SHOWA Le Gourmet Tonkatsu — Restaurant in San Francisco

A unique, true to the origin Japanese culinary experience. SHOWA has a well-thought-out presentation of robust Washoku (和食) routine, with the casual and friendliness of modern Yoshoku(洋食) flavors.

Chef Koji and Joe start you off with traditional kaiseki ( 懐石) menu items, like pickled appetizers and fresh sashimi straight from Tokyo’s Toyosu market. The almond tofu caprese is worth mentioning by itself. The main entrees are substantial Tonkatsu pork cutlets and wagyu items, unapologetically Yoshoku style. The menu is rigorous and true to tradition, yet so casual without the strict rules and formalities you might encounter in similar Kaiseki or sushi omakase settings.

The final dessert paints a Japanese springtime sakura Motif: pink shaved ice with matcha mochis, topped with sweet red beans, Kanten (寒天) and Yokan jello. The dessert send home the message that you are dining at a Japanese restaurant.

The interior decor is contemporary japanese style with blends of paper, birch/walnut and black wood. The dinnerware is specially curated just like a traditional Kaiseki setting.

SHOWA is an unpretentious eatery. One would have been tricked to believe this is a fusion style restaurant. But with second thought, every item on the menu is true Japanese. Well, maybe not...

It’s rare that I genuinely enjoy every course in a prix fixe menu, but this place delivered across the board.

We arrived late to our reservation due to unforeseen circumstances and felt terrible about it, especially since it was a coursed dinner. Thankfully, the staff was incredibly accommodating and reassured us we wouldn’t miss a thing. They paced it so we could catch up and finish around the same time as the other diners.

From the dry-aged pork tonkatsu skewer to the hot-stone grilled beef tongue, the perfectly fried cod, and refreshing watermelon shaved ice — every dish was solid. My partner, who’s a big eater, could’ve gone for a bit more food, but the portions were perfect for me.

The ambiance also stood out: the wooden tables, elegant glassware, and semi-open kitchen added to the experience. The chef personally served the final two courses and came out to say goodbye, which gave us serious Japan nostalgia. Even the bathroom was delightfully Japan-coded with toilet seat sanitizer and flavorful mouthwash. Small touches really do matter.

Honestly, I’m surprised this restaurant isn’t more well-known. We were lucky to snag a last-minute reservation, and I’m really rooting for them to earn a star soon. Already looking forward to returning and trying the uni...

This is easily one of the best meals I've ever had in San Francisco. As others have mentioned, it felt like I was dining in Japan. Everything was exceptional: the service, the ambiance, the food, and the overall experience. It's so hard to pick what I liked best from the whole meal because it was...just...that...good.

The progression of dishes worked well; it seemed like they read my mind and knew exactly what I enjoyed most in Japanese cuisine. All the ingredients were top shelf, fresh, and shined through the dishes. Some of the dishes involved interaction, which Joe enthusiastically was a part of, making the whole meal enjoyable. There was a perfect balance of providing high quality without all the pretentiousness. Joe and the team made us feel like welcomed guests in their homes and not just patrons.

Very few establishments have left such an impression similar to Showa. The team hit it out of the park with this one. I want to keep this place a secret, but it's too good not to share.

Thank you, Joe and Koji-san, for this memorable experience! I'm spreading the word!

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