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SAN HO WON San Francisco Reviews
Came here to celebrate an anniversary and had a great time.
The staff were very attentive and friendly. They were always asking if we needed refills on any drinks or bonchon. We got the prixe house menu. Started off with bonchon (mushroom one is the best imo) and barley tea. I didn't like the tea at first but it definitely grows on you as dinner goes on. Moved onto the pancake, egg soufflé and beef neck which were very flavorful. We decided to do the beef cheek and by the time that dish came out, we were pretty full. The cheek was very tender and tasty, highly recommended this one. And if you love soup, I would get the jowl and kimchi jjigae. So good! Ended up packing the leftovers since we were so full and had some soft serve at the end. The staff also took our Polaroid for us in celebration of our anniversary (plus a magnet). Overall great experience.
Got a reservation and did a la carte for dinner.
Everything on the menu was fantastic, but would recommend the galbi and mackerel as standouts. If it weren't so difficult to get a reservation, I'd definitely come back more regularly.
Finally snagged a reservation and came for an anniversary
Finally snagged a reservation and came for an anniversary dinner! We got the house menu + the galbi but honestly we wanted to try like everything. We really enjoyed every course but (maybe rookie mistake) we gorged ourselves on the banchan. It was so addicting that I think we accidentally got so full off of it. The meats were super tender and we loved that it came with as many greens as you can fit in your mouth. I loved that each bite had lettuce, perilla, chives, chrysanthemum daisy, and green onion salad. Their sauces too were full of depth and each type was a flavor bomb. By the time we got to the kimchijigae we were so full but the flavor of the kimchi was amazing too. They let us pack away some of the meats we couldn't finish because we were barely goina make it out of there alive. The ice cream dessert was the cherry on top though. Milk ice cream so light and delicate, with sesame and melon sorbets so flavorful but balanced. I loved that the vibe felt like I was outside at some night market in asia with the hustle and bustle of the crowd. Overall a great experience with really high quality food!
Masterclass experience from start to finish.
This place really deserves its flowers. We arrived early for our 9:30 res and were seated immediately. The service was as respectfully attentive as they could be without being intrusive. The restaurant was beautiful. Spacing is just enough to have privacy. Now the highlight... the food pictures speak for themselves. Each of our dishes were tender, delicious even without the sauces, and plentiful. The Galbi was to die for. This place is the best thing and worst thing that's ever happened to me. I think this place ruined my perception of Korean bbq, but it's enlightened me on good meat.
Every single part of the experience here was great, even
Every single part of the experience here was great, even the little things. We caught the last reservation on a Wednesday night at 9:30pm and paid the required $30pp deposit. When we arrived 20 minutes early, we were seated immediately. First off the service was amazing. The workers were extremely friendly, happy, and attentive. As for the menu, we opted in for a la carte instead of the set menu since I wanted the galbi. Food: 1. Included banchan - Seasoned cold tofu, Kimchi, Bean sprout and fishcake mix were all well seasoned and delicious! Kimchi was more on the fermented side but not overly so. 2. Galbi - Thick, fatty and amazing. It was really delicious but extremely heavy. The third piece felt like a little too much. Generous portion 3. Beef neck - Extremely tender, perfected cooked to medium rare and with a sweet savory flavor. I loved this 4. Pork ribs - Delicious flavor, tender fatty. A little bitter from the heavy char. Wasn't my favorite but still good. 5. Grilled tteok - Not a fan unfortunately. Very dense and firm. Syrup is tasty though. 6. Melon and milk soft serve - One of the best ice creams I've had in my life. So fresh and light and tastes of real natural fruit. No artificial flavoring. I ate so much even though I was stuffed. The total came out to $240 for 2 people and I honestly think we over ordered on the meat. Two meats would have been enough since it does feel quite fatty and heavy. Since it was our anniversary, the staff gave us a little gift and Polaroid photo. They even ran after us outside the restaurant when we forgot it. Fantastic experience
100000/10, one of the best experiences i've had at a
100000/10, one of the best experiences i've had at a restaurant i've been wanting to try san ho won for the past 2 years, and i finally went for my 24th birthday with my family, partner, and best friend. the restaurant requires a $30 deposit per person and you usually need to book 1-2 weeks ahead of time on the website for bigger parties, so i was really excited to finally book a reservation for my birthday dinner. as soon as we walked in, the service was amazing and super helpful with everything on the menu. everyone was so sweet and wished me a happy birthday :) all the food was also equally as amazing. we ordered a la carte and got one of all the meats on the menu, along with the egg soufflé, mandu, kimchi bacon pancake, beef tare tare, ssam, and north korean style white kimchi jjigae. everything was fire and the entire table loved every dish. it was so good, i was too busy eating and forgot to take more photos LMAO. i can't even name a favorite dish because of how good everything was - but if i were to go back, id definitely order the beef tare tare, egg soufflé, ssam, and beef tongue. at the end of our meal, we ordered the injeolmisu and the summer peach bingsu. both were sooo yummyyy, probably my favorite desserts i've ever eaten at a restaurant. they even brought out the injeolmisu with a little candle lastly, our servers brought out a polaroid camera and took a photo of everyone as a birthday souvenir (pictured). i felt so bad because our reservation was close to closing and we stayed pretty long/had a big order, but i really appreciate all of the staff for being so kind and patient with our table the whole night. san ho won has easily become one of my favorite restaurants ever! i wish i remembered our servers name (we went on sept 3 @ 9pm), but i hope they see this review and know how much they contributed to a great experience :D i hope to visit again sometime in the future
The best galbi I've ever had, so perfectly marbled and
The best galbi I've ever had, so perfectly marbled and juicy. We had reservations and the service was very attentive. The food was absolutely delicious. For two people we opted for a la carte instead of the set menu since it didn't not include any galbi options at the time. Everything was yummy but what stood out the most was the galbi and the beef tartare! I love the presentation and the extra toppings for the egg soufflé, it definitely enhances the flavor more. The North Korean style white kimchi jjigae was also a surprise, never had Korean stew like it before and it was very flavorful. Interior is very simple and minimalistic but food and service is impeccable. The yuju highball drink was our favorite, tasted very refreshing and no alcohol taste. Would absolutely recommend making a reservation and trying this place out.
