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Norikonoko Japanese Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
2556 Telegraph Ave(between Blake St & Parker St)
Berkeley, CA 94704
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
(510) 548-1274
- Hours:
Wed-Fri, Sun 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Wed-Sun 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
241 reviews for Norikonoko Japanese Restaurant
Review Highlights
241 reviews in English
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Review from Justine C.
Berkeley, CA
8/17/2011
Yummy, but expensive!
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Review from Cindy N.
Pinole, CA
it's a nice homely Japanese style restaurant but sorry the food was gross which was the chashu ramen and ny steak bits on a stick the only thing i liked was the gonzo
the ramen was really mushy and the flavors i did not fit to my needs
oh dear the steak was dry sorry but this place is a downer i will not come back. -
Review from Katherine K.
Berkeley, CA
11/26/2011
I give 4 stars for the atmosphere, decor, and food, but minus one star for the high prices.
I came with friends for dinner and this place was really cute. It's in that one courtyard area with Koryo restaurant and that fondue place on Telegraph. The door is a sliding one and when you get inside, it really looks like some kind of tiny restaurant you might find in Japan. So cute! The owners (I assumed) run the place and they do the cooking. It doesn't feel like you're in Berkeley at all. There's a bar-ish type set up across from the door and several small tables throughout the place. It's not that big, but I feel like it would be good for trying to "get away" from Berkeley once in awhile.
I got the chashu ramen ($9!)-comes with slices of pork, and my other friends got the shoyu ramen. One of my guy friends ordered the chicken teriyaki ($12!) and I felt so bad for him when it came out. It was like a tiny bit of salad, some rice, and the smallest portion of chicken. Oh my, certainly not worth the price. My ramen was pretty good, but the price was steep!
Overall, this place is pretty good in terms of taste and atmosphere, but the prices are just too high for a college campus restaurant. Not sure if I'll come again! -
Review from Brian I.
Berkeley, CA
1/13/2012
Might be good if they were open at hours when I could eat there. Let me explain.
I have tried to eat at this restaurant 4 or 5 times and each time I have been treated rudely and turned away. At the door, on the phone. Every time. The most recent time, I called to make reservations and the employee sounded very unhappy that I was considering it:
Me: 'Hello, what are your hours today?' (It was a Friday)
Her: 'It depends. Sometimes we close early.'
Me: 'Oh... ok well what about tonight?'
Her: '8 o'clock.'
Me: 'Ok cool, well I'd like to make reservations for 2 for dinner.'
Her: 'Hm. Ok, when?'
Me: 'Um, tonight?'
Her: Long pause. 'Uhhhhhh it's already 7:20.' (I was 1 block away, walking with my girlfriend.)
THAT'S RIGHT!
Uhhhhhhhhhhh it's already 7:20.
That's fine. I'm already walking somewhere else.
I have nothing against reasonable work hours, but they have consistently treated me like crap when I try to eat there. -
Review from Maya Y.
Philadelphia, PA
7/29/2011
I find this place to be obscenely overpriced. Perhaps I am biased toward writing a less than favorable review since I am Japanese and my mom prepares better food. Even I can prepare tastier food than what is served here and in much bigger quantities.
I ordered the soy sauce (shoyu) ramen here on one visit and thought it tasted pretty average. It was probably prepared using raw egg noodles that came prepackaged with soy sauce soup packets and supplemented with fish cakes and other small toppings.
Another Japanese friend ordered the curry rice and reported that it tasted pretty standard. If you're not completely inept in the kitchen, I recommend going to Berkeley Bowl and buying the ingredients for curry rice (onion, potato, carrots, beef stew meat, salt, white pepper, and curry roo packets usually labeled either "Kokumaro" by S&B or "Vermont Curry" by the House brand) and preparing homemade authentic Japanese curry yourself. But if you're not Japanese and can't procure Japanese ingredients so easily, then I don't think this place is too terrible.
I do think the South Bay offers even more authentic Japanese food but the problem is a matter of accessibility. -
Review from Connie T.
Berkeley, CA
6/25/2011 3 photos
Norikonoko is a very traditional and homey Japanese restaurant owned by a cute old Japanese couple (: The restaurant itself is pretty small but the atmosphere is very nice.
