I always loved the lifestyle of the Japanese people. Most of the people were living a traditional and simple life. The rest of the people were Hardworking and busy. Yet, since the last visit to Tokyo, another added fondness in my heart about Japan is their food. I have had Japanese food before my trip to Tokyo, but after visiting Japan, my liking increased.
For many years, I thought the Japanese eat only Sushi because I see so many restaurants displaying Sushi pictures on their restaurant’s doors. But after exploring many cuisines in Tokyo, starting from Street foods to high-end restaurants, I think I have the eligibility to rate the foods based on my experience.
So here are my top Japanese restaurant picks in the San Francisco area. My list is based on not only the food but the experience, atmosphere and service.
Super Pan and Tea
My first choice after visiting Tokyo is in search of ramen. Ramen is a noodle type of food. I came to know about this restaurant through a friend of mine. Soon I fled up to Super Pan and Tea restaurant located on Irving Street. It has several varieties of ramen. I choose the Soft Shell Crab Ramen. It tasted very nice. While checking the other tables, I was able to see more people eating Udon, which is a thick noodle type. The restaurant is popular, and I saw people entering and leaving the place constantly.
Wako Japanese Restaurant
Well, I loved how the restaurant served the food on the plate. Usually, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese foods are small in servings and large in numbers. I was able to see the authentic serving of the same Japanese style serving. The colorful plates and the food color were nice to see and the smell was increasing my appetite to eat it. A great experience you should try!
Tanuki Restaurant
Tanuki Restaurant is at California Street. This restaurant has a Sushi Bar and sides of seafood like shrimp, crab, and fish. The price of the food and the taste both are good.
Kuma Sushi + Sake
Kuma Sushi + Sake is at Polk Street. Here we get to see a live sushi counter. Starting from Miso soup to prawns and meat sides, this place provides authentic Japanese food. The restaurant looks like a Japanese style inside. The presentation of food is neat, and the ambiance gives a feel of entering a restaurant in Japan. You get to taste the Japanese alcoholic drink here. Unagi – which is a grilled eel tasted good at this restaurant.
Kusakabe
Kusakabe is a Kaiseki style restaurant, and it is a high-end restaurant bringing the authentic Japanese flavor to the plate. This place has a great tea selection. Sushi, Sake, wine, and beer are available at great taste here. I chose to have Sashimi and soba here. It was awesome.
Saru Sushi Bar
Saru Sushi Bar is in Polk Street, an authentic Japanese restaurant. From drinks to dessert, Sushi to meats, the authentic Japanese taste elevates the mind to the Zen state. I had a good vibe in this restaurant. It is kind of a high-end restaurant where the serving plate and the dishes are quite interestingly suitable for each other and increases the appetite for sure.
Atami Sushi Bar & Grill
On reading this name, I remembered the grilled squid which I tasted in Tokyo. I tasted Tempura here, which was very tasty. Miso soup and Yakitori was very good at this restaurant. I got to see the fried chestnut here and tasted similar to street food in Tokyo. I enjoyed visiting this place.
Elephant Sushi
Elephant sushi is in Hyde Street, as the name says it has both classical and modern dishes of Japan. I ordered Sushi here, and it tasted well. The other tables were having different varieties of Sushi, and the place seems busy.
Noren Izakaya
Located in Powell Street, the entrees are classic and the ambiance was simple and good. I tried tasting crepe varieties here, it was good. Udon, Kimchi ramen was also nice to taste. It is worth to try here once.
Okoze Sushi
I loved the ambiance of the Okoze Sushi restaurant. I tasted all types of Japanese food here. I visit this place often. I like Tempura here. If you visit this place, you can even find me having Tempura at this restaurant.
Compared to other cities in the USA, Japanese cuisines are mostly available in San Francisco because of the availability of fresh seafood here. No other cuisine best suits like Japanese do with kinds of seafood. I love the way the Japanese foods remain lighter in the belly, and yet the cooking process and quantity make us have all the health benefits after eating. So I am slowly getting addicted to Japanese food because of its goodness. Do try out all the restaurants and I will keep visiting and posting the next Japanese restaurants soon.
