I just wanna say that Izakaya says I might be the most delicious meal I’ve ever had in my entire life from the small bites that represent all delicious cuisines from around the world to special things that you can get only hearing in San Francisco. This is truly some of the best plates in the city you need to come try it, especially The spicy tuna crispy rice stuff, but also ranging to the chicken skin anyway super yummy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chenyang Wang
The food was below average. Every dish we ordered didn’t taste good
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Shelley Carr
What a hidden gem! I came here with some family and we ordered several things from across the menu, and at multiple points in the evening. Every single thing was beautifully presented, stunningly delicious, and we stuffed ourselves. They also have an exceptional collection of Japanese beers and sake that are all divine. Be aware this small place fills up every night of the week, so either plan ahead or get there early. I will absolutely be back the next time I’m in town. The agedashi tofu is the best I’ve ever had.
So freakin yummy!! I especially like the sea bass, miso cod, miso eggplant, maitaki mushrooms and tuna tartare. Ok basically i liked everything we ordered. lol. Also love the down to earth service. Everyone is so nice and welcoming. Food came out fast and service is attentive and warm. The owner Suemee and the chef are great. Just be prepared to be rolled out of there if you over order like me. 😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Shihadeh
The food was seriously amazing! Great staff too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luke Guevara
One of the better spots in the City for a killer Ramen. Their ramen menu is very easy to navigate with plenty of very tasty add ons if you want. The ambiance is top notch. Its a small restaurant but as soon as you get into the restaurant you feel very at home. Large windows surround the seating area and make it feel like a very special location. Great for dates and great for tasty foods.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Sharon Joy Aguila
We absolutely loved everything we ordered and highly recommend it all—the tuna tartare, monkfish liver, eggplant, and mochi were outstanding. The sea bass was perfectly cooked, and the noodles in the tonkotsu ramen were incredible, with a rich, decadent broth that was full of flavor.
Beyond the amazing food, the owner was incredibly friendly and brought such great, positive energy to the experience. We’ll definitely be coming back!
Cozy atmosphere, with nice lighting and very few tables. The service was excellent, as the waitress was efficient and there was also another super friendly woman who checked on us regularly. The food was perfect – the tonkotsu ramen was probably the best I’ve ever had. They brought us free dessert, as they were out of the one I ordered. The yuzu cheesecake was also amazing. My only complaint, though, is that it was a bit too noisy.
Visited this restaurant with a friend visiting from Denver who was craving Asian food. We ordered chicken karaage, gyoza, and ramen.
The karaage was fantastic—crispy, flavorful, and one of the best I've had in the city. Definitely a highlight. The ramen was decent—nothing memorable but satisfying enough. The gyoza, however, was disappointing. None of us enjoyed it; the flavor and texture were just off.
Unfortunately, everything we ordered arrived lukewarm, which was a letdown.
Service was a bright spot—friendly and attentive staff made sure we were taken care of.
The biggest issue was the atmosphere. The restaurant was so smoky that we almost walked out upon arrival but stayed since we had a reservation. Throughout the meal, the smoky environment was unbearable. I coughed the entire time and couldn’t wait to leave, and my friends felt the same way. They really need to check out their ventilation system—it completely ruined the experience.
Overall, the food and service had potential, but the smoky environment was a dealbreaker for us.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 5
Bianca Curutan
I came here with my bf after hearing a glowing recommendation from him about the ramen here. Although the ramen options are somewhat limited (there's just one broth - the Ritsu Tonkotsu Ramen, but it has numerous additions), it was sooo worth the trip out here to try it out! Sooo delicious! *heart eyes* I ordered it with the braised pork belly, and my bf ordered it with braised pork belly and a fried egg. I also ordered a seaweed salad, which was okay, but I probably won't be ordering it the next time I come here - and there *will* be a next time. The restaurant is somewhat small but with a good vibe. There are tables and half-booths around and some bar seating. Btw, if you're not willing to wait, it's probably best to make a reservation or come early. (This was actually our second attempt since the last time he and I tried to come here, the wait was a bit too long for our like). We came around 5pm (when Izakaya Sozai opened) on a Saturday night, and the place was definitely full before 5:30pm. It's worth the wait though if you have the time :)
Amazing food. Just was sad they ran out of ume wine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Michelle Lai
Food is ok. Overall it’s overpriced.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
claire hopkins
Nice place but just think we ordered the wrong dishes on our first visit. Tonkotsu was strangely peppery + chicken flavored, like no tonkotsu I've ever had. Tsukemen broth was yummy, more what I expected but the noodles served to dip with were so undercooked that the dish was tough to enjoy. Chicken thigh skewers were the yummiest thing we ordered, and recommend those. Maybe it's best after all to stick to smaller plates and skewers at an izakaya. Unfortunately don't think I'd return, with the price point and food I received.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Yakitori
Jon “Sophlin” Munro
After coming home from Japan my wife and I miss the quality and taste of authentic Japanese cuisine. When the craving become to much to bare we go to Izakaya Sozai. With a wide variety of delicious street food and Yakitori dishes, fresh daikon salad, and the centerpiece the tonkatsu ramen you will never miss. If you're looking to step out of your comfort zone i recommend the chicken cartilage. If you want to keep it simple the dry pepper chicken wings. You can never miss. If you are in the sunset or visiting Golden gate park please stop in you will have a wonderful time.
