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    Noodle in a Haystack

    4.8 (95 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndRamen, New American

    Noodle in a Haystack Photos

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    NOODLE IN A HAYSTACK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Reviews With Photos - Noodle in a Haystack

    Yoko's Donut
    Tiffany K.

    For years, I had friends who raved about Clint and Yoko's ramen pop up that was first operated in their home. I heard equally great things about the food and the husband wife duo and honestly, was skeptical because this sounded too good to be true. I had yet to meet chefs that were equally as charming as the food until this very special day. Their technique and meticulous care in curating what is the most memorable bowl of ramen I've ever had (even after visiting Japan), is clearly highlighted throughout all of Clint and Yoko's dishes and their impeccable palate. Their natural talent to orchestrate flavors seamlessly and in tandem with the seasonality of ingredients created an undeniable reputation, with a strong following that manifests with reservations being highly sought after (it took several tries of waiting for the reservations to open up and still not being able to secure them and by the grace of the restaurant gods and my friend's quick reflexes, only got a reservation through the waitlist so have FAITH! You TOO can try their amazingness). I get it. Everything clicked for me. Like how can food taste this good? That was my reaction after every dish. I was floored by each bite. The caviar financier was utterly delightful. You will have a taste of Yoko's gifted baking skills upon the first bite here. I secretly wished I had a financier the size of a bread roll. Their play on the caprese was like an international whirlwind of a trip that took place within a few seconds. The combination of flavors transformed this dish's experience from a place of Chengdu, to Italy and then back to Japan. All within one bite. Wowza. Holy Cow. The Chawanmushi was soooo fun to eat. The mapo complimented the egg so well. But wait! There was also a surprise. It felt like a kinder egg. Nestled in the bottom middle was a scallop surprise. My HEART. The Cauliflower side dish looked unassuming, but the texture and flavors that were carefully integrated into this vegetable made me fall in love with it all over again. The ramen we were served that night happened to be Clint & Yoko's son's favorite ramen. And I understand why it is because it's now my favorite too. Damn. This has to be the tastiest, cleanest bowl of ramen I've ever had. I ate everything down to the last drop of the broth. I was a bit intoxicated by how delicious this was when Clint explained the contents of this bowl, but from what I can recall, the soup was made from a blend of chicken stock with no parts for 10-12 hours along with a medley of different seafood flavorings. Then you have the two protein toppings- Virginia ham + chicken breast. I never was truly fond of ham because honey baked ham during the holidays was always so underwhelming for me (and apologies for even comparing this to your ham C+Y), BUT MY OPINION HAS CHANGED. I only like Noodle in the Haystack ham. Great. The noodles were prepared in small batches so that when you get your bowl, both the broth and noodles were of a nice warm temperature and consistency. I want to cry just thinking about this bowl now. NOW THE DESSERT The yuzu kakigori was chef's kiss. But let me tell you about Yoko's donut. OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS. It was freshly fried and reminded me of a baby donut if beignet and mochi were to procreate. It was rolled in sugar and honestly was so perfect in itself. I believe if Yoko ever pursued a business in a bakery, it would be guaranteed that everything she bakes will be life changing. Because this donut just did that for me. The ambiance was intimate and cozy. I appreciated the minimal, yet personal touches of the decor inside. The bathroom even had a temperature regulated soap dispenser! Will definitely be coming back to what is now officially, my favorite fine dining spot in the city. Thank you Yoko and Clint for truly making this night so memorable and enjoyable.

    Strawberry basque cheesecake
    Ming C.

