Kirala Restaurant

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technotala

Joined 8 years ago

my favorite sushi place on earth!. the fish is always fresh! always! i have tried other sushi places... expensive ones, regular ones, trendy ones, and nothing has ever come close to the quality of Kirala. the price is a little on the high end for an east bay joint but comared to some places in the city, its a bargain. i highly recommend the robata scallops & bacon asparagus. for sushi, go for anything! its all delicious. worth the wait if you come during peak hours. try coming around 9PM when its slowing down, and the sushi chefs will often kick down freebies at the end of the night.

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Matrixxx

Joined 7 years ago

Fresh Fish. I love Kirala. I can over look a wait for the food there. I love their sushi it is very fresh. I was joking with a friend on about how in the back they must a tank with the fish swiming around for them to serve sushi that tasted that good. I love the robata grill. I recomend the baby Lobster tail and the wasabi chicken.

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ochyou

Joined 10 years ago

Delicious robata grill!. The food served from the robata grill is very good. The sushi is fresh and decent portion. The only negative factors are: 1) parking can sometimes be tough, 2) make reservations or else you're not being seated for ages, and 3) it can get a little pricey. But still a recommended restaurant.

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maoyagi

Joined 8 years ago

sushi place to avoid. Service, ambience not recommended. UC students and young professionals mistakenly think Kirala has good sashimi/sushi. From the perspective of a native Japanese, the sushi and sashimi is of poor quality and should be avoid. The balance of the menu is mediocre at best.

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showurscars

Joined 8 years ago

the best despite the lame reviews. i've frequented this place and will continue to do so even when i move to southern california. not only is the food better than what i had straight in japan but the service is excellent. the sushi chefs are friendly, fun and clearly experts at what they do. the prices are fine because you get what you pay for.

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cl_foodie

Joined 8 years ago

Great sushi. If you're looking for good sushi in the Berkeley area, definitely check out this place. They also have really good grilled items including the scallops and the asparagus.

Lines are very long though and take an average of one hour!

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LV

Joined 10 years ago

Fantastic!. During my college days at Cal, my friend and I frequented Kirala; after graduation, didn't visit Berkeley much, but we still look forward to dinners at Kirala like it was our first time. The food is spectacular, it is considered the BEST sushi in the east bay, but moreover, the BEST sushi in the bay area despite the long wait.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

This popular Berkeley restaurant features eclectic Japanese cuisine with a focus on sushi and grilled skewer dishes.. In Short
The minimalist decor centers on the long, curved sushi bar--a popular destination for Cal students and young professionals. Toro tuna, yellowtail and an avocado-laden Caterpillar roll typify the expansive menu. Numerous skewers and tidbits off the robata grill are also offered. Other dishes range from miso-marinated cod with crisped skin to sea bass with butter sauce and smoky grilled corn. Lamb chops are seared until the outer crust is thick and meaty.

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shihoinouye

Joined 9 years ago

sushi ~. Despite the long wait for a seat, Kirala serves the best sushi in the east bay. During the long wait, sit at the bar and enjoy some sake. You can rest assured that they are serving you the best sushi since the chefs are japanese unlike most places nowadays and also these chefs do have quite a character. Their California roll and rock n' roll are awesome but look for their daily sushi/sashimi specials because toro is to die for.

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achin

Joined 10 years ago

Neighborhood Favorite. Kirala has been around for years, as evidenced by the pictures adorned throughout the restaurant of long-time diners. The crowds are still there, and the food is fresh and tasty as ever. However, I cannot get over the fact that the prices are outrageously high. The robata grill, one of Kirala's main selling points, produces great tasting fare. But $4.00 for one skewer is just not fair. The rolls are also expensive ranging from $7 to $12 per roll. Paying $150 for four people dining on just sushi and robata skewers is too much. If we had wine and beer, the price would have been much higher. Another thing is that the restaurant does not take reservations, which is not a good selling point.