By Lars Tramilton
San Francisco is a northern California city that is one of the most cosmopolitan metropolises in the
United States. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country due to attractions such as Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco has a sizable Japanese population and even has a Japanese neighborhood, known as Japantown. As a result, the city has a lot of excellent Japanese restaurant options.
Kitaro Japanese Restaurant
Kitaro Japanese Restaurant is on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco, and serves both sushi and hot entrees. Some examples of sushi items available at Kitaro are salmon roe (ikura), cucumber roll (kappa maki), and chirashi sushi combination platters. Popular hot dishes at this laid-back Japanese restaurant include chicken teriyaki, vegetable tempura, chicken katsu, and vegetable udon. The restaurant also offers to-go service, as well as party trays for parties and events.
Kitaro Japanese Restaurant
5732 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 386-2777
http://kitarosushi.com/kitaro/
Osaka
Osaka is a popular San Francisco Japanese restaurant that is on Fillmore Street. The restaurant is reasonably priced (bento dinners are about $16) and has a diverse menu, comprising everything from sushi and sashimi to grilled yakimono and udon noodles. The dessert menu includes some Japanese favorites as well, such as green tea and tempura ice cream. Cold and hot sakes are also available at Osaka.
Osaka
1923 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 346-6588
osakaonfillmore.com
Ozumo
Ozumo is a contemporary Japanese restaurant on Steuart Street in San Francisco. The restaurant has a sushi bar, sake lounge, and regular dining area. The decor of the restaurant is sleek, and the lighting is dim. The dinner menu includes omakase, hot pots, and agemono. Sushi and sashimi are available both at the sushi bar and in the dining room. Various types of hot teas, like sencha green tea and a caffeine-free herbal "Zen Blend," are available.
Ozumo
161 Steuart St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 882-1333
www.ozumo.com
Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar
Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar is on California Street and is a relaxed sushi bar that also serves hot appetizers, such as deep-fried crab croquettes and baked mussels (covered in spicy Japanese mayonnaise). There are some vegetarian specialties available at the sushi bar as well, such as the popular reggae roll, which consists of cucumber, asparagus tempura, shaved pumpkin, and tomato. The roll is topped with pieces of avocado.
Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar
2815 California St.
San Francisco, California 94115
(415) 931-1182
www.tatakisushibar.com
Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge
Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge is a Japanese-style tapas (appetizers) restaurant on Irving Street. The restaurant is interesting in that it blends typical Japanese pub grub with the concept of small tapas dishes from Spain. Some of the popular menu items available at Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge are chicken yakitori, wasabi chicken, deep-fried mushrooms stuffed with salmon, deep-fried tofu, onigiri, and cooked hijiki.
Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge
1500 Irving St.
San Francisco, California 94122
(415) 681-7150
www.sozaisf.com
About the Author:
Lars Tramilton has been writing professionally since 2007. His work has appeared in a variety of online publications, including CareerWorkstation. Tramilton received a bachelor's degree with a focus on elementary education from Kean University.
