I celebrated my birthday at Ju-Ni and had an absolutely incredible experience. The omakase was outstanding from start to finish, with every piece of sushi showcasing exceptional quality, freshness, and craftsmanship. Each course was beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared, making the entire meal feel like a special occasion. The service was warm, attentive, and made my birthday celebration even more memorable. To top it all off, they surprised me with a banana ice cream dessert for my birthday, and it was absolutely amazing! It was the perfect ending to an already unforgettable meal. If you're looking for one of the best omakase experiences in San Francisco, Ju-Ni is a must-visit. Ambiance was great as well. Very cozy! The food, service, and attention to detail are truly world-class. I can't wait to come back! read more

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Came back here since it was my favorite sushi spot in SF when i last visited in 2018. my favorites were the monkfish and the amberjack and the toro + caviar was amazing. for the toro they blowtorched half of it so the bite didn't feel quite as fatty as normal and was a great blend of richness, but not too buttery. Was a bit disappointed by the dessert since it was just a coconut ice cream and would've wished for it to be something a bit more unique and thematic. The miso soup at the end was amazing and easily one of the thickest ones I've had. Ultimately dropping this one star down because I added another amberjack + another nigiri and I still felt the need to eat after the meal. For a $600 meal, I don't think i should be feeling that way. Quality is still great, just not very filling. read more

jū-ni - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Exceptional omakase experience in an intimate setting Ju-Ni delivers outstanding omakase in the heart of SF. With only 12 seats, the attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the meal. The fish quality is impeccable. What stood out most was the hotate--unlike the frozen scallops common elsewhere, this was clearly fresh, with a firm texture and satisfying bite I've never experienced before. Ikura with frozen ankimo grated on top was also very memorable. Every piece reflected thoughtful preparation (cuts on each neta to their choice of nikiri or salt) and sourcing. In addition, the chef prepares everything directly in front of you, offering detailed explanations for each course with genuine enthusiasm and expertise. We paired the omakase with Dassai 23. The sake selection is curated to just four options, which actually makes choosing easier--and each one is a solid choice. Service is flawless. Within minutes of being seated, our server noticed my companion was left-handed and adjusted her place setting accordingly. Throughout the meal, she anticipated every need--I only noticed my sake or water was low when she appeared to refill it. That level of attentiveness is rare. The ambiance is refreshingly understated: clean, simple decor that lets the food take center stage without distraction. No gimmicks, just an exceptional dining experience. Highly recommended for anyone seeking quality omakase in SF. read more

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Absolutely incredible omakase sushi here. If you have a chance to go, don't overthink it, just make the reservation. I've gone twice now and had the chef JK both times who is a pleasure to talk to. My husband who isn't a fan of uni had the fresh uni here in the spoon and was converted! My other favorite is the zuke toro with caviar, although the shirayaki eel was also insane. It's an intimate place with 6 guests served by each chef and there's only two chefs so 12 guests at a seating. read more

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Im not a huge sushi guy, but I was hungry and had my camera. So lets write a review. We tried their omakase sushi, and we got Brian as our chef. Super nice guy! Loved chatting with him. Very friendly and super knowledgeable about the culture and sushi. The sushi itself? Even though I'm not a sushi guy, I can taste the quality. They start you off with the menu, explain what went in to prepping your piece of sushi and the complex flavor. Then you actually try it and I was able to enjoy the flavors. Their menu changes, so your experience varies. We were very satisfied with ours. My favorite one? The kanpachi! Super buttery and tasted great with their rice. Oh yah, ask them about their rice. Its kind of a bragging point. Look, I'm an oinker...was I hungry at the end of the night? Yah, I could still eat. Would I have gone broke before I got full? Probably. But its a nice date night spot for that occasion treat. Dont forget to make reservations... read more

jū-ni - 14 course menu omakase, the Kanoachi was my favorite! - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food wise, everything was amazing. The rice was warm, lightly seasoned, and the fish was delicious. The toro caviar was my favorite because of how soft and delicate it was, which paired perfectly with the saltiness of the caviar. Ambience wise it was a little different than what I'm used to, so it could just be as expected for the area, but all of the omakases iv experienced, the noise volume is usually kept to a low/mid tone, to not detract from the intimate dining experience and it was very loud and chatty here. The meal was a little late to start as well. Although it was only 10 minutes, omakase is typically very time sensitive with punctuality being important in Japanese culture. Food: 9.5/10 Service: 9/10 Ambience: 5/10 read more

