We came here on a Friday night on a recommendation by a friend. The wait for a party of three was roughly 30 minutes. While we were initially seated by the bar, we were later moved to one of the two table booths in this small but rather cute restaurant. Ambiance was simple and quant - ideal for a casual date/hang out with friends. Service was slow, but expected in this 3-4 staff run joint. It is cash-only so come prepared. Presentation for the food was spot on. I would've however appreciated that the nigiri sushi was plated separately from the maki rolls as the Smoked Salmon Roll came with sauce that did seep onto the nigiri fish. Sake (Salmon) Sashimi: My favourite. The sashimi pieces were just fatty enough to melt in my mouth. Paired with the lemon, it brings out the flavour so perfectly. Serving was small (4 pieces for $14) but considering how rich it is in taste, you wouldn't want too much of it. Hamachi Nigiri: While it was $8 for two pieces, the fish serving was generous. Tasted fresh and neutral. The rice went very well with the fish. Seasoning was on point; texture was glutinous without it being too wet. Would have appreciated if the Hamachi came out first before the Salmon, but that's out of personal preference. Smoked Salmon Roll: I was rather disappointed by this Roll just because it didn't live up to what I imagined it would be. For $9.50, it was quite expensive (although subjective as I come from Vancouver where sushi is inexpensive and good tasting). The microgreens, a tab bit overpowering along with the inadequately baked salmon skin made for a mediocre tasting smoked salmon roll. Would skip this and try other maki rolls. Altogether, I spent just north of $30 (tax+tip incl). I would recommend it for those who haven't been, but it wouldn't become my go-to-neighbourhood sushi restaurant . It is definitely on the higher end of the pricing spectrum so expect to to pay $30-$40 for its authenticity and quality of food but not for its overall dining experience. read more

Sushi Zone - Smoked Salmon Roll & Hamachi Nigiri Sushi - $9.50 & $8, respectively - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Consistent and reliable sushi. Baked bass and mussels are interesting and delicious, unexpectedly :) It used to be quite tight indoors and also smelled Smoky/greasy so I appreciate the post-lockdown change to outdoor and also with takeout available. read more

I've been dreaming of coming here for years. Friends have talked it up and even after living in SF, I never made it. But FINALLY, after a recent trip to The City, I was able to indulge in the glory of Sushi Zone. We arrived on a Wednesday evening around 6pm, we waiting for about 30 minutes for a table for 3. Friendly staff, but you have to know where the sign in sheet is. ;) The baked mussels are a must have. They're the best part of the menu, flavorful, creamy, and my personal favorite- no slurping like oysters. We ordered 5 rolls to share amongst the 3 of us, and it was perfect. We left feeling full but not over the top stuffed stuffed. Highly recommended. But only if you order the mussels. :) read more

Sushi Zone - Baked Mussels, 2 per order. - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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In my opinion Sushi Zone is hands down the best sushi place in SF. It doesn't look like much from the outside and has a causal name but their sushi is top notch. The fish is consistently fresh and delicious. The staff is always so kind and helpful. Also the prices are incredibly cheap for the quality of sushi. I recommend the stuffed jalapeño as a starter if you like baked sushi. My husband loves their nigiri, especially the albacore. A consistently excellent sushi restaurant! read more

Great authentic Sushi spot. They are real Japanese chefs and servers. The food was delicious, fresh, and meticulously prepared. This place is a little small, and there usually is a wait (about 40 mins - 1 hour) but it's well worth the wait. The ambiance is cool. Simple and quant little spot. This place is cash only so come prepared. We ordered the baked mussel appetizer, 2 pieces come in one order - $7 well worth it! Definitely a must try. It was one of my favorite dishes of the night. Next we got the King California roll (not slathered in mayo and made with real Alaskan crab vs the imitation crab meat like usual spots) $9, Hawaiian 2 Roll, Hamachi and macadamia nuts roll - $9, and lastly the Rainbow roll. It was packed with a fresh assortment of sashimi on top (hamachi, albacore, red tuna, red snapper, and delicious eel) inside was wrapped with shisito leaves, avocado, and some cucumbers for crunch. Totally a great date spot or a spot to hang with friends! Would definitely be back! read more

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Sushi wasn't fresh, they didn't bring a spoon for the miso soup by the time they did my soup was cold, waiter had attitude, the pickle radish roll was bitter even the pickle ginger was way too tart . I eat at a lot of sushi places,, this was by far the worst. read more

