Namu Gaji
Um, did we mention there's a helluva lot going on in the Mission? With all of the hot openings hitting the hood this year, a remarkable thirteen venues out of our top 20 are located here, including Namu Gaji, which occupies the enviable high-traffic corner of 18th and Dolores, catty-corner to the park. The family-run haunt dishes out what it considers "humble" Korean cuisine, with just the right amount of innovation mixed in. Think: A rotating menu featuring rare wild fish straight from Japan, braised local veggies, sake-marinated pork ribs, and noodles. Yum.
Namu Gaji, 499 Dolores Street (at 18th Street); 415-431-6268.

Photo: Courtesy of Namu Gaji