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oChef » Kushi Tsuru – San Francisco
Kushi Tsuru - San Francisco
Photo from Kushi Tsuru
Kushi Tsuru at a glance
San Francisco Japantown
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 123 of the guests
#1842 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#155 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
472
Reviews
63.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Attentive staff
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- High prices
The restaurant Kushi Tsuru, a delightful Japanese restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Japantown, welcomes you with its cozy atmosphere. You’ll find a perfect spot for a casual meal, whether you’re looking for healthy options or delicious small plates.
It’s an ideal destination for dinner or lunch, offering a relaxed setting where you can enjoy authentic flavors and perhaps a glass of wine or beer.
Overview: Introducting Kushi Tsuru
Kushi Tsuru presents a dining experience that often hits the mark, with many guests appreciating its inviting ambience and the generally friendly and quick service provided by the staff. The diverse Japanese menu, featuring popular items like ramen and sushi, frequently earns positive remarks for its flavor and authenticity.
However, the experience isn’t without its occasional drawbacks. Some patrons have voiced concerns regarding the overall value, finding certain aspects a bit pricey.
There have also been instances where the food quality has been inconsistent, leading to a mixed reception for some dishes.
Good
6.7
out of 10
472
Reviews
63.3%
Satisfaction
139
negative
34
neutral
299
positive
Kushi Tsuru holds an overall score of 6.7, placing it in the average range, with Customer Satisfaction at a mixed 63.3%. This indicates that while many diners have a positive experience, there’s a notable portion who find aspects less than ideal.
This sentiment is drawn from 472 customer opinions, with 299 positive and 139 negative remarks. Delving into specifics, the Ambience stands out with a good score of (8.2), often described as pleasant and clean.
Service (6.8) and Food (6.5) both land in the average category, reflecting a blend of positive feedback on attentiveness and taste, alongside some criticisms. The Value score of (5.2) suggests this is an area where Kushi Tsuru struggles to consistently impress.
What people like
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Attentive staff
- Varied Japanese menu
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Perceived high prices
- Loud music
If you’re seeking a spot with a pleasant atmosphere and generally friendly service for a casual Japanese meal, Kushi Tsuru could be a suitable choice. The Recommendation Score of 6.6 suggests it’s worth considering, especially if specific dishes like their ramen or sushi catch your eye.
However, be mindful that the experience can be a bit inconsistent, particularly concerning food quality and perceived value. It might not be the ideal destination if you’re on a strict budget or expecting a consistently exceptional culinary journey.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kushi Tsuru
Food (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
The food here often hits the mark, with many guests raving about the best Japanese food they’ve ever had, praising the great quality food and delicious options. With 175 positive comments out of 286 total, diners frequently highlight the sushi, ramen, and curry as standouts, often noting the fresh food and appealing presentation. However, the experience isn't always consistent, reflected in a customer satisfaction of 61.2% and an average score of 6.5.
Some of the 86 negative opinions point to small portions, inconsistent quality, and dishes that can be bland or dry. It seems some items, like certain sushi rolls or ramen, occasionally miss the mark.
Food
286
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
86
negative
25
neutral
175
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, fresh food
- Great variety offered
- Authentic Japanese flavors
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Small portion sizes
- Bland or dry dishes
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was incredibly enjoyable. I was literally enjoying my food with the best playlist ever. A special thank you to the server for playing BTS; you made eating there a lot of fun.
- sushiMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I stopped by for some amazing sushi. The vibes were good, and they have a big menu to choose from.
- ramenMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their very good ramen, with a special mention for the spicy one. The establishment itself is on the smaller side, which might be preferable for those who enjoy a less crowded atmosphere compared to larger restaurants.
- miso soupthe miso soup that serve here is tal cual in Japan
- brothThe curry udon was great, featuring perfect udon noodles and succulent beef chunks in a perfect Japanese curry. I also tried some of my kid’s tonkatsu ramen, and the broth was amazing with light and thin noodles. We will definitely be coming back next time we go manga shopping.
- tempurathe crispy tempura paired wonderfully with the savory broth
- beef curryGot beef curry. It was delicious.
- menuI stopped by for some amazing sushi. The vibes were good, and they have a big menu to choose from. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect 5/5 rating.
