Yo Yo's

This place is cash or Venmo only. This is a small little shop run by the nicest and friendliest couple in the world. I think the wife is the master cook😄 I ordered their daily special of curry chicken and it was very tasty and not spicy at all. The curry plate comes with 2 quarter chicken legs that was well seasoned and grilled, it also comes with an egg, veggies and generous portions of rice. I’m a very happy and a full customer 🤤🤤

The couple run the restaurant is very friendly. They actually sells Indonesian beef rendang and also Indonesian chicken curry. The taste is quite authentic. Very generous serving for the price. Some menu can be ordered half portion. It's only for take out.

Yo Yo's is a Japanese-inspired lunch spot in a very quiet part of town that you have to find by map or be guided by a local, and it is a Very economical spot. I've seen the spot highlighted on a few "cheap eats of SF" lists and it's not too far from me, so I decided to try it one day with a friend. We took the bus then walked a few blocks to build up the appetite. The place is to-go only, the menu choices are very simple. Udon or soba, in broth, plus 1 or 2 of seasonings/ toppings. Optional togarashi (spice). You can go for half or whole order ($5 or $9). You can also get teriyaki chicken over rice (optional brown rice) which comes with a wedge of orange and a little bit of salad. There's also some sushi in the fridge, and bottled soft drinks. Among us, we ordered 2 half udons, one with additional dumplings (4x), a teriyaki chicken over rice (with mini salad), and a bottled soda... Total of $21. Udon is cooked "Al dente" without being mushy, and the flavorings, with no meat, is surprisingly tasty. Broth is excellent. However, chicken teriyaki feels under-flavored, as I tasted mostly (bland) chicken, with just a little sweet teriyaki flavor. The brown rice is earthy, but with nothing else to accompany it, it's not exactly pleasant. For cheap lunch, this does hit the spot, just wish the teriyaki chicken was better so there's a bit more choice of protein, else this place is almost all carb.

Real value here for a simple, delicious meal. I ordered one order of the udon and it came out to only $9.50. The meal was filling and tasted good. The udon was on the thinner side and it leaned towards the salty side but I enjoyed my meal. The owners were pleasant and super friendly.

Came by right when they opened because I NEEDED to try their very much raved about beef curry while I’m in San Francisco and I can tell you it is everything I was hoping for it to be and more! Beef melts in your mouth (I’m cutting through it single handedly with 1 plastic spoon 🤯) and the curry itself is a perfect balance of spice, sweetness, savory — just, everything. Trying this place just once is not enough! Take note though, they only serve the beef curry on Mondays and Thursdays because it takes like 8 hours to make it. The owners were so sweet and friendly and we talked about how business isn’t as good as it was before COVID and how this shop has been here since the 80s. Definitely please stop by to try their food, your heart and tummy will thank me 🫶

Yo Yo’s is such a wonderful neighborhood, hole-in-the-wall place to get absolutely delicious Japanese curries, udon, and teriyaki chicken. My favorite dish, their beef curry, is available only on Mondays and Thursdays, and is absolutely worth making a special trip. It has a piece of tofu, potato, hard boiled egg, and tender, slow cooked pieces of beef on top of a bed of white or brown rice. It is spicy, which I love! The husband and wife team who run the business and make all of the food could not be sweeter. They remember your name, your preferences, and make it feel like you are getting a home cooked meal from family. The prices are also very reasonable for the quantity and quality of food you get. A total gem!

You don't often find a place as special as YoYo's. Stellar quality food at lovely prices. A perfect meal to share with friends and family. But the most remarkable feature of this establishment is the Couple that runs it! I feel like family in a city that is brand new to me. The Soba is my absolute favorite! Udon is great and if you like a little spice, try the curries! Need a Snack? Grab some sushi rolls or dumplings! The soup in the udon and soba is among the best I've had, just like Grandma's cooking. They must call it YoYo's because like the eponymously named toy, I keep coming back! 🪀

Friendliest owners ever! Really felt like a warm hug with an at home touch eating from this place. Curry was stellar at affordable prices!

