Toss Noodle Bar

Favorite place to eat when visiting the area! Asian fusion place that allows you to pick and choose what you want with your noodles.
Service: Honestly this place gets so busy with all the foot traffic and students nearby that it’s almost always busy. Cashiers are always nice and helpful when deciding what combinations to get for your noodles. Small area though and it’s sort of hard to find seating especially if you have a big party. But plates come out hot and fast.
Food: Can not get enough and I always get an order to go for later in the day! The basic combination I always get is the Hokkien noodles with Thai sauce and some chicken although you can a variation of other things (but def try this first)! Noodles are always cooked really well and sauces in them are always super delicious. And the meal is generally around 10 bucks.
Overall: There are days when I want to drive the 200 plus miles up to Berkeley for some of these noodles. I would say it’s one of the best Asian fusion places I’ve been to and if you’re around the area there definitely try it.

This is definitely one of my go-​to restaurants as a Berkeley student. I usually get the Hokkien or Spinach noodle with Chinese sauce and chicken (the other meats tend to be more dry). When I’m feeling in the mood for soup noodles, I will usually get the clear soup with thin rice noodle. The noodles here are by far my favorite in Berkeley. Definitely also pair your noodles with some awesome Thai tea. Tip is to ask for less ice since they have a tendency to put so much ice in the cup that there’s barely any tea.
I am not giving 4 stars because they can be quite inconsistent with their portions. A lot of the times it is noticeable that one person gets more noodles than the other and they should really find a way to make their portion sizes more consistent.

This place is a great place to grab some food! The noodles are amazing and all of the sauces are absolutely delicious! The staff is nice. And the food is super cheap. I usually get hokkien noodles with the Japanese sauce with pork. But any of the sauces are seriously amazing. You will not be disappointed when you eat here. If you’re in Berkeley and craving some noodles, definitely give this place a try! You will not regret it.

Every time I come here for lunch, I vow to try out a new combo because that’s one of the best aspects of this restaurant. And I never do, because I love my regular order so d***ed much! Hokkein noodles, chicken and the Thai sauce NEVER lets me down! My lunch steady is always happy with her vegetables and noodles combo. I’d love to try their Thai iced tea, but I always forget to order it. The challenge during the lunch hour is seating — it’s often crowded with Berkeley High and others, but I’ve rarely waited for very long.
Eating here always leaves me smiling!

Toss has a seriously fantastic menu. If you’re into Asian noodles — which, personally, I am obsessed — this is *the* place for you.
My hokkein noodles with beef and Chinese wok-​toss were very tasty and had that freshly tossed char taste to it. The laksa looks insane — if you’re eating in and not grabbing your food to-​go, I’d recommend that on appearance alone.
Toss looks and feels like a fancy restaurant, but in reality, will only set you back a cool $ 10 or so.
Damn it, Berkeley, stop showing off.

I’ve been here countless times and I can’t believe I’ve never written a review: O
Well long story short: I LOVE TOSS ^_​_​^
I’ve tried different combinations of noodles sauce and meat, but my favorite has to be Hokkien + Thai + beef! The Thai sauce isn’t too spicy but it’s still super flavorful :)
Also I think their portions got bigger since the last time I came! They definitely don’t skimp on the noodles or veggies.

After eating at Toss now for about 2 years as my go to Berkeley noodle place, I’m upping the stars from 4 to 5.
Instead of ordering the hokkien noodles with Thai sauce and tofu, I’ve since learned I can combine 2 sauces so now I order the Thai and the Japanese sauces so there’s a kick of heat while also a bit of sweetness. The noodles still come with some broccoli, bok choy, very few onions, red bell peppers, and carrots slivers. The cashiers always ask if it’s okay for there to be egg in your dish.
The meal comes out hot and fast. I can still walk there from the north side of campus, eat, and be back in an hour.
The tables are clean and people are normally in and out so you can normally find a seat within a few minutes during busier periods. Between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, it gets a bit busy because of all the Berkeley High students but they generally take the food to go so it’s never really been a problem. They also offer chilled flavored water that you can dispense into small mason jars. Their Thai ice tea is well made and I enjoy ordering it to go from time to time.
I don’t think there’s been anyone I’ve brought here that hasn’t found something that they could eat and that they liked. So Toss, you’ve moved to 5 stars. Already at here twice this week but you’ll probably see me again next week!

