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    TeaWood Cafe

    4.1 (171 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

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    TEAWOOD CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - TeaWood Cafe

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    popcorn chicken
    Erica C.

    Nothing standout but nice place to catch up with a friend over a quick meal or dessert. Favorite item was the beef pancake roll. Popcorn chicken was good texture but needed more flavorful seasoning. Bathtub dessert was cute and as expected. Do not order the wonton beef noodle soup (or I suspect any soup) because it was so flavorless. I substituted lai fun (vermicelli) for ramen and the ramen noodles were thick, chewy, and well-cooked, but the beef was dry, and most importantly, the soup was like water! I added soy sauce to make it somewhat palatable. Also skip the tofu pudding; it was sour for some reason. It seems like every $20 you spend, you get a little lotto scratcher that awards you with a free food item at the next visit, a blind box plushie, or some other small prize. The blind box plushie ended up being a pretty cute capybara. Service is standard. Parking can be tough (street only so might have to circle around the surrounding neighborhood to find something).

    A01 Popcorn Chicken
    KC W.

    I came to TeaWood for lunch on a long weekend Friday and it was about half full so my partner and I got seated immediately. The menu is pretty extensive, with the first half dedicated just to drinks - we didn't order any though as we had already bought coffee, though they didn't say anything to us about bringing in outside drinks. The food menu had lots of options too, but we decided to keep things simple. - Popcorn chicken appetizer: the chicken was juicy and not overly breaded, though I wish it had a stronger basil flavor. We liked the sweet chili sauce over the honey mustard, which was quite mustard-y. - Braised beef noodle soup: I liked the two cuts of beef for some variation, and everything was well marinated. The noodles had a good chew, though the broth on its own was a bit soy sauce heavy for my taste. - Thai spicy pork over rice with egg: this could've been spicier, but overall the flavors were balanced. The egg can be cooked how you want, so my partner had a fried egg which was cooked well. This bowl came with A LOT of rice. I wasn't wowed by any of the dishes, but they were all solid, and prices are reasonable for the portion sizes. I ended up taking half of my bowl of BNS to go, though probably would've finished it if we hadn't ordered the popcorn chicken. The decor is super cute and Asian lol definitely leaning into the HK cafe vibes. Service was attentive enough but they mostly left us alone which I like. Solid casual spot for comforting Chinese food!

    SD17 Watermelon Lemon Tea
    Tim L.

    Hidden brunch gem in SF. They specialize in HK style brunch food. The interior is nicely lit and balanced between their neon LED designs and lights, giving it a cozy vibe. Service is quick and all their food was made fresh. I would have to say our favorite was the Rose Honey Fried Wings and Seafood Pasta. I haven't seen a rose honey chicken done before and the flavor surprisingly goes well. It's not too sweet and the flavors are balanced. They have a lot of good options to choose from so I would definitely be coming back to try more.

    Anna N.

    Tried some of their dishes, desserts and drinks. For the main course we ordered Taiwanese fried pork chop noodle, clams & salmon in creamy mentaiko sauce, fried calamari and cucumber beef roll. My favorite was the creamy seafood spaghetti. I love white based sauce pasta in general so I knew I'd like this one off the bat. The salmon itself was cooked perfectly and I was surprised at how big of a piece they gave us! They definitely don't skimp on their seafood! For drinks we ordered passion fruit green tea, Teawood fruit tea and iced bear milk tea. My favorite is the milk tea! Always love a good Chinese style milk tea, it's smooth and rich and slightly bitter from the tea. Yum! For desserts we ordered grass jelly taro ball sundae and traditional tofu flake in bucket. My favorite had to be the tofu pudding dessert! It's one of my favorite Chinese desserts, love eating it as is without any syrup. The taste is very light and delicate.

    Mango & Coconut Noodle in Coconut Milk
    Marie R.

