Just ate a delicious rainbow tase here for the first time. What an incredible organization! Food and ingredients are looked at seriously here. I absolutely was surprised and can't wait to go back with my friends. My good friend took me here and we were hungry with no reservation! They are kind and so hospitable. My bowl was colorful, tasty and full of delicious surprises. Some flavors took me right back to childhood and happy moments! The experience is more like a workshop where you learn so much as you are eating the carefully curated food. I bought some of the fermented food from the fridge as well. Can't wait to share these with my family & friends! read more

I honestly wanted to like this, but I really didn't. First of all, I thought I liked pickles but maybe not to this degree. The "Rice & Pickles" menu also varies, so you don't know what you'll be getting until you show up. I had booked my reservation via email months in advance and requested for a bar seat. We showed up early and looked around the shop; they didn't seem ready yet so we told them we'll wait outside until it was time to check in. Once people started showing up, they were essentially in front of us. I had presumed the staff we talked to would remember we were there first already, but just wanted to wait outside since they weren't ready. Luckily, we were still sat at the bar as we requested, but it was just a chaotic check in system - or I would say there really wasn't one at all. Once we sat down at opening along with everyone else, it still took a while to be served. They were essentially still prepping as we were sat there. The bar seating area was preferred because we could listen to Kevin introduce the food. He was very passionate, but everyone else working there just seemed annoyed to be there. However, the stools are wildly uncomfortable and we were really squished in. The height was also just wrong so you either had to hold the bowl (which was pretty big and heavy) or lean over very far to eat. Now, the pickling/fermenting was Japanese inspired? But it wasn't done well, in my opinion. They used a lot of Asian ingredients but the actual execution was poor. For example, I usually love all things daikon but their daikon bettarazuke was much too fermented. Texture and flavor were both overwhelming - not sweet or crunchy. The only item I really liked was the koji garlic on the avocado (additional supplement $6). That was flavorful and delicious - wish there was more of that. The cured egg was something soy based but tasted like it was sat in the curing liquid for way too long - not good. The rice itself was honestly terrible; brown rice, but just didn't taste like it was properly cooked. The dashi had no flavor even though it was supposed to be fennel leek apple- it was just extremely sour. We didn't like most of the pickled vegetables, just flavor-wise and texturally. Everything was extremely sour and one-note, with no nuance in flavor besides from that, making it not that palatable as whole. Overall, I wouldn't be back but hey if you really like sour vegetables... $36 per bowl per person, 20% automatic gratuity added. Oh, and it was also difficult to pay; we got up and stood by the iPad for a good 10 minutes until they came over to help us pay to leave. read more

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Highlights: - huge variety of pickled and fermented items in one delicious bowl - very knowledgeable and kind staff - foods you've almost certainly never tried before - communal, in-the-kitchen style seating Cons: - none read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - Bowl full of pickled and fermented goodies! - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

This was a really unique experience. My friend and I love pickles and it was her birthday so what better what to celebrate than to visit a business that makes so many pickled goods in house? The space itself is charming and intimate. There are only a few seats at the prep station/bar, which is why making an appointment in advance is essential. I could tell there were a few regulars who frequent here which is a strong testament. I really enjoyed some pickles like the kimchi but didn't personally like some of the others like the citrus peels. They also had kombucha which looked tasty but we didn't indulge this time. My favorite part of the experience was the chefs/owners explaining the process behind making all their products. Even the ceramics they sell in store and use for plating are made by the owner's son. Would recommend this spot to anyone who enjoys pickles, wants to learn more about their process, or just wants to try a nutritious meal made with love! read more

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What a fun little place! This was a great find. We weren't even planning on coming here, it just happened to pop up nearby and Yelp when we were on one of the city streets in West Berkeley. They have fantastic pickled and fermented foods here. Fermented foods are fantastic for your gut health. I try to eat at least one fermented food per day. I had lots of questions and the staff was able to answer all of them. They are fantastically, knowledgeable, and helpful. Thank you for the great experience cultured pickle shop! read more