Whenever I come here with my friends, I usually order the chashu ramen ($8) - I've tried both the shoyu (soy sauce) and miso based soup, and I like both of em! (: The noodles are cooked just right and it tastes very homemade to me. The only complaint I have is that the soup is a little bit too salty so I never end up finishing it :(
Also, many of the other items on the menu are a little more expensive for a poor college student like me so I haven't tried that many dishes yet :( And for some of the dishes, like the gyoza, it's pretty expensive for how little you actually get. If I remember correctly, I think last time it cost ~$5 for 5 pieces.. -__- But nonetheless it's still delicious! Just don't think it's worth it though...
Oh! And I love the tea they serve there... it's so good - I always ask for multiple refills hahahaListed in: JAPANESE
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Review from Anna C.
Berkeley, CA
5/19/2011
Norikonoko is saccharine sweet and straight up scrumptious. I'm a total sucker for traditional homestyle Japanese fare and this was easily some of the best I've ever had, for reals.
I had the Robota Bento, which came with grilled salmon/prawn skewers and an assortment of roasted zucchini and corn, all lightly glazed with a delicate sweet something-or-other. I also really enjoyed the little clump of gomae that accompanied my meal--the sesame paste was a nice gritty black and tasted like it'd just been freshly ground, it was wild.
The service was attentive, and it was cool to watch the owners/chefs (elderly Japanese couple) prepare each meal in the open kitchen with meticulous precision and extreme care. Although, as some of the other reviewers have pointed out: this place was indeed pretty expensive. My bento cost just under 20 bones, which--as good as it was--totally wasn't worth the price. Chawan mushi is $8, and the robota grill (a la carte) is mildly ridiculous (~$5 for an onion skewer, hmm).
Overall, twas a fine dining experience and I would definitely return. -
Review from Sophia L.
Fremont, CA
5/6/2011 2 photos
My friend took me out to an early birthday dinner and this is a restaurant I've been wanting to try because of all the great reviews. It's a quaint little place and the service is friendly. I definitely recommend the onigiri rice balls with salmon! They're so good especially if you like salmon masubi because they taste similar. On the dinner menu, there are 2 types of udon--get the one with the baked mochi :).
My only complaint about this place is that it's expensive for what you get. My udon was pretty small and was $12.50!! I can't really complain though since I didn't pay...but I normally wouldn't pay $13 for a bowl of udon. My friend got the ramen though and said it wasn't that great.Listed in: Sushi Rolls
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Review from Patricia Q.
San Francisco, CA
5/5/2011
There's a special place in my heart for cute little restaurants like this one. I love how homey the restaurant feels. It's cute to boot.
The food here admittedly is very expensive for what it is--unless you get the ramen. I've had better ramen (at Izakaya Sozai, SF)...but for fulfilling your ramen cravings in Berkeley, Norikonoko is a solid option to go to.
I'd suggest avoiding the specials...They are tasty, yes, but they are very expensive and will leave you still feeling very hungry.
The rice balls here are pretty good too. I'd suggest getting one for an appetizer. -
Review from Sam M.
Pleasanton, CA
11/27/2011
After a long absence, Norikonoko's owners are back! Great place for home style Japanese cooking.
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Review from elise k.
Berkeley, CA
1/19/2011
Finally... I found some great, authentic Japanese homestyle cooking in Berkeley. I've only been here once, but it exceeded my expectations. Finding inexpensive food in South Berkeley is never an issue, yet good quality, wholesome food is hard to find. Although Norikonoko was a little on the pricey side for S. Berkeley, the quality matched the price. I ordered the chicken teriyaki bento, which came with an assortment of sides: a bowl of miso soup, rice, salad, croquette, pickles, boiled spinach, and fruit. It was the perfect variety of tastes and the right amount of food.
One thing that kind of turned me off prior to getting my food was that the chef was using a microwave. The set-up of the restaurant allows you to see the chef preparing your food, so they obviously have no shame in and nothing to hide by microwaving things in front of the customer. For me, part of the novelty of going out to eat is that there is (hopefully) no microwaving involved -- just freshly prepared food. Despite this, my food tasted great and I couldn't figure out which part of my meal had been nuked.
Pros: really cute, homey interior, great service, good food, Japanese-owned (so you know its authentic!)
Cons: microwave? -
Review from Victor G.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 1/22/2011
Norikonoko is operated by an husband and wife team. husband cooks, wife is the waitress. homey atmosphere. ambience is like eating in a smalll cabin. small artifacts adorn the insides.
ramen review only:
*chashu ramen, miso broth(7.50)
-large bowl, half filled,
-toppings of bamboo, spinach, green onions, sliced half boiled egg, surimi slices, lean chashu (3)- bbq flavor could still be tasted without the fat.
-noodles plenty, smooth, al dente.
