Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Matko – San Francisco
Matko - San Francisco
Photo from Matko
Matko at a glance
San Francisco South of Market
- 🥢 Korean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 11 of the guests
#1113 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#17 Korean Restaurant out of 36 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
68
Reviews
72.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic food
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Hidden costs
- Poor ambiance
- Takeout only
The restaurant Matko, a Korean restaurant located in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, invites you to experience its casual and welcoming atmosphere. You’ll find a diverse menu featuring healthy options, a fresh salad bar, and satisfying vegetarian choices, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Overview: Introducting Matko
Matko offers a compelling dining experience, particularly noted for its incredible flavor and authentic food. Guests often praise the friendly service and accommodating staff, making for a pleasant visit.
However, some find the overall value diminished by unexpected add-on costs. The atmosphere can also be a bit dark for some, and the exclusive use of takeout containers raises environmental concerns.
Good
7.5
out of 10
68
Reviews
72.1%
Satisfaction
14
negative
5
neutral
49
positive
Matko achieves a solid 7.5 overall, indicating a generally good experience for most patrons. This is supported by a 72.1% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting that the majority leave content.
These figures are drawn from 68 customer remarks, with 49 positive observations outweighing 14 negative ones. The Food (8.2) stands out as a clear strength, often described as flavorful and authentic.
Service (8.7) also receives high marks for its attentiveness. However, the Ambience (5.1) is considered average, and Value (3.7) is a notable area for improvement, with some guests feeling nickel-and-dimed by extra charges.
What people like
- Flavorful, authentic food
- Friendly, quick service
What people don't like
- Unexpected add-on costs
- Dark, unpleasant atmosphere
- Only takeout containers
With a 7.8 recommendation score, Matko is generally a place worth considering, especially if you prioritize excellent food and attentive service. It’s a solid choice for those seeking authentic flavors in a casual setting.
However, be mindful of potential extra charges for common items, which can impact the overall value. If a vibrant dining atmosphere and strict environmental practices are key for you, Matko might not fully meet your expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Matko
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
With a solid score of 8.2 and customer satisfaction hitting 82.9%, its clear the food here is a hit! Out of 41 comments, 34 rave about the culinary experience. Diners consistently praise the delicious tofu meals, generous portions, and authentic food.
Many appreciate the home-made, comfort food vibe, noting the incredible flavor and fresh ingredients in their bowls. However, a few voices, 4 to be exact, point out some areas for improvement. Some found the bibimbap to be lacking veggies, while others were disappointed with the taste, even calling it the worst theyd had.
There were also comments about the spicy pork belly not being true pork belly due to a lack of fat.
Food
41
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
34
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, authentic food
- Generous portions
- Flavorful, fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Bibimbap lacks veggies
- Disappointing taste
- Pork belly not authentic
Often praised
- foodIncredible flavor and fresh ingredients, love Mario’s food
- Chipotle-styleMake your own bowl, Chipotle style
- Korean foodthe meal was outstanding
- Spicy Pork Bowlthe Spicy Pork Bowl, and it was absolutely delicious
- authentic foodFood is authentic
- banchan (side dishes)Their banchan (side dish) are all home made
- bowlsEach bowl at Matko is flavorful
- cravingsMy cravings are satisfied.
- family-styleoffer family style which serves 2-3 per order
- flavorMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially the hangover soup. It was incredibly full of flavor and clearly made with love. I will definitely be coming back anytime I am in the area.
Frequently criticized
- bibimbapThe bibimbap has only rice and beef, no veggies
- pork bellyit is just pork, not pork belly as it has no fat
- spicy pork bellyspicy pork belly, it is just pork, not pork belly
- tasteThe taste is the worst I have ever had
Overall, if you're looking for flavorful, authentic Korean comfort food with generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful of specific dishes like the bibimbap or pork belly, as they might not always hit the mark for everyone.
Service (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With a solid score of 8.7 and customer satisfaction hitting 84.6%, its clear guests are generally loving the experience. Many folks rave about the friendly service, caring people, and quick service, with 11 positive remarks highlighting the staff and customer service as above and beyond.
However, its not entirely flawless. Out of 13 total comments, there was one instance where the service was unfortunately described as extremely rude. While this seems to be a rare occurrence, it's worth noting that even great places can have an occasional off day.
Service
13
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Caring people
What people don't like
- Rude service
Often praised
- staffThe staff is also very friendly and accommodating.
- serviceThe service was super nice
- caring peopleThe tofu soup was delicious, and I appreciated the option to pay for extra rice. The service was super nice, with caring people. A minor con for me is that the name is hard to remember.
- customer serviceimpressed by the excellent customer service
- friendly serviceQuick and friendly service
- quick serviceQuick and friendly service
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was extremely rude
Overall, the service here is a definite highlight. You can generally expect a friendly, accommodating, and quick experience, making it a solid choice if attentive staff is important to you. While there's a very rare mention of rudeness, it seems to be an anomaly.
Ambience (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, some folks really appreciate the atmosphere here, with 3 positive remarks out of 7 total. Guests found the restaurant pleasantly quiet, which is always a plus! While the overall score for ambience sits at an average 5.1, and customer satisfaction is a mixed 42.9%, theres definitely a quiet charm for some.
However, not everyone was thrilled. With 4 negative comments, some found the atmosphere dark and unpleasant. There were also concerns about takeout containers being used exclusively, which isnt ideal for the environment, and even a mention that the name was hard to remember, though that's less about the physical space.
