Ebisu

Great place and fantastic service! Ebisu is certainly one of my favorite dinner places near Golden Gate Park.

Ebisu is the best sushi you can get, ive been a loyal customer since esa, eric, tommy and george worked there, freindly staff the owners are wonderful and welcoming, i never get a table, we always sit at the bar and order straight from there, chep roll, spicy tuna handroll with habanero and dinasour feet are delicious, if you really like seafood get a seafood salad spicy with a side of rice. If and IF your lucky get some albacore toro with ponso sauce. Best sushi EVER. My mouth is watering just writing this

I’ve always like this place. I grew up in the Sunset and have been here plenty of times but it’s been years since I actually stepped in this place until yesterday. It was nice to see that they remodeled the place. My son and I stepped in about 20 minutes prior to closing so they were in a rush to get us in and out of there. They have a great selection of rolls and prices are reasonable. Since I’m with child, I stayed away from raw fish and ordered cooked sushi rolls. I ordered a salmon teriyaki bento box for my son.
The rolls are well made and service is fast and efficient. I can’t wait til I can try their entire menu again. I usually give my son some apple juice but they didn’t have any type of juice to serve for kiddos which was a pain. I will definitely return soon!

I was really torn whether to give this place 3 or 4 stars, I’d probably give this place a 3.6 rating so I guess it’s closer to 4 stars. Today we got a chance to try this place due to the fact that there was no wait (it’s a Wednesday night if you’re wondering).
Anyhow, once seated I ordered the makese (the $ 50 one that’s supposed to feed 3 – 4 people) which I split with a friend, my fiancé got the grilled mackerel, we also got a spicy tuna roll, an alaskan roll, an appetizer made out of baked salmon and scalop, and a tempura shrimp handroll.
Soooo the quality on the makese sashimi was above avarage, I wouldn’t say superb but definitely above avarage, the frustrating thing about the makese was the fact that it said it’s good for 3 – 4 people, psh yea right (2 of us split it) we were still hungry after we finished it so we ordered more smh. As far as the rolls go, the fish quality was good but the roll itself fell apart and it wasn’t a fluke they all did.
Would I come back here? Mmmm maybe to try a chirashi, however I definitely feel this place is somewhat overpriced.

Thanks for accommodating our large table of 7 in such a tiny place. Their max group they allow is 8 people. Although we ordered a little extra sides that never came, the staff was great! Our waitress knew what she was serving and when we asked for a speciality, she knew what to do!
I’m just happy I got my hamachi jalapeño.

Hands down one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in the city.
Let’s get some of the cons out of the way: the place is small. Very small. The tables are all placed very close together and the bar space feels a bit cramped as well.
And naturally, with such high quality food, there’s going to be a huge wait. Luckily, there are some pretty great shops and cafes in the area that you can bide some time :)
Now for the food: as I mentioned, the fish is incredibly fresh and definitely high quality. The food is carefully prepared in both presentation and finesse. The sushi and sashimi are the stars of the show, so definitely get a plate or two to share amongst your group
For the rolls, I would recommend the 49ers roll and the family affair. For sashimi, I prefer the salmon (who doesn’t) and the hamachi.
It’s a bit pricey, but well worth the quality you’re gonna get. The owners are also incredibly sweet – a nice married couple that you can see working the front and in the kitchen :)

A w e s o m e
Came here randomly and we were not disappointed! Really cute interior, really really friendly service. :) Even though we were the last ones in the restaurant (oops) they did not rush us and were really kind and friendly. I definitely want to come back again!
And the food… wow!
— Salmon Sashimi= SO FRESH! So good!!! Beats any of the regular sushi places I go to, by far. I’d give 6 stars if I could!
— Miso Soup= So refreshing, not salty and overbearing at all
— Fried Chicken Wings appetizer = REALLY really good. Very simple but still very flavorful and delicious!
— Family Affair roll = wow. SO delicious. Really really fresh, really delicious. Wowwie!
We got one more roll (it was a house special), but cannot remember what it was called. It was really fresh and delicious too~ but the Family Affair roll really outshined it.
Really loved it here! Please come check it out! :)

