Kuma Sushi + Sake

Great sushi place on Polk. Nice bar counter seating. A few other tables. Intimate setting. Food is fresh and innovative. Great wide selection of different fish to choose from. Sushi chefs are informative and friendly. Only downside is parking is difficult in the area. Take Uber!

In San Francisco for one night and wanted some great sushi and we lucked out finding this gem of a place. We grabbed a reservation which I highly recommend since it was packed. We sat at the sushi bar with a great view to watch them work their magic. I got the jackalope which was recommended by our sever and it was so good and I also ordered the Fresco which was also really yummy. My husband got sashimi of all kinds and loved it all. We also got a seaweed salad which was great too.

Cute atmosphere, amazing, attentive service and great food! Def some of the best sushi my fiancé and I have had yet. We aren’t from the area but came from our engagement shoot over at city hall and we loveeee sushi- we decided what better place to get fresh sushi than sf- we couldn’t be more pleased with our pick! the cinch roll and the hey girl rolls were my personal fav, but everything was so tasty. And the sake🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟we even got the sweetest little surprise at the end as a congratulations to us on our upcoming wedding🥹🫶🏻 100000/10 food + experience and can’t wait to be back!

The chili sauce in the local tofu is truly soooo amazing!!! And all the fish is so fresh and tasty; favor combo is fantastic too!! I’m in love with this place

I’m a Japanese who started eating raw fish at the age of 7. I can proudly say that Kuma Sushi + Sake is an amazing sushi restaurant in every way! It’s a popular sushi place so their fish is always fresh. Here, I had the freshest Santa Barbara uni that I have ever had in my life. The flavors are innovative & creative. I had an appetizer of “Katsuo Tataki”and the combination of the flavors was incredible. Their rolls are fun to try and I love “Hey Girl” and “Jackalope.” I can eat them every day! I love how they put the origins of each fish on the menu so we know where our fish came from. Anyways, eating is believing. Highly recommend!

this place is so good. had reservations and they sat us immediatelyyyyyy, who doesn’t love that. great rolls with the freshest fish and super attentive staff. small place that’s great for date night cause they don’t blast the damn music. prime for eavesdropping on the people’s conversations next to you. fun game to guess whether the people next to you are on a first/ second/ third/ date and speculating what dating app they met on! love this place

Main Complaint: Sushi rice was dry and mushy, some pieces were over compressed/way too dense for the amount of fish given -the same vinegar was used across all fish types regardless of fat content/flavor profile Notes: -Sushi rice needs serious work, I’ve had better sushi rice at Kura Sushi/budget sushi mom and pop places -Fish quality itself was decent and had a wide variety of options -cheaper quality wasabi used -nice ambiance at night, dark candlelit vibe -no wasabi or soy sauce/salinity was pre-applied to the nigiri except for pieces with yuzu kosho -Aburi pieces were not seared enough or draw out fat or warm the fish -No one said thank you as we left the restaurant, given we just blew $130 at ur place that would have been nice to hear on the way out -mostly non-Asians eating inside, seemed like the tables around us were having sushi for the first time (which is totally fine, but to me to speaks to the audience they are catering towards)

I would give this spot 10 stars if I could. My boyfriend and I usually come here once a week! Kay and Henry are incredible. Food, service, and vibes are great. My favorite sushi spot in the Bay Area!!

This place is just awesome in every way! The only thing that could possibly be better is I won free meals here for life! High q super fresh fish Decent portions Expert chefs Good service Cozy and date worthy. Here's a pic of my view as my mouth watered.

What I find! Excellent sushi and Service The Saratoga with seared trout, and Takaki were excellent Quality all the ingredients, including salad sides & dressings was excellent As good as Ryoko

My friends and I (party of four) made reservations on a Tuesday evening for some omakase and drinks to celebrate a new engagement. Hiro, our server, gave us the best service we've ever had with a champagne toast and ice cream for us to share at the end of our meal. The omakase was divine and well presented. Everyone was so attentive to our waters and plate turnover. We really enjoyed ourselves and will be coming back soon!