Ambience
7
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quiet atmosphere
What people don't like
- Single-use containers
- Unpleasant atmosphere
Often praised
- atmosphereThe restaurant was pleasantly quiet
Frequently criticized
- atmospheremaking it dark and the atmosphere unpleasant
- namethe name is hard for me to remember
- takeout containersThey use takeout containers only which is really bad for the environment
If a pleasantly quiet spot is what youre after, you might find some peace here. However, be prepared for a potentially dark and unpleasant atmosphere and the use of takeout containers' for dining in, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
Value (3.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, one diner, among 7 total opinions, really appreciated the bang for their buck. They highlighted an excellent value, noting that a reasonable price for meals, combined with good food and service, made it a highly recommended spot for affordability. However, this positive view stands out against an overall score of just 3.7 and a customer satisfaction of only 14.3%, suggesting a significant disconnect.
On the flip side, the majority of feedback, with 5 negative remarks, points to significant concerns. Many feel theyre getting nickled and dimed by various add-ons, like paying for sauce, utensils, or even a bag. This leads to a perception of a crazy price' overall, making the value proposition quite questionable for most customers.
Value
7
Reviews
14%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent value found
- Reasonable meal price
- Good food portions
What people don't like
- Costly add-ons
- Nickel and diming
- Crazy overall price
Often praised
- reasonable price5 to 2 meals. Coupled with the reasonable price, this made for an excellent value. I highly recommend this place for its combination of great food portions, friendly service, and affordability.
Frequently criticized
- add-onsthe add-ons feel like I'm getting nickled and dimed
- bag$0.50 for a bag?
- crazy pricelet alone the crazy price I have to pay
- sauce$1 for sauce?
- utensils$1.50 for two sets of utensils
If youre someone who values every penny and dislikes extra charges, this place might disappoint. While one person found a reasonable price for meals, the overwhelming sentiment suggests that the numerous add-ons quickly escalate the cost, making it feel like a crazy price' for most.
How are the prices at Matko?
Hey foodies! You’re looking at roughly 19 per person here, based on what 11 diners have told us. That comfortably places it in the $11–$20 category.
For a Korean Restaurant, especially in San Francisco, that’s a sweet spot – not a steal, but definitely not bank-breaking either. Most folks (8 out of 11, to be exact!) are finding their perfect meal within that $11–$20 range, though a few (3) are happy to spend a little more, venturing into the $21–$30 bracket for what we assume are some extra delicious treats!
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 11 most recent reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Korean spot in San Francisco. It offers a good mid-range option without breaking the bank, making it accessible for a nice meal out.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Matko
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Good Food, Poor Atmosphere
I found this restaurant by chance thanks to a recommendation from a local. The food was delicious, leaning towards Korean cuisine. The staff were friendly.
However, the building felt large but many spaces were unoccupied, making it dark and the atmosphere unpleasant, so I felt the need to eat quickly and leave.
- food10
- Korean cuisine7
- staff10
- atmosphere2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Good Food, Annoying Add-ons
My experience at Matko was a mixed bag. The bowls were flavorful and came with a good serving of meat, which I felt justified the $16 price tag. However, the add-ons felt like a way to nickel and dime customers, with charges for sauce, utensils, and even a bag.
This made every order feel like an exercise in frugality.
- bowls8
- serving of meat8
- price tag6
- add-ons3
- sauce2
- utensils2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Delicious Tofu Meals at a Korean Spot
My experience at this fast-casual Korean place was great. The tofu meals were delicious, offering a good balance of protein, carb, and veggie choices. The food was rated a 4, and the atmosphere was also rated a 4.
Service was rated a 3.
- tofu meals9
- protein, carb and veggie choices8
- food8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Tofu Soup and Caring Service
My experience at Matko was very positive. The tofu soup was delicious, and I appreciated the option to pay for extra rice. The service was super nice, with caring people.
A minor con for me is that the name is hard to remember. Overall, it was a great meal with excellent food and service.
- tofu soup9
- service10
- caring people10
- name3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Disappointing Pork Belly and Eco-Concerns
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I ordered the spicy pork belly, but it was just pork with no fat, and I found it to be average. Additionally, the restaurant exclusively uses takeout containers, which I find to be really bad for the environment.
I won't be returning.
- food5
- spicy pork belly3
- pork belly3
- takeout containers2
What Matko offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Salad bar
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience and food options can you expect at Matko?
At Matko, you can enjoy a casual dining experience for lunch or dinner, with comfortable seating available. They offer healthy options, a fresh salad bar, and delicious vegetarian choices, making it ideal for a quick bite in San Francisco’s South of Market.
Does Matko offer convenient service options and accessibility features?
Yes, Matko provides various service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, outdoor seating, and dine-in. For your convenience, it features a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating, ensuring a welcoming experience for everyone.
How is Matko generally rated by customers?
Matko holds a good overall score of **7.5** and a customer satisfaction of **72.1%**. Its **Food** (8.2) and **Service** (8.7) are highly praised, while **Ambience** (5.1) is average and **Value** (3.7) needs improvement.
What kind of food can I expect at Matko?
Matko is known for its flavorful and authentic Korean food, with many positive remarks about its fresh ingredients and delicious bowls.
Are there any common concerns about dining at Matko?
Some customers express concern over unexpected add-on costs for items like bags, sauce, and utensils, which can affect the overall value perception. The atmosphere is also sometimes described as dark.