Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Kiki Japanese – San Francisco
Kiki Japanese - San Francisco
Photo from Kiki Japanese
Kiki Japanese at a glance
San Francisco Inner Sunset
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 79 of the guests
#1365 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#121 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
398
Reviews
73.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great value
- Quick service
Frequently criticized
- Service lapses
- Noisy environment
The restaurant Kiki Japanese is a delightful Japanese Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Inner Sunset neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual yet trendy spot perfect for any occasion, offering a truly great tea selection that sets it apart.
Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, this welcoming establishment provides a memorable dining experience with its authentic flavors and inviting atmosphere.
Overview: Introducting Kiki Japanese
However, not all experiences are uniformly positive. Some diners have encountered moments of inattentive service, and the general ambience can sometimes be affected by noise or cleanliness issues like sticky tables.
While the food generally receives praise, there are occasional remarks about inconsistent quality in certain dishes.
Good
7.3
out of 10
398
Reviews
73.6%
Satisfaction
69
negative
36
neutral
293
positive
Digging into the specifics, Value stands out with an impressive score of (8.1), making it a clear strength. Service also performs well at (7.4), often described as friendly and efficient.
The Food scores a solid (7.2), though some specific dishes have drawn criticism. Ambience, while not a detractor, sits at an average (6.9), suggesting room for minor enhancements.
What people like
- Excellent overall value
- Prompt, friendly service
- Fresh, tasty sushi
What people don't like
- Inattentive service moments
- Noisy, sticky environment
- Challenging street parking
However, if a pristine, quiet dining environment or consistently flawless food quality across the board are your top priorities, you might find some aspects less refined. Consider Kiki Japanese for a casual, budget-friendly outing where the positives generally outweigh the minor drawbacks.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kiki Japanese
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
Based on 225 customer remarks, with 158 positive comments, the food here generally hits the mark! Diners frequently praise the delicious sushi, the well-arranged bento set up, and the overall fresh and tasty Japanese fare. The generous portions and consistent quality also get a lot of love, contributing to a solid 7.2 score.
However, not all experiences are perfect, with 39 negative remarks. Some guests have noted concerns about declining food quality, particularly with certain sushi items and the fish not always being fresh. Issues with the rice and even the texture of eel have also been mentioned, suggesting some inconsistencies.
Food
225
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
39
negative
28
neutral
158
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious food
- Fresh, tasty sushi
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Unfresh fish
- Incorrect sushi rice
Often praised
- foodthe food is amazing, so fresh and tasty!
- sushiMy experience at this restaurant was that of a no-frills outfit offering solid sushi at a very reasonable price. The decor is plain, almost canteen-like, but the service was fast.
- portionsI was pleasantly surprised by the prices and the portions at this restaurant. Usually, in the SF area, you pay a lot to get very little, but here the portions were good. The sushi rolls were yummy, and the service was fast.
- tempuraI like their tempura, it’s light, batter well seasoned and tasty, not greasy
- qualitysurprised for the quality
- rollsYou can fill up on sushi and sake for like $20
- 49ers rollgot the chicken katsu dinner and 49ers roll. Both were very tasty
- Japanese foodcraving decent Japanese food
- bento boxesportion sizes of the bento boxes to be just right
- portionBoth were very tasty and large portion
Frequently criticized
- foodordered off the regular menu I found the food to be pretty mediocre.
- sushiWho uses long grain rice for sushi? The sushi fell apart and was mushy -- maybe that's why it's a repressed memory.
- fishbetter fish and craftsmanship
- Japanese curryWe ordered two items: curry udon and oyakodon. The Japanese curry was extremely dilute, probably too much water added to the store-bought curry cubes. A cost-saving attempt or poor cooking, who knows.
- avocadosThe eel was chewy, not cooked right, had a bad texture, and was served with a basic, bottled teriyaki sauce. The avocados were overly ripe, too. Miso soup was terrible and overly salted.
- calamaricalamari tasted like the oil was rancid
- chicken karaagechicken karaage, has even gotten worse
- chicken katsu donwe were served chicken katsu don instead
- chicken teriyaki bentoGot a party platter and a chicken teriyaki bento. They were both affordable, but the taste reflected the price.
- craftsmanshipbetter fish and craftsmanship
If you're looking for generally good and affordable Japanese food with generous portions, this spot is worth a visit, especially for its sushi and bento options. Just be aware that some experiences point to occasional inconsistencies in food quality, so manage your expectations for every dish.
