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 Food Court with a Twist |
2519 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States |
In the mood for Asian cuisine? Head over to this small food court. Circling around an outdoor seating area are a collection of 10 small Asian restaurants (also a donut shop and a gyro place) so you can grab what you like and enjoy it al fresco, although some restaurants have indoor seating. Find everything from King Pin Donuts (deep-fried, sugary glazed dough since 1939),to teriyaki and bean curd, as well as noodles and soups to pearl tapioca drinks to Korean BBQ. In between there is satay, curries and Kung Pao and Mu Shu. The gyro place may stick out in this garden of Asian delights, but it also offers biryani rice plates. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Cambodian comfort |
2156 University Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 843 4630 |
At this quaint Cambodian restaurant you will find a delightful influences from India, China and even hints of France. In this comfortable restaurant with yellow walls and Indo-Chinese artwork, you will enjoy flavors rarely tasted outside the country itself. It offers an extensive vegetarian menu that includes potatoes in a magic coconut sauce, and a variety of stir-fried or steamed vegetable dishes. The menu is divided up based on the sauces like the Cambodiana Sauce, Cottage Sauce (soy, chili, shallots, lime), the Curry Sauce, Naga Princess Sauce, and the Ginger Blossom Sauce. Try the Smoky Eggplant or the Catfish Mekong. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Get Thai-ed by some of the best |
1543 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 848 9664 |
Known throughout Berkeley as well as around the Bay as one of the premier Thai spots in the area, Cha Am continues to garner Best Of The Bay awards and charm guests with its lovely enclosed patio and even lovelier food. Perhaps it is the "Authentic Thai Herbs" touted on the menu, but everything tastes piquant and delicious, and is not unreasonably priced. Try the traditional Tom Ka Guy soup followed by Golden Triangles. The Rice Plates and Prawns in Chili are good hits. For vegetarians, they offer many noodle and tofu dishes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Not the usual sushi |
1686 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 981 1213 |
Here you will find strictly vegetarian Japanese dishes. All types of postmodern renditions of sushi and soba dishes can be had, and at remarkable prices to boot. Appetizers include said Robata (broiled veggies on skewers) and Kakiage (deep fried veggies). The noodle dishes are filling and steamy. Try the a la carte sushi, all veggie of course, and served on fingers of rice nigiri-style. Complete dinners, including miso soup and house salad include the Sushi Combo, Hosomaki Combo and the Soba Sushi (buckwheat noodle sushi with dipping sauce). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Frank Bentley |
 Photo: Jesse Holland |
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Talk about chow fun |
5620 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 601 9888 |
It is big and airy inside, with lots of white walls and plants. Claustrophobics will feel at ease. Connoisseurs of good Hunan cuisine will be at ease as well with such specialties as Crispy Szechuan Beef, Tsing Tao Chicken, and a very delicious Prawns with Hot Garlic Sauce. Vegetarians will find plenty of bean curd and and vegies on the menu. The wait staff is friendly, and the food is reasonably priced for such large portions. Banquet services and space are available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Incoming hamachi |
1984 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 540 5900 |
This small Japanese restaurant features simple booths, white walls and traditional blue hangings. However, the food is nothing but colorful. During lunch, it offers pre-made self-serve sushi, bento boxes that include things like Chicken Teriyaki, Tempura, Saba and gyoza. The dinner combinations like the Kaki Fri (deep-fried oysters) shioyaki dishes and sashimi plates are inexpensive and include rice, soup, salad and fruit. Besides the usual nigiri and maki, there are interesting inventions like the Nagano roll (eel, ebi tempura, avocado), Pokemon roll (great for kids, with shrimp, egg, and cucumber) and the Caterpillar roll (eel, cucumber, avocado). Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Itchin' for Ichiban |
2017 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 848 2200 |
Hankerin' for some traditional Japanese food in Downtown Berkeley? Duck into this small, blink-and-you-will-miss-it nook for fresh and delicious sushi, flawless tempura and quick bento box lunches. Its quiet setting is perfect for couples seeking intimate conversation, or for casual business meetings (you will always find a few here during the lunch hour). A la carte sushi includes the traditional selections of salmon, tuna, octopus, bean curd and roe. Try a bento box for a tasty lunch, or their tempura or donburi dishes. There are also decent choices for vegetarians. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sashimi that practically swims |
5897 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 601 1424 |
Since 1995, this fine eatery has been a favorite for not only sushi, but also for its amazing and extensive sashimi menu. The place has already garnered a few Best Of The Bay awards from local magazines. The service is friendly, the atmosphere earthy and comfortable, and there is a delightful revolving sushi bar. It offers over a dozen sashimi choices in generous amounts, like saba, ika, and maguro. There are nice combinations, too, like the maguro-hamachi fresh salmon platter. The many sushi boxes are good deals and include a variety of fish. It also serves entrees like chicken, beef or salmon teriyaki, tempura and donburi dishes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sushi in the patio |
2441 Dwight Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 848 5260 |
