Champion's CURRY
Permanently Closed

Champion's CURRY

Permanently Closed

Japanese curry chain serving rich, gravy-like Kanazawa-style curry

japanese curry
katsu
pork katsu
chicken katsu
self-service
spicy curry
curry sauce
good portions
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by Champion's Curry
Champion's CURRY by Jakob Layman
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null
Champion's CURRY by null

Information

2506 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704 Get directions

$10–20

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Comfort food

Information

Static Map

2506 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704 Get directions

+1 510 705 1832
japanesecurry.com
@champions_usa

$10–20 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Good for solo dining
•Comfort food
•Credit card accepted
•Debit card accepted
•Contactless accepted

Last updated

Jan 5, 2026

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@infatuation
132,814 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

Champion's Curry - Review - Berkeley - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"Champion’s Curry is the Berkeley outpost of a Japan-based curry chain—and you should fake a sick day to get their Kanazawa-style curry. Rich and slightly sweet, it's also a deeper brown and more gravy-like than other Japanese curries you might find in town. And while there are tons of meat and vegetable options from minced beef to fish katsu, go with the chicken katsu fried to ideal levels of crackliness. It won’t take long before this counter-service spot is your new go-to for quick lunches or nights when pulling out ingredients and cooking is out of the question." - Julia Chen

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/champions-curry-berkeley
Champion's Curry
Champion's CURRY
@infatuation
132,814 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

Champion's Curry Review - Little Tokyo - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"It may seem obvious, but just get the curry. Champion’s has other options, like Japanese-style sandwiches (we got the chicken katsu one and liked it fine), but you’re here for the thick, gravy-like curries made Kanazawa-style. They come with a dark brown, almost black sauce that smothers everything on the plate. A great lunch option, if you’re in the area, both dine-in and takeout." - Kat Hong

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/champions-curry-little-tokyo
Jakob Layman
Champion's CURRY
@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

Mourad Lahlou to Open New Moroccan Street Food Restaurant at Napa’s Oxbow Public Market - Eater SF

"Northern California's first location of a Japanese curry chain specializing in 'Kanazawa curry,' an extra-rich version created by chef Yoshikazu Tanaka." - Lauren Saria

https://sf.eater.com/2022/1/27/22904691/mourad-lahlou-new-restaurant-napa-oxbow-public-market
Champion's CURRY

Senwei L.

Google
The curry dish I ordered was of a Japanese-style, and it contained some diced beef with a predominantly salty taste. I drank several glasses of water to counteract the saltiness. I ordered the curry pork dish, which had a crunchy exterior and a tender interior. The accompanying side dish was diced tomatoes. The price for the meal was around $15, with a self-service checkout system and no option for leaving a tip. The fries served with the dish were standard and did not have any standout features.

Alexandria M.

Google
I had the vegan curry rice with grilled veggie add-on. This would be around $17 before tip & tax, without avocado add-on. A Trractor brand drink or side salad or fries is only $1 to upgrade. It was good. I would love to see more options for vegans and vegetarians here.

Soraya

Google
Extremely delicious curry. The sauce had a really great depth of flavor and savory taste. It was a bit salty for my taste, and I ended up drinking a lot of water, but it didn't stop the sauce from being very delicious. The tonkatsu was thicker than most tonkatsu I've had and was really nice and juicy. The breading was light and crispy, and didn't feel too greasy. Portion was good for me, and it came out pretty quick! Tax and tip (15%), it came out to $20. Inside had an almost diner feel to it, with a red bench and cute classic atmosphere. It's a self checkout restaurant, so you grab your own food from the counter and when you're done you put your dishes in a little spot.

Ashley

Google
😭 Me and my friend were FLABBERGASTED when the waiter gave us the NASTIEST attitude… She forced us to tip high and basically started shouting to our face to tip her and we got scared on top of being mad lol 😭😭😭 She was extremely rude and SO aggressive and the entire time we were there we also could see that the other customers felt the same and were getting uncomfortable by her attitude. The curry was very delicious tbh but the waiter was just so rude I don’t think me and friend will ever revisit with this server present 👎👎❌❌❌

Tyler B.

