Ganji

Japanese restaurant · Japantown

Ganji

Japanese restaurant · Japantown

1

1740 Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA

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Highlights

Nestled within the heart of Japan Town, our intimate dining establishment offers a unique fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. Our culinary focus is on the art of Katsu, showcasing the perfect balance of crisp breading and succulent protein. Complementing our expertly crafted dishes, our menu features an extensive selection of premium sake, providing our discerning patrons with an elevated dining experience. Whether you're seeking an authentic taste of Japan or simply a refined evening of exceptional food and drink, our establishment is the premier destination for a truly memorable.  

Featured in The Infatuation
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1740 Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA Get directions

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@ganjionjtown

$$ · Menu

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1740 Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA Get directions

+1 415 413 0717
instagram.com
@ganjionjtown

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Mar 5, 2025

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@infatuation

"Eight Katsu plates, three types of udon, and yakitori make up the bulk of the menu at Ganji in Japantown, the sister restaurant of Nara in the Lower Haight. It’s got a slightly fancy interior that looks primed for date night, as well as a long sake, beer, and wine menu. " - ricky rodriguez

San Francisco’s New Restaurant Openings
View Postcard for Ganji

K G (Sincerity)

Google
Tried Ganji for the first time and it was pretty good. The portions are fairly large and filling, with a nice assortment of sides. We ordered the mushroom tempura which was really good. Most of our party ordered the cheese tonkasu. I feel like the cheese didn’t add too much to the dish. The pork was really tender and tasty though. If I were to go back I’d get it without the cheese.

Mark Brienza

Google
Tonight, my friend Ray introduced me to try Katsu, and it was a phenomenal experience! The food was incredibly fresh, delicious, and authentically prepared. Everything was served hot and quickly, which added to the delight. The owners and servers were absolutely lovely, contributing to an atmosphere filled with laughter and good vibes. The ambiance is cute and fun, making it perfect for dates or outings with friends. I might just come back tomorrow—no joke. I loved every bit of it! The prices were also reasonable, adding to the overall fantastic experience. Highly recommended!

P Nut

Google
The food was delicious, and the presentation was spot on. The slow-cooked tonkatsu was a highlight — super tender with a crispy coating that was hard to beat. The tamago katsu was also fantastic. On top of that, the service was friendly and attentive!

Terry Hinton, M.Sc, MBA

Google
Ganji is a food lover's paradise! The portions are generous, and the flavors are out of this world. I enjoyed the Taste Sushi, which was fresh and bursting with flavor. The Salmon Teriyaki was perfectly cooked and mouthwateringly delicious. And the Cheese Tonkatsu? Simply divine! Check out the attached pictures to see the deliciousness for yourself!

JH Astrid Hong

Google
I would say, this place is best Sake don place in the city. Salmon is so soft and fresh and portion of one bowl is worth for the cost. My friend try the cheese Donkatu(pork cutlet), it is so soft and crunch at the same time. I can see all the food in here is so fresh and plating is also pretty. Additionally, all the servers are so friendly and welcoming us when we came in, and vibe is good too. I will come back for try other menu too.

dreamynation

Google
Overall nice experience. Katsu was well cooked and tender. I didn't like the pickled side dish it came with, they tested dry/old. Fish was yummy. Takoyaki (4 piece) was overpriced after we found out there was a place that sold eight pieces for the same price near by.

Edna G

Google
‘Ganji’ is new probably a month as this location used to be ‘Hoshinoya’. We used to go here all the time and surprised it was taken over by this new restaurant. So we tried it anyway since we were here. Very hospitable and friendly ladies. The decoration is still very nice but more floral; still cute decor. We ordered hot sake and green tea which was good. The menu is more udon, kaisen don and katsu. Some sashimi which we have tried the omakase don which was good. We also tried their cheese tonkatsu. It was a huge portion but unfortunately, the pork was kind of tough for me and didn’t have much flavor but the cheese. You have to use the katsu sauce for flavor. Coming from my Japan vacation, this was just not the same. We ordered the jumbo chicken yakitori appetizer was ok. It was big but some pieces were tough and only flavor was the bbq sauce. I liked the garnished mushrooms around it. Prices are very decent for this area so don’t let me stop you from trying it. Maybe, I’ll come back to try their udon on a cold day.

