A popular shabu-shabu restaurant and one of San Francisco’s oldest stores has closed in the Japantown neighborhood after more than 40 years.
Mums, located at 1800 Sutter Street in the Kimpton Hotel Enso, served its last meal on Sunday, April 2, according to an online announcement. The restaurant has long been known for its Japanese hot pot, though it switched to serving breakfast only and limited hours in the wake of the pandemic.
“After decades of operation, our family has decided to officially retire and depart from our long run,” the announcement said. “For generations, we have remained loyal to Japantown. We’ve celebrated with you, cried with you and everything in between! We will cherish all the moments we had and hold on to the history and legacy.”
Mums opened in 1979 as part of an effort to bring Japanese culture to San Francisco spearheaded by the Kintetsu Enterprises Company, according to an old city business report. The Osaka-based company, which eventually moved to San Francisco, helped establish the city’s Japantown by building the Miyako Hotel and the Kintetsu Shopping Center.
Customers drink cocktails at Mums restaurant in San Francisco in 2006.
Cat Wade/SFC
The city granted Mums legacy company status in late 2019, just before the pandemic. Legacy companies must have operated in San Francisco for at least 30 years and contributed to San Francisco’s history or identity.
“In its 40 years in business, Mums has remained committed to connecting Japanese and American cultures through its dining space and cuisine, and to becoming a key gathering place for the surrounding Japantown community,” it says it in the city report.
Isidore Tam, who started out as a part-time washerman at Mums in 1981, worked his way up to deputy general manager, eventually succeeding original owner Shinji Makigano. Tam ran the business until it closed.
It’s not the only long-standing business that Japantown has lost in recent times. Last spring, the mochi institution Benkyodo closed after 115 years in business. In March, the San Francisco board of directors voted to approve a new strategic plan to support Japantown, including by nurturing long-standing neighborhood businesses.
Reach Elena Kadvany: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany
