Potto

Excellent hotpot meals and vibe! Super loved the food (will definitely come back for it). however, the waitresses seemed inexperienced. we didn’t get our spoon for broth until midway to finish. they were very slow on some things but still very nice.

Somehow “cooking” your own food just before eating it is an amazing experience! And it tasted great too! No soda refills, but not an issue. A hidden gem in Castro.

We were scrambling to find a last-minute walk-in for a group of seven when we stumbled across this spot. The restaurant itself wasn’t very big, but it was surprisingly quiet for a late Saturday afternoon. We gave them a quick call ahead, and by the time we arrived the table was ready and waiting. We kicked things off with a few apps, and my favorite was the soft-shell crab tempura. Instead of the usual batter-and-fry treatment, the crust was glazed with teriyaki, which gave it a smoky depth. A couple of my friends found it a touch bitter, but I actually liked the edge it added. From the entrées, the clear specialty was Japanese nabe, though the rice bowls looked just as tempting. We tried the Sukiyaki nabe, Yakiniku don, and Gyutama udon, and everything was excellent. All featured American wagyu, and the don was the surprise hit. The rice was nearly drenched in soy-sake marinade, then pushed even richer with miso butter. On paper it sounded unbalanced: grease and umami stacked on top of each other, barely cut by some white onions. But bite after bite, it became more addictive. Not sure where this fits in the broader SF Japanese dining scene, but if you’re looking for something that feels a step above casual without breaking into fine-dining territory, this one’s worth the investment.

Omg I have never seen a shop like this, the way they are able to complement their atmosphere to the food is just impressive definitely elevate your experience. The flavor and quality of the meat just melt right into your tongue and the matcha drink I order was just perfect they make it with cute ceremonial bowl you could totally taste the difference in the matcha. The way you eat could be privatize too since it come with single hot pot bowl. The service was great too definitely felt welcome the moment I step in.Totally a shop that need a place in your bucket list, promise regret would be the last word in your vocab.

New nabe restaurant and first hot pot place in Castro. While it specializes in nabe, I ended up ordered the recommended Yakiniku don. The food was great — the quality and presentation were generally solid. A bit of the rice in my bowl was a bit dry, but I’ll chalk it up to eating here only once. The interior design was pretty. I’m no expert, but I feel like the color palette blends together nicely. The food and interior design make this a great casual date spot (~3rd date), excepting the music. I believe jpop was playing, which felt a little too upbeat. Music selection is a simple to change though, so I’m not too worried. I spent just shy of $50 after tax and tip. A little pricey, but such is the area. Overall, this is my favorite in Castro by a decent margin. I look forward to trying the nabe in the future!

very sweet people. never noticed walking by to the gym. the vibe is very cute & with japanese details. i’ve tried the hamachi & tofu udon. they did a wonderful job with the tofu, texture & taste. 🍜 the noodles are also very tasty. i’ll come back to try the others items on the menu.

I recently tried Potto, and I’m already a fan. I absolutely loved their udon—it’s rich, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Yes, the udon is a bit pricey (almost $30), but for me, it was worth it because it was so delicious. Their appetizers were also fantastic and a great start to the meal. I haven’t had a chance to try their hot pot yet, but it looked amazing and I’m definitely coming back for it. One thing I really liked is that they use an induction stove built into the table—the surface stays cool to the touch, which felt very clean and sleek compared to traditional setups. Just a heads-up: the restaurant can get really busy during dinner hours, so I highly recommend making a reservation in advance. Overall, Potto is a great spot if you’re craving quality Japanese food and don’t mind paying a bit more for excellent taste.

Very delicious and all the dishes I have ordered are so fresh and well seasoned. I had their soft shell crab. It was crispy and wasn’t filled with battered. You can really taste the crab. We also ordered the gyoza, edamame, and spicy miso nabe with shrimps and fish cake.

Good portions of wagyu and pork! I liked the broth and sauces a lot as well. The staff was very personable and overall it had a nice cozy vibe. Would recommend!