Neb

Google
Service was phenomenal. Quick and fast. Food absolutely phenomenal. If you don’t try it at least once you are missing out:

Allyson S.

Yelp
Good service, checked in multiple times with us. Great food, especially liked the squid. a good place to enjoy drinks and also enjoy some appetizers while you're at it

Angela C.

Yelp
Great food! I got the cheese katsu and it was phenomenal! The service was amazing, as well if you're in the area, stop by here!! You won't regret it

Alexander G.

Yelp
Wonderful food and friendly service! Come in try their food and leave a review for some free sake!

Katelyn R.

Yelp
Definitely get the oysters and hamachi as starters because 10/10 $3 per miyagi oyster, my fav kind of oyster- so creamy. The hamachi was bombbb I can definitely eat 20 spoons of that tbh Ganjie katsu was good, comes in a whole set with miso soup. The onions under the katsu were nicely grilled and soft but with a bite. The miso soup flavor was on point, the salad is light and delicious, and the radish compliments the katsu perfectly. It's very clean in here and well kept, all of the employees are kind and greets you upon arrival. Also playing my fav anime songs so that's a plus :-)

Brian G.

Yelp
I saw the cheese tonkatsu pop up on social media and since I love tonkatsu, needed to try it for myself. Overall, it tasted good but the pork was a little dry and the pieces were cut in a way that made them long and awkward to eat. The cheese was nicely melted but I don't think it added enough to make cheese tonkatsu much better than tonkatsu without the mozzarella cheese. Turns out our favorite dish here actually was the mushroom tempura! They give a variety of mushrooms like enoki and oyster that I love eating. Their seaweed salad and miso soup are good too. Seaweed salad: B Mushroom tempura: A Agedashi tofu: B Cheese tonkatsu: B-

Shannon D.

Yelp
Excellent menu with oysters, udon, katsu and fish. Great kids udon as well. Looking forward to coming back!

Julia T.

Yelp
We went to Japan town at a bad time and we were so disappointed we didn't get to try any sushi. However, we stumbled upon Ganji as we were about to leave and I'm SO glad we did! This place is small and cute. The service was great: attentive, timely, informative. We just wanted a few quick bites and a drink so we got 4 oysters and a hamachi dish that were both EXCELLENT! Literally everything was like a huge burst of flavor in a tiny bite and the prices were great! My lychee martini was really good as well. Definitely check this place out if you haven't!

Lawrence C.

Yelp
Ganji was a restaurant that my friend recommended to us, as we wanted to meet up somewhere in Japantown before grabbing drinks with the others. We had a pretty large group of around 8, and although the restaurant is pretty small inside we thankfully were able to be seated at two adjacent tables. Since this restaurant is known for their katsu, I decided to get the ganji katsu which is a 7 hours slow-cooked special katsu with truffle salt. Although it's definitely on the pricey side, the katsu here was well done as it was quite crispy and had good flavors to it. The portion size was also pretty large and is definitely enough for one person. If you want katsu in Japantown then Ganji is a pretty solid option, although I would recommend making a reservation beforehand.

Jessica L.

Yelp
Cute restaurant. Get free hot sake with yelp review. Got the hamachi truffle, takoyaki, and tofu agedashi appetizers. Entree got the unagi don and saba shioyaki. Hamachi truffle had a hint of sour and smooth fish slice with the crunch of the fried flakes on top 10/10 Takoyaki were huge and fried crispy. I think these were a bit too big and doughy for my liking 7/10 Tofu agedashi is fried tofu in a bowl of tempura sauce. Light, warm, refreshing. 8/10 Saba shioyaki had a pan friend mackerel with a slice of lemon. The mackerel was crispy on the outside and tender and moist on the inside. Exactly what I wanted tonight. 10/10

Lizzie S.

Yelp
I haven't been to Japantown in a while so when some tennis friends and I were looking for a spot to eat with sunlight and we ran into Ganji, I hadn't heard of it and had no expectations. First things first--seems pricey for lunch. However, service was immaculate and impeccable and the dishes are delicious and filling. My teammate got Unagi don, I got Omakase don ($33) (as did my other teammate), and we shared Octopus balls and cheese corn katsu. The katsu is tender and cooked to perfection. The omakase don featured a wide variety of very fresh fish. It was filling and worth the price. Each of our dishes (as well as the katsu) came with miso soup as well, and we took some home.