Chipotle model for Asian-​style noodles! I love places like this where I can totally customize my meal. What’s great about Toss is that they have a lot of different options for everything. So if you’re craving noodle soup but your friend wants some stir fry, then you can do that!
I tried the flat rice noodles with chicken, laksa soup style. The noodles were great, the chicken pieces plentiful. I didn’t love the laksa soup though. It kinda reminded me more of Thai curry and I wish it was a bit spicier. I do like that they include vegetables in the noodles and it was a decently big portion for me to the point that I was rather full at the end.
Since soo many people in the reviews mentioned the Thai tea, of course I had to get it. It was a good call, GET THE THAI TEA! So delicious, not overly sweet but still had a tea flavor.
Service is friendly. It did take a little while for the noodles to come out but it’s all good. Would come back again to try other combinations!

Combo Japanese flat rice is one of my absolute favorites here. It’s sweet and tangy, but not too saucy. It’s just the right amount and the flat rice tastes great! The best part is that it definitely fits anyone’s budget. One order can feed 2 people and a combination of any order you choose is $ 10.95. I have yet to try the appetizers. I will most likely come back because the food is great! This is also my boyfriend’s favorite restaurant!

This place is great! So simple, yet so delicious. My personal favorite is the tofu hokkien noodle with thai sauce. The sauce isn’t overpowering and the tofu is generous (they give you like slabs of tofu).
Also, I love the music here — so much Ed Sheeran

I never really understood the hype surrounding Toss Noodle Bar, and when I was a student at Cal, I didn’t bother to try it because there were so many better alternatives around me. The idea of paying for a meal that I could easily whip up myself with little to no effort didn’t appeal to me, and after trying Toss for the first time earlier this year, my opinion of Toss hasn’t changed.
The concept is simple: you pick a base, whether that is a broth or type of noodle, then you pick a protein such as chicken, beef, or shrimp, or you can simply stick with veggies, and then you pick a sauce. They mix everything together and voila, you have your very own customized noodle dish.
I ordered a noodle base with shrimp as my protein and the Chinese sauce, and the dish looked, well, simply ordinary. It was just as I predicted it would look — like something I could have made myself. The dish was tasty but had no originality or anything special to it, and I was not impressed.
Toss is not a bad place to eat at by any means, but it’s not going to wow you with their customized dishes. Their pros include fast service and convenient location next to the Berkeley Bart station.

Definitely tied for my FAVORITE place in Berkeley!
I’ve been going here for the last 4 years, and no regrets at all!
Food is great! I always get Hokkien noodles and switch between Malay and Thai sauce just because I prefer those two. Sometimes I get a mix which is also delicious. Regardless of what you get, most of the choices are pretty tasty and would not regret getting it. The food also comes out really quick. Thai tea is also good if you ever want to order that
The location itself is in downtown Berkeley. It is okay, difficult to find parking but easy to get to via bus or bart. There is a good amount of seating inside! Groups up to 4 people fit perfectly, larger groups is doable but a bit harder. It is a self bus, so remember to clean up after yourself!
The workers are nice and sometimes go around to ask if you need anything.
One not so great thing is that proportions got smaller and sometimes I don’t feel full after and one time i got a lemonade drink (raspberry? don’t really remember) but i did not like it at all and it had an unusual spice in it that I could not recognize.
Definitely, for sure, coming back again.