Stop reading this and just go!! This place was high on my
Stop reading this and just go!! This place was high on my list to check out on my trip to SF, and it was by far and away the favourite spot I had. We over-ordered but I had absolutely no regrets. The egg souffle and the beef tongue blew me away. I've had a lot of asian BBQ places, but I loved this egg souffle - it comes with a nice bonito broth that has a little spicy kick which elevates it so much. The beef tongue was so, so good, I don't even have words for it. A must order! We also tried the tartare, jebi churi, galbi, tteokbokki, and misugaru soft serve and peach bingsu. All great as well! Will be thinking about that misugaru soft serve for a bit... Service was kind and attentive - we had a few very small snafus (only one banchan replaced after asking for both, souffle broth / bowls taken away too early), but they rectified these immediately when we pointed it out / they noticed. So glad I came here and will definitely be back on my future visits to SF!
Beautiful dining experience.
I liked how they didn't try to change the korean dishes but elevate it for what it was. The short rib is a must-get and the egg souffle was so soft and tasty. Service was great. Make sure to get on the reservation or be prepared to wait in line @4:30 pm
This has been on my radar for a minute.
Great spot in the mission and one of the few restaurants I know of that has reservations at 9:45 and 10pm. We got the dinner set which came with multiple appetizers, 2 meats, banchan, kimchi jiggae, and dessert. We were also impressed by the attentive service throughout the entire night. Our favorites from the menu were the marinated neck and cheeks. I've never had pieces of meats that were so tender yet sweet and flavorful. That alone is a reason to come back. Another highlight was their dessert soft serves, also creamy yet so refreshing and flavorful. As for the ambiance we liked the cozy yet somewhat casual feeling although it was still fine dining. Our only situation was it became difficult to hear our servers explain the food sometimes due to the loud volume of the restaurant. Other than that it was filling meal which has us craving more of their meats! We hope to com back and order A la carte next time.
Great ambiance and service! The food was good but not
Great ambiance and service! The food was good but not outstanding - especially given the price point. I loved the little things that add to the service, though - the magnets and birthday polariods they give.
San Ho Won had been on my radar for the past couple years
San Ho Won had been on my radar for the past couple years and finally made a reservation. We just ordered the coursed menu and opted for the galbi and pork soup. Service was informative and helpful while not being too much. And the inside is very calming and lets you enjoy your company. The food was good but I think I was a bit disappointed for the price point, quality was very high but I think I just wasn't wowed in terms of flavors. Maybe it's just me though. As the meal went on, we were running out of space at the booth and had to just scoot everything down until plates were near the far end which felt a little unplanned. The melon ice cream was a really tasty finish to the dinner.
My visit to San Ho Won was personally heartwarming.
I've felt homesick being away from my comfort in Korean cuisine, and this restaurant brought all the flavors and nostalgia back! It reminded me of home cooking but elegant and elevated. The food really highlighted Korean flavors and culture. The kimchi was fresh, crisp, and flavorful! I wish I had been able to try the other types of kimchi the restaurant offered. The dessert we had at the end was so unique, something I've never had before, and it was truly memorable! I had the Chamoe melon ice cream, and I 100% recommend you try it! I also want to comment on the amazing service they provided. All the servers were attentive to our dining needs, made sure our waters and side dishes were refilled, and had a consistently welcoming presence. I can't wait to dine here again!
really delicious meal but not convinced it's worth the
really delicious meal but not convinced it's worth the hefty price point. it's a meal worth trying for sure - it feels like an upscale home cooked meal. the meal was so tender and well prepared, the kimchi soup is the best kimchi soup ive had in my life (as someone who studied abroad in korea), and all the banchan were well paired with the main dishes. service was very good - came by and swept away our plates immediately after finishing our food every time. idk, from the hype i wanted more but it was still a really good meal
I've dined here twice and both times were excellent! Repeat
I've dined here twice and both times were excellent! Repeat picks include the double cut galbi, egg soufflé, sweet corn with honey butter, and the soft serve. This place was great for a special occasion dinner, or also a non-special occasion. Staff was super friendly. Make sure you secure reservations in advance!
Amazing, would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to
Amazing, would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to try authentic KBBQ. Never had a la carte before and it is a bit priced but WORTH IT. The staff were also very nice, accommodating, and checked in frequently
San Ho Wan exceeded our expectations.