    My friend and I came in on a Friday afternoon and the place was half full. It's fairly small but the space is utilized well for seating. They offer iced water or hot tea when you sit down. We cane here to get snacks, drinks, and desserts. - Popcorn chicken: This was a really good popcorn chicken that was well seasoned and well cooked. They gave sweet and sour and honey mustard dipping sauces, but my friend and I believed the chicken didn't need the extra sauce. You can't go wrong with this dish. - Cucumber beef roll: Another solid dish. The beef was tender and they put a decent amount of cucumber for freshness. The roll itself was crispy on the outside and had a nice texture to it. The only thing I had an issue with was the roll sometimes falling apart because it needed a little more sauce inside. The additional sauce would have also complemented the beef more as well. Overall flavor was great. - Mango coconut pudding: The mango and coconut pudding themselves were delicious. The texture was so smooth. The mango on top was nice but made the entire pudding slightly too sweet for me. This came in a glass jar that I ended up taking home because I was full. That's the plus if you end up getting one of the puddings in a jar. - Mango & coconut noodle in coconut milk: This was the dessert my friend got and I got to try it. At first, we assumed coconut noodle meant coconut shreds, but in reality, they were actual noodles made of coconut. This was a solid dessert. Perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and mango flavor. The bathtub ended up being a funny and cute idea. - Iced bear milk tea: I got it lightly sweetened and it was really not sweet. I wish the tea flavor was more prominent and I think based on this experience that their drinks are on the lightly sweetened side automatically. - Kumquat lemon green tea (not pictured): My friend enjoyed her drink and did not have any negative comments about it. I also ordered additional things to go and they were quick to take my order and have it out. Service was great. We had multiple staff help and the consistency was there. They were all nice and helpful. I saw that you can also order via QR code even though we ordered in person. I'm guessing it's useful on days that they're busy. I also saw an order kiosk near the door. Maybe they use that for drinks only? Before paying for the check, they included scratchers with the receipt. You can win free appetizer items, drinks, other things, or a blind box. I actually won a blind box that contained a cute capybara plushie. This made the visit a very fun and memorable experience. I will definitely be back.

    A08 Super French Fries w/ black truffle sauce 特长薯条 黑松露酱 ($7.95)
    Cherylynn N.

    "San Fran is so overrated and expensive - tell me why did I just pay $25 for an avocado toast?" Gurl, "San Fran" is all I needed to know. Yes, the city is expensive but there's a lot of affordable eats if you're down to leave your bubble...like in Inner Richmond. TeaWood Cafe has your wallet in mind with everything under $16.95 (except two salmon dishes). Opening in late 2024, they're an HK Cafe serving Taiwanese classics and AZN fusion comfort food. They've been on my bookmarks and finally had a chance to visit several months ago for a late weeknight dinner. Just a heads up, they advertise giving a scratcher and/or blind box for every $20 you spend. We spent over $60 and didn't get anything. But that's not what we came for so... F O O D * RE04 Popcorn Chicken w/ minced pork sauce over rice 盐酥鸡卤肉饭 ($13.95): https://tinyurl.com/4dunzfkk Fav dish of the night, the popcorn chicken was crunchy, juicy, and flavorful with a delicious aromatic peppery spice. The minced pork sauce ran too sweet but the accompanying pickles helped to offset it. * B07 Beef Brisket Wonton Noodles 牛腩云吞拌麵 ($13.95): https://tinyurl.com/yn5nxd5u Tender brisket with plump pork wontons served with thick egg noodles. Their twist on the HK cafe classic? They coat the noodles in a soy málà numbing sauce. It was unexpected but mild and approachable. * P02 Seafood Tom Yum Cream Pasta 冬荫公海鲜意粉 ($14.95): https://tinyurl.com/uarpvknp And, that will be $28 at your local Italian resto! A great value, the tom yum cream pasta was rich and savory with a mild sour tang with al-dente spaghetti noodles. There was a decent amount of shrimp, clams, calamari, mushrooms and bell peppers. I wish the sauce was more punchy tho but you can't beat the price. * A08 Super French Fries w/ black truffle sauce 特长薯条 黑松露酱 ($7.95): https://tinyurl.com/vcs47xhu A fun novelty, the Japanese super fries are mashed potatoes that's shaped into long strips before frying. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with a creamy earthy aioli. Great for kids. S E R V I C E Cordial staff and prompt food service (order via QR code). A M B I A N C E Casual and modern with IG neon signs. Felt clinical tho since it was so bright. Overall, TeaWood Cafe is great for a wallet-friendly meal esp if you're craving HK Cafe style food with a Pan AZN twist.

