Cha-Ya Vegetarian Japanese Restaurant
Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Vegetarian [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley1686 Shattuck Ave
(between Lincoln St & Virginia St)
Berkeley, CA 94709 (510) 981-1213
![Dengaku set [(c)B.K. - no stealing!]](http://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/uWKfkwUeErir7bmNlcLu_Q/xss)
![Chawan Mushi [(c)B.K. - no stealing!]](http://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/MfzGQxXrvA742abDXpT0IQ/xss)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
102 reviews
Neighborhood: Union Square
"Thank you Annemarie Domizio... Anzu is awesome! I went to Anzu for Valentines Day. I begin my dinner with a blood orange mimosa that tasted…" read more »
208 Reviews for Cha-Ya Vegetarian Japanese Restaurant
Really tasty food! It's pretty unique (i've never seen anything else like it) and it's a good deal. Everything comes out really hot when it's supposed to. Deep fried things come out perfectly fried, which they must be well practiced at cuz practically everything is fried, which is why i took away one star. The sauces that come with each order is distinct, so you don't dip everything in soy sauce, which i always thought was dumb cuz then everything tastes the same. And it's a great place for a first date ;)
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This place has a lot of special meaning to me since it is where my boyfriend and I had our first date. I would have originally given it 3 stars for the food alone, but the 4th star is for the experience and service we received which made our date very enjoyable and memorable.
The food here quite unique. Vegan style sushi, who would have ever thought I'd actually enjoy it? The rolls are quite large and the sushi smells and tastes very fresh. The prices are standard for sushi, but maybe it can be considered overpriced because there isn't any seafood yet you're paying practically the same price.
Overall I think it's a great place to take vegetarians or vegans. It's always a pain to go out for sushi and having to read every single thing on the menu to make sure it doesn't have meat or seafood (especially if it's in Japanese!). At this place, you can feel comfortable and order whatever you want and still get that japanese/sushi experience. My only suggestion is to come a little bit earlier because seating is very limited.
My first experience at a vegan japanese place.
I'm not quite sure. I became vegetarian for a while, and I must say, I've had better vegan food.
We came here on a weekend night, so the wait was quite long, and it was quite cold outside.
I tried the gyoza, the cha ya roll, and the robata yaki. Nothing that I could really rave about. The food was quite bland. Although, I guess pretty interesting.
Service was average.
Yea, I had high expectations of this place after all the rave reviews, but they just fell short of my expectations.
But, I'll try it again, and I'll order other things. Maybe I just ordered the wrong things.
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Pros:
-fresh, veggies in their food (ordered the vegi-tofu curry udon soup, all the veggies were tender but not mushy)
-clean environment
-unique entrees and desserts (my friend really liked their ice cream w/ pineapple chunks and azuki/green tea sauces)
Cons:
-pricey (it's just 'satisfying' for $20/person)
-waaaay too busy for such a small place which led to:
-really long wait times even on a Monday night (extra forty-five minutes of waiting for the food, waiting for drinks, waiting for check, etc, etc)
-service (no smile, didn't bother refilling our drinks, waitress handed us the check after nearly 20 min wait, didn't even ask if we wanted dessert)
-ambiance (it does have a very yuppie, white-people feel to it. took a quick look around at the crowd and we were pretty much the only asians there)
overall, the food ain't bad... but it's not something i think i'll ever get cravings for. i won't be going back b/c of the prices and the crowd. i really like vegetables but honestly don't think it's worth it to anyone who enjoys sushi with seafood.
I love Cha-Ya because it's unique, fresh and a nice place to eat.
I'm not at all a vegetarian, but this place kicks ass. You would think that vegetarian sushi cancels itself out - how can you have sushi without the sushi/ raw fish?
They create colorful, interesting masterpieces by transforming vegetables in imaginative ways. The food is soothing and not overly-spiced, so if you're the type who only likes fast-food, exciting salty, spicy mumbojumbo then this isn't for you, or if you do come bring your hot sauce bottle and maybe some bacon bits. I do like eating more piquantly-spiced foods, with meat and wine-reduction, truffles, rich cheese, cheeseburgerfries, etc but it's nice to take a break sometimes too.
The servers aren't intrusive, but they're attentive and pleasant. The space is very small and it's warm, the lighting isn't too harsh which creates a comfortable atmosphere. I feel relaxed in this space, although it's a little too bustling for a romantic dinner.
I had a craving to try something different, so this was it. I like vegetables, and I like Japanese food.
