Consistent food quality and creativity. You won't be disappointed. Just need to be there before they open at 5:30pm in order to get a table.

Came here on a Saturday for my daughter's birthday. We had a reservation and was seated promptly. The restaurant itself is small, but boy was it packed. Many waiting outside as well. We did hear the woman in charge speak Japanese, which is rare to find a Japanese run restaurant. Pork Belly Skewer - 5/5: Cooked perfectly, juicy and tender. Salted just right. Lamb and scallion skewer - 5/5: Cooked perfectly, juicy and tender. Salted just right, paired nicely with the scallion Organic Chicken Karage - 4/5: Very good. 97% of the way there to the karage I had in Japan. So far the best Karage like in Japan has been Gochi in Cupertino. Just FYI. Black Miso Cod - 5/5: very well cooked Cod. Juicy and flavorful without being dry. Beef Sirloin skewers - 4/5: cooked well, but nothing special on this one Bluefin Tuna Nigiri with truffle paste - 5/5: Truffle paste elevated an already great piece of fish. Would order this again. Sake sashimi - 4/5: Good and fresh. Bluefin Tuna sashimi - 4/5: After eating the one with truffle paste, this was knocked down a notch, but still very good. Wagyu&Iberiko Pork Potsticker - 3/5: The wagyu flavor did not come out in this potsticker. It was nicely crisp on the bottom, but would skip this next time to try other items. Hokkaido Uni - 5/5: fresh and good Negitoro Maki 6pc - 3/5: good, but would skip this next time to try other items. Nothing special stood out in this. Homemade Curry Croquettes 2pc - 4/5: This was perfectly crisp on the inside with the juicy internal curry minced beef. This was good. Corn Tempura 2pc - 5/5: This was even better than I expected. Corn was sweet, with a nice crispy exterior. Would order this again! Albacore Tataki - 5/5: Love this dish, where the ponzu is lightly spread without overpowering the fish. Overall, the quality of the food was top notch. The price tag matches, and is to be expected. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere of the restaurant. I can see now how this place has received such good reviews and is always packed. read more

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This meal was excellent! My partner and I ate here recently and were blown away by everything we ate. The service was great and felt very intentional, with each dish coming out one by one so we could savor everything individually. We started our meal with marinated mackerel toasts. These were life changing! The flavor was incredible. I wish we had ordered 20 more. Next we had the snow crab miso begna cauda. The broccoli was roasted nicely, and the dip was rich and full of flavor. After that, we had the wagyu cutlets. These were nice and crispy, but we could have skipped this one. Next we had an order of clams, and two skewers (bluefin tuna and lamb). Finally, we got the uni carbonara pasta, which was creamy yet light. We were feeling a little hungry still, so at the last second we ordered the beef tongue and the sweet potato brulee for dessert. The beef tongue was delicious! We ordered it because we saw a nearby table had ordered it, and it looked amazing. It did not disappoint! The flavor was perfect, and the beef melted in our mouths. These sweet potato brulee was also exceptional! I would absolutely recommend Kiraku for your next night out! read more

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Had dinner at Kiraku last week. It was a big disappointment! During the pandemic, my husband and I found this restaurant for take out. Everything we ordered was delicious. One of my husband's favourites was the fish porridge. However, after a few times, they decided not to make it anymore. It's a shame cause it was their best dish even though my husband normally doesn't like porridge, he thinks they made the porridge so good that he can give it an exception! Fast forward to last week, we decided to give Kiraku a try again - dine in. I noticed that they have quite a strict policy in reservation (if we don't show up, they automatically charge a fee and we have to spend at least $50 pp like other high end restaurants which I guess it's ok because it's hard to do business nowadays). When we arrived, we were greeted and seated right away. The restaurant was very small, obviously all the tables were very small as well. There was hardly any room for the wait staff to walk/move around and my head/arm got hit a couple of times by their elbows. That was not the worst though. The place was so loud that we could not hold a conversation. I felt that my ears and my head were hurting by all the noise from people talking and the sound of the dishes clinking. However, that still was not the worst! We looked at the menu, my husband doesn't eat raw stuff (I did tell him that they have lots of cooked items). I asked the wait staff what kind of fresh sashimi they have since I have a craving. She told me they have blue fin tuna. I was so excited so I placed that order. Here comes the break down of my disappointment: 1. Blue fin tuna, turned out that they actually didn't have. So I had to choose either salmon sashimi or torched mackerel. I don't like to order salmon sashimi since most of the salmon restaurants serve is not wild caught so the farm raised salmon often tastes fishy. I decided to order the torched mackerel at the wait staff suggested. It was a big mistake....the mackerel was so fishy that I couldn't finish the whole thing. My husband ordered the chicken karaage and the snow crab with torched cabbage which were only ok, we also had the tender beef tongue skewer which was good, black cod miso which my husband said I cook that one much better, we also had jumbo squid and gyoza which were only ok. Our dessert was probably the best - the sweet potato brûlée. We have decided to scratch this restaurant off our dining list because the food was just not good enough for us to give it another try! I guess I am spoiled by the excellent Japanese food in Singapore, Japan and Australia, this place just cannot compare to any of the places we had but I am sure I can find other better Japanese restaurants in California! read more

