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Miyabi Sushi Express
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
1 Post St(between Lick Pl & Montgomery St)
San Francisco, CA 94104
Neighbourhood: Financial District
(415) 434-3131
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
Kristine W. said: "I would give Kirala 5 stars if the prices weren't so freakin' high (and the service so bad)! But the food is so good, I still give it love! They give you ONE skewer per order (~$3-5/ order): - Negima Chicken and Green Onions: yum! -…" read more »
112 reviews for Miyabi Sushi Express
Review Highlights
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"...stairs on my way to Montgomery Bart Station, Miyabi is a..." In 3 reviews -
"but I've always been happy with the bento boxes." In 7 reviews -
"I love their spicy tuna donburi." In 2 reviews
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112 reviews in English
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Review from Bean B.
Berkeley, CA
1/29/2012
Yummy place for some quick, authentic, Japanese office-worker food. Just like the little bento spots I used to frequent in Tokyo used to make.
The rice is good quality and cooked to sticky perfection. The chicken in the bento is great!!! The sushi is basic and solidly good.
Unfortunately, they were out of curry rice this week. "We didn't make it this week." was the only explanation I got. At $4.50 for a lunch, I'll definitely be back.
Just what you need for a quick, cheap lunch. ;) -
Review from Betsey T.
San Francisco, CA
5/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here with a bunch of co-workers..one insisted after trying it after seeing the first review (under Yelp sort).
Not a fan of premade sushi..if i wanted that..i'd go to Safeway..still for some reason i was compelled to try the spicy tuna california roll..once i get sushi in my head..it's hard to get it out.
The tuna seemed ok..tasteless (felt that was a good sign) and the spicy sauce..perfect balance of sauce. The accompaning california roll not to bad.
The rice..was super cold..and just a bed of rice..and well beyond sushi rice sticky.
It was ok..but i'd rather go somehwere for made to order sushi. -
Review from Mimi T.
4/20/2012
I rarely dish out one star reviews but I find their service to be terrible. I come here every so often when I have appointments downtown and need to rush back for work. I always order the bento box without sauce. The food is mediocre but I go for convenience.
The past few times I stopped in to order the lady tells me that they are "out of chicken" and that I just have to buy what has been sitting out on the counters - which is basically a ploy to get rid of inventory.
With hundreds of lunch options within blocks distance I will never go back there again. -
Review from Gisele X.
Morgan Hill, CA
Updated - 4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Occasionally I get bad fish from Miyabi. It winds up giving me digestion scares perhaps about once out of every twenty meals. However, It is a great bargain in the city and it's prepared in advance, so you save time. Because of this I keep going back, just not as often as previously. For nigiri in the FiDi, you can't get better bang for the buck!
Oh, and no big deal, but they don't offer the miso soup free any more.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/10/2010
I think I'd call myself a regular here now. Polite cashiers - they must be from another planet… Read more »
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Review from Christina Y.
Santa Monica, CA
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Never would I suspect that a yummy sushi option could be found in the little underground plaza next to the Montgomery BART station, but weirder things have happened I suppose! It's a favorite grab and go spot of some of the Bay Area CMs so I went along one day and was very pleasantly surprised!
The setup is simple to the extreme, with a little deli counter with all sorts of bowls and sushi dishes for quick pickup, and a few tables scattered in the tiny space. Both my lunch partner and I wanted their little platter with sashimi over rice and california rolls on the side, but they only had tuna sashimi and no salmon. We asked the guy behind the counter if he could make us a version with salmon and he generously obliged! I think our meal may have been even more delicious because it was freshly made and hadn't been sitting in the fridge, but in any case I gobbled up every bite and was full but didn't feel gross afterward. And all for about $10!
I'm often in the mood for this kind of lunch - quick, not too heavy, and not too complicated. So I think I'll definitely be coming back here soon!Listed in: San Francisco Lunch Spots
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Review from Nique F.
While there's not many things I love more than eating, I must admit... tearing myself away the comforting glare of my computer screen to take a lunch break is a major hassle sometimes. Ya know?
Miyabi to the rescue!
My clever pal, Abby S, tipped me off to Miyabi's convenient grab n' go sushi options. They've got everything from a 2-piece nigiri pack for $2.50, to a mega sushi sampler with nigiri, rolls, rice, and salad for about $10. I've become a big ol' fan of the super filling salmon sashimi rice bowl. For $6.50 you really can't find a better stick-to-your-ribs lunch. That rice keeps expanding in my belly all afternoon, and almost takes care of my 4pm cookie craving. Luckily, Specialty's Bakery is right next door, and we all know how irresistible their naughty carbs are. Psssh, who has time for willpower? Not I.
