Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
oChef » Kothai Republic – San Francisco
Kothai Republic - San Francisco
Photo from Kothai Republic
Kothai Republic at a glance
San Francisco Inner Sunset
- 🍜 Asian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 87 of the guests
#26 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#2 Asian Restaurant out of 22 in San Francisco
Excellent
9.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
630
Reviews
95.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional food
- Attentive service
- Inviting vibe
Frequently criticized
- Close seating
- Dish delays
- Drafty area
The restaurant Kothai Republic is an Asian Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Inner Sunset neighborhood. You’ll discover a trendy spot perfect for a casual meal.
This inviting eatery offers a delightful escape, whether you’re seeking healthy options or a relaxed dining experience. It’s a popular choice for locals and visitors alike looking for authentic flavors in a stylish setting.
Overview: Introducting Kothai Republic
Kothai Republic offers a dining experience where the food truly shines, consistently praised for its thoughtful flavors and fresh ingredients. Guests frequently highlight the attentive service and the restaurant’s welcoming atmosphere, making for a memorable visit.
While the culinary journey and hospitality are strong points, some guests note that the dining area can feel a bit crowded due to close tables. There were also occasional comments about the ambient temperature, suggesting minor comfort considerations.
Excellent
9.1
out of 10
630
Reviews
95.1%
Satisfaction
18
negative
13
neutral
599
positive
Kothai Republic truly stands out, earning an excellent overall Restaurant Score of 9.1. This high rating is strongly supported by an equally impressive Customer Satisfaction of 95.1%, reflecting a consistently positive experience for diners.
These strong figures are based on a substantial 630 customer opinions, indicating broad approval. Delving deeper, the Food leads with an excellent score of (9.2), celebrated for its quality and creativity.
Service also achieves an excellent (9.1), with staff often going above and beyond. The Ambience is rated good (8.4), offering a pleasant setting, while Value is also considered good (7.1).
The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with 599 positive opinions against just 18 negative ones.
What people like
- Exceptional food quality
- Attentive, warm service
- Inviting restaurant vibe
What people don't like
- Close table seating
- Occasional dish delays
- Drafty dining area
Kothai Republic clearly delivers a high-quality dining experience, backed by a strong Recommendation Score of 9.2. If you prioritize innovative, flavorful cuisine and genuinely attentive service, this restaurant is certainly worth considering for your next meal out.
While minor points like seating comfort or occasional wait times might arise, they generally don’t detract from the overall positive impression. For those seeking a culinary adventure with excellent hospitality, Kothai Republic comes highly recommended.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kothai Republic
Food (9.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
Get ready for a culinary adventure! The food here is truly something special, boasting an excellent score of 9.2 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 97.4%. With 411 positive remarks out of 422, diners consistently rave about the unique and flavorful dishes, quality ingredients, and creative, tasty dishes with balanced flavors.
It sounds like a delicious experience awaits! While overwhelmingly positive, a tiny handful of 5 comments mentioned a few less-loved items. Some found the chicken liver mousse not worth it or too gamey, and a couple weren't keen on the king salmon.
However, these are minor notes in an otherwise stellar culinary performance.
Food
422
Reviews
97%
Satisfaction
5
negative
6
neutral
411
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unique flavorful dishes
- High quality ingredients
- Balanced flavors
What people don't like
- Chicken liver mousse
- King salmon
Often praised
- foodI don't normally come home and write reviews, but my family just finished dinner at Kothai and it was simply delicious. The restaurant has a great vibe, the service is fantastic, and the food is so flavorful and unexpected. You could taste the freshness in the ingredients and the thoughtfulness in every dish.
- pork chopEverything we tried was of great quality and flavored really well. I highly recommend the pork chop; it was perfectly grilled and still juicy. Another favorite was the appetizer, liver mousse with mochi pastry, which was incredibly yummy.
- dishesWe had one of the best meals we've had in a while. The sauces were incredibly savory and well balanced, so much so that we literally wiped every dish with the bread to make sure we had every bit of it. We will definitely come again.
- FoodFood:5
- cevicheOne of my favorite dishes was the Salmon in green curry. There was not one dish we didn’t like, including the kimchi rice balls, ceviche, spicy Korean noodles, Tom ka, ribeye tartar with plums, and the chocolate mousse. These folks are pouring their hearts into the food, and we are lucky to have been turned onto this place.
- kimchi rice ballsThere was not one dish we didn’t like(kimchi rice balls
- dishThe restaurant has a great vibe, the service is fantastic, and the food is so flavorful and unexpected. You could taste the freshness in the ingredients and the thoughtfulness in every dish. We made a reservation to return before we even left.
- flavorsI went to this restaurant on a whim with my buddy and was surprisingly impressed by the really good flavors. The service was really attentive and fun.
- portionsMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the good food and good portions. The fish and chicken sandwiches we ordered for lunch were delicious.
- Cornish henThe tangy, refreshing salad perfectly complimented the octopus. The Cornish hen was perfectly cooked and flavorful. The service was cheerful and welcoming.