The husband, myself and the 10 year old headed here for the weekend restaurant pop-up, Rice & Pickles. (After emailing to reserve). They convert their weekday work space into a dining space. The staff were friendly and educational. The food was so delicious. I'm the family member that loves pickles the least, however I found everything delicious. The husband who loves everything pickled and spices was in complete bliss. The ten year old who primarily eats her veggies pickled also enjoyed her dish, however wasn't able to tolerate a few of the spicy items. The kombucha flavor of the day (pomegranate parsley) was mild and refreshing. Dessert was to die for. And the fermented rice drink was warming and comforting. Definitely recommend. It's a whole experience not worth missing. read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - Rice & Pickles Bowl weekend of 12/6 & 7 - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is a super unique food experience in Berkeley. I stumbled upon this place while I was going to the coffee shop across the street. I like fermented foods and pickles so I thought I'd come here to try their lunch set menu. Everything served on the menu was made in-house. I made a reservation a week beforehand and I'd highly recommend the indoor experience because you get to see where they make all the pickled items you try during the meal. There is a takeout option as well if you don't want to dine in. I didn't have too much of an issue finding street parking because there were some options on the same block and around the block. The lunch set menu came in with a soup, rice bowl, and a dessert for $30 per person. There are add-ons that you can buy as well. We paid for the Goma Dofu add-on which I highly recommend if you like sesame and tofu flavors. The service was prompt and very educational. One note is that the seating area inside is a bit small because the dining area is also their work area. From explaining what was on our plate to educating me on the pickling process, I thought that this dining experience was worth it. read more

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Had a wonderful experience at this shop. Went here for their brunch and had a wonderful meal, and got to hear more about the complexities behind what made our meal. Grabbed some extra goodies on our way out, definitely recommend! read more

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If you couldn't tell by the name, this place is all about pickles. Now this isn't referring to classic pickles you'd have with your pastrami sandwich. This is pickled ANYTHING (in fact, every pickled thing I had was NOT the traditional pickle). Now I love the traditional cucumber pickle as much as the next person (or possibly slightly more). But I can't say that extends to ALL pickled items, which was this whole meal. Get your sour pickle face ready, because that was what I was making the whole time while eating the bowl of assorted pickled items. Would have loved to have something else to cut through the strong flavor - my tongue was overwhelmed because there was TOO much flavor. Wasn't too impressed with the kombucha but the black sesame amazake (cold dessert drink) was a huge hit in my party. Would highly recommend the latter. The restaurant will let you book a reservation outside if their indoor section is fully booked out BUT DON'T DO IT. Part of the experience is being inside at the bar seating and seeing them prep the bowls, talking about all the items. My party was sitting outside for almost an hour missing all of it, so it was a very slow and painful experience compared to what was happening inside. The staff was apologetic and helped us squeeze inside for dessert which was much appreciated. I don't know if I'd be back in a hurry since it's almost too much pickle (even the kumquat on the dessert is sour), but anyone who visits can't help but appreciate that what they do here (pickling) they do it WELL. read more

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This was one of my favorite food experiences I've ever had! The folks working today were incredibly kind, even while short-staffed. It felt especially meaningful that they were willing to take our meal slowly, explaining each element of their projects that made up the incredible salad. The pistachio amazake pudding was one of my favorite desserts ever. This was a meal and experience that will be living rent-free in my head for the foreseeable future. read more

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Talked our way into last minute reservations for an 11am seating (thank you!) I had no idea what to expect, but lunch was a blast! The owners have been fermenting foods for 30 years, and it shows. The variety of flavors in their pickle bowl is astounding. They vary from mild (the Rutabaga & Sweet potato base) to sharp and spicy (Beet Green Kimchi). I highly recommend getting a seat at the counter--Kevin assembled a bowl component by component, describing each item in loving detail, including the exact ingredients and fermentation process used for each. It was quite the show! My understanding is that the menu changes based on whatever strikes their fancy, so be prepared for anything! We did get a few add-ons (Goma Dofu with 2022 Beet Kasu, Avocado with Jalapeno Kasu and Green Apple-Green Umeboshi), and also as a drink of Warm Amazake with Ginger, and they were all *well* worth the price. read more

