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    Haru by Sams

    4.6 (17 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Haru by Sams Photos

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    HARU BY SAMS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Dogs allowed

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    Ed U.

    This mid-Market spot has been open just since summer, but I only noticed it last week when I was walking home from a strings recital at the SF Conservatory of Music. My interest was piqued, so I returned the following day for lunch, and so begins my milestone 7,700th Yelp review. I usually save my milestone reviews for well-established points of interest, but this time I decided to focus on a new business that deserves success. This eatery definitely has got a good shot. Gabby is the manager/co-owner here, and she's an ebullient presence. The menu offers lunch plates in the $16-$20 range with sides at mostly $10 each, but the main draw here is the selection of $15 Lunch Bento boxes which appear to meld Japanese and Korean elements into a cohesive meal (Photo). You pick a protein and a side. In my case, it was the Korean-style Tonkatsu, fried and ladled in a sweet sauce, and the SpicyTuna Roll. The other components were a cup of miso soup, green salad with citrus dressing, and white rice topped with a Korean marinated egg (Photo 9). I added a side order of $6 Fried Cheeseballs, a gooey and addictive quartet of encrusted, melted mozzarella spheres (Photo 10). What a delightful, unexpected meal. I felt like I was having ebiken kon a Shimkansen that somehow jumped the Sea of Japan from Osaka to Busan. Return visits are inevitable. FOOD - 5 stars...tasty mix of casual Japanese and Korean specialties AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...the original bar set-up shows through but there was plenty of seating SERVICE - 5 stars...Gabby is aces TOTAL - 5 stars...a welcome mid-Market addition and frankly better than its progenitor next door, SAMS American Eatery (review: https://yelp.to/sa54Zqx-y_) RELATED - Exploring Civic Center? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/h4kwuvU_Pq

    Miso soup
    Vira P.

    I don't walk around Mid-Market as much as I used to. So when I saw that @midmarket_cbd posted about bento lunches at Haru by Sams, I knew I had to check it out! They occupy the space that was formerly Fermentation Lab. It's a clean, aesthetically pleasing space with tables for mostly a party of 2. The group tables are closer to the entrance and outside. I got salmon with japchae for my bento, which also comes with miso soup, salad, and rice. The miso soup was so comforting, even on a hot day like today. There were also pieces of what looked like mini Chinese donuts that added a soft texture. The soup was delicious and I am not a soup person. I got salmon teriyaki and japchae with my bento. The teriyaki was light so it didn't overpower the delicate salmon. The rice came with a marinated egg where the yolk was just below hard boiled so it had a bit of a jammy texture. The salad had a bright lemony dressing and the greens were not bitter at all. And the highlight for me was the japchae. It was full of nutty and umami flavors from the sesame oil and mushrooms. The noodles were chewy and soft. I thoroughly enjoyed this bento experience. They also have a la carte options, and I need to come back to try them along with their beers and soju. Their bento lunch sets are only available M-F from 11-2. So if you're passing through Mid-Market around that time, then definitely hit up this hidden gem!

    $15 Lunch Sets: Monday - Friday, 11 am - 2 pm + A La Carte Menu
    Cherylynn N.

    With shrinkflation in full effect, a $15 lunch in the city is a STEAL! And, I'm not talking about a sad $15 salad that doesn't even include protein. This $15 lunch includes your choice of protein, your choice of sushi roll, tempura, or gyoza WITH salad, miso soup, rice, and marinated egg. Opening in April 2025, haru by SAMS is a rebrand of Fermentation Lab. Same owner; they also own SAMS American Eatery (Korean-American diner) next door. SAM = first initial of the owner's children's names. Maybe haru is ran by them? Open Monday - Friday 11 am - 2 pm, and Tuesday - Saturday 4 pm - 11 pm (except Monday). Closed Sundays. Indoor seating and there's several tables out front. M E N U Korean-Japanese Fusion Cuisine - $15 Lunch Sets w/ soup, salad, rice, and marinated egg - A la carte: Soba, udon, tteobokki, bibimbap, haejangguk (hangover soup), and more. - After 4 pm: Anju (Korean drinking food): KFC, tteokbokki, sliders, tots, and more. Craft beer and soju available. F O O D * Lunch set: Spicy Pork + Tempura w/ soup, salad, rice ($15): https://tinyurl.com/3jzuham8 - Spicy pork: Flavorful, tender slices of pork shoulder and onions over a bed of cabbage. Mildly spicy. - Tempura: Freshly fried with a light airy batter - one shrimp, onion, carrot, kabocha (2x), and broccoli. - Korean marinated egg: Savory sweet soy marinated egg with a kick of heat. - Miso soup: Standard from a packet, very salty. - Salad: Fresh greens with arugula, tomatoes, carrots, and a tangy dressing. - Pickled radish: Refreshing palate cleanser. - Rice: Hot but a little mushy. S E R V I C E Friendly, attentive, and prompt for early lunch (full service). Order was ready in less than 8 minutes. A M B I A N C E Hipster beer hall with a mix of high tops and regular communal tables. Chess and board games available. Overall, happy to see Fermentation Lab rebrand to haru by SAMS offering wallet-friendly lunch sets in the mid-market area. Can't beat a freshly prepared AND filling lunch for $15!

    Judy F.

    I was introduced to the food from Haru by Sam's when a buddy brought some to a ballgame. Yum! Then she told me about the $15 lunch bento. What a deal in this economy! The first couple of times I got the bento as take out and was pleasantly surprised by the portion size AND that the salad and soup was included. Most takeout don't include the soup. Met my buddy for lunch there yesterday and loved the atmosphere and service. I enjoyed the space when it was Fermentation Lab. I think I'm going to enjoy it more as Haru by Sams.

    Bento box lunch deal
    Jude D.

    This is a new spot with a great bento box lunch deal. For 15 bucks you get miso soup, salad, rice with a marinated egg, and an appetizer and side of your choice. I had the chicken katsu and a spicy tuna roll. It was delicious and filling, I even took a little home for later.

    Draft menu 8.25.25

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    3 months ago

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    5 months ago

    I go there often, perfect lunch place and nice people. The food is pretty good all considered.

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    8 months ago

    Delicious food, gracious staff. LOVE EM. Get the Brussel sprouts and the spring rolls and dumplings.

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    Haru by Sams - korean - Updated May 2026

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