Really cool little spot - favorite part about it was atmosphere. The vibe really does remind me of a place you’d stumble upon in Japan.
Had Loco Moco and Kawaba Pilsner. Would recommend both.
Really enjoyed my time here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Flo Kleiner
Just bad. Had to ask for salt and hot sauce, but it didn't make it better, nothing could
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
Jay M (Shinoskay)
They upgraded my loco moco for the girl I was out with. The japanese guy who runs this place is also clearly very traditional but also is clearly enduring American culture while adhering to japanese culture. I was very pleased by the whole visit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Aria Angelica
The restaurant was not too noisy.
Nhi Thien
I always feel relaxed and comfortable here.
Eric Tsujimoto
Disneyland attracts millions and millions by claiming to be “The Happiest Place on Earth”, but Walt Disney was never fortunate enough to visit On the Bridge. OTB is my favorite restaurant in the world, and I found myself always thinking about them . . . just like being in love. Their menu reflects creativity and a willingness to enlighten customers about what Japanese food can be.
Their yoshoku style food will transform your life, and you will become an official ambassador for their restaurant. Chef Nakumura said that they were the first Yōshoku-style restaurant in San Francisco. You will not see Chicken Teriyaki or Tempura on the menu. Luckily, I had an opportunity to speak with Yolanda who is a co-owner of On the Bridge in San Francisco’s historic Japantown. She said that the food they serve is what people in Japan eat while sushi is for businessmen. (Gotta keep it real, ya’ll). She is also a very proud mom of three cats.
My three entrées were so memorable that my socks rolled up and down plus my mind was blown all the way to the surfers at Ocean Beach. The three oishii (delicious) meals were:
Chicken Rice Gratin: Super flavorful, tender, and juicy chicken with at least two kinds of melted cheese, onions, over a specially flavored Japanese rice. This stayed hot for 20+ minutes which is ethereal.
Chicken Katsu Curry Over Rice with a Sunny Side Up Egg: Yolanda and a KQED Food Japan Town video on YouTube confirm that making the curry takes 3 to 4 days. The chicken was the lightest katsu I have ever had and was equally as tender.
Unagi: Broiled eel was so buttery and almost the size of a brick sliced in half lengthwise.
Their restaurant is located a stone’s throw from Kinokunya Bookstore on the 2nd floor West.
On the Bridge has been designated as a San Francisco Legacy Business for being in business for more than 30 years (opened in 1992) and contributing to the neighborhood’s history like Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop (Coffee Crunch Cake), Cinderella Bakery & Cafe, Tadich Grill, and House of Prime Rib which adds to their rich history. The icing on the cake, which was definitely a sign for me to go, was that my favorite movie Kiki’s Delivery Service was on. What a truly perfect day!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shine
One of those places that feel like a mini rest stop, a sweet escape. Food is flavored and salted just to my liking, and service is kind.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura Löwy
the curry ramen with tofu was good and the portion was generous. having My Neighbor Totoro playing on the tv added a nice touch, though overall the place just wasn’t quite my vibe.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Kristin Durrant
They have vegetarian options with amazing curry that the chef stewed for days and a sweet, cozy atmosphere where ghibli movies are playing and the staff put on the movie we requested 🥰
Venki Kumar
Large selection of interesting imported Japanese beer, great food & vibe.
We got the chicken katsu curry & a sweet potato beer.
cute small place, excellent food, we will visit again 😋
Gabriel Donoso
Atmosphere is cool but I spent like $27 for Katsu and miso soup and was still hungry afterwards I should never be hungry after spending $27. Sorry skip this place.
Steve McAuley
Been going through the mall trying all the food, and this place was next. Yet again, we found ourselves a gem! The immediate greeting was friendly and welcoming. We were directed to a table (they have counter area as well, which is always fun), and then had a drink and dinner menu dropped off. The decor makes you feel like you're in a quaint home or small café in Japan. The food continues this feeling.
They have dishes that you generally don't see at restaurants because it takes too long! They have food your MOM would cook! And it's ALL delicious. We enjoyed the kara-age, the mini sausages, and the omurice. It tasted like it was definitely made with care!
All members of the staff came to make sure things were going well, and we got to talk to a kind gentleman (owner maybe... didn't get his name) about the food offerings and the wonderful atmosphere. I love the manga on the walls, the anime on the TVs, the kind staff, the adorable figurines, the delicious food, and the neat idea of eating on the bridge between the malls; it was just a great experience! Would totally recommend!!
Laura Jarrel
We came, we sat, we saw a cockroach just chillin on the table, we left. If the roaches are comfortable being in plain sight in broad daylight, it means there's more where that one came from.
William Ramsey
This affordable quirky gem in Japantown is a must visit. Yes there are Michelin starred restaurants in Japantown, but how many of them have a menu this baffling, but this delicious
Imagine your favorite greasy spoon. Now, make it Japanese. The atmosphere, the narrow location (literally on a bridge connecting two parents of a mall), the grandpa who won't take your plate unless you finish your food, the 20 year old anime magazines, and the fact that the menus are slightly falling apart and inconsistent guest-to-guest add to the punk cred of this restaurant.
