2025 Oct 18 Opening! 'Established in 1924', A Taste of Tokyo's Legendary Grilled Chicken Comes to San Francisco, JapantownNEW

A famous Tokyo yakitori shop, known for its century-long legacy of drawing long queues of eager patrons, is set to make its mark in San Francisco. Edomasa, originally a modest wooden yakitori cart established in 1924, eventually grew to become one of Tokyo's most coveted culinary destinations, where people would wait for hours to savor chef Masaji Watanabe's delectable charcoal-grilled chicken skewers. However, after its closure last year, EK Food Services, the Japanese restaurant group renowned for its popular local ramen chain Marufuku, decided to breathe new life into this iconic establishment.

On October 18, a much larger incarnation of Edomasa will open its doors at San Francisco's Japantown mall. This restaurant will carry on the tradition of serving chicken yakitori using the original owner's prized tare recipe, a special seasoning and dipping sauce. Watanabe had passed down his tare recipe to his son-in-law, who took over the Tokyo business and is now at the helm in San Francisco.

At Edomasa, diners will have the opportunity to order individual skewers of succulent chicken pieces, such as thighs, hearts, tail, or cartilage, as well as tataki (chicken meatball) and negima (chicken breast with scallion), all priced between $4 to $5 each. Alternatively, a $30 set menu will offer an assortment of skewers, chicken soup, and a seasoned rice dish, accompanied by a selection of drinks, including sake, beer, and tea.

The San Francisco branch of Edomasa boasts a cozy, dimly lit dining atmosphere with seating in front of the yakitori grill, creating a warm and inviting space. Notably, the dining room features a nod to the past, with its bar top constructed from wood sourced from the original 100-year-old stall.

Edomasa is scheduled to open its doors on October 18, welcoming guests from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays. It can be found at 1581 Webster St., Suite 270, San Francisco.

Date
October 18, 2023 Opens

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Location
1581 Webster St., Suite 270, Japantown