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    Sushinista

    4.3 (199 reviews)
    InexpensiveJapanese
    Closed Closed

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    SUSHINISTA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Grace H.

    Delicious mom and pop small owned business with unique sushi burritos at a great price point. The owners are from Japan and very nice! Small space for dining inside.

    What is this madness, absolutely delicious and not heavy at all. Definitely coming back to try all the other burritos they have.

    Uma Uma Beef Burrito
    Audrey I.

    Nestled in a quaint building across from Berkeley High, Sushinista serves up nori (seaweed) wrapped Japanese meats and fix-ins colloquially dubbed "sushi burritos." Unlike your traditional burrito, the meal won't make you cancel your day plans and induce a year-long food coma. I ordered the Uma Uma Beef this time around, but I highly recommend the Juu Juu Unagi (which is a great deal for only $14 for a typically expensive fish) or the Saku Saku Shrimp. The beef was perfectly marinated, tender, and juicy, and complemented the rich buttery sauce. Beyond the food, what makes your visit extra special is the lovely couple working inside. This literal mom-and-pop shop makes you feel super welcome with inviting smiles and friendly dispositions. Although the patio seemed to be closed at 2, they clarified that they closed at 2:30 and still allowed my group to sit outside to enjoy our meals. I will say though, for such an unassuming couple, they sure know how to whip up meals with the tastiest flavor profiles. What a power duo!

    Best sushi burrito I've ever had! The freshness, the texture, the flavor! Highly recommend this place to anyone wanting good sushi burrito or bowl.

    Uma Uma Beef
    Brian K.

    Absolutely loved this place. Who doesn't love a giant sushi roll? We ordered a ton of food because everything sounded good. We had the tuna puri puri poke roll, the uma beef roll, the saku saku shrimp roll, the waku waku california roll, and an eel roll. It was all good. My son wasn't the biggest fan of the wasabi mayo in the waku waku but I thought it was great. I could eat any of those again and hopefully I will someday soon.

    Montage of images from Sushinista
    Ed U.

    ** The following review reflects my delivery experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** Somewhere between Sandinistas and fashionistas lie sushinistas. OK, I made that up, but I'm trying to picture what a sushinista would look like. Maybe a samurai bandana tied around his head with tubes of wasabi on his belt. Probably the first one at the tuna auction. Anyway, this Sushinista is in Downtown Berkeley on MIlvia. Jamie W. and I have passed by it as we were waiting for a movie on Shattuck, but alas, it took the pandemic for us to try it... for delivery, of course. Jamie decided to order the $12.75 Teri Teri Chicken Bowl, a hearty mix of honey grilled chicken breast, fried zucchini, cucumber, shredded cabbage, sesame seeds, teriyaki sauce, and mayo (photo: https://bit.ly/2LykOk5). It was a crunchy, no-rice delight. He even got a bag of Calbee Potato Crisps for added crunch and carbs (photo: https://bit.ly/36ScH9d). I went for the $11.75 Sushinista Seafood Salad, which combined sushi-grade tuna, salmon, and shrimp with radish, cucumber, corn, romaine lettuce, and sesame seeds. It came with their house seafood dressing on the side (photo: https://bit.ly/3p44Lbt). Basically it was a higher-end poke bowl. No complaints from me. In fact, I decided to make a detour and ordered the $3.50 Tofu Nuggets, which were exactly what I expected, non-tater tater tots (photo: https://bit.ly/2MPOmu7). All it needed was a honey mustard dipping sauce, but I ate them naked. Not me, the nuggets. I don't think our meal made us sushinistas, but we're willing to earn our titles over time, Old Master. Go on, snatch the pebble from his hand, Grasshopper. FOOD - 4 stars...sustenance for the sushinista AMBIANCE -n/a...delivery for us SERVICE - 4 stars...timely and well packaged TOTAL - 4 stars...good for on-the-go eating RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

    Sushinista will reopen 9/8/21 whew!
    Denis A.

    I was a little nervous when I drove by Sushinista on my way home earlier this week and saw the windows covered and a sign on the front door. However, on my walk this morning (8/19/21), I was able to get a closer look at the sign that was posted. Sushinista will be closed for a short time and will reopen on 9/8/21, no reason is given. You bet I'll be the first in line ready to get some sushi burritos when you guys open. The best spot in all of the Bay Area for sushi burritos in my humble opinion.

    Puri Puri Poke
    Jeffrey H.

