50 Best Japanese Restaurants in San Francisco

“Robin presents itself as a contemporary omakase. The place in Hayes Valley has a trendy vibe with modern background music. If you're expecting a traditional Japanese omakase, you might be surprised. It's a Japanese-Californian fusion cuisine. Some fish are from Japan, but many are from Canada, New Zealand, or California. I chose the $160 menu. 20 dishes were served. The person next to me chose the $109 menu, and for $50 more, I got the same menu with 3 additional nigiri. Menu (end-April 2024): 1. hirame (halibut) crudo with pineapple // 2. shima-aji // 3. nijimasu (steelhead trout) with apricot // 4. ume madai // 5. canadian gindara // 6. nori chip wagyu and Santa Barbara uni // 7. sawara (spanish mackerel) // 8. New Zealand king salmon // 9. akami bluefin tuna with a5 wagyu beef sauce // 10. potato chip with caviar // 11. canadian albacore salad with papaya // 12. black sea bream // 13. kinmedai // 14. toro // 15. kanpachi // 16. honzuke (bluefin tuna) // 17. noodle with sesame, shaved truffle and japanese chimichurri // 18. kabocha soup, pumpkin seeds // 19. a5 wagyu with foie gras // 20. coconut ice cream with caramel banana puree and chocolate chips Halibut crudo in a Japanese restaurant is a bit unexpected. The same goes for the Canadian albacore salad. I actually don't see the point of serving albacore in a high-end omakase. In the nigiri, several toppings overpower the taste of the sushi, like the kumquat and apricot toppings. They should use much smaller amounts of topping. The nori with uni was disappointing; the wagyu flavor was completely missing. I also don't see the point of the potato nigiri with caviar. There was a nice selection of nigiri, and many were very good, like the shima-aji, gindara, kinmedai and the wagyu with foie gras nigiri. The Spanish mackerel dish was also very good. The kabocha soup didn't fit with the rest of the meal and the portion was too large. The chef himself said it was to make sure customers are filled by the end of the meal. The final dessert was good, but it was a bit disappointing to have a typically Californian dessert at the end of the meal. The service was very good and it was nice to talk with the sushi chef.“

“The ingredients, the flavors, they're all top-notch.“

“I went to KEN for my birthday and it was absolutely phenomenal. The fish was delicious; so many new flavors and combinations; the chef was superb - talented and entertaining, with great attention to detail. The service was impeccable. I cannot say enough good things!“

“Love Chisai sushi club - the fish is very high quality and the ingredients used to pair with the fish really make their nigiri stand out. The price points for the omakase are also very reasonable. I usually get the chisai omakase with 1-2 supplements and it's plenty of food. The vegan option is also quite tasty if there are seafood restrictions in your party.“

“I cannot say I had a bad experience. Everything was my favorite“

“Loved my experience here! I came here for a late valentines dinner and it was absolutely wonderful. First, the concept of the open kitchen when walking in is so nice and refreshing to see. The architecture and interior of the restaurant is also very tasteful and intimate. The lighting inside was dimly light, perfect for a date, with the centerpiece the open concept kitchen. We were sat promptly by the bar and presented with the set menu for the night. For omakase, I typically prefer being sat at the bar as it gives more of a show and has an entertainment aspect while watching the sushi chef work! It's also always great conversing with them. The head chef was super kind and funny, we loved talking with him and watching him perform his art! The menu for that night included ostumami, nigiri, and dessert. This was comprised of 7 appetizers and 10 pieces of nigiri and a dessert. Each appetizer was so delicious and very thoughtful. I appreciated the staff service as well as every time a dish was presented, it was followed by a quick explanation of the contents and their recommendation on how to consume. Highlights of the ostumami for me included the Louie salad, chawanmushi (which was one of the best I've ever had), and sunomono. The Louie salad's contents were selected carefully and each vegetable was so fresh and crunchy. It was a great clean start to the meal and I appreciated that this was the starter. The chawanmushi was amazing! Loved that they used lobster gravy and it was so smooth, no bubbles in it which showed the care put into making it. Lots of umami flavor in that dish. The sunomono was a nice palate cleanser to me before the nigiri began and I didn't know giant clam could taste so refreshing! The nigiri was also amazingly prepared and I could tell the source was high quality. Their dry aged fish was also a delightful surprise to my tastebuds as I've never tried it before. Apparently, all of their fish are sourced from Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo! The head chef explained to me how he goes and selects the fish with the owner. Honestly, watching him curate each nigiri with such care seemed to make it taste even better! Knowing the food was handpicked and crafted with so much knowledge and care made me appreciate it more. Some honorable mentions would be the drinks we had ordered. The cocktails were delicious and definitely had a kick to it. The perfect ending to tie up the night was the hojicha ice cream. I wish there was a tub I could buy because I really liked it. Not too sweet and very smooth. Overall I cannot recommend this place enough for a memorable dining experience! Would definitely come back :) (I wish I had pictures of the nigiri, but I was too busy grubbing!)“

