Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Rusty Ladle

    4.7 (115 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM

    Rusty Ladle Photos

    Business Info

    RUSTY LADLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Rusty Ladle

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cup of clam chowder
    Allena C.

    Thinking about where to go for a quick lunch and came across Rusty Ladle. We were in the neighborhood and found a parking spot across the street around noon on a weekday. We sat in their parklet since it was a nice, sunny day. We grabbed a few menus and when we were ready to order, we went inside to the cashier, where you order and pay. They will serve you the order when it's ready. Also inside, they have barstools all the way down a long counter for plenty of seating. ***OUR PICKS*** CUP OF BODEGA BAY STYLE CLAM CHOWDER ~ GF Dairy Not too thick, not too thin, just right. Ask for Bacon! East Coast Clam, Leek, Cream, Red Potato, Celery, Fennel & Onion. I didn't try this. Our friend had it and said it was good, but not the best. She didn't want bacon. Not sure if it would have changed the soup to amaaaazing? Decent soup, nonetheless. Perfect with a sandwich or by itself! They offer oyster crackers, too. 4/5 SCHMELTY ~ Inside out Grilled Cheese w/cheddar, mozzarella. A bit on the salty side with the crunchy cheese. Actually, I was expecting more of a crunch, but the melted cheese made it more chewy, especially when it cooled down. Only the melted cheese on the side was crunchy. Honestly, I'd rather have a regular grilled cheese sandwich with crispy bread. 3.5/5 LA MAGNIFICO ~ Schiacciata bread, mortadella, provolone, olive salad & truffle oil. This was a bit salty with the olive salad. Maybe it would go well with a lightly seasoned soup like chicken noodle soup. The bread was crispy/crunchy from toasting, which was the highlight of the sandwich. 3.5/5 I think if the menu had a pairing for a cup of soup and a 1/2 sandwich, I would have gotten something like that instead. I would have liked a sample rather than having to order both, especially when 3 of us weren't super hungry. It seems like the neighborhood kids like this spot. We saw a few families come here with toddlers. Glad they have a following!

    Grilled cheese and tomato bisque
    Heather I.

    Hubby has been wanting to take me to Rusty Ladle for a while since he knows that I love soups! We went Valentines morning and there was already a line forming. We ordered two grilled cheese and tomato bisque. We sat at the front as people started trickling in...soon, all the seats were taken! As we were waiting for our meal, the owner asked if we'd like to try a sample of some other soups - we tried the clam chowder. That was so kind of them! Our meals came and they were huge! The grilled cheese was on a different type of bread - the owner told me the name, but I've never heard of that type of bread before. It reminded me of a ciabatta/focaccia bread mixed together. I finished a little more than half of my sandwich. Soup was perfect for a cold winter day.

    Rusty ladle storefront
    Pallavi P.

    Came here after a hike along the Coastal Trail at the Sutro Baths and the sandwiches and soups hit the spot. You order at the register and sit at a table where they bring out your food. They also have indoor bar counter style seating if you prefer to be seated indoors. Service was prompt and courteous. We got the inside out cheese melt sandwiches and some clam chowder and tomato soup. The Schmelty sandwich was interesting with cheese inside and out and paired perfectly with the tomato soup. It's quite a large portion! They also have a weekly rotation of soups. Overall, they have a decent set of soups and a few sandwich options if you're looking for a quick bite.

    Turkey Sausage Gumbo - Turkey, Andouille Sausage, Smoked Bratwurst, Onion, Celery, and Green Pepper
    Mike L.

