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On the Bridge
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
Japan Center1581 Webster St, Ste 205
San Francisco, CA 94115
Neighborhoods: Japantown, Lower Pac Heights, Pacific Heights
(415) 922-7765
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
575 reviews for On the Bridge
Review Highlights
"The curry is absolutely mouthwatering."
(in 395 reviews)
"my standard is the mentaiko spaghetti, yum."
(in 22 reviews)
"My favorite lately has been the loco moco."
(in 39 reviews)
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575 reviews in English
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Review from Summer M.
Sacramento, CA
2/9/2012 5 photos
Hands down, no contest, On The Bridge is my favorite place to eat in San Francisco!
Located in the Japantown mall, OTB serves up a delicious variety of Japanese and Americanized Japanese food. Their curry is crazy good and completely customizable, including the ingredients and how hot you want it. I'm a baby so I get the mild curry; my husband, who always moans that spicy food in restaurants is never hot enough, was blown away by their xxx-spicy.
We always order the curry, save the few times we've wrenched ourselves away from the beloved curry and order another interesting menu item. Everything else we've tried is great too: the round garlic potato fries, the croquette, the okonomiyaki, the pastas (especially the spaghetti!), the donburi, even the cocktails and the bottled sake are yummy!
Beyond the mind-blowing menu, I adore the venue itself. The walls are covered in anime posters and the in-wall bookcases are stuffed full of manga. Multiple TVs play assorted anime. The wall behind the counter is festooned with Japanese toys, figurines and plushes. It's like a NewType magazine exploded in there!
I can't write a love note long enough for On The Bridge. Highly recommend it to anyone in San Francisco, and if you're in Japantown it is a must!! -
Review from Randy P.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 2/7/2012
the food here is pretty awesome...but the last couple of times i have eaten here i got pretty crappy service....
boooo!!!!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/11/2009
If curry be your thang..then you should try this place.
I've eaten here about 6 times and each time,… Read more »
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Review from Amberlene W.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2012
How should I put this?
The salt and pepper shaker never left my hand during the entire meal....
I'm not a person that eat very salty or needs a lot of flavor in dishes... But this place, seems like they definitely forgot any flavors on the dishes. We order two dishes, and both were lacking of any flavor. The food looks better then it taste!... The portion are definitely generous, but what's the point getting a lot of something that isn't good. The services and staff was nice. But overall your here to eat, and if the food isn't edible then it really didn't serve its purposes... -
Review from Peter T.
Washington, DC
I really like this place! Friendly, good food and selection of drinks. Show anime on TV and have a manga library. Okonomiyaki pizza was outstanding. Unique setting - on the walkover between two buildings.
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Review from Nobu K.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 12/31/2011
Problem On the Bridge is not the Yo-Shoku concept.
It's not those Manga books either.
SLOW TEMPO SERVICE with such a sad looking waitress.
And kinda funky looking dirty interior and such a uncomfortable chairs with the fluorescent lights are bothers me.
Food here is OK, but it is uncomfortable, so I don't stay here for long.
Every time when I come here, I get a feeling like "eat asap and get the hell out here!"
The place should be called as "In and Out Japo"Listed in: Authentic Japanese!, PIZZA NAZI, Cheap & Good Japanese!, OKONOMI-YAKI, CURRY Over Rice, Japanese…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/6/2010
Remember that Love American Style?
Well, how about this.
Curry Japo Style.
The 1st original Japanese… Read more »
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Review from Vivian H.
3.5
Overpriced for what you get, especially since the spaghetti dishes are pretty much ONLY spaghetti. I really don't want to pay 8 dollars for just spaghetti. However, the other non pasta dishes are more worth it.
BF loves this place, because he loves Japanese western food (or yoshoku) especially curry and hanbagu.
However, the shiso spaghetti here did inspire something I now make regularly for dinner - shiso angel hair pasta! Except, my version is way more western, and way more substantial than On the Bridge. -
Review from Justin K.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012
feel the curry sauce with much flavor, tense, savory smell, not happy with the rice, kind of cheap. will be back.
