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    Musashi

    4.1 (497 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Sushi Bars
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Musashi Photos

    MUSASHI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Musashi

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chirashi don
    Chan T.

    This bowl is so packed with sashimi deliciousness! I easily counted over 20 pieces! Every piece carried its own flavor and didn't taste bland at all. This spot looks small but they expand into the next space as well. They have a good happy hour menu. I walked in 30 minutes before closing and they were more than happy to seat me and never rushed me to get out. One of my fave go to spots when I'm in Berkeley craving sushi. They also provide all the to go sushi packages at Tokyo fish market. Go check them out over there too

    Chawan Mushi
    Rachel D.

    Wappa Meshi sets... order one and you're set. Whole menu is great, but come for the Wappa. Because it's a lost art and not many places do it. If you know a place, or places, that serve some great wappa meshi, holla. I'm gonna wanna see what's up. Place has a homey vibe. I dig it. I'd visit regularly if I didn't live so far away.

    CA and Salmon roll (from Happy Hour menu)
    Karen G.

    I wanted to try this Sushi place. This is right off Shattuck on Dwight (parking is neighborhood parking). The rolls are substantial and the chicken karage are big pieces! We also tried the Sake, it was good if you like Sake (on happy hour menu). If you want to try a new Sushi place, this place is a no frills kind of place with great customer service. The place filled up quick right after they opened. We would be back for date night!

    Sushi Combo - variety and quality are great. The Chirashi bowls solid too.
    Thomas S.

    Consistent, nice people, and great quality sushi. It's authentic sushi without the over marketed hype. Our go to place.

    Montage of images from Musashi
    Ed U.

    Sometimes you just have to seize the moment, and it was just one of those moments when Jamie W. and I were strolling on Dwight Way. Jamie was actually the one who spontaneously pointed to the place and said we should have a light dinner here. Never been before, but we could tell it was a casual spot, pretty family friendly. We managed to nab a good size table. Before we ordered, the server gave us a complimentary plate of their homemade potato salad (photo). Nice start. We couldn't help but notice quite a few yakitori choices in the Robata Grill section of the menu. We ordered several sticks. The first was the $3.50 Kawa (Chicken Skins), which was crispy-tasty and not too chewy (photo: https://yelp.to/LrKdTRk2Fk). The second was the more substantial $5.50 Kama Negi, which alternated pieces of tender duck and grilled leeks (photo: https://yelp.to/71FHin34fj). Delish. The third yakitori was the $3.50 Hatsu (Chicken Hearts), a personal favorite because I like poultry innards (photo: https://yelp.to/8UlQxK7TNZ). The last was the $5.25 Teba, a couple of meaty Chicken Wings that required two sticks (photo: https://yelp.to/mA8XeoMBd6). Yakitori was clearly what they did best as they reminded me of the sticks we ate in Japan. Yep, that good. The $10 Kara-age Appetizer was good but not quite at the same level (photo: https://yelp.to/_bR49uaylD). Crunchy though the chicken was a bit chewy. We were surprised our priciest item, the $21 Rainbow Roll was the most disappointing (photo: https://yelp.to/U91ODg-Lv0). Not bad but kinda sloppy and not as fresh as we were hoping. Stick to the sticks. FOOD - 4 stars...the yakitori is the get here, hands down AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...casual place like you'd see on Midnight Diner SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly and timely TOTAL - 4 stars...satisfying izakaya especially if you like robata RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

    hamachi kama
    Jennifer T.

    This Japanese restaurant serves a good variety of sushi and Japanese dishes. I went with friends and they all recommended ordering the chirashi bowl. The chalkboard menu caught my eye and I ordered the hamachi kama (yellowtail collar) which was also a great choice. The waitstaff were all very attentive and kind. I could tell that they knew when was a good time to take or order after appetizers and offer more sake. I really enjoyed this place and would come back!

    Russell R.

