Cha Ya – Japanese
This serene sanctuary invites guests to discover the artful depths of plant-based Japanese cuisine, where minimalist aesthetics meet a vibrant explosion of seasonal flavors. The kitchen transforms humble ingredients into edible poetry, from the smoky char of robata-grilled skewers and the ethereal crunch of golden tempura to the meticulously composed beauty of the signature Moon Garden. Every dish, whether a silken bowl of agedashi tofu or a plate of delicate, hand-folded gyoza, offers a mindful journey through texture and tradition in a space that feels worlds away from the bustle outside.
1686 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley CA https://chaya-berkeley.com/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Japanese
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at Cha Ya
Dairy-Free at Cha Ya
Cha Ya in Berkeley has 19 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Garden Roll, Summer Green Roll and Vege-Tofu Curry Noodle. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Cha Ya
Cha Ya in Berkeley has 2 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Steamed White Rice and Robata Yaki. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Cha Ya
Cha Ya in Berkeley has 46 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Shattuck Roll, Garden Roll and Moon Garden. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Cha Ya
Cha Ya in Berkeley has 4 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Vege-Tofu Curry Noodle, Agedashi Tofu and Cha-Ya Nabe. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Cha Ya
Cha Ya in Berkeley has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Robata Yaki. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at Cha Ya
Cha Ya in Berkeley has 1 nut-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Steamed White Rice. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Cha Ya
Cha Ya in Berkeley has 19 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Garden Roll, Summer Green Roll and Vege-Tofu Curry Noodle. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Cha Ya
Cha Ya in Berkeley has 21 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Garden Roll, Moon Garden and Summer Green Roll. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Cha Ya
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Senroppon Salad | 0 g | 75.7 g |
| Dobin Mushi | 21 g | 70 g |
| Cha-Ya Nabe | 51.9 g | 49.5 g |
| Vege-Tofu Curry Noodle | 15.9 g | 47.1 g |
| Cha-Ya Delight | 56.2 g | 45.1 g |
| Curry Rice | 90 g | 40.2 g |
| Ten Bou | 33.4 g | 30.7 g |
| Garden Roll | 99.3 g | 29.5 g |
| Cha-Ya Roll | 47.6 g | 28.5 g |
| Taku-Sui | 40 g | 27.8 g |
| Tonchi Nasu | 5.9 g | 19.9 g |
| Vegan Roll | 107.6 g | 18.8 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Wednesday - Monday
- 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its fresh and savory dishes, guests rave about the impressive food quality that makes a lasting first impression. Diners highlight the helpful service and pleasant environment, noting that the attentive staff and welcoming atmosphere create a consistently high-quality experience that keeps them coming back.
Menu
Small Dishes
- Agedashi Tofu - $10.35: Deep fried tofu in special sauce, garnished with grated daikon and ginger, kaiware, scallions, and shredded nori. (4 pieces) Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Robata Yaki - $9.75: Broiled pieces of Portobello mushroom, red onion, asparagus, eggplant, and zucchini. Served on 2 skewers with Robata sauce Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, Alkaline, Renal, Slow-Carb, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ten Bou - $11: Sticks of yam, carrots, banana squash, atsuage tofu, and green beans, lightly battered and deep fried, served with tempura sauce. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gyoza - $9.75: Vegan pot stickers, pan-fried and served with Gyoza sauce. (6 pieces) Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mikuri-Age - $13.75: Breaded and deep fried asparagus, eggplant, onions, kabocha pumpkin, mushrooms and atsuage tofu on skewers, and a vegetable croquette. Served with special miso-based sauce. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Hasami Age - $12.65: Sweet corn and organic atsuage tofu wrapped in a soybean sheet and nori sewed. lightly battered and fried with tempura style. Served with an organic almond sauce. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Hangetsu - $15: Portobello mushroom layered with atsuage tofu, dipped in light batter and deep fried. Served with kiwi fruit sauce. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Dengaku - $14.35: Broiled eggplant tofu, and portobello mushroom with miso-paste glaze. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Moon Garden - $14.35: Steamed tofu custard with broccoli, carrots, shimiji mushrooms, kabocha, atsuage tofu snow peas, asparagus, zucchini, brocclini, soybeans and gingko nuts. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegetable Tempura - $14.35: Eggplant, yam, asparagus, carrots, kabocha, mushrooms, green beans, and broccoli. lightly battered and deep-fried. Served with Tempura sauce. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Taku-Sui - $16.1: Pot stickers, tofu, zucchini, nappa cabbage, snap peas, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, silver noodles, and mushrooms in a light broth and served with a ponzu citrus sauce. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cha-Ya Nabe - $16.6: Napa cabbage, spinach, red onion, carrots, mushrooms, kabocha, broccoli, cauliflower, lotus roots zucchini, snap peas, snow peas, silver noodles, and tofu Sukiyaki broth. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Fat, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cha-Ya Delight - $16.1: Seasoned organic brown rice topped with carrots, kabocha, broccoli, cauliflower, lotus roots zucchini, snap peas, snow peas, hijiki, atsuage tofu, shiitake, broccolini, pickled burdock and daikon, and kiaware. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tonchi Nasu - $16.1: Eggplant stuffed with Satsuma potato, corn, hijiki, carrots, and soybeans. Lightly battered and deep fried, tempura style. served with a special ginger sauce. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Hana Gomoku - $16.1: Sushi rice served in a medium bowl, mixed with seasoned shiitake, green beans, lotus roots, carrots, tofu pouch, yam cake an hijiki. Topped with various cooked vegetables. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Curry Rice - $15: Organic tofu, kabocha, onions, celery, carrots, broccoli, snap peas, cauliflower, zucchini, and mushrooms, asparagus, kiaware, vegetables croquette with golden curry rice sauce. Choice of white or organic brown rice. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Soups