    It's a small home-y shop with very lovely people! They're a small business so definitely go out and support! The fish is super fresh but there is one or two ingredients that threw the flavor off for me.

    Crunchy shrimp w/ cream cheese & corn - Tasty!
    Shayla B.

    Yep! They've got that sushi burrito game on lock. Super tasty sushi burritos at very reasonable prices! Lately, I've been on this poke bowl/sushi burrito hype and Sushinista did wonders when it came to satisfying my sushi burrito craving. The shop is randomly located in Downtown Berkeley not too far from Berkeley High. The space is small and makes more for a take out situation versus a dine-in, but they do have a few tables inside. They have preset sushi burritos and you can also choose to build your own. What I really like about Sushinista is that they have a variety of both raw and cooked meat that you can choose as your main. Often times I find that the majority of sushi burrito and poke spots mainly serve raw seafood which totally makes sense of course. It's just nice to mix it up and to have more options that cater to people who don't necessarily love raw seafood. I ordered the crunchy shrimp burrito with cream cheese and it came out wonderfully. It's similar to a chipotle style where they make it in front of you and they ask you what ingredients that you'd like. Other than the avocado being a little too ripe for my taste, everything tasted super fresh. The sushi burrito had great flavor and it was a nice size. That crunch from the shrimp could become dangerously addicting. This was my absolute favorite element of the burrito itself! That crunchy shrimp was fiyah! At first I thought that the cream cheese would be a bit overpowering but it wasn't. It really complemented everything very well and was also very filling. There were two men working there that day and I believe that one of them was the owner. Both men were very friendly and helpful. The interior space was very clean. I noticed that they have some happy hour specials during the week that I'm excited to check out next time around. Overall, this is a solid place to fulfill your sushi burrito cravings.

    Menu has your mouth watering.
    Eric S.

    If you are a sushi lover, this place will be like heaven to you. They make sushi burritos. It's off the hook good. The service is quick and food is made right in front of you. It's quiet and you can eat outside. I'm definable Corning back here. Make sure you come here and support local establishments.

    Salmon Poke Burrito

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    This is a wonderful and delicious spot! Everything is fresh and made with intention and care!

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    Fast service, friendly staff. Food exceeds expectations, absolutely delicious. Definitely go here

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    Ask the Community - Sushinista

    Is real crab used in the crab salad?

    Yes, It is.

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    Ippuku

    Ippuku

    3.9
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    One of my favorite izakayas in the U.S./Canada, especially if you love chicken skewers. Ippuku…read morefeatures LaBelle Rouge heritage breed chickens, which originate from France and are known for their rich flavor, firmer texture, and slower growth compared to conventional broiler chickens. Naturally, we ordered as many chicken skewers as possible, and every single one was fantastic. The hearts were especially impressive--soft and tender, which is rare since most places tend to overcook them. The karaage was also top notch. The biggest surprise was the bonjiri. I had to look it up, and once I realized it was basically the chicken equivalent of rich, fatty oxtail-style meat, I knew I had to try it. Holy hell, it was easily the best chicken skewer I've ever had. I would honestly come back just to order multiple of these. The squid ink rice was incredibly savory and filling, and paired with a few beers, this made for such a great evening out. All in all, Ippuku is a must-visit in Berkeley if you're into izakayas.

    Yesterday was my first time at Ippuku. My friends and I were a group of 8 and they were able to…read moreaccommodate us but in 2 separate tables - I believe their large table was already reserved. This worked out fine for our group. The menu had various options and eye-catching beverages! My table ordered 3 versions of the Chu-Hi's. Quite pleasant. I liked my Meyer Lemon Hi, it came with half of a lemon which I freshly squeezed and poured into my drink. I thought that was very fun! The quality of each dish was cooked well. My favorites were the crab croquettes, chicken heart, one of the marinated skewers (I can't recall the name of it), gizzards, and the squid ink fried rice. I'm definitely curious to try the bacon-wrapped mochi at a future visit. The only downfall was that the kitchen was extremely backed up during our visit. It took well over what felt like 20-30 minutes from our 1st order to our 2nd Chef's Choice dish. That negatively impacted our experience, but it happens. I'd like to try Ippuku again and hope there will be less of a delay. Our server was nice & attentive, came around a few times to refill our water.

