Aedan Koji Kitchen

Cute little place in a residential area. I wouldn't have known if my friend who lives nearby didn't mention it. When she told me about the fresh natto, I had to go check it out. We got some miso and the turmeric drink. The probiotic amazake turmeric drink is interesting. It reminds me of Indian curry but it's slightly sweet from the fermentation. I enjoyed it and greatly appreciate it's vegan. I can't wait to try the natto and miso.

That feeling when you stumble upon a quaint neighborhood gem...this is it. Such lovely staff serving incredibly fresh and impeccable Japanese cookery. Their handmade miso and koji are the way to go! The flavors remind me of Grandma's cooking in the very best way. The special bento was filling, full of interesting delicious flavors and did not leave you feeling heavy. The chicken daikon soup – wow.

Probably the best bento I’ve eaten in a very long time. Ingredients are tasty and fresh! I love the chicken soup so much.

This is a wonderful store, fresh and healthy bento boxes are hand made by a caring staff. They also offer a wonderful miso making class on the weekends!! Could not recommend this store enough!!

I was there in this new location for a private event recently and have eaten their food from the farmers market stand for years. the food is really authentic and delicious. The owner is dedicated to the craft of Koji. This location has no seating - take away bento boxes for lunch and all the sauces and other koji products. Includes vegan options and also chicken options. The best.

Amazing gem in the neighborhood. Fresh, homemade miso and other Japanese fermented products. I ordered a grilled salmon bento. You can tell they put a lot of heart into their food. Each item, especially the sides are delicate, flavorful and tasty. Also came with a nice cake dessert. Minus one star for the price ($22 for the salmon bento). It's not an everyday treat but given the quality (especially the miso), recommend checking this place out!

This place is amazing! The staff are super nice and very helpful. The food is great and tastes authentic, words can't describe how much care goes into the food and service. I'm normally a picky eater especially when it comes to vegetables, but all the vegetable and vegetarian options are superb!

Really great bento box with lots of little well prepared things, the veggie miso is delicious, they have fridges with all of their home made Koji and Miso products to buy as well.

Aedan Koji Kitchen is a fantastic spot for a quick, healthy, and fresh meal! I stopped by for a quick lunch, and it exceeded my expectations. Their bento boxes are a perfect choice if you're looking for something wholesome yet satisfying, and the quality of the food truly stands out. Every component of the bento was thoughtfully prepared, from the perfectly cooked proteins to the fresh, flavorful sides. The service here was excellent, fast, efficient, and mindful. The staff made sure everything was taken care of without feeling rushed, even during a busy lunch hour. Their attention to detail, both in the food and the service, really makes the experience stand out. The space is cozy and welcoming, with a clean and minimalist vibe that reflects the care they put into their food. Whether you're dining in or taking it to go, the efficiency of the operation is impressive. Aedan Koji Kitchen is definitely a place I can see myself returning to often, especially when I want something quick, healthy, and delicious. Highly recommend for anyone who loves bento-style meals or just appreciates fresh, high-quality food served with care!

Updating my review- my husband made multiple dishes with their dark umami miso and they all came out delicious! Such a versatile and fresh ingredient- really a gem of an ingredient that you can't get elsewhere. Fresh Miso hotpot, miso soup or any miso salmon fishes the miso paste (although higher in cost than ordinary miso) is worth every penny for the depth of umami wow wow! Will be back anytime I'm in the city to pick up some of the miso paste

This amazing little spot specializes in koji and other fermented foods. I've eaten here numerous times and taken a miso-making class. The owner is very passionate about her craft, and about sharing it. She's also very kind and generous. I should mention that everything they make and sell is delicious, and most things are quite delicately flavoured. Aedan is a true SF gem.

A must-try for Japanese food lovers!! Whether you're visiting or live in the city, this cute, authentic japanese bento shop absolutely should be on your list. The Food: Healthy (no preservatives or added sugars), creative and just DELICIOUS! I swear you can't get this kind of homemade bento taste anywhere else outside of japan! I tried the poke special and it was the best poke i've had in cali. Everything is fresh and perfectly seasoned! The Service: The staff here are all friendly and sweet! Mariko the owner has a true passion for fermenting with Koji and it really shows through in both the food and service. The Ambiance: The shop doesn't have any seating, but we sat on the bench outside and they gave us complimentary tea **Bonus: They also are at the Ferry Building farmers market on Saturday!! I'll be back and will be recommending Aedan to literally everyone XD

