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Chome

4.5 (594 reviews)
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Updated 3 weeks ago

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CHOME ATMOSPHERE

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Olivia H.

The place is super cute and the vibe is really nice! The music was a bit too loud at first--I could barely hear myself talk but I think they adjusted it later, which helped. The menu is honestly overwhelming... it's like a whole book, and I had no idea what to order. I feel like they could simplify it a bit. We came around 5 PM and tried their "happy time" menu (it's only 45 minutes, and they don't actually call it happy hour). The food was pretty good. The pineapple beer is basically a Sapporo can mixed with pineapple juice, and it was ok not bad. Service was just okay--not bad, not amazing. They also automatically add a 20% tip for parties of 4 or more, which feels a bit high. Overall, it was fine, but I'm not sure if I'd come back

Pineapple beer
Nina Z.

I guess I wrote a review for this place before, so time for an update. They must have moved locations, because this building was much bigger and not like the narrow alleyway vibe I got from the last time I tried this place. Tables were still cramped and quite small for our group of three. We had to keep shuffling our cups and dishware around to make room for our dishes. Didn't help that we were seated next to this strange, obnoxious couple. When they were ordering, the woman at the table next to us pointed to our pineapple beers and was like "I don't want fruit in my beer: just regular beer" (the pineapple beers were delicious by the way). She also made a big deal about waving the waiter down. I had to make an effort to tune them out while trying to have a conversation with my friends. In comparison to last time though, the noise was less so of an issue. Food-wise, everything we had was delicious! We had the chutoro sizzler, uni udon carbonara, lucky clucky skewers, and the oxtail omurice. Really enjoyed the umami and fragrant flavors of the uni udon carbonara and trying all the different parts of the chicken from the lucky clucky skewers. The oxtail was very good though and came right off the bone, but the sauce was very tomato-ey (just read my previous review, and looks like I had the same issue then as now). It was good, but I didn't feel the need to finish the whole thing, which is a rarity for me. Apparently, they also have a happy hour (prior to dinner hour and late night), so can see why this place is so busy. Would definitely love to catch their happy hour in the future.

Potato salad
Ray N.

Chome is a hip spot, with an extensive menu. The basic izakaya/yakitori items are all good and well executed. I had the pork cheek and it was delicious and perfectly cooked. The specialty items eqch sound like a very brilliant idea, but vary in their execution (if I could, I'd give this place 4.5 stars to reflect this). For example, the unagi with ikura skewer was impossibly tasty: The sweet salty popping ikura was a nice complement to the fatty and sweet unagi. The duck tempura special was outstanding: the duck was tender and in a crispy tempura batter, served with slightly bitter microgreens (maybe it was arugula) and a sweet plum sauce. The dirty cauliflower is flavorful, crispy, and delicious. Other things sound like a great idea but don't quite live up to it. For me, the signature oxtail omurice was disappointing. The oxtail is prepared in a tomato stew, which is very tomato forward and dilutes the oxtail. As a result, it's a very soupy dish and there's no balance between the rice, omelet, soup, and oxtail (in fact, the oxtail is limited in the flavor profile and I think it should be the star of the show). I would have loved something with a more condensed and richer sauce (almost like a gravy) for the oxtail, so that one could really taste the omelet, rice, and oxtail together.

Lily N.

Went a little after HH, so we had to wait about 30 mins for a table. The food was delicious and I loved the pineapple beer. It felt like I was in Japan again! I loved the decorations and vibe.

Corn ribs
Judy C.

Good food, good service, cozy vibes. This place is pretty popular. I came with a friend on a Saturday night and we got lucky and got seated pretty quickly. Food came out quickly and they did a pretty good job of keeping our waters filled. Here are my thoughts on the food Corn ribs - very good, grilled to caramelization with cheese Chu toro sizzler - toro pieces were tender but if you don't like them cooked, grab them off the sizzler quickly! Bacon mochi - tasty but what isn't with bacon? Karaage and fries - this is a very flavorful version of karaage as the sauce is spicy and has a hint of curry in it. Salty yolky salmon skin - this was the only dish I was meh about. I thought the salmon skin would be crispier but this was a meaty dish that wasn't very crispy

Amy X.

