kiraku

husband-and-wife daiki and sanae saito opened kiraku more than four years ago, bringing the izakaya (or japanese gastropub) experience to berkeley. the location was attractive because of the cheap rent, but the food they deliver offers a refined touch to the traditional izakaya. i was doing some research on izakaya in the east bay, and kiraku has been on my list to try. being closed two nights of the week didn’t help in my schedule, and their notorious waits on the weekends scared me off. but recently i finally dropped by on a weeknight soon after it opened at 5:30 p.m. to check it out.

i can not stress strongly enough that kiraku is a must visit in berkeley, california. this has been the best dining experience of my life. arguably the best japanese place in town. we started the meal with some jellyfish and squid, which were all refreshing and healthy. i have never tried jellyfish before and was squeamish to take a bite, but thanks to kiraku's robust marinade, i found myself finishing the entire bowl. the uni took me by surprise upon my first mouthful. the flavors were amazing! the uni here is as good as the ones you can get in japan. the grilled squid has just the right balance of flavor and tenderness. the grilled beef intestines were truly an unforgettable experience. other recommendations are the roasted beef tongue that melts in your mouth and the incredibly tasty pork skewers. the croquettes, pork with egg and the rice with the delicious broth were all superb. everything on our table was inexplicably delicious. i'd travel back to berkeley just to dine in kiraku once more, that's for sure.

although kiraku gets busy, there's an efficient serving system that keeps diners moving through, which is very helpful since the line can reach up to 2 blocks.

oyako-don. the buta-kim is kiraku's signature pre sake dish, leaving the oyako-don to claim the title of best after sake. this is basically a bowl of awesome, for lack of a better term. it consists of simmered rice topped with succulent chicken and soupy egg, or in other words, two of my favorites and my arch nemesis (raw egg) in one bowl. don't dig into this treat quickly, be patient and let the ceramic bowl cook the egg. after a few minutes, you get a mixed, delicious goop of soft, seasoned rice. though tiny and overpriced at $8.50, it is worth every penny on a cold night.


-----13 jan, 2015-----

kiraku (japanese/izakaya). this is one of many trendy, slightly traditional, slightly pricey japanese eateries in the berkeley area. none of them fail to succeed, and a couple actually impress. kiraku is one of those impressive psuedo-izakaya joints. a ton of delicious, innovative dishes line their expensive menu. few plates clock in at less than $10, making a dinner here a wallet emptying ordeal given the minuscule portion sizes. most customers pair a small appetizer like shima (seared mackerel) or buta-kim (pork with kimchi and egg) with a sake or shochu (light japanese vodka) for starters. they follow this duo up with a delicious slab of grilled of fish or one of kiraku's small soups. dessert is featured here, while many other japanese restaurants leave it off the menu; homemade ice cream, blancmange, and sweet potato brûlée make up the final course. service is excellent and quick, but nothing special. aesthetically, the small space feels traditional and romantic, making kiraku a top choice for date night in college land.

rating: 7.7/10