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ILCHA

4.4 (438 reviews)
PriceyKorean, Bars

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Recommended Reviews - ILCHA

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Galbi
Tiffany F.

Man oh man... I'm going to really miss this place. I know it's closed now but I wanted to leave a review as a customer that came multiple times. Their raw marinated shrimp was the best I've ever had. I've liked it more than the ones I've had while in Korea too. The service is amazing, the staff was always super friendly and helpful. Their bossam and galbi were my other two favorites. I'll really miss this place. The ambiance was always sophisticated with a touch of fun. The communal seating in the middle was reminiscent of places in Korea. I truly wish I was able to try the raw marinated crab you served but every time I came, it was not available.... So sad. Thank you for providing such incredible meals over these past few years. Since you guys are closing permanently, can I request the recipe or the raw marinated shrimp? I will be thinking of it forever.

Fried chicken
Connie T.

Came here for dinner with a group and overall the raw shrimp was the highlight. It was super fresh and sweet with a nice Miren + Light Soy + fish sauce marinade, and the kimchi banchan had great depth and spice. Both stood out right away. The army stew was a really generous portion and easily feeds four people, so it's a good choice if you're sharing and want something filling. The oysters and boiled pork were solid and about what we expected, nothing surprising and skippable. Service was pretty infrequent and it could be hard to flag someone down for refills or extra orders, so I'd recommend ordering most of what you want upfront. The ambiance is casual and lively which makes it great for groups than an intimate dinner. I'd come back for the raw shrimp!

Jodie S.

High end looking restaurant serving down to earth Korean tapas. The interior is dimly lit with a simple modern vibe. Service was decent but don't expect them to be super fast as there are a lot of other tables waiting to be served as well. We tried various seafoods including their crab, shrimp, and oysters. All were very fresh and of good quality. Highly recommend the shrimp as the flavor and texture is mind blowing and just so different from other food items. Warning: soy marinated food items are salty because they need to ensure there's enough salt to "cook" the seafood so don't order these dishes if you're not a sodium fan.

Korean fried chicken
Brandi H.

I've had ILCHA on my list for a while now. I saw videos saying they were going to close so I had to try it before it was too late. My friend made a reservation for Thursday night dinner. It got busy later in the night. Korean fried chicken (5/5): The fry was so good. The chicken was so juicy. You get a choice of gochujang or garlic soy sauce. We chose the garlic sauce and I didn't think it would come on the side. We did the half order which was a good portion for the two of us. Dubu kimchi (3/5): This was pretty basic. Stir fried kimchi with tofu and pork belly. Could've done without. Bulgogi jeongol (5/5): This was perfect. The tables come with a built in burner so it stayed hot throughout the meal. The broth was so healing. The bulgogi had good flavor and wasn't too sweet. It came with mushrooms, napa cabbage, onions, carrots, rice cakes and glass noodles. It was a great way to get our veggies in. I'm sad that they are closing. It was a really good meal. I enjoyed my time and would've come back.

Violet Y.

Came here before I heard they'd be closing this restaurant soon bc it's been widely liked and was really happy I got to come before they close! Everything we had was delicious! The raw marinated shrimp comes with seaweed, rice, and a yolk. It had a nice sweetness to it that was a nice surprise. The bossam and oysters were also great, the pork was tender and the gochuchang based sauce for the oyster was my favorite. They even gave a free refill of lettuce and perilla, which was appreciated. The fried chicken comes piping hot and is crispy and juicy. The service was kind of slow to get seated and our order taken but it seemed like they were a tad short staffed. But the service was very nice. Only sad thing was that they didn't have the grilled tteok that day. Looking forward to hearing what's next for the folks that run this place!

Army Stew
Jacqueline D.

ILCHA absolutely blew me away. My friends who live in SF brought us here, and I'm so grateful they did -- every single dish we tried was incredible and truly stood out! Not a single miss. I really loved the vibe of the space. The lighting is dim, but feels warm and cozy rather than dark. I came with a group of my friends, and the servers were so attentive and fun -- they teased and joked around with us + made the experience feel welcoming while also being a bit chaotic LOL. The soy-marinated shrimp was the highlight of the meal! It was so flavorful and easily one of my favorite bites of the night. Our friends told us that we have to pair it with the rice and order seaweed on the side to make little soy shrimp wraps -- such a game changer!!! We also ordered the corn cheese tater tots + the army stew and both were delicious! Everything came out warm, comforting, and satisfying. Each dish felt thoughtfully prepared so you can tell a lot of care goes into the food here. While the pricing is definitely on the higher-end side, it's 100% worth it for the quality, portions, and overall experience. I would've loved to come back over and over again, but I saw on Instagram that they'll be closing soon permanently -- which is such a bummer :( I'm disappointed I won't be able to return, but I'm glad I got the chance to experience ILCHA at least once! If you're thinking about going before they close, don't hesitate. This spot is truly something special, and I'm happy I got to try it.