    Oh, how I have longed for a restaurant like Rusty Ladle! As simple of a food as it may seem to be, few things are as comforting to eat as a delicious bowl of soup. Now, I'm not talking about a can of Progresso or Campbell's nor the likes of Panera Bread or Olive Garden (though, I do like their Zuppa Toscana). I mean a spot that actually specializes in soups, sort of like the soup joint in that one episode of Seinfeld (if you've seen it, you know it). And, lo and behold, not only did one finally came along...but it's on this side of SF! I just wish it didn't take me over six months to find out about them... Despite how they're located pretty far out in the Outer Sunset, I LOVE Rusty Ladle's location. Not only is it a perfect fit for the neighborhood (their parklet is so cute), but it's also super convenient, given how easy street parking is around here. As for their menu, it changes weekly, but will typically offer four or five different soups, including their signature Tomato Soup and Clam Chowder, a couple of sandwiches, and a hot dog. Fairly simple, but it's impressive how they have yet to repeat any of their featured soups and how at least one of them will always be vegetarian or vegan! Plus, they have so many interesting hot sauces to choose from! -- BODEGA BAY STYLE CLAM CHOWDER - Clams, Leeks, Cream, Red Potato, Celery, Onions, and Bacon...$10.50 (Bowl) Not quite what I expected, but still pretty good! Maybe I'm too used to New England clam chowders, but this was a little more "watery"/thin than I would've expected. Still, it was quite flavorful and I liked how it had a generous amount of clams, veggies, and bacon in it. -- SCHMELTY - Inside Out Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Cheddar and Mozz...$9.75 Just as delicious as it looks! Every time I've had this, it's been so soft and gooey on the inside while the outside is covered with a crispy layer of cheese. I always add the Turkey Chorizo (+$3.50) for some meatiness and usually their kimchi ($1.75) to cut the richness. -- LA MAGNIFICA - Schiacciata Bread, Mortadella, Provolone, Olive Salad, and Truffle Oil Decent (it's similar to a muffaletta), but nowhere near as good as the Schmelty. While I liked how the olive salad wasn't too assertive, as well as the combination of the mortadella and cheese, I wish this had a bit of mayo and/or mustard to add some moisture. -- ASH RESTEH (PERSIAN MINESTRONE) - Reshteh Roasted Noodle, Spinach, Koshk, Garbanzo, Lompoc Pinquito Beans, Red Lentil, Onions, Parsley, Cilantro, Dill, Mint Easy to see how the similarity to minestrone, but I actually thought this was better, as it has a heartier and more savory flavor to it. What's more, the mix of vegetables were so good, it made this easy to forget there isn't any meat in this. The noodles were a little too soft, though. -- SOPA de FIDEO con BOLOGNESE - Beef, Pork, Turkey, Fideo Noodle, Tomato, Gochujang, Vegan Parm, Carrot, Onion, Celery, and Mushroom As with the chowder, the consistency of this one also felt a little on the thin side, but I thought this was still pretty solid overall. The mix of meats in this was great and I really liked how they didn't skimp on the mushrooms and noodles. -- TURKEY SAUSAGE GUMBO - Turkey, Andouille Sausage, Smoked Bratwurst, Onion, Celery, and Green Pepper Not quite as good as I had hope for, but still not too shabby. Although the turkey was shredded (hard to really taste it), I thought the chunks of andouille and bratwurst had a nice juiciness to them. I just wish the soup itself had a bit more spice/kick to it. -- PSCCCG (KINDA LIKE A CALDO VERDE) - Potato, Spanish Chorizo, Chicken, Collard Greens, and Onions Quite possibly my favorite one I've tried so far. The potatoes were so soft, which also thickened the soup, and the bit of chorizo in this were so good! Add in the collard greens and chicken and this made for such a delicious meal on a chilly night. As far as service goes, it started off pretty rough the first time we came here. After going over the menu, we asked the girl at the register what the difference in size was between a cup and a bowl. Seemingly, this must have annoyed her because she responded by rolling her eyes and gesturing towards the wall behind her without saying a word, as if it was obvious what among the shelves of dishes, containers, and boxes we were supposed to look at. Thankfully, though, the rest of the workers have all been really friendly and service has been great each time after that (not so coincidentally, I also haven't seen her since). Even if they weren't the only spot I know of that specializes in soups, it's inevitable that I'll be back to Rusty Ladle again and again. Their Schmelty alone is reason enough, but I could never say no to trying more of their unique offerings and/or to satiate my love of soup. Not to mention the fact that I need to make sure Rusty Ladle sticks around!

    Lesly M.

    Definitely was fun to do a soup flight! Taste of each was ok to us. Expected a lot more flavor and hotter temperature. Each soup needed a little more flavor and heat. Kind of bland and barely warm. Shmelty was tasty, had good bread choice. Place is neat, small but bar seating is cute. Had a cute bathroom decor too. Service is kind and welcoming!

