Wowza! What a nice surprise we fell upon! This place takes no reservations so we decided beforehand that if the wait were too long, we would move on to another place. Boy am I glad we got seated and had a chance to appreciate the food! I would happily wait and wait and wait in the future to have more of the deliciously fresh sushi creations! read more

Saru sushi is a cozy, intimate vibe good for a date night or small group (4 or less I'd say). They don't seem to take reservations and we lined up before opening at 5:30pm (with a line already forming on the street) and got seated outdoors in the first wave. No problem if you get seated outdoors though, because they have overheat heaters that are super sufficient. We got the seasonal appetizer, the KATSUO TATAKI, and that was 10/10 best bite with bright ponzu flavor and onion pairings. We also got the 8 piece nigiri omakase as well as the TEKKA MAKI tuna roll. Overall, it's god quality fish but if you're looking for flavor/sauce variations between the omakase pieces/experimental flavors this isn't the place. I would say the omakase is good but standard. The Tekka Maki was disappointing with hardly any fish included. I would recommend this spot but I will also say I've had better omakase in San Francisco. Also, I'd like to acknowledge the service is top tier, very attentive! read more

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Finally got to try this spot after living in Noe valley for a couple years and it's definitely worth the hype! They serve good quality sushi and sashimi but the omakase and nigiri's are definitely the stand out. The rolls are good but I don't know if I would get them again here. Torched mackerel was also one of my favorites here and didn't read any reviews about it so highly recommend trying that one! Service is very attentive and the food comes quick too. Great place for a special occasion. One thing to note is the no reservation policy so I lined up at 5PM for dinner on a Thursday and was 3rd in line. Might be different for weekends. read more

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Got here 5 minutes before opening and there was a line down the street, always a good sign! Super intimate sushi spot in the heart of Noe Valley offering omakase, sashimi and small plates. Service was fantastic with the entire waitstaff eager to assist. I ordered the 8pc chef's special and each piece of fish built upon the last making for a wonderful dinner! read more

Saru Sushi Bar - Sushi Combo - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

So fresh so yummy. On the pricier side but that's what you pay for high quality sushi. We got two rolls and the hamachi crudo. Next time want to try the omakase nigiri. Went for lunch on a Friday and a line was forming at 11:50am (they open at 12pm) we didn't have to wait so I'd suggest getting there ten or so minutes before open. I'm sure it's much busier at dinner though. read more

Omakase 8 pieces were delicious but not exactly filling if you're hungry. Highly highly recommend getting the White Out Yellowtail roll! Very delicious and practically melted in my mouth. Would avoid the Blue fin tuna roll and Daikon salads. The roll was tiny and had SO much wasabi in it that I almost cried while eating. The vibes of this restaurant was super cute and tips are included in the pricing. read more

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Service is fast and good! Their nigiri was amazing! A bit pricey but worth every bite! Was very impressed by everything! read more

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Saru delivers what is hands down the best sashimi omakase experience I'be had in SF! The fish quality is exceptional - everything was incredibly fresh and prepared. What really elevated the meal was the staff, who were friendly and attentive throughout the evening. The atmosphere is also perfect catching up with friends or solo experience. I can't wait to be back to try some of their rolls next! read more

Saru Sushi Bar - Assorted Sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food is fine. There are better sushi places in SF for half the price. Service was terrible. We were asked what we wanted within 30 seconds of being handed a menu. We asked for more time and the waitress was visibly annoyed. The food took a half hour to come out and the first course of the Oamakse had undercooked rice that was cold. The second course was more what I would expect. Nothing was amazing and the kitchen seemed to have more of a junior-level of experience based on the quality coming out. Anyway. Not worth waiting in line. In a city of amazing sushi, you can safely skip Saru without missing a thing. read more

This was a good mistake made on a Saturday night, I was originally planning to go to saru handroll but we routed to this one and ended up trying it. Everything was great and fresh, loved the fact that gratuity was included so I don't have to stress about tipping. I got everything pictured, but my favorite was probably the white out and the hand rolls. Could be Deja vu but I feel like the hand rolls at the handroll bar was a bit cheaper than the ones here, maybe portions are bigger here too? Not sure but still enjoyed it. I would definitely come here again, service was amazing and loved the space and ambiance. It was great for a chill night out. read more

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Best sushi in noe valley. Much more authentic than the other choices on the same street. Small quaint spot with traditional Japanese vibes. They have very high quality fish and the salmon skin salad is incredible read more

