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Ippuku
Japanese Restaurant and Sake Bar$$$$
Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley
The experts at SFGate and SF Weekly recommend this place
"Delicious yakitori, decent drink selection - they even have awamori!"(19 Tips)
"I love the thigh oysters and chicken knees!"(6 Tips)
"Highly recommend going Omakase and getting whiskey highballs."(3 Tips)
"spicy chicken tartare with quail egg yolk can't be beat."(4 Tips)
120 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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May LeeJuly 17, 2017One of the best yakitori restaurants in the west coast - they don't serve big portions but these lovely yakitori can feed you well! My personal fav is トマトベーコン (bacon wrapped tomato)!
Alex TenetteSeptember 10, 2014The uni is good. The beers are large. The staff is very friendly. Wanted to try the ink fried rice but they serve it on Wednesday and we came on soba Tuesday. The menu was a little complicated for me
Marta TapperoApril 22, 2016Ippuku is cozy, good ambiance, service is so nice. The menu is a bit confusing. If you're getting the specials, risk it. The gyozas are good. Rice and chicken also great. Bit expensive.
- KTMarch 6, 2017Sit at the counter and it'd feel like you are at a local izakaya in Japan. Delicious yakitori, decent drink selection - they even have awamori! A little pricey, but authentic taste & experience. おすすめ！
TeresaDecember 17, 2018Yakitori is well flavored. Good chicken. Ask if there’s things not in menu. Make res and ask to sit in the more private area - more reminiscent of japan :)
Edna LoJanuary 3, 2015This place reminds me of japan. From the atmosphere to the waitress to the interior design. A must go for all foodie. Only place I no in the bay area to serve raw chicken and it tasted delicious- Ippuku is wonderful for dates or intimate outings with friends. Highly recommend going Omakase and getting whiskey highballs. Bacon-wrapped mochi sounds weird but is soooo good! 💘
- Fodor's TravelJuly 25, 2018Servers pour an impressive array of sakes and shōchū and serve up surprising fare. Savvy diners make reservations and arrive early for the best selection. Gratuity is included; tipping is prohibited. Read more
Craig VillamorAugust 13, 2018Very authentic. The tempura chicken was best I’ve ever had in my life. Try the chicken sashimi if you’re brave!
ivy♥September 15, 2014Pretty authentic - the ambiance, the food, and the portion! It's like you're dining in Japan! Try chicken heart yakitori with tare sauce. Delicious!
Alex MomtchiloffJanuary 3, 2015Amazing tavern style Japanese. Everything is delicious - especially skewers of assorted chicken parts. Extensive Japanese drinks menu & very knowledgeable staff.
cnelson ︻╦╤─January 1, 2020Thigh Oyster, Wrapped Chives, Squid Ink Rice, Sesame Spinach are all amazing.
.November 14, 2013The best selection of Japanese alcohol in Northern California. The staff is great and can guide you based on your tastes.
Pretty big wait so get a reservation before hand. Everything was delicious! My faves were the albacore, quail eggs, chicken and leeks.
jansen cJanuary 27, 2016Good authentic meal, hard to find parking and need to make reservation ahead of time. Try their drinks!
- Frances JamesDecember 1, 2014Cosy and delicious Izakaya over in Berkeley. The raw chicken sounds scary but it's delicious. As are all the grilled meats and veggies
- Carolyn MSeptember 28, 2014The fresh fruit cocktails are strong and delicious. I love the thigh oysters and chicken knees! The whole grilled squid is also amazing.
José RodríguezSeptember 12, 2010Ippuku is amazing. Takes me back to a robot grill I enjoyed in Osaka... Corn, bluelake beans, grilled mochi in nori, bacon-wrapped tomatoes, and hard-to-find beers from Japan... Love the cedar!
Katherine M.November 17, 2014Loved the mackerel, the chicken skin, and the chicken neck. The fattiness is perfectly countered with a clean Japanese beer like Asahi.
Doug BruhnkeJuly 7, 2014We're considering building a shrine to the grilled squid. Absolutely exquisite, as was all the yakitori we tasted.
Miguel L.September 16, 2016Nice ambiance and authentic food; mostly Yakitori and chicken is delicious!
Caitlin BOctober 21, 2014The squid ink fried rice tastes heavenly. So is the bacon-wrapped mochi and gyu tan. Make sure to reserve beforehand!
Ryan BiegaNovember 6, 2013The pork stew and chicken skin were amazing! Everything was stellar. I tired chicken heart and tail and was blown away!
Huw ThorntonJanuary 28, 2011might be my fave restaurant in bezerkely. lovely grilled chicken bits, and things like pork belly, agedashi tofu, beef tongue and more. chix thigh oysters and livers particularly good.
Ryan LeggettNovember 2, 2017Yakitori all day. Also love that they have a wide selection of Japanese beers and whiskies.
Marissa CuiDecember 7, 2015Amazing food. Can't go wrong here. Make sure to try to sweet potato and squid ink rice.
Victor OliverosOctober 2, 2017Best yakitori in the Bay Area. Order the chicken sashimi and squid ink fried rice.
Amy WalkerJanuary 4, 2011Get the duck and the chicken tartare. Oh, and the grilled mochi. And the pork belly. Don't forget the thigh oysters! Oh, just get one of everything and enjoy!
Sophie NovatiAugust 28, 2016Amazing chicken: chicken karaage, all the chicken yakitori, the thigh oyster especially
Alex MMarch 15, 2013Top 3 faves: bacon wrapped mochi, pork belly skewers, and chicken oyster skewers. Must get all three!!
Jenn CaballeroMarch 22, 2015Bacon wrapped mochi! Minced chicken with egg yolk! Stand at the bar to avoid paying the $6/pp service charge.
ReemzNovember 27, 2016Squid rice, wagyu beef? Halibut , scallion pancakes, chicken tail, beef tongue are amazing
Lucy HawkinsJune 22, 2013Bacon wrapped grilled mochi is so amazing that after nearly a month back in the UK, still 20% of my brain is trying to figure out ways to get more. :)
Jacqueline TopeteJanuary 11, 2015Come with a japanese friend so you can really appreciate the food! Great atmosphere!
Paulina SerranoSeptember 29, 2016The food is great and the place is unique. The chicken is delicious!
- The Taste SheriffAugust 20, 2017It's ridiculously expensive if you consider what you are offered. Most plates were ok, one was bad (pancakes) and one exquisite (wagyu skewers). It's not worth $200 for two people whatsoever though...
Chris PlattypusSeptember 19, 2015Famous for Yakitori but they also have a very impressive selection of sake
Anton ShusterFebruary 17, 2015Get the bacon-wrapped mochi, the squid ink fried rice and chicken knee cartilage.
BARE MagazineOctober 17, 2011Go out on a limb and try the black sesame ice cream with tempura crumbs, red bean paste, and mochi. We guarantee you won't regret it!
433 Photos
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Closed until 5:00 PM (Show more)
- Tue–Thu, Sun
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
(510) 665-1969
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Visa & American Express)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar
See More
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"They have 3 different Hitachino Nest beers, had a great meal here, the flavors of the Ocean Umami, the Uni risotto, and the Calpico sorbet with blueberry were just amazing."
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