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Tekka Japanese Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
537 Balboa St(between 6th Ave & 7th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94118
Neighbourhood: Inner Richmond
(415) 221-8455
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- 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:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
233 reviews for Tekka Japanese Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"I was in sashimi heaven after this meal." In 95 reviews -
"The hamachi kama is also ridiculously good." In 15 reviews -
"Definitely go for Omakase Sashimi." In 46 reviews
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233 reviews in English
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Review from Noah H.
San Francisco, CA
5/24/2012
This tiny hole in the wall sushi restaurant is one of my favorite new finds in San Francisco. It seats about 8 people and simply getting a seat there for dinner could be quite a challenge. My understanding is that if you want to get in when they open at around 7pm, you should line up out front about an hour beforehand. While the food was amazing I hate waiting for hours for anything and it isn't worth that kind of time investment. Instead, drop by around 9pm when the place can be almost empty, and stay for a wonderful meal until they close between 11 and 12.
This place is run by a husband and wife team and is absolutely authentic. The only English in the whole place is a board behind the sushi counter with the name and cost of the sashimi. How you order, or even know the cost of anything else is still a mystery to me. The sashimi sampler plate (~$38?) is a great place to start. All of the sashimi is top notch, melt-in-your-mouth fresh and amazing. I loved the sake (salmon) and unagi (eel) sashimi, and the unagi avocado roll is also wonderful. They also have a mushroom special that was fantastic. As far as what else to order, I'd recommend bringing a friend who reads or speaks Japanese as the owners were actually disappointingly unhelpful (but still friendly and good natured) about helping a new patron out with a full exploration of the options. -
Review from Mei C.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2012 9 photos
OMG!!!! Tekka deserves 100 stars!!!!!
Freshest sashimi I have ever had. I couldn't get enough of it.
Yellowtail, scallops, salmon, Uni, and more.... Their Hamachi Kama is so yummy.
I always get their sashimi sampler and add extra orders of yellowtail and scallops. Their a la carte portions are HUGE!!!! Their yellowtail is so fresh and almost buttery tasting. Melts in your mouth.... yummmmm
I also always ask if they have any Uni. It's not on the menu as sometimes they don't have it. I have had Uni at other restaurant where they taste bitter and grainy. Not Tekka! Theirs is very creamy with a little sweetness and buttery taste to it.
Their restaurant is really small and it's first come first serve. They don't open until 7:00pm - ish. I always get there no later than 6pm and is usually the first in line. Sooooooooooo worth the wait! And the prices are really reasonable considering the quality and the portion sizes.
I can't wait until I can go again. Counting the days when my friend is free (I would go by myself but my friend would hate me if he finds out I went without him.)
Till next time Tekka! I will be dreaming about your food! -
Review from Simba T.
San Leandro, CA
5/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
After hearing all the rave and reading thru the reviews on Yelp, we decided to give Tekka a try. Prior to it, our favorite sushi joint has been Yume in Alameda.
Since we had a friend from Sacto joining us, we wanted to make sure we get seating. Therefore, we arrived early around 5:45 PM on monday per advise of fellow yelpers. Needless to say, we were the first in line and thus GUARANTEED seating. By 6:30, the line was long enough that some of the people who showed up later left knowing that they will not get a seat. The owners arrived early but did not open the door til 7 PM. We had a somewhat of an expectations after reading rave reviews and having tried one of the best sushi in Yume.
We ordered Sashimi Combo, Hamachi Kama, Salmon & Hamachi Nigri, Salmon skin handroll, seared Tuna and 2 bottles of Sapporo. The sashimi combo was a mixture of Salmon, Tuna, Hamachi, Scallop, Mackerel, and Squid. All were pretty fresh and pretty good ... but nothing to rave about. We then had Hamachi Kama ... which was DELICIOUS ... probably the best dish of the night. It was juicy, tasty and crunchy. It was followed by the nigiris that we ordered (salmon and tuna). The pieces were indeed HUGE. Each piece is $3.50 but was well worth it. It is probably comparable to about 3 pieces of normal nigiris. Aside from being HUGE pieces, the taste of the sushi were good but nothing that will make me say wow.
We were then served seared Tuna ... it was BLAHHHH. The seared tuna "looked" good as it was slightly seared with shreds of onions and ponzu sauce over it. It took my wife one bite before she deferred the rest to us. The taste was bland and the fish itself was "stringy" due to the veins. I don't normally leave sashimi leftover ... but we were just unable to finish the plate. It was that BLAND ... We then had salmon skin hand rolls ... and it was another BLAH (less HHH). Not much of a taste in it ... I think I make better and tastier salmon skin hand rolls.
Now for the total price ... for 3 of us comes to about $180 (include tax and tips) which average to $60 per person. In my opinion, the price wasn't bad at all for the amount of food that we got. BTW, it's CASH ONLY !!!
Overall, I was quite disappointed. We drove from East Bay (one from Sacto) and waited close to 1.5 hr to try this supposedly "awesome" sushi/sashimi only to leave with such a forgetable impression. There was nothing special about the choices of fish, nothing special about the taste nor the experience. The only thing that sticks to me is the HUGE size of the fish. I feel that any other "normal" sushi joint I've been to taste the same as the sushi here ... BUT without the 1.5 hr of wait.
DEFINITELY NOT WORTH THE DRIVE NOR THE WAIT to taste something that is so ordinary. Nothing against fellow yelpers but those who have given this place a 5 stars definitely don't know what's a good sushi is ... I suggest they give YUME in Alameda a try ... and I assure you that you would not come back to Tekka again. -
Review from Rachel M.
4/30/2012
I can't think of anything to write that hasn't been written before.
My friend recommended this place so highly that we both took a bit of time off work to make sure we could get to the restaurant by 5:30 pm to wait for the 7 pm seating. Yes, we are dedicated hardcore foodies. But we weren't the only ones who showed up early to wait!
The food was well worth it. Watching Nobu-san prep the sashimi platters was a mouthwateringly torturous process made tolerable by the fact that he is quite generous. The nigiri are huge (even a bit TOO big imho), and even the cooked foods were amazing. We tried the agedashi tofu (yum) and hamachi collar (we picked a small one but soon regretted not just gunning for the large collar). As a huge hamachi-kama fan, I must say... this one was probably the best one I've ever had.