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Great fun, very healthy and a must try experience. Loved the fact that every part of the vegetable was used whether as a main dish or an enhancer. Our host was amiable and explained everything so well. read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Beautiful lunch bowl! I made a reservation through email and make sure to ask for any availability at the main table. Kevin will walk you through the meal and answer any questions you may have. Be sure to like pickles -- even for a pickle lover, this is a lot of pickles! Its an amazing experience, but there will be some sour ones. All together with add ons for two people was about 100 dollars. Parking was very easy in this area. They got popular recently so theres some wait involved even if you made a reservation. Overall a wonderful experience. read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - Lunch bowl - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great date spot! This is a family owned shop that only opens for rice & pickles on the weekend, normally operate as a shop during the week. Alex and Kevin and their family are so knowledgeable -- it was so interesting hearing about how they prepare and source different ingredients. I loved the texture of the goma tofu and the bowl gave me a greater appreciation for pickled foods. It was a bit spicier than I initially expected but manageable. I would bring my friends and family here in the future :) read more

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Incredible. Delicious amazing that these people can put so much effort in time into these incredible dishes they serve on Saturday and Sunday. If you happen to like fermented and unique and vegetarian food, this is the place to go. I promise you. I think this is such a special place and these people put so much effort into it totally well worth the trip read more

WOW! What an experience! If you enjoy fermented vegetables, run/fly/catch the next train over here immediately. The Cultured Pickle Shop came on my radar when I was canvassing the Bay Area for local kombucha, but they provide so much more than that! They are primarily a production facility for fermented vegetables. They also make kombucha and other ferments such as amazake. On Saturdays and Sundays, they do seatings for rice bowls that are topped with an array of their pickled items. I made a reservation and brought two friends and we were all enthralled. How cool to walk into their shop with giant fermentation vessels everywhere with filled with brightly colored liquids and various leaves and unidentifiable plant matter in various stages of decomposition. Even better that we got to pull up stools and start asking questions and eating one amazing fermented item after another. The kombucha was good - unconventional flavors like beet/hojicha and carrot/rooibos. On the less sweet side and outlandishly fizzy. Our favorite times on the rice bowl were the beet kasu (evocative of gochujang, although it didn't have any peppers!), the apple umeboshi, and the black sesame amazake pudding. This was such a unique experience with incredible food and really warm, accommodating service (fantastic for my friend who has a nightshade intolerance). I would return any time I am remotely close to the area. read more

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rice & pickles is the definitely among the most special and amazing experiences ever! I emailed to reserve a spot for lunch on the weekend and was lucky to get a table spot near the counter where they make the bowls. Alex and Kevin as so knowledgeable and kind -- they explained everything that went into the bowls even down to the origins of the rice vessel and produce farms. It is so inspiring to hear about how they use many parts of a vegetable/fermentation. This place definitely feels like the kind of wonderful, third place in a community where anyone can meet anyone else, exchange fermentation ideas and share their life stories. the bowl is so beautiful and delicious! It is so much fun to mix and match all the different flavors and textures! all the items are quite unique and balanced. The dashi was very gentle and warm. The final dessert is also really unique and tasty -- ours was aged celery honey with apples and amazake caramel (like if sweet potato and caramel combined?) read more

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It really bothers me when I can't rely on a business's posted hours. I have a very busy life, like most others. That's not a brag, it's an unfortunate reality. I wish I had all the time in the world to drive to random pickle shops, and come back another time if they happen to be closed an hour early. Alas, I do not. Not only are their online hours posted as open until 6pm (Tue-Fri), but so were the hours posted on their shop window. However, shortly after 5, they were closed (although in peering through the window, I actually saw a worker in there with airpods on). I get stuff maybe happens. But I literally just don't have time for doing this with what is already a very specialty/niche product run that is quite far out of my way. At least make me feel a little seen with a "sorry we closed early sign," or something. Le sigh. Was going to put 1 star but since it could be an otherwise amazing shop (I'll never know), I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Be prepared to be fascinated. It will take time for the chef and servers to realize you are a customer in a new kind of place, one that put the food together in front of you, very slowly. Explanations and details accompany. The food is ok. The Japanese influence is apparent but there is a lack in translation- read: meticulous detail. That got spent long ago on the fermentation effort? Setting up bowls with fingers, or with dirty dish towels on back pocket to wipe on? Not Japanese. Mushy food? Japanese. Esoteric? Exotic? Too mushed together? Not cold or warm, room temp except the rice. Clean up the look and feel, sharpen and enunciate, express the specialness and magic. My advice to this shop. read more