Ebisu has become my new go-​to guilty delivery pleasure.
When I want to treat myself — I like to order the 49er roll and Dragon Roll from Ebisu and I hungrily anticipate my carb-​y order via Postmates.
Ebisu’s fish is excellent and their presentation is lovely.
The 49er Roll is comprised of Salmon, Lemon, Avocado, Tobiko and Shiso. The Salmon is divine and buttery — and the flavor is further accentuated by the ornate thin lemon slice upon each piece.
The Dragon Roll is comprised of Unagi, Kanikama, Avocado, Tenpura Shrimp and Cucumber. The flavor is definitely sweeter than the 49er roll — but it’s just as decadent and worth trying. Though I usually try to avoid rolls with fried vegetables or fish — the Dragon Roll is worth the grease.
I am not a fan of lines — so it’s been years since I’ve actually dined in at Ebisu. If you have a similar aversion to lines — but crave well prepared fresh sushi and Japanese food — get your delivery on from Ebisu.
Trust.

We came around 5:45 on a Saturday night and the restaurant was already filled with about a 30min wait. The space is small, but turn around was quick. The crowd seemed to die down after 7:30PM, so later may actually be better.
We ordered the 49er roll, which I enjoyed, along with a selection of our favorite nigiris. Fish was fresh, service was quick, no complaints. It was definitely good, but I’m not sure it’s worth the hype.
One tip is to take public transportation /​über /​lyft as parking is so difficult in this area! My bf took longer to park than it took for me to wait to get a seat.

+ THE FOOD
HANDS DOWN best salmon sashimi I’ve ever had! I had a half order of the salmon sashimi, half order of the octopus sashimi, and the asari miso. The salmon was so fresh and the texture simply melted in my mouth. I definitely wish I ordered more of this. The octopus was a bit too tough for me to chew on. Even though it was really thinly sliced already, they natural texture of the octopus was really tough but it had great flavors nonetheless. The asari miso was delicious but I thought there would be a stronger flavor. I also tried some of my friend’s cold tofu appetizer and it came in such large portions! I would have preferred eating the agedashi tofu instead since the cold tofu fell apart easily.
— THE PRICES
Prettttty dang expensive. The salmon sashimi came to be $ 2/​piece as it was $ 8 for a half order. The other appetizers were decently priced around $ 4 – 5. The sashimi was definitely worth the price but I wouldn’t be coming to this place every week because I can’t afford it!

I’ve never had such an experience before… Let me fill you in :)
Despite the wait, my friends and I were able to get the much coveted seats at the bar. We also enjoyed quick and attentive service from both the sushi chefs and the waiters. Everyone is so friendly here! My friend recommended a lot of dishes to try out because she’s been to the place many times before.
We started off with the Hamachi Toro, the Salmon Toro, and the Monkfish Liver. WOW. The Hamachi Toro was my favorite of the night, because it was such a smooth texture and fresh flavor. I felt like my mind was blown, it was so good, like I’ve never had anything like it. Mind you, I’ve had my fair share of rolls and just begun my Chirashi mission at Japanese restaurants…
The monkfish liver was by far something that surprised me. My friend described this dish to me as something like foie gras, but from monkfish. It tasted like caviar! With a super subtle hint of lemon as well. I would order this again!
We also got mussels, which were good as well, and it came out as a soup, and there are so many mussels! WORTH. The broth was also very flavorful, a bit of spice to it but not overpowering at all, very well seasoned.
We got a couple more dishes as well, but I unfortunately can’t remember their names :(But let me tell you, it’s so refreshing to find such a gem. I haven’t ventured out to the Sunset area too much, but I will definitely be returning again!
I’ll be dreaming of that Hamachi Toro, yum!

My boyfriend got me take out from here– we got two things 1) Romeo and Juliet and the other 2) a family affair. The fish was SO fresh. They also give plenty of wasabi which is perfect ! I got the sushi 20 min later and it was amazing !! I’m going to for sure come and eat in one day!!!

Maybe we just came on an off night. The fish just seemed off. Like it was pre-​frozen.
We ordered the seaweed salad, salmon sashimi, poke roll and double yellowtail roll. All of it was good except the salmon. The salmon was really gummy/​rubbery, not buttery like it should be. This was a disappointment because salmon sashimi is my go to — by far my favorite.
I’ll have to this place again the next time I visit. Pics below.

