Moku Yakitori-Ya
Japanese restaurant · Inner Richmond
312 8th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118
Highlights
Japanese skewers, small plates, beer, and sake in a cozy spot
Japanese skewers, small plates, beer, and sake in a cozy spot
"Not all date nights have to be a big to-do—sometimes, you just need to spontaneously break free from the delivery app monotony and get out of the house. And that’s when you should head to Moku Yakitori-Ya. The packed izakaya in the Inner Richmond is filled with a cooked-meat haze and perfect for a snuggled-up meal of yakitori, stir-fried udon, and deep-fried mochi over a tangy ponzu chili sauce. There’s also plenty to drink, and there’s also a strong chance you’ll end up clinking glasses of sake with some new friends." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
"The scent of yakitori wafts out of this tiny izakaya off Clement, making the entire three-block radius smell like charred chicken. Let it draw you in—Moku Yakitori-Ya nails every grilled skewer on the lengthy menu, plus the deep-fried mochi and umami-packed takoyaki. This place is the size of a shoebox, yet is built for sake and beer-drenched dinners, casual date nights, and meals at the bar in front of the TV playing anime. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez
"This izakaya is the Richmond’s grilled skewer destination—the Japanese drinking snacks coming off the binchotan grill are smoky and flavor-packed. The snug space is an ideal meeting spot for last-minute double dates when you’re wandering aimlessly down Clement Street because everyone forgot to make a reservation (it’s walk-in only here). Go for anything on a stick, from chicken thigh and pork belly to fish cake, and the deep-fried mochi that arrives in a pool of tangy ponzu-chili sauce. And if the conversation lulls, just turn your attention to whatever anime is playing above the bar. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez
"You’ll smell Moku Yakitori-Ya before you see it—the scent of sizzling yakitori wafts out of this tiny Richmond izakaya like a delicious air freshener for the entire block. The walk-in only spot has a ton of yakitori options, from chicken thigh and pork belly to fish cake with cheese, plus other Japanese dishes like agedashi tofu, sashimi, and stir-fried ramen. Know that a meal here isn’t complete without an order (or two) of chewy deep-fried mochi coated in ponzu and chili oil—this dish alone makes any wait for a table worth it. Grab a seat at the bar and watch all of the action going down on the grill, or post up in the back and keep the sake coming. " - julia chen 1, lani conway
"The sizzling yakitori smell wafting out of Moku Yakitori-Ya will make you ditch any reservation you might already have, walk in, and ask for a table for two. This tiny Richmond izakaya serves chicken thigh, pork belly, and fish cake skewers that are perfectly charred and packed with flavor. But also expect shareable plates, like deep-fried mochi, stir-fried ramen, and sashimi to be the night's other conversation points. Keep the sake coming for you and whoever you’re with, and, if the evening doesn’t work out, “I know where to find the best deep-fried mochi in town” is a fantastic prompt for when you get back on the apps. " - julia chen 1
