oChef » Kama – San Francisco

Kama - San Francisco

Japanese Restaurant Kama in San Francisco
Photo from Kama
How do the guests rate it?
Kama at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 24 of the guests
#1098 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#88 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
7.7
Food
7.8
Service
7
Ambience
5
Value
63

Reviews

77.8%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Food Quality
  • Friendly Service
  • Cozy Ambience
Frequently criticized
  • Hygiene
  • Order Accuracy
  • Cold Food

The restaurant Kama is a delightful Japanese Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District. You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.

Whether you’re looking for healthy options, happy hour drinks, or small plates to share, this spot offers a welcoming experience. It’s a great place to enjoy authentic Japanese flavors in a comfortable setting.

Overview: Introducting Kama

Kama generally impresses with its culinary offerings, often described as excellent and consistent food, featuring fresh and creative rolls and appealing vegetarian options. Guests frequently praise the service for being polite and the staff super friendly, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.

However, some experiences at Kama have been less stellar. Concerns about hygiene perspective have surfaced, and occasional 45-minute wait times or issues with incomplete order deliveries are noted.

A few diners also reported disappointing cold Japanese food or even finding hair in their meals.

Good
7.6 out of 10
63

Reviews

77.8%

Satisfaction

12

negative

2

neutral

49

positive

Overall, Kama holds a solid standing with a 7.6 restaurant score and a 77.8% customer satisfaction rate, indicating a generally positive dining experience. This is based on 63 customer observations, with 49 positive remarks outweighing 12 negative ones.

The Food (7.7) consistently receives high marks, being the most frequently discussed aspect, followed closely by Service (7.8), which also garners strong approval. While the Ambience (7) is generally well-regarded, it’s worth noting that Value (5) presents a more mixed picture.

This suggests that while many find the pricing fair, some feel it could be better. The strong performance in Food and Service clearly drives the overall positive sentiment, making Kama a place where the core dining experience tends to satisfy.

What people like
  • Excellent Food Quality
  • Friendly, Helpful Service
  • Cozy, Welcoming Ambience
What people don't like
  • Hygiene Concerns
  • Order Accuracy Issues
  • Cold Food Deliveries

With a 7.6 recommendation score, Kama generally offers a satisfying experience, particularly if you prioritize well-prepared food and attentive service. It’s a place that often delivers on its promise of a pleasant meal in a comfortable setting, making it a solid choice for many.

However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in order accuracy or occasional hygiene concerns. If you’re seeking a reliable spot for fresh sushi and friendly interactions, Kama is worth considering, but it might not be for those who are highly sensitive to minor operational hiccups.

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Verdict: Our expert take on Kama

Food (7.7 out of 10)

mentioned by 100% of the guests

When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7.7 and a solid customer satisfaction of 79.5%. Many diners rave about the fresh sushi, creative rolls, and generous portions, with specific praise for dishes like chirashi don and katsu don. The consistency and tasty vegetarian options also get a lot of love, based on 35 positive remarks out of 44 total.

However, it's not all perfect, as 7 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. A few experiences mention issues like cold food, underwhelming sushi texture, or even finding a hair. While these instances are less frequent, they highlight that consistency can sometimes be a challenge, especially with items like cold Japanese food or missing order components.

7.7 Food

44

Reviews

79%

Satisfaction

7

negative

2

neutral

35

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Fresh sushi
  • Creative rolls
  • Generous portions
What people don't like
  • Cold food
  • Texture issues
  • Missing items

Often praised

  • food
  • sushi
  • deluxe chirashi bowl
  • portions
  • rolls
  • vegetarian options
  • 49er roll
  • Tonkatsu dinner plate
  • ankimo appetizer
  • chicken skewers

Frequently criticized

  • chicken teriyaki dinner
  • cold Japanese food
  • ginger and wasabi
  • hair
  • mix tempura dinner set
  • sushi
  • sushi texture

If you're looking for fresh sushi, creative rolls, and generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that a few experiences have noted issues with food temperature or texture, so it might be a bit of a gamble on certain days.

Service (7.8 out of 10)

mentioned by 61% of the guests

When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction sitting pretty at 76.9%, it's clear that most folks are having a good experience. Many rave about the excellent service, kindness, and super friendly staff, with special shout-outs for quick delivery and pickup, making every interaction feel welcome.

However, out of 13 total comments, there were 3 negative remarks that highlight a few areas for improvement. Some customers faced a frustrating 45-minute wait, and there was a specific concern about kitchen staff wearing proper hairnets. Plus, one order unfortunately went awry, missing several items, which can definitely put a damper on things.

7.8 Service

13

Reviews

76%

Satisfaction

3

negative

0

neutral

10

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Friendly, kind staff
  • Quick delivery/pickup
  • Excellent service
What people don't like
  • Long wait times
  • Missing order items
  • Kitchen hygiene concern

Often praised

  • service
  • chef
  • delivery
  • kindness
  • staff

Frequently criticized

  • 45-minute wait
  • hairnets
  • order

Overall, you can expect a good experience with friendly and efficient service here. While there are a few minor hiccups like occasional long waits or order mix-ups, the positives far outweigh the negatives, making it worth a try.

Ambience (7 out of 10)

mentioned by 22% of the guests

When it comes to the vibe, this spot really shines! Many guests describe it as a nice cozy place where you feel welcome and homey, with the atmosphere often scoring high. With 3 positive remarks out of 4 total comments, its clear the general sentiment is quite upbeat.