So we entered the tiny little restaurant and stood around at the doorway, a bit confused on how we should proceed. The wait staff seemed rather preoccupied, and about half of the space was occupied by the chefs, who were trapped behind the sushi bar.
We ended up sitting at the sushi bar, which would have been cooler if I could actually watch the chefs...but alas, my torso is too short. Booster seat, please?
On a Saturday night at around 8:30, there wasn't really a wait. I noticed other people later on, lingering in the doorways confused, as well. In short, service could be better. Our empty bowls were later all left in front of us, water took forever to come, as did the check.
The menu, however, was delightfully extensive. Vegetables and tofu in sushi, tempura, breaded and deep-fried (kara-age style), in noodles, steamed, with miso, blablabla. There were all sorts of combinations too, which took a while to examine because each item is named rather uniquely, so I had to flip back and forth to see what exactly was in each combination.
The two of us settled on a Dengaku and Vegetable Tempura Combination, which came with soup and salad, and a Vegetable Curry Udon. Afterwards, we finished off with a delicious Vegan dessert.
Lowdown on the Food:
(Check out my photos)
-Miso Soup: Very yummy, with the typical tofu and seaweed, but an added unique taste. My "date" commented that it tasted like a mix between ramen soup and miso soup.
-Salad: Pretty awesome. Cucumbers and other yummies, topped with golden raisins, radish, and crunchy nut thingies in a lightly delicious sauce.
-Dengaku: Eggplant, mushroom (portebello?), and tofu in a miso sauce. The Eggplant was weird--skinned and un-eggplant like. The tofu was good, and the shiitake had this rich, earthy taste which we absolutely loved. The miso sauce, however, was terribly overpowering--way too flavorful and sweet, and totally smothered all over the eggplant, mushroom, and tofu. They could definitely improve on this dish...remove some sugar, and drizzle the sauce instead.
-Vegetable Tempura: Portions could have been larger. Once again, the poor eggplant was skinned. The breading on tempura was also not as delicate as I like...but the vegetables were all very fresh and flavorful. The giant asparagus was pure yumminess, as were the potatoes and mushrooms.
-Vegetable Curry Udon: The most beautifully presented curry dish I have yet seen. It was delicious too--somewhat of a noodle soup, only thicker. Though I prefer my udon fatter, this dish was yummy in my tummy, and had a healthy amount of fresh veggies inside.
-Soy Vanilla Ice Cream with Pineapple Chunks in Red Bean Sauce and Green Tea Sauce: Mmmmm...I've never had soy ice cream before this, but this was very creamy and yummy. Melted a little fast though. The ice cream was topped by little crunchy things, which further enhanced the yumminess....and the sauces were fantastic with the ice cream. This dessert is definitely a hit. Once again, well-presented.
The Verdict:
For something not-cheap ($20/person) like this, I would expect more consistent food, a better ambiance, or better service. Try Anzu further south on Shattuck if you're looking for a nice environment. It is way less crowded and more elegant or romantic, with pleasant and attentive service. Cha-Ya, however, appeals to adventurous tastes.
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Okay, just go. Really.
I'm so thankful to my friend John Jack because he brought me here once, and you cannot drag me away now before I get me my vegan sukiyaki dish with gyoza on the side. I am so serious here; I am not a vegan or a vegetarian so vegan shmegan. As my friend Jina mentioned once during dinner there, the vegetables are treated with the utmost respect, meaning that they are perfectly prepared - no soggy zucchini or squishy carrots. It all retains flavor and texture. Plus they serve lotus root, which reminds me of my grandparents' cooking, so props. Oh, and the avocado tempura roll? Delish.
Do remember that it's cash only for lunch (right?). Oh, and the pear dessert thing I was not crazy about, but maybe that's just me.
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A wait even on Tuesday night at 845. Plan accordingly if you have a large party or want you food NOW!
Wholesome food and tasty creations.
Pleasantly surprised by the "sushi" selections.
Was told that the SF one does not give as generous portions. Will investigate and report back.
Cha-Ya Special.
That's all I need to say.
I've never had something so amazing - so simple, yet so filling and tasty.
I'm really not sure what else to write - their sake selection is decent, normal beer selection, phenomenal food (easily the best vegan food I've ever had).
I find it funny that I never here Cha-Ya mentioned in lists of good vegan food, especially considering how mediocre other vegan places are. Seriously, I know you don't like hurting animals, but how about not just eating tofu-cheeseburgers. If you're going to make a statement, go all the way and eat food that doesn't just copy meat and dairy.
