We had a wonderful meal at Cafe Okawari before the Giants game. It's a great location that's 1.5 blocks from the ballpark, and very close to the Caltrain station. The restaurant was full when we got there, but the food still came out soon after we ordered. We had chicken katsu curry, korokke curry, and a menchi (fried ground chicken) sando. The chicken katsu was among the best I've ever had, super juicy inside and crunchy outside. One of the greatest quick bites I've had in recent memory. read more

Stumbled onto this place in a mild hunger panic on the way back from the city, looking for something Japanese before jumping on 280. Yelp delivered. Parked easily on the side street, walked in around 3:30 in the afternoon, no hassle. The place has an authentic Japanese cafe feel, the kind where the menu has things you don't typically find at your average sushi spot. I had my eye on the sandos, specifically the Chicken Katsu Sando, but landed on the Spicy Tuna Don instead. Good call. Spicy yellowfin tuna tartare over well-seasoned sushi rice, topped with sesame, furikake, green onions, with a little radish and cucumber on the side. The tuna was very fresh, the rice was on point. Service was quick and polite - they even have an outside window for takeout. One nice detail: a neat dollop of wasabi is pasted along the inside wall of the bowl, which is a clean way of letting you control exactly how much heat you want to mix in. Tasteful presentation, but don't let that fool you. It has a legitimate kick, so calibrate accordingly. Paired it with their Honjozo dry sake cup, which was a nice complement to the meal and exactly the right call for a mid-afternoon bite. The sandos looked great on other tables and I fully intend to go back for the Chicken Katsu Sando - and then go try the wine bar next door to it. which was pretty tempting. read more

Cafe Okawari - Sake Cup - pretty easy to drink from this thing - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This review is for their matcha only, not food. Stumbled upon this place and I'm surprised I haven't heard of it before! I got a plain iced matcha and it was so. good. The matcha flavor was strong and the drink overall was creamy. I got it less sweet but did end up adding splenda in it later on. They have a lot of food which smells delish, haven't tried it yet tho! read more

Cafe Okawari - Iced matcha latte - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

One of the best katsu sandwiche places in the Bay Area! Cafe Okawari has been on my list for the longest time and I'm glad I finally got the chance to try it. I went on a weeknight at around dinner hours at 6pm and the place was busy but not packed. I managed to find a spot very quickly after ordering. We first ordered at the counter and then the seats are self-served. I got the fried chicken katsu sando with their house soda. The katsu sando is 5/5. The chicken is juicy and tender. The outside is crispy. The pickled cucumber and the lettuce are so refreshing to pair with the katsu. The bread.. let's talk about how amazing it is. The bread is fluffy and milky. What stands out to me is really how soft and fluffy the bread is. I took one bite and immediately know that this katsu sandwich would be bomb. The house soda is just alright, solid 3/5, nothing too surprising. I would definitely come back for the sando again! read more

Cafe Okawari - Chicken Katsu Sando - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Japanese sandos? yummmmm, some of the best in town I must say. If I'm in the mood for a chicken katsu sando, I come here. Why? Because it's consistent and just the right amount of crisp. I also love their fruit sandwiches. I think tho the katsu sando is the best texturally with the softness of the bread and the crunch of the katsu. If you don't believe me, try for yourself! read more

Cafe Okawari - Menu - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Staff members are friendly and polite. Orders are made fairly quickly. Love that! It's fresh and delicious. My go to is the chicken katsu sando and dirty matcha. Bon appetite! read more

Cafe Okawari - Chicken Katsu Sando + Dirty Matcha - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Stopped in for lunch on a weekday and was pleasantly surprised! The area has so many options and this is a great one with coffee and meals of varying sizes to please all! The curry katsu plate is a pretty solid size with tender yet crispy chicken and rich curry! Highly recommend if you are in the area! read more

Cafe Okawari - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

They serve fantastic matcha lattes and chicken katsu sandwiches in a snap! The service is fast and friendly. The entrance is small so it can feel crowded quickly if it gets busy which it totally does. read more