Oh yes! And the quality is just fine for the price. I know you were suspicious...
If you work in the FiDi/ SOMA area, and don't want to spend more than 15 mins or $10 on lunch, let Miyabi make your lunch and you'll be back to that beloved inbox in no time.Listed in: Frugal & Fab, Quick Style, SF Power Lunch
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Review from Rick C.
San Francisco, CA
2/24/2012
Why is it so difficult to find sushi downtown that is good, fairly reasonable in cost - and fast?
I've given Miyabi Sushi Express a couple of tries, and as much as I want to like it, needing a go-to takeout sushi place - I really can't.
It feels like a hospital cafeteria with the different items sitting out in the air, refrigerated or under heat lamps (depending on the food). And as others have posted - after, say 1:30 there is no sense of freshness.
Which leads me to my last issue with Miyabi. On a previous visit, I asked a woman working the register there if they could make something fresh if I didn't want the pre made product. She told me no problem - they do it all the time.
But when I went by last week and asked the same woman for a an order from the kitchen - she looked at me and pointed at the shelves with the pre made food.
Didn't even speak - just pointed.
No. I can get fresher product and better service at - of all places - Bristol Farms. I hate that idea.
But the bento of bad service and poorly-treated food that is Miyabi makes Bristol Farms look ...dare I say it ... compelling? -
Review from J. S.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012
It's good for a fast food alternative when downtown.
There are a lot of positive things to mention about the place -- easy to get to, clean establishment, friendly staff, and their takeout shelves are always stocked. It's surprising just how many restaurants screw up rice; this place doesn't have that problem. Most importantly, the food's pretty good.
That said,... there are some weird qualities that fall flat. None are dealbreakers but, with the sheer number of Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area, there are some quirks present that might find you hunting down another restaurant for your vittles. You might scoff at the size of the portions (which are actually still reasonable, you glutton). The takeout sushi has the chance of having sat in place most of the day. The chicken and pork are a little fatty and dry; to counteract the dryness, they've been doused in shoyu. Actually, most everything is swimming in it.
Still, the pros outweigh the cons. Give them a shot and see what you think. -
Review from Abby S.
8/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
It's 1:30 pm on Friday - I'm hungry
Skipping lunch is not an option
Where do I go? What should I eat?
I don't want a huge, expensive meal
Bust out the Yelp app on my phone to see what's nearby
Miyabi is .2 miles away and has good reviews
Head over there
$5 and some change later, I have a spicy crab roll and some edamame
I'm full and happy (and not broke!) thanks to them.Listed in: It's Just Lunch!, Cheap Cheap, Fun Fun, Japanese Food, Like it Raw
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Review from Angela L.
6/29/2011
FOOD:
1.) Teriyaki Chicken
2.) California Roll
3.) Miso
4.) Side salad
Not to shabbs for a quick togo-like sushi / Japanese fast food!
SERVICE:
Order at counter, they bring it out. The food came out fast!
ATMOSPHERE:
It's small, it's casual. 22 -
Review from Karen L.
6/29/2011
We came here for lunch on a recommendation by a friend. Rolls are extremely dinky for their price.The raw sashimi looks mushy, discolored, and basically unfresh. I opted for a warm rice bowl considering everything else wasn't that appealing.
Good price for a chicken bowl full of meat. About 4.95??
The quality of the bowl however was "meeeeehhh"". I can make a better chicken and rice bowl at home. The sauce was overly sweet and the veggies were only a bit cooked leaving it mostly raw. It was pretty gross.
If you just care about satisfying your hunger and not your palette, then this can be the place for you! -
Review from Jamie D.
Concord, CA
10/11/2011
I was craving sushi and a reason to leave the law library for a few minutes, so I Yelped and found this place right around the corner. I got the grab-n-go rainbow roll and for essentially cafeteria sushi, it was great. The fish was fresh, the ginger was crisp, all for about $8. And now I am back in the law library... full and satisfied. I'll definitely go back the next time this kind of mood strikes me.
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Review from Lindsay S.
San Francisco, CA
11/7/2011
I really wasnt expecting much for a take out sushi spot, even going in there i was still a bit skeptical. BUT to my surprise the sushi was awesome and fresh and filling for a very small price!!
they skimp a little on the soy sauce but overall, impressive. I will definately be returning! -
Review from Kristy S.