Locals-in-the-know looking for fine Japanese cuisine and sushi, head over to this restaurant. In a small converted house, a beautiful patio and garden brims with lush plants, trees and traditional lanterns. You can also opt to sit inside at the bar or at one of the cozy, funky tables. It features a wide variety of traditional Japanese specialties, like teriyaki, tempura and katsu, udon and nabe-mono (iron pot stews). The sushi menu is equally as extensive and includes the traditional shrimp, yellowtail, scallop, fried bean curd and tuna as well as a selection of maki and temaki. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: heliosphan |
 Photo: Kambiz Kamrani  |
 Health under glass |
2564 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 486 8322 |
The tables here are located along the atrium, along with a few plants and a glass roof, which is particularly cool to eat under during a rainstorm. True to its name, the place whips up all sorts of healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinner entrees, all at reasonable prices. Order at the counter, then sit beneath the glass. Morning selections include coffee, homemade muffins and pastries, eggs and omelets. Throughout the day find homemade soups, lasagna, stuffed baked potatoes and burgers. Try Southeast Asian entrees like the Mee Gorang, curry dishes and spicy udon. Only cash is accepted. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sayumi Takahashi |
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Dining with the King |
5912 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 428 1823 |
When you see the Christmas lights you will know you have found some of the best in Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan cuisine in the Rockridge area. And despite the bit of kitsch, you will still enjoy a comfortable atmosphere, friendly service, and weather permitting, the chance to dine al fresco in the garden patio. You will find all the Chinese standards here from pot stickers to sweet and sour dishes to mooshoo and kung pao. Depending on the chef's whim you may have the chance to try the Tea Smoked Duck or a delicious clay pot. Lunch specials, pearl milk, and catering are available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sushi a go go |
2977 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 848 2536 |
Enjoy this quick, easy and informal sushi joint on College Avenue. And most importantly, it's cheap! When you sit down at the bar, you will find all the standard choices on the menu, like Yellow Tail, Salmon, Egg, Eel, Shrimp, Urchin plus various maki like California rolls, cucumber rolls and the delicious Negi Hama (yellow tail with green onion). Nothing is more than $3. The best part is its refrigerated case full of takeout of everything on the menu. Everything available has been made that day and is as fresh as eating at the bar. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: cecile johns |
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Burmese delights |
6048 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 655 3298 |
A recipient of the Northern California Best Places award for several years, this restaurant features chef/owner Philip Chu's Burmese menu, reflect many regional influences: Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and even Indian. If you love garlic or curry, this is your spot. The decor is very clean, bright and somewhat 80s. (Is that neon? Are those geometric shapes on the walls?) The appetizers include traditional Burmese (Fried Tropical Squash), Indian (Samosas) and Chinese (Eight Treasure Bean Curd). Noodle entrees include Garlic Noodles and Prawns. Curries feature fish, lamb and several vegetarian options like Stir-Fried Jicama, Cloud Ears, Mushrooms and Snow Peas. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Whozyrdaddy |
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The Heinz 57 of Asian restaurants |
1782 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 644 1005 |
Find a mix of primarily Chinese food with hints of Japanese, Indian, Korean and some Southeast Asian touches thrown in for good measure. It features noodle plates with vegetables, chow mein and Hong Kong noodles, claypots and many vegetarian and traditional plates like Curry Shrimp and Almonds with Tofu and Shrimp among the daily specials and more than 100 regular dishes. Drinks include homemade soy milk, soft drinks and Vietnamese iced tea. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Tom "Yum!" kai |
5498 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 420 8600 |
Dine among Buddha figurines, lush plants and imported statuary. You will always be greeted with a smile and waited on hand and foot. The food here is traditional Imperial Thai with a slight Chinese influence. You can specify how spicy or mild you would like something served. It features seafood, chicken, pork, beef and vegetarian dishes. The Tamarind Prawns are a particular hit. For dessert, the restaurant offers Mangos with Sweet Sticky Rice. Beverages include soft drinks, tea and coffee, and the ubiquitous Thai Iced Tea, as well as beer and the house red and white wines. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Vietnamese and vegetarian |
2126 Center Street Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 845 4020 |
This downtown restaurant features a casual and comfortable decor with lots of mirrors, pictures of various fish and large tables perfect for family-style seating. In addition to Vietnamese dishes, find some traditional Chinese and Thai-like ones, and many for the vegetarian at-heart. To name a few of the 357 dishes (at last count), you will find Scallops with Garlic Sauce, Orange Chicken, several clay pot dishes, Tofu Rolls and Thai Sour Soup. A huge vegetarian menu includes mock beef, mock shrimp and chow meins. There is also an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring many of the items on the menu. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Taiwanese tapioca drinks |
2552 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States |