We wanted to try something new (to us), vegetarian friendly, and in the mission district . Ambiance: Quite loud and the music is... A choice. They were playing random stuff like monster mash and Christmas music, which I felt to be a little inappropriate for dinner. The tables are small and close together. There's a lot of artwork and fun stuff all over the walls - I could probably stare at them all day long, honestly. They were pretty cute. Service: We had 5 to our group, so I texted ahead of time to get a table. They were quick to accommodate. They do charge 20% gratuity if you have a party or 4 or more, so be mindful of that - but they also remind you when you're paying the bill, so you don't get charged extra extra. We came on a Friday night and it wasn't full when we got there, but filled pretty quickly soon after. They did get part of our orders wrong - they gave me a tofu carbonara instead of the duck one, but they changed it to the right one after I mentioned it. They filled our waters up pretty regularly and it was nice because it was infused with citrus (lemon, orange, lime) and was very refreshing with the meal we had. Food: They start off with a potato salad on the house. Vegetarian people beware - they have bonito flakes on top. Duck carbonara - so creamy and flavorful without being overly salty. The duck was tender and not overcooked. The bacon pieces added a nice texture and smoke to the dish. The egg on top was a nice touch, and made the dish extra creamy. The udon had a nice bite to it, springy, but not soggy. My friends ordered the mushroom asparagus garlic noodle, which was excellent. They really enjoyed their meals and I was able to try a small portion of my friend's, but didn't get enough to give a solid review. The asparagus was crunchy, but thoroughly cooked, mushrooms were soft and flavorful, and the noodles were good. My other friend got the garlic chili tonkotsu ramen and he can't really tolerate spice, but enjoyed this very much. I didn't get to try it, so I can't speak to it. I would definitely come back and try more things on the menu, as everything we did try was excellent. **Update** I went back and got a few other things on the menu. Uni carbonara - 3 big pieces of uni with ikura surrounding it. The udon had the same great texture as the duck - perfectly cooked. The flavors were lacking, in my opinion. It was creamy but light. The uni was fresh, but at the price point, I wouldn't personally order it again. Oxtail omurice - the oxtail was tender and fell off the bone easily. There were two giant pieces next to a bed of rice, egg, and a very tomatoey sauce. If you're into tomatoes, this would be an excellent dish for you. Otherwise, again lacking in flavor. The egg was a bit overdone and more like an omelette. This dish tasted more like home style cooking, rather than restaurant style. Still good, but I wouldn't order again. Chu-toro skillet - very flavorful. They put the raw tuna on a bed of puffed rice on a cast iron skillet and when presented, they pour a teriyaki like sauce around the edges, causing the dish to sizzle and sear the tuna. Highly recommend. Lots of people ordered this dish the first time I visited. I can see why. Lucky 6 skewers - 6 different kinds of chicken skewers. We're all a fan of offal, so we ordered and it's very tasty. I believe it's heart, gizzard, skin, thigh, tendon, and I can't remember the last one. All were seasoned well and crispy. Would highly recommend. Pineapple beer - I believe they use pineapple juice to mix with the beer. Very refreshing with the food and worth trying if you like pineapple.

Andrew R.

Came here for dinner and arrived right before happy hour ended! I started off with the pineapple beer, which was actually so refreshing and unique. We got a ton of different dishes to share, some highlights: -Brussels sprouts- perfectly cooked and flavorful -Shishito peppers - small qty, but super high quality. One of them was orange, but it tasted the same lol -Chicken thigh skewers - soooo good -Garlic shrimp pasta- delicious The vibes here are great and the service was speedy & pleasant. Definitely a solid izakaya spot!

House potato salad
Brennan S.

Had an amazing happy hour experience at ChoMe! Located on 26th st, this neighborhood spot is quaint, playful and delicious! We got a good amount of dishes for happy hour, but my favorites were the salmon skin and chicken gyoza. The salmon skin was salty and savory- with the sweet chili sauce being phenomenal. The chicken gyoza was hearty and zesty. The service was great, too! Our waitress was kind and very fast. The interior of the restaurant is dynamic and fun. The Japanese elements were visually interesting and added to the authenticity of ChoMe.