This place is an absolute gem! I am so lucky that my work is walking distance from here. Only problem is that I want to eat here every day.  Imagine if you had a Japanese mom or grandmother and say their love language is food, it would literally manifest itself as an Aedan bento box.  Aedan how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.  The menu is small. You pick your choice of protein. They have tofu, chicken, salmon, and usually one specialty item. Last time I went the special was a miso buttered salmon with mushrooms. I'm a huge fan of the salmon. Get those omega-3s in. The side dishes that come with the bento are often marinated in their magical miso sauce and it is so flavorful! Each bite is an absolute delight! If you are starving, an Aedan bento box might leave you wanting. Get double protein for an extra $6. I think the box is the perfect amount for a bit of a lighter lunch and will leave you feeling nourished from the inside.  Bento boxes also come with a choice of miso soup or a mini cup of a sweet turmeric drink called amazake. Both are delicious! Amazake is something unique and special I've never seen anywhere else but Aedan so I usually go with that.  There is no seating inside but there is a little bench outside that wraps around a tree. I've sat there before with coworkers and the Aedan ladies would offer us complimentary cold tea. Every time I stop by this place looks a little bit busier than the last. I think the secret is getting out but service is always top notch here and so friendly, I'm so happy to see it! They also host miso making classes so you can attempt to replicate some of their dishes at home.  Highly highly recommend!

The most exquisite and non-ostentatious bento box in the Bay Area. So many bento boxes in other places unnecessarily feature gold foil, flavorless truffle, or caviar just for show, and I love how these bentos celebrate the fresh, seasonal, unique, and diverse flavors of various vegetables and meats. I loved the salmon miso butter mushroom special! The mini Kabocha cake was adorable and delicious. Loved the miso eggplant too. The tamago was delicious. The miso soup is the best miso soup I've tried in California, so earthy and umami. Highly recommend, especially if you're hungry or in a rush, as the bento boxes are prepared quickly! There is a little bench outside but no tables, so it would be a great idea to pick up bentos & picnic nearby!

Cute spot that looks like they take a lot of care in their craft. You can buy some ingredients like miso for cooking. Their focus seems to on making food with no additives or preservatives, and low sugar. You get a good variety with your bento and the food tastes like a bit like a home cooked meal. Keep in mind it's a light, not hearty, bento box. Tbh, it's not really for me, but I'm glad I came to check it out and I am rooting for this new spot.

Service is EXCELLENT very kind, gentle spoken man whom took my order over the phone as well, cashiered me out at my pick up. Husband and wife ran small take-out only business. Open kitchen and drinks available in glass door refrigerator. Ordered the bento with beef which comes with choice of in-house made oakmilk beverage or small miso soup. I chose the miso soup, but, I purchased the beverage as well. You only choose the protein, the sides come with your choice. The beef is chopped wagyu, and ,looks like a small meatloaf . Everything was extremely flavorful with each it's own unique flavor. I was skeptical about the meat loaf at first, because it looked like it was covered in mustard seed, but you don't taste mustard seed, and they just melt in your mouth. They're not crunchy they don't pop. The flavor is absolutely delicious reading their menu. They tell you exactly how they use fermentation to make the dishes and the sauces, which is probably why everything is so exceptionally great. The sides that came with the box were also each unique and delicious. The only thing I wasn't fond of was the eggplant side because it hurt my tongue. I thought that the eggroll omelette was a cake roll, but it was not. The dessert in this dish was a red bean ,almost like Mochi cake, but not Mochi. The miso soup was very good. It does not taste like your traditional Japanese restaurant miso soup. This taste very homemade like some miso soup you would get at your mom's house. The beverage is an oatmeal based Hamakaze turmeric drink that has organic rice koji, Water, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, and nutmeg. Opinion, almost taste, like curry was not curry, but a sweet creamy beverage. It was nothing savory about it, but it was delicious..... I absolutely love this restaurant and very happy to have found it using YELP!!! #yelpsanfrancisco #yelpbayarea

So glad this takeout spot opened up! I was so excited for some fresh and authentic bento for lunch and have passed by this spot at the Ferry farmers market but never ended up trying it. We ordered the salmon egg bento and the chicken bento with added salmon. Each came with a set of pickled vegetables, fresh miso soup, sweet mochi, and tamago. While we waited for our food, we chatted with the owner who was so friendly and gladly shared their story. The food was perfectly cooked and very flavorful - simple but filling!