No one is really quite sure when, why or how the tapioca drink craze hit Berkeley back in the 90s. This is one of the few places that only sells these Taiwanese drinkable delicacies. This is a small, ice cream bar-like atmosphere covered in pop Asian kitsch from Hello Kitty to Pokemon. The drink menu is so large and extensive, it rivals any store of its kind in the area. Flavors include flavors coconut, red bean, mango, red plum and it also serves Double Rainbow ice cream, sushi box lunches and fish paste snacks. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Expressly Vietnamese |
2045 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 486 1778 |
This corner restaurant is stark and simple, but with the greetings all accompanied with a smile, you will feel right at home. You can order prepared dishes and combination plates at the small buffet up front, and either sit down or take it to go. Depending on how many items you have (that change daily) you can fill up on the assortment of fried rolls, noodle and vegetable dishes, buttery fried rice with pork, or whatever else is set out that day. The beef dishes, such as Oyster Beef, are also particularly good. House beer and wine are available by the glass. Sit-down service is also available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Revolving sushi on the cheap |
2016 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 649 1861 |
Sit at the big circular bar where the sushi floats by you on little boats. Revolving sushi, just like back in the 80s. The chef works in the middle of the bar; when you order, he sends your fish at you on the conveyor belt. Floating by you are the favorites (made fresh every minute), so if you see something you like, grab it. The sushi is divided into plates that include two pieces of Nigiri. Find everything from cucumber pickle rolls to baby clam, bonito, and all the standbys. It offers boxes of sushi to go. It also offers teriyaki and sashimi. Student Advantage discounts accepted. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Some of the best sushi in these parts |
5812 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 654 3668 |
Winner of several local newspapers' Best Of The Bay awards, Tachibana has been serving delicious and traditional Japanese cuisine and some of the freshest sushi to the Rockridge area for over 10 years. The authentic decor is like stepping into a little restaurant in Okinawa, with lots of rich laquer accents and friendly greetings from the host. Enjoy a not too terribly expensive meal starting with Edamame and a fresh water eel roll. In addition to the typical sushi and sashimi menu, it offers complete Teriyaki and Tempura dinners. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Absolutely delightful |
1700 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 549 0611 |
This is the perfect place for a nice, low-key Thai lunch or dinner in a comfortably elegant setting (traditional artwork, Asian lamps, leafy plants) where locals come for good Thai food with many vegetarian options. The service is friendly, the menu vast and inexpensive. Although most of the menu is fairly traditional (the ubiquitous Pad Thai, the ever faithful and comforting Coconut Chicken Soup), you will find some truly delightful and unique options like the Chu-Chi (a red curry) or a very tasty Pineapple Fried Rice. The vegetarian options include various sauteed veggie dishes, Basil Tofu and Silver Noodles. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: hellaOAKLAND2 |
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We can cook anything |
1958 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 549 1958 |
Enjoy some of the best in homemade Thai cuisine in Berkeley at this warm, comfortable, mom-and-pop restaurant. The booths are all fanciful pagodas, the walls are wood with traditional artwork and hanging plants, and on a recent visit the owner announced, "We can cook anything." It offers traditional Imperial Thai cuisine such as curries with choices of beef, chicken, pork and shrimp with all manner of spices, veggies, coconut milk, and green and red sauces. Also on the menu are various grilled and sauteed dishes, the traditional Pad Thai and Pad Priks. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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All Thai'd up at midnight |
1936 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 848 6531 |
From the outside, the bright pink neon may seem blinding, and upon entering you will be transported back to the 80s. The light is bright and music slightly retro (Gary Numan, Duran Duran), but this restaurant offers quick and inexpensive Thai cuisine. The best part is the late hours, so you can easily sate your midnight satay cravings. Try said satay with a noodle dish such as Yen Ta Fo, Pad Thai or one of the many rice plates, and wash it down with a Far East beer. For dessert, there is sticky rice with mango. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ian Kasley |
 Photo: Brian Heung |
 Photo: Brian Heung |
 Photo: Mindaou |
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Comfortable sushi |
1463 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 843 3768 |
With exceptional service in a comfortable setting, this eatery has been serving Berkeley's sushi needs since the 1990s. Sit beneath the large paper lanterns at one of the few tables and enjoy your seafood in a mellow, relaxed atmosphere. The nigiri is relatively inexpensive, and includes the usual suspects like octopus, eel, maguro and sea urchin. There is also a nice selection of bamboo rolls, like avocado, crab and tobiko. If raw fish is not your thing, try the many teriyaki dishes, including steak, chicken and salmon. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sushi and fine wine |
2134 Oxford Street Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 644 1570 |
Most sushi joints offer a sake or two, plum wine and perhaps a house red or white, here you can choose from some of the finest Merlots, Cabernets, Pinot Grigios and Zinfandels from California and abroad. The selection changes often depending on taste and whims, but you are guaranteed at least a few dozen choices. The restaurant has a cute, country feel to it with potted trees and a few tile-topped tables. The sushi bar options are fairly standard, with the usual nigiri and sashimi on the menu. It also serves teriyaki, tempura and donburi. Review © 2007, Wcities |