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    Cafe Okawari

    4.5 (547 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 7:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    CAFE OKAWARI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Okawari

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    Chicken Katsu Curry Rice ($21.50) - add jidori egg ($3)
    Cherylynn N.

    I like Japanese sandos the way I like my mini walking clouds... FLUFFY! Sadly, Cafe Okawari wasn't it but more on that later. Since opening in 2019, Cafe Okawari has been on my list to visit. Since they're only open on the weekdays and street parking is i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-y difficult, stopping by was a challenge. Fast-casual service with limited seating indoors and outdoors. Bus your own table afterwards. Limited Menu; Specialty - Chicken Katsu Curry & Japanese sandos (sweet + savory). F O O D * Egg Salad Sando w/ jidori egg ($13): https://tinyurl.com/khwxepnc I liked that the jidori egg was perfectly jammy, but the rest of the sando was underwhelming. The egg salad was bland, and the shokupan wasn't as pillowy soft as I'd expected. Instead, it had a drier texture that felt more like American white bread. * Chicken Katsu Curry Rice ($21.50): https://tinyurl.com/cwedbaze + Add jidori egg ($3) The katsu curry was fine but expensive for the portion. Crunchy and tender, the chicken katsu (thigh meat) sat atop a bed of perfectly cooked rice - soft, chewy, and sticky, yet with each grain still distinct. The curry was plain tasting and I wish it came with some veggies. The onsen egg is a must add for that silky richness. IMO, you can find better katsu curry in the city for the fraction of the cost ($15-$18) at Curry Hyuga, Nippon Curry, Fumi, Volcano Curry, etc. S E R V I C E We ordered for dine in (outside) but they packed our order to go. When I brought it up, they basically said, there's nothing they can do. Bummer since parking was so hard. Considering how busy they were, our order was ready in several minutes. Overall, after waiting all these years to try Cafe Okwari, it didn't live up to the hype. I'm obvs in the minority but I wonder if the ratings are inflated because they have a prime location to AI/Tech offices, Oracle Park, and Caltrains.

    Egg Salad Sando w/ Jidori Egg
    Francie M.

    A great work lunch spot. I needed something quick so I ordered an egg salad sanwhich and green tea lemonade to go. I love egg salad sandwiches so I had a high bar. This blew me out of the water. It was not too sweet, not too mayo-y, and something about the bread was even better than milk bread in Japan. It was slightly chewier and heartier while still being super soft, and had an indescribable taste - like butter? The green tea lemonade was unfortunately short of the matcha/lemonade flavor. I'll have to come back to try their protein bowls and curry when I have more time Logistics: - indoor and outdoor seating - extremely limited street parking nearby, but walkable from light rail, Caltrain, buses, bike trail - if you order takeout step back outside and they'll hand it through the window

    Eui L.

    Simple and rich flavors, three working male professionals, three different curry bowls, three different styles. Service was quick and efficient. They'll bring the food to you if you eat outside or at the table. Receive over the counter for the bar seating. Ambiance is modern with a nice wooden touch. Plenty of outdoor seating Curry n rice Katsu curry n rice Tender chicken curry n rice $9 curry you can't beat it.

    Chicken Katsu Sando
    Sylvia Y.

    Came here for a late lunch. Cafe Okawari is conveniently located by Caltrain. The inside is simple and not too large but there are a few tables as well as counter seating. Service was very efficient. I got the chicken sando and it arrived to my table less than 1 minute later. I was suspicious at first because I thought they were serving me an old sandwich but I was pleasantly surprised that the chicken was warm, juicy and delightfully crispy. Portion was just right for the price. It was filling but not heavy. I would be back for a quick lunch if I'm in the area again.

    Sake Cup - pretty easy to drink from this thing
    Amitaabh M.

    Stumbled onto this place in a mild hunger panic on the way back from the city, looking for something Japanese before jumping on 280. Yelp delivered. Parked easily on the side street, walked in around 3:30 in the afternoon, no hassle. The place has an authentic Japanese cafe feel, the kind where the menu has things you don't typically find at your average sushi spot. I had my eye on the sandos, specifically the Chicken Katsu Sando, but landed on the Spicy Tuna Don instead. Good call. Spicy yellowfin tuna tartare over well-seasoned sushi rice, topped with sesame, furikake, green onions, with a little radish and cucumber on the side. The tuna was very fresh, the rice was on point. Service was quick and polite - they even have an outside window for takeout. One nice detail: a neat dollop of wasabi is pasted along the inside wall of the bowl, which is a clean way of letting you control exactly how much heat you want to mix in. Tasteful presentation, but don't let that fool you. It has a legitimate kick, so calibrate accordingly. Paired it with their Honjozo dry sake cup, which was a nice complement to the meal and exactly the right call for a mid-afternoon bite. The sandos looked great on other tables and I fully intend to go back for the Chicken Katsu Sando - and then go try the wine bar next door to it. which was pretty tempting.