To add a soupcon of kitsch - Stevie Wonder DVD playing on repeat on the small tv next to the bar serenading our meal.
One thing of note: CASH ONLY! -
Review from Liz W.
4/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
HANDS DOWN THE BEST SASHIMI I HAVE EVER HAD.
A very small, respectable hole in the wall ... home of mr. cute old man and mr. cute old man's wife serving and cooking for everyone in the 10-seater restaurant. They are SO ADORABLE and the food is the most fresh and tender fish I have EVER HAD.
There's a crazy wait for the 10 seats...and although there are two seating times, both get full pretty quick! I'd suggest going to the later one.. I went at 8:30pm and we were first in line for the 2nd seating, waited only about 20 minutes.
Get the fried yellow tail appetizer.. I believe it's not on their menu, but its GREAT. Crunchy...tender...cooked to perfection! I saw the customers next to us order a bowl of clams that looks really good too... but I wasn't a regular enough to know about that one.
Seriously though, you will never ever want to eat sushi ANYwhere else... if you have patience and respect, and enjoy great fresh sushi, definitely make Tekka your #1 to-try place. -
Review from Ally S.
San Francisco, CA
3/25/2012
What an incredible meal!! Definitely some of the best sushi I've ever had. The fish was so incredibly fresh and the tea was the perfect temperature. The cold sake was also delish. The Sashimi Combo is definitely the way to go if you want to sample a lot. The nigiri orders are one piece to an order, but we're not talking your average size piece of nigiri here... Easily took me 4 bites to get through each piece.
Yoshimi and Nobu are the wonderful couple who own and operate this great hole in the wall. Yoshimi is your waitress, Nobu is your sushi chef. Yoshimi is charming and very helpful.
We took the advice of every other review here and got here before 6 and we were still 3rd in line! Its a lucky thing we got there when we did to because not 15 minutes later there was a long line behind us.
Bring cash and get here early! You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Lily S.
San Francisco, CA
3/27/2012
I can never eat sushi anywhere else..
Yes, he's a sushi nazi
Yes, there are rules - read them before going
Yes, there is an obscene wait - be smart, come either at 5:30pm (they open at 7pm) or come after 9pm, after the first round who waited at 5:30pm to finish
Yes, there are only 10 seats
Yes, your nigiri will be the biggest and freshest sushi you WILL EVER EAT. The pieces were the size of my iPhone that i was using to take pictures of.
Min $18/person.
Most important rule:
Rule #1) Everything is good. Everything. -
Review from Leeseuh K.
San Francisco, CA
3/14/2012
Come here and order their OMAKASE!!
The highest quality fish I've had the pleasure of consuming in SF was served at this establishment. Small place with limited seating. They have 2 seatings at 7pm and 9:30ish. Run by an elderly couple. Be patient and courteous or Nobu will kick you out. And bring a fat wallet cuz it's CASH only!!!
In my opinion, this is the go-to place for authentic sushi in SF, but getting in almost feels like initiation to an exclusive cult.Listed in: Snooshi SF
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Review from Alex L.
San Francisco, CA
5/1/2012
Came here on a Saturday night. Here are my thoughts -
CONS
-The place is super tiny. When I first walked in at 8:30 to see if they had space, everyone turned around and stopped their conversation. "Come back after 9" said a Mr. Miyagi looking man.
-The place is so tiny, in fact, that you can hear everyone's conversation in complete depth.
-Even though we were in at 9:15, service still took a long time. I was in and out almost two hours later
PROS
-Incredible sashimi/nigiri that is absolutely fresh. Some of the highlights are the salmon and the eel. Unfortunately they were out of the tuna and omakase this time.
-Huge portions. I've never been served a piece of sashimi that large before.
-Sashimi/nigiri melts like butter.
-Hamachi kama (grilled yellowtail) was fantastic.
Overall, this is a place you come to not for ambience, conversation, or even a date for that matter. You sit down and eat incredibly sashimi/nigiri.
One thing that I think some other Yelpers didn't mention is that, for the most part, this is a sashimi and nigiri place - the majority of dishes are simply a slab of raw fish or raw fish over rice. This is unlike other 'high end' sushi places which make a sushi concotion of different ingredients (think california roll, spider roll, etc). Sit down, eat, and then leave. It is about as authentically Japanese as you can get. There's even a sign that says 'No teriyaki/tempura'. Nice touch! -
Review from Jenny K.
1/26/2012 7 photos
As suggested by yelpers, we arrived about 1.5 hours before they opened but it seemed to be our lucky night. Not only did we find parking right in front of the restaurant, we were practically the only customers there! Instead of waiting outside of the restaurant, we waited in the car and watched a movie on the IPad.
15 minutes before they opened, two couples walked up and we knew that was our cue to get out of the car. We grabbed a seat at the bar with the perfect view of the chef preparing our freshly cut sashimi.
Though their menu is quite simple and limited in selection, their hot plate menu is written in Japanese so we had to ask what those hot plates were. Also with the help and recommendation from their frequent customers we were able to try some of their popular dishes.
-Sashimi combo
-Uni
-Unagi nigiri
-White tail nigiri
-Hamachi Kama
-Mushroom and asparagus
Fresh. I was in sashimi heaven. The cuts were huge and the variety of fishes were excellent. The nigiris were as big as my iPhone. The mushroom and asparagus dish was delightful.
Didn't try but I was able to peek at my neighbor's miso soup. Looks hearty and filled with ingredients. You know, not your typical packaged/instant miso soup. I regret not ordering it. That's my excuse to go back. -
Review from P H.
San Francisco, CA
Yes! Very fresh fishes! Love it so much
The most funniest thing is ...... they have ruleS here!!
One of them say "No Rush Service"!
Yeah Yeah~~ do not expect quick dinner here!!
We came here on a rainy Tuesday night at around 20:30, luckily we took the last 2 seats available. Once we seated, we were suffer a little bit for the menu....... why? becoz there were no actual menu available.
Some, and i mean little daily special on the white board, where some of the hot food were in Japanese. We have to wait until the server (i believed she is the chef's wife) came to us and explain to us.
Our first appetizer came in just 15 mins....... 15 mins is definitely not a bad time as some of the other yelpers claimed that they have to wait a long time for food. The hot food were tasty and HOT(very important) where the fishes were fresh and delicious!!
