Ippuku Izakaya

Waiting area outside Ippuku where drinks can be ordered.

Shochu on tap.

Shimauta awamori on the right - what I had.

Interior - booths on left, tatami on right.

Yakitori assortment: thigh, liver, cartilage, wings.

Tofuyo: Okinawan tofu cured in awamori. A first for me - it's like cheese.

Goya (bitter melon) tempura.

Grilled mochi wrapped in bacon! Not pretty, but so delicious.

Delectable little turnip simmered to perfection in a light chicken sauce.

Chopsticks, beer ad and oshibori tray on our table.

If you've read my recent post about the Izakaya Cookbook, you know my main gripe about Bay Area Japanese restaurants is there are almost no authentic feeling izakaya. A casual eatery that serves good food and drink in an atmosphere that transports you to Japan for a couple of hours. I think my search has finally ended in Berkeley.

I nearly wept with joy as I approached Ippuku. Look at my photos and you'll see why. There are so many thoughtful details to appreciate. Not only does it have a very authentic (yet hip) ambience complete with warm wooden booths and a tatami seating area, but Okinawan awamori and goya tempura on the menu! The spotlight is on expertly prepared yakitori, the kind you'd find in Japan where all parts of the chicken are used including cartilage. Ippuku uses chicken from local Soul Food Farm. I've always been wary of eating undercooked chicken, but when it's of this quality, I have no problem with chicken tartar and rare grilled chicken with wasabi.

There were many standouts besides the yakitori and Okinawan specialties: perfectly simmered turnips, rock cod in miso, yaki-onigiri (seasoned and grilled rice triangles). Grilled mochi wrapped in bacon left me speechless. We told the chef "omakase" and absolutely stuffed ourselves, trying a bit of almost everything. I'm ready to go back for more. Highly recommended for anyone homesick for Japan. The great thing about izakaya is you can have a drink and snack and be on your way, or linger with a group of friends - that's part of the whole concept. For a full meal and a drink or two, expect to pay a minimum of $30 per person.

This recent article in the East Bay Express is a very thorough review of Ippuku's menu. For the rest, I'll let my photos speak for my experience of izakaya bliss.

Ippuku Izakaya
2130 Center Street at Shattuck
Berkeley, CA 94704
Near Berkeley Bart
Phone: 510.665.1969