Service (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid score of 7.4 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 77%. Many guests rave about the friendly staff and quick friendly service, noting how accommodating and efficient the team is. With 57 positive remarks out of 74, its clear that service speed is often a highlight, making for a pleasant dining experience.
However, not every interaction is perfect. Some experiences mention challenges getting a servers attention and occasional issues with the service attitude. There are also a few reports of longer waits for to-go orders and difficulties when trying to get the check, indicating some areas for improvement among the 15 negative comments.
Service
74
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
15
negative
2
neutral
57
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Staff accommodating
What people don't like
- Hard to get attention
- Slow to-go orders
- Poor service attitude
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at Kiki's for dinner with friends was consistently positive. The staff were always so nice & friendly and on top of everything, making for a very pleasant evening.
- staffWe usually order ahead and do a pickup, but there is a large dining room inside. The staff is friendly and super fast. This isn't a place for fancy, top-quality sushi, and that's okay!
- service speedservicio rápido y bueno
- waitressthe waitress gladly accommodated me and found another solution
- ServiceService:5
- accommodatingare accommodating if i have anymore questions
- consistencyIt's the cheapest and most delicious sushi spot in the Sunset. They are incredibly quick and consistent, and the staff is very friendly!
- employeesThey were very friendly employees too!
- food came quickthe food came quick
- friendly staffFriendly staff, positive ambience
Frequently criticized
- serverA cost-saving attempt or poor cooking, who knows. Apparently, no one knew what oyakodon meant, and we were served chicken katsu don instead. When we pointed this out to the server, they told us, "no no, this is chicken atop rice".
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was one of the worst foods I've tried in a long time, and the service was awful.
- deliveryfood poisoning after ordering sushi delivered
- get anyone to comechallenge to get anyone to come to the table
- get the checkget the check
- get waterget water
- ownerWhen we pointed this out to the server, they told us, "no no, this is chicken atop rice". Thankfully, the owner (?) stepped out and corrected the mistake, only after asking us three separate times if we really wanted oyakodon. The final bout of questioning involved checking if we even knew what oyakodon meant!
- server's attentionit can be hard to get a server's attention.
- service attitudethe service attitude is a little worse than before
- to go food pickupconfused about where to pick up my to go food
Overall, you can expect a generally positive experience with the service here. While there might be a few hiccups in getting attention or with to-go orders, the friendly and quick staff usually make up for it, making it worth a try for a pleasant meal.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a good score of 6.9 and a solid 71.2% customer satisfaction, many guests appreciate the atmosphere. Out of 52 total comments, 37 were positive, highlighting the dining area, decorations, kid friendly aspects, and the overall atmosphere that creates a welcoming environment.
However, its not without its quirks, as 12 negative comments point out. Some found the noise level to be a drawback, while others noted a strong smell of bleach or sticky table and chairs. A few also mentioned the plain decor feeling a bit canteen-like, suggesting theres room for improvement in certain areas.
Ambience
52
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
12
negative
3
neutral
37
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming environment
- Miyazaki decor
- Kid-friendly
What people don't like
- High noise level
- Sticky tables
- Bleach smell
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the great fish. It's impressive how this restaurant has consistently grown in quality and consistency over the years.
- placeIt was a beautiful and convenient place
- decordecorado estilo San Francisco con toques muy asiáticos
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Miyazaki decorwe still enjoy the Miyazaki decor
- airy vibeNice airy vibe
- ambianceMy experience at this restaurant was great. It's a local spot for sushi, and while it's not fancy, it has a great ambiance. They offer beer, sake, and soju, but no liquor.
- beautiful artbeautiful art, simply joy
- bench tablesThe bench tables near the entrance are the best in my opinion.
- cleanbut clean and open
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe only drawback of this place is the noise
- parkingParking options:Paid street parking
- comfortHowever, the sanitary conditions were not good, as the table and chairs felt sticky. This made me feel not at all comfortable during my meal.
- cooks fightingthe cooks inside were fighting
- decorPlain decor: almost canteen-like
- noisethe noise — sounds echo very easily here
- sanitary conditionsthe sanitary is not good
- smell of bleachit smelled strongly of bleach
- street parkingdifficult to find the street parking
- table and chairsthe table and chairs feel sticky
If you're looking for a generally pleasant and kid-friendly spot with unique decor, this place is worth a visit. Just be prepared that it can get a bit noisy, and some minor cleanliness issues might pop up, but overall, it offers a good experience.
