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oChef » Kamekyo – San Francisco
Kamekyo - San Francisco
Photo from Kamekyo
Kamekyo at a glance
San Francisco Cole Valley
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 12 of the guests
#2226 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#168 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Average
5.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
152
Reviews
53.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Cozy atmosphere
- Fresh sushi
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- High prices
The restaurant Kamekyo invites you to experience authentic Japanese cuisine in the heart of San Francisco’s charming Cole Valley. This cozy and casual Japanese restaurant offers a delightful escape, whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely dinner.
You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere perfect for enjoying small plates, healthy options, and a selection of fine wines and beers.
Overview: Introducting Kamekyo
Kamekyo offers a cozy vibe and a pleasant setting, often described as a welcoming neighborhood spot. Many appreciate the attentive service from staff and the sushi chef, creating a comfortable dining experience.
However, some visits have been marred by disruptive construction and concerns about management. While some praise the fresh sushi, others have found the food quality inconsistent, leading to mixed opinions.
Average
5.7
out of 10
152
Reviews
53.3%
Satisfaction
61
negative
10
neutral
81
positive
Kamekyo holds an overall restaurant score of 5.7, placing it in the average range, with customer satisfaction at 53.3%, indicating a mixed reception. This feedback comes from 152 customer observations, with 81 positive remarks and 61 negative ones.
The Food (5.6) is the most discussed aspect, drawing both praise for fresh sushi and criticism for inconsistency. Service (6.3) also garners considerable attention, generally perceived as average, though some experiences highlight exceptional staff while others point to issues.
The Ambience (6.4) is similarly rated as average, often noted for its comfortable setting. Value (4.5) is where opinions diverge most, with some finding prices reasonable for seafood, while others consider it expensive.
What people like
- Cozy neighborhood spot
- Fresh sushi options
- Attentive staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- High prices
- Poor service encounters
Kamekyo presents a mixed bag, with a recommendation score of 5.8. If you’re seeking a casual, local spot with a pleasant atmosphere and are open to trying their sushi, it might be worth a visit.
The staff can be quite welcoming, adding to a comfortable experience. However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in food quality and value.
While some find it reasonable, others report high prices and disappointing dishes. It’s a place that could satisfy for a simple meal, but might not impress if you’re looking for a consistently top-tier culinary experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kamekyo
Food (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners have found some real gems here. With 51 positive remarks out of 97 total, theres praise for the amazing quality sushi, fresh and flavorful fish, and even some creative options. While the overall score sits at an average 5.6, many appreciate the delicious Japanese food and the variety of sushi and bento boxes.
However, its not all glowing reviews. With 43 negative comments, some experiences point to significant issues. Concerns include food that was not fresh, awful quality, and even reports of spoiled fish smell or tasteless dishes.
The customer satisfaction rate of 52.6% reflects this mixed bag, suggesting inconsistency in food preparation and ingredients.
Food
97
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
43
negative
3
neutral
51
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing quality sushi
- Fresh, flavorful fish
- Creative sushi options
What people don't like
- Not fresh food
- Awful quality
- Spoiled fish smell
Often praised
- sushiMy uncle's restaurant is a place I love getting sushi and drinks here. While it's true that it's pricey, that's just the standard for everything in SF lol : P
- foodI had a wonderful experience at this restaurant, even though it was my first time and I opted for takeout. It's an intimate little spot that offers both good food and a great vibe. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious.
- sushi placelove this sushi place! It’s tasty
- 49ers rollespecially the special rolls like the 49ers roll
- California rollCalifornia roll is also made with real crab and perfect!
- FoodFood:5
- Japanese foodMy experience at Kamekyo was wonderful. This is a quaint restaurant with delicious Japanese food. I particularly enjoyed the cucumber salad, and the seaweed salad was also really wonderful.
- Spicy TunaAs I continued to go, the sushi continued to decrease in complexity and taste. If you're just looking for Spicy Tuna or a simple roll, I recommend Grandeho's Kamekyo. If specialty rolls are more what you have in mind, try a different location.
- amaebithe amaebi is a great price and so fresh and yummy!
- amazing foodand amazing food
Frequently criticized
- foodawful and the food was not fresh at all
- sushiThis was never one of my favorite sushi spots, but it used to get the job done. As I continued to go, the sushi continued to decrease in complexity and taste. If you're just looking for Spicy Tuna or a simple roll, I recommend Grandeho's Kamekyo.
- tempuratempura was old (crust was too thick, each piece was a bit too heavy, oily)
- freshnessMy experience at this restaurant was unfortunately very negative due to the food quality. Freshness is literally the most important thing for sushi, and my meal *smelled* of spoiled fish. I only ate a little bit because the smell wasn't too strong, but I still had an upset stomach afterward.
- BeefI was surprised that the beef wasn't cut in stripes but almost minced. The sauce was extremely salty, and the beef was smothered in it. The food score was a 2 out of 5.