“What a treat! Highly recommend“

“Truly for "Friends Only!" Ten seats at an "L"-shaped raw bar. Got to chat and share experiences with all the guests AND the staff. Made a lot of "Friends" tonight and got to share dining at its finest and food of superior quality and taste!“

“The handrolls are very tasty, although quite small. One person could easily eat six alone. The service felt a bit stiff, and the stools definitely work best with squishy butts. Overall I'm happy I finally gave them a try, although I'm not in a hurry to go back.“

“super yummy I loved every bite“

“Wow. That's the exact word to describe the entire tasting experience from start to finish. There's not much else to say lol My wife and I are addicted to sushi, especially when it comes to an omakase option. Without giving too much away, the price is incredibly reasonable for the quality and amount that you get. A great bonus is their unique selection of sake (the drink, not the fish) which paired quite nicely with everything we ate. We will definitely be back for another visit!“

“One of the Best Omakase Experience we had!“

“Came here on a Tuesday around 1pm because reviews looked good and the wait at Swans Oyster Depot was too long. This place did not disappoint! I ate 7 unique nigiri sets, their egg custard and green tea ice cream. Also drank sake. Chatted with Lloyd and Matt who were the sushi chefs. Super nice guys. Food was amazing! Being lunch time I pretty much had the place to myself. So many interesting things on their menus to try. I will definitely be back.“

“We had a very special dinner at Noodle in a Haystack. The food was all very innovative and delicious, and Clint and Yoko were so friendly and welcoming. They are true artisans and I wouldn't be surprised if they win a lot of awards. Highly recommended!“

“Kaisaki style Omakase 12/10 - Baby broccoli was surprisingly good! - All the sashimi fish were very fresh and presentation is amazing - Fav dish: tempura white fish wrapped in shizo leaf and matcha salt, very tender and flavorful - Highly recommend the sake pairing as they go so well with the dishes Chef was fantastic and answered all the questions I had Overall the experience is amazing! Make sure to make a reservation as they don't take walkins! 2 rounds per night: 5 and 8pm. 5pm definitely better cuz less people“

“Our favorite bar in the Bay Area by far, and our go-to spot for celebrating special occasions and bringing out of town friends! With Michelin level drinks, food, ambience, and service - all of which have impeccable attention to detail - it's no wonder they're always packed. Drinks - Great selection of cocktails and sake. Cocktails uniquely showcase asian ingredients (e.g. japanese yam, calamansi, yuzu), and they change the cocktail menu from time to time so there's always something new to try. They have a wide variety of sakes, including a number of rare sakes that you can't find anywhere else. Timofei, the bar manager, is an encyclopedia of knowledge, and if you ever get the chance to talk to him, you'll learn a ton about each and every drink! Food - Standouts include the Kaisen-don (w/ uni, roe, hamachi, and squid) - so good I'm still dreaming about it a week later - and the Mochi-age (vegetarian fried mochi). We love what they've done with the interiors since their recent remodel. Service is always so attentive, accommodating, and timely. I'm already looking for excuses to visit again soon - always such a treat!“

“An amazing omakase experience in SF and reasonably priced. All the sushi was so fresh and paired well with the different flavors. Even their non-sushi dishes were wonderful and their ice dessert was amazing. Make a reservation because they’re very small and fill up quickly“

“I can't believe we haven't been here sooner. What a dynamic duo of two owners. Left with a full belly, happy conversation, and strong relationship thanks to this date night. Don't skip this spot because it's lesser known than the big dog spots like robin, Ju-ni, sushi sato. This is now our new go to!“

“Delicious food and friendly staff“

“Good fresh comfort food, warm friendly family business“

“Everything about Gozusf is unique. From the furnishings to the restrooms... yes the restrooms are next level. Every dish is presented as a work of art, and is filled with so much flavor it's hard to describe. You simply need to try EVERYTHING. The service is impeccable and this is an experience that should not be missed!“

