All the staff were so kind and the service was exceptional. Everything we ate was incredible and so full of flavor. I'd love to come back to try things I saw other tables order cause it all looked so good.

+2

This restaurant definitely lives up to its hype. We especially loved the beef tongue and the short ribs. The egg custard is so fluffy, it's a must try! Some of the dishes may have been a bit too salty for my taste bud but that may be a personal preference. :)

+4

We had a Monday (MDW) 8:15PM reservation and were seated quickly upon arrival. Service is great! Friendly and knowledgeable. We got the following: - Savory egg souffle (highly recommend) - Beef tartare with Asian pear (recommend) - House double-cut galbi (highly recommend but I think you can't go wrong with any of the BBQ options. The ssam and scallion salad is a must.) - Mugunji kimchi jjigae (recommend but I would like to try to kimchi soondubu jjigae or the 6-year one next time) - Spicy beef riblet tteokbokki (recommend but would be down to try the vegetable bibimbap next time). Also for this one I would like to note the meat is extremely tender. I swear you don't need teeth to chew it LOL - Coconut and Mango Bingsu - if I go back and could only order 1 thing from the menu, it would be this. Idk what it is about it, but it is just soooo yummy and fun to eat. It was the perfect amount of food for 4 people. Not too full. Did not order any alcohol.

+3

Reservations only. We nabbed the last one at 930pm. Perfect service, explained the menu, beautiful presentation and oh my goodness the meat... I'm not a huge meat eater but let me say.. the melt in your mouth orgasmic experience .. got me already looking to return.

+6

I really enjoyed eating at San Ho Wan. Every item was very high quality and delicious. We opted out of the Set Menu because we wanted to try different things and didn't particularly care for the second choice selection offered in the Set Menu. Also two of us didn't eat pork so that second item only really left us with one choice. I'm happy we did a la carte because we were able to try different things and didn't feel restricted. I really loved the tea they served in fact, I went out and bought some to take home. One gripe I did have is that they didn't serve house made kimchi like standard kimchi with the meal offered it would have been nice for this just to come standard at the table. They did have several custom kimchi items wwhich we tried the sesame leaf and that was really good! Just disappointed standard kimchi didn't come to the table. They did offer two small dishes the peanut and the other dish I forget the name but those were delicious! We ate as a party of 4 and my favorite items were: Galbi Mandu - Dumplings / pot stickers Prime Beef Rib Cap - Very tender and delicious Grilled TTeok - this was super nice with the sweetness they added Bulgogi - This was such a different bulgogi then I've had before it was loaded with flavor and spices not typical at kbbq places Double Cut Galbi - Super thick cuts of Galbi (usually they are so thin at KBBQ) and the sauce was on point Coconut Bingsu - this was also fantastic light dessert to finish the meal.

+3

Simplistic yet elegant decor. The food and service was wonderful! To me a must order: 1. Ssam to wrap your choice of meat (Center-cut Tongue, Galbi, and Jebi Churi); 2. Raw Beef Tartare; 3. Jebi Churi (Korean pancakes). If you are new to Korean cuisine they also have a set meal you can try.

Take your date to indulge in Michelin-level Korean BBQ! Here’s the scoop: My friend made a reservation at San Ho Won ages ago, but oops—only secured a spot for one person [facepalm]. Luckily, we scored a two-person opening at 7:30 PM and snagged a seat. The service? Top-notch! I’ve heard the hype about their BBQ, and it totally lives up to its Michelin reputation. Every cut of beef is cooked sous vide at 70°F for hours, then kissed by charcoal flames. The result? Mind-blowing flavor and texture. What We Ordered: We went with their House Omakase Menu, and here’s the breakdown: Appetizer: Sesame Tofu – Tiny portion served alongside banchan. Light, refreshing, and perfect to kick things off. Standouts: Steamed Egg in Broth – Unlike your typical Korean steamed egg, this came with a rich, flavorful broth. It hit all the right notes for me. Seafood Pancake – Small but satisfying, with two pieces per person. Beef Neck Filet – Insanely tender with no tough bits. The sous vide method worked wonders! If not for the short ribs, this would’ve been my favorite. Short Ribs (off-menu) – Pro tip: Order this! It’s no longer listed, but it’s a must-have. My friend insisted, and wow, was it worth it. Other Dishes: Bulgogi Ribeye – Generous portion, but not as exciting after the sous vide magic of the thicker cuts. Still a solid pick if you're hungry. Pan-Seared Mushrooms – An interesting addition, though my friend swore it was just oil [shrug]. Blue Crab Soybean Paste Stew – I was stuffed by the time this arrived, but the tangy kimchi and sweet crab combo was irresistible. It even came with rice! Dessert: Banana Ice Cream – Lightly sweet and refreshing, it’s the perfect way to cleanse your palate. Final Thoughts: Next time, I’m keeping it simple: short ribs and crab stew with maybe a steamed egg on the side. The sous vide-to-grill method blew me away—I’ve learned something new! If you’re a fan of bold, perfectly cooked beef, you’re in for a treat.

+6

Dined at San Ho Won earlier this week and it was fantastic. First, the interiors are absolutely gorgeous - a total sucker for natural wood paneling and details. The staff is super friendly and personable… super knowledgeable about the menu and provided great recommendations. As soon as you sit down at the table, they serve this chilled barley tea that’s super light and refreshing along with pickled cucumbers and (my new favorite snack 😄) roasted peanuts with candied shredded dried squid. My friends and I ordered the House menu along with the Mandu and Grilled Corn. While every dish was incredible, my couple of favorites were the grilled Beef Neck fillet and the Assorted Jeon and Clam Stew. The buckwheat soft serve was also a delicious close to the meal and quite unique to me. All in all, definitely recommend. Beautiful spot for a special occasion!

+6

The restaurant is known for its high-quality meats, expertly grilled at your table, and a menu that blends classic Korean flavors with contemporary touches. The ambiance is sleek and sophisticated, yet still welcoming, making it a great spot for both special occasions and casual dinners. With its attention to detail in both food and presentation, SAN HO WON provides a memorable dining experience for those looking to enjoy Korean cuisine in an upscale setting.

+1

On a chilly Saturday night, I had arrived to San Ho Won with my beautiful date. Unfortunately, I was only able to secure a 9:30 PM reservation a month ahead, however the place was still packed at that time. We had gone for the house menu, which was more than enough food for the 2 of us. The meal was sublime, from the deep rich flavors in each dish to the perfection of service. Genuinely one of the greatest meals I am yet to experience. I would definitely recommend coming and will surely be back myself.

+6

Fantastic experience. Worth the hype. Staff was so nice and professional. Food was absolutely spectacular. Would recommend to anyone visiting.

+4

My wife and I visited San Ho Won this evening as walk-ins. We are from out of state and threw together this trip last minute. San Ho Won blew our minds. My wife is Korean and has always complained about the lack of decent food options in the states for her home cuisine. She absolutely loved the food here. The house menu was perfectly paced, and the beef neck… my god. I myself lived in China for many years, and I have never had chili oil with Sichuan peppercorns that tasted as good as their house chili oil. Literally we have spent the last 3 hours trying to figure out how they make it. Fantastic service, too. They had a cancellation and offered the table to us. We never felt rushed. The whole place oozed relaxed charm.

Came here with a reservation and needed to wait about 5 minutes to get seated. I was sat at the bar in the back which could see into the open part of the kitchen which was fun to watch preparation and plating. I really enjoyed the pancake with mountain yam. I thought the lettuce/greens basket was fresh with good variety. Service was very friendly.

+1

Keeping traditional taste with the modernize visual effect requires exquisite planning and SHW acquired the taste of Korea and demonstrated in casual atmosphere.

