HanaZen Restaurant: A One of a Kind Place

Japanese cuisine is not just about food; it’s an entire experience.   From preparation and presentation to unique aromas and tastes, there are a lot of factors to be considered when considering what is a great Japanese cuisine experience and what is not.  This is why there are only a few restaurants people consider authentically Japanese; the rest are as just so-so.

Of course, the freshness of the ingredients is also a formidable element, which is why a great Japanese restaurant goes to great lengths in making sure that it only serves the best seafood for their sushi dishes, and have high quality meats like chicken, lamb, and beef for their other cooked fare.

For these reasons, I consider Hana Zen Restaurant one of the most sought after dinner places by the bay. When it comes to standards, HanaZen doesn’t only bring it, it comes out on top, and we customers could only be happy for that.

There is no need for a special occasion for you to enjoy a romantic dinner with your special someone that has a really great view of the San Francisco bay.  A simple dinner made special because of the restaurant’s ambiance and food quality will give any ordinary night that special oomph.  If you are in the Pier 39 area, you should consider their branch at Pier 39, M209, by Beach and Embardadero.   This is one restaurant where you can enjoy high quality Japanese cuisine without spending too much, with a breathtaking view to boot.

Being a yakitori restaurant, HanaZen is also a perfect place for those looking for a more casual dining place to unwind after a stressful day at the office.  To those who are not so familiar, yakitori is skewered little pieces of meat and vegetables, which are then grilled and basted with a special sauce. The chefs at HanaZen have perfected the art of grilling these special treats to a tee. This is one reason this restaurant is versatile, because you can feast on other Japanese dishes, not just the usual tempura and teriyaki dishes most people end up ordering in Japanese places.

If a dinner at the water front is not your thing and would like a place closer to the city center, you need not fret because you can visit their branch at Union Square along Cyril Magnin Street.  You can expect the same high quality of the food to be served to you, be it during lunch or dinner.  HanaZen’s Union Square restaurant is also a perfect place to meet up with friends over lunch in between running errands in the city or have dinner with colleagues after a long day at work.

HanaZen is always packed with customers, so calling in advance to reserve a table is recommended.  It is best to call early so that you will get the good spot right by the window that looks out into the sea.  Their location is perfect and romantic because you have an uninterrupted view of San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.  You will surely have a great time having dinner by the bay while enjoying the sublime, calming.  For sure, you and you companion(s) will appreciate the food, the place, and the company.

http://www.hanazenrestaurant.net/ourmenu.html

HanaZEN Restaurant: Where Special is an Everday Event

There are times when you just want to make the day really special for your significant other. What better way to turn this into reality than by taking the love of your life to a place so special, where you can both enjoy the ambiance and partake in the sumptuous cuisine prepared by great chefs. After all, there is really no need for a special occasion for two people to enjoy a romantic dinner with a really great view of the bay. A simple dinner can be made special because of the place and the food, and doing this for your loved one would be definitely rewarding.

If you are in the scenic Pier 39 in San Francisco, you might want to consider Hana Zen Restaurant. This is one restaurant where you can enjoy high quality Japanese cuisine without cleaning out your bank account. HanaZEN is also a yakitori restaurant, which is perfect for those looking for a casual dining place to unwind after a stressful day at work. If you are not familiar with Japanese cuisine, yakitori are little pieces of meat and vegetables skewered on barbeque sticks and then grilled and basted with a special sauce. The chefs in Hana Zen have perfected the art of grilling these little treats, making you want to finish one plate after another in one sitting. This is what makes this restaurant versatile - it does not only serve the usual tempura and teriyaki dishes that most people order in Japanese restaurants.

Hana Zen Restaurant is one of the most sought after places dinner at the water front because the restaurant owners believe in the importance of freshness and quality of the food they serve. We all know that Japanese cuisine has very high standards when it comes to food preparation and presentation. The restaurant surely does maintain that. They make sure that they only serve the freshest seafood for their sushi dishes, and have high quality meats like chicken, lamb and Kobe beef for their other cooked dishes.

For those who want somewhere closer to the city center, the restaurant has a branch at Union Square along 115 Cyril Magnin Street. You can expect the same quality of the food served during lunch and dinner at this branch. This is a nice place to meet up with friends over lunch or have dinner with colleagues after work.

When you want to surprise your special someone with dinner by the bay, it is best that you call early so that you will have a chance to reserve any of the tables by the window that look out into the sea. Their location at Pier 39 is just perfect and romantic with unobstructed views of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. For sure, your loved one will appreciate the efforts in making your dinner really special. In Hana Zen, a simple dinner with your loved one becomes an unforgettable event.