Christina C.

I've been here twice already. The first time I went, I got the uni udon carbonara and it was so delicious. I couldn't stop thinking about it and had to get it again. The second time I had it, it wasn't as good as the first time but it was still good. The chu-toro sizzler is really good too. Love how it comes with crispy rice. Their complimentary potato salad was really good as well. Hand rolls and pineapple beer were good too. Their strawberry Tokyo lassi was good too. I would definitely recommend this place and come back here again. The staff are all friendly and service is fast.

Caly T.

Very cute izakaya spot, let the vibes transport you to japan for a night! Love the diverse music they have playing in the background. Only had about ~20min wait on a Friday. Extensive menu options! - salted egg kabocha (5/5) : loved the crispy batter with the delectable pumpkin texture, great flavor! - corn ribs (3/5): nothing special here, the corn was a little mushy and over oiled - karaage and fries (4/5) : the "fries" was actually roasted carrots, bit disappointing but the chicken saved it, nice flavor and juicy, but not crispy - chasu yakitori (4.5/5) : good seasoning, nice meat to fat ratio - cumin lamb yakitori (3.9/5) : had interesting pairing of pesto and mayo across the lamb skewer.. wish it didn't have that. Liked the lamb otherwise Yummy complementary potato salad!

Christina W.

What a cute little restaurant! I loved the vibe. It felt like I was back in Japan!! The restaurant itself is pretty tiny, but it sure has a lot of personality. The walls are decorated with cute art, and there are lanterns lining the ceiling. Right when you sit down, they give you a scoop of delicious potato salad. It was a great way to start the meal. We ordered a couple rolls, the chicken skewer set, the karage fries, and a few shooters. Everything was really tasty! Can't wait to come back and try more items. The menu is pretty extensive!

Menu
Sophia H.

Came here this past Sunday around 7:30pm as a group of 7. We didn't have a reservation beforehand, and fortunately we didn't have to wait and were seated right away. I really liked the way this restaurant is decorated. It's decked out in lanterns, banners, retro-style posters, and quirky figures. The space felt welcoming and cozy, and it was full of personality. Each person was given a complimentary house potato salad. It was flavorful and yummy - a perfect way to start our meal. I liked the touch of the bonito flakes; it was very reminiscent of takoyaki. For my entree, I ordered the Super Karaage Ramen. This dish had a lot going on and was very filling. There were about 3 large pieces of chicken, with the two on the bottom completely submerged in the broth, so they were soggy by the time I got to them. The piece on top still had a bit of crisp, and the breading held up when I ate it. The pork belly was okay - I could've done without it since there was already plenty of chicken and other toppings. The broth was flavorful but a little unusual. The flavor wasn't something I'm used to in other Japanese dishes I've had in the past. I would love to try one of their udon dishes next time.

Megan F.

Came in here on a whim while exploring the city with my husband. We had to wait 15 minutes or so for a table on Saturday around 6pm. It was worth the wait! We got 3 small bites and one udon bowl. It was all amazing! Specifically we got the street corn ribs, seaweed shooters, and black tofu. Each had unique flavors and textures. We also had the waygu beef udon with mushrooms and jalapeño. A flavor home for sure!

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24 days ago

Great good and service. Super nice staff. Fun drinks. Cute place with charm . Would go again

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Page 3 of 15

Chome Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Chome

Should we get there right when it opens?

Absolutely. Why? 1. “Happy Times” Menu. 5pm to 5:45pm 2. Restaurant fills up fast, especially on… Read more

What time is HH? Do they serve ranen at that time?

HH is 5-6 pm and 9-10 pm. Ramen is on their regular menu.

Do they accept takeout?

yes

How do you make a reservation?

You have to call them to make a reservation. Unfortunately, it's apparently a "soft reservation", meaning that even if you show up on time, if the tables are not cleared, you will have to wait. I made mine and showed up on time, but had to wait over… Read more

Which options are both gluten-free and vegan thank you?

