Kamei Restaurant Supply

Great place to shop for all your kitchen needs. Possibly restaurant needs too. Definitely your home party needs would be met.
So many different varieties of dinnerware. Not just the «traditional» Chinese, either. They have a lot of clean modern style dinnerware.
Some pricy items but cheap compared to big fancy home catalog stores

Reason for visit: Why not!
Visit date: January 2, 2016
First time? No.
I believe I’ve waltzed into Kamei a few years back, but it had been so long that today was just like the first time. I was filled with awe as a perused the aisles and aisles of Japanese dishware. It was fun to imagine what pieces I would purchase if I was filling a new home or my very own café. They’ve got everything — the variety is kind of like an Ace Hardware. Be careful though — you break, you buy!

I love this place. Their prices are quite good (except sometimes) and their selection is great! Remember that you are at an Asian restaurant supply store — they have some very nice stuff that is cheaper than the stuff I schlepped home in my luggage from Japan (and it was cheap there) and then they have some things that you can get cheaper on Amazon or even at Ranch 99.
But if you know what you want, there is no better place. I’m getting ‘exotic’ xmas gifts there — the selection of very nice ceramic ware and lots of kitschy kids’ plates and cups and stuff is truly impressive.
In general, there are NO RETURNS. Do a little price shopping first — try Chinatown and Daiso & Soko Hardware in Japantown to see what things cost … and then get your whole dinner set here.

5 stars for dishes
— god forbid you need to return anything

It’s a kitchen paradise! What bargains! Everybody loves Kamei! So how come the smattering of poor ratings like this one? In my case, because they egregiously overcharged me, feigned ignorance, and then responded apathetically when confronted.
After various trips to acquire relatively inexpensive kitchen necessities, I decided to purchase a cast-​iron skillet. I assumed — incorrectly it turned out — that a store with this much inventory had better things to do than overcharge. So I left my brain switched off when the cashier asked me to confirm that I really did want to pay $ 62.99 for said skillet.
Two blocks later I was shown the identical skillet at another store for $ 33.99 by an astonished merchant. It’s even cheaper at Target, etc., but you already guessed as much. Having now lost face in front of the second shopkeeper, I had no choice but to trudge back to Kamei and return the skillet.
In the store’s defense, they didn’t quibble and even grudgingly offered me a cash refund amid mumbled pronouncements that it was against store policy so «this time only». But the «supervisor» refused to make eye contact with me the whole time, and even tried a feeble excuse of the pricing being set by a distributor. Not that I was expecting a competitive price match, but they could have been maybe a little contrite in the face of an 88% markup.
This experience made me feel like the fly in a spider’s web. Shame on me; I failed caveat emptor in style. At least anybody who bothers to read this may avoid my experience by knowing their prices before they go in.

Kitchens are real bastards, you know? They suck up your money, time and attention just as much as an illegitimate child, and God, do they keep growing. What for? Because you had a one night stand with Boef Bourginogne? Went a trysting with a hot pot of ramen? Got a little drunk and found your bed splattered with pasta sauce and a note from your roommates to PLEASE, NEVER DO THAT AGAIN? Like Bastards, they need time and care, and more and more stuff. After all, who wants a child unlearned in the art of falconry, or a kitchen lacking an automatic banana peeler/​apple corer?
Kamei is the Bastards’r’us of the kitchen supply world. You’ll find everything from the aforementioned «AS SEEN ON TV» craps to the highest quality stuff for your coming obsessions. Need a ten quart pot? They’ve got you covered. How about a couple of dozen knives? Knife section. Aisle nine. Scales, silverware, cutlery, utensils, pitchers, glassware, sake mugs? They’ve got an entire half store devoted to your whimsical needs. It’s overwhelming, to the point where describing their selection makes me feel like a late night TV personality with question marks on his suit.
The downside? To make your kitchen grow takes money, and although the prices are freakishly low at Kamei, it’s best to go in with a spending limit, lest the Bastard take over your credit rating AND your life.