    Menu
    Lucy L.

    Deliciously made food with quality ingredients in an inviting, casual & relaxing atmosphere with an inside counter seating and a lovely outdoor covered dining patio in front. Order at the counter and the staff brings you your meal. You bus your own table. Water is self-serve. We enjoyed a couple of sandwiches and soups. The Magnifica sandwich is mortadella, provolone & olives & truffle oil on soft sciacciata bread. Very good. The Schmelty sandwich is an inside-out grilled cheese with cheddar & mozzarella. Also very good and we had a small cup of tomato soup that was perfect for dipping this cheese sandwich into. We also had a bowl of clam chowder that had a lot of clams and nice crispy bits of bacon in it. Everything was tasty and we just wished the sandwiches each had a little more filling. Prices are reasonable. This is a great neighborhood place worth coming back to again and again.

    Cup of mapo tofu + rice (vegan)
    Joyce L.

    A cozy little soup shop with friendly service and a choice of a takeout window or bar for dining in. I appreciate the size options (cup, bowl, quart) so there's a size for every craving. There's also vegan and gluten free options for those who need it. I was pleased there were two vegan soup options on the day I stopped in: 1) tomato; 2) mapo tofu. I was able to taste samples of both. I had thought I'd want the tomato but after sampling them, mapo tofu was the heartier option. It was topped with rice and we even got some homemade oyster crackers. If I lived nearby, I'd definitely be a regular!

    Schmelty with tomato soup
    Eileen G.

    Food was good, got the regular schmelty and one with chorizo. I recommend the regular one. Tomato soup was solid. Vegan friendly and dog friendly with patio outside. My friend got the vegan hot dog but unfortunately they ran out of kimchi but he still said it was pretty good. I think I would come back for just the soup, the cheese became too much after a couple bites.

    Nancy D.

    The staff here is so friendly and our food came out so yummy and hot. We got the Bodega Bay chowder which was amazing and had fresh clams. The schmelty was also soo good and the cheese crust was melty gooey and had crisp ends. I love the outdoor seating and how close it is to the beach.

    Jade C.

    This place is so cute! I'm a huge soup connoisseur so this hit in all the right ways. I took a quick Lyft here after walking several miles in Golden Gate Park since I saw it on Yelp first thing in the morning. They have a variety of soups, I had the clam chowder in the restaurant and took the others to go for my husband. Their version of the grilled cheese is delicious but not too much cheese on the inside. I think mine was different than the others in the photos so we'll have to come back to try again Their bud cheladas are $3 so that's a reason in and of itself to come. Service is good. It's an order at the cash register then take a seat at the bar. I think it would function WAY better to have service at your own seat, because who only Wants one beer? You'd have to order and pay then to the cash register again for any more drinks or additional food.

    menu
    Jim A.

    We ended up stopping for lunch. I love the signage outside that simply says SOUP. I also love the vibe inside with no tables and only a counter to sit at which you share with people. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. Now as to the food. I got a bowl of the clam chowder and shared a grilled cheese sandwich. The sandwich is large enough to split. The food was good not great. I was hoping for better. I did love the vibe of the restaurant and if you are in the area it is probably worthwhile stopping by.

    Interior
    Sally Y.

    Took a stroll on a windy foggy day on Ocean Beach aka Sunset Dunes and needed some warmth, so we walked about 6 blocks east on Lawton Street to land at the penny-laden counter at Rusty Ladle, Their Bodega Bay clam chowder was chockful of goodness but is less heavy than the New England ones. The Schmelty is an out -of-this-world grilled double cheese sandwich - my daughter had it with 1/2 cup tomato soup, which kept her nice and toasty. Real flowers in vases line the counter, a nice touch to this friendly place w/ very reasonably priced foods. The bathroom is also very clean & more seated tables are available outside.

    Photo 1: Montage of images from Rusty Ladle
    Ed U.

