I love this place so much every dish is super good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zachary Holtz
Great service! I really appreciated the dragon roll and the sashimi I had. Shout-out to their wonderful staff. The wait time can take a while due to how busy it is sometimes, but I felt accommodated.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
william pham
Sushi was amazing and the servers were really nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chau Nguyen
Upon arrival we were told by the waitress that it is $30 minimum per person or $60 for two. We spent $0 and went to Kansai down the street and had a great time there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dashaoye
Good food, nice service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex Liu
Very authentic taste, very fresh sashimi. Have to try the yuzu sake
Overall, a go-to for authentic Japanese small plates. It has that cozy, intimate izakaya feel with warm lighting, lively but not overwhelming. The staff is friendly, attentive, and great with recommendations; dishes came out at a good pace. Expect about 30 minutes to 1 hour wait time during peak dinner hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jessica Xu
Great izakaya. Salmon nigiri is fantastic.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
WaltFrench
Casual, busy vibe w distinctive, very flavorful dishes you won’t get elsewhere. Much better than you’d expect from the location and yet…it’s so Berkeley
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ernesto Diaz
Food was extraordinary. A lively atmosphere and memorable experience. We came after a recommendation as a fabulous izakaya and it became a favorite. Absolutely recommend without reservations or hesitations
I’m looking for great food. Kiraku is very hard to book, but I think it’s a bit overhyped compared to its price. I’m surprised how many good reviews it got on Google map.
The seafood is good, but not worth the value. The otoro is not the creamy texture that its price should be. The salmon roe is too salty.
Other food like grilled skewers including unagi skews, pork belly skews are ok but not excellent.
Talking about Japanese food, people always have an illusion that it must be good. With very expensive pricing, I do not think it is good in taste as rintaro in SF, and both are overpriced even given the pricing level in the Bay Area nowadays. A mediocre restaurant in Japan can outbeat it. The food level also cannot catch up NYC or some Izakayas in Boston.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Deluxe Kaisen Box
Romeo Aberin
Kiraku is all about the food. Place is cramped but the food is why you visit the place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
amanda m
Kiraku had a lively and friendly atmosphere. The food was amazing! The chef’s choice sashimi was very delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cala
My fav izakaya in bay area over the years, the most authentic food and vibes, quick-changing seasonal menu. Never had enough, never be bored. Only thing is I wish the waiting line is shorter!
E. Valley
Best Japanese restaurant in the Bay Area. The chef is providing art of cousins.
I love this place so much every dish is super good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service! I really appreciated the dragon roll and the sashimi I had. Shout-out to their wonderful staff. The wait time can take a while due to how busy it is sometimes, but I felt accommodated.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sushi was amazing and the servers were really nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Upon arrival we were told by the waitress that it is $30 minimum per person or $60 for two. We spent $0 and went to Kansai down the street and had a great time there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Good food, nice service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very authentic taste, very fresh sashimi. Have to try the yuzu sake
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Potato Croquette: Perfectly crispy outside, soft and creamy inside -- ultimate comfort bite.
Grilled Angus Beef Tongue: Tender with a smoky char, brightened by a squeeze of lemon.
Mini Kaisen Don: Fresh, flavorful seafood with just the right rice-to-topping ratio.
Sashimi Sampler: Generous cuts, melt-in-your-mouth freshness.
Overall, a go-to for authentic Japanese small plates. It has that cozy, intimate izakaya feel with warm lighting, lively but not overwhelming. The staff is friendly, attentive, and great with recommendations; dishes came out at a good pace. Expect about 30 minutes to 1 hour wait time during peak dinner hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great izakaya. Salmon nigiri is fantastic.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Casual, busy vibe w distinctive, very flavorful dishes you won’t get elsewhere. Much better than you’d expect from the location and yet…it’s so Berkeley
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Food was extraordinary. A lively atmosphere and memorable experience. We came after a recommendation as a fabulous izakaya and it became a favorite. Absolutely recommend without reservations or hesitations
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I’m looking for great food. Kiraku is very hard to book, but I think it’s a bit overhyped compared to its price. I’m surprised how many good reviews it got on Google map.
The seafood is good, but not worth the value. The otoro is not the creamy texture that its price should be. The salmon roe is too salty.
Other food like grilled skewers including unagi skews, pork belly skews are ok but not excellent.
Talking about Japanese food, people always have an illusion that it must be good. With very expensive pricing, I do not think it is good in taste as rintaro in SF, and both are overpriced even given the pricing level in the Bay Area nowadays. A mediocre restaurant in Japan can outbeat it. The food level also cannot catch up NYC or some Izakayas in Boston.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Deluxe Kaisen Box
Kiraku is all about the food. Place is cramped but the food is why you visit the place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kiraku had a lively and friendly atmosphere. The food was amazing! The chef’s choice sashimi was very delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My fav izakaya in bay area over the years, the most authentic food and vibes, quick-changing seasonal menu. Never had enough, never be bored. Only thing is I wish the waiting line is shorter!
Best Japanese restaurant in the Bay Area. The chef is providing art of cousins.
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