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Kare-Ken
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
552 Jones St(between Ofarrell St & Geary St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighbourhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
(415) 292-5273
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
87 reviews for Kare-Ken
Review Highlights
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"Home pickled cabbage - hot pink and delicious." In 7 reviews -
"The katsu was perfectly fried and tender." In 20 reviews -
"Notice the cute takeout window." In 3 reviews
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87 reviews in English
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Review from Don W.
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Simply, fast, and incredibly delicious.
There is something to be said about specializing in a few great things - the quality of the food here is unparalleled in terms of Katsu that I've ever had. It really is THAT good.
Friendly staff too! -
Review from Yvette F.
San Francisco, CA
5/2/2012
Came here for take-out last week. Arrived before they were officially open but they took my order anyway. By 5:30, my food was ready. Thanks for not making me wait!!
I ordered a dry beef and a vegetable curry. Both were tasty enough. However, when i go back, I'll choose the beef with ragu-style curry (chunky) for myself. I suspect my partner will want to re-order that too. -
Review from Todd B.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2012
People love "slumming" in the TL, I get it. But Kare-Ken is a perfect
example of whats great about the neighborhood day-in day-out.. My favorite Japanese curry, "hot" means "hot" (just ask), very friendly folks, everything under $10 bucks. Quick take-out and comfortable dine-in in a very warm, wooden, Izakaya-like space.
Plus there's a late-night menu served from a window onto Jones St. for sopping up the booze from neighbors Bourbon & Branch, Mr. Lew's, et al -
Review from Saran R.
San Francisco, CA
4/22/2012
Love their idea, business model and affordable prices.
I had a pork katsu curry and a side of onion rings for dinner. I'd say the pork cutlet could have been more tender and juicier, and they could have done better with breading and frying the pork. I got a medium spicy curry (served in a tub) and it was at the right level of spiciness.
It'll be a great lunch idea. If you want a real katsu curry, I think I've had better somewhere else. -
Review from Nadiyah S.
Imperial Beach, CA
4/22/2012
Mmm Katsu + Curry!
This is a modest Ma n Pa store that really knows how to make their Katsu. It wasn't too dry and it was nicely fried. Great place to stop and grab a meal on the go! -
Review from Bill H.
San Francisco, CA
5/13/2012
I have to agree with the reviewer who said "the katsu was perfectly fried and tender". The food is quite good and the gents running the place are friendly, but it suffers a bit from presentation: even when eating at the counter, you are served food that is packaged as if it is for 'takeout'.
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Review from Anthony N.
San Francisco, CA
4/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
K ick-ass curry spot run by chill, cool cats
A rguably one of the best Japanese-style curries in the city
R eally nice and thick, with a touch of sweetness -- and your choice of spiciness
E xtremely generous with portions too, not overpriced like other places
K atsu comes moist, crispy, and nicely battered
E xtra Pickled Cabbage might be overkill as I found out (they already give a lot)
N ot to mention the side order of Onion Rings -- an order comes with 10 pieces! -
Review from Rocco B.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2012
Yeah! Fast, delicious and spicy. Just like my last affair.
There are like five choices, and they all looked awesome. I got the Shrimp and Dan got the dry beef thing. They were both delicious, and the extra spicy version was nice and hot!
I can't wait till they start opening for drunk o'clock. Their menu proclaimed that they'll start serving a curry katsu dog after 10:30. How's that for a little late night heartburn?! -
Review from Zak K.
San Francisco, CA
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best Japanese curry I've had in SF. Their onion rings put it over the edge though. This is by far my favorite new restaurant near me. They are new, so some things are a bit of a work in progress, but not in a bad way at all. Very cool staff. BYO. Couldn't recommend this place more.
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Review from Stacey C.
3/19/2012
Talk about a hole-in-the-wall. The bar seats no more than 8 and the place is just a narrow little spot. You can order from the takeout window, but it might be worth it to dine in. The staff is super friendly. I felt very comfortable there, almost as if I were drinking sake and talking to a random bartender. I could overhear the owner talking to a karate kid who ran in to say hi, apparently a neighbor who lives above the restaurant. He even offered to bring the food up to them.
The curry I had, dry beef, was thick and the mild still had a tiny amount of spice. I think hot curry here is definitely spicy from what i heard at both ends of the bar. For $8 you will have plenty of food to take home in your compostable container, but it's so thick you might worry about it leaking out. I rather liked the onion rings with the curry too. Probably my favorite part.