Wow! We had a lot of fun with this dinner. There are so many options to choose from and we tried so many different food items. The nigiri was very delicious with warm rice. The fish was super fresh and the chirashi had so many different types. The service was great and everyone gave so many recommendations. We sat at the bar and enjoyed talking to the chefs. I thought pricing was decent too. I would recommend this spot for a nicer dinner!

Decent value for pretty good sushi. We tried about 5 different rolls and they were all good.

Like another reviewer said, Kuma on Polk is a hidden gem! Came across Kuma Sushi and Sake after my friend and I found out La Fina Estampa (our favorite Peruvian spot) was closed for a few weeks for the holidays. My friend found this spot which was a few blocks away. Found parking in the one way alley next to the restaurant, the area is a bit rough at night, but once you walk in, such a different vibe. Small, cozy and the ambiance was popping off. It was a full house but staff was able to squeeze us in at their window bar seats. Everything we ordered was a hit! Flavor, quality and freshness was great. Appetizer: grilled hamachi (get it, so crispy, meat was tender, delicious and well seasoned) Appetizer: cold tofu with chilli crisp (was highly recommended by their staff but I thought it was just okay in flavor. Tofu was fresh but it was missing a memorable flavor for me) Appetizer: Miso Soup. My friend tried this one. No particular standout notes - miso soup was pretty standard. Nigiris: scallop, ama ebi, salmon, hamachi and Hokkaido uni. Shrimp head was delivered perfectly fried and the ama ebi was fresh and sweet - we had to order another round with no regrets. If we were to go back, I'd love to sit by the bar/chef's area and try their omakase or charashi bowl. If you're in the area and craving sushi, this is worth stopping by.

I love the sushi here! So fresh, decent sized rolls and the prices are fair. Highly recommend the salmon and avocado roll and the roasted shishito peppers. Service is really nice and knowledgeable. Ambiance is small and cute and would be nice for a date night :)

Man food was great and hero treated us well. I love the toro and Uni. Will definitely be back for more.

Small,compacted spot with great ambiance is def a hidden gem in the lower nob hill. Was craving for some unique sashimi and came across this cute little hole in a wall Japanese sushi bar. Their menu changes daily/seasonally depending on what's available so it's super refreshing to try out other cuts of fish (instead of the salmon, tuna, and hamachi). The waitress that helped us was extremely helpful in terms of explaining the menu and also made serval suggestions on which menu item is better to order with rice (nigiri style) vs sashimi alone. Quality of the ingredients and how much detail they put into curating every order exceeds our expectations. Will definitely come back for some more traditional sushi rolls :)

Everting was super. Atmosphere, authentic fresh sushi, friendly servers. The best hamachi Kama I have ever had in San Francisco. Huge portion very fresh, grilled to perfection. Loved the stylish hostess who doubled as server. I returned the following week with condenser friends who were also delighted.

YUM! We came here for a date night on a Friday around 7 PM and were glad we had a reservation. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so I would definitely recommend having a reso if you're going during peak hours. All the fish was fresh, and the rice was soft and delicious. We always get hamachi appetizers if they're on the menu, and this one is one of our favorites! The fish melted in our mouths, and the sauce was so flavorful. We can't wait to come back!

Solid place to go for sushi! Great service and cozy, sleep view for a quick bite to eat with friends!

Cozy sushi spot on Polk with fresh fish and curated menu. We walked in on a whim and we were pleasantly surprised. It was very cozy with limited seating but luckily we were able to get a table without waiting. We got the Deco Dance roll which was good though a bit small (thin with not much filling). We also got the sashimi tasting that came with two pieces of 5 different fish. The quality of the fish was excellent and the presentation was great. The service is super fast and they are always coming by to fill your water which was nice. Overall, a nice spot in the city.

Our server was incredibly sweet, helpful, and accommodating. She went above and beyond to help us create the best tasting experience, suggesting dishes, mixing and matching options, and making sure everything was just perfect. She checked in on us regularly and made the whole evening feel effortless. The shishito peppers were a great start, the octopus karaage was perfectly crispy and flavorful, and the ice cream at the end was such a nice touch. The restaurant cozy and had both bar and standard seating.

