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Izakaya Sozai

3.8 (2.2k reviews)
ModerateRamen, Izakaya, Noodles
Closed • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

About Izakaya Sozai

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Izakaya Sozai Photos

IZAKAYA SOZAI ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Izakaya Sozai

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Menu
Kari M.

Very crowded venue and enthusiastic staff~we had. A great time here with our son. Food was great, fried. Chicken, dipping noodles and sushi. We were very happy with our small plates.

Sake
Christine M.

It's been a million years since I've been back! 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!

gyudon
Katie H.

I love coming here. I have come here for two past birthdays and various other special events, but also nights when i just need a cozy meal in. I usually make reservations (sometimes days out, sometimes day of). I like getting an assortment of dishes - gyudon, dipping ramen, fries, meatball skewer with egg, bacon wrapped enoki, squid, there are so many more dishes i want to try. I find this place very comforting and warm.

Grace M.

When we arrived we were greeted by the only server of the night. She was diligent while the kitchen of 3 people had a hard time getting orders out. We weren't impacted but the server was incredibly apologetic/ bless her. We wish we'd know the portion sizes a bit better because we had a ramen, pork cheeks, and pickles for around $55! Which is steep even for sf. It was a 2/3 filling meal for 2 people who weren't even that hungry to begin with. Also feels like a crime to have one small piece of chashu pork on a $19 bowl of ramen, and then for other common toppings to charge minimum $1.50 to add. See bowl below this is a $23 bowl with added mushroom and bamboo shoots.

Exterior
Scott L.

Izakaya Sozai is a quaint Izakaya located in the Sunset District on busy Irving Street. Street parking 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...

Tonkotsu Ramen
Elvira V.

Very disappointing tonkotsu ramen. The broth tasted like watered-down gravy with a heavy dose of black pepper rather than a rich, slow-cooked pork broth. It lacked the creamy texture and depth of flavor that make tonkotsu ramen worth ordering. Not something I'd come back for.

Tonkatsu ramen with pork belly
Katie R.

Came here for the ramen on a chilly night and it truly hit the spot. The broth was hearty and full of flavor and the noodles the perfect texture (sometimes ramen noods seem a little undercooked to me). I loved that the broth had cracked black pepper in it, don't think I've ever had/noticed it in ramen before but it was a nice addition. We also tried one of the yakitoris, the chicken thigh, it was good but the ramen was the showstopper for me. The menu had a nice variety of yakitori, fried options, and even some sashimi. The restaurant has a very cozy and intimate feel to it. It's fairly small with the tables close together and has pretty dark lighting, there was only one server, and she did a great job taking care of everyone. Would definitely come back for the ramen and to try some of the other yakitori.

Fried cheese and cartilage!
Michael Y.

They have excellent food and a family-friendly environment! It was already packed and busy at 5:30 pm, so plan ahead! It is an intimate setting, for sure. The people there are wonderful! It is a lively place hustling and bustling. It is a local joint. The izakaya and tapas were amazing! It is perfect for sharing. Get the gizzards, cartilage, beef tongue in a savory broth - spicy, and spicy tuna rice crisp!! It was all amazing!

Shishamo Skewer
Sarah M.

Friendly and quick service, everything was yummy! No wait for a table of 2 later on a Thurs night. Will definitely come back.

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Michael R.

Love this spot the service is alway very good and quick. Ramen broth is out of this world it's hard to eat ramen anywhere else.

Jack R.

A bunch of misses....let's start with the Tonkatsu Ramen: This has to be one of the saltiest broths I've had in ramen in awhile. Noodles were mediocre, but for us it was basically I edible due to the high salt content. 0/5 Uni pasta: tasteless and very small uni pieces for around $30. Definitely a skip. 1/5 Bone marrow: thin sliver of bone marrow not enough for 3 small pieces of bread. It was tasty though 4/5. Duck skewer: 2/5 chewy duck with a strawberry sauce. Spicy tuna crispy rice: 5/5 best dish of the night with a good spicy and good portion People kept slamming into our table, this is a crowded place which isn't good for children running around which happened since so many parents brought their children on the weekend. $150 later and a meh dinner....

Tonkotsu Chasu Rice Bowl
Amelia D.

Izakaya means "stay-drink-place" in Japanese. One of the few Japanese restaurants I have been to that showcases the full palate of Japanese cuisine, my friends and I shared seaweed salad, chicken skin skewers, and soft shell crab bao. We especially liked the soft shell crab bao and the chicken skewers. For my main I got the grilled squid, which came with a spicy dipping sauce. It was cooked just right, not very flavorful without the dipping sauce. My friends got the Tonkotsu Chasu Rice Bowl and ramen. For dessert, we tried the green tea cheesecake, the yuzu cheesecake, and the black sesame mochi. The green tea cheesecake was our favorite with the mochi as a close second. Overall, great dining experience with excellent service (the server was attentive and made recommendations on her favorites). Definitely worth the trip to the sunset.

Wine Advocate A.

What can I say, it never misses a beat. The food, the ambience and the service. I just came back from Japan and I swear, this place is better than most Izakaya's I went to in Japan.