Two years after my first visit, Ebisu continues to be fantastic.
After parking in the street, I wandered in at 11:30 AM when things weren’t too busy yet and got a table without a reservation. Score! Sipped on some very hot tea and decided to order the sake toro nigiri, the aji nigiri, the double hamachi, and for old times’ sake, the 49er.
Every single piece of sushi was incredibly delicious, with fish that just melted in my mouth. The sake toro was fatty and satisfying, and the lemon and salmon combination of the 49er was very refreshing. I clearly remember thinking, oh my god, this is what sushi should be like all the time, and my boyfriend said that Ebisu had effectively ruined other sushi for him.
Overall, a must-​visit for any sushi enthusiasts in San Francisco.

Let me first start off by saying that every sushi aficionado is entitled to his/​her opinion on what the best sushi place is…
That said, I have found incontrovertible proof that, in my honest opinion, Ebisu is perhaps the best sushi experience I have had thus far. To make things short and simple, here are my 7 paths to Nirvana that I experienced.
# Path 1: First Impressions
Because of budget constraints, I have never really taken the time to explore fancy sushi restaurants, so I am not well versed in the vibe of what a true sushi bar looks like. But stepping into Ebisu, I felt like I was in another world. Immediately after you step across the lavender curtains, you will feel like you have crossed into another part of SF that you have never seen before. On top of the aroma of tempura and the lovely interior décor (i think they recently remodeled), I felt right at home.
The menu is very lengthy and exquisite. Don’t be turned off by the prices (it’s not that bad), and but be turned ON by the wide selection of sashimi, rolls, appetizers, etc. After a long debate with my friend, we ordered the Okasame, Toro (albacore belly), Family Affair, and Romeo and Juliet. Now, here goes…
# Path 2: Okasame.
In Japanese, Okasame means «I’ll leave it to you,» which is a fine and beautiful name. The Okasame, is basically a chef’s selection of sashimi for you and possibly another person to eat. My friend and I got the $ 25 one, which included, halibut, skipjack, escolar, tuna, salmon, hamachi (I think that’s all?). It’s definitely safe to say that each one had its one unique, fresh, flavor that I have never experienced before at any sushi bar/​restaurant. The hamachi and escolar in particular were very fatty and mouthwateringly delicious (melts in your mouth).
# Path 3: Toro
OMY, THIS IS THE ONE. Even though this one was a bit pricy, YOU HAVE TO GET THIS ONE. Sometimes it’s not offered or they’re out, but ask! The taste, texture, and everything in between is too hard to describe, so please do yourself a favor and check it. You get two pieces, so share with a friend!
# Path 4: Family Affair
First of all, I usually don’t get rolls (yuck, California), but the descriptions on Ebisu’s menu, on top of their fancy names, caught my eye. The Family Affair –Tuna, Avocado, Albacore, Maui Onions, Negi, Tobiko and Spicy Aioli– was definitely something I have never experienced before. So many flavors in one!!!
# Path 5: Romeo and Juliet
Can it get better? YES. Romeo and Juliet-​Scallop, Salmon, Avocado, Tobiko and Japanese Mayo– definitely stole the show for us. With every mouthwatering bite, you not only taste the soft, fatty, texture of the salmon, but you also experience the chewy goodness of scallop. That… plus the mayo!
# Path 6: The Atmosphere
If you ever have the opportunity to sit at the sushi bar, make like Shia Labeauf and DO IT. I had my initial hesitations about sitting at the bar (less quiet), but it’s safe to say we had a blast. Our chef (forgot his name :() was so funny, kind, and everything in between. He answered any questions that we had and made our time a memorable one! And next to us was a funny drunk couple who was served by Sazuki, apparently a sushi chef who rivals that of Jiro. We’re definitely checking him out next time.
# Path 7: The generosity.
However, what really made our experience was the generosity and kindness of our chef. Seeing that we were curious about a lot of the items, he generously let us try some! For example, we got to sample this roll (i forgot the name omg) but best yet, he let us try Sazuki’s famous kobe beef. Even though we only had a small slice, I think I was in heaven haha.
Overall, this place is THE PLACE that I have been looking forward to. Maybe you have found better, but I honestly had a blast and felt really bad leaving. In the end, the total was about 69 (add another 13 or so for tip), which was a lot less than my WTP (I was thinking it’d be 100). But check this out yourself.
Eat well and prosper my friends,

