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Name: Sushi Zen
Address: 1041 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA, 94116
Telephone: (415) 681-1789
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.82

Sushi Zen

1041 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA, 94116

(415) 681-1789
Store is closed

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Sushi Zen Menu

Appetizers

Harumaki

Shumai

Gyoza (fried Or Steamed)

Edamame

Satay Chicken Or Beef (4 Pcs)

Shrimp Tempura Appetizer

Vegetable Tempura Appetizer

Chicken Tatsuta Age

Agedashi Tofu

Crab Rangoon (5 Pcs)

Yakitori (2 Pcs)

Tempura Soft Shell Crab

Beef Or Tuna Tataki

Sushi Appetizer

Sashimi Appetizer
Soup

Clear Soup

Miso Soup

Chicken Mixed Vegetable Soup(for 2)

Hot And Sour Soup (s)

Hot And Sour Soup (l)

Tom Yum Soup (for 2)

Tom Kha Kai (for 2)

Hot And Spicy Korean Tofu Soup (for 2)

Seafood Mixed Vegetables Soup (for 2)
Salad

Ginger Salad

Seaweed Salad

Sunomono Crab Or Ebi (shrimp)

Sunomono Tako (octopus)

Crispy Salad

Squid Salad
Chicken

General Tso's Chicken

Chicken With Broccoli

Chicken With Mixed Vegetables

Sesame Chicken

Chicken In Garlic Sauce

Moo Goo Gai Pan
Beef

Mongolian Beef

Beef With Broccoli

Beef With Mixed Vegetables

Beef In Garlic Sauce
Seafood

Shrimp With Broccoli

Shrimp With Mixed Vegetables

Shrimp In Garlic Sauce

Scallops With Mixed Vegetables
Curries

Curry Mixed Veggies And Tofu

Yellow Curry

Red Curry

Panang Curry

Masaman Curry
Fried Rice

Thai Fried Rice

Shrimp Fried Rice

Chicken Or Beef Fried Rice

House Fried Rice

Vegetable Fried Rice

Pineapple Fried Rice (thai Style)
Sushi Bar

Sushi Regular

Sushi Deluxe

Sushi Supreme

Sashimi Regular

Sashimi Deluxe

Tuna Sashimi (10 Pcs)

Yellowtail Sashimi (10 Pcs)

Salmon Sashimi (10 Pcs)

Unadon

Chirashi

Maki Combo

Su Sa Ma

Love Boat For Two
Teppanyaki (dinner)

Hibachi Vegetable

Hibachi Chicken

Hibachi Sirloin Steak

Hibachi Filet Mignon

Hibachi Shrimp

Hibachi Scallops

Hibachi Salmon

Hibachi Lobster Tails (2 Pcs)

Shrimp & Chicken

Steak & Chicken

Steak & King Salmon

Shrimp & Scallop

Chicken & Filet Mignon

Shrimp & Filet Mignon

Steak Chicken Shrimp

Chicken Shrimp Filet Mignon

Steak Shrimp Scallop
Tempura & Katsu

Vegetable Tempura

Chicken Tempura

Shrimp Tempura

Chicken Katsu
Teriyaki

Chicken Teriyaki(white Meat)

Beef Teriyaki

Salmon Teriyaki

Shrimp Teriyaki

Tofu Teriyaki
Pasta

Singapore Fried Noodle

Tofu Pod Thai

Chicken Pod Thai

Shrimp Pod Thai

Vegetable Lo Mein

Shrimp Lo Mein

Chicken Or Beef Lo Mein

House Special Lo Mein

Seafood Lo Mein
Sushi Nigiri & Sashimi

Tuna (maguro)

Salmon (sake)

Yellowtail (hamachi)

Mackerel (saba)

Red Snapper (tai)

Scallop (hotate)

Squid (ika)

White Tuna

Sweet Shrimp (amaebi)

Flying Fish Roe (tobiko)

Salmon Roe (ikura)

Smoked Salmon

Shrimp (ebi)

Eel (unagi)

North Red Clam (hokkigai)

Crab (kani)

Octopus (tako)

Sweet Tofu (inari)

Egg Omelet (tamago)

Smelt Roe (masago)
Special Roll

Volcano Roll(8)

Dynamite Roll(6)

Mountain Roll(6)

Mango Roll

Bubba Gump Roll(8)

Angel Roll(8)

Georgia Roll(8)

Zen House Roll(5)

Caterpillar Roll(8)

Yami-yami Roll(8)
Premium Sushi Rolls

Avocado Roll(6)

Cucumber Roll(6)

Eel Roll(8)

Tuna Roll(6)

Salmon Roll(6)

Yellowtail Roll(6)

Futo Maki (5)

Spider Roll (5)

Philly Roll (8)

California Roll (8)

Crunch Roll(8)

Spicy Tuna Roll(8)

Sumo Roll (8)

Bagel Roll(8)

Shrimp Tempura Roll(8)

Salmon Skin Roll(8)

Marietta Roll(8)

Spicy Yellowtail Roll(8)

Roasted Salmon Roll (8)

Tokyo Roll(8)

Veggie Tempura Roll(5)

Crispy Roll(8)

New Orleans Roll(8)

South Side Roll(8)

Rainbow Roll (8)

Spicy Salmon Roll(8)
Sushi Dinner

Sushi Regular

Sushi Deluxe

Sushi Supreme

Sashimi Regular

Sashimi Deluxe

Tuna Sashimi(10 Pcs)

Yellowtail Sashimi(10 Pcs)

Salmon Sashimi(10 Pcs)

Unadon

Chirashi

Maki Combo

Su Sa Ma

Love Boat For Two

Healthy Meal suggestions for Sushi Zen

Appetizers

Harumaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shumai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gyoza (fried Or Steamed) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Edamame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Satay Chicken Or Beef (4 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Tempura Appetizer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Tempura Appetizer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tatsuta Age [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Agedashi Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Rangoon (5 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yakitori (2 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tempura Soft Shell Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Or Tuna Tataki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi Appetizer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi Appetizer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soup

Clear Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Miso Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Mixed Vegetable Soup(for 2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot And Sour Soup (s) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot And Sour Soup (l) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tom Yum Soup (for 2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tom Kha Kai (for 2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot And Spicy Korean Tofu Soup (for 2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Mixed Vegetables Soup (for 2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salad

Ginger Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seaweed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sunomono Crab Or Ebi (shrimp) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sunomono Tako (octopus) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Squid Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken

General Tso's Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken With Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken With Mixed Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken In Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Moo Goo Gai Pan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beef

Mongolian Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef With Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef With Mixed Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef In Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood

Shrimp With Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp With Mixed Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp In Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallops With Mixed Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Curries

Curry Mixed Veggies And Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yellow Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Panang Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masaman Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fried Rice

Thai Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Or Beef Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pineapple Fried Rice (thai Style) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushi Bar

Sushi Regular [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi Deluxe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi Supreme [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi Regular [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi Deluxe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Sashimi (10 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yellowtail Sashimi (10 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Sashimi (10 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Unadon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chirashi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maki Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Su Sa Ma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Love Boat For Two [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Teppanyaki (dinner)

Hibachi Vegetable [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibachi Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibachi Sirloin Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibachi Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibachi Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibachi Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibachi Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibachi Lobster Tails (2 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp & Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak & Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak & King Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp & Scallop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken & Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp & Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak Chicken Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Shrimp Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak Shrimp Scallop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tempura & Katsu

Vegetable Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Katsu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Teriyaki

Chicken Teriyaki(white Meat) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Singapore Fried Noodle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu Pod Thai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Pod Thai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Pod Thai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Lo Mein [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Lo Mein [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Or Beef Lo Mein [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Special Lo Mein [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Lo Mein [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushi Nigiri & Sashimi

Tuna (maguro) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon (sake) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yellowtail (hamachi) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mackerel (saba) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Snapper (tai) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallop (hotate) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Squid (ika) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

White Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Shrimp (amaebi) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flying Fish Roe (tobiko) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Roe (ikura) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp (ebi) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eel (unagi) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

North Red Clam (hokkigai) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab (kani) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Octopus (tako) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Tofu (inari) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egg Omelet (tamago) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smelt Roe (masago) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Special Roll

Volcano Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dynamite Roll(6) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mountain Roll(6) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bubba Gump Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Angel Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Georgia Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zen House Roll(5) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caterpillar Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yami-yami Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Premium Sushi Rolls

Avocado Roll(6) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cucumber Roll(6) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eel Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Roll(6) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Roll(6) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yellowtail Roll(6) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Futo Maki (5) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spider Roll (5) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Philly Roll (8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California Roll (8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crunch Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Tuna Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sumo Roll (8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bagel Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Tempura Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Skin Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marietta Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Yellowtail Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Salmon Roll (8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tokyo Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veggie Tempura Roll(5) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New Orleans Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

South Side Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rainbow Roll (8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Salmon Roll(8) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushi Dinner

Sushi Regular [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi Deluxe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi Supreme [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi Regular [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi Deluxe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Sashimi(10 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yellowtail Sashimi(10 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Sashimi(10 Pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Unadon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chirashi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maki Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Su Sa Ma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Love Boat For Two [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Kirsten F.

This is my go to sushi place. The sushi is great -very fresh. The staff is so welcoming and friendly. Often very busy but they keep up with the volume.
(5)
Sharine d.

Freshness of fish !!! 10 stars Quality of fish selection 8 stars Service 8 stars .... Overall effort ...10 stars Thus is a very small neighborhood spot..with very good, fresh sushimi.
(5)
Natalie Charlotte W.

If I'm in the mood for sushi, but I don't want to go anywhere expensive and all that, this is the first place I would think to go. They make their sushi with fresh ingredients and it's super yummy. They also serve fairly quick, like within 10 minutes, even when the place is kind of packed. The customer service is great as well. I do have a problem with the yellow lighting-- I wish it was brighter so that I could look at my beautiful sushi & enjoy it more lol.
(4)
Betsy P.

Good food, great price, and friendly servers!
(4)
Ferhen M.

We were coldly asked if we wanted to sit at the bar or table and we decided to sit at the bar for quicker service. We sat there and waited and waited and waited. The waitress ignored us and kept on taking to go orders on the phone telling others it will take 10 minutes or so for their order to be ready, yeah right! While we were waiting we noticed our surrounding... dust and cobwebs every where. The table fan right next to me at the sushi bar covered with thick dust, yuck...enough to make any one loose their appetite. After 20 minutes of wait and not even a glance being offered water or giving us a "I will be right with you" we walked out of the restaurant hungry and frustrated. I wish we had the chance to try this place out, they better get some cleaning done and hire some decent service with some NOT SO SASSY servers who just cared about the money they were making with to go orders!
(1)
Jeff R.

Sushi Zen has a high quality and varied Japanese menu that is one of the best values in town. Chef and owner Kevin Chen welcomes everyone and frequently surprises guests with an on-the-house appetizer. The sushi rolls (try the Brtitish Columbia roll) and sashimi plates are always fresh and a great deal. Tempura, noodles, beef, salads and a few sizzling plates round out the menu for those who don't like sushi. But the two-entree Bento lunches and combo dinners plus the fun, welcoming atmosphere have created a loyal following of neighborhood regulars but newcomers will feel right at home. Tell them Amy and Jeff sent you!
(5)
Wanster L.

Look... It's a below average place. The rice was overlooked and the fish was tasteless. Maybe I came on a bad day but I won't be back. If rather go to Fujiyama on Noriega, pay less, and have better food.
(2)
Jannifer H.

Had the dinner combo set. Size was ok and taste was up to par. Price was reasonable. Ended with complimentary ice cream. Overall satisfied, but nothing amazing about this place.
(3)
Wilson T.

Great service, great value. Can I say more? This is somewhat of a hole in the wall but it actually has a decent amount of seating. I was recommended here by a friend and I cam in to buy food for four people. We ended up getting the biggest option on the menu 24 pieces (12 sashimi and 12 nigiri) and three large rolls. Kevin even ended up throwing in some miso soup and is super friendly with all his customers!
(5)
Kenny L.

Decided to try a new place for sushi for once. Came by on a weekday and no wait, perfect! The place doesn't really look like a sushi joint from outside so i dont think i ever noticed it when i drove or walked by either. ordered: 1. agedashi tofu - your average tofu dish. fried nicely but i wish it held up better because it fell apart easily. 2. sunset strip - average taste. very minimal sized roll. it was ok 3. winter wonderland - taste pretty good with the mayo sauce 4. tuna poke - best part of the meal i'll be back for the tuna poke but that's all i liked from the place. the service was pretty good though, extra star from that
(3)
Matt H.

Deep in the sunset, far away from the mission hipsters swilling pbr or Sierra Nevada IPA is this cozy gem of a sushi bar I simply call 'Kevin's'. Kevin is the man with the knife. Family owned and operated. Start with the chirashi bowl then get a few rolls. If you aren't sure just ask Kevin what's good. He has never lead me astray. Killer lunch specials.
(5)
Mark B.

Good service. Reasonable prices. The sushi - very fresh. Big menu. It's a good place to get sushi.
(4)
Kristina L.

i swear after coming here everyday after school, the owners became our bffs. - this was when it first opened. Its conveniently located several blocks away form Lincoln High school and seeing that we got out at like 2?3? that calls for an after noon snack... more like giant meal. it was really cheap and it didn't taste terrible, still come here from time to time - the atmosphere definitely changed because it was new like 5 years ago - glad their still here, eating here is like a trip down memory lane. I had my fair share of affordable japanese restaurants this one is still on my list :)
(4)
Tina L.

They have really good student specials, but asides from that, this place really ain't that great. The sushi is poorly made and the rice is really clumpy. The sushi falls apart before it even reaches your mouth. But the tuna poke is not bad. I just wish they made a spicy version.
(2)
alpana a.

I've been here a couple of times and have enjoyed the food out here. The rolls have been fresh and they have a good variety. One of my favorites was the tuna poke. The presentation is fairly simple hence one less star but it really is a great value for $$.
(4)
Moses G.

I feel a bit ambivalent about writing this review, because I don't want the secret to get out! But I feel like Sushi Zen earned it. My girlfriend and I have been here on many occasions, and it has become our favorite Japanese restaurant in the Bay Area. It is consistently excellent, and while you might find slightly better sushi at a very high end (read: expensive) place, in terms of value, we haven't found better Japanese food anywhere. Furthermore, some Japanese restaurants do sushi fine, but fall apart when it comes to the other items on the menu. Not Sushi Zen--while the sushi is consistently fresh and delicious, they also make outstanding tempura (so light and crispy!), udon, tonkatsu, you name it. Their prices are extremely reasonable (including for sake!), the service is exceptionally friendly, and there's almost never a wait. Your dishes come out as they're ready, so sometimes the order of arrival may be a bit off (a main dish before an appetizer, for example), but we don't really care about that. It's worth it to get everything super fresh as soon as it comes out of the kitchen. We love you, Sushi Zen!
(5)
Laura G.

Sushi Zen is a very tiny restaurant with limited seating and a pleasant, rather loud atmosphere. We made reservations but don't bother- it's first come first served. I don't think they even wrote our name down. The sushi was pretty fresh but not very flavorful- we had the King Kong Roll and the Caterpillar Roll. Both were a bit bland and the sauce was unexpected (not eel sauce). Overall, I would say that you can find better sushi for the same price and with an actual reservation system. Not bad, but not great either.
(3)
Sean L.

Kevin is my man! Love this spot. Go to sushi in the hood. Friendly staff. Reasonable price. When you are friendly with chefs and servers, you will het good service and feel welcomed.
(5)
Cindy L.

Ordered sushi D combo to go. SO GOOD!!!! Their so fast and efficient. Super friendly too. $10.50 for a box of sushi!
(5)
Mel T.

SUSHI ZEN, you are my new go to place for sushi! I've only officially been here once so far, but I am in love with their rolls and prices! I believe the roll that I ordered is called the Sunset Strip roll, which has all my loves in one complete roll: mango, tuna, hamachi and unagi inside topped with salmon and avacado! I don't think that any roll could be better than this one, in my opinion lol. They have a wide selection of lunch specials, bento boxes & what not to get you pretty full at a pretty low cost. Definitely going back soon! :)
(4)
Jennifer H.

The reasoning behind the 3 star review is that the sushi is kind of weird. Shrimp tempura rolls with too much garnishes. They throw peeled onion thingys on everything PLUS chopped green onion and a lot of "sauce". Cucumber avocado roll- the cucumber they use is the shaving peels. Like, not even cucumber. Just the shaved peels wtf. Crunchy. Why am I eating this. Vegetable tempura is delicious. Udon is good. California rolls are yummy. Crunchy California rolls are good. Shrimp tempura rolls are good. Whatever. It's cheap. Basically come here to satisfy my sushi cravings. Take my money
(3)
Cherylynn N.

Broke college students. Most of us (unlucky ones) were. I was one of those unlucky ones. Good thing, I knew a thing or two about how to "save". *Grabs a handful of McD ketchup packets* *Looks around* *Grabs another handful* *Gets two plates of hot wings at Sizzler's and stashes one plate into a ziplock bag* Yeup, that's how the former Queen of Asian Cheapassness rolled but my ultimate favorite was the 50% coupons for Kiki Sushi. Two can eat sashimi/sushi for under $25? F*ck yea! Sushi Zen reminds me of mediocre non-Japanese owned sushi restaurants like Kiki, and Ichiraku; places I use to frequent as a college student when I didn't know any better. The sushi is cheap. The quality is bad. This is why you order the Americanized rolls with mayo crap all over to mask the poor fish quality. These rolls and bento boxes seem to be what the college students and non-sushi purists come to Sushi Zen for. Too bad, I'm an antique now and I rarely do rolls. I want to able taste the freshness of the fish. What a terrible idea that was at Sushi Zen. We started with the Green Salad ($3.95). The dressing was pasty and tasted as if it had been sitting in a container for months coagulating. yelp.com/biz_photos/sushâ€¦ The Agedashi Tofu ($4.95) was crumbly and didn't have that crunchy gelatinous shell. yelp.com/biz_photos/sushâ€¦ The Sashimi Combo (10 pieces - $13.95) of sake, hamachi, maguro, and walu looked promising with a very shiny sheen...that's until we tasted it. The sake was slimy in the center while the maguro and hamachi was sinewy. The walu was tender but not buttery for a "butterfish". Did they brush oil on the sashimi slices? :X yelp.com/biz_photos/sushâ€¦ The Tuna Poke ($8.95) was mushy not firm (previously frozen?). yelp.com/biz_photos/sushâ€¦ The lo-carb Lazy Summer Roll w/ Sake, Mango & Hamachi ($9.95) completely fell apart upon picking up. yelp.com/biz_photos/sushâ€¦ The Hamachi Kama ($10.50) which sounded like a safe choice wasn't fatty and succulently juicy as it should be. yelp.com/biz_photos/sushâ€¦ Saving the "best" for last or shall I say, the worst for last was the Ika Natto ($9.50). I've had this dish before (raw squid w/ fermented soy beans) but never like this. It was like a mÃ©nage a trio of yack, mucous, and old disintegrating socks after running a 10k marathon in a sewer. Never have I seen or tasted a viler dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/sushâ€¦ So why on earth did my chef friend (he's wanted to start a Yelp account just to give it 1 star) and I come here? Out of convenience and because of ALL the 4 and 5 star reviews. Reading more carefully through the reviews afterwards, I found Sushi Zen is known for their "sake bombing". Ahhhh, NOW all the WTF stellar reviews make sense... *Kanpai* *Chug* *Pound fist on table* Repeat. Repeat again. And again. *Eat Sushi Zen's sushi*
(2)
Karen T.

My boyfriend and I have been coming here since our high school days. We were in the area yesterday and decided to fine here again. As it turns out, we really enjoyed it just as much as we did before. The sashimi from the lunchbox here is superb. It was fresh and it melts in your mouth. Love that they have the lunchbox and you can switch the sides around! We got the sunset roll and it was good as well. Inexpensive& yummy. We will be back!
(4)
Cynthia L.

I came here with a large group and it was super fun! It was easy to find, too. We took the L muni line towards Taraval from Power Street Station and it was a fairly quick 20-minute ride. The restaurant space has a narrow, small storefront and could possibly be missed, so keep your eyes out. As I think back to dinner, I think I had too many sake bombs. I remember having sake bombs, sashimi, sushi rolls, teriyaki steak, tuna tataki, mixed tempura, and more sake bombs. The chef even had sake bombs with us! The fish served tasted fresh and even the teriyaki steak was surprisingly tender. The bill came out to about $40 per person for all the food and drink we shared. I'd come back again for sure.
(4)
Lawrence Y.

A great place to get japanese food. Has great prices and good service. The bento boxes are what I always get because it has variety.
(5)
Bonnie S.

An affordable place for Japanese fare when I was living in the area and on a college budget. Service is kind and pretty fast. They have their own unique and yummy rolls!
(4)
Sandy T.

I usually come here to pick up lunch for me and my coworkers because it's only a few blocks away and it's cheap. $9 something including tax for a bento box (salmon, 86 tempura sub sashimi, rice, salad, cali roll and miso soup). Yuppp! You can totally sub tempura for sashimi! It's cheap and fast. Not the best quality sushi place but you can't beat the price and proximity to my work place!
(4)
Ray L.

This place has good food. I been coming to this place for years and it's awesoke. Nice quaint and friendly environment.
(5)
Pamela D.

My 5-year-old son and I had an early bird supper here, and it was delicious! My tuna poke was excellent, and my son's sashimi met with approval (disappeared within 2 minutes of arrival). The service was prompt and efficient. The decor and ambiance are not exactly oozing in charm, but it was great for the task at hand. We will certainly return!
(4)
Jesse S.

7:00 service. not really a full house, but 1/2 empty. One waitress and one working sushi bar. Ordered 2 rolls 2 appetizers and one dinner special. First thing to come out is the tea and soup. next sushi rolls. 1st appetizer. no big deal. 10 - 15 minute wait because we ate the rolls already. Dinner special finally comes out. then last the last appetizer which was soy beans. The man working the sushi bar was also answering the phone and taking orders. Food was nothing special. Still looking for a new sushi house.
(2)
Peter C.

Was in the area looking for something to eat that was open and I decided to give Sushi Zen a try, I never noticed this place until I actually took a walk around. First thing I walked in the waiter offered me a student special so I decided to get the sushi combo for $6. The combo consisted a dynamite roll and California roll. I thought the dynamite roll had enough sauce and flavoring which was not too spicy but the California rolls had a bit too much mayo. The service here was pretty fast and friendly.
(4)
Stephanie W.

Still loving this super cheap, super AWESOME spot! Even though I don't live in the area anymore, my friends and I will make a special trip for their tuna poke and BC rolls. Great service, free tea and soup (sometimes) and great prices. It's no frills, but you'll leave satisfied. I do still wish they delivered but I definitely now prefer them over any other sushi spot on Taraval. Plus, 2 words: sake bomb. Try it. You'll thank me.
(4)
Sam G.

Cool local place to eat! People there are super friendly and I love the pictures on the wall! Favorite Rolls: Winter Wonderland Roll! (Awesome!!) Also love the Rainbow Roll and Super Dynamite!! Price is good too!
(5)
Christina T.

As soon as we get all our food... I can rate it. But for service.. As nice as these guys are... They need more help. Seriously you have one guy running from table to table. One chef making all the sushi orders by himself for 8 tables. Its no wonder why we aren't getting all our rolls when it's been 30 mins into our dinner. Bf ordered a bento box. He complained it didn't come in a bento box. But at least he got his food pretty fast and it was pretty yummy. Overall, I like the food here, when it finally gets to your table. The food gets 3 stars. But, for service, I can only give half a star, if i could, just because they are friendly.
(3)
Art J.

We have been going here for 8 years and it has been declining over the years. The service has been declining to the point the waitress is plain rude and uncaring. The food is good but the kitchen can be hit and miss. We are really thinking we need to find another sushi restaurant. Remember, we have been coming here for 8 years! It's time for a change.
(2)
Andrew W.

It pains me to give Sushi Zen one star because I had high hope for it. But I will never of my own free will go back to Sushi Zen for their rolls, chirashi, or unagi-don. I am however willing to give their bento boxes a shot if I am in the neighborhood. Their Super Dynamite and Winter Wonderland were no worth the cost. My girlfriend and I did not even finish them because we could not stand eating anymore of their hard, mushy rice. We also left the rice for the chirashi and unagi-don. Sadly I would rather go to Kiki for sushi, which is cheaper and taste far better.
(1)
Lia S.