For anyone looking for a Michelin experience with a modern twist on Korean cuisine, San Ho Won is a must-visit. San Ho Won in San Francisco delivers an extraordinary dining experience that reimagines Korean cuisine with an elegant, Michelin-starred flair. The moment you sit down, you know you’re in for something special. The Galbi here is pure perfection—tender, smoky, and bursting with rich flavor from hours of expert marination and grilling. Each bite melts in your mouth, and the seasoning is perfectly balanced, letting the beef shine without overpowering it. Their grilled tteok (rice cakes) are a delightful surprise, with a crispy exterior that gives way to a chewy, satisfying texture inside. It’s a dish that manages to be both nostalgic and innovative, reminding you of classic street food but with a refined twist. The Clam Doenjang Stew is another highlight. The broth is deeply savory, with the umami of the fermented soybean paste blending beautifully with the briny sweetness of the clams. It's a comforting dish that warms you from the inside out, rich and hearty without being heavy. San Ho Won masterfully combines tradition with modern techniques, creating dishes that are both soulful and sophisticated. The service is top-notch, and the ambiance adds to the experience with its minimalist yet inviting decor. If you’re looking for elevated Korean BBQ and flavors that leave a lasting impression, this restaurant is an absolute five-star destination.

+6

Went here for a friend's birthday and she had reserved the private room that accommodated 14 ppl. Service and food were excellent!! Everything from the Ban Chan to the salad and to the beef. The peanut and anchovies were pretty good. Omg the green onion pancake was sooo good. Can we talk a out the Mandu??? WOAH, fried crispy outer layer and tender inside. My favorite was the short ribs!! Tasted like Jackson Street beef jerky!! See pictures. I would definitely come back.

+6

A truly memorable meal. The house menu was generous for the price point and well-executed. Authentic flavors, broad range of offerings, beautiful presentation - we had a hard time picking our favorite dish. The service was attentive and engaging, and the setting was sleek yet cozy. We can’t wait to come back!

+4

After days of refreshing Tock, we finally snagged a 5pm reservation for 4 at San Ho Won on a Sunday. If you elect the house menu, the online reservation will ask for you to pay in advance with tax and tip (20% in April 2023) included. Comes out to about $135 per person, which, in our opinion, was worth every penny. All items were perfectly executed and presented. The meat courses, which for us were beef neck and beef short ribs, were extremely tender and flavorful. The fat from the short ribs was practically melting in our mouths. Do not hesitate to ask for more vegetables and sauces to balance out the richness of the meat. We elected the fried rice and kimchi jigae option. Both were delicious. Do not sleep on the sides -- the egg souffle was deeply savory with a tinge of heat. The house kimchi was fresh and flavorful. I could not stop eating the anchovy and peanuts side dish. The soft serve ice cream flavors, which were sweet corn and makgoli, were very well made with perfect silky texture. The wait staff were friendly, attentive, and professional. They promptly cleared dishes and refilled our teas.

+6

The best Korean BBQ I've ever had. Worth the extra money. Everything was very good. We'll definitely be coming back to try other things on the menu.

+6

Most of the food is very traditional, like I was away in college and my grandmother cooked all day. For example, I was excited to try exotic Western Mushrooms but instead, we received upside down button mushrooms with its liquid pooled up. As a Korean, very nostalgic and traditional, a cool trick my father did when eating KBBQ, but I thought I was going to receive something more elevated. And the best example is their Kimchi Stew. Just like my grandmother had sour kimchi and boiled it up. It's just meh in the best weh possible. I will eat here any day to have a real authentic Korean meal, there are strict rules that never strays from its roots. I thought the Tteokbokki was the best menu item, soft and pillowy. Portions are huge so I would avoid the soups and stews. Prices are very reasonable. Is this review negative or positive? Lots of Korean food is an "acquired taste" like fermented soybean stew and kimchi. Respect to San Ho Won for it's humble approach to Korean food. It's as if Korean food were a politician.

+3

This is one of my favorite restaurants in SF. Classic Korean dishes, the galbi is amazing, tender, perfectly seasoned. Every dish is thoughtful, balance and delicious. The jeon crispy & light. the rice dishes are full of flavor. Highly recommend, beautiful setting.

+2

As with every other review, this place was amazing. Best Korean food I've ever had. We had the tasting menu, and it was not something I regret. The beef cheek was incredibly tender, and the sauces they make are so flavorful. The egg souffle was incredibly light and tender. Amazing meal, amazing atmosphere, amazing night.

+2

We visited this place yesterday and the whole experience was wonderful! Flavors were all on point! We ordered quite a lot of food, and the waiter was kind enough to tell us it would be a lot so he suggested holding off on one soup dish. And he was right, we appreciated him letting us know the portions so that we could order appropriately. Service is top notch! Pork ribs were so tender! Kimchi was tasty, every dish was yum! Desserts hit the spot right. Loved it all! We definitely recommend visiting this restaurant if you love Korean BBQ!

My favorite restaurant in SF/bay area. High quality at good value in a casual upscale setting. Love sitting at the counter seating. Only been in as a 2 top, but a 4 top seems ideal to taste more food. The set menu with options is great value, but have ordered a la carte as well. Beef tongue and the soft serves are a must order.

+2

Came out full and so happy! San ho won delivered. All the food was presented beautifully. There was an elegant, elevated feel to the Korean food I know very well (I’m half Korean and have grown up eating it), but it maintained that cozy personal feel while eating it. The food, especially the 계란찜 filled me with such comfort and warmth. The food was rich and oh so satisfying. The service was friendly and very attentive. We went with the house menu and the food kept coming in- that is to say it was not a slow pace of serving! Overall I think it was a worthwhile experience and highly recommend San ho won to anyone interested- Korean expert or newcomer!

+6

Easily my favourite restaurant in SF. The restaurant had amazing ambience and felt elevated, while the food was comforting ans felt home-like - definitely deserves the Michelin star. Came for the $110 house menu and ordered a Makgeolli to go along with our meal. There was not a single dish I did not like. The short ribs and beef neck fillet stood out the most - they were flavoured so well and the pieces were generously sized. The egg soufflé and dumplings were also a great starter. We chose the kimchi jigae and fried rice for our last course. The dessert was very interesting and delicious - one was corn flavoured and the other was makgeolli with strawberry drizzle. Our group was so full and satisfied after the meal.

+2

Was there last July. My first michelin star in SF. Overall it was great experience. It was pre-fix menu and we enjoyed every course of it. The chef and staff was nice and helped explain. This was a good one time experience. Would recommend.

Wonderful experience and delicious food! The staff were very knowledgeable and friendly. We were a big group and they took the time to explain dishes and make suggestions. The dumplings, rice rolls and beef cheek were incredible. All dishes were very very good. Dessert was also very good. We were celebrating a friend’s birthday, when we ordered dessert they bought out a candle and sung happy birthday, which was a nice touch. We were eating late and so missed on a couple of specials, this was a shame as we hadn’t realised they had limited dishes left. I would come back here and definitely recommend it.

+6

Lives up to the hype. Took my husband here for his birthday yesterday and everything was amazing. Thank you to our server Thomas and the entire staff for making it such a special experience!

+4

Easily my favorite Korean spot I’ve ever tried. From the banchan to the bulgogi- everything is thoughtful, fresh, and delicious. The service was fantastic and unpretentious. Also, the injeolmisu was the perfect way to end the meal. Highly recommend and already planning my next visit.

The food was yummy and service excellent. This place needs reservation. We were 15mins early and we were told to wait till the reservation time. Compliments to all the servers for tip top service and I would like to compliment Rachel and Victoria for their smile, introducing the food, attentiveness. When my son dropped his pair of chopsticks, Rachel came to our table to pass a new pair of chopsticks without being asked. The food portion was sumptuous with excellent quality. Highly recommended. Well done team in San Ho Won.

