I came to this small, mom and pop restaurant after a fun day at the Renegade Craft Fair. I have to say after walking up the winding and hilly streets of SF, this warming and comforting curry really hit the spot! I want to preface that this restaurant is simple, no frills, and looks a little outdated when you walk in. However, the service was very friendly and the menu is pretty extensive! This location offers Japanese-style curry dishes from chicken katsu curry to fried fish curry and even offers vegetarian curry dishes as well. I also love that you can pick from a list of toppings to add to your curry. Not to mention, you can choose the spice level of your curry. Volcano offers a spice level of 1 (mild) - 4 (volcano). I ordered the fried shrimp curry with the addition of a potato croquette, spice level 2 (medium). I was STARVING and was tempted to add more toppings but didn't want to go too crazy so I could enjoy the curry itself! I also ordered a cup of miso soup on the side. I'm going to be totally honest, I was just expecting an average bowl of curry but boy was I wrong... 5/5! The food came out piping hot, to-go style, in white plastic containers. The shrimp was golden, light, crispy, and tender. The potato croquette was super crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I was amazed that none of the fried items were greasy whatsoever. The curry was thick, hearty, comforting and had a slight kick of spice. Accompanied with a mound of steamy, white rice, this dish was delicious and the portions very generous! The miso soup was light, umami, and broth-y. It really helped to cut the richness of the curry and fried items. I'm so happy I got to try this place and will be back to try their katsu sandos next time! read more

Volcano - Fried Shrimp Curry w/ Mini Potato Croquette - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

This review is mainly for the takeout I ordered. The curry was good. I ordered a side of sausages (plural) for $1.75, but when I opened my takeout order, there was only one sausage--like, what? Looking at previous photos of the sausages, there were two in each order. Have they started skimping? read more

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We came for an early dinner on Saturday at around 4 pm and there wasn't a line so we ordered immediately at the cashier before taking a seat. It seems like the dishes came in to-go boxes even if you want to dine it but it was helpful due to the large portion size. Pork Katsu Curry - This came with pork katsu, a curry that had carrots and potatoes as well as rice. The portion was pretty well balanced between all the different components and it came out very fresh. The pork katsu was lightly breaded and crispy. The curry was lightly spiced and very comforting. All together from the price to the dish itself, I was pretty surprised by the quality and amount of food. I would definitely recommend checking it out if you're looking for cheap eats in the city around the sunset area. read more

Volcano - Pork Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

Huge katsu portion. I got the chicken katsu curry and it was pretty good and enough food for two meals. I do wish the curry had more veggies and that the veggies were cut into smaller chunks (the potatoes felt undercooked to me and only had like 3 potato chunks). It's also on the pricier side (~$20 post tip and tax) for a casual spot in Richmond (they serve all food in takeout containers). Inside, there are a few small tables to sit at, but it seems more like a place people doordash / get takeout from. However, service is kind and the food came out pretty quickly! read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was planning to try another Japanese curry restaurant but looking at the time, we probably would have endured a long wait so Volano was a better choice. I chose the beef tendon curry, chicken katsu curry and the pork katsu curry to cover all the bases. My friend upon trying the tendon curry immediately fell head over heels. I guess he's lazy and doesn't like to work hard at chewing, lol. He really liked the tender tendons immensely. Being that we both were light eaters, I felt the three orders might be enough food for the both of us. Both the chicken katsu curry and the pork katsu curry was the usual excellent as always. This is probably why this restaurant is a go to for the both of us, there was another restaurant we used to go in westlake daly city but unfortunately they closed, Tani's was our all time favourite curry restaurant we used to patronize. read more

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I ordered the Chicken katsu curry The chicken was crispy, tender, and not oily. The curry and rice proportion was good and the price was just right for what we got. The place feels like a sit down cafe and take out spot so its a great place for a casual lunch/dinner read more

Volcano - chicken katsu curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

Volcano is a no frills eatery that serves up generous portions of curry over rice, which is great if you're extra hungry. I got the pork katsu over curry and have to say that I found the flavors of both the katsu and curry to be fairly bland and the boiled egg that I added on to be severely overcooked, making it super dry and chalky. I much prefer other spots in the city for katsu such as Curry Hyuga or Nippon Curry as both have much punchier flavors at a similar price point. read more

Volcano - Pork Katsu Curry w/ Boiled Egg added - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

My date and I took a trip to San Francisco and got recommended to try Volcano! According to my friends this is the BEST place in the City to get a Katsu Curry rice plate. We ended up sharing a Chicken Katsu Rice plate with medium spice and it was VERY delicious. The portions of Rice, Curry, and protein were pretty generous and hefty but we got pretty bummed out after seeing we got less potatoes & carrots than what we saw other people get and post pictures of here on Yelp. We saw many other items in their menu that looked really good but we also wanted to save our appetite and just stick to sharing one meal to save room for other foods during our visit in San Francisco. If I'm ever craving some Japanese curry and I'm in the area I'll definitely be coming to this restaurant again. read more

Three words: Chicken Katsu Curry !!! I highly recommend this place and I bring all my foodie friends here for a quick lunch and a walk around the richmond neighborhood. My go-to order: Chicken katsu curry (obviously) medium heat (peanut free option available for those with allergies) and a side of potato croquette (a must try) Quaint, all served in to-go boxes, don't forget the katsu sauce. I've been coming here since I was in high school (6-7 years) and it never misses!! Quality has been consistent and the food is always hot & fresh. Also holds well for pick up and carry away. read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

It had been a few years since my last visit, but I'm happy to report that the quality and flavor here have not changed one bit. I absolutely love this place. This time I ordered the chicken katsu curry at medium spice and added cheese, fried oysters, shrimp, and spam on top. The plate came out massive -- my mom and I shared it and we STILL had leftovers. If you're looking for a hearty, satisfying Japanese curry spot in SF, this one definitely hits the mark. Huge portions, consistent quality, and just really good comfort food. read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu Curry with added cheese, oysters & shrimp - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

OMG.... I actually debated not writing a review for this place and just come here in silence for their $10 katsu sandwich forever... but I thought about... I feel like I should share with the public how much I love this place... I was IN LOVE with the Chicken Katsu Sandwich. The perfect (messy) picnic food to bring to Golden Gate Park on a sunny SF day. The bread was crispy and thinly sliced, so it didn't take away from the chicken. The mayo and mustard were perfectly portioned! SO MUCH CABBAGE. And the best part? How JUICY and flavorful the chicken was. Breaded well and again... SEASONED. read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu Sandwich - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I tried a to-go order from Volcano recently. I had their chicken katsu curry. In the to-go order, my rice and chicken was packaged separately from the curry so that I could truly appreciate the fresh chicken, which was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a light breading that didn't feel greasy. The curry when added was rich, slightly sweet, and deeply savory without it feeling too heavy. The portion size was generous for the price! read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

Updating my review from a year ago: This place is still solid so most of it still holds. But I'm going to ding it a star mainly for the service aspect. They used to provide the fukujinzuke with each entre (pickled veggies), but even after providing delivery/order notes, they have failed to provide it each time. I'm not sure if its just with the times that they're skimping out on doing it or there's an extra charge now? I don't see anything saying it would be an extra charge. I don't mind, but just seemed odd. Like a part of the simulation breaking. Like a ripple effect in the Matrix that has cascaded into the the ethers of Yelp.com. What is life, without fukujinzuke. It is a Yelp review update a year later to type this to be stored on the internet forever. To formally document the slack, jippness, or whatever the reason is for the constant missing piece of the puzzle is. Also, I can't remember what I put in my last review and too lazy to look, but I do like the spiciness levels here! I get medium and its spicy ish but not a lot. One would consider it MEDIUM HA! Ok but if you're Indian or Latin raised, it's probably going to be a "ok that's light work". Just to kinda help gauge for folks online what the spicy levels can be. The City can have a general range depending on the restaurant if its gentrified enough. read more

My family and I have been coming to this place for years and the quality has always been amazing. The restaurant is on a busy street so it can be challenging to find street parking. The service is quick and nice. They offer a variety of curry options, sandwiches, and even noodles. You are able to sit down and eat which is great. Whether you dine in or take out, the food comes out in a take out box which makes it easer to bring the leftovers. The pork katsu and fried shrimp were generous portions and perfectly crispy. It paired so well with the thick Japanese curry. You can pick your spice level so I went with mild. It made the curry have a little bit of a sweeter flavor which I did not mind. read more

