Nojo Reviews

Ordered the noodle bowls with chicken. They tasted good and savory. The service was super awesome. They were nice but not overly attentive. Ordered wine and two entrees that added to about $50

My wife and I made a reservation at Nojo based on its presence in "where chef's eat" and were thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Nojo has a casual, any night of the week atmosphere that perfectly matched our mood after the intensity of the Holidays. We loved the persimmon, daikon, and carrot salad, the trout, and the candied duck livers. The food was served quickly and had a great diversity of tastes that were incredibly satisfying. The menu is based on what the chef finds in the farmer's markets and the freshness explodes from the dishes. We strongly recommend this restaurant and also felt that the value was exceptional - the small dishes were quite substantial and we could not finish what we ordered despite really wanting to because it was so good!

Visited with a group of work colleagues. Wait was less than first time. Definitely not disappointing, everyone enjoyed their choice of Ramen..

We stopped in on a Sunday evening at about 5:30 and were immediately seated at a four top. We had 3 of the chicken ramens and one of the tuna/salmon boxes. The chicken tomato ramen is delicious. I ate 1/2 of it, then mixed in the lemon which nicely complemented the flavors of tomato, chicken, cilantro, and cheese (its a special one but I don't recall the name). The spicy chicken ramen lived up to the name and was good as well. We had one Fort Park wheat beer that was fabulous. We also had two of the tiny ice cream sandwich deserts. They are so cute! They come on two dragon cookies that have the consistency of a regular ice cream cone. We tried two flavors of ice cream - the muchodoodle and the coffee. The Muchodoodle is MUCH better than the coffee. Its kind of a twist on a snickerdoodle flavor and its really great with a mix of flavors. The coffee is fine, but its kind of bitter and not all that special. I would recommend the deserts as they are small, incredibly cute and a nice way to end the meal. We would go back if we were staying in SF longer! Additionally we saw a lot of families in the restaurant. Its definitely kid friendly.

Wonderful Japanese food! Great service and wide selection and good prices - a great neighborhood place! Everything is great and the ambiance really works!

It's been a couple of weeks since we've eaten at Nojo (it was at the start of our two-plus-week trip) but my mouth is still watering from the memories of the amazing ramen we had. Our daughter insisted we go to Nojo and so, even though we weren't quite ready to eat, we lined up early for Sunday brunch. We were one of the first to enter. By the time we left, there was a line. On daughter's advice, we all ordered the Chicken Paitan Soy Sauce that comes with a slow braised whole chicken leg. (We considered sharing but decided it would be too messy and difficult...and after tasting, were thankful we didn't have to share since we all wanted the entire dish: The chicken was so tender and broth rich and soothing). I wish I lived nearby to regularly dine on such a soul-satisfying dish.

Dined here on recommendation of B/B. Had no idea what to expect or what to eat or where to eat it. Seating ranged from tables for??? to communal ??? to stools over the kitchen, but we trusted our hosts, joined a community and put our selves into the hands of our waiter. "Bring us a series to share that will lead us through wide range of textures and flavours and fluids to accompany them." What an experience!!!! every dish, from the most tiny to the most exotic was incredibily delicious and completely enough in itself that it neither distracted from nor destroyed what was to follow, and as our evening went, we never felt "hungry" or craving for more. It was an incredible experience of food. The only problem was that the roar of conversations made talk between us almost impossible. Brief shouts of "my god this is good" - necessarily repeated and not always understood interupted pointing with chopsticks, wide grins and silent gestures of thumbs up. Our B/B hosts said "We always eat at the bar. There's fun in watching what's coming and going and we get to make nice noises in each other's ears." When we go to San Francisco again, Nojo will be a "must". Between shouts, we learned too, that our compatriots at the communal table loved Nojo as much as we had come too.

