Cha-Ya Vegetarian Japanese - Berkeley

Cha-Ya Vegetarian Japanese Cuisine is a restaurant that I successfully avoided going to for about a year or two. Look, I'm not going to lie to you. Every time I mentioned going out for sushi to my Vegan friends, they would beg me to go try this eatery, located on Shattuck, in North Berkeley. I would always say, "yeah, sure" and then ignore their suggestion completely. "Sushi without fish?! Are they crazy?", I would mutter to myself, as I pulled into the Koryo parking lot time and time again.

I was finally forced to go by a vegan friend, who said "C'mon, whattaya got to lose?" If I could eat my words, I would right now, because it was truly one of the best, and most transcendental dining experiences I have ever had. The best way to describe it is that I never missed the fish. Never! They have a wide assortment of completely Vegan options. My favorites were the Kinoko Miso Soup $3.75 - A pungent and savory Miso soup with Portobello, Shimeji, and Eryngll Mushrooms, Tofu, Scallions and Sprouts, served ceremonially in an iron pot. I can't say enough about the amazing flavor of this soup, especially the broth. Wow! There are cold salads with exotic ingredients like Senroppon $5.00 - a cold and tangy salad comprised of Shredded Daikon, Turnip, Cucumber, Carrots, Atsuage Tofu, Radishes, soybeans, Kaiware, Pine Nuts and Soy-vinaigrette dressing, Shira Ae $5.00 - Blanched Spinach and with seasoned Lotus Root, Carrots, Shitake, Green Beans, Tofu, Yams, and Tahini-Tofu dressing. These are just a few of the great salads they offer.

The Noodle Bowls are delicious! Featuring your choice of Udon Noodles - Broad white wheat noodles or Soba Noodles - Thin brown buckwheat noodles, are served in a bowl of light broth, topped with Scallions, Kaiware, and shredded Nori. 8 Hot varieties, and 3 Cold varieties offer a rainbow of combinations $7.25 - $9.00.

I haven't even mentioned the sushi yet! There are too many choices to mention, I could just list the entire menu. But my favorites were the Cha-Ya Roll $6.75 - An incredible roll stuffed with Avocado, Yams and Carrots. Sinfully battered and deep-fried. Served with a tangy house sause. 8 incredible pieces you will definitely fight over! The Summer Green Roll $5.75 - A reversed (rice on the outside) roll with Avocado, Cucumber, Kaiware, and a yummy Sea Vegetable Salad tops it off. Tons of other rolls and sushi delicacies, too many to mention without getting giddy!

Servers are capable and unobtrusive, and the kitchen puts their dishes out with quiet, zen-like efficiency. They've opened a second location on Valencia Street in the heart of San Francisco's Mission district. I'll review that location soon.

VEGETARIANS/VEGANS: I did hear from my most militant of all vegan friends that they use white sugar, which is granulated by being tumbled with bone chard. Feel free to interrogate just to be sure. And give them what's what, if they are in fact using the stuff. They advertise VEGAN quite proudly on their menu, so I'd be surprised if they let any suffering slip through.

LOCATIONS/HOURS: 1686 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, California 94709 (510) 981-1213. Call for Hours. There is often a wait, so go with plenty of time to spare.