Shay M.

Yelp
Ganji is a decent spot in the Jtown plaza area if you're craving katsu. They specialize in cheese tonkatsu with pork, which I was excited to try since the pork is slow-cooked. Unfortunately, the pork wasn't as tender as I'd hoped, and the cheese seemed to make the breading a little too soft. So I wouldn't get it again for the price. On the plus side, I also ordered the softshell crab katsu, which was delicious! It had a great flavor, a nice crunch, and the portion size was generous. The miso soup and pickles that came with the meal were tasty as well, adding a nice touch to the overall experience.

Dan Angelo E.

Yelp
This restaurant is an absolute gem and worth every dollar. The oysters were a fantastic start--fresh, creamy, and perfectly complemented by the sauce. The chicken katsu was a standout, too, with a crispy, crunchy exterior and tender, juicy meat inside--never dry. The Omakase Don was a unique take on omakase, with precisely cut, incredibly fresh fish that hit the right balance in texture and flavor. The only regret? Not ordering more! The staff was exceptionally friendly, always attentive and ready to help. The space is a bit small but its cozy enough to enjoy your dish. Definitely a spot you'll want to return to!

Priscilla W.

Yelp
My experience at Ganji was just OK. We stopped by on a Saturday evening and were seated immediately at a corner table. They had just wiped down that table with a damp cloth, which left a lingering "damp towel" smell that was very off-putting. Since Ganji specializes in katsu, we ordered and shared the cheese tonkatsu and chicken katsu. Both dishes came with cabbage salad, rice, seaweed salad, pickles and ginger, and katsu sauce. We also ordered takoyaki for appetizer. The takoyaki was good with an expected amount of octopus inside, generously drizzled with sauce and topped bonito flakes. The cheese tonkatsu was bland, despite a nice blanket of melty cheese on top. Unfortunately the chicken katsu was bland as well. It seemed like both the meats and the panko needed more seasoning. The katsu sauce for both dishes was the only savior providing some umami and tangy flavor. Presentation was nice and staff was very friendly, but overall taste was disappointing. If I choose to return, I may try their grilled entrees or udon, but absolutely pass on the katsu.

Amy L.

Yelp
Stopped by around 2p on a Saturday, and there was no wait for a table of two. I opted for the kaki katsu, as I had never had fried oysters as a dish before! It was well done and came with miso soup, rice, and salad for $18 - not bad! Personally don't think the flavor of fried oyster was the best, especially as it was the only source of protein for the meal, but I would come back to try their other dishes

Stephanie L.

Yelp
Had a craving for to tonkatsu. Against my better judgement, I ordered the Ganji Katsu which I knew would have the sauce poured over the crispy katsu that I was craving. However, they didn't offer another pork katsu and I didn't care for the chicken version so decided to see what's so special about this 72 hour tender katsu. So was it worth $47 with tax and tip? No. While good, I was sad about the katsu not being crispy, which was my bad, knowing full well that the sauce was goin on there. What I should should have done e was to ask for the sauce to be on the side. Was it super tender? Not really. I've had better and it tasted like a regular, well made katsu.

Nancy L.

Yelp
Oysters were sweet and delicious. My husband and i shared one pork katsu, it was huge. It was juicy and crispy. Service was very friendly and in such a great location!

Vivian Y.

Yelp
A small place in Japantown specializing in tonkatsu! I have had such great tonkatsu in Japan, Hawaii, and Las Vegas but feel like it's lacking in the Bay Area so I was very excited to try Ganji. - chicken karaage - super plump and juicy while having a slightly crispy exterior. This was wonderful. - cheese tonkatsu - they don't skimp on the cheese. The pork that they use was very lean and so it came out kind of dry. - ganji tonkatsu - was really excited to try this but I was unimpressed. Their cut of pork is lean and thin which makes for an easily overcooked and dry tonkatsu. Servers and ambiance were good. Not sure I'd be back since nothing wowed me and it didn't really hit the spot for my tonkatsu craving. 3.5 stars for food 4 star for service and cleanliness Overall 4 stars

Daniel L.