Volcano - Fried Shrimp Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came with my fiance after trying to pick between different options for lunch. We ended up picking this one because we love curry, and love japanese curry to be specific. The store was pretty empty. not too many other people there, and there were a couple tables as well as a bar seating. They're known for their spicy curry, so obviously, we had to get their spicy curry (sorry, photo missing there). And I had to get volcano. My personal thoughts were that the spicy was OK, not too spicy but not killer. The curry was just ok, consistent with a solid curry. And the chicken was great! It was very consistent with what I thought spicy curry should taste like. At the same time, it didn't have an oomph that put their curry taste above other curries. It was definitely solid curry, that was spicy, with good meat and a good portion. read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

We have ordered pork and chicken katsu curry from Volcano fir a few years. I call in an order and pick it up. By the time I drive home in Mill Valley everything is still warm enough that it does not need to be warmed up. The katsu is always perfectly fried to be very crispy. We usually order the mild curry which is great for us but you can get it much spicier if you desire. We have never been disappointed and have always enjoyed our curry dinner. read more

$3.95 for extra veggie (only 5 pieces of eggplant). Original EZ has only 6 pieces of vegetable. In the past, more vegetables were served. read more

Volcano - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

I used to go here all the time when I lived in the neighborhood. They used to serve food on actual plates. Since COVID, they went to disposable everything except for water cups when you dine in and they haven't reverted back. The other day I overheard a customer saying Volcano is so eco-friendly because everyone has to sort the plastic when they're done dining, while they are throwing away all this single used plastic... If Volcano actually sanitize all of this and reuse it, I'll eat my words. Meanwhile I'm giving up on this place even though their chicken katsu is delicious. The curry itself is just aight and kind of too peppery. They even stopped serving fukujinzuke (red pickles) by default on the curry. Running a small business is hard, I know, but next thing you know, rice is extra. read more

Delicious satisfying curry with huge portions and lots of katsu! I love how you can choose your spice level. We have pretty high spice tolerance and volcano was a comfortable spice level for us that was still tasty. The pork and chicken katsu are both really good, and we like adding the pickled veggie too for extra texture/flavor. We ordered delivery and the food was ready super quickly. So comforting on a chilly SF day! read more

This place is great! Very simple establishment with a few tables, but quick on the orders and you can get up to an insane level of spice! Their prices have steadily risen in the past few years, so I hope that means they are paying their employees well. I recommend their Burger Steak Curry and Onion & Ginger Pork Curry. Beware that parking in this area is considerably hard during lunch time. read more

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Volcano curry is without a doubt one of my top takeout restaurants in the whole city. Their curry is amazing - the perfect balance of savory and spicy. The chicken katsu is always crispy without being dry. The potatoes and carrots in the curry are always nice and soft. Can't recommend this place enough. I go at least twice a month if not more. I always order over the phone and they get the food out quick. Sitting down to eat is fine here too, but I've always seen it as more of a take out vibe. read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

I came here after hearing many recommendations from locals about their curry, so I finally made it a point to stop by for dinner. The place is clean, and the staff at the counter are very attentive and efficient. While it's mainly a takeout spot, they do have some tables available for dining in, though everything is served in takeout boxes. Ordering is simple--choose a base with a protein for curry, and you can add on sides like extra katsu, croquettes, or even an egg. They also offer sandwiches and soups if you're in the mood for something different. A small detail I appreciated was their self-serve water station, which has a box of ice on the side so you can scoop some in if you prefer your drink extra cold. The portion sizes here are generous, especially the katsu, which makes for a very filling meal. The katsu itself was crispy and well-fried, holding up nicely under the curry sauce. The rice was cooked just right--each grain distinct, not mushy, and absorbed the curry well. As for the curry, many people praise the fact that they slow-cook their base for at least eight hours, but I personally found it to be on the lighter, more watery side rather than the rich, thick style I tend to prefer. It had a mild flavor with a touch of sweetness and came with chunks of potatoes and carrots, which added some texture. It wasn't bad by any means--just not particularly special compared to other curry spots. Overall, it's a great option for a quick and satisfying curry meal, especially if you're nearby. If you're looking for something convenient with large portions and crispy katsu, this is a solid choice. However, if you're after a more complex, deeply flavored, and creamy curry, you might find better options if you're willing to travel a bit further. read more

Volcano - Fried Fish Curry & Mini Potato Croquette - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Honest business, honest prices, honest food. The price, quality, and food are all aligned here. I liked my curry, I thought the rice quality was good and soaked in the curry sauce very well, not a snobby SF place trying to be something it's not. If I am ever in the area and craving curry I would come here again. Ambience is more like you walked into a random restaurant owned by a couple for 4 years and they're out here trying their best. They're not designers but home cooks who want to share their food. Service was kind and tables were cleaned. read more