We arrived a little early on a Friday and we're glad we did. It became very busy. Service prompt, helpful and friendly and we weren't rushed by staff. Try the Nojo Takoyaki Fries or another small plate to start but be aware that the ramen is filling (and very good). The beer and wine selection is good. Be prepared for a little waiting if you're with a few people but we did see individuals and couples seated very quickly despite its popularity. If you're in the area, go for it.

This was the perfect spot to catch dinner before attending an SF Jazz event, but the food was so good that we would go out of our way to eat here again. Between the 7 of us, I got to sample 3 different Ramen dishes. They were all amazing. The broth was very flavorful, and the chicken fell right off the bone. We also ordered appetizers to share. The salad was artistic and tasteful, the corn very fresh and the pork belly rolls were so good we we had to order more of them.

We came here on a Sunday around 4:50PM and the place was already packed. We were about 12 spaces down on the waiting list when we arrived, but we ended up only having to wait about 30-35 minutes. The food is certainly worth the wait. We ordered teh Yuzu Miso cucumbers as an appetizer. They were crisp, cold, and super flavorful. We then ordered the Ramen Paitan and the Veggie Ramen. Both were phenomenal. Rich in flavor yet balanced. The noodles are thick and slightly chewy-just how they should be. The only recommendation I have is perhaps to hire a busser and a hostess in order to flip and seat tables more quickly. Staff is friendly and very hard working, it would be nice if they had a little more help as the place is very busy. Rightfully so. Definitely recommend if you're in San Fran and need a ramen fix.

One star off cuz the portions were too small even for a tiny person like me. My bf and I finished the meal in 20 minutes. Appreciate the fast service tho and the option to just directly order and pay through QR code. Go early because they ran out of the main soy sauce ramen at 7 PM on a Sunday. Lines aren't too long. You can put yourself on the Yelp waitlist. I don't recommend the vege miso ramen because the broth is not as good. Inside is just corn, one piece of bokchoy, corn, some small pieces of meat. The soy sauce Paitan broth was good and rich. The meatballs were good as well to my bf who usually doesn't like meatballs.

Nojo hype was waned over the years but the deliciousness remains. Clams and fries (on both dinner and brunch menu) are super addictive and chawanmushi is delicate and comforting. Grilled fare also excellent. Nojo is a nice change from the usual food trends.

Last night saw a performance at SFJazz, we were looking for some place eat after, as we left the Venue we passed nojo. It looked inviting and altho small, was packed and everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves. We choose to go in! It was the best choice of the evening! They have an assortment of things on Sticks and other dishes! All are yummy ! We Had the Pan Fried Gyouza,Baby Peas Greens & Chile-Black Sesame Rayo. Tempura of Tree Oyster Mushrooms, Squash Blossoms& Lemon with Daikon Oroshi Sauce Chicken Breast, Garlic Miso Butter Gizzard Tare Beef Brisket,Tare and Black pepper Pork Jowl, Sea Salt & Lemon. Every thing was just divine, fresh and well Prepared and wonderful! For Dessert we hAd the Nojo Sunday, Black Sesame Ice Cream, Roasted Strawberries and Peanut Thunder Crackers, this was absolute heaven!

Just across the street from SFJazz this aesthetically pleasing Japanese restaurant has just transformed from a yakitori to a ramen noodle focus. The food is very freshly prepared, and the service is good, but somehow this does not come up to a Wagamama level.

Personally, I've never had chicken ramen and I'm still not sure about it. The taste was so unique, especially with tomato mixed into it. The sticky gyozas were incredible and a true stand out. The fries were OK but the fish flakes were very overpowering. I really enjoyed the overall experience and if I'm in the city again, I'll visit. Definitely worth a shot.

We've been twice and can't wait to go back. Unpretentious spot with unique dishes that all taste amazing. Servers explain and recommend dishes that just work for you. We love the salads, duck on a stick, rice balls and chicken karage. Recommended to us by a foodie in calgary that def doesn't pick based on trip advisor rankings! An understated jem.

