I feel like as I've gotten older I've mostly stopped eating at these more homestyle japanese joints. But growing up, before you had also sorts of specialty japanese restaurants, you had either places like Takara or sushi restaurants and we used to eat at places like Takara all the time. And for good reason, they're great! Getting a combo with some tempura, sashimi, and some saba shioyaki checks all the boxes and leaves you satisfied without being uncomfortably stuffed in ways that few other things can.
Liz H.
The pickup location is very obscure - not next to Daiso. But on Post, you can see that behind the Kabuki entrance, there's the standard Mall entrance at the back of the courtyard, and that's the pickup spot. We ordered some appetizers here to dine out at the Peace Plaza where J-town has set up tents and spread out tables for customers who ordered takeout from restaurants in the mall. The food is great and I can just imagine how good they would've been dine-in.We got chicken karaage, takoyaki, and grilled eggplants. All were tasty. The karaage is flavorful without being overwhelmingly seasoned, the chicken is tender and juicy, and the shell is crispy and complements the meat so well. It's served with lemon slices on a bed of sliced cabbage but sadly no dip. The takoyaki flavor is also spot-on, with crispy exterior and chunky octopus bits inside. The eggplant, being a plainer dish and yes more expansive compared to what it is (just a small eggplant), is juicy and soothing. It sits on juices with light soy sauce seasoning, and is presented beautifully, laid diagonally in the takeout box with the eggplant leaf grilled to a black color but intact like a little hat, and the eggplant meat sliced into bite sizes, sprinkled with fish flakes. The staff was very friendly and took payment and handed us good with big smiles. I'd love to come back. They have set specials too.
Sammy Pujol
The food is beyond tasty. The prices are extremely reasonable especially because they serve generous amounts.!!!
Evelyn Woo
Great real, authentic Japanese food. No fusion anything here. If you want real Japanese food, come here.
Kevin L.
Came to grab our takeout of the tempura dinner and chirashi bowl. Super good the tempura was still crispy when we got back and well the chirashi bowl always has heft. Always love the variety at this place. They don't validate apparently though but we were in and out and didn't have to pay for parking!
Paul Brewer
We enjoy hanging out. Last night we went to this delicious restaurant which friends recommended to us. We had a beautiful experience there with superb meal and an efficient team and an impressive cook. We put this fine restaurant in our list and we shall certainly visit again soon. We warmly recommend.
Stine H.
I love this little family hole in the wall. It's tucked away in the corner of the mall and you wouldn't know it was there if you weren't looking for it. I think about this place all the time amidst this covid season of life. I really hope they can survive and that our family can continue to have meals here. They are very accommodating to families with small children. The food is simple and good and offer a huge variety.
Fred Jang
Great menu selections. It gets busy during lunch time.
ward peyton
Eddy and 123 ofstill has to include you yelling as a
john bettes
Watch your bill. I am a tipper, I have worked in and managed food and beverage service in years past, I know tips are important and relied upon by the servers.
My family is Japanese American and has been part of the SF Japantown community for over 50 years. Takara is our go-to restaurant for authentic, traditional Japanese food. Over the years, there's been many new restaurants with lots of hype in Japantown. However, Takara has always been our third place, a home away from home.
Nicole L.
I had lunch with my mom here and the food was very good quality. The fish was incredibly fresh.
Bonnie Shih
My friend and I each got two sushi rolls - I got the salmon skin roll and the tuna roll. Both were good! Their dinner menu is kind of pricey though. They didn’t have bento boxes which was actually what we were originally there for (they do for lunch though).
Erica W.
I'm hesitant to pump their rating up because I'd rather keep it a secret, but they deserve much more recognition than they get! We did Omakase here last night and it was AMAZING. and amazingly well-priced. really liked the older gentleman who was the sushi chef - a true craftsman. So under-rated.
I feel like as I've gotten older I've mostly stopped eating at these more homestyle japanese joints. But growing up, before you had also sorts of specialty japanese restaurants, you had either places like Takara or sushi restaurants and we used to eat at places like Takara all the time. And for good reason, they're great! Getting a combo with some tempura, sashimi, and some saba shioyaki checks all the boxes and leaves you satisfied without being uncomfortably stuffed in ways that few other things can.
The pickup location is very obscure - not next to Daiso. But on Post, you can see that behind the Kabuki entrance, there's the standard Mall entrance at the back of the courtyard, and that's the pickup spot. We ordered some appetizers here to dine out at the Peace Plaza where J-town has set up tents and spread out tables for customers who ordered takeout from restaurants in the mall. The food is great and I can just imagine how good they would've been dine-in.We got chicken karaage, takoyaki, and grilled eggplants. All were tasty. The karaage is flavorful without being overwhelmingly seasoned, the chicken is tender and juicy, and the shell is crispy and complements the meat so well. It's served with lemon slices on a bed of sliced cabbage but sadly no dip. The takoyaki flavor is also spot-on, with crispy exterior and chunky octopus bits inside. The eggplant, being a plainer dish and yes more expansive compared to what it is (just a small eggplant), is juicy and soothing. It sits on juices with light soy sauce seasoning, and is presented beautifully, laid diagonally in the takeout box with the eggplant leaf grilled to a black color but intact like a little hat, and the eggplant meat sliced into bite sizes, sprinkled with fish flakes. The staff was very friendly and took payment and handed us good with big smiles. I'd love to come back. They have set specials too.
The food is beyond tasty. The prices are extremely reasonable especially because they serve generous amounts.!!!
Great real, authentic Japanese food. No fusion anything here. If you want real Japanese food, come here.
Came to grab our takeout of the tempura dinner and chirashi bowl. Super good the tempura was still crispy when we got back and well the chirashi bowl always has heft. Always love the variety at this place. They don't validate apparently though but we were in and out and didn't have to pay for parking!
We enjoy hanging out. Last night we went to this delicious restaurant which friends recommended to us. We had a beautiful experience there with superb meal and an efficient team and an impressive cook. We put this fine restaurant in our list and we shall certainly visit again soon. We warmly recommend.
I love this little family hole in the wall. It's tucked away in the corner of the mall and you wouldn't know it was there if you weren't looking for it. I think about this place all the time amidst this covid season of life. I really hope they can survive and that our family can continue to have meals here. They are very accommodating to families with small children. The food is simple and good and offer a huge variety.
Great menu selections. It gets busy during lunch time.
Eddy and 123 ofstill has to include you yelling as a
Watch your bill. I am a tipper, I have worked in and managed food and beverage service in years past, I know tips are important and relied upon by the servers.
Restaurantji Recommends
My family is Japanese American and has been part of the SF Japantown community for over 50 years. Takara is our go-to restaurant for authentic, traditional Japanese food. Over the years, there's been many new restaurants with lots of hype in Japantown. However, Takara has always been our third place, a home away from home.
I had lunch with my mom here and the food was very good quality. The fish was incredibly fresh.
My friend and I each got two sushi rolls - I got the salmon skin roll and the tuna roll. Both were good! Their dinner menu is kind of pricey though. They didn’t have bento boxes which was actually what we were originally there for (they do for lunch though).
I'm hesitant to pump their rating up because I'd rather keep it a secret, but they deserve much more recognition than they get! We did Omakase here last night and it was AMAZING. and amazingly well-priced. really liked the older gentleman who was the sushi chef - a true craftsman. So under-rated.
Good food, nice atmosphere and friendly staff.