Aside from what other people called out here like not-so-obvious hidden up-charge by including gratuities in meals, convincing you to pay extra $4 dollars for the “real wasabi” and over-priced dishes, I want to say that even the handroll is at best mediocre.
They have a setup reminds me of your neighbor plaza poke bowl restaurants; all they do is put some mashed only-god-know-how-old salmon and tuna into your roll. It takes literally 30 seconds to make your roll and you are paying 3 times more than your poke-bowl for the same taste.
Absolutely and easily the worst restaurants we tried in SF. There’s a reason why the restaurants are empty most of the time. I’ll never come back or recommend this restaurant to anyone.
Emily Chen
Really overpriced. $52 for 5 hand rolls here vs. $50 for 8 hand rolls at Kazunori in NYC/LA (both establishments include tip in their prices). The rolls were good, but not mind blowing. We got 5 hand rolls and then ordered pizza cause we were still hungry lol.
They also try to up charge you a bit, pushing you to add on wasabi for $4 because “you don’t get wasabi with your meal, just horseradish.” All wasabi in the US is green dyed horseradish so you are indeed getting free “wasabi” with your meal.
Remember to not tip as it’s included in the menu price (which is preferable), but that’s not very clear to customers. “Gratuities not required” is what’s emphasized on menus vs your receipt in fine print specifically states that they already included tip in their prices.
Overall got a vibe that this restaurant is trying to overcharge for the experience. The restaurant itself is nice and romantic.
Walked in on a Wed night for 3 people at 6:30pm and only had to wait for 5 min
Wen
Absolutely fantastic dining experience!
Everything was delicious—especially the tempura, which was perfectly crispy and full of flavor 🍤. The seaweed wrapping the rice and handrolls was unbelievably fresh and crunchy—I’ve never had anything like it! The staff were incredibly friendly and professional, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. The sake and wine selection is excellent, too.
It’s a great spot for a date, but also perfect if you’re dining solo. I can’t wait to go back!
Anne Marie J
Best shrimp tempura!!
We also love their spicy tuna, scallop, crab, yellow tail and eel.
IMHO you can’t go wrong.
Services is always timely even when the sushi bar is at capacity.
Mike Yan
Great handrolls! Make sure to eat them right away while the nori is still crispy.
Ellen P
Love this local spot. Handrolls melt in your mouth. It’s just enough food & not overwhelming. Vibes are clean, tight & sharp. Will be returning.
Braxton Barrett
Do yourself a favor and come to Saru Handroll. Every bite was an experience. The staff was incredibly attentive. The atmosphere was interactive and refined.
I’d give it 10 stars if I could.
Sara Lanning
Had an excellent experience for dinner, 5pm Friday night. The staff operates seamlessly, & efficiently. I had the 4 roll set, the nori was perfectly crisp, the sushi rice was also noticeably precise. The real wasabi is also worth the small up-charge, in my opinion. The restaurant was quite full with customers and parties waiting by 6pm. But the seats seemed to turn over quickly. It’s worth the slight wait!
Parking: Super accessible by public transit
Kid-friendliness: Saw a few kids there, not sure if the kids were friendly.
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes there was an accessible table available & ample room in the restroom.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Handroll, Miso Soup
Tokki Mandoo
2025 Feb Edit: Visited again and still great!
Japanese Uni is a must.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina
I’ve lived in Russian Hill for *20* years (eeeep), and I FINALLY experienced Saru this February of 2025.
First time was takeout - it was a learning curve (since I like to pick and choose what I want), but the Hand-rolls were worth it.
The second time (less than two weeks later) I dined at the restaurant. It was lovely. The team and management treated me so well, and the food was so good. I told them I was a local and they really treated me well. They really showed their genuine character - stellar cuisine and care for their patrons.
3rd time in was tonight with a dear friend. We had a blast. The food was fabulous. The manager (Juun), was so kind and generous— we got complimentary sake and snacks. It’s nice to be a local and support a local business that cares about fostering their clientele.
Wish I didn’t wait so long to give this place a try. It is worth it 🙏🫶. Enjoy 💖
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi Combo, Hand Rolls, Handroll, Salmon Roll, Shrimp Tempura, Real Wasabi, Spicy Tuna
Such good handrolls. They charcoal grill their unagi (eel), one of the most perfect bites. Service was prompt and super friendly. Although after I went to KazuNori in LA and paid half price for the uni roll there it’s hard to justify why they charge $34 here for theirs 😭
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Martin
Their place is phenomenal. It’s just clean and delicious hand rolls. The owner is a delight and the other staff is amazing as well. Make sure to try their sweet shrimp and spicy tuna.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hand Rolls, Handroll, Miso Soup
L Won
Great atmosphere and service bar sitting. Well decorated and hooks back of seats to purse hanging. Rolls. Everything is fresh.
Obsessed. First of all, fatty tuna and caviar. Insane. Raw scallops. Delish. I can’t wait to go back and try more. Super cute place, low key vibes. Very modern, minimalist, efficient and easy service. Nice sake selection. Notice it gets pretty busy at dinner, we arrived a bit before the dinner crowd.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Handroll
Andrew K
Walked in for dinner. The staff were friendly, the drinks and the rolls were great! Good vibes and easy going atmosphere.