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This place is small and intimate. You have your own sushi chef and sit at the counter and watch them make what you are going to be eating. We had many fresh cuts of fresh fish flown in from Japan. Items like squid that I thought I would never eat ended up being my go to favorite items on the menu. The only downside was my husband left a little hungry because portions are not huge. Must try spot at least once especially if you love fish read more

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Fun and delicious experience, great for celebrations. Fish shipments from Japan arrive every Tuesday and Friday. Be sure to fill up on fiber for lunch before you come here, there's a small salad to start and that's 95% of the fiber you'll see rest of the night (some seaweed here and there). Every piece of nigiri was amazing and had its unique taste & texture. The hand roll was extraordinary because it had a little bit of everything. My favorite was the unagi, which was crispy (unlike any other eels that I've had in the past). The miso soup and ice cream at the end was a wonderful finish. Unlike some of the other fine dinning spots, this one leaves you with a full belly. Strongly recommend. JK, our sushi chef of the night, was friendly and humorous. We've also enjoyed our conversations. read more

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Food: 4.4/5, service: 4.8/5, ambience: 4/5 The sushi was incredibly fresh. They selected premium fishes that were airflown from Japan. In terms of flavor, some bites were incredible and some were just repetitive. They used the same sauce and lemon juice for many bites. The cut was soooo thin. Rice was very tiny. If we didn't order additional pieces, we would definitely get a 2nd dinner I especially loved the Japanese green eye and Hokkaido scallop. The ice cream monkfish shaving was their signature but wasn't my fav. Overall it's a very pricey meal that left me wanting for more. Compared to other omakase in the city, they stood out for quality and ... High price read more

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Well well well! Finally got to try the famous omakase offering from Ju-ni, the formerly Michelin-starred restaurant in my neighborhood. TBH, I was somewhat disappointed with what they had to offer, but all in all still a really good meal. This is as solid 3.5 star rounded up to 4. Came with 3 friends a few weeks back. We got the Omakase tasting menu. It started with a beet salad. Unfortunately my experience didn't start off great, I'll spare the details but had to remove some of the food from my plate. The salad was good, though. We then started on our journey of an assortment of different freshly prepared fish dishes. Everything was good, just not great for me. While I ended up being really full, my friend was left a little hungry. I'll note that my two friends absolutely loved everything, though. read more

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Jū-ni was originally named for their 12 seats (4 customers per chef, 3 chefs) but they later added in additional seating to accommodate another set of diners. So they have 4 chefs and 16 seats. All of the chefs are wonderful. I've had this place bookmarked for ages and a friend of mine surprised me with dinner here. Reserve and prepay is $200. They are quite popular, and for good reason. Make sure to book at least 2 weeks in advance for the weekend. Weekdays typically have some availability. Our chef Brian was really sweet, funny, knowledgeable, and attentive. I've been enjoying omakase in the US and Japan for over 10 years now, and I find Ju-ni to be one of my favorites for chefs counter. I'm introverted and shy, but he really added warmth to our tables experience. Everything was relaxing, intimate, and delicious. I wish I could get the Japanese plum snapper delivered to my door. I'm also a sucker for hand rolls and the one at the end was amazing. **Make sure to get the uni. You will be missing out if you don't** I'm hungry, I want to go again. read more

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I like being here for high quality nigiri with no too much extras. Every bite is simple, yet perfected through its temperature, texture, and carefully balanced complementary notes. Afterwards you can order more of your favorite bites from the dinner. read more

I finally got a chance to try out Ju-Ni and after all these years and yes the gourmet nigiri fix you seek will be satisfied here no doubt. The price is fair and I would recommend getting at least 1-2 add-ons. Ju-ni in Japanese means 12 because originally there were 12 seats. There are 16 seats now so technically the name should be Ju-roku (Japanese for 16). I'd give 5 stars, but the service was a little lackluster. Albeit, this is a solid choice for omokase in SF! read more

