Tag: JapaneseCuisine

#JapaneseCuisine

Christopher Gilbert

Only 6 Guests Every Night 🍣 Is it good for $200?

🍣 KEN 📍 252 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117 · ▫️ It's not open for dine-in for long, so make sure to come and try it. Many years ago, this location was another sushi restaurant called ijji, which I also really liked, but unfortunately it closed. Now the place has the exact same interior, giving me a sense of nostalgia. · ▫️ The head chef came from kusakabe and has previously worked in various well-known sushi restaurants. Right before the pandemic, he took over this place and opened his own sushi restaurant. When dine-in was not allowed, they offered takeout (which they still do). Now dine-in is available, but it's usually just one round of guests each night, with only 6 seats, so reservations are not easy to make. · ▫️ The menu for the evening is $175 per person, and it's quite filling. It includes four types of sashimi, 8 pieces of nigiri, ankimo rice bowl, a hand roll, and a bowl of steamed rice. The side dishes and steamed dishes in between are all quite good, with fresh flavors. The chef has great skill in marinating different types of fish and knows how to handle the different textures. The taste tends to maintain the original flavors without excessive seasoning. · ▫️ Due to the small number of guests, the chef takes great care of each customer. It's like having a large chat session. The customers at our neighboring table that night were also food enthusiasts, and we recommended many restaurants to each other. Besides food, there was also information exchange, which was a delightful experience. #BayAreaWeekend #BayAreaLife #LifeDuringPandemic #BayAreaFood #JapaneseCuisine #ExploringJapaneseFood #HiddenGem #FoodExploration

Robin Nichols

"Bay Area Japanese Cuisine | Promoted to the Best SF Omakase in My Heart 🍣!"

Bay Area Japanese Cuisine - An Unforgettable Omakase Experience 🍣 Just before the end of January, I went on a delightful Omakase adventure in San Francisco with my friends. We stumbled upon Bay Area Japanese Cuisine and it turned out to be an absolute gem! The chef was not only incredibly talented but also chatty, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable 😊. I later found out that the owner and chef of Wanqu Japanese Cuisine is also behind the popular Niku Steakhouse and Dumpling Time. Talk about a culinary powerhouse! 🙌 A Culinary Masterclass 🍱 During our meal, the owner was generous enough to share some fascinating insights into Japanese cuisine. I learned some valuable tips and tricks that I can apply when cooking Japanese food at home. It was a truly enriching experience 🥳. What surprised me even more was learning that many renowned Omakase chefs in the Bay Area had apprenticed at Wanqu Japanese Cuisine at some point in their careers. It's no wonder the quality of the food here is exceptional! Five-Star Dining Experience ✨ The overall dining experience at Wanqu Japanese Cuisine deserves a solid five-star rating. Here's why: - Each dish was meticulously crafted, showcasing the chef's dedication and passion for Japanese cuisine. - The fish used in the nigiri was of exceptional quality, resulting in fresh and flavorful bites. - The menu is regularly updated, offering not only nigiri but also a variety of delicious cooked dishes. - In my opinion, Wanqu Japanese Cuisine easily ranks in the top three among all the Omakase experiences I've had. Unforgettable Highlights 🤩 There were a few nigiri that left a lasting impression on me: - The amaebi (sweet shrimp) was incredibly fresh and sweet, with a firm texture. The chef even turned the shrimp heads into crispy tempura! 🍤 - The Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) had a rich, fatty flavor that was intensified by a quick sear. The aroma was captivating! - The Hokkaido sea urchin was a real treat. Each piece was small but generously portioned. The taste was delightfully sweet, and the chef even shared some interesting trivia about sea urchins from around the world. Must-Try Dishes Beyond Nigiri 🍚 Apart from the nigiri, there were two standout dishes that I highly recommend: - The chawanmushi, a savory egg custard, was elevated to new heights with the addition of Japanese snow crab and black truffle. It was a fragrant and luxurious delight! ❤️ - The lobster tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) was a revelation. With its caramelized, crunchy exterior and a luscious and tender interior, it was the best tamagoyaki I've ever tasted. The subtle sweetness of the lobster was the icing on the cake! Details and Future Plans 📍 If you're in San Francisco and craving an unforgettable Omakase experience, make sure to visit Wanqu Japanese Cuisine. You can find them at 665 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103. Trust me, it's worth a second visit! 😍 #JapaneseCuisine #OmakaseExperience #SFFoodie #JapaneseFood #FoodAdventure #SushiLovers #FoodieFinds #SanFranciscoEats #FoodGems #BayArea

