Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
oChef » Kissako Tea – San Francisco
Kissako Tea - San Francisco
Photo from Kissako Tea
Kissako Tea at a glance
San Francisco Fillmore District
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$
Price per Person $1–$10
mentioned by 30 of the guests
#1386 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#122 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
355
Reviews
71.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh onigiri
- Friendly service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- Dessert inconsistency
- Rude staff
The Japanese restaurant Kissako Tea in San Francisco’s vibrant Fillmore District offers a delightful escape. You’ll discover a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Known for its great tea selection, this spot is ideal for anyone seeking authentic Japanese flavors and a cozy dining experience. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch, dinner, or just dessert, you’ll find something to savor.
Overview: Introducting Kissako Tea
Kissako Tea offers a delightful selection of Japanese treats, with many praising their fresh onigiri and delicious mochi. It’s often seen as a convenient spot for a quick bite, providing a taste of traditional flavors.
The inviting atmosphere contributes to a pleasant experience for many visitors. However, some experiences suggest inconsistencies, particularly with certain dessert items and occasional long waiting times.
While the staff is generally friendly, there have been instances where service could be more attentive. It’s a place with clear highlights but also areas for improvement.
Good
7.3
out of 10
355
Reviews
71.3%
Satisfaction
66
negative
36
neutral
253
positive
Overall, Kissako Tea achieves a solid 7.3 score, reflecting a generally positive experience for many. Customer satisfaction stands at 71.3%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This is supported by 253 positive remarks against 66 negative ones out of 355 total opinions, suggesting a favorable perception. Diving deeper, Food leads with a strong (7.6), often praised for its core offerings.
Value (6.8) is seen as fair, while Service (6.4) and Ambience (6.1) are perceived as more average. While these areas don’t detract significantly from the overall experience, they present opportunities for enhancement.
What people like
- Fresh, tasty onigiri
- Friendly, helpful service
- Affordable Japanese treats
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Inconsistent dessert quality
- Occasional rude staff
Kissako Tea, with a recommendation score of 7.6, is a solid choice if you’re seeking fresh, well-prepared onigiri and good value. It’s particularly suited for a quick, satisfying Japanese snack experience, especially if you appreciate friendly service.
However, be prepared for potential waits and manage expectations for some dessert items. If you prioritize a consistent, high-quality sweet selection or a perfectly smooth service interaction, you might find aspects less appealing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kissako Tea
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, youre looking at a pretty solid experience! With a score of 7.6 and customer satisfaction at a healthy 75.2%, its clear many diners are leaving happy. Out of 254 comments, a whopping 191 were positive, frequently praising the delicious and freshly made onigiri, delightful mochi, and tasty dango, often highlighting the variety and warmth.
However, there are a few areas where the food could improve. About 34 comments pointed out concerns like an uneven rice-to-filling ratio in some items, disappointing takoyaki, or matcha drinks that missed the mark. Some also noted artificial flavors in certain mochi, suggesting a bit of inconsistency in quality.
Food
254
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
34
negative
29
neutral
191
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Freshly made onigiri
- Delicious mochi and dango
- Great variety of flavors
What people don't like
- Uneven rice-filling ratio
- Inconsistent takoyaki quality
- Artificial mochi flavors
Often praised
- onigiriThis is a true hidden gem, a little hole in the wall that you might walk past, but definitely try not to miss this stand. They offer a wide selection of onigiri, and I personally loved the sake, beef, and spicy spam options. In addition to the onigiri, they also have lots of great desserts to choose from.
- mochiThey were easy to work with and it was super convenient to pick up the trays at their Japantown location. Everyone loved the mochi so much that we ordered more for the full office the following week! I definitely recommend them, especially their sakura mochi!
- OnigiriOnigiri yes (the regular ones are worth their money and made fresh)
- riceSimple yet complex, this traditional Japanese rice ball became the highlight of my savory time at Kissako Tea. The first thing I noticed about the onigiri was the remarkable fluffiness of the rice. Each grain seemed to be cooked to perfection, achieving a delicate balance between being light and holding its shape.
