I've been to Kuma a few times now, and every visit has been fantastic. The service is always friendly, and the food is consistently fresh and well prepared. They have a standard menu along with daily specials, so there is usually something new to try each time. I especially love their larger plates, which can easily feed 3-4 people when shared along with a few other dishes. The bluefin collar is one of my favorites, but sells out quickly since they only get around 4 per week I believe. The fried ebi is also excellent here, and I will pretty much order anything with hotate. The restaurant is small and cozy, with dim lighting and a warm wood interior. Once you're inside, you almost forget that you're in the Tenderloin. Seating is tight, so I would make a reservation for groups of four or more to guarantee a spot. If you're dining alone or with one other person, the bar seating is also a good option for walk-ins. They also serve local Mitchell's ice cream for dessert. The ube and green tea are my favorites. The prices are fair for the quality and portions they're serving in the city. read more

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Not friendly, long wait and then sashimi was medicro... Not sure if this is San Fran quality but would not pay for that again. Maybe because we did pick up and didn't eat in- who read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Sashimi selection of 3 different fish- the one I ate was salmon. - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have been coming to Kuma Sushi for a long time. I gave 1 star because while food has always been excellent, today's host (manager?) was wearing a politically charged Tshirt which specifically said FCK DNLD TRUMP. While this individual is entitled to his political opinions/expressions, they are not appropriate for the place of business. What makes our country beautiful is that he can wear this kind of clothing when he is off work and not be prosecuted or harassed for it. However, it is offensive to some citizens who have different beliefs/opinions. By this foolish gesture he denied the server a generous tip. Needless to say, I will not be returning to Kuma ever again. read more

So it was my birthday, and I really wanted sushi. There is no dearth of quality sushi restaurants in San Francisco, however almost all of them are omakase - and to be honest, I am not a huge omakase fan (and I speak Japanese, have lived in Japan, and have consumed sushi all over the world - omakase does not necessarily mean better). Kuma's execution and fish quality is some of the best I have had in the US in a long time. I dined with my mother, who is a Hamachi kama fan, and she said it was one of the best she has ever had. The atmosphere is no frills, and there were only two staff working the floor, one was I believe the manager - but service was attentive. Overall, this is probably my favorite new place to have non-omakase sushi in the city. Definitely recommend, and you definitely need a reservation. read more

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Let's talk about the packaging first, because it deserves its own mention. It was kawaii in the best way. Each roll arrived in its own fitted tray wrapped in floral paper, and the full spread included soy sauce, wasabi, ginger, chopsticks, a napkin, an alcohol prep pad, a little red candy, and a pagoda sticker. That level of care for a delivery order is not something you see often, and it sets the tone before you even take a bite. Tried this for the first time on DoorDash tonight and walked away genuinely impressed. I got the Hey Girl and the Negi Hama, and both delivered. The Hey Girl is tempura shrimp and cucumber topped with tuna, avocado, spicy mayo, and unagi sauce. The Negi Hama is straightforward and simple: yellowtail and green onions in toasted seaweed. Everything tasted fresh, and the flavors came together without any one element overpowering the rest. The Hey Girl stood out for one specific reason. The special sauce was applied along the side of the roll rather than over it, which meant the roll stayed intact and the flavors stayed distinct. It gave you control over how much sauce you wanted with each piece, so you could enhance the roll without drowning it. That's a thoughtful call. It's on the pricier side for delivery sushi, but if you're looking for quality and a presentation that actually holds up outside the restaurant, Kuma delivers on both. read more

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Fresh sushi spot Kuma offers a wide range of sushi and interesting rolls with different flavor combos. We got one that used purple rice and shiso leaves with albacore that had a unique refreshing flavor. They also do traditional sushi and rolls really well. Fish menus are updated daily. The portion sizes for the rolls are good too. Our favorite was the classic salmon avocado where they added a drizzle of lemon to really make it pop. The ambience of the restaurant is nice, well decorated with a modern origami wall decor. Good for a date night or a night out. Service was quick and pretty friendly. read more