San Francisco, CA
7/14/2011
Wakame Salad= ok (a little soggy from sitting)
Spider Roll= gross (barely edible)
Miso soup= ok (hard to screw that up)
Terriyaki chicken and rice= meh. While eating the chicken I encountered some bits of hard something (bone? burnt edges?)
And for $14??? Ug. Although I grabbed it from the prepared food area, I still had to wait in line a good 10+ minutes.
I'd go back if there was nothing else, but honestly, with the competition around here, I'm surprised there was such a line. -
Review from Nick B.
3/31/2011
Eh.
I'd eat there again, if I needed quick sushi. But for the price, it was sorta "eh." I paid almost six dollars for their chicken tempura on rice, and the chicken was barely warm, didn't taste all too wonderful, and the sauce was overpowering. Their california rolls were tasty though, but I find it pretty hard to mess those up.
For ten bucks, I felt like I could have gotten a much better meal... but it is conveniently located and very quick. I'd come back if the circumstances warranted it, but I'd never say to myself "oooh, I want Miyabi!" -
Review from Manabu M.
12/10/2009 3 photos
I am still searching for the best sushi "to go" place in Financial District in San Francisco.
I visited this place two days ago.
Sushi rolls cannot tell us how the chef makes sushi so I purchased the box of "nigiri" sushi, the Sushi Combo.
It was $10.95 and reasonable for the box of 2 nigiri of shrimp, 2 tuna, 2 salmon, 2 eel and 6 pieces of California roll.
They look good as you can see in my picture.
But when I put a nigiri sushi in my mouth, the texture of rice was different and it was very chewy. So, I carefully observed the rice and found the rice was shaped in the mold that you can get in Japantown.
(as you can see in the picture)
"Nigiri" came from a Japanese verb "nigiru" ("to grasp" or even "to hold") and the rice has to be carefully treated in chef's hands.
The fish was fresh, tasted OK and two nigiri of eel was a good deal.
They also have lots of bento boxes and bowls of eel over rice. Eel over rice is very reasonable for the portion of eel.
But next time, I would like to have sushi prepared by sushi chef, not by the mold.
By the way, the current business photo at yelp has the sign of former 'GoGo Sushi" so I took the latest photo for the business.Listed in: Japanese restaurants
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Review from Maggie C.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 2/9/2011
This placed was closed for awhile and have re-opened.
I'm not sure if the ownership has changed but the cashiers are much nicer now. They continue to provide a solid selection of fresh sushi and I like how they have made ready to go bento-box/donburi/sushi combos. On a sunny day, you can select your food, pay and sit outside without wasting time standing in line.
Food is definitely closer to homemade than fancy. Price is very reasonable.
You've earned the extra star, Miyabi!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/24/2008
I go there from time to time to pick up quick sushi for lunch and it has the BIGGEST selection of… Read more »
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Review from Lauren F.
Oakland, CA
5/29/2007
When i think sushi i usually think group eating. Sharing your rolls with your friends, discussing what you are going to get, and then just ordering all of it because it all sounds so good. Stuffing your face, and then going home only to be hungry an hour later.
This place....not so much. Think ME-yabi. Its good for the individual. Its good for ME, which is perfect, cuz im totally selfish.
Great for a quick lunch, because all the sushi items are already pre-packaged for you. Grab and go. Actually for a while I thought it was called Go-Go sushi, cuz thats what is written on the windows .... apparently i was wrong.
You can get pre-packaged sashimi, sushi, teriyaki, or combinations of those. You can also order hot miso or hot udon, and they will make it there for you while you wait. I had the Udon today, trying to make my tuffy node feew bettuh. It feews much bettuh...tanks fow athking.Listed in: Lunch in the FiDi
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Review from Brad P.
Redwood City, CA
1/30/2008
I've been coming and going in the Montgomery BART station every day for over a year, and I never even knew about this sneaky little spot for fast Japanese food.
When your co-worker who is Japanese and whose husband is a fish broker says "who wants to go for sushi" you follow her lead.
I had a flavorful and fresh cucumber salad with a nice refreshing rice wine vinegar dressing that stood up nicely to my tuna sashimi rice bowl. The sashimi was fresh tasting and tender, and the rice itself was exactly the right consistency. The sashimi rice bowl is a great way to meter your fish to rice ratio, and a whole less messy than trying to eat nigiri with style.
