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Benu San Francisco Reviews
Benu was superb.
I really loved the exterior zen garden vibes matched with the contemporary tatami indoors. Service was also noteworthy and outstanding. To start, the bread and honeycomb butter were scrumptious. The bread had the texture of sourdough, but extremely light. Next, they introduced their small delicacies coursing which I very much enjoyed. I like how they didn't detail each one on their menu so there was an element of surprise in both what you get + when it ends. I especially liked the thousand year old quail egg, anchovy bite, and the mussel with glass noodles. The only one I wasn't too fond of was their goose knuckle.. it's exactly what it sounds like lol. For the main courses, I actually thought I was going to favor the steamed lobster and bone marrow dish but the highlight ended up being the final one: abalone sautéed in butter with toasted ttukbaegi rice, marinated beef rib with egg yolk, rock seaweed, cucumber sobagi, and kohlrabi kkakdugi. Think lux seaweed wrap galore! I've only ever had abalone at Chinese restaurants but have never had it taste like the one here; the butter sauce completely transformed it. We also celebrated my husband's birthday, so they brought out a little music box that opened up to a slice of hazelnut cake! Now the only nit-picks that I have were that we didn't leave as full as we usually would be with others. Additionally, it seems they don't provide any take-home treats as others (even 1 Michelin star restaurants) do. We still thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would certainly return, but given that this is a 3 Michelin star establishment, I feel it's only fair to be a bit more critical when rating and comparing the overall experience.
This place was absolutely perfect.
I celebrated my bday here and they brought out a music box with a cake underneath which was so cute. The winter melon cold infusion was to die for. I think about it at least twice a week. Some of the menu items were out of my pallet range but I love trying them! Very seafood heavy which I expected. We would love to go back at some point. Would recommend going here!! The staff was also great to us and shared where I can get some melon cold infusion myself (I've yet to do so but I really should)
This was an extremely pleasant experience.
The staff is super friendly and professional, which should be expected. Overall, I liked the experience and food, but for a THREE Michelin Star restaurant I did expect a bit more. The presentations were a million out of ten but the taste of the majority of the food kept missing the mark. Standout misses: - The lobster. The flavor was nothing special and the gel that it was wrapped in was way too thick and chewy, ruining the dish completely. - Soup dumplings. They say a bunch of things about the soup inside buy honestly they taste like average soup dumplings but just cost a lot more. - Tomato small bite with tofu. It was beautifully presented and innovative but I just drank a high end tomato soup with a singular cold tomato and tofu. I like tomatoes but the flavor was just overpowering and for what... - the desserts. I think they can do more here. Or send you off with a stronger goodbye. - The abalone. Way too chewy and all I tasted was butter. It did not fit properly with the cucumber and short rib. I also heard other people not enjoying similar dishes. My favorite dishes were the short rib, which was small because it came with other dishes, and the century egg, and the shrimp squash blossom. The latter two were just one bite. The bread was delicious too. I liked it, but again, I expected more with the flavors and mouthfeel coming from a restaurant that has had three Michelin stars for awhile.
Wow. Benu takes Asian cuisine to a whole new level. There
Wow. Benu takes Asian cuisine to a whole new level. There are flavors from Chinese, Japanese and Korean food that is amazing. I am not a huge fan of quail, but wow. The quail presented was so delicious. The small bites were perfect to get you in mood the for wonderful bigger plates. The vegetarian substitutions could have been a little more inspired, but still tasty. I agree with decor. It is very minimalist, which is unexpected for find dining. The staff were very very attentive. It was great. For the wine pairing though, they would be a little more generous so that the bites fit the drinks.
My partner and I came for our anniversary dinner and
My partner and I came for our anniversary dinner and although we've had fine dining around SF, I'm surprised that I've never heard of Benu before. The staff was amazing, our main server Alfred/Alfredo (sorry if I am misremembering) was super personable. He greeted us by name, asked us about our reason for coming in, asked us after each section what we liked. I would have liked if they had a cocktail menu, but I think they had a recommended specific wine pairing with the menu for that night. This is a set menu, with around 8 small bites, then 4 larger bites, and then 4 sweeter bites. My personal favorites were the thousand year old quail egg, the salted mackerel (local!), the quail and specifically the white corn gravy (chef has been partnering with a special farmer for over 12 years and he gets hand selected the best 100 birds), the abalone (the sauce here was so amazing), the sorbet, and the almond cream (not too sweet but pairs well with the poached peach) The inside was very spacious, lots of table space and very modern looking. We would have rotating servers but each were very knowledgeable about the dish they served us. I would highly recommend trying out, as I don't really want to give away everything and I'm sure the menu does rotate, but each dish was very carefully thought out and presented well and tasted just as great.
