Pricy tapas but worth it especially as a celebration; all dishes even apps were a hit! Appetizers + Hokkaido scallop and shrimp ($28): very smokey cabbage, super flavorful with the mustard seed, pollock sauce (8/10) + Aged kimchi mulhwe ($30): refreshing contrast to the scallop, amazing bite of amberjack w celtuce and chive kombu oil (10/10) Main + Prime rib fingers and rice cake ($32): so fun, crispy tteok but chewy inside w a sweet glaze and crispy tender rib (9.8/10) + Braised black cod ($42): extremely tender and fatty cod but would prefer less gochujang sauce. Daikon, barley, shishito nice small bites (8/10) + Galbi steak ($59 + $5 lettuce wraps and ssamjang): made yummmy bites, ssamjang pulled everything together (8.5/10) read more

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Good, but expected more from a Michelin bib gourmand restaurant. For a bib gourmand, it's also on the pricier side (esp the entrees). We ordered the mulhwe raw fish (fish was delicious, the salad was really unseasoned/felt like it was just washed and plopped there, sad only had 4 pieces of fish), burdock jap chae (our fav), rice cake + rib finger (wayyy too salty, otherwise texture wise was good), and galbi (meat was delicious, broccolini was pretty bland and not memorable, not worth $58 imo). The absence of banchans were also a surprising disappointment for us, we look forward to that in Korean restaurants! Our food also came out extremely quickly after ordering, and we had opening time res, which made us feel that the food may have been all pre-cooked and just reheated. We also got a couple cocktails, they were interesting but a bit too calpico tasting for my liking. It's pretty clean/spacious inside, with large restrooms. Parking is slightly tricky, either street parking in front or Japantown garage nearby. read more

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Cute interior, very fast service, but the price is definitely not worth what you get. Over $200+ for just 4 dishes and the portion sizes are not too big. Other concern was that most of our dishes came out almost instantly, which makes me feel worried that some of the dishes already pre-cooked and just reheated during service. FOOD: Mulhwe (6/10) - Solid starter but felt like the strawberries and salad didn't go too well with the fish! Burdock Japchae (8/10) - Favorite thing here! Fried burdock root over tender noodles flavored really well with a lot of different mushrooms. Must try! Rib Finger + Rice Cakes (5/10) - Rice cake texture was good, but honestly the meat and all the flavors were extremely salty and hard to eat. Galbi (7/10) - Really tender meat, but portion sizes were not worth the price. Would skip read more

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Came here for a belated birthday dinner and had a great experience! My friend had made a 7:30 PM reservation, but we arrived early and they were able to seat us right away at 6:40 PM. The ambiance is modern and chic, which made it perfect for a celebration. Our waitress let us know they recently updated the menu with some new dishes. She explained that everything is meant to be shared and recommended ordering three to five plates for two people, so we ended up ordering a total of five items including dessert. To start, we had the Hokkaido Uni Scallop Toast, which was incredibly fresh and melted in our mouths, along with the new Early Girl Tomato Salad that our waitress recommended. The salad was refreshing and had a nice little crunch to it. For our mains, we had the Pork Jowl Bossam and the Prime Finger Ribs with Rice Cake. Hands down, those ribs and rice cakes were my absolute favorite dish of the night. The rice cakes were deep-fried to the perfect texture, and the whole plate was just bursting with flavor. We finished the meal with the Matcha Tiramisu for dessert. Since we were celebrating my birthday, they sweetened the night by bringing it out with a sparkler. read more

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Food was alright. I think for the value, it fell a bit short: flavor and quantity-wise. They had a newer menu when we went. Our fave was the tomato salad. The Sweet Corn Pasta was really mid. Lacked the flavor depth and we didn't care for the corn flakes; they overpowered the dish. Cute in concept, but it tasted like linguine with a pinch of salt and corn flakes. Our server was cold and it was hard to get her attention. Tbh, not sure if we'd come back. read more

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We tried a bunch of fishes for a friends birthday - everything is meant to be eaten family style! We ordered: - the uni toast: I don't like uni so I only had a bite of the toast but it was great! - shrimp and scallop app: this was such an interesting balance of the shellfish, the charred pineapple, and the bitter radicchio. Kept your tongue guessing -(seasonal) tomato salad: my favorite. I can't even describe the flavor it was so complex but I could have eaten a plate of this by myself - miso black cod: so delicate and flavorful! - galbi steak. More of a western preparation rather than the stew like I've ad at other places but it was seasoned and cooked perfectly! Just a perfect bite of meat - the corn pasta: a big miss. Didn't taste like corn or creamy, just sour. Logistics: - indoor seating only - limited street parking in front but across the street from the Japantown mall underground paid parking garage - limited vegetarian options read more