It's a small luxury to have a curry-centric place like this within walking distance. Good flavor on the curry, and a wide range of spicy heat. They also offer ample add-ons, and both white and brown rice. The katsus are prepared well, both chicken and pork. I think that's the only way to go ordering here. A little sterile atmosphere and the service matches, no complaints but quite transactional. A note on heat: The Volcano 1 is plenty hot. Progress to levels 2 - 5 at your peril, unless you think the last rounds on the Hot Ones are laughable. Why only 3 stars? The actual food is good, the rest is meh. Lots of plastic in the takeout order, but also eat-in is on disposible containers. If you order the traditional pickles you only get one kind instead of the usual three. A little more friendly enthusiasm in service would be nice, but makes me wonder how well the employees are treated. read more

I think the curry flavor is pretty good and spicy actually has some kicks to it. I think the biggest problem is the veggies are cooked separately from the curry itself and mixed together after the steaming. As a result they don't have the flavor seeped in. I guess this is easier on their end to prep but definitely could be better if they just cook them all together. read more

Volcano - Beef Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

It tasted like the curry cubes you get at the grocery store. Although the pork katsu was crispy, my boyfriend didn't like his chicken karaage and said it tasted too much like cornstarch. The curry itself felt like it should have been warmer, or maybe even hot, but instead it seemed like it had been sitting there getting cold. You can also pick your spice level, but it didn't taste any different to us. I got medium and couldn't tell at all. read more

Volcano - Pork Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Perfect for a cold night- when you are craving a warm japanese curry this is a top-pick. No frills establishment- plenty of seating and quick service- order at the till and take a seat. We only had to wait 5-10minutes until our food was ready/ Our go-to is the katsu chicken curry, a big portion of crispy chicken katsu and good curry sauce with some veggies and a good helping of rice- comes in to-go containers but you are able to sit-in and enjoy the meal while it's still nice and steaming hot. We usually go with medium spice (which isn't that spicy really for spice fans) . If you are looking for a little extra kick and can handle a bit of heat definitely go a little spicier! read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for an early Friday dinner with some friends before we hit up a dive bar and it was pretty empty. You order at the counter, and the food came out quickly. I got a pork katsu curry mild (because I have bad heat tolerance lol) and I enjoyed the curry! The katsu was crispy, and probably one of the few curry places I've been to that had whole chunks of veggies in the curry. (A plus, at least for me). Think I still prefer Nippon Curry more, but I'd definitely come here if I need a fast and filling option. read more

Volcano - Pork Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been going here since they opened. Started great but unfortunately went downhill. Started by increasing the prices. I get it inflation, but I order from them yesterday and not only did they raise prices again but the serving size was cut in half. Not just the curry but even the rice!. Forget this bs, too many new, good curry places have opened and I'm taking my business there from now on. read more

I had always wanted to try this restaurant but the name always scared me away as I can't eat spicy food and assumed they wouldn't have anything that I could enjoy. But I recently found out that they have a no spice option. I tried their Chicken Katsu Curry and it was delicious! A beautifully fried chicken cutlet over a bed of rice with the curry on the side. The cutlet wasn't greasy and the curry was yummy. Absolutely delicious comfort food. I will definitely be back! read more

Great local restaurant with plate lunches that are hearty and easy in the wallet. Order at the counter and get a table after. They bring your meal to the table when ready. We go there for their curry katsu meals. Pork katsu, chicken katsu, beef or chicken curry, fried shrimp. All are very good. No frills just good food value. They have decent table seating and quiet neighborhood ambiance. read more

honestly one of the better chicken katsus in SF! the chicken katsu wasn't dry but was quite moist. the pork katsu on the other hand was tough, so I would skip that. the potato croquette was nice. the breading was crispy and not soggy. the curry is decent, medium isn't spicy at all though. each curry set was $14.95 read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu Curry, Pork Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

HOW HAVE I NOT GIVEN THIS PLACE A REVIEW IS BEYOND ME. DELIGHTFUL Japanese curry spot. Tastes just like Japan, I don't know the measurements of the ingredients but they 100% put love in every drop. I'm a pussy when it comes to spice - I love kimchi but I can't even put my mouth near Shin ramen. I ALWAYS GET MILD spice. Don't try to be a man and get anything more than that if you're not a spice girly. The chicken katsu: honestly, almost the star of the show. It's so crispy and juicy I've had delivery from this place and it still didn't get soggy, it was at least a 25 minute drive to get it delivered (during covid times). The chicken karaage is also delicious, very light batter as well! The prices are slightly higher than when I was coming here weekly, but you cannot find OR MAKE curry that tastes like theirs. Please support them!! read more

