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oChef » Wasabi & Ginger – San Francisco
Wasabi & Ginger - San Francisco
Photo from Wasabi & Ginger
Wasabi & Ginger at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 12 of the guests
#1012 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#90 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
188
Reviews
79.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh seafood
- Friendly staff
- Fair pricing
Frequently criticized
- Delivery issues
- Old decor
- Food inconsistency
The restaurant Wasabi & Ginger is a delightful Japanese Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Polk Gulch neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal, whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely dinner.
This spot is known for its diverse offerings, including healthy options and small plates, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.
Overview: Introducting Wasabi & Ginger
Wasabi & Ginger offers a culinary experience where the focus is clearly on the plate. Many appreciate the fresh, colorful sushi and generous fish portions, often noting the quality ingredients.
While the food shines, the overall impression is a blend of strong points and areas for refinement. Guests frequently commend the attentive staff and the generally comfortable atmosphere for dining in.
However, some experiences point to inconsistencies, particularly with service for takeout orders, and the interior might feel a bit dated to some.
Good
7.6
out of 10
188
Reviews
79.3%
Satisfaction
28
negative
11
neutral
149
positive
Wasabi & Ginger earns a respectable overall score of 7.6, indicating a generally good dining experience. This is supported by a solid 79.3% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting most patrons leave content.
These figures are drawn from 188 customer opinions, with a strong lean towards positive feedback, totaling 149 positive remarks against 28 negative ones. The Food (8) stands out as the strongest aspect, consistently receiving high praise for its quality and presentation.
Ambience (7) and Value (7.2) also contribute positively, offering a pleasant setting and reasonable pricing. While Service (6.9) is generally good, it’s an area where experiences can vary, sometimes falling short for specific requests or delivery.
What people like
- Fresh, quality sushi
- Attentive service staff
- Good dining value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent delivery service
- Dated interior decor
- Occasional food quality issues
If you’re seeking fresh, well-prepared sushi and sashimi, Wasabi & Ginger is certainly worth considering, especially for dining in. The strong focus on food quality and good value makes it a compelling choice for a casual meal.
Just be mindful that service experiences can be a mixed bag, particularly for delivery. With a recommendation score of 7.8, it leans towards a positive endorsement.
It’s a place that delivers on its culinary promise, but setting expectations for a perfect, seamless experience across all touchpoints, especially takeout, will ensure a more satisfying visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Wasabi & Ginger
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre in for a treat! With a good score of 8 and a customer satisfaction of 83.8%, diners are generally thrilled. Based on 93 positive remarks out of 111 total, many rave about the "fresh fish, " "sushi, " "flavor, " and "presentation, " highlighting a delightful culinary experience with great variety and well-made rolls.
However, there are a few bumps in the road, with 10 negative comments. Some guests noted issues with the "soy sauce" options, while others experienced disappointing "seaweed salad, " "ika, " or "tartar" that didnt meet expectations, occasionally even questioning the freshness of the fish.
Food
111
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
10
negative
8
neutral
93
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh fish
- Great variety
- Well-made rolls
What people don't like
- Old fish
- Inedible ika
- Wet seaweed salad
Often praised
- foodAt first glance, you wouldn't expect much from this restaurant, especially with the old decor. However, the food is another story. Fresh, colorful sushi awaits you here, with real wasabi available (it's clearer and more liquidy than typical wasabi).
- sushivery high expectations of sushi I am very pleased
- fishI dined here on a weekday and few others were present. The vibe was calm, and the meal was lovely with generous slices of very fresh and attractively presented fish, crisp daikon & shiso, and excellent service -- when I asked for more lemon and shiso, it came immediately. The miso with clams was great, and the chef's sampler provided me with ample variety: salmon, fatty tuna, albacore, & escolar.
- miso soupThe staff was friendly and efficient, and the service was prompt. I thoroughly enjoyed the seared scallops, the wasabi ginger martini roll, grilled asparagus, tuna nigiri, and miso soup. The fish was fresh and everything was beautifully prepared and presented.
- sashimitasty large cuts of fish at an affordable price
- 15 pieces mixed sushi15 pieces mixed sushi (all the regulars) for $23
- 49er rollThe 49er roll is fantastic
- AjiOcean Trout, Aji, Amberjack, etc. all standouts!
- AmberjackOcean Trout, Aji, Amberjack, etc. all standouts!
- Chef's Specialstarted off with the Chef's Special
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food was awful tonight
- appetizerAppetizer arrived after the main plate
- fishMy experience tonight was extremely disappointing, especially since this was a delivery order. The food was awful; several items tasted like the fish was old. The seaweed salad was very wet, the ika was inedible, and the tartar was wet and grey.
- ikaIka was inedible
- platesmucus like spit on one of my plates
- seaweed saladSeaweed salad was very wet
- soy sauceThe miso with clams was great, and the chef's sampler provided me with ample variety: salmon, fatty tuna, albacore, & escolar. My only ask is that they offer the option of normal and not just low-sodium soy sauce as that condiment choice is a crucial element of the experience.
