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We've stopped here a couple times in the past month before catching a concert or a movie nearby. We love Taniku because it's a meal that rarely disappoints. This most recent time my girlfriend was craving ramen but I wasn't so I got creative. I love their black pepper chicken, so I got that and asked for a side of rice. On top of that we got the ribeye skewers and their new snow crab hand roll. The sauce for the black pepper chicken was really really tasty. That sauce over the rice, was so comforting. The ribeye wasn't super tender but tasty. The snow crab hand roll came with so much snow crab, I felt like it's one of the few hand rolls I've had that was filling. If you come for happy hour, they have good deals on ramen. I think like $13ish, which is a great deal. It ends promptly at 5:30, so plan to get there well before 5:30 if you are looking to take advantage. Something to think about it, Theres no sign up list for waiting for tables, and everyone who's waiting just lines up outside and down the block (no waiting inside). While the ramen (especially their Niku ramen) is still a solid choice. Piecing together meal with some appetizers and a side of rice might be my go-to way of ordering here now. Taniku really does do a lot of things well and the food is always tasty.
I went here for dinner around 6:30pm and a line started forming right after we arrived, becoming about 10 people deep. We only waited about 10 min. We started off with the Mekyabetsu (Brussels sprouts), Ba-Ra (pork belly), and Kobe (beef). The Brussels sprouts were my fav starter, and the sauce paired so well with it. The Ba-Ra was pretty good, but nothing amazing, and same for the Kobe, which I found to be a bit bland. We also split the Hokkaido Miso ramen. The broth had a great flavor, and the pork chashu was possibly the best I've ever had(!) as it was soooo tender and flavorful, and not very fatty. I did think the cauliflower left room to be desired, and kinda took away from the ramen overall. We finished our meal off with the matcha Panna cotta - this was a great dessert and wasn't too sweet ;) This place definitely seems to be pretty good at a lot of dishes, but not amazing at any single one. The vibe is great, service was great, and prices are a biiiiti steep but not unreasonable.
The appetizers were amazing. The pork belly skewers didn't taste super fatty and were so soft, the agedashi tofu was great, the tater tots were good. Takoyaki was average. The hamachi carpaccio was really good. The ramen was below average. The Niku broth was tasteless and oily and it was spicy but didn't taste spicy. I couldn't finish it. I'd come here only for the appetizers only. But I probably won't be coming back.
Best meal we had all weekend in the Bay Area. They do the classic izakaya dishes but everything is just a tad better. They some how tweak each dish to give it that extra attention and care so they stand out. They don't go overboard where you don't recognize the dishes any more. But just enough of a tweak for the dishes to make a strong impression. Everything was excellent. The pork belly skewers, chicken karaage, sushi tacos, yuzu chicken thighs and chicken meat balls really stood out. Absolutely love this place. Bravo to the chef and management.
I get very skeptical about japanese izakaya / j skewers because I feel they are usually way over priced for the value but not gonna lie.... this place exceeded my expectations by a lot. Usually these types of places serve like $5-$8 each skewers that taste bland and not filling/ satisfying. but taniku know how to actually bring out flavor from skewers making it feel more worth it. My best friend and I came here on a whim and really glad we did. The drive up was a little sketchy but the place is a small little unassuming spot - cutesy. There was a line outside and a 10-15 min wait for us (because of how small the place one) but we didn't mind. Service was also a tiny bit odd / slow but I'm not type to care too much about that especially if it's busy and the food comes on reasonable time + food is good. Customers waiting in line outside seemed confused and out of loop kept asking me since I was in front of line if there was a line or waitlist/how long the wait was. Another odd thing is their menu. I saw reviews / pictures of food that wasn't on the paper menu they gave so it was confusing what they actually offered. We ordered the Niku ramen : change to rice bowl (really good portion sizing for japanese place) tasty flavoring. not too meaty taste. kimchi was random but worked well, cut the beef sweetness and savoriness. +Added $5 soft shell crab for topping. Very good. Typically fried soft shell crab. Crispy, crabby. Scallop hand roll: seaweed was a little soft for my liking. scallop quality was very yummy. loved the yuzu. Thought the spicy mayo + yuzu pairing was too much clashing flavors. Pork Belly Skewers: sooo good. Crispy outer. soft inner. Flavorful. Chicken meatball skewer: raw egg sauce helped put it all together enhancing and uplifting the chicken itself. Very yummy. not bland. all together like $60 (not w tip) which is really good for j izakaya. I need come for happy hour
Decided to try the Happy hour at this Japanese place and was blown away. Its a small place, maybe 8 tables tops squeezed into this narrow space but it was fantastic. Gretted when we entered, we slid into one the few open tables. The decor was charming, and we were quickly gretted by our server with menus and water. My sister and I split some appetizer items so we could try various items, and every single dish was a taste sensation. The gyoza was crisp on the outside while packed with a savory meat, drizzled with sauce. The Karaage was tender chicken encased in a light fried pankostyle casing, also drizzled with a sauce, and the flavor, each bite was satisfying without being too filling. The Kabocha Kor, were panko fried pumpkin patties with a tonkatsu style sauce that brought the taste buds to a more earthier place . The Tokoyaki, were tender fried octopus balls in a sauce that I would have been happy to hunker down with a large bowl of and just crush, easily my favorite bite, which is saying something as no bute was bad . We closed with an order of Hotate, which was a grilled scallop skewer. Somewhere between sea and bay scallops in size, they were an awesome cap to the dining experience. With a this, I washed it down with a peach-weizen beer which was the perfect accompaniment to the meal. Every dish was fantastic in flavor, sauces, and texture. On top of all this, the service was excellent, and the happy hour prices very much in reason.
