Planning
- Reservations required
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
oChef » Yakiniku Shodai – San Francisco
Yakiniku Shodai - San Francisco
Photo from Yakiniku Shodai
Yakiniku Shodai at a glance
San Francisco Civic Center
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$$
Price per Person $101+
mentioned by 60 of the guests
#179 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#17 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
466
Reviews
86.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Wagyu quality
- Expert service
- Interactive dining
Frequently criticized
- High price
- Food inconsistency
- Ambience comfort
The restaurant Yakiniku Shodai invites you to a unique Japanese dining experience in San Francisco’s vibrant Civic Center neighborhood. This trendy spot offers a perfect setting for your dinner plans.
You can expect a delightful evening with table service and a full bar featuring hard liquor, wine, and beer. Reservations are highly recommended to secure your seating at this popular destination.
Overview: Introducting Yakiniku Shodai
Yakiniku Shodai offers a distinct Japanese BBQ experience, often praised for its exceptional wagyu and the attentive chefs who guide you through the meal. Many find the overall dining experience to be quite engaging.
However, some guests note that the price can be a significant consideration, and aspects like fluorescent lighting or uncomfortable chairs occasionally detract from the desired atmosphere.
Excellent
8.6
out of 10
466
Reviews
86.5%
Satisfaction
46
negative
17
neutral
403
positive
Overall, Yakiniku Shodai earns a strong 8.6 score, reflecting a generally positive reception. Customer satisfaction stands at a solid 86.5% , indicating most diners leave content.
This assessment is drawn from 466 customer opinions, with 403 positive remarks outweighing 46 negative ones, painting a clear picture of its strengths. The Food (8.9) and Service (9.2) are clearly the standout aspects, consistently receiving excellent feedback.
While the Ambience (7.3) is generally good, the Value (5.6) is perceived as more average, suggesting that while the experience is high quality, it comes at a notable cost.
What people like
- Exceptional Wagyu quality
- Attentive, knowledgeable service
- Engaging dining experience
What people don't like
- High price point
- Inconsistent food preparation
- Uncomfortable ambiance issues
Yakiniku Shodai is a strong contender for those seeking a premium Japanese BBQ experience, particularly if you prioritize exceptional wagyu and highly attentive service. With a 8.8 recommendation score, it clearly resonates with many diners.
However, be prepared for a significant investment, as the value aspect is a common point of contention. If you’re looking for a special occasion and are willing to pay for top-tier meat and service, it’s certainly worth considering.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Yakiniku Shodai
Food (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
It seems the food here is a real showstopper, with an excellent score of 8.9 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 92.9%! Based on 249 positive remarks, diners rave about the wagyu, set menu, and premium meat, praising the Yakiniku experience for its incredible flavor, quality, and presentation. Every bite is described as fresh, juicy, and meticulously prepared.
However, a small number of 13 negative comments did surface. Some mentioned concerns about burnt and overcooked items, and a few even reported stomachache or visible mold, questioning the overall food quality and handling of food. These isolated incidents suggest there might be occasional inconsistencies.
Food
268
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
13
negative
6
neutral
249
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Exceptional Wagyu quality
- Curated tasting menus
- Amazing flavors
What people don't like
- Food quality concerns
- Overcooked dishes
Often praised
- foodThe staff truly enhanced the incredible tasting menu in ways often overlooked by other restaurants. Not only are the staff friendly and caring, but each chef behind the counter possesses a wealth of knowledge and is genuinely passionate about the food! It's definitely worth a visit to eat, learn, and laugh to the tune of an expertly curated, indulgent meal and wonderful company, before there’s a waitlist.
- meatthe best beef / meat / bbq experience we had for a long long time
- wagyuThe food is absolutely phenomenal, but the best part was Chris taking us on a safari of Japanese BBQ. I learned so much about the differences between wagyu from the US, Australia, and Japan, what cuts of meat I actually like compared to what I thought I liked, and the history/tradition of Yakiniku. The sakes were not only limited/rare but fairly priced, and they let us sample some of the higher quality bottles.
- tasting menuWe got the tasting menu and every plate in that course was delicious
- WagyuIf you love Wagyu and uni you have got to come here!
- presentationWe went with the Shodai Set for $225 a person. The presentation of everything was very aesthetically pleasing and we definitely left full. They had veggie dishes in between to help with the heaviness of the beef, but it’s usually one to two slices.