I have such mixed feelings about writing this Sushi Zone review when I think about past vs. recent experiences. I remember when I first tried this place and being really impressed with the flavor and quality of their sushi rolls. However, I don't know if it is just the loss of novelty or if the quality has fallen off, but on my most recent visits, I thought the sushi was good but not mind-blowing. I also noticed that the rolls were not very well-constructed, with several pieces falling apart. It's a small restaurant that usually has a long wait, and I think the female server deserves kudos for managing the various customers and never seeming bothered or frazzled. However, during my recent visit, I noticed that the chef making the sushi rolls ate something off of his hands before going right back to making sushi! Although I've never seen this type of chef behavior before at Sushi Zone, I don't think I can go back if a chef considers that appropriate hand hygiene. However, if I aggregate my review and include my past, more positive experiences, I will give it an overall middle rating. Just keep an eye out on the chef's hands during dinner! read more

Probably the best sushi in town. The people who own it are super sweet and accommodating. The patio is super nice and dog friendly. Hawaiian rolls and baked mussel/bass are insaaaaaane. Would give them 6 stars if I could. read more

"This place is literally a hole in the wall!" remarked my visiting friend as we stood in front of the doorway, still studying our phones to see if Google Maps had brought us to the correct place. While this shop is very small and probably seats only 20 people max (1 bar + 2 tables), it still provides a nice dining experience. Just make sure you're not running on a tight schedule since you will probably be waiting a long while to sit, and a long while longer for your food (there is only one sushi chef). I think we actually waited close to an hour before we were able to eat. However, my friend and I were both very impressed by how fresh the fish was. This is no doubt some great quality sushi. I'd recommend the sashimi or Chef's choice combo platters if you have the money to spend, but it seems like the most popular items to order are the maki rolls. My friend and I ordered a tuna and yellowtail maki, Alaskan roll, Rainbow roll, and Hawaiian Roll #2. They were each very delicious, but I think the Rainbow roll and the Hawaiian Roll #2 were the most substantial. Prices are reasonable for sushi in San Francisco--anticipate spending $25-50 depending on what you choose to order and how hungry you are. Overall, it's a nice hidden gem of a sushi restaurant with great quality fish for the price point. read more

SHOW UP EARLY AND PUT YOUR NAME DOWN to ensure a seat asap. Parking: street, meter, muni Food: FRESH & DELICIOUS. After a year, I finally found a good time to try this place out. The Alaskan Roll was super delicious, as well as the Hawaiian roll #1, spicy salmon roll, etc. Basically anything on the menu. (it is a bit pricy here, so the bill can add up, but come with friends and split and share!) i'm definitely coming back read more

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You've got to have plenty of patience for Sushi Zone. And for those of us who do, this place is well-worth it! And you've got to have a plan. After walking by this place and ALWAYS seeing it crowded inside with people (eating and/or waiting), and a crowd outside (waiting), we finally made the plunge and worked our way inside to get our names on to "the list." And that's the key thing to a successful dinner here, GET YOUR NAME ON TO "THE LIST." Do not be shy, do not be intimidated, don't hesitate and then let any more people get listed before you. Then for "the wait," try to get to some of the "waiting stools," or there is also a small bench by the door. Plant yourself and ask the friendly waitress for an ice-cold Japanese beer (I am loving Sapporo) and a bowl of Edamame. A nice way to make that wait not so painful (also a nice time to catch up on reading that novel or gossip rag). And you may have to wait outside, and if it's cold outside you gotta have something comfy and warm to wrap around you and your date. Once we got to one of the 2 booths, we knew exactly what we wanted and got the order in lickety-split (that means quickly). We also got some recommendations from the waitress for the appetizers, and she dazzled us with some delicious dishes. And then once the Sushi and Sashimi arrived, all was well with the world. All fresh, all delicious, can't say enough about how much we all enjoyed the meal. And now I that I've got the hang of it....I will let my inner Sushi-Warrior take me again to Sushi Zone. read more