My favorite spot to grab a healthy lunch with seasonal produce. Aedan sells bento boxes made with shio koji that they make themselves. This adds a lot of health benefits to the food, as well as adding a nice savory, umami flavor. I love the protein options, and the sides are delicious as well. There's also a tiny dessert they provide as well, so you really get to satisfy all your senses from texture to flavor. Like most Japanese establishments, service is amazing. They always greet you when you walk in, are thoughtful with packaging, and even offer tea if you sit at the bench outside for lunch. My favorite item is the salmon + mushroom bento box. They rotate out the sides (different types of pickles and etc) and soup (different items in the miso soup from tofu to gluten balls). One day they even had a spicy curry soup that reminded me of Hokkaido soup curry. Currently it's $20 for a regular salmon bento box. The specials are usually $23. No seating except for a bench next to the entrance. It usually has a really nice, peaceful ambiance - the Mission is warm and sunny and it is shady under the tree. But the street is currently under construction, so it's been dusty and construction block most of the walking path.

Picked up a couple of bento boxes at the farmers market and they were incredible!! Had one koji chicken and one koji tofu. There were lots of different and fun bites in the box and the main of the tofu and chicken were both excellent!

Amazing neighborhood gem. Their bento box is filling, delicious and made with love and attention to detail. They bring an authentic Japanese experience to the mission. Great place to grab lunch!

Solid place to grab a quick to-go lunch near where I used to live (Potrero Hill/Mission area). They have a rotating menu so it's always interesting to see what bento boxes they have available. I had a salmon one and it was really delicious. Like others have said, portions are definitely on the lighter side so you will definitely not be stuffed but I think for a weekday lunch it's more than adequate (who wants to food coma right before going back to work anyways...). I notice that they have a focus on fermented foods like Miso so I'd love to go back and try some of their homemade miso and other ferments.

Newly opened in late spring, finally had a chance to try them (due to a lunch bag mishap). A few coworkers have made this spot part of their regular lunch time rotation. Simple menu, choice of bento box ($20) and donburri ($15) with choice of salmon or chicken, miso and drinks. A little pricier lunch but I'm treating myself today. To-go only. Chose donburri with miso marinated chicken, which came with small miso soup (rich, had pieces of kabocha). Tasty selection of sides (pickled carrot, guacamole mix, egg, eggplant and red.pepper). Wished there was brown rice option (staff said they're discussing it) and less rice/more veggies! Am curious about the amazake drink - next time. They offer various misos and Koji for sale, and miso making classes (sign up online!)

All my AZN Peeps: Who used to be embarrassed of the lunches your parents packed for you? *Raises BOTH hands* Back in the day, all the AZN funk would scare some people way. Now that AZN food is trendy, people are ALL about that funk because they know the good good. Fermented funk = flavor AND umami. Plus, it's healthy for you (probiotics). Opening two weeks ago is Aedan Koji Kitchen from the folks behind Aedan Fermented Foods. Their brick & mortar shop sells an array of their small-batch fermented products: miso, shio koji (marinade), amazake (rice drink), takeout bento boxes, and teas. They also offer miso making and cooking classes. Hours of operation: Tuesday - Friday, 10:30 am - 2 pm. With the mandate lifted, staff still wears masks. No seating but there's a little bench outside if you want to eat your food. M E N U Rotating daily menu of don (rice bowls) and bento boxes. This is today's menu: https://bit.ly/3t1YnX4. F O O D * Aedan Bento Box: Shio Koji Salmon w/ rice, three veggie sides, pickles, tamagoyaki, amazake dessert ($20): https://bit.ly/3GlnGsy ***Upgrade to large size amazake (+$2) Wow, I was seriously impressed with the bento box. It was filling, healthy, and damn delicious. Packed with so much umami! The shio koji marinated salmon was moist and flaky with a savory nutty sweetness...served over a bed of warm Koda Farms rice. The veggie sides: bamboo shoots, eggplant, mushrooms+snap peas were fresh and tasty. The sagohachi pickles (cucumbers+ watermelon radish) were nicely brined and acidic. The tamagoyaki was soft, moist, eggy, and slightly sweet. And, the fresh berries in a fermented coconut sauce was so creamy and complex. The amazake was amazing! The fermented rice drink is made with turmeric, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and oat milk. It's creamy smooth, subtly spiced, and lightly sweet. Low key reminds me of a caffeine-free, Japanese rendition of chai. I'm glad the owner recommended that I upgrade the size...they need to sell this in jugs! S E R V I C E The owner, Mariko is super sweet and welcoming. My bento box was assembled within minutes. A M B I A N C E Casual, minimalist shop with grab 'n go items. P A R K I N G Street parking only. Overall, Aedan really knows how to showcase fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and let it shine....the traditional Japanese way. Looking forward to using the country miso I bought for soups, salad dressings, and sauces. If you're in The Mission, def check out this new local business!