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We popped into Kama sushi on a weeknight to take advantage of the Amex Resy Credit. I was very pleasantly surprised but the vibe and service. It is super crowded and noisy but in a lively and exciting way. I definitely would try to come in a small group. We tried the yellowtail carpaccio which was okay, I didn't really like that it was cooked but the flavors were still good. The toro nigiri was excellent as always. The rolls were also all very creative and didn't seem too similar to each other. The fish was very fresh and not fishy at all. Overall I'd definitely come back! read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Hamachi Carpacio - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came for dinner with some friends. Def reserve ahead of time cause it's a small place. We got a few rolls to share plus yellowtail collar. Everything was fresh and delicious. The rolls were also very unique. read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I came here for the first time for a dinner with my partner and we shared the calamari appetizer, chirashi, kuma roll, and half baked roll. The calamari was delicious and crunchy, and the chirashi, which ended up being my favorite dish, was beautifully plated with very fresh fish. For the rolls, we tried the kuma since it was pretty unique combining eel and sweet potato, and the half baked roll as I'm always in the search of the best lion king style roll. Unfortunately neither of them hit the mark for me, the kuma was marginally better than the half baked but the combo of sweet potato and eel wasn't that great and it just made it feel like I wasn't eating sushi. The half baked roll suffered from the salmon getting too dry, which I noticed happens when there isn't enough sauce on top to insulate the fish while the rest of the roll bakes through. Overall this sushi spot was nice to try. read more

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A solid go-to for an intimate date night. The space is small, with dim lighting and a front-row sushi bar. I was seated at the counter, watching the chefs work their magic as they prepared each dish, with music playing in the background. Fair warning: on a busy night, expect to get very acquainted with the people next to you. We ordered the Half Baked Specialty Roll ($19), along with hamachi nigiri ($9/2 pc) and hamachi belly ($15/2 pc). The hamachi completely stole the show...it was exceptionally fresh, buttery, and had that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture you can only dream about. Easily the kind of dish that tempts you into a second order without hesitation. Overall, a great spot when you're in the mood for quality fish in an intimate environment. read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Hamachi & Hamachi Belly - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Made reservations for Sunday early dinner. The place is located towards the end of Polk st. The neighborhood isn't the nicest, but the sushi place is small and cute. I enjoyed the sashimi platter. It included 10 pieces of 5 different fish. The service was also good. We also got two rolls to share. I really enjoyed the Saratoga and fresca rolls. Both had a little spice kick but nothing too crazy. Everything was fresh. read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Sashimi Sampler - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Best price for great quality sushi in the area--slightly cheaper than comparable places nearby, and for that I am grateful for Kuma! Nigiri and rolls are very good. Service is very kind and understanding. We were running late for our reservation (comedy show went 30 minutes late) and they still sat us. Can't go wrong with the Hey Girl, Fresca, Tango, Golden Boy, or Karma rolls! read more

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Our faves were the barley tap and Kuma eel roll. The kuma roll was super warm and decadent, feeling like a hug. The barley tap was very refreshing and cut the decadence of the kuma roll. Also really enjoyed the tofu appetizer! Overall fresh fish and would be happy to be back. Super attentive service as well! They kept refilling my water so fast. They also gave us a complimentary scoop of Mitchell's Thai tea ice cream on our anniversary. Perfect for a cute and intimate date night or girls night out. read more

We made a dinner reservation ahead of time and were promptly seated. Came to use the Amex Resy credit. Quality of the chirashi deluxe was excellent. So many pieces of fresh sashimi with a large variety. The mixed rice was healthier and slightly crunchy? but I definitely prefer the short grain white rice . read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Chirashi deluxe - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Seriously one of the best hidden gems I stumbled upon!! It's sooooo cozy and ambient here. Fish is fresh and delicious. From the apps to the salads to the fish, everything was SO GOOD. I saw they had tons of to-go orders too which looked just as delicious. A highlight was definitely the spicy tuna roll--it was actually so spicy!! One of my favorite rolls to order and they did not disappoint. Also make sure to try their Kuma Salad with the Salmon Chicharron!! Service was also great here and very attentive. Seriously had the coziest time dining here!! read more

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Food was not bad at all and service was very nice. Neighborhood was not safe but I will come back soon for sure.