Don't come here if you don't like people staring at you on Muni. You'll realize later that you stunk up the whole bus with the curry smell left on your attire. Guess it's better than smelling like something else. -
Review from Benjamin B.
I was tired, hungry and wet - in that order - and needed something tasty within 100 metres of my hotel. I Yelped the crud out of the situation and came up with Kare-Ken, a splinter of a place with a 10-person or so capacity.
I made eye contact with the dude behind the counter. My wink said Pork Cutlet Katsu Curry. His knowing nod said Sure. My eye rub said And a beer. His forehead crinkle said How old are you. My sigh said Old enough. His smile said I believe you. Non-verbal communication is so important in todays day and age.
I was oddly excited about the home made pickled cabbage but it didn't live up to its billing. The big ol' tub of curry sauce that came with my meal righted the cabbage wrong though, and I guzzled it down right out of the container like the blood of a vanquished enemy and wiped the viscera off my lips with the back of my hand in much the same way that a Viking Warrior also drinking a tub of curry sauce might do.
Then I gave it three stars and vanished into the night with a curry-flavoured face and fingers. -
Review from Meredith C.
San Francisco, CA
4/7/2012
Decent prices, dine in or out...who doesn't like curry?
I had the katsu curry to go - simply delish. I asked for medium spiciness and definitely a distinct, tasty flavor. Check it out!
p.s. The special late night menu looks intriguing after a late night of drinking...I be back! -
Review from Christine C.
San Francisco, CA
3/5/2012 2 photos
A small modernly designed curry house in the heart of old tenderloin, Kare-Ken immediately reminded us of curry shops in the allies of Tokyo. A small group of us sampled various dishes on the small and precise menu.
The Chicken-Katsu Curry had two large pieces of chicken katsu fried to a crisp golden brown with a tender, moist center. The curry, served in a separate container, was rich and creamy in texture but sugary sweet in taste. The overly sweet curries became overwhelming and the sweetness masked the delicate flavors we all love in Japanese curries. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The vegetable curry can be ordered with steamed vegetables or tempura vegetables. It is, however, not a vegetarian option. The same curry, made with a chicken broth, is used for all the dishes on the menu.
The Dry Beef Curry was a slighter thicker, drier curry with beef ragu, onion, celery served with tempura onion ring and hard boiled egg. This version of the curries was without that not-so-welcomed sweetness. It had the same thick and creamy consistence with a great beefy quality. The onion ring had the most perfect light and crisp tempura batter, a must-have even as a side dish. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Combining the sugary sweet curries and sketchy neighborhood, Kare-Ken may not make it into our regular rotations anytime soon. -
Review from Alan L.
Kare-Ken
So as I continue my crave for Japanese Curry....Kare-Ken is another one to check out. I finally made my way there. It's a small place, the store front is not too noticeable. If it weren't for the street address I would have passed it by a block or so, unfortunately I only passed it by one or two store fronts. Walked in and were greeted by the owner and a happy crew.
I sat at the counter and had them explain to me how it works here. So my friend and I wanted to try different items. So we had ordered:
Tempura Onion Ring
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The Onion Rings were good. Got to eat them hot. 3.5 to 4 stars.
Pork and Chicken Katsu
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Since we wanted to try the Pork Katsu and Chicken Katsu....they were nice enough to create a plate with Chicken and Pork Katsu. The Chicken and Pork Katsu were pretty good. I think I like the Pork a little better than the chicken. The pork katsu was a little more tender than the chicken. What I didn't like was the rice that came with it. I felt as if the rice was almost like mush. I wanted the curry to flow into my rice, but instead it stayed on the surface of the rice. I was told that this is how the rice was suppose to be. It was a type of rice that they use to make Sushi....so that it would be like a sticky type or rice. The Katsu's were good, just not too fond of the rice.
4 stars for the Pork Katsu.
3.5 stars for the Chicken Katsu.
2 stars for the Rice.
Curry added to the Pork and Chicken Katsu
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The curry was flavor-able. My curry level was mild and my friends had the Hot. I didn't notice a big difference between the two, but was good enough for me as I did not want to try the Extra Hot curry.
3.5stars for the curry.
Overall dinning experience:
The people here are very nice. They had explained that they were not really ready to serve the full menu but are working on it. Technically this is a "Soft Opening" for them and I have to give them credit for putting good Katsu together. I'd really like to see better rice and other items they have on the menu. This is a small place, counter type seating.....glad we were there before a crowd came. Right now for what I've tried and experience....I'll have to say that they are off to a great start and I'd like to see more. 3.5 to 4 stars as a first experience, would return to try the full menu. -
Review from Car C.
