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    Noodle in a Haystack

    4.9 (94 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndRamen, New American

    Noodle in a Haystack Photos

    Business Info

    NOODLE IN A HAYSTACK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Noodle in a Haystack

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    Strawberry basque cheesecake
    Ming C.

    Was finally able to snag a reservation after months of trying (and it was thanks to me randomly checking tock, not even a day the reservations opened). Food was delicious, so creative and unique. I've been to a fair amount of fine dining spots and many of them have been excellent but I do believe Noodle in a Haystack gave me some of my most memorable bites. The caviar financier packed a surprising punch. Corn chawamushi is so unique and tasted so fresh and delicious. Mapo ramen while homey, was soooo good, I may have liked it more than the shio chicken which was the main ramen. The shio ramen was great but I think I just prefer more bite to my noodles. Wagyu marsala was absolutely delicious as well, I loved the salt flakes and Clint is genius with how he put it all together. I've had better wagyu but this was my first time trying it in a donut and it definitely left an impact. Basque cheesecake was wow! The strawberriest, cheesiest cake I've ever tasted, the way it melted in your mouth was a delight, would definitely be interested if the team looked into a bakery. It feels a little weird paying so much for "just ramen", but the experience was more than just noodles and many of the standouts to me were not even the noodle dishes. Overall, would highly recommend if you are looking for a unique tasting experience that you can't find anywhere else--just know it will cost a pretty penny. Although we got the sake pairing, I am lightweight so I opted to drinking a non-alcoholic beverage but my partner enjoyed the pairings. The restaurant was cozy and discreet and easy to miss but very clean and I love the open kitchen concept. I appreciated the intimate experience, with 10 seats, it made sense why the reservations are so hard to get!

    Jenny X.

    What a cool experience! Got a reservation here thanks to a friend and we went on a Tuesday night! Good: - The place was so cute! I liked that it was a hole in the wall place - Super nice staff, definitely a labor of love - Liked the mini wine pairing, wasn't too much and it did complement each dish well - Each course was so pretty and made in front of us - my favorites were the Amish chicken and the desert pancake was very tasty. The noodles had good texture! Everything was worth eating, no dish wasn't great. Bad: - Expensive! Overall enjoyed this 3 hour experience and it was worth every moment

    Marlon T.

    The best dining experience in San Francisco right now! Is your internet fast enough to grab a coveted reservation on Tock.com right when it comes out? The food is spectacular, the atmosphere is simple, and the chats with the owners are priceless. Every bite was flavorful. Every sake/wine sip complemented the textures of flavors so well. Clint and Yoko and passionate and good and what they do and it's really the conversations you have with them that make the meal even more special. 1000% recommend!

    Lori R.

    I don't know how I haven't reviewed Noodle in a Haystack yet !! This is my 4th or 5th time dining here and I haven't had a single dish I haven't like. Yoko and Clint have a beautiful restaurant and deliver amazing food that they have put a ton of thought and effort into. For those of you who haven't been dining here is always a preset menu. Usually 5-10 courses depending on which menu you sign up for (they use to have a nonextended dining menu but I think now it's just extended v sake pairing). Reservations are incredibly hard to get. Try to get onto tock a few minutes before 9pm on the second Sunday and if you don't get a spot then just do waitlist and cross your fingers. The menu changes constantly but usually there is always the starting frangipane by yoko, homemade pickled something (this time was daikon and then a kimchi inspired persimmon pickle), some type of wagyu dish - this time featured a wagyu tartar with the most amazing smoked pickles that tasted like bacon. Also there is usually some variation of 2 ramen- this time we had the egg carbonara but it had a shrimp broth oil that elevated this dish to a higher level than it was in the past- and that was already amazing. The broth ramen this time might actually be my favorite so far - it's a take on hainan chicken with a sambal side sauce. The two different noodle dishes featured different noodles that suited the dish perfectly. This is a very intimate dining experience where you get to chat with the owners/chefs/creators and get to eat incredible, thoughtful, innovative, delicious food. I would recommend everyone dine at least once here.

    Pickled vegetables
    Cathy H.