Jenny H.

Food - Everything was so good! - Great for sharing for us 4. - Good portions Service - Very fast and attentive. Ambiance - Dark inside, can be nice for a date night. - The bathroom is at the entrance, no sign: - Modern art with inside tables and dark walls.

Rice cake with mozzarella and American cheese
Ria T.

So sad they are closing because we had a great first visit here. Got excited when I sat down and there was a hot pot! We ordered so much because we knew we wouldn't get another chance. The tteokboki with American cheese was so interesting . It also had condensed milk. My husband loved it and I was intrigued but not sure how I feel :$ Standouts the chicken! Fried beautiful and crisped up beautifully for leftovers as well. We felt like the price to performance on this was excellent . The half portion was huge! 5 pieces! I liked the hot pot too, but nothing standout about it. Sad they are closing, but what a great little place!

Cheese Tteok
Amy H.

Was surprised to hear this place is closing, so I had to stop by one last time for their fried chicken. Ordered the half fried chicken, which came with both white and dark meat. It does take a bit to come out since it's fried fresh, but it's absolutely worth the wait. The chicken is brined, so it stays juicy and not dry at all. My other favorite was the cheese tteok. It's grilled rice cakes filled with mozzarella, topped with American cheese and condensed milk. It sounds like a strange combo, but it somehow works and was seriously addicting. Really sad I won't be able to have this again.

Kim Mari
Jessica M.

Cute little spot in the Marina. I made reservations even though I dined alone since I heard this place tends to fill up on Friday and Saturday nights. I was seated at the community table which is shared. Not a problem. Plenty of space. Ordered the kim mari for appetizers (fried seaweed spring rolls). Comes with a gochujang dipping sauce. I've had this before so I was excited to get it again. Really good/addicting. Light crispy batter on the outside. Can't go wrong ordering these. Had to go to work after so I only ordered one drink. It was a canned cocktail. Peach lychee soju sparkling cocktail. 8 percent! lol strong and delicious. Would order again even though it's canned. Took a photo so I could try to buy for the house stash lol For my entree, I ordered galbi which came with assorted ssam. I usually get rice but since I was working after, I just ate these as wraps for a lighter option. Well marinated and really good as "lettuce wraps". I asked for a side of hot sauce for added spice. I've wanted to try something different this time around. I've had their Korean fried chicken which is really good! Some of the best I've had! Didn't get it this time cause I like to have it fresh and it would've been way too much food for me, but if you go, definitely grab some of that! Service was great! Even though they're busy, they servers make sure to take care of you. I work part time down the street and heard they are closing soon which is so sad for us. We love them and the staff. Food is delicious. Try to get there to check out the food before they close come February!

Fried chicken
Jocelyn L.

Wish I tried this place earlier and not 1 month before they close :( Ilcha's been on my bookmarked list for ages and it did not disappoint. Ambiance is casual w dimly lit lighting and plenty of seating - there's a long table in the middle of the restaurant for parties of 2, plus several individual tables on each side for larger groups. Service was fantastic, very attentive and food came quickly. We ordered the following: - half size fried chicken: this was soo good. perfect layer of fried skin, and the chicken was flavorful and juicy. paired great with the gochujang - bulgogi jeongol: their stew portions are hefty and filling - ours had a large helping of meat, noodles, tofu slices, enoki mushroom, and greens. didn't even order a side of rice cause it was that much food. I've also heard the soy marinated crab is a must order, though it wasn't on the menu this time. definitely check it out before they close on 2/14!

Soy Raw marinated shrimp
Joanne D.

So sad that my favorite restaurant is closing -- last day to dine is 2/14/26 Highly recommend coming in before then! Came here with my boyfriend and our experience was a 10/10. We wanted to order the soy raw marinated crab, but it wasn't on the menu, so we opted for the shrimp instead. The raw marinated shrimp was not fishy at all and so good. We also ordered the fried chicken, and it was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Glad that I was able to dine one last time before its closing day.

Caili C.

I was super excited to finally try Ilcha as I love Korean food and heard good things about this place from friends. We made a reservation for Friday night and between 2 people, we shared: - Marinated raw shrimp: Soy marinated shrimp with a side of egg yolk rice with seaweed and sesame oil. This was definitely my favorite of the night! The shrimp is so tender and flavorful and perfect with the egg yolk seaweed rice. So much umami and marinated well so don't be afraid of the raw shrimp! - Corn Cheese Tator Tots: Crispy tots covered in corn cheese and sour cream with gochujang mayo. Really yummy but pretty heavy - Budae Jjigae: Korean army stew with ramen, kimchi, sausage, spam. It's a simple staple soup but they do it really well and it's rich and savory without feeling like too much which is perfect We also got a bottle of Ji Pyeong Makgeolli to share which was nice and refreshing without feelings too alcoholic. I definitely enjoyed all the food and the ambiance is really nice as well for an elevated Korean food experience.