Portland, OR
4/6/2012
What I ordered: Pork katsu curry with corn topping
Price: $9 or so
Thoughts: The katsu was really crisp on the outside and tender on the inside - 5 stars! I ordered the spicy roux which had a nice kick but wasn't overwhelmingly hot like the extra spicy that my friend ordered. But ultimately, I was unimpressed with the roux. It kind of reminded me of gravy. My meal came with a side dish of really lame vegetables and a side dish of pickled cabbage that was really good. Another bummer is that you don't actually get a plate; even if you eat at the restaurant your meal comes in a box which seems pretty environmentally unsound.
Atmosphere: It's in the TL so there's that to contend with. As far as the restaurant itself, it's just one long counter in front of the kitchen and customers sit on low, wooden stools (maybe 8 or 9 total). While I was there, they were using some kind of machine that made a loud grinding noise - definitely unpleasant. On top of that, the door was wide open making the place so chilly I had to keep my jacket on.
Wrap up: If you want to eat really good Japanese style curry, you need to go to Volcano (Geary between 18th & 19th). Volcano has great katsu, not to mention a plethora of other options, unlike Kare Ken. Also the roux is quite good, and all the curries come with big chunks of vegetables already mixed into the roux.
As far as Kare Ken, it's the best you're going to find downtown (certainly better than the very mediocre and overpriced Muracci's). Anyway, I might come back to Kare Ken if I'm in the neighborhood and craving curry but it won't be a top priority. -
Review from Marc T.
3/19/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Ate here after Gigi's shindig at Jones... me n the homies parked right in front and pretty much planned our night around going to this spot
Seriously the best onion rings I have ever eaten. The batter STAYS with the onion ring with each bite, instead of getting that awkward piece that drags the whole onion out leaving you with nothing but fried tempura batter.
I got the extra spicy katsu curry... extra spicy was no joke. It has a heat level of maybe a 6 or 7, and it doesn't linger too bad, but you'll be blowing your nose and wiping your forehead if you think its a wussed out extra spicy. The spiciness of the curry was so perfect it kept making me eat more. To me, the spice brought out the sweetness of the actual sauce, which sometimes can get lost in the savory flavor of curry. The katsu itself was amazing... obviously its deep fried but it didn't have that oily/greasy taste. The pork cutlet was super juicy and it was a fair portion. THe pickled cabbage was good, though I would have liked some pickled shallots/pearl onions as well, as I feel those go great with curry... and maybe some carrots...
Just like my buddy Monelle P. said... i prefer Kare-Ken over Muracci's for the following reasons: juicier meat and a sweeter and spicier curry sauce.
I can't wait to try their late night menu once that gets kicked off... It seriously is Kraken (ahahah =( ) -
Review from Steve K.
Oakland, CA
3/12/2012
I've been to almost every japanese curry spot in the bay area and Kare-Ken ranks up there with the best of them. I usually like my curry extra spicy and they hooked me up with a little more spice than they usually serve. The heat was good but not overpowering enough to dull the flavors of the homemade curry. The guys at Kare-Ken take pride in what they do and you can tell from the first bite that they put a lot of love in the food.
The sauce was just the right thickness and had a sweeter base than I expected but when paired with the katsu, the balance was just right. The katsu came right out of the fryer and into my box. I tried both the chicken and pork and they were equally delicious.
If Kare-Ken were closer to my office, I'd eat there a few nights a week no doubt. Please come out to the peninsula. I've eaten everywhere and there is nobody doing good curry out there. You guys would kill! -
Review from Monelle P.
San Francisco, CA
2/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I love restaurants that have simple, well-executed menus. I'll take only 10 excellent items on a menu over 100 mediocre menu items anyday.
Kare-Ken is an example of such a menu: 8 types of curry and a handful of extra topping options. With the lack of distraction from filler items, Kare-Ken focuses on every aspect of their dishes, making for a focused and delicious meal.
I ordered katsu curry, extra spicy, with extra pickles. Sitting at the counter was a unique dining experience. I watched my curry dish being put together from start to finish. I wish more curry places served the sauce separately like Kare-Ken. It allowed me to control how much sauce I wanted in each bite and ensure that my katsu stayed crisp till the last bite. The extra-spicy curry sauce was sooooo good. The earthiness of the curry spices, the heat from the spiciness, and the velvety curry sauce made for an addictive mouthful. The curry sauce was slightly thinner than I'd prefer, but delicious nonetheless.