The fastest service in town and the prices can't be beat. This family owned to-go counter has you in and out in less than 10 minutes. It's Venmo or cash only and the menu is small but there's something for everyone. Pre-made sushi rolls (fish or veggie), warm dumplings (veggie or chicken), and a few hot plates. I've heard great things about the fried chicken. There's nothing much to the space, but the greeting was warm. There were jokes made, laughter, and love to go around. My vegetarian plate was prepared right in front of me. It was piled high with rice, salad, tofu, dumplings and brown rice soaked in a tasty teriyaki sauce. Everything was topped with tempura crunchies for texture. There was a slice of orange to round things out as well. I had leftovers because it was too much food. All this was for $10! You need to stop here if you're in the area and need food fast, cheap, and tasty.

I was first introduced to Yo Yo's on my first day of working in the city. Since then, I've been going back at least once a week now! The owners are soo soo nice and accommodating and are very genuine with every customer they serve. My favorite is their beef curry and they always give you a huuuge portion size so you definitely will have leftovers. They also have very affordable sushi and other sides that are great for snacks or light meals! Many people get their udon or soba which are very popular but if you're looking for something that will fill you up, I highly recommend the curry! Please support this local business anytime you are in the area! The owners are so sweet!

Love, love, love their curry (they have curry of the day, often chicken) and the Udon (they also make it for me without the noodle when I just need the soup comfort). Friendly, hole in the wall. My ultimate yummy, casual food and so comforting!!!

Love this place with all my heart - tasty, affordable, and the kindest souls working here

a tiny takeout, cash-only japanese stall with super cheap meals. the udon broth was pretty good and noodles were very similar to the ones I had in kyoto (thinner than most udon noodles here). the chicken curry was just okay though, not spicy enough and wish there was more curry. but both of these were ~$12 total :")

Food: Avocado maki: 3.5/5. The overall quality (especially the seaweed) was a bit lacking. Rice was a little squishier/softer than I was expecting for a maki. Chicken teriyaki (half portion): 4/5 It tasted just as advertised, nothing crazy. The rice was cooked just right, the chicken was juicy and flavorful with the teriyaki sauce. The side salad was also delicious. The portion is pretty big considering its a "half portion" so you really get a bang outta your buck here! Ambiance + service: 4/5 Only because there is no seating. Service was super fast and the owners are super nice! Parking: Very difficult.. Good luck finding a spot within walking distance. Overall: You get what you pay for and these prices truly cannot be beat in SF. I would definitely come again if I could!

A locally owned place with a very friendly couple running it. Takeout only. Venmo or cash only. A full order of udon ($9) would definitely be enough to feed one person. You can also get dumplings with it and they'll put it together with the soup and noodles. The broth is very flavorful and all the ingredients are delicious! I just wish it was easier to spread the ingredients out, since the takeout container is very vertical and hard to mix. I tried their teriyaki chicken once and it was just alright. It just tasted pretty basic to me. Their sushi is also decent. I usually get a 6 piece as a small bite on the side.

Love the husband and wife duo! They make excellent food with very fair prices. Very fresh every time I come in for lunch and easy to order. Service is fast even when there is a line. I recommend the noodles and teriyaki chicken rice platter!

I only recently learned you can get a half order of the chicken curry special for $7!! The chicken has great roasted flavor, carrot and potato are comforting, I appreciate the egg for more protein. The beef curry special is not available as half order as it's already in three smaller container.

Came here for a quick bite for my kid before camp and after the eclipse! What a hidden little gem!!! Not a place to come and sit and eat. It is a TO GO place but there is one little table with two chairs. The couple are so amazing, welcoming, and caring!!! The food is delish and ready to go in just seconds! My daughter got the half teriyaki chicken and we got two orders of gyoza. The total was $12!!!! Then because they are so sweet they gave me a small sample of their beef curry. It has a little to good kick depending on your threshold for spice but the flavor is really good and the beef is super tender!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you stop by!!!