    This omakase was an intimate 10 person experience that was close to 3 hours with the owner explaining each menu item to us before serving it with a wine/sake pairing. Ambiance was cozy and friendly. I really enjoy how small it was and the thought that went into the food. Service was excellent and attentive. Everything was delicious; some standouts for me was the cold ramen with spot prawns and uni sauce; hot hainan chicken ramen noodle soup, and the Crab Chawanmushi. Two of my favorite pairings were the melon sake and world peace sake; both were fragrant and smooth. This exclusive experience is worth the wait, hype and price. Highly recommend trying if you can get a reservation!

    Josie C.

    The menu is absolutely delicious! We had a splendid meal, and it was well worth the money. There aren't many bar seats, so it's best to book ahead!

    yuzu lemon (zested)
    Wing Y.

    This restaurant is the epitome of the idea that constraint breeds creativity. It's a small Japanese restaurant with no stove and no grill and 12 seats available three nights a week that are nearly impossible to get. But after 4 months of setting a calendar invite and signing onto Tock at the right time, my wife was excited to report that she had scored a reservation for last Tuesday evening. This is a complete dining experience. You get to talk to the chefs (a husband and wife team) and their helpers and watch as they carefully prepare and assemble the food before it is served to you. They are so purposeful and efficient in their actions - whether it's placing a single shred of greenery atop a perfect dollop of caviar, mixing a quick cucumber pickle with a deft stirring motion, or lovingly laying ramen into a bowl of broth. Clint and Yoko put their own spin on things, humbly stating that they are just trying to make things that they themselves would like to eat. The flavors and dishes are familiar but combined in interesting and subtle ways - for example the chawanmushi (egg custard) is combined with the flavors of hot and sour soup with the result being an incredibly warm and comforting dish. The Yakiniku Tartare includes pickled daikon and egg yolk, served on a delicate rice cracker, bringing together lots of exciting textures and flavors. Everything is amazing, and the noodles are the star of the show. The first noodle dish was a creamy, umami-packed take on carbonara, and the ramen of the night was a Shio Butter Clam Ramen, featuring two seafood broths and a clam butter along with sous vide pork and charred corn. Loved the desserts as well - a refreshing shaved ice atop "almond tofu" and a lovely, light dorayaki bursting with flavor and texture. Could not recommend this place more. We were here for nearly three hours and the time flew by! We put our regular date nights on pause a few months ago, so this was a lovely way to get some time together on our own.

    Sherry S.

    This is *the* hardest reservation to score in San Francisco. Located in a nondescript building in the Inner Richmond, Noodle in a Haystack is serving up a $195 ramen tasting menu. Husband and wife duo Clint and Yoko were finalists in the World Ramen Grand Prix in Tokyo, which inspired them to start their business in San Francisco, quickly earning its spot as one of the top new restaurants in the country. They insert ingredients from their ramen to each dish of the 8-course tasting menu. We started with a crispy golden financier topped with caviar and smoked shoyu creme fraiche, followed by a chawanmushi, or savory egg custard, with ingredients like Dungeness crab dashi gravy, Hokkaido Uni & Scallop. The chilled A5 wagyu tan tan men was incredibly refreshing from the cold house-made noodles and dashi, yet rich in flavor from the wagyu butter and mala. Next, a tender black cod and Japanese pickles before the climax of the tasting menu- a piping hot bowl of ramen that they rotate out every couple months. This is a hainanese chicken inspired shio ramen, with perfectly chewy housemade noodles in a translucent salt-seasoned broth. We finished strong with a refreshing Yuzu shaved ice, and Shoyu honey mirin Japanese pancake. You absolutely need to go for a special occasion or a nice night out!

    Mark O.