-broth salty, semi-full flavored.
temaki:
-special curry over rice (8.50) very popular at lunch here.
-onigiri (rice balls) on the menu
-"open kitchen"- can see how the guy looks.
-closed mondays, tuesdays and seemingly when they feel like it.
-service leisurely....Listed in: japanese eateries, japanese ramen (noodles, etc)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/22/2008
nice family owned and runned biz. after been here a while. good memories of the good food here.… Read more »
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Review from Scott B.
Berkeley, CA
11/11/2010
Got take out today.
Poor service and poor food.
They were very rude today. When i called to order the spicy pork curry, they asked me to bring cash. Reception on the phone was bad, i said okay anyway.
I had eaten there last week, paid with card, so i was wondering, why is it only cash now? Luckily i had 10 dollars in my wallet, or else i would have had to stop by the atm to pay for my curry on the way there.
I get there. I pull out my card to pay, the "mom" of this mom and pop shop says "i told u to bring cash".
I say, " oh soo thats what you said, i swear i came here a few days ago and paid with card"
she says "well we arent cash only, but we prefer card, they take too much, we barely get anything." i understand this; however to be a b**ch about it and complain when i give her my card is uncalled for. also, i arrived in 5 minutes (as they said it would be ready in 5 minutes), and she states "i said 5 minutes, that wasnt 5 minutes" honestly, it was 5 minutes, haha, oh well. whatever. i walk outside and wait another 10 minutes while they get together my lunch.
come back in 10 minutes later. pay for my meal. say thank you, act really nice, even though im annoyed with their antics at this point.
my total is 9.33, i pay with 10 dollars. she brings the change tray with my 67 cents on it. my left hand is holding my food, my right hand trying to grab the change off the tray. she lays it down on the table and says "get it yourself." basically she felt that i was somehow punking her by grabbing my change off the change tray while she was holding it. i just bought lunch from her. im not sure what the deal was today; but she was very rude.
i grab my change and leave, all the while telling myself, hey maybe the food will be good.
the spicy pork curry was bland, not that much pork, wasnt that spicy and to be quite honest was not worth my 9.33.
pretty annoyed with the experience today. ive eaten many restaurants, and this is the first time that ive been annoyed by service.
i understand you need to make a profit. i understand the credit card companies are squeezing you guys.
u got my $9.33 today. but youre losing out on my possible 10/week; once every 2 weeks return visits. that would come out to something like $240/yr
just because of ur attitude and ur bad service, along with ur bad food on today, 11/10/2010, you have lost out on a total of $240 this year. i hope you arent treating many of ur patrons like this because u wont be around for much longer.
keep ur chin up, be humble and dont pull that stuff again, and maybe, just maybe, u will make it thru the tough times and the credit card fees.
thank you. -
Review from Lizzie O.
Berkeley, CA
1/16/2012
just order the normal ramen!!!! all the fancy stuff gets too conceptual.
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Review from Ron L.
Emeryville, CA
5/15/2011
So my friend and I came based on its high reviews on yelp... Bad mistake it seems. First off, the waittress kept hurrying us to order every 3 min or so. It was our first time so we were still reading the menu, and it didnt help to have some impatient waitress standing next to us tapping her pen... We ended up ordering the pork curry, chicken, mushroom an shiitake robata grills.
The curry came first. It was something i could've easily made at home with a bag of instant curry and rice. In fact that's exactly what it tasted like. The portion is also pretty small (about 1 bowl of rice).
Then came the robata grilled items. I've had robata at many different places, and usually each has their own style of grilled items. This one's mushroom grills tasted like.... grilled mushrooms. -
Review from Leah K.
Berkeley, CA
12/6/2011
Absolutely charming, but too pricey for my tastes. I really do appreciate the quaint ambiance, the cute old couple in the back, and homely feel of this restaurant, but ultimately, I am a starving college students. I ordered the special Norikonoko curry which was very flavorful and spicy which was goooood but in the end with tip and tax, I paid $10 for my bowl of white rice with curry and meat (no veggies). I mean, it was good curry, props, but I know Golden Curry can be made that well with more experience, and costs a lot less. My friend ordered the chicken teriyaki, and though she didn't complain about it, she also paid $10 and it was a plate consisting of a small heap of rice, a small chicken breast sliced into like 5 small pieces, and some salad. Cute, simple, healthy.... UNFILLING :( Overall, good food, good mood, the price is no good
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Review from meshell c.
