I'm truly heartbroken to hear that this restaurant has closed and even more so that I didn't get a chance to visit one last time in it's last days. I've dined here more than a handful of times and every visit was memorable. Sung and his team consistently delivered exceptional food, every dish was solid and clearly made with pride. You could taste the quality and it was consistent every single time. Beyond the food, what always stood out was the hospitality. Sung genuinely made an effort to connect with his guests, remembering faces, checking in at the table and ensuring everyone felt welcomed and valued. He made sure you had a good experience and you could tell he cared. One thing I've learned on my food journey is this: follow the chef. When you find someone who pours heart into their craft, you support them wherever they go next! Looking forward to whatever Sung does next. I already know it's for sure going to be just as good! read more

Kothai has been one of the Inner Sunset's most delicious and innovative spots for the past few years, so it's truly bittersweet to be writing this farewell review as they head into their last day of service. Even before this most recent visit, I'd enjoyed intimate dinners here for its creative, Korean-Thai-inspired menu that always packed an impressive punch of flavor but, dare I say, the brunch might be even better. The steak sandwich was absolutely phenomenal, with the steak seasoned and cooked to perfection and pairing beautifully with the charred onion aioli, plus a side of expertly crisped smashed potatoes that were so addicting. The steamed mussels were sumptuous and packed with umami, and I loved the two large bricks of toasted sourdough focaccia that were perfect for sopping up every last bit of the delicious dashi broth. But the pièce de résistance was the custard French toast, which I can only describe as the love child of bread pudding and tres leches cake as it was crispy on the outside but uber moist on the inside, custardy, and simply divine. Kothai will be deeply missed in the neighborhood, but I'm excited to see what's next for chef/owner Sung Park and will be first in line for whatever future project comes next. read more

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Dinner review. Asian fusion. Pre-closing. Mussels - gochujang dashi, house sourdough focaccia Pork Jowl - tamarind glaze, quick slaw, cilantro, fresno chili Kanpachi Crudo - kombu cured, nectarine, burnt leek, chili oil Umpqua Valley Lamb Roti - sichuan pepper sauce, charred eggplant, endive, chili vinegar Almond cake with yuzu ice cream Pandan with roasted pear dessert Overall, this place is awesome, everything was fantastic, and it's a travesty they're closing. "As good as it gets." read more

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Wow! The food here is amazing! My only regret is that I had not heard of it sooner and unfortunately they will be closing February 15th. Dishes we family-styled: the slow shrooms, the Kothai ceviche, pear and endive salad, the lamb roti with sichuan pepper sauce chili vinegar and charred eggplant, the pork chop with miso parsnip and broccolini, and the almond torte with yuzu ice cream and candied pecans. All their dishes we tried here were beautifully presented, combined creative ingredients, and delicious! Warning: the Kotahi ceviche was super garlicky, so you vampires have been warned! Also, it normally comes with two pieces, but because there were three of us, they added on an extra for us. The meats for the main entrees were cooked perfectly and the almond torte was the perfect way to end the meal. I thought it came with vanilla ice cream at first, but it was actually a creamy yuzu! We even saw the owner helping out front of the house. Service was helpful and courteous. read more