- beefthe beef and the flavor - to put it simple, the flavor and somehow the texture lingered
- beef tonguebeef tongue, short rib (US wagyu), sirloin and the wagyu don (Japanese A5 wagyu)
- dishesplates dishes that will make you want to return again and again
- flavorsWe were fortunate to be served by Chef Chris, who also has experience at Da-Wan. His precision and expertise in grilling were truly impressive, perfectly bringing out the flavors of these premium cuts. If you’re a meat lover, this is definitely a spot you need to try!
Frequently criticized
- authentic experiencesI’ve had much more authentic experiences for far less money
- beef tongueI was served raw beef tongue
- burnt and overcookedmost pieces are burnt and overcooked
- dishestwo dishes outside of the beef tongue that I felt were severely undercooked
- food qualityspending the night throwing up, which raises serious questions about the food quality
- handling of foodtheir handling of food in general
- kimchiThe kimchi was store-bought
- quality of their meatquestioning the quality of their meat
- side dishesif that had added some more side dishes
- stomachachebeen hurting from stomachache
If you're seeking an exceptional wagyu and Yakiniku experience with a meticulously curated tasting menu, this place is definitely worth a visit. While a tiny fraction of diners reported concerning food quality issues, the vast majority celebrate the outstanding meat and flavors, making it a culinary highlight.
Service (9.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 86% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.2 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 93.9%, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Out of 114 remarks, a whopping 107 were positive, frequently praising the "friendly staff, " "knowledgeable chef, " and "excellent service.
" Many highlighted the "personalized services" and the teams genuine care, making for a memorable dining experience. However, not every interaction was perfect, with 7 negative remarks noted. Some guests mentioned inconsistent grilling or a specific server being less than ideal.
There were isolated instances of unprofessional staff or a perceived lack of assistance, suggesting that while rare, there's always a tiny bit of room for improvement in ensuring every single guest feels perfectly catered to.
Service
114
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
107
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff
- Excellent, attentive service
- Personalized chef experience
What people don't like
- Inconsistent grilling
- Unprofessional staff
- Lack of assistance
Often praised
- serviceThe food was amazing, featuring an interesting tasting menu with wonderful explanations from the chef. I also enjoyed the great variety and quality of Sake, which was expertly guided for each course. The atmosphere was quiet and conducive to easy conversation, and the service was top-notch.
- staffThe ambience, staff (Chris you're awesome), and food was incredible.
- chefssurrounded by three nice, fun and talented chefs.
- teamThe team is awesome and super knowledgeable
- AndyAndy, the chef, also recommended some outstanding sake pairings
- chefThe chef is attentive and friendly
- serversThe service was phenomenal, and all the staff were super kind and attentive. The food was phenomenal; I had some of the best beef I've ever had, and the servers took care to explain everything. Each course was delightful, and this place was a good refuge from the streets of SF.
- Andy and his teamThe freshness of the ingredients and personalized services make the experience unforgettable. Andy and his team are awesome to talk to and it's a fantastic place to hang out with your friends or family.
- ChrisChris, who expertly cooked for us, took his time to ensure that every piece of meat was prepared flawlessly
- Chris and AndyThe experience was very attentive, especially on weekdays. Chris and Andy were great.
Frequently criticized
- grillerrequesting a griller who is a bit more experienced
- assistancefelt I wasn’t helped or provide assistance when I came in with crutches
- chefWe came for a birthday celebration but left underwhelmed. The chef actively brought down the mood; while he did talk to us, his conversations consisted of complaints and snarky remarks. The atmosphere was cold with no music and complete silence, making intimate conversation awkward.
- restaurant ownerwe are not served by the restaurant owner
- serverthe server said the most ridiculous thing
- serviceThe service was attentive but was not up to par for the price of the meal and would have appreciated more professional staff
If you're looking for a dining experience where the staff goes above and beyond, this is definitely the spot for you. The overwhelmingly positive feedback on their attentive and knowledgeable team makes it well worth trying, despite a few minor, isolated hiccups.
