Jasmine C.
Yelp
I had the pleasure of dining at Mamanoko in San Francisco to celebrate my anniversary with my partner, and I have to say it was worth the wait (literally). We had tried to walk in once before but the wait was way too long, and now I completely understand why. The ambiance and overall experience really set this place apart.
Upon walking in, the first thing that hits you is the dimly lit atmosphere with a unique, trendy interior. It's cozy but gets a little loud, making it perfect for a date night or a lively dinner with friends. We were seated immediately, which was great, and given several menus - and I do mean several. The choices were overwhelming at first! There's the main izakaya menu, a nigiri/sashimi/roll menu, a cocktail menu, and even a happy hour menu. It took us a while to decide because everything looked amazing, and we were eager to try it all.
We started off with the carpaccio and toro cakes. Both came out quickly, and I have to say, the fish on the carpaccio was fresh, and the ponzu gave it a really refreshing kick. The toro cakes, however, were the standout for me. The truffle oil and wasabi crème fraiche on the crispy rice made for an unforgettable combo.
Next up, we tried the tonkatsu sliders, which we ordered off the happy hour menu. These were crispy and flavorful, and for just $10, they were a great deal. While they were tasty, I think I might try something else from the happy hour menu next time - maybe one of the rolls!
Speaking of rolls, we went for the Wiki Wiki, which my partner adored. It had spicy ahi tuna, tobiko, avocado, and albacore tuna with a crispy garlic oil that really brought the flavor to life. My personal favorite was the Hotsui roll - a unique blend of snow crab, avocado, cucumber, Japanese butterfish, yellowtail, and sesame-chili oil. It was unlike anything I've ever had before and totally blew me away.
We also tried the Citrus Roll, which was an elevated version of the classic 49er roll with king salmon, ahi tuna, avocado, and some citrusy yuzu aioli. It was fresh, light, and definitely something we'd order again.
To top off our meal, we ordered a couple of cocktails, which were a perfect pairing for our meal. The drinks were just as flavorful as the food, and they rounded out our experience nicely.
Overall, Mamanoko is a solid spot for a fun, flavorful meal. Some items were a bit hit-or-miss, but when they hit, they really hit out of the park. By the end of the night, we were both stuffed and completely satisfied. Worth every bite, and we'll definitely be back!