Wanted to treat my parents here to celebrate my dad's
Wanted to treat my parents here to celebrate my dad's birthday. Benu is a 3 Michelin star restaurant so I was prepared to drop a pretty penny here, roughly $550 per person. That said, I do believe that the meal mostly warranted the high price. It was really a fantastic meal from start to finish, we all really enjoyed ourselves here! Of the Michelin starred restaurants that my family has dined at, they've mostly been for Western cuisine. In fact, Benu was our first 3-star restaurant that served Asian food. On the food alone, everything was spectacular and blew my mind. It is nice that they serve tea with dinner, but we had to stop ourselves from drinking so much caffeine close to bed time haha. Service was also great! However, there were little things that made the experience not so perfect. Traffic in the area of the restaurant is bad during rush hour (not their fault but wanted to say it); we had initially planned to try to find street parking, but getting to the restaurant was so annoying that day that we gave up and just did valet lol. Thankful that they had the valet option! Secondly, this might be me being greedy, but other 3 Michelin starred restaurants that I've been to usually send you home with some sort of gift (chocolates, granola). Benu does not partake in this sort of thing lol, which is fine but would have definitely been nice! Lastly, I didn't like how my family wasn't offered to look in the kitchen. I didn't know that they allowed that, I only thought to ask because I saw some other staff take other diners into the kitchen. I just think about what if I was too shy to ask about it, would they have let us leave without presenting us with the opportunity to peek inside the kitchen? So all in all, they definitely deliver in serving some beautiful, excellent food and my family had so much fun celebrating my dad's birthday here. I don't think I would be itching to come back, but I would definitely recommend people to come here at least once!
It was time to celebrate my mother's birthday and what
It was time to celebrate my mother's birthday and what better way than to take her to the Micheline star Benu. The restaurant is a bit too stark for my taste, it's very minimal was lack of art or plants or color to have a welcoming atmosphere. But regardless of the space, the customer care brought warmth to the experience. The dishes were plated with an exquisite attention to detail. The play on textures and bold flavors were superb. The second bite we had, was one of the best things my mouth has ever tasted. Now that's truly saying something. The fresh herb wrap with cheese was also another wow dish. This place understands flavor, plating and excellent customer care.
Benu was very good.
But truthfully for the price, it's four stars at best. I wonder if the appeal is that many dinners have not tasted Asian cuisine. Majority of the dishes were slightly elevated versions of traditional Chinese or Korean offerings. This maybe means better ingredients, but it doesn't necessarily come through in taste. For example, the frog leg lacked spice and flavor. The thousand year egg was good but no better than what I get from the Asian grocery store. That being said, it's a lovely restaurant and a great experience. The service was impeccable as you would expect from a three star. So if price is no concern, go for it. If you are looking for a cheaper option, the vibes and flavors were very similar to SSAL.
Is it good? Yes Is it $520/person after tax tip good?
Is it good? Yes Is it $520/person after tax tip good? Debatable but I'd lean no. To be fair I also didn't think French laundry and atelier crenn nor addison was worth the price. I think it's so hard these days to really justify a $500 out the door meal unless it was truly exceptional and for it to be truly exceptional sometimes you might need the gimmicks or the extra wow factor presentation to push it over the edge... Or maybe I'm just jaded/numb from all the fine dining tasting menus I've had and it takes more to wow me now. That being said, it was still worthwhile to me to try the experience at least once. Loved all the teas as well. Service was top notch. You def don't leave hungry which is also a plus
When I way it all out and consider the cost, this might be
When I way it all out and consider the cost, this might be one of the least impressive 3 Michelin star meals I've had. I would say the short rib, bread, and milk pudding did wow me, but most of the other stuff was good, but not exceptional. The cost of Michelin meals just gets higher and higher, and for me I just can't justify the cost anymore.
Fantastic Asian cuisine
Benu was fabulous. I had rarely visited a fine dining Asian restaurant but all the food here was genuinely faultless. From a plump sea urchin starter to a delicious fish dish to delicate desserts, the kitchen clearly knows how to create elegant and flavourful dishes. This was one of the best Michelin starred restaurants I've been to. The restaurant is led by Corey Lee, who for a long time was the head chef at Thomas Keller's 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, 'The French Laundry' in Yountville.
An absolute experience, a must try.
Perfection on all points. Variety of different dishes where amazing and fun to see how creative, detailed and colorful the chef put into each dish that made our experience fun and tasteful.
This was a long overdue review, my boyfriend took me to
This was a long overdue review, my boyfriend took me to Benu for my birthday a few years ago, and it was one of the most amazing meals I have ever had. From the service to the food, everything was top notch. Walking in, the ambiance was a little simple but modern. Almost every dish I had was spectacular and I could not be disappointed. The XLB was probably the best XLB I have ever had. It would definitely be hard to top this experience.
