Another place I frequent often in Japantown is a place called Tanpopo. I found out about this place from a Japanese friend of mine named Sonoo. I asked what the best Japanese noodle place was in the City and she immediately said Tanpopo. They specialize in ramen soup. They also have a ton of sake choices. I always get the same thing when I go here.

Karamiso Ramen, which is spicy miso flavor soup with boiled bean sprouts and sliced chashu pork. It is a huge bowl and really spicy. I am sweating bullets by the time I’m done eating it but it is delicious. It costs $8.50.

For appetizer I get Rebanira itame, which is sauteed beef liver & vegetables but since I didn’t have my glasses, I accidentally ordered Reba Karaage, which is deep fried beef liver. I was bummed out at first but it was actually very good. Cost – $5.50

I had a large bottle of Asahi beer to drink.

I left here tonight with a food high. Just enough beer to give me a slight buzz and just enough food to be quite full but not in a food coma.

Tanpopo on Yelp

Total cost: $21.90

A family ritual on Saturday is Dim Sum lunch at Lee Hou on Clement Street in San Francisco. We’ve been going here for probably about 6 years now. We are usually the only non Asians in the place. (although more and more white people are finding out about it lately)

It’s pretty much your traditional dim sum place. The most popular place in town is Tong Kiang but this place is way cheaper and easier to get seated. I think it is just as good too. The wait staff knows us by now so we always get great service.

Here is what we got today:
Egg Rolls (we only get these when my daughter comes along)

Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce

green onion pancake

Tofu Skin Rolls

My daughter always gets the roast duck and rice plate for herself

Steamed chicken feet.

Shanghai dumplings (they have soup inside and they are fantastic)

Egg custard buns for dessert

Total cost including beer and sodas : $37.07

Lunch yesterday consisted of sushi at Isobune in Japantown. Supposedly it was the first sushi boat restaurant in the U.S. It’s one of my favorite places to go in the City. The sushi comes around in little boats and you grab what you want, Each dish is colored and it is priced according to the color of the dish. One thing you should know when you come here is to watch what the guys behind the counter and grab the sushi as he is making it. If it goes around for awhile the fish dries out and is kind of gross. I’ve seen so many people grab things that are obviously turning bad. When you grab the fresh stuff though, it is fantastic. You can also get special orders made that is super fresh. The plates range from something like $1.95 to $8.95. I usually spend around $40 each time I come here and that includes a large 22 oz. Asahi beer. The waitresses are cute Japanese girls too so that helps.

Below: Tako Kimchi (raw squid in a spicy sauce), albacore tuna, edamame.

Below: Hamachi mini shashimi, Ikura (salmon roe)

Below: not sure what it is but it’s one of the cheapest and it’s great. The one on the right is squid on a mint leaf.