I’m coming here again.
As you enter underneath some blinds, you enter a sleek, Japanese décor with wooden tables and a long Sushi bar. Multiple sushi chefs behind the counter, and you see an elder Japanese sushi master joking with patrons… You know you got to be in for some good fish. Chalk board behind the chef shows their fishes of the day and their specials.
Service is friendly and quick. A little crammed in terms of table space, but that’s OK, it means they can fit more people in, and you’ll probably get seated faster.
For rolls: had the poke, family affair, chef’s special, louisiana hotlink
Nigiri: Sake Toro Salmon Belly
Appe: Kakuni
Everything was excellent, fish tasted fresh and of high caliber. As they say on the menu, these guys are legit. The chefs are trained superbly, and know the right amounts and combination of ingredients to place in everything. They even tell you to dip the fish in the soy sauce, not the rice. If that isn’t legit, I don’t know what is.
Favorite roll that we had: Family Affair.
If you want extra indulgence, you gotta do the kakuni. Awwwww so tender. The sweet potato purée adds the right balance to the fatty kakanu.
In summary, I’m coming here again. And you should too.

AMAZING! My fiancé has been going here for 30 years and we had to stop by while we were in SF visiting his mom. Suzuki San is an amazing sushi chef and gave us amazing sushii. This is what we had for dinner:
Albacore Toro (MY FAVORITE– so buttery and fresh, love the toppings he added)
Maguro
Hamachi Toro
Halibut Cheeks and fin
Geoduck (skewered and lightly grilled with leeks)
Amaebi
Fried Ebi head
Unagi
Iwashi
49’er Roll
It was a lot of food for 3 people– we left there, stuffed, and super happy. I can’t wait to eat there again. MUST get here early and get your name on the waiting list. Otherwise, it’s a lonnnng wait.

Finally! Fantastic sashimi!!!
Every piece was wonderfully fresh and delicious. I worked my way through each fish and picked a favorite. The next time through I had a different favorite. And yet again the third time through. Each and every fish on the plate was fantastic. And for the first time I did not mix the wasabi in the soy sauce. Instead I placed a small dab on each piece before eating.
Seriously, the sashimi was so delectable it needed nothing. Soy sauce wasn’t necessary.
Parking is very difficult, but the location is great. Just outside Golden Gate Park, so arrive early, find a great spot in the park and enjoy nature for a while. Then take a walk to Ebisu and have a memorable meal.

Solid sushi place! The bf and I came here for an early bday dinner, and was seated at the sushi bar after a 15 min wait.
BE WARNED: this place is CRAMPED. They utilized every single inch of this place. The sushi bar definitely had no elbow room whatsoever.
We sat in front of the sashimi chef Kevin, who was very insistent in serving us items and recommending items for us. Our sushi bar bill grew and grew. Luckily we didn’t mind and enjoyed many of the things he insisted that we needed. If you are aset on not spending too much and only want a few things, I would recommend sitting at a table!
For the food: everything we tried was absolutely great! The sashimi salad (poke) and the live scallop were definite standouts in my book. The grilled calamari and the pink cadillac are both items I could’ve done without. Both were a bit on the dry side.

I have passed by this place many times and my friend finally just told me we had to go. I guess it’s kinda weird that I went in wanting sushi but fell in love with the miso soup. I had the deluxe combo and the spicy tuna. The combo was pretty good. Spicy tuna was very seasoned. But I just wanted more of that miso!
Me and my friend sat at the bar. The wait time for two was not too bad. We grabbed menus so we could decide what we wanted while we waited. A lot of items on the menu are lunch only, so I feel like we missed out a bit since we came for dinner.
The customer service is great. The sushi chef at the bar was really friendly. There was a small mistake on our bill but it was promptly corrected. Overall, a good experience. I would like to come back for lunch sometime.

Superbe bon!
Ambiance relaxe et calme.
Un vrai delice… Essayez les sushi dragon… Un must!