The only problem with this place is the wait - try to avoid it between 6:30 and 8 and you should be fine. And be patient - it's more fun to sit outside and watch the stressed out couple on their blackberries freaking out over the precious 25 minutes they're losing than to stress out.
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YUM YUM, vegan sushi, I went when they first opened, we ordered about 10 things from the menu. Have been back several times. I love the seaweed salad, its delicate and far surpasses any seaweed salad from high end sushi places. Great tempura rolls. Its just delicate, and wonderful flavors. If you are vegan you will love this place. It has cute folks cooking. Its fun to watch the women bustle behind the counter.
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It's always busy here so there is usually a wait but as a vegetarian it's nice to have so much variety in sushi. Meat eaters might be a bit skeptical but it's good. Go see for yourself.
Disclaimer: I am not a vegetarian nor am I a vegan (I'm a "distant cousin" - a pescetarian) so I'll be writing from that perspective.
I agree with Alexander L.'s review - the food was pretty good but all the good stuff was deep-fried this or tempura that. My friend and I tried a brown rice vegetable bowl, vegetarian gyoza, spring egg rolls, a gyoza + vegetable mix soup and the vegan chocolate cake. The gyoza and spring egg rolls get 4.5 stars - DANG good. The best vegetarian gyoza and spring rolls I've tried yet. *Droooool* The rice bowl - bleh. Sort of bland, too much ginger (doesn't help that I'm not a fan of ginger) and not enough veggies. But, the vegan chocolate cake - DAYAMN that gets 5 stars. Oh. Mah. Gawd. Becky. Who would've though - vegan chocolate cake at a vegetarian Japanese restaurant? Only in Berkeley. The cake was nice and dense (I love fudge-y cakes) and it wasn't too sweet - sooooo good. Oh - and Cha-Ya has a pretty good green tea selection (at least 5 types, I believe).
The place is tiny and we had to sign up on a wait list but, we only waited for about 8-10 minutes. Although I thought some of the food was bland, I love the fact that I ate my fill and, for once, did not need to be rolled or wheelbarrow'ed out of the restaurant, nor did I wish I had worn elastic waist pants. It was a satisfying "full."
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I'm sorry I just don't "get it." We waited for over an hour to be packed in here with a shoe horn. The food was rather boring and very overpriced. Why oh why is there always a line?
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Hey, I'm a new vegetarian too (4 months or so). It's always a blast when the entire menu is veggie, but an all-veggie Japanese restaurant is such a treat. Omnivores could definitely get by here, too.
We tried several things, can't remember the names of anything. My favorite was #18 or something, chunks of portobello mushrooms, topped with tofu, then deep-fried. O.M.G. They also had a reverse roll full of fresh veggies and avocado, reminded me of a spring roll.
The restaurant has more of a cafe-feel than a restaurant, there isn't much seating. Minus one star for covering many of the dishes with sauce, unnecessarily.
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The best! Good for a treat or hot date. Not good if your broke...... but I am not right now so I say The Best!
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I love this place! It gets really busy, so I try to avoid it during prime times. It is well worth the wait either way. Great food especially if you're vegan :)!
Wow, the food here is so so good.
The Soba Salad is one of our favorites. It is a cold soba salad with lots of goodies like carrots, green onion, burdock, edamame, and strawberries bundled on top.
The Dobin Mushi (mushroom soup) is sublime with good earthy flavors. Our young kids love the Cha-Ya Roll and the Vegetable Roll. The Cha-Ya soup used to be on the specials list, but now is a regular part of the menu and is really good.
There is usually a small line, but the wait is short and well worth it.
Definitely a great restaurant.
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As a Milwaukee vegan visiting Oakland for almost three weeks last year, my food options went from a handful of eateries who were kind enough to offer me a few dishes to nearly limitless after a simple four-hour flight.
The number of straight-up vegan restaraunts in the Bay Area was completely overwhelming, and I had no idea where to start -- so I was completely thrilled when a non-vegan friend insisted upon taking me to Cha Ya on my first adventure to Berkeley (endless gratitude to Eric K).
"You're trying to tell me that not only is it a vegan restaurant, it's a VEGAN SUSHI RESTAURANT? VEGAN SUSHI?!"
"Yes."
[long pause, timidly] "...seriously?"
"Seriously!"
Sushi is my favorite food (note: I have never had sushi with fish). My seemingly impossible wish had come true in the form of an unassuming little storefront on Shattuck.