Uni sushi........ I still remember the freshness in the other day!!!
Finally, the bill....... we ordered 3 hot plates, 1 sashimi combo, 1 beer, 1 uni sushi and the bill was about $100 inclusive! Not cheap at all, but the freshness worth every penny!
Will definitely come back....... when it is raining! -
Review from Alex P.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
The food was Average (albacore, salmon) to Good (everything else), but nothing was great. The Uni Nigiri is like a mini Uni don and is well worth the money. But if you're from NYC, this place will probably leave you disappointed.
Price wise, yes, this place is a good value for the quality and quantity of fish you get.
1 sashimi combo
1 sake nigiri
1 eel nigri
2 uni nigiri
1 clam miso soup
= about $75 total (tax, tip included)
However, if you aren't some broke ass student or strapped for cash (you shouldn't be eating sashimi anyway) then Tekka is NOT WORTH THE TIME for that 10-20% cost savings (it's cheaper, NOT cheap).
You get there at 6PM to line up and you aren't done with your meal till about 9PM. 3 hours is waaaay too long when there are better options (Kiss, Yebisu and Sakana come to mind) in town and you don't have to stand outside in the cold for an hour.
And the monster sized nigiri are true. Personally, I'm turned off by over sized cuts of sashimi because I feel it takes away from the delicate nature of sashimi and the balance is overwhelmed by a filet mignon sized slab of fish that takes like 4 bites and ton of chewing to eat.
I compare this place to Tomoe in NYC and if you like over sized cuts of fish, waiting for a long time and feeling like you got a good deal on sashimi, then you will like this place. -
Review from Jennifer L.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2012 3 photos
Muhahaha, I finally made it in! Ok, so I've only tried to get in once, but still. I was SO excited to finally try this place after hearing a bunch from my brother.
Things I've heard prior to going: Cash only, 2 seatings on Mon-Thurs (7pm / 9:30pm), Fri I believe there's only 1 seating, no parties over 4, don't have time constraints, and you usually need to arrive by 6pm to secure your seat for the 7pm seating. If you arrive and count that there'd be more than 11ppl total, forget about it and try again next time.
So here's how things went down: Dropped off the bf at 6:30pm this past Wednesday (1/18/12) while I scrambled to try to find a parking spot. I was SO sure we wouldn't get in, but I receive a call from the bf saying there were only 4 ppl in line. Score! Oh boy, but parking was a pain in the *bleep* so get here a bit early! When I got to the restaurant, the place was pitch black since the owners had yet to arrive. I wanted to make sure we had a seat, so I asked each of the parties ahead of us how many they had in their party. Turns out there were only 8, so we'd be 10... YAY! WE WERE IN.
The owners arrived at 6:50pm and let us in at 7pm. Naturally, the other parties scrambled to sit at the bar since you get to be right in the action of fresh fish slicing and preparation. But whatever, we were happy to be there and settled for the side table they had. The menus are on the wall and basically just list the main fish they sell. BUT, there is a secret menu that you can probably find in other yelp reviews or through friends that have gone.
Here's what we ordered:
- Sashimi Combo ($35): SO MUCH FRESH FISH! There were about 6-8 different types of fish on this plate and about 3-5 pieces of each one! Ones I remember were scallop, tuna, salmon, hamachi, squid, and a couple others. Everything was super fresh... most memorable ones being the scallop, tuna, and salmon. Yum!
- Clam Miso Soup (not on the menu!): This was DELISH. Super fresh clams (there were about like 8 of them!) within refreshing miso soup. Perfect for the cold day we went on.
- Variety of Nigiri (most cost $3.50, but uni was $5): OMGeeeez. Each nigiri slice is almost the size of a small asian girl's hand. How would I know? Cause I'm a small asian girl. But for a piece of fish, if you can't imagine, it's HUGE. We ordered 2 scallops, 1 unagi, 1 salmon, 1 hamachi, and 1 uni. The unagi was AMAZING. Uni was surprisingly good considering I don't usually like uni. Everything else we had already eaten on the sashimi combo plate, but it was still delicious. (TIP: The sashimi combo platter includes almost all, if not all, of the nigiri they sell individually. We did not know this. So there's no need to order extra nigiri unless you just really loved a particular fish.)
Everything considered plus tip, we came out paying $85 for 2 people and left around 9:00pm. But we definitely were n00bs and WAY OVER-ORDERED. I felt so bad because we weren't able to finish every single piece of sashimi we ordered... unlike the other patrons who clearly looked like Tekka veterans and cleaned off every single thing on their plates. We definitely could've been really full and done with just the sashimi combo + miso soup.
I really enjoyed my experience here, and everything was super fresh and a great deal. I only give 4-stars because certain fishes were better than others (hamachi, usually my fave fish, was not the best I've had), and it's kinda stressful/tiring having to ensure you get here super early to secure your spot. But next time I come here, I'm not going to over order like a n00b and I'll probably just get some delicious tuna, salmon, scallop, UNAGI, and clam miso soup. -
Review from Barbara N.
San Francisco, CA
Went back to Tekka tonight, and my belly is happy, full of A+ sashimi!!!! :D
This time, in addition to the combo platter and some nigiri, we ordered mushrooms and asparagus off the "hot" menu. The couple next to us ordered sake clams...it smelled and looked so good. Next time...
We showed up at 6pm, and we were the first two in line. The chef and his wife showed up at 6:20pm, and opened the door for us at 7:05pm. This was about half an hour earlier than the last time I came.
If you do not order the sashimi combo platter, you will have to wait a while to eat any fish because he makes all of those first. The last time I was there, he made 5 platters, and this time, he made 4 platters, so it takes a decent amount of time. After they are all done, he starts on the nigiri and the rolls.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/26/2012
The sashimi here is the best I've ever had. If only it wasn't such an ordeal to get to eat here!… Read more »
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Review from Mike O.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2012
If you "love sushi" but only order saucy fried salmon rolls, this is probably not the place for you. That being said, if you love simple slabs of delicious fresh fish, you can't go anywhere better.
Tekka requires a certain amount of preparation-- Get there between 6 and 6:30 (for the first seating), make sure you have plenty of cash, and be prepared for the fact that you might get turned away. Tekka is staffed entirely by one old (and awesome) Japanese couple, and they might run late or not be able to come make sushi on a particular night.