“The atmosphere and presentation of the food was extremely chic! The meal was delicious!!“

“Came here for lunch this set it look small but enough for your lunch with reasonable prices.my favorites is Soup itsuper creamy and yakitori marinated with flavorful sauce. it's such a a cozy spot.My server was super friendly ,attentive And helpful“

“Finally got to try the grubbies ! I love the concept of it - quick pit stop at the door for quality (yummy) lunch or early dinner! I got the unagi donburi bowl ~ eel was cooked perfectly not to well done or over sauced. Can't wait to try other items.“

“My first omikase was truly a memorable experience. We sat at the bar and witnessed how chef Kayo masterfully prepared every creation. I loved how he made his sashimi, that artistic, flowy like movement that only chefs can do. The food is so good and fresh. I love everything I had. The appetizer is well curated and i ate all of it. I had the sake flight which was a good selection. The milk tea ice cream with sprinkles of chopped pistachios the bomb for me. I will go back for sure“

“Eating is a kind of happiness, taste is a kind of interest“

“Absolutely incredible experience - from the cuisine, to the ambiance, to learning their process. Above all - the service! We loved our chef, Pun. Amazing conversation and chemistry, flowed so naturally and was the highlight of our experience. Favorite restaurant so far - will be coming back many times and highly recommend.“

“The food smacks and the music they play always slaps.“

“The food is really good ☺️“

“I've been ;dining at Roka Akor since moving to SF in 2016. After a hiatus due to the pandemic I noted the food was not as savory as it was. It may be attributed to change in Chef or management. Please put the Chilean seabass and lobster roll back on the menu. Those items were huge wins.“

“My fiancee took me here for my bday dinner. Everything was fresh, delicious, and amazing quality. Every bite was magnificent and I was really full at the end. The servers and chefs were very attentive. They made the experience more fun. Everyone's water and gingers were never empty. The chef drew fishies in my birthday card which was a super personable touch. They even helped every party take a picture at the end of the dinner. Overall, experience was a 10/10. Highly recommend.“

“Fenikusu is one of favorite sushi restaurants. If you like Ju-Ni, The Shota, Wako, Hinata, you'll enjoy Fenikusu but in a different great way. The quality is terrific and at a neighborhood friendly price point. Please note that Fenikusu is about sushi so expect great, delicious Otoro and no California rolls. Lastly, it's a super date night spot!“

“awesome a must try, this is a hidden gem“

“You don’t have to break the bank on their amazing sushi, you can also get udon at neighborhood prices. And nobody beats Jimmy as a host!“

“I can’t believe I never reviewed this restaurant. We eat here regularly at the restaurant and for takeout. The food is delicious for adults and for children. My son really loves the salmon teriyaki and the veggie sushi; I love their unique appetizers / tapas and their sushi. Reliable and one of the best restaurants in Castro and Noe.Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly“

“It has a very interesting menu, I really enjoy the food.“

“Came here on a Tuesday night with my coworkers without a reservation. Great for large groups and it was walking distance from the grand Hyatt on Stockton. Very walkable and didn't feel dangerous at night. We had 12 people total. Food was good. Overall less than 800 for 12 people which is not bad. They had no issues with separating the alcohol bill for each person.“

“Joodang is quite possibly my favorite restaurant right now. The food is to die for and the service is phenomenal. My friend n I decided to try their Te Mari handroll tasting menu which is only offered on Sunday and Monday w/ two time slots of 5:30 and 8PM (you hav to make a reservation). I rec coming at 8PM, show up a bit early so you get first pick at seats, and you HAVE TO sit at the bar. Chef andy and Jeffrey are a hilarious duo, and the staff are all super nice and will not hesitate in pouring you drinks. Must try's are their truffle toro parfait, cajun albacore tuna roll, hokkaido scallop roll, salmon belly w unagi roll, and the korean raw beef perilla wrap. Even the unassuming dishes like inari shiitake and snapper bone soup were amazing (we were even offered seconds for it). I did not dislike a single thing and the chef even made me a toro roll (i think?) cause I’m allergic to bean sprouts. Typically i don’t write reviews (i actually have four exams to study for right now) but this place is so good i have to share my experience.“

“Exceptional service. Delicious, artfully presented omakase at a reasonable price point.“