Taniku Izakaya might be one of the best Japanese spots I've tried in the US. Full stop. My friend was 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 stopped by around 7:30 PM and ended up waiting about 40 minutes for a table. The restaurant is on the smaller side with indoor seating only. We ordered the takoyaki, geso karaage, hamachi carpaccio, mochi maki, tori mo-mo, pork belly skewer, Kobe skewer, scallop and hamachi hand rolls, and the hojicha panna cotta. My favorites were the hamachi carpaccio, mochi maki, and hojicha panna cotta, they were so delicious and I'd definitely come back just for those. The skewers were good, though I wish they had been seasoned a bit more. Overall, we enjoyed our meal, but I'm not sure it was worth the 40 minute wait.
I'd never been to an izakaya before, so I walked in a little skeptical -- but this food blew me away. The ramen was exquisite, the takoyaki was excellent, and the scallops were cooked to perfection. The chicken came out juicy and full of flavor. Service was quick and attentive throughout, and the ambiance tied it all together perfectly.
I had no idea how popular this restaurant was when I made the reservation. I was just craving Japanese food and wanted to try somewhere new with friends. When we arrived, there was already a long line out front, which set the tone. The place is small and intimate. The food was out of this world. I got the pork belly skewers, mushrooms in truffle sauce, a unagi hand roll, and a shrimp tempura hand roll. All of it was excellent, but the mushrooms and pork belly truly stood out. Every dish felt like it was made with deep care and intention. Our server was attentive throughout. We had a fantastic time. Definitely make a reservation before you go!
Would highly recommend you go here for ramen, especially during happy hour. Servers were friendly and very attentive. The ramen during happy hour was $13 so my friend got the niku and I got the hokkaido miso. Both ramen were very flavorful and quite filling. The niku ramen had a lot more body and wasn't as salty as other ramens. The miso had very good chashu (soft and good char on the sides), good flavorful broth, and chewy noodles. Not that spicy too. The kabocha croquettes are highly recommended. Crunchy exterior, not too oily, soft and sweet interior. I would come here again
Love the food here! We came here on a Saturday night and it was expectedly busy, but with our party of 4 we only had to wait around 10 minutes so it wasn't too bad. The food is a little pricier than what I usually think of for an izakaya, but everything was delicious so I didn't mind. I recommend getting lots of smaller plates and sharing with the table so you can try all parts of the menu. We got many plates - my favorites were the agedashi tofu and the tori tsukune skewers. My least favorite was the Hokkaido miso ramen - it was good, but didn't really wow me as much as the other things we got. We also got the hojicha panne cotta for dessert, which was very tasty and not too sweet. Though it was busy, we weren't rushed or anything, and service was great. The vibes were nice, with old music playing in the background. Overall, I would recommend coming here with friends!