Aedan Koji Kitchen or Aedan Fermented, is a small business tucked away on an unassuming block. They have a small grocery store (full of fermented foods), a restaurant for readymade to-go, and a classroom space for educational classes. The menu protein are vegan/tofu, chicken, or salmon. The portions for readymade food are Japanese-sized and run small. The grocery store section sells homemade misos, amazake, mirin, vegan dashi (soup base), and more. My partner ordered the vegan miso soup, it was hot weather outside but he insisted he needed a soup. He was overjoyed with just one sip, the soup contained his favorite, potatoes. He realizing that most miso soups he has tried up until now were "American style". I ordered the amazake (fermented sweet rice drink) which comes creamy and flavored with turmeric and ginger. It was also excellent. We shared a vegetarian bento box together, lots of creative vegetables, egg and even a dessert. Optionally you can replace the egg with more vegetables to make this order vegan.

Love the koji salmon bento box. I went back again during the week as the salmon bento was delicious. Just the right amount for lunch. It comes with your choice of either 4oz miso soup or amazake drink. The amazake drink with turmeric was nice and not too sweet.

Fun lunch spot! Portions are on the smaller side so would recommend for smaller appetites, although all the ingredients and food are high quality. I got the salmon bento which came with a tiny cup of miso soup, 3 bites of side dishes, tamago, and dessert. All fairly good and well made - I was particularly was a fan of the side dishes (different little veggie medleys!), though I wish there were more! I don't think I have a particularly large appetite and found myself still a bit hungry after eating the bento - so folks with larger appetites might want to order more.

It's on a residential block on the first floor of a house. When I walked in I was greeted like family. The lady explained what the meal options were, even with just 3 items on the menu they sounded great! I got the special bento box that was the most delicious box lunch I ever tried. They saw I was sitting right outside for the snack and brought me out a delicious tea to help me keep cool in the sun. A+ food, A+ service.

Gem alert. The salmon bento is the best, made with love and local seasonal ingredients. Tofu is pretty good too. In addition to delicious lunches Aedan sells a variety of miso and they even have miso making classes which I would really recommend! It's a unique experience with a lot of structure and guidance to get you plenty of your own miso to take home. The owner is the instructor and an excellent, encouraging one. Truly one of a kind and without competition, Aedan Koji Kitchen is my hidden happy place in the Mission.

This is our new go-to lunch spot! Delicious onigiri bento box :) along with miso soup and appetizers!

I'm writing a review because I love this place and I want it to stay in the neighborhood forever. As someone who values natural fermentation, healthy eating and japanese cuisine, this place is a Godsend. Aside from making everything in house, they also teach classes and sell the ingredients needed to start making your own miso, pickles and sake at home. Their bento boxes make you feel like you did something good for your body.

Small dine out only kitchen. Short menu list which focuses on bento boxes and Donburi bowls. Miso soup had a nice rich flavor. I had the tofu Donburi bowl which had delicious vegetables and well seasoned rice

A new, unique, and healthy addition to East Mission. They have products in cold cases as well as lunch specials. I tried the donburi, and a few other offerings. Very tasty and satisfying portion. I might suggest adding a little sesame seeds, togarashi, or something crunchy on top to give some texture, but the eggplant, salmon, and especially the pickled vegetables were excellent and I'd order it again. The star is the miso soup. Available to go, it's also filling and full-bodied, with some tofu and vegetables. Maybe the best miso soup I've ever had!! There's a bench outside to sit, but otherwise it's more of a store than a restaurant. Friendly service. Not stressful. If you want to explore the world of Japanese fermented foods, this is absolutely the place!

This place's food is as authentic as it can get! I'm Japanese and I can confidently say this is the most authentic Japanese food I've ever had in the states. The bento really brings out the full flavor of the ingredients -- if you want to experience Japanese food other than ramen and sushi that really represents 'washoku' I'd highly recommend this place!!