If you can deal with that, be prepared for a truly amazing dining experience. I'd order more than you think you'll want, because you'll feel like a jerk asking for more once the chef has already put everything away.Listed in: Favorite Places in San…
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Review from Jean Y.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Three things you need to know:
* Cash only
* 2 seatings: 7pm and 9:30pm
* 11 seats total in a very tight space. 3 tables of 2 seats each + 5 counter seats.
The day we were here, all available spots were claimed by people in line 90min in advance for both seatings. (We also witnessed people fighting over the counter seats. Awkward!)
This is definitely a no-frills place. The items are all very simple. The fish is very fresh. The elderly couple that owns Tekka barely spoke to or smiled at customers. Service is fairly slow.
The menu items are written on a whiteboard on the wall. Some are written in Japanese only. Most are missing prices.
My friend and I ordered the following:
* Sashimi combo: I think there were roughly 20 pieces of standard sashimi, including mackerel, tuna, salmon, octopus, yellowtail. The cuts were fairly generous. This cost $30, much less than I expected!
* Tuna nigiri: Gigantic slab of tuna for only $3.50/piece
* Salmon skin roll: Delicious. $8.50
* Agedashi tofu: $5
Note: Prices I quoted are not exact but should be accurate within $1.
Total = roughly $60 for 2 after tax and tip.
Having paid twice that much for the same amount of fish at other sushi restaurants in SF (such as Zushi Puzzle + Okoze), I'd say Tekka is a pretty good deal, but the limited seating is definitely a barrier to entry! -
Review from Crystal S.
San Francisco, CA
this is as mom-ish and popish as it gets. I luckily stumbled upon it halloween night and no one was in there except one other couple. i was actually planning to go to Sushi Bistro down the block when I found parking right in front of Tekka. I heard great things and with no wait I thought I'd give it a whirl. I'm very glad I did. What a little neighborhood gem =O)
First, so there is no surprises, don't expect a menu. There is just a chalkboard with the sushi of the day, and some items written in Japanese that is more of the cooked traditional stuff that the wifey makes in the back. The husband, who apparently loves 80's music and Tina Turner, is the one and only sushi chef. His wife is the cook/waitress. With just the two of them I see why they only have such limited seating... the two of them as the restaurants manpower and dining area equivalent to the size of my living room.
But with all that aside... what we are all after is the quality of food. And I must say it does not disappoint! All the fish was absolutely phenomenal!!! The portions of the fish were huge!! Probably the hugest I've ever seen... and best part, it was oh so fresh. Melt in your mouth fresh!!
From chatting with the owner... there are two rounds of seatings. one around 7 and one around 9. The menu is made to be small and half of it is written in japanese. His reason? Because it creates a fun dining atmosphere, creating a friendy conversation starter with the patrons next to you. Because the restaurant is actually so small, the success comes from word of mouth advertising. People love to discuss what are the "hot items" to order with each other. That was apparent as I made friends with the couple next to us. I guess that's a part of the Tekka experience!
I want to give Tekka a 5 stars overall but just because it has the weirdest hours, finding a time to eat here is a challenge... and because of that I give it a 4-1/2.
PS. CASH ONLY -
Review from Byron C.
1/10/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Hmmm, not much to say about this place besides the fact that its AWESOME. As many others have said before me. Tekka offers some of the freshest sushi you can find in the bay. Just try the tuna and the taco here and you will understand.
Also when you see the size of the niguri here in person you will find yourself getting all gitty and giggly, I guarantee it! I pretty much recommend everything here, and as a tip, use yelp pictures to decipher the cooked food menu that is in Japanese.
Enjoy! -
Review from Cherylynn N.
San Francisco, CA
10/12/2011 9 photos
Was it Worth 4 Hours of My Life?
First things first...
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TEKKA:
1. It's a traditional Japanese restaurant; no tempura or teriyaki. They no longer offer omakase.
2. It's the size of 1.5 office cubicles.
3. Only 11 seats are available.
4. They're closed on weekends.
5. There are 2 seatings: 7 pm and 9:30 pm. On Fridays, there's only a 7 pm seating. The 9:30 pm seating is reserved for "special guests".
6. Get there NO later than 6 pm for the 7 pm seating (tell lagger friend(s) to come at 5 pm :X).
7. Parties 4 or more will NOT be seated.
8. If the owners/couple decide to bring their friends that night, the last 3-4 people in line will be out of luck. So make sure you're one of the first six in line by coming early.
9. Expect to spend at least 3.5 hours for dinner including wait time (last night, we arrived at 5:40 pm and left at 9:40 pm).
10. CASH ONLY.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
1. At around 6:30 pm - 6:45 pm, the couple will arrive with their ice box of ingredients for the night.
2. The restaurant will open on their own terms, so they may open on time at 7 pm or later.
3. When you're finally let in and seated, Nobu, the owner/sushi chef will start prepping the fish.
4. Once he's done prepping, you'll be able to order at around 7:30 pm.
5. Nobu makes similar orders at once. First, the sashimi, next, the nigiri and then, the rolls.
6. Though it's fun and interesting to watch Nobu slice the sashimi and make the sushi, he does it in a snail pace so we didn't start eating until 8 pm.
7. Everything starts wrapping up at around 9:20 pm to prepare for the next/last seating at 9:30 pm.
F O O D
*SASHIMI COMBO (Feeds 2): A mixture of the freshest catch of the day - Salmon, Tuna, Albacore Tuna, Yellowtail, Scallop, and Octopus.
Everything was super fresh with a delicate melt-in-your-mouth softness except for the octopus which was a little chewy. If you appreciate fresh out of the ocean and high quality sashimi, this is a MUST order.
*NIGIRI: Salmon, Scallop and Unagi ($3.50 each) - Huge slabs of salmon, scallop and unagi topped the perfectly al-dente vinegared rice.
The fresh butteryness of the salmon and scallop paired perfectly with the blank canvas of rice. Topped with a savory sweet sauce and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds, the warm unagi was luxuriously rich and fatty with a subtle nuttiness from the sesame seeds.
We also ordered the following Hot Plates:
*AGEDASHI TOFU
*STEWED EGGPLANT
Served together, these dishes were mediocre. The tofu was more firm than silken and lacked the sticky gelatinous pull from agedashi tofu that I'm used to. The eggplant was soft and tender but nothing to write home about. Both shared a savory sweet sauce which had a weird gloppy texture.