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My husband and I are extreme foodies, and we were very impressed by the creativity and execution of many of the dishes! Some of our standouts that we wouldn't change a thing about: **Roasted Beets** 5/5 -- Even though we love beets, we were close to not ordering it because beet dishes have always seemed basic/simple. So many things going on here from the fermented radish and pickled mustard seeds, to the creamy soy aioli and and herby oil, but HOLY COW, I loved the different textures and flavors in every bite. Looked beautiful. My favorite beet dish of all time. **Kanpachi Crudo** 5/5 -- Perfect balance of flavors! The burnt leek puree and nectarine brunoise worked well with the kombu cured kanpachi. The sauce was delicious: we were eating it straight. One of the best crudo dishes of all time! And my husband normally doesn't care for raw fish like this. **Umpqua Valley Lamb Roti** 5/5 -- One of the most well-executed lamb dishes we've ever had -- juicy and tender on the inside with a nice roast crust on the outside. The sichuan peppercorn gave the dish a unique spin without being too overpowering. The freshly made, flaky roti was perfection. **Almond cake with yuzu ice cream** 5/5 - Again, flavors and textures balanced so well. The pickled gooseberries added a nice sweet-tart-bitter balance to the moist cake. The made in-house yuzu ice cream was a nice accompaniment too. It was a perfect not-too-sweet dessert for anyone interested in trying a more creative, slightly unconventional dessert. Some things we wished could be changed (due to our personal taste): **Grilled Spanish Octopus** 3/5 -- This dish wasn't for us. The texture of the octopus was a little off? It was soft, but lacked enough bite for us. It also could've been more charred for our taste. The saucy chimichurri beans was nice and savory, but could've used some acid or freshness to cut through the richness. Overall, I was wishing the flavors better complemented or let the octopus itself shine more. **Pork Jowl** 4/5 -- Solid overall, but wished the meat cut was smaller so that there could be a higher ratio of grilled exterior to juicy interior, as it was nice how crispy and charred the edges were. Also the strong, rich flavors and sauce begged to be paired with some kind of starch, or more of the fresh slaw to better balance and complement the meat. Maybe we're more used to the traditional Thai dish, Kor Moo Yang, that this dish was likely inspired by? Regardless, the table next to us loved this dish, and we saw them eating it with a side order of rice, so maybe that's the move here. **Carlton Farms Pork Chop** 4/5 -- Overall delicious, though my husband thought the roasted bell pepper/onion relish didn't quite fit the dish, as it tasted like a supreme pizza? He said it kept reminding him of Italian flavors. Maybe some kind of pickled Korean-inspired relish would've suited our taste better. We wished the dish leaned a little more Asian since it was atop a miso parsnip puree, which sort of got lost in the dish given the other strong flavors. Overall we loved our dinner here. Chef Sung Park is full of talent, passion, and grit. Him and his wife pour their blood, sweat, and tears into their work, and it is so clear to us that their restaurant is a special place. We especially appreciated how the chef is willing to chat and share more about his dishes. Can't wait to come back to try more! read more

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Kothai has been on our list for quite some time. My husband and I decided to give it a try. We didn't have reservations so thought to arrive when the restaurant opened. Luckily we were seated immediately. The servers are tentative and food came fast. We ordered the lamb chop, mushroom, ceviche, and lettuce wraps. Everything we ordered was delicious, we were impressed with the lamb chops and the fresh fish appetizers. All in all wish we had a chance to try other things here. We'll definitely be back. I believe they change up their menu depending on season. The restaurant was fully packed by the time we finished eating, so I recommend making reservations especially if you plan on coming with a big group. read more

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The flavor profile each dish packs is incredible. My friend and I walked in on a Sunday night around 7pm and waited around 15-20 minutes for a table. We tried the ceviche and pork chop, which was both 10/10! The ceviche is so tangy, sweet, and fresh. The sourness pairs amazingly well with the savoriness of the sauce and shrimp. The pork chop was just as good! Perfectly grilled, with a very rich savory seasoning. The sauce/mash potatoes on the bottom was one of the best things I've ate. The service is absolutely amazing! Everyone is so nice and the restaurant is so simple, clean, and modern. I will definitely be coming back! read more

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Food was amazing , I'd say if you want a Thai fusion brunch then come here! Only issue is the parking but besides that it's worth coming here. The smashed potatoes was definitely my favorite, I got the KFC sandwich and my girlfriend Rose Toast! The service was good, nothing too exciting! read more

Kothai Republic - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I had been a few months prior for their brunch, and now leaving a review for their dinner service! The space is airy with plenty of natural light, great for a relaxing meal. The two of us opted for small plates to share. My favorite dish were the Slow Shrooms- the mushrooms carry that Asian Trinity flavor so well! The kanpachi crudo was also delicious; I was lapping up that sauce. The true highlight of the meal though was how the chef would come out to chat with each table and explain the different dishes. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Kothai Republic is one of those understated neighborhood spots in SF that completely surprises you once the food hits the table. We came for brunch and tried the rose shrimp toast, mushroom salad, and the cod sandwich. Every dish was well thought-out, creative, and full of layered flavors. Our favorite was the rose shrimp toast -- the sauce was delicious and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. One downside though was the drinks. The cucumber fizz tasted a bit pickle-y, and the sangria was just okay -- not bad, just not as impressive as the food. I'd definitely come back, especially to explore their dinner menu. read more

