in the area and had some severe lacking elements in its dish. Unfortunately the broth can't compensate for the egg or chashu.

I came here for dinner, and they were seriously understaffed. I felt bad for the workers. But the staff were really nice. I ordered the hamachi carpaccio, tonkotsu ramen, and mango panna cotta. The ramen came before the appetizer, which was weird. The ramen was really good and had a great broth. But the carpaccio wasn't very good. The fish easily broke apart, and it was hard to handle. I had to just slide the fish onto my plate. It seemed like it came frozen. The panna cotta was good, though. I also appreciated all of the Jackson Wang music :)

The ambience is casual and chic. The food is Japanese fashion. The cocktails were good quality. Not a large food variety but the quality is good. We liked their hamachi and chicken karage.

They dim the lights giving it a nice date night kind of vibe. We ordered: the Red and Black Tonkotsu ramen and not pictured are Spicy Fries and brussel sprouts. All the dishes had great flavor! The spicy fries were honestly my favorite dish of the night, I love thinner cut fries and the seasoning was so yummy! They weren't oily at all, had the perfect crispness and wasn't overly spicy, just a nice flavorful kick at the end! The brussel sprouts had a tangy flavor to it, was a bit oily but still enjoyable! The ramen wasn't anything special, the red ramen had a nice spiciness while the black ramen was very garlicky. Both tasty! The noodles were nice and chewy, broth was good. Our waiter was very friendly and came back several times to see how we were enjoying our food :)

Fun spot that's a reliably good time in terms of food and experience. All of the ramen choices are good, as are the izakaya items I've tried although those could maybe could use slightly more variety. Impressive beer and drink menu that pairs well with the food, and plenty of seating makes it easier to get a table at prime times. If you're in the area this is definitely one of the better options

So many great things to say about this place! Food: 10/10 - I'm a huge ramen lover (that's had ramen in a bunch of different cities too) and this one is UP THERE. The flavors of my ramen were so perfectly executed! We also got the chicken karaage to share and the sauce they serve to dip with it was delicious. // I didn't get a cocktail this time (pictured is their ginger soda) but the cocktail menu looked amazing and I will need to go back for some drinks! Ambiance: 9/10 - It's a little dark and moody, which is most definitely a vibe but only knocking one star off in case that's not the environment you're looking for. It's a sexy, swanky, trendy place to go with friends or a date. Service: 8.5/10 - Not bad service whatsoever, but it also wasn't the most amazing service ever. Nothing above and beyond a standard, good experience. The place also has no windows to the outside street so from the street view, you don't know you're walking into a restaurant. Which I think is pretty cool, adds to that modern, trendy feel :) They also had a private room which would be fun to rent out for birthday celebrations or like team outings. I'll definitely be back as I'm honestly drooling about the ramen writing this review!

The ambience is very cool. Japanese whiskey bar feeling. Food is not worth the price tag if you're going for just dinner, taste is not quite there. Our chicken karage was over cooked, edamame was not the most flavorful, and the steak was decent but nothing stunning. So I wouldn't return for the food but I would for the vibes. It would be an amazing spot if you're looking for happy hour though or pre-game before night in town :)

Pre show dinners can be hit or miss since it's often more about the location than the food. But not this time. Just diagonal to Piedmont Piano, Shinmai was a real smooth operation, from the chill low key tasteful interior, the chirpy & cute japanese waitress to the appetizers and ramen. The creative non-alcohol drinks were very flavorful, not too sweet. We started w Hamachi crudo -excellent, mushroom gyoza - if you like them crispy- ,the Brussell sprouts were just right. Tonkatsu and Shyu ramen were very good, thin noodles and not too salty. We even got a free dessert by mentioning the concert venue.

I love this place. Great ambiance. The tempura mushrooms are delightful. Sake menu and cocktails are excellent.

Food: 3/5 Service: 3.5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Overall: Not a bad option for some Japanese food in the area. The extended review... Food: Chicken Karaage - 3/5 - Standard fare. Crispy and there was a decent portion size. Tonkatsu Ramen - 3/5 - Overall a good taste to it. The broth was pretty rich. I could have used a little more noodles but I typically always do want a little more. Service: 3.5/5 - Friendly service and fairly attentive. Ambiance: 4/5 - Really well decorated and very spacious which i liked.