Starting with the yakitori, the beef was somewhat mediocre and the yuzu chicken was good but not too special. However, the pork belly yakitori was extremely tasty, the fat was so perfectly marbled that it actually melted in my mouth. I thought it might be the best pork belly I've ever had. The hamachi hand roll was also excellent, though I've definitely had some better hand rolls before. Chicken karaage curry was solid and portions were pretty large. The panna cotta tasted good, the smile they made with the hojicha was cute too. The ambience reflects a local modern Japanese izakaya and service was quite excellent. 4.8/5
3 days ago
I've been there twice and everything I've tried is delicious! They have vegetarian ramen and different, unique appetizers. Their sake is also great! There is a line to enter, but it usually goes fast. The ambiance is cozy and nice. read more
18 days ago
We were exploring town late at night and found this place on Yelp. Unfortunately, it shocked us in all the wrong ways. I'm still a little speechless 48 hours later. Granted, we came in around 9 PM, about an hour before closing, so we understood that the kitchen was getting toward the end of the night. We ordered a few dishes to share and there were actually some highlights. The scallops: These were great! Easily one of the better dishes we ordered. The karaage chicken: The chicken itself had great flavor, but the creamy sauce on top was extremely rich and ended up overpowering the chicken. I think with less sauce, this could have been a really good dish. Now, the ramen: This is where I was genuinely left speechless. I don't think I've ever had ramen with absolutely no umami. Like, none. It was one of the strangest things I've ever tasted. I was biting into something, there were textures in my mouth, it smelled great... but that was it. No depth. No richness. No umami. The broth, meat, and even the noodles somehow had almost no flavor. The only thing that really came through was the greasy chili oil that lingered on your tongue afterward. After a couple of bites, we looked at each other and decided to leave. At that point, most of the food was still sitting on the table practically untouched. Maybe we caught the kitchen on an off night, especially coming in later in the evening. The scallops showed us that there's definitely potential here, but unfortunately, the ramen was such a miss that it overshadowed the rest of the meal for us. read more
5 Stars, 5 Stars, 5 Stars!!! I LOVE San Francisco! Working in the city always allows for an opportunity for great food, and boy did we hit a home run. Literally a half a block from our hotel, Yelp showed us a 4.6 rated restaurant. Read some reviews and we were sold. We were both hungry (with my foodie son) and sat down for an early dinner. Saki was the first order of business, with an excellent recommendation from our service (sweetest person ever) Dry and not too sweet. So early we jumped right into the happy hour appetizers. The Brussels were dreamy, the chicken was pure perfection and the gyoza spectacular. Also dove into the octopus balls (not literally )and they were ridiculous. We also ordered the Niki Ramen that had us in "we can't stop eating, mode. The broth was incredible and the shaved pork just over the top! A free drink suddenly appeared at the table and we were eternally thankful. Finished with the custard and we both wept! Yes, THAT good! The service was impeccable, friendly, funny, attentive, sweet, etc. 5/5 service, just like the food. SO cute on the inside with only around 8 tables. We got there really early, like 5pm, but by 6 it was a packed house, and mostly locals. A bigs hats off and thumbs up to this little hole in the wall. Keep it Rockin!!!!! read more
We've stopped here a couple times in the past month before catching a concert or a movie nearby. We love Taniku because it's a meal that rarely disappoints. This most recent time my girlfriend was craving ramen but I wasn't so I got creative. I love their black pepper chicken, so I got that and asked for a side of rice. On top of that we got the ribeye skewers and their new snow crab hand roll. The sauce for the black pepper chicken was really really tasty. That sauce over the rice, was so comforting. The ribeye wasn't super tender but tasty. The snow crab hand roll came with so much snow crab, I felt like it's one of the few hand rolls I've had that was filling. If you come for happy hour, they have good deals on ramen. I think like $13ish, which is a great deal. It ends promptly at 5:30, so plan to get there well before 5:30 if you are looking to take advantage. Something to think about it, Theres no sign up list for waiting for tables, and everyone who's waiting just lines up outside and down the block (no waiting inside). While the ramen (especially their Niku ramen) is still a solid choice. Piecing together meal with some appetizers and a side of rice might be my go-to way of ordering here now. Taniku really does do a lot of things well and the food is always tasty. read more
