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Sushi Zone
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
1815 Market StSan Francisco, CA 94103
Neighbourhoods: Hayes Valley, Mission
(415) 621-1114
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
763 reviews for Sushi Zone
Review Highlights
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"I highly recommend the baked sea bass with mango." In 60 reviews -
"Also, the baked mussels were super indulgent." In 69 reviews -
"I just had the best spicy hamachi roll of all time." In 33 reviews
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763 reviews in English
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Review from Vanessa Y.
San Francisco, CA
4/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great, fresh, sushi.
However, the venue is teeny tiny (large groups NOT recommended) + be prepared to wait!
Outside!
In the cold!
It's worth it in the end :)Listed in: Bay Area: Nihonshoku…
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Review from Saad A.
San Francisco, CA
5/25/2012
Overall, a great meal. Everything tasted amazing, but I think they could fix a few details to make the experience great as well. We didn't have to wait at all like others have mentioned, but I think it's because we arrived at 6:00 on a Thursday.
To start, we had the stuffed shiitake mushrooms and the stuffed jalapeños. Both use the same filling, which was this deliciously cheesy, creamy fish mixture. However, the jalapeños hadn't been seeded correctly and I got an intense punch of heat in my last bite that was very unexpected and sort of ruined that app for me.
For sushi, we had the spicy hamachi roll, the spicy tuna roll, and the hawaiian roll. The tuna and the hamachi came first. I wouldn't necessarily use the word spicy to describe them, but they were definitely sweet and creamy. The hamachi had this subtle lime flavor that was really surprising and delicious. The rolls on the end were huge though which made them hard to eat (I hate it when sushi places do this!). The hawaiian roll came later and was this incredible mix of sweet mango, avacado, herbs, and tuna. The macadamia nuts on top gave it a great crunch.
All things considered, I think the taste made up for everything else and I would definitely visit again! -
Review from Melissa D.
San Francisco, CA
5/21/2012
Best hamachi I've ever eaten!
In fact, probably some of the best sashimi I've eaten overall.
The only issue with this great little place is that the wait times are so long. So it's not quite as fun for a date or a big group meal.
I've found that the trick to getting in and trying this place is to arrive at around 445pm and getting online. If it's just you, you could pop in at 5 or 515pm with no problem. But if you want to get a table for four or five people, get there even earlier. -
Review from Tom L.
San Jose, CA
5/13/2012
I highly recommend the baked muscles. This place is soo yummy but can seat very few. 2 booths and enough room at the counter for about 4 groups of 2.
Get there early! But you'll probably still have to wait...
Might be the best sushi I've ever had!
Only reason for 4 stars is they really do need a bigger place.. -
Review from Elaine N.
5/8/2012 3 photos
This place is among the very few that serve authentic tradition rolls. Very simple yet tasty. I order:
- baked seabass with mango = creamy texture and fluffy
- baked mussels = mayo sauce does the trick
- spicy tuna rolls = simple and delicious spicy tuna
- spicy scallop rolls = a bit slimy for me and felt a little bland
- Hawaiian rolls = love the crunchy nut topping
The service was friendly and the food was good. No complaining about that, but the parking is a bit of a problem. Street parking is a sure thing in SF but it does not help with this place tuck in a small street with barely any parking. Must come early if you want a parking spot. -
Review from Cherylynn N.
San Francisco, CA
Sushi Zone, you got me...
The vast stellar ratings, the hype, and the anticipation of going to the "BEST" sushi restaurant in San Francisco had me giddy with excitement only to leave with a "THAT'S IT?!?!" Talk about getting Sushi blue balls (ok, maybe not but you get the jest--NO foodgasm here).
Sushi Zone is a tiny, hole-in-the-wall serving authentic sushi with an Americanized flair as you will see spicy mayo, mango, and/or lime in some of their rolls. Don't get me wrong, Sushi Zone was good but NOT spectacular (the cooked food overshadowed the raw food). I'm not sure if it's worthy of a 2-hour wait and another 1-hour wait for food like most Yelpers experienced. My friend and I arrived on a Thursday night at 5:30 PM and got lucky as we were seated immediately; hence the 4 STARS.
(Please note: If you come after 5:30 PM-5:45 PM expect at least an hour wait until the first wave of diners leave. When we left at 7 PM, there were 14 names on the waiting list.)
