Belly has become one of my favorite spots in Oakland, and for some great reasons. The food is consistently yummy. Their salads are a standout, especially with the ability to customize your protein. Their fusion twists on burritos, bowls, burgers, and spaghetti are right up my alley. Their drinks and mocktails are a nice touch too. But what really keeps me coming back every Tuesday is Mahjong Night. Alice and the staff have built something genuinely special here; a warm, welcoming community where regulars and newcomers mix easily over tiles and great food. The energy in the room is wonderful, and you can tell the whole team actually cares about the experience they're creating. If you're looking for a neighborhood restaurant with delicious food and real heart, Belly is it. Highly recommend coming for a meal, and even more so for Mahjong Night if that's your thing. read more

Went here with visiting family this evening. The menu was full of intriguing combinations, and I had a hard time choosing among them. We got an order of tater tots for the table, which were wonderful with Japanese flavors. I had the two taco plate with steak and eggs. My only problem with the dish was that the tortillas couldn't handle the weight and moisture of the filling and fell apart. The flavors were very nice and I enjoyed the dish very much. My family also enjoyed their meals, most notably my nephew's miso brown butter noodles. Service was very prompt and efficient. The vibe of the place was easygoing and colorful but not fussy or frilly. And the food is reasonably priced as well. There is a lot of wonderful food in this Oakland neighborhood, and I'm not here very often, so it may be a while before I get back to this spot. But I think anyone who enjoys innovative fusion combinations will enjoy this casual eatery. Give it a try! read more

Belly is a quiet little spot on College Ave right off the Rockridge BART station. We came around noon on a weekday and were pretty much the only patrons there for the duration of our meal outside of a handful of takeout orders. Service was a little rough since there was only one person working, so we had to flag them down whenever we needed anything. That said, I completely sympathize with how tough it is to run a restaurant in the current environment, and I appreciated the effort. We started with the kimchi arancini balls, which were excellent. They were fried nicely, the filling was ooey gooey and cheesy, and the kimchi aioli added a great cooling balance to the dish. For my main, I went with the 2 taco platter, which comes with a small salad and chips, and it was more than enough food. I tried one steak, egg, and cheese taco and one surf taco, and both had great flavor. The steak was cooked perfectly, the fried egg added a really nice richness and creaminess, and I loved the fries inside, which reminded me a lot of the Cali style you usually associate with San Diego. The only real miss for me was the panko batter on the fish taco, since I prefer a lighter, more delicate tempura style batter. The flavor was still solid, just not something I'd order again. My bigger hesitation overall is the price, since the tacos are pretty steep at nearly $8 each and over $20 for the 2 taco platter, which makes it hard to imagine coming back frequently even though I did enjoy the overall flavors. read more

Belly - Yuzu Sparkling Lemonade - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came here for lunch on a Saturday and ended up ordering the chicken Caesar salad wrap. They give you the option of choosing grilled or fried chicken, I chose the fried. It tastes really good and is a good portion for the price. I would definitely come back to get it again. Service was friendly as well. Nice casual spot. read more

Belly - Chicken Caesar Wrap - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

I used to come to Belly for the burritos but finally tried some new things this time! The burritos here are soo good and come in big portions. We ordered the truffle fries and tater tots this time as an appetizer and they were both super yummy! If I had to only get one though I'd get the truffle fries every time. Miso butter spaghetti was also good - they were very generous with the noodles! read more

Belly - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Belly had expanded options for vegans so updated review Latest dish I tried: Silk Road Spaghetti Garlic, Ginger, Green Onions, Yunnan Chilies, Sweet and Spicy Sauce Added tofu unbreaded Tasty and filling. Nice balance of sweet and spicy for added punch. Belly has added more vegan options and this one was very satisfying. Next will try the Asian Crunch Salad Veggie bowl was first experience. Great spot for mixed non vegan and vegan diners. Really like there non alcoholic drinks like seasonal lemonade but especially Butterfly Pea Yuzu Lemonade Great friendly service and wonderful decor. read more