I went here for dinner around 6:30pm and a line started forming right after we arrived, becoming about 10 people deep. We only waited about 10 min. We started off with the Mekyabetsu (Brussels sprouts), Ba-Ra (pork belly), and Kobe (beef). The Brussels sprouts were my fav starter, and the sauce paired so well with it. The Ba-Ra was pretty good, but nothing amazing, and same for the Kobe, which I found to be a bit bland. We also split the Hokkaido Miso ramen. The broth had a great flavor, and the pork chashu was possibly the best I've ever had(!) as it was soooo tender and flavorful, and not very fatty. I did think the cauliflower left room to be desired, and kinda took away from the ramen overall. We finished our meal off with the matcha Panna cotta - this was a great dessert and wasn't too sweet ;) This place definitely seems to be pretty good at a lot of dishes, but not amazing at any single one. The vibe is great, service was great, and prices are a biiiiti steep but not unreasonable. read more
The appetizers were amazing. The pork belly skewers didn't taste super fatty and were so soft, the agedashi tofu was great, the tater tots were good. Takoyaki was average. The hamachi carpaccio was really good. The ramen was below average. The Niku broth was tasteless and oily and it was spicy but didn't taste spicy. I couldn't finish it. I'd come here only for the appetizers only. But I probably won't be coming back. read more
Best meal we had all weekend in the Bay Area. They do the classic izakaya dishes but everything is just a tad better. They some how tweak each dish to give it that extra attention and care so they stand out. They don't go overboard where you don't recognize the dishes any more. But just enough of a tweak for the dishes to make a strong impression. Everything was excellent. The pork belly skewers, chicken karaage, sushi tacos, yuzu chicken thighs and chicken meat balls really stood out. Absolutely love this place. Bravo to the chef and management. read more
26 days ago
I get very skeptical about japanese izakaya / j skewers because I feel they are usually way over priced for the value but not gonna lie.... this place exceeded my expectations by a lot. Usually these types of places serve like $5-$8 each skewers that taste bland and not filling/ satisfying. but taniku know how to actually bring out flavor from skewers making it feel more worth it. My best friend and I came here on a whim and really glad we did. The drive up was a little sketchy but the place is a small little unassuming spot - cutesy. There was a line outside and a 10-15 min wait for us (because of how small the place one) but we didn't mind. Service was also a tiny bit odd / slow but I'm not type to care too much about that especially if it's busy and the food comes on reasonable time + food is good. Customers waiting in line outside seemed confused and out of loop kept asking me since I was in front of line if there was a line or waitlist/how long the wait was. Another odd thing is their menu. I saw reviews / pictures of food that wasn't on the paper menu they gave so it was confusing what they actually offered. We ordered the Niku ramen : change to rice bowl (really good portion sizing for japanese place) tasty flavoring. not too meaty taste. kimchi was random but worked well, cut the beef sweetness and savoriness. +Added $5 soft shell crab for topping. Very good. Typically fried soft shell crab. Crispy, crabby. Scallop hand roll: seaweed was a little soft for my liking. scallop quality was very yummy. loved the yuzu. Thought the spicy mayo + yuzu pairing was too much clashing flavors. Pork Belly Skewers: sooo good. Crispy outer. soft inner. Flavorful. Chicken meatball skewer: raw egg sauce helped put it all together enhancing and uplifting the chicken itself. Very yummy. not bland. all together like $60 (not w tip) which is really good for j izakaya. I need come for happy hour read more
Decided to try the Happy hour at this Japanese place and was blown away. Its a small place, maybe 8 tables tops squeezed into this narrow space but it was fantastic. Gretted when we entered, we slid into one the few open tables. The decor was charming, and we were quickly gretted by our server with menus and water. My sister and I split some appetizer items so we could try various items, and every single dish was a taste sensation. The gyoza was crisp on the outside while packed with a savory meat, drizzled with sauce. The Karaage was tender chicken encased in a light fried pankostyle casing, also drizzled with a sauce, and the flavor, each bite was satisfying without being too filling. The Kabocha Kor, were panko fried pumpkin patties with a tonkatsu style sauce that brought the taste buds to a more earthier place . The Tokoyaki, were tender fried octopus balls in a sauce that I would have been happy to hunker down with a large bowl of and just crush, easily my favorite bite, which is saying something as no bute was bad . We closed with an order of Hotate, which was a grilled scallop skewer. Somewhere between sea and bay scallops in size, they were an awesome cap to the dining experience. With a this, I washed it down with a peach-weizen beer which was the perfect accompaniment to the meal. Every dish was fantastic in flavor, sauces, and texture. On top of all this, the service was excellent, and the happy hour prices very much in reason. read more
Taniku Izakaya might be one of the best Japanese spots I've tried in the US. Full stop. My friend was 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. read more
2 months ago
