Iyasare

Great service and nice ambience. Food was pretty good! Very fresh, but perhaps could use some more attention to detail. Wasabi was not hand ground. Soy sauce was rather generic. Tempura was over-fried. Scallops were also a bit over done. Wagyu skewers were perfect though! Quality of sashimi was also very good. Overall not a bad choice for Japanese in this area.

The vegetable tempura was inedible. The waitress suggested it. Maybe because it was a to go order. First time I’ve been this disappointed. Whatever oil they used seemed off and/or left in too long. Soggy. It was over salty and could barely see a veggie. Mostly batter. 🙁. This tempura looks nothing like the picture on website which is filled with of veggies! Hoping for a better meal next time to go or it in restaurant.

Everything we’ve tried has been excellent high quality, full of flavor, and beautifully presented. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend if you’re looking for great food in a pleasant setting.

Iyasare has been my gastronomical 'happy place' on Fourth Street in Berkeley for years now. The staff embody authentic hospitality from the moment you arrive. When it comes to consummate customer service, elevated and artful Japanese food and specialty cocktails, Iyasare are at the top of their game!

Enjoy the food here! I’m not a big fan of Ramen, but the one I had was so good. The Empire was also very tasty. We asked them to add prawns in it. The server was very nice and the aura was calm. I believe it was Michelin star rated a few years ago.

I absolutely LOVE this place! It's a place I meet with my mother a few times a year as she also loves this place. The food has always been amazing. Some items do change but there are staple items that remain in the menu that I order each time I visit. It may sound simple but I do love these miso Cesar salad. I also love and have to get the Kakiage Tempura with black tiger shrimp. This is a must get item. Get it without the shrimp if you cannot eat shellfish, it is still amazing. It comes with togarashi, seaweed and match to flavor it up more if wanted. The poppo yaki is another item I always order. The marinated squid is tender and delicious! Another item I like that is very simple but tasty is the agadashi tofu. From there many other items get ordered. Ikura rolls, uni, and tuna belly. They offer different ramen bowls and each is flavorful and filling. The Suzuki yaki (sea bass) is very moist. My wife tends to get the donburi bowls which are beautifully out together and fresh seafood. I usually end the meal with an order of the unagi but the desert change and are also delicious. This is a must visit restaurant. It is pricey but the quality and service is worth it. The atmosphere is vibrant and ambiance is electric. They offer bar seating, indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations are needed.

A little pricey for what it was tbh. But the standout dish was the bacon wrapped mochi. Id go back for that. The sashimi was pretty good, and tempura super crispy. The vegan pavlova was not bad. The food is overall quite good.

Amazing Asian Restaurant in Berkeley I celebrated my birthday at this fantastic Asian restaurant in Berkeley, and it was an unforgettable experience. Of all the dishes we ordered, the shrimp kakiage tempura was my absolute favorite—perfectly crispy and packed with flavor! Every dish was incredibly flavorful, and the drinks were refreshing and tasted amazing. The atmosphere was lively and inviting, and the staff was friendly and attentive. A perfect spot for a special occasion or any day you’re craving exceptional food!

Celebrating a special milestone, we went to Iyasare without a reservation ~ we arrived at 5:00p during a weeknight around opening and grabbed an outdoor seat on such a beautiful evening. The vibes were high ~ the exterior had a beautiful scent and loved how tranquil and serene I felt while ordering a spicy marg (delicious!) I noticed there's a beautiful sake menu, wine, Japanese craft beers (and local brews), and mocktails. After seeing an episode of Check, Please! Bay Area on this spot, we had to order the widely popular and signature starter dish, Iyasare kakiage tempura with the black tiger shrimp (lotsa yummy things in here including sweet potato, shiitake, onion, and more). See pics for visual! The texture, flavors, and the bonito soy broth for dipping is quite delicious..I could eat this and be good-to-go, but we wanted to try a few more things from the menu. The dishes are very shareable, so we tried the Chashu miso ramen and the Kara-age Curry Don. The ramen broth was so comforting, same with the curry. I enjoyed the chicken being more nugget-like than strips, made for a fun plate. Such great portion sizes ~ we were on a special outing so we were prepared to pay a bit more for the experience and value. Would love to come back for a date night and try a few sushi rolls, the Bacon Mochi, Little Gem Miso Caesar, and sip Japanese whiskey. Service was great and understanding to baby needs, and metered parking available/lots around 4th street available although usually have to do a few laps unless you get lucky!

Food was great. The pieces of nigiri we ordered and my hamachi don were fresh and delicious. Agedashi tofu and tempura were good as well. Can't say service was spectacular. Also, definitely not a kid friendly place. Staff weren't very receptive to kids and were not very attentive to our table. Maybe better for a group of adults or date night? I know every place doesn't have to be kid friendly, but it was hard to get a sense of good service when they weren't so found on having kids present.