Belly - Still Road Spaghetti with tofu - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Had a chance to check out Belly during Oaklands Restaurant Week. Funny enough it wasn't planned but we are so glad we did as we had a really nice experience. The vibes here are cute and we were lucky as we got seated near the window which was nice. We ended up going with the Restaurant week meal experience and got to try the following items: * kimchi arancini balls - for our apps we got these and they were very crispy on the outside which I appreciated. The inside was filled with some rice and melted cheese & kimchi which created a burst of flavors. * Chinese crunchy salad - this salad was really yummy and I loved how all the flavors came together so well. The dressing was slightly on the sweeter side which I LOVED! Very refreshing and loved the pops of crunch from the crispy wonton pieces and crispy lentil * Kimchi pasta - I added salmon to this which was a great idea but the kimchi pasta here was absolutely delicious. If you are looking for a creamy decadent sauce, this is a good one with lots of flavor * Silk Road Spaghetti - hubby ordered this and really liked it, if you are looking for something lighter in a sweet/spicy sauce this is a great option. Hubs added the spicy fried chicken and enjoyed it thoroughly *Vanilla ice cream with cookie crumbles - for dessert we opted for this and enjoyed it. It was simple, nothing extravagant but a nice ending touch to the meal. Overall, food was solid - and would recommend to try the kimchi pasta and the Chinese crunchy salad. read more

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Came here on lunch for a chicken caesar salad wrap. I was disappointed when I got it. Lots of breading to chicken ratio and half the time felt like I was eating fried breading caesar wrap. Came to try again during lunch, this time to sit down. Was greeted promptly, but once I sat down it took a while. I asked the waitress to tell me more about the Miso Spaghetti they have because it sounded good and different and she looked at me like it was self-explanatory. Pivoted and asked about a taco and they seems reluctant to describe it. I ease the interaction by joking that she didn't sell it too well and that didn't go over well she was just silent. Now I remember. i also asked how big the tacos were offering that i've never had them before, and instead of describing she told me how many she would have which wasn't helpful. I got one shrimp taco, i was asked corn or flour without being told flour would be more. i don't mind but when you upcharge for differences you should let the customer know. not just offer it as if it's the same. Given the area, and at $7 a taco, I felt like I had to work at the interaction. Like she literally read me the description of the Misp Spaghetti. Also, I ordered a drink and food, it all came out at once. The taco was ok. The panko shrimp was cooked great but the slaw was lacking, the sauces disappeared and couldn't tell you what they were. These places get to me. $7 for a blue taco and pride themselves on charging a lot because of where it sourced and how it's made but can't bother to answer questions? It's not like the menu has pictures if that's the case. read more

Very un-remarkable fish burrito. Smidgen of avocado and lots of rice. Missing a lot of flavor. Not for me. read more

I love this place, the food is great and the staff is amazing. It's located in a great area. Perfect spot for lunch

I highly recommend this restaurant for the following reasons: its menu contains a variety of very reasonably priced dishes, the food is of high quality and the portion sizes are decent. The service was very efficient and the dining area and restrooms were very clean and modern. I even enjoyed my horchata beverage as it wasn't overly sweet or frothy. Because I like Burmese and Mexican cuisine, I naturally enjoyed my pork belly burrito. The cheddar cheese in chopped hot fries was not clumpy and the ground beef gave it extra flavor. I personally would've preferred thick-cut fries however because the burrito already contained multi-grain rice, skinny fries was therefore a nice lower-carb compliment. read more

Belly - Pork Belly Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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Been living in Rockridge for awhile and finally got out to try this cute Asian-Mexican fusion joint! Belly has a darling blue storefront, and the cute aesthetic continues throughout the dining area. Service was really friendly and the vibe is casual but inviting. I ordered three tacos (Korean Hot Chicken, Cali, and Pork Belly) and enjoyed them all -- fresh ingredients and packed full. I do wish they had a bit more flavor, particularly in the Korean Hot Chicken. The salad was a nice surprise to have included and the vinaigrette was really refreshing! It might have been my favorite part of the platter. Came to Belly with a belly empty; left Belly with a belly full! Pretty happy about that. read more

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I fell in love with this place years ago at the downtown Oakland location which is no longer. I liked them so much I've now come to the second location and still the feeling is the same. Everything is delicious, and the owners make it much more of an experience. The food is undeniable very good no matter what menu items you choose to indulge in. Their cocktails are good & also very pretty. The owners are really nice, personable and live locally. It's always a good feeling being able to support local folk, and they've been around for years now. read more

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Belly was a nice lunch spot to stop in Rockridge. Down to earth ambiance and not crowded during the week. I've seen this spot having busier hours so I'm glad I got a chance to try it while it was more mellow. I loved that I could order a half order of loaded fries instead of full because I really had no intention of taking anything to go with me and loaded fries get soggy over time. Service was great. Prompt, friendly and easy going. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Belly - Belly Cali Fries and White Ale - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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I will come back again but it has to do better... I tried the chicken caesar wrap, and let me tell you the croutons were super stale.. For $20, yeah not fair! And the (americanized) chicken tortilla soup was meh... I'm kind of upset about but I was super hungry... I wish it came with some secret sauce or hot sauce on the side at least! No comment on the service, the ambiance looks clean... read more

