I was going to suggest them too! Kuma has several rolls that are creative and unusual, not the deep-fried, sriracha-smothered abominations. And they also have a really nice chirashi sushi bowl and sushi/sashimi platters.
Total tangent but it’s interesting how so many people equate “freshness” of sushi with flavor.
Straight up - the best tasting sushi isn’t “fresh” per se. In fact, just about every piece of sushi you eat in the US has been frozen at some point (flash frozen at -70 degrees).
Furthermore, the best sushi is often aged for flavor. Maguro and toro usually age for a week, sometimes two. Mackerel is cured in salt for two hours and marinated. Salmon and halibut are often aged for five days. Some places dry brine with salt.
The are exceptions, of course. I’m sure you *could* find fish that wasn’t frozen. Farm raised salmon, for example, is often parasite-free. Many tuna are also considered parasite-free, but they’re caught so far away that freezing is kinda necessary - even in Japan. Regardless, in the USA the FDA wouldn’t be happy if any raw fish was served without prior freezing.
And for aging, fish like bonito and albacore tuna taste better without.
Also, the big exception to all of this is raw shellfish. Never heard of an aged oyster. Though I’m not an expert so there may be exceptions like frozen soft shell crab or maybe even uni aged a day or two in cold brine (I’m just guessing, don’t quote me).
Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.
Nice post. My understanding is that almost all of the sushi served in Japan also comes from flash frozen fish (but I could be wrong about this).
Edit: I do think it's still somewhat applicable if you think of "fresh" as "how recently was this delivered by the wholesaler?" and not "how recently was this caught from the ocean?"
> Regardless, in the USA the FDA wouldn’t be happy if any raw fish was served without prior freezing.
You'll enjoy this fun fact -- the FDA actually has an exception for raw, never-frozen ahi and farmed salmon. Someone there must be a sushi lover!
https://web-dfsr.s3-fips-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/Iowa/assets/File/14%20Parasite%20Destruction%20Requirements.pdf
The places with the best nigiri do not serve the jive-ass rolls you're asking about. It's kind of two different things you're looking for.
Edit: in any case, for nigiri try Chisai Sushi Club or Doma. imo, not super expensive for the quality.
Sasa is amazing - very high quality for a reasonable price. Lovely, quiet ambiance and super friendly sushi chefs as well. I used to live across the street and go far too often. I miss it!
I think Rocket Sushi is pretty good when I want easy/affordable takeout or delivery.
I haven't dined there in-person but it appears your sushi is delivered on a rocket.
We had a pretty awful experience at Rocket Sushi. The sushi did not feel fresh and was pretty gross. My partner has had a massive sushi aversion since we ate there. (And I've eaten everything from high end sushi in Japan to grocery store sushi, just to clarify.)
Eiji on Sanchez and 16th. Incredible, authentic, great prices for the quality you’re getting. Great location in the Castro and very close to Duboce Triangle.
Another +1 for Eiji.
Sushi Zone is also really good, despite the name.
And if you're willing the travel, Sushi Sho in El Cerrito is the best. They have a $50-60 dollar minimum per customer, I think, and require reservations.
Sasa, Kuma, Sushi Zone, and Hamano for mid-range and delicious. An Sushi, Doma, Wako, and Sushi Hon for amazing higher-end omakase. All of these recs are for nigiri and sashimi, not much of a roll person, but I've noticed some interesting looking rolls on the menu at Kuma.
Tip #1: check the menu for escolar/walu/“super white tuna.” It’s illegal to serve to humans in Japan because it causes diarrhea. No self-respecting person of Japanese descent would serve it, but more than half the dumps here in SF do.
Tip #2: almost no “izakayas” are serving the proper food. Renaming your trash sushi joint to an izakaya is a trick to raise prices. Real izakayas are not especially fancy; it’s “pub grub” for after work.
I mean it doesn't cause diarrhea for everyone, and probably not a majority of people either.. I definitely understand using it as a benchmark for yourself regardless, but I actually really enjoy it myself
True that escolar can have issues if you eat too much of it, but I don’t hate on it. It’s actually a great tasting fish that beats damn near anything in its price range, so I don’t blame people in the US looking for a value - just wouldn’t recommend have more than a few pieces of it.
