Koryo Sushi - Oakland

May 17, 2007 - I wrote some very nice things about this restaurant when I first posted this review last year, see below. Sadly, after my last three experiences, I will never go back. Service is just too slow and careless. I can't stand sitting and being ignored without even being given a menu for twenty minutes, three times in a row. Sorry homies.

Koryo Sushi Japanese Restaurant & Sake Bar is a fun place to eat sushi, and the best part is, they're open really late! This is a great neighborhood sushi bar that is tucked away in a tiny strip mall that also features a Korean restaurant by the same name, and an Internet Cafe that is also open late-night.

Great food and great Sake (or Beer!) are what's in store for you at this local eatery. The service is always efficient, and the sushi chefs experienced, and the quality consistently good. To top it all off, the prices are very reasonable. Usually, budget prices and good sushi don't happen within the same establishment, but this sushi bar definitely pulls it off. They have all the requisite Make Rolls, Sushi and Sashimi. A colorful menu of Designer Rolls dominates the back couple of pages of the menu, and I find the illustrations quite helpful when trying to decide what to order. Stand-outs for me are the Soft Shell Crab Make - Deep-fried Soft Shell Crab, buttery Avocado, crunchy sprouts, an incredible and delicious value at only $5.00, and the Rock & Roll Make - Sweet and tender Eel, buttery Avocado, crisp Cucumber and tangy Masago, also a value at $5.95.

A wide variety of cooked dishes including: Chicken, Squid, Beef, Salmon, Seafood, and Mackerel Teriyaki Dinners, Tempura, Katsu - Fried breaded Beef, Udon Noodle Soups, and Bento Plates with a staggering assortment of choices $9.95 - $17.95.

Don't stuff yourself too much, because you'll want to leave room for dessert! Ice-cold Mochi Ice Cream Balls in assorted flavors - Chocolate, Coffee, Strawberry, or Green Tea Ice Cream are a fun finish to a great sushi experience.

VEGETARIANS/VEGANS: Order with confidence! The helpful staff will steer Vegans away from all animal products, and there are tons of exotic veggie sushi options to choose from. Be sure to request no Bonito fish flakes, as they tend to sprinkle them on what would otherwise be vegan, like the Oshidashi - Steamed Spinach with sesame sauce, and Agedashi or Steamed Tofu - A Deep-fried Tofu in a sweet sauce, or a Steamed Tofu in a spicy sauce. Don't forget to order the Veggie Gyozas, crispy and savory deep-fried vegetable dumplings.

LOCATION/HOURS: 4390 Telegraph Avenue, #G, Oakland, California 94609 (510) 594-0661. NO LUNCH SERVICE. Tues - Thurs 5:00 pm - 1:30 am, Fri - Sat 5:00 pm - 2:30 am, Sun 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm, Mon CLOSED.