I was in the area for business and I'm glad I found Yo Yo's for lunch! The regular size udon with dumplings was $12, it was plenty of food and the soup was just what I was craving. If I worked nearby it would probably be one of my regular spots. I'll definitely be getting the udon again on my next trip. CASH ONLY

Simple restaurant with no frills and got takeout. Super friendly, fast, and budget friendly food that's delicious. I tried the udon and teriyaki chicken. It's nice you can get different sizes of orders. Food is hearty, flavorful and filling. The noodles were good texture and liked the flavor of the broth.

For San Francisco, I would have expected better from Yo Yo's. My wife on the other hand thinks I'm spoiled by superior Japanese food. If you do eat at Yo Yo's, order the Cold or Hot Soba not the plates. The chicken teriyaki and chicken curry to me tasted like my elementary kid cooked it and it didn't taste right. The flavors were light and the egg was tough. The workers were nice and the prices were as expected for the area. Drink selection was good and my family was able to pick out their favorite bottled drink. The restaurant is for to go orders only so plan to eat somewhere like the park nearby.

No line on Tues at 10 AM. Street parking available IF you are lucky. I think they make a certain amount of food each day because I bought 6 packages of sushi and they said they may be able to close early lol. Note that this is a takeout restaurant with no tables to dine in. The miso soup has warming flavors of umami in each sip. Great for the cold, windy weather we've been having. Not sure if it was deep-fried tofu or bean curd skin, but either way, it tasted like home. You'll probably need 2 packages of sushi from their fridge to feel full but definitely a good deal! I liked the unagi roll the best out of the CA and salmon rolls. CA roll had a tiny bit of wasabi in it. The Itoen Matcha Green Tea + Milk drink was decent. Has a deep, grassy, bitterness to it. Yo Yo's is a great local spot to support.

I had YoYo back 6-7 years ago when I worked in Fidi. Back then there were lines 10-14 people deep. Post pandemic YoYos is still around the owners are still going strong. Stopped by for lunch and it was delicious. Highly recommend and will be back FYI: Cash only but worth it!

Ordered via TGTG app and had a wonderful experience. I felt so bad bc I was running late to pick up my order coming from a later than expected dr appt and traffic but the owner was SO kind to wait for me. When we arrived, he was all smiles and so happy to give us the order. The food was super fresh and loved the variety. Mom loved the unagi roll and potstickers...and she's hard to please! Seaweed salad was also tasty and everything was satisfying. Have been here in the past and love how the food is inexpensive so that we can try multiple items. This a great grab and go place and look forward to returning again.

I grabbed a couple pre-packaged sushi rolls and a bottled tea from the fridge for a weekday lunch and had it by the water nearby. There was a short line that moved quickly and the food was very filling for the price. Please note that they do not accept cards here but they do accept venmo if you don't carry cash. I didn't think the sushi was particularly well made because the rice wasn't seasoned well and was more mushy than soft and airy. The ratios were also off and I ended up tossing a lot of the rice. I don't recall much, if any, seating inside because the store is on the smaller side, but there is plenty of decent public seating in the area. I may come back to try their noodles or curry some day but I do not recommend getting the sushi.

If you're in the neighborhood and am craving homey Asian foods such as curry, soba, udon, sushi then Yo Yo's is the location for your Lunch OOO calendar invite. While there wasn't anything to write home about their hot soba, the owner was personable as he pointed out that they also take Venmo besides cash and thanked me for my purchase. Mom-and-pops like Yo Yo's are sparse nowadays but the price tag, service, defined menu make up for the trip to Japantown, and disclaimer: always say yes to the chili flakes!