Pretty good lunch (not to mention fresh and healthy) for about 9 bucks not including a drink. -
Review from Kate K.
Chicago, IL
11/15/2007
I give this joint a solid 3.5 stars.
*coughheyyelpwhenwegonnagethalfstarscough*
It's not bad for take-out sushi. I've been to Miyabi a couple of times now, when I've had occasion to be in the FiDi at lunch time & have been able to wrest Candice "Workaholic" D. away from Yelp HQ to join me. The fish is pretty fresh and the prices aren't bad. I do have to say that the rice tasted a little funky to me today; but, it might just have been my taste buds being off or something.
I hear that the Japanese consulate even dines here sometimes; so, it's gotta be decent. Granted that's an unsubstantiated Yelp rumor... so take it for what it's worth.
Not bad, not great... solid choice for those fish freaks on the run. -
Review from AccioSoyMilk ..
Richland, MS
Updated - 2/1/2011
I have come here on and off for a few years now and the quality remains the same. They were closed for renovations for a few months, but as far as I can tell, nothing has changed. They still seem to offer the same rice dishes under the heat lamp, sushi and other appetizers in the cold stand thingy and other dishes to order. There used to be a woman I used to see at the counter, but I noticed she seemed to be more distant and even cranky before the placed closed for "renovations".
Anyway, I was glad to see the place opened up again, albeit with what appears to be less seating. No biggie though, because it's right by BART so most people are commuters and workers who are in and out with a quick bite. The employees who helped me seemed nice and friendly.
I was freezing and starving when I came by again, and I settled in for an udon soup. It didn't seem too different from other times I had eaten it, but it was nice and filling and just what I needed on that chilly day. It was nice to see, though, that the udon here isn't BOILING, finger-stinging hot. I also had their free green tea, which tasted legit as opposed to teabags or some awful concoction.
It's not amazing and it's not terrible. But if you're looking for something quick to eat or something to grab to or from BART, it's not a bad place to be and is usually MUCH less crowded and cramped than the Specialty's next door.Listed in: BART eateries
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/29/2008
Eh. I came here for a quick bite to eat before my interview. It fit my needs nicely--I wasn't too… Read more »
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Review from Ryan G.
San Francisco, CA
12/12/2007
Eaten SUSHI a whole five times in my life. And no sushi experience is without the required lunch time stop at MIYABI. From my expansive knowledge of all things related to sushi, eating out and San Francisco. Easily say this is a GREAT place!
Located in the Powell St. Station more or less. Walk in, glance right and pick up what you want from the refrigerated section. Like others have hinted on come a little later than Noon. Fresher fish is put out. Old stuff seemed to still be there! You can sit in or get your order to GO.
Grabbed some California and Spicy Tuna rolls for a good price, around $6 for a lot of food for me. Starting on the low end of rolls, and working my way up to more adventurous stuff. Save that for a sit-down restaurant.
Also bowls, and many other things available. Had to spend a lot of time looking and deciding since I am unfamiliar with this type of food. The eda-MOMMY (spelling is wrong) and cucumber something did not look to appetizing.
Love the sign advising you they now SERVE alcohol, and you can get it to go. Really wish I bough two bottles of that Sake. Little more inconspicuous than a beer bottle. -
Review from Jennie K.
3/24/2009
Once upon a time, a girl who suffered from four days of food poisoning/residual effects decided that her first real meal post-recovery would be sushi and sashimi. (Because there are no inherent risks in that, she thought, using her brilliant legal mind, but also secretly hoping to get sick enough to miss oral arguments.)
One can probably deduce from the four-star rating that I will have to go to oral arguments. But that's okay, because the sushi is pretty damn good!
The 10-piece california roll/sashimi combo (tuna, salmon, shrimp, eel?), which was $8. I didn't expect it to fill me up, but it did, and thus I rolled into my next class, happily bloated on fish, rice, soy sauce, and wasabi.
I was also inordinately entertained by the green plastic grass separating the sushi from the wasabi. I'm easily pleased, what can I say?
Credit card minimum of $7, drinks available (including beer and sake - oh, tempting), seating available (some outside). Located downstairs on the way to the BART station, across the courtyard from the flower stand. Low on ambiance, but high on convenience. I'll definitely go back.Listed in: Cheap & Delicious
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Review from James C.
Oakland, CA
2/21/2007
Food-wise... this place is not bad for a filling amount of simple japanese food.