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Oh my, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting the entire experience to be this impressive. Located across from the Fillmore, Bansang's exterior is fairly understated and doesn't immediately hint at what's inside. Once you step through the doors, however, you're greeted by a space that feels both cozy and contemporary, with an effortlessly stylish atmosphere. Even the restroom was thoughtfully designed and remarkably comfortable--a small detail, but one that speaks to the restaurant's overall attention to detail. We began with the Uni Scallop Toast and Mulhwe as appetizers. As someone who is typically not a fan of uni due to its pronounced brininess, I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed the toast. The bright citrus sauce balanced the richness of the uni beautifully, while the contrasting textures from the crisp toast and delicate scallop created a harmonious bite. The scallop also helped mellow the stronger oceanic notes of the uni. It was a creative and memorable dish unlike anything I've had before. The Mulhwe, a Korean-style fish salad, was dressed in a refreshing apple vinaigrette that gave it a light, summery citrus character. The fish itself had a pleasantly chewy texture--firmer than salmon--with no trace of fishiness. While enjoyable, it didn't leave quite the same impression as the uni toast and was my least favorite dish of the evening. For our entrées, we ordered the Galbi Steak and Pork Jowl Bossam. Both dishes showcased exceptional execution. The meats were cooked perfectly, but what stood out even more was the precision in preparation. The steak was expertly sliced and incredibly tender--so much so that even with braces, it was effortless to enjoy. The pork jowl achieved an ideal balance between lean meat and luscious fat, creating a rich yet satisfying bite. We enjoyed the meal so much that dessert was non-negotiable. The Matcha Tiramisu was a creative interpretation of the classic. A dome of mascarpone cheese encased ladyfinger biscuits at its center, accompanied by a vibrant matcha ganache sauce. The dessert leaned far less sweet than traditional tiramisu, allowing the earthy matcha and creamy mascarpone flavors to shine. It was elegant, balanced, and a wonderful way to end the meal. Lastly, the service was outstanding. Our server was soft-spoken, patient, and genuinely attentive throughout the evening, making the experience feel warm and welcoming. Considering the quality of the food, thoughtful presentation, ambiance, and service, I found the pricing to be completely justified. As a pleasant surprise, I later learned that Bansang is part of the same restaurant group behind Daeho--a detail that certainly explains the level of quality we experienced. read more

Bansang - Matcha Tiramisu - Korean Near Me - San Francisco, California

We found this place and celebrated a birthday here. The ambiance and wait staff was excellent! We ordered a variety of dishes and we really enjoyed the Truffle Wagyu Tartare (could have been chopped up a little more), Soy Sauce Garlic Wings and. Gochukang Black Cod (this was so good we ordered a second serving!). The Kimchi Mulhwe and Sweet Corn Pasta was definitely interesting but not our taste. Overall we will will definitely come back and recommend to others read more

Bansang - Gochujang Black Cod - Korean Near Me - San Francisco, California

We came here to celebrate my mother's birthday and everything tasted amazing! We almost ordered everything on the menu and shared family style. The portions were on the smaller side so had we ordered an extra dish or two, I think we would've been very full. We ordered about 3 appetizers, 3 mains and 3 desserts and it was just about perfect. All of the dishes had well rounded flavors and super tasty. The matcha dessert was my favorite! I do have a natural sweet tooth but the presentation and overall execution was cool. read more

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I think I ordered the wrong dishes this time around. Willing to come back and try more items since they rotate their menu pretty often. Great ambiance in the restaurant and it would be nice to try their drinks and desserts next time. Corn pasta was such a miss. I think the sauce needs to be workshopped more; I really was disappointed by this dish and would not recommend to anyone. Gochujang cod sounded interesting but there was no gochujang taste and it was more of a lemony sauce. This didn't really impress or wow me. It was okay. Hokkaido scallop toast was the best item; really liked the scallop and gelee on it. The hokkaido uni had a bitterness to it I wasn't expecting from hokkaido uni. read more