- spicy ramenI got the spicy ramen.
- udonI would definitely come back. I tried the chicken katsu-don and when I return, I'd like to try the chicken katsu curry or even the udon. I highly recommend this place for a well-priced Japanese option when you are craving donburis or udons.
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I waited for 20 minutes in line for what turned out to be mid food and mediocre service. The chicken teriyaki was dry, the california rolls were mushy, and the salad was warm and soggy.
- food qualitydisappointing due to both the food quality
- ramenEven with high prices, the quality was very disappointing. The ramen didn't have much flavor; it was so bland that even the pink fish cake, which I don't usually like, tasted good. However, my companion said the Yubu Udon they had was delicious, and they generally enjoyed the meal.
- beefI was very disappointed and definitely not going back. My husband's beef donburi was equally disappointing, featuring a massive amount of rice with very little beef and a blah sauce.
- chicken teriyakithe chicken teriyaki was old and very dry.
- currymy curry was very runny and had a to tomato paste in it
- eggdont buy the egg there bc u could fr just make it at home
- gyozaThe chicken karaage and gyoza were bit dry and again, salty
- shrimp tempurathe shrimp tempura wasn’t even battered with the regular tempura batter
- sushithe sushi was hard
If you're craving a variety of Japanese dishes and are willing to navigate a potentially inconsistent experience, this spot could offer some delicious finds. Be prepared for a mixed bag, but many have found their favorites here, especially among the sushi, ramen, and curry options.
Service (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
When it comes to service, things are looking pretty good! With a score of 6.8 and a customer satisfaction of 64.6%, its a mixed bag but leans positive. Many guests rave about the excellent service and friendly staff, often noting fast & nice service and how accommodating the team can be.
Out of 99 comments, 64 were positive, highlighting a generally pleasant experience. However, not everyone had a smooth experience. Some diners encountered issues like long wait times and feeling that the staff was understaffed or even unaccommodating.
A few felt ignored or that the service was slow, suggesting theres still room for improvement in consistency.
Service
99
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
33
negative
2
neutral
64
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Accommodating team
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Slow service
- Unaccommodating staff
Often praised
- serviceI had a great experience at this restaurant! There were many varied options for food, and the service was pretty quick. I even saw one of the servers chase after somebody who left their card, which was a nice gesture.
- staffThe staff were incredibly friendly and attentive
- ServiceService fast and polite.
- serversI had the nabeyaki, which was absolutely delicious, authentic, and incredibly filling. The restaurant itself is consistently clean, and the servers are friendly, contributing to an enjoyable dining atmosphere. I always leave satisfied after visiting and highly recommend this place.
- BayaraaBayaraa is a phenomenal server!!
- StaffStaff was friendly anyway
- accommodatedthey understood, and accommodated
- customer serviceTotally appreciate their customer service
- everyone is niceI would 100% recommend to anyone who loves Japanese. Their service is fast and it’s not too expensive to eat and everyone is nice. '
- excellent serviceservice was excellent
Frequently criticized
- servicethe reason why I rated 3 stars is because of the service.
- waitressthe waitress insisted that it was shrimp tempura
- wait timeMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I waited for 20 minutes in line for what turned out to be mid food and mediocre service. The chicken teriyaki was dry, the california rolls were mushy, and the salad was warm and soggy.
- allergy mistakeminimizing the allergy mistake as “just a few peas.”
- billThey handed us the bill even if we were only halfway done
- checkcheck was dropped by server.
- ignoredThe waitress wasn’t really nice at the end when we paid our bill. My party said thank you and have a good night, but we felt like we were being ignored.
- napkins and chopsticksforgot give us napkins and chopsticks
- orderOrder was taken after we had to call a server
- plate clearingthey were quick to clear our the empty plates. Sometimes perhaps too quick
If youre looking for generally friendly and efficient service, youll likely be pleased here. While there are occasional hiccups with wait times or attentiveness, the positive experiences outweigh the negative. It's worth a try, especially if you value quick and accommodating staff.
