SHOWA Le Gourmet Tonkatsu

One of the best meals we’ve had in years! This is a fantastic spot if you're looking for something different from the usual sushi omakase. The tasting menu offers a creative and unique experience centered around tonkatsu and beautifully crafted appetizers. They also offer sake and wine tastings, featuring some of the best selections from their list—things you wouldn’t typically find included at other restaurants. Every appetizer was incredibly flavorful, and the dessert was absolutely amazing. The service was impeccable, and a special highlight was having the chef personally serve the dessert at the end—a lovely touch that made the experience even more memorable. The space is very intimate, with only about six seats, so you’ll need to get on the list—and once you do, don’t miss it! FYI, someone mentioned that they only give a small scoop of rice but they served extra rice a couple more times when we visited.- and that rice was super delicious!

Love the watermelon shaved ice dessert! Tuna and crab tartar: dressing takes over the seafood, too sweet and too strong. Carb portions are small. 2 small scoops of rice and 1 bite of noodles. The signature dry aged pork katsu is good but not great, nowhere near Tamafuji in Honolulu, especially given the price point. FYI Tamafuji offers umlimited refill of 3 kinds of rice and 2 kinds of miso soup 1 waiter is a bit stretch for the entire restaurant.

Our experience at SHOWA: incredible, memorable, and most importantly, FUN. Every dish was simply divine as my wife, sister and brother-in-law all had our own favorites though the dry aged katsu, katsu wellington and bluefin tuna sashimi were my standouts. Service is exceptional. Incredibly welcome, warm, and professional, getting all the little details right while not feeling stuffy or over the top. Joe and Chef Koji take passion it what they do. And it clearly shows on the plate. What more could you ask for? Will be back and recommending to friends.

Incredible service, decor, plating, and of course the food. They only seat 18 per night and both Joe and chef Koji were personable, attentive, and kind. Dishes are colorful, exhibit commentary textures, and delightful in flavor. Our table’s favorites include the uni blue fin hand rolls, katsu cod, katsu pork, and beef tongue. The ume fizz cocktail is excellent. Showa was not only a feast for your taste buds but also for your eyes. The interior is thoughtfully decorated with modern Japanese elements and transforms into an open kitchen chemistry lab complete with interesting glass vessels and beakers. The plates, ceramics, saucers, glassware, and bento box are all tastefully chosen and curated. The restroom is worth a visit as well, trust me.

One of the most amazing meals I've ever had. The tonkonsu omakase tasting menu was absolutely incredible. From the ambience, the service to food, you will not be disappointed. Do yourself a favor and try this before it gets a michelin star. Yes, it is that amazing.

This is a fine dining restaurant well worth experiencing. From the ambiance as you enter, to the table settings and the fresh, delicious ingredients — you can truly feel the thoughtfulness behind Showa. The wines on the menu will not disappoint either! The owner, Joe, is absolutely wonderful!

A unique, true to the origin Japanese culinary experience. SHOWA has a well-thought-out presentation of robust Washoku (和食) routine, with the casual and friendliness of modern Yoshoku(洋食) flavors. Chef Koji and Joe start you off with traditional kaiseki ( 懐石) menu items, like pickled appetizers and fresh sashimi straight from Tokyo’s Toyosu market. The almond tofu caprese is worth mentioning by itself. The main entrees are substantial Tonkatsu pork cutlets and wagyu items, unapologetically Yoshoku style. The menu is rigorous and true to tradition, yet so casual without the strict rules and formalities you might encounter in similar Kaiseki or sushi omakase settings. The final dessert paints a Japanese springtime sakura Motif: pink shaved ice with matcha mochis, topped with sweet red beans, Kanten (寒天) and Yokan jello. The dessert send home the message that you are dining at a Japanese restaurant. The interior decor is contemporary japanese style with blends of paper, birch/walnut and black wood. The dinnerware is specially curated just like a traditional Kaiseki setting. SHOWA is an unpretentious eatery. One would have been tricked to believe this is a fusion style restaurant. But with second thought, every item on the menu is true Japanese. Well, maybe not the cheesecake.

I lived in Japan more than 10 years, call Japan as my second home. Was craving for good Japanese food, glad they opened in the city. All meal was great, had several favorites, great tonkatsu, classic kaiseki

The best dining experience I've had in SF! This omakase spot specializes in katsu and offers such a unique experience. They only have 18 seats a night and reservations are hard to come by. I managed to snag a reservation to celebrate my birthday after a week of checking for openings online. There's about 10-12 courses and everything was amazing and beautifully presented on Japanese dishware. It started off with some Japanese amuse-bouches, then a delicious uni negitoro tartar don, 4 different kinds of katsu with 1 surprise additional mushroom katsu, beef tongue, donabe rice & a dashi broth, and some noodles to finish off the savory portion. The dessert was a watermelon shaved ice. I also loved the katsu sauce which they make in house with seasonal fruits. I finished everything and really enjoyed it! Was so full by the end of the meal. Everything was delicious and the service was amazing! Joe was wonderful, he's extremely nice and welcoming. He explained all the different dishes and the recommended way to eat them which was very helpful. They have a small team of only him, the chef and an additional server and they did a wonderful job. The different courses were well paced and they were very attentive. They only have one seating a night so you never feel rushed. It definitely enhanced the dining experience. Since I was celebrating my birthday, they gave me a lychee mousse cake on the house which was really thoughtful. We also asked Joe if he could help us take a picture for us and he went above and beyond with making sure the lighting was perfect for the picture. Thanks Joe! Also the overall vibe of the restaurant is great. Upscale modern Japanese, very sleek with some natural materials. I don't normally mention bathrooms in my reviews but this bathroom was the best restaurant bathroom I've been in. It's mostly wood and black inside, very sleek and modern. The toilet is black and so was the toilet paper. The sink was made out of a rock. They also had some amenities like mouthwash, toothpicks, lotion, etc. It's $150 pp not including tip but it's well worth the price! Usually I don't try restaurants with this price point but I'm so happy i splurged for my birthday. The quality of the food, the service and the overall dining experience definitely lived up to the price and made for a very memorable dinner.