    Photos
    Cool shochu dispensers
    Cool shochu dispensers
    Sashimi combo: tuna, fatty tuna, sea urchins and ?
    Sashimi combo: tuna, fatty tuna, sea urchins and ?
    Beer and sake

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    Beer and sake
    Kirala

    Kirala

    3.9
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Still all these decades later, Kirala meets the mark. We sat at the sake bar in the back with two…read morekids and it worked well. Service by Taka was great - attentive and quick. Only lag was when we ordered 2 nigiri at the end and it took a really long time but I think the sushi chefs lost the order or something. Delicious sukiyaki, chicken skewers, cold tofu, salmon rolls, hamachi sashimi, Ikura and uni, tuna and Ikura nigiri, and hamachi Kama (not sure why they charge $21 and then $7 for a large when it is two small dollars that came out though). Decent wine selection - Chardonnay was good. Restaurant itself is fairly loud, especially with a baby that kept crying. But it might have been crying because it was loud. Owners should consider the Constellation System by Meyer Sound to make the dining experience more enjoyable for patrons. As this is a longtime bastion of Japanese food in the Bay, they should really invest in the sound portion of their restaurant. Prices have gone up since the last time I was here but it's not totally unreasonable. Good quality food and service. Love this place.

    Kirala isn't just another Japanese spot for us--it's a reminder of how far we've come. My wife used…read moreto only treat herself to Kirala when she was younger--on special occasions when a bonus check came in. Now, we get to dine here as a family, and that nostalgic treat feels all the more satisfying. Food (4 stars) + Ribeye teriyaki was a hit--tender, cooked to perfection, and the kids loved it! + Lamb chop was a standout--one piece, but perfectly grilled, juicy, and tender. I could eat 2 of these with a bowl of rice and it would be a hearty meal! + Chicken karaage was solid--crispy, good portion, and a nice appetizer. It's basically a Japanese version of chicken strips that is way better than nuggets. + Salmon sashimi for the kids never disappoints. ~ Chirashi bowl was fresh and filling, though standard compared to other spots. There was a lot of rice which if we knew that we probably would've skipped the extra bowl I ordered to eat with my lamb chops. For the somewhat premium pricing, I wish they provided fresh chopped wasabi. ~ Stuffed mushroom skewer was just okay--tasty but nothing special. I guess for mushrooms it does taste kinda like a chicken meatball which could be a good thing. Service/Ambiance (4 stars) + Attentive and thoughtful service, especially accommodating a broken foot. They let my family wait at the bar instead of standing. + Ambiance is that classic Japanese vibe, busy but comfortable. Maybe not high-end, but definitely a place that feels special--especially now that we can afford it!

    Photos
    Kirala
    Kirala
    Kirala

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    Tsuruya

    Tsuruya

    4.6
    (175 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    WHEN: Sat @6pm…read more PARKING: There is metered parking around, and is free after 6pm. It may be a bit tricky especially around meal time, but keep circling and you'll find a spot near by enough. This cute little ramen shop has such perfect lighting coming through thanks to thier skylight. We weren't actually hungry so we shared the following: TONKOTSU - $16.50 (Regular) Pork Belly Chashu, Bamboo Shoots, Red Onion, Wood Ear Mushrooms, Green Onion, Ajitama Egg. You get a choice of noodles to pick: 1.) Hakata - Thin Straight 2.) Sapporo - Medium Thick Wavy Figured since it's my first time here, I choose the most basic version of their bowl of ramen. I chose Sapparo and for some reason expected it to be thicker/wider, but regardless it was still good! The presentation of this bowl is just gorgeous, served on a small wooden platter. The red onion is chopped, and the pork Belly is quite tender. Regarding the egg, you get just half. Overall this bowl of ramen is creamy, rich, and the right amount of flavor and salt. But still make sure to drink at least a glass of water! CREAMY CHASHU PORK CROQUETTES - $8.50 I have never seen anything like this so I must give it a try! It actually didn't come out piping hot, so I was able to drive in right away! It was definitely creamy (like ramen) and had pieces of the Chau's pork, encased in a crispy and warm batter that was deep fried. It also comes with a katsu sauce and I really enjoyed it. The staff was friendly and didn't make us feel bad for ordering enough of just one, but man I was so full. Had to walk around downtown Berkeley for awhile.

