Kyoto

This place is a true gem. The price is unbelievable for the quality. I’m admittedly a bit of a sushi snob, and I cannot stand low quality sushi (I tried to eat at Manpuku nearby and gave up halfway through my meal). But Kyoto is absolutely amazing.
They don’t have super complex rolls (they have some dragon and the like — most are simpler like salmon, spicy tuna, unagi, etc.), but their sushi is very fresh. And the price is just silly. My friends and I will typically pay $ 40 for one of their ‘large’ platters, and it leaves 4 of us completely stuffed… for $ 10 each (and I have the appetite of 2 men).
You have to call ahead (typically an hour or more) to get a platter prepared. The lady who runs the shop has a thick accent and doesn’t have a great grasp of English, so it may be a little challenging to get your order across. Just say you want a large platter and tell her the kinds of rolls (or nigiri!) that you want on it. It’s totally worth it.
One of the things that blows my mind is that they will customize the platter however you want, and it’s the same price. I’ve gotten 25% or more of it as straight-​up nigiri, and it was still $ 40. If you aren’t ordering ahead, you can always stop by and pick up smaller plates. The prices are just as ridiculous there (4 unagi nigiri for $ 5!).
I’ve gotten Kyoto sushi about a dozen times, and it remains my go-​to sushi place. Quality is more consistent than any other sushi place I’ve tried (probably because the small staff and how they keep things simple). These prices and this quality should be criminal. You won’t be disappointed!
Oh and as far as I know, they only take cash and check (I usually just bring a check with me). Yeah I know it’s mildly inconvenient, but they’re providing you with incredible prices — the least you can do is pay them in the way that they prefer.

Sushi is expensive. This place has great prices and really good sushi. It is my best discovery of 2015 — only wish I found it sooner.

Possibly the freshest sushi in berkeley

Anyone who is a sushi-​fanatic knows that this is no cheap indulgence, Kyoto certainly comes in to save the day when faced with the dilemma of attempting to practice «reigning it in».
The shop itself is cute, simple, and makes for a great quick stop for some sushi while out and about.
Arriving earlier in the day proves to be your best option if you want more variety to choose from.
On a typical day you can find everything from classic California rolls, dragon rolls, teriyaki bowls, combination nigiri rolls, spicy tuna rolls, or simple hamachi, tuna, and cucumber rolls, there’s always something for anyone.
If you happen to be craving something in particular, you can always opt for calling ahead and picking up your order within 15 – 20 minutes. Quite decently sized sushi trays are also offered in two sizes that are priced at $ 20 or $ 40, definitely well worth it!
There is also a variety of treats shelved on the opposite side of the refrigerated sushi display which house various candies and gummies.
The only real trick is finding parking on the always busy Solano Ave, make note that cross streets will be your best bet or traveling with a willing companion to jump out of the car and run in.
A no stress way to enjoy a mid-​day snack or lunch, Kyoto has your back!

Sub par nigiri, made with a rice mold. Fish was tasteless. California roll was good!!! Wakame and gomae were overpriced. Owner wasn’t very friendly as others mentioned. Won’t make the effort to come here again.

Kyoto, so good and so well priced! It may not be quite the quality of a fancier sushi shop like Akemi, however, it is only SLIGHTLY less, for the same price as store-​made sushi at Andronicos or Safeway (WAY BETTER QUALITY). So it is absolutely worth it!
They have a good selection, and will make you more if they run out. Family run, and has been on Solano forever.

Unilocal shows this place and another as restaurant but they are not:
Kyoto – Deli
Yaoyasan – Japanese Grocery
Pros: It would be a good place if you live nearby or are tired of making food. It is inexpensive and has relatively good volume. All sushi and food are pre-​made and packaged and you pick it up and buy. They have snacks and sweets. Inexpensive.
Con: I have to drive a long way to be there, so it would not worth it. Taste is subpar. Nearby groceries, like Tokyo fish and Yaoyasan are better choices for taste.
A photo with a booth is probably not this place. There is nowhere to sit down and eat.

Pretty inexpensive, though it’s mediocre. Fish was fresh enough. I was really turned off by the cashier’s cold attitude. She was pretty rude when I tried to pay with card and she said there was a $ 10 minimum. Okay, but why have such a sucky attitude towards someone who is buying something from you? Plus, whoever cut the nigiri seriously does not know how to slice fish. Though reasonably priced, I have had similarly priced sushi at supermarkets that were of far superior quality. I’ll be back next time I really have a craving but probably not for awhile.

It’s a small to go sushi spot.
The sushi is made fresh daily. It’s pretty good if you want fast and cheap sushi.
There are also different Asian snacks and drinks available as well.

very good quality (fresh fish and tastable), supercheap, gentle service. Highly recommended!

