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San Francisco, CA

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Papa Noodle

4.5 (222 reviews)
ModerateChinese, Noodles
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Order Papa Noodle Takeout or Delivery

Papa Noodle Photos

PAPA NOODLE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Papa Noodle

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Reviews With Photos

Sara K.

My work ordered papa noodle for us. I got the crispy tofu and wings. I've only walked by the restaurant so I can't fully express what the ambiance is but everytime we order from papa noodle the utensils come with toothpicks and hand wipes which is so nice! Overall, good flavor, they don't joke on their spices, and it's filling and I would recommend to try for lunch.

Inside
Alisa P.

It's a perfect spot for my lunch break catch ups with friends now. They have nice short menu and kiosk helps to make an order faster. The space is nice, not too crowded on Monday lunch time. There are a couple of tables outside too. Food comes pretty fast - my favorite is Chefs Americano beef noodles - delicious tender meat crispy from outside on top of perfectly cooked noodles with a crunch from carrots and freshness from cilantro. Amazing hearty bowl. Recommend it!

Shay M.

We stopped by this restaurant for lunch while visiting San Francisco and I liked the cute street market feel of the space. Upon entering, we encountered a touch screen to order and the process was easy and intuitive. I ordered a papa noodle and it was delivered to my seat by a server. The only issue within this is that I had to wave down the server because when he came out with my meal he went to a few tables before he found me. The food was tasty and seemed fresh. The complimentary candies as well as self serve condiments and water was a nice touch. This is a good lunch spot in the heart of the city.

Papa Noodle
Jasmine L.

One of my favorite lunch spots in FiDi! The noodles are so chewy and have a great QQ texture. Can't go wrong with the classic Papa Noodle. The service is quick and easy and there are complementary candies and dental floss to pick up when leaving.

Nina W.

This place is close to our hotel so we decided to try it. I got the dry noodle (with chicken) and my husband got the beef noodle soup. Both are really delicious and the meat is super tender. Food is super filling too. You order at the iPad and wait for your food. They have some tables outside so it makes this place dog friendly! Does get windy on the sidewalk so bundle up!

Jennifer Y.

I can't believe I waited this long to try this place! I didn't have high expectations going in, but the flavor and portion sizes really surprised me. It was relatively quiet for the weekend, so we were seated right away and the food arrived quickly. The portions were generous, packed with plenty of protein and veggies. We tried the papa noodle (which came with your choice of chicken or pork), and the thick noodles soaked up all that delicious sauce perfectly. The beef in the braised beef noodle soup was also very tender. We particularly enjoyed the Chinese sauerkraut as it added a great touch to the meal.

Braised Beef Noodle Soup
James L.

What a hidden gem... quality noodles that are convenient and quick, right in downtown SF. I was in town visiting for the weekend and looking for something quick and easy to get for dinner and was able to locate Papa Noodle a few blocks from my hotel. I got the braised beef noodle soup, which was rich and hearty and really hit the spot. I hope to come again and try more items.

free candy
Michelle Z.

Very tucked away spot in fidi but the service and ambiance was great! The space is very thoughtful and they have tons of nice touches like free candy for customers, a tv playing food videos, utensils and water (& hot water too!!) and takeout boxes laid out for easy grabbing, and also a cool pac man machine inside. My friend and I got the braised beef noodle soup which was around $19 but a pretty hefty portion. The soup was a bit too salty/spicy for me but the beef flavor was great and I liked the chewiness/flavor of the noodles. The pickles and bok choy were also yummy touches. I do wish the cilantro stems weren't included though as they were unpleasant to eat. Overall this was a comforting meal and a nice spot for a casual dinner if in the area!

Photo 1: Montage of images from Papa Noodle
Ed U.

I haven't worked in the office drone part of eastern SoMa in quite some time. In fact, the last time I was at this address was when I was a semi-regular at Lee's Deli. I still miss the chicken salad sandwich, but I recently happened upon this casual Chinese zhijiang-style noodle house. With an understandably hip vibe given the populace, it wasn't a traditional-looking spot, but the food tasted authentic. The menu consists primarily of five noodle dishes of which customers pick one and order to customize on one of two kiosks. Naturally I was slow it was my first time, and the youngsters behind me managed to control their heavy sighs since they were more focused on their phones. Since it was the namesake dish, I decided on the $16.88 Papa Noodle with Pork, which they delivered in less than ten minutes. It looked appetizing with all the fresh vegetables (bean sprouts, shredded carrot and cucumber, pickled cabbage) surrounding the pork sauce and topped with chopped scallion. For extra crunch, I had them add spicy peanuts for an extra dollar (Photo 8). The handmade noodles were hidden underneath. Once tossed together, the flavors were quite satisfying (Photo 7). A nice noodle find. FOOD - 4 stars...deliciously authentic noodles AMBIANCE - 4 stars...kinda hipster but not irritatingly so SERVICE - 4 stars...very minimal interaction but quite fast TOTAL - 4 stars...Papa's got a brand new noodle RELATED - Exploring the eastern side of SoMa? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/TVGnDwzpSY

Shrimp Cold Noodle (with Spicy Peanuts)
Alyson S.

