Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Balboa Teriyaki – San Francisco
Balboa Teriyaki - San Francisco
Photo from Balboa Teriyaki
Balboa Teriyaki at a glance
San Francisco Outer Richmond
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 19 of the guests
#465 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#50 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
132
Reviews
84.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Good variety
- Fair pricing
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent quality
- Small portions
- Cluttered interior
The restaurant Balboa Teriyaki is a charming Japanese restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Outer Richmond neighborhood. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.
This spot offers a delightful array of healthy options, small plates, and refreshing beverages like wine and beer. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or opting for delivery, you’ll find convenience and delicious flavors awaiting you.
Overview: Introducting Balboa Teriyaki
Balboa Teriyaki offers a generally positive dining experience, with many appreciating the attentive and swift assistance from the staff. You’ll find the overall atmosphere to be quite pleasant, often described as peaceful and clean, making for a comfortable visit.
While the culinary offerings are largely well-received, particularly the bento combos and rolls , some specific dishes have drawn mixed feedback. However, the establishment consistently delivers great value for its Japanese fare, making it an appealing option for many.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
132
Reviews
84.8%
Satisfaction
10
negative
10
neutral
112
positive
Balboa Teriyaki earns a solid 8.2 overall, reflecting a generally positive reception. This is further supported by a strong Customer Satisfaction rate of 84.8% , indicating that most diners leave content.
These figures are drawn from 132 customer remarks, with a clear majority of 112 positive observations against just 10 negative ones. Diving into the specifics, the Service (8.8) stands out as a particular strength, often described as friendly and efficient.
The Food (8.2) also performs well, though some specific items receive mixed reviews. Diners also find Value (8) to be a strong point, and the Ambience (7.8) contributes positively to the overall experience, often noted for its peaceful setting.
What people like
- Friendly, quick service
- Good food variety
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Small portion sizes
- Cluttered interior
If you’re seeking a Japanese meal with efficient service and good overall value, Balboa Teriyaki is a solid contender. The 8.6 recommendation score suggests many diners find it a worthwhile stop, especially for its well-regarded bento options and rolls.
While some specific dishes and portion sizes might vary, the consistent positive feedback on service and pricing makes it a reliable choice. Consider Balboa Teriyaki for a pleasant and reasonably priced dining experience, particularly if you appreciate attentive staff and a generally calm setting.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Balboa Teriyaki
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place really shines! With a strong score of 8.2 and customer satisfaction at 83.8%, diners are clearly impressed. Based on 67 positive remarks, many rave about the incredibly fresh fish, delicious sushi, and perfectly cooked katsu.
The creative rolls, like the Magic Dragon Roll, also get a lot of love for their unique combinations and taste. However, its not entirely without its minor hiccups, as noted in 6 less enthusiastic comments. A few diners found the chicken teriyaki to be underwhelming, and the miso soup was sometimes described as quite poor.
There were also some mentions of food portion sizes being tiny for certain items, and occasionally, the salmon didnt taste as fresh as expected.
Food
80
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
6
negative
7
neutral
67
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh fish
- Delicious sushi
- Creative rolls
What people don't like
- Small portions
- Poor miso soup
- Unfresh salmon
Often praised
- foodWe were pleasantly surprised by how good our lunch bento boxes were. The tofu teriyaki was perfectly breaded and fried.
- sushiMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the delicious sushi and katsu. It's clear the place is run by people who care, which made the visit even better.
- Japanese foodI loved this Japanese food
- chicken katsuThe chicken katsu is very tender and juicy
- rollsThe rolls are made with love...there are so many creative combinations
- sashimiHighly recommends their sashimi
- tempuraThe tempura was hot and a good variety of veggies.
- 49er rollloved the fresh clean 49er roll
- A's rollThe A's roll is delicious
- Double Hamachi Rolldouble hamachi roll was neat and decent.
Frequently criticized
- S.S. Veggie rollMy S.S. Veggie roll was half the portion size of the special rolls
- chicken teriyakiChicken Tariyaki not that great.
- food portion sizeFood portion size was tiny.
- hot teaHot tea tasted like water
- miso soupThe food quality was moderate overall. Specifically, the miso soup was quite poor, containing only a few tiny bits of tofu. However, the staff were friendly.