Very cool eating at the counter table and learning about how the food is made. Very friendly people and the pickles and rice meal is excellent too to bottom. A very Berkeley experience--interesting, delicious and you'll learn something new. read more

This cute local gem has apparently been in this Berkeley spot for almost twenty years! But I just discovered it haha. Get the "chef's table" experience on the weekend by sitting at the counter and watching them assemble the yummy bowls. We went on a slow weekend, so we got to hear the full story behind each pickled item in their carefully assembled bowls. The tofu and egg options are already pretty tasty. And the best part is, you feel so healthy afterward! I've never had amazake before and I enjoyed the warm foamy sweetness. read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - Amazake drinks with apple slices. - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I can't say enough good things about the weekend lunch. It is definitely not just a meal but an educational food experience. We were there about 90 minutes and really enjoyed learning a lot about fermentation and also hearing the owners' stories. Definite recommend - think it is especially suitable for a date. I would not recommend for kids. read more

Came here to try their weekend pop up for rice bowls on a whim and wow it's really good! There's a huge variety of pickled veggies in the bowl, with a good mixture of sour, sweet and savory. I think their bowls and things they put inside it change slightly every week so it definitely makes me want to come back again soon. They have seating inside and out. If you sit inside you can sit at the bar/ counter where they assemble the bowl for you. You can also buy pickled food, drinks like kombucha, etc. inside also. Highly recommend trying this place out. Do yourself a favor, treat your gut health, and eat here :) read more

Had been an embarrassingly long time since we made it into the shop on a weekend for a bowl but we were not disappointed. Sat at the counter and were treated to an explanation (along with generally delightful conversation), until the owner apologized because the lunch slam had begun and he had a dozen bowls to make in rapid fire. This is a unique weekend lunch experience! I can't even begin to do justice to describing the variety of cultured vegetables served in a rice bowl. But there will be a few bites of 8-10 different things and all will be delicious! read more

I've been meaning to try their weekend pop-up, Rice and Pickles, for months! Unfortunately none of my buddies are much of pickle enthusiasts, so I decided to just go by myself. I really enjoyed it! I was able to sample SO MANY different pickles, different vegetables with different methods of ferment. I wasn't very familiar with kohlrabi, but now I'm going to try it in recipes for sure. The coolest part, they build the pickle bowls in front of you and they give you all the details about the vegetables used, the ferment process, and even where the ingredients are sourced. For example, the Takara sake distillery just several blocks away provides the sake lees that are used in some of their pickles, which is super cool - they are partnering with other local businesses and using products that would otherwise go to waste. Super fun experience! I think this pickle bowl probably added a few months to my lifespan as well. My gut flora has never been so happy The kombucha was very good! I don't usually like kombucha either, but the cupful I sampled surprised me how much I liked it. I was swayed enough to purchase an additional bottle on my way out. The owners and staff here are fantastic. I heard them remark several times "please feel at home!" and the vibe definitely reflects that mindset. Thoroughly enjoyed rice and pickles! read more