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My bf and I had a reservation on Wednesday at 6:30pm. The restaurant has an elevated, casual atmosphere that was perfect for a date night. It was comfortably mellow, which made for a peaceful meal. We shared 4 dishes, starting with the Mulhwe Noodle per the staff's recommendation. This dish was very refreshing. I was a little worried that the chili broth was going to be spicy given the bright color, but it wasn't at all. The broth was light and enjoyable. The amberjack was also very good. Next, we had the Hokkaido Uni Scallop Toast. The bread was soft, buttery, and crispy. The uni and scallop were creamy, fresh, and not overpowering in flavor. The whole thing blended and melted together. The Braised Black Cod was a delight with the variety of textures and flavors. The fish was soft and almost custard-y. The barley and butternut squash puree were nice additions and paired really well. The sauce was delicious. The Galbi Steak was a standout. We added on the lettuce wraps and ssamjang, and I highly recommend this. The galbi was tender and juicy. It was good on its own but adding it in a lettuce wrap with the ssamjang took it to another level. Overall, I had a great dinner. I enjoyed all the flavors. read more

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The restaurant has a nice ambiance and a casual atmosphere, but unfortunately the food didn't quite meet expectations, especially at this price point. The Uni Toast was underwhelming. The toast, scallops, and uni were all served at the same temperature, and the sauce was barely noticeable, adding little to the dish. A contrast in temperature, texture, or a more pronounced sauce would have made it much more enjoyable. The Scallop & Shrimp Salad was overly sweet, which overpowered the delicate flavors of the seafood. The Chicken Wings were decent, but at 4 wings for $18, they felt overpriced. The Mushroom Silk Tofu was beautifully presented and visually appealing. The Black Cod was cooked perfectly--moist, tender, and flaky. However, while the fish itself was excellent, the sauce was forgettable and didn't leave a lasting impression or elevate the dish. Overall, the food was mediocre. While each dish had potential, the flavors often felt disconnected and lacked harmony. Combined with the expensive price point, the overall dining experience didn't justify the cost. The ambiance is lovely, but I left hoping for a more memorable meal. Wouldn't come back. read more

Bansang - Korean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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What an experience! Street made for bucket lists and this one didn't disappoint. Resys are hard to come by so snag one once you see it. Tables open up around 7:30pm with hard to acquire street parking, but nearby parking structure is available. Tapas style Korean fusion. We had the uni toast, noodles, jap chae, and cod. What topped the night was the matcha tiramisu. All amazing. We had soju cocktails that were presented beautifully. read more

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Bansang sits on the Michelin-heavy stretch of Fillmore close to The Progress and State Bird Provisions, which sets expectations high. I was here with a group of friends for Korean-inspired tapas. It's Michelin-recommended rather than Michelin-starred and all dishes are meant to be shared. Standouts included a perfectly grilled steak (that I would gladly order again, but without the optional lettuce wrap), umami-filled mushroom pasta, good chili fried chicken wings, and a Korean-inspired potato pancake. Other dishes that would not be an automatic reorder included: a sweet but small beet salad, standard kimchi rice with egg, and a shareable pork jowl bassam, which is boiled, and leaned fatty. We had a single order of scallop and uni toast, which is extravagant, & extravagantly priced, at $29. We ordered all three dessert options to share, which all were ice-cream based, and ultimately we felt they tasted too similarly. Our server was friendly, with solid menu recommendation, and when we ignored that guidance, we realized we probably shouldn't have. The atmosphere is celebratory, making it a good spot for a group meal with cocktails and shared plates, although prices are quite high and you may find yourself with that familiar feeling of being hungry again an hour later. read more

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If there's one word I'd use to describe Bansang, it'd be texture. Bansang's creative take on Korean-style tapas are playful and full of inventive textures that are as fun to eat as the flavors themselves, whether it be the pop-rock candy in the pear sorbet or the crispy strings atop the potato pancake. The dishes that were good, were phenomenal. The galbi was the obvious standout, and I absolutely recommend the +$5 for the ssamjang and lettuce wraps. The flavors took me right back to Korea, and the meat was prepared delicately so that every slice was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The uni scallop toast is their Instagram-worthy specialty, and I'm glad we tried it; the texture of the crispy toast was unlike any bread I've ever had. So dry yet soft yet crisp yet cloudy... I'm drooling thinking about it. The waitress recommended one per person, but honestly splitting one between two people was more than enough. The other dish I'd strongly recommend is the mulwhe noodle (think of it like a Korean ceviche with cold noodles), which had such a sweet, spicy, light broth that we literally spooned out every last bit. I'll be thinking about that dish for a looong time. I'd recommend against the kimchi fried rice; the spam overpowered the rest of the dish, and it could've used more flavor from the other ingredients. The beet salad was also just okay, very earthy but otherwise too light on flavor. I loved the romantic, dimly-lit vibe of the restaurant, with traditional Korean earthenware thoughtfully placed throughout. Admittedly, the service felt a bit rough around the edges. I enjoyed the personal touch of having my menu stamped "happy birthday", but the service otherwise felt disjointed and, at times, absent. After finishing my first cocktail early in the meal, the glass was quickly swept away by another server and the waitress did not return for me to ask for a second drink until the meal was over. It was disappointing as I would've liked to have another one (the peach cocktail I had was excellent!). Once our desserts were ordered, we did not see our waitress again for the rest of the night -- she just disappeared. We tried several times to flag a server to get our check, but eventually had to get the host to notice to wrap up our meal (it was near the end of the service day, so not particularly busy). It wasn't overly negative, but enough to color our experience. I hope that Bansang can fine-tune their service, as this would really make it a home-run. The idea of Korean tapas is fun, novel, and creative, and best shared with a group (we made do between two people, but with four we could have tried even more little dishes!!). read more

