Kitchen Story Oakland

New American restaurant · Rockridge

Kitchen Story Oakland

New American restaurant · Rockridge

5

5422 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

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Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by Kitchen Story/Facebook
Kitchen Story Oakland by Noah Cho
Kitchen Story Oakland by Kitchen Story
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null
Kitchen Story Oakland by null

Highlights

Californian & Asian fusion with Millionaire's Bacon  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

5422 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618 Get directions

kitchenstoryca.com

$20–30 · Menu

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5422 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618 Get directions

+1 510 922 9443
kitchenstoryca.com

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 14, 2025

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@infatuation

The 8 Best Brunch Spots In Oakland

"Yes, the food at this Asian-leaning brunch spot is prime content for your social feed, but it's also punchy. Like the original SF outpost, decadent dishes are portioned for a herd of bison, and just really damn good. You’ll find deep-fried, mascarpone-filled french toast topped with rich honey butter, a face-sized galbi omurice covered in velvety demi-glace, and a spicy Bloody Mary garnished with a candied bacon slab and more vegetables than Alice Waters’s garden. For a place where the food goes maximalist, the dining room is demure—it looks like a breakfast nook with dark wood accents and checkerboard floors—and isn’t as loud or chaotic as its sister location. " - julia chen 1, lani conway

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/guides/best-brunch-oakland
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@eater

14 Standout Spots for Brunch in the East Bay

"This Rockridge restaurant serves brunch every day. The menu aims to offer something for everyone, from pancakes and Benedicts to morning fare with Korean and other international influences: omurice, morning tacos with kalbi, and Korean fried chicken and waffles." - Dianne de Guzman, Lauren Saria

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-brunch-oakland-berkeley-east-bay
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@eater

The Best Korean Restaurants in the East Bay - Eater SF

"While Kitchen Story leans far more into the “inspired” part of “Korean-inspired,” there are some interesting takes on Korean food here and it’s packaged to go quite well. Of particular interest is the Tornado Galbi Omurice, which is both visually and gustatorily stimulating. The demi on the egg is great and there are nice chunks of short rib embedded inside. If you’re craving a Korean-style brunch, their Korean Fried Chicken and Waffle Bites hit the spot between savory and sweet. Call in or order online, with delivery available via the third-party apps." - Noah Cho

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-korean-restaurants-oakland-east-bay
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@eater

A Random Reddit Guy Buys Drinks for SF Bar-Goers - Eater SF

"Castro-area restaurant Kitchen Story is opening a second location in Rockridge, SFist reports. The restaurant, which is known for its 'Millionaire’s Bacon' (that is, bacon covered in sugar and spices) is owned by Hoyul Steven Choi, who is also behind Sweet Maple, Blackwood, and Berkeley Social Club. SFist notes that the menu at the new Kitchen Story will have more of a Korean influence, including 'a dish inspired by the hit art-house film Parasite, called Jjapaguri, which combines Millionaire’s Bacon with two classic Korean instant noodles.' Expect the 5422 College Avenue spot to open in the next few weeks." - Eve Batey

https://sf.eater.com/2019/12/4/20995347/reddit-santa-kids-kitchen-story-postmates-cafe-x
View Postcard for Kitchen Story Oakland
@eater

Sir Francis Drake Hotel Bar the Starlight Room Has Closed for an Overhaul - Eater SF

"Kitchen Story, the Castro restaurant known for its line-generating brunch, is expanding to Oakland. The new chapter will arrive at 5422 College Avenue, the former home of a place called Duchess. The highlight of their brunch is inevitably a dish of thick-cut, nearly candied Millionaire’s Bacon." - Caleb Pershan

https://sf.eater.com/2019/9/18/20872293/harry-dentons-starlight-room-bar-closed-lizzie-starlight-sir-francis-drake-sf-reopening
View Postcard for Kitchen Story Oakland

Ra Sh

Google
Kitchen Story is a great spot for brunch, offering delicious food and generous portions. However, reservations can be hard to come by, and if you walk in, be prepared for a potentially long wait. The food quality is excellent, and the menu features a variety of tasty options to satisfy different cravings. The outdoor seating is a nice bonus, especially on a pleasant day, providing a relaxed dining experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it a perfect place to catch up with friends or enjoy a leisurely meal. Despite the wait, it’s definitely worth a visit for the fantastic food and vibe!

C W

Google
Awesome menu, great food and drinks. Bold favor and creative menu. One of a kind in this area. Nice interior and friendly staff. Interior is bright with upbeat decor. Parking is kinda hard to find so carpool or Uber here. Make reservation or be prepared to wait! Good value for food but it is on the pricy side. Around $30-40 per person for brunch

Cam W

Google
Solid brunch spot in a great location right on College Ave! I've been to this kitchen story location twice now and would happily come back again. The first time I came in, I had the chicken and waffles which was really great. This most recent time, I had the Big Hass Scramble which was pretty good, but I would say that I probably preferred the chicken and waffles. My girlfriend had the gogi bowl which I thought was decent, but I thought it could have used some spice (maybe some gochujang flavor?). Overall, this place is solid and I'll likely be back again soon.