This was the tastiest and most elevated Korean bbq we ever had. The food was delicious (did the tasting menu), the service was impeccable and the ambiance was fun and casual. The one thing that would've been nice was getting a little gesture, however small, to acknowledge our anniversary as we came to this spot of all the other incredible options specially for that.
San Ho Won is a tough reservation to snag, and for good
San Ho Won is a tough reservation to snag, and for good reason -- it's a chic space with delightful food. This was our first visit, so we went with the House Menu to ensure we had a well-rounded meal (we also added the beef dumplings). The dumplings were a little difficult to eat, but well worth it. The crunchy "skirt" around them is delightful. The tender Jebi Churi (beef neck fillet) was my favorite protein, my boyfriend's favorite was the House Double-Cut Galbi (prime beef short rib). We opted for the Pork Jowl and Mugunji Kimchi Jjigae over the Jeon and Clam Stew. It was packed with flavor and there was so much we couldn't finish it all. The only thing I wasn't crazy about were the cocktails. I'd definitely go with a bottle of wine next time. Overall, it was a fantastic dinner and I'd happily set an alarm to score a table again.
TLDR it's sad to think Michelin gave this place a star.
Simply not worth the massive fine dining premium (prepare to spend $150/person) for what's just fairly good/alright Korean BBQ (and only good in the context of the general lack of options in the SF Bay Area). That being said, if you are a steak lover, show up and order one item: the 6oz prime rib cap. get nothing else, and you'll keep your bill under $80 and honestly it might be an alright meal. Beautiful interior, friendly and professional service. The food just isn't worth it. We've been twice and have covered most of the meat menu. Also my Korean family would revolt at the idea that all the sides (banchan) are individually priced - and generally whatever. EG how is there a Korean restaurant which does not offer denjang? That's like a burger restaurant not having mustard.
I recently ate here with my Korean husband and we were
I recently ate here with my Korean husband and we were really disappointed. It's pretty baffling that they have a Michelin given the other one star Michelins in the city that are much better. Most of the meat we ordered was really sweet except the ribcap which was the one thing we ordered that we enjoyed eating. We also find the service lackluster - our waitress wasn't super helpful with the menu, and it often took a lot of time to get her attention. There are much better ways to spend $300 for a dinner for two in the city - like Angler or Rintaro.
Went here for my birthday dinner and the staff helped to
Went here for my birthday dinner and the staff helped to make it such a memorable experience. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming, the decor and ambience were lovely, and the food was delicious. The standout for me was the galbi, but everything else we ordered was also really good.
Never did I think I'd get to enjoy my love for Korean food
Never did I think I'd get to enjoy my love for Korean food in a fine dining setting. I have not one bad thing to say about San Ho Won. Immediately when you walk in you're first met with the familiar and tantalizing smells of grilled meats, as you would when walking into a kbbq restaurant. The interior is an open floor plan, with the kitchen in the back where you can see where the magic happens. The interior is very modern, contemporary, & minimalistic in design with adequate lighting. You are then greeted. To say the staff are friendly is such an understatement. The staff here are SO welcoming. They're all smiles, and they are on top of everythingggg, EVERYTHING. When your party is seated they serve you what I'm pretty sure is barley tea, and they leave the teapot at the table. Our waitress, along with what seemed like the entire wait staff, would periodically come back to our table and check to see if our teapot needed refilling, and if it did they'd take it and replace it with a new and full teapot. AND THEY WERE SO QUICK WITH IT EACH TIME! You're also served this soft tofu starter, and a couple banchan. I don't know what was in the soft tofu, but it was diviiiiiine. It was so smooth, and I wish I would've asked what the sauce and seasonings were on top. It was so good! The first of the two banchan was a spicy seasoned dried squid with peanuts, and the second was seasoned mixed veggies. -- I loved that even though this is a Michelin starred, fine dining restaurant it still had the essence of like a korean mom and pop shop. -- the banchan was refilled throughout our entire dinner service too. We went with their prix fixe menu as listed below: 1) bamboo shoot salad w/ poached chicken, tofu skin, & hot mustard - this dish was good, but it wasn't anything crazy special to me. (7.5/10) 2) savory egg soufflé served with a rock seaweed sauce and spicy anchovy broth - immediately after cooking it's brought table-side so that the soufflé doesn't deflate. It's topped with a healthy amount of green onions. The waiter portions it out into separate bowls and adds the broth and sauce for you. This was my most favorite thing that came out tonight. The depth of flavor that came from the broth and the sauce just blew my mind. Absolutely sensational. (10/10) 3) jebi churi (beef neck fillet) served with assorted condiments and lettuces for ssam - TENDERRRR. This cut of meat quite literally melted in my mouth. I really loved that they included perilla leaves too as part of the lettuces bowl. (9.8/10) 4) house double-cut galbi (prime beef short rib) - once again, TENDERRRR. these bad boys were falling off the bone! I didn't know this cut of meat could also melt in the mouth haha. (9.8/10) 5) pork jowl & mugunji kimchi jjigae served with rice - they also brought a portable stove so that it can finish cooking table side as well. This kimchi jjigae was GOOD. I remember my first bite, my eyes flew wide open hahaha. I looked around at my friends and said, "this is gooooooooooood.." Lolol. (9.8/10) 6) soft serve ice cream - they had two options. One was tangerine and milk, the other was black sesame. Both were great, but I enjoyed the black sesame more (7.8/10) The prix fixe menu may seem a bit small, but I promise you it is substantial lol. We were soooo full by the end of it. But if you want to order more they do have an a la carte menu of a bunch of different things to try as well!