Oakland, CA
11/14/2010 3 photos
After being in Japan, I crave to be back in a place like this, just good ol Japanese comfort food and not sushi. Hey, don't get me wrong, I love sushi!
Went there on a Friday afternoon and to my surprise, only one other person was in there at the counter/bar. I parked myself right by the window and had a full view of the chef cooking along with all the decor. It's kinda like walking into someone's home, magazine, decorations on the walls, and it had this very homey feel.
The food: I had the grilled Aji (Spanish Mackerel). It came with miso soup, salad, rice, and side dishes. The Aji was definitely tasty, but I wish there was a bit more meat on the bone. I guess my "American" portions and appetite didn't translate in this place. One thing that was disappointing was the use of the microwave. Now, I just think it's a no-no to heat anything up in a microwave at a restaurant and I saw it with my own eyes. I believe either my rice or the potato side dish was nuked. NOT A FAN! The worst part was the rice wasn't even hot, it was just barely warm and I really dislike "warm" since I like my food piping hot!
I want to like this place more because I think the curry looks promising on the menu and some of their other delights. The place feels inviting and it really gave me a nice vibe, I just wish the food gave me a bigger vibe.
I will be back though and give it another try! -
Review from Phuoc K.
1/17/2011
I'm leaning more towards 3.5 stars actually, and this was just my first visit to this restaurant but I plan on going back. I dropped by a little early for dinner service on a Thursday, but they let me in anyways to get out of the rain and cold.
Well, my first foray into the world of non-packaged ramen was...okay. I went to Norikonoko the other day on a perfectly cold and drizzly evening and ordered their chasu ramen, which comes with a couple of thinly sliced pork, egg, mushroom (?), and what I'm guessing are slices of fishcake? The soup was okay, not as rich or complex as I was hoping. It was clear and only slightly savory. It was just hard to tell what sort of stock it was made from. The pork seemed to just be slices of boiled loin with just a little bit of skin, slightly over-cooked. Overall, while it served to take care of my cold and empty stomach for that night, I was a little disappointed.
The service was quite good though, but my table was only 1 of 2 being occupied at that time. The prices seemed very reasonable and I would like to go back to try other things on the menu if I'm in the neighborhood, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way. -
Review from Dennis W.
Berkeley, CA
4/27/2011
This place has everything that I look for in a Restaurant; fresh food, quite atmostphere. Service is good.
Home sytle Japanese Restaurant. -
Review from Hiroyuki K.
Berkeley, CA
2/2/2011
I wouldn't like American people to think this is a real Japanese restaurant.
Taking into consideration that the food does not taste very good and that the amount is too small, the price seems too high. -
Review from marie M.
Benicia, CA
1/19/2011
I really want to give Norikonoko more stars. The owner is a kick and the ambiance is really nice ("kitschy and homey," as Rebecca H so perfectly put it, and I'll add warm to the list).
After an awesome lunch last weekend at Ramen Dojo in San Mateo, all I can think about is ramen. Searching for an East Bay equivalent, I looked to Yelp for assistance (per usual). Norikonoko's reviews seemed promising, so I took the trip up the hill. I wanted my order to go, but was heartily discouraged by the feisty patron (something about the take-out containers being expensive)... I was a bit taken aback, but shrugged and agreed to eat in. No harm in taking a longer lunch than usual.
I ordered the shoyu ramen. It was served quickly and was piping hot. My mouth was watering. I looked at my bowl ... hmmm, they were a little light with the toppings (a few slices of egg and fish cake, a tiny bit of spinach, and some bamboo shoots). Okay, no biggie, I'm cool as long as the broth and noodles rock. The broth and noodles did not rock. They were just *shrug* okay. I ate my noodles, but I wished they were better.
I'll give Norikonoko another chance or two since noodles are not a substantial part of their menu. But the next time I need a noodle fix, I'll stick with the winter udon at Manpuku or take a drive down to San Mateo. -
Review from Skylar S.
Los Angeles, CA
9/20/2010
A Japanese-owned Japanese restaurant (and yes, you can taste a difference). This place is family run and often overflowing with people (sometimes, the line for this place can get ridiculously long, but it's worth it!).
This place doesn't really have the typical rolls you might find at American sushi restaurants (thank goodness!) and the food here have a certain authentic/family food feel to them.
If you're looking for a cozy, casual and yet authentic Japanese family restaurant feel, this place is for you. If you're looking for good sushi, this place might not be for you. What this place is more known for is their noodle menu (particularly during lunch hours). Their ramen and udon are pretty good, but as for their fish... I won't say that they have the most fresh fish and the price of their sushi is kind of pricey for their quality.