Saru Sushi Bar - Otoro and salmon belly - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Saru Sushi is one of my favorite sushi spots in Noe Valley and I've been several times. The sushi is consistently excellent--honestly some of the best in SF. The only "downside" is it's very small, so showing up early helps. The staff is always accommodating, and if there's a wait you can easily grab a drink across the street. Personally I love sitting at the bar, but I've done tables too and it's been great either way. Highly recommend if you're looking for top-tier sushi in the city. read more

Honestly this is my fav sushi spot!! The yellow tail appetizer is to die for!! Great selection of sashimis, rolls and sake!! The service can be slow and sometimes feels rushed but it's a tight spot. The ambiance is quite comforting as well. read more

Outdoor seating isn't bad since they do have heaters outside. The service here is very thorough, knowledgeable, and friendly. They even provide you with a warm towel to wipe your hands before eating. I also like that they asked if we had any allergies. The sushi is very good and definitely fresh here, especially the Hokiddo Uni. Sometimes they do run out of the toro, but that's understandable since it is really good. The spicy roll has the right amount of kick. Everything here tasted amazing. read more

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Visited here on a Friday night. This location is very small and can only accommodate so many people. They have some indoor seating and some outdoor seating. We had to put our names down, and they called us when a table was ready. In the hour or so we waited and had drinks at a nearby bar. Service was very quick, and everything we ordered was tasty! I think the Watermelon roll was my favorite due to how unique it was since it was wrapped in cucumber. The Spicy Cracker appetizer was also another favorite of mine. Would definitely return. read more

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A fantastic, authentic Japanese place! I appreciate how clean and what a great ambiance this place had. Very calm atmosphere and great service. While the food is slightly pricey for the portions (though nothing unreasonable), I appreciate that the tip is included in those rates. The food is fresh, made with care and love... and most importantly very delicious. I would 100% come back! read more

Fast, friendly and attentive service. My tea never ran dry :O Taste was phenomenal :) Bill came out to $102 with 20% gratuity automatically added. So that's ~7.50/nigiri :D Parking: street Seating: very limited Thank you so much! :) read more

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Saru is a fantastic, Michelin recommended sushi spot in Noe Valley, right off 24th. They do not take reservations, so the game plan should be to put your name down and grab a drink at Valley Tavern or The Dubliner. It's definitely worth the wait. It's a dimly lit spot, nice for a fancy date for sure. The quality of sushi will blow you away, it's fantastic! It's a great spot for a small celebration, I believe one of their largest tables fits 8? The bring out a nice hot towel for your hands. We started with the spicy cracker, which is spicy tuna topped on a nori fried cracker. Loved it, so fresh and a burst of flavor. We got the negi toro roll which was also so fresh/fatty in a good way. The rainbow roll is classic, and I cannot stress enough that the quality of this fish is incredible. The prices are higher bc it covers the wages of the servers so tipping is optional. The drink selection is great, especially including local options. Overall, the service is amazing- I loved how nice the staff were too! I will be back for another nice occasion for sure. read more

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Food: 5/5 Salmon Tasting: 5/5 Great selection of fatty and lean salmon. Our favorites were the king salmon and the soy sauce salmon. Sashimi Tasting: 5/5 Fish was fresh and delicious! Hamachi Truffle: 5/5 Service: 3/5 I'm not sure if it was an off night but my party of 4 felt rushed by the server. They also came back to our table several times to ask if we wanted to order more food. I think this is totally fine if you see that we're just about done with our meal, but it feels pushy if we haven't even started eating and if you come back to ask the same thing multiple times even though we politely decline each time. Ambiance: 4/5 I've never eaten inside the restaurant but the outdoor seating has overhead patio heaters that kept us warm on a chilly Noe Valley winter evening. I did feel like the table and chairs were a bit cramped though. read more

Saru Sushi Bar - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Favorite spot in the city for sushi! Bit more pricey than a casual spot but totally worth it

walked in for friday lunch, there was a small line before opening. we were seated at the bar. sushi itself is excellent. good fish quality and rice texture, i could taste every single grain. surprisingly the spicy scallop was our fav, will be back to try omakase. read more

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Price: Spent 100$ for 2 people total. Left still hungry Service: quick and great service Order : Miso soup (some of the best in the city) -Nigiri: chu toro and winter yellowtail (good) -whiteout roll (good taste but missing some crunch texture it was mushy) - dragon roll was amazing. -spicy tuna hand roll tasted basic but had a good spice and seaweed quality was great. Overall great sushi if you willing to spend the money read more