+2

The food at San Ho Wan does not disappoint. The grilled meats are prepared beautifully - tender and full of flavor. My favorite was the glazed pork ribs. Traditional Korean touches abound, including side dishes of shiso leaf, romaine lettuce, spring onions, and an array of sauces to wrap and garnish your meats. The pork kimchi Jigae was possibly my all around most favorite dish, though I did find the broth to be overly sweet. The seafood pancake was probably my least favorite dish. It lacked the robust texture I'd normally expect with this dish. Service was top notch and everyone was super welcoming and helpful. A great meal all around. Bravo and thank you!

+6

Update: Came back again in 2025 and this place is still amazing. Now, with a Michelin star! Amazing service, great food, great drinks. Would absolutely come again. We ordered the prix fixe menu, it was a lot of food. Arrive very hungry. There was an assortment of different dishes: soup, kbbq, cold dishes, veggies, egg souffle. It was my first high end Korean food experience and I was not disappointed.

+6

Can't go wrong with Sam Ho Won when it comes to high-end Korean BBQ. Reservations are a challenge for weekends but it's worth the effort. The set menu provides a broad variety of appetizers, small bites, main dish, and dessert. I don't think I can add anything new what others haven't already said. The pictures will definitely speak for themselves. I'm planning to get back onto the reservation list again asap.

+6

Stellar experience. I left feeling so full. My partner and I could not finish (in the best way). My favorite was … everything. The black sesame and tangerine soft serve.

+3

May2025 One of the rare SFO MICHELIN Korean restos out there. Its food does cater to a diverse palette of tastes and does creative spins on traditional Korean dishes while fusing it with some international ingredients. The menu is varied and pretty diverse. The servers are well trained and uber attentive. The place is sleek, minimalist at the same time carries the industrial vibe of the Mission District. Sound does carry a bit though. Ideal for small groups with special rooms for parties. Reservations are a must.

+6

San Ho Wan is an elevated Korean BBQ experience that manages to both be a neighborhood fixture and a destination of culinary pilgrims. Dishes here are what you would come to expect from Korean BBQ: hot, smoky, charred and salty, but taken and elevated to an extreme level and cooked to absolute perfection. The galbi for example is grilled and finished in a glossy and sticky marinade that allows for sweet caramelization when paired with the smoky and charred meats. The fluffy egg soufflé is also soft, light and fluffy and is served with a deep and satisfying anchovy broth. Finally the tartare is paired with perfectly brined pears offering a nice acidity to complement the freshly chopped rare beef. Also be sure to get the buckwheat soft serve ice cream, which is worth coming here alone! San Ho Wan's a la carte format also encourages spontaneity and exploration and familiar classics help to guide first time diners. The food here is satisfying, hearty and soulful and you will not leave hungry. Reservations here are an absolutely must and walk-ins may face long wait times. The food however is absolutely worth the hype and San Ho Wan is worth a special visit if in the San Francisco area.

+6

This is a cool place to experience Korean BBQ and traditional entrees in a fine dining, modern setting. This restaurant carries a Michelin Star and it was a great experience relishing the delicious meal with a large group of colleagues.

+4

This was a very memorable and amazing dining experience. So far the best Korean food I've had in my life and I've been to many fine dining restaurants in South Korea. The Appetizers were amazing such as the egg souffle, the tofu, grilled Tteok, corn, and kimchi. The ribs and the accompaniments was outstanding. The dessert (coconut and mango) was also amazing. I highly recommend coming here for some excellent Korean cuisine. The service was also perfect. Thank you for such a memorable evening.

+6

Favorite restaurant in SF. Awesome quality and quantity—a great deal even though it comes out close to $150 per head. My partner and I went to Seoul after our first time here and still did not find better cooked meats / ingredient combinations! Kudos to the chefs 👏

Truly an amazing experience. All my childhood favorites, but with loads of technique and balance. Korean cuisine really deserves this kind of attention. Service was always great.

+6

Service/ atmosphere amazing. Food delicious some of the meat came out kind of warm and not hot but over delicious the Kalbi rib was melt in your mouth. Total bill was $180 (including tip)

+1

Absolutely amazing! The meat is fresh and flavorful, the sides are delicious, and the service extremely friendly. The restaurant is spotless with a clean, modern design, and you can tell they’re very detail-oriented in everything they do. They even surprised us with complimentary Polaroid photos! Easily one of the best spots in SF I’ve been to.

Great dining experience! We had the house set menu and chose the beef cheek and the pork jowl options. Loved the dishes. Personal favorites were the beef beef neck fillet, the mushrooms and the seafood pancake. Oh and the soft serve desserts (both the banana milk and the almond ones) were delicious. The service was amazing and the staff were very friendly and prompt. Would recommend this spot for any Korean cuisine lover.

+6

So, we were thinking this place was kinda overhyped. But then. The mains came. And they were unbelievable. If we could have done it over, we would have just ordered the galbi, bulgogi and pork ribs, then soft serve dessert. We had the egg soufflé and bacon/kimchi pancake, which were good but meh compared to the other stuff. 10/10 will be back.

one of my favourite meals in sf so far — we had the set menu for dinner and it was A LOt of food. every dish was incredibly well seasoned and fresh, favourites were definitely the jebi churi (beef neck fillet) and gamasot fried rice with naengi & clam doenjjang jigae. the banana soft serve with hazelnuts and nutella was a banger. service was great too! came out to be $350 or so after tax and tip, including a bottle of makgeolli.

+6

OMG! Highly recommend. The service was AMAZING, the food was absolutely delicious, and we just had the best night ever!! We did the tasting menu and it was just so wonderful. Shoutout Rachel the best waitress of all time

The best Korean BBQ experience I ever had. Growing up, I’ve been to quite a lot of premium Korean beef (Hanwoo) BBQ restaurants in Seoul, but those meals were more about the beef itself than what comes before, after, or with it. Obviously, the sheer quality of the beef is better at those restaurants, but the overall experience was superior here. Sauces, banchan (especially kimchi), and small sides, all elevated by the kind of polish that only a veteran fine-dining chef like Corey Lee (Benu/French Laundry) could pull off. Reservation was notoriously difficult to get, but we were able to snag a seat at their low top counters. While it was facing towards the kitchen, their actual kitchen was further back, so we could only take a peak at the person cooking the meat on the lychee wood charcoal. Service was just okay overall, but the food was fantastic. A lot of first time visitors seemed to opt for their tasting menu, but we didn’t like the meat selections, so we did a la carte. We started off with some side dishes and their famous egg soufflé. Savory Egg Soufflé - In the context of Korean BBQ, egg soufflé doesn’t have a lot of meaning. It’s rather a gratis offering that serves as a protein filler in lieu of meat since the meat portions are typically small. Here, they took it up a notch and made it a dish on its own. The deep oceanic umami from the thick rock seaweed sauce almost resembled a savory bbq sauce, and the spicy anchovy broth added a subtle layer of spicy umami. Sanma Pajeon - Typically mountain yams are cut into thinner/finer pieces, but here, they cut it into huge chunks, almost like a slice of potato. Really satisfying bites. Kimchi – The variety alone was remarkable. Chef Lee’s recent collab with a major kimchi producer in Korea clearly paid off. Perfect fermentation, deeply homey. Spicy Beef Riblet Tteokbokki - Not sure why this was highly recommended. The riblets were super tender, but I didn’t find anything special with the rice cakes. My friend and I both thought they were a tad undercooked. As for the meats, we tried the Galbi, Jebi Churi, and the Beef Tongue. Honestly, not sure if cooking it over lychee wood charcoal made a noticeable difference, but the meat was impeccably cooked. Jebi Churi – Game-changer. In Seoul, I’d only had this cut thinly sliced. Here, it came thick with collagen intact. The texture was almost like filet mignon, but better, with those sticky, fatty bits. Galbi – Rich and deeply flavorful, but the sauces made it ten times better. Three different Korean sauces, each infused with Chinese or Mexican twists, kept it from being overwhelming.