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Atmosphere is modern, clean and some elements of korean tradition. Service was ok. Seemed pretty busy but the food came out fast. That could be a good or bad thing depending on the vibe you are going for. All the dishes hit their mark for me. We got: Mulhwae: very refreshing white fish sashimi with refreshing greens, citrusy sauce and strawberries. I thought the strawberries added more to the presentation than the taste. However, the dish itself was delicious. Scallops and shrimp: Similar as above, a very refreshing light appetizer. I would get either this of the other because they're kind of the same idea. Potato fritter w/ mentaiko: probably my top 1 or 2 of the night. Think fancy hashbrown with creamy umami pollock row plus more crispy toppings. This is a must-have I would say. Soft tofu soup w/ galbi: I liked the theatrical element of pouring the home-grown soy from Oakland to create the tofu right in front of you. The umami broth and the jang make this dish very rich. Another must have! Pork jowl bossam: this was a delicious take on bossam. Smokey soft jowl. The greens and kimchi accompanied it made this dish taste so healthy while satisfying your craving. If you just love buttery soft tender meat, go for it. However if you like jowl because you like the chew/bounce on every bite, you might be disappointed because this meat is super soft! Drinks: matcha colada was a little too coconuttey for me. It kind of overpowered the taste of any matcha but if you like coconut, this is a perfect visually pleasing and sweet dessert cocktail. The lychee blossom had a pleasant taste of fruit and almost tasted like there was yogurutoo or calpico in it. I much preferred this drink and it was on the sweeter side too. Overall pleasant experience, worth taking some guests or a date. Also we got 4-5 dishes but left super full! We probably would've been fine with 1 or 2 appetizers less. read more

Date-y modern korean vibes. Went on a Saturday evening - had an rsvp and was sat immediately. Ordered some makgeolli - a red rice version, that was a bit on the thicker side. Definitely felt like one to drink on its own vs part of the meal. Tasted fine though. Ordered some bossam, mushroom pasta, and rice cake with rib. Everything was very well made - mushroom pasta had some popcorn situation for texture, the rib and rice cake went well with the sauce that was on the side, but the best thing was the bossam in my opinion. Had the lettuce add on - maybe I was just craving it that day, but was legit. Prices were reasonable considering the vibe and how the dishes came out. Would come back! read more

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Popped in without a ressy at 7:30 and was seated at the chef table by hyeongje. The tables were full but the whole chef table was empty. Noise level, I give an 8. Since I was at the chefs table alone my area was pretty quiet. Second time here so I tried some new things in the menu. The yuzu amber was a great start. Refreshing and tasty. The early girl tomato salad (Early Girl Tomato. nori créme fraiche. nectaeine. hijiki glaze, sesame purée, toastd sunflower seed crumble. puffed rice crunch)was also great but probably best shared with another person. By the time the ribs and rice cakes came I was starting to feel full. Disappointed by the ribs and rice cakes(beef finger ribs. rice cake. wood ear mushroom. chili oil. shallot). They were way too sugary. Ended with a scoop of ice cream, some strawberries and chocolate syrup. Overall still a great place but best with at least 1 more person to share dishes with. read more

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The food here is amazing! Tried the fresh kimchi salad, potato pancake, and galbi steak with lettuce wraps! The kimchi salad had a bit of a kick but was delicious, I'd definitely get the potato pancake again, and the galbi steak is a highly recommended entree! Service was also super friendly and efficient. Ambiance was great as well. Inside is decorated very nicely and the tables are spread apart enough to have good conversation. read more