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This was my first experience at an omakase, and it absolutely delivered! The restaurant strikes a perfect balance between sleek minimalism and warmth. The seating is comfortable and spacious while still maintaining a sense of intimacy. Our chef was incredibly knowledgable, and helpful in guiding our group of first-timers. Service was amazing as well. While the price point is steep, the craftsmanship mostly justifies the expense. Here are some of the courses I would like to highlight. Salad: A simple salad to start off with. Tossed with a light vinaigrette. The sweet beetroot was a welcome addition. Satisfying, although a little mundane. Ume Madai (Japanese Plum Snapper): The light and lean snapper carried floral notes and a hint of cinnamon. Delightful! Hotate (Hokkaido Scallop): Absolutely gorgeous. The scallop had ideal density and plumpness, with a clean maritime sweetness. Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper): Tender, delicate, with a complex flavor palette. Really liked this one. Zuke Toro with Caviar (Soy Cured Fatty Tuna): Mind-blowingly good. The textural interplay delivered a tidal wave of umami that was nothing short of revelationary. The fatty tuna melted to coat the sushi rice perfectly and the buttery caviar cranked the it up to an 11. Sawara (Japanese King Mackerel): The accompaniments of this one stole the show. The application of miso and precisely cut chives contributed allium depth and savory complexity that transformed the fish. Ikura with Ankimo (Salmon Roe with Monkfish Pate): The other signature bite of the restaurant. The popping salmon roe with the melting pate was incredible. Creaminess with bursts of umami to break up the monotony. Shirayaki (Grilled Freshwater Eel): Technical mastery on display. The crisp, yet firm, skin yielded to smoky and succulent flesh. Topped off by the hints of spice from the glaze that invoked a mouthwatering response. Kaisui Uni (Unprocessed Hokkaido Sea Urchin): This was an additional add-on that we purchased. The pristine uni delivered custard-like consistency with remarkable freshness, offering oceanic sweetness. Temaki (Handroll): This handroll was comprised of the scraps of the previous cuts of fish, an ingenious way to make use of the high-quality ingredients. This supercut of the evening's progression created a satisfying penultimate savory course, with salmon roe providing textural punctuation. Miso Soup: A traditional palate cleanser executed with technical correctness, but lacking distinctive character. The slightly sweet broth was well-balanced but perhaps too restrained. Ice Cream: Competent though not boundary-pushing. The addition of crumbs was a nice touch however. read more

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Probably one of my top omakase experiences! All the nigiri were so unique from each other which made each bite so different and special. The creativity and experience really shows in the details. They use the same swipe of soy sauce on each fish but they've handpicked each one to go in their specific order to create a contrast in each bite. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And service was perfect. Our chef was friendly and informative. Can't wait to come back for another celebration! read more

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Ju-ni is one of the best omakase restaurants in SF. Their fish is flown in from Japan that morning. It is so fresh, and each piece of nigiri is made with care. Clearly a lot of thought goes into the flavors they craft. As expected, the service is excellent. It was nice talking to the owner/chef and hearing him talk about the different kinds of fish. My husband and I enjoyed every piece of nigiri which usually doesn't happen for us. Ju-ni has a steep price point but I would recommend it for special occasions as it was quite a treat! read more

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We celebrated a birthday dinner here and had a fabulous experience! The counter seats up to 14 peoples guests and wraps around a small space where the chefs work, where they prep and plate each dish in front of you. You can tell they use the freshest and highest quality fish! read more

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My husband surprised with a birthday dinner at JuNi as I love Omakase. For anyone interested in booking Ju-Ni, please know that you have to book in advance as well as prepay everything before. I believe that cancelling isn't easy either so please be mindful when deciding. After all that, you're in for an amazing Omakase experience. It is a very small cozy restaurant with a sushi chef that takes care of 4 people at time. The chef we had was extremely skilled, knowledgeable, and friendly. As I'm an avid sushi lover and Omakase connoisseur, it was a really fun experience taking each nigiri in and trying to understand and enjoy the combination of flavor for each fish. The fish was extremely fresh and buttery. Literally, everything was melting in my mouth. Their drink selection is small but I enjoyed my white wine. I didn't try their sake so cannot comment on that. An indulging dinner but a very memorable one. Definitely will come back for a big occasion! read more