Google
This place is great. It's a self serve, quick dine kind of setup with curry being the star here. They have sides as well like fries, kara-age and a few other things but they serve curry first and foremost. If you have a craving for Japanese curry, give them a try next time you're browsing!

Barry H.

Google
Champion’s Curry operates with precision. No frills, no distractions—just Japanese curry, executed flawlessly. The sauce is rich, dark, and deeply layered, clinging to perfectly cooked rice. The fried chicken and pork katsu arrive crisp, golden, and impeccably tender. Ordering is swift via touchscreen; the staff, courteous but absorbed in their work. The dining room is bright and clean, though tables could be wiped more often. Prices are fair for food this well-crafted. Unlike so many Bay Area restaurants that lose focus, Champion’s Curry stays sharp, mastering its niche. Not a first-date spot, but ideal for anyone who values efficiency, craft, and a meal done right. Highly recommended.

Tina Y.

Google
So glad this is open in Berkeley! We’ve tried their curry and sandwiches and have loved both! We even came here twice in one week (during their soft opening)! Curry flavor and katsu quality are top notch!

Christine L

Google
This was my second time coming to Champion’s and my first time was great! But today was such an off experience I felt like I needed to write a review. I had just come back from Japan and was craving some Japanese curry, so stopped by around 2pm (I am still jet lagged..). I ordered a hamburg curry and the patty came out incredibly sour, to the point where I thought the meat might have gone bad. The curry itself was also overly salty, and I’m used to seasoning my food pretty heavily. I never send food back, but today was the first time I’ve ever done it. They kindly offered to remake it for me, but I ended up taking it to go because it took so long to re-prepare and I had to leave by the time it was done. I didn’t end up eating it because I was out all day and was afraid of the food spoiling by the time I’d get to eat it. anyway, was so sad about this experience because I did remember the food being good the first time I had it. I really hope this was just a one off experience.
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Vicky L.

Yelp
I love me some Japanese curry and Champion curry knows what's up. You go in and order on their tablet and tap/swipe to pay. There's very limited human interaction here, so it's perfect for introverts! I ordered the pork katsu curry rice, and my friends ordered the minced beef katsu, chicken katsu, and the steak w/ salad and chicken kaarage. The orders came out a tad longer than we wanted, despite us being the only ones there on a Saturday late morning. All 3 of of katsu's came out a bit burnt. I don't know if that's how it's supposed to be but my friend didn't like how her chicken looked. I was okay with my pork katsu curry, it wasn't dry. The curry was indeed a bit salty but the rice helped in dialing it down a bit. I ordered fries to pair with my curry and dipped it in the curry sauce. It was straight up comfort food that would put you into a coma. My other friend liked his minced beef katsu curry but didn't love it. The prices for our order was a bit on the expensive side. They're located right next to the newer Purple Kow location. The design of the restaurant gives open window dining vibes to allow for fresh air. There's a decent amount of seats and a long cushioned bench against the wall if you don't want to sit on a cold hard chair. Overall, good curry, but a bit pricey. If you don't want to talk to anyone and just pay and eat, then this place is for you!
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Amy R.

Yelp
Recently tried the Spicy Pork Katsu at Champion Curry, and I have to say, it was a bit of a letdown. Despite being labeled as "spicy," the dish was very bland and lacked the expected kick. On the positive side, the meat was moist and cooked well. One major disappointment was that the dish served looked different from the enticing picture on the menuz Overall, my experience at Champion Curry was underwhelming. I hope they improve their consistency and flavor profile in the future.
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Sonja P.

Yelp
Good simple meal. Kinda pricy for what I want to pay for curry, but my fish katsu was filling. The curry was a little salty, but I didn't mind. Service is pretty much order from the kiosk, they call you when it's ready. It's not a big place, but it's a nice little spot to gather. They have picnic style, smaller tables, and countertops to choose from.
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JJ S.

Yelp
This place is amazing. Pork, chicken, fish: I've tried them all and keep coming back.
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Claire L.

Yelp
The curry here is not bad, though a bit expensive. We got the chicken and the pork katsu curry, but the chicken was noticeably better and juicier than the pork. There is no social interaction required either because you order at a kiosk, choose a seat, pick up your meal from the window, and return your own dishes. There is also a bit of a wait time for the food to come out, but it is alright. It can get a little loud if they leave the big window that is facing the street open.
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Lilian X.