It is soo good, best izakaya i've been in the east bay, the options are very extensive and the staff is the nicest. It's like a hole in the wall for real so the vibe and experience is immersive for sure. But the waiting times are over the top, you cannot make a reservation unless you are sure each people are going to eat a certain amount or you have to go and put yourself on the waiting list in person, and waiting times can go over an hour and a half, so plan on it. read more

Top tier sushi! This is our favorite spot in the bay! The service is excellent, the food tastes super fresh and good! The place is tiny and can get busy. read more

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One of my favorite restaurants in the Bay FORREAL. Japanese izakaya style food, which is basically delicious small bites. My brother took me recently and we went IN! Some standouts were the otoro nigiri, eel skewer, miso black cod, the pesto udon, as well as the sweet potato creme brulee. But we ordered way more food and all of its delicious!! It's very authentic. The service is good but they do have limits on the tables because it's sooo busy there so don't be offended if they tell you to get your big back up. Def make a Rez because it's always a wait. Im finna go back soon mmmm. read more

Kiraku - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Berkeley, California

Really great restaurant. Was able to easily make a reservation on Yelp for 5:30 on a Wednesday. They have an iPad in the front that you can waitlist on, but you can also check-in for your reservation on it. Inside is definitely cozy and you'll be sitting fairly close to the tables next to you. Service was really fast and easy - no complaints at all! The food was all great. Standouts were garlic edamame, 6pc omakase, beef tongue, pork belly, negitoro maki, corn tempura, & sweet potato creme brulee. Edamame was lightly charred and salted well, with generous amount of garlic flavor. Omakase was fresh and tasty, although a tiny bit small so definitely perhaps get your own instead of sharing one order between two. Beef tongue was hands down the best thing. I thought it was a boneless short rib with how tender it was (can break apart with chopsticks). The pork belly was also soft and went well with the spicy miso. Negitoro was fresh and the wasabi was grated very well. Corn tempura was perfectly fried and very crispy while still being soft inside. Lastly, the creme brulee was a great dessert. You do get a hint of the sweet potato. Would love to return to try other dishes! read more

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Came here for dinner with my sister and brother-in-law at their recommendation, and I can definitely see why they keep coming back. The restaurant was packed and seating is pretty limited, so I'd highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time. The atmosphere is lively and energetic with casual Japanese eatery vibes, and service was friendly throughout the meal. Everything felt creative, rich in flavor, and very texture-focused. Here are the highlights: * Ankimo Mousse (monkfish liver) with sweet potato chips - Made with truffle paste, capers, and chives. Absolutely delicious. The mousse was rich and savory but surprisingly fluffy in texture -- honestly a savory girl's dream. The sweet potato chips added just enough sweetness and a snap to balance the richness of the liver. 9/10 * Bluefin Tuna & Tsubugai Sashimi Nuta - Bluefin tuna, sea snail, broccolini, and fresh wakame tossed in a sweet Kyoto yuzu miso vinaigrette. Kind of like a sashimi-seaweed salad. I really liked the vinaigrette and especially the texture of the sea snail. I'm not sure all the ingredients fully came together cohesively, but it was still enjoyable overall. 7.5/10 * Yuba (house-made tofu skin with ikura and uni) - Served as single bites on spoons. SO good. You can really taste the difference between house-made tofu skin and store-bought. It's much more delicate, creamy, and tender, with a mild soybean flavor that balanced the richness of the uni and salmon roe beautifully. The textures in this bite were incredible. 9.5/10 * Iberico Pork Jowl Skewer with miso marinade - I honestly prefer pork jowl over pork belly. The fat and meat are more integrated instead of layered, so every bite is tender, juicy, and flavorful with just the right amount of chew. So good. 9/10 * Clam & Cilantro Ramen - I've never had a ramen broth quite like this. It was slightly creamy and deeply flavored from the clams, and the cilantro added a lot of depth and freshness. The noodles had a great texture too -- chewy and bouncy. Everything worked together perfectly. 9/10 * Uni Carbonara Pasta - Pasta with parmesan, uni, and ikura. They do not skimp on the uni or roe here. Super creamy and rich with bursts of saltiness from the ikura. The texture was great, but I honestly wished it had just a tiny bit more salt to really make all the flavors pop. It was almost there for me. 7.5/10 * Desserts - We tried two desserts, including the sweet potato brûlée. Both were delicious. One had a silky panna cotta-like texture, while the sweet potato brûlée was creamy, lightly sweet, and had the perfect crackly sugar top. 9/10 Overall, such a fun meal with a lot of unique dishes and flavor combinations. There are still so many things on the menu I want to try next time. I'll definitely be back. read more

