Izakaya Sozai
ភោជនីយដ្ឋាន អង្គុយចុះ 1500 Irving St, សាន់ហ្វ្រាន់ស៊ីស្កូ, កាលីហ្វ័រញ៉ា, 94122-1909, ស.រ.អ
21 Photos
Features
- លមយយ: Yes
- សេវាកម្មតារាង: Yes
- រទេះរុញអាចចូលដំណើរការបាន: Yes
Contact & Hours
1500 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122-1909
Opening Hours
- Sunday: 17:00-22:00
- Monday: 17:30-22:00
- Tuesday: 17:30-22:00
- Wednesday: 17:30-22:00
- Thursday: 17:30-22:00
- Friday: 17:30-23:00
- Saturday: 17:00-23:00
Nearby Attractions
Reviews (28)
Frais et délicieux
Je suis tombé dessus par hasard, et quel plaisir ce fut ! C'était simple, frais et authentique. La cuisine ouverte est un + Le service impeccable J'aimerais qu'ils soient à Strasbourg en France pour pouvoir y retourner !
Good Izakaya in a great location
I know Izakayas are different in Northern California, compared to Japan, so I will review based on the local definition. We went for the skewers. The food was served cold; rather than the warm ready skewers being brought out as soon as they are ready. The food was good, staff were friendly. I guess much like other places a little understaffed. I also wish that they offered a choice between teriyaki sauce and just sea salt for seasoning. I thought the sashimi was fresh and amazing. The bacon wrapped enoki was creative and delicious. The tako wasabi hit the mark. The Sake was overpriced. But the house options worked well; especially the Otokoyama carafe. We enjoyed the experience, but it fell a little short of 5 stars. We will be back; so that's a ringing endorsement.
Go!
Dropped in late night for dinner, service was accommodating and food options plentiful and delicious. I liked the day menu options, tried new things and have found my new place for Japanese food. Lover of sushi, tacos, tapas this is the place to relax and enjoy.
yakitori cravings super satisfied
ordered several yakitoris and ramen and others and everything was spectacular! flavorful and cooked to perfection! chicken skin, heart, gizzards pork jowl beef tongue
Excellent ramen / food for people that know what they want (and like)
I've been looking for a " good " (as opposed to " OK ") ramen place in SF for years. Not one of those overdone " Food Network " ultra-spicy or miso / shoyu ramen places with broth having a consistency of runny peanut butter, just a well executed bowl of ramen cooked just right. Izakaya Sozai is the place that I've been looking for. They also do an excellent job of taking traditional Japanese flavors (with fresh ingredients, prepared just right) and introducing a bit of additional flavor to kick things up a (tasteful) notch. This is not a place for the swanky high-maintenance " foodie " crowd that expects the waiter to provide a long-winded description of the preparation of each dish (along with the genetic lineage of every ingredient). The decor is also rather spartan in a way that basically says " it's about the food stupid! " I also appreciate that, unlike many restaurants in SF, I don't have to spend the entire meal screaming my conversation so that I can be heard over the constant din of the crowded dining room (the dining room is small, so get there early). I'll definitely be back.