    Was finally able to snag a reservation after months of trying (and it was thanks to me randomly checking tock, not even a day the reservations opened). Food was delicious, so creative and unique. I've been to a fair amount of fine dining spots and many of them have been excellent but I do believe Noodle in a Haystack gave me some of my most memorable bites. The caviar financier packed a surprising punch. Corn chawamushi is so unique and tasted so fresh and delicious. Mapo ramen while homey, was soooo good, I may have liked it more than the shio chicken which was the main ramen. The shio ramen was great but I think I just prefer more bite to my noodles. Wagyu marsala was absolutely delicious as well, I loved the salt flakes and Clint is genius with how he put it all together. I've had better wagyu but this was my first time trying it in a donut and it definitely left an impact. Basque cheesecake was wow! The strawberriest, cheesiest cake I've ever tasted, the way it melted in your mouth was a delight, would definitely be interested if the team looked into a bakery. It feels a little weird paying so much for "just ramen", but the experience was more than just noodles and many of the standouts to me were not even the noodle dishes. Overall, would highly recommend if you are looking for a unique tasting experience that you can't find anywhere else--just know it will cost a pretty penny. Although we got the sake pairing, I am lightweight so I opted to drinking a non-alcoholic beverage but my partner enjoyed the pairings. The restaurant was cozy and discreet and easy to miss but very clean and I love the open kitchen concept. I appreciated the intimate experience, with 10 seats, it made sense why the reservations are so hard to get!

    Jenny X.

    What a cool experience! Got a reservation here thanks to a friend and we went on a Tuesday night! Good: - The place was so cute! I liked that it was a hole in the wall place - Super nice staff, definitely a labor of love - Liked the mini wine pairing, wasn't too much and it did complement each dish well - Each course was so pretty and made in front of us - my favorites were the Amish chicken and the desert pancake was very tasty. The noodles had good texture! Everything was worth eating, no dish wasn't great. Bad: - Expensive! Overall enjoyed this 3 hour experience and it was worth every moment

    Marlon T.

    The best dining experience in San Francisco right now! Is your internet fast enough to grab a coveted reservation on Tock.com right when it comes out? The food is spectacular, the atmosphere is simple, and the chats with the owners are priceless. Every bite was flavorful. Every sake/wine sip complemented the textures of flavors so well. Clint and Yoko and passionate and good and what they do and it's really the conversations you have with them that make the meal even more special. 1000% recommend!

    Lori R.

    I don't know how I haven't reviewed Noodle in a Haystack yet !! This is my 4th or 5th time dining here and I haven't had a single dish I haven't like. Yoko and Clint have a beautiful restaurant and deliver amazing food that they have put a ton of thought and effort into. For those of you who haven't been dining here is always a preset menu. Usually 5-10 courses depending on which menu you sign up for (they use to have a nonextended dining menu but I think now it's just extended v sake pairing). Reservations are incredibly hard to get. Try to get onto tock a few minutes before 9pm on the second Sunday and if you don't get a spot then just do waitlist and cross your fingers. The menu changes constantly but usually there is always the starting frangipane by yoko, homemade pickled something (this time was daikon and then a kimchi inspired persimmon pickle), some type of wagyu dish - this time featured a wagyu tartar with the most amazing smoked pickles that tasted like bacon. Also there is usually some variation of 2 ramen- this time we had the egg carbonara but it had a shrimp broth oil that elevated this dish to a higher level than it was in the past- and that was already amazing. The broth ramen this time might actually be my favorite so far - it's a take on hainan chicken with a sambal side sauce. The two different noodle dishes featured different noodles that suited the dish perfectly. This is a very intimate dining experience where you get to chat with the owners/chefs/creators and get to eat incredible, thoughtful, innovative, delicious food. I would recommend everyone dine at least once here.

    Pickled vegetables
    Cathy H.

    This omakase was an intimate 10 person experience that was close to 3 hours with the owner explaining each menu item to us before serving it with a wine/sake pairing. Ambiance was cozy and friendly. I really enjoy how small it was and the thought that went into the food. Service was excellent and attentive. Everything was delicious; some standouts for me was the cold ramen with spot prawns and uni sauce; hot hainan chicken ramen noodle soup, and the Crab Chawanmushi. Two of my favorite pairings were the melon sake and world peace sake; both were fragrant and smooth. This exclusive experience is worth the wait, hype and price. Highly recommend trying if you can get a reservation!

    Josie C.

    The menu is absolutely delicious! We had a splendid meal, and it was well worth the money. There aren't many bar seats, so it's best to book ahead!

    yuzu lemon (zested)
    Wing Y.