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JUNI is an amazing omakase experience. We were lucky enough to be hosted by Chef Bryan, and from start to finish, it was unforgettable. There's a set 12-course menu and every course was beautifully prepared and on top of that, we got to try three additional items not listed on the menu and even order à la carte afterward.The experience itself is intimate and special. It was just me, my partner, another couple, and one other guest, five of us total with Chef Bryan. It felt personal, elevated, and sexy. Perfect for a date night, a solo treat, a celebration, or really any occasion.The fish was incredible shipped that morning, prepped that day, and served right in front of us. I've never experienced an omakase like this before, it was truly above and beyond. Chef Bryan was not only talented but also super personable. He wasn't just explaining each dish he was chatting with us, answering all our questions, and clearly enjoying the interaction. Additionally, the wine list was fantastic. We ordered a bottle and also tried a glass, and everything paired beautifully with the food. My absolute favorites were the Wagyu beef and the Japanese greeneye (mehikari) both literally melted in my mouth. But honestly, nothing disappointed. Overall, I can't recommend JUNI enough. read more

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-Omakase Course _ I visited Ju-Ni on my birthday, and it exceeded my expectations! I've been searching for an omakase place in San Francisco, and this is probably the best one I've tried that isn't overly expensive. It's still pricey but i've seen omakase over $300 in the city. The ambiance is lovely, with bar seating around the restaurant. The staff is friendly and attentive, doing an excellent job of keeping us engaged throughout the courses. During the meal, the chef mentioned their sister restaurant, Handroll Project. I decided to visit, but I was disappointed. It doesn't match the quality of Ju-Ni, so I'd rather spend my money here instead. read more

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One of the best dining experiences of my life! We had the omakase seating with Chef Lee himself! The sushi was the best I have ever had...and I've had a lot! Chef Lee is very well spoken and very know. He was not annoyed by our incessant questions...or he didn't appear to be annoyed. :) He seemed to enjoy educating us. The entire service staff was excellent. Props to you, Erin, for keeping our champagne flutes filled! read more

I honestly didn't expect to be this blown away... Every single piece of fish was flown in from Japan and you can taste the difference. It was so fresh, buttery, and perfectly balanced--after eating here, I felt like I've been eating bad sushi my whole life . The flavors, the rice, the pacing--everything was just on another level. If you love sushi, you have to experience Ju-Ni. read more

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I've heard good things about ju-ni ever since I moved to SF years ago but never got to try their omakase until this year! To be honest, I was a little skeptical and couldn't imagine what all the hype was especially after I tried Kusakabe twice. But now I totally get it. I'm an extremely picky eater and there are just some types of fish that taste more pungent than others (mackerels, sardines, monkfish, etc.) and ju-ni had somehow convinced me that even those fish can taste good. Every piece in general was melt-in-your-mouth, something I only associated with toro, sake, and the like. I remember distinctly eating the hamachi and was floored by how buttery soft it was when I've usually had it with a firmer texture at other places. One of my favorite pieces of sushi is scallop and I could taste every individual layer on my tongue! The pinnacle moment of the night was when we reached the signature monkfish liver course. I HATED monkfish liver before this meal and did not believe a word when our chef told us that "if it was made well, it wouldn't have a pungent taste". I'm sorry I doubted you chef Brandon. I decided to try it, if not to prove him wrong, and I was in complete disbelief that everything he said was true. If I had to gripe about anything, the non sushi courses were pretty average and uni and sake are only available as an add-on. Despite that, ju-ni has won me over and I would 100% recommend trying this experience! read more

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I really enjoyed the Ju-Ni dinner experience, but it could definitely have been improved. The fish itself and the rice is amazing, but we felt the portions were very small. After the 12 nigiri, I was still hungry and had to order a lot of supplements. After the dinner, I got a snack and ice cream and finally felt full :) Don't get me wrong, the quality of the fish is clearly great and we loved Chef Brian, but it just isn't enough food. Besides, when you add 4 or 5 supplements it comes out to about $375 per person and for that price, I think there are probably better options where the ambiance and service feels a bit more special. With that said, our chef Brian was really amazing and we did enjoy this dinner a lot. read more

The food at Ju-Ni is undeniably tasty. An omakase serving style --every piece was beautifully executed and truly melts in your mouth. That said, the experience felt a bit reserved, with minimal interaction from the chef and little that felt particularly innovative. Also, felt like a left very hungry. However, excellent quality overall. read more