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Such a unique experience for anyone that is a fan of fermented food. Definitely not a typical restaurant, they open up dining on the weekends only and serve a selection of their most incredible and divine fermented vegetables on a bed of amazing brown rice. Explain everything to you and really make an experience. I cannot wait to go back read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - The chef, preparing rice and pickles bowls and explaining everything that goes into them, and how everything is made. - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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My most recent road trip to the Bay was sorta experimental. Trying different cuisines, new experiences - all food related, of course. Cultured is on this list. Located on Bancroft, if you know the area, looks like an industrial area that's undergoing some sort of gentrification. Street parking galore. Not metered but I didn't look for signs. My friend Irene and I walked in and were greeted by the owner, operators. Offered either indoor or outdoor seating - we opted for the outdoors. Indoor seating is right in the middle of what looks to be the kitchen. Not counter tops, but two tables in the prep area where you can see firsthand, all the magic that makes what they do there Cultured. Prefixed menu. One order each. Served in courses. The pickled process and flavors aren't for everyone - but they were for me. Healthy, colorful and every bite was full of flavor. I cleaned my bowl - well, with the exception of the beet offering. Not that I didn't like it - if you know me, you know why. If you don't, it's a story for another time. I gave all my beets to Irene. Service was excellent. Even sitting outdoors, the owners were attentive, friendly and took their time to explain the pickling process, their history and every course. Definitely worth a try! read more

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Cultured is something else! I now have a much greater appreciation for pickled foods. We came on a Saturday to try their famous rice bowl. I will say the inside of the shop is so much bigger than I expected. Aside from outdoor seating, you can eat at the counter (and watch your food be intimately prepared) or at one of the larger tables in the back. The "three course meal" took a little over an hour to finish because everything was prepared from scratch. I loved the dashi which tasted clean and refreshing. The rice bowl itself was amazing. The colors and flavors made for a delicious experience (something I didn't expect since everything is vegetarian). I also added a cured egg which was the perfect touch. You can sample one of their drinks for a few dollars or pair your meal with a full kombucha. I did the latter and got the Strawberry, Lemon, Chrysanthemum. It was one of the best kombucha flavors I've ever tried! If you're looking for a different lunch experience in Berkeley, definitely check this place out. I've had my share of kimchi and pickled onions, but I'm so glad I discovered a handful of new pickled foods. read more

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Cute place. Food was great! The wait was quite long for us over an hour to get food but they were busy tending to the customers, doing the dining experience. Next time we will do that instead to get all the benefits. read more

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I believe it was Alex, the owner, who came by our table, proceeded to give my friend a lengthy explanation of all that had been served to her, without a word to me or a moment of eye contact. read more

Hosting stresses me out. Are they comfortable? Is there enough food? Do they like the food? This is what I was asking myself when I was hosting a culture of bacteria in my stomach. I had oatmeal that morning because I heard that bacteria likes to munch on fiber from whole grains. It was the good stuff too, Bob's Red Mill. The kombucha and kimchi from here sat very well in my stomach, I'm assuming the bacteria enjoyed their stay! They were great guests! Would definitely have them in my belly again. read more

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this place gets ALL the stars. I wish Id had more time to chat with the owner - i'd be able to speak more about this phenomenal place. If you don't like fermented food - this place will change your mind. Here are the highlights for me: Super cool setting the food is astoundingly good. I am not a big pickle person - Alex has absolutely mastered pickles. I have been a long-time hater of kimchee - hers is absolute perfection. there are things like sesame tofu...I cannot capture the deliciousness adequately so I'll just say: just go there. Great service. stuff you can take home there is little waste - every part of the plant is used. Liquors are used to make other things, stems are used, broths are combined to make these bowls of steaming medicine that taste totally divine. THE EGG...omg the egg...perfect jammy yolk, slightly tart with so perfect umami. The pottery is made by one of her sons. family owned and operated. wife (Alex) husband, two sons and a neighbor were all working. Despite living an hour away - i will return there again and again. oh also, I somehow screwed up our reservation and they were able to accommodate us anyway which made me so happy. GO THERE read more

** February 2022 Visit - Sunday Morning** I read about this place on some SF news article and thought it was quite an interesting concept. I had recently been trying to incorporate more fruits and veggies in my diet so I though trying some pickled veggies would be another way to increase my intake. I called cultured the week before to make a Sunday morning reservation. Apparently they only do their pickled rice bowls on Sat/Sun, so I didn't want to miss out. The business is located along a secluded street with two tables outside (and what appeared two counter top tables inside). I think this business is primarily a pickle shop where patrons pick up various jars of goodies. Nevertheless, my friend and I eagerly waited for our colorful meal outside their shop. We drank a big bottle of pumpkin kombucha and each ordered a pickled rice bowl which came with dashi and dessert! The entire meal was beautifully presented and everything had such unique flavor profiles that leaned heavily Japanese. I definitely recommend everyone to try them at least once; however, it is a very light meal. Service was great and the owners were very knowledgeable about their pickled products and enthusiastic to share their harvest. Go check them out! read more