    This restaurant is the epitome of the idea that constraint breeds creativity. It's a small Japanese restaurant with no stove and no grill and 12 seats available three nights a week that are nearly impossible to get. But after 4 months of setting a calendar invite and signing onto Tock at the right time, my wife was excited to report that she had scored a reservation for last Tuesday evening. This is a complete dining experience. You get to talk to the chefs (a husband and wife team) and their helpers and watch as they carefully prepare and assemble the food before it is served to you. They are so purposeful and efficient in their actions - whether it's placing a single shred of greenery atop a perfect dollop of caviar, mixing a quick cucumber pickle with a deft stirring motion, or lovingly laying ramen into a bowl of broth. Clint and Yoko put their own spin on things, humbly stating that they are just trying to make things that they themselves would like to eat. The flavors and dishes are familiar but combined in interesting and subtle ways - for example the chawanmushi (egg custard) is combined with the flavors of hot and sour soup with the result being an incredibly warm and comforting dish. The Yakiniku Tartare includes pickled daikon and egg yolk, served on a delicate rice cracker, bringing together lots of exciting textures and flavors. Everything is amazing, and the noodles are the star of the show. The first noodle dish was a creamy, umami-packed take on carbonara, and the ramen of the night was a Shio Butter Clam Ramen, featuring two seafood broths and a clam butter along with sous vide pork and charred corn. Loved the desserts as well - a refreshing shaved ice atop "almond tofu" and a lovely, light dorayaki bursting with flavor and texture. Could not recommend this place more. We were here for nearly three hours and the time flew by! We put our regular date nights on pause a few months ago, so this was a lovely way to get some time together on our own.

    Sherry S.

    This is *the* hardest reservation to score in San Francisco. Located in a nondescript building in the Inner Richmond, Noodle in a Haystack is serving up a $195 ramen tasting menu. Husband and wife duo Clint and Yoko were finalists in the World Ramen Grand Prix in Tokyo, which inspired them to start their business in San Francisco, quickly earning its spot as one of the top new restaurants in the country. They insert ingredients from their ramen to each dish of the 8-course tasting menu. We started with a crispy golden financier topped with caviar and smoked shoyu creme fraiche, followed by a chawanmushi, or savory egg custard, with ingredients like Dungeness crab dashi gravy, Hokkaido Uni & Scallop. The chilled A5 wagyu tan tan men was incredibly refreshing from the cold house-made noodles and dashi, yet rich in flavor from the wagyu butter and mala. Next, a tender black cod and Japanese pickles before the climax of the tasting menu- a piping hot bowl of ramen that they rotate out every couple months. This is a hainanese chicken inspired shio ramen, with perfectly chewy housemade noodles in a translucent salt-seasoned broth. We finished strong with a refreshing Yuzu shaved ice, and Shoyu honey mirin Japanese pancake. You absolutely need to go for a special occasion or a nice night out!

    Mark O.

    Dinner review. Japanese (non-traditional) tasting menu. Winter / Early Spring Extended Menu (Highlight) Financier Tsar Nicoulai Golden Reserve Caviar, Smoked shoyu crème fraîche (Highlight) Chawanmushi Dungeness crab dashi gravy, Hokkaido Uni & Scallop, Garlic Brown butter, Shio tare, Mountain Yam, Mitsuba (Best. Awesome.) Chilled A5 Wagyu Tan Tan Men Japanese sesame tare, A5 Wagyu "butter," Ramp Vinegar, Mala, Dashi, A5 Hokkaido Wagyu Striploin Black Cod Steam roasted Black Cod, Japanese Sea Bream dashi, Blood Orange Olive oil, Chives Tsukemono Pickles of the Day (Highlight) Hainan Chicken Shio 8 hr Whole chicken & Pi water broth, 5 fish dashi, Shio Tare, Ginger scallion schmaltz, "Hainan Chicken" Roulade, 3 day cured jidori egg, Tokyo Negi, Aged onion, Micro cilantro Annin Kakigori Yuzu shaved ice, "Almond tofu", Kiwi preserve Dorayaki Shoyu honey mirin pancake, Burnt caramel, Chantilly, Salted brown butter crumble Overall, "as good as it gets."