Kothai Republic - Rose Shrimp Toast - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I found Kothai while looking for cute brunch cafes near Golden Gate Park. I would describe Kothai as a totally unassuming local spot (from the outside) with unique and high-quality food! When you go in the interior feels comfortable and familiar, probably because they have a semi open kitchen and lively countertops. You can definitely tell this place is run by folks who like to cook and who care about their food because it is filled with personality - the countertops in the back are covered with things pickling, various housemade sauces, cookbooks, and kitchen gadgets. I spent half the time fascinated by watching everything that was going on! For the food, the menu was short and sweet which I appreciated because complexity comes out in the dishes themselves. We ordered the rose toast, steak sandwich, and beef roti wrap and everything tasted great, but the beef roti and potatoes were our top choices. I assume the sauce that comes with the toast and potatoes is an aioli, but it was anything but basic. It was smooth and had a slight acidity to it that just went perfect with the crispy potatoes. I almost wanted to ask for more to go. We ordered three dishes for two people since descriptions online said small plates, but one dish per person is definitely enough because portions were sizeable. We ended up taking about half to go and it still tasted very good later. read more

Kothai Republic - Rose toast, beef roti wrap, steak sandwich - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Kothai Republic is one of those places that never disappoints after many visits. The food has always been top notch and the owner has always been very kind. The shrimp ceviche and mussels were amazing. Especially the bread with the mussel sauce. read more

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So good! Instantly top 5 favorite meals in SF. I came in without too many expectations since we decided to come here on a whim, but I'm so glad we chose this spot! We had to wait only 30 min for a table at 6:45. The restaurant is small and was absolutely packed when we walked in. Would definitely recommend making a reservation! The menu seems to be a korean thai fusion (hence the name, Kothai?!) and they have lots of interesting options you don't see often. We opted the octopus, focaccia (the special for the night), pork jowl, hen, and the matcha strawberry tiramisu for dessert. No bite disappointed and we absolutely devoured each dish. The focaccia was so flavorful and I loved the ricotta. The octopus was very tender and had a nice chili oil flavor. Pork jowl & hen were both surprisingly very big portions! I feel like the prices are very reasonable given the portions, and given the quality. The service was very friendly! Everyone was very kind. Our water ran out quickly and we went a while without a refill which is my only complaint. The food came out in courses and was paced slow to allow us to have conversation in between, which I enjoyed. Definitely recommend for a date night! read more

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One of the first spots I tried when I moved to Inner Sunset. I was very excited by the idea, especially since Thai and Korean are some of my favorite cuisines. We tried the following dishes: Appetizers/Small Plates: Grilled Hamachi Collar -- Great fish quality, grill flavor. Steak - Not sure if this is still on the menu, might be the Korean BBQ Skirt? Fantastic cooking on the steak, just right in terms of done-ness. Mains: Tom yum noodle soup, the Thai Braised Chicken, and the Korean Spicy Noodle. Truthfully, the tom yum noodle soup did not stand out to me especially as such a big fan of Amphawa's. The Thai braised chicken was great -- juicy and well seasoned with a tasty egg noodle to pair. My favorite was definitely the Korean Spicy Noodle, topped with grilled pork jowl. The sauce that coated the noodles was just divine -- spicy, nutty, and balanced, keeping my family and I coming back for more. Dessert: I believe we had a peach crumble, which was solid. Wanted to also note how beautiful everything was presented. Some of the prettiest plating I've seen in San Francisco's food scene. Every dish just looked like a work of art, carefully crafted. Ambience and service were also lovely! This is a very aesthetic restaurant, perfect for a date night spot or taking your family somewhere elevated but that won't force you to take out a mortgage. I'm not sure I was left attached enough to any particular dish in my first impression to NEED to return, which is why this get's a 4/5, but everything we ate here was solid and I would be happy if someone brought me here again. read more