So much potential so many misses. Overall the dishes tasted good. Their flavor profiles are good. However, this place was featured as Michelin-chasing and for the price and ambience/expectations set for the diners, it missed the mark. First knock, there is no central AC or heat so wintertime dining is very cold. Perhaps this was their only choice for location, but it would be nice to advise diners accordingly, it honestly felt chillier inside the restaurant than outside, or lean into it and give folks blankets like some lounges do. In terms of presentation all the dishes looked nice and taste was pretty good, but the chicken wings and upscaled boneless kalbi were what I'd expect at a standard K bar or grill, at maybe 3/4 the price. The uni toast was also frustratingly served in one giant piece and was almost impossible to cut. We asked for scissors or a sharp knife to cut, since this dish was featured as a small plate tapa, they should know to pre portion so folks don't have to saw away at a $$ serving of uni. Another odd moment that stood out was we ordered a couple bottles of red wine and the server poured the new wine into glasses that still had the other vintage, very strange. Even at a regular steakhouse they'd usually give you a new glass. And we kept having to call the server back to refill our water pitchers. Overall subpar read more

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Came on a Saturday night with four people and we ordered: Uni scallop toast: 10/10 I wish the portion for the uni toast was larger because it was so good! The uni was fresh and creamy. No complaints. Korean steak tartare: 9/10 I love a steak tartare and the crunch and texture from the fried seaweed crisp took it to the next level. I do wish the tartare had a bit more flavor. Mulhwe noodle: 10/10 A new dish for me! It was light and the fish gave it a nice freshness at the start of the meal. Fried chicken: 8/10 I thought the fried chicken was good, not amazing or innovative. Overall, Bansang had great bites and service. Will be back! read more

Bansang - Korean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I had Bansang bookmarked since they opened back in 2022. Time flies (3 years later) life happens (had to cancel last January), and 2 Michelin Bib Gourmand later (theirs, not mine), finally got to try. Prices have definitely increased over the years so no scallop uni toast especially since hubs is shellfish intolerant and it's hard to beat the uni in Japan. Sunchoke and summer truffle was both our favorite, followed in a close second by the tender pork jowl bossam for me, but crispy fried chicken for him. The kimchi fried rice was too spicy for me, but that's okay, as I got more of the mulhwe noodle which I liked better after he got his portion so I can pour that fermented chili broth on top. Will be back to try more of their menu but maybe for a special occasion vs. just because I didn't feel like cooking. read more

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Quite enjoyable! Korean upscale tapas and sleek ambiance that felt intimate and definitely fit for special occasions of the sort, came by reservation. Servers were attentive and very kind, met with warm smiles all around. Here is what we ordered: Uni Scallop Toast: A single order comes with only one piece of soft and crispy bread, topped with scallop, uni, and roe. I believe that the uni was perfect and not fishy, and worth the try for the taste, even for people who aren't too fond of raw fish of the sort. Everything felt buttery, smooth, and of good quality, unfortunately the price does reflect that and paying that much for a singular toast is up to you as the consumer! Soy Marinated Quail Egg: Four umami quail eggs with picked shimeji (white beech mushrooms), shredded beef, and orange zest. A small tapa that made an impression for its unique and complimentary tastes of ingredients. The umami, tanginess, and savoriness truly made it memorable and refreshing! Pork Jowl Bossam: I've only ever had bossam with pork belly so the experience with pork jowl was different but still tasty. It proved to be nothing extraordinary though. It came with a lot of meat but the size proportions with the lettuce and sides/garnishes I wish were more level. Truffle Japchae: Thick wide glass noodles that came with summer truffle, crispy deep fried maitake, shimeji, and shitake. Glass noodles with mushrooms if you will. Adore glass noodles especially wide noodles for texture and personal satisfaction to eat, but the flavor profile was light. There is no sauce or paste of the sort to expect with it, it simply is an assortment of ingredients put with glass noodles. (Dessert) Matcha Lava Cake: No Notes. Perfection. Beautiful. Delicious. The right amount of sweetness and matcha, with creamy exterior texture with delicate moisture of the inside and lightness of the cake. read more

Went to Bansang SF and had a really nice experience. The ambiance strikes a great balance between upscale and casual. The beef tartare was definitely the favorite, balanced flavors and a great portion size. The uni toast had bold elements and felt unique enough to be worth ordering at least once. The noodle dish topped with sashimi was lighter and more subtle, but still creative and refreshing. Service was friendly and everything came out at a good pace. Overall, I'd recommend Bansang to anyone who enjoys thoughtful, modern Korean dishes and wants a dining experience that feels special without being overly formal. read more

