It is challenging for me to describe how much passion and effort they put into the quality of their food. When I first arrived outside the restaurant, everyone patiently waited for the door to open on the dot. When the door opens, we are warmly greeted inside and check in promptly. There was a space on the right side to hang our coats and store our umbrellas since the rain was torrential. When I first sat down, I noticed how vast and spacious the restaurant was, with a beautiful large countertop leading to an open kitchen. The first course came, and despite how assuming it looked, that single bite packed such a large amount of flavor that I knew it was going to be a lovely evening. The subsequent dishes that followed were also not what it seemed, but the flavor did not clash for me. I had plenty of sake pairing during the meal that you never thought would work with that dish, but the pairing was pretty on point. I had lots of new sake I had never drunk before, and I had taken plenty of photos of each bottle so I could find it later when I wanted to. The owners are amiable when conversing with everyone and answering questions on the dish in particular or if they have any recommendations on another restaurant they like. It is not an experience I can elaborate on in detail, but rather, you have to experience it to know how different it is from all the restaurants I have experienced in the Bay Area. I will return to try their dishes when they rotate them again for the spring time.
If you've grown tired of traditional ramen, you must give this understated ramen shop a try. Every dish is crafted with great care. If you opt for the additional sake pairing with your meal, each dish comes with its own sake match. The owner is attentive, providing detailed explanations of each dish's ingredients and preparation process, along with insights into the sake selections and their flavors. The dining experience goes beyond just eating; you gain knowledge about various ingredients while enjoying a delightful meal. The owner is sociable, and with only 12 guests served at a time, the atmosphere is relaxed, akin to dining with friends. It's a feast for both the eyes and taste buds—a culinary delight that ramen enthusiasts shouldn't miss.
What a cool experience! Got a reservation here thanks to a friend and we went on a Tuesday night! Good: - The place was so cute! I liked that it was a hole in the wall place - Super nice staff, definitely a labor of love - Liked the mini wine pairing, wasn’t too much and it did complement each dish well - Each course was so pretty and made in front of us - my favorites were the Amish chicken and the desert pancake was very tasty. The noodles had good texture! Everything was worth eating, no dish wasn’t great. Bad: - Expensive! Overall enjoyed this 3 hour experience and it was worth every moment
"Stupidly Good" We had dinner at Noodle in a Haystack last night, and we're still trying to wrap our heads around what we experienced. We made a point to go in completely blind - no food photos, no PR, no reviews. And I’m so glad we did. From the very first bite, we knew we were in for something special. I don’t usually write reviews, but we’ve been lucky enough to dine at many of the world’s top restaurants - both on and off the 50 Best list and Michelin guide. I mention that only to give some context. In a world where many fine dining chefs follow a well-trodden path - culinary school, staging, and years perfecting classical techniques - Chefs Clint and Yoko (both ex-corporate, entirely self-taught) are rewriting the rules. Together with Patty, their small but mighty team delivers a 2.5-hour dining experience that’s completely original, technically flawless, and deeply intimate. Every element - from pacing to presentation - feels intentional and meticulously considered. And then there’s the food. There wasn’t a single dish that didn’t completely blow us away. The textures (shoutout to the chawanmushi, wagyu salumi, and that absolutely insane lobster stuffed, uni topped milk bread donut) were unlike anything we’ve ever tasted. The ramen was the best we’ve had outside of Japan. The coffee basque-style cheesecake rivaled what we’ve had in San Sebastián. And the sake and wine pairings were spot-on, perfectly complementing flavor combinations that are wildly inventive and clearly the result of countless hours of obsessive R&D. The restaurant currently seats 10 and is only open two nights a week - making reservations extremely hard to come by - so if you don’t get one right away, keep trying. It’s absolutely worth the effort and the cost. I can confidently say this is my favorite restaurant in San Francisco, and I can’t wait to experience what they dream up and serve next.
Best meal we've ever had. Each dish was executed to perfection and the level of variety and uniqueness was unparalleled. There were so many different and novel flavor combinations. The most unique and the best ramens I've ever had. The owners are so lovely and you can see the hard work and passion for cooking that they've put in. I can't wait for another opportunity to taste their cooking.
One of the best & true Japanese ramen joint you can find in San Francisco - hands down! I love the details they thought of into the making of every dishes that they served in front for you. Most of the dishes they made are often tied back to a story / reminder of other dishes that takes you back to the joy of home cooked meals. I also love Yoko & Clint - they’re so humble and such lovely duo, it’s always great to catch up with them even if it’s for a short period of time! I know it’s hard to find reservation here but keep trying! Definitely worth the visit!
I was able to enjoy the Sake Paring tasting menu and it was phenomenal! The care and detail put into each dish was felt and tasted. Thank you Clint and Yoko for a wonderful evening!
Delicious tasting menu! The husband and wife duo are passionate about their menu and it really shows. However, I did wish there were more ramen inspired dishes (not just one ramen dish). Nonetheless I still had a great meal and it was worth the experience. There aren't many seats at the counter, so plan to make those reservations early!
Noodle in a Haystack4601 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94118