TLDR: One of the most enjoyable eating experiences we've
TLDR: One of the most enjoyable eating experiences we've ever had! With these fine dining, 3 Michelin star places, there's a diminishing returns when it comes to food quality. I have come up with a theory, that a restaurant must do something else to justify the luxury prices they command. What they do is a little bit counter-intuitive, they invite a complete stranger to your (most likely) romantic dinner... your waiter. The quality of the wait staff, the friendliness, the knowledge, their charisma, is as important to the meal as the food itself. Benu has this in SPADES, from the friendly grizzled valet, to the friendly cool host, to the friendly professional wait staff. Everyone made us feel like a star... granted a star in our own small life... but for a brief 2 hour window, a star in their lives as well! We had the early dinner, starting at 5pm. We got there a bit early, as we were warned by text and email, that we should endeavor to be on time, as the dinner will be a languorous culinary journey, and it may impact the later diners. I love their attention to detail, even when making the reservation. Asking us about food allergies, special occasions, names of diners. It's obvious, but shows a lot of forethought. I thought I would just spend the $30 for valet, because we're already spending 10x as much on dinner. But to my surprise, there was PLENTY of street parking right outside Benu at that Saturday hour. We walked up, and before even going in, the valet greeted us with a smile, and instructed us on how to find the entrance. I was a bit surprised that he knew we were going to Benu, and I asked him about it, and with a twinkle in his eye, he just said he could tell ;-) The decor is very minimal, with a color scheme reminiscent of a Muji store. The restaurant is small, yet spacious, with only 10 tables. Each table sitting mostly 2 people, although there were a couple parties that had 2 tables squished together to make a party of 6-8. For just 10 tables, there seemed to be at least 2 wait staff per table, which may seem a bit overkill, but again... service is what sets apart one luxury restaurant from another. And it doesn't seem that each waiter is assigned 1 table. We met and encountered, I think, the entire wait staff during our time there. Every different course served by a different server. And there didn't seem to be any dedicated bus-boys. EVERYONE filled water, cleaned tables and swept away dishes... EVERYONE, including what I presume was the manager (only one dressed in a sharp blue suit) and the hostess. I also really enjoyed the simple gesture of addressing us by our names. It is a lovely touch, that made it personal. What can be said about the food? Excellent! As much as I want to, I am not going to dwell on all the dishes they presented. Unfortunately, Yelp has a word limit on reviews! But there were a LOT and nearly everything was delicious. We had seafood allergies, so they didn't include any. However, I kinda wished they used some kind of substitute instead of just removing the ingredient. One of the waiters (inadvertently?) let slip that there was supposed to be shrimp on one of our dishes. However, the chefs didn't replace the protein, choosing instead to just remove the shellfish and still serve the rest. Don't get me wrong, the salsa thing was still delicious, but... I felt like we weren't getting the bang for our buck. I think the highest compliment I can give is that despite my universal hate for mushrooms and eggplant, I still ate them and LOVED them. Granted, there was some kind of mushroom in 75% of the plates, so I felt like I HAD to eat them. But anyway, I'm still glad I did. They were delicious. I'm sure this is just a one-time thing, and I will now go back to avoiding mushrooms again. For the best wife ever's birthday, they gave her this delicate filigree box. It generally seems a bit scary... but they assured us nothing will pop out. She wound the box, which played a small delicate music-boxish birthday song. The bit-disappointing part was after the song played, the server came over to raise the box, revealing the beautifully crafted birthday cake. I think they could find SOME way for the box to automatically unfold, after the song is finished, to reveal the cake. I think THAT would be SUPER impressive! We laughed a bit at the absurdity of the whole thing. We really got to know some of our servers. It made the meal WAYY more enjoyable and memorable. I wish I had the foresight to ask for their names, but I won't forget the 2 Singaporean wait staff, and the Black waiter with the wry grin on his face every time I tried to guess what it is. Even saying goodbye was super special. The waiter who first greeted us, led us ALL the way to the front door, opened it and walked out with us to the small courtyard, all while expressing his effusive thanks and goodbyes. And the same valet came up, with that same twinkle, and wished us a safe journey home.
Had an amazing night at Benu.
Impeccable service and unforgettable dishes. And this is after an immediate visit to Single Thread Farm - yes, I love Benu more! There were many standouts for me and also really appreciate the simplicity in approach to food - they tasted amazing and no need for special added presentation and stories. As an Asian food lover, I also really appreciated the representation of many different Asian flavors. All well prepared.
Benu is a three Michelin star restaurant with a minimalist
Benu is a three Michelin star restaurant with a minimalist interior which felt spacious. I really enjoyed how much distance there were between tables for many Michelin restaurants have felt not as intimate. It's very unfortunate but the flavors of some dishes were a bit underwhelming for my palate. In contrast, the service was impeccable as expected and we were consistently checked up on. Mussel- this dish had beautiful layers and I adored the abstract design. Flavor-wise, I enjoyed the briny flavor of the mussel but did not care much for the flavors within the mussel. Century egg- highlight of the night for me. The egg was delectable and was encased in a delicate sauce that highlighted the egg. Beef rib braised with pear over charcoal eggplant- the beef was cooked to perfection and was succulent. I enjoyed how the truffles were earthy but did not take away from the flavors of the sweet pear sauce. Sardines- I personally do not enjoy sardines and couldn't get past the intense oceanic taste. Rice, seaweed, geoduck - the rice was delicious but felt that the presentation and the flavors were a bit basic. Nothing really peaked my interest during this portion of the meal. Acorn pancake with iberico ham and truffles - the acorn pancake was too soft and the iberico ham and truffle flavor was overtaken by the pancake. Maybe I went on an off season or I had too high of an expectation for this establishment, but it was not worth it for the price point.
