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    Saru Handroll Bar

    4.2 (263 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    SARU HANDROLL BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Saru Handroll Bar

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    Lizzie S.

    Wonderful service, wonderful ambiance, and great quality fish. I love how we get to watch the chefs at work! They work in the center of a 3-sided rectangle, so it's also good for people-watching. Some unique hand rolls and some ol' reliables like lobster, fatty tuna, and shrimp tempura. The real wasabi was a treat. Knocked off a star because drink prices are not low--over $10 for beer? It does feel upscale and elevated. I wish the hooks for bags (or is it for jackets?) were underneath the bar seating. Service was very quick, you'll be out of there in no time (which is good, because you will likely wait to get seated.) Will be back and they also offer a nice box for takeout.

    Kyle C.

    Incredible fresh handrolls. Everything we ordered was a 10/10. Service was fast and overall a great place for a nice date night.

    Rice beer
    Shannon A.

    Excellent sushi! The handrolls were amazing, we got the 5 rolls including eel, fatty tuna, spicy tuna, yellowtail, and yam. Fresh grated wasabi! Rice beer was new to me and really good!

    Theresa D.

    I thought I knew good hand rolls, but I'm still thinking about eating dinner here weeks ago. The romantic chic ambiance, the great service, it has it all. I had the 4 piece set that came with fatty tuna, salmon, shrimp tempura, and cucumber and plum. Every roll had a good amount of meat to rice ratio, and the nori was warm to hold. I'm a big fan of salmon, so I had to order another salmon handroll; the salmon was sensational. This place has become my new favorite place for handrolls.

    Hand rolls are extremely fresh and high quality. We didn't have to wait at all and service was very efficient. The tempura roll was to die for and every piece was so satisfying! You can also tell the wasabi was high quality. Definitely coming back here!

    Choose your own box set - take out option
    Sophia W.

    We ordered takeout via DoorDash and this place was great. Very quick and fresh. I particularly liked the presentation and how much we got for the price ($38 before tax and delivery). I also liked how the takeout was very simple which it made it easy to decide. Next time will try eating at the restaurant!

    Salmon
    Neha D.

    Love the ambiance and vibes inside Saru though coming in a group of more than 3 makes it difficult to talk. Rolls were good but expensive for the size and getting the add ons. The fresh wasabi is a must! Drinks are also limited but overall a decent sushi spot!

    Colleen L.

    Updated review: We don't get to come by as often anymore since we've moved to the other side of the city, but every visit we get the same consistency and quality in service and food. We stopped in during a quieter hour (around 4pm) and pretty much had the place to ourselves. Service was quick, and the quality still as spot-on as always. Ryan took great care of us, and as usual, it was a pleasure chatting with him. One of the things I really appreciate is that they're open all day, no need to wait until 5pm like most top-tier sushi spots. When the craving hits, you can just drop in for an exceptional sushi fix, no resy needed.

    Jinha K.

    The restaurant has a very interesting layout as the chefs make the handroll right in the middle of the restaurant in a very open layout, and the customers sit around and watch them make the handrolls. The ambiance was very cozy and perfect to sit down and chat with others with some small bites and some drinks. The handrolls were delicious and it was calling for more beer and sake. These handrolls will not make you full, so it would be better to think of this place as an izakaya.

    Rose N.

    Really great service. Got seated quickly. Great staff. The ambiance is very first date/girls night. Open kitchen and very pretty decor. Functional and easy on the eyes. Cute table setting. Miso soup was yummy, not extraordinary. Daikon shishito salad. Spicy. Good acid Fatty tuna and scallion was good. Good flavors. Red crab (my favorite order) Yellowtail and scallion Spicy scallop Bill was ~80. It was good but not amazing for $80. High price, okay quality, great service.

    My 2nd time here and it was as delicious as my 1st time! My favorite one is the tempura hand roll! I actually have to order it 3 times! Service was nice and quick.

    Fatty Tuna
    Amy G.

    Have to start with saying that service is IMPECCABLE! It's such a fun experience to enjoy the meal with bar seating, it's very intimate and the staff make it feel even more special. We came at 6:00PM and only had to wait ~5 minutes, but after that it seemed like there was more of a wait. I chose my hand rolls a la carte but I would definitely recommend the sets if you're feeling indecisive! My favorites ended up being the Red Crab roll and the Salmon roll (add avocado)! I would skip the eel roll though, nothing too special. I had 5 rolls and was perfectly satisfied. Also love that they include gratuity in the menu price!! I wish more places did that.