    Not really a sushi restaurant, but a Japanese restaurant. Great "wine" -- sake -- list. Tried a few. The Shiro Kirishima was my favorite last night, though that "honor" could have gone to another. Just an excellent glass of wine, served at the perfect temperature (slightly chilled, but not cold). Service was appropriate. We were there for almost three hours, and never felt rushed. The meal started with some pickled items that opened my palate. Up first was the "mini" chirashi bowl. It was loaded with a wide variety of fish and seafood (including a whole prawn and some octopus). For $21, methinks you might wanna check it out. Two grilled skewers, one rib-eye and one duck+leeks (kamo negi). I rarely eat duck (as I would be eating alone; like poor, neglected lamb, so few of my companions join me in exploring menus as they refuse to deviate from the beef-chicken-prawn trichotomy) but dang this was a great way to enjoy duck. The leeks added color, texture, and tons of flavor. The veritable coup de grâce was the salmon collar or "samonkara." Grilled, succulent salmon, full of flavor - the real finger-lickin' good (as if I lick my fingers, ever, cos that's what the napkin's for, diners). The price? Four people, plenty of food, flowing booze, and great laughs: $200, before tip. Just a great time and night. Check it out. - workingman's gourmand

    Michael L.

    GREAT Japanese food near downtown Berkeley. Service was kind and efficient. Parking was easy with no wait on a Tuesday evening. Ambiance was nothing special but the food was authentic and fresh with reasonable prices given the fish quality. Tempura was excellent. Like the make of any great Japanese restaurant, grated daikon came with tempura, and shiso leaf came with sashimi. Will be coming back!

    Takoyaki
    Wesley L.

    Catering one of my last meetings of the year, I knew I wanted to go big! Having catered from other local Asian businesses, I wanted to find one that specialized in Japanese cuisine. Musashi is a place I frequent often not just because of their amazing dinner special (5-7 PM), but also since I've tried a lot of dishes I can't find elsewhere. While they're sadly only open for dinner and closed on Sunday & Monday, they were happy to assist me with my catering order. I went in-person and talked with one of their staff to find items that would please a wide variety of tastes and dietary needs. I ended up choosing their yakisoba, tofu salad, chicken karaage, ginger pork, shrimp tempura, and variety of sushi. Happy to say this was a success among my guests with the chicken karaage being a huge crowd pleaser! I haven't seen other pictures of their party trays before so if you're interested in sizing, this will give you an idea of how much food you'd get. Musashi is a small hole in the wall restaurant on a residential street with limited seating and can get quite busy, so get in earlier or make a reservation if needed. Also a huge fan of their unagi wappa and side dishes they give out before each meal

    Julie S.

    Absolutely everything here was fantastic! We tried mackerel dinner, agedashi tofu, small plates of grilled sweet potato and eggplant, gyoza, meatballs, sashimi, and the uni special from Japan. Service is friend, the food is fairly quick, the decor is cozy and authentic. They even have happy hour specials!

    One of the best sushi i ever had. Really worth the price and the service is phenomenal, hope a lot of people gonna try this restaurant

    Unagi don
    Jamie K.

    Portions were crazy good, and everything was overall above average taste! Do wish the unagi don had less rice and more toppings -- the proportions were pretty off. Server kindly explained different dishes and sake, and food came out relatively quickly! There weren't too many ppl on a weekday night, and restaurant is fairly spacious and clean despite its age

    Chirashi Salmon & Ikura bowls
    Kat Z.

    One of my favorites restaurants in Berkeley! Worthy of a visit even after graduating. For how much salmon we got, the price was more than reasonable. The salmon was pretty fresh, and the service was quick. Very homey place.

    Salmon and Ikura Donburi

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    Daiju Y.

    Thank you very much! Happy New Year!

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    Thank you for sharing!

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    Daiju Y.

    Thank you for coming in and so happy you had nice time!

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    Daiju Y.

    ありがとうございます。

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    Daiju Y.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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    Thank you so much!

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    2 years ago

    Good food reasonably priced. I buy their sushi platter often. Service with a smile.

