The Most Delectable Japanese in San Francisco

Ichika Sushi House

★★★★☆ 4.4 (907) • $$

"This place has always been on my bookmarks and I got to finally try it on Valentine's day. We got here right when they opened at 5pm, and was able to get a table inside. super cozy and romantic spot with tasteful decor. Despite it being a busy day, the servers were still attentive and provided great service.Fresh Ankimo (5/5) Some of the freshest I've had in the Bay Area. Dare I say as good as Japan? We were super happy with this dish. Highly recommend. Treasure Box (5/5) Just enough for two people, the treasure box is a must get when you come here. We got the Valentine's day box that came with abalone, uni + ikura over rice, king salmon, wagyu nigiri, Toro nigiri, Hamachi, oysters with caviar, sea bass, and a savory egg pudding dish topped with a dungeness crab. Mango Salmon Roll (4/5)salmon was fresh and the mango was sweet and complimented the roll so well.Fancy Oysters (5/5) topped with quail egg, ikura, ponzu and green onion. i really enjoyed these as well and even put some of the Ankimo on top overall, great experience for our first time. I will definitely be back!"

Udon Mugizo Mountain View

★★★★☆ 4.3 (942) • $$

"Traditional, and Unique Udon!You can choose to sit either indoors or outdoors at this restaurant. The server was friendly and he recommended some menu items. Aside from regular udon, they also offered creative options like ramen-style or pasta-inspired udon. With so many choices, it's a great spot for first-timers trying udon.Beef Sukiyaki Udon:Since it was cold, I went with a hot pot-style udon to warm up. The slightly sweet broth became even more flavorful with a sprinkle of shichimi chili powder from the table--it added a nice kick and tasted amazing!"

Wako Japanese Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (828) • $$$$

"Had an amazing omakase experience here with my husband. Dinner on a week night was a full house. The service is phenomenal and the fish is high quality. We had a winter melon starter and some appetizers to begin with that the servers brought out. First time having fig tempura, but it was nice!For the nigiris, we were served by the chef directly at the counter. It was awesome to watch him carefully slice and prepare each dish. Some nigiris were lightly seared, seasoned, or accompanied by some topping. We ordered a pot of green tea which they constantly refilled throughout the night. In addition to the set menu, we ordered 2 golden eye snapper and uni nigiris. My favorites had to be the skipjack, barracuta, and the golden eye snapper. All the fish just melts in your mouth. The rice was a good temperature, the proper amount, and just the right texture. Also, the seafood egg cake had to be the best I've ever had of that. We were happy with our experience of high quality fish from Japan but close to home."

Tuna Kahuna

★★★★★ 4.6 (713) • $$

"Tuna Kahuna is my favorite lunch spot in Burlingame. The owners truly care and are often in the kitchen themselves. Fresh fish, excellent sauces and marinades, and a wide variety of toppings. Their signature bowls are the way to go, as each is thoughtfully composed with ingredients that complement each other. Their new ginger scallion bowl is my current fave. The salmon lover bowl another go-to. Casual ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating. I have yet to try their special weekend meals, which is a more elevated dining experience. Another bonus: they have a rewards program which is earns you discounts over time. I'll be back!"

Sushi Koya

★★★★☆ 4.3 (806) • $$

"Sushi Koya is a hidden gem when it comes to Bay Area Japanese cuisine. You can tell the quality of fish is high and they really take care of their customers here. If you want to order the biggest sushi roll you have ever seen, it's on the menu called Monstar. Be sure to split with a friend, because you won't be able to finish it yourself unless you're a true whale."

Amami San Sushi

★★★★☆ 3.8 (950) • $$

"Delicious and reasonably priced food, attentive service, and bustling atmosphere. A go-to for sushi in South City."

Kemuri Japanese Barú

★★★★☆ 4.1 (793) • $$$

"Food was really good, just the salmon skewer was a little bit on the drier side. Otherwise flavor and presentation is good! Karaage chicken was very juicy! Service was amazing, they took the time to explain the menu. It is a great place to meet with friends, drink and munch on some tapas."

Mr. Teriyaki Sushi

★★★★☆ 4.4 (681) • $$

"The service was efficient and the staff was kind. I had two rolls (salmon skin roll and crispy crunch roll) plus the seaweed salad. Nothing spectacular about the seaweed salad, but they have the tastiest miso soup I've had to date! The rolls were very good."