About half way through our various selections of small plates, I looked at a staff member and said " the food is so good it reminds me of New Year's day in Japan". The first three days of the New Year in Japan, families and friends get together and eat many special and wonderfully tasting dishes and drink lots of sake. The staff member said -" no mochi however". True but the various small plates are great. We sampled tempura of oyster mushrooms, white miso glazed trout, chawanmushi, 2 different kinds of rice balls, chicken on a stick and eel. The restaurant is small and unless you are a party of 6 or more, reservations are not accepted. Truly not your typical ramen and donburi restaurant.

It is a quiet place, make sure you get on the Yelp wait list otherwise you'll be waiting a while. The tofu appetizer wasn't good, would avoid. But the vegan ramen with the spice bomb was amazing, highly recommend. Service was a little slow but it was a busy, packed restaurant.

No reservations accepted but tables move pretty quickly. If you are catching a performance at SF Jazz, go early or catch the meal after your show before 10:00 pm. Best ramen in SF and also serves Izakaya type food (Japanese appetizers/tapas). You can't go wrong with either selections. The menu is small but what they serve is authentic, delicious and on point with the service. This is our go-to restaurant whenever we go to SF Jazz. Convenient and satisfying.

Ate there last week with two friends of mine who are chefs. We were all amazed at the quality, diversity, locavoricity (that might be a made-up word) and overall "THAT was amazing" flavor of the food. the presentation is spartan, but the food quality is excellent. a friend describes it as japanese fusion tapas from organic local farms. the farms (nojos) are listed on the menu; a nice touch. we had duck necks, bacon wrapped scallions, tempura battered veggies (onion, lemons slices, shrooms) with miso sauce, crispy rice balls, fried chicken skin, avocado-salad (slightly spicy), house-made spam, skin-on chicken thigh, and a more. dishes are served as "on a stick" and "not on a stick". the portion size is small. if you are looking to get stuffed full.... there are plenty of places out there who cater to the big-plate club. They have a nice selection of beer and sake. 6 of us ate very well, with light drinking, for $250. Getting a seat is the hardest part of eating there-- call ahead. They are deservedly popular.

This place is so popular that the only real option for getting a table is the Waitlist on YELP. Saturday night there were 80 parties ahead of us which is silly so we skipped it. Tuesday night we tried again and there were only 5. By the time we got there, we were seated immediately. Food was DELISH!

My sister and I used the Yelp waiting list and it was like the universe aligned. We drove from Dublin, we got to the restaurant, got a parking spot right in front of the restaurant, and as we walked in our table was ready for us. The food was absolutely delicious. The portions were amazing and perfect for seconds the next day. I have no complaints since we love the hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant that's how you know the foods great. Next time we are in the city I would definitely go back.

I love a good meal. The opinions about the best Ramen in SF are divided - Some say it's Nojo others say it's Mensho. After trying both, the best meal and overall experience - hands down, it's Nojo. Absolutely, finger licking amazing Ramen. Their specialty, the Japanese-fusion Chicken Paitan Soy Sauce is a must! The place itself is very cozy and the staff is really great. Went there a couple of time and can't wait for the next time. Few things to remember * No reservations * During peak hours - You'll have to wait 40~ minutes (sometimes more) * Don't take the seats close to the entrance - Once the line grows, people will be standing next to you.

Stumbled upon a total gem! So much food and soooo good! The soaked egg in my ramen I couldn’t stomach but that’s just personal preference. Bop around the corner after for a treat at Nayas desserts.

I visited for a trip to a conference. I had been in the area and my go-to ramen shop was closed. The ice cream sandwich looks great, but I can't have dairy. The spicy chicken ramen was great.

Great stuff! Had the Skin on Thigh, Breast wtih Garlic Barley Miso Butter, Bloomsdale Spinach & Shio Tofu Salad w/ Toasted Almond, Smoked King Salmon, Fish and Miso Fries, and Beef Brisket w/ Tare & Black Pepper. All of it was tasty and beautifully (and simply) presented. My dining partner and I had an enjoyable time. Service was very attentive, too. I'll be coming back for sure.