Christian Russo

SF | Marshmallows and Beef Sukiyaki 🍲☁️

🍲☁️ SF Weekend's Little Happiness ❤️ 📍 Shabusen Restaurant 1726 Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA 94115 Looking for a delightful dining experience in SF? Check out Shabusen Restaurant! This hidden gem offers a unique twist on sukiyaki with a fluffy marshmallow surprise. Here's what you can expect: **Cute and Cozy** - Shabusen Restaurant, known for its monthly sukiyaki feasts, has reopened in an omakase style. - The star of the show? Fluffy marshmallow clouds that add a touch of whimsy to this traditional dish. **Quality and Variety** - Enjoy high-quality meats, with the option to upgrade to premium wagyu beef for an extra fee. - The marshmallows may look sweet, but they provide a subtle hint of sweetness without overpowering the dish. - The service is top-notch, and the bright and clean ambience makes it perfect for a small get-together. **Minor Drawbacks** - Some customers find the sukiyaki broth to be a bit on the salty side. - Instead of traditional dipping sauces, Shabusen uses onsen egg, which may not be everyone's preference. For city dwellers looking for a unique sukiyaki experience, Shabusen Restaurant is a great choice. The marshmallow sukiyaki is not only adorable but also tasty. However, if you have to travel a long distance to reach SF, it may not be worth the trip. #SFfoodie #Sukiyaki #FoodReview #MarshmallowSukiyaki #HiddenGem #JapaneseCuisine #FoodieLife #SanFrancisco #FoodExperience #FoodiesofSF

Steven Arnold

San Francisco | 🍣 Ju-ni Sushi and HRP Handrolls

🌟Highlights: 1️⃣ Ju-ni's Signature: It's like a dessert after a meal - Salmon roe with Ankimo: Frozen Ankimo (monkfish liver) powdered and sprinkled on top of salmon roe sushi - Creamy and smooth texture like ice cream - Must be ordered separately from the special menu - Ju-ni | Ikura w/Ankimo has a more pronounced ice cream-like texture - HDP | Ikura w/Ankimo Monkfish also offers this dish 2️⃣ Delicious Toro: - Ju-ni | Zuke Toro: Best part of the fatty tuna with fish roe - HDP | Toro Takuan: Chopped fatty tuna in takuan (pickled radish) - Both are satisfying options 3️⃣ Creamy Scallop: - Ju-ni | Hotate: Fresh scallop from Hokkaido that is delightfully surprising - HDP | Forgot to order this 😓 (Image reference from the internet) 💰Average Prices: - Ju-ni: $198 for 12 pieces of sushi - HRP: 5 handrolls for $36, 7 handrolls for $55 🍣Ju-ni: - Means "twelve" in Japanese - Started with twelve seats and twelve-course sushi menu - Includes a small salad, twelve pieces of sushi, one handroll, miso soup, and ice cream - Optional add-ons: sea urchin and wagyu beef - The addition of wagyu beef was not impressive - Located at 1335 Fulton St, San Francisco 🍙Handroll Project: - Ju-ni started offering takeout handrolls during the pandemic - It became so popular that they opened a dedicated handroll shop - Lucky for those who were able to make a reservation, but walk-ins are also accepted - Looking forward to future opportunities to try more or casually stroll in - Located at 598 Guerrero St, San Francisco #JuNiSushi #HRPHandrolls #SanFranciscoFood #SushiLovers #DeliciousEats #FoodieFinds #JapaneseCuisine #HandrollProject #SushiTime #FoodDiscoveries

Christopher Gilbert

San Francisco | Come eat Saru hand rolls without queuing on weekends.

Look no further than Saru! With its 5 PM opening time, you can get an early start and avoid the crowds. Just walk in and enjoy! 🌟 Scallop: This handroll is an absolute delight. Don't miss out on ordering an extra one! 🐟 Fatty Tuna: Although it may not beat the offerings at Handroll Project, Saru's version of fatty tuna is still delicious. 🟠 Roe & Mt Yam: If you've never tried yam in a handroll before, this is your chance! Saru's combination of roe and mountain yam is a unique and tasty treat. 🐟 Eel: Save the best for last with this handroll. The sweet and savory glazed eel is a crowd-pleaser. 🍹 Yuzu Mocktail: Looking for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage? The yuzu mocktail at Saru is the perfect choice. Saru offers a wider variety of handroll options compared to Handroll Project, with varying price ranges. While it may not completely overshadow Handroll Project's flavors, it still provides a convenient and satisfying dining experience. The restaurant is adorned with charming, Yutaka Furudate-style hanging lamps, and the staff members crafting the handrolls are friendly and accommodating. So, if you're in the mood for a queue-free dining experience on a weekend stroll, give Saru a try! 👋 #Saru #SanFrancisco #Handrolls #JapaneseCuisine #Foodies #FoodieFinds #TastyTreats #QueueFreeDining #WeekendVibes #TrySomethingNew

Christopher Gilbert

Ramen Shu Authentic Japanese Ramen Delicious ramens and other dishes.