Hilariously cramped seating? Long wait? Slightly pricey for herbivorous goods? Did not care at all. Asparagus hosomaki, inari, agedashi tofu, miso soup, spinach inside-out rolls? Sign me up for every last bit of it; I nearly licked my plate clean and almost ordered more food even though I was totally full. I felt healthier walking out than I did walking in. I still carry the take-out menu with me everywhere I go, yearning for the day I can return and stuff my gaping maw with Cha-Ya rolls once more.
When I dream, I dream of Cha-Ya.
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MMMMMMMMMMMM!!!
I spent six weeks in Tokyo once, and I lost about 10 pounds because, as a vegetarian, most of the cuisine was off-limits to me.
Cha-Ya brings the California to Japan, with its full-on vegan menu. Everything I've ever tried here has been delicious. I especially like the Soba Salad and Cha-Ya Roll. Their miso soup is also excellent.
I understand that for non-vegetarians, especially hard-core sushi fans, Cha-Ya might not be your go-to Japanese restaurant, but I'm a frequent customer for the long haul.
Getting a table or spot at the booth here is worth the wait. I love the nigiri mushroom dishes, and their mushroom noodle soups are amazing.
The only thing I wouldn't recommend from here are the fava beans. I had them once and they were kind of dry and not so wonderful. Everything else, though, is excellent.
I'm a newly vegetarian (3 months, 24 days--lol, ok, maybe not that exact) and my friends and I tried Cha-ya this past Sunday night (After Bay to Breakers-drunken fest all day) Anywho, I went with my friends to this vegetarian restaurant even though i didn't have the apetite (all the propel/vodka, sunchips, and late Indian lunch food) I still went. I only ordered the Cha-Ya roll and it was delicious! It was tempura battered with vegetables (duh). My friend ordered the spring rolls which was also good, potstickers were superb, but the vegan chocolate cake didn't really impress me-it was too gritty (Cafe Gratitude's desserts are better, but that's a whole another review) So, if you're a vegetarian who miss eating 'sushi', I would suggest trying this place..OR if you just want to try an alternative place to eat for sushi, this would be a good place!
Oh man, I have seen the light! I always thought that I didn't like sushi because of the raw fish component. NO WAY! It's the seaweed! I finally got to try Cha-Ya after months and months and months of going by it every single day on my way to school, and I was all "Yum yum, I'm just gonna stuff myself with some tempura avocado sushi right now!" and then I was all "BLEARGH! It's still sushi! BLEARGH!" Luckily, my cousin was totally into the sushi, so she ate all the rolls we got. Anyway, the point is, even if you really dig sushi, you won't be missing out on the taste by going with the vegan stuff. And if you don't like sushi, don't necessarily expect to find a reprieve here.
Usually I wouldn't give four stars to somewhere that repulsed me so, but I was in love with all the non-sushi items on the menu. The vegan sukiyaki was incredibly filling, delicious, and tasted like eating pure health, like when Link collects heart containers in The Legend of Zelda. But the real shining star dish was the sesame greens salad. Seriously, green green cold blanched spinach (super tender) and broccolini (super crunchy) dipped in a sesame dressing flavor explosion. Oh man. The potstickers and locally-produced sake were also pretty good.
A little pricey, but definitely filling. Go with two people and you can grab the sesame greens, sukiyaki, and some sushi or another entree. And maybe some sake. That'd be like $25-30 total, and totally worth it.
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Go-chuui kudasai: the following review will be written by an unrepentant omnivore.
The best thing I've tried here is the appetiser-sized sea vegetable salad. I especially like the hijiki (rough black seaweed), though you might prefer to ask for your salad without it if you're on a low-arsenic diet. (And they say vegan food is healthy.)
The various combinations with miso and rice are good value, especially for lunch. I like the hangetsu: deep-fried (maybe it's just the vegan food I like that isn't healthy) portobello and tofu with a better-than-it-sounds kiwifruit sauce.
Sushi is OK -- they have good rice -- but I'd rather have fish on my nigiri.
Mmmkay... never mind that it's pricey, cash-only, and only sports 5 small tables and a few bar seats--this is really only about the food and service, right?
Thusly, I'll also ignore that other than the pair of Asian first-timers, the people packing this place were sickly-looking pastey white folk (I guess that's how I know the restaurant earns its "vegan" street cred: one of the women, under the age of 30, perhaps much younger still, looks like her next stop after Cha-Ya will be HOSPICE care. It's just The Look in these places, ya(h)?)
