I recently went to KaoKao Grill for dinner, and the food was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The staff made sure we were well taken care of, and the place had a lively yet comfortable. read more

KAOKAO Grill is a cozy, casual spot off College Ave serving up Chinese classics with a bit of a BBQ twist. I ordered a couple of their popular dishes, the KAOKAO Char Siu Set and the Chong Qing Noodles, and both were fantastic. The char siu was so tasty, nicely cooked with most of the fat rendered (a big plus since unrendered fat especially on BBQ is a pet peeve of mine). It had that satisfying chew, a subtle smoky char, and a sweet-savory black bean glaze that tied everything together. The rice and pickled cucumbers on the side were a great balance to the in your face flavors of the pork. The Chong Qing Noodles were another highlight. You can tell the noodles are handmade as they are springy, chewy, and full of texture. The staff actually recommended that I get them uncooked since I was ordering to go, so I could boil them at home for a few minutes to keep the perfect bite and they were totally right. The broth was rich and balanced, with nutty sesame paste, a gentle kick from chili oil, a bit of crunch from peanuts, and some fresh bok choy for contrast. Everything was packed thoughtfully for takeout and still tasted amazing even after a longer drive. Overall, a really pleasant experience with great food, great service, and a place I'll definitely return to next time I find myself around Berkeley! read more

KAOKAO Grill - KAOKAO Char Siu Set + Chong Qing Noodles (once fully assembled) - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Went to Kao Kao Barbecue on a Friday night and it was relatively quiet. They had thoughtfully illustrated menus and a genuinely cute inside with lots of potential but the lighting felt a little dim with a drab wooden plank hiding the door from a smashed pane of glass. Service was a highlight. Randy was super welcoming right when we walked in, asked if we had questions about the menu, and you could tell he's passionate about what he's building. bringing the flavors he grew up with into an Asian-American / Chinese fusion style that feels personal and intentional. As an Asian American myself, I really appreciated that "push and pull" of cultures showing up in the food and concept. You order at the register, get a number, and they bring the food up to you. Water/utensils are self-serve. Ambiance note: we sat upstairs on the second floor for about two hours, and the ventilation wasn't great. We left smelling pretty smoky from the kitchen downstairs, so I'd love to see them improve airflow, it would make a big difference. We ordered an eggplant salad, served cold with a slightly spicy sesame-style sauce that was flavorful without being overwhelming. Chongqing noodles were one of the best of the three dishes. Lots of peanuts and green onions mixed into a well-seasoned nicely textured sauce. Also, it's not very spicy, so don't stress if you have low spice tolerance. The char siu set is what they're known for, and it showed. The pork was super tender and rich, almost more like a fatty brisket with Chinese spices than the usual char siu texture I'm used to. It was a little salty on its own, but the rice and pickled cucumbers were necessary and balanced it out really well. Good food made by great people and a concept with a ton of promise. I'd definitely come back, feels like a perfect spot to hit before a movie or after a long study session in Elmwood. read more

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I recently went to KAOKAO Grill with my boyfriend and I was really excited by their bbq meats. Before you even walk in, you can smell the dreamy aroma of the bbq. This place is located in the Elmwood area and has lots of indoor seating. You place your order at the counter and the server will bring you your food. Water, napkins, and utensils are self serve. We were really hungry so we got the Stir Fry String Beans and eggplant salad as an appetizer. The eggplant salad has a great savory/smokey flavor and the eggplants were tender. We also enjoyed the string beans which had a mild garlicky flavor. My boyfriend got the char siu bowl set and it was a good portion for the price. The meat was super juicy and had a nice bbq glaze on the outside. I got the bbq brisket noodles but instead of brisket I got chicken because they didn't have anymore brisket that day. The skin on the chicken was crispy and cooked to perfection. The noodles were perfectly cooked and they're handmade daily! Overall, this place is great for a casual bite to eat with friends or small groups. The meat is standout and the service is friendly. read more

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This spot has been in my bookmarks forever after I saw it got featured in the Sf Chronicle. I love BBQ, so I was sold when I saw they put creative twists on Asian classics. Our favorite was the char siu set - this was so smokey and had the perfect level of char/sweet glaze. The brisket noodles were also delicious; the brisket melts in your mouth. I thought portion sizes were pretty fair given how heavy / rich the meats were. New fave spot in Berkeley! read more