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Review from Cindy K.
Oakland, CA
1/15/2012
You know the cute little restaurant that sits right on the bridge between the two little plazas at the Japan Center. You walk by it all the time, not sure whether to go in or not to give it a try. The warm, welcoming green decor draws you in but you don't see a lot of people in there, almost zip, so you're not sure. Well, even if you didn't, I did, and regrettably so. Although the atmosphere was pretty cute - i'll give them a star for that - with the comic books, magazines, cute cat anime playing on tv, that did not make up for the not-so-good-food.
The boy ordered the loco moco, which was like a burger patty with sauce and rice. It was not good. It was bland, very average and just...not good. I ordered the chicken curry because, I looove curry and I would think Japanese curry would not disappoint but oh, was I so disappointed. It was just kinda warm (not hot) shredded chicken in a curry gravy sauce that lacked flavor and it sat in this (i guess it was kinda pretty) tin pouring cup-thing and I just didn't want to eat anymore after like 3 bites. I mean, maybe it wasn't even fresh, who knows, but I just did not enjoy my experience here. Also the water was just room temperature, no ice, not refreshing, not helping. Wished it could've been better, but now I realize why this place is always empty. -
Review from Savier M.
1/15/2012
Cute little stop with manga abound. I tried to resonate but curry made the decision. And.... well.... Sav couldn't stomach it too much. I prefer the curry at Mifune and Nijiya Market. Sorry Amai-chan and Lorfagasm. The murky, lacking a kick curry sauce made Sav's stomach shout "TOMETE!"
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Review from Miss K.
San Francisco, CA
1/3/2012
Inconsistent. When it's good, it's pretty good. When it's bad, well... There was a blob of grit in my broccoli (ew!) & curry was watery & lacking in complexity of flavor.
I do appreciate the magazines. Plus this is one of the restaurants open later around here. -
Review from Michael N.
San Francisco, CA
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've come here a few times over the course of my time spent at Japantown. The place was pretty decent. Nothing really out of the ordinary. I'm a fan of Japanese food, and I'm a fan of Italian, but I really don't think these guys did it right...
I ordered the Okonomiyaki Pizza and the Mentaiko Spaghetti. Both were weren't anything special. They weren't terrible though. Definitely a place I'd go to eat again, but only if I really have to...
The service could use improvement too. They are very nice and polite to the customers but they seem a bit forgetful and a little too scared by people. I don't know if it's just the fact that I'm a 6 foot guy, but I definitely seemed like Frankenstein's monster to those little ladies... I just wasn't scary enough to get a free meal out of them... -
Review from Dennis M.
CA
12/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I hope you enjoy waiting because this place is SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw wwwWWwwwwwuh.
Curry is worth it, though. -
Review from Cherylynn N.
San Francisco, CA
11/15/2011 5 photos
I LOVE YOSHOKU CUISINE! ON THE BRIDGE? NOT SO MUCH....
Yoshoku Cuisine is the Japanese take on Western Cuisine. With Italian and European influences, you will find pastas, rice au gratin, pizza, hamburger steaks, and curries on the menu at On the Bridge.
Last week, my friend and I made an inebriated decision to come eat at Off the Bridge. Everything always sounds good when drunk right?
Be forewarned that there's only one chef and one waitress so service is SLOW. When it's dead, expect a wait of 25 minutes for your food and 45 minutes+ if it's busy.
I love Japanese Curry for its thick consistency and sweeter flavor so I decided to order the Pork Katsu Curry Don. For all curries, you have a choice of Mild, Medium, Spicy, X-Spicy, XX-Spicy and XXX-Spicy. Having tried the XX-Spicy 4 years ago and literally leaving drenched with tears, I decided to opt for "Spicy" this time around. My friend ordered the Loco Moco and we also shared a Cheese Pizza. Yup, everything always sounds good when you're drunk. *sigh*
CHEESE PIZZA - $5.75
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The BEST part of our meal was the cheese pizza which reminded me of the personal size pizzas from the Pizza Hut stand in Target stores but sprinkled with nori strips. Though the crust was crisp and fluffy soft, half the slices were barely covered with any cheese and/or tomato sauce.
