Minako Organic Japanese Rstrnt

Recommends

scottj

Joined 9 years ago

Great food. I've eaten here many times. The food is very good and different than the standard Japanese fare. They can be quite slow due to limited kitchen staff though, so if they are busy and you are in a hurry, it's not a good choice. But if you have time, they are worth the wait. The widest vegetarian selection for a japanese restaurant in San Francisco. Friendly family run restaurant.

Doesn't Recommend

love_chai

Joined 9 years ago

This isn't authentic.. They may try to make foods Authentic Japanese, but I disagree. Im Japanese and I felt most of foods taste too sweet either too strong to me. And everything taste kind of same nothing distinguish other wired thing was they dont put price on the menu. We dont want to ask them all prices, so customers dont know till seeing bills If I say Chinese like American Japanese, then you wont be disappointed.

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glensf

Joined 9 years ago

Different experience. I went 4 months ago. The portions were small and the prices were a bit high. Not expensively_priced, but NOT a "Cheap Eat". The oddest thing was timing of the service. One meal (hard to share) came out after 25 minutes, and the sushi and appetizers followed about 25 minutes later. (mid-week and only 3 tables full)

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nikipai

Joined 10 years ago

Organic Bonanza. Minako is easily missed when walking down Mission, but don't overlook this tiny treasure. With tremendous sized rolls and many vegan selections, I was overwhelmed and stuffed by the end of my meal. I'm not a huge veggie roll fan in general, but the gabo and shitake roll was yummy. Also, look for fat slices of tasty hamachi. The waitstaff was really nice and the chef made fancy presentations. The restaurant isn't too exciting on the inside and we ended up spending about $40 bucks each after tax and tip (but er overordered and we are big eaters). Oh, you can also look forward tp a yummy fruit and gelatin desert at the end of your meal.

Recommends

lotus_root_eater

Joined 10 years ago

Superfantabulous!!!. Minako's is superfantabulous!!!! The personalized, home-made feel to Minako's dishes is unlike anywhere in San Francisco. You will feel nurtured and comforted by the delicious Japanese creations you never thought possible. I'm not sure if their chopsticks are made of organic wood, but *everything* else at Minako's is organic, right down to the soy sauce and the prices are very reasonable, actually a bargain for what you'll be delighted with. The last few times I've gone, they've added bits of octopus and lotus roots to my inari! That's so cool & yummy! There's a similar level of culinary creativity in a lot of San Francisco restaurants, most of which are way more pricy than Minako's and they don't play the Ramones or Hanoi Rocks either. So what are you waiting for? Get a table before the rest of The City finds out and there's a line around the block!

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mbelanger

Joined 11 years ago

Superb. I hate to say this but Minako is superb. I only hate to say it, because you'll make it crowded and difficult to get in to.

When was the last time you had *real* wasabi? The atmosphere is fairly flat, but Judy and her mom are so kind and sweet and the food is beyond description, which makes it *SO* worthwhile.

Finally, be patient. It's a small place with only one waitress. Be prepared for a long, though fantastic meal.

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chynnae

Joined 11 years ago

Yummy food but SLOOOOWWW service. Minako had some very interesting selections on their menu. My husband ordered the mackeral that was cooked in a unique sauce that was very good (but not necessarily for everybody). All the food we ordered was superb. My only caution is that the service is INCREDIBLY slow. You should not eat here if you are trying to catch a movie or are in a rush. Rather, expect a long, leisurely dinner and enjoy the experience.

Recommends

cyberdoggie

Joined 11 years ago

Don't be fooled.... ... by the funky 'dealer-laden' neighborhood. This is a true find in a rather rough mission street block. The sushi takes and improves on the traditions. A tuna poke special was served in a martini glass with two kinds of tobiko. Beautiful to look at and delicious too. Sushi was served at a leisurely pace. Large portions, interesting presentation and an interesting and attentive waitress make this a nice mid-week spot. A great value too. Don't miss the bathroom which looks like you're in a surreal undersea room!

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Everyman

Joined 11 years ago

Judy, Judy, Judy!. Minako is the eptiome of a family eatery. Run by Minako, and her mother, Yoko, the cozy little sushi joint on Mission has a very homey and comfortable feel. When I ate there, Minako knew every customer who came through the door by name, indicating that she has a genuine interest in the people she's feeding. And feed them she does.....

The sushi menu features all of the old sushi standbys, plus a plethora of experimental new nigiri sushi. Vegetarians will be VERY pleased with the amount of selection they have here. I'd say that at least half the menu is Vegan, and delicious to boot (I myself am vegetarian, so I was thrilled to find this.....).

Eat at Minako.

Recommends

ediblecomplex

Joined 11 years ago

Finally in SF!. Finally a Japanese restaurant in San Fran that does vegan too! There is one in Berkeley already and gratefully they present different tastes. Two things I suggest them changing is the preparation of the teriyaki tofu-dredging it in cornstarch is a great idea, but only when they cook it thoroughly, which didn't happen here. It was served on a sizzling iron platter, and althrough the bottom cooked well, the top and sides left us with powdery strangeness. THe other suggestion is to vary the type of tofu they use. We ordered two different styles of tofu dishes and they were all made with the firm tofu. Other than that, the food was excellent, and who doesn't love dining to Misfits and Duran Duran? The hostess was extremely nice.