My favorite part of my dining experience were the housemade pickled cabbage. I'm like an episode of Portlandia. If you pickle something, I will eat it. Kare-Ken's pickled cabbage was a cheeky take on the traditional fukujinzuke, but kicked up a notch! They were subtly sweet, pleasingly crunchy, and refreshingly acidic, the perfect compliment to the warm, earthy curry.
My 2 cents: I definitely liked Kare-Ken more than Muracci's. -
Review from Arash M.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2012
I am a huge fan of good Japanese curry, which isn't as easy to find as you might think. I've tried Japanese curry at lots of local places and very few come close. Most of them are mediocre at best. Most of the time the instant Japanese curry I make at home tastes better than what I get at restaurants.
I'm a very happy Kare-ken repeat customer. I've probably been there over a dozen times or so since they opened and I have yet to not thoroughly enjoy my curry.
Kare-ken I love for 3 reasons.
1) The Curry, obviously. At first glance it looks very plain. It doesn't have a bunch of things poking out of it to distract you. It's just simple amazing curry made from scratch. You can add a bunch of toppings to cater to your tastes, but just the curry by itself with rice is quite good already. I've tried the regular and dry beef curries with different combinations of toppings and enjoyed them all. My staple is the katsu curry, extra spicy with boiled egg. The onion rings are also amazing.
2) The people who work there. The owner, Ryan, is a very nice person. From day one, I got the best vibe from him and the others that work there. Always pleasant, smiling and accommodating. Very genuine people. They are friendly with the neighbors, and a lot of their business is repeat customers.
3) The price and what you get for your money. A typical meal there will come out to around $10 if you add a toppping or 2 or get a drink. That's on a cheap side for a meal anywhere in SF. Whether you're talking food trucks or restaurant. And what you get is hot delicious curry made from scratch. Everything is fresh and you can taste it.
You can go inside and eat your curry at their counter or get it to go from their snazzy take out window. I generally take my extra spicy curry home, so no one has to see me sweat profusely as I eat every delicious bite. And lick the bowl at the end.
As a side note, I have 2 friends that are hard core Japanese curry connoisseurs. Both of them have pretty high standards when it comes to Japanese curry. And both of them have loved Kare-ken. -
Review from Ann L.
CASH ONLY! I was there about 5:40pm on Thurs 2/2/12 for dinner. It's a tiny place with only 8 seats at the counter so you can see them working & doing the dishes. Only 3 workers there.
They are gonna change the menu soon, the one on the website & at the restaurant now is outdated.
No Shrimp Curry & No Meatball Curry.
Dry Beef is like a chili without the beans
Hopefully they will do a Spinach/Tofu Curry
I got the Veggie Curry with Steamed Veggie $8, not the Tempura kinda which is the default. You gotta ask for the steamed veggie if you want that. I asked for Extra Hot - which to me is a bit spicy, but didn't make my nose run, I did feel some heat though. Pickled cabbage is homemade - I liked it. Big scoop of white rice, some steamed veggies, & brown curry sauce on the side. Dumped it all onto my rice. Not a huge portion, but filling enough.
Closed Sun & Mon
Tues-Sat 5:30p-10:30p -
Review from Jason C.
San Francisco, CA
2/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
We stopped by late on a Tuesday night because we saw some great reviews. The food is hot , curry has the right amount of kick. The owner served us and was very friendly.
Go early, because they make all their food fresh daily, so they do run out of certain dishes when you go before they close - We weren't able to try the Curry Katsu, but everything else we tried was delish!!! Will definitely go back when I'm in the area again. Also they have a cute little window for take-outs. -
Review from yota L.
Bay Area
2/10/2012
As of today (Feb 10), Kare-Ken enjoys an average ratings of 4.3 on yelp. That makes me sad because I am forced to realize again that Yelp got too many gustatorial idiots that write about things they don't know at all.
This is a bad example of Japanese Curry. Nothing more or less. Bad. Curry sauce tastes like curry powder dissolved in fruit juices (apple and some tropical fruits). If you haven't been to Kare-Ken and if you really care about Japanese curry, just thank me for my warning and go elsewhere.
If you somehow want to try tropical curry, tenderloin curry or whatever you name it, this curry might serve you as part of training to become a fuckin' hindu monk.