+6

The food was nothing like the Korean food we were accustomed to eating. We ordered the tasting menu, come hungry if this is your choice. Portions were large. There were múltiple choices, the stand out was described as beef neck. I am fairly certain it was backslaps, it was incredibly tender. The service was excellent, very attentive without being obtrusive. Can’t wait to go back.

The food here is the best food I've had in SF, and the service completely changed the way I view hospitality. They're very attentive to tables and multiple servers serve each table. The variety of service in the experience adds a very refined atmosphere. Parking outside is easy for the location. The BBQ beef neck was advised by staff and it stunned our whole table. The sweet potato here is possibly the best healthy dessert. The egg soufflé is divine. I'm smiling well after our meal when I'm thinking about the experience.

The Egg Souffle was a delicious start, and the House Double Cut Galbi was incredibly tender and flavorful. The Spicy Pork Bulgogi had the perfect kick. Going as a group of four made it easy to sample a bunch of dishes, and everything we tried was excellent—especially the Beef Neck Fillet. Staff was super friendly and the atmosphere was lively, perfect for a fun dinner with friends.

I absolutely love Korean food and take every opportunity to try new spots! We first visited right at the end of the pandemic and had such a pleasant experience. The most memorable dishes were the galbi and rib-eye bulgogi, paired with their excellent house kimchi selection. The vibe is fantastic, and the crew does an amazing job managing the flow of the restaurant from start to finish. Kudos to the team on such a successful space!

We’re very excited about this place, and it didn’t disappoint! We sat at the bar counter which you could see the kitchen, it’s kinda cool and has that chill vibes perfect for a date night. We had beef tartare and egg soufflé as appetizers, I wish the beef tartare has a bit more acidity in it, also lacks creativity in the seasoning. Egg soufflé was pretty impressive, the spicy anchovy broth that goes with it was really good. We ordered galbi and beef tongue as main along with rice. Meat texture was excellent, yet it would be better if there are some variations in marinate. Dessert was impressive, it’s structured like a tiramisu but with korean ingredients and flavors in it, very well balanced and perfect end to the meal. Service was okay, for a Michelin restaurant I expect more interactions with servers. Several servers also seemed not very knowledgable about the menu and dishes. Overall pretty good value for the quality of food, recommended!

San Ho Won! truly sets a high standard. The quality of the meat and ingredients is excellent, and you can really taste the freshness in every bite. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious, and the flavors were authentic and well-balanced. The service was outstanding — attentive, friendly, and professional from start to finish. Highly recommend if you’re looking for high-quality Korean BBQ with amazing service!

Overall worth the hype, definitely amongst the top KBBQ spots in the US, and the price reflects the food quality and good service. Definitely love to go back and try the very popular galbi and egg soufflé + Amazing food. I absolutely loved the tofu banchan, and the other 2 banchans were also quite nice. Jebi churi and kochi skewers were both flavorful and cooked to perfection. And the housemade samjang sauce was a great pairing with the grilled meat. Kimchi jjigae was tasty but a little too sour for me. And the black sesame soft serve was an incredible end to the dinner. The sundae looked simple but there were bits of chocolate, black sesame and huckleberry jam buried underneath the soft serve, making every bite super interesting and different (with minimal mess at that!) - All the food was mostly fatty, salty and sweet forward. It’d be great to have something fresh and/or sour to cut through. I’d absolutely recommend ordering ssam/salad and more sour kimchi to eat with the grilled meat +/- Decent service and atmosphere. They were quite busy so it might take a while to flag down a staff. Loved that they have hooks and cubicles to place belongings right next to your table = Definitely try to make a reservation, or wait like 2+ hours for a table as they are very popular

The food was amazing! We were celebrating my partner’s birthday, and the team made the experience even more special. We also have shellfish and dairy allergies, and they went above and beyond — they modified dishes and even provided us with a separate menu to fit our needs. Everything we ordered was delicious. We had the glazed short ribs, BBQ prime ribs, white rice, and the beef potstickers — all SO good! They also serve a lovely tea at the end, which was such a nice touch. And I have to mention — the bathroom is insane. So beautiful and such a vibe.

I had such a lovely time. Not only was the food delicious but the staff was so kind and attentive. I emailed a few weeks in advance to inquire about my food allergies and when I arrived, the team remembered and gave me a marked-up menu of items I could avoid. I then asked for their recommendations for the best experience and everything was incredible. I ordered the Kimchi and Bacon pancake, Baek Kimchi, Prime beef rib cap and grilled tteok. Couldn’t tell you what I liked the most because each item was perfectly plated, deliciously seasoned and the prime beef was so tender. 10/10. MJ also helped make the experience top tier. He was frequently checking in, quick to clear the table, and guaranteed my tea was always warm.

This was outstanding. Easily top 10 meals lifetime. Possibly best ever. Every dish was spectacular while building on and complimenting the previous dishes. I started with the YUJU highball cocktail which was refreshing and delicious. We had the house menu and chose the ribeye bulgogi and pork jowl jjigae and the beef tartar & Asian pear add-on. As I said, everything was amazing and it's really hard to pick any standout. But I will say the egg souffle was next level and that beef neck fillet was excellent. The service was impeccable but the place is approachable and not pretentious at all. If you are in San Francisco and want an incredible dining experience that includes actual great food, I cannot recommend this place enough.

San ho won is perfection. They took classic korean flavours, preserved them and celebrated them, then adorned them. Im obsessed with this restaurant I can't get into the details of everything because everything was perfect and it would take too long😂. Get a reservation. Thats it. Kalbi and rib cap are OUTSTANDING CUTS OF MEAT. I truly cant believe the way they balanced chewy and melty. The soybean stew with clams is so nostalgic and made to perfection. Soufflé egg is a must try at least once. Beef tartare was unlike any I've ever had before, the beef was plush almost airy, and fresh. The soft serve is the best soft serve I've ever had in my life both flavors are amazing but particularly loved the black sesame, the black sesame flavor is not overpowering and the huckleberry jam is balanced and interesting. Every flavor and sensation as well balanced and I love how the soft serve itself is almost icy, it is brilliantly refreshing after the flavor bombs of the night. Need to go back ASAP. EDIT: Went back 5 days later and got beef neck filet (my new favourite cut) and the western mushrooms (make sure u squeeze that lemon and drench the ssam in it after u make a wrap) Song yi jook is impeccable. Peak comfort food, do you think it's simple and with a higher price tag you may be apprehensive, but i truly think its worth it. Its some how wildly flavourful yet so comforting and light, i cant compare anything to it and i need it again so badly. My perfect order: Beef tartare Beef neck filet Kalbi Ssam Song yi jook Extra kimchi And the staff? I feel like im being welcomed home. They are the best, this is my safe space 😍😍😍🫰🫰🩵🩵 san how won is perfection

Absolutely phenomenal from start to finish. Every dish was flawless—deep, perfectly balanced flavors, incredibly nuanced seasoning, and grilled meats with spot-on texture. The presentation was elegant, thoughtful, and a joy to experience. The service took it over the top. Victoria and Rachael were amazing—warm, attentive, and made the night feel truly special. Can’t wait to come back. This place is a must.

The food is incredible delicious, every dish is the meticulous craftsmanship of the restaurant, creating the finest Korea cuisine which combines both nutrition and flavor. The beef dumplings are juicy and crispy. Every BBQ dish is amazing and so delicious that you will want more, the accompanying vegetables are refreshing and sweet, the various sauces bring out more flavors. The rice cake tastes rich and chewy just like when we ate in childhood. The Bibimjang is so fresh and fragrant it reminds you of the ‘Hwanseban’ the same Michelin-starred dish from Netflix’s Bon Appetit.