PORK KATSU CURRY DON - $11.75
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A heaping pile of white rice with a golden brown pork katsu cutlet topped with curry sauce, an over easy egg, Parmesan cheese, and diced tomatoes. The hodge-podge of ingredients would have worked well together if the curry sauce didn't ruin the entire dish. It's been a while since I had their curry but this one was extremely cakey and gritty http://www.yelp.com/bi...; not at all appetizing. Flavor profile wise, the curry was full of intense spices from the cumin, turmeric and coriander. The "spicy" was just enough to leave a tingle of heat on my tongue. There was no hint of sweetness like most Japanese curries have. In short, I'm just not a fan of On the Bridge's gritty "Yoshoku" take on curry.
Though I'm not loving the food at On The Bridge, I love the playful Manga anime lined walls and vibrant yellow and green furnishings. Gotta love that they end your meal with a Hi-Chew. Ahhhhh, I'm a SUCKER for Hi-Chews.
OTHER NOTE(S):
*$2 off validation at the Japan Center parking garages on both Geary and Fillmore streets. -
Review from Jenny L.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2012
From reading reviews of this place, it's clear that many 1 star or 2 stars reviews are based upon ignorance of the term "yoshoku". Yoshoku is a Japanese style of home cuisine based upon Western cuisine, so it is in itself an authentic form of Japanese cuisine. Think of it as a Japanese spin on Western food, NOT as some reviews have mentioned, "confused" or "weird".
So if the concept of Western cuisine being tweaked to give it more Japanified taste offends you, you should probably read no further and just skip this place.
On the to review, I had dined here on and off for several years though I wouldn't call myself a regular.....there are simply too many dining options in SF as any native would tell you.
I came here couple of days ago at around 130 in the afternoon. There were 3-4 tables besides me and my friend. Also there were 3 people ordering to-go and another group of 4 tourists ordering sake, all during the time that we dined there. Judging the service not only for us but for the others, I wouldn't call the service AAA-prompt, but I wouldn't call it slow either. This is a mom and pop joint, so be prepared to wait longer than say, if you go to Mel's Diner for instance. It's one waitress and 1 cook/ owner, so keep that in mind.
Japanese- style Curry is their specialty, and that's what I usually order. My order this time was for 4X Extra Spicy Curry, from the choose-your-own option. I chose chicken, fried egg, mushroom, and broccoli. I have high tolerance for spicy foods (I mean SPICY), so 4X Spicy didn't even touch me. It was spicy and my tongue did feel the heat, but it wasn't intolerably so, however I think for most novice spice eaters it would probably be too spicy. The chicken in the curry is shredded, so don't expect to see chunks of chicken in the dish. The difference between Japanese-style curry and traditional Indian curry is that Japanese-style tends to be both sweeter and a bit saltier but less oily. The large mound of rice that you get with your curry should take care of that. I usually don't finish all the rice, maybe just 1/2 of it if at all.
For those who haven't tried fried egg with their curry, I highly recommend it. Also if you wish to have even sweeter curry, you should choose tomatoes or onions as well. That's what my friend had in her curry, and it did taste sweeter than mine. She had the medium spicy upon the suggestion of the waitress who warned her about the spiciness levels. She did regret not ordering the Extra spicy, as she said that the medium spicy was LESS spicy than she'd thought.
Overall the ambience is pretty cute, this isn't fine dining so I'm not going to take away more stars for lack of ambience like many reviews did. Really, you should only review things within certain contexts, or else you risk sounding overly pompous or clueless. -
Review from Tony W.
Oakland, CA
12/16/2011 3 photos
On the Bridge has an interesting mix of Italian and Japanese cuisine. I tried the Okonomiyaki Pizza. It is decent but it is nothing to write home about. The items on the menu may be a little pricey.
The one problem I have is that the shop is really short staffed. There is only one woman managing all the tables. As a result, it is unrealistic to expect to have your waters refilled. -
Review from Monelle P.
