True Sake

True sake has by far the most wide range sakes in San Francisco. Not only they have the biggest selections but also it ranges from low price point to high end sakes. And on saturdays they do a little free sake tasting. It’s really fun to go in and learn about sake while drinking. I recommend this place in sf to get ur sake.

As a fan of Japanese cuisine, it’s not surprising that I’m also a fan of Japanese sake. While others gravitated to wines (from nearby Napa Valley) or spirits, I always found more enjoyment from the Japanese spirit. If you’ve wanting to expand your selection beyond BevMo and Total Wine and More, True Sake is for you. As America’s first sake store, their selection of premium imported Japanese sake that they sell online and at their San Francisco location in Hayes Valley is among the largest in the country. Besides selection, I find their pricing very reasonable with a variety of stellar options at every budget and with unique varieties as far as you can explore. However, the real special quality of True Sake is their staff and customer service. It’s clear they love their job and are passionate about sake, happy to share recommendations no matter what your tasting background may be. I finally was able to stop by their SF retail store after ordering online for awhile and it deserves a visit if you’re in the area just to see all the sake selection and the recommendations. True Sake accepts online orders and accepts all credit cards.

Really awesome sake shop. The people there are super knowledgeable and helped choose a sake just for me. They also do tastings with a theme, which is great to introduce one to the world of sake. Totally in love with this spot, definitely coming again once I'm done my bottle

Over here in BOI the available Nihonshu is excellent because I bring it in my suitcase from Japan almost every year. I am just glad that I can get quick shipments of @kamoizumi direct since even road-tripping to SEA, Kamoizumi is not carried at Uwajimaya and the two that do have it - Hannyatou and Sake Nomi - aren’t open for weekend Sunday visitors (it is great to know that they are doing well enough.) Bought 18dots total. 😍 As Maegaki-san would say “Come with me!”

If you're a fan of sake, then you should go to this store. The worker Chris was very knowledgeable, friendly, and inviting. I picked up a bottle that I ordered online, and he was very professional & courteous. The store is very clean, and had hundreds of bottles to select from. I would definitely go back to not only learn about sake from them, but to buy more.

Amazing sake shop. A real shame I live in Austin and can't go here more often. I'd be in all the time. Mei was incredibly helpful and very kind to throw in a few copies of "Sake Today," which I've already torn through. Will be back when I can and highly recommend for all lovers of sake and newcomers alike.

Never expected such a shop in SF, wish I had known it years ago, they have good stuff and the price is very reasonable 👍

Great selection and informed staff. They didn’t have my favorite Sake Takara from Berkeley. But I probably didn’t look hard enough.

Cool shop tucked away in Hayes Valley with a wide range of sakes. Always a good experience here and they have my favorite cooking sake. Friendly staff and reasonable prices.

Love sake? Need a cool gift? love to learn? True sake work with sake with a passion. This place deserves a visit. The people that work here educate you about sake. They have a large selection of sake so you can find what you need. Makes a great gift. This place is tucked in Hayes Valley, and they host events. So it's really cool place to hang out and meet cool people and taste sake!

Looking for the best sake selection in SF? In the Bay Area? In CA? Look no farther! (I'd add US, but I haven't been to enough to prove that claim). Extremely knowledgable staff. My only regret is that I didn't come on a Saturday when they also offer tastings. Next time!

Best sake store outside of Japan. Owner Tim really knows everything about sale and the store has one of the most widest selections of sake.

Beau's recommendation was perfect for our guests and dinner. I asked for advice for folks who didn't know anything about sake but wanted to enjoy something at BYOB Japanese restaurant. The bottle was a hit and out of towner's loved the fact that it came from a sake store. It made this visit to the City that more special.

Excellent selection of premiums and affordable canned sakes. A bit pricey but also offers some membership, community, lessons, magazines even travels in the past. It's a true sake affectionado. Located at the heart of Hayes valley. It's quite a special shop to be. It's cool to be able to buy Nabu Biji beauty of the south here after watching it in a documentary.