A good-enough (but definitely somewhat disappointing, given its reputation) meal that I overheard someone describing as "Japanese food for white people." I'd describe it more as a buffet restaurant with better ingredients, and there's too much variety - ramen, sushi, sashimi, salads - to really stick the landing. Everything is fresh, but there's little soul to the meal. The best way to highlight what felt frustrating is the Ocean Umami dish. It's high-end ingredients, uni on top of scallops, with salmon roe and a shiso leaf. But that shiso leaf overpowers everything. The uni is delicious on its own, but I could barely taste it. The roe is great, but it falls off the plate. And the scallops are fresh - even though it's the full scallop... not everyone's a fan. And to top it off, the restaurant is aware that most people come in groups of two or four. So why are there three pieces? Why not two, or four?

Iyasare has been my gastronomical 'happy place' on Fourth Street in Berkeley for years now. The warm and welcoming staff embody authentic hospitality from the moment you arrive. When it comes to consummate customer service, elevated and artful Japanese food and specialty cocktails, Iyasare is at the top of their game!

This place is really good. It is a little higher end but the quality of the food is outstanding. The pork miso ramen was very flavorful and the portion of char sui. It was too much for me. The waitstaff were very polite and the service was prompt. The decor is inviting and minimalist. The only problem is the parking in this area is kind of challenging.

A Japanese restaurant with vibrant and variety menu items from ramen, sushi, sashimi, to Japanese salads, and veggie options. Food is fresh and delicious. Location is great for hangouts and shopping. Service might be a bit slow but responsive. Indoor and outdoor patio seating. Good for kids, seniors, meetup and couples. There are free parking and paid street parking available but still may be difficult depending on timing.

This place was amazing! Had a Berkeley date with my best friend and we wanted Ramen! This place had an upscale atmosphere but the staff were extremely kind and helpful! The service was fast and the food was incredible. The ramen was so tasty and the sushi roll was very fresh. There was street parking available with meters. Perfect food for rainy days. I definitely want to go back to try some other items from menu.

great food, bad service. one of the few good quality japanese places i've found near berkeley, and it has a formal ambiance. everything was going well at first, and we were excited to dine until the employees lowkey pressured us to leave. i want to make it clear we spent less than an hour in the restaurant, we had a reservation, and there were many table available and not many people waiting outside either. i was okay with them continuously asking us if we were still working on our meals, but i drew the line at my friend overhearing the server say to another something along the lines that they were waiting for us to leave. for a meal over $50 per person, im disappointed at the treatment. bacon mochi - chewy like mochi and not much flavor. it sounds like what it is. geisha roll - your average tempura roll with good quality ingredients kara-age curry don - the chicken is super crispy, and there's a bit of potatoes and onions in the curry! the food is good but nothing to rave over. i don't think it's worth the treatment from the employees sake & ikura don , poke

I've been to IYASARE twice and have always been thoroughly impressed with the food, service, and ambiance! Our server, Andy, was exceptional at his job. Just looking at the menu alone everything sounded appetizing and very unique. Our party was pretty open to trying anything and everything so we asked Andy to surprise us with our menu items alongside a few for sure items that we wanted. He made sure to ask if we had any allergens or dietary restrictions before selecting the items for us. Every single dish was phenomenal and so flavorful. Our food included spicy edamame, tori kara-age appetizer, bacon mochi, Iyasare kakiage tempura, geisha roll, chef's omakase, and kara-age curry don. Although everything was spectacular, my favorites were definitely the Iyasare kakiage tempura, the chef's omakase, and the bacon mochi. The Iyasare kakiage tempura is a thick seafood pancake that comes with a nice bonito soy broth for dipping as well as matcha powder, green sea salt powder, and togarashi. I might be wrong with the powders but they had a nice additional flavor to the tempura. It's fried to perfection and you can taste the quality of ingredients. They were definitely generous with the Black Tiger shrimp pieces. The first time I had the bacon mochi, I personally thought it was just alright but when I had it for the second time today, I loved it. The mochi was fried at the perfect consistency with soft texture and crispy skin. It didn't get stuck in my teeth this time. The bacon added a little saltiness to the mochi which really balances out the taste. The chef's omakase was amazing as well. Each sashim piece was very fresh and delicious in its own without the need for soy sauce/wasabi. Andy took the time to explain all the fish and seafood on the plate which we appreciated. The snowcrab and the toro tuna hand roll were amongst my favorites from the plate. We ended the night with their cheesecake with blueberry compote. It was amazing as i remembered from last visit. The cheesecake is super light and not dense at all. It's very creamy and the graham cracker crust was delicious. I know their dessert is seasonal as well but you can never go wrong with any of their cheesecakes. Highly highly recommend checking out Iyasare! Thank you Iyasare and Andy for serving us!

Best Duck Ramen in the World We came for our 20th Anniversary , we keep coming back for it when is in season

A lovely Japanese restaurant located in the upscale neighborhood of Berkeley. Service here is always phenomenal from all of the staff; hosts, bartenders, and servers. I love that the staff have such a depth of knowledge of the menu. The menu occasionally changes introducing new and seasonal items. I always ask for a recommendation and the servers are always on point about what they think I would like in terms of food and drinks. I highly recommend coming here for your next date night.