    A01 Popcorn Chicken
    Christine W.

    Came to try this place with a friend! My friend had been before, and we came here for the desserts! The ambiance is very cute! They have scratch cards where you could get the chance to win free food or a cute blind box. The service was also good! My friend and I got a tofu pudding each - I got the signature one and she got the sweet red bean one. We also got the popcorn chicken to share! Overall, the food was pretty decent snack food, and I'd come back again to try new items :)

    RE04 Popcorn Chicken w/Marinated Minced Pork Sauce Over Rice
    Anny L.

    Party of 3 came for dinner on a Sunday night and had no wait. We presented the tom yum seafood noodle (lots of seafood pieces, light tom yum flavor), spicy pork chop over noodles (pork chop was marinated/fried perfectly and the noodles had a nice qq texture), and the popcorn chicken over pork minced rice. Popcorn chicken was our favorite since it was juicy, flavorful, and the batter was crispy. We also got the mango sago (very creamy) and milk bear tea (light tea flavor). Place is clean, service is fast, and there is a fun activity at the end of your meal. Definitely coming back to try other items!

    Taiwanese beef noodle soup
    Christine C.

    Lovely Hong Kong style cafe on Geary. I've been here twice now and service has been friendly and pleasant both times. The space is bright with a good number of tables, with tables that accompany up to ~6 people each and booths for ~4-6 on the side. Street metered parking is available around the area; and if you're willing to walk another block or two, you might find 2-hour free street parking also. The noodles are the stars on both visits. They're cooked just right and have a delicious, chewy texture. They were good in both the Fried Pork Chop Noodles, as well as the Taiwanese Beef Noodle soup. The spicy option on the Taiwanese Beef Noodle soup had this delicious tingly spiciness to it; the mild spicy level was perfect! I liked the beef roll; and while it's the perfect quantity as an appetizer for 3 people, it's smaller than other places that serve this dish. I liked the pandan flavor of the pandan chicken, and kudos to the chefs who went the extra mile to wrap these; I wish the chicken pieces were juicier though. All in all, a lovely place we look forward to return to try more dishes

    Beef roll
    Julian L.

    Great food and highly efficient service! ​The noodles in the Beef Noodle Soup and Pork Chop Noodle were the standout--nice texture and chew. The Beef Roll was tasty but smaller than expected. The Pandan Chicken had great flavor, but the pieces were small and a little dry; larger cuts would definitely help keep the chicken juicier. ​A really fun bonus: they give you a scratcher card for every $20 you spend. You can win prizes ranging from discounts and free food to a vege blind box, which was a fantastic way to cap off the meal! ​They have a massive menu with tons of dessert and drink options we didn't get to. I'm definitely going back to try more.

    M02 Boba Milk Tea
    Jennifer C.

    I adored the fried tofu and have since been back several times to explore the menu. Fried tofu: love the fried batter and dipping sauce goes well Drinks: boba was served on the side when I ordered with the bear. I suppose I get more drink? The bear is cute but I think it's more of an Instagram thing, as they include regular ice cubes that dilute the drink. The bear doesn't melt completely so you probably just abandon the partially melted bear anyways. The boba is fine - chewy but not much flavor? Mango sago was good Braised beef noodle soup: love that it's the Taiwanese variety. Soup was fine but seemed to lack depth in flavor. It's a skip for me but would probably satisfy most people's itch especially since it's rare to have the soy sauce broth in San Francisco (most are clear broth). Noodles and veggies were good Lu rou fan: too little meat on a mountain of rice. Sauce was too watery when it should be gelatinous Fried pork - excellently fried Service is always very nice but is really slow and drinks come really late so don't come for a quick meal. Always seems to have Family Feud on TV. Parking: parking meters are free after 6 pm or on Sunday. Residential street parking can take a while to find, especially when the farmers market is up on weekend TLDR: great for fried food. Skip the boba. Mango sago is good. Food is a good value and portions are good.

