About Wakatobi Japanese Grill

Halal hibachi, sushi and noodles in Newark and Seaside, California — since 2018

Wakatobi Japanese Grill is a Halal Japanese restaurant in Newark and Seaside, California, founded by Chef Hattar Hattar. Renowned for its specialty in hibachi, sushi and noodle dishes, this dining destination offers an unforgettable gastronomic journey through vibrant flavors — from succulent New York steak to spicy seafood noodles, right down to exotic green tea.

Our Story

Wakatobi was founded in 2018 by Chef Hattar Hattar, a chef who took a long route to wind up with a Japanese restaurant in Seaside — and whose halal hibachi and sushi now serve the Monterey Peninsula and the East Bay. Read his story in In the Kitchen: Hattar Hattar.

The name comes from the Wakatobi islands of Indonesia, and our signature sushi platters are named after them — Wanci, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko. Learn more in the story behind the name and our special platters explained.

100% Halal, Every Dish

Everything on our menu is Halal — every hibachi combo, sushi roll and noodle dish at both restaurants. Our beef and chicken are hand-slaughtered to Zabiha standards, all ingredients and processing meet Halal requirements, and we don't serve alcohol. Read our guide to halal Japanese dining for the details.

Guests come for hibachi — steak, chicken, shrimp, scallop, salmon and lobster grilled to order with vegetables and rice — fresh nigiri, sashimi and specialty rolls, and noodle dishes like tempura udon, yakisoba and our spicy Wakatobi Seafood Noodle. See the full menu or browse the gallery.