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7 months ago

Their dip noodle is nice as well as the service. Skewers were a bit more pricey and taste fine.

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Izakaya Sozai Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Izakaya Sozai

Do they by chance offer gluten free noodles with the ramen?

Does this place have outdoor seating?

Yes - it's located on the right side.

Will they sit you if your party is incomplete?

Probably not if it's close to full

Where's the ramen?

they have their full menu on their website. and according to the menu (as of 09/2021), they have: tonkotsu ramen, chicken tsukemen, and veggie ramen.

I don't see the ramen on the menu-do they offer a vegetarian broth?

Yes, the serve ramen and yes it is a vegetarian broth

What's the price range for a bowl of ramen?

The base price is $11, but I recommend adding the spicy miso for a small extra fee. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/izakaya-sozai-san-francisco?select=AcdsZQ6h5tF5fw8TKrym7g

How long is the wait?

45-60 mins for 2 people

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The Public Izakaya

4.2(751 reviews)
3.7 mi•Lower Nob Hill
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Love this spot for all the things! High quality food and a nice vibe, two of my favorite attributes…read moreof a five star restaurant. Everything I have had here has been delicious. Current favs: 1) beef bulgogi- super generous portion and great flavor. Make sure to soak up all that sauce! 2) karage & gyoza: I love both these items for a starter and hate choosing. This combo gives a little bit of each and I appreciate it. Sauce has a little kick and is delightful. 3) wagyu and pineapple skewers- just.say.yes! 4) beans with wok you sauce. More please! The Kyoto matcha beer has a great flavor and is a nice treat. Have you been? If not, slide on down to The Public Izakaya and put your name on the sign in sheet. Wait patiently and enjoy a fantastic meal!

Came here pretty late at night looking for food and was very happy to find somewhere still open!…read moreTheir menu is HUGE with so many different options, but I was really just hungry and craving something comforting, so I ended up getting the ramen. The ramen was pretty good! The broth was super rich and flavorful, and the noodles were exactly the type of ramen noodles that I like, which made it really satisfying. I definitely want to come back when I'm not just on a mission to eat and actually partake in more of the izakaya experience -- order a bunch of different dishes, grab some drinks, and hang out. Seems like a really fun late-night spot!

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Rintaro - Teba no karate

Rintaro

4.2(1.2k reviews)
3.2 mi•Mission
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Absolutely loved!! Lived up to the hype. Came to celebrate…read morean anniversary with my boyfriend and got the fall tasting menu-$90 (add on for the sashimi platter upgrades is worth it) an amazing deal for the city in my opinion. The ambiance was really nice outdoors, nice lighting and cute for a summer night. Every dish felt intentional and was executed well both presentation and taste, it's a great way to try different dishes all at once, and I will definitely be back to try more à la carte items. My favorite was the sashimi, katsu, and hojicha panna cotta. The cocktails (Ichigo and some other one) were not as memorable, although the option sake pairing looked interesting for those who enjoy! Service was also impeccable, they even served us complimentary sparkling wine for our special day! :) I would say this is semi formal vibe, and 100% need reservations on weekend.

After noticing Rintaro on quite a few "Top Restaurants in…read moreSF"-sort of lists, we had to give it a try. Initially, we were expecting a purely upscale vibe, but it actually threads the needle quite well between high-end and casual. The portions are somewhat tapas style, so we ordered multiple dishes. Everything was good! They seem to be able to execute simple dishes VERY well. The varieties of yakimono and the house-made tofu were particularly special. Our waitress made some great suggestions and got the amount of food right for our party. I would recommend going out of your way to try this place. You won't be disappointed.

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Chome - NYC "Big Mac" Nigiri w/ seared A5 wagyu, otoro, uni, black tobiko, truffle ($20 each x3)

Chome

4.5(609 reviews)
3.1 mi•Mission
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Happy Hour deals are super good. They may include a special like grilled baby corn. You should try…read morethose if they are available. I don't remember exactly what I ordered, but everything was delicious. There's a funky vibe to the place. It's covered with different Japanese kitsch. And the bathroom is an amazing experience in signage!

Overall good time, good food, nice decor…read more I have heard of this place and finally had a chance to check it out. I stopped by here on a Saturday around 7 and it was packed but the wait wasn't too long yet thankfully. The menu had a nice assortment of appetizers, skewers, ramen, and an extensive drinks menu. For two people, we tried the corn ribs, black tofu, 7 course skewer set and the duck duck udon carbonara. I wasn't too hungry so there was a bit of food leftover. The corn ribs were very flavorful and perfectly done. The udon was a bit too spicy for my liking but still very creamy. I enjoyed the duck but my friend said it was too fatty. All of the skewers were cooked well and I liked the shrimp the most. At the end, we were given a free hojicha panna cotta with fruit and that was a really pleasant addition. The staff was nice and the decor with the lanterns and art made me feel like I was in Japan. The music was also an interesting mix of Asian songs. Would come back to try other things or the drinks!

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Izakaya Yoki - DOUBLE SALMON

Izakaya Yoki

4.1(740 reviews)
3.8 mi•Lower Nob Hill, Nob Hill
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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!

