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KAOKAO Grill

4.8 104 reviews Closed 2993 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, United States

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At KAOKAO Grill, we celebrate a unique fusion of flavors, intertwining Chinese BBQ and South Asian influences that create an unforgettable dining experience. Located in Berkeley, CA, our restaurant focuses on serving comfort food that's both mouthwatering and heartwarming. The char siu pork, brined with Sichuan spices and smoked to perfection, stands out as a crowd favorite, complemented by refreshing sides like the cold cucumber salad. Guests can enjoy a casual atmosphere with wheelchair accessibility and convenient takeaway options. With a commitment to fresh ingredients and complex flavors, KAOKAO Grill invites you to savor a delightful culinary journey.

Photos

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Amenities & More

Service options

  • Delivery
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Dining options

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Counter service

Amenities

  • Restroom

Atmosphere

  • Casual

Crowd

  • Tourists
Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with KAOKAO Grill before visiting.

Reviews for KAOKAO Grill

4.8
104 reviews
5
100%
4
8%
3
4%
2
3%
1
2%

Review highlights

Based on 104 reviews

KAOKAO Grill is widely praised for its bold and distinctive fusion of Chinese BBQ and South Asian flavors, creating a unique and memorable dining experience. Reviewers consistently highlight the tender, flavorful smoked meats, particularly the char siu pork and chicken dishes, which balance richness with well-executed spice. The accompanying sides, such as the eggplant salad and spicy cucumber, are noted for their vibrant, complementary tastes. Customers appreciate the generous portions and thoughtful presentation, while service is often described as warm and attentive. Although wait times can be slightly longer, patrons generally agree that the quality and complexity of the flavors make it well worth the wait.

Monica McCown
Apr 18, 2025

If you want to get smacked in the face with delicious flavor and the perfect amount of spice, this is the place. I told my partner that this is one of the best meals I have ever had. Crunchy, tender, perfectly smoked meat and the eggplant salad sauce was to die for.The owner treated us with as much care and attention as I treat guests in my own home and was so happy when we told them we liked the food. You can tell it means a lot to them.I will be coming back and bringing friends to support this great restaurant and the lovely young couple who own it.

Scott Sweeney
Apr 17, 2025

Eggplant salad affordable & FLAVORFUL, jam packed, very slimy but the slime works here !Curry, spicy & a bit sour not my personal fav but my friend loved it. Very rich so looks like small bowl but packs big punch in your tum.The crispy pork bowl was so so so good, love the pickings and rice they used with it all. Love the color of the pork and sweet crisp it has on the outside but tender juice on the inside10/10

David Meier
Apr 10, 2025

Awesome fusion of Chinese/BBQ and Indian/BBQ fusion for the mains. The Char Siu bowl is my go to, the twice cooked pork is an amazing fusion of flavor and just fatty enough to be amazing but not greasy. Goes excellent with the spicy cucumber salad. Usually takes likes 20 minutes to get food but it is always worth the wait!

Julie Kang
Mar 02, 2025

Mouth-watering smoked charsiu pork and South Asian-flavored chicken. Generous portions, nice accompaniments for each, delicious house soda. I will definitely visit regularly. Their flavor profiles are so fresh, attention-grabbing, and savory.

Yunsie Chung
Feb 18, 2025

The food is really good! The chicken is so tender and tastes so delicious. The char siu pork was so good too. I highly recommend coming here!

Dennis B
Jan 12, 2025

The char siu BBQ pork plate was mouthwatering deliciousness. Very smoky, crunchy exterior, with a sweet glaze. Served with tasty cucumber salad & white rice.

AJ
Jan 11, 2025

Food was awesome. We had cold eggplant salad, chickpea curry and char siu that comes with cucumber, black bean sauce and rice. Wonderfully seasoned and spiced. Guy was nice and food came reasonably quick. The only improvement I would look for is with the place. Needs a good scrubbing and a coat of paint, but it really doesn't deter me. Thank you KAOKAO we will see you soon 3

Ton T
Jan 01, 2025

We went a little late and they were out of their popular chicken dishes so we defaulted to the pork. The ‘char siew’ pork was very well done - tender, juicy with a nice shiny glaze on the outside. The cold cucumber salad was also good but could have used a little bit more marinading time.

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Quick info

Address
2993 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, United States
Price range
$10–20
Category
Restaurants

Opening hours

  • Monday (Today) Closed
  • Tuesday 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Thursday 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Friday 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Saturday 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Sunday 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Location

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