I can't recommend this place enough after the phenomenal experience we had as a group and a sweet treat from my friend for the SO's birthday! We got seated mid-dining room, but tbh the place so really small and intimate. Every table is exquisite and the decor is beautifully done. I know this is rather strange, but the bathroom is GORGEOUS. I mean, black, sleek, sexy, upscale, and just overall way too nice for just a bathroom. But the features in there are awesome. They have little flavored mouth wash pods from Japan! Now, while I loved the decor and the bathroom of all things, the food was obviously the star. Each piece of tonkatsu was delicately done, incredibly expertly fried and paired with just the perfect set of ingredients and sides. Each piece was incredibly fresh, and their sake on the menu is also one of the best things I've had. The entire meal is designed to make you quite full, which is a huge departure from this type of restaurant where often times you walk away and head to el farlito after (JK!). The service was also quite next level, so much attention and care into each description, each service, and overall each interaction. Perfect.

The food was incredible we added extras including lobster and wagyu katsu. Everything from the service to the atmosphere was great. My favourite was the uni toro make you own handroll. All the katsu's were cooked to perfection equally crispy outside and tender inside. They provided a special katsu sauce with sesame seeds which went well with the katsu but I ate it without the sauce too and found it quite enjoyable. Price was well worth the quality in my opinion and I can definitely see why this place has been getting so much hype. I'm glad my fiance was able to secure a booking.

Wow, what an experience! (TYSM to the friend who invited me). Everything from the staff, decoration, menu, dishware, and even the restroom was amazing. The staff, Joe, was super kind and explained every dish and how to best eat every piece. The presentation of every piece of food was beautiful and tasty. It was a 10 course meal that lasted about 2.5 hrs. It was definitely an unique and fun experience and everyone should try SHOWA! Ofc if you're here trying to find the menu you won't. I believe the menu is different every day but you'll find a sample menu on their website. Don't worry about what's on the menu, just be prepared to eat! There are also add ons but tbh I think the 10 course meal is plenty! Btw yes you can get extra rice and cabbage :)

Pre-fixe tonkatsu in SF -- very impressive! You wouldn't expect to find this kind of place in this neighborhood. Exterior is deceptive, inside very posh, with great attention to detail, quality decorations, tableware, glassware, etc. Food was top notch! Great starters. There was a good variety of katsu pieces, all well breaded, with good flavor. My favorite was the seafood katsu offerings, since they are more unique. Also got the Crab Croquette as a supplement, and it was probably my favorite here-- super creamy with good crab flavor. Personally I found the pork katsu slightly on the drier side, but still some of the best Ive had in California. Overall the pre-fixe course was very well designed and balanced. Toward the end they give you rice and noodles, so you will definitely leave satiated. Highlight of the entire meal really was the staff here-- Joe and Chef Koji were top notched, and you really can feel their passion for food and attention to detail. I also chatted with them some about the menu and I was impressed at level of detail they invested in created such an amazing and still well balanced katsu meal. At $150 base price, this is def a splurge of a place, but its an impressive experience from start to finish on food, ambiance, and service. -- also, they only do one serving a day. So after you finish you really can just sit and continue to chat and enjoy the vibes. I spotted pic on yelp, and so i had to confirm. yes toilet paper is black, triple ply -- talk about attention to detail.

Showa is truly a gourmet tonkatsu focused fine dining experience. We made a reservation around 2 weeks in advanced. Their tonkatsu was delicious. The pairing and ordering of food were also super well thought out. I enjoyed the crispy and fresh katsu. The somen was very refreshing. The cream puffs however were super stale and was expensive for the quality. The menu is also on the expensive side.

A unique, true to the origin Japanese culinary experience. SHOWA has a well-thought-out presentation of robust Washoku (和食) routine, with the casual and friendliness of modern Yoshoku(洋食) flavors. Chef Koji and Joe start you off with traditional kaiseki ( 懐石) menu items, like pickled appetizers and fresh sashimi straight from Tokyo's Toyosu market. The almond tofu caprese is worth mentioning by itself. The main entrees are substantial Tonkatsu pork cutlets and wagyu items, unapologetically Yoshoku style, rigorous and true to tradition, yet so casual without the strict rules and formalities you might encounter in similar Kaiseki or sushi omakase settings. The final dessert paints a Japanese springtime sakura Motif: pink shaved ice with matcha mochis, topped with sweet red beans, Kanten (寒天) and Yokan jello. The dessert send home the message that you are dining at a Japanese restaurant. The interior decor is contemporary japanese style with blends of paper, birch/walnut and black wood. The dinnerware is specially curated just like a traditional Kaiseki setting. SHOWA is an unpretentious eatery. One would have been tricked to believe this is a fusion style restaurant. But with second thought, every item on the menu is true Japanese. Well, maybe not the cheesecake.