Rodolfo Felix

Google
Kitchen Story is one of those places that keeps you coming back. Their food is the perfect mix of comfort and creativity. The Millionaire’s Bacon is simply spectacular—thick, crispy, and with just the right balance of sweet and savory. Their brunch never disappoints, with generous portions and flavorful dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and modern, making it a great spot to go with friends or for a casual date. There’s sometimes a wait to get a table, but the service is friendly and efficient, so it’s definitely worth it. Easily one of my favorite brunch spots in Oakland!

Rodolfo Hillen

Google
The melding together of American breakfast and brunch favorites with a Korean twist is a match made in heaven. Korean fried chicken is married to Belgian waffles in one of the best chicken and waffle breakfasts I’ve ever had. Their millionaire bacon, creamy but also crispy potatoes and Benedict’s should not be missed either. If the weather allows, eat on the sidewalk or in the parklet. Excellent!

Faythe Hansen

Google
This is a nice cozy spot. The staff are friendly. Everything was tasty but my favorite was the mascarpone french toast. The Tornado Galbi Omurice was super flavorful. The portions were very generous and can definitely be shared between 2 people. The mango margarita was delicious as well. They definitely wanted us out by the end of the meal but it was a busy Saturday morning so understandable. They did not rush us out but did drop the check promptly after collecting our empty dishes. Highly recommend! Definitely adding to my brunch spot rotation.

Merced *

Google
We had a reservation and were sat prompltly upstairs which was a nice vibe. I order a salad and it tasted bad. Turned out half the greens were slimy and bad. I started to pick them out of my salad. The people making salads dont check if the leaves go bad and its ok mistakes happen. However Our server had significant language comprehension issues and it made asking for anything difficult. She consistently would answer our questions with information that we didnt ask about. We werent confident in our orders and she just stared blankly when i said the salad leaves were bad. Please only put people to engage with customers who have the ability to comprehend when a customer has an issue or request. Wont eat here again.

randi rising

Google
Its on a lovely strip of Oakland and incredibly popular. Highly recommend reservations, but we dropped in and were able to get a table right away. We just beat the next wave and it stays busy for a reason. Area is off of residential streets so be curtious when parking near the homes to explore the shops/area. Lovely for a stroll. As with most cities do not leave goods visible in your car or at all in your car, despite the charming streets. The food is excellent. Went as a family unit and the kids finished everything. It comes as a feast for your eyes first. Omurice, open plate, and the flentire French toast and pancake section we all thoroughly enjoyed. Most before I could take a photo ❤️ The team is so polite and frequently checked in with guest on the wait list to give timing updates.
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Corene B.

Yelp
The food I ordered was so good. I got the Korean fried chicken sandwich. It was crispy and seasoned well. Bun was nice and soft. Seasoned fries were good. My friend had breakfast which she loves so much. Service was efficient. Although the place was busy, seating didn't take too long. I will say that our server wasn't very aware of how anything tasted. He ate no dairy, no meat and only Asian proper food so he expressed. I get that certain cuisines might not fit your palate, but as a food server you should be knowledgeable enough to explain how the food tastes in a place where you choose to work. I had a few questions about the menu as so many options looked great, but he couldn't tell me anything because he'd never had any of the food there. And sort of laughed after every time he made a statement. I didn't hear anything comical.
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Katrina P.

Yelp
Came here with my girlfriends to decompress after class. I get nervous going anywhere in Oakland, but the closer we got to the restaurant the less anxious I was about parking. It's near nice residential areas, so it didn't feel so suspicious parking. It's all street parking and this restaurant does not have their own lot, so make sure you bring your valuables with you. My friend luckily made a reservation for lunch, and we got seated very quickly. The restaurant itself was extremely clean and well put together. I felt like they did their best with the seating and the space. We went on a good sunny day, so we sat outside and it wasn't an issue. I got the grilled chicken burger and bottomless mimosas. The grilled chicken was so good, I would definitely get it again. I know they're popular for their million dollar bacon, but I don't really like bacon like that but I ordered some to-go for my boyfriend and he loved it. What I loved about the service is the girls and I got so into our conversation and catching up we didn't realize that we went over time since they close at 2:30 pm. They were nice enough to let us finish our mimosas and our conversation before politely telling us to go, granted we were literally the last ones there and they were so nice. I never felt rushed, and the people here are great!
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Kay M.