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Sometimes I get a hankering for something. This past Saturday, I wanted seafood and I wanted Korean. Bansang came up on the radar and a reservation was made. Then I realized I made a crazy decision. Why? Because it was the Great Blackout of 2025. I had to cut through quite a bit of the eerie darkness to get there but I made it. A skooch late but not bad considering the craziness in the City. And it was worth it for that phenomenal meal overlooking the open kitchen. Started with a refreshing Sun of a Peach (peach nigori and makgeolli) followed by the soy marinated quail eggs and uni scallop toast. Then it was on to the pork jowl bossam. Definitely get the lettuce wraps and ssamjang to go with it as well as a bowl of plain rice. Delicious. The finishing touch to the meal was the nurungji ice cream. Heaven! And the dangerous thing about watching the kitchen do their magic is seeing all the dishes I should've ordered come up. Guess I'll just have to come back again and again and again. read more

Bansang - Korean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great ambiance. Super casual. My fave was the galbi but everything else was good too. Food: Muhlwe noodles - amberjack was the fish and it was delicious with the cold noodles Uni and scallop toast - very good Beef tartare - delicious Fried chicken - yum Galbi - 1000% order this; the fat marbling was so nice and tender Matcha lava cake - good read more

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Really tasty food, but portions are super tiny for the price so be prepared for a big bill if you wanna leave full. Service was great, and the inside is really fun and loud with people talking and enjoying their food. Definitely a spot for a group dinner rather than just solo or two people. Favorites: uni scallop toast, truffle japchae, jellyfish salad Skip: mushroom pasta read more

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Solid, fun, Korean spot. Fancier but I've never had trouble getting a table. It's a place I'd bring new people to and see if they like it. I have yet to go back with the same people, if this makes sense. Food is solid, well done and the kitchen is ran well. I've been for a larger party for a birthday and with smaller groups of just me and a friend. Cocktails are simple and tasty, nothing extraordinary. Dishes are done well and tasty. read more

Bansang - Mushroom pasta, short ribs, beef tartar - Korean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Delicious Korean fusion tapas-style at a high price point. Service was very attentive and friendly. Mulwhee noodle: a refreshing starter with fresh fish Galbi: my favorite dish, the galbi was very well marinated. Recommend getting the lettuce wrap add-on! Korean fried chicken: a standard KFC Truffle japchae: wide noodles, very mushroom forward, different from your standard japchae Kimchi fried rice: very delicious, similar to a standard kimchi fried rice My one gripe was the price point. Because dishes are on the smaller side, it's recommended to order a lot of dishes. We found this worked well and also allowed us to try a lot of things. That said, this ended up being one of the more expensive meals for 2 I've had in SF. For me personally, I prefer to spend money on meals that also feel like experiences, whether that be from the uniqueness of the food or the ambiance. I didn't feel like the food or ambiance justified the price. The ambiance felt a little too casual/unintentional for me. For instance, there were a lot of empty tables when we went, but we were sat right next to another occupied table (tables are very close to each other). read more

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Despite living in the neighborhood, it took so many years for me to finally come try Bansang, and I fear it was overhyped for me. I only came with one other person and we could only order so much, so maybe we just didn't get the right dishes. - Korean steak tartare: I love beef tartare, and I liked the seaweed crisps that it came with, but the tartare itself wasn't super flavorful. I couldn't taste the chili oil that was listed on the menu, and I feel like maybe sesame oil could've helped bring out more flavor. - Truffle japchae: The truffle flavor was strong, which I like, but I was pretty thrown off by the flat wide noodles instead of the traditional thin glass noodles. Outside of truffle though, it didn't really have a ton of other flavor. - Galbi steak with lettuce & samjang: This was our favorite dish out of the three. The steak was tender and flavorful on its own, but it was good to pair with lettuce and samjang as well. I also appreciated how they picked the "pretty" lettuce and perilla leaves and washed them individually - small but important detail! We also each got a cocktail and shared a bottle of soju. The soju was good, but the cocktails tasted like juice/not super strong, which could be good if you're not a big drinker. Service was attentive without being too in our faces, which was nice. The restaurant had a good overall ambiance, and the noise level made for easy conversation without others being able to listen in. I think this would be a nice date night/special occasion spot if ambiance is more important than food quality, but unfortunately this wasn't all that impressive for me. read more

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Nice variety of dishes, great if you like sharing! My favorite was the fresh kimchi salad, truffle japchae, and matcha lava cake. Everything were just my favorites. Would love to go back to try the duck. Lighting not too bright can get a bit loud when crowded as the sound is bouncing everywhere. read more