Menus are updated once or twice a month, rotating new items and choices. There are many gluten free and vegan choices, just let your server know your specific dietary preferences, accommodations will be gladly made as best as possible.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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The Public Izakaya - Classic Chirashi

The Public Izakaya

4.2(724 reviews)
2.7 miLower Nob Hill
$$

This review is long overdue, but only because I had to seriously consider whether I wanted to gate…read morekeep this place (kidding! Mostly). My friend and I happened to walk in right at 5 p.m., landing perfectly at Happy Hour (truly, divine timing). But honestly, it's probably the best time to come. We were seated quickly, and so begins our alcoholic adventure. I can't speak much to the fish, but everything we ordered was a hit. First: get the lychee beer. I'm not even big on alcohol, but I somehow ended up three or four rounds in... heh. Anyways, the yakitori (we got pork belly and chicken thigh) were juicy and packed with flavor, and the karaage was crispy, tender, and perfect with the sauce. We actually ordered multiple rounds of everything and left feeling very full and very festive. Overall, Public Izakaya is a gem tucked behind an unassuming storefront. The ambiance, the food, and yes, the beer, makes it an easy go-to whenever I'm back in the city. Consider me a convert!

Came into town last night to catch a show at the Masonic Auditorium & we were looking for a bite to…read moreeat & some drinks before the show. Since there isn't much to do around the immediate top of Nob Hill, we came back down to explore the neighborhood around Union Square & found Public Izakaya as our dinner spot. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you enter the doors, you enter a world that is classically Tokyo/Shinjuku. Decor is everywhere, on the walls, the ceiling, with toys, figurines, art, plants, anime, lanterns, books, and other sort of interesting, authentically Japanese trinkets. The interior space is very appealing and everywhere you look, you'll see something that catches your eye & imagination. They put a lot of work into decorating this space! It's big & small at the same time. Tables are a plenty, but space is tight. It's really hard to get around in here, you'll have to squeeze between people, tables, chairs, and just walking to the bathroom or your table, you'll have to zig-zag and squeeze past many obstacles. But, it's worth it, and classically Japanese Izakaya, and judging from the packed restaurant on a Friday night, everyone came here to socialize, eat, drink, and hangout & have fun. Music was also very pop-py Japanese, so it really set the right mood for an energetic & fun experience. The service was great. Lots of wait staff roaming around the restaurant ready to take orders & answer questions. Prices are fairly affordable, and offers you a chance to try many small dishes, or splurge on larger entrees. Since we were going to a concert that would go well into the night, we wanted to keep or food intake light, and alcohol intake heavy! The cocktails are good, diverse, creative, authentic, and tasty, but rather small for $15. There is no bartender, the drinks come out to you from the kitchen, but service was fast & efficient. We tried a Lemon Sour, Lychee Mojito, and Ume Shiso. Each were well crafted & presented, but pretty tiny and with very little alcohol, but lots of flavor. We ordered the Mushroom Hot plate, Agadashi Tofu, and salt & pepper broccoli. Food was tasty, portions small, and everything was pretty salty & oily. It's an Izakaya, so I did expect small plates to share in between sips of drinks, but I think the food kind of missed the mark. I ended up feeling a little sick from the salt & oil in the food, but the alcohol kept me going. I think we will come back to try some fresher seafood & Sushi next time, and skip the heavy fried appetizers. Might also stick to wine, beer, or sake, as the cocktails were pretty pricey & small & weak in alcohol. But, it's a really fun, upbeat spot. Lots of eye candy to look at as you are hanging out, eating, drinking, and having fun. The decor & atmosphere is so fun, creative, detailed, and pop-culture Japanese. I really felt like I was transported to an Izakaya in Tokyo for the hour that we were there. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, and I'd like to go back to explore the menu as well as artwork & displays around the restaurant. We had 3 drinks and 3 appetizers, and our bill was around $100. We left satisfied with our Japanese Izakaya experience here, only disappointed by the size & weakness of the alcoholic cocktails, the saltiness & greasiness of the fried foods, and I even felt a little bit fat trying to squeeze into the aisles & tables of the restaurant as a 6' 150" thin asian man, lol. Oh well, I guess Tokyo is dense and Japanese spaces are supposed to be small, tight, and narrow. That mostly added to the authentic Japanese Izakaya experience. PS, it's pretty loud & crowded & busy here, so don't expect to have a calm, quiet, and peaceful conversation here, you'll have to shout above the music, chatter, and noise of the urban jungle here, which actually adds to the classic Izakaya experience. It was a lot of fun, but not a lot alcohol. 3 cocktails and I didn't even catch a buzz!