Sushi Zen

★★★★☆ 4 (813) • $$

"Kevin is a very experienced sushi chef. I met him many years ago at a different place and recently tried this sushi place in the sunset where I found out he owns. Simply put, fresh and tasty sushi at a reasonable price. Very homely restaurant where a lot of locals would frequent. Worth trying if you have not."

Sushi Plus

★★★★☆ 3.9 (855) • $$

"Darn, guess I was a bit off. Still a popular place. But Korean owned. Heard the owner speak Japanese before. Came here for a quick dinner and was disappointed in the taste. Nabeyaki was salty and chicken wasnt great. Had two roles and both of the salmon and mango on top was cut like a novice who didnt know how to cut. Not sure if they were training people? Wasnt the usual waitresses either... it was an ajima (older aunt, maybe the female owner) and a hispanic lady. Got the teriyaki kids meal.. was ok. Less sauce would be preferable but chicken was drenched. Yikes... perhaps this was a one off..."

Sasa Japanese restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (677) • $$$

"We came here on my dad's birthday lunch and overall we enjoyed the food. The server was friendly, professional and knowledgeable. We got a few omakase set and some appetizers, crudo and rolls to share. The quality of the food here was close to what I've had in Japanese restaurant in Japan/ Asia(and of course paying a premium in the US). The ambiance was cozy and I liked the slightly dim lighting in the restaurant.This restaurant is located within a small shopping mall and there's no bathroom inside the restaurant(there's one really close). I will come back !"

Wakuriya

★★★★★ 4.6 (591) • $$$$

"Came by for dinner the other night and it was a world class experience. Wakuriya is a Japanese kaiseki restaurant with a Michelin 1 star located inside a casual strip mall in San Mateo, next to the freeway. Parking is plentiful in the private lot or on the residential street. There is a Tesla charger in the parking lot.Reservations start 30 days in advance with a first come first served message left on their answering machine at 12 am. An executive assistant, butler and/or concierge would be perfect for handling reservations for executives. Received a call from Mayoumi 30 days in advance during the late afternoon confirming my particulars including credit card information, dining preference along with food allergies.The dining room can seat ~16 people and features counter or table dining. The counter offers an open view of the kitchen with a request not to take photos of people inside the kitchen. The loo is high end with an option for Japanese or Charmin toilet paper along with a request to sit on their toilet.Despite the rather casual outside, the interior was intimate and high end with a few notable IKEA furnishing inside the kitchen, including their ALEX drawer set along with drawer liner.Meal started off with the Japanese tai snapper served with a salad. This was a light and refreshing way to start off the meal.Moved on to the appetizer course which consisted of trout with caviar, crab and salmon sushi along with duck breast with Italian black truffle. Each of the tiny morsels were well thought out although I found the duck breast over cooked..bummer.The sashimi course featured some type of sauce which was somewhat different than Japanese kaiseki's were they would serve this with fresh wasabi.The miso gratin may have been the weakest part of the meal featuring an overcooked lobster tail although the cauliflower and mushrooms were tasty.The sorbet was a light and refreshing palate cleanser.The main course featuring domestic wagyu beef, and egg and turnip was a pretty filing course although I felt that a Japanese wagyu would have been an even better option.The last savory course was a somen noodle soup with scallop and shrimp, including the head. This was a light and filing way to finish off the savory dishes.Meal ended off with a fuji apple with tofu-caramel sauce along with some baked cookies. Service throughout the meal was very attentive by the owner Mayoumi. Diners were mostly Chinese with the Mandarin ones being the only ones speaking in outdoor voices...~$210/head after tax and gratuity for a 3 hour kaiseki dinner."

Amami Sushi Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (705)

"Another impressive sushi dinner Never disappointed and always fresh Reservation is a must"

Yo Yo's

★★★★☆ 4.4 (639) • $

"Love, love, love their curry (they have curry of the day, often chicken) and the Udon (they also make it for me without the noodle when I just need the soup comfort). Friendly, hole in the wall. My ultimate yummy, casual food and so comforting!!!"

Okoze Sushi

★★★★☆ 4.1 (718) • $$$

"For me, Okoze is the most exceptionally well balanced sushi restaurant in SF. No hype, just great sushi, good atmosphere, and fair prices. This is one of a handful of sushi restaurants I've visited where I feel the food is equal to what I experienced in Japan. The nigiri is consistent and never disappoints. Highly recommended."