    I really love Tsuruya so writing this review stung a bit. Tsuruya snuck in additional tip amount…read morethe last time we dined here. It was only a couple of dollars more but tip fraud is never acceptable. We rarely deviate from our usual order so the posted transaction felt off to us. We were able to confirm and report to the credit card company. I recommend you guys take pictures of your receipts and verify the transactions. Hope this doesn't happen to y'all!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Matcha Panna Cotta
    Matcha Panna Cotta
    A deliciously crunchy and savoy chashu pork croquettes! Warm and healing vibes on the first bites

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    A deliciously crunchy and savoy chashu pork croquettes! Warm and healing vibes on the first bites
    Mensho

    Mensho

    4.5
    (653 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Mensho is a very popular restaurant. This was my first time visiting, and I had a great experience…read more The food was delicious! The standout dishes for me were the Calamari, Karaage, and Daikon Salad. The Calamari was perfectly fried, and the seasoning was well-balanced. The Karaage was also perfectly fried, and the sauce was flavorful. The Daikon Salad was light and refreshing. I would like to thank our server, Noah, for his helpfulness in choosing our dishes and for the prompt service. I highly recommend it!

    Unpopular opinion: wasn't my favorite. But that's all due to personal preference (aside from…read moreservice and a rocky start). The good: fresh, quality ingredients The bad: started with the host/wait list. I accidentally added my name twice for a solo diner. Host thought it was a mistake and completely removed me from the wait list and seated other parties that came in after me. Thoroughly confused - she didn't even call my name to confirm so I had to go up to her and ask. No apology either. Was seated at the counter where solo diners usually sit. Service was non existent. Server came up to me and ask "what would you like to order?" I've never been there before. No "hi my name is ... I'll be your server" nada. They're just a machine - people in people out. The ramen - broth was fine. The squiggly noodles aren't my favorite. Expected to have kernel corn but had corn ribs instead (good thing I'm good with chopsticks!) The charshu was just okay. Enoki topping was just ... aight. The nice touch was that they didn't put it in the ramen and served it on the side to preserve its crunchiness because it definitely needed the texture! It was loud, busy, and nothing spectacular about the dining scene here. $55 dollars later (ramen, 2 additional toppings, one box of sake) ... I sadly don't think it was worth it.

    Photos
    Waiting area
    Waiting area
    Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken
    Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken
    Hokkaido Uni Mini Rice Bowl

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    Hokkaido Uni Mini Rice Bowl
    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    3.9
    (442 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    Top contender for Japanese cuisine in Berkeley--equal parts sophisticated and scrumptious…read more Highlights include: - Sea Bean & Corn Tempura: a savory funnel cake worthy of a Michelin star thanks to its texture and the side of matcha salt - Salmon sashimi: succulent with fresh wasabi - Wagyu Shime Special: insane price for insane flavor--a generous portion of veggies and wagyu in a big ol' iron bowl of bubblin' broth

    Ate Christmas dinner here with my mom as our celebration tradition is usually a Japanese…read morerestaurant. The ambience was intimate and cozy yet elegant, and the staff was very attentive and kind. I loved the decorations, the plates and silverware, and the food was just as intentional in flavor and selection. For appetizers we had: Anchovy Stuffed Olives Tempura - Tempura Spanish alives stuffed with anchovies $9 Kombu Tsukudani - Premium Hokkaldo kelp, say sauce, bonito, shiso, sesame seeds, enjoy with sake or rice $6 For our meal we had: Saba Bouzushi - House-cured saba mackerel bouzushi - stick-shaped sushi, also called battera, served with shiso, sesame, scallions, topped with Hokkaido shiraita kombu, ten pieces $29 Gindara Yuanyaki - Local black cod marinated in soy sauce and shikuwasa Okinawan citrus juice served grilled $34 Steelhead Trout Nabe - Norwegian ocean trout raised sustainably in the clear, cold ford where the seawater meets fresh meltwater from the glaciers in the mountains. Enjoy the rich flavored, melt-in-your-mouth fish, hotpot with dashi broth, mushrooms, napa cabbage, burdock, clear noodles, tofu, mizuna, scallions, yuzu kosho $39 We've been to many izakaya spots and this place had some of the most unique flavors I've tasted. The Saba Bouzushi stood out to me because it reminded of Filipino paksiw but as a roll! The Gindara was buttery and soft and had a yummy smoky flavor. The Nabe was perfect for a rainy evening - hearty, fresh, and so well balanced in flavor (I loved the yuzu kosho the had us add for a citrusy, peppery flavor)

    Photos
    Uni chawanmushi -- savory custard with shrimp and vegetables topped with sea urchin
    Uni chawanmushi -- savory custard with shrimp and vegetables topped with sea urchin
    Duck tataki -- seared duck served medium rare.
    Duck tataki -- seared duck served medium rare.
    Fried night smelt with nanban sauce

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    Fried night smelt with nanban sauce

    Sushinista - japanese - Updated July 2026

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