Sushi & Small Dishes at Sanraku (Metreon Location), San Francisco USA

I just revisited Sanraku for their lunch. Other than sushi, I tried many other appetizers and seasonal dishes this time. I have a few favorites that I can't wait to share with you!

Sushi Omakase at Sanraku (Sutter Street Location), San Francisco USA

At Sanraku, you can explore both Japanese small dishes and nigiri as well as their American styled sushi rolls. I was surprised by how much I loved their appetizers, which reminds me of the flavors I had in Japan. Besides their delicious nigiri sushi, I highly recommend their seafood Chawanmushi! 

Sushi Omakase at Sanraku (Metreon Location), San Francisco USA

Omakase Set

This week, I visited Sanraku (Metreon location) for their omakase dinner. Sanraku is a great casual spot with lots of Japanese food choices such as sushi, Japanese small bites and appetizers, rice bowls, udon, soba, curry, tempura, etc. Although sushi was best to be eaten almost right away after sushi chef hand it to your plate, I actually really enjoyed their sushi omakase in one large wooden platter as well. Now let's check out what my Omakase dinner look like...

Hakata Ramen at Marufuku Ramen in San Francisco, Northern California

Hakata skinny ramen noodle, a style of ramen originated from the ward of Hakata, Fukuoka Province of Japan

Marufuku Ramen just opened 4 months ago, and it's been pretty popular since its grand opening inside San Francisco Japantown. They specialized in Hakata-style ramen, which is a Tonkotsu (pork bone soup) based ramen. Its noodle is rather skinny and whiter than the typical ramen noodles you see. Overall, this ramen spot is not bad if you want a slight taste of Japanese ramen. I would say they are trying to make it as authentic as they can with the ingredients available in the Bay Area. So if you are a Tonkotsu fan, don't forget to try out Marufuku! (See menu at the bottom of this post)

Sushi Omakase at Sasaki, San Francisco USA

Chefs Masaki Sasaki and Takanori Wada. Photograph by @foodbunker

Uni and Ikura over rice in a glass. Photograph by @foodbunker

Sasaki is one of the highest rated sushi restaurants in the Bay Area. Their ingredients have excellent quality and their courses are beautifully and creatively made. Not only I learn more about Japanese cooking and recipes, there are combinations of flavors and texture that I was surprised to try for the first time.  

Shio, Organic (Shoyu), Tori Paitan, & Vegan Tantanmen at Mensho Tokyo, San Francisco USA

Shio Ramen - Clear chicken and pork soup, Shio dare, pork chashu, kale, menma, fried garlic, chives, nori

Vegan Tantanmen - Vegetable soup with kombu and mushroom, premium Japanese soy milk, seven types of nuts, sesame, cilantro, chili oil, green onions, menma, kale sprouts

Tori Paitan - Rich, creamy chicken soup, pork chashu, duck chashu, menma, kale, burdock root, katsubushi sauce

Organic Ramen (Shoyu) - Clear organic chicken and pork soup, shoyu dare, pork chashu, duck chashu, kale, kale sprout, menma chives, menma, nori

There were 4 ramens on the menu tonight, and since I have 2 more people with me, we ordered all 4 to try out all of them at once. Personally, I fell in love with their Shio ramen. The tasty umami from the Rausu kelp and Hongare Katsuobushi Dashi broth really perfected it. Let me tell you more about Mensho Tokyo and their delicious ramen!

Japanese Teishoku Pop-up Dinner at 2293 Mission St., San Francisco USA

Tonkatsu (Fried Pork Cutlet) with egg and sauce: with rice, miso soup, pickled cucumber, and cold mix-veggies over tofu (Tamago was supposed to be in that empty bowl...) $18

What do traditional Japanese meal tasted like? I am glad I was introduced to a Japanese Teishoku Pop-up Dinner in San Francisco tonight. Teishoku means "meal set" and typically includes items like rice, miso soup, a main dish, side dish and pickled vegetables. It's simple dishes, but was prepared with great care. Let me tell you how the dinner went!

Taiyaki at May's Coffee Shop, San Francisco USA

Taiyaki $2

This snack shop is located inside Japan Center. It has a large Taiyaki drawing at the front of shop. There are two flavors: chocolate or red bean. Also, I recommend coming at the morning so you can get fresher Taiyaki. From what the set-up tells me, it seems like they make a bunch in the morning and leave it at the front.

Dorayaki, Kusa-mochi, and Gen-mai-cha at Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco USA

Dorayaki 銅鑼焼き (Japanese Pancake with Red Bean Paste Filling) $3.25

Kusa-mochi 草餅 $4.95

It is the oldest public Japanese tea garden in the United States. If you are into Japanese tea garden as well as tea house, this is a very beautiful and relaxed place to visit. The garden features classic Japanese tea garden as well as architecture such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds and a zen garden. In March and April, beautiful cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden.