    Anna C.

    My husband and I came on a Friday night for an early dinner. Ordered the Taiwanese beef noodle soup, popcorn chicken, pork chop and noodle and the black jelly/ boba mango dessert. I thought everything we ordered was solid. Popcorn chicken -4.8/5 Beef noodle soup- 4.5/5 Pork chop- 4.5/5 Dessert- 3/5 Service wasn't the best despite us being one out of the two tables in there. Like why wouldn't you clear the table before dessert. Spend $20 and you'll get a chance to win a blind box from scratching a card.

    Kas T.

    Another excellent Hong Kong cafe in the Richmond. This one is in Geary in Inner Richmond, an area that sorely needs more redevelopment. There were a good number of Chinese restaurants here in the past, but that changed after the pandemic. Teawood arrives at the right time. The food. It's really good. And clean. They spend the first couple pages of their menu describing how dishes are developed and created. The ramen noodles. Wheat noodles only. Broth. No msg. Slow simmered pork bones for 24 hours. I appreciate all of this bc I like to know what I'm eating. Also, you can taste the freshness. My husband commented that this popcorn chicken is so much better than others. Not greasy. Quality chicken meat. My kid ate an entire pork chop w no urging by us. Can't wait to come back to try other things. Dessert. They devote as much of their menu to dessert and drinks as food. I was just remarking how this side of the park doesn't really have a HK dessert place. I know there's Kowloon Tong, which I liked decades ago but quality dropped about a decade ago & I haven't been back. Teawood is the new dessert spot. They have everything from yogurt rice to durian soft tofu to an entire page dedicated to tofu fa dishes. Their boba tea comes w an iced bear if you're into cute things. Service. Ours was good. We had a male waiter, young, who was very efficient and attentive. Chairs need a wipe down between parties. Ambience. This is 100% a HK cafe. When you're eating popcorn chicken w your husband and child and the Young & Reckless theme comes on, and you have to suppress the instinct to bow and yell Dai Lo, you know you're in a real HK cafe. They have booths on the side and tables in the middle. It feels semi-classy enough for a meal out. Like 80s Sizzler. Perks. You get scratchers in the end if you spend a certain amount. We got a blind box which turned out to be a stuffed coconut drink. And free sesame balls for our next visit.

    B03 Taiwanese Fried Pork Chop Noodle ~ $13.95

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    Okaeri Japanese Bistro

    Okaeri Japanese Bistro

    4.5
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    My husband surprised me with a date night dinner here for our wedding anniversary. It was literally…read morea shot in the dark on how he found this place, as he didn't base it off recommendations nor knew anyone who tried it. He yelped it lol! It was a pleasant surprise though! The service was on point and they even had a cute signed postcard wishing us a happy anniversary along with a complimentary welcome beverage. Such a sweet gesture! My husband did not shy away from ordering and I felt like we tried almost everything on the menu. Their fish was very fresh and the sushi rice was paired very well. There wasn't anything that we tried that we didn't like. Their uni toast was a highlight! So much so that we ordered it twice! Honestly I'm not sure when we'll be back as kidless date nights are super rare for us. Parking out here can be tough and we took a lyft in. But if anyone is looking for a solid sushi recommendation in the mission district, this tops the list!