Yelp
YUMM definitely one of the more reliably delicious places around campus! The place is self-service, so no comments on service but the food is always great. Personally, I like the sandwiches better than the curry but both are great depending on your preference. The inside is decorated with some neon lights and is very spacious with a lot of seating. If katsu wasn't so heavy, I would definitely come here very often!
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Aileen A.

Yelp
To those unacquainted with the history of curry within Japan: the spice was introduced to the country allegedly by British sailors who were shipwrecked on the Japanese coast on their way back from India. To this day, it has been a mainstay in Japanese cuisine so much so that the dish is considered "home cooking" and popular enough that many Japanese curry franchises have expanded to the U.S. Champion's Curry is one of them brought to us via the city of Kanazawa (Japan) and I was so excited and a little annoyed at myself for not being aware it had arrived. In the world of always being connected and force fed targets-how did the algorithm gods betray me?? Fear not as Yelp made sure to keep me apprised of the newest (to me) addition to the UC Berkeley area. I appreciated it being off the side rather than off of crowded Telegraph street as I notice most restaurants tend to get clogged up. As most locations, street parking is your option here or a short walk from the nearby parking garages. Fairly sized location a large communal table in the middle and a handful of tables that can accommodate groups of 2/4 along the side. Great lighting and I wonder if they ever roll up the garage door up when it gets warm. There is one clean restroom off to the side with *gasp!* no code required! This is a casual self-service restaurant that only accepts credit card. The staff in the back simply prepares the food so expect a bit of a waving around the window to catch their attention should you have any questions otherwise you're on your own. On to the good stuff: They offer the standard protein of your choice Katsu (panko breaded and fried) with curry combo from an extensive menu with various Japanese renditions of American like options (sandwiches! fries! Katsu salads, beer). We opted for simple and tried their: - Pork Katsu Curry rice - spicy - Fish Katsu Curry rice - mild - Curry Cheese Fries We placed our order on the tablet, waited an acceptable amount of time (10-15 minutes), and our order arrived. The portions were acceptable-not too little and just enough to take some home to snack on. While the katsus were a bit on the dry side (honestly this is a fast meal chain, I kind of expected this), the curry sauce was great! At first look I was a bit dismayed by the cheese and curry ratio on the fries until I started eating more and realized the cheese sauce was hidden beneath the fry surface. The spicy level was tolerable on my end (I'm a baby) and if it wasn't spicy enough, togarashi flakes could be found on the table accompanied by sauce on the table. Would I return again if I was craving a curry dish (or fries or sandwich) for a reasonable price around the area? Yes. If you want something similar but a little more on the "homier" in quality with casual table service, there's always Muracci's down the street off of Telegraph.
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Thiri T.

Yelp
I rarely give campus restaurants a 5 stars but I really enjoyed Champions on my very hungry afternoon. I got the chicken katsu plate with a side of Mac salad and my meal DELIVERED. I loved how crunchy and juicy my chicken was and was an even bigger fan of how the spicy curry was still flavorful and deep. I'll be back to satisfy my cravings!!
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Whitney Q.

Yelp
Berkeley has many good restaurants - this isn't one of them. We went in for an early dinner and there was one other customer in the store. We ordered 2 pork katsu and a minced beef katsu dish and waited 20 minutes for our food. I should have known why it took so long because they were overcooking everything in the kitchen. The panko was burnt and left a disgusting aftertaste in your mouth that no amount of curry could mask.
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Karen N.

Yelp
I was eagerly anticipating the opening of Champions. I love Japanese curry and could eat it everyday. But maybe not at Champions. This is one of those serverless restaurants that tries to cut costs by automating everything. You order at a tablet kiosk and the food automatically appears from a window. You might not see another human being unless the cook pops their head out. That's all fine but the kiosk by default asks for a sizable tip. Given that Berkeley already has a $20 minimum wage for all kitchen and serving staff, that seems a bit much. It's made worse by the basic price of the curry itself to be on the high side of what I'd want to spent for lunch. It's very easy to spend over $20 per person without going wild. The tables already seem a bit worn down even though the place just opened and the whole place seemed .... It took me back to eating at my high school cafeteria. Again, that'd be fine if the prices were reasonable but overall everything (including the all important curry) seemed to be at a certain quality level not commensurate with the price asked.
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Wesley L.

