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    Cha-Ya

    4.0 (788 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Cha-Ya Takeout or Delivery

    Cha-Ya Photos

    CHA-YA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cha-Ya

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    Reviews With Photos

    Rice vegetable bowl
    Mary K.

    Not the best vegetarian sushi place I have been to. Service was ok, the place needs an update and smelled of bleach. Not well lit. The food was ok,nothing special. The napkin on the table they use for silverware is a hard bathroom paper towel! Wow... Asparagus was cold. The veggies rice bowl was bland no flavor and had a weird smell. I think it was the bowl and spoon, Maybe the dishwasher needs fixing... the bun was way too hot, I had to cut in half to cool off. I believe it was microwaved not steamed. And the plate color was scraped/scratched off. Time for new plates. To pay its cash or Venmo app only.

    Sea Vegetable Salad
    Cynthia C.

    Delivery order was a bit sad looking after the travel. Quality and taste made up for it. Especially loved the potato croquette in the curry and the way they steamed the veg separately was super inspiring. Back in the college days I used to just boil it all together and it was mushy/absorbed all the individual flavors. Definitely get the sea veg salad and the summer greens roll - super refreshing. Everything was topped with Kaiware sprouts and a variety of carefully selected/handled veg. Bookmarked forever, definitely will be a go-to healthy delivery selection if they stay in our range!

    Gyoza Cha-Ya Roll Inari Kake Noodles
    Lisa G.

    It was disappointing. Everything tasted the same from the lack of seasoning and same sauce poured on everything.

    Cucumber salad
    Christine L.

    Everything was beautiful and very fresh! Such a unique restaurant that offers a vegetarian's dream for Japanese food. Very healthy and guilt-free food that looks and tastes like it's made with love. I wish there were more locations!

    Delicious food
    Anandita S.

    The food could have little more flavorful with spices. The customer service was amazing and super polite. Its clean place but not fancy.

    Soba Roll
    Ashley C.

    At first glance, Cha-Ya seems like any other sushi spot. But it's SO MUCH more! I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but was still sold on the food. The place is locally owned by a family, and the creativity of their food is pretty mind-blowing. Ordering process: - there's currently no indoor seating or any sit down offering in general. Only to-go. - Theres parks and the UC campus right nearby, so we ate there instead. - took about 15min to pick up after ordering Here's the lowdown: Subaru Roll (4/5): loved the creativity of the roll with the spinach wrap! As someone who has to limit their seaweed intake, I thought this was a great offering and it mixed well with the brown rice used. Sumo Roll (5/5): The roll is rolled with soba noodles, and has a bunch of veggies packed inside with tofu and mushroom. They were thinner rolls, but similar to any other roll I've had at the same time. The mushroom is absolutely delicious, and would gladly order again. Would gladly recommend this place! Super creative and filling and would be happy to come back to soon :)

    Hana Gomoku
    Mito I.

    Quick Summary: - Person reviewing this is not vegetarian and usually prefers to eat anything with some meat = really enjoyed eating here and thinking of coming back - Good amount of portions, entered hungry and left very full - Cash only (ATM machine is found inside the restaurant) - Vegetables cooked to tender softness For the longest time, we were looking forward to trying here but we waited until we saw the "dine-in" option. While I didn't see this option on this website, my relative saw the availability option on G-maps. Once we saw that, we headed there on the weekday evening. When we arrived, it looked like how it was like during the pandemic: there was a table at the entrance. I couldn't find a sign, that indicated there was a dine-in option.At first, we were deflated and was about to walk past, but we saw that their second room had tables and chairs. When we headed back to the entrance and asked one of the staff, they confirmed that dine-in is available. Once we took our seats, then I realized that the restaurant only accepts cash, as indicated on the signs near the doorway and the ATM machine placed in the dining room. Luckily, I have some...but we'll be more ready next time. We ordered three dishes each: the Moon Garden, the Hana Gomoku, and the Vege-tofu Curry with the udon noodle. The first dish to arrive was the Hana Gomoku, and then the Vege-tofu Curry noodle and the Moon Garden arrived at the same time. Upon first appearance. the vegetables almost look raw on how vibrant they are. I don't know the restaurant does it, but they were cooked so well. I was able to cut a broccoli in half with my spoon. Every vegetable was so soft and easy to chew, and each one had flavor was salted so well. I'm super impressed, how are these vegetables cooked thoroughly and seasoned so well, but the colors and their shape look like they were placed on the dishes right from the fields? I had the Moon Garden, and I loved this. I'm a fan of chawanmushi (it's like a savory egg custard), so this had a similarity - except it doesn't contain egg. It really tasted and had a texture similar to it, but it might be with mochi and tofu together? Anyways, it was really good and super piping hot, so be careful when eating the dish. I got to try a little from the Hana Gomoku and the Vege-tofu curry noodle. I also loved these two, and we were most happy with the vege-tofu curry noodle. I loved the curry soup flavor. Light but rich in bright curry flavor notes. My relative, who is more of a fan of dishes with vegetable dishes, really loved how they were able to enjoy the dish and not needing to scoop up the ground meat, that is found in general curry noodle dishes. The Hana Gomoku was like a bowl with sushi rice and vegetables, and it's so good! The sushi rice was well marinated, nothing was bland at all. We left full, very content, and looking to come back again to try the other dishes such as the ones with tempura.