We stopped by around 7:30 PM and ended up waiting about 40 minutes for a table. The restaurant is on the smaller side with indoor seating only. We ordered the takoyaki, geso karaage, hamachi carpaccio, mochi maki, tori mo-mo, pork belly skewer, Kobe skewer, scallop and hamachi hand rolls, and the hojicha panna cotta. My favorites were the hamachi carpaccio, mochi maki, and hojicha panna cotta, they were so delicious and I'd definitely come back just for those. The skewers were good, though I wish they had been seasoned a bit more. Overall, we enjoyed our meal, but I'm not sure it was worth the 40 minute wait. read more
19 days ago
I'd never been to an izakaya before, so I walked in a little skeptical -- but this food blew me away. The ramen was exquisite, the takoyaki was excellent, and the scallops were cooked to perfection. The chicken came out juicy and full of flavor. Service was quick and attentive throughout, and the ambiance tied it all together perfectly. read more
6 months ago
I had no idea how popular this restaurant was when I made the reservation. I was just craving Japanese food and wanted to try somewhere new with friends. When we arrived, there was already a long line out front, which set the tone. The place is small and intimate. The food was out of this world. I got the pork belly skewers, mushrooms in truffle sauce, a unagi hand roll, and a shrimp tempura hand roll. All of it was excellent, but the mushrooms and pork belly truly stood out. Every dish felt like it was made with deep care and intention. Our server was attentive throughout. We had a fantastic time. Definitely make a reservation before you go! read more
Would highly recommend you go here for ramen, especially during happy hour. Servers were friendly and very attentive. The ramen during happy hour was $13 so my friend got the niku and I got the hokkaido miso. Both ramen were very flavorful and quite filling. The niku ramen had a lot more body and wasn't as salty as other ramens. The miso had very good chashu (soft and good char on the sides), good flavorful broth, and chewy noodles. Not that spicy too. The kabocha croquettes are highly recommended. Crunchy exterior, not too oily, soft and sweet interior. I would come here again read more
Love the food here! We came here on a Saturday night and it was expectedly busy, but with our party of 4 we only had to wait around 10 minutes so it wasn't too bad. The food is a little pricier than what I usually think of for an izakaya, but everything was delicious so I didn't mind. I recommend getting lots of smaller plates and sharing with the table so you can try all parts of the menu. We got many plates - my favorites were the agedashi tofu and the tori tsukune skewers. My least favorite was the Hokkaido miso ramen - it was good, but didn't really wow me as much as the other things we got. We also got the hojicha panne cotta for dessert, which was very tasty and not too sweet. Though it was busy, we weren't rushed or anything, and service was great. The vibes were nice, with old music playing in the background. Overall, I would recommend coming here with friends! read more
Starting with the yakitori, the beef was somewhat mediocre and the yuzu chicken was good but not too special. However, the pork belly yakitori was extremely tasty, the fat was so perfectly marbled that it actually melted in my mouth. I thought it might be the best pork belly I've ever had. The hamachi hand roll was also excellent, though I've definitely had some better hand rolls before. Chicken karaage curry was solid and portions were pretty large. The panna cotta tasted good, the smile they made with the hojicha was cute too. The ambience reflects a local modern Japanese izakaya and service was quite excellent. 4.8/5 read more
7 months ago
Came here for a friends birthday dinner and waiting about 30 minutes for a table (3 people) as they only take 2 reservations a day and the restaurant is a bit small. We decided to order family style to share everything. We got yuzu chicken skewers, kobe beef skewers, hamachi carpaccio, miso cauliflower, geso karage, and a special scallop sizzling app! They were all so yummy I couldn't pick a favorite but I will say, I would probably pass on the chicken skewer and miso cauliflower to try other items when I visit again. Those two items didn't really stand out to me as much as the others. Service was good as they refilled out waters and the food came out pretty quickly. Overall the food was great and definitely worth the wait to eat here. I would recommend coming with small parties only though as they do not fit a lot of people. They also have happy hour at certain times for discounted items! read more
9 months ago
My experience was a bit mixed. We came as a group of 10 and had a reservation. Despite that, we were asked to wait outside during one of the coldest week in SF. That part was rough, especially given the group size and the reservation. The restaurant was clearly busy, with a steady flow of guests coming in, but it felt like they were understaffed. Two waiters didn't seem sufficient to support the volume, which likely contributed to the delay. Once seated, things improved. The food was solid and well-executed, and it's easy to see why the place is popular. Dishes came out flavorful and satisfying, and the overall izakaya vibe is lively and fun for groups. I'd come back for the food, but I'd hope for better crowd management and staffing, especially when reservations are involved. Great potential, just needs smoother execution during peak times. read more