I can't recommend the Japanese pizza with bonito flakes enough. Truly life changing. Don't see it on the menu, look at your friends menu. It's probably in there instead.
Really cool little spot - favorite part about it was atmosphere. The vibe really does remind me of a place you’d stumble upon in Japan.
Had Loco Moco and Kawaba Pilsner. Would recommend both.
Really enjoyed my time here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just bad. Had to ask for salt and hot sauce, but it didn't make it better, nothing could
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
They upgraded my loco moco for the girl I was out with. The japanese guy who runs this place is also clearly very traditional but also is clearly enduring American culture while adhering to japanese culture. I was very pleased by the whole visit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
The restaurant was not too noisy.
I always feel relaxed and comfortable here.
Disneyland attracts millions and millions by claiming to be “The Happiest Place on Earth”, but Walt Disney was never fortunate enough to visit On the Bridge. OTB is my favorite restaurant in the world, and I found myself always thinking about them . . . just like being in love. Their menu reflects creativity and a willingness to enlighten customers about what Japanese food can be.
Their yoshoku style food will transform your life, and you will become an official ambassador for their restaurant. Chef Nakumura said that they were the first Yōshoku-style restaurant in San Francisco. You will not see Chicken Teriyaki or Tempura on the menu. Luckily, I had an opportunity to speak with Yolanda who is a co-owner of On the Bridge in San Francisco’s historic Japantown. She said that the food they serve is what people in Japan eat while sushi is for businessmen. (Gotta keep it real, ya’ll). She is also a very proud mom of three cats.
My three entrées were so memorable that my socks rolled up and down plus my mind was blown all the way to the surfers at Ocean Beach. The three oishii (delicious) meals were:
Chicken Rice Gratin: Super flavorful, tender, and juicy chicken with at least two kinds of melted cheese, onions, over a specially flavored Japanese rice. This stayed hot for 20+ minutes which is ethereal.
Chicken Katsu Curry Over Rice with a Sunny Side Up Egg: Yolanda and a KQED Food Japan Town video on YouTube confirm that making the curry takes 3 to 4 days. The chicken was the lightest katsu I have ever had and was equally as tender.
Unagi: Broiled eel was so buttery and almost the size of a brick sliced in half lengthwise.
Their restaurant is located a stone’s throw from Kinokunya Bookstore on the 2nd floor West.
On the Bridge has been designated as a San Francisco Legacy Business for being in business for more than 30 years (opened in 1992) and contributing to the neighborhood’s history like Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop (Coffee Crunch Cake), Cinderella Bakery & Cafe, Tadich Grill, and House of Prime Rib which adds to their rich history. The icing on the cake, which was definitely a sign for me to go, was that my favorite movie Kiki’s Delivery Service was on. What a truly perfect day!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of those places that feel like a mini rest stop, a sweet escape. Food is flavored and salted just to my liking, and service is kind.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
the curry ramen with tofu was good and the portion was generous. having My Neighbor Totoro playing on the tv added a nice touch, though overall the place just wasn’t quite my vibe.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
They have vegetarian options with amazing curry that the chef stewed for days and a sweet, cozy atmosphere where ghibli movies are playing and the staff put on the movie we requested 🥰
Large selection of interesting imported Japanese beer, great food & vibe.
We got the chicken katsu curry & a sweet potato beer.
Restaurantji Recommends
cute small place, excellent food, we will visit again 😋
Atmosphere is cool but I spent like $27 for Katsu and miso soup and was still hungry afterwards I should never be hungry after spending $27. Sorry skip this place.
Been going through the mall trying all the food, and this place was next. Yet again, we found ourselves a gem! The immediate greeting was friendly and welcoming. We were directed to a table (they have counter area as well, which is always fun), and then had a drink and dinner menu dropped off. The decor makes you feel like you're in a quaint home or small café in Japan. The food continues this feeling.
They have dishes that you generally don't see at restaurants because it takes too long! They have food your MOM would cook! And it's ALL delicious. We enjoyed the kara-age, the mini sausages, and the omurice. It tasted like it was definitely made with care!
All members of the staff came to make sure things were going well, and we got to talk to a kind gentleman (owner maybe... didn't get his name) about the food offerings and the wonderful atmosphere. I love the manga on the walls, the anime on the TVs, the kind staff, the adorable figurines, the delicious food, and the neat idea of eating on the bridge between the malls; it was just a great experience! Would totally recommend!!
We came, we sat, we saw a cockroach just chillin on the table, we left. If the roaches are comfortable being in plain sight in broad daylight, it means there's more where that one came from.
This affordable quirky gem in Japantown is a must visit. Yes there are Michelin starred restaurants in Japantown, but how many of them have a menu this baffling, but this delicious
Imagine your favorite greasy spoon. Now, make it Japanese. The atmosphere, the narrow location (literally on a bridge connecting two parents of a mall), the grandpa who won't take your plate unless you finish your food, the 20 year old anime magazines, and the fact that the menus are slightly falling apart and inconsistent guest-to-guest add to the punk cred of this restaurant.
I can't recommend the Japanese pizza with bonito flakes enough. Truly life changing. Don't see it on the menu, look at your friends menu. It's probably in there instead.
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