Toss is yet another iteration of the DIY fast casual eatery. The idea is that you pick your choice of noodles (6 kinds) or rice (4 kinds), then you pick your choice of preparation and flavors (9 kinds), then you pick your choice of protein (6 kinds). I’m not a statistician, but the possibilities seem endless.
But that’s not always a good thing. For some combination obvious turn out better than others. The first time, I got he Hokkien noodles, with Thai sauce, and Pork. It was pretty good, although it could have been spicier. The second time, I got the Flat Rice noodles, with Laksa, and Chicken, and liked it much less. I also tried the Tom Yum with Beef and did not like it at all. So YMMV depending on how you order.
The people who work here are really nice, though. They are young, energetic, and seem really invested in making this place a success.
2 ½ stars

Really enjoyed this casual spot for a quick dinner before a recent Cal game!
Pros:
–Lots of choice. Most of their options can be made gluten free or vegan — you just need to ask!
–Fast, fast service! We were in and out in about 40 minutes, and could have been quicker if needed — perfect for a time crunch.
–Interesting teas served by the pot.
–Great service.
Cons:
–Smells strongly of fish sauce. As someone who doesn’t like fish, it took me a few minutes to get used to the fishy smell.
Tips:
–Very casual eatery. You probably don’t want to take a date here.
–It’s a small place and was busy when we went on a Saturday evening. You may need to watch like a hawk for a table.

I can’t tell you how many times Toss has saved my life! While in college at Cal, I was probably here once or twice a week. Whether I was picking up food to-​go or on a lunch or dinner date, Toss never disappointed!
I like to describe it to people as a kind of chipotle style ordering system, except instead of rice for your burrito bowl you are choosing noodles. You can also choose your protein and then your sauce or broth. I’m loyal to my spinach noodle, chicken and thai sauce combo BUT i like to switch it up and get the malay peanut sauce or even get both the thai & peanut together. Mix that up in their big bowl with some chili sauce and you are set!
I’ve never actually ordered anything else, because I’m a die hard for my combo but I’ve tried other things my friends have ordered. The fried rice and the clear noodles in broth are also good! Get yourself a thai tea in a cute little mason jar for an extra $ 2 and you’re in heaven.
I love Toss because it’s super quick, affordable and hits the spot every time. Parking can be a biatch, because it’s always busy on Shattuck Ave. so I would recommend parking up the street and then walking. Enjoy!

Toss definitely holds a special place in every Berkeley student’s heart. They offer a variety of noodle choices, such as Hokkien, wheat, flat rice, thin rice, glass, and various sauces based on different Asian cuisines, such as Japanese, Thai, Malay, and Chinese. I usually get noodles, but they also offer rice and noodle soups with clear broth, tom yum soup, laksa or curry. Then, you get to choose what kind of protein you want. They have shrimp, chicken, beef, tofu, etc. Though the sauces aren’t authentic, they dishes are still really tasty and you get a decent amount of food for the price. I usually get the Hokkien noodles with Japanese sauce and beef. I’m a big fan of thicker noodles, but I’m also particular about how well it’s cooked. It’s definitely easy to undercook or overcook thicker noodles, but every time I’ve gone, it’s always cooked just right so that it’s not mushy. The Japanese sauce is on the sweeter side, but it’s not overly sweet. The noodles also come with a variety of vegetables. I was feeling spontaneous once, and I decided to try the laksa. I’ve heard great things about laksa in general, per an Indonesian native, so I decided to give it a try. However, I wasn’t a big fan. It was a bit too rich. The first few bites were enjoyable, but at the 5^th bite, I felt as though the soup base was too creamy and overwhelming for my palate.
Toss is always bustling with people during meal times, and it’s hard to find a place to sit, but food comes out fast, so if you want to grab something quick to eat before heading to the Bart station, this is definitely a solid option!