Cafe Okawari - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tried the Chicken Katsu Sando since I was in the area and it did not disappoint! $17 feels pricey for a sando, but it was a pretty hefty portion that left me very full. The bread was soft and pillowy, the chicken was super juicy, and there was a perfect amount of thinly shredded cabbage that added the right amount of fresh crunch. I do wish the breading was slightly crispier/thicker, and that there was bit more of the tonkatsu sauce, but those two changes probably would've made the sandwich overall more heavy (I appreciated how light it was despite being a fried chicken sandwich). If you're a saucy, strong flavor type of person, you might find the sandwich too plain flavor-wise, but I'm sure you can ask for some tonkatsu sauce on the side, or order a side of curry sauce to dip your sandwich for an extra fee -- another Yelper recommended this so I might try it next time! I also ordered an iced strawberry matcha latte to-go and it was solid. FYI you can adjust the ice and sweetness (which would be adjusting the amount of strawberry puree they use). I got light ice and default sweetness and the sweetness was just right. The strawberry balanced the matcha nicely, but I wish the drink was a little less milky and that the strawberry flavor came through more. Overall, I'm sure there's other better sandos and matcha lattes out there, but as some reviewers have pointed out, there's not a lot of places that have this casual Japanese cafe-style offering in SF or even The Bay in general, so this place is a keeper! Service was fast during Monday lunch hour -- I ordered my food at the front, sat at the counter, and got my food in literally 3 minutes. read more

Cafe Okawari - Chicken Katsu Sando - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Yummy pork cutlet sando! I've been wanting to try this place but it only opens on weekdays. I was able to try this place before going to a concert at chase center on a weekday. There are seats inside and they also have one restroom. Not sure about parking since it is in the city. The sando was pretty yummy! The pork cutlet was juicy and their sauce was nice with the milk bread. read more

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We really liked their chicken katsu here, whether with the sandwich or with curry and rice. It is a nice place for lunch or dinner. The overall service is really fast. read more

Cafe Okawari - Chicken Katsu Sando - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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5 stars for the Chicken Katsu Sando! The panko fried chicken thighs are juicy, paired with the right amount of mayo and sauce and cabbage on delicious milk bread. We ordered at the counter and were able to get seats for 2 people around 11:50am on a Wednesday. Our food was served to us within 12 minutes. My friend and I split the seasonal Mango Cream Sando for dessert (3/5), which was mildly disappointing only because the mangos weren't sweet. I also got the green tea lemonade (4/5), which was decent. read more

Cafe Okawari - Chicken Katsu Sando - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Tried out this small cafe that was cozy with a few tables. Food came out relatively quick as it wasn't busy on a Friday afternoon. Chicken Katsu sando size was decent and flavorful! Croquette curry was good too, but felt a bit pricey to receive just 2 croquettes, curry sauce, and rice. Likely would not get that plate again as it did not felt worth the price. May go back for the katsu sando! read more

Cafe Okawari - Chicken Katsu, Croquette Curry - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I stumbled upon this little cafe this evening! It was a nice surprise to find esp in this neighborhood! I ordered the beef gyudon ($17.50) and substituted the rice with salad. I also got the housemade soda ($4.50)! My friend ordered the chicken katsu ($13) Both dishes were very tasty and filling! The staff was very quick with servicing us our food and friendly! The bathrooms are clean and the seating area is casual and spacious! read more

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Underrated place IMO, the food and drinks speak for itself. Iced matcha is excellent, level of sweetness is adjustable. Quality and gradient is on the better end. $6.52 a cup so not too bad price wise. 2nd day in a row that im here.... read more

Cafe Okawari - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Wish I could gatekeep this place honestly! It's so goood. I used to live in Mission Bay and would regularly get their katsu sandos. Then I read a yelp review saying I have to get curry sauce on the side for dipping and when I say my third eye awakened.... I remember the day like it was yesterday, I was fighting with my partner over something trivial as one would in a happy relationship. We walked in silence along the Embarcadero path, my anger simmering like the sun beating down on my neck. He pulls out our sandwiches and we take a break on the side to eat....anyway now we're engaged--not because of this sandwich, but perhaps it played a role. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of the sando from that day but I did return and also got their katsu curry plate which was just as good! Also love their yuzu soda. Service is always quick and friendly and the restaurant is small and cozy but very clean. read more

Cafe Okawari - Chicken Katsu Plate - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The menchi sando had delicately sliced cabbage which was very tasty and gave good texture. The actual patty itself was not as pleasant unfortunately, very chicken-y and a greasy flavor. The milk bread was nice and pillowy, holding everything together. I would have liked more sauce on the sandwich. Their iced hojicha latte was nice and strong. Refreshing bold taste. No restrooms. read more