Stopped in on Valentine's Day for a late lunch and was sat immediately. Chill vibe with quick service. Wife ordered surf and turf bowl and I got the breakfast tacos. Both were good, solid and worth a try. But not amazing. They lacked a bit of depth and character. Price was fair for portion size and if we were in the area we would come back read more

Belly - Breakfast Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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Surprisingly good. The steak was just okay. But the chicken was awesome. Would definitely get the hot chicken fries every time. Could use a hot sauce tho. I didn't ask for any so they may have some. read more

Belly - Cali Taco and Korean Hot Chicken Taco - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Great atmosphere, very friendly service and amazing food! Was highly recommended to us read more

Belly - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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Korean-Mexican food remains one of the more untraditional but beautiful culinary marriages I've had, and though scarce, it's always a great time when I find a restaurant like Belly that does this cultural blend well. My friend ordered a three taco plate while I opted for the pork belly and panko shrimp taco a la carte. The prices are steeper than what you'd find at a typical taqueria but do heed the fact that these tacos are basically twice as large as its authentic counterpart. The panko shrimp was pretty good with fresh vegetable atop. But, the pork belly was pedestrian - I'm Korean so I've had my fair share of good daeji bulgogi (spicy pork). The sauce was overly saturated in gochujang flavor, and the meat was more fat than muscle. The homemade, blue corn tortillas for both though were delicious, warm and gritty. To share, we had tater tots - incredible and doused in an umami, togarashi flavored aioli - as well as the kimchi (which I'd skip personally as you can get far better from an H-mart for a fraction of the price). My friend spotted an article posted on the wall that noted Belly as Iguodala's favorite restaurant. Iguodala is no Jonathan Gold, but off the court, I can tell he eats pretty well given this accolade. read more

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Came in on weekday for lunch and had a pleasant experience. There was no wait, service was kind, and the food came out pretty fast. I have the surf and turf bowl, the fries and shrimp were both very crispy. The sauce on top has a good balance of creamy and tangy. My friend got a burrito that looked huge. Definitely will be back to try more on their menu! read more

Belly - Surf and Turf Bowl - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

4 stars for being Asian owned. The food overall has potential but could use more balance and attention to texture and flavor. I tried the pork belly burrito, which was $22. At that price point, I expected a bit more depth and care in the flavors. The idea is great with brown rice, lettuce, and gochujang, but the pork seemed premade and turned out dry. It was also unevenly spread, so half the bites were mostly tortilla and rice. If the pork were freshly seared, juicier, and distributed more evenly, it could really tie everything together. Since the rice and lettuce are pretty mild, the burrito needs the protein and sauce to bring the flavor punch. The burger was fine but felt pretty standard. The kimchi cucumbers on top are a nice idea but came across more like an add-on than a fully integrated flavor. Maybe a spicier or tangier kimchi slaw could make it stand out more. The kimchi on its own was delicious, bright, tangy, and fresh. Overall, it feels like the place might have lost a bit of its original spark. The concept is there and the flavors have potential, but the execution could use some fresh energy to bring it all back to life. read more

I ordered takeout. The waitress was very busy serving tables so I told her to take her time to get to me since I didn't know what I wanted to order. I didn't have to wait long, about 5-7 minutes for the food to come out. The food was delicious and stayed hot until my drive home (10 min). I ordered the Arancini kimchi balls, the kimchi pasta and the Korean fried chicken burrito bowl. Everything is a must try. I will def go back to try other dishes. read more

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My friends and I used to visit the original Belly location near 19th Street years ago. I'm so glad they've continued to grow and prosper since then and this restaurant on College is so much more upscale than their old set up. Service was excellent, the restaurant was clean, spacious and accommodating for my cousin, two year old son and me. The tacos were excellent - a little messy but very tasty. We ordered 3 tacos (pork belly, steak and egg, grilled chicken) and some truffle fries - this was enough for a light lunch for the 2.5 of us. read more

Belly - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Love everything about Belly. Fresh, inexpensive and delicious. Interesting and tasty Asian-meets-Latin. I'm a pork belly fan, and the steak and egg taco is awesome. Super nice people and fast service. Nothing not to love!!! read more