    Wagyu Abura Soba
    Eric Joseph D.

    I have been in love with Noodle in a Haystack and Clint & Yoko since 2016 and I am so happy I finally got to eat at their new restaurant. To be honest, I was unsure when the restaurant would open, but it was definitely worth the wait! The open faced chef's table-esque kitchen and modern/sleek design is extremely welcoming and the lighting is great for photos. I didn't tell Clint & Yoko this, but this was one of my first meals after recovering from food poisoning so I was unsure if I was going to even enjoy it, but oh boy, was this one of my favorite meals of the year. I can talk about all of the dishes in detail, but here are some of my favorites: +Japanese Avocado Toast - Mashed avocado with smoked trout on top of a deep fried donut hole. Finished with finger limes and a cold pressed African Green Chilli oil. This was magical... +Spanish blue fin toro tar tar tart - Toro on top of a tart? Got to love that ingenuity! Inspired by a sushi roll, they top it off with a regular pickle, smoked pickle, and shishito leaf. +Wagyu Abura Ramen - First of all, can we talk about the noodles they are using? Wagyu, wagyu butter, and those beautiful noodles. Come on! I mean come on! I am drooling just thinking about this. This was the star. I could have eaten a couple bowls of this. Also, Clint & Yoko are some of the nicest people I have ever met and it brings me so much joy to eat their food in such a beautiful space. For $150 a person, you get at least 7-8 courses and an intimate dining experience. They are rotating their menu and experimenting with local and seasonal ingredients so my experience will probably be different from the next person, but it is definitely worth trying out if you can snag a reservation!

    Johnny W.

    Summary: So much more than just fancy ramen Details: For the uninitiated, Noodle in a Haystack has been around for many years now, originally operating as a ramen-focused popup at various venues, with reservations that were largely impossible for most to get. Since those early days, the business has evolved significantly, with Clint and Yoko opening up their own brick and mortar space (after many a bureaucratic roadblock), reservations being marginally easier to get (you have a ~15 minute window now instead of ~30 seconds), and the menu having turned into something more akin to kaiseki (though still built around a star noodle dish, of course). I was lucky to nab a last minute opening during their soft launch month, and got to see and taste the fruits of their labor, as my girlfriend and I were treated to a bevy of courses: some, significantly more stellar than others, but all enjoyable in some form, and each presented with a bit of fanfare and background from the couple themselves. While the main noodle (a wagyu aburasoba the day we went) itself was obviously one of the star dishes, their caviar financier, kakuni karaage, and annin kakigori were also particularly outstanding. Absolutely worth a shot if you can snag a reservation. And while $225 after included tax and tip is certainly a steep price for ramen, it's more palatable if you think of it in terms of a tasting menu at a Michelin star restaurant, with the same expectation of care and quality put into the dishes. Accessibility: The space is a bit smaller and comprised of bar counter seating only, but they specifically designed a wheelchair accessible portion with a lower counter towards the far end!

    avocado toast
    Jenny H.

