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oChef » Yama Sushi – San Francisco
Yama Sushi - San Francisco
Photo from Yama Sushi
Yama Sushi at a glance
San Francisco Ingleside
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 32 of the guests
#2009 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#163 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
6.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
156
Reviews
60.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Delicious sushi
Frequently criticized
- Dated interior
- Inconsistent quality
The restaurant Yama Sushi, a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Ingleside neighborhood, offers a welcoming and casual atmosphere. You can explore a diverse menu featuring healthy options, small plates, and quick bites, perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
With convenient service options including dine-in and delivery, it’s an ideal spot for an authentic Japanese meal.
Overview: Introducting Yama Sushi
Yama Sushi offers a mixed experience, with many guests praising the attentive service and the quality of their bento box options. The staff often receives commendation for their friendly and accommodating approach, making for a pleasant interaction.
However, some aspects could use attention. The ambience has been described as needing an update, and there are occasional concerns regarding price for the perceived quality of certain dishes, suggesting an uneven experience.
Good
6.4
out of 10
156
Reviews
60.9%
Satisfaction
55
negative
6
neutral
95
positive
Yama Sushi holds an overall score of 6.4, placing it in the average category, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 60.9%. This assessment comes from 156 customer opinions, comprising 95 positive and 55 negative remarks.
It suggests that while many find their visit satisfactory, there’s room for improvement. Diving deeper, Service stands out as a strong point, scoring well at (8.1).
However, Food (6.2), Value (5.3), and Ambience (5.2) all fall into the average range. While the food is frequently discussed, its score indicates a varied experience, and the lower scores for value and ambience suggest these areas are often noted for improvement.
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Delicious sushi options
- Good bento boxes
What people don't like
- Dated interior
- Inconsistent food quality
- Value for some items
Yama Sushi presents itself as a neighborhood spot with a strong emphasis on hospitable service. If you prioritize a friendly interaction and enjoy well-prepared sushi or bento boxes, it could be a worthwhile stop for a casual meal.
However, with a recommendation score of 6.5, be mindful that the overall experience can be inconsistent. Those seeking a modern dining atmosphere or strict value across all menu items might find it falls short, so manage your expectations accordingly.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Yama Sushi
Food (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.2 indicating an average performance and customer satisfaction sitting at 58.1%, which is also mixed. Many diners rave about the "delicious sushi, " "fresh fish, " and "generous portions, " especially for items like the "bento box. " With 54 positive remarks, theres definitely a lot to love on the menu.
However, not everyone leaves fully satisfied. There are concerns about inconsistent food quality, small portion sizes, and dry, flavorless fish, particularly salmon. Some found the nigiri inedible.
These points, highlighted in 34 negative comments, suggest that while there are culinary highs, there are also some definite lows.
Food
93
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
34
negative
5
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious sushi
- Fresh fish
- Good vegetarian options
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Small portion sizes
- Dry, flavorless fish
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I enjoyed great service and great food for a decent price. The atmosphere was pleasant as it wasn't crowded at all during my weekday dinner visit.
- sushiThe service was outstanding, with friendly staff who were attentive. I particularly appreciated the delicious sushi. As a vegetarian, I was pleased to find separate vegetarian options on the menu that were not crowded.
- portionsthe portions for the appetizers were amazing
- bento boxTheir bento box is decently priced and is always delicious.
- 49er rollHad the best dinner here tonight! My sister and I got the 49er roll, tiger roll, salmon nigiri and unagi nigiri. Must have garlic edamame - sooo goood!
- California rollCalifornia roll and miso soup were very good
- Fire BombThe Fire Bomb and the Volcano roll are our favorites.
- Volcano rollThe Fire Bomb and the Volcano roll are our favorites.
- bentosI always get the bentos they my thing!
- black and white rollwhich I am obsessed with.
Frequently criticized
- tempuraThe tempura was greasy and the oil smelled very oxidized
- Crunchy rollthe crunchy roll's description is as follows "Deep fried fish roll (Spicy)"
- Gozilla Rollordered the Gozilla Roll because it was listed as Buy 1 Get 1 Free
- Japanese cuisineMy experience at this restaurant was an insult to Japanese cuisine. They seem focused on high volume for a cheap price, and not a single item was done even half right.