The food and the server is top notch quality. Wil definitely Come back simply the explanation and server

Hands down the best meal I've had in the last several years. From start to finish, our entire experience was expertly crafted and handled with care and attention to detail. Managed to snag a reservation for two on a Saturday evening. We were immediately greeted at the door and led to our table. A wonderful Sakisuke set was waiting for us. We particularly enjoyed the mochiri manju caprese. The texture was almost exactly like mozzarella cheese. Each course was presented beautifully and the front of house manager, Joe, was more than willing to explain each dish. He was so friendly and kind throughout the meal. Our favorite dishes were definitely the uni toro tartare which was served as both a hand roll and on a homemade rice cracker. Both versions were delicious. My favorite katsu course was the crab croquette. It was so buttery and perfectly fried. It is worth noting that the katsu dipping sauce is seasonal. The one we were served was made with fig and peach. As we were celebrating 10 years together, they were kind enough to provide us with a bonus dessert! We definitely appreciated it and it was a special way to end the meal. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Joe informed us that he and his partner had curated and built out the interior fixtures themselves. You could definitely feel the love that went into it. There were only 14 diners during dinner service so it was an intimate and personalized experience. We had the best time and hope to be back in the future!

Dinner review. Tonkatsu omakase. 先付け | Sakizuke もっちり饅頭カプレーゼ | Mochiri Manju Caprese Italian-Inspired Caprese Salad with Homemade Sesame Tofu お浸し | Ohitashi Dashi-Marinated Blanched Greens 海ぶどう | Umibudou Sea Grapes from Okinawa, Japan. しらすだし巻き卵| Shirasu-Dashimakitamago Rolled Dashi Omelet Infused with Juvenile White fish. スターター | Starters 雲丹ネギトロといくらのタルタルミニ丼 | Uni Negitoro Ikura Don Chopped Bluefin Toro with Hokkaido Bafun Uni, Enhanced with the Richness of Ikura 尾長鯛キノコ餡かけ | Onagadai Kinoko-Amkake Longtail Red Snapper from Kagoshima, Japan, blanched with Mushroom Dashi カツのテイスティング] Katsu Tasting カニコロッケ | Crab Croquette Custard Filling Encased in Short Grain Nama Panko, Enveloped with Dungeness Crab 太刀魚| Tachiuo Silver Belt Fish from Chiba, Japan, Breaded with Rice Panko Breading メンチカツ | Menchi Katsu Flavorful Iberico & Wagyu beef Patty with Herbs Blended Dry Short Grain Panko 30日間熟成赤毛豚ロース | 30 Days Dry-Aged Duroc Loin Katsu Exceptionally local farm Duroc Pork, Aged 30 Days with Fresh Long Grain Nama Panko 〆素麵 | Shime Somen (The Concluding Course) Shime Refers to The Final Dish in A Japanese Meal, Delicate Somen Noodles in a Refreshing Dashi Dipping Sauce. アラカルト追加 | Add-On À La Carte 自家製豆腐雲丹とキャビア | Fresh Tofu with Uni & Caviar- $29 Homemade Tofu Topped Bafun Uni and Exquisite Caviar (Serving Per Guest) クマエビ焼 | Kuma Ebi Yaki- $49 Grilled Giant Tiger Prawn (Serves 2 Guests) デザート | Desserts すいかかき氷と手作りもち | Suika Shave Ice Handmade Watermelon Shaved Ice with Freshly Made Mochi and Menji Red Bean Overall, "as good as it gets."

Showa is a unique experience and Joe (sp?) was a consummate host. The ambiance is warm and inviting, great for a cozy night out or dinner with friends. It's not an intimate date night type setting unless you are looking for a pretty engaging experience with the restaurant host. The set menu ($150 at time of dining) offered a fantastic selection of Japanese dishes, and everything I tried was prepared with great care and attention to detail. The starter set was really interesting in flavors, textures, and presentation; the most unexpected dishes were here, all good. The lotus sprout had a surprising semi slimy texture, like okra, but it worked really well. The dashi eggplant was simple and clean, probably the best eggplant I've eaten. The tofu that tasted like mozzarella was wild. The uni toro was a standout (and there are many ways to have uni and toro out there). The flathead blanched with dashi was a bit bland though, probably my least favorite of the night. Of the katsus, the crab and menchi were front runners. The iberico sadly was a bit of a letdown - the texture of the pork wasn't as tender or flavorful as I'd hoped. It wasn't bad, but it didn't quite live up to the hype compared to the other dishes on the menu. The chilled somen followed and I somehow found room to eat this and the dessert, watermelon shaved ice with mochi. It was the perfect end - refreshing, sweet, relatively light, and the mochi made it feel like a proper dessert. Despite the one setback on what I'd expect to be the star dish at a katsu specialty restaurant (iberico katsu), I'd love to be back to try more of their offerings. Highly recommended for the experience.

