Great service, very nice server but what I ordered was probably the worst food I've had in years. My husband's was also mediocre.
The miso soup was delicious but main sukiyaki soup dish 👎
We also had a chocolate mousse cupcake. For me it was to take away the taste of dinner. It was decent. The mousse was like frosting... I thought mousse was fluffy/airy. 🤷🏼
Everyone else's dinners looked great. 🙂
Kwr_
I love supporting vegan restaurants but wasn’t overly impressed with the food. We got the ten bou as an appetizer which was ok but a little bland. For mains we tried the dengaku which had an overly strong miso flavour. We also tried the taku-sui which was just ok. Nothing special.
Updated from previous review on 2024-12-08
Jeanie Bunker
Wonderful food
Valentina Montagna
They have a small menu for gluten-free dishes, the staff is informed, just ask for it. It's fresh and fully vegan.
Dietary restrictions: Vegan and a small gluten-free selection
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Vegan Food
Joanne Orion Miller
The vegan food is out of this world. It's definitely the best vegan restaurant I've ever been to, with a tremendous variety and exceptional food. Not fancy, but it's the top choice among all vegans I know, with good reason.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Vegan Food
Loc Huynh
I like to support vegan restaurants and this one is worth supporting. Wonderful food and good service. They accept Venmo. So you didn't need to carry cash.
Cara Scully
Amazing food!!!! So fresh and healthy and delicious. Excellent restaurant whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or other. Great for takeout and dining in. They have a location on Valencia Street in San Francisco, too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claire Warren
A gem of a vegan restaurant. So many choices we were unable to decide. Each on wasvgood potion and delicious. I tried a vegetable bun for the first time in my life. My 3 y/o grandaughter loves them I did not too much dough for ne but I had an amazing soup very flavorful and filling. Took home for a whole lunch the next day
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan Food
sircattree
the food was great, i loved the curry. but with the venmo or cash situation, its a minor inconvenience.
James K
Fully Vegan Japanese restaurant, cash or Venmo only! (5/5 green stars) Cha-ya has been around for decades and it’s still a good choice for tasty, vegan Japanese food. Yes, it’s actually a fully vegan restaurant even though it’s more widely known as “merely” vegetarian. If you search for vegan Japanese restaurants in Berkeley, the limelight may be stolen by Tane Vegan Izakaya, also on Shattuck Ave. But Cha-ya is well worth a visit for lovers of Japanese food and/or vegans and vegetarians. It’s not as hip or stylish as Tane (honestly, Cha-ya could do with a bit of a makeover) but they do the best version of several Japanese dishes that I’ve had. From the website: “no product derived from animals of any kind are ever used” (no meat, dairy, fish, gelatin, etc.). Definitely considering having the agadashi tofu and goma ae to share (or have all on your own). Then, one of my favorites is the Taku-Sui which is described as Pot stickers, tofu, zucchini, nappa cabbage, snap peas, asparagus , broccoli, cauliflower, silver noodles, and mushrooms in a light broth and served with a ponzu citrus sauce. This dish has inspired me to make something similar at home, quite often. The Cha-ya nabe is similar but with delicious fresh ingredients like kabocha squash and spinach instead of the potstickers. Another favorite, if you’re in the mood for lots of salty miso, is the Dengaku: Broiled eggplant tofu, and portobello mushroom with miso-paste glaze. There’s a second branch in The Mission district in SF and remember that this Berkeley branch is Cash or Venmo ONLY!
I’m also giving Cha-ya 5/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact because Cha-ya is a completely vegan restaurant. Adopting a plant-based diet is the top thing you can do to mitigate climate change, deforestation, animal cruelty, and food scarcity. They could do a better job at providing information on ingredient sourcing, however (e.g., is any pesticide-free or organic?) Please join in and include a Green Stars rating with your own reviews!
Cha-ya has been around for decades and it’s still a good choice for tasty, vegan Japanese food. Yes, it’s actually a fully vegan restaurant even though it’s more widely known as “merely” vegetarian. If you search for vegan Japanese restaurants in Berkeley, the limelight may be stolen by Tane Vegan Izakaya, also on Shattuck Ave. But Cha-ya is well worth a visit for lovers of Japanese food and/or vegans and vegetarians. It’s not as hip or stylish as Tane (honestly, Cha-ya could do with a bit of a makeover) but they do the best version of several Japanese dishes that I’ve had. From the website: “no product derived from animals of any kind are ever used” (no meat, dairy, fish, gelatin, etc.).