*HAMACHI KAMA
Lightly salted, the hamachi collar was also mediocre. Normally, the collar meat is much more creamy and buttery in texture but this one just tasted like regular fish flesh.
*TUNA TATAKI
Lightly seared to a rare, the tuna was then sliced and topped with scallions and a ponzu sauce. Though the tuna was very tender, the ponzu sauce was too salty and overpowered the tuna.
IN SHORT, stick with the sashimi and sushi and skip the hot plates.
S E R V I C E
Not the Japanese hospitality we expected from a small, authentic Mom and Pop Japanese restaurant.
Nobu was very quiet and cordial. He did what he did best and artfully sliced, rolled, and assembled the sashimi platters, nigiri and rolls.
On the other hand, his wife, Yoshimi was stern and made us feel unwelcome from the get-go. She took orders and prepared the hot plates for the night.
When ordering, we had asked her what was on the hot plate menu because it was written in Japanese. She told us there was Agedashi Tofu, Eggplant, Mushrooms and Steamed Clams. This didn't seem right as we saw more than 4 items listed on the Japanese menu.
We later saw Tuna Tataki and Hamachi Kama was also on the menu because a Chinese/Japanese speaking patron had ordered it. When we tried to order these two items, Yoshimi responded with, "You have enough, wait later" and walked away. When we tried to ask for more cold sake and tea, she made it seem like we were inconveniencing her.
SO WAS OUR MEAL AT TEKKA WORTH 4 HOURS OF MY LIFE? NO.
Although the sashimi and sushi were amazingly fresh, the hot plates were mediocre.
As far as service, I understand people have their bad days but Yoshimi's cold, disinterested, and rude behavior left a sour taste in my mouth especially after having spent $75/person.
I rather go to Okina (similar authentic Mom and Pop sushi restaurant) instead where they take reservations and the service represents what true Japanese hospitality should be.
3.5 STARS rounded to a generous 4 STARS.
TIP: Bring a brown bagged a bottle of sake and drink in line. It's super ghetto but time will pass by much faster. Just don't get caught.Listed in: Give it to me RAW!
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Review from Vincent K.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
How is it that I've lived here for over 20 years, seen almost 100 sushi restaurants pop up like they were starbucks, and not realize that this has been here for just as long as I've been alive. It bewilders me and it adds that charm in SF for small hole in the wall places that still attract the local regulars and the occasionally lucky travelers that happen to stop by. And now, with yelp, I'm sure the hype is blowing up like no other. It's ok. I admit to having use yelp for exploiting this as well.
When you plan on going to Tekka, you can't go in thinking you're going to get the most exotic fishes and supreme quality along with some extra creative stuff that needs various sauces to drench in. No, its a pretty straight forward sushi shop with a little bit of extra just to meet your needs of good fresh sushi.
With that, I'm certainly not saying that Tekka isn't good. It's great. And its just that because of the charm in the tiny place with 11 seats and the scheduled seating times and routine behind it all. Then there's the sushi chef and wife who both are just skilled masters of their own humble works of deliciousness. The sushi chef, definitely knows his fish and although it seems as if he's just cutting it and not creating any spectacular creations, his time and concentration probably went beforehand in the preparation and selection of the fish which he brings to the table for our meal. And his adorable wife, humble as well, creates some of the best home dishes of agadashi tofu or sake clams. I didn't have a chance to try very much, but the others around me certainly made it clear these were some great stuff.
But what I did get to enjoy was the huge cut of fresh fish. Now there's no barracuda or crazy flounder or ocean tropical fish stuff, but there are some fresh nicely cut salmon, tuna, hamachi, squid, and the other basic sashimi fishes you would commonly order. Alongside, there's also some spicy tuna rolls and handrolls or humungus scallops that may be a part of one nigiri but should deserve two spots for their sheer size.
And as many have said, theres the wait. It's a ridiculous wait no doubt, but sometimes its worth it. Perhaps not 4 hours but, if you find yourself hankering for some sushi and you happen to pass by without seeing a crazy line, you're in luck so make a 360 turn and drop the passenger out of your car to get in line while you park 5 blocks away. And then enjoy. Plus, the price is very affordable for that quality of sushi. -
Review from kelly c.
12/1/2011
It took me a few years to try Tekka. Why? Every single time I thought about Tekka, I end up just walking or driving by due to the long lines or the fact that it wasn't open yet and I was too hungry to wait. Finally tonight, it was THE perfect moment in time. Only one couple inside, there was enough room to accommodate me and the hubby. After we arrived, it did fill up quick. So why the 3 stars?
Although I liked the ambiance and service (YES, the service. Although food was slow coming out, the wife made sure my tea was full at all times and checked up on us alot), the sushi and sashimi was just OK. I can't help but compare the sashimi to other places I tried and it just wasn't up to par compared to my favorite sushi restaurant.
We ordered the sashimi combo and spicy tuna rolls enough for two. The spicy tuna rolls were not rolled up to perfection and not presentable. It looked like the chef just slabbed it together really fast but in fact, actually took 20 minuted to make. It tasted just OK. The best part about the sashimi combo was the octopus, sake, and scallops sashimi. Another downer was how uncomfortable it was knowing that the whole room can hear your conversation. The hubby actually complained about how the rice was too soft and he usually eats anything. It was definitely a one time experience. -
Review from Damoon M.
San Diego, CA
3/25/2012
Best spot in the city for great sashimi. They can only seat about 6-7 people at a time and they serve a group at 7 and one at 9. The chef is super nice so you want to sit at the bar.
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Review from Kate C.
10/5/2011
So I have this roommate who went to Berkeley, and I mentioned to him that I was going to SF for a weekender. And on the top of his list of things to eat (because that is how I plan trips, none of this touristy shit) was Tekka. And I'm glad I Yelp-stalked the place beforehand because there is no sign and it is a very unassuming storefront.
We arrived at 5:30pm, only because we caught an earlier bus than we were planning. Thank God we did. My friend and I walked over to the restaurant and the guy standing in front of us said that we were 9 and 10. (But wait, why are there only two other people in line?). The gal in the front of the line was saving spots for six people. The guy was saving a spot for his wife.
