We went for the $65 prime rib meal, and it was great. Our amuse bouche was a tuna tartare inside a cucumber cup, nice fresh bite to start the meal. The prime rib was a generous size, and came with a side of spinach, mashed potatoes, and cornbread. All of sides were great, I would come back for the cornbread alone. The prime rib had great flavor, could be slightly more tender but tasty nevertheless. And dessert was a miso caramel cake; the cake had a very punchy ginger flavor which was nice. Our server was very nice too! She brought out some churros since it was a friend's birthday. read more

tldr: food is good but the service kinda ass (not once did the servers come fill out water and they checked in once at the end when we were kinda finished and it wasn't even our original server). i was a party of 4 with a 630 reservation on tuesday - not that many people inside and you seat yourself actually after you walk in. nice intimate kinda date spot imo. happy hour 3-6 had some good looking items, but my partner came with a party of 10 and the oysters gave them food poisoning. duck fat fries - doesn't really taste like duck fat but they got a good crunch, solid steak fry ahi tuna poke - this was very good the taro chips a great addition makgeolli braised pork belly - the sauce for this was FIRE. banchan good inside a wrap with the lettuce uni pasta - i was excited for this but kind of let down. the sauce needed salt and didn't have that much flavor, but the pasta texture was perfect katsu miso loco moco - the katsu had a great crunch despite being under the egg. the gravy was light which i didn't enjoy as much but could be a good try read more

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Tl;Dr - These sneaky owners are hiding a sleek and gorgeous european bistro in Japantown behind a menu with nods to Korea/Japan. The cocktail menu is high skill and the cooking is uniquely flavorful. If you are looking for a sexy date night spot or a nice place to watch a game, this is a big upgrade from Over the Bridge. When I go to Japantown, there are not a lot of places that I want to just "hang out". My wife will run off and spend hours browsing all the stores and so usually I would hide out in Over the Bridge drinking literally whatever they have (because their menu is comically wrong and they stock almost nothing) while reading my sake books. I've been looking for something a little better and so when this came on the scene we didn't know what it was and ignored it for practically a year. Eventually me and the wife went to check it out and frankly, I am disappointed I waited that long. I think prior it was a karaoke spot but I had never gone in. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is gorgeous, with a great lounge layout and black noir-ish vibes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They've got a decent amount of televisions too for game-watching and an upper level that looks like it's for special events. Service is very friendly, I particularly appreciated the warm vibes they've given off on both of the occasions we went. There aren't a lot of servers so I might believe if they got slammed it could be an issue but they've never been more than half-booked when we've been there. The menu is definitely refined, they are going for a high end french bistro vibe but with a variety of asian-themed dishes leaning towards korean. I tried most of the appetizers at this point, stand outs being the pickles (who'da thought with a name like theirs), the deviled eggs, the ahi tuna, and the brussels. Those pickles though, are some of the best pickles I've ever ordered from a place anywhere, including Michelin star joints. Pickles are an oftentimes overlooked/underappreciated thing, but its difficult to really nail a truly good pickle. The brine is stellar, and the selection of pickled items is great (cauliflower though is the standout). I've never had a dirty martini here, and now that I'm thinking about it, the next time I go I'm gonna ask if they'll do one with their brine in it. Anyways, for entrees we've had the loco moco, the short rib, the squid ink pasta, and the pork belly. All but the pork belly to me were top notch and the belly was good I just think the flavors were not my cup of tea. The cocktail menu is also very refined and while the drinks are expensive (avg $18), every one we've had is well made. It's a fine line to walk because that's quite high for Japantown but if they craft every cocktail with balance and precision, they earn that price here and so I think they've done that. I just wonder how many people around here are looking to spend that much on drinks because those are downtown San Francisco prices, not Japantown prices. I can walk two doors down and get a classic cocktail like an Old Fashioned for $4 less so they might want to lower the price on some of those down to $14-$16, and keep the truly high end versions in that upper area. They do a happy hour that takes the edge off those prices but it could use more variety. Just knock a couple bucks off everything rather than select a few drinks, that would let people try more of the menu and increase the likelihood they select one of those pricy ones next time. All in all I gotta say I'm impressed with what they are doing here and they've quickly developed a reputation with us that if we aren't doing something stereotypical like ramen/soba while we are around, this is where we want to go. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We love the ambiance and we are still looking forward to the next visits to try more of the menu, it's one of those "can they keep doing it" kinds of situations where we are pleasently surprised by how good everything continues to be.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This is our secret hangout for sure. Keep up the good work y'all! read more