    Joyce C.

    egg sando was unfortunately not up to expectations... the bread was not fluffy nor soft and the egg filling lacked flavors. it was also very cold. def have had better egg sando in the states. the chicken katsu curry was not bad tho! the chicken was well fried. crispy on outside and juicy inside. curry was your standard curry. not spicy. in terms of service the cashier was nice and the food came out really fast. besides that everything else is kind of self service so it's hard to rate. for seating there was some inside tables and bar seats as well as outdoor seating overall this place was kind of just average. not sure if i would go back

    Iced matcha latte
    Anchal A.

    This review is for their matcha only, not food. Stumbled upon this place and I'm surprised I haven't heard of it before! I got a plain iced matcha and it was so. good. The matcha flavor was strong and the drink overall was creamy. I got it less sweet but did end up adding splenda in it later on. They have a lot of food which smells delish, haven't tried it yet tho!

    Menu
    Brittany D.

    Japanese sandos? yummmmm, some of the best in town I must say. If I'm in the mood for a chicken katsu sando, I come here. Why? Because it's consistent and just the right amount of crisp. I also love their fruit sandwiches. I think tho the katsu sando is the best texturally with the softness of the bread and the crunch of the katsu. If you don't believe me, try for yourself!

    Chicken Katsu Sando
    Erica W K.

    One of the best katsu sandwiche places in the Bay Area! Cafe Okawari has been on my list for the longest time and I'm glad I finally got the chance to try it. I went on a weeknight at around dinner hours at 6pm and the place was busy but not packed. I managed to find a spot very quickly after ordering. We first ordered at the counter and then the seats are self-served. I got the fried chicken katsu sando with their house soda. The katsu sando is 5/5. The chicken is juicy and tender. The outside is crispy. The pickled cucumber and the lettuce are so refreshing to pair with the katsu. The bread.. let's talk about how amazing it is. The bread is fluffy and milky. What stands out to me is really how soft and fluffy the bread is. I took one bite and immediately know that this katsu sandwich would be bomb. The house soda is just alright, solid 3/5, nothing too surprising. I would definitely come back for the sando again!

    Chicken Katsu Sando + Dirty Matcha
    Jamie T.

    Staff members are friendly and polite. Orders are made fairly quickly. Love that! It's fresh and delicious. My go to is the chicken katsu sando and dirty matcha. Bon appetite!

    Chicken Katsu Sando
    Wendy L.

    Tried the Chicken Katsu Sando since I was in the area and it did not disappoint! $17 feels pricey for a sando, but it was a pretty hefty portion that left me very full. The bread was soft and pillowy, the chicken was super juicy, and there was a perfect amount of thinly shredded cabbage that added the right amount of fresh crunch. I do wish the breading was slightly crispier/thicker, and that there was bit more of the tonkatsu sauce, but those two changes probably would've made the sandwich overall more heavy (I appreciated how light it was despite being a fried chicken sandwich). If you're a saucy, strong flavor type of person, you might find the sandwich too plain flavor-wise, but I'm sure you can ask for some tonkatsu sauce on the side, or order a side of curry sauce to dip your sandwich for an extra fee -- another Yelper recommended this so I might try it next time! I also ordered an iced strawberry matcha latte to-go and it was solid. FYI you can adjust the ice and sweetness (which would be adjusting the amount of strawberry puree they use). I got light ice and default sweetness and the sweetness was just right. The strawberry balanced the matcha nicely, but I wish the drink was a little less milky and that the strawberry flavor came through more. Overall, I'm sure there's other better sandos and matcha lattes out there, but as some reviewers have pointed out, there's not a lot of places that have this casual Japanese cafe-style offering in SF or even The Bay in general, so this place is a keeper! Service was fast during Monday lunch hour -- I ordered my food at the front, sat at the counter, and got my food in literally 3 minutes.

    Jenna M.

    Stopped in for lunch on a weekday and was pleasantly surprised! The area has so many options and this is a great one with coffee and meals of varying sizes to please all! The curry katsu plate is a pretty solid size with tender yet crispy chicken and rich curry! Highly recommend if you are in the area!