After hearing of Yoyo's via word of mouth and various online forums, I finally made it here one hot day. I'd usually reserve a hot soupy soba for a karl-fogged overcast SF day, but I gave it a shot this day and I was happy I did. I spent a fair bit in Japan earlier this year and ate a lot of soba, so I had a point of comparison. The soba here was simple (as it should be), slurpy and plenty for a low price. The couple were sweet and personable with customers in line who were clearly regulars here. They topped it generously with shichimi and later sprinkled some more when I came back for more (the soba was on the sweeter side)

Nice small mom and Pop restaurant really really friendly. I came on Friday for beef, curry and dumplings. She let me know that beef curry is only on Monday and Tuesday, but she still made some fresh for me. I really appreciated that and the food was outstanding you can get it spicy or regular. Highly recommended.

10/10 fast, efficient service! Delicious udon! Tofu was really good and flavorful! I got the full size option and definitely enough for a big lunch. Also not really a spot for indoor seating!

We stopped by on a Friday lunch break. We were greeted by the friendliest couple (I think it was Yoyo and her husband), and chatted about how they've been here since the 1980's. We grabbed a pack of sushi in the mini fridge (stocked with other goodies and side dishes), I ordered their udon (recommended by Yoyo) and my boyfriend ordered a curry katsu and teriyaki chicken (half and half). There was so much food, great value and the udon was delicious. There were delicious tempura bits in the udon, which made the soup super flavorful. My boyfriend also enjoyed his meal! I love how quick and casual the spot was, very homey food and large portion sizes. This will definitely be a go-to spot for weekday lunches!

Extremely nice people and extremely low prices for fresh food!! I discovered this place on Yelp after I started working from my office a few times a week and was searching for lunch options nearby. First impression was that the staff are so friendly and just genuinely nice people. I came in before work and didn't realize they weren't actually open yet but the door was open as they were bringing stuff in. The lady owner let me know that they weren't actually open yet but still asked me what I'd like. Fortunately, they had some rolls ready and she rushed to service me. I knew from the reviews that this place was priced super reasonably but still shocked to be paying less than $3 for some sushi, especially in SF. Yes, the rolls are relatively small but you can still be full with 2 orders which only runs you $5.50. I tried the California Roll and Smoke Salmon Roll. Both were great and tasted fresh, you can even tell just by the texture of the rice alone. They do offer many other options like Chicken Teriyaki and Soba Noodles. I'm definitely going to be coming back regularly to support this small business. It was pretty sad to hear about how little business they have now due to the pandemic and all of the offices not being open anymore around them. Please support if you are in the area! Also, they are cash only.

Amazing food, very friendly people, super cheap! A gem in fidi, couldn't recommend more

I highly recommend this place. I come here every time I'm in the area and they're open. This is a small hole in the wall spot and is very popular with the work crowd in the area. Great prices, fast service and easy to select menu. I like getting the udon and gyoza.

Easily this must be the most affordable, delicious and satisfying lunch in all of SF FiDi. A half order of udon noodle soup was $4.25, add 3 dumplings for $2.50. Very generous portion for a half order. The broth, noodles and dumplings were amazing and dare I say the best udon noodle soup I've ever had? They also have rolls for really cheap. I got a 6 pc CA roll for $3.50 and my lunch was complete. Also it appears to be a husband-wife duo who were super chatty, smiley and very friendly. I was very impressed and definitely will be back. Highly recommend if you are within walking distance. Oh, yeah, very small and just a counter so be prepared to take your meal to go!

Had to stop by Sf for an appointment. I found parking right in front of YoYo's and decided to grab a bite. You can't get anything now a days for $13 dollars and be full. The Chicken Teriyaki rice lunch was just that and served with brown rice. It was flavorful and not over the top with soy sauce and dressing. It's a good find if you work near by for some home made Japanese cooking. Oh and when you do come by around lunch time people line up to pick up their bentos. They must be cooking right when you see a line.

No fuss, no-nonsense. Probably the best value food in SF - got the full order of chicken terayaki over rice with dumplings and I was stuffed, probably two meals worth of food there. Extremely sweet/kind proprietors and you really feel you're supporting a great local business.

Their chicken curry is the best thing on a rainy day! Also you can't beat these prices in San Francisco. If you want to support a local business while also enjoying some amazing eats be sure to check them out your next lunch break!