Side note: I'm kind of a jerk, but I'm not an asshole. Saving a spot for one person, fine. For six? That seems ridiculous. Why don't you just say you're saving the whole restaurant and everyone else should come back after 9? That is moving beyond jerk territory. This isn't 3rd grade, don't save an entire row of seats at the lunch table for your BFFs.
/endrant
Two people showed up behind us, theoretically 11 and 12... oh, wait, they wouldn't be able to get in because they were beyond #11. They argued with the gal who was saving seats for a busload of people. I feared for my life, the gal was very aggressive. I thought there was going to be a throwdown over the opportunity for some sashimi. The couple waited in line after us anyway, in the event that angryface's group didn't show up. During the wait, the guy of #11 and 12 went to the liquor store and returned with several small bottles of cheap wine. They proceeded to share said bottles of wine with my friend and I and I instantly converted to team #11 and 12 in the seating battle. They were rad folks.
Around 7 or so, the owners pulled up and spent another 30 minutes prepping before we got let in. Angryface's group never showed so #11 and 12 got let in. I'm glad. We sat next to them and bonded over the fact that the sake carafe looks like a water bong.
In the restaurant it really is like sitting in this man's kitchen. Or kitchen closet. I think I have closets larger than the restaurant space. And it was very quiet except for our hushed chattering. But you get to watch him make everything right in front of you (literally), one by one.
The food, in summary, was the best fresh fish I've ever had. Fresh seafood in general. The octopus was outstanding. Fried salmon skin, A+. Scallops were bigger than half dollar coins. The nigiri was bigger than my palm. And the sashimi combo (duh, you should certainly get that) was fantastic. Everything on it, half of which I didn't even recognize. Nothing was the least bit fishy and everything was butter-smooth. Even the maki were amazing. Hands down best unagi/avacado roll. And the negi hama roll was something I've never experienced, but unbelievably amazing. Just... wow.
For two of us, we had a few drinks, a sashimi combo, two rolls, and three pieces of nigiri. We'd have been perfect without the nigiri. We were overly stuffed and left a few bites to spare. Stuffed to the gills, if we had any. The total was $90, which if you think about the sheer quantity of food we had, is totally affordable. And I'm a cheapass grad student, so affordable is my middle name (no, actually its cheapass). It was easily two meals worth of food for both of us. But hey, we didn't need breakfast the next morning.
Oh, and we didn't get out of there until 10pm. So... my advice? Go. Go early. Bring a Kindle or some cheap wine. Brown bag it. And go hungry. And... block out the rest of your evening for eating and then the illustrious food coma. -
Review from Paul E.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2012
Crazy good sushi. Totally surreal experience. Old couple serving up huge portions of top shelf sushi/sashimi with strict business etiquette in a neglected ambience with Tina Turner In Concert on the video player. Gotta try it once.
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Review from Kenny H.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2012
If you like sashimi, this is the best place in the city.
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Review from Young K.
Emeryville, CA
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's great. Don't come. There aren't enough seat and hours. Come on a Sat or Sun when it's a little less busy.
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Review from Sandra L.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 3/10/2012
I've been here before so read my other review
Things to note from this visit:
1) sashimi combo - price went up from $34 to $38 (kind of a steep increase)
2) miso soup - on this visit had no clams and instead had enoki mushroom; very disappointed with that
3) hamachi kama - the large is for 2 people to share, maybe 3. Every night they have only 1 small & 1 large. Fyi, large is $17.50
4) asparagus & mushroom: price went up from $7.50 to $8.50 and I felt the portions was smaller than last time. was also surprise at the price increase because recently there seems to be an overabundance of asparagus in the market.
5) contrary to the common belief, they did seat a part of 5. 2 people sat at the bar and 3 sat on the side table.
6) total seated for the evening was 11. 8 at the bar & 3 at the side table.
7) for this particular evening, I don't know why there were people lining up beyond 11 just to be turned away by the owners when ready for seating. ALWAYS ask how many are in line. It's really annoying but 1 guy was hogging the space for 5. Don't waste your time.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/21/2011
Since we benefited from reading all the other reviews, I should contribute too.
I actually read a lot… Read more »
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Review from Rebecca C.
San Francisco, CA
2/19/2012
great fish quality. one should read the rules before entering and not go there if you are rushed. best time is to show up around 9.30pm or so for an available table.
best dishes:
sashimi combo (nobu took out a 2-ft long tuna right in front of us and started filleting pieces of sashimi from it) I love the squid and yellowtail.
grilled yellow tail collar (I had a taste of this from a fellow diner sitting 2 seats down, very cozy and friendly place)
pork belly (we didn't order this but looked amazing in another person's bowl)
eel sushi (a huge chunk of tender eel)
Note that the sushi size is twice the size of normal sushi so be aware!
very friendly and jovial Japanese couple running the place, especially after nobu has finished serving everyone and started sipping sake himself. since there were two italian regulars in the sushi bar, Nobu started putting on 3 tenors performance and we all started discussing opera singers and good food in SF for a good hour!
My belly was exploding at the end of the meal, fantastic value for $ spent -- $100 for two. -
Review from Andrew Y.
San Francisco, CA
9/1/2011
FYI, no more reservations for omakase.
Waited for an hour,
the Japo couple counted heads as soon as they arrived,
they had to let some go.
They said we would get seats.
Waited 30 more minutes.
The restaurant opened.
There were a friend of the couple and his 3 friends, who were greeted as soon as they walked in.
He was actually behind everyone in the line.
His group took first 4 seats, and left other 4 people in the line without any seat, which included me.
My time of one hour or more meaninglessly burnt.
WTF.
Learn how to count or should have told me to leave when they first did the head count.
Fuck this place.
What a fucking waste of my fucking time, I could have done so much.
I actually could have worked more and made more shitload of money.
I just wanted a detour from my usual sushi spot (my usual spot is so good, I almost felt guilty trying other spots, felt like cheating), didn't f-king work out coz either the old couple don't know how to count or always play favorites.
Will never go back.
If I go back, it's only to break something to make up for my time they wasted.
Cash only in a fancy sushi place, too. Must report for tax evasion. -
Review from Julia Z.
7/22/2011
It was our lucky night! We found parking right outside and we were seated at 7:30pm on an otherwise depressing and gloomy Monday night. This place is all about the fish and they don't play. What's available that night is listed on the white board. There are no menus. However, there are some "secret" warm vegetable dishes that you can order. When we saw others ordering them we followed suite and got a stewed eggplant dish. It was a nice contrast to the raw fish.
