Noodle In A Haystack

This is the best Ramen experience I've had to date. You will have a wonderful omakase adventure, with insightful and passion filled commentary from the chefs. IF you are able to secure a reservation on their website, you will not be disappointed. The limited seating does provide a more exclusive and personal experience. As someone who has visited Japan a couple times, this experience has matched and even surpassed my expectations.

We had a very special dinner at Noodle in a Haystack. The food was all very innovative and delicious, and Clint and Yoko were so friendly and welcoming. They are true artisans and I wouldn’t be surprised if they win a lot of awards. Highly recommended!

One of the best ramen that I have ever had! It was shrimp broth ramen served with perfectly cooked noodle and egg. All appetizers were fantastic and chef Clint has a great story for each dish. Loved them and definitely want to go back again

Absolutely phenomenal experience. The food was outstanding - I’ll never forget the cold ramen with Wagyu, it was a defining culinary experience for me. I hope to be back soon. Come hungry, it’s a lot of delicious food!

It is a fun dining experience for sure There are only 12 seats and you must make reservations and pay before you can walk in and dine The food is legit and the chef / owner go over each dish with a story All dishes are very delicate, sake pairing is excellent too

As good as food gets. Just book this. You will not regret it. Sincerely one of the best food experiences of my life. Every dish was incredible, made more amazing by the journey - then taken to a remarkable height by the thoughtful explanation from the chefs.

We had a great dinner at Noodle in a Haystack. The food was all amazing, and Clint and Yoko were so friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended!

Christopher Choquette

Best meal we've ever had. Each dish was executed to perfection and the level of variety and uniqueness was unparalleled. There were so many different and novel flavor combinations. The most unique and the best ramens I've ever had. The owners are so lovely and you can see the hard work and passion for cooking that they've put in. I can't wait for another opportunity to taste their cooking.

anatte litvak

"Stupidly Good" We had dinner at Noodle in a Haystack last night, and we're still trying to wrap our heads around what we experienced. We made a point to go in completely blind - no food photos, no PR, no reviews. And I’m so glad we did. From the very first bite, we knew we were in for something special. I don’t usually write reviews, but we’ve been lucky enough to dine at many of the world’s top restaurants - both on and off the 50 Best list and Michelin guide. I mention that only to give some context. In a world where many fine dining chefs follow a well-trodden path - culinary school, staging, and years perfecting classical techniques - Chefs Clint and Yoko (both ex-corporate, entirely self-taught) are rewriting the rules. Together with Patty, their small but mighty team delivers a 2.5-hour dining experience that’s completely original, technically flawless, and deeply intimate. Every element - from pacing to presentation - feels intentional and meticulously considered. And then there’s the food. There wasn’t a single dish that didn’t completely blow us away. The textures (shoutout to the chawanmushi, wagyu salumi, and that absolutely insane lobster stuffed, uni topped milk bread donut) were unlike anything we’ve ever tasted. The ramen was the best we’ve had outside of Japan. The coffee basque-style cheesecake rivaled what we’ve had in San Sebastián. And the sake and wine pairings were spot-on, perfectly complementing flavor combinations that are wildly inventive and clearly the result of countless hours of obsessive R&D. The restaurant currently seats 10 and is only open two nights a week - making reservations extremely hard to come by - so if you don’t get one right away, keep trying. It’s absolutely worth the effort and the cost. I can confidently say this is my favorite restaurant in San Francisco, and I can’t wait to experience what they dream up and serve next.

Jenny Xu

What a cool experience! Got a reservation here thanks to a friend and we went on a Tuesday night! Good: - The place was so cute! I liked that it was a hole in the wall place - Super nice staff, definitely a labor of love - Liked the mini wine pairing, wasn’t too much and it did complement each dish well - Each course was so pretty and made in front of us - my favorites were the Amish chicken and the desert pancake was very tasty. The noodles had good texture! Everything was worth eating, no dish wasn’t great. Bad: - Expensive! Overall enjoyed this 3 hour experience and it was worth every moment

Giovanni Fnu

One of the best & true Japanese ramen joint you can find in San Francisco - hands down! I love the details they thought of into the making of every dishes that they served in front for you. Most of the dishes they made are often tied back to a story / reminder of other dishes that takes you back to the joy of home cooked meals. I also love Yoko & Clint - they’re so humble and such lovely duo, it’s always great to catch up with them even if it’s for a short period of time! I know it’s hard to find reservation here but keep trying! Definitely worth the visit!