Cafe Okawari - menchi sando - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I was walking to the train station and randomly came across Cafe Okawari. It's a cute but quaint Japanese restaurant specializing in sandos and curries. Staff was friendly, and they prepped my food very fast. I got my food in ~5 minutes after ordering. I'm a huge fan of milk bread sandos, so I had to try their egg sando and chicken katsu sando. Loved both of them. The egg salad sando was exactly what I needed. Took me back to my trip to Japan and 7-11 egg salad sando. It's far better tasting though... and more expensive. I also loved the chicken katsu sando. The chicken was nicely crispy on the outside and had juicy, moist thigh meat. The chopped cabbage was so crisp, and the Japanese teriyaki sauce attributed to a nice flavor overall. I would certainly be back again, and I look forward to trying other things off their menu. read more

Cafe Okawari - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Why 5 stars? Because our first meal in SF was ideal. --- --- --- I took my Dad to SF - the first trip of his life to the city at the age of 66. I would not label him an adventurous eater, so when I explained to him what a chicken katsu sando was, he was not very excited. As we stood in a short line, he even suggested we try another place because we didn't see any open seats and he didn't think he was going to like it. But I spotted an empty table outside and said I would pay for his meal if he didn't like it. So we ordered and migrated outside, and we were in heaven. 60 degrees and blue skies when we woke up that morning in the steam room that is Houston. And then the food came and we remained in a state of paradise. I have probably only had a chicken katsu sando a couple of times, but this was definitely the best one yet. The strawberry sandos were great too. My dad loved both and said if he Yelped, he would have given it 5-stars. So consider this a 10-star cumulative review. read more

Cafe Okawari - Chicken Katsu Sando and Strawberry Sandos - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Visited with two friends for lunch to catch up with each other! We arrived a little after 1:30 PM on a Tuesday and found a decent line outside. Ordering happens at the front, then you seat yourself. Seatings are available both inside and outside, but we opted for an inside seating. Albeit how packed the place was, we were fortunately able to get a table and pull in an extra chair. The ambiance is cozy and minimalistic. The cashier staff was friendly, and our orders came out quickly. I ordered strawberry matcha latte and menchi sando. Strawberry Matcha: Served in a big glass. Refreshing, though a bit milkier than my personal preference. Menchi Sando: I don't think many places in town serve menchi (in a sando or by itself). I was impressed with the crispiness and meatiness of menchi and its savory flavor. I really enjoyed this place and will definitely be back for more savory sandos and to try some sweet sandos! read more

Cafe Okawari - Strawberry Matcha Latte - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I love me a good sando so I stopped by with friends for a snack. We got the katsu sando and the fruit sando. The milk bread is light and airy and the katsu was flavorful and juicy. However, it wasn't anything crazy and quite expensive. The fruit sando also what you would expect, light airy bread and fresh strawberries. Ordering was very easy and staff is very nice as well. Wasn't packed at all on a weekday at night, it was also very clean inside. Overall it's a great spot to stop by if you're in the area but not sure if I would come all the way for it. read more

Cafe Okawari is a cozy cafe in Mission Bay that serves a Japanese menu with classics. You order in the front and seat yourself. I shared the Egg Salad Sando w/ Jidori Egg and the Chicken Katsu Curry with my friend, and they were both delicious. The curry was very flavorful, but I wish there was more for the amount of rice given. The Egg Salad Sando reminded me of the 7/11 egg salad sandwiches in Japan, but with more whole eggs for texture. I felt like the price was a little steep for the portion size, but I would come back to try their other items. read more

Placed an order to go before the Warriors game and it was ready in 10 which allowed us just enough time to eat them relatively still warm and fresh. Yum! Both the egg sando and the katsu sando were super tasty. The egg sando was nice and creamy with a super soft shokupan. I think it'd be nice if the egg wasn't fridge cold but that's just a small observation since I remember the fresh ones in Japan at least being lukewarm. The katsu sando was balanced. It was crispy, fresh, and just a little tangy also accompanied by a nice soft shokupan. Definitely will look to Cafe Okawari again for those game days. You may pay the same price as stadium food but the quality is infinitely better! read more

Cafe Okawari - Egg Salad Sando w/ Jidori Egg - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It really was a phonomenal sando! Warm, juicy, and crisoy with thick slices of fluffy, chewy bread. Definitely going back again and again.