The wind was at our backs this evening when we happened by Sushi Zone just as they were opening. We snagged two seats at the bar and settled in, ordering miso soup and edamame to stave off impending hunger. Being Sushi Zone novices we did not get any of the hot dishes and went straight for the sushi: spicy tuna roll, yellowtail with scallion and mango, unagi, saba and maguro. My traditional companion was not a fan of the yellowtail with scallion and mango. As the more adventurous one in our pairing, and a lover of juicy, ripe mango, I thought it was delicious. However, my favorite by far was the spicy tuna roll which arrived studded with avocado - a nice surprise. On a misty, cold San Francisco night opt for some of Sushi Zone's hot specialties. From a modest toaster oven comes many delights: baked mussels, shiitake mushroom with salmon and jalapeno peppers stuffed with albacore. Both the salmon and tuna are spreads - chunks of fish in very rich, creamy sauces dolloped on either the shell of a jalapeno or the shiitake cap and allowed to brown. They're inspirational - what else might be possible with a toaster over? I long to know! On a busy night, when the sushi chef is a little behind, get some of these hot dishes (made by a different chef). They go especially well with beer. We learned this after envying the orders of everyone around us and finally opting to get some of our own. In future, we'll get the hot stuff at the start of the meal. Dinner for two tonight was potentially the best $70 (that's including tax, tip and beer) I spent on this visit to San Francisco. I don't know how, given the size and scope of Sushi Zone, the meal could have been any better. read more

I've been here a few times, all when I was unemployed. How else are you supposed to get here before 5PM to make sure you're one of the first 10 people to avoid a long wait? (2 or 3 tables and then sushi bar seats) If you're not in the first seating, expect to be seated sometime around 6:30. Maybe longer since it takes awhile to service the customers with the minimal staff (chef, 1 waitress, and 1 grunt guy . . . mostly doing menial tasks?!? come on. get this guy making more food!). That said, I really enjoy eating here. Always good fish and always at the sushi bar. The chef is a funny guy who likes to chat with the customers. The last time I went, my friend and I were talking about jam bands and the show we were going to see at the Warfield later that night. We were regaled with a story about when he saw Phil Lesh at the Warfield and got to go back-stage to meet the band just a couple weeks earlier. Maybe that's why the time between ordering and receiving your food is so long? Well, that and the fact that the other dude doesn't seem to make any food except the simplest of rolls. Solid 4 stars. Remember. First seating or go elsewhere . . . IMO, of course! :) read more

Baked bass with mango app was delicious! Rolls: - Rock N Roll- Good but nothing special. - Hawaiian #2- A unique combo of flavors and textures that worked, with buttery and flaky albacore, sweet mango, and slightly salty and crunchy macadamia nuts. - Hama-masa- My favorite of the three. Simple, but fresh and tasty. My bf and I arrived shortly after opening, but with limited seating and only one sushi chef, we ended up waiting a long time. Good sushi at a very reasonable price, but don't know if it's worth the wait. read more

S ushi Zone is amazing U nbelievably affordable for the quality you get S imply one of my favorites in San Francisco -- or anywhere H ad waited an hour once just to get seated I t's worth it, trust me Z esty Spicy Hamachi roll... O rgasmic, melt-in-your-mouth Spicy Mango Salmon roll... N o-words-can-explain-how-good-it-is Baked Bass... E very bite is wonderful read more

Sushi Zone - mmmmm... Baked Bass. So good, sharing is not an option. - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Spicy Himachi roll & Hawaiian #2 roll with an order of baked mussels. This is all you need to know.

We love Sushi Zone. My partner and I had our very first date here over 4.5 years ago. We love the intimacy of the small restaurant and let me just say, if you have to wait over an hour for a table, it is worth it! We just went back after 2 years and still recognize the same workers and the food tasted exactly how we remembered. This restaurant is near dear to our hearts and one of the best sushi places in all of SF. What to order: baked muscles, green house salad, Hawaiian roll 1 and 2, mango hamachi roll, Indian roll and spicy scallop. We will be back very soon Sushi Zone! read more