We were able to snag a reservation for this place finally
We were able to snag a reservation for this place finally and it did not disappoint! I came here with a party of 4 and the set menu was very filling. We all left feeling super full which was unexpected! Service was great and super friendly. We never had to ask for anything now that I think of it. They were always one step ahead of us! This reminds me of a moody Japanese bath house. The stone ground paired with the light wood. It's super clean, sleek, and modern. Banchan - Chilled Tofu - Dried squid - Kimchi These were great starters, all with great flavor. Both the dried squid and the kimchi can be refilled so don't be scared to get some more! Set Menu: - Salad of Fresh Bamboo Shoots - Savory Egg Soufflé - Jebi Churi - Beef Neck Fillet - House Double-Cut Galbi - Prime Short Rib - Pork Jowl and Mugunji Kimchi Jjigae - Soft serve ice cream (choice of black sesame or orange and cream) -Side order: - Grilled Tteok (you can definitely do without this) All in all San Ho Wan was an elevated experience and I would definitely come back again!
This was a restaurant that I have been wanting to try for a
This was a restaurant that I have been wanting to try for a while. I'm glad I got the opportunity to do so this time. The interior is spacious and we got one of the booths for seating. The restaurant is very clean and you can see the kitchen cooking on the side. I had an initial worry that the food would not be enough but the server assured me there will be lots of food and meat. We can always add on during the course. The food was delicious. You can tell the care they put into preparing and presenting the food. Portion sizes did not disappoint. Each kalbi slabs were easily 2 or 3 pieces at a typical kbbq place. Also, the marbling on the kalbi was fantastic. Juicy and melts in your mouth. The beef neck was cooked to perfection. It was so tender and practically pillowy as you eat it with the lettuce and sauces provided. The steamed egg was easily one of the best steamed egg I've had. It had the perfect balance flavor. Not overly eggy or watery/salty. Service was impeccable. They checked frequently for tea refills. They timed the arrival and bussing of our dishes so there was no awkward wait period. If you are able to, I definitely recommend trying this place. The prie fixe may be a bit pricey but it does come with a lot of food so it might be an option if you want to splurge and treat yourself.
Finally got around to coming here and it is amazing!!!
Finally got around to coming here and it is amazing!!! First, don't really understand the set menu as we basically ordered same things on the alacarte menu and it was cheaper by a lot. But anyway on to the food.. I won't describe everything but suffice to say take the positive food reviews you see already and I will echo them! The sleeper hit was the corn, it was so delicious with the amount and type of butter on it. We got two meats but I think in the future would only get one as they were kind of similar.. I think they sous vide the meats to get the tenderness. They were both fantastic though!! The bingsu is a must get, as long as you don't mind the alcohol taste. It is such an interesting and well crafted dessert Service was great, really friendly and organized. The bathroom was awesome! Unfortunately it was normal kbbq chairs so those were quite uncomfortable. Definitely can't wait to come back and try some different things.
TLDR: This place lives up to the hype and in 2024 is STILL
TLDR: This place lives up to the hype and in 2024 is STILL one of my favorite restaurants in SF. We tried a lot of new stuff this time from the a la carte menu so here's what to get and what to skip. ------ FOOD: 1. [MUST TRY] Beef Neck Fillet (5/5) - Will blow your mind. So flavorful, tender, not too fatty and not too sweet. Perfection. 2. House Double-Cut Galbi (5/5) - Also so good and the portion is easily shareable among 2-3 people. And also by just one person :) 3. Savory Egg Souffle (5/5) - Hear me out. I've been eating my mom's steamed eggs every since I was a kid so I didn't understand the hype around this souffle, but the seaweed sauce and spicy anchovy broth are umami bombs that are just so unique. One of these was perfect to share among 2-4 people (we got 2 orders for 4 people) 4. Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (5/5) - Delicious, thick, warm, tangy and slightly spicy soup. Not overly spicy and oh so comforting. This was a table favorite for sure and easily split among 4. You get an egg on the side to crack into the boiling soup when it comes out piping hot -- so fun! 5. YUJU Highball (5/5) - One of the best cocktails I've had in forever. Slightly fizzy, sweet, with no alcohol taste whatsoever -- this is one of those drinks that sneaks up on you because it tastes so good that you drink it way too quickly 6. Western Mushrooms (4.5/5) - Cool and unique side! Mushroom caps full of melted butter, and it comes with a side of lemon that you squeeze on top to help cut through the butter 7. Ssam (4/5) - We got the Ssam lettuce wraps with our BBQ but honestly I preferred the meat without anything else, even without the side sauces they give you. That being said, one person in our party loved them so totally your call! These are super fresh, perfect-looking lettuce wraps and chives. 