Service= very friendly but our servers shirt was covered in pet hair...kind of gross in my opinion Food= the veggie rolls were a stand out Atmosphere= seating was not very comfortable. we had six women in our party and we were crammed around an odd oval shaped table. Homo factor= We were the only dyke customers in the restaurant but felt very welcome. Price= pricey for what you get Hostess=friendly. Bathroom= clean and stylish read more

Having recently moved up to this area from San Diego, I was anxious to find an awesome sushi place. Tsunami is hands down THE best place to go. Especially cool is their half-price specials on Saturday nights from 5:30-7. The food was served quickly and excellent quality-great variety and presentation. One slight complaint, but not a deal breaker-the staff can be a little snobby. One server the other night sort of looked down her nose at us the last time we were there and said 'I assume you are here for the half price sushi." Sorry to annoy you by trying to save money!! I really felt like I was not cool enough for the servers to pay attention to us. But whatever, sometimes I feel like that is just San Francisco...we still had a great meal and i would definitely go back read more

Ambiance: Modern interior. A mix of low tables with bank seating and high communal tables. YUM: The Spiders (everything and anything you can want in a roll), two miso soups Interesting: Yellow Submarine (shrimp tempura, egg omelet, Swiss cheese) Bottoms Up: Sapporo, Kirin Money Honey: $47 Notes: Beautiful restaurant with interesting rolls. Try the Yellow Submarine if you are adventurous. Overall, this place is just ok (I kinda liked the interior more than the rolls!). Eat it. Like it. Repeat on occasion. read more

Tsunami Panhandle - The yellow sub...notice the Swiss cheese and egg! - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I enjoyed my dinner here. The restaurant had great ambiance and service was very fast (the cups for water were tiny and I kept on finishing my glass, but despite the crowd they were able to fill it up in less than a minute each time). It's in a great location for me so I'm not sure why I haven't come here sooner for dinner! My favorite was the 8-piece sashimi plate--the sashimi was SO fresh and delicious, namely the tuna and halibut. We also ordered two of the signature rolls: the sesame salmon roll and the volcano roll. WOW was the volcano roll hot--I ended up pushing out half of my jalapenos because I'd rather taste my sushi. Spicy is one thing, but they definitely should have taken the seeds out of those massive chunks of jalapenos. I also wasn't a fan of the sesame rolls because the oil was just too much for me. Those two signature rolls just didn't seem like sushi to me--just an extremely Americanized attempt. Still, the ingredients were all very fresh and the service was nice. However I don't think some of their seating arrangements were very fire-friendly, because it took five minutes for me to get out of my seat (I was seated at one of the long tables in the middle with two people to either side and a full row of people directly behind me--had to get so many people to scoot in and still I could barely squeeze out). Because of the location, great service and delicious freshness of the seafood, I might come back again, but it is very overpriced (plus, servings were very small) and the signature rolls (and my inability to leave my seat) just weren't up to par. But maybe next time I'll try something new and it'll be delicious--the rolls definitely LOOKED beautiful! read more

Tsunami Panhandle - Volcano Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Premier-priced sushi let down by seriously bad service. You've got 8-9 incredible restaurants in 8 blocks that will treat you right--giving this one a pass until things improve. read more

Expensive. Half-pint beers for $9, average sushi, mandatory 20% tip included. Won't go back.

I had no idea they had as many different kinds of Sake as they had by looking at the outside of the place, but daaaamn! I swear their sake list was 2 pages full of small print. Happy Hour means cheap sake coctails too which were pretty good. The sushi was ok, maybe above Mall sushi, but I'm willing to bet it was just an off day since the other reviews were pretty good. read more

Was the sushi good ? NO ! Terrible service. We got a $60 bottle of sake that was good, and it was happy hour priced at $30 , but still not THAT good. I got the weakest spicy tuna hand roll ever, didn't know you could mess it up that bad....the sushi chef was a white guy who looked like the missing link to Harold and Kumar. 45 minutes after ordering we got our main rolls. Total EH. The waitress was nice and kinda sexy, but seriously, this place is some hipster bullshit.... I could recommend at least 20 sushi joints in the BAY that own this spot. SKIP! read more

