oken decides to close

sadly, one of the newer oakland restaurants that rose quickly to the top of many local lists has abruptly decided to close after only one year.

"we regret to inform you that may 31st will be our last day of dinner service," said a post on contemporary asian restaurant oken's instagram this evening.

"the restaurant industry is tough and we are not big on making excuses or elaborate sad stories. we will take more time to reassess our situation and examine what our options are. unfortunately as of now, we have decided to close."

in april, the restaurant notably stopped lunch service.

whether or not the restaurant and chef albert ok decide to tell more of the story, we know diners will be more than sad to hear this news.

ok's deli, the chef's popular oakland sandwich restaurant, remains open.

oken is at 6200 claremont avenue in oakland and will close after service on may 31.

may 6, 2026

updated.