- Spicy Salmon Hand RollSpicy Salmon Hand Roll ... quality of the salmon is very low
- Spicy Salmon RollSpicy Salmon Roll ... quality of the salmon is very low
- bento box specialordered the bento box special with shio saba, salmon, and tempura mix
- crunchy rollthe crunchy roll is not good 👎🏼👎🏼
- cutscuts were also sloppy
- fillingthe filling was "all the fish"
If youre craving delicious sushi or a good bento box, this spot might hit the mark, especially with its fresh fish and vegetarian options. However, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience, as some dishes suffer from quality issues and small portions. Its a bit of a gamble, but the highs can be quite good.
Service (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 56% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid score of 8.1 and customer satisfaction at 79.4%, both indicating a good experience. Many customers rave about the friendly staff, prompt delivery, and great service, often highlighting the attentive owner and even special shout-outs to team members like Eileen. Out of 34 customer remarks, a strong 27 were positive, praising the overall helpfulness and efficiency.
However, not every interaction is perfect. A few of the 7 negative comments mention issues like missing items in takeout orders, service that felt a bit awkward, or a perceived lack of staff attention. While the majority of experiences are positive, there are occasional reports of unfriendly staff or delays, especially concerning pickup orders, suggesting there's a little room for fine-tuning.
Service
34
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Prompt delivery
- Accommodating owner
What people don't like
- Missing order items
- Lack of attention
- Awkward service
Often praised
- serviceThe food and service here are stellar!
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was excellent! The service was outstanding, with friendly staff who were attentive. I particularly appreciated the delicious sushi.
- deliverySometimes I order delivery when I can't make it to the store.
- familyThe woman preparing the sushi was fabulous. As we said good night to leave, we started chatting with the family and they are totally adorable, very friendly and you can see and feel how much love and hard work they put into what they do. We can see why this spot is so popular.
- ownerThe owner is really nice and very accommodating.
- EileenEileen is amazing- she served us
- StaffStaff is always friendly
- delivered my dishthey delivered my dish
- delivery during lockdownDelivery during lockdown, eating here when I don’t wanna cook, this my spot of order!
- good orderOur favorites are the Fire Bomb and the Volcano roll. When we order delivery, it always arrives promptly and in good order.
Frequently criticized
- staffWhile the presentation was nice, the portion sizes felt pretty small for the price. The service was a bit awkward as the staff didn’t speak much English. Overall, the experience was just okay.
- missing itemI ordered takeout and when I got home, one item was missing. Since I couldn’t come back, they delivered my missing dish along with free gyoza.
- pickup orderspeople that were coming to pick up food ordered, and even some people left upset that they had to wait
- serverthe server (old man) to please clean the table, he first looked at the table
- serviceThe service was a bit awkward
- staff attentionNobody came to ask if everything was good or ok with my food
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly and efficient service, especially for delivery, this restaurant is a great bet. While there might be a rare hiccup with an order or in-person interaction, the overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests youll likely have a pleasant experience.
Ambience (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to the ambience, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.2 placing it in the average range and customer satisfaction at a rather mixed 41.7%. Based on 12 comments, many guests appreciate the positive aspects, highlighting it as a comfortable neighborhood restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere. Finding parking is often surprisingly easy, and its frequently noted for being not crowded, making for a relaxed dining experience.
However, there are significant areas for improvement, with 6 negative remarks pointing to concerns about the appearance of a clean place. Many find it disorganized and looking old or not appealing inside, with specific mentions of dirty tables. While some find parking easy, others report it can be quite difficult, creating a less-than-ideal first impression for many.
Ambience
12
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Neighborhood feel
- Not crowded
What people don't like
- Lacks cleanliness
- Looks old
- Disorganized space
Often praised
- ParkingParking was surprisingly easy to find
- atmosphereAtmosphere:4
- crowdedNot crowded at all
- neighborhood restaurantThis sushi restaurant is a neighborhood restaurant
- parkingParking throughout the area
Frequently criticized
- ParkingParking is difficult in the area
- appearance of a clean placedoesn't care about the appearance of a clean place
- disorganizedit's a little disorganized
- placeisn't a beautiful place
- restaurantThe restaurant looks old and in need of a reno, and not appealing inside
- tables3-star rating this place holds. It's possible it was busy the night before, but all the tables were dirty. When I asked the server, an older gentleman, to please clean the table, he first examined it from different angles before grabbing a towel.
If you prioritize a clean, modern look and guaranteed easy parking, this spot might disappoint. However, if youre seeking a casual, uncrowded neighborhood eatery and dont mind a bit of rustic charm, it could be a decent option for a relaxed meal.