    Dinner review. Japanese (non-traditional) tasting menu. Winter / Early Spring Extended Menu (Highlight) Financier Tsar Nicoulai Golden Reserve Caviar, Smoked shoyu crème fraîche (Highlight) Chawanmushi Dungeness crab dashi gravy, Hokkaido Uni & Scallop, Garlic Brown butter, Shio tare, Mountain Yam, Mitsuba (Best. Awesome.) Chilled A5 Wagyu Tan Tan Men Japanese sesame tare, A5 Wagyu "butter," Ramp Vinegar, Mala, Dashi, A5 Hokkaido Wagyu Striploin Black Cod Steam roasted Black Cod, Japanese Sea Bream dashi, Blood Orange Olive oil, Chives Tsukemono Pickles of the Day (Highlight) Hainan Chicken Shio 8 hr Whole chicken & Pi water broth, 5 fish dashi, Shio Tare, Ginger scallion schmaltz, "Hainan Chicken" Roulade, 3 day cured jidori egg, Tokyo Negi, Aged onion, Micro cilantro Annin Kakigori Yuzu shaved ice, "Almond tofu", Kiwi preserve Dorayaki Shoyu honey mirin pancake, Burnt caramel, Chantilly, Salted brown butter crumble Overall, "as good as it gets."

    Wagyu Abura Soba
    Eric Joseph D.

    I have been in love with Noodle in a Haystack and Clint & Yoko since 2016 and I am so happy I finally got to eat at their new restaurant. To be honest, I was unsure when the restaurant would open, but it was definitely worth the wait! The open faced chef's table-esque kitchen and modern/sleek design is extremely welcoming and the lighting is great for photos. I didn't tell Clint & Yoko this, but this was one of my first meals after recovering from food poisoning so I was unsure if I was going to even enjoy it, but oh boy, was this one of my favorite meals of the year. I can talk about all of the dishes in detail, but here are some of my favorites: +Japanese Avocado Toast - Mashed avocado with smoked trout on top of a deep fried donut hole. Finished with finger limes and a cold pressed African Green Chilli oil. This was magical... +Spanish blue fin toro tar tar tart - Toro on top of a tart? Got to love that ingenuity! Inspired by a sushi roll, they top it off with a regular pickle, smoked pickle, and shishito leaf. +Wagyu Abura Ramen - First of all, can we talk about the noodles they are using? Wagyu, wagyu butter, and those beautiful noodles. Come on! I mean come on! I am drooling just thinking about this. This was the star. I could have eaten a couple bowls of this. Also, Clint & Yoko are some of the nicest people I have ever met and it brings me so much joy to eat their food in such a beautiful space. For $150 a person, you get at least 7-8 courses and an intimate dining experience. They are rotating their menu and experimenting with local and seasonal ingredients so my experience will probably be different from the next person, but it is definitely worth trying out if you can snag a reservation!

    Johnny W.

    Summary: So much more than just fancy ramen Details: For the uninitiated, Noodle in a Haystack has been around for many years now, originally operating as a ramen-focused popup at various venues, with reservations that were largely impossible for most to get. Since those early days, the business has evolved significantly, with Clint and Yoko opening up their own brick and mortar space (after many a bureaucratic roadblock), reservations being marginally easier to get (you have a ~15 minute window now instead of ~30 seconds), and the menu having turned into something more akin to kaiseki (though still built around a star noodle dish, of course). I was lucky to nab a last minute opening during their soft launch month, and got to see and taste the fruits of their labor, as my girlfriend and I were treated to a bevy of courses: some, significantly more stellar than others, but all enjoyable in some form, and each presented with a bit of fanfare and background from the couple themselves. While the main noodle (a wagyu aburasoba the day we went) itself was obviously one of the star dishes, their caviar financier, kakuni karaage, and annin kakigori were also particularly outstanding. Absolutely worth a shot if you can snag a reservation. And while $225 after included tax and tip is certainly a steep price for ramen, it's more palatable if you think of it in terms of a tasting menu at a Michelin star restaurant, with the same expectation of care and quality put into the dishes. Accessibility: The space is a bit smaller and comprised of bar counter seating only, but they specifically designed a wheelchair accessible portion with a lower counter towards the far end!

    Sake
    PJ D.

    Added this restaurant to my bookmark after seeing such high praise from the infatuation. It's definitely a once in a lifetime experience if you're lucky enough to experience because this is the hardest reservation to get in the city right now - but absolutely worth it. We were able to score a sake pairing reservation after 3 months of setting alarms and attempting to catch a reservation as soon as the opened and were so excited for this omakase style ramen tasting menu. The exterior is a little unsuspecting but just get to the address and you'll see other people waiting around for opening and know you're in the right area. The space is minimal and seats only about 12 which is why it's so hard to catch a reservation. The food and sake absolutely amazing but what I loved more than just what we ate is being able to be in an intimate setting with the chefs to directly talk to them and hear about their thoughts behind their creations, their journey and getting to know them personally. It's hard to pick favorites when everything hits but for me the wagyu sandwich and the dessert coffee infused cheesecake were definitely standouts!

    avocado toast
    Jenny H.