I believe this was our third time ordering sushi from this place. I love how we can modify the sushi tray order by replacing other types of sushi. I gave it three stars, because I find that they put too much rice in the sushi. I also taste a lot of vinegar in the rice and it is more sour than any other sushi I’ve eaten. Other than that, it’s a good price for sushi party trays or take-​outs. Must try!

I find it an odd experience now that I actually have visited Kyoto. Why would a small store that sells take out bowls and prepared nigiri and maki name itself after a city?
$ 12 for some nigiri and maki sushi is reasonable. When on Solano, this easy pick-​up on the corner is a no-​brainer.

The sushi is OK, but the price is reasonable. The real bad part is the lady behind the counter who is just rude. She always acts as if she is doing you a great favor in selling you her product. She also decides when she will or won’t take credit card for payment.
Today in fact I tried to buy an entire $ 40 party tray and she expected me to have a check to write as payment on the spot. What is interesting is that I have been there in the past and paid for $ 10 worth of Sushi with a credit card. She is totally inconsistent and does not care about customer satisfaction.
I do not plan to patronize her business in the future. I’d rather perhaps pay a little more for better quality sushi and certainly for better service.

In the Berkeley area, this is my favorite sushi spot. There is no seating, so it’s a grab and go type of place. You pick your sushi from a fridge, but if the sushi you want is not available, then place an order with the woman at the front counter. And she will make it within a few minutes. The rolls are always really delicious, very cheap, and fairly big portions.
***Cash only

For the price, this place is good. I’ve stopped here several times to grab a quick and cheap dinner. All of the sushi will be in the refrigerator lining the wall, and what’s available will be right there. It’s a total hole in the wall, so don’t expect to find anywhere to sit. Nonetheless, it’s super convenient, and the lady who owns it provides prompt service. She’s not particularly friendly or talkative, but I’ll happily trade a chatty owner for quality sushi – which is what you get here.
Tip: get here before 6 pm, in my experience, by 6 all of the good stuff is taken.

3.5 stars
Price is good.
The lady usually doesnt chagre you the change.
Very convenient, grab and go.
But the rice is too soggy and sour.
I love the futo maki

I got the salmon avocado roll. The price is hard to beat especially on a college student budget. Only $ 5! Who can say no to cheap sushi? I wasn’t very impressed with the salmon inside. It tasted mushy, unappetizing, and not fresh. I’ve had Kyoto’s salmon roll several times and usually the salmon comes in big chunks. But this time, it seemed like they just put leftover scraps into the roll they needed to get rid of and the texture threw me off. I give three stars for inconsistency, and because I was hesitant to finish the last two rolls.

Came in with the boy around 4pm on Saturday, July 4^th, spent about $ 18 on assorted sushi, and the lady gave us a free cucumber roll with our meal! Perhaps when it is close to closing or a slow business day one has the chance to get freebies.

Stopped by here to grab some takeaway sushi, and to kill some waiting time when Bianco was at the vet getting dental work done at VCA Albany Animal Hospital. I was to pick him up and bring him home after class.
Long before Unilocal!and the advent of social media, Kyoto was here. And is still here. I used to come here for sushi to go go go a lot more frequently in its seminal days. The Mother loved the California Rolls made with brown rice back in the day.
When I walked in, it was quite empty. Virtually, nobody was at the counter. I have a feeling the sole proprietress was watching me in the back pondering whether or not I was going to do business with her.
There was still quite a selection available considering it was after the peak lunch hours. I was able to find two favorites – avocado roll and inari sushi (sushi rice in a tofu pouch). And decided to have a tuna roll – aka Tekka Maki. Thought that would be quite enough sushi to chow down on. And it is still good as I remembered.
When I finally made up my mind, I headed to the till to pay for my selections. And the proprietress appeared. She was very polite to me. And she was wearing a smile on her face. She strikes me as the polite type, not much for conversation other than what is necessary.
If this was closer to Cal, I would be here to takeaway sushi in the afternoons for lunch and a snack. I hope to make many more visits here. The prices are reasonable and the quality is excellent as it was when Kyoto opened all those years ago on Solano Avenue.
Domo and Kampai to Kyoto!
SYOY!

This was a fun and delicious first for us. My Fiancée has had some bad experience with sushi. He wasn’t too sure about this choice I made. But since my batting average for picking restaurant’s has been so good, he decided to trust my judgment once again.
Since he has gotten sick on sushi with fish, I chose a tray that was fish free. We also picked up some chicken gyoza.
Lunch was a great success. No one got sick and everything was delicious.
The menu and pictures are online and I recommend checking it out.