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Summary: Flavorful, too salty meats Details: I'd been meaning to try KAOKAO for a while now, but the lines were always a major deterrence. Fast forward a few months and the initial hype seemed to have died down, to the point where we ate in a mostly empty shop when we went. Having tried both their chicken and char siu, I'll say that they're amazingly flavorful, with lots of depth and in-your-face flavor, but as one might expect from me by now, I found them a bit too salty. That said, the char siu in particular paired quite well with the noodles, slightly balancing out the salt levels as well. While probably not a spot I'd go back to myself, I would imagine that most folks wouldn't find their seasoning too heavy-handed, so it's certainly worth trying yourself! Accessibility: The downstairs area is on the smaller and more narrow side, with a handful of accessible tables. More seating upstairs, but not accessible. read more

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I wanted to like KAOKAO more! Coming on New Year's Day, they had some supply chain and logistical challenges. We ordered and paid at the counter and later found out that two of our dishes were not available. Luckily we were able to get refunds and order alternative dishes instead. I wish the ventilation was a bit better as it does get quite smoky instead. The char siu set is super tender and worth ordering. read more

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Wow, Kaokao has blown us away with their delicious food. We were looking around for lunch and came across Kaokao on Yelp and it looked amazing, so we decided to give it a try. My brother-in-law actually had this place bookmarked for a while so it was right up his alley too. We came for a pretty late lunch, probably around 2PM-ish so there weren't that many people in the restaurant. How it works is, you place your order at the counter first and you're free to sit wherever you want. They have both bottom and top floor seats available. Between the four of us (+ a toddler), we ordered BBQ Brisket Noodle x 2, KaoKao Char Siu Set x 2, Stir Fried String Beans, Eggplant Salad, and Cold Cucumber Salad to share. - Stir Fried String Beans: So much wok hey. Smokey and delicious! Not overcooked and still slightly crunchy. - Cold Cucumber Salad: This was a little too spicy for my palate, but it was refreshing. They even peeled off the outer layer which was surprising to me because I never see it served like this. - BBQ Brisket Noodle: I believe they said their noodles were made in-house. They're chewy just a tad thick, and they don't get soggy. It was great. The briskets were thick, tender, and had a good mix of meat and fat. Definitely recommend! - KaoKao Char Siu Set: This was amazing as well! Especially the end bits that are slightly charred. Wow, it reminded me of the Bo Ssam from Momofuku. Just as good. Whatever they rub as the seasoning / sauce, it was amazing. Definitely recommend this one too! The sauce from the char siu gets mixed into the rice, so it makes the rice extra tasty. - Eggplant Salad: Of all the veggie dishes, I would choose this one - not because the rest isn't delicious, but I think this one is a little more unique. The sauce that comes with these eggplants was a little nutty, a little spicy, a little creamy. But the eggplants were super soft. Service was friendly and amazing too. We will definitely come back in the future when we're around Berkeley! read more

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Great food. The pork was delicious and don't skip the spicy noodles that are offered on the front of the menu, the one that comes with the sauce...fantastic. read more

I've been here three times already! I went twice with my wife, and we both loved the char siu set and the BBQ brisket noodle soup. The soup was super flavorful! The char siu set is seriously some of the best pork you can find in the Bay Area, especially if you're looking for a laid-back vibe. The only thing is that it can take a bit of time for your food to arrive, but it's totally worth it! read more

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I looked forward to the BBQ brisket noodle soup. It's 1:30pm on a Friday. No soup available, well no broth. Not really sure what to think. read more

KAOKAO Grill - Kaokao Char Siu The best I've ever had outside of HGg! Trust! - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came here because my friend wanted to check out the char siu. We were going to try both the chicken and char siu, but by the time we got there (~2PM Sunday), they were sold out of the chicken. This was my first time having char siu using pork belly, so I anticipated it to be succulent and falling apart considering it is cooked low and slow like an American style bbq. While I got the smoke, the pork belly was overcooked and I thought the bark was too hard given the size of the pieces served. I also wish the pickles were more acidic and that they served more glaze because that was the star of the show. Overall, good flavors but let down by the texture especially at $20+ per plate. read more

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Small portions, slow service, somewhat bland food. Fairly standard price for college but still felt a bit much. Honestly, it was mostly the portions that brings it down for me. There could have been a bit more pasta in my dish or rice in others. I should not be paying more than 20 and leaving still hungry. I do enjoy the small room and atmosphere. read more