We've eaten here twice a few years ago and completely forgot about this gem until I ran out of ideas on where to go for my bday. It was a last minute decision to come here for my bday dinner, but boy, their menu has changed quite a bit. The menu is more expansive which is great! We were able to try a variety of dishes. We ordered a dragon roll, aji nigiri, agedashi tofu, Suzuki yaki, and the tiger prawn kakiage tempura. Everything tastes fresh and amazing, except for the Suzuki dish - maybe I'm just not a fan of sea bass? I felt it was kinda too undercooked for my liking, but my hubby said it was cooked perfectly. The seasonal veggies were green beans, squash and zucchini which were a bit underwhelming. Now the other dishes - wow! Dragon roll was nicely made - the shrimp tempura was still warm! Yes, a bit on the smaller side, but I'd rather have a good quality sushi roll than a big crappy tasting roll. The agedashi tofu had lightly fried eggplant, fried shiso leaf, seaweed, bonito flakes and lotus root in a slightly salty broth - I loved it. Tofu was so soft and light, but the eggplant was the star of the entire dish. I'd definitely order it again! Finally, the kakiage tempura with prawns, we ordered it because I had a good view of the kitchen and saw this dish go out over and over again. Plus, we kept getting a whiff of it when the servers walked by with it. We actually had it before a few years back, but couldn't remember if we liked it or not. But thank goodness we got it cuz I really enjoyed it. It came out hot and prawns weren't over cooked. I really appreciate that every dish came out hot. They really have a great kitchen team and servers. Everything was coordinated to ensure prepared food that was ready to serve would be immediately served. That's how great restaurants operate! Last thing to note: the entire meal came out to $156 including tax and tip. Pretty pricey, so it's one of those places that you come to if you can afford it or have a celebration.

I absolutely LOVE this place! It's a place I meet with my mother a few times a year as she also loves this place. The food has always been amazing. Some items do change but there are staple items that remain in the menu that I order each time I visit. It may sound simple but I do love these miso Cesar salad. I also love and have to get the Kakiage Tempura with black tiger shrimp. This is a must get item. Get it without the shrimp if you cannot eat shellfish, it is still amazing. It comes with togarashi, seaweed and match to flavor it up more if wanted. The poppo yaki is another item I always order. The marinated squid is tender and delicious! Another item I like that is very simple but tasty is the agadashi tofu. From there many other items get ordered. Ikura rolls, uni, and tuna belly. They offer different ramen bowls and each is flavorful and filling. The Suzuki yaki (sea bass) is very moist. My wife tends to get the donburi bowls which are beautifully out together and fresh seafood. I usually end the meal with an order of the unagi but the desert change and are also delicious. This is a must visit restaurant. It is pricey but the quality and service is worth it. The atmosphere is vibrant and ambiance is electric. They offer bar seating, indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations are needed.

Excellent food with top quality ingredients. The service was great (refilled my tea pot many times). Love the 4th street vibe.

I don't understand the point of having a hostess who doesn't know how to host and is blatantly rude for no good reason other than a power trip. We made reservations for 2 for dinner at 5:30 on a weekday night and were seated in an awkward table right in the middle between the bar and another booth. I asked the hostess if we could switch to another 2 seater table with a booth seat. She explained there were other people who had made reservations, apparently our reservations didn't make the cut for the booth seat. We asked her if we could pull together two seats at the bar and at this point she's yelling and proceeds to blatantly lie to me and say we can't because she can't risk people tripping when I have seen people sitting there before. Food was mediocre as was the service, should have went to Zut next door instead.

On Valentine's Day, I had one of the worst meals I have experienced in recent history from a restaurant I have been to multiple times. I used to count on Iyasare for great, elevated Japanese comfort food. Being Japanese and a foodie, I didn't mind paying the price for a really nice meal. On Friday the 14th, I don't know what happened but it seemed as though the place really fell apart. (I had had lunch there just last month, and it was fine). Service was moderately slow, but once we placed our drink and dinner order (all at the same time), the drinks came out and one was entirely wrong. We had ordered an Old Fashioned made with Hibiki whiskey and they brought a highball. Okay, no worries. That happens. Next, the apps came out, and they were great. Sashimi trio and Kakiage Tempura. Delicious! Also, we had immediately ordered a pot of hot green tea, which they refreshed automatically, so that is a plus for service. It's when the entrees came out that we had a problem. My partner had ordered the Suzuki Yaki (sea bass marinated in sake-miso) and I ordered the Sake (salmon) yaki. Rice doesn't come with the dishes so you have to order it on the side. First, they brought the sea bass and an order of Ramen. They dropped the sea bass (no rice) and briefly apologized for the mix-up and disappeared. While my partner looked at her rapidly cooling meal (the heated patio was not at all warm), I encouraged her to eat. The bass came as a giant cube of fish, skin on, probably 2"x2". When she started to use her chopsticks to break it apart to get a bite, it became clear that the center was not cooked at all! So we flag down a server, and they take the dish away. Meanwhile, my piping hot salmon arrives, along with rice for both of us. Of course, the hot rice also starts rapidly cooling, and since at this point, my partner has no dinner, there was little point is having the rice cooling in front of her. Midway through my meal, her entree arrived. This time, the bass was cut into two pieces, and easily flaked apart. But now the rice was cold. And she had to ask for another bowl. Honestly, I am not sure what the issue was, in the kitchen, or in staffing. But I will say that there were multiple servers that brought us things, but not one expressed any concern or regret about how messed up the service and meal was for us. The food was okay. The drinks were okay. But for that price (Over $200 before tax and tip) it was abysmal. I don't think I will be back anytime soon.

