Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Kippu – San Francisco
Kippu - San Francisco
Photo from Kippu
Kippu at a glance
San Francisco Japantown
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 69 of the guests
#2308 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#171 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Average
5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
474
Reviews
42.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The restaurant Kippu is a delightful Japanese Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Japantown. You’ll find a cozy atmosphere here, perfect for a casual meal.
Whether you’re looking for healthy options, small plates, or a quick bite, this spot offers a welcoming space to enjoy authentic flavors. It’s a great choice for anyone seeking a relaxed dining experience in the city.
Overview: Introducting Kippu
Average
5
out of 10
474
Reviews
42.6%
Satisfaction
233
negative
39
neutral
202
positive
What people like
What people don't like
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Japanese Restaurant
9.4
out of 10
out of 10
315
97.1%
- $$$
- North of Panhandle
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9.2
out of 10
out of 10
119
99.2%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
472
94.9%
- $$
- Polk Gulch
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
242
95%
- $$$
- Hayes Valley
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
173
94.2%
- $$
- Outer Richmond
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
690
92.9%
- $$
- Cow Hollow
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Kippu
Food (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
When it comes to the food, diners have shared quite a few positive experiences, with 138 positive remarks out of 245 total. Many rave about the fresh ingredients, creative rolls, and delicious bento boxes, especially the teriyaki chicken. The overall sentiment leans towards a decent experience, reflected in a 6.2 score.
However, it's not all perfect, as 79 negative comments point to areas needing attention. Some found the food quality inconsistent, with concerns about food portions being too small or dishes being salty. This contributes to a 56.3% customer satisfaction, suggesting a mixed bag where some meals hit the mark and others miss.
Food
245
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
79
negative
28
neutral
138
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- Creative sushi rolls
- Delicious bento boxes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Small food portions
- Overly salty dishes
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was great, even though it's only a take-out place. The staff was friendly, and the food came out pretty quick.
- sushiIf you wanna eat sushi. Don't hesitate.
- bento boxgot a bento box and a sushi roll. Portions were generous
- sushi rollsThe sushi rolls are fresh, and great.
- California rollMy experience at the restaurant was largely positive, especially regarding the food and service. I thoroughly enjoyed the potstickers, California roll, and the vegetable and shrimp tempura. The chicken teriyaki, shrimp tempura roll, and beef and rice were okay, not outstanding but decent.
- fishI've been here twice, and the food has been amazing both times. The fish is incredibly soft and fresh. The service is also fantastic; they are friendly and brought out the food quickly.
- soupsuch delicious soup
- chickenI had the teriyaki chicken bento with tempura shrimp, and it was yummy. The chicken was cooked just right, and the tempura was crunch and crispy. Good job, guys.
- ramenGood ramen
- rollsBy 8: 45 PM, we had finished eating and left. I haven't tasted such delicious rolls and soup anywhere in America! Kudos to the chef and the waiters.
Frequently criticized
- foodfood was not worth the price
- food qualitygenuinely bad FOOD — and I feel less healthy
- ramenThe ramen was overly salty you will definitely develop kidney stones
- sashimiMy experience at this restaurant was very poor. I encountered bones in both the sashimi and unagi (with scales). The shorhyu ramen soup tasted like it came from an instant pack.
- dill Salmon rolldidn’t love the sushi I got, but I think that’s partly my fault for getting the dill Salmon roll
- qualityMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The rolls were sloppily made and overpriced for the quality. We arrived an hour before closing, and they started shutting the place down right after we got there, which made us feel rushed and unwelcome.
- sushiThe sushi was had was mid
- sushi rollsone of my rolls. It's a spider roll and it's the smallest spider roll I have seen.
- Beef Udonthe Beef udon I ordered was not great at all.
- Bento dishOver priced for the quantity and freshness
If you're looking for a spot with some genuinely fresh ingredients and creative sushi options, especially their bento boxes, it might be worth a try. Just be aware that the food quality can be a bit of a mixed bag, with some finding portions small or dishes overly salty, so manage your expectations.
Service (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
While some diners have experienced genuinely pleasant interactions, praising the friendly staff, quick service, and attentive waiters, there are 44 positive comments that highlight moments of hospitality and efficiency, making for a smooth dining experience. However, the overall sentiment for service is quite challenging, with a score of 3.4 and customer satisfaction at a low 25.7%. A significant 124 negative comments frequently mention rude staff, a rushed feeling, and impatient service, often leading to an unwelcome atmosphere.
Service
171
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
124
negative
3
neutral
44
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Attentive waiters
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Rushed feeling
- Impatient service
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant involved enjoying good sushi with fast service and kind people working. While I didn't personally love the specific sushi I ordered, I acknowledge that it might have been my choice to select the dill Salmon roll, which I found to be a bit too boring for my taste.
- staffThe food was good, and the location is convenient. The staff was nice enough, but an elder lady seemed to rush us along too much, which we didn't enjoy. Additionally, the tea wasn't very hot, which I found odd.