8. Sweet Corn (3/5) - Just because I love this place doesn't mean everything is perfect! This was a pass for me 9. Binsoo (2/5) - Unique for sure but I wouldn't recommend. Too much shaved snow on top that tastes like sweet fermented rice wine (which is fine if you're used to the taste, but definitely odd if you've never had real rice wine before). And then after you eat all the snow at the top (which is piled on way too high), you only then reach the strawberries and then the panna cotta all the way at the bottom. The popped rice at the bottom was a great touch but couldn't save the shaved snow situation at the top. ------ SERVICE: * Fantastic service. Tea was always hot and constantly checked on and replaced for us throughout the night without our asking. * They replace the banchan (the little, flavorful, complementary side dishes for the table) throughout the night as you finish them * Our waiter was so attentive and helpful throughout the night and just a great guy * The only ding is that we came here for my birthday and mentioned it to the wait staff but surprisingly they didn't celebrate in any way. I think this is atypical because I've been here for an anniversary before and they made it special for us, but I'm still a bit surprised! ------ ENVIRONMENT: * It has a really cool vibe inside unlike many Michelin star restaurants. It feels actually quite casual from the looks of it -- wooden booths on the side and smaller wooden tables for two to four in the middle of the dining area. * Not too loud and yet still lively! Lots of young people and couples and groups of friends
I came here to celebrate Valentine's Day and the experience
I came here to celebrate Valentine's Day and the experience was amazing! We opted to order à la carte since there were specific items we wanted to try. Starters - savory egg soufflé: very fluffy and perfectly cooked, served with anchovy broth and a savory and spicy sauce. I'm not an egg person but I really liked this! - galbi mandu: this was my favorite dish of the night! The meat inside the mandu is super juicy and bursting with flavor. The mandu are long and skinny so it's almost like eating an egg roll. They are cooked in a crispy lattice that adds nice texture. BBQ - beef neck fillet: This was our favorite meat of the meal. Super tender, and tasty on its own. We ordered ssam to eat with the meat but I honestly preferred eating this on its own so I could appreciate the taste by itself. - galbi: super tasty! I was a little worried after reading reviews that it would be too fatty, but I loved it! It definitely is very rich and there is a lot of marbling but even the fat left on the bone tasted amazing! Because the pieces are so thick it was hard to eat with the ssam in one bite, but our server was super attentive and brought be a knife which helped a lot with making more manageable bites! Soup - kimchi jiggae pozole: this was the dish I was most excited about because it combines two of my favorite soups, but it was also my least favorite dish of the night. I would not order this again, and probably try a different soup next time. I understand what they are going for but the soup was strangely really tangy and tomato-y. Dessert - makgeolli bingsu: this bingsu was interesting! We knew what we were getting into ordering something alcohol flavored but I guess I just prefer fruit bingsu. There were strawberries and crunchy bits that were a fun addition. I really liked the panna cotta at the bottom! Next time I'd probably order the soft serve. Drinks - sang makgeolli: a very good addition to the BBQ meats! On the sweeter side! - chilsung cider: our server told us this was like Korean 7-up. It went really well while eating the galbi and other rich meats! The service here is amazing! That's what really stood out to us and made our experience here special. They explain how dishes are made, how to eat them, they anticipate your needs, keep track of which sauces you use, guide you on how much to order. We never felt rushed and the meal was very well paced. We were never waiting around for our food. The atmosphere here is on the casual side, even on Valentine's Day. A few days after we ate at San Ho Won, we ate at a high end KBBQ restaurant in LA KTown, but San Hon Won was a much better experience! I would recommend trying San Ho Won at least once!
Came here on multiple occasions throughout the past several
Came here on multiple occasions throughout the past several years and the service and food quality have always been amazing! I feel like this is the perfect place to slowly introduce picky eater friends to Korean food since there's no way they'd have a bad time here. It's a really fun, elevated, and creative twist on Korean classics and a great place to come have a home-y but nice dinner. Also pro tip, rice wine (makgeolli) is sooo good to pair with the food here
* Savory Egg Souffle - It tasted quite good and like an egg
* Savory Egg Souffle - It tasted quite good and like an egg drop soup but light scrambled eggs * Beef Tartare with Asian Pear - Light tasting and can be served on a rice puff seaweed cracker which complemented well. * Galbi - Best Galbi of my life! The halbi was so thick, tender, and didn't require me to be eating like a caveman for the meat on the bones. Came off so easily. * Bulgogi - Bulgogi was good and had saffron. It came in the form of a meat loaf patty * Glazed Pork Rib - Ribs were very tender. * Sweet Corn - It's one ear of corn with lots of butter. Noting spectacular. * Tteokbokki - Tteokbokki was short and fat. Felt kinda firmer than usual. Good but a order one time thing for me. The bathroom was pretty cool too. As soon as I opened the door, the toilet seat cover went up. It's like the toilet is waving "Hi" at me. There is a thing to note about the reservation. When you make a reservation, it's $30 a person. I had one person not be able to go but I thought we could use the $30 towards more food. Nope, it's forfeited and isn't applied to your bill. The website states to change your reservation 24 hours ahead but it didn't say you couldn't use the missing person's reservation fee towards food. We were planning on eating more food anyways.
There is often a wait but it's worth it, and service is
There is often a wait but it's worth it, and service is fast. Great food at decent prices at this historic small restaurant. It's not where you go for a celebration or ambiance. You come here purely for me the food!
