I love this place for many reasons. -The location is busy, but lively -You really appreciate it when you find a parking spot -Your thrilled to get a seat even if you have to contort yourself to get to it -$2 Sapporo beers during happy hour ***Most important the food. I order both types of fries for everyone and end up eating them myself mostly -the salads are killer -I was particularly drawn to the pork taco-almost like carnitas -chicken wings were good -Everything was good, but I favored the above mostly read more

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Koja wish your sandwich was fun like me? Koja wish your food was hot like me? Don't ya ... ;-) Now that you've got the Pussycat dolls song stuck in your head (you're welcome!), you know that Koja is the place to be for fun, fusion-y food! Koja stands for Korean/Japanese and their popularity as a food truck at Off The Grid eventually led them to this brick and mortar restaurant on Clement st. It's smack dab in the midst of Chinese produce shops, knick knack stores and boba places, if you're wondering whether they'll survive, it's not even a question! The space is casual but with a very cool chic feel and the communal seating area is packed with neighborhood regulars. I got the "Koja" which is advertised as like a burger, but better. I definitely agree! The beef koja ($7.50) has KBBQ beef, sauteed onions, sesame vinaigrette, lettuce. Man, it was good! I remember those days scraping the bottom of the pan for burnt rice. Koja does it here beautifully: the crispy rice buns provide a mouthful of crunch with each bite and the flavors are spot on. It's a tiny sandwich so make sure to supplement with their legendary fries and a strawberry mango mint lemonade to wash it all down. My sis and bf both loved their ahi tuna rice bowls. So, next time you're out produce shopping on this side of town, forget popping into those cheap dimsum places for food to go. Stop by and get your Koja on. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I've had Koja at their Berkeley location and wasn't impressed. I was very reluctant to try it again at this location but gave in since my friend wanted it. They are known for their burgers w/ korean bbq meat and rice patties. I got the beef koja (burger) and kamakazi fries. The burger was super oily. From the meat to the lettuce (?), dripping in oil. The rice patty was hard and cold. The concept of the burger is pretty cool but the ingredients they use isn't all that great or fresh. Definitely not worth the $8+ I paid for this thing. The kamakazi fries were decent. Wasn't really feeling the kimchi they put on top. Should've only ordered this. Meh. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Some books are meant to be closed, and some books are meant to be opened. Same with relationships, and just as true for restaurants. KoJa was meant to open in the Richmond area where its so much more accessible to me (was their #1 fan since 2011 when they were just a food truck). .::Atmosphere/Service::. The decor was more decked out than when the location in Berkeley was first open. Paintings were super chic and simple. There were about maybe 8-11 tables. Cashiers was pretty friendly, there was a guy and a girl. .:: Food ::. Beef Koja 7.50 + fried egg (add 1.25): korean bbq beef, sauteed onions, sesame vinaigrette lettuce, pineapple, red sauce, sesame seeds. Still tastes the same as 3 years ago. Bomb. But gets HELLA messy towards the mid burger. Gave up and used a fork and ate like rice and beef in a tray. Braised Pork Bowl 8.75: miso-coconut braised pork, kimchi, masago, garlic aioli, green onions, fried shallots, lemon wedge. SUPER creamy, like super. If you dont like that, you might want to opt out. But it was a new twist and oddly tasty to me. KamiKRAZY Fries: (on their special menu only) crisscut waffle fries, minced korean bbq beef and chicken, kimchi, japanese mayo, red sauce, green onions. Only difference between this and the OG kamikaze fries is the added chicken. Pretty darn good still. YES, portions may be a bit small for people. BUT.... quality over quantity? You came to the right place. Where else can you find such unique Korean Japanese fusion flavors? read more