Been wanting to try this place and was in the area so I got the following: (8/10) Menchi Sando - Good overall. The bread was not soggy and the chicken was crispy. The chicken was not greasy and didn't feel heavy. Rather expensive for a sandwich being $17 alone. Service was pleasant and fast. Water is self serve near the tray return. There is limited seating on both the inside and outside. Modern interior and design. read more

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super juicy chicken katsu that oozes with juices if squeezed. Probably the best chicken sando sandwich I've ever had! read more

Cafe Okawari - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love this place! Came here with my friends at around 1:30 PM for a later linch and the line was decently long and the seating was fairly packed. You order at the front counter first before sitting down. We managed to snag a table inside and pull extra chairs, but there's more seating outside as well. Inside can be a bit noisy, but nothing unmanageable-- we could hear each other just fine. I got the Spicy Tuna Don and the Strawberry Matcha Latte. They cane out fairly quickly, less than 10 minutes. Spicy Tuna Don: 5/5, nicely sized portion with good spice coming from the fish! You can substitute the rice at the bottom with greens if you like. Strawberry Matcha Latte: 4/5, a big glass! The strawberry flavor was very nice, a little milky for my taste. I love this place and will keep coming back, especially for their different seasonal fruit sandwiches! read more

Cafe Okawari - Spicy Tuna Don and Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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date & time: summer vibe: co-workers in aritzia sweaters, denim & ballet flats w/ strap decor: quaint cafe service: efficient devour: strawberry sando total: $13.50 read more

Cafe Okawari - strawberry cream sando - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

What a great place near the Giants ballpark. Those fruit sandwiches are sooooo addictive

*Late Review Post* We stopped by here our last day in SF for a quick morning pick me up. It's a very small shop, not good for groups. We got there right as they opened & there was quickly a long line out the door. The service was very quick. We ordered their egg sandos and their curry, which were both delicious. If you've never had Japanese curry, it's not the same as Southern Asian curry. It's a very light curry taste with a gravy consistency-- and SO SO good. The drinks were good as well; I wish the Hojicha had a stronger smokier taste to it but it was fine. I think the highlight was my friend asking if she had to go back in line to order something else and the cafe staff said yes, you do! And threw in a heel turn and sass that had us giggling the rest of the day ;D read more

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Looked quickly at the menu and decided on a beef gyu-Don. Came out within a few minutes... at the same time I got my hojicha latte. The beef itself had some flavor but I felt like the overall fish was a little dry, even a little jus from the beef would have helped. The hojicha latte had some tea flavor but mostly tasted like milk, I'd expect a stronger tea flavor. Lastly, minor detail but I was charged $3 for an egg though it's supposed to cost $2.50 read more

Cafe Okawari - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Made a random pit stop here for brunch and very glad we did so! The aesthetics of this place reminds me of Japan; wooden signs and tables paired with lots of greenery. The food came out really fast and service was great. We ordered an egg sando and fruit sando, both came out already halved so perfect for mixing and matching. The sandos capture the simplicity of Japanese sandos, with a very authentic flavor. The strawberry matcha had a strong matcha taste. Overall very delicious although definitely on the more expensive side. read more

Cafe Okawari - Egg Sando and Fruit Sando - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Cute spot on Townsend, a brief walk from South Park or the ball park. The chicken katsu sandwich is delicious, and surprisingly light for this type of sandwich. There's a small outdoor uncovered parklet with 3 tables to enjoy on a nice day, and plenty of space indoors! Excited to try the other plates and dishes as well. Even coming at the tail end of the lunch rush, food came out surprisingly quickly! read more