First off this is a small intimate restaurant as others have stated. That's part of its charm. There are two booths that seat 4 people each and the counter which seats 8. Maximum seating capacity is 16 if the booths are filled, most times there's just a couple occupying them. When you walk up to the place based on the size you should expect a wait if the tables/counter are full. For those who complain about having to wait, what would you rather have? 1) A wait and then a leisurely meal where you can savor it all at your pace. 2) No wait and a waitress who delivers indigestion as she encourages you to inhale your food and stands over you breathing down your neck to get you to gulp your tea and vacate your seat. If you get there and the tables are full, add your name to the whiteboard (it's on the sideboard). There's a bench near the door and four chairs against the sideboard for waiting. I recommend grabbing one of the chairs against the buffet so that you can watch the Sushi chef. While you wait you can enjoy a Sapporo or sake or nibble on some Edamame. We've waited both times we've gone here - a little over an hour the first time and almost 2 hours the second time. There's a rhythm to the waiting - some people come in, list their names, and reappear just as the seats with their name open up. NOTE: If you wander and then come back to discover that your name has been passed, don't despair. The server will seat you when the next table comes open. The first time I came here I didn't know to get the baked sea bass with mango. A friend told me we absolutely had to get it the next time and we'd forgotten about it until we were waiting we saw a baked concoction on mussel shells go by us. It was as good as we'd been told. If you're with another person, don't get just 1 order (2 pieces for each of you), get your own order! Also, if you have the choice between a booth or the counter, I'd recommend the counter. When we sat at the booth, the chef wasn't able to judge our pace and sent out the sushi at the same time. At the counter we were able to enjoy each plate on its own. Sushi is meant to be savored from the start as your eyes feast on the presentation to finish as your mouth experiences a symphony of balanced flavors. read more

Sushi Zone - Hama Negi, Papaya Unagi, Rainbow Roll, Hawaiian Roll #2 - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I love Sushi Zone! It has become our Friday night tradition through this pandemic. Amazing food and wonderful service! Support your local businesses and spread the love! read more

Sushi zone is tiny, and can probably only seat about 20 people. However the sushi is super fresh and authentic. It is a three man show, one sushi chef, one waitress, and one dishwasher. With that said, they actually do get to your order fairly quick. The wait time can be pretty long, and the orders are relatively small. Don't come here starving or you will rack up a huge check. With that being said, some of the best sushi I have had in SF, and will definitely be going back. read more

Sushi Zone - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been enjoying Ao's sushi here since '99. His salmon (sake) nigiri is my favorite because he somehow adds the slightest hint of dill. The baked sea bass app is not to be missed. Your really aren't going to go wrong with any of the time-honored maki rolls, but I really just love the simple mango tuna or mango yellow tail. Always opt for at least one hand roll (Ao is sorta famous for these in the rock-and-roll world) and try something new every time. For me recently it was the uni, which I was informed was from Japan when Ao handed it to me. Expect long lines, but really, it's worth it. Try going on a rainy evening or when a big TV event is on to avoid some of the lines. Thanks again Ao for keeping it real all these years! You and the rest of the crew are awesome! read more

Rolls here are only okay. Okay price for the city, but don't think this place is anything special

When I first saw this place I thought to myself, "What's the big deal?" because there were about ten parties on the waiting list in front of us. This restaurant literally seats about 16 people max and four people who work here: one waitress/hostess, one sushi chef, and one su-chef cook also washed all the dishes. After I put my name down I asked the waitress, "Excuse me, how long is the wait?" She replies, "two hours." LOL!! Was feeling patient so we waited, so glad we did! Went back a few times already. FOOD: * Baked Sea Bass Appetizer - fresh sea bass and mango baked in a creamy mayo sauce is to die for :D It's slap yo mama good (Do Not slap yo mama after eating these). :) * Deluxe Sashimi Selection 14 pieces - freshest I've ever had, just wish butter fish was part of this selection. There was hamachi, taro, tako, maguro, salmon, albacore (?), and saba. * Spicy Hamachi Roll - nice chunks of fresh hamachi with slivers of jalapeno was perfect yum! (All rolls are $6.50). * Rock 'N Roll - BBQ eel, avocado, cucumber, and fish eggs was tasty. * Ama Ebi - best I've had. The body was so fresh and sweet, and the fried head was soo goood and not greasy at all. * Uni - was good, but I've had fresher. Service: The one waitress/hostess was on top of it! The whole time we waited she was clearing dishes and cleaning tables, seating people, taking orders, serving food and drinks, refiling water, taking drink orders for people who were waiting for tables. Waiting for a table here can make you thirsty! :) She rocked it! Great sushi at a well oiled establishment. GO GO GO!!! read more

