KoJa Kitchen

The rice bun Koja was an interesting concept. I enjoyed my experience and would definitely recommend it.

I waited for about 10 minutes in the line and It took 15 mins for my order (short rib and kamikaze fries) to be done. Looks like they needed more staffs, I guess I came during lunch and it’s Saturday so …
The foods are pretty tasty for me, the long wait is the only thing I have to concern.
*****I wanted to give you guys 3 stars but the cashier was patient and helpful for a first time customer like me during lunch rush !***** So you earn another star!
I’m planning to comeback but not on the weekends.

My friends and I were visiting Northern California for a long weekend and found this cute restaurant offering something different than just Japanese or Korean food. They started out as a food truck and finally got a store front. When we walked in, we liked how simple this place is. Just a few tables with monitors that showcased their famous Koja, which is a rice sandwich with delicious meat in the middle.
I had their weekend special, Short Ribs Koja, which came with crispy rice buns and tender short ribs in the middle. I love it!!! The crispy rice buns were perfectly done. Crispy all the around, not greasy, and the middle still retain the rice flavor. Their short ribs were wonderful as well. Tender, flavorful, Korean style along with Japanese rice buns. It was a fun sandwich. Although it looks small, it will fill you up quickly with the rice.
Their fries were also excellent. We tried their tsunami fries and kamikaze fries. The waffle fries were crispy outside and soft inside. The toppings and sauce made each of their fries special and different than your normal fries. I highly recommend their fries.
Overall, we all loved this place! The food was fulfilling and fun at the same time. The price was slightly high but reasonable for a different and creative food.

1^st time trying Koja Kitchen and it was really yummy compared to the regular burgers, fries, tacos, etc that you find in other Berkeley restaurants near campus.
This review is based on the Beef Koja and Kamikaze fries.
Beef Koja was really good! In hindsight I wish I would’ve added more Sriracha to balance the sweetness of the meat. Minus half star because the buns were described as seasoned with garlic but it was very bland. A regular burger bun would’ve been better in my opinion.
Kamikaze fries were so yummy! They’re really filling since they’re waffle fries which is a hit and miss at the same time. I think I would’ve enjoyed them more if they were regular fries so minus half star for that.
I just learned via other reviews that if you pay cash it’s a little cheaper! I paid $ 16 for Koja, fries and drinks so next time I’ll remember to bring cash.
Awesome spot overall!

We ate here on a weekend and we were not pleased. The food looks super appetizing in pictures but it doesn’t taste or feel good. It is greasy and looks better than it tastes. Plus it wasn’t cheap. BONUS we saw a cockroach

This isn’t my go to place in Berkeley, but I do have to admit that the food at Koja Kitchen is quite delicious and fresh. The rice burger is definitely worth trying. The rice bun was crispy on the outside, yet very soft in the center. The meat was tender, not overly cooked. However, I found the sauce to be too strong, almost too sweet and salty at the same time. The fries were tasty, but if you don’t finish it quickly it can become soggy due to the sauce. It was a little expensive for what it was.
On the other hand, the location is quite nice, near Cal, very convenient. The store itself is spacious, many tables and seats. The overall environment is welcoming, and the staff is friendly as well. Will definitely visit again.

Koja Pork Belly burger! So delicious. I was thinking what’s a Koja? Korean taco? It’s about the size of an actual burger. The coconut on the pork added just the perfect touch. Love the sauce and rice bun. Something new and different I’ve never tried before but definitely looking forward to having it again. Affordable, in a great location, and nice staff. I can’t wait to go back. If you’re not completely stuffed afterwards and you’re up for some dessert… CREAM is next store.

The Koja sandwiches amazingly capture that experience of eating the crust from a bowl of bibimbap or fried rice. There is consistency with every bite and it’s guaranteed pleasure throughout the meal (if that aspect excites you).
The chicken Koja had a great sauce to accompany it. Not excessively sweet at all. The veges keep the taste light. More meat would be nice but again, the highlight for me were the buns. Would eat more if I were local.