This is a pretty solid sushi spot! Definitely come early as the wait can be long. We came on a Friday night and had to wait almost an hour. The sushi is fresh and yummy. The price for the rolls are not too bad. Gratuity is included already. The inside is very intimate. Service was good despite it being busy. read more

Saru Sushi is nice and secluded spot for fresh and delicious sushi hidden away in Noe Valley. We had the salmon nigiri tasting, and every piece was so fresh and flavorful--it really hit the spot. We also got some rolls, which were super tasty and well-made. The shishito peppers were good but way spicier than we expected, so be ready for that kick! The prices were really reasonable, especially since the tip is already built into the food prices. The service was excellent. Our waiter took the time to explain each dish and piece, which made the whole experience even better. The vibe of the place is cozy, and the timing of the dishes was just right. If you're craving high-quality sushi with great service, Saru Sushi is definitely worth a visit! read more

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Favorite sushi in Noe hands down. Their spider roll is one of the best I've had. Highly recommend their bites, too, like the "spicy cracker." The servers are kind and if you are willing to sit outside under the heaters you can bring your stroller and/or your dog. It's smaller inside, but perfect for a date night or a dinner with friends. You may have to wait, but it's worth it. read more

The food is a 5 and the service is a 3, so averaging it it out and giving them a 4 overall. The staff is nice, but a tad pushy. We felt rushed the entire meal. Came on a Wednesday evening for dinner with a friend. No reservation so we had to wait about 40 minutes for a table. Although we were texted that our table was ready, when we arrived to be seated, we had to wait an additional 10 minutes. We ordered: - Hamachi Truffle - Spicy Cracker - Negihama - Watermelon Roll - Spicy Dragon Roll - Monaka Ice Cream Sandwiches All of the dishes were delicious. The fish was fresh and they really let it speak for itself - nothing is over done or drowning in sauces. My favorites were the Hamachi Truffle and the Spicy Cracker. The ice cream sandwiches were also super tasty. Check it out if you're in the neighborhood! read more

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Good sushi but dining experience felt a bit rushed for a meal that cost $260 for 2ppl Wait time & service: saru is walk-ins only. We waiting about 30min on a thurs. The staff were all very friendly but they came by quite often to see if we were done with the food or wanted to order more. Prob because they are walk-ins only Food: everything tasted great. I enjoyed the eel (surprisingly well balanced and tender), uni, and chu-toro the most. Overall I felt some of the nigiri has too much seasoning. I wish the freshness of the fish would come through more. read more

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TLDR: One of the BEST Japanese restaurants I've tried in a really long time. Small, hole-in-the wall place in Noe Valley that serves both omakase as well as a la carte. Top tier service from a passionate staff who serve incredibly prepared dishes. Relatively reasonable prices for the quality and taste. TRY THIS PLACE!!! FOOD: 1. White Out Roll (5/5) - smoked yellowtail on top was AMAZING 2. Mackerel sashimi and fried fish bone (5/5) - wasn't on menu but was so unique. Was so texturally interesting 3. Hamachi Kama (5/5) - broiled yellowtail collar that got its skin prepared to perfection. My first time having fish collarbone and I loved it. Only had 2 or 3 available for the day so you have to get here early! 4. Nigiri (5/5) - We ordered fatty tuna, salmon, and yellowtail nigiri that I don't remember the names of but they were all mouthwateringly delicious. 5.Naked Scallop Roll (4.5/5) - Odd at first in all honesty but after chewing for a bit longer was almost a bit sweet, really good 6. Tamago (4.5/5) - Like a dense, sweet sponge cake ----- SERVICE: - Warm towels at the beginning of service - Servers constantly come to pour water - Very well paced meal with a new dish coming out periodically - You know the waiters are legit when they are incredibly knowledgable about the menu, don't need to write down your order, and repeat it back to you perfectly, including your specific instructions. Everyone here felt so passionate and personally dedicated to providing the best experience ----- ENVIRONMENT / AMBIANCE: - Has an omakase counter as well as ~3 tables that could seat 4 people and a couple more tables to seat 2 - Opens at 12 pm but only offers walk-in so a line was forming well before 12. We got there at 11:45 am and were able to secure a place in line such that we could go in right at 12 pm - Plenty of street parking outside - Given the Japanese / omakase vibe and limited party sizes, not too loud of a place but also not as quiet of a place as many omakase places read more

