Japantown Guide

[kare_raisu]

I have the hope of assembling a sort of archived post to which people can add good dishes at ___ restaurant in J-town - as well as what to avoid. Any tips on food-related shopping such as certain sozai at Nijiya would also be appreciated.

Tanpopo:
-Chahan
-Gyoza
- Ramen broth

[liujenny]

Mum Cafe: Shabu-Shabu (all you can eat)

[Carrie 218]

I didn't mention it as they are not open for lunch, but it is another great suggestion for local dinners. Other dinners in the immediate neighborhood include Powell's for pricey southern food and Aunt Sheba's and Rassela's for Ethiopian.

[Carrie 218]

Best sushi (in order):
Kiss - reservations *heartily* suggested (walk-ins are occasionally available, but rarely)
Fuku
Ino

Hidden gem:
Kappa - reservations required.

Masquerading as Japanese and to be avoided:
Juban - billing itself as a Japanese BBQ but serving Korean kimchee sides, expensive and best to be avoided.

Best all-around menu with stand-out fresh shrimp from the tank:
Takara

Expensive-but-worth-it:
Maki

Best noodles:
Suzu

Okay for mid-day lunch as they serve all day:
Osakaya

[K K]

Shouldn't yakiniku places (Juban is one I suppose) serve kimchee? I mean if Ryowa ramen and Maruichi ramen in Mountain View, authentic ramen-ya's serve kimchee, I don't see why not.

After all yakiniku was modeled after Korean BBQ.

But Juban at least has tan-shio (beef tongue slices) which is a rare find even at most Korean BBQ places in the Bay Area.

Agreed that this is not a cheap place.

[choctastic]

Who cares if they serve kimchee since it's never very good anyway?

I kid btw.

[muimi07]

I disagree with you about Juban. Juban serves Japanese style yakiniku, essentially Japan's take on Korean BBQ. Korean side dishes at Juban are NOT out of place. But yeah, it's pretty damned expensive but pretty tasty. It's a place I'd recommend if a person budget allows since there's wagyu beef on the menu for grilling. Yummy.

[Carrie 218]

Then I was mistaken - I had no idea that Korean sides would be the norm at a Japanese yakiniku. It seemed odd for me and I appreciate the correction.

But, yes, it is pretty darned expensive for what one gets...

[Cynsa]

Kissako Tea:
Ujikintoki shaved ice
Ginger Green Tea
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/441497

[augustiner]

maki is famous for their unique wappa-meshi, but they have lots of specials that aren't on the menu, and which they won't necessarily volunteer to tell you about when you order, so ask. some of the most memorable of these for me include their buta no kakuni, and this eggplant dish broiled with a sweet miso, minced duck sauce.

[augustiner]

oops. it doesn't make sense that i replied to cynsa's post instead of kare_raisu's. anyways, apart from japanese food..

san wang has pretty decent jjajangmyon, or zha jiang mian.

while it's not a restaurant, the woori korean market on fillmore and geary has good kimchi and ready made panchan.