Went there on a whim with a friend. We ordered both options. The options are basically the same with maybe one or two additional items in the $225 option. I'd recommend going for the smaller one and adding anything you liked à la carte at the end.
Shieny
This restaurant felt so dead the moment you walked in. Horrible lighting and interior. Only bar counter seating available. So disappointed it didn't look like the website and instagram at all. The bar was worn out, i felt like eating in a rundown restaurant especially for $150/person tasting menu that made me left hungry. Service was bad, no one refilled water. The meat was good but the portion omg, it's a joke. With this price and ambience, i can go to a better place. Don't even waste your time coming here.
Alice
Doesn't worth that much money, totally different from last year we visit. It's rather to eat gyu kaku bbq than spend so much money on them. Not worth it at all. I'll show some little comparisons between its food this time and last year's food.
Winnie Xu
had a great experience here at the counter with a group of 6. not too busy, and they cooked the meats for you to perfection. i thought the meal was done well, would’ve preferred more seafood / seasoning, and definitely greasy so had to replenish the banchans a few times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Merritt
Amazing and unique experience! The owner, Andy, and his outstanding staff (our server Circle was terrific) made this evening memorable, fun, and worth it 5x over—highly recommended—superb food and service!
Surada Saeyang
Glad I chose this spot for my birthday night with my girls. We got the reservation a few days ahead. It seems to be quiet popular. The chef and the host gave us such an impressive experience. The food and service are what I would expect from an authentic upscale Yakiniku place. I also enjoyed the conversation with the chefs and the host.
The chefs here cook the meat in front of you and serve to you directly. All the meats are cooked to perfection with just the right amount of seasonings.
I’m glad they don't over season the meat nor over complicate it like other American upscale Japanese restaurants.(I enjoy food creativity if they taste good and if the complexity makes sense but sadly a lot of upscale restaurants failed to make it makes sense to me.)
Reading some other reviews on the bbq smell got me a bit surprised. I wouldn’t mind if the upscale bbq restaurant smells like a bbq place, so I am surprised ppl complained about the smoky smell in this kind of restaurant.
Thank you Chris and Circle for the fun experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amy Wang
We had an amazing dinner at Yakiniku Shodai, a hidden gem in SF with cozy vibes and intimate countertop seating. The chef's service was exceptional and every ingredient was top-notch. We enjoyed all the side dishes and the premium cuts of Wagyu beef, and my favorite meat was the Australian Wagyu finger rib cut and the oyster blade Japanese A5 Wagyu, a rare find in the Bay Area. The scallops were huge and freshly flown in from Japan. The sake pairing was really just perfect with the tasting menu. All in all, a fantastic spot for an elevated yet relaxed evening out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Manish Bhatt
One of the best meals I have ever had in my life. Amazing food quality, preparation, and guidance. I loved being able to taste different parts of the cow all in one meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Kim
Hands down the best yakiniku experience you can find in SF. The food quality, service, and atmosphere are all top-notch. Every chef clearly knows what they’re doing — the way they handle and grill those beautiful cuts of wagyu is pure skill.
They also have an impressive selection of wines and exclusive sakes that pair perfectly with the meal. Whether you’re coming for a casual night out with friends, a romantic date, or a special celebration like a birthday, this place always delivers.
Every piece of meat was cooked to perfection, and they constantly surprise you with seasonal seafood dishes or special cuts depending on what’s available that day. It shows how much care and attention go into every detail.
Definitely worth every dollar you spend here — the experience easily rivals any Michelin-starred restaurant, if not better.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience in San Francisco
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jack Lee
This is the best Japanese BBQ place in States, worth the visit to SF
The only downside was the price otherwise I would come a lot more often😂
Yakiniku is the one thing that I missed the most living abroad, and it’s a blessing that shodai exists. This is the same quality of food and service that you would expect from a high end location in tokyo.
Can’t wait for the ala carte menu to be ready!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jack Brown
awesome place, great people and delicious food
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
geraldine
Too bad about the interior- everything ok except the ceiling. Food was good but we were not offered the menu options- just the tasting menu which was limited in seafood. Also no wines by the glass - sake pricey!
William Klyver
Absolutely incredible. Amazing food with an interesting tasting menu variety, wonderfully explained by the chef. Also great variety and quality of Sake, also expertly guided for each course.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anni
Disappointing for the price point. Came for a birthday celebration but left underwhelmed. The chef actively brought down the mood -- while he did talk to us, his conversations were complaints and snarky remarks. The atmosphere was cold with no music and complete silence, making intimate conversation awkward. Food was just okay, nothing special at that cost. San Francisco has far better fine dining options at this price point. Skip this for special occasions.