This is a super cute ramen spot in Oakland! I came here on a weekday and it wasn't to busy which was super nice. We sat at the bar and was able to watch the chefs cook which was so fun! They had fresh oysters as their special and it was honestly one of the best oysters I've had! The flavor and spice they put on them were top notch and so unique. Also ordered the Black Tonkotsu Ramen - noodles were cooked perfectly (slightly on the harder side) and soup was really flavorful.

*Open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeout* This review is from my visit on a Thursday night at 7:00pm. Service and Staff: All staff wore masks. Outdoor seating had heat lamps (there are about 4-5 outdoor tables). Tables inside were somewhat distanced, although I wouldn't say 6 feet. Food: We ordered a couple drinks, appetizers, and ramen. - Teetotaler: refreshing and citrusy non-alcoholic beverage. - Vegetable Ramen: I ordered this without mushrooms and added an extra egg instead (worth it). The egg was cooked wonderfully and there was a lot of flavor to the dish. - Chilled tofu: didn't have the typical soy sauce you have with tofu. The sauce was a little thicker and a different taste. Still delicious. - Dashimaki: this was tasty and had a fun surprise taste / burst with the ikura. Overall, good restaurant. The music was a little inappropriate for a family setting. Good for groups or dates.

The BEST broth! Decided to celebrate the end of the week with a new spot and Shinmai was the lucky winner. Read some good reviews before hand (thanks yelpers!) so I knew I would be in good hands here. Started the evening off with drinks and the chicken karaage. I ordered a Harajuku sour: Mmmmm. Was there even whiskey in here? I didn't taste the whiskey but I promise you I felt the whiskey in my blood. Felt sooo good after a long week. The drink was presented really nicely - A beautiful glass topped with a paper crane. Sooo pretty. The chicken karaage: The boyf and I love getting chicken karaage for appetizers. Shinmai's was ok. We've had better. We both got the Tonkatsu Ramen (my boyf got a side of chili sauce). The broth was soooooooo so good. It wasn't too heavy and it had so much flavor. The broth and the egg stole the show. The noodles were meh, the pork was meh. It really is the broth that made me decide on 4 stars for this place. PRO TIP: If you haven't already seen... Check in on yelp for 10% off order!! We got on the Yelp waitlist 2 hours before our desired reservation. Parking is street parking so be prepared to walk a little. The inside of Shinmai is also beautiful. Low light, a bar, and beautifully decorated. So happy with my experience!

Fantastic place for a date night or a group outing. The food was delicious - I really enjoyed the pork bun bao and the fried octopus bites. My favorite was the hamachi sashimi, it was fresh and perfectly portioned The drink menu was very nice, they had my favorite beer hitachino nest white ale, and a lot of fun spirits! The help was spectacular, providing a great customer experience and lots of helpful hints while navigating the menu. The decor of the restaurant was modern and clean. I will be back!

We'd reservation at 7:15 pm on a Saturday and we weren't seated until 7:41 pm. Possibly the lady boss in the front because she offered a complimentary dessert as we finally got seated. The server didn't come over to take our order until 7:49 pm and our kiddos were getting hungry. The food came out fast shortly after we ordered the following: Chicken karrage - Kids loved this dish that we had to order another one Miso Mussels - Yummmmmm Salmon Carpaccio - Yummmmm Spicy Pork Gyoza - Alright until I dipped into the 'side spice', it tasted better! Will skip this item next time. Spicy Fries - We asked to have 'spice on the side to make it kid-friendly. The fries were hot and yummy. The side spice consists of one side of ponzu mixed with soy sauce with dried chili pepper while the other side is chopped green onions and dried Sichuan pepper - Yummm....... MUST TRY having the spice on the side! Pork Belly Bao - Quite delish and I loved how light the bun was. Some places can make the bun quite dense which I do not care for but theirs wasn't! Tonkatsu Ramen - Very rich pork bone broth! The kiddos loved it. I'm not a fan of thin straight noodles and they forgot the soft-boiled egg!!!!!!!! Shoyu? Ramen - Not bad. It had shrimp, baby clams, and pork. High-level of umami shrimp flavored served with slightly thicker yet thin noodles and missing the soft-boiled egg! A complimentary mango panna cotta received the biggest rave from kiddos! Sadly, they didn't serve the duck fried rice as their menu changed, and we were so hungry, forgot to take a lot of pics. Overall, will return and hope next time we won't have to wait that long again!