Stunning sushi, located on Polk St in the Tenderloin. Some of the best sushi I've had in a really long time. Came here for my husband's birthday, and it was an amazing experience. It gets busy, so reservations recommended. We walked in and were seated at the bar without a rez. The fish was so lovely and extremely fresh. The cuts were expertly handled. There are dozens of rolls to choose from on the menu, and also I feel that the daily specials, which include the bulk of the available sashimi and nigiri, are where this restaurant truly shines. The best bites of the night were where we chose the Chef's Choice nigiri--you can choose between 4 pieces and 8 pieces. Absolutely stunning! There is a sister restaurant located on Valencia. I would definitely recommend either of these locations!

I enjoyed my dinner at Kuma! It's a cute dim lit restaurant that is perfect for a date night. Everything from the attentive service to the high quality fresh seafood made my dinner pleasant. Some highlights for me was the sashimi tasting and the chirashi deluxe. Our server did not let my drinks go empty and I loved all the recommendations I got. I'll be back again!

This sushi spot is very intimate and romantic. Recommend for a perfect date night. The ambiance was lovely and the sushi was very tasty. Highly recommend.

Omg so good. It was my first postpartum meal and they nailed it. We got several belly nigiri, chirashi bowl, seaweed salad - so high quality, so delicious. Will def go back.

One of my favorite sushi places in the city. Fish is fresh and price is reasonable. They offer some unique rolls, differentiating from other basic sushi places. Service is attentive. The restaurant is small and boarders the tenderloin. Nothing super fancy or decorative but environment is intimate, clean, and new. Highly recommend this place!

10/10 recommend Kuma Sushi + Sake! The Tango and Fresca rolls are delicious. The service was prompt and friendly. The ambiance inside is cozy. Pretty cost efficient, as well. Will be one of my go-to sushi spots from now on.

went here for an intimate celebration of my 24th bday last month! despite the trafficky noise that usually happens on polk and post, kuma's cozy interior shielded us with a very calm vibe. the sake was really smooth, really strong. i honestly forgot all the sushi types we ordered but it was so delicious and very good quality. and i was surprised with free birthday ice cream at the end :)

This was my favorite food experience in San Francisco. My son and I absolutely loved every bite.

Their daily menu is so exciting to browse. We tried a yellow hamachi roll and a roll with barley rice. The different rice texture was a great new experience. The peppers were perfect. Well charred and seasoned with bonito. The great balls of fire was quickly added when we ordered near the end of our meal and is also a must have. We sat at the bar and it was a great experience also seeing the chefs work. If you're more than 2 people I would recommend getting a reservation.

I came here for a Valentine's day lunch and I was SO happy with my experience! We walked in around 12:30 and had no wait, but you're able to make a reservation online if you want a guaranteed seat. The restaurant itself is quite small, so on busy days I'd probably recommend a reservation. Also keep in mind that there is only street parking, so I'd recommend getting there early so you make your reservation on time. Our server was incredibly sweet and attentive, even telling us about the different kinds of fish that were in our dishes. They have a daily menu that reflects the catches of the day, so everything tastes super fresh. We got their chirashi bowl to share ($54), and it was incredible. There were cuts of salmon, tuna, kanpachi/amberjack, roe, and other fish. Every bite was incredibly tasty and melted in your mouth. The purple rice also had such a good texture and paired perfectly with the fish. I loved the presentation as well! Will definitely be coming back to try some more dishes!

Small but wonderful sushi spot, if you're considering it I highly recommend checking it out! Reservations were easy same day but needed id say due to small size of the dining room. We sampled a few dishes but our favorite was the sashimi tasting. Next time we'll go right to it and the nigiri one as well. The fish and other food was all excellent, but the amazing service and friendly advice from the chef (we sat at the bar) helped us to get the most out of our visit. Their drink program was good, but we stuck to some of their saki offerings and were really pleased.