Price-wise... it's pretty cheap when you think about how much most japanese restaurants charge.
Taste-wise... it's cool.
btw-wise... I came here around 3:30pm once and there was a table full of 50% off food. That is a serious bargain if you're hungry. Sure it's been sitting under a heat lamp for most the day but when you're grabbing lunch at 3:30pm... you ain't looking for no gourmet meal.
Overall-wise... 4-stars. -
Review from Thomas L.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2010
Yummy - Cannot go wrong with chicken teriyaki, especially after they just made it and put it in a bento box ready to be picked up and devoured.
Affordable- $11 for a box full of various decent tasting sushi, what??
Fast- Got food and sat down in 3 minutes.
Nice, friendly staff- They smile here, YES, they do :)
Coming back for more! -
Review from Stephanie p.
San Francisco, CA
10/15/2008
In the land of pre-packaged sushi, Miyabi is king.
Cheap.
Fresh.
Fast.
Delicious
...and not sketchy at all.
SO glad this place exists - it's a lifesaver when you're in a hurry and/or when you're craving sushi but are low on $$$.
(PS: be sure to visit the little cactus store while you're down there and adopt a cutie for your desk) -
Review from Yan G.
San Francisco, CA
12/8/2007 1 Check-in Here
I work nearby, so I go to Miyabi about once a week for lunch. It's decent, reasonably priced Japanese food that does the trick.
I've tried their hot bowls and bento boxes, but they are not that great. The only thing I get at Miyabi is the sashimi bowl. $6.45 gets you a few slices of tuna or salmon over a big bowl of rice. Spicy sauce and a generous serving of wasabe seem like appropriate decorations for the otherwise boring bowl.
Tuna and salmon are both very good, when they're fresh. Don't go to Miyabi before 11:45 am, unless you're dying to try yesterday's fish. They shamelessly sell yesterday's bowls before the lunch rush. I usually don't mind food that's been sitting out, but raw fish . . . ehh, I don't know about that!
Same goes for edamame sold in tiny plastic boxes. I like to have some edamame before the meal, but do not be fooled by the low price of $1.50. It is as small as it looks, and sometimes it's not as fresh as it looks. Make sure your beans are green, not yellow-ish.
Overall, good Japanese food, but I suggest you make sure it's fresh before you buy it. -
Review from Jonas T.
San Francisco, CA
8/1/2006 5 photos
Not too shabby. This place serves to-go sushi/donburi/udon. It's along the lines of supermarket sushi except it's made (somewhat) fresh and not cold from refridgeration so its much, much better. Pretty cheap too - about $2.50 for a six-piece roll. I like this place.
I love their spicy tuna donburi. Can't ever go wrong with spicy tuna. JONASAPPROVED!" -
Review from Seana L.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2008
Let me preface this by saying Im glad they opened this place up. With the only other *lunch sushi joint near my office being Tempura House (bleh...a disgrace to sushi).
*lunch sushi refers to a place you can grab a quick bite for lunch and arent going to spend the time to sit down for a slow luxurious sushi dinner. lunch sushi should also be much cheaper than a dinner sushi place
Anywho...nice selection and great prices. The food is all so-so...not the greatest sushi in the world but I think its just fine for the price. I also enjoy the rice bowls with tuna sashimi, spicy sauce and tobioko on top. For about $7 this bowl fills me up for lunch and a late afternoon snack! The fish is good enough but the rice is always a bit dry.
I do love their 40% off sushi after like 4 until they close (not sure if they start earlier than that though) because I can pick up a nice lil snack of spicy tuna for about $1.50. Plus you can get nice lil bottle of sake if you want to bring back an afternoon pick me up to the office (hey if you have to work through lunch I think you should get to drink too! Thank god my boss agrees with me).
All in all a decent enough place if you work in the area and want a quick bite...but I wouldnt go out of your way. Also this place is no Sushi Go-Go (RIP!!! *sniff*) -
Review from Mithrilzero X.
Fremont, CA
6/9/2009
In general, I can eat sushi and meats topped on rice and covered in sauces almost always. Thus I don't really get cravings so much as just having a general willingness to eat them. So when Japanese food cravings do arise, I seek out solutions quickly!
However, this isn't one of those times.