- Bento boxKind of surprised that the beef wasn't cut in stripes but cut like almost minced.
- ChashuChashu is wrong too
- Chicken TeriyakiChicken Teriyaki was the texture of styrofoam
- Ramen eggsThe Ramen eggs is totally wrong
- SauceI was surprised that the beef wasn't cut in stripes but almost minced. The sauce was extremely salty, and the beef was smothered in it. The food score was a 2 out of 5.
If you're considering this spot for food, be prepared for a mixed experience. While some rave about the fresh sushi and creative options, others have encountered issues with freshness and quality. It might be worth a try for simple rolls, but temper your expectations for a consistently excellent culinary journey.
Service (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 51% of the guests
Many guests have had a truly positive experience with the service, often highlighting the friendly waiter and staff. Special mentions go to Byron for exceptional care and how accommodating they are, especially with children. With 14 positive remarks out of 25 total, it’s clear many appreciate the effort, contributing to an average score of 6.3 and a mixed customer satisfaction rate of 56%.
However, its not all smooth sailing, with 7 negative remarks pointing to some inconsistencies. A few guests have encountered an unfriendly waiter or felt rushed, and there are concerns about management and how they treat customer, with some even mentioning a harsh voice from staff. This suggests theres room for improvement in ensuring consistent attentiveness for everyone.
Service
25
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
7
negative
4
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, accommodating staff
- Exceptional individual service
- Great with children
What people don't like
- Inconsistent staff attitude
- Rushed customer experience
- Poor management response
Often praised
- serviceThe service provided by Byron is exceptional
- ByronByron has been taking care of my family
- ServiceService:5
- StaffThey also are very accommodating of my gluten allergy and have tamari available. Staff is great and the location is lovely.
- childrenhow awesome they are with the little ones
- experienceNever have had a bad experience here
- nice servicedue to the nice service
- people working thereWe just moved to the neighborhood and love this sushi place! It’s tasty and the people working there are nice.
- staffThey are very friendly and accommodating
- sushi chefthe sushi chef, I’m assuming owner was so kind and happy to have us
Frequently criticized
- managementmanagement obviously does not value its customers
- managermanager kept trying to laugh it off when we explained
- serviceThey kind of rushed me out
- treat customerThe way they treat customer so bad too
- waiterone waiter (an old lady) who doesn't even smile or what, as if I am not welcome there
- waitressessome waitresses come and ask me with really harsh voice
- workerworker to stop he said “ I’m on the clock bro
Overall, the service here is a bit of a mixed bag. While many rave about friendly staff and exceptional care, there are noticeable complaints about inconsistency and management issues. If you catch them on a good day, you'll likely have a great experience, but be prepared for potential hiccups.
Ambience (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place generally hits the mark, with a 73.3% customer satisfaction rate indicating a good experience for many. Guests frequently praise the atmosphere, vibe, and cozy spot feel, often calling it a great neighborhood spot or joint. Many appreciate the lovely location and the overall quaint restaurant feel, making for a perfect lunch outside.
However, the overall score of 6.4 suggests there's room for improvement, especially considering the 11 positive and 3 negative comments out of 15 total. A significant concern revolves around disruptive construction work inside, which some found incredibly loud, leading to ear damage and a wholly disappointing dining experience. This noise issue clearly impacted a few visits.
Ambience
15
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy neighborhood vibe
- Lovely outdoor location
What people don't like
- Loud construction noise
- Disruptive dining experience
Often praised
- vibeThis place has such a vibe
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- atmosphereWe brought our infant, and the sushi chef, whom I assume is the owner, was so kind and happy to have us at the counter. We will consistently go back for the food and atmosphere.
- locationthe location is lovely
- lunch outsideMy experience at the restaurant was a perfect lunch outside. The lunch menu offered a nice selection, including sashimi or bento box options.
- neighborhood jointCozy and easy neighborhood joint
- neighborhood jointsWe really like supporting our local neighborhood joints
- neighborhood spotThis is a great neighborhood spot! I’ve been coming here for years and the sushi is so fresh and consistently delicious.
- restaurantQuaint resturaunt
- spotSuper cozy spot
Frequently criticized
- construction workconstruction work inside the restaurant on their door that was incredibly loud
- dining experienceI would stay away at all costs. If you eat here and you're lucky, you won't get horrific food poisoning to top off a wholly disappointing dining experience.
- ear damageAs an apology for our $60 lunch, it was marked down to $40 after further insistence. However, the literal ear damage had already been done, and this situation should never occur. I will no longer be supporting this restaurant.
If youre looking for a cozy, neighborhood spot with a good vibe, this place could be a charming choice for you. However, be aware that disruptive construction noise has occasionally marred the dining experience for some, so it might be worth checking ahead if youre sensitive to noise.
Value (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners found things to appreciate, especially regarding seafood. Many felt the price was quite reasonable, particularly for dishes like amaebi, suggesting you wont be wasting your money. Out of 15 comments, 5 leaned positive, highlighting terms like reasonable for seafood and price.