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I first tried the truck about 3 or so years ago at Off the Grid. I wasn't super impressed as I was just in Japan and had a pork belly sandwich with a rice bun. Koja's version didn't compare. When I found out they had opened a Koja Kitchen in my neighborhood, I decided to give them another shot. I dropped by Monday, January 25th around 6:15pm to grab takeout for dinner. They have a giant menu in their front entryway, but you don't have to decide outside. (Can you tell I stood outside staring at their menu before finally walking in to place my order?) They have menus inside by the register as well. I decided on a little variety and ordered a koja, taco and some wings. *KOJA: your choice of protein served between fried garlic rice buns - BRAISED PORK KOJA ($7.75) - miso-coconut braised pork, arugula, wonton chip, garlic aioli, masago, lemon wedge ~I believe I tried a beef koja last time, so I decided to give the pork a shot. The filling was a little mushy and could have used a little more spice. Nothing some sriracha couldn't fix. I didn't care for the rice buns though. The outsides were super hard, so it was hard to chew without getting the rice stuck in my teeth. I also wish the koja came out piping hot instead of warm. I think that may have helped with the rice a bit. *BEEF TACO ($3.45): korean bbq beef, sautéed onions, sesame vinaigrette lettuce, red sauce, japanese mayo, fried shallots, nori ~The beef taco was okay. The flavors were a little too sweet for me. The sriracha helped hide the sweetness and add a little kick. *KOREAN BUFFALO WINGS ($7.95): korean fusion buffalo sauce, red pepper, parsely, japanese mayo ~I debated between ordering this and the kamikaze fries. I had the fries last time, so I decided on the wings. They were big, meaty and tender. Some nice subtle flavors, but I normally like my korean wings to pack more of a flavor punch. Overall, an okay meal. Unfortunately, it didn't change my mind about their kojas. Their rice buns are still a miss for me. read more

KoJa Kitchen - KOREAN BUFFALO WINGS ($7.95): korean fusion buffalo sauce, red pepper, parsely, japanese mayo - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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KoJa had a lot of hype behind the name and I know they've expanded their business a lot so I wanted to give it a try. The restaurant was set up in a very bar-esque aesthetic so it felt slightly weird bringing my dad here, but the staff was very nice and the prices looked pretty reasonable. We had the kamikaze fries, two beef tacos, and a beef bowl. The portions are pretty small, at least for the entrees, but they looked really really appetizing. I would say the taste itself is pretty subpar. The meat wasn't really seasoned that much. My favorite thing we got was the kamikaze fries but I wouldn't say I would find myself coming back just for the fries. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'm so glad I finally got to eat at the restaurant location of Koja Kitchen! I've had the food truck many times at Off The Grid but was excited for them to have an established restaurant in San Francisco. :-) I got the braised pork bowl with brown rice ($8.75), and split the kamikrazy fries (ask about the secret menu!!!) with 3 of my friends. The size of the bowl is very deceiving! At first I thought it was on the smaller side but the combination of protein, spring mix, and furikake rice (white or brown) were actually very filling. Add that to a portion of the kamikrazy fries (or any other side... those umami fries sound good!) and you've got a full blown meal! I've never tried the miso-coconut braised pork at the Koja truck so I was excited to taste it. It looks like pulled pork with an asian flair.. Loved the miso-coconut! The kamikrazy fries were also a good deal for us, they were about $12 and we were barely able to finish the huge portion! It's basically the kamikaze fries on steroids... Haha Service was friendly and the food came out very fast. It's sort of like a food truck still because you order your food first, wait for your buzzer to light up, and then pick up your food. Self service all the way!! read more

KoJa Kitchen - Kamikrazy fries (secret menu) - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The viet coffee here is fire!! All my friends want one after they try mine. thank youuuuuu koja :)))

