Sasa Japanese restaurant

I am craving Sasa as we speak. I think that the interior is very warm and simply designed in a way that's elegant and not overdone.We were checked in on and they were incredibly polite, thoughtful, and kind so that felt good to be around and when the sushi came out, my taste buds exploded.Every single dish that we got was incredible and even the simplest rolls were flavorful, fresh and had multiple dimensions of flavor.My friend had recently done a trip to Japan and mentioned the Uni from Hokkaido, which we tried and was wonderful!I absolutely would go back and I am so excited to have found this gem. It has stolen the spot for my favorite sushi spot in the city. I would recommend making reservations as well!

One of my favorite spots in SF! The food and service were amazing and always consistent. Servers are friendly and attentive. We had the Hamachi Truffle, Oysters, Barracuda Nigiri, Creamy Salmon Roll, Spicy Tuna Maki, Kaisen Futomaki, and Toku Dragon Roll. All really tasty with unique flavors and great quality seafood. Ambiance is small, but intimate and service is fast but not rushed! Love this place, never disappoints and would highly recommend.

Food: 4/5Service: 5/5Ambiance/ 5/5The sushi here is on the pricier side, but everything tasted so fresh and delicious! Also got the chicken karaage and steamed egg, which were also terrific (though the latter was smaller than expected). Intimate restaurant atmosphere makes this a great date night option.

Came on a weekend a few weeks ago for a nice, new year meal, and I am so glad I came to dine here. I made a reservation for 2 a few hours before coming and had no trouble. I was debating on getting their omakase or the mystery chirashi box but couldn't decide, so I asked the waitress which option was more popular. She said without a doubt, the mystery box. We ended up each getting a 9 piece set for ourselves. I was a bit worried that we wouldn't be full after the box since some of the photos online make it look small and not very filling, but when the box arrived, it was decently sized. Everything in the box was so delicious and so fresh. The chirashi pieces were pretty thick, and the rice complemented well underneath the fish. It was a good variety, and the little dish plates were beautiful and dainty. It was well balanced, ranging from tuna to yellowtail, different cuts of salmon, and more. The concept itself is very unique and nothing that I've seen before in the city. Service was quick, prices are a bit steep, but if you look at the menu prior to coming, you shouldn't be surprised. Fresh, good quality sashimi is always expensive in the US so you get what you pay for essentially. Definitely visit if you're down to splurge a bit!

Came here & got the omakase ($98/person), it was great! All the fish was really fresh and everything was prepared well. The omakase came with 6 courses, 3 of which were sashimi/nigiri. The other 3 were a starter set, chawanmushi, and miso soup. If you're a big eater you'll likely need a second dinner, though. But overall no complaints for the value & I would come again!

At first glance, Sasa may seem like just another touristy Japanese restaurant located in the Japan Center Malls, but you'd be mistaken. Everyone seems to talk about their omakase, but imo, the unagi kabayaki is the best deal. It comes with chawamushi (so umami from the mushroom), tempura (excellent), miso soup (surprisingly didn't love this), house salad (nice and light), and eel (I thought the eel was delicious and very tender, though my boyfriend found it a bit fishier than he would like). The toro sampler was solid, although I'm curious to try the salmon sampler next time. The hamachi truffle was also quite good, although I didn't love the seasonings that were added on top. The kaisen futomaki was disappointing. Too bland from too much rice in the roll. And the rice itself seemed a bit overpowering in its seasoning? Would recommend making a reservation in advance for weekends - we lucked out walking in but the restaurant was packed.

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 !

Came here on a Sunday night at around 7pm. Japantown was quite crowded at the time, and I had to find street parking a couple of blocks away. The restaurant is small and cozy, and the lighting is dim. All tables were basically filled, and there was a crowd around the door waiting for takeout or a table. We had a reservation at 7:15pm, so we were luckily seated pretty soon.My friend and I both ordered the Toku Betsu Sushi. It contained 3 kinds of sashimi (scallop, salmon tuna), 1 salmon roll, and 6 different kinds of nigiri. The dish was plated prettily, and the waitress thoroughly explained each type of fish (although I have now forgotten haha). Despite not having eaten much earlier this day, the dish was very filling for both of us. The fish was also very, very fresh and tender -- I especially loved the scallop sashimi, which practically melted in my mouth.Overall, SaSa has a great ambiance, and I can see why the restaurant was so packed. I'd love to come again and try more offerings on the menu.

Two weeks after dining at SaSa, the wagyu beef sushi still lingered vividly on my taste buds. Though just one piece, it seemed to encapsulate everything that defines good sushi--freshness, depth, and an unforgettable savoriness.We made an Omakase reservation at SaSa on November 8, 2024. Among the supplemental selections offered that evening were four indulgent additions: uni, fatty tuna, tamago, and wagyu beef. These followed an array of appetizers, sashimi, and an already generous variety of sushi. When the supplemental plate was placed before us, it felt like a prologue to a grand finale, carefully crafted to leave a lasting impression--and it did its job.Though nearly full, I was taken aback by how extraordinary the wagyu beef piece was. A thick slice of wagyu lay atop a mound of rice. The surface of the meat was lightly scorched, creating a delicate charred crust, while the center remained raw. The heat from the torch melted a layer of marbled fat, infusing the bite with a rich creaminess. Yet, the true magic for me came from the cracked pepper sprinkled on top. It delivered a subtle warmth and a pleasing bite, creating a contrast to the silky texture of the beef. As a prologue to the evening's conclusion, this plate achieved its purpose, a job well done.

Was it a good sushi? Definitely. Why 3 stars then? Here is why.To be fair, it was one of the best quality sushi we've had. But unfortunately it was EXTREMELY overpriced. First of all, the menu you see on line is incorrect. Omakase was actually $98 per person not $58. The mystery chirasi box was $60 not $38. Sushi pieces are so small and simply not enough food for what you pay for. 20% tip was already added when I got the bill. In addition, they added tax on the tip!After $700 something dollar dinner for 5 (no drinks), we were still kind of hungry.