Omg the food, the service, the ambiance, the servers especially Joe: everything about Showa is amazing! I feel the menu is carefully crafted and the pace with the food was perfect. I did not feel rushed (as I like to taste my food rather than inhale it). Showa did not have a second seating so my husband and I were able to sit and relax after our meal and spend some quality time together. Joe explained each item on the menu as they came out and is very knowledgeable. He was also very professional and respectful which is what you want when you go into a dining experience. Showa has a 10-course menu with options of add-ons. They also have an add-on Kenzo Estate wine tasting. If I wasn't breastfeeding, I would absolutely add on this wine tasting. As you can see from the photos, the food is plated beautifully and you can tell time and effort was put into it. In addition to eating the food, you also get to grind sesame seeds and get your katsu sauce ready while waiting for the food which is a great way to contribute to your dinner :) Showa is a one-of-a-kind dining experience that doesn't present itself very often, so if you can get reservations, I'd reserve it ASAP. You will not be disappointed!

Can't go wrong with fried foods...unless I'm in the kitchen. Steer clear. Hello, firefighters! ;) SF has enough sushi and ramen restos so it's great to see a new concept arrive to the city's rich dining scene. SHŌWA Le Gourmet Tonkatsu is the city's first tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) focused resto. They opened over the weekend. They're located in the GINTO Express space (formerly Sushi Ondo) that continues to operate for takeout + delivery. Same owners as GINTO. R E Z Z I E S Rezzies only resto via Tock (no walk-ins). $30 pp deposit, non-refundable if you cancel within 24 hours. D R E S S C O D E Business casual encouraged. M E N U Kaiseki-Inspired Seasonal Tasting Menu ($150 pp) with a focus on katsu. They cannot accommodate any diet or allergy restrictions. Supplements (+$10-$59): A la carte starters + mains; e.g. sashimi, escargot, wagyu sando, iberico shabu shabu, etc. Saké and wine available. Pairing $80 pp. T A S T I N G M E N U ($150 pp) SAKIZUKI // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/yvjnytx6 * Ohitashi: Dashi-marinated blanched greens * Renkon Manjyu: Savory stuffed lotus root * Shira-ae: Sesame-dressed greens & tofu * Mochiri Manju Caprese: Italian-inspired Caprese Salad w/ homemade sesame tofu Solid amuse bouches to open your palate. Simple and done right. STARTERS * Uni Toro Tartar w/ ikura // 5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/2sn4rntz DIY handroll with bluefin toro tartar topped with sweet, briny hokkaido bafun uni + a pop of salty umami from the ikura. * Kisetsu No Sakana: Seasonal Fish // 4.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/2zunsvad Lush, meaty fish (sea bass x sea bream) with a crackly fish skin. ++Supplement: Blue Fin Sashimi - Akami, Chu Toro, Otoro (+$25) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/mwchxhrr Dry aged, moist, and buttery smooth sashimi. Fav: Intensely marbled otoro. ++Supplement: Fresh Tofu w/ bafun uni, caviar (OTH) // 4.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/3jj55vr3 Savory silken tofu crowned with a luxe seafood duo. KATSU TASTING // 4.5 stars * Crab Croquette: https://tinyurl.com/zuekkjnt * Vegetable Kushi-Age - Asparagus, purple potato, portobello mushroom: https://tinyurl.com/bdf56xkf * 30 Days Dry-Aged Kurobuta Loin Katsu: https://tinyurl.com/4c7mj68n * Iberico Tenderloin Katsu: https://tinyurl.com/5tbaddp2 And...this...is...what you come for! Top-notch quality ingredients, prepared with care, and fried with technique. The array of katsu was flaky, golden brown, and crunchy on the outside and juicy, moist in the center. Different blends of panko breading were utilized, from shokupan (Japanese milk bread), short + long grain rice, to fragrant herb blended panko, enhancing the main ingredient and producing a varied textural crunch. Served with rice, an array of pickles + chili, cabbage, siphon made dashi broth (for sipping), housemade tonkatsu sauce w/ hibiscus, table-side made tartar sauce, horseradish, and freshly toasted sesame seeds (grind your own). I was worried it would be fried foods overload. But it wasn't. The katsu was not greasy and well-balanced by the accoutrements. Highlights: Crab croquette (that creamy filling) + Iberico Katsu (the wagyu of pork) SHIME (Concluding Course) * Sōmen // 4.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/425stntn Nice finisher to the katsu mains. Thin, chewy cold noodles in a refreshing, savory dashi broth with a pinch of fragrant grated ginger. DESSERT * Suika Shave Ice // 4.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/ye227tt3 The hand-squeezed watermelon ice was the perfect end to the meal. Refreshing and naturally sweet with handmade chewy QQ mochi and menji red beans. S E R V I C E Awesome 5+ star hospitality with refined and approachable service by Joe (GM), Chef Endo, and staff. Felt like dinner and a show at someone's home. You'll see when you visit. Tasting menu took about 2.25 hours with well-paced courses. A M B I A N C E Sophisticated minimalism with an open kitchen to see the chefs in action and panels between tables for privacy and comfort. There's seating for 16. The restroom! The staff built it themselves and it's gorgeous with amenities: toilet sanitizer, odor shield, moist wipes, mouthwash, floss...and black toilet paper! P A R K I N G Easy street parking. Overall, I really enjoyed my dining experience at SHŌWA esp the interactive components. It was worth the splurge (left full). If you're looking for a fine dining experience that's new, fun, and unique to the city's dining scene, look no further than SHŌWA!