Yelp
Disappointed. Was really looking forward to this brunch spot - went here for my birthday, which was the first for all 4 of us. The waitlist on the app showed we were 2nd in line after 5 min of waiting, but it still took another 25 minutes before we were seated. While waiting, we counted over 20 empty tables available inside and outside, so I checked with the front desk, and she said she had to seat reservations before us, meanwhile there were about 4-5 groups of guests waiting behind us with more coming in. Couldn't understand how the restaurant was OK with a crowd waiting to be seated while there were so many empty tables. The food was mediocre at best and one in our party had to wait nearly 15 minutes for their food to arrive while the rest of the table was nearly finished eating. My FC was dry and waffles were undercooked and tasted like batter, the salmon Benedict had cold cucumber, which ruined the dish. The coffee was bad and so was the espresso. The only thing good were the potatoes. The quality didn't match the cost and the entire experience left us knowing that we definitely won't be coming back. Extremely disappointed. :(
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Ashley H.

Yelp
Honestly, their food was very good, but the wait was real. Came here on a Saturday, prime brunch hours. And we had to wait about ~ 50 minutes for a table. And even when we got seated, the kitchen was so behind, we didn't get our food for another 30 minutes. It was a vicious operating disaster. However, enough complains about the wait. The food was very good. My sister got the fried chicken waffle and I got the galbi tornado. The chicken fried to perfection, super crispy. I was also a huge fan of the galbi tornado too. I was very happy with my food. I guess maybe in the future, I would just avoid the busy hours? Idk, but I want their brunch food.
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Steffy W.

Yelp
We arrived at 8:45 on a Saturday morning and only two tables were seated. We had a choice of seats. By the time we left at 9:45, the place was packed. Service was attentive and friendly. The coffee was perfect and arrived promptly. The millionaires' candy was delicious. Perfect balance between sweet and savory plus a nice lil kick to it. The tator poutine was delicious. The "gravy" was more like a Japanese curry with bits of bacon, celery and carrots. The stuffed French toast was a bit more crunchy on the outside than expected. My son had to eat around it as it was too hard to chew for him. Overall the atmosphere was great. They had a great song list for those who grew up in the 90's.
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Kyra K.

Yelp
If you're a Bay Area resident, there's a huge chance you're either familiar with Kitchen Story or any of their sister restaurants. I am a diner of their multitude of millionaire's bacon restaurants. Having been to Kitchen Story in the city, I suggested meeting my friend here for brunch to try their Oakland location. Anytime I've passed by Kitchen Story, there's been a long line. So, I chose to make reservations for us on Yelp for Sunday brunch. Thank goodness I did as there was a constant wait to dine here. We sat outdoors because I took my puppy, thankfully they're dog-friendly. Outside was bustling, sunny, and high energy. Inside was a bit more cramped and stuffy, loud, and a popular option! Kitchen Story has a variety of innovative and aesthetically pleasing breakfast and lunch options. A mixture of savory, sweet, classic American, and fusion. I went for the Kitchen Story Scramble with No Jack Cheese. It was good, not mind-blowing. The portion was big and I couldn't finish it and left very full. The scramble had a generous portion of avocado, sweet and thick-cut bacon, and crunchy asparagus. My friend enjoyed her Sprout Bibimbap. For those looking to brunch in Rockridge, Kitchen Story is a wonderful option. The service and food are good albeit pricey. Located in Rockridge on College Ave. there's limited paid street parking or residential parking.
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Chloe T.

Yelp
Snagged a Sunday brunch reservation through the app. They also have a Yelp waitlist. Both are encouraged as it gets packed here. Service was friendly but you can tell they were busy. The yuzu salmon Benedict was delicious. Lovely runny yolks over smoked salmon all smothered in a tangy yuzu sauce. Washed it down with lychee margaritas. Perfect!
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Leo C.

Yelp
Such good brunch! Korean twist on classic Americana style Brunch. Definitely a combo I did not know I needed in my life until I tried it out. Solid brunch drinks. Super fast and nice service. Would definitely recommend reservations
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Kourtney A.

Yelp
Such a cute place! The Kitchen Story has been bookmarked forever and I finally got to go with a friend and I'm so glad we finally made it happen! We shared the bacon, chicken and waffles and lemon ricotta pancakes and NO REGRETS! The service was also really great, my water and coffee were filled the entire time, the food was timely (especially for how busy they were) and our server was super kind. I'd definitely recommend you check it out and share as much as you can so you can taste as many menu items as possible.
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Audrey T.

Yelp
Really didn't know what we were expecting when we came here but it blew us away. Located in Northern Oakland on the cutest street, this asian fusion brunch spot was the best choice to go to after walking through a bunch of vintage/ record shops, and for two hungry girls. We ordered the Open-Face Breakfast (right) and Tater Poutine (Left). We were looking for some veggies and they both fulfilled that. The open face was sautéed SOO well, the amount of flavor it had in the (gravy?) sauce paired with the beef patty was so yummy. On the bottom it had this yummy garlic rice and since it was on a skillet it was a bit crispy too hehe. The tater poutine was so filling as well even though it was an appetizer , but the curry flavor of it balanced well with the main dish we got. Definitely enough for 2 small girls to feel satisfied and not overly bloated. Our server was so sweet and accommodating, making sure we were okay. This spot looks like it was in a little neighborhood so it felt so homey and comforting. Will be coming back here when I visit!
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Judy H.

