Nippon Curry Berkeley

IT WAS SO GOOD that we double ordered! A friend and I initially shared one dish because we weren't that hungry, but we ended up ordering another. Genuinely amazing food - the best food I've had in Berkeley 🤍The worker was very polite :) The prices are pretty reasonable, our food came out steaming hot, and the person working there directed us to a really nice self-serving water station. He also introduced us to some complimentary foods to go with our orders. The restaurant was also extremely clean and was an overall feel-good experience.

This is the BEST restaurant in the area. The food is phenomenal, the best meal I’ve had in the area, and the people working here are the nicest you’ll ever find. The best curry I’ve ever had was at this restaurant, and I felt such immense joy. Also the water was nice and crisp. The food was so good I got 2 servings! This restaurant is perfect in every possible way. So yummy. Both of the servings shown below!

Went here yesterday (Saturday) with my father whose friend suggested the restaurant to us! I got the Pork Katsu Curry and my father got the Fried Oyster Curry. The pork curry was immaculate, the curry had a very authentic taste to Japanese curry! The pork was fried to perfection and had a very crunchy texture. I also got the Moshi Yuzu White Peach soda which was very good. The location is perfect for Cal students and it's very affordable. Also everything was compostable or recyclable! The staff was very friendly and really nice, probably the best staff I've seen in a long time! I would definitely consider this my new favorite restaurant and I will be coming back!

The workers and atmosphere is so friendly!! The prices are so affordable (esp cus its in california) and the flavor is so rich, I could taste all the spices even when my taste buds were kinda muted since I am sick. The food is so good I’m typing this review as I’m eating it so I dont forget. The worker is so polite and gave us free chicken!!☹️I will miss this place I’m so sad I’m not from here and can’t eat it everyday

Great curry and even better service! Surprised to see just one person handling everything so efficiently—BOTH front and back. Very professional and friendly, he really made the experience really pleasant. Definitely worth a visit!

Excellent staff, helpful and polite. The curry is flavorful and has depth, the tonkatsu and rice is good. I thought the curry crochette could have been more strong. Spice level is mild to me, or medium for some.

Overall ok experience with Nippon Curry. Food: 4/5 The taste is decent, yet wish it can be more inspiring at this price range. Curry is on the sweet side, personally prefer more spicy as I'm not into desserts. The batter for the chicken karaage is better than the katsu, and the chicken thigh is as tender as they should be, yet the garlic marinade can be balanced out better. Environment: 2/5 Overall it's clean, and that's all for the positive. The store is pathetically empty on one side, while the other side is like a long dining bench for prisoners with random people sitting very close to you. Some chairs are not stable and just waiting for a big guy to ruin their day. Service: 1/5 Barely any, except a staff to take your order. You can also just serve yourself on the tablet. Like most businesses these days, they are shameless in asking for tips without proving any services. Utensils, napkins, and water, everything is self-served. Of course you are expected to clean after yourself. McDonald's would at least pass you some napkins with your meal. Overall value: 2.5/5 At this price range, Nippon Curry is underwhelming. While food is decent, pricing does not justify it. Feels like it's taking advantage of the students next door who don't have a good sense of money, or know nothing about dining. You can tell from other overly positive reviews...

Excited that it’s finally open! The curry base is rich and flavorful. We got the katsu curry, and the katsu was well cooked and crunchy. They’re also generous with a reasonable amount of pickles on the side. The curry is a bit tangier than the curry at their San Francisco, but I personally prefer more acidity. There isn’t much seating at this location, seems like it will be more focused on takeout.

Best Japanese Curry in Berkeley so far Pork Katsu crispy and Karaage juicy Fast service

