In the charming Nob Hill of San Francisco, there’s this place called Mensho that serves the most delicious ramen across the USA. Originally a famous Japanese ramen joint, Mensho opened its first American location in SF in 2016 and immediately caught the spotlight in the Michelin Guide. I lived nearby when it opened, and I vividly remember waiting in line for a whopping hour and a half with a friend. The couple in front of us had traveled all the way from Canada just for this ramen, and they kept trying to swap foodie tips, which was a bit awkward since I had none to share. They ended up sharing all their secrets with me instead! 😅
And hey, did you know? There’s also a bakery around here that sells the best croissants in the States…
Those croissants from ‘Arsicault Bakery’ that I jotted down back then ended up being the tastiest I’ve ever had. Getting such amazing tips from strangers is definitely a perk of being in the US. Of course, waiting an hour and a half for Mensho’s ramen was totally worth it too. 🍜
Personally, I usually find Japanese ramen too heavy with thick noodles and greasy broth, but Mensho offers something different. Their unique broth, a mix of chicken bone stock and ground nuts, had me sipping till the last drop, even though I’m not a ramen expert. They’ve even got a vegan menu, so you can bring your veggie-loving pals along with no worries. Though I can’t vouch for how the vegan broth tastes, it’s a thoughtful touch.
Speaking of Michelin, did you know this guide is published by the tire company Michelin and has been around for over a century since 1900? It initially focused on travel essentials like tire and gas station info, with restaurant tips as a side note. But as those food sections gained popularity, they took center stage.
I recently stumbled upon a New Yorker article detailing Michelin’s secretive operations. Turns out, to ensure unbiased reviews, even the owners can’t meet the inspectors. Inspectors can’t do interviews with the press or disclose their identity to family, making it a pretty strict gig. The star ratings are given so rigorously that there are fewer than 30 Michelin 3-star restaurants in France. The pressure is so intense that some chefs have taken their lives over losing stars—quite heartbreaking. By the way, while Michelin is pronounced the French way, many folks don’t realize the guide is from the tire company.
You’ll find Mensho on the edge of ‘Tenderloin’ in ‘Nob Hill’, a part of San Francisco known to be as risky as Oakland. (There was even a story about someone shooting at people on an escalator in the subway there.) According to Trulia, there were 1,700 arrests in the Tenderloin area last year alone. I unknowingly hung out at a café there for hours once, and thinking back, it gives me chills. 😨
After sharing such a scary tale, you might be hesitant to visit Mensho, but since it’s on the edge of Tenderloin and always has a line stretching over 20 meters, you’re unlikely to be alone. If you ever find yourself in San Francisco, I highly recommend checking it out.
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