Then why the four stars, you ask? Because this place is cute and I love their ramen/udon (when I feel daring enough to sneak a little wheat into my diet (although I should really stop this, because it reeks havoc in my intestines) and thinks everyone should try them. Now go crazy and eat! -
Review from Jenn K.
Oakland, CA
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
There is no sushi here. Everything is cooked. If you sit at the sushi bar, you can watch them cut and cook everything to order. No heat lamps...
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Review from Zoey R.
Berkeley, CA
7/5/2010
To most Americans, Japanese food means sushi -- sushi with a side of chicken teriyaki and vegetable tempura. The idea of a Japanese restaurant with no sushi? Bizarre. For me, I'm the complete opposite. In looking for the best Chicago-style deep dish pizza, I'm not sure if I'd go into, let alone trust a place that also specialized in Brooklyn thin crust or even Kentucky fried chicken, New England clam chowder, or Louisiana gumbo, for that matter. A burrito roller in Los Angeles may be the best at putting together my carne asada masterpiece but it doesn't mean that I'll trust them with making my Coney Island chili dog. The same goes with Japanese food. You want good sushi? Head over to Yume in Alameda. Good yakitori? Get on a plane to Yakitori Toto in New York. But if you want good home-style Japanese food, look no further than Norikonoko.
Sliding open the wooden door you're greeted with the warm, sweet smells of a Japanese kitchen, and the friendly acknowledgment of "irasshaimase." In many ways it's like being transported to Japan, to one of those small mom and pop restaurants you'll find just off the train line in the country. The restaurant is small and homey, with just a few tables surrounding the central kitchen and several knickknacks adorning the walls, window sills, and table-tops.
For being a small restaurant with just two people behind the kitchen, the offerings are quite broad -- from chicken to fish and steak, with samplings of ramen too. The ramen with Miso-based soup was some of the best ramen I've had outside of Japan. But the dish that really made the trip worth it was their Shio Saba, grilled, lightly salted mackerel with daikon oroshi. The fish was cooked perfectly, simple and without overwhelming its natural flavors and aromas. Served with sides of sunomono, tsukemono moriawase, and yaki-nasu, it rounded out a complete meal that left my stomach full and my heart happy.
Arigato, Norikonoko. -
Review from Allie M.
Irvine, CA
2/16/2011
This place is super cute! There are decorations all over, the kitchen is open, and it is really cozy.
I went on a Wednesday at about 12:30 so I was expecting it to be a little busy due to lunch, but it was fairly empty, with only 2 other tables. The place is fairly small so I could see a wait during busier times.
The prices were reasonable. I ordered the chicken teriyaki lunch special which included Miso soup, salad, an orange slice, a few pickles, and some other veggies (i know there was spinach, but I am not sure what else.) Everything tasted really really good!! It was $8.
The only complaint I have is that the waiter was rather slow of filling my drinks. In fact, he never refilled my water cup, only my tea.
I will definitely be back here sometime though :) -
Review from Nina Y.
8/5/2010 2 photos
I would actually give it a 3.5 stars, but I'm feeling a bit nice today.
The sliding door to get into the restaurant was a nice touch, but a bit tricky. My roommate was not able to open the door at first, but on her second attempt, she got it.
We were seated at the counter. The counter had quite a few trinkets and figurines very reminiscent of various Japanese stores. We were also able to watch the old husband-wife couple cook traditional Japanese food. The atmosphere is very quiet and calm. This place is definitely not good for big groups of people or people who tend to talk loudly.
I ordered a Chicken Teriyaki entree and my roommate ordered Soba. I enjoyed my entree very much so. The chicken was cooked pretty well, but my favorite part of it was the croquette that was filled with mashed potatoes, corn and a bit of cream. It was crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The soba were nice. They cooked al dente; the soup was a bit hot. The flavors balanced nicely and there was not too much soup left over. I also enjoyed that they provided a piece of fruit as a end of the meal palate cleanser.
There were 2 waiters working. The guy was very kind and was able to explain and help me identify the parts of the plate that I didn't know. The girl was quite and almost non-existent. She took our orders and that was about it.
Overall, I had some great Japanese home cooking. -
Review from Amber T.
El Cerrito, CA
6/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is one of my most favorite restaurants ever. The ramen is the best my fiancé has found on the east side of the ocean. Yum. We try to go at least once a month. I would go more than once a month if I could. If you are in the mood for ramen, check this place out!
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Review from Gary H.