F O O D
*BAKED MUSSELS w/ Spicy Mayo ($6) - 4.5 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A must order, the tender mussels were diced, mixed with a mayo mixture, placed back in the shell and then baked to a bubbly golden brown. Rich, creamy, and just plain, sinfully good the mussels were.
*BAKED SEABASS w/ Mango ($6) - 4.5 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Another must order, the buttery flakes of seabass was mixed with the mayo mixture and bits of mango before getting baked and topped with roe. The pairing of the seabass and the mango was genius producing a luxurious exoticness on the palate.
*AMAEBI NIGIRI ($6.25) - 4 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The silkiness and the profound sweetness of the sweet shrimp were sublime. The accompanying fried shrimp heads had a crunch sensation that made me weak in the knees. Seriously, if you haven't had fried shrimp heads, give it a try. SO GOOD.
*SASHIMI COMBO (14 pieces - $35) - 2 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The Sake (Salmon), Saba (Mackerel), Hamachi (Yellowtail), Tai (Snapper), Maguro (Tuna), Kanpachi (Amberjack) and Tako (Octopus) were cut in HUGE, unmanageable chunks which severely compromised the taste and texture of the sashimi (had a mushy texture). The sashimi seemed fresh, however, not being able to taste/enjoy the smooth, silky, and buttery texture that a much thinner, more angle cut would have was sorely disappointing especially for the cost of the dish.
*SAKE NIGIRI ($5.50) - 4 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
My favorite fish from the ocean, the sake salmon did not disappoint with the melt-in-your mouth texture.
*UNI w/ Quail Egg Nigiri ($6.75 + $1) - 3.5 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
My measure for all sushi restaurants, the uni was a tad dry as it lacked the quintessential custardy texture that fresh, top-notch uni would have. The quail egg came to the rescue adding that layer of moisture and creamy decadence.
*SPICY HAMACHI ROLL ($7.25) - 3.5 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A lot larger than the typical sushi roll, there were huge chunks of buttery hamachi which made for the girth. It was lacking some heat to quantify it was "spicy" though.
S E R V I C E
Friendly but very slow so don't bring any eager beavers. It was slow when we arrived but it still took about 45 minutes to get all our food.
A M B I A N C E / D E C O R
Old school vibe with wooden furnishings with Tibetan and Buddhist posters and Asian tchotchkes. There's only two tables and 8 seats at the bar so don't come with more than 4 people.
P A R K I N G
Easy street parking.
I've noticed the older I get, the more impatient I get. Although Sushi Zone is just 3 blocks from my office, this burgeoning eager beaver prefers going to an authentic sushi restaurant that actually takes reservations like Ino, Koo, or Okina. Holla @ Washu!Listed in: Give it to me RAW!
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Review from Young L.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2012
I think this place is suffering from over hype-itis
Food is tasty for sure. I was a fan of everything I got here. Seabass is great here. However, the wait was pretty lengthy esp on a weeknight. From other reviews, we knew it was going to be long but it just really sucks that it's that long. Good for Sushi Zone but not so good for us.
The space itself is a little grimy feeling. A little overcrowded, gets too much sun which makes the place kind of warm, tables can be kind of sticky...just feels cramped in general.
Yeah I know it's nitpicky but when I'm waiting for an hour, it gives me a lot of time to look around and think. ha. -
Review from Michael T.
Los Angeles, CA
3/20/2012
I've heard over and over that this is the best Sushi in SF. That may be true, but sadly that is a more a reflection of how surprisingly mediocre the sushi is in San Francisco. It's really kinda stunning as SF is otherwise a great city for Asian food. I suspect it's because there isn't a very large Japanese population in SF relative to other Asian ethnicities and sushi has become very trendy in mainstream American culture. So the sensibilities for what is "great" sushi by most SFers (a city of transplants) is relative to what they had "back home".
Sushi Zone has all the trappings of a "to-die for" hole in the wall: the place is TINY - as in seats 16 total (8 at the bar, and 2 tables of 4), it's too warm to be sanitary for sushi, is in the middle of nowhere on Market Street, takes forever and a day to get a table (2 hours on a Friday night), and is CASH only. The only problem is the sushi does not in any way live up to the hype. It actually rates somewhere just above average. Certainly not anywhere close the best I've had. I've had great sushi plenty of times and without the "charming" "annoyances" one is really only willing to tolerate when the food is exceptional.