I recently dined at San Ho Won and was blown away by the
I recently dined at San Ho Won and was blown away by the exceptional service and delicious food. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and seated promptly. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and provided excellent recommendations.The dishes came out quickly, yet were perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. My favorite dish by far was the short rib, which was so tender and buttery that it practically melted in my mouth. The succulent meat was seasoned to perfection and paired well with the accompanying sides.While the housemade tofu with its delicious sauce was another standout dish, the star of the show for me was undoubtedly the short rib. It was simply outstanding and left me craving for more.The corn with honey butter and chili was also delectable, with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors that added a nice touch to the meal.Overall, I had an amazing experience at San Ho Won and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special night out. The only downside is that it can be difficult to get a reservation, so be sure to plan ahead. But trust me, it's worth the effort. I can't wait to go back and have another bite of their incredible short rib.
I didn't have high expectations before coming in yet I was
I didn't have high expectations before coming in yet I was still greatly disappointed. I rarely give 2 stars but if the front desk lady is going to be condescending, the food should at least live up to the expectations. We were very hungry coming in but could barely finish the second dish because of how oily it was. I've had both cheap and Michelin star kbbq but this place just feels like a fancy Korean restaurant gone wrong. Here's my unbiased opinion about the food:I can tell they put a lot of thoughts into their banchan but it tasted pretty mediocre. The cold egg in particular didn't really suit my taste. My Korean friend said the Kimchi was good though.Neck: I don't really recommend this dish in particular. It tasted like regular meat you can get from any restaurant. The texture was pretty tender but the flavor was a bit lacking. The dipping sauce were pretty good by themselves but it didn't go well with the meat at all. I was expecting more premium flavor for this price. Galbi: the Galbi was very oily and fatty, the flavor is ok but nothing extraordinary. We could barely finish this dish even though we were hungry. According to my Korean friend "even kalbi from Costco taste better than this". Also I've never seen a bbq place that charges for lettuce.Kimchi jjigae: I make this dish at home all the time so I thought It'd be hard to mess up. However, the soup was super salty and had a weird aftertaste. It did get better once we add in the avocado and cilantro though.Overall, the food I had this time didn't capture the essence of korean food and I'm surprised they have such good ratings. And of course 20% service fee is enforced so nobody even bothered to ask us how the food was...
I've had multiple people vouch that this was the best kbbq
I've had multiple people vouch that this was the best kbbq they've had, so I had to see it for myself. I didn't make a reservation, but my friend and I camped outside for about 15 minutes before opening and got seated within 20 minutes (table for 2). The whole experience and presentation was a spectacle! However the Kalbi I got was mostly bone and the meat was tough. The redeeming factor for me were the desserts and the heated toilet (lol). I am willing to give it a second shot considering overall it was a worthwhile experience at the price point, but I'd probably order ala carte rather than the set house menu.
OVERALL: San Ho Wan was an excellent dining experience
OVERALL: San Ho Wan was an excellent dining experience where the tender double-cut Galbi was the star of the show. An accompaniment of tasty appetizers and sides allowed us to taste a variety of dishes and also ensured that we left feeling full. Other highlights besides the double-cut Galbi included the egg soufflé and the green onion pancake.If we have friends or family visiting in the future and are looking to take them out for a memorable dining experience, San Ho Wan will be at the top of our list.We had a late reservation (seated at 9:15PM) and did not feel rushed. The servers were courteous and informative. I recommend ordering a la carte (as opposed to the house menu), as it allowed us to sample more dishes and be selective about the dishes we knew we would like.Dishes:AppetizersSAVORY EGG SOUFFLÉ - 9/10Egg soufflé is a favorite dish of ours and this did not disappoint! This was so light and fluffy in texture, and paired well with the anchovy broth which added to the nice savory flavor. This came out hot SANMA PAJEON (Mountain Yam And Green Onion Pancake) - 8/10A definite highlight for us. It was crispy and was nice to have the yams proportioned on each piece.GALBI MANDU 8/10Similar to gyoza - packed full of flavor and easy to share!SSAM (Assorted Lettuces To Wrap Your Bbq)A nice way to add some texture and greens to some of the meat dishes on the menu. A good variety of greens - I would recommend this if you're ordering the Galbi.GRILLED TTEOK - 7/10The rice cakes were three to a skewer and paired well with the maple-soy sauce. There was a nice crisp on the exterior from the grill but the inside was soft and chewy.WESTERN MUSHROOMS - 5/10The mushrooms were tasty, but definitely not a standout. The portion size is good - we got 10 mushroom heads in an order - and were served with a lemon wedge to drizzle. Ultimately just not as memorable as the rest of the dishes in the lineup.Mains:HOUSE DOUBLE-CUT GALBI - 10/10This is a must-have dish. The cuts of meat are extremely thick and oh-so tender. The meat is presented on a miniature grill. It's a perfect level of fattines and GOCHUJANG PORK BELLY AND SQUID - 7/10This was a special for the night (not on the normal menu) and presented on a miniature grill, similar to the house galbi. The dish was bulgogi-esque and the meats were tasty and helped to balance the galbi mandu/double-cut galbi, but ultimately it's hard to stack up against the double-cut galbi as far as a grilled meat dish.Dessert:MAKGEOLLI AND YOGURT, STRAWBERRY, NURUNGJI SOFT SERVE - 6/10Pretty good, but we were so full with all of the previous courses we barely had room for this dish. Enjoyed the crunchy texture of the nurungji and wasn't overly sweet.
First, a few words about the restaurant itself.
