Joshua Yuan

Walked in with 2 other friends around 6pm on a Friday and it looked busy inside so we thought we'd have to give up and just wait, but turns out there was a booth in the back just perfect for us since our whole party was all here. The server was super helpful and the menu was pretty fun. You'll know what I mean when you see it. The food comes out fast and isn't huge servings so watch out for your wallet. The fried chicken cartilage was my favorite. Everything was super good though. Yay! --- came back to their new location which is a lot more spacious and brighter and was easy to get seated for a group of 3. Food was good but not as great as I remembered but I'd still go back and enjoy it!!

Greg Albrecht

Very fun bustling Japanese restaurant with all kinds of tasty bites. We really enjoyed the happy hour from 5-6. The only downside was the tables are so close together and the music is really loud. Our favorite items were the calamari and the chicken thigh skewers.

Rachel Way

Small in size but big in flavor and service! We arrived a couple minutes after opening and few tables were almost full. Your party needs to be in full attendance to be seated. Fortunately, we were able to grab a 2 chair table with a small bench along the walk for myself, husband, and baby in carseat. The host/waitress was very friendly and efficient without coming across as rushing us. HH deals were offered until 5:30 which gave a discount of about $2-3 off a variety of dishes. Great small plates and easy to share with others. Overall delicious flavors. The skewers had a nice char and smoke to them. Seafood tasted very fresh and the food was delivered quickly! Definitely would go back again to try more.

Small and cozy place with delicious small plates and great variation. Tried pineapple infused beer ❤️ skewers, and dumpling were also delicious. Favorite is uni, which is hard to beat 😄 Edit: 8/22/2023 Tried the special Tokyo surf’n’turf which was melting in mouth, so delicious. Also hope that salted egg fried chicken wings will finds its way to permanent menu, crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. Delicious!

+6

Small in size but big in flavor and service! We arrived a couple minutes after opening and few tables were almost full. Your party needs to be in full attendance to be seated. Fortunately, we were able to grab a 2 chair table with a small bench along the walk for myself, husband, and baby in carseat. The host/waitress was very friendly and efficient without coming across as rushing us. HH deals were offered until 5:30 which gave a discount of about $2-3 off a variety of dishes. Great small plates and easy to share with others. Overall delicious flavors. The skewers had a nice char and smoke to them. Seafood tasted very fresh and the food was delivered quickly! Definitely would go back again to try more.

+6

Very fun bustling Japanese restaurant with all kinds of tasty bites. We really enjoyed the happy hour from 5-6. The only downside was the tables are so close together and the music is really loud. Our favorite items were the calamari and the chicken thigh skewers.

Walked in with 2 other friends around 6pm on a Friday and it looked busy inside so we thought we'd have to give up and just wait, but turns out there was a booth in the back just perfect for us since our whole party was all here. The server was super helpful and the menu was pretty fun. You'll know what I mean when you see it. The food comes out fast and isn't huge servings so watch out for your wallet. The fried chicken cartilage was my favorite. Everything was super good though. Yay! --- came back to their new location which is a lot more spacious and brighter and was easy to get seated for a group of 3. Food was good but not as great as I remembered but I'd still go back and enjoy it!!

+6

Excellent Japanese restaurant with an all around menu, hand rolls, sizzling plates, an amazing pork chili fried rice, sashimi rolls, a broad yakitori choice … totally awesome selection which is super tasty, the right spiciness and super fresh ingredients. And great sake wine list.

Everything was delicious, very good and fast service, would definitely visit again! The dishes were all very creative and unique, but well executed with very good flavors and textures. The wait was about an hour for 4 people on a Friday night for peak dinner hours, which isn’t that bad IMO. We just went around the corner to Garden Creamery to get small ice creams real quick while we waited. We ordered what felt like half the menu, and it ended up being about $100/person, but we also got a couple of bottles of sake plus dessert and we were definitely full after. The “NYC Big Mac” was extra decadent, I’d suggest no more than one per person just to try it! They are very rich. Our favorite dish was the okonomiyaki, which was a perfectly puffy savory pancake with seafood and sauces on top. We’ve been to Japan a few times and the food here definitely hits a lot of the flavors, and the quality of the ingredients and the preparation is very high — nothing tasted like it came out over or under-cooked, just all awesome. Our server was also very kind and friendly, food came out hot and quickly, but was coursed out nicely so we were never left waiting, which felt like an accomplishment given how much we had ordered + how busy they were. Please note that this place is quite small, I believe 6-7 tables, with only 2 tables able to accommodate more than 4 people, so if you have a larger group do put your name on the waitlist early! Lastly, they have fun quirky signs all over, including on the menu, and the whole place just has a fun, happy vibe, with energetic music playing over their speakers inside (it’s not a quiet place inside, but we didn’t have to shout or strain to have a normal conversation). I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as we did :)

+6

We stumbled upon Chome while just walking past in San Francisco’s Mission district, and decided to check it out for dinner. We walked in no reservations or wait and were seated right away. This quirky Japanese izakaya feels like a hidden gem in the neighborhood, and it was the perfect spot for a casual, flavorful meal. ATMOSPHERE: This cozy spot channels a quirky, offbeat vibe in the Mission think intimate seating with about 20-30 spots in its expanded location on 26th Street, simple wooden tables, dim lighting, and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs grill over binchotan charcoal. The decor is minimalist and charming, with that neighborhood izakaya feel lively during dinner but never too crowded, drawing a mix of locals and foodies. Perfect for a relaxed evening out in SF. MENU: The menu is eclectic and fun, focusing on robatayaki (charcoal-grilled skewers of meats, veggies, and seafood), creative nigiri and handrolls, ramen options like fiery lobster or vegan varieties, and small plates including karaage, edamame, and desserts. They’ve got sake, beer, and cocktails to pair, with prices around $8-15 for skewers and $20-30 for larger dishes no strict omakase, but plenty of quirky twists on Japanese pub fare. FOOD: Assorted Robatayaki Skewers These were the highlight, with a mix of grilled items like tender beef, chicken with spicy mayo, bacon-wrapped dates or enoki, brussels sprouts in creamy sauce, pork belly with lemon, and shiitake mushrooms all charred perfectly over binchotan for that smoky depth. Each skewer had unique toppings and sauces juicy, flavorful, and creative without being overcomplicated. A great shareable platter that showcases their grilling skills; we’d order this again for the variety and balance. Nigiri Selection We got a plate of fresh nigiri bites, including tuna with microgreens and yuzu, salmon topped with tobiko and pineapple, fatty toro with avocado, and a tartare-style ahi all on perfectly seasoned rice wrapped in nori. The fish was high-quality and melt-in-your-mouth, with fun, unexpected flavor combos that elevated the classics. Fresh, vibrant, and portioned just right for sharing amazing for sushi lovers seeking something quirky. Matcha Pavlova Dessert To end, this light and refreshing treat featured a fluffy meringue topped with matcha powder, set in a green matcha sauce, and surrounded by fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and dragonfruit, garnished with mint. It was creamy yet airy, with a nice tart-sweet contrast from the fruits and subtle bitterness from the matcha not too heavy after a savory meal, and a creative twist on a classic dessert. SERVICE: No reservations needed for small groups, and we were helped right away on a weekday. The staff were super friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recs on skewer pairings and pacing the meal well. TIPS: Reservations for parties of 4 or more via text a day ahead, as it can get busy. They’re closed Mondays and open for happy hour early evenings check for specials like discounted skewers. Parking in the Mission is street-only and tricky, so use public transit or rideshare. Customize your order with extra sauces, and pair with sake for the full izakaya experience. OVERALL: Was it worth the visit? Absolutely. Chome delivers eccentric Japanese bites with standout skewers and a cozy Mission vibe that’s pure SF charm. We’ll be back for more robatayaki next time we’re in town.

+6

Friend invited me and was not disappointed. Everything was amazing! Have to come back and get more things on the menu! The skewers were probably my favorite. The fish super fresh! The lobster was also really good. My favorite thing though might have been this drink I had 2 of them haha Sucks that I don't live near here but will try to come by any time I can. Make sure you get there early, we arrived like 10 mins before anyone was there and the line got long fast! So be prepared! The service was fast and very friendly too.

+1

The food is incredible! The service is top-tier and not a single complaint! The servers were super attentive! They made sure our waters never ran lower, were very patient, provided awesome recommendations, and answered all our questions. So incredibly nice! The food was incredible! Seafood dynamite took the cake! The fried shrimp and onions with the sauces they used were heavenly. I would definitely recommend it - 9 out of 10! The chicken skewers were incredibly flavorful! They were well cooked with a great charred flavor - 10 out of 10. The broccoli skewers were phenomenal! The seasoning with the charriness on it was nothing I’ve had before. 10 out of 10 would recommend it! Brussels sprouts were good, nothing special. 5 out of 10. The takoyaki were really good. The flavor was bold and really lingered. 8 out of 10. The sashimi sampler was really fresh and great! 8 out of 10. I love the aesthetic of the place. It is super clean, well decorated with awesome art! I would definitely check this place out. Especially during happy hour!

+4

Neighbourhood gem good selection of cocktails and sake & shochu and Japanese beer (bottled). Good for small groups, dates and celebration dinners. Skewers were freshly made, charred and well marinated. Good for sharing, especially with the skewer samplers and rice dishes. Has a good selection of hand rolls, sushi, ramen, and mainly izakaya small plates. Would recommend the combo 7 sampler skewers, handrolls & nigiri. The rice dishes looked good too. Walk-in only. Small space but well decorated. Festive. Hard to park in the neighborhood. Small plates can rack up the bill quick. Happy hour 5-5:45pm daily so get here early! Great attentive service.

+3

One of the most innovative restaurants I’ve been to in San Francisco! They refresh their menu constantly with the coolest Asian dishes. The servers are super nice and the food comes out quickly. Recommend the shiitake egg tofu, salted egg kabocha, and any of their carbonaras!

+4

This was one of the best meals I've had in a while. Good: - Super cute and unique decor, there were these cute cat paintings on the wall and the place has a homey feel. - The food came out very fast and the staff were great at explaining it - I loved the omurice and the tuna dish the most - the mango sushi was also so unique and good - All the dishes looked as good as they tasted - The lychee non alcoholic spritz was amazing too! Super refreshing with all the meat Bad: - The seating is a bit squished so it was hard to enter and exit our group table Overall would come again for the amazing tuna dish!

+5

This place is truly a gem. Innovative and so flipping delicious. We had a the long beans, kabocha squash, few sushi rolls, dumplings, shishito peppers, chicken heart yakitori and an ikura cabanara. WOW!!! Even the n/a pineapple beer was amazing. You can eat on the cheap or do it up! So much thought has been put into everything. They give you a compliantly potato salad and the signs and decor is hysterical (jokes everywhere) and charming. How special to go to a place like this. We were one of the last guests and got to meet Judy, one of the people behind the vision and the menu. What a delightful person and a true creative and entrepreneur. We can’t wait to come back! Thank you for an amazing dinner and experience Judy and team!!! ☺️

Ael Leahy

This place is truly a gem. Innovative and so flipping delicious. We had a the long beans, kabocha squash, few sushi rolls, dumplings, shishito peppers, chicken heart yakitori and an ikura cabanara. WOW!!! Even the n/a pineapple beer was amazing. You can eat on the cheap or do it up! So much thought has been put into everything. They give you a compliantly potato salad and the signs and decor is hysterical (jokes everywhere) and charming. How special to go to a place like this. We were one of the last guests and got to meet Judy, one of the people behind the vision and the menu. What a delightful person and a true creative and entrepreneur. We can’t wait to come back! Thank you for an amazing dinner and experience Judy and team!!! ☺️

Tiffany Young

Reviews and the menu looked great when we walked by it one night it happened to be closed so we were resolved to come back and try it to see if it could temper our cravings for the deliciousness of Japan we were missing after our umpteenth trip there earlier in the year. It has a nice vibe to be sure and an extensive drink menu. I'd say some things were hit and miss. Too pricey for the number of misses. As with any Japanese spot, even an izakaya, you expect a large menu like this to have some, but it's hard for me to forgive some of the kushiyaki skewers not actually being cooked properly (the shiitake mushrooms). The lamb skewers actual had an odor I couldn't ignore while eating it much to my sadness (could've been the pesto or yogurt they used unnecessarily that was off). The chicken skin I ordered was unexpectedly fried given it wasn't listed in that section to my recollection and tasted like chicharones. Chicken heart skewers were decent. I wouldn't write home about the hojicha panna cotta matcha sauce dessert sadly despite being a big fan of hojicha and matcha. The special mashed potato, fried cauliflower, spicy miso ramen was pretty good, but other reviewers who say this is the best ramen in town clearly haven't been to dedicated ramen establishments like Mensho, Marufuku, or Taishoken and were surely mistaken. I liked the "Yuzu Dream" was a pretty drink I got as it went nicely with the skewers I ordered, but for what it was and for $15, it was hard not to wince thinking about it. If it wasn't for the fact we were here for a birthday and I was in a spendy mood, I would feel a lot worse about our final bill. Would go again to try some other stuff as the menu looked really interesting and the staff was quick/efficient, but felt compelled to say the other reviews overhyped this place a bit too much. Overall, felt like a lot of dishes were over sauced or flavored to cater to the average diner and was sacrificing some genuinely deliciousness of what I miss from Japan. I know it's a tall order, but writing this to say this spot definitely leans slightly more in the Americanized side while being a nice refreshing take on the typical Japanese American restaurant you might find in San Francisco. Slightly.