Jerry C

It is challenging for me to describe how much passion and effort they put into the quality of their food. When I first arrived outside the restaurant, everyone patiently waited for the door to open on the dot. When the door opens, we are warmly greeted inside and check in promptly. There was a space on the right side to hang our coats and store our umbrellas since the rain was torrential. When I first sat down, I noticed how vast and spacious the restaurant was, with a beautiful large countertop leading to an open kitchen. The first course came, and despite how assuming it looked, that single bite packed such a large amount of flavor that I knew it was going to be a lovely evening. The subsequent dishes that followed were also not what it seemed, but the flavor did not clash for me. I had plenty of sake pairing during the meal that you never thought would work with that dish, but the pairing was pretty on point. I had lots of new sake I had never drunk before, and I had taken plenty of photos of each bottle so I could find it later when I wanted to. The owners are amiable when conversing with everyone and answering questions on the dish in particular or if they have any recommendations on another restaurant they like. It is not an experience I can elaborate on in detail, but rather, you have to experience it to know how different it is from all the restaurants I have experienced in the Bay Area. I will return to try their dishes when they rotate them again for the spring time.

Steph Kwan

Delicious tasting menu! The husband and wife duo are passionate about their menu and it really shows. However, I did wish there were more ramen inspired dishes (not just one ramen dish). Nonetheless I still had a great meal and it was worth the experience. There aren't many seats at the counter, so plan to make those reservations early!

Rosina Su

If you've grown tired of traditional ramen, you must give this understated ramen shop a try. Every dish is crafted with great care. If you opt for the additional sake pairing with your meal, each dish comes with its own sake match. The owner is attentive, providing detailed explanations of each dish's ingredients and preparation process, along with insights into the sake selections and their flavors. The dining experience goes beyond just eating; you gain knowledge about various ingredients while enjoying a delightful meal. The owner is sociable, and with only 12 guests served at a time, the atmosphere is relaxed, akin to dining with friends. It's a feast for both the eyes and taste buds—a culinary delight that ramen enthusiasts shouldn't miss.

Cassandra Campos

I was able to enjoy the Sake Paring tasting menu and it was phenomenal! The care and detail put into each dish was felt and tasted. Thank you Clint and Yoko for a wonderful evening!

Tomoaki Imai

Such a great and memorable dinner. Each portion had a unique idea and beautiful presentation. I really like how textures/flavors are mixed in each plate; crispy & soft, sweet & spicy etc. Noodles are specially crafted for this ramen and they fit perfectly with soup. It was definitely a thing we can only enjoy at Noodle in a Haystack. Not even in Japan! Also, we loved having conversations with Clint and Yoko, and hearing about how they came up with these great dishes.

Renée CS

Clint and Yoko have taken wonderful homemade cooking from their at-home pop-up to an official, real restaurant in the Richmond. I was a Kickstarter backer, so I recently got to experience the magic they're creating here in May during a lovely 7-course dinner with a sake pairing. When I describe it as an "experience" and not just a meal, I mean it in the fullest sense of the word. It's a small, 10-person place, where everyone is served at the same time so that Clint and Yoko can share their inspiration for each dish as it is served. I chose the sake pairing, and learned that they had been as thoughtful with their beverage menu as they are with their cooking - every sake was carefully chosen, and matched so well with what we were tasting. I'm not a foodie by any means, so I won't do a detailed breakdown of the dishes (I'll leave that to the reviewers that know food better). Based on the reactions of everyone else who ate there with us that night, I will say I believe that once NiaH officially opens (they said they are targeting Sept, depending on when they get through their Kickstarter pledge backlog) it will instantly become every San Francisco foodie and critic's top Japanese dining experience. At least, it's definitely mine.

Joshua Benavides

This is the best Ramen experience I've had to date. You will have a wonderful omakase adventure, with insightful and passion filled commentary from the chefs. IF you are able to secure a reservation on their website, you will not be disappointed. The limited seating does provide a more exclusive and personal experience. As someone who has visited Japan a couple times, this experience has matched and even surpassed my expectations.

