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First of all, yes, there's a sign offering that if you yelp this place, you'll get a free sake. I'm not doing this for a free sake--I don't live here! It's just good! I had the ganjeeese katsu. It's katsu smothered in cheese on a griddle. If you like cheese katsu this is delicious. It was cooked well and it had a nice salad and miso to go with it. Service was friendly and the restaurant is clean and comfortable.
I ordered Ganjieeeese Katsu Stumbled on this place from Instagram while I was in the area. Saw the crispy looking katsu with cheese and thought it was mandatory to give this place a shot Ganjieeeese Katsu 3.5/5 I really wanted to like it but I thought this dish was okay. The dish was supposed to be cooked for 7 hours but the pork was dry and chewy to me. I had assumed it would be more tender and easily pulled apart. As for the crust, it wasn't crispy since the sauce drowned it out and made it soggy. I didn't expect it to be smothered in sauce from the go. It was super cheesy which I liked. The salad that came with it is very watered down. Service 4/5 Staff is friendly but I dined in very quickly considering it was lunch time when I went. Ambience 4/5 Very casual dining My ambitions got the best of me. I honestly wouldn't get the Ganjieeeese Katsu again and wished I had ordered a regular Katsu with cheese added instead. Portion size is huge so it could definitely feed 2 people. If I were to come back, I would order the regular katsu next time. Pricing is okay.
They have great Tonkatsu and food is always delicious, been here several times. Each time we try something new. Service is excellent, made reservation on online system and was seated right away. The ambiance is cute, great date spot.
Came here for lunch one Saturday. We were a large group and ended up sitting outside. It was the most comfortable as the tables were wobbly and it was windy. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The food was good. The katsu were made perfectly. The pork was juicy and not dry. Definitely would go back for more!
The katsu portion is huge here! Very delicious and good quality meat and appetizers here. Hot sake was a nice experience as well. Servers are friendly and the restaurant is super clean. Would come back here to try other katsu on the menu very soon.
Utterly fantastic katsu and a completely delightful experience. Couldn't recommend this place more. Next time we'll branch out on the menu, and there will definitely be a next time.
Was so excited to try this place when I saw the super high ratings on yelp. I also was curious about their katsu which is slow-cooked for 7 hours! When you walk in, the restaurant looks cute and there's a sign saying that if you show that you left a yelp review, you get a free hot sake... a sign to be wary of possible rating inflation but I was hoping this would not be the case. Y'all... the katsu was soooo tough & dry. I thought it was going to be tender. I was so sad :( I should have read the other yelp reviews because other people have mentioned this. It also comes with crinkle cut jar pickles on the side and a sweet gravy poured over the top which made the outside of the katsu soggy.
Ambiance: Gandhi is a new katsu restaurant serving various options with some traditional and some new takes on katsu. There is both indoor and outdoor seating and music that isn't too loud to allow for talking to your friends / family without yelling. Service: The waitress was extremely friendly and provided good service throughout our time there with intermittent check ins and quick to bring out food and refills drinks. Wait time: Hardly any wait time in the afternoon as the restaurant is currently in its soft opening until July 1st. Food: While the katsu was slightly expensive compared to other restaurants, the serving size more than made up for the cost easily filling you up while leaving some leftovers to take home. The rice was slightly dry but the katsu was very well flavored and the garnish served on the side also tasted good though nothing super special. Miso soup had a good flavor and a decent serving as well. Overall, a really tasty katsu place in Japantown for both the size and quality of the food. Definitely would recommend checking out the restaurant if you are looking for good katsu in the area.