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Pricey! Dinner for 1 came out to be $200ish including taxes. But, they tell you in the beginning that tips are included and the tips options at the end is 2% or 4% or 6%. Which is nice. Still, outside of omakase only places, this is the most I have paid for sushi dinner. Also possibly the best tasting beautifully presented sushi outside of the omakase only places I have experienced. I did have a carafe of nice sake. The miso soup was very nice. The scallops spoon was spectacular, perfect balance of scallops, yuzu, sauce and wassabi. The ankimo spoon was meh. Hokkaido uni nigiri was very good. Seared otoro nigiri was very good, but a bit salty. King Salmon nigiri was very good. I think I had some horse mackerel which was okay, and some Japanese trout which was also okay. California roll was pricey but it was very good. Unagi sashimi was perfect, not burnt or over sauced. Everything was beautifully presented. I would eat here again. Just not every week haha read more

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Best sushi in Noe Valley, and frankly some of the best in SF. It can be tricky to get a table, since it's a small venue. Lunch is a lot easier. Staff is super nice and friendly, would absolutely recommend! read more

Saru Sushi Bar - Omikase - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

A cute hole in the wall sushi place on the main street of Noe Valley. Space is dark and intimate. Fish is fresh, tasty, and their specials are pretty delicious. Good selection of sake. Pretty pricey, ended up spending over $250 for 2 people for lunch. read more

Saru Sushi Bar - Omakase $70 Chu toro two pieces $12 - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I went to Saru Sushi for the first time with my friend a few days ago and we ended up waiting for a little over an hour to get a table as the restaurant only accepts walk-ins. Saru Sushi is quite a small establishment, so understandably it contributes to a pretty long wait time during peak hours. It was not too bad of a wait though as we killed time getting drinks at Mr. Digby's Bar, which is about two minutes walk away. Once my friend and I were seated, we ordered the halibut tartare, 8-piece nigiri, and a naked scallop roll. Of the three items we ordered, the halibut tartare was the least impressive. Saru Sushi serves this dish with halibut bones, plaintain chips, and a small portion of seasoned raw halibut. While the halibut bones and plaintain chips tasted alright, I do not think my friend or I would order it again. Essentially, we felt like were just eating chips. The naked scallop roll, in my opinion, was also alright. It consisted of snow crab, scallop, smelt roe, and avocado all wrapped in soy paper. A little sweet from the soy paper and savory when dipped in soy sauce. The 8-piece nigiri omakase, on the other hand, was quite solid. The otoro, or fatty tuna, was one of our favorite pieces. I imagine Saru Sushi stands out most with their sashimi and nigiri. In terms of service, the chef was quite sweet. While personally I would have stuck with just the omakase, I think the evening service was decently well rounded (minus the wait time). read more

Saru Sushi Bar - biteofyourworld: Saru Sushi Bar Seating - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Hands down one of the best sushi restaurants in SF. Staff is super friendly, service is great, and most importantly, the fish is fresh and amazingly prepared (no food dyes like cheaper places will use). Cozy atmosphere - highly recommend. read more

Good service, good sushi, good ambiance! Price is very reasonable for the quality of the fish you get. Love all the sake recommendations and accommodation for my daughter. They even have kid's training chopsticks for her! The most memorable pieces: The firefly sushi was interesting and lovely. Hokkaido uni is super creamy and not fish. And the wild blue fish from Korea is not to miss! I like it more than the uni and chi-toro! Melt in your mouth while still have some sorta texture! Get in line early! Even before they are open! We got there right around 5:30 and there were already line out the door! read more

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After eating too much sushi in Japan, my standards for raw fish has skyrocketed through the roof and I have been more hesitant to ball out on sushi restaurants in the US. Nevertheless, I have to say Saru sushi bar is one of the best sushi places I have been to, and I am very happy to have balled out here. The fish is so fresh and the service is paced out so well. I would recommend sitting at a bar seat if you are just coming with one other person to see the chefs prepare the fish! I would also recommend ordering nigiris a la carte if you know which types of fish you like, which is what we did, instead of the omakase. -Tasting Spoons (4.5/5): tasting spoons were extremely fresh. We loved the amberjack with truffle oil as it was so refreshing! -Mozuku (4/5): not sure why I had a craving for this. It was a nice palate cleanser at the start of our meal -Hamachi Truffle (3.5/5): this is the only thing we ordered that I would pass on. It was good, but not too different from Hamachi Truffle you can get at other sushi restaurants in SF. -Salmon Skin Salad (5/5): a must! I was hesitant to order this, but the server recommended it to us! The salad itself had such a nice and tart house dressing, and the salmon skin was chef's kiss! The skin itself was so crispy and had generous chunks of perfectly-cooked salmon tucked beneath the skin -Nigiri (5/5): We definitely went too ham but our favorites included the golden snapper, spanish mackerel, chu-toro, and king salmon belly. -Negitoro roll (5/5): Wow, such a small but mighty roll. The minced toro literally melted in my mouth and was so fresh, and the rice to fish ratio was amazing. -Negihama handroll (5/5): the seaweed isn't as crisp as the handrolls from its sister restaurant, Saru Handroll Bar, but it was a BIG handroll! The rice was cooked well and there was a generous amount of yellowtail, paired with refreshing scallion. A must try in SF! Queue before opening to snag a spot :) read more