- salmonsalmon did not taste fresh
Overall, if you're looking for a spot with genuinely delicious and fresh Japanese food, especially sushi and katsu, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that a few specific dishes or portion sizes might not always hit the mark, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Service (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot really shines! With an impressive score of 8.8 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 95.5%, its clear guests are well taken care of. People consistently rave about the friendly staff, kind service, and how prompt everything is.
Many appreciate the warm heart of the chef and the quick meal delivery, showing a place run by people who genuinely care, based on 21 positive remarks. However, out of 22 total opinions, there was one mention of service being slow. While the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, its worth noting that occasionally, the service might not be as swift as some would hope.
This single point of feedback suggests there might be rare instances where the pace could be improved.
Service
22
Reviews
95%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Prompt service
- Caring people
What people don't like
- Slow service
Often praised
- servicethe service was extremely friendly and quick
- staffthe staff is very friendly and attentive
- chef guyThe chef guy has a great warm heart
- chopstick holdergave him this special chopstick holder
- kind serviceThe fresh clean 49er roll was also a highlight. The excellent kind service made the meal even better.
- people who carerun by people who care
- quick mealit always comes out quickly. Recommend for a quick meal
- serverthe server was really friendly.
- service promptservice prompt
- wait timeNo wait
Frequently criticized
- serviceService is slow.
If you value a dining experience where youre treated with warmth and efficiency, this place is definitely worth a visit. The service is overwhelmingly praised for being friendly and quick, making it a great choice for a pleasant meal. Just be aware that a rare slow moment might occur, but its clearly not the norm.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
The vibe here is definitely a winner, with many guests praising the atmosphere and cozy space. Youll find super comfortable seating and a generally peaceful environment that isnt too crowded. With 15 positive observations out of 20 total, its clear most people enjoy the setting, contributing to a solid 7.8 score.
However, a few points could use a tweak. Some found parking space a bit tricky, and a couple of folks felt the place was cluttered. The inclusion of biblical scripture in to-go bags was also a turn-off for one.
Despite these 3 negative comments, customer satisfaction remains high at 75%, indicating these issues dont overshadow the overall positive experience.
Ambience
20
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Comfortable seating
- Cozy, peaceful atmosphere
- Not crowded
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Feels cluttered
- Biblical scripture turn-off
Often praised
- atmosphereChill vibes and atmosphere
- ambianceThe ambiance is really cute
- cleanfresh clean
- cozy spaceI love this little cozy space.
- crowdedNot crowded
- noise levelVery quiet
- not busybut this place is as I mentioned earlier, not busy
- parkingPlenty of parking
- peacefulRestaurant is peaceful
- restaurantNice little quaint restaurant
Frequently criticized
- ambienceplace does feel very cluttered
- biblical scriptureinclusion of biblical scripture in the to-go bags is a very big turn-off
- parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
If youre looking for a chill, cozy spot with comfortable seating and a peaceful vibe, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for potentially tricky parking and dont be surprised by some decor choices.
Value (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8, its clear guests are getting a lot for their money. An impressive 90% customer satisfaction rate, based on 10 opinions, shows nearly everyone agrees the "prices" are "reasonably priced" and offer a "great deal, " making it a "great value" overall.
Whats even better is that out of all the feedback, there were absolutely no negative comments about the value. This means you can expect consistent quality without any unpleasant surprises when it comes to your wallet.
Value
10
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great value
- Good deals
What people don't like
Often praised
- bento boxbento box is priced just right
- bento combosMy experience at this restaurant offered a large menu of standard Japanese dishes, including rolls, donburi, bentos, and udon. The restaurant itself was peaceful, and I found the prices reasonable, especially with several bento combos and lunch specials available. The service was prompt, and the food was good in taste and value.
- food valueThe restaurant itself was peaceful, and I found the prices reasonable, especially with several bento combos and lunch specials available. The service was prompt, and the food was good in taste and value.
- great dealSuch a great deal for what you get
- great valuea great value
- lunch specialsMy experience at this restaurant offered a large menu of standard Japanese dishes, including rolls, donburi, bentos, and udon. The restaurant itself was peaceful, and I found the prices reasonable, especially with several bento combos and lunch specials available. The service was prompt, and the food was good in taste and value.
