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    Matko

    3.9 (44 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    MATKO ATMOSPHERE

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    Zoe G.

    We were drawn in by the delicious bulgogi samples and a sign for a banana milk latte. The inside is very cute with stool seating. The staff were super nice and we thought the banana milk came through the latte nicely, nothing was too overpowering.

    Anisha Y.

    Got delivery, so I can't speak to the ambiance or service. I ordered the soft tofu bibimbap bowl. The highlights for me were the sweet potato noodles and the aioli. The combination of kimchi and soft tofu didn't quite work for me, and the tofu was marinated in a sauce that wasn't to my taste. I was also expecting the tofu to be silkier and softer, but that wasn't my experience. I really enjoyed the noodles, but overall the combination of ingredients in this bowl just didn't come together for me personally.

    Carolyn T.

    I ordered their fresh frozen meals .... So delicious . The ox bone soup and the hangover soup ... wow ! The japchee and beef bulgogi were equally delicious . I did add tofu to the soups so we had more to eat! Strongly recommend for those meals you have no time to cook from scratch ! I also ordered the kimchi pork ribs .. not spicy enough for me but my husband loved it !

    Bulgogi beef bowl and soft tofu soup
    Justina C.

    As for the atmosphere, the interior was cute and the seat cushions were especially comfortable. However, when it comes to the food, I got the bulgogi beef bowl and it was very flavorless. It was very costly but was particularly bland. The beef was lacking in flavor and the purple rice was pretty soggy as well. The japchae in the bowl tasted like nothing too. I've had a lot of Korean food in my life and it's never been this bland! Frankly, I was so surprised! I hope they can enhance the flavor in the food somehow by changing the marinade process or maybe add more sauce or something.

    Bulgogi Bowl with Japchae/Purple Rice, Pickled Radish, Sweet Corn, Cucumber, Kimchi, Seasoned Seaweed, Fishcake, Ssamjang
    Mike L.

    With so many interesting strung all along Valencia, it's not exactly uncommon to pass by a restaurant that catches your eye or to smell something delicious that tickles your nose. However, in the case of Matko, I have to admit that what actually caught my attention was randomly hearing Kpop playing as I passed by. Granted, K-Pop is becoming increasingly mainstream, but it was still unexpected enough to draw my attention and to stop to check this place out! Compared to the many other businesses along Valencia, Matko is on the smaller side, but they actually use the space pretty well, managing to fit in a handful of tables and some counter seating. Similarly, the overall menu size is relatively narrow, but it still offers a number of ways to customize your bowl - four types of protein, three different bases, five additional sides that come with upcharges (it already comes with three), and four sauces to top it off, They also have a starter and some soups to offer, as well as an assortment of snacks, a beverage menu with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, and even some dessert lattes to choose from. -- BEEF BULGOGI BOWL with Half Japchae, Half Purple Rice, Pickled Radish, Sweet Corn, Cucumber, Kimchi (+$.50), Seasoned Seaweed (+$.50), Fishcake (+$.50), and Ssamjang (+$1) This actually wasn't too shabby! Even though the bulgogi was a touch dry, it was fairly plentiful and the marinade was flavorful. The japchae was also better than expected and I liked most of the sides, especially the Kimchi, Seasoned Seaweed, Fishcake, and Ssamjang. -- BONELESS FRIED CHICKEN with Gochujang Aioli...$11.95 A little uneven, but not bad overall. Each piece of chicken was crispy on the outside and surprisingly juicy on the inside. However, even though you get to choose a dipping sauce (the Gochujang Aioli wasn't too shabby), I still wish the chicken had some seasoning on it. -- SPICY PORK BELLY BOWL with Half Japchae, Half Purple Rice, Pickled Radish, Sweet Corn, Cucumber, Kimchi (+$.50), Seasoned Seaweed (+$.50), Fried Egg (+$1.95), and Gochujang Aioli (+$1) Not bad, but not as good as the bulgogi. While this also came with a fair amount of meat, I wish the pork had a bit of char on it to offset the sauce's sweetness. Otherwise, everything else about this was also just as solid, though, the SsamJang would've been better than the aioli. Although everything that I've tried has been pretty decent, what really brought the food down for me was how the meats in each of the bowls were barely warm. I figured that would happen with the bulgogi since I had ordered it to-go, but I was genuinely shocked when I dined in with my friend and had my first bite of pork belly. I understand cooking-to-order means it takes longer to get bowls made (they seem to do a lot of delivery and takeout), but it's undeniable that the food would taste so much better, Despite feeling somewhat disappointed by what I had, Matko is far from terrible if you're looking for something quick for Korean food and/or if you're already in the area, given the general lack of options in The Mission. However, compared to what you can find elsewhere, the food feels closer to okay than amazing. At some point, I'll probably end up back here, or at one of their other locations, to try their soft tofu soup or the hangover soup, as they both look great in photos, but until I do, THREE AND A HALF STARS rounded down for now feels right.