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Taniku Izakaya - Spicy beef ramen

Taniku Izakaya

4.6(355 reviews)
3.3 mi•Tenderloin
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I've been there twice and everything I've tried is delicious!…read more They have vegetarian ramen and different, unique appetizers. Their sake is also great! There is a line to enter, but it usually goes fast. The ambiance is cozy and nice.

We were exploring town late at night and found this place on Yelp. Unfortunately, it shocked us in…read moreall the wrong ways. I'm still a little speechless 48 hours later. Granted, we came in around 9 PM, about an hour before closing, so we understood that the kitchen was getting toward the end of the night. We ordered a few dishes to share and there were actually some highlights. The scallops: These were great! Easily one of the better dishes we ordered. The karaage chicken: The chicken itself had great flavor, but the creamy sauce on top was extremely rich and ended up overpowering the chicken. I think with less sauce, this could have been a really good dish. Now, the ramen: This is where I was genuinely left speechless. I don't think I've ever had ramen with absolutely no umami. Like, none. It was one of the strangest things I've ever tasted. I was biting into something, there were textures in my mouth, it smelled great... but that was it. No depth. No richness. No umami. The broth, meat, and even the noodles somehow had almost no flavor. The only thing that really came through was the greasy chili oil that lingered on your tongue afterward. After a couple of bites, we looked at each other and decided to leave. At that point, most of the food was still sitting on the table practically untouched. Maybe we caught the kitchen on an off night, especially coming in later in the evening. The scallops showed us that there's definitely potential here, but unfortunately, the ramen was such a miss that it overshadowed the rest of the meal for us.

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Moku Yakitori-Ya - Buta Bara ($8)

Moku Yakitori-Ya

4.4(175 reviews)
1.4 mi•Inner Richmond
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It's about time I wrote a review for this place! This is such a hidden gem in SF that transports me…read moreback to Japan. I also didn't realize they recently split into a sake bar! | v i b e | Lowkey hole in the wall vibes. Service is always great! | f o o d | Ok so heads up each kushiyaki order comes with 2 pieces! I forgot about this and accidentally overordered LOL. My faves are the: - Momo (chicken thigh): so juicy and perfect amount of char - Buta buta (pork belly): crispy + smoky!! | t l ; d r | This is the perfect date spot or even just for dinner + drinks!

Japanese style izakaya in the Richmond district. Storefront is inconspicuous so you may walk by…read morewithout noticing it. Inside it's a cute and intimate restaurant with a long bar and a few tables. I've been coming to this place over the years and looks like they recently expanded by taking over the next door. Now you can enter to an expanded area through a wall that didn't exist previously to another two bar areas. This place is probably best for date nights and couples rather than large parties. Good variety of izakaya choices including chicken thighs, chicken parts, pork belly, scallops, and some beef options. I found the izakaya solid but not outstanding. The skewers are a little too saucy for my taste which I prefer more the traditional simple salt which you find in Japan. Also, I wish they had more charcoal flavor to the izakayas. On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed the chicken skin gyoza which uses chicken skin as wrappers. It's an interesting twist to your traditional gyozas. The fried oysters were good, juicy, and crunchy. They also have a very good selection of sakes and drinks.

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Izakaya Mayumi - Spicy Tuna

Izakaya Mayumi

4.6(169 reviews)
1.3 mi•Outer Richmond

Came here with a friend who highly recommended this place for its relative affordability and…read morequality of dishes, and I agree! This spot is very cozy and works well for either solo dining or parties of 2-4. It was pretty easy to make a reservation--I believe he made it the same day for 6:30 pm. Street parking nearby is free after 6 pm. For appetizers, we got the Takowasa (raw octopus with wasabi sauce) and Gomadare Tofu (tofu with sesame sauce). The Takowasa tasted very clean with no fishyness, although it was pretty salty. I really liked the Gomadare Tofu because it was soft and light in flavor. For our mains, we got Gyu Don, Karaage, Takoyaki, and the 49ers roll. The Gyu Don was solid; it consists of a rice bowl with sliced beef and onion, and they use a sweet sauce that brings it together nicely. I loved the Karaage! It's probably the best Karaage I've had--crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. The Takoyaki was solid as well. Lastly, the 49er roll was pretty good, nothing super special about it. Overall, I'd definitely come back again. It's great for small plates and sharing with someone so you can try a lot of menu items. Everything we tried seemed pretty fairly priced for the quality and ambiance.

3.5 stars... Cozy and inviting sushi spot conveniently located on Clement. I recommend ordering the…read moreUnagi & Avocado roll and Negitoro roll. The rolls are so fresh and have a delicious taste. All the food tastes very cleanly made and prepped. We also ordered the Sukiyaki Udon and Gyu don. The service is attentive and friendly. Limited seating, so I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Looks like they have a great value Happy Hour throughout the week as well. I would say the udon is overpriced and a small portion of seaweed salad is $7... which I think is ridiculous. That's my only qualm with this restaurant. Unagi & Avocado Roll: $12 Negitoro Roll: $12 Guy Don: $20 Sukiyaki Udon: $23

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Izakaya Sozai - ramen - Updated October 2026

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