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    Tokyo Express

    3.6 (259 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Japanese
    Closed 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Order Tokyo Express Takeout or Delivery

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    TOKYO EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Salmon teriyaki
    Robert K.

    Have been coming to Tokyo Express for over 20 years, and the quality and taste have never changed. The portions are decent compared to other Japanese restaurants in downtown SF. The service is always nice and friendly because the owners are behind the counter, and they know how to take care of their customers. As long as I'm working in downtown FIDI, I'll continue coming here.

    menu
    Jeff H.

    Tokyo Express, back in the early 2010's, used to be really popular with a line during lunchtime. Some of my old co-workers used to enjoy coming here. Business has sure when downhill since the pandemic. There was only one other table occupied at lunch time on a Wednesday. The staff was really busy however packing up to-go orders. I had their Wednesday special, the tonkatsu $13. The pork fillet was a bit dry and not juicy, tender and properly cooked. The panko had a nice crunch. It did come with an alright tonkatsu sauce. With this dish, it should come with shredded cabbage served with a miso-ginger dressing or Japanese sesame dressing, but it didn't come with it. Since this is not an authentic Japanese restaurant, I didn't knock off stars for that. Service was non-existent as this is an order at the counter style restaurant and no tea or water was served. There was a free cup of miso soup and my food came out in a reasonable amount of time.

    Alaskan Maki & Spicy Tuna Roll (Monday Special)
    Shannon P.

    We go here for convenience. The chicken teriyaki and salmon teriyaki are the best things to order, unless you get a very simple roll. The sashimi isn't the greatest grade of fish and doesn't seem fresh. The gentleman taking orders seems new so it's best to very clear exactly what you'd like. The website is very outdated so here are better pictures of the menu. Honestly, I'm on the hunt for a better sushi place in FiDi.

    "Baked " sushi on top of the Tiger Roll
    Ajalon W.

    Came here last Friday and everything was great so I came back and I ordered a tiger roll which indicates the salmon is baked . It is in fact not baked but looks like it's torched and only at the top the bottom of the salmon was still completely raw . when I called to inform them in hopes of remaking it so I can enjoy jt I kinda felt like I was being gas lit the lady said "it's (the salmon ) not cooked well done we don't cook it like that. I said but it says baked salmon the bottom is completely raw , she said maybe you ordered the wrong thing , you don't eat raw sushi I tell her no , she says again we don't cook it well done " I just said ok . It's unfortunate because I thought I found a new spot to eat lunch at but I realize that I wasn't going to get any where in the conversation and didn't want to go through the process of the refund to my credit card so it's a lesson learned but it's very false advertised

    Chicken udon
    Cynthia P.

    I'm back at my go to Financial District Japanese restaurant. Their food is always solid and taste great. My favorite is their chicken udon. I love that they use grilled chicken in the soup, unlike other Japanese restaurant that use broiled chicken. The flavor is great and service is quick. It is a fast casual restaurant which you pay at the counter.

    Beef Teriyaki
    Alina L.

    Portion sizes were good for the entrees! I ordered a beef teriyaki plate that was served with rice and miso soup on the side! Originally was planning to order some sushi too, but the entree filled me up! I think the beef was cooked and seasoned well - was actually pretty tasty!

    Unagi Donburi
    Sarah L.

    Ordered the unagi donburi ($14) takeout for lunch on a Thursday. Service was fast and got the food after about a 10min wait. The portion was generous for the price and the food was edible but would I order it again? Probably not. I had plenty of unagi donburi before and this is not the best one. First of all, if you are looking for high quality fish, this is probably not the right place to go. The frozen unagi I brought from Asia markets is better in quality than the one here. The eel here is really thin and the sauce is too sweet and thick for my preference. I got the white rice but you can substitute for brown rice. The rice is well cooked but it's not the good quality Japanese rice. Comparing to other unagi donburi I had before, I like that this place is very generous on the veggies. It came with pickled radish, carrots, broccoli, and cabbage as well as a side salad, a pan fried egg and a miso soup. This is a good place to go if you are looking for cheap Japanese food in the area but don't expect the quality to be good.

    Dragon Roll
    Angela L.

    This place is always pretty busy during lunch time. I gave it a three stars because the portion is really small although the food tastes good. Food: Dragon roll 3.5/5 Eel, avocado, and crab meat Chicken soba 4.5/5 Perfect for a cold weather! It has tofu, seaweed, and fish cakes in it. It also comes with a side salad and edamame. What a great combo! The only thing is that some chicken breast is burnt:( Double salmon roll 3/5 Really tiny double salmon roll... I wouldn't recommend. California roll 3.5/5

    Tokyo Express, Sacramento Street, San Francisco
    Samantha K.

    I was walking in San Francisco and found this restaurant and decided to try it. It does a good lunch business - both sit down and take out. I had their house sushi roll, which was very tasty. It does take some extra time to make. The place has complementary hot tea. Service is also quite good. One orders at the counter and then they deliver to one's table. You put a number on the table so they can find you.

    Alice X.

    After trying a bunch of stuff from Tokyo Express, I've decided that my favorite on the menu is their chicken teriyaki bento box! They make it good here and they give you TONS of chicken. Their chicken isn't dry at all! I kinda wish they would give you a little bit more rice to go with the chicken! Their bento boxes also comes with a salad and miso soup. Sometimes I order California rolls to go with my bento box when I'm in a starving mood. Tokyo Express is also the cheapest spot in SF Fidi for chicken teriyaki bento box.

    Inside Restaurant

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    2 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Fair and reasonable price and good portions for lunch. Honestly just very solid lunch food. Nice service as well

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    I came back and had the rainbow roll special. It was delicious thank you . I'll be back.