Cheap and delicious lunch specials, and yummy/fresh sushi! Not my favorite, but it definitely hits the spot. My boyfriend and I go here at least 3 times a month, and we have never had a bad experience. As far as affordable Japanese food goes, they have a really great selection!
(4)
Cassidy C.

Been coming here for years. I've only ordered the chicken teriyaki and sushi rolls from this place, and it's still bomb! Definitely would recommend. Only 4 stars because it's not cheap -- is sushi ever? ;)
(4)
Bonnie C.

Recently went on a trip up to the bay and found this hole in the wall sushi place and I loved it here!! First of all, Chef Kevin is awesome! I came with my boyfriend and two friends and we were having the best time there. Chef Kevin even did a sake bomb with us! And the rolls were sooo good! I don't eat raw and my party was nice enough to order baked rolls with me :) my favorite one was the Pink Dragon Roll! But the King Kong Roll was a very close second. Everything was a very reasonable price for such fresh food! I don't come up to SF often, but I am for sure hitting this place up again the next time I do. Thank you, Chef Kevin!
(5)
Rhonda J.

This is my favorite sushi place in the sunset. The fish is so fresh and the fish to rice ratio is prime! I hate when your roll is all rice but this place never does that. Every roll I have gotten has been delicious; crazy roll, dynamite role, wasabi Hama roll, winter wonderland, sunset roll, the tuna poke mmmm this place does not disappoint. Super fast service plus the staff is so friendly. One of the best sushi places!!
(5)
boston U.

Decent, but uninspired Japanese restaurant owned by Chinese. Good for popularized, cheaper quality quick meal sushi rolls. Crazy roll was good, Udon was okay.
(3)
Cierra T.

LOVE this place! Such great lunch deals and their food is always fresh and delicious :) high recommend this place!
(5)
Albert L.

Zen is A-OK. It was just a regular night and a group of friends and I were craving for some sushi. Because Sushi Zen wasn't too far from our location, why not! Dinner Combo: Salmon Teriyaki and Tempura - [ s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.comâ€¦ + [ s3-media2.ak.yelpcdn.comâ€¦ The dinner combo was about $12, which wasn't bad because Sushi Zen doesn't skimp out on the portions, however, it was just adequate. The Salmon was a little too salty and the Tempura was overly fried. Spider Roll - [ s3-media3.ak.yelpcdn.comâ€¦ Always one of my beloved rolls that I'll always order everywhere I go. (Huge soft shell crab fan!) But again, it was good, but not great. The rolls were larger than regular and because of this, there were only five pieces: how bittersweet. On a side note, my girlfriend had the Assorted Sashimi, which consisted of four different types of fish, which were all fresh and of large cuts, so that was definitely a plus! I gotta hand it to Sushi Zen for their patience and extremely hospitable service. Maybe it was because our group was one of the only tables left or what but the employees really wanted us to feel at home. They were very consisted with refilling our cups of green tea, took our dishes, no prob! and even offered complimentary ice cream after our dinner, despite our fullness.
(3)
Katou M.

Friendly staff and a quick meal. Great food as well. If you live in the outer sunset, it's a great go-to place for sushi.
(5)
Samantha K.

This place is the best sushi for a great price! My favorite rolls are Winter Wonderland, Pink Dragon, and Dragon Roll and everyone needs to go here at least once!
(5)
Tiff C.

Came here last week with friend and yelpee Vikkii K. for lunch.. to my surprise there weren't too many high school kids dining here.. or they must take it to go most of the time. I was relieved to see that it was pretty empty. We both, each ordered a chirashi bowl which comes with a bowl of miso for about $9 which is cheaper than most places... BUT the draw back is that there isn't as much fish than I am used to. It came with various pieces of fish... tuna, salmon, white tuna, unagi.. etc. There was way too much rice and not enough fish, but at least the fish quality was good and fresh. I've tried their regular dishes like their katsu and chicken teriyaki and they are alright. The lunch specials are a really good deal.
(3)
David H.

3.5 stars. Nice to find this place day after thanksgiving. Very good shioyaki saba and sashimi lunch box. Decent donburi. Excellent value fo the quality. Definitely above average. Service a tad surly though responsive and efficient.
(3)
Jeffrey J.

As a resident of the Sunset district, this has sort of become my default location for a no-frills, affordable, and delicious experience. I've occasionally been served fish that had obviously been recently frozen, but I don't find it to the extent where it becomes unappetizing. Sashimi and nigiri snobs may be put off by it, but if you can overlook this I think you can still find some enjoyment here. If you are into ordering rolls, you probably won't even notice. For one, the prices are very good (they have crazy cheap student specials and lunch specials). You can easily walk out of here spending less than $15 for some tasty Japanese food that'll have you stuffed. Secondly, I think their cooked food is pretty good. My favorite thing to get here is the Saba Shioyaki. It's always cooked well (despite taking a little bit longer to prepare sometimes). Third, they encourage guests to have a good time. My table has been comped sake after we've already purchased a few rounds. It's a very good spot for some good affordable Japanese food. It's not overly elegant and not too homey. You might even want to call it Zen.
(3)
Jess B.

Probably some of the worst sushi I've had in the city. All 3 rolls tasted bland without any flavor or contrast. Plating was boring and instead of letting the sushi shine they drench the specialty rolls is sauce, which is ok if the sauce has good flavor. Not to mention the hoard of flies surrounding the front door. Will find another hole-in-the wall for sushi next time.
(1)
Jeff A.

This place rocks. Service is beyond amazing. The sushi chef gave my friend and I free sake on Halloween! Love the pictures on the wall, and I go back each week in hope of finding myself up there. Highly recommend! I don't think the menu on yelp directly corresponds but the place is extremely affordable, especially for lunch.
(5)
Peachie Y.

Salmon nigri was superb. I could taste the buttery warm fresh meat. Had the Sunset Roll and guess what, it wasn't bad at all. Suprised to find mango fruit in the roll but it was a nice complement, providing slight tart and sweet to the sashimi salmon/tuna atop. Service was quick and cautious. Even with just one waiter, he was moving around efficiently and being polite. I respect that hardworking attitude. I like the vibe in here, while the place is not big it is cozy and warms you up like the complimentary green tea. Next time I plan to try the Winter Wonderland roll since there are so many raves about that.
(4)
Saralee L.

I love Sushi Zen! My favorite rolls are the dragon roll, super dynamite, winter wonderland and sunset roll!! All of these are amazing! Also, Kevin the sushi chef is so friendly. Most of the waiters are also very friendly and attentive. Don't leave without having some of the green tea or mango ice cream. Delicious!
(5)
Victor D.

Came here for lunch one day because I was in the area and the 4-star rating here. I was a bit disappointed, to say the least. I ordered one of the lunch specials. The sashimi did not taste fresh and the rice was overcooked/mushy. I was afraid I would get some kind of food poisoning but I didn't. The only positive I could see was that it was cheap but you get what you pay for. In retrospect, I probably should've ordered some of the rolls mentioned by fellow Yelpers. But, I don't think you'll find me in here anytime soon.
(2)
Vivian C.

3.5 stars. I came here last night, a Friday night, with some friends for dinner, and I've already forgotten what we ate. It's a small, no-frills joint, run by Chinese people. Chinese-owned Japanese restaurant. In SF, that label usually speaks for itself. But I'll do some further explaining myself. :) As already mentioned, the rolls aren't very special. They're decent, though. Nothing memorable, but I was satisfied. We ordered 5 or 6 rolls between the four of us, and the food came out SUPER quick. That's definitely appreciated. Although, it was around 7:30pm on a Friday night, and we were the only people in the restaurant, so that may partly explain the efficiency. Anyway, back to the food. Most of the rolls were your standard ones, and the fish was good enough. There was, however, one STANDOUT roll that I REALLY enjoyed. The Crunchy California Roll. It was basically a breaded and deep-fried California roll. MMM! The roll was huge, and it was delicious. This, I would get again. Everything else = meh. Aside from the mostly average food, there are a couple non-food things that I liked: + Decor: very homey, and there were pictures of all their patrons covering their walls, which was cute. I didn't quite understand the, what looked like children's drawings (including one of Sailor Moon) on printer paper on the walls, but maybe the owners have kids, and that was their artwork? Cute, though. + Price: Okay, now THIS is the best part. THIS PLACE IS SO CHEAP OMG. Some of the rolls we got were like $3.50 or something, which is crazy cheap, considering they still give you like 6-8 pieces of the sushi. Maybe this means the quality of the fish is really subpar, but whatever! It still tastes fine, and really, you can't beat the price! + Service: I swear, the waitress was filling our tea/water every 5 minutes, I never had a less-than-full cup of tea! Even though the sushi isn't amazing (then again, I don't know what amazing sushi tastes like), I like this place. It's super cheap, it's homey, the service is fast, and they let us just sit there for quite a long time, chatting away on a chilly Friday night in the good ol' Avenues. And that, my friends, is awesome. :)
(3)
Karen A.

Love love love! This place is soooo yummy! It's my favorite sushi place! Try the dynamite roll! The people there are always nice and friendly. It's just a nice little fun sushi place. However the hours are a little tricky during the weekdays it's always changing but very much worth the trip :)
(4)
Jenelly D.

I live in Outer Sunset, and will drive at all hours of the day to satiate my sushi cravings here and only here. This place tastes like heaven in your mouth. The rice is perfect, the fish is flavorful and yet subtle, the service friendly. Try this hole in the wall out. You'll think you're in Japan eating the authentic stuff. You will definitely taste the difference. Seriously, they're amazing.
(5)
Maya S.

Very yummy rolls that aren't made with the freshest ingredients but are executed very well. I tried the Winter Wonderland, Super Dynamite Roll, and Sunset Roll which were all very tasty. My favorite was the Super Dynamite Roll. I also tried the pan fried udon with chicken but I probably wouldn't order again since it was over flavored with white pepper. The staff was very friendly and they play what sounds like 96.5 music (for non-bay area people = 80s - 90s music e.g. Madonna + John Mayer + light rock stuff). I also saw a bunch of specials listed on the window by the front door which were pretty cheap. I'll definitely be returning to try more rolls.
(4)
Eric S.

I may have had better sushi at one or two places, but I've never had more fun than I do at Sushi Zen!! Sushi Zen is really close to my house, and the obvious choice for an easy night of comfort food & booze. I always leave with a full belly and a smile on my face. I recommend the super dynamite roll. It's got spicy tuna, and the entire roll is lightly battered and deep fried. Yum!
(4)
John L.

I was there on December 23 at around 9PM, the service is not good, the food is OK, this is my first time I try, I try other Japanese that is better then this one with good service
(2)
Karen T.

I finally made it to Sushi Zen after a year of talking about needing to try thi place. I was in a rush to make a movie so I thought if I sat at the bar then the service can be quicker ordering directly from the sushi master and it was fast! He was very nice asked us if we wanted miso soup. I then asked is it free?? He said well since you asked I'll give it to you free haha, THANKS! Rolls were all good, my favorite tonight was this one I forgot the name, it had the fish flakes on top and eel and pickles in the middle. The poke was just ok, I noticed he made it on the spot, the fish hadn't been marinating for a while, which is how poke should be made, nice and marinated in the sauce. Oh and we got free ice cream to end the night, BONUS! I'll be back.
(4)
Amanda K.

Popped in for a quick lunch and split three rolls: Winter Wonderland, Wasabi Hama, Sunset Strip. They were pretty good, but nothing more special than I've gotten other assorted sushi places I've been. If anything, I kind of thought there were sometimes a few too many things going on, which made for a lot of flavors competing with each other. Also pretty average price for rolls like this - maybe even slightly underaverage for SF, I'm not sure. The service was extremely quick, but there were only two other tables occupied at the time, so I guess that's good! I'm thinking opting for the hot lunch specials might be an even better choice, though I definitely wouldn't avoid this place if we get a craving for sushi again. We live nearby and I thought it was perfectly good, just not necessarily anything unique or exciting.
(4)
Rory H.

Albacore, Albacore, Albacore. Soft enough that I pinched my sushi in half with a simple squeeze of the chop stick. We all agree that Kevin must be massaging his fish and playing Michael Jackson's "You are not alone" for them at bed time to give them the softest texture possible. Kevin U Da Man.
(5)
Jackie A.

My beau found this cool place and I tell you what, it's way better than Sushi Raw and Tataki South combine. There I said it, yes, you heard me! Makes me think of Amberjack but better tastier rolls and bigger. Fresh, fresh, fresh...very tasty and the staff are super friendly. There was this one lady though at the bar, she was loud! Probably had too much sake I think?! Lol! Food: 4.5/5 stars!
(5)
Derrick W.

Not sure what all the hype is about. The prices on the whiteboard and the menu don't match, but obviously we get charged the higher price.. "Perhaps we should change it instead of misleading our customers, nahh..." So I decided to give this place a try since it had good reviews on yelp. The first thing that came out was the watery miso soup, which lead me to think this place was going to suck. The sushi was really nothing special and the hamachi kama was disappointing. Really, the only highlight of the night was the complementary green tea ice cream that tasted like vanilla ice cream with green food coloring. Uhh.. Yay?
(2)
Jen H.

Yum!! Delicious, fresh, and cheap!! Cannot ask for more! We came around 2pm on Saturday, so it wasn't too busy. Their lunch specials are great deals!!! Definitely get your bang for your buck! Their TEA is AMAZING!! You can definitely taste the superb quality. Great service too!
(4)
Jason C.

So me and my friends went to try this sushi place for dinner because one of our friends wanted sushi. We went in and got seated while the waitress was serving us tea. The place was smaller than i expected but i personally don't care about the space as long as the food is good or at least decent. I ordered 2 different rolls of sushi which was $4 dollars each. I ordered one California roll and one Shiitake roll. When my food arrived i stared at the two plates and i was wondering where is my roll? because all i saw was 6 piece of small California roll and 4 pieces of Shittake roll. I thought that if it was that small it would at least taste good but it didn't taste good. The California roll was like any other roll and the Shittake roll was basically rolled up mushroom shreds. I don't even think they used 1/4 of the mushroom to make that roll. All i'm saying is that restaurants minute proportions pissed me off,and this is my first time going there and probably will be my last.
(1)
Marlis T.

SUSHI ZEN, You ROCK! Okay, this is not bistro type nor all Japanese run super authentic sushi place. Just a husband and wife running business, serving good food and give all their best to their customers. Honest and sincere. The student lunch specials are probably the best deal EVER. The salmon teriyaki over rice is only $4.50. If you go to Safeway and get a salmon steak like that will probably cost you more. How is that even possible? They have so many special rolls and all of them are so good. I especially like their Winter Wonderland, Pink Dragon Roll, and Super Dynamite. So it's good food, a little above average, and EXCELLENT service. I always leave this place satisfied and happy. Sometimes they'll also give us dessert on the house... ice cream or oranges cut into roses. I come here almost everyday for the past month. One Sunday in the afternoon they were closed, I had to go to another sushi place down the block... I paid double and only got half the portion. Sometimes I wonder how am I gonna do without you, Sushi Zen.
(5)
Ryan L.

Quality has gone down. I came for dinner on a Friday for a party of six and got seated within five minutes or so. Upon being seated, these two parties of girls decided to combine tables and have a few shots and beers. They were rowdy and obnoxious with lots of laughs and yells. The workers did nothing to quiet them down and all the other tables around them kind of just stared with disgust. The service is pretty appalling, or just the waiter - the short Asian guy with a bowl cut. When the waiter was taking down our orders, he abruptly stopped us and told us that they don't split the check for individuals. Okay.. thank you for the fun fact. The food took a while to come and for the most part, the waiter didn't really come back. It's slightly pricey for the size but it's not something to freak out about. About most of us got our meals and started eating, some of the food was still missing. We were missing one roll and ALL the tempura for my friend's tempura udon. It was incredibly difficult to get the waiters attention since they were literally in love with the table of drunk girls. The sushi chef was the one who saw our hands waving and had to notify the waiter of our needs. That's just sad. The chicken katsu donburi was really good. The super dynamite roll is still one of my favorites. The rest of the food was alright and pretty standard (udon, chicken teriyaki). My friend ordered the butter yaki and the waiter gave her rice and said it was on the house. Either that was a sweet gesture or a straight up lie. The waitress felt bad about their service (she should be) and gave us all free mango ice cream. Since we had a party of six, the tips is already included so we HAD to pay waiter more than he deserved. Perhaps it's a bad experience and even if everything worked out nicely, at most it would get 3 stars for the food.
(2)
Rachel A.

Consider this a 4.5 star review. I have to say again, this is the best sushi place in San Fransicso. There isn't anything you can order here that will disappoint you. I especially love that they often shower their regular customers with some 'on the house' love. I will say, sometimes the service can drag a bit, but they always seem to make up for it by throwing something nice your way.
(5)
Vanessa H.

Meh. The unagi on rice was covered in way too much gloopy sauce, but the toddler twins liked the fried soba noodles with chicken. Slow service.
(3)
Sandy L.

The service seemed a little slow, the food was okay. Wasn't the bestest sushi I've ever had & the seaweed kind of tasted old. It was really chewy in my opinion. The miso soup was on the house and we had green tea ice cream which was also on the house. I guess that made up for the okay sushi. I don't think I would come back tho.
(3)
Joseph C.

Talk about under promising and over delivering. Didn't expect much from this place as the facade looked like a hole in the wall in Chinatown. Had the sunset strip and ocean beach rolls and they were amazing!!!! The rolls were warm and perfectly sized and super easy to eat. I'll be back for more:)
(5)
Michela Y.

Came in a reserved party & encountered bad service & a lack of cleanliness. Waitresses weren't attentive. Water glasses were given to us with lipstick stains still on the rim. Hair was found in the udon soup, and as we informed the waitress they didn't offer to have the item paid for until the manager was informed much later. 2 of our items were forgotten about, 1 of which we cancelled altogether because everyone else had already finished their meal portions. They don't take split checks & can only take 2 cards. That was fine for us personally, but they couldn't even split the bill in half & so we had to do the math ourselves (the check omitted the item names & only provided prices, making the process more difficult). On top of that, they took it upon themselves to include the tip which was above their service quality. Yet, to be fair, their serving sizes were larger than most in comparison to other sushi places. Though, overall, the lack of quality customer service and cleanliness would prevent me from coming back here again.
(2)
Debbie C.

The sushi over here is super fresh and huge! But on the presentation side, let's just say it's not that pretty. So folks that loves to take picture or that loves to instagram your food, you've been warned. Other than that the service over here is excellent! Definitely coming back here again.
(5)
Crystal R.

Delicious sushi! I went here twice in one week! The food is moderately priced and the people who work here are really nice!
(5)
Claire S.

Quaint little neighborhood sushi joint, would be an easy phrase to describe it. Definitely a neighborhood institution, with awesome prices and deals offered for students (not my scene anymore but definitely appreciated). The chirashi bowl and the nigiri sushi plate was quite fresh and good quality, with thick cuts of fish - definitely good value for the price. A little heavy on the wasabi and kabayaki sauce, though. Not bad if you're in the area and want a quick, cheap bite.
(3)
Janny S.

This is a little sushi shop tucked away next to a Chinese medicine shop. There are so many mediocre sushi joints just on Taraval, I walked in with very low expectations. The sashimi tasted fresh and was served at the right temperature. The spicy tuna hand roll was perfectly rolled with spicy tuna evenly distributed all down to the bottom tip of the cone. I hate it when they put one huge chunk on top and all you have is rice at the bottom. Overall, great value for the quality of the sushi. I think sometimes when they're busy, the rolls are a bit sloppy, so try to come early for dinner.
(4)
Kimberly W.

A great go-to spot for quick but delicious sushi! Some of my favorites are the Sunset Roll and Crazy Roll. Specialty rolls are reasonably priced as well. Highly recommend trying!
(4)
Olivia V.

If you... 1. Are non-Asian 2. Think sushi is defined by tempura, rolls, and bento boxes 3. Are on a budget but still want "sushi" 4. Are unable to differentiate between fresh raw fish and unfresh raw fish 5. Are trying to do sake bombs, also on a budget 6. Enjoy Panda Express and/or Mission Chinese Food This is the place for you.
(2)
francesca n.

We live close by and we went last night (Friday). My son and I ordered a bunch of sushi. Service was fast and fish was very good (my son is a sushi snob so his thumb up is hard to get!). Portions are larger than average and people were were nice. Not the best sushi in the city but one of the best casual places in our experience. Very convenient because it's fast and prices are good as well. We enjoyed the british columbia roll, the sushimi 10 piece special, hotati, alaska hand roll and rainbow roll and they were all good. Add all of this up and it's a 5 star review!
(5)
Harriet W.

Planned on grabbing lunch with my friend, but sadly, our first choice was closed and we were craving sashimi so we landed here. We browsed through the lunch special menu and wanted to ask whats the difference between the chirashi bowl and sashimi with rice lunch special. The waitress only said the difference was whether the rice was on the side or under the sashimi and the pieces of sashimi were the same. WRONG. I felt totally jipped with my chirashi bowl. (We got one of each to compare.) One of the dinkiest, unimpressive chirashi bowl I've even had. Came with 6 measly thinly slice sashimi. It wasn't even fresh (except for the single piece of hamachi). Oh yea, I wasn't even full afterwards, and I usually never finish my meal. Had to grab some boba afterwards to fill me up. Would I come back? No thanks.
(2)
Mike C.

small, compact place from the outside; a bit of a hidden gem of sorts. i ordered a couple of rolls, and it was comparable to other places that i rate well. the service was above average; relatively quick and friendly. parking in the area can be the downside, but overall i'd go back.
(4)
Jenna P.

Walk into this humid environment, no greeting, only one waitress serving all 15(?) tables. I feel bad for the one server who was likely stiffed by the group of college frat boys. Nothing stood out about this place. There are, what seem like, random photos of what I can only guess are one time visitors on the wall. The decor could use some help. Not so traditional, the sunset roll was sweet with mango, tuna, salmon. The rolls are just fine. They need to hire another server!
(4)
Kathleen S.

This place is fairly average to me overall. I don't really see myself coming here all the time, but I have been here several times in the past with not too many memorable experiences. I did come here yesterday with my grandma because she wanted Japanese food, so because this is the closest restaurant to us, we decided to take a little walk over. They greeted as we walked in and gave us ice water and tea. We got their lunch special bento boxes; I got the salmon teriyaki with sashimi (substituted from the tempura for same price!) and four small pieces of California rolls ($7.95). My grandma got the chicken teriyaki with tempura and Cali roll as well ($7.50). Both came with a small slab of wasabi, miso soup, rice, and a little side of salad. I was pretty full afterwards. A part of me was tempted to try their chirashi bowl for $12.95, which I thought was a fairly good price. I think next time I will go for that, and also one of their specialty rolls. The service was good. We got our food pretty fast despite how many people were there and the lady kept refilling our waters and tea. The restaurant is a little squished with not too much room, and the lighting isn't all that great. There are always flies at the door when you walk in which is pretty gross. They do have pictures of people eating and showing off their experience in the restaurant which is kinda cool, since you don't see that very often.
(3)
Jenna Rose F.

Perfect place for a college student like myself. I come for their $8.75 bento box lunch specials, my go-to being the chicken katsu, sashimi and California roll special. Some days are better than others. Sometimes the sashimi slices (4) are a bit too cold, almost like they haven't thawed properly (?). Sometimes the katsu is a bit underwhelming. The California roll (4), made with fake crab, always taste the same to me and I'm not complaining. But I mean, how can you go wrong for an $11 sushi lunch after tax and tip? There's variety and rice, soup, salad and tea to accompany it. You could get a $7.99 tray of sushi at Safeway or a sit-down meal for just a little bit more. I've had their rolls before, and they're pretty good, but I'm always too full if I come by myself!
(4)
Crystal A.

Stumbled upon this gem one day with my husband while I was pregnant and had a craving for sushi. Needless to say it is our go to spot now. The service also had a lot to do with why we returned. Every single time we've dined in or ordered for pick up we have had such a great experience. Thank you sushi zen!
(5)
Doris K.