True Sake rocks! I was buying sake for a work event and simply had a list of recommendations, without understanding what it meant. The staff explained the different types of sake with me and helped me fit my purchase within my budget. Super informative and helpful! Their storefront is well decorated and sake bottles can be so much fun to look at the packaging. Check it out next time you're in Hayes Valley! My star rating: 5 - I would be a regular customer 4 - would go back again 3 - probably try a different place 2 - not very satisfied 1 - turnaround and run

Has Kirin (blue bottle) which immediately vaults this review to 5 stars. The folks at this smallish store are very helpful and their expertise is unrivaled. Selection is unlike any place you'll find in the bay area. Lots of great choices warrant multiple future visits.

Such a hidden gem with lovely store owners! Bf has been living in Hayes Valley for a year and we finally stopped by to pick up some sake. I can't believe we never came by before and will definitely be coming back! Chris was so knowledgable about all the types of sake and found us the perfect bottle for my birthday dinner at Wako! I loved the special experience and how he carefully asked so many questions to find the right type of sake for us. We loved the variety so much, we got two bottles to try! As we were finishing up, we noticed these tiny bottles at the front and Chris and his wife (?) ended up not charging us for the little sake cup. We were both so taken aback by the kindness! Such a lovely store and people, we will be coming back very soon!

WOW! What an assortment of sakes! Definitely worth stopping in. The owner is so beyond knowledgeable and friendly. She was really helpful in matching our budget and taste. There's an annual sake tasting that they are featured in too that I'd love to attend if I'm in the area again.

I had an absolutely magnificent time visiting True Sake! The location is perfect for serendipitous exploration, the staff are incredibly kind and inviting, eager to share their deep knowledge of all things sake, and their product offering is second to none! I highly recommend you check out this shop, chat with the friendly staff and enjoy some amazing sake, you won't regret it!

Some girlfriends and I wandered in here a few weeks ago and had such a great time! Not only were they about to do a sake tasting, the staff was friendly and helpful. We bought a small delicious bottle that we sat in the park and shared, then we went back for the tasting and to buy another bottle~ It was that yummy! I ended up purchasing a bottle of a seasonal special that I LOVED, that they happened to be tasting (pictured below). It was so flavorful and enjoyable. Anyways, a super fun and educational experience all around and I can't wait to return. Staff recommendations were spot on. Highly recommend. Thanks True Sake!

True Sake is one of a kind for California, and quite possibly the entire US. The first dedicated Japanese sake retail store, where owner Beau Timken is not just the first Sake Samurai (an award bestowed by the Japanese government and sake associations to recognize those who evangelize sake around the world), but is also very active in the industry, from providing tasting notes to many brews the shop carries, to being the a judge of International Wine Challenge for sake (UK). It is also not an easy feat to run a shop for so many years, that has such a wide variety of exported sake, but also to manage local and mail order sales, on top of keeping up with the latest offerings from distributors and vendors, as well as supporting that supply chain any way possible. The store is widely recognized by sake industry people overseas (including in Japan), and many visitors make the pilgrimage to the store whether to purchase bottles or just to visit. One more thing of note, is that True Sake (Beau and his team/staff) have been organizing an annual San Francisco Sake Day event every year (with the exception of 2020 for obvious reasons), which is a must attend for those interested in sake and for those who want to meet industry people, and that also is a monumental task in itself. This is a way for everyone who attends, to taste sake from multiple sources, and have the opportunity to preorder brews from the shop, that you enjoy and want to buy. Regardless if you have lots of experience with sake, or just casual, the shop carries a a variety that will suit the tastes and preferences of everyone (from beginners to hardcore sake enthusiasts). There are known brands, as well as craft sake made by smaller breweries which are worth exploring, as well as sake brewed locally like Sequoia and Den Sake Brewery. The staff are warm and friendly, all certified professionals who are there to help if you have questions, and can recommend something to suit your tastes that I am sure you will find something to enjoy, and hopefully come back to explore more. True Sake has come to the rescue for me numerous times in the past, and is an ideal choice for gift shopping (free gift wrapping service too with your purchase) for any occasion. Very very glad they are around and still continue to do what they do best.

