Yamo House Noodles with fried garlic and chicken
Yamo is a quintessential hole in the wall restaurant located in the Mission district. It has about eight seats, three cooks of varying temperaments, and a line out the door. Behind its inconspicuous exterior, they serve delicious Burmese food for really cheap prices (expect to spend less than $10 per person) to guests lined up elbow-to-elbow. Most dine-in customers leave with a smile, slight food coma, and maybe a few friend.
Suggested dishes: I've visited Yamo three times and have enjoyed every dish I've tried, namely the Yamo House Noodles and Yamo Cold Noodles. (I'm rather adventurous.) The house noodles are served with your choice of meat, fried garlic, and fresh cilantro. The noodles are just the right amount of greasy and 100% satisfying. Although the dish seems far from intimidating at first, I often leave with a full stomach.
Things to note:
- Be prepared to wait in a line: Since the restaurant can only seat so many people, guests often have to wait outside the door for diners inside to finish. I'd suggest visiting during an off-time, bringing a slight appetite that will grow as you wait, or ordering ahead and picking up your food.
- Be polite: It wouldn't be a far stretch to compare the atmosphere of Yamo to that of a particularly tasty soup establishment run by a notoriously picky owner as depicted on Seinfeld. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. Either way, it is best to be polite and as clear as possible when you're ordering. Also, if you're cordial and play your cards right, you may be able to snag a seat just before closing time.
- Bring cash: Yamo only takes cash. A twenty for two entrees and maybe an appetizer or drinks should be suffice. Of course, check the menu first.
Yamo
Open: Monday - Thursday 10:30 - 9:30, Friday - Saturday 10:30 - 10
Check out more posts from San Francisco.