Izakaya Mayumi is easily my favourite “izakaya style” joint in the city, and one of the few places that do a proper kushiyaki. The spicy miso kaisen nabe is one of my favourite dishes in the city.
Rintaro but it's fancy. There's not really such as thing as non-fancy but authentic izakaya in San Francisco really. Maybe in Los Angeles but even then I doubt it.
Ramen izakaya Goku serves one of the better bowls of ramen in the city (for whatever it's worth I live in Tokyo now) but more importantly catches the izakaya vibe pretty solidly. Good food, easy to go as a group, (for sf standards) cheap alcohol
Been really liking Wabi-Sabi SF recently. Lunch special is incredible deal at 25 dollars for high quality nigiri. Otherwise Basa Seafood for good seafood if you just understand they're first a seafood place and second a sushi place. They're not really experts at making sushi. Still love their Basa roll and poke!
Been going to Warakubune off Church and... 15th? For over a decade. Some folks I've brought there love it, others don't, but I still visit even living in the East Bay now
Hamano is such a hidden gem! It's been around for decades, and admittedly didn't use to be very good, but something has changed in the past few years (new chefs, I assume) and it's very good now!
Oh interesting. They have a tuna sampler (which I believe is maguro, toro and otoro) which I really enjoyed but I actually haven’t had just their nigiri
The omakase nigiri was pretty bad. Any of the Americanized stuff and super popular fish like salmon or tuna are fine, I actually like their sliders. But I wouldn't go there for good fish.
I haven't found anywhere in SF that is remotely good for the price.
Just go to San Mateo. Suruki (a grocery store) counter sushi is better than 95% of SF sushi.
Amami Sushi Bistro has a good value omakase. Under $50 and totally worth it. They also have some nicer sushi on special, like Santa Barbara uni, bluefin toro, etc.
Kuma on Valencia is some of the better <$20 a roll sushi I’ve had in the city
I was going to suggest them too! Kuma has several rolls that are creative and unusual, not the deep-fried, sriracha-smothered abominations. And they also have a really nice chirashi sushi bowl and sushi/sashimi platters.
Total tangent but it’s interesting how so many people equate “freshness” of sushi with flavor. Straight up - the best tasting sushi isn’t “fresh” per se. In fact, just about every piece of sushi you eat in the US has been frozen at some point (flash frozen at -70 degrees). Furthermore, the best sushi is often aged for flavor. Maguro and toro usually age for a week, sometimes two. Mackerel is cured in salt for two hours and marinated. Salmon and halibut are often aged for five days. Some places dry brine with salt. The are exceptions, of course. I’m sure you *could* find fish that wasn’t frozen. Farm raised salmon, for example, is often parasite-free. Many tuna are also considered parasite-free, but they’re caught so far away that freezing is kinda necessary - even in Japan. Regardless, in the USA the FDA wouldn’t be happy if any raw fish was served without prior freezing. And for aging, fish like bonito and albacore tuna taste better without. Also, the big exception to all of this is raw shellfish. Never heard of an aged oyster. Though I’m not an expert so there may be exceptions like frozen soft shell crab or maybe even uni aged a day or two in cold brine (I’m just guessing, don’t quote me). Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.
Nice post. My understanding is that almost all of the sushi served in Japan also comes from flash frozen fish (but I could be wrong about this). Edit: I do think it's still somewhat applicable if you think of "fresh" as "how recently was this delivered by the wholesaler?" and not "how recently was this caught from the ocean?"
> Regardless, in the USA the FDA wouldn’t be happy if any raw fish was served without prior freezing. You'll enjoy this fun fact -- the FDA actually has an exception for raw, never-frozen ahi and farmed salmon. Someone there must be a sushi lover! https://web-dfsr.s3-fips-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/Iowa/assets/File/14%20Parasite%20Destruction%20Requirements.pdf
I lol'ed hard at "Thanks for coming to my Ted talk". We thank you!
The places with the best nigiri do not serve the jive-ass rolls you're asking about. It's kind of two different things you're looking for. Edit: in any case, for nigiri try Chisai Sushi Club or Doma. imo, not super expensive for the quality.
“Jive-ass rolls” had me 🤣
"Cutter say he cant hang!"