Back to my staple dinner spot! Came right at opening so I didn't have to wait to get in for happy hour. Kaarage curry don (5/5): I've been loving getting the kaarage curry don. The chicken is so tender and I love the crisp on it. Never feels too heavy or oily. The rice and curry is good too. Perfect level of spice and thickness. Spicy scallop handroll (3/5): Not my favorite but still decent. I thought it would be chopped up and sauced. I will be back to try different items. The interior was decorated for the holiday season which was fun. read more
Ramen - 4/5 "Wagyu" skewers - 3/5 Chicken Karage - 4/5 Brussels Sprouts - 5/5 Tiny place that barely takes reservations made for a very cozy and intimate vibe. Service was good and so was the food. For 2 people with 2 beers, 2 ramens and some appetizers we were pretty happy spending $100 (including tip) for this meal. I liked my garlic pork ramen, I thought the flavor of the broth and the meat was really good. Nice little place and would not hesitate to visit again! read more
4 months ago
Taniku Izakaya simply cannot do any wrong. I recently ordered it as take out and it was just as delicious as if it were served in their charming and cozy restaurant. I had the perfectly cooked karaage and the house favorite Niku ramen. Both were delicious, as always, but the Niku really hits different. It has a wonderful balance of spicy, sweet, salty and richness. The meat is always VERY tender and the egg perfectly soft. read more
I had been dining out a lot because my fridge broke. My plan for the evening was to get the least amount of ingredients at my local grocery store to make dinner without having leftovers. Well, I realized that I could make it to Taniku Izakaya before happy hour ended. So that's what I did instead lol. Worth it! Their happy hour menu contains some of their ramen bowls off their main menu for $13. I got the garlic pork ramen, and they did not skimp on the pork! There were two thick pieces of soft pork belly that was coated with garlic and seared to perfection. And the meat melted in my mouth. The bok choy was crunchy and its bitterness was tamed with the flavorful pork. The noodles had a good bite while the corn added some sweetness. And the marinated egg also added another flavor profile. Not sure what it was marinated in, but it had a nice tea flavor. And the yolk was perfectly jammy. And then there's the broth: full of umami, pork, and garlic flavors. I have been incredibly stressed from two projects at work and the moment I took a sip of the broth, I immediately felt at ease. The ramen was so comforting, especially now that we're experiencing autumn weather in San Francisco. I tend to eat fast, but there was no rushing this. The world and my worries melted away with each bite. I also got the amaebi shrimp hand roll, which came with a yuzu sauce. I actually found it to be a bit gingery, which was a nice surprise in flavor. It seemed the rice was also marinated in perhaps soy sauce for that umami note. And the shrimp was plump. It was the good bite. This is a popular spot with a small dining space so expect long lines as the night progresses. But that ramen is worth the wait. read more
My daughter and I had a taste for sushi. Looked at some of the pics and decided to go here. FYI: no sushi/sashimi here... We found a park right outside. Keep in mind street parking only. We just lucked up. It's a small place and if you're not paying attention you may pass it Got inside and it's quaint but cute and clean. We were greeted and seated as soon as we walked in. The waitress was really nice. Scallop hand roll was tasty and spicy 4 stars Tuna hand roll was missing something 2.5 stars Fried chicken should have had the sauce in the side but it was good 3 stars Pork belly was the star of the show and we order more 5 stars. read more
4 months ago
Come here between 4:30-5:30PM for happy hour menu (a lot cheaper on certain items) though there is a line so come early. Service was great and food was overall amazing and filling for the price (we had happy hour but also got a couple items not on it) Favorites: Pork belly skewer and the agedashi tofu were super freakin good. 10/10 recommend. Least favorite: Scallop skewer (thought they'd use hokkaido scallop or the ones they use for the carpaccio but the ones they used were super dry and chewy. The kimchi potato salad was a new item but was bland and nothing too special. read more
Such a hidden gem! I love coming here for ramen and skewers (try their pork belly skewers!!). Most recently I got the garlic pork ramen too and it was super flavorful, unique, and so filling. Their tofu appetizer was also surprisingly good! Super soft on the inside and just slightly battered on the outside. The server was super sweet and nice, and the whole space is really clean and beautifully decorated. It's a small place, but very cute inside and feels a bit like a little spot you might find in Japan! The location isn't the best (really close to Tenderloin), but tbh it's worth the trip! read more
5 months ago
