Farewell Kyoto Express and the woman that ran it all these years whose name I never knew. It was a good deal and food was actually pretty good.
Mary C.
Classificação do local: 4 CA, CA
Oh no. they are closed… I will miss their udon. Sniff sniff.
Karen T.
Classificação do local: 4 Arlington, VA
So sad to report that Kyoto Express has closed their business. They have retired. Bummer!
Garett N.
Classificação do local: 4 Berkeley, CA
Surprisingly good. They have a decent selection for a small place and prices are reasonable. Recommended.
Brian S.
Classificação do local: 4 Oakland, CA
There are no other Japanese restaurants like this place in Oakland: intimate, homey, non-generic, traditional food. Nothing fancy. No Alice waters in sight. But a solid meal in a cozy room with a traditional presentation that is charming.
Marty H.
Classificação do local: 5 San Francisco, CA
I don’t know how«Sue» does it, but the food is always fresh and tasty. If anything, there is TOO much food. Fairly fast if you get there before noon. Small and intimate and that’s a plus for me.
Wendy M.
Classificação do local: 3 Oakland, CA
Very quaint little spot for lunch ONLY — closes at 3pm! I ordered the chicken donburi($ 6.99) The chicken and rice were there, but there was also layer of romaine lettuce between the chicken and rice. It definitely wasn’t the japanese dish I was expecting. I’ve never seen pieces of romaine lettuce before. I’m used to the basic, chicken, egg, and rice. They have other things there like udon, soba, maki, teriyaki, miso, etc. Not sure that I’ll order the donburi again, but maybe I’ll go back and try something else since it’s close to my apartment and is reasonably priced.
Darren G.
Classificação do local: 4 Oakland, CA
Too bad this place is only open for lunch during the week. I had their tempura and pancake lunch special. It was nothing extraordinary, but everything on the plate was solid. The owner gives you everything you would expect from a good Japanese hole in the wall: prompt, friendly service, good prices, generous portions and tasty, quality food. Minus one star for the opening hours and a slightly raw pancake.
Michael P.
Classificação do local: 5 Oakland, CA
This woman can cook. Do yourself a favor and check this place out. The only drawback is that it’s small(I think this place seats 8 – 10) and that she closes at 3:00 p.m. PLEASE go here and try soem very good/authenic Japanese food.
Chris M.
Classificação do local: 3 San Francisco, CA
Tiny tiny tiny! This place is only open at lunch time, has 1 member of staff and seating for 8⁄10 people max! The food is good without being special, it is a solid option in the Lake Merritt area. Sometimes service is a little on the slow side, but what can you expect with 1 member of staff! Just make sure you come early or late as lunch hour can be packed. Bang for your buck! Portions are large for the price, you won’t leave hungry :) Try the soup, it is quite nice!
Isaac R.
Classificação do local: 5 Portland, OR
If there’s better soup to be had, I’ve never been within smelling range of it. Just the thing for a really cold day. The lady who’s cook, server, and busperson seems to prepare pretty much to order, so don’t go here if you’re in a hurry. But why hurry? Pour yourself some green tea from the urn next to the counter and check out the decorations. Listen to the classical music that’s always on the radio. That huge bowl of soup would be worth the wait even if it weren’t absurdly cheap. There’s other dishes too, of course.(If you order Soba, be sure to specify hot or cold.) All of them are pretty good. But the soup almost always sucks me in.
Anh N.
Classificação do local: 4 El Cerrito, CA
I’ve been wanting to try this place for over a year but haven’t b/c of the limited seating and short lunch break I have. However today, I tried this place with a friend and we though the food was good. I ordered the beef udon [see pic]. It was sooo good that I finished everything even though I wasn’t that hungry. I took away 1 star b/c my friend ordered a chicken rice dish and said the rice was a tad hard. Perhaps the chef should put more sauce on the dish. I will come here again when I’m not press for time.
Adrian S.
Classificação do local: 4 San Francisco, CA
The place is a cramped hole in the wall but serious bang for the buck. The last few times I’ve been here I’ve gotten their teriyaki special: beef or chicken, rice, salad, 8pc. Cali roll, and miso soup. No frills and hearty portions for $ 7. The place is a 1-lady operation and works it… she’s Korean so I want to give her ethnic dishes a shot at some point.
Lydia K.
Classificação do local: 4 Union City, CA
I go here during my lunch break when i work in Oakland. It’s a small place with only counters along the wall for you to eat at. I was very surprised at the portion I got, and so far all the dishes were pretty good(except for beet teriyaki that I got one time that the texture seems a bit off). I love the chicken teriyaki with cold soba, the seafood udon, and the unagi don buri. If you love unagi, this is the place to go. no sushi here though but that’s okay.
Marisela G.
Classificação do local: 3 Dublin, CA
Good place for inexpensive lunch. I love the sea food udon the best.
Sarah H.
Classificação do local: 3 Danville, CA
Fine for what it is. It’s fast, it’s inexpensive, and it’s limited choices. The quality is fine, but not high end, although I was surprised at the freshness and near-perfect texture of their unagi nigiri. 9 pieces of sushi roll(unagi, avacado, fotu, or CA) plus 4 pieces unagi nigiri, for 8ish bucks, plus a meh miso soup. It was fast and I took it to go, so I’m not complaining. If you crave sushi, and are in a hurry, this is a good place to stop in.
John H.
Classificação do local: 2 Santa Cruz, CA
Finally gave in to my curiousity and tried this place today. As mentioned it’s a tiny place with a friendly owner, and the prices vs. quantity ratio is very good. Problem is, I didn’t really care of the food. The chicken donburi had no egg in it, but did have lettuce. WTF was that about? Really it was just mushed teriyaki on top of rice. Didn’t taste horrible but pretty disappointing.
Nicole S.
Classificação do local: 3 Oakland, CA
I finally ate here yesterday after months of pondering. Not the best. Not the worst. Probably won’t eat there again. ***I do like that it’s a really tiny place, so it keeps the loud fatties who work at AT&T outta there. They honestly, would have to butter up their sides to walk through the place.
Miu M.
Classificação do local: 4 Berkeley, CA
From the street, this place doesn’t look like much. I’ve passed it a number of times, and it’s just… not…appealing from the outside. The inside ain’t all that either, although there is nice art on the walls. Seating is limited. But don’t be fooled. The food is very good. Lots of combination plate specials and soba(buckwheat noodles), which is not a usual menu item on carry out lunch places, especially ones in Oakland. I had the teriyaki chicken and soba lunch, which was a hearty portion(enough for 2 lunches) and came with miso soup and a green salad. All for $ 6.50. This will definitely become part of my lunch rotation.
Mort B.
Classificação do local: 4 San Francisco, CA
When I want a quiet relaxing lunch, I go to Kyoto express, order the chicken teriyake special and eat it at the counter. Usually with a Hansen’s soda. The proprietor is very nice, and she always plays classical music to round out the chilled out vibe. The counter is dec’d with nice Japanese art and trinkets. You walk in off the street and you could almost be in kyoto! I’ve been there, I know! TRUST me, this place is totally kyoto right in oakland. Totally. The sushi is nothing special, but it’s fine and it’s really about the atmosphere for me. This is my Unilocal,it’s all about me.