I have eaten at the Berkeley location for many years, which is more cozy and has better ambiance but the food here cannot be beat! I am so happy at last not to be left out of eating Japanese food because I am vegetarian. (I don't even like nori because it tastes like fish to me.) There is so much to choose from on this menu: Sushi, noodles, salads, soups, potstickers (gyoza), tempura. My faves are the taku-sui, a big bowl of soup with broccoli, cauliflower, kabocha squash, potstickers, clear noodles and many more yummy vegetables served with a delicious ponzu sauce. My husband is crazy for the senroppon salad, a six inch tall mound of delicately shredded long strands of carrot, daikon radish, turnip, sprinkled with edamame and julienned fried tofu, pinenuts and dressed with a light sesame soy dressing. Other dishes like the cha-ya delight (brown rice with steamed veggies and tofu) are hearty and satisfying if somewhat bland. Another favorite is the hearty soup, more like a bean stew with something like 11 different types of beans. I \r
am enthralled with how artfully everything is presented and served on beautiful Japanese ceramic dishes. They have rotating seasonal specials. \r
I usually don't have room for dessert but I finally planned ahead and had the Yellow Moon, chunks of banana dipped in tempura batter, fried and arranged on a plate with drizzles of red bean sauce and green tea sauce and little crunchy rice nuggets. So yummy and not too sweet. \r
The decor is the only drawback. Look to the ceiling and it will bring you back to the days of being bored out of your skull in highschool math class, staring at the same type of textured tiles. The walls are stark white. and the lighting is overly bright track lighting. The art work isn't bad but it is so bright and sterile in there feels more like a cafeteria. Cash only accepted but there is an ATM machine on the premises! Can get crowded and you may have to wait, be sure to put your name on the list when you walk in.
Pros: Artfully prepared satisfying dishes
Cons: Cafeteria style sterile white walls, bright lighting
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