Okay, right, where was I? Food & service.
I had to ASK for wasabe. In a Japanese restaurant.
We had to ask TWICE for our drink order-- but it still never came.
Our first water refill came along with our bill.
That's the service.
Food... uhm, the "Cha-Ya Roll" being cheered in the reviews is actually quite BORING. Go to another sushi restaurant, choose a fancy fried roll & request a vegetizing substitution, and you'll get something far more flavorful. We do so regularly. The gyoza, while fried to a visually-attractive & mouth-pleasing crispness, are uninspired--lousy-tasting, even. Of the selection we ordered, I actually recommend the avocado tempura roll--warm, a bit of crispiness inside, and thanks to a slight sprinkling of sesame seeds outside the rice, the most flavorful of the four things we tried.
The promise of a vegetarian sushi restaurant filled our heads with the prospect of an amazing, creative menu of colorful and delicious foods, limitless choices. The choices are actually not at all that impressive, and I've already told you about the food itself. Not worth the trip, from anyplace.
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Good food, but I don't get the hype or the wait. I had the vegetarian tempura udon and it was satisfying, but didn't rock my world any more than any of the other great sushi options out there. My friend had a few rolls and seemed satisfied, and we split some potstickers and a pot of gen mai cha. Service was fast and friendly, and the restaurant is super clean, if fairly tiny.
In a nutshell: Your average better-than-decent restaurant. So why will I probably not be in a rush to return? Because you can get this sort of fare all over the East Bay and San Francisco. Perhaps if I were a vegetarian or a vegan, I'd really understand the magic that apparently is Cha-Ya. Still, a solid four stars.
I liked the food, but everything was deep tempura fried. The soup was tasty and if you add the spice it's good too. I knew that it being vegetarian I'd have to eat a lot so I ordered a lot. Unfortunately I walked out of there busting out of my pants.
The bill was a little steep for vegetables, but overall I had a good experience. I think it's great that a vegan restaurant has a japanese option, but I'm pretty sure it's a concept that will only fly in Berkeley.
The place was super crowded but they only have like 5 tables and they're meant for 2 or fewer people. The line wasn't too bad. Gotta love the korean run japanese restaurant and food made by mexicans all wearing the bandana wrapped on their heads.
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Let me just get a couple things out of the way. First, I LOVE meat. I love cheese and virtually every possible combination of the two. To me, not eating meat and dairy free foods is not an obvious move. Second, I'm part Japanese, was born in Japan, and have parents that have earned their living as cooks in Japanese restaurants.
With that being said, I love, love, love this place. Somehow the food just tastes cozy. During the times I visit, it's a nice reminder that there are more food groups then just meat, cheese, & bread. They have a decent sized menu with several different rolls, noodle & rice dishes, and lots of neat veggie creations. I highly recommend the Cha-ya roll (it's deep fried and comes topped with a tasty sauce) and their green tea ice cream / pinapple dessert thing.
I am sad that they no longer offer whatever soup it was that they used to have (right around the time they first opened) that was basically a lump of mochi in vegetable soup. Sounds gross, but amazing.
The wait is a bit of challenge and this is definitely NOT the place you want to go with a large party (more than 4) as it is tiny.
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Yum.
p.s. I have one tip for all you silly people standing out front waiting for a table to open up: Call your order in, stop in 15 min later to pay, and then head out the door with your TAKE AWAY.
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Cha-Ya is a lot like Berkeley Bowl.
It is one of those places, that is absolutely wonderful.
But it is so crowded, and so hard to get in that you avoid going.
Obviously, it's crowded for a reason. And unexpectedly that reason has little to do with it being vegetarian. Neither I nor my wife are vegetarians. The thought of being a vegetarian makes me shudder.
Yet, I love the food at Cha-Ya.
Call me an open minded omnivore.
I am still amazed at the depth of flavor they were able to coax out of broth without using bonito flakes. Amazed.
And I am still haunted by the memory of those delicious cold greens drizzled with peanut sauce and sesame seeds. Possibly my favorite vegetable dish at ANY restaurant.
Their fried things are fun. And well fried. I don't know why people can't seem to see beyond the fried offerings. Unfortunate for them. Myself, I am kinda opposed to veggie sushi on principle. So we all have our issues.
But none of this matters. Because it's impossible to get in. And once you are in, it's cramped. And if you have any heart at all, you feel terrible for the poor souls outside, hungrily eying your teeny tiny table from behind the glass.