A plate of the most fresh and buttery sashimi can be had for $32.50. On this night we enjoyed scallop, squid, salmon, octopus, mackerel, tuna and albacore. They all came with at least 4 slices. We also wanted some nigiri and ordered six pieces for $3.50 each. They don't come in pairs but each nigiri will be the biggest you've ever had. I promise you! SO GOOD. We didn't try any rolls but there were three available that night.
Now if I could only bring together Tekka's sashimi and nigiri with Sushi Zone's rolls and mussels together, I could die a very happy diner. -
Review from Yuree N.
Honolulu, HI
6/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wish I could keep this place a secret but I need to document this review so I can remember it when I'm all the way in Hawai'i contemplating a $600 flight just to eat here again.
If you've read the other reviews, you already know how it goes. In a nutshell:
-Old Japanese couple are the only people who work here
-Literally a HOLE in the wall - restaurant seats 7 people at the bar, and another table on the side for 2-3. Don't even think of coming here with a party bigger than 4.
-Two seating times: 7 and 9pm. I've heard Friday nights are nearly impossible, so try to come in on any other weeknight if possible.
-They serve very traditional, home-style Japanese cooking so don't come in here looking for crazy rolls and fusion dishes
I can see how this experience can be a little off-putting and unexpected for some, but if you've come here to eat, it's probably because you've heard of it and have been forewarned on the etiquette here. I personally loved the whole experience of sitting in this cozy restaurant and having a kind of exclusive, personalized dining experience. It feels like sitting in your own home kitchen and having someone cook and serve you.
I don't mean to echo what everyone else says about the cuts of fish here, but it is probably the thickest, freshest, tastiest cuts of fish I have ever had (I hate myself right now for typing this out at 2am, starving). If you find yourself confused and looking at a menu full of Japanese characters when you go inside, just trust me and order the sashimi combo - ours came with sake, maguro, scallop, HAMACHI AND TORO. There's enough fish for 2-3 people to share.
Other items to order: unfortunately the hamachi kama was out that night, so she recommended the salmon collar kama which was also very tasty if you're looking for a hot dish. Their hot sake is also very good and strong.
One last note, for those of you who don't know, the restaurant actually does have a sign on their door that says "tekka", you just have to be able to read Japanese to know that. :) -
Review from Matt B.
Mill Valley, CA
8/26/2011
Having lived in Japan for several years, I assure you that, if you can get in, you will have fantastic sushi. And having lived a block away from this place in the 90s I can tell you that Tekka, and its cult following, have not changed.
Everything about this place is authentic Japan, except for some of the rolls.
Since sushi is not entirely cooked, you are really evaluating it on quality and freshness of the fish, presentation and assembly, the proportions for the ingredients, and the quality of cooked rice and wrap. They are simply superlative, and you can believe all the highly rated comments here.
The cooked foods are as you would enjoy in various small diners in Tokyo, very good and authentic.
On two occasions my uni was just not what I expected. Not as sweet as you would expect from very fresh roe. I have never had the heart to tell the hardworking husband and wife who do everything about the urchin.
Food aside, where else can bankers and doctors rub elbows with students and skateboarders (as if the tight space would allow you to avoid that), watch Japanese baseball (when it is on) or a Neil Diamond Live DVD (only if the DVD had him sing Solitary Man!), that may transform into a singalong?
My one star deduction is for my uni, and the fact that when it comes to cleanliness , Tekka is 1980s and earlier Japan, which is very, very clean. But it is not like Japan now days, where cleanliness, a national obsession, has embraced materials and arrangements that highlight the clean as an art form.
Eat here and stuff yourself, and if you have Japanese friends, have them translate the menu on the wall. Many items are not on the English menu. If you can read Katakana or Hiragana, it helps. If you cannot read the signs, just ask. They will go out of their way to explain. -
Review from Rob P.
12/27/2011
Hands down the best sashimi around....boom... there I said it! Of all the sushi places I've been in my life, Tekka is really doing something different. Their sashimi is so fresh and flavorful. It looks so simple, but tastes so complex and that takes some serious skill. They say the best test of a chef is to cook the perfect egg. I think the best test of a sushi chef is in the preparation of sashimi. It takes so much skill and care in securing the best possible ingredients, preparing and butchering them right and the courage and confidence to serve it naked on a plate.
LOCATION
Tekka is almost impossible to find if you don't know what to look for. Honestly, the first time I went there I couldn't find the place. Before the restaurant opens, it is a blank looking storefront. Once the restaurant opens the owner hangs the curtains (I know there is probably a name for it but I have no idea) over the front door to signify that its open. Another thing to note about the restaurant is how small the place is. They seat a dozen or so people and do a seating when they open and then another seating at 9ish... thats it! Thats also why you really do need to line up if you want to get in during that first sitting. Every time I've eaten here I have lined up at least 30-45 mins before the opening and I've never been the first one there! Because of this you actually kind of bond with the other people in line (because there really isn't anything else to do). The last time I was there I met a very nice couple from New York who also brought a large bottle of sake which they shared with everyone during dinner. It was really nice and very much the vibe of the restaurant.
SERVICE
There is a real charm to the restaurant. It is run by a husband and wife team who really love what they do and it shows. There is no set menu, just a chalk board with whatever they have to serve. The husband is in front doing the sushi and the wife is in the back making everything else. They are both super friendly and happy. A couple times, the wife dropped off a dish or two you didn't order just because they want you to try it. Also note that, neither of them is in a real hurry... about anything. They only do two sittings for a reason, service isn't bad, but know that things come out at a measured pace.
OVERALL
When I think sashimi and hole in the wall I think Tekka. While it isn't the best place for every occasion, whenever I want to treat myself to something special... Tekka is almost always at the top of my list.Listed in: Hole in the Walls (SF), Fancy Shmancy
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Review from Young P.
8/19/2011
The 20 something years I lived in San Francisco and I never experienced Tekka. This place is good. The restaurant only sits about 7 and have two designated seating times. 7pm and a 930pm seating. If they fill up, you're out of luck and have to try again another night.
