Izakaya Restaurants in San Francisco, CA

“After circling for parking, the reward of this delicious meal made it worth it. Pro tip: Sit at counter to watch the food being made! I personally love watching the chefs, makes it feel like an experience. Food Scallops from Maine: amazing, fresh, and sweet. The yuzu is *chefs kiss* Yuzudofu fresh with a side grated ginger, scallions, flakes were absolutely delicous. Get this. Mochi tofu pouch: super comforting. This flavor takes me to Japan. And it's so Cute! The mustard is POTENT. Clears my sinuses. Must Get this. As for grilled items, the chicken knee cartilage skewer or the chicken oysters were grilled perfectly and served hot off the yakitori grill, Amazing. Get this as well. Millefeuille katsu: this is a wonder in itself! Many layers of tender pork fried in in a tonkatsu. Beautifully cut salad on the side and so good even my friend who doesn't like salad liked it. I'd order again. Maguro yukke: I'd pass on this one. Hojicha panna cotta isn't too sweet and comes with syrup if needed (in the cutest container)! Service 5/5 amazing staff, proactive professionals without any pretentiousness! I left my credit card behind and they told me right away! Bathroom Two stalls. Designed with wooden doors and look outstanding.“

“Best vegan meal I’ve ever had, went twice in a four days it was that good ❤️“

“The atmosphere inside, as the evening closes it's wonderful since the giant window gets a nice bit of sunlight, it's calm inside which is offset by three One Piece wall prints. One of them decided to splice one piece into "onep" "iece" which I found very avant garde. The takoyaki was great, hard to get it wrong but obvious when so Edamame was plentiful and garlicky, exactly what I expected from garlic butter edamame Our rolls were excellent, you can taste the quality is definitely above average Service was attentive, I enjoyed eating here and would be back if in the area, prices are a little up there but understandable“

“It has a very interesting menu, I really enjoy the food.“

“Came here on a Tuesday night with my coworkers without a reservation. Great for large groups and it was walking distance from the grand Hyatt on Stockton. Very walkable and didn't feel dangerous at night. We had 12 people total. Food was good. Overall less than 800 for 12 people which is not bad. They had no issues with separating the alcohol bill for each person.“

“Came here on a Friday night and managed to get in without a reservation. I had heard about this restaurant and was really excited to try it. I got the signature pork ramen and thought it was alright. Although the flavor was good, the broth was overly salty compared to other ramens I have tried.“

“Beyond the best Ramen in SF. It’s no wonder it’s always on the top 100 for the Chronicle. Michelin needs to review“

“Very fresh sashimi !!! Highly recommend this place !!! Will be going back for more !!!“

“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.“

“What a little gem tucked in the heart of the city! After seeing two Japanese artists exhibits, we wanted to wrap up the day with some yakitori and thankfully we found this place. Really good selection of yakitori but my favorite was the pork belly one. The hubs liked the chicken. I would go back for the crème brûlée any day ?Would love to go here again to try their ramen which are promising based on the reviews as well.“

“Always delicious! Freshest fish for sashimi and sushi! Different specials. Oh so good! What are you waiting for…“

“Super satisfied, excellent soup with unlimited of meat & everything ! Will recommend to my friends & family ! Staff so nice & approachable ! Thank you Jin Pot, all of us are full & contented !“

“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.“

“Kio - a nice spot! Super easy going vibe. Great service. Some tasty izekaya selections to meet all and any beer snacking needs one might have. On my visit - tried the soft shell crab sando and the okonomiyaki. The sandwich was super tasty, okonomiyaki was delicious but not my preferred style. Looking forward to coming back and trying more items from the extensive menu.“

“I came here on a Saturday night (~8PM) with a party of 5 and was able to be seated immediately. The restaurant has a cozy feel and can a little packed at times. Everything was ordered on our phones and our food came out shortly after. Tan-tan Spicy Miso ($19.50)- 4/5 One thing I love about Nojo is the broth! This broth was rich and packed with flavor! There is also extra chili oil on top you can mix in for an extra kick as well. The noodles were chewy and had plenty of cilantro on top. For the price, however, I would have expected more toppings on this ramen. Overall, a solid spot for ramen and would come back to try their signature chicken leg ramen.“

“?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.“

“Very enjoyable and escapist atmosphere with intimate tables. Attentive pleasant service from walking in and throughout the whole experience. The miso soup is hearty and warming. Spicy Garlic Edamame was excellent and flavorful. We enjoyed the Mango Roll and the Crunchy Roll.We'll be back soon!Parking: Sutter/Stockton garage across the street.“

“I went Kaiju eats reman and Izakaya for the first time and I felt kind of sick and cold and I ordered Kaiju Kobe beef ramen and it was so juicy and delicious and it made me feel way better after I ate it. The service was good too and I highly recommend it.“

“Waraku: A Hidden Gem for Authentic Japanese Cuisine As a couple who appreciates genuine Japanese food, my wife and I were delighted to discover Waraku. From the moment we stepped inside, the ambiance transported us to a cozy corner of Japan. Here's why we were totally impressed: Authenticity: Waraku doesn't compromise on authenticity. The flavors, presentation, and attention to detail in each dish reflect true Japanese culinary traditions. Whether it's sushi, ramen, or tempura, you can trust that it's prepared with care. Great Ambiance: The restaurant's interior is a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and traditional elements. Soft lighting, wooden accents, and comfortable seating create an inviting atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can unwind and savor your meal. Exceptional Service: Our server, Scott, deserves special mention. His knowledge of the menu, friendly demeanor, and prompt service elevated our dining experience. He went above and beyond to ensure we felt welcome and well taken care of. In summary, Waraku is more than just a restaurant--it's a culinary journey to Japan. If you're seeking real Japanese flavors and a warm ambiance, this hidden gem is worth a visit.“

“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!“

“I had lightly seared A5 wagyu nigiri which was heavenly! Also spicy black garlic ramen with a huge tasty tender piece of pork belly. Both highly recommended!“

“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“

“Great ramen noodle in the bay“