Brothers Restaurant (Inner Richmond)
If you are anything like me, one of the things that you miss about growing up in Los Angeles and Southern California in general is the abundance of world-class Korean food. Some of the nation’s best Korean restaurants can be found all over the region, and are usually not hard to find. In contrast, as San Francisco has a smaller Korean population, I have found it hard to find great Korean restaurants as easily up here.
However, I think I may have found a hidden gem in Brothers Restaurant. Sitting right by Geary Boulevard in the Inner Richmond district of San Francisco, Brothers Restaurant flaunts a modest exterior, but can usually be seen bustling on the inside with customers around dinnertime.
Founded in 1987 and run by the same family for three generations, Brothers serves one of the more authentic styles of Korean food in San Francisco and in the greater Bay Area. Everything from the traditional wooden interior to the taste of the food is reminiscent of some of the best Korean restaurants in Los Angeles’ Koreatown.
And while I do not want this entire review to be a direct comparison to LA, I find myself gravitating towards that sentiment a bit, given my upbringing in Southern California and the fact that LA Koreatown is famous even in South Korea for its culinary scene.
Something that is notable about Brothers is their commitment to using fresh ingredients to prepare traditional cuisines. Their banchan (side dishes) are made fresh daily and their dwenjang (fermented soybean paste) takes as long as six months to prepare. Lastly, each table has a sunken grill used for cooking meat, but Brothers uses mesquite wood charcoal rather than gas, ensuring a rich, smoky taste that is only found in the highest quality Korean restaurants. Fun fact: sometimes the staff will use the grills as a heater for you and your table if it is cold outside.
As for the food, I am a huge fan of stews, and so I usually go for these options whenever I eat here. The spicy fermented soybean paste stew is one of their more unique menu items. Using their in-house dwenjang, the stew carries a rich and earthy flavor like no other. Brothers’ version has an even deeper and stronger fermented taste, almost akin to blue cheese, which some may like but understandably may not be for everyone. For those that have never tried this stew before, it can definitely be a bit more of an “interesting” option in terms of its aroma and flavor.
The kimchi stew is another personal favorite. One of the telltale signs of a good Korean restaurant is the quality of their kimchi, and Brothers does not disappoint. The stew is rich and spicy, and also comes with a healthy serving of vegetables, tofu, and beef. Similar to the dwenjang stew, I would say that Brothers’ version of the kimchi stew also leans on the side of having a more fermented taste. Because of this, the flavor is incredibly complex and carries a slight tart finishing note which, in my opinion, makes it a great option for those wanting complex dish without the intensity of the dwenjang stew.
Now, if you are looking for a less fermented type of flavor, the spicy tofu soup is solid. The stew comes out bubbling hot with heaps of soft, silky tofu that is paired with chopped vegetables and beef. Spice levels can be adjusted upon request, and the overall soup is well-balanced and tasty without having the fermented flavor profiles of the previously mentioned menu items.
In terms of other dishes that are not soups, I am a fan of the japchae noodles. These are glass noodles that are sauteed with various kinds of vegetables and bits of beef. Brothers’ version has a more pronounced garlic taste that brings the dish to new levels and makes it delicious to eat either as a side dish, or even on its own if desired.
While I have not had the chance to try the entire menu, Brothers Restaurant carries an attractive repertoire of menu items that is sure to please even the most finicky of diners. As a true local staple of authentic Korean cuisine in San Francisco, Brothers Restaurant and its legacy stand as a testament to its delicious food and rich history.