Food was mid, but it's their service that really earns their 2 stars. Pretty surprised at their 4.6 star rating, but on the other hand they have a sign that says they give free sake for Yelp reviews, and it makes sense. The tempura mushroom app was okay. The omakase don was mostly okay, smaller than expected for $33. The cuts were really jagged on the sashimi. The rice that the fish is on is hot, which I'm neutral on either way - hot vs room temp rice for sashimi. But It was weird that they served deli pickles with the omakase don. Yes, like crinkle cut jar pickles. Why? And lastly there was a scale on one of the slices of fish. The Miyagi oysters for $3 each was decent but I think would've been better without their accoutrements, just straight lemon wedge. Ganji katsu - I don't understand drenching crispy katsu in a sauce. Menu doesn't say anything about that, just that it'd have truffle salt, which I couldn't taste. Some cuts of the pork were okay. Overall, based on food, 2.5/3 stars. Service was 1 star. We asked to keep a menu and they sighed. Rushed us on ordering then implied we didn't order enough. The food took longer than expected time to come (including the raw omakase don) considering the capacity was 25% until after our food came. About halfway through our meal, the space filled up. So then they gave us the check before we asked for it. Didn't really sit well with me that they took their time and we were being rushed. Btw, we were there for only like an hour since we needed to leave at 1pm and be somewhere. Their opening time is 12pm. Also, our group was there celebrating a birthday so I asked if it would be okay to cut cake there. E.g. some places have a cake fee. The server went to check with someone (manager?) and came back to let us know that it was fine but we couldn't use their plates. This was odd - I haven't experienced this before - but that worked for us bc the bakery we got the cake from included plates and forks with the order. We were missing a light for the candle though. I asked if they had a lighter or match. The server was very curt with saying "No." Our whole group noticed this as well as all the prior passive aggressiveness. I ended up going outside to the front of the restaurant, where the grill staff were cooking and serving other food. The outdoor staff helped me light a candle with a torch. With a smile btw. Maybe the inside staff need a little Vitamin D. Overall a downer experience for what should have been celebratory. Would not come back.
What a gem amongst all the restaurants in Japan Town! It's in the outside center near the stationary store Paper Tree for reference. Been here a couple of times already and the service never failed. Even came here during the Cherry Blossom Festival and the staff were still friendly / accommodating. They even put a spicy sauce on the side of one of the katsu plates when we mentioned that my dad couldn't handle all that haha. This cozy spot mainly focuses on katsu plates, but I like how they had off menu or specials to choose from if you'd like another option. I will say though them katsu plates were just chef's kiss. The meat is pounded thin enough where it's still juicy and tender, but doesn't affect the exterior from being crunchy and a bit flaky. Nothing was dry here yallll! I also like how it already comes with miso soup and salad. Huge fan of that Hamachi Truffle special though. Think of a citrusy flavor from the ponzu, fresh fish, a bit of micro greens, and a thin slice of jalapeño that just ~works~ on a cute wooden spoon that you want to steal I could honestly eat like 5 spoons of this. I'd skip on the calamari as it was kind of skimpy to share with a large group. Only note was that their fried katsu curry was a bit underwhelming with having more slices of carrots than potato! Would love to come back if I am ever in the area.
Really really good! My friend and I both got the cheese tonkatsu, so I can't only speak to that, but it was super good! It was a large portion, and it also came with miso soup, salad, and rice, so pretty good for the price. Some reviews from last year mentioned it being dry, but it was not for us! Mine was super moist, even after reheating my leftovers today. We also got hot sake and some Asahi beer. Service was great, and even though there was only one server for the entire place, he checked on us often. Ambiance is good, with nice windows looking out into the Japantown plaza.
i was very happy to try this spot, and will likely make it a frequent return. the portions are very generous, and all the entrees come with a miso soup, salad, and bowl of rice. the teriyaki chicken had great texture and flavorful sauce. the chicken katsu is enormous, and also cooked very well. the service was also very diligent, and kept a good eye on our pace and needs.