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ILCHA Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - ILCHA

When do they serve the marinade crab? We tried the marinade shrimp already?

Are children allowed? And also do they have booster seats or high chairs?

Do they take cash?

Why not. No restaurants will say no to cash!

Do you have anything that's gluten free?

Galbi and rice, hotpots are gluten free for sure

How do you make a reservation?

I called them & made a reservation.

View All 6 Questions

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Balboa Cafe - Shakshouka

Balboa Cafe

3.5(909 reviews)
0.1 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow
•$$

Legendary but too Busy…read more Stepping through the doors of Balboa Cafe in San Francisco's Cow Hollow neighborhood feels like unlocking a timeless vault of classic California society and old-school saloon culture. Established in 1913 (though a superstitious original owner famously installed a plaque reading 1914 to escape the bad luck of the number 13), this legendary watering hole effortlessly bridges the gap between San Francisco's rich history and its bustling modern energy. With its striking dark wood paneling, crisp white tablecloths, and an iconic green neon sign cutting through the fog on Fillmore Street, the room practically whispers stories of the generations of local politicians, tech moguls, and high-society regulars who have rubbed elbows here. It's a beautifully multigenerational landmark where people-watching is a sport, the service is fast and familial, and the kitchen still masterfully turns out their cult-classic Balboa Burger served on a fresh baguette. Yet, as spectacular as the vintage vibe and the burgers are, the true heartbeat of the modern Balboa experience is their legendary, world-famous Espresso Martini. Affectionately dubbed the "Espressotini," this cocktail is absolute royalty in the SF bar scene, with the bartenders famously churning out upwards of 1,000 martinis a day to tables ordering them a dozen at a time. Shaken to an incredibly velvety, frothy perfection using vanilla vodka, Kahlúa, and a proprietary nitro cold brew blend, it pours with a signature dense cream foam that mimics a perfect pint of Guinness. Deceptively smooth and balanced without being overly sweet, it acts as both a sophisticated pick-me-up and a social catalyst. Sitting at that historic dark wood bar, watching the towers of coupe glasses catch the dim ambient light while a lively crowd buzzes around you, drinking an Espressotini isn't just ordering a cocktail--it's taking part in a mandatory San Francisco ritual. Thanks

I don't understand the appeal of Balboa Café. The food is mediocre and inconsistent, the prices are…read morehigh for what you get, and the service leaves a lot to be desired. It's also loud and crowded enough that it doesn't make for a particularly enjoyable meal. To me, the reputation seems to have more to do with the location, history, and social scene than the quality of the restaurant. There is another reason I wouldn't choose to spend my money there. Balboa Café has a long association with Gavin Newsom's PlumpJack group. Newsom's San Francisco business interests, including Balboa Café, changed hands when he became mayor, and his remaining PlumpJack interests were later placed in a blind trust when he became California governor. The business is still part of the PlumpJack operation and is run by his sister, Hilary Newsom. I know many people have strong opinions about Newsom and his time as governor, and I have my own. Given that connection, I personally don't want to support the business. That's my choice, but when the restaurant itself isn't giving me much reason to go in the first place, it's an easy decision. For me, Balboa Café is overpriced, overrated, and not worth the money or the association.

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Balboa Cafe - Inside bar

Inside bar

Balboa Cafe - Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs

Balboa Cafe - Espresso Martini ‍

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Westwood - chicken tenders

Westwood

3.8(317 reviews)
0.1 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow
•$$

Initially left a bad review, but wanted to update it because there was a miscommunication between…read moresomeone in our group and the bar. However Ann from Westwood was super nice and accommodating and helped us resolve the situation afterward. She even welcomed us back, which we really appreciated, especially after us feeling bad for what had happened. Westwood was a fun bar and the rest of our group had a great time. It just sucked that one situation left a sour taste in our mouth that night, but Ann definitely helped make things right. Overall, we'd come back again! Great staff and nice ambiance and atmosphere! Thank you Ann

The bouncers here are incredibly rude and condescending. At 1:50 AM, when the bar was closing, they…read morestarted forcing people out in a very aggressive way, shining bright flashlights directly into people's eyes, yelling "Walk and talk!" repeatedly, and having large security guards push crowds toward the exit. With so many people trying to leave at once, it felt chaotic and unnecessary. What made it worse is that once you're outside, they don't even want you standing on the sidewalk in front of the bar. I was simply waiting for my ride, which is the safest way to get home, and they were still trying to move people along. The service was terrible from the moment we arrived until the moment we left. I've never felt so unwelcome at a venue. I'd recommend avoiding this place and spending your money somewhere that treats customers with basic respect.