We came here for a quick dinner and ordered the 16 piece Omakase and a Sesame Salmon Go roll. The omakase impressed us, thick slices of fresh sashimi. The roll was a bit disappointing. While I didn't mind the strong sesame oil flavor, the salmon was comparatively less tastier than the pieces we had in the omakase. It was too mushy tasting. read more

Tsunami Panhandle - sashimi omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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March 2020 updated review Well Let's put it this way... This is the sushi restaurant that you really want to love... However, the service is one level below a Walmart in Black Friday. It's like they've never had a busy Friday night....service was incompetent and embarrassing. Bar/Restaurant/ya Food on the other hand was okay ... would say the management has knowledge that they used to be great and now just average. Is it required to put jalapeños on absolutely everything? Maybe this is really a Tex-Mex sushi restaurant located in San Francisco. I eat sushi at a new restaurant every week in San Francisco, I would suggest find somewhere new and don't come here read more

Dark and reddish ambiance, loud, diverse, friendly. Waitresses were all very sweet and friendly. I just tried various rolls. The fish were all fresh, rolls held well, not too big, not too small - just right to fit the whole piece into my mouth comfortably. My one complaint: the volcano roll which contains spicy tuna wasn't very spicy. I always order spicy tuna at every sushi restaurant, and Tsunami's spicy tuna disappointed me - no zing at all. Over all though, it's worth eating here. JONASAPPROVED! read more

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This place has always been one of my favorites, and still is. Victoria is a wonder woman. Get your asses over there and enjoy the great food & the great people turning it into some magic rendez-vous like. read more

Tsunami and I sort of have a love-hate relationship. But I do have to say, they are open late(ish) in comparison to most other places on the block. So thank you for that. If it is indeed late, and you find yourself here, then surely sit at the bar where the emotionally-intelligent bartenders will take good care of you. Have a carafe of sake, order a roll and enjoy your late-evening snack. You can never go wrong with the spicy tuna roll. If you are short on change, it's probably better to hit up the hotdog cart in front of the Independent, but if you are street-food averse, and have a bit of cash flow, then this is the spot for you. read more

A little bit pricey but Tsunami has some creative and fresh sushi! They offer a good mix of classic sushi rolls and special house rolls, plus oysters. They are great with groups and offer half off specials during happy hour for select appetizers and rolls. Everyone is friendly and their wall of sake bottles is quite impressive. I loved the hamachi stuffed shiitake appetizer and thought the wagyu beef nigiri was interesting... It was tasty but not as good as a wagyu steak, which was expected. read more

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We've wanted to try tsunami for awhile, and I had just stumbled upon a groupon, so it seemed like the perfect time to go. We were kind of disappointed for what we got for the price. We got the omekase sashimi, which was decent. We also got the magic mushrooms and two other rolls, which again, were decent, but underwhelming and small. The drinks sounded promising, but were disappointing and flat. We left with a $100 bill (on top of what we already paid for the groupon) and were still hungry, so we went to satisfy our hunger at Popeyes next door. All in all, the food was decent and the ambiance was hip and modern, but it was pretty overpriced and portions were small. Maybe plan on having a second dinner. With so many great and affordable sushi places around the area, I'm not sure I would come back. read more

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Generally the girls are nice and friendly. Service on a whole takes awhile. Average for me is 30-40 for food which can be frustrating. read more

Went on a Friday night right when happy hour was ending. Server was nice and let us still order happy hour, which was great because it's expensive. The omakase sashimi with a beer for under $30 was the best deal. It was busy but not too crowded so it's a good place if you want to relax and not feel rushed. Also had the salmon roll with sea salt, refreshing and clean taste. Relaxed, local sushi place. read more

Loved my first time here! Came for drinks on a Saturday night and it was lively and happening! Sat at the bar with a friend sipped some really good Japanese whiskey. Victoria at the bar was super nice and helpful.. recommending different whiskeys and bites to go with our drinks. At the end of the night she even showed us their sister bar "Bar 821" around the corner which was also buzzing and an awesome spot to end the night. I cant believe I lived in SF for 8 years and just yet discovered those two neighborhood gems! Highly recommend! read more

