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    Kiraku

    4.4 (1.8k reviews)
    Open 5:30 pm - 11:00 PM

    Kiraku Reservations

    Order Kiraku Takeout or Delivery

    Kiraku Photos

    KIRAKU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Kiraku

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    Reviews With Photos

    Menu
    Katherine P.

    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.

    Outside - waitlist must have had 20 people on it
    Brian B.

    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.

    Beef Tataki (3/5)
    My D.

    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!

    Menu
    Wyatt B.

    My second time here and I will be back. The only reason I gave them three stars is because there seems to be inconsistency with some menu items. The black cod miso was one of my favorites here the first time I came, but the second time it was disappointing. The scallop sashimi was the best I've ever had, and the bluefin tuna otoro and negitoro are amazing. Even though this restaurant is usually extremely busy it is well worth the wait.

    James L.

    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!

    DX Kaisen Don
    Alvina L.

    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.

    Deluxe kaisen box
    Erica E.

    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!

    Karen N.

    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.

    Akadashi Clam Miso Soup
    Warren K.

    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!

    Suzuki carpaccio
    Cathy L.

    The food is always amazing! Always make sure to book a reservation because they can get packed pretty quick. One of my favorite Japanese spots in the Bay Area. I find myself always coming back!

    Tenzin T.

    Exquisite food, cozy vibes, and totally worth the wait. Kiraku is hands down one of the best spots for Japanese comfort dishes in Berkeley.

    Mini kaisen
    Tasha H.

    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!

    Suzuki Carpaccio (YUM)
    Katrina W.

    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.

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    Page 2 of 45

    Kiraku Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kiraku

    Is this an all you can eat sushi joint? If yes, how much is it per person?

    No. It is a la carte.

    Does the restaurant allow you to bring cake to celebrate a birthday?

    While I have never attempted to do so I have found the restaurant to be very customer focused and I would imagine if you requested ahead of time they would allow. It's worth asking ahead of time.

    Are they careful if you have a shellfish allergy?

    Yes! Notify the waitress. My husband is allergic to lobster and crab and he left just fine!

    Are there gluten-free options?

    Yes, I count at least a dozen gluten-free optional items in the menu posted online.

    What is the name of the soft and stringy type of seaweed/moss that's included on the deluxe chazuke? I ordered it before and have been wondering ever since! It was delicious.

    "Tororo Kombu" (とろろ昆布) i bet

    Is there still a credit card fee (4.5%) nowadays?

    No, I don't recall the credit card fee on my most recent visit.

    Do we always need reservation for dine-in (for 3 persons)?

    No, but I would recommend you do so because the restaurant is generally busy. If you get there early or open the Yelp app at 5:30, you could get a head start on the waitlist.

    Does Kiraku have gift cards?

    No, to my knowledge they don't.

    Do you have a traditional sushi nigiri/maki options?

    No.

    Does the dine-in menu include the Kaisen Box?

    The dine-in menu changes periodically, but on my last two visits I did see a kaisen box on the menu. However I cannot say if it is the same as the kaisen box offered on the takeout menu.

    Does $40minimum per person apply to a 2 years old?

    I don't know why anyone would bring a 2yo to a very loud crowded restaurant, but I doubt they would be so rigid. They've only been kind and flexible when I've gone there.

    Is this restaurant celiac friendly with gluten free soy sauce available?

    I messaged Kiraku on Instagram and got this response today: Our absolutely gluten-free items would be our Assorted Sashimi (however we do not have gluten-free soy sauce… Read more

    Can you order to go?

    During lockdown, Kiraku has been one of my favorite places to get to go from. They make your dish at the scheduled time so just make sure that you are there on time to have your food hot.

    Do they still have bone marrow?

    Yes

    Have a party of 10...is it feasible to get a table if we get there early? Not sure how small the restaurant is. Don't think we will eat $40 with per person so won't be making reservation.

    I was a party of 3 got there before opening and there was already a line and we waited almost an hour since people already had reservations. It's really easy to make the 40 minimum so I would just go and make the reservation.

    Are you open on Christmas Tuesday this year?

    No, they are not open on Xmas, I believe.

    View All 17 Questions

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    Ippuku - Sashimi combo: tuna, fatty tuna, sea urchins and ?

    Ippuku

    3.9(1.5k reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$$

    Walk-in at Ippuku in Berkeley came with a pretty long wait, and there is no online waitlist which…read moremakes planning difficult. We were seated around 7:30 (which is still prime dinner time imo) only to be told that many of the menu items had already sold out, which was disappointing. The items that were still available were good and we still had a nice time overall. FYI, the non-alcoholic beverage selection is quite limited. At this price point, the wait plus the number of sold out dishes makes us question whether we would come back.