2 months ago
2 months ago
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3 days ago
First of all, yes, there's a sign offering that if you yelp this place, you'll get a free sake. I'm not doing this for a free sake--I don't live here! It's just good! I had the ganjeeese katsu. It's katsu smothered in cheese on a griddle. If you like cheese katsu this is delicious. It was cooked well and it had a nice salad and miso to go with it. Service was friendly and the restaurant is clean and comfortable. read more
I ordered Ganjieeeese Katsu Stumbled on this place from Instagram while I was in the area. Saw the crispy looking katsu with cheese and thought it was mandatory to give this place a shot Ganjieeeese Katsu 3.5/5 I really wanted to like it but I thought this dish was okay. The dish was supposed to be cooked for 7 hours but the pork was dry and chewy to me. I had assumed it would be more tender and easily pulled apart. As for the crust, it wasn't crispy since the sauce drowned it out and made it soggy. I didn't expect it to be smothered in sauce from the go. It was super cheesy which I liked. The salad that came with it is very watered down. Service 4/5 Staff is friendly but I dined in very quickly considering it was lunch time when I went. Ambience 4/5 Very casual dining My ambitions got the best of me. I honestly wouldn't get the Ganjieeeese Katsu again and wished I had ordered a regular Katsu with cheese added instead. Portion size is huge so it could definitely feed 2 people. If I were to come back, I would order the regular katsu next time. Pricing is okay. read more
They have great Tonkatsu and food is always delicious, been here several times. Each time we try something new. Service is excellent, made reservation on online system and was seated right away. The ambiance is cute, great date spot. read more
Came here for lunch one Saturday. We were a large group and ended up sitting outside. It was the most comfortable as the tables were wobbly and it was windy. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The food was good. The katsu were made perfectly. The pork was juicy and not dry. Definitely would go back for more! read more
4 days ago
Nothing special. Pork cutlet wasn't juicy (not Kurabuto) and fried too long and thin. Sauce clumped up had too much slurry. Price point was too high imho. Service was great. No other patrons during lunch time. Won't be back read more
The katsu portion is huge here! Very delicious and good quality meat and appetizers here. Hot sake was a nice experience as well. Servers are friendly and the restaurant is super clean. Would come back here to try other katsu on the menu very soon. read more
Was so excited to try this place when I saw the super high ratings on yelp. I also was curious about their katsu which is slow-cooked for 7 hours! When you walk in, the restaurant looks cute and there's a sign saying that if you show that you left a yelp review, you get a free hot sake... a sign to be wary of possible rating inflation but I was hoping this would not be the case. Y'all... the katsu was soooo tough & dry. I thought it was going to be tender. I was so sad :( I should have read the other yelp reviews because other people have mentioned this. It also comes with crinkle cut jar pickles on the side and a sweet gravy poured over the top which made the outside of the katsu soggy. read more
4 months ago
Ambiance: Gandhi is a new katsu restaurant serving various options with some traditional and some new takes on katsu. There is both indoor and outdoor seating and music that isn't too loud to allow for talking to your friends / family without yelling. Service: The waitress was extremely friendly and provided good service throughout our time there with intermittent check ins and quick to bring out food and refills drinks. Wait time: Hardly any wait time in the afternoon as the restaurant is currently in its soft opening until July 1st. Food: While the katsu was slightly expensive compared to other restaurants, the serving size more than made up for the cost easily filling you up while leaving some leftovers to take home. The rice was slightly dry but the katsu was very well flavored and the garnish served on the side also tasted good though nothing super special. Miso soup had a good flavor and a decent serving as well. Overall, a really tasty katsu place in Japantown for both the size and quality of the food. Definitely would recommend checking out the restaurant if you are looking for good katsu in the area. read more
Food was mid, but it's their service that really earns their 2 stars. Pretty surprised at their 4.6 star rating, but on the other hand they have a sign that says they give free sake for Yelp reviews, and it makes sense. The tempura mushroom app was okay. The omakase don was mostly okay, smaller than expected for $33. The cuts were really jagged on the sashimi. The rice that the fish is on is hot, which I'm neutral on either way - hot vs room temp rice for sashimi. But It was weird that they served deli pickles with the omakase don. Yes, like crinkle cut jar pickles. Why? And lastly there was a scale on one of the slices of fish. The Miyagi oysters for $3 each was decent but I think would've been better without their accoutrements, just straight lemon wedge. Ganji katsu - I don't understand drenching crispy katsu in a sauce. Menu doesn't say anything about that, just that it'd have truffle salt, which I couldn't taste. Some cuts of the pork were okay. Overall, based on food, 2.5/3 stars. Service was 1 star. We