    Came here for Father's Day as it had really good reviews…read more I am conflicted on how many stars to give, 3 or 4?? They serve quality and good tasting food. Everything that we ordered were delicious. The staff were attentive. But I would be very hesitant to recommend this place. It seems upscale on some pictures but in person, it was not. The resturant is minimal, nice and neat but did not feel upscale. The dishes were overpriced compared to their smail serving,

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    Rintaro

    Rintaro

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
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    Amazing! I came here to celebrate my 6 year anniversary and immediately felt very welcome. The…read morehostess was very kind and even offered champagne to us which was very kind. We both got the pre fixed menu which was $90 a person and we added the $15 addition for more sashimi and uni. I also added separately the silken tofu. Everything on the pre-set menu was amazing and such high quality and thoughtfully put together. I especially appreciated a description of each dish when delivered and what best way it was to eat. My favorite of the night was definitely the sashimi and uni. Such incredible quality of the fish, some of the best I ever had. I will say that my only mistake was ordering the silken tofu as I was not a fan of this one much at all. I normally really like tofu but I do think this one was not for me. Overall amazing food, service, and ambiance. I especially appreciate what they have curated in the space at Rintaro.

    Came here for an anniversary dinner and got the set course menu since it was our first time here…read more We made a reservation so did not have to wait. We were sat at the back of the restaurant which had a nice wood aesthetic and mood lighting. The service was great. They gave us some mock aperol spritz to start since neither of us drank. We went with the prefix which had an item from almost every section. The standouts of the course were the cod with pickled cucumbers, the chicken katsu, and the panna cotta. Definitely the juiciest chicken breast katsu I ever had and the cheese was good addition. The hojicha panna cotta was also yummy with a nice bold flavor and syrup on the side to adjust the sweetness. The sashimi and oden soup were also very good and refreshing to balance out the more greasy items on the menu. The skewer, udon and mapo tofu don did not standout as much in flavor and heaviness. But overall, glad I got to try them! The tasting menu was good overall and definitely interested to try some of the à la carte items next time.

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    Ganji

    Ganji

    4.6
    (629 reviews)
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    Locally owned & operated
    Free WiFi

    What a gem amongst all the restaurants in Japan Town! It's in the outside center near the…read morestationary store Paper Tree for reference. Been here a couple of times already and the service never failed. Even came here during the Cherry Blossom Festival and the staff were still friendly / accommodating. They even put a spicy sauce on the side of one of the katsu plates when we mentioned that my dad couldn't handle all that haha. This cozy spot mainly focuses on katsu plates, but I like how they had off menu or specials to choose from if you'd like another option. I will say though them katsu plates were just chef's kiss. The meat is pounded thin enough where it's still juicy and tender, but doesn't affect the exterior from being crunchy and a bit flaky. Nothing was dry here yallll! I also like how it already comes with miso soup and salad. Huge fan of that Hamachi Truffle special though. Think of a citrusy flavor from the ponzu, fresh fish, a bit of micro greens, and a thin slice of jalapeño that just ~works~ on a cute wooden spoon that you want to steal I could honestly eat like 5 spoons of this. I'd skip on the calamari as it was kind of skimpy to share with a large group. Only note was that their fried katsu curry was a bit underwhelming with having more slices of carrots than potato! Would love to come back if I am ever in the area.

    Ganji is a solid spot for katsu in Japantown! The service was excellent--the staff were friendly,…read moreattentive, and quick to take our orders, which made for a great dining experience. The miso soup was a delicious way to start the meal, and when my katsu arrived, it looked amazing. The meat was hot, tender, and the portion was huge, so I definitely left full. My only suggestion is to ask for the curry on the side if you like your katsu extra crispy. I had the curry poured over it, and the breading got soggy pretty quickly. The only reason I'm giving four stars instead of five is the price. My dish was around $30, which felt a little expensive, although I can understand it given the quality of the meat and generous portions. Overall, it's a great place if you're craving katsu, and I'd definitely come back--just with the curry on the side next time!

