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 asmallappetizer 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'ssmallsoups. 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, thesmallspace feels traditional and romantic, making kiraku a top choice for date night in college land.
rating: 7.7/10