But Miyabi is not far from work (near that Specialty's that always gives me problems) and I used to go by there when it was still Go Go Sushi. In fact, for all intents and purposes, to me it IS Go Go Sushi, except 1) they won't take my frequent buyer card, 2) the cashier has changed, 3) they have a slightly different arrangement for their display and 4) they go by Miyabi Sushi Express. Still, now and again it's worth having, especially since my favorite little non-Japanese run Japanese restaurant in the OFarrell Garage food court got rolled over by CPK.
The place itself is very japanese with flag-curtain decor, light woods, and for some reason a wall of manga (though how recent I haven't checked yet) for perusing while... I guess while enjoying a brief sushi shot or while you're relaxing with a nice ShoChiKuBai instead of working. Not that I've seen anyone boozing it up here, but they have it, so your options are open. Just remember that rice does not absorb liquor well, if at all, even if it is rice liquor.
The one thing I always liked about Go Go...er, Miyabi Sushi Express, is the easy grab and run food counter. They pre-make rice bowls of teriyaki chicken, tonkantsu or beef, they make little bentos of chirashi/sashimi with maybe chicken or tonkatsu, and maybe maki or nigiri rolls as a meal with the little salad and a few wedges of orange, or just packages of rolls or even seaweed salad (my mom never really made most of these things but I've tried a few different ones despite her unwillingness to do so) by itself. So depending on when you get there for lunch, they're warm (and some are under a warmer of some sort) or refrigerated for long term keeping (hopefully not past that day).
I got the bento with chicken teriyaki and what looks like a chirashi and salad. The salad is almost only lettuce, but I did find drippings of dressing, but the two main items are just enough to fill me up. I was pretty hungry today, so this really did hit the spot, but so would three steak soft tacos with guac, cheese, sour cream, rice and black beans, so not much to say about that. You could also buy canned sodas or as I mentioned early, sake of a few varieties, but since they're just the bottled brands it's not like you're risking your life or anything.
The pricing is reasonable, the cashier woman is civil at best (not really nice, not really rude, just... distant, like you're not really there, she's not really there, yet somehow a transaction is happening in someone's delusion) and the place seems fairly clean. I've only eaten at Go Go... Miyabi's once before, but it's nothing special I guess if you're not sipping hot toasted rice tea, swapping with a sweet sake and drowning in old manga, so maybe one day I'll do just that.... or maybe not.
This place is also never busy when I'm here. I did have two girls literally push past me the last time I was here a few months ago, and they picked up their boxes and then sat to eat. I guess they were going to chow and get sloppy and I was the last obstacle to overcome, but I just shrugged and took my food to go. The cashier didn't care that I was there first or in line first, but I was pretty mellow that day. Today, it was me and a pair of diners enjoying some tea (I think...), so a typical uneventful sushi day.
Overall, a decent place. I do wish the other place were still around, though.... -
Review from Sharon W.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2009
The rolls here are surprisingly adequate for a sushi place with the word "express" in its name. The eel bento box was alright as well, although the salad was kind of sad. (Just keep your expectations low?) Honestly, though, I'd rather pack a lunch from home than eat here TOO often.
On the other hand, if you must have sushi, and you're in the financial district anyway, this is probably your best bet. It's very cheap, and they're fast and friendly, too. I got a kick out of eating in the restaurant (which, apparently, almost no one else does... I saw everyone else at the cashier take off after paying). At the back, they have a bookshelf full of actual Japanese periodicals. I think I saw a ton of old manga magazines from the early 2000s. -
Review from Brad K.
Moraga, CA
7/9/2010 42 Check-ins Here
UPDATE: As of late June, they are now open again after renovations.
This is probably the best sushi that can be had for cheap in the Financial District. You can get enough to fill you up for under $10, which is a bargain as far as sushi goes. I wouldn't say it's *great* quality, but it's quick, it definitely tastes above average, and the price is right. -
Review from Jessica C.
San Francisco, CA
3/16/2011
did not really have a choice if i wanted to eat here for lunch. friend insisted that this place would be LEGIT, and he REALLY wanted sushi...and according to him, "people working in the financial district have high standards, so if they gave this place a good rating it must be good"...lol
they have an affordable boxed sushi combo...$10.95 for 8 pieces of (some fresh, some NOT) nigiri (tuna, salmon, eel, shrimp) and 6 pieces of fake crab california roll. you will see a few other tiny pairs of nigiri in their own boxes too.
i was not very content, after eating thin slices of refrigerated sashimi over very soggy rice, and fake crab california rolls. my tuna sashimi had a white tinge too. i stuffed pieces of cold fish into my mouth just to get full without wanting to taste them or enjoy them. and then i had a stale spider roll.
anyway...i tried to give their to-go sushi a shot but i will not be doing that again. maybe their bento boxes are OK. they have katsu curry too.
i personally would rather skip any type of "express" lunchtime sushi (no matter how badly i was craving sushi) for a fresh, fancy sushi dinner instead :) -
Review from Dino Nartea M.