FOOD: Beautifully curated pieces that taste as delectable as they look. Omakase menu of the day is presented within an envelope and an a la carte menu is available later. Certain pieces deserved to be ordered again bc they were that good, like the torched ones (done in front of you). Super fresh scallops were buttery sweet and you cannot go wrong with the fatty tuna. Monk fish was a delicate surprise with the way it was prepared and presented (no spoilers bc you gotta try for yourself). AMBIANCE: Modern minimalist vibes throughout. Lively setting but quiet enough for conversation with your party and the chef. SERVICE: Staff attentiveness 10/10. I don't think my tea cup ever dropped below the half bc they came by to check. Very personable chef who was a master at his craft. Would def recommend this place to omakase fans. read more

jū-ni - Zuke Toro - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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AMAZING. Every single bite was phenomenal and words would be difficult to describe the spectacular omakase experience. Food: 1000/10 - Chef's kiss. Clean flavors that allows the taste of the fish to really shine and the toppings for each pairs really well with each fish. Every piece just melted in my mouth. I'm typically not a fan of mackerel because it tends to be really fishy to me BUT the way ju-ni prepares the mackerel removes all the fishiness. I'm surprised to say that the Sawara (Japanese King Mackerel) made it to the top 5 bites of that night! Price: 4/5 - Pricey but it's worth trying at least once. The quality of the fish was mind blowing and the experience was unforgettable. The downside was I wasn't quite full at the end of the meal. I just wanted to keep eating but my wallet said no. Environment: Simple modern interior. Love the seating arrangement because it allows every guest to get a good view on how the chef prepares the nigiri. I also really appreciate that there is a knob under the table for me to hang my purse and jacket. Customer Service: 10/10 - Chef Brian was engaging and friendly. He spent a good amount of time explaining where each fish comes from, techniques used to prep the fish, and what flavors to expect. I really lucky to find out that all the fish I had that night was sources from Japan. Overall, I am IMPRESSED and would 100% recommend ju-ni to anyone that appreciates the traditional type of omakase experience. read more

It was that time of year again for omakase! This time it was to celebrate my bro's big 4-0 and Michelin-rated jū-ni had been on the omakase list for a while. Made reservations online and we ended up being the first ones in the restaurant at our 5pm table seating, where we were offered green tea. Interior was clean, modern and only sat 12. Once 5pm hit and more diners came, we started our 14- course meal. Our sushi chef was very knowledgeable, friendly and an expert at cutting the fresh fish flown in from Japan. Each of our courses were presented tastefully and explained to us. My tastebuds were dancing throughout the meal (with validating "mmms" and "wows" from us and our dining neighbors), from the light bright flavors of the Jack, snapper and scallop to the richer umami notes of the toro, mackerel and salmon roe with monkfish shavings. We also had an amazing toro hand roll and genmaicha ice cream for dessert. There are opportunities for some add-one, like Wagyu, toro, and sake but I was pretty satiated. The close to $200 pp tasting menu itself was phenomenal. I'd highly recommend this experience to all of the true omakase lovers out there- you'll have to make your reservations and pay in advance to keep your spot! read more

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Long story short, Love this place! I felt it is worth what I've paid for just in compare to other omakase places I've tried around the city. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxing. Service was outstanding, they were super helpful and friendly. We loved our Omakase experience and enjoyed talking to our Sushi chef when dining there. Everything was beyond my expectation and I would go back again. We booked our dinner 2 weeks ahead, it wasn't hard to make a reservation at all. The highlight of our omakase experience was the seasonal fresh ingredients. My favorite piece was always the fatty toro and Ume Madai. And my least favorite was the handroll. While chatting with our sushi chef, i learned that ju-ni means 12, where the restaurants has only 12 seats which was interesting. Thank you Ju-ni for a great dining experience i will sure to be back soon. read more