asked to keep a menu and they sighed. Rushed us on ordering then implied we didn't order enough. The food took longer than expected time to come (including the raw omakase don) considering the capacity was 25% until after our food came. About halfway through our meal, the space filled up. So then they gave us the check before we asked for it. Didn't really sit well with me that they took their time and we were being rushed. Btw, we were there for only like an hour since we needed to leave at 1pm and be somewhere. Their opening time is 12pm. Also, our group was there celebrating a birthday so I asked if it would be okay to cut cake there. E.g. some places have a cake fee. The server went to check with someone (manager?) and came back to let us know that it was fine but we couldn't use their plates. This was odd - I haven't experienced this before - but that worked for us bc the bakery we got the cake from included plates and forks with the order. We were missing a light for the candle though. I asked if they had a lighter or match. The server was very curt with saying "No." Our whole group noticed this as well as all the prior passive aggressiveness. I ended up going outside to the front of the restaurant, where the grill staff were cooking and serving other food. The outdoor staff helped me light a candle with a torch. With a smile btw. Maybe the inside staff need a little Vitamin D. Overall a downer experience for what should have been celebratory. Would not come back. read more
5 months ago
What a gem amongst all the restaurants in Japan Town! It's in the outside center near the stationary store Paper Tree for reference. Been here a couple of times already and the service never failed. Even came here during the Cherry Blossom Festival and the staff were still friendly / accommodating. They even put a spicy sauce on the side of one of the katsu plates when we mentioned that my dad couldn't handle all that haha. This cozy spot mainly focuses on katsu plates, but I like how they had off menu or specials to choose from if you'd like another option. I will say though them katsu plates were just chef's kiss. The meat is pounded thin enough where it's still juicy and tender, but doesn't affect the exterior from being crunchy and a bit flaky. Nothing was dry here yallll! I also like how it already comes with miso soup and salad. Huge fan of that Hamachi Truffle special though. Think of a citrusy flavor from the ponzu, fresh fish, a bit of micro greens, and a thin slice of jalapeño that just ~works~ on a cute wooden spoon that you want to steal I could honestly eat like 5 spoons of this. I'd skip on the calamari as it was kind of skimpy to share with a large group. Only note was that their fried katsu curry was a bit underwhelming with having more slices of carrots than potato! Would love to come back if I am ever in the area. read more
3 months ago
Really really good! My friend and I both got the cheese tonkatsu, so I can't only speak to that, but it was super good! It was a large portion, and it also came with miso soup, salad, and rice, so pretty good for the price. Some reviews from last year mentioned it being dry, but it was not for us! Mine was super moist, even after reheating my leftovers today. We also got hot sake and some Asahi beer. Service was great, and even though there was only one server for the entire place, he checked on us often. Ambiance is good, with nice windows looking out into the Japantown plaza. read more
i was very happy to try this spot, and will likely make it a frequent return. the portions are very generous, and all the entrees come with a miso soup, salad, and bowl of rice. the teriyaki chicken had great texture and flavorful sauce. the chicken katsu is enormous, and also cooked very well. the service was also very diligent, and kept a good eye on our pace and needs. read more
A Thai operated, affordable, nice service, cozy ambiance and open all day. This restaurant has many potential. However the pork tonkatsu I had was super dry, the meat, the breading, the cheese on the tonkatsu was just "not working" for me. (I knew we could just order without the cheese, but if it's on the menu at least it worth a try) I also ordered side of wakame salad (seaweed salad). It was too gloppy and fishy. I know I have such a high standard, it's really hard for me to eat tonkatsu at any other tonkatsu restaurants anywhere now without measuring than at Tonkatsu Tamafuji and Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin which are both in Honolulu. Can't be measure, but hey at least it's open all day read more
Hey munchkins how's it going. I'm feeling really good for no particular reason but I find myself enveloped in a loving radiation of graditude. What great way to end the day other than going to Ganji with "The Enabler," "La Tacqueria Royalty" and other people from that friend group. We got the chicken teriyaki, the fish katsu, and the chicken teriyaki. There was good variety, veggies, rice, and chicken. The atmosphere was great and the hosts were very friendly. I can't wait to come back again. read more
2 months ago