Really, truly exceptional.
Everything is so dialed in here - the food is executed so perfectly, the service is very attentive and perceptive while not overbearing in the least. The beginning courses are highlight after highlight, and it continues throughout. Insane, technically flawless meal, great flavors, interesting dishes, beautiful plating. Definite 3 star, easily one of if not the best I've had in the US and competitive with the big ones overseas.
We went earlier this month.
Food: It's world-class and absolutely lives up to the 3 stars. Everything from start to finish was superbly creative and delicious. That consistency is what sets Benu apart. Other restaurants can be hit or miss depending on the dish. I've personally noticed a trend of appetizers and dessert being great while the main courses can be lacking. Not the case at Benu. I really enjoyed everything. The kitchen showed off a mastery of flavors. Some were so subtle and delicate, while others packed the right punch at the right time. Service: Throughout the meal, Cindy (I hope I spelled that right) took such great care of us. She was so wonderful, friendly, and down to earth. She made us feel right at home. The food was already phenomenal, and she went above and beyond to make our experience at Benu even better. Cindy is a treasure. Ambiance: Cozy little location. You can see the kitchen walking in off the street. The courtyard in the front is picturesque. The dining room itself is a little simple, in my opinion, but the real show is on the plate, so it's no big deal. One small gripe is that I thought the pacing of the meal was...not perfect. I tend to eat slower than my wife, but at a few points, I felt like I needed to hurry up a bit to not keep the next course waiting. Overall, an easy recommendation here. As soon we left, I knew I wanted to come back soon. Benu is 100% worth the price of admission.
We went here for our 31st anniversary dinner.
We took the 530 seating. It was a crisp San Francisco May evening and the inside of the restaurant was inviting. The staff welcomed us right away and had a very friendly, yet professional vibe. The service here is impeccable. We had pre-submitted our allergy needs and also that it was our anniversary. They got everything perfectly right and did it with subtlety and grace. There was no feeling that any of the food was anything less than outstanding even given some allergy limitations. We did the wine pairing for two. Unwisely we had a glass of wine or two before we even started dinner from a local hotel. This was too much wine. Each pour of the tasting is fairly small, but there's at least eight or nine pours so it adds up quick I do recommend the wine pairing as there were some really interesting things they came up with. If I were to do it again, I would split the wine pairing with my wife, but then also get or bring either a half bottle or full bottle of champagne to share. Of course this place is expensive, but it's really stunning food. I guarantee you will not leave hungry and I am a big eater. The three hour dinner flew by as it was one course after another. Each one had something interesting and delicious about it.
3-star yes - but no glow
Is Benu a 3-star restaurant? For creativity, intelligence, dedication, flavours and sheer brilliance of the individual dishes, the answer is yes. But I walked away feeling somewhat empty. Reflecting on it, I think the dishes were individually brilliant but as a whole, it did not convey a sense of a journey or a story. Modern Cali-Korean food is fine but where is it going? And the service is not consistent and it was akin to a bistro service. For the sort of cash Benu is asking for, the front of house needs to be improved significantly. If this restaurant was in France, it would have lost 2 stars for the patchy service.
If you're planning a special night out in San Francisco,
If you're planning a special night out in San Francisco, you absolutely must visit Benu. It's not just a meal; it's a full-blown culinary adventure. The place has a minimalist vibe that's both elegant and welcoming--perfect for losing yourself in a parade of incredible dishes. The service here is exactly what you'd hope for in a Michelin-starred restaurant--attentive, warm, and genuinely friendly. They made our family dinner feel really special, cracking jokes and keeping everyone smiling throughout the evening. About the food--where do I even start? It's an endless array of beautifully presented courses, each bursting with flavor. The standout for me was surprisingly simple: the bread and honey butter. It's amazing how something so basic can be so memorable. I'm a total sucker for good bread, and Benu's was unforgettable. Plan on spending a good three hours here to really enjoy everything. The cute outdoor area with traditional Korean clay pots adds a lovely touch to the dining experience. Yes, it's a splurge, but trust me, it's worth every penny for such an exquisite experience. I'd recommend Benu in a heartbeat and am already looking forward to my next visit.
Absolutely fabulous meal from start to finish.