The Wednesday Prime Rib special for $65 caught my attention and so did many other items on the menu. Made it just in time for the happy hour, which was $2-$4 off the original price and ordered even more items. The deviled eggs had four pieces(2 kinds), the bacon marmalade was rich and flavorful and the smoked salmon was quite salty. The calamari misto was lightly battered and I loved that it came with a mix of artichoke heart, shrimp, calamari, onions, and jalapenos. I could taste the umani of the duck fat fries. The uni pasta got the creaminess down, and the squid ink pasta was cooked well, but the uni flavor was very light and the flavors weren't as bold as I had expected. The prime rib was tender and the sides were decent. The chefs amuse bouche and the churro were the cherry on top for the prime rib special. [[HIGHLIGHT]]With everything that was ordered, I was worried that I didn't have enough table space, but all the items were spaced out enough to fit everything a the right time.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The Fermentation Lab is the perfect place for a date for those that appreciate a lovely atmosphere, welcoming service, vibrant drinks and beautifully plated dishes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I probably wouldn't come for just the prime rib special, but I would love to try other items on the menu. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I wasn't expecting any screens, but they had two projectors and a tv playing the USA vs Bosnia World Cup game so that was a pleasant surprise![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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stopped by in the late afternoon and found out they have happy hour tried their drinks and they were actually really good. fun flavors and a nice spot to relax for a casual drink didn't get to try the food this time, but would definitely come back to check out their menu next time great little Japantown spot for drinks and a chill hangout read more

Fermentation Lab - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

[[HIGHLIGHT]]A friend of mine had her wedding afterparty here, and we had an awesome time in the lounge area upstairs! It's tucked away from the rest of the bar with plenty of seating, so we could all sit comfortably and rest our feet after being in heels all day[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. We had a $1k minimum bar tab spend, which we easily met with about 30 of us having at least one drink. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Bonus points for having a men's room, women's room, and two unisex stalls![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered a matcha martini since I really needed a little caffeine to sustain myself through karaoke afterwards as well, and it is now one of my favorite cocktails. Super creamy with the delicious notes of pineapple and coconut, and you can't really taste the alcohol (just the way I like it). Half our table ordered one after trying mine! We also grabbed some duck fat fries to share, and they were well fried, crispy and not greasy feeling. Thank you Fermentation Lab for having us! read more

Fermentation Lab - Matcha martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Come here for the apps and drinks, but skip the entrees! I thought their duck fat fries and poke chips were the star of the show, but their entrees fell a little flat for me. It is on the more expensive side, but I felt like there were just things missing from the entrees which were disappointing. The pork belly wasn't that tender, their burger wasn't well balanced and their uni pasta was a tad bit too spicy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior reminds me of a nice bar lounge to sit, converse and enjoy some small bites, but not for a dinner.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]This is a nice swanky place. The interior is gorgeous and date night worthy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Also totally after work happy hour worthy. Or girls hangout, everything![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Happy hour specials available. Duck fat fries were tasty especially the tiny tiny pieces super crispy! Fried chicken sliders were fantastic. My bill for two food appetizers was $28 after tip and tax read more

Just left and I already want to go back! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Immediately walking into the establishment you feel welcomed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor was stunning, the lights were dim and everything felt magical.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We choose a little bit of everything: cocktail, mocktail, duck tacos, poke & the short ribs. Every single item was amazingly plated and tasted even better. Cannot wait to return to explore the menu. A cool gem: they had Wicked playing on a projector screen on the wall and at the bar the NBA finals. read more