Papa Noodle is a hidden gem in downtown San Francisco serving delicious food and fun vibes. The interior is decorated with Chinese memorabilia, vintage arcade games, and best of all (for us Chinese) a candy section with free candy from our childhood. There is loud music playing different genres from classic rock to Chinese rap and a huge TV screen playing YouTube videos. Staff are friendly and welcoming. You have to order with them first before grabbing a table. We came on a weekend during lunch time when it was packed and only waited about 10 minutes for a table to clear. The dishes are rich in ingredients and have so much depth of flavor. We had the Vegan Loma Noodle (fried tofu) and the Shrimp Cold Noodle with Spicy Peanuts. The handmade noodles are so chewy. The portions are quite large and very worth it for the price. I highly recommend everyone come support this business. I can't wait to go back and try their other dishes.

Super Tofu Tots (Vegan)
Serena P.

stopped by on a friday around 5. immediately took in the ambiance. the space was so carefully curated and each piece felt so intentional, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere. there were 2 kiosks to order and we ordered the tofu tots and the vegan loma noodle. we sat down and there were lots of different seating options. they had 3 free to play games, a giant projector playing some travel food tv show, and a self serve station with candies, floss, and condiments. each table also had chili oil and extra spicy chili oil. the noodles were bouncy and flavorful and the tofu were some of the best i have had in sf!! service was quick and friendly! definitely will be back!

Inside
Lizzie S.

4.5 stars! I was very happy with Papa Noodle. I love zhajiang mien and not many places in SF make it. Papa Noodle does it well--my only gripe was I felt that the portion could've been bigger! I often take food home but here, I left a little and thought about taking it but then did not think the amount left warranted a takeout container. It's quick and many people do takeout here versus sitting down. It fills up during weekday lunch rushes, but the line moves quickly. I ordered Pork Papa Noodle and Walovi, which is Chinese herbal tea. It was cool and refreshing. The Papa Noodle had tender meat, not too fatty. It was very fragrant, as my old coworker who I dined with said. The noodles had good texture, consistency, and chewiness. I liked the amount of vegetables and meat they gave, as well as sides of vinegar and chili oil you could add. It's very clean inside and I love the decor and art. Very fun. Will be back!

Braised Beef Noodle Soup with thin rice noodles
Rita C.

This is such an amazing place! service was great and the place was very clean. At the front, they even provide mints and flossers for after the meal. what we got: beef noodle soup with thin rice noodles (10/10 yums): WOW. the rice noodles were really chewy even though they were thin. I was pretty impressed by the broth as well. The meat was super tender and fatty, which was definitely a plus! loma noodle (10/10 yums): this is the vegan option dry noodle! loved it as it wasn't too salty. there is an option to get it spicy or not spicy! super tofu tots (10/10 yums): must get appetizer to share! super crispy and flavored really well. Went great with the pickles on the side!

Tofu Tots

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the fresh, flavorful food, chewy noodles, friendly, fast service, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere.

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Coolest doggy! Haha. Thank you for the kind review! Nina.

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6 months ago

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Thank you for the kind review! Jennifer.

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7 months ago

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Thank you for the kind review! Chanson.

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Thank you for the kind review! Rose.

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We really appreciate your support and review! Namratha. Thank you!

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Ask the Community - Papa Noodle

Can you do non spicy noodles? Asking for the kids.

Dear Tina, our Vegan Loma Noodles are not spicy at all. We can also make Chicken Wings and Tofu Tots not spicy per request as well. Thank you for your support!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Sobakatsu - Cold soba

Sobakatsu

4.4(312 reviews)
1.5 mi•Japantown, Lower Pacific Heights
•$$

Worth the wait! This small soba and tempura shop services up delicious fare in a casual ambience…read more We arrived about 45 minutes before opening and were just one-person shy of the first seating so we had to wait for a table to finish before settling in. I decided on their cold soba with shrimp kakiage and vegetable tempura. Heavenly! Their tempura batter is whisper light and crisp. My favorite surprise was a piece of crab tempura tucked into my selection. We ended our meal mixing in the hot soba broth. I would definitely return, and hope for a shorter wait!

