Cha-Ya
| Address: | 1686 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA |
| Phone: | +1 510-981-1213 |
| Site: | facebook.com |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 12–2:30PM 12–2:30PM 12–2:30PM 12–2:30PM 12–3PM 12–3PM 12–3PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 32
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Amy Hanoa
Quickie: + Probably the only vegetarian Japanese restaurant Ive been to, but I definitely love love love their dishes. --- Food: There is nothing better than eating a nice big warm bowl of udon with a side of crispy vegetable tempura on a cold Berkeley evening. Overall: The place is small, no doubt about that (maybe 20 can be seated indoors at one time?). And if you pick a busy night you will be waiting outside as there is no waiting area inside. However that being said - you can bet its worth wait... as Ive waited with friends in the rain before!
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Abe Leite
This restaurant is absolutely essential for vegetarians and vegans, and a delightful treat for the rest of us! The food was delicious, the presentation was elegant, and the vegetarian in our party was overjoyed to be able to order anything on the menu. The flavors were subtle and well-balanced. We were visiting Berkeley from Bloomington, Indiana based on a family friends hearty recommendation, and were not disappointed in the slightest. We would certainly dine here again. Please note, however, that only cash is accepted.
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A Private User
When I think of treating myself well, and I want to go out somewhere cozy and magically good, my mind only comes up with one solution. When I am out of town and feeling lonely, and looking for decent food, this is the place I miss. The wait to get in (when there is a line) only builds up the anticipation, and reminds me of how good it is. I stand there smelling the smells, and seeing the people through the glass, being lovingly served the most delicious food on earth, and knowing soon that will be me.
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Patricia Boggs
Overall kind of a lackluster experience. To me the menu seemed kind of limited and uninspired, not a lot that seems creative or inviting. Ended up trying the Soba noodles, and it was just average. Broth OK but not super rich, and the vegetables while nice assortment werent in generous supply. Maybe if you are a Vegan this is an exciting choice to liven up your meal options, but to me it wasnt enough to bring me back across town.
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Nancy Sequoia
Recommend this place. Great menu. Lots of good traditional Japanese entrees and some very creative ones. They used to be a smaller restaurant, but with the expansion, seating is more plentiful and wait is much shorter and sometimes there is no wait. The ambiance and decor is nondescript. You come here mainly for the food. Note that currently they only accept cash.
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Heather Matsuo
Two thumbs way up!! Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the world, and a reason that Berkeley is king of vegan cuisine. I grew up in Japan, and lemme tell you that the food at Cha-ya blows most of the restaurants I ate at there out of the water. The curry udon especially is a tastebudgasm, and their sushi is the best vegetarian sushi youll find in California.
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Benjamin Knight
For $17 I got the sobu roll and a Miso soup, both fairly small. Both were okay, but nothing mind blowing. The miso came out too hot and I burned my mouth. My only guess for this places popularity is that for vegans and vegetarians, I imagine its pretty good. A mediocre experience turned into an inconvenient one when I realized they were CASH ONLY. *fart noise*
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Julee Lee
Love their food! Ive brought so many non-vegetarians here who are blown away by the yumminess. I usually get the tempura soup with udon noodles with is amazing. Its so much soup, I usually have enough for lunch the next day. Their sushi is really good too! Friendly staff and theyve expanded to next door so usually, if there is a wait, its not for too long.
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Katie Hickling
Absolutely fab, I went here for lunch with my Mum. Delicious food, friendly service and a reasonable price, as a vegetarian and someone with a serious nut allergy we were both very well catered for! All dishes are vegan and prepared with care. Lovely taste and presentation, and big portions, I especially recommend the Chaya roll.
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A Private User
Its rare to find a vegetarian restaurant that doesnt cover up the food with immense servings of sauces, frying and other tricks. Just natural and healthy vegetarian foods, well chosen, well made, well flavored in a good combination. Highly recommended for those who want to try non-wannabe meat vegetarian.
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Zhou Broadwell
Sort of boring and bland. There was nothing really outstanding on the menu. The fried spring rolls were pretty bad, no flavor at all, there was no point in eating it at all. I was surprised because Ive been to this place a couple of times before, years ago and the food used to be really good!
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Andy McElroy
Ive always loved this and the SF locations. Great food, simple environment, friendly service, reasonable prices. Very healthy options can be had as well as decadent fried treats. Try the Moon Garden for something completely different.
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Scott Johnston
One of my favorite Berkeley restaurants. Where else can you find a vegetarian Japanese restaurant. Their menu is pretty static though, so make sure to check their specials posted on the wall for new dishes.
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A Private User
This place is pretty good. Its always hard to find good non-fish rolls that my boyfriend can eat and they have a vast selection. And no need to worry if the sauce has fish in it - because its all Vegetarian!
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Jonathan Maimon
Supremely delicious well executed food. NYC needs a place like this! Similar concepts (like Souen in the Village) fall far short in terms of the quality ingredients and unique taste at Cha-ya.
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Adam Jadhav
Good option for vegan Japanese which isnt typically veg. Though a little bland, to be honest. Great selection of options but the basic dishes werent bursting with flavor.
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A Private User
back in 2002 I used to go here 3 times a week. Much better than the SF location. Good food, nice people, but long wait to get a table since this place is so small.
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Ken Capelli
They really try with creative turns on their dishes, but the practice of dining at a sushi restaurant that serves no fish was unsatisfying. The ambiance was nil.
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Jason Simmons
Cash only vegan sushi restaurant. The food was mediocre, not terrible though. Service was adequate but not amazing, and the place was reasonably clean.
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Amanda Solnit
The ChaYa roll is a must get. It is delicious. Food is not greasy. Their tempura and pot stickers (gyoza) are also great. Entire menu is vegan.
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A Private User
Friggin fantastic vegan Japanese cuisine. Its all delicious, but I cant not get the Cha Ya Roll, goma ae, and the brocollini nigiri.
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Steve Tjiang
Vegetarian Japanese foods, including sushi. Very tasty and beautiful presentation. The service is a bit slow but courteous.
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Varouge Mesrobian
Great to have vegan sushi and enjoy all the amazing flavors that come with the japanese cuisine! A must go for all!
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Kathleen Fanning
Wonderful soup bowls, vegan sushi and noodles. Great desserts too. Reasonable prices but they only take cash.
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Michael Tuchband
Excellent vegan Japanese food and a lot of variety! It was relatively affordable too. Ill definitely come back.
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Andrew Sabelhaus
Really good food. The fried tofu was amazing and so filling. A very good vegetarian/vegan option in Berkeley.
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Chuck McIntyre
Great vegetarian sushi, noodles and other options. Love the cha ya rolls and several of the noodle dishes.
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Sujay Desai
The vegi tofu curry noodle soup with soba noodles is amazing. Also the chaya roll sushi and the miso soup
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Emma Rudié
Perfect for Berkeley: vegan Japanese. Im not vegan, but I can vouch that their soups are delicious!
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Robert Dahlgren
One of our favourite restaurants to stop at when in Berkeley for their unique vegetarian dishes.
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Helen Wang
Interesting and yummy vegetarian selections. Went there on a Sunday for lunch, not too crowded.
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Darshan Vaidya
Amazing food, great prices, such good variety! Lovely staff and really enjoyed our meal here