Sushi Zen is another typical Chinese-owned Japanese restaurant, so don't expect much in terms of authenticity. When we arrived for lunch, we were seated immediately; they were pretty busy with only two other tables empty. We were served hot tea promptly, which is always nice on a gloomy day. We ordered the half shell oyster appetizer, 4 nigiri orders (2 albacore, maguro, and ika) and 2 rolls (White Winter and Sunset Strip). Our orders came separately, but evenly spaced out. Nigiri: The maguro was fresh, the albacore was very soft, and the ika was good too. The rice was a little too warm for my liking though. Rolls: Both rolls weren't very tightly rolled and didn't seem to have enough rice to even hold everything together. The Sunset Strip roll was decent, but they went a little overboard with the green onion garnish. The White Winter roll was better made, but still just an average roll. The rolls seemed a bit "skinny" too, probably not enough rice. They're also a bit heavy-handed with sauces too. Oysters: Presentation was blah, and there was too much of the shredded radish and white onion, making it a bit hard to eat in one go. But the oysters were nice and creamy, and the sauce was good (wish they gave a bit more). Service was good. They don't give you a teapot, but they refill often enough that you never have an empty cup. Our bill came out to $46 before tip. Overall, average sushi and no big complaints.
(3)
Angela D.

I love me some chicken teriyaki and this place hits the spot! Good portions and good prices. Glad this place is in my hood.
(4)
Kay D.

Their sushi is usually fresh, the staff is attentive, food is made fast, prices aren't bad. Casual restaurant, very pleasant. I took off one star because I hate green onions in my sushi and I really wish they'd mention that on their menus of what the ingredients are. But I'd definitely come back on a regular basis because it's close by and hey, you won't find perfect sushi that's also affordable so this is as close as it gets! :)
(4)
Karen J.

Fresh fish. Pretty good service. Yummy soba and food overall. You won my heart, I will be back!
(5)
Dodi G.

I am going to start this review saying that I am not a huge sushi eater. I always order the same things, and they were pretty good here. The place doesn't look like much from the outside but it has several tables inside. We arrived at 7pm on a Friday, and not many tables were occupied but it got a little crowded around 8pm. So if you are planning on going, you might want to get there early or make a reservation. They have a decent selection of food and of sake, so if you are into sushi this is definitely a place to try out!
(3)
Krystal T.

Winter Wonderland Roll always does the trick! While the miso soup lacks salt and the salad dressing can taste a little too much like mayo, the prices are decent, the fish is fresh, and it's local! I've been here more than a couple times and they have some really yummy rolls. The combination bento box prices are good and the amount of food they serve is also good. There are a ton of pictures on the wall of all the patrons who come in eat there. It's quite a lot to look at. On the opposite wall our pictures the kids have drawn for the owners. Overall its a good place to get sushi!
(4)
Jasmine J.

Two words. Chicken KATSU. I've been eating hear since I was a freshman at Lincoln high school. It's been 6 years and the food is as good as the first time I ordered a student lunch :d. If you're feeling iffy you can never go wrong with a bento box! Five stars because It feels like home
(5)
Odette P.

Great, fresh sushi! Fast, beautiful presentation. I would give 5 stars if the inside restaurant room had a better looking. I.e. Fresh paint on the wall, some nice Japanese frames (not tacky photos) and no carpet! It's so inexpensive to install some laminate floors.
(4)
Melanie C.

This place is usually filled with college students since everything on their menu is decently priced. My friend and I decided to come here last night for dinner since she lives really close by. I've been here quite a few times before and every time I'm here, I order the British Colombia roll. It's my favorite roll. The roll itself contains salmon and avocado, then it's topped off with more salmon and a thinly sliced lemon. The lemon isn't too overpowering. This roll is definitely for salmon lovers, like me :) My friend was craving cream cheese for some reason so we went with the Philly roll. It's just like any other Philly roll: smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado. The last roll we ordered was the Sunset roll. All I remember was that it had mangoes in it. It was full of flavor, more so on the sweet, savory side. These rolls were served within 10 minutes after ordering. So if you ever want quick, delicious, and affordable sushi, this would be the place to go.
(4)
Emma G.

The waitress is super rude and acts like it's a total burden to take your order. She's the only one working besides the sushi chef who serves gross, browning avocado rolls. There's almost nothing truly vegetarian and almost all veggie tempura has a shrimpy flavor from the fryer. They charge for every little extra sauce, rice, or cup of green tea and everything is in small amounts. Boooo!
(1)
Jessica E.

Sushi Zen has great cheap Student Lunch deals that are catered towards the emptier wallets of high schoolers. I am a fan of their $4 lunch teriyaki chicken lunch deal because its hot, tasty, and affordable. Lunch prices are much better than coming here for dinner because its a bit more expensive. Sushi can be on the pricier side and occasionally the service is a bit slow. Overall, a good stop for a quick and easy Japanese lunch.
(4)
Ju D.

Quality sashimi, decent rolls selection, come before 6pm as this is a very small & narrow restaurant (there still is a sushi bar).
(4)
Will N.

Had the lunch sushi combo D. Very good! The fish was fresh and melt in my mouth. I will be back to try something different and write back.
(5)
Jennifer R.

This was a small and average sushi restaurant. They have great prices for college students. My friend had the combo e which included the California roll and the rock n roll roll. She said the meal was fine and that she would go back. I'm visiting and thought it was blah. Service was good. I would recommend this place for anyone looking for a quick/affordable sushi spot.
(3)
Karen Y.

I only got to try the California roll during lunch as part of the combination chicken bento box. The teriyaki chicken, tempura and roll were all very good. Good value for lunch- around $8 and comes with rice. Also tried the udon- satisfying, big plump udon (anyone also think it's lot of fun to eat?) and plentiful chicken. Would like to try other rolls for dinner some time- a bit sad that I did not see them on the lunch menu.
(4)
Phillip P.

My new favorite sushi go to place in the neighborhood.
(5)
Angie L.

Disclaimer* I don't eat sushi, but my bf does. We go here for lunch a few times a month because the lunch special deasl are too good to pass up. I usually get tempura udon or katsu-don, both of which are delicious alternatives for anyone who doesn't like sushi. My bf usually gets a bento deal, and he is always satisfied by the end, they give you a ton of food for a good price. It's never very crowed either so you won't have to wait to get your Japanese food fix :)
(5)
Eric S.

Okay. Certainly nothing off, it was fresh enough. Just not that tasty. And they brought everything in reverse order. Spider roll- King Kong roll-tuna poki- chefs sashimi - uni nigiri. There seemed to be wrong orders going to tables, and they were busy but not full on a sat nite. But the staff was nice so you didn't want to call them on it. If you like rolls and nigiri, and you aren't a sushi snob, you could do worse than this neighborhood joint. But then again this is SF.
(2)
Eva T.

After a rough time trying to get dinner earlier in the night (see my Gold Mirror review) my boyfriend and I decided to come here. One of my sorority sisters really loves this place (well, especially for the sake bombs!), and I figured it was a safe option. The place is kind of hole-in-the-wall sized small. But they still manage to pack some tables in. When we got there we took the second-to-last table. The waitress was pretty nice and on her game, especially when you figure out it's basically one waitress for all the tables in the restaurant. I got the sizzling red snapper, which was amazing! I wasn't expecting the dish to be so huge though. I think to get a more accurate review I'll have to come back... which I definitely will.
(4)
Trung N.

I'd say a good 3.5 stars for this place. The atmosphere is definitely different, and it was made apparent to me that it was because the place was Chinese owned and operated. For the most part, I typically see non-Japanese owned sushi places to be run by Koreans instead. Of those places, many of the chefs I know trained in Japan and the food there is still very legit. It was surprising for me to find this little place reviewed pretty high in the area, and nonetheless found myself here with a friend earlier this week. Sitting at the bar, we were able to interact with the sushi chef, and not only was he very kind, but was very quick in fulfilling our orders. The fish was average for me and though not the best I've had.. certainly nowhere close to the worst. A great overall experience. The food was ok, probably on the 3 stars side, but their service was great, and the atmosphere is laid back... so 4 stars for that.. giving it a 3.5 average. Try the tataki. I liked it.
(4)
Wen-fai F.

Unnecessarily large amounts of food for half the price you would expect, and here's the catch.... it's actually GOOD. Came to Sushi Zen with a friend for lunch and got two lunch combinations and and an extra roll. It was all fantastic (although my only SMALL complaint is the dressing on the salad tastes like pure mayonnaise). I had the tempura-salmon teriyaki combination which comes with rice, salad and soup all for under $10 (I forget the exact price now). Gen-mai-cha (or brown rice green tea) is on the house and refilled often. When I came to visit San Francisco from Boston, all I wanted was a cheap, delicious, fresh sushi place because you can't find that in the East, and Sushi Zen has fulfilled my dreams!
(4)
Julia S.

I came to Sushi Zen for the first time for dinner with my bf and we left happy, satisfied, & drunk. For our meal, we ordered: - Wakame - Alaska Roll - Super Dynamite Roll - Spicy Tuna Roll - British Colombia Roll All of the rolls were good but my favorite was the Super Dynamite Roll because it was flavorful, nicely fried, and topped with a tasty sauce. For our drinks, we started with just one bottle of sake and beer but that ended up slowly quadrupling. We ended up taking a few shots of sake with the staff who were also kind enough to treat us with a cute fruit platter and dessert on the house. To say the least, the staff here definitely won me over. I would definitely come back with a bigger group of friends for a casual dinner and enjoy their rolls and drinks again.
(4)
Anthony L.

My first reaction before trying Sushi Zen: Ugh, another Chinese owned sushi bar in Richmond/Sunset??? It's all about their special rolls here: -Dynamite Roll: It's a fried Spicy Tuna roll. Very good, I wish it were spicier, but it has an overall great taste and fresh fish of decent quality. -Sunset Roll: Pretty good -Winter Wonderland Roll: My second favorite here behind the Super Dynamite. I wish I remembered the exact ingredients to the other rolls, but I don't. I just remember really enjoying those three rolls out of all we ordered. Decent Sushi, Great service (they stayed open an hour after closing just to accommodate us)! Not mind blowing but definitely worth a try ;)
(3)
Doriancita H.

I really like this place. Its chill not your regular super high class tip toe sushi joints. Chinese people run this place and the staff are all very friendly. The first thing I noticed about this place was the speed of the sushi! We sat at the bar area, and as soon as we ordered our food, immediately sushi just started showing up in front of us. We were chattin' up with the sushi chief and the staff, and they recommended their special Super Dynamite Roll which was really good, not your typical super super Americanized sushi, more so Chinese-Americanized sushi. Plus the sushi chief took a break and had a few sips of Sapporo wit us, I like that work attitude.
(4)
H K.

I came here this past Saturday evening to give this restaurant a try. I ordered the chirashi, which on the menu listed a pretty low price, but it came with just eight pieces of fish. They were pretty decent though. That's okay because it left more room in my stomach to enjoy the spicy yellowtail roll that I order. Here instead of the usual six pieces, they cut it into eight, with the rice outside which for this type of roll is what I prefer. The size of each one is smaller that in a way that makes them more enjoyable. They also have large hot sake for a good price: $4.95 (as I recall). It's only $1 or $1.50 more than the small one, so might as well order the large. Solid 3.5 stars, I would say.
(3)
Sannie L.

Stopped by here with a friend before heading to the beach. Sushi rolls are sizeable albeit slightly overpriced for what I'm used to. They get pretty fancy with their rolls though, and they always looks really nice. I would come back to this place if I were in the neighborhood but it's not my favorite sushi place in town. Reasonable prices for the quality offered.
(4)
Linda L.

I LOVE SUSHI ZEN!!! I've been coming for over 5 years now and Kevin is consistently good everytime! Some of my favorite dishes: House salad British Columbia roll Super Dynamite Roll Sizzling Tai They definitely have the best value too - great dishes, great prices. Also if taking sake bombs - you must have Kevin take one with you! Super fun! Definitely highly recommend Sushi Zen to anyone!
(5)
Megan K.

Sushi Zen is my go to restaurant for sushi in sunset. It is a small restaurant with a cozy feel- I love all the pictures on the wall! Every time I've been there it hasn't been too crowded and the service is good. My favorite item on the menu is the Gyoza pot stickers- they are so fresh and addicting! The bento lunch special is such a good deal, you get a lot of food for a reasonable price. Everything I've tried here has been tasty. And the prices are great for a college student like me!
(4)
Kimia M.

Super yummy sushi deliciousness! I tried it for the first time last night with my roommate and her friend and absolutely loved it. Long story short, we will definitely be back. If you're trying it for the first time, go for some of the Sushi Zen specials; I'll vouch for the Super Dynamite Roll, the King Kong Roll and Winter Wonderland. So good!
(4)
Tom A.

I wavered on whether or not to give this place 5 stars, but just consider this a solid 4+ review. Sushi Zen is fantastic. I had some edamame, as well as portions of the 49er roll, Winter Wonderland roll, Screaming roll and some crazy type of dynamite roll. The meal was inexpensive and came with free green tea, which is always a plus in my book. The service was very, very fast, and the servers were quite pleasant. The only real drawback to this restaurant is the size and location. It's pretty small, so be wary on a crowded evening. Other than that, I'm planning on coming back!!
(4)
Meg T.

Closest Sushi place.... and GO! The spider roll was the smallest I've ever seen, it was good, but for 8 bucks I want Tokyo Lobby Style. RIP Tokyo Lobby *Tear* The miso was good, as was the service, yet the tempura was equally as small and uninteresting as the roll. I'd come back but I doubt that it'd grow on me.
(2)
Rosalind S.

We came here based on some great yelp reviews and its close proximity to where we live. I read up on some of the "favorite" rolls and I have to say, thank you yelp reviewers, you guys were spot on. The winter wonderland roll came out first and it was possibly to best one we got. We also got some other ones too but the spicy roll, I forgot the name was also very good. The staff was very friendly and it seemed like they have a lot of regulars that come through the door. Every other group that walked in was greeted like they were old friends. We kinda had a hard time finding the place since it was tucked in between two stores. Look hard because it's totally worth it!
(4)
Annie S.

I have a thing of over-ordering food, and last night at Sushi Zen was no exception. The bf and I came here for dinner. We were greeted by the owner - but only because he thought we were part of "the last three" of a party they were hosting. Um, my bf and I do not count as three people btw. Anyway, we were seated promptly in a four-seat table. (I wish they had two seat tables, that way, it's a little more personal.) While we read the menu to decide what to order, the party of 15(?) next to us engaged in the fun game of sake bomb. It kept us entertained for a bit since we had to wait a while to get our order taken. About ten minutes or so, the waitress came to our table to take our order. I ordered the chicken teriyaki and tempura combination dinner, the bf ordered the unagi-don, and we decided on the super dynamite roll to share. The super dynamite roll arrived first. Since the roll was fried, it was really crunchy. The roll was cut into ten thin slices, making it easy to fit into our mouths. In a way, it was kind of like an appetizer. A yummy appetizer, at that. The bf's unagi-don was huge! The portion of bbq eel was... more than enough to feed him but he finished it all anyway. (Hehe, fatty.) Needless to say, I think my portion was food was huge as well. The tempura was more memorable. Fried long green beans, sweet potato, broccoli, and shrimp - all very good. The chicken teriyaki, miso soup, rice, and salad was the standard Japanese bento boxes quality - nothing bad about it at all. All in all, another satisfying meal for two for $30.
(4)
Dennis L.

Cheap sushi/japanese dinner with short or no wait times and nothing to fancy. -Winter Wonderland Roll - great basic roll that supplants california rolls for me -Tuna Poke over seaweed salad - probably enough to share between 2-3 people. The flavor is right but the tuna pieces aren't always that great. -Chicken yaki soba - easy decision when not craving anything with rice or avoiding rice overload because all of the rice in sushi rolls. Basically a Japanese chicken chow mein -Chicken katsu don - when they aren't packed and they make it right, it comes out hot and drenched in sauce making the combination of katsu and rice delicious. They are accommodating to large groups and I heard they can get a bit crazy at times with sake bombing too. Based on all the pictures on the wall, it seems the chef/owner is a proud participant in the sake bombing too. I don't know what Sandy L is talking about cuz they dont give you ice cream no mo. wtf?
(4)
Byron L.

I have not eaten such bad sushi in a while. Some slices are too frozen. Some slices taste like dead fish. Sick.
(1)
Chris G.

Tried to get my son out of his west portal sushi rut and take Sushi Zen for a spin. We are definitely glad we did! I love any place where you are greeted from the sushi bar on your way in. There is quite a big selection of specialty rolls and the price is quite good for the quality of the maki and, more importantly, the fish itself. Beers and drinks are also well priced. I was a bit disappointed to see that there wasn't a daily specials board for sashimi and nigiri, however when I asked, they pointed me in the direction of some really tasty white tuna, which along with the hamachi and sake I had were all well sized and fresh. Service was great, decor nothing really special. The chef was engaging and happy. He even hooked my son up with a free scoop of mango ice cream which we didn't even ask for. He offered me one too, but I was too stuffed on sushi and asahi to accept.
(4)
Dylan T.

Solid little sushi joint in the Sunset. First off, we got rockstar parking right up front! Second, the service was very friendly and the sushi chef even came out to help serve customers. The fish was fresh and the rolls weren't too over-stuffed or overpowering. Greatness is in the details: For a party of 4, splitting a sashimi platter of 15 pieces is not exactly a science project, but they went ahead and made it 4 pieces of 4 kinds of fish. Minor adjustment, I know, but they also brought out rolls cut in 8's (not just 6's) once the figured out we were all sharing all of the various rolls. That and respectable prices earn this place a solid 4 and should be a sushi staple for a 15 minute radius.
(4)
Muy V.

The atmosphere there was good the workers were really friendly and it feels like a mom n pops place which is rare at a sushi place. As far as the food it was pretty good although the servings were a bit smaller then other restaurants but not by much overall good experience would go back for sure if In the area.
(4)
Anita W.

I LOVEEE their lunch time special. They have chicken katsu, chicken teriyaki, sweet and sour chicken(which are about $4-5?) or I usually order the Sushi Combo. For $5.50 what a deal!! It comes with 8 pieces of cali roll, and one of favs, the super dynamite roll, which is a spicy tuna roll, that is deep friend with a special sauce and a sprinkle of tobiko and green onion on top. Careful though, you must eat this hot or else it wont taste that good, which goes alone with all other fried food. If I order this special, i always order when its not the rush hour, which is typically the lunch hour of the Lincoln students. They literally are lined up down the block and they have a table set outside with around 50 boxes of their specials. I wait till after that rush is done so that I know my food has been made to order, instead of the ones that didn't sell during the lunch time rush hour.
(4)
Page D.

We go here at least twice a month. We really enjoy the sushi! Kevin- the chef who is always there is really friendly. My favorites: Super Dynamite Winter Wonderland Pink Dragon- my favorite! My husband likes their Maguro and Hamachi. The place is really cozy (read:small) and the service is okay. At busier times, you'll have to flag down someone to get what you need but they always bring it... sometimes a little slower than what you might expect.
(4)
Christine G.

Went here with a group of friends after a trip to the SF zoo. I got the Winter Wonderland (Good, but needed spice or something to cut the two sauces that were both sweet) and split a Veggie Tempura dinner (Not much variety, tempura sauce was bland, ok portioning) with Momo E. Some other things that were ordered were: Kappa Maki (add cream cheese): Originally B. ordered this but they brought out tekka maki but B. doesn't like raw fish so there was no way she was going to eat the tekka maki AND it didn't have cream cheese. Despite it being an easy fix, our waitress dragged her feet in just bringing us the correct maki. And when she did bring us another it was an avocado maki and not kappa (cucumber). Salmon Teriyaki dinner: Decent, moist, good portioning. Comes with the usual miso, rice, and salad. Chicken Teriyaki dinner: Again good portioning, typical chicken teriyaki. Chirashi: This was super disappointing. For around $13 this was not worth the money what so ever. All the fish looked eh and we definitely would have preferred better quality fish then more quantity. What bothered me the most was that there was an entire layer of wakame aka filler. Despite the mix up with the Kappa maki the service was not bad on the whole, although most of this was due to another waitress not our waitress. Which brings me to the conclusion that Sushi Zen is nothing special, just the average run of the mill place.
(3)
Mike S.

Me and my friend Daniel have been coming to this small, but fun sushi restaurant for over 5 or 6 years now. Honestly the place may not look like much from the outside, but the environment is unbeatable. Kevin the sushi chef is AWESOME! Even if he wont admit it he is still a party animal on the inside and makes all kinds of unique rolls and creations as long as you ask for something new each time. I would recommend this sushi spot to anyone who would like to have fun while eating good sushi and even come out for a sake bomb or two, or three.
(5)
Jacquelyn M.

My boyfriend and I have been here twice now. The fish is fresh, the portions are good and the prices are quite decent. They have some fun rolls that are tasty. The staff are nice and not overly chatty which I like. Everything is clean. I like coming here.
(4)
Elliot Y.

A whole in a wall place on Taraval. Who knew there was great sushi in this place?! You can easily miss this place.. Friendly atmosphere where you can walk in and enjoy your sushi. There are pictures along the walls with customers and the chef. Iron Chef Kevin is behind the counter creating wonderful and delicious sushi. The seating can be limiting so there might be a wait time. Other than that, I would come back. Oh yea, they close at 9:30pm on Sunday... FTW!
(4)
Lauren N.

Sushi Zen is my preferred sushi spot on Taraval. Its within walking distance to my house so Im biased. I probably wouldnt go out of my way to come here otherwise. Out of all the Taraval sushi joints I think Sushi Zen has the freshest tasting fish. Never packed when I go, prices are very reasonable and the service is pretty good. Wish they delivered.
(4)
Ken G.

Yum! Efficient staff. . .sushi was fresh and delicious. . .
(5)
Christopher L.

If you're looking for a quick to go lunch on the cheap, come here for the student lunch specials! I posted a picture of the Student Lunch Menu! Their dons are pretty good and the rolls are big but not over riced.
(4)
Gabriella M.

Great service! Love the rolls, seriously so happy I came in and tried this place!
(5)
J C.

Definitely not the best, but their service makes up for some of it. Came here with my friend on a cold night and the place was empty at around 7pm. I ordered the dinner combo and it only came with one bowl of soup, but she gave us an extra complimentary one, so that was nice of her. Price is average for a sushi joint.
(4)
Jeanette Y.

I'M A FAN! I was introduced to this place a few years back by a friend and I have to say this has to be one of my favorite spots for sushi!
(4)
Ben T.

I always love the food here. Sushi is always fresh and thick, and dinner plates are always cooked decently. Prices are very fair. Service can be somewhat spotty depending on who is serving, and they seem to treat you better if you speak cantonese... not saying they don't treat everyone well, as slews of other races come in here all the time to gorge on sake bombs. i had butterfish for the first time here years ago. if you try to steal mine from my plate i will smack you with my chopsticks. fact.
(5)
Alyce l.

OMG, how do people review this place? I don't get how they would receive 4 stars. My husband, a friend and I came here because Tazaki was closed for the day, it was a Wed night, so we searched for another place and found this. Based on the 4 star reviews from fellow yelpers, decided to give this place a try. We ordered the Super Dynamite roll, it was supposed to have Spicy Tuna in the middle, turned out to be cooked spicy tuna, not much rice around it, and doesn't taste as good as what the reviews said. We also ordered the Sashimi plate 35 pcs. I have never tried cold, still a bit frozen sashimi before. If you like that, you should come here. Some of the fish was still frozen, wasn't cut all the way through. Also ordered the Hamachi kama. This was decent. Btw the 3 of us, we were not full. Normally when we go to Tazaki, ordered the same amount of food, we would be really full.
(2)
Sarah F.

I always have a hard time deciding what to eat, especially when there is a huge variety of things that I want to try. We asked the waiter what his favorite roll was...and his reply was "They don't have it here, its at another restaurant." My friends and I gave each other a look. That made me think the food must not be too good here, if he doesn't even have a favorite. Sketchy... We proceeded to order the: TUNA POKI: we all loveddd it. tuna was fresh and went well with their seaweed. i loved the combination of flavors in my mouth. HAMACHI KAMA: loved how they grilled it and dipping it in their yummy ponzu sauce. Very tender meat and good portion. SUNSET STRIP ROLL: very good! no complaints, it was our best roll. had unagi inside topped with raw tuna, hamachi, topped with a sweet sauce and their spepcial house sauce. PINK DRAGON ROLL: not up to par. it was supposed to be baked but it wasn't and when we asked our waiter if this was our order he said yes. we asked again because it was supposed to be baked. after all of us had a piece to try...we concluded that it wasn't the roll we had ordered, so we notified the waiter again. FINALLY, he asked the chef to make a new one. and waiting almost 40 minutes later, it came. WACK! that is so not cool. Good thing we had other food keeping our tummies full and had a lot of catching up to do. TARAVAL ROLL: not what the menu made it seem like. i thought it was made very poorly. It had avocado, crab meat and hamachi, but it didn't taste all that great. very dissappointed. We really enjoyed the Tuna poki, hamachi kama, and the sunset strip. Did not enjoy the service too much, especially when the waiter tried to play it off as if the pink dragon roll was supposed to be the way it came. NO, my friend noticed because she can't eat raw food. He wasn't even apologetic at all that they tried to serve us the wrong roll. It gave me the feeling as if he knew they made it wrong, but didn't say anything about it...thinking that we wouldn't notice it. THAT'S WRONG!!! I would give it another shot again, if the waiter who served us is NOT WORKING.
(3)
Monica S.