Love this place! Just bought a salmon donburi rice bowl for $15 and it came with a choice of sides: Amazake or miso soup. I tried amazake since I didn't know what it was and it was delicious! It's like a sweet smoothie drink that's super healthy for you. You've got to try this place. Affordable, delicious lunch, the nicest staff, cute storefront and a great neighborhood to walk through! No seating available.

Amazing, light, healthy Japanese bento boxes with the friendliest staff. I just got the chicken bento with lots of delicious veggie sides and a tomago for dessert. Portions are appropriate so you're not overeating but you are full. The miso is amazing!!!

Very nice business. Everything is fresh, but with a very limited menu. That is a good thing, where they can focus on making 2-3 dishes the best quality. Seating is also limited to a bench surrounding a tree, but some people may like the outside aesthetic. The woman was kind enough to serve tea unknowingly. Great overall.

The cutest little shop and restaurant and my favorite find in the mission! I've been to their stand at the farmers market a few times but stumbled apon their shop while walking one day. Not only are the staff the absolute nicest, but the food was absolutely delicious as well! The amakaze drink was really yummy - the turmeric and ginger had a great kick and creamy oat flavor. I also got the tofu donburi which came with excellent veggie sides (the eggplant was my favorite!) I'll definitely be coming back here for the yummy food and quick, friendly service.

Delicious! Out of the way, but worth it. Got a fantastic salmon bento box full of little dishes that also came with a shot of amezake (a sweet fermented rice drink), and I could have drank a whole gallon of the stuff. If you love fermented food like I do, come here.

The bento is delicious and you can see and taste their care and paying attention to details in a little bento.The staff is kind and attentive. There is no seating inside of cafe, but you can sit outside and have bento under a tree in a warm Mission weather. Miso soup changed daily. So delicious. Thank you for opening this place!!!

I love this place! On my quest to reset my micro biome I've found Aedan's selection of miso very helpful. I would suggest trying the amazake drink for the boost from turmeric and ginger. Heavenly! They also offer cooking classes which I just took the koji class.

Beautiful little shop in a quiet corner of the Mission. If you want to feel like you're taking a small trip to Japan, just walk in. The owners are incredibly sweet. It's obvious that this is a labor of love for them. That love comes out in the food. Perfectly prepared with an attention to detail you are lucky to now rarely stumble upon.

I like buying from their stand at the Ferry Building, so I was excited to see that Mariko was able to find a permanent home in Potrero Hill. I booked a miso-making class, which was easy to do online. The price you pay for what you get was amazing--Mariko talks about her journey as a female business owner, the support she has in the city, and explains the different parts of miso--soybeans, koji, and salt. After classroom education, we got to head to the kitchen where we got to make our own miso. Each student is given a bowl of soybeans to mash, then the Aedan team provides the right quantity of koji and salt when you're ready and also assist where needed. After more hand mixing of the ingredients, they provide more guidance to properly pack your miso jar before you take it home and give it a safe, secure space for the next 10-12 months. Mariko also shares prepared foods and recipes to demonstrate other uses of miso and amazuke. The space was beautiful, cozy, clean, and Mariko was a great instructor and encouraging, and the class was fun and not at all frustrating. I can't wait until my big jar of miso is done gestating from the back of my closet in 2023, and I can't wait to enjoy the spoils in a year!

Love the authentic food and nice clean small restaurant. The service is always so sweet and welcoming and my son and I enjoy eating our food outside under the tree. I always leave feeling full, satisfied and not overly stuffed like I was eating a clean meal. I'm so glad that they opened in the neighborhood- happy 1 year!

This is such a wonderful new business that opened in the Mission! They have a stall at the ferry building and you can also purchase bento boxes and other prepared foods at the store, included all of the miso and other supplies. I just took a miso making class and highly recommend it! Everything they make is delicious!!!!

Oh my!! What a gem of a place! First off, the shop is a sweet little place that draws you in. And inside is where the magic happens. I ordered the salmon bento box with the amazake drink.... Total Yums!!! Just enough in serving sizes. The salmon was tasty over rice; the pickled veggies, tamagoyaki and veggie sides and fruit with a sweet glaze was fantastic!! The amazake was the bomb!! Will get the larger amazake the next time. Staff very kind and helpful. Highly recommend!

I went in here to get a quick meal after driving from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. The food was amazing, the customer service was great, and the person taking orders was incredibly sweet. The decor of the interior was very peaceful and comforting. 100% recommend