TLDR: I'm shocked I had never heard of this place before a friend suggested we go. This place is VIBEY. At least for dinner during the winter months, the lights and atmosphere were cool, fun, festive. The food here was also really good, with a long list of truly daily specials (they stamp the daily menu with the date). Service is fast and thorough, though only thing is that the inside is small so you might feel a tad squeezed with waiters walking through! ------ FOOD: 1. [Must Try] Local Tofu (5/5): The marinade or sauce they put on top of these thick slices of tofu is addicting. It's a refreshing flavor bomb and something that really pleasantly surprised us. 2. Kama (Yellowtail and Salmon collars) (4.5/5): I love fish collar and these two were done beautifully. Loved them, but they're limited availability so have backup options in case they run out. 3. Sashimi tasting (4.5/5): I thought it was good sashimi, but honestly I don't order sashimi that often so I'm not the best judge for which sashimi tastes definitively better than other sashimi. 4. Chawanmashi (3.5/5): I liked the concept and appreciated the addition of crab to make this more interesting, but I didn't think it needed cheese and the portion was really small, especially for the price. I guess it was pricier because of the crab? ------ SERVICE: * The kind of place that will switch out plates for you every couple of dishes (and upon request) * The waiter even came by to wipe down our table at one point * Our waiter was quick and diligent, as well as super sweet. It was my friend's birthday and when we decided not to have dessert but the waiter overheard it was his birthday, they really wanted to try to do something special for him. We insisted it was ok and that we didn't need dessert and the waiter was just so nice to keep insisting on wanting to make his birthday special in some way. ------ ENVIRONMENT / AMBIANCE: * Again, I was surprised by how fun and trendy this place felt given I had never heard of it * There's bar seating and then a few tables inside but honestly not THAT many tables. This is definitely a place to make a reservation for if you're a group that's determined to eat here. The do keep bar seats open for walk-ins.

It took them about an hour to make our 10 item order to-go. Highly recommend ordering ahead of time so you don't end up waiting around like us. I thought the food was decent. The Half-Baked, the Rainbow, and the Saratoga were solid. I would not recommend the Seaweed Salad, the Spicy Tuna, or the Tango.

It's a different world once you step in at this restaurant.. Sushi Chef at its best .. They know what they're doing . sat at the Sushi bar and things I order the chefs would describe each items I ordered.,

Loved this place so much!! Best sushi rolls I've had in a long long time :) Started out w just egg appetizer and then two rolls but the rolls ended up being so good that we ordered TWO MORE. Was so full but entirely worth. I'm so sorry idr the names of the rolls but: Kuma Roll w sweet potato and almonds: so warm and cozy, it felt like eating fall in a nice toasty bite Barley taps roll: had mango so it was tangy and purple and golden and so good , like a bright burst of flavor Tango roll: smooth solid roll, was like rich oily umami in good way, the fish was ocean trout that tasted like salmon, such solid flavor like a classic quiessential sushi roll if there ever was one Ox and tiger: nice and light but w a good spicy punch, the spice wasn't overwhelming and the fish flavor was light and fresh in contrast w the spice And soft egg custard thing: presented in a cute little jar and was also so comforting and warm. It also had cheese in there and u can't go wrong with cheese And also since we were at the counter eating, the sushi chef was very funny and friendly and talking to us. He was probably laughing at our crazy descriptions of his sushi rolls but they were so good and so hard to describe the extent of just how good they were :') Was super satisfied w this place! Especially bc their rolls are similar prices to many other sushi places but they were so unique, quality, and fun to try Highly highly recommend!!!

It's really such a shame that an establishment with such great sushi and atmosphere is practically ruined by the rude staff. Let's start off strong, sushi - AMAZING! I ordered the Chirashi Bowl Deluxe and it was truly one of the freshest sashimi I've had in the bay. For $69, you could argue that it was a bit pricey but they definitely don't cut corners on quality. Only down side was the otoro (or chutoro, I forget) was too sinewy to eat. Stand out was the uni... WOW! No fishiness/oceany taste at all. We also got the Ox and Tiger roll which had great texture and had to order an extra salmon nigiri because.. why not! Total bill came out to about $103ish for reference. Alright time for the bad... the service. The waiter who greeted us seemed like he had an attitude from the moment we stepped in. Our party of 2 sat right away and when we asked for some suggestions on the specialty rolls, he practically snapped at us and said "Well.. you're going to need to give me more to work with. I don't know what you like" Shocked, I just responded "It's our first time, so any popular roll suggestions?" He then responded with "Well, like I said, you need to give me more than that." Seeing how unhelpful he was, I just went with my gut instead of going with whatever he was going to suggest. Very unpleasant guy waiter with glasses. When we got our meal, there was literally one other table in the entire restaurant. Empty practically. I asked if he could take a photo of my mom and I (it was her birthday). He didn't say anything, snagged my camera, took a blurry photo, and handed it back as he rushed off to do nothing. Kuma, please reconsider your staff. Your sushi is amazing but the service was terrible. Can't say I'll come back since we were treated so horribly.