Ganji is a solid spot for katsu in Japantown! The service was excellent--the staff were friendly, attentive, and quick to take our orders, which made for a great dining experience. The miso soup was a delicious way to start the meal, and when my katsu arrived, it looked amazing. The meat was hot, tender, and the portion was huge, so I definitely left full. My only suggestion is to ask for the curry on the side if you like your katsu extra crispy. I had the curry poured over it, and the breading got soggy pretty quickly. The only reason I'm giving four stars instead of five is the price. My dish was around $30, which felt a little expensive, although I can understand it given the quality of the meat and generous portions. Overall, it's a great place if you're craving katsu, and I'd definitely come back--just with the curry on the side next time! read more
2 months ago
We just dipped in for some sake*, but the environment was great and the service was even better. *Sake was for mom and dad. Kid got the rice. read more
Came here on a rainy day and our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. Their portions are very generous so we obviously ordered too much. We started with the fried tofu and it was perfectly fried into small bite sized pieces and seasoned. We ordered the chicken skewers and at most Japanese spots these skewers are tiny. But not here. The meat was tender and the sauce and were complimented by the mushrooms. The katsu was my favorite. The sauce and the cheese pull with the rice and salad melted in my mouth. I could eat this every day. read more
7 months ago
Really enjoyed the Katsu here! We made a reservation for a Birthday and when we came in the table setup didn't seem ready, but it was super empty so it didn't end up being a big deal. The ambiance is really chill and casual and it is pretty quiet. We ordered the miyagi oysters, the ganji lychee cocktail, and the gancheese katsu. I really enjoyed the garnishing on the oysters! The cocktail was okay - the amount of alcohol was fairly generous. The Katsu was really good and the portion is massive - one serving literally lasted me 3 meals! We would definitely come back for some more Katsu! read more
Took my teenage nephews here for a lunch date and they really love the katsu. We were here for an early lunch so we got seated right the way but it did get filled up soon after. The service was fast and friendly. I think it's a decent place for a quick lunch not an elevated meal but good enough. read more
I made reservations for dinner but didn't really need it because it wasn't busy any way. Took a little bit to get seated even though the restaurant was empty. Guess they wanted to clean the only small table so my friend and I could sit there. Ganji lychee (2.5/5): This was okay. Barely any drink though?? Chicken katsu (4/5): It came with the katsu, side salad, miso soup, rice, sauce, and some pickled sides. The sauce was good. The katsu was a little thin but there was a lot of it. The portion was huge! I'd probably come back. It is right in Japantown. Seating inside and outside. read more
01.03.26 It was about 8pm on a Saturday night, and we ended up at Ganji when the soba spot across the way still had an unknown wait time. It was a cold evening and had been rainy, so I was in the mood for some warm soup. But knowing Hubs isn't much of a soup person, we knew Ganji was known for their Katsu, which hubby definitely would eat. So when I saw udon on the menu, we walked on over and right into Ganji. We were greeted immediately by a lovely lady who sat us at a 2-person window table. Perfect for what I wanted, as I never turn down a table with a window view. She gave us menus and a few minutes to look it over. They had a nice selection of cocktails, which I was tempted to order, but still focused on getting my body something warm & comforting, I knew hot tea would be my drink of choice. I think because I didn't get an alcoholic beverage, hubby opted for water. Taking a few more minutes to look at menu items, we finally settled on ordering fried calamari--a favorite dish we share that reminds us of the day we got engaged--chicken katsu for him and I told the waitress I was struggling on choosing between the mussels and the fish udon. She made it easy on me by saying they were out of the mussels udon, apologizing profusely. Slightly disappointed but not upset in having the fish option. My green tea arrived first, and I really liked how it was served. One large tall mug, with the loose leaf tea & infuser in the mug, along with a 'lid' to keep it hot. Not sure why, but I just really like this instead of having a single mug and/or a pot on the table. The tea was good too! As we waited for our food, browsed around. Several tables were both open and taken, perhaps 1/2 full. Not too loud, but definitely not quiet by any means. It had a chill, hanging out vibe that was enjoyable. The calamari came out first, served with a big slice of lemon and an aioli type dip/sauce. While it was mostly made of rings, there were a couple tentacles--which happens to be what we both prefer. This appetizer was actually fantastic! We both really enjoyed the seasoning of it and that it wasn't heavily breaded or greasy. Also very tender--all signs of freshness and being cooked to perfection!! I would absolutely recommend ordering this if you're a fan of calamari, as it was a little different than your typical order from an Italian restaurant, where we usually order from. It didn't take long for our food to come, and both hubby and I were wide-eyed by the mere size of our dishes! Portions are HUGE, and we both knew leftovers would be inevitable. Hubs was surprised by all that came with his katsu--I think he only expected steamed rice. But it also had some sort of veg (ginger perhaps?) and a small side salad of sorts. Hubs doesn't veggie, so that was left untouched, but the katsu sauce was good with the perfectly crunchy, crispy chicken katsu! He really