Let’s get the most important point out of the way: Kamei does have a ginormous selection of kitchen wares and the prices ARE unbeatable. Beats Bed Bath and Beyond any day. Why I don’t give it five stars is because of the weird service. The staff jumps on you in a creepy uncomfortable way — not in an overeager «let me help» manner but as if I was planning on stealing some stuff and breaking the rest. Seriously the lady would not let me put a small box back on the shelf. On the upside, she did volunteer some information that prevented me from the wrong purchase and I am grateful for that. If they could just tone down the suspicious merchant act just a tad …

Most amazing store. You definitely don’t have to be in the restaurant business to love this store. They have everything. Need bath accessories? This is the place. Coffee filters? Of course. High quality white orchids, with buds? Not only the best, but the least expensive in town. Pots and pans. Dishes. Glassware. Umbrella stands. Baskets. Place mats. The only thing wrong is that you get so involved looking at the merchandise that you forget your parking meter. Highly recommended.

Large selection of kitchenware. I love going here and always have to make more room in my cabinets for all the goodies I bring home.

I’m an African American female and I like cheap housewares like anyone else. Last time I was shopping here I had a great experience and bought nearly $ 200.00 worth of stuff. Went back to look at some reusable chopsticks (and some other stuff) and this rude old man kept staring at me and coming back to «check» on me and the lousy assortment of $ 5 poorly made chopsticks. Left not buying anything because I felt uncomfortable and this idiot seemed fairly happy with himself for keeping an eye on «the thief» when in reality he just drove away a customer.

I love this place. They have everything you will ever need for a kitchen and at cheap prices. I could spend an hour just looking at tea cups.

I had a ramen party the other week and I realized I didn’t have enough bowls. After entering Kamei, I told myself I would only get myself bowls and tools that I absolutely needed for my homemade ramen. I went straight for the bowl section and I was not let down. They had a whole aisle full of bowls! Their selection was vast, and all the bowls ranged from 3 – 8 dollars.
They are fully stocked with almost any standard kitchen item you could think of. It would be easier to list the items they don’t have than the ones that they do. My suggestion is to make a list before going, otherwise you’ll end with an empty wallet.

I’m writing this with a very heavy heart. I’m not one to spend my time writing frivolous reviews or complaints about businesses, so I’ll make this as to the point as possible.
I live in the neighborhood and have been to this store a handful of times over the past 6 years, and about a year ago had my first negative incident when I was accidentally overcharged for an item. I went back in with the item and the receipt and let them know, and was told that since I didn’t bring back every single item (about 10 things), they couldn’t help me. I told them that I didn’t see how bringing back every item would’ve made a difference, since I had taken the price tags off of everything and started using most things. They told me they would have to review camera footage of me being rung up and then get back to me. About a week later, I received a voice message from them saying that after reviewing footage they determined that I was indeed overcharged for said item. I never went back in for the refund, but I took note of their way of doing business. Fast forward about 6 months, I purchased two wire mesh tea steepers; one for me and one that I intended to mail to my mom with some loose leaf teas. After using mine though, I saw that it didn’t stay closed. I tried tightening it and whatnot, but it would always pop open and dump everything in the cup. So next on my to do list was to exchange these two identical products for a pair that worked, and this is how it went:
Yesterday I walked into the store, making a careful point to be observed by the saleswoman at the front counter, and walking directly to her. I pulled the items out of my backpack and explained to her the problem. She was skeptical of them not working properly, even after I demonstrated the issue with the open one. She referred me to speak with her supervisor. He was helping a man for a while, so I waited in line. In this time I do believe I put the items back in my backpack, because I distinctly remember perusing facebook on my phone while waiting; which requires both of my hands. The supervisor got to me and after explaining the problematic item to him, he told me there was nothing he could do. I asked him again, disappointedly, if he was sure I couldn’t get store credit or exchange the product for one with a better design. He repeated that no I could not. I told him I didn’t understand, and he told me that their products are not guaranteed, so there’s nothing he can do. I told him that the way he did business lacked integrity. He didn’t say anything. So I sarcastically remarked how wonderful his place was and packed the crappy items back into my bag to walk away. As I did this, he lunged at me and grabbed my arms while yelling. He held me against the counter and started yelling that I was a thief. I tried to throw him off of me without punching him, and kept telling him to get off of me because I didn’t take anything. The struggle continued as customers and the first lady who I’d spoken to overlooked. She didn’t say anything. I kept trying to get him off of me and told him repeatedly that I went straight to the counter to return these items. I told him to look at his camera footage and he’d see proof of it, since the saleslady wasn’t being of any help. He just kept yelling accusations and grabbing me and my backpack. The struggle went across the front of the store and out the front door, along the sidewalk for a while and into the middle of Clement St. with busy afternoon traffic. He kept yelling for someone to call the police. I kept telling him to get off me and watch his video, and call the police to join him in doing this. Finally, as we scuffled more on the other side of the street, he let go of me and told me I was an ass hole and not welcome in his store. I angrily told him that he was an idiot to think I would want to go back to his store. I decided to write this review after speaking with a police officer and reporting the incident. I’ve never had anything like this occur, and I’m still quite rattled by it. I’m not sure I want to take the time to file a civil suit, but I definitely want everyone to be aware of the sort of people running this business.