If you're used to places like Ponzu or Blowfish, then this is certainly more authentic, but it's still highly Americanized. The crowd is strictly gaijin - no Japanese at all (except staff) while we were there. The menu is English only (another subtle hint about the clientele), and it's dominated by Western style rolls - granted they were more "Japanese" than some of the ridiculous concoctions at rock'n roll sushi bars.
Although I only give Sushi Zone 2-stars, It's not a condemnation of the owner/chef. The food is 3-stars (maybe even 4 if you've never been to Japan). It's the massive wait times (not his fault) which made it a 1-star experience for me. He is Japanese and a very competent sushi chef who prepares respectable food. But the place is too damn small and inconvenient, and he has certainly tailored the menu for his crowd. Having had the real deal many times, Sushi Zone just doesn't do it for me. But I guess if you live in SF, this is about as good as it gets. If you really want to experience great sushi though and can't go to Japan, then visit the suburbs of LA. There is a HUGE Japanese population around Torrance / Gardena and that's where you'll find the best sushi in America. -
Review from Mike D.
Redwood City, CA
3/24/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I really like this place. I've only been here twice and it was an experience both times. Unfortunately, that experience gets old. The sushi is great. You've read about it on countless other reviews. It is tender, tasty and tactfully turned out. I get that it's good sushi and the space is limited. That helps with the buzz. I think nearly comparable sushi is available without having to rush out of work and then sit in line for dozens of minutes.
I'd like to enjoy my sushi without feeling the shadow of guilt creep over me if I decide to start a conversation with sushi buddy. I know that asking how his day went will keep the person behind me in line waiting another 12s. I'm sorry. If it makes you feel better, you sitting 4 inches behind me and staring at me almost dampens the orgasm of flavor this mango and thinly sliced lime served with fresh hamachi brings to me. The sushi is great, probably the best I've ever had.
If you get there a few minutes before 5pm, you should have no problem being seated, even on a friday. -
Review from Connie D.
Los Altos, CA
5/11/2012
Freshest sushi in the city. Waitstaff a little unattentive but that comes with being busy.
Will def return with my hubby (we're kinda foodies). My go to place during the week after the gym. Prepare for a wait on the weekends. -
Review from Christopher V.
San Francisco, CA
3/31/2012
One of the the best sushi places I've been to in the City.
The cuts of maguro are so lean, I'd wish blood would still be oozing out a bit.
The New Zealand baked green mussell. YUM!
Their rolls. Delish!
BUT
They don't have Ankimo. No Ankimo, no peace. You lost 1 star. -
Review from Greg L.
Sunnyvale, CA
3/2/2012 1 photo
If you're willing to endure the wait, there is some bomb-ass sushi to be had here.
Make sure to get there EARLY and make a bee-line for the mini-white-board list to put your name down. We got the name down for our group of four at 5pm on a Sat. evening, which was pretty much at opening time.
Not good enough.
There were three other groups of four in front of us, and we had to wait about an hour and fifteen minutes before we were seated at one of only two tables for four. After we were seated, it was about another 45-60min before we were served our main sushi. The wait is somewhat justified by the fact that there's only one sushi chef, and he obviously takes great attention to detail in his work, but just don't expect this to be an expedient affair.
Now on to the actual food.
This fish is legit. After waiting for an eternity, you're going to want to get your monies worth, so make sure you don't leave this place hungry. I got the Sushi Combination Platter, which featured six pieces of nigiri and a California Roll, and supplemented that with a Hawaiian Roll #2. The cali roll was average, but the nigiri was very impressive, with the salmon and albacore tuna standing out in particular. Next time, I'd probably just get a bunch of salmon nigiri and would be pretty damn happy with just that. The Hawaiian Roll #2 combined albacore tuna and mango for a refreshing taste, topped with macadamia nuts for a sweet/salty taste profile. Different, but definitely tasty.
It came out to about $30ish per person on just food, no drinks, which isn't that bad considering the quality of fish. Just make sure to go with people you can have a deep and serious conversation with, because you're going to have a lot of time on your hands before you're stuffing your face. -
Review from Kimya P.
2/26/2012
Surprise, surprise - the Yelp reviews for Sushi Zone did not disappoint.