I've moved to a new hood so I can house sit. So now I must start from scratch. I love my fav sushi places, but I don't feel like driving to the Mission. Anyhow Sushi Zen was convenient. Sushi is pretty good. We had the hamachi kama - good portion, nice dipping sauce. Super dynamite - was quite good as well. Now my fav place, but definitely a must try for those trying to find a new place in the sunset. Service was great, but then again we were the only two in the restaurant. haha
(3)
Lisa K.

Sushi Zen is one of my favorite sushi places in San Francisco! First try my freshman year of college and amazing experiences followed :) Sake and beer, sometimes on the house if you're having a large party. Walk in, seated automatically. Order and you're done. The customer service there is pretty good. But the last time I went, one of the waiters was looking pretty glum and it lacked on his service to me and my friends that night. Free ice cream on the house after. Always a good thing.
(4)
Karina A.

Their rolls are not the best I ever had, nothing I can remember right now, so I'd skip it. IMO, it is best to come during lunch hours for their Chef's sashimi special. $13.95 gets you miso soup, 13 freshly cut sashimi and a bowl of rice. Their fresh is always very fresh and simply MELTS in your mouth like it should!
(4)
Joseph N.

I like Sushi Zen as a neighborhood sushi place. Service is friendly, prices and quality are both average. They have pictures all over the wall of their regular clientele (nice mix of college students and families). I came here last night with my brother and ordered 3 rolls (can't remember the names anymore), tempura, and hamachi nigiri. The hamachi nigiri was very fresh, the tempura was perfectly battered and there was plenty of it, and the rolls were the only thing that left something to be desired. They were filling and mostly good, but some of the fish used wasn't so good. Miso soup was complementary, hot tea and water were always refilled quickly. It's odd to see that the nigiri was tasty and the rolls were less satisfying, usually my experience is the other way around. Regardless, I liked this place and will be back.
(3)
Vikki K.

Came here today with fellow Yelper Tiffany C. It was kinda meh to me. Just a typical sushi place with nothing super special about it. It's a very to-go type of place. We both ordered the chirashi bowl that came with plenty of rice, and about 5-6 pieces of fish. The fish tasted fresh and had a good variety. The meal came with miso soup which lacked flavor and tasted very watered down. The green tea was yummy but we had to flag them down a couple of times to re-fill our cups but he was nice about it. Overall this place is 3/5 stars. I think that they do have really great lunch specials to-go for the Lincoln kids during lunch time which is a great idea but I wouldn't come here again to dine-in.
(3)
Alina R.

Super Dynamite is the best roll Kevin is the best! They treat customers (especially regulars) like family and hook it up occasionally!
(5)
Ouida L.

My favorite sushi place in town where you can get good sushi for good price. Some of the best rolls are Sunset rolls with lots of mango inside and cover with spicy sauce, Lazy summer rolls, which is just cucumber and tuna, very fresh and pretty and Zen tini. Now, Kevin can make Zen Tina so pretty last time that I didn't want to eat it! Of course I finish that thing in 5 mins! They have other good dishes such as Yaki Soba and such but my other favorite is Sizzling Tai. That's fresh fish serve up sizzling on hot iron plate! So good with a bowl of rice. If you are really into traditional sushi, you might not want to try this since I won't call Sushi Zen traditional at all. But if you want good fusion sushi American style, this is the place to be. Excellent service and free Sake, what's not to like!
(5)
Laiza S.

The Winter Wonderland was good. They make sure they refill your tea which is great.
(3)
Meghan M.

Best sushi in the sunset!! Amazing food, great prices and service. Love the saki bombs!
(5)
Christina L.

It was Friday night. The plan was HH then dinner. But since my friend's hunger was gnawing away at her stomach, we decided to merge HH with dinner. And, Sushi Zen's Buy 2 Get 1 Free Sake made that an excellent plan! The sushi rolls were scrumdiddlyumptious. The super dynamite roll was a deep fried spicy tuna roll with 2 kinds of spicy sauce and some scallions. It was hands down favorite. One of my friends' favorites is a roll with Hamachi and wasabi tobiko. I only wish some of their rolls used a little less rice. Then my stomach could fit more yumminess and less bland riceness. Anyway, the wait staff, including the sushi chef/owner, was super duper friendly. But, this could've been because my friends live close by and go there all the time. The chef/owner joined us for several shots of sake. But, their friendliness wasn't the end of their good service. They kept our tea topped off and the sushi rolls came out at lightning speed. FYI Sushi Zen is in the same spot as the old Vietnamese restaurant called Lam's that had the best beef stew ever. I'm sad about no more beef stew, but at least it was replaced with yummy sushi!
(4)
E G.

Ate here last night with my friend who lives in the Outer Sunset. We sat down around 6 PM and were greeted with some cozy green tea right away. I ordered a green salad, sake nigiri, maguro nigiri and the crazy roll. Corinne ordered a green salad, the winter wonderland roll and a california roll. The salads were huge and delicious and combined a traditional green salad with wakame on top! How awesome, especially when you can't decide if you want seaweed or romaine! The fish was fresh, cut just right and oh so tasty! YUMMY :) My roll, the crazy roll was very good as well: shrimp tempura inside with spicy tuna on the outside with house sauce and tobiko. Corinne said she loved the winter wonderland roll and her CA roll was good too. We stayed and caught up for a long while after we had finished our meal and the server did not hesitate to fill our tea 2 or 3 times. Love when they don't rush you out, especially at sushi spots. Overall, great service and fresh fish. Ambiance: small, divey, but fun with pics and drawings from customers all over the walls! Will definitely revisit if I'm out in that area !!!
(4)
Jennie L.

1 star: because they have great tasting food at a great price! 2 star: because the staff is very nice and quick, even for take-outs. 3 star: because I ate there today and they offered us ice cream ON THE HOUSE! 4 star: because they're less than 2 blocks from my house, score! :D a star off: because the roll was kinda small, but it tasted DYNAMITE! since it was called the "super dynamite roll".. bwahahah!
(4)
Sandy K.

Sushi Zen is not a frou-frou sushi spot, but the food is better than some of those fancier places. The fish always tastes fresh, and everything is reasonably priced. Both the lunch and dinner specials are a great deal, so those are definitely worth checking out. The service is fast and friendly, and I have always left Sushi Zen happy and satisfied.
(4)
Olivia P.

Pretty good sushi and friendly service. I had the dynamite and dragon rolls. (I also got a hot sake since it was only $3.50, and I will not do so again -- I guess there was a reason it was that inexpensive!)
(3)
Betsy C.

Delush...super chef & fabulous prices. Fish & flavors = extraordinary.
(4)
Tadaa T.

I was craving for some sashimi and Sushi Sen was near by, so we gave it a try. As soon as we walked in, the chef and the waitress happily greeted us and brought us tea. The specialties rolls look pretty good, and not that pricey, I think $10.50 max. So we got an order of agedashi tofu, 3 rolls, and a chirashi. Their wall art (I think they are drawn by customers, including those drawn by children and perhaps some drunken customers) caught my eyes, one says SAKE BOMB! How fun! AGEDASHI TOFU: good light appetizer. The coating wasn't that crispy. WASABI HAMA ROLL: hamachi and wasabi tobiko topped albacore roll. Yum. BRITISH COLUMBIA ROLL: tuna roll topped with salmon and thinly sliced lemon. Really liked how the citrusy sweetness of the lemon combined with the salmon. 49er ROLL: CA roll topped with salmon and tuna. Almost like the rainbow roll but with less variety of fish. CHIRASHI: not impressed. $15, eight slices of fish, and some salmon roe and seaweed. Very small portioned compared to many other places I tried in the past. I still hold YUM YUM FISH SUSHI's CHIRASHI as my comparison standard. Other goodness: easy street parking, friendly service, inexpensive fresh fish.
(3)
Annie Y.

My bf and I enjoy eating at sushi zen, due to its location which is very close to our house and also for the food of course. Why am i giving it a two star? well, the last time i went there for dinner.. I asked for a glass of plum wine ; which it even stated in the menu that it is 4.50 for a glass. (I manage a sushi restaurant myself, therefore Im pretty sure i would not mistaken the difference between a plum wine and a plum SAKE) So, when i ordered my plum wine, the waitress lady brought me , opened and poured me a plum SAKE.. so I told her it wasn't what i wanted but she just walked away. So whatever... BUT she started speaking Chinese to the chef about "hope she doesn't notice that its not plum wine" .... uh.. I'm Chinese... thank you. When the bill came.. the bottle of sake itself was $15 ! I was pretty upset but at the same time .. yes i know i didn't have to drink it.. what made me upset was the fact that she purposely tried to trick me?? So ... check your bill before you pay... you never know what type of tricks or extra charges they might have added..
(2)
Sandy C.

I love coming here for their miso soup and combination b meal. It's delicious and so flavorful. It has tempura and four pieces of california rolls with beef teriyaki and my favorite, their salad. I LOVE their salad its really good, I always crave for it and it always hits the spot.
(5)
jazzy l.

I thought the sushi here was okay. The rice had barely a hint of vinegar taste. The soft shell crab was okay. I got miso soup on the house. Overall...it's an "OK" sushi restaurant owned by Cantonese people. Spicy Tuna - This was okay too.
(3)
Jessica M.

Huge portions for the price. I got a 49ers roll and a 2 piece salmon sushi and could barely finish. The roll was 8 pieces on its own. And even though I just picked up take-out, they still served me a steaming cup of tea. Great service.
(4)
Savannah P.

Don't let the 3 stars fool you, it's a pretty decent sushi place! As other reviewers have said, this is a Chinese owned sushi place. I suppose it puts people off because they think it's not as ~authentic~ but it really is. My bf and I walked down from our house in the pouring rain (sushi pangs can be serious) and when we walked in, we were greeted with smiled and warm tea! It wasn't very busy- just a few tables occupied. The guys running the restaurant were having a conversation with some regulars, so the vibe is totally laid back and inviting. Super friendly! We got the tempura appetizer, 3 rolls to share (California [eh, I'm a sucker], Dynamite, and the Rock&Roll- each pretty good!) and it was filling and only $30. That may seem steep, but they have lots of lunch specials and meal specials well within budget. It wasn't the most amazing sushi I've ever had, granted, it was still very good and super fresh. I'd go again during a sushi-lust since it's so convenient. The friendliness and service were A+ and that's what would get me to come back to try it again.
(3)
William B.

During my first visit the last time at Sushi Zen and eating the Combination Lunch Box special which was the Chicken Katsu Sashimi & California Roll (4 pcs) A couple weeks later, I have decided to go to Sushi Zen once again... This time, I have decided to eat something different this time which was the Sushi Combination Lunch which was the California Roll (8 pcs) & Rock'n Roll and also came with Miso Soup... Which was $6.50 not that bad of a price and the Sushi Combo Lunch that... I have just ate up tasted really goooooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Linda N.

This place is only good for people who want sushi dirt cheap or for high school kids looking for a snack. I tried one of their lunch combos, the rolls were small and not very creative... I don't like spicy tuna so I didn't try the dynamite roll which all the other yelpers suggested. Two stars because service was fast and the white tuna nigiri was fresh. Thank you but I won't be back. Food was under par.
(2)
Carmen Y.

Yummy and fresh sushi at a very good price! I'm a frequent customer and the staff treats me super friendly each and every visit. Some of my faves are: Super Dynamite Roll British Columbia Roll Rainbow Roll Taraval Roll The sashimi is always very fresh and they tend to hook it up with a few extra pieces too! This is my go-to spot anytime I'm craving for some sushi for convenience plus cheap prices. I never really had to wait before for a table, but I swear they are getting more and more customers on a regular basis now. The place is always jam packed now with people doing sake bombs! Nonetheless, still a great place for some yummy sushi in the Parkside. Sushi Zen has never disappointed me!
(5)
Linda L.

Well, I can't say anything bad but I can't say anything great. Compared to the other sushi bars on Taraval, going to have to pass on this one.
(3)
Jenny L.

This will definitely become my regular neighborhood Japanese restaurant, so you guys should find your own. The staff is super friendly, the rolls are fresh, and the entrees are filling. The super dynamite roll - must try! Don't say I didn't tell you. The table next to us ordered one, wolfed it down, then ordered another one.
(5)
Alex K.

After reading all the glowing reviews about this place I had to try it out. I must say I was very disappointed with the food and the service. I was with 3 other people and we ordered tempura udon, tonkatsu donburi, and chicken teriyaki. When I tried to order some special rolls, the waiter said it was too much food for us already. Really? You are going to tell me that we can't order more food because it's a lot of food? I thought most places would tell you that you didn't order enough. I usually appreciate it when the servers advise you not to order too much food, but our server was very rude about it. We got our food in about 15 minutes. Nothing really special to write about. The chicken teriyaki was dry, the tempura was mostly batter, and the udon broth was very salty. I'm actually glad we didn't get the rolls we wanted to order in the beginning. At this point, I'm thinking of giving Sushi Zen 2 stars and maybe, just maybe, give them another chance. That is until it came time to pay the bill. Our bill came out to $28. We gave them $35. The server takes our money. He doesn't ask us if we need change nor did we tell him that we didn't need change. He assumed that we didn't need change and that was his tip! Really? I am a very generous tipper if my experience was good but that was unacceptable. I will probably not come back again.
(1)
Laura G.

This was a wonderful place to replace a moderately priced San Francisco sushi restaraunt in my mind. The Dragon Roll is wonderful, I loved the Unagi roll too, and it was honestly good sized pieces. I'll bite...I found a bit of my zen with my SF sushi experience here.
(4)
Victoria N.

I found this place on Yelp while I was visiting the city for a show. I am not sure why this place has such high reviews. They did, however provide complimentary miso soup and the service was good. I came here for lunch because I was craving sushi rolls and we ordered three rolls which were recommended by Yelp reviews. We ordered the Winter Wonderland, Super Dynamite and one more which I can't remember. One of the rolls were sliced into tiny pieces which I thought was strange and I think this method took away from getting the full flavor of the roll because the pieces were so tiny! All of the rolls were just at best satisfactory, but there was absolutely nothing special about the rolls which would entice me to ever come back.
(2)
Carrine J.

Sushi Zen is a small, family owned sushi restaurant. My sister, roommate and were craving sushi, so we used yelp to find this place. We ordered three sushi speciality rolls and a fried tofu for dinner. Their sushi roll selection was mediocre. The sushi tasted fresh and yummy, but the rolls were kind of small for their prices. Very friendly service with average prices.
(3)
MissJ J.

Sushi Zen provides great customer service, a great variety of sushi rolls, and fresh sashimi at a really good price! This is a really nice local restaurant for sushi/ sashimi lovers. However, their udon is just so-so. We usually get their hot house sake - good deal too! Definitely check this place out!
(4)
Pamela P.

This is my office's Japanese Spot for lunch. I enjoy calling my order in to an engergetic man. I have yet to catch his name, but he is super friendly over the phone and in-person. He's always happy to see us pick up our order. We love the lunch boxes here! They are reasonably priced at $7.50-$8. I've had the chicken, beef, and salmon teriyaki, and the saba shioyaki. The lunch box comes the usual bento favorites: salad, miso soup, 4 pcs California roll, tempura and rice. I usually pass on the tempura and ask for more California roll, which they don't charge extra for substituting. :)Other items on the menu I have tried are: fish katsu donburi, katsu donburi and the shrimp tempura roll. I haven't been dissapointed yet! I like specials. The only peeve I have are the flies swarming by the entrance way. I think they are from the neighboring storefront. Other than that I like this place.
(4)
Marie R.

My friend brought me here to try out the sushi since I told him I'm a huge sushi lover. He definitely made a good choice & now it's definitely in my top of sushi places to go to! As for food, I've had the Winter Wonderland & 49er's Roll. Both were delicious & to tell you the truth, once in awhile I'll crave their 49er's Roll because it's that good!! The raw fish is fresh & tastes delicious. Then as for service & the place, the place is small, so it would be good if you get there early on weekends or during the dinner hours. Service is nice and pretty fast. The sushi usually comes out within 5-10 minutes, which to me is amazing because most sushi places I go to I would have to wait for awhile. If you're in the area, this is a good sushi place to go to. Don't let the Sushi Raw on the corner fool you, that place is not good at all compared to this one.
(4)
Sara J.

If you're looking for a fun, casual alternative to the club scene on the weekend, I suggest gathering your closest friends and bringing them to a sushi/saki bomb night at Sushi Zen. They have efficient service and are very tolerant to large parties of obnoxious drunks. Not only do they supply the sushi and saki at a reasonable price, but Kevin, the owner, will saki bomb with you! I always respect a place that not only remembers your face, but also shows great appreciation to loyal customers. If you do intend to bring a big party there, I suggest calling to make informal reservations, so they can be prepared for your disorderly arrival.
(4)
Sara M.

Love! Love! Love it at Sushi Zen!! Winter Wonderland = AMAZING, PERFECT, DELICIOUS!! Other favorites: Rainbow Roll, Super Dynamite, California Rolls, Sunset Strip! EVERYTHING is good! Kevin and everyone who work there are the best and always welcoming! They try their best to make everyone feel welcome and have a good time. Saki bombs are the BEST! We've had our moments with one waiter that just rubbed us the wrong way and gave us horrible service when we usually expect the best. Because of this we didn't tip as high as usual and this guy had the nerve to run after us, outside, and ask us if we wanted to leave more tip! We said no and walk away. We've told Kevin and since don't see that waiter as much. Sushi Zen is our hot spot for sushi and we love to take our friends to and have simple date night there. Udon is YUM!, ice cream is YUM! YUM!!,and COMBINATION A is DELICIOUS!! BEST PLACE! GO!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!! :D
(5)
Sara K.

There are SO many sushi places in SF that it's tough to make a decision which one to go to. Sushi Zen is definitely one of my favorites. The prices are very reasonable (why oh why is sushi so yummy and expensive?). The British Columbia roll is DELICIOUS! The service is wonderful and the food is great. You can't ask for more.
(5)
Tina F.

I came here with my boyfriend and I ordered the 49er roll and he ordered the dragon roll. The 49er roll was so good, and my boyfriends dragon roll was good, but I can say I've had better. But overall for the price I would say it was good! You get what you pay for.
(4)
Tom S.

So I ventured here tonight because they had a pretty solid 4 star review on Yelp - I was really underwhelmed. The first strike was that I could barely understand the waiter, and I don't think he understood me very well either, so I was really suprised when my order came correctly. He was able to answer yes/no questions so I'll give some credit there too. The tuna sashimi I received was FROZEN. Yes, crunchy and icy inside. The color was also really bright; I was expecting blood red and I got flamingo pink. The rolls were not well put together but they did taste pretty decent so that was ok. They forgot a part of my date's meal till we asked for it, so that wasn't a big deal either. They would do well to update their menu as they had many more varieties of booze. I saw some Soju and some other tasty Sake's in the fridge that would've been nice to know about. It was also a lil hard to read the specials on the board and the waiter didn't tell us about them either. I'd be willing to try it again, but I suspect their good reviews partially come from the fact that they didn't card the teenagers (they really looked it, I hope I'm wrong) who came in to drink beer.
(2)
phillip w.

pretty good sushi roll place, the lady serving us was very nice and the sushi-man behind the counter was polite. Their portions are quite big and their rolls are somewhat creative having names referring to the area they are in. Beef teriyaki was nice and tender, wasnt over cooked. Rolls are always fun to eat, and there wasnt anything too out of the ordinary. And prices are not too bad. I'll come back again for some simple sushi roll cravings
(3)
Colleen G.

This is our home away from home.. and there is good reason for that: + the 30 piece sashimi = heaven on earth...the super white tuna always has me begging for more. The salmon, the tuna belly.. too good for words. + yummy yummy oysters! If he's got em' , get em'! + the soft shell crab is absolutely delicious + the tuna poki salad is excellent alongside miso soup with clams + sake sake sake sake, 92.7, sake sake, 92.7.. good times + the staff, our dear friends. We have known them since before sushi zen existed and they have become life long friends. I actually got engaged here on my birthday last year. Sushi Zen will always hold a special place in my heart. .. and who cannot love FUNNY ORRRRANGE!
(5)
Kylie M.

The first time I came here a year ago was because I was having a serious craving for fried sushi. I didn't care which kind, as long as it was friiiiiied. When I walked in, I was surprised when all of the staff saw me and shouted with glee. Definitely one of my favorite parts of coming here - they greet you like a friend. The sushi was great. I got the fried CA roll and the Winter Wonderland roll. On occasion, I have dreams about the Winter Wonderland. It's perfect. Overall, the sushi is bomb, the prices are reasonable, and the service is wonderful. Sushi Zen is quickly becoming that "home-y" restaurant that I can always depend on.
(5)
J D.

Love their cucumber salads! Busy place and love to sit at the bar
(4)
Diane L.

I always go here when I'm looking for cheap lunch specials! Cheap doesn't mean that this place is bad either. I always get the bento box which includes chicken katsu, salmon sashimi (yup they let you substitue), california rolls, a small salad, and miso soup. Guess how much for all that? $7.75! Not only do they have good bento boxes, but the quality of the fish is very fresh as well. I always get the Sunset roll which is basically eel and mango topped with slices of tuna and salmon with their special house sauce. And I just had that last week haha. The people that work here are very nice and accomodating as well.
(4)
Colleen M.

I am glad to say that I helped jumpstart this business by selling them an ad. They give a generous price to students, making things as cheap as $3.50 The chef is very hospitable, and when told that it's your birthday, gives you a scoop of ice-cream on the house. It's an extremely tiny store, yet the atmosphere is great, with plastic floating fish to the corner. The food is CHEAP and pretty good, and I love the dynamite and winter rolls. I'm going to have tried everything pretty soon. Sit and order at the bar: the chef might give you some freebies. Maybe it was because of my hungry gaze... Don't expect 5-star food here though, food-junkies. This is fast-food japanese food, and that's that. Try to avoid the beef sukiyaki - a friend of mine ordered it recently, and it was just disgusting. Definitely their worst dish. Otherwise, I heart this place.
(4)
Solitaire M.

Worst service. Don't ever come here if there is more than one table open because they rudely rush you in and out of this place while reminding you that there are other customers and only one person in the entire restaurant working. Why is it the customer's fault that their restaurant is being mismanaged? I would rather drive the six blocks to Tazaki Sushi on Judah where the service and the price for fresh sushi in the Sunset are on the same level as the bright, friendly and family-like atmosphere. Ironically, this place is named Sushi Zen when this place is small, dark and the staff rush you. Though the sushi may taste "woohoo" to some, this restaurant left an "eek" taste in my mouth.
(1)
Katherine N.

While waiting for Dave from Cosmic Computer just down the street to perform brain surgery on my Little Dell (laptop) I dropped in to have a Sapporo and Sashimi for lunch. This is a perfectly simple little place, I wouldn't say no frills but it's on the small side, however when not full then it could be considered intimate !. It's narrow and deep with the sushi bar in the back. It was packed for lunch so I took a seat at the sushi bar. The seating is pretty tight and it can get a bit loud but it's not too bad. Since I'm on a new eating plan and have lost 15lbs in 11 weeks, that means no rice for me so I now order Sashimi instead of Sushi. I ordered the smaller assorted Sashimi Plate, 9 pieces for $9.95. Btw, at dinner they only offer larger size of 10 pieces for $10.95. Handsdown the most reasonable price for a Sashimi lunch I've had in SF. Now I'm always nervous about what's going to show up because I always hate one or more pieces due to them being either some horrible rubbery /chewy fish or god knows what ! However today I had the most delicious assortment of 3 kinds of fish. White Tuna, Maguro and Halibut. Every piece was totally melt in your mouth. Fresh and flavorful. Hands down the best assorted Sashimi I've had in awhile. I decided to test out this place and ordered Scallop Sashimi. This is the deal breaker for me, if a restaurant carries good quality fresh Scallop then it's on my regular go to list. It was pretty good! If this place were even remotely close to my house I'd be here alot, sadly it's not. 4 stars for fish quality. Minus a star for decor, the hundreds of pics up and down the walls definitely close it in and detract. Also, the wash area was really unkept on the way to the bathroom with nobody in it. Dirty dishes everywhere. However, the prices are really reasonable and the fish quality is good. I'll be back again.
(3)
Teri C.