- Dobin Mushi - $9.75: Clear soup with spinach, shimeji, eryngii mushrooms, tofu, carrots, and gingko nuts. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, Alkaline, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kinoko Miso - $11: Miso soup with Portobello, shimeji, eryngii mushrooms, tofu, scallions, and kaiware sprouts. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegan Soup - $11: Organic beans, split peas, lentils and brown rice. (10 oz. size) Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- House Miso Soup - $3.5: A small bowl of miso soup with wake sea vegetable, tofu, and scallions. (Small 8oz) Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Special Pumpkin Soup - $5.75 Dietary tags: Halal Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Senroppon Salad - $12.5: Shredded daikon, turnip, cucumber, carrots with atsuage tofu, radishes, soybeans, kaiware, and toasted pine nuts. Soy-vinaigrette dressing. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Soba Salad - $13.25: Soba noodles topped with various seasonal vegetables. Sesame-oil vinaigrette dressing. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sea Vegetable Salad - $10.25: A variety of marine vegetables including seasoned hijiki served with a creamy sesame dressing Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sunomono Salad - $6.5: Sliced cucumber and radishes with golden raisins, wakame, silver noodles, and toasted organic soybeans. Non-oil rice vinaigrette Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Goma Ae - $11: Blanched spinach and broccolini, topped with a sesame dressing. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shira Ae - $11: Blanched spinach with seasoned root, carrots, shiitake, green beans tofu pouch and yam cake, served with a tahini-tofu dressing. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
Sushi
- Hosomaki Combo Dinner - $23: Choose any three HOSOMAKI ROLLS listed below. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner
- Sushi Combo Dinner - $23: One Kappa Roll, one Vegan Roll, and two Inari. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cha-Ya Roll - $12.65: Asparagus, yam, avocado, and carrots, lightly battered and deep-fried, Tempura style. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shattuck Roll - $12: A large roll with asparagus and yam Tempura. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Garden Roll - $12.65: A large roll with asparagus, spinach, avocado, cucumber, broccoli, pickled burdock, and kiaware sprouts. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegan Roll - $12.5: A large roll with spinach, atsuage tofu, cucumber, broccolini, pickled burdock, seasoned shiitake and campy gourd, and pickled ginger. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegetable Tempura Roll - $12.65: A large roll filled with Tempura of banana squash, carrots, yam, and green beans. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Summer Green Roll - $12.65: A large reverse roll with avocado, cucumber, and kiaware sprouts, topped with sea vegetable salad. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Subaru Roll - $13.25: Organic brown sushi rice mixture, carrot, asparagus, atsuage tofu, and seasoned shiitake, rolled up with an outer layer of mustard green. Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Starlight Roll - $12.65: Organic brown sushi rice, eryngii mushrooms, spinach, and asparagus, rolled up with an outer layer of avocado. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Haku Roll - $12.65: Sushi rice with fried yam, shiitake mushroom, rolled up with an outer layer of avocado. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Noodles
- Vege-Tofu Curry Noodle - $15.5: Curry soup topped with tofu, kabocha, onions, celery, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, mushrooms, and snap peas. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Yasai Udon/Soba - $14.3: Cooked vegetables served with a bowl of udon or soba Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegetable Tempura Udon/Soba - $18.5: Vegetable Tempura served with a bowl of udon or soba. (Noodles and Tempura are served separately.) Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sansai Udon/Soba - $14.3: Edible bracken, bamboo shoots, carrots, and enoki and wood ear mushrooms. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kinoko Udon/Soba - $14.3: Mushroom medley: shimeji, eryngii, portobello, and oyster mushrooms. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Wakame Udon/Soba - $14.3: Wakame sea vegetable. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kitsune Udon/Soba - $14.3: Seasoned tofu pouch. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kake/Zaru - $11.5: Plain noodles topped with scallions, kaiware, and shredded nori. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Edamame - $6: Soybeans boiled and lightly salted. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steamed White Rice - $4 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seasoned Organic Brown Rice - $4.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Inari - $6.3: Stuffed seasoned tofu pouch. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
Desserts
- Yellow Moon - $7: Deep-fried organic banana, topped with azuki bean sauce and green tea sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, Slow-Carb
- Pear Compote - $7: Lightly sweetened fresh Bosc pear, served with vanilla flavored organic soy milk and green tea sauce. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Low-Cholesterol
Frequently Asked Questions about Cha Ya
- Is Cha Ya dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Cha Ya has 19 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Garden Roll, Summer Green Roll and Vege-Tofu Curry Noodle.
- What can I eat at Cha Ya on a dairy-free diet?
- Garden Roll, Summer Green Roll and Vege-Tofu Curry Noodle carry the dairy-free tag, out of 19 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Cha Ya have vegan options?
- Yes. 19 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Garden Roll and Summer Green Roll.
- Is Cha Ya gluten-free?
- 2 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Cha Ya?
- Senroppon Salad, at roughly 75.7g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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