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    Thank you for the review and drinking pitchers! Kanpai!

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    Thank you and happy holidays!

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    Thank you!

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    Thank you so much! Happy birthday to your father!

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    Page 2 of 13

    Musashi Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Musashi

    Do you take reservations? How can I make reservation? Just call?

    Yes we do!

    Is proof of vaccination required?

    Yes, patrons do have to show vaccine card. Our restaurant is currently closed until 1/11/22.

    Do you have osechi boxes for new year this year (2022)?

    Yes! We are taking orders still. Please call in, fax or email your order. Order sheets can be found on our website musashiofberkeley.com or call 510-843-2017. Fax number is 510-843-2100.

    Are you open tonight 12/28?

    Yes, but we may close early so please call!

    View All 5 Questions

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    Ippuku

    Ippuku

    3.9
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    One of my favorite izakayas in the U.S./Canada, especially if you love chicken skewers. Ippuku…read morefeatures LaBelle Rouge heritage breed chickens, which originate from France and are known for their rich flavor, firmer texture, and slower growth compared to conventional broiler chickens. Naturally, we ordered as many chicken skewers as possible, and every single one was fantastic. The hearts were especially impressive--soft and tender, which is rare since most places tend to overcook them. The karaage was also top notch. The biggest surprise was the bonjiri. I had to look it up, and once I realized it was basically the chicken equivalent of rich, fatty oxtail-style meat, I knew I had to try it. Holy hell, it was easily the best chicken skewer I've ever had. I would honestly come back just to order multiple of these. The squid ink rice was incredibly savory and filling, and paired with a few beers, this made for such a great evening out. All in all, Ippuku is a must-visit in Berkeley if you're into izakayas.

    Yesterday was my first time at Ippuku. My friends and I were a group of 8 and they were able to…read moreaccommodate us but in 2 separate tables - I believe their large table was already reserved. This worked out fine for our group. The menu had various options and eye-catching beverages! My table ordered 3 versions of the Chu-Hi's. Quite pleasant. I liked my Meyer Lemon Hi, it came with half of a lemon which I freshly squeezed and poured into my drink. I thought that was very fun! The quality of each dish was cooked well. My favorites were the crab croquettes, chicken heart, one of the marinated skewers (I can't recall the name of it), gizzards, and the squid ink fried rice. I'm definitely curious to try the bacon-wrapped mochi at a future visit. The only downfall was that the kitchen was extremely backed up during our visit. It took well over what felt like 20-30 minutes from our 1st order to our 2nd Chef's Choice dish. That negatively impacted our experience, but it happens. I'd like to try Ippuku again and hope there will be less of a delay. Our server was nice & attentive, came around a few times to refill our water.

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    Cool shochu dispensers
    Cool shochu dispensers
    Sashimi combo: tuna, fatty tuna, sea urchins and ?
    Sashimi combo: tuna, fatty tuna, sea urchins and ?
    Beer and sake

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    Iyasare

    Iyasare

    4.0
    (992 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    What an incredible dining experience we had from delightful food to great service from Jackie. It…read morewas a very professional and enthusiastic attendant. The restaurant is nice. It's in a great neighborhood plenty of parking in the rear try to make reservations. We sat inside in a booth and the food was remarkable. From the bacon wrapped mochi to the perfectly made noodles with so much flavoring. I loved the kakiage tempura with black prawns (wow) The unagi donburi. Wow!! Everything was incredible and the Pink smoke mezcal drink was. A winner They also have an incredible sake selection.