    Sake
    Michelle N.

    Very cute handroll bar! I ordered the fatty tuna, spicy scallop, red crab, and tempura shrimp. The service is fast and they make it really easy to order. The bathrooms are really nice and they have a section with dental items to freshen up. The bill does add up but its worth it for the quality and the price includes tip which is really nice!

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    27 days ago

    This place is garbage. Service sucks and overrated. Do not go. Way better places in the surrounding area with better service and food.

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    3 days ago

    ordered the spicy blue crab handroll, and the ingredients tasted incredibly fresh and full of flavor.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Saru Handroll Bar

    Do they take reservations?

    Unfortunately, we do not take any reservations.

    How early do you need to line up on a Tuesday to be seated when they open at 5PM?

    I arrived 30 minutes after opening and got the last two top.

    Do they accommodate parties of 1?

    Yes, we do!

    Do they serve alcohol?

    Yes, we do! We offer beer, sake, and wine!

    Is it walk-in only?

    Hi! Yes, it is walk-in only!

    View All 7 Questions

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    HINODEYA Ramen & Bar Downtown

    4.3
    (724 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Great Ramen and mochi ice cream! Service was fast and fun…read moreand food came fast. Kids loved it too. Ambiance seemed authentic and they do a cool welcome as guest arrive!

    We came to Hinodeya Downtown location for dinner on a weekday for dinner and was pleasantly…read moresurprised by all the varieties of meal sets you can get here. Food 4/5: we ordered the pork katsu rice bento with mini creamy ramen and the Yu Ling chi chicken bento with the spicy miso mini ramen. Everything tasted fresh and hot. We particularly liked the pork katsu, it was perfectly crispy, juicy and well seasoned with the katsu sauce. The ramen didn't have much topping (just scallion and Naruto) but the soup and noodles texture were great. I was looking forward to the Yu Lin chi chicken but was not a big fan of the sauce flavor, it was salty and slightly one note. Rice was well cooked in the bento but I could do without the edamame, they weren't cooked long enough so it was hard to get out of the shell and bland. Service 3/5: we were seated pretty immediately but had to wait quite awhile before anyone served us, it might be because we were more towards the corner and the restaurant was busy. We had to get up to find a server to help us with checking out because no one ever came to check up on us. Ambiance 4/5: nice space, slightly cramped, but generally nice with the exposed brick walls and high ceiling. There's also outdoor seating available here.

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    Interior
    Interior
    Shrimp Tempura (5 pcs)
    Shrimp Tempura (5 pcs)
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    KUSAKABE

    KUSAKABE

    4.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$$

    Kusakabe creates the kind of dining experience that feels carefully designed from the moment you…read moresit down. We walked into a refined but welcoming space where the sushi counter is the main focus, and the meal unfolds course by course in front of us. There is a sense of calm throughout the room, allowing the attention to stay on the chefs, the ingredients, and the details behind each dish without the distraction of a busy dining room. The omakase experience balances traditional sushi with more creative touches. Each course brings something different, from fresh sashimi and nigiri to warmer dishes like chawan mushi that add depth to the progression of the meal. The sushi highlights the quality of the fish while incorporating thoughtful flavor combinations, with dishes like scallop and the dry-aged fish courses standing out for their texture and seasoning. The sake pairing fits naturally into the experience, adding another layer without overpowering the food, and the sommelier's selections complement the progression of flavors across the meal. What makes Kusakabe memorable is the craftsmanship and pacing of the meal. The chefs take time to explain each course, making the experience feel personal rather than rushed. Sitting at the counter adds to the atmosphere because you get to see the precision and care that goes into every piece, from the way the rice is formed to the final brush of sauce on the fish. The pacing of the meal allows you to appreciate each course without feeling rushed, and the team's attention to detail creates a rhythm that keeps the meal engaging from start to finish. Kusakabe feels like a place made for special occasions, celebrations, or anyone looking for a more elevated Japanese dining experience. It combines technique, hospitality, and creativity in a way that makes the entire meal feel like an event rather than just a dinner. The balance of traditional and modern elements, along with the warmth of the service, leaves you with the sense of having experienced something complete and thoughtfully composed.