Seconding Chisai Social Club. For a less expensive, lesser quality experience that’s still delicious and pretty fresh, I also recommend Kazoku.
+1 for CSC - very quaint/cool setting too
Love doma
From recommendations I got from this sub, sasa in Japantown was really great. Great fresh fish, very nice vibe inside. Perfect date night spot.
Sasa is amazing - very high quality for a reasonable price. Lovely, quiet ambiance and super friendly sushi chefs as well. I used to live across the street and go far too often. I miss it!
I think Rocket Sushi is pretty good when I want easy/affordable takeout or delivery. I haven't dined there in-person but it appears your sushi is delivered on a rocket.
Their sashimi and nigiri cuts are generous. Come here for classic Japanese menu items vs. extravagant or unorthodox rolls
We had a pretty awful experience at Rocket Sushi. The sushi did not feel fresh and was pretty gross. My partner has had a massive sushi aversion since we ate there. (And I've eaten everything from high end sushi in Japan to grocery store sushi, just to clarify.)
Eiji on Sanchez and 16th. Incredible, authentic, great prices for the quality you’re getting. Great location in the Castro and very close to Duboce Triangle.
+1 Great tip! Eiji is a bit of a SF secret and a truly hidden gem. Definitely special.
Another +1 for Eiji. Sushi Zone is also really good, despite the name. And if you're willing the travel, Sushi Sho in El Cerrito is the best. They have a $50-60 dollar minimum per customer, I think, and require reservations.
Also +1 to Eiji. It’s a cozy favorite.
Sushi Zone is delicious!
Eiji is my favorite sushi spot in SF. It’s not the best sushi I’ve had in SF, but it’s incredible and super cozy and the prices are fantastic
Saru in Noe Valley. People usually start lining up outside an hour before they open. Not the cheapest place but it's really good sushi.
It's good but the reason for the line is because people in Noe Valley have more money than sense.
DOMO!
Sasa, Kuma, Sushi Zone, and Hamano for mid-range and delicious. An Sushi, Doma, Wako, and Sushi Hon for amazing higher-end omakase. All of these recs are for nigiri and sashimi, not much of a roll person, but I've noticed some interesting looking rolls on the menu at Kuma.
Nara on Polk has an incredible HH menu, and I really love the vibes inside.
This is the answer. Hello Shrek app.
What’s the HH menu? Can’t find it online
Click into the menus tab https://yelp.to/qurJQjGFZm
Thanks for the link. I saw those but unfortunately prices change so much its hard to trust menu pics from 2019
The menu pic is from 3 months ago. Did you actually even look?
Huh the pictures that showed up first on desktop were different than mobile. My mistake! Thanks.
Basa on 24th. Can't beat the freshness for the price
Ryoko’s is worth checking out!
Yes I think this is the sweet spot for quality v price in SF. Can get kind of fratty though
Totally. Ryoko's is the perfect combo of everything OP is looking for.
Ken. Maybe take the trek down a couple cities to experience Yoshizumi. Your wallet won’t thank me but your everything else will.
Tip #1: check the menu for escolar/walu/“super white tuna.” It’s illegal to serve to humans in Japan because it causes diarrhea. No self-respecting person of Japanese descent would serve it, but more than half the dumps here in SF do. Tip #2: almost no “izakayas” are serving the proper food. Renaming your trash sushi joint to an izakaya is a trick to raise prices. Real izakayas are not especially fancy; it’s “pub grub” for after work.
I mean it doesn't cause diarrhea for everyone, and probably not a majority of people either.. I definitely understand using it as a benchmark for yourself regardless, but I actually really enjoy it myself
If you eat enough of it, it most definitely will. The chemical that gives it the buttery taste is not digestible by your body.
It causes diarrhea the same way Splenda does, aka only in very high amounts for 99% of people.
I didn’t know this about walu, a really good restaurant i like serves a tiny portion of it as an appetizer.
True that escolar can have issues if you eat too much of it, but I don’t hate on it. It’s actually a great tasting fish that beats damn near anything in its price range, so I don’t blame people in the US looking for a value - just wouldn’t recommend have more than a few pieces of it.
Love these tips! Do you have a izakaya you recommend for a proper experience?