San Francisco, CA
9/22/2010
FINALLY ate here. Unagi Bento box, wakame salad & canned coffee (+Teriyaki Chx. bowl for the boss). Unagi could have been been bigger (probably just me) & Ca rolls could have used some size too. However, still satisfying. Looking forward to trying actual sushi next time!
@Manabu M., will pay close attention to rice
(boss didn't say anything about Chx. T....may update this later...could be interesting-she's a "condensed soup can-for-lunch" kinda person)
BTW, there were bottles of saké and beer-o available for purchase. Also one of the few places in the immed. area w/Japanese canned coffee... -
Review from Sofia S.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2009
This place is conveniently located (Bart/Muni Montgomery Station) and at the end of the day has half price sushi to go, which is really nice when you don't feel like eating a delicious but too caloric cookie at specialty's.
Besides that, this is the closest sushi place to where I work.
The sushi to-go boxes are at reasonable price and the quality is really good.
BUT I still prefer to walk a few blocks , and go to Sushi Bay or, if it is a late lunch ( and I know that Sushi bay will be already out of the sushi to go ) or I am lazy,I go to Go Go Sushi on Kearny St.
WHY?
Because in both places the host greets me with a smile instead of having an "I am doing you a HUGE favor in selling you this sushi"- face. -
Review from Shirley F.
San Francisco, CA
1/28/2009
Myth: Is it true that there just aren't any good sushi places in San Francisco's Financial District?
I love to eat sushi, but I must admit, I have been avoiding sushi for lunch at work. I have tested a hand full of sushi places in FiDi and they never quite measure up to those in other districts of SF.
.... and then, miraculously, there it was.
Located cozily down the stairs on my way to Montgomery Bart Station, Miyabi is a convenient sushi restaurant that can satisfy your sushi cravings Mondays to Fridays during lunch!
I normally choose an item from their assortment of takeout and it always tastes fresh! After reading the other reviews of Miyabi, I will definitely be back to try the udon.
3 stars for the sushi
1 extra star for busting the myth (it IS possible find decent sushi in SF FiDi!) -
Review from Cindy C.
7/17/2007 2 Check-ins Here
Please keep in mind the 4 stars rating is for the fact that they are a great fast-food-fresh-sushi-to-go kind of place. You can't compare this 4 star to say, a 4 star given to an upscale sushi joint.
This place has a great "Chirashi" bowl with lots of salmon and some roe and some spicy mayo on top of rice for $6.95. If you go before 3:30 you can even have them make it special for you with, say, both salmon and tuna (yum!) and maybe without the spicy mayo (who'd want that?).
They have a good selection of pre-packaged stuff but you can also order udon and a variety of donburi. The prices are decent because you can get plenty full for about $10. I would like it if they had more variety of fish, but I like the fact that what they have is very fresh. -
Review from Katja S.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2006
Nothing spectacular, but a decent lunch place to get some sushi. It's reasonably priced and I enjoy my meals there most of the time.
A quick fix for my sushi cravings! :-) -
Review from Aaron M.
3/23/2007
Pre-made sushi sitting on a shelf makes me nervous. That said, their fish (just salmon and tuna) tastes pretty fresh. If you have 2 minutes, they will also make your food to order.
I usually spend about $10 for some sushi and a drink. It's definitely not expensive, but I wouldn't call it cheap either.
The thing that keeps me coming back is the uber-convenient location. They're downstairs, right next to the Montgomery BART/Muni entrance. -
Review from Fiona S.
11/17/2009
Dear Miyabi,
I have always loved you for your convenience. Though I've never dared venture in the raw section (your maguro looks limp and oddly colored), you have always satisfied me with your curry don (yummy pickled veggies) and definitely on the bland side ya-sai udon.
But, as we speak, I'm finding chunks of undissolved curry sauces in my curry don. Now I know it's "express", which involves you dumping a curry package over rice, heat, place vegetables and "ta da".But com'on, this tastes like cumin flavor dirt on my tongue.
Please don't break my heart again.