We came here before opening as we had the Paul Simon concert to catch. We ended up being the first ones in and were immediately greeted by the host and seated within the first minute of opening. As we were just getting settled, the waitress was immediately attentive to us and got us water and kept coming by to refill the moment she saw that we had half empty glasses which we appreciated. Ordering was easy and quick as well. We ended up sharing the hamachi kama, the hamachi ponzu, and two rolls (hey girl and fresca). Food came out as quickly as the place was still kind of empty. We wouldn't have mind waiting though as the place had a calm serenity to it even though it's located on Polk Street. Everything we had tasted fresh and as if it was handled with care. There truly wasn't anything to complain about. The ponzu was an incredible starter as it was fresh and refreshing to our palates. The hamachi kama was deliciously buttery and grilled to perfection. The rolls were filled nicely and every flavor was well rounded and pronounced. Would definitely return here when I'm back in the city. read more

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Pretty great quality fish overall and decently priced if sharing rolls. They give such a great amount of shishito peppers which is hugeee in my eyes since this is my fav appetizer! Nice little place with both tables and bar seating. Service was friendly and v attentive. 4/5: tango roll, really refreshing and good with the yuzu kosho 3.5/5: half baked, great flavors but fell apart 4.5/5: shishito peppers, great quantity. Could use more sauce/lime but I dipped it in soy sauce/the hamachi crudo sauce and it was great. 4/5: hamachi ponzu, great flavors! Rly yummy read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Hamachi Ponzu Half Baked Tango shishito peppers - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Delicious lunch! The star of the show was the 8 piece chefs choice nigiri and it was super fresh, flavorful with a fun variety. The service was fast and I was seated immediately. I highly recommend this as a nice lunch! read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Storefront - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came to celebrate my graduation, the ambiance was lively and beautiful! It was my first time here and I brought some of my closest friends who were visiting SF! Such a yummy place they loved it and we all agreed it was super fresh. The service was amazing and our waitress/hostess was kind and very attentive. I truly enjoyed being there and hope to come again. Thank you for having us! read more

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Cozy hole-in-the-wall sushi joint an industri-chic feel and plenty of options for a shareable meal. Favorite roll had to be the Fresca -- ceviche with pineapple and avocado -- though Tango was a close second. Some of the salmon was extra "fishy" tasting, which wasn't a dealbreaker but perhaps could've been a bit more fresh. Standout of the meal was actually from the daily menu -- local firm tofu with crunchy garlic oil. WOW, it was delicious! The chilled tofu with the spicy sauce made for a really unique and enjoyable dish. Service was great and friendly, and we had no problem being accommodated as walk-ins. Worth checking out! read more

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Date night at Kuma's was sublime in every aspect. We made reservations a few days before and I would highly recommend it since they get pretty busy around 7pm. The sushi chefs were ultra busy carving up unique fish while our lone server handled all the tables in the dining area. She did a great job at recommending not just what to order but how to eat each fish in their own way. We ordered two of the nigiri omakase sets, one of the sashimi omakase, Uni, bluefin tuna, sweet shrimp and grilled hamachi collar. We also tried one of their sakes since they have a great selection of sake on deck. Our server brought the sashimi omakase first and suggested we eat leaner fish first before the oily/fatty ones. All of the fish were delicious but the soy braised bluefin tuna was my favorite because of its complexity. The edges were slightly cooked but the center was raw which created this texture which is out of this world. The nigiri omakase just as good as the sashimi, each fish tasting better than the last. The add-ons sweet shrimp and Uni served as a pleasant break from the fish. Both equally tasty, the shrimp perhaps the freshest we've ever had and the Uni couldn't have been more creamier and custardy. Highly recommend Kuma, this is one of those places where you'll want to go back again and again. read more

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Service was ok. Could have been more attentive. None of the chefs acknowledged us or said hi as we walked through the door. Ambiance and decor is nice. We decided to try their rolls since they have many unique combinations and flavors. Ox and Tiger roll: 4/5. well balanced. The jicama gave it a nice crunch and texture. Rice could be tighter. Some fell apart as we picked it up. Barley taps roll: flavors 4/5. Rice could be tighter. Some fell apart as we picked it up. Jackelope (not pictured): 4.5/5. Amberjack was good. Fried scallion gave it a good texture. Faceplant: 3/5. A bit bland. Eggplant didn't really have any flavor. Tai nigiri (not pictured): 4/5. Sea bream cured in kelp. read more