We arrived at 4:30 and were the second group in line. Planning for an early dinner and standing in line, meant that our party of four was seated immediately when Sushi Zone opened at 5. The line had at least 6 or 7 parties in it 10 minutes before opening - looked like everyone was thinking the same thing: let's beat the wait.
The restaurant is small; there are two booths that can seat four each, maybe five/six if you want to squeeze three people on each side (but I think that's pushing your comfort level). The rest of the seating is at the bar where you can watch the sushi master at work.
As all the reviews are saying, the fish truly is amazing. The cuts are fresh and the portions are big. Most rolls (all but two) are $8/roll.
The Spicy Hamachi was by far my favorite - for the first time in my life, I was hesitant to dip my roll in my soy sauce wasabi mixture. I cherished the unique and very subtle flavors of the roll too much. Lime and hint of jalapeño in each bite - I didn't think that combination would be good with raw fish - but it was unlike anything I could've imagined.
The Spicy Tuna was also great. They use the spicy mayo really well here-- it doesn't drown your roll and there isn't a fat dollop of it on top. Instead, the mayo is lightly mixed in - it's subtle and light, and brings out the flavors of the fish.
I also had the Hama Masa roll which was good (fresh, quality ingredients) but in comparison to the previous two rolls not as flavorful or unique.
Minor setbacks, the tea was not particularly good nor flavorful and the sake was so so. Definitely not deal-breakers by any stretch of the imagination - the rolls were phenomenal and I look forward to trying the rest of the menu on my next visit. -
Review from Rina W.
San Francisco, CA
3/17/2012
Despite being located in no man's land, Sushi Zone is quite popular. It was a chance encounter for me one night as I passed by at 20 mph on the F Train and seeing activity within the restaurant in an otherwise very dead block. Though I'd seen the high Yelp rating before, it was the sight from that random night that triggered me to finally check it out.
Small, even for a sushi establishment, Sushi Zone's sushi and maki roll offerings are anything but small in portion and flavor. I find their prices very reasonable especially considering the generous cut of fish you get. What impressed me even more is the freshness of the fish I had. Their rainbow roll is a whopping $15, but it was a rainbow roll on steroids (in a good way).
I didn't care much for the one hour wait at eight o'clock on the Wednesday night I decided to stop by. I guess being rated as SF Weekly's Reader's Best Sushi makes it a highly sought after destination at any night of the week. Unfortunately there's really no place nearby to pleasantly kill time before you get to sit down, unless you fancy yourself a new tramp stamp from the parlor next door. Except for the mango in some of the maki rolls, there's nothing pretentious about this place. Their limited selection of basic fish nigiri sushi and rolls will not disappoint as soon as they enter your mouth. Practically a hole in the wall with bar seating and a couple of booths, your clothes will start to smell like the food if you stay long enough (though nothing was particularly offensive while I was there). In moderation, it's definitely worth your while. -
Review from gene x.
San Francisco, CA
The last three days I've been on a mini sushi bender. It started with a trip to ICHI, where I finally went (and hence the Bender(s) reference, get it?) on Saturday night. Definitely enjoyed the sushi there as well as the company as I went with two Japanese female friends so our 2.5 Japanese selves approached the meal there with a critical ear (tongue!) but also just for fun.
Back to Sushi Zone, I knew I had to come back and compare it while I remembered ICHI well and I would say I still like Sushi Zone better for my own tastes. The fish you get here is generously and expertly sliced and that combined with the freshness gets me every time. I even did my standard lineup at each spot to compare: sake (salmon), shiro magura (albacore tuna), tako (octopus). I think the tako at ICHI may have been a bit tastier but everything else I still go with Sushi Zone. Damn this place is good - luckily I live so close I can come as much as I want. ha ha ha! (evil laugh)Listed in: For visitors to SF, Good Eats, San Francisco Sushi options…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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3/2/2010
Finally went back to Sushi Zone this decade and it's pretty much the same as I remembered: big… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer J.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2012
The best sushi in San Francisco. Hands down.
Just fresh, clean, skillfully prepared, no nonsense sushi. The place has been there forever--I actually popped my sushi cherry there with a boyfriend sometime in the late 90's. The boyfriend is long gone, but Sushi Zone has remained a consistent delight. There is no reason to go anywhere else for sushi people.
