Ox & Tiger

Ox & Tiger may look like any other small restaurant from the outside, but the experience it offers is something truly special. What makes this place stand out isn't just its exquisite blend of Japanese and Filipino flavors, but the unique warmth and personal touch infused into every aspect of the dining experience. The impressive couple who plays the role of chef and host is incredibly welcoming from start to finish and it makes you feel like a guest in someone's home rather than a mere customer.One of the most memorable aspects of my visit was the way each dish was introduced. The chef didn't just list the ingredients or explain the cooking method; instead, they shared heartfelt stories behind each dish, giving them life and meaning. The food itself was also great - perfectly balanced flavors, fresh ingredients, and a creative yet respectful nod to both culinary traditions. They're also very conscious of dietary restrictions and do a great job accommodating.The only downside is the location, which can be a little sketchy. Doors are locked during the meal for safety, but would recommend staying alert on your way in/out of the restaurant.

An eight-seat (when we went, the restaurant was only half-full because of a no-show (shame on them)) counter-service restaurant; that means the chefs cook in front of you and serve it straight from the kitchen to the bar-seating you're at. Dishes are beautiful (plating is excellent here, and the pictures don't do it justice). And for the quality of the ingredients (crab, monkfish, and beef cheeks were all part of the four-course tasting menu) the price is quite affordable.What I particularly appreciated was the stories behind the dishes; for my boyfriend (still somewhat of a novice at fine dining) this was a great way of understanding that food can be more than just something you shovel down your throat. There's a lot of beauty in creative cooking.I also appreciated dietary accommodations. He's gluten free and I avoid dairy. But we didn't feel like we "missed out" on anything. Yes, the location is terrible, but this is an upstart restaurant that isn't necessarily after the Michelin cred, but is clearly interested in telling a story.

Absolutely amazing! You need to book online to make a reservation. There's only 8 seats in the restaurant which makes it feel very intimate and team of 3 is very attentive.The food was delicious. They mention they rotate the menu every 6-8 weeks. Every dish has a story of where the inspiration came from. The flavors were all so unique. Highlights were the crab and dessert.

Our second time at Ox & Tiger for dinner resi! Update: Surprise! It was still amazing! This time we added on the octopus dish to the set menu and it was not disappointing. Worth it! We're looking forward to coming back for brunch soon, as they've started brunch services.

EJ & Hitomi ~ sweetest chefs. Pre paid reservation. 8 seats max. Intimate setting. Bar seating with the front door locked during dining. The most epic dining experience. There is a beautiful story behind every dish. The food was amazing and so fresh. Good portion sizes. 4 courses tasting menu with new menu every 6-8 weeks. Sake, beer and wine for purchase. Open thurs-sun. Easy online reservations. Uber/Lyft or free meter parkings after 6pm.

This place is a 4 course (5th course optional add on) Filipino-Japanese intimate tasting menu with only 8 seats per reservation time (5pm, 7pm, & 9pm). Their menu changes every 6-8 weeks and we happened to catch the Family's Choice menu for their 6th anniversary, which is essentially their best hits of the year! Everything was so flavorful and no dish was a miss for us. Ox & Tiger was perfectly adapt to our palette, even tho my boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of pinoy food as a Filipino lol. We were wowed with every dish and it far exceeded our expectations. Chef EJ and Chef Hitomi were great chefs and hosts! They really made it feel like home and had a story for every dish which made it even more special, and they were very interactive with the guests, or should we say family. We did the sake and wine pairing, we both preferred the sake. All the sakes we tried were soooo good and paired so well with each plate.As far as location, it's at the old Tselogs location and on a pretty tough street to find parking, I suggest taking an uber/lyft/waymo. Overall, 15 out of 10 hella recommend catching a reservation to try this place out!

Top 3 meals I've had in the city. I'm so glad I went with the pescatarian menu! Everything was absolutely delicious. It's been awhile since I've truly enjoyed every dish.Menu is simple with 3 entrees and a dessert but every dish is curated with so much thought and heart. We got the crab with mushroom as an add on. Wow so good! My favorite was the second dish that had clams, pickled cauliflower, layered potato cake with coconut broth and taro sour bread. Dipping that bread in the broth was icing on the cake. The Japanese cheesecake sitting on a bed of crumble with mushroom ice cream was a fantastic way to end the meal. Above all, I enjoyed the intimacy of the meal and interactions with chefs Hitomi Wada and EJ Macayan, the power couple who owns Ox + Tiger. The place seats 8, and the chefs do everything from cooking, prepping, and entertaining. I felt like I was enjoying comfort food from their home. My sparkling cold sake was a perfect pairing to the seafood. The chefs were so sweet to help celebrate our cousin's birthday. The reason why I chose the place. They also let us sample their Pinot Negro, a red that had notes of coffee. They rotate their menu every 8 weeks and have only repeated one dish. Can't wait to come back and try more of their creations. They're so nice and hospitable and make me want to support their business even more. Been awhile since I've come across a place I'd highly recommend, and I'd recommed Ox + Tiger without a doubt to anyone.

I've been to other tasting menus but Ox & Tiger is very special. The owners are warm, welcoming and are very open to chit chat with the diners. The WBC or the Kurobota cheek with bagoong took me back home and made me think of days where I just want to eat with my fam and devour the sauce with rice. Restaurant is very intimate and homey - we love every single detail even the chopstick rest. Excited to come back and taste their other menus. Awesome experiencr by Ejay and Hitomi!

My girlfriend surprised me with a birthday celebration here and I enjoyed every bit of it!The crew provided a unique experience - providing stories to why they made the dish and how to properly enjoy their creation. Their menu rotates every 6-8 weeks too. On top of it all, the ambiance at this small restaurant was intimate as we were sitting side by side with 6 other guests. I highly recommend coming here for any celebration coming up

We've been a few times and it's consistently one of the best meals in San Francisco. Great service, inventive and delicious food, and a warm atmosphere. I'm always amazed more people haven't heard of it -- a far better time than nearly all Michelin restaurants in the city.