Good food at a great price and fast service. Small place so there's not much room to sit and eat, but the park nearby is a great picnic spot! (Photos taken a couple months ago, I couldn't wait to eat the sushi box )

Sweetest mom and pop shop you can find! The food is delicious, cheap and quick. You can't find these types of places anymore and I hope they stay in business for a very long time!

A must when in Jackson Square. Amazing food, quick service, and kind owners. I look forward to working in the city when I get to have yo-yos for lunch!

Update from my previous post. If you're looking for good food on a budget, this is the place for you. BUDGET FRIENDLY For those who are budget conscious, they offer 1/2 and full orders of their Teriyaki Chicken and udon and soba noodle soups. That's the great part. I used to get 1/2 orders of soup and Teriyaki chicken to get more bang for my buck. They also do a mean cold soba as well. Some sushi rolls and pot stickers as well. I give ***** 5 stars for their affordable prices from family-owned business. Literally a mom and pop shop. They take CASH ONLY AND VENMO AS WELL.

This place was amazing!! I was in for a short trip and only had a day in SF. This was by my appointment so I stopped in. It seemed like such an adorable staple of the city. Lots of regulars were coming in which is always a good sign. I got the noodles and a sushi roll. The whole thing was about $8 which is unbeatable. It was super filling. I think I would've been fine with just the $5 noodles even. Don't think the price means the quality is bad because I was so impressed by how good it was. The broth was so flavorful and the whole meal seemed so fresh. A must go if you're looking for cheap eats in San Francisco. Note: there is nowhere to sit inside but there is a park about 2 blocks away. Maybe a 2 minute walk. Also, they take only venmo or cash!

Yo Yo's is one of the secret, cheap eats spots in the FiDi. It's a mom and pop joint that's also a hole in the wall. Their menu consists of simple sushi rolls, Chicken Teriyaki, Udon, and Soba. Is it going to be the best you've ever had? Probably not, but at their price points (~ $5-10), it's a very solid spot. Note that it's cash only. It might be a bit of a walk as it's on the outskirts of the FiDi, on Pacific and Battery, but I would say well worth it. It's a cheap, filling, delicious lunch spot.

My favorite lunchtime bite in the neighborhood. I go for their amazing udon broth or Chicken Teriyaki. The finest hosts make for a memorable meal. Highly recommend!

Super good price for lunch in SF financial district, owners were super nice. I didn't have cash with me and they let me go back to pay the next day!! Chicken curry was family style, it felt warm in a cold day.

The kindest couple runs this fast warm, excellent togo joint. I love the simple chicken teriyaki and sushi rolls. Great variety of drinks paired. Little Japanese snacks along the way. Highly recommend. They take Venmo or CASH only!

Great value for fresh, tasty food served by a sweet and friendly couple. I love the soba soup with tofu.

So happy this little shop is back in business after being shut down a bit during the pandemic. They still have a focused menu at a reasonable price. I ordered a ton of stuff for $20 and it was enough for a full lunch meal and then 1.5x leftover meals too! Udon w/ Tempura & Bean Curd & Seaweed: Feels like such a bargain. So much thick noodle soup for like $7.50 (with add-ons). The broth is light and full of umami with some sweet noodles. The udon tastes firm and fresh. It's definitely worth doing all 3 add-ons since they put in a ton of squishy seaweed, crunchy tempura flakes and hearty bean curd (which is the fried then marinated variety). Besides a few thin slices of fish cake, it doesn't have much protein though. But I guess that's the dumplings and sushi are there for. Chicken Curry: A rotating special. Pretty nice portion; felt quite heavy. The curry sauce doesn't taste like the common packaged type and it had a nice zing. The chicken is on the bone with skin, I got one thigh and one full wing, both quite tender. Comes with a carrot and potato slice, which had absorbed the curry flavor. A ton of rice covered in curry sauce. Dumplings: Four steamed chicken dumplings are a nice add-on to get some protein with the udon. Tofu Sushi: Tofu skin wrapped around rice with tons of sweet marinade. I'm a big fan of tofu skin so this was really up my alley.