Folsom, CA
10/22/2011
As Chris A said on 9/12, the sign is still there and they are CLOSED as of 10/14!
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Review from Winnie B.
Hayward, CA
I adore the atmosphere of the place! It is so cute and warm, and the workers are great at making you feel welcome. I love how the kitchen is open and you can see everything being cooked--it really makes you feel at home!
I got a Shoyu Ramen with Gyoza on the side. I don't think there is anything special about the ramen... All of the ingredients went well together, but the soup was a little too salty. The gyoza had a spicy kick to it, and they were pretty good. A little too salty, also. Needless to say, I drank a lot of water after my meal.
My friend got Udon, but I didn't try it so I can't say anything about that. I paid a total of $27, including tax and tip, and it was only worth it because I was really, really craving some ramen after not having any for three months. -
Review from Michelle S.
San Leandro, CA
I missed this place so many times because the doorway isn't your typical doorway. It's a sliding door entrance, so it can easily be missed.
Once I opened the sliding door it was bigger than I expected and has a really down to earth feel.
The service was great and we never ran out of water or had to request it.
We ordered:
Butterflied hot chicken wings-It made an awesome presentation and was easier to consume. It was really simple, but tasted great with just enough hot sauce.
Rice ball filled with salted salmon-Mmmmm homemade feeling. The rice was perfectly cooked.
Corn from the grill-another awesome choice. It was slightly charred and had a layer of a sweet soy sauce reduction (almost like teriyaki, but not as sweet).
Char shiu & gyoza ramen-ramen texture was perfect (a little less on the al dente side which is to my liking), the broth did not have as much pork flavor as my friend would like, but I enjoyed it. The char shiu was on the dry side so I was a little disappointed there. The gyoza was served on the side. I don't remember much about it, except that we ate it all. So it was good, but not great.
Spicy pork curry-Oh by far my favorite dish of the night! It was so savory that I wanted to lick my spoon (but I held back lol). It's not a thick consistency or too watery allowed it to gently glide over the rice. It came with a side of slaw, pickled radish, and ginger. I loved everything about it.
My least favorite dish was the pork that was sliced. I forgot how it was prepared, but it was slightly on the dry side and kind of tough. I liked the sauce, but it was just overcooked.
It did come with a lot of yummy refreshing sides-cucumber & lettuce salad, green beans with kewie pie mayo, pickled japanese cucumber, and sweet stewed potatoes with carrots and bits of meat in it.
I felt like I walked into a hidden gem in Berkeley that is away from all the hustle and bustle of Telegraph. -
Review from Miyako L.
Lafayette, CA
4/27/2010 1 photo
We had an evening planned in the city for Saturday night, but we quickly changed those plans when we approached 1.5 hours worth of traffic leading there. This unfortunately is what happens when the weather is so nice :(
We veered off the freeway and ended up in Berkeley in search of some dinner. In need of something a bit lighter than our usual chowfests, we decided on Japanese. Randomly we picked this restaurant, were blessed with awesome parking, and stepped inside this cute little complex.
We walked all the way around the complex, not because we wanted to, but because we for the life of us could not find the entrance!! OOoohhh, it's a wooden SLIDING door that blends into the wall!! Haha, those tricky Japanese ;)
I ordered hot soba noodles, the bf got pork curry, and we shared a Japanese hot wing appetizer. The waitress razzed us for ordering hot wings at a Japanese restaurant, haha, but it didn't deter us! The food was very authentic and very good! My favorite part of our meal was at the end (who's isn't?!) when we got that pancake fish with red bean paste inside. Hot, soft, and delicious :) I came thiiiiis close to ordering another, but I held myself back hehe.Listed in: Asian Persuasion... East Bay…
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Review from Ernie F.
San Leandro, CA
12/19/2010
The Short:
The instant you walk into this little restaurant, it feels like you've stepped into someone's kitchen. The cozy seating and decorative touches all around the room made for a pleasant atmosphere. Coming in for a quick dinner, I had their chashu ramen and Aji Hiraki (Grilled whole butterfried Spanish mackerel with daikon oroshi). The ramen soup was very crisp and refreshing, and the noodles were supple and fantastic. The mackerel was slightly dry, but was still able to wow me with its strong flavor. Only downsides are the small portion sizes, slightly pricey costs, and the occasional slow service.
If you're really craving sushi and specialty rolls, don't come here because you won't find any. If you're a sashimi fan, you can find a dish or two. If you're looking to take a friend someplace unique, take them here :)
Recommendations:
- Chashu ramen
Pros:
+ Very clean tasting, "home-cooked" food.