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Finally stopped in and had the most amazing dinner. Value here is A+++! We started with the marinated cucumbers, spicy and refreshing. I could have eaten 3 plates. The eggplant, such a luxurious texture and mouth feel. I could have eaten 3 plates again! The sauces on both shared plates were fantastic. The star of the show was the char sui, and WOW some of the most amazing rich, sticky, sweet flavors. The pickles with it -perfect. How is there not a line out the door?! Server was super nice and attentive. This is an order at the counter place. Very excited for the next time they offer Peking duck. I will ABSOLUTELY be ordering read more

KAOKAO Grill - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

stopped in on a wednesday and got the kaokao chicken plate. the chicken was so juicy and had this smoky thing going on, and the chickpea curry it came with was creamy and different in a good way read more

The char siu was textually wonderful -- sticky, a little hard and crunchy from char, and fatty. Flavor good as well, though I wish they'd index less into 5 spice and more into sichuan peppercorn. Comes with some salty cucumber pickles that weren't too vinegary so complemented well. The yogurt marinated chicken was textually good as well, really tender, but flavor profile was not as interesting to me. Chili oil + peanut sauce noodle was an interesting combo. I'll come back here and probably just get the char siu. To me, it was that good and earned them 5 stars by itself. read more

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They make their noodles fresh every day. They are amazing to try soup pork was delicious. The crust was great highly recommend. read more

KAOKAO Grill - Kaokao Char Siu - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I grew up in Singapore, where food is everything--and I'm fussy about it. So when I say KAOKAO Grill in Berkeley is the real deal, I mean it. The char siu pork here is unlike any char siu you've ever had--if you think you've had good char siu before, think again. This one's smoked low and slow over apple and cherry wood, layered with deep Asian flavors, and it's absolutely unforgettable. The chef is a true master--not just with meats, but with vegetables too. My family is split: half meat-eaters, half vegetarians, and this is one of the rare places that satisfies everyone. We keep coming back for dishes like the perfectly seasoned wok-tossed green beans, cold eggplant salad, and peanut noodles loaded with crunch from carrots, cucumber, and actual peanuts. I rarely eat at Chinese restaurants in the Bay Area--most of them, especially in wealthier neighborhoods, are cringey and catered to unadventurous palates. But this? This is the kind of place that makes me believe again. I've already warned the chef: if he ever thinks of closing down because the masses would rather order teriyaki chicken or beef with broccoli, he better give me plenty of notice. read more

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Such a simple meal but so amazing. It melts in your mouth and has the perfect crunch/tanginess of the cucumber for the sweetness of the pork. The place is small but has good ambiance. The staff are kind as well. read more

KAOKAO Grill - Kaokao Char Siu - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

The menu here is fairly small, but they recently added several noodle soups that I think are worth trying. We got the kaokao char siu and beef brisket noodle soup, and they were so flavorful! the food does take relatively long to prepare, but the employees are kind, and I definitely recommend checking out this spot! read more

KAOKAO Grill - Kaokao Char Siu, Beef Brisket Noodle Soup - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The menu is limited but the food was outstanding. We had the pork char sui and the Kaokao chicken. There was enough food that we could have ordered one of them and a side salad. The 5 spice flavor added to the chickpea curry which accompanied the chicken. The pork was crispy on the outside and tender and juicy in. The accompanying pickled cucumber salad was sweet and crisp. I have never seen cucumber sliced so thinly. The restruant itself is tiny. We ate upstairs. It was a little warmer than downstairs but not crowded. The decor is nonexistent. The service was good. You order at a small stand and they bring the food to you. The staff was polite. If you are in the Elmwood district looking for somewhere to get a good meal this is the place. read more

KAOKAO Grill - Kaokao chicken - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

My partner and I were in the area visiting a plant store and happened to walk by this place on our way home. It smelled amazing, so we decided to try it out! It's a small place; there was only one woman working there when we arrived (she took our order and also prepared the food). We were also the only people there. There are a handful of tables inside, as well as a lofted area with more tables above the kitchen. We ordered a KaoKao sandwich to split. It was really tasty, with crispy caramelized meat that is smoked in-house, according to signs on the window. This seems like a really unpretentious place that is low key excellent. I'd love to go back and try more menu items in the future! read more

KAOKAO Grill - Kaokao Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

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AMAZING char-siu, best I've had in the Bay Area. The meat is always cooked very well, and the cucumbers were great too. The flavors of the sweetness of the cucumbers and the savoryness of the meat and rice go very well together. Portions might seem small in pictures, but very filling!! read more

KAOKAO Grill - Kaokao Char Siu - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