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Cocktail bar with pretty delicious food!!! I really enjoyed my experience here overall. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A beautiful interior and good vibes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Everything on the menu was priced a little high, but the quality was worth it. Every cocktail was good! FYI - Yelp advertised that this restaurant has a "no tipping policy"... but the tablet indeed asked for a tip when we checked out. Service was great, so I didn't mind... but just a heads uo!!! + Uni Pasta (5/5): MY FAVORITE! Squid ink pasta was perfectly al dente and carried the creamy sauce so well. Very decadent, full of flavor, and smooth. They added a good amount of uni for the price. + Makgeoli Braised Bossam (4/5): Very small portion, but the pork was cooked well and was flavorful. A different take on bossam, so not very traditional. + Tea Leaf Salad (2/5): Lacked so much flavor. Vegetables were fresh, but the tea leaf dressing truly did not taste authentic. I would not recommend. + Sake Flight (5/5): SO GOOD! Bang for your buck. I loved the variety of sake and the presentation. A lot of these I've never even heard before. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Went here for a friend's birthday dinner reservation and we were surprised to have the entire upstairs area just for us! It felt extra special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Even though we were upstairs, we got served quickly and they were attentive with what we needed. We tried the ahi tuna poke, calamari misto, duck fat fries, and brussel sprouts to share. My favorite was the ahi tuna poke. It was served with taro chips, it added a light and crunchy element. I got the makgeolii braised pork belly. It was such a large serving. It was like a mini bossam. I wish it came with more lettuce because there was about half of the pork belly left it without rice or lettuce. For drinks, we got pandan lemon drop and lychee martini. They were a great sis and a good amount of sweet and tart. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, I really enjoyed the vibe. I could see it being a nice spot for a night out.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Great all day happy hour on a Sunday. Poached oysters, deviled eggs, and calamari are all definitely must tries. For the regular menu, I got a penicillin cocktail with some dark liquor and it was delicious, I love that spice ginger gives. Both the uni pasta and loco moco was bomb. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Big, spacious & clean interior with nice classy decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Every worker was sweet and happy to help. I would definitely return here if I lived in the bay :) read more

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Love stopping in for a quick drink and snack here again. Fermentation Lab Bartender and Server - Jacob, he was amazing on surprise drinks and pairing food. Dragon Fruit Momosa Kimchi Polk Fried Rice [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor of the place is always so well decorated with a relax feel.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]At the bar TV, there is always a great movie on.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] A must visit place. read more

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I've been here twice recently, once for drinks and an appetizer and once for drinks and dessert. I appreciated that they had some non alcoholic drinks on the menu and both the ones I had were fine- not amazing but I appreciate the option. Service was pretty good and friendly but had to kind of flag down our waiter on both occasions at the end, not a huge deal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a nice place to catch up with a friend and quiet enough to have a conversation.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Both times, my friends enjoyed the drinks they got- the chocolate negroni and a matcha martini. The second visit we came specifically for the matcha martini and also got the churros (chocolate sauce and matcha sauce) and a matcha basque cheesecake. The matcha lover I was with was very happy though for me, the matcha cheesecake was a bit much. It is very matcha forward and you will enjoy it if you love matcha. I liked the churros a lot and the portion was super genrous. Also got the brussel sprouts on the first visit which were solid - a bit on the salty side but pretty enjoyable and it was also a huge portion. Overall I'd definitely come back here. I'd been to their old location on Market street a bunch of times many years ago and loved it. This is very different in most ways but also good. Parking is easy enough - both street parking and in a garage. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Not sure how busy they get but at least after 9 pm on a weeknight both times, it was not very busy but also not dead.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They are open pretty late which is also good. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Dropped in for a quick drink before dinner and they sat us at a nice middle lounge booth area that could fit like 6 people.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It wasn't clear whether a server would come by or if we had to order at the bar so we split up to see which would be faster. It ended up being a server came by before the bartender got through the queue. Pandan lemon drop - 3/5 more of a lemon drop than anything. There wasn't much pandan taste and it didn't necessarily compliment the lemon drop at all. The sugar rim helped with the acidity but there wasn't much pandan still a "spiciness" to the drink that was almost like a jalepeno? Also the color was wild Umeshu nihon machi - 5/5 strong solid toki whiskey taste that's complimented with the plum infused vermouth. Wish the drink was a bit colder/ shaken with ice a little longer read more