And yes, I know it's f**king crazy busy and the line for a table is outrageous, so just do yourself a favor and go on a Monday night. Ok, that's all the insider secrets I'm giving up for now. -
Review from Carolyn F.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2012
Not worth the wait. I don't just mean the time it takes to nab a table (about an hour), but the wait to actually get food once you are seated (about an hour from first dish to second). Which is even MORE tortuous, believe you me. Watching people eat while hungry is cruel and unusual punishment.
Yes, it's pretty cheap and fresh, but only the baked seabass + mango was truly memorable. Everything tasted just as they would at another decent sushi joint and the cost seemed to be slightly cheaper overall.
But the sushi master is the only one making any sort of food for diners, and since everyone is starving when they sit down, each order consists of a billion things, which slows down things for the next diner. Plus, the sushi master tends to make the bulk of each order at a time, rather than making one thing for one table, one thing for another table, etc., which adds to the long lag (and stomach rumblings) between some dishes. -
Review from Steve F.
San Francisco, CA
4/19/2012
Two stars because the sushi was alright and the chef works his balls off. No more because the wait was just about intolerable.
Biggest problem are tables crammed with 6 people who order 19 different rolls. The chef obviously cares about what he's doing it's just that there needs to be about three chefs to make the wait tolerable. From name on the board to final roll was about two hours. We felt like baby birds mouths open waiting for something...anything. We called for the check in advance because I just couldn't take waiting for anything any longer.
Hate to down a place for its popularity but it just ain't worth the time invested... -
Review from Joshua G.
Santa Clara, CA
3/28/2012
I saw someone mark this place as a "one star" simply because they thought it might prevent people from going there. If there's any better recommendation for a restaurant, I can't think of it.
What can I say? The best sushi I've had, and I've been to a good number of sushi places across the US. I really can't say much else that the other reviewers haven't already said. The sushi is very fresh. Most of what is available is not too flashy, but still tastes amazing. The baked muscles are a must. -
Review from Safford B.
Centennial, CO
2/12/2012
After reading all of the reviews citing 2.5 hour wait times and not complaining, we had to give Sushi Zone a try. We got here at 6:00 sharp and put our name on the list. For those of you who haven't been to Sushi Zone before, putting your name on the list means physically picking up an Expo marker and writing your name on a dorm room whiteboard. Pretty funny. Lucky for us, there were only two parties in front of us, and they both had gone around the corner for a drink, so we were seated within about ten minutes.
But this review isn't about the wait. It's about the food:
Appetizers (4/5): We ordered both the baked bass with mango and the baked mussels. Both came in mussel shells, so were a little hard to tell apart, until we ate them of course. If I had to choose one over the other, I might lean slightly towards the mussels, but they're pretty small, so go ahead and order both.
Rolls (3/5): We had the tuna mango roll and the yellowtail scallion roll. Fish portions seemed a little bigger than other places, but nothing special. We didn't see a lot of creative or unique rolls on the menu, which probably should have been a sign to focus on other things.
Nigiri (5/5): This is the shining point. Not only is the nigiri super-fresh, but the slices of fish are incredibly thick and generous. We had uni, maguro, salmon, hamachi, and albacore. We have had better uni elsewhere, but the four fish nigiri we ordered were right up there with some of our favorite sushi spots. I would say that the albacore and salmon were tied for the favorite spot, though the hamachi and maguro were strong contenders as well.
The next time we go to Sushi Zone, we'll probably order a little more nigiri and skip the rolls--not because the rolls are bad, but because the nigiri is so good.Listed in: San Francisco
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Review from Emily D.
1/25/2012
I've tried FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES to go here. FIVE. For awhile (at least the awful awful crap year that was 2011) it seemed like I wasn't going to ever get in.
Tonight (2012) changed that.
Plan of attack- arrive at 4:45pm. Wait. Second plan of attack- if this fails... THERE WILL BE NO FAILURE!
So Dream Team went at 4:45pm... and... crickets. Well, actually, one Finnish dude and his 3 kids- one of whom was not wearing pants I GUESS THAT'S HOW THEY ROLL IN FINLAND. But seriously. Just us. *Crickets.*
Dream Team then contemplated what could happen to make this go wrong. Surely, it can't be this easy. Turned away 5 separate times due to an excessive wait, and then once due to the fact there were closed for 2 weeks. But here they were. Open. Here we were, in line. Could they be out of mussels? "I don't care I will ask for whatever fish they have on rice please kthnx." What if there is a fire? "Grab the fish and run."