    Chicken Katsu Sando
    Chastity V.

    5 stars for the Chicken Katsu Sando! The panko fried chicken thighs are juicy, paired with the right amount of mayo and sauce and cabbage on delicious milk bread. We ordered at the counter and were able to get seats for 2 people around 11:50am on a Wednesday. Our food was served to us within 12 minutes. My friend and I split the seasonal Mango Cream Sando for dessert (3/5), which was mildly disappointing only because the mangos weren't sweet. I also got the green tea lemonade (4/5), which was decent.

    Chicken Katsu Sando

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    3 months ago

    I love their katsu plate and sando! The food comes up fairly quick with reasonable price! Good for a try if you live closeby!

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    1 month ago

    The chicken and egg sandwiches are pretty tasty. It's a great, comfortable spot to eat breakfast.

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    18 days ago

    GREAT FOOD AND GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. Ella was very helpful and had great energy! If you're in the area you should definitely stop by.

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    Page 1 of 14

    Cafe Okawari Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe Okawari

    Can one order and pay for a loaf of milk bread by itself?

    I don't know what do you mean. In my opinion, you should try and it's really delicious!

    Can the onsen tamago bowl or potato croquettes / curry be made without onions or garlic?

    The onsen tamago bowl can be made without onions and does not have garlic in the dish. The potato croquettes dont have onions or garlic in them. The curry cannot be made without onions.… 

    Hey is your chicken halal? What brand halal is it?

    Due to supply chain issues we are not using Halal chicken at this time

    What brand oat milk do they use?

    Califa Farms

    View All 8 Questions

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    Okaeri Japanese Bistro

    4.4(529 reviews)
    2.0 miMission
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    What a gem! Small, warm, unmistakably Japanese inside…read more The fish is so fresh. Rice seasoned just right, nothing hiding behind sauce. The signature uni toast is a must! Creamy, briny uni on warm crisp toast, rich without being heavy. Highly recommend! The donburis are gorgeous. Beautifully composed plates you want to photograph before you touch them, and they *deliver* on flavor. One of the best sushi spots in the Mission, and honestly in the conversation for best in the city!

    Let's start off with the most important part of this review and it's the food. Amazing quality, and…read morethe cuts were very pristine. I got the tuna donburi which definitely hit the spot while my friends got the sake donburi, and some specialty rolls. They really enjoyed it! 5/5 for food quality and taste. Now for the reason of 4/5 which I may even opted for 3.5/5 if it were available. We were the first group of 9 to come in right at opening and were told that because we had a large group everyone was required to spend $70. That's not hard to hit considering you're eating out at a sushi restaurant, but the fact that we were told to spend at least $70 a person in order to be seated is crazy! We even asked what was recommended and the seasonal donburi or sake was the most popular. So now we went for those options, but still had to make up the remaining $32 per person that went for the sake donburi. Some people that didn't even want to drink opted for beer because they already got matcha next door. Service charge was already included yet the requirement to spend $70 a person just to dine here is ridiculous. I would come back, but not with a group of more than 4. Anyone that has friends or colleagues of more than 4 go elsewhere!

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    Shoji - Cheese fries

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    4.2(579 reviews)
    0.7 miFinancial District, SoMa
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    A friend of mine told me about this place so she reserved a table for us. The place has a cool vibe…read morewith the music playing in the background and the inside is nice. They have seating inside and in the patio area which is heated. We arrived on time but had to wait a little bit before getting a table. We sat in the patio area and they had to turn off the heat because it was too hot. Better to be too hot than cold. We ordered a couple drinks to start and they brought us waters as well. For our appetizers and entrees which we shared were french fries, UNI AMAEBI DONBURI, PORK JOWL, and the SHOJI BURGER. The fries came out first and were cooked perfect crunchy, and the sauces that came with it was a nice addition. The Uni Amaebi Donburi came second and it was really good, light, fresh, and overall delicious. Too bad it was a small dish with a big price. The Burger came out afterwards and it was delicious. The burger was cooked perfect, and the cheese flavor was very tasty. It was a great burger. We didn't order desserts so that will have to be next time. The service was really good because they were really busy. I would recommend reservations. The price is a little high so be prepared. i'd still come back to try other dishes because the food and service was excellent.