liked it and I didn't blame him. I tried a piece and enjoyed the crispness of it while still being moist! My fish udon was a surprise, as I'm not sure I've ever order udon before. I did enjoy the noodles themselves, thick and chewy as they should be. I had hoped there would be the pick kamaboko fish cake, typical in ramen or somem salad, but there was none. Pleasantly surprised by all the variety of fish stuff in the soup....I've only ever tried fish balls at hot out spots and wouldn't say I love or hate them, but they're just aite. But here, I tried every single type and found them all very good. None were too chewy, or spongy--but maybe one or two. My favorite was the dark tubular shaped ones, and I like the cabbage and green arugula in the soup. The biggest disappointment had to be the broth was a bit salty. In fact, when I ate my leftovers the next day, I was happy to add in water and that definitely helped. Lastly but most certainly not least, I must make mention of the service. It was superb!!! You can tell they really care about the food and customer experience. I felt like they were attentive without being overly intrusive, and were very friendly and accommodating. I never felt rushed to leave and just felt welcomed--as if I was welcomed in their home or something. With the fantastic service, tasty food, and essentially easy no-wait experience, I would absolutely recommend Ganji to friends or those if ever in the area. Give this place a try and support a wonderful local business!!! I can't imagine you being disappointed. read more
8 months ago
I went with a friend on a Friday night before a movie at Kabuki. I reserved a table online just to be safe, and we were seated right away. After we got the menus, I already knew what I wanted, I'd seen a few photos beforehand. The restaurant is well known for its katsu, so I ordered the white fish katsu, while my friend chose the cheese katsu. Both dishes came with miso soup and white rice. The food arrived at just the right pace, not too fast, not too slow, and everything was delicious. The katsu was perfectly made and the portions were generous. It's a very casual spot, but with really solid food and great potential. read more
Great little place. Cute atmosphere and friendly, efficient staff. We made reservations for 5:14 pm so it wasn't crowded. Was getting busy when we left. The Mushroom Tempura was really tasty. Nice light batter. The Fried Calamari was also good. The sauce had a little kick to it. Also lightly battered. Ever so slightly chewy though. The entree portions were huge!! Our salmon, curry, and chicken katsu plates were enormous. They were pretty good. The katsu was maybe ever so slightly dry, but overall, really good taste. Good dining experience! read more
4 months ago
Service was great. Food was amazing! I ordered a special katsu that I believe is there for a limited time. I don't specifically remember what it was called, but it had a sauce and mozzarella cheese. It almost tasted like a smothered hamburg steak and came with pickles as well as radishes. My bf got the katsu with black bean sauce and it was good, but we both preferred the dish I chose. The food was a little pricey but it was a big portion so we thought it was worth it. read more
First time. Yummy Japanese katsu and curry spot. The service was great and the staff were super friendly. :) I ordered the chicken katsu and I asked for curry as well with no issues. It was a ton of food! Really great price as well. My friend got the corn cheese pork katsu and she loved that as well. Will definitely frequent this spot more often when seeing a movie at kabuki. read more
Definitely check this hidden gem - they have lovely food, drink, and most importantly (to me, anyway) amazing customer service. The chicken katsu is incredible. The mussel udon is quite delicious. The fish cake udon is unspeakably fire. Go here. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy. read more
Great convenient spot for katsu right in Japantown! It has a nice ambience and is clean with modern furnishings and even a floral wall. Got the ganjieeeeese (fun name) and while it was less crispy because of the cheese, it still had a unique flavor that I appreciated! The caramelized onions that it comes in were good too. It came with some side salad/radish/seaweed salad as well as miso soup. The service was impeccable and drives this review to 5/5. They kept refilling our water and semi-checking in without bothering us. They also were mindful of the sun and drew the shades when it was bright! Overall: 5/5 read more
Ganji is a well lit, nicely decorated restaurant in Japantown, offering a mix of Japanese and Korean dishes. Based off their menu and what I saw, the most popular items are their katsus, which look amazing. We went in a Friday night to a nearly packed house, but were lucky to be seated at one of the remaining tables. We ordered the chicken karaage, and two of their limited time special items - the katsu sando, and galbitang. The chicken karaage was juicy and tender. They provided a sort of tartar sauce instead of the traditional spicy sriracha mayo, which was interesting but welcome! The katsu sando was on the pricier side ($30), but was HUGE (enough for 2 people). It came with a side of curry, which I felt like could have been a bit more generous as we ran out toward the end, and some cabbage, tomatoes, and pickles. The katsu was lightly breaded and the batter had a nice flavor, making the sandwich pleasant. The galbitang was a bit disappointing in my opinion. The soup tasted more similar to pho broth than traditional galbitang. They do include some banchan, and salt and pepper so you can season your soup to taste like many other spots, but the flavor was just a miss. The noodles were also not the traditional glass noodles, and the soup also didn't have daikon. I assume this is a more fusion-y take, but it just didn't hit, and so I would say this is a skip. Overall, I would say the place is solid, and I would definitely still give it another shot to try their katsus! Consider this for your next J-town trip! read more