Let's suppose we send bunch of Indians to Muracchi on Kearny@Bush and have them taste their curry. I'm sure honest ones will say "This is better than our authentic Indian curry!!" Yes it is because Japanese food culture is obviously superior to theirs.
(Don't worry, you guys will beat us in computer science 300 years from now.)
What if they came to Kare-Ken........Ravi Shanker would get crazy and start playing the stinky sitar with a fuckin' chainsaw. -
Review from Vincent K.
San Francisco, CA
3/8/2012 2 Check-ins Here
When I saw the website, I was convinced. When I stepped in and saw a nice bar setup and thought to myself, they mean business and perhaps go back to the Japanese way of quick dining on simple and flavorful dishes. I was convinced.
In the end, it was rather disappointing. The curry doesn't excel, the ingredients are mediocre. The to go boxes have got to go, and while its got a good location and decent prices, it beckons to be exploited further!
With Jones being just around the corner, a late night service would probably do this place some good and from speaking with the owner, they're about to start serving curry dogs out the window when the weather gets warmer. I'll be anxious to try that.
In the meantime, I've been wanting to try this place and exploit the slow but steady increase awareness in japanese curry. I've enjoyed chinese curry (the kind you have with chicken and a bunch of starchy potatoes), I've enjoyed thai curry (all them green, yellow, and red), and I've had my share of Japanese curry (from Marucchi's in fidi and the packets they sell at the asian stores). So what's Kare-Ken got to compete with those. Well, it just comes down to location. Other than that, my katsu curry tasted pretty much the same as the home made ones and perhaps close to or subpar to Marucchi's. I still haven't tried Volcano, but this entices me to dig deeper and relieve myself of that curiosity.
And I know there's something on the website about the to go boxes, but I think it'd appear better if people were at the bar table eating out of bowls even if it ends up appearing like less food. I know it takes extra effort and pay to get dishwashing, but It's San Francisco. Aside from the appearance, the people like their environment here. -
Review from Gina C.
Waipahu, HI
1/25/2012
Saw the great reviews on yelp and decided to check out this place for a quick dinner after a movie. The neighborhood you walk through to get to the restaurant is a little sketchy, and if you don't look closely, you might even miss the restaurant itself. It's a tiny little place, with maybe 6-7 counter stools. It was about 9 oclock and we were the only ones in there, so service was super quick!
My husband and I shared an order of the chicken katsu curry. I wanted to get it spicy and he wanted it mild, so the server/chef suggested we get a mix of the two to make the sauce more of a medium. It was just the right amount of spice, so we were glad for the recommendation!
The chicken was cooked perfectly and was crispy, but still juicy inside. The curry sauce had great flavor and we devoured the plate quickly. The space is small and nothing too fancy, but it's very clean, the staff is nice and friendly, and the food is just plain yummy and at a reasonable price. -
Review from Marc B.
Boston, MA
4/6/2012
Best curry I've had outside of Japan. Period. Sure, it's good "drunk food," but it's more than that. These guys do one thing and do it well. Unassuming, friendly, and delicious. I had the chicken katsu curry, and it was just like Tomomi used to make. Great stuff. Bring beers with you, you'll need 'em.
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Review from Amy S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 4/5/2012
Went back and had the spicy pork katsu! OMG Food-gasm! Still waiting on that hot dog, but this will definitely due till it gets here! Also, its worth noting that the owners are totally BYOB friendly....in fact they are simply really friendly! Hopefully they will start accepting credit cards soon! (hint..hint)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/27/2012
Great food! My first time tasting Japanese Curry and I gotta say I'm in love! So happy to have them… Read more »
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Review from Misha T.
1/11/2012
The tonkatsu is fried perfectly. Amazingly tender and juicy with perfect breading. Really exceptional. The curry itself is sadly much too sweet. If i lived really close I'd probably make my own curry and just hop down there to buy a cutlet to go!
still worth going for the cutlet. -
Review from Jerry W.
San Francisco, CA
3/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Everything was delicious here, and super cheap. Staff is also super nice.
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Review from Tu T.
Santa Clara, CA
2/22/2012
Came here last friday for some pre-shenanigans dinner. Got the chicken katsu, extra spicy. Damn it's freaking spicy. Saw the guy mixing in the heat, and boy oh boy he did not skimp on the heat.
5 dudes, crying and sweating over LINtensely spicy curry while watching LINsanity play.
Great curry, not as good as curry house in Cupertino, but that's more expensive and in cupertino.
