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Ryoko's Japanese Restaurant & Bar

Sushi Restaurant and Sake Bar$$$$

Lower Nob Hill, San Francisco

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8.7^/10

1,678

ratings

Ranked #1 for sushi restaurants in San Francisco
The sashimi at Ryoko's Japanese Restaurant & Bar is a can't miss
"Highly recommend the Jumping Tuna roll and the Spicy Beef Teriyaki!"(18 Tips)
"Pokemon Roll and the Volcano are awesome."(10 Tips)
"Get the omakase (chef’s selection)!"(8 Tips)
"Favorite rolls are jumping Unagi and spicy golden gate"(6 Tips)

421 Tips and reviews

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sushi
casual
DJs
good for dates
healthy food
trendy
pokemon roll
spicy food
omakase
bar
hand rolls
miso soup
music
gluten-free food
crowded
good for singles
daily specials
green tea
hole in the wall
off-menu items
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Wesley CaissieMay 24, 2014
Great place for a late night meal (or any time for that matter). Wonderful staff and tons of fun! The local feel is a welcome relief from such a touristy area.
Jon HunterJanuary 29, 2014
Happy New Yorker...Extensive travel in east Asia... Traditional Japanese with wonderful specials... uni, mackerel, toro and some American fusion (rolls). Half the price of New York
D.October 14, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Jumping Unagi is my long time favorite! You should definitely order one and try this very unique roll that comes with a special dip. I am sure that you will order more!
SvetlanaDecember 1, 2016
Amazing sushi! Probably the best outside of Japan. Try the fatty tuna, it's unbelievably mouthwatering!
Andy FrancoOctober 21, 2015
Best sushi I've ever had! I tried the spicy golden state roll, Philadelphia roll, rainbow roll, and dragon roll!
Michael ChangMay 24, 2013
If you're ever around, drop in for some good beats and yummy (but pricy) sashimi. If they have kinmedai (golden snapper) on the specials menu, do not hesitate to splurge on it.
DensJanuary 24, 2012
Been here 10+ times
Order as much as you can off the specials board (each is 2 pieces btw). Do not miss the White Tuna Toro if it's on the board!
Ro TowersJanuary 26, 2018
I was exited to try the #1 sushi place in San Fransisco per foursquare, maybe that’s why I left disappointed. Music was on point, affordable prices, above average service. Sushi was ok, not great.
Brian WilliamsonAugust 5, 2014
Busy, loud atmosphere... in a great way. After 7pm, you'll be waiting for a table, but it's worth it. Pro tip: order a drink while you stand and wait.
Michael NicholasSeptember 24, 2017
If there is a queue when you arrive, write your name on a list at the counter and then sit on the steps to wait. Took us around 10mins. Food was excellent.
Tim HettlerNovember 14, 2017
Lively atmosphere with classic sushi standards and creative rolls. Line can appear long but tends to move fast. Skip the overrated pokemon roll, get the caterpillar roll instead.
Lia HernandezDecember 9, 2011
some of the tables are kind of romantical. great service, best green tea I've ever had and the salmon toro completed my life. hot tail was my favorite roll I tried; shiso leaf makes it special.
Sarah EvansMarch 20, 2013
Amazing fresh specials (ankimo & chu toro) with atmosphere--dark intimate restaurant off the beaten path, well lit bar, hip music. The total West Coast foodie experience
JamesOctober 9, 2013
Some of the most delicious Japanese food I've had. Chat to the staff about some of their specials - we discovered some great dishes we wouldn't have ever known about.
Lili BorbaMay 27, 2016
Try to sit at the bar to watch the chefs prepare your dish. Sushi very good.😋😋😋
Benjy WeinbergerMay 31, 2015
Been here 5+ times
The spicy yellowtail roll is just right for when you've eaten everything in sight but you still want one more thing to round off your meal.
Amit KulkarniJanuary 23, 2014
Great Japanese food outside of NYC. Ordered the unagi platter, beef (not teriyaki), spicy yakitori and unagi roll (caterpillar). Friendly and polite staff.
Fabio T.June 17, 2016
Go with the rainbow, great 7 pieces chosen by the chef! Also check the Toro, super fresh!
Caro SchieferApril 29, 2017
Great sushi selection in a cosy environment. Need to try spicey tuna and pokemon!!!
Matthew PieperMay 8, 2015
I love their menus. I love that they offer variety in their dishes. If you love to eat a lot, I suggest that you visit this place.
Zayil VargasJune 28, 2016