    I had a phenomenal dining experience at Noodle in a Haystack! One glance at the name and you'd immediately think that it's just a ramen shop, but there are SO many layers here. It's an omakase and ramen shop with Asian fusion vibes and a monthly ramen style. They're constantly experimenting with new recipes, so the menu is always changing. The 8 courses ($125/person) were rich with flavor, umami, and creativity. While the star of the show was definitely the beautifully crafted and delicious ramen, the other food elements still lingered in my mind. My taste buds were dancing because I was transported back to my time in Japan. BONUS: Clint and Yoko are super sweet, kind, thoughtful, and knowledgeable! They initially ran their pop-up around the Bay Area, but the Kickstarter project helped bring their dream of opening a shop in SF to life. The current seating arrangement allows each guest to easily communicate with them. Clint explained each dish (and fun facts) with immaculate detail. They also have a special Pi-water filter! Note that this restaurant has no defined menu, so the items below might not be the same when you visit. However, there will probably be variations of these items. Either way, you won't be disappointed :) 1. Avocado toast with chili olive oil: Bite-sized bread with avocado. It looks really simple, but the acidity and flavor were very balanced. 2. Rice crackers with uni and mix of fresh fish: The rice crackers brings me back to my childhood. The uni and fish were incredibly fresh and creamy. I need more of this in my life. 3. Kanpachi with ponzu sauce: Great ponzu sauce with a nice crunch from the onions! 4. Chilled tofu: The sauce was inspired by tantanmen and mala, so you'll get a nice kick of umami. It was so smooth. 5. 16-hour braised pork belly: WOW, the best pork belly that I've ever had. It literally MELTED in my mouth. Smooth like butter *cues BTS song* :) This gave me KBBQ vibes because of the meat + salad combo. 6. Radish and pickled vegetables (shared between 2 people): So refreshing and tasty! I'd love to have this on the side at all times. 7. Abura soba ramen: THE best ramen I've ever had and on the same wavelength as the best ramen places in Japan. This gave me Mi Goreng vibes, but amplified x1000. The onions were sweet and mild without the spicy onion flavor. Their wagyu butter and wagyu fat mousse in the sauce were divine. Soak the noodles with the orange egg yolk for some extra creamy flavor. It was SO FREAKING DELICIOUS. 8. Almond jello with kiwi and shaved ice: Great way to end the night with super light dessert!

    Drink menu

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    Ask the Community - Noodle in a Haystack

    Is there a no meat option? For broth, seafood, etc. no problem, but actual meat like chicken/pork/beef is what I am referring to. Thanks!

    It depends on the ramen that is on the menu at the time. If we are doing a meat based ramen then we are unable to make adjustments outside of omitting a meat based topping. However, there may also be other meat based courses as well since we are… Read more

    Hi, can you accommodate gluten free?

    Unfortunately, we are unable to due to the nature of the tasting menu being ramen centric.

    What days are you open?

    We currently do not have set days. Primarily doing advanced bookings which can be made on our Tock site:… Read more

    Are you vegetarian or pescatarian friendly?

    No, special dietary preferences are not offered. My recent meal included beef.

    Are the pop ups still happening while the storefront is on hold?

    No more pop-ups, as we are putting all our energy into trying to get the shop open.

    Are there substitutes for Pescatarians? for broth as well. Thanks!

    Not at the moment. It might be something we can do in the future, but currently we just don’t have the resources / space to prepare a full 5+ course pescatarian menu. Thank you!

    How do we make reservations?

    You can visit our website, noodleinhaystack.com for the schedule and link to Tock where you can purchase a ticket. Tickets are released a month in advance, on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 10pm.

    Can't find this place. Where is it exactly?

    We don’t have a permanent space at the moment so we move around a lot. Majority of our current events are hosted in Daly City

    What are the business hours and how long is this pop up staying?

