Wabi-Sabi SF at Soma
Japanese restaurant · South of Market ·
11-piece nigiri tasting, deluxe chirashi, and 49ers roll
11-piece nigiri tasting, deluxe chirashi, and 49ers roll
"Wabi-Sabi is a 12-seat sushi bar in SoMa with an incredible $49 moriawase that gets you 11 pieces of impeccably seasoned nigiri like buttery salmon with lemon zest and tender butterflied shrimp. Sure, wasabi and soy sauce are offered, but there’s no need for it. Make sure to also order any kind of uni that you spot on the specials board." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong
"Technically, Wabi-Sabi serves a moriawase, but it’s such a fantastic deal that it felt right to put this SoMa sushi bar in this guide. For $49, you’ll get a lineup of 11 pieces of perfectly seasoned nigiri that don’t require any detours to a cup of soy sauce and wasabi (plus you’ll usually get a bonus piece or two). To get closer to that omakase experience, nab one of the four bar seats to chat with the chefs." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong
"Wabi-Sabi is a tiny sushi spot with a lot going on. Chefs work just steps away from your plate, assembling pristine nigiri while waitstaff field takeout orders and phone calls. It’s hectic, but the $49 moriawase—a rotating 11-piece set that’s often upgraded with a bonus bite or two—is one of the best sushi deals in SF. Grab a bar seat and hope for salmon with lemon zest or a shiso and amberjack combo." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
"At Wabi-Sabi, $49 gets you a fantastic 11-nigiri moriawase, oftentimes with a bonus piece or two. The pre-set tasting changes often, but count yourself lucky if you get a piece of buttery salmon showered in lemon zest or the smoky black snapper. While this tiny sushi spot doesn't offer much for atmosphere, you can't find a better deal for a sushi tasting anywhere else in the city." - julia chen 1, patrick wong
"You’re in the middle of it all at Wabi-Sabi. The 12-seat dining room shares the same tiny space as the open kitchen. A meal at this cramped SoMa Japanese restaurant is far from relaxing, but it’s entirely worth it for their consistently impeccable sushi. To see the full array of their raw fish mastery, go with the moriawase. The $49 pre-set selection comes with 11 pieces of nigiri—an unbeatable deal in SF—and will often include a bonus piece or two and some fruit to end the meal. Small plates like the gyoza aren’t on the same tier as the sushi and only worth getting if you’re extra hungry. Wabi-Sabi runs a high-volume takeout operation, so there’s usually at least one free seat anytime on weekdays, but on weekends, call ahead and make a reservation. photo credit: Melissa Zink Food Rundown Moriawase The selection of fish changes near daily, but you’re guaranteed nigiri that are so well-seasoned that even one extra dab of soy sauce or smear of wasabi would throw them off-balance. For your sake, we hope they have the salmon with lemon zest and the amberjack with a hit of shiso. And if you see uni on their specials board, order it immediately. photo credit: Melissa Zink Gyoza The moriawase is plenty, but if you think you’ll need a bit more, the chicken gyoza are fine to fill in any gaps. Otherwise, you can skip this. photo credit: Patrick Wong" - Patrick Wong