Photos
The Public Izakaya - Halloween celebration

Halloween celebration

The Public Izakaya - Blistered Shishito

Blistered Shishito

The Public Izakaya - Salmon, tuna, and hamachi roll

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Salmon, tuna, and hamachi roll

Izakaya Sozai - Hamachi carpaccio

Izakaya Sozai

3.8(2.2k reviews)
3.1 miInner Sunset
$$
Vegetarian friendly
Happy hour specials

It's been a million years since I've been back!…read more We had a girls night and decided to do izakaya. It used to be really hard to get a table and the waits were crazy! But now, it's much easier and not as crowded. Yay for us but sad for them. Also the clientele has vastly changed. They have more families coming in with kids. Guess that just means I can bring mine next time! All the things we ordered were just as I remembered! Tasty and hit the spot! Tuna tartare and the hamachi carpaccio were very tasty. We had a couple skewers, tried the uni scallop udon which was good. The pork belly curry special was fun to eat! A deconstructed banh mi. The pickled veggies were a nice touch. Service was wonderful and food came out quick. We did get a bowl of ramen to share at the end of the meal. Broth was a tad bit too salty but I like their springy noodles. Get the kikusui sake if you go! Easy and smooth to go with the food. I'll be back with the kids! Satisfied!

Izakaya Sozai is a quaint Izakaya located in the Sunset District on busy Irving Street. Street…read moreparking can be a challenge in the semi commercial and residential area. Went on a Wednesday night for early dinner right when they opened at 5pm. QRCode menu for their specials and a hard copy menu also available that lists most of their items but not all. They were out of Shisito peppers, miso clams, and fried sea bass Kaarage that night. No worries as the menu is extensive. We had: - Chili Fried Crab Appetizer, which was nice and crunchy, with a good sweet chili garnish. Perfect with a pitcher of beer - Chicken Kaarage, nice large chunks of fried chicken, also good with beer - Eggplant Miso, the chunks of eggplant are roasted in the oven and comes out on a hot sizzling platter, my wife loves eggplant whereas I like but don't care for the chewiness of the outer skin - The Early Bird Tonkatsu Ramen and Veggie Gyoza Combo, like the soup stock, didn't care for the veggie gyoza - Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice, wished it was Poki versus very chopped up tuna - Bone Marrow with Toasted Bread, decadent and a dish to be shared by at least four people because it is rich - Miso Cod, wish there was more tasty fish, my MIL loved the fish... - Kinako Mochi with Matcha Ice Cream and Red Beans, the fried mochi was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, complemented by the creamy matcha ice cream, not a fan of red beans though.... Ambiance was dark, with plenty of windows since the restaurant is on a corner. It gets dark early after switching to daylight savings in California. Can get pricey...Service was excellent by the lone front end employee that night. Liked the chili fried crab, chicken Kaarage, and miso cod...