It's mad busy here on a Friday night due to a large birthday party group taking over half the restaurant. But with it being only a party of two, we were able to squeeze into the sushi bar with minimal wait. Behind the sushi chef lies a variety of sake bottles making it a pretty display behind him. It's loud here, and not just because of the large group. The employees are hollering at each other in Cantonese. If I didn't see Japanese food on the menu, I would think we were in the middle of the lunch rush at a fast-paced Chinese food place. After getting our orders in, complimentary miso soup arrived. Not a bad start when you get free stuff. To start, Lorna D. ordered the Tuna Poki ($7.95). It looks like a decent amount, until you realize how much seaweed salad is lurking underneath. A bit misleading if I do say so myself. It was okay, not spectacular or anything. I ordered the Sashimi Chef's Choice ($17.95), which is about 15 pieces. The chef asked if I ate surf clam, and included that on my dish. I jokingly said I also eat ikura and uni if he wanted to add that on there too, and not only did he say a definite no, but I got a definite no from the waiter saying it'll cost more, blah blah blah. (Duh, I know that!) My final sashimi order included 3 pieces of maguro, 2 pieces of albacore, 2 pieces of hotate, 3 pieces of sake, 2 pieces of surf clam, and 3 pieces of hamachi. Overall, the sashimi was decent. The albacore was a bit mushier than I would have preferred and the scallop wasn't that great either. Lorna D. ordered two rolls - the Lazy Summer Roll ($8.50) and the Energy Roll ($8.95). The Lazy Summer Roll was refreshing with the fresh cucumber. The Energy Roll was okay, I couldn't really taste the mango because of everything else in there. And there's a spicy sauce all around the roll, which was a killer for Lorna D. since she's not a spicy eater. We also got complimentary ice cream (vanilla, green tea, or mango) to close out our meal. Service - the waiter and waitress both reached in front and across from me to get things or to refill my glass. At one point, I was facing my dining companion only to see this arm come right in front of me to refill the tea cups. I watched as the tea pot leaked tea onto our sushi rolls. (Why couldn't he go around, there was plenty of room on both sides of us?) The waiter was also hollering in my ear a lot - whether he was talking to me or shouting to the chef. Overall, it's an okay place. Prices aren't ridiculously expensive or anything and they offer combo lunch specials for a pretty good price too. I wouldn't come here for a date or if I wanted high grade sushi. (You can see pics of our eating in the business profile section!) They are open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 am to 9:30 pm. They do close for an hour from 4 pm to 5 pm. And stay open until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. They are only open for dinner on Sundays from 4:30 to 9:30 pm.
(3)
Richard C.

Their lunch specials are very well priced. I've also had their Poke which was excellent. We've ordered Caterpillar roll and Dynamite rolls. Both were pretty good. This is probably one of the better sushi places out in that area of the City.
(4)
Todd R.

I went to Sushi Zen after a disappointing sushi experience a few blocks away at Sushi Raw. Going with Yelper Favorites Winter Wonderland Roll & Super Dynamite Roll was a great idea. They're relatively cheap for specialty rolls (WW $8.75, SD $6.75) and you get a pretty large size roll. It was pretty slow when I went in and I got take out, so I don't have much input on the service and atmosphere. It does look like a good place for some drinks and good food if you're into sake. The Winter Wonderland roll is big boy sized and really tasty, if you like crab you need to order one. The Super Dynamite roll was excellent. It was still warm after walking it home a few blocks, and it also kept its crunch. Tons of flavor, not very spicy though, which is somewhat disappointing considering its namesake. This place was soooo much better than Sushi Raw, and cheaper to boot. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.
(4)
Alison Y.

Came here for a Sunday night dinner and the place was PACKED. Granted, it's not big to begin with, but I was impressed at the volume of people coming here for their sushi fix. At one point the line was out the door. The waitstaff was definitely a bit stressed, but they remained friendly and attentive. The sushi chef was especially nice (we sat at the bar). Our dinner: a seaweed salad apiece, and four rolls: the spicy tuna, the rainbow, the crunchy california, and the winter wonderland. The winter wonderland was definitely my favorite- complete deliciousness in sushi form. We got the crunchy california out of sheer curiosity: a breaded cailfornia roll? Also surprisingly good. The rainbow roll was decent- not the best I've had but still good. My only dislike was the spicy tuna- it was weird to me to have the tuna almost in puree form- I'm used to it being a bit more chunky. All in all this was really good sushi with friendly staff. Reading the other reviews I'm excited now to try Sushi Zen for lunch!
(4)
Peter N.

great value. you get more than what you pay for.
(5)
Peter K.

I was craving some sushi, and I didn't want to go to far from our house. I knew of all the other spots around West Portal, they were whatevers... But this place was new to me. I ordered the super dynamite roll. That was good. It's deep fried on the outside with spicy tuna inside. Next I had the pink dragon roll. This one I loved... But I'm a sucker for rolls that have cooked salmon on top. I definitely would get that one again. I also ordered the tonkatsu dinner plate, and that was good as well. The meat was not jerky chewy, but soft. The service was good, although she was a bit swamped. Overall it was good. I'm defintely coming back and bringing the folks.
(4)
Brenda C.

I've ordered take-out numerous times and the chef/owner is really friendly. While he makes the sushi, he starts friendly conversations with me. I'd recommend the British roll - raw salmon with a thin slice of lemon on top of every piece. Along with that, I always get a class California roll, and I believe it is less than 5.00 for it.
(4)
Jennifer S.

I have trying to find a place to get some decent sushi in this town that is not going to cost me my entire student loan check. This place is antoher that I will never visit again. The food was okay, nothing special... And the service which I try to never mention was lack luster. The one thing that I liked was the fact that they cut the rolls in decent sized pieces. Not the giant ones that require 3 bites to take it down. I dont like to order all of my rolls or dishes at once. I like to order a few at a time to avoid ordering more food than I can eat. (sushi is not that good as a leftover, as I am sure you know). They took a long time to come back to our table and felt that it was more important to talk to co-workers... I will still be in search of a decent sushi place
(3)
jenn l.

I've ordered dine in and for pick up during dinner. Nice casual welcoming environment and yummy sushi, what more can you ask for?
(4)
Fei B.

I was introduced to Sushi Zen by a friend who is a regular, she even has a picture of herself on their wall. Since then it has become one of my favorite sushi spots in the city, It is a cozy little place with a homey feel. The service is friendly, attentive, so accommodative, and the food comes out pretty quick. There's a nice selection of bento boxes and lunch specials for a cheap price. Their rolls taste great and looks fabulous. The sashimi is fresh and tasty and more importantly for all the uni lovers out there, the uni is amazingly sweet and fresh. Order a sake bomb and the sushi chef will drink one with you. Order another sake bomb and the chef will drink another with you. Basically, he will drink with you as many as you order. What can I say, they are warm, welcoming, and friendly. The best part of all, dessert is FREE! Yes, it's true, choose your pick of mango or classic green tea flavor ice cream! I'm an avid sushi lover and have had many meals of great, good, and bad sushi so I would consider myself to know the quality of fresh fish when I taste it. I brought my family and friends here and now they are all hooked and come here all the time. Give Sushi Zen a try, you will not be disappointed! =)
(4)
Tyler C.

I came here for lunch and thought that the sushi was very good. They have very cheap lunch specials and I think that is the best time to come here. I ordered the sushi combo that came with a spicy tuna roll (5 pieces), rock n roll (8 pieces), and 2 pieces of white tuna for $8.50. The sushi was very fresh and I thought it was a great deal for the price. The spicy tuna and white tuna were both very good. I thought the rock n roll, which is eel/avocado, wasn't bad either, but I've had better eel elsewhere. Unfortunately, the price goes up for dinner or if you order individual rolls (spicy tuna is $5.95!). One thing that kept me from giving this place a 5 star review was the service. The one waiter was kind of slow and not very friendly. If you ask for water, you need to specify that you would like it for everyone, or else he'll just get you 1 glass. The restaurant was packed for lunch, so I think they should get more than 1 waiter to work the crowd.
(4)
WallSTkid K.

If there were a definition for Hole in the Wall...this would be it.. Excellent food. Rolls to order Dynamite and Tsunami.. The bento boxes are excellent.. Chicken Teriyako is excellent.. sushi there is good.. Good value and great food.. Cold night with friends this is it..simple.. not a fancy place ...
(4)
Rachel M.

The primary reason our family is reviewing this restaurant is to remind ourselves not to return next time. We forgot that we tried it a year ago, and made the mistake of going back again. Of course, our family members differ on how they'd like to rate the restaurant, and my kids wanted the opportunity to pipe in, so... Mom: "Caterpillar roll looked as slimy as, well, a caterpillar. Tasted just okay. Edamame was likewise slimy." Dad: Sukiyaki was "one-note" and "forgettable." 10-year-old daughter: "Beef udon was... okay, I've had worse. And the California roll was not memorable." 8-year-old son: "The chicken teriyaki and rice are very good. I wanted to give this restaurant 5 stars but my mom wouldn't let me." Mom, dad & daughter think the restaurant could use to invest in fresher ingredients. Son thinks the restaurant rocks. We'll let you be the judge.
(2)
Jeremy L.

Very typical place for sushi rolls and the normal fare that you see in other sushi restaurants. They have their own special rolls, but usually it's just a couple of ingredients that's different. Everything else like the shrimp tempura or unagi as the roll's core is pretty standard. One thing that got me was the White Tuna sashimi on their Assorted Sashimi plate! I love White Tuna with a passion and to my delight, it was glowing on the plate! Taste wise, it wasn't too bad since I feel that Jimi-san takes the trophy for the best sashimi thus far, but this wasn't too bad. One thing that might be noteworthy is their lunch specials. Looks like a great deal, so I'll give that a shot next time I can swing by for lunch. Watch out for an update! Overall for the sushi, this place is a good alternative from Taraval Okazu Ya that is a few blocks west on Taraval. The waiting staff are all friendly and ready to cater to the diner's need, but I don't think they're Japanese. Didn't matter if the food is good. Even so, Sushi Zen may not be the best, but it's not the worst either.
(3)
Lerka J.

I like their sushi...fresh and yummi....The owner is super nice!! Often offers some freebies(like beer or ice cream:) Giving it 4 stars because of the decor...it doesn't feel too cozy..kinda small and dark(
(4)
Heidi S.

I really enjoyed Sushi Zen and above all I really love when I stumble into a place and it turns out to be a great meal. Sushi Zen is your typical small sushi restaurant. The prices were very reasonable and the food was great. We had mainly rolls,however the house salad was super tasty and also the cucumber salad was a great way to start the meal. The Tuna was fresh and that is always a big plus with me. I can't stand when I get a piece of sashimi and its gross...ick! Not the case here. The other thing that was great was how friendly the staff was. Very attentive and nice. I will for sure be coming back to this place again and again when I am in the area. Thank you Sushi Zen!
(4)
Elizabeth B.

Overall, underwhelming. The miso soup tasted watery. The fish in my chirashi sushi was average, but the tobiko was a sad example of roe-kind, and the rice wasn't very well made. They put a spoonful of seaweed salad on the side, and its flavor was faded. The salad greens were fine, but the though the dressing tasted okay, the texture was sort of viscous. I ordered gyoza, which came out last instead of first because I guess that's how we roll here, and they were pretty good, with flavorful juicy pork filling. They keep the music turned up too loud. At least it was quick.
(2)
Natalie L.

Looking for a cheap japanese restaurant with good sushi? Well Sushi Zen will definitely work out for you. Honestly, the dishes aren't the most authentic, but it's still pretty good. The deal you get for a lunch, or even dinner combo is amazing. Maybe $8 for 4 pcs of CA Roll, Half bowl of rice, Chicken Teriyaki (or Beef or Salmon, etc...), salad, and tempura? Tell me that's not a great deal. Service is great and the price is right.
(5)
Audrey T.

This is really more like 3.5 stars. Went back to Sushi Zen for lunch yesterday. It was around noon and I expected it to be busy, but surprisingly, the restaurant was barely filled. The sushi chef is so friendly, and greets everyone as they come and go. Service was average. My teacup was never less than half-filled. We ordered the British Columbia (BC) roll, the King Kong roll, the tempura appetizer, and the 9 or 13 piece sake sashimi (don't remember, sorry!). The menu states that the sashimi is assorted, but they're okay with giving you all salmon or whatever you prefer, so just ask the waiters. The BC roll was definitely my favorite of the two rolls. The lemon is so refreshing; it makes the sushi taste super fresh. The sashimi was really delicious and fresh as well! Everything was good, but I'm disappointed with their small menu, especially when it comes to the rolls they offer. This is gonna be my go-to place for quick, decent sushi whenever I'm in this area.
(4)
Warren G.

Cool place with a very nice chef. He remembers me, my gf, and also my friends since we come here often. British-Columbian roll is a favorite. Next is the sunset strip. I haven't tried these roll anywhere else but i don't think I've seen them anywhere else. Maybe named and made a little different though but I like how sushi Zen does it. Price is fair and friendly service. Sake bomb with the Chef because he is cool. 5 stars from me
(5)
Lynnette J.

Right around the corner from my house, I love this place. The sushi is always yummy. I recommend the sex and the city roll. So good!
(4)
Rachel B.

Here's a little something that drives me crazy: *points to menu word* "Does this mean cucumber?" *waitress nods vigorously* "yes, cucumber, yes." Tuna shows up instead. Despite that, there's easy parking, nice people and it's open mid afternoon when every other sushi place is closed. My friend and I come here for lunch because it's cheap and pretty damn good.
(4)
Joe L.

So friendly! And everything we tried was delicious. We will definitely be back, next time with friends for sake bombs...
(4)
Sharon Y.

My first yelp review! I ordered the salmon tempura lunch special. The salmon was topped with yummy teriyaki sauce, and the tempura was perfectly light and crispy. The salad that came with it was okay. The miso soup was better than some others that I've tried. The California rolls were nothing special. I tried my friend's sushi plate (I can't remember the name of the sushi), and it was good, restaurant-quality sushi. I must say the ginger was some of the best I've ever tried. Service was good, they even gave us free ice cream (green tea or mango) afterwards! The menu isn't too large, but I would come back to this place.
(4)
John H.

I really enjoy Sushi Zen. The bento boxes are very good for the price. We usually order one of their "Dragon" rolls - larger & cheaper, but a little below par compared to others in quality. It's a neighboord "hole in the wall" that I would come back too. I don't eat the raw stuff, so no related reviews.
(4)
Sydney L.

okay for the price you pay.
(3)
Jessica C.

AWESOME. I seem to spend more time at Sushi Zen, then at my own house. Tuna Poki is the perfect starter. Kevin is great at making suggestions- my favorite rolls are the "winter wonderland" and super dynamite - although the very basic California roll fantastic. The salmon teriyaki is a nice dinner plate- served with salad, miso, and tempura shrimp/veggies- for under $10! This is a great new restaurant! I can't wait for them to get their liquor license and make more renovations (its a plain place, but by far the best sushi I've had in SF). If you are craving sushi- take the L taraval to 20th st/taraval. The lunch specials are a great way to sample the menu- beyond cheap. AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! (I promise I have no affiliation, I just spend 3 nights a week stuffing my face with the most delicious under priced sushi)
(5)
Tyler L.

Sushi Zen is my favorite sushi place! Though the sushi prices arent super cheap, it is great tasting with a great sushi chef. The Winder wonderland and super dynomite are both amazing! A definite must try....also good lunch specials (especially for students)
(5)
Dan C.

The owner of this place used to be the head sushi chef at the Hilton, and decided to start his own restaurant. My wife and I stopped by days after it opened. Nobody was in there. We ordered all types of sushi, and it was FANTASTIC. A few months later, it's now impossible to get a table during lunch. Word of mouth of this place spread like wildfire. The reason is simple, this guy makes damn good sushi. A lot of people believe that all sushi tastes the same, but I vehemently disagree. Tip: Don't drive. Jump on the L Taraval instead. It takes you right to 23rd, a block away from the place. Have some sushi, then jump back on the L. I think this place is definitely worth a trip to the Sunset.
(5)
Jannie Q.

Went to Sushi Zen for dinner after reading all the reviews here. Quite impressed with the service - never had a cup less than 1/2 full of tea during the entire time. Staff is attentive and friendly. We both ordered the Combination A meal - which included miso soup, tempura, teriyaki chicken, and salad. $7.95. The Miso soup was a little bland but I didn't mind it since I hate some of those other MSG-tasting Miso soup. Generous portion of tempura - TWO shrimps, broccoli, beans, yam, zucchini, and potato. Chicken was tender but sauce was a bit starchy. Salad was mixed green with a tomato and creamy dressing. Only odd thing: the meal did NOT come in bento box, which I expected. It came in regular dinner plates. We also ordered California roll (DELICIOUS! One of the best because it was soft, fresh, and lightly salted). I didn't even have to dip it in soy sauce! $3.75 for 6 pieces. We also ordered the British Columbia roll - fresh salmon + avocado rolled with seaweed topped with more fresh salmon and lemon slices. This was REALLY REALLY good. I loved it!! The Lemon made it tangy and the salmon and avocado slices were generous in portion. $7.95 for 8 pieces. Quite satisfied with the meal and service. I had to doggie-bag my teriyaki chicken. Can you imagine? Doggie-bagging at a Japanese restaurant? Unheard of! I picked up a to-go menu on my way out and noticed that the lunch prices are so much more worth it!! Combination A meal included Miso soup, Tempura, Teriyaki Chicken, salad AND 4 pcs California Roll for $5.95. Unbelievable!! I would definitely come back for lunch!!
(4)
J D.

So because of the great ratings we thought we would branch out from our usual, (Fugi on West Portal) and try something new. First impression... decor not so great, but not judging, the food is what is important. Bascially, don't waste your time or your money, one or two more dollars a roll at Fugi is a much better deal. Smelled like fish - not a good sign Fish was not fresh Rolls were ok, small in size and not anything special. Seaweed salad decent Regular salad was yuck, again not fresh. Service was fast! But that could because it was not very busy ... for a reason! Photos on this page is better then the actual food! My Neighborhood Sushi Place - Still in seach of a winner
(2)
don c.

Great sushi in the sunset. So glad we found it. Every thing was delicious and fresh. Have taken the In-laws there twice now.
(4)
Rona M.

I don't eat sashimi but I do eat everything else and this place has everything I want. The atmosphere is welcoming and cozy. Lots of photos on the wall prove that many other customers love this place, too. You get a big cup of green tea here, not like some places where you don't unless you ask. The lunch bento is fabulous and filling. Students come in and it feels like a happy place to be. Prices are reasonable and the food is well prepared and tasty/good. Will return again and again.
(5)
C. L.

The location is so close to my mom's workplace. The owner is so nice and friendly. The price is a little bit high. I was waiting to buy 8 rolls for an hour today. I know it's full, but yeah.. sushi for 1 hour? Well.. I still give 4 stars because the food is good. The dragon roll is fabulous!
(4)
JR H.

I really enjoyed my overall experience at Sushi Zen. For me sushi is about a couple of things. Quality and freshness: It was fine, not great but certainly not bad. Environment: It wasn't too crowded, parking was easy and the place is clean and nice. Service: I think this can be one of the most important things when it comes to a sushi place. The owner at Sushi Zen made a point to greet us. He was very cool, offering to accommodate my lack of love of seaweed, as well as just talking to us. He gave us a free hot Saki (I was sold) and overall they were very attentive to us as guests. I'm sold and loved this place!!! Lost a star on freshness...but once again, it was still very very good!!
(4)
brandon y.

This was such a bad resturaunt in terms of service. SURE.,the food might be delicious,but often time they come out cold. another thing i noticed they are confused when busy and i left
(1)
allison l.

Avocado sushi rolls, great. Salmon good, not amazinggg.
(3)
Amy H.

This is a great little place that is hidden on Taraval St. We go there regularly and never have to wait to sit because their service is fast -- and friendly too. Their big special rolls are affordably priced compared to other places in the city, and taste just as good. You can tell that their fish is very very fresh - you can even taste the freshness with their salmon teryaki. Their tonkatsu is great - nice tender pork, not dry like you find elsewhere sometimes. Street parking can be tough on the weekends, but you can't beat it if you live nearby!
(5)
Ame C.

yum i love me some sushi zen! Very affordable and quality food. None of that nasty fishiness in the raw or cooked fish items. come during lunch of you can-very cheap bento and sushi roll combos. Less than $8 for lunch combos. You also have to try the tuna poke!!! I have been going once a week haha. Everyone is very friendly as well. I always give cash tip b/c thats the only way the waiters get it. go here now! I wish they would consider an all you can eat buffet like masus in san mateo or sushi mon in las vegas.
(5)
Susan L.

Tried this Saturday night with a friend. Food: tasted decent. The rolls were a little small for me but good bit size consumptions. Atmosphere: very diverse crowd and the chief seem to like to join the fun. Might be a little loud at times from all the sake bombs. Customer service: great, the waitress came out very often to refill our tea and only gave us out check when we asked. We were catching up even way after we have already paid. But the waitress kept refilling our water and didn't ask or hint for us to leave.
(4)
Jeff W.

donburi, a Japanese rice dish served with eggs, onions in a bowl was executed very well here. sushi was good, not excellent. the server and the owner-chef are really friendly which goes a long way in my book. a special menu item i particularly enjoyed this evening was the white tuna tataki (seared albacore tuna served with ponzu soy sauce). very tasty. another item worth checking out is the super dynamite roll- fried spicy tuna and 2 kinds of spicy sauce with tobiko. yum. prices are very reasonable. worth checking out.
(3)
D H.

Fabulous Chicken Teriyaki! The staff is super accommodating and entertaining! For Less than $10 you get a crap load of food! A must for those with rumbly bellies on a tight budget! yum!
(5)
Rachel B.

they are good people here. that makes all the difference to me. i tend to get very basic rolls (although by what my friends order, the winter wonderland rolls and super dynamite rolls are phenomenal), but the portions are LOVELY. I have enjoyed their miso soup (and i've been places where they've screwed that up, so...) and seaweed salad, but what makes this a nice place to eat is that they make you feel welcome. i've been there mostly with really large parties (let them know in advance because you can only have one of those per night in there. it's just small....), and they do their best to get everyone's food. minus one star for forgetting my meal once. it was really good when it did come out, though (salmon teriyaki. they give you practically an entire fish!). i wish i could give 4.5 stars, because they really are some nice people. i just LIKE going here. (a note: they do have sake. and they will bring it to you at the drop of a hat!)
(4)
Emily L.

Kevin the sushi chef is absolutely amazing. He use to work at a sushi bar down in Castro, only now to come out and start his own place. I definitely recommend the dynamite roll, eggplants, and the super white tuna sashimi. The sushi rolls are definitely creative and inexpensive. The staff are super friendly and attentive. Not a place i frequent because it's far, but I will definitely stop by anytime if I was around the area.
(4)
josh b.

great place, very friendly, chef occasionally will also take a drink with you too! Buy 2 saki get 1 free. Parking is fairly easy at night. Food is great, a lot bigger portions of sushi than other places. Waiter/ waitress seemed a bit timid at first, however was very nice when less busy, and even offered a plate of sushi on the house and a salad when they forgot one of our orders. Also, great price and portion for take-out lunch. Will also give you lunch deal if you arrive a bit later. Highly recommend, nice place, great food.
(5)
Steven C.

with your options for sushi in the city i would hardly even consider sushi zen. the food is run of the mill, granted the prices are reasonable, but there is very little to be impressed about otherwise. the rolls look as if some thought and creativity was put in to the process, but the taste leaves something to be desired. the other dishes i can get of the same quality for half of the already inexpensive price. and that isn't saying much for the quality.
(2)
Ben E.