Well, it looks like the fusion food explosion is showing some legs since Koja Kitchen landed in an actual storefront on Clement. This was the short-lived Cafe Barley, which did look a little lost with its skimpy albeit delicious breakfast menu and leisurely pace. Koja's hipster vibe is probably more in line with what harried, smartphone-epoxied millennials seem to want these days. Jamie W. and I were actually going to Grindz for some Hawaiian, but damn, they were closed due to a flooding in the kitchen. The whole block was affected, so we kept walking eastward until I recognized Koja from one of those Off the Grid foodfests. The haphazardly arranged tables in the front patio is where most people hang out and eat, so it still felt like a food truck set-up. Jamie was in his element since the bowls appeared to be a Korean take on Chipotle's burrito bowls. He went for the $8.75 Braised Pork Bowl with shredded miso-coconut braised pork over seasoned furikake rice with kimchi, masago, garlic aioli, green onions and fried shallots. It came with a small salad of mixed greens drizzled with a sesame vinaigrette dressing (photo: http://bit.ly/1QdQJBN). Good stuff especially since we were missing out on Grindz's kahlua pig. I decided to go for their signature dollar-extra Short Rib Bowl. Pretty similar to the pork bowl except it had slices of kalbi, Korean BBQ short rib, instead, and I added a fried egg for $1.25 more (photo: http://bit.ly/264D6fv). Mine was heartier and spicier, more fitting for Friday night eats if you ask me. We also shared one of their more popular items, the $5.95 Kamikaze Fries, a pile of waffle fries mixed with minced Korean BBQ beef, kimchi, hot sauce, and some Japanese-style mayo topped with a sprinkle of green onions (photo: http://bit.ly/1V6ACBN). Naturally this Korean take on chili cheese fries was Hoovered by me and Jamie like nobody's business. Yeah, for street food eats in a neighborhood setting, this will do. FOOD - 4 stars...hearty Chipotle-style Korean bowls are good but it's the kamikaze fries that go down the gullet in flames AMBIANCE - 3 stars...still feels like a food truck set-up to me SERVICE - 3 stars...you pick up your own stuff so big whoop TOTAL - 4 stars...bold flavors at reasonable food truck prices make this a viable option on Clement read more

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I think this is how they will be eating here. Always smells like rotten fish in there. They should take food safety seriously read more

I wanted to love Koja Kitchen, but I just can't because everything I have tried seems kind of over done and packed with too much flavor. Also, huge thing to note is that their short rib koja has kiwi puree in it. I am SEVERELY allergic to kiwi and was told from the front counter that it might have kiwi puree after I ordered it. In addition to this, the people at the counter were super nice and very generous to offer beer samples before my group ordered flights ($12 for a flight of 4 sample beers - they have a mixed range of local beers and your favorite Asian beers). In terms of the food, the koja (rice patty with different protein options to choose from) is super flavorful, but it has so many flavors that I seriously don't know what I am eating half the time. The rice patty has a garlic flavor to it, but other than that it's nothing life changing. I also ordered the kamikaze fries (pretty small), but they had good portion of meet and had a nice kick to it. Overall, the food was okay, but I love their venue and enjoyed watching the warriors game on their tvs. I would come again just for drinks and might want to give the food another chance. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Short rib koja, kamikaze fries, and a flight of beer! - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

The koja burgers sound better than they taste, I was just not a huge fan of the rice "bun" as much as I thought I might be. My favorite was the mochimisu - sooo freaking good! read more

KoJa Kitchen - Koja burgers - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Food is always good i've ordered it a handful of times. For a super modern take out quick making food it's pretty authentic solid creative food. The menu is stocked with great items and has such a customizable experience. I went there for the first time and the staff were incredibly nice and my order came out in under 5 minutes. Honestly a top 5 place on clement read more