Incredible experience. Purely outstanding service, and ambiance/decor fit for royalty. Great place for a fun dinner with your partner but also a fancy meal with friends! It was very clear that every part of the restaurant and meal was carefully thought out. Our favorite dishes were the Mochiri Manju Caprese, Uni Toro Tartar With Ikura, Crab Croquette, and Menchi Katsu! For the price it was very reasonable, and I'm 100% sure the price will simply increase as the popularity of the restaurant increases. I'm definitely coming back soon :)

SHŌWA Le Gourmet Tonkatsu is an incredible Japanese culinary experience and a must-try for foodies! While known for its exceptional tonkatsu, the restaurant's multi-course kaiseki menu showcases a variety of exquisite dishes. From the Sakuzuke Box with four delicate bites and the Toro & Uni Handroll with fish from Tokyo's Toyosu Market to the four katsus (tuna, dry-aged grouper, beef tongue, and dry-aged pork) and amazing watermelon shaved ice with fresh-made mochi, everything is crafted with meticulous detail. I also loved the cart that comes around to serve the claypot rice and the glass bowl of brewed dashi broth to turn the last of your rice into soup. The service is warm and attentive, and the passion for their menu really comes through. If you're seeking a high-quality, unique kaiseki meal, make a reservation soon as they only have one seating per day.

One of the best, newest gens to grace San Francisco! This place is the coziest, upscale dining experiences you can ask for at a very reasonable price point. I can't wait to come back again. We left very full, even without the a la carte options.

We attended SHOWA for a birthday dinner and could not have asked for a better experience! The service was one of the best I've ever had at a fine dining establishment and because there is only limited seating - the host and servers really are able to pay attention to you. The food was incredible - I would highly recommend ordering the a la carte shrimp alongside the set course menu! I will definitely be back again!

I came here with a group of friends to celebrate my hubby's birthday and the entire experience left me speechless. We had the honor of Joe taking well care of us the entire night. His attention to detail and high level of service made the entire experience unforgettable. The food was spectacular and I honestly enjoyed this meal more than most other Michelin star restaurants I've eaten. Everything was delicately plated and the taste reminded me of Japan. Overall I will highly recommend this place! I will be back :)

If Bay Area restaurants were to be categorized by 'vibe', Showa would find itself to be in a category all on its own sitting like a new prince on his throne. Not only was the food immaculate, but the experience itself really was a beautiful fusion of modern yet traditional vibes. Great for a date, to celebrate, or even medium-sized groups. They have these bamboo rollaway screens that allow for either an intimate or a sociable experience. The menu changes with the seasons. So much care and detail is placed into the creation of each dish that you can't help but be reminded of Japan. Though everything was practically perfect, here are a few amazing standouts: -Mochiri Manju Caprese Salad: If you ever see this tofu in the menu, you must order it. Instead of cheese, they use tofu prepared using a special technique from the chefs hometown in Japan that produces tofu with texture just like mozzarella. It's really amazing. -Uni Toro Tartar With Ikura: Amazing. Fresh. Worth it. Fold it like how Joe recommends! -Crab Croquette: Full of crab meat and creamy. Perfect. -Iberico Tenderloin Katsu: The star of the show; perfect pairing with the tornado vortex of a fry they did. Last thing to note is that you won't leave hungry. The salad is basically endless as they will continue to refill you until you say no. There is an unnamed rice course (Zosui) where they will serve you a bowl of rice and give your table a small coffee pot container of Dashi broth. Great light aroma of Dashi to cut the oil. Overall, loved it and hope to be back soon.

We came here for our 2 year anniversary and it was amazing!! It was an amazing omakase experience with well thought out add ons weaved in throughout the meal. The whole meal experience was close to 3 hours overall. Food - 5/5! The omakase dinner was really delicious and had a great balance of fried foods, raw and cooked foods. The add ons also were really delicious especially the waygu sando. Service - 5/5! One of the best meal services I've been fortunate to experience in many years. We were served by Joe. He was so passionate, energetic and knowledgeable that it made the experience even better. Restaurant - 5/5. The restaurant is very new, only opened 3-4 months ago so everything is nice and beautiful. All of the decor is very well thought out and fits their vision and restaurant. Overall - 5/5. Very happy and surprised and appreciative that I found this place. Will definitely come back and tell others about this place.