I went alone during the week - it was not hard to find a reservation for a 3 Michelin star restaurant. I felt like I was watched carefully and well taken care of by the staff from the moment I walked in to the moment I got into my Uber. The food was never ending and each bite covered a different part of a whole culinary experience with my tastebuds. Not sure if that made sense, but it was one of the most unique meals and experiences I've ever had in my life. Yes - it's expensive - but, if you are able to afford it, it is definitely worth 3 hours of your life. Going alone made me enjoy & savor the food more, but it is a nice experience to share with someone else
Finally made it to Benu for Valentine's Day dinner and it
Finally made it to Benu for Valentine's Day dinner and it leaves up to the price tag, hype and 3 Michelin star rating. The outside is full of traditional Korean onggi jars and is a super beautiful garden area. The entrance is very unassuming - Ive walked by it several times without realizing that it was Benu! A very understated exterior but once you walk in, it's really serene and beautiful. I will say the inside of the actual restaurant itself is okay - I think the decor and tables and seating could use some updating. The carpet on the floor makes it nice for walking in heels haha but does give it a more dated vibe. The food was EXTRAORDINARY - I've been to a few 3 Michelin star restaurants but this was my favorite so far. A close second is Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare but at Benu there were twists and takes on food that I had never seen before and the flavors and seasoning were SPOT ON. Don't let the menu fool you - there were about 8 courses that came out before we started on the first item on the menu. They also have the best non-alcoholic drink I've ever had - it's called winter melon sugar and it's just the most amazing thing ever. Make sure to get this and try it!! My husband had the wine pairing and to be honest, it was pretty disappointing. I would skip that and just order your favorites as they have quite an extensive list. I would definitely recommend this place for a special occasion - you won't be disappointed! There's valet parking but also lots of street parking nearby.
I would call this an amazing experience! The food, the
I would call this an amazing experience! The food, the service and the ambience were all just great. The meal lasted approximately 3 1/2 hours. i've really don't know how to explain it besides that. It was really phenomenal.
Even for SF, this place is expensive.
I came here on a Thursday night with a reservation for 8 people to take my clients out after Dreamforce. Between the dinner and 3 bottles of wine, the bill ended up being ~$5000 dollars (this was with 20% gratuity included). The quality, aesthetics/presentation, and taste were all great as you would expect from a 3-Michelin Star restaurant, but I wasn't crazy about the selection of dishes that were part of the set menu.
Wow! What an amazing experience for a special occasion! We
Wow! What an amazing experience for a special occasion! We came for a belated Valentine's Day dinner on a Thursday night and loved every moment. The minute you walk into the secluded courtyard that leads to the front entrance you see the traditional Korean clay jars out front which they use for pickling and kimchis. The exterior is lovely it feels like you're transported to Korea. Inside, we were greeted warmly and taken to our table which felt like we were in a modern art museums with large portraits on the wall. The tasting menu start with small delicacies then larger plates meant to be eaten with rice and accompaniments ending with 2 dessert courses. The small delicacies ended up being 7 smaller bites and all-in-all we were definitely stuff after the meal despite the menu being a bit shorter than other 3 start experiences we've had. Some highlights were: - Japchae stuffed mussel: the mussel was gorgeous stuffed with slivers of vegetables and glass noodles inside. It was beautifully flavored and the perfect bite. - Uni with beef tartare and crab butter: a staple of omakases, this one reminded me of Singaporean kueh pie tee, delicious with sweet uni and full of umami - Barbecued quail: served with house xo sauce and a black truffle cream with a truffle steamed bun. The quail was very tender with a nice smoky flavor that reminded me of Chinese smoked duck. The steamed bun was absolutely delicious with pork lard inside to give it savoriness. Paired with the xo and black truffle sauce, this may have been my favorite course. We loved the majority of the dishes - there were some where we've eaten the dish many times before (soup dumpling, spicy fried frog legs) and it didn't feel as special at Benu but they were all done very well that we appreciated the preparation. Service was definitely a highlight as well. We had plenty of questions and the service staff did their best to answer and went to confirm with the chefs when they didn't know something. We also asked to see the kitchen and were pleasantly surprised when our server said that Chef Corey Lee happened to be there that night and we were able to meet him at the end of our meal and got a picture together. What a great momento from the dinner!
Service was great, waiters are all friendly and pay
Service was great, waiters are all friendly and pay attention to everyone. BEST BBQ QUAL I ever had in my life. Flavors were all yummy but I put 4stars only because the flavors are very similar and basic, tasted literally like my moms food. Felt like my mom was back there cooking it. Lol. Which I guess is pretty damn good! Haha. I was just used to the flavors so it didn't really excite me as much.
This one is the worst so far.
The food was creative but not to the three star level, the service was awful, you have to wave to get the waiters attention to add water or change plates for you. What's more horrifying is I got possible food poisoning, spent the whole day next day in restrooms'! It was a total nightmare, will file a complain to department of health!
Food service ambiance all of them are perfect Only thing I
Food service ambiance all of them are perfect Only thing I can think of from my personal point is server was keep changing when they deliver food so didn't know who is our server but there was enough people out there to help us
I LOVED the ambience here and would come back here just for
I LOVED the ambience here and would come back here just for their sikhye. the food and service is spectacular as would expect from a 3 michelin star restaurant. but wow that sikhye tho....I want a lifetime supply of that.
A Yelp rating doesn't do Benu any justice.