Yelp
As a huge fan of Japanese curry, I was so excited to see a new business in the area dedicated to one of my favorite foods. I placed an order on Uber Eats for the Kaiju, a dish with essentially all the fried food they offer with rice and curry. It was $30+ but definitely something that 2 people can split or eat for 2 meals. The fried fish, pork katsu, and beef were the highlight of the meal. I ordered a larger rice which didn't seem like much of a bigger portion than what should be served with it, but still a decent size. Their curry wasn't spicy whatsoever even though I ordered the spicy version but still tasty & enjoyable. My least favorite part was the fried pork loin which ended up super dry and unseasoned besides the breading, but still a nice touch for more food in this large order. The service was nice and staff were friendly, although it was a bit harder to check in with them on Togo orders since they have a small window and limited staff. The restaurant vibe seems very trendy with a neon sign and moderate amount of seating. Hoping to try their curry dip sandwiches in the future!
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Ashley S.

Yelp
the wait for your food is kind of long even when there aren't many people there. there are several places to sit inside, and the decoration has a clean and nostalgic diner vibe! i honestly don't recommend the pork katsu curry. i got it the first time, and i remember it being too fatty and hard? the curry is good but the meat was just not the best quality. i liked the chicken katsu curry. it's a good portion, the chicken is perfectly crispy, and the curry sauce has a few diced vegetables/onions mixed into it. this is a good spot for college kids looking for a warm meal reminiscent of home!

Ashley K.

Yelp
Me and my friend were FLABBERGASTED when the waiter gave us the NASTIEST attitude... She forced us to tip high and basically started screaming and shouting to our face to tip her and we got scared on top of being mad lol She was extremely rude and SO aggressive and the entire time we were there we could see that the other customers also felt the same and were getting uncomfortable by her attitude. She kept coming up to all the customers every 5 minutes and asked if we needed smth but with an uncomforting nature... The curry was very delicious tbh but the waiter was just so rude I don't think me and friend will ever revisit with this server present
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Kevin J.

Yelp
Love this place, and I hope they stick around. The pork and fish katsu curry I've tried on separate occasions were both really good. Big portions, fresh and crispy on the outside while still being super tender and juicy on the inside. Also comes with a big portion of rice, and some tomatoes on the side. You can also add some very affordable sides. I will 100% be back, and want to try their sandos next.
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Karen J.

Yelp
We got the chicken and pork curry. Pork was like rubber but the chicken was good. Wouldn't recommend pork. Curry was good though. It was self order
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Vivian L.

Yelp
2023/04/20 19:00 Japanese curry rice, katsu, sandwiches, etc. Beef Minced Katsu Curry ($16.50): fried breaded beef patty (i.e., menchi katsu) over curry and rice - got the spicy option but it wasn't really spicy at all - the provided utensil was a spork--questionable choice - good portion size - curry was solid, rice was well-cooked - beef was wagyu but didn't taste different from normal beef except somewhat more fatty - didn't really care for the tomato salsa on the side, would've preferred the typical pickles that come with Japanese curry instead
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Dave F.

Yelp
The restaurant has a cozy dining area, mainly offering counter seating with a limited number of tables. The service model is quite unique, as it relies entirely on self-service with orders placed through a single kiosk. Being first-time visitors, we found ourselves with questions but no staff readily available to assist. After some initial confusion and a wait, we managed to place our order. When it was time to collect our food, we had to pick it up ourselves upon hearing our name called. We encountered a small hiccup when we realized we needed a knife but found it challenging to communicate this to the staff due to a language barrier. Regarding the food, the pork curry was enjoyable, though the chicken curry didn't quite hit the mark for us. Diners are expected to clear their tables after their meal. We had tipped through the kiosk during ordering, not fully realizing the extent of the self-service setup.
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Amy T.