Abbie N

We came in on a Wednesday around 5pm and no wait for a table of 4. Our favorites were the sushi nuggets, dirty cauliflower, and salmon hand roll. I did not like the coconut sake clams, I could still taste the alcohol in the broth.

We came in on a Wednesday around 5pm and no wait for a table of 4. Our favorites were the sushi nuggets, dirty cauliflower, and salmon hand roll. I did not like the coconut sake clams, I could still taste the alcohol in the broth.

Reviews and the menu looked great when we walked by it one night it happened to be closed so we were resolved to come back and try it to see if it could temper our cravings for the deliciousness of Japan we were missing after our umpteenth trip there earlier in the year. It has a nice vibe to be sure and an extensive drink menu. I'd say some things were hit and miss. Too pricey for the number of misses. As with any Japanese spot, even an izakaya, you expect a large menu like this to have some, but it's hard for me to forgive some of the kushiyaki skewers not actually being cooked properly (the shiitake mushrooms). The lamb skewers actual had an odor I couldn't ignore while eating it much to my sadness (could've been the pesto or yogurt they used unnecessarily that was off). The chicken skin I ordered was unexpectedly fried given it wasn't listed in that section to my recollection and tasted like chicharones. Chicken heart skewers were decent. I wouldn't write home about the hojicha panna cotta matcha sauce dessert sadly despite being a big fan of hojicha and matcha. The special mashed potato, fried cauliflower, spicy miso ramen was pretty good, but other reviewers who say this is the best ramen in town clearly haven't been to dedicated ramen establishments like Mensho, Marufuku, or Taishoken and were surely mistaken. I liked the "Yuzu Dream" was a pretty drink I got as it went nicely with the skewers I ordered, but for what it was and for $15, it was hard not to wince thinking about it. If it wasn't for the fact we were here for a birthday and I was in a spendy mood, I would feel a lot worse about our final bill. Would go again to try some other stuff as the menu looked really interesting and the staff was quick/efficient, but felt compelled to say the other reviews overhyped this place a bit too much. Overall, felt like a lot of dishes were over sauced or flavored to cater to the average diner and was sacrificing some genuinely deliciousness of what I miss from Japan. I know it's a tall order, but writing this to say this spot definitely leans slightly more in the Americanized side while being a nice refreshing take on the typical Japanese American restaurant you might find in San Francisco. Slightly.

+2

Modern Vibe with Solid Flavors Chome has a clean, contemporary feel that makes it a great place to unwind over a good meal. The menu offers a nice variety, and most of the dishes were flavorful and nicely presented. Ingredients tasted fresh, and the overall quality was consistent. While a few items didn’t leave a lasting impression, the dining experience as a whole was enjoyable. The service was friendly, and the relaxed atmosphere added to the appeal. It’s a great option if you're in the area and looking for a stylish spot with dependable food.

Kym Ikeda

Modern Vibe with Solid Flavors Chome has a clean, contemporary feel that makes it a great place to unwind over a good meal. The menu offers a nice variety, and most of the dishes were flavorful and nicely presented. Ingredients tasted fresh, and the overall quality was consistent. While a few items didn’t leave a lasting impression, the dining experience as a whole was enjoyable. The service was friendly, and the relaxed atmosphere added to the appeal. It’s a great option if you're in the area and looking for a stylish spot with dependable food.

