Toss Noodle Bar: Affordable customizable yum in Downtown Berkeley

 

Toss Noodle Bar

Downtown Berkeley’s Toss Noodle Bar is respected for offering only inexpensive, delicious Asian fusion dishes. The menu features a DIY list of options that lets you pick and combine elements from different Asian culinary traditions, starting with your choice of noodle or rice bases, then adding soup, sauce, or curry before choosing the protein you prefer—but you can also pick some popular favorites from the set menu, like the Pad Thai, the Toss garlic noodles, or the Pad Se Ew, all for very reasonable prices.

This affordable place to eat is hardly a secret! They are open every day from 11 am to 10 pm and almost always have customers in their dining room. There’s often a line forming to place an order. Students in particular enjoy the low-price, high-quality noodles and stir-fries that are made to order here. The dining room is stripped back and modern, and the service is quick, placing an emphasis on coming to devour delicious food quickly and simply, alone or with friends. There’s so many options that it’s hard to choose, so I will offer you a few suggestions as a starting point.

If I had to choose a custom noodle bowl, I would certainly pick the thick Hokkein noodles with Japanese (sweet and sour) sauce and beef. It’s a killer combination served in a deep bowl with veggies and a bit of scrambled egg. It’s fascinating, with real depth of flavor. It’s not too expensive, but it’s a little fancy, and I like it a lot.

If I had to pick a set menu item, I would opt for the Pad Se Ew with chicken. I am a fan of its satisfying wide, flat noodles with a Thai sauce and green veggies. It’s well-made and very satisfying. It comes on a large, square plate in a decent portion size, and everything comes together nicely, especially with the perfectly seasoned simple chicken that’s mixed in. It’s inexpensive and so good.

But if you want a stir-fry with rice on the side, try the ginger stir-fry and order it with your choice of protein; it’s very good with pork. It’s a vegetable-heavy stir-fry flavored with ginger that pairs well with rice and is a relatively healthy choice. It’s also a budget-friendly option.

All in all, Toss is a wonderful place to get really cheap food you actually will not regret eating in Berkeley. For fast food prices, you get to try something that’s actually interesting and can even be made relatively healthy. The food isn’t just passable or a way to get full; it’s a meal that’s worth savoring and truly enjoying whether you come alone or with friends. I can’t get enough!