I tell T, in 1997, I was dating this Canadian diplomat's son, he brought me to Clement street, there used to be a Bus Van for Bargains, there was this super cheap restaurant called China First, which still exists to this date. I remembered it as the burbs, like Daly City, it's not Pac Heights or Russian Hill, or the Marina, and therefore, this boy who lived in Laurel Heights, albeit, a son of a diplomat, was short lived because I was snooty, but some of the restaurants he introduced me to and I had since developed a long standing relationship. T said "today it's safe, we can go to Koja, I think you said it's a good day to visit your non fly zone." I think he was right. A quick stop at our bakery, Schubert's for dessert, then afternoon snack. I suspect since the 90s, this area that used to be bunch of Cantonese older ladies place has changed. For one it is a bit of stroller derby in the making. Priced out middle age parents with dual income, moved their families here and improved its school district. Young people congregated in bars. Next thing you know, it's filled with midwesterners and Russian immigrants, cohabiting with the old school Chinese immigrants. It's changed. Koja moved in, just as it's changing. This is a young hipster casual fast food Korean restaurant meets Mexican street taco meets bier hall kind of place. This particular brand of combo was first made famous of course by the non other than Kogi KOrean BBQ Taco Truck Roy Choi from LA, now it's northern neighbor is getting its own Korean fusion fast food, which young twenty something seemed to like. And, apparently, also my companion, this middle age midwesterner transplanter of German Irish descendent, who lives in Inner Richmond, who likes bier on tap and served along with food that is exotic, cue Asian and Mexican. In truth, their pork taco is delicious with fish roe on top: orange tobiko is a welcoming surprise. Wings are tangy and sweet. Needs a TV, I think, it'll attract even more men in baseball caps. Is it my kind of place? Probably not. I like fanciful white table linen place serving modern European food, not a divey fast food serving joint that will push my calorie intake over the edge. But this place is not for me. It is for those above mentioned crowd. And from what I can tell, this is a winning formula. read more

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I'll start with the good: the food is awesome. The dishes they make are unreal good. The bowl is delicious, the kamikaze fries are the bomb. Please for the love of god put more chicken or protein in the bowl!!! The portion size of protein is maybe 2 bites compared to a 1/3 of the bowl being kimchi, which I love. But man oh man if you pay money you hope to have a bit more. Makes you wonder if they don't have enough supplies back there?? Overall great food, but just give a reasonable scoop of protein! read more

I've had Koja many times at Off the Grid so I was excited when they opened up a restaurant. Too bad the excitement quickly dissipated after our food arrived. I ordered the Chicken Koja, "A" ordered the Short Rib Koja, and we split the Kamikaze Fries and Strawberry Mango Mint Lemonade. They must make their meats ahead of time and put it under a warmer because our food was lukewarm even though the order was picked up as soon as the buzzer lighted. The rice buns weren't greasy, but lacked the garlic flavor as the menu described. It definitely could've used more seasoning and a bit more crunch. As for the meats, a bit stingy there Koja Kitchen! Although you're able to order and sit down to enjoy your food, the food truck menu seems more extensive as it includes desserts, which the restaurant doesn't offer. read more

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Have been wanting to come here ever since I was doing research on places to eat before/after going to the Cal Academy of Sciences Nightlife event back in October. However, we didn't make it in time after that event, but was lucky enough to catch Koja a little before closing after we got burnt out by all the learning at the Exploratorium After Dark event last night. Koja Kitchen caught my eye about a year or so ago when I saw IG pics of their burger "buns", which are actually grilled rice patties. Verrrryy interesting, I thought, but never really had the chance to check out their food truck. Finally they have a brick and mortar and with the convenience of me being in SF for the night, it was finally my time to try this place out. The SO and I ordered: Chicken Koja Beef Koja Kamikaze Fries Umami Fries I really really really wanted to try their short rib koja and wings, but since we arrived so close to closing they were out. Booo... Our total came to a little over $30, and for essentially a burger and fries, this is kinda pricey but I get it. As for the taste, it seemed both fries were the "winners" over the burgers for both of us. SO didn't much enjoy the grilled rice buns as they were "too much work" lol, though I thought they were only okay. Portions were also a little small for what we paid for. Wah wah. Service was alright, when I tried to order the wings, the girl behind the counter sounded really curt by explaining "NO WINGS" to the cashier (really nice guy btw) who was helping us. Damn, gurl I just wanted some wing-wings!! But the guy who took our order put her words into nicer terms lol so that was good. In the end, it was a nice one-time try sort of place. If you really enjoyed it, great! Come back! But if you thought it was okay like I did, it was nice to experience. Maybe if I'm close by again I'd go to try their short rib bowl and wings. Damn, I love me some wings... read more

