Ani R.
Yelp
We visited this spot before going to a play at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre (which I highly recommend, by the way!). It made for a lovely date night. We arrived around 6 PM on a Friday, and we just managed to beat the rush. Shortly after we ordered and sat down, a line formed that stretched nearly the entire length of the restaurant.
Our food was served almost immediately. There's a self-serve station where we grabbed our own utensils, napkins, and water. I also used the restroom, which was fairly clean. Although there was a sign saying "No restroom use," they kindly let me in as a customer, which was appreciated.
As for the food, I really enjoyed the classic edamame--it was lightly salted and simple, a solid choice. I ordered the garlic noodles with tofu as my protein. The noodles were flavorful with garlic, butter, and cheese, but I felt the tofu could have been better if it had been baked or fried; it tasted a bit plain in its current form. My partner ordered a different noodle dish (I forget the name), but it had chicken and more vegetables, making it feel a bit more balanced. I'd probably go for that one next time.
Overall, this place is a convenient spot, especially for college students looking for a hearty, calorie-dense meal. The food might not be the healthiest, but it's definitely comforting and satisfying--perfect before or after a night out.