Ambience (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
The ambiance here generally hits a good note, scoring a solid 7.3, though customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 69.1%. Many guests rave about finding a hidden gem and praise the unique dining experience, especially loving the Chef's counter seating and calling it an amazing date night idea. With 38 positive remarks among 55 total, theres definitely a lot to appreciate about the setting.
However, some experiences werent quite as stellar, with 15 negative comments pointing out a strong meat grilling smell and fluorescent lighting that detracted from an upscale feel. Others found the chairs at the counters uncomfortable or the atmosphere cold with no music, making conversation awkward.
Ambience
55
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
15
negative
2
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unique dining experience
- Chef's counter seating
- Great for date night
What people don't like
- Strong grilling smell
- Uncomfortable counter chairs
- Cold, quiet atmosphere
Often praised
- experienceAlthough I was still hungry after the lesser prix fixe menu, I ordered prawns and scallops, both of which were excellent and flavored so well. Everything about the experience was 5-star. I did ponder how most people eat their finer steaks rare or medium-rare as a whole piece, rather than a thin slice as a bite.
- atmosphereall the chefs provided a comfortable and friendly atmosphere
- dining experienceThe staff is extremely attentive as they do all the grilling for you tableside. Overall, Shodai delivers an authentic and interactive dining experience that showcases the best of Japanese yakiniku. Whether you’re a yakiniku veteran or trying it for the first time, this restaurant is sure to impress.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- placeit was quiet with no one else being served
- vibeThe vibe is really what makes the place stand out
- Chef's counter seatingThe Chef's counter seating kitchen seating allowed us to watch
- ambianceModern decor inside, nice ambiance.
- ambienceThe ambience, staff (Chris you're awesome), and food was incredible.
- date night ideaFlavors were amazing. Definitely an amazing date night idea if you are looking to impress your date! They change up their menu seasonally as well so we will be back every season!
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereatmosphere is a little underwhelming
- ambienceambience fell short
- chairs at the counterschairs at the counters rather uncomfortable
- conversationThe chef actively brought down the mood; while he did talk to us, his conversations consisted of complaints and snarky remarks. The atmosphere was cold with no music and complete silence, making intimate conversation awkward. The food was just okay, nothing special at that cost.
- decorthe decor looked a bit run down
- decorationsdecorations not really making the place cozy
- familyNot so good for family
- fluorescent lightingMy experience at this restaurant was a bit mixed. We came here with a reservation on a weeknight and were immediately struck by the very strong meat grilling smell and the bright fluorescent lighting. While the smell is expected for this type of restaurant, it detracted from what we hoped would be an upscale ambiance.
- loud customersloud customers on the other side of the bar sort of made the experience less fun
- meat grilling smellMy experience at this restaurant was a bit mixed. We came here with a reservation on a weeknight and were immediately struck by the very strong meat grilling smell and the bright fluorescent lighting. While the smell is expected for this type of restaurant, it detracted from what we hoped would be an upscale ambiance.
If you're looking for a unique and interactive dining experience, especially for a date night, the ambiance here offers some real highlights. Just be prepared for a potentially strong grilling aroma and perhaps less-than-ideal seating or a quieter atmosphere, which might not suit everyone.
Value (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners felt it was definitely worth every dollar, especially for special occasions where the quality of food justified the price. Many appreciated that certain items, like sakes, were fairly priced and offered good value for money. Based on 9 positive remarks out of 29 total, there's a clear sentiment that for the right experience, you get what you pay for, contributing to an average score of 5.6.
However, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment, with a poor customer satisfaction of just 31%. Out of 11 negative comments, many found the restaurant to be very pricy and incredibly overpriced for what they received, leading to feelings of being underwhelmed. The high cost was a frequent concern, especially compared to other fine dining options, making it a dealbreaker for family dinners.
Value
29
Reviews
31%
Satisfaction
11
negative
9
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth for special occasions
- Quality justifies cost
- Sakes fairly priced
What people don't like
- Incredibly overpriced
- Disappointing for cost
- Too pricey for family
Often praised
- pricethe price is a little bit high but definitely worth it!!!
- fairly pricedsakes were not only limited/rare but fairly priced
- get what you pay forIt's expensive but you get what you pay for-- a perfect place to celebrate a special occasion!
- special occasionif you’re considering this place for a special occasion, go for it, it’s definitely worth!