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    Izakaya Yoki

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    4.1
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    So glad this neighborhood finally has an AYCE sushi spot, and at a price that actually makes sense…read more For $40 a person you are getting a serious deal. One tip: get there early. The place fills up around 6pm so arriving ahead of that will save you a wait. They don't take reservations, so first come first served. The ordering experience is really smooth. Everything is done through an iPad at your table and the food comes out to you. They won't let you place a new order until your previous one has been delivered, which honestly is a smart system and helps with pacing so you don't over order right out of the gate. What sets this place apart from other AYCE spots is the variety. It's not just sushi. You can also order appetizers, salmon, teriyaki chicken and more, so there's something for people who want to mix it up beyond rolls. Delicious, easy, affordable and in the neighborhood. Highly recommend!

    Mom wanted Japanese food within walking distance from where we are staying and this place was the…read moreclosest to us. So we walked down two of the steepest hills ever and arrived at this little joint. Needless to say, my initial impression was not great as the space around the front of the restaurant is under construction and you have to walk over a makeshift bridge to access the underwhelming entrance. I kind of wanted to keep on walking when I saw this situation, but my ma said to give it a chance, so we did. We were seated by a window and had a lovely view of the construction. One of the waiters said that it is going to be a garden, but it has been under construction for three months and nothing has happened. I really hope it looks beautiful when it is completed! We did not opt for AYCE sushi but instead got agedashi tofu, yellowtail collar, udon w/tempura & katsu curry. We also shared some refreshing sake. The food came out quickly and honestly it was all really tasty. While the food was not sophisticated per se, it was comforting and kind of tasted like homemade we enjoyed it. Service was friendly and very efficient. Arigato!

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    KUSAKABE

    KUSAKABE

    4.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$$$

    Kusakabe creates the kind of dining experience that feels carefully designed from the moment you…read moresit down. We walked into a refined but welcoming space where the sushi counter is the main focus, and the meal unfolds course by course in front of us. There is a sense of calm throughout the room, allowing the attention to stay on the chefs, the ingredients, and the details behind each dish without the distraction of a busy dining room. The omakase experience balances traditional sushi with more creative touches. Each course brings something different, from fresh sashimi and nigiri to warmer dishes like chawan mushi that add depth to the progression of the meal. The sushi highlights the quality of the fish while incorporating thoughtful flavor combinations, with dishes like scallop and the dry-aged fish courses standing out for their texture and seasoning. The sake pairing fits naturally into the experience, adding another layer without overpowering the food, and the sommelier's selections complement the progression of flavors across the meal. What makes Kusakabe memorable is the craftsmanship and pacing of the meal. The chefs take time to explain each course, making the experience feel personal rather than rushed. Sitting at the counter adds to the atmosphere because you get to see the precision and care that goes into every piece, from the way the rice is formed to the final brush of sauce on the fish. The pacing of the meal allows you to appreciate each course without feeling rushed, and the team's attention to detail creates a rhythm that keeps the meal engaging from start to finish. Kusakabe feels like a place made for special occasions, celebrations, or anyone looking for a more elevated Japanese dining experience. It combines technique, hospitality, and creativity in a way that makes the entire meal feel like an event rather than just a dinner. The balance of traditional and modern elements, along with the warmth of the service, leaves you with the sense of having experienced something complete and thoughtfully composed.

    What an experience! We were celebrating an anniversary and planned a bit last minute, but were able…read moreto snag a reservation here pretty easily. Immediately, the ambiance and service was quite nice. We were seated at the table, but typically I enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the chefs make our food. The service was amazing and they were very attentive. They also offered to take photos and gave us a little gift of hojicha tea since we were celebrating. We got the omakase, which was massive and had 18 courses. They gave us a menu so we knew what to expect for each course, and we ordered some sake. The omakase was delicious and more traditional than other places, each course was so beautiful and delicately made. This is definitely a lot of food, I would recommend the petite omakase in the future as I was stuffed, but it was a great experience if you come hungry! Courses: - Chawan-mushi - super tasty and every bite was delicious and umami forward! - Otsumami - 7 seasonal appetizers presented in a beautiful box, there was a stuffed crab claw in there that was delicious - 4 kinds of sushi - each piece came out one at a time, the first piece was my absolute favorite and blew me away, it was a seared chutoro that immediately melts in your mouth and tastes smokey - Hamachi soup - very tasty and warming soup with hamachi inside, was perfect in between the sushi course - 4 kinds of sushi - A5 Waguyu shabu - this course was extra $10 pp but was so delicious, the wagyu was melt in your mouth and had some grated daikon on top in a ponzu dashi, the toppings help balance the meat so it's overwhelming since it does melt in your mouth, one of my favorite bites! - 4 kind of sushi - they brought out some really great sushis, including more chutoro and an unagi handroll, but I was so stuffed at this point that I felt I couldn't enjoy it as much - miso soup - this soup was so tasty and kind of revived me after all that food, it felt comforting and a great way to end - dessert- I got the hojicha ice cream in a waffle like cookie and it was delicious!