Dining here was hands down the best dining experience of my life. Went here with five good friends (who are quite the fine dining foodies themselves) and all agreed it was an unparalleled adventure from beginning to end. Easily the most expensive meal I ever had, but worth every cent. We had the most innovative dishes I've seen paired with the best selection of sake and wine available. Because I have family related to Chef "Jo" (who is no longer there), we were able to take a mini tour of the kitchen and take a photo as well. What Corey Lee and company have done to elevate Asian cuisine is nothing short of amazing. Wish Yelp would allow me to upload more than 10 pics tho. But I guess even then, words and images simply cannot capture the memories that were made.
Delicious dinner for a special occasion.
Before entering, the outdoors of the restaurant has fish drying on a rack, soy sauce fermenting, and blocks of soybeans hanging from the roof. Very calming ambiance. Standout items: 1) carefully crafted glass noodles in mussel - beautiful to look at 2) thinly sliced abalone - i've had thick abalone but this texture and treatment with the acidic sauce was so satisfying. if you like mochi or chewy food, benu will be heaven 3) desserts were my favorite course - the pear and yuja sorbets were excellent. creamy with a strong fruit flavor. Just okay - the quality of the food is evident, but not to my palette: 1) XLB - not too different from your standard soup dumpling. but the soup is the perfect temperature to sip. no burning your tongue. 2) yuba course - yuba is tofu skin. this dish also had a bunch of caviar, but i found this course pretty mild in flavor. Tips: 1) The tea is complimentary. I had to ask to see the tea menu (otherwise you'd have to wait until the dessert course but as a non-drinker, I wish I had their barley tea to accompany all their courses :) ) 2) The servers will tell you that the main entrees (quail and beef) are not recommended to be shared, but everyone in my party ordered the quail and even though it was delicious, we would've preferred variety over more of the same. If you go with a partner or close friend, sharing would definitely be okay imo!
Best of the best
This is the, not one of, but the finest restaurant in the country. It's every bit as creative as a 3 star restaurant in France. Corey Lee's melding of local ingredients with Asian fusion sauces, marinades and soups are so brilliant. It is costly as one would expect a 3 star Michelin to be, but worth it. The service is perfect, attentive without being cloying. I cannot recommend it more highly. We've lived in France many times, and I feel that we're blessed to have such a treasure locally.
I came here for my graduation dinner.
They were very thoughtful for printing out "Happy Graduation" in the menu. The servers carefully explained the history of the dish and how it was made which I really appreciate. They have unique dishes served here and I loved everything except the frog. There's nothing wrong with how it was made or its quality, my partner even said it tasted like chicken, but for some reason I'm not very fond of it. Overall, they had a variety of great dishes that I savored. The ambiance was great as well. I would recommend this to a friend.
What a unique dining experience! The service was impeccable
What a unique dining experience! The service was impeccable and the food was delicious. I really appreciated the minimal decor and the kitchen was so clean. We had a wonderful time here and even got to meet the chef! Would definitely recommend for a special occasion.
I was expecting a lot given the price tag, but it exceeded
I was expecting a lot given the price tag, but it exceeded my expectations. I usually think small plates means small food, but we left the dinner totally satisfied. The variety, quality, imagination, and overall experience was superb. This dining experience should be on your bucket list.
I made a reservation on Tock a month in advance to
I made a reservation on Tock a month in advance to celebrate my fiancé's birthday. I picked the 5:30pm time and prepaid - $375 per person + 20% tip + tax. This place was highly recommended by a couple of people, so I was excited to try it since it was my first time dining at a 3 star Michelin restaurant. I've been to a couple 1 and 2 star ones, so I had high expectations going in. We parked in a garage and walked over since parking was a bit difficult in that area. As we walked in, I noticed the minimalist decor and thought the walls were a bit bare. It didn't feel like I was walking into a Michelin restaurant. The place wasn't packed, so I'm assuming that they stagger the times so each guest can have a nice and quiet experience. When I looked at the menu I noticed that my fiancé's name was written inside, which i thought was a very nice gesture. I didn't look at the menu ahead of time because I wanted the meal to be a surprise, but I found out that we had a couple of options to choose from each entree section. I think I would've liked it more if it was a set menu.I enjoyed the small delicacies because they were all super tasty and it felt like the food kept coming out. I also really liked the steamed pork belly because it melted in my mouth. The charcoal grilled pork cheek was very crispy and the dried persimmon kimchi was out of this world. It was sweet and tangy! Overall, I appreciate how attentive and accommodating each staff was while we were there. I just wished the restaurant could be a bit more appealing and offer a set menu with more dishes.