A Delicious Education on Japanese Food at Hana Zen

I have to admit: I do not have that much experience when it comes to Japanese restaurants. I have this perception that establishments that serve Japanese cuisine have a distinct aesthetic and a very formal, ceremonial feel with very clean interiors and no chairs, where diners have to sit on the floor and get food from very low tables. As for the food, I know of rolls, sushi, and teriyaki, all of which I would love to eat. But then, I don’t see why people have to go so exotic and foreign, when there’s good ‘ole steak and potatoes. 

That being said, I couldn’t really imagine how people can enjoy casual dining in a Japanese restaurant. With those elaborate tea ceremonies, I don’t find anything casual about Japanese dining. But when a group of my friends decided they want to have dinner by the bay in the Pier 39 branch of Hana Zen restaurant, I wasn’t left with a choice. Since I’m outnumbered, there’s no other option but to join the gang. I mean, what’s the use of insisting Madonna is still the queen when everybody else is going crazy over Lady Gaga, right?

Anyway, with an open mind and lowered expectations, I braced myself for a different dinner at the water front experience one Friday evening after work. Just getting to the restaurant had me excited though. The view of the bay and the evening breeze had me excited. This is definitely not a run-of-the-mill Friday night out.

Entering the restaurant, one would expect waiters in kimonos and socks, bowing to you or shouting some chant, welcoming you in. Alas, I was pleasantly surprised at the quaint but well-appointed dining area. There were chairs! The tables were tall! I guess I wasn’t really ready for a full-blown authentic Japanese dining experience, so I was relieved upon seeing the interiors of Hana Zen. But then, I still got a feeling I was in a Japanese restaurant, but with a Western twist.

Hana Zen’s strength, aside from its spectacular location, is its menu. For anyone who wants to have a fine education of Japanese cuisine in scenic San Francisco, Hana Zen is a recommended starting point. The offerings are very varied, from those famous rolls, tepanyaki, and yakitori, to tempura, sushi, and noodle dishes. And when the food was served, there’s no question why the restaurant has grown to two locations. Obviously, the flavors can be attributed to an impeccable combination of the chef’s skills and authentic, fresh ingredients.

Oh, don’t get me started on the drinks. Since it was a Friday night, I dared and tried the house specialty, the hochu chu-hi, described in the resaurant’s website as “similar to vodka that you can mix with different flavors to choose from.” I tried, I drank, and I ended up finishing three!

Whether you’re having an intimate romantic dinner at Pier 39 or experiencing a sensory fulfillment in Union Square, Hana Zen surely made me appreciate Japanese food. And yes, that Friday night definitely won’t be the last of my Japanese cuisine education at Hana Zen.

A Rudely Pleasant Education on Japanese Food

I have a confession to make: I hate raw food.

I mean, why eat something that hasn’t undergone the process of cooking? Surely, food is cooked for a variety of reasons; primary among them is for them to become edible. My imagination runs wild with things that may happen when I eat raw food. What if that piece of raw meat suddenly comes to life? After all, it hasn’t been cooked! I have the most disgusting images of raw meat. I think it is slimy and will probably give me indigestion, or worse, food poisoning. I could just think of those gooey chunks of whatever sliding down my throat. It just gives me the chills (the bad ones at that) just thinking about it.

This may be the reason why I never venture into eating at Japanese restaurants. It makes me gag just thinking about the possibility of eating raw food. I have seen a lot of Food network programs, and I have to say, those rolls with seaweed wrap and veggies look nice, but that’s all I can say about them. They look nice, but I wouldn’t dare put one in my mouth, unless I want to imagine those tiny orange eggs moving. Call me finicky, but I definitely won’t say yes to eating, much more having a romantic dinner at a Japanese restaurant, unless my date wants me to feel sick the entire time.

But that was before.

One day, my co-worker told me we will have lunch with a business associate at Hana Zen restaurant at Union Square. I only caught the word ‘Zen,’ so I thought it would be like a relaxing place where we would get relaxing massages while eating organic detox stuff. I went along and stopped dead at my tracks when we stepped in the place. It was a Japanese restaurant! Don’t mistake me; I thought the place was swanky and tastefully decorated, so I wasn’t as anxious as I should have been. Besides, we saw our potential clients right away, so I had to keep my composure instead of going green and gagging.

Sensing my slight discomfort, my partner ordered for me. All the time, I didn’t have any choice but to focus on what our guests were saying while observing the people coming in. All sorts of people were there, from groups into casual dining to men and women in suits (like us) for their power lunches. I kept myself occupied and praying blobs of raw seafood won’t be placed in front of me.