Turns out, nothing went wrong. Nothing at all. I ordered salmon nigiri, salmon maki, tuna maki, and baked mussels. $23.50. Seated at 5, served at 5:30.
Now I want to make something crystal clear, so pay attention.
Are you focusing?
Really? Stop speed reading and focus on my words.
This is the best sushi I have had outside of Japan. In fact this beat places IN Japan. This fish left me speechless.
I had to take the salmon off the rice because I felt the rice was compromising the beauty of the fish. It was, without a doubt, not even kidding, I swear I felt like I was eating a stick of butter if you had blind-folded me and told me it was I'd have believed you:
THE.
BEST.
SALMON.
IN.
AMERICA.
So if you don't want to wait, if you don't want to order anything other than some fruity-nutty-cream cheese and eel roll, if you just want a "California roll,"
Thank you. You have just made my wait shorter AND it means more of the best stuff on EARTH for me. -
Review from Brian J.
Ao is still keeping it real. The salmon nigiri Ao serves here is my favorite in both the USA and Japan. The baked sea bass-- a closely guarded recipe secret-- continues to feed the addiction. We also tried the papaya tuna roll-- props on a perfectly ripe and sweet papaya. I also had a fresh uni nigiri with a quail egg on top. We ended the evening with a famous eel/avo handroll. Good to the last bite. Thanks again Ao!
Listed in: Top Restaurants
4 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/31/2009
Always a joyous occasion when Ao is in the house. After 10 years, still never a disappointing… Read more »
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Review from Shannon H.
San Francisco, CA
2/11/2012
Its totally my pleasure to perpetuate the hype about this joint. 2.5 hour wait time and all! This place is so legit. so clean. so egoless. just fresh, impeccable food with humble and efficient service (and its cheap...what?!)
Worth mentioning is the staff, the head chef always has a smile on his face and is down to chat it up and both of the two (incredibly hot) women who serve are helpful, friendly and chill.
I have yet to try the baked mussels or baked bass, but everytime I see people gnoming on them they are beaming huge with like big inflated eyebrows that say, "hell ya!".
I'm a big fan of the fish & tropical fruit combos, I think the textures and flavors are so complimentary and its a unique kick to a cuisine that can tend to be a bit repetitive after 25 years.
To die for:
Spicy Salmon & Mango
Unagi & Papaya
Tuna & Mango
Spicy Himachi (with thin sliced jalepeno, lime and scallions)
A previous review said that the salmon here was the best in North America, I'm not much of a fish guru, but I had the salmon nigiri tonight and I was licking my fingers. They season the salmon lightly with salt, pepper, vinegar, lemon and dill and...just get it.
Their miso is really balanced and nicely seasoned, a bit on the sour side which I like a lot.
I would say if you're trying to impress a date and be super cool, roll through at like quarter to nine, put your name on the list, hop up the block to Orbit Room at Market & Guerrero, grab one of their ridiculously clever and equally fresh cocktails and then skip merrily down the hill at like 9:30 to catch the lull before close.
If, on the other hand, you wanna be a dumb ass date and prove you are one of those San Francisco folks who likes waiting in line all night, then go at 7:30 and sit around staring at the minimalist decor for 2 hours. Either way, the meal is certain to make you cream your mouth without breaking the bank. -
Review from Uda W.
San Francisco, CA
1/11/2012
Simple enough: Go early, with no more than 2 people, chill out and enjoy. The sushi is delectable, very well priced and the chefs and server are sweet. Yum. The baked Oysters are so good and I hate oysters! I used to come here eons and eons ago, and just went back recently. They haven't changed and I'm glad, the wait was longish then as well and no one cared. I'll be back again soon.
For all the other complaining big group, restaurant storming, spoiled, hand coddled reviewers: Get over it and go to Blowfish ( which is also tasty). -
Review from Liza T.
San Francisco, CA
This was my second time to come here. My first time was about 5 years ago. Surprisingly, the food was still as good as before.
Came here with a friend on a Friday at 5:30pm and the restaurant was already packed. Luckily we were the first party on the waiting broad. We got seated at 6pm.
A lot of people complained about the wait for the food. Yes, it was a pain because there was only one chef and he was doing one order at a time. So you probably expect to wait another 30 minutes for your food.