Fermentation Lab - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have fond memories of this space that used to be Denny's... Ok, more like only one fond memory: This Denny's was the only place in the city you can get Spam & Eggs or Loco Moco 24/7...making it an AZN post clubbin' fav at 2 am on the weekends. Otherwise, you would have to drive your rice rocket to Colma Cafe. While Denny's is long gone, you can still get a loco moco late night at Fermentation Lab on the weekends (closes at 1 am). Two and a half years young, Fermentation Lab is from the owner of SAMS (American diner). Last year, the first Fermentation Lab location in Mid-Market was rebranded to Haru serving Korean food. M E N U Asian-inspired fusion cuisine using fermented ingredients. Beer, cider, kombuchas, wine, soju, sake, and cocktails. Full bar. HH specials: Everyday from 3 pm - 6 pm (closed Mondays) F O O D * Duck Fries w/ umami salt, scallion aioli ($12): https://tinyurl.com/93628ea5 Crispy and golden brown on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, with a rich, buttery flavor. Served with a slightly sweet aioli. Can't go wrong with this! * Mandu: Korean Potstickers w/ arugula (6 pc - $17): https://tinyurl.com/35d4bnjx Savory pork dumplings with a chewy skin and crispy skirt. Served with a tangy soy dipping sauce. * Katsu Miso Loco Moco: Katsu Patty w/ rice, two sunny side up eggs, miso sauce, gorgonzola sauce, furikake ($24): https://tinyurl.com/7ar4jd8f - Sub fried katsu patty for a beef patty The beef patty was perfectly tender and pink in the center, the eggs were runny, and the white rice properly cooked. The flavor profile was not my jam. The gorgonzola cheese sauce and miso sauce were not complementary; IMO, the bold flavors clashed and the richness of gorgonzola made the dish heavy. * Makgeolli Pork Belly w/ rice, radish salad, cucumber kimchi, miso sauce, napa cabbage ($28): https://tinyurl.com/vnw7tnyp I appreciate the modern twist on bossam by braising the pork belly in korean rice wine but didn't care for the miso sauce that added a starchy mouthfeel to it. Both the radish salad and cucumber kimchi were mild in flavor. I like that the included lettuce to make wraps. S E R V I C E Friendly and attentive with prompt food service. A M B I A N C E A huge upgrade from their hipster beer hall days on Mid-Market. A swanky bar and lounge area with huge chandeliers, greenery, and gold banquettes. There's additional lounge seating and dining tables on the second level. Overall, the owner has done a wonderful job transforming the old Denny's space into a chic cocktail bar and lounge. It's the perfect spot for HH, to grab a drink before or after dinner, or to stop by before or after catching a movie down the block. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Very cute spot! Very cozy vibes - great spot to grab a drink with friends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is very sleek - they have a 2nd floor where they project an old timey movie[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We went there for drinks and I love the Asian flavors! My favorite was the pandan lemon drop. The staff were all friendly and attentive. We had a party of 8 and they were very accommodating! read more

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If you're lucky enough to have Adrian as your server, you'll have the best experience. He's incredibly attentive and accommodating. Now the food, the menu is inventive and delicious. read more

Fermentation Lab - This burger was excellent - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The deviled eggs are actually that good lol. We also ordered the loco moco and the uni pasta, both of which were also tasty. The yuja crème brûlée was a nice ending to our meal. Service was friendly, and the atmosphere was refined without feeling stuffy. They have a second floor where there was a mahjong speakeasy event going on. I will say that the prices were a little up there, but given the environment it's not surprising. read more

Fermentation Lab - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

In the bustling crowds of Japantown, Fermentation Lab is a wonderful escape into peace. My friends and I stopped by on a Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. for their Happy Hour and it was very empty inside. From their Happy Hour menu, I ordered their house white wine and we all shared an order of their waffle fries with cheese sauce. The fries were prepared quickly and were fried really well. They were super crispy and held up nicely to the rich, gooey Gorgonzola cheese sauce that was generously drizzled on top. If we didn't have dinner plans immediately afterwards, I definitely would have ordered more food, as their other items -- like duck fat fries and calamari, sounded incredible and were very reasonably priced. Service was fast and attentive throughout our brief stay. If you're looking for a chill place to kill time while in Japantown, I would definitely recommend checking out Fermentation Lab. read more