    I had a phenomenal dining experience at Noodle in a Haystack! One glance at the name and you'd immediately think that it's just a ramen shop, but there are SO many layers here. It's an omakase and ramen shop with Asian fusion vibes and a monthly ramen style. They're constantly experimenting with new recipes, so the menu is always changing. The 8 courses ($125/person) were rich with flavor, umami, and creativity. While the star of the show was definitely the beautifully crafted and delicious ramen, the other food elements still lingered in my mind. My taste buds were dancing because I was transported back to my time in Japan. BONUS: Clint and Yoko are super sweet, kind, thoughtful, and knowledgeable! They initially ran their pop-up around the Bay Area, but the Kickstarter project helped bring their dream of opening a shop in SF to life. The current seating arrangement allows each guest to easily communicate with them. Clint explained each dish (and fun facts) with immaculate detail. They also have a special Pi-water filter! Note that this restaurant has no defined menu, so the items below might not be the same when you visit. However, there will probably be variations of these items. Either way, you won't be disappointed :) 1. Avocado toast with chili olive oil: Bite-sized bread with avocado. It looks really simple, but the acidity and flavor were very balanced. 2. Rice crackers with uni and mix of fresh fish: The rice crackers brings me back to my childhood. The uni and fish were incredibly fresh and creamy. I need more of this in my life. 3. Kanpachi with ponzu sauce: Great ponzu sauce with a nice crunch from the onions! 4. Chilled tofu: The sauce was inspired by tantanmen and mala, so you'll get a nice kick of umami. It was so smooth. 5. 16-hour braised pork belly: WOW, the best pork belly that I've ever had. It literally MELTED in my mouth. Smooth like butter *cues BTS song* :) This gave me KBBQ vibes because of the meat + salad combo. 6. Radish and pickled vegetables (shared between 2 people): So refreshing and tasty! I'd love to have this on the side at all times. 7. Abura soba ramen: THE best ramen I've ever had and on the same wavelength as the best ramen places in Japan. This gave me Mi Goreng vibes, but amplified x1000. The onions were sweet and mild without the spicy onion flavor. Their wagyu butter and wagyu fat mousse in the sauce were divine. Soak the noodles with the orange egg yolk for some extra creamy flavor. It was SO FREAKING DELICIOUS. 8. Almond jello with kiwi and shaved ice: Great way to end the night with super light dessert!

    Fried pork belly, greens with veggie dressing and dressed shiso

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Noodle in a Haystack

    Is there a no meat option? For broth, seafood, etc. no problem, but actual meat like chicken/pork/beef is what I am referring to. Thanks!

    It depends on the ramen that is on the menu at the time. If we are doing a meat based ramen then we are unable to make adjustments outside of omitting a meat based topping. However, there may also be other meat based courses as well since we are… 

    Hi, can you accommodate gluten free?

    Unfortunately, we are unable to due to the nature of the tasting menu being ramen centric.

    What days are you open?

    We currently do not have set days. Primarily doing advanced bookings which can be made on our Tock site:… 

    Are you vegetarian or pescatarian friendly?

    No, special dietary preferences are not offered. My recent meal included beef.

    Are the pop ups still happening while the storefront is on hold?

    No more pop-ups, as we are putting all our energy into trying to get the shop open.

    Are there substitutes for Pescatarians? for broth as well. Thanks!

    Not at the moment. It might be something we can do in the future, but currently we just don’t have the resources / space to prepare a full 5+ course pescatarian menu. Thank you!

    How do we make reservations?

    You can visit our website, noodleinhaystack.com for the schedule and link to Tock where you can purchase a ticket. Tickets are released a month in advance, on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 10pm.

    Can't find this place. Where is it exactly?

    We don’t have a permanent space at the moment so we move around a lot. Majority of our current events are hosted in Daly City

    What are the business hours and how long is this pop up staying?

    We don’t have typical business hours because we don’t have a set venue space yet. Our schedule goes up 1 month in advance and tickets are sold to our communal dining events through Tock. You can check our webpage for the dates & links.

    View All 11 Questions

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    Earlier today my husband and I came for dinner. About 30 minutes in, while we were enjoying the…read moredelicious food, he had what I thought was a seizure. He was unconscious, shaking, thrashing, sweating and groaning. The staff immediately came to my side (as well as customers) to help me. They called 911 at my request, and once the EMTs arrived they were helpful and truly concerned. Not just trying to get us out of the way. Shaking, I tried to hand over my credit card while the EMTs took my husband on a stretcher. The manager said "No, no.. it's fine, it's fine," with the kindest look in his eye. This would have been our third visit because the food is sooooo good. But now I'm basically going to be their cheerleader to anyone who will listen. I could not be more grateful for their grace and aid while I was in near hysteria. Kindness still exists. And so does genuinely good food. PS: it turned out to be dehydration, but it was scary AF, kids. Drink. Your. Water.