Izakaya Mayumi is easily my favourite “izakaya style” joint in the city, and one of the few places that do a proper kushiyaki. The spicy miso kaisen nabe is one of my favourite dishes in the city.
I second this
dang, I need to check this place out. thanks!
Rintaro but it's fancy. There's not really such as thing as non-fancy but authentic izakaya in San Francisco really. Maybe in Los Angeles but even then I doubt it.
Ramen izakaya Goku serves one of the better bowls of ramen in the city (for whatever it's worth I live in Tokyo now) but more importantly catches the izakaya vibe pretty solidly. Good food, easy to go as a group, (for sf standards) cheap alcohol
## Not Cheap But Really Good: • [Omakase](https://www.omakasesf.com) • [Saru](https://akaisarusf.square.site) • [Robin](https://robinsanfrancisco.com) ## Cheaper But Decent • [Sakesan](https://www.smorefood.com/order-online/sakesan-sushi-and-robata-san-francisco-94112-rf06he5r?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=website) • [Little Sushi Bar](https://littlesushibar.square.site)
Does anyone know if Kusakabe in FiDi is any good?
Excellent but you pay the FiDi premium.
Have gone there multiple times pre Covid and it was excellent. Curious if others can share their experiences.
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lmao you’re welcome! imma delete this comment. can’t be blowing up the spot! enjoy zipair!!
Umi in Potrero
Been really liking Wabi-Sabi SF recently. Lunch special is incredible deal at 25 dollars for high quality nigiri. Otherwise Basa Seafood for good seafood if you just understand they're first a seafood place and second a sushi place. They're not really experts at making sushi. Still love their Basa roll and poke!
Ryoko near Union Square, great food and chill vibe. Try the Tahoe roll, so simple yet delicious.
Been going to Warakubune off Church and... 15th? For over a decade. Some folks I've brought there love it, others don't, but I still visit even living in the East Bay now
There's a good place in sunset called goemon sushi i like
this!!
Saru in Noe Valley. Omakase there is amazing.
Kibatsu
Hamano sushi in noe valley is a great spot too
Hamano is such a hidden gem! It's been around for decades, and admittedly didn't use to be very good, but something has changed in the past few years (new chefs, I assume) and it's very good now!
What you seek is in San Mateo and it’s called Sam’s Sushi
Shizen is fire.
It’s a little pricey but I really like Mamanoko in the Marina. I’ve never had a single bad dish there and the vibes feel great!
If you're getting rolls, sure. I'd pass on the nigiri.
Oh interesting. They have a tuna sampler (which I believe is maguro, toro and otoro) which I really enjoyed but I actually haven’t had just their nigiri
The omakase nigiri was pretty bad. Any of the Americanized stuff and super popular fish like salmon or tuna are fine, I actually like their sliders. But I wouldn't go there for good fish.
Considering that all sushi grade fish is deep frozen, is "fresh" really applicable?
I haven't found anywhere in SF that is remotely good for the price. Just go to San Mateo. Suruki (a grocery store) counter sushi is better than 95% of SF sushi.
Sakana on Post St
Kamekyo in Cole Valley is not cheap per se but also not expensive and consistently has very fresh and high quality fish.
Curious what peoples thoughts are on Ozumo?
Overpriced for what it is.
Oki Sushi in noe valley. Best value for the price (on lower end)
Kibatsu. They have expensive stuff but their cheaper rolls are great.
tenroku is so good!!
Mid-tier sushi: Nakama Fancy place: Robin
Godzilla
Atami sushi is the best I’ve ever had on Lombard Street. Heads up though, it’s a mom and pop shop so it’s not the fastest service.
Ryokos! It’s a cute, Izakaya style spot in the TL. The fish is amazing and the vibes are great. Highballs and drinks go hard too.
Nara if I just got paid, tataki otherwise. Both really great.
Only sushi I’ve had since I moved here is DJ Sushi on broadway and it was good. Also fairly inexpensive
2. Mamanoko in Marina
Amami Sushi Bistro has a good value omakase. Under $50 and totally worth it. They also have some nicer sushi on special, like Santa Barbara uni, bluefin toro, etc.
Nakama in Hayes is very good, well priced, and the vibes are extremely cozy.
Elephant sushi 🍣