3 people in our party got food poisoning, and the staff brushed us off when we called and completely ignored our emails to kindly let them know. We also discovered the "complimentary hot sake" for our birthday girl was added to the bill. For a $635 dinner, we were expecting more professional service and at least a response. Life is too short to eat at places like this.

Went to Berkeley Fourth Street to pick up some items and decided to pop in for an early dinner. We don't have any reservations but there was room at the bar and we got a table pretty easily. The service was incredible. Water was refilled frequently and the staff was incredibly attentive. We got a ramen, two rolls, a scallop & uni appetizer (this was divine!) and cocktails as well. Everything tasted delicious and the presentation was also beautiful. Great spot for an intimate date or a fun night out with friends!

I came here for part two of my birthday celebration. I've always wanted to come here every since I found out about their bacon mochi because it was gluten-free and I heard it was amazing. Turns out that this is no longer the case and that their teriyaki sauce does have gluten in it. We were fortunate enough to stand in line and actually get a seat at a community table. This space inside is much bigger than I thought it was. And even though I was hoping to get a table outside, I'm glad that I didn't because it became very cold and I would've been very uncomfortable. The community is a cute one and I'm glad we got to sit there. I told the waitress that I was celebrating my birthday and that's how I got my birthday champagne and I appreciated that. It was very good. She was very good at helping me navigate them menu because I have the allergies of shellfish and wheat. I did choose the grilled dish and it worked out just fine. I actually like my dish better than my husband and his was good. It was hard to eat with the chopsticks, however, that's not an issue with the food or the quality. It was very good. The people there are very very very nice , and they were very attentive. Everyone from the person who filled our water glasses, to the person who brought me my champagne, to the person who took our order, and the person who served us, etc. everyone was absolutely wonderful, and I appreciate that! I really felt felt taken care of when my food arrived and the waitress took my food and took it back to the cook to explain to him that I could not have the teriyaki sauce. I really appreciate it that attention to detail. I wanted to order dessert but the gluten-free dessert they had had banana in it and I hate bananas. Otherwise, I would've ordered something. I know I'll be back and feel very good about this because I now know what to expect when I go in.

We had an amazing Valentine's Day celebration at Iyasare: delicious food, outstanding service and a cozy, but well organized kitchen! The kakiage tempura with black tiger shrimp and okonomiyaki pancakes are our favs--this time paired with Prosecco rose. Huge thanks to our server Shilla, bartender Ryan and the always gracious Inae,

A restaurant with a nice atmosphere but food is way overpriced for its portion size. We had reservations for a party of 3 on a Saturday evening. We got there 10 minutes before the dinner time opening and there was a long line of people waiting in the front. It's a popular place for people to dine in but likely because there are limited options available in this part of Berkeley. Parking: no designated lot but there is a public lot nearby with a good number of spots. The spaces are tight though so use at your own risk. The public lot offers 3 hours of free parking. Decor: elegant and upscale with an open kitchen and open bar concept. There are seating indoors and outdoors (in the patio area and on the street). If you are one of those who prefer outdoor dining, try to grab a spot in the patio area, it's pretty romantic. I would not recommend the seating area on the street. Imagine all the cars that drive past you and all the dust getting into your food. Food: portion size is small and cost is high. We left hungry but the bill was $200+ for 3 people. We ordered the Iyasare kakiage tempura with black tiger shrimp (highly recommend and the only thing I think it's worth ordering at this spot), kani maki ($23 for 5 small pieces, don't order this!), okonomiyaki pancake (small and severely burnt, don't get this either), gindara (tasted average, I've had better), and the hamachi & ikura don (expensive and small portion size, you can't mess up on this since there's no cooking involved). For dessert, we shared the Japanese cheesecake with matcha crumble (very fluffy, light and matched well with the matcha crumble). Service: attentive, our waters were refilled once and if we needed something, staff is easily accessible and willing to help. 1 star for service, 1 star for ambiance and 1 star for the iyasare kakiage tempura with tiger shrimp.

My first time here was my birthday and it did not disappoint. We got seated right away, the service was friendly, and the unagi-don with the extra fresh uni was the best I've had in a while. I've been in the area for 5 years - why did it take me so long to try it? I won't wait until my next bday to return. BB

Been here twice. Had great food both times. Nice place for weekend brunch followed by some shopping. Prefer to sit outside, because it's loud and dark inside. My only complaint is that their plating is sometimes more aesthetically oriented than food oriented. Case in point, our tempura was plated inside a pool of dashi, which meant it was soggy by the time it arrived. This ruined an otherwise outstanding dish. I explained this to waitress whose response was OK I'll let the kitchen know with no follow up.