    What an experience! We were celebrating an anniversary and planned a bit last minute, but were able…read moreto snag a reservation here pretty easily. Immediately, the ambiance and service was quite nice. We were seated at the table, but typically I enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the chefs make our food. The service was amazing and they were very attentive. They also offered to take photos and gave us a little gift of hojicha tea since we were celebrating. We got the omakase, which was massive and had 18 courses. They gave us a menu so we knew what to expect for each course, and we ordered some sake. The omakase was delicious and more traditional than other places, each course was so beautiful and delicately made. This is definitely a lot of food, I would recommend the petite omakase in the future as I was stuffed, but it was a great experience if you come hungry! Courses: - Chawan-mushi - super tasty and every bite was delicious and umami forward! - Otsumami - 7 seasonal appetizers presented in a beautiful box, there was a stuffed crab claw in there that was delicious - 4 kinds of sushi - each piece came out one at a time, the first piece was my absolute favorite and blew me away, it was a seared chutoro that immediately melts in your mouth and tastes smokey - Hamachi soup - very tasty and warming soup with hamachi inside, was perfect in between the sushi course - 4 kinds of sushi - A5 Waguyu shabu - this course was extra $10 pp but was so delicious, the wagyu was melt in your mouth and had some grated daikon on top in a ponzu dashi, the toppings help balance the meat so it's overwhelming since it does melt in your mouth, one of my favorite bites! - 4 kind of sushi - they brought out some really great sushis, including more chutoro and an unagi handroll, but I was so stuffed at this point that I felt I couldn't enjoy it as much - miso soup - this soup was so tasty and kind of revived me after all that food, it felt comforting and a great way to end - dessert- I got the hojicha ice cream in a waffle like cookie and it was delicious!

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    Zen bathroom
    Zen bathroom
    Otsumami...
    Otsumami...
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    Sanraku

    Sanraku

    3.9
    (2k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Very good Japanese food right in the heart of downtown San Francisco! We stopped in for lunch on a…read moreTuesday and hit the jackpot with their lunch box special. For $18, you get an incredible spread: * your choice of gyoza, shumai, or tofu * a California roll or avocado roll * a protein of your choice Plus it all comes with edamame, miso soup, and seaweed salad. Honestly? That's my kind of deal. Everything we tried was delicious. In addition to the lunch box, we ordered a dragon roll and a dynamite roll, both of which were fresh, flavorful, and beautifully done. My husband went with the Una Ten Donburi. It was tasty, but at $30, it did feel a bit steep compared to the rest of the menu. The restaurant looked like your typical Japanese style space with the sushi rollers at the entrance and simple tables and decor. I do have two minor negatives worth mentioning. First, the edamame was cold and unsalted. I'm an edamame lover, and nothing beats it hot, freshly steamed, and generously showered in salt. So that was a little disappointing. Second, our server (I believe his name was Kayz) seemed visibly annoyed when we asked to split the check. As a server myself, I know this isn't rocket science, and guests should never be made to feel uncomfortable for something so standard, especially after there had already been a small mix-up with our roll order (we received two dynamite rolls instead of one dynamite and one dragon). We didn't make a fuss at the time because mistakes happen, but the attitude at the end definitely stood out. That said, the food itself was solid, the lunch special is a fantastic value, and overall we still had a good experience. I would absolutely return and would recommend this spot, just hoping for a smoother service experience next time.

    According to what I wrote on Yelp, I had a decent meal at their sister restaurant in the Metreon…read morewell before it shuttered, like over a decade ago. My meal apparently wasn't memorable enough to motivate me to visit this location, that is, until quite recently. I decided to have lunch here after a nearby medical appointment. It wasn't crowded at all. Only a couple of solo diners and a loud senior couple. I wasn't in a sushi mood and thought I'd go healthy with the saba shioyaki. However, at the last minute, I went with the $19 Ika Yaki, a whole BBQ squid sliced and saturated in teriyaki sauce with a dab of shichimi mayo (Photo 8). The portion was generous and the texture was firm with enough elasticity. Unfortunately the teriyaki sauce did nothing to enhance the dish, and I wished they served it on the side. I also ordered the $8 Agedashi Tofu, usually a foolproof appetizer for me. It certainly looked right (Photo 9), but I was unpleasantly surprised how tongue-burning hot it was. The cubes of tofu must've just come right out of the deep fryer. The dashi broth helped calm the heat down but a little too late. I'm sure glad I sprung for the $3 bowl of Rice (Photo 10). That calmed what was left of my tongue down. FOOD - 3 stars...execution errors mar the dishes here AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...spacious enough since it was empty, sushi bar seating was available SERVICE - 3.5 stars...attentive enough TOTAL - 3 stars...not my favorite Japanese spot RELATED - Exploring the Tenderloin? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/hu44dWMabs