Went with a group of friends on a Saturday, got the "chef's table" experience. The overall experience as well as the food is a mixed bag, I would say. Pros: - Some of the pickles were amazing, especially the spicy ones - Everything that day was gluten free and vegan - The food preparation minimizes food waste (an inspiration) Cons: - Be prepared that the "chef's table" really takes some time. We waited over an hour after being seated to eat. This was frustrating since the only delay was the chef dolling out the food (it was already prepared). - Seating in the restaurant was challenging. The few chairs were uncomfortable, the rest of the seating was on vats or stools, near bars or tables that were not the correct height. Be prepared for being uncomfortable! - Be prepared to wait to be seated. We had a reservation for 12 noon, and were not seated until 1pm. This largely was due to the slow nature of the service. - Not all of the food items are amazing, many were "meh" read more

If you love all things pickled and fermented, look no further!! This place is truly one of a kind and a labor of love. Every time I walk in, the owners are working hard with a smile on their faces. Super chill and casual spot that has a refrigerated stocked with jarred pickled and ferment goodies like kombucha, varieties of kimchi, miso, sauerkraut and more! On the weekends they service rice and pickle bowls which are amazing!! A great way to sample a variety of pickled foods. There kimchi is vegan too which is cool considering that most are not. I always keep a jar of kimchi in my fridge. read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - Rice and pickle bowl - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

This review is long overdue! Come to think of it, so is my visit back to Cultured Pickle Shop. From the first visit for a few jars of their fermented veggies and robust kombuchas, to the times we have brought family to to share this treasure of an eatery, there were many moments of "wows!" The dining in experience is unique. In that we are consuming the dishes (some may call artistic pieces) in a space that also allows us to interact with the creators, their passion through conversations, and the physical location where the magic and science of fermentation occur! Alex is truly a wealth of knowledge and we appreciate her for this! So, here are my thoughts. A quick search on the web states that "MICHELIN stars are awarded solely on the quality and technique of the food and wines served by anonymous inspectors. Restaurants can earn between one to three stars based on strict criteria: One star indicates a very good restaurant in its category, with high-quality ingredients cooked exceptionally." This is exemplary of Cultured Pickle Shop and the artful meals, desserts, beverage pairing they offer. My wish for them is to receive their MICHELIN star, well earned! Do not walk to this place. Run to the Cultured Pickle Shop to experience an artful and delicious meal! If I have to fight you for a reservation, well, they deserve it! read more

I came back to try the weekend rice and pickles bowl, which came with dashi (broth) and some add on's. It changes from week to week, so the take away is - this is fun, delicious, and healthy. The dashi this time had pumpkin and parsnip, so it had the flavors of the root vegetables without being thick or heavy. I got the sesame "dofu" and the cured egg add on's - both having familiar and unfamiliar flavors in a balanced and fun way. The bowl - I loved everything but particularly the wasabi greens and two of the pickles, but everything was delicious. They all had a different flavor and varying levels of savory, sour, and spice. It's as colorful as a chirashi, but all pickles instead. read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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i've been trying to get a rice and pickles bowl from Cultured for literally years. i finally did it after reserving one by email! it was everything i dreamed it would be. my favorite pickle was the parsnip even though i'm not a big parsnip fan. the nettle kombucha was also great, and my jar of sea kraut quickly disappeared. everything is on the pricier side but it's worth it. the owner was very excited to talk about his ferments and i'm looking forward to spending more time in the shop/kitchen when it's fully open again. read more

The Cultured Pickle Shop - sea kraut - sauerkraut with seaweed and ginger - Specialty Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Not worth it at all. I just paid $75 to wait for an hour and a half AFTER my reservation to sit on a hard metal vat and eat a bowl of veggies. read more

What a fun experience! I would highly recommend checking out the pickle shop. Great food and we left so full