Really cool sake gem in Hayes Valley! At first I thought it was a sake tasting spot but it was actually a small store that had a huge variety of sake. I only recognized a few and wanted to know so much about the rest. May was super helpful and gave some recommendations, from the light every day sake, Kikusui, to a bold one with shiitake mushrooms and umami essences (has a bull on the front). I asked if she knew any restaurants that did sake food pairings and she recommended a place called "Avery" in SF. I so want to go there now! I left with a large bottle of the shiitake mushrooms and umami - I may just have to throw a sake dinner party soon!

I would like to thank True Sake for their excellent service. I placed an online order for a sake which is delicate and can be affected by shipment. True Sake made sure I was aware of this situation before shipment so that expectations could be understood. They shipped it just fine. I am so glad to get this sake. To me it is the best I've ever had. True Sake is an excellent business with great customer service.

This was a little gem to stop at. I wasn't even intending to buy sake, but when I saw the little store, something told me to stop by. And I'm glad I did, I needed to buy a house warming gift and this was perfect. I know my scotch and wine, but beyond the three levels of sake defined by the extent of the rice polishing, I'm at a loss. The woman at the store (I'm mad I forgot her name!) was a huge help. She asked my questions akin to what a sommelier would ask. I wasn't able to try the sake she recommended, but I'm sure it was good. Highly recommend this place.

True Sake claims to be the lst sake centric store in the U.S. it's a small shop filled with 150+ varietals of premium sake, mostly Japan sourced. (junmai, junmai ginjo, junmai daiginjo). parking isn't easy in the area. weekends worst than weekdays, obviously. online shopping available. inventory viewable online. worthwhile exploring if in area. making it a sole destination may be very time consuming, visited store a while ago. pre yelp days. was a fan 20+ years ago when i discovered it at same time a discovered sashimi/japanese food. mid level sake grades may be more satisfying than high end ones. the nuanced flavors at the high end may not be easily discernable by novice sake drinkers.

I'm so glad there're a sake shop in the bay area with such knowledgeable staff and great selection. Mei was especially helpful for my holiday order when I gave them a call, recommending specifics based on the occasion and price range. I came in under budget so I had to get myself a bottle of my favorite Yuzu Omoi ;)

I found out about this place through attending one of their sake days where I discovered several great tasting sake. Unfortunately I drank (and gave away some as gifts) all the bottles I ordered and decided to pick some more up at the store. The store had one employee (maybe she was the owner) and she didn't offer any help. I had to ask her for help even though we were the only customers at the time. She was cold and gave short answers like she wanted us out of there quick. She walked back to the cash register right after I asked my second question. Umm, I wasn't finished... After leaving the store (with a couple of sparkling sake because they are THAT good), me, my mom and friend agreed never to return after such an unwelcoming experience. The people who worked at the sake day event were so friendly that I was shocked that that customer service didn't translate to their physical store. I love supporting small businesses and went out of my way to come visit this shop (which is a 40 min drive for me to an area that's difficult to find parking) but being treated so rudely isn't cool.

After coming back from an Asia trip, I was hooked on Dassai 39 sake. I was so excited that there was a True Sake in the Bay Area. I had to stock up for my party. Mei was very helpful and got the order ready for my driver to pick up. There were no complaints. Guests were saying "Best sake ever." Then we opened a few bottles of the Dassai 23. Um, best new favorite.

I wanted to give this shop more than two stars but it doesn't deserve it. Each month, I look forward to receiving their newsletters. The owner seems to put a lot of care into writing the newsletters and the information demonstrates their knowledge of sake. Shopping for sake in the store is a different experience. The sale people are just that - they sale the products by ringing up the items and taking your money. These girls don't seem interested in sake, cannot answer questions, don't have any basic understanding of sake and are unable to make any recommendations. The shop has a lot of different types of sake, and it is very easy to shop if you know the basic of sake, but is edifficult to explore or try new things because the sale people are not helpful.

We are half way throught he 6 bottles they recommended. So far all have been delicious.

Do not be intimidated by sake. Chris and Chika will make you feel comfortable and ensure you leave with some delicious sake selections. Not only are they knowledgeable about the sake, but Chris' suggestion for food pairing was spot on as well. They are very kind and more than willing to walk newbies through a scrumptious sake experience and will help veterans try new and exciting brews. 11/10, True Sake, and more importantly their staff, are a gem.

