Chef Kyle Itani

Chef Kyle Itani’s cooking is inspired by his fourth-generation Japanese heritage, his mother’s Italian side, his experience working in kitchens throughout the Bay Area, and from his time living, cooking, and eating throughout Japan.

Kyle brought his passion for Japanese cuisine and culture to Uptown Oakland in 2012, when he opened Hopscotch, a classic American diner with a Japanese twist. He was among Oakland’s early culinary pioneers who helped establish a destination restaurant scene and earned himself a San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chef Award and a spot on the Chronicle’s Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants list.

The team’s second restaurant, Itani Ramen, opened in 2016 across from The Fox Theater in Oakland and was inspired by Kyle’s extensive travels and a brief residence in Japan. Known as a place where all are welcome, this “izakaya for everyone” offers homemade gyoza, donburi bowls, cocktails, and plenty of ramen.

The team opened Yonsei Handrolls in 2022 next door to Itani Ramen with a menu of made-to-order sushi handrolls that rely on crisp nori, seasoned sushi rice, and top-notch seafood, served alongside sake and Japanese-inspired cocktails.

After 11 years of brunches, lunches and dinners, Hopscotch closed its doors on San Pablo Avenue in June 2023 and transitioned to be a catering business.

More sushi dreams came true in September 2024 when Chef Kyle partnered with talented sushi chef, Jeremias Jimenez, to open Itani Sushi in Berkeley.

In May 2025 the team opened the second Yonsei Handrolls location in Albany.

Bringing Hopscotch full circle - in August 2025 Kyle had the opportunity to open Hopscotch Chicken in Berkeley which is a casual chicken joint centered around his beloved buttermilk fried chicken.

The past decade plus years have been full of restaurant openings, pivots, and plenty in between. We are proud to serve guests at our current restaurants and all over the Bay Area through Hopscotch Catering events.