My friend and I got the chili oil noodle soup and bbq char siu. Both were phenomenal! The pork dish was my favorite. It was so soft and melted in my mouth, and the bbq glaze was neither too sweet nor tangy. (side note: the cucumber side was also so fresh and balanced the meal delightfully.) The broth for the soup was so flavorful: peanuts, garlic, chili oil. And the noodles were light enough that it didn't take away from the dish but just absorbed the layers so perfectly. read more

KAOKAO Grill - bbq Kaokao Char Siu and chili oil noodle soup - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The food here is great. The flavors were bold and tasty, and the portions were generous. The staff were friendly and made good recommendations. Plus it's a relaxed spot that's great for a meal. read more

I've had this spot bookmarked for a while now, so I was excited to try it since the ratings were high. I was surprised that only one customer was inside the entire restaurant when we walked in. We ordered two items - Kaokao Chicken and Kaokao Char Siu. The price on the menu for the Char Siu was $18 but it rang up as $21, so when we asked about it, he said their price changed. I think it is important for businesses to make corrections on their menu, especially when they plan on increasing the prices, so customers are not surprised when they get the bill. Both dishes were very pricey for the amount of food that you get. The char siu wasn't flavorful and tasted burnt. I was surprised when the chicken was mixed with curry sauce and tzatziki. I wasn't expecting that combination so it threw me off a bit. The chicken was also just ok. read more

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Loved the pork with the sauce. Place is small with a small menu selection. Owners are nice. Place is a little on the dark side but overall I was pleased read more

KAOKAO Grill - Pork belly Kaokao Char Siu - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

Lowkey restaurant tucked away in a peaceful street in South Berkeley. Prices are great and the menu is short but for good reason. Kaokao excels in what they offer: the chicken with chickpea curry and charsiu bbq pork. Both dishes were flavorful and well plated. Surprisingly complements each other well - the char siu sauce especially was amazing. The restaurant is nothing fancy. You order and pay at the register first and then the food comes out relatively slowly during peak hours. Worth the wait and you can get ice cream at Humphrey Slocombe across the street after for dessert! read more

KAOKAO Grill - Kaokao Chicken - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Came here again on a Wednesday afternoon and the restaurant was almost empty. Service here is amazing, and the workers at the front are super personable and accommodating. Unfortunately, they were completely out of the chicken that I had last time, but I'm honestly glad because I got to try their Char Siu bowl. The menu here is still limited to basically two main dishes, but the simplicity is justified by how consistently good every component is. We ordered the eggplant salad and char siu bowl with extra meat. The cold eggplant salad is dressed in a slightly spicy sesame chili oil, 5/5 as always. The char siu is crusted in a sweet savory glaze, sitting on top of a hearty bowl of rice and curry sauce. So so comforting and satisfying. read more

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wow, this place is such a hidden gem!! the char siu is smoked in-house & each bite is a flavor explosion - it's served with cucumbers & rice that balance out the richness of the meat! the eggplant salad is a delicious appetizer, and the chickpea curry & drunken noodles are also solid dishes! you won't regret it if you come here - just make sure to get the char siu read more

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I really like Kaokao Grill. Their menu is small, but they excel in what they do. The food is really high quality. They have two entree options: Kaokao Chicken and Kaokao Char Siu ($15.85 each). I personally love the chicken, which is nicely spiced and has a great smoky flavor. It's served over rice with a delicious chickpea curry---I think the curry is even worth ordering on its own as a side. The Char Siu (and the breakfast sandwich) are also good, but in my opinion the chicken is the dish to get here. They also have some vegetable side dishes; I preferred the eggplant salad to the cold cucumber salad, but the cucumber can be good to complement the meat entrees. I definitely recommend checking them out. For the quality (and portions) of their food, I think their prices are a steal, especially for Berkeley. There's a limited amount seating inside, and you order at the counter. They're also great for takeout: the food is packed carefully and travels well. read more

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KaoKao Grill opened where Trattoria La Siciliana was. Little decor upgrade besides a large banner on the left side. Small dining area downstairs along with an entire floor upstairs. Doors' "light my Fire" playing in background. Offerings: smoked meats, vegetables, finger food. Drill: order at counter, pay, food brought to table. Paying ca$h = no sales tax charged. Char Siu (pork, 17) with rice & pickled cucumbers. -"brined with Sichuan spices, smoked over Cherry wood". -didn't taste the spices, just sugar & salt. Charred outer surface of Char Siu . Inner meat had a juiciness similar to marbling in cooking steaks medium rare. -smoked char Siu is layered with fat and lean pork. Smoking melts fat, tenderizes pork, gives it unique Unami taste seldom experienced.. *traditional char siu seldom has fat. Marinating sauces/spices Cantonese. Fats Mostly liquefied/dripped off the hanging meat. **the marbling cools off. Didn't travel well. Exterior tastes dry. Marbling turns to solidified fat. Not tasty as fresh from the grill. Needs to be reheated... -best eaten asap while in eatery. Take out not advisable. Curry with chickpeas (8) -never seen this version when young since our house never had chickpeas. Typical curry + chickpeas. -tasted good, traveled well. Usually eaten with rice Take outs: -Kao Kao owner is son of a Chinatown noodle eatery. I mentioned I liked the food there. -owner here then asked me sign on wall downstairs. I wrote: "Victor G. Approved". read more