    I have been wanting to try Shoji for a while now, but haven't had a chance to as the buzz when they…read morefirst opened was crazy with long lines. I finally got to try it and walked in on a Saturday right at opening for a party of 2. We waited probably about 15 minutes and were sat in the back patio. The interior space was beautifully done and looked very elevated. The back patio also looked nice, but definitely gave off a different vibe. The service was great, no complaints there. Everybody was super nice and attentive. The food also came out fairly quickly. What we ordered: - Donburi ($53) - 5/5 - Pork Jowl ($28) - 4/5 - Akazu Fries ($10) - 3/5 - NA Cold noodle mocktail ($18) - 4/5 - NA Dashi Apple mocktail ($15) - 5/5 - Shoji Burger ($28) - 4/5 - Ceviche ($25) - 4/5 Total after tax/tip - $236.50 Objectively, the food and drinks were pretty good. Our favorites were the donburi (of course) and the dashi apple mocktail. Some cons: - how expensive it was for the amount of food. Some reviews mentioned the donburi was tiny (which it was) - no bigger than my hand. - Almost all the dishes we got were finger foods but kind of hard to eat. The ceviche with the nori chips would fall apart. The dark nori seasoning got all over our hands and was difficult to get off with just the cloth napkin. The shoji burger was covered in cheese which we assumed was finger food since they didn't offer any knives. The donburi was filled to the top in this bowl which was small so you have to be very careful scooping out. In addition, the seasoning from the seaweed was a bit oily as well. Maybe offering a wet wipe or napkin at the end of the meal would be a nice touch. I guess it was a bit confusing given the elevated / upscale vibe it was giving off but could improve in the small details. Not sure if I can say I recommend or not but would be willing to give it another chance. Perhaps try the experience inside instead.

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    Shoji - Uni Amaebi Don: Soy marinaded raw sweet shrimp, santa barbara uni, ikura, soy marinated yolk ($44 +$3 nori)

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    Izakaya Yoki - Bay Bridge Roll and Jungle Boogie Roll

    Izakaya Yoki

    4.1(737 reviews)
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    So glad this neighborhood finally has an AYCE sushi spot, and at a price that actually makes sense…read more For $40 a person you are getting a serious deal. One tip: get there early. The place fills up around 6pm so arriving ahead of that will save you a wait. They don't take reservations, so first come first served. The ordering experience is really smooth. Everything is done through an iPad at your table and the food comes out to you. They won't let you place a new order until your previous one has been delivered, which honestly is a smart system and helps with pacing so you don't over order right out of the gate. What sets this place apart from other AYCE spots is the variety. It's not just sushi. You can also order appetizers, salmon, teriyaki chicken and more, so there's something for people who want to mix it up beyond rolls. Delicious, easy, affordable and in the neighborhood. Highly recommend!

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    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    1.3 miMission
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    I love Rintaro and it's truly some of the best and most authentic Japanese food you can get in SF…read more I started with the yosedofu which is their housemade silken tofu served with shaved katsuobushi and shitake soy sauce. It's a great cold dish to start. Then we got the oden with the mochi filled tofu purse, beef tendon and fish ball. Really yummy and the tendon is so silky soft. Then finally we shared chicken oyster skewers, chicken thigh and green onion skewers, the pork katsu and tuna don. It was really fantastic meal and good progression ending with the final rice dish. The skewers have a great charcoal taste and we loved the seaweed they give you with the tuna rice to make little wraps with. It's a really delicious combination. My only complaint would be that the back room is a but stuffy and doesn't have much air flow. I'd definitely try to sit in the front room or on the patio if the weather is nice. Can't wait to come back!

    The ambiance def looks cool. Server was very nice and gave us some recs for ordering. The bussing…read morepeople kept asking us what we ordered, it was slightly annoying like don't you know? The food is......very average. The dishes are very simple and could be made at home pretty easily. I know they make a lot of the stuff in house but the dishes itself is very simple, ingredients and cooking method. That said, it is very expensive for what they are offering. The karaage was fried well but it was very salty and sweet at the same time. Yosedofu is not my thing. Maybe I just don't like cold tofu but it's just tofu with ginger, scallions and bonito flakes. Negima was ok. A bit dry and very small piece. Tsukune was ok but they charge $3 for a sauce which is basically just an egg yolk. Tonkatsu felt like they boiled the pork chop and then fried it. Oden was very underwhelming. Thr mochi thing was unique but I didn't like it. One of the pieces was just a daikon that tasted like a daikon... Kamatama udon is just udon with the same toppings as the yosedofu. Other than the homemade udon, you can def make this at home.