KoJa Kitchen - Kamikaze fries y Umami fries - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I have to say...I've liked Koja since the truck. So. I was excited to try their space on Clement. Literally if you look at their kitchen, it looks just like the truck. Pretty sure nothing is changed at the brick-and-mortar, other than chairs and a fountain drink dispenser. I came here on a Friday night, and we got here JUST in time. Word to the wise, if you get in before 7PM, the line is not crazy. I swear the moment 7PM hit, folks just were like zombies coming out of the woodwork to get their Koja fix. So odd. The food is always spot on, but I think in the future I'd go with the beef. I tried their pork koja and their umami fries this time, and was a little disappointed. The pork was a little dry (but had sauce), and not flavorful in itself. The beef though is always great. The alcohol...is meh. I'd skip it and walk down Clement for another booze spot. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Umami fries - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

This used to be my go to place if I wanted some good eats. Also it was one of the few Koja that served alcohol. Now with COVID-19, this is one of my staples every week because it's definitely one of the best for takeout. Note/Tip: ask for extra sauce for the fries. Details down below. First thing to note is that there's always somebody to pick up your phone quickly. Also they are really quick. Less than 10min and your favorite dishes are ready to go. So get some groceries and on the way back, you'll have a great lunch or dinner. Most places with take out, you'll lose the texture or flavor of the food. But not Koja. Takeout is always good. The Koja burger is always unique to try. If you've never tried a rice patty burger, you'll have to try their original Koja burger. The short ribs are to die for. Super flavorful and tasty. I would generally get the short rib bowl. A couple of dollars more, but you get more food. Plus you get more veggies with the meal. However the Koja rice patty burger is just a novelty you'll have to try at least once. My go to these days are the tacos. Not too much if you want a light lunch or dinner and yet so tasty. I've always liked the beef tacos, but I definiteky love the chicken tacos. Super tender and flavorful. The wasabi mayo just adds a good kick. Now the must eats are amazing fries. I always go between both the Umami and the Kamakazi fries depending on my mood. The Kamakazi is tangy with the kimchi and if you're in the beef mood. Umami sauce is creamier and you get masago with the braised pork. Both equally tasty. The best part is that the crispy fries are still great if you do takeout and have to wait another 15min before you get it at home. The only thing is that you'll run out of the tasty sauce once you get to the middle of the bowl. Always ask for more sauce or you're left with just plain fries by the time you get to the bottom of the dish. The sauce is one of the addictions at Koja as well. read more

Yaaaas, finally a restaurant in SF! Koja Kitchen makes a great addition to the Richmond district. Unless you are coming during prime time like dinner, there should be no long lines, compared to the truck..but then again, people go to OTG for the truck experience, haha. The restaurant has an 'outdoor patio,' as well as indoor seating. Friendly staff and clean restaurant. When you first walk through (the outdoor area), the wall has the menu - but don't worry, they have menus by the cashier as well! When you order your food, you get a buzzer. I love to order Short Rib Koja ($8.75) and their amazing Kamikaze fries (~$6). On occasions, I like to order their Strawberry-Mango Mint Lemonade ($2.75); other times, I prefer the fountain drinks ($2.50). The Koja burgers are amazing - two rice buns with your choice of meat inside (in my case, short rib)! My only problem with it is, sometimes it is a little thick and I have trouble biting the whole burger at one time, but it's okay, I don't mind :) Their signature Kamikaze fries are waffle fries drizzled in their special sauce with a bit of meat. Currently, I'm preferring these fries over the truck because it's crispier..but the portions are smaller. After a long while, I think the fries get soggy, so eat it first when you can! Strawberry-Mango Mint Lemonade is refreshing - very sweet cause of the lemonade with a hint of mint! Love it, but the cup size is 16 oz. I think if you want to spend your money wisely, opt for the fountain drinks (refills?!). If you're into super sweet (a bit sour) drinks, then this is good for you. Love coming here when I can! As for parking, ya'll know Clement - Asians everywhere. Metered on Clement St, unless you're parking other streets and you could be in residential .. but still hard. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Kamikaze fries & short rib koja - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Got the Koja beef bowl and a lot of the brown rice was undercooked. You could break your teeth and half the bowl was inedible. Asked for a refund online and never heard back. read more