Oh my, I can’t believe I haven’t written a review about this place yet… when this is truly the only place in the city where I can spend a long time browsing.
I love this place, as it offers good quality kitchen supply, without the extra price tag that you would expect from Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table. In fact, the items that you’ll buy here will actually make you want to cook, when the pretty kitchen supplies from above-​mentioned stores are usually bought by people who like them for decorative purposes.
In other words, you come to Kamei if you want to really cook (or if you already know how to cook). I, myself, fall somewhere in the middle…

Well, when visiting friends in SF, and waiting for our reservation at a nearby restaurant, one of us realized what she forgot to buy at the Kamei market the previous week, so we stopped in and perused the tidy aisles of dish towels, knives, tea kettles, ceramic pots, plastic scrapers, plastic containers for shower, food storage or bath (specifically for each purpose, not multi-​functioned).
Not being from the Bay, I’m not sure where else these supplies are available, because other reviews make it sound like this is the one place to go. A good selection, and no harm stopping in to see what they have when you are in the area and need supplies.

They pretty much have everything I need here. Mixers, thermos’, tupperware, glassware, even orchids! I stop by to pick up orchids occasionally because the price isn’t too steep and the buds are HUGE! You can pick up a huge orchid + pot for around $ 20. There are all types of kitchen gadgets and goodies all around. The best thing I’ve ever picked up here was a bamboo ear scoop/​picker by the register and it was less than $ 2! There’s no reason for me to walk out empty handed. This place is dangerous!

This place is the bomb. It is the best. It is superb.
I have been shopping here for maybe 20 years. It is the first place I go when I need something for my kitchen (e.g. I’m having a huge party that requires me to cook.) You can almost assuredly get what you need here for a really good price. If you want fancy, and you’re willing to pay, go to Sur Le Table or BIA. Otherwise, go here.
While here, you will pretty much see every chef in the city on their day off buying stuff for their own kitchens. There are a bunch of suspect things (ceramic) from China (yeah, bring your lead test kit) and a whole aisle of safe (but considerably more expensive) things from Japan.
And then there’s everything else:
Food storage of every size to fit your warming drawer, freezer, pantry, frig
Pots, pans, knives, every pastry thing you ever wanted, portable gas grills, stick blenders, gadgets of every kind, linens, anything you could want on the table (including live orchids) sushi everything, hot pots… I could fill pages, but I’ll spare you.
What they DONT have? Cookbooks (go to Green Apple Books across the street)
Oh, yeah, and the people who work here are not very nice. But for these prices? Who cares!