    We don’t have typical business hours because we don’t have a set venue space yet. Our schedule goes up 1 month in advance and tickets are sold to our communal dining events through Tock. You can check our webpage for the dates & links.

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    I saw many were able to park right outside of the restaurant and it is walkable from Union Square…read more If you are walking and first time SF, the area may feel a little sketchy especially after sundown. I was by myself and wanted to have a quick eat. This place has unique ramen so I decided to come again (also SF/bay area only in the US). Since I was alone, I got to skip the line and only waited 15 minutes. The ramen was great. I would love to come again and try new one. Their duck chashu is SO GOOD. A little salty but works great as a whole. I respect the kitchen and servers because it's so busy and they are very efficient.

    We visited Mensho Tokyo SF for our Mother's Day celebration after hearing so many great things…read moreabout the ramen, and we were genuinely excited to try it for the first time. We were a large group of 15, including several kids, and we completely understand that the restaurant is small and accommodating a group our size can be challenging. We waited in line for almost an hour with around 6 children. During the wait, a staff member named Sue came outside, asked how many people were in our group, and handed us menus. Since it was our first visit, we were naturally asking questions and trying to understand the menu. Unfortunately, throughout the interaction, her body language and expressions felt impatient and unwelcoming. There was visible frustration and eye-rolling, which made us feel uncomfortable rather than welcomed. Even after we were seated, the experience continued to feel tense. One of the toddlers in our group started crying briefly -- something fairly common with young children -- and we were told to "keep it low out of respect." While we absolutely respect other diners, the way it was communicated felt lacking in empathy, especially on a busy Mother's Day with families dining out. A small gesture of kindness or understanding could have gone a long way. Instead, my friend felt compelled to take the child outside, which was disappointing. Additionally, after being seated, we had to remind the staff multiple times to come take our orders. What makes this especially unfortunate is that the ramen itself was truly delicious and lived up to the hype. The food was excellent, which is why this experience was so disappointing overall. I hope management takes this feedback seriously because customer service and hospitality matter just as much as the food experience. Unfortunately, this was not the ideal way to end our Mother's Day celebration.

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    Taishoken San Francisco

    Taishoken San Francisco

    4.5(606 reviews)
    2.9 miMission
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    Happy hour specials
    Vegetarian friendly

    This is my favorite veggie broth ever!!! I highly recommend:…read more- TSK fries - seasoning is so good - veggie ramen - broth is flavorful, I love the thin noodles - lychee mimosa & ginger lemonade cocktails - light and fresh They have a great happy hour. It's somehow always busy but I never have to wait long for a table. I like that they have a yelp wait-list, I usually join while I'm on my way over.