I'm vegetarian and Kuma is my go-to spot for sushi. They have several vegetarian rolls (the sweet potato and avocado maki are my favorites), but also a ton of non-sushi veg options. The local tofu is a must - it's chilled soft tofu with an addictive crunchy topping... I could eat this forever. I'm obsessed with shishito peppers and Kuma's are the best. They are the perfect balance of salt and tang, and are cooked just right. Their miso soup has such a soft, yet deep flavor and is exactly what you want on a chilly SF evening. The staff are professional and attentive (your water glass will never be empty), and the overall service is impeccable. I recommend this spot to anyone looking for a high quality meal for reasonable prices. I've been coming to Kuma for 6 years now and they have become my barometer for sushi; I always compare other sushi places to them and (spoiler) nothing ever comes close.

I LOVE this sushi restaurant! Not only is the sushi amazingly fresh, the care that goes into every roll, nigiri, sashimi piece is carefully crafted. I got the "Hey Girl" roll, so so good, and miso soup. They are absolute experts. I also love the extra touches they do for take out. The adorable Welcome to Kuma Sushi marketing sticker, a wet nap, chop sticks (didn't need to ask) their packaging is so pretty! They wrap your boxes in gorgeous paper and added edamame just because! The bag is secured with a lovely marketing sticker that doesn't tear; genius. It feels like a pretty present to be excited to open. I feel the love. They take the extra steps with an already irresistible menu. How lucky and I that my office is just around the corner. 10+ stars

This place still serves great sushi rolls and sashimi, and it was one of my favorite sushi spots in San Francisco, but unfortunately, my last visit was ruined by the attitude of the server (older gentleman with glasses and tattoos). I stopped by for lunch around opening, and, perhaps he was having a bad day, but he was neither friendly or welcoming. Yes, my tea and water were always kept filled but he was so rude and cold that it made for a horrible and uncomfortable dining experience. I can't remember the last time I had such an unfriendly server, but for this reason, I won't be back and can no longer recommend this place to visiting friends.

I gave Kuma 5 stars on a previous review, mostly highlighting the freshness of the fish. Today was not as good. Service and ambiance were same as before, but the fish was simply not as fresh! In particular, the negi hama roll and our hon chu toro pieces tasted distinctively fishy and not fresh, which was disappointing. The other pieces we got were fine but just not as fresh as last time. Hard to give anything over 3 stars for fish that is not as fresh. Disappointed today.

The artistry in preparation, the divine flavour, and that most is prepared gluten free is an absolute dream. We try to go as often as we can and recommend to everyone.

A great place to get your fish cravings out of the way! $49 for 10 pieces (5 diff fish) isn't too bad for what you get. (Unless compared to Amami, which is $42 for 12 nigiri pieces!) All the fish tasted fresh and had such interesting textures! We also ordered a bunch of different rolls and nigiri pieces. Everything was good and nothing disappointed! S/o our server who was patient and knowledgeable. Helped us order as my party was super indecisive on what to order. Interior is quite small and cute! I love the lighting inside. Tip: Waitlist waitlist waitlist! No reservations allowed and walk in is hard. Waitlist through the website or yelp! You can do it remotely and not have to be in close proximity. Worth a try!

One of the best sushi place at San Francisco. We made a reservation at 7pm and glad we did because this place is small and not many table. The sushi is really fresh and top quality. They gave us one wrong order but apologize and the correct order came a little later, so we got to try a new rolls. Great services and Excellent food!