Would come here again next time I feel like having a good cry. -
Review from Victor C.
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Aw man... I hate writing reviews that are less than 4 stars.
PERSONALLY, I would give this place 3-stars, but not because the food wasn't good... but more so because it's not my kind of curry.
This place is 4-stars if:
- You like local businesses that make quality food.
- You like the taste of good japanese curry -- but you don't like to be super-stuffed when you leave a restaurant.
Here's why: The curry itself is delicious... but it's very "plain" -- no veggies, no meat (stewed into the curry), just plain curry sauce poured over your meat (or veggie mix) of choice, over rice.
The katsu was very well made.
Dining in, you still got served in "take out" boxes.
I ate everything I got in my Chicken Katsu Curry, and whatever the woman couldn't finish... but I left still wanting more!
Maybe because I'm a ginormous pig that had an appetite of someone that finished an Ironman not long before, but man... very few times have I eaten curry and NOT been stuffed.
I'm sticking with my 4-stars based on quality, but secretly give it a 3 for lack of veggie "fillers" in the curry sauce. -
Review from Jason W.
San Francisco, CA
4/8/2012
nicest people in the TL! my friends and i decided after shopping to just hit up a highly rated restaurant on yelp, and long behold comes this small rectangular restaurant supposedly known for its curry dishes. lemme tell you that i was not disappointed to the least!
i end up getting the chicken katsu curry with a side of katsu rings. the curry is so fine and tasty and keeps you warm in this cold breezy weather. my friend got the beef curry which they infused into the curry, almost like a beef chili with mashed up veggies in it (that was the best curry!) i heard you could get the beef chili type curry and get that with chicken katsu. i will have to try that next time.
they had a great selection of music for us and theyre extremely generous to the neighborhood. they give leftover food to the poor and chat it up with locals, which is what you need to survive and thrive in such a neighborhood. i enjoyed my stay there and theyre a good group of guys with intentions to serve great food. -
Review from Jen D.
1/25/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Like this place, but hate the location... It's a little hard to find since it lacks signage (I actually walked back and forth 3 times passing it every time), so look out for the modern wooden awning out front if you plan on coming. Not much sitting room to speak of, so don't come here with a big group. Service is very friendly though, so both visits have been pleasant.
The overall taste is good - good ingredients, perfectly cooked rice, nice topping options, but the curry just lacks something... Not sure what it is exactly, but something is missing. Muracci's curry has amazing flavor and that is what I'm comparing Kare-Ken to. I do love their dry beef curry though; something that Muracci's doesn't serve. But I do not their version of pickled cabbage at all...
If I'm in the area (which is next to never), I'd definitely pick up from here, but I won't go out of my way to come here like I did on my other two visits. Just not worth it. -
Review from P B.
San Francisco, CA
4/22/2012
Five stars for adding another decent Japanese curry option to the map, but please take note it really is way too sweet for authentic Japanese curry.
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Review from Chelsea A.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2011 21 Check-ins Here
I tried Kare Ken's vegetable mild curry tonight. I've eaten a lot of Japanese curry in my lifetime, but when I say I've never tasted curry like this before, it's true. The curries I've tasted were always spicy--as in a lot of spices and herbs--and of course, the added kick.
Kare Ken's curry is different. It was smooth and fine, not much substance like other Japanese curries I've tried, but in a more fluid way. It didn't have potatoes, onions, carrots, beef, and over powering spices, it was "plain", but every bite was savory goodness!
The vegetables were in tempura, and I was thinking of the standard Japanese panko-based tempura, but it wasn't panko, I'll tell you that! It had its own flavor and texture with some spices in it, it was really good. I couldn't figure out what the batter was since I've never had tempura like that.
To me, the mild was spicy enough - ha! I'm a wuss, what can you say, but I wanted to try the mild to see how mild it really was, and if it was mild (according to my taste buds), I would've tried spicy the next time around. I'm glad I didn't jump the gun and try spicy without trying the mild, because I think the mild was just right. Initially, it doesn't taste spicy but it's in the aftertaste you feel the kick.
I read off their website saying that Japanese curry was inspired by the French roux technique, invented by the British. After I read that, I thought, "Yes! It was like gravy, smooth like gravy, but spicy like other Japanese curries."
The place is tiny as it can probably only seat about five to seven people. When you're eating, you're practically in the kitchen so you can see how everything is prepared. The guys working (the owners, we asked) were really nice and attentive. They would come around, making sure we liked the food. They even offered to give more curry if you were almost out if it and still had a lot of rice and other food left.