- tartarTartar was wet and grey
- wasabi or gingerwe didn't get any wasabi or ginger
Overall, the food here is a definite highlight, especially if youre seeking fresh, well-prepared sushi with plenty of options. While a few specific items might occasionally miss the mark, its certainly worth trying for a generally satisfying meal.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres a lot to appreciate here! Many guests (26 out of 38 comments) frequently praise the friendly staff, speedy service, and great customer service. Whether youre dining in or picking up takeout, the team often gets high marks for efficiency, contributing to a good score of 6.9.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 68.4%, indicating some areas for improvement. A few guests (11 comments) have experienced slow service, a lack of hospitality, or issues with takeout, like missing utensils or soy sauce, and even slow delivery. These points suggest that while often good, service can be inconsistent.
Service
38
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
11
negative
1
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, professional staff
- Speedy service
- Efficient takeout/pickup
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Missing takeout items
- Delivery problems
Often praised
- staffThough this place doesn't look like much from the outside, I was quite impressed with their selection! I came on a Sunday night, and the place was filled with locals and regulars, which I guessed based on how close they were with the staff. I ordered the rainbow roll and omakase sushi large.
- serviceI dined here on a weekday and few others were present. The vibe was calm, and the meal was lovely with generous slices of very fresh and attractively presented fish, crisp daikon & shiso, and excellent service -- when I asked for more lemon and shiso, it came immediately. The miso with clams was great, and the chef's sampler provided me with ample variety: salmon, fatty tuna, albacore, & escolar.
- SerenaGet to know Serena - one of the hosts. She’s awesome.
- ServiceService:5
- attended to immediatelywe were attended to immediately
- chefswatching the chefs' create masterpieces with ease
- customer serviceMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. The waitors and waitresses were very friendly and provided excellent customer service. The restaurant itself was clean and well organized.
- everyoneIt's a lot of fun to eat and enjoy the show. Everyone there is usually extremely polite as well. The food is yummy and the sushi is fresh.
- fastalways very fast when I order to go
- great servicegreat service and fresh fish, Wasabi and Ginger is the spot
Frequently criticized
- serviceUnfortunately, our order arrived without any utensils or soy sauce. While the food itself was okay, the service was very subpar. Due to these issues, we will not be dining here again.
- deliveryMy experience at this restaurant involved adequate sushi. However, the delivery takes forever and they often get the order wrong. Dining in is a nice experience on non-weekends.
- employeesStill haven payed there employees
- employees smokingThe smoke smell permeated inside the restaurant while I was dining. After leaving, I noticed three more employees smoking outside the kitchen doors. I question the practices of this establishment.
- hospitalitythey need to understand more about hospitality
- orderMy experience at this restaurant involved adequate sushi. However, the delivery takes forever and they often get the order wrong. Dining in is a nice experience on non-weekends.
- ownersThe owners are MEAN
- soy saucewithout any soy sauce
- utensilsMy experience with this restaurant was through DoorDash for takeout. Unfortunately, our order arrived without any utensils or soy sauce. While the food itself was okay, the service was very subpar.
Overall, service here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. While many praise the friendly and efficient staff, be aware that some experiences point to inconsistencies, especially with delivery or during busy times. If youre dining in, youll likely have a good experience, but temper expectations for takeout.
Ambience (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 51% of the guests
The atmosphere here generally hits the mark, scoring a good 7 with 76.7% customer satisfaction. Many guests loved the overall Atmosphere and vibe, describing it as a comfortable place with a nice atmosphere. Highlights included the aquarium, TVs, and convenient free valet parking, making it a welcoming neighborhood sushi spot.
Out of 30 opinions, 23 were positive. However, not everything was perfect. Some found the interior a little run down with old decor, and parking in the area was a common complaint.
A significant concern was employees smoking near the entrance, leading to a smoke smell inside, which understandably detracted from the dining experience for 6 guests.
Ambience
30
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Comfortable, calm vibe
- Free valet parking
- Aquarium, TVs available
What people don't like
- Dated interior decor
- Difficult area parking
- Smoke smell inside
Often praised
- atmosphereQuiet and cozy atmosphere
- placethe whole place is just comfortable and relaxing
- restaurantThe hot sake brought us back to life. We were the only ones in the restaurant on a Wednesday, so it was nice and quiet. They were doing a steady stream of takeout orders.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- TVshad TVs which was showing the NBA finals
- aquarium with "red devils"I like the aquarium with "red devils"
- areaNice area
- dining areaNice and cozy dining area
- dining inDining in is nice
- familyThey really made me feel like part of the family 👪
Frequently criticized
- employees smokingMy experience at this restaurant was quite disturbing due to the presence of employees smoking. Upon entering, I observed several employees smoking like chimneys at the exterior entry area during their break. This was particularly concerning as they were smoking near the front door, close to the fresh air intake.