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Bansang is the perfect combination of home cooked flavors with a modern twist. It was authentic, beautifully plated and made with a lot of love. I was thoroughly impressed. Came here on a Wednesday with some coworkers and dined family style. Looking at it in hindsight the portions here are quite small, I would recommend ordering individual entrees. As for the food we ordered the following: * Crispy Fried Chicken (Has Peanuts) * Pork Jowl Bossam (Has Peanuts) * Mulhwe Noodles * Truffle Japchae * Galbi Steak Let's start with the appetizers. The Crispy Fried Chicken, as listed comes with peanuts so please ask the server to remove it if you have an allergy. They are super accommodating about allergies. Like the name it was super crispy, piping hot, and comes with some moo on the side. Recommend for sharing. Next was the Mulhwe Noodles, this is a house special. Flavors were nice and reminded me of a light sweet and sour soup with rice noodles and sashimi. It's great but small, I could had smashed this on my own so I recommend you order your own if you really want to enjoy it. Last on this list is the Truffle Japchae. This is a must in my opinion. The glass noodles were knife cut thick and such a unique take on the traditional thinner versions. The truffle wasn't overwhelming and it harmoniously went well with all the other ingredients in the dish. Definitely recommend sharing this one. As for the main dishes we ordered the Pork Jowl Bossam and Galbi Steak. You can't go wrong with either or. Both come with an assortment of greens including a few very aromatic perilla leaves and both were so soft and tender. If you want more of a light saucey flavor I recommend the Galbi, if you want a more clean meal I recommend the jowl. An important thing to note is one of the garnishes for the jowl has peanuts but it isn't in the dish itself. You can ask for it to be omitted entirely. Overall despite coming 15 mins late being stuck in traffic, the staff at Bansang were super accommodating. The dinner was well worth it and I highly recommend for those who want to try an elevated Korean cuisine experience. read more

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everything was excellent . unique . complex flavors. Absolutely loved it and would go again read more

Bansang - Korean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Had a great meal at Bansang the other day! I had made a reservation while we were in the city, forgetting that we had already tried this restaurant in the past. We were glad to see that they have a revolving seasonal menu, though, because there were new items to try this time around. Everything was extremely fresh, crisp, and quite citrus forward. All of the garnishes were done up extremely well -- I like the extra elements thrown in, but at times it felt like there was more topping than the foundation of each item. My favorites were probably the Mulhwe noodle, rice cakes, and baos. The rice cakes were fried crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, a surprising texture I wasn't expecting but really enjoyed. Same with the baos -- we got them thinking we knew exactly what they'd taste like, but the flavors were surprisingly elevated in a way I've never tried before. All in all, I really enjoyed our meal, but did feel like it wasn't especially memorable (hence why we didn't remember the first visit). However, absolutely worth a try for the good vibes & great service. read more

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Came here for my buddy's birthday with 5 people total and it hit the right note. One of the party was gluten free and the menu had so many gluten free items, we actually order all but one gluten free dish so we could all share everything. The venue is spacious but not loud so you can hear each other talk. The service was friendly although there were a couple of errors in our order so that was less than ideal. For the food, we shared several small and large dishes. We got the 2 orders of the truffle japchae, 2 orders of the crispy fried chicken, korean steak tartare, potato pancake, rice cake and ribs, gojuchang black cod, kimchi fried rice, and pork jowl. My favorites were the truffle japchae, the fried chicken, the black cod, the rice cakes, and the kimchi fried rice. Everything was such a unique twist on classic food that you can't compare anything to a classic dish but it was all done in a very tasty way. I'd love to come back to try more of the other dishes on the menu. It does get a bit pricey as the plates aren't terribly big so it's very easy to add more to your order. Oh and the yuzu cocktail is very dangerous as it's so tasty and easy to drink! read more

