Yamo, San Francisco, CA

Rating:

 4.4

Cost:

$1 – $10

Hole-in-the-wall, cash-only Burmese restaurant for quick, cheap meals served from an open kitchen.

Yamo

Discover Yamo in San Francisco

Yamo in San Francisco, CA, is a charming counter-serve eatery specializing in simple Burmese comfort food that captures the essence of everyday flavors. This spot offers affordable meals like tea leaf salad, hearty curries, and fresh fish chowder, all prepared in an open kitchen that adds to the lively, unpretentious vibe. With its cash-only policy and budget-friendly prices, it's an ideal choice for those seeking quick, satisfying eats in the bustling Mission District. The restaurant's compact setup encourages a fast-paced dining experience, making it perfect for locals and visitors looking for authentic Burmese cuisine without the fuss.

Summarized by AI using the Grok-3-Mini model.

What People Are Saying

Visitors consistently praise Yamo for its tasty Burmese dishes, especially the flavorful house noodles and tea leaf salad that deliver a satisfying punch at unbeatable prices. Many highlight the welcoming atmosphere and efficient service, making it a go-to spot for a casual meal that feels like a hidden gem. While most folks appreciate the straightforward, home-style flavors, a few mention that some items might come across as milder than expected, though this doesn't detract from the overall charm. All in all, it's a solid pick for anyone craving affordable, comforting food in a laid-back setting, with the value standing out as a real winner.

Summarized by AI using the Grok-3-Mini model.

Address & Phone

Mission District
3406 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 553-8911

Wheelchair Accessiblility

Parking:Seating:

Parking Options

Free parking lot:Paid street parking:Valet parking:

Payment Options

Accepts cash only:

Reviews

  • paridhi jain  5

    Such a good experience! The food just hits the spot! We had Tea leaf salad, egg rolls, tofu house noodles with their chili oil. All of this just for $21!! Everything is under 8 bucks .. cash only.. 8 seats to dine in.. must try!

  • Jesse Nichols  5

    Left a five star review 8 years ago, and I stand by it. This little Burmese greasy spoon is always great and super cheap. Even if the ladies behind the counter seem generally uninterested in having you there. Perhaps that's half the appeal. Worth the short wait to get a seat. Bring cash!

  • S Lee  5

    Yamo is a tiny (and I mean tiny - as in there's the kitchen and right up against it there's diner-style seating consisting of maybe 10 stools total) restaurant located in the heart of the Mission district. Given the small size of the restaurant, many patrons decide to order out; however, there is still the option to dine in, but bear in mind you may experience a bit of a wait due to the limited real estate. That being said - what the restaurant lacks in size, it makes up for in the flavor of its food - a straightforward simple menu consisting of classic Burmese dishes alongside a variety of other Asian flavors. One last thing to keep in mind, is that they are a CASH ONLY establishment, so make sure you have cash on hand if you want to dine here! My partner and I arrived on Thursday afternoon around 6pm and waited about 15-20 minutes to be seated. There isn't a formal waitlist, rather dine-in patrons sort of line-up outside the restaurant and the staff members (which consist of a mother-daughter duo) call each party in soon as there is space. Service is quite quick and you get to watch your food prepared right in front of you! We decided to order their tea leaf salad, the black bean fish, and Yamo house noodles. If you'd like to grab a drink, they direct you to their refrigerator and you're welcome to help yourself (drinks are $2 each). Our food was ready to eat in about 10-15 minutes, which was astounding to me. We started first with the tea leaf salad, a classic Burmese dish, with a spicy kick to it. As someone who does not handle their spice well, I quickly went to the fridge to grab a drink - a can of Cactus Cooler, which is an orange pineapple soda (something I've never seen before actually). Despite the spice, the tea leaf salad was light and delicious, with the nuts providing a satisfying crunch as well. The black bean fish came paired with rice and was delicious. My only comment would be that the sauce itself seemed a bit thin, and not as thick as I would have liked it; however, that just might be a personal preference. The highlight of the meal was definitely their Yamo house noodles - I highly recommend it to anyone who comes to dine here. The richly flavored garlic noodles paired with your protein of choice, makes for a very filling bite - and for only $8, what a steal. Most entrees here are just $8 - and for us our meal in total came out to $26 before tip (of which they definitely deserve). If you're looking for some delicious Burmese/Asian food, then Yamo has to be on your list of places to try next!

  • david bloom  5

    DON'T TELL ANYONE ABOUT YAMO, the tiny 7-seat Burmese food counter in the Mission. Amazeballs food, cheap AF, atmosphere for days. Also carryout, but you gotta order in- person cuz no phone. Cash only. Eat quick, then give up your stool to the next body

  • Cindy Ma  5

    Excellent food and service, especially given the price! 8 total seats in total, run by a woman and her mom. Recommend the tea salad especially, but you won’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Be prepared to wait if you wish to dine in, but they also do take out with is a bit faster.