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This place is just awesome in every way! The only thing that could possibly be better is I won free meals here for life! High q super fresh fish Decent portions Expert chefs Good service Cozy and date worthy. Here's a pic of my view as my mouth watered. read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Portions and freshness yum. - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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"Absolutely incredible experience. the chef took care of us from star to finish, party of 6, fish, freshness, the Toro melt in our mouths, and the rice what's perfectly seasoned. A must-try hidden gem. for a family friends or romantic night is percent. Been there for years quite established. read more

Like another reviewer said, Kuma on Polk is a hidden gem! Came across Kuma Sushi and Sake after my friend and I found out La Fina Estampa (our favorite Peruvian spot) was closed for a few weeks for the holidays. My friend found this spot which was a few blocks away. Found parking in the one way alley next to the restaurant, the area is a bit rough at night, but once you walk in, such a different vibe. Small, cozy and the ambiance was popping off. It was a full house but staff was able to squeeze us in at their window bar seats. Everything we ordered was a hit! Flavor, quality and freshness was great. Appetizer: grilled hamachi (get it, so crispy, meat was tender, delicious and well seasoned) Appetizer: cold tofu with chilli crisp (was highly recommended by their staff but I thought it was just okay in flavor. Tofu was fresh but it was missing a memorable flavor for me) Appetizer: Miso Soup. My friend tried this one. No particular standout notes - miso soup was pretty standard. Nigiris: scallop, ama ebi, salmon, hamachi and Hokkaido uni. Shrimp head was delivered perfectly fried and the ama ebi was fresh and sweet - we had to order another round with no regrets. If we were to go back, I'd love to sit by the bar/chef's area and try their omakase or charashi bowl. If you're in the area and craving sushi, this is worth stopping by. read more

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Amazing! Unique sushi rolls. Sushi was fresh and well made. Delicious collar. A welcoming, well decorated, clean, small space. Service was professional. I will be back! read more

Small and easily crowded space. Highly recommend a reservation. There are two servers that cover the entire floor from leading you to your seat to bussing your plates. So the service will test your kind patience, BUT well worth the wait. Amazing. The Chirashi Deluxe blew my mind. Is this is how all variety of fresh fish and shellfish tastes at their best in the U.S.?! I have been eating mediocre quality from AYCE to $$$ fine dining that needs sauces or dressings to mask their poor quality or fishiness all my life in the states, apparently. Wow. The quality is on par with sushi in Japan, but sadly not the cost. But is it worth it?--Absolutely!!!! The wasabi had a very nice kick. The Tako Karaage was unique and delicious with its crunchy texture. Nigiri was melting. I didn't quite care for the roll, kinda basic flavor-wise for the price. And I usually don't opt in for ice cream because of my bias of how they're all the same and just okay at sushi restaurants. BUT the ice cream here was very creamy and left me completely happy with my overall experience. Thank you for a wonderful dinner. read more

Really amazing ngiri and delicious miso soup. Haven't been there in person, but the delivery was great and will definitely order again. read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Incredible ngiri - Sake Toro - Hamachi - Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's an ok place to go. The quality was just mediocre and nothing exceptional. I have had way better sushi (about the same price range) in the Bay! We felt a little hurried and probably could be that it was their closing time.. read more

I love the sushi here! So fresh, decent sized rolls and the prices are fair. Highly recommend the salmon and avocado roll and the roasted shishito peppers. Service is really nice and knowledgeable. Ambiance is small and cute and would be nice for a date night :) read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - shishito peppers - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Ebi tempura roll - 6/5 California roll - 5/5 Hey Girl - 6/5 Great balls off fire - 4/5 Great ambiance! read more

Been wanting to try this place. Finally made a reservation a week in advance on Resy. Parking was a little difficult considering it's located near the tenderloin. We were seated in the bar for party of 2. Wish there was an option to choose bar seating or table. We prefer table since me and my bf are introverts haha. Service was okay. We tried everything chawanmushi 4/5 threw me off since there was cheese in it. Sashimi was fresh decent but wasn't outstanding. Nigiri 8 pieces was good. Everything was just okay. Bill total was $200 not including tips. Would I come back again? No :) read more

