Ramen shops continue to open at a breakneck pace in SF. The two latest shops to join the fray are HAPA RAMEN and KIRIMACHI RAMEN. Hapa just opened this past Sunday November 23rd, serving three flavors of ramen (ranging from the classic Hapa version for $16, ratcheting up to a duck ramen for $24), plus steamed buns (filled with items like buttermilk fried chicken or slow-cooked pork belly with kimchi and plum) and a rotating list of market-driven small plates, like delicata squash and Blue Lake bean tempura, or a special of Dungeness crab poached in dashi, ponzu, and umami crackers. You can look at the menu here.
There are 11 Polynesian-inspired cocktails (by Justin Lew and Ian Scalzo, previously of Future Bars), featuring ingredients like wasabi honey syrup and Huli Huli pineapple-infused rye, while beers include Hitachino Nest white ale and Calicraft’s “The City” on draft, plus there are wines and sakes too. Geremia Design is behind the design of the 60-seat space, which includes traditional Japanese materials, modern light fixtures, wall murals, and a red ceiling, and you can still see the 99-cent store signage (intentionally) on the facade. Hours are Sun-Wed 5:30pm-12am, Thu-Sat 5:30pm-1am. No reservations. 2293 Mission St. at 19th St., 415-202-6333.
We were the first to report on KIRIMACHI RAMEN reopening in the Embarcadero Center (after shuttering its location on Broadway), and now we’re happy to say it has opened, according to Chowhounders. Right now, it’s in a bit of a soft opening phase—owner Leo Gondoputro is still waiting on their noodle machine, so noodles aren’t yet made in-house, though they will be. Yelpers report miso, tonkotsu, and shoyu ramen are on the menu, along with an appetizer called the natto taco, go for it. They’re open all day Monday through Saturday, for both lunch and dinner, plus some happy hour specials will be available in the afternoon. Sundays are dinner only. Hours are Mon-Sat 10:30am-9pm and Sun 4pm-9pm. 3 Embarcadero Center, Clay St. at Davis, 415-872-9171.
A booth at Hapa Ramen. Photo by Erin Conger.