I just wanna say that Izakaya says I might be the most delicious meal I’ve ever had in my entire life from the small bites that represent all delicious cuisines from around the world to special things that you can get only hearing in San Francisco. This is truly some of the best plates in the city you need to come try it, especially The spicy tuna crispy rice stuff, but also ranging to the chicken skin anyway super yummy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was below average. Every dish we ordered didn’t taste good
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
What a hidden gem! I came here with some family and we ordered several things from across the menu, and at multiple points in the evening. Every single thing was beautifully presented, stunningly delicious, and we stuffed ourselves. They also have an exceptional collection of Japanese beers and sake that are all divine. Be aware this small place fills up every night of the week, so either plan ahead or get there early. I will absolutely be back the next time I’m in town. The agedashi tofu is the best I’ve ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Hamachi Carpaccio, Duck Skewer
So freakin yummy!! I especially like the sea bass, miso cod, miso eggplant, maitaki mushrooms and tuna tartare. Ok basically i liked everything we ordered. lol. Also love the down to earth service. Everyone is so nice and welcoming. Food came out fast and service is attentive and warm. The owner Suemee and the chef are great. Just be prepared to be rolled out of there if you over order like me. 😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was seriously amazing! Great staff too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the better spots in the City for a killer Ramen. Their ramen menu is very easy to navigate with plenty of very tasty add ons if you want. The ambiance is top notch. Its a small restaurant but as soon as you get into the restaurant you feel very at home. Large windows surround the seating area and make it feel like a very special location. Great for dates and great for tasty foods.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
We absolutely loved everything we ordered and highly recommend it all—the tuna tartare, monkfish liver, eggplant, and mochi were outstanding. The sea bass was perfectly cooked, and the noodles in the tonkotsu ramen were incredible, with a rich, decadent broth that was full of flavor.
Beyond the amazing food, the owner was incredibly friendly and brought such great, positive energy to the experience. We’ll definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yakitori, Ritsu Tonkotsu Ramen
Cozy atmosphere, with nice lighting and very few tables. The service was excellent, as the waitress was efficient and there was also another super friendly woman who checked on us regularly. The food was perfect – the tonkotsu ramen was probably the best I’ve ever had. They brought us free dessert, as they were out of the one I ordered. The yuzu cheesecake was also amazing. My only complaint, though, is that it was a bit too noisy.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ritsu Tonkotsu Ramen, Braised Pork Belly
Visited this restaurant with a friend visiting from Denver who was craving Asian food. We ordered chicken karaage, gyoza, and ramen.
The karaage was fantastic—crispy, flavorful, and one of the best I've had in the city. Definitely a highlight.
The ramen was decent—nothing memorable but satisfying enough.
The gyoza, however, was disappointing. None of us enjoyed it; the flavor and texture were just off.
Unfortunately, everything we ordered arrived lukewarm, which was a letdown.
Service was a bright spot—friendly and attentive staff made sure we were taken care of.
The biggest issue was the atmosphere. The restaurant was so smoky that we almost walked out upon arrival but stayed since we had a reservation. Throughout the meal, the smoky environment was unbearable. I coughed the entire time and couldn’t wait to leave, and my friends felt the same way. They really need to check out their ventilation system—it completely ruined the experience.
Overall, the food and service had potential, but the smoky environment was a dealbreaker for us.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 5
I came here with my bf after hearing a glowing recommendation from him about the ramen here. Although the ramen options are somewhat limited (there's just one broth - the Ritsu Tonkotsu Ramen, but it has numerous additions), it was sooo worth the trip out here to try it out! Sooo delicious! *heart eyes* I ordered it with the braised pork belly, and my bf ordered it with braised pork belly and a fried egg. I also ordered a seaweed salad, which was okay, but I probably won't be ordering it the next time I come here - and there *will* be a next time. The restaurant is somewhat small but with a good vibe. There are tables and half-booths around and some bar seating. Btw, if you're not willing to wait, it's probably best to make a reservation or come early. (This was actually our second attempt since the last time he and I tried to come here, the wait was a bit too long for our like). We came around 5pm (when Izakaya Sozai opened) on a Saturday night, and the place was definitely full before 5:30pm. It's worth the wait though if you have the time :)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ritsu Tonkotsu Ramen, Braised Pork Belly
Restaurantji Recommends
A little loud inside.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food. Just was sad they ran out of ume wine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Food is ok. Overall it’s overpriced.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Nice place but just think we ordered the wrong dishes on our first visit. Tonkotsu was strangely peppery + chicken flavored, like no tonkotsu I've ever had. Tsukemen broth was yummy, more what I expected but the noodles served to dip with were so undercooked that the dish was tough to enjoy. Chicken thigh skewers were the yummiest thing we ordered, and recommend those. Maybe it's best after all to stick to smaller plates and skewers at an izakaya. Unfortunately don't think I'd return, with the price point and food I received.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Yakitori
After coming home from Japan my wife and I miss the quality and taste of authentic Japanese cuisine. When the craving become to much to bare we go to Izakaya Sozai. With a wide variety of delicious street food and Yakitori dishes, fresh daikon salad, and the centerpiece the tonkatsu ramen you will never miss. If you're looking to step out of your comfort zone i recommend the chicken cartilage. If you want to keep it simple the dry pepper chicken wings. You can never miss. If you are in the sunset or visiting Golden gate park please stop in you will have a wonderful time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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