Innovative menu, good food, friendly service and affordable prices is a winning combination. Nojo is listed in the 2015 SF Chronicle's annual list of top 100 restaurants and it is well deserved. The food is California with a Japanese influence. The crispy chicken skin with melon was right on. So were the pork jowls. They also have 'normal' ingredients such as chicken, fish, mussels, etc. We were there early, 6pm, to get ahead of the crowd as it does get noisy. Our waiter was superb, patiently guided us through the menu as well as the rest of the evening.

For those that don't live in San Francisco, San Francisco is a city of Ramen. Each venue brings to the table their own unique take either through the broth, noodles, mixings, or some combination of all of them. In my opinion, Nojo brings all of the above together with extremely fresh ingredients and a flavor profile that challenges any other Ramen venue in the city. The special twist is the chicken based broth which is a clear differentiation from the rest of the flock and is a nice change Slightly lighter and creamier). To complement the Ramen there is a whole grouping of appetizers and sides which which are innovate and favorable (And could be turned into a meal on their own). I find myself picking a completely different combination of sides, Ramen, and mixings each time I go. The atmosphere is very intimate and the staff is very knowledgeable. You get the feeling they are not just there to wait but also to educate. They care about the food they are serving! I look forward to becoming a regular and exploring all the options.

When we went Ramen, we always go to Nojo. Never been disappointed by this place! First, the service is quick, efficient and friendly ( you just have to be patient to get in!). The Ramen is always consistent and so much flavor: I tried the one with ground chicken and tomato sauce ( unusual and excellent) and the one with the Chicken leg ( loved it).

I went out of my way to visit this restaurant upon a recommendation of a foodie friend. It did not disappoint and I will be back on my next trip. The service was great and my waitress could see I was trying to taste the menu. She recommended 1/2 orders of 2 dishes and it was a good choice. The 1/2 orders were still very generous. (I thought they made a mistake and gave me full portions). I had the cucumber salad which was really simple but delicious. The oyster mushroom tempura was really good and the tempura lemon slice was amazing! The yakitori was very good and attention to garnish was spot on. I also had the rice cake which was toasted perfectly. I would order everything again but also would want to try new things. Please open a branch in Boston!

Nojo serves the best Tokyo style Tori Paitan ramen in San Francisco. It comes close to the tori paitan (chicken paitan) ramen that we had in Tokyo. The chicken meatballs were fluffy and delicious. We recommend queuing before the restaurant opens to avoid long 1+ hour wait times. Very friendly staff that remembers frequent visitors.

We came for Ramen and enjoyed it very much. They seated us quickly, brought us the menus and food quickly, and it was a big, tasty, satisfying meal. But... the minute we finished and the bowls were taken, the waitress came with the credit card payment device, and didn't even wait till we finished our drinks. We didn't ask for the check. There was no waiting line. And it felt like we ate and have to leave right away. That spoiled it a bit for me. Again, the Ramen was very good, but the service was so quick.... they even were quick to get us out.

Nojo was located next door to our place of stay while in SF....there was a wait, which is always a good sign....The ramen was hot, delicious and creative....this of course is not your college ramen....rich broths, quality ingrediants in a lively setting....we enjoyed!

This place is so wonderful! It is different from any other restaurant in which I have eaten. The menu is full of small and not so small plates. Everything is super fresh Japanese/California/locavore. The mushroom tempura is the best I have ever eaten as are the gyoza. Try the skewers with chicken and morel mushroom or my favorite pork jowls. Good wine list with reasonable prices. The dessert list is small but fantastic. Don't miss the Nojo Sundae it is an exciting crunchy creation. The service is different - don't be put-off by it. You have no single waitsperson assigned to you. You can talk to any of them and anyone my bring you a dish you ordered. I understand it is modeled after small family run restaurants in japan.