Yelp
The power of youth burns brightly at Ganji! Never have I experienced such a dish that embodies discipline, precision, and heart. The pork katsu was a masterful creation, its golden crust perfectly crispy, each bite delivering a punch of flavor as fierce as any taijutsu technique! The tenderness of the pork within--soft yet strong--reminded me of the way one must balance strength and humility in battle. The miso soup revitalized me like a morning run, and the rice was as steady and dependable as a loyal teammate. But above all, the staff's attentiveness and passion for their craft was clear--they are true shinobi of the kitchen! If you seek a meal that will not only fill your stomach but ignite your fighting spirit, Ganji is the place! I shall return, for my training (and appetite) will never be satisfied with just one visit!

Zoe Y.

Yelp
TLDR: it was very average I went as a group of 4 around 730/8 PM on a Saturday night, and we were seated right away. The servers were friendly and attentive, but the food was average (not a bad thing). We ordered the cheese tonkatsu, chicken katsu, and crab katsu. Each set comes with a miso soup and rice. The katsus were leaning toward the dry and salty side... Aside from that, the visit was fine.

Tiffany C.

Yelp
Solid teriyaki dish, exactly what you'd expect from teriyaki. Super close to all the japantown shops and mall and great for a casual bite on a weekday. Will come back to try their katsu!

Claire C.

Yelp
I was really excited to see a new restaurant opening up in Japantown but was a bit disappointed in end. My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday night and made a reservation right before. Definitely glad we did because the restaurant was packed, and a lot of people were waiting for a table after we got there. I ordered a cocktail and he tried to order an echigo which the server recommended, but they didn't end up having any echigo or asahi left. Both our cocktails came out much later than our food. Food portions are large and come with sizable sides. I was most excited to try the cheese tonkatsu since I haven't seen that at any other katsu place in sf, but the tonkatsu was very dry. My boyfriend ordered their special, the Ganji Katsu, but the tonkatsu was similarly dry and the sauce was very buttery (which might work for other people's taste!). Overall cute date night spot with quick service, but I'd probably go somewhere else for tonkatsu.

Alexa W.

Yelp
Katsuuuuuuuuu! How amazing! As a German, I have to love breaded and fried meat of all kind. Ganji happens to be really great at breading and frying anything! This cute little place is a perfect starting point for a concert at the Fillmore btw. If you come early, you can comfortably park in the neighborhood, have an amazing dinner and walk over to your concert. Get something covered in cheese and thank me later (or not, if you want to dance after the meal...)

Lawrence T.

Yelp
First time here. Ordered the chicken katsu and the fried calamari. Presentation was great! Love that steel grid where they put the katsu. Unfortunately the taste disappoints. I the meat of the chicken seems or feels undercooked, texture was weird. Some parts look fine while most parts look dry, texture felt a bit rubbery. Love the atmosphere, clean, hip. Calamari was okay.

Calvin T.

Yelp
The 7hr slow cooked katsu is fire. The sauce was very flavorful! Staff is nice as well.

Esther C.

Yelp
Located in Japantown, this spot had been on my radar. I was eager to try their offerings but left feeling somewhat disappointed. We ordered the Ganji Katsu, which is advertised as being slow-cooked for 7 hours with truffle salt. Despite the promising description, the dish tasted quite ordinary and didn't justify the high price. The flavor didn't stand out, and expected a more distinctive taste given the preparation method. We also tried the Fish Katsu, which came with a shiso rose sauce. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this pairing--the rose sauce was too creamy and sweet for my taste and didn't complement the fish well. A traditional katsu sauce would have been a much better choice and enhanced the dish. Additionally, I ordered a hot tea, which was quite pricey--$5, for what was essentially a loose leaf tea. Given the overall experience, it felt like it didn't provide good value for the money. Overall, Ganji has potential, but based on this visit, it didn't quite meet my expectations. The katsu dishes and tea didn't deliver the exceptional quality or value I was hoping for. If you're a fan of katsu, it might be worth a visit, but manage your expectations about the price and flavor.

Junsheng X.

Yelp
I honestly walked in with low expectations - prices are what you'd expect from a Japanese meal in Japantown, and I didn't really think we could get a real Tonkatsu specialty store here....BUT needless to say, I walked out thoroughly surprised. This is probably the best Tonkatsu I've had in the Bay Area - comparable to textures and flavors that you can find in certain stores in Japan. The sauce felt unique and not heavily flavored, and the portions were "worth it" for the price given this location. The interior is a bit small, but they have nice outdoor seating as well. Service and decorations are nice though, and they actually play Japanese music :)

Jessica G.