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Westwood - Bull riding machine

Bull riding machine

Westwood - The most sweetest, best bartender EVER!!

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Westwood - Serving over 150 Whiskeys!

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Mistletoe - Holiday cocktails

Mistletoe

4.3(15 reviews)
0.1 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow

Wow! The crew at Mistletoe really knows how to get you in the holiday spirit. Put this spot at the…read moretop of your list for Christmas celebrations, and order from their specialty cocktail menu. Do not miss ordering a shot of their Let it Snow... and sit at the bar so you can get the fun surprise. I savored their rum, hot cocoa and toasted marshmallow cocktail; the warmth and flavors really hit the spot. The Christmas decor here is on point; they nailed it! Must experience this place. I spoke with the owner directly; great guy who has put a lot of work into this place and it shows. He has three locations in SF (this is a review for the Sutter street iteration), and I'm going to visit them all. Try to go on a week night when it's less crowded. They host official Santa Con shenanigans, so it's gonna get crowded this weekend. For good reason.

Not like last year…read more Bestie and I were here last night for my birthday. The bartenders were not nice. The ambience was hostile, a bit aggressive. Definitely not Christmasy. The fluorescent lights were on bright so it drowned out the Christmas lights. This place did a snow show last year. I asked about it, got a lecture and no snow. Worst of all, they played extremely loud, annoying Hallmark movie, Lifetime channel basic white broad Christmas songs. With some skrillex mixed it. Weird. The other girlies started leaving. The drinks are delicious, especially Santa's Grog. But they ran out of it at 6pm. The Christmas decorations lacked spirit and soul. Hoping for better next year.

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Mistletoe
Mistletoe - The bar

The bar

Mistletoe - Tabletop fireplaces!

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White Rabbit - Vinyl/ DJ/ dance floor

White Rabbit

2.7(111 reviews)
0.1 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow

A little underwhelming…read more My friends and I stumbled across White Rabbit on St. Patrick's Day when the neighboring place was too busy. We should have known that this wasn't the most popping spot considering the holiday and how we pranced in without too much of a fight. It was rather empty when we were there. It felt like more of an empty room that just so happened to be a bar. Things just seemed spaced out awkwardly with furniture that didn't go well together. It was rather quiet too. I could not even tell you what music was playing because I could not even hear it. I do appreciate that the place was festively decorated though. It was perfectly on theme for St. Patrick's Day. The bartenders were super friendly here. My friends and I were trying to take a picture together and the bartender kindly snapped some shots of us (both horizontal and vertical pics...chef's kiss). We ordered a round of their Jameson Jell-O shots and they were super good. I'd be curious to come back on a typical weekend night to get a sense of their atmosphere in a different setting.

Extremely disappointing and unacceptable experience…read more We walked into the bar, ordered our drinks, were served without any issue, and my brother-in-law even left a generous $30 tip. Immediately afterward, security approached us and kicked our entire group out, claiming my brother-in-law was "too intoxicated." This was only our second bar of the night, and nothing about the way the situation was handled made sense to us. If he was supposedly too intoxicated to be there, why were we served drinks in the first place? I immediately asked to speak with a manager because I wanted an explanation. I was told the manager was coming out, so I waited--and nobody ever came. No manager spoke with us, no one properly explained what had happened, and we were given no opportunity to have a reasonable conversation about the situation. Later, I approached another security guard trying to understand what was going on. He directed me to someone else, who told me they had been dealing with people drinking all day and were kicking people out because they had been having issues with other patrons. That made the experience even more frustrating. Whatever problems the establishment had with other customers earlier in the day had absolutely nothing to do with our group. We walked in, purchased drinks, tipped $30, and were then immediately removed based on an accusation that was never properly explained to us. I haven't been to the marina since 2021, and this experience is the reason why. The new staff members, security guards, and bar workers displayed a lack of professionalism and treated customers disrespectfully. The biggest issue wasn't simply being asked to leave--it was the complete lack of professionalism and communication. If there was a legitimate concern, someone could have explained it respectfully. Instead, we were served, took care of the staff with a generous tip, were immediately kicked out, and then left waiting for a manager who never bothered to come speak with us. Completely unacceptable and disrespectful way to treat paying customers. What should have been a fun night turned into an unnecessarily frustrating and horrible experience.

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White Rabbit - Inside/seating

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White Rabbit - White Rabbit, on Mission Street kitty corner from Cortland.

White Rabbit, on Mission Street kitty corner from Cortland.

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ILCHA - korean - Updated October 2026

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