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~Food/Drinks~ Uni Scallop Toast: One order comes with one piece of light, crispy bread, topped with scallop, uni and roe. The scallop was buttery, the uni wasn't too fishy...pretty high quality food and the price really reflects that. Crazy expensive for just one order. Mulhwe Noodle: Thin noodles mixed with slices of sashimi. Menu says seasonal fish and we had ours with yellowtail. The entire dish is light and the zesty flavor pairs nicely with yellowtail. Korean Steak Tartare: The steak tartare had this beautiful, vibrant red color. It comes with a raw quail egg and mixing it in makes the tartare a bit creamier. The marinade has a little kick that I wasn't expecting. Crispy Fried Chicken: Comes with about 7 pieces of dark meat. Crispy outside and juicy inside, what more can you ask for? I thought it would have a kick because of the chili mayo and gochujang but it wasn't bad at all. In fact, we were licking the bowl clean! Sunchoke and Truffle: This was recommended by our server but we all thought it was just alright. Sunchokes are Jerusalem artichokes. The dish had a lot of crispy pieces mixed in with truffle slices but I found the flavor to be a bit dull. Pork Jowl Bossam: I normally see bossam with pork belly and I love pork jowl so I was very excited to try their version. It comes with a lot of slices so a party of two could easily share this with a couple of the smaller tapas. The jowl is very tender and a little smoky. Not bad but I prefer pork belly. There also wasn't enough lettuce and sides to eat with the bossam. Galbi Marinated Steak: Like the pork jowl bossam, it comes with a lot of slices so you can share this easily with 2 people. It has that sweet and savory marinade but not as much of a caramelize crust on the outside. For an extra charge, you can get a side of lettuce and ssamjang but I would skip this and enjoy the steak by itself. Jang Cream Pasta: A very simple looking pasta so we were surprised to enjoy it as much as we did. It doesn't look like there's much sauce on it but it's creamy and delicious. Kimchi Fried RIce: A very elevated kimchi fried rice. Honestly, if we didn't know what we ordered, I wouldn't have guessed that there was kimchi because I couldn't taste or see any. It's a little spicy! ~Service~ Our server was wonderful and when she found out we were celebrating a birthday, she customized the food menu with a special note. She also gave lots of suggestions based on our party size and it ended up being just the right amount of food for us. ~Logistics~ Bansang is a tapas-style restaurant so be prepared for the small portions. Our server recommended at least 5 dishes for a party of 2 and once you get to 6 people in your group, you have to double up your dishes or else there's too little to share. And because you would have to order multiple tapas to be full, the bill adds up. This restaurant is pricey but it's a nice spot to celebrate something. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through their website or on OpenTable. ~Conclusion~ Overall, I had a good time. Most of the food was delicious but be prepared for a high bill, especially with a large group where you might double up on tapas. read more

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I recently dined here and what a treat it was. The galbi steak was phenomenal! So tender and full of flavor! The lettuce wraps and condiments just brought it all up a couple of notches! The Kimchee salad was superb! So fresh and with that hint of sweet and sourness that you'd expect from your traditional kimchee! The service was very attentive. They even fold your napkins after you leave your seat for the wash room. The uni on toast fell short of my expectations. I think the sauces and other condiments really masked the uni's natural sweetness. What a shame! read more

Bansang - Gslbi steak...if nothing else..:get this for tour table! Soooo Goood!!! - Korean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Our server, Yui T, was pretty rude during our visit. There were three of us, and we ordered three dishes, including the steak, which is one of the pricier items on the menu. We didn't order any drinks, and honestly it felt like her attitude toward us changed because of that. The whole time, she seemed annoyed and like she didn't really want to be serving our table. What stood out even more was how friendly and attentive she was to the table next to us. They were ordering drinks and extra items, and the difference in how we were treated was pretty obvious. It made us feel unwelcome. read more

Bansang - Korean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here for a birthday dinner! I made a reservation so we were seated right away. The restaurant was dimly lit and had a nice ambiance. The menu came with small birthday stamps, so cute. What we ordered: 1. sun of a peach cocktail: sweet and refreshing. not too strong, good starter 2. yuzu cocktail: sour and a little fizzy, stronger than sun of a peach cocktail 3. gochujang black cod: easy to cut and pieces of cod melted in mouth. bean sprouts were savory and perfect amount of saltiness, paired the cod well 4. mulhwe noodle: didn't have super high expectations since i've never tried this dish but turned out to be one of my favorites. fermented chili broth had a tangy and refreshing flavor, good to mix the noodles in. gave decent amount of seasonal fish and also melted in mouth 5. jang cream pasta: decent, nothing too special. mushroom cream had subtle flavor, wish there was more cream. ratio of pasta and cream was off 6. uni scallop toast: best dish and best visual. buttermilk bread and trout roe were addicting to eat. not too fishy, good balance of soy yolk, nori puree, and trout roe 7. pear sorbet: nice way to finish the meal w a refreshing dessert. had chunks of pear in sorbet, pieces on top tasted like ginger 8. lemon dessert: complimentary birthday dessert. strong lemon flavor, especially top layer. not too sweet! read more

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Been wanting to try here for quite some time and exceeded my expectations! For one, the service was so attentive and explained the menu to us as first-timers. Interior was so lovely as well. As for the food, favorite dishes have to be OYSTERS, they were topped with kimchi and mango puree - it was so good, we ordered more, and the steak tartare was everything. It had a korean marinade to it - quite life-changing. Everyone talks about the uni scallop toast on TikTok, but I must say, it was alright for the steep price point, the other dishes were better imo. The rice cakes and ribs were also one of our favorite dishes! The rice cakes were marinated and crispy. Overall, loved the experience at Bansang and come here for a nice date night or special outing! read more

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