Ordered to go but ended up eating there. Service was great. Waitress got us set up to eat in their outdoor dining area. Food was good. A little pricey but we enjoyed it. read more

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Pretty good food, clean space, open and airy. Great service, fresh food and moderately priced Save yourself the hassle and park in the lot vs circling for a parking space on the street. The Food Stuffs Korean Fried Chicken Taco: 4/5 - Pretty tasty. Crispy cutlet. Nicely dressed. Fried Shrimp Taco: 4.6/5 - Def was a winner. Should've gotten (2) of them honestly. Waitress made this suggestion and it was a dope recommendation. Tots: -- - They were tots. I mean, crispy and not too oily. Breakfast Burritos (sub fries for tots): 5/5 - Friends love this and order them every time they are in the area. Yuzu Lemonade: 4.3/5 - Tart and Sweet. Was fine. Didn't need it, but wasn't mad at it. ***Special shoutout to that spicy ketchup that is prepared in house. Dope af honestly. TL;DR: Go, get food, tip well, enjoy. read more

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It's good but I wanted to like it more. The taco portions are very generous but none of them quite hit for me. I got a fish, Korean hot chicken, and carne asada fry taco and each seemed to be missing something to tie the ingredients together. I think it's a sauce issue but it would be different sauces for each one. Or maybe just more of the sauces they came with. read more

Had a delightful brunch with girlfriends here and had the breakfast tacos. Would go back!

Came in earlier this week and wow. Let me tell you the chicken caesar salad wrap..yikes. The most dry bland and chewy bit chicken I had while eating out, and for $20?? (Alone). I had to ask for extra dressing which added another dollar so I could get it down. So disappointing, the staff seemed reluctant to even to try help which was unfortunate because at first glance it seemed like a nice place. An inedible caesar wrap should not be worth $21, not even for this area- esp when the rest of the menu is a little more reasonable. Seemed overhyped and i paid the brunt of having to taste it. I just saw another comment made about the stale croutons!! Yes thank you! Why am i paying for this!! read more

Loved the San Pablo location but this one is better! Space is super cute! The food is always good. My go to is the steak&eggs and the butterfly pea yuzu lemonade was amazing! Highly recommend the hot sauce (pretty spicy) read more

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Ambiance- clean and sleek Service- great Food -Devine So happy we found them as they moved out of downtown oakland Food is great, hot chick sandwich was not so hot, it can use more hot sauce and more slaws Cali fries are so delicious and so much other side to supplement the dish Price is a bit on the higher end read more

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We had an 9-person order for a birthday lunch and placed a large order online to go. Unfortunately, the online system was having errors processing our payment and said to call the restaurant. I called as soon as they were open and received the most excellent customer service from (I presume the owner) the woman I was speaking to. She input our (very large) order online herself, found the same issue and had to re-enter it again using a different system. She was texting and calling me back and forth during this time, making sure all was well, and even scheduled the Doordash delivery before we succeeded in completing the order. She was very communicative and even let me know when the driver picked up the order. The customer service was truly exceptional and I felt very well taken care of. The food itself was delicious and everyone loved everything they ordered; lots of happy noises all around. I have no doubt that we'll be back! read more

I forget how good this place is!! Friend was in town and he loves this place. This was the last place we ate together when he moved too. I haven't been to this new location even though they been here for 2 years. Other location you would order at the counter and sit but this place is table-side service which I like. We ordered the steak+ egg tacos (my absolute favorite), Korean hot chicken burrito, cheese quesadilla and I think it was the hot chicken fries - newer menu item. And their chocolate chip cookies are so good! I recommend all dishes above as they did not disappoint. Plenty of seating inside. Great decor. Owner is the sweetest! Optional outdoor seating- great for the summer. Street parking. I'm pretty skeptical about parking my car in Oakland especially with all the breaks in but it's all worth it for this place! read more

Belly - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Well, this place is cute. Really well done aesthetic on College Ave right off BART and across from Rockridge Market. Similar to the other location, what a great spot for a hangover or something indulgent. It's fun burritos: think hot fried chicken, or with kimchi, or surf & turf with quality steak. And now, you can get it in bowl form or seemingly on fries. They also offer up salads and they have wine, beer and this locale has a little coffee shop menu as well with lattes and matcha. But wow, we're expensive. That was my Belly gripe at their OG location 8-9 years ago, and it still lands. I picked up a chicken bowl for $19+ with tax. It was good, with purple rice, and shredded lettuce and tasty chicken with a housemade habanero, but by no means would I value this at $19. $15, sure. The burritos I think are a more fun way to eat this, eating in to enjoy the space, especially if you're going exotic variety. But the quick to-go order, of a simple chicken bowl, wasn't quite there for me. However, I did appreciate that it seemed clean and healthy. Overall, a splurge both on calories and wallet for a fast casual style eat! And will return when I'm jonesing for a unique taste of a burrito to cure a hangover. read more