Great lunch for the workday. Delicious AND easy to pick up if you work in the area! I always get seaweed salad and california rolls, but the udon is a tasty second favorite.

I love yo up's! So fast, convenient and delicious! Came here when I went to Uscis appointment and needed to grab something quick

Came here for the first time and loved it! Got the Chicken Curry and cold Soba. The curry was great, had two whole drumsticks, two eggs, rice, and potatoes. Felt like a home cooked meal The soba was so refreshing and would be great on a sunny day! The portions were great and had to save the leftovers for later. The owners were so friendly and nice! Would definitely recommend!!!

Really does not look like much from the outside... but boy, do I wish I found this place sooner. Thanks to the write up in SFGate. My girlfriend and I picked up lunch from Yo Yo today. We arrived Wednesday before 12noon - well yeah, because my Intermittent Fasting ends at 11am! I went with the full size udon. It really isn't anything out of this world, but for what you can get in SF FiDi, coupled with their super friendly customer service, makes this place such a gem! The broth was quite good - very flavorful! The noodles were not overcooked. The udon came with a good serving of seaweed and tempura bits, and tofu skin (that inari kind) and I added dumplings. My girlfriend had their chicken teriyaki - and it was a generous portion! We will try their beef curry next time since it looks like a popular item as well. I only been here once, but this will definitely not be my last.

I have been eating their Soba with bean curd for over 30 years. I really can't remember when I first went it was so long ago. The Pandemic coupled with work from home has hurt the business yet, they carry on. This is the kind of place you should really want to support, a local husband and wife team serving food with personal attention and love. I went today and the food was as good as ever. Everyone makes choices in life and here you too can make a choice: monotonous corporate chain food delivered by anonymous corporate drones or, homemade food prepared with care and love. Consider choosing love.

This is the most wholesome and heartwarming lunch option in FiDi. (And also probably the most budget friendly!) Yo-yos has a limited but amazing selection of udon noodles, rolls, and a rotating entree. I personally get the udon + dumplings and have them add the chili oil for a touch of spiciness Even better than the delicious food is the couple that operates the restaurant. They are so kind and friendly and clearly take great pride in running their business. FYI It's venmo or cash only, so make sure you're prepared!

just stopped by here for lunch today. I came with a co worker this time, and omg I forgot to tell him that it a CASH ONLY place, and he ended up having to go somewhere else for lunch lol!! oop!! I however was lucky enough to have the exact 7 dollar plus a couple quarter in my wallet which afford me a hot udon noodle. OMG this place is so affordable! The hot soba noodles here was really good. the broth was just right. A good amount of salty and sweet combination. It come with plenty of seaweed which i really enjoyed, and it probably is healthy too. There were also some fried tofu, which I thought was much better in the hot udon soup comparing to the cold soba noodles soup. The Udon soaked up the salty-sweet component of the broth really well, making it really tasty. I also had the cold soba noodles here for lunch last week, it came with a spoon of washabi, which i thought was quite refreshing. The coldness from the soup and the spice from the washabi were a really good combination. The set up was similar to the hot udon noodle, for some reason the fried tofu was much sweeter cold than when it's hot, but I still like. Got to remember to have cash in my wallet next time though, especially most of the affordable place in sf does cash only.

I have not being at Yo-yo 's for 6 years and now with the pandemic I was afraid they were closed like other restaurants and delis . The service is fast. The food as always good and plentiful and every item less than 10 dollars . I order udon soup with everything , curry chicken, a order of California roll and seaweed , tax. $21.25 I started going to Yo go's before the actual owner bought this place . The original were two beautiful Japanese owners and they train the current owner from scratch .

This was the best udon broth I've had in a while. Got my food in 2-3 minutes during lunch and the owners were super friendly. Will be back often. Cheap, quick, and delicious.