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Pretty pricey and very long waits. We waited 3 hours when the estimated time was 1 hour... Food was ok. The tuna 3 ways was a bit fishy and one of the options was akin of minced canned tuna. Seating is tight as the restaurant is small. read more

Kiraku - Beef Tataki - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I've been to Kiraku twice before this visit, and I felt like the food quality was stronger prior. The food comes in a timely manner, staff is mindful to not fill your table as it's a small space. The standouts were the corn tempura, the sushi and the beef okonomiyaki. The skewers were good but not great; I felt the pork belly was a tad salty, and some of the pieces of the beef were slightly overcooked + chewy. The black cod was flaky but I wish it was marinated a bit more with the miso for stronger flavor. I wish I did not order the spring roll or the foil wrapped salmon. The spring roll was soggy bc the filling inside was so damp and lacked seasoning & flavor. The salmon was very dry, but the mushrooms were flavorful and juicy. Definitely recommend reservations or be ready to wait at least 45 minutes. The inside is quite small, tables as well, so be ready to sit pretty close to your neighboring patrons. Very lively atmosphere that can get loud, but could also be fun! read more

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So glad we had a reservation as this restaurant seemed super popular as the restaurant filled up quickly. VAlthough they have omakase sushi I loved their Japanese style tapas much more. We ordered the 9 piece omakase, fish was fresh, rice not as much but was still good. The sashimi natto tartare was delicious and had such a beautiful presentation. The ganjang seawoo which was Korean Style Soy Sauce Marinated Raw Shrimp, Added a Side of Mini Rice, Korean Seaweed & Marinated Egg York. At first we didn't know how to eat this but wow it was so flavorful. The black cod was absolutely amazing. Service was prompt and very helpful with their recommendations. There was street metered parking right up front and I was lucky to snag a spot. Didn't see any parking lot though. read more

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The beef tongue there is so fire. But honestly everything on their menu is wonderfully done and flavorful. The only issue is the line, as I recommend you get there before it even opens and put your name on the waitlist if you don't have a reservation or it'll be a long wait! read more

5 stars Expensive but a worthy splurge. I will note that they don't serve Highballs as a drink option for added authenticity but their drinks menu is otherwise complete for an Izakaya. Skewers: Beef intestines: fatty, perfectly charred and marinated Pork belly: delicious but the least interesting Lamb + okra: nicely prepared and delicious Pickled Sakana leaves: deliciously pickled and salty on its own but worked perfectly as a skewer meat accompaniment Chicken karage: perfectly cooked and juicy Beef+lamb potstickers: homemade and presented in the traditional style. Very good Roasted tea leaf pudding was delicious read more

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Popular Izakaya gem on Telegraph Avenue. I was surprised by the extensive waitlist. Good idea to do a table reservation. This place is super popular and quite cozy inside. Be aware -Tables are very close to one another. Oh my! The quality of food is excellent. A friend and I got 8 plates to share between the two of us. It was enough. Really really tasty. I highly recommend and will be returning here. read more

Kiraku - Outside - waitlist must have had 20 people on it - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Berkeley, California