I would echo the other reviews in saying that SHOWA stood out among the places I tried recently. Sakizuke/amuse-bouche: I really enjoyed their Mochiri Manju Caprese. They had bamboo with a slice of abalone but the bamboo taste can be quite polarizing. Starters: Uni Toro Tartar with Ikura - You assemble the handroll yourself. One of the top highlights of the meal. Katsu Tasting: Everything in the Katsu tasting was good. The crab croquette with the custard filling was probably one of the best croquette I had. It made me excited for the next items to come. The vegetable skewer's portabello mushroom was good, as was their Japanese sweet potato. Usually, at the tonkatsu restaurant, you can order the fattier or leaner tonkatsu. I always enjoyed the fattier cut more so I enjoyed the loin katsu over the Iberico. They serve the pork loin with pork lard mixed rice. Once Joe sets the piece of rib cap in front of you, you can immediately smell the fattiness in the best way possible. I would say this was the highlight of the meal. Iberico was leaner and not bad but for me, the loin katsu was better. Dessert: watermelon granita of sorts with mochi and redbean. It was raining and cold the day of... but on a hot day, this dessert would be even better. Loved: - Joe is friendly, approachable, great to have a conversation with. - The restaurant is very approachable. - Love the vessels that they make the dashi in. - Their collection of drinkware and display of knives. - Bathroom is interesting. - Pork lard mixed with rice... Wishes: - The pacing was a bit off during the katsu tasting, between the vegetable and the loin katsu, there was a noticeable wait where I was getting hungrier. - The space is amazing. I wish there was an option for a chef's table.

Wow. Amazing meal. Every course was a banger. Personally liked the tuna katsu a lot. Could've eaten 3 more of those. Left pretty full. Will definitely return

Celebrated a birthday here and our experience was beyond amazing! Food was delicious, def had some standouts but overall every part of the meal complemented each other. Everything was well thought out. Def must try!

Showa came as a surprise as there are not a lot of gourmet Tonkatsu restaurants in the Bay Area. The ambience and decor is very thought out and hand picked by the manager, Joe, himself. From everything to the restroom amenities (mouthwash? brings me back to Japan), the food, and the service, Showa was a very welcomed experience. We started the meal with a Sakizuke set that had 4 small bites. All were interesting and unique and it was a wonderful start to the meal as it highlighted the willingness of the restaurant procuring top notch ingredients. The meal was followed with a uni toro negi dish, and followed by a steamed fish where both were fresh and delicious. The different fried dishes consisted of different proteins paired with different types of panko, which is very unique and achieved the purpose of show casing that fried food can be elevated to a high level. I especially liked the herb and panko mix with the fresh belt fish, the texture of the panko paired especially well with the sweet, delicate texture of the belt fish. The Iberico pork was slightly over done, but still tender and juicy. The 30 day aged pork from Turlock was my favorite pork dish and was absolutely well done. The last piece of the puzzle was the service. Joe and his staff was absolutely in control of the pacing, attentiveness, and hospitality the whole night. The service made the experience at Showa go from good to great. Showa is not just a gourmet Tonkatsu restaurant, its a fusion of Tonkatsu and a bit of Kaiseki so you are guaranteed a unique experience. I highly recommend Showa as I feel it is a great price for the culinary experience you are getting in return. Coupled with a fantastic team at the helm, you can't go wrong!

SHŌWA Le Gourmet Tonkatsu - San Francisco, CA San Francisco's premier Tonkatsu specialty restaurant, lovely traditional Japanese atmosphere. Yummy foods & excellent service , can't ask for more :) , fabulous wine & sake pairing too. sure will be back!

I found this new tonkatsu place in SF, and I was so excited to tried this place. It was about 10 tables inside and decorated as we are in Japan. The chef and his partner Joe, welcomed as we entered restaurant. Joe provided us exceptional service. Tonkatsu and other dishes were very delicious! Especially giant shrimp tasted like a lobster. Somen had super clean taste with deep broth and desert was hand made by chef, and it was remarkable. Small detail about their interior satisfied me a lot, cute dishes, bathroom tissue etc. Joe has a great taste!

I don't often post about restaurants, even amazing ones. This one is worth sharing. Loved the experience. The food was delicious. The service was awesome. The overall ambiance was perfect. It's everything you need and more in a restaurant. My favorite "bites" were the crab croquette and the pork katsu. OMG. There was also the junsai that was so delightful. I'm still thinking about it and almost drooling. My husband LOVED the oyster starter and of course the katsu. He will be ordering the grilled bear prawns again. His only complaint was he wished we had more of the main star (the katsu - the lean one was his favorite). That said, we were all comfortably full at the end (I secretly had to pass my noodles to my hubby). There was no shortage on food! The dessert was the perfect end to a perfect meal. The shaved ice was so refreshing and delicious. I love watermelon and also red bean. Joe is the best. We love to eat out. We love fine dining. I've been to maybe 20 countries (up to 22?). He's easily top 3. He made an already amazing meal even better. Friendly, personable, knowledgeable, passionate, a professional without being stuffy and matches the space perfectly. If elevated dining in a cozy homy setting was the goal, they nailed it. It feels like a special occasion meal, but without all of the pretention. It is comfortable, yet still sophisticated. There's so much personality in the decor. It's beautifully eclectic without a cluttered feeling and ties together the awesome food and Joe's personality. Their attention to detail is noticeable. Even the bathroom was nice. We can't wait to go back.