Thanh Ngo

Food: came in for happy hour. We ordered: - chicken thighs (4/5) - salted egg chicken wings (3/5): my partner thought it was yummy, tastes too artificial to me. In their defense, I've had quite a lot of salted eggs things before - Chasu (4/5) smoky simple grilled meat. Was a little dry tho - Ankimo (5/5): will go very well with sake. A bit too much on its own. Still delicious, just takes time to savor it - Gyoza (4/5): I'm not typically a dumpling person but these are tasty and juicy. Will order again - Spicy tuna handroll (1/5) not fresh. Stay away at all cost Service (2/5): rude, rushed and seem bothered every time we asked for anything

Food: came in for happy hour. We ordered: - chicken thighs (4/5) - salted egg chicken wings (3/5): my partner thought it was yummy, tastes too artificial to me. In their defense, I've had quite a lot of salted eggs things before - Chasu (4/5) smoky simple grilled meat. Was a little dry tho - Ankimo (5/5): will go very well with sake. A bit too much on its own. Still delicious, just takes time to savor it - Gyoza (4/5): I'm not typically a dumpling person but these are tasty and juicy. Will order again - Spicy tuna handroll (1/5) not fresh. Stay away at all cost Service (2/5): rude, rushed and seem bothered every time we asked for anything

Mediocre food, but everything else was nice. Walked into a very cozy atmosphere, a bit chilly so we got a hot tea which was nice. As for food, Chutoro crispy rice sizzle thing: nice but rice and sweet sauce flavor are overpowering. The chutoro had a big tendon running through the middle making it hard to chew Oysters: very good! Sweet and umami, clean oysters. Maybe a tad too sweet Ocean chawanmushi "creme brulee" with crab and uni: this was was the most disappointing. Quite a small amount of egg, also tasted completely unseasoned. There was caramelized brown sugar just like creme brulee which was too much and I tried to remove, but couldn't. Duck skewers: pretty good Oxtail omurice: very underseasoned for me. Kind of heavy. Pretty good with some salt but not amazing. Overall was disappointed by the food, especially the ocean chawanmushi creme brulee. Everything else was good

I’ve been to this place three times. The premium prices for Sysco ingredients don’t match the quality, or the execution. Just about everything is overdone - not Japanese style at all - with way too many toppings, and the sushi tends to fall apart. The server constantly tried to upsell me (weirdly, more when I came alone), and even during posted happy hour times, I had to ask for a happy hour menu/prices. I’d feel less inclined to leave a poor review if the prices better matched the quality of the ingredients and the execution. That said, happy hour and sticking to their simplest dishes with the fewest ingredients is your best bet, but I would not go out of my way to come here - there are better offerings, close by, for these prices, if not cheaper.

Noah F

I’ve been to this place three times. The premium prices for Sysco ingredients don’t match the quality, or the execution. Just about everything is overdone - not Japanese style at all - with way too many toppings, and the sushi tends to fall apart. The server constantly tried to upsell me (weirdly, more when I came alone), and even during posted happy hour times, I had to ask for a happy hour menu/prices. I’d feel less inclined to leave a poor review if the prices better matched the quality of the ingredients and the execution. That said, happy hour and sticking to their simplest dishes with the fewest ingredients is your best bet, but I would not go out of my way to come here - there are better offerings, close by, for these prices, if not cheaper.

Carmen Phan

Food was mid for the price. Duck carbonara for $28 with 4 pieces of duck and bacon bits is crazy. The problem is the sashimi is not fresh and I still have a fishy after taste in my mouth when I left the restaurant. The popular item they have on the menu is the toro sizzler and that was a scam. It’s like 4 pieces of tuna seared in the sizzler, so am I eating raw fish or cooked fish and it tasted like fishy salmon and that’s $20. The pricing for the portion and food is ridiculous and the service was rushed. Feel uncomfortable eating and yet need to pay $110 for the food and still not full.

Food was mid for the price. Duck carbonara for $28 with 4 pieces of duck and bacon bits is crazy. The problem is the sashimi is not fresh and I still have a fishy after taste in my mouth when I left the restaurant. The popular item they have on the menu is the toro sizzler and that was a scam. It’s like 4 pieces of tuna seared in the sizzler, so am I eating raw fish or cooked fish and it tasted like fishy salmon and that’s $20. The pricing for the portion and food is ridiculous and the service was rushed. Feel uncomfortable eating and yet need to pay $110 for the food and still not full.