Excellent Japanese food in Japantown. We stopped by for dinner earlier this evening around 6, and were seated right away. The ladies ordered an assortment of appetizers - chicken karaage, mushroom tempura, Mr. Tako Balls and jumbo chicken yakitori. I ordered the fish katsu entrée. The food was all quite good, but the standout dish was the mushroom tempura - it was the only dish all four of us enjoyed. Service was good and prices were reasonable. Happy to return. read more
If you're a Katsu fan, you must try this place in Japan town, SF!! They specialize in all types of Katsu. They advertise a seven hour cooked pork cutlet. And if it's your first time, they recommend to try the mozzarella cheese on top. It's a fairly large portion so you can consider sharing! Our server was very sweet and made suggestions as this was our first time at this restaurant. The ambience here is low-key, clean and nicely kept up. If you let them know, you're celebrating a birthday, they may just bring out a special treat with candles! What a lovely surprise. read more
I still remember this space as Tanpopo, the long-running ramen spot that closed over six years ago. It was occupied by another restaurant (Hoshinoya) up until last year when the current owners took over. They specialize on katsu options including a rather pricey $30 Katsu Sando, but they also offer donburi and udon bowls and grilled teriyaki. No ramen though. I wasn't really in the mood for katsu. Curbing deep-fried breading was probably a good idea for me. Instead I ordered the $8 Agedashi Tofu, which turned out to be fried anyway. The coating was lighter though, and the serving was generous with the tofu cubes sitting in dashi broth topped with a cloudburst of bonito flakes (Photo 8). I liked that the flavor was more substantial than I expected, but the $14 Jumbo Chicken Yakitori was a miss. First, the chicken was overcooked and wasn't complemented by the thick yakitori sauce. The vegetables were sliced mushrooms and blistered shishito peppers, but they weren't part of the skewer. Rather they were part of the sauce-drenched bedding (Photo 9). Perhaps if I'm feeling self-indulgent, I'll return for the katsu or the hamachi kama, so I'm not writing them off. FOOD - 3 stars...thumbs up on the agedashi tofu, thumbs down on the chicken yakitori AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars..spacious enough SERVICE - 3 stars...somewhat hurried TOTAL - 3 stars...middling RELATED - Exploring Japantown? Here's a collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/ZixpzXGtVX read more
On a weekday night, this restaurant was quite busy with limited waiters and staff. While there were available tables, my friend and I waited for 15 minutes before being seated at a table. Service was quick, and we were also given complimentary warm sake. Hamachi Truffle: Great appetizer start! The hamachi was fresh and buttery with jalapenos to give a spicy kick. The appetizer was delicious and aesthetically served. Fiery Tonkatsu: Spicy with crispy coating to this tender pork. Ganji Tonkatsu: This was my personal favorite! The sauce on the tonkatsu complemented the crispy pork that was slow-cooked for several hours. The portion sizes were more than filling for the price. I'd love to try their other various tonkatsus, dons, and appetizers in the future! read more
Came here for lunch with our two dogs outside when we were visiting Japan town. Plenty of seating available on the weekend for late lunch and it was super hot, so they offered to open the umbrella for us outside. We did some takoyaki and the cheese fried spicy katsu. Everything was really good and would definitely come by again if we're in the area read more
I didn't want to lower my score for Ganji because we've been here so many times since they opened and have always had great food and service. Yesterday my mom and I were in the city and were so looking forward to the crab katsu.. unfortunately it was one of the worst meals I've had in sf ever. I think it was a one off and I also don't think it was 100% the restaurants fault, but my crab made me gag to the point I couldn't eat it. I won't send food back and I do acknowledge that I didn't give them the opportunity to "fix" it, but I had already lost my appetite after trying to take two bites and not being able to even keep it in my mouth. So we paid and thanked our lovely server and left. I'm not sure if it's because it's off season or if it was just rotten, but I eat seafood extremely often and I have never met a crab that I couldn't eat. I won't write Ganji off completely but I certainly will never order the crab katsu again. read more
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1740 Buchanan St
San Francisco, CA 94115
Japantown, Lower Pacific Heights
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(415) 413-0717
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https://ganjisf.menu11.com
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