- priceThe service was swift, the atmosphere was cozy, and the food was delicious. All of this was offered at a fair price. Teryaki enthusiasts will definitely enjoy the glaze here.
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was wonderfully positive. The food was deliciously heart-warming and offered at wonderful prices. I particularly enjoyed their "vegetable udon" and the unique offering of pickled vegetables, also known as Tsukemono.
- reasonably pricedreasonably priced
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place where your money goes far, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Guests consistently praise the reasonable prices and excellent deals, ensuring a satisfying meal without breaking the bank. You can confidently expect great value here.
How are the prices at Balboa Teriyaki?
You’re looking at roughly 39 per person – reported by 19 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 39, the prices people actually pay are quite spread out. We see a good number of guests spending in the $11–$20 range, suggesting some more budget-friendly options. But then there are also diners who spend significantly more, even upwards of $81–$90 or over 101 $.
This means there’s a mix of experiences, from quick, affordable meals to more premium dining.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 19 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the variety of price points available, from more casual to higher-end, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers flexibility for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Balboa Teriyaki
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Quick and Good Quality Food
My experience at this restaurant was great for a quick meal. The food is always of good quality and it consistently comes out quickly. I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a fast and satisfying dining option.
- food quality8
- quick meal9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Solo Dining
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Food, Great Service, Lovely Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I enjoyed the great fresh rolls and the beautifully plated presentation. I dined alone during a downtime, which allowed me to truly savor my meal and take my time.
The menu offers pretty classic selections, and I felt confident that I couldn't go wrong with any choice, as the sauces really carried the flavor in everything I tried. The atmosphere and service were both rated a perfect 5, and the food also received a 5-star rating. Parking was standard street parking for San Francisco, which can be somewhat difficult to find, but there was free street parking available.
- fresh rolls9
- beautifully plated9
- classic selections8
- parking space4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Delicious Japanese Food, Highly Recommended!
Wowwwwww! My experience at this restaurant was so good. The food was delicious and fresh.
I found it to be one of the best Japanese restaurants in San Francisco. The atmosphere was clean, and I highly recommend it for vegetarians. We had no wait time and plenty of parking available.
- food10
- Japanese restaurants10
- clean9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Pleasantly Surprised by Delicious Bento Boxes
We were pleasantly surprised by how good our lunch bento boxes were. The tofu teriyaki was perfectly breaded and fried. The tempura was hot and offered a good variety of veggies.
The chicken teriyaki was flavorful and not dry. The side veggie maki was very fresh and tasty. This is a good choice if you’re in the neighborhood and want Japanese food.
It's a quiet spot to relax and enjoy your meal.
- tofu teriyaki9
- tempura8
- chicken teriyaki8
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
3
Mixed Experience with Freshness Concerns
I had lunch with my family and found that the salmon did not taste fresh. However, the tempura was pretty good with a light batter. The chicken teriyaki and beef teriyaki were average.
Unfortunately, the hot tea tasted like water. Given these points, I probably won’t come again.
- tempura8
- chicken teriyaki5
- beef teriyaki5
- salmon2
- hot tea2
What Balboa Teriyaki offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Balboa Teriyaki?
At Balboa Teriyaki, you can look forward to a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for lunch or dinner. They offer convenient service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery, ensuring you can enjoy their Japanese cuisine however you prefer.
Does Balboa Teriyaki cater to specific dietary needs or accessibility requirements?
Yes, Balboa Teriyaki provides healthy options for those mindful of their diet. The restaurant is also wheelchair accessible, with both an accessible entrance and seating, making it a welcoming spot for everyone. It’s also good for kids.
How does Balboa Teriyaki generally perform?
Balboa Teriyaki achieves an overall score of 8.2 , with Customer Satisfaction at 84.8% . Its Service (8.8) is particularly strong, followed by Food (8.2) , Value (8) , and Ambience (7.8) , all contributing to a positive experience.
What do customers appreciate most about Balboa Teriyaki?
Many customers highlight the friendly and quick service and the good food value , especially for bento boxes and lunch specials . The peaceful atmosphere and clean environment are also frequently mentioned.
Are there any common concerns at Balboa Teriyaki?
Some patrons have noted inconsistent food quality for certain items like salmon or miso soup , and occasionally small food portion sizes . A few also found the ambience a bit cluttered .