Matsuyama - Reviews

My experience at this restaurant was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I was actually sad to leave. After not visiting San Francisco for over five years, my 7-year-old son pointed out this restaurant, and we decided to try hotpot. We've been to several hotpot places before, but this one is by far the best. While it is definitely the most expensive, it is absolutely WORTH it! We opted for a premium wagyu option, and it was some of the best beef I've ever had. Even though I've had wagyu before, this was just incredibly good. I chose the golden chicken broth, and my boyfriend had the spicy wagyu broth; we were both extremely happy with our choices. Our server was also extremely wonderful and super hilarious. I've already asked my boyfriend if we can return specifically here next year for my birthday. My 7-year-old also thought the food was very good, stating it's the best meat he has ever had. Thank you for the amazing experience! The appetizers were also amazing.

Sora took excellent care of us during our visit. The food was absolutely amazing, and the atmosphere made me feel like I was traveling. What an amazing place! I can’t wait to revisit.

My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I really enjoyed the food and loved the sake. We specifically tried the MIO sparkling sake. The service was exceptional, with Irene providing great attention. We will definitely be returning.

My birthday experience in March was amazing; the Golden chicken broth was incredibly delicious and smelled wonderful, making it feel like a true home-cooked meal. The waiter was exceptionally attentive, kind, and patient, making them a memorable part of the visit. Returning in September, the experience was once again amazing. The waitress was very kind and attentive, and the service was speedy, with us being seated and greeted within seconds by a very nice woman. This is truly a must-try place, with a clean atmosphere and nice music. The seating arrangements, whether booths or bar-style, are very nice. The vegetables are fresh, and the garlic cucumbers are so tasty and refreshing. I will definitely be back for a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh time because it's just that good. I will be dreaming of my next visit. <3

I came to Japan town for my lady's birthday and didn't know what to eat. We stumbled on this place and loved it. The chicken broth is amazing and the arrangement of different food to put in it. Great people and great cooks; I heard them laughing and having a good time in the back. Just an overall great experience that anyone should try.

We visited as a group of four and spent $500 on food and drinks, but left feeling disappointed. Our main conclusions were that the seafood quality was poor, though the meat was better. The soup base was plain, and the service was poor. The restaurant itself was very messy, particularly the center bar section. Ordering food was uncomfortable due to numerous rules, making us feel like we were begging despite our significant spend. We do not recommend this restaurant at all.

I visited this restaurant on a Friday at 11: 30 am and was very disappointed. Despite being one of only two tables occupied, the server displayed an attitude from the moment I walked in. When I inquired about the menu, her responses were curt, asking "which one? " regarding the pots, which almost made me leave. However, I was very hungry. I decided to try the AYCE premium wagyu for $68. I was seated at the counter bar due to reservations on the other side. The server informed me I could only order 3 meats, 2 appetizers, and sides at a time. As more people arrived, the restaurant became busier, and I was trying to order more to maximize my time. The server advised me to dip the meat piece by piece for only 5 seconds to avoid it becoming chewy, which I found to be an unnecessary instruction. The A5 wagyu was good 👍. As the counter bar filled up, and with only one server, I experienced a significant wait to order more. She walked past me multiple times before acknowledging my request to order, stating she'd be right back. Eventually, she announced last call, and when I ordered two more meats, she warned of a 20% charge if I left food, a rule I'm aware of and always adhere to. I felt she didn't want me to order more, especially since I only had 10 trays, and I didn't order excessively because of her lack of attentiveness. The Sukiyaki soup was very blended and lacked flavor, tasting like watered-down broth. The meat quality was okay, with the A5 being a highlight. The primary issue was the service. At the end, when I paid and submitted a survey about the bad service, she loudly asked, "Am I that bad? " in front of other customers. I felt she was trying to make me feel bad for my feedback after I spent over $70. This was my only time ordering so little, and I felt she was discouraging me from ordering more. The only positive was the A5 wagyu.

My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. I found multiple shards of plastic film inside the shabu beef, indicating a severe lack of food safety standards. When I brought this to the attention of the manager, an older, heavy-set woman with big glasses, she refused to offer a refund. Instead, she threatened to call the police because I wouldn't pay a discounted price for food that contained plastic. There are other reviews mentioning similar behavior from this manager. This was not a pleasant dining experience; it felt more like a negotiation at a flea market over foreign objects in my meal.

My experience at this classy shabu house was exceptional. The quality Wagyu meat was outstanding, and the great selection of sides complemented it perfectly. I particularly enjoyed the deep and savory flavors of the konbu and chicken broths. A word of caution: the konbu broth can splash when boiled for a long time, so be careful. All the sides were of excellent quality, and the meat was, as expected, superb. Despite visiting with a large group and only one staff member handling orders, he remained friendly and attentive throughout. Overall, this place offers the best all-you-can-eat shabu experience in Japan Town.

My experience at this restaurant was confusing. If it was all-you-can-eat, the menu and staff did not communicate this, even when I asked. I only realized this after reading other reviews. The food itself was good, but the overall experience was marred by poor communication. All the fried foods tasted predominantly of fry oil, masking the actual ingredients. However, the meat was tender and the sauce was good, which were saving graces.