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We came 10 min before opening and got a table for dinner on Saturday. The space is small so seating is a bit cramped. Food: - Tako Wasabi (5/5): good portion, raw and spicy, not for everyone - Beef Wagyu Tataki (3/5): ponzu overpowered any taste of the beef - Mini Kaisen Donburi (5/5): such a treat! It was topped with 3 small pieces of uni and I thought it was worth it for $22. - Garlic edamame (5/5): A MUST! read more

Kiraku - Beef Tataki (3/5) - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Authentic izakaya in Berkeley. Very fresh sashimi, grilled squid was our favorite. A little crowded and always a long line, but worth a try. Casual gathering place with friends, overall a bit pricy though. read more

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LOCATION: Telegraph/Parker PARKING: Limited street parking WHAT WE ORDERED: * Salmon Crudo ($18) * Black Pork Belly Skewer ($6) * Beef Tongue Skewer ($7) * Lamb Skewer ($7) * Tako Karaage ($9) * Black Cod ($18) * 9 Piece Nigiri ($65) * Deluxe Kaisen Box ($67) * Sweet Potato Brulee ($8) I took my boyfriend here for a birthday dinner and he loved it! It reminded us of the coziness of the restaurants in Japan. They even had baskets to place your bags and belongings! The servers were extremely friendly and attentive. All the food was really good despite the price. The yakitori melted in our mouths. The fish tasted fresh and was prepared well. There is a minimum spend per person, but it's pretty easy to hit. I'd say this restaurant is more of a once-in-a-while type of restaurant rather than a regular go-to restaurant. Very casual, but authentic. I'm surprised it's not Michelin rated! I recommend making a reservation, as the restaurant is rather small and there seems to always be a long wait. read more

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Great place for a special meal. Definitely make a reservation, the minimum charge is easily surpassed. Tables are packed in as it is a small place. Some classics and lots of creative dishes as well. Mini kaisen bowl was a highlight for me. Beautiful salmon, ikura, and delicious uni. Definitely try the corn fritters as well! read more

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Kiraku is definitely a MUST TRY if you're ever in Berkeley, however, make sure you make a reservation (min. $50 a person) or else you will definitely have to wait for a long time, even on a weekday. The restaurant was offering a special omakase set for around $80 so it was something that we knew that we had to try, and let me say, it did not disappoint. The fish was extremely fresh and tasty, especially their Bluefin Tuna sashimi which was definitely my favorite. If you're a fan of udon and want to try something new, I also recommend the Yaki Udon which uses pesto sauce. Extremely creamy and delicious. Kiraku offers a unique variety of dishes, a relaxed and comforting environment, and an overall awesome dining experience. I definitely want to come back again to try more things next time! 5/5 stars! read more

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Talk about a place that is absolutely worth the hype. Kiraku might be my favorite izakaya in Berkeley, with Ippuku coming in as a close second. I wasn't sure if the high ratings were just because Berkeley's sushi scene tends to lean more casual, but Kiraku completely exceeded my expectations. It reminded me of the izakayas I loved in Vancouver and Toronto--thoughtful dishes, great flavors, and that cozy, lively energy that makes you want to order one of everything. Pretty much every dish hit. The A5 wagyu with uni was a banger. The tako wasabi was solid. The black cod literally melted in my mouth. The mini kaisen donburi was packed with premium ingredients and so delicious. Extra points because they actually deep-fry the shrimp heads too, which I love. Overall, Kiraku is a must-try and I'd recommend it to anyone in the Bay Area. read more

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Reservations highly recommend, otherwise you may be waiting hours or not even be seated at all. Why take the chance?! Also, you are required to provide a credit card for the reservation as a last minute cancellation would charge your card. Also, requires you to spend $50 per person in your group. So table for 2 requires $100 minimum spend and table for 4 requires $200 minimum spend. Also, each nigiri requires 2 orders minimum The dining room is quite small, tables are small and right next one one another. You MAY get a little roomier tables by the corner if you have a party of 4 or more, otherwise you'll be squished together like salmon during mating season. Started off with a Asahi draft beer and Sake: Yoshinosugi no "Tarusake". The description is spot on "gentle, subtle dry cedar sake with mineral & roasted rice aromas". Highly recommend, great flavor especially for the price! I really love the daily menu items and you definitely want to try them as they rotate that menu! Food items I ordered for the night: Tsubugai & wild bluefin tuna Hamachi &mizu tako Deep fried softshell crab Yuzu chicken udon Black cod Hokkaido uni Santa barbara uni Lamb skewer Tongue skewer Beef okonomiyaki I recommend all the items in my order except for the Yuzu chicken udon. It was just udon and nothing special, would only get if someone was really craving udon that night haha. read more