Value (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to value, there are definitely some bright spots, with 9 positive remarks out of 17 total comments. Many customers found the prices and price to be decent, reasonable, and even fair, especially for the bento box. Some even felt that despite being a bit pricey, it was so, so worth it for the quality received, contributing to an average score of 5.3.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows, with 8 negative remarks balancing things out. Some diners were truly disappointed in the cost and felt certain dishes were "a little expensive for the size/quality, " especially an "expensive roll" or when portions were "abysmal" for the price. This contributes to a mixed customer satisfaction of 52.9%, indicating that while some find value, others feel its not quite hitting the mark.
Value
17
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Decent prices overall
- Bento box offers value
- Worth the cost
What people don't like
- Poor quality for cost
- Expensive rolls
- Small portions, high price
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I enjoyed great service and great food for a decent price. The atmosphere was pleasant as it wasn't crowded at all during my weekday dinner visit.
- bento boxTheir bento box is decently priced
- pricestheir prices are decent
Frequently criticized
- priceFor the price, they shouldn’t serve inedible nigiri
- Buy 1 Get 1 Freelisted as Buy 1 Get 1 Free, but I only received one
- cheap pricehigh volume for cheap price
- costI am truly disappointed in the quality of the food for the cost. For nearly $50.
- dishesDishes are a little expensive for the size/quality
- expensive rollsuch an expensive roll
- high volumedo high volume for cheap price
If youre looking for decent prices on specific items like a bento box, you might find good value here. However, be cautious with other dishes where the cost might not always align with the portion or quality. Its a place where choosing wisely can make all the difference for your wallet.
How are the prices at Yama Sushi?
You’re looking at roughly 30 per person – reported by 32 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 most diners cluster around this sweet spot, there are also some premium options for those looking to splurge a bit more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 32 reviews.
Comparing value for money at this restaurant against 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 for a satisfying meal, with options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Yama Sushi
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Delivery
10
Top 3 Sushi Spot in the City!
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional, placing it in my top 3 for sushi in the city. Everything from the packaging, freshness, and flavor to the creativity and delivery scored higher than dozens of other spots my family has ordered from. The food was outstanding, and the overall experience was highly positive.
- packaging9
- freshness9
- flavor9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Misleading BOGO Offer, Disappointing Experience
I ordered the Gozilla Roll because it was advertised as Buy 1 Get 1 Free. However, I only received one roll, which was very misleading and left me feeling disappointed.
- Gozilla Roll2
- Buy 1 Get 1 Free1
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
5
Small Portions, Awkward Service
My experience at this restaurant was a bit disappointing. I might have ordered the wrong thing, but the food wasn’t that great. While the presentation was nice, the portion sizes felt pretty small for the price.
The service was a bit awkward as the staff didn’t speak much English. Overall, the experience was just okay.
- presentation7
- food3
- portion sizes3
- service4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Disappointing Sashimi Combo
My experience with the #301 - 6pc sashimi combo was disappointing. The tuna and salmon were mid-tier, but the albacore was particularly concerning. It looked sickly, with pale meat and a yellow coloration that reminded me of week-old chicken breast.
The fish cuts were also very thin, and there were large portions of rice. The slicing was sloppy, as if done with a ridged knife.
- sashimi combo2
- fish cuts3
- portions of rice3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Family
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Staff and Tasty Food
Recently moved to the neighborhood and finally gave it a try for my mom's birthday. My experience was great! The staff was wonderful, and the food was tasty.
I also felt the price was decent given the current tough times. I will definitely be coming back!
- staff10
- food9
- price8
What Yama Sushi offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Yama Sushi in San Francisco?
At Yama Sushi, you can look forward to a casual Japanese dining experience in the Ingleside neighborhood. They offer a range of options including healthy choices, small plates, and quick bites, available for both lunch and dinner.
What service and payment options are available at Yama Sushi?
Yama Sushi provides flexible service options including dine-in, delivery, and no-contact delivery. You can also conveniently pay using credit cards, debit cards, or NFC mobile payments, and reservations are accepted for your planning.
What is the overall verdict on Yama Sushi?
Yama Sushi has an overall score of 6.4, indicating an average experience. While Service (8.1) is a strong point, Food (6.2), Value (5.3), and Ambience (5.2) are noted as areas that could see improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about Yama Sushi?
Many customers highlight the excellent service and friendly staff. Specific dishes like the bento box and various sushi rolls are frequently praised for their taste and quality.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks at Yama Sushi?
Some patrons have noted that the restaurant ambience appears dated and could use renovation. There are also occasional concerns about the price for the quality of certain dishes, and staff attention can sometimes be inconsistent.