Katsu Pop-Up Kiri to Open in North Beach
Kiri, a katsu pop-up known for its sandos and karaage, will open a permanent restaurant in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. The new location is expected to open in the fall of 2026.
- The name "Kiri" (霧) is the Japanese word for "fog," chosen as a tribute to the city of San Francisco. - Co-owners Brian Ishii and Brian Jackson Lee are both San Francisco natives who met while working at the Mission District izakaya Rintaro, where Ishii was the sous chef. - The new location will be a Japanese izakaya, expanding beyond the pop-up's menu to include a wider array of shareable plates and late-night options. - The permanent restaurant will be located at 510 Union Street, in a space that was previously home to the restaurant Chubby Noodle. - The owners intend to create a "homelike environment" decorated with Japanese knick-knacks, with a Motown soundtrack. - To help with the buildout, the team launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for kitchen equipment, cosmetic work, and opening inventory.