    Solid restaurant! Entrees and noodles are tasty, albeit a bit underwhelming. Appetizers shine…read morethough! Service is excellent. Ambiance is quite nice. Food (7.5/10) - The most important factor to determining my rating of a restaurant of the food. Let's start with the positives... can we just talk about the appetizers? Probably some of the BEST fried calamari I've ever had (and I do enjoy my fair share of fried calamari). It was crispy but still had a nice chew. They also had a nice deep-fried garlic base witha. little bit of sweetness which you could add on top of the calamari for a zing of sweetness and deep umami flavor. The ranch paired great with it, adding an additional layer of creamy tang that helped cut through the fat if the fried taste becomes too overwhelming. Absolutely ABSOLUTELY must order the calamari. The karaage was also amazing! The chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The mayo added an extra layer of creamy richness. Minus slight points for the lemon. I'm usually a fan of the lemon on the side but this one had a slightly bitter and acidic aftertaste when added onto the chicken. One additional comment I'll make is that it definitely seems like they switch out their oil frequently or keep cross contamination to a minimum! There is none of that leftover, greasy flavor or that co-mingled taste that you get when you fry everything with the same oil. Now, onto the noodles. To preface this, I won't say that the noodles were necessarily bad; they still tasted decent. BUT for the cost, I expected something a little more. Let's start with the ramen. The ramen itself was pulled a bit too thin which led to a super thin noodle texture that ended up being too mushy to chew. In my personal opinion, ramen is meant to have a chewy, al dente texture to give you that slurp-able mouthfeel but this one just chewed through like mush. Additionally, the broth was super heavy and dense. While you want a broth that's packed with umami flavor, this broth was definitely overdone. Whether it be the result of too many bones (releases a lot of collagen and thickens your broth) or maybe improper rinsing, there was a slightly pungent smell associated with the first "boil" of bones. It sits on your tongue in a weird way. With that being said, the broth still had a nice taste on your palette initially; just wish it was slightly clearer. Additional comment on the chicken ramen.. chicken is WAY overpeppered. The pepper flavor is like a smack to the jugular and it washes away any of that delicate flavor of the broth. Lastly, onto the tsukumen, which is meant to be the famous product of the restaurant and the main reason why I came. Honestly, it's pretty good BUT you have to eat it the right way. Let's go down the recommendation on the menu: eat it alone. Personal opinion, do NOT do this. The noodles taste like nothing and while I understand it's "for the texture" you're just chewing through flavorless dough at that point. Dipping the noodles in the broth is definitely a nice way to add some flavor and it's very enjoyable how the broth clings to the noodles. However, the broth feels very one-note. It's all around just a super salty flavor with nothing to particularly write home about. Adding the chili is WHERE IT'S AT. Adding that additional kick and slightly spicy flavor helps you balance the thickness and richness of the sauce-broth. Delicious! The main comment I have for the food as a whole is that it is just heavy course on heavy course. Price (7/10) - Price is okay. Apps were fairly priced (about $12 each) but the noodles were TOO expensive in my opinion. $21 for the ramen is kind of egregious; could find elsewhere. Tsukumen was fine. Service (9/10) - Service is excellent here. Staff is attentive and (whom I presume is the manager) has timing down to a tee. Cleared the table immediately after appetizers were finished and brought out entrees almost instantly. Wow, is he efficient. Also, I did catch another table sit down, order, step out to use the restroom and by the time they had returned, there was already food in front of them. Peak efficiency! **Recommendation: Join the Yelp Waitlist before coming! There can be a bit of a wait (make sure you check) so if you want immediate seating, put your name down. Ambiance (8/10) - Honestly just a chill restaurant vibe. The "bar" seating was quite nice but not exactly a fan of how you just stare into the kitchen. It just feels weird every time you look up you see a metal pan (it's not even like they're tossing the noodles in front of nor is there a bar). Also, the bathrooms are kind of eerily dark for some reason. I liked their tables though! Nice dark wood LOL. Honestly, ambiance doesn't affect the review that much but just thought I'd comment on some things I noticed. Overall, good restaurant that I would definitely come back to for the appetizers and maybe for a tsukumen (with new method unlocked). Would avoid the ramen. Would recommend!

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    Sake Flights

    HINODEYA Ramen Japantown - Spicy Miso Ramen jt

    HINODEYA Ramen Japantown

    4.2(2.3k reviews)
    2.1 miJapantown, Lower Pacific Heights
    $$

    Always love the ramen here! It's so rich with flavor. The chashu was a nice, thick cut of pork and…read morenoodles were perfect. Unfortunately, I felt my soup was slightly too salty that day. Otherwise, they're usually consistent with their ramen. Got lucky with no wait time for Sunday lunch. Quick, friendly service.

    UPDATE: The owner reached out to us shortly after our visit and handled the situation very…read moreprofessionally. They not only refunded the ramen with the issue but generously refunded the entire meal for our party. I truly appreciate the follow-up, accountability, and care--it made a big difference. I came to Hinodeya Ramen today with my partner, and this visit was really disappointing, especially considering I've been coming here for years. On a positive note, my Tokyo Duck ramen was actually very good, great portion and rich, flavorful broth. We also had gyoza and hot sake, which were enjoyable. Ambiance was a bit noisy. However, my partner ordered the beef sukiyaki ramen, and when it came out, there was a thick, short, wavy hair in the bowl, clearly not something that should ever be in food. This is a serious contamination issue. We tried to get our server's attention, and I understand it was busy, but being busy is not an excuse when it comes to food safety. Eventually, another server came over. We showed him the issue, expecting at least a proper apology or some explanation of what happened. Instead, he just took the bowl away and said a quick "I'm sorry" no explanation, no reassurance, nothing. They brought out a new bowl of ramen, but at that point, the experience was already ruined. It's hard to continue eating normally after something like that, it honestly just stays in your mind. What makes this more frustrating is that I've been here many times before with friends, family, and coworkers, and when everything goes right, it's great. But when something goes wrong, the response is just a simple "sorry" with no accountability or communication. Even on my last visit a few months ago, the broth was bland and the response was the same just "I'm sorry." At a minimum, for an issue this serious, there should be clear communication, reassurance about food safety, and a more professional response. Because of both past and current experiences, I don't think I'll be coming back. I really hope they improve their service and train staff to handle serious situations like this more appropriately.

