Aburaya Japanese Fried Chicken

If you love fried chicken, Aburaya is a must visit. I've been to Aburaya a handful of times and each time I leave full, with enough leftovers for another meal, and a promise to myself to come again soon.

They offer karage by the piece or in a rice bowl. My go to order is a habenero miso four piece rice bowl. The meal comes with their housemade miso ranch that is the perfect dipping sauce for any occasion. The habenero miso sauce provides a flavorful heat that is balanced but still provides a tasteful kick to the sinuses.

They have indoor seating with a fun punk ambiance or you can take the food to go and enjoy your meal by lake merritt. Highly recommend!

A unique Japanese Fries Chicken specialty restaurant located in uptown Oakland near 19th BART. Upon entering the restaurant, the entrance area is a relatively wide, open space. The walls are lined with store merchandise and tons of Japanese sake, American beers (cans & bottles), and bottles of the restaurant's sauces; all for sale. The ambiance is a homey feeling with the warm lighting and tons of decor that gives Aburaya its identity. This place also has some fun elements; for example on Wednesdays you can play Rock, Paper, Scissors against the cashier and if you win, they give you a free drink or side ($7-$10 value).

They have one cashier at the front. In my experience the line can move quickly. I have ordered a few times from here including a rice bowl with 4 pieces chicken, their "Oyako Sando", and skirt steak rice bowl. The chicken rice bowl didn't come with quite enough sauce so admittedly I think it could have been better since the sauce was most of the flavor. The Oyako Sando however was very flavorful as it was fried chicken and egg salad doused in sauce (I subbed the spicy sauce for their orange aioli) in between two pieces of Texas toast garlic bread. I was very satisfied with that order and definitely plan to get it again.

One of the major downsides of this place is that it doesn't have enough seating. There is some seating in the entrance area but it's sparse and the tables are very close together and cramped. There is actually a separate room just for seating/ dining, but there are only about 7 tables. There are maybe 3 high top tables outside as well. Don't be surprised if you go here and have nowhere to sit! I have had to take my food to-go before because of lack of seating.

Overall, this place is definitely worth the visit for a different take on fried chicken. Prices are very cheap for what you get, and the food is flavorful. It's a fun spot to drop into but depending on time of day, you may not be lucky enough to eat in house.

Awesome fried chicken here that I stumbled upon in Oakland. The dishes are eye catching; we sat outside and people walking by and would do a double take on our food.

The chicken flavors are a hit on any of the sauces. My favorite was their orange garlic aioli. It was rich and tangy and very unique. I never tasted anything like that.

The tater tots are also great; I would recommend getting these as a side to share amongst a couple or a few people.

I hope that in the future they try to do bone in chicken instead of the boneless. The thighs we got were a little dry.

The sides are a solid five stars especially the tater tots and wasabi Cole slaw. The chicken is just ok. Maybe the oil was too cold because they were so busy but ours was not crispy and delicious as I'd hoped. I'd give it one more try. Definitely go for their sides though and the place has a cool punk rock vibe! The staff is very nice too.

The place is very nice and clean and very interesting. Customer service was great the chicken was good but i could have used more seasoning but it was moist and light tasting and the cauliflower could have been fried more tasted a bit more steamed to me than fried. The bathroom was clean but watch out for the skeleton when you walk in ..

This place has a good vibe and is tasty. Their name calling over the speaking is 25% too loud and hurt my ears. The food is great. The ginger on the chicken fish is very ginger and less sweet which is great. The egg fried chicken fish was a mix of white and dark meat which I'd dint expect but was cool with. I'll be back and the staff was nice

I've wanted to try this place for so long. I met the owner the other night while walking my dog and he was so nice, so I made a point of coming in the first chance I got.

All the employees I made contact with were kind, and knowledgeable about the food. Seemed pretty happy with their own menu.

They have some stuff you can buy there also. Soaps and hand creams, sake, beers, things of that nature.

There is indoor seating "next door" it's quiet considering where you order is lively, with music and what not.

The food comes out pretty fast. The portions are good. The food is super flavorful and delicious. I ordered 2 items, since I hadn't eaten all day. There are more I want to try since I'll definitely be returning.

One of my favourite spots for lunch. Love their fried chicken. Love their Tater Tots. Music is always too loud for me, so I get it to go.

Poppy punk rock fried chicken? heck yeah! Why not? Food was good. They only had one cold bottle white wine but it was electric. Fried chicken was tasty and veggies were better than fries as a side. Oh yeah the wine was literally electric.. called Electric Ladyland. Joey, Johnny and all the other dead rockers would probably still be alive if they had more Aburaya in their veins!

A Hidden Gem in Oakland: Aburya Japanese Chicken

I'm always on the lookout for unique culinary experiences. Aburya Japanese Chicken in Oakland is a must-visit for anyone in the Bay Area. Their 4-piece orange honey aioli and fried cauliflower were nothing short of amazing, perfectly blending flavors and textures to create a memorable meal.

Despite being a bustling lunch spot with lines out the door, the experience is worth every minute of the wait. However, a pro tip from someone who's always on the go: order ahead to save time. The interior ambiance adds to the allure, featuring captivating artwork and a selection of fine wines available for purchase directly off the walls - a touch that wine enthusiasts will appreciate.

Their merchandise corner is a bonus, but what truly sets Aburya apart, apart from their delectable menu, is their exceptional staff. During my visit, I faced a hiccup with my international card, and the staff handled the situation with utmost grace and efficiency, showcasing their commitment to outstanding customer service.

Aburya Japanese Chicken isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. Whether you're from San Francisco or further afield, it's unquestionably worth the trip. Their blend of exquisite flavors, artistic ambiance, and top-notch service makes it a hidden gem in Oakland's culinary scene. Don't miss out on this delightful spot!