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If you're debating on whether or not to come here, this is your sign to GO!! My group and I came on a Friday at 5:30pm which is when they open. There was already a huge crowd of people waiting before the restaurant even opened, luckily our group had a reservation which requires a minimum purchase of $50/person. The servers were very kind and offered good recommendations from both the regular menu and daily menu. The food came out quickly despite how busy the restaurant seemed to be. The interior was vibey and they had metal baskets under each table to put your bag or belongings into. I would definitely recommend the Suzuki carpaccio, this dish had a good yuzu ponzu flavor to it, and the fish tasted fresh. Overall, this restaurant offers a unique variety of dishes and a great dining experience. Overall, I would definitely recommend it and will be coming back soon. read more

Kiraku - Suzuki Carpaccio (YUM) - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came by for dinner the other night and it was a world class experience, reminding me of izakayas in Tokyo, without the smoking. Made a reservation via Yelp and my table was ready at the specified time, after checking in on the tablet outside the entrance. Parking is available on surface streets. Dining is indoors only and is pretty cramped. There seems to be a $30 minimum charge for walk-ins and $50 minimum charge for reservations. The queue upon arrival for walk-ins was 150 minutes. There is a 1.5 hr limit on tables during peak hour. Meal started with a hot towel service and the talented uniformed staff sharing off-the-menu specials of the day. The menu online is the regular menu. Dine-in patrons have a special menu, daily special menu, along with verbal specials. Started off with the fresh fish tempura which was lighted fried and served with some vegetables. The miso black cod was excellent. Despite the menu stating it's merely 1 skewer, 2 pieces showed up. The flavor was excellent, and it was grilled to perfection. The black cod was super fresh too. The pork jowl skewer had a nice char from the grill. The iberico pork was fragrant and juicy. The unagi grilled skewer was also decent, served with a side of wasabi. The soft shell crab was fried and cut into pieces served inside some sweetened soy sauce and topped with some super fresh vegetables. The A5 ribeye nigiri was excellent and had fantastic marbling. The negitoro and onion roll was excellent. Super fatty and flavorful negitoro served with some wasabi and pickled ginger. The chicken karaage was world class. Super fresh organic chicken, marinated to perfection, and served piping hot. The oil was super fresh too! The chicken udon was tasty. Super flavorful broth, tasty udon, and topped with some fresh chicken and cabbage. Ended off the meal with the matcha montblanc which was tasty. ~$85/head after tax and gratuity for dinner with plenty of leftovers. read more

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Had their uni carbonara pasta and the deluxe kaisen box and everything was so delicious with beautiful presentation! The interior is a little small but very cozy. There isn't really a waiting area/very small space, so bring a jacket in case you wait outside. The fish was very fresh. Would definitely come back! read more

Kiraku - Deluxe kaisen box - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Berkeley, California

Chill spot in Berkeley for legit Izakaya. It's small so recommendations are recommended. If not, they have an iPad where you can get on the waitlist. In terms of what to order, I would order whatever you like on the menu because it's going to be great. We usually start with the 9 kinds sashimi and the carpaccio or ceviche. Then on to the skewers. If you like beef tongue, I definitely recommend ordering it. Butter clams are great. We end with corn and/or other tempura. read more

It's so hard finding another spot to eat at for a special occasion because Kiraku sets the bar so high. From food quality and consistency to the staff, you basically get a Michelin star experience without the pedigree. We've been here enough now to have our favorites from the menu and these are what I would recommend if you are able to score a reservation here at Kiraku (Don't even be a minute late, your name will get called only once before you are considered a no show) Yuzu Carpaccio, Premium Angus Beef Tongue with Truffle Oil, and Corn Tempura. The rest are give and take depending on the occasion but those three are a must have. This will be my final review unless something drastically changes. read more