The interior of the restaurant is very beautiful, with a sleek style. There is an open kitchen, and the atmosphere is really nice.In addition to the house menu, the focus of the restaurant is on Korean BBQ and stews, two classics of Korean cuisine. They also have some specials in addition to the dishes offered on the menu.The service was remarkable, especially thanks to the professionalism and help of the waitress Maya (I am not certain if I am spelling her name correctly).I had high expectations when coming to San Ho Won, and I was not disappointed.
One of the best meals I've had in SF! All the dishes are
One of the best meals I've had in SF! All the dishes are exceptional, and comes out very fresh and is served at the perfect time. We got the blood sausage pancake, chicken tteokbokki, galbitan, BBQ galbi, sticky ribs, beef neck filet, egg soufflé, pear water kimchi, and finished with the dalgona cheesecake. None of the plates lasted on the table for long...
I dined here with a 7:15 reservation for the house set
I dined here with a 7:15 reservation for the house set menu, which comes with banchan, some small dishes, 2 KBBQ meats to be eaten as ssam, a choice between 2 sets of more "filling" dishes, and soft serve. I mostly come here to write this review to echo another Yelper who mentioned that they felt very rushed with the pace that the dishes were served. This was very much my experience. If you are looking for a place to have a relaxing dinner where you can enjoy the company of your dining companions and savor the food, this is NOT it. For example, the palette cleanser for "after the BBQ course" came out before we even finished the first of 2 meats. My spouse is a very fast eater (and we are totally the kind of gluttons who will order 4 persons' worth of meat for 2 people at typical KBBQ places, so trust that we can throw down), and he said he was stressed by how quickly the food was coming out. I definitely felt overwhelmed as the dishes started piling up on our table before we could finish the prior ones and unfortunately this really became the focus of the experience rather than the food itself.As for the food, I wish the emphasis was more on the KBBQ meats, because that was the highlight of the meal by far--incredibly tender, high-quality pieces of meat that were so flavorful. The Kimchi Pozole was a fun fusion, but overall, the dishes felt less about innovation and more about delivering a high-quality execution of Korean food. I guess I am glad I tried this place but I would have had much more fun at a regular KBBQ spot with a tabletop grill where I could actually enjoy the food at a slower pace.
Wooof.
... here goes nothing. Theres so many reviews about this place already so I'll just tell you my punchline up front. I gave this place a low star because I felt the food was generic and lacked character. The food was safe, and although executed beautifully (that beef neck was A+ tenderness) the flavors didn't hit in the right spots. I fell in love with Korean food because the Ssam wraps just HITS and you start food-dancing because the food in your mouth explodes with flavor and hits all the notes. I didn't feel that here. Also the service was chaotic. I don't like 5 different servers coming up to me and accidentally taking my food away when there was still a piece of beef.I'm disappointed but at the same time, I think a lot of 1 star michelin restaurants are pretty lackluster. For my whole meal, I paid $116 because they include 20% tip and I don't think that's too offensive. Just don't go to places like Osito because they also have 1 star, and they're charging $200+. Now THAT is ostentatious. Here's the rest of my review!This restaurant is so hyped even before it got its star, and now that it's gotten a star, everyone's clamoring to try this trendy korean barbecue restaurants smack dab in the heart of bougie ass SF. I came here alone as it was much easier to dine by myself, just to have a taste of Corey Lee's newest creation. The space is nice and open, simple but tastefully done decor. The inside is clean and feels like a old timey Korean restaurant with its wooden poles, and bench tables but little aspects of modernism throughout the space reminds you you're at a fancy place. Dining for one is tough, especially at a family style restaurant where you want to try a bunch of things. But after some inspection, I decided to order the Soondae pajeon with the Snow Valley Makgeolli because I'm a sucker for that combination, the beef neck barbecue with Ssam addition, and then the fatass in me added the rice cake skewer because I convinced myself I needed "carbs" to feel full. The meal also came with 3 banchans, and I was disappointed in how mild the kimchi flavor was. Not punchy, not sour or salty, just really mild for someone with no taste buds and prefer bland food. I did really like the anchovy peanut shishito pepper and peas creation, that tasted really authentic and elevated for fancy dining. The egg was good too, but my fav was the anchovy banchan. Pajeon was good, also not super intense in flavor if you expected to eat blood sausage, and washing it down with makgeolli was a good combo. But again, the flavors didn't sing....It was safe, reliable and familiar. The beef neck was really deliciously tender, and the ssam wrap with the tomato sam jang, some green salsa like taste, and the jalapenos were good. I did not like the rice cake skewer, very dense and chewy, definitely not missing out if you skip it.
San Ho Won is the best Korean restaurant in SF that I've
San Ho Won is the best Korean restaurant in SF that I've been to. They have a variety of traditional dishes as well as Korean BBQ that is perfect for any occasion and group size. To start off, we got the Soondae Pajeon. Normally the blood sausage is made with thin noodles but the restaurant makes it with glutinous rice that makes the soondae more chewy and soft. For the bbq, we got the center cut beef tongue. A unique taste that is tender and juicy. It comes with different sides that you can enjoy with.The grilled tteuk was very good. Crispy on the outside and soft in the inside, the rice cake paired well with the maple-soy sauce. A sweet dish that you can enjoy. The 5-year doenjang was the highlight. Made with inhouse soybean, the soup had a very deep and distinct flavor. It had plentiful veggies and clams. The complimentary banchans paired well with all the dishes. Lastly, the dalgona cheesecake was a great way to end the meal. A creamy and crunchy dessert that is not too sweet. I love the open kitchen style and comfortable seating in the restaurant. The staff had great recommendations and they were all good. They were all friendly and provided great service from the start and end of our meal.