Sooooo overrated
Seems like a 'cool' place for cool people. But if you want real food with some service this is not the place. The server didn't explain the specials which we written on the board which was not readable given the lighting and size of the writing. After that my order was served without napkins and chopsticks! Amazing. Had to keep asking. Finally some how along the way the remen chef 'had an accident and we had to wait more than 45 mins to get the ramen, while I had already finished mine. Grilled squid also took same amount of time. Only received apologies but didn't offer any appetizers to kill the wait time. Definitely over rated
Worst experience, bad treatment and service
Worst service and treatment we got in years, which cannot be compensated by any good dish they have in their menu! We travelled with 2 toddlers and arrived 5' late from our intended reservation, but called ahead to let them know about our late arrival. They responded with a go-ahead and that they would hold our table for 10'. When we got there, our table had been taken, and we had to wait for at least 30' with my kids who were already starving. When a table opened up, we knew that we were next and asked the waitress if we could sit there, because my kids had been standing for over 30' by then (no where to sit while waiting). One of the waitresses (female), with her super b*tc*y attitude said that that table was intended for someone else, even though she knew that we were next that that our kids were tired and hungry. The whole night, that female waitress treated us with a crumpled and sour face, not even once, she smiled! The service was extremely bad, slow and unfriendly overall. We had to ask numerous times for water and utensils to the point that we got up and got the utensils ourselves, but of course, that gesture made that awful waitress showed even more unpleasant attitude. We consider ourselves foodies, have travelled all over the world and dined at all sorts of restaurants, but this experience left us bewildered, angry and disappointed. We noticed that Sozai receives some good food reviews, but unless they can start treating their customers with decency, they should not expect to survive! Hope no one has to experience what we experienced, there are plenty of great Japanese restaurants in SF, that you should give this one a miss.
Awesome Ramen
Heard about this spot from locals. Everyone said they have great Ramen. We had to try. They were right the ramen is excellent. The ramen broth is so tasty with an abundance of flavor. The noodles are not over cooked and they add a soft boiled egg for more flavor. This is a wonderful place everyone in the area should visit.
Disappointed but full
If you've been to Izakaya then you know it's delicious. The food is always great. The ladies that serve the cuisine are lovely but dining alone they should pick up on the lonely / bored vibe and be a little more social. My only complaint, I felt ignored. Dining in numbers is always better as u get to try more dishes. Still one of my favorites and one of the few Japanese restaurants that does yakatori in SF Bay Area.
Really great food
We went for late night bites and were all very happy. I had a couple skewers, all of which were great. My son has soft-shell shrimp and ended up ordering a second plate, and my daughter and husband both had the ramen and loved it. Service was nice, if a little slow. The atmosphere was great and the way they used the curtains to create the look of an Izakaya bar was great.
Best ramen in SF
Broth in the ramen was amazing, aswell as the fried eggs on the side. They didn't have chashu but the substitute pork worked good aswell, although otherwise it would have been a 10 / 10
A highlight of our trip to San Francisco
Sought out this restaurant for its spicy tuna on crispy rice. According to our server, their chef invented the dish. Among the best I've had, so I believe her. Arrived for an 8pm reservation and had to wait 20 minutes _ we were fairly compensated with complimentary drinks and dessert. Staff was incredibly friendly. Great selection of sake. Would highly recommend this restaurant to travelers and residents alike.
Great food ok service
Very yummy small plates. Cool take on Japanese regular dishes. Highly recommend. Make a reservation if u can.
Miglior Ramen di SF
Se vuoi mangiare da Izakaya devi munirti di pazienza, non prendono prenotazioni. È un ristorante di qualità e lo capisci subito dalla fila che trovi per entrare, è un ristorante piccolo, ma ne vale la pena aspettare il tuo turno. Personale accogliente e molto preparato. Oltre al menù standard ogni giorno propongono svariati piatti del giorno, tutti di ottima qualità. In questo ristorante si mangia il miglior ramen di San Francisco !! Hanno una buona selezione di sakè e birre asiatiche. Provatelo non ve ne pentirete.
overrated
Over the past few years, many ramen joints have been springing up in the area, but Izakaya Sozai has been around for a while. Izakaya are usually tapas like establishments in Japan, but it seems that the twist in the US is for these places to also serve ramen. This place always seems to get great reviews and there is always a line, even on weeknights. With great expectations, we decided to try a variety of their offerings. The taste is just not quite there. Too salty, not salty enough, flat. But the dishes are certainly Japanese. OK sake selection, but really overpriced. Some hard to find sake, and other mass market labels.