SOHO Modern Japanese

★★★★☆ 4.4 (611) • $$$$

"Croffle and chicken - 4/5, chicken is good, not a fan of the croffle, taste too much like croissant Ube mochi pancake - 3/5, but too dry and needs the syrup, good portion size though and my kiddo loves itPoutine - 3.5/5, a bit heavy and not a lot of short rib Okonomiyaki tots - 5/5, prefer this flavor a lot moreKurobuta - 5/5, really good but so expensive for 3 tiny sausages Butterfly pea lemonade 1/5, don't get it, just don't Lavender latte - 5/5, really good flavor and would get this again"

Ginza Sushi & Sake

★★★★☆ 4.2 (654) • $$

"This is one of my friend's go-to sushi spots, and I can see why! The location is super convenient, and both the sushi and service are consistently good. I tried both the sushi and meat dishes, and they were quite enjoyable. The ambiance is calm and laid-back, making it a nice place to unwind. Overall, it's a solid choice for quick and reliable Japanese food when I'm in the area."

Tokie's

★★★★☆ 3.9 (752) • $$

"On a busy Saturday night they were able to fit us in without a reservation. We waited about 10 mins and had a nice table toward the back. The interior is a nice balance of dark wood with high ceilings. Service was friendly though if there are a lot of take out orders the sushi chef can take longer. We like that there is both a sushi menu and some traditional dishes like katsu curry, which they say on the menu is homemade. It was all right, not sure if I would order again. Sushi was fresh. The spicy tuna was overwhelming spicy with no tuna taste. Negihama and also scallop nigiri were our favorites. With all of the restaurants in the area this is an okay chiice."

Nabe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (613) • $$

"This Japanese hot pot spot is the perfect place to warm up on a chilly day! We ordered the Shabu Shabu with beef and spicy miso broth as well as the Sukiyaki, and both were absolutely delicious. The rich flavors of the broth paired perfectly with the fresh ingredients, making it a cozy and satisfying meal.For spice lovers, they offer a ghost pepper drop, I added it to my sauce and loved the extra kick and unique flavor it brought. Whether you're a hot pot enthusiast or trying it for the first time, this place is a must-visit when the weather turns cold!"

Kuma Sushi + Sake

★★★★☆ 4.4 (554) • $$$

"Decent value for pretty good sushi. We tried about 5 different rolls and they were all good."

Sushi Hon

★★★★☆ 4.4 (551) • $$$$

"I'm a firm believer in sushi rice being as important, if not more so, than the fish, and I was a big fan of how they make it at Sushi Hon. Chef Yong proudly declared that he washes the rice for an hour the night before to remove extra starch. Combined with a bold dark-light vinegar ratio, I thought that the perfectly defined rice grains and bright acid made for an incredible nigiri base.Though I am team vinegar, I could see their liberal use being a bit much for certain palates. The mozuku starter, for example, was silky seaweed strands in a sweet vinegar broth that was like a refined gut shot. And a decadent uni and chopped toro rice bowl supplement shared the stage equally with the tangy vinegar rice. No complaints from my sour-loving palate though.Let's not forget the nigiri. Some highlights for me included the hotate, or fresh scallop from Hokkaido, carefully scored to yield both a visually impressive and textured bite. Seared 14-day aged toro (fatty tuna) and A5 wagyu nigiris, perfectly melted in their respective fatty goodness. And the engawa (fluke fin) nigiri supplement had a nice snappy chew to it.After the many nigiri courses, an early summer corn tomato jelly "ceviche" was a refreshing palette cleanser. And dessert was a creamy, but not too sweet, kinako panna cotta that had a savory touch from the toasted soybean.The inviting counter service from Chef Yong also made the meal more memorable. He enthusiastically shared his sushi knowledge and preparation details, and his proud, yet humble energy was infectious. He also excitedly gave us a taste of the in-house MG rice lager.Dinner edomae omakase starts at $135 for 18 dishes, 10 of which are nigiri. And I appreciated that the omakase menu was actually printed out beforehand so you could plan and pace yourself. Sushi Hon also offers a smaller lunch omakase for $65, and they do delivery as well."

Sakana Sushi & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (700) • $$

"Ron was our server and he was amazing! He was so patient when taking all of her orders, and explained all the dishes to us. The fish was very fresh, my favorite among all the nirigi was probably the seared salmon and the trout. Highly recommend both and the fried bananas!"

Sushi Toni

★★★★☆ 3.9 (697) • $$

"I orders takeout while on a biz trip and it was quite a lot of food! 3 rolls, salad and miso soup for $25! Very fresh."