Came here at around 6 PM on a Tuesday and got seated immediately! It got busier about 10 mins after. Super cute & decorated inside, and staff was so nice! Okonomoyaki tater tots - 8.5/10 from a potato lover!! This does have some sort of cheese on it so beware if you don't eat it Hamachi Hand Roll - 9/10 SO GOOD. I think the rice is mixed in with soy sauce. It was super flavorful which I wasn't expecting Scallop Hand Roll - 8/10, the yuzu on top was absolutely delicious & scallop was very soft. Kobe Skewer - 7/10, it was good but nothing extraordinary. It'll hit the spot if you like meat skewers Yuzu Tori Skewer - 7/10, same as the kobe skewer, but the yuzu on top was delicious Niku Ramen - 8/10, good portion & very very flavorful. I'm glad that they gave a lot of meat in this. I shared this & they provided an extra bowl without me asking :) It's also not super spicy. Hokkaido Milk Pudding - 8/10, the pudding itself was so good but the sauce was a little too sweet for me. However, my partner has a sweet tooth and loved it :) Will totally come again, everything was so yummy and so glad to have tried it! read more
Great spot, especially for handrolls and skewers! The interior is super cute and well decorated, and is very cozy. There was quite a line starting after 6:30pm. My favorite items were the tater tots, scallop handroll, chicken karage, and pork belly skewer! read more
A must visit! The location is unfortunate, but trust me, this place is worth it. Get a group, keep aware of your surroundings, and enjoy the food! * Pork belly skewers: I've always known that their pork belly skewers were top notch. In fact, I had their skewers when Taniku first opened and went back numerous times, when I lived in the area. To date, I have not had pork belly like this -- anywhere else in the world! The pork belly melts in your mouth, the fat is perfectly blended with the meat. This time, the skewer was a little charred, but it's normally crisped to perfection. * Karaage: Delicious, thick mayo on the karaage. Not super thick breading (a good thing!) and plenty of juicy chicken on the inside. The lime is a fantastic addition. * Brussel Sprouts: Slightly bitter, which is expected, but oh man, the sauce and mayo with it is decadent. Never before have I liked brussel sprouts so much. * Tofu: My favorite kind of tofu! So soft and silken inside, with a lightly battered and fried skin. The flakes and sauce really top off the dish quite well. The other appetizers, aside from the skewer, were new for me. But they *all surpassed expectations. The staff is prompt and professional as usual. Can't wait to come back and I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting SF! read more
Taniku Izakaya is a hidden gem! Everything we ordered was delicious - the agedashi tofu was was warm, silky, and packed with umami. The ramen dishes were standout: the akamaru had a rich, savory broth with a spicy kick, the niku was meaty and comforting, and the garlic pork ramen was bursting with flavor. The karaage was crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, and the katsu curry don was hearty and satisfying with just the right level of spice. Friendly service and a relaxed vibe made the whole experience even better. Highly recommended! PRO TIP: call for a reservation, arrive on time and with your full party (they are very strict about this) Parking will be pretty challenging, so plan well how you want to get there, ON TIME! :) read more
7 months ago
Impressed bu the quality of ramen. Especially considering the late night hours and the price. Our server was lovely, and super helpful. The place was small but pleasant. cute cat decore everywhere. The late night happy hour definitely came in clutch. I will definitely be back soon to try the other ramens. read more
Taniku Izakaya is my new obsession. We showed up a few minutes before 6 and only waited about 10 minutes, which felt like a miracle because the dining room is tiny and has super cozy Japanese vibes. Happy hour runs daily from 4:30 to 5:30 with serious deals on drinks and small bites, so plan accordingly if you can pull it off. Every skewer we tried was next-level. The beef had that perfect char and stayed juicy, and the chicken meatball (tsukune) was so tender it almost fell apart. Hamachi carpaccio landed in thick sashimi-style slices balanced with just enough citrus and oil - a total flavor bomb and probably my favorite. Handrolls are non-negotiable; the fish is crazy fresh and the warm rice makes the whole thing pop. We lucked into a king shrimp special, lightly battered and fried, crispy outside and sweet inside. The ramen was rich but not salty, the noodles springy, and the chashu tasted like soft chunky bacon. UGH yes!! Staff is friendly, tables turn fast, and the specials board keeps things interesting. Already plotting my next visit because I need another round ASAP. read more
Solid meal here. We got a bit lucky with the timing, and only had to wait ~15 minutes or so. But the line behind us was very long, and it looks like they ended up waiting quite a bit longer than us. The food itself was quite decent. The pork belly skewers were lovely, and the Japanese curry was delicious as well. The fish-based Ramen didn't quite do it for me, but other than that the meal was good! read more