    Sushi Combo Dinner

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great vegetarian Japanese food! Nice family owned restaurant. Owners are friendly. Great intimate service

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    Page 2 of 20

    Ask the Community - Cha-Ya

    Does anyone know if Cha-ya is open for takeout during shelter in place?

    They just reopened and have posted a sign in their door. They're open for takeout Wednesday-Sunday from 12p-8p!

    Is this open during the pandemic (delivery or takeout)?

    They just reopened and have posted a sign in their door. They're open for takeout Wednesday-Sunday from 12p-8p!

    Is this place strictly vegan?

    Yes, they are strictly vegan.

    View All 5 Questions

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    Noodle Dynasty - Lamb and Tomato Lo Mein 番茄羊捞面 ($14.99) - I found the sauce too sweet.

    Noodle Dynasty

    (450 reviews)

    $$

    Telegraph Ave

    One of the best spots for noodle soup in the Bay Area. I've tried coming here on 3 different…read moreaccounts and the line was always too long to fit my agenda. After the long anticipation, I was able block off my calendar and finally try this place on a Friday night. We had a part of 7 and it was more challenging to find a table to fit all of us. Especially with the wait, I would recommend coming here with parties of 4-5 max. The restaurant was mainly filled with students from the nearby college so it's very lively and packed. Usually when my anticipation is high, my expectations are higher and I'm usually disappointed but this did not disappoint!! The broth was so flavorful and the noodles had the perfect consistency of bounce and chew. The meats were tender and on top of that, the portions are huge and very reasonably priced! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but highly recommend the House Special Beef Rib Noodle Soup if it's your first time.

    Came here on a Sunday evening at 7:00pm, the line was long but it moved pretty quick and we got…read moreseated in around 20-30 mins for party of 2. We ordered the beef noodle soup with the 8‑hour broth, the pickled cabbage and fish fillet noodle soup, and a cucumber appetizer. Everything was really tasty, both noodle soups hit the spot with generous portion. The cucumber was refreshing with balanced sesame seasoning. Definitely a place we'd come back to just to try more things on the menu. Highlights for me: The daikon in the beef noodle soup is so soft and flavorful and the portion of noodles they give you. We got the non‑spicy broth with thin noodles, which ended up being super similar to the noodles in the pickled cabbage and fish fillet soup. The pickled cabbage in other bowl gives this extra kick that makes it stand out.

    Noodles Fresh - Jiangxi Noodle Salad ($13.50) - rice noodle with chicken, seafood flavored chili sauce, bok choy, bell pepper, garlic and scallions

    Noodles Fresh

    (254 reviews)

    $$

    Downtown Berkeley

    I work just down the street at AIMC Acupuncture School, and Noodles Fresh has become a favorite for…read moreme and many of the students and staff. It's one of those spots that keeps us nourished during busy clinic and class days. They have a great lunch special and honestly you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I was stuck on the Dan Dan noodles and the Beef Tendon Stew for a while, but the Chen Pi Beef and the scallion pancakes are also standouts. The tea selection is wonderful too. I even brought my parents here when they were visiting from New York, and they still talk about it. That's saying something considering how many Chinese takeout spots there are in NY--this place is another level: fresh, thoughtful, and truly feels gourmet. What also makes this place special is the community feeling. When we hosted our Lunar New Year celebration at the school, they hung our flyer in their window and even came by with a tray of egg rolls for the event. The owner is so sweet, and I love that Blue Moon is on the menu because it's her favorite. The space is open and inviting but still cozy, and the service is always great--intuitive and warm. Even the younger staff I've seen seem genuinely grateful to work there. We're lucky to have such a lovely neighborhood restaurant nearby.

    This place is so lovely, delicious, and affordable! Highly recommend, and it's a family-owned…read morerestaurant. I had been meaning to dine in for a while and only regret not visiting sooner. I enjoyed the Hunan Hot and Sour Soup on a cold, rainy day and it was an incredible meal. The service was excellent!

