KoKoLo Donburi Berkeley

Ordered the mapo tofu rice bowl. They ran out of pork, so I went with ground chicken, which was not quite the same. Fresh but could use a little more seasoning since the only flavor I tasted was the spiciness. Overall, an average dining experience.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

If you are looking for delicious Japanese food and a chill vibe, all at a good price (for the Bay Area)? Look no further! I had a great time having lunch here with my wife and son. We had the Unagi-don, Okonomiyaki and Fried Chicken and they were all delicious and comparable to what we got in Japan. I am surprised that this restaurant has <4 review as I think it should at least be at 4.5. Highly recommend!

Best value for money. The curry donkatsu is amazing. I seem to order it at least twice a week.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The curry is just bad. This may seem unfair, but after recently returning from Japan (for 4 months) and eating Coco Ichibanya semi-regularly, I was expecting Kokolo to maybe have a comparable curry, seeing as Coco is a cheap curry chain, but I was thoroughly disappointed.1. Overpriced. Small portion of rice and an even smaller portion of curry that couldn't last the length of the meal. 14 dollars for this is criminal.2. Overcooked. The tonkastsu was way overcooked, far too chewy, dry and just unpleasant to eat. While the portion was big, I was almost wishing it wasn't.3. Bad flavors. The curry was just sub-par, the spice was not good. The fukujinzuke pickled radish side is not fukujinzuke at all, and is something else entirely that isn't very good, and far too little was included.I've also had other dishes as well here in the past and would rate them between 2-3 stars. The curry is hands down just bad, do not order it.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 3

food is pretty

Food: 2

Log tables and TV. Bathroom and Water. Katsu don was delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Baked Katsudon Bowl

UPDATED:Second time here. They were out of teriyaki chicken. Had to pick fried. No brown rice option.First time here. Tasty braised pork rice bowl with yam and pickled vegetable. Pork is very tender. Comes with miso soup. At $10.99 that is a cheap lunch in Berkeley. Looks like they have a nice sake and beer selection.

Recommended dishes: Sauce

Mediocre food, bad customer service, and overpriced. Go to Sumo Roll instead.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

Ordered the oyakodon and chicken wings for takeout. Chicken wings were pretty good, but the oyakodon was incredibly disappointing. Eggs were rubbery, and the chicken was incredibly bland and dry while somehow simultaneously having too much pepper and fish sauce (?). Rice had too much water added to it, so it was way too soft for the type of dish it was meant for.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 3

Was craving some and missing good gyudon (after having spent 6 years living in Japan). Saw this restaurant had it on the menu and ordered it on doordash. This is the most tasteless, watered down gyudon I have ever had. More akin to something you would get at a high school cafeteria. Not sure if they know how to make gyudon but this is not it....

Food: 1

It was the Takoyaki that drew me in. I love the impossible texture, crispy outside, chewy bits and creamy soft center. It's an umami explosion. Kokolo does a decent job, though I have had better.The Pork Katsu was likable. It didn't blow my socks off, but it didn't disappoint. I'll be back to try some other plates.The place has a nice feel about it and the ample windows let in a lot of sunshine (whenever that happens in Berkeley). From some seats you can look onto the road and see the going-ons, understanding why it's so essential to keep Berkeley weird.Staff were nice. They made sure every table was sprayed down and wiped after a customer left. They must have forgotten mine because I left with stickier elbows than when I came in. But it's not all bad. Bathrooms are clean, that's a good sign.I'll definitely be going back

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Sauce Katsu Don

If you like fast casual Japanese food, come here. This place has very friendly staff and it's very retro as there are a couple of TVs playing different anime.Food: lots of different mix and match bento boxes, oyakodon, oyster tempura, unagi tempura, udon noodle and more.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Kokolo Signature Chicken Wings, Mixed Tempura, Fried

Hands down the worse Don I ever had. Not for debate. The food was blend and it taste like my 3 year old nephew was trying to cook without his parents. I don’t have any expectations but it was worse than what I thought. Not trying to be mean but it’s just what I thought straight up. Thank you for your understanding.

Delicious tasty quick in rice bowls, with a wide selection of flavors and meats, and pasty udon noodles. Nice atmosphere in the interior, friendly staff, if tasty pot is busy come down here and check it out!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great japanese cuisine, we enjoyed all the dishes we ordered

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5