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Dined in at Saru for a special occasion after a last-minute change of plans due to rainy weather. Luckily, there was no wait around 6:30pm on a Sunday night. The only option at that time was indoor seating. Omakase was the main goal, which was achieved. An 8 piece and a 12 piece were ordered. All of the 8 pieces were included in the 12, but they came in different sequences. My favorite of all the pieces was the crab. Don't get me wrong, everything was fresh and delicious. An order of the Tasting Spoon was also ordered. Each order comes with 2 spoons, scallops and torotoro were selected. I really enjoyed the scallops, which tasted naturally sweet. The torotoro melted in my mouth. I wished another order of the Tasting Spoon was ordered. Part of the experience is knowing what you're eating. The waitress did a great job of explaining each piece and came by regularly. I know that everyone has different preferences when it comes to ambiance. For me, this would've been a 5-star experience if the interior was just a little brighter. Although I was seated next to the window, it started to get dark so I had to really look closely at each piece of fish. The place is dim, but the chef's area is well-lit. Think I'm starting to show my age when I prefer well-lit interiors compared to dim interiors. #29/2022 read more

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I've been coming to this place for the past 10 years; the first time was when I had first moved to the city as a fresh college grad, and up till that point, I'd never realized food in general could taste that good before. Having been to other places like sushi shin, sushi shio, kusakabe, The Shota, Sushi Hon, Hinata, Wako, all of these places have been either highly elevated experiences, but incredibly expensive; or they've been so incredibly shit/disappointing that I wouldve preferred a filet-o-fish and some fries. Saru, over the 10 years I've been coming here, hasn't always been consistent (they've changed quite a bit, things have certainly gotten more expensive, and there have been times where seasoning and quality of the fish was just not as good as my previous visit), but you will be hard pressed to get the same level of service, quality and flavor at the price point they offer; I never fail to come back to this place at least 4-5 times a year to get their nigiri omakase. You can't go wrong with any of the apps they serve at this place either, and it's always been my favorite spot to take my partner out for a casual, cozy and romantic dinner. read more

Sushi cuts no one else has with great rice! Better than most in the city and it's great they let you order one piece at a time so you can try different things. Also it's nice to have gratuity built into the cost on the menu. Engawa, golden eye snapper, and daily specials are worth it. read more

Can't believe we have been living here for 2 years and haven't gotten the chance to sit down at Saru until tonight. This was such an unbelievable experience I had to post a review the same evening. My fiancé and I did the 12-piece Omakase and it was absolutely delicious. Our host/server was so sweet and knowledgeable. She recommended a great appetizer and a great sake to enjoy with our Omakase. We finished with an order of Santa Barbara Uni - it's a must! Our chef at the counter was excellent! read more

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This was my first ever omakase experience, and it was quite amazing! I had heard great things about this spot from a friend, and was really excited to try it out. They don't do reservations, so you have to come in person and put your name down on the waitlist. Once the table is ready, they'll call you in. We ended up coming around an hour after opening at 6:30, and got seated at 7:30. We got a nice high table inside which was really nice. The inside of the restaurant is quite tiny, which explains the wait. Between the three of us we each ordered the 8 piece omakase nigiri tasting, as well as the white out roll and negitoro roll. Rather than being served one piece at a time, they serve four at a time instead. From the first round, my favorite was definitely the chutoro -- so soft and literally melted in my mouth! From the second round, I loved the mackerel and scallop. Everything was so fresh and delicious, though! They even gave a complimentary sponge cake at the end of round two which was delicious. The two rolls we got were also spectacular, especially the white out roll. The fish was SO soft and it might have been one of the best rolls I've had in my life. This place is definitely pricey, but honestly on the cheaper end for omakase. Expect to spend a good amount, but I'd say its worth it for the experience especially if you've never had something similar. I'd highly recommend it! read more

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