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One word : EXCELLENT Excellent food. Excellent Service. Excellent, knowledgeable and engaging chef that makes for a super fun dining experience. It's no wonder that it is difficult to get a reservation at Ju-Ni , even at the steep ticket price of ~$250/pp before alcohol. Almost all their sushi is from Japan, of super high quality (though slices are a bit too thin), and each dish is crafted and served with intimate and care. This is a 16-seater bar-style restaurant, where one chef serves 4 patrons. We had a party of 4 and were first to arrive, and we sat in front of THE MAN, um, I mean, THE Chef Brian. Brian quickly learned each of our names and throughout our dining experience, described each dish in detail: the origin, the prep, the sauces, the sides, etc... and how everything is meticulously thought out and planned for a balanced flavor. Each piece of sushi is then served to you on the wooden plate in front of you... all the while we engaged with Brian on fun discussions; e.g. his super sharp dish knife, those $450 chopsticks that he has, etc!! A super fun dining experience, with excellent food, excellent service in s cozy ambience. Highly recommended!! read more

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Wonderful experience. Quality of food A++. It is easy to blend all the high-end Japanese restaurants together with similar offerings, but Ju-ni presented pieces so unique that are unlikely you have had before, whether you are a world traveler looking for high-end sushi or this your first omakase. Then service is A+++. Our chefs were Lincoln and Kevin who were amazing. The whole staff was incredible. Highly recommended. Been to many sushi places in the Bay Area and this is the best, been to many in the world and this is up there as one of the best. read more

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Ju-ni has been on my radar for a while now and I finally had the opportunity to dine here last month. I love that the restaurant only has bar seating because you really don't get the full omakase experience with table seating. The restaurant does have a more modern feel to it from the interior design as well as the large, uncovered windows that made the space feel brighter. There are four chefs who each serve four customers at a time. I liked how our chef was attentive and tried to make conversation with us. He also swapped out the scallop for me when I requested something different because I don't like scallop, which I really appreciated. Their menu rotates quarterly but the fatty tuna and monkfish are their signature pieces. As for the course itself, I enjoyed everything on the menu! There were a few items on the menu that sounded questionable to me, like the sardine and monkfish, but the monkfish surprisingly tasted very good! They prepared the monkfish in the form of frozen shavings that melt in your mouth like ice cream which blew me away. The grilled eel had a nice crunch to it which I liked. The in house hojicha ice cream was also delicious and a great way to end the meal. I will say though, if you want a more traditional, intimate setting then this might not be the place for you. I also agree with another reviewer on the sentiment that the menu did not include classic pieces such as uni and A5 wagyu which are usually present in omakase. Instead, they offer these pieces on their a la carte menu for an additional fee. I feel like these pieces should be a part of the omakase set menu as you are already paying a hefty amount for the course and should get your money's worth. However, I did like that I got to try different fish from the usual ones so I guess to each their own! Overall, I had a great experience though! read more

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This place was unreal!!! Truly the best food, amazing flavors, great dining experience. Cannot recommend it enough. (Kevin was great.) read more

jū-ni - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Enjoyed a date night here over the long weekend. Really solid omakase that leans more of the traditional edomae style. Really clean flavors served by chefs who were engaging, friendly, and welcoming. Some of the standout hits that night included the shima-aji, lean maguro, and knifejaw. The dessert of genmaicha ice cream with chocolate bits was delicious. Menu changes, but their signature dish at the end will always be there, which is a rich and decadent ikura with shaved monkfish liver on top. Definitely save room for that. Miso used in the soup was fermented in a way that released a more sweet flavor, which wasn't necessarily my jam. But everything else was great. read more

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This was my first omakase experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The restaurant was spacious and modern, with enough space between the members of my group while keeping enough space with other parties. Our sushi chef JK was friendly and knowledgable, carefully crafting each piece of sushi with a skilled hand that clearly showed his many years of practice. It was expensive but coming out I felt it was worth every penny. We had 12 courses. They were all very good but I'll focus on my favourites for this review. Umi Masu - Ocean Trout One of the only cuts not from Japan but nothing to scoff at. The fish was very meaty and was my favourite piece of the first three courses. Hotate - Hokkaido Scallop The presentation of this dish was very unique, with the scallop cut into a cube-like texture, topped with a shiny layer of soy sauce. It was very meaty and slightly sweet. Zuke Toro with Caviar - Soy Cured Fatty Tuna This was one of the my top three dishes of the meal. The fatty tuna melted in your mouth like butter, with the caviar adding small bursts of saltiness. Ikura with Ankimo - Salmon Roe with Monkfish Pate I loved the presentation of this, the pile of orange pate shavings and salmon roe complementing each other beautifully. The roe exploding in your mouth with the melting pate created an unforgettable flavor experience. Shirayaki - Grilled Freshwater Eel The presentation was beautiful, with the seaweed wrapping the angular piece of eel with the compact bed of rice beneath. The skin was crisp and had a slight crunch to it, providing a satisfying contrast to the tender meat inside. Temaki - Handroll Nothing goes to waste. This handroll featured the scraps from the previous courses. The combination of all the tastes with the salmon roe once again exploding in the mouth every odd bite made for a wonderful conclusion to the savory courses. read more