    Photos
    Zen bathroom
    Zen bathroom
    Otsumami...
    Otsumami...
    Eight Kinds of Sushi

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    Eight Kinds of Sushi
    Shoji

    Shoji

    4.2
    (554 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $

    This review is for BAR Shoji (not the Cafe)…read more Wow! Talk about ambience. You need to be 21+ to enter and they do check ID. It's dark and sexy inside. Table setting was gorgeous. Decor is minimal. Menus are scanned using the QR code at the table. Service is excellent! We were approached/reminded that our reservation was for 1.5 hours but the party after us wasn't arriving until later so we can extend our stay for another half hour. That was very nice of them to let us know. We started with cocktails. Beautiful glassware. They may look delicate but these drinks are strong! Very delicious though. We ordered: KABOSU - like an elevated spicy clarified margarita with Thai flavors. Not too spicy. It just adds a kick. This cocktail paired well with what we ordered for dinner. KOHAKU - like a matcha whiskey cocktail SHOJI MARTINI - dry and made with Japanese gin For dinner, we ordered: FRENCH FRIES with Akazu aged vinegar aioli, tobiko - the fries were dusted with Thai seasoning which were flavorful eaten as is but when dipped in the aioli, whoa!!! The tobiko added the right amount of balance to the tang of the aioli. Next level!! OYSTER - the dressing was good. A little on the sweet side. PORK JOWL - tender and so flavorful. I wish it came with rice. The pear and pineapple kimchi was the perfect side. CEVICHE - fish was fresh and the flavors were well-balanced. Loved the giant pieces of nori rice crackers. SHOJI BURGER - this was a nice show at the table. The fondue cheese was yummy. The burger was well-seasoned. Good for sharing. For dessert, we had: HOJICHA AFFOGATO - Beautiful, delicate and delicious dessert that was fun to watch prepared at our table. Lovely experience. Thank you for the great service. The staff was kind and professional. Well done.

    Shoji is a true experience that takes you back to Japan…read more Their cocktails are so good. The chicken sandwich was to die for. The ceviche was bright and zesty. The donburi with Ikura and Uni was creamy and melted in my mouth at each bite. The wings were great too. The hojicha affogato desert was spectacular. I would go back! Amazing vibes and great service.

    Photos
    Instagram: TianTianEats
    Instagram: TianTianEats
    Matcha einspanner
    Matcha einspanner
    Mocha: Espresso, dandelion chocolate, steamed milk ($6) + Matcha Einspänner: Seion matcha, milk, house sweet cream, kinako ($7)

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    Mocha: Espresso, dandelion chocolate, steamed milk ($6) + Matcha Einspänner: Seion matcha, milk, house sweet cream, kinako ($7)
    Sushi Uma

    Sushi Uma

    4.1
    (998 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$
    All you can eat
    Kitchen open late