    Date of Visit: 7/9/2026…read more Visited the Japanese restaurant Iyasare located in Berkeley with my friend in early July. We sat outside in the patio, and it was warm enough with no fireplace next to our table around noon time. Iyasare was awarded with Michelin recommendation and has various Japanese foods including appetizer, tempura, rolls, etc. Iyasare Bees Knees $18 I got the cocktail made with Barr hill gin, elderflower liqueur, honey ginger syrup, and a piece of dried lemon on top for decoration. Lavender Mint $10 My friend got the lavender mint tea in a pot. Dragon Roll $23 We ordered a roll with shrimp tempura, cucumber inside and on the outside, there were unagi, avocado, tobiko, unagi sauce, and kaiware. The mixture of the fish and the sauce were amazing. Iyasare Mentaiko Pasta with Uni $44 And definitely must try is the mentaiko pasta with fresh Hokkaido uni. The spaghetti was mixed with spicy cod roe, ikura, shiso, and kaiware. On top we added the Hokkaido uni which was fresh and creamy. Iyasare Shrimp Kakiage Tempura $34 We also got the kakiage tempura with burdock root, onion, sweet potato, shiitake, enoki, carrot, shungiku, and black tiger shrimps. There was a bowl of bonito soy dipping broth on the side. Sendai Miso Soup $8 The warm miso soup has tofu, wakame, negi, and mushroom.

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    Water being poured..
    Water being poured..
    Kakiage Tempura
    Kakiage Tempura
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    Kirala

    Kirala

    3.9
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Still all these decades later, Kirala meets the mark. We sat at the sake bar in the back with two…read morekids and it worked well. Service by Taka was great - attentive and quick. Only lag was when we ordered 2 nigiri at the end and it took a really long time but I think the sushi chefs lost the order or something. Delicious sukiyaki, chicken skewers, cold tofu, salmon rolls, hamachi sashimi, Ikura and uni, tuna and Ikura nigiri, and hamachi Kama (not sure why they charge $21 and then $7 for a large when it is two small dollars that came out though). Decent wine selection - Chardonnay was good. Restaurant itself is fairly loud, especially with a baby that kept crying. But it might have been crying because it was loud. Owners should consider the Constellation System by Meyer Sound to make the dining experience more enjoyable for patrons. As this is a longtime bastion of Japanese food in the Bay, they should really invest in the sound portion of their restaurant. Prices have gone up since the last time I was here but it's not totally unreasonable. Good quality food and service. Love this place.

    Kirala isn't just another Japanese spot for us--it's a reminder of how far we've come. My wife used…read moreto only treat herself to Kirala when she was younger--on special occasions when a bonus check came in. Now, we get to dine here as a family, and that nostalgic treat feels all the more satisfying. Food (4 stars) + Ribeye teriyaki was a hit--tender, cooked to perfection, and the kids loved it! + Lamb chop was a standout--one piece, but perfectly grilled, juicy, and tender. I could eat 2 of these with a bowl of rice and it would be a hearty meal! + Chicken karaage was solid--crispy, good portion, and a nice appetizer. It's basically a Japanese version of chicken strips that is way better than nuggets. + Salmon sashimi for the kids never disappoints. ~ Chirashi bowl was fresh and filling, though standard compared to other spots. There was a lot of rice which if we knew that we probably would've skipped the extra bowl I ordered to eat with my lamb chops. For the somewhat premium pricing, I wish they provided fresh chopped wasabi. ~ Stuffed mushroom skewer was just okay--tasty but nothing special. I guess for mushrooms it does taste kinda like a chicken meatball which could be a good thing. Service/Ambiance (4 stars) + Attentive and thoughtful service, especially accommodating a broken foot. They let my family wait at the bar instead of standing. + Ambiance is that classic Japanese vibe, busy but comfortable. Maybe not high-end, but definitely a place that feels special--especially now that we can afford it!

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    Kirala
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    Tsuruya