Fermentation Lab - Happy hour white wine - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I can only comment on the brunch scene here, but I happened to stumble upon this place in the wee hours of 9 am (so not actually early, but certainly early for me!) As expected, there was barely anyone in the restaurant when me and my friend came in, but from the get-go, we were promptly served and tended to. We decided to play it safe with a breakfast sandwich and some french toast but my goodness... those duck fat fries... I was in heaven. For the ornate interior, I was sweating bullets about the price, but surprisingly, brunch was actually pretty good (and dare I say, affordable) for SF standards. Overall, nice ambiance for an equally nice price, I would go again (and probably will for dinner... stay tuned!) read more

Fermentation Lab - Not pictured duck fat fries... because I ate them - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Very gorgeous modern Asian fusion restaurant nestled in San Francisco Japan town! Park right under the japantown center and it'll be right across the street. *recommend to get a reservation if dining on a weekend* fortunately got a small table since we called ahead of time. Great for dates, with its amazing decor, vibes and lovely staff! On to the food stuff.... -uni creamy mentaiko pasta HOLY COW! It was very flavorful, lots of garlic, very fresh uni (wish it was more but it's definitely not uni season) portion sizing was perfect for one person to be stuffed. This also came out relatively quick. -curry loco moco The burger steak is full of onion and juicy moist beefy goodness! A great dish but my loco moco all time favorite lies else where! You can ask for the done mess of the egg but I recommend a runny yolk so it pairs with the gravy to make it extra creamy read more

Fermentation Lab - Uni squid ink pasta - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My friend organized a group lunch at Fermentation Lab (my recommendation). About 9 of us came through, took over a large table, and ordered a variety of small shareable plates. Sounds basic, but I thought the edamame was fire because of the yummy seasoning. I also liked the calamari and duck fat fries, although I didn't notice the "duck fat" added a distinctive taste, so it seems like a marketing gimmick. Overall, the fusion food options were pretty good, and we even got to take advantage of happy hour deals for part of the meal and an InKind promo for the win. read more

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Nice restaurant serving Asian fusion dishes!! Feels very different than the other japan town restaurants. We got the fermlab burger and the Uni pasta. I really liked the ferblab burger - the bun was soft, patty was seasoned well, and the pork belly and kimchi addition was perfect! The Uni pasta was pretty standard - just 2 pieces of Uni in cream sauce. I wouldn't order the drinks again - the pandan lemon drop was a bright blue color and super sugary with a very artificial pandan flavor. The yuzu margarita was better but didn't have a strong yuzu flavor! read more

Fermentation Lab - Pandan lemon drop & yuzu margarita - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place was pretty interesting. The menu items felt all over the place but I was very impressed with the execution on a few dishes. We stated with the duck tacos and Brussel sprouts. The tacos were very tasty and for the size was very meaty. The Brussels sprouts we got the pork on the side and it was still amazing both ways. I ordered the Uni squad ink pasta and it was delicious. I kinda felt because I was in San Francisco the seafood had to be good and I was correct. The uni was absolutely creamy and the sauce was delicious, the pasta was fresh and it was so good!! Someone else ordered the Cajun pasta and that was good. The last person ordered the impossible burger and it wasn't good. We lastly had the miso cake and that was absolutely amazing! Drinks were amazing and the ambiance was great and our server was nice. read more

Fermentation Lab - Uni pasta - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My friends and I stumbled upon this restaurant during a late night before closing. Service was quick and welcoming! Korean Fried Chicken Wings: The wings were crispy and flavorful, and they came with some tteok-bokki which satisfied late night cravings. Duck Fat Fries: These fries were my personal favorite, and they were rich, indulgent, and difficult to stop eating. Pear Bread Pudding: We tried this based off a friend's recommendation, and I enjoyed the different textures of this dessert! The cold vanilla ice cream balanced out the warm and comforting bread portion. read more