Tried 49ers sushi roll and a sake bomb. Really good!! Definitely will go back to this place in my next visit to San Francisco!!! :)
Sahar AhmadNovember 15, 2012
Start with the tempura. All the sushi is very fresh and delicious. Have some time on your hands because service is slow. Make a reservation the place gets packed!!!
Samuel ToninJune 2, 2014
Gyoza, sockeye salmon, spicy scallop, sweet shrimp... And lots of sake. Best place to sit: at the bar, please, talking with sushimen. Enjoy!
Eduardo SanchezSeptember 14, 2014
Excellent place - fresh fish and nice environment. Hard to find it if not through a guide (Zagat). Open till 2am. Highly recommend.
Jerry LucasSeptember 2, 2017
The tempura was good, various sushi's were OK, 7 of 10. The atmosphere was a downer! Too, too load. Happened to be here on a day when temp was over 100 in SF. NO AC in here! Very, Very stuffy!
Hadeel OmerMay 31, 2018
Get the omakase (chef’s selection)! SO GOOD! Worth the wait
Dilara KeçeciJuly 25, 2018
Good food and nice atmosphere👍🏻Try California Rolls and shrimp symphony 👌🏻
The Tastes that Make the CityJanuary 28, 2015
The volcano roll is the best sushi in SF, making our list of "The Tastes That Make the City: SF Edition." Read more
StacyApril 25, 2015
long line to wait. good mix of traditional and funky. sushi, sashimi and sake. enjoy!
Kelsey KotzebueJune 29, 2016
Been here multiple times, best and reasonable pricing for sushi for SF. Favorite rolls are jumping Unagi and spicy golden gate
Salvatore CanforaJune 28, 2017
hip hop vibes, fresh and tasty sushi, authentic and visible preparation
Rob YargerNovember 21, 2013
The wait was pretty long for a tuesday night but I expected that from other tips. The food was excellent, the service not so much. Great atmosphere, great food, just don't come when you're in a hurry
Pete SurberMay 6, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Pokemon Roll and the Volcano are awesome. Spicy Golden Gate doesn't beat Tokyo Go Go's, but it's still amazing. Loved the Volcano so much, I nearly ordered it again on the next round!!
Benjamin GrønvoldMarch 12, 2017
Sushis great and the menu underwhelming. The place gets packed quick - especially if you want a table. Try the hot tuna roll 👌
Charles WalterApril 23, 2013
It is refreshing to have sushi rolls with so much attention paid to the rice, not just mahatma cooked with vinegar like we probably get in most Miami places.
David O.September 18, 2019
The unagi is the best unagi I’ve ever had anywhere on the planet.
Tom RothenbergMay 7, 2015
1st hand experience: shrimp symphony roll, wakame salad, takoyaki octopus ball + chef's reco on sashimi = excellent meal
Jake DylanAugust 26, 2021
Really delicious, large portions, and great service. Make sure to join the waitlist on Yelp before arriving.
Michael 🍷 ElmgreenOctober 22, 2014
Not a well kept secret, but worth the wait if you're visiting. Outstanding sushi and great izakaya/drinking food specials.
Nitzan BSeptember 18, 2019
Excellent sushi and good cocktails! One of the only places open late and that actually worth it
Michael KjærsgaardJanuary 17, 2019
Very good and fresh sushi. Nice atmosphere, but Music is way too loud for a date or a night out with the misses.
Honey BearJanuary 19, 2014
The best sushi I've had in a long time. Really fresh. Worth waiting for. Try the Toro, or the Scallop sushi. YUM!
AdriàOctober 2, 2016
Go early, it gets really full. There's a list on the entrance, no reservations. Great sushi and service.
James TDecember 3, 2016
Sit at the bar and talk to your sushi chefs! They will treat you right.
Gi CoelloSeptember 2, 2013
Simply delicious. It was worth the wait. Good ambiance, and they even let you order drinks by waiting on the steps. Great place!
Christian LutzOctober 29, 2016
first get fantastic rolls and sushi, then the grilled stuff, incredible the filet, or even just the chicken
William JohnsonFebruary 17, 2016
Very good nigiri. The fact that they use the sweeter Japanese uni put a smile on my face.
Francisco ArteagaNovember 23, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Worth the long wait. Show up when they open if you can. Be sure to try some of the specials too.
Natalia TereshchenkoFebruary 19, 2015
Mmm, I don't even know what to say. The line and prices are big, though the portions... I even can name them small. XS would be a right tag on their rolls.
SukiSeptember 17, 2020
Underground spot with excellent rolls and fresh, exotic specials. Sit at the bar for a good time.

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