Been trying to get a resy here for a minute 🫨🫨 and I’m here to say, you know what, It lived up to the hype 🪩 - the meat was finger licking good 🫡🫡🫡. The spicy bulgogi goes crazyyyy. I also ain’t never had sweet potatoes like they cook em. Gyaadayumn. - our host, Lawrence, took us on a spiritual journey, which filled my soul - dessert menu was sub par but still a solid experience

Great atmosphere and food! We went with the set menu which includes 2 meats. We got the beef cheeks and beef neck. Both were very tender. We also got a separate order or beef tartar and beef mandu. Both great! The service was amazing our server took their time to explain each dish and best way to enjoy it.

For me, I give 10/10 overall. Food 10/10, service 10/10. Given the price, it is a good price for this level of food and service in Sfo area. Would come back again for sure!! We ordered almost everything on the menu😂

Great food and service. The egg soufflé was fluffy and yummy and the meats were sooo tender. We went as a group of 5 and got the house menu. The beef neck fillet and beef cheeks were sooo tender. There was so much food on the house menu that we didn’t even need to order extra sides.

Was super lucky and was able to walk in with a short wait on a Tuesday evening to try San Ho Wan. We did the house menu and absolutely loved every dish. You’ll walk out feeling happy and ready for a food coma.

Great dining experience. We were a party of 3 and did the course menu. Wow, it was delicious. Added on the mandu as well. We were stuffed after and had food to take home. Service was 5 stars. Everyone was attentive and friendly. Highly recommend eating here. Make sure you make reservations as soon as they become available.

We came in without a reservation on a Thursday night and had to wait 2 hours for a table for 2. My favorites were the steamed egg, green onion pancake, and beef neck. We tried the pork jowl and it was good but a bit fattier. I loved the mixture of veggies that came with the lettuce wraps too. The kimchi jjigae was really good too along with the scorched rice. Service was great and I liked the pace of each item coming out.

Alvina Lee

We’re very excited about this place, and it didn’t disappoint! We sat at the bar counter which you could see the kitchen, it’s kinda cool and has that chill vibes perfect for a date night. We had beef tartare and egg soufflé as appetizers, I wish the beef tartare has a bit more acidity in it, also lacks creativity in the seasoning. Egg soufflé was pretty impressive, the spicy anchovy broth that goes with it was really good. We ordered galbi and beef tongue as main along with rice. Meat texture was excellent, yet it would be better if there are some variations in marinate. Dessert was impressive, it’s structured like a tiramisu but with korean ingredients and flavors in it, very well balanced and perfect end to the meal. Service was okay, for a Michelin restaurant I expect more interactions with servers. Several servers also seemed not very knowledgable about the menu and dishes. Overall pretty good value for the quality of food, recommended!

Linh Nguyen

Overall worth the hype, definitely amongst the top KBBQ spots in the US, and the price reflects the food quality and good service. Definitely love to go back and try the very popular galbi and egg soufflé + Amazing food. I absolutely loved the tofu banchan, and the other 2 banchans were also quite nice. Jebi churi and kochi skewers were both flavorful and cooked to perfection. And the housemade samjang sauce was a great pairing with the grilled meat. Kimchi jjigae was tasty but a little too sour for me. And the black sesame soft serve was an incredible end to the dinner. The sundae looked simple but there were bits of chocolate, black sesame and huckleberry jam buried underneath the soft serve, making every bite super interesting and different (with minimal mess at that!) - All the food was mostly fatty, salty and sweet forward. It’d be great to have something fresh and/or sour to cut through. I’d absolutely recommend ordering ssam/salad and more sour kimchi to eat with the grilled meat +/- Decent service and atmosphere. They were quite busy so it might take a while to flag down a staff. Loved that they have hooks and cubicles to place belongings right next to your table = Definitely try to make a reservation, or wait like 2+ hours for a table as they are very popular

Carmen Augusto

The food was amazing! We were celebrating my partner’s birthday, and the team made the experience even more special. We also have shellfish and dairy allergies, and they went above and beyond — they modified dishes and even provided us with a separate menu to fit our needs. Everything we ordered was delicious. We had the glazed short ribs, BBQ prime ribs, white rice, and the beef potstickers — all SO good! They also serve a lovely tea at the end, which was such a nice touch. And I have to mention — the bathroom is insane. So beautiful and such a vibe.

John Sachs

This was outstanding. Easily top 10 meals lifetime. Possibly best ever. Every dish was spectacular while building on and complimenting the previous dishes. I started with the YUJU highball cocktail which was refreshing and delicious. We had the house menu and chose the ribeye bulgogi and pork jowl jjigae and the beef tartar & Asian pear add-on. As I said, everything was amazing and it's really hard to pick any standout. But I will say the egg souffle was next level and that beef neck fillet was excellent. The service was impeccable but the place is approachable and not pretentious at all. If you are in San Francisco and want an incredible dining experience that includes actual great food, I cannot recommend this place enough.

jade

San ho won is perfection. They took classic korean flavours, preserved them and celebrated them, then adorned them. Im obsessed with this restaurant I can't get into the details of everything because everything was perfect and it would take too long😂. Get a reservation. Thats it. Kalbi and rib cap are OUTSTANDING CUTS OF MEAT. I truly cant believe the way they balanced chewy and melty. The soybean stew with clams is so nostalgic and made to perfection. Soufflé egg is a must try at least once. Beef tartare was unlike any I've ever had before, the beef was plush almost airy, and fresh. The soft serve is the best soft serve I've ever had in my life both flavors are amazing but particularly loved the black sesame, the black sesame flavor is not overpowering and the huckleberry jam is balanced and interesting. Every flavor and sensation as well balanced and I love how the soft serve itself is almost icy, it is brilliantly refreshing after the flavor bombs of the night. Need to go back ASAP. EDIT: Went back 5 days later and got beef neck filet (my new favourite cut) and the western mushrooms (make sure u squeeze that lemon and drench the ssam in it after u make a wrap) Song yi jook is impeccable. Peak comfort food, do you think it's simple and with a higher price tag you may be apprehensive, but i truly think its worth it. Its some how wildly flavourful yet so comforting and light, i cant compare anything to it and i need it again so badly. My perfect order: Beef tartare Beef neck filet Kalbi Ssam Song yi jook Extra kimchi And the staff? I feel like im being welcomed home. They are the best, this is my safe space 😍😍😍🫰🫰🩵🩵 san how won is perfection

Jiacheng Liu

Absolutely phenomenal from start to finish. Every dish was flawless—deep, perfectly balanced flavors, incredibly nuanced seasoning, and grilled meats with spot-on texture. The presentation was elegant, thoughtful, and a joy to experience. The service took it over the top. Victoria and Rachael were amazing—warm, attentive, and made the night feel truly special. Can’t wait to come back. This place is a must.

Willa Young

The food is incredible delicious, every dish is the meticulous craftsmanship of the restaurant, creating the finest Korea cuisine which combines both nutrition and flavor. The beef dumplings are juicy and crispy. Every BBQ dish is amazing and so delicious that you will want more, the accompanying vegetables are refreshing and sweet, the various sauces bring out more flavors. The rice cake tastes rich and chewy just like when we ate in childhood. The Bibimjang is so fresh and fragrant it reminds you of the ‘Hwanseban’ the same Michelin-starred dish from Netflix’s Bon Appetit.

Ajay

Been trying to get a resy here for a minute 🫨🫨 and I’m here to say, you know what, It lived up to the hype 🪩 - the meat was finger licking good 🫡🫡🫡. The spicy bulgogi goes crazyyyy. I also ain’t never had sweet potatoes like they cook em. Gyaadayumn. - our host, Lawrence, took us on a spiritual journey, which filled my soul - dessert menu was sub par but still a solid experience

Rae Charkarutpahu

Great atmosphere and food! We went with the set menu which includes 2 meats. We got the beef cheeks and beef neck. Both were very tender. We also got a separate order or beef tartar and beef mandu. Both great! The service was amazing our server took their time to explain each dish and best way to enjoy it.