We ordered:
Baked mussels: I tried this in 5 years ago and the taste of the mussels were always in my mind. After so many years, the taste was pretty much the same. Delicious! The sauce was flavorful and the portion was good. Must order item!
We also ordered Hamachi Nigiri, White Tuna Nigiri, Hawaiian #1 roll, Mushroom roll and Mango Hamachi roll: All fish were so fresh and the slice of the fish was generous. The portion of the rolls and sushi were good.
The service was very friendly. Even though there was only one waitress, she was still attentive; just kinda slow sometimes.
Deducted one star?!?!?! Definitely the wait..............too long ;-( -
Review from Zachary S.
San Francisco, CA
3/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great little hole in the wall Sushi Bar, the tuna is always super fresh tasting and I love the rolls with mango. Get here early though, the lines are long and seats few, still there are a couple good bars around to get drinks at while you wait.
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Review from Gerardo C.
San Francisco, CA
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place has the best sushi I've had in San Francisco. There isn't one other place that comes close to my experience at Sushi Zone.
Disclaimer: If you want to eat here, you should have a place nearby to get drinks while you wait. Our wait was close to an hour and a half, maybe more. Pisco is around the corner, so that's what I do.
The place is owned and managed by one family, which gives it a homey feel. It is TINY, so in can only hold so many people at once.
However, the food is unbelievably good.
Even with the long wait, I would come every other week; not everybody is willing to wait that long for food though.
It;s not overpriced, but it is expensive. -
Review from Alejandro G.
San Francisco, CA
4/5/2012
Once you try the Baked Bass, you'll become a sushi snob
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Review from Rachel Z.
San Francisco, CA
11/19/2011
The appetizers were amazing (baked bass, mussels). Fresh and creative, mouth watering.
Makis were fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. Nigiris were a bit pricy, but they are really generous with their portion of fish on top.
I'd give the food 5 stars but the wait was just toooooo long (2 hours is ridiculous even for a Friday night). It's a tiny place but they should really get more staff because they are just too popular. -
Review from Nho H.
11/14/2011
Generally when it comes to a life changing food experience, I wouldn't mind waiting awhile to devour it but Sushi Zone time limit burst in my stomach before I could really enjoy it. Put our name down around 7:50 and didn't get seated til 9:45. Which I was ok with since my friends and I were at a bar around the corner.
The thing that I didn't like was how long it took for the food to get to us once we ordered. Around 40-50 mins later, we finally got to try this "amazing sushi" which wasn't so mind blowing fresh but this may also be due to the fact that it took forever.
All the rolls we ordered were great but was it great enough to wait that long for it? Nah. I think you can get just as great quality sushi elsewhere in SF like Tataki! The good thing about Sushi Zone is that it wasn't expensive. Hey, if I can get good quality sushi without breaking my bank, I'm a happy camper. Now they just gotta figure out the traffic situation!
Maybe I'll give it another shot next time with a brilliant time strategy to beat the crowd. Maybe. -
Review from Diane L.
3/9/2012
It's not that great.....small ass establishment and ehh. I hella remember the mussels only came with 3 pieces smh....To be honest I barely remember what I ordered here cuz obviously it wasn't the best. I think I got the Hawaiian #1 and #2 rolls....didn't like the macadamia nuts on there with their sweet sauce, but if I had to pick one roll the mango hamachi was the only good thing that I got here.
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Review from Jen H.
San Francisco, CA
1/3/2012
Ok, gotta cut them some slack because they're a tiny, 10-seat, family-run kind of place but the unadulterated truth is, they've become a victim of their own success.
Like the other reviewers, I have nothing but superlatively positive things to say about their sushi and therein lies the problem: the good word has spread and they just don't have the capacity to keep up with demand. Do not come hungry cuz you'll be famine-starving by the time you actually eat. 1-2 hour waits are routine and just not worth it for me! I don't plan to return until they move to bigger digs. -
Review from Juliane M.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2012
I was recently there for the first time. I grew up in Japan so I know what real sushi taste and look like, and I have to say their sushi was pretty close!! Most importantly, they know how to make the sushi rice. Sushi rice is very important part of sushi and many sushi restaurants in Bay Area don't know how to make the rice. Unfortunately, their sushi selection was small, but they are fresh and reasonably priced. I would like to come back when I have a chance. Though, I am not sure if it is worth 2 hour wait time...
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Review from Lee H.