Tamago, Sashimi, and maki-sushi at Tani's Kitchen, Daly City USA

Hamachi $3.25 & Tamago Nigiri $2.5

Assorted Sashimi: hamachi, tuna, salmon, octopus $8.95

Negihama $3.25, Spicy Tuna $3.25, & Salmon & Avocado $3.25

Hearing from a friend, Tani's Kitchen is famous for their tamago. Although they use a very common way of making tamago-yaki, the piece is quite tasty and well-balanced: nor too sweet or salty. It is also still very spongy with moisture. (they use 2 layers of cloth and bamboo rolling mat to keep tamago from drying out) Since the sushi shop is fairly small, the wait for this place is inevitably long: around 20-35 minutes.

Umami Burger at Umami, San Francisco USA

Umami Burger: parmesan frico, shiitake mushroom, roasted tomato, caramelized onions, Umami house ketchup

Tonight, I tried the umami burger with medium rare steak. It is quite tasty with the Umami house ketchup, which is rather savory than sour. Overall the burger blends very well with all the veggies, especially the roasetd tomatoes.

*** Seafood Dishes at Saison, San Francisco USA

Sea Urchin over liquid toast

It was a great night at the three-Michelin-starred Saison, enjoying the 18-course meal with many well-known foodies from all over the world. This is my second time at Saison and their amazing dishes still surprised me with wonders. Above are only a few courses that introduce similar Japanese-related dishes.

Ivan Ramen at Bar Tartine, San Francisco USA

Ivan's Classic Shio Ramen: whole chicken dashi broth, rye noodle, kuro buta belly, 6 minute egg

Sofrito Mazemen: rye noodle, kuro buta belly, iriko katsuo dashi, 6 minute egg

Tonight, Bar Tartine had a collaboration with the famous NewYork's Ivan Ramen. This is only a one-night event, and I am very exciting to share my dining experience! Although the exterior of Bar Tartine appears very plain, once you step inside, the restaurant is actually very nice with beautiful interior design and decorations. Since it was a prepaid reservation ($54), I get to try many of their small dishes.

Sushi, Monkfish Liver, and Tamago at Wako, San Francisco USA

あんきもポン酢 Monkfish Liver Pate in Ponzu Gelée

Wako is one of the best sushi restaurants in the Bay Area. [Update: Wako received their first Michelin star in 2016!] There are eight sushi bar seating and only 5-7 tables available. It is highly recommended to take reservation before visit. The restaurant is once again introduced by Jason, and the dining experience completely blew my mind.

For appetizer, I ordered a Monkfish Liver. Personally, I am not a fan of intestines because of the fishy taste. However, the Monkfish Liver really surprised me and changed my view of intestine-type of food. It is very soft and well-marniated. It does not taste too salty or tasteless. It is perfect.

Tonkotsu Ramen at Izakaya Sozai, San Francisco USA

Tonkotsu ramen, soft pork belly in skewer, fried garlic chips, scallions

Izakaya Sozai is a small Japanese Yakitori bar/restaurant, so a long wait is inevitable. A good way to avoid long line is to go early right before they open or before restaurant is closed.. Other than small Japanese dishes and Yakitori, they only serve one type of ramen: Tonkotsu Ramen.

The broth is very thick and creamy that it already forms a layer of fat on the surface of the ramen. (It was a chilly night) I personally really like the broth; however the noodle is what disappointed me. It is just like the Korean instant noodle, which will get soggy quickly. Pork belly is soft inside, and a little harden on the outside.

Ramen or Crepe at Japantown, San Francisco? (USA)

I love ramen, but I still couldn't find ramen at Japantown in San Francisco good tasting. I had tried different places including Mifune Restaurant, Sapporo-Ya, Mifune Don, and others that I don't even remember their restaurant names.

Miso Ramen at Mifune Don

But if you ever pass by Japantown, I would definitely suggest getting some delicious ice cream crepes at Sophie's Crepe or if you like the cute ones, go to Belly Good Cafe!

Strawberry Ice Cream Crepe at Belly Good Cafe

Shoyu Ramen at Katana-Ya in San Francisco USA

Shoyu Ramen

I discover this place from Yelp. It was a 30-45 minute wait for a group of 5 people. Katana-Ya is a small Japanese-owned ramen house. I ordered a Shoyu Ramen; however, I feel a lot more appreciate with their side dish, sashimi rice bowl, rather than their popular ramen. Tonkotsu slices are not firm without the proper tenderness and the broth is average. Ramen noodles can be easily found at any Japanese grocery stores. I don't think I will come back again for their ramen.