Photos
Izakaya Sozai - Uni  Scallop Udon Pasta

Uni Scallop Udon Pasta

Izakaya Sozai - Pork belly curry special

Pork belly curry special

Izakaya Sozai - Hamachi Carpaccio

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Hamachi Carpaccio

Rintaro - KUROBUTA TONKATSU

Rintaro

4.2(1.2k reviews)
1.4 miMission
$$$$

I've been pining after a Rintaro reservation ever since I moved to the city a year ago, and I'm not…read moredisappointed! My partner and I came here for our anniversary and had an amazing time. What we ordered: + San Ten Mori (assorted sashimi) [4/5]: The highlight of our meal was the yuzu wasabi that came with the salmon + amberjack in this set. It was sooo delicious and spicy. The fish were plated beautifully, and the quality was pretty good. + Shungiku Kama Sarada (chrysanthemum greens & duck breast) [6/5 - would recommend]: WOW. I was so pleasantly surprised by how fresh, crunchy, and acidic this salad was. The greens are amazing. On top of that, the duck breast was so tender and delicious-- I just wish the dish came with a few more slices. + Chicken Oyster [4/5]: I really loved how juicy this was. I normally don't like chicken because of how dry it is, but this was a great skewer. I wish the skin was a little less burnt. The chicken was also so thick that while the outside was juicy, the inside was a little drier. + King Trumpet [4/5]: Wow! These looked amazing when they arrived. I thought the flavor was great but the texture was a bit rubbery. + Kama Tama Udon (carbonara) [4.5/5]: Delicious! I couldn't stop eating this udon slathered in amazing thick sauce. + Chiizu Tori Katsu [4/5]: This was sooo good. I wish the cheese ratio was 3x as much, but the flavor and tenderness of the katsu is delicious. Huge props to Rintaro; my Resy reservation was initially cancelled due to an accident in booking, but the staff was so friendly and went above & beyond to help me get my reservation reinstated at a similar time.

It's been on my list of places to check out for a long time. So I went here on my birthday…read more We always prefer to sit at the bar, and at this restaurant, you can see the chefs at their station preparing all the food. The smells are incredible from smokey fish as they sear the final touches with a blow torch, to the sizzling goodness from the yakitori grill. It's such a fun place, and the freshness (especially the fish flown in from Japan) is unbelievable. The service was pretty good. Our waiter was a bit forgetful, but it could be because he had a packed bar of guests. We had an incredible experience, and will be back again!

Photos
Rintaro - Interior

Interior

Rintaro - Birthday treat

Birthday treat

Rintaro - My least favorite of the skewers

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My least favorite of the skewers

Izakaya Yoki

Izakaya Yoki

4.1(728 reviews)
2.9 miLower Nob Hill, Nob Hill
$$$
Casual dining
Family-owned & operated

So glad this neighborhood finally has an AYCE sushi spot, and at a price that actually makes sense…read more For $40 a person you are getting a serious deal. One tip: get there early. The place fills up around 6pm so arriving ahead of that will save you a wait. They don't take reservations, so first come first served. The ordering experience is really smooth. Everything is done through an iPad at your table and the food comes out to you. They won't let you place a new order until your previous one has been delivered, which honestly is a smart system and helps with pacing so you don't over order right out of the gate. What sets this place apart from other AYCE spots is the variety. It's not just sushi. You can also order appetizers, salmon, teriyaki chicken and more, so there's something for people who want to mix it up beyond rolls. Delicious, easy, affordable and in the neighborhood. Highly recommend!

Passed by Izakaya Oya and saw they were offering AYCE sushi, so we had to check them out! The…read moreinterior has a traditional Japanese restaurant feel with both à la carte and all-you-can-eat options. We opted for the AYCE menu, which came out to around $50 per person. - Sashimi -- pieces were on the smaller side and a little watery - Sashimi Salad -- fresh spring greens topped with larger sashimi cuts; a refreshing starter - Gyoza -- larger than typical gyoza, almost like mandu; crispy exterior with juicy filling - Poke Chip -- avocado could've been fresher, but still a nice crisp and creamy combo - Lion King Roll -- my favorite item of the night; seared salmon, avocado, and imitation crab. Wish it had a bit more torching and cheese, but still delicious - Rainbow Roll -- smaller-sized roll topped with salmon, tuna, shrimp, and avocado - Dragon Roll -- classic unagi and avocado combo; can't go wrong here - Double Salmon Roll -- salmon both inside and on top with a light lemon garnish - Heaven Roll -- tuna-heavy roll inside and out; great for tuna lovers - Bay Bridge Roll -- another standout; tuna and avocado topped with roe and white sauce - Miso Soup -- simple and comforting - Salmon Avocado Roll -- classic fresh combo with cucumber added for crunch - Nigiri (seared salmon, unagi, baby scallop, salmon avocado) -- probably the best quality items overall; loved the fatty scallop and seared salmon - Mixed Greens Salad -- underrated side with a sesame-ranch style dressing - Yammy Yammy Roll -- spicy tuna and seared tuna topped with spicy mayo and unagi sauce - Hamachi Kama -- thinner cut than expected but still buttery and tender There was no wait on a Friday night and our party was seated immediately. The restaurant has tables in both the front dining area and a quieter back section that feels more private. You order through a tablet attached to the table, which also tracks your remaining AYCE time. Service was extremely efficient and dishes came out surprisingly fast. Some items stood out more than others, but overall we definitely got our money's worth. For around $50 including tax and tip, it's a pretty reasonable AYCE sushi option in SF.

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Izakaya Yoki - Tiger roll

Tiger roll

Izakaya Yoki - Sushi combo special

Sushi combo special

Izakaya Yoki - Special order ( $ 100 )

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Special order ( $ 100 )

Taniku Izakaya - Spicy beef ramen

Taniku Izakaya

4.6(342 reviews)
2.6 miTenderloin
$$

Came here at around 6 PM on a Tuesday and got seated immediately! It got busier about 10 mins…read moreafter. Super cute & decorated inside, and staff was so nice! Okonomoyaki tater tots - 8.5/10 from a potato lover!! This does have some sort of cheese on it so beware if you don't eat it Hamachi Hand Roll - 9/10 SO GOOD. I think the rice is mixed in with soy sauce. It was super flavorful which I wasn't expecting Scallop Hand Roll - 8/10, the yuzu on top was absolutely delicious & scallop was very soft. Kobe Skewer - 7/10, it was good but nothing extraordinary. It'll hit the spot if you like meat skewers Yuzu Tori Skewer - 7/10, same as the kobe skewer, but the yuzu on top was delicious Niku Ramen - 8/10, good portion & very very flavorful. I'm glad that they gave a lot of meat in this. I shared this & they provided an extra bowl without me asking :) It's also not super spicy. Hokkaido Milk Pudding - 8/10, the pudding itself was so good but the sauce was a little too sweet for me. However, my partner has a sweet tooth and loved it :) Will totally come again, everything was so yummy and so glad to have tried it!

I had no idea how popular this restaurant was when I made the reservation. I was just craving…read moreJapanese food and wanted to try somewhere new with friends. When we arrived, there was already a long line out front, which set the tone. The place is small and intimate. The food was out of this world. I got the pork belly skewers, mushrooms in truffle sauce, a unagi hand roll, and a shrimp tempura hand roll. All of it was excellent, but the mushrooms and pork belly truly stood out. Every dish felt like it was made with deep care and intention. Our server was attentive throughout. We had a fantastic time. Definitely make a reservation before you go!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Taniku Izakaya - Interior

Interior

Taniku Izakaya - Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !

Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !

Taniku Izakaya - Calamari

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Calamari

Noren Izakaya - Chicken Skin

Noren Izakaya

4.1(327 reviews)
3.6 miRussian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
$$$

Neren Izakaya was a cute little Japanese style izakaya located in North Beach that my bf and I…read moredecided to check out after attending the Yelp torreni flavored syrup event. The izakaya is on the smaller side inside but is very cozy and dimly lit with tons of dark wood tones. The servers are very friendly and nice and were also able to accommodate my sesame allergy and let me know which skewers and sauces to avoid. We decided to get the beef tongue, the wagu beef, the pork and the shiitake mushroom. All of the skewers were absolutely delicious and buttery but definitely are on the pricy side. My bf and I paid roughy $55 per person for the skewers and still left feeling a bit hungry afterwards so definitely keep that in mind if you are coming are expecting large portions that this is more of tapas style small platters. That being said it is definitely worth checking out and the quality is great!

I'm sad to leave a bad review, especially since I've been excited to try this place but honestly…read morewas disappointed by this experience. The food is decent but pretty overpriced. The portion sizes are small too so you won't be full unless you order a ton Warning: they will automatically charge you a "Dine In Service Charge" of 18%. On the receipt, it still asks you for a tip as if there wasn't a service charge already. To me that feels a bit shady/dishonest when it should call out "Additional Tip". Wish I knew and had more transparency before tipping extra on top of it If you do go, I liked their Yuzu Soda, Chicken Oyster, Hiyashi Wakame best. I didnt like their Trumpet mushroom - was a bit too soggy/wet (get the Shiitake instead).