I discovered this restaurant called Showa while looking up Japanese restaurants on Yelp. Looked at the pictures on Yelp and made a reservation. I have been hooked ever since my first visit. I have eaten at this restaurant 3 times. It's an unassuming place but once you walk in the seating area and the ambiance is amazing. The eye to detail and the decor is impeccable. The bathroom is something special. The host Joe is so personable and so welcoming. The chef is quite ingenious with his cooking technique and presentation. The food and desserts are just heavenly. This restaurant is a gem and delight for the SF diners. I will be coming back soon if I can score a reservation.

Great place for a fun dinner with your partner but also a fancy meal with friends! The service was one of the best.Of course, the star of the show is the tonkatsu. The traditional pork loin cutlet was absolute perfection--crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and not at all greasy.

The food, service, decor, and every small detail is incredible here. My husband is tough to please when it comes to high-end restaurants, but he was blown away. Joe and Chef Koji are passionate about quality and care about customer service in a way I haven't seen with other SF restaurants. My second time returning was even more enjoyable than the first. Thank you Joe for making me and my husband feel like family! We can't wait to return!

Amazing service paired with spectacular food. Amuse Bouche box was on the table as we arrived, very innovative. Followed by very well high quality fish appetizers, executed and presented beautifully. All of the katsu dishes were top notch. Each with a different texture of panko to best showcase the ingredient being fried. Everything was reminiscent of comfort food I've grown up with, but being the epitome of each dish. Finally the service, atmosphere, and even the bathroom decor/ambiance was extremely well thought through and executed. I can't wait to come back.

Incredible experience! Joe procures this exquisite establishment with great attention to detail. The chef is both talented and creative. Definitely worth coming back again!

If I can give service a 100/10 I would. By far the best experience in SF I've ever had. You can tell everything was thought out so beautifully. From dishes to ambiance to the decorations was amazing. I was impressive with everything. It was so beautiful. It was so fun. I felt like I was at home.... I can't wait to come back. JOE you are amazing. Please never change. I feel your passion and never stop what you love doing.

Great Food, Great Service and we loved the ambiance. This was one of the best dining experiences I have had in San Francisco. The attention to detail from the decoration to the food is evident right when you walk in and see your first dish. Everyone loved the Sakizuke, the Amuse -Bouche, a little tougher for me with my palette but everything after was amazing. Both starters were fantastic, the Uni Bluefin Toro tartar with Ikura and the Sahara Saikyo-Yaki, Japanese Spanish Mackerel. The Crab Croquette was definitely my favorite of the first 5 courses. The Vegetable Kushi-Age was perfect. The 15 Day Dry Ages Duroc Loin Katsu was the Pagent winner of my mouth and heart. The Iberico Tenderloin Katsu was also exceptional. The long grain Panko and Katsu sauce will make love to your mouth and make you question your life experiences. The Suika Watermelon Shave Ice was very refreshing and I was told they will change that flavor seasonally. I will dream of their Katsu.

One of the most memorable dining experiences I have had in a while and a true gem. You can tell the team at Showa really is passionate about food and people. The ambience is absolutely beautiful, including the bathroom-- hand built by the owner and chef. From the creative and tasty amuse bouche, melt in your mouth appetizers, perfectly breaded and fried katsu series, refreshing noodles and perfect dessert to end the meal, I could not ask for more. Really worth the price tag for the quality of food and experience you are getting.

Super friendly and homey co-owned restaurant by the chef and manager, who is also the waiter. The food was delicious and really good value - it's a guarantee that you will walk out very full, which sometimes doesn't any happen at fine dining restaurants these days. Everything was really good, but my favorites were the uni/roe donburi, crab croquette, and the dashi rice (so simple but tasty). My husband really loved their special tofu. Overall an easy 5 stars.

Went to Showa to celebrate my and my husband's anniversary. They apparently only started service about 8 months ago and after our dining experience last night, we definitely felt like we got more than what we paid for. The restaurant definitely deserves at least a Michelin bib! First off, Joe, front-of-house and co-owner was exceptional with his service and knowledge of what goes on in every single dish! We enjoyed conversing with him. He was extremely proud about the fact that they built the restaurant out by themselves. As he should be, because the fixtures were beautiful! Turns out both he and my husband are top students of YouTube DIY university . Sakizuke/ Amuse-voucher: The Nasu Nibitashi (Eggplant) and the Mochiri Manju Caprese were standouts. Starters: The Uni Toro Tartar with Ikura was delicious! You get to make the hand roll yourself. Wish we had two hand rolls instead of a rice cracker though. The freshness of the toro,uni and ikura got slightly lost because of the heavy savory taste of the cracker. The Karei Ankake was steamed perfectly and the dashi was light. Katsu tasting: Each one was delicious but man, that crab croquette was definitely my fave. The crab meat was just so buttery. Their Katsu sauce topped with horseradish and freshly roasted and grated sesame seeds was so good too. It's made in-house and sweetened with fruits that are in season. Ours was made with passion fruit! The Somen was the perfect end to course, and was especially served to us by Chef Koji Endo, himself. Dessert: The Suika shaved ice--painstakingly made for 8 full hours--with matcha motchi and azuki, was refreshing and the perfect dessert to top a multi-course Katsu meal. Extras: Fresh tofu with uni and caviar was graciously comped by Chef Endo as an anniversary gift. It reminded me of chawanmushi but instead of egg, they used tofu. It was perfectly custardy and delicately savory! Sashimi tasted so fresh and the toro just melted in the mouth. The unagi donabe/chazuke--compliments again of Chef Endo. Each grain of rice was glistening and perfectly chewy. And that twice brewed (using a siphon!) dashi broth was so hearty, I'm still thinking about it. Last but not the least, the Wagyu Sando. We savored every bite. Definitely my husband's favorite out of everything. Few comments: -Joe was an assisted by another staff-a woman-who helped cleared the table. We wished she had engaged with us a little bit more vs just being 100% silent. I would consider her part of front-of-house and I firmly believe that having her engage more with diners would've made our experience better. -In as much as the layout and the design of the restaurant was beautiful, I agree with the other person who left a review here. A chef's table would be good or have chef Endo be more visible to the dining area would be better.