+ Cute decor-- its like stepping into a different country.
+ Traditional Japanese food offerings.
Cons:
- Small portion sizes, sometimes I wish I had more!
- A little pricey.
- Closed Monday & Tuesday -
Review from Charlton C.
San Diego, CA
8/1/2010
Good home-style Japanese restaurant, it's not sushi though they do have a sashimi plate. I had the daikon salad, and miso ramen with gyoza. All were tasty and filling and I'd go back. The service was nice and I knew I was appreciated with all the thank you's and arigato's when I left.
Also, just because their logo looks like it represents a toy store, don't be fooled. It's really for their restaurant. -
Review from Dmitriy S.
San Diego, CA
11/12/2010 2 photos
After reading so much about the sliding door, I somehow managed to screw it up and it took me a good 15 seconds to try and figure out what the heck was going on. After I finally did figure it out, I walked into what was probably one of the coziest restaurants I've ever seen. It felt like a summer house, with wooden panels, a home-style kitchen, and comfy seating.
I got the Shio Saba (mackerel), which came with a plethora of side dishes and miso soup. The miso soup was ridiculously salty and definitely not what I expected. I found this kind of funny because my date was telling me how she dislikes miso soup in general due to the high salt content. The mackerel itself was fabulous. Perfectly griled and very tender, although unnecessarily covered with oil. For some reason, I couldn't finish the two little pieces of goodness...probably butterflies.
The service was slow at times but very kind. I love places where you can see the chef cooking and interact with them during the cooking process. This is probably one of the best things about this place.
Overall, cute little place that you wouldn't really expect in this area, but then again this is Berkeley. The food was overall pretty good but had some little quirks that really annoyed me. Great place if you want something out of the ordinary! -
Review from Amanda L.
West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
12/27/2010
I visited Norikonoko a few times when I was a student at UC Berkeley. On a cold night I always longed to be warmed up by the hot comforting udon which Norikonoko skillfully prepares. The udon is the only dish I really remember having there (aside from the gyoza which was good but not memorable) and remains to this day the best udon I've experienced, although I haven't experienced much udon.
The atmosphere also gets four stars. This place is an adorable little restaurant with lots of personality. It's like walking into someone's humble abode..someone who knows how to make delicious udon! The many knick-knacks adorning the space definitely gave the place a homestyle touch and an air of sweetness, conjuring images of my grandmother (who was also a great cook) and her prized knick-knack collection. A cozy little restaurant that reminds me of my grandmother AND serves delicious soup? This place is like a little comfort blanket for me. -
Review from Vivian T.
Huntington Beach, CA
9/3/2010
THIS PLACE IS SO CUTE!! haha it's like a double hole in the wall cuz it's kinda hard to find the door, but once you're inside, it's like they just picked a restaurant/ home out of some mountain village in japan and plopped in down on telegraph. although a little pricey, it's definitely worth it. i had the robata bento (grilled seafood and veggies) for about $20 and it was definitely good quality food- the salmon was moist and perfectly done, and there's this stewed potato side dish that was soo amazing... i could have just eaten that! the portions are perfect- i left feeling perfectly full and content- just how it should be. this place is so authentic it's crazy! and the little shopping area it's in makes you feel like you're in asia- i'm definitely coming back here!
btw the staff here is super friendly and they sincerely care if you're having a good time an enjoying their food. plus there's a view of the kitchen!Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Sandia O.
Berkeley, CA
11/26/2010
3 stars overall, 4 stars for atmosphere and food. Its a mom and pop restaurant, and I think their two daughters serve as the waitresses. So it can really take forever to get your food if you come when everyone else does.
But the food is also really mom and pop too, I always get the udon or ramen. Want to try the specials, but they're always a little too much for a student budget. -
Review from Manabu M.
3/12/2010 5 photos
When I go to Berkeley on business, I always wear my suit and a tie.
But people in Berkeley don't wear suits so I look like the most suspicious person in the city. Driving a car in the bright sunlight, I was feeling great. After turning right onto Telegraph Avenue, I noticed that something was wrong.
"Why are all the cars heading for me?" "Is Telegraph Avenue a one-way street?"
"It IS one-way.Waaaahhhh!!!" To compensate for my embarrassing moment, I made the most impressive, graceful U-turn in my life. Then, I finally arrived at this restaurant.
Norikonoko. "Noriko-no-ko" means "Noriko's children." A lady named Noriko serves heartwarming traditional Japanese food to the guests as if they were her children.