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Kothai is magical. This is the upscale dining experience that we were craving, and this was a blow, the socks off moment. It was able to grab last-minute reservations on TOCK, and upon arrival we were seated very quickly. This restaurant is jumping! San Francisco natives obviously know about this place, and I'm thrilled that I discovered it. I needed the Thai tea. It's one of my all-time favorite drinks, so when I see it on the menu, it's definitely a must for me. I found the Thai tea to be a little bit, thicker and consistency, and a tad less sweeter than I'm used to, but overall it was delicious! I ordered the wild amberjack Crudo as an appetizer. I'm going to throw this out there, but I can definitely see this restaurant being selected for JAMES Beard. Every single bite of the Crudo was delicate, tasty, and well intended. The fish was perfectly chilled, if you've never had Crudo before it's very similar to pepper fin. The spices, the citrus, all just so perfectly orchestrated. Then I did something I rarely ever do, I ordered the pork chop. I will say that in general, pork chops are not my thing, but after the staining experience, I may need to rethink my protein strategies. The pork chop was without a doubt absolutely fantastic! The light sear to the outside gave it that crisp char that I think many of us want on a good grilled piece of meat. The meat itself was tender, flavorful, and yes, juicy. It was presented over al dente broccolini, with a sauce that was so delicate, and yet pulled all the flavors together. It makes my mouth water, just thinking about it. Each bite was perfection. I don't know when I've had a meal like this that has left me craving the experience all over again. We decided we need a dessert because, why not?! Everything else had been magnificent, and I could not be left wondering about the dessert options. The selection overall seemed a little bit limited, but I opted for the Matcha tiramisu. It's everything that you wanted to be, and nothing like you would expect. It's so much more. The chef has really mastered the technique of combining layers of flavor and pull something together like this that I've only ever experienced abroad. I really enjoyed the fact that the Matcha was not overpowering, and they're definitely was not that expected coffee flavor or taste. In fact, the strawberries, added in nice sweetness The service was impeccable, with the only note being that all of the servers are very soft spoken, and the restaurant has a very loud din to it, making it challenging to actually hear what the wait staff is saying. I definitely see great things in store for this chef and this restaurant. It's an absolute must experience. read more

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Came for dinner with friends. Family-friendly, cosy, and homey atmosphere. We really enjoyed most of the dishes we ordered. Highlights included the mushrooms over this ginger scallion paste with sweet potato chips - super flavorful! The group fave was definitely the homemade ricotta with tomatoes and homemade focaccia. The ricotta was so creamy and paired perfectly with the buttery focaccia. the focaccia was so good I wanted to order the bread on its own. It's thick, fluffy and held its structure over time. Also really loved the pork chop - which i don't normally care for. it was juicy and tender and had a slight sweetness from the marinade/seasoning. the one item i wouldn't order again is the branzino. it was really salty and just did not stand out. overall, thought the meal was really good. the dishes were innovative and flavorful. can't wait to visit again. read more

Kothai Republic - rose toast, mushroom omelette - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I've been to Kothai Republic a few times before but this is the first time trying their brunch and I can say I was not disappointed! We ordered the mushroom omelette and KFC sandwich. The omelette had a generous portion of mushrooms though it's put on the side instead of inside and mixed with the eggs as in how traditional omelettes are made. The dish is well seasoned and came out piping hot. The KFC Chicken Sandwich included a huge piece of fried chicken. The chicken was crispy and moist. The vinegar slaw included in the sandwich provided a nice crunch and contrast. The food isn't necessarily cheap but if you are in the mood to splurge a little, give them a try. read more

Kothai Republic - KFC Chicken Sandwich - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We stumbled upon this restaurant while searching for food in the area, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. We came for Saturday brunch and were delighted to find no wait for our party of five. Each of us ordered our own entrée, along with a few dishes to share. Most items on the brunch menu feature an Asian-inspired twist, which made the selections unique and interesting. I especially enjoyed the rose toast--creamy Cajun seafood served over a thick slice of toast. While I would have preferred the sauce on the side to keep the bread from getting soggy, the flavors were spot on. We ended the meal with warm French toast, which was the perfect sweet finish. Overall, this is a great brunch spot if you're looking for something flavorful without the long wait. Just note that there's an automatic 20% service charge for parties of five or more. read more

Kothai Republic - French toast - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Kothai Republic is located in the Inner Sunset, and offers a menu inspired by bold Asian flavors. We ordered the mussels, whole branzino, and Cornish hen, and each dish was packed with flavor. read more

Kothai Republic - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Back for a stupendous dinner experience in my hood for some mussels and king salmon in a creamy green curry that's not-so-spicy with the first bite but gets SPICY with more bites! More rice, please? Service was friendly and professional in a casual yet airy setting. I prefer dinner here over their brunch because the food's more uniquely Asian fusion. read more

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I had this place bookmarked for a while and I finally got to try it! Items: - B&E : Soooo good! The pork belly was cooked to perfection and so was the eggs! The flavors of everything went great together. Love the sauce. Even the potatoes were crispy and seasoned just right! Only thing is, my toast crust was quite hard. So I lost some of my food when trying to cut it/split it :( - Rose toast: Similar to my B&E, but with shrimp and a poached egg. This was also super flavorful and the shrimp was cooked to perfection. I prefer the B&E, but good to try. - Strawberry Matcha Latte: Not the best one I ever had, but flavor is there and is solid to pair with my food. - Cucumber Fizz: Not my thing, but my bf liked it. Service was good. The place wasn't super busy, so we were seated and served in a timely manner. I would go again for my B&E read more

