Noren Izakaya - Reviews

As I walk down Union street, Noren’s unusual combination of grey pants and yellow shirt always gets my attention. One day I hope to meet her. I spent two years as an expat in Tokyo sampling these izakayas, which are more conducive to neighbor-ships than bars.

Walking by this izakaya on my way home from work, I was always drawn in by the incredible smell of charcoal and grilled food over the street. I finally decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did. The food is fantastic, especially the chicken skewers. Chicken oyster and wings are my favorite. Even with a small menu, everything is delicious, and their cocktails are also really good! It's the perfect spot for a casual and tasty meal.

My experience at this North Beach favorite was excellent! Bookings are advised on Friday and Saturday nights. I highly recommend asking Kristy for her Sake recommendations, as she always has something interesting to try and a story or two to share.

I used to walk past this Izakaya when I lived in SF and finally tried it on a recent trip. The skewers were hit-or-miss: the meatball, chicken tail, and unagi were delicious, but the beef tongue was disappointing, and the pork skewers had sour meat. Walked in easily on a Friday evening with no wait.

My experience at this restaurant was centered around enjoying a flight of sake and their Japanese Roasted Rice Green Tea. The unique sake flight, priced at $20 for four selections, was a highlight. The green tea was described as super earthy. The ambiance was very intimate and decorative, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. The service was great, and I'm looking forward to returning to try the food.

It is my third time here, and the food is really great! The restaurant uses top ingredients and a special charcoal, making it feel like dining in Japan. It's a must-go! Sorry, I forgot to take pictures. I highly recommend the Chicken Oyster, Wagyu Beef, Short Ribs, Meat Balls, Hamachi, and Sashimi with Truffle. The Miso Soup was super delicious and not generic! To finish, the Matcha Tiramisu was a perfect end to the meal!

My experience at this restaurant was marked by authentic flavors that reminded me of my visits to Japan. The dishes were outstandingly cooked and very well presented. While I wished the portions were bigger, the exceptional quality of the food somewhat compensated for it. The service and atmosphere both received a perfect score of 5, contributing to an overall excellent dining experience.

When I crave a Turkish kebab-like experience, I head straight to this place. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the area, follow the enticing aromas of meats to find it. No need to use maps 😋. The food was excellent, the service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was great, all receiving a perfect 5/5 rating.

My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I was impressed by the delicious skewers, which made me want to return. Our favorites included the two types of mushrooms, but all the skewers we tried were noteworthy. These included chicken thighs, shishito peppers, tomatoes, fresh water eel, pork belly, and wagyu beef tongue. There were so many options that we couldn't try them all! The 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!

My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative, primarily due to the terrible service. While the food was described as okay, it was considered overpriced. A significant issue was the mandatory 18% auto-gratuity, which was not clearly communicated and hidden within the check, followed by a request for additional tips. The service staff's handling of orders was also problematic; when we requested a new menu to order more items, the waitress refused and insisted on a confusing labeling system. To compound the issue, they later forgot what food they had served, requiring us to confirm. It was an absolutely terrible experience.