We had high expectations for San Ho Won given all the hype
We had high expectations for San Ho Won given all the hype & difficulty in getting a reservation. Unfortunately, my husband and I thought the food was very ordinary. Nothing special and definitely in my opinion, the most disappointing michelin starred restaurant we dined at. We had the house menu, and none of the dishes stood out as amazing or spectacular. The Kalbi was good and very tender, but a bit too salty. The kimchi pozole was not bad, but again just nothing special. Was pretty disappointed in the soft serve dessert, wish there was a different dessert to choose from. Service was good & attentive. Just a very ok meal that wasn't memorable. Don't understand the hype at all.
One of my favorite dining experiences in San Francisco! Get
One of my favorite dining experiences in San Francisco! Get your reservations in advance and make sure to try their house double cut galbi! I really like how they have an assortment of different sauces for each unique dish and they bring out every dish one by one while explaining the flavor profile and best way to eat it. I came here for my friend's birthday and we didn't have a reservation but we lucked out and were able to snag some counter seats! Ambiance is also great and intimate especially if you're sitting on the counter. Glad they got their Michelin star!Food (we ordered a la carte) - House double cut galbi: the depth of flavor in this dish is incredible. You can't eat too much of it because it can get heavy but I loved how there was this smoky undertone and was juicy / cooked perfectly - Silken tofu and potatoes: both were complimentary banchan and I really liked them both - Galbi mandu: delicate, juicy, and rich flavor profile. Wish it held together a bit better when you took them apart because the juice kind of fell out - Mountain yam and scallion pancake: it was pretty solid and worked well with the sauce that came with it but not lifechanging - Bibimbap: well executed and accompanied the meat well but didn't taste too special - Makgeoli soft serve - I can drink makgeoli casually but I think could've passed on this as after dessert I expect ice cream to not taste like alcohol
first the pros:The portion of house menu is more than
first the pros:The portion of house menu is more than enough. Waitress would even suggest you not to order more a-la-carte. All the BBQ meats are delicious and so juicy especially the House Double-Cut Galbi is worth the trip. I've been to so many Korean restaurants but this is the dish I'd never experienced before. It looks so thick but melts in your mouth like the A5 wagyu beef but they told me it is not wagyu beef. The waitress and waiter's service are good but the woman at the check-in counter can have some smile and be more welcoming. First impression is everything! Cons:The environment and decoration of the restaurant is very casual. Wooden chairs and table with stainless water cups, chopsticks, nothing on the fancy side. You cannot tell it is a Michelin star rated restaurant from the decor and the front desk greeting. The overall foods on the house menu is average except the House Doublue-Cut Galbi. The Kimchi Jjigae Pozole was super salty. None of us can sip two spoons of the soup. I would not suggest to order the House Menu if I'll ever visit again. I would order a-la-carte from the general menu since I know their charcoal BBQ meats are great. I will try the Prime Beef Rib Cap, Beef Tongue, Spicy Rib Cartilage Kochi. But the only time slot for general menu is 9:30pm. It is kind of late for heavy BBQ meal. I'm not sure if they can do to-go order at earlier time.
Ambiance: gorgeous and modern Korean restaurant.
You do feel as though you're in an elevated setting with nice attention to details. Indoors is a bit on the darker and louder side, but it's a very bustling restaurant with a lot going on. The kitchen is also mostly open so you can see a lot of the cooking process if desired. Food: we opted for the a la carte menu instead of the house menu, so that we could try as much as possible, since the reservations are hard to get. Overall, each menu item tasted fresh, and you could tell it was made with quality ingredients and time. The banchan aka side dishes were great, but our favorite was the soy marinated potatoes, which had complex flavors more than just soy sauce; we were raving about the side dish for the entire night. The rest of the side dishes were complementary to the meats, but didn't really wow us. Obviously, the star of the show is the double thick, cut short rib aka galbi. The deep charcoal flavor in the meat was excellent. The pieces are much thicker than standard Korean short ribs you see at a lot of Korean restaurants, but still tender and cooked to a perfect temperature. The beef neck was actually a very tasty and tender cut of meat, but the price was not worth the small quantity that you were served; one might as well pay a little more for the galbi. Service: the house staff and waiters were all attentive and catered to our needs. We ordered multiple rounds of food and every time we were helped without a wait. Worth it factor: I can see why they earned a Michelin star. It would be worth a visit once but Im not sure it's worth the second effort around given the pretty hard difficulty in getting reservations.
I visited San Ho Won right before they got their Michelin
I visited San Ho Won right before they got their Michelin star, and I knew right then and there that they would be getting one pretty soon. We had the tasting menu, and I was extremely full pretty quickly, but had to eat because the food was just that good! Planning to return and eat a la carte so I can enjoy more of their food, but the tasting menu is definitely a must! Also pretty romantic settings with good service! :)
Really awesome! The meat was incredible.
We ordered ala carte and enjoyed everything we got but particularly the meat. The dessert was also very unique!
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