SFReview
photo credit: Krescent Carasso
Onsen
Included In
Bathing and eating aren’t usually things that go hand in hand. It’s pretty difficult to eat tacos in the shower (sog-factor) and unless you’re a Russian oligarch or international tax fugitive Lindsay Lohan, you probably don’t eat grapes and caviar in the tub. We don’t either, and until now have been pretty fine with that. Until we visited Onsen, a cool little restaurant and bar that just so happens to have a Japanese communal bathing thing going on too.
Onsen doesn’t feel like a spa with a restaurant, although it does make you feel kind of zen just walking in. There’s a small bar, ten or so small tables inside, and an entrance to the spa in the back. Most importantly, bathing isn’t compulsory here. If you didn’t know about the bathhouse piece of the restaurant, you might just wonder what the door in the back is and why the people coming out of it look so calm. Having said that, pregaming in a bathing suit with a lot of steam isn’t the worst way to kick off a meal here.
photo credit: Krescent Carasso
The menu is concise, with a bunch of small plates, larger entrees, and a lot of extremely delicious skewers that you need to get in the mix. The plates are colorful and artsy, and the dishes range from the aforementioned delicious skewers to awesome dumplings to some bland rice dishes, so note our food rundown and order strategically. The drink list isn’t long, but it does have Hitachino Red Rice Ale, which is one of the greatest beers of all time. If you don’t love perfect beer, the wine list is affordable and has some good options too.
Are we still working up the courage to jump in a shared hot tub before eating a bowl of udon? Yes. But the restaurant at Onsen alone is worth a trip, regardless of whether you get in on the spa action. But if you really wanted to, you could probably sneak some skewers into the tub.
Food Rundown
Trout Poke
photo credit: Krescent Carasso
Skewers
Artichokes, Sunchokes + Cucumber
photo credit: Krescent Carasso
Mushroom Dumplings
Crab with Crispy Rice
photo credit: Krescent Carasso
Udon with Roasted Duck
photo credit: Krescent Carasso
Carrot
photo credit: Krescent Carasso