Came here yesterday with a couple friends and will absolutely be back. The gin cocktail I had was delicious, the fish was incredibly fresh, and the dessert made me moan aloud. Swanky, date-night-like interior! Service was also great and timely, we were never waiting for anything!

Iyasare is one of my favorite go to restaurants!!! Not only is the food exceptional but the service as well. Kayla one of the hostesses there was very accommodating and understanding when I had to cancel my reservation for 5 the day of dinner. The food as well as the service and ambience should always work in tandem!!! Thank you again Kayla!!!! Susan K

We were excited to try this Michelin recommended Japanese restaurant, located in west Berkeley in the main shopping strip. Street parking and a large paid lot is nearby. Service was ok but I expected more for the price point. Food was disappointing the dishes are mostly traditional with not much inspiration to call it contemporary. Sashimi salad - 4/5 lighter alternative to chirashidon, but fish was average Asparagus & matsutake mushroom tempura - 1/5 the tempura was OK but I'm really rating the service because they had ran out of asparagus and did not tell us when we ordered. They served us only mushrooms and I had to ask our server what happened, they said they gave us extra mushrooms instead. I would've appreciated if they told us before serving so that we could decide to order something else. Sendai hot chicken - 4/5 we asked for the sauce on the side because it's super spicy, chicken was ok moist but could be crispier. I liked alternating between the soy sauce and the mustard. Teppanyaki - 2/5 most disappointed with this dish, we asked for medium rare and it looked raw in the middle and almost burnt outside. It's served on a sizzling plate but the rice and onions didn't get charred enough. Overall service was below average and food was not up to the standard we were expecting. The area is nice though so we were able to walk around and shop after lunch.

We had the honor of dining at Iyasare for date night after hearing so many good reviews from friends and family. This place lives up to the hype! Their ramen was amazing.. super rich broth, tender chasu, and fresh veggies. The portion size of the fish in the Ikura Don was definitely on the smaller side.. I left feeling slightly hungry still which is a little disappointing knowing how much we paid. However, at the end, it didn't really matter to me because our overall dining experience was divine. We had the pleasure of having Jackie as our server! She was helpful, knowledgeable, and just an overall an amazing human being! So glad we got to chat with her at the end of our meal. Be prepared to spend some $$$

Second time at Iyasare. First time was spectacular. We had a reservation for early Sunday night and were seated right away. Ordered the grilled squid I already had last time. Equally delicious this time ! My wife got the sake don, which was also really good. Salmon tasted great. Seaweed salad was ok. Letdown was the cheesecake desert which wasn't properly thawed or at least it was still half frozen especially the lower part. Next time I'll get the tempura again which was probably best item from the first time.

Booked this spot for my parents' 25th anniversary, and they liked it so much, they invited me to go again for my dad's birthday. This modern Japanese izakaya is a great spot for celebrations or date night -- small, but intimate and calm. For their anni, I coordinated with the restaurant to save a table and add small decor, when I went to arrange it beforehand, they even offered free champagne! The best: Bacon mochi, chicken karaage (my dad swears it's the closest to what we had in Japan) Worth ordering: Agadashi tofu, rolls (any of them are really good and taste fresh) It's a great spot for sharing plates, so come hungry!

Came here on a weekday and got seated in a few minutes. The bowl of ramen we ordered was pretty decent, nothing too special. The highlight of the meal was definitely the lyasare kakiage tempura. The crunchy texture with a subtle salty flavor is so addicting, I recommend!

Food: Variable. A mix of flavors, some of which are truly exceptional.  - Ramen: it was fine and served its purpose. (First order, last year) - Crab Roll: it was served warm and didn't meet my expectations. The warm temperature affected the texture and taste, making it difficult to enjoy. I gaged and regurgitated all of it. This was alarming and unpleasant. (Ordered last year and refunded by diff manager) - Kara-age Chicken was exceptional! The flavors were terrific, and the chicken was deliciously tender. (ordered to go -today) - Veggie Rolls: disappointingly small portion size for the price. Additionally, the take-out tax, tip, and overall prices made the experience not worth it for me. (ordered to go - today) Service: - Attentive, in general, especially from the host. Mandatory tip: - BEWARE OF THIS PRICE GOUGING AND "TAKE OUT GRATUITY" WHEN THERE IS NO SUCH "TAX" FOR DINING IN. Ambiance: - Airy and pleasant, with indoor and outdoor seating options.

Top notch Japanese cuisine. It's always crowded here. It's challenging to get a reservation. Great place for lunch or dinner if you're shopping on 4th Street in Berkeley. The staff are very friendly. Sushi is very fresh and delicious. One of my fav dishes is the Iyasare kakiage tempura with burdock root, onion, sweet potato, shiitake, shungiku, and tiger prawns. It was very nice and crunchy. Also ordered the agedashi tofu & nasu fried silken tofu, Japanese eggplant, ginger-daikon. It was very good. The sushi roll we ordered was a hamachi roll. Delicious.