    I never considered myself a "soup sycophant" until I read the SF Chronicle article about this spot last April and recognized I might be one. Whether it's menudo or pozole, ramen or pho, bisque or gazpacho, yes, I naturally gravitate toward soups. Color me a sycophant because I ventured out on the N-Judah to the way Outer Sunset to try it. It's on the same block as Andytown and next to an art gallery owned by chef John Lindsey who owns this place. I arrived around 2PM thinking I might miss their lunch rush. All the outdoor picnic tables were occupied, but they looked more like neighborhood residents than actual customers. The counter inside was empty, so I perused their brief menu - four soups and two sandwiches. Normally I'm a clam chowder guy, but it was the classic combination of tomato soup and grilled cheese that drew me in. Probably inspired by the toddlers from the school next door, I felt a need for a school lunch and ordered the $9.75 Schmelty described as an inside out grilled cheese sandwich. Indeed I saw the staffer load up my sammie onto a press with cheddar and mozzarella on both sides of the bread (Photo 8). It was a bit much for me, but it was satisfying and nostalgic. For $4, I got the half-cup of Tomato Soup drizzled with their housemade basil cream (Photo 7). That was just the chaser I needed for all that cheese because it was thick, warm, and just enough. I'd like to come back and try the other soups. They even offer sake and snickerdoodles. Wouldn't that make for a well-balanced meal? OK, maybe not. FOOD - 4 stars...the soup was aces, the grilled cheese was cheesy for sure AMBIANCE - 4 stars...old school diner vibe fits the neighborhood SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly crew TOTAL - 4 stars...yes, I am a soup sycophant...do I need help? RELATED - Exploring the Sunset? Here's a collection of places l've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2El8elJ

    Inside out grilled cheese

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ted M.
    0
    8
    14

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karen T.
    430
    1500
    3196

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 3
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paolo B.
    3584
    1169
    7438

    3 months ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 5
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lucy L.
    131
    577
    1679

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eileen G.
    699
    36
    33

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dawn B.
    286
    514
    3358

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 5
    Love this 3
    Oh no 3

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Craving an amber beer, chowder & sammy. Got it all and was great. Schmelty & clam chowder go great together.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sarah K.
    13
    17
    21

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy F.
    0
    103
    240

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of John S.
    892
    2966
    4294

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carina C.
    37
    40
    78

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Rusty Ladle

    Outdoor seating, perchance?

    There is outdoor seating for the Rusty Ladle.

    View All 3 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Soup 14,177 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Dumpling Story

    Dumpling Story

    4.5
    (468 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    We simply loved this place. The wait wasn't long, despite it being packed when we arrived. The…read morestaff was amazing. The place is small. They have packed in as many tables as they could in here. Yet it didn't feel crowded or like we would bump someone if we breathed. The food. That's what it's all about right? This place delivers. Every thing was as good as the last. They have a pretty extensive menu I wanted to try it all. Sadly I had to settle for Hot and Sour Soup, Wonton soup, Pork Xiao Long Bao 8 Pcs, Chicken Xiao Long Bao 8 Pcs, (8Pcs) Pork Dumpling with Sesame Sauce and Red Chili Oil (6Pcs), Numb & spicy pork Bao, Green Onion Pancake, (Sweet) Red Bean Paste Pockets. We had it family style. The 3 of us shared it all. There was plenty to go around. None of us left hungry. I can't even pick a favorite. Maybe the numb and spicy which wasn't that spicy. It was just so good and flavorful. The soup dumplings were amazing. So much perfect flavor. They held together until the bite. So good. The hot and sour soup was plenty tasty. Not the best I've ever had but certainly among the best. The only thing I will say is that one of my companions can't have seaweed. The wonton soup was amazing but full of seaweed. It wasn't listed on the menu and we have never had seaweed in any other wonton soup so didn't know to ask if it could be left out. That was sad. All she could do was have a tiny spoon of the broth to taste it. The green onion pancake was very good. The red bean paste pockets use the same dough but filled with sweet red bean paste. They were a perfect way to end the meal. Next time I'm in the city I will visit again. Loved it all. It was worth taking the time to visit and eat there.

