Japantown $5 per bite happy hour izakaya and a yakitori option! January 21, 2026

Mentioned in this episode:

• Ninniku Ramen Izakaya at 1730 Fillmore Street
• Yakitori Edomasa at Japan Center Mall, 1581 Webster Street, Unit 270

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Transcript

Jamie Whitaker: 0:17

Hey there. How are you doing today? This is Jamie, and you're listening to the To Do San Francisco podcast for Wednesday, January 21st, 2026. Thanks for taking a couple of minutes out of your day to listen. Today we're heading to San Francisco's Japantown for two spots that absolutely deliver when you're craving Japanese comfort food. One for ramen and a good value happy hour. And one for classic yakitori done right. First stop, Ninniku ramen is a kaya on Fillmore Street. Ninniku means garlic in Japanese, and that bold flavor shows up in the best way here. The standout is the black garlic tonkatsu, rich, savory, and deeply comforting, while the spicy misook ramen brings just enough heat to keep things exciting. But the real insider move? Try Happy Hour between 4 30 PM and 6 PM. Ninniku's happy hour is known for its $5 options, making it an easy win whether you're stopping in after work or easing into a night out. You want to order a small sushi roll like salmon avocado or shrimp tempura, maybe a small rice don, and a few other small plates to share, all perfectly paired with a Sapporo beer or house sake. Also the bang bang chicken salad or rice curry options are worthy to try. The vibe is relaxed, lively, and very neighborhood, ideal for a quick bite or lingering a little longer. Then head over to the Japan Center Mall for stop number two, Yakitori Edomasa. This spot is all about traditional Japanese skewers, grilled over charcoal and packed with flavor. Favorites include the Negima skewers, juicy chicken and scallion grilled just right, the Momo chicken thigh, the Buddha or misoglazed pork belly, and grilled eel or unagi. Yakitori okra and mushroom vegetable options are available as well. If you're hungry, go for the yakatori binto box, which lets you sample multiple skewers with rice insides. They also offer a selection of many rice bowls to fill you up quick. Edomasa is casual, walk-in friendly, and a great place to graze while exploring Japantown. Ramen, Yakitori, Happy Hour Deals. Honestly, this is a perfect San Francisco food crawl. Today's act of kindness: practice these small, universal behaviors that signal respect without words. Number one, give physical space to others. Number two, not blocking the paths of others. Number three, acknowledging mistakes quickly. Number four, lowering voice volume in shared spaces. Wishing you a calm, kind, and joyful Wednesday. Thanks for listening.