Stopped by Tsunami tonight and was thoroughly impressed. The ambiance of the restaurant was enchanting. I was quickly greeted and sat by some cute guy in the front. I enjoyed sashimi and their signature Black Sabbath roll. The food was everything that I wanted and was accompanied by great hospitality and service. My waitress Flora was very helpful guiding me through the drink menu. Overall great experience and very impressed with the service and the chefs. read more

I love this place. The avocado dish is to die for and all their fish is just so fresh. Love the trendy vibe too. Haven't been since quarantine started, but want to go back! read more

Great Food - tastes as good as the presentation - pork belly and spiders my fav Great Service - server gave good recommendations, never had to ask to fill my water, the even changed napkins regularly - impressive Great Atmosphere - stylish place and complimented the food Will repeat. read more

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Best sashimi I've ever had. We had the sashimi omakase, and I couldn't even believe how amazing it was. I'm also pretty sure they gave us real wasabi with the omakase. We also has the fried baby squid and a signature roll (the scorpion). The fried baby squid was incredible, really well seasoned and well fried. The signature roll was very good but about on par with specialty rolls I've had elsewhere, nothing super special. Overall great food and service, would definitely come back for another special occasion. read more

Tsunami Panhandle - Sashimi omakase - best sashimi I've ever had! - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The sign outside said "Whiskey Bar" but when I wandered in, the smell of fresh fish and seaweed hit my nose. The ambiance is chill but elegant and the crowd was the same. There is European picnic style long tables to share along with cozy corner table space and a good size bar in front of both the sushi and the LARGE whiskey selection. The woman sitting next to me kept raving about her Kobe beef sushi and Blade gin and basil cocktail. Personally I opted for a Nigiri sake and a spicy tuna hand roll. Both were delicious! My bill was chill and the service was totally attentive and good natured. I will be back with friends for a more in-depth culinary investigation! Came in again a few weeks later for happy hour- it's GREAT!! Seriously, the sashimi is super fresh and only $12 for 8 pieces of gorgeous fish! read more

Tsunami Panhandle - Gorgeous half price HH sashimi and cucumber seaweed salad! - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is as good as it gets! First time we came was the first night back in the city from our honeymoon, and we wanted to find a great sushi place to treat our parents to a post-wedding thank you dinner. We were living within a 20 min walk for the past 2 years, this was our first time - and I wish I had found this gem way sooner! I feel like Tsunami is one of SFs best kept secrets. We came several times within a few months, and always had an amazing experience. After reading a couple reviews about the music or set up, I've found this place perfect for both casual dinners with friends and bringing family. The only challenge we had was when we requested a specific table a few days in advance, but day of, they had a large group come in and needed to move us. Victoria handled this very professionally - she gave me a call a head of time, and made us feel very welcomed when we walked in the door with a round of sake for everyone. She also genuinely cares about the customer experience, so if anything is ever off, she makes it right. Also, Mauricio and Victoria know their way around great sake - their recommendations have always been on point. The happy hour specials are delicious - especially the beer/sashimi combo. Thick pieces, generous servings - everything you would expect. The prices are fair for the value. With all the hustle/bustle of city living, this was the first restaurant that truly made me feel part of the neighborhood. Can't wait to come back. read more

Came here for the whiskey pop up, stayed for the sushi. Absolutely incredible selection on both, amazing service even though they only had one waiter, good covid distanced dining, and THE BEST SUSHI IVE HAD IN YEARS. We'll be back soon! read more

Tsunami Panhandle - Sushi sampler - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I had a birthday party for a good friend and 10 others. Tsunami was incredibly accommodating and welcomed the group. We went omkase style with appetizers (yum for the Fries, Uni on a spoon and Avocado Fly). Hamachi collar was amazing! Omkase was a mix of today's hits. Definitely a good meal with a great experience. read more

Cute and fun ambiance, super friendly staff, good service. Welcoming to any type of party. However food was a disappointment. Carpaccio and salad were drastically over-dressed, or over sauced, and barely edible. The crab salad was drowning in mayo sauce. This seems hard to mess up, so Im submitting an honest review. When I politely shared this, they did not offer to reimburse me. Expensive mistake to pop in here. read more