I came here to pick up some dinner and was pleasantly surprised with the presentation. You can preorder on their website or right at the restaurant, which didn't take too long. Had to order their chirashi and toro since they're our favorite. Everything was fresh, not too thick of the cut and to my liking. Will definitely consider dining in next time to see other options.

This restaurant is top-notch! Casual atmosphere, great service, and delicious, fresh fish. I love their daily specials too!

Went with some friends on a Friday night. We put our name on the waitlist and had to wait a bit. Restaurant is more on the smaller side and felt a little cramped but I also appreciated the intimate atmosphere with the sushi chefs. Tried a few things on the menu and let me just say the fish here is some of the freshest fish I've ever had. You definitely are getting quality fish here. My favorite roll was the Kuma roll which had sweet potato and eel, a combination I didn't know I needed. If you're coming here you also have to try the nigiri. I did a 4 piece and got to try different fish my favorite being the tuna. It was so buttery and melted in my mouth. For apps, highly recommend the great balls of fire. This panko breaded tuna with hamachi was so tasty. Wasn't a fan of the half baked and I usually like a lion style role. They definitely made up for it with their fresh roles so I can't complain. Shoutout to our waiter for giving us recommendations and explaining everything so thoroughly. Can't wait to try the new Valencia location!

fyi they're closed for the holiday until 12/28, call ahead. Located on Polk St in the TL. There is no parking on Polk St in front, but there are metered parking on the side streets. I was hungry and forgot to take a pic of our appetizer Hamachi Ponzu, ~$11. Usually I love seared sashimi with ponzu but this tasted a bit off like it is going bad. I cannot recommend this one. Half Baked $19 (yikes) - their version of Lion King. It was really good and so comforting. Tango $18 - this was decent but personally not my favorite. Barley Taps $18 - this was surprisingly good and refreshing, not something I would normally go for since it is a roll with a piece of fish on top stuffed with cucumber. California Roll $11 - they use real crab! this was really good. Orion beer $10 - a big bottle of beer great to share. This was really good- clean and crisp. The staff was really friendly.

Absolutely phenomenal sushi spot and close to the convention center! Easily the best meal of my trip. The nigiri was impeccable, and the rolls delicious. The wait staff were also just amazing with recommendations.

We used to come here in the past and decided to give it a try again. Nigiri were good. Octopus was so so. The rolls were weird (with the carrot inside??)

This is the best sushi spot in San Francisco. The fish has always been fresh and the items taste great. I usually get the Chirashi so I can eat all the different types of fish and because it's prepared so well. I've been to several places all over this city and haven't found one that does it better than Kuma. They also have gluten free soy sauce and options for the gf folk!

Food = amazing. Maitre'd = beyond arrogant. Help = slow. Good fish, but you better be hip to dig this hot spot.

Came here on a Tuesday around 1pm because reviews looked good and the wait at Swans Oyster Depot was too long. This place did not disappoint! I ate 7 unique nigiri sets, their egg custard and green tea ice cream. Also drank sake. Chatted with Lloyd and Matt who were the sushi chefs. Super nice guys. Food was amazing! Being lunch time I pretty much had the place to myself. So many interesting things on their menus to try. I will definitely be back.

I have been to this restaurant solo and with friends prior to the pandemic and recently. Also, I have ordered items for delivery from DoorDash. I especially enjoy the Sashimi and Nigiri options because of the simplicity and true fresh fish flavor experience. I appreciate the details of the presentation, along with the quality of the fish. Eating on-site at the restaurant has always been a pleasant experience with attentive, yet not rushed, service. All in all, I recommend Kuma to all of my friends and now to yelpers.

Nice restaurant with a good ambience. Food was okay! I have had better sushi at cheaper restaurants just being honest.

I had been wanting to come here for awhile because I saw lots of people really liked it. We walked in on a Monday for lunch and was empty which is nice for us. We ordered a few rolls, rainbow roll, salmon avocado and California roll as well as some nigiri. I would say everything was okay. I feel like the rolls lacked flavor and the rice wasn't as soft as we wanted it to be. The nigiri definitely was good, but not sure if I'd go back. Prices are avg for sf, but can get tastier sushi rolls elsewhere for the same price. The service was very good, no issues with that.