Such an easy 5/5. One of the tastiest and most memorable dining experiences I’ve had in SF. The price is very reasonable for the experience you get. The chefs are incredibly kind and shared their stories about the food. I can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janet Smith
Super cute experience! Only seven seats in this little gem. The two chefs prep the four course meal in front of you and tell little stories about the food as you eat! Culinary storytelling at its best! The Kobe tartar was definitely the highlight -- lots of love is going into these dishes and the menu changes regularly. The price point surely makes it accessible and will keep us coming back for more! Don't forget to ask about the eclectic ice cream flavours that this team curates - ours was porcini mushroom for dessert and it was surprisingly addictive! Kudos to the team for an awesome experience!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thibault de Waziers
If you hesitate just go :-)Intimate dining experience, amazing couple running the show and amazing food!Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charlie Coburn
Delicious food, great vibes. Pescatarian menu was great. The menu changes every couple of months, so we hope to go back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Em McMahon
Genuinely one of the most delightful dining experiences of my life. The owners are incredibly friendly and sweet, their stories are fascinating, their food is transcendent, and their curated playlists are a perfect complement. I'd go here every single time they change menu if I lived in SF.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
River Nice
This is an incredible dining experience! Every course was outstanding. The atmosphere created by a specially-curated playlist, stories behind every dish, and the warmth of the owners made this more than just a restaurant meal- it’s a whole experience! Would highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
omar aridi
EJ & Hitomi are two amazing hosts, talented chef's, and beautiful souls.This is a hidden gem. It was a very unique & memorable experience filled with flavors, colors, and interesting conversations.I feel very thankful to experience their love & passion with food & life.We need more of you two, many thanks
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Noel A.
My husband and I had the most delightful experience at EJ and Hitomi's intimate restaurant. The fusion of Filipino and Japanese cuisines in a cozy setting made for a unique and memorable evening. The limited 8 seats created an intimate atmosphere, and the Prix Fixe menu showcased the couple's culinary expertise with each course telling a delightful story. From cooking to serving, EJ and Hitomi put their heart into every detail, making it feel like a special, intimate party. The drink pairing was spot-on, enhancing the flavors of each dish. It was the perfect way to kick off our NYE celebrations - a super fun evening we'll cherish! Great value for an exceptional culinary journey.
Young L.
We finally were able to visit their restaurant! The space is so fitting of their concept and personalities. It's small so we were able to do a buyout for a time slot and they were very accommodating of us bringing the kids so we could eat out for once. The food was insanely good. A lot of nostalgic flavors but with really interesting ingredient combinations that tie different flavors together. A really unique part of the dining experience is their story telling of each dish, how it's prepared, and why it's on the menu. I highly recommend adding whatever add on dish they have and if you drink, their drink pairing is really well done. SF is lucky to have this place!
Lorrie M.
What an amazing way to end the year by having the year end menu at Ox & Tiger! I honestly ... probably should have paid more attention to the reviews, photos and other aspects of Ox & Tiger before I insisted on coming here for a double date, because had I known it was so small, I would have treated it differently. However, maybe that was good because I was literally blown away when we showed up, and it turned out to be so much more than food. Here I was, thinking I'd just get some dishes to share, and we ended up with an incredible 4 course menu of highs & lows for the chef/owners of Ox & Tiger that took me through awesome stories they had experienced in 2023. I absolutely loved that each dish came with a story, so not only were they great dishes that were well 'fused' between Japanese & Filipino, but the story made it so much more delicious and tasty. Beyond food, I think this is absolutely a highly recommended experience that you must check out in SF. Definitely commit and go all the way in, buy tickets and show up with an appetite. I can't wait to try other menus in the future!
**Originally posted on IG for our visit in August 2023** Beautifully showcasing their love for food and for each other, Chefs EJ Macayan and Hitomi Wada of Ox & Tiger made me and my husband reminisce about our own earlier days of dating (when he tried to impress me with his cooking too lol). It was really lovely to hear about the people behind the counter and their journey together, which made the dining experience all the more intimate and personal. See below for my detailing of it all - tl;dr: such a special meal by a warm and loving dynamic duo, who we will definitely be visiting again!--Their version of Arnold Palmer with a Japanese barley tea infused with calamansi juice set the tone for the culinary fusion experience we were about to have. Then we were introduced to a pureed corn snack that was an homage to their favorite late night snack, popcorn with a thermos of soup enjoyed at the park.First course was hiramasa (yellowtail amberjack) and mango with bagoong sauce and veggies, which represented Chef EJ's early attempt at impressing Hitomi (but learning her preferences were different from what he had served). My husband especially noted how the bagoong sauce didn't overpower the dish but rather complemented it really well.Second course was a juicy and tender jowl with miso by @sharedcultures, patis, ampalaya, and nasu, a callback to Hitomi's oft sent message to EJ while dating. We were also delighted by a game with Hitomi in which we learned even more fun facts about the two of them.Third course was the incredibly savory coulette steak with a nicely acidic squid ink and palapa. We learned how EJ made his start in the culinary world with Hitomi joining him later. It was so apparent how every detail was intentionally made with an added significant meaning to it.We didn't want it to end, but we were treated to a unique dessert reflecting light and gentle flavors of strawberry, ume, kinako, and corn. A special touch was added for us celebrating our third month of marriage. Thank you so much Chefs EJ and Hitomi!