    Sign
    Jack R.

    Drink review only. Horribly fake tasting banana milk chocolate drink. OMG was this horrible. I took a sip and had enough. Think plastic fake tasting banana with milk and some cheap chocolate syrup for a whopping $7. So not worth it. Also, they were soooo slow in getting this drink.

    Hangover soup
    Ly P.

    I ordered the hangover soup - $11 for pick up. It was perfect for a cold day. It's slightly spicy, tastes like a kimchi soup. It has a decent amount of small pieces of tender beef with cabbage. It's a nice comforting meal. They also sell the soup frozen which is nice.

    Fancypants X.

    Matko is an adorable shop that sells Korean snacks, packaged & cafe drinks, as well as rice & noodle bowls. I've walked by many times, always just after having dinner in the area. I've never had a chance to sample their made-to-order hot foods, but I always have room for a lil' something sweet; tiny boxes of flavored milk is delicious in taro, strawberry, or banana, & ultra creamy Melona ice cream bars have that cool square shape (both made by the brand Binggrae.) They carry Turtle chips, which I love; the puffy layers are a textural wonderland. A must try. Not as many options as H Mart, but it does the job. Looking forward to trying more from Matko.

    One of my favorites for a while now. Tasty, hearty, nutritious. Always very consistent. I get the soft tofu bowl, with all the vegan options.

    Danice M.

    Good quiet place. Staff excellent and super nice. Food good meat a bit dry. Thank you!

    Tofu bowl and ssamjang
    Jeanie N.

    I came here on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. There was no line, though people did trickle in and it got busier over the next few hours. Seating inside is minimal (maybe 12 stools?) and there are a couple areas to sit outside as well. Service was great, the bathrooms were clean, and the food was good! Because of the small space, the kitchen is essentially right next to the seating area, and whenever they blended something, it was definitely loud enough to pause conversation for a minute. On the food: I got the tofu bowl with half japchae, half purple rice, and added kimchi/seaweed salad/ssamjang. It came out to about $19 with tax/tip, but you do get 1.5 servings (maybe 2 if you got full rice). The flavors blended well and the ssamjang was lovely. It's pretty difficult to find vegetarian dishes in Korean places, but everything here is customizable and very veggie-friendly. I would definitely return if I was craving Korean food in the Mission.

    Horrible nasty soup
    Michel R.

    I was really looking forward to a spicy kimchi and soft tofu soup that I've gotten at other Korean spots and this fell flatter than flat. I don't mean to exaggerate but this was honestly one of the worst bowls of soup I've had in my life and it pissed me off because I was in a pinch before work and decided to stop in and I regret it. I ordered also the misugaru latte WITHOUT cereal and he said with cereal? and I said no without and then he said ok with! and I was like is he playing with me??! Then I said NO CEREAL PLEASE and he just said ok then a few mins later, I was given the latte WITH the cereal. Oy vey. I'm giving two stars cuz the lady refunded me a dollar for the add on he put without my consent so that was decent and honest. But the latte was just a thick mess and I regretted the whole thing then after. Never coming back here ever again.

    Katrina R.

    Doubled the fishcake on the bulgogi and it was so good! The bulgogi overall is good. Few things though: it took sooo long - i had it delivered and it was transferred to 3 different riders because of the delay; another is the beef , which is quite dry; finally, the japchae is quite bland. Will definitely be back for fish cakes though!

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    4 months ago

    I've only ever had their misugaru latte but I love it. Unfortunately you can't order it online ahead of time

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    1 year ago

    Love the freshness and quality of the food. I get the beef Bulgogi on japchae and spinach and it's delicious.

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    2 years ago

    Everything was excellent -- food ambiance customer service. I had to take off a star because the food was served lukewarm.

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    1 year ago

    Mall-kiosk-type Korean food for techies. Save your dough and go to a real Korean spot in the City.

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    2 years ago

    Delicious food, tastes homemade and great portions! I wish the sauce wasn't extra though, as it's definitely necessary.

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    2 years ago

    Food was so tasty and the staff were friendly - I'm already scheduling my next visit!

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    Arlequin Wine Merchant - Wine!

    Arlequin Wine Merchant

    4.2(206 reviews)
    1.1 miHayes Valley
    $$

    Stopped by Arlequin Wine Merchant to pick up a nice bottle of wine for a family dinner and honestly…read morethis place made the decision both exciting and difficult in the best way possible. Their wine selection is huge, with bottles from all different regions and price ranges. The staff were extremely helpful and welcoming, taking the time to answer questions and give recommendations without making me feel rushed or overwhelmed. I ended up going with this beautiful bottle of Chianti Classico and it definitely felt like a great choice for the occasion. The shop itself also has a very calm and cozy atmosphere that makes browsing enjoyable. You can tell this is the type of place made for people who genuinely enjoy wine, whether you're experienced or just trying to find something good for dinner. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're looking for a quality bottle of wine, a thoughtful recommendation or just want to explore something new.

    Popped in here to have a glass of wine late afternoon as I had a little time to kill. I'm a pretty…read morecheery and outgoing person. Courteous. I don't know who the guy was - manager I assume, but just the rudest person I've met in a long time. Rude, dismissive, unbelievably unprofessional. I even tried joking around with him a little when I was ordering, thinking he'd lighten up, and he acted like I was some kind of foul odor he couldn't wait to get away from. Absolutely no excuse for such behavior. Not to mention a tiny, tiny, tiny pour of wine for $18. I stayed and did some work for about a half an hour. As I was about to leave, an older couple walked in he couldn't have been nicer. Sweet as pie. Friendly, welcoming, conversational. Made a suggestion when they asked for advice. The complete opposite of how he treated me. There's no way I did anything to warrant such behavior from him. I don't know what his issue was but it was unacceptable. Hey guys? Just a tip. In this economy when you're charging people absurd amounts of money for a Dixie cup of average wine - maybe not a good idea to treat customers like they're bothering you. Also - this is not the place to blast Eminem. Read the damn room.

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    Reno's Liquor Store - Sodas 9/21/24

    Reno's Liquor Store

    4.7(66 reviews)
    1.8 miPotrero Hill, Dogpatch
    $

    If you're in dogpatch, this is probably the only liquor store game in town…read more I would be much more upset about this if it wasn't a solid liquor store. They put more effort into groceries than most - there's a variety of brands and quality for the products they do stock(sauces, snacks, bread, kitchen staples) - and often the prices are better than the grocery across 3rd street. There's even a little bit of basic produce (onions, lemons). Household products (otc medication, toilet paper and the like) can be a little pricey. The booze is priced fairly. There's an impressive variety of liquor, wine, sake, beer (loads of IPAs), and even a few sour beers. The staff is always friendly, very chipper and energetic. The location is clean, and not dank and depressing like a lot of the corner stores out there.

    After running an errand around the corner, I was thirsty and snack-y... you know, craving something…read moreto munch on. As I walked to my car, my mouth became parched so I walked in and saw a great number of refrigerator cases. After you pass the cashier area, you'll see a substantial freezer unit with a variety of ice cream bars and pints. I passed several cases of beer and malt liquor varieties (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=d6-EOdTISH24Z5GoVk3dpw) before reaching the non-alcoholic beverages along the back wall (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=MzwmzFFyV5J_2y_XG2AufA). It took me a while before I settled on this (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=rQkPgEC4bCSYltVjXUj_og). In heading out, I noticed the substantial chips and snack bags (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=w8lpu14g1uB6YAIG4eSncg) on my way out and grabbed a small bag for later. Besides what I mentioned, I noticed that there was a variety of tobacco products behind the counter. The store is sandwiched between a breakfast place and a corner bar so their variety of products make sense. There are a number of businesses across the street (framing and furniture, I believe) as well as restaurants scattered around the area. Normally, this store type would rate a four for me but I was happily surprised with my interaction with the cashier who was very laid back and cordial. After wishing him a nice weekend, he surprisingly replied with enthusiasm, "You too!". When I'm able to leave a business with a smile and a warm heart, the fifth star is earned in my book.

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    Reno's Liquor Store - Hit the spot.

    Hit the spot.

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    Fred's Liquor & Groceries

    Fred's Liquor & Groceries

    4.2(36 reviews)
    1.5 miSoMa
    $

    My son in law wanted to grab a few beverages so we stopped here last Saturday evening. They do have…read morea decent selection for such a small place but the prices are outrageous, even for SF. He purchased a tiny bottle of Jim Beam for $8.99 while although pricey was the only thing een close to reasonably priced. He also got a 2 liter of Diet Pepsi that cost $6.99 and a 12 pack of white claw which they charged him $34.99 for. So $55 for those three items and then afterwards he said he was told his total was seventy something dollars and he had paid in cash. I would definitely not come here or recommend it and if you do, please check the prices, check your receipt and check the total amount you are told very carefully.

    Holy smokes! I have nothing against the store "per se." It's the neighborhood in which it resides…read more I was staying at the Marriott down the street and asked for a convenience store open on a Sunday at 11 o'clock at night. Somebody reluctantly suggested Fred's. I figured "what the heck." Walking from the Marriott to Fred's was a descent into hell. I could not believe all the homelessness and drug use I witnessed along the way. Nobodywas violent, as they were all out of their minds lying on the sidewalks. The management seemed to have a grasp on who they let in the store, and it seemed to be running a good business, providing food and such in the neighborhood which they have business. I've been in many combat zones in my life but never expected to see one on the streets of San Francisco. Next time visiting in San Francisco in the evening, I won't return to that area as it's an island of lost souls.

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    Fred's Liquor & Groceries
    Fred's Liquor & Groceries
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    Matko - korean - Updated May 2026

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