I was happy to see that Nippon Curry has expanded to this minimalist off-campus eatery because it is the ideal post-class meal if you don't feel like grabbing a slice at Blondie's. I'm not a student though I was one in a galaxy far, far away. I just happen to see it from the crosswalk and felt emboldened to try it given my positive experience at the Marina location (review: https://yelp.to/HrL7uYzeQa). There was only one other customer when I entered, and he had his head on the counter (photo: https://yelp.to/vuMfB9agpM). I was praying it had nothing to do with the food. Just kidding. I decided to order the $17 Karaage Curry because I was in the mood for fried chicken thigh meat. You get three hefty chunks here ladled with their curry sauce made with a beef roux (photo: https://yelp.to/xgibQEdMOP). It covered the rice though interestingly not the plate. I sat at the window counter, the most unobtrusive, anti-social seat in the place. I just figured I shouldn't be hanging with the cool kids who happened to be trickling in while I was eating. Anyway, the combination of the crunchy karaage, tender thigh meat, and mildly spicy curry really worked well together here. Even with both Muracci's (review: https://yelp.to/5Gb0F21w23) and Champion's (review: https://yelp.to/zdbzNZr5fC) down Telegraph, I'll probably come back. FOOD - 4 stars...well executed homestyle curry with tasty karaage AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...quite sparse looking SERVICE - 3.5 stars...not that much interaction TOTAL - 4 stars...always up for trying another curry option RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

Nippon Curry happened to be right next door to where I was getting my drink, so it was very conveniently located, and with the cold weather, warm curry sounded perfect. I ordered the Plain Curry Rice. I somehow thought that the curry being made with beef meant it would have beef inside, but when it came out, it was just the curry with rice. Nonetheless, I thought the flavor of the curry was very good and it had a hint of spiciness. I also thought the pickles were delicious. There are a few stools to sit which made it very convenient. I also thought the prices overall were pretty fair for the portion size you were getting.

The breading of the pork katsu was fresh and crispy, although the meat inside was a little tough. The curry was definitely the best part of the plate--it's smoky and perfectly seasoned. I would've preferred the curry to katsu ratio to be higher, given how much rice there was. Pickled veggies add a nice flavor contrast. Not sure why they serve on paper plates. They also have disposable utensils (their small plastic spoons are very nice). Limited seating put the cashier and register directly in front of me, and it was a bit awkward to eat there.

The curry sauce is yummy and it's a well thoughtout to-go container to keep Katsu from getting soggy. However, just IMO, they could elevate the curry by having strips of braised beef, and also a base savory flavor for the Katsu. That would make them worth 5 stars.

After seeing the Nippon Curry sign in Berkeley, I decided to visit the restaurant the next time I was in the area. Sonner than later I visited the restaurant during lunch on Sunday. I walked in and saw only a party of two already seated. It wasn't busy and I was fine with that. I instantly saw the kiosk for self-ordering. I was originally looking for Chicken Katsu Curry and ended up ordering the Pork Katsu Curry. I asked the cashier about this and it sounded like Chicken Katsu Curry may make an appearance on the menu in the future. Along with my entree, I chose a Shisho + Apply Yuzu drink. I dined in for my meal. While I was waiting for my order, the cashier chatted with me about current events in the area over the weekend and the weather. I appreciated this as she was able to balance having a chat with a customer, preparing orders to go, and also helping other customers. Thank you! It took a couple of minutes for my entree to come and I was happy with what I received. The color of the curry was amazing and I could instantly see the seasoning I craved in Japanese-style curry in general! I didn't expect a paper plate to be used to serve my meal but I should have seen it coming when I grabbed disposable utensils prior. The quality of my meal brought me back to my first visit to Nippon Curry at the San Francisco location. I savored every bite and enjoyed my meal to the fullest. I honestly don't think I left any curry behind on my plate! The drink I ordered paired well with the savory curry as its sweetness provided a great contrast in flavors. I left the restaurant with my tummy & hunger satisfied. I will definitely be coming back to this Nippon Curry location! Cheers, @gerosan_adv

I went to Nippon Curry during their $5 Curry Plate Dine-In promo with Doordash and I was really impressed!! After having their curry at the SF location, I can confirm this spot is just as delicious. The portion is really good and makes for the perfect convenient, quick, yet satisfying pick me up, especially late at night. The seating is bar style so it can be a bit crowded around 7PM, definitely more of a place for togo or a quick bite. I'd really recommend the pork katsu curry, the katsu portion was huge and the curry was so rich and flavorful!

Quick, tasty, and hearty. That would sum up my experience at Nippon Curry. I came during my lunch hour and ordered a pork katsu curry for dine-in. It was ready in under 3 minutes and had a great ratio for the curry, meat, and rice. The pickles were a nice palate cleanser for each bite. There's not a ton of seating and it's all at a forward facing bar, so maybe not the best place for a group. The inside is extremely minimalistic and white, so no bells and whistles to distract from the food. I just plugged in my earbuds, had a nice meal, and left. You bus the table and serve yourself water so it's a pretty simple experience.