Yelp
Very welcoming and hospitable to us traveling with our baby. The appetizers and sake were delicious; we had hamachi truffle and edamame and Mu sake. Will return!

Benny S.

Yelp
Ganji in Japantown is a solid 4.5 for me. It was a bit busy inside this time around, so we ended up sitting outside. The host was really kind and tried to find an indoor seat for us, though it didn't pan out. Unlike Hinodeya across the street, there weren't any heat lamps, but the weather held up nicely, so it wasn't too cold. We went with the Ganji Katsu and Saba Shioyaki this time around. In the past I have tried the basic Cheese Katsu and it pales in comparison. Note that they also have a cheese version of the Ganji Katsu now, so maybe next time! The Ganji Katsu arrived on a hot plate with onions soaking in a rich sauce. It had the perfect crisp on the outside while staying juicy inside. This was my kid's favorite and also the main reason why we ended up here instead of across the street. The Saba Shioyaki was simple but satisfying, with the fish grilled just right to bring out a little char on the skin. Paired with white rice and a side salad, it hit all the right notes. I usually am not a fan of cooked fish versus raw, but for mackerel and salmon I tend to bend a little. The prices felt fair (maybe a tad expensive) for the portions and quality. Service was friendly and attentive, which made the outdoor seating feel just fine. If you find yourself in Japantown, Ganji is a solid spot for some good Japanese comfort food. If the neighboring spots are packed feel confident ordering here.

Helen C.

Yelp
Solid 4 stars for the win! Katsu with cheese was delicious though the cheese was not the melting and gooey type of cheese you would think. It does come with miso soup, rice, tasty coleslaw salad, pickles and seafood. Great location right in Japantown in the open courtyard along with some outdoor seating. We went on Saturday night on the early side and didn't wait too long though the lines did build up so take advantage of the Yelp reservation system. Not rushing to come back tomorrow but definitely will be again next time we're craving katsu.

Sophia W.

Yelp
We made a reservation for 7PM. 2 of them were bussing tables. Walked by us within an inch 10-20 times. No acknowledgment whatsoever. We waited 15 minutes before anyone said hello. We were patient and smiled the whole time. We get they're busy. The food came out pretty quick once we ordered. Agadashi tofu is mediocre. Not crispy enough. Mushroom tempura was good. Lots of different mushroom. Juicy. Unagi don was ok. Very saucy but not quite the unagi sauce I'm used to? Ganji katsu was a favourite. Great sauce! Chicken katsu was ok. Fish cake udon was really good. The fish cakes were great! (not pictured) Nothing really blew our minds. The environment was nice, cool decors.

Michelle K.

Yelp
Yumm, thankful that this spot was open on Thanksgiving! Katsu & udon really hit the spot :) Great service too!

Ruru Y.

Yelp
Nice ambient. Came in at a rainy day. The food looks really presentable hehe. The lady was really nice.

Halina L.

Yelp
Dropped by Ganji in the afternoon while at Japantown, had a lovely experience and amazing service! Walking in, saw a sign which offered complimentary warm sake for those who write a Yelp review. The warm sake was a pleasant contrast to our meal! We ordered the featured Cheese Tonkatsu (pork) & Special Katsu (chicken), with curry sauce added on. The katsu dishes were great, crispy, and satisfying, though compared to similarly priced katsu experiences in Tokyo much less finely crisped, and not as soft and tenderly cooked. For katsu in America, it is good but not excellent either. My mozzarella cheese Tonkatsu topping got cold and hard pretty fast, if you eat at a regular or slower pace this is something to note before ordering. Each katsu set comes with rice, pickled toppings, miso, a light salad, and sauce which is great and very filling! Our side of curry sauce was okay, probably not worth the price. It was quite watered down compared to regular Japanese curry, and not as flavorful as I usually expect. The standout here is definitely service, presentation, and interior! The servers were all extremely kind and attentive, the interior and outdoor seating have modern and tech-inspired decor, and is in a lovely central Japantown location, and presentation of many of the non-katsu dishes includes flowers and is beautiful and very IG friendly! Overall, I would definitely come back because of excellent service, ambiance, and presentation, and the food quality is acceptable.

