Absolute best/favorite for Korean short ribs. This is my partner & I's current favorite Korean…read morerestaurant and we always order the spicy braised short ribs. Very big serving size with all the best mixes of toppings on top of the delicious short ribs. The sauce is so good and makes the dish 15/10. Service is ok but that's biased because we order the biggest/longest to cook dish but it's still pretty good. Restaurant ambiance is just ok in my opinion, not too many distracting decorations and tables & booths feel nice. We've also tried the spicy rice noodles which were just a 6/10 for me. The kimchi fried rice was also good but not our favorite -- solid 6/10 as well. We literally just come here for the short ribs. So if you're ever in the mood for Korean food and feeling a little 'rich', this place is a must try.

Alright, I see all the great reviews, so I'm willing to give this spot another shot and order the…read more"right" things next time. But until then, my rating is based on exactly what we ordered. I was violently craving seolleongtang and did some research to find a spot in Oakland. The menu is pretty big with a lot of enticing options--I love bossam and blood sausage--but because I had tunnel vision, I stuck with the soup. The broth itself was good, and they had salt and pepper on the table so you could season it to your liking. Unfortunately, the noodles were way too soft and almost mushy, and the meat was extremely tough and hard to chew. I couldn't finish it. If seolleongtang is one of your favorite dishes, I'd probably skip it here. My husband got the kimchi fried rice, which was huge and great for sharing between 2-4 people. Based on the portion size, I do think it could use an extra egg, more Spam and some nori on top. It leaned more oily and buttery than other versions I've had, but it was still good--just nothing too special. The vibe and service were solid, so I'd come back to try other dishes and update my rating accordingly.

Mensho is a very popular restaurant. This was my first time visiting, and I had a great experience…read more The food was delicious! The standout dishes for me were the Calamari, Karaage, and Daikon Salad. The Calamari was perfectly fried, and the seasoning was well-balanced. The Karaage was also perfectly fried, and the sauce was flavorful. The Daikon Salad was light and refreshing. I would like to thank our server, Noah, for his helpfulness in choosing our dishes and for the prompt service. I highly recommend it!

Unfortunately no photos as we devoured the food! However here is my review otherwise:…read more 1. Location- easily accesible in off Piedmont Ave, found parking alongside an adjacent neighborhood street that was free. I went around 430pm on a weekday. 2. Staff/Vibe- very friendly and throughout the service so many stopped by to check-in. Waters were constantly topped off and food was delivered very promptly. The restaurant itself is very intimate and tabletop dividers are largely used to shared tables. It was a really nice approach. I wasn't a major fan of the chairs for the tall tables. I was hoping for some more ergonomically friendly. Food- SIGNATURE RAMEN- 5/5. So good. The broth was so good I think I drank it all before eating any ramen and toppings. It was a wonderfully hearty ramen with a balance of fresh and simple ingredients. This was perfect and allowed the delicious broth to really be the star. LAMB RAMEN. 5/5. If you like south indian curries then this is a must. The dense cumin taste, fresh onions and lamb made this ramen feel very familiar. The flavours were so wonderfully constructed on this. VEGAN KAARAGE MUSHROOM. Made to be reminiscent of fried chicken, these were very pleasant and paired with our broth. I would order this again. I am interested in knowing the preparation method for this as the inside was piping hot while the outside was just warm- almost like it was reheated. I would like these to be crispier with a bit more light seasoning. Overall looking forward to the next visit!

Was in the mood for pho and decided we'd try someplace I haven't been before. I've had enough pho…read morealong the west coast to know what great pho should taste like and I haven't had the best luck in the Bay. So, the verdict? Extremely impressed. This is already on my top five list in a single visit. Went for the basics: beef pho, and salad roll with tofu. I was initially put off by the short menu and few options to add toppings (I didn't see any tendon or tripe for example), and worried it would be too bland or too sweet--but it was not. The broth was deeply flavorful and more savory. Meats were generous and meatballs were exceptional, maybe the best I've had. The basil and sprouts were garden fresh, and unusually, the rice noodles were exceptional, not at all soft or pressed together. I could genuinely taste the love here. It extended to the salad rolls which were generously portioned and used lightly fried tofu which I prefer. One additional note about the broth. It's a richer style than I normally like so I couldn't drink it to the last drop, but I can't fault its great flavor. The service was above average, with a spirited vibe. Loved everything, will be back to try more on the menu.