Tasty ramen
Passed by this restaurant numerous times and decided to make a dinner reservation. The place is tiny but very popular. Reservations a must or you'll be waiting in line forever. We ordered the wasabi marinated raw octopus - this was too raw for me but was able to eat it with the warm sake. The chicken skin (skewered) was so delicious that we ordered another one. The ritsu tonkatsu ramen with pork belly was so tasty - the flavors were amazing. I'll probably come back for the grilled whole squid. I saw that while we were seated at the bar. Busy kitchen.
Agedashi Tofu will blow you away
BF and I were invited here with some local friends. Reservations are key since the wait is crazy. And be on time (unlike us) cuz they will give away your table. Luckily, they were able to still squeeze us in! Cute little Japanese Izakaya spot with a large menu and daily specials. Service was very friendly and helpful, and pretty fast considering how busy they were. Food was all pretty good, with some stellars. -The Agedashi Tofu is the best I've ever had. Hands down. Delicious Dashi sauce, perfect texture. Amazing. -Grilled Whole Squid with spicy aioli was surprisingly good! Not too chewy, with just the right hint of citrus and amount of flavor. -Pork Jowl and Chicken Thigh yakitori were divine - so much flavor and richness in the marbled fat and meat -Chicken gizzard was crunchy and well cooked -Pork Tonkotsu Ramen - interesting flavors and very filling. Very savory. Nice selection of Asian beers too, including my all time fave Asahi Black.
海外で味わえる、本格的な日本の居酒屋
会社の先輩方に、新年会も兼ねて招待頂いたとき、行きました。 お店の雰囲気は、まさに日本の居酒屋で、久々に落ち着いた雰囲気で食事を取ることができました。注文したメニューは、タコワサ、大根サラダ、軟骨唐揚げといった居酒屋定番のものばかりかもしれませんが、海外在住の長い私にとって、非常に懐かしい味で、とても幸せでした。あと、しめに、ここの豚骨ラーメンを食べましたが、結構美味しかったです。
A lively, enjoyable izakaya
Sozai always has a long line in front, and for good reason. People pack in to this small neighborhood spot for excellent food and sake. We were very impressed with the dishes we tried: a creamy eggplant dish, a deep fried head of garlic, chicken skewers, delicious ramen to conclude. And their flight of 3 sakes for $12 was reasonably priced. A very enjoyable evening.
Formerly known as Sozai Rest and Sake Lounge, this place has the best Ramen in SF!
There are a bunch of Trip Advisor reviews for this place under Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge, but posting this under its actual name: Izakaya Sozai. This is the quintessential Izakaya or Japanese Gastro-Pub. It is hidden away in the inner sunset district, and has spectacular food. First the negatives: The place gets really crowded, and is small: I would not recommend going without reservations. Without reservations, you can easily wait an hour or more at peak times. While it is small, they seem understaffed, with two staff covering the entire room. So service can be a little slow. Parking is a bear in the neighborhood. It is hit and miss. Now the positives: Ohhhh, the food! The Ramen (make sure to get with extra pork belly) is served at the end of the meal, and is spectacular. Did I say it was spectacular? Two people can share a bowl. Pre-ramen, there are a large number of small plates - grilled specials, sushi / sashimi, etc. The grilled eggplant, shishito peppers, yellow tail collar, grilled fish of any kind are memorable. Great Sake selection, and reasonably priced sake flight.
Inner Sunset Gem
Izakaya Sozai is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. If you plan to go there make sure you have a reservation or you can expect a wait for up to an hour. The space is small and once it's full the noise level can be deafening. The fun starts once you're seated. The menu is quite limited but then what really stand out are its specials that change periodically. The price is quite fitting for small plate dishes but the quality of its ingredients is beyond expectations. I don't drink but most people seem to be ordering its sake sampler so that must mean something good. The waitstaff is very nice and friendly. LOVE it here!!!
Exquisite tonkatsu ramen!