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Anything with the word "zone" in it makes me think of Airplane! "Sushi Zone is for immediate loading and unloading of yummy fish only. There is no stopping in the white zone." Sushi Zone is certainly as delicious as Airplane! is hilarious. I don't get to come to this miniscule spot as often as I would like (that whole pesky problem of living on the other side of the US), but if I were to live in San Francisco, I'd be occupying a stool at Sushi Zone regularly. I'm old-fashioned with my sushi, so I order the sushi combo, and whoa, it's fantastical. Fair portion sizes, fresh from the sea, and very very tasty. The same can be said for the baked bass. Two women next to me ordered one of these appetizers for each of them which was actually a clever idea. Maybe I'll branch out next time, but for now, the baked bass and sushi combo make me as content as a giant clam. read more

Shhhh. Rate this place lower so the lines will be shorter. Starting to see Marina folks edge into this spot. Not having anything against the fine neighbors to the north, but for once can't we just enjoy a good spot without it showing up on the trend radar? Good? Everything on the menu. Especially the baked mussels, spicy scallop roll and (something not on the menu) the Alaskan crab hand roll. Bad? The wait. Really people, if you aren't prepared to wait 2 hours for good food, this is not the place for you. PS: Al loves you. That is all. read more

Sushi Zone - Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If you're willing to endure the wait, there is some bomb-ass sushi to be had here. Make sure to get there EARLY and make a bee-line for the mini-white-board list to put your name down. We got the name down for our group of four at 5pm on a Sat. evening, which was pretty much at opening time. Not good enough. There were three other groups of four in front of us, and we had to wait about an hour and fifteen minutes before we were seated at one of only two tables for four. After we were seated, it was about another 45-60min before we were served our main sushi. The wait is somewhat justified by the fact that there's only one sushi chef, and he obviously takes great attention to detail in his work, but just don't expect this to be an expedient affair. Now on to the actual food. This fish is legit. After waiting for an eternity, you're going to want to get your monies worth, so make sure you don't leave this place hungry. I got the Sushi Combination Platter, which featured six pieces of nigiri and a California Roll, and supplemented that with a Hawaiian Roll #2. The cali roll was average, but the nigiri was very impressive, with the salmon and albacore tuna standing out in particular. Next time, I'd probably just get a bunch of salmon nigiri and would be pretty damn happy with just that. The Hawaiian Roll #2 combined albacore tuna and mango for a refreshing taste, topped with macadamia nuts for a sweet/salty taste profile. Different, but definitely tasty. It came out to about $30ish per person on just food, no drinks, which isn't that bad considering the quality of fish. Just make sure to go with people you can have a deep and serious conversation with, because you're going to have a lot of time on your hands before you're stuffing your face. read more

Sushi Zone - Sushi Combination Plate + Hawaiian Roll #2 - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is super small and can accommodate about `12 -15 people. The prices are also pretty pricey, but their fish is pretty good...for the most part. The wait is really long and it is cash only. Most of the dishes average $12 Got sashimi platter + extra salmon and hamachi sashimi- not bad. Fish did not melt in the mouth but was yummy. No weird aftertaste. Hamachi roll- not bad Mussel roll- did not like it. mussel tasted weird Mango salmon roll [something like that] - ok The rolls were a bit too warm and mushy imo. Got a nice amount of fish but some of them had either too much rice or sauce :( uni nigiri- very small and expensive. not worth it at all and some of it was bitter :( I feel for the price I paid for this, I could go to another place and get yummier. Again, this place is just average, nothing too special, but they are pretty generous with their fish proportions. read more

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We've all encountered at least one location, restaurant, boutique, or hair stylist that is so fabulous that we want to selfishly keep it all to ourselves. Well, that's exactly how I feel about Sushi Zone--I would like to keep it as one of San Francisco's best kept secrets of all time. Unfortunately, I am too impressed NOT to share it with the world. My girlfriend from college willingly took me to this sushi joint under the single condition that I maintain its secrecy and authenticity as best I can. I remember walking up to this hole-in-the-wall restaurant immediately feeling a sense of joy within me. Anything THAT tiny (sits about 18 people MAX) with THAT many people squished inside either eating or patiently waiting to be seated...MUST be good. Unfortunately the word "good" does not cut it. Sushi Zone's food is beyond good; in fact, think of it as one of the best one-night stands you can remember. The food is orgasmic and doesn't leave you feeling guilty at the end of the night! The menu consists of many rolls and appetizers for only 6 dollars ;). What to order? Do yourself a favor and believe me when I say the Sea Bass with Mango, and the Mussels will blow your mind. Order more than one helping of each of those two appetizers and you will not be disappointed. Also make sure to order the spicy mussels roll; this is one of the freshest and most creative rolls I've had in a while. Sushi Zone, thank you for the wonderfully authentic--not to mention delicious--meal I've had in a while. read more