“Update - 5/5 stars. Owner reached out and went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed the meals this time - the level of care and service was unprecedented. This time we got the deluxe box with fish in the box yuzu truffle version. The quality of the fish was even better than last time - all of the pieces tasted fresh. Rice was perfectly seasoned and we very much enjoyed the mix of elements in the yuzu truffle box. Thank you Jerry, we will definitely be recommending to friends!“

“Tasty authentic ramen. Lovely staff. Serves alcohol, but it's not on the menu, so make sure you ask. Know that when you choose meat, you'll only get one type (i.e. fuku chicken karaage ramen does not come with pork from the base, which is not clear on the menu). Would come back again.“

“The best sushi place in the city!! Quality of food is 10 out of 5......“

“Wow....walk away sushi... No seats. Just to-go Fresh hamachi Tasty unagi I am in effing heaven! Open one on my side of the park, buddy. Ambiance is to go. Bruh.... Clean Friendly owner/sushi chef. Bottom line - good Sushi. I had nigiris to go. One order is 3 pieces, my friends....not 1 Not 2, But three pieces!!! JYW highly recommends! Tell Taka the sushi chef hello He used to own and operate in Japantown for a couple of decades !“

“San Francisco, you gotta love that city, what a vibe, every neighborhood has its unique charm.In one of the neighborhoods you will find Shoshin Sushi, a very nice, cozy, authentic, small restaurant.The food is not out of this world but definitely with its own charm. I loved the makis but wasn’t very fond of the carpaccios, the sauce is flat and does not bring out the flavor of the fish much.On the other hand, the makis were all very good, the Naruto is one that you should particularly try, spicy tuna with avocado wrapped in a cucumber sheet with ponzu and olive oil, very refreshing.The place has a nice atmosphere with very friendly people, enjoy ?“

“The food here was amazing! Highly recommend. We came in for a late seating so it wasn’t overly busy.The maki rolls were very unique and extremely delicious. Get the bluefin tuna sashimi, this is the best dish I’ve had at any sushi restaurant.“

“Beautiful little Japanese bistro. The food left a lot to be desired though. The takoyaki is really good. I have never had such crispy texture in takoyaki before, however they are really stingy with the octopus and left the takoyaki a very doughy interior.The beef don is not good. Very greasy. The rice is overcooked with too much water so it is already too soggy to start with. The beef itself also doesn’t taste like fresh meat more like frozen. Also the entire dish is not nutrition balanced. Overall I only have a few bite and wasted most of the dish.My friends like the curry with minced beef, but I heard another customer complained that it is too heavy.“

“Amazing find! Quick counter service or grab and go items available (bento, rice balls, bowls / donburi). Selection features many classic Japanese flavors using local ingredients.Combinations vary or you can pick out items à la carte, but everything is worth it and delicious. We got combos and added items to have a feast that did not break the bank. Our meals easily could have cost $30.I highly recommend the agedashi tofu (veg main), mapo eggplant salad (with chicken or the vegetarian version), potato croquette, shrimp cake (huge but with whole shrimps and cooked to perfection). I would definitely return to try out their curry ? options (beef or mushroom) and possibly any seasonal changes.Service was amazing with all condiments and utensils provided with proper packaging. Service was quick despite a slight lunch weekday rush.No seating in the space itself, but plenty of shared outdoor tables or a few chairs near windows inside near Cholita Linda.Vegetarian options: At least one vegetarian salad (Japanese side dish), soup, or main available. On my visit, they were vegetarian mapo eggplant salad (possibly other options, I did not look closely at selection), ginger carrot soup, and agedashi tofu main (cold tofu with soy based and mushroom sauce). Mushroom curry was also available.“

“Super delicious pancake. Good service. *****“

“We are sushi connoisseurs. Sushi Hashiri is outstanding and clearly one of the top 3 sushi restaurants in San Francisco. We most strongly recommend this restaurant to sushi lovers! This is truly an amazing experience- the best sushi, ambience, service. Superb!“

“Love the pork katzu. It’s crispy meat tendered . But meat a little bit too salty due to brine . Matchzuke is a little bit too dry though . More soup would be better . Not recommend Salad is too less sauce so a bit tasteless. Fried pork sando is good . Need to eat right away.sauce is great and bread is soft. Recommend . Chicken porridge is a bit too pricy compared to the food . I think it’s easy to make with instant pot and not hard to prepare . Will skip next time . Overall, fried pork or chicken related meal are recommended.“