My fav by far = Tracy des Jardins' MIJITA at SF Ferry Bldg; get w extra tortillas. Also recommend the jicama/grapefruit salad as a side > http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.c...

Try Eiji at 16th & Sanchez for Japanese. The house made tofu (ankake for warm savory; or oboro for more traditional) is fabulous. Don't miss the specials on the Board, especially the Black Cod in Miso Sauce. No reservations needed for lunch. DInner gets much more crowded.

For those of you looking for steak on a grill, juggling knives and ginger dipping sauce - don't go to Izakaya Bincho. This restaurant is the real deal, not psuedo-Japanese. It is like stepping into a back alley in Tokyo and finding a gem of a Mom & Pop restaurant. It is run by a young couple with a yakitori dream (thwarted by dingbat neighbors) that has been diverted to small plate bar food (izakaya). Read Exile Kiss's review on his blog site for an additional great review (google Exile Kiss). Then, make haste to the south end of the Redondo Beach boardwalk and look for the plastic curtains - culinary adventures await within.

Personally, I prefer the Ankake Tofu - but both are great. I also recommend the Gindara Misotsuke (Grilled Black Cod in miso-sauce); the white fish carpaccio; all sushi (extremely fresh); either of the seafood sunomono - both excellent.

It gets very crowded in the evening. I highly recommend going for lunch. It is generally not too crowded. I actually use for quiet business meetings and show up just after 1pm. If you are very familiar with Japanese food and know what to order, this is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city. If your idea of Japanese food is Tempura and Teppan-yaki, there are better choices.