Jenny

Great food and service. The egg soufflé was fluffy and yummy and the meats were sooo tender. We went as a group of 5 and got the house menu. The beef neck fillet and beef cheeks were sooo tender. There was so much food on the house menu that we didn’t even need to order extra sides.

Jea Kim

The best Korean BBQ experience I ever had. Growing up, I’ve been to quite a lot of premium Korean beef (Hanwoo) BBQ restaurants in Seoul, but those meals were more about the beef itself than what comes before, after, or with it. Obviously, the sheer quality of the beef is better at those restaurants, but the overall experience was superior here. Sauces, banchan (especially kimchi), and small sides, all elevated by the kind of polish that only a veteran fine-dining chef like Corey Lee (Benu/French Laundry) could pull off. Reservation was notoriously difficult to get, but we were able to snag a seat at their low top counters. While it was facing towards the kitchen, their actual kitchen was further back, so we could only take a peak at the person cooking the meat on the lychee wood charcoal. Service was just okay overall, but the food was fantastic. A lot of first time visitors seemed to opt for their tasting menu, but we didn’t like the meat selections, so we did a la carte. We started off with some side dishes and their famous egg soufflé. Savory Egg Soufflé - In the context of Korean BBQ, egg soufflé doesn’t have a lot of meaning. It’s rather a gratis offering that serves as a protein filler in lieu of meat since the meat portions are typically small. Here, they took it up a notch and made it a dish on its own. The deep oceanic umami from the thick rock seaweed sauce almost resembled a savory bbq sauce, and the spicy anchovy broth added a subtle layer of spicy umami. Sanma Pajeon - Typically mountain yams are cut into thinner/finer pieces, but here, they cut it into huge chunks, almost like a slice of potato. Really satisfying bites. Kimchi – The variety alone was remarkable. Chef Lee’s recent collab with a major kimchi producer in Korea clearly paid off. Perfect fermentation, deeply homey. Spicy Beef Riblet Tteokbokki - Not sure why this was highly recommended. The riblets were super tender, but I didn’t find anything special with the rice cakes. My friend and I both thought they were a tad undercooked. As for the meats, we tried the Galbi, Jebi Churi, and the Beef Tongue. Honestly, not sure if cooking it over lychee wood charcoal made a noticeable difference, but the meat was impeccably cooked. Jebi Churi – Game-changer. In Seoul, I’d only had this cut thinly sliced. Here, it came thick with collagen intact. The texture was almost like filet mignon, but better, with those sticky, fatty bits. Galbi – Rich and deeply flavorful, but the sauces made it ten times better. Three different Korean sauces, each infused with Chinese or Mexican twists, kept it from being overwhelming.

Abbie N

We came in without a reservation on a Thursday night and had to wait 2 hours for a table for 2. My favorites were the steamed egg, green onion pancake, and beef neck. We tried the pork jowl and it was good but a bit fattier. I loved the mixture of veggies that came with the lettuce wraps too. The kimchi jjigae was really good too along with the scorched rice. Service was great and I liked the pace of each item coming out.

Ang R

Great dining experience. We were a party of 3 and did the course menu. Wow, it was delicious. Added on the mandu as well. We were stuffed after and had food to take home. Service was 5 stars. Everyone was attentive and friendly. Highly recommend eating here. Make sure you make reservations as soon as they become available.

Rachel Notor (Rael)

The food here is the best food I've had in SF, and the service completely changed the way I view hospitality. They're very attentive to tables and multiple servers serve each table. The variety of service in the experience adds a very refined atmosphere. Parking outside is easy for the location. The BBQ beef neck was advised by staff and it stunned our whole table. The sweet potato here is possibly the best healthy dessert. The egg soufflé is divine. I'm smiling well after our meal when I'm thinking about the experience.

Evan

I absolutely love Korean food and take every opportunity to try new spots! We first visited right at the end of the pandemic and had such a pleasant experience. The most memorable dishes were the galbi and rib-eye bulgogi, paired with their excellent house kimchi selection. The vibe is fantastic, and the crew does an amazing job managing the flow of the restaurant from start to finish. Kudos to the team on such a successful space!

It’s our first time here so we tried the house menu. It was way more than we could finish. We packed a lot of food home. The quantity of food compared to the price is really good. The bbq is super tender and delicious. However other dishes are kind of average to us. Service was quite good. I think overall we got what we paid for. We will try to order ourselves next time.

This place was so hard to get reservations, but my sister landed one for my birthday on a Thursday at 5pm. A bit early for dinner but got a chance to try this spot out. It use to be where the Blowfish sushi spot was and a little hard to find because it didn’t have their logo prominently outside of the restaurant. Note that it is a white building next to a brick red building. We got seated and had very attentive waiters and waitresses. There seems to be a lot of workers so things were pretty smooth. We did the fixed menu which was around $100+ for each person not including the tax and tips. We prepaid with their reservation service so all we paid for was the makegolli after dinner. Everything was on the spicier end with Mexican influence in each dish. Our favorite were the grilled meat dishes - beef neck fillet and the double-cut galbi. They were both so soft and quality cuts, I can see this being the main cost of the meal. The veggies could use more per basket since there’s more meat pieces than lettuce leaves. The veggies were really fresh and the sauces were delicious. Our favorite was the house made samyang sauce. Kimchi jigae was like a pozole and spicy for my tastes. The bibimbap also had perfect crispy rice, too. Our entire set meal came with: egg soufflé (very tasty with a kick of spice from habanero), Jeju buckwheat dumplings, kimchi, beef neck fillet, galbi, bibimbap, pozole, winter radish kimchi (salty palette cleanser), and our soft serve. Highly recommend the meat dishes and their soft serve. Surprisingly loved the coffee soft serve over the makegolli (since I don’t like alcohol). One of those spots worth trying once and splurging for a special occasion. Very spacious location and modern and they gave me a Polaroid photo with a magnet at the end for my birthday. They even have cute matchboxes at the host podium on your way out.

+6

Had the house menu the weekend before last week. The egg soufflé was smooth and balanced but the potsticker were leaking. The beef neck was fantastic and the beef short rib is also tasty but a little bit fatty (maybe because I am quite full at that time). And the bimbimbap looks and tastes too healthy to be a bimbimbap. In a word, I recommend to order à la carte barbeque instead of the house menu. Then it can be a 4/5, otherwise 3/5.

+6

This was a great meal but a little overhyped in my opinion and not a good value. I’d consider this an elevated Korean restaurant, not a Korean bbq. For the house menu, there was very little meat served. Plenty of food, but not worth the $120 per person price tag. The Kimchi Jigae was my favorite, and the rice cakes as well. The meat was good but I expected far far better.

+6

Detailed Review of San Ho Won: The atmosphere inside San Ho Won had a modern and urban vibe to it and was visually pleasing to my eyes. However, before getting inside, the differentiation between people with or without reservations was confusing (please place signs outside with a divider to help not only confused customers but the confused staff as well). I'm always early to my reservations, but was the first time being late due to this disorganized setting (and this was my bad first impression of San Ho Won). So, instead of waiting longer than 20+ min, I then left our long line and entered inside to inform the staff that my colleagues and I were hungry and had been waiting early for our reservation, and was told we were late. I explained our situation, and the staff apologized, and only then were we escorted inside. As we were feeling disappointed, the disappointment dissipated with the second impression of the restaurant's beautiful interior and colorful Korean plates. Something I would like to suggest, though, is that, instead of only providing spoons and chopsticks on the table, to provide knives as well to slice the meats into portions for each lettuce wrap. Overall, the service was lacking in terms of the first impression mentioned above, but the atmosphere and deliciously beautiful plated Korean dishes made up for it. San Ho Won satisfied my taste buds, so no wonder why reservations books quick! I recommend the Korean Lager. OMG, so refreshing! 🍺 I also wasn't sure if I could dress up or not, since most Korean restaurants that serve KBBQ leave clothes smelly, but no, San Ho Won was the opposite. The meat was cooked before serving, and had a moist towelette on the table. This was a nice fine dining experience. Thank you.