Sushi Zone - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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By far the best sushi I've ever had! The restaurant is tiny. It is literally just one room with two tables, some stools at the counter, one sushi chef, one waitress and one other worker behind the counter. We waited two hours to get seated and it was TOTALLY WORTH IT! I would definitely go back here and wait two hours all over again for this place. I went with my cousin and we just went next door to a bar and got drinks while we waited. You put your name on a white board and then you can leave and come back to check where you are in line. If you aren't there when they call your name, they'll go right back to you when you get back to the restaurant. When we went in to put our name on the white board they were playing some Bob Marley and then it was all Beatles while we were eating. It was a great experience! We sat at the counter and got to watch the chef make all of the sushi. The lone waitress was super attentive and friendly. I don't know what else to say about the sushi besides how fresh and delicious it tasted. Again, this place was definitely the best sushi I've ever had. We also got the hot sake and baked mussels. I definitely recommend the baked mussels as an appetizer. It was great getting to watch the chef prepare our food and then hand it to us. You see all the steps in the preparation of your food. Also, the prices are totally reasonable. I can't wait to go back to San Francisco so that I can go back to Sushi Zone! I highly recommend this place! read more

Sushi Zone - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Sushi Zone has been bookmarked for places to try for over a year. As the near year began, I wanted to tackle as many places to try on my growing list of bookmarks. When the opportunity came up to get sushi, I went to my bookmarks and went with Sushi Zone. Reading the reviews of the long wait was somewhat of a deterrent but if I wanted to knock Sushi Zone off my list, I just had to SUCK IT UP! Luckily, I didn't have to wait too long since Matt L. was waiting on a table while I got off work, drove to Sushi Zone and found parking. It is street parking in the area so it's the luck of the draw you find good parking. Sushi Zone is SMALL...REALLY SMALL! It seats 8 people at the bar and 2 booths with 4 seats in each...for a grand whopping total of 16 seats for the patrons to fight over. I got there a little late so Matt L. had to give our seat away to the next people on the list since the whole party has to be present for them to seat you. We ended up waiting another 30 minutes before we got seated. We got seated in the booth that fits 4 so we got a couple of nasty glares when we sat down. I thought we had to communal with another party but we had the whole booth to ourselves. The waitress came over and got us started with drinks, we had a large Sapporo. That came quickly and we were ready to order when she came back. We ordered the, Baked Mussells, Baked Bass, Spicy Hamachi Roll, Hawaiian Roll #2, Papaya Unagi, Scallop Roll and Sake (Salmon) Nigiri. The appetizers, Baked Mussells and Baked Bass came first. The Baked Bass was good but not really really good. The bass was a little over cooked so it had the tough feeling. I enjoyed the mango in the bass though. The Baked Mussells was AMAZING! Perfectly cooked! It was buttery good, wished I got 2 more. These are both baked and served in a mussell shell. (See http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/M175LTlKPJjAWREIUPyMGg?select=YxYdjiGc86rz-YD0R9pF5w and here http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/M175LTlKPJjAWREIUPyMGg?select=CWM2-LObYAxV1k3OrUsp_Q). It took a while for the rest of our rolls to come but we expected it since this place was PACKED and there is only one sushi chef behind the counter working his butt off. The rest of our rolls soon came in a big platter, Spicy Hamachi Roll (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/M175LTlKPJjAWREIUPyMGg?select=loGRPESSoT-C9r_YdCKgHA), Hawaiian Roll #2 (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/M175LTlKPJjAWREIUPyMGg?select=W-jEgXnPgCUYZ7adawCleQ), and Papaya Unagi (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/M175LTlKPJjAWREIUPyMGg?select=4ojs7fM0he8UaU0Mwboucg). Everything was super delicious and fresh. The Hawaiian Roll #2 was what I was looking forward to due to all the suggestions on Yelp and it did live up to the hype. The macadamia nuts on top added a great contrasting texture to the soft melt in your mouth goodness of the roll. We took a quick break from the food and got another beer, this time an Asahi. We flagged down our waitress (there's only one working the entire restaurant) and ordered 2 more dishes. We waited 25 minutes for the rest of our food to come. The Sake Nigiri (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/M175LTlKPJjAWREIUPyMGg?select=id_zuZQ4rt460t5NMJc9qA) was melt in your mouth good. The Scallop Roll (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/M175LTlKPJjAWREIUPyMGg?select=74u6cOM8660XjhmmCR7u5g) was my least favorite dish of the night, the scallop was super slimy and the texture was just weird to me. All in all, the meal took around 2.5 hours with waiting and eating. Overall, I enjoyed the food and the service at Sushi Zone. The food was fresh and a little different from other Japanese restaurants (fruit in the dishes) and the service was attentive. Props to our waitress for working so hard. It's CASH ONLY. I will definitely be back the next time I don't mind waiting for some BOMB Japanese food. read more