I usually update my reviews for places that deserve it, but ironically I’ve updated my review for Toss for the opposite reason…
3 years ago when I was a freshman at Cal, I fell in love with Toss. I thought it was such a cool concept that you can create your own dish. Since I loved pad Thai and Thai food I always made the peanut sauce hokkien and I never ever found it a miss.
2 years later I’ve found a pretty unfortunate distaste for toss. Sorry, I know everyone is entitled to his/​her opinion, but I’d rather be honest about why I find this place to suffer from overhype…
The good:
Toss is hella efficient. If I need to make the Bart to a warriors game and I only have 20 min, this place is great, even when it’s busy…
The soups they have are also not bad. Their Tom yum soup is plentiful and will get you full…
The bad:
Besides their noodle soups, everything else has gone down hill. Why? It might just be my appetite, but if I’m paying 8 – 10 $ for food, I should be somewhat full right? That’s how I felt when I first tried toss. But now whenever I get a rice dish or a noodle dish, you get a big bowl but when you stare into it, it’s barely ¹⁄₃ full. I guess that’s why I like their efficiency– they give you nothing…
In addition, most of the items on their menu are actually just not justified by the price. I guess I’m just a bit too sophisticated with my food, but a lot of their items are not that hard to make. If you’re charging 9 $ please be a bit more original and/​give more portions? TBH If I wanted mediocre quality food that’s filling, there’s Chipotle or if I want higher quality that’s filling, there’s urban turban… Or I can cook it.
I know this is more of a rant, but it irks me when I see this place so severely overhyped. Hella college and high school students flock here. I think once you start cooking you’ll realize that it’s really cheap and easy to make their dishes and therefore the price is not justified.
But kudos to Toss for easily ripping people off.
GG,

Toss Noodle is a quick, affordable spot to grab customizable noodle dishes (as a curry/​rice, soup, or stir fry). Like a more authentic Noodles n co, order at the register, then have your food quickly delivered to your table. I love noodles but this place did not hit the spot. A good option for students, but not a destination.
*COMBO LAKSA WITH GLASS NOODLES (2.5 STARS)
The laksa broth was very heavy, not salty enough, too sweet, and just generally missing umami. It probably pairs best with rice noodles or the thin egg noodle. I felt the meat was very dry and would return only for the shrimp.
* THAI BEEF HOKKIEN STIR FRY NOODLE (3 STARS)
Reminds me of Panda? The portion is enormous but the noodles are too heavy. The sauce was pretty good.
Id recommend the Thai stir fry, my preference is for the glass noodles or the wide flat rice noodles but Toss is a quick and easy cheap spot to fill you up and I don’t think I’ll be back anytime soon.

Mix and match to your heart’s content for endless combinations! ~$ 9 for a noodle bowl. Rice, soup, and curry options also available. Quick bite appetizers include coconut prawns, samosas, and fried octopus.
OPTIONS:
4 sauces (Thai, Malay, Chinese, Japanese)
6 noodles (Hokkien, wheat, flat, thin, spinach, and grass)
6 proteins (tofu, chicken, beef, pork, prawns, combo)
The noodles are decent, but nothing special. I’ve done a thai + thin noodle + pork combo as well as a Chinese + flat noodle + chicken combo and it’s just okay. If you want thai noodles, go to a Thai restaurant. If you want Chinese? Go to a Chinese restaurant. Both the flavor and authenticity are lacking and the ingredients were kind of skimpy. Friendly and quick service though. Great for groups, picky eaters, and control freaks!

Fresh way of eating your Asian food!
FOOD: I got the Hokkein noodle MILD Thai sauce with pork. The noodle was the best part, since it was chewy and thick, making chewing it very fulfilling. The sauce wasn’t spicy at all and was on the sweet side. I was a bit disappointed by the portion size, since I was expecting more noodle in such a humongous bowl.
SERVICE: You decide your combo (choice of noodle or rice, type of noodle or rice, sauce, meat, sides, etc) and order up front. They’ll bring you your food to your table. Took 5 minutes to make mine. I was happy.
SETTING: I really like the location of this place, which is in downtown Berkeley. It’s very pedestrian friendly and I like that there is a lot of open space for sunlight and smell of nature. There are a good number of tables inside, but know that it’ll get busy during lunch time.
PRICE: I paid $ 9 for my food. It’s an okay price but I would have liked more noodles please!
OVERALL IMPRESSION: A cool of eating your Asian food! Great store set-​up but wish there can be more noodles in the bowl because they taste really good!