    I've tried a different location before (San Mateo) for their well known dipping ramen but this time…read moreI wanted to give their normal ramen a try. The ambiance is extremely loud in there and the tables are very close together. So if you're looking for a quiet, less crammed space, this isn't it. The actual restaurant looks very nice, but not sure why the bar seats face a storage area with clear windows. As for the food, the calamari was delicious, they give you whole pieces of little squid. The ramen broth is very hearty and bold. When I was halfway through, it became a little too much. I do wish you're able to pick the thickness of noodles. I didn't like the thin noodles with the ramen. It actually reminded me of instant ramen. But to each their own with noodle thickness. I just wish there were options. I almost wish there was something else in the ramen to balance out the flavor besides more bold flavors from the pork and egg. It does the job but wasn't a huge wow factor. As for the service, they are pretty attentive. I didn't like how one of the servers kept hovering around the entire time grabbing anything they could off the table. The second we took off the wrappers of the chopsticks, they grabbed it. Usually I like the table cleared out to make space but it was the constant hovering that was awkward.

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    2.1 mi
    $$

    We are writing to express our strong appreciation for the exceptional Umami Creamy Tan-Tan-Men soup…read moreand to respectfully request its permanent return to the menu. This dish stands out as one of the most memorable and flavorful offerings we have experienced. The rich, creamy broth delivers a perfectly balanced umami depth, harmoniously combined with subtle heat and aromatic spices that create an indulgent yet refined dining experience. Both my partner and I were thoroughly impressed by its complexity and comforting warmth, and we have continued to crave it long after the winter season. The Umami Creamy Tan-Tan-Men soup represents a true highlight of your culinary repertoire. We believe it deserves a lasting place on the regular menu, where it can be enjoyed year-round by loyal patrons and new guests alike. Its removal has left a noticeable gap, and we are confident that reinstating it as a signature item would be met with great enthusiasm. Thank you for creating such an outstanding dish. We eagerly await its return and look forward to ordering it on our next visit.

    Truly stellar ramen at Hinodeya!…read more A few friends and I were in San Francisco for the day are were carving ramen after a morning of strolling around. We were recommended a spot in the Japantown Center Mall, but settled on Hinodeya after checking Yelp. It turned out to be a great choice. We were greeted upon entering the restaurant and someone rang what to believe to be a gong?! It was a very fun addition to our experience. We were shown to a table and started browsing the menu. The interior was very clean and neat. There are plenty of options, including some for vegetarians/vegans. My two vegetarian friends ordered both of the vegan/vegetarian ramen options and were raving about them. I ordered the Hinodeya (house) ramen and it was delicious. The broth was so flavorful and the noodles were perfect. The table is set with crispy garlic or onions (can't remember) and a chili blend which were yum on top of the ramen. My friends ordered the spicy miso ramen and was satisfied despite it not being very spicy. We had great service the entire time and the prices were very reasonable. Hinodeya is a gem I will be revising on future trips to San Francisco!

    Photos
    Inside restaurant
    Inside restaurant
    Spicy Miso Ramen
    Spicy Miso Ramen
    Chicken Karaage and Green Gyoza

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    Chicken Karaage and Green Gyoza
    Ushi Taro Ramen

    Ushi Taro Ramen

    4.4
    (147 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    LGBTQ friendly

    This place is in our greater neighborhood and we went here on a whim based of proximity and rating…read more Additionally, We just got back from Japan and were craving ramen again. On the outside, it can be easily missed and parking is a bit troublesome. However, it's all worth it once you get in this place. Inside is modern chic and I like they have a focus on beef (ushi) and it's very targted menu. Although it's a small menu, it is a mighty one and we had ramen, curry and a mushroom appetizer and it was all very good and hit the spot. We will definitely come here again and I'll consier as a takeout spot.

    Me and my bf found this spot when we were doing a day trip to SF from LA. It was pretty cold gloomy…read moreday so we decided to have lunch here with something warm and our favorite which is Ramen. It was our first time and we definitely chose the right spot for lunch. The inside is very cozy and warm. We were seated by the corner facing the street which kind of adds to the vibe and seeing the cloudy weather was a perfect day to eat ramen. Their ramen is so good, I believe they put truffles on it, and I love me some truffles. Even my bf who loves ramen and usually has high standards for it loved it. We both rated this spot a 9/10 from our opinion. Oh and their mushroom appetizer was good. I forgot the name but we were picking on that and finished it within minutes.