Yelp
I ordered online for pickup $15.50+ tax, plus add only $1 for egg macaroni salad! Food was great! Macaroni was chewy and the salad was lightly mustardy. The curry was a darker curry with grounded meat, only mildly acidic compared to other japanese curry places. The katsu was overdone but the chicken was not too dry. Hard to find parking in this area. Parked at a metered spot down the street and had to download the PayMobile app to pay.
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Mito I.

Yelp
Quick Summary: - Good Japanese curry - Vegetables in the vegetable curry are very tender - Good ratio between curry and rice - Entered hungry, left content - Tables and chairs to sit down - Kiosk is available to order We visited here when we were craving curry that day. We heard of a new curry place in Berkeley, so we arrived here. It's close to the campus; just a few walks down south. We ordered by the kiosk, and it contained the spicy level request. I have low spice tolerance, so I picked the default spiciness and my relative chose a tad spicy. The order was pretty quick and everyone got their order at the same time. Interestingly, there were no color differences between the default spicy and the spicier curry sauce, but the taste is more obvious. It was the hot kind, where as you eat more of it, you aren't coughing but your stomach is warming up and sweat is beading up on the skin. We ordered different curries and the one that stood out was the vegetable curry. The photo displays large vegetables and appears undercooked. It's not, which was amazing. The dishes were cooked at the perfect moment, where the colors of the vegetables are saturated and bright yet it was so tender that no knife is needed to eat them. Even the broccoli! There are other curry restaurants in Berkeley, and this one is my new favorite and probably my go-to if I crave curry again.
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Elaine W.

Yelp
I love this place!!! Definitely the best spot in the area for curry. 50x better than muraccis!! The curry is so savory, lightly spicy and you can get a lot of side add ons like salad or fries for only $1!! The pork katsu is so juicy, tender and crisp. The hamburg steak also looks amazing and juicy and I will try that the next time I come. You order at the kiosk and food comes out relatively quickly. I'm really not sure why this restaurant isn't busier because it's so delicious. You need to come if you like Japanese curry!!!
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Cindy C.

Yelp
4.7stars! So happy we have a Champion's Curry in the BayArea, no need to go to Japan or LA's little Tokyo for this curry.. If you like Japanese curry, this is definitely for you! Who needs chicken soup for the soul, when you can have curry.
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Ed U.

Yelp
Although I've never heard of this chain, this new stateside location sprang from a sixty-year old operation of curry spots mostly in western Japan. Now wouldn't it be great if they had a backstory where Queen ate at one of their cafes and like Brian May would declare, "Mates, this is called Champion's" to which a defiant Freddie Mercury countered..."No, we ARE the champions!" And a classic anthem was born. Alas, they don't have to gild the lily here because the curry was quite good, and no surprise that Japanese curry is my favorite because, well, look at me. It was as rich as a stew made with a flour-based roux. So why just four stars? The ordering process really needs improvement. I don't generally mind a no-contact touch-screen system... But apparently there were so many options that the young students in front of us had to study it like it was a final. Apparently they thought it required ten minutes of memorization and discussion. The equally young guy behind the lucite barrier wasn't helping the situation preferring to be disengaged from human contact. Jamie W. and I are no-nonsense types when it comes to our curry preferences. If we took more than thirty seconds at the terminal, then it would be abject failure. The boys finally finished their order, and we handily met our time limit. Things picked up considerably when the food arrived. Jamie ordered the $15.50 Chicken Katsu Curry (photo: https://bit.ly/3Vde1KE), while I went with the $15.50 Pork Katsu Curry (photo: https://bit.ly/3GMLhon). Both featured a curry sauce that incorporated beef, pork, fish, and dairy (vegans need not apply). There was a drizzle of sour cream, a sprinkling of scallions, and a side of tomato rakkyo salsa. The only difference was the panko-breaded protein - chicken thigh for Jamie, pork loin for me - and both were tender and moist. Medium spiciness worked for us though you can be as wimpy or heat-resistant as you want. I just think more human contact might have improved our overall experience. FOOD - 5 stars...a fine curry sauce ladled over a fine cut of meat AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...pretty much a fast food set-up SERVICE - 3 stars...needs work TOTAL - 4 stars...net net, that was where I landed RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed:
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Ace B.

Yelp
It was our first time and we'll be coming back here again! Great food and great service, thank you for a great experience Al.
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Jeremy C.

