San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Taishoken is now the best place to consistently get delicious tsukemen in S.F. Taishoken
The new Taishoken looks like a splashier version of the Japanese chain’s first U.S. location in San Mateo. It’s lined with Japanese-style pale wood panels and a long bar ideal for quick, solo slurping. The main attraction is the same tsukemen ($18) served in San Mateo, with thick, chewy, buckwheat-infused noodles and a rich broth for dipping on the side. This is now the best place to consistently get tsukemen in San Francisco. New dishes at this location include $35 lobster ramen, which goes quickly given the kitchen only makes 10 bowls a night; and some small plates like elegant cucumbers topped with jalapeño-miso ($6). Try the sand storm calamari ($12); it’s similar to the Hong Kong typhoon shelter style, which is to say it’s showered in spicy, crispy breadcrumbs and fried garlic, and comes with a side of koji ranch for dipping. — E.K.
5-9:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and Sunday; 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Open on Mondays starting Monday, Oct. 17. 665 Valencia St., San Francisco. taishokenusa.com
Elena Kadvany (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany. Soleil Ho is The San Francisco Chronicle’s restaurant critic. Email: soleil@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hooleil