Delicious fun Korean-American/inventive ultra casual cuisine. Good beer, tasty marinades, only place I know of to get koja (rice as a bun) in SF. read more

Ordered via Grubhub for pickup and the food was early and service was nice and efficient! The highlight was the Short Rib KoJa and the Strawberry Mango Mint Lemonade! I wasn't a big fan of the Crispy Chicken bowl but it was edible. I recommend stopping by if you get the chance! read more

I never tried koja when it was roaming around as food truck but I'm so happy that they opened a brick and mortar location so close to me. I had heard so many rave reviews about the short rib koja and the kamikaze fries. They were definitely on my list to try. My boyfriend and I decided to order to go from here and they do cook these up quick. Short rib koja: 5/5: everything worked so well together from the short rib, the lettuce, the rice buns and the sauce. The short rib was perfectly cooked and tender and juicy. It was delicious! I was also surprised by how well the rice patties held up. They didn't get soggy and fall apart which was a plus to me. I would honestly prefer this over a burger any day. Kamikaze fries: 5/5: crosscut fries with short rib and sauce on top! Sign me up! I'm a absolute fan! The fries were perfectly crispy and the combination with short rib made it extra decadent and delicious! I do have to say I like this better than animal style fries at in n out! Umami fries: 4/5: they were decent. Same crosscut fries topped with humongous chunks of pork, spicy sauce and tamago. It didn't make me swoon the way the kamikaze fries did. I did like the spicy sauce but the pork itself wasn't that great. It tasted slightly sweet which was a bit weird. But overall , decent fries but I still like kamikaze fries more! I'm so glad that this is the newest addition to my neighborhood! Can't wait to come back again and try more items on their menu! Total for 2: $37 read more

KoJa Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I love their short rib Koja. I have my favorite food trucks and such but the short rib Koja is probably the one food truck item item I discovered that is a must when I find it. Then my heart skipped a beat when I saw Koja Kitchen opened up an actual restaurant in my neighborhood! I have to say that I think it tasted even better than at the food truck. They also serve wine and beer in the restaurant. It has a nice indoor-outdoor feel so on a nice evening, this is a great place to hang out. I also recommend the Umami Fries! read more

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Honestly, didn't know that Koja Kitchen started off as a food truck in the Berkeley area. Just happened to be in Inner Richmond to watch a UFC fight and our bar let us bring our own food in, so I went hunting for some good to-go food options. Original idea was to pick up some takeout from Burma Superstar, but I actually happened upon Koja on the way there. Looked pretty damn cool from the outside and the menu was quite appealing, so hell why not give it a shot? Based on all the Yelp reviews and the eye test of what everyone was ordering (we were in like for a good 10 minutes at least), the Short Rib Koja (with extra egg, naturally) and the Umami Fries were my choice. I thought the short rib was pretty good as it was marinated very well and not dry whatsoever. Also, the rice buns were the perfect complement for the meat as it gave it some extra zing you wouldn't normally get with a burger. Also had both the Umami Fries and Kamikaze Fries (since my friends ordered that one), do yourself a favor and never skip on getting one of these when you come here. For the price, you get quite the value here. Even though I ordered takeout, you have to order upfront yourself anyways regardless of whether you sat in or ordered to go. Seems like a first-come, first-serve sitdown basis anyways, and given how busy it was when I stopped by I can see finding a seat may pose a challenge. They do have plenty of seats though! And they also have two big TVs that had sports on, if you're into that sort of thing (since I definitely am LOL). Overall, I was very happy with very spontaneous choice to come here. And now that it's opened in San Jose and I see all the Snapchats from my friends down there, really makes me want to come back ASAP. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I always enjoy the food when I come here, I am a regular. Constant order is the short rib koja and kamikaze fries Venue: short wait, TVs to watch sports games Food: takes about 5-10 minutes after order read more