    Photos
    Ushi Taro Ramen
    Ushi Taro Ramen
    Ushi Taro Ramen

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    Ippudo San Francisco

    Ippudo San Francisco

    3.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    I dropped in here for lunch right before I had a flight to catch, and to be honest, I've already…read moredecided I'm coming back. Because I was in a rush, speed was everything, and they absolutely delivered - my ramen was hot and ready on the table within 5 minutes of ordering! The service was incredibly fast, and the staff was amazing throughout. Beyond the efficiency, the food itself tasted wonderful. The restaurant's location is excellent, and the interior is beautifully planned and decorated, giving it a really nice vibe. As a huge plus, they have multiple vegetarian options on the menu. This makes it an ideal spot for groups where some people want vegetarian dishes and others want non-veg options. If you need a delicious, top-tier bowl of ramen - even on a tight schedule - this is the place to go.

    Came here about 45 minutes before closing and was seated within 5 minutes. I ordered a beer, the…read moreAkamaru Modern, and a side of corn. The beer was cold and crisp, and the corn was super tasty--I loved the Japanese-style seasoning on it. I don't know if it was just the long day of traveling, but the ramen really slapped. The broth was rich without being too heavy, and the meat was tender and delicious. Some ramen bowls can feel a little too rich for me, but I finished this entire bowl in 10 minutes. Loved this chain, solid location, and I'd definitely come again.

    Photos
    Inside. Dining room. Busy on a Sunday early afternoon.
    Inside. Dining room. Busy on a Sunday early afternoon.
    NIRVANA KARAKA (DD)
    NIRVANA KARAKA (DD)
    French fries

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    French fries
    Taniku Izakaya

    Taniku Izakaya

    4.7
    (345 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    Taniku Izakaya might be one of the best Japanese spots I've tried in the US. Full stop. My friend…read morewas in town and had heard about this place so naturally we go check them out. They allegedly have a few limited reservation slots but a majority of their service is first come first serve. You stand in line and wait. I would not recommend coming in large groups. In fact, I'd go as far as to say groups larger than 4 are basically contraindicated. The space inside is quite tight, think narrow, barstool-height seating and tiny tables. When my friend and I were seated after about a 40 min wait, we had spent so much time perusing the menu that we basically knew what we were going to get. Service was really kind and quick. My thoughts on the food below: Kabocha croquet: these were freshly fried and served PIPING hot. The perfectly crisp exterior and soft, non mushy interior were just the perfect textures contrasted against each other. The sweetness of the pumpkin meant that the vinegar heavy house dipping sauce was a requirement not a suggestion. The side salad also provided some freshness with each bite, not that the croquets were too greasy at all! They were well drained so just the crunch remained without the oil. Tori Tsukune: these Japanese chicken meatball skewers were HUGE and DELICIOUS. Perfectly grilled with a charred taste, relentlessly tender inside. Dipped in the accompanying soy sauce and egg yolk mixture it was simply heavenly. The yolk added a mild richness to each bite. Hotate carpaccio: this was the most unique take on scallops I've had in a while. The flavors seem strange at first glance (and first taste, if I'm being totally honest), but it took no more than two chews for me to change my tune. First off, the scallops are plump, crisply sweet, and buttery soft in the way that high quality scallops are. Next, the onion and yuzu provide a sharp yet floral aroma to each bite. The floral taste was initially jarring but became addictive. The drizzle of cream sauce on top tempered the sharpness and gave the dish a smooth finish. Truly a memorable scallop dish!! Midori udon: a scallop and pesto stir fry udon dish. This was unexpected combo when I read the menu, but it was so good! The briny and sweet little scallops were cooked to a perfect tender texture and they paired well with the mild, herbaceous pesto. The udon provided the perfect slurp. While I'm more of a soup noodle girl myself, this was an addictive and unique Japanese-Italian fusion! Niku Ramen: Taniku has a lot of inventive ramen offerings but the niku ramen stood out to me. I've had and enjoyed niku udon before, though I usually find the broth to be too sweet. This dish took all the best parts of niku udon - the mountains of tender, marinated beef, the soft boiled egg, the tender onions - and put them into a richer, heartier broth with thin ramen noodles and the outcome was fantastic. One of the most memorable bowls of ramen I've had in a while. The broth was seriously delicious. I'm such a big soup person so I keep coming back to that. It wasn't too sweet or too salty in the way that a lot of noodle soup broths are, but still managed to impart a ton of flavor. The meaty, fishy flavor was so drinkable. For the quality and quantity of food vs the price you pay, I was incredibly impressed by Taniku Izakaya!!!! Just banger after banger after banger. I saw that they have some good happy hour deals as well so I will definitely be coming back for more of their delightful apps and skewers. I cannot recommend this spot enough, there's a reason people queue for it.

