Mike C.
Yelp
A longtime friend told me about a Japanese restaurant on Geary near Mel's that he takes his mom and family for dinner. I'm not sure whether this is the same business or a replacement. Searching and driving by, I noticed the sign to this restaurant and did a Yelp search when I got home. Reading mostly positive reviews, I made a point to suggest a post Warrior game meal here on a recent Sunday night. We found street parking around the corner on Stanyan Street and walked over to find a crowd of people in front and several lines up in front of the greeting counter.
My friend waited outside, pessimistic that we'd dine here. I Iooked at the sign up list and there was only 2-3 names written. Two of the people waiting at the counter were delivery guys waiting for their orders.
I asked the greeter how long the wait would be and she asked me how many were in my party (2). She asked whether counter seats work and I gladly said yes. There were four or five tall chairs along the right wall before the kitchen. We took the 1st two seats and were quickly given menus, a book one and a happy hour sheet.
After a quick study of the menus, we each ordered a ramen and shared two appetizers. We started with the scallop skewer (Hokkaido scallop), 2 skewers (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=iDgj00XyqqosJU0QyzT8Sg); there were two lightly charred scallops that were sweet tasting. I also ordered the sake clams ()https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=IweBiNaoa51-hUFBgWYMdg); the menu describes this as fresh Manila clams steamed with 100% sake, seaweed, and scallions. This was a generous bowl for the price as all clams were fresh except one that kept its mouth shut. I enjoyed the clams as well as most of the broth as I sipped on it, alternating tastes from my ramen broth. I chose the Kaiju Kobe ramen (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=Y3zOl7qRRkeu1Sxw19ADbw) for my main meal; described as Monster in a bowl, house favorite spicy Kobe beef ramen, onion, sauteed tender Kobe beef, panko egg, garlic spicy soy broth, tortilla chips. It is indeed a generous bowl of noodles and is likely their modern take on the popular Mexican birria hence the chips being the garnish. It was tasty and I could only finish a little more than half of it. I brought the rest home as part of a future dinner that week. My friend enjoyed the Jaeger and also finished about half too.
We were given a carafe of cold water which made it convenient in keeping our glasses filled. Big thanks and props to Hannah, who served as greeter, waitress, and cashier for the front of the house (she was short a coworker). Like me, she didn't expect a crowd like this. The next morning, I was reminded of the indigenous day/Columbus day holiday which explains the crowd the night before. I will likely have one of the more traditional ramen choices next visit, unless I'm in a splurgy mood to try the Ebirah.