🍜 Get ready for a slurp-worthy experience at **Ramen Shu** in Union City! Located at 34308 Alvarado-Niles Rd, this spot is a haven for noodle lovers. ⭐**Key Highlights** - Authentic Japanese Ramen 🍥 - Great Ambiance 🏮 - Convenient Location 📍 - Flavorful broth - Curry rice is good 👉 Next time you're in Union City, CA, make a detour and treat your tastebuds to a bowl of deliciousness at Ramen Shu! #RamenShu #UnionCity #JapaneseCuisine #RamenLove #FoodieHeaven #NoodleLovers #BayAreaEats #CaliforniaFoodSpots #AuthenticRamen #FoodExplorer

Mrs. Andrea Ayala

My friend doesn’t want me to post this hidden gem but…

🍣 Hamano 📍 1332 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114 - The official description calls it a lowkey Japanese restaurant and it was indeed discovered! Before, while doing aromatherapy candles and eating Russian cuisine nearby, I accidentally came across this really inconspicuous Japanese restaurant. I thought it was just ordinary home-cooked food, but it turns out they offer omakase according to their official website. With a curious mindset, I made a reservation. It turned out to be a hidden gem of a place! - Among the few restaurants that serve a lot of Japanese food, this is one of them. It has a simple, slightly old-fashioned decor style. There are very few bar seats, only for customers who reserve omakase. The head chef is quite efficient, managing everything and chatting with the customers cheerfully. - The food is truly homely with a touch of finesse, and the ingredients are unexpectedly delicious! Moreover, many of the ingredients are directly imported from Japan, which I never expected to find here! The spot prawns are incredibly fresh! I can have three portions of Hokkaido abalone! And this crab, it's truly beautiful and generously served! - Towards the end, I was really full, very full, very full. The slices of raw fish on each nigiri were really big and substantial. Such sincerity! I would definitely come back again! Lastly, I was pleasantly surprised by their udon noodles. I never expected them to be so delicious. I could just come here next time just for a bowl of udon noodles.🙂 #BayAreaLiving #WeekendInBayArea #GlobalFoodieSquad #JapaneseFoodExploration #JapaneseCuisine #Foodie #WeekendExploration #HiddenGems #APlaceThatHasBeenDiscovered #Exploration #BayAreaCuisine

Christian Russo

Bay Area Food | Try a plate of 🇯🇵🇮🇹 Mentaiko Pasta

🍝La Casa Mia 📍3548 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051 ▫️A combination of Japanese and Italian cuisine, it's a bit unusual! The atmosphere of the small restaurant is very vibrant and clean. When I saw recommendations, I decided to give it a try. The menu is not extensive, mainly focusing on pasta and pizza. ❤️Mentaiko Cream Tagaliatelle This combination is truly amazing! The fusion is done very well, it's not overwhelmed by the Italian cheese, overall refreshing. The Mentaiko adds a seafood flavor, and the pasta is cooked al dente. ❤️Garlic Shrimp Pizza Surprisingly delicious, it's a thin-crust pizza baked perfectly, not too crispy nor too soft, just right. The garlic flavor is strong, with a slight hint of spiciness, I really liked the thickness of it! Highly recommended. ❤️Seafood Pescatore - Bianco Lastly, we also ordered a seafood stew, it was a bit disappointing. Although the taste was average, the seafood was not very fresh, and it was a bit too salty, even when paired with bread, it was still a bit heavy. ▫️I recommend sitting outdoors when the weather is nice, it has a great atmosphere. It's a restaurant with a touch of elegance, definitely worth a visit if you live nearby, but not necessary to travel a long way just for this place. #BayAreaFood #GlobalFoodies #FoodDiary #MyFoodJournal #Foodie #FoodRecommendation #FoodSharing #Pasta #Pizza #ItalianPasta #JapaneseCuisine #HiddenGemRestaurant #HiddenGemSharing #UniqueRestaurantRecommendation #HiddenGemRestaurant #BayAreaHiddenGem

Christian Russo

Pepper Lunch - A Fun-Filled, Family-Friendly Japanese Teppan-Rice Experience!

Cruised around the Milpitas global plaza today! Stumbled upon a little Japanese iron plate spot called Pepper Lunch. Looks fairly new, as I don't recall it being here before, but the staff said they've been in business in this city since 1997 - turns out, it's an old store with lots of history! The menu is pretty straightforward. They've got a handful of signature iron plate options to choose from which can be paired with either rice or udon noodles. Beef iron plate averages $15, and the most expensive dish, the eel iron plate, rings up at $18. It's similar to the setup at Sizzling Lunch over in Berkeley - you've got fresh raw meat surrounding cooked rice/udon, all sitting atop a sizzling hot iron plate presented right in front of you. You get to stir-fry the meat slices yourself and mix it with the rice! They provide two types of sauces: Teriyaki and Garlic - you add it according to your taste! ✅Tastes great! ✅Portions are just right - satisfying without being overwhelming! ✅Kids love this unique dining experience! All parents will get it: boys or girls, all little ones love to play cooking! So this place is really child-friendly - gives a sense of joy in cooking and eating your own meal! 📍Pepper Lunch 408 Barber Ln, Milpitas, CA 95035 #PepperLunch #TeppanRiceExperience #FamilyFriendly #JapaneseCuisine #Milpitas #IronPlateDining #KidsLoveIt #UniqueDiningExperience