Ambience (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
The vibe here is definitely a highlight! With a solid score of 8.2 and customer satisfaction at a strong 82.8%, its clear most folks love the atmosphere. Out of 58 opinions, 48 were glowing about the warm wood, welcoming setting, and vibrant atmosphere, creating a cute little spot with good vibes thats clean and inviting, making for an enjoyable dining experience.
However, a few of the 6 negative comments pointed out some minor snags. Some found the music too loud, leading to a noisy environment, especially when families arrived. There was also a mention about the lack of an internal restroom, which can be a small inconvenience for some diners.
Ambience
58
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
6
negative
4
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, inviting atmosphere
- Cozy, welcoming setting
- Good decor, vibes
What people don't like
- Loud music
- No internal restroom
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at the restaurant was positive, with really tasty food and a great atmosphere. While the sushi options were a bit limited, they tasted really good.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceThe ambiance is friendly, low key and easy to have conversations
- ambienceMy husband and I visited this restaurant for dinner on a Sunday night, hoping it would satisfy his craving for ramen and my desire for sushi. The menu appeared interesting with good vegetarian options, and the ambience was clean and pleasant. Unfortunately, the positive aspects ended there.
- placeMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be a very nice and clean place with a vibrant atmosphere. The Asian food was delicious, and the sushi was particularly tasty.
- cute little spota cute little spot
- decorLast but not least, the music was horrendous, consisting of nail salon-style pop song radio hits on repeat. Though the decor is nice, I would highly recommend one of the neighboring restaurants for a more valuable meal.
- eating thereYou made eating there alot of fun
- environmentthe environment was incredibly cozy
- experienceAbsolutely incredible experience
Frequently criticized
- Japanese people eating hereI didn’t notice any Japanese people eating here. That’s a bad sign.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- familiesLater a couple families arrived & eventually the entire room was noisy, drowning out the blaring music.
- loud musicthe music was blaring just for me. (minus one star). So why? Just why is the loud music necessary?
- musicWe were given a shot glass amount of dipping sauce for the tempura and udon, and had to ask for more several times as it was impossible to eat the food with the original amount provided. Last but not least, the music was horrendous, consisting of nail salon-style pop song radio hits on repeat. Though the decor is nice, I would highly recommend one of the neighboring restaurants for a more valuable meal.
- restroomNo restroom inside
If youre looking for a clean, cozy, and vibrant spot with good energy, this place is a solid bet. Just be aware that the music can sometimes be a bit lively, and theres no restroom inside, which might be a minor consideration for some.
Value (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.2 putting it squarely in the average range. Many guests found the happy hour deals and well-priced Japanese options to be a great value for money, especially considering the area. Out of 29 customer remarks, 12 highlighted positive aspects like attractive prices and reasonable costs, making some feel its not too expensive.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 41.4%, indicating some significant concerns. A notable 14 remarks pointed to issues like the food not matching the price, feeling it was overpriced, or even a tourist trap. ' Many felt the prices were too high for the sushi quality, with some mentioning ridiculously small portions for the cost, suggesting better value could be found elsewhere.
Value
29
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour deals
- Well-priced Japanese food
- Attractive prices
What people don't like
- Overpriced for quality
- Small portions for price
- Felt like tourist trap
Often praised
- priceThe food was pretty good too. We enjoyed a large pitcher of beer, which was priced at $22, a very reasonable cost. For our group of 6, the total bill, including the beer and the top, came to $200.
- pricesprices are decent compared to other places
- great valuemaking it a great value for money
- happy hourHappy hour is Monday-Thursdays from 3-5pm.
- happy hour dealThere is a happy hour deal
- not too expensiveI would 100% recommend to anyone who loves Japanese. Their service is fast and it’s not too expensive to eat and everyone is nice. '
- total billit costs $200. Very reasonable
- value for moneyVery good relation quality price
- well pricedwell priced for the area
- well priced Japanesewell priced Japanese place
Frequently criticized
- priceIt took them 15 minutes just to come ask us about water, and we had to flag down a server to place our order. The food was pretty MID, especially considering the pricey cost. Having been to Japan multiple times, I was expecting at least good ramen, but unfortunately, that was not the case.