I was expecting a tonkatsu bento box but instead was pleasantly surprised with a deliciously prepared multi course meal that was well thought out and beautifully presented. The service was impeccable. The restaurant decor and setup is well thought out and aesthetically pleasing. We would go back for sure!

We're a large group to celebrate our pal's 75th birthday birthday on a Saturday night. Showa has only one sitting so we had a private party. Beautiful interior, staff is so welcoming and attentive service. Each dish; food and dishes, was captivating, delicious, fresh, and delightful. A wonderful Japanese dining experience to remember this milestone birthday.

Came here last night for my husbands birthday. Joe, the co-owner is awesome!! He comped an uni tofu dish and was super generous with alcohol. The food was all really good but the Pork Katsu was the star. They make their own katsu sauce with different fruits and roast their own sesame seeds. The vibe was super fun too with Joe doing a great job of engaging with all the restaurant guests! The only feedback is - I don't think the grilled mega prawn was that tender - mine was a bit overcooked (it seems hard to cook such a big prawn), but given how great everything else was it wasn't a big deal. We'd definitely come back!! :) wishing Joe lots of success with this restaurant!

Food was amazing and I loved the service. It can get noisy since it's a small place and there was a large party that was there. However, I still think it's one of the best meals I've had in San Francisco and my favorite Japanese tasting menu.

Such a hidden gem! This is more than just a tonkatsu restaurant; it is a full on fine dining experience with attention to every little detail, not only the food and wares, but also the ambiance and decor. My wife and I had a most pleasant time at Showa, enjoying exquisite dishes and impeccable service. Chef Koji's menu is carefully thought out; starting with little plates of cold dishes, then warming appetizers, to hot main of several different katsu of fish and pork. Each dish is made with ingredients of superb quality and elegantly plated. The service is handled by the owner, Joe, himself. He is funny, warm, and engaging. One can tell he is very passionate about his restaurant, the food served, and the guest experience provided. Joe literally treats each guest as an honored guest to his home. The entire experience beats many of the Michelin star restaurants in the city. It really was the most satisfying meal, from both the gastronomic and customer experience perspectives, my wife and I have had in a long time.

I felt like I was transported to Tokyo. There are so many small details that make Showa so special, from the space, glassware, bathroom, floral arrangements to the cookery. As a fried food lover, this place will not disappoint. The variety of panko breading for the various "courses" were excellent. The details in the sauces make each course unique from other Japanese restaurants in San Francisco. The best part is Joe. His hospitality is truly what sets Showa in a class of its own. I will be back soon!

We had a wonderful experience from the service to the food. Joe was great explaining the course of the food and so professional. We enjoyed everything we tried and the Tonkatsu tasting was so good. It was enough and we were so full at the end of our course. The ambiance was nice, not too dark and they have a little lamp on the table for you to adjust to your liking. It was nice to meet Chef Koji Endo. He personally gave us the last course and met his guests at the door to say bye. It was a nice touch to the experience. Definitely highly recommend.

Outstanding experience! Visually appealing , delicious, interactive and fun evening.

Good Japanese restaurant. the mocktail was excellent.. Japanese food without burning a hole in your pocket. Well worth a visit.

Attended a big birthday celebration and I was so spoiled and impressed with the food, service and atmosphere. I'm guessing that this is what it's like at a michelin star restaurant. All the food is presented as a tasting of each item and Joe (Maitre-d) tells the description of each item and how best to enjoy it. Your setting is artfully and precisely arranged, and the servers are so attentive. Each dish is beautifully presented. I had tonkatsu barrelfish, Grouper, pork and Dungeness crab. All the sauces were handmade and tho they were all prepared tonkatsu style, the crust of each was unique in flavor. Historically, I've never wanted to eat Uni, but it was presented in a wonderful way that I didn't even realize it was there...it was delicious. The brewed Dashi soup flavor with bonito had an amazing smoky taste, and the finish of Somen was perfect. We finished with a watermelon shaved ice. Shall I say the evening was heaven. I believe the menu may vary.

The food was amazing! We were mostly surprised the quality and flavor of their food, definitely the best in town! Service was exceptional. Joe was friendly and cheerful. We have to book a table one month ahead! We will be back for sure!

We just tried this place tonight & it was a wonderful experience. The food, plating & service were all very good. The panko breading of various entrees were done very well & tasty. This place is definite worth trying!