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Sushi zone is one of my all time favorite japanese spots in SF. Having been born and raised in this city, I've had my fair share of japanese restaurant explorations and I must admit, I find myself always coming back to the zone. It's a small restaurant with 9 spots at the bar and three tables for 4 ppl each totaling max capacity at 22 seats in the restaurant. It's a small venue and there's only one sushi chef and server per night so be prepared to attend with patience. Due to the minimal seating, plan to either arrive before it opens at 5pm every day or come at the very end (930pm). Arriving anytime in between will result in a 2 hour wait, no doubt. At most sushi places, I'll opt for the nigiri but the mango in the rolls here make it taste so fresh and it's not typically an option so I always maximize on the rolls! Here's my classics: Spicy tuna roll add mango (a must!) Hamachi mango Spicy salmon with mango Hama-masa Hawaiian#1 Spicy scallop handroll Baked Mussels Unagi nigiri read more

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This is the most delicious and generous sushi spot in the city, and we've been to nearly all. Largest cuts of sushi, great prices for the quality of the fish. It's super small, and sometimes you have to wait, but always worth it and we find we can sneak in if we aim to be on the early side. A beautiful Japanese-Italian couple runs this amazing little place and this is their labor of love. Favorites- baked bass, hamachi Kama, Hawaiian roll #2. Jasmine tea ice cream too! read more

This place is the best. Great service and awesome sushi. Awesome value and the baked mussels and sea bass are a must have Come support this local business! read more

They take their food seriously there and they are also very kind. I couldn't choose so I took the chef's option. It tasted as good as it looked and the whole plate was generous. The Japanese beer played well with it even thought it is a rather normal beer (not bad).u read more

Sushi Zone - The chef preparing my food :) - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

the best sushi ever? NO WAY. but...i have to say that the prices are amazing, serving sizes are generous, the service is friendly...your water and tea never reach remotely close to empty...and the sushi guy behind the counter is working his ass off! we got there around 5:30 this evening and the place was already full...they have 2 booths and 8 counter seats. we were 2nd on the list and we waited about an hour. there's only one guy making sushi...and all they really serve here is sushi...so put 2 and 2 together...and of course, the wait time stinks! the wait list fills up super quick so if you want to eat here, you should probably get here at 5pm on the dot or else expect to wait. we tried 3 different rolls: 1) spicy salmon and mango - the best roll out of the 3! this one seriously lit up all of my taste buds...it was spicy, sweet, and salty. i'm not usually into the foo foo stuff...but this one was pretty dang tasty. 2) unagi and papaya - eh...not so great. the papaya actually made the roll quite soggy. 3) hama masa - nothing special...covered in tobiko, filled with hamachi and avocado. the rice was a little mushy on this roll. i also ordered albacore nigiri and hirame nigiri. the fish on both of these were semi fresh...the size of the nigiri itself was good. if you're a serious sushi junkie like i am, then this place isn't for you. but if you have some friends who are just starting out and want to try something foo foo, then sushi zone is the best place to explore. remember, get here at 5 or else expect to wait! a solid 3.49 stars. read more