San Francisco, you never cease to amaze me. What a nice, vibey place to eat at and get some yummy cocktails. The place can be found where the old Denny's used to be across Japan Center on Post. I was pleasantly surprised how swanky the place is. We took my bestie here for her bday dinner and it was a great experience. The service was top notch as our server was very accommodating. We asked if a certain drink was still available called the piña verde and the server said the bartender can make it even though it's no longer on the menu. Also he noticed that it was my bestie's bday and he gave us a complimentary churro with a birthday candle so we can sing her happy birthday! Shout out to our server and I apologize I didn't get your name. The dishes were very well thought out and flavorful. Go ahead and order the calamari and duck fat fries, you won't regret it. For our entrees we ordered loco moco, Uni pasta, and some pork belly dish. The portions were a good size and we left stuffed. The food was delicious and safe to say we didn't need any to go boxes. This place would also be fantastic for a date night. Can't wait to return to try their happy hour. I love SF. Forever J-Town! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]really cool dining that feels like it takes you out of SF momentarily for a great meal.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]very large and spacious with plenty of seating right in the heart of japantown.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] as the name suggests, fermentation is the game, and all of their vegetables are packed with flavor. the braised short rib had fantastic texture, and the uni pasta was stunningly fresh and like none other i'd ever had. certainly a great date spot without going too crazy on your wallet and actually enjoying the food. read more

Fermentation Lab - Uni Pasta - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came in here thinking we could watch the football game at the bar but it wasn't on. Their menu was intriguing so we came back for dinner after the game. The place is really pretty, great for large or small groups. They have a private area on the second floor, which was told can be reserved for parties over 5 if requested. Ordered the Happy Hour Brussels sprouts, the uni pasta, and the jang kalguksu. The Brussels sprouts were crispy, salty and sweet with a decent amount of pork belly pieces. Loved the sauce for the uni pasta but did wish I could taste the squid ink in the noodles a little more. The dish had a mild spice to it and lots of tobiko. It would've been great to have some bread to sop up the sauce. The jang kalguksu had a good amount of clams and the soup was mildly spicy, perfect for a cold night. I did wish the noodles were a little thicker. I wouldn't mind getting any of these again though. For dessert, we got the strawberry matcha tiramisu, which was a bit disappointing. The flavors weren't balanced enough and heavily leaned towards strawberry. For an Asian fusion restaurant in the heart of Japan town, I expected more matcha. It was still good but I would try something else next time. I would like to come back to try more dishes. read more

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Cool spot with drinks and food in Japantown. I came here with 7 others this past Saturday at around 5:30pm. We didn't have a reservation but luckily, there was no wait and we were seated right away. The restaurant was nicely decorated with lights and a Christmas tree. This would be a good date spot or a casual but upscale place to catch up with friends. We ordered the Duck Fat Fries to share. These were well-seasoned and really good. They were crispy and the sauce was yummy. For my drink, I ordered the Pink Drink. As the person who drinks the least in the group, my drink was probably the biggest in size (just thought this was funny). It came out in a pineapple-shaped glass with a flower on top and two strawberry Pocky sticks. This drink was delicious. The sweetness and alcohol levels were perfect - not overly sweet and not too strong on the alcohol. Would definitely love to come back to try other food on the menu! read more

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Refreshing switch up from all things Nippon in Japantown, fermentation lab is a chill cocktail bar with a pan asian menu. There's a happy hour menu albeit limited to a handful of cocktails, wine, and beer. Lil bites are available for snacking though like fried calamari, poke, and duck fat fries with umami salt. Friendly service and central Japantown location make this a good spot for catch up over drinks. read more

Fermentation Lab - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Excellent brunch place with the girls. Creamy uni pasta was cooked well - not salty nor overly rich, duck fat fries were crispy, my friends enjoyed the pancakes and the duck confit porridge. Not pictured were the churros which were light and fluffy. Latte was strong. Friendly staff. Parking was fine - we were there early. read more

