Toyo Japanese Restaurant
| Address: | 1463 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA |
| Phone: | +1 510-843-3768 |
| Rating: | 4 |
| Working: | 5–8:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 12:30–2:30PM 5–9PM |
Location
Photos 12
Reviews 19
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Robert Zucker
Decided to eat dinner here when we would have had to wait 20 minutes at Kamado Sushi across the street. It was a good decision. Toyo has been our favorite local family-run Japanese restaurant for a long time (decades?). Its quiet, friendly, simple, straight-forward. It used to specialize in classic sushi and sashimi dishes, with the usual yakitori and tempura dinners. It was then known for some of the best sushi in town (confirmed by our Japanese friends). Now, in addition to most of the old standards, Toyo has added a number of quite unusual house specials. They are not quite as crazy as the place across the street, which is probably why they are not as popular. But the quality is high, the prices are low, the service is quick and friendly. We started with two appetizers that were quite unusual, creative, and well-made. The first was fried soft-shell crab with a tangy sweet sauce (optional) that was delicious. The other was 7 mussels with a sauce that seemed like a creamy uni (sea urchin) rendition -- truly unique. For main dishes we had an extremely fresh jaw-bone of cheek meat from a large fish, served very simply with lemon wedges, that was just marvelous, along with a belly salmon maki roll topped with extra salmon and tobiko (flying fish roe) that was really extravagant. This is not your boring old classical Japanese food. All portions were quite large, and the bill for all this plus a jumbo beer and unlimited tea came to a mere $55 for two with tax, which is almost impossible to match for quality Japanese food. The place was empty at 7:30 on a Thursday evening, and is clearly struggling with the competition from the new kid across the street. This place is a gem. Is it the best Japanese food in the Bay Area? No, probably not. But its up there, grossly under-appreciated, and under-priced. Worth 4.5 stars, so I’m rounding up to 5.
DA
David Fair
Honestly the best quality sushi you will find in Berkeley, and that is saying a lot. Sure they dont have a super glamorous and fancy interior, but if that is a factor in your decision making process for where to go to get sushi, then you need to sort out your priorities. To top off the quality of the sushi is the price, again far superior to most places in Berkeley. The only place that nearly matches the quality and price (but is not quite as good on the quality end of things) would be Manpuku over in Elmwood. Comparing with yelp reviews will never lead you to this conclusion, and it has seriously caused me to lose faith entirely in that rating service. I seriously cannot imagine why this place wouldnt have a 5 star rating other than it doesnt have a super fancy interior, which as Ive already said should be irrelevant. Service is amazing here too, you will never go more than 2 minutes without being attended to if need be.
NY
Nyingma Institute Caz Verde
I really like this place. The food is delicious. Quite a variety of good food on the menu. The atmosphere is comfortable, clean and quiet. The service is good. Parking is easy. Its about $16-20 for a healthy satisfying delish meal. Been going here off and on for about 10 years, Im finally writing a review because I was checking the Sunday hours and noticed a two star bad review and figure the reviewer must have been having a bad day or something. Ive never had a complaint in all these years. Its my go to place when family or friends are in town. Its uncomplicated and quiet enough to enjoy a good conversation.
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Alison Hess Williams
Im more of a sashimi type of girl: sushi has too much rice. When I ordered the Sashimi Assorted, the waitress seems confused about what would be included. (I only requested no mackerel and no escolar; also known a "white tuna," which has adverse side effects: look it up.) I was served escolar, but it was taken back immediately and replaced by salmon. So, I got toro tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp with fish roe, and unagi eel. The fish was buttery soft and incredibly good. My full recommendations!
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Jesse Paterson
Do not order the ramen. The broth is thin and lightly salted. Like a microwaved ramen with no flavor packet and a bit of salt. It has baby spinach and small squares of seaweed. The tonkatsu pork is bland and tasteless. Im a bit offended that they are selling this at close to $11. Go to Kaze Ramen further down on Shattuck for a real bowl of ramen.
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A Private User
This is a regular weekly stop for us. I have been going to Toyo for over two years and love it. The sushi is reasonably priced and better than some more expensive restaurants I have been to in the area. The staff are always friendly and welcoming.
CY
Cyril Franki
Petit restaurant asiatique. Pas trop cher et pas mauvais du tout. Cela reste néanmoins très classique.
A
A Private User
Great quality food for a very reasonable price. Service is consistently excellent. Ive been frequenting Toyo for a couple of years now and they havent let me down yet! I highly recommend it.
AN
Andrew Huang
Our go-to Japanese restaurant in Berkeley. Over the past 3 years, we have tried every decent sushi place in Berkeley. This place has the best combination of quality for reasonably prices.
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rachel salvay
Decent food but really crummy service and its SO drafty! Not good for the easily-get-cold people during cold-outside conditions.
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Brandon WilliamsCraig
Lovely family feel. Tasty and plentiful servings. Will definitely return with my family if four (two under 5 yrs.)
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Tian Wang
liked their mackerel teriyaki and misoyaki, udon is also nice. they have free sesame sauce salad for free.
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Adrian Scharfetter
Fresh fish, great rolls, usually pretty fast and friendly. Sashimi is amazing
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Peter Fraterdeus
A delicious place to while away the wait for the laundry next door :-)
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Leon Dragan
Decent sushi for the price. The pickled plums are incredible!
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Eclipse
Large portions- but not real crab and bland or fishy
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Richard Miller
Best place to buy fish dishes I know of in Berkeley.
KO
Kombizz Kashani
lovely place to eat
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예혁준
Excellent