Some very yummy dishes and great cocktails. The restaurant is surprisingly large, but still retains a trendy vibe. The 6 drinks I tried were all a hit and covered flavors ranging from tropical to aromatic and fruity to spirit-forward. The food was generally good. The crudo with avocado and ponzu was very very satisfying. . The roulette takoyaki were not just a great concept, but also well executed and delicious, though I did get the surprise ghost pepper one which was indeed quite spicy. The grilled octopus and ribeye were both enjoyable. The mushroom tempura was perfect. Light, flavorful, crisp. Perhaps one of the best tempura I've had outside of Japan. Even the sauce was just right, with the correct balance of savoriness and sweetness and boozy undertones , which is not something that most restaurants get right. The one dud was the chicken karaage, which was dry and did not taste great. From the moment it arrived, you could tell from it's appearance and aroma that it was refried and not made completely fresh to order. Despite that one disappointing dish, the rest of the meal was great. Come for a fun meal + drinks with a date or a group of friends.

I have been going to Shinmai many times pre-pandemic, and recently I went post? Pandemic (is it over yet?) If you're an East Bay Japanesefood foodie, Shinmai is like Ippuku meets Ippudo, or Kiraku meets Marufuku, or maybe Soba Ichi meets Blind Tiger, sort of. In other words, Ramen Noodles joint meets " Jappa Tappas " Izakaya joint. It is owned by a Chinese chef, who I believe also has a sushi bar in Montclair, in the Oakland hills. Shinmai is in the Hood though, in a non-descript grey building with bright green accents with virtually no signage. Inside is a nicely remodeled space, dark in color with a cool bar on the left, followed by an open window kitchen, and many dining seating options on the right and all the way to larger tables in the back, which has tasteful Japanese wall art. The main focus is Ramen noodle bowls, popular Tonkotsu (creamy pork broth type) in variations to your liking. But they have Izakaya favorites, too, like Chicken Karaage, Gyoza, full grilled squid, and many others. Full bar adult beverage selections are available to match the food options. See photos for food pics. Shinmai has a hip feel, good food, good service, that attracts those Tech and Med millennials from Uptown Oaktown in all those new high rise living complexes who've come to appreciate that cool, East Bay vibe, instead of that Alpha VC & Tech Bro SF rat race energy. There are even a few OGs who remember Tower of Power's East Bay Grease and the Oakland Raiders and Warriors. But not many, lol.

Been on the quest for finding the best tonkotsu ramen in the bay! Got the black tonkotsu which had a very flavorful and rich broth. Amazing for garlic lovers like me! Came back another time for the regular tonkotsu. Came with corn which was not my favorite. Broth was a lot lighter than the black. Smaller portions but just enough! Personally like this a lot more than marufuku flavor-wise. They were consistent both times I've been here!

I met my beautiful bride and son at Shinmai for dinner. The entrance is unassuming, I believe it had a simple chalk board sign on a table in the doorway. Simple. Then I entered this very classy comfortable restaurant with a funky welcoming vibe. I was greeted by a smiling friend staff member and they directed me to my party who was already seated. To my delight Garlic Edamame and Ika Leg Karaage were already served and delicious. My son and wife enjoyed some delicious looking cocktails and they said the drinks refreshing and had a nice kick. Looking over the menu I couldn't help but to notice and order the Takoyaki Roulette: deep-fried octopus doughnuts, bonito flakes (one is stuffed with ghost peppers- good luck!) what a blast. My son and I indulged...I got the ghost pepper, but he did ask for half of the doughnut! Boy my endorphins kicked in and we giggle for some time. My son said he did not feel the endorphins, because is cocktails were on point.. We moved on to main course and went with the ramen. Our son had Tonkotsu Ramen and my wife and I had Veggie Ramen. Everything was fresh and tasty. We had a blast and truly enjoyed spending our time at Shinmai. PORK BELLY BAO went home with our son...our night was complete

After living in Oakland for three years and trying a variety of places, I believe Shinmai is our favorite restaurant to dine at, especially when taking friends out. The interior is a vibe, the drinks are fantastic, and of course most importantly, the food, from the small plates to the ramen, always hits. We love the hamachi crudo, takoyaki roulette, chicken karaage, and the special bluefin tuna option they had our last time we went. Our friends who are vegan/vegetarian have had positive review of the mushroom gyoza, vegetable ramen, spicy fries, shishito peppers, and garlic edamame. The staff is always friendly and warm, and understanding if we are running a few minutes late. Thank you for being so consistent and a staple Japanese go-to spot in Uptown!