Want to learn more about sake? Step 1: Take a trip to Takara Sake Museum. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/WgtdWUN689E9U79es8zeVQ) Step 2: Go to True Sake. Step 3: Attend Sake tasting events hosted by True Sake. We are so lucky to have a store like True Sake in San Francisco. Most of us are unskilled taster of sake, but wouldn't it be cool if we could tell good sake from bad? True Sake is a good place to start, MAYBE THE ONLY store in the area where a knowledgeable staff could help you get educated about sake. Don't go to Nijiya and ask one of the bright blue people the differences between Tokubetsu Junmai and Junmai Ginjo. Cheaper to buy sake at Asian grocery stores? I trust that True Sake did their own research to verify that they are the first sake shop in the U.S. However, they are not the first store to sell a good selection of sake, as you could find a pretty good selection of sake in Asian grocery stores that has been around for years. There is not a clear cut answer to which store has the best selection at the cheapest prices. They all have their unique selection of bottles that others do not have. For example, stores like Marina Food (http://www.yelp.com/biz/XaP48HqsDlwbM5jvqRl6vQ) and May Wah (http://www.yelp.com/biz/GOBChLG2VZDk2nK-RftPIA) has pretty good selections. A Japanese grocery store like Nijiya also has a decent line up and tends to have the cheapest prices for ones bottled in the U.S. True Sake seems to know this and tend to recommend bottles that are not offered in other stores. Why is the message from Takara and True Sake different? While they both want to promote sake, you have to understand their agenda. Takara wants to promote California Sake made from California Rice. True Sake looks to sell imported sake from Japan and does not want to promote $6 Californian Sake. They have a high rent to pay in Hayes Valley! I am not sure if I should write about a little secret in their newsletter, so let me just say --- READ THEIR ONLINE NEWSLETTER - all the way to the end.

I'm not going to break ANY ground with my review - BUT! Check out my photos. What a cool place! This is a store that is devoted to Sake. It's all they do, and they do it REALLY REALLY well. I could spend a few hours in this store learning - and they are also REALLY good at that too. All of the Sake has good, uniform review standards that tell you what you need to know. They also have a super staff who are good at talking about their wares. Cheap...? Ha ha ha. But then, I have no sense of the Sake market. I would recommend going to this store solely to see their visual merchandising. Whoever is responsible deserves a super-big-time high-five. Wow. Stunning. Great window displays, too. Just plain beautiful. Tips: They have a monthly newsletter. It's worth signing up for because there are some deals to be had. They also have some single-serving Sake, which seems like a good way to explore.

Respect for maintaining such a singular focus. It's great to have a store that offers a wide spectrum of sakes, teaches its customer about sake, and stores and handles sakes with care and respect. Their support for the sake industry and efforts to promote sake on the whole are admirable. They're experts and they're never pushy. A local gem.

They have one of the biggest sake collections I've seen. The shop is physically small, but they carry a lot of stuff, and their whole selection is visible online. There were two sakes we had from our tasting at Omakase that we really liked, and they had both: - Dewazakura Dewasansan "Primal Strength" - lighter, hint of apple - Kokuryu Junmai Ginjo "Black Dragon" - good with food Both were in the ~$40 price range at the shop. As far as I could tell, prices seemed fair, especially as the only other place I've found these sakes in the bay area is at restaurants, which mark it up a lot more. Parking can be a little tricky for pick up. They do deliver for a fee.

This review is for picking up during Covid. My experience today was amazing. True Sake has a wide range of sakes and their customer service is really helpful. I went to pick up my 6 drinks today and let slip that it was my birthday. True Sake was generous and gifted me a present. Thank you so much for a lovely birthday. My go-to place for sale after today!

Why this place is called "true sake"? Cuz they sell luxurious imported from Japan famous sake breweries here. Such as Masumi/Miyasaka, Dewasakura, Kokuryu, and Hoyo. From rice polished junmai, Ginjo, daiginjo, Nama (unpasteurized) & other speciality sake.. All these brands are in Japanese owned restaurants or Japanese fusion restaurants from their drink list.. What I got here was: Masumi "okuden kantsukuri" -Taste like marshmallow, lightly rice sweet, but after drinking the whole bottle, ur head will hurt cuz it's junmai. Masumi "nanago" -Sommelier will never get any orgasm from this bottle. It's Pretty famous & even tho it's daiginjo but it's not natural, it's light like sake & alcohol taste. Masumi "yumedono" -Delicate, lightly fragranced, taste like luxurious elegant light sake, like if u are drinking with an ugly guy, without him trying to please u, u r already pleased! Masumi "Arabashiri ". -this one any non sake drinker will love it cuz it makes u feel like "heaven".it's fresh sake, without temperature going thru, my favorite one. It taste sweet with a hint of vodka personality in it. Dewasakura "ichiro" -hella impressive taste, makes me unforgettable on this bottle!