Benny H.

Yelp
Nice little spot that opened in Japan Town semi recently. Staff is attentive and food is really good quality. One of the better katsus I've had. Overall a solid spot and great addition to the area.

Julia S.

Yelp
I came here for a family lunch. We originally made a reservation on Yelp for four people but ended up with a group of six. When we arrived at the restaurant, we requested to be seated at the same table if possible, and they were able to accommodate us. The restaurant looks like they specialize in katsu and set meals. We ordered the cheese and chicken katsu, salmon and chicken teriyaki, and saba shioyaki. All dishes came with rice, salad, and miso soup, although the salad was different between the katsu meals and the other meals. The meals trickled in one after another, so we ended up sharing everything. The cheese tonkatsu had a good amount of meat, wasn't too fatty from the cheese, and was nice and crispy. The chicken meat was on the thinner and smaller side but also nicely fried. The salmon teriyaki was kind of small, and the chicken teriyaki had a more charred flavor compared to other places. Overall, everything was pretty decent and fresh, offering pretty standard Japanese set meals.

Urmi M.

Yelp
Really underwhelming food which I mostly found just "okay", which is a no for me unfortunately with the prices being this high nowadays. Personal rating: 6.5/10 Food: 3.5/5 Service: 4/5 good nothing special Ambiance: 4/5 good location, reasonably nice I tried a variety of items, none of which were bad, but none of which were particularly good, even their special "katsu" which leaves me at a three. Chicken Katsu with cheese: 3.5/5 - it's fine, needs more sauce or something to jazz it up as it's pretty plain and just putting a bunch of cheese on it doesn't do anything special Mussels Udon: 4/5 - initially upon trying this dish, I didn't like it that much because I found it kind of underwhelming but I think the broth is really sweet and light so if that's what you're looking for this is a good dish Hamachi: 4/5 - this is pretty good, not mind blowing Takoyaki: 5/5 - simple and good

Chrisleigh P.

Yelp
Sweet little spot in Japantown. FYI not very many sushi options but the yellowtail hamachi was delish. The edamame was cooked well with nice flaky salt. The chicken kaarage was good but the pieces were all different sizes some were bite size, some tiny crumbs, and some so large we had to carve them up with our chopsticks, but the dipping sauce was amazing. The wakame seaweed salad was well flavored but it's the mass produced kind. Over all great service and great prices for lunch!

Michele T.

Yelp
Looking for a place to grab lunch while exploring Japantown when Ganji's Cheese Tonkatsu sign caught our attention. Pretty busy and maybe not enough servers, so we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. Mom ordered the Hamachi Kama, which she made into a meal for an additional $8. She said the fish was flaky and she enjoyed it. Hubs and dad ordered the Cheese Tonkatsu - good flavor and filling. Kiddo ordered the mussel udon - he ate it all up. Other kiddo ordered the salmon teriyaki. She noted the fish was moist, and she liked it. I ordered the Kaki Katsu. 6 good-sized oysters, and I liked them. Overall, everyone enjoyed their dishes. Note - we were a party of 6, so 20% gratuity automatically added to our bill.

Priscilla Y.

Yelp
The restaurant is tiny, however, it isn't crammed and i don't feel like I'll bump into other tables. Immediately greeted as soon as i walked in, we always love that. We placed the order, and we got complimentary miso soup, not overly salty too so we love it. And complimentary edamame. So far, I'm loving it!

Brian L.

Yelp
Friday night and snagged a 7:30pm reservation on yelp! Inside seats about 40 (bars, few 2 seaters, 4-seaters and 6 seaters). Their specialty is Katsu of different proteins (pork, chicken, soft crab, etc) and got a few appetizers as well. Super cozy and clean inside. Tons of sake options! Will update when I get my food :) Edit: Food was INCREDIBLE. Both the cheese katsu and chicken katsu were delicious. Came with miso soup, rice, cabbage salad and a bit of pickled dakuan and super small seaweed salad. Sauce that came with it was fantastic, best dipping for katsu I ever had. Overall even though the price is ~$21-23 it is totally worth it. Would come again!

Ashley T.

Yelp
Great service from the get go. Seated quickly and had a great waitress. Food was hot and served quickly We're stuffed and already wanting to come back and try more

Amy H.