My boyfriend and I are regulars here - it's easily our favorite sushi place in SF. The sushi is high quality (& trust me, I know my sushi). The staff and manager are the absolute best - attentive, friendly, and accommodating. The bartenders, Jojo or Mauricio, are awesome and always a great time. We've never had a bad experience here & keep coming back for more! A couple of our favorites are: 1) The happy hour oyster deal (buy a bottle of sake & you get a dozen oysters for free. And let's be honest, we would buy a bottle of sake regardless.) 2) The fatty toro which is always on point mmmm mmm mmmmm 3) Chef's carpaccio, also on HH 4) Black Sabbath roll read more

The sushi and oysters here are delicious! The atmosphere was also really intimate and fun - good for both small groups and big groups, casual and fancy. The waitresses were super attentive and even gave us free drinks (and took them with us) at the end! Three $$$ is correct though, it is pricey... but you should just expect that going into it! read more

As a new Nopa resident, I desperately wanted to love this place. I've been on two occasions, and after a disappointing first try, I sat at the sushi bar hoping to have a more personal experience. Not only did it take a while to get the chef's attention, but he got my order wrong, twice. I had also asked for a roll without tobiko, and it came out covered in it. I ended up leaving most of my food and paying to get out of there. If it weren't for the playlists and atmosphere, Tsunami would be long gone. Never again. read more

Cute restaurant in Japantown with a great atmosphere. Delicious sushi rolls with unique ingredients and a lengthy sake menu.

You could say we came for the wrong reasons. My little friend wanted sushi with a "full bar", so she could get her whiskey drank on. So she insisted we schlep all the way to Tsunami in the Panhandle. I personally have a gut of steel and would rather risk food poisoning than pay top dollar for the freshest sushi in town, but I gotta say... you get what you pay for at Tsunami, which is: expensive sushi that tastes expensive, no risky fish in sight. The place is swanky, more like a cocktail lounge than a traditional sushi joint. And yes, there's a full bar with all sorts of complex quaffs, worthy of a pinky up. We started with two uni spoons which, naturally, elicited audible foodgasms. It's a big spoon filled with orange foamy sea urchin, uzura, tobiko, scallion & ponzu ($8 each)...dreamy if you're into that. The rolls were phenominal, all wrapped with a very thin layer of rice (I hate it when they load up on the rice, and skimp on the fillings). We had one of the best Spider rolls ever, with two types of crab meat, eel, avocado, and long tempura shrimp legs coming out each end ($17). These were meaty legs that you could really sink your teeth into. The Shonen Knife roll was unusually delicious too: avocado, gobo & jalapeno topped with Hamachi, white miso, truffle dressing & black tobiko ($13) Service was notably great: personable, attentive, and genuine. So, Tsunami's got the whole package. It's upscale, so I wouldn't make it my go-to spot, but for date night or cocktails, it's a perfect option. read more

This is bullshit. This edgey interior place is like a "Club" or high-end "Pub" J-version. There is nothing wrong to create new-wave Sushi. You don't have to be a tipical traditional Sushi all the time. I do understand that people need some changes. I don't think I am an old fashion urgly Republican. I hope not. But, Even, Trying something new. There is always something you can learn from old. This place has one-sushi chef and 2-rollers. And only the left side of counter, about 5 high chairs, gets sushi direct from the chef, but he is too busy making rolls for the other tables to serve you. The means, the counter doesn't need to be super clean and fish doesn't have to be fresh because most of orders are rolls. Sushi rolls dosen't have to have fresh fish because they can camouflage with other stuff, Like the hot spicy sauce. Fxxx! That is a Korean invention in 80's. Taste great for Korean BBQ. I agree. But, That is why you don't need a fresh fish because the Hot Spicy Sauce kills Old fish's fishy smell and flavor. Just over powered old fish. Another Camouflage Technique to use old fish. I hate to see the spicy sauce at sushi bar in general. That turns me off. Keep the hot spicy sauce just for the BBQ! Spicy Tuna roll is OK for Take out or at Whole foods, Safeway, Cala Foods. So, Basically, If you don't get direct service from sushi chef in here. That's lame. So, This place maybe good to enjoy talking to your friends. And you got to pay a lot for the OK rolls and drinks. But, This place isn't the place to enjoy eating good old but fresh sushi. You can ignore old traditions. You can destroy them all if you want. It's up to you. But I tell you this, You ain't find anything new by doing so. I'll call this place is Pseudo. Even I heard Japanese from the kitchen. I could care less, period. Why do I want to go back? What for? read more