Really impressed by the selections of sake they offer! I was trying to find this yuzu sake from my favorite japanese restaurant for the longest time and I was so glad to see it's selling here! Will definitely be back for more!

I've always passed by this sake store on Hayes, but never stopped in. I wanted to buy sake as a gift, so I visited today. I expressed interest in their Nigori sake and there was a very helpful and insightful employee who pulled all the different options for me and took the time to explain the differences, story, and his personal opinion of each one. Super helpful without being pushy. They are also operating very COVID safe - I couldn't go into the actual shop, but there was a window open so they could help me with whatever I needed without having to enter the shop. Very happy with my purchases and to support this local, unique gem!

If you're looking for good sake in SF--come here! They have a variety of sake both import and local. I joined their newsletter since I enjoy some variety. I will be enjoying buying from this store for a good while. Much love.

I have never updated a review before and this is my first. I wouldn't go out of my way to change a rating but these people did a lot to show me they care about their customers. If you read my old review I wasn't treated very nicely and the owner actually read and apologized to me! Not only did he do that, he also sent me a complementary bottle of sake in a very cute package. I really appreciate the effort they had to go through. Regardless of this gift, I still planned to go back to this shop. It was a very generous gift and I don't want to feel like I was bribed to give them another star. The only reason why I docked the star in the first place was because of bad customer service and now they get it back. You can see for yourself they've got plenty of good ratings. The star was not only because of the bottle but because of the thought and effort. Thank you true sake!

Great shop with friendly staff and a wealth of information about sake. Descriptive tags on almost every bottle with a wide range of reasonable pricing. Fun stop on our recent trip to San Francisco. Special thanks to Chris for all his help and expert knowledge ! Good luck to the shop. Just another great stop on Hayes street.

Great customer service, Mei and Saki quickly called and email to help resolve a mistake I made when placing an order.

True Sake is truly one of its kind. It claims to be the first sake stores in USA that retails Japanese sake, and aren't we lucky to live close to one? Of course you can buy japanese sake at your local japanese super market such as Marukai, Nijiya and Mitsuwa. However, their choices are extremely limited. Ever been to a japanese restaurants and they serve japanese sake that you can't find in those supermarket? Well you are in luck because True Sake might be able to help you. Coming back from Japan, one of the thing I missed the most is their sake. In this store, they organize sake in multiple way. Most of their sake has description of taste note, dryness, sweetness, what should the sake pair with. The staffs are extremely helpful, you may ask them to suggest your next sake adventure. It's not a big store, but it's packed with treasures.

Highly recommend this sake store if you like sake or if you're just a beginner! I'm not really someone who is into sake or alcohol in general, but I came here to find a sake for my friend. The staff were very helpful and knowledgable! They also have an option to order online and pick up in store. I don't think they are letting people inside right now due to covid, but they meet you at the door and have an iPad to show people recommendation or to help navigate the website.

True Sake is, as advertised, America's first sake retailer and their level of acumen and expertise is priceless. First of all, some sake you can find at cheaper prices at K&L, BUT obviously specialty stores such as this (even your wine store) have the advantage in selection & knowledge/expertise. For people beginning their journey in any foreign good, the expertise is incredibly important to cultivate an understanding and in this case, flavor palate. That being said, I've been coming here for almost 2 years now on & off and have learned so much from KJ & Mei about sake, the former recommending me books to expand my knowledge. Most importantly they've gotten a sense of my flavor palate and can help direct me to sake I like, as well as helping me select more adventurous, out of the ordinary, or celebratory selections. Monthly newsletters are great ways to keep informed about updates, new releases, and seasonal sake that are very limited. Service, in my experience, has always been incredibly helpful and patient. This is a gem of a store and is a very important resource for anyone looking to learn about sake or those with a developed palate looking for more niche selections.