Value (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
When it comes to getting bang for your buck, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 8.1 and a customer satisfaction rate of 87.2%, its clear most diners feel theyre getting a good deal. Out of 47 opinions, 41 rave about the reasonable prices, happy hour deals, and affordable sushi, often highlighting the food per price as excellent.
However, a few voices, just 3 out of 47, expressed some concerns. While rare, some felt the prices weren't always justified, mentioning instances where they paid for it and found the value lacking, especially if quality seemed to have dipped over time.
Value
47
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
41
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable sushi options
- Excellent happy hour
- Great food value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent value
- Quality concerns
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was that of a no-frills outfit offering solid sushi at a very reasonable price. The decor is plain, almost canteen-like, but the service was fast.
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was great for a post-park lunch. It wasn't overly crowded, the service was excellent, and the prices were reasonably priced. I particularly enjoyed the chirashi, which was excellent.
- valuethe best for value Japanese restaurant you can find
- happy hourThe Happy Hour here is an insanely good value for the money.
- HH dealsGreat HH deals
- Happy hour pricesHappy hour prices were really affordable
- affordable sushiIt's so rare to find a sushi place in the city that offers affordable sushi, good portions, and good tasting fish. I will definitely be coming here again.
- cheapfood was good and cheap
- combo (bento) dealscombo (bento) deals give you a lot of bang for your buck
- everything reasonably pricedeverything reasonably priced
Frequently criticized
- lunchDefinitely, NEVER going back. Definitely not worth the $28 for lunch. Boo in regards to the sushi.
- paid for itwe paid for it that night
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant has significantly declined over the years. What used to be a decent place has seen its food quality plummet while prices have increased. Even the chicken karaage, which I would have previously considered buying, has worsened.
If youre hunting for a place where your wallet wont weep, especially for affordable sushi or fantastic happy hour deals, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful that a few experiences suggest some items might not always meet everyone's value expectations, so choose wisely.
How are the prices at Kiki Japanese?
You’re looking at roughly 24 per person – reported by 79 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 24, it’s interesting to see that many guests actually spend a bit less, often in the $11–$20 range, suggesting a good mix of affordable and slightly more premium options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 79 reviews.
How this Japanese Restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance, allowing for both more casual and slightly more indulgent experiences, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kiki Japanese
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Affordable, Good Portions, Tasty Sushi!
It's so rare to find a sushi place in the city that offers affordable sushi, good portions, and good tasting fish. I will definitely be coming here again.
- affordable sushi9
- good portions8
- good tasting fish9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Japanese Food and Service
My experience at the restaurant was very good. I enjoyed the Japanese food and the service was very cordial. I really liked the restaurant 😊.
- Japanese food9
- service8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Delicious Sushi, Fast Service, Friendly Staff!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed fresh, delicious, and simple sushi. The food arrived so quickly, and the hot tea was also delicious.
The staff were all very friendly.
- sushi9
- food8
- hot tea9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Decent Food, Great Service and Sake
My experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag. The food, encompassing both sushi and cooked entrees, was slightly above cafeteria level. However, the hot sake was a definite highlight, especially on a cold day.
The service was nice.
- food5
- sushi5
- cooked entree5
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. The fish on the rainbow roll was not fresh, the slicing was sloppy, and it even had gristle in it. Additionally, the calamari tasted like the oil was rancid.
This was my first and last time trying this place.
- fish on the rainbow roll1
- calamari1
What Kiki Japanese offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Is Kiki Japanese accessible, and what are the parking options like in the Inner Sunset?
Yes, Kiki Japanese is fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom for your convenience. Regarding parking, you should be aware that finding a space in the Inner Sunset area is usually somewhat difficult.
What kind of dining options and dietary accommodations can you expect at Kiki Japanese?
At Kiki Japanese, you can enjoy lunch, dinner, and dessert with table service, and they also offer catering. You’ll find a variety of healthy options, small plates, and vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone.
How does Kiki Japanese rate overall?
Kiki Japanese holds a solid 7.3 score, with particular strengths in Value (8.1) and Service (7.4). Its Food (7.2) is also well-regarded, while Ambience (6.9) is considered average.
Is Kiki Japanese a good value for money?
Yes, Kiki Japanese is highly regarded for its value, scoring 8.1. Customers frequently mention its reasonable prices, happy hour deals, and affordable sushi options.
What are some common complaints about Kiki Japanese?
While generally positive, some customers have noted occasional lapses in service attentiveness and concerns about the ambience, such as noise levels or sticky tables.