Yelp
Katsu house :-) plenty of seating for early lunch on Saturday. Family friendly. Good service. Fair portion and price for the food!

Dahiana B.

Yelp
The cheese chicken Katsu was my favorite, it was a good portion for the price since it also came with rice, pickles seaweed salad, and cabbage salad. Service was very attentive and we got free hot Sake! There is indoor and outdoor seating, at night there's colorful light and there's also a pretty flower wall inside so it's a nice ambiance.

Edna G.

Yelp
'Ganji' is new probably a month as this location used to be 'Hoshinoya'. We used to go here all the time and surprised it was taken over by this new restaurant. So we tried it anyway since we were here. Very hospitable and friendly ladies. The decoration is still very nice but more floral; still cute decor. We ordered hot sake and green tea which was good. The menu is more udon, kaisen don and katsu. Some sashimi which we have tried the omakase don which was good. We also tried their cheese tonkatsu. It was a huge portion but unfortunately, the pork was kind of tough for me and didn't have much flavor but the cheese. You have to use the katsu sauce for flavor. Coming from my Japan vacation, this was just not the same. We ordered the jumbo chicken yakitori appetizer was ok. It was big but some pieces were tough and only flavor was the bbq sauce. I liked the garnished mushrooms around it. Prices are very decent for this area so don't let me stop you from trying it. Maybe, I'll come back to try their udon on a cold day. [38R,2024]

Harrison H.

Yelp
Crispy, tender, juicy Katsu! The Ganji Katsu is definitely super unique and fulfilled my Katsu craving. I would recommend this spot if you're looking for a cozy restaurant during a weekday catchup dinner with a friend. Service was amazing as well! Server always has a smile and came by multiple times if we needed anything during our meal.

Nikki L.

Yelp
Delicious experience! Got the Truffle Hamachi, Chicken katsu, and chicken teriyaki. Portions were very generous and the food was tasty! Only complaint is the truffle flavor could have been stronger

Janet F.

Yelp
Finally got to try Ganji! Service was fine, not great especially since there was only 1-2 other tables dining in. Hamachi Truffle: 5/5 Perfectly balanced in taste, light and fresh with still strong punches of the truffle. Incredible serving size, as in you get a big slab of fish on each spoon. Charred perfectly, with a hint of spice. A must get every time. Ganji Katsu set: 3/5 Portion size is good. The katsu itself is very tender and pairs well with the sauce and onions. All of the sides were good, just what you would expect from a Japanese restaurant. Priced at $30 is a bit steep. Chicken Katsu set: 4/5 Portion size is really large, ended up taking half of the katsu home but then again, I'm not the biggest eater. The chicken is very tender and goes well with the sauce. I guess I just expected the katsu to be more of that traditional super-flaky katsu, as opposed to the type that is more prevalent in katsu curry. Like the last item, all of the sides were good.

Geneen S.

Yelp
Chose this restaurant walking around Japantown and saw their sign with yummy looking katsu out in front. The inside of the restaurant was full, but we didn't mind being seated outside since it was such a warm day in the city. The staff was so kind to guide us through the menu. My family ended up ordering the Karaage, Tonkatsu with cheese, and Maguro Don. Our food took a while-- maybe about 20-25 minutes to come out, but they gave us miso soup and our karaage before our food arrived so we didn't mind waiting. The karaage was nothing special, but it was yummy! My parents loved the Maguro. They said it tasted so fresh and buttery. We all liked the tonkatsu with cheese, but we felt like the flavor was a bit lacking and the pork was a little dry. For the three dishes my family paid about $90, which was expected since we were in Japantown. I would still come back to eat here again because it was pretty yummy! We don't have many katsu places around and this is a solid one.

Theo T.

Yelp
5/5 experience. We had 14 individuals for a birthday party. Initial impressions: Very reasonable prices, anime music, great portions of food, friendly staff. Food: really big portions for the Ganji Katsu (limited). The sauce was on the sweeter side, which was interesting. We also ordered the Maguro Don and Omakase Don; both of which were very fresh and tasty. Service: exceptional, we came on a Saturday night around 745PM with a reservation and despite how busy things were, we got our orders in a timely manner. We had a birthday and we also all got some sake shots. While I'm not sure how often this is done, we really appreciated it and it totally did not bias my review whatsoever in any way. Overall, I'd come here again for the food.