The night was a little fuzzy due to my ass attempt of finishing sake, but if my memory serves me correct, we ordered the sashimi platter, a green pepper plate, fried oysters, and some kind of grilled fish that I can't remember. We also ordered the uni, but I kindly passed because I was too full. The sashimi platter was something I really missed and the pieces was extremely fresh. The green peppers is a good compliment to all the dishes and the fried oysters were good too. I barely touched the grilled fish due the fact we ordered waay too much food for just two people. I felt ashamed when I realized how much food was left over.
A glass of sake, amazing food, and good company. Nothing more you can ask for to a perfect evening -
Review from Lang T.
San Francisco, CA
6/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
My God this place is awesome. It was so worth the wait though. We arrived at 6:30pm on a typically chilly & windy evening to find 9 other people already waiting. Around 7pm the old man and woman arrive and around 7:30pm we were allowed in. We totally lucked out because the place only seats 11 people.
Thank goodness the people ahead of us knew what to ask for so we could listen in. If not for that, we wouldn't have known that there are hot dishes you could order from that's not written on the menu on the wall. There's stuff in Japanese below the English, but we never asked what it said.
The hot dishes we got: 1.Clams in hot sake - amazing, the clams were so good, and the broth was refreshing and nice. 2. Agedashi Eggplant - so freaking awesome. I would get this every time. The eggplant was cooked to a soft perfection and the thought of it now is totally making my mouth water...over a vegetable!
My husband and I also shared the Sashimi Combo which was intensely, eye-poppingly huge. The pieces he cuts are so big, and you get so much. One order is enough for 2 people. The dish comes with a seaweed salad which I found soooo good. The best I've ever had in fact.
We also got a spicy tuna roll. I seem to always order this when I go to sushi restaurants and a majority of the time I always regret ordering it because it's so bad. But not this time. I should have watched what he was doing (but I was too busy eating) because this roll was sooo good and the pieces of spicy tuna were also huge. Every piece of fish just melts in your mouth and everything is so freakin fresh.
We were going to call that enough when we saw him making nigiri for the group of 4 next to us. HOLY CRAP they were the biggest pieces of nigiri I have ever seen. For $3.50 each, you can get a piece that's basically equivalent to 2 pieces. Pretty awesome and crazy when you see it and if you're like us, you end up ordering some more. We got 2 more nigiri pieces of salmon and one piece hamachi and 2 pieces of unagi. Hands down this is the best unagi ever and for sure when I come back I'll be getting more for sure.
Tekka is for sure the best sushi restaurant I've ever been to and I am a big sushi snob (I'm not afraid to admit it). This whole meal was totally an experience. We were seated at the bar so we got to watch him prepare the tuna in the beginning, make all the sushi, and in the background, he played a Tina Turner music video.
Tips: bring cash, don't come with too many people (4 at most). If you miss the first seating at around 7pm, come back at 9:30. -
Review from Sara C.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2011
Amazing, amazing, amazing. I can't believe it took me so long to try this place out. I live right down the block and see line ups outside from time to time. I don't do line ups, so I keep passing this place up for something else. I stumbled upon this tonight because I was craving sushi, and there was no line up. I'm so glad we stopped in. This is probably the best sushi place I have been to since I've moved to SF. I'm from Vancouver, so sushi is like a regular thing for me back home. It was really hard finding a good sushi restaurant in SF, but Tekka really did it for me. Thumbs up!!!
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Review from Mango T.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2011
I've been wanting to try this place for a very long time. Luckily, I had the good sense to go on Yelp to check the reviews, otherwise I wouldn't have known about all of the unspoken rules.
Everyone's already said it, but I do want to reiterate: no parties larger than 4!!! I was there on a Tuesday night, and there was a party of 5 in front of us that couldn't get seated :(
This place is extremely cozy. It's impossible to have a private conversation because everyone around you is sure to hear. SO if you're not comfortable being too intimate with strangers, then this place is probably not for you, even though food is incredible!
I went with a friend. We had the sashimi combo ($34), agedashi eggplant, clams in sake, and nigiri ($3.50 per piece) - unagi, tuna, and salmon. Everything was extremely fresh, and their wasabi is wonderful. I normally don't like to dip my sashimi into soy sauce + wasabi because it never tastes right to me. However, at Tekka, the sauce compliments the fish perfectly. My friend (who normally doesn't like eggplant) loved the agedashi eggplant (so did I!).
I recommend Tekka to anyone who appreciates fresh fish. Yay! I'm a fan. -
Review from Y K.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2011
I love the sashimi and sushi here! Mmm...huge cuts that melt in your mouth. I've tried the sashimi combo, all the different types of sushi including uni, spicy tuna roll, negihama roll...and EVERYTHING was delicious! Wish I could eat this everyday!
This place is run by a really cute elderly Japanese couple...but don't let their cuteness fool you; they might scold you if you're even a tad bit disrespectful of their house rules.
I would give it 5 stars if they were open on weekends and had more seats...or took reservations so that it wouldn't be such a gamble to spend time coming over to eat here. -
Review from Kristen C.
San Francisco, CA
4/6/2011 5 Check-ins Here
LOVE THIS PLACE.
who can say no to a place that's run by a cute grandma & grandpa couple? I never would have known this place existed because there is no sign on the door. The sign goes up when the restaurant opens so it's definitely very inconspicuous! sneaky sneaky, but that makes it even more lovable.
There are two seatings. One at 7 and one around 9. The place holds about 11 people so if you snooze ...you definitely are LOSE. The fish is so fresh here, its unbeatable especially for their portions and prices.
I kind of almost don't want to tell anyone about this place because it's just that special!! they no longer do omakase :( i never got to try it so i feel like i definitely missed out!
TIP: CASH. NO RESERVATIONS. COME EARLY (esp since there's almost always a line)...remember its only 11 seats DEEP. -
Review from Nobody M.
Los Angeles, CA
3/11/2011
The unofficial rules posted outside (in two locations) are meant to keep gaijins away. And let's face it--if you're afraid of raw fish, you suck.
For those that meet the minimum posted standards, here are the secondary rules:
Never lick the sushi knife
Take pics if you dare, but don't get caught
Don't make stupid jokes (yeah, you in the corner, STFU)
Chairs are designed to collapse if customer weighs too much
Don't ask for German to English translation unless you want to know what your friends really think of you
Always be yourself, unless you suck
And perhaps the most important:
If there is a problem, a ninja star to your head will be the solution
