Skip to main contentIn Japanese lore, Tanuki is the trickster raccoon-dog known to appear in shifting forms, though usually with sake in one hand and a promissory note for more sake in the other. Channel devious Tanuki at this Nob Hill izakaya (Japanese gastro-bar) and order a brimming beaker of sake from the substantial list. Pair it with a Hite or a crisp Sapporo. Proceed to wolf down with Tanuki-esque inhibition the "perfect snacks for a long, hard night of drinking"—ojingohchae bokke ($3), wokked, seasoned, spicy dried squid, which has a sweet heat; addicting edamame ($3), soybeans with lemon, sesame and togarashi sea salt; or the jerkylike jwipo ($3), charred and pressed filefish, which the menu describes as "the popcorn of Korea."
What to drink: Shot and a beer—Hite Korean lager and a shot of sake. Make it warm.
Happy hour: $2 Sapporo tallboy, $3 salt plum hot sake, $4 shot and beer; 4-6 pm daily.
Entertainment: Wu-Tang cuts, passersby at the sidewalk window.
WWeek 2015