Hands down, my favorite new spot for sushi in the city! I've been to at least a couple dozen places in SF after living here for two years, and definitely have my go-to's (Sushi Zone fo'sho...etc.), but I left dinner tonight flat-out excited about life. The nigiri melted in my mouth (yellowtail, salmon, red snapper, and tuna). And the special rolls were, actually, special indeed. Every bite of every morsel was nothing less than a pleasure. I don't care how out of the way it is for me....a 20 minute ride on the L train? Sure. I'll do it. And again. And again. Prices were very, very reasonable (we paid $60 + tip for two of us...including lots of sake, miso, a few special rolls and 4 orders of nigiri). Service was with a smile. Food was fresher than the prince. Standing ovation.
(5)
Luna C.

The prices are very affortable (especially lunch), the service is always great, and the food is very delicious!
(5)
peter k.

fresh sushi of the types i like. tataki. hamachi. wasabi tobiko. uni. when it comes to sushi, if it's not fresh, it's simply not worth eating. yumyumyum
(4)
Kristina L.

Just ate dinner there tonight. Had the sashimi combo, lazy summer roll, super dynamite roll, and hamachi kama. Last time they gave us complimentary seaweed salad... but they didn't this time. The sashimi was really fresh, and the lazy summer roll was refreshing.. if you like cucumbers, definitely try this roll. The super dynamite roll is really good too... last time I forgot the names of all the rolls but this time I remembered. :)
(4)
Esther G.

GO HERE FOR LUNCH!!! They have lunch specials Monday through Friday. I always get the Combo E with 4 pieces of sashimi, Saba Shiroyaki and California Roll for 8 bucks!! what?? They also offer sushi combo specials and udon. The food is always good and who can beat the price?? I'm always greeted with a great big hello when I walk into this restaurant. The roll I recommend here is the King Kong Roll. Its AMAZING!!.
(5)
Patricia B.

kevin the owner is so freakin hilarious. he'll give u specials on the house if u come often! lunch price is how you do it. but dinner and sake bombs with friends are also fun and worth it! love coming here
(4)
Mia P.

Sushi Zen is GREAT. I live right there and at night, the smell of the food wafts through my windows and makes me want sushi. The hamachi sushi and maguro were the best and freshest i've had in the city. The rainbow roll is to die for too. The staff is friendly and attentive, never once was my glass of water or cup of hot tea empty. If you want good japanese food, go to sushi zen, you won't be sorry.
(4)
Rourke C.

Absolutely fantastic for the price; it falls somewhere between good/cheap and expesnive/fantastic; tastes almost like the fish is freshly flown in from Japan. The setting is very modern, and the food comes suitably fast. The cost is a bit high, but you get what you pay for.
(4)
Jade B.

New to the neighborhood, we decided to check out Sushi Zen which was close to our pad. We were not disappointed. The free miso soup and edamame got us started off right. I had the chicken katsu and white tuna sashimi, while my bf had a plate of sashimi...we were quite happy and found that this place is pretty good for the price. I think we found a new go-to spot for sushi! Oh and a free bowl of green tea ice cream to boot!
(4)
Julie L.

Another Chinese owned Japanese restaurant in the city but with affordable prices :) I've been here a couple of times and I've fallen in love with their prices more their food. The fish here is alright; I don't think too many people order it. The sushi rolls are decent as well. Their bentos are huge and as I've stated, affordable. It's never too crowded and the waiters are nice. Parking isn't that bad.
(4)
Keit K.

This is one of the better sushi resturants in the parkside area. Kind staff and reasonalbe prices.
(5)
Mamie J.

It's a nice place to stop by during lunch for some Teriyaki Chicken over rice. Pretty convenient for us teens who go to Lincoln who are hungry, haha.
(4)
Candy H.

Oh the teriyaki chicken is to die for!! I love the owners too and they make a cheap simple lunch for kids (Schools a few blocks in both directions - my daughter has attended both) i love the sushi here and the prices you just can't go wrong. The parkside district has needed a Japanese restaurant like this for eons... yay we finally got one!
(4)
Alison N.

Fairly good food for a great price. The student lunch special is incredibly reasonable. I think it's like 3.95...4.95 for chicken teriyaki. Yumm! And the other day I got a bento box lunch special for $6.95, it came with rice, miso soup, salad, mixed tempura, california rolls, and chicken teriyaki. How many Japanese places give you all that food for that price?! Not many.
(4)
Katherine C.

Their student lunch specials- only $3.50 during lunchtime. It's a great deal. You could get chicken katsu, spicy chicken or teriyaki chicken over rice. There is also sushi, for only five dollars. Crowded but workers work really fast. You could get as much sauce as you want.
(3)
p w.

Outstanding roles of all types. Very nice, friendly service.
(5)
WhitePeach S.

Bento boxes are great. They come with choice of meat and tempura! The tempura portion is huge, with 2 pieces of shrimp tempura and veggie tempura. It's the only reason why i come here so often. The rolls here are not that great. They make them so poorly that the rolls break when i pick them up with my chopsticks. Friendly servers and fast service. No line.
(4)
Michael L.

Came here after working out, and this place really hits the spot, tasty rolls, good sushi and a friendly atmosphere
(4)
Tommy S.

it taste good, except cost a little bit much for a small portion but good non the less
(4)
Tan N.

This is your friendly neighborhood sushi place. Nothing out of the ordinary. The chef and servers are nice. Sushi is decent. Prices are good.
(3)
Cindy D.

We had a craving for sushi and searched for someplace good that was close by. The reviews here led us to Sushi Zen. We ordered strictly rolls which were very fresh, tasty and good sized. Favorite was the Wasabi Hama roll (hamachi, albacore, avo, wasabi tobiko ), excellent & yummy. Rainbow roll followed a close second. The spicy tuna roll delivered it's name. We really enjoyed our sushi binge. Why three stars? You go for the food not the ambience. It's a small, hole in the wall type restaurant. If the ambience was there it would earn a definite fourth star. But hey, it's just fine if you're looking for a great place to grab a bite at a reasonable price. We'll be back.......
(3)
Michelle W.

Convenient, quick, and friendly place+service. 3 others and I ordered a bunch of rolls, combo dinner, and udon to share. It was more than enough and the damage wasn't too bad, especially since my brother treated :) Anyways, I was a little wary at the somewhat sticky tables, but I got over it. The scrumptious rolls and nice people made up for it. Also, they had a flat screen tv on so you'll be kept entertained. Prices are decent.
(3)
David P.

We always head here when Taravel Cafe is closed. The lunch combos are all tasty and won't set you back. I also really like the sushi combos which are high value. I'd highly recommend the place for lunch. I haven't tried the sashimi or any of the raw items, fearing the place might not be as fresh as possible, but the cooked stuff fits me fine.
(5)
Cindy T.

The service here is great. The waiters and chefs are friendly and accomodating. Because Sushi Zen is relatively new, they give many free appetizers and sushi for you to try. Prices are decent, especially for the portions you get. The fun stops there though. Personally I think the sushi is so-so. Some of the rolls crumble/fall apart easily so you have to eat the sushi section by section. The presentation isn't that innovative either.
(3)
Hyung L.

Ok why I really enjoyed this place. It doesn't have the best decor. Our Waitress spoke zero english and I've had better sushi. However for the price it is excellent sushi. Its one of the hole in the wall places where the woner is the sushi chef and he really cares that the food is good. Everythign we ordered was pretty damn good. A friend recomended this place cuz she said he will do sake bombs with you. lol Well it was sunday night and I didn't want to get bombed so passed on the sake bombs but did thoroughly enjoy my meal. I would definitly go back and order for delivery or to go. Gotta love the neighborhood gems.
(4)
Maria H.

I don't know whether I should give this place 3 or 4 stars... I mean it is cheap, but you got what you pay for. This place can do better than that. The waiters are very friendly and pleasant. I got the Sushi Lunch Combo D (6 Rock'n'Roll, 5 Spicy Tuna, and 2 white tuna) for 7.95... the sushi are unusually warm, and correct me if I'm wrong, I thought sushi are supposed to be cold? (unless the baked one, yesh...) Taste OK and good portion. I'll definitely return to try their special menu... maybe I'll change my mind with the 3 stars!
(3)
huy P.

Cheap prices, good portions. I definitely recommend this place. I get sushi to go here because it is fast and cheap and good. I like to order their colombia roll and spider roll. There lunch boxes are also good. They are better than the other sushi restaurants on irving and tavaral. If you are looking for sushi at decent prices go here.
(4)
Carrie h.

Sushi Zen = Yum! Super good sushi, super cheap. If you eat meat they have these lunchbox things that have a ton of food and are only like 5 bucks. If you're a veggie, trying to change the lunchbox into a veggie option is super hard as they do try really hard, but it doesn't usually come out right. They have a super yummy shitake roll which is my current fav and the people who work there are like the nicest people in the world :)
(4)
andres c.

Ok I love this spot for LUNCH. I am a big believer in cheap hearty food and there student special delivers.
(5)
Diana W.

Gotta love their lunch specials. Catch em from 11am-4pm on weekdays. 3 dollars for some rice and terriyaki chicken? I'm in. 5dollars for abnormally long rolls of california rolls AND dynamite rolls(i think)? I'm definitely in. It might take a little while sometimes for the food to be ready. But for these prices, who cares! Overly friendly staff, but done in non-annoying way.
(4)
Linda L.

I love this place! Kevin (the chef) is AWESOME! You have to do Sake Bombs with him when you go. Food is great, fish is fresh, price is right and totally love the service! I've been going since the place first opended and am still a huge fan!
(5)
vicki c.

Our new favorite local sushi spot. Sushi is fresh and the prices are great.
(4)
Jimmy N.

Tried the katsu bento and british columbia roll. Should've listened to the yelpers about not getting the bento. The BC roll was pretty good though. I'll come back again and try some other rolls/sashimi.
(4)
Kevin A.

The main thing that drew me into Sushi Zen was not only a cat-like curiousity, but world weary cynicism. I say the latter not because I'm a crotchety old man, but because it took over my favorite neighborhood hole in the wall Vietnamese joint. One night over two months ago, I was hankering for a pho fix and drove on autopilot to Lam's and poof, it had upped and left, only to be replaced by this posher doppelganger. So when I walked in, it was with a shifty gaze and heavy heart for the dearly departed for all things rare and brothy. I plopped down, and set my sights on a bowl of tempura udon. Dammit, if I couldn't have the real deal, I was for sure going to have something resembling a bowl of soup. The decor is clean, simple, pastel colored, and is most akin to a Chinese dessert house you would see in the Richmond. This is not surprising as the owners are my peoples. The sushi chef made it a point to greet me when I came in and seemed very friendly. The waitress on hand was also quite polite. How was the udon you ask? Functional, somewhat predictable, and satisfied my appetite. The soup wasn't the best, but not nearly the worst. I came on a good night though, as I ran into an old classmate friend of mine who happened to know the sushi chef. Because of that, he hooked up us up with a complimentary super dynamite roll, which I quite enjoyed for its spicy tuna and tempura batter goodness. All in all, it wasn't a bad experience, considering I came in with such suspicion and ill will.
(3)
Jon S.

I eat at Sushi Zen atleast 3 times a week. I like the spicy tuna, rock 'n roll and the super dynamite rolls. The best part is that it's cheap. Actually the best part is when Kevin, the owner/chef hooks up the free saki. Anyone who likes sushi and good people should visit Kevin at Sushi Zen. Oh, the lunch specials are amazing too!
(5)
J S.

I can always rely on Sushi Zen for consistency. Their sushi is very yummy and is reasonably priced. I enjoy this place for take-out mostly but I do think the sushi chef is very nice and they keep on a TV at the bar if you like to watch TV while you eat.
(4)
Seung Hyun Y.

WTH?! What happened to Lam's that used to be here?! Like all Japanese cuisine places, I had sashimi with rice. It t'was ok. Then I had Beef sukiyaki and that was ok. My friends had the bento box stuff and it looked like toys. I was hoping to get my spring rolls and pho. *sigh* I ended up with something as delicious but a little pricey as well. Instead of paying my usual $7 at Lam's, I ended up paying like $16.
(4)
Preston L.

It's a pretty good place to go. The service there inst all that great, they sometimes take a while for ur order or for even a glass of water. but the food is pretty good. i go to Lincoln so at lunch u just pick up a box of katsu, terryaki chicken, or spicy chicken over rice for $3.50. not really nice to teenagers. But if u just go there for dinner or something theyre a lil better. i dig it
(4)
Jess P.

we go to sushi zen when we are lazy because Fuji doesn't deliver. But also, because the food is really good. that paradise roll is amazing! good variety, great service too! and such cool people. one night, getting home late from work, i stopped by and Kevin made me take a couple of sake bombs while i waited for my food. they are good people. fun times, especially when kevin puts on 92.7 beats near closing time.
(4)
Jenny W.

Best sushi in the area!!! Just compare to the other "japanese" places in the neighborhood. Great price, good portions. Unexpected for the sunset area. Friendly service & good selection of rolls. We like going there for the sashimi and cheap dinner combos.
(4)
Kai J.

Friendly service and good food. Not a lot of rice used in the sushi is a plus. Their lunches are affordable, delicious, and will fill you up. -1 star because its a very small restaurant and can get crowded at peak hours.
(4)
Sheenie L.

I tried this place because it was close to my work... and the prices sounded good. In the window there was a lunch sushi combo of: California roll, Cucumber roll, and two pieces of unagi w/soup for $5.50. When i went in to place my order they told me that their menu changed and they didn't offer it anymore (stike 1)... so I looked at the menu once again and deceided on a california roll and rock & roll w/soup for $5.95. Since im almost 7 months pregnant..... i wanted to exchange the soup for a simple side salad. Once again i was regected (strike 2)...and the server told me they do not give you soup for togo orders. I don't know why i still deceided to buy something... but i thought I'd still try the place out. The server told me to take a seat while i was waiting for my food and he gave me some tea while I waited. That was probably the nicest part of my whole experience. The prices sound good... but the food is only ok (strike 3). Im sad to say that my first experience at Sushi Zen was unplesant....but i thought you should know.
(2)
Brian V.

its good for its price (lunch time). just dont eat the beef terriyaki.
(4)
David P.

Oh boy, where do I start. My ex-girlfriend and I had broken up a few days earlier, but were both craving some sushi. Trust me, we were never sad once during this meal. It's that good. You know how some restaurants give you a huge stack of rice, and almost no sushi in their nigiri? This place gives you such huge slices of meat I had to find the RICE! I think that the sushi chef's name is Kevin. Well, assuming it is, Kevin is an amazing guy. He cuts with such precision and gives such generous portions, at least at the bar. The guy refilling our tea and taking empty plates away was very prompt. But I'm missing the point. The food is SO FREAKING GOOD. First, I got the tempura and gyoza as appetizers, and we both had a miso soup. Good, not overcooked at all, nice and warm, too. I ate the shrimp tempura, and ex ate the vegetable ones. So tasty. We were fighting over who gets the last gyoza, in a way. It was good. I bought the 15 piece chef's choice sashimi (It's a combo on the back of the menu), and the best was the whitefin tuna, and the salmon...and the scallops...and the...okay, they were all super good. They kept bringing us hot tea, which was interesting, because we stayed for over 2 hours just talking with Kevin, and the tea was still hot. But I digress. After the 15 piece sashimi, we had the Spicy Scallop Hotate. Good, but VERY spicy. I love spicy, though. Very good. Then I had 2 servings (4 pieces) of the whitefin tuna nigiri. Kevin (you know, maybe it was Ken. I was too immersed in my food to be paying that much attention. Anyone know his name?) gave me 5 pieces, said that he "had some extra". Kudos there...then he gave us a $7.50 (this place is cheap, so that's one of their more expensive combos) of this seared whitefin tuna with lots of caviar, and some radish and garnish. I even ate the garnish. It was so delicious. Did I mention, GAVE us? He just decided to make it (it was a lull at about 7:30 PM, some regulars inside, but mainly just us two were eating), and give it to us free. So then, he gave us this orange dessert thing. It was like, a fruit plate, with 4 small pieces of mango and two entire oranges cut up. Very asian style desert. He made the top of the orange into a little umbrella over the orange with a toothpick. Oh, right, that was free too. Yup, he just gave it to us. Love this guy. Also, this place was super cheap. Oh, did I mention my ex also got a huge sushi roll for super cheap? There are $4.95 rolls for us college kids. The most expensive roll is about $11.95, I think, and that's the one with the most meat (understandable) Oh, and he's very generous with the roe and caviar. He just throws huge piles on there, so let him know if you don't like much of that. Personally, I LOVE fish eggs, especially on my sushi, so it was a big plus. Just go there. You won't be disappointed. Trust me.
(5)
.Strapped ..

i love this place! the owner is the sweetest guy ever, he use to be at the all seasons sushi place and then started his own business. the fish quality is high. the hand rolls are amazing. tempura so so good. seriously and this aint' no joke...everything is really good. i only hope they stay in business because im not sure many make the trip out to the sunset and know about this place. spread the word.
(5)
Mich l.

They offer a large variety of rolls that are unique and interesting to try....like Sunset roll, 19th ave roll, etc. the Dragon roll is really good!! it's a nice hole-in-the wall kinda place. food comes quick and there's a sushi bar too.
(4)
Erica B.

What's up with the ATTITUDE? I work mere blocks from here and for over a year and a half I have been going there almost at least once a week. I always have called in to order the bento boxes and made substitutions with no problem. Today, I decided to go with my friend and eat there, and ordered one of my usual, E with Beef Terriyaki no Sashimi, Thanks! The waiter that I speak to every time on the phone told me, "No, you cannot do that." Since, I have did this countless of times I counter back that I do this all the time. He gave an sigh and went to ask the owner, and came back to tell me it was going to cost $3 to do the switch. Of course no I am not going to order it anymore with that attitude. He continued to argue with me that I must have made a mistake it cannot be "their restaurant", they never allow free substitution. I would not have been so angry if they have not made comments about me within earshot. Excuse me, I speak Cantonese too. Plus the food is not as good as before. There were a couple of times that the tempura batter was still raw and the rolls were falling apart. I almost took out my Sushi Zen receipts that I had in my wallet to show him how wrong he and the owner was, but decided not to.
(1)
Sheri L.

I was recommended by a friend and now it's become the sushi hot spot for me and my friends. Mediocre sushi for CHEAP prices. You can't go wrong for a $6 bento box. The waiters are attentive and generally quick. And their to-go lunch specials are a steal! Come on a school day and the entire front door will be blocked by mobs of high school kids.
(4)
T L.

you know even tho i eat lunch here most of the time I'm really beginning to dislike the taste of the food compared to other Japanese restaurants and i think its due to the concept of fast food and cutting corners for faster production times
(2)
deeks ..

Checked out the reviews and was feeling for sushi but didn't want to go far so we decided to go to this place for dinner. The place is small but the quality of the food was good--very fresh. Customer service is stellar--was greeted very loudly but the entire staff upon entering. Not a huge selection but had all my favorites--their Super Dynamite Roll is really good.
(5)
Troy H.

Just about the worst sushi I've ever had. Couldn't even finish my meal, it was that bad.
(1)
Rhonda H.

one day late afternoon, i felt more hungry than other days so i decided that i wanted some sushi. i picked sushi zen because it was on my way home. so i walked in and there was no one sitting to eat but a bunch of high school students ordering food. i noticed the guy that was taking orders from the kids was pretty rude to them by asking "what do u want" in a mean tone. after they were done it was my turn, so he goes and says "yea, what do u want" (-1 star for the rudeness). i told him i wanted the chirashi and so he stares at me with his eyes big for the longest time like he didnt know what the hell it was till the chef behind bar told me she'll make it. so then i told him i'd step out real quick and he snaps at me and says "NO you stay pay first!" (- another star for the snap) so after i pay i decided to tip like i always do then thats when everything turned around. (-1 star for needing a tip to be nice) he started being nice and saying thank you a ton. i walked out for a bit and come back in and wait for my food, then he offers me a seat with a cup of tea. how nice. overall as good and decent this place was, i hate that it takes a nice tip for some nice service. won't be coming back. (-1 star because i'm still unhappy!)
(1)
Lauren Y.

I decided to give this place a try since I lived around the area. Two of my girlfriends and I walked in, not knowing what to expect. The owner of the place welcomed us warmly and was very, very friendly. The place was small, but was accompanied with a nice environment. I ordered the Box A dinner which came with miso soup, salad, rice, chicken teriyaki, tempura and california rolls. The chicken teriyaki was very tender and delicious along with the tempura. The waitress checked on us often to see how we were doing and to check if we needed any refills on tea. When we were just about done with our dinner, the owner gave us a complimentary super dynamite roll which was also very delicious. My dinner only cost $5.50 including tax. I definitely would recommend this restaurant to all who like Japanese cuisine. The service is great, food is good, and the prices are cheap. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Frank V.

I like this sushi restaurant because it's not that popular yet, so its easy to get seated. The employees are awesome, the food is tasty and its very affordable. I definitely recommend this place. You need to check it out.
(5)
Jane Y.

It wasn't until recently that I've started coming here for lunch more often. Great service, but I'd stay away from the sashimi.
(4)
Emily F.

This is my neighborhood sushi spot. The place is great. I get the veggie roll as a staple and then mix it up. I think the staff is what makes me love this place. The man behind the sushi bar always gives us a warm welcome and at the end of the meal the waitress tries to bribe us with offers of ice cream or fresh fruit. They are all very sweet, which makes the place fantastic. I know they have beer, Saki, and wine.
(5)
selma s.

not only was the staff extremely enthusiastic to serve us a half hour before they closed, but they also did multiple sake bombs with a patron. my friend and i came on a monday night and everything we ordered was pretty tasty and extremely fresh. they also deliver.
(4)
Tyrone B.

This is another "Chinese" sushi joint in San Francisco. This is also my gf's favorite casual sushi place. She likes chicken katsu, and this place does it right. Thick cut of juicy, perfectly cooked chicken in a very crispy not overly greasy batter. Nice. Easy on the wallet, and since she's a regular, they are flexible with her bento to swap out what she doesnt like, for what she's willing to eat. bye bye sashimi and salad, hello tempura and extra california rolls. Their california rolls are pretty cheap too, an 8 piece roll costing around 3 bucks? Inexpensive, but definately not skimpy, the rolls were of a good size. (yeah yeah ... that's what she said.... *sigh*) I'll give it a 4 because I like the chicken katsu here as well as the california rolls (and the price), also, note that the rating was upped because the gf would have wanted a more favorable review. I'd rate it a 3.5 because the fish isnt up to par. I had the sashimi, I wasn't impressed. In any case, a bunch of (seemingly) good folks running a small business. I wish them well. Stay away from this place when Lincoln High School is out for lunch... the place is SWARMED with teenagers...the area becomes a bit of a zoo.
(4)
Maria B.

good sushi at a good price. I love the lunch menu - so many varieties! I'm grateful for the bento box options and that they have a sushi combo menu as well. And good for them for catering to the students around the area. we were definitely tempted to buy one of the "student specials." service is on par and all the rolls I've tried have never failed to be tasty.
(4)
Betty N.

The name for this place is VERY appropriate :) Me Likey!! Fresh Fish, they have a variety of rolls, AND they are YUMMY!!! Whenever I discover new spots I usually tend to check yelp ratings before actually going, but I was on the road and my phone was about to die. So I came here anyway because I needed my sushi fix. Boy was I pleasantly surprised!! Although this place looks like a hole in the wall, their rolls are some of the best quality and tasting rolls I've had and it was nice and tidy inside. The servers are extremely nice; they stop by to chat with you. PLUS their prices are very reasonable. I've been to lower quality sushi spots that charged a couple bucks more for their mediocre rolls. I'm soooo glad I gave this place a shot.
(5)
Colin F.

One of the best priced and quality Sushi places in town. The restaurant employees are really nice people too who always remember their regulars -- such as myself. You must try the Lazy Summer roll. It is one of my favorite rolls of all time: no rice no seaweed and wrapped in cucumber slices it is fresh, crisp, and delicious!
(5)
Bleep S.

Delicious lunch bento box with saba,4 California rolls,4 pieces of sashimi,salad,rice and soup for 8 bucks. Value...Especially liked the California rolls and the sashimi. The guy had a huge bowl of seafood udon soup and liked it.I would return for some of the fancy sushi rolls...bet they're fantastic.
(4)
E.W. S.