This restaurant is called Izakaya Sozai. It serves mouth watering yakitori small plates and out of this world tonkatsu ramen. There's just one ramen on the menu (with optional add-ons) but it is a creamy, flavorful, exquisite and memorable bowl of some of the best ramen you'll ever eat. Popular with locals and foodies, this tiny gem is a must-go! But make sure you have a reservation or come around opening (otherwise be prepared to wait over an hour as seating is limited).
Best ramen in SF!
I love this place. Izakaya Sozai not only serves up the best bowl of ramen in SF, but also offers a delicious variety of Japanese tapas. The place is quite small for its popularity, but at least it accepts reservations. You can also see if getting in right before they open will help with quicker seating. What you should get: * Ritsu tonkotsu ramen: Best tonkotsu broth I've had in the US. The bamboo shoots are crunchy. The basic meat is okay. And the noodles could probably use some more sponginess. But the real trick is to get the add-ons. The garlic chips are a must. The fried braised pork belly is amazing. And the fried egg... this is a game changer. Think soft boiled egg with a fried croquette covering. Yea, that's right... * Monkfish liver: Never had it this way, but it rocks. Toasted bread with sweet sauce and strawberry. * Takoyaki: Not fully tako, but always got to take advantage wherever it's offered. * Skewers: Can't go wrong with any of the choices, but there are some fun ones like bacon wrapped mochi and bacon wrapped okra. * Karaage: Can't go wrong with a staple dish. * Grilled squid: The aioli sauce enhances the taste. * Check the specials Avoid the uni cream PEI mussels. I think Izakaya Sozai has better uni-based dishes if you're craving uni. Service can be somewhat spotty due to their busyness, but you'll forget once you get your food.
Yummy food. Ramen is not " too big for one person "
don't be fooled when they tell you the ramen bowl is too big and should be shared. I think they say this so you can order 20 other small dishes. The bowl is $10 and perfect for a hungry person. Food is all around good. Staff is nice.
Good Tapas Average Ramen
After reading about their great Ramen, R decided we should go and try it maybe I change my opinion about Ramen. See he is a Ramen fanatic but me I don't see all the fuss about it. We started with some small plates to share between us. We had the wasabi tuna tartare and fried lotus root. The plate was shiny and clean in just few minutes. Yup, it's that good. We also had two sea snails. It was the first time I have them and liked them. They taste exactly like a big snail. We ordered beef tongue skewers, and those were the highlight of the dinner. Real succulent and delicious! And the last small plate was the fried oysters. They were good even though two of them were a bit bitter. As for the Ramen, well it was mehh. Not only in my opinion even R didn't see what everyone was fussing about. The pork was delicious in it, and the egg was the best R had. Overall he gave it a 3.5 stars. It was good but not mind blowing.
Great Izakaya
This place is always busy. You better not show up without a reservation or expect to wait an hour and half, for noodles ? Not worth the wait. Their strength is their side dishes and good selection of sake. This is a typical Japanese Izakaya not a noodle shop. Yet, many of the customers are eating noodles. Save the noodles for a hangover. Try the grilled and fried foods such as grilled chicken tendon and cartilage, as well as their hamachi carpaccio, spicy tuna, grilled clams, and specials. You won't be disappointed.
Wonderful Ramen
Came to this restaurant on a recommendation from my nephew. The ramen was excellent. Service was good. The restaurant itself was very crowded, had to wait 45 minutes for a table around 7 pm. Very cramped and loud. Not a place for an intimate dinner. Had to park 2 blocks away.
Izakaya Sozai- One of the Best Ramen in San Francisco
If you are craving Ramen in San Francisco, then Izakaya Sozai is the place to go. The restaurant is small and cozy. They served some of the best ramen (if not the best) ramen you can find in San Francisco. You can choose, soy, miso or tonkotsu soup base. They open at 5 pm, so if you have no reservations, go when they open. Otherwise waiting time is usually 1 hour. They have a lot of other items on the menu, almost like side dishes you can order to go with ramen or instead of ramen. Note: I give overall rating of 4 stars which is the highest I will give for any restaurant in this category.