2 Best Restaurants in San Francisco, California

Hakata-style tonkotsu (pork) and extra-intense chicken paitan ramen are the specialties of this modern-looking Japan Center restaurant that serves what many consider the city's finest bowl of ramen. As a result, long lines can be daunting, but tables move pretty quickly inside the bustling yet relaxed space decorated with wood design elements and dangling Edison bulbs. A few izakaya small bites, rice bowls, beer, and both Japanese and locally made sake round out the menu.

Acclaimed chef Michael Mina has gotten on the ramen train with a big assist from Tokyo native and chef Ken Tominaga, and their FiDi collaboration is a popular lunchtime spot known as much for fast service as for Tokyo-style noodles–-the light, casual setting has sit-down service only at dinner. The menu also veers into sushi roll and poke bowl territory, and prices tend to add up; this is not your strip-mall ramen joint.