Hotei

1290 9th Ave (between Lincoln & Irving)

(415) 753-6045

www.hoteisf.com

In true tradition, we decided to have dinner in the Sunset post-Friday night outing at the DeYoung. We checked the waits at Chow and Ebisu, and with both being around an hour, decided that we ought to entertain some options. A and Z suggested Hotei which is right across the street from Ebisu, because it's run by the same people and from their recollection, wasn't bad.

Let me say upfront that the best thing about Hotei is that there was no wait. The second best is that they actually serve the same sushi as Ebisu which was a real treat (HELLO Boston Roll!), but their core competency is their noodles.

I don't purport to be a Japanese noodle expert, but I am quite sure I've had better noodles. I ordered the Shoyu Ramen - a soy sauce flavored arrangement of roasted pork, green onion and boiled egg, with the flavor really being the salt from the soy sauce. A's Beef Udon didn't fare much better as what mine was in overpowering saltiness, his was in overpowering blandness. And a bite of L's Chicken Teriyaki left me with an unsavory piece of gummy skin in my mouth - bleh. Saving graces? Low prices and huge portions.

The Verdict: Worth It If You Order (Ebisu) Sushi