Yelp
Delicious food, yummy drink. Perfect Sunday brunch! My girl friends and stopped by this packed place in Rockridge for lunch. Thank goodness we had a reservation! We were seated in an alley (which we were happy about as we were free of the unseasonable gusts of wind. I ordered a soy spiced drink (and it was perfect!) the smoked salmon on gluten free bread with poached eggs were equally amazing. But the star of lunch had to be the amazing smashed potatoes! Crispy and hot, they were perfect! Given the bustling lunch hour, it was challenging at times to get the attention of the service staff. But, understandable given the how busy the place was.
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Tricia C.

Yelp
Gorgeous. 10/10. Drinks were strong, food was delicious. Ive been here three times now and ordered the same thing and its pretty consistent.
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Arielle L.

Yelp
Had a very nice brunch here with a few friends. Our servers were kind and attentive, coffee cups were always refilled quickly. We had a reservation so we got our table smoothly, I'd recommend reservations on the weekend. We sat outside which was lovely, nice tables and a pretty view of the neighborhood. My breakfast was delicious, the mango sausage was a stand out. My friends loved the millionaires bacon. Only downside was that our meals didn't come out at the same time so we had to wait in order to eat together. Overall I'd happily return and would recommend Kitchen Story.
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Kaitlyn L.

Yelp
Having been to other locations, I wanted to get a quick brunch here to share with a friend. We chose the Salmon Yuzu Benedict, which was a solid 4/5! Enjoyable and not too filling, but the yuzu flavor wasn't as strong, and just didn't stick out too much. Lychee Margarita was sooo good - Like, unexpectedly strong, but sweet and enjoyable. I would come back for drinks (maybe a mimosa?) to go with brunch next time! The only downside I had faced was the service. It wasn't busy on a Friday afternoon at around 1:45PM, but we were still seated in the back booth. It was hard to get their attention sometimes, and our water only got refilled when we were paying the check, but the waitress/waiters were nice.
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Jim P.

Yelp
Was looking for an afternoon bfast place and I've also wanted to explore more Korean places and this was close to where I was going. So, jackpot here we are! Service was very quick and super friendly and got me a table which I switched to counter. I ordered the Sprout Bibimbap and I added a minced pork, chicken or tofu +4, for Beef Galbi +6) Red cabbage, onion, apple, wakame, mushroom, romaine, spinach, fried egg, gochujang sauce, and rice. Everything was put together perfectly and I was super pleased. Looking forward to exploring the menu. There's outdoor seating along with indoor seating and a dining counter.
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Vera T.

Yelp
Came here with some friends on Sunday and waited around 30 minutes to be seated and we were seated outside which was nice since the weather was nice that day. The service was a bit slow. As for the food we ordered the story burger and a scramble. The burger was tasty and the patty was moist but it didn't really stand out to me. My friend got the egg scramble and said it was good but nothing too special either. However the fries that came on the side were really delicious and fried to perfection. Overall, had a nice time but not sure if we would come back again.
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Christine D.

Yelp
FLAVOR (4/5): I got their Korean KFC and waffles! Their chicken was well battered but half of the order was more juicy and the other half was a bit dry. The waffles were crispy and went really well together. Loved the variety of fruit that came with the dish. INSTAGRAM WORTHY (5/5): The dishes here are beautifully plated! The restaurant itself is small but really cute inside as well. SERVICE (3/5): Our server looked as if she didn't want to really be there. She took a while to come over to take our order until we waived her down. The food didn't take too long to come out. TAKEAWAYS: Cute brunch spot with a decent amount of street parking along the street!
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Analyssa A.

Yelp
Kitchen story is always THE BEST whenever we come here. This was my 5th time here and the quality is always at the highest standard and their staff always puts in 100%! The only thing I would say is that their indoor seating is stuffy and crowded, best seating will always be outside. The omurice was cooked to perfection, it's like the rice and galbi was melting in my mouth. The serving sizes are perfect as well, not too small not too big. I've also tried their bacon, benedicts, lemon ricotta pancakes, and BLT. I'm not lying when I say EVERYTHING here is delicious! This omurice will always have me coming back here, I'm already looking forward to my next visit!
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Joy F.

Yelp
Spent birthday brunch here on a holiday. Made resy on Yelp easy peasy. Small interior with plenty of outside seating located in Rockridge area with nice shops and walking area. Started with champagne cocktail with hibiscus and honey and it was wonderful. Also had the mango margarita and it was yummy too. Had half order of the lemon ricotta pancake and it was just perfectly enough. We also had the Benedict with KFC and that was okay. Of course the highlight was the side of millionaire's bacon ahh soo good. Would go back and try the other dishes.
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Paul A.