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I reserved a table for 8 at kothai to host my birthday dinner. I was pleased overall with my dining experience, and would return again for a nice occasion like dinner with parents or a celebration. The restaurant has limited capacity, but I found making a reservation online to book a large table quite simple. Moderate noise, but we were able to hear everyone at our table. Nothing too noteworthy about the service, even though I had reserved for a special occasion. For our party of 8, we ordered 6 small plates and 3 large plates, and shared amongst each other. Great blend of flavors and textures. We really enjoyed a lot of the food. Favorites of the table were the crudo, the mussels, and the king salmon thai curry. Personally, I really enjoyed the pork jowl and the bronzino. It is quite impressive they were able to fillet the bronzino and maintain its shape for presentation. The mio sparking sake and the sequoia nigori were our picks to pair with our food selection. Both were excellent with the meal, but the mio sparkling sake was definitely the favorite. As for service, they seemed a little short staffed as there were only one waiter and another employee serving the drinks. I had to flag them a few times to refill our waters. And, it was tough getting their attention at times. However, the waiter was accommodating to the dietary needs at the table. read more

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Seriously the best meal I've had in months! So sad to hear that they'll be closing soon, and I only just found out about their incredible food. Our party of six ordered one of nearly everything on the menu (and two orders of the slow shrooms because they were worth an instant repeat). Appetizers: slow shrooms, pork jowl, crudo, grilled octopus, pear and endive salad, and hamachi collar Mains: lamb with roti, Cornish game hen, butterflied branzino, and pork chop Desserts: lemon cheesecake, caramelized pears, and a crumble Everything was throughline excellent, but the all of the appetizers/small plates were standouts. Of the mains, the Cornish game hen and branzino were the strongest. When the food is this good, dessert never disappoints, I also loved the genmai cha served here. Wonderful service in an inviting space, both of which only add to the experience of enjoying such superior cooking. read more

Snagged a last minute reservation here on a Friday night. While they still had plenty of times open when we booked a few hours before, it was a packed house while we were there. Menu consisted of a few local farm to table dishes (very small and app like), small plates, and large plates. We got 3 small plates and one of the local farm dishes. A lot of stuff on the menu sounded really good and while we would've loved to try even more, this spot isn't cheap so we had to limit it. We ended up getting the slow shrooms, pork jowl, grilled hamachi collar, and crying tiger beef tartare. The clear winner for me was the pork jowl, the meat was super tender and the flavor of the dish was fantastic. I absolutely loved this dish. My boyfriend's favorite dish was the crying tiger beef tartare, sadly this was way too spicy for me, and all I really got was the heat, which meant huge gulps of water after each bite. The hamachi and shrooms were good as well, though I wouldn't go all small bites next time as we were still kind of hungry when we left. They had a bunch of unique cocktails, that all sounded really great. It was tough narrowing it down to just one! I was tempted to get another because the first was so good, but dinner was already pretty pricey. This is a great date night spot, the low lighting and candle lit tables give it a very vibey and romantic feel, though it's not just for date night! Most people were there in groups of 4 while we were in. read more

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Pricier spot but the food was all great, I'd eat here again. Favorite dish was the octopus, it was perfectly cooked and tender throughout. It's served in a nice savory tomato sauce alongside some beans, really nice dish overall. Pork was also very tender and moist. The fried cheese and rice balls had great texture and I'm a big fan of the melted cheese. The tartare dish we had was nice too but it did have cilantro which turned me off a bit but otherwise good. Service was good and we didn't have to wait long for our food. Street parking nearby was not too bad either. read more