You might be asking yourself--is it worth it to go on Tock
You might be asking yourself--is it worth it to go on Tock to nab one of the few reservations, the price of the dinner, the drive to the City---yep, yep and yep.For us, the difference between this 3 star Michelin restaurant and others in the area is the Asian influence Chef Corey Lee puts in every dish.The service was impeccable and Karis, our main server, did an incredible job--not only serving us, but explaining what each dish was, how to eat it, etc. I know that sounds silly, but when chopsticks, spoons, forks and finger wipes are exchanged after every dish, you start to lose track. Altogether, we counted 17 dishes, including my wife's bday surprise cake. It is a little misleading, because on the menu, the first course just states small delicacies--this constituted 9 small dishes, each prettier than the last. These change daily, but on our night we had a 1000 yo quail egg, mussel stuffed with spring vegetables, beef tartare, cod "custard" with 3 types of mustard, prawn with jelly fish, tofu "blossom" with chili oil, fried frog leg, acorn pancake with truffle and iberian ham and whole grain bread with ginseng honey. It was hard to choose a favorite, but the tofu was tasty and visually spectacular. Not a huge fan of frog legs, but this one was perfectly seasoned, tender and slightly sweet--delicious.For the entrees, you have 3 choices per grouping--we tried the seaweed wrap rice with raw prawn, charcoal noodles with squid, mulhwe with iced kim chee, whole abalone, bbq quail and lamb ribeye. All were really good--subtle but bold flavors, blending unbelievably well together. For me, the seaweed wrap and abalone were highlights--the abalone was perfectly cooked and unbelievably tender.Dessert was milk pudding, which was simple but perfect after such a full meal. To cap off the evening, they served a green, icee like tea with toasted mint--I'm not describing it well, but it perfectly blended and cleansed the palate.Karis took us to the kitchen at the end to see how the "magic" was created--all I can say is that too many cooks didn't spoil anything--the controlled chaos was impressive. Corey was very gracious, putting up with our questions and picture requests.Don't miss out on this one of a kind dining experience (and it will take 3 hrs as they say)
Well, we expect a lot from a 3-star Michelin restaurant.
My husband and I drove 8 hours from LA to Benu. They didn't disappoint us. We loved the food, service and atmosphere. Every dish is full of flavors and surprises. The servers were attentive and made the dinning experience very enjoyable.
We came here to celebrate our anniversary and what an
We came here to celebrate our anniversary and what an exceptional experience Benu was. I wasn't expecting anything less for a three star Michelin restaurant, but 'wow' is all I could muster up to describe our dinner here. From the moment we made the reservations (which was originally for four days after our anniversary) to the last bite, the service was impeccable. I sent an email after I made the initial reservation asking if the restaurant could contact us if anything opened up on our actual anniversary date. Lisbeth responded to me within the same day and let me know that she would contact me if anything opened up. Within 10 days of the original reservation date, she contacted me to let me know something opened up on our preferred date. Fast forward to the night of our dinner, upon arrival, we were promptly seated and tended to. After that, there was never a moment during our meal where our water glasses were empty, where an empty dish sat on our table for more than 10 seconds, and where our napkin wasn't promptly folded when we went to the restroom. Benu even had slightly different menus printed for each of us since hubby is lactose-intolerant so wasn't given the dairy options on his menu.Every dish was amazing and so beautifully presented. My husband who doesn't normally like fancy, prix fixe dinners, loved Benu so much he said he would go back in a heartbeat. He also tried frog legs for the first time. I guess it's time to start saving our pennies in hopes to experience Benu again in the future!
My boyfriend took me to Benu for my birthday a couple of
My boyfriend took me to Benu for my birthday a couple of days ago and this was honestly one of the best dining experiences I've ever experienced. I got to say, the three Michelin stars are very well deserved. We started off with 8 different small delicacies and a bread with honeycomb butter. Each dish was so unique and beautifully decorated. My favorite was the acorn flour taco with truffle and ham - it was so delicious and left a nice savory aftertaste. Next, we had lobster xiao long bao with soy sauce that were marinated in jugs for over 5 years. I was so pleasantly surprised that so many small dishes were served even before the main courses. For the main courses, we were given the choice to chose 1 out of 3 choices for each dish. For the first carbs dish, my boyfriend and I both chose this rice dish with monkfish liver sausage salmon roe, and gourd cooked in this clay pot. The variety of ingredients blended so well together. The second dish was a seafood dish - my boyfriend and I both chose the cold seafood dish with uni, fluke, and other raw fish in this cold kimchi broth. The third dish was where we diverged - I chose the quail and my boyfriend chose the pork belly cooked two different ways. We both enjoyed our respective dishes a lot. By now, I was already getting quite full! For dessert, we had a omija berries sorbet and a pudding. Because it was my birthday, the waitress brought over a music box that revealed a very pretty and cute cake that topped off our night. The service was also the best I've ever had. After chatting with the waitresses, I could tell they genuinely love their jobs at Benu. If I ever have the pleasure of coming back to Benu again, I definitely would (despite the price)!
