Check Out These 6 New Japanese Spots In San FranciscoKuma Sushi + Sake. | Photo: Olivia O./Yelp
Hoodline
Published on December 21, 2017

So you're hungry—and you're ready for some Japanese food. Good news: we've found six places in San Francisco that will satisfy your appetite. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in the mood for Japanese food.

Heavenly Cafe

5214 Diamond Heights Blvd. (between Gold Mine Dr. & Safira Ln.), Diamond Heights

The menu at Heavenly Cafe. | Photo: Pravin P./Yelp

Housed in the former Yakiniku space, Heavenly Cafe is a petite cafe that serves as a hybrid sushi bar, Japanese and Korean spot, offering a mix of basic sushi rolls (like spicy tuna), traditional Japanese fare like udon noodles and chicken katsu curry, and even a few American dishes like cheeseburgers. 

Heavenly Cafe currently holds three stars on Yelp. Yelper Vince W., who was one of the first users to visit Heavenly Cafe on December 7th, wrote: "Price is exceptionally reasonable. A family-owned restaurant that I hope will make it. Nice alternative to the usual options in the plaza. Friendly service and generous portions."

Heavenly Cafe is open Monday–Saturday from 10am–9pm. (It's closed on Sunday.)

Kaisen Don

1939 Ocean Ave. (between Ashton Ave. & Fairfield Way), Ingleside

An ikura and uni sashimi bowl. | Photo: Lisa M./Yelp

A newcomer to Ingleside, Kaisen Don specializes in donburi, Japanese rice bowls topped with various types of fish sashimi or cooked meats. Options include uni, pork chashu, spicy tuna, and more. 

Kaisen Don currently holds three stars on Yelp, indicating fair reviews.

Yelper Khloe M., who was one of the first users to visit Kaisen Don on December 1st, wrote: "Good service! I like their salmon don and scallop don. Their sashimi are fresh. Everything was perfect!"

Kaisen Don is open Monday–Saturday from 11am–2pm, and daily from 5:30pm–9pm.

Ono Sushi

330 O'Farrell St. (between Taylor St. & Mason St.), Tenderloin/Union Square

Bento box with tempura and sashimi. | Photo: Ursula R./Yelp

Ono Sushi, a new sushi bar and Japanese spot on the edge of Union Square and the Tenderloin, does it all: rice bowls, ramen, gyoza, and of course, sushi.

Working the sushi bar are Tsuyoshi Nagano and Yasufumi Kudo, veterans of nearby, now-closed Sushi Boat. They have decades of experience slicing up both classic nigiri and creative rolls like the Sakura, with salmon, tuna, crab, cucumber, avocado, and soy paper.

Ono Sushi currently holds 3.5 stars on Yelp, indicating fair reviews.

Yelper Kelsey S., who was one of the first users to visit Ono Sushi on October 13th, wrote: "I was delighted to find that the empty hole in the wall that had been here for ages magically transformed into a sushi restaurant while I was out of town."

Ono Sushi is open Friday and Saturday from 11:30am–11:30pm, and Sunday–Thursday from 11:30am–11pm.

Kuma Sushi + Sake

1040 Polk St. (between Cedar St & Post St.), Polk Gulch

Tasting spoons. | Photo: Genevieve Y./Yelp

Kuma Sushi + Sake is a new sushi bar and Japanese spot opened by a pair of longtime friends, Ryo Sakai and Cory Jackson, who specialize in "Japanese cuisine with a shared commitment to high-quality ingredients."

In addition to rolls like the Godzilla (mango, macadamia nuts, avocado, sweet shrimp, coconut, and aonori), Kuma offers "tasting spoons" of various raw fish preparations that can be mixed and matched. There are also a few cooked items to try, from sesame asparagus to chawanmushi, a savory egg custard with crab.

Kuma Sushi + Sake currently holds 4.5 stars on Yelp, indicating good reviews.

Yelper Kevin R., who was one of the first users to visit Kuma Sushi + Sake on December 16th, wrote: "Wow! This place is awesome. I went during Santacon, and Kuma's atmosphere was a nice escape from the noise outside. They have great ambiance."

Kuma Sushi + Sake is open weekdays from noon–2:30pm, Friday and Saturday from 5:30pm–11pm, and and Sunday–Thursday from 5:30pm–10pm.

Yum Yum Sushi House

2181 Irving St. (between 22nd Ave. & 23rd Ave.), Outer Sunset

The Lily sushi combo. | Photo: Yum Yum Sushi House/Yelp

Yum Yum Sushi House is the revival of the Outer Sunset's long-beloved Yum Yum Fish, which closed in 2015 after 35 years in business. Chef Bai, the former chef of Yum Yum, is behind the new venture, along with new co-owner Albert Law. 

Like the old Yum Yum Sushi, the new spot is both a fish market and restaurant, offering sushi, sashimi, and poke. In addition to nigiri and classic rolls like the rock 'n roll, the revived Yum Yum also offers some cooked dishes, from teriyaki to udon noodle soup. 

Yum Yum Sushi House currently holds four stars on Yelp, indicating good reviews.

Yelper Tanya D., who was one of the first users to visit Yum Yum Sushi House on October 2nd, wrote: "I actually found this place by accident. I parked in front of this place and took a glimpse at the menu, and overall, it just sounded tasty. As I entered inside, the server was very welcoming."

Yum Yum Sushi House is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11am–7:30pm, and and Friday–Sunday from 11am–8pm. (It's closed on Tuesday.)

Kaiju Cooks

1650 Balboa St. (between 17th Ave & 18th Ave.), Inner Richmond

Spicy tuna. | Photo: Kaiju Cooks/Yelp

Kaiju Cooks is an Asian fusion spot, offering Japanese-style tapas and ramen. A spinoff of the now-closed Kaiju Eats (also in the Inner Richmond), it offers traditional Japanese fare with a twist, from lobster tempura to spicy ramen with a panko-crusted egg.

The menu also includes rice bowls and a big selection of charcoal-grilled skewers, ranging from lamb with curry aioli to lemon-caper calamari.

Kaiju Cooks currently holds four stars on Yelp, indicating good reviews.

Yelper Henry D. noted: "Went here for dinner and got the Kobe Gyu Don (rice with sautéed beef teriyaki, sweet onion and a runny soft egg) with a side of kimchi. It was delicious!"

Kaiju Cooks is open Tuesday–Sunday from 4:45pm–9:45pm, and Friday–Sunday from 11:30am–2:30pm.