However, the overall sentiment is a bit of a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction of just 33.3% and an average score of 4.5. A larger group of 8 comments highlighted concerns, frequently mentioning that prices were too high, leading some to feel it was expensive or a waste money, especially with a mandatory service charge'.
Value
15
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable for seafood
- Amaebi great price
What people don't like
- Too expensive
- Waste of money
- Mandatory service charge
Often praised
- pricedefinitely not as expensive as others make it sound
- moneyyou won't be wasting your money
- reasonable for seafoodreasonable for seafood since they don’t skimp
Frequently criticized
- priceI wouldn't recommend it because it only has 3'9 stars, which indicates a bad restaurant. The food was not good, and it was too expensive. I felt like it was a waste of money, paying around $30 per person for what turned out to be bad ramen.
- expensiveMy experience at this restaurant was unbelievably horrible. The portions were small, the quality was truly awful, and it was expensive. I would stay away at all costs.
- lunchour $60 lunch was marked down to $40
- moneyWaste money
- pricesvery very expensive
- service chargeservice charge is tips. But it is mandatory to be 18%
If you're eyeing specific seafood items like amaebi, you might find the pricing fair. However, be prepared for potentially higher overall costs and a mandatory service charge that could make the experience feel less valuable for some.
How are the prices at Kamekyo?
You’re looking at roughly 42 per person – reported by 12 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, we see a nice mix. While many enjoy meals in the $21–$30 range, there are also some premium experiences pushing into the $41–$50 and even $101+ brackets. This suggests a varied menu, offering options for different budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 12 reviews.
This graph compares the value for money of this restaurant against similar ones in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a range of options, catering to both those looking for a good value meal and those ready to splurge a bit more.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kamekyo
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Sushi and Mains, Worth the Price
This place has such a vibe! I've been coming here with my dad for about 4 years, ever since we moved into the neighborhood, and it's consistently great. All the types of sushi are wonderful, with the special rolls like the 49ers roll being a particular standout.
The bento boxes and other main dishes, such as the ginger pork, are also sublime. My only minor concern is that it's a bit more expensive, but to me, the nice service and amazing food make it worth every cent. ❤️
- vibe9
- types of sushi9
- 49ers roll9
- price4
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Horrible Experience, Avoid At All Costs
My experience at this restaurant was unbelievably horrible. The portions were small, the quality was truly awful, and it was expensive. I would stay away at all costs.
If you eat here and you're lucky, you won't get horrific food poisoning to top off a wholly disappointing dining experience.
- portions2
- quality1
- expensive2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Beef Bento Box
I ordered the Bento box, which included Beef and Tuna Sashimi. I was surprised that the beef wasn't cut in stripes but almost minced. The sauce was extremely salty, and the beef was smothered in it.
The food score was a 2 out of 5.
- Bento box2
- Beef2
- Sauce1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Fresh Amaebi and Real Crab Rolls!
My experience at the restaurant during my lunch break was fantastic. The amaebi was a great price and incredibly fresh and yummy! I also appreciated that they even fry the shrimp head 😁.
The California roll was also perfect, made with real crab. I'm definitely coming back for my lunch break again today!
- amaebi9
- shrimp head8
- California roll9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Spoiled Fish and Upset Stomach
My experience at this restaurant was unfortunately very negative due to the food quality. Freshness is literally the most important thing for sushi, and my meal *smelled* of spoiled fish. I only ate a little bit because the smell wasn't too strong, but I still had an upset stomach afterward.
The food received a score of 1, while service and atmosphere were rated at 2.
- service2
- atmosphere2
- freshness1
- fish1
- upset stomach1
What Kamekyo offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and atmosphere can you expect at Kamekyo?
At Kamekyo, you can enjoy a cozy and casual dining experience with options for lunch, dinner, and dessert. You’ll find comfortable seating and table service, making it a great spot for a relaxed meal. They also offer convenient takeout and delivery services.
Is Kamekyo accessible and suitable for families with children?
Yes, Kamekyo is designed to be accessible for everyone, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. It’s also a great choice for families, as it’s good for kids and provides high chairs, ensuring a comfortable visit for your little ones.
What is Kamekyo's overall standing among diners?
Kamekyo holds an average restaurant score of 5.7 with 53.3% customer satisfaction. While Ambience (6.4) and Service (6.3) are rated average, Food (5.6) is also average, and Value (4.5) is considered to be on the lower side.
What do customers generally appreciate about Kamekyo?
Many customers enjoy the cozy, neighborhood vibe and pleasant location. Positive feedback often highlights the kind and accommodating staff and the freshness of certain sushi items like amaebi and the California roll.
What are the main concerns customers have about Kamekyo?
Key concerns include inconsistent food quality, with some reporting dishes that were not fresh or poorly prepared, such as tempura and Chicken Teriyaki. There are also complaints about high prices and occasional issues with service or management.