Much to my surprise, I was presented with a sake bomb, apparently, an attempt of our potential business partners to ease the mood. I took a sip of it, and boom! I have to say my initial fears have subsided. I am now wishing my partner just didn’t order anything for me because I could just get through the meeting with this delicious drink.

Alas, the waiter came to our table and placed plate upon plate of food. My heart beat faster and faster as finally, a plate was placed in front of me. The waiter said, “Ramu yaki yakitori.” Two skewers of New Zealand lamb chop cooked using Binchotan charcoal. My mouth watered.

Suffice to say the meeting was successful and I got a fine education on Japanese cuisine. They have cooked food, and my, it was delicious! I also found out Hana Zen had a branch at Pier 39, perfect for a romantic dinner at the water front. I am so glad I got over what I realized was an unreasonable phobia to Japanese food.

My birthday’s next week, and my friends and I are having dinner by the bay at where else – Hana Zen, my new-found culinary wonder!

Hana Zen Restaurant: An Exquisite Japanese Dining Experience

One thing I notice about the current generation is that they aren’t afraid of trying out new things; things that may just be outside their comfort zones. No doubt fostered largely by the advent of the Internet, this attitude to learn everything they can about the world and its cultures has led to quite the diversification of sceneries, both figuratively and literally. By that, I mean that not only are more and more people becoming aware of varied cultures, but they are even bringing manifestations of these cultures right into their very own environments.

One of these manifestations is the increased integration of restaurants of international cuisines, an example of which is Hana Zen Restaurant. With two branches located in our fair San Francisco, Hana Zen Restaurant allows residents and out-of-towners to give exquisite Japanese cooking a try. The food is prepared by some of the most excellent chefs a burgeoning franchise can hire, who use nothing but the freshest ingredients. With selections ranging from rainbow rolls to sake cocktails to the hotate bacon maki, and yes, even to the very popular sushi, Hana Zen Restaurant serves Japanese delicacies like no other.

The ambiance is also nothing to scoff at. Whether you prefer a night of casual dining with friends and family at the Union Square branch, or a romantic dinner at the water front for two at the Pier 39 branch, Hana Zen Restaurant has got you covered no matter what the occasion is.

The refined and elegant interiors of their restaurants give off a Zen-like atmosphere with a modern feel. Wooden furnitures and warm colors line their walls, effecting an air of elegance apparent to customers while at the same time making them feel at home. This marriage of Eastern sensibilities with Western design is sure to give diners just the right touch of mystery and comfort.

Hana Zen Restaurant is also known for hosting some of the most fabulous special events. Whether it’s blue and white parties or private celebrations, the strategic locations of Hana Zen restaurants have attracted droves of customers because of the way they hold these events. For instance, at this year’s 4th of July, fireworks were set off at their Pier 39 branch, giving patrons a dinner by the bay experience they are sure to remember for a very long time.

Regular nights aren’t without happenings, either. Every so often, the restaurants showcase a variety of singers and musicians to up the diners’ overall experience.

With great ambiance and delectable dishes, it’s no wonder that Hana Zen Restaurant has made a name for itself; and rather quickly too, considering it has gone through various changes. Go for celebratory affairs with the whole family, go to impress your boss, go to give your date a romantic dinner, or simply go to get a taste of the finest Japanese food around. Whatever the memory you wish to encapsulate, Hana Zen Restaurant makes sure that it will be well worth remembering. You won’t regret treating yourself to a fresh experience that deserves many returns.

Why Hana Zen is San Francisco’s Premiere Japanese Restaurant

San Franciscans have impeccable taste when it comes to Japanese restaurants. After all, San Francisco is the world renowned and one of the world's most beautiful city by the bay. We know our seafood and thus, we know what good Japanese cuisine is. Bad Japanese restaurants do not last long in San Francisco, as sooner or later, their faults get exposed, whether they serve poor quality food or the atmosphere just doesn't feel right. So many joints that claim to be Japanese eventually fail. Then, there are those that have continuously thrived to the point of expanding, like Hana Zen, which now has two branches.

There are a lot of restaurants across the country that claim to serve authentic Japanese fare alongside Korean, Chinese, and even Southeast Asian cuisine. While this is supposed to make good business sense as it is supposed to maximize profit, the authenticity of the dishes and the overall experience in these restaurants end up getting muddled and fake. Of course, the case is different with places that claim to serve 'Asian fusion' cuisine, but when a restaurant has those distinctly different food clumped together and claim to be experts in Japanese-Chinese-Korean-Vietnamese-Thai fare, chances are, they aren’t that good in any of them at all.