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It's good, but not worth it imo. Hard to book but we got a spot on a weekday and preselected both of the add-ons available. First red flag to me was that uni is an add-on, at $350/person that is just amusing. Service was absolutely minimal. We were shown the beverage list right away but weren't even offered water throughout the meal. Menu consisted of 16 items, including a whopping one (1) appetizer dish - a romanesco salad - which can only be described as good but not great, a miso soup, and an ice cream. The nigiris were well done and each was accompanied by complimentary seasoning/sauce/herb etc. that helped elevate the bite. I didn't enjoy the method of pre-cutting a variety of fish and leaving them on the board for quite a while until both sides are ready (one chef serves two groups of two), I don't know whether it is the presentation or the delivery but this bothered me somewhat. The mori-ita also looks very used with lots of scratches on it, which again, is just an uncomfortable visual. Although the fish choices were good and quality/freshness was great, this was the bare minimum expected - Unfortunately we did not receive anything out of the ordinary or really seasonal. Aji, madai, sake, FARM RAISED maguro... Maybe I was harsh being disappointed at these basic ingredients, but there is just really not much to write home about. One last note: We were asked if we wanted more nigiri and we said that we probably wouldn't get another of any of the nigiris we already had. It wasn't until I saw another table getting something I hadn't seen that I realized there were additional ingredients that we could order. It was honestly kind of upsetting that the chef did not indicate at all that this was the case - what's worse was that when I proceeded to order the additional piece, he told me that they were in fact all out. Maybe come for the seaweed and ankimo shaving, but I don't think this is a must-try spot if you have yet had luck with reservations. read more

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Celebrated mine and my husband's 1 year wedding anniversary at jū-ni, and it was the perfect spot for omakase. Chef Brian was personable and engaging, and each dish got better and better. We are new to the omakase world, but this certainly has set the standard. Everything was well portioned and timed well. We felt very full at the end of the night! read more

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Ju-ni came highly recommended by a fellow omakase lover. Though I enjoy fusion-style cuisine, this dining experience matched my expectations for traditional omakase. The chef was exceptional, introducing each bite in detail and answering all my questions. The price point is also very reasonable, making it an excellent spot for business meetings or intimate celebrations, especially given that only bar seating is available. read more

jū-ni - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We went to ju-ni for our last dinner in SF (6/27/23). Our son wanted to take us to a truly special restaurant - and he succeeded in spectacular fashion. Reservations are absolutely required and you could walk past the place if you are not paying attention. ju-ni only seats 16 patrons and we were lucky enough to have Brian as our chef. He was extremely personable and complimentary of the fact that we engaged with him as he prepared our meal. Watching him wield his extremely sharp knife as he prepared our various offerings was a pleasure to watch. Our son considers this the best omakase in SF and I will have to take his word for it. This was our first experience, however, and hopefully not our last. Everything is fresh, most of it, if not all, from Japan. Watching our meal being prepared and laid out was an education and the ultimate preparation and serving was perfect. I wish I could remember more about the specific items we had, but they were all delicious. The Wagyu beef was a treat as well - just watching our chef cook it with a torch, while holding it in his bare hand, was a show stopper. Full disclosure, but the bottle of sake' just added to the overall experience. read more

I absolutely loved my experience at ju-ni! I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting the Bay Area. Our omokase chef , Brian was extremely talented , interactive, kind, and overall made our experience very welcoming and personal. The ambiance of the restaurant was very clean with attentive and respectful staff. They gave us an envelope with everything we would be tasting. We did decide to add on the wagyu for an additional $22 per piece which I think was worth it. Our chef made sure to go into detail about where everything was from and the importance of sustainability within there restaurant. The conversation was amazing and the quality of everything was a whole different level. I tasted flavors I have never tasted before and everything was just so well put together. I would definitely come again. read more

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