Tanpopo

Amazing dining experience. The Gyukotsu Ramen + Short Rib is delicious. The kitchen was filled with a savory aroma while it was prepared. Tender meat and thick noodles made it worthwhile. Their Gyoza is also a great choice for an appetizer. The setting and service were very pleasant.

This place was busy even for Friday lunch. We got spicy miso ramen and kurobuta pork bowl with rice. The food was tasty and really well made. The ramen wasn’t very oily but still very flavorful with perfectly boiled jammy eggs. The pork dish was delightful. Flavorful and melt in mouth. They had a pretty extensive drinks menu too which we didn’t try but would be good paired with the food.

Really good food, the ramen broth for the tonkatsu was light and flavorful. The curry rice was filling, and the broth for the agedashi tofu packs a punch. The waiter was stretched thin... And there's usually a waiting list, all of which is understandable.

"Where do you want to eat? How about that place? I dunno, how about THAT place?” That’s the “You Decide” game we all play when there are an abundance of nearby restaurant choices, such as in Japantown. You see a ramen house, look at the menu, check out the vibe, see if there’s a crowd, then spot another ramen house across the street. What if that one’s better? It can be a lot of pressure lol. I’m certain if you choose Hoshinoya, you will be satisfied. It’s a ramen house with a bit of a fusion spin to many of its dishes, bringing in some Thai influence as well as original takes on traditional ramen and tonkotsu. In fact, you’ll be asked to select how spicy you want your meal: none, mild, medium, or spicy. I ordered the Drunken Ramen max spicy and when they say spicy, they mean it. I also tasted a medium-spicy Tonkatsu which was probably what most eateries consider maximum-spicy. So if you love spicy food, go for it! If your tolerance is a bit less, scale down accordingly. The Drunken Ramen and the Pork Belly Tonkotsu were both standout dishes, well worth ordering. We also tried the Shrimp Lollipops, based solely on the name. It was a good appetizer consisting of three batter-fried shrimps on sticks with a couple sauces; probably nothing you haven't tasted before. The indoor seating is cozy and comfortable and the service was quite prompt and friendly. They have a waiting list to sign, and with two couples ahead of us, we only waited about 4 minutes. There's plenty of outdoor seating too, good for people-watching in the plaza. My recommendation for finding a great place to eat in Japantown is to avoid the restaurants in the Japan Center mall. For some reason, the places I’ve eaten at there are a bit sketchy. But there are plenty of choices on Buchanan, Post and adjacent streets.

Amazing food. One of my fav Japanese spots in SF. We were impressed with everything we ordered: gyukotsu ramen, pork belly rice, takoyaki, and pork belly bao. Get the gyukotsu ramen - you won’t be disappointed. The meat is so tender and falls off the bone. The broth is rich and savory. The noodles are perfectly chewy. The serving size is huge, bowl is 2x the size of my face. Service was attentive and courteous too. We will definitely be coming back here!