I try to come here every time I'm on 4th street! I haven't had a single thing there that I didn't absolutely love. The tempura??? Nothing like I've ever had. The miso soup is incredibly flavorful and the agedashi tofu is one of my favorites. I rarely order rolls because the tempura is so filling but I refuse to not order the tempura!! there's an extensive drink menu and the place is small with a very chill vibe. I prefer the outdoor seating when the weather is nice because there's nothing better than a drink, fire food, and Berkeley people watching!

Sunday 2023/10/08 19:00 upscale Japanese restaurant with a mix of contemporary and traditional - everything was a little overpriced - service was casual and friendly - we were celebrating a birthday, and they gave us a mocktail on the house uni nigiri ($24.00): 2 pieces - especially for the price, it was not very good uni, as it had a slightly fishy flavor instead of being fresh and sweet bacon mochi ($18.50): grilled bacon-wrapped and teriyaki-glazed mochi in toasted seaweed, topped with furikake and served with seaweed salad and pickled ginger - this was very yummy - mochi was very chewy but had a crispy outside with the bacon Iyasare kakiage tempura with black tiger shrimp ($23.50 + $6.00): fried mixed shredded vegetables and shrimp served with dashi and a variety of salts - loved the matcha salt and dashi for dipping the tempura (although the latter made it soggy) - there was a variety of flavors and textures from the shrimp and vegetables (burdock root, onion, sweet potato, shiitake, enoki, carrot, shungiku) - fried super crispy and not too oily - highly recommend! sake yaki ($29.50): grilled salmon served with vegetables, spicy miso, pickled ginger, lemon, and seaweed salad - this was just okay - salmon was a little bland but very tender - vegetables included bok choy, cauliflower, and king oyster mushrooms and were cooked well; they were tossed in a tasty miso sauce

Celebrated our anniversary here tonight. Their special Ocean UmamiHokkaido scallops, ikura caviar, uni, nori puree, ume, shiso were so good - like a party in your mouth. Kids had the Sendai ramen and enjoyed it. My husband had the chirashi. My Hamachi Ikura don was good but I felt that the cuts of fish were the thinnest I've ever had at Iyasare to date. My husband gave me his hamachi from the chirashi and it was definitely thicker than the slices on my bowl. That's my sole feedback area - to make sure their cuts are uniform for the bowls. The Brussel sprouts are addictive and I have to ask how they are cooked. The seasoning is so umami and the sprouts are fresh. The desserts were delicious and I'm glad we ordered both. It's not a restaurant we usually visit with our kids but it is Spring Break and I'm grateful the staff were so accommodating and friendly.

I came for lunch with an old friend; it was my first time back to what used to be O Chamé. The interior was totally recognizable but has been upgraded in subtle ways. The level of service had risen as well--I did feel that I was being hosted by a high-end restaurant, which wasn't completely the case in the days of O Chamé. The menus that we were handed suggested a very pricey lunch. However, when our server came to take our orders, she mentioned that there was a luncheon special: a bento box whose description made it sound like a solid sampler of what the house could do. The bento came with a bowl of miso and included a salad (which was one of the elements in the box). I immediately decided to select the bento, and my companion followed suit. I regret not taking a photo of what we were served, and I didn't take notes either. I do remember a delicious sampler of sashimi. There was some karaage as well. Everything was straight up super delicious. People had been telling me for a very long time that Iyasare is one of the best restaurants in Berkeley. Skeptical at first, I'm now a believer. Was the bento a good value? I suspect so, but I never saw the price because my dining companion insisted on picking up the check! I'd love to come back.

Our daughter made reservations for us here to celebrate our 25th anniversary. The restaurant was very accommodating. We were immediately seated as we arrived. The restaurant had a good trendy vibe. The wait staff was very attentive. We ordered the following: Chicken Karage 5/5: this was the first time I had Karage that brought me back to the Karage I tasted in Tokyo, Japan. I have been searching since 2016. The only place that came close to the flavor was at Sushi Kashiba in Seattle. I found it here. Bacon Mochi 5/5: my wife wanted to try this as she read a lot of people raving about it. The soft texture of the mochi with the caramelized bacon wrapped in a crisp nori skin was wonderful in texture but also flavor. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Herb Oil Poached Black Cod 5/5: my wife ordered this. The fish was cooked perfectly with a great sear. The herbs consisted of mushrooms, and ikura among other ingredients. The depth of flavor was very good. Nigiri - scallops, albacore tuna, salmon and toro 5/5: the fish was excellent. It was fresh and cut perfectly. Cheesecake 4/5: we wanted to order the chocolate devils cake, but they were sold out. We then opted for the only other dessert, which was the cheesecake. I normally don't care for Japanese cheesecake, as it is too light. I normally enjoy heavier cheesecakes. This one was heavier than Japanese cheesecakes with a nice graham cracker crust. We enjoyed this as well. Overall, I was very surprised how the dishes we ordered made us feel like we were in Tokyo again with a California trendy vibe. The only difference was the prices, but I would definitely return again to try other items in the menu.