San Francisco, CA
11/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've been on the hunt for Italian/Japanese fusion restaurants in SF ever since I dined at Cafe Hiro in Cypress and my Shoshoku hunt has been rewarded: Over the Bridge.
The Mentaiko Spaghetti is the perfect example of Japanese cuisine with an Italian twist. The spaghetti was perfectly al dente and coated in a light broth of garlic, soy sauce, and spicy cod roe. The briny essence of cod roe was executed impeccably and not fishy at all.
I came here for the Mentaiko Spaghetti, but we tried another dish that completely blew us away: the Katsu Curry Don. The subtle Italian spins on this Japanese classic made this really unique: fresh tomatoes chopped into the curry sauce and parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top. The katsu was perfectly crisp on the outside, yet tender on the inside and paired really well with the fried egg. I've never had a fried egg over katsu curry don and frankly, I don't think I ever want to have it any other way again. The yolk of the egg mingled with the curry sauce and made a rich, creamy gravy over the rice.
I'm already craving Over the Bridge again. I look forward to trying more dishes, especially the Loco Moco with Demi-Glaze sauce. -
Review from Annie Z.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2011
Honestly, I wanted to rate this place higher. I really love japanese curry but the most recent time I came here, it just did not hit the spot. First of all the little japanese ladies were so confused. They kept forgetting things on our order. The chicken kaarage was really good. The curry, was a little less satisfying.
I got the build-it-yourself curry which I use to like a lot and have fond memories of. The problem with ordering more things to add in your curry is the lack of curry you get as a result. My curry pitcher was filled with more food than curry and It definitely was a little strange. I thought thye should've given me a little more curry to balance it out. The rice was also overwhelming. There was so much rice. I guess that's on the positive side--Great large proportions for a hungry fat person like me! -
Review from Jason F.
Daly City, CA
1/19/2012
Recommended dish: Chicken or Beef Curry.
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Review from Arthur-woodrow S.
San Francisco, CA
12/18/2011
Talk about a 'slow' restaurant. If you're looking for a place where you can read every manga (comic book) in the restaurant before your food comes, this is the place for you.
They have an interesting menu, and the sizzling plates are decent dishes. They don't have too many vegetarian options, and they beer comes flat.
The funny looking owner/chef is quite a character. He might not like his life all that much and mopes around with a depressed look on his face. He's usually seen sulking on one of the counter seats, and maybe that's why the food takes so long.
It's not my favorite place in J-Town... "but you don't have to take my word for it." -Reading Rainbow -
Review from Harriet W.
San Francisco, CA
11/28/2011
My friends dragged me to Japantown one day and they chose this place to eat since we were all getting hungry. And honestly, i wasn't really impressed with this place either, like all the other restaurants I've been to in Japantown. It's another reason why I avoid eating in J-town.
Anyway, this place was nothing special to me. I ordered an Unagi-don and it tasted a little below average to me, and it took a while for the food to come out. For some reason, all the restaurants in j-town are stingy with the portion of unagi they give. I always have more rice leftover with no unagi to eat with. I could just be that's not the best dish around, but I'm not too anxious to go back for another try. -
Review from Edward H.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2011
I really wanted to like this place. But all it has going for itself is the location.
I've been to On the Bridge twice, and the second time wasn't any better than the first. Each time, I ordered the Beef Curry thinking the first time was just a poor batch, but even with the second time, I found it overpriced and lacking in both quality and quantity. Believe me; you can get a better curry plate at one of the other restaurants.
The service wasn't any better than the curry plate I had. The waitress/server was slow in taking my order. She seems to lack any interest in being there.
For a person who may not have much food or dining experience, or just looking for a place to hang out; this place is good enough. But for the matured and experienced diner, this is not the place to spend one's time or dollars. -
Review from Valerie R.
Sacramento, CA
10/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I never, ever stray from the curry.