    Dumpling Story is what I've heard to be Dumpling Home's aesthetic counterpart (sister restaurants)…read more The interior is definitely aesthetic, featuring a bright, modern, minimalist exterior. Menu is relatively the same as Dumpling Home featuring my faves like the numb and spicy XLB and the sheng jian bao. Both very delicious! The remainder of the dishes we got were also good. I will say the green beans left me wanting a bit more from it. But overall, my party had a nice, fulfilling meal. Dumpling Home will always be my favorite (still prefer it a TINY bit), but because there is less of a crowd, service was amazing! I definitely wouldn't mind coming back considering there the difference in wait time to Dumpling Home.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Juicy pan fried pork bao
    Juicy pan fried pork bao
    Pan fried pork dumpling

    See all

    Pan fried pork dumpling
    Yuji

    Yuji

    4.7
    (86 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    Came here to celebrate my husband's birthday and thoroughly enjoyed our Bar Kappo experience! This…read morehas definitely made my top 3 omakases I've tried in the Bay Area so far. The restaurant can be a little hidden, but it's pretty easy to find with the instructions they send before your reservation. It's located above Fermentation Lab. Just head up the stairs and you'll find it inside the old Ichi Pub space. The restaurant is small and intimate, with only 9 seats at the counter. When you arrive, walk through the Yuji curtain and check in directly with the chef since there is no host. My biggest concern with set menus is always whether I'll feel satisfied and full afterward, but that was definitely not an issue here. My husband and I were both very satisfied after the meal. Every dish was delicious, and you could really taste the quality of each ingredient. Highlights for me were the bluefin sashimi, which was so buttery and soft that it literally melted in your mouth. The skillfish was rich and decadent, and the citrus and ginger balanced the flavors. The fried fish was another favorite as it reminded me of the savory Japanese rice crackers I loved growing up. Since it's located in Japantown, parking can be challenging. We had to loop around several times looking for street parking and even had two cars take spots we were waiting for, so definitely give yourself extra time before your reservation. I would highly recommend this place! The chef changes the menu periodically based on what's in season, so it's a great excuse to come back and try something new in the future. Total spent for 2: $462

    Really hidden spot with no signage -- we had to ask neighboring restaurants for directions, but it…read morewas absolutely worth finding. The chef was incredibly warm, smiley, welcoming, and attentive throughout the meal. Every ingredient tasted exceptionally fresh, with careful selection of only the best cuts and portions. Highlights included the otoro, wagyu beef, spot shrimp, caviar, green eye fish, and hotaru ika. The omakase was perfectly portioned and thoughtfully paced from start to finish. A truly memorable experience.

    Photos
    Bar seating
    Bar seating
    Chilean sea bass with piece of truffle and pickled ginger on top
    Chilean sea bass with piece of truffle and pickled ginger on top
    Matcha crème brulee

    See all

    Matcha crème brulee
    Sobakatsu

    Sobakatsu

    4.4
    (288 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    excellent, really authentic soba! we finally managed to snag some fresh noodles and around 5pm on a…read moretuesday -- previously they've always sold out when I tried to go later. it's a tiny space with 11 seats and is pretty much self-serve (pre-pay). the dishes are a bit pricey, but they are good. we got one hot and one cold: - Hot Yuzu-Scented Niku Soba ($25) - Cold Tenzaru Omakase Special Kakiage & Veg ($28) we couldn't really taste any yuzu in the former other than the yuzu strips, but I still liked the flavor and noodle textures. the cold dipping soba was paired well with some well-fried tempura. remember to polish off your dipping sauce with the free soba-yu!

    Unfortunately, this place was just not worth it. I heard everyone raving about this authentic soba…read moreplace, so I came here with a friend on Saturday to try it out. We've heard about the lines and how it sells out quick as well, so we came for a late lunch at 2:30pm. The line didn't look too bad at first until I learned that there are only 11 seats exactly inside and only 2 people running the whole show. Having eaten nothing yet, this two and a half hour line did a number on us. We were so hungry that I left the line to quickly pick up some takoyaki to snack on while we waited. Once you finally get to the front, you order at the kiosk and everything is entirely self-serviced from getting seated to picking up your order. When we finally got our food, we were disappointed by how broken our soba was and how many clumps we found as well. The soba itself was also mediocre and not worth the hype. I got the scallop kakiage and while it was good some pieces were undercooked like my eggplant and that was really hard to eat. The food wasn't terrible, but not great and definitely not worth the wait and hassle. A pass for me :(