Marie Q.
My partner took me to Ox & Tiger for my birthday. I love the small, intimate seating. It was also very interactive. The chefs gave a backstory about each dish as well as the beverage pairings that came along with it.What surprised me the most was how they used these ingredients that I was never a fan of (okra, ampalaya) as a kid. But to my surprise, there I was, eating every last bit of the okra and ampalaya. My mind was blown!Service was amazing! I felt I was part of the family... Definitely going back to done with Ox & Tiger again. My partner and I had a great time.
Tom Heng
The vibes are as if your best friends are hosting a dinner party. Incredibly unique flavors across the courses, and the hosts have a fun little story for each one! We really felt like we knew them by the end of it and we were so satisfied with the meal. Bring your own rice if you want!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven Casupanan
Wow! I was planning a visit to the area, stumbled upon this gem on my IG feed and am glad I did. From the instant warm welcome to this cozy vibe through an interactive culinary experience ending with a satisfied and satiated palette, Ox & Tiger is a have-to when you’re in or around SF. Chefs EJ and Hitomi are a dynamic duo who have a passion for curating an elevated fusion of two cultures through their culinary craft. There is a story to every bite and I was 100% here for it! Feelings of nostalgia with my own upbringing hit subtly and warmly throughout, and I certainly appreciate how they walked us through parts of their story through food and drink. Without spoiling the details any further, you simply just have to dive in for yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joseph Sapida
WOW.As a FilAm eating here I felt nourished in my soul. I felt so seen in this food! As a lover of all things delicious, this was incredible.Fantastically cooked dishes. The pork jowl was delectable, the beef shank comfortKING. and the octopus was cooked so well I didn't even know someone could do that.On top of that, the veggies we're excellent. They made bitter melon a dish for everyone, eggplant luxurious, and even SEAWEED ICE CREAM something delicious.Moreover, the drink pairings cost extra and you'll get a great buzz out of it and the stories they share behind each meal are so heartfelt.All in all, you're walking into an excellent food experience inspired by a beautiful love story.
Such an easy 5/5. One of the tastiest and most memorable dining experiences I’ve had in SF. The price is very reasonable for the experience you get. The chefs are incredibly kind and shared their stories about the food. I can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super cute experience! Only seven seats in this little gem. The two chefs prep the four course meal in front of you and tell little stories about the food as you eat! Culinary storytelling at its best! The Kobe tartar was definitely the highlight -- lots of love is going into these dishes and the menu changes regularly. The price point surely makes it accessible and will keep us coming back for more! Don't forget to ask about the eclectic ice cream flavours that this team curates - ours was porcini mushroom for dessert and it was surprisingly addictive! Kudos to the team for an awesome experience!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you hesitate just go :-)Intimate dining experience, amazing couple running the show and amazing food!Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food, great vibes. Pescatarian menu was great. The menu changes every couple of months, so we hope to go back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Genuinely one of the most delightful dining experiences of my life. The owners are incredibly friendly and sweet, their stories are fascinating, their food is transcendent, and their curated playlists are a perfect complement. I'd go here every single time they change menu if I lived in SF.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is an incredible dining experience! Every course was outstanding. The atmosphere created by a specially-curated playlist, stories behind every dish, and the warmth of the owners made this more than just a restaurant meal- it’s a whole experience! Would highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
EJ & Hitomi are two amazing hosts, talented chef's, and beautiful souls.This is a hidden gem. It was a very unique & memorable experience filled with flavors, colors, and interesting conversations.I feel very thankful to experience their love & passion with food & life.We need more of you two, many thanks
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I had the most delightful experience at EJ and Hitomi's intimate restaurant. The fusion of Filipino and Japanese cuisines in a cozy setting made for a unique and memorable evening. The limited 8 seats created an intimate atmosphere, and the Prix Fixe menu showcased the couple's culinary expertise with each course telling a delightful story. From cooking to serving, EJ and Hitomi put their heart into every detail, making it feel like a special, intimate party. The drink pairing was spot-on, enhancing the flavors of each dish. It was the perfect way to kick off our NYE celebrations - a super fun evening we'll cherish! Great value for an exceptional culinary journey.