Kothai Republic - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cue the chill, hip music - either jazz, eclectic, classical music, or whatever. We have seen this place packed all the time even on weekdays. Curious, we checked their menus over the changing seasons. We finally had the chance to go, and I had to treat her to this, of course. It seems like the place to go for all kinds of people of all kinds of backgrounds. It is a casual dining establishment with food, tapas, and a great selection of alcohol. We understood that there were small plates, and I was expecting less. However, surprisingly, after finishing our food, we felt like it was more than enough! We figured there was quite a bit even for small plates, and it'd be nice to share with a bigger group like the pork jowl. That was our favorite btw with just enough spice. It was a pleasant surprise. The cornish hen in red curry came in very close and was also at the top. It was also a pleasant experience as it was expertly deboned except for the drumsticks. What's more was that the cartilage was left on - perfect! I liked the octopus small plate too with a touch of tangy citrus. The cocktail was also good. It was elegant, classy, and uniquely floral. There was an exotic flower dancing in the middle of the drink - another pleasant surprise. Perhaps I'm not used to such a dining experience, but it felt like a welcoming, local establishment. They were friendly and answered our questions. I saw what I think were the owners of the restaurant chatting with patrons and enjoying the time spent. That Is community. Everyone was enjoying the experience. I'm not even talking about the price point, but it was all worth it! read more

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We are locals and should have left a review a long time ago. I'm so sad and in complete denial that they are closing soon. Sung's palette is advanced and there have been so many star dishes that he perfectly thought out and put together. I really miss the Korean beef entree that used to be on the menu! Our current favorites are the beet salad and the kanpachi collar. We have been ordering the ceviche since they first opened. It's cold, snappy, and fresh. We will miss Kothai dearly and hope whatever replaces it can live up to the hype! read more

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We came for brunch early on a Saturday morning and were excited to try Kothai Republic as we've heard good things about their dinner menu. The brunch menu isn't as Korean fusion but we were happy to see some healthy-ish options and ordered the Mushroom Omelette and B&E. Loved the mushroom omelette for a vegetarian option with a mix of maitake, cremini, and shimeji mushrooms. The eggs are perfectly cooked and the smashed potatoes on the side were great as well. My friend got the B&E which includes their thick cut bacon with creme fraiche eggs on toast. Another great option! We also got the french pressed coffee -they use Snowbird Coffee which has location nearby. While the brunch is more traditional, we'll need to come back to try the Korean fusion dinner menu. Definitely nice to have such a good brunch option in the neighborhood! read more

Kothai Republic - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Hidden Gem! 14 of us had dinner here last Tuesday Night. Excellent Food with wonderful Service in this charming neighborhood like restaurant. A Neighborhood restaurant that serves gourmet dishes!! Please see the pictures below and let your eyes do the feasting! The food and all dishes were superbly prepared and presented! Please come to eat and enjoy the Vibe of this wonderful restaurant! My wife had the Cornish Game Gen and it was so "Juicylicious" and flavorful! Every bite was tastier than the one before! My son had the pork chop and it was not only beautiful but extremely delicious! Juicy and tasty! I had the salmon and the sauce it came with was just simply perfection at its finest! What a great place to enjoy wonderful "Juicylicious" food! read more

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Not too busy on a Tuesday night around 7. -foood-- Kothai ceviche: really fresh and has a good kick to it. Was a wanbitewunder! 5/5 Octopus: Only one octopus tentacle.. $18 but the sauce was delicious ,3/5 Pork jowl: Pretty tender and overall a good addition. Idk why but I like the kbbq restaurants better but still can't go wrong with either! 4/5 Pork chop: Honestly wasn't a fan, was kinda lean and tasted like straight smoke which some people like but I was hoping for more flavor. 2.5/5 Red curry Cornish hen: Was on the dryer side but decent amount of flavor 2.5/5 Lamb roti: one of the better meats. Tender and fell of the bone 4/5 read more

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Cool resturant definitely built for date night with how their portions are set up. Everything was well cooked and plated with intent. The staff was all super polite and professional and kept us informed on what was available and how long we were expected to wait to be seated. read more

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Another friend gathering, another Kothai Dinner :) At this point, Kothai is probably one of my favorite restaurants in SF. Our party of 6 had a reservation for 8:15, and were seated without issues. As always, the service was lovely, and the ambiance perfect for a night out with friends. We got some of our favorites - the lamb roti, amberjack crudo, red curry cornish hen, king salmon haw mok, and beet salad, but also tried some new dishes - the brocollini, which was nice and bright with a hint of citrus, the slow shrooms, which were so warm, rich and with a nice crisp, the pork fowl, which was tender, buttery and deliciously seasoned with a not too sweet sauce. As always, the dessert options were excellent, and we really enjoyed the poached pears with kaya sauce and hazelnuts that we shared. If you haven't been to Kothai yet, definitely come through for your next special occasion! It's truly a neighborhood gem, and I'm always looking forward to my next visit and trying new dishes on their menu. read more