We overheard one of the guys saying what the meaning behind their name was, because someone asked, "So which one of you are Ken?" One guy said, "Neither. Ken, in Japanese, means 'structure' or 'house'. Kare means 'curry' in Japanese, so curry structure/house."
I loved how the restaurant is designed; the wooden exterior is gorgeous, and it sticks out like a sore thumb because all the other businesses around it look plain, drab, and run-down. You can't miss it if you're in the area.
I hope to be back sooner than I hope! -
Review from Cherylynn N.
San Francisco, CA
10/26/2011 7 photos
A Curry House with Gangsta Rap? I'M ALL OVER IT!!!
With its Official Grand Opening last Thursday, 10.20.11, I've been anxious to pay Kare-Ken a visit. I finally had the opportunity tonight.
Kare-Ken is located in the up and coming TenderNob. One block can make a huge difference in this area so I would highly recommend parking on Geary and/or the neighboring streets above towards Nob Hill. O'Farrell (one of the cross streets) is towards the heart of TL and is pretty seedy so I would avoid parking in this area.
Kare-Ken is a very hip and casual Curry House. You order at the front window and have the option of taking it to-go or sitting at their eight person counter-seating area inside which overlooks the kitchen area. I love that they play rap music because it gives Kare-Ken that urban hipster vibe.
Choose your Curry: Chicken Katsu, Pork Katsu, Dry Beef Curry, etc. All curries are served with rice, pickled cabbage and veggies. The made-from-scratch curry sauce is served in a separate container. You can then choose to add toppings like a boiled egg or corn for an extra $1.
*CURRY KATSU w/ Corn ($8.50 + $1 for corn)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A heaping pile of white rice was topped with a jumbo pork katsu cutlet. The tender, juicy katsu had a perfectly breaded crust that was light yet gave a good toothsome crunch (not greasy at all). The white rice was soft with a slightly sticky consistency. As I poured the lusciously thick and seamlessly smooth curry sauce over, it soaked into the katsu and rice imparting a very comforting, savory earthy sweet spice.The pickled cabbage added a punch of acidity balancing everything out.
My only gripe is the "Hot" was more like a mild to me with a faint kick. I'll definitely request "Extra Hot" next time.
*SEASONAL VEGGIES: Fried Cauliflower ($2.50)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I normally HATE cauliflower but I was popping these babies into my mouth like popcorn. The edges were slightly crisp and the center was tender and soft like a baked potato.
We ran into fellow Yelper Jason G. while we were eating and before we left, I said to him, "See your review in 24 hours". Just one hour later, I repeat, just one hour later as I was uploading pics onto Yelp, he had already posted his review. Somehow I knew that would happen and I think he did that on purpose. J/k! It's definitely a small world indeed.
OTHER NOTES:
*Current Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Saturday 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM (They will soon have extended weekend hours to cater to the nightlife crowd.)
*Very Friendly, Down-to-Earth and Cute Staff
*MENU
--Curry Dishes: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
--Curry Toppings: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
--Late Night Menu (After 10 PM): http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*Located one block down from Jones and Swig, I foresee Kare-Ken drawing in a big late night crowd once they extend their hours.
*CASH ONLYListed in: SF HIPSTER JOINTS!, Gastronomical Comfort Foods!
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Review from Steven C.
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just moved to the Tender Nob and I gotta say, its pretty tender over there
anywho, I am on a mission to eat at all those places in the area to find which is the best. So far this is the only place I have been to that I will def come back to.
My friend and I came to this place and ordered the Chicken Katsu (extra spicy). It was pretty DAMN good. I was eating it and I got kinda mad because the chicken was crispy on the outside, but succulent and juicy on the inside.
The extra spicy curry we ordered is how everyone previous had described it, no veggies or anything inside it. It was the perfect level of spicy, my lips were numb but it was def worth it!
Besides the rice and curry, the box also contains pickled cabbage and some veggies.
Total amount spent for this meal - $8.50
You could even ration the curry and then save the sauce for another meal cuz its so epic. I just might do that...
I am going to make another trip back here very soon to find out what else is good on the menu! -
Review from Grayson K.
San Francisco, CA
I have to say I was nervous about Kare-Ken. I'm a huge stickler when it comes to authentic Japanese food and I'm quick to the decision that a mockery is being made of it. That's why Kare-Ken made me nervous.
