Eat in San Francisco: Volcano Curry of Japan

Pork Katsu Curry with rice, potatoes, and carrots


Mini Sandwich

I've visited Volcano Curry of Japan, a casual Japanese curry restaurant on Geary and 19th in the Outer Richmond, twice since I've lived here. 

On this visit in April of last year, I ordered the Pork Katsu Curry with rice, potatoes, and carrots. Their curry is very flavorful, while they give you a sizable amount of perfectly crispy pork. The rice and vegetables round out each bite, making Volcano Curry a spot any Japanese curry fan would love.

The next time I stop by, I will most likely order the Pork Katsu, maybe experimenting with the Potato Croquette or the Chicken Karaage. (Check out their menu for more details.)

Volcano Curry of Japan

Website | Yelp

5454 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94121

Open: Daily 11:30am - 8:30pm

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Eat in Honolulu: Musubi Cafe Iyasume

Teriyaki Spam Musubi and Eel & Egg Spam Musubi


Counterclockwise from left: Avocado & Bacon Spam Musubi, Salmon RiceBall, and Japanese Curry bowl


Left: Musubi Pack RiceBall with Fried Chicken, Sausage, and Egg

Right: Japanese Curry Bowl

My dining companion and I stopped by Musubi Cafe Iyasume, a spam musubi spot on Kuhio and Uluniu in Waikiki, countless times in late September. They have an expansive selection of very affordable menu items including spam musubi and rice balls as well as other Japanese favorites like curry or miso soup. Located across the street from Maguro Spot, a poke restaurant, we often ordered from both and had a Hawaiian feasts of sorts in our room. 

We tried a few types of spam musubi during our stay — Teriyaki, Eel & Egg, Avocado, Eel, Egg, & Avocado, and Avocado & Bacon — and enjoyed them all. They were the perfect, flavorful, on-the-go snack. We also liked the Japanese Curry bowl, which had some chunks of chicken or pork and carrots over white rice. The riceballs were also a nice treat, where the meat was inside, instead of on top. The Musubi Pack RiceBall with Fried Chicken, Sausage, and Egg provided a nice mix of things, all of which hit the spot.

I would definitely stop by Musubi Cafe Iyasume the next time I'm in the area.

Musubi Cafe Iyasume

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2427 Kuhio Ave., Pacific Monarch Hotel 1F, Honolulu, HI 96815

Open: Daily 6:30am - 9pm

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Eat in Honolulu: Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya

Karaage Curry Don


Tonkatsu Tan Tan ramen made with ground pork, seasoned spicy takana, corn, green onions, half-seasoned egg, and thick noodles

Left: Pork Gyoza

After a long morning of walking in the humidity of Honolulu in late September, my dining companion and I found refuge at Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya, a casual Japanese restaurant on Ala Moana and Piikoi. Located inside the Ala Moana Shopping Center, they serve an impressive selection of ramen, donburi, and other appetizers like fried oyster, seaweed salad, and takoyaki.

We started with the Pork Gyoza, which was as tasty as desired. Even though it was hot outside, I wanted to eat something filling so I ordered the Tonkatsu Tan Tan ramen made with ground pork, seasoned spicy takana, corn, green onions, half-seasoned egg, and thick noodles. It definitely hit the spot. It had a rich, tasty broth that complemented the noodles and all the fresh toppings well. I spilled open the egg to spread out the yolky goodness and I was quite satisfied with my decision. My dining companion enjoyed the Karaage Curry Don, which was made up of fried chicken and Japanese curry over white rice. 

Beyond the delicious food, Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya had incredible service. If I'm back in Honolulu, I'll be sure to stop by and try one of the many other ramens on offer.

Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Fl. 2, Honolulu, HI 96814

Open: Monday - Saturday 11am - 10pm, Sunday 11am - 9:30pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Bon, Nene

Mapo Tofu made with silken tofu, ground beef, chili sauce, eggplant, and green onions

Katsu Curry: Japanese curry with chicken katsu

Original Potstickers made with pork, sprouts, green onions, napa cabbage, ginger, and garlic

Kirin Frozen Beer

I visited Bon, Nene, an incredible Japanese restaurant on 21st and Alabama in the Mission, for the first time last week. 

My dining companion and I enjoyed a few dishes while we ate al fresco. We started with the Original Potstickers made with pork, sprouts, green onions, napa cabbage, ginger, and garlic. They were well made and the ginger and garlic gave them a dynamic flavor. 

We then had two entrees: the Mapo Tofu and Katsu Curry. The tofu dish featured silken tofu and ground beef that were cooked in a chili, soybean based sauce and served with chopped eggplant and green onions. Eaten over rice, this tofu was the silky dream I seek and combined well with the other great flavors and textures in the dish. The Katsu Curry featured the Japanese curry flavor we love, which perfectly complemented the breaded chicken. 

My dining companion also enjoyed the frozen beer, which featured a thick layer of froth and a chilled drink beneath.

I would definitely visit Bon, Nene again, perhaps trying one of their enticing dessert options. If you've visited Bon, Nene, what do you recommend trying?

Bon, Nene

Website | Instagram | Yelp

2850 21st St., San Francisco, CA 94110

Open: Tuesday - Thursday 12 - 8:30pm, Friday - Saturday 12 - 9pm

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Eat in Oakland: Kitchen Story

Kurry Up: Korean curry, vegetables, fried chicken, and a boiled egg

Soft Tofu Soup made with pork and mixed vegetables

Last week I visited Kitchen Story, a popular restaurant located on College Avenue and Kales Avenue in Rockridge, for the second time. Although I've only been twice, I'm a big fan of how they're refining classic Asian dishes with a Californian twist.

I ordered the Soft Tofu Soup, which reminded me of the tofu houses we used to visit in Koreatown in Los Angeles. The soup had a dynamic flavor, fresh ingredients, and paired well with the rice, making it a truly memorable dish. I also tried a bit of the Kurry Up, which was made with Korean curry, vegetables, fried chicken, and a boiled egg. The curry reminded me of a spicier Japanese curry and was also a hit with my dining companion.

If you've visited Kitchen Story, what do you recommend trying?

Kitchen Story

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5422 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618

Open: Monday - Friday 9am - 2:30pm & 5 - 9pm, Saturday - Sunday 9am - 3pm & 5 - 9pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Fumi Curry & Ramen

Chicken Katsu Curry Rice

Almost a month ago, I visited Fumi Curry & Ramen, a casual restaurant known for their Japanese curry and ramen on Mission near Virginia in Bernal Heights, for the first time. I've maybe only had Japanese curry once before, so this was a relatively new experience.

I ordered the Chicken Katsu, featuring a deep-fried panko-breaded chicken cutlet, served over a bed of rice, surrounded by the Japanese curry sauce. It was really good. The slices of chicken were cooked perfectly and complemented very well by the curry. The portions were huge so I luckily got a meal and a half from this trip. The next time I stop by I might try one of their Teppan Curry Ramen dishes.

If you've visited Fumi Curry & Ramen recently, what do you recommend trying?

Fumi Curry & Ramen
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3303 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 11:30am - 2:30pm & 5:30pm - 10pm

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