Soft opening starting May 22nd! For the soft opening, there is a reduced price for lots of the curries -- for the pork and chicken karrage it was $12 instead of $16. No dine in currently but it will be added later. The flavor of the chicken karrage is great! Not too hard, very crunchy but soft at the same time, and the curry sauce adds spices but not enough to overwhelm the texture. The pork Katsu is crisped to perfection and the sides of pickles add lots. Definitely a good spot to try out and to support!

Good curry! Interior is very clean, ample seating available. I ordered through Snackpass and food came quickly. I got the Pork Katsu Curry with regular rice. I really enjoy curry - I tend towards Indian and Thai curry, so I've wanted to try Japanese curry for awhile - but this was pretty much what you'd expect. It's good curry, but nothing mind blowing. I thought the flavor profile is pretty similar to the S&B boxed curry, although the texture was definitely thicker than anything I've made. Please note that this could entirely just be my personal flavor preference. I wish they would switch to reusable cutlery and plates/bowls. It feels very wasteful to be using paper plates and giving out single-use cutlery for every customer, even dine-in. Service was very friendly!! Overall a hearty meal with good value, if you enjoy Japanese curry it's worth a try - just not sure I'd go out of my way to stop by again.

Really enjoyed the karaage with curry rice! The chicken was perfectly crispy and juicy and paired well with the rice and curry. Would come back to try more!

I ate here yesterday with my family. We all decided that we make better Curry at home. I love Japanese curry, but the curry here was overly salty. The service was good and the ambience was clean comfortable, but I will not be coming back. Please note that I have eaten Japanese curry in Hawaii where I grew up and in Japan.

Went here yesterday (Saturday) with my father whose friend suggested the restaurant to us! I got the Pork Katsu Curry and my father got the Fried Oyster Curry. The pork curry was immaculate, the curry had a very authentic taste to Japanese curry! The pork was fried to perfection and had a very crunchy texture. I also got the Moshi Yuzu White Peach soda which was very good. The location is perfect for Cal students and it's very affordable. Also everything was compostable or recyclable! The staff was very friendly and really nice, probably the best staff I've seen in a long time! I would definitely consider this my new favorite restaurant and I will be coming back!

Japanese comfort food at its best. Has the right level of spice, heat and sweetness. I wish the curry came with some veggies hence the one less star. The owner wants Japanese curry to be the next ramen and I hope he succeeds. Now I want to try all of the areas Japanese curry places. Will be coming back!

I LOVE this curry! We have tried takeout from the SF location and are so happy this spot opened up on this side of the Bay. It's been the best curry I've tasted from the many Japanese curry spots we've tried over the years. My husband and I both ordered the pork katsu curry, and it came out quickly. The interior is minimal and clean, with a few stools by the window and more along a bar. Highly recommended for a quick and delicious meal!

TON of umami and the pork katsu is tender and delicious. Lots of depth in the curry. Highly recommend!!!

I brought home leftover curry and pork tontaksu. My nephew goggled it all and agreed great!

Nippon Curry never disappoints! I've been a fan of the SF location for a while, so when I saw they opened one right by UC Berkeley, I had to check it out. The quality is just as amazing--utterly comforting and delicious. The staff here are incredibly nice and make you feel so welcome. If you love Japanese curry, this place is an absolute must-visit!

I'm actually super impressed with this new find! I tried it out on a whim and I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty it was. I'm actually a curry lover and have tried many different iterations of the dish across different cuisines (Japanese, Korean, Indian), and I have to say that this is one of the best ones I've had in a while. You can definitely tell that the owners of the enterprise have put a lot of thought and care into perfecting their craft and delivering a good dish (they must use a good broth base). Fair pricing, especially if you are a student looking for cheap, easy meal in between classes. I highly recommend trying this place out if you're in Berkeley.

I really wanted to enjoy this place, but the meat itself was inedible. The curry was flavorful and delicious, but the pork cutlet was so rough that I genuinely had a hard time chewing it.

This is the best Japanese curry in the Bay Area. Brought me back to Tokyo. It was pricey but worth well with it.

The best Japanese curry - we were so excited when they opened in Berkeley and have ordered takeout so many times. The Karage curry is our favorite -- so tender and perfectly fried -- our toddler is obsessed too