Fermentation Lab - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

came here on a friday with a party of four. i made a quick yelp resy (shoutout yelp) and walked in at 7pm. [[HIGHLIGHT]]the inside was very dim lit and made the ambiance feel intimate and home-y since it wasn't too quiet.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] we ordered a bunch of food and the highlight was def the uni pasta and the short rib.. oh and i guess the calamari and churros too haha i would def come back read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a very cute and vibey spot, I came on a Friday around 7 and it was poppin.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] For starters, we got the fries, tuna poke and the wings. I absolutely loved the fries and the tuna poke. The wings were okay, probably wouldn't get them again. For my entree I got the hanger steak and it was so tender, but just a tad too sweet for my liking. We got creme brulee and the butter cake, both were good. I would come back. read more

Fermentation Lab - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here on a Sunday around 1:45pm with three others and we were seated right away -- there's plenty of indoor seating, so it's an easy spot to grab a table. We ordered a few dishes off their happy hour menu to try a bit of everything. The brussel sprouts and duck fat fries were definitely the highlights -- both crispy and flavorful, and the scallion aioli dip for the fries was especially good. The korean chicken wings and deviled eggs were just okay; the eggs came with four different flavors, but none really stood out. Unfortunately, the ahi tuna poke was a huge miss. It tasted extremely fishy, and after one bite I couldn't eat it any more. One of my friends, who ended up finishing most of it, felt pretty sick afterwards as well which was disappointing. Overall, the space and happy hour options are nice, but the food quality seemed hit or miss. I'd come back for the fries and brussels sprouts, but would skip the seafood next time. read more

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Fermentation Lab has become our go-to spot for drinks in the Japantown area - vibrant atmosphere, friendly staff, and great vibes all around. We mainly stop in for drinks and light bites, but came for dinner a few times, and both options are great. I would recommend this spot for drinks if you like craft cocktails that use Asian ingredients like matcha, yuzu, lychee, and ube. Anything we tried so far has been high quality with clean, well balanced flaors. One perk of this place is that that their kitchen is open pretty late (I think till 11pm?). For shared plates, our current favorite is the ahi tuna poke! read more

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Love this place! I just visited Japantown with my friends and we tried out this place. The happy hour had a great selection. We got devil eggs, fried chicken sliders, fries, brussel sprouts and Korean bbq wings. Everything was delicious! I would definitely recommend this place if you're are visiting SF. There also a really convenient parking garage right across the street. read more

Fermentation Lab - Mocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If you're in Japantown and looking for something truly memorable, Fermentation Lab is an absolute must. Every dish felt intentional and unique. The kimchee fried rice had the perfect balance of bold flavor and comfort, and their fried chicken completely surprised me--in the best way. It's fried in rice oil, which you don't see often, and it gives it this light, clean crispiness that somehow feels both indulgent and elevated. The uni pasta? Non-negotiable. You have to try it. Rich, savory, and beautifully done. I also stepped out of my usual and tried their tea salad for the first time--and now I'm ruined. It's officially the only salad I want moving forward. And don't skip drinks--the hibiscus margarita is refreshing, slightly floral, and dangerously easy to keep ordering. This place isn't just good--it's one of those spots you keep thinking about after you leave. Definitely going back. read more

Fermentation Lab - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Stumbled into this spot looking for a drink in the area and I was so pleasantly surprised!! We happened to come during happy hour on a Saturday and they had some pretty good food and drink deals! The vibe was very intimate and upscale without being super fancy. They have multiple movies project on the wall all at once which is nice. We just came in for drinks and had the pandan martini which was the perfect amount of sweet and refreshing. We also had the bees knee's which was lemony and not too over powering. We snacked on the duck fat fries part of the happy hour and they were a very savory satisfying snack with a perfect aioli. The bartender was also super friendly and attentive. I definitely recommend this spot for drinks and small bites. read more

Fermentation Lab - Pandan martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Went for an early dinner before a comedy show. Made reservations online but if you're there early, should be easy to do walk-ins. Very chill but cool lounge vibes. Service was friendly but as they got busier at the end of our meal, it took a bit to get dessert/the check. We tried a bunch of things on the HH menu and regular menu. Cocktails were solid. Food was tasty and portions were good. We shared everything among the 4 of us. We were able to sit and eat and have a great conversation without being rushed. Although again we ate at like 4:30 lol. Definitely a great HH spot, located right in Japan town so lots of fun things to do around the area as well. I'd come again if in the area! read more

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