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Tenzaru Soba: Shrimp + Veggie Tempura w/ chilled soba noodles | $19.25
    Tenzaru Soba: Shrimp + Veggie Tempura w/ chilled soba noodles | $19.25
    Cold soba + tempura

    See all

    Cold soba + tempura
    Marufuku Ramen - San Francisco

    Marufuku Ramen - San Francisco

    4.5
    (6k reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Kid friendly

    Rich ramen and crispy karaage done right…read more Stopped by Marufuku Ramen in San Francisco and ordered the Hakata tonkotsu pork belly ramen and karaage. The ramen was rich, comforting, and packed with flavor. The tonkotsu broth was creamy and savory without feeling overly heavy, and the noodles had a great texture. The pork belly was tender, flavorful, and melted in my mouth, making every bite satisfying. The buns were soft, fluffy, and a great addition to the meal. The filling was flavorful and paired perfectly with the pillowy bun, making them an easy favorite. The karaage was also a standout. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned, it made for a great side to pair with the ramen. Service was friendly and efficient, and the staff kept things moving smoothly despite the restaurant being busy. The vibe is lively and energetic, with the feel of a popular ramen shop that's always buzzing with customers. It's casual, welcoming, and a great place to enjoy a comforting bowl of ramen. Overall, a fantastic spot for authentic tonkotsu ramen and delicious Japanese comfort food. I'd happily return whenever I'm craving a rich bowl of ramen.

    A marafuku ramen review, in haiku form: Enticing ramen,…read moreSakura lemonade, wow! Perfect for lunchtime. They were extremely hospitable, and the service was super quick I assume due to the size of the restaurant needing quick turnover. All in all, a great meal between strolling around Japan town! If I could critique one thing, spicy isn't spicy, so don't be afraid to use the table togarashi to kick it up a notch.

    Photos
    Marufuku Ramen - San Francisco
    "HAKATA TONKOTSU DX" Hakata Style Ramen with Rich Pork Broth
 Regular toppings (chashu pork (simmered pork belly), seasoned soft boiled eg
    "HAKATA TONKOTSU DX" Hakata Style Ramen with Rich Pork Broth Regular toppings (chashu pork (simmered pork belly), seasoned soft boiled eg
    Marufuku Ramen - San Francisco

    See all

    Hed 11

    Hed 11

    4.3
    (121 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$$$

    I really enjoyed the food, ambience, and service. The 11-course tasting menu was beautifully…read morepresented, tasty, and very creative. I could still taste authentic Thai flavors, but elevated with a different level of inventive preparation and cooking techniques. Overall, it was an excellent dining experience. I will definitely return, and I'm looking forward to trying their lunch menu next time.