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    2 years ago

    Always fresh ingredients. Always good service..and great price! Owner and staff are welcoming!

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    We got the chicken teriyaki and chicken katsu. They were both ok. However the food arrived onsite and we appreciated that.

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    2 years ago

    This is my go to during the work week. I usually take lunch 1 to 2 days a week. Fresh, very affordable, clean and comfortable.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Tokyo Express Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tokyo Express

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    KUSAKABE

    KUSAKABE

    4.6(1.2k reviews)
    0.1 miFinancial District
    $$$$

    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!

    WOW!!! That's it,…read morethat's the review. No, but in all seriousness, I visited Kusakabe for the 18 course Omakase (my first) and it was such a fantastic experience. Our server was so attentive and thoughtful and really helped make the entire experience so much fun. This was also some of - if not the best - sushi I have ever had. Everything was extremely fresh and the fish melted like butter in my mouth. Every course was extremely flavorful and just truly deliberate; there was a story behind everything. They also have a really great sake list and our server recommended delicious pairings that went well with each course. I genuinely cannot wait to go back and experience another Omakase here!

    Photos
    KUSAKABE - Zen bathroom

    Zen bathroom

    KUSAKABE - Otsumami...

    Otsumami...

    KUSAKABE - Eight Kinds of Sushi

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    Eight Kinds of Sushi

    Shoji - Uni Amaebi Don: Soy marinaded raw sweet shrimp, santa barbara uni, ikura, soy marinated yolk ($44 +$3 nori)

    Shoji

    4.2(530 reviews)
    0.5 miFinancial District, SoMa
    $

    Love the unique flavor profiles! I especially liked the chicken sando and the cheesy fries.read more

    Made reservations for a Saturday. We arrived a little early but there were no tables available at…read morethe time of our arrival; however, she was able to seat us about 15 minutes before our reservation time. Reservations are highly recommended as we observed many walk-ins but there was a 1+ hour wait. Also, must be 21+. It's not an extensive menu - more like small bites. Appreciate the selection of Zero proof drinks. Hubs happy with the NA Suntory. I went with the Dashi Apple which was quite refreshing. Kiddo ordered the Miyabi which was quite floral. We ordered food items to share. Started with the Tebasaki (chicken wings). Kiddo liked these so much she ordered another one. Next, the pork jowl - some pieces were just fat but the meat was seasoned well. Loved the pear and pineapple kimchi - would've liked a bowl of that. The Tori Nanban Sando was another good one. The Shoji Burger is what hubs came for. Fork and knife definitely need to eat this. Pillowy soft bread, melty cheese, and the pickles all made for a tasty burger. Hubs would return for this alone. Ended our meal with the Hojicha Affogato - so good and such an enjoyable way to end our meal. We weren't rushed at any time. Service was good in that they checked on us often. I'd like to visit during the day time to check out their cafe offerings. Also, although not right away, we'd definitely return again for dinner.

    Photos
    Shoji - Inside

    Inside

    Shoji - Matcha einspanner

    Matcha einspanner

    Shoji - Mocha: Espresso, dandelion chocolate, steamed milk ($6) + Matcha Einspänner: Seion matcha, milk, house sweet cream, kinako ($7)

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    Mocha: Espresso, dandelion chocolate, steamed milk ($6) + Matcha Einspänner: Seion matcha, milk, house sweet cream, kinako ($7)

    Sanraku

    Sanraku

    3.9(2k reviews)
    0.6 miLower Nob Hill
    $$

    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

    Photos
    Sanraku
    Sanraku
    Sanraku

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    Katsuya - Chicken katsu.

    Katsuya

    4.1(327 reviews)
    0.3 miFinancial District
    $$

    "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.

    Truthfully, I didn't know what I was in for in visiting Katsuya. Apparently I wasn't alone…read more Arriving for a work lunch during lunch hours, one thing we did know, as a group of 5, is that we immediately needed to grab a seat while we figured it out. From there, I definitely felt like I was in some sort of clue based, escape room style, "figure-it-out" gameshow. Once settled, my group struggled to find a menu apart from one on the wall above the order kiosk (which was difficult to view from our table). We also had a time deciphering that not one but two restaurants occupied the space, each with their own menu. Woohoo, clue unlocked! Apparently we missed out on complimentary miso, but after ordering, and a short wait, we were rewarded with sandwiches! Although these sandwiches were beautiful and fragrant, the vibe at the table was sheer surprise! These meals are huge, and in addition to your sandwich, they arrive with multiple sides. All things said and done, they offer an impressive meal at a competitive price. Just make sure to read the Yelp reviews first so you're in the know!

    Photos
    Katsuya - Plenty of seats, usually empty apart from the workday lunch rush

    Plenty of seats, usually empty apart from the workday lunch rush

    Katsuya - Chicken Katsu

    Chicken Katsu

    Katsuya - Cheese Katsu Sandō

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    Cheese Katsu Sandō

    Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill - Katsu Curry

    Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill

    4.0(1.8k reviews)
    0.2 miChinatown
    $$

    To break from my standard order of their amazing Katsu Chicken, the host suggested Chicken Karaage…read more- which is made from chicken thighs, cooked in a rich sauce, and not breaded (which the Katsu is) - really good flavor and a great recommendation! Will consider this again!

    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.

    Photos
    Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill - Inside, takeout with a small area on the right to eat

    Inside, takeout with a small area on the right to eat

    Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill - Katsu curry with rice and pickles 9/14/23! Yum

    Katsu curry with rice and pickles 9/14/23! Yum

    Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill - Cute art wall

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    Cute art wall

    Tokyo Express - sushi - Updated June 2026

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