I always introduce my out of town friends to KoJa Kitchen whenever they visit! The koja seem small but they’re really filling. The kamikazi fries are perfectly crispy and addicting (I always ask to make them less spicy since the original version is too spicy for me!)
Really yummy and fast food. The seating can be a hassle when the place is packed but the food is very portable so it’s not too hard to eat on the streets or in your own home.

Big fan of their food truck, glad to see they’re doing well enough to have their own brick & mortar. Located conveniently near Cal, students are in for an affordable treat of rice burgers with Korean style marinated meats. If you ever traveled to Japan or Taiwan, the popularity of the MOS rice burger chain is hard to deny.
The restaurant is quick casual, order at the counter and wait for your number. Simple, clean décor with a fair amount of seating for a quick meal.
Their beef is the signature along with their overloaded Kamikaze fries. Watch Diners, Drive Ins and Dives episode if your curious on how they create their rice patties and marinade. Rice burgers got a nice crisp texture, and if you’re a fan of Korean bulgogi or galbi marinade, you’ll enjoy the juicy crunch that goes into each bite. They’ve added chicken to their menu as well as their take on bibimbaps which is a direction towards standard Korean cuisine. I’m hoping in the near future they take a nod towards their roots and try out tender sukiyaki rice burgers that gave MOS their name.

This place was so amazing. I ordered the kamikaze fries and the short rib koja burger. Those rice buns are off the hook! It gets pretty crowded so try and claim a seat if you find one as soon as you walk in.

Absolutely loved everything about this place: the food, the service, the crowd.
The delectable bruised pork Koja melts in your mouth. The fries are peppered with kale flakes and laden with thick sauce not too different from a traditional Québécois poutine.
Whether you’re visiting Berkeley or you’re affiliated with the the university, this small but splendid eatery will make your day better. Trust me.

I’ve had KoJa about three times now, once at the food truck and twice at this location. It’s one of my favorite places to eat in the Berkeley area. Parking can be a bit difficult but try going on a Sunday evening when parking is free and there’s more open spots.
On my most recent visit, I tried their weekend special which was the short rib koja. My bf got the braised pork koja and we split the umami fries. This totaled to about $ 24 which was pretty steep for two rice burgers and fries. I think my weekend special koja was about $ 9 – 10 which was pretty sad considering I thought my koja was plain tasting. I had to add some sirarcha to add some flavor. Even though you do spend a bit more, we were pretty full afterwards. The portions look small but you do get full. Just keep an eye out for price. Although it’s only one dollar sign, I think KoJa is more two dollar signs. They do have discounted meal combos for those who are Cal students.
On to the food… you can never go wrong with the braised pork or beef koja. These two are very flavorful. The kamikaze fries are also really tasty. I tried the umami fries for the first time and it has the delicious braised pork on top, again very tasty. Kamikaze vs umami fries? I would say kamikaze fries win. I must say though that the flavors on the fries and burgers (not the short rib) are pretty INTENSE!!! It’s super flavorful, and sometimes not in a good way. You just get a burst of all the sauces and the meats and it’s pretty overwhelming in your mouth. Yes it is very tasty, but the flavors are just pretty intense and you’ll need some water.
Overall, this is a great fusion fast food type of place. I really like the originality and the quality of the food. The workers were super friendly and welcoming as well. I wish I tried their special lemonade that they were offering, but I didn’t want to spend the extra few bucks.
This is a nice spot in Berkeley and would recommend going to this place or their food truck if you catch them at Off the Grid.

If you’re looking for something different, this is the place to go. The signature dish here, a KoJa, is basically a burger, with rice patties instead of buns and little strips of meat instead of a patty. It is a fusion of two Asian cuisines, so I guess you can consider it a handheld rice bowl. There’s great flavors here, I ordered the Beef KoJa and the Kamikaze Fries and both were really enjoyable on the first bite. The fries were sweet and spicy, but still hearty. The KoJa meat was tasty and the rice bun was a great crispy texture outside and soft and chewy in the middle.
A few words of caution: First, It’s quite pricy if you compare to any other burger joint or fast food Asian food place. My order, the KoJa and the fries, came out to $ 15 with tax, which is more than I was expecting to pay. Second, eat the fries quickly, they get cold very fast and lose a lot of their appeal. Third, the food gets pretty heavy even if it looks small. I would suggest getting individual KoJas and fries to share.
The quality is great, but the cost is just too much to come here often. They do have Cal student combos that seem to be less expensive, so those might be worth a try.