Stepping into Me Va Con felt like entering a slightly more upscale Vietnamese restaurant. They've…read moreclearly put more thought into the decor and menu than you typically see at a traditional pho spot. We ordered the beef pho ($20), crispy spring rolls ($11), and beef carpaccio ($18). The pho was solid, with a clear, deeply flavored broth and noodles that were slightly al dente, which I personally enjoyed. That said, for $20, it didn't feel especially memorable. The crispy spring rolls were fine, but I prefer the ones I make at home, so I'd probably skip them next time. I was especially excited to try the Vietnamese beef carpaccio, and the presentation was beautiful. The beef was fresh, evenly sliced, and topped with baby greens, onions, crispy fried onions, and edible flowers. Unfortunately, the sauce leaned far too citrusy for my taste and overpowered the flavors I wanted to come through, such as fish sauce, vinegar, and sugar. I also think a little more fried onion and garlic would have made the dish more flavorful and satisfying. Overall, we had a decent meal with both highlights and misses. They also offer dishes like bánh khọt and bò lúc lắc, which may be worth trying on a future visit.

Absolutely LOVE marafuku!!! Top 2 restaurants in the bay for me and I loved my server Amanda! She…read morewas so sweet!

All time favorite place. It's always packed with repeat…read morecustomers. Our all time favorite place is chicken paitan and tantanmen. I do like veg ramen too. It's a perfect place to go before pub / club hopping or on a rainy or cold night. Parking is a challenge but you can find a spot on a parallel street.

It's cute and small, clean and tidy. Really great vibe and it's obvious there are a bunch of…read moreregulars. Service is fast and friendly. We both got the house special beef noodle soup (number 4) and some green beans to share. Is it weird to say that the noodles got better and better as I ate? The soup stayed hot. There was a party in my mouth. We don't get date nights often and weren't ready so we kinda randomly chose this for its proximity to another spot. Parking in the Chinatown plaza was super easy. I'm really glad we came

Locate close to Chinatown, but tucked in between two businesses. This restaurant has limited…read moreparking on the street, but there are parking garages in Chinatown if you're uncomfortable to park on the street. Slight bit of a walk, but you'll survive. The restaurant itself is pretty small, a little tight knit. Maybe that's due to location, but they have a reasonable seating arrangement for a narrow shop. I called in to place an order, and they were very prompt. When I got there, I was immediately acknowledged by not only the cashier/server, but also by one of the packing cooks to help expedite process. I order Spicy Wontons, and I must say, they are super flavorful. I would highly recommend.

Great food Great service…read more Great ambiance 10/10 recommended This a a great place to enjoy with friends and family!

Texture of home made noodle was perfect Soup is slow…read moresimmered home made bone broth- one of the best I have tasted The meat - beef shank pork rib was perfect in taste and tenderness Service was impeccable As a foodie, this was a 5/5 experience

Solid, tasty pho spot that is efficiently run by nice people. The last time I went there everything…read morewas fresh and tasty, plus there was a DJ playing good music. I made a mistake on my order and the Manager came over to confirm with me to make sure that I was happy with what I was about to order, which was a great customer experience moment that shows they care about what they are serving and the satisfaction of their customers. Good stuff!

The service was very nice. The guy sneezed in his arm and did not wash his hands though…read more I got the monster vermicelli and the shrimp tasted so bad. Probably old. I spit it out. The pho was oily. Very high fat content. Not a fan. The decor is nice. There are a lot of random things going on. Food was not great and expensive for what it is. I will not be returning.

Unassuming Soba Ichi is such a delicious place for a casual meal…read more I have been to soba Ichi twice at this point. This most recent visit I was able to try the duck breast soba. The duck was juicy and tender and I love the broth they make. The flavor is deep yet the meal is light. Each spoonful of broth is like a savory umami bomb. I love it! This is the type of place where you order at the counter and wait for your meal. I appreciate that they ask if you'd like to sit inside and if so, they will make sure there is a table open for you. My only critique of this place is I tend to still be hungry after finishing a bowl. I wish the portions were a little larger.

Upscale noodle place for soba and assorted Japanese bites. The level of craft here is remarkable…read more The dishes are made from simple ingredients with elegant preparations. We ordered the tofu, cold and hot noodles, tempura, and the weekly special, mochi. The cold noodles were a showcase for the soba noodles themselves -- nutty and earthy in flavor, and toothsome without being gummy. But the broth for the hot noodles was a welcome blend of flavors: sweet, salty, sour, umami at the same time. All while remaining relatively light. It would be easy to sip it all down on its own. (Our nine year old nearly did! We saw other kids there and I suspect they may have done the same.) The tofu came in thick blocks with three separate dressings -- onion, pickled cucumber, and bonito. Each one transformed the creamy bean curd into a different dish. Because the preparations are so simple, the best strategy may be to order a variety of appetizers which cover a range of flavors and textures. Then, hunker down with a couple shared plates of noodles for the entree. This is a place to take it slow and to appreciate the care behind each bite.