- interiorThe interior is a little run down
- old decorAt first glance, you wouldn't expect much from this restaurant, especially with the old decor. However, the food is another story.
- parkingJust the parking around this area sucks
- placethe place still didn't impress me
- smoke smellI can smell the smoke inside the restaurant
If youre looking for a casual, comfortable spot with a generally good vibe and dont mind potential issues with parking or dated decor, this place could be a solid choice. However, be aware of the smoking concerns if that's a dealbreaker for you.
Value (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! Many folks found the experience quite comfortable for the price, with several opinions highlighting it as inexpensive and offering an affordable price for the area. With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at 77.8%, its clear that most diners feel theyre getting a good deal, based on 7 positive remarks out of 9 total.
However, not everyone was entirely convinced. A few voices mentioned that the price wasnt quite worth the price' they paid, suggesting there might be room for improvement for some. This sentiment, though less common with only 1 negative comment, indicates that while generally good, it might not be a steal for absolutely everyone.
Value
9
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable price
- Good price and value
- Comfortable experience
What people don't like
- Not worth price
Often praised
- $2020 piece platter for $20
- $2315 pieces mixed sushi (all the regulars) for $23
- affordable priceaffordable price for SF
- inexpensiveinexpensive (2 women splitting one roll, one large beer and a second roll, + miso prob about 25.00)
- priceFor the price I'd say this is quite a comfortable experience
- price and valueGood price and value
- pricesThe prices are not too bad
Frequently criticized
- pricenowhere near worth the price i paid
If you're looking for a place where your money goes a good distance, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Most customers walk away feeling they got a comfortable experience for an affordable price. While a rare few might find it a tad pricey for what they received, the overall consensus points to good value.
How are the prices at Wasabi & Ginger?
You’re looking at roughly 36 per person – reported by 12 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.
Looking at the full picture, prices are quite varied. While some guests find more budget-friendly options, others lean towards a more premium experience, showing a nice mix of choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 12 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good range of options, so you can tailor your experience to your budget.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Wasabi & Ginger
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Excellent Sushi Rolls!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I tried the spicy tuna roll and the shrimp tempura roll. Both were great, and the rice was perfect.
I will definitely return again.
- spicy tuna roll9
- shrimp tempura roll9
- rice10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Tonkotsu Ramen and Sushi!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I ordered the tonkotsu ramen and it was the best I've ever tried. The sushi was also great.
The food was excellent, and the place was nice. The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5 out of 5.
- tonkotsu ramen10
- sushi9
- food10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Food and Family Feel!
My experience at this restaurant in SF was fantastic! The staff was incredibly professional and courteous. The food was absolutely amazing.
I truly felt like part of the family 👪!
- staff10
- food10
- family10
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Fresh Fish and Excellent Service
I dined here on a weekday and few others were present. The vibe was calm, and the meal was lovely with generous slices of very fresh and attractively presented fish, crisp daikon & shiso, and excellent service -- when I asked for more lemon and shiso, it came immediately. The miso with clams was great, and the chef's sampler provided me with ample variety: salmon, fatty tuna, albacore, & escolar.
My only ask is that they offer the option of normal and not just low-sodium soy sauce as that condiment choice is a crucial element of the experience.
- fish9
- service10
- miso with clams8
- soy sauce4
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Reliable Neighborhood Sushi Gem
My experience at this neighborhood sushi spot was fantastic! The rolls were great, and the tempura was incredibly fresh and light. The staff were also very nice.
It was a pleasure to revisit after about 12 years and find it still so reliable!
- rolls8
- tempura9
- staff8
What Wasabi & Ginger offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options can you expect at Wasabi & Ginger?
At Wasabi & Ginger, you can enjoy dinner with comfortable seating and table service. For your convenience, they offer no-contact delivery, standard delivery, and takeout, alongside their welcoming dine-in experience.
Does Wasabi & Ginger cater to specific dietary needs or accessibility requirements?
Yes, Wasabi & Ginger provides both healthy and vegetarian options to suit various dietary preferences. Additionally, the restaurant is fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom for all guests.
How does Wasabi & Ginger generally rate?
Wasabi & Ginger holds a solid overall score of 7.6, with a customer satisfaction of 79.3%. Its Food (8) is a standout, while Ambience (7) and Value (7.2) also score well. Service (6.9) is decent but has some room for improvement.
What kind of food can I expect at Wasabi & Ginger?
You can expect fresh, colorful sushi and sashimi, with generous slices of fish that many find attractively presented. Popular items include the 49er roll and Chef’s Special, with patrons often praising the quality of the fish and variety.
Is the service and atmosphere consistent at Wasabi & Ginger?
While many praise the attentive staff and calm atmosphere for dining in, some experiences note inconsistent service, especially with delivery orders, which can be slow or incorrect. The interior is described as comfortable, though some mention older decor and occasional issues like smoke smell from employees.