In ODB's memory: "Oooh baby I like it raw Yeah baby I like it rawww Oooh baby I like it raw Yeah baby I like it rawww" Sushi sushi yay, sushi yam, sushi yay. Gimme them chopsticks so I can tear up the plate Natural fresh fish not that shit that stank Yeah from the home of Tsunami's making bank Sushi so good crowd starts to swarm Better than a plate of rice, beans and corn Neva knock the sushi chef skill Don't pass the F*** out when you get the bill Now chop that roll pass it around Soju, sake have you past out on the ground #1 joint, never a complaint Tsunami from the hood that joint makin' bank. "Oooh baby I like it raw Yeah baby I like it rawww Oooh baby I like it raw Yeah baby I like it rawww" read more

Before heading out on an epic pub crawl (http://www.yelp.com/biz/broke-ass-stuart-pub-crawl-san-francisco) Sir Nicholas and I decided we needed to fill our tummies and we wanted to do that with delicious sushi. Tsunami Sushi was on our way and so we stopped in for a nibble. It was fairly crowded and there were no open private tables without reservations so you may want to make those if you're going with a group, at least during the weekends. Nick and I were able to squeeze in at the communal table though with no wait which was quite nice. I started with a most refreshing cucumber-based cocktail. It was served in the fanciest of glasses and was a nice accompaniment to my sushi dinner. Speaking of the dinner - Nick and I order one of the specialty rolls of the night (the Surfer Girl), a sweet potato based roll and the volcano roll in addition to a few pieces of fish. Everything was really fresh and delectable, but my favorite was actually the specialty roll. If you see that on the menu I definitely recommend it. The service was polite and efficient and even though we were sitting at a communal table it still felt fairly private. The atmosphere here is definitely sexy, making this a good spot for date night, but it was casual enough that I'd go with some lady friends and still enjoy myself, too. read more

I met my friend P at Tsunami before show at the nearby Independent. We were early, so plenty of time for us to catch up, start beers and peruse the menu. Nice atmosphere - It feels higher-end and even a bit dressy. We weren't so dressy, but didn't care Strange/cramped seating - They put us at a long, high table which we shared with other twosomes. It's not like we were on a date or something, but we made reservations days ahead, so how about a two-top? It was so cramped I felt like I had to watch what I said around my neighbors. Really nice beer list - Though we were eating Japanese, so I stuck with a Kirin draft; cuz really, why mess with a perfect combo? We ordered food, got a second round of beers, drank in the urban atmo, and watched the place fill up around us. Service was a bit slow, but the food eventually arrived: -- Omakase sashimi sampler: mouth watering; the salmon was the winner - just outstanding -- Hamachi Stuffed Shitake: With sweet soy, wasabi aioli & sweet chili sauce; The hit dish of the night; I shitake you not; So good that we ordered one more to close the meal out. -- Shonen knife roll - Avocado, Hamachi, white miso & truffle dressing & black tobiko; delicious; disappeared quickly. After the second shitake entree, we were so full we asked for the check. It was time to do a bit more exploring before the show started. I'd eat here again, but next time I'll remember to specify table type, assuming I can. read more

