Rintaro Izakaya in San Francisco Authentic Izakaya in California

5 / 5 based on 1 Reviews

Updated: July 3, 2024

Summary

Rintaro Izakaya in San Francisco is a renowned Japanese bar situated near the city center, celebrated for its extensive selection of snacks and Japanese cocktails. Open from Monday to Sunday, with varying hours, it boasts a commendable rating of 4.9/5 and offers a dining experience at an approximate cost of €50 per person for side dishes. The izakaya's focus on snacks and socializing creates a vibrant atmosphere, enhanced by the option to observe chefs at work. Due to its popularity, reservations are recommended to avoid long wait times, and guests can enjoy a variety of dishes, including yakitori, homemade tofu, and unique cocktails. While the cuisine is authentic and delicious, the pricing reflects the premium experience provided, making it an ideal destination for those willing to indulge in Japanese culinary delights.

Details

Type: Restaurant
Published: September 13, 2019
Visited on: December 2, 2
Rating:
Price Category: 37.7688792
Touristic Level:

8/10
Address: 82 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States

Online Reviews Summary

This restaurant delights with a nostalgic, Kyoto-inspired atmosphere—think binchotan grilling, simmering oden pots and the comforting clatter of yakitori skewers—where counter seating near the open kitchen offers an immersive experience. Most diners praise the warm, attentive “omotenashi” service, from helpful explanations of fresh ume and yuzu cocktails to the quick turnaround on orders, though a few note that reservations are essential and waits can extend well past opening time if you arrive late. On the menu, the chicken skewers (especially liver and heart), homemade udon, sushi-grade sashimi and creative izakaya bites earn widespread acclaim, while opinions split on the beef curry rice, fish-head soup and some of the heavier katsu dishes. Nearly everyone agrees that the hojicha panna cotta is the crowning dessert, and many choose the tasting menu for a well-paced parade of courses—though some feel a la carte allows better control over portion and price. To make the most of your visit, book early (reservations open weeks in advance), request counter seats and plan for the default 20% service charge. If you prefer lighter fare, lunchtime specials or ordering a few standout dishes off the tasting menu—like the tsukune, chicken katsu with cheese, and pan-seared amberjack—can offer a satisfying and more budget-friendly introduction to this acclaimed izakaya.

The detailed experience report from RyuKoch

Rintaro Izakaya at a Glance

Rintaro Izakaya in San Francisco is a popular, typical Japanese bar located not far from the city center. Here you can enjoy extensive snacks and Japanese cocktails.

Opening Hours

Monday - Thursday
- 5:30 PM–10:30 PM
Friday - Saturday
- 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
Sunday
- 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM

Rating

Ryusei: 4.9/5

Price

about 50€ per person for side dishes

Summarized Conclusion

Rintaro Izakaya is a Japanese bar where the focus is on snacks and entertainment. We found the food very delicious, but also a bit expensive at 50€ per person.

If you have a little extra money, want to try some very tasty Japanese snacks and cocktails, and want to experience the atmosphere of a Japanese bar, a visit to Rintaro Izakaya in San Francisco is highly recommended.

A very good Izakaya in San Francisco

If you are looking for a typical Japanese "pub", this is the place for you! Rintaro Izakaya in San Francisco is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy extensive snacks and small dishes and which has even been awarded by Michelin. It's clean and pleasant and you can sit at a table or at the bar, where you can watch the chefs cook.

Due to the popularity of this Izakaya, however, there are very long waiting times (up to 1.5 hours), so a reservation is recommended. If you are able to get a seat, you will be served your ordered dishes relatively quickly.

Further down we have listed what we ate and drank. From grilled skewers to fried dumplings to small side dishes, everything you can order there is included. You can also try the extraordinary Japanese cocktails there.

We found everything extremely delicious and authentic! However, it also comes at a price, because with drinks and side dishes you can easily end up at 50 Euros per person (not including the typical US American 20% tip). So: We always recommend this restaurant if you have some spare money!

What did we order?

Rintaro in San Francisco - what we ordered

- Yakitori (chicken skewers, grilled)

- Liver Garlic (chicken liver and garlic)

- Chicken meat with onions

- Yosedofu (homemade tofu, super soft and delicious)

- Hanetsuki Gyoza (dumplings with meat Hanetsuki means with wings, which is why they don't look normal, but as if they had wings)

- Gohan with Natto (rice with Natto )

- Hojicha Panna Cotta (roasted tea Panna Cotta)

- Shiso Chu Hai Cocktail ( Shiso flavor, you can get some information from the article)

- Yuzu Chu Hai Coktail ( Yuzu flavor, you can get some information from the article

Conclusion:

Izakayas are Japanese bars or "pubs" where you can sit together comfortably, eat snacks or small dishes and mainly chat. You can experience this atmosphere in the Izakaya in San Francisco and even try Japanese cocktails.

It is not far from the city center, very popular and usually booked up, so you have to wait a long time for a seat. If you want to eat some side dishes and drink some cocktails, you have to expect to pay around 50 Euros per person for a visit. Nevertheless, the dishes are extremely delicious and the atmosphere is very nice!

In summary, Rintaro Izakaya in San Francisco is a beautiful example of a Japanese bar where you can eat relatively expensive side dishes and drink cocktails if you have plenty of time.