    If I could give this place six out of five stars, I absolutely would…read more Write out the gate the service was amazing. It's an adorable little spot in the sunset and there is limited seating, of course, but there is open seating by the window where you can get a lot of sunlight or you go deeper in toward the restaurant where you can get a little bit more of a dim perspective, which is fine. Right away, they asked if we had a reservation we did not the place was almost packed, but they had one table in the very back that they opened up just for us. That right there earned my five stars. The service was absolutely incredible. I found it to be really sweet. The Man was talking to me and I didn't understand what he was saying and he was so patient with me. I was very appreciative. They were extremely accommodating at first I wasn't sure if my girls were going to eat so I didn't order for them and then it turned out. They were going to eat so I ended up adding their order on. Again the service was amazing. Not to mention... $33 for adults $20 for kids over six years unlimited sushi on a weekend. What do you even mean? I was blown away. The quality of the sushi was incredible. I've had all you can eat sushi before and I was not super impressed by the quality, but this place hits different. Not to mention that all you can eat menu include some appetizer, including miso soup which we had plenty of. I am so grateful that I got to eat here and I will 100% be coming back. Also, the people here were super chill and very friendly. This neighborhood is just so friendly. I love this neighborhood in San Francisco.

    We came here for dinner thinking it would be all you can eat, but we were mistaken…read more We thought it was AYCE because the "All You Can Eat" sign was still sitting on the sidewalk after 8:00 PM, so it was easy to assume it was being offered during dinner service. IT'S ONLY ALL YOU CAN EAT BETWEEN 11:00 AM & 4:00 PM. That was on us, so we decided to stay and give the restaurant a fair chance anyway. We were seated near the front door and ordered two bento boxes (beef and salmon), a tempura roll, a California roll, and a tekka don. First impressions: * No tempura dipping sauce. * The tempura looked and tasted premade. * The salmon was over-seasoned. * The California roll was mushy. The rest of our group was also unhappy with their dishes. My friend never received wasabi with their sushi, and it took nearly the entire meal before I could get the attention of our server. Later, we ran out of tea. I took the lid off the teapot and placed it on the table to make it obvious we needed a refill. This time, I actually timed how long it took for anyone to notice. OVER 10 MINUTES. By then, we were pretty upset and just ready to leave. To make matters worse, we weren't given any choice in the tip. PARTIES OVER 3 HAVE A MANDATORY 18% TIP. I had actually considered coming back another day for the AYCE lunch since I work in the area, but after this experience, I won't be returning. Consider this a heads up

    Photos
    AYCE Lunch Menu
    AYCE Lunch Menu
    $99 Premium Dinner Set
    $99 Premium Dinner Set
    $69 Dinner Set for 2

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    $69 Dinner Set for 2
    Akikos

    Akikos

    4.0
    (2.1k reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$$$

    We have been going to Akiko's for years. When my wife's family visits, they want Akiko's. When my…read morefamily visits, they want Akiko's. There are some omakase staples that we always look forward to: the shokupan and chawanmushi especially. We also love seeing what is in season, and I have seen the menu change weekly. In the dozen or so times I have gone, I have never been disappointed in the quality or quantity. I agree with other reviews that the taste is more fusion/experimental than straight traditional omakase. For me, that is part of the draw. I also agree that Akiko's is pricier, but we also go for special occasions rather than a standing weekly or monthly reservation. Parking can be tricky in the area, but there are apps that can help with that.

    It's a cool space but rather too large and stand offish for a truly great omakase meal. Service was…read morealso bumpy. We noted our dietary restrictions on the reservation and the host confirmed that but the menus aren't customized for each guest (which I'd expect for a high end omakase with less than 10 guests during our seating). Then the first server showed up and started describing the opening course of 3 small plates, 2 of which contained shellfish. When we asked about it, he just backtracked and said "That's not lobster" and then walked away. We were also never asked what we would like to drink - I finally asked the sushi chef for tea and he ran to the back to communicate that. There was also no real interaction with the sushi chef the entire meal so it felt impersonal and sterile. Food notes: maybe the selection was just not for me that day but there was only 1 course I enjoyed (kinmedai) and by the end I was eating a bite and leaving the rest and dreading the next course. The fish flavors felt very strong and overwhelming and the sushi rice was so wet that every piece fell apart on the way from the plate to the mouth.

    Photos
    Akikos
    Akikos
    Akikos

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    TeaWood Cafe - japanese - Updated July 2026

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