Aside from what other people called out here like not-so-obvious hidden up-charge by including gratuities in meals, convincing you to pay extra $4 dollars for the “real wasabi” and over-priced dishes, I want to say that even the handroll is at best mediocre.
They have a setup reminds me of your neighbor plaza poke bowl restaurants; all they do is put some mashed only-god-know-how-old salmon and tuna into your roll. It takes literally 30 seconds to make your roll and you are paying 3 times more than your poke-bowl for the same taste.
Absolutely and easily the worst restaurants we tried in SF. There’s a reason why the restaurants are empty most of the time. I’ll never come back or recommend this restaurant to anyone.
Really overpriced. $52 for 5 hand rolls here vs. $50 for 8 hand rolls at Kazunori in NYC/LA (both establishments include tip in their prices). The rolls were good, but not mind blowing. We got 5 hand rolls and then ordered pizza cause we were still hungry lol.
They also try to up charge you a bit, pushing you to add on wasabi for $4 because “you don’t get wasabi with your meal, just horseradish.” All wasabi in the US is green dyed horseradish so you are indeed getting free “wasabi” with your meal.
Remember to not tip as it’s included in the menu price (which is preferable), but that’s not very clear to customers. “Gratuities not required” is what’s emphasized on menus vs your receipt in fine print specifically states that they already included tip in their prices.
Overall got a vibe that this restaurant is trying to overcharge for the experience. The restaurant itself is nice and romantic.
Walked in on a Wed night for 3 people at 6:30pm and only had to wait for 5 min
Absolutely fantastic dining experience!
Everything was delicious—especially the tempura, which was perfectly crispy and full of flavor 🍤. The seaweed wrapping the rice and handrolls was unbelievably fresh and crunchy—I’ve never had anything like it! The staff were incredibly friendly and professional, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. The sake and wine selection is excellent, too.
It’s a great spot for a date, but also perfect if you’re dining solo. I can’t wait to go back!
Best shrimp tempura!!
We also love their spicy tuna, scallop, crab, yellow tail and eel.
IMHO you can’t go wrong.
Services is always timely even when the sushi bar is at capacity.
Great handrolls! Make sure to eat them right away while the nori is still crispy.
Love this local spot. Handrolls melt in your mouth. It’s just enough food & not overwhelming. Vibes are clean, tight & sharp. Will be returning.
Do yourself a favor and come to Saru Handroll. Every bite was an experience. The staff was incredibly attentive. The atmosphere was interactive and refined.
I’d give it 10 stars if I could.
Had an excellent experience for dinner, 5pm Friday night. The staff operates seamlessly, & efficiently. I had the 4 roll set, the nori was perfectly crisp, the sushi rice was also noticeably precise. The real wasabi is also worth the small up-charge, in my opinion.
The restaurant was quite full with customers and parties waiting by 6pm. But the seats seemed to turn over quickly. It’s worth the slight wait!
Parking: Super accessible by public transit
Kid-friendliness: Saw a few kids there, not sure if the kids were friendly.
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes there was an accessible table available & ample room in the restroom.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Handroll, Miso Soup
2025 Feb Edit: Visited again and still great!
Japanese Uni is a must.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve lived in Russian Hill for *20* years (eeeep), and I FINALLY experienced Saru this February of 2025.
First time was takeout - it was a learning curve (since I like to pick and choose what I want), but the Hand-rolls were worth it.
The second time (less than two weeks later) I dined at the restaurant. It was lovely. The team and management treated me so well, and the food was so good. I told them I was a local and they really treated me well. They really showed their genuine character - stellar cuisine and care for their patrons.
3rd time in was tonight with a dear friend. We had a blast. The food was fabulous. The manager (Juun), was so kind and generous— we got complimentary sake and snacks. It’s nice to be a local and support a local business that cares about fostering their clientele.
Wish I didn’t wait so long to give this place a try. It is worth it 🙏🫶. Enjoy 💖
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi Combo, Hand Rolls, Handroll, Salmon Roll, Shrimp Tempura, Real Wasabi, Spicy Tuna
Restaurantji Recommends
Such good handrolls. They charcoal grill their unagi (eel), one of the most perfect bites. Service was prompt and super friendly. Although after I went to KazuNori in LA and paid half price for the uni roll there it’s hard to justify why they charge $34 here for theirs 😭
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their place is phenomenal. It’s just clean and delicious hand rolls. The owner is a delight and the other staff is amazing as well. Make sure to try their sweet shrimp and spicy tuna.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hand Rolls, Handroll, Miso Soup
Great atmosphere and service bar sitting. Well decorated and hooks back of seats to purse hanging. Rolls. Everything is fresh.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi Combo, Hand Rolls, Tempura, Miso Soup, Shrimp Tempura
Obsessed. First of all, fatty tuna and caviar. Insane. Raw scallops. Delish. I can’t wait to go back and try more. Super cute place, low key vibes. Very modern, minimalist, efficient and easy service. Nice sake selection. Notice it gets pretty busy at dinner, we arrived a bit before the dinner crowd.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Handroll
Walked in for dinner. The staff were friendly, the drinks and the rolls were great! Good vibes and easy going atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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