Dood… I didn’t expect to even stop here. Walking by, my cousin and I saw it was featured on the food network’s show, Diner’s, Drive-​Ins and Dives and decided to check it out. It looked like a super interesting concept so I had to try it! There’s a vegetarian option, Zen rice burger!
They use rice and fry it to form the «buns» of the rice burger. The rice was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. A bit greasy, but it’s fun. It comes with a slice of pineapple, lettuce and the «patty.» I wish there was more lettuce and condiments so I can get my veggie burger feel.
The sauce was good and it was fun to eat. Good stuff. Next time, I’ll try the tacos and hope for a vegetarian version of the kamikaze fries.

This was my second time coming to the Koja Restaurant out in Berkeley and again it did not disappoint me!
Location:
It’s right on telegraph so the location is perfect, if you’re really into the Urban life. I love it down there, it’s never any parking spaces, but there is a nearby parking garage!
Restaurant:
The Koja is always packed, never really any seating due to all of the CAL students in the area, if you’re lucky enough to get you seat you’ll be able to enjoy your food comfortably. The workers their are really nice, and have great people skills when dealing with so many people wanting so many things.
Food:
The Beef Koja is the best thing I’ve tasted! It’s a MUST try, Fried Rice buns, with Beef, special sauce, and a sliced pineapple in the middle of that is brilliant! KOJA was also on Guys diners and drive ins– you definitely get 5 stars!

YUM!
I totally came in here by myself after vintage shopping across the street. I am so glad that I did because, holy crap, the food here is so good.
The meat inside the koja is perfectly cooked — flaky tender and just barely charred. The veggies inside are very fresh and the hard-​fried rice buns are a fun kick. I’d much rather have a rice bun than a regular one, can we make that a thing elsewhere?
The kamikaze fries and stupid-​good. As in, they’re so good, it’s just stupid. Eat those with a fork, obviously. You won’t be disappointed. There’s beef and kimchi and all sorts of goodies on them.
Koja Kitchen offers food truck-​esque novelty Asian fusion, without actually having to go to a food truck.

Are you tired of boring sandwiches? Don’t want regular ham, cheese, and lettuce on white bread?
Then come to Koja! The kojas are delicious sandwiches made of rice buns (total guilty pleasure, so delicious and glutenous), with amazing Korean-​Japanese fusion fillings! My personal favorite is the beef sandwiches, and the fillings are very thick and spills out of the bun, so I suggest eating a fork as well so that you can eat up every last bit of it. I also really like that pineapples are included in the filling as well – it adds a unique flavor. I also really like the tofu sandwiches (called the Zen Koja) when I want to go the vegetarian route.
The Kamikaze fries aren’t your standard fries either. They’re kind of waffle-​shaped, and drizzled with a spicy sauce. Definitely an interesting take on fries!
If you want dessert, mochimisu is pure chocolate-​y goodness that also satisfies mochi cravings. Mmmm!

Expensive in my opinion. Koja + kamikaze fries + drink = almost $ 17.
The kojas are really good though. It’s like meat and rice in a different, more dense form. I tried both the Kalbi and vegetarian (mushroom patty) one. You can’t go wrong with any that you pick. The garlic rice things are crunchy enough, not like a rice cracker – firm enough to hold all the insides while soft enough where the rice is distinguishable and doesn’t cut up your mouth.
The kamikaze fries have kimchee that are more than diced, almost mashed, but it works. Meat is also chopped up really teeny tiny so you can spread it to all the waffle fries and each fry doesn’t get weighed down. There’s lots of sauce.
It’s hard to eat these foods often because of the heaviness. Sodium overload.

Really affordable dishes, not typical Korean food but the bowls are really nice with teriyaki sauce. The portion is good for me, but probably somehow small for males.
Kamikaze is superb. It makes you feel guilty afterwards. But when it’s just in front of you, I doubt anyone can resist!