- foodHowever, if we're being honest, 7-Eleven onigiri tends to be better. While the food here is less fresh, it's definitely more flavorful. Their matcha cake was not good; we didn't finish it.
- mitarashi dangoTheir mitarashi dango is so tasty, the best I've ever had
- fruit mochiI liked the fruit mochi here, nice flavors
- onigirisonigiris are made fresh on order, nice and warm!
- seaweedI absolutely loved the Onigiri here. The seaweed was perfectly crispy, encasing a slightly warm rice ball. Even when taking them to go, the neat wrapper ensures the seaweed stays crispy by separating it from the rice, though opening it is a bit more complicated.
- takoyakiThe takoyaki was flavorful
Frequently criticized
- Mitarashi DangoThe Mitarashi Dango is terrible. It's stone cold and doesn't taste really good.
- TakoyakiTakoyaki no, way too much sauce, they were mushy and not nicely cooked
- MatchaMatcha no, it was just watery and bitter, not umami-bitter-sweet
- TaiyakiThe Taiyaki is just as bad, it's not crispy and soggy
- ankothe anko (red bean paste) inside is way too sweet
- average sweetsserve the most average sweets you can imagine
- beef udon's brothbeef udon's broth was just slightly over room temperature
- berry mochiWe also sampled the mochi. The berry mochi had an artificial flavor, which was a bit disappointing, but the haru mochi were good.
- colacola was not enough cold
- crispy textureit did not have any crispy texture
If you're craving fresh, warm onigiri and a good selection of mochi and dango, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some other items, like takoyaki or certain matcha drinks, might not hit the same high notes, so stick to their strengths for the best experience.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot offers a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.4 and mixed customer satisfaction at 59.3%. Many customers rave about the friendly staff and owner, highlighting their cheerful demeanor and helpfulness. With 32 positive remarks out of 54 total, folks often praise the quick service and the sweet employees who go the extra mile.
However, not everyone leaves with a smile. There are 18 negative comments, primarily revolving around significant wait and waiting time issues, with some experiencing a long line. A few customers also reported less-than-ideal interactions, including instances where staff shouted at them, which certainly detracts from the overall experience.
Service
54
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
18
negative
4
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Sweet owner
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Staff shouted
- Slow order taking
Often praised
- servicethe service was actually pretty fast
- staffVery nice staff. they were very helpful.
- Anne and her familyAnne and her family were so helpful
- ServiceService:5
- Staff membersStaff members are friendly though
- WorkerWorker was friendly
- amazing serviceWe wanted to thank Kissako Tea for their amazing service and food! We ordered sakura mochi and hanami dango for a club activity and they were delicious.
- convenient to pick upsuper convient to pick up the trays
- customer serviceNice customer service too
- deliveringAs someone who used to survive solely on onigiri in college, this place is doing it right. Everything is well/moderately priced and they’re pretty quick about delivering. It’s just a solid little Japanese food stand that I can go to when I want to grab a couple of onigiri and an iced matcha tea while I’m on the go or with my dog.
Frequently criticized
- waiting timeMy experience at this restaurant was not a good one. I had to wait too long for a simple order. I believe you have a better place to spend your time and money.
- serviceMy only gripe was the service. They girl didn't really seem to want to be there and when she took the credit card, she left it in the machine and it was beeping for a while.
- OrdersOrders will take a while if it's busy. I waited about 30-40 minutes
- guy at the frontthe guy at the front. He just shouted at me
- lady who handed me a drinkshe also shouted at me just repeating "do you have a RECEIPT?!"
- long linethere is always a long line
- order takingwait 5 minutes before they caught on
- treating the customersHe just shouted at me when I couldn't hear what he was saying. Very unJapanese in terms of treating the customers. Then a lady who handed me a drink: she asked if I have a receipt, and when I put my hands in my pocket to look for it, she also shouted at me, repeating, "Do you have a RECEIPT?
