5 to Try: Izakaya Houses
By Patrick Heig, San Francisco Editor
Izakaya houses, also known as ale-houses in Japan, are springing up all over the city, introducing San Francisco to Japan's comfort food cuisine--pork, fish and veggies, braised, pickled, and fried--and the copious sake and beer drinking that often goes with it.
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O Izakaya Lounge
1625 Post St, San Francisco, CA
Located in the Hotel Kabuki, this Japanese-baseball-themed spot serves izakaya dishes like braised Berkshire pork belly along with specialty sakes in a pub-like space lined with flatscreens playing sumo and Japanese baseball. -
Sozai Restaurant & Sake Lounge
1500 Irving St, San Francisco, CA
Known as the city’s authentic izakaya house, Sozai’s raucous drinking scene and excellent Japanese cuisine make it a destination for group-dining twentysomethings. -
NIHON
1779 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA
More than 120 varieties of whiskey and izakaya small plates lure in the uber-stylish set. -
Oyaji
3123 Clement St, San Francisco, CA
Artfully presented Japanese small plates and sushi are the highlights at this quirky, convivial Outer Richmond haunt. -
Umami
2909 Webster St, San Francisco, CA
This izakaya-style dining destination for locally sourced food sprinkled with flavors from throughout Asia doubles as a Marina singles scene.