Definitely considering having the agadashi tofu and goma ae to share (or have all on your own). Then, one of my favorites is the Taku-Sui which is described as Pot stickers, tofu, zucchini, nappa cabbage, snap peas, asparagus , broccoli, cauliflower, silver noodles, and mushrooms in a light broth and served with a ponzu citrus sauce. This dish has inspired me to make something similar at home, quite often. The Cha-ya nabe is similar but with delicious fresh ingredients like kabocha squash and spinach instead of the potstickers. Another favorite, if you’re in the mood for lots of salty miso, is the Dengaku: Broiled eggplant tofu, and portobello mushroom with miso-paste glaze.
There’s a second branch in The Mission district in SF and remember that this Berkeley branch is Cash or Venmo ONLY!
I’m also giving Cha-ya 5/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact because Cha-ya is a completely vegan restaurant. Adopting a plant-based diet is the top thing you can do to mitigate climate change, deforestation, animal cruelty, and food scarcity. They could do a better job at providing information on ingredient sourcing, however (e.g., is any pesticide-free or organic?)
Please join in and include a Green Stars rating with your own reviews!
cyanic_eevee
The Yasai had some great toppings, the carrots were heart shaped! The avocado tempura roll was nice too. Only drawback is while ordering delivery they keep the udon in the soup, so it was pretty soggy when it got there but still good.
B.
One of my favorite sushi restaurants in the Bay, as a former resident of Japan. The food is simple, healthy, delicious, and well presented, with staff that are sensitive to your experience. I never feel rushed here or interrupted in my dining experience. I will go here again and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kinoko Miso Soup, Roll
Mic Smith
If you like vegan food or haven't tried it. I recommend you get the curry rice plate. And also, they're tofu the best. That's all I can be said.
Vegetarian options: Every order is outstanding and I'm extremely picky with what I eat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan Food
Aditya Parekh
Amazing food. It feels like a home-cooked meal. Everything is vegan, too, so I can eat everything nom nom.
You should bring cash or be ready to pay via Venmo.
Vegetarian options: Everything on the menu is vegan.
Great service, very nice server but what I ordered was probably the worst food I've had in years. My husband's was also mediocre. The miso soup was delicious but main sukiyaki soup dish 👎 We also had a chocolate mousse cupcake. For me it was to take away the taste of dinner. It was decent. The mousse was like frosting... I thought mousse was fluffy/airy. 🤷🏼 Everyone else's dinners looked great. 🙂
I love supporting vegan restaurants but wasn’t overly impressed with the food. We got the ten bou as an appetizer which was ok but a little bland. For mains we tried the dengaku which had an overly strong miso flavour. We also tried the taku-sui which was just ok. Nothing special. Updated from previous review on 2024-12-08
Wonderful food
They have a small menu for gluten-free dishes, the staff is informed, just ask for it. It's fresh and fully vegan.
Dietary restrictions: Vegan and a small gluten-free selection
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Vegan Food
The vegan food is out of this world. It's definitely the best vegan restaurant I've ever been to, with a tremendous variety and exceptional food. Not fancy, but it's the top choice among all vegans I know, with good reason.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Vegan Food
I like to support vegan restaurants and this one is worth supporting. Wonderful food and good service. They accept Venmo. So you didn't need to carry cash.
Amazing food!!!! So fresh and healthy and delicious. Excellent restaurant whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or other. Great for takeout and dining in. They have a location on Valencia Street in San Francisco, too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A gem of a vegan restaurant. So many choices we were unable to decide. Each on wasvgood potion and delicious. I tried a vegetable bun for the first time in my life. My 3 y/o grandaughter loves them I did not too much dough for ne but I had an amazing soup very flavorful and filling. Took home for a whole lunch the next day
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan Food
the food was great, i loved the curry. but with the venmo or cash situation, its a minor inconvenience.
