Musashi

Chicken Teriyaki

A Berkeley-staple rendition — grilled chicken lacquered with a sweet-savory glaze, served over rice with miso soup on the side

Tempura

Lightly battered shrimp and vegetables fried to a clean, greaseless crisp — the benchmark for how this dish should taste at a casual Japanese spot

California Roll

Clean, well-proportioned, and exactly what it should be — a reliable benchmark for the sushi side of the menu

Bento Box

A well-edited sampler — protein of choice, rice, salad, and sides — that represents the best value on the menu for the portion size

Miso Soup

House-made, tofu-laden, and served properly hot — a small detail that signals the kitchen cares about fundamentals