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    Yo Yo's

    4.4 (670 reviews)
    InexpensiveJapanese
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Yo Yo's Photos

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    YO YO'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Yo Yo's

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    Curry chicken before I moved the pieces around
    Louisa T.

    $12 for a huge portion of rice, chicken drumsticks (2), one egg, one potato and some good sized carrot pieces. You don't find lunch prices like that anywhere else in SF - such a good deal! The flavor was good and I appreciate that they were generous with the sauce so all my rice was sauced but not overly saucy. Payment is cash or Venmo only, so be prepared. Very nice service and everything was quick. I think I saw sushi for $3.25 on their menu too - think I'll give that a try next time. I saw this placed featured on an SF Gate article and finally had the opportunity to try it out, and yes, I agree that it's an absolute gem.

    Outside open only weekdays
    Priscilla L.

    Before I was into Yelp, in my college days, I had intern at a business downtown that exposed me to hidden restaurants down here like Sai's Vietnamese which now has closed its original location and Old Ship Saloon for some good burgers which I think is still open and this Yo Yo's has been my personal favorite since 20 years ago. So on my day off work I came back to this part of town I haven't visited in years! New business taken places of old storefronts or vacant buildings are kinda sad. Yo Yo's a simple mom and pop, hole in the wall place you won't know about unless you work here weekdays. It doesn't open weekends. They are quick fast preparing your food and personal. It's like having your parents cook for you feeling. . You know the food will be comforting and good. You just have to find a place to eat it, like the park across the street or I went to the TransAmerica Redwoods garden building across the street to eat it. Yummy in my tummy. I am pleased and if I take another trek down here again, I'll surely be back and get the beef curry for $15. Looks good.

    Chicken curry
    Ying Z.

    Incredibly huge portions at an extremely competitive price point! This whole container cost me maybe $14. You don't see prices like these in SF often, especially close to FiDi where most restaurants charge an $25+ for a weekday office lunch. It's takeout only since it's a small counter space. The couple running this restaurant is so sweet and warm. There will definitely be a line during lunch rush, but they are fast and diligent so the wait goes by quick. I really enjoyed my chicken curry also. The carrot was so sweet and flavorful. Office lunches are a little less bleak with Yo Yo's around.

    Udon
    Landon S.

    What a great little shop in San Francisco! Very close to the pier walk and is in close proximity to many things in San Francisco. The two owners were extremely friendly and helpful. Our food was made extremely fast and is such a great price for the giant portion size. I got the full size udon with a dumpling and some chili sauce which was $12, or $9 without the dumpling. It got me pretty full. The udon noodles itself was delicious and the toppings added on it was great. Extremely great service and I will be returning next week!

    Half chicken curry plate was $7 (2 chicken legs in there) plus egg, potato, and carrots
    Melissa W.

    Super small hole in the wall, mom and pop type spot, great for lunch near FiDi. Cash only, but I think they take Venmo now too (?) The owners take your order while the line builds. They have daily specials like a curry chicken plate with rice. You can order a half size which is $7, and I think the full size is $12. The half size is plenty as they give 1-2 chicken legs. (Mine had 2.) They also have udon options with dumplings. Can't beat this spot for cheap lunch in the neighborhood! Plus the owners are super friendly! Support local businesses!

    Beef curry (not available everyday)
    Kevin Y.

    Great place for an affordable and filling lunch near jackson square. love the couple that own and run this place. they dont accept credit card but they now accept venmo for those that dont have cold cash. work lunches have gotten so expensive in SF, but this place keeps it reasonably priced. they have great soba noodles as well as curry plates. There is typically somewhat of a line if you come during lunch time tues-thur, but not too bad.

    Soba and Chicken Teriyaki
    Lynn N.

    Stopped for lunch here with my brother and the owner greeted us warmly and put a smile on our faces! We got the soba noodles (hot) and chicken teriyaki and liked that we had the option to pay via Venmo. The owner suggested a nearby park to eat at but my brother had a different spot in mind but it was nice to have the suggestion. The food was delicious and we shared both dishes but the soba noodles was our favorite of the two! I'd eat those soba noodles everyday if I liked or worked nearby! The broth is perfectly salty and savory and the noodles and fillings are the perfect complement. The lunch left is feeling satisfied and was perfect. None of the post lunch slump after this nice meal! This place is a gem!

    Vegetarian plate (brown rice, dumpling, tofu, seaweed, and orange slice) at $10
    Sha G.

    The fastest service in town and the prices can't be beat. This family owned to-go counter has you in and out in less than 10 minutes. It's Venmo or cash only and the menu is small but there's something for everyone. Pre-made sushi rolls (fish or veggie), warm dumplings (veggie or chicken), and a few hot plates. I've heard great things about the fried chicken. There's nothing much to the space, but the greeting was warm. There were jokes made, laughter, and love to go around. My vegetarian plate was prepared right in front of me. It was piled high with rice, salad, tofu, dumplings and brown rice soaked in a tasty teriyaki sauce. Everything was topped with tempura crunchies for texture. There was a slice of orange to round things out as well. I had leftovers because it was too much food. All this was for $10! You need to stop here if you're in the area and need food fast, cheap, and tasty.

    Curry
    Ethan W.

    I was first introduced to Yo Yo's on my first day of working in the city. Since then, I've been going back at least once a week now! The owners are soo soo nice and accommodating and are very genuine with every customer they serve. My favorite is their beef curry and they always give you a huuuge portion size so you definitely will have leftovers. They also have very affordable sushi and other sides that are great for snacks or light meals! Many people get their udon or soba which are very popular but if you're looking for something that will fill you up, I highly recommend the curry! Please support this local business anytime you are in the area! The owners are so sweet!