Fully Vegan Japanese restaurant, cash or Venmo only! (5/5 green stars)
Cha-ya has been around for decades and it’s still a good choice for tasty, vegan Japanese food. Yes, it’s actually a fully vegan restaurant even though it’s more widely known as “merely” vegetarian. If you search for vegan Japanese restaurants in Berkeley, the limelight may be stolen by Tane Vegan Izakaya, also on Shattuck Ave. But Cha-ya is well worth a visit for lovers of Japanese food and/or vegans and vegetarians. It’s not as hip or stylish as Tane (honestly, Cha-ya could do with a bit of a makeover) but they do the best version of several Japanese dishes that I’ve had. From the website: “no product derived from animals of any kind are ever used” (no meat, dairy, fish, gelatin, etc.).
Definitely considering having the agadashi tofu and goma ae to share (or have all on your own). Then, one of my favorites is the Taku-Sui which is described as Pot stickers, tofu, zucchini, nappa cabbage, snap peas, asparagus , broccoli, cauliflower, silver noodles, and mushrooms in a light broth and served with a ponzu citrus sauce. This dish has inspired me to make something similar at home, quite often. The Cha-ya nabe is similar but with delicious fresh ingredients like kabocha squash and spinach instead of the potstickers. Another favorite, if you’re in the mood for lots of salty miso, is the Dengaku: Broiled eggplant tofu, and portobello mushroom with miso-paste glaze.
There’s a second branch in The Mission district in SF and remember that this Berkeley branch is Cash or Venmo ONLY!
I’m also giving Cha-ya 5/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact because Cha-ya is a completely vegan restaurant. Adopting a plant-based diet is the top thing you can do to mitigate climate change, deforestation, animal cruelty, and food scarcity. They could do a better job at providing information on ingredient sourcing, however (e.g., is any pesticide-free or organic?)
Please join in and include a Green Stars rating with your own reviews!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Cha-ya has been around for decades and it’s still a good choice for tasty, vegan Japanese food. Yes, it’s actually a fully vegan restaurant even though it’s more widely known as “merely” vegetarian. If you search for vegan Japanese restaurants in Berkeley, the limelight may be stolen by Tane Vegan Izakaya, also on Shattuck Ave. But Cha-ya is well worth a visit for lovers of Japanese food and/or vegans and vegetarians. It’s not as hip or stylish as Tane (honestly, Cha-ya could do with a bit of a makeover) but they do the best version of several Japanese dishes that I’ve had. From the website: “no product derived from animals of any kind are ever used” (no meat, dairy, fish, gelatin, etc.). Definitely considering having the agadashi tofu and goma ae to share (or have all on your own). Then, one of my favorites is the Taku-Sui which is described as Pot stickers, tofu, zucchini, nappa cabbage, snap peas, asparagus , broccoli, cauliflower, silver noodles, and mushrooms in a light broth and served with a ponzu citrus sauce. This dish has inspired me to make something similar at home, quite often. The Cha-ya nabe is similar but with delicious fresh ingredients like kabocha squash and spinach instead of the potstickers. Another favorite, if you’re in the mood for lots of salty miso, is the Dengaku: Broiled eggplant tofu, and portobello mushroom with miso-paste glaze. There’s a second branch in The Mission district in SF and remember that this Berkeley branch is Cash or Venmo ONLY! I’m also giving Cha-ya 5/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact because Cha-ya is a completely vegan restaurant. Adopting a plant-based diet is the top thing you can do to mitigate climate change, deforestation, animal cruelty, and food scarcity. They could do a better job at providing information on ingredient sourcing, however (e.g., is any pesticide-free or organic?) Please join in and include a Green Stars rating with your own reviews!
The Yasai had some great toppings, the carrots were heart shaped! The avocado tempura roll was nice too. Only drawback is while ordering delivery they keep the udon in the soup, so it was pretty soggy when it got there but still good.
One of my favorite sushi restaurants in the Bay, as a former resident of Japan. The food is simple, healthy, delicious, and well presented, with staff that are sensitive to your experience. I never feel rushed here or interrupted in my dining experience. I will go here again and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kinoko Miso Soup, Roll
If you like vegan food or haven't tried it. I recommend you get the curry rice plate. And also, they're tofu the best. That's all I can be said.
Vegetarian options: Every order is outstanding and I'm extremely picky with what I eat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan Food
Amazing food. It feels like a home-cooked meal. Everything is vegan, too, so I can eat everything nom nom.
You should bring cash or be ready to pay via Venmo.
Vegetarian options: Everything on the menu is vegan.
Dietary restrictions: All vegan menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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