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    One of the best happy hour spots! Drinks are delicious, food is amazing, and atmosphere is classy…read more My favorite is the crispy sashimi tacos, I could eat like 6 of those myself. The wagyu dumplings were meaty and tasty. The hand rolls were full of fish and so worth it during happy hour. Our server was covering tables and the bar and did his best to attend to everyone tonight.

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    Roka Akor - San Francisco
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    Bon, Nene

    4.2(584 reviews)
    1.7 miMission
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    Bon, Nene is a cute small Japanese spot with excellent food at a fair price for the quality. We got…read morethe Gyudon over udon noodles, curry with chicken katsu, and shared the Hokkaido cheesecake. The gyudon was excellent with a lightly sweet and savory flavor, I'd definitely get this again! The Hokkaido cheesecake was light and had what seemed like whipped cream in it which isn't my preference for cheesecake so I would skip this item next time. You put your name and number of people in your party at the list on the door, but the wait goes bye fairly quick. They have indoor and some outdoor seating. We loved their entree items and would definitely come back here!

    In the mood for a small, cute, Japanese fusion restaurant? Look no further than Bon, Nene. We…read morearrived a few minutes prior to opening at dinner time, and there was already a couple small groups waiting. We ordered a few dishes to share: Mushroom gyoza ($12) - came with 6 potstickers and a dipping sauce. Nothing super special. Hijiki salad ($13) - light and filled with seaweed, as expected. Got a few bites of the tofu puffs, but not much fish cake. Mentaiko spaghetti ($19) - not super creamy and with good flavor. Usually with these types of dishes, I'm concerned that it's too buttery or fishy, but this was spot on! Gyudon ($19) - egg looked like it was cooked beautifully. Katsu curry ($22) - good presentation, seemed to have quite a bit of rice. I didn't try the last two dishes, but I was told they were good. Nothing crazy special though. Personally, I think the noodle dish was the best. We also tried their Hokkaido cheesecake, and that was probably the only disappointing item. It wasn't as light and creamy as the ones I've had in Japan (LeTao will always be the gold standard in my heart). I ate a couple of bites and decided it just wasn't worth the calories. Service was friendly and I appreciate that there's outdoor dining. I saw a few furry friends, but if I didn't have pets, I would likely prefer to sit indoors. Seats seem more comfortable inside.

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    4.6(1.2k reviews)
    1.3 miFinancial District
    $$$$

    Finally had the chance to dine at Kusakabe for my birthday…read more My boyfriend reserved us the omakase dinner with a sake flight for me and a wine flight for him. We really enjoyed our chef Mika who was attentive, skilled, and just over all added to our experience. The waiter/busser paid attention and maintained our area with cleanliness. The fish quality was amazing, fresh, and unique. There were a few items that were prepared uniquely and differently from what I've had at other places which I appreciated! My boyfriend who can eat the same meal 100x actually enjoyed the experience. Cannot wait to go back!

    Kusakabe creates the kind of dining experience that feels carefully designed from the moment you…read moresit down. We walked into a refined but welcoming space where the sushi counter is the main focus, and the meal unfolds course by course in front of us. There is a sense of calm throughout the room, allowing the attention to stay on the chefs, the ingredients, and the details behind each dish without the distraction of a busy dining room. The omakase experience balances traditional sushi with more creative touches. Each course brings something different, from fresh sashimi and nigiri to warmer dishes like chawan mushi that add depth to the progression of the meal. The sushi highlights the quality of the fish while incorporating thoughtful flavor combinations, with dishes like scallop and the dry-aged fish courses standing out for their texture and seasoning. The sake pairing fits naturally into the experience, adding another layer without overpowering the food, and the sommelier's selections complement the progression of flavors across the meal. What makes Kusakabe memorable is the craftsmanship and pacing of the meal. The chefs take time to explain each course, making the experience feel personal rather than rushed. Sitting at the counter adds to the atmosphere because you get to see the precision and care that goes into every piece, from the way the rice is formed to the final brush of sauce on the fish. The pacing of the meal allows you to appreciate each course without feeling rushed, and the team's attention to detail creates a rhythm that keeps the meal engaging from start to finish. Kusakabe feels like a place made for special occasions, celebrations, or anyone looking for a more elevated Japanese dining experience. It combines technique, hospitality, and creativity in a way that makes the entire meal feel like an event rather than just a dinner. The balance of traditional and modern elements, along with the warmth of the service, leaves you with the sense of having experienced something complete and thoughtfully composed.

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    KUSAKABE - Zen bathroom

    Zen bathroom

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