PABU Izakaya

Been wanting to try this place for a while and so glad we finally did! Date night scoreThe vibe is so cool. Such a nice bar and the booths are so intimate. Our service was top notch. Water never went past halfway empty,server constantly checked on you and was so informative with favoritesThe toro hand rolls were hands down best I have ever had. The flavors tied together were a hitThe truffle yellowtail is a MUST!!! So fresh and bursting with flavor finished with a crispy garlic crunchBlack cod is great portion and melts in your mouth like butterMushroom tempura is perfectly fried and 'meaty'We also had a Ken's role which was unique and a good combo of flavorsHands down most delicious spicy margarita I have ever hadThe Mina group did great with this gem of a spot to dine at!

This place is a little fancy pants but the food is good and it's in a great location. A quick stroll from the Embarcadero BART station.The kind of place you take your vendor or client when the check is on the courtesy of the company.BB

The restaurant is stunning and the red shines through for pictures. Food-Cod, to die forSushi- fresh and one of the best I hadAppetizers - tuna tartare, giant squid, sashimi. All amazingly fresh and my fav was the giant squid grilled to perfection.Drinks- perfectly blended Dessert- mochi ice cream, it was average One of the best Japanese restaurants I had and the service was outstanding- the general manager and Tristen. This place deserves 5 stars.

Pabu is a place I've heard about a lot, but just never had a chance to go until recently. I came here with a friend and we got here a bit before the dinner rush which was great. My diet is a bit limited currently, but we got a few hand rolls, the kalbi, chicken karage, and some drinks. Everything tasted great. The portion sizes were a bit small for the prices, and the kalbi had some really fatty pieces that made the portion even smaller, but the flavor was so good. Our server was friendly, she checked on us often. She gave us great suggestions and made sure we understood the menus. The food arrived to our table quickly. By the time we left dinner was in full swing and the volume of the restaurant had definitely increased. I would for sure recommend a reservation no matter what time you go.

Pabu Izakaya is a fantastic spot for a well-rounded dining experience, offering great food, a romantic atmosphere, and excellent service. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly by the staff, and the calm music set a relaxed tone for the evening. Unlike some loud and bustling restaurants, the ambience here is perfect for enjoying conversation without having to raise your voice, making it an ideal choice for date nights or intimate gatherings.The food was outstanding. We ordered a mix of sushi, nigiri, and grilled items, and everything was fresh and expertly prepared. The miso cod was buttery and flavorful, the skirt steak was tender and cooked just right, and the grilled squid had a nice smoky char. The shishito peppers were a great addition, offering a mild kick and great texture. Each bite felt thoughtfully crafted, making it clear that quality and technique are a priority here.One area for improvement is the drink menu. While they have a solid selection, it leans heavily toward bourbon- and whisky-based drinks, which might not appeal to everyone. A broader range of cocktails would enhance the experience even further. We were too full to try dessert, but based on how great everything else was, I imagine it would have been just as impressive. Overall, Pabu Izakaya is a great choice for anyone looking for delicious Japanese cuisine in a beautiful, intimate setting.

02.04.2025. Came here for a work lunch and got the kurobuto pork "katsu" lunch combo. 25.00. When I ordered the kurobuto pork, I thought it'd be one of those really thick, juicy pork katsus. But I was really wrong. the katsu was thin and had a nice even covering. But the pork was soooo dry. I was really disappointed. I had to drink several glasses of water to eat it. My coworkers go the kalbi' which also looked a little tough. The brussel sprouts and karaage that we got for apps were better. Karaage was slightly chewier than I'd like but still edible. I don't think I'd return, especially for the price. I'd rather go to muracci's or katsuya for katsu.

I was beyond excited to finally give this restaurant a try since I've had it bookmarked for the longest time. We walked in at 8:30pm on a Saturday without a reservation and didn't have to wait! Loved the minimalist look and how spacious the place was. I noticed that it wasn't packed given that it was the weekend. We were seated in a booth and it was very comfortable. We ordered Karaage, Tokyo fried rice, rainbow roll and a Torokatu hand roll. The handroll was delicious and I definitely could have eaten at least 4 more. Karaage was nice and crispy. My favorite was the rainbow roll since it had all the fishes that I liked (tuna, yellowtail, and salmon) and the serrano chili tied it together perfectly. The fried rice was on the smaller side and was very average given how much it costs. Overall, a great restaurant to stop by for dinner. We really enjoyed the dishes that we ordered. It is also conveniently close to the Embarcadero Bart station.

Located on the 1st floor of the 101 California building, this izakaya exuded clubby vibes with its dim lighting, neon decorations, and sleek bar. It's a part of the MINA Group by Chef Michael Mina. We were seated at a booth, which was a bit tight for our party of 5.Our order:Pabu Okonomiyaki: $29.00+Full of pieces of cabbage, pork belly, scallop, and shrimp+Topped w/plenty of bonito flakes+Pickled red ginger added tartness to cut through the salt and fat.-It was described as a "savory pancake", but some spots were too savory.-Could be crispierSaikyo-Miso Black Cod: $40.00+Black cod was flaky and not overcooked.+Good number of mushrooms (seasonal)+Cucumber & seaweed salad was a refreshing palate cleanser.-Tasted strongly of alcohol and not of miso: Least fave dish of the group.Prime Short Rib 'Kalbi': $34.00+Umami-soy marinated kalbi was tender and flavorful.+Sesame seeds added a fragrant toasty flavor.-Pieces with bone were tougher. Genesis Roll (8 pcs): $28.00+Sushi was well-constructed: Didn't fall apart when picked up. +Shrimp tempura and cucumber were crunchy, while avocado was ripe.+Wasabi tobiko added pops of color and spice.+Side of pickled ginger wasn't dyed pink.-Rolls were covered in spicy mayo and unagi sauce.Super Spider (5 pcs): $23.00+Sushi was well-constructed: Didn't fall apart when picked up. +Soft shell crab and cucumber were crunchy, while avocado was ripe.-Soft shell crab was salty.-Gobo (burdock root) appeared to be dyed pink.Rainbow (8 pcs): $29.00+Sushi was well-constructed: Didn't fall apart when picked up.+Tuna, yellowtail, and salmon tasted fresh.+Serrano chili slices on top weren't spicy and added pops of flavor.+Side of pickled ginger wasn't dyed pink.-Crispy onions on top weren't crispy.Side notes:1.) Limited street parking. We got lucky and were able to find a spot across the street.*Verdict: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 d/t the service.Service was very attentive. Staff cleared plates frequently and checked in on how we were doing.In addition, we were celebrating a birthday and our server brought out a bowl of mango sorbet with a candle. She also presented a cute handwritten card signed by the restaurant staff, which is something you don't see often.I saw that they had an omakase menu, and I'd love to come back to try that sometime.

The food was amazing, specially the pork rice.Our server Gabriel was very attentive provide great service.The restaurant itself is very nice. I can't wait to go back.

Gienette made our experience absolutely unforgettable! Great service, amazing food, and overall a wonderful time.