The environment of Benu Restaurant is characterized by
The environment of Benu Restaurant is characterized by elegance, sophistication and refinement. The restaurant is designed in a contemporary style with fine art hanging on the walls, creating a modern feel. The restaurant is furnished and decorated in such a way that its atmosphere is perfect for enjoying fine Chinese food here.Benu's cuisine is known for its complexity, creativity and high quality.Taking traditional Chinese dishes, deconstructing and reinterpreting them to create a unique style of cuisine. Dishes often vary depending on the season and available ingredients, but include meats, seafood, vegetables and more, often using premium ingredients and complex seasonings to provide a memorable dining experience.
Pork belly in winter,I did not eat one piece ,but three
Pork belly in winter,I did not eat one piece ,but three start Michelin restaurant server just took away without asking anything wrong with it.
One of the highlights of our San Francisco vacation was to
One of the highlights of our San Francisco vacation was to have been dinner at Benu, the recipient of 3 Michelin stars, which instantly made me want to eat there.I'm not a huge Asian food fan. I like noodle-y things and egg rolls - that's pretty much my experience with it. My husband, however, was so stinkin excited. I did this for him. Compromises, ya know? And those 3 stars definitely made it easier to agree. The meal started off with 7 small delicacies. Don't ask me what those were LOL. But then the MEAL meal started:Xiao long bao soup dumpling with homemade soy sauce and vinegar - this was great! The soy sauce was aged 5 years. In fact, outside the restaurant in barrels, they are aging soy as we speak.Chilled fresh noodles with dungeness crabcucumber and perilla - I did not dislike but it just wasn't my thing. Maybe if it had been warm. Short grain rice seasoned with green onion, spicy caviar, salted pollock roe and sesame, roasted rock seaweedBraised baby abalone (3) with potato puree and spinachMonkfish liver and lobster sausage, leek mille-feuille, spicy lobster sauce, aromatic herbsCharcoal-grilled beef rib braised and topped with cabbage kimchi, fresh oyster, oyster leafFried rabbit and liver soondae, wood ear, cilantro, sweet and sour rabbit jus - the server did ask if my husband wanted to rabbit head as well; he said "yes" but later said he just couldn't do - it was too much staring into the head of a rabbit. Omija berry sorbet with olive oilMilk pudding with a caramel sauce smoked with peatSo I might be the wrong person to say this, but my husband, who is better suited, felt the same way: Benu was a nice experience, but not a 3-star Michelin experience in our opinion. The food was good if you like upscale Asian. However, it was mostly centered on the appearance of the food than the flavor of the food. Now, the food was absolutely beautiful. Plated and presented lovingly. Service was outstanding. Bidets in the bathroom (which was literally my high point) but none of the food left us feeling ahhhhhh, so good. The soup dumplings were the highlight. I can see where some people would absolutely be blown away, but this was just not what we were looking for.
Very impressive.
You can get beautiful and delicious food with amazing service at many places. But the creativity and visual effect differentiate this place. Meeting Chef Corey Lee was an experience to remember. Didn't know what to expect. Quite a take home that someone so accomplished and talented is approachable and genuine.
This review is coming late, but Benu is deserving of its
This review is coming late, but Benu is deserving of its three-Michelin star distinction and was one of the best (if not the best) meals I have ever had. The service and food were phenomenal, and I do believe it is worth the price tag for a special occasion.There was not a single dish or item that I thought was below "okay". The food execution and dining experience with their staff was phenomenal. Some of the dishes were more traditional, such as the XLB, which didn't impress me as much as others, but even those dishes were well made and executed at a very high level.The thing that I keep dreaming about though is the quail. I have never had a quail that was this plump, meaty, and flavorful. I truly believe you can't find this dish at this level of quality anywhere else, and honestly, just this one course probably made the entire meal worth it for me. I highly recommend choosing this one (I believe for this course you get a choice of the quail vs. another protein option). Also fun fact - if it's your birthday, they'll bring out a small cake for you presented inside a music box. The box plays a birthday song as you wind it up and this was one of the most creative birthday "gifts" I have ever seen come from a restaurant.And last but not least - the service. The waiters here are amazing! They're super friendly and offer to take care of so many things I didn't expect (ie. storing bags, jackets, helping you get your coat on, etc...). They're also super funny and entertaining as well! I remember having some super fun chats with a lot of them throughout the meal.All in all, this was a top tier experience, and I can't wait to come back to see (and taste) it all again. Benu easily wins the title of best restaurant in SF I've been to so far for me.
Connect with users posting reservations for Benu San Francisco
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Each posting on AppointmentTrader shows you which user submitted it and along with that provides a trackrecord of that user which indicates how much experience
the user has and how many percent of their transactions resulted in them issuing a refund.
If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Benu San Francisco at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Benu San Francisco page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* DistinguishedTree58, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* DistinguishedTree58 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to DistinguishedTree58 for any questions Peter may have as DistinguishedTree58 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* DistinguishedTree58 now uses their connections at Benu San Francisco to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If DistinguishedTree58 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, DistinguishedTree58 receives the $200 reward which is credited to DistinguishedTree58's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Benu San Francisco!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
San Francisco's Best Prepaid Restaurants that are most frequently booked by customers of Benu San Francisco
Ranked #25 in San Francisco's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