    My friend and I came here for a girl's lunch to enjoy their $45 special. I was pleased to see there…read morewas a vegan option here and was excited to try it. My friend ordered the duck. I ordered the Lion's Mane Mushroom. *A lovely note for the vegans and lactose-intolerant: there is a dairy-free option for the Thai iced tea (made with coconut milk). Given that this was a Michelin guide restaurant, we had certain expectations of the place and sadly we were disappointed. While the service was friendly and the server knowledgeable on the menu, the service itself was severely lacking in detail you'd expect from a $$$$ type of place. Our drinks came out first, followed by the appetizer, then came EVERYTHING ELSE all at once. Papaya Salad Daikon Soup Trio of rice (purple, brown, white) Curry + protein (duck for my friend, lion's mane mushroom for me) We tried to tackle the soup first. It came in an artsy looking bowl with undulated/rouged edges that was awkward to drink from but equally awkward to spoon the soup from. The daikon was VERY WOODY. Both my friend and I awkwardly spit out splintery fibers and left them on our plate. Some of my daikon chunks were fine but my poor friend had double the amount of woody mass collecting on her plate which was really unsightly, especially when you're supposed to be at a nice place. I can't say I've ever encountered this with daikon before at a restaurant. It's pretty easy to see which parts of the daikon are too mature to use. Next we tried to get on to our entree as that was cooling quickly. Unfortunately the curries were already somewhat congealed by the time we made our way to it. The vegan one was pretty good, but again, I had some woody bits in my food. I don't know if that's from the mushroom or if it was from another ingredient but the splintery clumps amassing on the side of our plates was not what we had imagined we'd be doing at a Michelin guide restaurant.... My friend's duck wasn't much better. She complained about the awkward texture and wound up spitting out half of that one her plate. -not to mention, her meal was served to her without a steak knife. After waiting for much too long, she got up to go request a knife and walked the knife back to the table like a psycho. I'm not trying to sound entitled here, but when a restaurant is supposed to be "nice" and has "$$$$", you sort of expect a certain caliber of service. Having to go ask for a knife when you ordered a chunk of meat does seem like a miss. For what it's worth, the curries for both of us had a unique blend of flavors. My friend had a penang currty sweetened with lychee. I don't remember what kind of curry mine was, but it was tasty with a kick in the end. Curry to rice ratio was perhaps 1:3. We had to ask for extra curry to accompany the protein and rice to balance everything out. It would have just been so pasty and dry otherwise (you know, since everything was already congealed...) By the time we got around to our papaya salad, it had gone from chilled to room temp. While it was tasty, it wasn't as refreshing as the salad could be. We're not sure why all courses were served at once, or if that's how this specific lunch service goes? The best course of the day was 100% the dessert. Order the vegan dessert! "Mango-sticky rice ice cream". It was a homemade mango ice cream with coconut milk base. It sounds basic but these ingredients were masterfully put together to create something truly unique. Not sure where the rice was in this whole situation, but who cares! This dessert was incredible! Lightly sweet, creamy and freshing. It arrived like a piece of art, like a glossy, glimmering mango sculture. The way that chilled mango puree spilled over, coating the ice cream underneath... It clung on to the ice cream layer just barely coating it for most perfect combination of sweet and creamy. It was unfortunate I got the last one for the day. My friend had the cheesecake which she said was tasty but not mindblowing like my mango ice cream. It also was... not so glorious. In fact, it looked small and flat, like a half used stack of mini post-it notes. All in all, it was a fun experience. The dishes were familiar favorites with a creative twist. For $45, it wasn't bad but I don't know about coming back for the $$$$ dinner experience based on this visit. Maybe we'll be back for the $40-$45 prefixe again in the future.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Thai coconut pancake with caviar | @wha.eva.eats
    Thai coconut pancake with caviar | @wha.eva.eats
    Yuzu sake and lemongrass pandan

    See all

    Yuzu sake and lemongrass pandan
    Bangkok Street Thai Street Food

    Bangkok Street Thai Street Food

    4.2
    (844 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Vegan friendly

    My husband and I visited the Cherry Blossom festival in Japantown, but finding a place to eat was…read morechallenging due to the crowd. We decided to explore the nearby area and found this Thai restaurant with outdoor seating, which was perfect for us and our dog. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and the menu was intriguing. We ordered the Thai spicy egg noodle soup, green papaya salad, and Thai drunken noodles with seafood. Each dish was delicious, but the spicy noodle soup stood out as our favorite--one of the best noodle soups we've had in a while. To conclude our meal, we ordered the Thai coconut milk dessert, Ka-nom-tuay, served in a little porcelain cup. It was equally delightful. My husband and I were so impressed with the food that we're already planning our next visit. Highly recommended!

    I went here recently and really enjoyed the food!…read more I had the thai fried chicken rice. The rice was flavorful without being overwhelming and the broth was warm and comforting. The chicken was crispy for the most part but there were some pieces where the meat was very mushy. It did take a minute for someone to seat us and again to take our order but it was busy so I didn't mind! Overall I would definitely come again and try some other dishes because they have a great menu!

    Photos
    Bangkok Street Thai Street Food
    Papaya Salad and Waterfall Pork Salad
    Papaya Salad and Waterfall Pork Salad
    STREET Dish : Crispy Corn Whole Fish, Thai Crispy Seafood Pancake, Traditional Thai Basil, Sweet & Sour fish crisp

    See all

    STREET Dish : Crispy Corn Whole Fish, Thai Crispy Seafood Pancake, Traditional Thai Basil, Sweet & Sour fish crisp

    Rusty Ladle - soup - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...