What a delightful addition to the hood. It seems like every new restaurant that opens in the Castro is Chinese, Mexican or pizza, so this is a nice change of pace. I saw a Japanese place was opening in the old Makli space and I just assumed it was going to be another sushi spot (another ubiquitous cuisine around here), but was pleased to discover it is a shabu shabu joint. I am the first to admit that I have never actually had shabu shabu before so I have nothing to compare it to, but what we had was delicious and we plan on returning. I ordered the sukiyaki nabe. It came with wagyu short ribs, a sweet soy sake broth along with cabbage and a variety of mushrooms to dip. He ordered the spicy miso broth and that came with pork and wagyu. His was good but I liked mine a bit better. We also ordered the chicken karaage. The batter was a bit thick on them but it still nice and crispy. Service was nice, friendly and attentive. The Japanese pop music added a festive and fun atmosphere. I was pleased to see that the restaurant was completely full by 7 on a Friday despite the restaurant still being in its soft opening. I really hope this place makes it.

Last year, I was telling my friend that what The Castro NEEDS is a hotpot/shabu resto and a Korean resto. And, BAM...here comes Potto. And, it's still fluffy season in the city where a free facial a la hotpot/shabu is one of the best things! Opening in late February, Potto specializes in Nabe, Japanese hotpot (potto = pot). They took over Makli. Currently, offering takeout and indoor dining. Visited for weekday lunch and it was quiet. M E N U Soft opening menu: Apps (edamame, karaage, gyoza, etc), udon, rice bowls, and nabe (order comes as an individual set/pot with plate of veggies + choice of carb). Looks like they may have wine and sake available. F O O D * Yakiniku Don: American Wagyu Boneless Short Ribs w/ onsen egg, white onion, miso compound butter ($32): https://tinyurl.com/d9vv7xaz Didn't have time for nabe so went with the don. Looks like I was one week late because they've already raised their prices (previously $25)! Cooked medium rare by default, the sliced boneless short ribs were beefy and pretty tender but several slices were hard to pull apart with the teeth and had tough gristle. Tasted more like a strip steak than well-marbled short ribs. Simply seasoned with salt and togarashi, served with side of sweet soy that reminded me of a concentrated sukiyaki broth, full of umami. I wish the onsen egg was not as set with a runny yolk so it's more like a sauce. The sweet onions and miso butter made the rice more flavorful. S E R V I C E Cordial and prompt. My only suggestion is to provide larger cups for water versus a small tea cup. It saves the server's time of having to constantly refill them. A M B I A N C E Japandi style, minimalist interior with Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, neutrals and natural woods. Small dining area to fit about 27 people with three tables, two high tops, and counter seating. P A R K I N G Difficult residential parking. Overall, while Potto's prices are higher than another well known nabe place in the city, it's a welcome addition to The Castro being the first and only hotpot/shabu spot in the area.

I really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately I was disappointed. I ordered the nikutama udon, and sadly the udon noodles were too overcooked and soggy. The American wagyu pieces were also overcooked and a bit dry. The one redeeming factor was the broth, which tasted pretty flavorful. Service was a bit strange. We were seated next to the front door, which was blowing in strong gusts of cold wind at dinnertime. The restaurant was half empty at the time, so we asked the staff if we could move farther away from the door or if they can shut the door. The staff member responded rudely and initially refused to move us. We were told that they had to keep the front door completely open in an attempt to draw in potential customers walking by. Since this is still a fairly new establishment, I'll try to give them the benefit of the doubt (and round up my rating). I hope they can improve in the coming weeks. But for now, I don't recommend this spot to anyone due to poor food quality and unpleasant service.

Amazing flavor! This new Japanese restaurant is just what the Castro neighborhood needed. The ingredients are great quality. I've gotten the wagyu udon and the spicy miso sabe (hot pot) and both were rich with flavor and came with so many ingredients and sides. The owner and the chef are very helpful and accommodating. Fun restaurant for lunch or dinner. Will be coming back!

Potto is currently having their soft opening. We've invited a few of our friends. The owner has completely transformed the space to a high end Japanese Shabu Shabu experience. She even designed the furniture herself. Excellent Food and ambiance and great service. 5/5 stars!! Totally Recommend this new addition to The Castro. I will be inviting more friends.

This is a relatively new restaurant in the neighborhood that serves up sukiyaki. The marbling on the beef looks just as good as it tastes - melt in your mouth, rich, almost orgasmic. You know this place is a hit when two little picky eaters finish their food. The fries with the beef topping are creative. The service is fast and friendly. They have a decent enough drink menu, for kids and adults. The decor is cute, with vintage stickers and signs juxtaposed on a clean and modern look. Parking can be hit and miss. Be sure to come early because this place can get busy. I will be a repeat customer.

Amazing food and service. Udon had incredible broth and flavor, will definitely come back!

Very nice place ! Fresh meat and soup is very delicious! Will come with friends again soon