Iyasare was the epitome of over promising and under delivering. When faced with the menu I was overwhelmed by the options that sounded amazing. I settled on the Genki Salad which listed sweet potatoes and edamame, which were in short supply in tiny undercooked quantities. Moreover, the dressing was nonexistent leaving it a flavorless pile of greens and radishes. When I sent it back (which I am loathe to do, but it was justified), the server suggested the Caesar as a flavorful replacement. Nothing could have been further from the truth. You'd find a more satisfying Caesar at an Olive Garden. Iyasare looked incredible but both salads were bush league and left me wanting in every way. Plus our server was brusque and extended no sympathy for the extremely subpar meal. Two pluses: they took the first salad off the bill without my asking and they are close to a Whole Foods where I got a supplementary meal to fill me up with sweet potatoes that are actually cooked and detectable. Don't let the charming exterior fool you.

Hubbers suggested this place for my birthday lunch. So what's a girl do? Check out their menu, of course, OF COURSE! I found a few interesting plates, but my initial overall impression was... meh. BUT! I'm not one to judge without giving it a try (plus it's been awhile since I last came through this part of Berkeley) so, might as well make a day of it. Made reservations (requested patio seating because we planned on taking the pup with us) and mentioned we were celebrating a birthday. We arrived 15 minutes earlier to allocate extra time to find parking. Still wr barely made it to our reservation time - but don't fret, they will hold your spot for 15 minutes. We were welcomed and seated immediately, pup in tow. Our server acknowledged we were celebrating a birthday, so she offered a glass of champagne. (I welcomed it immediately, of course!) Hubbers put in his cocktail order and we both immediately got to studying the menu. We got it down quickly, though... JAPANESE SEA SALT EDAMAME: Hubbers ordered it spicy, but there was barely any heat at all. They were very tasty, though! Off to a good start! OCEAN UMAMI SALAD: What a pretty dish! It's too bad there were only three bites. But each bite contained explosions of flavor! The freshness of uni, scallops, roe plus the nori purée. I took my time with the bite I got, this is one excellent combination! I wish we got more than three bites, though... SPIDER ROLL: It's a two-in-one for me. I love fried soft shell crabs and wanted a roll at the same time, so this was a perfect choice. Cut in 5 pieces. The rolls are slightly bigger than what I'm used to. The veggies added refreshing taste and texture. Delish. IYASARE KAKIAGE TEMPURA (w/ black tiger shrimp): my fellow Yelpers were raving about this (shrimp is a must have) and it didn't disappoint. I mean, who doesn't like anything fried, and the shrimp as definitely a good idea. Each bite was crispy, crunchy, seasoned well. Didn't even really need the bonito broth/dip. Plenty to share with three or four people. GINDARA: My choice for main. I chose this because I love grilled black cod. I also thought the enoki was a bonus! I was excited to see its final plating but ended up being disappointed when it was delivered: why did it come in broth?! I even had to double check the menu to make sure it was under the"Grill & Sauté" section and I assumed the "gravy" (not sure why it was in quotes) part of it was something on the side. Needless to say, I felt a bit misled. I took a bite of the fish which was good! That part was done right. Then it went downhill from there: the enoki mushrooms were plain, the broth was bland, the roe (as much as I love it) was barely a saving grace. I ordered a side of rice to go with it, but that, too, was a waste. There was way too much going on that the cod just ended up being neglected rather than being the centerpiece of the plate. They completely missed the mark on this. Had they sautéed and seasoned the mushrooms, use it as a bottom layer, top the fish and roe with the micro greens... might have been way better than what I got. I very barely enjoyed this dish, if at all. SAKE & IKURA DON: Hubbers main. Now THIS, is a dish. It tastes better than it looked and it looked really good. He was nice enough to share a few bites, and if I liked it, so did he. Maybe even more than I did. FOOD: 3. 1 for my main dish, 5 for the rest. SERVICE: 5. Our server was fire! VALUE: 2. Pricey. But given location wise... still don't feel like it was worth it. PARKING: Street and public parking lots. Always an issue in these parts. Plan ahead! OVERALL: 3.25. It was a nice setting on a nice day. Good run, but not great. An okay stop overall, mediocre at best. Would I return? That'll depend on a lot of factors, but the biggest challenge here is that I don't live anywhere near here, plus there are plenty of other eats nearby I would much prefer to try first, so... we'll see.

My husband and I had dinner at Iyasare the Thursday before Christmas. This restaurant is located conveniently on 4th St. in Berkeley. When we checked online, it looked like the restaurant closed at 8 pm, so we tried to call to confirm. No one picked up and there was no way to leave a message. Even though it was just after 7:30 when we arrived, we figured we'd try to get a table. They asked if we had a reservation, and while we didn't, and while it was close to what I presumed to be their closing time, they figured out a way to accommodate us. Turns out their last seating happens at 8 pm? We were initially seated at the lower bar, but as soon as a spot opened up, we were able to move up to the higher bar. There is outdoor (some with heat lamps) and indoor seating. It was pretty busy. We had some food options in mind, but when we asked our bartender and server, we made some changes. We stuck to the Big 3 Sashimi dish we wanted to start off with from the Osusume menu (2 pieces each of sake, maguro, and hamachi). Omg, hands down, favorite dish because it was SO fresh and flavorful. Melt-in-your-mouth goodness! The unagi and ikura nigiri were great! We were planning to order the Japanese Katsu curry and steak dish, but ended up ordering the Iyasare Kakiage Tempura which was uniquely different from any tempura I've ever had before. Instead of the heavy-handed soggy batter, this was packed with different vegetables and prawns in a lighter, crispier dish. This came highly recommended both by our server and the bartender. There were six pieces. We got through four and the last two pieces were just as delicious the next day for leftovers. The sauce and three seasonings were divine and just made the dish extra special. The okonomiyaki pancake (and I can't believe I'm saying this) just felt like it had... too much going on. The wildly different flavors just didn't mesh for me. The spider roll... was okay. Not bad, just nothing special or particularly delicious. Drinks were good. The prices, generally, were high. The tempura was $30! The kirin was $14! Overall, we really loved the ambiance and most of the food was really, really good. We definitely want to come back and try other dishes.

This area is relatively newer and has many new, popular restaurants that always have a full house even if it's a Tuesday Lunch time, so get your reservations They have great sushi's, entrees and some interesting flavors. This place offers a wide variety on their menu but each item is flavorful so you won't regret dining here. And their spiciest sushi roll is the best ever roll!!

Really nice patio here! The drinks and food all looked so good that we basically just ordered what we saw going out to other tables. The highlight was the Iyasare kakiage tempura, which was a very generous portion.

Great sushi in North Berkeley area. - Burdock fritter is a must try. Definitely add the shrimps. They added to the texture of the dish. - Chirashi bowl: very fresh. It's huge too. - Vegetable curry: decent Japanese curry with a lot of veggies. I would come back to get the fritter again.

Excellent Japanese restaurant. Friendly service and fresh, delicious food. The outside seating area was lovely. I went on a weekday close to opening and was able to get a table without a reservation. We wanted something light to eat so settled on sharing sushi and a chicken salad. Both items were fantastic and I wish I had more time to try other items on the menu. Nice presentation and exceeded my expectations. I would recommend this restaurant for a nice occasion or date. I'm a fan and will return again.

We had been meaning to visit Iyasare for years and finally made a day trip to Berkeley to go for lunch. We both decided to splurge and get the chirashi. Yes, $51 seems a bit steep for chirashi, even for an upper scale restaurant, but this is what was included - 3 toro, 3 sake, 3 hamachi, 1 large piece of unagi, 2 shrimp, 2 scallops, 2 fresh pieces of crab, ikura (salmon roe), tobiko, seaweed salad, and sushi rice. So once the bowls came to us, we immediately thought $51 was actually a fair price. Everything in that bowl was fresh and delicious!!! We also ordered additional items to-go to eat for dinner at home - kakiage tempura, okonomiyaki and karaage curry. The okonomiyaki is not Osaka-worthy, but still really good and well done. The karaage chicken was flavorful and curry had a perfect balance of sweet and spice. Most surprisingly, the kakiage was insane... Probably the best appetizer on their menu!! In the end, I'm convinced everything there is great, not to mention the service and ambiance was also wonderful.

Love love this place! Ambience, service quality of food. Everything here is exceptional. I would recommend reservations . The mushroom asparagus tempura is by far one of our favorite appetizers . And the habanero sauce on top of the sushi roll - love

When you're greeted by 3 friendly staff upon entry with a warm welcome and with no reservations to boot--well, you know you're in for a great experience. The outdoor dining was lovely and the food beautifully plated. We had 3 rolls--spider, Kazan and I forget the third--likely because it was a bit forgettable. The karaage chicken came out hot and crispy with a little mound of different seasonings and a side of arugula salad and teriyaki and mustard sauces. The bees knees cocktail was sweet and strong and perfect. Somewhat steep prices but worth it.

This place was SO GOOD. The service was great and he gave great recommendations. Came here around lunch time on a Thursday and it was so nice inside and outside. Love how it's decorated and the restaurant was very modern. We ordered the spicy chicken and BEWARE it is beyond spicy. Like I was crying and my friend even started trying to wipe the sauce off. So definitely be careful and maybe order the non-spicy version if you can't handle spice. We also got a rice bowl with fresh fish which was so good and the fish was so buttery. We also got tea and rice which is one of my fave Japanese dishes. The sushi was great as well! Will definitely be coming here again because it was THAT GOOD.

My favorite restaurant in Fourth Street! Their tempura is so worth it to try if it's your first time here. Everything I've tried so far has been fresh and flavorful. BUT my favorite thing from the menu is their Genki Salad with yummy miso green goddess dressing. The salad is fresh, packs a punch, and filling! It's also great with a side of salmon and/or egg.