Frequently criticized
- brunch menugot rid of that menu entirely 😭
- chicken liver moussethe chicken liver mousse; not worth it
- king salmonthe king salmon didn’t taste good to either of us.
- martini glassJust wish they uses an actual martini glass for their martini
- pork chop large dishfound it too “gamey” or “porky”
If youre looking for an exceptional dining experience with creative, flavorful dishes and top-notch ingredients, this place is definitely worth a visit. The overwhelming positive feedback suggests youre in for a treat, with only a couple of minor dish-specific quibbles to consider.
Service (9.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.1 and a fantastic 94.4% customer satisfaction, it's clear guests are thrilled. Out of 125 remarks, a whopping 118 praise the friendly staff, attentive servers, and the wonderful chef/owner interactions, making every visit special.
However, a few of the 4 negative comments mentioned minor hiccups like occasional mistakes with orders or a wait for dishes. Some felt the staff might be a little short-staffed at times, leading to slower water refills, but these seem to be rare occurrences.
Service
125
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
118
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Attentive service
- Owner interaction
What people don't like
- Order mistakes
- Long waits
- Short staffed
Often praised
- serviceI don't normally come home and write reviews, but my family just finished dinner at Kothai and it was simply delicious. The restaurant has a great vibe, the service is fantastic, and the food is so flavorful and unexpected. You could taste the freshness in the ingredients and the thoughtfulness in every dish.
- ServiceMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! On March 17, 2023, I enjoyed the Vibe 👍 and the Service 🔥. I highly recommend the Thai Chicken Toast 🔥, Halibut 👍, Korean Spicy Noodles 👍, Shrimp Ceviche Wraps 🔥, and TomYum 👍.
- staffThe staff are knowledgeable and excited about the food
- wait timeWait time:No wait
- serversThe great music and fun vibes created a diverse mix of diners. All the servers were so nice and helpful throughout the evening, consistently refilling our water, checking in, and ensuring we had everything we needed. The food was delicious.
- chefOur waitress knew the menu well and our water glasses were never empty. The chef personally delivered many dishes and checked in on us. The food we tried was thoughtful and creative—standouts for us were the pork chop (recommend if you enjoy spice) and the kimchi rice balls, but we also enjoyed the lamb and a chef’s special sashimi style small plate.
- experienceteam care a lot about your experience
- waiterEvery dish we ordered tasted so good, with the ROSE TOAST being my favorite. The service was also great; our waiter was very attentive. Overall, it was a great food and experience!
- Chef SungChef Sung was also gracious enough to come to the front of house
- DavaDava one of the owners is so attentive
Frequently criticized
- mistakes with our ordersThere were some mistakes with our orders
- staffBoth were excellent with the meal, but the mio sparkling sake was definitely the favorite. As for service, they seemed a little short staffed as there were only one waiter and another employee serving the drinks. I had to flag them a few times to refill our waters, and it was tough getting their attention at times.
- table reservationThe atmosphere was pleasant, scoring a 4/5. Reservations are definitely recommended as it will be a difficult table to reserve in the future.
- wait for dishesWe will definitely return. Our only wish is that we didn't have to wait for that long for the dishes.
If you value a dining experience where you feel genuinely cared for, this place is definitely worth a visit. Despite a couple of minor service stumbles, the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the attentive and friendly team ensures a memorable meal.
Ambience (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 8.4 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 89%, its clear most diners love the atmosphere. Based on 65 positive remarks out of 73 total, people consistently praise the vibe, atmosphere, and cozy yet vibrant space, often highlighting it as a hidden gem with great music and a family-friendly setting.
However, a few of the 8 negative comments point out some areas for improvement. Some guests found the tables to be too close together and the seating a bit packed. There were also mentions of the open kitchen creating a bright light that detracted from the overall ambiance, ' and occasionally, the noise level could be a bit high, especially if other guests were loud.
Ambience
73
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
65
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Cozy, vibrant space
- Great music, vibes
What people don't like
- Close tables
- Can be noisy
- Bright kitchen light
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I was impressed with the great service and the lively atmosphere. The food was excellent, especially the pork chop.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceThe ambiance and the service were both charming and delightful.
- dining experienceanyone looking for an exceptional dining experience
- vibeThe vibe is relaxed and welcoming
- VibeMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! On March 17, 2023, I enjoyed the Vibe 👍 and the Service 🔥. I highly recommend the Thai Chicken Toast 🔥, Halibut 👍, Korean Spicy Noodles 👍, Shrimp Ceviche Wraps 🔥, and TomYum 👍.
- accessibilityit’s so easy to get to given that the N Judah muni bus stop is right there.