Went there on a whim with a friend. We ordered both options. The options are basically the same with maybe one or two additional items in the $225 option. I'd recommend going for the smaller one and adding anything you liked à la carte at the end.
This restaurant felt so dead the moment you walked in. Horrible lighting and interior. Only bar counter seating available. So disappointed it didn't look like the website and instagram at all. The bar was worn out, i felt like eating in a rundown restaurant especially for $150/person tasting menu that made me left hungry. Service was bad, no one refilled water. The meat was good but the portion omg, it's a joke. With this price and ambience, i can go to a better place. Don't even waste your time coming here.
Doesn't worth that much money, totally different from last year we visit. It's rather to eat gyu kaku bbq than spend so much money on them. Not worth it at all. I'll show some little comparisons between its food this time and last year's food.
had a great experience here at the counter with a group of 6. not too busy, and they cooked the meats for you to perfection. i thought the meal was done well, would’ve preferred more seafood / seasoning, and definitely greasy so had to replenish the banchans a few times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Amazing and unique experience! The owner, Andy, and his outstanding staff (our server Circle was terrific) made this evening memorable, fun, and worth it 5x over—highly recommended—superb food and service!
Glad I chose this spot for my birthday night with my girls. We got the reservation a few days ahead. It seems to be quiet popular. The chef and the host gave us such an impressive experience. The food and service are what I would expect from an authentic upscale Yakiniku place. I also enjoyed the conversation with the chefs and the host.
The chefs here cook the meat in front of you and serve to you directly. All the meats are cooked to perfection with just the right amount of seasonings.
I’m glad they don't over season the meat nor over complicate it like other American upscale Japanese restaurants.(I enjoy food creativity if they taste good and if the complexity makes sense but sadly a lot of upscale restaurants failed to make it makes sense to me.)
Reading some other reviews on the bbq smell got me a bit surprised. I wouldn’t mind if the upscale bbq restaurant smells like a bbq place, so I am surprised ppl complained about the smoky smell in this kind of restaurant.
Thank you Chris and Circle for the fun experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had an amazing dinner at Yakiniku Shodai, a hidden gem in SF with cozy vibes and intimate countertop seating. The chef's service was exceptional and every ingredient was top-notch. We enjoyed all the side dishes and the premium cuts of Wagyu beef, and my favorite meat was the Australian Wagyu finger rib cut and the oyster blade Japanese A5 Wagyu, a rare find in the Bay Area. The scallops were huge and freshly flown in from Japan. The sake pairing was really just perfect with the tasting menu. All in all, a fantastic spot for an elevated yet relaxed evening out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best meals I have ever had in my life. Amazing food quality, preparation, and guidance. I loved being able to taste different parts of the cow all in one meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hands down the best yakiniku experience you can find in SF. The food quality, service, and atmosphere are all top-notch. Every chef clearly knows what they’re doing — the way they handle and grill those beautiful cuts of wagyu is pure skill.
They also have an impressive selection of wines and exclusive sakes that pair perfectly with the meal. Whether you’re coming for a casual night out with friends, a romantic date, or a special celebration like a birthday, this place always delivers.
Every piece of meat was cooked to perfection, and they constantly surprise you with seasonal seafood dishes or special cuts depending on what’s available that day. It shows how much care and attention go into every detail.
Definitely worth every dollar you spend here — the experience easily rivals any Michelin-starred restaurant, if not better.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience in San Francisco
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the best Japanese BBQ place in States, worth the visit to SF
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The only downside was the price otherwise I would come a lot more often😂
Yakiniku is the one thing that I missed the most living abroad, and it’s a blessing that shodai exists. This is the same quality of food and service that you would expect from a high end location in tokyo.
Can’t wait for the ala carte menu to be ready!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
awesome place, great people and delicious food
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Too bad about the interior- everything ok except the ceiling. Food was good but we were not offered the menu options- just the tasting menu which was limited in seafood. Also no wines by the glass - sake pricey!
Absolutely incredible. Amazing food with an interesting tasting menu variety, wonderfully explained by the chef. Also great variety and quality of Sake, also expertly guided for each course.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Disappointing for the price point. Came for a birthday celebration but left underwhelmed. The chef actively brought down the mood -- while he did talk to us, his conversations were complaints and snarky remarks. The atmosphere was cold with no music and complete silence, making intimate conversation awkward. Food was just okay, nothing special at that cost. San Francisco has far better fine dining options at this price point. Skip this for special occasions.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
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