Andy Chen

We had a very special dinner at Noodle in a Haystack. The food was all very innovative and delicious, and Clint and Yoko were so friendly and welcoming. They are true artisans and I wouldn’t be surprised if they win a lot of awards. Highly recommended!

Hanna Jung

One of the best ramen that I have ever had! It was shrimp broth ramen served with perfectly cooked noodle and egg. All appetizers were fantastic and chef Clint has a great story for each dish. Loved them and definitely want to go back again

Rick Balwani

Absolutely phenomenal experience. The food was outstanding - I’ll never forget the cold ramen with Wagyu, it was a defining culinary experience for me. I hope to be back soon. Come hungry, it’s a lot of delicious food!

Chia Jen

It is a fun dining experience for sure There are only 12 seats and you must make reservations and pay before you can walk in and dine The food is legit and the chef / owner go over each dish with a story All dishes are very delicate, sake pairing is excellent too

Cameron Maddux

As good as food gets. Just book this. You will not regret it. Sincerely one of the best food experiences of my life. Every dish was incredible, made more amazing by the journey - then taken to a remarkable height by the thoughtful explanation from the chefs.

Connie

We had a great dinner at Noodle in a Haystack. The food was all amazing, and Clint and Yoko were so friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended!

The best part? It feels personal. The husband-and-wife team (Yoko & Clint) talk you through the dishes with warmth, not pretension. The restaurant is tiny, the kitchen looms in front of you, and that closeness makes eating there feel like being part of something rare.

It was such a treat to dine here! Truly a hidden gem in San Francisco, Clint and his wife Yoko offer the most exceptional ramen and a myriad of other tasty bites, all made right in front of you and with the delicacy and precision of brilliant culinary artists. It's amazing to think they aren't trained chefs because it's one of the best meals I've had! We did the mini sake pairing menu and it was so much fun. As a sake lover, it was great to see such a unique and varied selection paired with the courses. I wanted to live in the moment so didn't take any pics. :) I wish Clint and Yoko an abundance of continued success. What they've created is really special and they should feel incredibly proud of how far they've come with this restaurant. Put the time slot to book reservations in your calendar and be sure to go! Highly recommended!

Highly recommend Noodle in Haystack, if you can snag a reservation! The chef duo is personable and passionate about the food that they create, and everything is served with care and attention to detail. All of the dishes were delicious - my favorite was the wagyu in deep fried donut - and the bowl of shoyu ramen at the end was truly delicious. We also really enjoyed all of the sakes that were expertly paired with the dishes - it truly took the experience to a new level. Additionally, the space is beautiful, especially the Japan-inspired counter, which allows you to watch the chefs at work and also interact (if you want to) with your fellow diners. We will be back!

Brian Thompson

The best part? It feels personal. The husband-and-wife team (Yoko & Clint) talk you through the dishes with warmth, not pretension. The restaurant is tiny, the kitchen looms in front of you, and that closeness makes eating there feel like being part of something rare.

Sarah O

It was such a treat to dine here! Truly a hidden gem in San Francisco, Clint and his wife Yoko offer the most exceptional ramen and a myriad of other tasty bites, all made right in front of you and with the delicacy and precision of brilliant culinary artists. It's amazing to think they aren't trained chefs because it's one of the best meals I've had! We did the mini sake pairing menu and it was so much fun. As a sake lover, it was great to see such a unique and varied selection paired with the courses. I wanted to live in the moment so didn't take any pics. :) I wish Clint and Yoko an abundance of continued success. What they've created is really special and they should feel incredibly proud of how far they've come with this restaurant. Put the time slot to book reservations in your calendar and be sure to go! Highly recommended!

K Lau

Highly recommend Noodle in Haystack, if you can snag a reservation! The chef duo is personable and passionate about the food that they create, and everything is served with care and attention to detail. All of the dishes were delicious - my favorite was the wagyu in deep fried donut - and the bowl of shoyu ramen at the end was truly delicious. We also really enjoyed all of the sakes that were expertly paired with the dishes - it truly took the experience to a new level. Additionally, the space is beautiful, especially the Japan-inspired counter, which allows you to watch the chefs at work and also interact (if you want to) with your fellow diners. We will be back!