We visited Kufi-Ya and unfortunately, we had a very disappointing experience. Our friends had reserved a table for six, but my husband and I arrived earlier because we were hungry. The restaurant staff was aware that our friends would be arriving at 7 PM, as they know them well. Since we were early, we ordered a glass of wine, a bottle of sake, a cucumber salad, and one sushi roll while waiting.
Before our friends arrived, my husband specifically asked the server to provide a separate check for the items we ordered earlier. She agreed. However, when he went to pay, we were shocked to see that they had added a 20% service charge, which, according to their policy, is applied to groups of five or more. When he pointed out that there were only two of us at the time, the server responded, “But you were sitting at a table for six.” This is completely unfair and misleading.
Aside from this frustrating experience, the overall dining conditions were disappointing. The tables were sticky, which was unpleasant. There was a cold draft coming from the window, and in the restroom, the ventilation system was running instead of the heater, making it uncomfortably cold. In winter weather, the heater should be on, not a fan blowing more cold air.
As for the food, it was overpriced for the quality. There are plenty of places in San Francisco where you can find better sushi, fresher ingredients, and a cleaner atmosphere at more reasonable prices.
Overall, we left extremely disappointed and will not be returning. We cannot recommend this place based on our experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Derrick Lin
We had the all you can eat shabu shabu, and it's very basic. No buffet, no options, just a single hot pot with the same veggie bowl & meat plates over and over again.
It's not bad, just super basic. Solid 3-star.
It also has a very weird parking lot.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Sandra Quezada
Food was delicious, hot and fresh. I got the Mongolian beef. It was excellent. The meat was tender the spices just right and the vegetables were cooked to perfection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathon Paul
Sashimi, didn’t look or taste fresh, got sick the next day, comes in paper-thin fish pieces; they still charge full retail. Dining room not very clean, smelled musty like an unwashed 20 y.o. carpet
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Jonathon J
Sashimi, didn’t look or taste fresh, got sick the next day, comes in paper-thin fish pieces; they still charge full retail. Dining room not very clean, smelled musty like an unwashed 20 y.o. carpet
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Zach Ahrenholtz
Amazing hot pot. Definitely making a special trip back just for this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alberto Rizzoli
Fantastic hot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Shabu Shabu
Antonio (Techguruji)
Very nice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
norris tran
I love Kufu-ya! The food is always fresh and delicious, and the service is excellent.I typically lean towards the Sushi and the AYCE hot pot which is both filling & more affordable than most other shabu spots, making it a great value for the money. This was the first place I can remember that offered both Japanese cuisine and AYCE hot pot under one roof so they are an early trailblazer in this genre. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, making it a great place to go with friends or family since they are one of the more spacious restaurants in the area able handle large groups. I've also ordered catered sushi platters and have gotten many compliments for them at parties. Overall, I highly recommend Kufuya Japanese Restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious and affordable Japanese meal or AYCE hot pot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Graham Leininger
Absolute let-down. I used to come here for generous portions of very fresh fish; tonight the maki rolls were extremely tiny.The saba was awful. Probably two days old at least; almost inedible- I LOVE fresh Saba... this was so bad...Only the spicy toro maki was good; everything else was truly mediocre, and prices are way higher than last time I came here two years ago.Prices way up, portions way down... I'll never eat here again.Server was nice though.Skip eating here. Sad that a former diamond in the rough sucks so much now.P.s. the karaage was cooked well but they didn't finish it with salt. It was very bland.Edit: yup, the old Saba gave me diarrhea. Thanks for knowingly serving spoiled fish.
Dinner was delicious. We had the all you can eat! Lamb and beef that was paper thin ! Super tender and delicious! Lisa was an amazing host! Sooo good ?, highly recommend if you are looking for good food to share with friends!
We visited Kufi-Ya and unfortunately, we had a very disappointing experience.
Our friends had reserved a table for six, but my husband and I arrived earlier because we were hungry. The restaurant staff was aware that our friends would be arriving at 7 PM, as they know them well. Since we were early, we ordered a glass of wine, a bottle of sake, a cucumber salad, and one sushi roll while waiting.
Before our friends arrived, my husband specifically asked the server to provide a separate check for the items we ordered earlier. She agreed. However, when he went to pay, we were shocked to see that they had added a 20% service charge, which, according to their policy, is applied to groups of five or more. When he pointed out that there were only two of us at the time, the server responded, “But you were sitting at a table for six.” This is completely unfair and misleading.
Aside from this frustrating experience, the overall dining conditions were disappointing. The tables were sticky, which was unpleasant. There was a cold draft coming from the window, and in the restroom, the ventilation system was running instead of the heater, making it uncomfortably cold. In winter weather, the heater should be on, not a fan blowing more cold air.
As for the food, it was overpriced for the quality. There are plenty of places in San Francisco where you can find better sushi, fresher ingredients, and a cleaner atmosphere at more reasonable prices.
Overall, we left extremely disappointed and will not be returning. We cannot recommend this place based on our experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
We had the all you can eat shabu shabu, and it's very basic. No buffet, no options, just a single hot pot with the same veggie bowl & meat plates over and over again.
It's not bad, just super basic. Solid 3-star.
It also has a very weird parking lot.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Food was delicious, hot and fresh. I got the Mongolian beef. It was excellent. The meat was tender the spices just right and the vegetables were cooked to perfection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sashimi, didn’t look or taste fresh, got sick the next day, comes in paper-thin fish pieces; they still charge full retail. Dining room not very clean, smelled musty like an unwashed 20 y.o. carpet
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Sashimi, didn’t look or taste fresh, got sick the next day, comes in paper-thin fish pieces; they still charge full retail. Dining room not very clean, smelled musty like an unwashed 20 y.o. carpet
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Amazing hot pot. Definitely making a special trip back just for this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic hot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Shabu Shabu
Very nice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
I love Kufu-ya! The food is always fresh and delicious, and the service is excellent.I typically lean towards the Sushi and the AYCE hot pot which is both filling & more affordable than most other shabu spots, making it a great value for the money. This was the first place I can remember that offered both Japanese cuisine and AYCE hot pot under one roof so they are an early trailblazer in this genre. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, making it a great place to go with friends or family since they are one of the more spacious restaurants in the area able handle large groups. I've also ordered catered sushi platters and have gotten many compliments for them at parties. Overall, I highly recommend Kufuya Japanese Restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious and affordable Japanese meal or AYCE hot pot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolute let-down. I used to come here for generous portions of very fresh fish; tonight the maki rolls were extremely tiny.The saba was awful. Probably two days old at least; almost inedible- I LOVE fresh Saba... this was so bad...Only the spicy toro maki was good; everything else was truly mediocre, and prices are way higher than last time I came here two years ago.Prices way up, portions way down... I'll never eat here again.Server was nice though.Skip eating here. Sad that a former diamond in the rough sucks so much now.P.s. the karaage was cooked well but they didn't finish it with salt. It was very bland.Edit: yup, the old Saba gave me diarrhea. Thanks for knowingly serving spoiled fish.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Dinner was delicious. We had the all you can eat! Lamb and beef that was paper thin ! Super tender and delicious! Lisa was an amazing host! Sooo good ?, highly recommend if you are looking for good food to share with friends!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Shabu Shabu, Miso Soup, Spicy Miso
Not good for vegetarians. Terribly bland vegetable udon.
Fantastic place to eat and relax with friends
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Shabu Shabu
Awesome Shabu Shabu fast service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Slow service, don't know what happened to this place.
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