    Photos
    HINODEYA Ramen Japantown - Inside restaurant

    Inside restaurant

    HINODEYA Ramen Japantown - Spicy Miso Ramen

    Spicy Miso Ramen

    HINODEYA Ramen Japantown - Chicken Karaage and Green Gyoza

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    Chicken Karaage and Green Gyoza

    Ippudo San Francisco - Karaka Spicy Ramen, 9/10! So much flavor and minced tofu on top

    Ippudo San Francisco

    3.8(1.6k reviews)
    3.5 miUnion Square, SoMa, Financial District
    $$

    Came here after a long day at the Super Bowl experience. We…read moredid a walk-in for four. The wait for a table was 20 mins or we can share a large table with random people and be seated immediately. We were hungry. We went with the large shared table. Pleasantly, there was more than enough room. There were at least 1-2 seats in between the three groups on each side that were there- a solo diner, a small family of 3, and my group of 4. I ordered the Karaka Spicy, my bf ordered Akamaru Modern, his sister ordered Miso, and I don't remember what her friend got- I think it was also Karaka spicy. My bf and I ordered the Treasure plate on the side to share and a side of spicy paste because I know Japanese spicy is barely spicy (from someone who grew up eating SEA spicy). Karaka Spicy had a nicely balance tonkotsu mouth feel and pork flavor. Broth was a little salty. I was correct to assume that it wasn't spicy because I used half of the side of spicy paste and I still didn't think it was spicy enough. Chashu was cooked fine. Notes: - I wished I would've asked if they could swap the thin noodles for the thick ones. I love the chew thicker noodles provide. - Noodles were cooked al dente. Akamaru Modern tasted very similar to Karaka spicy without the spicy. My bf used the other half of the spicy paste as dip for his toppings. He enjoyed it. Miso was a lighter broth (obvi) with a good umami flavor and was not watered down. Solid. She loved it. I have never seen her finish a whole bowl of ramen before. There was a server in training that took our order with the help of the trainer- he did great. Staff was attentive with our waters. Bussers were also quick to notice and remove empty plates and bowls regularly making for an easy clean up after we leave and kept the shared table clutter free. Interior was modern, but casual. They had an expansive menu with vegetarian choices, sushi, buns, karage, etc. and a surprisingly large array of alcohol. I would def like to be back to try some drinks.

    We were in the city for the NFL Experience the day before the Super Bowl and were excited to grab a…read moregood bowl of ramen. Unfortunately, IPPUDO didn't live up to expectations. The ramen is served in large bowls, which looks impressive at first, but the actual portion of noodles and toppings felt underwhelming for the price. At that price point, I expected more both in quantity and flavor. We ordered the Dragon Tantan ramen, which the menu describes as spicy. It wasn't spicy at all. We asked our waiter if we could have a little more heat, and he nodded and brought over a tiny dipping-bowl-sized portion of some red paste with no explanation. There was no mention that it would cost extra. After finishing our meal, we were surprised to see a $5 charge on the bill for the "extra spice." We genuinely thought it was complimentary, and if it wasn't, that absolutely should have been communicated before serving it. The lack of transparency was disappointing and unnecessary. Overall: mid food, mid service, and not worth the price -- especially during such an exciting weekend in the city. Unfortunately, we won't be coming back.

    Photos
    Ippudo San Francisco - Inside. Dining room. Busy on a Sunday early afternoon.

    Inside. Dining room. Busy on a Sunday early afternoon.