This is a MUST stop whenever we’re on Clement Street.
You can find any kitchen implement, kitchen-​related item big and small plus
loads of Asian dish ware in breakable (at least to me) china or safe melamine.
Some of the noteworthy items:
Chopsticks –traditional, fancy, hinged, kids’ with cute animals, wooden throw away,
long and extra long for cooking.
Divided dishes for kids — very very cute designs
Large serving bowls and plates, teeny tiny plates for soy or other sauces,
bowls and plates of multiple sizes; more choices than you could ever dream of,
chopstick rests in basic, crane or animal designs,
Origami – plain to fancy, some with printed animal faces, others with instructions on making simple to advanced designs.
Cookware — woks and steamer baskets of all sizes, skillets, sauce pans, tea pots, tea sets
Brooms, mops and other cleaning items
Laundry baskets
Wash tubs, tiny stool chairs for kids, large stool chairs for adults
Artificial plants and flowers
Much more items than I can remember.
This trip I bought animal origami paper, a Lux long ring timer and an oven tortilla basket pan.
My friend, NT, a Kamei Newbie, had FUN going up and down every aisle.
Fantastic inventory, great prices and helpful staff — Yes my kind of store!
(Plus it’s across the street from Green Apple Books, a few doors down from
Schubert’s and a block away from Mandalay!

Just go here.
Just go.
I guarantee that you will find something that you need and want.
Even if you don’t think you need or want anything.
Just go.
This place is beyond magical.
Beyond what’s up.
If you enjoy tea, if you enjoy cooking, if you enjoy ridiculously useful stuff — just go here.
I guarantee that you will manifest something that will make your life just that much more wondrously what’s up.
Trust.

For a regular cook and baker, this place is heaven sent! They say, «Never judge a book by its cover» and this totally applies to Kamei. I walked in thinking the selection was minimal and relegated to just cooking supplies. Nope! They have pretty much every utensil, gadget, and tool an everyday or professional cook needs. From general things like can openers, sifters, and whisks to specific things like brulee torches, slow cookers, and heart-​shaped molds, Kamei has it. They also carry some items of interest to Asian households like red envelopes (for Chinese New Year!) or plush home slippers. (If you were raised like me, there are NO SHOES allowed in the house! *shakes head* I jest. Not really.)
Nearly everything I looked at was significantly cheaper than at a big box store/​chain (i.e. Target, Macy’s, Williams-​Sonoma, Sur La Table) or an online merchant (i.e. Amazon). As a result, I found myself in utter joy, but I also wanted to kick myself for not having visited this place sooner. To think, allll the money I could’ve saved had I stocked up here than accumulating through «sales» or «clearances» at Sur La Table or Target. Now, this place is definitely «no frills» and the items are totally affordable… but you know what? I don’t ask questions of its affordability! Just relish in it and hope that Kamei stays thriving for years to come. One can totally spend hours here perusing through every aisle.
To give you some examples of deals, I found a Fox Run six-​cup mini bundt pan at Kamei for $ 11.99. For the same brand and product at Target and Amazon online, it was going for $ 16.99. A basic martini shaker that usually runs between $ 9-​$ 14 at a regular department store is $ 5-​$ 6 at Kamei. A food mill (for grinding thick soups, mashed potatoes, or baby food) which usually runs in the $ 30-​$ 40 price range was $ 27 at Kamei. While they carry a lot of relatively unknown brands, they also carry a number of very popular names like Bodum. One thing I noticed about a few of their items, however, was that some packaging looked old and worn… so some things didn’t look completely «fresh» from the conveyer belt. If aesthetics don’t matter to you, then you’re good here. If you want everything to come in a shiny and bright box, then spend that extra few bucks at Macy’s.
Bottom line: Kamei has affordable hardware and is a one-​stop shop for the casual *or* professional cook/​baker.