When you walk in and see that the place is decked out in anime scrolls, a wall lined with manga and a Miyazaki film playing behind the counter, it might be a good indication to try the stuff that's at least more influenced by Japanese cuisine as opposed to eating some of the interpretations of Italian pasta plates. Just flip the menu to the backside and leave it there.
I've frequented On the Bridge for the past however many years, and until my most-recent visit, the curry has been reliable: full of that yummy curry flavor & spicy with a consistancy just slightly more runny than lava. With my regular toppings of mini sausages, mushrooms and shredded cheese, I'm usually a totally happy panda when I get to pour it all over a full plate of sticky rice.
When I went in this past Sunday, however...I'm not sure if I'd just come on an off day. The curry tasted a little less curry-like. It wasn't completely bland, but the punch of flavor wasn't all there. The spice was also cut back even though I'd ordered it spicy. Since I was suffering through the remnants of a head cold, I wanted that extra kick to clear my nose, haha. And who knows; maybe that lingering head cold could've affected my taste, too!
In any case: haters gonna hate, grass is green, sky is blue, etc., etc. Really decent Japanese curry is hard to come by here, so On the Bridge is still one of the few Japanese curry spots that I would recommend in SF.
...but if a Cocoichi ever opened up nearby... -
Review from Rachel Y.
Daly City, CA
11/16/2011
Food is OK. Unique offerings. I'm not aware of any other place in the City that offers yoshoku. If the menu sounds particularly appealing to you, go for it.
This place is pretty much like diner grade (as in, diners, drive-ins, and dives), but don't even expect that level of service. I think I've had good service from the owner and a male waiter in the past, but recently I experienced very listless service between two female waitresses. Even with good service, the food is just OK.
Also, the crowd that hangs out here tends to be kind of annoying. (If you're looking for weeaboos, Japantown is an excellent place to start. I guarantee you will hit the jackpot at the lower level of the Kinokuniya Bookstore and On the Bridge.) -
Review from Daniel B.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
"Fusions" in more than the usual Asian sense of the word, the items here are full-on chest bumps among Japan, Hawaii, Italy, and whatever countries are in the crazy animes constantly playing on the overhead TV's.
The first time I went here, I had the (flying fish?) roe spaghetti, which was pleasing except for, "Wait, is that chicken despite the waiter telling me this dish doesn't include any meats?" Take this as a good thing or a bad thing, but FYI your meal may or may not come with unexpected gifts. On my second visit, wanting to break into their pizza selection was overtaken by a craving for curry. So I'll have to speak on their pies when shoes powerlace.
In addition to exposing me to its food creativity, I credit this restaurant with introducing me to art that I wouldn't otherwise have seen. The oddball part human, part raccoon movie playing through my first visit was purely an exercise in expansive perception of illustration (in other words, "wtf did we just watch?"). But I got into the second visit's screening of "One Piece". I know there's somebody somewhere dressed in cosplay right now saying that OP isn't underground or avant-garde or whatever, but I don't care. I thought it was cool, my friends and I laughed, and On the Bridge showed it to us. -
Review from Ashley H.
Oakland, CA
11/1/2011
When I first moved to Japan, a plate of pasta could just about make me weep with disappointment. We bastardize foreign foods to suit American tastes, and they do the same thing in Japan. For a homesick American expecting familiar comfort food, dishes like these can actually deepen your sense of alienation.
Much to my surprise, after moving back to the U.S., I found myself wishing for a vinyl-padded, smoke-filled restaurant that served cod roe spaghetti. Traditional Japanese foods are certainly a major part of dining in Japan, but so are hybrid creations like these, and I'm nostalgic for them. I remember walking past On the Bridge before I moved to Japan, and thinking the menu looked absolutely bizarre. Now I'm so happy it's there. -
Review from Grant W.
San Francisco, CA
10/18/2011
On the Bridge gets its name from ... well, being located on a bridge. It is situated on the enclosed bridge/walkway over Webster Street connecting two buildings of the Kintetsu Mall. The establishment is very casual with a row of tables along the front of the restaurant and bar seating across the aisle. The restaurant cuisine is Japanese, or Japanese Fusion. When I first saw the menu, I likely would have classified it as Japanese Confusion. Au Gratin, cole slaw, potato salad and pizza are things I don't usually associate with Asian fare.
