“Tldr: solid, forgettable Japanese classicsRintaro was on my radar, but I had no plans to dine here during my week long trip. After seeing their cookbook EVERYWHERE in town, I felt like splurging for my last dinner in SF and made a same day (Thurs) 9:30 pm dinner reservation.I spoke to Kay, the hostess, 2x. Got to meet them in person, which was nice. Friendly, helpful. ?♂️The other waitstaff was... Average. It didn't help (1) the kitchen was closing soon after my order was placed, so I felt rushed, and (2) I was seated at the bar. My water glass was empty for a long time until a server dropped off a pitcher. My server didn't take my jacket/bag or point out there were hooks under the counter, but I figured they must be *somewhere*. I was much better taken care of at a mom-N-pop restaurant in Central Richmond than here.I was really excited for the housemade yosedofu and the udon "carbonara". ⬜ The tofu was forgettable. I've had this many times and wish they added myoga or shiso to make it special. Go all out since it's elevated Japanese food and the same ingredients are also used for the udon (grated ginger, scallion, katsuobushi). The little pitcher of soy sauce leaked on the table and didn't taste of shiitake. The server brought a serving spoon and plate for me to eat from, which didn't make sense as I was a party of 1 ? Both spoons provided were a bit awkward to eat off of. ? The kama tama udon "carbonara" description is misleading. There's no rich creaminess you'd expect from a carbonara-like dish. The housemade udon had a distinct, firm chew I appreciated. The bowl was also warmed, nice attention to detail. ? The star was the hojicha panna cotta, which was a late add on. At first bite, the hojicha was very pronounced. Very creamy. I didn't use the syrup it was served with.??The surrounding area is not very well lit, bit industrial, so it has less foot traffic and it's creepy at night, even for the 5 min walk from the bus stop. ?️The interior atmosphere is nice for a date, but the bar stools weren't very sturdy/weighted. The open kitchen is nice and heard lots of Japanese being spoken. The only perk to sitting barside is watching everyone work.Dietary restrictions: Pescetarian“
“Their selection is great. It’s one of the few sushi places where they have makimono that emphasizes fish over rice + other fillings (not that I don’t also love the standard American sushi options, but it’s nice to have a leaner, simpler option).The veggie side dishes are also amazing - the eggplant is charred and juicy but not drowning terribly in oil, and okra is also really good.They also do delivery, which makes it a great casual option.“
“came for happy hour, if you’re looking for don or ramen they have a lot to choose from. we were looking at smaller plates, everything was super delicious and fresh. calamari wasn’t overcooked, the scallops were so well dressed with a vinaigrette and fresh micro greens, pesto udon was a bit strong and greasy so i’d skip next time, and the kabocha croquette was sweet and battered fried.“
“We came here for late night dinner - fresh sashimi is 10 out of 10 ?Vegetarian options: I saw some vegetarian options on the menuParking: It’s always plenty of parking around or cross streetKid-friendliness: Yes, big dining room and I saw high chairs for little kids tooWheelchair accessibility: Yes, they have big dining room so wheelchair can move freely and bathroom is also big and it’s ok for wheelchair“
“We tried the combo skewers, millionaire green bacon, and salted egg kombucha. Everything was tasty! It was pretty busy on a Friday night. There was a wait by 6:30pm, but food service was quick. They don’t serve alcohol currently, but you can BYOB for a small fee.“
“I been there last week with my family. It were our first time, and i was very impressed with the food quality decor and service. Our server was friendly and informative. She guided us through the menu and her recommendations were spot on! Great value as well. A hidden gem! Very glad i came here.“
“We made a reservation which cost $10 but we didn't make it in time so we missed our reservation but we were still able to be seated quickly. They were just two of us. On a Friday night..The vegan ramen was delicious and the rice pudding was as well.“
“Best chicken I've ever tasted must get the fried chicken and gyoza appetizer that comes yum yum sauce?? I had a beef short rib and teriyaki salmon bento box. The other two got the millionaire tonkotsu and the miso soup. The only reason I took one star out for the atmosphere was because the music was too loud where we were sitting.“
“This is my new favorite restaurant in SF! The food was delicious and service was great! I personally recommend the Spicy Garlic Miso broth for your hot pot. All of the food was very fresh and tasty. The all you can eat is a very good deal and I was soo full when I left. The waitstaff was super helpful with guiding me through the menu, as this was my first time doing Shabu. I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant - it was very relaxing and cheerful. All of the cat decorations are very cute! The service was very quick, even though the restaurant was full when I arrived. I felt prioritized by my server and was never left waiting for food or drink. The staff were all so friendly and it seems like they have built a great community there! I will absolutely be coming back here and recommending Jin Pot to all of my friends. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an authentic Shabu experience and great service/hospitality from the staff. If it was possible I would rate 6 stars!“