    Tsuruya

    4.6
    (176 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    WHEN: Sat @6pm…read more PARKING: There is metered parking around, and is free after 6pm. It may be a bit tricky especially around meal time, but keep circling and you'll find a spot near by enough. This cute little ramen shop has such perfect lighting coming through thanks to thier skylight. We weren't actually hungry so we shared the following: TONKOTSU - $16.50 (Regular) Pork Belly Chashu, Bamboo Shoots, Red Onion, Wood Ear Mushrooms, Green Onion, Ajitama Egg. You get a choice of noodles to pick: 1.) Hakata - Thin Straight 2.) Sapporo - Medium Thick Wavy Figured since it's my first time here, I choose the most basic version of their bowl of ramen. I chose Sapparo and for some reason expected it to be thicker/wider, but regardless it was still good! The presentation of this bowl is just gorgeous, served on a small wooden platter. The red onion is chopped, and the pork Belly is quite tender. Regarding the egg, you get just half. Overall this bowl of ramen is creamy, rich, and the right amount of flavor and salt. But still make sure to drink at least a glass of water! CREAMY CHASHU PORK CROQUETTES - $8.50 I have never seen anything like this so I must give it a try! It actually didn't come out piping hot, so I was able to drive in right away! It was definitely creamy (like ramen) and had pieces of the Chau's pork, encased in a crispy and warm batter that was deep fried. It also comes with a katsu sauce and I really enjoyed it. The staff was friendly and didn't make us feel bad for ordering enough of just one, but man I was so full. Had to walk around downtown Berkeley for awhile.

    I really love Tsuruya so writing this review stung a bit. Tsuruya snuck in additional tip amount…read morethe last time we dined here. It was only a couple of dollars more but tip fraud is never acceptable. We rarely deviate from our usual order so the posted transaction felt off to us. We were able to confirm and report to the credit card company. I recommend you guys take pictures of your receipts and verify the transactions. Hope this doesn't happen to y'all!

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    Interior
    Matcha Panna Cotta
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    A deliciously crunchy and savoy chashu pork croquettes! Warm and healing vibes on the first bites

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    A deliciously crunchy and savoy chashu pork croquettes! Warm and healing vibes on the first bites
    Mensho

    Mensho

    4.5
    (661 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    Mensho is a very popular restaurant. This was my first time visiting, and I had a great experience…read more The food was delicious! The standout dishes for me were the Calamari, Karaage, and Daikon Salad. The Calamari was perfectly fried, and the seasoning was well-balanced. The Karaage was also perfectly fried, and the sauce was flavorful. The Daikon Salad was light and refreshing. I would like to thank our server, Noah, for his helpfulness in choosing our dishes and for the prompt service. I highly recommend it!

    Unfortunately no photos as we devoured the food! However here is my review otherwise:…read more 1. Location- easily accesible in off Piedmont Ave, found parking alongside an adjacent neighborhood street that was free. I went around 430pm on a weekday. 2. Staff/Vibe- very friendly and throughout the service so many stopped by to check-in. Waters were constantly topped off and food was delivered very promptly. The restaurant itself is very intimate and tabletop dividers are largely used to shared tables. It was a really nice approach. I wasn't a major fan of the chairs for the tall tables. I was hoping for some more ergonomically friendly. Food- SIGNATURE RAMEN- 5/5. So good. The broth was so good I think I drank it all before eating any ramen and toppings. It was a wonderfully hearty ramen with a balance of fresh and simple ingredients. This was perfect and allowed the delicious broth to really be the star. LAMB RAMEN. 5/5. If you like south indian curries then this is a must. The dense cumin taste, fresh onions and lamb made this ramen feel very familiar. The flavours were so wonderfully constructed on this. VEGAN KAARAGE MUSHROOM. Made to be reminiscent of fried chicken, these were very pleasant and paired with our broth. I would order this again. I am interested in knowing the preparation method for this as the inside was piping hot while the outside was just warm- almost like it was reheated. I would like these to be crispier with a bit more light seasoning. Overall looking forward to the next visit!

    Photos
    Waiting area
    Waiting area
    Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken
    Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken
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    Hokkaido Uni Mini Rice Bowl
    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    3.9
    (442 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    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)

    Photos
    Uni chawanmushi -- savory custard with shrimp and vegetables topped with sea urchin
    Uni chawanmushi -- savory custard with shrimp and vegetables topped with sea urchin
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    Fried night smelt with nanban sauce

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    Fried night smelt with nanban sauce

    Musashi - japanese - Updated August 2026

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