I like this place!! Service is ok. Would come here again!
(4)
Alex H.

This is our go-to sushi restaurant. The people who work in this place are super chill and best of all down to drink! This place has hooked it up with free Sake time and time again and their sushi chef Ken is the nicest dude ever. Not only do they hook it up with the alcohol but precede to do Sake bombs with you till youre out the door. The sushi gets a solid B+, not life changing but solid and fulfilling every single time. I love this place and take friends here all the time.
(4)
dr S.

Good but not great, cheap, and local. That's what I want out of a sushi restaurant. I come here for the lunch specials and the terrific fresh sashimi. The chef is nice and a lot of students and teachers seem to congregate here but I usually get my order to go. Green tea while you wait! I haven't tried the specials board with all the bells and whistles and orange sauces but I'm a simple girl when it comes to two things: sushi and coffee. Clean flavors and fresh ingredients is all I want thankyouverymuch. This would be a three star review if it weren't for the people that work there. They are genuinely kind.
(4)
Nancy H.

I go here when I'm craving sushi but don't want to drive far. I'm a fan of their dynamite roll and sushi zentini. Good spot for a simple and quick dinner.
(4)
Valerie N.

I went here after having neighborhood friends rave about it (I am a Ninki fan, by the way). Actually the food and prices were fine. But I went on a Saturday night with my young daughter, and was surrounded by large, noisy tables of college students doing sake bombs. Very fun and festive, but not what we were looking for! I should probably come back and check out the atmosphere at lunch time, but I'll probably just stick with Ninki.
(3)
Risa R.

Sticky seats, salty teriyaki sauce & tobiko. I've been in search of a good sushi restaurant in the sunset for sometime now and have pretty much given up. After browsing yelp tonight, my friend and I decided to try Sushi Zen after seeing it had a pretty good rating and a decent amount of reviewers. I should have paid attention to the multiple mentions of SFSU students frequenting the place. No offense but college students liking a place doesn't necessarily mean good food, it just means it's cheap. We walked in and were greeted warmly by the staff. Upon sitting, I grabbed my seat to scoot it closer to the table and my fingers were covered with sticky grime as were my calves from rubbing against the chair. I immediately was grossed out and had to wash my hands.The teriyaki was so disgutingly salty on my tofu teriyaki that I took 1 bite and couldn't bear to consume the rest of the 5.5 pieces. My friend's Unagi was also dipped in the teriyaki, and though she has a higher tolerance for sodium and finished it, she did not enjoy it. We both thought teriyaki is generally supposed to be sweet?! ...Weird. Her Tobiko was also salty and she thought it probably came out of a can. Miso soup and edamame were fine - but really, I don't think those are even possible to screw up. 1 star only because they were generally nice but I'd never go back.
(1)
Min K.

Good for a cheap, tasty, and filling lunch if you get one of the combos or rolls. Just be sure to drop in when there aren't like 20 high schoolers in line for their lunches!
(4)
Jack L.

The bald guy working there is a dick. Sushi is good though.
(3)
Nelson C.

This cozy little place offers great service, reasonable price, and best of all, fresh sashimi! The salmon sashimi literally melts in your mouth. *drools* None of those soft-on-the-outside-but-still-frozen-in-the-Âinside-because-it-is-not-thoroughly-thawed sashimi. Their Rock n' Roll and Rainbow Roll were decent, nothing special. But for those of you who wants to treat their taste buds with something really special, you must try the British Columbia Roll. A salmon/avocado roll covered with salmon and a thinly sliced lemon. The salmon, again, is just too good to be true. Combined with the extra kick of lemon juice when you first bite into it, ooooooorgasmic! "Taste so good make you wanna slap yo momma!" - Friday After Next. Great food, friendly service, free green tea ice cream. This place gets an A for AWESOME!
(5)
Molly P.

I'm a self-proclaimed sushi whore, and I found Sushi Zen on yelp and decided to check it out from its good reviews. We showed up with five people and they immediately accommodated us. Let's break it down! Service- meh, okay. I'm not expecting fantastic service at a sushi bar, though. I ordered miso soup and they forgot it, so when I reminded them of it after I had received my roll, they thought I was ordering an extra one and charged me for two. When I asked them to fix it, they did. Food- Among our group, we got the Winter Wonderland roll (pretty good) and the Crunchy California (also good) Parking was sort of an issue, but it's SF.
(3)
Peyton L.

This place hasn't changed at all! I will always love Sushi Zen. Got the Crazy Roll and the Hawaii Roll last time. They were awesome. I was skeptical about having raw fish, but it was actually nice and refreshing. The lunch meals are so good, as usual. It's so filling, sometimes I want to explode, and then get some more.
(5)
Dan B.

Sushi Zen is like a California Roll with imitation crab meat: you know it's fake Japanese but sometimes you don't mind. Unfortunately, this time I did mind. The specialty rolls were overly creative (in a bad way). For the most part, the rolls were missing distinct flavors and all fish and stuff meshed together to form a mushy mess. Not Good. The hot food looked decent but lacked freshness. Sorry. If there's any redemption, the service was fairly good. I have to give them credit for giving us a stack of napkins right before one of the nephews was about to spill something. Uncanny.
(2)
Sandy L.

this place was a pleasant surprise! just finished a bball game and was craving for some udon and sushi. we stopped by sushi zen and were pleasantly greeted by the sushi chef. we ordered the sunset roll, tempura udon, and winter wonderland. oh boy were all of these a treat! the atmosphere is REALLY friendly... the sushi chef makes a point to make everyone feel welcome. they even have a growing wall of pictures from all of the regulars. afterwards, depending on the amount of people they offer complimentary ice cream... ur choice of mango or green tea. i went there the first time a few months ago... and since then i've been back 5-6 times! i cant wait to go again.
(4)
Abigayle N.

I've had better sushi, but if you're looking for a cheap eat and good sushi come here. little hole in the wall. the owners are really nice and he even gave us green tea ice cream on the house. we went on a monday and it was just my cousin and i eating and then few others came by . winter wonderland is really good and their lunch specials seem really good for their prices. so if you're a college student and want to get your sushi fix on come hither here. :)
(3)
Marian M.

This place was pretty good. I came here with a friend for lunch, and they have pretty cheap lunch specials $8-10. I got the lunch special with a shrimp tempura roll and the super dynamite roll. Both were pretty good, and the service was standard. I would come again to this cute little place.
(4)
John H.

I love it here. The food is actually really good. Their garlic fish (forgot what it's called!? ahhh!!) is soo good. My goodness it melts in your mouth yummy! The sushi is also pretty cheap and they have deep fried oysters... YUMMMMM!!! This is great if you're not willing to spend a crapload for Japanese. I've been there three times already and I loved it all 3 times! ^^
(4)
David F.

We have a newborn, so carry out sushi is about all we get to enjoy these days. The friendly staff at Sushi Zen always hook us up - two of their most popular rolls (the Winter Hama and the Winter Wonderland) are mainstays, and the nigiri is always very very fresh. If you get to eat out, the restaurant is always hopping when I drop in to pick up my carry out - a good sign.
(4)
Gigi F.

Normally, I would've given this place 4-4.5 stars. But, because they (the owners/staff) continuously serve alcohol to patrons under 21, I am only giving Sushi Zen 3 stars. Tonight was the 2nd time that me and the BF have gone there when they have COMPLETELY obknoxious *under-age teenagers* drunk and loud as hell filling up two to three tables. Noisy as hell, almost deafening. The BF and I ripped our napkins to make ear plugs for ourselves. I kid you not. Totally ridiculous! It's too bad. We love this place. We come here all the time - either just us or we bring our friends. We LOVE the crew/wait staff and the food. It's really disappointing that the owners/staff don't gently tell rude and loud as hell parties of under-21 drunks to quiet down - just a decibel or two. Seriously. I am ready to call ABC to report this place. Enough is enough already. If I walk into this place again and it's the same scenario, I am so out of there.
(3)
Anna T.

This went from my favorite neighborhood sushi restaurant to a restaurant that I go to for convenience. The rolls are good, fresh from what I can taste, and good proportions. Love the Winter Hama and Taravel. Beware of rolls like the Tsunami and King Kong, however, I think these rolls are just so mushy and overly salty. The service here is very inconsistent as well. I had a horrible waitress here one time that ignored most of my my requests, not that I had many and gave me sliced lemons when I asked for lemon wedges. Why do many Japanese restaurants do this? What would I want to do with a lemon slice, bite on them in between each bite? That's what ginger slices are for...Huge pet peeve of mine. Anyways, good for filling a craving, but nothing to go crazy over..
(3)
Jonathan L.

I'm usually hesitant about Chinese sushi but I'm actually pretty content with their food. Last time my buddies and I went, we had their bento boxes, udon, and a variety of rolls. My beef teriyaki was not too shabby. It was pretty standard and nothing really stuck out. Of course, it was not awful, either. Their rolls are pretty good and if I could do it again, I'd probably just order a bunch of rolls. One big plus: the price is just right. I'd recommend coming here if you are looking for cheap Japanese food that actually tastes good (for what you pay for).
(3)
Bill K.

The specialty rolls were delicious! I remember in particular the "British Columbia Roll," with a thin slice of lemon on top, yum. I didn't like the Yaki Soba though. Thought it was over-sauced a bit. They did put up with our obnoxiously large group of 16, and did a great job. The water/tea kept coming, and they were always ready to take more orders of sake. Make reservations if you have a large group, as the place is tiny.
(4)
Nessy Z.

My boyfriend and I went on a double date at Sushi Zen last Saturday. The restaurant did not look like all that from the outside, or inside, so we were a little hesitant to go in. However, we are all glad we did! The prices were very reasonable, the service was GREAT and the sushi was VERY GOOD! All four of us look forward to coming back for dinner...
(4)
Tasha R.

This is no sushi zone, but this is also no sushi rock, which is disgusting! This place has some pretty good rolls and in the area, it's my #1 choice!
(4)
Ryan D.

Went here for the first time last night with a group of 4 other friends from out of town. I was looking for a place nearby that was within walking distance. I recently moved up from the LA area. I had only been out to sushi once in the last couple of months. Yelp to the rescue! The place is small, max table seating is like 30 or so. There's a small bar to sit at (maybe 5-6 seats). My group (total of 5) was promptly greeted and only had to wait 2 minutes for them to rearrange some tables for us to sit together. Fun, energetic and attentive staff took our order and the food came out very quick. We ordered several of the designer house rolls. Winter wonderland, crazy, super dynamite, british columbia roll were our favorites. The 5 of us easily ate 7 full rolls, 2 edamame's and 2 of us split a large beer and hot sake (for sake bombs). The rolls were delicious, fresh and filling. Total price was around $85 which with tip came to around $20 per person. This is my new sushi place that I will visit weekly.
(4)
Leigh D.

Solid sukiyaki. I'd definitely go back when in that area of the city.
(4)
Melissa S.

This our local sushi joint and has not failed to please us yet. Very fresh sushi all the time and the Winter Hama and Winter Wonderland rolls are fabulous. Even though we order take-out most of the time, this place does get pretty busy especially on weekend nights. YUM!
(4)
P A U L.

I'm surprised this place has such a high rating... They're friendly and the photos covering their wall are testament to good relationship with customers, but the food itself is pretty standard. Maybe I've just been spoiled when it comes to sushi, but I'm used to thick rolls and lots of flavor, neither of which I found here. I don't think it's a terrible place, it's just not that great.
(2)
Andrew H.

This place has pretty good chicken teriyaki. I have to admit that. But the fact that eating in there was just a disappointment. When we were in there. My friend ordered a Chicken katsu. and the dude was like if you're eating here you guys have to give me Tip... to be honest.. i was like what the F***. i mean the food is good. but that just totally Turned me off about the place. I think ever since then i never got anything from there again. In the end we still ended up giving tip since we are nice people. Really delicious chicken teriyaki though.. what a shame...
(2)
Lotta F.

My favorite sushi place by far.
(5)
Forest S.

I have been to a lot of sushi joints in San Francisco and this place is one of the few I consider to be very good.
(4)
Katie K.

I love this place: the soup, rice, sushi.. - really good! Very clean inside - the restroom is spotless. The service is fast and friendly, The prices are not too high.
(5)
Mar H.

We discover this place by accident. We were running some errand and then feeling hungry. We peek in the Bahnwich and other places near by which has no customers at around 3pm. We saw Zen has customers so we went in. This place will get Kiki running for cover. Kiki's meal doesn't come with tea or miso soup. Although the price is similar, Kiki doesn't refil your water/tea. Who train Kiki's staff? We thought the waiter is kind of loud but he is really friendly and efficient. We got the bento because we saw that's what other people ordered. The tempura is not as good as light as it should be but the rest is as good. Look at the photos on the wall, I say they got a lot of fans.
(4)
Amber R.

My bf and I frequent a couple sushi places in the city quite often. I guess we were feeling a change one evening and ventured off to Sushi Zen, which is probably only a little over a mile from our house. We ordered our usual meal plates and then a roll and plate of sashimi (we're big eaters k~). My bf got a combo plate that included saba shioyaki, which was cooked just right; sashimi; and then I had donburi and a roll. First of all....the sushi rice had absolutely no vinegar on it. I don't know if this place purposely doesn't use vinegar or uses a less pungent brand, but we were both really turned off by that. Also, the waitress was confused by our order and brought out an extra plate of sashimi. We just accepted it without much explanation because we are always down to eat more. Oh, and my donburi wasn't that great...it was just average. This is a small restaurant with a decent menu, and the size of the rolls are on point. I'm rating this place 3 stars, overall, because of the missing flavors. It's always disappointing to realize your meal is lacking flavors that you were expecting.
(3)
Sam S.

Here's something I've never done before: had three dishes (tuna poky, super dynamite roll, salmon something) and not a single drop of soy sauce was added. In No dipping. Everything was that good from the first bite.
(4)
William B.

No more than three stars. Not a bad value for what you get, but what do you get? Miso soup with normal flavor but very little seaweed or tofu. Spicy tuna roll with cucumber and very little spicy tuna. Bento boxes with Luke warm chicken and a thick teriyaki sauce that tastes from a bottle. Service was poor, had to ask for tea and water twice each. At 2:00pm, it was not busy. First and last time for the four of us. Too many better sushi places.
(3)
Heather C.

I love this place this is one of my favorite places to eat. The prices are very reasonable and affordable and the food tastes great. Kevin the chef/owner is super nice and friendly and the staff there are always so nice. I usually come here 2 times a week and i never get sick of it. Try the spider roll or the dragon roll; its really good!
(5)
Willa L.

I always eat here for lunch before work. I love their lunch specials. I always get the chicken katsu, and it comes with sashimi, salad, rice, and soup. All for $8 !
(4)
M'ia K.

The good news: Lunch here will set you back less than $7 for a bento box, including sashimi, california rolls, and chicken teriyaki. HOWEVER: Beware of sashimi that is *that* cheep. Seriously. My lunch options in this neighborhood somehow seem limited, as I am allotted a whopping 30 minutes for lunch. Service is quick and efficient, which was nice (but it was pretty empty when i went last week.) The salad in my bento was SWIMMING in some mayonnaise-y fatty dressing concoction... the chicken katsu was plentiful but greasily deep fried.... the sashimi was scary.. there were four slices of maguro, hamachi, salmon, and some other nondescript sashimi in the bentobox, which, upon first taste, bring to mind a metallic flavor of unknown origin. Cheap eat, yes. But quality has been lost at this particular eatery.
(2)
Clinton L.

Wow. Seriously. I originally avoiding this place like the plague, because the local high school students usually bombard this place like Bill O'Reilly wants to bomb San Francisco. Outrageous. After being dissapointed with a local favorite (Taravel Okazu-Ya), I've tried to look to other sushi places outside of Taraval. However I came in after some encouragement from my girlfriend, and I wonder how I could have been so blind for so long. We had a spicey tuna roll, she had a combination lunch bento, and me I got a soba noodle bowl. The soba was light, and great. Usually a lot of places mesh up soba, only because they're not paying attention as to how to cook it. However, this place was decent. It didn't wow me, but that's not the main focus on the review. The combination lunch bento was very very good. The sashimi pieces were substantially bigger, thicker, and of higher quality than most restaurants who serve similar bento boxes. Additionally, it was of several different kinds of fish as well (halibut, salmon, tuna, etc.) Overall it was very cheap, very good, very very good for the price.
(4)
Suany W.

There's nothing particularly mind-blowing or memorable about this place. I can see how it can be a convenient staple for those who live in the area - okay rolls, inexpensive prices, and enthusiastic service. They should really think about planning their timing so that the miso soup arrives at the table BEFORE we have devoured every last sushi morsel and are ready to leave.
(2)
James G.

I've been trying to find some less expensive alternatives to one of my favorite Sushi joints and Sushi Zen is just down the street from my place so I decided to give it a try early on a Sunday evening. Location: the place is small. Not recommended for groups of more than 4. It's the Sunset so street parking is everywhere along with some meters. Food: 4/5 I went with the edamame, hamachi nigiri, California crunch roll and the super dynamite. The food came quick and was prepared nicely. Everything was on par based on price. I should probably try some of the "less dressed" rolls next time. The combo I made was a little much. The nigiri was great though so I ordered a second round of that. Service: 3/5 The food came quick but considering how slow it was when I was there it should have been a little quicker when it came to refills and getting the check. But it was a lazy Sunday. I definitely plan on coming back and trying some more of the various rolls and some sashimi.
(4)
Nichole P.

So delicious! My boy toy and I were super hungry and decided to Yelp something near by that we were in the mood for--sushi! Sushi Zen knocked my flippin' socks off. Don't be alarmed by momentary hesitation with you first walk into this hole... it is worth every penny spent. The dynamite, screaming, 49er and winter wonderland rolls were all good. Plus, it is reasonably priced and quick service.
(4)
David B.

Great sushi lunch! Incredibly fresh nigiri, chirashi and innovative rolls
(4)
Wendy L.

My new go to Sushi spot. I enjoyed watching my husband get drunk on sake. - 1 star for the noise.
(4)
Andrew C.

Rolls were pretty average, haven't tried the sake yet. Lunch specials are a great deal with a decent variety of tempura. The dinner has big portions and is a great value! Haven't tried a sashimi dinner yet just because I like their tempura so much.
(4)
Rae A.

Everytime I go here there is always a bunch of people coming in and out so that tells me a lot about their regular clientele and efficiency. I love their Winter Wonderland, it's a must try!
(5)
Pearl M.

KEVVIIINNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!! I'm kind of madly in love with this place. rock on sushi zen.
(5)
Vanessa W.

Affordable, cute restaurant. I love their student lunch specials - $3-$5, chicken terriyaki and rice, or choose other boxes of sushi (CA roll or "Chef's Special - Dynamite Roll/CA roll, among others). Definitely try the Dynamite and Rainbow Rolls. For a sit-in lunch, I love their Chirasi Sushi (assorted fish over rice) -- totally simple, but always very fresh.
(4)
Dina G.

Lunch special: avocado was totally unripe, making the Alaska Mali & avocado maki pretty much inedible. The waitress was nice enough and replaced the avocado maki (I picked out the avo in the Alaska maki so as not to waste too much food) but the new one wasn't much better. I also found the miso bland, & unagi nigiri way too sweet. Maybe dinnertime is better? All in all, wish I'd saved my $11.
(2)
Mosey S.

This place rocks...It is a small establishment that serves fresh sushi in a comfortable atmosphere. Never a disappointment.
(4)
Tiffani S.

Sushi Zen is the place to be for most SFSU students! The location is perfect! Not to mention the amazing prices and deals. Kevin (owner and sushi maker) is a favorite to anyone who walks through the doors. The walls are covered with photos of regulars and people just having a good time! The food and atmosphere- especially if you are sake bombing- is the perfect place to be!! Kevin will even come over to do a sake bomb with you! I must not forget, we always seem to have more food and sake on the table then what we had ordered, all compliments of the chef! if you are looking for a cheap, fun place and like good sushi, sushi zen is where it is!
(5)
Melanie R.

The service was aiight. The sushi wasn't spectacular but there was nothing to complain about. The prices are pretty good though, not as inexpensive as Sakana on Geary, but pretty reasonable! I probably won't be going again though.
(3)
Jet C.

me likieee..... everything that I could eat was pretty tasty. The people seemed pretty friendly. Kind of small, wouldn't be able to bring a party of 20 in unless the house is empty and the sushi kind of small but good. the people seemed friendly. A lot of regulars go there.
(4)
Khanh C.

Sushi Zen is a pretty decent sushi place. I love sushi so much, but it can be a little bit pricey here in the city. Sushi Zen offers a variety of fresh rolls for a moderate price (around 10 dollars a roll). My boyfriend and I usually get a dinner combination that comes with some type of meat, rice, house salad, and tempura along with two rolls. Our bill comes out to under 40 each time. The rolls are pretty good, my favorite is the Crazy roll. They also have common rolls such as the 49er roll or the Spider roll. Service is good for the most part. Sometimes, it's really good and others it is average.
(4)
John F.

They treat me like a king here. Better then they treat my sex kitten Suan W. I was here with 4 other friend to celebrate one of my belated friends birthday We ordered 5 roll and two and two dinners. It was really fresh and good. I thought we order to much food. The only female waitress there was cute. We also got free deserts and one of my friends go there alot and always bring a group to eat there. The tab was about 100 dollars for 5 people. They have alot of parties from the picture I see in there.
(5)
buddy p.

Wanted a sushi fix so why not try a place with sushi in the name, right? well, not really... Service was good. Tea was always full, even if i didnt want any. But half the time it was cold?! Food was ok. Sashimi was decent, rolls seem poorly made, they fall apart. Had the crunchy cali roll. it was fried like katsu (breaded) not tempura!? who does that... Price was decent. So i guess you get what you pay for. Ima go back for sure, its walking distance and im pretty lazy! When i'm feeling less lazy, id probably skip this place.
(3)
nancy l.

I came in half hour before closing and didn't feel rushed at all. The owner made it a point to check in with me and told me to take my time. I was pleasantly surprised when I took my first bite into the rainbow roll. Yum. The Shrimp and veg tempura was absolutely delish....some of the best ive had. The batter was just right, light and crispy and not too thick. The service was superb...everyone in the restaurant greets you with a warm smile. I will definetly be returning here again soon.
(4)
Shar L.

Sushi Zen is still one of my favorite Sushi spots. Affordable prices and fresh sushi. My favorite rolls? Super Dynamite and Wasabi Hama! Best part is if you sit at the bar with Kevin the sushi chef, he'll usually give you something to try. Last time I went there with my friend, he gave us each a huge piece of Butterfish Sashimi. Delicious and very fresh. Also, if you go there for lunch, they have some pretty awesome lunch combinations.
(4)
Ashley M.

GREAT PLACE. I would have given them 5 stars if it did not take them a week to process my ATM card. I don't like forgetting about spending money and then a week later you see money taken away from 'sushi zen'.... Other then that they are GREAT! The sushi lunch deals are awesome, cheap, and tons of food. The rolls are incredible! The owner is always there, he is awesome and talented through the results of his sushi. mmmmmm. Sometimes they'll give you complimentary ice cream ;-)
(4)
Kali H.

I'm a fan of Sushi Zen! This is a smaller local place with not too much decor but really good, fresh, and creative sushi. I've been here about 3 times for dinner and ordered take out once (no delivery here). The rolls are a good size, the fish is fresh, and the sushi roll combos are interesting. We ordered the white tuna tataki appetizer (my favorite), the lazy summer roll (cucumber wrapped spicy tuna), the dynamite roll (LIGHTLY fried), the british columbia roll (salmon inside and out with lemon wedges on top), and another wasabi maybe tuna roll. All of our rolls were good and I'd definitely get them again. The price also was pretty reasonable for sushi. Also, the food comes really FAST, so that's good when you're hungry! And the staff is pretty attentive. I'll definitely be hitting up Sushi Zen again!
(5)
kim w.

yummmm yelp.com/biz_photos/6bHDâ€¦
(4)
Jasmine D.

Service is quick. Strangely, off putting-ly quick. Like we got our first roll a minute after we ordered, even before we got our tea and water. But, they were very friendly and just as quick to refill our water and tea. The food was okay. Not bad, but not so great that I want to rave about it. The sushi and sashimi we got was a decent quality. The spider roll was a little over cooked. The batter on the soft shell crab was wavering VERY close to being burnt, but it was edible. They gave us free mango ice cream for dessert, which was really nice. The prices were great, but reflect the quality of what you get. Overall, not bad, you could definitely do worse in this price range.
(3)
CHRISTIAN P.