“Food was delicious and interesting. I got a soup that had more of a curry broth, than a normal ramen broth, which was a nice change (they also have regular broths available.). Servings were a bit too large, I would have liked to have tried more dishes, but I was stuffed!“
“Large portions and good flavor. Note, standard disclaimer for Japanese restaurants: I got the Kio Special Ramen ?️?️, order it extra spicy and it was medium at best. Definitely still enjoyable to eat though. Unusual for me, but the egg was actually really good, like the best egg I've ever had.“
“New favorite ramen spot! We loved the signature soy sauce tori paitan - very rich soy sauce and black garlic base, and the slow braised chicken leg was so tender. My personal fav was the shio paitan - what’s better than a rare-find bowl of rich creamy chicken broth on a rainy evening! Plus very efficient service.“
“?full stars for an amazing happy hour experience?I cant believe this spot has open tables when we came in at 530 to catch their happy hour.Everything was absolutely delicious, my favorite was the crab sunomono and the wagyu skewer. The pork kimchi and gyozas were also very tasty.The dishes that I thought were good but nothing to write home about were the fried chicken skin and agedashi tofu.Service was spectacular and the music and overall vibe was great. 10/10 will come again!For 3 people we paid $188 with tip, which included 2 cocktails.Vegetarian options: There are some veggie dishes on the menu, nuts it's predominantly meat based.“
“This is the only place in SF that has Gluten Free Ramen. The food was swell, and the service and ambiance were great! We dropped by before a movie at the Kabuki, and it was kinda dead. By the time we left, it was packed. We'll definitely be going back!Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating to gluten free dining. We were thrilled!“
“Nomu Skewers near Union Square is a hidden gem that transports you straight to Tokyo. From the fresh sushi to the mouthwatering Kushiyaki, every bite is a culinary delight. Don't miss their Tsukune with raw egg yolk dip or the lobster tail skewers. With impeccable service and a cozy ambiance, this modern Izakaya-style restaurant is a must-visit in San Francisco.“
“I basically ordered everything on the menu. It was great food, amazing even. I wouldn't justify the 2 hour wait though, especially since we were first in line. Being told to come back in 2 hours would've been appreciated. Ambiance was great for a small shop however the Service was mediocre. The only reason for the high rating is just for the amazing food. Literally anything else would've helped give it a 5 but I would rather take my Japanese cravings elsewhere“
“I actually don't care for their tonkotsu ramen...way too greasy. The chicken broth is much better. That said, despite "ramen" in their name, the yakitori is what steals the show. Love them all! The waitress takes her job seriously and goes above and beyond. Tip her extra!“
“The veggie miso ramen has changed recipes and is not the same to the previous ownership. Devastated that I didn’t know the last time I had it would have been my last forever. I hope the new ownership does well here. But my search for my go to ramen spot sadly is beginning after tonight’s meal.Broth wasn’t hot enough. The entire dish tasted over salted. Positives: the new set up felt refreshing. The service was polite and welcoming.“
“Very good quality sushi and Ramen. Living in the Richmond area, we stumble across this sushi place just by chance.Really enjoyed the flavours of the ramen that we had.The sushi rolls were also quite impressive.Overall, we had a good experience here.“
“We really wanted to stop by to try their Tsukemen but the hours were tough with a baby/early bedtime. They open pretty much for dinner and some days they do have lunch hours. We weren't going to miss out so we decided to Door Dash their ramen to the hotel to eat while baby sleeps. We were glad we did because even though the ramen wasn't fresh, it was still delicious. Thick ramen noodles, thick and hearty broth to dip the noodles in. The chasu was flavored and a good size. They only give you half an egg which is disappointing considering it's $20 a bowl. Definitely recommending trying this place out for their tsukemen. We would love to return and actually try it in house.“
“Step right up, my fellow food aficionados! Let me spill the soy sauce on Izakaya Sozai – a culinary gem still reigning supreme in the Bay Area. Picture this: tantalizing tastes that transcend ordinary izakaya fare, from their celestial ramen to a parade of palate-pleasers. With each bite, you're dancing on a cloud of flavor, and let's not forget the sake – it's so good, it's practically a spiritual experience! At Sozai, it's not just about the food; it's a whole vibe – the kind of place where good friends dive into great food, excellent service, and awesome sake converge in a harmonious symphony of culinary delight.“
“Insanely good, cannot recommend enough! The pumpkin sushi was delicious, and shredded tofu was a great addition to rolls. Peppermint tea was great and freshVegetarian options: All veg!Dietary restrictions: Completely veg!Parking: 2 hour parking (free) and paid hourly parkingKid-friendliness: Kid friendly, just a little loudWheelchair accessibility: Easy parking and entry“