I recently spent $170.00 here for four people. One would think most of this was spent on booze, but my friend only ordered a small sake. I had a $4 diet coke. The others had water. When I was handed the bill, I had sticker shock and checked it four times. We weren't overcharged or anything. This place is just freaking expensive for decent yet highly presentable sushi. I'd appreciate the artistic endeavor that goes into each dish, but I'd rather go to Tataki where the sushi and sashimi is to die for. I've never had that experience at Tsunami. I agree with Jenny T. "The food is good, but this place is just OK." Tsunami has very small portions for dishes that are on average $15.00. They used to give you larger portions and tea. Tsunami has really cut back. The service is mediocre on a good day. At this particular visit, our vegetarian friend got to watch us eat sushi while she made hungry face. Luckily, Tsunami is very crowded and loud, so I couldn't hear her stomach growl and I tried not to make eye contact. Each dish was brought out individually, so it took forever to get all of our food. Although, when the veggie sushi plate ($17) was finally brought out, Veggie Girl ate it like a ravenous dog. She said her dish was delicious, but I know she hadn't eaten in hours, so I question her judgment that night. Not to mention, the waitress basically told Veggie Girl to suck it when she asked about her food. Apparently, it is a privilege to eat at Tsunami. Shut up and sit down, vermin scum! I am never going back and can not reccomend Tsunami anymore. I wish I took my friends somewhere fancy where I felt it was worth paying so much. A disappointment was had by all. Boo! read more

Friday night in NOPA is hopping. Parking is horrendous. Dining without reservations is nearly impossible. We tried going to NOPA, Candybar and Little Star Pizza before resorting to Tsunami. We were a bit skeptical because there was no wait, but were happy that we could be seated right away. Not a Japanese diner in sight, I was expecting a mediocre meal. I think it was because I had such low expectations that I was actually very surprised by how much I ended up enjoying Tsunami, so really this is more like a 3.5 star rating. We sat in the loungey area, with low booth seating and small tables. It was very cozy and the sexy mood lighting and chill music helped set a relaxed yet fun atmosphere. Our server was very friendly, as was the server who took over her shift half way through. The food was very tasty. We had edamame, seaweed salad, and the Mama San (tempura shrimp and cucumber topped with spicy tuna) and Scorpion (tempura shrimp and cucumber topped with unagi and avocado) rolls. Nothing too adventurous, but some nights you just feel like playing it safe. What I was most impressed with was their huge selection of sake. It's the first thing you notice about the place (besides that there are hardly any Asians dining there) because the walls are covered with maybe a hundred bottles. I had a glass of Yaegaki nigori, which of course is sweet and unfiltered, just the way I like it. read more

The food was good, but not worth the price. This restaurant is basically trying to get you to pay for a trendy atmosphere. And they succeeded there. It's pretty cool inside. I'm also pretty sure you have to be an attractive woman with a nose ring and at least one tattoo to work here. When I got here with a friend we had to wait 45 minutes to be seated. Not the worst and not their fault. At least they let you wander about outside and call you when your table is ready. We were out at one of the center tables, basically a large plank of wood shared by a few different parties. The plank was just wide enough where it was a but difficult to talk with whomever you're there with. Not to mention its already a bit loud in there. The food was pretty good. We ordered: Miso soup: better than average. The Spiders: BIG roll. Really good but difficult to eat. (Don't get this on a date...) Sweet Yummy Roll: probably my favorite. A great mix of flavors. Much more manageable consumption-wise. Rock 'n' roll: standard So yeah the food was good, but to be worth the price it would have had to blow me away. That didn't happen. read more

I have to literally D-R-A-G my fiance by his teeth to get him to actually go out anywhere with me. (He's a homebody to the 1000th degree, an attribute which unfortunately, I sorta share.) So when he mentioned going out for sushi last weekend, I was ON IT!!!! Tsunami ROCKS! If a place has about an hour wait on a Friday night in NOPA you know it must be good. I'd recommend making reservations. Although we didn't have them, the hostess was super cool, suggesting that we go across the street to Fly to have a cocktail while we waited. We did. It ended up only being about 20 minutes anwyay. I love the atmosphere of this place. Dim lighting, small, intimate tables. Laid-back, cool energy from the attractive patrons. I like that I could hear the conversation of the people sitting next to me (I know, really, I'm a weirdo). The server went above and beyond her duties (which is what a good server just DOES anyway!) explaining all the sakes we were interested in and recommending sushi. In the end we spent about $100 for 2 bottles of sake, edamame, and about 5 rolls. Worth it! read more