11/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
They knocked it out of the park with the spicy hamachi roll. No mayo-sriracha gloppy mess on this spicy roll. Just hamachi, jalapeno and thinly sliced lime slices. Greatest combo in sushi I've had in a while.
The wait time to get seated is incidiously long, but you can go around the corner to Destino for a pisco cocktail and you won't even notice you've been waiting for 60 minutes for that made in heaven hamachi roll. -
Review from Veronica N.
San Francisco, CA
11/14/2011
Delicious! The food is awesome here. Loved the baked seabass and mushrooms. Will try the baked mussels next time! The rolls were all delicious, we had tried a variety of rolls, some raw, some cooked but everything was really good and fresh. The rolls had a very well balanced flavor and their spicy mayo is yummy!
I've been here twice and the wait is definitely long! The place is tiny, they can fit about 8 people at the bar and they have 2 tables which fit about 4 each. Get here before they open and you should be fine. If not, be prepared to wait at least an hour to two to be seated! The first time we came here, we waited 2hours before we were seated and we were first on the waiting list. On our second try, we were able to grab the last two seats at the bar. There is only one sushi chef so it takes some time before your food arrives. Once the food starts coming, the rest of your food will arrive at a good pace. Once we finish one item, the chef will have your next item ready. Besides the wait, this place is awesome! -
Review from Joseph C.
San Francisco, CA
2/23/2012
I can't believe I have never been here in my 7 years of living in San Francisco. This place was recommended by a friend, and I was skeptical. I went for the first time today with a friend, and truly enjoyed the quality of the fish and portions. Price to quality and quantity ratio is really high. The salmon nigiri and seared albacore were amazing. The only drawback is the long waiting time, so be prepared for 45-60 minute waits at prime time. It's cozy, high quality at a great price, you can't ask for much more.
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Review from Melissa T.
San Francisco, CA
11/24/2011
Warning! Spoiler Alert!
This place is small. Like the size of my studio apartment. Don't come here with big groups. Shit coming here with 6 people was already too much.
But! The food is fresh and delicious and relatively cheap for rolls.
I would love to come back, maybe with just 2 people.
We waited almost an hour for food. But it was super good. -
Review from Emily T.
9/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Minus one star for the 2.5 hour wait on a friday night!!! ahhhhhhhh!!!!
Baked mussels: big juicy and delicious. Must try.
Baked sea bass: my favorite. sea bass was baked perfectly...on top of the sweetness of mango and the mayo... nom.
Spicy Hamachi: I was so hungry I just inhaled the rolls, didn't know which one was which
Mango something: waitress suggested this for us, this one got blurred with the spicy hamachi.
Hawaiian #1: The macadamia nuts on top of the tuna roll with avocados, I have to say, this one was worth the wait.
Hamachi sashimi: decent, but not the best I've ever had (esp after kiss seafood...)
Great service, cheap booze, and "worth the wait" food. -
Review from Monelle P.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Although I vowed to never eat sushi on a Monday after reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, I found myself at Sushi Zone on a Monday. And after a longer than expected walk from my apartment, I was determined to wait out the 3 names before me to see what all the Sushi Zone hype was about. It's sushi. It's raw. How long could the wait be?
1.5 hour later, I was ravenous. Maybe that's part of the allure of Sushi Zone? You wait so long to eat that you are really hungry and food tastes extraordinarily delicious. However, the sushi here is really good. And I'm confident that the sushi would taste this good even if I hadn't waited as long.
Everything we had was simple, fresh, and very good. We started with a green salad topped with mango, avocado, and shrimp, served with a miso dressing. We also ordered a yellowtail/scallion roll, salmon nigiri, and a spicy hamachi roll. The spicy hamachi roll was our favorite roll.
Although the sushi was very good, the standouts of the meal were the baked mussel and baked seabass. The baked mussel is a concoction of mayo and chopped mussel, baked in a mussel shell. The seabass is the same concoction, but with sweet chopped mango in it. Both were sweet, creamy, and rich. The seabass was so good that we ordered a second round.
If you can get here before the rush or endure the wait, you'll be rewarded with really fresh sushi at unheard-of, cheap prices. -
Review from Michelle M.
San Francisco, CA
3/11/2012
The wait is insanely ridiculous! Is it the best Japanese restaurant in SF...no but sadly it is the best in the area.