The overall score for ambience is a solid 7, indicating a good experience. However, its worth noting that one comment raised a concern from a hygiene perspective, suggesting there might be something concerning in that area. While the customer satisfaction for ambience sits at a strong 75%, showing most people are happy, this specific point is definitely something to keep in mind.

7 Ambience

4

Reviews

75%

Satisfaction

1

negative

0

neutral

3

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Cozy place
  • Welcoming feel
  • Great atmosphere
What people don't like
  • Hygiene concern

Often praised

  • atmosphere
  • place

Frequently criticized

  • hygiene perspective

If youre looking for a warm and inviting atmosphere, this place generally delivers. Just be aware that a minor hygiene concern was noted, so if thats a dealbreaker for you, proceed with caution. Otherwise, its likely youll find the vibe quite pleasant.

Value (5 out of 10)

mentioned by 11% of the guests

When it comes to value, some diners really appreciate the pricing, noting that its very good. This positive sentiment, highlighted by terms like pricing, contributes to an overall score of an average 5. While customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 50%, 1 positive comment out of 2 total suggests some find the cost quite reasonable.

On the flip side, the price can be a sticking point for others, with one diner mentioning they paid for dinner, implying it felt a bit steep. This single negative opinion, out of 2 total, suggests that while some find the value good, others might feel theyre paying a bit too much for their meal.

5 Value

2

Reviews

50%

Satisfaction

1

negative

0

neutral

1

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Good pricing
What people don't like
  • High price point

Often praised

  • pricing

Frequently criticized

  • price

The value here is a bit of a mixed bag, with opinions split on whether the pricing is fair. If youre considering a visit, be aware that while some find it reasonable, others might feel its a bit pricey for the experience.

How are the prices at Kama?

You’re looking at roughly 39 per person – reported by 24 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.

While a good number of guests find value in the $21–$30 range, there’s also a spread of diners enjoying more premium options, which balances out the average.

Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 24 reviews.

Comparing the value for money of this restaurant against similar spots in San Francisco.

For a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, we think this pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance for those looking for a quality meal without breaking the bank, and also caters to those who want to indulge a bit more.

Customer Reviews: what people think about Kama

Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Faycal B.
Review date: 09/17/2025
2
Unpleasant Hygiene Issue
I need to share my disappointment. While eating the meal I ordered, I found a hair in my mouth. This was very unpleasant and concerning from a hygiene perspective. I hope you will take steps to ensure your kitchen staff wear proper hairnets in the future.
  • hair1
  • hygiene perspective2
  • hairnets2
Price per Person
  • $41–$50
Visit Type
  • Delivery
Group Type
  • Solo Dinner
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Takeout
Ping
Review date: 09/09/2025
9
Amazing Deluxe Chirashi Bowl!
My experience ordering takeout from GrubHub was fantastic. I got the deluxe chirashi bowl and it was amazing. The sashimi was super fresh and the portions were very generous. The pricing is very good as well! The miso soup was so comforting and the fried shrimp heads were still crunchy after delivery.
  • deluxe chirashi bowl9
  • sashimi9
  • portions9
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Kate
Review date: 04/22/2025
9
Melt-in-your-mouth fish and great service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I started with the ankimo appetizer and followed it with the deluxe chirashi bowl. The service was great, and the fish was melt in your mouth. I would highly recommend this place.
  • ankimo appetizer9
  • deluxe chirashi bowl9
  • service9
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Delivery
Service Type
  • Takeout
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
AK K.
Review date: 12/15/2024
9
Consistently Delicious Takeout with Kind Service
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently positive over the past few years, primarily for takeout. The food is always tasty and filling, and the service is incredibly quick when you call ahead. Their rice is particularly good; I've noticed it's always perfect, regardless of the dish. Today, I enjoyed the chirashi don and was very pleased with the chef's selection and the generous helping. The rolls are very nice, and the katsu don is a house favorite. The only items I haven't tried are the udon and ramen. Furthermore, everyone is always very kind, making the pickup experience feel welcome and homey.
  • food9
  • rice10
  • chirashi don8
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Jaimon V.
Review date: 09/29/2024
9
Amazing Food, Great Service and Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was amazing, almost as good as PF Chang's. The service and atmosphere were also top-notch, both receiving a perfect 5/5 rating. I hope you enjoy your visit!
  • food9
  • service10
  • atmosphere10

What Kama offers

Planning

  • Accepts reservations

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Popular for

  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Solo dining

Amenities

  • Restroom

Offerings

  • Healthy options
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Wine
  • Beer
  • Small plates
  • Alcohol

Dining options

  • Dinner
  • Table service
  • Lunch
  • Dessert

Service Options

  • Dine-in
  • Takeout
  • Delivery

Atmosphere

  • Cozy
  • Casual

FAQs

What dining and service options are available at Kama sushi?
At Kama, you can enjoy a variety of service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. For dining, you have choices for lunch, dinner, and even dessert, all with table service available for your convenience.
Yes, Kama is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. For your planning, you’ll be pleased to know that the restaurant also accepts reservations, making it easy to secure your spot.
Kama scores a **7.6** overall, with **Food** (7.7) and **Service** (7.8) being strong points. The **Ambience** (7) is also good, though **Value** (5) is considered average.
Customers frequently praise the **excellent and consistent food**, highlighting the **fresh and creative rolls**, delicious **vegetarian options**, and “melt in your mouth” **fish**.
Some diners have noted concerns regarding **hygiene perspective**, occasional **45-minute wait** times, and instances of **cold Japanese food** or missing items in their orders.
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Location
1497 Church St, 94114 San Francisco
Opening hours
Monday
Closed
Tuesday – Sunday
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM