Iyasare

Iyasare in Berkeley serves refined Japanese comfort food with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, complemented by a warm ambiance and beautifully crafted dishes

After an exhilarating heels choreography class with Jessica at Berkeley Pole and Dance, it was time to unwind and indulge in much-anticipated conversation over a memorable meal. It had been years since we last saw each other in New York, where we explored Bathhouse Williamsburg, admired the masterpieces at The Frick Collection at Frick Madison, and shared a light fish and chips dinner at Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips before experiencing the magic of The Lion King on Broadway. This reunion was long overdue, and we were both eager to enjoy each other’s company in person rather than through a string of text messages.

As we settled into Iyasare, I was immediately captivated by the restaurant’s refined yet inviting design. The ambiance exuded warmth and authenticity, perfectly complementing the menu.

We started with a large carafe of GENMAICHA (toasty & comforting tea). The taste stimulated our palates and helped both of us feel settled into the moment at hand.

Next up was the MISO SOUP (tofu, wakame, negi, mushroom). This was – without exaggeration – the best miso soup I’ve had outside of Japan. Every sip was a deeply flavorful sensation on my tongue.

The HANABI (hamachi sashimi, avocado, daikon, serrano pepper, bell pepper, tomato, ginger chili ponzu) was gorgeous. The vibrant colors were matched by an equally vibrant flavor. The fat pieces of hamachi were a pleasure to roll within my chopsticks and bite into.

The LYASARE KAKIAGE TEMPURA (black tiger shrimp – burdock root, onion, sweet potato, shiitake, enoki, carrot, shungiku, bonito soy dipping broth) was a dish I’d raved about to Jessica as soon as I saw it being prepared in the kitchen. It did not disappoint. The presentation was playful, as it was a towering, golden masterpiece. Each bite delivered a satisfying crunch.

The KAZAN ROLL (snow crab, cucumber, avocado, orched salmon, kaiware, tobiko, unagi sauce, mayo, habanero sauce) comes with a warning that it’s rather spicy. I can say that yes, yes it is. The heat of the habanero sauce on the roll matched the fiery energy of our conversation.

As we finished dinner and said our goodbyes, I was truly in a state of feminine grounded power. There’s something truly special about reconnecting with someone who sees you in your rawest, most real, and most vulnerable form. Every time I text or see Jessica, it reaffirms that joining a sorority in college was one of the best decisions I ever made. In going through Rush Week and pledging Gamma Phi Beta so many years ago, It’s truly gifted me lifelong friendships filled with laughter, depth, and unwavering support.

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