This restaurant is extremely popular among Japanese professors and students at UC Berkeley. This restaurant is my favorite one in Berkeley.
****Don't pull, push or kick the door of the restaurant!****
Surprise! It is a sliding door. You have to open the door quietly as if you were a geisha entering a tatami room. You don't have to giggle, though.
As soon as you open the door, you will feel like you arrive in Japan without your passport. I have visited many Japanese restaurants but this place has the most authentic Japanese ambiance. It is a restaurant but it is more like an old Japanese diner called "shokudo" in some countryside of Japan, where local fishermen have meals.
This place is run by an old Japanese couple so it is impossible for us to ask for the fast service. When you enter this restaurant, you will notice that the time passes more slowly than other parts of the world, just like you are in the countryside. I was the last guest at lunch time. The husband was the chef and the wife was a waitress. They didn't look like they were friendly first but I noticed they were just shy. So I recalled a Japanese saying.
"A dog wagging its tail will not be beaten." If you want to be welcomed, you show your friendly act first." So I started to talk to them. Once we started to talk, they were very friendly.
I ordered the most profitable dish for them. I knew a piece of mackerel was sold for $1.50 at a fish market but I ordered the grilled mackerel, around $13.00 because I knew that they were good at preparing for rustic dishes.
While the chef was grilling my fish, I was looking around the inside of the restaurant. I was happy to see the décor. The wooden floor, pillars, white plaster walls and knickknacks which could be obtained only in Japan. As I felt green tea passed in my throat, I was completely relaxed.
The meal was served in beautiful small plates. I thought that the plates could be washed only by hands.
Their salad had a different dressing from the ones at other Japanese restaurants. It is a traditional one called "shiro(white)-nuta." It was made from white miso and rice vinegar. I remember Iron Chef, Morimoto once used this dressing for his meal. The croquette was nicely deep-fried and when I bit it, it made a nice sound. The mackerel was fatty and grilled perfectly. It was served with grated radish in the traditional way, to help me digest oily fish with its enzyme.
The experience here is always comfortable to me. It may be like someone from New Orleans has to move to Japan and while living there, he finds a restaurant like Café Du Monde which serves comforting beignets. Would he care about the price of the food?
Probably not.Listed in: Japanese restaurants
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Review from Sarah W.
3/28/2010
Study break what what.
They gave me potato croquettes when they don't offer it on the menu! Thank you waiter for excellent service. If you do DIRELY feel like potato croquettes on a studious day like yours truly then know that for $3 you can get 3 halves of a croquette with a katsu side sauce. If you can't make it yourself, buy it! The croquette is nicely fried using panko bread crumbs and is mashed with corn, onion, and...peas?.
The chashu ramen (shoyu base) is salty, scrumptious, perfect, and firm. The dish comes with a huge bowl of soup and ramen noodles; 2 naruto fishcakes, some boiled spinach, 4 pieces of marinated chashu (mm), and 4 slices of a boiled egg. The winning aspect of the ramen is definitely the chashu, so pay an additional $2 and get the chashu ramen over the regular ramen. You will not regret it. They also offer a third ramen option: chashu ramen with gyoza. Having sampled their gyoza before I can attest that it IS delicious, fresh, and homemade. I suggest getting it. At $11 it's worth it.
Trying to write off my food coma from the big meal. A bit disjointed review, but ah wellllz. -
Review from Jennifer W.
Berkeley, CA
2/26/2010 7 Check-ins Here
I've tried coming here like four times before all to no success because they're only open during very limited hours. In fact, they're not open Monday or Tuesday at all.
Lo and behold, I finally made it inside those sliding wooden doors into what it seems to be someone's living room. This place was far homier than I had heard about, complete with a true mom and pop. It was well staffed with one other worker and two servers, all of whom were as cute as the kitschy decor. There were probably more people working than needed, so as a result, the service was great and the servers were the definition of courteous. Plus, they have an open kitchen which I cannot stress enough how much I love that in restaurants. Do come here on a rainy day and you'll really feel at home!
The portions here are petite for its price, but it is definitely made up by quality. My chikara ramen came out piping hot. It came with some mustard greens, shittake mushrooms, two pieces of fish cake, one shrimp, and one nicely fried but gooey mochi. It also came with some side dishes. The ramen had a bounce in them that I love and it was just plain delicious. Someone told me the curry was only okay because they're generous on the star anise, but I think I'm going to try that next time anyway. I definitely need my Japanese curry fix! Grace got the chicken teriyaki and altogether, it was 26.34$
