Noren Izakaya

On a Saturday night, we got there right before it got packed (around 6:45-7:00P). Corner neighborhood Japanese in North Beach SF. We ordered a bunch of items, but our favorite was the pork belly skewers! Soooo flavorful and succulent! We ordered a 2nd order! I also did love the crunchy chicken skin! Also ordered Agadashi (fried tofu), waygu & meatball, beef short rib, mushroom. Service is pretty fast and friendly enough. Would come back!

The food here is genuinely delicious. Everything tasted fresh and well-seasoned, and the skewers in particular were flavorful and clearly made with quality ingredients. That said, the pricing really doesn’t match the overall experience. Portions are quite small for how expensive the menu is, and while the space isn’t dingy or unpleasant, it’s also not elevated enough to justify the steep prices. The added 18% service fee feels lazy and greedy rather than reflective of standout service. Service itself wasn’t terrible, but it was minimal. The server rarely checked in beyond encouraging us to order more food, which made the experience feel more transactional than hospitable. Great flavors, but the value and service approach hold this place back from being a repeat spot.

We’ve been here twice, and both times the food was good. However, during our first visit, the service was terrible—we waited 50 minutes for a table, and every 10 minutes, the host would promise it would be ready in five. Overall, it’s a good izakaya spot. Each skewer dish was about $3-6, and the wagyu was around $9.

We went there on a weekend night. They had a lot of people but the staffs were super friendly. All the skewers were nice and tender and juicy! The environment is chilly and they even played anime. We love the gaming machine that is by the restroom. Definitely get the yuzu tiramisu, super moist and unique!!

Delicious skewers that make you want to come back for more. Our favorites were the 2 types of mushrooms, but all of the ones we had are worth mentioning - chicken thighs, shishito peppers, tomatoes, fresh water eel, pork belly, and the wagyu beef tongue. There were so many options we didn't even get to try them all! Small plate options on the other side of the menu were also very tasty- our group especially enjoyed the maguro tuna sashimi and gyoza. If you're in the mood for some delicious izakaya bites while in the North Beach area, this is a must try!