San Ho Won is a Korean charcoal bbq restaurant. 4 of us visited San Ho won for dinner on a Friday night, and the place was packed. We tried their house menu. First things first, it's a lot of food for 4 people, so I recommend ordering add-on items later during the meal if you feel the need. Our dinner started off with complimentary hot barley tea followed by a complimentary tofu dish, which was pretty good. They also provide 2 side dishes for the table- anchovies with peanuts (sweeter than what we expected), kimchi raddish (really good). Their house menu includes- 1. Acorn jelly and beef tendon salad 2. Savory egg souffle 3. Seasame leed kimchi 4. Beef neck filet 5. Prime beef short ribs 6. Assorted condiments (chili sauce, cilantro sauce, soybean and chili paste, onions, and jalapeños) and lettuces 7. Baked duru cheese rice 8. Winter melon and spinach soup 9. Dongchimi with preserved green plum 10. Soft serve ice cream (black sesame or tangerine) The highlight of the meal was the meat. Both the meat options (filet and short ribs) were just phenomenal - juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked. It's one of the best Korean bbq meat I've had. And all their sauces were really good, too. Knowing this, next time when I visit, I will pick their bbq option over their house menu. Baked duru cheese rice was really good, too. The portion was pretty generous for 4 people. The egg souffle was savory and very light and fluffy in texture with delicate flavor. Acorn jelly and beef tendon salad had a chilled broth (almost similar to a shaved ice texture), and it was quite refreshing. Dim lighting, open kitchen concept with booth seating areas and Korean art, and tapestry combined the modern and Korean style decor to create a really elegant and elevated dining experience. The service was great as well.

+6

A Korean fine dining, family style experience. We got the house prefix menu and added yukhoe as an added appetizer. The food was good for what it is but I would've preferred the prefix menu to feature one marinated and one unmarinated meat to showcase the quality of the meat itself. Both the beef cheek and the neck meat were super tender and juicy but I felt like the marinade covered up the wonderful quality of beef they've use. Featuring one with a simple salt and pepper on the side would've been a great experience. The egg souffle was cooked perfectly and paired with an anchovy stock with a slight kick. The seafood pancake had a nice crispy outer layer and full of seafood flavors. The blue crab jjigae was done well but we all wished there was a bit more broth. Would've also been nice if they did a bokkeum bap at the end since it was set on a heating element anyways. The banana nutella soft serve was delicious, would totally recommend that over the buckwheat honey soft serve. The only thing that really missed the mark was the yukhoe. I've had a lot better elsewhere at a similar price point. It was simple flavors that didn't quite say traditional but also didn't scream innovative. Overall, the staff were friendly and portion size for the prefix was adequate for the average eater. If you're a big eater, I'd recommend getting another entree of meat. Great for a nice date night or anniversary.

+6

TLDR: Get the grilled meats, steamed egg and yuzu highball. Skip everything else. We got the prie fixe menu. It was super filling. You definitely don't need to order more. Total after getting drinks was 504.45 for 3 people. For drinks, we got the yuzu highball and I don't drink, but it was soooo good. 10/10 The meal starts off with soft tofu with a vinegary soy sauce. It was alright. I wish it had some sesame oil. 5/10 The banchan were peanuts and dried anchovys and a radish and pear spicy muchim. Solid but nothing amazing. They do refill it constantly which is very nice. 5/10 The bingtteok were okay. Maybe it was intentional but the buckwheat gave it an extra bitterness. I like buckwheat crepes normally, but the filling wasn't memorable except the small pieces of radish inside. I'm not sure if it's memorable in a good or bad way either. Texture kinda reminded me of a gyoza on the outside but a shumai on the inside from the bouncy-ness. 4/10 The steamed egg with the anchovy broth and sauce was great. Eggs were piping hot and super soft. The soup was the highlight of the dish. The sauce gave occassional yuzu hints. 7/10 The first meat was the beef neck. Sooo tender and really beefy. Even though it comes with vegetables to wrap in, please eat it separately first to appreciate the masterpiece. 10/10 for the meat. The tender vegetables were super fresh and the variety was great. Really appreciated having it on the side. The ssamjang was way too sweet and not savory enough. 3/10. The green sauce was great. Tasted like salsa verde, a great call back to the Mission. The chili oil had a nice kick. Roasted mushroom caps with the soup inside reminded me of my mom. This is how she makes kbbq at home. 9/10 for nostalgia. The bulgogi was super unexpected texture wise. The dish looked and felt like a decked out tteok galbi. I didn't realize it said gwangyang style. The pinenuts and onions on top were great enhancers and helped make the dish less one note. The marinade was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. 10/10 The kimchi soup was honestly a huge let down. Our amazing host for the night did say it was sweet, but wow was it sweet. The jowl was hard to taste or notice. 3/10 Both ice cream flavors were great. Banana milk had a nice banana kick. I don't remember what the other flavor was called but it reminded me of a nice rice grain drink. A lighter sweetness. 6/10 Service was great! Everyone was super attentive and fast. Nothing was left wanting. Bathroom was mostly clean. The toto toilets are great.

+6

I thought the food was really good, and a few dishes left a strong impression. The mountain yam and green onion pancake were especially delicious. The butter mushrooms were also tasty, and the quality of the meats was excellent. The beef tongue was my favorite, and their kimchi was deeply flavorful and well-fermented. Overall, the food was solid across the board. However, the service was disappointing. It felt unprofessional and not what you would expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant. The atmosphere was fine but nothing fancy. It leaned more toward a casual vibe. On a brighter note, their beer was surprisingly good and definitely worth trying.

We did a walk-in on a Friday night and lined up around ~25 minutes before opening and were able to grab a seat. We ordered the following: Hwe Muchim: very fresh and flavorful. I don't see this dish very often so it was a pleasant surprise. Really enjoyed this one. House Double Cut Galbi: The meat was good quality. However, the combination of the sweet sauce with minimal acidity and how fatty galbi can get I found these to be quite heavy. I would have preferred more acidity in the marinade. Ssam: Nothing special but nice to have leaves with kbbq. Criminal pricing though. Grilled Tteok: sickly sweet and sticky. Didn't really enjoy. I loved their home made sauces to have with the meat. Overall, I would return to San Ho Won but their prices are on the higher end. In other cities you can probably get something 80% as good for 40% of the price.

San Ho Won is great. Fantastic Kimchi, vinegary with a nice crunch. The star of my meal was the Kimchi Jjigae it was tangy with a subtle sweetness, highly recommend pairing it with the bibimbap. The Pork and Kimchi mandu was good but a little too oily. The Sanma Pajeon was fine, but my dining companion really liked it. The bibimbap was surprisingly delicious (since it’s served with no meat). The variety of banchan (side dishes) was a bit underwhelming. I wish we could have gotten more like sigeumchi namul, gamcha jorim, or japchae. The biggest issue I have the San Ho Won is prices. $32 for vegetarian bibimbap? $12 for lettuce wraps? $6-$9 for specialty banchan? If their banchan was elevated and all of it was complimentary then the high prices would be more reasonable. I don’t think they’re doing anything revolutionary but they’re most definitely serving delicious and authentic Korean dishes. If you’d like to treat yourself check them out!