Came by for lunch around 12:15 PM on a Wednesday and ended up waiting about 40 minutes. When we…read morearrived, the restaurant was already full, with at least three parties waiting ahead of us. I was likely part of the second round of seating. While we waited, the line behind us grew quite long, with probably around 10 parties waiting by the time we finally got inside. One thing to note is that you don't place your order until you've secured a seat. If you're dining with someone, there's a good chance you'll have to share a table with other customers or potentially sit separately, especially if you're in a group of more than two. They have tables for four and counter seating for around three people (I think). Once you get a seat, you can place your order at the kiosk. They then call your number when your food is ready for pickup. Overall, the food was good, but probably not worth waiting in line for again. Personally, as someone who prefers udon over soba and ramen, the noodles tasted similar to what I've had at other soba restaurants. However, I did love the variety on the menu compared to your typical soba spot. Most places I've been to have cold soba with standard tempura options like shrimp, pumpkin, broccoli, etc. Here they offer more unique choices, such as fish tempura with roe, scallop kakiage, shishito pepper, etc. They also have both hot and cold soba options with a variety of toppings. I ordered the hot clam soba ($25), which was good and came with a generous amount of clams. My friend got the cold tenzaru soba ($22) with fish roe and another type of tempura. The portions were generous, and I couldn't even finish my soba noodles. Unfortunately, they don't offer takeout boxes so keep that in mind. If you want to get a seat during the first round of seating, I'd recommend lining up before they open. I'm glad I got to try this place, and I can see why people are willing to wait for it. However, I probably won't be returning since the food wasn't memorable enough for me to justify the long wait.

Photos
Sobakatsu - Inside

Inside

Sobakatsu - Tenzaru Soba: Shrimp + Veggie Tempura w/ chilled soba noodles | $19.25

Tenzaru Soba: Shrimp + Veggie Tempura w/ chilled soba noodles | $19.25

Sobakatsu - Cold soba + tempura

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Mensho Tokyo - Vegan Miso

Mensho Tokyo

4.1(3.4k reviews)
0.8 mi•Lower Nob Hill
•$$

Back in December 2018, I passed by and caught a whiff of something pleasant. There was a remarkably…read morelong line, but I decided to get in it thinking I could order quick, chow down, and be on my way. Alas! it was not to be, as I had to meet up with my group, and the line only moved in smidges. The intervening years visiting SF didn't provide me with any opportune moments to stop by. That is, until one Saturday evening August 2026 while I was walking around and by chance happened upon the same lovely scent. Although it was a few minutes before 11pm, the line to get in was closed off. Tomorrow was my last night in SF, so I made it my primary objective to dine here. Well, Sunday I was at the Chase Center till about 9:20pm where the Muni line was packed and going nowhere fast. In the spur of the moment, I ran all the way from Chase Center to Lower Nob Hill, a 2.3-mile journey, yielding to red lights and Pokémon fans. Exhausted, it was a couple minutes past 10pm when I arrived. Lo and behold, the line had not closed yet. Ordered their Signature Toripaitan ramen and was very pleased that it was ready in about two minutes. I'm not afraid to admit I literally vacuumed the contents of that bowl. Sure I was sweaty and famished, but the combination of chashu, menma, burdock root, ajitama egg, chicken broth, and every other element checked all my proverbial boxes. The waitstaff who took my order was likely aghast that I ate so violently, though she was professional and responded energetically when I showered her with thanks and praise for the meal. I also ordered a mazemen to-go for the next day's lunch, and that was a real treat. Recently, I learned that there is a location in Culver City. Heck, why wait another 8 years?

I remember the last time I was here I waited an hour in line and I still decided to come back for…read moretheir ramen a few years later! My wait this time wasn't too bad since I came on a weekday and on the earlier side. The signature toripaitan ramen featured a creamy chicken broth with al-dente, chewy mochi ramen noodles. I enjoyed both the pork and the duck meat, especially the latter with its inherent seasoning and tenderness. The mushroom pieces were tasty as well; appreciated the ratio of soup to noodles to other ingredients. I personally liked the signature over the spicy version. I very much appreciated how they keep their soup warm with a second bowl. You really can't go wrong with the enoki chips - crispy, umami, and slightly citrus-y to cut the oiliness. The line moves at a reasonable rate, given how small the space is. Probably much harder for larger parties. Every seated individual is required to order a bowl of ramen. Would come back on a weekday if I'm craving their ramen!

Photos
Mensho Tokyo - Counter seating

Counter seating

Mensho Tokyo - Enoki chips

Enoki chips

Mensho Tokyo - A5 wagyu sushi

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A5 wagyu sushi

Taniku Izakaya - Spicy beef ramen

Taniku Izakaya

4.6(358 reviews)
1.1 mi•Tenderloin
•$$

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.

Photos
Taniku Izakaya - Inside 9/22/25

Inside 9/22/25

Taniku Izakaya - Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !

Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !

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Papa Noodle - chinese - Updated October 2026

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