Yelp
My wife and I decided to try a new restaurant for breakfast. Kitchen Story is very good experience.
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Passmore M.

Yelp
The service was great at Kitchen Story! I tried the millionaire's bacon and it was pricy but good. Mine was particularly spicy so if you don't like spice, it may not be for you. The fried chicken was crispy and the syrup was a unique flavor! I would definitely come back!
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Khaledah W.

Yelp
We started off with bloody Mary's and mimosas, breakfast of champions! We ordered the Korean chicken and waffles and the classic salmon Benedict. Both were delicious, made fresh and hot. I've come here a few times, but I've never posted. It's always great for before the rush of lunch hour. My husband and I came around 10 AM. It's a great location in North Oakland. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. This will be our go to for breakfast and brunch in Oakland from now on.
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Santosh K.

Yelp
In May single visit, every thing appeared to be in order. A bit pricey. Not a bad restaurant.
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Cindy D.

Yelp
Cute little spot with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Korean fried chicken: (5/5) - delicious and perfectly fried. The rice cakes were surprisingly very good as well. Loved the seasoning. Tater tots: (5/5) - by far, the best tater tots I've ever had. The seasoning is just amazing. Arnold Palmer: (3/5) - it was ok, nothing special but it felt like there was more tea than lemonade. Raspberry lemonade: (4/5) - better than the Arnold Palmer. Service was great. Random but I love their napkins! It does get busy so call ahead and make reservations especially for weekend brunch time.
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Yashwin N.

Yelp
My kitchen story had excellent welcoming prompt service. Delicious mocha coffee, fruit, marnier French toast, 2 eggs, and chicken mango. Chicken Mango, chicken Mango, chicken mango. The ambiance was inviting as well.
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Saya H.

Yelp
The omelette was very good. The highlight are the potatoes, so crunchy and thick, it was perfect. The French toast was average, nothing special. Also got the Benedict and that was also average. If I were to go back I would get the omelette again.
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Jadyn L.

Yelp
This is one of our go tos for brunch when in Berkeley/oakland. We got seated quickly and there is both indoor and outdoor seating. The service was quick and the food came out fast after we ordered. It was delicious as always. The Korean fried chicken and waffles did have an interesting tangy flavor to it that I wasn't the biggest fan of but I love the blackstone Benedict. The inside is cute and quiet. There's limited street parking so beware of that.
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Daniel B.