- value for moneywell worth it. You get what you pay for here
- worth every dollarits worth every dollar
Frequently criticized
- pricecould have had a similar meal down the street at Gyu-Kaku for less than half the price
- $225 pretax per personCharging $225 pretax per person
- billOur bill came out to over $500 for two people
- costI feel offended by the 700 cost of this meal that left me and my partner sick
- fine dining optionsThe food was just okay, nothing special at that cost. San Francisco has far better fine dining options at this price point. I would skip this for special occasions.
- price pointMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing for the price point. We came for a birthday celebration but left underwhelmed.
- pricya bit too pricy as a family dinner
If youre eyeing this spot for a truly special occasion and are prepared for a significant bill, some find the quality justifies the expense. However, for everyday dining or if youre sensitive to price, many feel it's overpriced and might leave you underwhelmed, so proceed with caution.
How are the prices at Yakiniku Shodai?
Expect to pay about 111 per person, based on 60 reviews. That places it firmly in the $101+ category. For a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco, this is certainly a higher-end spot.
The pricing data shows that almost all guests spend in this premium bracket, indicating a consistent focus on a high-value dining experience.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 60 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the price point, wed say this restaurant is geared towards a special occasion or a premium Japanese dining experience. We recommend it if youre looking for a high-end meal where quality and atmosphere are paramount.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Yakiniku Shodai
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Incredible Food and Sake Experience
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely incredible. The food was amazing, featuring an interesting tasting menu with wonderful explanations from the chef. I also enjoyed the great variety and quality of Sake, which was expertly guided for each course.
The atmosphere was quiet and conducive to easy conversation, and the service was top-notch.
- food10
- tasting menu9
- chef9
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Birthday Dinner Experience
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing for the price point. We came for a birthday celebration but left underwhelmed. The chef actively brought down the mood; while he did talk to us, his conversations consisted of complaints and snarky remarks.
The atmosphere was cold with no music and complete silence, making intimate conversation awkward. The food was just okay, nothing special at that cost. San Francisco has far better fine dining options at this price point.
I would skip this for special occasions.
- food5
- price point2
- chef2
- atmosphere2
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Amazing Anniversary Dinner Experience!
I visited this restaurant yesterday for my boyfriend and I’s anniversary, and the experience was amazing! We opted for the tasting menu, and every single plate served was delicious. The meat was grilled perfectly, and the accompanying side dishes were also lovely.
Beyond the exceptional food, the chefs cultivated a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. They engaged with us as if we were friends, which significantly enhanced the entire dinner. I give it a 10/10 for everything.
If you're considering this place for a special occasion, I highly recommend it; it's definitely worth it!
- tasting menu10
- meat10
- side dishes8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Perfectly Cooked Meats and Balanced Menu
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! Every single meat cut was cooked to perfection. The menu is also designed very balanced, with vegetables and steamed eggs between meat courses to balance out the flavors.
Our server, Chris, helped us grill the meat and he’s such a delight to chat with!
- meat cut10
- menu9
- Chris10
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Exceptional Beef and Perfect Cooking!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The team is awesome and incredibly knowledgeable about their beef sourcing. Everything was cooked to perfection.
You’re sure to be in for a treat every time you come here!
- team10
- beef sourcing10
- everything10
What Yakiniku Shodai offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Trendy
FAQs
Is Yakiniku Shodai accessible for all guests?
Yes, Yakiniku Shodai is committed to providing an inclusive dining experience. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms, ensuring comfort and convenience for every guest.
What dining options and services does Yakiniku Shodai offer?
At Yakiniku Shodai, you can enjoy a delightful dinner with full table service. Reservations are required and highly recommended to secure your spot. The restaurant also provides high chairs for children and offers a selection of desserts.
How does Yakiniku Shodai generally perform?
Yakiniku Shodai holds a strong overall score of 8.6 . Its Food (8.9) and Service (9.2) are highly rated, while Ambience (7.3) is good, and Value (5.6) is considered average.
What makes the dining experience at Yakiniku Shodai stand out?
Customers frequently praise the exceptional wagyu and the knowledgeable chefs who provide an interactive and attentive dining experience, guiding guests through the menu and cooking process.
Is Yakiniku Shodai considered good value for money?
While many opinions state it’s worth every dollar for a special occasion, some guests find the price to be high, leading to a mixed perception of its overall value.