    This place has been on my want to go list for a while, and I finally got to try it! We didn't make…read morea reservation and walked in instead. We waited for about 30 min and the restaurant texted us once the table was ready. We ordered quite a few dishes and started with Omakase gushi, which came with chicken breast, thigh with leek, heart, cartilage, and minced chicken. We also ordered the oden set, sasami, tori tataki, gyu-tan, enoki bacon, and buta bara. Evertyhing tasted pretty good, but the most impressive dish was sasami with umeboshi, which was inner bresat with umehad was the inner breast with umeboshi. It was my first time trying raw chicken, and it tasted really good. The chicken breast was really tender, with a tuna-like texture, and without any slimy or odd flavors. Ever since then, I've been telling my friends to try it. The Tori Tataki was seared chicken breast sashimi with ponzu, which tasted a bit plain compared to the sasami. So I would highly recommended to get theeir sasami!

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    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    3.9(442 reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown Berkeley

    Top contender for Japanese cuisine in Berkeley--equal parts sophisticated and scrumptious…read more Highlights include: - Sea Bean & Corn Tempura: a savory funnel cake worthy of a Michelin star thanks to its texture and the side of matcha salt - Salmon sashimi: succulent with fresh wasabi - Wagyu Shime Special: insane price for insane flavor--a generous portion of veggies and wagyu in a big ol' iron bowl of bubblin' broth

    Ate Christmas dinner here with my mom as our celebration tradition is usually a Japanese…read morerestaurant. The ambience was intimate and cozy yet elegant, and the staff was very attentive and kind. I loved the decorations, the plates and silverware, and the food was just as intentional in flavor and selection. For appetizers we had: Anchovy Stuffed Olives Tempura - Tempura Spanish alives stuffed with anchovies $9 Kombu Tsukudani - Premium Hokkaldo kelp, say sauce, bonito, shiso, sesame seeds, enjoy with sake or rice $6 For our meal we had: Saba Bouzushi - House-cured saba mackerel bouzushi - stick-shaped sushi, also called battera, served with shiso, sesame, scallions, topped with Hokkaido shiraita kombu, ten pieces $29 Gindara Yuanyaki - Local black cod marinated in soy sauce and shikuwasa Okinawan citrus juice served grilled $34 Steelhead Trout Nabe - Norwegian ocean trout raised sustainably in the clear, cold ford where the seawater meets fresh meltwater from the glaciers in the mountains. Enjoy the rich flavored, melt-in-your-mouth fish, hotpot with dashi broth, mushrooms, napa cabbage, burdock, clear noodles, tofu, mizuna, scallions, yuzu kosho $39 We've been to many izakaya spots and this place had some of the most unique flavors I've tasted. The Saba Bouzushi stood out to me because it reminded of Filipino paksiw but as a roll! The Gindara was buttery and soft and had a yummy smoky flavor. The Nabe was perfect for a rainy evening - hearty, fresh, and so well balanced in flavor (I loved the yuzu kosho the had us add for a citrusy, peppery flavor)

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    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Inside

    Inside

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Chicken Karaage

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    Iyasare - Assorted nigiri

    Iyasare

    4.0(986 reviews)
    2.3 miFourth Street, West Berkeley
    $$$

    Started with a drink and the iyasare kakiage tempura which has burdock root, onion, sweet potato,…read moreshiitake, enoki, carrot, shungiku, and bonito soy dipping sauce. Highly recommend the iyasare kakiage tempura, wish it had some less sweet potatoes and more of the other ingredients, but overall it was savory and very sweet from the sweet potatoes. I enjoyed the kara-age curry rice which is a japanese style fried chicken thighs in a tokyo style curry sauce, a small salad, and koshihikari rice. They gave sooooo much kara-age chicken and it was quite filling. Good dish to share with others. Lastly, we had to try the iyasare mentaiko pasta which is a spicy cod ros, spaghetti, ikura, shiso, and kaiware. It's quite heavy and creamy, but definitely worth trying if you like the ingredients!

    Saw this on the Michelin Guide so wanted to give it a try. On the edge of Berkeley, the location…read moreand ambience makes it a nice spot for a date. The food itself was solid, with the best dishes being the Chef's Recommended tuna tartare and branzino. The rolls were fine, nothing out of the ordinary. While the dishes were enjoyable, the price was on the more expensive side. For the quality of the food ultimately it's difficult to say that it's entirely worth it. For a dinner for two, you're looking northward of $150 and while that's fairly common in the Bay, you can find better restaurants at that price point.

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    Water being poured..