    Ippudo San Francisco - NIRVANA KARAKA (DD)

    NIRVANA KARAKA (DD)

    Ippudo San Francisco - French fries

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    French fries

    Taniku Izakaya - Spicy beef ramen

    Taniku Izakaya

    4.6(339 reviews)
    2.7 miTenderloin
    $$

    Came here at around 6 PM on a Tuesday and got seated immediately! It got busier about 10 mins…read moreafter. Super cute & decorated inside, and staff was so nice! Okonomoyaki tater tots - 8.5/10 from a potato lover!! This does have some sort of cheese on it so beware if you don't eat it Hamachi Hand Roll - 9/10 SO GOOD. I think the rice is mixed in with soy sauce. It was super flavorful which I wasn't expecting Scallop Hand Roll - 8/10, the yuzu on top was absolutely delicious & scallop was very soft. Kobe Skewer - 7/10, it was good but nothing extraordinary. It'll hit the spot if you like meat skewers Yuzu Tori Skewer - 7/10, same as the kobe skewer, but the yuzu on top was delicious Niku Ramen - 8/10, good portion & very very flavorful. I'm glad that they gave a lot of meat in this. I shared this & they provided an extra bowl without me asking :) It's also not super spicy. Hokkaido Milk Pudding - 8/10, the pudding itself was so good but the sauce was a little too sweet for me. However, my partner has a sweet tooth and loved it :) Will totally come again, everything was so yummy and so glad to have tried it!

    I had no idea how popular this restaurant was when I made the reservation. I was just craving…read moreJapanese food and wanted to try somewhere new with friends. When we arrived, there was already a long line out front, which set the tone. The place is small and intimate. The food was out of this world. I got the pork belly skewers, mushrooms in truffle sauce, a unagi hand roll, and a shrimp tempura hand roll. All of it was excellent, but the mushrooms and pork belly truly stood out. Every dish felt like it was made with deep care and intention. Our server was attentive throughout. We had a fantastic time. Definitely make a reservation before you go!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Photos
    Taniku Izakaya - Interior

    Interior

    Taniku Izakaya - Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !

    Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !

    Taniku Izakaya - Calamari

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    Calamari

    HINODEYA Ramen Union Square - Chicken and silver noodles awaiting the broth

    HINODEYA Ramen Union Square

    4.1(542 reviews)
    3.3 miUnion Square
    $$

    Stumbled upon this place as I was walking in the neighborhood and decided to stop by for lunch. I…read morewas seated right away and was given water and a menu within the minute. I ordered the spicy edamame and the yu-Lin-chi. The edamame definitely has a kick to them and the chicken was great. Nicely coated.

    Ive eaten my fair share of Japanese ramen and know my ramen pretty well. Yelp and Google both had…read moreHinodeya higher rated than Ippudo (I wasn't in the mood to battle whatever mob scene might be happening at Mensho), and this place was literally right across the street from my hotel, so I made a mad dash for this place as it was friggin' cold in SF on a late Spring day. If you try to come here around 6-7pm, there is a long line waiting to get seated, but it moves fast. I kept peeking out of my hotel window and by 7:30pm, line was almost non existent, so that's when I went down to get dinner. When I arrived, I was immediately shown a seat inside. You can sit outside too as lots of tables right on the street but it was way too cold for me. Service was quick and I ordered a Yuzu Zen (vegan) ramen. I wanted to try something different than their signature ramen. This ramen was cooked in the traditional Japanese Buddhist temple way, which was a bonus for me. I am a practicing Buddhist and have meditated at various different temple organizations and I enjoy temple cooking as its usually lighter but still very soul nourishing. The broth is lighter and its a vegan dashi broth and comes with zest of yuzu (its like a Japanese lemon), bamboo shoots, crispy kale and sweet fried tofu. I enjoyed this bowl of noodles with soup and the broth was hot, so it warmed me up. I was not really a fan of the inari (sweet fried tofu) as it was just too sweet for me. Service was a little slow towards the end as I was itching to pay and go for an evening stroll, but otherwise, a good experience. I'd come back again when nearby.

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    HINODEYA Ramen Union Square - Inside

    Inside

    HINODEYA Ramen Union Square - Crispy Chicken Karaage

    Crispy Chicken Karaage

    HINODEYA Ramen Union Square - Warm or cold sake at Hinodeya

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    Warm or cold sake at Hinodeya

    Noodle in a Haystack - ramen - Updated May 2026

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