- utensilYou may not receive a utensil.
- waitthere's always a wait
If youre not in a rush and value friendly interactions, youll likely have a good experience here. However, be prepared for potential long waits, especially during busy times, as service speed can be a real hit or miss.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
For ambience, this spot offers a rather charming experience, especially noted for its cute stall within the vibrant Japantown setting, providing an authentic vibe and easy seating. Based on 12 positive sentiments out of 21 total, many found it a nice place to relax. The overall score for ambience sits at an average 6.1, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 57.1%.
However, the location within a mall brings some drawbacks, with concerns about it being too hot and some finding the tables sticky or the place generally dirty. These 7 negative observations suggest that while the vibe can be authentic, the practical comfort and cleanliness sometimes fall short, contributing to that mixed satisfaction.
Ambience
21
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
7
negative
2
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cute Japantown stall
- Authentic vibe
- Easy seating
What people don't like
- Mall atmosphere
- Sticky, dirty tables
- Too hot inside
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- JapantownJapantown keeps the mall (and associated bathrooms) clean
- ambianceMy visit to Kissako Tea in Japantown, San Francisco, was an immersion into a culinary experience that stayed with me long after I left. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by the warm and inviting ambiance that perfectly complemented the aromatic scent of freshly prepared tea and food. I decided to indulge in one of their most talked-about items: the onigiri.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- authentic vibeThe place seems authentic
- cute stallReally cute stall in Japantown
- easy seatingeasy seating next to the stand
- eateryMy experience at this restaurant was awesome and delicious. I love Japan Center Mall, and this is my favorite eatery there. It's easy and super yummy.
- locationearned their spot at the center of the mall
- place to relaxa nice place to relax and sit back
Frequently criticized
- mallthe mall feels like a sad afterthought
- Japanese cafe experienceDefinitely not Japanese cafe experience.
- atmosphereAtmosphere: way too hot man
- busyBeware it gets very busy!
- placePlace is dirty, tables sticky
- tablestables sticky
If youre looking for a casual spot with an authentic Japantown feel and dont mind a bustling mall environment, this place could be a good fit. However, be prepared for potential issues like heat or cleanliness, which might detract from the overall comfort.
Value (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a 6.8 score which is quite good! Many customers rave about the price, reasonable prices, and overall affordability, finding items like onigiri to be surprisingly cheap and filling. With 18 positive remarks out of 26 total, it seems many feel theyre getting a great deal.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at 69.2%, indicating a mixed bag where some feel theres room for improvement. A few patrons noted a high price for certain items, describing some matcha and ice cream as overpriced or a bit pricy. While not a dealbreaker for most, it's worth noting that not everything is seen as a steal.
Value
26
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
7
negative
1
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Super affordable
- Reasonable prices
- Great value onigiri
What people don't like
- Overpriced matcha
- Expensive ice cream
- Not worth high price
Often praised
- priceAs someone who used to survive solely on onigiri in college, this place is doing it right. Everything is well/moderately priced and they’re pretty quick about delivering. It’s just a solid little Japanese food stand that I can go to when I want to grab a couple of onigiri and an iced matcha tea while I’m on the go or with my dog.
- pricesThe prices are right in line with what I'd expect
- reasonable pricesTheir mitarashi dango is so tasty, truly the best I've ever had. They also offer really reasonable prices for hot food that's super tasty and filling! I can't recommend it enough.
- AffordableAffordable freshly made onigiri
- Mochi priceMost of the Mochi is good. It's hard to beat the fact that it's made fresh and it's not too expensive. * Matcha Mont Balnc Cream Cake: 3/5.
- affordabilitySUPER affordable and so yummy!!!
- cheapSuper cheap as well.
- pricingvery reasonable pricing
Frequently criticized
- price35). Unfortunately, the onigiri was predominantly plain rice with a very minimal unagi filling, making it not worth the high price. The fruit mochi had an artificial taste.