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    Sanraku
    Sanraku
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    Katsuya

    Katsuya

    4.1
    (329 reviews)
    1.2 mi
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    "Inexpensive Japanese in downtown San Francisco financial district"…read more My son and I stopped here for dinner randomly on a Friday night just before 6pm. He just visited Japan a few months ago and had a hankering for some chicken katsu. It's a small, narrow establishment, not far from the See's Candy store, but well-lit. One orders on a set of tablets at the front of the restaurant and then sits down. I ordered the chicken katsu don, which has the chicken katsu above vegetables, rice, and egg. My son wanted the chicken katsu curry rice, and also was eager for the Takoyaki (which has octopus). There was a complementary water station in the back (which we didn't notice before ordering bottles). I was impressed the entrees were all under $20 before tax and tip-- great for downtown SF. We didn't anticipate complementary miso soup, but we got it, and it was tasty. The takooyaki arrived next-- maybe 6 pieces and quite good. When you pop it in your mouth and bite, you get a burst of milk-like flavor in you mouth. I frankly couldn't taste the octopus, but that's OK... it was still yummy. I really liked my chicken katsu don-- I wanted some veggies, and the cabbage underneath was good, as was the seasoning. The chicken itself was excellent. My son said it wasn't quite as good as in Japan but agreed it was still good. The portion size was big-- I wasn't quite able to finish all the rice in mine. Service was fine-- I don't remember them checking on us after we got food, but we really didn't need anything since we'd already paid, water was available, etc. The restaurant itself was clean, too. I did stop at the washroom upstairs, and it had nice wooden floors, a large plant, etc., and clean overall. Overall, a solid choice at an amazing price for the area, so I'm happy to give 5 stars.

    Stopped by on a Monday afternoon and there was no wait in line. I got the hire katsu (tenderloin)…read morewhile my friend got the regular tonkatsu. Food came out quickly and service was fine. The tables and floors were a bit sticky and dirty which is why I knocked off a star. Overall this is not a bad spot though and the katsu was good, not dry.

    Photos
    Plenty of seats, usually empty apart from the workday lunch rush
    Plenty of seats, usually empty apart from the workday lunch rush
    Chicken Katsu
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    Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill

    Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill

    4.0
    (1.8k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Used to be a must and go to almost a decade ago when I used to visit SF more often (meaning it was…read morea fav of one of my ex's). The first couple of times was great and then it started to fall off later on. Including the texture and flavor not hitting as hard and the fact that it's closed on weekends now. Impossible for non wagies to go there, meaning I can't have any when I'm there on weekend vacation I guess, but with how everything closes early and is dying in Bay Area, I'm somehow not surprised. Very tiny spot and not much seating, so you're either taking it to go or you're praying there's a chair and a counter that's free. No big deal since I've been to other Japanese curry places like this. I've had a mix bag where the katsu was deliciously crispy and moist on the inside and days where the meat inside is dry, even drenched in curry. Hot curry sauce is Japanese hot, so it has spices in it but not spicy at all. The workers do their best for the lunch rush, so that's a plus at least. Overall, it was okay, but man the times sure have changed.

    Got a medium spicy katsu curry and was fairly spicy! So if you are unsure, err on the lower side!…read moreFood tasted good, nothing super special. Not the worst curry I've had, but also not the best. Fairly liquidly curry, not thick at all. This is also one of those pick-up only locations, so don't expect to be able to sit down and eat. You order and pick up at the window.

    Photos
    Inside, takeout with a small area on the right to eat
    Inside, takeout with a small area on the right to eat
    Katsu curry with rice and pickles 9/14/23! Yum
    Katsu curry with rice and pickles 9/14/23! Yum
    Cute art wall

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    Cute art wall

    Saru Handroll Bar - sushi - Updated June 2026

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