    Avocado Maki and Chicken Teriyaki (half portion)

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    Page 4 of 17

    Yo Yo's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Yo Yo's

    Do they use halal meat?

    From what I have heard, yes. The owners happen to be from Indonesia.

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    KUSAKABE

    KUSAKABE

    4.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.2 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
    (561 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $

    Omg genuinely such a beautiful and amazing cafe!…read more I had to try the matcha einspanner because it was so popular on tiktok! And wow was it delicious. The vanilla foam with kinako powder was SOOO good. The barista recommended us to eat the cream separately from drinking the matcha and omg that was life changing!! I've never tasted cream top this good, it did not have any milk/cheese taste! It also wasn't too sweet. The matcha itself was pretty strong, but not the best matcha quality I've had personally. Don't get me wrong, it was still really good! The hot hojicha latte was also good and strong, but nothing too special unlike the matcha einspanner. Matcha einspanner definitely the star of the show :) Space was beautiful and so aesthetic, it was bar vibes! At night they do serve cocktails :) Service was also amazing, workers were so kind! I NEEED to come back to try the dinner menu!!!!

    This shop is served as a cafe in the morning and bar at night. I came here in the evening to check…read moreit out, and highly recommend to make reservation in advance. Their drink menu is full of unique creations, and their non-alcoholic cocktails were especially impressive. We ordered two: Cold Noodle and Dashi Apple. Both were delicious and totally my style - light, refreshing, and full of layered flavors. I honestly didn't have high expectations for the food, but it ended up being a pleasant surprise, especially the chicken wings. They were incredibly juicy, perfectly seasoned, and so good that I seriously considered ordering another plate. The oysters also stood out, served with a unique sauce that was bright, refreshing, and had just a subtle kick of spice to whet the appetite. We also tried their signature burger. The beef patty was cooked perfectly, staying juicy without being dry. To finish, we ordered the Matcha Affogato. The matcha is slowly poured over the ice cream tableside, making for a fun little presentation and the perfect ending to the meal. The interior design is modern, thoughtfully designed, and aesthetically beautiful. There's also a spacious, bright outdoor patio.

    Photos
    Instagram: TianTianEats
    Instagram: TianTianEats
    Matcha einspanner
    Matcha einspanner
    Rhododendron

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    Rhododendron
    Sanraku

    Sanraku

    3.9
    (2k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    AMAZING authentic food AMAZING service…read more Super clean and cute atmosphere Def a must if your in sf

    According to what I wrote on Yelp, I had a decent meal at their sister restaurant in the Metreon…read morewell before it shuttered, like over a decade ago. My meal apparently wasn't memorable enough to motivate me to visit this location, that is, until quite recently. I decided to have lunch here after a nearby medical appointment. It wasn't crowded at all. Only a couple of solo diners and a loud senior couple. I wasn't in a sushi mood and thought I'd go healthy with the saba shioyaki. However, at the last minute, I went with the $19 Ika Yaki, a whole BBQ squid sliced and saturated in teriyaki sauce with a dab of shichimi mayo (Photo 8). The portion was generous and the texture was firm with enough elasticity. Unfortunately the teriyaki sauce did nothing to enhance the dish, and I wished they served it on the side. I also ordered the $8 Agedashi Tofu, usually a foolproof appetizer for me. It certainly looked right (Photo 9), but I was unpleasantly surprised how tongue-burning hot it was. The cubes of tofu must've just come right out of the deep fryer. The dashi broth helped calm the heat down but a little too late. I'm sure glad I sprung for the $3 bowl of Rice (Photo 10). That calmed what was left of my tongue down. FOOD - 3 stars...execution errors mar the dishes here AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...spacious enough since it was empty, sushi bar seating was available SERVICE - 3.5 stars...attentive enough TOTAL - 3 stars...not my favorite Japanese spot RELATED - Exploring the Tenderloin? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/hu44dWMabs

    Photos
    Sanraku
    Sanraku
    Sanraku

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    Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill

    Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill

    4.0
    (1.8k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Stopped by when I was in SF only a couple minutes walk from BART and ordering online was super…read moreconvenient since their website accepts Apple Pay. I ordered the vegetarian curry with tofu and broccoli at the medium spice level (~$17). The spice level was exactly as described and the curry itself was flavorful. My only small complaint is that I wish the vegetarian curry came with a wider variety of vegetables. I was surprised it didn't include potatoes which were an additional charge. The portion size felt fair for one person I had enough to have leftovers for dinner. I do wish the price was a little lower since it's a takeout-only spot, but considering the area, it seems pretty in line with what you'd expect to pay in downtown SF. My partner ordered the chicken katsu curry and really enjoyed it as well. Definitely worth checking out.

    Overall, it was an alright spot for a quick lunch. The Japanese curry was decent--nothing…read moreparticularly memorable, but it hit the spot if you're looking for something simple and filling. A curry katsu dish cost $20 before tips. One downside was the customer service. The woman working the counter came across as unfriendly and didn't seem very welcoming, which made the experience less enjoyable. Also, keep in mind that this is strictly a grab-and-go place. There's no seating available, so you'll need to plan on taking your food elsewhere. If you're just looking for a convenient curry lunch, it's fine, but don't expect much in terms of service or dine-in atmosphere.

    Photos
    Inside, takeout with a small area on the right to eat
    Inside, takeout with a small area on the right to eat
    Katsu curry with rice and pickles 9/14/23! Yum
    Katsu curry with rice and pickles 9/14/23! Yum
    Cute art wall

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    Cute art wall

    Yo Yo's - japanese - Updated August 2026

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