Good Japanese in Hayward, what, what?! We just went to Wakamatsu Japanese Restaurant on Foothill Boulevard between C and D Streets. Where is that place, you ask? Yeah, it’s, like, the definition of a hole in the wall and totally just blends into the background of crap on Foothill. But it’s good!
It’s tiny and run down on the outside, but the inside is nice enough and the lady that works there is super adorable. She squeaks little Japanese words at you while she politely takes your order, is kind and smiley, and refills your water like nobody’s business. The menu was good–standard choices of appetizers, lunch specials, dinner combos, and sushi.
We ordered miso soup (one of my favorite foods on this earth), I got a salad, a Hayward Roll (represent!), and some salmon nigiri sushi. Boyfriend ordered a tuna roll, a side of rice, and a sushi pizza. Yes, I said sushi pizza. I have to admit, when I see something called sushi pizza on a menu, it’s relatively impossible not to order it.
Sushi pizza, appetizer size, from Wakamatsu
Sushi pizza is a bed of rice with mayo sauce and seafood on top all baked with some sort of cheesy goodness. It’s a fabulous idea and I admire Wakamatsu’s creativity and innovation in offering it to me on their menu. Bonus points here for sure. The appetizer size was about as big as a slice of bread; they also offer a dinner entree size which I assume is larger.
The Hayward Roll is deep fried zucchini and yellowtail in sushi rice. I’m not sure what it implies about Hayward that our dedicated roll is full of deep fried vegetables, but I’ll take it as a compliment since it was delicious. The nigiri was fresh and tasty, and the tuna roll was standard and delicious.
Sushi! From Wakamatsu, Hayward
While it’s not much to look out from the outside, I’ll definitely be returning to Wakamatsu!
It’s funny you’re writing about this place now. I drive right past it all the time. It really does just blend in with whatever else is in that nearly invisible storefront. But just a day ago, as I was passing it, I looked at it and thought, is that place even open for business? I didn’t even really know it was a japanese restaurant there. Where is their parking? They need a sign or something. Is it your new favorite local place?
I know, that’s what I though…is it open? The sign is tiny and the place is so unassuming looking. The parking is actually right in front of (slash next to) the place (it’s a really weird triangular shaped building). It’s a tiny lot that would fit about a dozen cars just to the south of the building on Foothill. But it fit our car! I think it might be a new favorite, though I’ll have to go a few more times to see about that. I just like that it’s so close and has good food and the lady is nice. Can’t ask for much more (except for a bigger sign)!! 🙂