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Came in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the KFC sandwich, and it was excellent. The chicken was nicely fried, crispy on the outside and juicy inside. The buttermilk slaw added a great balance and really pulled the sandwich together. The staff was really nice and made the place feel comfortable and easygoing. I'd definitely come back for another lunch. read more

Inventive flavors, welcoming service, cozy ambiance as you watch the world go by through the tall glass walls on the corner of 9th & Judah. All but one of the tables was full when I entered sans reservation and it only became so when a couple offered to split their 4-top. We had a lively conversation about food and San Francisco places. I ordered Yellowtail Carpaccio ($23) that was delicate yet deeply flavored with ginger miso aioli, chili oil and a nori chip. The meltingly tender pork chop over miso parsnip purée ($39) was punctuated with a grilled fresno pepper to balance the sweetness of the glaze but whose scoville rating I didn't fully appreciate until the first bite (that'll teach me!) I really appreciated the cooking method of the pork chop as it was medium yet the fat was perfectly rendered. I ate every bite even though I intended to take half of it home. With a slightly peppery Russian River Pinot Noir, it was the perfect meal. Service was on point, every step felt ideally timed and unhurried. I like their menu very much and photos of certain brunch items look very tempting. I'll be back. read more

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We came here for dinner on a Friday night. The place was packed and the tables were turned over quickly. Every table was occupied and it's not a large place. It's good to be able to see everyone cooking in the kitchen. The place was very dim. I took pictures of all our food but they are blurred because it was so dark in the restaurant. We started with the chicken liver moose with mochi popovers. The Bread was delicious and hit the spot. We then had the hamachi collar - it was very tender and seasoned well. Delicious! Next we had the pork chop which was the largest pork chop i ever shared. However, once we cut into it, we realized there was a lot of fat. Then we had the curry game hens which was also tender. I wish I could taste the curry more. The bibimpap was nice but it was not huge. We shared all our dishes between 4 people. I did notice that there was a wait time or over 10 minutes between some plates. And also, the food we received was lukewarm. read more

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Good neighborhood restaurant, but I think I came with too high expectations. Wouldn't go out of your way to try it, but great to drop in to if you live in walking distance. The Umpqua Valley Lamb Roti dish that I had read rave reviews about unfortunately didn't hit the spot for me. I thought the lamb shank just wasn't that tender and didn't really absorb the flavor. It was cold so we got the Fiddlehead & Mushroom Yukgaejang, which was also a bit of a miss (something about the flavors / textures fell flat for me). The slow shrooms we got as an app was probably my favorite dish, but even that wasn't super memorable. But that being said, I love the concept and it seems to have plenty of fans - when I came on a Tuesday night, it seemed like every other table was celebrating a birthday. read more

This place has been on our radar for a while, and we finally had the chance to stop by for weekend brunch. They offer separate menus for brunch/lunch and dinner, and while the restaurant itself is small, it truly punches above its weight. The food was not only beautifully presented but also packed with flavor. I highly recommend the Rose Toast along with the Cucumber Fizz. The local cod sandwich was a standout -- full of bold flavors, with the mustard seed tartar sauce stealing the show. The roasted purple potatoes were delicious and paired perfectly with the yuzu aioli. Portion sizes were just right, and the pricing felt very reasonable. The cozy, casual ambience paired with friendly, courteous staff made the experience even better. They're doing an excellent job with their Asian fusion concept, and I'm excited to come back and try the dinner menu next time. read more

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Great food. Lovely plating. Friendly service. Smooth ambiance. Loved the unique flavors and combos - the cooked pear dessert was so good. read more

Kothai Republic - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

We love coming to Kothai for the fried chicken sandwich. There's a distinct Korean fried chicken taste for this sandwich that really makes it stand out in flavor and savoriness. I always end up reordering this every time I come back. The pancakes are warm fluffy and buttery for those who have a sweet tooth. Complement with the lychee oolong tea or the yuzu sparkler and you have yourself a delicious weekend brunch. Service is nice here and ambiance is casual. read more

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second time visiting, the menu rotates a lot so we tried something new: - rose toast: the shrimp was pretty succulent and the bread was soft and absorbent but I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce - roti rancheros: the idea of roti instead of tortilla was a huge win! it got pretty greasy towards the end though, because the beef was super oily. but it was very flavorful read more

Kothai Republic - roti rancheros - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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