    We've been here maybe a handful of times at this point - the food is really good, cute cozy spot…read more However now that there is a soy allergy to account for - I can't easily neccessarily revisit my favorite spots. I've been to plenty of Japanese/Ramen spots and I've been running into the issue where I say I have a soy allegry and there is an assumption that I have a gluten issue (I do not have a gluten issue). I noticed yelp said they have soy-free options and thus called on Friday thinking it might be a bad idea as they're usually busy.. It was defintely hard for the person to hear a bit when they picked up. The staff did relay something about gluten free noodles.. Anyways, they said they could swap out any of the soy soups for salt (but soy can encompass a lot of things so I still wasn't feeling super confident but we're going to give it a go). We go and I asked which 4 of the soups I was eyeballing don't have soy - the staff said they can accomodate and replace any of the soy soups with a salt broth. After we ordered, the staff came back and checked in to make sure that my partner also didn't have an allergy. And my dish came out, they told me there was no egg as its marinated in soy - perfect to me. I'm glad that was caught as not every establishments can account for everything. - Now I have a spot to (more safely) eat ramen! - I advise that if you do have an food allergy, do talk to the staff, and address your concerns such as cross contamination etc. I had a great experience, but I do find that because its not so regulated or understood and there is lack of education amongst the food/resturant industry - you always need to advocate for yourself and there is always a risk. I'm very apperciative of the staff here.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !
    Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !
    Calamari

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    Calamari
    HINODEYA Ramen Union Square

    HINODEYA Ramen Union Square

    4.1
    (568 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Came for a quick dinner before a block party nearby. It was a weekend day and was seated right…read moreaway. As usual, most ramen spots bring the food really fast. Hinodeya (5/5); Comes with two pieces of chashu. Very solid and delicious

    I hopped on the BART and got off at Powell Street. I stopped by Hinodeya Ramen for a Vegan ramen…read morecalled Creamy. It was made so well, with a very flavorful broth. The veggies were endless, making each last sip enjoyable. The place was bustling with workers, but the host seemed a bit brusque. She might need a little training in good manners. Instead of welcoming us, she opened the door for herself without holding it for us, which made us hold our own door. She just left our menu without saying anything and disappeared. She could have asked the next person, who happened to be sitting side by side at a two-person table, if they were free to share. They were already done watching a video together. We had to squeeze in and awkwardly say, "Excuse me," while getting an eye roll. The host could have avoided that awkward situation by letting us know we were using the table next to them. Also, be ready to pay an automatic 5%. Tips start at 20% and go up, so at least 25% is expected. The service was okay, but the food was fantastic. The workers seemed a bit lazy and avoided us until it was time to pay. That's when they suddenly became incredibly helpful. It's surprising how tipping changes their mood so quickly. I can tell because she watches me as I select my tip, and her eyes change.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Crispy Chicken Karaage
    Crispy Chicken Karaage
    Warm or cold sake at Hinodeya

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    Warm or cold sake at Hinodeya

    Noodle in a Haystack - ramen - Updated July 2026

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