    Marugame Udon - Nikutama Udon

    Marugame Udon

    (919 reviews)

    $$

    Gourmet Ghetto, Downtown Berkeley

    8/10 (this location) | 9/10 overall…read more How can you go wrong with Marugame Udon? Seriously. It's one of those spots that just hits every time. This location gets an 8/10 from me--still solid, still satisfying--but overall, the brand is easily a 9/10 because it's just sooooo good. If you're going for the first time (or even if you're not), do yourself a favor and get the beef or nikutama. The broth is rich, savory, and comforting, and the noodles have that perfect chewy texture that makes every bite worth it. It's simple food done really well. And don't skimp on the tempura. That's where people mess up. Load up your tray--shrimp, sweet potato, whatever catches your eye. It's crispy, fresh, and honestly half the experience. Quick, casual, and consistently delicious. Hard to miss here.

    Today I ordered the $5.99 Kake Udon + $1.99 Tamagoyaki as part of the "Eat Under $10 Tempura…read morePromo." The broth temperature was just right, perfect for slurping the soup. However, the tamagoyaki was lukewarm, like it had been sitting on the counter for a while. I wish it had been hot and a little crispy. Yesterday I was at Marugame Udon in San Francisco, so I could compare the Berkeley location versus the San Francisco location. The Berkeley broth tasted much better, and the temperature was just right. The bill came to $8.80 total, which really matches what Marugame advertises with the Eat Under $10 Tempura Promo. I will definitely come back for the Eat Under $10 deal, but next time I'll try a different tempura.

    Noodles Fresh - Taiwan Beef

    Noodles Fresh

    (627 reviews)

    $$

    The noodles are pretty fresh with no artificial flavors. We enjoyed different types of noodles and…read morerice noodles. All of them are pretty delicious. Recommend!

    Feb 24, 2026 3:00 pm 3.7 stars…read more This place is smart to stay open when New Dumpling takes midday siesta. Always plenty of non metered street parking when I'm in the area for lunch. We are the only customer when we arrived. Very pleasant not overpowering jazz mood music plays. Our server has a very pleasant demeanor. We have Taiwan beef noodle soup. Nice and hot the way it should be. Perfect to my tongue textures of the beef cubes and egg noodles. The beef broth was amazing. At the end of our meal I was full. Too full to the point that I almost cried that I couldn't drink the last gulps but it was too small a portion to warrant taking home. Our Kung Pao chicken? Delicious. Chock full of chicken bites and delicious vegetables. Somehow the plentiful peanuts set my taste buds acraving. Wow wow Pao tasty. The only miss with this was that it was brought to us on a coldish serving plate. A common mistake. We didn't get to try this dish hot. We are now wanting our bill. Seems like long time wanting. To our dismay, our friendly server got herself enmeshed in an on again off again conversation with someone at another table shortly after we arrived. Then she disappeared for a while. We are tempted to guess the bill amount (turns out we guessed wrong by $1), leave cash on the table and walk out. Instead I get up and she appears at the register. Magic. We pay proper like and walk out respectfully. I wouldn't mind coming back.

    Lao Garden - Raw beef laarb

    Lao Garden

    (124 reviews)

    West Berkeley

    A must go!!! Everything was so delicious, we had the crab fried rice, yellow curry, and papaya…read moresalad and wings + mango sticky rice! Service and ambiance was top tier.

    If you're looking for authentic Lao food that actually hits, this spot delivers…read more We ordered a full spread and everything felt intentional--from the flavors to the presentation. The fried whole fish (Pun Pa) was a standout: perfectly crispy on the outside, tender inside, and paired with fresh herbs, lettuce, noodles, and a rich dipping sauce that tied it all together. It's one of those dishes you build bite-by-bite, and every combo just works. The soup (Thom Seafood) brought serious comfort. Deep, bold broth with fresh herbs, mushrooms, and veggies--warm, slightly spicy, and packed with flavor without being overwhelming. You can tell it's made with care, not rushed. And the beef jerky (Seen Savanh)? Easily one of the highlights. Super flavorful, slightly sweet and savory with a nice chew, paired with a dipping sauce (Jeow Mak len) that takes it to another level. It's the kind of dish you keep reaching for even when you're already full. The Lao pickle cabbage ( Som Pak) was a super hit. It's simple, but done right--and this one was. Crisp, slightly tangy, and refreshing. It cuts through the richness of the other dishes perfectly and balances out heavier bites like the fried fish and beef jerky. You can tell it's house-made and fresh, not overly sour or mushy. If you know, you know--this is a must-order to round out the table. What I appreciated most is how fresh everything tasted. The herbs were vibrant, the textures were on point, and nothing felt heavy or greasy. This is the kind of place you go when you want real, authentic Lao flavors--not watered down versions. Definitely a spot I'd come back to, especially with friends so you can try a little bit of everything. Come try it for yourself!

    Cha-Ya - japanese - Updated May 2026

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