- ambienceGood ambience
- candlesPerfect mood with candles
- destination restaurantIt is a destination restaurant
Frequently criticized
- atmosphere🥶 A curtain over the door to keep the San Francisco cold out would help with the atmosphere 🥶
- tablestables are really close
- ambiancetakes away a bit from the ambiance
- guestsif the guests werent as loud
- open kitchenkitchen is totally open to the dining area which means big, bright white light
- seatingThe seating was a little packed
If youre looking for a place with a lively, welcoming atmosphere and a great vibe, youll likely enjoy it here. Just be prepared that seating might be a bit snug, and it can get a little noisy, but the overall experience is definitely worth checking out.
Value (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to value, guests generally find a lot to appreciate, with a 7.1 score indicating it's quite good. Many feel the quality of food at this price point is excellent, often exceeding expectations and even calling it the best meal under $200 for two. Savvy diners also appreciate the reasonable prices and the tip about using the InKind app for extra savings, based on 5 positive remarks.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 50%, suggesting not everyone is entirely convinced. While only 1 negative comment was noted among 10 total, some guests did find the overall price a little on the higher side, hinting that while good, it might not be a steal for everyone.
Value
10
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
1
negative
4
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Exceeds expectations
- Great food quality
- App for savings
What people don't like
- A little pricey
Often praised
- InKind appEverything we tried was super tasty. Pro tip: use the InKind app to score $30 off if you spend $90+.
- meal under $200best meal under $200 for two people
- priceit does worth more than what you're expecting
- price pointquality of food at this price point
- pricesreasonable prices
Frequently criticized
- priceIt is a little pricey, tho
If youre looking for good quality food that often feels like its worth more than you pay, especially with smart app usage, this place is definitely worth considering. Just be aware that while many find the prices reasonable, a few might consider it a bit pricey, so manage your expectations accordingly.
How are the prices at Kothai Republic?
On average, you’ll spend around 49 per person – from 87 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $41–$50 category. For an Asian Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
While the average sits at 49, we see a nice cluster of diners spending between 21 – 50 $, suggesting a good mix of mid-range options. There are also some guests opting for more premium experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 87 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its an Asian restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair for the quality and experience youre likely to get. It’s a solid mid-range choice.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kothai Republic
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Every Dish Knocked It Out of the Park
My experience at the restaurant was sensational. We had the beets, crudo, pork chop, and lamb roti, and every dish knocked it out of the park. The food quality was exceptional, with each item prepared to perfection.
It was a truly memorable dinner.
- beets10
- crudo10
- pork chop10
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Exceptional Inner Sunset Gem!
We are so lucky to have this exceptional restaurant in quiet Inner Sunset. It is a destination restaurant so make your rezs and come here! They offer unique and flavorful dishes, often locally sourced.
I have tried most of the small dishes and all are delicious. I am making my way through the mains and am loving the pork chop. Dessert is a must.
They serve creative, tasty dishes with excellent service!
- exceptional restaurant10
- destination restaurant9
- unique and flavorful dishes10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Kothai: A Culinary Gem
On our second visit to Kothai, we were still pleasantly surprised by the dishes. Each dish was so balanced and tasty, and remarkably, no two dishes tasted similarly. It's probably the best kitchen in the City.
- dishes10
- kitchen10
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Exceptional Food, Exceeded Expectations
My experience at this restaurant was truly outstanding. The food was incredibly tasteful and completely blew up my expectation. We ordered the Pork Chop and King Salmon, both of which were prepared to perfection.
The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was very pleasant. Overall, a highly recommended dining experience.
- food10
- Pork Chop9
- King Salmon9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Consistently Excellent Dining Experience!
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently getting better and better. I highly recommend trying the octopus in beans; the sauce is sublime. The Crudo is to die for, and the almond cake dessert is superb.
All of this is complemented by the owners/chef, who are not only skillful but also incredibly decent and good people. Five stars every time!
- octopus in beans10
- sauce10
- Crudo10
What Kothai Republic offers
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Can you make reservations at Kothai Republic?
Yes, Kothai Republic accepts reservations, and dinner reservations are highly recommended, especially if you plan to visit during peak hours. This ensures you secure your table and enjoy a seamless dining experience in the Inner Sunset.
What kind of dining options and dietary choices does Kothai Republic offer?
Kothai Republic provides a wide array of dining options, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, all with table service and comfortable seating. For dietary preferences, you’ll find excellent vegetarian options and healthy choices available on the menu.
How does Kothai Republic perform overall?
Kothai Republic achieves an excellent overall Restaurant Score of 9.1 and a Customer Satisfaction of 95.1%. This is driven by excellent scores for Food (9.2) and Service (9.1), alongside good ratings for Ambience (8.4) and Value (7.1).
What makes the food at Kothai Republic stand out?
Customers consistently praise the food for being flavorful, unexpected, and thoughtfully prepared. Many highlight the freshness of ingredients and the well-balanced, savory sauces that elevate each dish.
What is the dining atmosphere like at Kothai Republic?
The restaurant offers a lively, relaxed, and welcoming vibe, often enhanced by candles for a perfect mood. However, some guests have noted that tables can be quite close together and the dining area can sometimes feel drafty.