By Ella Chakarian By Ella Chakarian | June 17, 2021 | Food & Drink Feature
San Francisco is a city that offers inventive rolls and some of the most immaculate sashimi and nigiri. From multi-course omakase feasts to mystery boxes and handroll samplers, we've curated a guide to the top 10 sushi restaurants in San Francisco that you can enjoy every day of the year.
See also: The 31 Best Restaurants in San Francisco You Must Try In 2022
Website | 665 Townsend St.
Translating to "chef's choice" in Japanese, Omakase crafts a distinctive dining experience for each guest with inventive dishes, fish and sake sourced directly from Japan. Executive Chef Jackson Yu is evidently dedicated to his culinary craft, as he even traveled to the mountainous regions of Japan to select the pottery and plateware for the restaurant. With a menu that mirrors Chef Yu's refinement and utilizes the Edomae style to highlight the pure, fresh taste of fish, Omakase is a high-quality destination to get your sushi fix.
Website | 1332 Castro St.
With multi-course sushi omakase dinners, Japanese bar-style foods and a la carte options, Hamano is the ideal restaurant for those searching for an unforgettable, pristine dining experience. The eatery offers a $175, two-hour special menu dubbed the Chef's Corner, which includes seasonal ingredients depending on availability. With further menu options like Bluefin Tuna and Seared Salmon Belly nigiri, along with innovative rolls like the Dolores, which comes with spicy white tuna, vegetables, Tobiko, crunchy garlic and seven spices mayo, Hamano serves up sushi for every palate.
Website | 431 Bush St.
Family-owned and operated for over 30 years, Akiko's knows how to dish out classic and creative Japanese cuisine that will make you eager to return for more. Priding itself for "innovative culinary methods," sustainability and freshness, the joint works with local purveyors and Japan's Tsukiji Fish Market to craft simply indulgent menu items like the Negitoro roll with tuna belly, scallion, pickled daikon and sesame, along with a selection of grilled and fried options and, of course, nigiri.
415.558.8149 | 317 Sanchez St.
While Eiji is a cozy, authentic Japanese spot that expressly specializes in artisan tofu, its selection of fresh fish, eclectic sake choices, vegetarian options and homemade desserts do not fall short. The low-key restaurant serves quality fish that melts in your mouth, like salmon, sweet shrimp and yellowtail nigiri and an assorted Rainbow Roll. Complete your dining experience with fresh strawberry mochi, and you'll be sure to have celebrated International Sushi Day the right way.
Website | 5121 Geary Blvd.
Tradition is the name of the game at Kabuto, which gets its moniker from the shogun helmet used in customary samurai armor in feudal Japan. Speaking to the roots of Japanese culture and cuisine, this Richmond District sushi establishment utilizes high-quality ingredients to concoct a classical dinner menu unlike any other. With a 3 Course Omakase meal that comes with premium nigiri and Toro Uni Caviar Sushi, along with signature dishes like Wagyu A5 Sushi and Spicy Tuna Tartare, the options at Kabuto are perfect for when you want to treat yourself.
Website | 3856 24th St.
Excellence and flavor define this Noe Valley sushi bar. Established in 2012, Saru boasts an attentive and friendly staff along with buttery sashimi and distinctive rolls, with patron favorites like chef's choice salmon, sashimi and nigiri tasting boards and the Watermelon Roll with spicy tuna and avocado wrapped in a cucumber sheet. You can order for takeout or delivery from their extensive online menu for a sushi night at home, or visit the eatery for comforting vibes and delicious food.
Website | 2809 24th St.
Inspired by both traditional Japanese dishes and the diversity of San Francisco, this contemporary dining experience crafted by Executive Chef John Yoon offers experimental dishes that manage to uphold the foundations of sushi-making. Meaning "volcano" in Japanese, each artfully originated meal at Kazan erupts with unforgettable tastiness and virtuosity. From Japon Tapas like Shishito Fries, restaurant special rolls like the Poke Roll and Baked Lion Kind Roll and various samplers of handrolls and omakase, Kazan is a sushi experience in a class of its own.
Website | 518 Haight St.
With sushi roll names like Treasure Island and Sake Bomb, creativity is at the core of Nara's menu. For a mind-blowing meal, have a taste of the Hamachi Truffle appetizer with seared yellowtail and truffle oil ponzu and the Butterfish Addiction with four pieces of Butterfish and various sampling sauces. Nara is the sushi spot to try if you want to redefine—and totally elevate—your sushi standards.
Website | 101 California St.
Created by Chef Ken Tominaga and Chef Michael Mina, PABU Izakaya innovates Japanese izakaya through its world-class sashimi, sushi, sake and seasonal cocktail menu. From a PABU Feast to chef specialty rolls like Mina's Negitoro with bluefin fatty tuna, scallion, uni and ikura, along with Ken's Roll with shrimp tempura, avocado, spicy tuna and pine nut. With seafood and A5 Japanese Wagyu flown in daily from Japan's Toyosu Market, authenticity is guaranteed during a night of fine dining at PABU.
Website | 22 Peace Plaza
Known for a Mystery Box with an assortment of chef-selected fish along with various sushi, sashimi, salmon and toro tasting kits, SaSa is the restaurant for the curious and adventurous eater. With a comprehensive menu brimming with starters like the Hamachi Truffle, eminent nigiri and sashimi options and outstanding rolls like the Toku Dragon Roll and Wagyu Roll, the classy Japantown eatery crafts detailed, thoughtful experiences for each visitor.
Photography by: Jason Leung/Unsplash