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Delicious! We got the cuc salad, chicken chickpea curry, and char siu... all were super tasty. We will be back soon!

Super quaint hole-in-the-wall spot, came here on a Sunday around noon, and was surprised to find it empty! You order and pay at the front and then find your own spot. Not a huge selection of options so we went with what seemed to be the staples--KaoKao Chicken ($20) and KaoKao Char Siu ($24.5), and seated ourselves upstairs. There were quite a few flies buzzing around, so do wish they had some sort of mild bug control. The decor also was incredibly minimal; definitely didn't feel much in the way of charming atmosphere. Once the food arrived, though, I was blown away! The service brought it up pretty quickly, and both the Chicken and Char Siu were well-presented, and well portioned. The Chicken came with a chickpea curry and white rice, and was cooked perfectly with a nice smokey flavor, and the Char Siu was melt-in-your mouth, and crispy on the outside. Definitely one of the best Char Siu I've had in the US. It came with cucumbers and rice as well. Splitting the meal between two relatively hungry people, we still had enough to take home leftovers. Overall, great spot, super underrated, and well worth a visit! read more

KAOKAO Grill - KaoKao Chicken - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant knows how to put out the food! My friend, who lives within walking distance of Kaokao Grill, suggested we have a light meal here and I'm glad she suggested it! We shared two dishes, the cold cucumber salad ($8.25) and the char siu bowl ($21.32) and it was plenty of food for us with even a bit left over. Both dishes were delicious. The cucumber salad was refreshing and nicely seasoned and the char siu in the bowl was great, especially the slightly charred areas that were a bit crunchy. The bowl came with rice and pickled cucumbers, but the cucumbers were not like the cucumber salad, so you won't go wrong ordering the salad *and* getting cucumbers with your dish. Yes, the prices seem a bit high, but in today's market, it's to be expected. read more

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Stumbled upon this amazing little grill, the other day. Ordered the Char Siu, and OMG!! Not only incredibly moist, but the flavor is like none I've ever tasted. Seriously, the best pork belly in my life (and I've been around awhile). The rice could not have been cooked more perfectly, and the sliced pickled cucumber is also quite delicious. The chefs clearly take great care in what they are preparing! I am going back today! read more

Oh yes, this is good The pork is cooked perfectly. Some crispy parts, some melt in your mouth parts. The very limited menu is built around this and that's great Bowl: 10/10 Sandwich-- do you love breakfast sandwiches? Must try. The pork on it is perfecto. Bread is thin and crispy. American cheese? Eh. But it's still10/10. read more

KAOKAO Grill - Sandwich. American cheese is meh but everything else is so good it doesn't matter. - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I'm there every few weeks. The food is the highlight Always bringing new friends to try read more

The char siu bowl was absolutely mind-blowing! What an incredible find in the Berkeley Elmwood area that I will definitely be coming back to. The BBQ smokiness can be smelled around the entire block. My husband and I each ordered a char siu bowl (HUGE portion, by the way), and we savored every bite. The meat was tender, the sauce on the side had an authentic umami taste, and the fat of the pork and caramelized, saucy skin of the pork was to die for. We were incredibly impressed by the quality of the food. Service was fast and friendly, giving the impression of a home kitchen kind of restaurant. We were there for dinner on a weeknight, so I imagine our dishes came out quicker than usual and place wasn't too busy. The spicy cold eggplant was also supremely tasty and hit all of the authentic Chinese spices and flavor. I hope business booms at this location and the local Berkeley people can come back to experience some delicious Asian cuisine. Husband's review: "The best char siu I've had in California." read more

KAOKAO Grill - Kaokao Char Siu - Barbeque Near Me - Berkeley, California

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this is the ONLy char siu i like!! flavors and textures are perfect and consistent every time. i also love the chickpea curry. it's so good that i could eat it without rice. love this place... never change read more