Love this place to death. Best ramen. Amazing hamachi crudo. Great sake and Japanese whiskey selection. Max is the best bartender around.

(review is from pre-covid) Holy cow!! This place was delicious. I went with a group of 4 on a weekday evening and it was packed. Lively atmosphere. I ordered for the table and we shared everything. The food was upscale and delicious, with deep flavors and excellent presentation. The cocktails were average so I'd recommend going with sake instead. The menu changes over time, which keeps the place fresh and interesting. Check out the attached photo from when I went in 2019: -Blackened Garlic Ramen -Takoyaki -Trout Sashimi -2 vegetarian dishes for the vegetarian eater (a tomato "sashimi" and veggie ramen) During covid they offer a pared-down to go menu: https://www.shinmaioakland.com/dinner/

Was in Oakland for work and went to Shinmai for dinner on a whim. It was a bit hard to find the restaurant because it did not have a traditional entrance/door. The inside was dark and had a great ambience. For drinks, I got one of their Sakes and it was very good. The mussels are out of this world. The sauce was amazing and I wanted some bread to dip in the sauce but the restaurant sadly did not have any bread. The ramen was very deliciously. I generally find ramen to be a bit salty in many restaurants but the flavors at Shinmai were phenomenal.

Tasty very salty but for one meal it was fine. You'll drink a little of water. Moody lighting like a date place.

Just went to shinmai for the first time looking for a good bowl of Ramen. We had the black garlic edamame, pork belly sliders, and each had a bowl of ramen as well as a drink. I was really happy with the flavor of everything, and the interior vibe was cool. They also played some really good music and the service was friendly. The price point is affordable considering the quality of the food. We will definitely be back.

We arrived for a party of 2, I had a reservation because I knew it would be packed for a Fri night and I was right! Great place for a date night. Drinks were delicious and the food was too. A bit expensive but it was yummy. Skip the fries, not worth it. Everything else go for it!

Great vibes inside Shinmai! Cocktails were perfect, food was delicious too! We went to a show at the Fox and it was a quick walk. The crudo was my favorite along with the Black T ramen!

*LOCATION* I felt like I was finding a hidden gem the first time I stepped inside! From the outside, the restaurant doesn't look like much... I don't even know if they have a big sign with their name (or maybe it was just too dark and I didn't see it haha)?? It was quiet from the street but inside was filled with people and very lively. *WAIT TIME* We arrived for dinner on a Friday night around 7pm. There was a short line but we were okay with sitting at the bar-like tables facing the kitchen so were able to get seated pretty quickly. The waitress came by twice (or three times) to take our order but we were taking awhile to decide what to get (oops) so had to keep asking her to come back. *FOOD* I don't usually rave about ramen but wow, this place is so good! We started out with the takoyaki roulette and had a lot of fun with it. We had initially thought that they made a mistake and didn't include a spicy one but it just so happened to be the last one we ate! It was definitely very very spicy hahaha. Our black and red ramens came out not too long after and both smelled soooo good. I'm drooling again just looking back at the photos. The broths were very rich/flavorful and the noodles were the right amount of chewiness (although I usually prefer thicker noodles over thinner ones). The soft boiled eggs were also to die for and I ended up eating both of them hehe. We ordered two drinks and each came out with some fun details. The kitten one was tropical and fruity reminded me of being in Hawaii but the harajuku sour was too ginger-y for me (although I liked the origami crane that came with it!). *SERVICE* The appetizer/ramens came out at a decent time but our drinks took a long time. Their separate bar area was busy so it's understandable but we had to ask our waitress to check on them and both ended up coming out after our food... Our waitress was attentive in the beginning but by the end of our meal, it got busier so took a few tries to get her attention for the bill. *AMBIENCE* The inside is super cute and fun! I loved the interior design and layout. It's definitely a place I would come back again with my girlfriends or a casual night out!

Came here on a Saturday night and it was really busy so get a reservation before! Really nicely decorated but all the servers are dressed casually and very attentive. I really liked that they have small plates so you can definitely get to try a lot of different things. Favorite had to be the ramen! The broth was amazing. Would definitely come back again!