+1

The food was pretty good, but I wish the bibimbap had more rice. The meats were cooked beautifully and super tender but tasted a bit bland and flavorless. The dalgona cheesecake and lobster claw were super good! The presentation for the bingsu was honestly a bit off-putting, and needed more nurungji. All in all decent experience, definitely make a reservation, and good luck trying to find parking LOL

+4

The staff was very attentive and kind. Def 5/5. It had a cozy atmosphere which we loved. So 5/5 as well. For food, we really enjoyed Hwe mu chim, Prime beef rib cap, and Mugunji kimchi jjigae. If we had just these, 5/5 for food as well. However, we had two other dishes which were a bit disappointing. - "Double cut" galbi. It was way too fatty and greasy. A part of me wondered if they used a low grade galbi. The qaulity of Galbi meat tasted lower than meat i get from H Mart when I make galbi jjim. - Jebi Churi. The quality of meat also tasted a bit low grade where it didnt have much flavor and chewy. Overall though, we enjoyed our visit and will try this place again :)

+6

Very decent authentic Korean cuisine with fine barbecue already cooked for you. Super popular and we didn’t have a reservation so we went around 4:30 to be in line. Guess what two parties were already there. But the wait was worth it. Appetizer and side dishes were refreshing. Sauces were great with saam. Got the beef tongue and thick cut gulbi. So tender esp with the thickness.very well seasoned already but good to pair up with the veggies and sauce. Rice cakes are delicious. Glad we ordered the peach bingsu. It looked plain but all goodies were buried in the bottom. It had purée, pieces made from peach. I don’t think it’s fresh fruit pieces but very tasty.

+4

My review is based on my visit about one year ago. I visited here with my parents visiting from Korea and we had course menu. Overall, the foods were good but it was a bit mixed. Grilled meats were exceptionally good although we were already quite full by then. But soups (both Kimchi soup and rice soup) felt quite off to us. They tasted like they were based off of a very different ingredient from how we typically cook, which was a big disappointment for us. But the staffs were really nice and their drinks were unique in a good way. Overall we enjoyed our meal.

+3

San Ho Won in San Francisco — a Korean restaurant that earned a Michelin One Star 2025! They preserve the originality of Korean flavors while adding subtle house touches, and i love the way all the sauces are house-made. What stands out to me is that the sweet-and-salty notes are intentionally pronounced.

JEONGBUM SEO

San Ho Won in San Francisco — a Korean restaurant that earned a Michelin One Star 2025! They preserve the originality of Korean flavors while adding subtle house touches, and i love the way all the sauces are house-made. What stands out to me is that the sweet-and-salty notes are intentionally pronounced.

Sy W

Very decent authentic Korean cuisine with fine barbecue already cooked for you. Super popular and we didn’t have a reservation so we went around 4:30 to be in line. Guess what two parties were already there. But the wait was worth it. Appetizer and side dishes were refreshing. Sauces were great with saam. Got the beef tongue and thick cut gulbi. So tender esp with the thickness.very well seasoned already but good to pair up with the veggies and sauce. Rice cakes are delicious. Glad we ordered the peach bingsu. It looked plain but all goodies were buried in the bottom. It had purée, pieces made from peach. I don’t think it’s fresh fruit pieces but very tasty.

Leo

San Ho Won is great. Fantastic Kimchi, vinegary with a nice crunch. The star of my meal was the Kimchi Jjigae it was tangy with a subtle sweetness, highly recommend pairing it with the bibimbap. The Pork and Kimchi mandu was good but a little too oily. The Sanma Pajeon was fine, but my dining companion really liked it. The bibimbap was surprisingly delicious (since it’s served with no meat). The variety of banchan (side dishes) was a bit underwhelming. I wish we could have gotten more like sigeumchi namul, gamcha jorim, or japchae. The biggest issue I have the San Ho Won is prices. $32 for vegetarian bibimbap? $12 for lettuce wraps? $6-$9 for specialty banchan? If their banchan was elevated and all of it was complimentary then the high prices would be more reasonable. I don’t think they’re doing anything revolutionary but they’re most definitely serving delicious and authentic Korean dishes. If you’d like to treat yourself check them out!

I came here for a friend’s birthday and got the house menu and the corn add-on. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was good, but I found the house set menu to be way too heavy - the short ribs were really fatty and it was preceded and followed by other oily dishes, like the corn and the pork jowl kimchi jigae (the corn’s on me though since it was an add-on). I thought the set menu could have been broken up by more palette cleansing/refreshing dishes. I felt really greasy on the way home and the next day. If I come again, I’m definitely trying the rest of the non house menu!

+3

Went for a prix fixe menu on Friday night. I didn't feel like the meat dishes are better than the avg you'd get at a good Korean restaurant. The only standout in my opinion was the seafood pancake. Bulgoli was way too saucy. The beef neck is pretty juicy but not memorable. I didn't like the pork kimchi jiggae at all. The walls of the restaurant are very echoey so it was difficult to have a conversation without yelling

Really wanted to enjoy this place but was just……meh. For what it costs should knock your socks off but was only ok. Best part of the meal was the sweet potato and wet had the prime rib and not spicy pork bulgogi. Spent $330 for two people. Won’t be back. Service was great but food only ok. For the price they charge should be phenomenal.

Why this place gets such high praise is truly an sf mystery. Second time here. The first time is remembered only by an absolute abomination of a kimchi jjigae, to the point that I actually had to ask the server to make sure it would be nothing like the first one this time around (what we had the first time was some Mexican-inspired pozole spinoff of kimchi jjigae, which was thankfully gone from the menu)(no shade to Mexican food, it’s literally my favorite cuisine). Good meat, nothing to write home about. 3 stars feels a bit low but 4 is definitely too high. Had three meat entrees and the best one was essentially a small ribeye steak. Tangerine and milk soft serve was good. Also, if my ancestors in Korea could see this $12 plate of ssam with 4 perilla leaves they would cry tears of blood. Korean food in the states has felt like daytime robbery for a while now, but this place takes the cake. Nice toilet though, when I walked in the lid raised up automatically and the bowl lit up. Fun. 이모! 여기 쌈 좀 더 주세요~

Yuchen L

Went for a prix fixe menu on Friday night. I didn't feel like the meat dishes are better than the avg you'd get at a good Korean restaurant. The only standout in my opinion was the seafood pancake. Bulgoli was way too saucy. The beef neck is pretty juicy but not memorable. I didn't like the pork kimchi jiggae at all. The walls of the restaurant are very echoey so it was difficult to have a conversation without yelling

Junwoo Lee

Why this place gets such high praise is truly an sf mystery. Second time here. The first time is remembered only by an absolute abomination of a kimchi jjigae, to the point that I actually had to ask the server to make sure it would be nothing like the first one this time around (what we had the first time was some Mexican-inspired pozole spinoff of kimchi jjigae, which was thankfully gone from the menu)(no shade to Mexican food, it’s literally my favorite cuisine). Good meat, nothing to write home about. 3 stars feels a bit low but 4 is definitely too high. Had three meat entrees and the best one was essentially a small ribeye steak. Tangerine and milk soft serve was good. Also, if my ancestors in Korea could see this $12 plate of ssam with 4 perilla leaves they would cry tears of blood. Korean food in the states has felt like daytime robbery for a while now, but this place takes the cake. Nice toilet though, when I walked in the lid raised up automatically and the bowl lit up. Fun. 이모! 여기 쌈 좀 더 주세요~

Food was alright, but it was not worth the price at all. You can find plenty of Korean food in the Bay Area with similar quality for lot cheaper. The chefs may have used many advanced techniques and put a lot of effort, but the taste didn't match the effort. Most of the food 6/10

+4

Overpriced for what it is. Staff were attentive/friendly, but the flavors and overall vibe were just average. Sadly, not worth a return visit.

+4