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    Tane Vegan Izakaya - Point Reyes

    Tane Vegan Izakaya

    4.5(441 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$

    Wow wow wow! I didn't think it could be done but this place has perfect vegan Japanese food! It's…read morehard to get in so make sure to make a reservation. Pacifica Roll (10/5 stars) - the best thing we ate, perfect creation of flavors that don't overwhelm each other, it's perfectly savory Poke Salad (5/5) - does it tastes like fish? No. But it's a great combination of textures, you have the chewy king oyster mushrooms and soft fried tofu, the crunch of the veggies and the cashew dressing is addicting Da Bao (5/5) - I didn't like the vegan spam alone (I personally like this other brand more) but here they paired it well with veggies and plum wine sauce that makes it work. The vegan spam here is too smokey for my tastes but together it's good. Roasted Garlic Miso Ramen (2/5) - Honestly, it was the only not good thing we had. The broth was neither garlicky or miso-y. It was very mushroomy. It was all one could taste. The spam did not fit with the ramen and was very jarring to taste in the ramen. Yuzu Matcha (5/5) - It's sour but not too sour. Like it wakes you up witout making your face pucker. Absolutely cannot wait to come back!

    First of all, I eat meat. And I love sushi. So I was like..,uh vegan sushi? But tbh it was good…read moreasf! I ordered the Ewa roll and Point Reyes and they were both really Flavorful and filling! I was like..there's no fish in this?! Word?! Idk how they did it but it tasted like seafood. It's a quiet little place without a lot of seating, so consider making a reservation!

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    Tane Vegan Izakaya - Photo 4: Interior

    Photo 4: Interior

    Tane Vegan Izakaya - Left roll - Point Reyes (GF) Right roll - The Wedge (GF) deep fried

    Left roll - Point Reyes (GF) Right roll - The Wedge (GF) deep fried

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    Mensho - Signature Smoked Toripaitan Ramen

    Mensho

    4.5(634 reviews)
    2.5 miPiedmont Ave, North Oakland
    $$

    The food was so good! The ramen broth, amazing. We continue to come back for more!…read more My husband loves the garlic Ramen and I always get the signature. Raman never fails. It's amazing.

    So glad I found this hidden gem in Piedmont. I came with two friends on a Friday night around 7pm,…read moreand as expected for a small spot, there was a long wait. We were seated about an hour later, but once we got in, the service was quick and efficient. We ordered a mix of items to share: * Enoki chips - absolutely addicting. Perfectly crispy with a great crunch, and the umami spice on the side took them to another level. * Chicken karaage - tasty overall, but the glaze was poured over everything. I would've preferred it on the side to keep the texture crisp. * Kani hand roll - super fresh and flavorful; didn't even need soy sauce. * Ikura & hotate hand roll - generous portion and very fresh, again no soy needed. * Garlic Knockout ramen - lives up to the name. Rich, deeply garlicky broth that was bold and delicious. * Signature smoked toripaitan ramen - flavorful without being overly heavy (which I prefer). The chashu was tender and the noodles tasted fresh. I was blown away by the food, I haven't had ramen this good in a long time. The restaurant clearly runs efficiently, turning tables quickly despite the wait. I'll definitely be back

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    The Public Izakaya - Classic Chirashi

    The Public Izakaya

    4.2(723 reviews)
    9.9 miLower Nob Hill
    $$

    This review is long overdue, but only because I had to seriously consider whether I wanted to gate…read morekeep this place (kidding! Mostly). My friend and I happened to walk in right at 5 p.m., landing perfectly at Happy Hour (truly, divine timing). But honestly, it's probably the best time to come. We were seated quickly, and so begins our alcoholic adventure. I can't speak much to the fish, but everything we ordered was a hit. First: get the lychee beer. I'm not even big on alcohol, but I somehow ended up three or four rounds in... heh. Anyways, the yakitori (we got pork belly and chicken thigh) were juicy and packed with flavor, and the karaage was crispy, tender, and perfect with the sauce. We actually ordered multiple rounds of everything and left feeling very full and very festive. Overall, Public Izakaya is a gem tucked behind an unassuming storefront. The ambiance, the food, and yes, the beer, makes it an easy go-to whenever I'm back in the city. Consider me a convert!

    Food was okay! The udon was good but overall okay. The caterpillar roll was okay. The garlic noodle…read morewas dry. Its was all okay. Happy hour my ass! Little to no options for that menu and $5 for a small can of beer is pretty lame on their end. Was pretty annoyed to not see it be a full pint at least! Last sushi restaurant I went to in the area has a full pint of Sapporo for the same price! Y'all lackin' I also do not frick with the sf mandate extra health fee bullshit too. So lame that it's sneaky and not even on the bill sometimes.

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    Kiraku - tapasmallplates - Updated May 2026

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