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Small,compacted spot with great ambiance is def a hidden gem in the lower nob hill. Was craving for some unique sashimi and came across this cute little hole in a wall Japanese sushi bar. Their menu changes daily/seasonally depending on what's available so it's super refreshing to try out other cuts of fish (instead of the salmon, tuna, and hamachi). The waitress that helped us was extremely helpful in terms of explaining the menu and also made serval suggestions on which menu item is better to order with rice (nigiri style) vs sashimi alone. Quality of the ingredients and how much detail they put into curating every order exceeds our expectations. Will definitely come back for some more traditional sushi rolls :) read more

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Main Complaint: Sushi rice was dry and mushy, some pieces were over compressed/way too dense for the amount of fish given -the same vinegar was used across all fish types regardless of fat content/flavor profile Notes: -Sushi rice needs serious work, I've had better sushi rice at Kura Sushi/budget sushi mom and pop places -Fish quality itself was decent and had a wide variety of options -cheaper quality wasabi used -nice ambiance at night, dark candlelit vibe -no wasabi or soy sauce/salinity was pre-applied to the nigiri except for pieces with yuzu kosho -Aburi pieces were not seared enough or draw out fat or warm the fish -No one said thank you as we left the restaurant, given we just blew $130 at ur place that would have been nice to hear on the way out -mostly non-Asians eating inside, seemed like the tables around us were having sushi for the first time (which is totally fine, but to me to speaks to the audience they are catering towards) read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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YUM! We came here for a date night on a Friday around 7 PM and were glad we had a reservation. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so I would definitely recommend having a reso if you're going during peak hours. All the fish was fresh, and the rice was soft and delicious. We always get hamachi appetizers if they're on the menu, and this one is one of our favorites! The fish melted in our mouths, and the sauce was so flavorful. We can't wait to come back! read more

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Always a good spot to get omakase, incredible staff, good unique fishes, and great vibes

Definitely on the pricier side for sushi, but the quality was undeniable. We ordered the Chirashi Bowl ($54) and the Sashimi Sampler (just over $50). While both were beautifully presented, the portions weren't quite enough to satisfy, so we added the Hamachi Kama for $18. The fish was incredibly fresh--especially the ikura, which had a clean, balanced flavor without the overwhelming saltiness you often find elsewhere. While I probably wouldn't get the sashimi sampler again, I'd happily come back and order two Chirashi bowls instead--the portion size and variety made it a better value. The standout for me was actually the wasabi: slightly salty, vibrant, and noticeably fresh. Overall, I'd give the experience a solid 4.4 out of 5 stars. read more

Kuma Sushi + Sake - Chirashi - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Host was incredibly rude, and the service overall ruined what could've been a good meal. My boyfriend and I booked a last-minute reservation and decided to try this new sushi spot. Online, there were plenty of open time slots, so we arrived a little early hoping to be seated. The restaurant was nearly empty, yet the host sat us directly next to the only other couple dining. We politely moved one table over to give everyone some space. Our reservation was for 6:15, but we were seated around 6. A few minutes later, the host came back and told us we would need to be out by 7:15 because we switched tables, claiming another reservation was specifically for the one we had moved to. This made no sense given how many openings we'd seen online. Even my boyfriend said, "what a weird comment to make to customers who just sat down". Then, another couple was seated at the table we were originally supposed to sit at--and they were served before us, despite us having ordered well before they even walked in. At that point, it felt intentional and petty. We decided we'd finish our appetizer and leave. The appetizer was actually good, which made the terrible service even more disappointing because it completely ruined the experience. Do yourself a favor and skip this place. read more

Wow! We had a lot of fun with this dinner. There are so many options to choose from and we tried so many different food items. The nigiri was very delicious with warm rice. The fish was super fresh and the chirashi had so many different types. The service was great and everyone gave so many recommendations. We sat at the bar and enjoyed talking to the chefs. I thought pricing was decent too. I would recommend this spot for a nicer dinner! read more

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