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Honestly one of the top meals I've had in the bay in a while. Made a reservation for Friday 9PM, and it was still very lively and packed. Would order again/changed my brain chemistry: - Suzuki carpaccio: my bf didn't like this as much as I did since he thought it was too acidic, but I thought it paired well with the rest of the dishes... nice acidity but then sesame and umami aftertaste - Beef intestine skewer: melts in your mouth, actually insane - Beef tongue skewer: also melts in your mouth and also insane, loved that the flavor was distinct from the beef intestine skewer - Soy sauce marinated shrimp: so much flavor infused and the texture is amazing Good: - Roasted tea blanc manger - Smoked unagi: very tender & different flavor than typical japanese unagi, which I appreciated - Mini kaisen donburi: tasted very fresh, though not sure why but the fattiness of the salmon didn't come through as much Skip: - Pork belly, thought this was standard... not bad but it was tougher than I expected and the sauce was ok - Homemade tofu/yuba spoons: if you're getting the kaisen, I would skip. it's basically a lot of the same ingredients but there was what I think was the tofu skin in there and idk why but the texture reminded me of bland playdough a bit - Black cod: good flavor and smokiness but idk if it stood out read more

Not a great experience to put it lightly, especially for the price. Never mind waiting three hours to sit when the estimated wait was one hour, there is no realm where charging $22 for 2 slices of mid-grade tuna sashimi and two tiny fishy tasting side dishes is OK. I'm not sure if we just ordered the worst things on the menu but we got about seven different dishes and the best tasting one ended up being the corn fritters.. Even in today's shrink-inflation economy, the portion sizes were obnoxiously small for the price. For waiting that long and being offered nothing but a "thanks for waiting" and a hot towel I am absolutely dumbfounded how this place has the high ratings that it does. read more

Delicious small plates to enjoy! The tongue was excellent! Ceviche salad with chips was delicious! The pork belly skewers was delicious! The uni pasta was good! Salmon sashimi was solid. The creme brulee desert was good! Fun meal to eat with family and friends. Also good to know that they require each person at the table to order at least up to $35 a person even if they are kids! read more

Kiraku - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love going to this place. Takes me back to Japan each time yet their dishes are more inventive than traditional Japanese Izakaya. It's a small place but serves high quality dishes. Most are small tapas size dishes but packs in lots of flavor. I can't wait to come back to try new dishes each time. I usually get stuck in the first two pages of the menu. We were able to try 2 grilled item but we ate it so fast we forgot to take pictures. We will definitely be back! read more

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Such a great experience! Always packed and now I understand why. Great service from all of the staff when we were there, stayed till closing and they gave us a complimentary tasting of their yuzu sake since we were too full for dessert. Everything is reasonably priced when you taste the flavor and quality of their food. Everything felt very authentic, they know what they do very well and it shows. Highly recommend to anyone hoping to indulge in a high quality Izakaya expedience in the Easy Bay/Berkeley area. read more

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very busy izakaya near berkeley. liked the kanpachi nigiri, corn tempura, beef tongue, and pork jowl skewer. rest of the skewers and the ankimo spread were just ok. would return to try their chirashi bowls otherwise i'd go elsewhere. we were walk in and minimum spend per person was $30 which was really easy. tables are very cramped inside and restaurant filled up by 6pm read more

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Cozy, authentic, and absolutely delicious. My friend and I grabbed dinner at Kiraku before a show at the Greek Theatre and it was the perfect pre-concert spot. We made a reservation about a week in advance and were seated right on time, which was great since we were on a schedule. The interior instantly reminded me of Japan. It had a warm, intimate vibe that felt like a hidden gem. We ordered the 9-piece omakase, negitoro maki, agedashi tofu, edamame, and organic chicken karaage. Everything was packed with flavor and beautifully prepared. The karaage was especially crispy and juicy, and the tofu was so delicate and satisfying. Service was friendly, the timing of the dishes was just right, and overall the experience felt really well curated. We'll definitely be back next time we're in the area. Kiraku is a must if you're in Berkeley and craving quality Japanese food. read more

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Best sushi I had in Berkeley went I went there, you need to make a reservation to be able to eat there and the seating arrangements are not the best. In exchange you will well a great good experience. Everything was great read more