A solid spot in the city. I've gone multiple times and always order the chicken katsu over rice. There are different spice levels- I ordered medium, but would opt for hot next time because it tastes like there's only a hint of spice. There's plenty of curry to cover the rice and katsu--the portions are generous and I always end up taking some home. It has a diner feel to it and is very self service: grab your own water, bust your own trash and make sure to put them in the right bins. Parking is always rough in Richmond, but I try to park a little further into the neighborhood and walk to avoid parking on the very busy Geary. read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

First time ordering from here and I really enjoyed the chicken katsu curry! I got spice level hot and it was the perfect amount of heat. The carrots and potatoes were perfectly soft and the curry was super flavorful. Definitely will order from here again and try more on the menu! read more

Volcano - Chicken Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

Volcano has been one of my go-to spot for my curry cravings. Initially, I started coming here to feed my son panko-dusted spam. He still loves and asks for it as a topping to one of his favorite main entrees, such as Pork or Chicken Katsu. I value the customer service here since it rarely gets busy and the staff has been patient with all of my stupid questions...such as, "How does the beef tendon look like" or, "Can you deep fry all my veggies (with panko) before dunking them in the curry? lol In my most recent visit, I ordered the HOT Beef Curry (not the Beef Tendon). The dish was under $15 and the product was a decent value. It tasted as if the beef was cooked separately. The curry sauce wasn't infused with the beef flavor. Rather, the curry sauce was treated separately and poured over the beef chunks. As for the spices, I think the curry was topped with pepper rather than infused with spicy seasoning or chili. The beef was not exceptionally tender, but for the price that I paid, the dish was a decent--3 stars. During the same visit, I topped off my curry with Spam (panko-fried) and fried Oysters. The Spam slice was a decent portion and the oysters were small-medium sized. The Oysters were fairly juicy and sensibly priced ($1.95/ea). The ambiance is straightforward and has a section for customers to place their dishes away after eating. I see Volcano as a quick destination for those customers too busy (or lazy) to cook up curry gravies or fry katsu on their own. Overall, I'll give Volcano a 3.3 rating. read more

Been here a few times for take out and dine it. Dine in is more of an eat and go vs eat and stay to hang. This place is a good value without sacrificing the quality of the food. My husband loves their curry katsu and I usually get their pork katsu sandwich. Their curry katsu is so comforting and yummy. You can adjust the spice level too. Their sando is my favorite tho. Toasted but soft bread, crispy pork katsu, thinly shredded cabbage, and good touch of mustard and mayo. Overall 4.5/5 read more

Volcano - Pork Katsu Sandwich - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We had each of the mini sandwich fish slider and spam katsu slider, both were very delicious. I do wish they would warm out steam the buns though. Also had the chicken karaage curry with noodles. The curry was good but I wish it had more potatoes and carrots. Overall food and service were good enough to return. read more

I love volcano curry! They keep their menu simple and do it all quite well. I usually get the chicken katsu curry medium spice and it's a very generous portion of chicken with a yummy stew of carrots and potato in sauce over rice. It hits the mark every time! It's also very reasonably priced for good takeout in San Francisco! read more

I recently stopped by Volcano for lunch, and it was bomb. I ordered the chicken katsu curry plate, which came with rice and veggies. While the price tag came up to almost twenty dollars, the portion size was very generous. My chicken katsu cutlet was probably about 8-10 ounces. I got at least two meals out of this (lunch and dinner). The curry was better than I could make myself, even though Japanese curry is one of my favorite dishes to make. It was very nuanced and complex, the way curry should be. The chicken katsu tasted as fresh as could be. The veggies were also great, although I wished there were more of them. The rice was perfectly cooked, and I'm not sure what the spicy pink stuff was, but I really liked that, and wished there was more of it, too. At home, I sometimes like to add sour cream to my curry, but I think this curry was too good for that. I think they added honeycrisp apples or some other secret sweet ingredient. This was absolutely delicious and I would love to eat here again. read more

Volcano - Chicken katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Francisco, California