- 19 dollars19 dollars for ramen
- dinner entreesshocked on how expensive dinner entrees were
- price pointAt this price point I expect better food
- pricesprices are too high for such sushi
- tourist trapMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I found it to be a tourist trap. The sushi was hard, and the ramen was mid, lacking a jammy egg.
- value for moneyBetter value for the money in other places
If you're looking for a good deal, definitely check out their happy hour specials, as many find them well-priced. However, be prepared that regular menu items might feel a bit pricey for the quality, potentially leaving you feeling like you could get better value elsewhere.
How are the prices at Kushi Tsuru?
You’re looking at roughly 27 per person – reported by 123 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.
Looking at what people usually spend, most guests find themselves in this $21–$30 sweet spot. While there are a few who splurge, the prices definitely cluster around this average, making it pretty consistent.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 123 reviews.
Comparing the value for money of this restaurant to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It hits that sweet spot for a quality meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kushi Tsuru
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Fresh Food, Fast & Nice Service!
My experience at this restaurant was highly positive. I really recommend it if you’re looking for some fresh food and fast & nice service! The sushi was great!
- fresh food9
- fast & nice service10
- sushi9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Dinner with Allergy Mishap
My husband and I visited this restaurant for dinner on a Sunday night, hoping it would satisfy his craving for ramen and my desire for sushi. The menu appeared interesting with good vegetarian options, and the ambience was clean and pleasant. Unfortunately, the positive aspects ended there.
We ordered a sushi roll, vegetarian ramen, and an appetizer, explicitly informing the server about my husband's food allergies. Despite this, the appetizer contained the exact ingredient he is allergic to, which we only discovered after he had taken a few bites. My Shogun Special roll was also missing the tuna listed on the menu.
When we brought these issues to the server's attention, our concerns were dismissed. The server insisted the tuna was present and minimized the allergy mistake, referring to it as 'just a few peas. ' This response felt unprofessional and unwelcoming, with no attempt made to correct their errors.
Overall, the food was average, and given the experience, I would recommend seeking out other ramen and sushi spots in SF that offer a much better dining experience.
- vegetarian options7
- ambience7
- food5
- appetizer2
- Shogun Special roll4
- server2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Great Curry, Poor Beef Portion
My experience at the restaurant involved ordering the Beef Curry Udon. The taste of the curry was fantastic, and the noodles were as expected. However, for a dish described as beef curry, there were only 4 chunks of beef, which I found to be a very small amount.
Due to the insufficient quantity of meat served, I would not return to this restaurant.
- curry taste9
- beef portion2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Disappointing "Japanese" Food
I was surprised that a Japanese restaurant in Japantown offered such “fake” Japanese food. As a Japanese person, I found the tonkatsu to be horrible if this is what Americans think Japanese tonkatsu is. However, the staff was friendly anyway.
- Staff8
- Japanese food2
- tonkatsu1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Mixed Flavors, Good Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The staff were nice and the food is generally good. The menu is fairly large, which left me unsure of what they do best.
I tried the Tonkatsu and Spicy ramen, and both dishes I feel could have had more flavor. There is a happy hour deal from 3pm - 5pm, Monday - Thursday.
- staff8
- food6
- menu5
What Kushi Tsuru offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- 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
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Is Kushi Tsuru in San Francisco accessible for everyone?
Yes, Kushi Tsuru is designed with accessibility in mind. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for all guests in Japantown.
What dining and service options are available at Kushi Tsuru?
At Kushi Tsuru, you have several convenient choices. You can enjoy a cozy dine-in experience with table service for lunch or dinner, or opt for easy takeout or delivery to savor their Japanese dishes at home.
What is Kushi Tsuru's overall rating and customer satisfaction?
Kushi Tsuru has an overall score of 6.7, indicating an average dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at a mixed 63.3%, suggesting varied opinions among guests.
What aspects do customers generally enjoy at Kushi Tsuru?
Diners often praise the pleasant Ambience (8.2) and the friendly, attentive Service (6.8). Many also appreciate the variety and taste of specific Japanese dishes like ramen and sushi.
What are some common criticisms about Kushi Tsuru?
Common concerns revolve around the Value (5.2), with some finding prices to be on the higher side. There are also occasional comments about inconsistent Food quality (6.5) and loud music affecting the Ambience.