Yelp
We had a wonderful lunch at Kitchen Story in Oakland. The food and drink were delicious, the portions were generous, and the service was phenomenal. Five stars. This place serves what I'd describe as Korean-American brunch food. The restaurant describes the cuisine as having a combination of "California (spicy, avocados, and cilantro) and Asian influences." If you're in Oakland or Berkeley, this place is definitely worth checking out. They're open daily, 9am to 2:30 or 3:00pm. They do not serve dinner. There are two Kitchen Story locations: (1) the original location in San Francisco, in the Mission Dolores and Castro area, and (2) this location in Oakland, in the Rockridge neighborhood just south of Berkeley. The original location in SF opened in November 2012. This location in the East Bay opened in January 2020. We visited on an ordinary Monday around 12:45pm. When we arrived, the dining room was busy and there was a short wait. We put our party on the Yelp Waitlist via a tablet inside the entrance. When we left about an hour later, the place had emptied out and there were plenty of open tables. Of course, by then, it was also about 45 minutes until closing time. Kitchen Story Oakland takes reservations for weekdays via Yelp. They don't take reservations for Saturdays and Sundays -- it's first come, first served. We parked near the restaurant on College Ave. This stretch is metered/paid parking, but for whatever reason (I forgot), we didn't have to pay this time. The storefront and interior are beautiful. Outside, there are planters that run up the two-story building facade. Inside, the dining room and bar have a contemporary, homey, diner-like feel to it. They have a limited amount of outdoor sidewalk patio and COVID street seating as well (not sure how long the latter will last). This is kind of a small restaurant, but not tiny. During our weekday visit, the menu contained American/Canadian dishes like Avocado Toast ($12) and Tater (Tot) Poutine ($12), Korean brunch specials such as Sprout Bibimbap ($17) and Korean Fried Chicken and Waffles ($21), a large assortment of egg dishes, salads, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and burgers. Drink-wise, they had a variety of coffee and tea plus a full bar featuring "Morning Cocktails" (e.g., Irish Coffee, Espresso Martinis), draft beer, and wine. Here's what we had: Brunch Specials * Open Face ($21) - Wagyu patty, spinach, vegetables, white cheddar, fried egg, ginger rice, demi-glace * Jjapaguri ($21) - Jjapaghetti and Neoguri udon, Millionaire's Bacon, vegetables, minced pork, and egg Coffee * Green Tea Latte ($5.50) - two shots of espresso Morning Cocktails * Millionaire's Mary ($15) - vodka, house spicy bloody, spice rim, house pickles, and Millionaire's Bacon Everything was fantastic. The Open Face was served on a hot skillet with a wooden base, reminiscent of how traditional Korean restaurants serve galbi (beef short ribs). The Wagyu patty was hidden underneath layers of egg, spinach, cabbage, onions, carrots, and rice. The Jjapaguri was inspired by 2019 Best Picture "Parasite." I remember after my wife and I watched Parasite, we immediately went out and got Korean food. I love that Kitchen Story actually has a menu item inspired by the noodles in that movie. When we saw it on the menu, we had to get it. Jjapaghetti, a.k.a. "chapagetti," is a Korean brand of jajangmyeon instant noodles. Neoguri is a Korean brand of ramen instant noodles. Both Chapagetti and Neoguri are produced by Nongshim, the biggest instant noodle producer in South Korea. In the movie Parasite, Chapagetti and Neoguri are mixed together to produce "ram-don." So, the Jjapaguri on the menu here is Kitchen Story's take on Parasite's ram-don. Both the Open Face and Jjapaguri were packed with a good balance of flavors, well-made with fresh, quality ingredients, and the portion sizes were very filling. The Wagyu patty was hearty and savory. Overall, the Open Face was a really satisfying and comforting dish. The Jjapaguri was dressed up with Kitchen Story's signature "Millionaire's Bacon," a big, thick slice of bacon, made from free-range pig and baked with brown sugar and various peppers. It's outstanding. A slice of the Millionaire's Bacon was also included with our Millionaire's Mary, Kitchen Story's house Bloody Mary with bacon. I've had similarly "upgraded" Bloody Marys at other brunch restaurants, but Kitchen Story's version probably takes the cake. It's one of the best I've had anywhere. There was celery and a lemon wedge and the house pickles consisted of peperoncini and red onion. There may have been more pickles (olives?), but I don't remember. Anyway, I highly recommend it. It's mouth-watering. I decided we had to order a Green Tea Latte after seeing pictures of it on Yelp. It tasted as good as it looked. Kitchen Story's Green Tea Latte has an overflowing dose of whipped cream, with matcha, on top. It makes for a beautiful and eye-popping presentation. Decadent.
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Elena N.

Yelp
Date: Saturday, October 14th, 2023 Meal: Lunch / Brunch Time Arrived: around 12pm Time Seated: around 12:30pm Party of: 2 *Popcorn Chicken and waffle bits: Bite sizzed Korean FC and waffles tossed with popcorn and maple syrup ($12) *Big Hass Scramble: Bacon, mushroom, spinach, avocado, Kimchi Pico De Gallo, mild cheddar ($20) *Salmon Yuzu Benedict: Yuzu EVOO brushed smoked salmon, lemon, pickled red onion, cucumber, capers, Tamari, Meyer hollandaise ($22) *Glass Mimosa ($12) I have a gf who lives in the East bay while I live in SF/SJ. We try to get together a couple times a year. Since I was in SF this particular weekend, we decided to meet in Oakland for brunch. They don't take reservations, so my gf signed up for the waitlist when she arrived. (I got here a few mins later.) Unfortunately we did not hear them call out my friend's name, so we had to sign up again and wait. Overall not too bad considering we had to sign up twice. I've been to the Kitchen Story in SF before covid. I remember liking their benedicts. This wasn't any different. The salmon yuzu benedict was delish. I'm not a huge fan of sweet and savory, so the chicken and waffles wasn't really my thing. I should have read the description closer since I didn't notice the part about the honey. My one gripe with this location (tho this may be true about the SF one now) is their policy on their bottomless mimosas. Since the bottomless is $25 while a glass is $12, I figured why not do bottomless?! I can easily drink 3 mimosas, no problem. However, when they brought the carafe, they brought two glasses. I let them know my gf wasn't drinking and they said we could only do it if the whole table partook in it. So if you're sober and come with a friend who wants to do bottomless, you are SOL. Kinda sucks since I've gotten bottomless in the SF location and our whole table did not participate. Would have given them 4 stars, but the drink sitch makes it a 3.
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Kelsi D.

Yelp
Great inspired menu, very polite service and really excellent food. The prices are a little high and I'd say everything needed just a touch more salt but this is a solid and unoriginal breakfast option in the area and although it was a busy Sunday they got our party of 5 in. They have a good amount of outside seating and I recommend sitting there if the option is available because the inside is very small and chaotic
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Sean C.

Yelp
The food is the show, as it should be. The prices are overwhelming but the flavor will justify the cost. The service is mediocre but sufficient and the ambiance can be busy and loud as kids and family's frequent this location.
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Simeon G.

