Musashi the Izakaya
Gyuu tan – sliced and grilled beef tongue, brightened up with a touch of lemon and raw daikon.
So I was going to write a really scathing review on this Joshu-Ya Brasserie place in Berkeley, but midway through the draft I went to Yelp to read my friend Kristen’s review for that same dinner by which we were both gravely disappointed. Not only is her review already detailed and scathing enough, but she’s also been to Joshu-Ya several times. Me? I don’t give restaurants second chances, even first chances are rare. So I figured no way I’d know and write about Joshu-Ya better than Kristen. Also as we immerse in this holiday spirit and on our way to a brand new year, I’d rather be all cheery about a restaurant that I love. 😉 It’s so close to me yet so secluded from the flock of eateries downtown that I hadn’t tried it until last month. Tried it once, then I went nuts and suggested Musashi the izakaya(*) to myself and everyone every time somebody says Japanese. Beware though, this is one of those places that you need to go with someone in the know to get the real things. There’s no fake thing per se (well truth be told I’ve only been here with someone in the know), but the real things will make you that much happier blowing your wad. Even better, your wad gets blown a lot less here than at other izakayas in the block: Musashi is cheap.
What are the real things? Please, no California rolls. (**)
Eggplant tossed with sesame and sweet soy sauce (goma ae). Healthy, no frills, and strangely addictive.
A fresh start is the 3-piece nigiri sampler (salmon, tuna and hamachi), but Musashi first blew me away with their simple green beans tossed with sesame, miso and sweet soy sauce (さやいんげんのごまあえ|saya ingen no goma ae|?). A similar eggplant dish started the next dinner we had there, good but I’m no eggplant fan. Of course we have no say in the free side dish, but if the stars all line up right you might just get the green bean. 😉
They have all of the common izakaya food like karaage (fried chicken), sunagimo (chicken gizzard, mmmmm), teba (chicken wing) and every other chicken thing, but my staple go-to has been the gyuu tan: a heap of sliced beef tongue, so lightly grilled that it doesn’t turn rubber, for a measly $6! (UPDATE: Musashi has the BEST gyutan in Berkeley!)
Hamachi nigiri – fresh and chewy as I like it
Clockwise from left: mune (chicken breast), tsukune (chicken meat ball) and karaage (fried chicken).
Although it’s possible to fill up on the skewers (I’ve done that at, of all places, Ippuku), it’s more economical and less confusing to fill up on something with rice. The nice thing about Musashi is they often have these few-day specials with ridiculous discount, such as this bowl of curry rice for $6 topped with a tonkatsu for another $1. The first time I had Japanese curry at a Korean-owned Japanese restaurant I was bored out of my mind, but Musashi’s sweet, slightly peppery curry works for me, with some tsukemono (pickled things). Unaju (rice with unagi) would also make a perfect choice any day.
That said, you can order all of these things without knowing Japanese, because they’re on the menu. The real deal isn’t, but somehow your Japanese friend knows it exist and asks the hostess, she nods welcomingly “hai! hai!” and you just enjoy the ride.
For example, buri daikon – fatty hamachi (yellowtail) and daikon simmered in soy sauce and mirin ($8.50), or saba no misoni – saba (makerel) simmered in miso sauce, which, to my surprise, tastes almost identical to the Vietnamese cá kho despite the different ingredients. The sauces are watery and great over rice. If you’re afraid of (fish) bones like me, then ask her for buta no kakuni (braised pork belly), same concept.
Finish with black sesame ice cream.
One Monday evening I planned to meet a friend here, only to find out that they’re closed on Sunday and Monday. I was very sad.
Address: Musashi Japanese Restaurant
2126 Dwight Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 843-2017
www.musashiofberkeley.com
(*) There’s Musashi (宮本 武蔵) the famous samurai whose life stories inspired several works of fiction, such as the historical manga Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue. It’s bloody bloody, and bloody sad, nonetheless I’m at volume 34.
(**) I know. These American rolls can be good, and the place to get them would be Anzu.
Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Cheers
1obviously like your web-site but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I’ll certainly come back again.
2Hello! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when browsing from my iphone4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share. Many thanks!
3Really Appreciate this article, how can I make is so that I receive an alert email when there is a new post?
4It’s laborious to search out educated individuals on this matter, however you sound like you know what you’re speaking about! Thanks
5Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
6Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
7I would like to show appreciation to this writer just for rescuing me from this particular trouble. As a result of looking out through the world-wide-web and seeing concepts which are not beneficial, I assumed my entire life was gone. Being alive minus the answers to the problems you’ve solved by way of this short post is a serious case, and the kind which might have negatively damaged my entire career if I had not encountered your website. Your primary ability and kindness in touching all the details was useful. I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come across such a step like this. I can at this moment look forward to my future. Thanks for your time so much for your high quality and result oriented guide. I will not think twice to propose your web page to any person who will need counselling on this topic.
8I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
9I’m extremely inspired with your writing talents and also with the structure on your blog. Is that this a paid topic or did you modify it yourself? Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays..
10I want to point out my gratitude for your kindness in support of visitors who require help with this subject. Your special dedication to passing the message all over turned out to be remarkably invaluable and has frequently encouraged ladies just like me to attain their aims. The helpful help means a whole lot a person like me and additionally to my peers. With thanks; from all of us.
11I also believe thus, perfectly indited post! .
12I was reading some of your content on this site and I conceive this website is really informative ! Keep putting up.
13This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
14I truly enjoy studying on this website , it has wonderful content.
15I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again
16Sweet site, super layout, really clean and use friendly.
17Very great visual appeal on this web site, I’d rate it 10 10.
18Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.
19I was reading some of your content on this site and I conceive this website is really informative ! Keep on putting up.
20I simply could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard info a person provide to your visitors? Is gonna be again incessantly in order to check out new posts
21Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; many of us have created some nice practices and we are looking to trade solutions with other folks, please shoot me an email if interested.
22I couldn’t resist commenting
23서울출장마사지 서울출장안마 셀럽은 고객이 머무는 장소에서 관리를 받을 수 있도록 방문 서비스를 안내합니다. 자택이나 숙소의 위치, 원하는 이용 시간, 코스를 알려주시면 예약 가능
24수원출장안마 셀럽의 출장마사지 코스와 가격, 선입금 없는 현장 결제 방식을 안내합니다. 영통·광교·인계동·권선동·장안구 등 방문 가능 지역과 예상 도착 시간
25수원출장안마 셀럽의 출장마사지 코스와 가격, 선입금 없는 현장 결제 방식을 안내합니다. 영통·광교·인계동·권선동·장안구 등 방문 가능 지역과 예상 도착 시간
26Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your site in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a huge portion of people will miss your wonderful writing due to this problem.
27I went over this web site and I conceive you have a lot of superb information, saved to fav (:.
28I was looking at some of your content on this internet site and I believe this web site is rattling instructive! Keep on posting.
29Thank you for some other informative web site. Where else may just I get that type of info written in such an ideal manner? I’ve a challenge that I’m simply now operating on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.
30There are definitely quite a lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a great level to deliver up. I provide the ideas above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you carry up where crucial factor might be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around issues like that, but I am certain that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Each girls and boys feel the impact of just a second’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
31What i don’t realize is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you might be now. You are so intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. Always maintain it up!
32Hey, you used to write great, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little out of track! come on!
33Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous site.
34I think this internet site has some real good info for everyone :D.
35Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
36Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
37I got what you mean , regards for putting up.Woh I am happy to find this website through google. “Spare no expense to make everything as economical as possible.” by Samuel Goldwyn.
38Usually I don’t read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice article.
39I’m really inspired along with your writing skills as neatly as with the layout for your weblog. Is this a paid subject or did you customize it yourself? Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to see a nice weblog like this one nowadays..
40After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
41Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thank you Nonetheless I am experiencing problem with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting an identical rss drawback? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
42Really Appreciate this article, is there any way I can receive an update sent in an email whenever you write a new article?
43Ini adalah tips yang sangat baik, terutama bagi mereka yang baru di dunia blog, informasi yang singkat dan tepat… Terima kasih telah berbagi ini. Artikel yang wajib dibaca.
44I’m not sure why but this blog is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
45Keep up the good work, I read few articles on this website and I conceive that your weblog is very interesting and has got sets of good information.
46Only wanna state that this is very beneficial, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
47Hi there would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a reasonable price? Many thanks, I appreciate it!
48Thank you for every other fantastic article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect manner of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the search for such info.
49늑대닷컴을 검색하며 궁금했던 웹툰 정보와 작품 찾는 방법을 정리했습니다. 연재·완결 구분, 무료 회차와 미리보기 차이, 주소 정보 확인 기준, 모바일 이용 팁과 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하세요.
50