I was probably expecting too much as I was told by friends for years that this is their favorite sushi place in SF and there's always a line. The first time I tried to eat here, it was 8pm when the wait was over an hour so I didn't wait. I came back today when it opened and was quickly seated at the bar. I ordered the spicy hamachi roll and hawaiian roll no. 2 (albacore tuna, mango, and macadamia nuts). The friendly Japanese sushi chef quickly made and handed my sushi to me. The spicy hamachi tasted like ceviche with the lime and wasn't very spicy. The mangoes were very sweet as I saw the chef toss out the bad mangoes from the batch. The rolls contained a lot of rice compared to minced fish, which might be why the rolls were only $6.50. However, the rice was mushy today making the sushi not very good. I also tried the baked mussels and baked sea bass with mango ($5.50 each). Considering that the appetizers were baked in a toaster oven, they were tasty, but I didn't expect the mussels and sea bass to be chopped up. I thought I would get a whole piece of mussel and a cut or small fillet of sea bass. Instead, the sea bass was chopped, mixed and baked with cheesy mayo and mangoes in a mussel shell; the resulting baked sea bass tasted more like mayo than fish. read more

I really enjoy Sushi Zone however I do feel that it's lost its luster over the years. My best advice to people who have never been is don't count on the traditional rolls or pieces to be the best sushi in SF, but rather go for some of the specials offered that day or week. For example, I just had a dish with baked sea bass, a light mayo and mango sauce served inside a clamshell and it was absolutely epic. It put the sushi to shame. Be willing to wait, upwards of an hour, though one can get incredibly lucky simply by showing up at the right time (like I did my last visit). read more

Oishii.....delicious fresh fish! It was Friday evening and we were at Pearl and Market St. looking lost. The owner of a Chinese restaurant at the corner there, without saying a word, came outside and pointed a little ways down Pearl Street. So I guess we looked like sushi connoisseurs ;o) ...AND there it was...SUSHI ZONE behind bushy ficus trees. Put our name on the list and waited 45 minutes for seating. The server takes all orders even if you're sitting at the sushi bar leaving the one sushi chef uninterrupted to make his creations for the whole restaurant. There is a wait for your food, but it is part of the whole experience. Order some edamame and a tall Sapporo to pass the time. Ordered spicy tuna roll, Hawaiian Roll #2, unagi/papaya roll and masago. All the sushi pieces were large--each took two bites to eat. Along with the fresh fish, crunchy nori (seaweed), ripe avocado and papaya. No messy rolls drenched in sauces. Facts: CASH ONLY / 9 sushi bar seats / 2 tables of four read more

Sushi Zone - Hawaiian Roll #2 - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

8 seats at the sushi bar + 2 tables for four (YES, I counted :P) and that's the simple reason why you must wait. And of course, for the FISH!!! Try to come early and once you get here, zoom your way through the waiting crowd and head straight to the mini-white-board-waiting-list by the counter on the right. It's usually at least an hour wait, but it goes by quickly. My friend and I entertained ourselves with a walk around Haye's Valley and before we knew it, it was dinnertime baby! My friend and I both agreed, the sashimi is legit. We ordered a serving of my favorite hamachi and let me tell you, the chef was not conservative with the slicing at all. Even the fish in the Spicy Hamachi was thicker than what I had expected. It was so good! We also ordered the Baked Mussel and Baked Sea Bass and they were simply delicioussss. What baked seafood isn't? But there's a not-so-secret-super-cool ingredient ... mangos! Interesting huh. Try it for yourself. I would personally like to recommend the HAWAIIAN ROLL #2. I've never tasted anything like it before! Albacore tuna and mango topped with macadamia nuts. SAY WHAT?! Haha try it, it's truly unique! read more

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If I'm not hungry but could imagine, at some later hour, eating sushi--but I don't want to spend a bunch of money, Sushi Zone is the spot. But if I'm hungry, I'll pass (more on that later). Let me just say that in every aspect, this restaurant stands out among other susheateries as a beacon of fish and freshness, a paragon of things delicious and delicate, the envy of every sushi boat wannabe in every non Japanese city in the world! Great portions of fish, excellent rolls, amazing prices. Wonderful! As just about every review here testifies: you'll love the food and you wont' spend much (for sushi), I promise. Just don't come hungry. You'll most definitely wait an hour, maybe more depending on the night. There are two tables and about five bar stools with one chef frantically preparing gems of deliciousness in between cigarette breaks. I've been told "30 minutes more" and 2 hours later, I'm starving, bellicose and petulant and shoved food in my mouth so quick, I didn't taste a thing. The best thing to do is have a snack before you come--I'm not exaggerating when I say don't come hungry! And bring CASH ONLY! read more