Looking for a sushi fix the other day with a friend without breaking the bank (both of us are some broke-ass hoes). I must say this place sure did not disappoint. Not only was the miso soup free and yummy, but the tea was always in generous supply. The rolls were godly (perhaps we're just cheap dates.....) and the ice cream in the end was a nice touch. Definitely a place I'll be visiting again SOON. The greatest thing was having some extra cash to blow at Marco Polo's afterwards.
(5)
Alex F.

Dear Stomach, Why do you love sushi so? You're breaking my wallet. -Your broke host. I ate here for the first time last night with my roommate. We ordered to go, and it was really easy. Their menu is simple, but totally satisfies my cravings for sushi. The woman on the phone was patient, really sweet and super efficient. We had a pretty large order, and it was ready in ten minutes. Awesome. When we came in to grab out food, the staff was extremely nice. Nicest wait staff I have experienced in a long time! They let us sit at the bar and watch the chef finish preparing our food. They gave us free tea while we waited! When we left, they wished us happy holidays, and hoped we would see them next year! The food was great! Their seaweed salad was delicious. The tempura was fresh and tasty. The fish was -really- fresh. They gave us a bunch of wasabi. Our food was beautifully prepared for a take out order. I was totally impressed and pleasantly surprised! Now I'm worried I am going to go broke coming here often. I live a few steps away!
(5)
Anita D.

i use to come here for their student specials. the price is right but i don't think the food is high in quality. not the greatest but not the worst i've had.
(3)
kristi l.

Wow. I almost went deaf from the loud, cheery, sincere, every-thing-nice greeting that I received when I walked into the Sushi Zen. The sushi chef and his help for the evening are some happy-go-lucky people, and rightfully so! Their business is successful and their customer service is literally unparalleled in the Sunset. My boyfriend and I walked over to the Sushi Zen and we knew we were going to be back. Why, you ask? $3.00 student lunch special!!! @#$#@ tight!!! Katsu, Chicken Teriyaki, 2 rolls of sushi, all for $3 each! Forget Dragon City, which is right next door and has yet to be Yelp'ed, I'm coming to the Sushi Zen for lunch. The waiter was seriously ninja like. I think I caught him peeping behind the noren (Japanese curtain thing) from the kitchen checking to see if I had enough water; and he never ONCE let my cup get remotely half empty. He was great and was genuinely proud of the food he was serving us - and good attitudes and great customer service is definitely hard to find in the Sunset. Ok, so I'll be honest. I'm Japanese and I hate fish. The Japanese side of my family also owns a successful fish market in Berkeley. Sue me. But if there is one thing about every hapa girl that hates fish, it's this: we LOVE us some California Roll!! It was excellent here at the Sushi Zen and I also loved the Gyoza. Yeah, it was probably "the frozen kind" and I *think* we sell that exact same kind at our store in Berkeley, but who the hell cares...it was good, piping hot, inexpensive, and I didn't have to make it OR clean it up. Super cool. My boyfriend - fish fan all the way - got the dynamite roll which he really liked. The presentation was beautiful as well. Since the Sushi Zen is so close to our apartment and the service was so great - did I mention that I ordered CA roll, watched the chef make it, and it was served in less than 2 minutes!?! - we'll definitely be back again. MAN that guy rolls sushi fast. Admirable. Just damn admirable.
(5)
Diana Elena B.

I LOVE KEVIN AND LEE!!!! I live like a block away from this place and i noticed walking by when i first moved here that they have some really good lunch togo things. like $3 for a chicken katsu. . . but that is not why i keep comeing back. My roomie and i started coming here over a year ago and we love this place. The sushi is always FRESH and very tasty. i have to recommend the super dynamite and the winter wonderland. Also the chef kevin is like the coolest guy i know. We dub this sushi monday spot b/c lee the server is really cool too but he only works on monday. Offer kevin a shot of sake and he'll prob come get wasted with you or at least make you think so cuz he keeps sending over the sake. They have an awsome deal were if you buy 2 large sake you get one free. This is definatly a drinking spot. The walls are covered in pictures of people that come here all the time. EVERY person i have brought here always comes back and even drive across town to come here. The atmosphere is spectacular and the staff are great. Develope a relationship with them because they WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!!! Also if you need a place to have a large group of friends for dinner tell kevin and i'm pretty sure he'll close and just serve your party. I think that you might have to come in at the tail end of the eavening to do so. But still thats pretty sweet.
(5)
Allen W.

Super bomb. Ken is off the hook. The student lunch special is bountiful. Saki bombs are celebrated with jubilant enthusiasm. It's only 2 blocks from my pad. Generous amounts of food, at a reason price. You're stoked.
(5)
Megan K.

I was very happy with my experience at Sushi Zen. On our way to Little Tokyo in the Richmond we decided to step out of the box and try somewhere new. Its also closer to home! Zen Sushi is a small place but cozy. It has a charming atmosphere, like your eating in your aunties kitchen. The service is excellent as well. We went on a slower night, about 5 parties there. Our miso was very fresh with crispy green onion, the tempura was piping hot out of the fryer not to mention the main course of sushi rocked my socks off! It is definitely on par with Little Tokyo. The crazy roll had a perfect flavor of crispy, spicy, and onion-y goodness. They put a delicious sauce on the plate as well, I think some kind of creamy terriyaki sauce. The house sauce is delicious as well and I recommend any roll that has it on it. We also tried the sunset strip which had very very fresh fish. I cant wait to go back again! For 3 rolls, tempura, and 2 miso's it was only $40!
(4)
Linda Q.

I've been to Sushi Zen about 4 times now, and can't believe I haven't reviewed it yet. It is the best place around San Francisco to get great quality affordable sushi. The restaurant is adorable and has a great homey atmosphere. The chef and staff are so nice. We always get one of their "designer rolls" along with some nigiri pieces when we go. I've tried at least half of the selection of rolls, and I love the winter wonderland and the dynamite rolls. The food tastes fresh and the portions are insanely generous! The nigiri are always incredibly fresh tasting and very filling. The service is amazing, and there's a constant flow of hot tea. They've also offered complimentary ice cream for dessert each time I've been there! I love this place, and go every time I'm in San Francisco!
(5)
Winnie L.

So I came here today again for lunch. I had chicken teriyaki($3) and sushi combo($5) to go. At first I wasn't sure if they still offered the student specials during summer, but the man behind the bar said it was still on. I ordered and waited about 7 minutes, not bad. I was looking around and they had pictures of precious costumers, which was sweet. The chicken teriyaki was good, I liked it much more than the chicken katsu. I would definitely order it again. The sushi combo was good. It came with california roll and another roll I've never had before, but it was yummy. Next time I eat something from here, I want to stay-in and have the whole experience.
(3)
Tam X.

My favorite econo-sushi restaurant. Fresh fish and consistently good quality foods for rediculously affordable prices, with very noble proportions. The lunch specials are the best, and they have a student lunch special where everything is less than three dollars on a certain menu, but its pick up only. Sashimi is my favorite, and theirs did not disappoint. 1-16-08: Addition: I go there about once every 1 1/2 weeks on average, and the stuff is still pretty good. Ive gotten on good terms with that quirky guy that is normally the server, and he gives me and my girlfriend free miso and ice cream every time we go there. Very friendly like that.
(5)
Kathleen O.

Until last weekend I never thought I would like sushi. I hate avocado, the thought of anything uncooked freaked me out, and I'm not so big on seaweed. My roommates changed that when the finally got me to try sushi from Sushi Zen and now I have had it the last 3 days in a row! The Winter Wonderland is amazing, I only wish that it was with real crab meat not imitation crab meet. I have also tried the shitake mushroom sushi roll and the new Salmon one-all very very tasty. Although it doesn't look so great on the outside, it is very nice inside and the people are very very nice-I'm always greeted at least twice when I walk in. Anyone in the neighborhood should definitely go to Sushi Zen, it's amazing!
(5)
Yuan W.

love "sunset" and tofu
(4)
Ellen T.

This place is ok & is Chinese owned & ran. I went here last night w/ the bf & we had to sit @ the sushi bar because they were having 2 parties hosted there. REALLY CRAMPED seating. The waitress who was helping us was really nice/polite, but again they were busy. It is a small restaurant & the food is just ok.. I've had better in South bay. The dynamite roll wasn't all that spicy as they make it sound to be. Their Spicy Tuna wasn't all that either. Wasn't even Spicy. Tsunami roll didn't even really have that much seaweed salad on top. Screamer roll wasn't all that. The only roll I thought was ok, is the Crazy roll (shrimp temp & spicy tuna on top). The roll sizez seem really small as well.
(2)
L J.

I am such a fan of this little local sushi hole in the wall. Good quality, good value, very friendly staff. Wasabi tobiko on the wasabi hama roll is so delicious and beautiful. Good variety, whatever your sushi taste they will be able to satisfy!
(5)
Vilen R.

Amazing flavorful sushi. The speed of service and the quality of the fresh ingredients really makes this place worth the trip. The chef was very courtious and friendly.
(5)
carolyn y.

I can't believe I didn't yelp this yet. yeah it's fast and close. yeah it's cheap and what not but I can't stand this place. I came here the other day with my friend to eat lunch with my gurffriends, and i had a lunch box thing, and the rice was VERY hard. I can't deal with that. That already ruined my tastebuds yo. I was suppose to get on yelp and yelp the poo out of it. but heres my yelp. It's clean but the table was sticky, the place is small it used to serve pho before it became a sushi joint. It can get crowded but at the same time it can be pretty empty. a lot of students go here. uhm, the California Roll.. was TINY. that was the only sushi i got but it was uber short. It chinese owned because the servers there speak chinese. good service and all but I was disappointed and also the salad, wasn't like the normal salads made of mainly icebergs but it was like a ready-made salad from costco. :[ sadly, I'm not very happy with this place. The rice ruined a good yelp! sorry.
(2)
Fotos C.

Winter Wonderland Roll + British Columbia Roll + Edamame + Large Sapporo = Win! Recently, I've been going every 1-2 weeks. While not the fanciest sushi place, it's a nice spot for a late dinner or sit down lunch after a nice run outside. Other sushi places can get too loud and crowded sometimes. Sushi Zen is simple and affordable.
(4)
Stephanie F.

Decent, cheap Japanese food. My little sister goes here a lot for the cheap student meals and she likes udon. The owner seems really nice. We came here for dinner and I thought it was meh. The Winter Roll was really good. My chicken katsu was ordinary, and the sashimi that came with it wasn't anything to write home about. You get what you pay for.
(3)
Shelby H.

This place is awesome! good service and the chef and servers are just great! always have an amazing time when I come here and I'm obsessed with their crunch roll. If you're looking for a fun Saki Bombing place, this is where it's at
(5)
Melissa H.

I ate here tonight for the first time and it was immensely enjoyed. My roommate and I were going to order to be delivered, but decided that we were not so lazy that we couldn't walk less than one block away to check this out, so we called in to order pick up. We found a menu online and the lady who answered was VERY sweet, and patient with us when our computer that had our list of what we wanted to order randomly shut down. When we arrived to pick up our food, it was not quite ready, but she gave us tea while we waited and wished us happy holidays as we left. The food was great, and it was arranged beautifully. The fish was fresh, and I am definitely excited that I can go across the street for seaweed salads all the time now. *EDIT* Okay, so this is the best sushi place ever. The staff is AMAZING. I like to sit at the bar and Vincent, the sushi chef man, always talks to me and gives little treats. I've had many different rolls here, and they never disappoint.
(5)
Ally L.

Mmm delicious sashimi. Ordered the 9 piece sashimi combo, chef choice. It had 2 pieces each of white tuna, maguro, salmon, snapper (never liked snapper yuck) and BUTTER FISH! It's my first time tasting butter fish. Interesting. The bowl of rice and miso soup came with it so that was a plus :) If you see a large crowd of students during lunch... don't worry.. they're not sitting inside.. they're just lining up to get their student meals and will disappear in no time. Good business strategy. Fast service, will come back.
(4)
Diana L.

It's alright, I come here for a cheap quick fix of fake japanese food. Good enough to be filling and not too pricey, yay! The guy that makes the sushi and the owner are super nice too. It's just that I'm so sick and tired of it now, maybe a california roll here and there. I mean, it's sooo cheap! YAY!
(3)
Larry L.

After reading all the reviews i decided to try this spot out. I had the super dynamite roll which was ok. It was fried and presentation was nice. However it suppose to be spicy and have tuna in it which i didnt notice at all. I also tried the white tuna tatatki with ponzu sauce which pretty good. A little pricey for 8.95 i thought. Would i go back again? Yes, probably but nothing to brag about and i've had better.
(3)
Miette S.

First off the owner/chef is insane! In a great and fabulous way. He pours sake and doles out freebies. The food is really good, II recommend the tuna pokki and the crazy roll. One of the best things about this place is the lunch and dinner combos. They are between 6 and 10 dollars and come with tempura, the meat of choice, miso, rice, and salad. awesome!
(5)
Jane Z.

GREAT! Their lunch combos are totally affordable compared to the other sushi restaurants! The food taste alright. My overall experience there was pretty pleasant; decent food, awesome price, and great service!
(4)
Taylor B.

Wonderful neighborhood spot to have sushi. Go here for lunch, they have AWESOME lunch specials. You can get chicken teriyaki, 4 piece california roll, rice, miso soup, and tempura for like $6. Their specialty rolls are really good and aren't too pricey. Winter Wonderland and Super Dynamite roll are my favorites. The Rock N Roll (eel, avacado, tobiko) is also a little roll that I like to get when I'm counting calories...good and good for you :)
(4)
A L.

"HELLLLLO" is the first thing you hear when you step into their doors. They were very cheery and lead us to our seats. We ordered several rolls and they came relatively pretty quickly. We ordered Rock n' Roll, Winter Wonderland, Salmon Delight (new) some Udon and a dinner combo. It was pretty good. I was satisfied. The place is small and the prices are cheaper, but you pay for what you get. I tried to sashimi before, but nothing oo or ahh about it. On previous occasions, we sometimes got Miso soup whether or not we ordered the dinner combos. This time, only one soup came. I would've appreciated a nice bowl of warm soup on this chilly night, but I won't be greedy today =D
(4)
Lauren H.

Just had a lovely lunch date with the boyfriend. We had the California, Rock & Roll, and Dragon rolls. All very good and the crab was extremely fresh and wonderful. Glad to know that there is good sushi near home.
(4)
Willie W.

Great local place in the Sunset! Sushi is extremely fresh and the word "friendly" can't even begin to describe the staff! Keven (the owner) and Derrick (the server) treat us like royalty! I went into this place on a tip from a friend for the first time last week and have been there three times since! I highly recommend the Poke, the Super White Tuna, and the Spicy Tuna Hand Roll. The food here is always fresh and the service is excellent! Prices are reasonable as well. Oh yeah....buy 2 hot sake's , get one free! Woo Hoo! Additionnally, I'm a sucker for personalized service. What ever happened to good service in this modern era anyways? Another great reason why I like this place: Kevin personlizes every order! After buying him a beer and a sake shot, he pulled out the red carpet and doubled us up on our booze, on the house! He even gave us free ice cream! Sweet Deal! If you're anywhere remotely near the sunset, I highly recommend this place! Bring good times and leave the umbrella at home because Kevin and Derrick WILL be SHOWERING THE GOOD VIBES! ....not to mention.....some really yummy fresh fish.... Don't leave without doing a few sake bombs......he'll even join ya!
(5)
Valerie T.

Okay so one day my friend and I wanted to have lunch here because we were craving sushi. We are college students and we saw the student combo which is cheaper and they were the rolls we wanted, so we ordered that. The guy gave us this ugly look and he totally just ignored us and were being rude to us just because we wanted to order that and because it was cheaper. Okkkk? I mean, the food is good but that guy was totally rude. I came back with my parents the next time because I liked the rolls, and he was DEF nicer than when I was with my friend AND I ordered the same thing. Overall, the food is good but that dude was rude!
(3)
Aleksey K.

I LOVE sushi and this is the only place I go to. I almost feel bad giving it attention since it is like a little hidden gem in the middle of no where. Sashimi here is simply amazing. The staff is very friendly. every third sake is free! Tuna Poke done Hawaii style is a yummie appetizer
(5)
Monika S.

horrible service, weird hours, always playing bad music, but so delicious and cheap. veggie udon + tempura is a favorite, and their sushi rules. i recommend getting take out though.
(4)
Mason T.

Sushi was not fresh. Salmon eggs were not fresh and the rice was chewy... Blah. Rice paper was falling off. C'mon now people 5 stars people? Rolls were bland. Didn't really feel like ordering much. The only thing postive I can say is that the Uni was probably the most I have ever seen. I say it how it is.. I am an avid sushi eater
(2)
Anh D.

My first yelp review! My good friends brought me here several years ago and this is definitely my go-to sushi place in the city. Pros: -This place definitely can accommodate large groups. I have a group of about 20 coming soon and they are still able to fit us in, even though the place is snug. I've also been to their restaurant during the Winter holiday and I have seen loyal groups that come and are always having a good time. -The service is usually great, with Sushi Chef Kevin joining in the sake festivities if you ask him to. Also, the staff are pretty attentive and they usually offer me ice cream on the house at the end (they have the best green tea ice cream I have ever tasted!). They familiarize frequent faces and are always giving an energetic "hello" and "thank you, goodbye." -The prices are very reasonable with specialty rolls ranging around $8-13 bucks. -My recommendation foodwise belongs to the British Colombia Roll and the Winter Wonderland. From time to time, I also like ordering their raw oysters and Chicken Yaki Udon...delish! From what I have tasted at Sushi Zen, I have yet to be disappointed by any of their sushi rolls. Cons: - They can be a little tight on space at times when it is a busy night, but that's what you kind of have to expect with sushi restaurants in SF. -There is metered street parking that may be hard to snatch up sometimes but usually isn't a really big problem. I really do adore this place. Sometimes they will have their polaroid camera out, take pictures of their patrons and then post them up along their wall. It isn't a super trendy place but definitely a place where you can go with your friends and still be able to converse with one another (none of that loud blasting music joints). Overall, Sushi Zen offers that neighborhood feel, and gives me my yummy "comfort sushi."
(5)
Vicky P.

An unexpected new favorite! Small sushi house with a family-feel, reminds me of my uncle and aunt's sushi place back at home. The waitress was warm in greeting us, and sweetly mindful of my little girl. I chose 2 of the sushi specials, the lazy summer roll and the super dynamite roll, along with the chicken teriyaki special for my daughter. After ordering and looking around I thought that perhaps i'd ordered more than we could finish eating. I was amazed by the plates of food... Chicken teriyaki special comes with miso soup, rice, a lovely side salad w/ creamy miso dressing, and tempura(veggies and shrimp!). Tempura was delicious, served with ponzu sauce- light and delicate, not greasy or too crunchy, just the way I like it. Chicken - tender with a flavorful, tangy homemade teriyaki sauce. The lazy summer roll was beautiful and delish, fresh raw sake(saki maguro tuna) and mango rolled with thinly sliced cucumber as the wrapper and topped with green onions and tobiko. Light as a lazy summer day. The other roll was the perfect pairing. Crab and avo on the inside, rolled with rice and topped with lightly panfried sake, then baked in the oven and covered with tobiko & 2 spicy sauces...mmm.. i can still taste it, the combo of the two rolls...bliss! Our order amounted to a lot of food, but surprisingly we ate it up! The sushi chef came over to get to know us and joke with my shy daughter, and the waitress rewarded her w/ a scoop of fragrant mango ice cream. What a casually relaxing and totally sumptious meal, but also affordable! Love that its just up the street from mi casa, this one I will frequent often :) ..and oh, its fun to watch others do the sake bombs here!
(4)
Gina L.

I like this place very much. The services are great. The fishes are fresh. Price is very reasonable. I like the rolls and sashimi there.
(4)
Kimberly S.

Sushi Zen is the most affordable, freshest sushi that we have had anywhere in the world! There specialty creations are incredible (try the winter wonderland). Customer service is wonderful! Sushi with Aloha, you will not regret your experience.
(5)
Allan H.

Awesome place that I pass by on Muni (L-Taraval) line on my way to and from work everyday. My #1 reason for coming here? The tuna poki!! Not only is the poki fresh and tender, it's slightly spicy and served over a bed of seaweed salad. This is a MUST order every time I've visited here. The sushi chef is also a really nice guy. For 2 of the previous 3 times I've been there, we were given free ice cream and tonight we were given a free sushi roll. Highly recommended!
(5)
Lynn O.

The staff here is very amiable and warm, and the cynic in me, of course, wonders if they're friendly demeanor is all a show in the name of business. Maybe, maybe not-- but they do seem to have a series of regulars who, as of last night at the very least, seem to be happy with their neighborhood sushi joint. The prices are reasonable for Japanese food (made by Chinese folk, by the way). There aren't many vegetarian options, but the waitress was very nice and accomodated my request to turn a chicken donburi ($7.50) into a tofu donburi at no extra charge. She was also very good about refilling our tea and also offered us ice cream on the house when we were finished (again, I'm not sure if this is a one time thing to reel customers in or what... you can see how tremendously jaded I am). The donburi was okay-- on the overcooked side (the rice was very... moist) but not bad. I think the student lunch specials would be worth checking out one of these weekdays.
(4)
selina n.

The salmon sashmi here is not fresh... it's actually frozen! I ordered it for my mom and there was still ice on it! That's just not right. Also had their california rolls which was as equally disappointing. Personally I have no idea how this place has stayed open for this long... I think it's because of the all the high school students from Lincoln that come for their lunch specials! If you want good sushi go to Shimo which is across the street from the Safeway on Taraval!
(1)
Matteo C.

Me and my friends all agree this is the best sushi place on Taraval. Okaza Yu is just alright nothing special and Shi mo 2 is overpriced with small rolls with fat on the fish. But Sushi Zen Is so good great salmon and the owner is enthusiastic about making you rolls which is nice when you feel comfortable with someone making your food
(5)
carrie l.

Thinking the reviews on yelp could be trusted, I came to sushi zen expecting reasonably good sushi with acceptable service. My 5 friends and i arrived, and they only set out 2 menus for us. I didn't receive chopsticks till I finally got a waiter's attention after several tries. Most of the fish was not incredibly fresh, and our raw oysters weren't good at all. The waiters gave us the wrong order a few times and had a hard time keeping track of what we had ordered. I understand tonight was a busy night for them, but the service was incredibly poor. The waiters yelled to people in line that our table would be leaving before we even received our whole order. Our rolls fell apart before we could even pick them up. I would never come back here. The people in line for this place are much better off at another restaurant.
(1)

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Address : 1041 Taraval St
San Francisco, CA, 94116
Phone (415) 681-1789
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 4:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Sushi Zen

1041 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA, 94116

Sushi Zen Menu

Appetizers

Soup

Salad

Chicken

Beef

Seafood

Curries

Fried Rice

Sushi Bar

Teppanyaki (dinner)

Tempura & Katsu

Teriyaki

Pasta

Sushi Nigiri & Sashimi

Special Roll

Premium Sushi Rolls

Sushi Dinner

Healthy Meal suggestions for Sushi Zen

Appetizers

Soup

Salad

Chicken

Beef

Seafood

Curries

Fried Rice

Sushi Bar

Teppanyaki (dinner)

Tempura & Katsu

Teriyaki

Pasta

Sushi Nigiri & Sashimi

Special Roll

Premium Sushi Rolls

Sushi Dinner

Kirsten F.

Sharine d.

Natalie Charlotte W.

Betsy P.

Ferhen M.

Jeff R.

Wanster L.

Jannifer H.

Wilson T.

Kenny L.

Matt H.

Mark B.

Kristina L.

Tina L.

alpana a.

Moses G.

Laura G.

Sean L.

Cindy L.

Mel T.

Jennifer H.

Cherylynn N.

Karen T.

Cynthia L.

Lawrence Y.

Bonnie S.

Sandy T.

Ray L.

Pamela D.

Jesse S.

Peter C.

Stephanie W.

Sam G.

Christina T.

Art J.

Andrew W.

Lia S.

Cassidy C.

Bonnie C.

Rhonda J.

boston U.