As a fan of just about everything Japanese I started getting serious about Sake a few years ago. I don't remember how I stumbled across True Sake, but I'm glad that I did. The owner Beau is an expert in all things Sake. He has written a book that is very helpful and informative. It's easy to get confused about the different types of Sake. What is a Nigori, what's the difference between a Ginjo and a Junmai Ginjo? Beau's book will help you out with this kind of stuff. Unfortunately Beau isn't in the shop all that much, but his employees Miwa and Lynette are also very knowledgable and helpful. Plus it helps that Lynette is HELLA cute. I'd go there just to look at her pretty face. Anyway, one of the really cool things about True Sake is that they list all of their Sake's SMV, or sweetness level on their website. I tend to like the sweeter Sake's so being able to see the numbers helps me to make a decision regarding a Sake I might not have tried before. Beau will also make recommendations for you based on the type of wine or beer you like to drink. Very cool. True Sake also ships so you don't even have to trek to the city to partake of their offerings!

WTH, I thought I wrote a great review but I guess not. Anyways this place is a small but clean Sake place and they know their Sake! You can purchase online but why pay shipping when you can just roll in and pick it up to go...............Oh but I forgot I don't live up North, dain it. Anyways I try to come by when I am in the area to pick up my favorite Sake Hakkaisan Hakkai Mountain, this baby is smooth and very good when chilled. I highly recommend it to any Sake drinker. I like their displays and just the overall vibe of the place is good. The first time here which was sometime ago now the staffer was very knowledgeable even though I already had in mine what I wanted. I picked her brain and it was fine pickings, whatever that means. I ended up getting Yuzu Omoi for a friend and Kikusui Chrysanthemum Water for another friend.

I love this place! I decided to check out this place tonight and met a really cute guy that works there and he's so knowledgeable about sakes ! He recommended this beautiful blue glass sake that goes well with grilled veggies! I went straight home and he's right, the taste is light and the sweetness was settle and perfect. Definitely coming back !

This place needs to close later, or at least 30 minutes later. Twice I have come here just after it closes. I bet a lot of people like me that have a dinner will pick up alcohol/spirits at the last minute. This time I made it in minutes before it closed. Keiko (I think that was her name) accosted me and asked me if she could help. I told her I was looking for sake that an avid sake drinker would like. I blurted the only sake I knew, "Kubota" and off we went. What started at Kubota Senjyu ended up on the other spectrum. I was firing many questions at her one right after another, and she replied politely with great diction (albeit with some unsureness). I liked how she didn't at like those snobby wine buffs, but described each sake in laymen's terms. I had some basic sake knowledge, but she advised me on what were the good options in each type, and what I expect to taste (the cards helped too). One oversight was the dates on the unpasteurized sakes where she and the card claimed two months expiration when the bottling date was already four months old. Keiko quickly replied that it should be six, but I had my doubts until she said she just bought a bottle. Later I found it was excellent after all, and I could taste the apple she mentioned! I bought two total one for my friend and the another for my dinner party. Keiko did not rush me out the door, in fact she spent a good 30 mins after closing to help me decide. I also found out through some prying that she is new, and for the past two weeks she tried many sakes and understand the nuances of each. Seems that they rigorously train their new hires. Excellent. Finally, this place has reasonable prices for sake. There were some that I knew went up in price (Kubota Senjyu). Perhaps it was a new shipment with a more recent bottling date? I am not sure, but I get the feeling the prices go down when the sake has been on the shelf for a while. They still taste good sakes, due to the refrigeration of most. Summarize: Great selection, excellent customer service, reasonable prices. What more could you want?

Okay, it's a little intimidating when you know nothing about sake and you walk in wanting to pick up something absolutely perfect for dinner. It's even harder when it's wall to wall sake and you are just in awe of the amount of alcohol in the room. Thankfully the staff knows their stuff, I was a little shy about describing what I like, after all, what the hell do I know about sake? But they suggested a few and we picked up 3 based on their recommendations, and they were all excellent and very likable in their own way. What a store. I can't wait to come back. To quote Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai: "SAKEEEE!!!"