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Café Akwari - A Hidden Gem for Katsu and Matcha Lovers Café Akwari is one of those rare spots that blends thoughtful food, a chill atmosphere, and genuinely great service--all in a clean, café-style setting that makes you want to stay a little longer. I came in craving comfort food and left already planning my return. Food: I ordered the Katsu curry, and it was absolutely delicious. The Katsu was crispy and tender, paired with a rich, flavorful curry sauce that had great depth without being too heavy. I really appreciated the option to split the side between rice and salad--it made the dish feel well-rounded without sacrificing any comfort. We also tried the Katsu Sando, and it did not disappoint. The cutlet was perfectly fried, thick, and juicy (though I'm not sure if it was chicken or pork--either way, it was amazing). The bread was soft, and the sauce tied everything together in the best way. It's a great option if you're in the mood for something compact but still filling. Drinks: Matcha fans, you need to try the strawberry matcha drink. It was one of my favorite parts of the meal--refreshing, beautifully layered, and not overly sweet. You get a great balance of the earthy matcha and light fruitiness from the strawberry. Easily one of the best matcha drinks I've had in the city. Atmosphere & Service: Although the setup is casual café-style, the service was genuinely great--fast, friendly, and thoughtful. The space is also super cute, minimalist but warm, and it all feels very clean and well-kept. Final Thoughts: Café Akwari exceeded my expectations in every way. Whether you're in the mood for comforting Japanese-style dishes, a standout matcha drink, or just a peaceful spot to enjoy good food, this place checks all the boxes. I'd definitely come back--this is the best Katsu I've tried in San Francisco so far. read more

I think this place is a little underrated. If I had to compare this to literally the best chicken katsu sando I had, then sure it might not compare. But in the Bay Area, this is definitely THE spot I would immediately think of if someone is craving or want to have a chicken katsu sando. The chicken is SO juicy, maybe it was the day I went but the 2 days I went were both SO juicy. It's clean, it's easy to eat. The only small thing I would say is that I wish there was just a tad bit more seasoning to the chicken or the batter, it's one of them. I don't think it's fair to give it 4 stars if it's not the best I've ever had cause they there would hardly be any 5 stars I give out but if I were to say what's the best in the bay? 100% this place. read more

Cafe Okawari - Chicken Katsu Sando - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Emilee T. recommended this as the best chicken katsu sando in the city; it did not disappoint. I also picked up the chicken patty katsu sando to compare, and while it was good with the onion flavor, there's something perfect and classic about the chicken katsu sando. It's super juicy and perfectly crispy, and the mayo adds the perfect tang. I also picked up a yuzu soda which was nice, but I would've preferred it a tiny bit sweeter. Perfect if you don't want anything too sweet though! I ordered this to go and it came out pretty quickly. read more

Great spot for some quick, simple, and healthy but good Japanese comfort food. Ordered a beef gyudon to go for lunch and my order came out super quick within 10 mins before I even was able to get there to pickup. Food tasted great though it is on the pricier side but that is the case with a lot of downtown restaurants now. Meat was super tender and flavorful. Great protein option if you want something healthy. Would definitely come back to try the other options as well! read more

Cafe Okawari - Beef gyudon - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great Katsu sando and egg sandos. Chicken teriyaki was so dry even for dark meat. Probably because it sits in their pot of hot water all day taking away all moisture from it. We barely touched it and even brought it up that it was like chewing cotton. There was no proactive action. Response was "oh sorry" as other staff heard too and made eye contact with me yet no one said anything. Basically just threw away a couple of hard earned deflated dollars. These are little missed opportunities to make a good place great. It doesn't take away from their juicy katsu chicken sandos and other items but if you are looking for a stellar service to back the integrity of their product, they aren't there yet. Especially after tipping 15% at a spot you need to self clean and no service other than dropping off food. I hope they make these adjustments because I'd still come back for the sandos prob read more

Cafe Okawari - The chicken katsu sando. Juicy. Really good. Exceptionally well fried. Maybe a little more sauce would be nice. - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This review is just for the egg salad sando togo. My friends and I were attending a concert nearby and needed to grab something quick to devour real quick before the concert. We ordered online for pick-up. Placed the order and picked up our food within 20 minutes. Came in real quick just to pick up the order, but staff was friendly. The egg salad sando was yummy! Bread and eggs were both soft and fluffy. Definitely fulfilled my cravings! I'd love to try the chicken katsu sando next time if I am in the area. read more

Cafe Okawari - Egg Salad Sando w/ Jidori Egg - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

So good! The bread was so soft and milky, the chicken was so light, tender, and crispy. The pickles and veggies balanced everything out. The fruit sando was really good too. The fruits were also perfectly ripe! It wasn't too sweet either, where the cream overpowers the sandwich. I definitely recommend you check it out!! Next time, I want to try their curry as well:) They have some seating indoor and outdoor! read more

Cafe Okawari - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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