Toyama Sushi

★★★★☆ 4.4 (545) • $$

"Ate here again with friends. They were more than pleasantly surprised and impressed the quality and quantity for the price was excellent. I love the grilled hamachi collars This is my go to place for Japanese food"

Fujiyama-Ya Japanese Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (673) • $$

"Can't tell you how much I love this place and the amazing family who runs it. We used to go all the time when we lived in the outer sunset and was so happy to get back here when visiting SF recently. Great sushi always reasonably priced. The service is top notch."

Onigilly - San Francisco

★★★★☆ 4 (639) • $$

"Love a light lunch option! More choices beyond the onigiri now (soups, salads and bowls)!"

Grandehos Kamekyo

★★★★☆ 4.1 (585) • $$

"Amazing sushi on Hyde! Ordered the lion king and it was amazing! Plenty of seating inside and out in the deck. Family establishment with pictures all over the walls. The waitress was extremely nice and had me seated as soon as I walked in. Highly recommend when on the north side of SF."

Akira Japanese Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (541) • $$

"Sushi is really good sushi here. I was in the area and was craving sushi, so I found Akira Japanese Restaurant and was pleasantly surprised. It was nearing closing time on Saturday afternoon (3 PM), so decided to order takeout. Both items I ordered, Unagi Nigiri and Dragon Roll, were delicious."

Cafe Okawari

★★★★★ 4.5 (467) • $$

"So I heard about this place from my husband and a couple foodies who reminisce on Japan's most coveted egg Sandi from family mart. A staple addiction I miss so much! I ordered a latte and 2 egg sandos.The latte was 5/5Egg Sando 5/5Although it does not compare to Japans egg sando this one has its own unique flare which is why I highly recommend trying it for yourself.You must eat it fresh as I don't think it hits right if you wait longer than 30min. The bread is soft and the egg melts into your mouth. I think due to Ca egg shortage - pricing is $$. I won't dock points for that but it was a bit $$.Worth it! Yes! Craving family mart egg sando - well this is the closest you'll get till your next trip! In the mood to try something new/ then I highly recommend.Okay enough about egg sando! They have so many other options I have yet to try and will be coming back to make an update on the rest of their menu!"

DASH Japanese Tapas & Sushi

★★★★☆ 4.2 (536) • $$$

"Came by DASH while walking around downtown San Mateo, looking for dinner. We were seated promptly around 4:30pm. FOOD:We ordered some nigiri, Lion King roll, unagi fried rice and chicken karage. The fish tasted fresh and the roll was tasty. The chicken karage was juicy, not dry. The batter was thin, not super thick or cakey. The unagi fried rice came last, and by then, I was too full. Tasty, lots of flavor, and we had to take home the rest. SERVICE: Everyone was super friendly. Water and tea refilled when needed. Plates cleared when we needed space for more food. AMBIANCE: Cozy and warm. Overall, decent food and service."

Tokyo Sushi & Bar

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (800) • $$

"The food here is great, with generous portions for the bento box. The ramen is decent, but the crunchy sushi roll was outstanding. The interior is clean, and the staff is great!"

Gintei

★★★★☆ 4.1 (541) • $$$$

"We had the omakase and it was delicious and beautiful! 10 beautiful pieces of fish, all of them with unique flavor profiles (some delicate and light, some strong and fatty- all delicious). Our wait staff was super attentive and efficient, and the atmosphere they created was fun and welcoming. The parking situation is basically street parking, we didn't have a problem finding a spot a bit down the way. We came on a cold night and got the hot tea- was perfect to accompany the meal."

Shabuway Japanese Style Hot Pot

★★★★☆ 3.5 (723) • $$

"This place is so good and the meat quality is amazing. Staff is on point and gets things done. Super duper love this place. The hubs, Skye and Matthew and I love this place more than other hot pots because of quality."

Sushi Monster

★★★★☆ 3.9 (570) • $$

"good experience nice staff. My daughter loved the kids meal shrimp tempura. the edamame could use more salt but we enjoyed it. ambiance is casual and it's a small restaurant with extra parking in the back."

Bon, Nene

★★★★☆ 4.3 (460) • $$

"This is one of the cutest, coziest restaurants in all of SF!! The vibes inside are amazing, but they don't take reservations so be prepared to come early or wait a long time. We showed up at 5:50PM on a Saturday and were sat immediately but the restaurant filled up quickly.Definitely try the Mentaiko Pasta - so savory and comforting and the portion is huge! My friends had the curry, in both vegetarian and beef, and they enjoyed that as well. We started with the Vegetarian Small Bites and I would not recommend that - flavors were delicious but the portion was tiny. It was like banchan sized portions but they charged $12 for it. Everything else was reasonably priced and portioned though!"