- ice creamTheir ice cream is a little expensive though
- noticeable mark upfor a noticeable mark up
- specialty matchaShouldn't be expensive as the specialty matcha all around other places
- time and moneyI had to wait too long for a simple order. I believe you have a better place to spend your time and money.
If you're looking for affordable and tasty snacks, especially onigiri, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful that some specialty items, like certain matcha drinks or ice cream, might lean a bit more towards the expensive side.
How are the prices at Kissako Tea?
You’re looking at roughly 9 per person – reported by 30 diners. That puts it in the $1–$10 category. For a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco, that’s incredibly budget-friendly!
Most guests are happily spending in this lower range, with some opting for slightly higher, but still very affordable, options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 30 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, this pricing feels exceptionally fair. We think it offers a fantastic, affordable option for delicious Japanese food.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kissako Tea
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Origini Riceball: More Rice Than Filling
My experience at this cute little place was centered around their origini riceball. While the concept was appealing, I found that the rice was wayyyyyy more than the stuff in between.
- origini riceball5
- rice3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Delicious Matcha Monaka with Chocolate Coating
My experience here was centered around their matcha monaka, which was good. A notable detail was the inside coating of chocolate, which effectively kept the monaka dry and crispy.
- matcha monaka7
- inside coating8
- monaka8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
7
Authentic Onigiri & Mochi, Mixed Feelings
I visited this restaurant twice on weekends and encountered a consistent long line, typically around 10 minutes. The establishment gives off an authentic vibe and offers a wide variety of onigiri and mochi, both of which appear to be popular. The main selling point is that the food is always made fresh, evident from the hot onigiri served and a shorter wait time of about 6 minutes.
While I enjoyed the mochi for its soft and smooth texture, I wasn't as impressed with the onigiri. The spicy sauce for the spicy tuna was overpowering and lacked creaminess, making it difficult to taste the tuna. I also felt the rice to fish ratio was too high.
- authentic vibe8
- variety of onigiri8
- mochi8
- long line3
- spicy tuna3
- rice to fish portions4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
2
Disappointing Quality vs. Hype
My experience involved ordering the spicy unagi onigiri ($4. 80) and fruit mochi ($4. 35).
Unfortunately, the onigiri was predominantly plain rice with a very minimal unagi filling, making it not worth the high price. The fruit mochi had an artificial taste. Despite the long lines this place attracts, the quality did not live up to the hype.
This was one disappointing visit, and it was enough for me.
- spicy unagi onigiri2
- fruit mochi3
- price2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
8
Great Onigiris, Busy Spot
My experience was with their onigiris, which were good! They are conveniently individually wrapped, just like you'd find at a Japanese convenience store. The service was quick and the price was low for a snack.
However, be aware that it gets very busy. Even during a slow weekday, with them constantly making onigiris, I still waited about 10 minutes with around 10 customers ahead of me. I super recommend it!
- onigiris8
- individually wrapped7
- service7
- busy4
What Kissako Tea offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Is Kissako Tea accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, Kissako Tea prioritizes accessibility for all guests. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible seating, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone in the Fillmore District.
What kind of dining options and offerings can you expect at Kissako Tea?
At Kissako Tea, you can enjoy a range of dining options including lunch, dinner, and dessert. They offer small plates, coffee, and excellent vegetarian options, making it a great spot for a quick bite or a full meal in San Francisco.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Kissako Tea?
Kissako Tea generally receives a good reception, with an overall score of **7.3**. Customers particularly appreciate the **Food** (7.6), while **Value** (6.8), **Service** (6.4), and **Ambience** (6.1) are considered average.
What are the standout food items at Kissako Tea?
Many customers highlight the fresh and flavorful **onigiri**, often praising its fluffy rice and crispy seaweed. The **mochi** and **mitarashi dango** also receive positive remarks for their taste.
What are common concerns regarding service at Kissako Tea?
Some customers have noted occasional long **waiting times** for orders, especially during busy periods. While staff are generally friendly, there have been isolated reports of less attentive or abrupt interactions.