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Noren Izakaya - Dining room

Dining room

Noren Izakaya - Shiitake Mushroom

Shiitake Mushroom

Noren Izakaya - Bacon Mochi ($5.00 per skewer) and Bacon Scallop ($6.50 per skewer).

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Bacon Mochi ($5.00 per skewer) and Bacon Scallop ($6.50 per skewer).

Moku Yakitori-Ya - Mushroom with chili

Moku Yakitori-Ya

4.4(171 reviews)
3.4 miInner Richmond
$$

Arrived on valentines weekend without a reservation. Initially thought the door was locked with a…read morefull house of customers inside and almost walked away but looks like you need to shove the door open. Ambiance was so cute very intimate but not much conversational privacy. Ordered the chicken, wagyu steak, beef tongue, okra, eel, scallop, and pork belly skewers. Also had the yuzu cheesecake. All skewers were juicy and delicious 10/10 every item was a hit. Wagyu was soft and not too welldone, scallop was flavorful and soft, chicken was so juicy, tender, and had strong flavor. Yuzu cheesecake - small light fluffy with a light caramel like sauce - emptied the plate 10/10 Would definitely come again.

For those who know, Clement Street is lined with a ton of places to explore and eat…read more For those who don't, check out this link below: https://www.clementstreetsf.com I know that Moku isn't technically on Clement but is close enough that you can take a casual stroll after or search for coffee or a nice panna cotta. Okay back to the restaurant itself. Two words : hella cozy. We were jammed in this tiny corner next to another table of three. So much so, that we may should've just considered combining our space. And that would've been totally fine. Why? Because the food is super worth it, and the vibe is friendly and welcoming. Moku is totally cool and whatever the kitchen is grilling will have your mouth watering. Grilled chicken thighs - yup. order two. pork belly - that glaze. yum. bacon wrapped mushrooms - of course it's gonna be good. it's bacon wrapped for goodness sake. croquette - deep fried mash potatoes? yes, please. chicken karaage - much like the croquette but chicken instead. I regret not ordering the chicken meatballs. Although, it does give me another reason to return. Great spot. Good fun. You will mostly likely devour whatever you order at lightening speed. And don't sleep on their beer and sake selection. Lastly, tip your servers well. They're ninja-like service will make it seem like the food and drink are magically appearing while the empty plates and glasses are simultaneously disappearing.

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Moku Yakitori-Ya - Inside from the back

Inside from the back

Moku Yakitori-Ya - Buta Bara ($8)

Buta Bara ($8)

Moku Yakitori-Ya - Appetizer salad

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Appetizer salad

Izakaya Mayumi - Spicy Tuna

Izakaya Mayumi

4.6(166 reviews)
4.1 miOuter Richmond

Izakaya Mayumi is the best!!!…read more I took my boyfriend here for his birthday. It's a great date spot. The ambiance was very quaint and the perfect space for good conversation. We ordered a few rolls, nigiri, miso soup and drinks. All the rolls were packed with fish and flavor. Very filling but it was so good, we ordered another roll after eating 2 rolls and 2 orders of nigiri! The service was amazing! We were there on a Monday night, so it was not crowded. The staff were very attentive and very kind. I am very excited to go back!!

Hubs and I were heading to another restaurant, but the menu here caught our attention so we decided…read moreto give them a try. We were greeted upon entering and seated promptly. There were many things we wanted to try and ended up ordering the following: 1) Agedashi mochi - the dashi broth was a little thicker than other places we've had this, but flavorful. Had to eat these fast as we didn't want the mochi to get too soggy. 2) Torikawa ponzu - crispy chicken skin - YUM! 3) Honolulu roll - fresh fish 4) Tsukune Nabe - good on a cold day. Hubs loved the broth. 5) Nankotsu karaage - these were ok. Not quite as crispy as we would've liked and we probably expected a bigger portion for the price. 6) Grilled pork belly - probably our overall favorite - seasoned well with that good char. If we weren't so full, we probably would've tried the dessert too. Enjoyable meal overall and would return to try other items.

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Izakaya Mayumi - Inside

Inside

Izakaya Mayumi - Hamachi?

Hamachi?

Izakaya Mayumi - Karaage

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Karaage

Chome - izakaya - Updated May 2026

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