What a cool concept! I have never seen or heard of a sake shop, so I was already impressed with the concept alone. What made things even better was that the lady was incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and patient. All of these qualities were very important considering that there was floor to ceiling sake all around me, and I was completely clueless. I went in looking for something special for my husband, and I really did know much about sake or his preferences, besides the fact that he loves hot sake and that I'd heard him describe his favorite sakes as crisp and smooth. So, I asked questions, browsed, asked more questions, then browsed some more, and asked questions once more. The lady was just so full of knowledge, so enthusiastic, and very honest about her own preferences, which was incredibly helpful. There were fruity sakes, floral sakes, crisp sakes, and even earthy and savory sakes. Earthy sake, who knew? In my head I was like, "This is the picture of my mind being BLOWN!" On the outside, I kept my cool and continued to browse. Meanwhile, I gave myself a mental pat on the back because I was certain that I was about to get my husband an awesome gift! Yes! I am being a good wife, and it's a great feeling! Even as a non-drinker, I sincerely had fun in this place. I learned so much and enjoyed doing it. Sake, sake everywhere! Little sake, big sake, clear sake, blue sake, cheap sake, fine sake, sweet sake, savory sake, even sake aged in whiskey barrels! Who knew sake was this cool?! Prices ranged from about $5 to over $200, so even if you're broke as a joke, you can still buy a cool sake gift, even one with a built-in souvenir glass. I wonder if this place does events in which they sell flights for people to try different sakes. That would be awesome if they do. Anyway, definitely check this place out. What a cool, charming little spot to have in your neighborhood. If you're like me and aren't as lucky to have one in your neighborhood, they deliver, but only to certain states. Richmonders, VA is one of them! $100 to free shipping! I smell a sake buying pool!

What a cute place! The cedar ball outside letting you know the sake is ready starts your experience of a true sake shop off right. The people who work here are friendly and very knowledgeable, leading customers around and helping them pick out sake. The selection is huge with sake that's chilled, some that's not, big bottles, little bottles- you name it. Cute place and I appreciate the work the owner has put into it.

Love this place! I bought a copy of Beau Timken's (store owner) book "Sake: A Modern Guide" years ago and have been an admirer of his love of sake. I walked by this store all the time, but always felt intimidated to go in because it looked like one of those high-end, overpriced hipster places. But I finally did recently and I'm glad I did. They have the best variety of sakes in the Bay Area from regional to seasonal ones. Sake is expensive and it's expensive here as well. However, they're not that much more than other places. In fact, when I asked the store clerk for a recommendation in the $30 range, she guided me to plenty of options. In fact, she recommended some seasonal sake that were on sale and surprisingly cheaper than most generic brands that you find anywhere. The store itself is beautiful. The interior decorating is superb and the products are laid out nicely, almost like art. If you're a newbie to sake, then this is a store where you can learn more.

I'm not one for sake, but the bf loves it here and we stop in whenever we're in the neighborhood. The selection seems great for such a small shop and the service is excellent and welcoming, which is what you'd hope for such a niche concept.

Great sake is a real treat and the beauty is buying the best doesn't cost all that much. I was so happy to find this gem on Hayes Street. Very pretty store displaying a huge collection of sakes most with detailed reviews written by the owner. Definitely check this place out.

Don't let the small store fool ya. Hard to find sake...you can find it here. I love sparkling sake and the boyfriend likes unfiltered ones...so one stop shop for us. Can't beat the prices! Seriously you feel like you're paying wholesale prices. Went to Vegas (see review for The Grand Wok) and ordered sparkling sake for $30 a bottle, 300ML. Same exact bottle @ True Sake for $14! Staff's very casual yet professional + they know what they're talking about.

First off, do not get frustrated about the parking. After trying to find parking for about 15 minutes we called the store and we were told to just double park out front and they will watch our car. Problem solved now on to sake wonderland. Amazing selection.Helpful staff. sake is displayed so it is so easy to find something which may suit your palate. When we return to the east coast we have no chance of finding anything remotely resembling this place. Sake in our area means a few bottles stuck in the corner of a wine store usually only suitable for cooking. This place is the epicenter of sake in the western world. Thank you Beau!!!