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Start a Top 5 for JapaneseEditor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in The Infatuation. Updated August 2026.
Rintaro · Mission
The Infatuation (9.2). A Mission izakaya from chef Sylvan Mishima Brackett in a plant-filled courtyard. Yakitori and tsukune are essentials, the gyoza wrapper is delicate, and the tonkatsu is juicy under a crisp breading.
TBD izakaya · Union Square
The Infatuation. An upscale Union Square izakaya from the teams behind Akiko's and Hina Yakitori. Buttery toro sashimi and a chicken karaage with an especially crunchy exterior.
Izakaya Sozai · Inner Sunset
The Infatuation (7.7). A casual Inner Sunset izakaya with a sprawling small-plates menu spanning tsukune, bacon mochi, spicy tuna over crispy rice and agedashi tofu.