We finally were able to visit their restaurant! The space is so fitting of their concept and personalities. It's small so we were able to do a buyout for a time slot and they were very accommodating of us bringing the kids so we could eat out for once. The food was insanely good. A lot of nostalgic flavors but with really interesting ingredient combinations that tie different flavors together. A really unique part of the dining experience is their story telling of each dish, how it's prepared, and why it's on the menu. I highly recommend adding whatever add on dish they have and if you drink, their drink pairing is really well done. SF is lucky to have this place!
What an amazing way to end the year by having the year end menu at Ox & Tiger! I honestly ... probably should have paid more attention to the reviews, photos and other aspects of Ox & Tiger before I insisted on coming here for a double date, because had I known it was so small, I would have treated it differently. However, maybe that was good because I was literally blown away when we showed up, and it turned out to be so much more than food. Here I was, thinking I'd just get some dishes to share, and we ended up with an incredible 4 course menu of highs & lows for the chef/owners of Ox & Tiger that took me through awesome stories they had experienced in 2023. I absolutely loved that each dish came with a story, so not only were they great dishes that were well 'fused' between Japanese & Filipino, but the story made it so much more delicious and tasty. Beyond food, I think this is absolutely a highly recommended experience that you must check out in SF. Definitely commit and go all the way in, buy tickets and show up with an appetite. I can't wait to try other menus in the future!
Restaurantji Recommends
**Originally posted on IG for our visit in August 2023** Beautifully showcasing their love for food and for each other, Chefs EJ Macayan and Hitomi Wada of Ox & Tiger made me and my husband reminisce about our own earlier days of dating (when he tried to impress me with his cooking too lol). It was really lovely to hear about the people behind the counter and their journey together, which made the dining experience all the more intimate and personal. See below for my detailing of it all - tl;dr: such a special meal by a warm and loving dynamic duo, who we will definitely be visiting again!--Their version of Arnold Palmer with a Japanese barley tea infused with calamansi juice set the tone for the culinary fusion experience we were about to have. Then we were introduced to a pureed corn snack that was an homage to their favorite late night snack, popcorn with a thermos of soup enjoyed at the park.First course was hiramasa (yellowtail amberjack) and mango with bagoong sauce and veggies, which represented Chef EJ's early attempt at impressing Hitomi (but learning her preferences were different from what he had served). My husband especially noted how the bagoong sauce didn't overpower the dish but rather complemented it really well.Second course was a juicy and tender jowl with miso by @sharedcultures, patis, ampalaya, and nasu, a callback to Hitomi's oft sent message to EJ while dating. We were also delighted by a game with Hitomi in which we learned even more fun facts about the two of them.Third course was the incredibly savory coulette steak with a nicely acidic squid ink and palapa. We learned how EJ made his start in the culinary world with Hitomi joining him later. It was so apparent how every detail was intentionally made with an added significant meaning to it.We didn't want it to end, but we were treated to a unique dessert reflecting light and gentle flavors of strawberry, ume, kinako, and corn. A special touch was added for us celebrating our third month of marriage. Thank you so much Chefs EJ and Hitomi!
My partner took me to Ox & Tiger for my birthday. I love the small, intimate seating. It was also very interactive. The chefs gave a backstory about each dish as well as the beverage pairings that came along with it.What surprised me the most was how they used these ingredients that I was never a fan of (okra, ampalaya) as a kid. But to my surprise, there I was, eating every last bit of the okra and ampalaya. My mind was blown!Service was amazing! I felt I was part of the family... Definitely going back to done with Ox & Tiger again. My partner and I had a great time.
The vibes are as if your best friends are hosting a dinner party. Incredibly unique flavors across the courses, and the hosts have a fun little story for each one! We really felt like we knew them by the end of it and we were so satisfied with the meal. Bring your own rice if you want!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow! I was planning a visit to the area, stumbled upon this gem on my IG feed and am glad I did. From the instant warm welcome to this cozy vibe through an interactive culinary experience ending with a satisfied and satiated palette, Ox & Tiger is a have-to when you’re in or around SF. Chefs EJ and Hitomi are a dynamic duo who have a passion for curating an elevated fusion of two cultures through their culinary craft. There is a story to every bite and I was 100% here for it! Feelings of nostalgia with my own upbringing hit subtly and warmly throughout, and I certainly appreciate how they walked us through parts of their story through food and drink. Without spoiling the details any further, you simply just have to dive in for yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
WOW.As a FilAm eating here I felt nourished in my soul. I felt so seen in this food! As a lover of all things delicious, this was incredible.Fantastically cooked dishes. The pork jowl was delectable, the beef shank comfortKING. and the octopus was cooked so well I didn't even know someone could do that.On top of that, the veggies we're excellent. They made bitter melon a dish for everyone, eggplant luxurious, and even SEAWEED ICE CREAM something delicious.Moreover, the drink pairings cost extra and you'll get a great buzz out of it and the stories they share behind each meal are so heartfelt.All in all, you're walking into an excellent food experience inspired by a beautiful love story.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5