KoJa Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Solo adventure! Ordered myself a Braised Pork Koja and the Kamikaze Fries. Hands down, the braised pork koja kicked the kamikaze fries behind....and here's why: Like many other Yelpers have said before, the fries are "cold". Mine were lukewarm at best, making them rather starchy and dry. And the only hot topping was the little pieces of meat....everything else (sauces, scallions, etc) were cold which didn't help the case. But this is coming from a person who isn't a big fan of "loaded" fries to begin with. Overall, it was pretty to look at, but I'm not sure I would order it again. However, where I felt the fries fell short, the koja definitely made up for it. The pork was super tender and the coconut flavor provided this nice, subtle sweetness to every bite. I added a fried egg, but I feel like I probably could have done without it - it was pretty overdone and didn't add anything extra flavor-wise in my opinion. The rice patties held up well and provided a very satisfying crispiness for every bite. This is definitely one that I would order again. All in all, it was a good meal. The ambiance is trendy and hipster. Staff is friendly. And service is fast. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Miso Braised Pork Koja // Koja Fries - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here couple Saturday's ago for dinner. I've had the food truck couple of times and they were great. You walk in, order at the cashier and they give you a buzzer thing. When your order is ready, you pick it up by the counter. The food is a bit overpriced in my opinion but it still tastes good so I don't mind paying for a pricey onigiri with short ribs This time I ordered the short ribs bowl and the kamikaze fries. Both very delicious but I couldn't finish everything on my own so I shared. It's really filling and juicy. The rice tasted hard and I don't remember if it's bc they use brown rice or regular rice but they should cook it a little longer. The lemonade they had was delicious. The drink was on point and made my throat satisfied. Overall I had a good experience and I'll be back again if I'm in the area! read more

KoJa Kitchen - Kamikaze fries and the short rib bowl with egg! Definitely worth it. - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I had eaten at the one in Emeryville a a while ago before the pandemic and was down to get their Original Koja sandwich. It was pretty dead inside and there was one other customer when I arrived. I got my food surprisingly fast and when I bit into it, I realized why. The food at best was room temperature and although the beef flav was good it was slightly grey and definitely barely warm. The rice bun was also not hot nor really crispy and who knows how long it's been just hanging out waiting to be served. I took 2 bites and decide Tom bring back to them and let them Know it was not warm. They apologized and gave me another one which was not that much better. I was too tired and frustrated to have to ask a 2nd time to actually have the food served hot. Nothing worse then food disappointment. read more

When you first walk in, it's a bit confusing as to where the menu is and where you place your order. FYI, menu is in the outdoor area while you order inside next to the water jugs. The lady taking my order didn't seem very friendly and had oil all over her hands. Not sure what she was touching but I hope she wasn't handling money then touching food. My credit card and the beeper were covered with oil. The food itself is pretty fun. It's definitely not "oh-my-god my mind is blown" kinda flavor but I did love the rice patties that go on the Koja. It's a bit more flavorful due to the cooking process and it's definitely fun to chew on. The beef one is alright to me; I prefer the coconut pork one for sure. It can be hard to eat so prepare to have lots of napkins with you. Now my major complaint was that it was a freezing cold night in San Francisco but all the dang doors and windows were completely open. Even the plastic flap for the outdoor area was wide open. All they had was ice water too. Not only was I physically uncomfortable eating in there, my food got cold and soggy real quick which compromises on the flavor and experience. These people need to physically close their doors. If people want to be cold, they can sit in the outdoor area. Leave the inside for those who don't want their food cold in 3 minutes. read more