I've been to Belly a few times now. It's a cute little spot across the street from Market Hall and Rockridge BART. I've gotten myself acquainted with the owner and some of the workers too. Even without that bias, the service is always prompt and smooth. As for the food, it's pretty decent. It's not exactly outstanding, but it gets the job done. I usually get their burritos (Southwest or KFC), tacos, and their burger. The real standout is their chocolate chip cookies! Get one warmed up, you'll thank me later. My main gripe is the price. While the food is decent and consistent, I personally don't think the price justifies it. Not to mention they also tack on a little extra through Doordash. Overall, Belly is a dependable spot if you're craving Mexican/Asian fusion. If that's not your thing, you're not missing much. If you do give it a shot, expect steady, consistent food--not outstanding, especially for the price. read more

On the popular college right off rockridge bart, which is nice because there is not much street parking. Step inside to about 8 tables for 4, 2 tables for 2, and one six person circular table by the huge front window. I went at night, but it should be bright inside during the day. It is a korean fusion flavored taco, burrito or on fries kind of place. I started with a special bowl of pork belly tortilla soup. Beef that tasted like kalbi on fries, a lightly spiced chicken salad, surf and turf on fries, and a guava lemonade. All very good, for about $50. Perfect to meet up with a friend during a rain storm. There were two very nice ladies behind a bar counter height area to either pay to go or they seat you and leave you menus and some water and cutlery. I do wish they had stools to eat and drink there, but no alcohol. I would go back if i was in the area, and not craving Zachary's pizza. read more

Belly - Beef and shrimp on fries - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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I am upset as a regular that they increased the price on their food and seemed like it has been slowly climbing up over the years, but what hasn't? It's often difficult to find parking if you want to eat in, but the food is delicious. I will be sad if they go, but it hurts my wallet to go. Went near closing and they didn't put guacamole for my $23 belly cali fries and less onion in the hot chicken fries. Nearing the point I don't want to come anymore even though it's good. It's sad. At least I got a little perk for next time after I called in. EDIT: Great customer service! I am thoroughly happy about the recovery and will come again! read more

LOVE THEM!! I have been coming to Belly since they literally opened their doors at their original location on San Pablo. Was very excited when they opened another location in Oakland. Finally was able to try this location after original location closed it's doors. Love that they brought back their burgers on the menu. Also love that they have expanded their menu with new items and including a kids menu. My son loves their steak and eggs taco, but excited for him to try the kids menu. Came here with my boyfriend. He got the West Coast burger and I got the 3 taco platter, with the veggie, the surf, and the Korean hot chicken. We also got the tater tots and I always get the Arnold Palmer. My boyfriend is a harsh burger critic, but said the burger was decent. I loved it, juicy and well seasoned. Got my faves for the tacos, can never go wrong with any of their tacos. I have literally ordered one of each of their tacos before. Loved the tots, super crispy! Oh and I got a cookie at the end, yum! (R.I.P Sweet Belly). Located on a busy street with tons of restaurants and shops. Street parking. Not too bad of a walk if you have to park far because you can browse along the way. Pricing is standard and worth every penny. Oh and it's wait service now, so I liked that new experience. Love Alice, a great person that brings amazing food to the Bay Area. Very excited to go back for new menu items. read more

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I've been a long time customer, despite my friends exclaiming about how expensive it is. However, I think a break from Belly is warranted now after I opened the take-out taco I got from them. For $7.5/taco, I cannot fathom how they thought it was appropriate to give 2 tiny pork belly pieces + 1 burnt piece. I never had an issue with presentation/portion when it comes to eating onsite so this was disappointing to see for a take-out order. I've dealt with the price hikes and them nickel & diming for flour tortillas, but don't think I will be back anytime soon! read more

Belly - Disappointing portion for a $7.5 (not including fees) pork belly taco - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Super tasty and food and lovely atmosphere! The decour and tableware was really lovely. I wish the food had more spicy flavor for being Asian/Latin fusion I felt like it was kind of lacking. Tasty regardless and would come again, the signature beverages were a hidden gem read more

Belly - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California