Yelp
What more can I say, 5 . Looking for a new place to try and this showed up (because of the omurice) ... and it didn't disappoint. Looking forward to our next visit here.
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Tracy S.

Yelp
Hands down one of the best brunch spots in Rockridge. Everything on the menu is amazing. Great wait staff and good atmosphere. I love this place.
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Theresa L.

Yelp
Came out to the town because I've been wanting to come here for a couple years now. After making the trek through the tunnel and finding a fabulous parking spot, The Teen and I walked a block, and were seated surprisingly fast. Ambiance was cool, everybody was engaged in conversation on this lovely blue sky day. She: a waffle and a side of bacon. Me: A Blackstone Benedict NO tomatoes. Us: Water The Teen stated her waffle was a little on the sweet side, but the bacon was OK. I don't think salmon and Blackstone really sound like, but they brought me the wrong order, so I wasn't able to truly enjoy breakfast with The Teen. Definitely not what I was expecting after all the rave reviews, and was unable to finish my plate. I will be back to the town, but not to A Kitchen Story, which was definitely a nightmare.
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Charlotte W.

Yelp
Unfortunately, the experience was far from satisfactory. Once seated, it was a struggle to get the attention of the server. It took 15-20minutes waiting serve come to take our order. Our server seemed disinterested and inattentive, barely making eye contact and speaking in a rushed manner. We asked if we could move to another table; after being told with a snarky attitude that the table is only for 4-5 people, we saw they let another 3-person party seated after 5minutes.... The food didn't arrive at the same time, I had to wait for another 15minutes after my friends dishes. When the food finally arrived, it's not as impressive as we had hoped. I ordered open face, asked for medium but got well-done for the patty... and the serve DROPPED the spoon on the table rudely.... We've heard many good things about Kitchen Story SF location, but the Rockridge location is definitely a no-no to us, especially with its neglectful and inefficient service.
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Camy Y.

Yelp
Beautiful place with good vibes! Got the bulgogi bowl and I like how this place was Asian Fusion mixed with the traditional american brunch.
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Sharon B.

Yelp
I had a better experience this time around. I met up with friends for an 11:30 reservation and we were seated immediately despite the fact that it was crazy busy as always. We ordered right after the last of our friends arrived. Our drinks came first and I loved their take on the michelada. It was presented as a Bloody Mary with all the veggie fixins. I ate all the veggies on that skewer because it was saturated in the michelada. YUMMMY! We shared the chicken wings appetizer and when it arrived, we devoured it, so good, but I noticed that my chicken meat was a bit pink and I started to doubt the thorough cooking of it. I told our server and she stated that the chicken is marinated and it all looks pink. We just sat there like 'ummm.' So she canceled it from the receipt and took the chicken back. Damn too bad, because it had such a good flavor. I ordered the millionaire's bacon benedict and it was delicious!
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Jen L.

Yelp
First off, I walk in and ask for a table on a Sunday about 11:30 am. There was an iPad at the front but it was on the Home Screen. The hostess came up to me and said "what do you want?" I asked her for a table. She then with an extremely snarky attitude replied "get on the wait list!" I showed her the iPad and asked "where would you like me to put it?" She then clicked on the yelp app for me to put my info in. ... great 1st impression. We got a table outside within 15 min. Our food came out and honestly I was hoping it's be better. The tater tot poutine was just alright. It was like they took store box Japanese curry and poured it tater tots. The Jjapaguri Breakfast was rich and definitely could use more pickled radishes & fresh cucumbers to cut the richness. The open faced breakfast was tasty but it was more onions than anything else. Once the server put our plates down, they were no where to be found. We sat for 10 min wanting to pay for bill. Would I come back? I wouldn't go out of my way to. Service was subpar and the food was meh.
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Carolus B.

Yelp
Bustling with people and full of energy, Kitchen Story was a great treat on Fathers Day. Located near a pretty busy street, the restaurant is quaint, allowing for inside and outside seating for several groups of f or less. Be prepared to wait, as the line is long. I got on the waitlist before heading to the restaurant and still had a 30 minute wait. The menu is difficult! There are so many things to choose from ; old brunch standards with a twist paired with things I've never heard of before. My beef and rice bowl was full of flavor and slightly crunchy, due to the kimchi. I never like kimchi, but I did in this bowl. It was a large portion that I could not stop eating till the last grain of rice. It may be due to the long wait after taking our order; the food food 25-30 minutes to get to the table, likely due to heavy traffic in Father's Day. My next trip should go quicker. Nightly recommended checking it out!
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Kim T.

Yelp
Highly recommend without reservations! We went on a Sunday afternoon-the BIG game day...! And only waited about five minutes outside. We were seated about an hour before closing so the crowd was thinning out quite nicely. We were very happy with our food choices and they were accommodating when we wanted to move from a tall table to a regular one. Service 5/5 Food 5/5 Attitude 5/5 Environment 5/5 You will not be disappointed!!
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May Z.

