This time, American food and travel writer Yuuno Imai introduces places where you can experience the slow life, such as cafes and restaurants that specialize in organic ingredients, farmers' markets with a wide variety of local ingredients, and select shops that carry organic cosmetics. Enjoy a trip around the organic side of San Francisco, a city where you can take your time and spend the moment carefully.
Text: Yuuno Imai
"Only organic ingredients" - Enjoy an elegant brunch at this natural café
With a natural space with a uniform white exterior and interior, a simple menu, and colorful, minimalist presentation, As Quoted, tucked away in the upscale residential area of Presidio Heights, is the perfect example of a California organic cafe.

Inside "As Quoted"
The menu is mainly divided into salads, open-faced sandwiches, plates, and soups and smoothies, with four or five varieties of each. The "Frisee Salad" topped with seasonal vegetables and poached eggs is a perfect combination of the bitterness of the frisee, a type of lettuce, and the sourness of the vinaigrette made with shallot champagne.
In addition, dishes using kale and avocado, such as the "Kale & Avocado Caesar Salad" and the "Avocado Open Face Sandwich," are particularly popular. The salads are quite filling, so we recommend sharing them with two people.

"Frisee salad" topped with seasonal vegetables and poached eggs
As Quoted | ||
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business hours | : | 7:00-19:00 (Monday-Friday), 8:00-15:00 (Saturday and Sunday) |
Closed Day | : | none |
web | : | http://www.eatasquoted.com/ |
address | : | 3613 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118 |
Enjoy a live show and dine on delicious vegan and Bolivian cuisine
When you hear the words "organic" or "vegan," many people may imagine bland raw vegetables or smoothies. For those people, we would like to introduce "Peña Pachamama," a vegan and Bolivian restaurant with the concept of "delicious and fun."
The restaurant uses an abundance of locally grown organic vegetables as ingredients. It uses only extra virgin olive oil and raw coconut oil in its cooking. It offers a fragrant menu including its specialty empanadas, a bread dough dish stuffed with plenty of ingredients such as minced meat, vegetable stew, lasagna, zucchini noodles, and more. There are also many raw vegan and gluten-free desserts.

The famous "Empanada"
Peña Pachamam is also famous for hosting live shows five days a week. Why not try vegan and Bolivian cuisine while enjoying a live folk music show or a flamenco performance?
*Please refer to the official website for the schedule. A cover charge will be applied on days when live shows are held.

Enjoy live music, including Latin American folk music.
Peña Pachamama | ||
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business hours | : | 11:00-22:00 (Monday, Tuesday), 11:00-21:00 (Wednesday, Thursday), 11:00-22:00 (Friday, Saturday), 15:30-20:00 (Sunday) |
Closed Day | : | none |
web | : | https://pachamamacenter.org/ |
address | : | 1630 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94133 |
A large organic food market that attracts approximately 40,000 visitors per week
The Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market is held three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and is a large-scale farmer's market visited by approximately 40,000 people every week. It is held outside the Ferry Building, a ferry terminal in San Francisco, and is bustling with people from all walks of life, from local shoppers to gourmet cooks.
There are a variety of interesting vegetables to look at, such as artichokes and lime green zucchini, which are not often seen in Japan. In addition to fresh vegetables and fruits, there are also bakery, Mexican food, kebab and other casual food stalls, so it would be a good place to stop by for lunch.

Fresh vegetables and fruits at the market
The Farmers Market is also a great place to find souvenirs. There are plenty of items that would make great gifts, such as California olive oil, organic honey, small bottles of spices, and bags of nuts, so be sure to check them out.

Soak up the California sunshine and enjoy a picnic overlooking the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market | ||
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business hours | : | 10:00-14:00 (Tuesday, Thursday), 8:00-14:00 (Saturday) |
Closed Day | : | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday |
web | : | https://cuesa.org/markets/ferry-plaza-farmers-market |
address | : | One Ferry Building, #50, San Francisco, CA 94111 |
A local favorite: Acai bowls made with organic vegetables and fruits
American breakfasts are not just about waffles, pancakes, croissants, and other pastries. In particular, popular breakfasts in health-conscious San Francisco include organic juices and acai bowls that are packed with nutrients and can be eaten quickly. We recommend the acai bowls at vegan cafe and juice bar Judahlicious. In addition to acai, bananas, blueberries, and pumpkin flax granola, you can also add toppings to your taste, such as peanut butter and coconut flakes.

The famous acai bowl
They also offer about 15 kinds of freshly squeezed juices and smoothies made to order. They also have a wide variety of vegan menu items, including weekday specials, raw vegan options, and Mexican dishes such as lettuce tacos. Judahlicious is committed to using locally grown fruits and vegetables, so why not try the best breakfast?

On sunny days, outdoor seating is also recommended.
Judahlicious | ||
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business hours | : | 8:00-19:00 (Monday-Friday), 9:00-19:00 (Saturday and Sunday) |
Closed Day | : | none |
web | : | http://judahlicious.com/ |
address | : | 1121, 3906 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122 |
A must-see for organic cosmetics lovers: a popular select cosmetics shop in San Francisco
"Credo" is a select shop that specializes in eco-friendly and cruelty-free (products and activities that do not harm or kill animals) organic cosmetics and skin care products. They stock a wide variety of organic products, from milky lotions and moisturizing creams to body washes and body lotions, as well as mascara, foundations and lip glosses. Some products can be tried on the spot, so why not consult with the store staff to find the product that suits your skin?

Inside "Credo"
They also stock many products that are hard to find in Japan, making them perfect for souvenirs and gifts. The disposable face masks and lip balms are sure to please women. In addition to the San Francisco store, Credo also has stores in Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, and Chicago. This is a must-see shop for organic cosmetics lovers.

Organic cosmetic brands such as "St. Tropica" (left) and "Acure Organics" (right) are lined up on the storefront.
Credo | ||
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business hours | : | 10:00-19:00 (Monday-Saturday), 11:00-18:00 (Sunday) |
Closed Day | : | none |
web | : | https://credobeauty.com/blogs/stores/san-francisco |
address | : | 2136 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 |
"Organic" is not just about diet, it is a lifestyle including mind and body care, exercise, and mindset. The organic wave is spreading throughout California, from San Francisco in the north to Los Angeles and San Diego in the south. In the future, we are sure to see the emergence of restaurants and shops that surpass the carefully selected spots introduced here. Please enjoy a slow moment surrounded by "organic" in San Francisco.
Yuno Imai
She moved to the United States alone at the age of 17 and is a food and travel writer currently living in Los Angeles. She also works as a journalist, editor, translator/interpreter, and picture book author.
http://iknowyouknowyuno.com/jp/
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.