Kiraku offers a unique Japanese dining experience. It has quite eclectic offerings of small dishes that blend Japanese and other cuisines; you will not see the "standard" chicken teriyaki/shrimp tempura/udon line up. This is not to say that the menu offerings are not accessible although some may seem "mind-bending". The best thing about this form of dining is that one can have a wide range of dishes allowing one to experience a range of cooking techniques, ingredients, textures, aromas, etc. The menu is big so it does take some time to navigate but just remember that most dishes are not super-expensive and are not large so start with a few and just go from there. You can always order more. The space is quite small with only around 30 seats, if that, on smaller tables that are close to one another. There is usually a wait but as we were a party of two, the wait was pretty short, about 10 minutes. You start with oshibori (hand towels), a nice touch. The servers are convivial and attentive. All dishes are announced as they are dropped and the dishes seemed to be paced by the kitchen to ensure that the table was never empty nor too crowded. This is important as the tables are not super huge. We had these dishes -Moro Q, seasoned cucumber with a miso sauce. The crispness and refreshing quality of the cucumber sticks contrast well with the saltiness and richness of the miso. -Shira-ae Dip, tofu blended with walnut, apricots, persimmon, and celery with toasts. This is akin to a veggie "pâté" one may have at the start of a dinner party. -Tender Beef Tongue Skewer, the meat was soooo tender and beautifully seasoned with a miso yuzu sauce that has a bit of spice; a sweet, salty, spice combination. -Jumbo Anago Tempura, sea eel and veggies. The tempura crust was affixed to the food, meaning that when you bit in, the "filling" did not fall out. The Anago cuts were substantial, definitely the feature. The tempura crust was light and crisp which contrasted great with the soft texture of the eel meat. The veggies were perfectly cooked. -Mentaiko Cream Udon, this dish has so much going on. The mentaiko (pollock roe) adds saltiness, richness, and spice to the creaminess of the sauce. Beautiful Scallops and mushrooms add additional dimensions of flavor and texture. -Sashimi Natto Maki, a simple suchi roll with both fish and natto (fermented soy bean). There are many detractors to natto but I love it. -Sweet Potato Brûlée, a great dessert. The sweet potato was not super evident BUT the dish itself was a good crème brûlée. We look forward to heading back as there are so many more dishes we want to try! read more

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Potato Croquette: Perfectly crispy outside, soft and creamy inside -- ultimate comfort bite. Grilled Angus Beef Tongue: Tender with a smoky char, brightened by a squeeze of lemon. Mini Kaisen Don: Fresh, flavorful seafood with just the right rice-to-topping ratio. Sashimi Sampler: Generous cuts, melt-in-your-mouth freshness. Overall, a go-to for authentic Japanese small plates. It has that cozy, intimate izakaya feel with warm lighting, lively but not overwhelming. The staff is friendly, attentive, and great with recommendations; dishes came out at a good pace. Expect about 30 minutes to 1 hour wait time during peak dinner hours. read more

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Favorites are the Deluxe Kaisen box, Unagi skewer, and corn tempura. it is a popular spot and is quite small, so expect a wait! read more

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Overall, this was a good visit. The service was polite, the place seemed organized, and I did not run into any major issues. A few details could improve, but I left satisfied. read more

When a friend of mine came to visit from New York, I wanted to take her to a really great place! I hadn't been to Kiraku since before the pandemic, so I was really excited! Overall, the food was really good, though there were a couple of things that we ordered that were a miss for me. Things we ordered: *Fermented firefly squid - I love firefly squid but this wasn't something either of us enjoyed. *Salmon tostada - this was yummy! *We also ordered a black cod from the daily specials menu and I wish I had taken a picture to explain why I didn't love it. The texture was slimy and awful. I normally don't care about texture but this just didn't work for me and completely took away from any flavor this had. *Tofu from the daily specials and I thought this was a miss. It had zero flavor. *Tomato and snow crab salad - this was surprisingly delicious because of the tomato! *Tempura - this was good, but nothing overly special *Yuba spoons - these are delicious *Beef tongue skewer - yummy and had a nice plum sauce *Mini Kaisen donburi - as delicious as I remember it! *We also ordered the scallop and shrimp nigiri and I had requested the shrimp with a fried head, which sadly never came Overall, I think the things I didn't love were simply not for my tastebuds, because the things that were delicious, were absolutely great and I would come back for them. Our server was attentive and helped us gauge how much to order. Also, we were lucky in that we were sat in a corner, which meant that it was a bit quieter and out of the way, as the place is small and it did get progressively louder throughout the night and the tables are fairly close together. read more

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