It is way better to trust restaurants that serve one kind of cuisine only, which I think is a reason why Hana Zen has kept its reputation as one of the best Japanese restaurants in San Francisco. After all, how can you decorate a restaurant that claims to specialize in all Asian cuisines? Japanese, Chinese, and Korean design aesthetics and cuisine may have common ingredients, but when clumped together, ultimately clash. I certainly wouldn't to have a romantic dinner in a place with tacky and clashing interiors. Hana Zen has mastered giving diners the authentic Japanese dining experience, from the fresh seafood to the tasteful Japanese interiors on both the Pier 39 and Union Square branches.

Speaking of experiencing an authentic feel in a Japanese restaurant, I find it shabby when everything about the restaurant, from its signage to its menus, uses that stereotype font called Wonton. Think of those Chinese kung fu movie posters in the 1970s and 80s with letters usually in red, with fat brushstrokes that end up tapered in the bottom. Observe the letters of those Chinese takeout boxes. That's the Wonton typeface, and it just screams fake Asian food. When I want dinner at the water front, I want to feel elegance and sophistication, not some stereotype of Asian restaurant with menus and signs with that tacky font. Japanese (and even Korean and Chinese) calligraphy look nothing like this typeface. Go to Japan, China, and Korea, and you won't see this font on any shop sign. It just doesn't look authentic. How can you enjoy a total dinner by the bay experience when you are circumscribed by discordant graphic symbols and characters? A Hana Zen dining experience is a statement of sophistication, from its well-appointed bar serving sake-infused cocktails to its elegant menus and décor.

Speaking of an authentic Japanese dining experience, I do find it bothersome when I see neon signs in restaurants that claim to be authentic Japanese. Neon signs in Japan can only be seen in Tokyo's thoroughfares for advertising purposes. You won't see a Japanese restaurant, even casual dining places, with a neon sign. Neon signs just destroy the simple elegance authentic Japanese restaurants and cuisine have.

All of these red flags are noticeably absent in Hana Zen Restaurant. I, for one, am not surprised why Hana Zen has stood the test of time and has become one of San Francisco’s enduring culinary landmarks.

Getting the Real Deal from Hana Zen

As a discerning lover of Japanese food, I have to make sure that when I visit a restaurant that advertises itself as ‘Japanese,’ I won’t feel cheated or short-changed. Call me a snob or hoity-toity, but I just believe in getting my money’s worth. Besides, Japanese food can only be truly enjoyed in the right atmosphere, and of course, when it is prepared by the right people. 

My expectations of a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco are doubly heightened compared to anywhere else in the US. After all, San Francisco boasts of a sizable Asian population. Of course, the most obvious reason is the city's wealth of aquatic resources, assuring customers of Japanese restaurants that all the ingredients not sourced from Japan itself must be fresh. So, I am very particular about what to look for in a Japanese restaurant located in San Francisco.

One thing I am weary of when I am in a place that brands itself 'Japanese' is if it is really concentrated on Japanese cuisine. A lot of restaurants nowadays, to cater to a wider audience, make themselves a sort of pan-East Asia place, so they brand themselves as not only Japanese restaurants, but also Chinese and Korean. I have nothing against Chinese or Korean cuisine; in fact, I am also a fan of them. But as an old adage goes, if something is trying to be a Jack of all trades, the chances of it being a master of one particular trade is close to none. This is what exactly happens to those pan-East Asian restaurants. Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cuisines each have their own eccentricities, even if they share common threads.

For example, mian in Chinese cuisine, ramen in Japanese cuisine, and jajangmyeon in Korean cuisine may all be noodles, but the methods of preparation and accompanying ingredients are different from each other. I do feel that restaurants that clamp the three cuisines together disrespect all three cultures, which is why I go by restaurants that only concentrate on one cuisine. Japanese food is already intricate enough, and difficult to master itself. Thus, when I want authenticity in my food, then I know I could only find this in restaurants that serve Japanese food, nothing more, nothing less. Fusion cuisine is a while other story, but authentic Japanese food must be served only in restaurants that serve only Japanese food.

This is what impressed me with Hana Zen Restaurant and its two locations in San Francisco. Whether its casual dining I want a rustic dinner at the water front, I could count on them to serve authentic Japanese fare, not some copy cat food made to look Japanese, without the real Japanese preparation and flavor. Both the taste of the food and the ambiance of the place is very simple, yet sophisticated, not fake or put on. A late romantic dinner in the middle of the city can be arranged at Hana Zen Union Square, while dinner at the bay is perfect at the restaurant's Pier 39 location. Alas, I wouldn't have to think about eating What's supposed to be Japanese food prepared Korean style or my sushi with a Chinese feel to it. Japanese food in Hana Zen stays authentically Japanese, just the way I like it.