I went there with six friends and everyone picked a different plate: they have a pretty large selection of small plates those they pretend to be quality food... Mmm...not sure about it, they looked like usual tapas with a touch of japanese. Well...I'm still in doubt if it was good stuff...but the prices reminded to nouvelle cousin...

I grew up in Japan and so appreciate good ramen and gyoza and this was it. I also REALLY appreciated that they gave us craft beer options. But it was a bit hot when we walked in, and after slurping on spicy ramen for a while we were really hot. So they need to vent the place better or put in a few fans.

Wonderful flavors and great attention to detail, that builds upon Japanese palate. The duck was exquisite. Clams with french fries and somen with uni quite memorable. If you like ika with spicy cod roe ( which is not in their menu), you will love NOJO.

This has become one of my favorite local restaurants in San Francisco. It has something for the adventuresome diner (try the chicken knees!) and for those just seeking incredibly tasty chicken (try the on-a-stick thigh oysters or chicken breast in garlic butter). The tempura tree oysters are light and lemony, and the salads are fresh (hand broken cucumbers or chunks of avocado in sesame dressing.) Right next door to the SF Jazz Center and behind Davies Symphony Hall, it is a quiet, local dining spot before a performance. The service is professional and the servers all are very knowledgeable and eager to help you sort through the various dishes. Definitely worth a try!

This was a disappointing meal. The food was really blah and quite over priced and under presented. Fortunately the wines were good, but how can you go wrong in California with wines! There are so many better options in SF than this one.

...I couldn't even find "my people" in the kitchen. The service was poor and the food was mediocre. I could understand slow service during busy hours, but the dining room was not even half full at 5:30 pm With so many choices in Hayes Valley, I'd suggest you skip this one and find another. We ended up eating again down the street later that night and had a fabulous dinner and experience. (Chez Maman) Should have gone there to begin with!

I didn't like Nojo very much before they became a ramen joint. So I didn't feel like trying again for a long time even after the change. Also until they added vegetarian ramen to the menu, I couldn't go because my partner is vegetarian. I'm glad we finally got to try! I had Chicken Paitan Soy Sauce Ramen ($18.50). It was delicious. But I would prefer this ramen without a chicken leg in it. I liked broth and noodles very much. Broth was rich and flavorful. Noodles had a great texture. Chicken leg was so tender that meat came off from the bone easily, but because it's so big, I was too full in the end and that feeling lasted hours. I wish there was Chicken Paitan Soy Sauce without a chicken leg on the menu. My partner had Veggie Miso Ramen (16.50). It was tasty though it's VERY garlicky! With a salad and two drinks, the bill was $72 for 2. It's a bit expensive for ramen dinner, but service was great, there was no wait (at 6pm on a Sunday) and the place has nice atmosphere. I would happy to go back.

Innovative Japanese small-plate dishes, counter and table seating near Jazz Center, Philharmonic, Opera/Ballet, Hayes Street - and reasonably priced - very cool.

The menu changes pretty much daily depending on what they get from the NoJos (aka farms). The hosts are great - we had a tough group (vegan and gluten-intolerant people) and they knew what would work and what wouldn't - plus they modified some of the dishes for our group to make them with our friends' diets!

A very popular place for dinner - get there before 5.30 and you wont have to wait long - best ramen in town and go the chicken leg

While in San Francisco for a conference, Nojo was recommended by a local as being the best place for ramen. I made sure to go one evening for dinner and was not disappointed! The staff was excellent and the meals arrived quickly after ordering. I had a chicken ramen with tomatoes and cheese which was more of an "italian" ramen but was still excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant!

We were in the Hayes Valley neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon and enjoyed brunch at this restaurant near the SF Jazz Center. Everything we tried was very good. The set menu breakfast (fish, soup, rice, pickled vegetables) was very good. This was a traditional Japanese type breakfast with the fish nicely grilled. The soba salad was tasty mix of greens and soba noodles but it was a large portion. The ramen was flavorful and it was also a large portion. We noticed more grilled items on the normal dinner menu we want to try the next time we are in this area of San Francisco.