My friend chose this place but he couldn't even have half the menu (seafood allergy) so we just chose the two items he was between. The niku ramen was like niku udon but in ramen form with a slight kick of spice. That ramen leans sweet between the beef and the onions, which is a flavor I am very used to and absolutely love, but if you don't like salty + sweet, it won't be for you. It wasn't very spicy (Japanese spice usually is very mild), so don't be frightened by it. We also got the garlic pork ramen, which was very garlic-forward. The chashu was very fatty but the char was perfectly crunchy and savory, and the fatty part wasn't slimy -- it melted in my mouth. I with the pork broth had a little bit of sweetness for depth. I was a little thrown off by how the top was kind of cold but the bottom was burning hot. The noodles were chewy on both. Would totally come back with non-seafod-allergy friends to try their more unique offerings! read more
8 months ago
Taniku Izakaya is absolutely worth the wait. They don't take reservations and there's no waiting area, so you'll need to wait outside, but trust me, it pays off. Everything on the menu is seriously delicious and clearly made with care. Standouts for me were the takoyaki, the wagyu beef sticks, and the chicken katsu, all perfectly cooked, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Once you're seated, the food and overall experience make you forget about the wait entirely. A must-try spot if you love quality izakaya food and don't mind waiting for something great. read more
THIS PLACE WAS SO GOOD!! There was a small line when we got there with two groups in front of us. We waited for about 25 minutes before getting seated. It was pretty small inside but it had a nice, cozy vibes with good decors. The servers were friendly and attentive. The ramen came out about 10 minutes after our appetizers so there was a small wait. I tried their spicy scallop sushi handroll (hokkaido scallop, spicy mayo, and yuzu sauce). The scallop was fresh and it kinda melted in the mouth. SO GOODDDD!! Also tried their ba-ra (tender pork belly), which was also yummy, very tender and flavorful. I got the akamaru ramen (roasted pork chashu, corn, bamboo shoots, greater burdock, and soft egg) and it was dece but I was more impressed by their appetizers! read more
3 months ago
We went during HH and I recommend getting there early as a line forms due to their limited space. The curry aioli on the Karaage was delicious, but the crispiness fell flat. I don't think I'd get the crab ramen again, as the crab itself didn't stand out and I prefer not to have spring mix in my ramen. The Niku ramen however was delicious, the beef was tender and paired well with the sweet onions. The house sake was really good and at the price of $4, can't be beat. Service was fast and the staff were friendly. Overall, would go here again during their happy hour and try their other dishes! read more
9 months ago
Probably the best ramen noodles I've had as equal to Mensho. Everything was super delicious I love truffle and the mushrooms are covered in a broth that carries truffle oil and u can taste it it's so good. Brussels sprouts were yummy and crispy along with the gyoza. I haven't had any pork belly as tender as the Ba-ra sold in this location. They were so tender and soft as soon as u bit into it, it just came off. My dish was the dipping ramen which was so good the broth is concentrated the noodles were so fresh and unlike other ramen noodles I've definitely found my new fav place as I've been searching for a go to Izakaya place. Service was so friendly and quite attentive as we came in before a rush by the time we left there was a wait line. I also love the feel of this place it's adorned with Japanese decor and made to feel lively. read more
If you come to Taniku Izakaya for any reason, come for the Happy Hour deals!! You will get a great meal at such a good price (especially for SF). My friend and I got Karaage to share, Akamaru Ramen, and Hokkaido Miso Ramen. All was delicious! The Karaage was juicy and the Curry Aioli complemented it! We only thought it would be nice if there was more of a curry flavor. I can only really speak for the Hokkaido Miso Ramen for the ramen, but the broth was rich and flavorful. The chashu was tender and had a nice char flavor! Some of the toppings differ from what the menu said, but honestly i didn't mind. Service was a little slow, but it looked like they were being trained. Overall, I had a great time at Taniku Izakaya!! I hope to come by again. read more
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More info about Taniku Izakaya
1035 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tenderloin
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(415) 658-7555
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https://tanikusf.square.site
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Ask the Community - Taniku Izakaya
Is this place ok for kids?
Kids are ok but might have to wait a while since it's super tight inside. They're rude if they feel you haven't tipped enough. Ramen is very salty too.
I only have one belly, what should I order?
Their ramen is really good and order 1 appetizer like gyoza or hamachi carpaccio
Was the music loud? When I called to make a reservation, I could barely hear the receptionist.
No, it was pleasant. We didn't have to shout to hear each other, or anything like that.
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