- ServiceService was prompt
- chefRespekt to the chef
- fast servicethey gave fast service!
- female staffersThe female staffers were wonderful. We had a boat so there was a lot of sushi to get through.
- foodThe fish is incredibly soft and fresh. The service is also fantastic; they are friendly and brought out the food quickly. This time I ordered a Bento box, and I loved the variety of items.
- friendly staffThe chicken teriyaki, shrimp tempura roll, and beef and rice were okay, not outstanding but decent. What truly stood out was the very quick service and the friendly staff, making the overall visit pleasant.
- great peopleMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's my favorite sushi spot in San Francisco, offering great flavor and a welcoming atmosphere with great people. The wonderful area and community surrounding it truly enhance the dining experience.
- ownerendearing sweet owner
Frequently criticized
- serviceAs I finished signing my check, a woman who worked there came and snatched it out of my hands – I didn't even have time to write down the total amount for myself yet. I should have left zero tips for them; very bad service and food quality.
- staffshocked by the disrespectful attitude and demeanor of the staff
- checkMy salmon skin roll was very mushy and not crispy at all, which was very disappointing. They dropped the check off right when we got our food, leaving us no time to get more food if we wanted. All in all, a very awful experience.
- closing timetold us they were closing at 2pm. We still had all our food at the table and drinks.
- customer servicecustomer service so clearly uninterested, jaded and obviously disgusted
- managerThe manager waited on us and he was the rudest and impatient guy
- ownerit felt like the owner himself was rushing us out
- chopsticksshe did it the 2nd time with the chopsticks
- menushe took away menu pretty quick
- rudeThe food was okay, but the service was extremely poor. Our server was very rude; we were only there for about half an hour before he literally shouted at me to pay and leave because people were waiting outside.
If you're looking for a consistently pleasant and unhurried dining experience, this might not be the place for you, as many guests felt rushed and encountered rude staff. However, if you prioritize speed and are willing to risk inconsistent interactions, you might find the service quick.
Ambience (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot has some real charm, especially with its 5.8 score and 51.5% customer satisfaction indicating a mixed but somewhat positive experience. Many guests loved the outdoor seating and found the place had an inviting energy, often describing it as a clean restaurant with a perfect view when dining outside. With 17 positive remarks out of 33 total, it seems many appreciate the easy-going atmosphere and cozy feel.
However, it's not all sunshine and roses. Some experiences, accounting for 11 negative observations, painted a less flattering picture. Concerns arose about food arriving in plastic boxes even for outdoor dining, an oppressive atmosphere, and even mentions of a criminal area with a broken window incident.
The interior was sometimes uncomfortably warm, and some found the overall vibe disappointing.
Ambience
33
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
11
negative
5
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Outdoor dining option
- Inviting atmosphere
- Clean facilities
What people don't like
- Oppressive atmosphere
- Safety concerns
- Plastic food boxes
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere easy going
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- communityIt's my favorite sushi spot in San Francisco, offering great flavor and a welcoming atmosphere with great people. The wonderful area and community surrounding it truly enhance the dining experience. It doesn't get much better than this.
- eat outsideWe ate outside
- experienceoverall the experience was nice
- great experienceA great experience
- inviting energythe place has a good inviting energy again
- locationConvenient location
- outdoor seatingPeople can sit outdoor too
- outsideeat outside
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe service was not great, and the menu was quite strict. There are many other places in the area that offer higher quality food and a better atmosphere. However, if you're looking for some quick sushi and/or ramen, this place will do.
- broken windowwe had a window broken
- criminal areacafe in a criminal area
- empty tablesThen he comes back and yells at us again. There were no guests waiting and there were 3-4 empty tables. It was so embarrassing for us since the entire restaurant was looking.
- entire restaurantThere were no guests waiting and there were 3-4 empty tables. It was so embarrassing for us since the entire restaurant was looking. It was truly shocking to be yelled at in this way.
- interiorthe interior of the restaurant was also, strangely, over 10 degrees warmer
- photosThe photos all over the restaurant look nothing like what they serve
- plastic boxesThe food arrived in plastic boxes for an outside dining experience.
- stolen itemsstolen some things
So, if youre eyeing a casual outdoor meal with a nice view, you might find the ambience quite pleasant. However, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent indoor experience and some operational quirks. Its a mixed bag, so manage your expectations accordingly.
Value (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
While a small number of diners (3 out of 25 comments) found some bright spots regarding value, particularly praising the price of the sushi and noting generous portions, the overall picture for value is quite dim. A few even felt the sushi taste was a step above the usual for the cost. However, the overwhelming majority (19 out of 25 comments) felt the value was poor, reflected in a low score of 3 and only 12% customer satisfaction.
Many considered the restaurant expensive and a money-grab , with frequent complaints about the bill and feeling it was a tourist trap for the price .