Yelp
Champion's Curry is bomb! As it is a chain based out of Japan, it's presentation and thick curry sauce reminds me of all the yummy curry I ate while visiting Japan and eating at Japanese curry chains based in China. Ordering options allow you to increase the spiciness ! And, of course, i went with the spice! The side condiment looked like cubed tomatos in lieu of fukujinzuke, which was a slight let down. However, the pork katsu and curry sauce totally made up for that. It took about 5 minutes to prepare the meal, so everything is served fresh. I wish we had some quirky fast food curry chains in the South Bay! If i lived in Berkeley, i'd be coming here way more often.
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Queena Z.

Yelp
The place is all self service from ordering and getting your own water to taking the tray back to the front. I got the original for spice level and you can still feel a tiny kick, which was nice. I heard the spicy is super spicy. They katsu is very crispy on the outside. Their pork katsu is quite chewy and the chicken katsu was very tender and tasted just like fried chicken. Their lemon curry karaage was very zesty but it was pretty good.
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Jecy L.

Yelp
I ordered the pork katsu curry and the pork katsu was so crispy! The portion is also worth the price and very filling. They have other options besides curry...the menu is pretty extensive. I would recommend!
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Jennifer T.

Yelp
This is such a chill spot right off telegraph to have a meal and work on something. They play relaxing music and the overall vibes are nice. The curry itself was really good! I never had curry that tasted like it before, so they definitely have their own recipe. One thing I wish for was the red pickles that usually come with Japanese curry instead of the diced tomatoes.
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Marissa C.

Yelp
Missing the food (especially the curry) from Japan. Luckily, Champion's Curry can satisfy my cravings! The curry here is legit and they even deliver!
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Carly L.

Yelp
This spot is golden! Nice restaurant ambiance, there was not many people in the afternoon time when I went, but note that it gets pretty crowded in the evening upon seeing it on my strolls around Berkeley. Good service, although you don't interact with them a lot because ordering is through a tablet and you pick up/eat your food on your own. They have an all-gender restroom and water cups if you need a sip here and there. Loved the Pork Katsu (spicy ver) curry-- was flavorful and filling! Was ~$16 for a dish of crispy pork and soft rice with their curry, and it was totally worth it. Parking is limited, I would recommend to park at a parking complex and walk here. Note that the curry is BEEF. There is a separate lentil curry for vegetarian.
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Ron Z.

Yelp
I love that these Japanese self-service restaurants are popping up in The Bay. Please, keep supporting them. I ordered the Tonkatsu Kure Raisu. So freaking delicious. Pretty much up to par with what you will get in Japan. The sauce is amazing, and with just the right amount of spice. The portions are also very filling. A little overpriced, but it's hard to find decent Japanese food in The Bay. After eating this, I really want to visit Kanagawa.
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Alexis T.

Yelp
I'm a big fan of Japanese curry. Pre-pandemic, I used to work in FiDi SF and loved going to Muracci's, but the line was always so long and I would waste my whole lunch hour not getting to eat since it would take so long to get my order. While there is also a Muracci's in Berkeley steps away, I've never frequented it because I've been blown away by Champion's Curry! The restaurant isn't big, but it's spacious enough and has very cute decor. The ordering system is easy. You just select your order and insert your credit card. When your order is ready, your name is called to go pick up your food. I usually get my order to-go so I just take a quick walk around the block and I receive a text once my order is ready. There is an employee, Justin, who is almost always there and he's very friendly and takes a lot of care in preparing your order. The Pork Katsu Curry is my favorite dish ($15.50)! It is crispy on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside. I've had this dish about 10 times now, and there was only one time where the pork katsu didn't look and taste as fresh, and was on the dry side. They were newly opened at the time so I think they were just working things out. Since then, my food has always been delicious! The curry is not sweet like Kokolo Donburi, which I don't like, and it has a much more delicate and nuanced flavor than Muracci's. I love the tomato salsa on the side, but I wish they gave more of it. My only complaint is that the spicy isn't spicy enough, but there is a pepper powder that you can pour over your curry. I would love to have a brown rice option as well. I love this place and it's one of my favorite casual places in the East Bay!

A B.

Yelp
The worst pork katsu I've ever had. Not crispy at all. It wasn't even breaded with panko.
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Fiona W.

Yelp
Craved Japanese curry this week so finally checked out the new Japanese Curry spot in South Side today! I ordered the Chicken Katsu Curry with Spring Salad. It was decent but nothing special. They prepared the order really quickly. The curry wasn't cheap. Either it was pricier or the standard price. The additional side salad was only $1 though. I don't think I'd come back again but I'm glad I tried it.
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Natalie L.

Yelp
Yep. This is good curry. We came in on a really cold day, so the sound of some warm curry got us a bit excited. The interior of Champion's is really cute and clean, and the process of ordering is pretty seamless. We got the pork katsu curry, and we just picked up the tray once the chef called out the name we ordered under. The curry is flavorful, the katsu is crispy, and the side of tomatoes that acts as pickles went so well with the sauce! You normally get pickled radish with Japanese curry, but the tomatoes added that special sweetness instead and made it so much better! Overall, the sauce is flavorful and is just basically what great curry should taste like. It is on the high end in terms of pricing, but for the portion you get, you could probably split with someone and leave satisfied and full. Champion's is going in my rotation of lunch/dinner options in Berkeley now. I saw that there was a grilled veggie option, so I'm looking forward to trying that next!
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Patricia Y.

Yelp
A great place to grab a quick bite to eat, clean facility, semi self service with minimal human interaction/contact. This popular Japanese curry chain restaurant was originally founded in Japan in the 1960's and opened their first location in Los Angeles in 2020. The katsu comes in pork or chicken and is deep fried to a crisp creating the perfect crunch in every bite. They offer an option on the spice level for the sauce. I opt to try the wagyu hamburger beef and also the side dish of the macaroni salad. Their menu also offers other selections of appetizers to choose from.
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Michelle C.

Yelp
Never eaten here in person as we always do pick up and they don't often answer the phone but the food is really good. We always get the curry with burger patty or curry with breaded chicken. It's by far the best Japanese curry place around the East Bay. The spicy curry is our go to.
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Kevin M.

Yelp
Really good Japanese curry and friendly service! A little different from the type of curry you would get from Muracci's down the street, but based on the pork cutlet curry I had ordered ($15.50 + tax) the curry was really flavorful and the cutlets they served were well breaded, so I thought it was worth writing a review for. I came during their soft opening around 4PM and there were two really friendly staff working there. I did not ask for their hours, but they told me that the restaurant would be opening officially at the start of November. I can only imagine due to its prime location and good food that this place will only get more popular among students, so I definitely recommend giving it a try while it's still early.
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Greg M.

Yelp
Mediocre place. Took almost 15 minutes for food to be prepared, even though not busy, one item was wrong and the fries and drinks were missing. Had to explain multiple times to the attendant about what was still missing. Katsu is overcooked, curry is fine. Not good enough to warrant a second try.
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Ron R.

Yelp
According to their website, this restaurant got its start in 1961 in the city of Kanazawa, Japan. The concept of chef Yoshikazu Tanaka was "to serve his own unique spin" on Japanese curry. Having eaten curry in several places in both central and northern Japan, and at numerous traditional style curry places in the US, it is true that Tanaka's curry is "unique." Whether that "unique" is good or bad, depends on your taste. Having eaten here, I now know I prefer traditional Japanese curry. Not realizing this history and expecting traditional Japanese curry when we went to the restaurant, for my taste, and despite the fact that his chain seems to be doing really well in Japan, I really did not care for Tanaka's concoction. The curry tasted like Salisbury steak gravy from a frozen TV dinner. The flavor of the chicken Katsu curry and the veggie curry was a little different--don't know if they use different recipes or if the side compliments change the flavor. The chicken katsu was very good, crisp on the outside, but moist on inside, and a decent portion. The veggies were fresh and of a good variety and portion. The overall value was just ok, but given the area, COVID, and inflation, probably not that bad. The place is "self-serve" in that you either order on your phone or use the touch screen in the store. They just call your name and you pick up your tray from the counter. You bus your own table by putting your tray on a cafeteria style opening in the wall for them to take and wash. The restroom was clean and the dining area adequate. The "self-serve" style was good not only for a post-COVID world, but also because through the limited interaction with the staff given their set up and observing how they treated others as well as us, the impression given was that their staff is rude if not racist and consequently should limit their interaction with customers if they cannot improve their attitude. Overall, given the poor attitude of the staff and that the curry is the main thing you are going for here, we would be unlikely to go back. However, if you have never tried their unique curry recipe, then it is worth a try.
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Kim M.