We love this place. The food is great, the atmosphere is awesome, AND its dog friendly. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Tacos and fries - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Just tried their Ahi Tuna Bowl and always my favorite side Unami Fries and it was definitely a hit . So glad Koja has survived with so many neighborhood eatery's disappearing read more

Fries were not hot, not warm, somewhere between cold and sitting out for a hour under a "heat" lamp. The flavors were decent in the short rib bowl but the rice tasted old. The lemonade had a weird combination of flavors that did not go well together. Customer service was not friendly and when told that the fries were cold the only response was "oh". Oh k I'm not coming back here. Seriously disappointed read more

KoJa Kitchen - Looks good but cold - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've had the food from Koja Kitchen many times from their food truck at Off The Grid. I'm glad they opened an actual restaurant now! This place took over what used to be a coffee place. I came here with a group of 4 others. Having never been to this location, we didn't know how seating would be. We arrived around 6:30pm on a Sunday night and surprisingly there aren't too many people. Maybe two others in the inside seating area. They also have outdoor seating which is heated to keep you nice and toasty during these cold winter nights in SF. I ordered a braised pork bowl which came with rice, kimchi, and salad. I loved the rice because it was seasoned with furikake!! For those of you who don't know what furikake is, it's a dry seasoning that consists of a mixture of dried fish, sesame seeds, chopped seaweed, sugar, and salt. Kimchi was good as well because it wasn't too spicy. Tasted more on the mild side. Braised pork was pretty much pulled pork and was just a tad bit too salty for my liking. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cool corner spot on Clement. I like the outdoor seating, great for those rare sunny days in the city. Was greeted by a not so friendly chic, didn't smile, when asked where the menu was she pointed to the outside on the wall. I made my order brief. Beef koja and kamikaze fries. The rice buns on the beef koja tasted stale, hard to chew. It was ok. The Kamikaze fries were really good, the kimchee, sauce and meat were on hit. I like how they serve beer. Great pair up with my food. Food was good, restaurant was nice, service was ok. read more

My first time Korean sandwiches, didn't even know it is a thing! I took the veggie one with the portobello tofu patty and the pineapple. The sandwich was amazing! The "bun" of the fried rice is perfect and crispy, the sauce was so delicious, the sweetness of the pineapple mixed with the saltiness of the rest was perfectly balanced, and the veggie patty was surprisingly good and juicy (I'm not vegetarian just not a big meat eater). Definitely recommend ! read more

KoJa Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've tried both their umami and kamikaze fries, and they're both very appetizing! The fries were filled with flavor, the meat was tender, the fries were at a good level between crunchy and saucy, and the portion was large. Overall, while I do like them, I think they're pretty expensive (~$6). Even though they're filling, I wouldn't normally spend so much on a side dish. Also, I'd recommend taking it to-go to get more fries (some spill inside the bag as well). read more

KoJa Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is a disaster. Ordered a large order via DoorDash and the order was completely wrong. Koja and tacos were missing from the order, fries were incorrect, food was cold, poke bowl was not fresh, inedible, and extremely small. The restaurant did not follow any instructions from the order. I ordered vegetarian options, and received all meat options instead. The vegetarian options were substituted with meat as the merchants recommendation. Avoid. read more

I returned during Clementime tonight, to learn that Koja was the only shop on the list where the employees had no clue about the annual event. They had us wait while they called the manager, as the line got longer behind us. Being relatively new is no excuse, really, because the event information could've easily been communicated. The Spanish cheese/meats/cookware place which has been open for just two weeks even knew what was up. I was super disappointed by my Koja burger last time, but I decided to return for the kamizake fries, which I enjoyed. The value is good. The fries have a lot going on, but everything works. Too bad this place still hasn't won me over. read more

KoJa Kitchen - Kamizake fries. - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California