Value
25
Reviews
12%
Satisfaction
19
negative
3
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth the price
What people don't like
- Food is overpriced
- Feels like tourist trap
- Not worth money
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I enjoyed the great sushi at a great price. The service was both friendly and quick.
- sushithe taste is a few levels better than usual sushi.
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The rolls were sloppily made and overpriced for the quality. We arrived an hour before closing, and they started shutting the place down right after we got there, which made us feel rushed and unwelcome.
- billI had a bill that says $36+ for 2 dishes after taxes to food that's not even worth $0.01
- PriceOver priced for the quantity and freshness
- checkreceived my check just three minutes after getting my food
- expensiveThe food here is usually expensive.
- frequent diner cardthey got rid of it unfortunately
- full paymenthe wanted the full payment
- moneywaste of money
- money-grabtourist trap/money-grab
- pricesprices are not reasonable
If youre looking for a great deal, this restaurant might disappoint, as most diners found it overpriced and not worth the money. While a few enjoyed the sushi at its price point, the overwhelming sentiment suggests you might feel like youre in a tourist trap. Consider your budget carefully before visiting.
How are the prices at Kippu?
You’re looking at roughly 40 per person – reported by 69 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 40 is the average, a good chunk of diners spend less, often in the $21–$30 range. But don’t be surprised if some guests go for a more premium experience, pushing that average up!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 69 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers options for different budgets, from more casual bites to a more premium experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kippu
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Awful Experience, Poor Food and Service
We were looking for a quick and nice place to eat and stumbled across this place, which seemed nice at first. Upon sitting down, the waitresses seemed rude and eager to get us on our way. I was parched from the day and just wanted water; once I finished, they didn't refill it once.
When I tried to ask, they'd walk away quickly, not even asking if we needed anything else. I was hoping to get tamari, and they wouldn't even glance over our way for me to ask anything. My salmon skin roll was very mushy and not crispy at all, which was very disappointing.
They dropped the check off right when we got our food, leaving us no time to get more food if we wanted. All in all, a very awful experience. End low quality food.
- waitresses1
- water refill1
- tamari1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Rolls and Rushed Experience
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The rolls were sloppily made and overpriced for the quality. We arrived an hour before closing, and they started shutting the place down right after we got there, which made us feel rushed and unwelcome.
It was not a great experience.
- rolls2
- quality2
- price2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Disappointing Lunch Closing Time Policy
My experience at this restaurant was marked by a surprising and inconvenient closing time for lunch. The restaurant closes at 2 PM for lunch, and I suggest the staff inform customers about this closing time before or upon seating them. It's also important to communicate that customers need to vacate the premises by 2 PM because the staff "lock up and go home" at that time.
This lack of clear communication led to an unexpected end to our meal.
- closing time2
- vacate the premises2
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Discriminated and Poor Service
I feel discriminated against. We were not provided with water or plates to eat, while the table for two next to us received everything quickly. Our group of five was served the first plate with six pieces of salmon sashimi and only one soy sauce dish.
The staff was rude and impolite. The food was not good either. Don't come!
If you are here for a trip or travel like me, just Don't come.
- water1
- plate1
- salmon sashimi2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Rude Staff and Rushed Experience
I came for food but left feeling annoyed and uncomfortable. I would AVOID this restaurant. As others have stated, the management and staff can be extremely rude and pushy.
Do not visit within 30 minutes to an hour before closing, as you will be harassed to pay and leave immediately after receiving your food. On my second visit last Friday, I experienced this firsthand. During an extremely busy holiday weekend previously, I was pressured to pay right after my meal was served.
This time, I visited with two friends who were new to the Bay Area. We arrived at 8: 30 pm, unaware they close at 9 pm. While it was our mistake, if they were not okay with us dining in, they could have simply informed us.
Instead, they allowed us to sit. As soon as one friend returned from the restroom, before we could even look at the menu, the server asked if we were ready to order. We explained our friend had just returned, but the server informed us we were the last to order because they leave at 9 pm.
We eventually ordered and received our food quickly. However, as soon as the food was placed on the table, the check followed immediately. When I didn't sign right away because I was trying to eat, the manager came over to tell me to sign the check.
Throughout this, there was banging and noise from staff preparing to leave before closing. We felt as though they might have locked us in. Honestly, the food and atmosphere were unmemorable due to my sour experience.
They shouldn't accept patrons so close to closing if they plan to rush them out. Do not come here.
- food5
- atmosphere5
- management and staff1
- harassed to pay1
- check1
What Kippu offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and service types are available at Kippu?
At Kippu, you can enjoy a full dining experience with lunch, dinner, and dessert options, complete with table service. For your convenience, the restaurant also offers no-contact delivery, standard delivery, and takeout services.
Does Kippu offer alcoholic beverages and cater to specific dietary needs?
Yes, Kippu provides a range of alcoholic beverages including hard liquor, wine, beer, and cocktails. Additionally, you’ll find both healthy options and vegetarian options on the menu to accommodate various dietary preferences.