I decided not to be too adventurous and stick with something a bit more traditional. I ordered the chicken katsu curry don. I believe curry is one of their specialties. You can order it mild, medium, spicy, X-spicy and so on. Medium had a nice kick to it, so I am not sure I would brave the XXX-Spicy, at least not without mapping out the location of the nearest restroom.
My dish was delicious. The curry had just the right amount of spice and the chicken katsu was cooked to perfection. Until I find a better place, this is my go-to curry place. -
Review from m t.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2011
I am mixed about this place. What they do well are the Japanese curry ('kah ray),and the Japanese style spaghetti dishes. These are traditionally Western dishes that the Japanese have adopted and altered to their own liking. If you are looking for real Italian spaghetti, you will probably not like the mentaiko (spicy cod roe) spaghetti topped with nori, but I love that dish!! The curry is hearty and sweet, not spicy at all, but that is Japanese curry. It was adapted from curry eaten in England, not India. If you want Indian curry, this is not the place to go.
Still, it is a fun casual place. Good for families (anime on the TV sets) and good for people who just want to eat alone and read one of the many books/manga (but most are in Japanese!). The service can sometimes be slow, even when they are busy, but always polite and friendly.
Now, why only 3 stars. If I go to this kind of place, I am usually going with my preschooler who is a picky eater. They have a cute kids menu, but that menu is rather inflexible. The main dishes include a choice of Japanese spaghetti, plain udon, curry. No substitutions, not even a different kind of spaghetti even if I am willing to pay a price difference. It comes with a few slices of those canned mandarin oranges floating in syrup (preschooler looks at them suspiciously) rather than fresh fruit. It also comes with a few pieces of candy! OK, so candy on special occasions won't kill a child, but we always end up getting pieces that contain nuts, and my kid is really allergic to nuts! So, he wails because he can't have his candy. Usually they will exchange, but since the service is so slow, that the exchange doesn't occur for a while.
The last time I went with the preschooler, I ordered a side of 'fries.' That was a big mistake. It turned out to be a few slices of potato sauteed in butter! They were mushy and nothing like 'fries' we usually think of. So, that did not go over well with the preschooler who didn't want the Japanese spaghetti or canned mandarin oranges and was already upset over the nut containing candy that he couldn't eat. At least Kiki's Delivery service was showing on the TV.
I just wish they could improve on the kid meals. Then I can eat my mentaiko spaghetti or curry rice in peace. -
Review from Ana Marie L.
South San Francisco, CA
8/4/2011
I've been a regular customer of On the Bridge for over 10 years.
The food at On the Bridge is consistently good and offers some of the most unique and creative Japanese-fusion dishes in the entire SF Bay Area. My absolute favorite entrees include the following:
1.) Tofu, Mushroom, Spinach Rice Gratin cooked with 3 different types of cheeses in a casserole dish and
2.) Kinoko-no Spaghetti, which is comprised of japanese mushrooms (i.e. shiitaki, maitake, and enoki) and green onions in spaghetti with a light soy sauce base.
These are only my favorite dishes on the menu, however. I have tried many other entrees and appetizers and have never been disappointed.
Aside from the food, On the Bridge offers a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. The walls are lined with Japanese Manga (comic books) and anime posters. They often play delightful Hayao Miyazaki films on their small flat screen T.V. This is a family-run restaurant so it is not uncommon to find the owner and his family serving customers. Needless to say, I highly recommend On the Bridge! ^_^ -
Review from Melinda Y.
San Leandro, CA
I've passed by this little unassuming restaurant many times. I would peer inside the eclectic interior heavily-decorated with manga, glance over the atypical menu items, and move on to a different eatery with a more authentic Japanese name.
Oh ho...NOT today! Thanks, Lorrayne, for enlightening me to this delightful merging of cuisines. Ume & shisho spaghetti. Spicy cod roe spaghetti. It pays to be bold, especially when the fusion cuisine works like magic.
I ordered the tofu, mushroom, spinach rice au gratin ($8.95). I finally succumbed and ordered a hearty dish that really satisfies. All the ingredients were covered with a solid topping of a blend of gooey melted cheese over rice pilaf in bechamel sauce, served in a classic au gratin dish. The tofu had a crispy crust and a soft center -- just the way I like it. The dish was ridiculously fatty, and I enjoyed every bit of it wholeheartedly. Hmm...according to the online menu, the dish was supposed to come with a salad, which I did not get.
I also had the raspberry-Hi cocktail to wash down my au gratin. It was nice to have a light cocktail instead of one that's heavily-laced with alcohol to go with my meal.
Lorry had the Make-Your-Own curry. If my memory serves me correctly, each ingredient did not equal to additional costs.
If you don't let yourself explore new cuisines, you'll never discover anything but the ordinary. To think, I almost ordered a boring seafood udon, which I could've gotten in any Japanese restaurant. -
Review from Angela L.
8/14/2011
FOOD:
1.) Seafood soba = yummy! Totally didn't even expect this to be a soup (thought it was supposed to be cold noodle) buuut it was delish. I couldn't stop eating and ate the whoole thinggg mmmm
2.) Melon soda = haha. Tastes like Hello Kitty candy in a drink form
SERVICE:
It's okay. lol.
ATMOSPHERE:
Always passed this place in the mall, and it's literally "on the bridge" chuckle, clever. It's quirky, has a lot of anime memorabilia stuff displayed, and anime playing on a few small tv screens, haha. It's a long in shape, kinda like a sushi bar with a few tables. -
Review from Jeff C.
San Lorenzo, CA
9/27/2011
I love coming here because of it's unique character (anime playing, manga books, and the fact that it is indeed on a bridge) with a unique fusion take on Japanese food. I've had a number of things here and have liked what I've eaten. Most of this stuff you won't find in your traditional Japanese restaurant!
If I'm in the mood for something a little more substantial, I love the Japanese hamburger (with mushrooms!) or the yaki udon. The hamburger is a little heavy, with a rich sauce, but it's very flavorful. If I'm not as hungry, I'll go with a Japanese pasta. Their pastas are very unique! I've enjoyed the flying fish roe and kinoko no spaghettis. Nice and light and leaves room for either dessert afterwards or maybe one of their yummy potato croquettes as an appetizer! -
Review from Jamie S.
San Mateo, CA
7/21/2011
I wanted to fall in love with this place because it totally reminded me of Japan. The decor is cute and they have manga all over the restaurant. Lunch specials are a pretty good deal. I wanna say it's like $7 for your choice.
Anyways, the service was not good. There was one tired looking woman taking care of the restaurant. Although it wasn't busy, she was really inattentive.
Boyfriend ordered oyako-don. Can't really screw that up and it was good. I ordered the mentaiko pasta. It was nice but it didn't blow my mind. I can make it at home.. from a packet and it would taste comparable. I do want to go back to try the other different pastas that they have. Oroshi and shiso sound really interesting... -
Review from Tailypo A.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 8/17/2011
Kids meal still comes with 4 pieces of candy, a toy, and canned mandarin oranges. I am thankful I am able to offer some stability to my children in this ever-changing world.
But the menu changed and the girl-kid couldn't get that chicken thing she liked last time. So she got the udon and loved it. I got the shrimp katsu curry because you don't mess with delicious.
We watched Totoro and drank Calpico strawberry and made yumyum sounds, as was our goal.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/15/2010
Kid's meal comes with four large pieces of candy and toy sunglasses. Who cares what the food tastes… Read more »
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Review from David S.
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Tiny row seating. Anime on the walls. A menu with everything from Garlic Texas Toast to Pesto Soba Noodles to Katsu Curry. On a little bridge between two buildings in the mall. There's nothing more San Francisco than here in Japantown.
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Review from Albert L.
6/2/2011
NO TROLLS HERE!
I've passed by here dozens of times (it's hard to miss the oddly-super-tan Japanese cutout chef holding their menu) so I finally decided to try this place out. Now I LOVE spicy dishes so I decided to get the curry with the "XXXL Spicy" on it. Usually when restaurants claim their dishes "spicy", I laugh inside while I ready the sriracha sauce or whatever hot sauces they have, but this time it was no joke. It's was the real deal and I was tearing up throughout the whole meal requesting for more ice water.. Although my girlfriend had a blast laughing at my defeat, we both agreed that the food was adequate. A bit on the expensive side (probably because of the tourists) and the portion size was small.
I'll have to come back to try their Japanese-style pizzas though. -
Review from H K.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 8/23/2011
I'm increasing my star rating because of my discovery of the fairly unique Hi-C fruit cocktail drinks that they serve. Last night I came for dinner and ordered the raspberry one. To agree with review by Melinda Y.'s, the drink is a hit. A few months back I came and ordered the kiwi one, which was my great original discovery of this. On the menu there are also fruit-flavored sake which I might have tried had it not been for these Hi-C drinks.
Otherwise, I still enjoy coming here for their Japanese-style pasta dishes. I had been coming since 1994 but for whatever reason when thru a long hiatus before starting to come again recently. It's tempting to bypass this place with all the sushi restaurants around but I make it a point to stop here at times. Whatever on the Japanese-style pasta menu with mushroom in it works for me.
For Japanese comic and cartoon fans, they have a collection of comic books for you to read during a visit there. There are also two tv's, usually showing Japanese animation. Last night one of them was showing "My Neighbor Totoro". Unfortunately there is no volume on either of them. Otherwise I love the Totoro end theme song. :)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/18/2010
A nice place to come for pasta down Japanese style. They also do western style but so far I never… Read more »
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Review from Meredith C.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2011
Honestly we opted for this restaurant since almost every other restaurant in the 'hood was packed and with long waits. I had been here years ago when it may have been something else.
I had to try something "curry" since it seemed to be a fave. So I chose the katsu curry don - ordered with a medium spice. It was just ok, I was really disappointed with the rice which is a rarity. There wasn't a lot of curry and not a lot of spice or flavor. Although the over easy egg was a nice touch.
My friend ordered the flying fish roe spaghetti and spicy kaarage. The spaghetti was probably the fave dish this evening. Although a weird combo at first it was packed with flavor and the cod added a nice texture.
The kaarage was disappointing - not spicy at all and mediocre.
Oh well, at least we tried it! -
Review from Gary H.
Honolulu, HI
6/23/2011
I am in Love.
I ordered their special seafood spaghetti.
It contained a mussel or two, a shrimp or two, scallops, and some random other seafood-y type toppings that were not altogether unbecoming in something called seafood spaghetti!
I'm not into shrimps, scallops, mussels, clams, corn, nor other seafood-y things.
However it was Lovely!! omg perfect toppings and tossed with that pasta... a light sauce that was not Red nor White but something awesome and wickedly Japanese . Garnished with a seaweed, scallions, tomatoes I believe as well. Super light yet filling. I was so happy.
Great food from a neat place with an awesome friend! (emoticon heart!) -
Review from Jamie T.
11/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Curry Udon hit the spot. Dropped by this place with 2 girlfriends for a quick brunch before heading to the movie theater. This place is super cute for a quick lunch. Try the curry udon!
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Review from Hyun S.
Daly City, CA
9/9/2011
Get ready for GREAT FOOD and HORRIBLE SERVICE!
I don't ever remember getting great service here, but the food, keeps me coming back once in a while. This is the first restaurant I've ever not paid tip at. It was just horrible that one day. No greetings, late food, no sorrys, no anything. -_- I had to complain for our group and the food just magically came out right away! I wonder how they did that. It took the waitress 15 minutes to get us water too. Eh, probably it just wasn't my day.
Try their pasta for great portion, and pizzas for deliciousness!
*the pizzas come in rather small portions. It reminds me of Pizza Hut's mini 4-piece pizzas.