Yelp
I love Kitchen Story! It is consistently one of my favorite brunch spots. It's always poppin and they don't take reservations on weekends so just be sure to get there and add yourself to the list. I didn't realize it was a 2 story restaurant and the upstairs seating is so cute! They also have a parklet and outside seating. The service is always very attentive and sweet here. But the star of the show is the inventive and delicious dishes. The American food with Korean fusion really elevates all of the flavors to another level. 100/10 recommend the tots poutine. I ordered their espresso martini today and it was top 5 I've had. So delicious. They also do bottomless mimosas here and trust me they keep filling you up!
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Arerosuoghene O.

Yelp
The food was tasty and nice. The service was great as well. The ambiance was okay, we sat outside so nothing special or out of the ordinary.
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Chloe C.

Yelp
As for the food, it was very yummy. The coconut latte was awesome. The noodle dish had tons of flavor and was a little sweet. I wish it was slightly spicier but it was still a really interesting and tasty dish. The mascarpone stuffed French toast was also great. The flavor of the French toast itself was really unique and there was the perfect amount of mascarpone inside. Being deep fried, the French toast was a little oily, but the addition of the fruit helped cut that. Still, both dishes were really heavy. This feels like a good hangover meal or if you're going to treat yourself. But it is very heavy so unless you're conscious about eating about half of a dish you're going to feel very sluggish after. As for the location, it's in a really great area and the decor was really cool. They have only one bathroom which is back behind the bar. It's very bustling. They won't seat you unless everyone in your party is there (no late arrivals). They're very strict about how long you can sit at your table and will ask you to leave if they feel you've been there too long. Everyone was really very nice despite the rules.
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Karla C.

Yelp
I had brunch here earlier today. My coworkers recommended this place. For a weekday, we waited for a couple of minutes. The only seating available was outside. The staff set up the table and we placed our order. I had the Korean fried chicken and waffles. The food came out relatively fast. The waffle was Belgium style waffle with a sugary crust. The waffle was fluffy and delicious. The chicken was made fresh and hot. Reminded me of a more refined popcorn chicken from boba shops. I wish the chicken had a little more seasoned but over all good. I think I picked a great option. Very good.
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Leonna T.

Yelp
Kind and attentive service. Delicious potatoes. Restaurants made by Hoyul Steven Choi & team are always a hit! Ive been to sister restaurants like Sweet Maple and the menus and style are quite similar. The Primavera Scramble was delicious. Plenty of veggies and mostly roasted tomato in the egg whites. Potatoes were seasoned to perfection. The toast however was very bland and the fruit was slightly overripe.
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Andrea L.

Yelp
First time to this Kitchen Story location (I've been to the SF location multiple times). Went during Thanksgiving week before 11:30 and was seated in a few minutes, but it got super busy right after us. We sat outside in the little parklet in nice weather so it was perfect. I was pretty torn about what to order because I wanted the Millionaire bacon but also wanted other things on the menu. Pro-tip: Order a Millionaire Mary, which comes with a slice of the bacon to satisfy your craving. :) I got the Korean Fried Chicken benedict (forgot the menu name). Super good, big portion as well. We also got the appetizer Korean fried chicken and waffle bits. I got an espresso martini for dessert, which was also surprisingly good. All in all, great experience. But go early to avoid a wait. I'll be back!
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Marwan G.

Yelp
A small restaurant that has really delicious foods. I ordered the Korean FC with waffles. The fried chicken was crunchy which complimented the waffles. I could have done without all the fruits on it but it was still good, the tater tots were perfectly cooked-- not too crunchy not too soft. The star of the show was the Mascarpone Stuffed Deep Fried French Toast. Kitchen Story was really onto something putting Mascarpone in that French toast cause it had so much flavor swirling in my mouth with every bite. It's been a couple weeks and I still think about this french toast every now and then. Best french toast I've ever had. One order can definitely be shared with two people but if you have a sweet tooth, you can definitely have it all to yourself!
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Gabriel H.

Yelp
It was a good first time! The waiter was accommodating. Food was pretty good just wouldn't get the chicken waffles
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Alma L.

Yelp
I came on a weekday with my brother, didn't really expect much or had high expectations but boy did they go above and beyond. Not once did I have to ask for a plate to be taken or for napkins or anything, they were on point and so kind. We ordered to share a tornado galbi omurice, jjapaguri, and French toast aswell an Orange juice and an espresso martini. The interior was so cute but was a little small but they did have a bar!! Always a plus haha Everything was so delicious! The sauce they have on the omurice was soooo goood and the jjapaguri noodles with the bacon was to die for! Definitely will be coming back to try more delicious dishes