What happened with this restaurant??? It was used to be a very good vegetarian restaurant. I though there was a Japanese chef cooking at counter.
I went with my friend for lunch. People who were working there were not Japanese anymore. Quality of food went way down. Tasted totally different from what it used to be. Actually tasted funny.
I do not know about dinner time. Hope it is better.
CHA-YEAH!
So you have to wait in the cold for a while, it only makes the warm, flavorful miso taste even better.
Of course it's not comparable to fish sushi, Cha-Ya does no attempt to simulate sushi, it reinvents sushi. It's simply delectable.
It makes you feel good all over. You leave feeling satisfied, but never over stuffed.
DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT ORDERING THE CHA-YA ROLL.
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I still prefer sushi with fresh fish, but this is definitely a good and Berkeley-an experience! I had the eggplant roll, cha-ya roll, silver noodle soup, and tempura ice cream that did not disappoint. It is cozy, so I suggest you get there before the rush comes in.
Japanese food without fish sauce or at least something fish-based? Yeah buddy, you better believe it -- and it's awesome. Cha-ya makes good food. Filling vegetarian sushi rolls and awesomely creative tofu and vegetable dishes. Everything visually looks awesome and the price is good too.
Expect to wait, even if you're only two people, during peak hours. But if you've got a Cha-ya craving and you want it satisfied ASAP -- here's a tip: order take-out and you'll be chowin' down in no time.
Nevermind that this place is vegetarian, everything is delicious. If I go to the Bay and I don't eat here I feel like a fool. Worth the wait.
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I love Cha Ya, totally unique and I would consider it to be my favorite East Bay vegan eatery.
A large menu holds many familiar dishes as well as a lot of new and interesting things to try.
The last dish I had there made me feel like I was eating some alien fairy forest food. Success!
Extra points for a homey space and a nice owner (he comes into my work).
I'll be back!
Cha Ya is definitely in my top five as far as good food in Berkeley goes. The place is really homey. There are only a few tables available and the wait is usually out the door on weekend nights, but once you're seated, you'll be glad you waited. The food is absolutely delicious. Cha Ya offers Japanese vegetarian dishes that aren't usually found at other Japanese restaurants. I would recommend trying their set combinations instead of their sushi, since you can get sushi anywhere. And I am absolutely in love with their red bean/mochi dessert!
Do not experiment if don't know what you're ordering here. My friend who's been to Cha-Ya before is smart to stick with ordering the generic vegan roll because it tastes just fine. The vegan roll is a mix of asparagus, cucumber, broccoli, mushrooms and tofu wrapped inside seaweed and rice. The miso soup tastes just as splendid.
The A La Carte combo was a disaster. We ordered numbers 18 and 21. The Dengaku (number 18) arrived first. I wonder if "Dengaku" translates to huge brick of sweet tofu because that's just what the entree is. The miso-pasta glaze was the worst part of the meal. It tasted like KFC gravy eloping with Sweet and Low.
When the Taka-Sui (number 21) arrived, I overheard people at the sushi bar comment on tour pot sticker soup. I pity the fools who also ordered this soup. The soup's flavor lacked any sign of life because the vegetables were mass-murdered in scalding hot broth. The broth was so overheated, the pot stickers melted into smile-shaped goo. I believe the hot broth vaporized any relic of flavor in this soup. The broth tasted dull yet was edible and certainly hot enough to counter the cold weather.
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My favorite restaurant in Berkeley. Every new dish I've tried is exciting, flawlessly prepared, delicious. Relatively super inexpensive, for the effort and care in each dish. I highly recommend the tempura udon, the stuffed eggplant, the salad with strawberries and the vegan sushi roll. It's definitely hard to bring groups here, and I have tried stupidly too many times.
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My favorite thing there was this broiled eggplant with miso. It was tender, delicious, and the miso was the perfect combination of sweet saltiness. Not actually sweet like sugar, but a flavorful paste that was fragrant and complimented the eggplant. It also wasn't stringy like eggplant normally is, or tough or covered in greasy.
Just went last night after reading mixed good reviews on the place. I gotta say I'm kinda in the middle on this.
The food was pretty good, I must say. Yet I also agree with the other people who have said this place is a bit too pricey for some vegetables and rice, but the food was good, so it wasn't a total rip off.
Sure, the place was small, crowded and the waitresses could have been a bit more friendly and attentive. But the food is good and that's what matters in the end!
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