Yelp
I don't care for Japanese Curry, but this one tasted great! I picked the hamburger plate because the curry sauce was served separately but I'm going to get a regular curry plate next time! The hamburger steak was super soft and tasty, and the Demi-glaze was sweet and tart. Loved the dressing on the salad! The Kara-age was great, even better dipped into the curry sauce. The only thing I didn't like was the macaroni salad, but I just don't like any macaroni salad. Will come here again!
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Austin H.

Yelp
Saw that a new curry place opened up and was excited to give it a try. My friend and I got the Chicken Karaage, Katsu Curry, and an Apple Ringo. The chicken Karaage was a miss for me unfortunately. For $8, there were fairly few pieces of meat, exceptionally dry, and the lemon zest they added overpowered the entire dish. Would probably avoid until they improve it. The Katsu curry at least was quite good. The curry was quite rich with sweet undertones. I would say it's closer to gravy but still went well with the dish. The Katsu pieces were slightly over cooked and tough, which made the eating experience not too pleasant. This place has lots of potential and given that they're new, I'm sure they will improve over time. Looking forward to coming back in the future and giving it another try.
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Mac B.

Yelp
It's overpriced, the service is slow and there are barely pescatarian options let alone vegetarian options.
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Aniko N.

Yelp
I was really looking forward to trying this new curry house. Unfortunately, the food is not good. The sauce is too chalky and sweet. Beside that, What kind of restaurant that would serve warm food to you?
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Erin Y.

Yelp
This new Japanese curry place is a great option for a quick and filling meal! I ordered the pork katsu curry plate spicy, which comes with rice and a tomato salsa side. I prefer curry that traditionally comes with pickled radish on the side, which would be my only complaint. The salsa didn't do much for me. That being said, the katsu was super crispy and the sauce was a nice texture and had a good level of spice. You can also get a $1 such as a cup of lemonade, which is a great deal and really refreshing. You order on a kiosk and the food comes out quick and there's a pretty good number of seats inside as well :)
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Katy T.

Yelp
Champions curry was good and simple, but apart from a thicker consistency it tastes really similar to the Japanese curry blocks and packets the KP Asian Market sells. The katsu was fresh and crunchy though, and the rice has good texture. Everything is self serve. Just for the price point I wish there had been more added in the curry.

Sara R.

Yelp
I always walk past this place and think of how heavenly it smells. It's also really cute inside and very clean, but I wondered if the food would be merely mediocre. To my surprise, it was pretty good comfort food in every single way! I love the spicy curry most of all and that it's not a greasy dish in any sense. Definitely going back.
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Victor H.

Yelp
New place in downtown Berkeley! Portion size is good and service was quick. Katsu breading was good and wasn't too dry. Curry was savory and not too salty. WARNING: if you don't like spicy DONT get the spicy. Spicy really hits you. Decent amount of seating and really clean.
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Alben B.

Yelp
I had a great experience trying this newly opened Japanese curry restaurant in Berkeley. I ordered food for to go. I had pork katsu curry. The curry sauce definitely tastes legit (not out of the box/instant Japanese curry). Pork katsu is also great, perfectly crunchy and juicy with the right amount of fat. The food is packed well with the curry sauce separate from the katsu and rice. You can choose whether to get regular or spicy curry. I ordered spicy and I find it really spicy. Hopefully there could be different spice levels (or midway between regular and spicy). In terms of service, the lady who handed me my food was seemingly nice and smiled at me. Finally, in terms of ambiance, it has a little "US diner" vibe maybe because of the color of the logo (yellow and red) but it has a high ceiling and has a giant "window". I'll definitely come back for my Japanese curry fix and will try other proteins to go with the curry and rice.
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Paul L.

Yelp
Best curry hands down. Just visited Japan and Asia and this is still my favorite place.