When I first entered this modern and eclectic Curry-ya I was told to order outside. I did so. Afterwards I came inside, sat down, and had a look around. Spiffy looking place. Run by a very young group of Koreans, related I believe. I was promised that the recipes came from a Japanese family, oh boy here we go.
After asking some Q's I learned that the most popular dish was by far the Dry Beef Curry - a hamburger-esque stew with rice and heavy onion rings. Needless to say, this dish was far from authentic and was pretty damn greasy. Next.
Determined to get a review, I ordered regular Katsu Curry (Pork Cutlet) with Medium Curry sauce plus an order of Hot Curry sauce. Finally, I was pleasantly surprised. For those of you who have only had Muraccis & JappaCurry to hold over your Japanese Curry addiction, I have some good news:
* The rice is high quality, not dull, not cheap. My guess is Koshihikari.
* The Curry roux was amazing - deep, savory, spicy, and thick. Amazing. You could tell this did indeed come from an authentic family Japanese recipe.
* The Katsu was even better than I'm used to in authentic Japanese Curry, solid white and juicy, clearly never frozen and of a high quality.
* Home pickled cabbage - hot pink and delicious.
* UCC cold ocha - pretty rare in these parts.
The reasons I can't give a 5 star review are few:
* The dry beef curry is oily and watery. More of a hamburger stew than anything else. Even if it is supposed to be stew-like, the amount of oil/grease in the roux was pretty gross.
* Putting heavy onion rings over rice that is supposed to be covered with Curry roux doesn't make much sense. Soggy batter is not yummy.
* The veggies that get served with all orders are lazily prepared and in desperate need of seasoning.
All in all a big success. I give it the go-ahead and authentic ear-mark.Listed in: Authentic Japanese in San…
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Review from Genevieve Y.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2011 5 photos
Date & Time: Friday October 14, 2011 @ 7pm & Saturday October 15, 2011 @ 6pm
Dining Companion: Lolia S & The Husband
Scene: Trendy Asians; Guys in Osaka Tee's & Girls in Eagle Pocket Tops + Bale Lumber Cut-Offs
Music: Rap
Decor: Japanese Curry House w/ Counter-Seating
Service: Beautiful, Friendly Asians
Imbibe: Complimentary
Devour: Katsu Curry, Chicken Katsu Curry, Dry Beef Curry. Curry Toppings: Boiled Egg, Corn, Fried Seasonal Vegetables & Tempura Onion Rings. Dry Beef Curry Dog & Katsu Curry Sandwich on Late Night After 10pm Menu
Total: $21Listed in: Cheap Eats
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Review from jason g.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
When you have a chef from the Four Seasons Hotel making curry in the Tenderloin District, how can you go wrong?!? I have always been a fan of Pat's cooking. I wish him much success in this venture. Putting friendship aside, a review is a review. So here it is...............
I waited a few weeks after Genevieve Y and Tammy C's review before I dare step foot in this place. The area itself is a little sketchy but I'm used to this area as An Nam Ninh and Pho Tan Hoa are just a block away. Those two are two of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants in the City.
The curry???...............yes it is that good. I like how they separate the curry from the rice and the protein of your choice, pork cutlet, and chicken. It is breaded perfectly, not too doughy or heavy. The place is very clean and the presentation of the food was good. But..........you know which was the best? The dry beef. The dry beef is like a play on chili and curry. I can honestly say I have never had it this way before.
Veronica and Cherylyn were sitting right next to me. What a small world. Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely come back. I can add another restaurant in the TL that I would love to revisit. -
Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2011 5 photos
It's just a takeout window at the moment and the full menu isn't available yet. They will have limited counter seating, a late night menu, and an organic feel - wood stools, wood walls, and wood floors.
They had 5 types of curry to choose from though they ran out the meatball curry ($7 promotional, soft opening price). The dinner box curry orders come with a big pile of steamed white rice, pickled cabbage and cauliflower florets. You can specify spiciness level.
* Pork Katsu: thin, cutlet, breaded and fried till golden, not too greasy but pork wasn't as tender and flavorful as some, the brown curry sauce was thick, rich, and rather sweet, the pickled cabbage wasn't as crunchy as the usual Japanese pickles, it was odd that they included bell pepper strips. The curry sauce didn't have chunks of vegetables but it probably had apples, carrots, etc. I didn't like the pickles and the bell pepper strips didn't add anything.
It was cash only but I'm not sure if it will stay that way.Listed in: Dedicated to Tofu Oyako,…
